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The Families of Newtown Square: A Year in Review
Written by Craig and Olivia Whitney
August marks one year since Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine first reached the people of Newtown Township, thanks to our wonderful magazine Sponsors who have helped realize the monthly community magazine vision of Publisher Bob Blaisse.
It has been an incredible year serving as Content Coordinators for this magazine. There have been so many amazing families we’ve come to know, each month we feel closer to the community.
August 2019 Feature Family: The Tulskie Family at St. Albans Swim & Tennis Club in Newtown Square
Photo courtesy of Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Looking back, there are some truly inspiring and heartwarming stories we were lucky enough to bring to the people of Newtown Square this year.
The Kohlhepp Family - August 2018
Photo by Dan Hall of Prestige Photography www.PrestigePhoto.com
Our first family, Brad and Lauren Kohlhepp, shared the challenges of raising three young children and still trying to stay healthy. A hard task for anyone, but they made it possible by supporting their childrens’ activities and making the time for their own.
The Quinn Family - September 2018
Photo by Dan Hall of Prestige Photography www.PrestigePhoto.com
September came along, and with it a new family. Brian and Joanie Quinn told us about their family, also passionate about sports. Brian works in the Athletic Development department at La Salle, Joanie played basketball at Boston College, her sister played at La Salle, and her brother is currently the head coach for the University of Hartford.
The Rivers Family - October 2018
Photo by Olivia Whitney
The leaves began to change in October, and our experience with the community grew. Debbie and Scott Rivers shared the story of their family, how they met at Penn State and continue to foster a love for the university. Fingers crossed their children will follow in their footsteps!
The Avelino Family - November 2018
Mark Strohm of Strohm Photography www.MarkStrohm.com
With November came the cold, but things were just heating up with the magazine. Scott and Mimi Avellino shared their story of perseverance through hardship, providing wonderful playgrounds all over the surrounding community in remembrance of their son Andrew.
The Durkee Family - December 2018
Photo by Dan Hall of Prestige Photography www.PrestigePhoto.com
The holiday season began in December, and things were just as festive for Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors. Caroline and Steve Durkee met in a chance encounter at the wedding of a mutual friend, despite living in entirely different places in the country. They are now happily raising a wonderful family in Newtown Square.
The Milligan Family - January 2019
Michele Moran of Michele Moran Photography www.MicheleMoranPhotography.com
The January magazine rang in 2019 by featuring the Milligans. Marty and Collette Milligan have dedicated their personal time and professions to helping the community, volunteering to clean up Darby Creek and working with a company to promote the events and amenities of Delaware County.
The Locher Family - February 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
February brought Valentine’s Day, and with it a loving couple and their family. Tom and Shannon Locher are a fun-loving duo who are always eager to do something active, whether it’s fishing at the shore or hosting friends in the winter. Thinking of the Lochers’ summer activities helped get us all through the mid-winter months.
The Altobelli Family - March 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
March was creeping closer to the warm weather, and the magazine was going strong. Nick and Dana Altobelli were an unexpected family feature, Nick being a quiet, reserved man who prefers the laid-back summers at Sea Isle City and Dana being an outgoing person who prefers adventures in the Poconos. The old saying about opposites attracting fit very well with this young, happy family.
The Cunningham-Hill Family - April 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
April brought the first hints of spring, and we were happy to speak with the Cunningham-Hills, a local family with global roots. Mark and Jackie Cunningham-Hill first met in England, and travelled the world together before finding themselves raising a family in Newtown Square. Their adventurous spirit lives on today with their own children.
The McAleer Family - May 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
May was full of fresh flowers and a new warmth in the air. Michael and Christine McAleer told us how the travel bug took them from the east coast to San Diego, and continues to take them around the country with their children.
The DeAngelo Family - June 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
And just like that, another beautiful, if a little hot, June had set upon Newtown Square. Matt and Mary DeAngelo told us the story of their family, and how they chose Newtown Square to raise their two sons.
The Alberti Family - July 2019
Photo by Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
In July, we celebrated summer with fireworks and a line of cars down West Chester Pike headed to the beach. The Albertis have always loved the beach, currently spending the whole summer in Ocean City. Considering they are very active in the community and for their kids’ schools, these months are a very important time for them to unwind and relax.
Our magazine's monthly Family Feature photos courtesy of Shannon Locher of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
The families of Newtown Township have been very gracious to share their stories with their Newtown Square friends and neighbors through our hometown magazine. It’s no small thing to feature your family on the cover of a magazine, and to share the details of your life in a multi-page feature. But in doing so, we feel that the whole community has gotten to know each other better in the process.
We look forward to sharing more stories in the coming year. If you know a family that you would like to nominate for a cover feature story, contact us at cwhitney@BestVersionMedia.com.
