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Author: Lisa Dukart

  • A new village makes it easier to age in place | Inquirer Lower Merion

    A new village makes it easier to age in place | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    A group of township residents has formed a network aimed at helping older adults age in place. Also this week, SEPTA plans to wrap up Regional Rail car updates shortly, Narberth parking permits are available for 2026, plus where to get unique and crafty gifts around town.

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    For older Lower Merion residents, it takes a village to age in place

    The Lower Merion Village offers social activities and volunteer opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities in the Main Line community.

    A group of Lower Merion residents has come together to help one another age in place. More and more older adults prefer to remain in their homes, a choice that comes with some logistical concerns.

    Lower Merion Village, part of the national Village to Village Network, is setting out to ease some of those burdens by connecting residents to social events, as well as transportation, household help, and other services.

    While Lower Merion Village isn’t accepting members yet, its organizers have their sights set on being a resource to help longtime residents thrive in the community they love.

    Read more about Lower Merion Village here.

    💡 Community News

    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.
    • Narberth residential parking permits for 2026 are now available. Fees range from $10 for a single car to $100 for a fourth vehicle.
    • Bryn Mawr College last week announced Airea “Dee” Matthews, professor and co-chair of the creative writing department, as its next provost. Matthews will assume the role on Jan. 1.
    • Looking for a crafty holiday gift for those on your list? Several Lower Merion shops, including Past Present Future in Ardmore, and Something Different by Eric in Bryn Mawr, have goods like funky snow globes, cat-themed pillows, and other unique housewares.
    • For those shopping in Ardmore, township metered parking spaces and the township garage on Cricket Avenue are free on Saturdays this month.
    • On Sunday and Monday, Santa will be visiting parts of Lower Merion aboard a Merion Fire Company of Ardmore fire truck. The big man will visit Wynnewood, Ardmore north of the railroad tracks, and Haverford on Sunday, and then the Ardmore section south of the railroad tracks on Monday.
    • Brook J. Lenfest sold his 14,000-square-foot Haverford home, which was the most expensive recorded residential sale in the Philadelphia area among public records last week. The CEO of telecommunications company NetCarrier’s Avonwood Road home went for $5.9 million. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Narberth’s GET Café is the subject of a new documentary that will debut at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute tonight at 7 p.m. David Block’s Brewing Possibilities focuses on the cafe’s mission to support neurodivergent individuals through employment and community building. Tickets to the premiere are $30. (Patch)
    • It may not even officially be winter yet, but Holy Child School at Rosemont has opened registration for its 2026 summer camps.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Black Rocks’ book fair runs through tomorrow and winter concerts continue throughout this week and next. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Lower Merion tackle/defensive tackle Kechan Miller has signed on to play college football at Temple University next year.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Hanukkah begins Sunday night. Looking for takeout or catering options? Main Line Today has rounded up 10 local spots offering everything from sides to main dishes. 

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎄 Home for the Holidays: Take a look inside the main house at Stoneleigh, all decked out for the holidays. There will also be seasonal treats and musical performances. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14, times vary 💵 $15 for Natural Lands members and $20 for non-members 📍Stoneleigh

    🛍️ Ardmore Holiday Market: Over 20 vendors will be selling handcrafted goods at this inaugural event. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Schauffele Plaza

    🎵 Funky Brunch: Holiday Edition: Shop local vendors while sipping beer and enjoying brunch at this family-friendly event. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    🍫 Happy Hanukkah Menorah Making and More: Kids ages 5 to 12 can make edible Hanukkah-themed crafts. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 4-5 p.m. 💵 $21.20 📍The Candy Lab

    ✡️ Menorah Lighting: Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a lighting of the giant menorah at Suburban Square. There will also be food, drinks, and activities like donut decorating. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Suburban Square

    🖌️ Kwanzaa Crafternoon: Kids can make a colorful Kwanzaa craft out of paper, stickers, and markers during this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

    🏡 On the Market

    This midcentury modern Penn Valley home has an indoor pool

    The home has a midcentury modern design.

    This Penn Valley home has a distinctive look thanks to its midcentury modern design. The majority of the home’s living space is on the first floor, which has an updated eat-in kitchen and six of the home’s seven bedrooms. The primary suite has three walk-in closets and sliding glass doors that lead to an atrium and an office. There’s another suite on the lower level, but perhaps most unique is the glass-encased indoor pool. The home also has a large deck and patio.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $2.485M | Size: 5,881 SF | Acreage: 1.29

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • WSSD seeks ideas to fix its dire budget issues | Inquirer Greater Media

    WSSD seeks ideas to fix its dire budget issues | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Last night, Delaware County Council approved a tax hike for 2026. We share more details below. Also this week, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is looking at ways to stem its budget deficit, plus Ridley Creek remediation to clean up a September oil spill is nearing completion.

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    Wallingford-Swarthmore is looking for ways to dig out of its budget deficit

    Wallingford-Swarthmore School District held listening sessions about its budget at Strath Haven Middle School on Monday.

    Facing a $2.6 million budget deficit for the 2027-28 school year, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is considering any idea to trim that figure.

    That was the takeaway from a Monday listening session, where Superintendent Russell Johnston said the district is “turning over every stone” in its quest and took suggestions from the public.

    Unlike neighboring districts, WSSD is predominately supported by homeowners’ tax dollars, many of whom already feel stretched thin, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    While some attendees left the meeting feeling better about the school’s objectives, others still wonder how it got in this hole in the first place.

    Read more about Wallingford-Swarthmore’s plans to address its budget woes here.

    Ridley Creek cleanup is nearing the finish line after an oil tanker crash earlier this year

    Remediation work to clean up a September oil spill that contaminated Ridley Creek is nearing completion.

    Work to clean up oil that spilled into Ridley Creek when a tanker crashed on the Route 1 Bypass in September is nearly finished. Officials expect to wrap up next week, with road closures on Ridley Creek Road continuing until then.

    Crews have been remediating the area, where an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of oil spilled, including removing contaminated soil and refilling the site, The Inquirer’s Torin Sweeney reports.

    Read more about how crews have tackled the cleanup here.

    💡 Community News

    • Last night, Delaware County Council voted to approve a 19% property tax hike for 2026. Despite pushback from residents, the council enacted a double-digit increase for the second consecutive year. For the average assessed home, taxes will go up an additional $188 annually.
    • Delaware County Council voted unanimously last week to enact a policy protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It is one of at least 79 local governments in Pennsylvania to adopt similar nondiscrimination ordinances.
    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.
    • Now in its 50th year, the Festival of Lights officially got underway last week at Rose Tree County Park in Media, and will be lit nightly through Jan. 3. We take a look back at highlights from the opening night.
    • An Inquirer analysis of a year’s worth of Riddle Hospital inspections found that the Media hospital was cited once between last November and this October for failing to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs while waiting for care in the emergency department.
    • Residential parking permits for 2026 are now available for Media borough residents. Fees are $5 each for a household’s first two cars and $15 each thereafter. New for 2026, the borough will not distribute a physical sticker, but will instead track registration through the Passport Parking app.
    • Newlin Grist Mill has named a new executive director to lead the historic Concord Township site. Amy Ricci, who most recently held that same role at former Philadelphia paper mill Historic Rittenhouse Town, will assume the position in January, becoming the organization’s fourth executive director.
    • Wawa is opening its 1,000th fuel store today at 675 Baltimore Pike in Springfield. The first 250 guests will get a free T-shirt and coffee. (Daily Times)

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Notre Dame de Lourdes School in Swarthmore took home first place in the kindergarten through eighth grade category of B101’s annual Christmas Choir Competition for its rendition of Like It’s Christmas. The school will receive $5,000 for its music program and will perform the winning song at the Philly Pops’ A Philly Holiday Spectacular on Sunday.
    • There’s a school board meeting tonight at Penncrest High School. On Monday and Tuesday, Rose Tree Elementary will host its fifth grade band concert. Penncrest High School’s winter choral concert is on Wednesday. See RTMSD’s full calendar here.
    • Tonight is Swarthmore-Rutledge School’s winter concert, Strath Haven High’s orchestra concert is Monday, and its choral concert is Tuesday. Wallingford Elementary is hosting winter concerts on Wednesday and Thursday. See WSSD’s full calendar here.
    • WSSD is also hosting a community artificial intelligence forum tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Strath Haven Middle School’s library, where attendees can provide feedback about policies.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Wonder is opening next week at the Promenade at Granite Run. The food hall at 1145 W. Baltimore Pike will host a “friends and family” preview Monday through Wednesday ahead of its grand opening next Thursday.
    • The Towne House in Media has been transformed for the five-week run of “Holly Jolly.” The holiday décor will be on display through Jan. 4, during which time festive drinks can also be ordered. Options include the Mistletoe Kiss, made with vodka, rosemary simple syrup, lemon, and club soda, or Holly’s Hot Chocolate, which gives hot cocoa a kick thanks to vanilla vodka and Irish cream.
    • Santa will be making a stop in Glen Mills this weekend alongside Mrs. Claus when the duo visit Harvest Seasonal Grill Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kids can also decorate cookies during the holiday brunch buffet. Tickets are $25 for children and $35 for adults. Reservations are required.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🌃 Night Market: Swarthmore merchants will stay open later on Friday, and there will also be pop-up vendors, food, drinks, and an ugly sweater competition. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore town center

    🎙️ The Newspaper Taxis: Hear tunes from this Beatles tribute band. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Shere-E-Punjab, Media

    🍪 Cookie Walk: Love holiday cookies but don’t love baking? Or just want to get a larger array? This annual event lets attendees pick and pay for the homemade sweets they want. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Middletown Church, Media

    ☕ Cocoa and Photos with the Clauses and Friends: Write a letter to Santa, decorate cookies, and pose for festive photos with Olaf, Jolly Bear, and the big man himself. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-noon 💵 Free 📍 Media Community Center

    🕎 Chanukah Village: A number of stores throughout Media will host crafts and other activities in celebration of the first night of the holiday. A 4:30 p.m. menorah lighting will be held at the Delaware County Courthouse. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Various locations

    🏡 On the Market

    A modern four-bedroom townhouse in Middletown Township

    The townhome spans over 3,600 square feet and backs up to woods.

    Built in 2022, this spacious townhouse’s first floor features an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, which has access to a deck overlooking the woods. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with double vanities and a walk-in closet. It also has a finished walk-out basement with a full bathroom, and access to the community clubhouse and a tot lot. There’s an open house this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

    See more photos of the townhouse here.

    Price: $815,000 | Size: 3,640 SF

    🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Christmas at Longwood Gardens is an ‘economic engine’ | Inquirer Chester County

    Christmas at Longwood Gardens is an ‘economic engine’ | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    A Longwood Christmas is more than an annual staple for many — it’s an economic boon for businesses in and around Kennett Square. Also this week, the county has certified the November election results, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has made another gift to Lincoln University, plus a new restaurant has opened at the former Lotus Inn.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at chestercounty@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    A Longwood Christmas makes for a bright economic season in Kennett Square

    State Street in Kennett Square sees lots of additional visitors during the holiday season.

    Kennett Square is buzzing thanks to a holiday swell of visitors in town for the annual Longwood Gardens holiday display.

    To capitalize on the “economic engine” that is “A Longwood Christmas,” merchants kicked off the holiday season a little early this year, including with a festive parade a week ahead of its usual schedule. That decision was a boon for businesses, which reported “record-breaking” sales during Thanksgiving week, something they plan to replicate next year.

    The Longwood effect isn’t just great for the gardens or area shops — it also means increased hotel bookings and full restaurant dining rooms.

    The Inquirer’s Tony Wood delves into Longwood’s year-round impact on neighboring businesses.

    📍 Countywide News

    • The county’s Board of Elections certified November’s general election results on Friday as it continues to investigate why third-party voters weren’t included in poll books. (WHYY)
    • The Chester County Economic Development Council launched a new program last week aimed at helping startups and entrepreneurs throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. The investment group, i2n Angels, will fund promising early-stage companies with between $50,00 and $500,000, as well as provide coaching and advice.
    • The Chester County Department of Community Development was recently recognized by community solutions organization Built for Zero for its efforts in reducing homelessness. County CEO David Byerman said there was a 33% decrease in first-time homelessness in 2024 compared to 2022 and that the number of people entering emergency shelters was slashed by nearly half over the past five years.
    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.

    💡 Community News

    • Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has made another donation to Lincoln University, this time for $25 million. The no-strings-attached gift to the historically Black college will support scholarships and other initiatives.
    • Last week, PennDot outlined its updated plans for the busy intersection at Old Baltimore Pike and Newark Road in New Garden Township, a project that is expected to cost upward of $11 million and has already been pushed from its original timeline. In 2022, the agency projected work would get underway in 2025, but plans now call for the three-phase project to begin in 2028 and is expected to take several years to complete. (Daily Local)
    • South Coatesville Borough has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to hire a full-time municipal manager. There’s no timeline yet for when the hiring process will begin.
    • After 45 years, Brandywine Conservancy announced last week that 2026 will be its last year as the sole operator and beneficiary of the Radnor Hunt Races. The popular Malvern steeplechase event is looking for a new operator going forward. The 2026 races will take place May 16.
    • Still in search of a fresh-cut Christmas tree? Wiggins Farm, which has locations in Cochranville and West Chester, is one of a number of area farms offering delivery this year. The service runs about $50 near West Chester and jumps to $75 for deliveries more than 30 minutes away.
    • Residents in West Bradford Township are expressing concern over skyrocketing sewer bills after being switched to a metered rate for running water rather than the previous flat rate. The change doesn’t differentiate between interior and exterior water use, causing some residents to say they’re now being charged for a service that isn’t being provided. (CBS News Philadelphia)
    • NBC10 recently profiled The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester, a nonprofit that connects children and teens with disabilities to nature- and animal-based programming. The organization launched in 2005 and served 477 children last year alone. See the segment here.
    • Gadaleto’s Seafood Market in West Chester will continue providing family meals for free to those in need throughout the holiday season. (6abc)
    • Santa is making a stop in Spring City and East Vincent Township this weekend. At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will hop aboard one of Liberty Fire Company’s trucks and travel around town.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • New student registration for kindergarten through 12th grade is now open for the 2026-27 school year at Downingtown Area School District.
    • Last Friday, several school districts throughout the county held reorganization meetings, swearing in new members as well as voting on leadership. In Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, Sue Tiede was elected president and Kenneth Hong as vice president. In the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, the board reelected Victoria Baratta and Erin Talbert as president and vice president, respectively. And Avon Grove School District’s board reelected Dorothy Linn as president, and elected Ruchira Singh as vice president.
    • Some local high school football players have signed on to play college ball. Last week, Malvern Prep edge rusher Jackson Ford committed to playing with Penn State next year. Fellow Prep teammates Max Mohring, a linebacker, will head to Northwestern University, and running back Ezekiel Bates will play for Minnesota. Kennett Square kicker Shay Barker is headed to Syracuse University and West Chester East offensive tackle Tyler Duell is off to Rutgers.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • The former Lotus Inn in Berwyn has gotten new life. Karthic Venkatachalam and Gopal Dhandpani of Nalal Indian Cuisine in Downingtown and Adyar Cafe in Exton opened Vibe Haus Indian Plates & Taps there last week. The restaurant, at 402 Swedesford Rd., features Indian-meets-American pub food, with plans to add a brewery in the coming months.
    • Our Deli Café expanded to its second location on Monday, opening at 498 Nutt Rd. in Phoenixville. The Paoli-based eatery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including staples like burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and milkshakes.
    • After nearly two years in business, Bookstore Bakery in West Chester has announced it will close at the end of the year. Located at 145 W. Gay St., the shop was known for its selection of both books and baked goods, including customized cakes.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎁 There are more holiday markets and events taking place this weekend, including the Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade on Saturday. That same day, Christkindlmarkt takes over part of Gay Street in West Chester, and on Sunday, shoppers can browse vendors at the Berwyn Holiday Market at Bronze Plaza. On Saturday and Sunday, the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market returns for its second weekend at The Creamery, while in Phoenixville, Fitzwater Station’s Christmas Village continues. On Sunday evening, Congregation B’nai Jacob in Phoenixville will host its Hanukkah Celebration with a menorah lighting, jelly donuts, and games of dreidel.

    Here’s what else is happening around Chester County:

    🎭 Anastasia: It’s the final weekend to catch SALT Performing Arts’ stage performance of the lost Romanov. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14, times vary 💵 $31.60-$36.70 📍 SALT Performing Arts, Chester Springs

    🏡 Home Alone: Catch a screening of the beloved holiday classic, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 12:15, 4:30 and 7 p.m. 💵 $10-$15 📍 The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville

    🐦‍🔥 Phoenixville Firebird Festival: Now in its 22nd year, the festival inspired by ancient mythology and the symbols of resurrection and renewal returns to Phoenixville, where a 20-foot phoenix will be burned. There will also be a Festival Village. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Reservoir Park, Phoenixville

    🏡 On the Market

    A fully updated five-bedroom West Chester home

    Part of the family room’s ceiling reaches two stories, while another part has a stone fireplace.

    Located just outside the borough, this West Goshen Township home recently underwent a full update, with over $560,000 in improvements. The sprawling home features an office, dining and living rooms, and an open-concept kitchen on the first floor. A sunny family room, part of which spans two stories, features a stone fireplace. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with two vanities, a soaking tub, and dressing area with a wardrobe and separate walk-in closets. Other features include a finished walk-out basement and a new deck overlooking the pool.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.65M | Size: 6,579 SF | Acreage: 1.81

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • The story behind the library’s elephant statue | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    The story behind the library’s elephant statue | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    Ever wonder what the story is behind the abstract, 8-foot-tall elephant-like statue outside the library? We set out to discover its origins. Also this week, a Cherry Hill man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a 7-Eleven, a former Fulton Bank could become a Dunkin’, plus, an Indian restaurant that serves naan tacos is moving to Cherry Hill.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    What’s the meaning behind the library’s elephant-esque statue?

    David Ascalon’s sculpture, called “Totem,” is located near the entrance to the Cherry Hill Public Library.

    The Cherry Hill Public Library brims with more than just books. It also houses an impressive collection of art, both within and outside its walls. One such work, an 8-foot-tall bronze statue, has long caught the eye of township resident David Jastrow.

    His daughters even came up with a nickname for it: The “mixed-up elephant.”

    Wondering about its meaning, Jastrow reached out to Curious Cherry Hill, where Inquirer reporters set out to answer reader questions from around town.

    This week, The Inquirer’s Henry Savage found out how the abstract piece came to reside near the library’s entrance and how its creator wants it to be interpreted.

    Here’s what he uncovered.

    Have a question about town you want answered? Submit it to Curious Cherry Hill here.

    💡 Community News

    • Gerald S. Yashinsky, a 51-year-old Cherry Hill man, died after being hit by a car Monday night when crossing Haddonfield Road near Yale Avenue. The driver is cooperating with investigators.
    • A Cherry Hill man is one of two people charged with fatally shooting two men outside a Bordentown 7-Eleven last month. Giovanni Varanese, 21, of Cherry Hill, was charged last week alongside Justford Doe, 23, with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and other offenses.
    • The cost of collecting and disposing trash for Cherry Hill will jump $1.4 million in January. Mayor Dave Fleisher said the township has accounted for the increase — about $12.4 million over the next five years — in its proposed municipal budget for 2026. Residents can share their thoughts on the budget at council’s next scheduled meeting on Dec. 22. (South Jersey Media)
    • The former Fulton Bank at 1460 Route 70 East could become a Dunkin’. On Monday, the township’s Planning Board will consider variance requests from South Jersey Management, LLC to convert the former 2,300-square-foot bank into a 2,100-square-foot coffee shop. Changes call for removing the existing drive-through and making the western driveway along Frontage Road into an entrance only.
    • The AMC Cherry Hill 24 will be one of 500 movie theaters across the U.S. and Canada screening the finale of Stranger Things on New Year’s Eve as it makes its global debut. Fans can reserve seats now for screenings of the feature-length finale.
    • A Powerball ticket purchased at the Wegmans on Route 70 for last Saturday’s jackpot matched four of the five white balls called, meaning whoever purchased the ticket won $50,000. (Patch)
    • The Plaza at Cherry Hill has undergone several changes recently, including the opening of swimming lesson chain Big Blue Swim School and thrift store Savers, as well as the relocation of Pure Hockey. The shifts come as part of the shopping center undergoes a makeover. (42 Freeway)
    • Homelessness in Camden County has grown by 20% since 2020, and in response, the county is building 60 efficiency apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
    • New Jersey officials have declared a drought warning for many parts of the state, including Camden County, which has experienced about four inches below average precipitation over the past 90 days and is down six inches for the past year.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Kindergarten and first grade registration is now open for the 2026-27 school year. Families must submit all documentation by March 27.
    • Cherry Hill East and West’s girls basketball teams both have a number of Big North Conference stat leaders returning to their rosters this year. Kirsten Gibson of West had the second-most points per game in the conference last year, according to NJ.com data. Her teammates Jizel Dowling and Lilly Legato will also return. East’s Dylan Kratchman, who averaged 11 points per game, will sport the Cougar colors again, along with Maya Morgan, Michelle Le, Jessie Atlas, and Lily Shubach.
    • Reminder for families: There are early dismissals for preschool, elementary, and middle schools today and tomorrow as parent/teacher conferences continue. There’s a districtwide early dismissal Friday. See the district’s full calendar here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Indian restaurant Bombay Express is opening at its new location at 219 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd. tomorrow. The eatery, known for its traditional and vegan halal dishes, as well as its naan tacos, closed its Marlton storefront in late October. Its new spot will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Italian restaurant Caffe Aldo Lamberti is hosting Christmas carolers during dinner service this Sunday and again next weekend. Students from East will perform this Sunday and next Friday, while students from West will sing tunes next Saturday and Sunday. Caroling will take place from about 6 to 9 p.m. each night.
    • Cherry Hill is home to three of the 99 greatest restaurants in New Jersey, according to NJ.com. The outlet ranked Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, which is known for its soup dumplings, the top restaurant in town, coming in at No. 42. It’s followed by Sichuan joint Han Dynasty at No. 81, and Korean barbecue eatery Dolsot House at No. 94.

    🎳 Things to Do

    ⛸️ Skate and Decorate: Hit the ice at the Winterfest Ice Skating Rink and decorate holiday cookies. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, noon-4 p.m. 💵 Cookie decorating is free, skating admission is $6-$9 📍 Cooper River Park

    🥐 VinChelle’s Holiday Extravaganza!: Drag brunch gets a festive twist. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 2:30-5 p.m. 💵 $19.03 📍 Vera

    🕎 Menorah Motorcade: Now in its 16th year, cars adorned with menorahs will parade from Chabad in Cherry Hill to Barclay Farm Shopping Center, where the giant menorah will be lit. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, parade starts at 4 p.m., giant menorah lighting is at 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Chabad of Camden and Burlington Counties

    🏡 On the Market

    A corner-lot duplex with passive income

    The kitchen on the first floor has been recently updated.

    Located on a corner lot, the first-floor unit of this duplex was recently renovated, including new flooring, lighting, and paint. It features two bedrooms, a kitchen with black and white cabinetry, a living room, an updated full bathroom, and a bonus room. It also has exclusive access to the basement and the front porch. The second floor is currently occupied by long-term tenants, providing passive income for a new owner.

    See more photos of the duplex here.

    Price: $360,000 | Size: 1,310 SF | Acreage: 0.17

    Is your home a Haven? The Inquirer is seeking homeowners and renters for a weekly feature on how people make their houses, apartments, and condos into homes they love. Email details and a few photos to properties@inquirer.com.

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Take a peek at this Bryn Mawr home’s makeover | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Take a peek at this Bryn Mawr home’s makeover | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    A couple recently overhauled their “1980-esque” Bryn Mawr home to better suit their tastes. We take a look inside. Also this week, a Gladwyne native channels his passion for robots into his art, we look back on how a Bala Cynwyd woman unintentionally ended up in an exclusive Flyers club, plus popular Chinatown eatery EMei is gearing up for its expansion into Ardmore.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think about the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at lowermerion@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    A ‘grandma’s house’ in Bryn Mawr gets a makeover with a laid-back vibe

    Steve Peikin and Amy Spicer spent four months remodeling their Bryn Mawr home to suit both their tastes. They moved in this spring, once worked was completed.

    After a couple purchased a “1980-esque” Bryn Mawr home over two years ago that he loved but she thought felt dated, they landed on a compromise: remodeling it to suit both their tastes.

    That meant out with the yellow exterior and in with a brownish gray one, and swapping a more formal interior for a “natural, laid-back feel.”

    The result, which took four months to create, is a cozy, updated English Country style home with custom bookshelves, extended ceiling beams, and a new look for the fireplace mantel.

    Outside is equally cozy, thanks to a pool, hot tub, and fire pit.

    Take a peek inside at the other changes they made.

    💡 Community News

    • Montgomery County’s former chief information officer has made several accusations against his former employer. In a lawsuit, Anthony Olivieri says he was fired earlier this year because he requested accommodations for his mental health, but also went on to say that officials had engaged in instances of “fraud, waste, [and] wrongdoing” since 2017, including by the county’s CFO.
    • The community is mourning the loss of two former residents, each that led distinguished careers in the medical field. Last month, world-renowned scientist and Lower Merion native Mark Hallett died of glioblastoma. A Harriton High alum, Hallett was a pioneering expert in movement, brain physiology, and human motor control. And writer, pioneering medical journal editor, award-winning historian, and Bryn Mawr resident Kathleen A. Case died in mid-November from heart failure. She spent 24 years as a top editor for the Annals of Internal Medicine and as vice president for publishing at the American College of Physicians.
    • In 1989, a Bala Cynwyd woman and Flyers fan earned her way into a club she never sought out. During a playoff game at the Spectrum, Nancy Fineberg was hit in the chin with an errant puck, but she refused to leave until after the game. Soon after, she received a package welcoming her to the “Loyal Order of the Unducked Puck.” The Inquirer’s Matt Breen recently revisited the club’s roots, which date back to the 1970s and were an effort by the team to turn a negative into a positive.
    • Artist and Gladwyne native Jake Weinstein’s first solo exhibit is on display at Works on Paper Gallery in Center City. “Clankers,” which runs through the end of the month, showcases Weinstein’s longtime interest in robots, designed on paper and in sculpture. Weinstein’s passion for robots was driven in part by his and his father’s love of sci-fi, and his dad’s pioneering work in robotic surgery.
    • Philadelphia Jewish Exponent recently interviewed Rabbi Matthew Abelson, a Lower Merion resident who joined Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr at the start of the school year as a Jewish studies teacher. The New York transplant, who is a member of Sha’arei Orah Congregation in Bala Cynwyd, shared what inspired him to get into the field.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Today is the end of the first trimester for all elementary schools. There are winter chorus and orchestra concerts tonight and throughout next week, and tomorrow night is the talent show at Penn Wynne Elementary. See the district’s full calendar here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🦌 Rankin/Bass Holiday Specials: Catch screenings of favorite animated holiday classics The Year Without a Santa Claus, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, and ’Twas the Night Before Christmas during a matinee showing. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. 💵 $6.75-$7.75 📍Bryn Mawr Film Institute

    🎄 Ardmore Holiday Market: Over 20 vendors will be selling handcrafted goods at this inaugural event. ⏰ Saturdays, Dec. 6, and 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Schauffele Plaza

    🇬🇧 Narberth Dickens Festival: Wander around Narberth as it’s transformed into an 1840s, Charles Dickens-themed London, complete with characters from A Christmas Carol. Period vendors, carolers, crafts, food, drinks, and a scavenger hunt round out the event. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 7, noon-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Downtown Narberth

    🏡 On the Market

    A completely updated four-bedroom Bala Cynwyd home

    The home, built in 1945, was recently updated.

    This 1945 Bala Cynwyd home has been fully renovated, giving it a modern interior while retaining the charm of its mid-20th century roots. The first floor now has an open-concept layout with a family room, an eat-in kitchen with two-toned cabinetry topped with Edison quartz, and a dining room with a butler’s pantry. There are three bedrooms upstairs, with a fourth in the finished basement. The home also has a new Belgard paver patio. There are open houses today from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.095M | Size: 2,495 SF | Acreage: 0.23

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • What to know about this year’s Festival of Lights | Inquirer Greater Media

    What to know about this year’s Festival of Lights | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    The Festival of Lights in Media kicks off tonight and is expected to draw over 100,000 people during its month-long run. Also this week, Swarthmore College is proposing updates to its athletic fields, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is hosting meetings about its finances, plus a festive pop-up bar has returned for the season.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at greatermedia@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    100,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s Festival of Lights

    This year’s Festival of Lights kicks off at Rose Tree County Park on Dec. 4.

    The Festival of Lights returns to Rose Tree County Park tonight, when some 300,000 lights adorning over 125 trees will be lit for the first time this season.

    The beloved annual tradition is marking its 50th anniversary this year and will include longtime favorite displays, plus live performances, food, drinks, and vendors on select Delco’s Fare & Flair nights.

    New this year: a “Delco Bell” celebrating the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

    Here’s everything you need to know before heading to this year’s festival.

    What to know about Swarthmore College’s plans to redevelop its athletic fields

    A rendering shows the proposed Cunningham Park athletic complex at Swarthmore College.

    Swarthmore College is looking to redevelop its athletic complex as its existing infrastructure ages, with plans to update its facilities off College Avenue and North Chester Road, known as Cunningham Fields. They are currently home to four grass fields, six tennis courts, locker rooms, and restrooms.

    Under its proposal, the school would install new tennis courts, spectator seating, and a pavilion with restrooms and team meeting areas, as well as updated grass and turf fields.

    The college has made significant changes to its initial plans after hearing community members’ concerns. Approval from the county and borough could still take months or longer.

    Read more about Swarthmore’s current plans here.

    💡 Community News

    • Heads up for drivers: Swarthmore Avenue is closed for the next eight weeks at the railroad tracks, but pedestrians are still able to access the area. And throughout December, PennDot is working to improve portions of I-476 in both directions between its interchanges with I-76 and and I-95. Overnight roadwork and closures will take place Sundays through Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    • The Foundation for Delaware County has rebranded its support programs like those that provide at-home prenatal visits, housing assistance, legal aid, doulas, mental health resources for new mothers, and a fathers’ support group, under a new name: Family Village. The nonprofit hopes the update will raise greater awareness for its services, particularly in the wake of Crozer-Chester Medical Center’s closure earlier this year.
    • On Monday, Blackbird Health opened a clinic at 1023 E. Baltimore Pike in Media. Blackbird Health specializes in mental healthcare services for children, teenagers, and young adults.
    • Swarthmore Public Library has hired Cyreena Bowman as its new teen librarian. (The Swarthmorean)

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is hosting two community meetings about its finances after the district said it was facing the possibility of a $2.6 million budget deficit come the 2027-28 school year. The meetings will both take place Monday, with one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 6 p.m., at Strath Haven Middle School.
    • WSSD this week also voted on new school board of directors leadership. Vice President Michelle Williams will become president, Mary Jo Witkowski-Smith will become vice president, Robert Miller will be treasurer, and Nannette Whitsett will serve as assistant board secretary.
    • Nether Providence Elementary has picture retakes tomorrow. There are also fine and applied arts nights tonight and Tuesday. See WSSD’s full calendar here.
    • Rose Tree Media School District has a number of winter concerts tonight and next week. See RTMSD’s full calendar here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Now in its seventh year, roving holiday pop-up bar Jingle on State has returned, this time to Tap 24 in Media. It’s open Tuesdays through Sundays starting at noon, with happy hour taking place Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. Jingle on State is serving up festive sips like a Red-Nosed Mule made with vodka, ginger beer, lime, and cranberry juice, and Santa’s Pick-Me-Up, made with vanilla vodka, espresso, peppermint simple syrup, peppermint rum, and Kahlua.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎄 Home for the Holidays: The all-day celebration includes a Reindeer Dash one-mile walk and run, a Winter Village, a Kwanzaa celebration, trolley rides, and caroling, capped by a fire truck parade with Santa that ends with the town’s tree lighting. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 💵 Prices vary 📍 Swarthmore town center

    🛍️ Holiday Artisans Market: Shop from local artisans selling things like candles, ceramics, wine, soap, and art in Tyler Arboretum’s historic barn. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 $10-$18 admission required for non-members, free for members 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media

    🧚 Peter Pan Jr.: The Media Theatre will put its spin on the Disney classic. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 21, select days and times 💵 $21-$27 📍 The Media Theatre

    🏡 On the Market

    A charming stone colonial in Wallingford

    The stone colonial spans over 2,700 square feet.

    Built in 1956, this four-bedroom stone colonial has undergone a number of recent updates. Those include a new kitchen with stainless steel appliances and soapstone and walnut countertops, a new roof and HVAC system, and a new concrete patio out back. Other features include a first-floor bedroom, a dining room with a fireplace, and a finished basement.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $775,000 | Size: 2,718 SF | Acreage: 0.51

    🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • ‘It’s putting Delco on the map’: The Festival of Lights returns to Media this week

    ‘It’s putting Delco on the map’: The Festival of Lights returns to Media this week

    Rose Tree County Park in Media will once again transform into a winter wonderland this holiday season for the 50th annual Festival of Lights.

    Starting Thursday, some 300,000 lights will adorn over 125 trees at the center of the 118-acre park, which will also play host to vendors, musical performances, and food trucks on select nights during the festival’s run through Jan. 3.

    More than a beloved tradition, the free festival is “putting Delco on the map,” says Delaware County Parks and Recreation Interim Director Anne Stauffer. The festival drew about 97,000 visitors last year, according to Visit Delco data, and Stauffer expects more than 100,000 this year.

    Over the past few years, the festival has significantly grown its footprint. While it used to largely attract residents from in and around Media, a major change in 2021 helped attract more visitors from across the region.

    ARPA funding helped grow the Festival of Lights to include larger trees.

    Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, organizers grew the number of lights on display — including extending it to the park’s tallest trees — and added pop-up shopping elements, a format that has been replicated each year since. With a refreshed display, the festival went from a local event to a “regional draw,” Stauffer said.

    Now, the annual festival is one of the park’s biggest undertakings, with work beginning in mid-October.

    This year’s festival will see a return of many favorite displays, like a lighted archway, Snoopy and other Peanuts characters, a gingerbread family, and Santa and his reindeer. A Visit Delco selfie station featuring a giant Adirondack chair will be moved to the front of the park. There will also be musical performances on Delco’s Fare & Flair nights, along with a selection of food, drinks, and other vendors.

    New this year will be the unveiling of a “Delco Bell,” which will make its debut at 4 p.m. Thursday, and remain on display through next December, even after the festival wraps up. It’s one of many bells being displayed statewide as part of America250PA’s “Bells Across PA” initiative, which began rolling out in April in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

    “I think it’s a beautiful opportunity to be able to show the public artistry and history,” Stauffer said.

    This is also a milestone year for Rose Tree County Park, which opened in 1975 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

    Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Festival of Lights:

    When will the Festival of Lights be open?

    This year’s festival kicks off on Dec. 4 at 5 p.m., when the entire park will be lit up for the first time this season. As part of the festivities, the Springton Lake Middle School Select Choir will perform seasonal songs, and Santa will help light the park before zipping around on one of Delaware County Parks and Recreation’s electric ATVs. He’ll remain on site until 8:30 p.m.

    In addition to the ceremonial lighting, opening night will also be the first of this year’s Delco’s Fare & Flair Nights, which include music, food, drinks, and other local vendors.

    From Dec. 4 to Jan. 3, the park will be lit nightly at 5 p.m. and remain lit until 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

    Who are this year’s vendors?

    There will be vendors, food, drinks, and live entertainment on Delco’s Fare & Flair Nights, weather permitting. These will take place Dec. 4, 6, 7, 13, and 14 from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

    Expect a selection of food and drinks vendors each night, including Albie’s Fresh Burgers and Crabcakes, Auntie Anne’s, Brick & Brew, Calaveras Street Tacos, DonutNV, Dos Gringos Mexican Kitchen, The Munchy Machine, Napoletano Brothers, Owl’s Water Ice and Treats, Pizzeria La Familia, Rollin’ Phatties BBQ Smokeshack, and Savannah’s Southern Cuisine.

    Artisan vendors will also be selling goods including clothing, home decor, and candles.

    On Delco’s Fare & Flair Nights, local bands will perform at 5 p.m., followed by a DJ spinning tunes until 8:30 p.m.

    You can see the vendors attending each Delco’s Fare & Flair night on the county’s website here.

    What’s new for 2025?

    While visitors will find a similarly festive display to years past, there will be a few additions for 2025, including one celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial. A Delaware County-themed bell will be unveiled at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4, and remain on display through the festival and next year.

    Where to park when you get there

    Delaware County Park Police will be directing traffic on Delco’s Fare & Flair nights, with parking available in the main lots at the front of Rose Tree County Park, closest to Nether Providence Road. The rear lot, near the Hunt Club building, will have additional parking on nights when Delco’s Fare & Flair is not taking place. There will be overflow parking on the grass, as weather permits.

    📍 1671 N. Providence Rd., Media 💵 Free

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Chesco residents may dodge a tax hike in 2026 | Inquirer Chester County

    Chesco residents may dodge a tax hike in 2026 | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    Welcome to the first edition of The Inquirer’s new weekly newsletter, bringing you community news, important school district and municipal updates, restaurant openings, as well as events throughout the county.

    Chester County residents may avoid a property tax hike despite increased spending in next year’s proposed budget. Also this week, Chester County is home to the region’s most flood-prone waterway, a new Chester County Prison program is helping inmates find second chances, plus, a mixed-use development is being planned on former farmland in Kennett Square.

    As we start this journey together, we’ll want your feedback. Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at chestercounty@inquirer.com. Thanks for joining us!

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Chester County is poised to avoid property tax hikes in 2026

    Chester County Commissioners Eric M. Roe, Josh Maxwell, and Marian D. Moskowitz are expected to pass a 2026 budget that includes no property tax hikes.

    Chester County residents may be the only ones in Philadelphia’s suburbs to dodge a property tax hike in 2026.

    While the county’s proposed budget for next year has a 4.7% spending increase, officials don’t expect to pass that on to taxpayers. That’s thanks to non-personnel budget cuts initiated earlier this year across departments, as well as delayed projects.

    While still navigating financial uncertainty, the bipartisan Board of Commissioners tasked officials with holding “the line in terms of tax increases,” county CEO David Byerman said. The budget is expected to pass doing just that.

    Read more about how the county maintained property taxes for 2026.

    💡 Community News

    • An Inquirer analysis of U.S. Geological Survey data found that the East Branch Brandywine Creek near Downingtown is the most flood-prone waterway in the Philadelphia area. Between 2005 and 2025, it had 11 major and 22 moderate floods, including a record 19.1-foot surge in September 2021 from Hurricane Ida.
    • A portion of former mushroom farmland near the intersection of Routes 41 and 1 in Kennett Square is being eyed for development. Baltimore-based Stonewall Capital is looking to turn the 235-acre site into 622 residential units and shops. The developer plans to begin work on the $300 million White Clay Point project next fall. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Main Line Health opened a new outpatient facility in Devon on Monday. The $13.8 million, 22,700-square-foot center at 80 W. Lancaster Ave. offers primary care, rehabilitation, imaging, and laboratory services.
    • In case you missed, HBO series Task, which was created by Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby, has been renewed for a second season. The crime drama scored a record $49.8 million tax credit from the state to film locally, the largest amount Pennsylvania has given to a single production.
    • Heads up for drivers: Peco will continue performing utility construction roadwork on Newtown Road between Sugartown and Waterloo Roads in Easttown Township on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 19. And in Caln Township, Pennsylvania American Water will continue water line installation that will shut down Olive Street between South Caln Road and 13th Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through February.
    • In other transportation news, PennDot is hosting a virtual meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. to discuss proposed improvements to the intersection at Newark Road and Baltimore Pike in New Garden Township.
    • Avondale and West Grove Fire Companies recently voted to merge into a single department. They will operate under a combined name, which is yet to be announced, and continue to provide fire and EMS services to over 120 square miles in southern Chester County. The merger is expected to take about 12 months to complete. The newly formed department will have a mix of both career and volunteer responders.
    • In other emergency services news, Westtown-East Goshen Police Commission last week named a new chief of police for the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department. David Leahy, a 26-year veteran of the department, has been elevated from his role as interim chief and will be sworn in on Dec. 19.
    • Chester County is home to three of the region’s most magical holiday light displays: In West Chester, there’s the Griswold display and the Lights Up Holiday Weekends, while in Nottingham, the Herr’s Holiday Lights Display dazzles with more than 600,000 lights.
    • Those heading into West Chester this season can expect plenty of crowds. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce estimates 40,000 people will visit the borough throughout the holiday season, including for this weekend’s tree lighting, which features a new 28-foot tree. (Daily Local Times)
    • In Downingtown, borough parking lots will be free through Jan. 1.

    📍 Countywide News

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Kennett Consolidated School District is considering redistricting its elementary schools due to uneven enrollment and ongoing housing development. The district is drawing up a comprehensive map of planned attendance areas. (Chester County Press)
    • Kindergarten registration for the Coatesville Area School District is now open for the 2026-27 school year.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • The Local opened its doors yesterday at 324 Bridge St. in Phoenixville, taking over the former Your Mom’s Place. It’s launching this week with breakfast and plans to expand to lunch service shortly. Menu items include breakfast sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, and French toast.
    • Several holiday-themed pop-ups have opened or will soon throughout the county. In West Chester, Station 142 has transformed into Miracle on Market Street; Hotel Indigo has converted its basement speakeasy Room 109 into the North Pole Social; and Slow Hand has added Sleigh Bar. Grain in Kennett Square is serving up holiday sips at its North Pole KSQ pop-up and on Saturday, a Christmas-themed pop-up is taking over 10 N. Main St. in Phoenixville.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎁 Several holiday markets are popping up this weekend, including Historic Sugartown’s Holiday Craft Market & Biergarten on Saturday. Kennett Square’s Holiday Village Market kicks off its two-weekend run this Saturday and Sunday at The Creamery, and for the first time, Fitzwater Station in Phoenixville is hosting a Christmas Village. It takes place Saturday and Sunday and returns for two more weekends after that.

    Here’s what else is happening around Chester County:

    🎭 A Christmas Carol: Catch People’s Light’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. ⏰ Through Jan. 4, days and times vary 💵 Prices vary 📍 People’s Light, Malvern

    💎 A Longwood Christmas: This year’s annual holiday display is inspired by gems. Timed reservations are required. ⏰ Through Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 💵 $25-$45 for non-members, free for members 📍 Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square

    🎄 West Chester Hometown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: The beloved events kick off with the tree lighting at the historic courthouse at 6:30 p.m., followed by the parade at 7 p.m. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Downtown West Chester

    ❄️ Coatesville Christmas Parade and Christmas Wonderland: Kick off the day with a parade. Later, Santa will help light the city’s tree. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, parade starts at 10 a.m., Wonderland is 4-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Downtown Coatesville

    💃 The Phoenixville Christmas Spectacular: Catch one of three performances of this dance-forward show celebrating Phoenixville’s holiday charm. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m. 💵 $18-$25 📍 The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville

    👸 Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: The Broadway adaptation of the beloved fairytale comes to life on stage on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 28, select days and times 💵 $40-$50 📍 Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester

    🏡 On the Market

    A Chadds Ford home perfect for entertaining

    The kitchen features an island and looks out on the living room.

    This Chadds Ford home is ideal for a home chef or host, featuring double ovens, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a 10-foot island with seating in the kitchen, plus a butler’s pantry with a bar sink and additional storage and prep space between the kitchen and dining room. The updated home, originally built in 1952 from a Sears kit and since expanded, has four bedrooms, including a first floor primary suite. Other features include a large deck and a suite with a kitchenette and a private entrance.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.1M | Size: 4,129 SF | Acreage: 2

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Former East principal denies discrimination claims | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Former East principal denies discrimination claims | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    A former East principal has denied discrimination allegations made against him by a former assistant principal earlier this year. Also this week, the district’s elementary schools may redistribute students as they face potential overcrowding, some retailers at the Cherry Hill Mall reported seeing fewer shoppers on Black Friday compared to past years, plus farmhouses at Holly Ravine Farm will soon be torn down as the town preserves the land.

    We want your feedback. Tell us what you think about the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Former East principal denies allegations of discrimination and retaliation

    A former Cherry Hill East principal has denied allegations made against him by a former assistant principal.

    Former Cherry Hill High School East Principal Daniel Finkle has denied claims that he engaged in discriminatory behavior or retaliated against former assistant principal David Francis-Maurer, who filed a lawsuit earlier this year after his contract was not renewed. Francis-Maurer claimed that Finkle and other officials discriminated against him based on his religion and sexual orientation.

    But in court documents filed last month, Finkle’s legal representatives said Francis-Maurer was fired for job performance.

    They allege that Francis-Maurer was unresponsive to feedback, unwilling to collaborate with colleagues, and that he failed to complete mandatory performance reviews of employees, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    Read more about Finkle’s response to the lawsuit.

    What to know about the district’s ideas to rebalance elementary schools

    Clara H. Barton Elementary School is among the schools expected to see overcrowding in the next few years.

    Five of Cherry Hill’s 12 elementary schools are expected to exceed capacity in the coming years, and to head off overcrowding, the district has begun looking at “balancing” them.

    By the 2028-29 school year, the district projects it will be short about 337 seats, and is considering a number of solutions, including reassigning students to less-crowded schools or converting an administration building.

    A committee is working to present a preliminary rebalancing plan to the school board in January or February, with a final plan expected by June or July.

    Read more about the overcrowding issues here.

    💡 Community News

    • For some retailers at the Cherry Hill Mall last Friday, it was business as usual, but others said the major shopping day was quieter than in years past, a change driven in part by online shopping and economic uncertainty. Some of the shoppers who did make it to the mall said they were motivated by tradition or unmissable deals.
    • Two former farmhouses near the intersection of Springdale and Evesham Roads will soon be torn down to create a preserved open space. The township purchased the 22.54-acre former Holly Ravine dairy farm last year for $3.87 million after residents raised concerns about it being used as a senior care complex. Now the township is getting closer to seeing its plan for “passive use” and “agricultural use consistent with the farm’s legacy” come to life, according to 70 and 73.
    • The Inquirer recently analyzed U.S. Geological Survey data and found that the South Branch Pennsauken Creek at Cherry Hill is among the most flood-prone waterways in the region. It most recently flooded in December 2023, when the water reached a maximum high of 9.5 feet.
    • Work continues on the 252-unit Hampton Square apartment building between Hampton Road and Cuthbert Boulevard at the former site of an industrial complex. Hampton Square will have one- and two-bedroom units and is expected to open early next year. (Courier Post)
    • Looking to give back this holiday season? A Cherry Hill financial adviser offers tips on how to avoid charity scammers and ensure donations are going where you want them to.
    • A little update on Dick’s House of Sport at the Cherry Hill Mall: Foundation work is underway and the mall’s owner, PREIT, is estimating that the 120,000-square-foot store is still on target to open sometime in 2026, though a firm opening date hasn’t been set. (The Sun)
    • Cherry Hill of Subaru helped surprise a 10-year-old South Jersey boy battling cancer by teaming up with nonprofit Make-A-Wish New Jersey to send him on a trip to the Florida Keys this month. Fox29 captured the surprise.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Cherry Hill schools ranged widely in how they compared to others throughout the state based on the New Jersey Department of Education’s School Performance Report for the 2023-24 school year. Sharp Elementary landed in the 95th percentile, the highest of any school in the district, while Paine Elementary came in at the lowest, in the 26th percentile. (NJ.com)
    • Preschool, elementary, and middle school students will have early dismissals next week for parent/teacher conferences, which kick off Monday and run through Thursday. Next Friday, there’s a district-wide early dismissal.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • A new sushi and hibachi spot has taken over the former Cindy’s Chinese Cuisine and is now open at Plaza 38 Shopping Center on Route 38. Sushi House Hibachi & Teriyaki serves its namesake dishes, as well as dumplings, noodles, and bowls. (Courier Post)
    • The G.B.M.F. Challenge at the Kibitz Room is among BestofNJ.com’s top 10 favorite food challenges in the Garden State. Diners who take on the challenge get 30 minutes to eat the massive corned beef, pastrami, turkey, roast beef, and brisket sandwich that the restaurant estimates can feed three to four. Those who can finish it get the $100 sandwich for free and are added to the “Wall of Fame.”

    🎳 Things to Do

    🛼 TayLena Skate Night: Skate to Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez tunes all night. There will also be a glam station. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30-9 p.m. 💵 $14 admission, plus $6 skate rental 📍 Hot Wheelz

    💎 Gently Used Jewelry and Accessory Sale: Shop everything from second-hand jewelry to scarves to handbags at this library fundraiser. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Library

    ❄️ Winter Festival: This year’s winter festival includes a craft market to shop for gifts, a beer garden, fire pits, ice carving demonstrations, food, and live performances. It will be held rain or shine and is free to attend. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 7, noon-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Croft Farm

    🎤 Steve Cofield and Sweet: The classic R&B band will perform an array of tunes from Motown to neo-soul. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 7, 4-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Vera

    🏡 On the Market

    A mid-century modern condo in a gated community

    The condo has an open-concept living and dining area.

    Located in the Mediterranean-inspired and gated Centura community, this two-bedroom condo has undergone updates to its original woodwork, kitchen cabinetry, flooring, and walls. It features an open-concept living and dining area that is anchored by a stone fireplace, and a primary suite with a walk-in closet. It also has a balcony, two reserved garage spaces, and access to the communal pool and tennis courts.

    See more photos of the condo here.

    Price: $199,000 | Size: 1,442 SF

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • 20 local holiday events to add to your calendar | Inquirer Lower Merion

    20 local holiday events to add to your calendar | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    Happy Thanksgiving! While all eyes are on Turkey Day today, the winter holidays aren’t far behind. We’ve rounded up 20 events you’ll want to add to your calendar. Also this week, the former business manager of a Bala Cynwyd church has been charged with stealing over $1.1 million, a Bryn Mawr birth center is closing its doors, plus SEPTA will get new funding to tackle its Regional Rail car repairs.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    20 holiday events you won’t want to miss this season

    Santa will make stops throughout Lower Merion this year, including at Suburban Square.

    The holiday season is officially upon us and with it, a slew of festive events. Whether you’re looking to snag a picture with Santa Claus, catch an ice skating show, see a menorah lighting, or tour a decked-out historic house, there’s no shortage of things to do in Lower Merion.

    We’ve rounded up 20 holiday festivities this season, including shopping pop-ups, holiday movie screenings, festivals, and more.

    See the full list of holiday events here.

    💡 Community News

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Schools are closed today and tomorrow for Thanksgiving. LMHS is hosting its “Maroon Madness” on Tuesday ahead of the winter Keystone testing window, which starts Wednesday and continues until Dec. 17. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • The Education Foundation of Lower Merion is seeking new members to join its board of directors for three-year terms. Learn more here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Mama’s Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd is closing its doors this week after 65 years in business. The shop, known for its signature cheesesteak, plans to shutter Friday or Saturday.
    • Mexican fast-casual chain Chipotle opened at 229 City Ave. in Merion Station earlier this month, where it has a drive-thru pick-up lane.
    • Earlier this month, Fox29’s Morgan Parrish visited The Brew Room in Ardmore to chat with the husband-and-wife team behind the specialty Greek café and what inspired them to bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to the Main Line. See the segment here.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🍬 Day After Thanksgiving Edible Art Camp: Kids ages 5 to 12 will make four winter-themed edible treats. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 28, 10-11 a.m. 💵 $21.20 📍 The Candy Lab

    🍿 Zootopia: Catch a screening of the 2016 animated film about Zootopia’s first bunny on the police force, who partners with a fox to solve a case. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 28, 1-3 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

    👸 Cinderella: Catch a screening of the ultimate Disney classic. There will be a second screening on Dec. 13. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. 💵 $6.75-$7.75 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

    🩰 Israeli Dancing: This drop-in class will teach you some moves set to traditional Israeli music. ⏰ Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 $15 📍 Kaiserman JCC

    ✡️ Hanukkah Crafternoon: Kids can create a holiday-themed craft during this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

    🏡 On the Market

    A stately six-bedroom center hall home

    The home’s entry is flanked by two-story columns.

    This six-bedroom brick Gladwyne home exudes old world vibes thanks to its center hall layout and two-story pillar columns. Inside, the home feels contemporary. Some features include a formal living room with a double-sided gas fireplace, a formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen, and a first floor primary suite. The finished basement also has a fireplace and an ensuite bedroom. There’s an open house on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.399M | Size: 4,258 SF | Acreage: 0.83

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.