2021 October
Newtown Square Bringing People Together
Friends & Neighbors
Tara Gavin
Paving Her Own Way
Cover photo by Katie Borsuk Photography www.KatieBorsuk.com
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Dear Friends & Neighbors, October is here with fall activities taking our time and fall colors taking over our treelined landscapes. Take it all in. Get out and enjoy this wonderful time of year with family, friends, and neighbors.
PUBLICATION TEAM PUBLISHER: Bob Blaisse EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Liz Burnett CONTENT COORDINATOR: Sheila Turner-Hilliard PUBLISHER ASSISTANT: Lisa Jeffries DESIGNER: Kim Cesati CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Katie Borsuk Photography, www.KatieBorsuk.com COVER PHOTO STYLISTS: Blush Salon, Michele Quinn & Brittany Naab CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bob Blaisse, Sheila TurnerHilliard, Holly Stupak, Lisa Jeffries, Doug Humes, Jim Casar, Deborah M. Truscello, Esq., Len Sciulli, Scott Magness, Dave Cook, Lou Matteo, Kaitlin Battiste, Luigi Truono, Dr. Heather Sefried 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.
This month you’ll fall for this new issue of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors. Once again, Sheila Turner-Hilliard has delivered 40 pages of feel-good, hometown pride. As Content Coordinator for our hometown magazine, Sheila pens our Resident Feature cover story and our Business Profile about our advertising Sponsors. And she does it wonderfully while coordinating our calendar of events, writing other features, copyediting features by other contributing writers and guest writers who reside in Newtown Square. Everyone loves Sheila’s stories. I understand why. She’s always looking for new ideas from Reader Leaders who offer Sheila great suggestions. And I know Sheila welcomes not only feature suggestions but also offers from residents interested in writing a feature for publication from time to time. So, if you have a feature idea or if you would like to share your writing talent with our community, reach out to Sheila by email at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. If it’s Sports that you like to write about, or you know someone who has a passion for writing sports stories, I need your help to launch our new Sports Section in our hometown magazine. We need several sports writers to pen monthly features about our Newtown Square teams, youth, or residents of any age involved in any kind of sporting activities, either currently or a fond memory from years past in Newtown Square. The sports-related stories we’ll publish in our magazine will carry a byline name of the local writer. And we’ll also be sharing each writer’s feature with the world by also uploading their sports story into our new BVM Sports web site. It’s already awesome with Pee-Wee to Pro sports-related features, but we want it to be Newtown Square Awesome with many sports features penned by our magazine’s local sports writers who will showcase Newtown Square’s hometown pride. (Visit BVM Sports at www.BVMSports.com or download the BVM Sports app from the App Store or Android Play Store). While enjoying this month’s issue, consider my call for local Sports Writers to come forward and join the hometown team. Whether novice or pro, our community needs sports writers to help us to be Bringing People Together by calling me at 610-453-5536 or emailing me at BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com.
Bob Blaisse
ON THE COVER Tara Gavin at her home in Newtown Square
Publisher
Dear Residents,
Newtown Square
October is one of the most beautiful months of the year, filled with rich colors, crisp days and cool nights. It’s a time to stop and smell the pumpkins, from spiced lattes to homemade pies, before all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season kicks in.
Tara Gavin Ow n Wa y
This festive fall issue is filled with great stories and community news. You will meet Tara Gavin, whose determination and passion have enabled her to achieve many of her life goals. Our business profile highlights The Niemeyer Corporation, which offers the latest in outdoor power equipment, parts and products at the best prices, with unparalleled service. This month also features exciting new programs and initiatives happening at Garrett Williamson and Drexel Lodge Park.
2021 September
Together Bringing People
bors Fri ends & Ne igh
Paving Her
Borsuk Photography Cover photo by Katie www.KatieBorsuk.com
We are always looking for more Newtown Square families, individuals and 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 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
Family Law Trial Attorney Deborah M. Truscello, Esq. Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello 610.892.4940 • DmtofLaw@gmail.com www.TruscelloLaw.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. DANJOLELL Memorial Homes 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall 610.356.4200 • RobJr@DANJOLELL.com www.DANJOLELL.com
Carpet Cleaning Luke Anastasio DriGanic Carpet Cleaning Delaware County 610.888.4539 • Info@DriGanic.com www.DriGanic.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
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
Dance Instruction Kaitlin Battiste From the Top Dance 3603 Chapel Road, Newtown Square 610.353.2623 Info@FromTheTopDance.com www.FromTheTopDance.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
Electric Service, Residential/Commercial Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484.498.2965 • MartellaElectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com
Investor Coaching Brendan Magee Inevitable Wealth Coaching 610.299.3969 • Brendan@CoachGee.com www.CoachGee.com
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
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Glass & Mirror Services David Gura & Lew Gura Bryn Mawr Glass 729 West Chester Pike, Havertown 610.853.2990 BrynMawrGlass@yahoo.com www.BrynMawrGlass.com
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Landscape Design & Landscaping TJ Warner JHL Landscaping 610.356.4104 • TJ@JHLLlandscaping.com www.JHLLandscaping.com
Expert Contributors Senior Living & Housing Lindsey Poeth, CSA® Oasis Senior Advisors Mainline Malvern 484.947.4266 LPoeth@YourOasisAdvisor.com www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/Mainline
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 Catherine Momjian, Member Experience Associate Retro Fitness Newtown Square 4847 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484.420.4935 / EdgmontSqPA@RetroFitness.net www.RetroFitness.com/EdgmontSquarePA
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
Physical Therapy Mark E. Reitz, PT Penn Therapy Associates 2010 West Chester Pike, #450 610.853.0508 PennTherapy@comcast.net www.PennTherapy.com
Tree Care and Inspection Jeremy Sirkin Executive Tree Care Broomall 484.451.8900 • Sales@Executive-TreeCare.com www.Executive-TreeCare.com
Plumbing Service, Residential / Commercial Rick Bondurant R.F. Bondurant Plumbing 610.566.0288 • RFBPlumbing@comcast.net www.RFBondurant.com
Waterproofing & Weatherization David Linn Cook Weatherproofing Plus, Inc. Marple Newtown 610.325.0596 • Info@Weatherproofing-Plus.com www.Weatherproofing-Plus.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
Expert Contributors needed! Dental, Medical, Pet Services, Home Health Care, Law, Education, Vacations, etc. Professionals may contact: Bob Blaisse: 610.453.5536, or BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com
Roofing, Siding & Carpentry Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. 610.449.8188 • Office@ODonnellRoofingCo.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com
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Resident Feature by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
We would like to thank
Tara Gavin Paving Her Own Way
for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature.
This month we are pleased to introduce you to Newtown Square resident Tara Gavin: A loyal, dedicated and compassionate daughter, friend and nurse whose determination and perseverance have enabled her to achieve so many of her life goals. Tara spent her early childhood in Secane and Ridley where she attended Our Lady of Fatima grade school. Although her parents divorced when Tara was a young girl, they were both very active and involved in her upbringing. “Growing up, I played sports like softball, basketball and cheerleading, and my parents were always there to support me,” recalled Tara. When Tara was in 8th grade, she and her mom, Jeanne, moved to a quiet neighborhood in Newtown Square. Tara attended Cardinal O’Hara High School where she played catcher on the girls’ softball team. While going to school and playing softball for Cardinal O’Hara, the Police Athletic League and Chaos travel and tournament softball, Tara worked hard to save money to buy a car. “During my freshman year, I got a job at Casey’s in Newtown Square,” she explained. “I started out bussing tables, then moved to waitressing. And after some convincing of owners Pete Crisanti and Steve Graham, I became a bartender.” Tara described herself as not exactly the “college type” of kid, and was torn about what to do after graduation. By that time, she had moved on to tending bar at Barnaby’s of Ridley. “Bartending was fun!” Tara said. “I met a lot of amazing people over the years and made great money, but I knew I couldn’t do it forever.” 6
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Tara in her newly renovated home Photo by Katie Borsuk Photography, www.KatieBorsuk.com
What she did know for certain was that she wanted to be a nurse. Tara said that a large part of her decision stemmed from watching her mother take care of her grandmother as she battled cancer. “Even though I was a young girl at the time, seeing my mom care for my grandmother until the very end made a lasting impression on me.” And just like that determined high school student who worked and saved to buy a car someday, Tara buckled down, continued to bartend and enrolled herself at Delaware County Community College where she earned her associate degree in Applied Science. Tara then passed her boards and became a Registered Nurse. But she wasn’t finished there. Tara decided she wanted to continue her education in nursing and eventually work in
pediatrics. She headed to West Chester University where she earned her bachelor degree in Nursing. What would normally take two years to complete, Tara did in two semesters. Equally as impressive is that she accomplished this all on her own and graduated debt-free. Tara’s first job as a nurse was working part-time at Wallingford Rehabilitation Center. She was still bartending to earn additional money, and hoped to land a job with Main Line Health System. Tara explained that Main Line Health was in the midst of a hiring freeze and said it felt almost impossible to get a job there. “It took some time, but eventually I was hired by Main Line Health, to work at Lankenau Medical Center on a medical-surgical floor,” she said. “After a few months, I tracked down the Manager of Labor and Delivery and told her I wanted to work on her floor.” Just a few weeks later, Tara was transferred and began working the night shift as a Labor and Delivery staff nurse. “Labor and Delivery is challenging, exhausting and rewarding all at the same time,” Tara explained. “I get to experience miracles every single night I work, and I don’t take that privilege lightly. Being a part of someone’s best day of their life never gets old.” But Tara also said that there are times when there is great sadness. “There are some shifts that I leave asking why such bad things happen to great people,” she remarked. “I’ll always remember each one of those moms and babies for the rest of my career. It never gets easier; I’ve just become better at coping.”
Tara worked as a night-shift staff nurse for five years when the opportunity came up last spring for her to take on more responsibility as the Clinical Coordinator (charge nurse) on night shift. “It’s a nice change of pace,” Tara explained. “I do miss taking care of patients, but it’s great being there for my fellow nurses for every delivery.”
Tara Gavin, Labor and Delivery Charge Nurse at Lankenau Medical Center Photo courtesy of Tara Gavin
These days, the doctors and nurses on the Labor and Delivery floor at Lankenau are busier than ever. “The pandemic baby boom is an understatement!” She said that just last month, they delivered 286 babies including 10 sets of twins. That’s a sizable increase from their typical 250 monthly births. “Some nights, I joke that I’d rather go back to bartending, and other nights I am so proud of my team for saving the life of a newborn or a mom that I could burst into tears of joy.” Continued on page 8
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Resident Feature While the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging in many ways, it has also shown us how communities can come together to show their support for our frontline essential workers. Tara fondly recalled a time last spring when the pandemic was at its worst. “I’ll never forget my neighbors checking in on me when things were really bad,” she said. “They wanted to know what nights I was working and how many doctors and nurses were there with me so they could send us all dinner from Bright Spot Café in Newtown Square.” For those who live in our community, it should come as no surprise that Tara and her co-workers were well taken care of. It’s one of the reasons Tara chose to purchase a home of her own just around the corner from where she grew up. “When I graduated from college, I moved back to Ridley for a few years, but I always knew I wanted to eventually buy a home in Newtown Square,” Tara explained. “The problem was that the houses for sale there were at least twice my actual budget so I knew that I had to find one that needed lots of TLC that I could work on over time.” Remember that resourceful high school student who wanted to save for a car? And the determined bartender who wanted to become a nurse? Well, you guessed it! Tara saw the challenge as an opportunity, and made her dream come true. It took a bit of time and a temporary stay at Madison Ellis Preserve apartments,
Tara and Maverick relaxing on the front porch Photo by Katie Borsuk Photography, www.KatieBorsuk.com
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
but the wait was worth it. “After some bad luck house-hunting, my mom noticed that there was a house around the corner from her that was newly vacant,” Tara explained. “We talked to the neighbors and found out that the woman who lived there was the original owner who had recently moved to Boston to live with her daughter.”
was tough!” she recalled. “I had white-noise machines and fans going, to drown out the constant sound of drills and hammers.”
Tara jumped at the opportunity, sat down and hand-wrote a letter to the owner. Eighteen months after writing that letter, Tara was a homeowner. She purchased the 1956 split-level home just around the corner from her mom. Everything was original, from the built-in wall oven with hand-dial controls, to the light-pink tiled walls in the bathroom. Tara had her work cut out for her!
These days, you’ll find Tara enjoying her new home with her friendly, loveable and furry pup Maverick. He’s a one-year-old Golden Retriever who not only steals the hearts of all the neighborhood kids, but is also known to steal your favorite socks, pillows, shoes and pretty much anything you leave behind. “Maverick is a sweetheart,” said Tara. “I always knew I wanted a Golden Retriever because I had them growing up, but I needed to wait until I had a home with a yard.”
The first step was cleaning up the yard and the exterior of the house. She changed the landscaping, painted the siding and shutters and replaced the roof and the gutters. “Pulling up to a home with great curb appeal makes a big difference and was the perfect place for me to start,” she said. The next phase involved cleaning out what the previous owner had left behind. Tara said that took a lot of time and a lot of dumpster space! After that, Tara set her sights on remodeling her bedroom and bathroom, so she had a place to rest after her shifts at the hospital. “I had to sleep during the day while the contractors were working on other parts of the house. That
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It has been two years now, and Tara is proud to say that her home has been completely remodeled. Tara’s mother Jeanne said it’s absolutely beautiful. “I love when our neighbors tell me what an amazing job she has done. I am so proud of her!”
Now that the remodeling dust has settled and life is beginning to go back to normal, Tara is looking forward to getting back to meeting friends for dinner and drinks, entertaining in her beautiful home, shopping, working out at the gym and taking a well-deserved vacation. No doubt she’s earned it – the good old-fashioned way. Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila TurnerHilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. N S
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Expert Contributor by Jim Casar Carpet Warehouse
How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Needs There are many things to consider when selecting flooring for your home or office. You should consider your needs, your personal taste, and the specific function of the room when deciding on the right flooring. Hard-surface flooring can include wood, vinyl or some type of composite. These products look so amazing, you would think that it really is wood or ceramic tile. With better technology comes better-looking and longer-lasting products. And with better sizing and easier installing, these products can be a great alternative to real wood or tile. Most products can even be installed over existing flooring, often resulting in reduced installation labor costs.
basements have a tendency of getting a wet spot or two, and vinyl may be the best option to last long and clean easily. LVT comes in many qualities, some with thicker vinyl. The thicker option feels more like real wood and generally tends to be better underfoot. The best dent-resistant or scratch-resistant flooring option is laminate, a composite type material with a dense backing and a layer on top with an extremely tough surface. If this room will have heavy traffic of either large machinery or pets and small children, laminate flooring may be the best option for you.
You may also want to consider the desired function of your floor. If you will be moving heavy furniture across the floor, you may want a floor built for dent resistance. If your room has a large amount of natural light, especially something like a sunroom, look for floors that are made for heat resistance. And if you have pets running around the house, you may need scratch-resistant flooring.
With all hard-surface flooring, the wear layer can be different, some with urethane and some with aluminum oxide finishes. Both finishes are excellent. The preferred wear layer is about 20 mil urethane finish, and aluminum oxide has a very high density making it one of the best. There is also a wide variety of plank sizes, from 3" up to 9" in width and lengths up to 80" plus, for larger rooms and that larger plank look, which would otherwise be costprohibitive with real wood.
A good waterproof option is luxury vinyl tile (LVT). LVT is manufactured in planks or larger tile form, as well as veneer hardwood planks. Almost all the vinyl products are waterproof, offering a wider variety of areas in which they can be used in your home. For instance,
With new products coming out all the time, it can be a challenge to stay on top of what’s available. When looking for new flooring for your home or business, make sure to learn about the different options and consider which floor is best for your needs. NS
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
(Lawrence Park Industrial Park)
s n o i t a l u t C ongra October Sproul Lanes Student of the Month Anna Schiller, October Sproul Lanes Student of the Month Photo courtesy of MaryAnn Schiller
The October Sproul Lanes Student of the Month is Anna Schiller, a Senior at Delaware County Christian School. Anna received a Certificate of Achievement, and a “Pizza Bowl” gift certificate courtesy of Sproul Lanes, our Sponsor of this program. Anna loves being of service to her school as part of the Delaware County Christian School Ambassador Cabinet. As an Ambassador, Anna takes great pride in introducing potential future students and their families to the many things that make her school stand out. For Anna, it is the small size of the school itself, as well as smaller class sizes that make learning much more conducive, plus she says the school feels like family. Soccer has been a major part of Anna’s life for as long as she can remember. The pre-season just ended, and Anna has been elected as part of a Tri-Captain team for the regular season. As a senior on the team, Anna helps with various aspects of planning for the team, as well as acting as a mentor for the freshmen and other new players.
Student of the Month by Lisa Jeffries
Anna Schiller! 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 other adult who’s familiar with the student. 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
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It would be hard not to hear the enthusiasm in Anna’s voice when she talks about her recent internship at the Philadelphia Zoo. As part of the Zoo Crew, Anna was able to take part in many aspects of zoo life that the average person never sees. One activity that she particularly enjoyed was helping with the events and games the zoo puts on for children. However, Anna said the greatest part of being a zoo intern was gaining a much deeper understanding and awareness of conservation, of both the earth and its animals. Not only is Anna a member of the National Honor Society, she is an Executive Board Member of Venture Crew 151. Although Anna has not yet pinned down exactly what college she hopes to attend or what she wants to major in, the areas of environmental science and agriculture are at the top of her list right now. At the same time, Anna finds her Advanced Placement Psychology class absolutely captivating, so she could end up going in that direction instead. No matter what Anna decides for her future, her passion for the earth will take her far.
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Anna, your Marple Newtown Friends & Neighbors congratulate you on this award! May your desire to make a difference in the world motivate you to seek many opportunities to share your time and Family Fun • Fundraising Events • Parties talents with others! Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com 11
Expert Contributor by Kaitlin Battiste From the Top Dance
Making Moves:
Inclusivity in Dance Studios
Dance is a universal language, which means it should be accessible to everyone. One’s participation in dance should not be contingent upon their gender, ability or culture. Dance is for all, and it is important for dance studios to reflect that philosophy. Accepting students in all of the beautiful ways they come promotes the importance of inclusion in our society while creating an environment where every student feels welcome and supported. Dance studios unite people from many different walks of life with varying backgrounds. The art of dance can be used as a means of self-expression, to tell stories and share ideas. It transcends gender, language and cultural barriers, and should in turn encourage inclusive education. Inclusivity is the practice of providing equal access to opportunities for people who may otherwise be marginalized or excluded. It values diversity and the unique contributions each student brings to the group. In order to cultivate an inclusive environment, students’ needs must be prioritized in order to ensure that proper conditions are in place for everyone to achieve their full potential.
Participating in inclusive dance classes aids development of students’ personal skills such as physical fitness, motor skills and confidence, as well as their interpersonal skills: social skills, forming friendships and cooperation. When students of diverging abilities and backgrounds socialize and learn together, their respect, understanding and empathy grows. Let us not forget that dance also helps boost dancers’ self-confidence. What if you were at a party and everyone danced the same exact way, or didn’t feel confident enough to dance at all? Everyone should be encouraged to bring their own unique dance moves to the dance floor. The art of dance is not exclusive to one specific type of person. Dance is art through self-expression, which everyone should be able to access from a safe and comfortable position. As Verna Myers, author and expert on diversity and inclusion said: “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” If you didn’t know, now you know – dance is for EVERY body!
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
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Our Community
Cub Scouts Now Enrolling in Newtown Square by Bob Blaisse Photos courtesy of Bob Blaisse
Boy Scouts has been part of my family life for more than 20 years. It started when my wife Jean and I found our oldest son entering 1st grade and wanting to have fun with his friends and classmates doing activities in addition to sports. We wanted that too. And we also recognized the benefit of our son growing in his understanding of lifetime values we know that Scouting serves: good citizenship, leadership and service to family and community. Through the years, as our four boys crossed over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts, we saw their progression in more than just Scout rank. We witnessed our sons, and the friends they made through Scouting, progress in the development of their character and their appreciation of service to their family and community. These days, the mom and dad leaders of Cub Scout Pack 315 (chartered by St. Anastasia Church) are much younger than me. But they deliver the same Cub Scout program and invitation to any boy, 1st–5th grades (regardless of school attendance or being home schooled) to Be A Scout for the fun and adventure Cub Scouting membership brings. It requires only 2–3 nights each month and an optional outing each month, which
can be fun for the whole family. Cub Pack 315’s outings include indoor camping at the NELL Flanagan Center, an outdoor camping night at Drexel Lodge Park, the annual Pinewood Derby, hiking trails in Ridley Creek State Park, and a Cub Pack family ski trip. Optional day trips to museums, Fort Mifflin and Valley Forge are also on this year’s radar, with a big event coming up soon: Cub Scout Fall Fest, with supervised arrow and BB target shooting, apple chucking and more! Parents of young school-age boys: If you’re looking for activities to share with your son, with the help of peer leadership help from parents of same-age boys, it’s now time to enroll your son into Cub Pack 315’s program for school year 2021– 2022. Parents of boys in 1st–5th grades, particularly parents of 2nd-graders who could not enroll their sons last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are invited to let the fun begin again by emailing Cub Pack 315 at CubPack315NS@gmail.com. NS
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Bringing People Together by Bob Blaisse Publisher
Bringing People Together
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Get to Know Those Responsible for Bringing People Together, The Way I’ve Come to Know Them on Your Behalf. When we first meet someone and then are around them more often over time, our relationship with them develops for better or worse. When we meet people in different situations with greater openness to sharing conversation, they become revealed to us. Their likes and dislikes, their values, and their virtues. We gain insight into their character by hearing about what’s important to them as we also watch their style dealing with other people too. In time, we come to know “the person” that defines our relationship. When I represent residents of Newtown Township, as the Publisher of Newtown
Square Friends & Neighbors, I’m in search of business owners who will agree to “Sponsor” our community. I ask them, “Is Newtown Square important to the success of your business?” When I’m told it is, I explain just how our hometown magazine is Bringing People Together through our brand of feel-good social media in print, made possible every month by the financial commitment made by our advertising Sponsors. My relationship with our Sponsors grows through different seasons. Sometimes we’re talking more, other times less, while I notice the pace of their business and their own relationships
with their customers. Over several years, I’ve come to appreciate the virtue that drives our Sponsors’ businesses and commitments to their customers. Our Sponsors all have this in common: They have all committed a portion of their limited marketing budget to advertise to residents of Newtown Township, and most have been sponsoring our community now for more than three years. Sure, at the start it may be more of a decision related to gaining new customers from Newtown Square, which is important to the success of their business. But I wish everyone knew what I’ve come to know
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Newtown Square’s Landscape Lighting Designer 14
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Photo by Micduff Photography
Bring Home
Newtown Square’s
about our Sponsors after several years Square Friends & Neighbors are successof knowing them now personally on ful, thanks to the gratitude and loyalty our behalf of Newtown Township residents. readers show them. You may know some of our Sponsors personally, but perhaps you know most of them only from seeing their ads on these pages, by driving by their business or from seeing their trucks driving around town. You may know “of ” the businesses, but I’ve come to know “the person” and now understand that the mission of our Sponsors is not as self-serving, interested in only gaining new customers by advertising their business in Newtown Square. I’ve come to see the virtue in that decision our advertising Sponsors make. They also want to give back to the community that has made their business successful, by making our free hometown magazine possible. And the Sponsors of Newtown
Don’t settle for just knowing “of ” our hometown Sponsors. Talk with them. Thank them for Bringing People Together through Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine in print and online at www. NewtownSquareMag.com. Whenever possible, choose to do business with local small businesses owners whose commitment to Newtown Township residents is seen on the pages of your hometown magazine every month, showing us that we are very important to them. NS
Bob Blaisse
Publisher, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
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Expert Contributor by Lou Matteo EDGEMONT AUTOMOTIVE
How to Avoid Potential Cold Start Issues
Fall is upon us. Along with the beauty of the foliage and the cooler temps, we’re reminded that a cold winter is sure to follow. It’s a perfect time to prepare our vehicles to avoid potential cold start issues. Over the last few years, there’s been a drastic power demand increase in newer vehicles. Some vehicles may have multiple batteries to keep up with their high-power consumption. Battery technology has improved greatly from the old school battery we all used to maintain by adding distilled water to the cells, to prepare for winter. Today, most batteries are maintenance free and no service is needed, but there are steps we can take to prolong a battery’s life. Here are some good examples: Don’t let a vehicle sit without running for more than a couple weeks. Just starting the engine and letting it idle will not be enough to sufficiently charge the battery. Drive the vehicle for 15 – 20 minutes without using unnecessary accessories.
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The useful life expectancy of a battery diminishes every time the battery dies. Some vehicles can turn accessories off automatically, but try not to leave the lights on or a door ajar. Most of us have been in the position of needing a jump start. It is a common practice but it does have its dangers. Charging batteries emit flammable hydrogen gas and can explode with a spark. If using jumper cables, please use caution and verify the polarity of the battery. Use the positive battery terminal as a connection point, but for the negative connection, use a solid metal grounding point on the engine or body. To hook up cables, connect positive first. To unhook cables, disconnect negative first, to keep any sparks away from the battery. If you’re a DIY kind of person, please reuse all existing battery insulation and protective covers. They help keep the battery cool in the summer and warmer in the winter months. If the insulation doesn’t fit, chances are the battery size is wrong. Some higher-end vehicles need to have a new battery registered to the car. Check with your service professional, to avoid damaging the vehicle’s electronics system.
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Whenever a vehicle is not in use, onboard computers and modules monitor the vehicle, which requires some power consumption. Don’t burden the vehicle’s battery further by leaving accessories like phone chargers or GPS units plugged into power ports.
October 2021
As with every change of season, remember to check your tire pressures! NS
Expert Contributor by Len Sciulli Len Sciulli & Sons
Choosing the Right Air Purifier for Your Home It may be time to invest in an air purifier, especially if you’ve spent the summer sneezing and wheezing inside your home. Air purifiers reduce dust, pollen and other allergens. Some air purifiers also help eliminate odors.
to aluminum grates for rigidity, and fit over HVAC system vents and returns. Air passes through the fibers, generating electrostatic charges that act like a magnet in attracting airborne particles. Electrostatic filters can be cleaned and reused.
Using varying types of technologies, air purifiers come in many different forms and sizes. Prices range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars, for devices that may or may not solve your problems. The air filter that comes as part of your furnace is your home’s first defense in keeping the air clean and your furnace operating properly. Many add-on, higher-quality filters are also designed to filter out dust, mold, allergens, pet dander and other pollutants that circulate around your home.
• Ionic air cleaners operate by releasing into the air negatively charged ions, which stick to positive charges that are inherent in pollutant particles. This causes the particles to stick to each other and settle out of the air onto objects in the room.
If someone in your household suffers from allergies or a respiratory ailment, furnace filters should be changed more frequently than the usual quarterly recommendation. Filters come with a MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): The higher the rating, the more contaminants can be filtered out. A MERV rating of at least 10 is recommended by the American Lung Association if changing your filter as recommended doesn’t help alleviate symptoms of allergies or asthma. Here are three kinds to choose from: • Mechanical filters work by removing particles from the air just like a furnace filter. Some may be more effective than others. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters have MERV ratings of up to 20. They are not reusable.
You also need to decide whether you want a whole-house air purifier or one or more portable units. Whole-house units can be installed directly into your existing HVAC system, whereas portable units can be set up wherever you wish. While less expensive and more convenient, portable units tend to be noisier and less thorough in purifying the air throughout your home. Wholehouse cleaners require professional installation but they are more effective in decontaminating your entire home. Contact an indoor air-quality specialist who can discuss these options and help you decide what would best suit your needs and your budget. NS
Maintain Your HVAC System During Every Season
• Electronic air cleaners use an electrical field to trap particles. They are typically made of woven synthetic fibers attached
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Expert Contributor by Dr. Heather Sefried, D.C. The Joint Chiropractic - Newtown Square
How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Allergies
Countless people struggle with allergies each year. With fall approaching, we are in peak season for Ragweed-fueled allergies. Some people are affected so greatly by allergies that it prohibits them from enjoying any outdoor activity at all. Yet they are still left dreading the sore throat, itchy eyes and/or runny nose they’ve pretty much come to count on, at this most beautiful time of the year. The question for many experiencing these symptoms each fall is what exactly are they allergic to? In North America, ragweed plants have their greatest effect as an allergen during the fall season. One plant can produce up to a billion grains of pollen per season! Winds carry pollen from ragweed plants for hundreds of miles, creating a wide-ranging, substantial effect this time of year. All of the previously mentioned, unpleasant symptoms are brought on by inflammatory reactions in your body to this type of pollen, more commonly referred to as histamine. How do you combat allergies? The same way your body fights off any illness — with your immune system. That system is in place to combat foreign substances by using protective proteins or antibodies, to keep us healthy and safe. This is where your nervous system comes into play because it controls every function of the body, including your immune system. This is the most crucial system in the body because it controls movement, how your organs function and even how your body heals. All of those functions are possible because your nervous system feeds information to your brain. When the body’s spine is misaligned, the nervous system cannot function properly because the information received by the brain is either incomplete or cut off entirely. This is 18
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
the number one factor in the human body that interrupts the flow of information to the brain. Subluxation, or misalignment in the spine, weakens the immune system and causes it to function improperly. Because subluxation of the spine can be caused by your daily activities, it’s important to take care of your spine. Chiropractic care is a natural way of addressing misalignment of the spine. Once your spine is regularly aligned, the proper flow of information to the brain is restored, and the immune system is strengthened. NS
Find Your
Relief. Newtown Square (267) 678-2225 3520 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073 This location closes for lunch on weekdays.
thejoint.com *Offer valued at $39. Valid for new patients only. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. NC: IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND. (N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-154.1). FL & KY: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL (RESCIND) PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. (FLA. STAT. 456.02) (201 KAR 21:065). Subject to additional state statutes and regulations. See clinic for chiropractor(s)’ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. © 2021 The Joint Corp. All Rights Reserved.
Recent Newtown Township Home Sales Address
Sold Price
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Sq. Ft.
Real Estate
Acres
2 Springton Pointe Drive. . . . . $984,650 . . . 4 . . . . . 3.5 . . . 4,738 . .1.35 154 Poplar Road . . . . . . . . $625,000 . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,288 . .0.74 13 Ridgeview Road. . . . . . . $604,700 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,342 . .0.13 4525 Florida Avenue . . . . . . $385,000 . . . 3 . . . . . . 2 . . . 2,406 . .0.25 412 Cornerstone Drive . . . . . $477,500 . . . 2 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 1,632 . .0.04 2002 Woodside Lane . . . . . . $384,500 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,298 . .0.04 104 Longview Lane . . . . . . . $449,000 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5+ . . 2,264 . .0.04 3701 Parris Boulevard . . . . . . $849,000 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,904 . .0.03 136 Ashley Road . . . . . . . . $485,000 . . . 3 . . . . . . 2 . . . 1,721 . .0.41 141 Beechwood Road . . . . . $520,000 . . . 3 . . . . . . 2 . . . 1,636 . .0.39 122 Hunt Club Lane . . . . . . $620,000 . . . 4 . . . . . . 3 . . . 2,801 . .1.10 200 Excalibur Drive . . . . . . . $710,500 . . . 3 . . . . . 3.5 . . . 3,399 . .0.03 101 Longview Lane . . . . . . . $510,000 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,153 . .0.04 506 Biddle Lane . . . . . . . . $1,325,000 . . . 3 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 3,200 . .0.23 213 Hansell Road. . . . . . . . $753,000 . . . 4 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,662 . .0.76 1370 Cold Spring Road. . . . . $640,000 . . . 5 . . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,796 . .1.41 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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19
Business Profile
Exceptional Sales and Service for 70 Years by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Karl Niemeyer
We are fortunate to live in an area so rich with both history and local businesses that have stood the test of time. Businesses like The Niemeyer Corporation, which has been a staple of our community for 70 years. Whether you’re in the market for outdoor power equipment or need help getting that snowblower ready for winter weather, head over to Niemeyer’s. Since 1951, the friendly and helpful folks there have been providing the care and expert service that loyal customers have come to know and trust, serving homeowners and commercial businesses in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The business is owned and operated by Karl Niemeyer, who took over the family business in 2006. These days, you’ll find Karl, his wife Kathy and two of their children, Joshua and Lindsay, at Niemeyer’s every day, ready to welcome you and provide a superior customer service experience.
Quality care and expert service since 1951
The family business was founded in 1951 by William “Bill” Niemeyer who inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit. Bill grew up watching his father own and operate a wholesale bakery business. Located in Philadelphia, that bakery distributed pies, cakes and crackers all over southeastern PA, out west to Lancaster County and eastward to Cape May, NJ. In the spring of 1944, Bill’s father passed away when Bill was just 18 years old. “He had just graduated from high school and then was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II,” said Bill’s son, Karl. “After returning from deployment in Japan, Bill worked for Baldwin Locomotive Works and General Electric (GE) as an apprentice and die maker.” Karl also said that GE was where his dad Bill met his future bride, Eleanor.
Your friendly sales and service team. (L-R): Lindsay, Joshua and Jerry with Kathy and Karl Niemeyer 20
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Eleanor and Bill started their married life together in Newtown Square in a home built by Bill’s cousin, Irvin Niemeyer. Irvin owned a successful Newtown Square construction company that served to meet the needs for folks moving to the suburbs
after World War II. When Irvin noticed that there was an unmet demand for sales and service of lawn and garden equipment in the area, he convinced Bill to open his own business. But building a business requires a lot of time, patience and money, so Bill continued to work nights at GE. And to make ends meet, Bill also drove a school bus for the Marple Newtown School District. Bill worked hard to grow the business into a solid, reliable and trusted source for sales and service of outdoor power equipment. And Karl has proudly kept the business growing with the help of his Sales Manager, Jerry Peda. Jerry, who joined the company back in 1972 when he was a student at Marple Newtown High School, is now celebrating his 49th year with the company. Today, Niemeyer’s sells and services lawn mowers, tractors, grass trimmers, chain saws, snow blowers and portable electric generators from manufacturers such as Stihl, Honda and Cub Cadet. A recent addition to their line-up of quality products is the robotic lawnmower that will cut your lawn when you want and how you want simply by using an app on your phone. Niemeyer’s service department is managed by Lindsay and Joshua. Together, they service nearly all makes and models
of lawn and garden equipment including John Deere, Sears/ Craftsman, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Honda, Husqvarna and many more. Karl is proud to say his business is also an authorized warranty service center for Cub Cadet, MTD, Stihl, Generac, Briggs and Stratton, Kohler and Kawasaki. And they’re a platinum-certified service center for Stihl. Niemeyer’s also offers pickup and delivery of your lawn equipment if you’re unable to bring it in yourself. Just give them a call for pricing. Karl said, “We take great pride in our sales and service departments, and look forward to serving you for years to come.” Years of experience working and living in this community is how a company like The Niemeyer Corporation stays “small” while selling “big.” Their mission is to offer the latest in parts and products at the best prices, with unparalleled service. They pledge to use their best efforts to make every customer’s experience both beneficial and enjoyable. They know that once you give them a try, you'll be back for more. The Niemeyer Corporation is conveniently located on Route 252, just 100 feet south of West Chester Pike. They are open Monday through Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 8am–3:30pm. For more information, call 610-356-2672 or visit &their website: OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT REPAIRS www.MowersOnline.com.
NIEMEYERS NS
Your Headquarters for Outdoor Power Equipment is Newtown Square’s Oldest Family Operated Business Fall is Here & Winter is Headed Our NWay! IEMEYERS
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21
People In Places
Mike Duff: Local Photographer and Filmmaker by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of Mike Duff
Broomall resident Mike Duff is having the time of his life. He has a fulfilling career as a pediatric respiratory therapist and a successful photography business. Now he’s adding screenwriter, producer and director to his list of accomplishments. He just finished his first movie short, 8-4-21 A Night From Hell, and he's bringing it to the independent film community.
to travel the world and I got to visit destinations that many people don’t get to see,” Mike explained. “It also taught me self-discipline and resourcefulness, which are great skills for any career.”
If you’re a frequent reader of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, you may recognize Mike as he’s been a guest photographer for our hometown magazines. He’a Delco guy, originally from Collingdale, and he and his wife have lived in Broomall with their two children for the past twenty-six years. After graduating from high school, Mike said he was looking for some direction and joined the Merchant Marines from 1977 –1980. “The merchant marines gave me the opportunity
When Mike returned from the Merchant Marines, he enrolled at Delaware County Community College in their program for Respiratory Therapy. For the past thirty years he’s worked in the Intensive Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “What I love most about my career as a respiratory therapist is I feel that what I am doing really matters,” said Mike. “Not only do I enjoy doing it, but it’s very fulfilling.”
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Mike Duff
Mike’s schedule of three 12-hour shifts at the hospital has allowed Mike the opportunity to explore other passions. He’s always had an interest in the arts, especially photography and film. He was a self-taught photographer who loved taking pictures of families and babies. He got his professional start by taking pictures of homes for local realtors and eventually he started his own business called MicDuffPhotography.com. Since he started in 2002, Mike has captured beautiful moments for brides and grooms, babies and families and numerous events. He has also photographed many of the Resident Feature families who have been on the covers of our hometown magazines. It was about twenty years ago that Mike realized he also had a passion for filmmaking. “For a long time I was scared to pursue my passion for film,” Mike explained. “But my job as a respiratory therapist showed me that life can be taken from you at any moment. I decided at that point I was going to give my dream a shot.” In 2019 Mike received a Television Writing Certificate from UCLA in their extension program, and he’s just a few classes shy from completing his Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media from the University of Arizona. Although Mike says he’s a bit of a late bloomer in the directing world, he’s always been a film fanatic and is inspired by directors like Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock.
Mike Duff in his studio
Mike and his crew have spent the past year filming 8-4-21 A Night From Hell at Romarco's Italian Restaurant and Tiki Bar on Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights. It’s the story of Sydney, a nurse who thinks she killed her patient the night before. She's panic-stricken, shaken, and all she wants is to forget about the night before. Since wrapping up production and editing, Mike is now anxiously waiting to hear from the film festivals he’s sent the film to. And, he’s already started writing his next film short: Love During Covid. “Film is a great outlet for me,” said Mike. “I write and create and it’s pure joy!” NS
Honoring The Life of a Loved One
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DANJOLELL Memorial Home of Broomall 2811 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008 610-356-4200 Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr. F.D.
DANJOLELL Stigale DANJOLELL Memorial Home & Cremation Memorial Home & Crematory Services, Inc. of Aston of Malvern-Frazer 3260 Concord Road 392 Lancaster Avenue Aston, PA 19014 Frazer, PA 19355 610-497-5505 610-296-9555 James Stigale, Supervisor Anthony F. Romano, Supervisor
DANJOLELL Barone Memorial Home of Wallingford 908 S. Providence Road Wallingford, PA 19086 610-874-7700 Edward S. Barone, Supervisor
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23
Our Community
Celebrating National Pumpkin Day! by Sheila Turner-Hilliard If you’re a frequent reader of our Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, you know we love a good party! From our magazine’s 3-year anniversary to National Golf Month to Grandparents’ Day, we’re your source for finding an excuse to celebrate every month of the year! October means the leaves are falling, our nights are longer and the air is filled with the spicy-sweet scent of pumpkin. In fact, no food symbolizes the fall season quite like the pumpkin. And although October 26th is the only day officially dedicated to National Pumpkin Day, we give you permission to celebrate all month long. Many of you have already started the pumpkin party. After all, the grocery stores are jam-packed with “limited edition”
pumpkin-infused cereals, ice cream, coffee and cookies. And 2021 has introduced some questionable pumpkin-spiced items like ramen noodles, hummus, potato chips and even dog treats. So, what is so special about these plentiful, plump members of the gourd family? Pumpkins, it turns out, are very symbolic in American culture. Harvested in October, this nutritious and versatile fruit features seeds and flesh that are edible and rich in vitamins. Pumpkins were one of the first crops planted by colonists, and to this day, they hold a nostalgic place in our hearts, on our tables and on our doorsteps. Pumpkins are not only delicious, they’re also an amazingly versatile fruit that can be used in sweet and salty recipes. You can bake, boil, steam, puree and even fry them. With so many ways to serve pumpkin, and so many flavors you can add, there’s sure to be a way to please even the pickiest in your pumpkin patch. It’s easy to find recipes galore online, but if you would rather leave the pumpkin preparation to the professionals, visit our Sponsor, Weinrich’s Bakery, for delicious baked goods. Cynthia Weinrich said that from October through Thanksgiving, their shelves are stocked with festive treats. “We make everything from pumpkin bread to pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Some of our customers’ favorites are pumpkin donuts, cream cheese-filled pumpkin rolls, pumpkin muffins and pumpkin-shaped decorated cookies.” Aside from praising the pumpkin for its prowess in the kitchen, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes make fantastic seasonal decorations for our homes. We’re not just talking about your typical kid-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Grab some gourds and paint them your favorite seasonal colors or stencil on your family monogram. Place pumpkins along your walkway or decorate your entryway with a display of pumpkins, mums and bales of hay.
Homemade pumpkin bread Photo courtesy of Weinrich’s Bakery
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
For more creative ideas, pay a visit to our Sponsor, Mostardi Nursery, where pumpkins, mums and seasonal decor are plentiful. A clever idea is to top some mini pumpkins with succulents, colorful flowers and berries. To assemble, just glue the succulents to some moss and secure on top of the pumpkin. Do not cut the pumpkin. Spritz with some water once a week. The best part about this project is when the season is over, simply peel the arrangement from the top of the pumpkin and place it in a saucer containing about an inch of soil. The succulents will continue to grow and can be used for your next holiday project. Summer may be long gone, and cold winter days are on the horizon, but for now, let’s just stop to smell the pumpkins! NS
Celebrating
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Festive pumpkin succulents Photo courtesy of Mostardi Nursery
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Visit family during the holidays while we visit your pets. Bob Zwaan, owner
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Expert Contributor by Luigi Truono Retro Fitness Newtown Square
The Best Drinking Water and Why Because your body is 70% water, you must drink plenty of water to maintain your internal chemistry. But not all water is beneficial to your body and overall health! Water is acidic or alkaline, and that’s measured by the pH scale — numbers that range from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with 7 being neutral and our blood being 7.4. Improving the water you drink is one of the best things you can do for your body!
Alkaline Water: A Waste Purifier and Detoxifier Alkaline water helps your body rid itself of two damaging substances: excessive acid (released through your sweat and your elimination system) and toxins, which cause cell damage that leads to premature aging. Alkaline water can also neutralize herbicides and pesticides in today’s foods and air, preventing some toxins from even entering your body.
Alkaline Water (pH 8.5–9.5): The Best for Drinking Today’s foods and beverages are often acidic — pH 6.5 or lower. Over time, an acidic diet can cause inflammation in your joints and organs, the loss of blood cells, and acute or chronic illness. Alkaline water promotes your overall health by counteracting acidic foods and helping your body maintain a healthy pH balance. To normalize your body’s pH levels, drinking 3–4 glasses of alkaline water every day is recommended. As alkaline water reduces your body’s acidity, your immune system gets a boost, which in turn can help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms because allergies are an immune system overreaction to a substance in your body.
Even More Benefits from Alkaline Water! Alkaline water…
Alkaline Water Increases Hydration Alkaline water’s micro-clustered hexagonal oxygen molecules are smaller than those in acidic water, thus hydrating your body more quickly and easily. Alkaline water also helps your body produce fibrinogen, a protein essential for proper blood clot formation. Alkaline Water: A Powerful Antioxidant The negative hydrogen ions in alkaline water help slow down the production of free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause aging, and if they reach high levels, they may cause cell damage and cancer.
...helps manage your blood glucose levels by optimizing how your pancreas functions. ...improves digestion because it resets the pH of your gut (your gastrointestinal and digestive systems). ...helps your skin with collagen production, and improves eczema and acne. ...improves concentration, alertness and ability to process information (because your brain is mostly water). ...improves how foods and beverages taste to you. Besides pre-bottled alkaline water being expensive, its advertised pH is often inaccurate. It’s much less expensive to purchase a Reverse Osmosis system with an alkaline filter. Publisher’s Note: In addition to being Owner of Retro Fitness Newtown Square, Luigi Truono is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Wellness Expert who understands and can fully explain alkaline water’s many health benefits. For more information, call Luigi at 786 -541-7500 or visit www.Luigi.KangenDemo.com. N S
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
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OCTOBER Calendar of Events September 24 – October 30
Mondays and Fridays October 4 – November 19
Sat. October 9
Pumpkinland and Farm Market
Marple Library’s Fall Outdoor Storytime
Bandarama
@Linvilla Orchards 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media Larger than life figures and scarecrows illustrate the legends and lore of the harvest season, featuring local history and some of the many stories of pumpkins and apples.
@Veterans Memorial Park Lawrence Rd, Broomall Join us under the gazebo for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Recommended for ages 5 and under but all are welcome. Time: 10am Cost: FREE
@Marple Newtown High School 120 Media Line Rd, Newtown Square Come support Marple Newtown High School and a dozen other local high school marching bands as they compete in an energetic display of music and marching ability. Food, drink and desserts will be available.
610-356-1510 www.MarpleLibrary.org/childrens-programs
Time: 5pm Cost: $8–$12, tickets available at the door.
Choose from piles of pumpkins in all colors, shapes and sizes — over 100 tons on display! Find a huge selection of straw bales, corn shocks, toys and fall decorations of all kinds. Tickets required for daytime activities as well as the evening Autumn Moon, Harvest, and Witch's Hayrides to help better accommodate the number of visitors throughout the day. Tickets are required for ages 1 and older.
www.MNSD.org
Saturdays in October
Sun. October 10
Art at The Square Tavern @Goshen & Newtown Street Roads A variety of rotating art displays by local artists, exhibitions and activities.
Time: Sun.–Thurs. 8am–8pm; Fri.–Sat. 8am–9pm Cost: See website for information on prices for activities
Time: 11am – 5pm Cost: FREE (donations accepted!)
610-876-7116 www.Linvilla.com/family-fun/pumpkinland
www.NSHistory.org
Clover Market @Bryn Mawr Train Station Parking Lot 7 N. Bryn Mawr Ave, Bryn Mawr Stroll through the market and shop a wide range of handmade and vintage items. In addition, there will be live music, kid’s crafts, food trucks and more. Time: 10am–4pm Cost: FREE
www.TheCloverMarket.com
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
Sat. October 16 (Rain Date: Sat. October 23)
Harvest Festival @Garrett Williamson 395 Bishop Hollow Rd, Newtown Square An afternoon of fun for the whole family! Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin decorating, barn tours, children's activities, garden tours, nature hikes and select seasonal vendors. Time: 11am–3pm Cost: $20 per family general admission $5 per person for hayrides
610-353-7690 www.GarrettWilliamson.org Sat. October 16th and Sat. October 23rd
Lantern Ghost Tours @Colonial Plantation at Ridley Creek State Park 3900 N. Sandy Flash Dr, Newtown Square The Colonial Plantation, one of the most haunted properties in Delaware County, invites you to an evening of strange sounds, squeaky doors, and ghostly stories. Relive 300 years of the area's most mysteri-
ous, scary and true tales of terror. Start by following the torch lit path and discover the strange and inexplicable ways that colonists treated their dead. Due to the graphic nature of some stories, we will not allow anyone under the age of 10 to attend. Recommend for ages 12 and up. Please bring a flashlight. Time: 6:30–8:30pm Tours last approximately 1.5 hours and start every 30 minutes. Cost: $12 for members; $15 for non-members
Proceeds 100% support Providence Animal Shelter. All registrants who plan to run in person will need to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on the day of the event. Runners can also choose to run virtually on October 23rd. Time: 9am–3pm Cost: Walkers $20–$25; Runners $30–$35
610-566-4575, ext. 267 www.ProvidenceAC.org
610-566-1725 www.ColonialPlantation.org
Mon. October 25
Sat. October 23
Marple Civic Association/ Marple Civic Youth Golf Outing
Bark in the Park 5K and Fall Fundraiser @Rose Tree Park 1671 N. Providence Rd, Media Join us for our biggest event of the year! Walk or run in our unique dog-friendly 5K with your four-legged best friend or a shelter dog. After the 5K, enjoy a Fall Festival that includes dog contests, a vaccine & microchipping clinic, nail trims, food trucks, local business vendors, raffles, music, face painting, arts & crafts and so much more!
@Paxon Hollow Golf Club Registration for the golf outing includes a round of golf, a ticket for a light lunch, a BBQ dinner with a free drink, a cash bar, 50/50, raffle baskets and golf prizes. Time: 10:30am
Visit www.Marple-Civic-Association-golf-outing. perfectgolfevent.com/ to register or mail or drop off a check to: Marple Civic Building 2340 West Chester Pike, Broomall 19008
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History Spotlight
William Culbertson's School by Doug Humes
The newly renovated Culbertson School in 2021 Photo courtesy of the Marple Newtown School District
Welcoming back the students in tumultuous times Photo courtesy of the Marple Newtown School District
Too often, one generation commemorates its heroes and the next generation forgets them. We name roads and parks for people who were instrumental in their creation, and then while the name continues, the memory disappears. So it’s good for each generation to refresh its memory by remembering the people who created foundations upon which subsequent generations have built. Such is the case with Culbertson School, the only public elementary school in Newtown Township.
William Samuel Culbertson, Sr., moved to Newtown at age 4 and lived his life here. His occupation was bus driver and railwayman, but he was a jack of all trades, and volunteered in the community. He served on the School Board from 1919–1947, and was the Treasurer for most of that time. He successfully navigated the shoals of the Great Depression, preserving school funds intact, and securing Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects such as the expansion of the high school, which brought funds and jobs to the community. He was a Republican committeeman from 1928 until his death in 1947. He served as the Township Roadmaster from 1929–1947: He as “a one-man snow-plow operation.” He
The Baby Boom brought lots of families to Newtown in the 1950s. The Alice Grim School was bursting at its seams, and new facilities were needed. Twelve acres were acquired on Goshen Road, and a new school was built and dedicated on January 18, 1959. The sign outside proclaimed its name: Culbertson School. But who was Culbertson?
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
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in the 1950s and ’60s. Junior was proudly in attendance at the 1959 dedication ceremony for the school that bears his father’s name. William S. Culbertson, Sr., was not an educated man as we now think of it: He only completed 7th grade before going off to work on the family farm, and then a lifetime of service to his community. And yet in his 49 years on earth, he was able to accomplish so much for Newtown township. So when you pass the school, remember as well this man who gave back.
The school award to deserving students, the “Caring Cougar”
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at: www.NSHistory.org. NS
Cover of program for the 1959 dedication ceremony
The first faculty members, as listed in the 1959 dedication ceremony program
Saturdays in the Fall, 11am - 5pm
Art at The Square Tavern
Goshen & Newtown Street Roads
was one of the organizers and an officer of the Marple Newtown Savings and Loan Association for many years. He was a charter member of the local Lions club, and a member of Rotary and Newtown Square Fire Company. His three children attended Newtown schools, and son William S. Culbertson, Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps, serving on the school board
A variety of rotating art displays by local artists, exhibitions and activities. FREE (donations accepted!) www.NSHistory.org
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Our Community
Garrett Williamson’s New Agricultural Education Department: Connecting Learners to our Natural Environment by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Rebecca McCafferty
35-year-old Flash, the Arabian Gelding enjoys meeting visitors on the farm
Did you know that Newtown Square is home to a not-so-little 240-acre hidden gem on Bishop Hollow Rd? Perhaps you’ve noticed a few cows grazing in a pasture on your way to work. Or you may have seen the sign on the side of the road that says Garrett Williamson. But have you ever wondered what is tucked back around the curve and down that long driveway? The folks at Garrett Williamson are excited to share news that will soon welcome our friends and neighbors to learn, explore and appreciate this priceless community resource. Since the mid 1980s, the Garrett Williamson preserve has been home to the Garrett’s Way Childcare and Learning Center, serving infants 6 weeks of age through kindergarten. And every summer, there’s Camp Garrett, which serves youth ages
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Up until just recently, the farmland had been leased by Penn State University, and the animals and educational programs were managed by 4-H members. 4-H is a program that partners with public universities to provide learning programs that actively engage youth in hands-on activities. While the children attending Camp Garrett and the Learning Center were able to visit the farm from time to time, most of the educational programs offered were only available to 4-H members. But things are about to change in a positive way. While the 4-H will continue to offer programs, Garrett Williamson’s Agricultural Education Director Rebecca McCafferty is excited to announce that the farmland and animals will now be cared for and managed by Garrett Williamson’s new Agricultural Education Department. “This is an opportunity for us to welcome members of our community and beyond to volunteer and learn about all forms of agriculture,” explained Rebecca. “We are planning outreach programs with our area schools and organizations as well as offering tours and many volunteer opportunities.”
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5 through 15 years. These award-winning programs take place on a beautiful 240-acre farm that raises alpacas, horses, pigs, chickens, cows and goats. This land also grows crops of fruits, vegetables and flowers, and has served as an educational space for organizations like the 4-H program.
October 2021
Kids who attend Garrett’s Way for school or camp already know how special it is to be able to visit the animals and learn about the farm. The teachers and staff work together to incorporate this into their curriculum. “We teach children about caring for and respecting our animals and our land,” Rebecca said.
Plans are underway to not only expand camp and learning center programs, but to offer opportunities for residents of all ages to get involved. Some programs on the horizon include outdoor playdates for toddlers and their caregivers with activities on the farm, on the trails and in the garden; group tours for youth, adult and senior organizations; and volunteer opportunities to help care for the animals and the farmland. Rebecca said that they are anxiously awaiting word about a recent grant application that will allow them to build an indoor, interactive observation space for groups to view exhibits and participate in demonstrations.
Ruby, Roxie and Gerty are favorites on the farm
A ewe and her lambs
“They learn about how some animals provide us with the food we eat and others are sheared to give us clothing.” She said that another valuable lesson they learn is about how fruits and vegetables grow. Children go to the garden, plant their seeds, watch them sprout, harvest their crop and then sit down to taste what they grew.
The first event to celebrate the new Agricultural Education Department will be the Garrett Williamson Harvest Festival; 11am–3pm on Saturday, October 16th (rain date: Saturday, October 23rd). This event will be an afternoon of fun for the whole family. Visitors will enjoy hayrides, pumpkin decorating, barn tours, children's activities, garden tours, nature hikes and select seasonal vendors. Admission is $20 per family and $5 per person for hayrides. Refreshments will also be available for purchase. Garrett Williamson is located at 395 Bishop Hollow Rd, Newtown Square. For more information about how to get involved, please call 610-353-7690 or visit their website at www. GarrettWilliamson.org.
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Expert Contributor by Deborah M. Truscello, Esq. Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello
Choosing the Right Lawyer for the Job When facing a legal challenge, choosing the right lawyer makes all the difference in the world. It could literally mean the difference between success and disaster. Here are four steps to take to choose the right lawyer for your situation. 1.Identify the subject matter and keywords. Just as doctors have specific areas of medicine, lawyers also practice specific areas of law. Here are some examples of areas of law and the keywords for each. • “Wills and Estates” (a loved one passes or financial planning is needed) • ‘Workers’ Compensation” (injury on the job) • “Personal Injury” (car accidents, slip and falls, defective products, malpractice) • “Family Law” (divorce, custody, support, equitable distribution, adoption) • “Contract Disputes” (lemon law, contractor mistake, failure to pay, landlord/tenant) 2.Research lawyers by location and subject matter. The next step is to look at the geographic area where you live and/or where the legal issue arose. For example, if you were injured at work and live in Media, PA, you can search for these words: work injury lawyer Media PA or Delaware County PA. Another example is if you are disabled with a non-work-related disability and cannot work, you might use these search keywords: social security disability lawyer Media PA. Other lawrelated search engines include Findlaw, Avvo, Martindale, Lawyers.com and Google Business. You may also want to call the Bar Association of the county where you live or where the legal issue arose and speak to someone directly. Bar associations have lists of attorneys for different areas of law, so it’s easier to speak with someone who will help identify what kind of lawyer is needed. 3.Experience matters and is vital for success. Once you have a list of lawyers to choose from, it’s very important to look for a lawyer who has quite a bit of experience practicing law in the area of your legal issue. Take a look at their resume, website and client reviews. Keep in mind however that sometimes the party from the other side of the case, who did not do well, may give a very good, successful lawyer a bad review. You also have to be careful of reviews from other lawyers because sometimes competitors will do negative reviews of very good lawyers. 34
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
October 2021
4.Schedule an appointment to interview your chosen attorney. Some interview questions to ask include: How long have you been practicing in this area of law? How many cases have you handled? When was the last time you had a case in this area of law, and/or conducted a trial with presentation of evidence and direct/cross examination of witnesses? You should be in good hands if you choose the lawyer who knows the most about and has the most real-world experience with the case law and rules of practice and procedure in the specific area of your legal issue. NS
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Our Community
Mural at Drexel Lodge Park: Bringing Our Community Together Through Art by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Wade Pollock
This month we are shining a spotlight on a community art project designed to bring people together by sharing messages of love, hope, light, inclusivity, joy and peace. The Art Mural at Drexel Lodge Park is a collaborative effort between the Newtown Square Parks and Recreation Committee and our four-area public elementary schools - Culbertson, Loomis, Russell and Worrall. Wade Pollock, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Department, explained how the project came to be. “We wanted to design a mural that would welcome everyone to Drexel Lodge Park,” he said. “In December 2020, I reached out to Andrea Mogck, who is the Art Teacher at Worrall Elementary.” Wade said that Andrea was quick to respond and offered to coordinate with the other elementary school art teachers and school administrators to make it happen. Wade said that George Sharretts, Newtown Square’s Director of Public Works was instrumental in procuring all of the required materials for the project which is being funded by the township. The mural will be painted on the exterior walls of the Drexel Lodge Park building that houses the park’s restrooms. Drexel Lodge Park is located on West Chester Pike and is home to a historic train museum, two ponds with walking bridges, two large playing fields, a gazebo and covered pavilion as well as a railroad-themed playground. The design and inspiration for the mural come from Romero Britto, a self-taught Brazilian artist who uses bright, vibrant colors and fun patterns to convey messages of hope and happiness. Britto is one of the most famous Pop Art painters of our time, and his work can be seen all over the world in museums, on billboards and even on licensed apparel like backpacks and sneakers.
Student portraits that will be projected and painted on the walls
“The process of designing this mural is very organic,” said Andrea. “In April, we started collecting Britto-inspired portrait paintings from our 4th- and 5th-grade students.” Andrea said that those portraits will be projected onto the walls to be traced and then painted. The younger students worked on designing symbols and creating messages of light and hope that will be layered in with the portraits and patterns. Working on a project that takes place off school grounds is not an easy task, and the pandemic certainly slowed their progress even more. But the teachers and students are ready to finally start bringing their vision to life. Loomis Elementary School Art Teacher Kim Trigone said, “The students at Loomis are all very
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excited about this district-wide mural project. What a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our artistic talents while working together as a community to help make our parks more beautiful!”
Mural overlooking the playground First step is to create the basic outline
Over the next few months, teachers and students will gather at the park to begin the process of building the landscape with outlines, layering in the color, projecting and painting the portraits and adding fun and colorful patterns. “The end result will be a collage of elements that honors our collective spirit and spreads our students’ messages of light and hope at a time when we need it most,” Andrea explained. Wade and all the Parks and Recreation Committee members are extremely grateful for the efforts of the many students and teachers who are participating in this project. “These four teachers turned the project into something larger than we ever expected!” said Wade. “In the face of a most challenging school year, they are working to create a vibrant community space that will be treasured by everyone.” The goal is to have the mural completed by the end of the school year, but everyone is encouraged to stop by from time to time to see the different stages of what it takes to paint a mural. Culbertson Elementary School Art Teacher Jill Bialy said, “Many students were eager to share with me how they visited the park over the summer to see the beginning sketches of the mural. They cannot wait to see their colors, patterns and designs fill the walls of the mural.”
Adding color to the outline (L-R): Andrea Mogck (Worrall), Liza Spratt (Russell), Jill Bialy (Culbertson), Kim Trigone (Loomis)
Aside from working together to create a beautiful display of art, Andrea said that the students are learning a valuable lesson about how some things take time to create. “In this world of instant gratification, it is important to slow down and appreciate the process.” Drexel Lodge Park is located at 4140 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. The park is open every day from dawn to dusk. Visit their Facebook page for more information about their community programs and special events. NS
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Expert Contributor by David Linn Cook Weatherproofing Plus, Inc.
The Lesson of the Forgotten Home Office In this basement waterproofing case study, you’ll read about how a large, damp, musty and unused basement was quickly transformed into a new moisture- and mold-controlled quiet home office. In the late ‘90s, a homeowner (a Senior Sales Executive) built a 6,000-square-foot raised ranch home on 5+ acres. Two days each week, he worked from home, making sales calls by phone. But despite all the amenities his home included, nowhere in that massive house was there a private and quiet room with no distractions. For five years, he had been making his sales calls in his home’s 2,000-square-foot (!) basement. It was empty except for a small area rug, a folding card table with a desk lamp on it, a desk phone, one very old leather chair and a milk crate for his files. Basic and simple, but that was all he needed for his busy day’s work. Luckily, this was a simple and relatively quick basement makeover project: The goal was to create a dry and sanitary space where he wouldn’t be distracted by the pool cleaners, the weekly lawn crew, his two Golden Retrievers who loved to run around the house, his college-age sons home for holidays and summers, and neighbors who frequently dropped by for coffee and conversation with his wife. When he was quietly working in his basement, everyone assumed he was busy somewhere in the house or that he wasn’t home. With no one bothering him, he could get his work done and then spend time with his family.
Problems in the basement included damp walls, a musty smell and a noisy dehumidifier. The solution was twofold. On the outside of the house, surface drains were added, the foundation was regraded, and rain gutters were cleaned and adjusted for proper and easy maintenance. On the inside of the house, the basement walls and floor were washed down into the existing sump pump. Mold treatment and waterproof coatings were then applied to the clean walls. The floor was covered with high-gloss paint. And some new window vents were installed. After this “makeover,” which took less than two weeks, the basement was still just as empty as before, but it was welllit and ventilated naturally. The musty smell was gone, and a dehumidifier was no longer needed. An interior french drain is often not required to turn a damp, musty unfinished basement into dry space that can be used as a place to exercise, work on some projects, watch a movie or listen to music. Or, as in this case study, to create a simple and quiet home office whose only distraction is perhaps the birds tweeting outside. NS
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Expert Contributor by Scott Magness Scott's Fireplace Products
Take Action Now to Have a Winter-Ready Gas Fireplace Yes, the thrill of summer is behind us. The cooler brisk air can be felt along with the distinct fall aroma beginning to settle in. The boardwalks and swimming pools have closed, and schools have now opened. The school year is under way, filled with our children’s after-school activities and all the fall sports. As pumpkin patches open, beer gardens begin flowing and fall festivals take center stage, we tend to push off thinking about our gas fireplaces until the last minute. Gas fireplaces add wonderful ambiance to any room, and can be great heat supplements, especially if an unfortunate power outage occurs. But they have a nasty habit of not working when homeowners need them most. When that happens, the common next step is to call the establishment the gas fireplace came from and request a service appointment. The common response is that there’s already an extreme backlog for service. This is because many homeowners do not think about service or maintenance until their gas fireplace is not functioning properly. This always seems to happen in the middle of winter if a gas fireplace is not properly maintained. Preventive maintenance is the best type of maintenance. Homeowners with gas fireplaces can avoid waiting several weeks for service during the cold winter months by being proactive and having their fireplace cleaned and serviced in the early fall. Gas fireplaces do require a level of maintenance similar to house furnaces and air conditioning systems. As long as they are maintained properly, they can provide heat and ambiance without interruption during frigid winter days.
2. Whether the gas fireplace damper can be opened (vented) or if it’s always closed (vent free).
You can expedite your call to schedule a service appointment by providing several important facts about your gas fireplace:
So, enjoy the fall transition from summer to winter. But don’t forget about the gas fireplace. Getting it serviced prior to the cold winter months helps homeowners avoid a potential operation lapse or a long frustrating wait for service.
1. The manufacturer and model (some gas fireplaces should be serviced more frequently than others).
3. Whether the unit is behind a solid single glass window (direct vent).
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