Readers’ Choice Ballot, page 14
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F E B R UA RY 17, 2 0 1 1
Heaven’s gain A Passyunk Square pastor passed away seven months after beginning his duties. By Joseph Myers r e v i e w s ta f f w r i t e r
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t 6-foot-8, Rev. Ronald M. Jakows stood more closely to heaven than most. Though impressive, his physical prowess was miniscule when compared with his spiritual renown among the parishioners at his Passyunk Square church. Seven months into his first pastoral assignment at Annunciation BVM, 1511 S. 10th St., Jakows further endeared himself to his community, continuing a local vocation that included two-year stints as chaplain and president at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St. Those believers lost a great friend Feb. 2, when a heart See JAKOWS page 8
Sports
The students at Messiah joined founder Duane Wilkins, third row, kneeling, Feb. 11 for a night of diverse classes. In less than two weeks, they must find a new location. s ta f f p h o t o b y g r e g b e z a n i s
Halted hallelujah
A South of South faith faith-based based dance school must vacate its location by the end of the month. By Joseph Myers R e v i e w s ta f f w r i t e r
Engine 50
A Passyunk Square school set a Catholic League record with a thrilling last-second win. By Joseph Myers................Page 35
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s an ordained minister, Duane Wilkins is well-versed in miracles; therefore, he knows humans cannot will their occurrence. Minus divine intervention, he and the students at Messiah Dance Works Productions Inc. will need to leave their location at the old St. Charles Borromeo School building, 2019 Montrose St., by month’s end. Their departure will mark the end of
their nine-year use of the building, which became available when the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed the South of South elementary school. It also will lead Wilkins, of 22nd and Oakford streets, to look for a third home for the group he founded in 1989. Occupying the third floor, Messiah consists of three dance companies and a dance school, offering numerous classes for about 50 students. Wilkins’ brainchild, which acquired nonprofit status in 2002, exposes adults
and youths to creative and performing arts, assisting mostly residents of lowincome households. Most students are on scholarship, with the rest paying nominal fees. More involved in managing and producing shows, Wilkins teaches tap there but also gives instruction in African dance and drumming at the South Philadelphia Talent Center at Charles Y. Audenried Sr. High School, 3301 Tasker St. In an ironic episode, the organization, See MESSIAH DANCE page 10