2016
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COMMUNITY GUIDE Celebrating Our Neighborhoods...
Aldan - Aston Twp. - Bethel Twp. - Brookhaven - Chadds Ford - Chester - Chester Hts. Clifton Heights - Collingdale - Colwyn - Concord Twp. - Darby Boro - Darby Twp. East Lansdowne - Eddystone - Edgmont Twp. - Folcroft - Glenolden - Haverford Twp. Lansdowne - Marple Twp. - Media - Millbourne - Middletown Twp. - Morton Nether Providence Twp. - Newtown Twp. - Norwood - Parkside - Prospect Park - Ridley Park Ridley Twp. - Rose Valley - Rutledge - Sharon Hill - Springfield Twp. - Swarthmore - Thornbury Twp. Tinicum Twp. - Upland - Upper Darby Twp. - Upper Providence - Yeadon
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| COMMUNITY GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
A
ALDAN
Miss Pennsylvania delivers lesson on values By Rick Kauffman rkauffman@21st-centurymedia.com
It is often difficult for young students to correlate one’s actions with the effect it causes. A simple gesture may at times make a significant impact, yet the virtues learned in school may lack context in the outside world. These were some of the issues tackled when Miss Pennsylvania herself, Ashley Schmider, paid a visit to Aldan Elementary School to stress the importance of applying values they’re learning to everyday life.
To her, wearing the crown is far more than a symbolic gesture, it was achieved through a dedicated effort that began in the classroom. “The crown means something — it means scholarship, service, style and success,” Schmider said. “That’s what we embody as state title holders, and that’s what we promote during the year and we encourage to other young people.” A high school class valedictorian who later graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University where she studied economics and math, was involved in many extracurricular
activities, and acted as director of a university program for mentoring young women, she equates all of her personal successes to hard work. “For that short period of time when they’re focused on what I’m trying to teach them, (I want them to) understand the importance of how school got me to this point,” Schmider said As Miss Pennsylvania, it was a goal of hers to find a way to foster within young people the desire to achieve RICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO obtainable goals. “You can have a purpose, Miss Pennsylvania, Ashley Schmider, takes a selfie with Bob Vivianiís class for gifted your purpose may be small studens at Aldan Elementary School, while was promoting positive study habits and ALDAN » PAGE 26 setting obtainable goals to the students.
ASTON
BETHEL
Lionesses roar for Aston Police Department
Community celebrates its founders
By Rose Quinn rquinn@21st-centurymedia.com @rquinndelco on Twitter
Aston police Chief Dan Ruggieri, during the Nov. 18, 2015, meeting of the Aston Board of Commissioners, presented a plaque of appreciation to the Aston Lioness Club. The Lioness Club presented the Aston police with a check in the amount of $900, which will be used for the purchase of a new bullet-proof vest.
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“I am deeply touched by this act of generosity from the Lioness Club,” Ruggieri said. “I know firsthand how hard these ladies work to raise funds for their organization and for our community. I take great comfort in knowing that our police department is supported by such a fine organization and that these ladies have genuine concern for our officers.” Ruggieri continued by stating that bullet-proof vests are lifesavers.
“Just ask Ridley Park Officer Marc Hanly,” said Ruggieri. Hanly was shot twice assisting a barricaded-subject call in Norwood on Aug. 30, 2015. The 19-year police veteran credits his tactical bullet-proof vest for saving his life. Hanly has since become involved with VEST-ACOP – a project to help fund vests for officers whose municipal governments do not cover the costs, and officers who cannot afford the purchase themselves.
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Visit: www.janicesdanceworks.com • 610-534-4828
By Loretta Rodgers For Digital First Media
Sunny skies provided the perfect backdrop for Bethel Township Founder’s Day, which took place last fall on the grounds of the Bethel Hose #1 Fire Department. The day-long, free event, which was hosted by the township preservation society, included pictorial historical displays, tin punch, pumpkin painting, butter making, sheep shearing, crafts for children, reproductions of children’s wooden toys, including limberjacks and whirligigs, hooey sticks, antique cars, antique appraisals, lace loom, raffles, quilters, spinning and weaving displays, a bake table, Civil War and WW II artifacts and delicious food. “We come to this event every year,” said local resident Robert Blum. “My children love making the scarecrows and I enjoy the artifacts.” Children enjoyed making their own scarecrows while their parents perused multiple displays relating to the rich history of Bethel Township. Beautiful theme baskets were raffled and pumpkins and mums were offered for sale. Guests were greeted by members of the preservation society dressed in colonial era garb and were invited to feast on hot dogs with sauerkraut or chili, chips, pretzels and a
host of beverages. Plywood silhouettes were also available for picture taking and historical house tours also took place. “We were certainly blessed with great weather, people and exceptional visitors today,” said Bethel Preservation Society President Glenn Johnson. “I think fun was had by all.”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
| COMMUNITY GUIDE | 3 A
CHADDS FORD
BROOKHAVEN
The Great Pumpkin Carve: An autumn celebration
Man named ‘Educator of the Year’
By Gene Pisasale For Digital First Media
Anyone over the age of 40 likely knows the television special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” which first aired on Oct. 27, 1966 and became a smash hit, with whimsical scenes of kids carving jack o’lanterns accompanied by the inspired jazz piano of Vince Guaraldi. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the special, which has now become a cherished part of the Fall repertoire. The art work of Charles Schulz and the refreshingly vibrant tune “Linus and Lucy” warmed the hearts of millions around the world. They’ve become symbols of this season, along with crimsonleafed maples and rustic farm stands offering fresh produce from wooden carts on back country roads. The Chadds Ford Historical Society welcomes the celebration of autumn each year with The Great Pumpkin Carve. Carving and decorating pumpkins has its roots in England, but has been popular in America for nearly two centuries. The practice received greater recognition here in Chester County when Andrew Wyeth began crafting his creations in the 1970’s at the historic Chadds Ford Inn (now Brandywine Prime). Along with his son Jamie, they sculpted enough beguiling figures to attract huge crowds, eventually needing a larger space to display them. In 1992, the annual celebration moved up the road to the grounds of the Historical Society, where hundreds of people enjoyed the cleverly designed handiworks
SUBMITTED PHOTO — RICK PRIEUR
The Trumpkin carved by Andrew Vogts and Lisa Jackson was a hit with the crowds. lit by candles at night. Today these strange-looking gourds are transformed by talented artists into a bewildering variety of fanciful shapes and take their places in an enchanting pumpkin patch for everyone to see. The largest ones tilt in at several hundred pounds and are quite huge, providing an entertaining and photogenic backdrop for photographs of the entire family. The ever popular Haunted Trail stands nearby, offering parents and kids the opportunity to wander among spooky ghouls, ghosts and goblins enveloped by hauntingly eerie music. T he Great Pumpkin Carve will be held Thursday Oct. 20 and Friday Oct. 21 from 5-9 p.m. and on Saturday Oct. 22 with expanded hours from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
at the Historical Society Visitor Center, 1736 Creek Road in Chadds Ford. On Thursday night, visitors can watch the artists in action as they bring the pumpkins to life, illuminated to highlight their amazing features. This year more than 50 gifted individuals will be creating beautiful displays that will please even the most discriminating viewer. There will be hayrides, live music, food and beverages along with selected arts and crafts. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 17. It is free for Chadds Ford Historical Society members and kids six and under. For more information, contact the Chadds Ford Historical Society at 610388-7376 or visit their website at www.chaddsfordhistory.org.
For Digital First Media
Delaware County Council recognized one of the county’s emergency medical responders, Robert “Bubba” Hamilton, of Brookhaven, who is also an educator who passes on his skill and knowledge to young responders. For his work, Hamilton was named the 2015 Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Services Educator of the Year. In addition, Delaware County Council presented a resolution to Hamilton at the Jan. 20 Council meeting. “In Delaware County, we are very fortunate to have many dedicated men and women who bravely respond — at a moment’s notice — to emergencies that threaten the health and safety of our residents,” said County Councilman John McBlain. “Today, we are pleased to
recognize Robert Hamilton, a paramedic who has served the community for 24 years. When you look at his accomplishments on both the front lines of emergency response, and in the classroom, you can see why he was given this honor.” Hamilton has served as a critical-care paramedic, flight paramedic and 911 paramedic. He has been an EMS teacher for 19 years. He is the Paramedic Education Coordinator at Delaware County Community College. He is also on the staff with Drexel University College of Medicine as an EMS instructor and he serves as an American Heart Association instructor for CPR, advance cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. “It goes without saying that Delaware County residents are privileged to have
someone like Mr. Hamilton on the front lines during an emergency,” McBlain said. “And he deserves much credit for teaching these skills so that we continue to have qualified, trained emergency responders helping our residents in a time of crisis.” Hamilton was joined at the County meeting by his wife, Michele, one of his students, Rebecca Whitpan, and from Delaware County Community College, Elaine Karr Remington, director of Emergency Services Education, Dr. Lana DeRuyter, the dean of Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing, and Joe Perezi, a DCCC faculty member. Also in attendance was Tim Mengel, from the Delaware County Department of Regional Emergency Medical Services who is also on the faculty at DCCC.
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| COMMUNITY GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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CHESTER
Festival showcases city’s thriving art scene By Alex Rose arose@21st-centurymedia.com @arosedelco on Twitter
The 500 block of Avenue of the States was transformed into the Avenue of the Arts Aug. 27 for the One Day in Chester Arts Festival, a collaborative effort to showcase the city’s thriving art scene. “We build furniture, we’re painters, we’re sculptors, we’re designers, we’re fabricators, we’re welders – we try to encompass everything,” said Devon Walls, founder of the Artist Warehouse. “And I’m not just talking about myself personally, me and a lot of friends that are up and down the block have different skill sets.” The event, funded by a
grant through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, provided a stage for all of those skills and more to be on display to the community in an area that has until recently been known more for retail storefronts than artistic expression. But Walls, the owner of the MJ Freed Theater on Avenue of the States, pointed to the coming Avenue Brew coffee shop across the street from his space as just one of the many efforts to make the arts scene in Chester more visible and vibrant. “It’s not a resurgence,” he said. “We’ve always been here, we just weren’t trying to make ourselves visible to everybody. The artist community has been here for probably over 100 years. My
uncle and a lot of my family members were artists here; we just grabbed the baton and we’re running with it now.” “This is so powerful,” said Dave Carter, owner of Yamean Clothing at the top of the block. “We need the students of Widener, students of Chester, students of charter schools to all come together and make this one of the biggest events, this One Day in Chester, and send a positive message that we are growing as one.” Carter, who learned screen printing and carpentry at Chester High School, was able to parlay his skills into a business and will soon open another store on the block called A to Z Apparel. Carter also made the
T-shirts for the event and was one of a multitude of artisans demonstrating his skills. Laurie Zierer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, said the festival also provided a backdrop to relaunch the Chester Made project, which aims to give residents a hand in revitalizing the downtown. “Our effort tries to reach out to the community so that they can be at the front of how the city is going to change,” said Zierer. “We bring artists, the city, and (Widener) University together to do that, to reach out to young people and everyone in the community through a series of activities.” The day’s activities in-
cluded a bench and flower pot being built right on the street in front of the future Avenue Brew location. Zierer said that build was just a taste of what’s to come. “We’re going to be involved particularly with young people, but people throughout the community in transforming and animating the downtown so it’s a place where people feel welcome and warm and together to enjoy the community,” she said. “They will literally build it.” Nia Center Interim Director and event coordinator Twyla Simpkins said the One Day festival was the vision of Nia founder and former Director Delores Freeman-Clybourn to have a multicultural,
diverse gathering not for just one day, but every day in Chester. The group pow-wowed with the artist community and launched the event with the help of dozens of partners, including Art at Avenue of the States, Hedgerow Theater, Chester Arts Alive, André Café Acoustique and the Chester Historical Preservation Committee. “Chester is more than what you see on the news,” said Nia Board President Fra nces W hit t in g t on. “There’s a lot of talented people here – a lot of talented artists and performers and teachers and intellectuals – in just a few square miles. We’re trying to make it all work, trying to bring it all back as much as possible.”
CHESTER HEIGHTS
Chester Heights Camp Meeting has attracted visitors since 1872
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PlushMills.com | 501 Plush Mill Road,Wallingford, PA 19086
By Kenn Stark For Digital First Media
Chester Heights Borough boasts many historic sites, but none can claim more visitors than the Chester Heights Camp Meeting (CHCM), founded in 1872 on the north side of Valleybrook Road. Established by the Philadelphia MethodistEpiscopal Church, the rustic camp meeting offered trainloads of pious city folk a seasonal opportunity for a spiritual retreat. Originally 148 acres in size, the CHCM added acreage and sold off parcels, before settling at 31 acres in 1915. A sale recently took place e for the westernmost 20 acres of the National Historic Register site, leaving the CHCM with 11 core acres remaining. The sale to (to build 77 townhouse units) was absolutely necessary for the
CHCM to survive, according to Chester Heights Camp Meeting Association (CHCMA) Treasurer Daniel Yashin. The property sale provided the funds needed for public sewer and water connections, along with a new access drive and internal road system. Where there were once 77 summer cottages clustered together, there now stands only 46, of which 17 are privately owned and maintained. The rest are owned by the CHCMA, but are available to new owners. The decline in ownership was exacerbated by two arson fires (both set by local students) in October 2011 and February 2012. The fires destroyed the camp meeting’s 100-year-old worship tabernacle and over a dozen cottages. To make matters worse, a June 23 windstorm knocked out power for five days and
had a devastating impact on the heavily-wooded enclave, with six more cottages being badly damaged or destroyed by falling trees and limbs. Yashin estimates that another entire camping season (April 1 to Oct. 31) will be needed to clean up the debris. A total of $30,000 was recently spent to refurbish the open-sided pavilion, where many events and services are held each summer. The restoration work was completed just weeks before the windstorm struck, so it was a small miracle that not a single tree branch fell on the pavilion’s new roof. Organizations that can donate time and energy to help clean up the CHCM will help pave the way for future improvements and renewed life for this historic site. Visit www.chcampmeeting.org for more information.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
| COMMUNITY GUIDE | 5
DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
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CLIFTON HEIGHTS
Partnership preserves two Delco parishes By Patti Mengers pmengers@21st-centurymedia.com @pattimengers on Twitter
There will be pierogi in Clifton Heights for another year — and, with any luck, well into the future for the members of Sacred Heart parish. For the dearly departed in St. Charles Borromeo cemetery in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, there will be descendants still attending church in their 167-year-old parish, at least for the time being. Members of both parishes learned earlier this year that Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput has permitted each to survive the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s pastoral planning process that has caused eight Delaware County Roman Catholic parishes to close and merge with others since 2013. However, Sacred Heart and St. Charles will operate as partners under one pastor and one administration beginning in June, an option recently offered by archdiocesan officials to parishes that have been ordered to engage in sustainability self-studies since 2011. “It gives both parishes a chance to be vibrant and work together. I think it’s a very good idea,” said John Farrell, who has been deacon at St. Charles parish for six years. For 26 years, the Lansdowne resident and his wife, Lori, have been members of St. Charles where their four children attended the parish grade school before it was closed in 2007, and where Mrs. Farrell works as a secretary and as director of religious studies. “I’m still telling people, ‘No, the parish is not closing, it’s partnering with Sa-
cred Heart,’” said the deacon. Farrell explained that in the interest of neutrality, neither St. Charles pastor, the Rev. James A. Lyons, nor Sacred Heart pastor, the Rev. Michael W. Rzonca, will be at the helm. A new pastor will be announced in late May or early June, said archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin. “The main thing to know is that the parish is not closing. The parish is still maintaining itself. It is not being merged where it disappears from existence,” said Rzonca. Since late 2012, he has been pastor of the 106-yearold Sacred Heart Church, a traditionally Polish parish that includes as a chapel St. Hedwig’s Church in Chester, which also serves a traditionally Polish community but was closed as a parish in 1993. His parishioners accepted the partnership with St. Charles when Rzonca informed them of it, but not so much the idea of losing him. “They were saying things to me like, ‘I’m so sorry you’re leaving’ and ‘Who’s coming?’” remembered Rzonca. Rumor has it that Sacred Heart’s rectory will be the one used for the partnered parishes because it has an elevator, but, Farrell noted, that decision is still up in the air. Also still to be decided is which staff members will remain. Among those wondering is Donna Crawford, a lifelong member of Sacred Heart where she has been parish secretary for 22 years. “I’m sure the people at St. Charles feel the same way,” said Crawford. “It’s hard, it’s hard. We just want what’s best for the parish first.” The daughter of Tom and Agnes DiCola, Crawford grew up across the street
from Sacred Heart. “My dad did everything here,” said Crawford from her Sacred Heart office on Wednesday afternoon. Her children, Gregory and Kelly, are too young to have attended Sacred Heart’s grade school that closed in 1986, but they both were altar servers. Lee Ann and Sarge Hill have only been members of St. Charles parish for about five years, but it has been a part of Mrs. Hill’s whole life. Since childhood she has visited ancestors buried in St. Charles’ churchyard, starting with her great-greatgreat-grandfather, William Ferguson, an immigrant from County Donegal, Ireland. “It’s amazing, the circle of life, because I now belong to St. Charles,” said the Lansdowne resident who grew up in Montgomery County. The mother of four children and the grandmother of three, Hill is a lector at St. Charles where, in the past, she has served as a Eucharistic minister. “A lot of people are really devoted. They put so much time in. It’s a really good parish,” said Hill. She is also familiar with Sacred Heart from caring for a friend she took to services there. Hill said she was uplifted by the services and was moved by how the parishioners look out for one another. “I believe the two parishes will complement one another,” said Hill. “I do wish both pastors didn’t have to leave.” According to archdiocesan reports, in 2014, Sacred Heart parish had 833 members, down from 913 in 2010, and St. Charles had 3,244, down from 3,250. They are less than 2 miles from one another. “It’s a really big part
of the community and it would be a big loss if it closed,” Crawford said of Sacred Heart. Just before Easter and Thanksgiving, the community takes advantage of Sacred Heart’s fundraising pierogi sale that is headed by Barbara and Bill Schwindt of Aldan, who have been parishioners for at least 25 years. Because Easter was early this year, the sale was still in progress when the faithful of Sacred Heart learned that their parish would remain open. “I don’t think we were that worried. Both parishes recommended (being partners) and the archbishop went for it,” said Mr. Schwindt. “How JULIA WILKINSON — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO long it stays this way, we’ll see. Maybe two years? You Father Michael W. Rzonca poses for a photo inside of Sacred Heart Church in Clifton Heights. never know.”
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| COMMUNITY GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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COLWYN
COLLINGDALE
Local legend lives on
Borough celebrates 125th anniversary with Independence Day party
By Anne Neborak aneborak@21st-centurymedia.com @AnnieNeborak on Twitter
In Colwyn, legend has it that there is a ghost who lives along the Cobbs Creek at Anne’s Rock. The story goes that a young Native American woman by the name of Anne fell in love with a white man. She and her lover would meet but her father was totally against it. He saw them together, so she jumped off the rock into the creek and drowned. To this day you can find Anne’s Rock in Colwyn. Some say she is always there waiting for her lover. Is the true? No one knows, but it has become a bit of a landmark in Colwyn. In 2009, the Tri County Paranormal Re-
search Society investigated this tale at Anne’s Rock. According to their website and findings the story passed down may have had a few twists that still are unclear. The Tri County Paranormal Society is dedicated to promoting better understanding of the paranormal through careful investigation, research and documentation. They do not charge for their services. The group set up a ghost box to have an ITC session and try and get some answers. They asked who was watching us from the trees. Their answer was noone. They asked if Anne was the traditional name of the suicidal girl and if she was a Native American. The answer again was no. Then they asked why the ghost didn’t’ leave and he said he
couldn’t leave. The voice according to the group was a male’s voice. The sound a ghost box produces is similar to using the tuner on a vintage car radio to quickly pass over the stations by hand. It can alter the voice. Thus you don’t know for sure whether you recorded a male or female spirit. So for now the legend of Colwyn lives on. If you see the ghost of Anne lurking around Anne’s Rock in Colwyn, let the Tri County Paranormal Research Society know. If you have a ghost you need to find out about you can contact the Tri County Paranormal Research Society at http:// www.delcoghosts.com/. Be careful you never know what lurks in and outside the walls in Delaware County.
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By Anne Neborak aneborak@21st-centurymedia.com @AnnieNeborak on Twitter
A giant three-tier birthday cake was built inside Collingdale Borough to place on a float. Outside, the Burns family built a float that Ben Franklin and Bessie Ross would be proud to ride in. The Fourth of July committee and the 125th Anniversary Committee, which consisted of 25 to 30 people, all volunteers, worked to make this the best Independence Day celebration ever. On July 3, the festivities began with a softball game between police and firefighters at 4 p.m., followed by a prayer vigil at the pavilion at the park. Afterward, volunteers shucked 1,000 ears of corn for the 125th anniversary Community Cookout, which happened on July Fourth at noon. This is Collingdale’s 125th anniversary. Last year, because of finances, the borough was unable to continue their fireworks display, which was a standing tradition in the borough. This year the borough’s committees started fundraising in February so the sky could light up in patriotic style without using any taxpayers’ money. Before the fireworks, there were concerts by the Hegeman String Band and ThugFolk Duo at the Community Center. The king and queen are crowned: Anthony Matteo and Felicity Spross, both 5 years old. Mayor Frank Kelly was the honorary parade marshal. Kelly led the parade in style in a horse-drawn carriage. Kelly has been mayor of Collingdale for 46 years and has participated in numerous parades throughout his tenure. “I am 83 years old,” Kelly said before the parade. “The first parade I remember was in 1941. The first year after the Second World War all the veterans were in the parade. It was the largest parade I ever saw. This is great. It’s great to see the town coming together. I am looking forward to the big day.” There were no shortage of events. The day started with the roar of motorcycles at 8:45 a.m. and the kick-off of the parade at 9 a.m. led by Kelly. There were floats, antique cars, the VFW Post 5428 honor guard and the American Legion Post 660, Collingdale Fire companies 1 and 2, athletic groups, step teams and children with decorated bikes. The parade route started at Nazarene Church parking lot on MacDade Boulevard and continued on to Lafayette Avenue, right on Bartram Avenue, right on Clifton
ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Kevin Burns screws in skirting on the float at Collingdale Borough Hall The float is for the Fourth of July parade. Avenue, left on Hibberd Avenue, and then on to Collingdale Park. Before the start of the parade, there was pre-judging of bicycle entries at Collingdale Fire Company No. 2 at 8:15 a.m. At the park there was a flag-raising ceremony, a concert by the McChords, pony rides, kids art contest, adult horseshoe tournaments, field races, kids parade, adult egg throwing contest, scrambles and a community softball game that starts at 2 p.m. The concerts before the fireworks started at 7:30 p.m. at the Collingdale Community Center. Prizes were given out to individuals for floats or costumes in the categories of patriotic, original and Collingdale spirit, best decorated bikes, best appearing groups and best decorated group floats. John Hewlings, chairman of the 125th Anniversary Committee, said before the parade she was hoping that people would come out and enjoy the parade. “We’ve put the two groups together and the response has been great,” Hewlings said. “Everyone has been working together for months. A lot of the residents don’t know what our parades were like in the past. I remember what it was like and I hope this parade gives them a taste of what being involved is like.”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
| COMMUNITY GUIDE |
DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
CONCORD
Historical society welcomes new members Concord Township Historical Society was formed in 1967 when the Pole Cat Road House was donated to Concord Township as part of the development provisions for Fox Valley, an early housing development in the eastern end of the township. In order to restore the house and preserve it for the future, the society was formed and began to raise funds for its restoration. The Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization, open to the public, whose mission is to stimulate interest in Concord Township history through historic document, artifact and property preservation, research and education programs. Through the years, the organization has changed and evolved to reflect the changing dynamics of the township. The board meets monthly and offers periodic public programs and events. Membership is open to the public. The key areas of interest and associated purpose are: • Collections — to document the vast collection of
papers, photographs, books and other objects that have been collected over the years and which reside at the headquarters of the society, the Pierce-Willits House. Work has begun to catalog this rich treasure-trove, which will ultimately culminate in a full database that would be available for research. Future work will focus on archivalquality materials and processes to preserve these artifacts for years to come. • Buildings & Grounds — to maintain and manage the two important historic properties that are cared for by the society: The Pole Cat Road House (PCRH) and the Pierce-Willits (PW) House. With historic structures such as these, work is never-ending. • Membership/Web — to increase membership and volunteer participation in the society and to continue to enhance and develop our website at Concordhist.org so that CTHS can reach out and share our township history and activities. This site’s main focus is to provide information on our various his-
toric properties, people and events and will continually be enhanced with new information. • Public Relations and Fundraising — to increase public awareness of the society and its activities, to raise funds and to promote events. Future endeavors will include programs to increase the funds for the areas of focus described here. We will continue to offer appropriate historic-related items for sale, which will be offered through this website in the future. • Education — to promote the inclusion of Concord Township’s history in the Garnet Valley School District curriculum. Our annual Scholarship Award to a graduating senior at Garnet Valley continues, and we are developing a colonial program for fifth-graders in partnership with the Newlin Grist Mill. The society welcomes new members and volunteers to help with various projects: collections management, research, education, fundraising, and events. Check concordhist.org for more information.
DARBY BOROUGH
King captures deep love for Darby in photos By Anne Neborak aneborak@21st-centurymedia.com @AnnieNeborak on Twitter
David King has a deep love for Darby. He has been taking pictures of Darby and Darby Township since he bought his first camera. His love has spurred a collection of photos that he has taken since 1972. King attended Colwyn High School and then joined the Army in 1964. He was stationed in Italy. He bought his first camera overseas at the PX in Italy. After finishing his stint in 1967 he returned home. He started shooting photos of downtown Darby loving each moment and not realizing at first the value of the history
he was acquiring history for generations to come. His photographs capture the hustle and bustle of Darby’s shopping district on Main Street; the retail stores, the parades and the people. He shares these photos at different community events in Darby. “I am 72 years old now and I started shooting photos of Darby when I was 24 years old,” said King in an interivew last year. His love of history led him to put together a book about Darby Township. He collaborated with Valerie Harris on the book, “A Highway runs through it, A History of Darby Township’s Black Community.” The book is a collection of
historic photos and photos that King has taken of families, homes of his original hometown. He lived in Darby Township and then moved to Darby. The book includes writings about the history of Darby Township. It took Harris and King two years to put together the book. You can find this book in Sharon Hill and the Darby Township Library. So what drives Harris to keep taking photos? “I love history and I love photography,” said Harris, as he takes a small camera out of his pocket to document the Darby Free Library where his collections of photos were displayed.
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| COMMUNITY GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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DARBY TOWNSHIP
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Goodwill Fire Company continues to serve The Goodwill Fire Company #1 of Darby Township has been faithfully offering Darby Township fire protection for more than 90 years. It was organized and chartered Feb. 20, 1920 to “maintain and support a fire engine, hook and ladder and a hose company for the control of fire and for the general improvement of the fire service of the Township of Darby.” The original station was located at 607 Oak Lane in the Okeola section of Darby Township and the company’s first fire chief was William Ult. In November 1995, Goodwill sold their fire house and broke ground on a lot located at Cooke Avenue and Hopkins Avenue. The new station, at 719 Cooke Ave., was dedicated Oct. 3, 1998. The fire company’s first fire truck was a 1920 Model T Ford. The station’s fleet grew with the purchase of a 1941 Diamond T. A third truck was added when the company purchased an old civil defense truck, a 1953 G.MC. General. Goodwill continued to grow in 1972 when, under the leadership of Chief Preston
Grobes and President Mickey Nattelo, an addition was added to the fire house and extensive renovations made to the building. At that time a used van was purchased by the fire company to carry fire equipment, the cascade system and firefighters. A new Ford pumper was purchased in 1974. The General Fire Truck was repainted from red to white to match the new Ford Pumper and the van and to distinguish the Goodwill Fire Company from other fire companies in the area. Four more vehicles were purchased from 1979 to present day. A new Hamerly Custom Pumper was purchased in 1979, a Ford F-350 Mini Pumper in 1989, a new Ferrara Custom Pumper in 1998 and a Tele-Squirt acquired from Folcroft in 2005. The fire company’s website currently lists seven administrative officers, eight line officers, 12 active members, nine life members and 10 contributing members. Those interested in becoming a member, should visit their website at www.gwfc77.com for more information.
EDDYSTONE
Bowling to schools
SUBMITTED PHOTO
1.877.GO MERCY
A member of Mercy Health System
Eddystone Elementary School Principal Jeff D’Orazio, left, and Eddystone Reading Specialist Dr. Susan Kulp, right, receive a $1,000 “Bowling to Schools” Grant Sept. 25.
EAST LANSDOWNE
Paid firefighters coming to volunteer force Along with Tinicum and Springfield, the East Lansdowne Fire Co. is also a recipient of a federal grant through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Responder (SAFER) Program. The SAFER program is earmarked for the hiring of firefighting personnel – and in a sense, rescuing volunteer departments all across the country facing a diminished volunteer base. East Lansdowne’s allotment of $740,220 represents its second two-year grant, administered through the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire Co. President James R. Carr Jr. said the grant will finance up to 12 part-time firefighter/EMT positions. The department was forced to lay off previous hires under the initial grant, and rigid regulations do not allow the fire department to simply rehire the group under the new funding. But former hires are welcome to reapply for positions, Carr said. According to its website, the fire department is currently seeking applications for the position of a part time firefighter/EMT. The position pays $17 an hour and deadline for submission is Oct. 10. Calling the grant a godsend, Carr said a lot of time and effort went into the grant application process. “We were in a dire straits situation,” he said. The East Lansdowne Fire Co. has about 20 active volunteer members, about a third of its complement in peak years. Tinicum and Springfield received grants of $746,816 and $458,237, respectively. Chester city firefighters are all salaried and Upper Darby has a mix of salaried and volunteer firefighters. —Rose Quinn
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
EDGMONT
White Horse Village Community goes red
SUBMITTED PHOTO
White Horse Village Retirement Community in Edgmont Township celebrates Heart month every February by going red. To kick off Heart Month this year, residents and staff posed for a Heart Photo wearing red. Donations were collected all month long for the American Heart Association. Employees sold Candygrams that are delivered on Valentine’s Day, and all proceeds from the sale of the candy bars also went to the American Heart Association. FOLCROFT
Wounded officer, fellow cops receive awards By Rose Quinn rquinn@ 21st-centurymedia.com @rquinndelco on Twitter
In ways spoken and unspoken, the June 24 shooting of Officer Christopher Dorman strengthened existing bonds with fellow Folcroft police — especially Sgt. William Bair and Patrolman David DePietro,
veterans credited with saving the part-time rookie’s life. The incident also propelled a seemingly bottomless network of support from individuals near and far, as evidenced when a crowd of a 1,000 gathered at a fundraiser primarily organized by friends and family in and of blue, to help offset OFFICER » PAGE 27
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| COMMUNITY GUIDE | DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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GLENOLDEN
HAVERFORD
Library awards logo contest winners
Library getting $7.75M makeover
Glenolden Library, 211 S. Llanwellyn Ave., held a Design-a-Logo contest to develop an image to use on letterhead, website and other official communications. The contest was held in May and was open to students in grades 6 to 12 residing in Glenolden and the neighboring communities of Norwood, Prospect Park and Tinicum. Four entries were received. The Glenolden Library Board voted on the designs at the June Library Board Meeting using a blind vote with images only presented apart from applicants’ identifying information. The entries so impressed the Library Board that both a first place and second place winner were selected. Winners were announced at the Glenolden Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19. Klaudia Walewska, a Glenolden resident who will be entering 12th grade at Interboro High School in the Fall, won second place. Her family-friendly image will be featured on Children’s Publicity. As the second-place winner, Klaudia also received a $25 cash prize. Purita Ameyaw was the library’s first place winner. Purita is a Glenolden resident who will be entering 8th grade in the
By Lois Puglionesi For Digital First Media
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured, left to right, are Jim Boothby, Glenolden Borough Council; Cynthia Long, Glenolden Library Director; Purita Ameyaw, first-place winner; and Klaudia Walewska, second-place winner. Fall. Her logo design will be featured on library letterhead and the website. Purita also received $50 as first-place winner. Two other participants, Kellen Wardwell of Glenolden and Veronica Washco of Folcroft, will receive $5 gift certificates for Rita’s Water Ice to thank them for their contributions. For more information about Glenolden Public Library, call 610-583-1010.
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The Haverford Township Free Library is on track for a major makeover that will transform it into a 21st century facility, with updated infrastructure, technology and amenities for patrons. Highlights of concept plans call for reconstructing the library’s entrance in a manner architect Lee Casaccio described as “welcoming and secure.” Renovations will include system upgrades, such as new HVAC/electrical systems, updated lighting and a new elevator. According to the library’s website, “The new ADA compliant facility will feature energy efficiency and areas will be reconfigured to make the best use of space.” Casaccio said the first
floor will continue to house fiction and non-fiction material, along with a “beautiful living room reading area” to the left of the entry and stair hall, and additional computer areas. Stairs will ascend to the children’s/young adult room on the second floor. The size of a mechanical room on the lower level will be reduced to yield an additional 1,600-1,800 square feet. This will go toward expanding and making the current community room more adaptable, Casaccio said. Renovations will convert a corridor on the second floor into usable space, as well. When complete, the library will offer seven meeting spaces instead of the four presently provided. Vice President of Reynolds Construction Damion
Spahr reviewed the project’s $7.75 million budget, which includes $6 million for construction and $1.75 million in soft costs. The township is providing $5 million toward construction and $1.75 million for soft costs. Commissioners appropriated funds for the project in a 2014 bond issue. Additionally, the library plans to apply for a $500,000 matching grant from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. Pending acceptance of a letter of intent, library officials will submit a formal application in October. Awards will be announced January 2017. If all goes well, the project would go out to bid February 2017. S pa h r not e d t h at HAVERFORD » PAGE 26
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LANSDOWNE
Theater receives $89K state grant By Kevin Tustin ktustin@21st-centurymedia.com @KevinTustin on Twitter
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded a $89,050 grant in support of the development of schematic design documents, the next phase of architectural design for the restoration of the 1927 landmark Lansdowne Theater. As per state requirements, the grant was made to the Borough of Lansdowne in support of the Lansdowne Theater Project. The total cost of the design phase is $178,000. The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corp., the nonprofit owner of the theater, seeks to adaptively reuse the historic movie house as a performing arts facility that will host nationally known adult alternative and classic rock musicians and singer/songwriters. Additionally, the 1,358seat theater will host educational, cultural and civic programming. The theater has been closed, except for special occasions, since a fire in 1987. “We greatly appreciate DCED recognizing the significance of the project to the Philadelphia region,” Matt Schultz, executive director of the HLTC, stated in a press release. “The support of the project by the general public is growing everyday as demonstrated by the overwhelming support of our crowdfunding campaign, growing following on social media and numbers of donors.” To date, the outside marquee, ticket booth and lobby area have been renovated. “Up until now we have focused on the exterior of the building because it was in desperate need for attention and our donors required that the work to be supported
needed to be completed in a relatively short time frame,” Schultz said Tuesday afternoon. “The work completed with this grant enables us to begin the planning for the entire building. We also wanted to undertake projects which the public would see being completed and encourage them to support the project by making a donation. This next design phase is a major step forward in the restoration of the entire landmark.” State Rep. Margo Davidson, D-164, of Upper Darby, said she was proud to support the HLTC and borough in securing the grant. “The reopening of the Lansdowne Theater holds great promise for the communities of Eastern Delaware County,” she stated in a press release. “These are the kinds of economic development, job-creating projects that I am passionate about supporting in this region.” Lansdowne Mayor Anthony Campuzano commented, “Residents of the borough are excited by the recently completed restoration of the outdoor lobby of the theater and are very eager to see the project move forward.” The necessary matching funds for this project have been secured in a grant made by the National Endowment for the Arts and National Trust for Historic Preservation. The $89,000 is the most recent large source of funds to come to the theater after a campaign drive late last year raised $45,000 from more than 300 donors. The design team is led by project architect Mills + Schnoering. Other members of the team include H. Gilroy Damon Associates, Fisher Dachs Associates, Geo-TechnoIogy Associates, Keystone Preservation Group, C+B
ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Andrew Williams, of Philadelphia, portrays a ticket taker in the Lansdowne Theater ticket booth. Consulting Engineers, LLC., Lighting Design Colloborative, K2 Audio and Brecker Frondorf. The HLTC is a nonprofit corporation operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. The corporation was established to purchase, restore and reopen the Lansdowne Theater as a tool of community and economic development, to make the arts more accessible to residents from throughout the region and to preserve one of the last movie palaces from the 1920s.
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• Free Parking • Door Prizes every hour • Carvings, Crafts, Books, Tools, Supplies • Hourly demonstrations: Carving, Painting, Sharpening, Burning, Airbrush, & More Donation $4.00 For more information contact: William Rush Web Site: Children under 12 FREE with Adult John Chacosky at www.williamrushwoodcarvers.blogspot.com Proceeds benefit johnchacosky@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook More info and show application Penn State Scholarship Fund Phone: 610-762-0030 online
Featured Carvers: Dennis & Susan Thornton
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
MARCUS HOOK
Remembering Delco’s Vietnam veterans By Anne Neborak aneborak@21st-centurymedia.com @AnnieNeborak on Twitter
It was a day to honor veterans in Marcus Hook with a parade and memorial service on Memorial Day 2016. Residents lined the streets as motorcycles roared rolling on Market Street with a promise of more to come. Mummers danced, the Chichester Marching Band played, firefighters sounded their sirens and the West Powelton Steppers marched to the beat. Woody Duncan came all the way from Port Republic, New Jersey walking on stilts dressed as Uncle Sam. Parents and children stood when the American flag was displayed, and as the Delaware County Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 67 marched by they received a standing ovation. When the parade ended, the Vietnam veterans who walked in the parade remembered the 183 men listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated in 1992 at Market Square Memorial Park. Two are still missing in action. Around 50 people were on hand for the ceremony. Vietnam veteran, Wayne Lamond of Norwood rang a bell each time a name was
ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Woody Duncan is Uncle Sam on stilts at the Marcus Hook parade. read. For the two MIAs, dog tags were given to Becky Stevens of the Cokesbury United Methodist Church until they come home. Gold star family members, Susie and Maureen McHugh laid the wreath on the memorial. Girl Scouts from Troops 5351 and 5251 of Boothwyn walked to the water’s edge dropping the wreath into the Delaware River to remember those who died at sea. This is the 23rd memorial service at the park. Sisters Susie and Maureen McHugh have been coming to the memorial service for 22 years to honor their brother, Tim-
othy. Susie is from Swarthmore and Maureen is from Wallingford. “It’s very meaningful to read the names. They made the ultimate sacrifice,” Susie said. “We take turns each time we come to read his name. He was in the Marines from Springfield and they honored him as one of the fallen from Vietnam,” Maureen said. “It is special to come here and be with our brothers (Vietnam Veterans of America) at this service,” Susie said. Judy Nickel and her son, Ken of Upland, attended the memorial service for the first time. They have been at the park before to look at the Moving Wall and the memorial. Nickel lost her brother, Barry Burnite in Vietnam. He graduated from Springfield High School and served in the Army. “I just got married and I saw him off at the airport. That was the last time I saw ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA him. The twenty-one gun salute always gets me,” said Delaware County Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 67 leads the parade at Marchus Nickel, fighting back tears. Hook. “The service was nice, but I wish there were more people here. So many people participated in the parade and lined the streets and didn’t attend this. People need to realize that Memorial Day is to remember our fallen.”
ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Girl Scout Troops 5351 and 5251 participate in placing the wreath in the river. Pictured are Destiny Mena, Kyleigh Mann and Sierra Smith. The troop is from Boothwyn.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
MARPLE
Congratulations to Marple police for a reaching a new — and elite — level of proficiency. The department, which is comprised of 28 sworn members plus support staff, was recently accredited by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. The program, which helps institutions evaluate and improve overall performance, is administered through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. “This marks a distinct level of professionalism for a police agency,” said police Chief Tom Murray. “It has taken us to a level of best practices of complying with specific standards.” Introduced in 2001, the program is based on specific objectives and requires departments to conduct a thorough analysis to determine how their existing operations can be adapted to meet those objectives. Adhering to the goals allows departments to improve and evaluate performance,
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Police earn elite state accreditation By Rose Quinn rquinn@21st-centurymedia. com @rquinndelco on Twitter
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DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
reduce risk and exposure to lawsuits and liability and enhance law enforcement/community relations and confidence in the department. Since its inception, more than 300 agencies have enrolled and 102 have achieved accredited status. The Springfield Township Police Department and Delaware County Sheriff’s office are the only other agencies in the county to have received the designation. Marple police began the process by performing a self-examination, comparing the department to 136 standards in areas of organization and management (such as use of force, hiring selection), law enforcement functions (response to calls, prisoner transport), staff support responsibilities (property evidence control, supervision of detainees) and legal mandates (missing persons, protection from abuse). The program has insured that all situations, such as filing a report with the Pennsylvania State Police following a vehicle pursuit, emailing the evidence tech regard ing new evidence placement or providing a crime
victim with information within 24 hours of initial contact, are documented. “The devil is in the details and it helps us pay close attention to everything we do,” said Murray. “If an officer needs to testify in court, for instance, he or she can refer to a specific document where all the necessary information has been compiled. It reinforces the veracity of the officer.” He added the program has significantly improved the department’s information gathering techniques. It will also augment training, insuring instruction in areas such as bias-based policing are conducted within mandatory periods. The program has been coordinated by accreditation manager Officer Katie Connolly and administrative Lt. Frank Hannigan. The process has spanned nearly 24 months and accreditation is valid for three years, at which point departments may conduct a re-evaluation to renew their status. “It is the ultimate level of professional policing,” said Murray. “That is why we are here.”
SALUTING DELCO VETS
TOM KELLY IV — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO
Henry James Konar, 2, of Glen Mills, waves an American Flag during the parade as his grandfather, Bob Konar, and grandmother, Donna Woody, a Vietnam veteran, stand with him during the 56th annual Delaware County Veterans Day Parade in Media Borough last year.
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The Marple Township Police Department receives accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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MIDDLETOWN
MILLBOURNE
Historical society restoring Oak Lawn
Smallest town, largest Indian population
By Bette Alburger For Digital First Media
An ongoing project of the Middletown Township Historical Society (MTHS) to restore historic Oak Lawn on part of the townshipowned Smedley Tract, is moving right along, thanks to the efforts of many community minded individuals. Standing for more than two centuries on North Middletown and Rose Tree roads, the once-stately old house’s exterior was deteriorating rapidly. Its windows were boarded up, some shutters were missing, and its masonry and slate roof were in bad shape. However, it was determined not to be cost effective for the township to undertake major repair work on the house. So in spring 2013, MTHS presented a proposal to Middletown Council to bring Oak Lawn back to its former appearance, so the township would be proud to own it. Its proposal was accepted, a committee was formed and, with the expertise and direction of MTHS board member Steve Manning of Restoration Fraternity in Middletown, the ambitious project got under way. MTHS President Sue Mescanti noted that earlier in the year, students in Penncrest High’s National Art Honor Society created 22 faux windows, so that
BETTE ALBURGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Middletown Historical Society board member Steve Manning, of Restoration Fraternity, left, is pictured with Middletown Assistant Manager Meredith Merino and MTHS President Sue Mescanti, in front of historic Oak Lawn. the window frames and panes now look like the real thing. The window work was the focus of the Eagle Scout project of honor society president Hunter Faddis. He and fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 85, which meets in Middletown Presbyterian Church, cleared the property of debris, created flower beds with plants and mulch donated by Linvilla Orchards, and made a border of rocks to set off the beds. Paint and carpentry shop students from The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades (now Williamson College of the Trades) helped install the faux windows. They also painted the shutters and front door. The township provided funds for Lantz Roofing,
an Amish company in Lancaster County, to repair the leaking roof and make it water tight. The Amish also did new flashings on two chimneys. Valuable guidance and support has come from assistant township manager Meredith Merino, who provided access into the house and helped with the bid process. “Like any old property, Oak Lawn has been challenging, but I’m excited to see the progress that’s been made,” said Manning, who’s been doing restoration work for 39 years. “We’ve all fallen in love with the old girl,” added Mescanti about the house. “She’s looking better and better.” But there’s still work to be done, such as restoring soffits on the main structure. Mescanti said priority items would be to restore electricity to the house for motion sensor lighting and a source for power tools. Masonry and woodworking repairs to the front porch also are needed. In recognition of the work done thus far, Manning and MTHS were selected by the Heritage Commission of Delaware County to receive the 2015 Preservation Award for Site Preservation Architectural Detail. This was the society’s fourth Heritage Award in six years.
On the very tip of Upper Darby’s nose sits the little borough of Millbourne. Surrounded by Upper Darby and Philadelphia, Millbourne runs about six blocks long and two blocks deep, with a population of just over 1,000. Millbourne is noted for having the largest concentration of Indian American in the U.S., accounting for about 40 percent of the borough’s population, according to the 2014 American Community Survey. Another 24 percent are Bangladeshi. Overall, 71 percent of the population is born in an Asian country, predominately in the con-
tinent’s southern region. These statistics make Millbourne the only municipality in the state to have an Asian-American majority. The reach of the Indian culture extends into neighboring communities, in part, by the Philadelphia Sikh Society, situated inside the borough. A Sikh temple, known as a gurdwara, is also located in Millbourne and it’s where the Philadelphia Sikh Society holds services. Sikhism is one of the largest organized religions in the world with over 28 million followers, of which 250,000 are in America. Location of the Philadel-
phia Sikh Society is convenient for the local Sikh community. Until recently, the borough council was mostly comprised of caucasian members with European ancestories. Now, the five-person council is made up entirely of (South) Asian members. A surge in the Indian population starting the 1990s, with another wave following the 9/11 attacks when Sikh New Yorkers fled to escape racial profiling. Millbourne may only be .07 sq. mi. in area, but it has one of the biggest footprints in the American Indian population.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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DELAWARE COUNTY NEWS NETWORK
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MORTON
Signs By Tomorrow celebrates 18 years of signing, designing By Peg DeGrassa pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com @PeggyDe5 on Twitter
“Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs ...” The famous lyric line in this wellknown 1970s classic song springs to life upon entering Signs By Tomorrow at 1 Kedron Avenue (Route 420) in Morton. Signs and banners — and now T-shirts — of every size, color and design make up the tasteful displays in the store that is celebrating its 18th year in Delaware County. Owner Joyce Carpenter of Brookhaven took a leap of faith when she opened the doors of Signs By Tomorrow, at the same location, back in August 1998. Since then, the store has steadily grown and built a loyal customer base of area contractors, merchants, schools, sports teams, car dealerships and countless other businesses and individuals. Working alongside her daughter, Heather DeMarco, of Ridley Park, a graphic designer, as well as Stephanie Prosseda, of Ridley Park, sales man-
PEG DEGRASSA — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Owner Joyce Carpenter, a lifelong resident of Delaware County, says Signs by Tomorrow has been successful in the business community for 18 years by offering custom products professionally done at reasonable cost in a timely manner. Her team at Signs By Tomorrow, all lifelong Delco residents as well, are knowledgeable and creative, offering customers excellent customer service and quality products. ager and Arthur Gandy, of Prospect Park, production manager, the four team members have brought the store from a 1998 new busi-
ness to a 2015 local favorite, repeatedly winning the Delco Times’ “Best of Delco” award year after year. Signs By Tomorrow has
been the official sign supplier for the Philadelphia Flower Show since 2001. Additionally, the company has provided signage for
the Phillies’ Dugout, the big wallpaper and signage for the Ridley YMCA, local Post Prom parties, and has done banners for hundreds and hundreds of graduations and other events. Signs By Tomorrow also specializes in vehicle lettering and designs of all types on cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles and campers. In fact, Carpenter said, there’s almost nothing a customer requests that can’t be done. Their slogan reads, “If you can imagine it, we can do it.” The shop has even helped a few boyfriends get ready for special proposals. Once, the shop designed a plexiglass sign for a fellow to place in a New York City train station, asking his girlfriend for her hand in marriage. Another time, the team made a banner for a guy who was going to hang it across a fire truck to propose to his girlfriend. “Among the things we are super proud of is our customer service,” Carpenter said in an interview last week. “We work very closely with our customers to make sure they are not only satisfied, but also delighted
with their products. We get rave reviews about our customer service. We go above and beyond.” Signs By Tomorrow recently branched out by now offering custom T-shirts to individuals, teams and businesses. Recent customers included the Ridley Cheer Team and the Parkers Athletic Club, as well as an extended family going to Disney World who ordered matching shirts for the whole gang. “Customers really like our quality t-shirts and custom designs,” Carpenter stated while talking about her company’s latest product line. “Word is spreading quickly.” Carpenter said, Signs By Tomorrow offers a wide variety of sign products and signage design services “to get a business’s message out of the office and into the world, in as little as one day.” A member of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Signs By Tomorrow is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
NETHER PROVIDENCE
Taylor Arboretum acquired by Widener By Patti Mengers pmengers@21st-centurymedia.com @pattimengers on Twitter
Taylor Memorial Arboretum in Nether Providence will now be known as Taylor Arboretum at Widener University. The 30-acre reserve of plantings and natural lands located about a mile north of the Chester university was acquired by Widener
from BNY Mellon, where it has been held in trust since 1946, according to a press release issued earlier this year. It will remain free and open to the public while also greatly expanding opportunities for research and hands-on learning in the environmental and biological sciences and science education for students, according to Widener University President Julie E. Woll-
man. “The Taylor Arboretum is a local treasure of natural beauty and Widener University is dedicated to preserving the original intent of the trust to promote the health, enjoyment and education of the public in perpetuity,” said Wollman. For nearly 20 years, Widener students and faculty have researched flora and fauna at the arboretum and have conducted water qual-
ity studies of Ridley Creek which borders it, said Stephen Madigosky, chair of the environmental science department at Widener. University officials also plan to engage the community for citizen science projects at the arboretum . “Taylor Arboretum at Widener University is a perfect place to institute such measures and augment the university’s commitment WIDENER » PAGE 26
Taylor Arboretum at Widener University
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
NEWTOWN
NORWOOD
Bartram’s one of last covered bridges
SCHOOL CUTS RIBBON ON NEW PLAYGROUND
T he Ba r t r a m C overe d Bridge spans the county line between Delaware and Chester counties over Crum Creek near the intersection of Goshen and Boot roads in Newtown Square. It is the last covered bridge remaining in Delaware County, a county which once had over 30 covered bridges. The bridge has unique slanted plank portals, the only bridge in Pennsylvania with this unusual design. Built in 1860 by Ferdinand Wood, who designed the portals to be “Hi and Wide as a Load of Hay,” the bridge is 80 feet long by 13 feet wide. The original cost of $1,133 to build the bridge was shared by Delaware and Chester Counties. It is named for Mordecai Bartram, an adjacent landowner. The bridge design, pioneered by Theodore Burr, features the Burr Truss, commonly found in Pennsylvania covered bridges of the time. At one time, the words “LINCOLN, Save Union and Congress” were still visible, painted along the arch inside the bridge. The last traces of this old election graffiti from 1860 are believed to have been lost during the last restoration of the bridge in 1995. The bridge closed to traffic in 1941, and sat unused, awaiting the same fate as other old bridges in the count y. However, on the 100th anniversar y of the bridge in 1960, concerned neighbors and preservationists saved the bridge and raised community interest, and then money, to repair the bridge. After years of benign neglect, the bridge was restored in 1995, funded by a combination of donations, grants and fundraising. The bridge is now maintained by a commission of volunteers representing both Newtown and Willistown Townships.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Norwood School held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new playground. Pictured are, from left, Amber Shaffer, Home & School president; Principal Dan Mills; and Robin Berkheimer, former Home & School president.
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PARKSIDE
HOP TO IT Parkside children Jacob Cummings, Brett Powers, Skylar Curry, Ryan McConnell and Lydia Stokarski enjoy Parkside Borough’s annual Easter egg hunt.
LORETTA RODGERS — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
PROSPECT PARK
VFW Post 928 visits school Herbert W. Best VFW Post 928’s Auxiliary and a post member went to Prospect Park School in Prospect Park to give a presentation on patriotism, honoring veterans, active military and the flag. Auxiliary member Monique Constantine, a past Post 928 Auxiliary president, spoke about our flag, its history and the importance of honoring this icon of American patriotism. She was assisted by post Treasurer Anna Brown, District 7 VFW Auxiliary and chairperson for Eastern PA, Family and Veteran’s support. Also assisting was Post 928 Auxiliary President Carol Rogers. Brown and Rogers distributed flags to each student who attended the
presentation, along with coloring sheets to students in grades two to five for a contest the auxiliary held. Retired Master Sgt. of the USAFR Michelle Goulet, junior vice commander of VFW Post 928, also gave the children a presentation on animals who currently serve and who have honorably served in the U.S. military. She also spoke to the students about what it means to be a veteran and shared some of her past military experiences. The presentation finished with information about the VFW Patriot Pen Essay Contest for grades six to eight and the Voice of Democracy Contest for high school students. T he teachers whose classes attended this event
were fourth-grade teachers Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Glavin and Mrs. Cook; sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Della sa nd ra; seventhgrade teacher Mrs. Artese; and eighth-grade teacher Mr. Kennedy. Principal Kelly also attended the educational presentation. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pictured are VFW Auxiliary Commander Carol Rogers; VFW Auxiliary Post Past Commander Monique Constantine; Anne Brown, VFW Auxiliary treasurer and District 7 VFW Auxiliary and chairperson for Eastern PA, Family and Veteran’s support; and retired Master Sgt. of the USAFR Michelle Goulet, junior vice commander of VFW Post 928.
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RIDLEY
Let Leedom ring 70-year-old Fourth of July tradition returns By Peg DeGrassa pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com @PeggyDe5 on Twitter
When the marchers, cars and floats lined up at Leedom School on Monday, July 4, a 70-year-old tradition was brought back to life. After the Leedom Independence Day Parade ma rched throug h the streets in the Leedom Estates section of Ridley Township in 2002, the annual tradition, which originated in an effort to welcome ser v icemen back home in 1946, was somehow laid to rest. Some say it never happened again due to the lack of volunteers. Others offered different causes for the parade’s hiatus. No matter the reason, 14 years later, a group of patriotic and spirited residents revived the beloved Leedom July Fourth parade, and on the morning of America’s birthday, the tradition returned in all its former glory. Last fall, Leedom residents Mike Mogan and Steve Fiorelli got together
to discuss a possible parade comeback. Fiorelli wanted to organize the parade to honor his late father, Frank Fiorelli. Mogan wanted the parade to honor the late Jim Pentimall, a former Ridley Township Sixth Ward commissioner who, according to Mogan, was like “the mayor of Leedom.” The pair sought the help of Pat Welsh and the rest of the Leedom Bulls, asking them to join forces to revive the community parade. They put an ad in the newspapers and made a Facebook page to attract volunteers and began soliciting help and drumming up interest. The small group of determined residents held their first meeting at Mogan’s home on Stockton Circle. Led by Leedom Estates Civic Association President Carli Pio McCrea, a team of active volunteers formed and took charge, soliciting local groups and individuals who would participate, donate prizes, food and other amenities and work tirelessly throughout the year and on the day of the event. Fast forward several meetings later to July Fourth, and the parade returned, bigger and better than ever before. Bikes, cars, floats and marchers lined up at Leedom Elementary School, at 9 am.
SUBMITTED PHOTO — COURTESY OF KEITH LOCKHART
The very first Leedom July Fouth Parade was held in 1946 to welcome all the servicemen home, The photo is a view of the parade at Rodney Rd. looking down Clymer Lane in the Leedom section of Ridley Township. McCrea, remarked, “We just really want to make a nice day and create some memories for our kids that don’t involve staring at an iPad or TV screen. I’m proud of where I live. Sometimes living in a neighborhood like ours, it’s easy to focus on the negative, especially with social media. I hope the parade
and picnic will encourage the people of Leedom to get out of their houses and meet their neighbors and play with their kids! There is so much good that comes with living in a neighborhood like ours. Let’s remind ourselves and our kids that there is much more to our world than all the ugly things we’re often
seeing in the papers and on the news.” Commissioner Mike McCrea said he couldn’t be happier that the Leedom Independence Day Parade, the only parade that takes place to celebrate America’s birthday in Ridley Township, made such a big comeback. “The community really owes Carli and the entire
parade committee a great big ‘thank you’ for making this happen,” McCrea said. “In my role as commissioner, it gives me great pleasure to see the parade return, not only to honor our great country, but to honor a good friend and longtime respected leader of this community, the late Jim Pentimall.”
RIDLEY PARK
Frazier takes charge of police department By Barbara Ormsby For Digital First Media
Police Cpl. Robert Frazier, 46, is the new police chief, according to action taken by council at its December 2015 meeting. A veteran of 20 years
with the local police department, Frazier earned a bachelor’s degree from Lyc om i n g C ol lege i n criminal justice, with a minor in psychology/sociology. He holds a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s
University and graduated from both the Delaware County Police Academy and the Cape May County Police Academy. He is an adjunct professor of community policing/police strategies at Neumann University.
Before joining the borough police department, Frazier worked as a parttime police officer with the Yeadon Police Department in 1995-96 and the Ocean City, N.J. Police Department in the mid 1990s.
Mag ister ial Distr ict Judge Jack Lippar t, a former police officer who worked with Frazier’s father in the Yeadon Police Department, administered the oath of office to Frazier. The new chief’s mother,
Roselie, held the Bible as her son took the oath. The new chief thanked the numerous police officers who were in the audience to witness his swearing in, and those who helped him along the way.
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ROSE VALLEY
Mildred Scott Olmsted honored with Pennsylvania Marker By Anne Neborak aneborak@21st-centurymedia.com @AnnieNeborak on Twitter
T here is something magical about Thunderbird Lodge. A feeling of peace comes over you as you think of the accomplishments of Mildred Scott Olmsted and her husband, Judge Allen Olmsted. He was instrumental in the founding of American Civil Liberties Union and she was a peace activist in the World Int er nat iona l L eag ue of Peace and Freedom (WILPF). In this home, the couple hosted Jane Addams, a leader in women’s suffrage and peace; Bayard Rustin; and Martin Luther King, noted civil rights activists. Alice Barber Stephens, an illustrator, lived at Thunderbird Lodge before the Olmsteds. Mildred Scott Olmsted’s legacy will always live on with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker on Rose Valley Road outsider her home, Thunderbird Lodge. “This past spring when the newly formed Rose
ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Thunderbird, the home of Mildred Scott Olmsted Valley Centennial Foundation told us the Olmsted heirs had offered them Thunderbird Lodge, and would we, the Rose Valley Historical Society, like to put a museum in the studio space. It was a fabulous and joyous surprise. Dream come true,” E. Morris Potter, chair of the Rose Valley Museum
and Historical Society, said last year prior to the unveiling of the sign. “Mildred’s marker was news to all of us, and can only add significance to an already iconic building,” said Potter. Iconic as Thunderbird Lodge is, Olmsted is even more an iconic leader of women’s rights and the
peace movement. Olmsted was born in Glenolden on Dec. 5, 1890. A Quaker, she graduated from Smith College in 1912 and then went on to receiver her certification from the Pennsylvania School of Social and Health Work. While in Paris, she met Addams, who was an active mem-
ber of Women’s Peace Party. In 1920, she went to Berlin and joined the German Unit of the American Friends Service Committee, American Relief Administration. Here, she helped organize the feeding of famine-stricken Bavarian children. In 1922, Olmsted became executive secretary of the Pennsylvania Branch of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). In 1923, she became the national organization secretary of WILPF, and until her retirement in 1966, she became the national executive director. She remained active as executive director and served on its International Executive Committee from 1937 until 1953 Ol m s t e d w a s b e s t known for her leadership in WILPF. She was on the board of Philadelphia SANE, Promoting Enduring Peace, the Upland Institute of Crozer Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, vice chairman of the Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union and representative to the United Nations Council of Non-Governmental Orga-
nizations. Genie Silver, 66, of Wynnewood, met Olmsted when she was 27. She remembers her as beautifully dressed, her hair collected on top of her head and owning jewelry from all around the world. “I was in Japan with a group to talk to survivors of Hiroshima atomic bombs. I remember how she leaned over to the sick at the Red Cross Hospital meet them and really listen to them, intent on what their words,” said Silver. The two women bonded, and Silver would visit her often. “She was eager to hear about the news about WILPF and Stop the Arms Race (STAR) and as we talked she would sew,” said Silver. Olmsted ashes are buried at Thunderbird Lodge in the garden according to Silver. “If you have strong beliefs and values and want a peaceful world you have to work towards nuclear disarmament, no matter how hard it is. You have to work for a peaceful world. Mildred did this her whole life,” said Silver.
RUTLEDGE
Combined company serves community The Rutledge Fire Company was established in 1887 and the Morton Fire Company was established in 1891. Both companies served their individual boroughs with pride for over 100 years, but early on after the turn of the century, man power and staffing became a growing issue throughout the fire service that could not be ignored.
Due to limited availability of man power, the growing costs of operating and the increase in number of alarms, talks began about the companies merging. In September 2009, Rutledge Fire Company moved into the same station with the Morton Fire Company. The companies consolidated manpower, equipment and operating costs,
and on March 5, 2010, the Morton Fire Company (119 years), Company 11, and the Rutledge Fire Company (123 years), Company 13, both went out of service and the Morton–Rutledge Fire Company, Company 13 officially went in service. The Morton–Rutledge Fire Company provides fire protection for the boroughs of Morton and Rut-
ledge. Between the two boroughs, the company covers approximately ½ square mile and approximately 3,500 citizens. In addition, there are a number of business, restaurants and industrial sites in the area. The SEPTA Media/Elwyn ReSUBMITTED PHOTO gional Rail line also runs through the local and has The Rutledge Fire Company merged with Morton to form the Morton–Rutledge Fire Company, Company 13 in March a stop in Morton. 2010.
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SHARON HILL
Service is ‘everything’ to borough native By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity
When asked what his military service means to him, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joey Frisicco summed it up succinctly with one word: Everything. The Sharon Hill native, who has been in the Navy for a dozen years, is a fire controlman on the USS Barry, an Arleigh Burkeclass guided missile destroyer. Frisicco admits there are challenges with military life and being away from friends and family. In January, the USS Barry left Norfolk, Va. – its homeport of more than 20 years – to be forward-deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations. “You try the best you can. Sometimes you don’t have a
choice but to take your job over everything else,” Frisicco said. “Sometimes personal life and everything else suffer a little bit just to get the job done.” But, Frisicco said the service to the nation that means everything to him has great rewards. He said he joined the military because he loved his country and wanted to defend it, then it grew into he wanted to ensure his family is taken care of and safe. “Now it’s all the people who serve with me, the people who are next to me who I spent 24 hours a day with for months on end,” he said. “Those are the people I care about most at this point because those are the people who are going to cover me when I need to be covered.”
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joey Frisicco, a Sharon Hill native who has been in the Navy for a dozen years, is a fire controlman on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry that’s forwarddeployed in Yokosuka, Japan. Frisicco poses for photo aboard the USS Barry Sept. 7.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
SPRINGFIELD
Educational foundation to present Philadelphia Boys Choir The Springfield Area Educational Foundation (SAEF) will present the Philadelphia Boys Choir, under the direction of Jeffrey Smith, featuring a seasonal, full-length concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Springfield High School. The Philadelphia Boys Choir will be joined onstage by the Springfield High School and Middle School Select Choirs for the preholiday selection. Doors open at 2 p.m. For online ticket information, go to: donatenow. networkforgood.org/saef or call the SAEF Development Office at 610-938-6034. Tickets may be purchased at the SAEF/Springfield School District Development Office, 111 W. Leamy Ave., or contact Susan Descano, PBC
event chair, at descasus@verizon.net. Tickets pricing is $30 for VIP reserved seating, $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors and $10 per ticket for groups of 10 or more individuals. For all patrons paying by check, make all checks payable to SAEF. Tickets will also be available for purchase in the Springfield High School Auditorium lobby the day of performance. For information, email jan.griesemer@ saef.net. PBC event sponsorships are still available and all event tax-deductible donations will be directed toward the music education programs benefiting the students and teachers of the Springfield School
District. Contact Jan Griesemer at SAEF, 610-9386034, for sponsorship information. Renowned for its commanding musicianship, intelligence and interpretative abilities, the Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Philadelphia Boys Choir has cultivated a devoted following for its acclaimed concerts and performances. The mission of the Springfield Area Educational Foundation is to assist the academic, artistic and athletic experiences of the Springfield School District. As a 501c corporation, the foundation’s responsibility is to secure funding designed to SUBMITTED PHOTO enhance the lives of its stuThe Philadelphia Boys Choir will perform at Springfield High School Nov. 13 in a special dents within the Springfield fundraiser for the rhe Springfield Area Educational Foundation. and Morton communities.
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SWARTHMORE
Rotary gives out bigger scholarships By Kevin Tustin ktustin@21st-centurymedia. com @KevinTustin on Twitter
A windfall of money given to the Swarthmore Rotary allowed the service-based branch of the
national organization to award bigger scholarships this year. Over $60,000 allowed the Rotary to offer two $5,000 scholarships this year, and years to come, to graduating seniors at Strath Haven High School — up from
THORNBURY
two $2,000 awards from last year. Swa r thmore Rot a r y Scholarship Committee Chair Rich Shimko said the rotary’s decision to presenting more substantial scholarships would be more beneficial than more scholar-
ships of lesser value. “Nowadays with the high cost of education, $2,000 doesn’t make that much difference. Five thousand dollars is more significant,” he said. The $60,000 presented to the Rotary was from Lydia
Pastuszek after it was found left in her mother’s name, Theodozia Pastuszek, by an unclaimed bank account scavenger. Theodozia was the last president of the Swarthmore Women’s Club before it disbanded in 2005. Dues and other funding
sources supplemented the scholarships awarded last year. Any graduating senior at Strath Haven could apply for the one-time scholarship, which is awarded based on service to the community and need.
TINICUM TOWNSHIP
Thornton Village Local history on display at 1799 Lazaretto Farm Market offers fresh goods By Christina Perryman For Digital First Media
By Christina Perryman For Digital First Media
A summer tradition is the weekly Thornton Village Farmers Market, which runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from mid-May to early fall (the spring-tofall growing season). The market is held at the open field on Glen Mills Road, next to Thornbury Park, between Thornton and Cheyney roads. The farmers market offers a variety of goods including eat-in or takeout foods, BBQ, farm-fresh produce, fresh flowers, local honey, fresh eggs, hearth baked breads, canned goods, pickles, sauces and desserts. Non-edible items include handcrafted soaps, gifts, jewelry, wooden items for the home, homemade soaps, lotions, small, unfinished country furniture, placemats, aprons and totebags. There’s even something for the pets with homemade dog products including treats and shampoo, live entertainment featuring local artists and a place to pet alpacas and purchase wool and wool products. Vendors have included Trotter Hill Alpacas, The Rustic Oven, Flat Rock Grill, Maxine’s Blooms, Yoder’s Country Packages, Three Sisters Mac and Cheese, Yes, I Can!, Heartstone Orchard, Cakes and Concrete, Edie’s Sweet and Savory Pastries, IMBY Misty Hollow Farm, Bruno Bits Dog Treats, Rocky’s Farm, Urban Essence Salon and Spa, JB’s Afrikan, Carmen B’s Honey, A Peony Garden, Lloyds Woodcrafts, EG’s Home Sewn, Moriah’s Horse Powered Farm and The Woodworm Workshop.
ONLINE
For more information, visit WWW.THORNBURY.ORG or FACEBOOK.COM/THORNTONFARMERSMARKET.
The seventh annual History and Mystery Event took place Sept. 24 at the 1799 Lazaretto, 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington. The event is hosted by the Tinicum Township Historical Society and The 1799 Lazaretto Interpretive Museum. According to the website w w w.1799lazaretto.com, “The 1799 Lazaretto sits on the site of the 1st permanent European settlement in Pennsylvania. Its roles as an quarantine station sixth oldest in the world, 19th century river side resort, religious center, very early civilian 20th century seaplane aviation center, WWI US Army Signal Corps base and 20th century civilian seaplane base and marina arguably makes it one of the most unique Cultural Landscapes in the world.” The website states the station was “the gateway to Philadelphia in a crucial period of the nation’s growth (1801-1895).” “ Dur in g the wa r m weather months, when traffic was heaviest and imported epidemics threatened, all arriving ships, passengers and cargo were inspected there, and quar-
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES HARDY
When this photo was taken in the winter of 2009, the fate of the Lazaretto, the oldest surviving quarantine station in North America, was uncertain. Owned by Tinicum Township, the site was unoccupied and in deteriorating condition. A new fire station, catering hall, and parking lot blocked view of the site from the streets of Essington. antined if necessary. Vessels and cargo were disinfected,” the website continued. Additionally, sick crew members and passengers were treated in the Lazaretto hospital. These types of quarantine stations, known as laz-
arettos after St. Lazarus, the patron saint of lepers, were established in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Tinicum commissioners and State Rep. Ron Raymond (R., Delaware) brokered a deal in August 2005 allowing the township to
buy the Lazaretto property with grant money from the state. This stopped its demise from development. The Lazaretto Preservation Association of Tinicum Twp. continues to raise the funds needed to restore and preserve the site. TINICUM » PAGE 26
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UPLAND
CALEB PUSEY HOUSE Upland Borough is home to the historic Caleb Pusey House, which was built in 1683. The building claims documented association with William Penn, who was known to have visited the home on several occasions. The site hosts a Welcome Day each May.
UPPER CHICHESTER
Library started as Eagle Scout project By Christina Perryman For Digital First Media
The Upper Chichester Library, 3374 Chichester Ave. #19, Upper Chichester, (in the Willowbrook Shopping Center) was established in 2001 by Boy Scouts George and Greg Daniels as part of their Eagle Scout project. The Daniels brothers
collected more than 10,000 books to establish the library, which is still an independent, nonprofit community service. The library, which is not part of the Delaware County Library System, relies on grants, book sales, fundraisers, support from the township and member-
ship fees ($2 per person, per year) to stay in operation. Membership is only good at the Upper Chichester Library. In addition to checking out books, the library offers books on CD, DVD rentals and music CDs. There are five computers the public can use to access the Internet as
well as other services such as faxing ($1 per page), black and white copying ($0.25 per page) and the daily ongoing book sale. Upper Chichester Library has plenty of resources for teens and children. Through the library website, students can take practice SAT and PSAT
tests as well find information on registering for the exams. Financial information is also available online. For children, the library holds regular storytimes at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays. Call 610-4850200 or go to the front desk to sign up. The library is open 10
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sundays. For more information about the Upper Chichester Library and its services, visit upperchichesterlibrary.org or call 610485-0200.
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UPPER DARBY
High school indoor drumline reinstated By Kevin Tustin ktustin@21st-centurymedia. com @KevinTustin on Twitter
The Upper Darby High School Indoor Drumline will officially continue this school year. During a special voting meeting of the board of school directors earlier this month, the board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Upper Darby Band and Orchestra Parents – the program’s financial underwriter — to allow the competition music program to be reinstated. The memorandum ends months of public outcry calling for the district to bring back the program since it was reported in April to be dissolved in favor of an all-inclusive percussion ensemble group. “I’ve been really proud of the whole school district during this process and I know it was tough in the beginning,” said band parents Treasurer John McCullough. “This wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s help and sitting down and talking about the issues.” Working with district Solicitor Frank Catania, Assistant Superintendent Dan McGarry and the executive committee of band parents group, the interested parties consented to a memorandum that promises to put the needs of the students first, will have the district provide transportation to all competitions – save for world championships in Dayton, Ohio – and gives high school Principal Ed Roth the power to arbitrate any problems with the indoor drumline. The responsibility of
DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO
The Upper Darby High School Indoor Drumline is headed to Dayton, Ohio, to compete in the Winter Guard International Championships. the drumline director will make sure that students are eligible to perform and check up on their academic standing to stay involved with the program. Until Apr il, music teacher Victor Cummings
was the drumline director. No replacement has been appointed. Unprecedented for the school board to be involved with the management of a club or extracurricular activity, its involvement was
needed due to blurred lines on what the drumline qualified as — a club, extracurricular activity or something else. What they are defined as dictates the district’s financial and faculty obligations to the stu-
dent organization. The band parents group has always secured funding for the program’s $50,000 annual budget, half of that collected by the $500 dues paid for by the 50 members. The dis-
trict did, however, provide a practice facility and personnel to the program. The memorandum is only good for the 2016-17 school year, and will be revisited for the next school year.
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UPPER PROVIDENCE
Township again tops safest places list Delawa re C ount y is cited with having the safest town in the state according to a online study published in May. C on s u me r r e s ou r c e website w w w.valuepenguin.com lists Upper Providence Township at the pole position in its 2016 Safest Places in Pennsylvania study, which ranked over 200 municipalities and cities in the state with populations over 10,000 in regard to violent and property crimes — putting it at the top for the second year in a row. Upper Providence, a township of approximately 10,000, has “negligible” violent and property crimes relative to its population, according to the study. Using 2013 FBI crime statistics and a standardized measure of offenses per 100,000, Upper Providence had 19 violent and 242 property crimes, giving an adjusted score of 84 (the state average was 838). “We’re extremely proud of it,” said Township Manager Gregory Lebold about the township’s 2015 accolade. Lebold attributed the township’s safety to the residents, business owners and the police department, noting that the department’s 13 full-time officers — including Chief David Montella — and three part-time officers are quick to respond to emergencies. “It’s an honor and privilege to be a manager of a community rated so high,” said Lebold. Value Penguin’s methodology weighed violent crimes — murder/manslaug ter, rape, robber y and aggravated assault— at 90 percent and property crimes at 10 percent
PHOTO COURTESY OF UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT’S FACEBOOK
to create a crimes score, stating that violent crime data points are “more relevant when calculat-
ing the relative safety of these cities.” An algorithm was applied to the population and multiplied to
the crime score for an ad- munities with “very slight justed crime score. The upticks in crime.” study states this method The study did not inaccounts for smaller com- clude smaller boroughs for
being “more sensitive” to crime score f luctuations for fewer crimes committed.
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YEADON
Penn Wood shines in the spotlight of special night By Matt Chandik For Digital First Media
A police SUV blocked the usual path leading up to Kerr Field, so one by one, cars stopped in front of it and unloaded their cargo. Doors flung open and Penn Wood students got out, quickly pairing up into groups before starting their walk toward the stadium. Designer’s “Panda” loudly thumped through the air, welcoming visitors, and the delectable smell of grilling meat mixing with a cool fall air highlighted it all. Penn Wood athletic director Rap Curry bore a wide smile as he fixed a sign on the field as the Patriots and Glen Mills warmed up for Friday night’s Del Val League opener. The smile got bigger when he eyed a nearlyfull student section 30 minutes before kickoff, and it sparkled when the topic of the night came up. For the first time in Kerr Field history, Penn Wood was playing football at night. Lights shined down on the Patriots and Battlin’ Bulls, as Penn Wood claimed a 24-6 win. “This,” Patriots head coach Nick Lincoln opined, “is how it should be. We’ll deal with whatever we have to deal with. I’ll play Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, whatever, but this is high school football.” It didn’t take long to notice the difference, and Penn Wood fed off of the extra energy, especially on its homecoming. The Patriots (5-1, 1-0) took advantage of the adrenaline boost. Answered Gleplay (110 yards on eight carries) broke a handful of tackles en route to a 32-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive.
KEVIN TUSTIN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Penn Wood Patriots Head Coach Nick Lincoln gets ready for the much hyped home game against the Glen Mills Bulls, the first game the Patriots played under the lights at the team’s Kerr Field in Yeadon. The Patriots then forced and recovered a fumble on Glen Mills’ first drive, and when Penn Wood’s ensuing drive stalled, Edward Fields picked off a pass. Two plays later, freshman quarterback Desman Johnson Jr., making his first start, found a wide-open Rahiem Bowens for a 21yard touchdown. “Coach Lincoln coached it a lot,” Fields said. “The tight end pop pass was a pass they ran a lot last
week. I watched a lot of film. I saw the play coming. He dropped back and I jumped in front of the pass. They were a little desperate. We were stopping the run early on. I knew they were going to go to the air.” Keon Rantin (13 carries for 114 yards) brought Glen Mills (3-3, 0-1) within a score when he took the Bulls’ third second-half snap from scrimmage 69 yards for a touchdown. Penn Wood quickly cor-
rected its mistakes, though, and Glen Mills barely threatened offensively the rest of the way. “We just got a little bit too cocky (after a 30-6 win over Caesar Rodney),” Rantin said. “We’ve just got to have a better week of practice. We pretty much just figured we were going to come in and get a win, but nothing comes easy. We’ve got to learn that.” It didn’t help Glen Mills’
cause that it was walking into an environment never seen at Penn Wood before. Lincoln had prominent alums, including Olympian Darrell Hill, talk to the team all week. Their messages weren’t lost on the Patriots, least of all dominant two-way lineman Kenny Ngaima. Ngaima also admitted to being caught off-guard when he first heard that Kerr Field would be lit up. “I didn’t believe it. I was,
like, ‘how are they going to do this?,’” he said. “There was a lot of pressure. We heard the alumni saying, ‘man, I wish I could play. We never had lights.’ “I was so excited. I’ve never seen our neighborhood come out and support like they did today. It was a good feeling. The crowd fed us a lot and we felt love. We wanted to come out here and put on a show and we went out there and balled.” They sure did.
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termining how the temporary site will function, and how large it needs to be. They are exploring local options, said Spahr, including township and school district properties. “When we started talking about this, we asked how much of the library needs to be relocated, to be accessed and used as a small version ... You can go from replicating the whole library to really not hav-
ing any library services,” a scenario that would require office space only, and cost less. “The important thing is that we compress costs as much as possible to get services provided ... to the degree that the township, board, and community are satisfied it’s going to be able to take care of the community for the year.” Renovations will not increase on-site parking,
which Commissioner Stephen D’Emilio pointed to as an ongoing issue. The library has been housed since 1938 in a former bank building, with an addition constructed in the 1970s. Failing infrastructure has necessitated emergency repairs and library closings in recent years. Librar y of ficials explored the possibility of relocating the facility, but
failed to find a suitable site. Bill Wechsler, commissioner and library liaison, expressed optimism about the renovations. “It’s a great plan. It’s going to be a great thing for our community in a couple of years,” he said. President of the library board of trustees Monica Boccella thanked commissioners, township manager Larry Gentile and staff for
their support and assistance. Bocella said the library board recently voted to have a time capsule placed in a cornerstone during construction, “for future generations to discover.” It will include a photo of the current board of commissioners, Bocella said. Additionally, commissioners will be honored at the library’s 2016 Open the Book Gala.
the property so many years ago.” Chester attorney Joshua C. Taylor purchased the property in 1914 then dedicated the arboretum to the memory of his wife, Anne Rulon Gray, in 1931. When Taylor died in 1946, the trust was established. Formerly part of a 1,000-acre land grant sold to John
Sharpless by William Penn in 1682, the arboretum grounds were once part of an industrial mill complex that produced lumber, grain and textiles from 1740 to 1882. Taylor Arboretum contains plantings mostly from the 1950s. It includes such champion trees as a Giant Dogwood, Korea Juniper and a Lacebark Elm,
the largest of their species in the state. It has mature collections of dogwoods, magnolias and hollies and plants native to the region such as shadbush and viburnums. Wildlife native to the area can be found at the arboretum. University officials also recently purchased a 5-acre property in Costa Rica
named CARES21, which stands for Consortium of Agro-ecological Research and Education for Sustainability for the 21st Century. A base for existing projects, the property will be used to develop new research in what is considered one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries. Widener’s own brand of environmentally
friendly coffee, WU Brew, is a result of the university’s efforts in Costa Rica. Taylor Arboretum at Widener University is at 10 Ridley Drive in the Wallingford section of Nether Providence. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information is available at www.taylorarboretum.org.
notes, “In the early 20th Century, The Lazaretto became The Orchard Club – a Philadelphia Recreation FROM PAGE 21 and Sports Club. During The Tinicum Township WWI, The Lazaretto was Historical Society website renamed Chambers Field
and became the first seaplane base in Pennsylvania. (In fact, it is still listed as an active seaplane port) In its later life, the Lazaretto was a seaplane base and boat marina and re-
pair shop.” “The original complex included the main building, a dutch hospital, several outbuildings, and a burial site. Today, the complex includes the main building, a large
lawn area, a garage, carriage house and boatman’s house. The Doctor’s Quarters has become the main building for the local yacht club next door. Much of the complex now houses the Tinicum Town-
ship Fire Station. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972,” according to www.tthsdelco.org/lazaretto. For more information, visit www.1799lazaretto.com.
Aldan
force in her life. However, she wished the virtues she’s solidified in her six months as Miss Pennsylvania were ones she understood as a younger woman. Now it is her intent to instill those teachings within young people wherever she goes. “ You c a n s t i l l b e strong, emotionally and ment a lly, a nd understand who you are and not be afraid to be the person you want to be,” Schmider said. “Realizing that strength and hav ing people around you, whether it’s a mentor, a teacher, your parents, to encourage and support you, that is what always allowed me to set my goals high and knowRICK KAUFFMAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO ing I had the support beMiss Pennsylvania Ashley Schmider reads “If I Ran the Zoo” by Dr. Seuss during reading hind me to reach those time in Dr. Kathy Agren’s special needs class at Aldan Elementary School. goals.”
FROM PAGE 10
$310,000 has been earmarked in the budget for leasing and preparing a temporary space the library would need to occupy during construction, approximately April 2017-May 2018. The library would re-open June 2018. Library officials are de-
Widener FROM PAGE 15
to public service,” said Madigosky. “We believe that Joshua Taylor would look very favorably upon what we have planned for the arboretum. It is in line with what he had envisioned for
Tinicum
FROM PAGE 2
now, but that will lead to your bigger purpose in life,” Schmider said. Lydia Konteh, 10, a student in Bob Viviani’s class for gifted students who perfectly embodied the royal, cupped-hand wave when Schmider invited her to wear the Miss Pen n s y lv a n i a c r ow n , grasped well the importance of studying hard. “I think it’s good for your education and you can really get into good jobs when you’re older,” Konteh said, who was further impressed when she learned Ms. Schmider was a tap dancer. “ My favor it e t hin g about her is that she
does tap,” Konteh said. “I’m really looking forward to going to dance school and learning how to do tap.” Viviani’s students have fed the homeless through their church groups, but he found that listening to Miss Pennsylvania enabled them to parallel their own experiences with the results it produced for her. “ T he y a ske d w h a t ‘poise’ meant, and she explained that she’s under scrutiny, and that being nervous was something she had to get over,” Viviani said, adding that it gave context to another word they recently learned — “anxiety.” T he road to achieving her life-long goal of becoming Miss America has always been a driving
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
Officer FROM PAGE 9
Dorman’s financial loss as he remains off duty. And for police departments throughout Delaware County, Folcroft police Chief Robert Ruskowski suspects their first officer-involved shooting in the history of the century-old borough serves as a reminder that “tragedy can strike anywhere and at any time.” To standing ovations, Dorman and DePietro were awarded Commendations for Valor in displaying “extraordinary acts of courage without regard to personal safety while in combat with an armed adversary,” while Bair was as awarded a Commendation for Heroism for rushing Dorman to the hospital within two minutes of his injury. Dorman was shot seven times. Their awards were among several presented at the monthly borough council meeting, which was held at the firehouse. Council President Jason McGuigan told the audience of about 200 that he couldn’t be more proud of the Folcroft Police Department for the way its members, and police across the county, pulled together two months ago. It was about 10 a.m. on June 24 when Folcroft police were dispatched to possible drug deal in-progress in the 1500 block of Elmwood Avenue. Dorman was first on the scene and approached 33-year-old Donte Brooks Island, a career drugs and weapons offender now accused of attempted murder. As Dorman began to explain why he was in the area, Island allegedly began to strike the officer in the face and head, causing Dorman to fall. “Island then brandished a handgun and began to fire his weapon at point blank range at Officer Dorman … Dorman was struck several times but kept managing to get up and continue to fight,” Ruskowski said, reading from a letter police Sgt. Christopher Eiseman submitted back in mid-July
recommending the series of commendations. At this point, Ruskowski told the captivated audience, “… DePietro arrived on scene during this violent confrontation and was immediately fired upon; Officer DePietro did return fire and engaged the defendant. By doing so, he drew the attention of Island away from Officer Dorman giving Dorman the time he needed to get to safety. “ As Dorman fled, he was struck several more times. “Sgt. Bair then arrived on scene and saw an injured Dorman running toward his vehicle,” Ruskowski continued. “Without regard to personal safety and in an attempt to save Officer Dorman’s life, Sgt. Bair placed Officer Dorman in his vehicle and rushed him to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital.” Awards were also presented to Darby Borough police Lts. Richard Gibney and Joseph Gabe for their display of brotherhood and support. “They were instrumental in apprehending the defendant and … stood with us and helped us get through this terrible event,” Eiserman said during the ceremony. Sharon Hill police Chief Richard Herron Jr. was also commended for his efforts, including his police officers available to cover Folcroft the night of the shooting and for organizing a police escort when Dorman was released from the hospital. “He and (members of) his department have been by our side throughout this entire incident,” Eiserman said. Distinguished Unit Commendations were presented to the remaining 17 members of the force, including Eiserman, Cpl. Anthony Lerro and Patrol Officers Eugene Boyle, John Glick, Daniel White, Eugene Mackey, Peter Acquarola, Thomas Kesser, Joseph Benning, Leslie McLean, Christopher Dolan, Matthew Bruder, Ryan Canzanese, Richard Boland, Larry McLaughlin, Joseph Chambers and Michael Stymiest. Delaware County Councilman David White was awarded a commendation for
his unyielding support to police in Folcroft and throughout Delaware County. “Anytime there is a law enforcement event in Delaware County … White is always the first one to step up and held, whether it is to donate money, time or his services. He never hesitates, he is always there for the men and women in blue,” Eiserman said. Commendations were also presented to Dorman, Bair and DePietro by District Manager Caitlin Ganley on behalf of U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7, of Chadds Ford; state Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26, of Springfield; and state Rep. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, of Ridley Park. Among those in the audience were members of the state Fraternal Order of Police, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan, and former Folcroft police Chief Theodore Pastore, along with family members of the police officers. In closing the awards ceremony, Folcroft Police Chaplain Drew Alexander led a prayer thanking God for Dorman’s life, and asking for continued protection for police in the borough and elsewhere. “God did a miracle,” he said. Dorman was a volunteer firefighter in Folcroft when he first met DePietro, then a rookie, about 10 years ago. His relationship with Bair goes back to when he played football for the Folcroft Boys Club, and Bair was his coach. “I know I always respected them before the incident. I have a much higher level now,” Dorman said in an interview prior to the awards ceremony. In the days following the shooting, Dorman made national news. Locally, he’s considered a legend. He has been showered with attention from the likes of Kenny Chesney to events hosted by the Phillies and the Union. “There has been a ton of attention and I haven’t seen a change in him, which speaks to his character, and to his upbringing,” Bair said. “Chris Dorman has never been anybody but Chris Dorman and
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Officer Christopher Dorman is awarded an Commendation for Valor. that is the great thing about him.” Bair said Dorman has an aura about him, a positivity that attracts people to him. “It’s nothing cocky or arrogant,” Bair said. “He gleams with confidence and strength and it makes you grab onto it.”
Dorman has shown how strong he is, both physically and mentally, the sergeant said. “When I see him, I feel good,” Bair said. “I’m glad he’s OK.” For DePietro, the incident reminded him how easy it is
to become complacent and comfortable on the job. “It opened my eyes more than ever before,” he said. As for the bond he shares with Doman, DePietro said, “I told him we will be connected forever. He will always be a part of my life.”
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