2020 May
Newtown Square Bringing People Together
Friends & Neighbors
The Basquill Family: Six Friendly Faces
Cover photo by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
•
Newtown Square, PA
Dear Friends & Neighbors, Spring has sent winter away. We’ve gained warmth, growth and greenery. But with travel slowed and gatherings put off, Spring 2020 has Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors at the center of Bringing People Together, albeit in print, and online at www.NewtownSquareMag.com.
PUBLICATION TEAM PUBLISHER: Bob Blaisse EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Liz Burnett CONTENT COORDINATOR: Christina Manning DESIGNER: Kim Cesati COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Duff, Micduff Photography, 610-359-1569 www.Micduff.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Shannon Locher, Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com COVER PHOTO STYLISTS: Blush Salon, Michele Quinn & Brittany Naab CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bob Blaisse, Christina Manning, Liz Burnett, Doug Humes, Chris Stack, Tom Rafferty, Andrew Martella, David Gura & Lew Gura, David DiGregorio and TJ Dell’Arciprete, Lou Matteo, Lou Marvil, Rick Bondurant and Holly Stupak 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 Christina Manning at CManning@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. © 2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
ON THE COVER The Basquill Family at their home in Newtown Square 2020 May
Newtown Square Together Bringing People
bo rs Fri en ds & Ne igh
The Basquill Family : Six Friendly Faces
In homebound times, the inbound compliments for our magazine grew like new spring grass, linking our social network in print with hometown pride. Our magazine came to reflect our community, even as we may be separated from each other for a greater good of safer, healthier times we trust will arrive soon. “Your magazine is like an old friend I expect to come to my door every month, with new friends and neighbors I get to meet.” That inbound compliment, during homebound times, sums up the mission of our magazine. And you know who makes it all possible. Imagine how our advertising Sponsors, whose investment in our magazine gets it to your door, have been harmed by their businesses being forced to temporarily close and customers being required to stay away. And yet, our magazine Sponsors still brought us together in these times, through another issue of our hometown magazine. Our Sponsors, whose ads you see on our pages, stood by us, like old friends who come to our door with new friends and neighbors to meet. To me, they are also heroes of these times. Our Sponsors remained loyal to us by Bringing People Together in print even when forced to close their doors. When they reopen, please reward them for their loyalty with your business. This month, a new friend and neighbor has joined our magazine staff. Meet Christina Manning, who takes over the role of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors Content Coordinator. If Christina’s name sounds familiar, no surprise: She’s a longtime resident of Newtown Square and graduate of local schools. Welcome, Christina! Read Christina’s introduction of herself below, and my further introduction of Christina on page 10. Be safe. Be healthy. And be believing we’ll come though these times with far more appreciation for our friends and neighbors. And let’s start by wishing all our Newtown Square mothers a wonderful and Happy Mother’s Day!
Bob Blaisse Publisher
Dear Residents, The birds are chirping and the sun is shining this month, giving us a sliver of happiness and warmth during this time. This month also marks the first month I am stepping in as Content Coordinator. I’m excited to play a part in Bringing People Together! This issue features The Basquill Family, Newtown Square neighbors you’ll enjoy getting to know. In this issue, you’ll also meet Marguerite Wagner, our newest centenarian! In addition to useful info and advice from seven of our Expert Contributors, this month’s Business Profile is about Seth Pancoast, Jr., Owner of S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches. Seth’s land has deep roots, having been in his family since his ancestors helped settle William Penn’s Philadelphia colony. Our Calendar of Events offers a lot of ideas for how to stay busy this Spring, including virtual tours of the Smithsonian, live-stream dance classes, and even how to enjoy the musical talents of the Philadelphia Orchestra on demand! And Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and grandmoms! Hope you get some well-deserved R&R this month.
Photography Cover photo by Micduff www.Micduff.com
Christina Manning
Content Coordinator
Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Expert Contributors Automotive Repairs & Service Lou Matteo Edgemont Automotive 5040 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610 -353-9868 • EdgemontAuto@verizon.net www.EdgemontAutomotive.com
Electric Service, Residential/Commercial Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484-498-2965 • MartellaElectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com
Carpeting & Floor Covering Jim Casar Carpet Warehouse 620 Parkway Drive, Broomall 610 -353-1312 • CarpetWarehouseOutlet@gmail.com www.CarpetWarehouseCo.com
Fireplace Products Scott Magness Scott’s Fireplace Products 3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-422-8334 • SFP@ScottsFireplaceProducts.com www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com Food & Beverage Christopher Heath, Corporate Chef Elyse Lovenworth, Beverage Director Firepoint Grill, a Paxos Restaurant 3739 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square Reservations: 484-428-3093 www.FirepointGrill.com/reservations www.PaxosRestaurants.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 Sheila Turner From the Top Studio of Dance 3603 Chapel Road, Newtown Square, PA 610 -353-2623 • Info@FromTheTopDance.com www.FromTheTopDance.com
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Glass & Mirror Services David Gura & Lew Gura Bryn Mawr Glass 729 West Chester Pike, Havertown 610-853-2990 BrynMawrGlass@yahoo.com www.BrynMawrGlass.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
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Consultation, Exam, and Adjustment
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
May 2020
Heating & Air Conditioning Len Sciulli Len Sciulli & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning 500 Abbott Drive, Broomall 610 -328-4341 • SciulliAndSons@hotmail.com www.LenAndSons.com
Landscape Design & Landscaping TJ Warner JHL Landscaping 610 -356-4104 • TJ@JHLlandscaping.com www.JHLLandscaping.com
Expert Contributors Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control Matt McGuire Delaware Valley Turf 520F Abbott Drive, Broomall 610 -328-4170 • MMcGuire@DelValTurf.com www.DelawareValleyTurf.com
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
Martial Arts & Fitness Kickboxing Lou Marvil Level Up Black Belt Academy 610 -355-1960 Info@LevelUpBlackBeltAcademy.com www.LevelUpBlackBeltAcademy.com
Waterproofing & Weatherization David Linn Cook Weatherproofing Plus, Inc. Marple Newtown 610-325- 0596 • Info@Weatherproofing-Plus.com www.Weatherproofing-Plus.com
Painting & General Contracting Services Tom Rafferty Rafferty Painting & General Contracting 610 -626-9141 • Info@RaffertyPainting.com www.RaffertyPainting.com
Expert Contributors needed! Dental, Medical, Pet Services, Education, Law, Vacations, Home Health Care, Taxes, etc. Professionals may contact: Bob Blaisse: 610-453-5536, or BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com
Personal Training & Fitness Ed Winfield, Program & Fitness Director Erik Le Blanc, Fitness Coach Retro Fitness Newtown Square 4847 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-420 -4935 EdgmontSqPA@RetroFitness.net www.RetroFitness.com/EdgmontSquarePA
Plumbing Service, Residential / Commercial Rick Bondurant R.F. Bondurant Plumbing 610-566-0288 • RFBPlumbing@comcast.net www.RFBondurant.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
Roofing, Siding & Carpentry Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. Havertown 610 -449-8188 • Office@ODonnellRoofingCo.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com
Senior Living & Housing Lindsey Poeth, CSA Oasis Senior Advisors – Main Line Malvern 484-947-4266 LPoeth@YourOasisAdvisor.com www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Mainline
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Resident Feature by Christina Manning Photos by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com We would like to thank
for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature.
The Basquill Family: Six Friendly Faces This month’s Newtown Square family, Kevin and Caitlyn Basquill and their four adorable children, were a lovely family to get to know. Kevin grew up in northeast Philadelphia and attended St. Timothy’s School. He went on to attend Father Judge High School, and later took classes at Holy Family University while working for the Philadelphia Archdiocese and for Lockheed Martin. Caitlyn grew up in Drexel Hill and attended Hillcrest Elementary and Upper Darby High School, where she played soccer and softball and even taught dance back at her grade school for her senior year project. Her choice for college was Temple University for pre-nursing, and then she went to Delaware County Community College for their nursing program. She bartended her way through college, working at Casey’s in Drexel Hill and Barnaby’s in Havertown. In 2008, Caitlyn graduated with a degree in Nursing. Kevin and Caitlyn met in 2009, at a benefit event in honor of Kevin’s father who had passed away from cancer in late 2008. Kevin’s family hosted the benefit at the Knights of Columbus Hall. All of the Basquill siblings were bartenders at the event, and all proceeds went to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). At the time, Caitlyn just so happened to live next door to one of Kevin’s cousins, who invited her to the event and said “You would love my cousin Kevin!” The rest is history: Kevin and Caitlyn got married in Philadelphia in 2011, and honeymooned on the beautiful island of Hawaii.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
Caitlyn and Kevin Basquill
Meet the four Basquill children, all of whom have their own unique, little — yet big — personality. Joey, age 7, is in 1st grade at Culbertson Elementary School. He enjoys playing sports — football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse, to name a few. He participated in Rad Robots, a robotics club at school. Joey likes to stay organized and stick to his everyday routine. He also knows everything you could possibly know about animals and dinosaurs. His favorite place to eat out? P.J. Whelihan’s, of course! Emily, age 5, is a kind-hearted kindergartener at Culbertson. She loves riding her bike, jumping rope and hula-hooping. Being a little risk taker, she’s the first one in line at roller coasters and rides down huge hills on her bike with no hands. Brynn, age 4, is a preschooler who marches to the beat of her own drum. “She did soccer for one day,” Caitlyn said. “She didn’t like the color of her team jersey and declared she wasn’t going to play this season.” Brynn loves playing with her friends and riding her bike outside with Emily. She’s a leader, always doing what she wants to do and going wherever her imagination takes her! She is clever and wildly independent, but most of all, very caring. Kiley, age 2, is enjoying her time at home with mom right now, but in the fall, she will attend Newtown Presbyterians Mom’s Morning Out program. She loves to snuggle and give her parents and siblings hugs and kisses while they read to her. Kiley enjoys coloring and anything Minnie Mouse! Being the youngest, Kiley has a little more freedom than Joey did at this age, but her older siblings are always looking out for her.
Kevin is Owner and President of Delco Solutions, an Audio Video company he started as a side business in 2000, while working for the Philadelphia Archdiocese through 2004, and also while he worked for Lockheed Martin 2004 - 2006. During those six years, he also took classes at Holy Family University. The more Kevin became involved in schools, the more aware he became of the importance of technology in education. Since 2006, his full-time focus has been to grow Delco Solutions into a leading provider of audio and video systems for educational institutions and the corporate world. “Technology is constantly changing. Being able to keep up and apply the latest and greatest technology to all of our projects is extremely rewarding,” Kevin said. After Caitlyn graduated with her Nursing degree, she immediately started working as a Private-Duty Nurse. She then went on to work at Dunwoody Village for a few years. When she and Kevin decided to start a family, she took a part-time position at CHOP. She is now home with her kids, but once the children are all in school, she’ll look at getting back to work. “I feel very fortunate to be able to be home with my kids,” Caitlyn said gratefully. “It can definitely be crazy at home, but I don’t take it for granted.” When Kevin moved here in 2006, he was living in their current house, but with his two brothers and a roommate. Things changed just a little bit when Caitlyn moved here in 2011. “For years, this house was known as the ‘party house’ when all the boys lived here,” joked Caitlyn.
The Basquill children (L- R): Emily, Kiley, Joey and Brynn
“We have great neighbors!” said Kevin and Caitlyn. They’ve been able to get to know people from their gym as well as people through their children’s school activities and sports functions. In fact, their backyard is basically NELL and the basketball courts. “We love having the turf field, playground and library right behind our house.” Kevin helps coach Joey’s flag football team while Caitlyn coaches Joey’s soccer team. The turf field is the perfect place for a little more practice in the off-season. Continued on page 8
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Resident Feature Kevin also likes to stay active within the community. He’s one of five members on the Newtown Township Zoning Board. Community members come to the board if they need to file for a variance. “It’s pretty interesting,” Kevin said, “because you get to see what's going to happen in the community and stay in the know.” With summer just around the corner, the Basquill Family is looking forward to their family vacation in Wildwood with Kevin’s cousins. Every summer, they spend a long weekend in Wildwood, NJ, with about 10 families, and also a week in Stone Harbor with Caitlyn’s relatives. All the kids are around the same age so it’s a vacation everyone looks forward to every year. Caitlyn and Kevin come from big families: Kevin has five siblings, and Caitlyn has three. Both of their families live in the area, and Caitlyn’s parents live just down the street from them. The Basquill Family (L- R): Joey, Kiley, Caitlyn, Emily, Kevin and Brynn Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Basquill
Caitlyn is a member of the Ellis Athletic Center. “I love the fitness classes, but more importantly I love the community there,” Caitlyn said. She and Kevin like to participate in runs, having done a 5k and 10k in the past, their longest being the Broad Street Run they completed just 5 years ago. They were looking forward to participating in the Eagles Autism Challenge this May, but unfortunately it was postponed.
The Basquill Family would like to send this special message to the community: “We’d like to say THANK YOU to the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all others on the frontlines of this pandemic. We are so grateful for ALL essential personnel, the people who are continuing to get up and go to work to keep us all safe. We see you, we respect you, and we are thankful for you. We have seen our community come together and step up, and we are so proud to call this place our home.” Do you know a family that readers of our magazine might like to meet in an upcoming issue? Nominate them by email to Christina Manning at CManning@BestVersionMedia.com. NS
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
Where Are We?
Can You Spot It From the Air?
Hint: This building, on the bank of
Darby Creek, in either Marple or Newtown Township, is nearly 200 years old, and it has the papers to prove it. Can you name it? The answer can be found on Page 34.
Photo Courtesy of FAA-Certified Drone Pilot Chris Stack (NewPigeonImaging@gmail.com)
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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About Our Content Coordinator by Bob Blaisse
followed in her family’s footsteps to Cardinal O’Hara High School, leading teams there, too. She then continued her education and her basketball career at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, graduating in 2018 with her degree in Media and Communications. During college, she led Muhlenberg’s women’s basketball teams to three Centennial Conference Women’s Basketball Championship titles.
Welcome,
Christina Manning, Our New Content Coordinator A Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor is Now on the Job We all have friends and neighbors in Newtown Square. And one, known to many young adults, Christina Manning, has now joined Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine as our new Content Coordinator. Welcome Christina. Your first issue looks great! With Christina Manning now on our team, I want to thank Liz Burnett, who has filled the Content Coordinator role since our October issue. She has taken our magazine to a higher level. Liz will continue in her other role as my Executive Assistant and now also as our Content Administrator, supporting Christina. Thank you, Liz, for your skills and leadership. Christina Manning, a longtime resident of Newtown Square, is the third daughter of Sue and Chris Manning, and youngest sister of Alicia and Marissa. Christina attended grade school at St. Anastasia, where she was a star basketball player, and
When I interviewed Christina for the role of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors Content Coordinator, I asked what she thought about Newtown Square and our hometown magazine. “I love Newtown Square. It’s my hometown!” she said. “My family and I always look forward to receiving each issue in the mail every month.” And then Christina added: “I always thought it would be awesome to apply my media and communications skills learned in college, and write something meaningful for my hometown. And now I may have the opportunity to do just that, while developing social media around our hometown magazine.” I knew then and there that Christina was the hometown professional I was hoping to find. Friends & Neighbors: One of our own hometown young adults, Christina Manning, is now on the job, and looking for your support in her new responsibility to take our hometown magazine to another new level in print and through social media. Please reach out and welcome Christina to our magazine, and offer your nominations for our cover and ideas for upcoming features. Email Christina at CManning@BestVersionMedia.com. NS
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s n o i t a l u C ongrat May Sproul Lanes Student of the Month May Sproul Lanes Student of the Month Evan Duff Photo courtesy of Evan Duff
We’re pleased to announce the May Sproul Lanes Student of the Month is Marple Newtown High School Senior Evan Duff! To celebrate this recognition, Evan 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. Evan loves playing basketball: During all four years in high school, he has played for Marple Newtown’s basketball team. In his junior year, he was awarded the Varsity team’s “Eye of the Tiger Award,” for his work ethic and good leadership. As a senior, Evan was Varsity team captain and was recognized with the “Tiger Pride Award” for his team leadership. Some community service projects Evan has participated in are Project 10, a fundraiser for Philabundance that involved getting pledges from donors, and doing and tracking participants’ good deeds for the community. Evan attends St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church and participates in its Youth Association (GOYA), on their basketball team and as a volunteer helper at various annual events. Evan has always enjoyed school. He has a way about him that people gravitate to, perhaps because he’s a positive person who’s able to make the best of most situations. Evan has many friends and has developed good relationships with his teachers and fellow students.
Student of the Month by Liz Burnett
Evan Duff!
Nominate the Next Student of the Month! Any student in grades 7 -12 in any school within the borders of the Marple Newtown School District can be nominated by a parent, teacher or themself. Send a 200-word essay to SOTM@SproulLanes.com explaining 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
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Even though Evan is missing his last months of his senior year, his outlook on life remains positive. He’s looking forward to starting his freshman year of college and meeting new friends in August, at the University of Tampa. He plans on majoring in International Business and Management Information Systems. Everyone in the Marple Newtown community congratulates you on this recognition, Evan, and we wish you well in every chapter of your life! Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
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Expert Contributor by Rick Bondurant R.F. Bondurant Plumbing
Let’s Talk
Water Heaters! Hot water heater replacement is one of the most common home improvement projects, as standard tank-style electric or gas devices start to leak and fail every 8-12 years. There may be warning signs but we also tell customers to consider age. In most cases, the tank will fail without any warning signs. Homeowners need to consider what the effects would be if the tank started leaking. For example, your water heater may be sitting in an unfinished basement near a sump pump. That would be considered a lower degree of risk if the tank failed. The flip side of that is having a finished basement or the water heater in a part of the home where a water leak could mean a lot of damage. In that case, it is recommended to replace the unit based on age. Also consider replacement if there is visual rust and corrosion on the tank or piping or if the water is lukewarm or cold. In the past few years, leak detection devices have become more popular. There is the option to have the water heater set in a pan that can be capped if there isn’t anywhere to pipe the drain. The leak detector sits in the pan and will automatically shut the water off to the unit if water is detected in the pan. It is now part of the plumbing code that new water heater installs include a thermal expansion tank. When you heat water, it expands. There is often nowhere for this expansion to go so it builds pressure in the plumbing system. This can cause the temperature and pressure relief valve to drip or blow off. It
can also cause unnecessary stress to the plumbing system and water heater. Also consider your hot water usage. Have you had changes in the house that would require the need for more hot water or less? If you have a deeper soaking tub, then it may be necessary to keep a larger water heater. Water heaters come in a few different sizes, so it’s good to give thought before just going back with what is there. About 25% of the energy in your home goes toward heating your water. So efficiency is also something to consider. One of the more efficient options available are Tankless water heaters, which can last 15 to 20 years and save on space. They do require to be serviced and flushed annually, and that will affect the life of the unit. There may also be rebates available from Peco. One of the best features of a tankless water heater is endless hot water. NS
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
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Expert Contributor by Andrew Martella Martella Electric
Surge Protection for Your
Home’s Electrical System
When buying a large new TV, most people also usually buy a new point-of-use surge strip (“surge protector”) for it. Despite that being a common add-on when buying a TV, many people don’t know why a surge protector is not really an optional accessory for a TV. TVs are sensitive electronic devices that do not react well to electrical surges. Most home appliances today such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and microwaves include many electronic circuits. Most voltage surges in your home originate from some of those same appliances. Voltage surges are caused when an appliance that has a motor gets turned on or cycles on. Think about how many times a day your refrigerator alone cycles on and off! Another source of voltage surge comes from outside of your home, most commonly when the utility power goes off and on from storms, accidents or regular system maintenance. A surge protector is made of an iron core transformer and a zener diode. When a voltage surge occurs, the surge protector provides additional internal protection. Any voltage surge can be highly dangerous. If a surge protector is not used or not properly installed, a surge higher than 120 volts may cause decreased device lifetime, burned wires, permanent device damage or even personal injury. When a TV experiences a voltage surge, a point-of-use-surge strip is the TV’s second of two layers of protection. The surge strip is commonly called the “stage 2” protective layer. The “stage 1” layer is typically a piece of equipment that’s attached to your electrical system service panel. That equipment provides protection from the small surges that originate inside your home as well as those generated externally from the power grid. Those two protective layers work together, to extend the life of the electronic components in all your home appliances.
To keep your appliances and devices safe, regularly check your surge protectors. Generally, a green light indicator on a surge protector indicates that it’s functioning properly. This one small add-on when you purchase a new TV can be trusted protection against dangerous high-voltage scenarios. To ensure the protection of your electronic appliances and devices specifically and of your home in general, a surge protection system that includes stage 1 and stage 2 units is a good and safe plan. NS
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13
Bringing People Together by Bob Blaisse Publisher
Bringing People Together
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Even When We’re Housebound,
Still Bringing People Together! It’s the mission of our magazine. It’s our magazine’s motto. And it’s why, two years ago, I accepted Best Version Media’s invitation to serve as the founding Publisher of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, a new brand of social media in print for Newtown Square residents. But in these recent stay and shelter times, our magazine’s purpose of Bringing People Together truly has shined in our homebound community. Even as Spring was calling us outdoors, we stayed in place and our advertising Sponsors were forced to close their business, thousands of Newtown Square friends and neighbors remain connected to our community through our hometown magazine’s social network, in print, and also online at www.NewtownSquareMag.com. Our advertising Sponsors have made Bringing People Together possible since our hometown magazine launched in 2018, and significantly so in these recent times. We got the better deal when our hometown Sponsors were forced to close their doors. And yet, our Sponsors stood with us, continuing to fund the cost of getting our magazine out, without hope of gaining any new business from our readers. They kept our magazine, and our Newtown Square community, coming into our homes. And we’re better for it, thanks to these hometown business owners. If you enjoy receiving Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, if you’ve felt locally connected with hometown
14
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
pride when reading your hometown magazine, know that we have our business leaders whose advertising you see on these pages to respect, for the loyalty they have shown to our community, particularly in these times. Join me in thanking our advertising Sponsors for their loyalty and their sponsorship of our Newtown Square community. Choose to do business with a Sponsor you see on these pages of our magazine. Any one of them could be understandably concerned that their business may not fully recover without people talking about their business to their friends and without new customers coming forward to do business with them when things get back to normal. Please, start with making just one phone call. Maybe it’s just a voicemail message left for one of our advertising Sponsors you choose to call. Simply tell them: Thank you, for being a Sponsor of Newtown Square residents, as a Sponsor of our hometown magazine I value receiving in the mail. I’ll be telling my friends and neighbors about your business. If that’s all we do, our advertising Sponsors will know that we will be returning the loyalty they have shown to us in these times, still Bringing People Together as they have all along. NS
Bob Blaisse
Publisher, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Expert Contributor by Dave DiGregorio & TJ Dell’Arcoprete Delaware Vallet Septic, Sewer & Storm
Pumping for Septic System Maintenance The saying “Out of sight, out of mind” rings true for most homeowners when talking about their septic system. One of the best things you can do for your system is to pump it out on a regular basis. All pipes from your house lead to your septic tank, so everything you use with water ends up in your tank. Just like our own health, the better we treat ourselves, the healthier we feel. So the cleaner you keep your septic tank environment, the better you’re treating your overall system. A septic tank environment has three layers: The scum layer is made up of grease, carbohydrates, proteins, fat and oils, all of which are light enough to float to the top of the tank. Heavier debris settles in the bottom of the tank. Wastewater that separates the upper and lower layers (effluent) is essentially water and small particles. The thicker the bottom layer of the tank, the darker the effluent and the more staining that’s left on the drain field soils after percolation. That staining, known as the BIOmat, is what makes drain fields fail and need replacement. With regular pumping maintenance, your septic system will last as long as possible.
Most homeowners think once they pump their septic tank, it doesn’t fill back up for years. That’s not necessarily the case. It could fill back up within a week or so, depending on water usage in your home. The recommended pumping frequency is every one to three years because that’s how long it takes for solids to accumulate in the tank environment. Keeping accumulated solids and debris to a minimum keeps the effluent cleaner before it reaches the system’s drainage component. That is the main goal! Completing regular maintenance procedures that cost a few hundred dollars is smarter than spending tens of thousands of dollars to replace septic system drain fields. How will you know when it’s time for a septic system pumping? It all depends on a few factors: • The number of people in your household: The more people, the more water you’re likely to use. • How much water you use regularly: The more you use, the more often your tank will require septic system pumping. • If you have a garbage disposal: You’ll typically need pumping more frequently because a large amount of solids regularly enter your tank. With all these factors in mind, septic tank pumping is, on average, needed every one to three years. The cost of pumping is usually lower than a sewer bill, and it’s the best way to correctly treat and maintain your on-site system. NS
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15
Business Profile
S. PANCOAST Topsoil & Mulches
For the Deepest Roots in Marple! Photos courtesy of Doug Humes and Seth Pancoast, Jr.
Seth Pancoast, Jr., has been selling topsoil, mulch and mushroom soil to generations of local residents from his yard at 2635 West Chester Pike since 1975. But his family has been operating various businesses at that site since 1894! And if you think that is a long time, that tradition goes back to the first Seth Pancoast who arrived in Marple Township in the early 1700s, and made fine furnishings for local residents, including a highboy that has found a permanent home at Winterthur! Their story is also the story of Marple Township. In 1894, our Seth’s grandfather, Samuel Levis Pancoast, bought the property where the business now operates, between the new firehouse and Broomall Avenue. Samuel was a blacksmith, and in the era before cars and hardware stores, he kept busy making horseshoes, shoeing horses, and making tools and hardware for businesses and households. He was also a wheelwright, and made and repaired the metal reinforcement that was used for wagon wheels and carriages. And he was able to change with the times. When the Bergdoll brothers needed repairs to their various race cars, they brought them to Samuel – a metal craftsman who could re-create the parts they needed to keep their cars racing on local roads and annoying local residents and the police. Samuel died in 1935, and his oldest son, Samuel Franklin Pancoast, took over the property, but did not continue the business of blacksmithing, by then a dying trade in a modern community. However,
Seth Pancoast, Jr., Owner of S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches
he kept the connection to local horses, as he opened up the Samuel Pancoast Riding Academy on that property along West Chester Pike. He offered instruction in riding, and his students came not just from local residents but as far away as Philadelphia – because they could commute out on the West Chester trolley line, which dropped them off just steps away from the property. A show ring was built to accommodate horse shows, and for several years Samuel hosted the annual Broomall Horse Show, with more than 100 horses and riders competing. The property changed hands again in 1953, when it was subdivided into four separate parcels. Samuel’s brother, Seth Ellsworth Pancoast, Sr. (our Seth’s father), bought the parcel with an existing house and the old blacksmith shop. He opened up a garden center, Pancoast Gardens, which operated from 1959 through 1975. The center sold flowers and gardening supplies, as well as seasonal specialties like Christmas trees, pumpkins and Easter flowers.
S. PANCOAST Topsoil & Mulches Serving Homeowners & Commercial Businesses In Broomall and Newtown Square Since 1959
We Only Sell The Highest Quality Screened Topsoil/Mushroom Soil Bark & Root Mulches
“Spectacular products and an extremely knowledgeable man running the business!” www.TopsoilBroomall.com 610-356-1090 /610-356-1818
Samuel Levis Pancoast Seth Ellsworth Pancoast, Sr.
2635 West Chester Pike (Rear), Broomall, PA
SHOP LOCAL - PICKUP OR DELIVERY 16
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
Seth Jr. was running his own dry-cleaning business in Broomall, and then would help out his father with the garden center at night. He later sold the dry-cleaning business, and when the garden center closed, Seth Jr. began his current topsoil and mulch business. He buys his inventory from a variety of local sources – and uses only top-quality products. Selling top-quality products at fair prices is how you stay in business for 45 years. Seth does not sell artificially dyed products. He uses his own formula to mix his mulches, combining bark and root based on a lifetime experience and a keen eye.
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484-427-7803 With front-end loaders, he can load up what you need and deliver it to your location in his trucks. Just try to give him some advance notice at busy times during the year. Seth is still essentially a one-man show – with help from his son, Seth E. Pancoast III, for nights and weekends. And for those who can’t wait, you can take advantage of the best deal in town, and come to his yard and buy by the bushel and haul it home with your own buckets, pickup trucks or other containers or vehicles. He will help fill you up and send you off without a delivery charge.
4755 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square Mon - Thurs: 3 - 8pm / Fri & Sat: 1 - 8pm / Sun: 1 - 7pm
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As I sat with Seth on the porch of his daughter's house, enjoying the late afternoon sun, I asked what keeps him going with age 80 in the rearview mirror. “I feel very connected to my Pancoast family members who have operated from this same site,” Seth said. Then he added:
“
I’ve always loved working outdoors. I’ve always been my own boss, and for most of my career, my business has had just one employee to worry about: Seth Pancoast, Jr., and IT’S BEEN FUN!
”
For the finest topsoils, mulches and mushroom soil, visit S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches, 2635 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA. Phone 610-356-1090. For hours, location, product descriptions and inquiries, visit www.TopsoilBroomall.com. NS
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17
Our Community
Historic Newtown Square Day Celebrating Our Community, Past and Present by Christina Manning Photos courtesy of Newtown Square Historical Society (L- R): Jack Grant and Historic Newtown Square Day founder Sam Coco at Newtown Square Railroad Museum
drum corps with volunteers in costume as Betsy Ross and George Washington. They kicked off the Abe Lincoln (Doug Humes) speaks at 150th birthday party for Bartram Bridge in 2010 event at the Paper Mill Museum, and then went on to provide tours of eight historic locations in the township. That first year served as a template for what has become an annual event.”
(L- R): Madaleen Ellis, President, with invited guests George Washington, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross
June will mark the 25th anniversary of Historic Newtown Square Day, a day filled with historic demonstrations, tours, delicious local food, and more. To learn about this community event, we talked with our local Historian, Doug Humes, about why this fun and educational event, sponsored by the Newtown Square Historical Society (NSHS), has become an annual local tradition. It all started in 1995, when Sam Coco, Stan Short and Jan and Sid Elston, all of whom Doug described as “the beating heart of the organization,” had an idea they called “Colonial Day,” a day-long celebration of our area’s Colonial history. One thing led to another, and with the help of dozens of volunteers, it became something so much more, “almost like a little Williamsburg.” On June 10, 1995, NSHS hosted the first Colonial Day, and Newtown Square families came together for some outdoor summer fun. Doug said the Opening Ceremony was “a fife-and-
$0
Each year since, the annual events have made countless memories for Doug, two of which involved weddings held at the Newtown Square Quaker Meeting House. In 1999, a Quaker wedding was featured, and Doug played the part of the groom. At the end of the day, there was a “wedding reception” at the Square Tavern, to which all volunteers were invited. Doug remembers a moment at that reception when he was sitting out in a beautiful moonlit summer night and marveling at the music, dancing and laughter behind this old tavern, which used to see its share of celebrations like that in the 1700s. He was struck by the thought: “What a great way to bring the community together and connect it to the past!” The second wedding involved Doug’s daughter, Elizabeth, who chose to do her high school senior year project re-enacting a Colonial wedding for Colonial Day. She even found the original records from the Newtown Quakers during the time of the American Revolution, incorporating those facts into an actual marriage that had occurred that year. All the hours of work that went into planning her wedding project seemed unlikely to be fulfilled when the night before the big day, a rainstorm rolled Let Our Personal Trainers Motivate You to Achieve Your Goals.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
4845 WEST CHESTER PIKE NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA 19073
May 2020
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Elizabeth Humes and Danny Joseph, Colonial bride and groom
in. Madaleen Elis, the President of the Society, made a bold call and decided to still hold the event. Intermittent rain didn’t keep wedding guests from showing up, and it turned out to be a very enjoyable celebration for all. After that wedding, they held a volunteers party, a tradition that has continued every year. “We set up outside the Paper Mill House, overlooking Darby Creek,” Doug recalled, “and we sang and played until the wee hours. The ghosts of the hundreds of millworkers who had lived and worked along those banks in the 1800s must have been thrilled to hear such life and laughter in this old building after too many years of empty silence.” This year will be different: On April 1, the NSHS Board decided to cancel this year’s event, due to the governor’s stay-at home order in place for April and possibly longer, making event planning and preparations too unpredictable. Canceling this beloved community event makes us reflect on what it would be like if there were no community events: No 4th of July parades, no youth or adult sports programs, no church- or school-sponsored events. 2020 will be the year when every community around the world gets to experience that. Perhaps this is an opportunity for everyone to understand and appreciate how groups of likeminded neighbors who organize and host community events have been Bringing People Together for centuries, and what’s lost when that doesn’t happen. For more information about NSHS, visit their website www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org.
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Expert Contributor by David Gura & Lew Gura Bryn Mawr Glass
g n u r p S s a h Spring
Bathroom Trends 2020
As the sun shines longer each day, we often get the urge to spruce up our home’s interior. Seems like a good idea to replace the heavy drapes that kept out winter drafts with light and thin window treatments that let in fresh spring breezes. Sunshine and fresh air not only does a body good but helps reduce energy costs. So where else can you bring more sunshine into your home? How about your bathroom? If you use a traditional shower curtain layered with a waterproof liner, you can lighten up your shower or tub by installing
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frameless shower doors. The aesthetic will give your bathroom a modern and streamlined look. By removing curtains, you’ll also allow more light in the shower. Removing shower curtains and replacing them with frameless or framed shower doors will save energy by reducing drafts and chills. Just as fashion changes from season to season, interior design with an emphasis on the home has its in and out trends. For instance, 2020 has shown that many homeowners have bucked the tradition of a tub and shower combo for a larger enclosed shower. The use of frameless shower doors helps homeowners cut down on cleaning for things such as mold and mildew. Frameless doors stop the pooling of water because there are no nooks and crannies. For homeowners who feel having a tub is a must, there are frameless and framed shower doors that can be installed above the tub. Bathing is still enjoyable, and the shower is now enclosed to help stop leaks. Another trend for bathrooms is using custommade mirrors, for two nice results: They create the illusion of a larger space, and they reflect not only natural light but also artificial light. Just remember though: This is YOUR home. If you feel the trends of 2020 are a good match for you and your family’s lifestyle, go with your gut. If you don’t have a grand master suite, no worries: Trends always change (that’s what makes them trends!), and in the future, we may return to enclosed showers that provide more privacy, reduce wasted space, and are a better fit for your personal preferences and needs. NS
610-853-2990 • www.BrynMawrGlass.com 20
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
Expert Contributor by Lou Matteo Edgemont Automotive
New Vehicle Safety Advice
everyone who’s doing their job to help keep our new-normal lives rolling along. Everyone who’s enduring social distancing due to state and local governments’ shelter-in-place orders are to be commended also.
We are all navigating previously untraveled roads with the current public health crisis the world is facing. While we’re all disinfecting everything, let’s not forget about our vehicles.
Special thoughts of strength, love and prayers go out to all who have loved ones affected by this disease. Using the information provided by our medical professionals and common sense and respect for one another, we will get through this and we will be stronger for doing so. NS
The common touch surfaces need to be cleaned just like you do for the kitchen countertop and door knobs in your home. If you are not using an automotive-specific cleaning product, please test your cleaner on an inconspicuous spot. Be aware that some aerosols and liquids can damage plastic surfaces beyond repair. Disinfectant wipes typically are safe, but it’s best to be sure by checking your owner’s manual. Most families have multiple vehicles. Due to current limited travel restrictions, only one vehicle may be in use. For the vehicles not in use, it’s important they’re ready for use when they’re needed again. Start their engines periodically, once a week or every other week. On-board computers will use some battery power. Be sure to have the tires checked on the idle vehicles: The winter-to-spring temperature changes will affect tire pressure. Automotive repair is considered an essential business. If you need automotive service, before heading to a repair shop, contact your service provider, if possible. Most businesses have protocols in place for your safety as well as the safety of the business team members. Positive thoughts and prayers are going out to all our Readers, friends, family and everyone as we are all in this together. As our social lives have come to a grinding halt, we now have more time to appreciate all of our front-line essential workers — doctors, nurses and first responders — who are putting themselves and, most unfortunately, their families in danger for our greater good. Other sincerely appreciated unsung heroes are the thousands of essential workers who are supporting us all by shipping and delivering products to grocery stores and other essential businesses, stocking grocery store shelves to help us keep food on our tables, utility service providers whose teams are ensuring our utilities stay on, and
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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com
21
May Flowers and Homemade Poppies
Celebrating Memorial Day By Emma Riehl
T
hroughout the month of May, the arrival of spring becomes more and more evident. As the weekends grow warmer and the flowers blossom fully, it is hard to ignore the blissful reminder that summer is around the corner. In the last weekend of May, before you fire up your grill, uncover the pool or rent a lake house, take a moment to envision the first signs of spring in the years that our country has faced loss, division and national mourning. It was the first signs of a thaw after a bitter winter that prompted all of America to cut fresh flowers and mourn their fallen compatriots. Each year, the last Monday in May is dedicated to honoring America’s men and women who have died in armed service. Originally called Decoration Day, it was officially designated on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan as a day to decorate the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. The day was first introduced and made most popular in the southern states. It has been said that when women went to decorate the Confederate graves, they noticed that the Union graves were yet bare. They placed flowers on the graves of the fallen Union soldiers as an act of healing and out of a desire to mourn for all of the country’s heroic soldiers. The process of healing after the Civil War carried into the active mourning of those fighting in World War I and it was around this
time that Moina Michael, touched by John McCrae’s 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” penned a tribute of her own. According to the National Women’s History Museum, the image of the poppies “Between the crosses, row on row” became the central focus of Moina’s poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith.” In her poem, the red of the poppies “…seems to signal to the skies / That blood of heroes never dies.” Thus, the delicate poppy came to represent mourning in light of the hard facts of war. The red poppy movement caught on and spread throughout the country. Each year, artificial poppies are handmade by disabled veterans and sold for donations that support the needs of local veteran organizations. In the midst of the new spring flowers—handmade and justbloomed alike—be sure to note the minute of silence at 3pm local time. For the minute, we are to remain silent in solemn remembrance of all those who have died for our country. It is the hope, of course, that throughout the extended weekend of lighthearted fun, family events and reveling in the new light of spring, that we all take the time to voice our appreciation for our active and retired service men and women and mourn those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. As Moina Michael promises, “Fear not that ye have died for naught; / We’ll teach the lesson that ye wrought / In Flanders Fields.” Sq A Ne ua w re tow Or n igi na l
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
May 2020
Recent Newtown Township Home Sales Address
Sold Price
3402 Sawmill Road
$585,000
Bedrooms Bathrooms
4
31 Harrison Drive . . . . . . . . $1,730,000 . . .
2.5
Real Estate
Sq. Ft.
Acres
2,708
0.76
6 . . . . . 4.5+ . . . 6,634 . . 1.37
3203 Maplevale Circle . . . . . $380,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 2,877 . . 0.04 1304 Whispering Brooke Drive . $390,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 3,290 . . 0.03 203 Trotters Court Lot 4 . . . . . $487,892 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 2,270 4600 Fairview Avenue . . . . . . $374,900 . . . . 4 . . . . . 1.5 . . . . 2,004 . . 0.39 1007 Arbor Way . . . . . . . . . $520,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5+ . . . 2,956 . . 0.15 118 Ashley Road . . . . . . . . . $540,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 1,980 . . 0.44 1803 Westfield Court . . . . . . . $287,000 . . . . 2 . . . . . 1.5 . . . . 1,746 . . 0.02 1 Springton Pointe . . . . . . . . $815,000 . . . . 5 . . . . . 4.5 . . . . 5,500 . . 1.40 35 Post Run . . . . . . . . . . . . $525,000 . . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 4,404 . . 0.17 1001 Pritchard Place . . . . . . $225,000 . . . . 2 . . . . . . 2 . . . . 1,230 6 Withers Lane . . . . . . . . . $2,110,000 . . .
5 . . . . . 5.5+ . . . 8,224 . . 1.14
814 Ellis Avenue . . . . . . . . . $490,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . . 2,774 . . 0.57 132 E Chelsea Circle . . . . . . $140,000 . . . . 1 . . . . . . 1 . . . . 910 310 Crum Creek Lane . . . . . . $435,000 . . . . 4 . . . . . . 2 . . . . 3,434 . . 1.45 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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23
History Spotlight
Remembering
Drew Lewis by Doug Humes Drew Lewis, the man who gave me my first job as a lawyer, had deep roots in both Marple and Newtown. He was a very successful businessman, a turnaround specialist; but also a very smart politician. He ran for governor of Pennsylvania in 1974, and lost – the first time in his life he had been unsuccessful at anything he had tried. In 1976, Drew Lewis backed Gerald Ford, the sitting president, for the Republican nomination. Ford was being challenged by Ronald Reagan, who took the unheard of act of naming, before the convention, his proposed Vice President: Senator Richard Schweiker, one of Lewis' closest friends. Many thought it was an attempt to lure Lewis and the large Pennsylvania delegation to switch their support to Reagan. But Lewis had given his word to Ford. As David Girard-DiCarlo said about him: “If Drew Lewis gave you his word, you could go to the end of the Earth with it, because it was golden.” Ford won the nomination, then lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
Drew Lewis, future U.S. Secretary of Transportation! Photo courtesy of Lewis Family / Doug Humes
But Reagan was impressed by Drew Lewis’ character, and so, in 1980, he asked Lewis to chair his Presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, and handily won the state in the fall. At that time, Lewis was the Trustee in bankruptcy of the Reading Railroad, so Reagan asked him to serve in the Cabinet, as Secretary of Transportation. Budget Director David Stockman said Drew Lewis was the guy with the best political instincts in the Reagan Cabinet. When I attended Drew Lewis’ funeral in 2016, I saw on a memorial table a photo of Drew as a child, sitting in a wagon being pulled by a dog. In the background was a sign noting that Rte. 3
Honoring The Life of a Loved One
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1974 election pin Photo courtesy of Doug Humes
SINCE 1976
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Drew Lewis, official portrait as Secretary of Transportation Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Transportation
was just out of view. When that photo was taken, the Lewis Family lived on Church Lane in Broomall, in a house where the Broomall Manor Nursing Home now sits. Drew’s mother’s family had been in that section of Marple for a long time: Drew’s great-grandfather Jonathan F. Taylor owned the farm that stretched from Sproul Rd at Marple Presbyterian Church all the way down to Darby Creek. Drew’s father, Dr. Andrew Lindsay Lewis, Sr., was named for the doctor who delivered him, Andrew Lindsay, who is buried in the Presbyterian Church cemetery. The Lewis family is one of the first families of Newtown Township. William Lewis, Sr., came to America from Wales with five children, to settle on a grant of land from William Penn, and they were fruitful and multiplied over the generations. Drew Lewis was the 10th generation in the line of William Lewis. During the Great Depression, Drew’s family left the area, and he never returned, eventually settling in Schwenksville, PA. His sister, Lucy Simler, was a noted historian, and authored The First One Hundred Years: Township of Marple 1684–1784. Drew’s namesake son, Andy Lewis, served as a Delaware County Councilman and is currently a Haverford Township Commissioner. When you come across these names in our history books, now you know that they have deep roots in Marple and Newtown townships.
To all Mothers & Grandmothers
Happy ! y a D s r e Moth ’
Who Would We Be Without You?
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit the Newtown Square Historical Society’s website at www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org. NS
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Entertaining and Educational E-vents by Christina Manning
“When in the course of human events,”
government officials require citizens to protect public health and safety by practicing social distancing, our towns’ and cities’ usual gathering places are not available to us. Organizations are not planning our usual delightful array of local events for May. As we are all temporarily “netizens” only, our Calendar pages here offer E-vents — online tours, activities and live or on-demand videos that can entertain and educate people of all ages.
Delco Libraries Virtual Events
www.DelcoLibraries.LibCal.com/calendar Although local libraries may be closed, they’re offering two county-wide programs to help connect people. Paperless Pen Pals helps Delaware County residents who share similar interests connect with each other through email correspondence. Fill out the library system’s Google Survey form and a neighborhood librarian will connect you with a pen pal. If you’re in need of a friendly conversation, fill out their Neighborly Chat form and you will be paired with a friendly librarian or volunteer who will check on you once a week by phone.
Philly Zoo Live and On-Demand Videos
www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org The Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo and home to almost 1300 animals, recently introduced a new series to keep us entertained from home. Halfway down the HOME page on the zoo’s website, click on Discover and Learn, a page from which you can watch videos, complete activities and ask questions about the amazing zoo animals. Some videos are from the zoo’s Facebook Live series. If you attend a live event (weekdays at 2pm), you can write in and ask questions about the animals.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
www.PhillyMagicGardens.org Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) opened in 2008. It’s an immersive mixed media art environment that’s completely covered with mosaics. Although they are currently closed to the public for tours and exhibitions, they are offering many ways to explore PMG from your home. Their virtual tour lets you view the outside of the space. You can also print out coloring and activity sheets, and connect to their social media channels for more videos, photos, and fun content.
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Arts+Culture To Go Courtesy of The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance www.PhillyFunGuide.com/togo The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Arts Alliance supports the growth of arts organizations as well as their audiences. The GPCA offers virtual classes and activities that inspire, educate and entertain kids. Your child can experience, for example, a virtual Betsy Ross House tour, take their pick of books from the library’s Digital Media Databases, and even get their groove on during a live stream dance class! This site’s “Lunch & Learn” page offers dozens of links to online classes, lectures and seminars so kids and adults can use their downtime to get inspired or learn or try something new. For self-guided tours of famous historic and cultural Philly tourist attractions, be sure to visit the “Community Table” page. Wind down the day on the “Snackable Shows” page and watch some of the region’s best dance, theater, and music!
The Philadelphia Orchestra
www.PhilOrch.org The Philadelphia Orchestra is a 97-member American symphony orchestra based at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “We know that now, more than ever, music is an incredibly powerful force for good, for inspiration, and for healing.” Search the site for the word virtual or on-demand and results will offer many links to music in video and audio forms, as well as interactive education and enrichment.
Smithsonian Museum Virtual Tours
NaturalHistory.SI.edu Search: Virtual Tour The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers virtual tours of some of their most famous exhibits past and present. Experience exhibits such as Bone Hall, Butterfly Pavilion, External Life in Ancient Egypt and many more! The website also offers educational information on their various departments, such as Botany, Vertebrate Zoology, and Mineral Sciences. The Smithsonian offers a wide range of topics for the whole family to enjoy!
We hope these e-vents help you all regain some of your connection to the many interesting and enriching things our wonderful world offers. Discover more by searching the internet for topics that interest you, such as “workout apps” or “arts and culture” or “free online activities.” And until our local events resume Bringing People Together in person, enjoy getting good at thinking outside the box!
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Expert Contributor by Tom Rafferty Rafferty Painting & General Contracting
Do-It-Yourself
Deck Powerwashing Tips The current public health and safety crisis and governor’s shelterin-place order has, for many people, at least one benefit: More time to concentrate on home improvement projects that have been on a back burner. As days get longer and warmer, we naturally gravitate outside. How about using some free time to make your deck look its best? Below are some “tricks of the trade” to help accomplish that goal.
1. Buy the Right Power Washer When purchasing a power washer, the two most important features to consider are PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute). Power washers with a 3000 PSI are on par with professional-grade machines, which typically are between 3000-4000 PSI. The true power of these machines, however, is determined by their GPM. Some homeowners who attempt to powerwash their own deck give up when the project becomes much more time-consuming and labor-intensive than they anticipated. This usually happens when the power washer they bought at a home improvement store has sufficient PSI but its GPM is only 2 - 2.5 GPM compared to professional units whose capability range is 4 - 5 GPM. Remember when shopping for a power washer: GPM determines efficiency.
2. Pre-Treat the Deck Equipped with the right machine, now it’s time to buy some household bleach and a garden sprayer. Fill a 3-gallon garden sprayer with a solution of 50% bleach and 50% water, and spray down the deck. You’ll immediately see the wood turning color, from the weathered look to almost like-new wood. This step can be completed using a small power washer because the bleach solution will do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. When using bleach, remember to protect anything you do not want sprayed!
3. Choose a Stain A semi-transparent stain usually looks great, but it won’t have the longevity you want, and you’ll find yourself having to repeat the process sooner than you’d like. To prolong the life of the power wash and sealing job, it’s best to use only solid stain.
4. Seal Your Deck with the Stain Unfortunately, when sealing your deck, there aren’t many shortcuts: You just have to roll up your sleeves and get to it! When applying the stain, it’s best to use a 9-inch roller and brush. You can use the rollers on the spindles as well, to save time when doing this step.
5. Enjoy! Your deck is now ready for entertaining family and friends… something we may all have taken for granted until recently. Perhaps social distancing will have an unexpected benefit: We’ll be more appreciative of our good health and opportunities to share food, fun and good conversation in person with our loved ones. NS
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INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO
Pamper Mom This Mother’s Day By Rose Alexander
Mother’s Day is coming up! While the holiday comes with its share of pricey traditions, you don’t need to break the bank to show Mom how much you appreciate her! Here are a few ways to make her feel loved this Mother’s Day.
Cook her favorite meal
Whether it’s breakfast in bed, a nice cut of steak or a special dessert, something homemade is always sure to impress. Try your hand at something she likes ordering at restaurants but doesn’t have the time to bother making at home—like crème brûlée, Pavlovas or Belgian waffles.
Give her an at-home spa day
Channel your inner spa therapist and treat your mom to a day of relaxation. Put on some gentle spa music, draw her a hot bubble bath and let her soak away her troubles. Have
her fluffiest robe and slippers ready for her when she’s done. From there, you can give her your version of whatever spa treatment she enjoys most, whether that’s a manicure (complete with painted nails!), a facial with her favorite skincare products, or a relaxing back rub.
Create some custom art
If you have some artistic flair, make a custom creation just for mom. It could be a painting or drawing, a hand-knitted scarf, or even a story! She’ll treasure something she can put up on the wall and then keep in a memory box for years to come. N S
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Charity Spotlight
Making an Impact in Marple Newtown and Around the World by Holly Stupak
Photos courtesy of Heather Griesser LaPierre
In 2015, Heather Griesser LaPierre started packing meals for the Kids Against Hunger (KAH) organization, out of her home in Broomall. Little did she know that five years later, she and an army of volunteers would have packed over 2,000,000 meals, of which, 500,000 were donated from her real estate team, which includes herself and her mother and father! Heather, a full time local realtor since 2002, wanted to find a way to give back to the community and start her own or find a nonprofit organization where entire families could be involved as volunteers and they could make an impact on their community and throughout the world. Knowing that one in six U.S. children suffer from malnourishment, her family knew they wanted to do something to help hungry children, especially those in their own community. Heather became so passionate about KAH’s mission that in 2015, she started her own satellite and serves as Founder and Director of KAH Philadelphia.
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KAH volunteers after a successful day of packing
KAH is a Nebraska-based nonprofit organization with 40 U.S. locations and two in Canada. Their mission is “to provide fully nutritious food to impoverished children and families around the world… and around the corner.” Donations enable KAH to provide their own brand of ultra-nutritious dry packaged meals. KAH meals include International rice, macaroni and cheese, pasta with tomato sauce, oatmeal, and cheesy rice. Each meal package provides six nutritionally complete servings. The meals are simple to prepare, easily digestible and a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. In September 2019, KAH Philadelphia (KAHP) moved to their Broomall location on Sussex Boulevard. It’s open five days a week, and can hold up to 50 volunteers at a time. KAHP has partnered with Philabundance for its Pack the Backpacks program. Every month, 8,750 backpacks are packed with a total of 210,000 meals! All those meals are distributed locally, to schools with undernourished children, and to food banks and churches. KAHP volunteers include local high school sports teams, clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, organizations like Best Buddies, and also individuals such as empty nesters and families with young children. Packing KAHP meals offers a job for everyone, so even youngsters can help with scooping, weighing, sealing bags, or packing the boxes. On a typical weekend, 20,000 or more meals can be packed.
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The Marple Police Department generously donated their time last month, to pack meals for KAHP.
who come in have heard of KAHP by word of mouth or on social media. If Heather asks for volunteers on Facebook, it’s remarkable to see the number of people who are willing to step up, even at the last minute. Any type of community organization can host a KAH fundraiser at which their members and supporters pack meals together, at their own location, for just 30 cents per meal. Heather has even traveled to New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland and Boston for fundraisers. Meals packed at such (packing events) fundraisers are shipped internationally, to Puerto Rico and countries such as Haiti, Nepal, the Bahamas, Ukraine and Greece. The LaPierre family after packing 30,000 meals for local food banks
Heather’s husband, Bernie, usually helps Heather at KAHP, along with their three children: Wesley (18), Jacob (14), and Caitlyn (11). Heather has also enlisted the help of her close friend and Broomall resident, Sarah Colluci, who travels with Heather to out-of-state fundraising events. “I think the reason so many people volunteer,” said Heather, “is because they discover that they’re feeding two types of hunger: The hunger of the children whom we’re feeding, and also the hunger from within, to give back.”
she continued to do volunteer work through high school. She passed on her passion for volunteering to her children, and they all love how family-friendly KAH volunteer opportunities are.
Heather said that she’s been passionate about volunteering since 5th grade, when she used her babysitting money to sponsor a child through the Children’s International organization, and
KAH Philadelphia hopes to increase the number of local schools to whom they distribute meals. For more information about how to sign up as a volunteer visit www.KAHPhiladelphia.org.
NS
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People in Places
Marguerite Wagner Newtown Square’s Newest Centenarian by Christina Manning
St. Patrick’s Day is always a celebration for Marguerite Wagner, but this year was extra-special: She celebrated her 100th birthday. Even though a party gathering wasn’t possible, she did receive phone calls and cards from her dear family and friends all around the U.S. “It was a quiet birthday, but it was so nice to hear from everybody,” noted Marguerite. Born in Malvern, Marguerite grew up in Paoli with her parents and brother Paul. She met her husband Gus when they both joined different neighborhood choral groups. Both groups were losing members, so a decision was made to combine groups. The rest is history. Gus was a Design Engineer. “He was quite clever,” Marguerite said. “There wasn’t any broken thing that he couldn’t figure out a way to fix or find a solution for.” After getting married, the Wagners lived in Ardmore for 25 years before moving to Newtown Square in 1980. They became quite active in the choir at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, and also enjoyed being in some Marple-Newtown Players’ shows.
Marguerite and Gus had two amazingly creative children: Carol and Richard. Carol has been a Horticulturist at Haverford College for the last 32 years, after graduating from Longwood Gardens. Richard and his wife are both artists, and their son David is very talented musically. “Carol and Richard got their artistic talents from their father,” recalled Marguerite. After Marguerite graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School (now Conestoga HS), she worked as a Dental Assistant. She later also worked for 18 years as a Secretary at Haverford College. During World War II, Marguerite worked with the Red Cross, taking First Aid and Home Nursing Care courses, and going through some practice field situations, like mock air raid response drills. She never signed up to join the Army or Navy because her experience caring for local dental patients was so greatly needed and appreciated.
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Being 100 years old hasn’t slowed Marguerite down. “I don’t feel 100. I feel like I’m only 20 years old. And my mind is still going strong,” she said proudly. Since Gus passed away in 1995, Marguerite and Carol have enjoyed a fall vacation at their favorite spot in Ocean City, NJ. They spend little time on the boardwalk and more time on the beach, surf fishing. It’s a team effort: Carol does the casting and Marguerite reels them in. “Mom always catches the first and the most fish,” admits Carol. Marguerite boasts that her biggest catch was a 20” striped bass. When asked about a memorable time in her 100 years, Marguerite said nothing compared to her trip with Gus in 1975, when they visited Carol who was working in England. They had a wonderful time seeing places such as Scotland, a bit of Wales, Stonehenge, London and even Shakespeare’s home. Besides surf fishing at the beach, Marguerite has enjoyed knitting over 750 baby hats that she donated to local hospitals. She also loves sitting on her heated enclosed back porch, watching the birds at the feeders in the winter and her vegetable garden flourish in the summer. Marguerite’s father always had a garden, so when she got married, she decided to have one also. From tomatoes and string beans to peas and lettuce, Marguerite’s garden has it all. Marguerite shared this sage advice: “You always plant your peas on St. Patrick’s Day, when the air and ground are just warm enough. It’s an old proverb.” Marguerite is looking forward to whatever her next 100 years will bring, starting with year #1 and the future!
Give your home the protection it deserves.
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Expert Contributor by Lou Marvil Level Up Black Belt Academy
The
3
Most Powerful Words
Have you ever thought about the words that have the power to make the biggest impact on your life? Martial arts teaches students that they are capable of achieving greatness in all areas of their lives and the secret is in reciting the 3 most powerful words: “YES I CAN!” If you recite these words each day and repeat them every time you are faced with a challenge, you will see improved confidence and performance. You will reach more goals than before and reach them faster because you are no longer standing in your own way. There is more to the magic, of course, than just saying the words; they must be accompanied by a belief that they will work.
4. Speak with clarity and confidence. We’ve all heard the statement “It’s not what you say but how you say it.” When speaking with an individual, a small group or an auditorium full of people, use a clear and confident voice. Your words carry power if they are delivered correctly. By adopting a “Yes I Can!” attitude and following the steps above, you will find that you are in control of your future. Practice these steps at every opportunity and you will see more personal growth than you imagined possible. NS
Here are some steps you can put into action, to start seeing immediate results. 1. Set goals and break them into smaller steps. After you decide what you want, break up your goal into bite-size chunks. As you reach each step, your confidence will grow and your walk will soon become a jog and then an all-out run as you head towards the finish line. Remember to always celebrate your achievements and don’t wait too long to set a new goal.
CHANGING AMERICA ONE BLACK BELT AT A TIME
2. Stand like a Superhero. By standing tall with your shoulders back and eyes up, you not only portray to others that you are confident but more importantly, it will change the way you feel about yourself. When we feel confident and pow- erful, it allows us to accomplish great things. 3. Eye contact. Make sure you always look into the eyes of the person you’re speaking with or who is speaking to you. This will ensure that you are staying in the present moment, focused and not letting your mind drift to other things. When speaking to others, making eye contact shows that you are confident about your message.
From the Air Answer (pg. 9): On the bank of Darby Creek, at the intersection of St. Davids Rd and Paper Mill Rd in Newtown Township, is the nearly 200-year-old Paper Mill House and Museum.
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Newtown Square Homeowner’s Solution For Sewer Tie-In Savings There are TWO OPTIONS for Sewer Tie-Ins with Township Approval 1. Traditional 4" Gravity System
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Underground Horizontal Drilling
Pros • A Gravity System with a clean out, relies on gradually sloping pipelines for downhill sewage flow. • The sewage flows away from the property and into a sewer main, offering peace of mind for many years. Con • Installing a Gravity System will significantly disturb the homeowner’s landscaping.
Pros • A Directional Drilling System is installed by tunneling underground horizontally, under gardens, driveways and other man-made obstacles. • Installation requires far less disturbance of landscaping. Cons • A Directional Drilling System requires a duplex grinder pump with battery backup (in the event of power loss). • Directional Drilling Systems require bi-annual servicing and owner monitoring.
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• Residential & Commercial Roofing • Rotted Wood Replacement • Solar Installation
• Senior Citizen Discount • Windows / Skylights / Siding / Gutters • Historic Restoration & Metal Roof Specialists
610-449-8188 • www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com • PA / NJ / DE
