2021 February
Newtown Square Bringing People Together
Friends & Neighbors
The Thiruselvam Family:
Onto the Next Adventure Cover photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Family owned since 1977!
Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
Subaru Family of Vehicles
4700 West Chester Pike 2
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
•
Newtown Square, PA
Dear Friends & Neighbors, Can you feel it? Can you feel time moving on? The New Year is here. The election and inauguration are behind us. Covid-19 vaccinations are ahead, bringing hope. As we’ll remember these times forever, we look forward to forgetting them too. I believe much happier times are ahead.
PUBLICATION TEAM PUBLISHER: Bob Blaisse EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Liz Burnett CONTENT COORDINATOR: Sheila Turner-Hilliard DESIGNER: Kim Cesati CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Sierra Clark, Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com COVER PHOTO STYLISTS: Blush Salon, Michele Quinn & Brittany Naab CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bob Blaisse, Sheila TurnerHilliard, Holly Stupak, Liz Burnett, Doug Humes, Chris Stack, Andrew Martella, David Gura and Lew Gura, Dave DiGregorio and TJ Dell’Arciprete, Rick Bondurant and Tom Rafferty ADVERTISING Contact Publisher: Bob Blaisse, 610-453-5536 Email: BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Have feedback or questions about how to submit events, updates, ideas for articles, high resolution photos, etc.? We will do our best to include as much community information as space permits. Please contact our Content Coordinator Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES Content Due the 5th of every month. Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, ratepayers or homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2021 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
ON THE COVER The Thiruselvam Family at their home in Newtown Square 2021 February
Newtown Square Together Bringing People
bors Fri ends & Ne igh
This year, Sheila Turner-Hilliard will bring us a stronger community through our hometown magazine. And our Experts… well, how fortunate are we all to have so many trusted experts in our corner when we need them. More than several of our experts helped launch our magazine, and have now renewed their sponsorship of our community, including Rob D’Anjolell, Len Sciulli, Lou Matteo, Scott Magness, Kevin O'Donnell, TJ Warner, Andrew Martella, Michele Quinn and Brittany Naab. Their renewed commitment as advertising Sponsors ensures our hometown magazine will continue to thrive and arrive in your mail for free each month and online a www.NewtownSquareMag.com. Two new advertising Sponsors also join their support of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors this month. One is Newtown Square resident Brendan Magee of Inevitable Wealth Coaching. Brendan will also serve as an Expert Contributor of regular feature articles related to investments and how our investment choices can set us free. Many already know Brendan Magee as a person of service to his community. Now we’ll all benefit through Brendan’s guidance as our personal investment coach, through feature articles in the months ahead. (See the first ad for Brendan’s firm, Inevitable Wealth Coaching on page 5.) We also welcome new Sponsor Shawn Brown, Owner of Stars & Stripes Tactical. Located just up the road in nearby East Goshen Township, Shawn's specialty shop offers tactical insights related to firearm safety, repairs and appraisals. Shawn was encouraged to become a Sponsor by a Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors Reader Leader, and this is Shawn’s way of saying Thank You to his Newtown Square customers who are already benefiting from his firearms expertise. (See Stars & Stripes Tactical’s first ad on page 24.) Thanks Brendan and Shawn. You’re at the party now which is Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors which you, and all our advertising Sponsors, make possible for the residents of Newtown Square who I know will enjoy this new issue.
Bob Blaisse Publisher
Share Our Magazine! www.NewtownSquareMag.com
Dear Residents, Oh February, you’re the longest-shortest month of the year! While we’re all looking forward to fresh air and flowers, I hope you’ll take some time to slow down and feel the warmth and love around you. Perhaps we’ll even get a few snowy days and cozy nights by the fireplace, too. We have several fun and interesting stories to share! First, you’ll meet The Thiruselvam Family, who has deep roots in Newtown Square yet big wings when it comes to traveling the globe. We also feature an award-winning illustrator from our hometown. And if you’re from Delco, you will love reading about a local builder’s dream of making a movie about Upper Darby. Finally, be sure to check out our Business Profile, which highlights our waterproofing Expert David Linn Cook, Newtown Square resident and Owner of Weatherproofing Plus, Inc.
Family: The Thiruselvam t Adventure Onto the Nex
Clark Photography Cover photo by Sierra to.com www.SierraClarkPho
We are looking for more Newtown Square families, individuals and nonprofit organizations to feature in our magazine. If you’d like to nominate someone, please email me at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Content Coordinator
Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
3
Expert Contributors Facial & Skin Treatments Sandra Cannon Debbie Beckley, RN Corinthian on The Square Salon & Spa 3543 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610-356-6062 CorinthianSalon3543@gmail.com www.CorinthianSalonAndSpa.com
Accounting & Tax Preparation Jack Del Pizzo, CPA Del Pizzo & Associates 2098 W Chester Pike #101, Broomall 610-356-2590 • JRD@DelPizzo.com www.DelPizzo.com
Automotive Repairs & Service Lou Matteo Edgemont Automotive 5040 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610 -353-9868 • EdgemontAuto@verizon.net www.EdgemontAutomotive.com
Fireplace Products Scott Magness Scott’s Fireplace Products 3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-422-8334 • SFP@ScottsFireplaceProducts.com www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com
Carpeting & Floor Covering Jim Casar Carpet Warehouse 620 Parkway Drive, Broomall 610 -353-1312 • CarpetWarehouseOutlet@gmail.com www.CarpetWarehouseCo.com
Funeral Home Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr., F.D. D‘Anjolell Memorial Homes 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall 610 -356-4200 • RobJr@DAnjolell.com www.DAnjolell.com Glass & Mirror Services David Gura & Lew Gura Bryn Mawr Glass 729 West Chester Pike, Havertown 610-853-2990 BrynMawrGlass@yahoo.com www.BrynMawrGlass.com
Chiropractic Care Dr. Heather Sefried, DC The Joint Chiropractic 3520 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 267-678-2225 • Info@TheJoint.com www.TheJoint.com Dance Instruction Helena Berggren From the Top Dance 3603 Chapel Road, Newtown Square 610 -353-2623 Info@FromTheTopDanceAcademy.com www.FromTheTopDance.com
Hair Salon Michele Quinn, Owner Brittany Naab, Co-Owner Blush Salon & The Studio by Blush Salon 3515 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610-325-3266 • MQuinn@BlushLooks.com www.BlushLooks.com
Electric Service, Residential/Commercial Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484-498-2965 • MartellaElectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com
Heating & Air Conditioning Len Sciulli Len Sciulli & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning 500 Abbott Drive, Broomall 610 -328-4341 • SciulliAndSons@hotmail.com www.LenAndSons.com
Value, at the end of the day, is what bridges the gap between low price desires and the premium products we offer at Scott’s Fireplace Products.
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3137 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA 4
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Expert Contributors Investor Coaching Brendan Magee Inevitable Wealth Coaching 610 -299-3969 • Brendan@CoachGee.com www.CoachGee.com
Real Estate Sales Sarah Forti, Realtor Forti Homes with Keller Williams Realty Office: 610 -647-8300 • Direct: 610 -986-7170 Sarah@FortiHomes.com www.FortiHomes.com
Landscape Design & Landscaping TJ Warner JHL Landscaping 610 -356-4104 • TJ@JHLLlandscaping.com www.JHLLandscaping.com
Roofing, Siding & Carpentry Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. Havertown 610 -449-8188 • Office@ODonnellRoofingCo.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com
Music Education David Marsh, Owner Rik Alison, Music Director School of Rock Main Line 511 Old Lancaster Rd #4, Berwyn 610-647-2900 MainLineSOR@gmail.com www.SchoolOfRock.com/mainline
Senior Living & Housing Lindsey Poeth, CSA® Oasis Senior Advisors Mainline Malvern 484-947-4266 LPoeth@YourOasisAdvisor.com www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Mainline
Septic, Sewer & Storm Services TJ Dell’Arciprete & David DiGregorio Delaware Valley Septic, Sewer & Storm 504 Eagle Road, Suite B, Springfield 610-947-4800 • Info@4DelVal.com www.4DelVal.com
Painting & General Contracting Services Tom Rafferty Rafferty Painting & General Contracting 610 -626-9141 • Info@RaffertyPainting.com www.RaffertyPainting.com Personal Training & Fitness Luigi Truono, LMT, Owner Retro Fitness Newtown Square 4847 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-420-4935 EdgmontSqPA@RetroFitness.net www.RetroFitness.com/EdgmontSquarePA
Waterproofing & Weatherization David Linn Cook Weatherproofing Plus, Inc. Marple Newtown 610-325- 0596 • Info@Weatherproofing-Plus.com www.Weatherproofing-Plus.com
Plumbing Service, Residential / Commercial Rick Bondurant R.F. Bondurant Plumbing 610-566-0288 • RFBPlumbing@comcast.net www.RFBondurant.com
Expert Contributors needed! Dental, Medical, Pet Services, Education, Law, Vacations, Home Health Care, Jewelry, etc. Professionals may contact: Bob Blaisse: 610-453-5536, or BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com
Inevitable Wealth Coaching Empowering Investors
Let us help you discover the life that opens up for you and your family when you have freedom, power, & joy around money and investing!
Empowering Families!
Brendan Magee, Investor Coach
610-299-3969
•
www.CoachGee.com
Newtown Square’s Resident Investor Coach Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
5
Resident Feature
The Thiruselvam Family: Onto the Next Adventure by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
We would like to thank
for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature. This month’s Newtown Square family is David and Gira Thiruselvam and their three children. They certainly know how to enjoy life! Whether it’s traveling around the globe or welcoming friends and neighbors into their beautiful home, this family is always ready to make memories. David moved with his family from India to the United States when he was a preteen. After he attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Colorado, he enlisted in the United States Navy, which awarded him with an academic scholarship to Savannah State University. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and later a law degree from Mercer University School of Law. He then relocated to our area and began his career with the Philadelphia Public Defender’s Office. Then, after working for a few private law firms, David decided to open his own practice in 2007, specializing in representing victims of crime and personal injury. “I get great satisfaction in helping severely injured victims of crime receive some measure of justice,” he said. David’s wife Gira was only four years old when she and her parents moved from India to the Philadelphia area. After living in a few Delaware County neighborhoods, her family, now with two younger brothers in tow, eventually settled down in Newtown Square. In 1979, Gira’s parents purchased a home on Bishop Hollow Rd, on a piece of land big enough to subdivide into three lots; one for each of their children to raise their families together some day. Gira, a proud Marple Newtown Senior High School grad, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. Her first job with Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia turned into a successful 20-year career in sales and management. In 2008, Gira opened her own insurance brokerage firm, CCM Benefits, to offer small group and individual health insurance plans. 6
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Gira and David Thiruselvam Photo courtesy of Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Life sometimes has a funny way of placing the person you are destined for right in front of you. In Gira and David’s case, love was just two short city blocks away: They met in 1997, while they were both working in downtown Philadelphia. A friend of Gira’s kept telling her that she really needed to meet his good friend David. That friend must have been onto something because he was very persistent. Gira agreed to meet David and some friends after work one night. Little did she know her friend’s matchmaking skills were on point! When David and Gira got married in 1999, they celebrated both a civil and a Hindu ceremony in a beautiful setting in Princeton, NJ. David and Gira have three children, all of whom have attended schools in the Marple Newtown School District. “My parents moved here,” explained Gira, “because they wanted my brothers and I to have a top-rated education. We all excelled in school, and David and I wanted the same for our kids.” Her brothers share the same sentiments, so the three siblings purchased their homes and started their families next door to one another, just as their parents had wished. Chels, the oldest of the Thiruselvam children, is a 2018 MNHS grad who now attends the University of Pittsburgh where he is pursuing a double major in History and Political Science. Gira said that from an early age, it was evident that Chels would take that path. “He’s an old soul who has been fascinated by history
ever since I can remember.” In fact, Chels told his kindergarten teacher that he would be President someday, and for those who know Chels, that may very well happen! He has always been comfortable speaking in public and being at the political forefront. David said “Chels was the kid who, on Election Day, instead of sleeping in on his day off from school, he’d be up at dawn, to head out and work at the polls.” Next up is Cole, a 2020 MNHS grad and now a Freshman at the University of Maryland. He is a sports enthusiast with a passion for football. He played on the defensive line all four years at Marple and received the Tiger Pride Award for exemplary behavior on and off the field while maintaining one of the highest GPAs on his team. Cole has an outgoing personality, which his dad says has helped a lot during his first year in college. “There were a lot of students who decided to stay home and learn remotely,” said David, “but Cole insisted on living on campus where he met some fantastic new friends.” Cole’s dream is to work for NASA someday, and he has declared a major in Physics with a minor in Computer Science. Gira and David’s youngest is their daughter Maya. She’s a funny, outgoing, confident MNHS Senior who recently committed to attend Penn State University’s main campus in the fall. Maya is passionate about human rights and, like her father, will pursue a degree in English with a pre-law track. Her parents say that she has a competitive yet compassionate nature, which has served her well in high school. Maya just completed her final season as the Goalie for the Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey team; she was
(L- R): Cole, Maya and Chels Thiruselvam Photo courtesy of Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
recently inducted into the Rho Kappa Social Studies National Honor Society; and she is currently Chair of the Mini-THON Committee, which will raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment again this spring. These three apples certainly didn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to hard work and following their passion! Understandable because David and Gira have given their children such wonderful examples of how they created their own paths. Both are driven entrepreneurs, supportive parents and dedicated volunteers in
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Resident Feature our community. In their spare time, David and Gira raise funds for the MNHS athletic department and the MNHS PTO. They’re always on the go, attending their kids’ sporting events and extracurricular activities. “We have so much fun on the sidelines!” said Gira, “and I love that my kids have walked all the same halls that I did, and they marched in the same Newtown Edgmont Little League parade as my brothers.” While all these familiar experiences and surroundings are comforting, the Thiruselvams also love excitement. In fact, their family motto is “Onto the next adventure!” — and their passports prove just that. It all began when Gira and David decided to take the kids to Europe when Maya was in first grade. Every year since, they’ve traveled overseas to explore, learn and experience much this world has to offer. They’ve been to England, France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Czech Republic and Hungary — just to name a few. David’s favorite thing to do is travel with his family but he has also checked off a few places on his own bucket list. A few years back, he traveled with some buddies to Pamplona, Spain, to spend his 50th birthday running with the bulls. On another trip, David and his buddies traveled to Tanzania in east Africa, where they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and then joined the Maasai Warriors in their tribal jumping ceremony.
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The Thiruselvam Family at Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey Photo courtesy of Gira Thiruselvam
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
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To get the most out of each international experience, David and Gira expect the kids to do some research. “Prior to each family trip, the kids must study the culture, government and economy, and report their findings during family meetings,” said David. Typically, David and Gira decide the destination, but in 2018, they let Chels choose, as part of his graduation gift. Not surprisingly, his love of history brought them all to Poland and Russia, to tour the sites of World War II’s Operation Barbarossa. Cole’s pick for his 2020 graduation trip, to Japan and China, is unfortunately on hold for now, and Maya says she’s still deciding. No doubt that will be somewhere fun! No matter how far this family may travel, they are always grateful to come home to Newtown Square. Gira and David agree that this community is full of families who share many of their values. “Living here has been a fulfilling experience,” Gira said. “Over the years, we have created many great memories and have made many close friends!” Sounds like the perfect place to unpack your bags. Do you know a Newtown Square Resident or Family who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming magazine features about Newtown Square’s residents, youth, seniors or nonprofit groups by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. NS
ur o y r o f u o y k n a Th rt ! o p p u s d e u n i t n o c
Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Expert Contributor by Andrew Martella Martella Electric
Doorbell Camera Systems:
Who Is Coming to Your House? Today, we have dozens of companies offering everything from door bell systems that record visitors to those that chase away visitors by sounding an audible alarm. And the choices for such systems are only increasing.
Do you live on a cul de sac where cars are constant because they missed the “No Outlet“ sign as they turned onto your street? The answers to those questions will help you select the product or products that will satisfy your needs.
How are we to choose from among so many options? What is your level of curiosity? What will help you feel safe and secure in your home? Do you live on a very busy street with constant traffic? Do you live on a quiet street with occasional vehicles?
Doorbell (or door button) units typically attach to your home, and are connected to the existing wiring. In some cases, additional wiring and/or equipment is required that does not come with the system you decide to purchase. That added wiring or equipment is necessary to ensure the system performs optimally.
As an essential business, Martella Electric is OPEN & AVAILABLE!
Camera systems attach similarly. They can replace an existing floodlight or wall light unit, but may require new or additional wiring. Almost all camera systems have an app you can install on your mobile phone and/or tablet. The fun begins when you have to select options for what you want your camera system to see, hear and record. The more you need to know, the more ways there are to capture the information.
Martella Electric Company is a team of courteous, professional, and highly trained electricians. Our priority is to deliver superior customer service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. • Electrical Service Upgrades • Landscape Lighting • Circuit Breaker Panels • Fireguard Circuit Breakers • Security Lighting • Recessed Lighting • Electric Vehicle Charging • LED Under-Cabinet Lighting • Lighting Controls • Exhaust Fans
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
These systems provide many benefits, the most basic of which is the ability to communicate with each visitor on a friendly and personal level. Another benefit is added safety and security for your home and its inhabitants. A third benefit is how these systems can improve security for your neighborhood and surrounding community. You may have seen videos on social media that show “porch pirates” stealing packages that had been delivered at a home earlier that day. Those videos were recorded by a doorbell/camera system, and can help law enforcement officials fight crime. There are many documented cases where the video cameras have recorded individuals in the act of committing a crime. After law enforcement officials obtain those videos, the perpetrators are often apprehended rather quickly. Enjoy your new doorbell/camera system. Have some fun with it. And most of all, be safe. NS
s n o i t a l u t C ongra February Sproul Lanes Student of the Month February Sproul Lanes Student of the Month Luke Carden Photo courtesy of Nancy Carden
The February Sproul Lanes Student of the Month is Luke Carden, a Senior at Malvern Prep! Luke received a Certificate of Achievement, and looks forward to enjoying his award: a “Pizza Bowl” party courtesy of Sproul Lanes, our Sponsor of this program. Luke, a native of Newtown Square, has attended Malvern Prep since 8th grade. His positive orientation experience as a Freshman there motivated him to want to give back. So, as a Junior, he volunteered and was selected by the school’s Adelphia Society to participate in their two-day orientation program for the new Freshman class.
Student of the Month by Liz Burnett
Luke Carden! Nominate the Next Student of the Month! Any student in grades 7 –12 who resides within the borders of the Marple Newtown School District can be nominated by a parent, teacher or themself. Send an email to SOTM@SproulLanes.com explaining several reasons why the student excels in Service to friendship, school or other local communities. Academic or athletic excellence may be considered but is not required. The Winner will be featured in next month's magazine and will also receive a Sproul Lanes Pizza Bowl Gift Certificate good for 2 hours of bowling for up to 10 people plus pizza, sodas, snacks and free shoe rental. N S
Limited Winter Leagues forming NOW!
Luke has also served communities in Philadelphia and Camden, by going with his classmates and his school’s service moderator, to provide meals for the homeless and poor in those areas. And he has participated in Malvern Prep’s food drives that help the local food banks replenish their pantries.
Every other lane is open, allowing for social distancing. We sanitize and clean throughout the day and conduct a deep cleaning every day we’re closed.
A lacrosse player since preschool and a lacrosse travel team player since 5th grade, Luke has enjoyed serving as a member of Malvern Prep’s lacrosse team, including the Varsity team in his Junior and Senior years. As a member of his school’s Athletes for Christ Club, he discussed and then put into action ways athletes can demonstrate their connection to Christ, especially on the sports field.
Please be aware that face masks are required to enter, and must be worn at all times.
Luke also enjoys being a member of his school’s Young Politicians Club, which discusses current political events and how political action can accomplish social goals to improve lives. A recent project to build a 1971 R5 Yamaha motorcycle with a friend from school got Luke interested in a possible career in Mechanical Engineering. He also enjoyed his recent Economics class and may consider a Business Administration major in college. Your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors sincerely congratulate you, Luke, on being honored for demonstrating Excellence in Service to your school and other communities! And we wish you well in every future “chapter” of your life. N S
Bowler areas, house bowling balls, keypads, seating, and shoes, etc., are all disinfected between groups.
www.SproulLanes.com Facemasks Required at All Times! • Family Fun • Fundraising
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Expert Contributor by David Gura and Lew Gura Bryn Mawr Glass
Shower Curtains vs. Glass Shower Doors: Which Is Right for You? Renovating or adding a full bathroom to your home can be stressful, not to mention expensive. When it comes to choosing between a glass door shower enclosure or a shower curtain, price, aesthetics and functionality should be carefully considered along with the room’s design and layout. Glass doors have many advantages to consider, especially if you’re installing a walk-in shower. Glass doors and panels will make your bathroom space brighter and appear larger. They can be used to highlight custom tile work, and will undoubtedly last longer than fabric curtains and vinyl liners. Today’s glass door trends offer many style options, such as sliding barn doors, frosted glass and etched patterns. Glass shower doors and panels reduce clean-up time by eliminating the water that’s splashed onto the bathroom floor while you shower. Investing in a professional clear coating and using a squeegee after each use will extend the life and look of your glass as well. A tub-and-shower combination involves other considerations. A glass shower door may create too tight a space or perhaps prevent desired ease of leaning over the tub to bathe a child or wash objects. In that case, a shower curtain offers a quick, space-saving answer while allowing it to still be part of your bathroom’s decor. Shower curtains can look elegant when made from fabric or plastic, and ideas for mounting shower curtains abound, with an array of fasteners matching any size budget.
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A fabric shower curtain costs far less than a glass door shower enclosure. And a plastic shower curtain costs even less. But how many shower curtains will be purchased over 25 years? While shower curtains allow for more frequent decor change, they quickly build up mildew and must be taken down regularly for thorough cleaning. And vinyl liners need to be replaced several times each year. When budget, bathroom space and decor preference align, glass shower enclosures usually become the easy choice. They offer many options, from framed to semi-frameless or frameless. And it’s generally accepted that glass shower doors always increase the value of a home, perhaps because they’re viewed as being more easily cleaned and more modern. NS
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Expert Contributor
Some Tips for Selecting a New Toilet Sometimes it’s better to replace an older toilet rather than repair it. Yes, that decision is likely to cost more, but over time, the savings on your water bill and other lifestyle improvements could quickly justify the more expensive option. There are many things to consider when thinking about purchasing a new toilet. First, consider the two bowl-shape choices: traditional round or elongated (egg-shaped). Next, consider the bowl height. The standard height is 15 inches from the floor to the flood rim. Many toilet manufacturers also offer the comfort height, which is 17 inches off the floor. The elongated comfort-height bowl, which is standard on all handicap (ADA) toilets, has also become a more popular option for residential homes because customers find it more comfortable and easier to use.
by Rick Bondurant R.F. Bondurant Plumbing
1.6gpf (gallons per flush) or 1.28gpf. You can also get a dualflush toilet that uses 1.6gpf for solid waste but only 1gpf for liquid waste. In the average home, the toilet is responsible for 26% of all indoor water usage. Installing a more efficient model can take a big bite out of your water bill while also helping to conserve water. Replacing a toilet is a job best left for a plumbing professional. The new toilet should be properly connected to the drainage system to prevent leaks and ensure proper operation. NS
The other two big considerations are performance and water consumption. Most toilet manufacturers score the performance based on a MaP (Maximum Performance scale) testing report. The maximum amount tested is 1000 grams, which is more than 2 pounds of solid waste. Good-performing toilets remove an adequate 100 - 375 grams of bulk waste. Better toilets remove an above-average 400 - 775 grams. Best performance is achieved with toilets that flush 800 - 1000 grams of bulk waste. Most new toilets have a fully glazed smooth trapway that’s 2 or more inches in diameter. Older toilets have a trapway that’s rough (the same surface as the inside of the toilet tank) and smaller than 2 inches. Older toilets don’t flush waste away as easily, and they also waste more water. So the other factor to seriously consider is water consumption. Most new toilets are
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Bringing People Together by Bob Blaisse Publisher
Bringing People Together
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Bringing People Together Across Town and Across America
Living on the border of Newtown Township and Marple Township, and with my being the Publisher of both Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors and Marple Friends & Neighbors, you can imagine that I get around town, the area we all casually refer to as Marple Newtown, which no doubt has become regionally known as such because of our public school district of the same name. 2021 January
Newtown Square Bringing People Together
Friends & Neighbors
The Kim Family:
The Perfect Blend of Family, Values and Fun! Clark Photography Cover photo by Sierra www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Marple
2021 January
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
The Pancoast Family Deep Roots in Marple Clark Photography Cover photo by Sierra www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Bringing People Together
Over the holidays, several of my friends and neighbors from Newtown Square, and also some from Marple Township, shared how much they enjoyed their hometown magazine. But I came to realize that not all were aware that our magazines are also published online. Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine is also online at www.NewtownSquareMag. com. Marple Friends & Neighbors is found online too, at www.MarpleMag. com. And then I realized that we can be Bringing People Together even more so, across town, by sharing this news. So, Newtown Square residents, take a look at your Marple Friends & Neighbors, and see how many families on the cover of past months’ issues you also know from our Marple Newtown hometown.
Last month, I also shared news of how our online presence is developing when I asked in this feature: Should we begin a Sports Section in our magazine? I shared news of our new national website: www.BVMSports.com, which I hope by now all have visited to experience the span of sports, from Pee-Wee to Pro, and the richness of our technology developed to be Bringing People Together through sports fandom on a local level. Your feedback was a resounding YES and a definite answer that it sure would be great to read several local sports features in our magazine every month, but even better if www.BVMSports. com could be filled with online feature about the sports and activities engaged in by Newtown Square residents, from our youngest youth to our oldest elders.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Of course, these COVID times halted our social contact with sports and activities, but there are still safe, single activities and socially distanced sports still happening. And better days are on the way for an expected return of sports participation in 2021. We need to get ready. Again, I am calling on all Citizen Journalists (really anyone with a camera phone who knows how to type out a story). It’s time to get yourself registered with www.BVMSports.com and time to start regularly uploading your short features articles, which you write about local youth and teens, college athletes, adults and seniors whom you admire as you see them participating in any form of sports or activities that reflect fun, skills and personal commitment on any level. Think about it. The feature you write for the national online web destination www.BVMSports.com will be Bringing People Together from Newtown Square with people from all across America and the world! Your photos taken and shared will be sharing the best of our hometown pride. Your videos uploaded will make us smile. And some of the written features and photos uploaded to www.BVMSports.com about residents of Newtown Square may also find your features, with your byline, published in the sports section of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors in print and online at www.NewtownSquareMag.com. C’mon! Get Your Game On...Bringing People Together. NS
Bob Blaisse
Publisher, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Business Profile
Honesty, Integrity and Commitment to Customers by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of David Linn Cook
A flooded basement is a homeowner’s nightmare. Even when your basement is not visibly flooded, minor leaks or water seepage from the walls or floor can cause major damage. When you hire David Linn Cook of Weatherproofing Plus, Inc., you can rest assured that you made the right choice for all of your wet basement and serviceable needs. For 35 years, Dave, our local Expert in weatherization, has been taking the hassle out of fixing leaky basements and other humidity problems.
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www.WeatherProofing-Plus.com 16
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
David Linn Cook of Weatherproofing Plus
Using their expertise in basement waterproofing and home remodeling, Weatherproofing Plus provides a variety of services including sump pump installation, waterproofing paint, mold remediation, crawl space encapsulation and foundation repair. Located in Newtown Square, they proudly serve the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Dave grew up in Springfield, Delaware County, and graduated from Springfield High School. He then attended the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, where he studied entrepreneurial small business administration. For many years after college, Dave worked as a construction worker and also as a waterproofing estimator. He soon realized that he had a keen eye for finding water leaks that others could not find. In 1991, David formed his own business, Weatherproofing Specialties. “There’s a saying that it takes 10,000 hours of doing a task to become a professional,” said Dave. “After 5 years of 50 hours a week and 52 weeks a year, I’d say I’ve more than accumulated those hours!” Two years ago, he added a partner to his company, Julius Pacala, a skilled carpenter, who as a young man built a log cabin in the woods of eastern Europe. Forty years ago, while Julius was on holiday, he climbed the Alps, to escape eastern Europe. He found freedom in Austria, and later made his journey to the United States and became an American citizen. Dave and Julius merged the names of their two companies, Weatherproofing Specialists and A+, to form Weatherproofing Plus. Weatherproofing Plus is unique in that not many other weatherproofing companies will send out the co-Owner to give an estimate and do all service repairs. “Many companies may hire specific salespeople to sell a specific product solution,” said Dave. “Some contractors may present solutions and bring you to the conclusion that a product they install is all you need. I get to the root of the problem and offer different options, and always ones that are, if possible, the most cost-effective.”
BEFORE: A Montgomery County home’s basement with significant water damage
AFTER: The same home’s basement after Weatherproofing Plus provided remedies
BEFORE
AFTER
When customers meet Dave, they can tell he’s sincere and passionate about his work. “I immensely enjoy talking to my customers and finding the problem,” said Dave. He also considers himself “a straight shooter.” “Weatherization is not a ‘one size fits all,’ and I never try to underestimate the problem,” he said. “Every job is custom, and sometimes that requires gradual implementation of corrective steps.” Weatherproofing Plus offers customers a 10-year warranty on all basements. “Some companies offer a lifetime warranty, but customers are quick to find out that it doesn’t cover very much. My friends and neighbors know they won’t have to pay anything additional if something needs quick fixing within those 10 years,” Dave said confidently. Dave has lived in Marple Newtown for over 30 years. “As a local, I feel it’s important to assist neighbors in need,” said Dave. “For me, that means making houses functional and safe, one home at a time.” And the key to a happy life? Dave says it’s to Live Simply. “I enjoy spending plenty of time with my lovely wife Linda and my five sons, taking nature walks with our new dog, and enjoying a cup of java and some very dark chocolate every day,” he said. Dave and his family also enjoy receiving our Friends & Neighbors magazine each month, to read about people around town. And since becoming a Sponsor, he has heard from more of his neighbors, who’ve contacted him for help with seemingly unfixable leaks. Living in Marple Newtown, we experience all types of weather anomalies, even hurricanes and tornadoes. So, when a water problem arises, it’s important to make sure that you don’t get confused by differing solution proposals. Weatherproofing Plus is committed to straight answers and integrity and finding the right solution for your unique home. Dave welcomes your inquiries by phone at 610-325-0596 or by visiting the website at www.WeatherProofing-Plus.com. NS
Welcome to 2021 at FROM THE TOP!
Introducing a new premium Health and Fitness Program to include Yoga, Cardio, Strength training, and dance. Email us today for more info and discount: info@FromTheTopDanceAcademy.com Enroll for our Spring Performing Arts Program: • Early Education Movers & Shakers, Combo (Tap, Ballet, Jazz) • Musical Theater (sing, dance, act), Broadway Jazz, Tap • Hip Hop, Music Video Dance, Pom / Cheer • Contemporary, Ballroom Fusion, Euro Disco • Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical • Special Needs Inclusive • Dance Teams/Crews Register on our portal at www.FromTheTopDanceAcademy.com
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
17
WHAT IS YOUR
WORKING GENIUS? Written by Patrick Lencioni Founder and President, The Table Group
W
hen it comes to work, we all have gifts. Natural, God-given talents that give us energy and allow us to contribute to the success of organizations and teams. We are meant to use those gifts, and it is frustrating, sometimes tragic, when we can’t. Of course, if we don’t know what our gifts are, we can’t be sure that we are using them. Now, in addition to our gifts, we all have limitations—natural areas of deficiency that drain us of our energy and frustrate our ability to contribute to work. Though we can’t always avoid those areas, we are meant to minimize the time we have to spend on those tasks, though again, if we don’t know what those deficiencies are, we can’t minimize them.
The Six Types of Working Genius is a model and an assessment tool that allows anyone—CEOs, schoolteachers, factory supervisors, college students—to identify their gifts and limitations so they can maximize their satisfaction and success in any kind of work they do. In thirty minutes, someone can radically alter their day-to-day job fulfillment or even their career direction. What a difference that can make in a person’s life. As it turns out, those six types of genius—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity— make up the six required activities for any work endeavor.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
I
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Whether you’re engaged in running a company, a department, a project, or even a family, all six are necessary ingredients for success. No one person can possibly embody them all, which is why teamwork is so important. Among those six types, everyone has two that we call areas of genius, where we get our joy and energy and have natural ability. We have two that we call areas of frustration, where we get drained of joy and energy and have little natural ability. Then there are two in the middle, areas where we might have some ability, but that are not a source of energy and satisfaction. Imagine if every company, every organization, every team knew the areas of genius, competency and frustration of their people and organized them for success. Imagine if every parent knew those areas of genius for their spouse and children. It’s not an exaggeration to say that there would be more joy and less misery in society. But that has to happen one person at a time and that person might as well be you. What are your areas of genius? NS
The Genius of Wonder (W)
The natural gift of pondering the possibility of greater potential and opportunity in a given situation.
The Genius of Invention (I) The natural gift of creating original and novel ideas and solutions.
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The Genius of Discernment (D)
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The Genius of Enablement (E)
The natural gift of providing encouragement and assistance for an idea or project.
The Genius of Tenacity (T)
The natural gift of pushing projects or tasks to completion to achieve results.
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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People In Places
Marple Newtown High School Teacher Robert Speca: Inspiring a New Generation of Domino Topplers by Holly Stupak Marple Newtown High School teacher Robert Speca is not your typical science teacher. He also happens to be a professional domino toppler, known as the “Domino Wizard,” the “Domino King,” and the “Father of Domino Toppling.” For the past 40+ years, he has been toppling all over the world, and appearing on such shows as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Late Show with David Letterman. He is listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as holding the record five times. Toppling is the art of standing up dominoes in sequence, to create a chain reaction also known as “the domino effect.” Only the first domino should be toppled by hand. Robert started domino toppling back when he himself was a student at MNHS in the 1970s. He became inspired when his 10th-grade math teacher, Mr. Dobransky, lectured his class on math induction
Robert Speca on the set of The Late Show with David Letterman Photo courtesy of Mark Monroe
theory and compared the theory to a row of falling dominoes. After the lecture, Robert bought himself four boxes of dominoes, set them up on his dining room table and pushed the first one over. Since then, he has been hooked. Robert said watching the dominoes fall one by one was hypnotic and his fascination is something he can’t explain. “I started buying more boxes of dominoes and setting up shows in my basement,” he said. “I got carried away!” His domino displays for neighbors and friends caught the attention of a family friend who featured him in the local paper, The County Leader. Shortly after that, he got the opportunity
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Glow in the dark paw display that Robert Speca created for the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl that aired on Super Bowl Sunday in 2019. Photo courtesy of Robert Speca
Robert Speca giving a domino toppling demonstration to students Photo courtesy of Mark Monroe
to be on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where Johnny referred to his domino toppling as a form of “art in motion.” By age 18, he had set the first official world record for the highest number of dominoes toppled in a chain reaction: 11,111 pieces. After graduating from MNHS in 1975, he went on to pursue a degree in Astronomy from the University of Pennsylvania, but his teaching career didn’t start until many years later in what Robert calls his “second act.” He graduated from Penn in 1979 and traveled around the world, creating domino displays for charities, publicity events, corporate meetings, colleges and high schools. His displays are elaborate creations that are painstakingly assembled, with names like “The Tarzan Swing” and “Six Days ‘til Sunday.” Set-up for those displays can take a week or more. Over the years, Robert Speca appeared on other shows such as Ellen Degeneres and Mister Rogers, and Robert’s displays have been featured in TV ads, The Puppy Bowl, and most recently on the Netflix show Master of None. Robert also wrote two books: Championship Domino Toppling and The Great Falling Domino Book, both of which teach readers how to set up their own domino creations “Rube Goldberg style.” Information about Robert’s books as well as videos and fun facts can be found on his website: www.DominoShow.com. After many years as a professional domino toppler, Robert decided to get his teaching certificate, and began teaching in 1998. Since 2005, he has taught science and has run the Rube Goldberg Society, a club at MNHS, inspiring a whole new generation of domino topplers. “Toppling builds patience and stimulates the imagination,” explained Robert. In 2013, Robert and his students helped celebrate the success of MNHS’s book drive for Read Across America (March 2 this year), by creating and toppling dominoes and books that spelled out the message “MN Reads.” The display, which included 1400 multi-colored rectangles outlined by 200 large and small hardcover books, traveled up ladders, walked the plank, dove into glasses of water and flipped from mouse traps.
As a teacher, Robert said he’s glad he can use his own experience to inspire the students. “It’s really enjoyable to see the ideas the students come up with,” said Robert. “I show them the basics and they really take off with it. Not only is it great for teaching about matter, energy and engineering skills, it’s a great way to express yourself!” NS
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21
People In Places Kate Garchinsky
Kate Garchinsky: Newtown Square’s Award-Winning Illustrator by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
When Kate Garchinsky was a little girl, she would climb the Japanese maple tree in her front yard and sit as still as possible. She imagined that no one could see her. She would stay there for hours, hoping that just one little bird would perch on her shoulder and become her friend. That never happened, but it was fun to pretend. As the oldest of six, finding time for herself wasn’t easy. But Kate discovered a space in nature and art which she says was a wonderful way to get lost in her own little world. Kate combined her passions, and received a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a focus in nature and children's literature.
Photo courtesy of Kate Garchinsky
Kate’s love for animals, nature, art and playfulness is as strong today as it was back then. “I never outgrew the best parts of being a kid. I never felt like I had to,” she said. In fact, today, you’ll find Kate, her husband Brian, their rescue pup and two indoor kitties living in a home surrounded by 40 acres of open space in Newtown Square. “We chose to settle down here to be immersed in nature,” Kate explained. Kate and her husband are avid birders who feel fortunate to live in the Upper Ridley/Crum IBA (Important Bird Area) as designated by the National Audubon Society. Much of the open space in Upper Ridley/Crum is managed by Willistown Conservation Trust, headquartered just up the road from Kate’s home studio. She attends bird banding sessions at the Trust’s Rushton Woods bird banding station, which she says is “a rare opportunity to observe and sketch wild birds up close and sitting still.” Kate has been an invited guest of the Trust’s Rushton Nature Art workshop for Rushton Nature Keepers program Keepers program Photo courtesy of Blake Goll for children ages 7 - 11, where she does book readings and signings, leads art workshops, and answers questions about what it’s like to illustrate books about wildlife. “I think the best part of my job is interacting with my readers. There’s nothing like hearing a collective ‘Wow!’ whispered from a group of kids who may have thought bats were creepy or that skunks were gross," she says. “That little spark gives me hope.” Being surrounded by trails, streams and wildlife serves as the perfect backdrop for Kate’s work as an illustrator in a series of children’s books written by Laurence Pringle. She first met Laurence in 2016, at a Highlights Foundation retreat where he was working as a writing mentor. “I wanted to write about birds,” Kate said, “and Laurence really helped me develop strong skills.” While working together, she learned that Laurence was writing The Secret Life of the Red Fox, the second book in his series, and he happened to be looking for an illustrator. Kate told him, “I can draw a fox!” and she showed him a few sketches. The two have been collaborating ever since. Kate has illustrated several more of Laurence’s books, including The Secret Life of the Skunk and The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Kate’s illustrations have been described as stunning, gorgeous and realistic. For her natural history illustrations of extinct birds, she was awarded the Don Eckelberry Fellowship at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Most recently, Kate received an award from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club for her illustrations in Belle’s Journey: An Osprey Takes Flight. Her work has also received awards and recognition from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, University of the Arts, and the Valley Forge Audubon Society. But, beyond all the awards and accolades, Kate says the greatest gift has been the connection she makes with curious and imaginative children just like that little girl who sat in a tree. NS
Special Moments Captured
Photos courtesy of Kate Garchinsky
Kate is especially proud of her next book in the series, The Secret Life of the Sloth, which will be released in April. Kate says this was her most difficult book to illustrate to date. “The first challenge I faced was simply how to draw three-toed sloths. I thought bats were tricky,” she said. As she finalized her drawings and decided to dedicate her work in this book to her youngest nephew, Logan, he sadly passed away in his sleep just before his first birthday. Kate struggled through the shock and sadness to rewrite her dedication, but is grateful to honor Logan’s memory that way.
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Things To Do
February Events LIVE LOCAL EVENTS
Daily through March 7
Daily through March 21
@Delaware River Waterfront, 101 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia
@Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square
Philly’s favorite Winter wonderland on the Waterfront is back with thousands of sparkling lights, warming cabins, firepits and ice rink. Reserve tickets in advance.
The Conservatory is a vision of color and texture with breathtaking collections of orchids displayed in vivid baskets, columns, orbs and more fanciful forms during the Orchid Extravaganza. Visiting guidelines are in accordance with state and local regulations. Timed admission tickets are required.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Orchid Extravaganza
Time: Mon. - Thurs. 1 - 11pm, Fri. 1pm - 1am, Sat. 11am - 1am, Sun. 11am - 11pm Cost: Skating $5, Skate Rental $10
Time: Visit website for times and tickets Cost: $13 - $25
215-925-7465 www.DelawareRiverWaterfront.com
610-388-1000 www.LongwoodGardens.org Sat., February 13
Stars & Stripes TACTICAL
14th Annual Feel the Love 5K @Wilson Farm Park, 1601 Darby Rd, Wayne There is no other race like this! Scoring for the race will consist of a couple’s COMBINED final times. This is a unique and motivational race where it takes two to do well! With four couple categories to choose from, there is something for everyone! INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOME TO RACE. A virtual race option is also available. Proceeds benefit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at Jefferson Hospital and the Bryn Mawr Running Club.
Education, Sales and Service • Gunsmithing & firearm appraisals • Firearm consulting & training
Time: 11am Cost: $35
• We buy and consign estates & collections
www.RunSignUp.com/Race/PA/Wayne/FeeltheLove5K
• Novice and women-led classes
Specials on Gun Safes and Safety Equipment!
Sat., February 13
Galentine’s Day Pick Your Project Workshop
Mon. - Fri.: 10am - 6pm Saturday by appointment Sunday Closed
@Board & Brush, 210 S Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square Looking for a fun way to connect with friends or family? Join our most popular DIY workshop and create your own unique wood sign! Select a wood project from our gallery. We provide all the materials and instruct you step-by-step, to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Choose from a variety of paint and wood stain colors in the workshop. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
610-556-0223
• Fully Licensed & Insured www.StarsNStripesTactical.com 1313 West Chester Pike, West Chester
Time: 1 - 4pm or 6:30 - 9:30pm Cost: $68 adults only
“A person’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.”
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Guarantee Comfort this Winter with Dream Team Make sure your home’s important systems are in good shape to keep you comfortable and safe all winter long. Schedule a visit from your home’s ultimate team! • Emergency Heating Repairs • Heating System Replacements • Plumbing Repairs • Sewer/Drain Cleaning • Water Heater Replacement • Electrical Upgrades • Circuit Breaker Repairs 24
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
610 - 215 - 9937 www.DreamTeamPA.com February 2021
VIRTUAL EVENTS Museum of the American Revolution The Museum offers an abundance of free digital resources for all ages, including the following two programs: Finding Freedom Interactive: Explore the stories of African American men and women in war-torn Virginia with the Finding Freedom interactive feature, adapted from the Museum's galleries. Beyond the Battlefield–A Virtual Trip: Take a behind-the-scenes virtual field trip of the Museum, presented in partnership with Scholastic, with Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived series of children’s historical fiction novels. www.AmRevMuseum.org Ongoing thru Thurs., April 1
Art-Making Kits for Kids at Home
Come Rock with Us and Change Your World!
Philadelphia Museum of Art Collection-inspired art-making activities for all ages. Get step-by-step online instructions on how to make art using everyday materials. Cost: FREE
www.PhilaMuseum.org Thurs., February 11
Book and Cook with Miss Mel Marple Public Library Join Miss Mel in making an easy, heartwarming and special dish that you can make with your family. After the cooking session, Miss Mel will recommend a few kid-friendly cookbooks to try at home. For ages 5-12 (with a parent) via the library’s Facebook page.
Learn The School of Rock Method which couples live/virtual lessons with a proprietary Method App , SongFirst Approach and Method Books .
Time: 10:30am Cost: FREE
Weekly one-on-one REMOTE or IN PERSON lessons conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors available for: • Guitar/Bass Guitar • Drums • Singing • Keyboard & Piano
610-356-1510 www.Facebook.com/MarpleLibrary Tues., February 15 & 22
Yoga and Mindfulness with Miss Mel Marple Public Library Join Miss Mel reading a story and doing Yoga poses from the story. Ages 5 and up (with a parent) via the library’s Facebook page. Make sure you give yourself enough room and have a Yoga mat.
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25
History Spotlight
Our Neighbor, Rich Paul by Doug Humes
There was a Disturbance in the Force on December 29, 2020. Millions of voices of local history, past and present, were suddenly silenced. Something terrible happened: Our neighbor, Rich Paul, passed away. If you had been to a history event in Delaware County in the last 50 years, then you likely crossed paths with Rich. He was everywhere in the Delaware County history community. Though his home base was his beloved hometown of Marple, his interest, energy and life reached into every corner of the county, and back into every moment of its history. He held offices with the Marple Historical Society, as Chairman of the Marple Historical Commission, Chairman of the Delaware County Heritage Commission, President and then Treasurer of the Delaware County Historical Society as well as the Property Director and Vice President of the 1696 Thomas Massey House. He was a costumed waiter at the wonderful period dinners held at the Massey House. He ran a mailing list that helped all history organizations in the County promote their programs and events, and he was a presence at most of those events. He gave slideshows on local history to community groups throughout the county. In fact, he had just completed a new program that focused on the role of Delaware County in the development of America that he was to give in December, until it got canceled by the shutdown. Rich had a long list of projects still to be done, including the work of preserving the Hayti Cemetery, long neglected until he began working to have people of good faith begin the process of honoring those forgotten dead by taking responsibility for that abandoned Marple cemetery.
Rich Paul (1943-2020) Photo courtesy of the Paul Family
I first met Rich when I moved into an historic home in Marple. He showed up at my door, introduced himself and his interest in history, and asked if I would show him around. I hesitantly agreed, but an hour later, we were fast friends. He pointed out unique items: handmade hooks in the basement where the old farmers would have hung meat, and a homemade “smokehouse” in a 3rd-floor closet where the farmer had simply cut a hole in the chimney to let smoke fill the closet. He knew his history, and his enthusiasm was infectious. We talked like we had known each other for years. And we stayed in touch. Rich brought me onto several of his boards. The last time I saw him, in early December, we sat at the Massey House with a long-time Marple resident and did oral history, looking at a stack of recently donated old photos and trying to identify the people and places and events they showed. Rich’s
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Rich Paul, Marple Newtown High School Class of 1962 Photo courtesy of MN High School
memory and recall were vast. He stood on the shoulders of those who had come before him, such as Hilda Lucas, and so if an event had ever happened in Marple, he knew something about it, and/or where to find it. We had big plans for 2021, to do these sessions on a regular basis and work on the entire photo archives.
And for the thousands of Delaware County residents who have visited the Massey House, all of the school children who have toured there with Rich, all of the people who appreciate the local history that Rich worked to preserve, you can honor his legacy as well. There are so many ways to give back to a community, and so while you may not have the same passion for history, you can volunteer, in children’s sports, at the library, at the firehouse, in the annual Darby Creek cleanout, in serving on a township committee, or in dozens of other ways that contribute to the good of the community where you live. Rather than cursing the darkness over his loss, you can light a candle to his memory, by bringing your light to your community. The greatest legacy to Rich Paul would be to have hundreds of others, inspired by his life, stand up and step forward and volunteer to fill the vacuum in the community left by his loss, called to action by virtue of his example. The Paul Family would be honored if you remember Rich by supporting the Marple Historical Society (www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org).
“May the road rise up to meet you ! ”
Rich at rest – a rare occasion
Photo courtesy of the Paul Family
Photo courtesy of the Paul Family
The loss of Rich Paul to the larger community is huge. His knowledge, energy, time and leadership, all delivered with humor and warmth and kindness, made his community a far better place by virtue of his living in it. That is, of course, a great legacy in itself. For his friends in history, those of us who share his passion, hopefully we will pick up those unfinished
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For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit www.NSHistory.org. N S
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How to Solve This Problem Permanently Many people aren’t aware of the underlying problems that can and often do exist on plaster walls. Homeowners who see peeling paint often think that the fix is simply to repaint those areas. But almost without fail, the peeling paint returns. In most cases, the plaster itself is beautifully finished underneath the paint, so that isn’t causing the paint-peeling problem. The culprit is most likely calcimine, which is predominantly chalk. A strong indicator of calcimine’s presence is when you see the paint peeling in sheets, down to bare plaster. The unfortunate part of this is that to fix this problem permanently, the entire coating needs to be removed down to the plaster. Simply scraping off the peeled paint, spackling and repainting will NOT make this problem go away!! New paint will peel right off again. Some painting contractors are not aware of what causes paint to peel on plaster walls, so when they do a repaint job, peeling often starts again not long after the job is done. Another thing that can cause paint to peel on plaster walls is moisture in the walls. A simple moisture test can indicate if there is moisture present.
Identify the Cause of the Peeling Paint The first step is to identify if you are definitely dealing with a calcimine problem. You can easily detect calcimine by rubbing a damp finger on the surface, to check for a chalky residue. If your plaster walls do have calcimine, it will feel like you wet your finger and rubbed it on a dirty chalkboard. If the damp finger test proves calcimine IS present, the next step is to scrape off as much paint as you can. Then, scrub and wash the wall surfaces with a detergent or hard surface cleaner such as Spic ‘n Span, dishwashing liquid or TSP — something that will create a lot of suds as you use it with a scrubbing pad and you scrub hard on the walls. Your goal is to create a frothy foam that suspends the water and keeps the surface wet longer, to help the calcimine loosen its hold on the plaster walls. After you’ve scraped off all the loose paint and thoroughly scrubbed and washed the plaster walls, you’re ready to prime and add the finish coats to the walls. A shellac-based primer is highly recommended, after which any latex paint coating will adhere well. Yes, identifying and permanently solving this plaster walls problem is a labor-intensive process. But if done correctly, you will not have any more peeling or popping paint! NS
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
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From the Air Answer (pg. 15): Lawrence Road at Springhouse Road, in Marple Township, the 1696 Thomas Massey House, long considered a premier historic site in Southeastern PA and the jewel of historic preservation in Marple Township. Massey House volunteers bring the property and spirit of the colonial period alive through events that portray life in Marple over 300 years ago. For more information visit the 1696 Thomas Massey House website: www.ThomasMasseyHouse.org, and on pages 26 & 27, read Doug Humes’ most excellent tribute to his friend, fellow historian and much loved Marple town godfather of fond memory, “Rich” Paul, who for many years could be found at the 1696 Thomas Massey House in costume, serving visitors with great pride in the history of his hometown.
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The 1696 Thomas Massey House Photo Courtesy of FAA-Certified Drone Pilot, Chris Stack (NewPigeonImaging@gmail.com) Rich Paul in colonial costume
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Expert Contributor by Dave DiGregorio & TJ Dell’Arciprete Delaware Valley Septic, Sewer & Storm
Making the Switch from Septic to Sewer Seems like everywhere you turn on Newtown Square roads these days, there are bumps, humps and detours. The upside is that all the work you see going on will soon be completed and will only benefit our wonderful community.
and the type of connection. When preparing to make the underground improvements, meeting on-site with your contractors and discussing the installation in detail is absolutely necessary, to identify all obstacles and concerns and minimize surprises.
One of the current Newtown Square improvement projects is the installation of the new sewer system. This conversion to public sewer is great for homeowners whose home has a septic system that’s not working properly or has real estate inspection issues. There are three phases in this Public Sewer Extension Project - 537 Plan: Ashford, Camelot and Springton Pointe, which encompass neighborhoods in Echo Valley and Florida Park as well as areas surrounding Bishop Hollow Road and Campus Boulevard.
Most homes will connect via a new gravity PVC sewer main, which, if installed correctly, is virtually maintenance free: You’ll never have to worry about power outages, pump, float or electrical connection failures needing maintenance or repairs to avoid backups into your home. However, if the existing sewer line leading to your septic system is unable to reach the public sewer via gravity, a sewage ejector pump will have to be installed. For that method, most contractors use an “e1” pump station (short for manufacturer environmental one). The average life of a pump station is 10 years, and may require maintenance and a battery backup or generator if you live in an area prone to power outages.
If you own a home in the areas listed above, you must choose whether to connect now or defer connection to sometime in the future. Whenever you connect, there’s an initial tapping fee of $6,950 payable to the Municipal Authority. If you defer connecting to the public sewer, you’ll need to provide an annual certification report, which would be allowed for up to 10 years. However, if the home is sold or the existing septic system is found unsatisfactory, you must connect to the public sewer. Converting from on-site septic to public sewer involves more than just running a new pipe. Many variables will affect your final cost, such as permits, application fees, escrows, user fees
Whenever you do connect, make sure your current septic system is abandoned correctly. Properly decommissioning a septic tank or cesspool is as important as the sewer installation! You don’t want to deal with any surprise sinkholes or cave-ins later when existing components eventually deteriorate and collapse. If you have drainage or seepage fields, nothing needs to be done, but to avoid potential problems, discuss with your contractor how such areas will be handled. NS
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Recent Newtown Township Home Sales Address
Sold Price
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19 Paper Mill Road . . . . . . . . $925,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,959 . . 1.03 1210 Winderly Lane . . . . . . . $888,450 . . . . 5 . . . . . 4.5 . . . 6,130 . . 1.55 3505 Goshen Road . . . . . . . $555,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . . 1 . . . . 2,181 . . 3.22 215 Charles Ellis Drive . . . . . . $415,635 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 1,750 . . 0.03 24 Mary Jane Lane . . . . . . . . $305,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 1.5 . . . 1,470 . . 0.24 3206 Saint Davids Road . . . . . $775,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 3.5 . . . 3,326 . . 1.03 1047 Tyler Drive . . . . . . . . . $1,025,000 . . . .5 . . . . . 3.5+ . . . 6,500 . . 1.01 37 Thornbird Way . . . . . . . . $1,235,000 . . . .6 . . . . . 4.5 . . . 6,365 . . 4.93 545 Wyola Farm Road . . . . . . $899,900 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,038 . . 0.14 8 Hunters Run . . . . . . . . . . . $425,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 1,708 . . 0.03 56 Farrier Lane . . . . . . . . . . $1,875,000 . . . .5 . . . . . 6.5+ . . . 8,924 . . 1.60 4126 West Chester Pike . . . . . . $529,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . . 4 . . . . 3,772 . . 0.61 4 Muirfield Court . . . . . . . . . $410,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . . 3 . . . . 1,930 . . 0.23 3511 Goshen Road . . . . . . . $677,500 . . . . 5 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,453 . . 1.08 206 Trotters Court, Unit 1 . . . . . $530,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,660 . . 0.05 873 Goshen Road . . . . . . . . $835,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,202 . . 2.00 Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent's ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
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Senior Profile
Sally O ’Connell :
Sally O’Connell
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books, puzzles, slime, superhero masks and silly putty for kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity to celebrate their special day. “Emily feels happy that she is giving gifts to children who might not get any,” Sally said.
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Sally O’Connell
For Newtown Square resident Sally O’Connell, birthdays are kind of a big deal. She loves to make cards for friends and family and join in every celebration! So when Sally was searching for volunteer opportunities to do with her 5-yearold granddaughter Emily, The Birthday Giving Program seemed a perfect fit. “My older grandchildren are all involved with their own activities already,” explained Sally, “so I wanted to find something fun, meaningful and memorable to do with Emily.” Sally contacted the folks at The Birthday Giving Program, submitted her application and was approved to start a local chapter in August 2020. Even though we were in the middle of the pandemic, she and Emily found ways to safely help those in need. Every month, the pair puts together birthday bags that go directly to the Salvation Army in Chester. Sally and Emily provide 10 bags that are filled with various toys and games like coloring
The Birthday Giving Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program established in 2017. They provide birthday bags to children, adults, seniors and veterans affected by poverty, addiction, abuse, violence or physical/ mental challenges. The program partners with over 70 nonprofits across 34 states such as homeless shelters, food pantries, churches, nursing homes and hospitals. Sally is grateful to be an integral part of this organization where she can combine her love of birthdays, giving back locally and sharing special time with her granddaughter. Time is something Sally has more of these days. Although she works full-time as a Human Resource Manager for AmeriGas Propane in King of Prussia, she is working remotely, which eliminates her commute and travel schedule. “Prior to the pandemic, I traveled a lot for business, visiting clients up and down the East Coast. That didn’t leave me much time to give back by
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People In Places Valerie and Greg Lingo Photo courtesy of Greg Lingo
Delco Dreamer Greg Lingo
can teach you more about life than any college degree. That’s the storyline for Greg’s movie, Last Call, which is set to be released on March 19th.
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Most of us have that little — or maybe big — something we’ve always wanted to be able to do. You know, that dream that if you had enough time or money or energy, doing it would make you feel so proud and give you a great sense of accomplishment. It’s usually something outside of our comfort zone so it often ends up sitting on the shelf. And it’s sometimes a dream that can feel scary, risky and even absurd, but somehow it makes sense to us. Enter Greg Lingo, an Ivy League-educated, successful Main Line home builder who, in his latest project, has co-written and executive-produced a comedy film about life in Upper Darby. A little out of left field, right? Well, not if you’re a boy from Upper Darby who learned through the school of hard knocks that no matter where you go or what you do in life, the neighborhood you grew up in and the friendships you formed as a kid
“I had always envisioned working hard, getting an education and leaving the area,” explained Greg. “Yet I and my wife Valerie, who grew up in Broomall and graduated from Marple Newtown High School, ended up settling down just a few miles from where we both were raised.” The film, starring Jeremy Piven, Taryn Manning, Bruce Dern and Jamie Kennedy, is based on a fictitious “Delco” town called Darby Heights where the story is set around the main character’s decision to tear down or restore the neighborhood bar his family owned and ran when he was a kid. The comedy’s main character, Mick (Piven), is a real estate developer who left his friends and neighborhood behind only to realize that there is no better place on earth than his hometown, with his friends, even with all their unique personalities. Greg said, “The best day while filming on the set was when I reached out to my childhood friends because we needed bar patrons to be extras in the film. I was thrilled when 50 of them showed up!” Such a high turnout comes as no surprise to anyone who was born and raised in “Delco.” There’s just something special about where we live. In fact, if you want a good chuckle, look up Urban Dictionary’s spot-on description of what it’s like to grow up in this 184-square-mile suburb of Philadelphia. It starts off by saying, “Delco isn’t just a place to live; it’s a way of life. And Delco is not something you can obtain with a short visit or while you are only passing through. If you never been here, or don’t actually live here, you just won't understand.” Greg’s commitment to his hometown and beyond is both genuine and admirable. He works with Upper Darby High School students, to help them solidify after-graduation plans. He has also developed several SAT prep and mentoring programs for those students. Greg also takes great pride in giving back to the communities throughout Delaware County in which he builds homes. His company, Rockwell Custom, is firm in their commitment to be good stewards of the land, knowing that they have a responsibility to pass on a better world for the next generation. “For the most part, our company builds in communities with smaller building footprints and an abundance of open space, like our recent Newtown Square project in Ellis Preserve,” explained Greg. Their current project, Ventry at Edgmont Preserve, will maintain 108 acres of open space, accentuating the natural water features, meadows and woods. As accomplished as Greg Lingo is, he doesn’t take all the credit. In fact, he would much rather give the accolades to his friends, family and his team. “My success has been a direct result of the
34
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
February 2021
Last Call run-through (L - R) Jack McGee (actor), Jeremy Piven, Bruce Dern and Director Paolo Pilladi
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hard work of the people around me,” Greg said. He feels fortunate to be able to bring his dreams to life, by building beautiful homes and also by making this meaningful movie that honors his life-long friends and hometown. Greg expects the film will resonate with Delco natives who have come to realize that no matter where you go, you’ll always have a little bit of Delco with you. Well Greg, it all makes sense to us. And as fellow hard-working “Delconians,” let us be the first to wish you well with this dream project. And we look forward to raising a glass to you this spring, when the bartender yells, “Last Call!” NS
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