When a western diamondback rattlesnake sinks its fangs into your hand, and it swells up like a purplish water balloon for days in a Texas hospital, it might be a sign for a career change.
But Clyde Peeling, who was born in Muncy, Lycoming County, in 1942, had already been bitten by the proverbial bug long before the rattlesnake bit him while he was stationed in Texas with the Air Force. Peeling, 83, still loved snakes, despite that close call, and went on to become the reptile king of Pennsylvania.
“I’ve pretty much known what I wanted to do with my life since I was 14,” Peeling said recently, from his beloved zoo near Williamsport.
A snake-necked turtle is shown in an aquarium at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
It wouldn’t be the last time he’d be bitten, either, in a career that has spanned more than half a century.
“Let’s see, once by a copperhead, a viper, and four other rattlesnakes. I don’t say that with any bravado,” Peeling said. “That was a very serious bite.”
Today, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland is home to enormous Komodo dragons with uncanny eyes, poisonous Gila monsters, anacondas thicker than most thighs, and Aldabra tortoises that can live up to 150 years.
“Some of these tortoises were just five pounds when we got them,” he said, in their hot enclosure.
Today, the tortoises look like boulders.
Clyde Peeling, 83, talks about his experiences at his reptile zoo, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland.
Reptiland opened on US-15 in Allenwood, Union County, in 1976. It joined an American tradition of roadside attractions ushered in by the post-World War II auto boom and the urge to hit the highway.
U.S. Route 15 bisects Pennsylvania, from the Maryland border, north to New York, passing through Williamsport and Harrisburg. Still, Peeling said it was far from bustling back then.
“I remember sitting there hoping one car would pass by. I was too egotistical to think I’d made a mistake, but I had a lot of naysayers,” he recalled.
In the timeless tradition of late-night television, Peeling has brought wild animals to visit Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, and others.
Reptile parks, serpentariums, and alligator farms dot the American landscape. Peeling wanted to elevate Reptiland beyond those hokey roadside shacks.
In 1986, his facility received a key and difficult-to-obtain accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and it’s held that status ever since. Peeling said the inspection process, which takes place every five years, is grueling and every facet of the business is scrutinized, everything from record keeping, to veterinary care, aesthetics, and visitor services.
“We would have been accredited in 1985, but we were hit by a tornado that nearly flattened us,” he said.
Over the decades, Peeling expanded with a parakeet-feeding aviary and a large, outdoor dinosaur exhibit. More renovations are in the works, too. If you’d like parakeets to land on your head, you’ll have a blast. The park hosts a “Wino & Dinos” event outdoors, during the summer, for adults only.
At Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, life-size animated dinosaurs give visitors a perspective on life in the Mesozoic Era.
Peeling, with his sons, has visited, lectured, and collected in dozens of countries.
“That skull is from a crocodile in Borneo,” he said in his office.
Peeling’s son Chad, a right-hand man in the family business, died from brain cancer in 2019. Peeling himself fought non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tornadoes have damaged the property, and the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt, too.
Peeling hasn’t guided a trip since his son died but won’t rule out doing it one more time.
It's been 30 years since I've been back to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland in Union County and I wish I had come back sooner. Thanks for having us, Clyde! pic.twitter.com/5RKP9AbuWM
Marathon weekend can look chaotic — thousands of runners, crowds along the Parkway, and traffic everywhere — but it can also be one of the most fun, kid-friendly days in Philadelphia.
Between the Nemours Children’s Run, the Health and Fitness Expo, easy cheering spots, and plenty of stroller-friendly food stops, there’s a lot for families to enjoy without getting overwhelmed.
Here’s how to navigate the Philadelphia Marathon with kids in tow.
📍 Eakins Oval (22nd St. & Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
Kids run age-specific, short-distance dashes along the Parkway and get an event T-shirt, a finisher medal, and special goodies.
Nothing is timed, so the emphasis is fun. Children may only run in their age group, and each child is limited to one race. A parent or guardian must be present, but adults can’t run with the kids.
Come early. Before the races, kids can enjoy:
sports zone (football, baseball, basketball, soccer)
Runners on Walnut Street in Center City during the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.
Best viewing spots with kids
The marathon route stretches across Center City, Fairmount, and Manayunk. These spots are easiest for families:
Chestnut Street at Mile 1: High-energy, big crowds, and runners come through early — good for short attention spans. There’s room on side streets for stroller parking.
34th Street / University City (around Mile 5 and Mile 13): Wide sidewalks, walkable from the Parkway, and you can catch runners twice here if you hustle.
Manayunk’s Main Street (Miles 19–21): The loudest, most festive part of the race — think music, costumes, cowbells. Great for older kids; may feel crowded for toddlers.
Kelly Drive (Miles 22–24): Quieter stretch with room to spread out. Better for small kids and families who want to avoid packed sidewalks.
Cheering tip for kids: Have them call out runners’ names from their bibs — runners light up when a kid yells their name.
Getting Around: Transit, biking, and parking for families
Getting to the start/finish near the Art Museum is doable — especially with public transit.
SEPTA (big perk for parents)
Children 11 and under ride free with a fare-paying adult. Buses that usually stop near the Parkway (7, 32, 33, 38, 43, 48, 49) may be detoured. Check SEPTA’s System Status before you head out.
Regional Rail is helpful if you’re heading to Manayunk to cheer between Miles 19 and 21.
Driving & parking
Road closures are extensive, so expect detours and delays. If you plan to drive with kids, park early.
Amanda Carter and her children, Quinn, 3, and Cameron, 5, pose for a photo at 16th and Arch Streets at the start of the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. The kids had masks with dad Ron Carter’s face. They’re from New York City and this is Ron’s first marathon. Amanda who had done three, says “’m usually the one running.”
Kid-friendly sign ideas
If your kid needs inspiration, try:
You’re super fast! Like superhero fast!
Don’t stop! You’re almost at the snacks!
Run like you’re chasing the ice cream truck!
Go Birds! (And go YOU!)
My arms are tired from holding this sign!
My mom trained for months — I made this sign in five minutes!
Or have them tap through our Sign Generator for more options.
The gyros platter from Moustaki.
Where to eat with kids along the route
Whether you need a quick warm-up or a post-race reward, we rounded up 10 family-friendly places along (or just off) the course — from dumplings and giant slices to pancakes, burgers, and big dining rooms made for strollers.
Don’t let a five-goal outburst on Friday night fool you; the Flyers’ offense has stalled.
Entering Tuesday, the Flyers averaged 2.61 goals per game. It is the fourth-lowest average in the league, with only the Calgary Flames (2.10), Nashville Predators (2.40), and the New York Rangers (2.50) between the Orange and Black and the cellar.
Maybe this team needs an infusion to spark things.
Maybe they need a bump.
Maybe they need an Alex Bump.
“He started out really slow, and I really attribute this [improvement] to Snowy,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said Monday, referring to Lehigh Valley Phantoms coach John Snowden.
“I think he’s an excellent coach. He knows how to develop, but he’s got a little bit of, not sternness, but he’s good at getting to a player without crushing the guy’s confidence.
“I think Bumper needed that two, three weeks ago, and his play is getting better. So I attribute it to Bumper, obviously, it’s all him, but I have to give a lot of credit to Snowy for what he’s doing with him down there.”
On Sept. 30, Bump was loaned to the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate. Maybe the demotion was a hard pill to swallow for a player many, including The Inquirer, inked into a spot on the opening night roster.
As Tocchet said, the left winger did start slowly. Bump didn’t score his first goal until Game 3 and had one goal and three points in the first eight games. Across his past seven games, he has three goals and seven assists.
“The moment that it really clicked for him was after the second Wilkes-Barre game. I challenged him in a different way,” Snowden told The Inquirer, referencing the fifth game of the season.
“We all know that he has the offensive ability — he can hold onto the puck, he can beat you one-on-one, he can score with his shot, he can beat you with a pass, he’s got all those qualities — but the one thing that he was lacking was the abrasiveness in playing inside of contact and getting guys on your back and in finishing hits when it’s time to finish a hit, and valuing the defensive side of things. All those little things that are going to create more offensive opportunities for him, we need to get those better.”
In his first year as the Phantoms’ bench boss, after serving as an assistant coach for two years, Snowden challenged Bump in areas like winning pucks back, getting through contact, puck retrieval, and working to get inside and into dangerous areas.
“In order to play in the NHL … everybody’s going to finish their hits, everybody’s going to be incredibly hard in battles, and 50-50 pucks on the wall,” Snowden said. “You have to be able to do that here [in the AHL]. If you can’t do that here, you’re not going to do it there. So what do we have to do?
“And for him, it starts in practice. How are you getting in and over pucks? How are you coming outside of pucks? What are you doing to get those opportunities back, and defensively, are you sprinting back to your spot? Are you closing plays out? Are you in shot lanes? Are you doing all those things to give you all the offensive opportunities that you have?
“And we challenged him with that, showed him some video, and all credit goes to him. He’s like, ‘Yep, no problem. I completely understand it.’ And he’s taken that advice and that challenge, and he’s really run with it. And as you can see, now he’s starting to get offensive production, and he’s a threat in most every game when he wants to play that way. And that’s given him an opportunity to set himself up to eventually become an NHL player when that time comes.”
Alex Bump is starting to pair more consistency away from the puck with his offensive dynamism.
Bump’s become a more well-rounded player lately, and the uptick in his defensive play has, according to Snowden, led to more touches offensively.
The 21-year-old entered Tuesday tied for third among AHL rookies in points (13) and is the co-leader with nine assists. His 45 shots on goal rank No. 1 among rookies and 10th overall.
Bump’s been skating on a line with fellow rookie Denver Barkey, whom Tocchet complimented as well. Barkey has 10 points in 15 games.
Alex Bump with some great work to set up a pretty wacky second goal of the night for Denver Barkey (this line is really buzzing!) pic.twitter.com/xCirSjFMT4
And, yes, the Flyers’ bench boss is keeping close tabs on the Phantoms.
“You know what, lately, a lot more,” Tocchet said Monday when asked how much he pays attention to Lehigh Valley, maybe hinting at an upcoming move. “Talked to Snowy the other day. He checks in. I’ll check in with him. We talk systems. We talk about what he’s seeing, which is great, who’s playing well, and then usually we’ll have the game on, working out or something. So as much as we can.”
After Bump averaged over a point a game (47 points in 42 games) and won a national championship with Western Michigan, and then impressed during a nine-game stint with Lehigh Valley at the end of last season, many expected him to slide right into the NHL this fall.
But he didn’t. Despite having a strong development camp in July and another impressive spin at rookie camp in early September, the forward didn’t have a great training camp.
Skating alongside guys like Sean Couturier, Trevor Zegras, and Travis Konecny, he showed flashes of what he can bring, namely a big-time shot, playmaking ability, and high hockey IQ.
However, across three preseason games, Bump was minus-6 with seven shots on goal, and one bad miscue that led to a Boston goal. According to Natural Stat Trick, which tracked two of the games, he had seven individual chances with several hitting the post or getting sent straight into the goalie, and the sixth-highest individual expected goals (0.68) on the team.
There is a brightness to Bump. He brings not just youthful exuberance, but a giant chip on his shoulder — the 2022 fifth-round pick told The Inquirer at the Frozen Four in April that he was “definitely not a fifth-round player” — and that chip probably got bigger with not making the roster.
But don’t confuse it with ego. Bump has talent, and he knows he has talent. It’s not ego. It is a confidence in himself and his game.
He’s been playing that way of late. His puck control and possession numbers have been strong with his increased focus on using his 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame to dominate the boards, steer away from opponents, and weave his way through defenses.
“When you get Bumper a puck on like the second or third touch of an offensive-zone sequence, that’s when [his line with Barkey and Lane Pederson are] dangerous, because he’s got that ability to shoot the puck in the net from anywhere. And now he’s extending possessions, and he’s attacking the interior,” Snowden said.
“As a line, they’re doing a lot of good things, but in order to do that, Bumper had to get to the place of like, he needs to go win pucks back, too. And when he wins pucks back, he gets maybe his second or third touches in the Grade A area, and, boom, it’s in the net.”
Snowden said that Bump is 90% consistent with how he plays the game. But is he ready for that NHL debut?
The Flyers certainly could use his offense, but the biggest conundrum for the team’s brass is where he would fit in the lineup. Right now, the only spot that looks to be open is on the fourth line, and Bump is too skilled to slot in there. But he looks like he’s not inching, but taking giant leaps to be ready to make the jump if and when that opportunity comes.
“I think he’s a pretty cerebral person,” said Snowden, adding that Bump is “starting to problem-solve the American League.
“I think he studies his game, and he watches his shifts, and he understands when he can be dynamic and when he needs to obviously live to fight another day with a situational play. It’s only going to be more magnified there. So can he do what he’s doing now and up that 25, 30% 40% to be able to do it in the NHL?”
“We could walk everywhere,” said Kevin Diehn. “We’d even forget where we’d parked our car.”
This was Diehn’s tribute to the rich offerings around the Bella Vista trinity he bought in 2012 with his wife, Ariel.
But perhaps the most unusual is the path leading to their street, with mosaics by the legendary Isaiah Zagar. Diehn says it’s about 70 yards long.
The outside of the home sits along a brick path.
And “we loved the proximity to South Street,” he said.
But now the Diehns — he works in the pharmaceutical industry and she’s a Pilates instructor — have moved to Maryland for work.
From the 840-square-foot home, the Italian Market, South Street, Washington Square, Penn’s Landing, and Jefferson and Pennsylvania Hospitals are all easily accessible.
The bathroom has a tub and a window.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom house is tied together by a spiral staircase that wraps around all four floors.
The living room features exposed brick, wood floors, and a fireplace that could work if refurbished.
The kitchen is in the basement and has an adjacent pantry, stainless steel appliances, a gas stove, a laundry area, and tile floor.
The kitchen is in the basement.
The winding stairs lead through French doors to the first bedroom and a bathroom with a tub/shower combination and glass enclosure.
The primary bedroom is on the third floor with vaulted ceilings and two large windows. The upper floors have plentiful exposed brick.
The house is in the Meredith School catchment area.
It is listed by Pamela Rosser-Thistle of BHHS Fox & Roach at the Harper Rittenhouse Square for $319,000.
There is one thing Eagles fans want to know: How long is Lane Johnson going to be out?
It’s a relevant question when you consider that the Eagles have a 12-23 record in games Johnson hasn’t started since the beginning of the 2016 season. And he won’t be starting this week after league sources confirmed to The Inquirer that Johnson suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his foot on Sunday night.
The injury in the middle of his foot is named after a Frenchman who was a field surgeon under Napoleon, which is your fun fact of the day. Anyway, the All-Pro tackle is awaiting results from X-rays to determine whether he needs surgery, which probably would end his season. Johnson is likely to miss at least 4-6 weeks with a sprain.
His replacement at right tackle, Fred Johnson, has filled in well when Lane Johnson has missed time, but he is not an All-Pro. Several Eagles have had Lisfranc injuries in the past, including Nakobe Dean in 2023. The linebacker needed surgery and it ended his season. Here’s more to know about Lisfranc injuries.
A.J. Brown famously called the Eagles offense “a [bleep] show” last week, and the attack is not likely to get any better with the news about Johnson, Marcus Hayes writes.
The worries about the offense will continue, but it is important to remember that the defending Super Bowl champions are 8-2. Nick Sirianni continues to be second-guessed, Jeff McLane writes, but all he does is stack up wins.
Sixers forward Paul George missed the first 12 games of the regular season after offseason knee surgery.
The 76ers’ season began with questions about the health of Paul George and Joel Embiid. The answer came quickly on Embiid, who has averaged 19.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while playing limited minutes.
George had to wait longer to return as he recovered from offseason surgery on his left knee. The official word that the former All-Star forward would play Monday came moments before the Sixers’ home game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers have waited months to reach full strength. And while Embiid now has pain in his right knee, this is the closest the Sixers have come this season.
George scored nine points in his return as the Sixers rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 110-108. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 39 points.
Phillies outfield prospect Dante Nori had an .822 OPS in 12 games at the Arizona Fall League after playing across three levels of the minor leagues in 2025.
Dante Nori, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2024, rose through three levels of the minor leagues in his first full season of professional baseball, which concluded this month at the Arizona Fall League. An adjustment and a new bat made a big difference for the speedy outfielder, who hopes to start 2026 in double A.
But before beginning his next minor league assignment, Nori has his eyes fixed on another objective: playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy.
Penn State coach James Franklin reacts after a loss to Northwestern on Oct. 11, his final game with the Nittany Lions.
About five weeks after James Franklin lost his job at Penn State, he landed another one at Virginia Tech. Franklin finalized a deal Monday to become head football coach of the Hokies, who are 3-7 and have not won an ACC title since 2010. The good news for Penn State? His buyout with the Nittany Lions, once valued at $49 million, reportedly will be reduced to $9 million.
Penn State ended a six-game losing streak on Saturday and interim coach Terry Smith is hoping the Nittany Lions can win two more and become bowl eligible.
Speaking of bowl eligibility, Temple can get there with one more win. Tulane offers a tough test in the Owls’ home finale on Saturday.
Alex Bump is lighting up the AHL and could be poised to make his NHL debut soon.
The Flyers could use an offensive bump as they are averaging the fourth-fewest goals in the NHL (2.61). Enter … Alex Bump?
Bump, one of the team’s top prospects, is lighting up the American Hockey League with 13 points in 15 games, and 10 points in his last seven games. Could a call-up be on the not-so-distant horizon? Jackie Spiegel thinks so.
The Flyers made a move Monday, swapping AHL defensemen. Here’s what the Flyers are getting in Maxence Guenette.
Sports snapshot
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino at Monday’s practice in Tampa, Fla.
Tough test: The U.S. men’s national team closes its year by facing South American superpower Uruguay tonight in Tampa, Fla.
We asked: How can the Eagles offense get going? Among your responses:
How about if Hurts starts running again? Not saying a lot of runs — we can’t afford to have Jalen hurt — but how about a few designed run plays??? They were so successful in getting the run game moving last year and would spring Barkley when opposing defenses had to bring a safety down to cover one of them. — Lynda M.
Stop running Barkley directly into the line. — John B.
I’ve been saying this from day one. The offensive coordinator has not a clue on how to manage a game. But how can you fire someone when you are 8-2? You can’t! The QB1 overthrows his wide-open receivers by at least 10 yards in fear of throwing a interception. We lost three opportunities for a first down at fourth and one when the offensive line jumped offsides. But we’re 8-2! One thing I notice is the defense keeps talking to each other after each play. Not so much the offense if ever. — Ronald R.
We desperately lack creativity in our offense. Our inability to get the ball to our wide receivers is inexplicable. You just can’t run a play and hope someone gets open, you have to scheme them open. Misdirection, motion, quick hitters will get the defense to back off and open up some running lanes for Saquon and Tank. — Bill B.
Hurts needs to pretend he is Josh Allen and learn to be consistent. We need to see that Super Bowl winning QB again. The offensive line is also not what we saw in that SB victory. Injuries of course, but they really need to notch it up. They are not providing the openings for Barkley they did last year. The receivers are outstanding, but Patullo has to come up with better game plans and Hurts has to execute much better. — Everett S.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff Neiburg, Marcus Hayes, Jeff McLane, Keith Pompey, Jackie Spiegel, Gustav Elvin, Jack Vita, Devin Jackson, Greg Finberg, Ryan Mack, and Jonathan Tannenwald.
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.
That wraps up your Tuesday newsletter. Thanks for reading. Bella will be in charge of Sports Daily on Wednesday. — Jim
Marathon weekend is finally here and while the races are unquestionably the main event, runners and spectators alike look forward to seeing fun signs along the route.
However, there are some exceptions. “There are two signs people hate,” said Gary Brown Jr., founder and co-leader of the local running group Chasing Trail Philadelphia, “‘You're almost there’, especially when you're at, like, you know, Mile 13, and then ‘Worst parade ever’.”
As a city, let’s not add to Gary’s list. Use our sign generator to get some ideas.
What kind of sign are you going for?
What type of sign do you want to make?
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If you have other ideas or see a particularly creative sign, drop us a line at interactives@inquirer.com.
Ford Motor Co. has struck a deal with Amazon.com Inc. to sell certified used cars through its e-commerce website, becoming the second major automaker to reach customers through the massive online retailer.
Ford joins Hyundai Motor Co. on the Amazon Autos portal, which allows car buyers to browse, finance, and purchase a used car by clicking on the familiar “add to cart” icon. Hyundai began selling new cars through the platform late last year, but Ford is only offering its “Blue Advantage” certified used cars on the site, the second-largest U.S. automaker said Monday in a statement.
Car buyers will take delivery of their vehicles through Ford dealers participating in the program. So far, Ford dealers in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas have signed up, but Ford plans to roll out the program nationally in the coming months. The automaker said about 200 of its 2,800 dealers nationwide have expressed interest in selling on Amazon.
Ford’s move comes as consumers are looking for simpler and faster ways to buy cars and are increasingly patronizing online car sellers such as Carvana Co. and CarMax Inc.
It also comes at a time when average new car prices have topped a record $50,000 and more mainstream buyers are turning to used car lots to find something they can afford. The average price of a three-year-old used car was $31,067 in the third quarter, the highest in three years, according to automotive researcher Edmunds.com.
Some auto manufacturers have attempted to emulate Tesla Inc.’s online sales model that bypasses traditional dealers, but Ford is working with its independent retailers to sell on Amazon.
“Everyone has an Amazon account,” Wendy Lane, senior manager of Ford’s Blue Advantage unit, said in an interview. “Knowing that it is a trusted source for consumers and having our vehicles listed there, we’re really excited to see how it works and how well consumers adopt it.”
Ford’s goal is to drive traffic to its dealers used-car lots so that car buyers stay in “Ford’s ecosystem” for service and future purchases, Lane said.
The company will take what it learns from selling certified used cars on Amazon to see if it eventually wants to add new cars to the online retailer’s automotive storefront.
The used vehicles will be sold at a set price, with no haggling. They will have received multipoint inspections, and Ford will offer limited warranties of up to one year or 12,000 miles. The Amazon search tool enables buyers to see a vehicle’s service history and condition reports.
“By working with exceptional Ford dealers who share our commitment to customer service, we’re creating a car buying experience that combines trusted vehicle certification with the convenience Amazon is known for,” Fan Jin, global leader of Amazon Autos, said in a statement.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — It only took Phillies outfield prospect Dante Nori 14.76 seconds to leg out an inside-the-park home run in one of his final games in the Arizona Fall League.
On Nov. 6, Nori blasted a ball 414 feet into deep right-center field at Salt River Fields, the spring training home of the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. Off the bat, Nori thought it was a no-doubter that would certainly carry over the wall.
“Out of the box, I was like, ‘Aw, it’s gone,’” Nori said. “I’ve seen some balls that I’ve hit that well. I was like, ‘All right, that’s going to get out.’ And I remember, right as I passed first base, I saw it clank off the wall. And I was like, ‘Uh-oh, we’ve got to go.”
Despite getting a slow start, the speedy left-handed hitter clocked one of the fastest times recorded around the bases in 2025. Only Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (14.71 seconds) circled the bases at a faster pace in a major league game this year.
The Phillies’ 2024 first-round pick dazzled in his short time in the AFL, a six-week showcase for some of baseball’s most promising minor league prospects.
Nori, 21, impressed scouts with his defense and baserunning, while batting .308 with a .386 on-base percentage, .822 OPS, seven RBIs, and two stolen bases in 12 games. But his time was limited due to an undisclosed leg injury that he suffered in his first AFL game on Oct. 7.
Phillies 2024 first-round pick Dante Nori, shown playing for single-A Clearwater, stole 52 bases across three levels of the minor leagues this season.
Nori said he “tweaked something” on a steal attempt, and chose to play it safe, taking the next two weeks off.
He returned to the Surprise Saguaros’ lineup Oct. 21 and saw regular playing time as the leadoff man and center fielder, a spot he hopes to occupy one day for the Phillies. His presence in the Saguaros’ lineup helped them win the AFL championship.
“I think I find ways to help my team win,” Nori said. “If it’s not with your bat, it’s with your glove, it’s with your speed. You know, you’re not always going to have your bat every single day. Sometimes, it might be the opposite. You might not have your glove, but you’re going to find a way to help your team win.”
Nori’s first full season in the Phillies organization started slowly — he batted just .221 through his first 50 games at single-A Clearwater — prompting him to modify his approach, as well as his bat selection.
“After the first two months I was struggling, so we made an adjustment,” Nori said. “I moved closer on the plate, and I switched to the torpedo bat, and since then, it’s been good.”
Nori saw immediate results, batting .300 with a .410 OBP and .860 OPS over his final 58 games in single-A, earning him a promotion to high-A Jersey Shore in mid-August, before finishing his regular season at double-A Reading.
Nori said the torpedo bat made an impact.
“Honestly, [the bat] just brings the barrel closer to my hands,” Nori said. “All my mishits are usually close to the hands, so it’s one of those things where it’s like, ‘Hey, if I’m missing there, why not bring more of the barrel in, up closer to the plate, so it just brings the barrel closer to me?’ And I’m able to contribute more. So, I like it way more. It’s been fun.”
Late in July, Nori was thrilled to receive a call about playing in the Fall League. He believes he made the best of the experience, and said his favorite part was making connections with other players and coaches, and learning from them.
“Honestly, just the relationships,” Nori said. “Just hearing how different organizations work, and just keep playing the game. We’ve been playing since January, and I think it’s a privilege to be here, and just to finish the year on a high note against some top competition, that’s all I could ask for.”
With his first full season of pro ball behind him, Nori will head home for the winter. He hopes to start 2026 in double A.
“I could see myself starting in double A,” Nori said. “That’s the goal. [I wanted to] come down here and prove that [I] can play at that level. So, start in double A, and then you know, you just take it one step at a time. So, the next one’s triple A, and then after that, it’s the big leagues.”
But before beginning his next minor league assignment, Nori has his eyes fixed on another objective: playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy. While his addition to the team has not yet been finalized, Nori, who is of Italian heritage, has been in contact with the Italian national team and is excited about the potential opportunity to play in the WBC.
Dante Nori slashed .261/.361/.372 across three levels of the minor leagues in 2025, his full season in professional baseball.
Nori, the son of longtime NBA assistant coach Micah Nori, was born in Canada and spent most of his childhood in the United States. His grandfather is a longtime baseball coach who helped recruit Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to play at Indiana University.
“I worked out with Schwarber in the offseason these past three seasons,” Nori said. “So, I’m at his facility hitting with him, so I know I have a great bond with him.”
And he added about the National League home run king, who is a free agent: “I’m really hoping he comes back.”
In Philly and Delaware County, listings and sales of luxury homes are down from last year,according to an analysis by the real estate brokerage Redfin.
The luxury home market in the counties is relatively small, “so it can be somewhat volatile,” said Chen Zhao, head of economics research at Redfin.
In the combined market of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, 285 luxury homes sold between July and September of this year. That’s down about 16% from the same time last year.
Redfin defines luxury homes as those in the top 5% of an area’s prices. The median luxury sale price in this region was about $1.3 million, according to Redfin.
A low supply of homes for sale is helping drive luxury trends. At the end of September, the number of active listings of luxury homes — 503 — was down about 23% from last year, the sharpest drop out of the 50 populous metro areas that Redfin analyzed.
Zhao noted that luxury home owners are less likely to need to sell their properties, and decisions to hold onto multiple luxury homes during a time of economic uncertaintymay be contributing to the tight supply.
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Faster price growth for luxury homes
Prices for luxury homes have grown faster than prices for other homes both in the Philadelphia region and nationwide.
In the combined market of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, sale prices grew by almost 8% for luxury homes and about 6% for homes in the middle-price range over the last year.
Nationally, luxury prices increased by about 5%. Prices for homes in the middle range increased by about 2%.
“Luxury prices are outpacing the rest of the market because the people buying at the top end are playing by different rules,” Sheharyar Bokhari, senior economist at Redfin, said in a statement.
Unlike middle-income homebuyers, people purchasing homes at the highest price points don’t need mortgage interest rates or prices to fall before they can afford to buy. They’re more likely to pay in cash or take out smaller loans. Some are choosing real estate as a more stable investment.
“That demand, even at a smaller scale, is enough to keep pushing luxury prices up faster than the broader market,” Bokhari said.
How other metros compare
Between 2024 and 2025, luxury sales rose the most — almost 31% — in the pricey market of San Francisco. The median luxury sale price was more than $6 million.
Luxury homes sold the fastest — in a median of 14 days — in the San Jose, Calif., region and the slowest — in a median of 130 days — in the Miami metro area.
Florida is home to the areas where luxury prices rose and fell the most over the last year. They increased by about 15% in the West Palm Beach metro, and decreased by about 3% in the Tampa area.
From inflation to tariffs to labor shortages, small businesses in Philadelphia have faced many challenges in 2025. But they remain resilient and, for the most part, are optimistic about the coming year.
But that, of course, depends on the type of business.
For example, the Monkey’s Uncle, a retro Philly sports apparel boutique located in Doylestown, had an “exceptionally strong” year, which was mostly driven by the Eagles’ Super Bowl win. Co-owner Derrick Morgan expects the holiday season to be busy but observes more people are shopping for holiday gifts much earlier this year as consumers are “spreading out their spending much more.”
For small businesses in the Philadelphia region, consumer sales were up 2.4% in October compared to a year before, according to a monthly index from payment technology provider Fiserv. That’s compared to a 1.5% increase nationally. Small-business optimism remains above its 52-year average and uncertainty dropped this month, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
All in all, it hasn’t been such a bad year for most, despite the uncertainty.
Looking to 2026, Morgan is optimistic due to Philadelphia hosting a number of major sporting events (like the MLB All-Star Game), and he is already coordinating commemorative merchandise with licensed vendors. But it’s not economic uncertainty that impacts his business as much as Jalen Hurts or Bryce Harper.
“The nature of our business is very much at the mercy of the wins and losses from our Philly sports teams, which can certainly be unpredictable,” he said.
Regardless of the economic uncertainty, physical fitness remains popular. Valerie Plummer’s Germantown-based Pilates studio — Pilates by Valerie — has had a “profitable and expansive year” thanks to “rising client retention, steady new enrollments, and an increasingly strong sense of community.”
Plummer has used this year to double down on her business by broadening her programming with a series of new classes and apparatus trainings while developing instructor materials, improving internal systems, and strengthening her long-term training pipeline. As for next year? Plummer’s optimistic.
“I am confident in the direction of the studio, the relationships we are building, and the value we are providing — and I’m excited for what’s ahead,” she said.
The restaurant industry has been hit hard recently, thanks mainly to increasing costs and labor shortages. In Media, Rainy Culbertson’s breakfast restaurant, The Corner, has had a difficult year.
“Customers are uncertain about their finances,” she said. “Eating out is a luxury and is one of the first cuts to a person’s budget in economically uncertain times. We’ve had ups and downs this year, but mostly down.”
Like many restaurants, The Corner faces challenges in labor retention, cost increases, and competitive issues. And they’re still recovering from the pandemic, Culbertson said.
“Most restaurants have not recovered from COVID, it’s just that we stopped talking about it because folks want it behind them, ourselves included,” she said. “Most restaurants still carry debt from COVID and now they have to deal with economic uncertainty and painfully thin profit margins due to inflation.”
It’s not surprising that Culbertson remains very uncertain about 2026.
“I’m optimistic it will be better but realistically, it will probably be more chaos and stress dealing with inflation and tariffs,” she said. “A lot depends on how long this madness of inflation, tariffs, and the unstable economy drags on. I’m really close to calling it quits.”
Heather Herbert, the co-owner of Tail Spinz in Montgomeryville says her family-owned dog daycare has grown every year since its opening in 2023. It saw growth this year too, but some months were slower.
“2025 has had its ups and downs, with some months of steady growth and others that have leveled off a bit,” she said. “Our business is built almost entirely on word-of-mouth and referrals, which creates a slower but more sustainable kind of growth. We have had a few families scale back or pause daycare due to budget changes, and we completely understand that we’re a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than a necessity for everyone.”
Herbert is looking forward to even more growth next year and is currently gearing up for the holidays, with “a full lineup of festive events planned” including “a visit from Santa” with holiday photo ops and treats.
“When you provide great care, build genuine relationships, and create a space that dogs are excited to come to, it’s hard not to feel positive about what’s ahead,” she said.
Even in an uncertain economy, specialized businesses like Blevins Sommelier Services can flourish. Focused on bringing “affordable luxury experiences” directly into their clients’ homes, the company, which offers wine tasting and bourbon education events, has experienced strong growth this year with monthly bookings doubling over the prior year.
“I’m optimistic for 2026,” said Amanda Blevins, who operates her business out of her home in Glen Mills. “The demand for wine events remains steady, and the demand for bourbon tastings has increased.”
Tariffs and supply shortages have impacted Blevins’ business, particularly on wines from Italy and France, but like many business owners she’s pivoted and now features more local wines.
“In many cases, hosting private in-home celebrations is more affordable than entertaining at a restaurant or larger rented venue,” she said. “There is always something new to discover in the world of wine and whiskey, and I consider it a wonderful life-long journey.”
