Veronica Brown Photography VeronicaBrownPhotography.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bob Blaisse, Sheila TurnerHilliard, Holly Stupak, Lisa Jeffries, Doug Humes, Rob D’Anjolell, Jr., F.D., Kevin O’Donnell, Jack Del Pizzo, TJ Warner, Nick Scamuffa
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Contact Publisher: Bob Blaisse, 610-453-5536 Email: BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com
COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS
Have feedback or questions about how to submit events, updates, ideas for articles, high resolution photos, etc.? We will do our best to include as much community information as space permits. Please contact our Content Coordinator Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
June’s days of longer daylight are signaling Summer 2025 is here just as we're hearing Congratulations to all Class of 2025 graduates, and reading them too in print (on pages 22-24), and online at NewtownSquareMag.com.
At this halfway point of 2025, we use this June issue to once again honor a 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year. This year that honor goes to the ever service minded, Janet Krevenas. Read why Janet is our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year on page 8.
In this June issue we also welcome Newtown Square resident David Manjarres, owner of Trinity Pools, as our newest advertising Sponsor and Expert Contributor. Dave's been reading how his hometown magazine is Bringing People Together with each new issue and has agreed to join our mission by also sharing his “In-Ground Pool Service” expertise with his community through his occasional features we’ll publish in both our Marple and Newtown Square magazines. Thank you Dave. On behalf of all your Marple Newtown friends and neighbors, welcome to the party! (See Trinity Pools first ad on pg. 4 and look for Dave's first Expert contributor feature next month.)
Since our magazines will be arriving in homes around the 8th of the month, I’ll use this June issue opportunity to remind you to plan on attending the Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade. Come early and practice your cheering first for the runners and walkers of in Broomall Rotary’s 5K Firecracker Run, and then cheer for America’s birthday while watching the colorful floats, marching bands and children’s decorated bikes that may win honors on the day we all celebrate our nation’s founding and American freedoms on Friday July 4th. (See the back cover for location and start time.)
Congratulations again to Janet Krevenas, our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year, and all Class of 2025 graduates. Happy June everyone. Here comes Summer.
Bob Blaisse
Publisher
Dear Residents,
School’s out for summer and it’s time for fun in the sun! Just don’t forget your shades because our calendar of events is looking bright!
Grab your lawn chairs and your flags — it’s time to celebrate our independence at the Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade! And speaking of celebrations, please join us in recognizing Janet Krevenas as our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year! For the past ten years, Janet has poured her time, talent and energy into serving our community through the Environmental Advisory Committee. Our Business Profile this month features Thompson Custom Painting, which has been making homes throughout our area brighter and more beautiful for over 50 years. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t take some time to thank the special men in our lives this Father’s Day!
We are always looking for more Newtown Square families, individuals and organizations to feature in our magazine. If you’d like to nominate someone, please email me at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
J & K Trash Removal, Inc. Gradyville, PA 610-497-3800 • CustomerService@JandKTrash.com JandKTrash.com
by Jack Del Pizzo, CPA Del Pizzo & Associates
Have Questions After Filing Your Tax Return?
Now that taxpayers have filed their tax returns, here are three questions accountants frequently get asked, along with answers to those questions.
How long do I need to keep my old tax files?
Here is the general rule: You should keep tax records as long as they can be audited by the IRS as provided by the statute of limitations, which is generally three years after you file your return. This typically means you can dispose of most of your tax records (but perhaps not all; see below) from 2021 and prior. But if you filed an extension for 2021, you need to hold onto your tax records until at least three years from the date you filed the extended return.
However, if your gross income was understated by more than 25%, the statute of limitations increases to six years. Finally, there is no statute of limitations if you did not file a return or if you filed a fraudulent return.
Certain tax-related records should be retained longer. For example:
Tax returns should be retained indefinitely to prove how and what you filed.
W-2 Forms should be retained until you receive Social Security, to prove your work record and earnings by year.
Records relating to real estate and investments should be retained for at least three years after you report their sale on your return, to prove the tax cost of acquisition by purchase, gift or inheritance, cost of additions and improvements, depreciation, etc.
Retirement account records should be retained until three years after the account is depleted and the last withdrawal was reported on your return.
My return was filed weeks ago but I have not received the refund. How do I check the status of my refund?
The IRS has an online tool that tells you the status of your refund. Go to www.IRS.gov and click on Get Your Refund Status. You’ll need to enter your Social Security number, filing status and the exact amount of the refund you’re expecting.
After my return was filed, I found some additional tax deductions. What should I do now?
You can file an amended return and claim a refund. Generally, the amended return must be filed within three years of the date you filed the original return or your refund claim will be denied. N S
Excellent Educator
by Lisa Jeffries
Excellent Educator of The Month Dan Peters
The June Excellent Educator is Dan Peters, whose love of teaching began early on. His father was a music teacher in the Haverford School District for 30+ years and his mother taught the gifted support program in Marple Newtown.
“The overwhelming feeling of pride/joy when you realize you’ve made a difference in a student’s life, is amazing. As a teacher, I hope to instill in my students the same love and awe for music that was instilled in me as a child. I take great pride in creating engaging, fun, music lessons that utilize the innate creativity and desire to play found in every child,” shared Dan.
Dan was recognized in 2020 as a Franklin Credit Union Teacher of Excellence. This year, the MN Elementary Select Choir, which Dan directs, was selected to perform at the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) state conference. They were the only elementary school choir to be selected to perform at the three-day conference, and represented the district with pride. Dan, you’re an inspiration not just to your students, but to all of us! N S
We gratefully thank Substitute Teacher Service, Inc., for sponsoring our Excellent Educator of The Month.
Congratulations Dan Peters!
School: General Music Teacher at Loomis Elementary School and Director of the MN Elementary Select Choir
Education: Temple University - Bachelor of Music, University of the Arts - Master’s in Music Education Years Teaching: 15
Favorite Subject as a student? Music and Math
Who inspired you to become an educator? My parents were both teachers who instilled a love of education in me from a young age.
Best Part of Being a Teacher? Watching students take authentic joy and pride in creating music.
Favorite Book/Movie? The Princess Bride, this movie was my childhood!
If not a teacher, what? An Actor
Something that may surprise people? I’m in a band called The Plants. We write fun, original songs for kids and have performed throughout the Philadelphia area.
Family owned and operated business from Delco for over 30 years, we work closely to serve our community’s schools with your staffing needs!
STS recruits educational professionals ranging from newly graduated teachers, individuals seeking a career change, or certified retirees.
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Janet Krevenas
2025 NEWTOWN SQUARE FRIEND & NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR!
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to feature families, groups and individuals who make a difference in our community. This month, we turn our attention to Janet Krevenas. We are excited to highlight Janet's tireless work and dedication to supporting and preserving our community’s natural resources. We are excited to honor Janet as our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year!
Janet has called Newtown Square her home for over 42 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. She raised her son Peter here, who graduated from Marple Newtown High School and is now a special education teacher in Florida. And she and her long-time partner, Harry, love cheering on our Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, taking trips to the Jersey shore and exploring tropical islands. Her sister, Pam, and she have had many adventures to countries around the world.
Janet spent her childhood in Abington with her parents and two sisters.
Janet was an active child who played clarinet in the band, was a member of her high school lacrosse team and loved learning about science in school and also from her father, who was a chemist. “I am very thankful that my father took the time to teach his daughters about science,” Janet said. “I found it fascinating and decided that I wanted to study biology and zoology in college.” She spent her undergraduate years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, earning her degree in Zoology. Janet then spent time in research working at Sloan-Kettering in New York City, then at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hospital in their medical research department.
While Janet enjoyed her work in research, her passion and desire to teach and inspire children were pulling on her heartstrings. She wanted to encourage kids to love science just as she had as a child. “I decided to enroll in Temple University’s teaching certification program, earned my certificate, and began a fulfilling 30-year career teaching science to elementary school children in Philadelphia.” Janet spent most of those 30 years at Albert M. Greenfield School in Center City.
Janet described her classroom as curious and interactive. “I always had different animals in my classroom and we enjoyed learning about their role in our environment,” she said. “We also conducted many experiments that got the kids excited about finding solutions to problems and learning about how the world works.” Janet especially loved hearing about how she helped to inspire and influence her students in their career choices. “Many of my students have gone on to become doctors and scientists, which makes me very proud!”
It’s not surprising that when it came time to retire from teaching, Janet continued to share her passion for education with others. She began volunteering at the Philadelphia Zoo as a docent. A docent is a trained volunteer educator who shares their knowledge of animals and conservation with the public. The zoo is also where Janet became fascinated with birds. “I recall listening to a
We would like to thank FINLEY CATERING for sponsoring this month’s Resident Feature.
Janet’s Migration Station used to educate visitors to the Philadelphia Zoo
Photos courtesy of Janet Krevenas
lecture by naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul discussing the miracle of migration and how to protect our feathered friends, notably Red Knot Birds,” Janet explained. “Each year, these tiny birds make an astounding 8,000 to 9,000-mile, one-way trip from the tip of South America to above the Arctic Circle.”
Docents often pick their favorite animal at the zoo, lead tours, engage visitors at exhibits and assist with educational programs. Janet said her love of birds led to her developing a Migration Station cart where visitors to the zoo can learn more about the migration of birds, as well as Monarch butterflies, which migrate for 3,000 miles from North America to a mountainside in Mexico. Over her 20 years volunteering at the zoo, Janet’s passion, drive and enthusiasm were recognized, earning her various positions with the Docent Council, including President.
Her interest spilled over into her Newtown community in 2016 when Janet said she was given a pack of milkweed seeds by another zoo docent. Milkweed is essential for the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies to thrive. “I went home and scattered some seeds in my yard, but wondered what to do with the remaining seeds,” Janet said. “I decided to call the township to ask if there were places where I could plant them.” Janet said she was referred to Newtown Township’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to help guide her in her efforts to support our environment and our monarch butterflies, as milkweed is the only plant that the caterpillars can thrive on. Milkweed also plays a vital role as a nectar source for other species of butterflies, as well as a wide variety of bumblebees, honeybees, wasps, flies, beetles and even hummingbirds.
Janet’s relationship with the members of EAC flourished, and she was appointed as a member in 2017 by the Board of Supervisors. She volunteered to lead the Audubon Bird Town program and became a leader in educating the public on sustainable practices for birds, as well as working to conserve and protect our natural resources with her fellow EAC members. Sheila O’Sullivan Feeney
Continued on page 10
2024 Bird Town Gold Certificate was presented to members of our Board of Supervisors with Bird Town Committee members: Janet Krevenas, Cindy Mehallow and Cheryl Grosso
serves as Chair of the EAC. She said, “Janet is a vital and highly respected member of the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), where her unwavering passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship is evident in every initiative she undertakes. Her commitment to community engagement and ecological preservation consistently inspires those around her.”
In 2022, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 2022-10 to become a Bird Town under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council. Bird Town PA works in partnership with municipalities across Pennsylvania to promote conservation and community-based actions to create a healthy, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife and people. Janet serves as the Secretary on the Board of Bird Town, Pennsylvania.
Today, Janet is the leader of Newtown Township’s Bird Town PA program that works throughout the year to help residents make their properties more bird-friendly. Janet plays a pivotal role in guiding the program’s growth and success. Through her advocacy and collaborative efforts, Newtown Township earned the distinguished Gold Level Certification from Bird Town PA for three years in a row—a testament to her dedication and the positive impact of her work. Janet’s contributions continue to elevate the mission of the EAC and advance Newtown Township’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable practices.
“Janet is an ardent advocate for the natural world, as she informs and inspires others to better steward the land entrusted to us,” remarked Cindy Mehallow, Newtown Township’s EAC Vice Chair. “Through her consistent and persistent work, she is a quiet catalyst, leaving an indelible imprint on Newtown Square. All residents of our community -- from people and pollinators to birds and animals -- are better off today because of her work. And future generations will benefit from her dedication. It is a pleasure and an inspiration to serve with her on the Environmental Advisory Council and Bird Town Newtown Square.”
Janet said that there are many things residents can do to make a difference: Choose to plant a native plant garden that provides habitat and food for pollinators like butterflies and moths. Baby birds are nourished by insects. Leave the leaves in your garden in the fall to support over wintering insects and don’t spray for mosquitoes as those chemicals kill other beneficial insects. Every fall and spring, during migration season, residents and the public
are invited to participate in a Bird Walk. This year, the walks on the grounds of Garrett Williamson were led by two professional birding guides from the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club.
You will always find Janet and her fellow EAC members at resource and education tables at various events throughout the township. Janet said that this year, they distributed brochures: Building Bird Habitat and What Is Citizen Science.
“Newtown Square is proud to be designated as a bird town,” Janet remarked. “We are always happy to teach our residents the importance of a healthy bird population and to help them understand more about birds, their migration, their habitats and ways to make their properties more bird-friendly.” She is especially proud that the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors passed the Lights Out Proclamation this spring and enjoys working together with other volunteer committees in Newtown Square.
Thank you, Janet, for your incredible commitment to our community and our environment. Your story, hard work and dedication are both admirable and inspirational. You are Our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year. Our hope in sharing your story is to have more of our friends and neighbors get involved so that we can all do our part to preserve and protect our valuable resources. N S
Do you know a Newtown Square family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila TurnerHilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.
Janet celebrating her birthday with her son, Peter and her extended family
by TJ Warner JHL Landscaping
Photos courtesy of JHL Landscaping
On Trend –Landscaping with Native Plants A Sustainable and Beautiful Choice
Now you too can garden with nature at the heart of your design, using ideas on how to turn the standard lawn, trees and shrubs into an oasis that sustains wildlife, observing a wide assortment of native perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.
Homeowners are increasingly turning to native plants to create vibrant, eco-friendly landscapes. Native plants—those that have evolved in the region over thousands of years—offer numerous benefits for both the environment and the gardener. From reducing maintenance needs to supporting local wildlife, native landscaping is an excellent way to cultivate a thriving outdoor space while preserving the region's natural heritage.
One of the most compelling reasons to use native plants in your landscape is their adaptability. Because they are already acclimated to the local climate, soil and rainfall patterns, native species generally require less water, fertilizer and pesticides than non-native alternatives. This makes them a sustainable choice for homeowners looking to conserve resources and reduce their environmental footprint. Southeast Pennsylvania’s diverse climate and geography support a wide range of native flora. Popular native perennials like Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) and Solidago species (goldenrods) offer long-lasting blooms and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Shrubs like Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire) and Clethra alnifolia (summersweet) provide seasonal interest and aromatic flowers, while native grasses such as Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) add texture and movement to garden beds.
In addition to their visual appeal, native plants play a critical role in supporting the local ecosystem. Many birds and insects, including the iconic monarch butterfly, rely on native plants for food and habitat. By choosing native species, homeowners can help combat habitat loss and bolster biodiversity right in their own backyards.
Implementing a native plant landscape doesn’t require a complete overhaul. You can start small—perhaps by replacing a patch of turf with a native meadow mix or adding a few native perennials to existing flower beds. Local resources like the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society and area nurseries specializing in native
species can provide guidance and plant lists tailored to your specific site conditions.
Ultimately, landscaping with native plants in Southeast Pennsylvania is about more than just aesthetics. It’s a way to build a resilient, low-maintenance garden that contributes to the health of the region’s environment. With thoughtful planning and a little creativity, native plant landscapes can be as beautiful as they are beneficial. N S
BUILD
Hby Nick Scamuffa
Nicholas Sebastian Salon & Spa
Preventing Hair Loss on GLP-1 Medications: A Hairstylist’s Guide
airstylists often hear clients worry about thinning hair while on GLP-1 medications, which help manage type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss. Rapid weight loss can sometimes trigger temporary hair shedding, but don’t stress— there are ways to keep your locks healthy. Research suggests a higher hair loss risk with these medications, especially for women, but it’s usually short-lived and manageable with the right care.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and reduces appetite, leading to significant weight loss. However, losing pounds quickly can shock your body, causing telogen effluvium, a temporary condition where more hair enters the resting phase and falls out. This typically starts 2-3 months after rapid weight loss and resolves as your body adjusts. Other factors include:
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Reduced calorie intake may limit hairessential nutrients like iron, zinc, biotin or protein.
• Hormonal Shifts: Fat loss can lower estrogen levels, particularly in women, affecting hair thickness.
• Physical Stress: Rapid changes can stress hair follicles.
How to Keep Your Hair Healthy
Here’s some hairstylist-approved advice for maintaining vibrant hair while on GLP -1 medications:
1. Nourish Your Hair
Hair thrives on nutrients. Include:
• Biotin: Found in eggs, nuts and seeds to support hair strength.
• Iron: Spinach, lentils or red meat to fuel hair follicles.
• Zinc: Beans, nuts or oysters for hair growth.
• Protein: Fish, lean meats or legumes are hair’s building blocks.
Ask your doctor about supplements if you’re concerned about deficiencies.
2. Lose Weight Slowly
Aim for 1- 2 pounds per week to minimize body stress. Consult your doctor to adjust your medication if weight loss feels too rapid.
3. Manage Stress
Stress can worsen hair loss. Try yoga, meditation or walks to keep stress hormones in check, supporting healthier hair.
4. Pamper Your Hair
Treat your hair and scalp gently:
• Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
• Avoid heat styling or use low-heat settings.
• Try volumizing or scalp-stimulating products.
• Massage your scalp weekly with rosemary or peppermint oil to boost circulation.
5. Consult Professionals
If hair loss persists, see a dermatologist. They can test for deficiencies, adjust medications or recommend treatments like minoxidil. Hair loss from GLP -1 medications can dent confidence, but it’s often temporary. With a nutrient-rich diet, gentle hair care and stress management, your hair can stay fabulous. If concerns linger, your hairstylist and doctor are here to help. Keep shining! N S
Student of the Month
by Lisa Jeffries
Grant Kim
JUNE STUDENT OF THE MONTH
The June Casey’s Student of the Month is Grant Kim, a 10th-grade student at The Haverford School. In recognition of his exceptional achievements, Grant has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement, along with a Gift Card from Casey’s Public House, the generous Sponsor of this program.
Grant is a well-rounded student at Haverford who enjoys getting involved in a wide variety of activities, both athletic and academic. He is an enthusiastic participant in several sports, including Cross Country, as well as both Indoor and Outdoor Track. He also has a black belt in Taekwondo.
Beyond athletics, Grant is involved in multiple extracurricular groups that reflect his diverse interests. He is an active member of the Soft Robotics team, where he enjoys applying creative problem-solving to build and innovate using cutting-edge technology. Grant also contributes to the Service Board, which helps organize volunteer opportunities and community outreach. In addition, he participates in AMP—the Academic Mentor Program—where he helps fellow students succeed academically, and he is a part of the Focus Group, Haverford’s Christian affinity group, which provides a space for students to explore and grow in their faith.
Grant has a strong interest in community service and is always looking for ways to give back and make a difference. Looking
ahead, he is already thinking about the future. “I have many interests. My plans will include college, possibly an engineering major,” he shared, highlighting his enthusiasm for problem-solving and innovation.
One of Grant’s proudest accomplishments so far has been designing and producing a working IRON MAN mask using a 3-D printer—a project that combined his passion for engineering, creativity and hands-on learning. With his drive and curiosity, Grant is sure to continue achieving great things in the years to come. N S
Who do you think should be our next Student of the Month?
You see them grace the pages of our magazines each month, now it’s your turn to choose! We are looking for students in grades 7 through 12 who excel in serving their school, community, friends or local organizations. Eligible students must reside within the Marple Newtown area, regardless of the school they attend or if they are homeschooled. To nominate an outstanding student, email LJeffries@BestVersionMedia.com and share what makes them exceptional. Academic or athletic achievements are not required.
Grant with Casey’s Manager Kelly Pezzotti
Photo courtesy of Phsh Kim
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
As we welcome summer, we are reminded of the idyllic days of our youth and the freedom that summer brings. As adults, we know that it is our responsibility to ensure that the fun and freedom of summer is also a safe and carefree time for our youth. That is one reason why June is recognized as National Firearm Safety Month. It is the perfect time to remind all of us that the only kind of firearm ownership is responsible ownership, for the health and safety of everyone.
National Firearm Safety Month is a good time for all firearm owners to recommit to firearm safety year-round, following the call of the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) to “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” And the NSSF shows how to do just that, through its resources available to firearm owners in its safety videos such as “Introduction to Range Safety and Etiquette,” printed resources such as “Firearms Responsibility in the Home,” and the infographic “Safe Storage Options for Your Lifestyle,” available at the NSSF website NSSF.org.
Because this month is National Firearm Safety Month, we reached out to PJ Yanetelli, Owner of Dutch Mountain Armory and one of our newest hometown Sponsors, to find out what his message
June Is National Firearm Safety Month
would be to our readers. As a veteran and first responder, PJ’s goal was to start a business that put country first, giving patriots the inspiration and tools to protect themselves from local danger and tyranny. With Dutch Mountain Armory, he did just that.
With a company named after a road just behind his grandfather’s mountain house, he hopes to make his grandfather proud by continuing to serve his community in more ways than one.
“For anyone who has owned and handled guns safely for years, we must always be mindful of the youngest among us who do not yet understand proper storage and handling of firearms,” said PJ. “It’s our responsibility to teach and practice practical gun safety techniques all year long,” he added, with mention that his customers must commit to store firearms responsibly, and how that does not mean hiding a gun in a closet, drawer or under a car seat. “Firearms should be stored in a locked safe, gun vault or storage case that must be inaccessible to children,” advised PJ. He also stated that gun-locking devices, which make firearms inoperable, should be used in addition to locked storage of disassembled firearm parts, and ammunition must always be stored in a locked location separate from firearms.
Here are some things to remember in your ongoing effort to make sure that all weapons are safe, secured and out of the hands of those not intended to use them.
• If you own a firearm, use a safe storage option, all the time. Make safety a habit!
• Use a gun-locking device, which renders weapons inoperable, in addition to locked storage.
• Firearms should always be stored unloaded, in a location that is inaccessible to children.
• Ammunition should be stored in a locked location separate from firearms.
• Talk to your kids and everyone in the house about firearm safety.
• When traveling with a firearm, it must be under your control at all times; when it’s not, it must be stored, locked and out of sight.
• Use secure temporary storage for firearms in vehicles.
• Always keep a gun pointed in a safe direction.
• Never assume a firearm is unloaded.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger, even when handling an unloaded gun.
PJ explained that there are a lot of new options available for the safe storage of handguns that still allow for quick access if needed for a home defense situation. There are single handgun safes that can be mounted directly to a nightstand and also nightstands, tables and even picture frames that have lockable hidden compartments for those looking for a safe home defense storage solution.
Dutch Mountain Armory is not just a place to buy and sell guns. They carry a wide selection of ammunition, optics like lasers and scopes, gun safes and locks, cleaning supplies and tactical gear.
“We provide our customers with excellent customer service and can help with the entire process,” PJ said. “We welcome the opportunity to help people select the right equipment to meet their specific needs.”
Dutch Mountain Armory is also the premier shop for gun enthusiasts, collectors and expert shooters. “We carry an extensive inventory of guns and supplies in the store. But if we don’t have what you’re looking for, we will get it for you,” said PJ. They also handle gun transfers, perform background checks and offer discounts for veterans and first responders.
For more information about Dutch Mountain Armory, contact our federally licensed firearms safety advocate and hometown magazine Sponsor, PJ Yanetelli, at 484-422-8086, or visit his store located at 5153 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square and his website at DutchMountainArmory.com. N S
VISIT THE MOUNTAIN
Veteran & First Responder Peter (PJ) Yannatelli, owner
NEWTOWN SQUARE’S FLOOR COVERING EXPERTS
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
HMaking Homes Brighter and More Beautiful
ow lucky are we to live in a community full of locallyowned businesses, many of which are also multigenerational? Businesses like Thompson Custom Painting, which has been a staple of our community for over 50 years.
Whether your home needs interior or exterior paint, new wallpaper, carpentry or other services, Thompson Custom Painting has helped make homes throughout the Delaware Valley brighter and more beautiful. Founded in 1970 by Richard W. Thompson, Sr., Thompson Custom Painting has continued to strive for perfection in all its work and believes that all jobs, no matter the size, should be completed to the highest professional standards.
A standard that Richard’s son, Rick, has upheld since he took over the family business over 20 years ago. Rick said he inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for painting by working with his father from a young age. “I began working with my dad when I was 13 years old. After high school, I went to Neumann University, graduated with a degree in Business Administration, and joined the 9 to 5 workforce,” he explained. “But I realized pretty quickly that working in an office wasn’t for me, so I went back to what I enjoyed, painting and working with my father.”
Over the past 21 years, Rick’s workmanship, dedication and company management have led to even more success and customers who have become friends. “It means so much to be able to live and work in the community I love,” he said. “My wife and I have lived in Newtown Square for 18 years and raised our two kids here.” He has spent many years volunteering on various
boards and was the driving force behind our annual Pints in the Square Brewfest that benefited the Newtown Square Volunteer Fire Company.
These days, you’ll find Rick and his staff of master painters striving for perfection on every job. “Our customers come first,” Rick said. “We have built our business on quality work, trusted relationships and customer referrals.” Rick added that they have earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and respected painting contractors in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. He said that seeing a project from the beginning through transformation to the end is very rewarding for him and his team.
Thompson Custom Painting offers clients the services of a talented painting staff boasting decades of experience. “Our team is our extended family,” Rick said. They have been with us for many years and have expert knowledge and skill and possess the moral character that our clients know and trust.” Whether your home is worth $200,000 or $20 million, you can be assured that all your possessions—furniture, paintings, flooring and just about anything else—are in good hands.
That experience really does make a difference because it has proved that Thompson Custom Painting will do the job by the book, from prep work through cleanup. Their painters are clean and punctual. They show up on time and do the job right. They are true painting professionals.
Photos by Rick Thompson
Thompson’s interior painting includes color consultation, drywall and plaster repair, staining and varnishing, and wall scraping. Additional inside work involves burning, stripping and restoring old woodwork, custom painting cabinets and paneling. Outside, the team applies paint to various surfaces, such as wood, metal, vinyl and plastic. They also stain and varnish, seal decks and other natural wood surfaces, and burn, strip, and restore old woodwork.
Rick said that with summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your “to-do” list. “A task often overlooked is having the exterior of your house painted,” he said. “Having your house painted will not only cover faded or worndown paint, but it will also enhance the appearance and appeal of the home.” Rick explained that paint has the power to update, improve and accentuate the unique architectural elements of your
house, making it more visually appealing. He also noted that the appearance and condition of the exterior of your home are some of the very first things guests or potential buyers notice, if you’re in the market to sell.
Years of experience working and living in this community are how a company like Thompson Custom Painting stands the test of time. Their mission has always been to form a meaningful partnership with every customer to bring their vision and dreams to life. They know that once you give them a try, you'll be back for more.
Thompson Custom Painting is conveniently located at 805 Ellis Ave, Newtown Square. For more information, call 610-359-8500 or visit their website at ThompsonPainting.net. N S
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Showing Appreciation This Father’s Day!
Although we should show our appreciation to our dads every day, Father’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the impact fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures have had on our lives. The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Washington state on June 19, 1910. A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea of honoring and celebrating her father, who was a widower raising Sonora and her six siblings.
Sonora worked hard to gain support for this new tradition, but it was not until decades later that Father’s Day would be recognized as a national holiday. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 15th. Even if you’ve already bought or made a card and gift, spending some quality time with your dad, stepdad, grandfather or special father figure in your life is priceless. Here are a few ideas that both adults and kids can enjoy.
Trace Your Family’s Roots
Even if you think you know everything about your dad, there's so much more to his story! Whether it’s looking through old photo albums or other memorabilia, ask your dad to trace your family tree, to get a deeper look at your family’s history.
Play Backyard Games
Tap into your dad’s competitive side by spending time in your backyard with games like badminton, cornhole or horseshoes. If pickleball is more his speed, reserve a nearby court and play the day away. Scavenger hunts are always fun, especially when the final clue leads to his father’s day gift!
Book a Father’s Day Lunch or Dinner
If you don’t feel like cooking, make reservations at a fun restaurant in town. Casey’s Public House in Newtown Square is a great place to share some delicious wings or order up some burgers. Or if dad is in the mood for a fiesta, head on over to Rey Azteca for authentic mexican fare. For breakfast or dessert, Weinrich’s Bakery always has a wide variety of scrumptious donuts or other desserts to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Treat Him to an Experience
If your dad is a golfer, celebrate the day by hitting the links. Take a trip over to Valley View Golf for nine holes, or to M-Golf to practice those drives. If you’d like to treat him to old-style barbering, buy him a shave and a haircut with a gift card to Eddie’s A Little Off the Top Barber Shop for gentlemen who appreciate the finer things in life. Speaking of the finer things, there’s nothing better than driving around town in a freshly detailed car by Nicecars Detail, LLC. Get the hint?
Take a Hike at a Local Trail
If you and your dad want to connect with nature, take Dad on a hike at one of Delaware County’s nature trails. Whether you’re experienced hikers or just casual walkers, there are many local places to explore, walk, bike or hike. Some must-see trails include Ridley Creek State Park, Haverford Reserve, the Radnor Trail and the John Heinz Refuge. For more ideas, visit VisitDelcoPa.com/trails.
No matter how you choose to spend the day with your dad, stepdad, adopted father or other special father figure, shower him with an abundance of attention and praise, and don't forget to tell him how much he means to you. N S
Order one of our
cakes for Dads & Grads
We also have an array of cookies and mini pastries to compliment your celebration.
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
by Bob Blaisse, Founding Publisher of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Bringing People Together… A True Newtown Square Friend and Neighbor
It’s the mail event of the month.” That’s how one reader described how she feels when the new monthly issue of Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors arrives in her mail. And why not? Most readers tell me they love to see if they know the family on the cover of our latest issue of Newtown Square’s hometown magazine, in print and online at NewtownSquareMag.com.
When friends and relatives of Newtown Square homeowners visit and find our hometown magazine on a countertop or coffee table, it often leads to a call or email request to be added to our magazine mailing list, or to ask how another hometown could begin having a similar magazine to serve up hometown pride. The compliments are great, but those calls and emails always make me wonder if I can do more for a wider community, to be Bringing People Together through our unique brand of social-media-in-print.
Our publishing company, Best Version Media, publishes more than 1,200 hometown magazines similar to our Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors magazine, several serving other nearby communities in Delaware County, including Marple, Springfield, Middletown, Garnet Valley and Chadds Ford.
Our advertising Sponsors also agree that where other advertising tries, we succeed in Bringing People Together. Every community needs products and services to flourish. The presence of local businesses reflects a community’s standard of living, along with the community’s real estate values, which fund public school budgets used to educate local children. Local businesses only remain when local residents use their buying power to buy locally, from local businesses that are recognized as those who give back to the community. That’s where hometown pride intersects with hometown loyalty, awarded to the advertising Sponsors of our magazine.
If you enjoy Newtown Square’s hometown magazine, recognize it as a monthly gift from our trusted advertising Sponsors seen on these pages. Use the gift of this June issue to read about Janet Krevenas, our 2025 Newtown Square Friend & Neighbor of The Year. Consider how fortunate we are to be able to honor one of our own for her many years of hometown service as a longtime resident of our community.
Thank You Janet Krevenas
Consider how we are all honored by our advertising Sponsors. By their choice to advertise in our community, they are telling us that Newtown Square is a great place to live and do business in, and how important we are to the success of their business. N S
Bob Blaisse Publisher, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
Saturdays in June
Art at The Square Tavern
@Goshen & Newtown Street Roads
A variety of rotating art displays by local artists, exhibitions and activities.
Time: 11am – 5pm
Cost: FREE (donations accepted!) NSHistory.org
Saturdays in June
CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 2025
Paper Mill House & Museum
@3 Paper Mill Rd, Newtown Square
Visit this museum of local history, a place filled with the ghosts and footprints of the millworkers who once lived there.
Time: 12–4 pm
Cost: FREE (donations accepted!) NSHistory.org
Saturdays in June
Newtown Railroad Museum
@Drexel Lodge
4140 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Full-size train engines, rolling stock and a museum full of artifacts from the trains and trolleys that once served Newtown Square. Great for children!
Time: 1–4 pm
Cost: FREE (donations accepted!) NSHistory.org
Weds. June through September
Dining Under the Stars
@State St, Media
Every Wednesday, the Media Borough closes State Street to vehicular traffic from 5-11pm. This allows Media’s great restaurants and shops to set up outside (right across the trolley tracks!) for the biggest, most fun, alfresco shopping and dining event around.
Weds–Sun evenings mid-June–mid-August
Delaware County Summer Festival Concerts
@Rose Tree Park
1671 N Providence Rd, Media
Free concerts in Rose Tree Park’s scenic outdoor amphitheater resume this June! Enjoy top-notch entertainment of all kinds. Bring blankets and chairs for seating. Light concessions will be for sale and picnics are welcome. No alcoholic beverages. No pets or smoking inside amphitheater. No rain date for any evening concert.
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: FREE admission and parking 610-891-4663 (or 610-891-4455 for updates)
DelcoPA.gov/departments/parks/summerfestival.html
Fri. June 13
Newtown Square
Food and Makers Market
@St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
3625 Chapel Rd, Newtown Square Newtown Square Food and Makers Market will feature local growers, producers and artisans. Fresh produce will be for sale as well as artisan breads, coffee, pickles, flowers, plants and candles.
Time: 4–8pm
Sat. June 14
Marple Library Summer Reading Club Kick-off
@Veterans Memorial Park on Lawrence Rd, Broomall
Join Marple Library's Summer Reading Kick-Off Party! Come by to register for Marple Library’s Summer Reading Program while having a fun time. All starts at 10am with a visit from Rapunzel! Plans include a bounce house and cotton candy.
Time: 10am to 11:30am
Cost: FREE
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Spiders, Crickets, Centipede, Roaches and Stink Bugs
• Annual Termite Inspection: This plan includes an annual termite inspection once per year to help protect your home from termites.
Fri. June 20
Media 5 Mile Race
@State Street, Media
Media Borough and the Media 5 MileRace
Committee are pleased to welcome you to the Annual Media 5 Mile Race on State Street! The challenging course will travel two loops through the streets of Media Borough, with awards and finish at Veterans Square. Music, prizes and sponsors complete the festive. There will be a free Kids Fun Run at 5pm at Barrall Park and Field. Registration for the race is capped at 1,800 runners. A T-shirt will be given to each Registrant.
Time: 7pm
Cost: $45
Media5MileRace.com
Weds. June 25 through July 16
Free Yoga In the Park
@Drexel Lodge Park, 4140 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Newtown Township Parks and Recreation is delighted to host the 2025 Summer Fitness Series. Classes will be held every Wednesday night from 6 to 7pm. Thank you to Yoga in the Circle for providing these FREE community classes. Please bring your own mat, water bottle and towel. This is a rain or shine event. Classes are held under the pavilion in case of rain.
Time: 6–7pm
Cost: FREE
Fri. July 4
Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade
@St. Albans Ave, Newtown Square
Celebrate our country with the residents of Marple Newtown and surrounding areas. The parade starts at St. Albans Ave and travels eastbound on West Chester Pike to the Broomall Fire Company on Malin Rd.
Time: 10am
Cost: FREE
MarpleNewtownParade.com
Fri. July 4
Broomall Rotary’s Firecracker 5k
@West Chester Pike and Malin Rd
The Broomall Rotary’s Firecracker 5K is a 5 kilometer running event that will precede the Marple-Newtown 4th of July Parade. It starts on W. Chester Pike at Malin Road near the Broomall Fire Station. Proceed west up W. Chester Pike just beyond Bryn Mawr Avenue in Newtown Square. U-turn back to the starting point and lead the Parade back to the Broomall Fire House.
Cost: Early bird (by June 24) 17& under: $20; Adults: $25; Families: $55
Time: 9:25am (Registration begins at 8am)
Register at Firecracker5kRun.com.
Well Wishes From the Past For the Future
Nancy Gussow Gross
Marple Newtown High School
Class of 1973
Change is the gift of opportunity! As you graduate and enter the next chapter in your life journey, lean into the change that comes with it. Embrace the opportunity to continue learning, growing, prospering – and doing great things!
Dr. Justin Manno
Marple Newtown High School
Class of 2000
Class of 2025, you should be proud of all that you have accomplished these past 13 years. It is always so rewarding to see how much you’ve grown from middle school to graduation. You should leave Marple knowing that your family, friends, teachers, and every adult you’ve interacted with is proud of you. Best wishes from all of us as you embark on the journey of adulthood.
David Robbins
Marple Newtown High School
Class of 1973
As you leave your local school experience behind and look forward to a life full of prospects and promise, keep yourself open to new possibilities. But make a point of keeping your friends and remaining available to each other. It’s work, but, like anything else, if it is worth keeping, it requires effort. Time and distance may cause you to drift apart but sometimes going back to those you know is like the comfort of a familiar song or the warmth of the sun on your face. Smile. Conquer the world. Hug someone every day. Not necessarily in that order.
Sally (Lavender) Matthews
Cardinal O’Hara
Class of 1991
To the O’Hara Graduating Class of 2025, congratulations on a job well done! Your future is bright, and the possibilities ahead of you are limitless. Chase your dreams, embrace every moment of your next chapter and continue to grow. Take the lessons you’ve learned at O’Hara and use them to make the world a better and kinder place. The journey you’re about to embark on is just the beginning. Enjoy every step!
Chris Cognato
Devon Prep Class of 2002
Congratulations to the Devon Prep Class of 2025! I hope that you will always fondly recall wonderful times that you shared with your classmates and teachers, and that those experiences help to guide you in the next phase of your education and life. Take with you everything you have learned, in and outside of the classroom, and share it with others. Pursue challenges and growth. Best of luck in all that you choose to do!
Karin Kennedy
Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr Class of 1991
Congratulations, Sacred Heart Academy Class of 2025! You are ready for the challenges ahead of you. Take the lessons you’ve learned at SHA, stay true to yourselves and continue to live by the Goals & Criteria that have shaped you. Trust in your growth, lead with purpose, care for others and carry the SHA spirit wherever you go. You are SHAmazing! Wishing you all the best on your next journey.
Lillie Falcon
Villa Maria Academy Class of 2024
Congratulations, Class of 2025! Villa has laid a strong foundation of faith, sisterhood, and strength in each and every one of you. Trust in the values and charismas that have been instilled in your hearts, and let them shine brightly. Villa has not only prepared you for the next step in your lives but has also equipped you to lead with grace, love, and purpose. You have the strength and the support of God guiding you every step of the way. You’ve got this!
Kristina Stanton Cawley
Merion Mercy Academy Class of 1990
(also a Parent of the Class of 2025)
Congratulations, Merion Mercy Academy Class of 2025! I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Merion Mercy empowers young women to lead with purpose, and you are living proof of that mission. I hope you carry with you the Mercy charism woven into so many of your experiences here. You are remarkable young
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women, and there’s no doubt you’ll make a lasting impact wherever life takes you. The world needs your light, your voice, your leadership—and you are more than ready. As Sisters of Mercy foundress Catherine McAuley said, “We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Go forth and shine brightly, Class of 2025—and always know you’ll have a home in Merion Station.
Matt Wray Malvern Prep Class of 2018
To the Malvern Class of 2025. Congratulations on the completion of an unforgettable four years! What may feel like the end of a chapter, in reality, is the beginning of a lifelong community that will support you always. Some pieces of advice that I was grateful multiple people told me then: Your Age is Your Biggest Resource, Be Fearless: You are in your early 20s. No kids, no bills, not a lot of risk on your end. Take advantage of this time to work hard, meet as many new people as possible, never say no to an opportunity, explore the world and build amazing memories. Be fearless in the pursuit of discovering who you are. Enjoy these moments with your classmates and family. The Brotherhood can’t wait to watch what you do with your next chapter.
continued on page 24
Katie Nicholas McGlade
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur Class of 1994
Congratulations, Alumna! I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished – your hard work and heart have carried you far, and they’ll keep carrying you even further.
Stay true to yourself, keep learning, and never be afraid to chase the life you dream of.
Don O’Brien
Archbishop John Carroll Class of 1985
Congratulations on your incredible achievement! Your years of hard work, dedication and perseverance at Archbishop Carroll High School have truly paid off. As you move forward in your endeavors, always remember the friendships you’ve built, the lessons you’ve learned and the strengths you’ve gained at Carroll. These will continue to guide and support you in the exciting journey ahead. Wishing you all the success, happiness and endless possibilities that life has to offer.
Adeline Frank
The Episcopal Academy Class of 2025
The past few years have taught me what it means to start over, find my place and grow into someone I’m proud of. I’m grateful for the people and experiences that helped me get here, and I’m ready to take everything I’ve learned with me as I head off to college.
Mica Wilson
The Agnes Irwin School Class of 2002
Best wishes to the Class of 2025! Agnes Irwin’s commitment to providing a foundation for excellence prepares you for the wider world and experiences ahead, which we know you will approach with curiosity, consideration, and critical thinking. Make sure you know yourself. Make sure you trust yourself. Design a life with space for all your interests and focus on the quality of your relationships with yourself and others. With this, you will be able to navigate those times when excellence alone doesn’t seem to get you exactly where you want to be.
Andy Walters
Penncrest High School
Class of 1986
(This is an ALL Penncrest Alum Family: Andy ’86 and his wife Melanie ’89 are both Penncrest alums, their son AJ graduated in 2022 and their younger son Will graduates this year) Congratulations to the Penncrest Class of 2025, you are now in an alumni group that are so proud of their time at Penncrest that goes back to 1965. Stay involved, come back to Homecoming games and events, you can have a positive influence on future graduates at Penncrest. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Alyssa Poole
Penncrest High School
Class of 1996
Congratulations, class of 2025! Alyssa’s son will also graduate from Penncrest in 2025!!! “As you go forward, believe you can and you’re halfway there!” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Dr. Dammun Pierce
The Shipley School
Class of 1990
“Be happy—but also understand the difference between success and happiness. Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get. You all have the potential to be incredibly successful—you can do whatever you set your mind to. The real question is: will that success make you happy? So as you move forward, find a path that brings both success and happiness—not just one or the other.”
Chris Benbow, Head of School
The Westtown School
Class of 1990
“You are, indeed, already the ‘stewards and leaders of a better world’ we hoped you would be. Class of 2025, I am enormously proud both of who you are right now and of who you will each continue to become throughout the rest of your lives.” N S
Old Roads Out of Philadelphia
by Doug Humes
courtesy of the Newtown Square Historical Society (colorized)
The Reverend John T. Faris was a curious man. Born in 1871 in Missouri, raised in Illinois, married in West Virginia, educated at Chicago and Princeton, he arrived in Philadelphia around 1907 at age 36 and spent 30 years here as editor for the Presbyterian Board of Christian Education.
In his lifetime, he authored more than 50 books, but the one he is best known for locally is his 1917 “Old Roads Out of Philadelphia.” In the forward, he noted, “Someone has compared the old roads out of Philadelphia to the sticks of a lady’s fan.” His chapters then follow his travels on ten of the oldest roads in the state: the Kings Highway, Chester Pike, Baltimore Turnpike, West Chester Turnpike, Lancaster Turnpike, Gulph Road, Ridge Road, Germantown Road, Bethlehem Pike, Old York Road, and the road to Bristol and Trenton. In over 300 pages, with 117 photos, he documents and
highlights the most interesting buildings that were still standing along those roads. He reports that when Judge Darlington traveled 24 miles in a day, he said to his companion, Olof, “What a long road from Philadelphia to West Chester!” Olof replied, “It is a good thing for us that it is so.” “Why?” said the judge. “Because if it was not so long, it would not reach.”
In Newtown, he reports on the Octagonal School and the house on Goshen road that was “one of Washington’s outposts during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777-1778” and the soldiers quartered there who were “charged with the duty of cutting of supplies of all kinds designed for the use of the army of occupation in the city.”
want to travel them 100 years back in time, you can do so with a delightful companion, Rev. John T. Faris. You can find this book in a number of local libraries as well as online.
For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at: NSHistory.org. N S
He also notes that “Newtown Square, the cross-roads settlement a short distance beyond the Octagon School, for many years had a struggle with its rival, the old Square, at the intersection of the Newtown and Goshen roads, threefourths of a mile to the north. When Thomas Holme made his map of 1681, he said that William Penn had planned a town at the crossroads, which should be “the first inland town west of Philadelphia.”
The roads he traveled through were in transition –the automobiles and trolleys replacing stage coaches, and macadam roads replacing rutted dirt roads. He spoke to the locals, gathered stories and anecdotes, and with his camera, he captured many old buildings that no longer exist today. We are all familiar with these roads today, but if you
Photos
The newly minted Rev. John T. Faris, a few years before his arrival in Philadelphia
“Opposite the grounds of the Pennsylvania Hospital is one of the most curious buildings in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, the old Octagon School.”
Milestone 15 on the West Chester Turnpike, being absorbed into a tree. This milestone would have been in the vicinity of the current-day Teikoku restaurant
Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr., F.D.
DANJOLELL Memorial Homes
Pre-Need Funeral Insurance
Although your funeral may be years or decades away, getting pre-need insurance (aka pre-planning) is one of the most loving, considerate gifts you can do for your loved ones. When you plan your own service or cremation, it removes from them the worry and burden of funeral costs for those left behind. Instead, your loved ones can focus on the memories and time spent with you.
Here are the top five reasons people choose pre-need insurance:
1. When a person makes their own arrangements, they know that their expressed wishes will be carried out and honored the way they intended.
2. Pre-need insurance eliminates an emotional and financial burden for your loved ones.
3. You control funeral costs by setting a budget and sticking to it.
4. You’ll have time to decide what products and services are most important to you and avoid having your loved ones make emotional purchases.
5. If it’s prepaid, funeral homes offer locked-in prices through a pre-planning funding partner.
In Pennsylvania, funeral homes cannot keep a family’s prepayment “in house,” in case something were to happen and the funeral service goes out of business. That’s why pre-arranged funerals and cremations are funded with funeral insurance and the value of the funeral insurance policy is equivalent to the amount of the arrangement that is selected.
In the past, many people put money away in a bank’s reserve account. Nowadays, many financial institutions do not offer such accounts anymore, and it makes more sense to deal directly with a funeral home. You can even choose from different payment options, such as choosing to pay in a single payment or on a payment plan. And no matter how much time passes, the costs are locked in, guaranteed and inflation-proof.
It’s important to note that funeral homes are unable to guarantee the prices for those providing other parts of the funeral or cremation services, such as church and clergy fees, crematory charges, newspaper obituary notices, certified copies of the death certificate, flowers, funeral lunches, etc. The present-day prices of those items can be incorporated into the pre-need insurance, with the understanding that those costs will be applied as a “credit” toward the charges at the time of death.
If you’re considering planning for your funeral ahead of time, you’re making a smart choice because doing so can save your family both money and decision-making during an emotionally difficult time. N S
Our Community
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard
Township officials and community members were there to witness the transfer of ownership to Newtown Township
THE SQUARE TAVERN: Coming Together to Preserve Our History
Newtown Township celebrated a milestone on Saturday, May 3rd, as the Board of Supervisors and Equus Capital Partners participated in a ceremonial signing and transfer of the 1742 Square Tavern. A large turnout of local residents, township officials, historic society members and friends witnessed Leonard Altieri, chairman of the board of supervisors, and Steve Spaeder of Equus Capital Partners sign over the Square Tavern property to Newtown Township.
The property, at the corner of Goshen Road and North Newtown Street Road, dates back to 1742 and has been preserved through
several renovations over the years. The property includes the historic building, the surrounding yard, the parking lot and the trailhead. The parking lot is also an integral access point to the Township’s trail system.
Earlier this year, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors announced that Equus Capital Partners had agreed to donate The Square Tavern to Newtown Township. This generous donation ensures that this historic property, which is significant and provides access to one of Newtown Township’s most popular trails, is preserved in perpetuity. In addition to the property transfer, Equus Capital Partners agreed to donate $25,000 for future maintenance projects.
An open house followed with traditional colonial tavern music, food and drink and a special art exhibit of Carl and Alice Lindborg's work. Both Carl and Alice were artists, educators and historians who volunteered their time and talents to Newtown Township for many years. In fact, if you have visited our Newtown Township library and administrative building the last few years, you likely noticed two colorful Lindborg paintings: Across the Line at the top of the staircase and Les Danseurs at the bottom.
Carl’s paintings have been exhibited in notable places such as the Whitney Museum in New York and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC. In mid-life, he took up sculpture, and produced the William Penn statue at Pennsbury Manor, Revolutionary War scenes on the Fort Mercer Monument, the bust of John Hanson at Old Swedes Church in Philadelphia and the seven-foot tall statue
Photos courtesy of Leonard Altieri
of Governor Printz at his namesake park, the site of the Swedish settlement on the Delaware River. Carl’s bust of his wife, Alice is on display nearby at the Paper Mill House Museum.
Alice was an accomplished pianist, a landscape artist and a full partner with her husband in their Newtown Township history work. In their spare time, the Lindborgs were two of the founding members of the Newtown Square Historical Society and the primary editors of the 1984 book The History of Newtown Township, spearheading an effort by a variety of residents and writers to research and publish a comprehensive 300-year history of Newtown Township.
The Square Tavern—childhood home of American artist Benjamin West (1783-1820)—has long stood as a symbol of Newtown’s heritage. It is known to be where he began his extraordinary career as a world-renowned artist and teacher. Known as the Father of American painting, Benjamin West spent his childhood years at the Square Tavern, where his father worked. His art caught the attention of many prolific individuals who sent him to study in Italy. He then established a studio in London, was selected as a court painter to King George III, and became one of the founders of the Royal Academy of the Arts in London; he is buried at St. Paul’s Cathedral there.
During its ownership of the Square Tavern, Equus continuously supported the Newtown Township Historical Society and graciously allowed the Society to use the property without charge for activities and events, including art shows, monthly open houses and tours for the public on its Historic Newtown Square Day. With the transfer of the building, adjacent yard, parking area, and trailhead, we take a major step forward in transforming this landmark into a publicly accessible hub for education, culture and connection.
“This isn’t just about acquiring a historic building—it’s about thoughtful leadership and delivering on our promises,” said Leonard Altieri, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “The Board heard the community loud and clear: the Square Tavern matters. Together, we’ve taken decisive action to preserve it and weave it back into the fabric of daily life. This acquisition reflects the Board’s commitment to protecting our heritage while planning responsibly for the future. The Square Tavern is no longer just a landmark—it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we lead with vision and unity.”
We are fortunate to live in an area so rich in history and to have many friends and neighbors committed to preserving and educating our community. We must thank Equus Capital Partners, our Newtown Square Historical Society and our Newtown Township Administrators and Elected Officials for their ongoing commitment to keeping Newtown Square’s essential landmarks and stories alive. N S
Leonard Altieri, Chairman, Board of Supervisors and Steve Spaeder, resident and CEO of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd. sign off on the transfer
by Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co.
What to Do When Mother Nature Strikes
When a storm barrels through, your first concern is safety—but once the skies clear, it's time to turn your attention to your home’s exterior. Your roof, siding, gutters and windows take the brunt of wind, rain, hail and debris, and even minor damage can lead to costly repairs if not addressed quickly. Here’s what every homeowner should do after a storm to protect their investment:
1. Inspect Your Home’s Exterior (Safely!)
Once it’s safe to go outside, walk around your home and do a visual inspection from the ground. Look for obvious signs of damage like missing shingles, dented gutters, cracked siding or debris piled on the roof. Check for water stains on ceilings or walls inside your home—these could indicate a roof leak. If something looks off, don’t feel like you must climb up and investigate—leave it to the professionals if you're at all uncomfortable.
2. Document the Damage
If you notice any signs of damage, take photos or videos from multiple angles. This will be helpful when filing a claim with your insurance company and gives contractors a head start in evaluating the extent of the repairs needed. Even if the damage seems minor, it’s worth documenting—what looks like a small problem may be masking something more serious underneath.
3. Call a Trusted Professional Promptly
Don’t wait for damage to get worse. Calling a licensed and insured contractor right away can prevent additional issues like water intrusion, mold or structural damage. Reputable companies will provide a thorough inspection, help you navigate the insurance claims process and get your home back to pre-storm condition quickly and efficiently.
4. Be Wary of Storm Chasers
After a big storm, out-of-town contractors often canvas neighborhoods offering fast repairs—but they may disappear just as quickly. Work with a local, established company with a strong reputation and a physical presence in your community. They'll stand behind their work and be there if you need follow-up service. In short, do thorough homework before hiring a contractor. Storms are unpredictable—but your response doesn’t have to be.
A quick post-storm inspection and early action can prevent small issues from turning into costly repairs. If you spot anything concerning, don’t wait—reach out to a professional who can assess the damage and guide you through the next steps with confidence. N S
