Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

2019 February

Newtown Square Bringing People Together

Friends & Neighbors

The Locher Family:

An Adventure in Newtown Square

Cover photo by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

PUBLICATION TEAM PUBLISHER: Bob Blaisse CONTENT COORDINATORS: Craig and Olivia Whitney DESIGNER: Kim Cesati MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHER: Shannon Locher, Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com COVER PHOTO STYLISTS: Blush Salon, Michele Quinn & Brittany Naab CONTRIBUTORS: Bob Blaisse, Craig Whitney, Doug Humes, Chris Stack, Andrew Martella. Sr., Lou Marvil, and Robert D'Anjollel ADVERTISING Contact Publisher: Bob Blaisse, 610-453-5536 Email: bblaisse@BestVersionMedia.com COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Have Feedback? We would be happy to hear from you.

Please contact Olivia & Craig Whitney at cwhitney@ bestversionmedia.com for information on how to submit ideas, articles, updates, reminders, events, high resolution photos and more. We will do our best to include as much community information as we can without space limitations.

MAGAZINE ONLINE: www.NewtownSquareMag.com

2019 has already brought a major award for your magazine, a change of staff, and two new Expert Contributors. Since launching only six months ago, Newtown Township residents and magazine readers have been so happy and supportive of their hometown magazine, that our advertising sponsors have made it possible for Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors to also be read online. (See: www.NewtownSquareMag.com.)

This month our family feature is The Locher Family, with a cover photo taken by the mother in the photo, Shannon Locher, owner of Shannon Lynn Photography of Newtown Square. I was so impressed with Shannon’s business and her own family photography, I offered Shannon an ongoing role in her hometown magazine as our new staff photographer for Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors.

News also came last month from our publishing company, Best Version Media, which honored me as their “Rookie of The Year Publisher” for launching the most successful magazines in 2018. How wonderful for our staff and our readers. We have a #1 Nationally Ranked Hometown Magazine!

This month we welcome a new sponsor and Expert Contributor: Andrew Martella, expert electrician and owner of Martella Electric Company, headquartered in Broomall. In this month’s edition you’ll read the first Expert Contributor feature article by Andrew. I ask that you’ll reach out to Andrew Martella to thank him for his support of Newtown Square residents by his recent decision to become an advertising sponsor of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors.

Bob Blaisse Publisher

CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES Content Due the 5th of every month.

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, ratepayers or homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2019 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Dear Residents, January has flown past, and now we are looking into a beautiful, wintry February. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, take some time to look at the events on our calendar to find out what is going on in the area.

2019 February

Newtown Square Together Bringing People

bo rs Fri en ds & Ne igh

The Locher Family:

An Adventure in Newtown Square

Cover photo by raphy Shannon Lynn Photog y.com annonLynnPhotograph

www.Sh

ON THE COVER The Locher Family at the Okehocking Preserve

This month, we had the pleasure of speaking to Tom Rafferty and Natalie Barilotti from Rafferty Painting and General Contracting. They have a very interesting story about the painting and power washing business and how it has evolved over the past 23 years into general contracting as well. They have spent years serving the citizens of the community. Be sure to check out their feature!

We hope you enjoy this edition and read the articles from our expert contributors and enjoy our cover family, The Lochers, and their story! Also, we are looking for more families to feature from the area! If you know of a family that you would like to nominate to be in our magazine, please reach out to us at our email or give us a call!

Craig & Olivia Whitney Content Coordinators

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

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Expert Contributors Automotive Repairs & Service Lou Matteo Edgemont Automotive 5040 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610 -353-9868 • edgemontauto@verizon.net www.EdgemontAutomotive.com

Expert Contributors needed!

Dental, Medical, Pet Services, Real Estate, Law, Financial Services, Fitness, Education, Vacations, Senior Care, Taxes, etc. Professionals may contact: Bob Blaisse: 610-453-5536, or bblaisse@bestversionmedia.com

Chiropractic Care Dr. Heather Sefried, DC The Joint Chiropractic 3520 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 267-678-2225 • info@thejoint.com www.TheJoint.com

Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control Matt McGuire Delaware Valley Turf 520F Abbott Drive, Broomall 610 -328-4170 • mmcguire@delvalturf.com www.DelawareValleyTurf.com

Fireplace Products Scott Magness Scott's Fireplace Products 3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-422-8334 • sfp@scottsfireplaceproducts.com www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com

Martial Arts & Fitness Kickboxing Lou Marvil Level Up Black Belt Academy 610-355-1960 info@levelupblackbeltacademy.com www.LevelUpBlackBeltAcademy.com

Food & Beverage Christopher Heath, Corporate Chef Elyse Lovenworth, Beverage Director Firepoint Grill, a Paxos Restaurant 3739 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square Reservations: 484-428-3093 www.FirepointGrill.com/reservations www.PaxosRestaurants.com Funeral Home Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr., F.D. D‘Anjolell Memorial Homes 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall 610 -356-4200 • robjr@danjolell.com www.Danjolell.com Hair Salon Michele Quinn, Owner Brittany Naab, Co-Owner Blush Salon & The Studio

by Blush Salon 3515 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610 -325-3266 mquinn@blushlooks.com www.BlushLooks.com Heating & Air Conditioning Len Sciulli Len Sciulli & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning 500 Abbott Drive, Broomall 610 -328-4341 • sciulliandsons@hotmail.com www.LenAndSons.com

Landscape Design & Landscaping TJ Warner JHL Landscaping 610 -356-4104 • tj@jhllandscaping.com www.jhllandscaping.com 4

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

Painting & General Contracting Services Tom Rafferty Rafferty Painting & General Contracting 610-626-9141 • info@raffertypainting.com www.RaffertyPainting.com

Residential & Commercial Electric Service Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484-498-2965 • martellaelectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com

Roofing, Siding & Carpentry Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. 311 Lenox Havertown 610 -449-8188 • office@odonnellroofingco.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com

We’re Now Online at www.NewtownSquareMag.com

The Locher Family:

Tom and Shannon Locher

An Adventure in Newtown Square

by Craig Whitney Photography by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com

Tom and Shannon Locher have made a very adventurous life for themselves in Newtown Square. Tom and their sons, Dillon and Nathan, will be out exploring nature or going on hikes and hunting trips on the weekends. On an average weekend in the summer, the whole family is down the shore fishing, and many weekends in the fall and winter the Lochers will host the neighborhood at their house. No matter the season, the Lochers are always busy and always having fun.

Of all places for a fun-loving family to start, Tom and Shannon would end up meeting at a funeral. The very unfortunate situation occurred where a friend of theirs died at a young age. Shannon and Tom had many mutual friends despite not speaking with each other before meeting officially at the funeral. They could only imagine the distress that the girlfriend of the deceased was feeling, so the group decided to come together and spend more time socializing with her the year afterward. For that whole year, the friend group rallied around this woman and everyone grew closer in the process. Eventually, Tom and Shannon would fall for each other and start dating.

“I’ve heard of some people getting married at the place where they met, but for the two of us I always knew that wasn’t in the cards,” Shannon said jokingly.

Shannon went to Temple University to pursue a degree in marketing. She wanted to go for a degree in photography, but her father urged her to reconsider. Shannon would go Continued on page 6

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

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Tom Locher with sons Dillon and Nathan Dillon and Nathan Locher

on to make her own photography business, Shannon Lynn Photography, and even now agrees that it was the right decision. Skills in marketing and a sense for business are just as important as skills in photography when it comes to owning a photography business.

Her specialty is maternity and newborn portrait photography, while also doing family and children.

“I like dealing with moms, not brides,” Shannon joked mostly seriously. “Moms are always happy, brides you never know.”

Being a mother herself, Shannon is very aware of the importance of the photos she takes. Her two sons are now in school with their own interests, and it feels like just recently they were newborns she could hold in her hands.

“I like giving people these memories and moments that they will have forever. People usually don’t stop and capture that anymore.”

With the rise of casual photography, taking photos of important moments has become devalued. It’s an interesting juxtaposition that Shannon thinks about often. Everyone takes photos of everything, so the truly important moments don’t get special treatment. The opportunity to make those moments special again is a privilege Shannon takes very seriously.

Shannon will be the photographer for this magazine moving forward, which is something she and everyone at Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors are very excited about. Not only is she a talented photographer and a hard worker, but from getting to know her we know she has a love for her family and for the people of Newtown Square.

Tom has worked for Aqua America for the past ten years. It was a job he sought out once he discovered that Shannon was pregnant with their first child. A man that he used to caddy for was a manager at Aqua America at the time and offered him the job.

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

“I like that I get the chance to go somewhere new and do something different every day. And it beats an office job, I can’t picture myself sitting in front of a computer,” Tom said.

They now have two children, Nathan and Dillon, who both attend Culbertson Elementary. Nathan is the younger brother, five years old, and takes on the role of the energetic attention seeker in the family. Fun-loving and charismatic, Nathan is the first one to crack a joke whenever he has an audience.

“He is the comedian of the family, he loves when the attention is on him,” Tom said with a smile.

Dillon is the older son at eight years old, and loves to fish more than any child his age. When the family vacationed in Disney World last summer, everyone went bass fishing and Dillon caught the biggest bass of anyone on the boat.

“He knows more than some men that are avid fishermen,” Shannon said of Dillon. “All he wanted for Christmas was fishing lures, tackle boxes and other accessories. He lives and breathes for fishing.”

The Locher family vacation to Disney World was truly magical, but not just because of the fun they had inside the park. In classic Locher fashion, the trip made its way to the water and much of the trip was spent fishing and boating. The Lochers also spend a large amount of their vacation time at the Jersey shore, where their relatives have multiple houses. Whether it’s Avalon or Cape May, the family always ends up boating and fishing.

When the Lochers find time in a busy week, they will be outside fishing, boating or hunting. Tom takes a lot of pride in the fact that his children prefer the outdoors to video games, and would rather dig a hole in the backyard than stay inside doing anything else. Most family vacations include grandparents and aunts and uncles, so this immediate family trip to Disney World was special for them. It is not often that Tom, Shannon, Nathan and Dillon get the chance to be together just the four of them, and that time in Florida reminded Shannon of how important that can be.

“Something we say as a family is ‘make it count.’ Make every day worth it, life is short and you gotta do what you can every day to make it special.”

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The neighborhood around the Lochers in Newtown Square has been a wonderful place to raise a family. There are many young families with kids around Nathan’s and Dillon’s ages, and there are neighborhood activities that can bring all of the families closer together. Several times during the summer, the

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors photographer Shannon Locher, with sons Dillon and Nathan

BERWYN

neighbors would all bring camping gear out into the backyards and have a group campout over night. Because the Lochers have a finished basement and a pool in the backyard, they also end up hosting all of the children the most often.

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“I love how our neighborhood feels like a little village,” Shannon raved. “We’re all close and everybody does whatever they can to help each other. It’s a very welcoming community that we have created here.”

Over the past few years, the Locher family has grown and their house in Newtown Square has become more and more of a home. The Lochers have built a sense of home in Newtown Square that has brought their family closer together and has made every day more of an adventure.

Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues!

Contact us at cwhitney@bestversionmedia.com.

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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

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Where Is it?

Can You Spot it From the Air? Hint:

These baseball fields, in either Marple Township or Newtown Township, are at the “center’’ of fun all year long.

The answer can be found on page 21.

Photo Courtesy of FAA Certified Drone Pilot, Chris Stack.

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

History Spotlight

Hanging Out at the Newtown Square Hotel

by Doug Humes Some pictures are worth more than a thousand words. The gentleman at the center of the photo is Dr. M.P. Dickeson of Media, Pennsylvania. He is sitting in a “horseless carriage” in front of the Newtown Square Hotel. According to the Chester Times of Aug 8, 1902: “Dr. Dickeson has purchased the first Locomobile or horseless carriage that has ever come to Rockdale.

He arrived home from Philadelphia with it on Tuesday night and will find it very convenient for going on his round of visits… the handsome new vehicle is regarded by the denizens of this community as a great curiosity.”

The gathering of boys – a serious looking bunch. The tallest one, in a suit, looks like someone who has a job. Another relatively new invention sits in the foreground, a bicycle. The dangerous high wheelers of the 1870’s had given way to the “safety bicycle” of the 1890’s that is depicted. So perhaps the boy in the suit is a Western Union messenger.

The other boys likely heard the noise of the horseless carriage and ran out to follow the doctor up to the hotel. Newtown Square was farm country before World War I, and so these were all local farm boys. There was not a lot of action out on the farm. An 1891 newspaper article described the hotel as “an old country tavern, a mere stopping place for the few who still travel the almost deserted turnpike.” So to be a young boy in those days, and see Doc Dickeson in his newfangled carriage, and perhaps a Western Union delivery boy, would be a memorable day. And to top it off, someone with a camera was there to take their picture!

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit the web site of the Newtown Square Historical Society at www.HistoricNewtownSquare.org

The Newtown Square Hotel from the 1870s

Dr. Dickeson stopping by in Newtown Square

Photos Courtesy of The Newtown Square Historical Society

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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

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Give your home the protection it deserves.

About Our Photographer Shannon Locher has joined the staff of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors as our staff photographer. As the owner of Shannon Lynn Photography, based in Newtown Square, Shannon is one of us! Having lived in Marple Newtown her entire life and graduated from Marple Newtown High School, Shannon has always stuck close to her roots.

Shannon and her husband Tom are raising their two sons, Dillon and Nathan, here in Newtown Square, where Shannon is widely known for her maternity, newborn and family portrait photography. We’re fortunate to have a Newtown Square friend and neighbor who combines photographic art and hometown pride as our magazine photographer.

Consider asking Shannon to create photos of a lifetime for you and your family. Contact Shannon Locher at www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com.

Ed Hanway, Agent 849 N Providence Road Media, PA 19063 Toll Free: 833-226-6096 ed.hanway.dbb5@statefarm.com Hablamos Español

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Butcher Shop • Authentic Italian Market • Neighborhood Deli 10

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

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Morgan Hopson:

Student of the Month Sponsored by

Student of the Month

by Craig Whitney

Morgan Hopson, with Bill McDevitt, owner of B & E Sportswear

Will YOU be the Next Winner of a $100 Gift Card?

Morgan Hopson is the worthy winner of Student of the Month courtesy of B&E Sportswear this February. She has excelled in academics, athletics and community service. As part of this recognition, Morgan will be awarded a $100 gift card to Wawa.

In her actions and her words, to the members of her school and members of the Newtown Square community, Morgan has exemplified everything that makes up a Student of the Month.

Morgan is currently in 9th grade at Marple Newtown High School.

She maintains excellent grades and participates in extracurriculars as much as she can fit into her schedule. She also excels in athletics as part of the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams for Marple Newtown High School. She loves the

MNHS Freshman, Morgan Hopson

opportunity to compete in games that she loves, while also connecting with her teammates. It has been a fun, active way to make new friends, and has also given her a greater pride for her school and her community. She is very excited to continue playing for the various teams at Marple Newtown and become a bigger part of her teams with every year.

Above all, Morgan loves contributing to her community in charitable service. She volunteers for the Lansdowne YMCA, where she participates in a number of activities that give back to the community and help those in need.

“Volunteering not only helps others, but it also gives me a sense of who I am,” Morgan said. “I learned that when I give back to others, it helps to make the world a better place.”

Morgan’s service, academics and athletics have clearly made her a candidate for Student of the Month. Everyone at Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors sends congratulations to Morgan for this recognition, and looks forward to the good Morgan will do for her school and her community.

Spread the word! Any student living in Marple or Newtown Townships, or attending any school (public or private) within the borders of the Marple Newtown School District, can become the B&E Sportswear Student of the Month. See the directions below to submit a short student essay for consideration.

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Are You the Next B&E Sportswear Student of the Month?

Any student attending any school (public or private) within the borders of the MNSD, is eligible each month.

To be eligible to win a $100 Wawa Gift Card from B&E Sportswear, and be featured in Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, visit www.BandESportswear.com and submit your 200 word essay on why your Service, Academics and Athletics qualifies you as a Student of the Month.

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

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Expert Contributor

by Andrew Martella Martella Electric

Home Electrical System Surge Protection Most of us have purchased a TV from a major retailer and almost always purchase a point of use surge strip with it. Despite this being a common add-on for this purchase, many people don’t know why they would need it and why it is important for a television.

The fact is televisions are sensitive electronic devices that do not react well to electrical surges. Most home appliances today such as dishwashers, washing machines, microwaves, and refrigerators are packed with electronic circuits. The majority of voltage surges in the home originate from some of these same appliances.

Voltage surges are caused when an appliance with a motor is turned on. Just think about how many times a day the refrigerator alone cycles on and off. A second source of voltage surge comes from outside of your home, most commonly when the utility power goes off and on from storms, accidents and regular system maintenance.

Voltage surges can be highly dangerous, and surge protectors will help prevent damage or injury. If a surge protector is not properly installed, anything higher than 120 volts may cause issues such as decreased device lifetime, burned wires, permanent damage or personal injury. A surge protector is made of an iron core transformer and a zener diode, and when a voltage surge occurs the surge protector provides additional internal protection.

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

When a voltage surge occurs for televisions, the point of use surge strip is the final protective layer. The point of use surge strip for the TV is only one layer of protection which is commonly called stage 2. An additional layer of protection is called Stage 1, most often a piece of equipment attached to your service panel. This device provides protection from the small surges originating inside the home as well as those generated externally from the power grid. These two devices working in tandem will extend the life of the electronic components in all of your homes appliances.

It is important to check your surge protectors regularly to keep your devices safe. Generally, a green light indicator shows the device is functioning. One small add-on to the purchase of a new television can be trusted protection against any dangerous high-voltage scenarios. To ensure the protection of your electronics and your home, a surge protection system which includes stage 1 and stage 2 units is a good and safe plan.

Andrew Martella, Sr., is owner of Martella Electric Company, located in Broomall, PA. NS

New Eagle Scouts (left to right): Nick Marziani, Jeremy Meier, and Michael Van der loo, with PA State Representative Chris Quinn (PA-168th).

Three New Eagles

Landed in Newtown Square

by Bob Blaisse Last month PA State Rep Chris Quinn (PA-168th), stopped by the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony of Boy Scout Troop 315, chartered by St. Anastasia Church, to personally deliver his PA House of Representatives citation for three Eagle Scouts: Nick Marziani, Jeremy Meier, and Michael Van der loo. The three young men who are friends and all live in Newtown Square, earned Scouting’s highest honor before their 18th birthdays but had to go off to college last fall before they could be honored. Mission accomplished! Congratulations Nick, Jeremy and Michael. n ow inal t g ew Ori A Nare u Sq

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Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

13

Business Profile

PAINTING & GENERAL CONTRACTING

by Craig Whitney

Rafferty Painting and General Contracting has been working in the Newtown Square community for the past 24 years. Starting as a power washing company, Rafferty has grown, evolved and adapted to the needs of the community to the point where they now do painting, remodeling and general contracting.

Through all of the change, Tom Rafferty has worked hand in hand with the office manager, Natalie Barilotti. The deep professional trust between Tom and Natalie has been the bind that has led the company through many evolutions while still preserving a code of excellent work and commitment to the Newtown Square residents.

The company began in 1995, when Tom decided he wanted to start a power washing company. He saw the opportunity and the demand around him for this service, and began teaching himself the skill right away. He received proper certification through self-training and quickly began to find the clients around town.

“One job led to five, five led to ten. Eventually, it was a fullblown business,” Tom explained.

The business expanded and grew all based on one simple philosophy, something that is still true today. The work that is done, whatever it may be, is done to the highest possible quality and the customer is always left satisfied.

Natalie was browsing for office jobs one year out of high school, and in 1998 she answered an ad for Rafferty Power Washing.

The company was young and growing very rapidly, despite Tom Tom Rafferty, with daughters Casey and Chelsea.

g Leadership Team.

Rafferty Painting & General Contractin lie Barilotti and owner, Tom Rafferty From Left to Right: Paul Bowell, Nata

being the only full-time employee. Natalie would take on the very challenging task of organizing and strengthening a young business on the rise, first and foremost making the company’s customer service consistently impressive.

“When it comes to customer service, Natalie goes above and beyond,” Tom raved. “She makes constant contact and communication, follows through with everyone, and has built such a great level of trust with the customers. She knows the business so well, more than a lot of people in this industry, and our customer service is unmatched because of it.”

Natalie smiled and continued the sentiment. “People want to feel important and taken care of, their questions responded to quickly. That’s the heart of any successful business.”

Power washing would not be the sole service of the company much longer; the more that Tom would work with people in the community, the more he noticed different needs and opportunities. It became clear that painting would be the more lucrative option, and in the early 2000’s Tom quickly became educated and certified in the business.

“Interior and exterior painting became our main business, especially with homeowner associations and residential work,” Natalie explained.

Several years after focusing on painting, the customer demand for contracting work became clear too.

“In the last seven years, Tom has flipped houses using a number of different skills in general contracting,” Natalie continued. “The flipping of houses led to customers asking ‘do you know how to redo a kitchen or a bathroom?’ which led us into the contracting phase of the company.”

Painting has remained a core element of the business, but with every client Rafferty makes it a point to analyze the state of the room or the home as a whole and recommend additional work when appropriate. As always, customer service is at the core of the work that is done, and additional work is recommended only when the need seems clear. Even then, the recommendation is part of a conversation with the client.

Tom Rafferty, coach of his son’s football team, with son, Thomas.

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

Love

Your House!

“There has been a very natural progression born out of customer service,” Tom said. “Then we started getting calls for those services specifically and the business grew. Now we have carpenters on our team and mechanical subcontractors for the many different kinds of jobs that can be done around a home.”

Tom has always worked in this way, since he was working as a power washer and saw the need for painting. When he is working, he not only sees what he’s working on, but on what he can turn the place into. This can be a difficult conversation for some people, but the level of trust with the client allows for conversations like this.

“The people we work with trust us,” Natalie said. “We have had situations where we need to come in and finish a job another contractor never completed. We work really hard to be the opposite experience for people, someone that stays with a job all the way through and then some.”

The company grew steadily ever since its formation, and three years later Tom and Natalie made the decision to promote an employee, Paul Bowell, to assume many of Tom and Natalie’s responsibilities. Paul started with the company eleven years ago as a painter, and after years of consistently good work he was promoted to foreman. The foreman oversees the workers and the specific jobs, and Tom and Natalie had always been the ones that oversaw the foremen and ensured the quality of all projects.

Paul was promoted to the role of superintendent a year ago and now oversees all foremen and reports to Tom and Natalie.

The company now has many more employees and a longer list of services, but the core is still the same as it was in 1995 when

Residential painting work in a

local home.

Tom would knock on doors in his neighborhood offering to power wash homes. With every client, from individual homes to HOA neighborhoods to college campuses, Rafferty ensures the highest quality customer satisfaction. Natalie is on the phone speaking with the client and Tom or Paul could be on-site checking and re-checking the quality of work. The code has always been ‘quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.’

“We like being a part of the community,” Tom beamed. “We live in the area and want to make sure people are being treated fairly and get what they’re paying for. When you live in a community with your clients, you want them to be taken care of.”

“We have raised our families here, everyone knows everyone in Delaware County, we work hard on building a strong reputation every time we do a job,” Natalie added.

Rafferty Painting and General Contracting can include many different services, but there will always be the comforting assurance of work being done well and with the interest of Newtown Square and its neighbors at heart.

NS

Love Your H

ouse!

PAINTING & GENERAL CONTRACTING

General Contracting

Interior/Exterior Residential Painting Specialties: Custom Colors, Wallpapering, Waterproof Coatings General Contracting Expertise Including: Additions/Remodels, Kitchens, Baths, Flooring, Carpentry, Tile, Windows, Doors and More!

Powerwash & Soft Washing Services: Specializing in low pressure dryvit and stucco cleaning, Soft roof washing, Removal of mold, mildew and dirt

www.RaffertyPainting.com

•

610 - 626 - 9141

•

Residential & Commercial Painting

info@RaffertyPainting.com

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

15

Expert Contributor

by Lou Marvil Level Up Black Belt Academy

Confidence is Key to Bully-Proofing Your Child

National statistics show that 1 in 5 children are bullied. Now more than ever, it is imperative that parents learn how to best educate and protect their children from the physical and psychological effects of becoming a bullying victim. While schools have established rules to prevent its occurrence, they often fail to protect children from the incidents occurring, and they will issue consequences only if the perpetrator is caught. Though lacking in character, bullies are not stupid; they will only torment when the coast is clear and no authority figures are visible. This leaves their victims with the job of reporting the incident.

Without proof, the bully often escapes punishment, or a more unfair outcome, the victim is punished for protecting themselves from the bully’s attack.

Bullies aren’t looking for a fight, but to dominate and control someone they deem weaker. Prevention begins and ends with confidence. Enrollment in a solid martial arts program will allow your child to gain the necessary skills to protect themselves and attain the character education to apply their training constructively and defensively. Children who are empowered with a firm sense of self-confidence through active training will be able to effectively handle a bully by looking them in the eye and telling them to Back Off. Confidence is developed by establishing self-worth; words can only hurt them if they permit them to. If a child is called names they can choose to ignore it and walk away, or engage with a witty comeback like, “thank you for noticing!” or “yeah I’ve been working hard on that.” What they can’t do is let it hurt them.

Marvil has been working “Master with our daughter for a year.

Her confidence level and physical fitness have improved exponentially since she started. ~Daniel Devenney

”

Kids are mean. Accepting this ahead of time will prepare your child to deal with a situation when it arises, not if it arises. If bullying escalates to physicality, children who train will have the ability to defend themselves so that they are not a constant target. Children must also have approval from parents to stand up for themselves rather than accept abuse for fear of getting into trouble.

Do not allow your child to be a victim. Empower them with confidence to defend themselves. Once bullies know your child is willing and able to stand up for themselves the bully will leave them alone, and your child will be happier and more successful throughout the rest of their school day.

NS

KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH CONFIDENCE Martial Arts Programs for Children & Adults Fitness Kickboxing training for adults • Train with Newtown Square’s Grand Master & Martial Arts Champion • Gain improved flexibility, strength, confidence and overall well-being • •

Lou Marvil Grand Master

CHANGING AMERICA ONE BLACK BELT AT A TIME

www.L eveL U pB Lack B eLtacademy.com

610-355 -1960 • 3609 Chapel Road, Newtown Square 16

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

People in Places Left: Bronze statue of Bill Guarnere at the Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square

Bill Guarnere and the Veterans Memorial

Photo Credit: @fishersculpture

by Craig Whitney

Bill Guarnere as a private in the Easy Company, 101st Airborne

Bill Guarnere is a celebrated war veteran who is currently memorialized at the Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square.

Featured in the HBO special Band of Brothers, Bill has been celebrated nationally as a spirited and determined patriot who fought for his country.

Bill Guarnere fought for the Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He was determined to fight despite being injured in battle, referred to as “Wild Bill” for his passion and grit. Bill would lose his leg in battle and return home, earning the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service.

Bill passed away in 2014, but is survived by his children and grandchildren, including his son Gene Guarnere who currently lives locally. His granddaughter formed the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund, which supports veterans programs in

“

Photo Credit: Twitter

Bill’s memory. The Fund donated a bronze statue of Bill that is currently at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square.

The Delaware County Veterans Memorial tells the stories of many local heroes. Just as Bill fought hard for America and continued to support important causes the rest of his life, every hero memorialized there is a testament to true American patriotism. Patriotism isn’t just a love of country or a brave fighter in the field of battle; these men showed true patriotism in their fearlessness for the sake of good and a love for their families and the neighbors all around them.

Visit the Delaware County Veterans Memorial to learn more about Bill Guarnere and many other patriots who fought for our country.

NS

Come see how we can help you to start your car off to a great new year of safe driving.

Lou Matteo Edgemont Automotive

”

Complete Vehicle Repair Import • Domestic • Trailer Free Pickup, Delivery & Drop off

PA Safety Inspection & Emission Testing | Tires Engine Diagnostics | Heating & A/C | Suspension Brakes | Manufacturers Scheduled Maintenance Electrical systems | Body Control Systems

610-353- 9868

www.EdgemontAutomotive.com 5040 West Chester Pike, Edgemont Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

17

Tell me

about it

Submitted by…

…Gary Neal

My young son ran to me, crying.

“Daddy, I stubbed my toe,” he sobbed.

“Let me kiss it and make it better,” I said. “Which toe was it?”

“The one that has no roast beef.”

Send us your short, clean “Tell Me About It” moment, maybe your real life humor will be the March “Tell Me About It” feature of the month.

Email your funny story to Craig Whitney at cwhitney@bestversionmedia.com

SOME THINGS JUST GET BETTER WITH AGE: CELEBRATING 60 YEARS

The First Sign of a Good Repair is No Sign at All.

Newtown Square Chadds Ford Drexel Hill

www.cavalloautobody.com

18

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

Expert Contributor

Choosing the Right

Funeral Director

by Robert D'Anjollel, Jr., F.D. D’Anjollel Memorial Homes

Reverence It can be a challenging and often overlooked task to choose the right funeral director in your time of grief. The choice may seem arbitrary, and the opinions of them may be negative at times, but the right funeral director can help comfort those in mourning and manage the service so that it is honoring and beautiful.

The job of a funeral director is often misunderstood, but a good funeral director can be caring and supportive while also being incredibly helpful. Directors will have to work unpredictable schedules and routinely do the difficult job of caring for those in time of grief and suffering. A good director should be able to withstand that adversity in their profession and showcase the following skills when working with a grieving family.

Empathy A good funeral director should have high empathy when they do their work. Every time a director arranges a service and speaks with the family, they need to be able to relate with them on a deeply personal level. That kind of true empathy is what gives a family comfort when they need it most.

The work of a funeral director can be challenging, but a good funeral director should have a constant unwavering respect for life and the service they provide. They should value their role and understand the large importance of honoring the dead and bidding farewell in a respectful and loving way.

Dedication A good funeral director should be dedicated to their work and every client they work with. The schedules are very unpredictable, just as life and death can be. Work hours can be random and often grueling, but a funeral director should be able to come to the aid of those in need no matter the time. It is his job to help the grieving whenever they need him and begin the process of a respectful and appropriate funeral from the moment the deceased has passed.

These three elements of a good funeral director can be used as a rubric when determining the right funeral director for your needs. This decision is very instrumental in how appropriate and efficient the service can be, especially as the family is still in grief and not able to put adequate time into the process.

NS

Honoring The Life of a Loved One

D’ANJOLELL

MEMORIAL HOMES

AND CREMATORY

Butterfly Releases • Memory Tables • Bookmarks with Seeds • Flower Selection • Dove Release Picture Boards • Remembrance Jewelry • Online Remembrance • Candlelight Ceremony • And more Visit www.danjolell.com to learn how we honor the life of a loved one.

D’ANJOLELL Memorial Home of Broomall 2811 West Chester Pike Broomall, PA 19008 610-356-4200 Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr. F.D.

D’ANJOLELL Stigale D’ANJOLELL Memorial Home & Cremation Memorial Home & Crematory Services, Inc. of Aston of Malvern-Frazer 3260 Concord Road 392 Lancaster Avenue Aston, PA 19014 Frazer, PA 19355 610-497-5505 610-296-9555 James Stigale, Supervisor James W. D’Anjolell, Supervisor

D’ANJOLELL Barone Memorial Home of Wallingford 908 S. Providence Road Wallingford, PA 19086 610-874-7700 Edward S. Barone, Supervisor

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

19

Our Community

Newtown Square’s

Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop

by Craig Whitney

The Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop is a free workshop hosted on February 6 by the Newtown Township’s Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). Bird watchers of all ages and skills can come to learn how to count birds and prepare for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).

The GBBC is a free, fun event from February 15 to 18 that aims to better understand and capture a snapshot of bird populations around the world while engaging bird watchers in a common goal. Every bird watcher is asked to count birds for at least fifteen minutes during the four-day event and report their findings to www.BirdCount.org.

Philip Witmer will host the workshop at Newtown Township Building 1st Floor, 209 Bishop Hollow Road from 6 - 8pm.

Whether you have years of experience or would like to try bird watching for the first time, everyone is invited to join. NS

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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

•

610-353-4234

February Calendar of events Wednesday, February 6

Tuesday, February 12

Saturday, February 16

Great Backyard Bird Count Workshop

Haverford Job Fair

@ Newtown Township Building 209 Bishop Hollow Road, Newtown Square

@Administration Building, Room 026 50 East Eagle Road, Havertown

@Wynnewood Lanes 2228 Haverford Road, Ardmore

The international GBBC is a fun and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Anyone can take part from beginning bird watchers to experts!

Are you interested in becoming a substitute teacher? Come to Insight's Job Fair and Onboarding Session on Tuesday, February 12th from 2 - 4pm in Room 026 at the Administration Building in Havertown to learn more. Insight representatives will be on-site to answer any questions and help you with your application.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Kappa Omega Zeta Chapter presents Bowling For Babies. Included with ticket: Shoe Rental, Finger Foods, and Soft Drinks. There will be fun, food, 50/50, Raffles and a DJ. All the proceeds of the event are to Benefit March of Dimes.

Lane Sponsorship is available!

Time: 6 - 8pm Cost: Free

Bowling for Babies

Time: 2 - 4pm Cost: Free

Saturday, February 9

Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild 9th Annual Natural Beekeeping Symposium @The Franklin Institute 222 North 20 th Street, Philadelphia Featuring advanced beekeepers, this event will help all levels through talks by Mel Disselkoen, Landi Simone, Vince Aloyo, George Datto, and Brian Walsh. They will give lectures on new systems, methodologies, and techniques to build a successful, natural hive.

Time: 5 - 8pm Cost: $25 Kids Under 12, $35 Adults

Thursday, February 14

Brandywine River Conservancy & Art Museum Valentine’s Day Dinner @Millstone Café 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford

No Strings Attached

Let the Brandywine River Conservancy & Art Museum take care of the planning — this is an evening for you and your Valentine to relax and enjoy being together. Arrive at 6:30pm for our very special “Bubbly Hour” filled with chocolatecovered fruits and sweet sparkling wines. Just before dinner, take a tour through the galleries. At 7:30 sit down to a four-course dinner presented

by Chef MacGregor Mann. Each course will be served with a paired wine selected to complement the menu offerings.

@Meagher Theatre Neumann University One Neumann Drive, Aston

Time: 6:30 - 9:30pm Cost: $175/Couple

Time: 8am - 5pm Cost: $45 - $55

www.PhillyBeekeepers.org Sunday, February 10

The Delaware County Symphony presents the third chamber concert of the 2018 - 19 season with a delightful potpourri of music featuring a Percussion Ensemble, Franz Tausch, Concertante for Two Clarinets and Brass Ensemble. The concert is under the baton of Dr. Robert Whalen, Director of the DCS Chamber Music series.

Time: 3 - 4:30pm Cost: $15

www.dcsmusic.org/chamber-series

Saturday, February 16

Make-up for Mature Women: A Workshop on Tools, Technique, and Color @Beke Beau Make-up Studio 4100 Main Street, Suite 401, Philadelphia

www.Brandywine.org

Women in their 40’s and beyond have evolving concerns related to their beauty routines that go unaddressed by youth-focused magazines and websites that offer make-up advice. At the same time, menopause, lifestyle habits, and heredity all play a role in the texture and appearance of aging skin and knowing which make-up to use to look one’s best can be frustrating, particularly when stores offer an endless selection of products, all promising to turn back the clock...

With this in mind, make-up artist and esthetician Beke Beau has developed a fun, interactive and informative three-hour workshop specifically for mature women.

Thursday, February 14

Time: 10am - 1pm Cost: $125 (includes refreshments)

Cabrini University’s Dinner and a Show @Cabrini University Mansion 610 King of Prussia Road, Radnor Enjoy a three-course dinner with an exciting performance by Riddlesbrood Traveling Theater Company. The show will be Sherlock Holmes: Case of Cupid’s Arrow. All are invited to BYOB (wine & beer only) to the dinner and show.

Time: 7:30 - 9pm Cost: $35/ticket

www.BekeBeau.com

From The Air Answer (p. 8): Two of the seven baseball diamonds of the Jack Daley Baseball Complex, home of the Newtown Edgemont Little League, which includes the popular Flanagan “Center.”

Value, at the end of the day, is what bridges the gap between low price desires and the premium products we offer at Scott’s Fireplace Products.

484- 422- 8334

Direct Vent Inserts & Fireplaces Contemporary & Electric Fireplaces Glass Doors, Grates and Log Rings Vented & Vent-Free Gas Logs Gas Stoves & Accessories Outdoor Living Fire Pits

www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com

3137 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA

Bringing People Together in Print & Online @ www.NewtownSquareMag.com

21

Real Estate Homes Recently Sold In Newtown Township Address

Sold Price

Bedrooms

Full Baths

Half Baths

1801 Westfield Court . . . . .$290,000 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 1 47 Farrier Lane . . . . . . . $1,525,000 . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . 2 105 Tanglewood Lane . . . . $475,000 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 1 1120 Beverly Lane . . . . . . $608,000 . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . 1 115 Columbus Avenue . . . .$499,000 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . 2 119 Weatherburn Way . . . . $860,000 . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . 1 30 Dunminning Road . . . . .$700,000 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 1 837 Goshen Road . . . . . . $575,000 . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 2 15 N Line Road . . . . . . . . $247,700 . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . 0 11 Harrison Drive . . . . . . $1,653,000 . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . 2 160 4Th Avenue . . . . . . . $295,000 . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 1 7 Harvey Lane . . . . . . . . .$622,500 . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . 1 3537 Winding Way . . . . . .$324,000 . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . 1 3428 Horton Road . . . . . .$462,000 . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . 0 100 Masons Way . . . . . . $1,175,000 . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . 2 Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

Who’s Your Agent?

Nominate Your Real Estate Agent to be Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors Real Estate Sponsor here and online at www.NewtownSquareMag.com!

Contact Bob Blaisse at 610-453-5536 to nominate your real estate professional.

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22

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

February 2019

Bringing People Together

Bringing People Together

by Bob Blaisse Publisher

Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

Magazine Sponsors and Readers Gave Us National Attention Let’s Nominate More Newtown Square Families and Experts For months, Newtown Township residents have been telling me how they enjoy receiving their monthly hometown magazine: Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors. Now that the magazine is also available online, I get even more daily emails and texts congratulating us. I CAN’T TAKE THE CREDIT! It’s the Sponsors of Newtown Square, our advertising Sponsors who made launching our hometown magazine possible. They make it happen for us every month and we’re better for it.

PLEASE reach out to our Sponsors whom you see advertising in your hometown magazine, and let them each know how thankful you are that they bet on Newtown Square, and choose to spend their limited marketing budget here in our community.

And by all means, if you really want your hometown magazine to grow in page count, so we can add more features about youth, seniors, non-profit groups and families, please SHOP LOCAL, vote with your hometown wallet, and let our advertising Sponsors know they have wisely invested in Newtown Square.

With credit for Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine being able to be mailed to your door each month (and now available online too at www.NewtownSquareMag.com) going to our advertising sponsors who pay the bills, our success has also been driven by you, friends and neighbors of Newtown Square. You have recommended features, families and business leaders to be our community Sponsors and Expert Contributors.

You are our “Reader Leaders” and we need to hear from more in 2019. Of course, much credit has to also be given to Craig

Bob Blaisse accepting the “2018 Rookie Publisher of The Year” award on behalf of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, from Best Version Media executive, Tom Fassbender.

and Olivia Whitney, our young, married, and very talented Content Coordinator Team that brings our editions together each month. Thank you, Craig & Olivia.

While I know it’s our Sponsors and you readers and staff who make our magazine a success, I was forced to stand in for all of you last month at the annual awards dinner hosted by our publishing company, Best Version Media, which honored me as their “2018 Rookie of The Year Publisher” for launching the most successful magazines in 2018. Of course I accepted in Your Name, our readers, and our staff. We are all “Bringing People Together” in Newtown Square where we now have a #1 Nationally Ranked Hometown Magazine!

NS

Bob Blaisse

Publisher, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors

Newtown Square’s Destination Gift Shop

• Escape

Rooms coming soon • Birthday parties • Fundraiser events • Group & company events

610-544-4524

www.SproulLanes.com

Fine Gifts & Collectibles Jewelry • Decor • Cards • Toys Women’s Clothing • Hostess Gifts

Candles • Free Gift Wrapping

15 St. Alban’s Circle, Newtown Square 610-325-3205 • www.BunnyHares.com www.NewtownSquareMag.com

23

Newtown Square Bringing People Together

2987

Friends & Neighbors

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