In 2023, the Westfield Area YMCA proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary of service to the community. As a nonprofit human service organization, the Y is dedicated to the communities of Westfield, Cranford, Garwood and Mountainside. But the history of establishing a local YMCA actually began in the 1800s. In fact, there were two prior attempts to form a YMCA. Thanks to strong leadership and the support of the community, the Westfield Area YMCA we know has grown to provide a wide variety of programs and services that reflect and anticipate the ever-changing needs of the community.   Early...

Name: Betsy Lau Family (names/ages): Lillian is 6 and Luke is 2   How long have you lived in town? How do you like the area? I moved back to Westfield in Nov 2020. I LOVE being back. This town is so special – I feel truly blessed to have been raised here and I cannot wait for my children to experience this town through their childhood as I did!   How long have you been members at the YMCA? Why did you join originally? We have been members of the YMCA since my parents moved to town (in 1983!). My fondest memories of the YMCA are from high school. I was on the Westfield High School Blue Devils...

Your name(s): Erica Witte, Laura Skidmore, Reema Sinha Organization: Project Playground Location: Westfield, NJ Contact Information: Laura Skidmore westfieldlincolnschoolpto@gmail.com Can you provide a bit of history about your group? How long has it been around? Project Playground was formed in September 2022 after we decided that it was time to create more accessible playgrounds at the Lincoln School in Westfield. As the public early childhood education center in Westfield, the Lincoln School is home to approximately 300 preschool and kindergarten students and is widely used by the children...

Name:  Meg Solebello Family (names/ages): Husband Mike, Molly (9) Michael (6) Company: The Cranford Creative Job Title: Owner, Creative Director, Artist Contact Info: megsolebello.com Meg Solebello is The Cranford Creative. She’s a former NYC advertising creative who brings big-city smarts to small-town homes and businesses. She loves connecting with her community through her art, bringing her energetic zest for life, talent, and creative vision to make your homes, businesses, and soirees beautiful. Meg Solebello is The Cranford Creative. She’s a former NYC advertising creative who brings big-city...

Nancy in the handmade Chinese silk as homage to heritage. As of September 2022, Ruth Gabay has been on this earth for 102 years. Tell us about your roots, and life as a young girl. I was born Ruth Dhue, and raised in countryside of Jamaica, the eldest of two daughters. My father was Chinese, from Hong Kong, and my mother from Jamaica. Life was a bit of a struggle early on. My father died while my mother was pregnant with me. Mom worked hard as a single mom, remarried and we uprooted a bit but the marriage failed and we then moved in with my maternal grandmother. She was a strong, fastidious...