Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine, February 2023

Marple FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

The Ralph Family Making Memories in Marple

Cover photo by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

Bringing People Together

by Lisa Jeffries

Jared Kaplan

FEBRUARY STUDENT OF THE MONTH

The February Casey’s Public House Student of the Month is JaredKaplan,aSenioratMarpleNewtownHighSchool(MNHS), who received a Certificate of Achievement and a $25 gift card from Casey’s Public House, our Sponsor of this program.

Jared’s vast array of accomplishments and activities make it obvious as to why he is our Student of the Month this month. He has been on the Honor Roll every marking period dating back to the 7th grade, and he is a two time winner of the Positive on People Award. As the President of the National English Honor Society, as well as a member of both the Science and Social Studies National Honor Societies, Jared takes his academics and affiliations very seriously.

Jared is also a Student Council Representative, a Renaissance Program Leader (which encourages its members to get involved, keep their grades up and maintain good attendance), a committee member of Feeding Fellow Americans and the Head of the Donor and Alumni Relations Committee for the ‘For the Kids’ (FTK) organization, which raises money to combat childhood cancer.

At the same time, Jared enjoys plenty of other extracurricular activities including being the Captain of the Varsity Tennis team for two years, playing Varsity Soccer and acting as the Team Representative for the Tiger Athletic Leadership Council. Since the age of 10, Jared has also been an active member of the Marple Newtown Basketball Association. He’s also very

environmentally minded, volunteering for the Darby Creek Valley Association’s environmental cleanup efforts.

Along with all of his academic, athletic and volunteer efforts, Jared also works as Floor Manager at Jumpers Family Fun Zone, where he’s known for his kind and friendly manner with everyone he meets. He will be heading to college in September, where he hopes to continue his forward path to even greater accomplishments and accolades. You are a rising star Jared, and your Marple Newtown Friends & Neighbors wish you well in all of your future endeavors. M

Any grade 7–12 student who resides within the borders of the Marple Newtown School District may be nominated by a parent, teacher or other adult who submits in writing some ways the student demonstrates Excellence in Service to friendship, school or other local communities. Academic or athletic excellence is not required. Email your nomination to Lisa Jeffries at LJeffries@BestVersionMedia. com. The selected nominee will be featured in a future issue and will also receive a Certificate of Achievement and a $25 Casey’s Public House gift card.

Nominate the Next Student of the Month!

February Casey’s Student of the Month Jared Kaplan with Casey’s Manager Chuck Rawlings Photo courtesy of Josh and Lisa Kaplan

PUBLICATION TEAM

PUBLISHER: Bob Blaisse

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Lisa Jeffries

CONTENT COORDINATOR: Holly Stupak

DESIGNER: Kim Cesati

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Bob Blaisse, Holly Stupak, Sheila Turner-Hilliard, Lisa Jeffries, Doug Humes, Mike Bradley, Andrew Martella, Christine DiFilippis

ADVERTISING

Contact Publisher: Bob Blaisse Email: BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com Phone: 610-453-5536

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 info. as space permits. Please contact our Content Coordinator Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.

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. © 2023 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

ON THE COVER

The

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Did I take the chance? Yes, I did. I took the chance in January when this new issue of Marple Friends & Neighbors went to print. Back when Holly Stupak was getting this new February issue of Marple’s hometown magazine ready for our printer, and going up online at www.MarpleMag.com, by interviewing, writing and coordinating with others on our team. It was time to take that chance.

In mid January, while my very capable Executive Assistant Lisa Jeffries was working with our Experts, and our talented Graphic Designer Kim Cesati was creating page layouts, that executive decision that only the Publisher could make, had to be made. Time was running out. Faithful fandom had to prevail using some Delco attitude weeks in advance of the Super Bowl to keystroke for thousands to read: Go Eagles! Go on to win Super Bowl LVII!

Oh boy! How’s that look now when you’re reading this? I hope come February 12th, that our hometown magazine is still on your coffee table and we’re all watching our hometown Philadelphia Eagles power on to victory.

Taking that chance is not a new thing for our magazine. While we’re now in our fifth year, and the success of our magazine is well affirmed by so many faithful readers responding so often, there were bigger chances taken by those who helped launch our magazine back in 2018, on a bigger risk than if the Eagles would make it to the Super Bowl this year. And not by our staff either. We knew we would be Bringing People Together. No, the chances taken were taken by our Charter Sponsors, our first advertisers, who saw how important it could be for Marple residents to have a hometown magazine, and so they funded the launch of our publication. It was the right chance to take at that time. It was business leadership in our community. And it still is since most of those same business owners, like you, live in our community and love reading each new monthly issue of our magazine, which they make possible. I call it Reader Leadership.

I know you’ll enjoy this new issue with many enjoyable features we have for you in this new issue. And if you are a reader who enjoys reading every new issue, consider becoming a Reader Leader of our magazine, whether a homeowner or business owner, as I share this month in my “Bringing People Together” feature on page 16.

Bob Blaisse Publisher

Dear Residents,

It may be the shortest month of the year, but there are plenty of fun holidays and reasons to celebrate in February. Aside from Valentine’s Day, we’ve got Presidents Day, Super Bowl Sunday and our Calendar of Events is full of fun winter activities.

We have a lot of community highlights in this issue. First up is our Resident Feature, the Ralph Family. Matt and Sara are both dedicated to helping others and are enjoying raising two young children here in Broomall. Our Business Profile introduces you to Joe Foster and David Linn Cook of Waterproofting One, two experts in protecting homes from water damage. And Spring is coming which means it’s time for baseball season and Marple Newtown High School’s annual musical. You won’t want to miss their production of The Addams Family.

We are always looking for more Marple families, individuals and organizations to feature in our magazine. If you’d like to nominate someone, please email me at hstupak@bestversionmedia.com.

Holly Stupak Content Coordinator

Marple’s Expert Contributors

Accounting

& Tax Preparation

Jack Del Pizzo, CPA

Del Pizzo & Associates 2098 W Chester Pike #101, Broomall 610-356-2590

JRD@DelPizzo.com www.DelPizzo.com

Automotive Repairs & Service

Jack Crowley, Jr. C&J Automotive Specialists 99 S. Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square 610-616-2411

JCrowleyJR@@CandJAutoRepair.com www.CandJAutoRepair.com

Body Image & Fitness

Christine DeFilippis

Pop Fit Studio

1305 West Chester Pike (above Applebee’s) 484-453-8533 info@PopFitStudio.com www.PopFitStudio.com

Chiropractic Care Rehabilitation

Dr. Marc Belitsky, D.C., D.A.C.R.B. Broomall Total Health Center 2633 West Chester Pike, Broomall 610-353-2220

BroomallTH@gmail.com www.SpineDr.org

Electric Service, Residential/Commercial

Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484-997-3097

MartellaElectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Georges P. Martin, D.M.D. Marple Dental 2004 Sproul Road, Suite 304, Broomall 610-359-8181

Office@MarpleDental.com www.MarpleDental.com

Family Law Trial Attorney

Deborah M. Truscello, Esq. Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello 610-892-4940 DmtofLaw@gmail.com www.TruscelloLaw.com

Fireplace Products

Scott Magness

Scott’s Fireplace Products

3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-422-8334

SFP@ScottsFireplaceProducts.com www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com

Funeral Home

Robert L. D’Anjolell, Jr., F.D.

DANJOLELL Memorial Homes 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall 610-356-4200 RobJr@DANJOLELL.com www.DANJOLELL.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

Plumbing Service, Residential / Commercial

Ryan Corbett, Master Plumber

Dream Team Home Services

3703 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 610-609-7771 Service@DreamTeamPA.com www.DreamTeamPA.com

Residential Door Installation

Paul Barrett

PB Contracting Company, LLC Broomall 484-466-3221

DoorsAndWindows@PBContracting.com www.PBContracting.com

Roofing, Siding & Carpentry

Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. 610-624-8112

Office@ODonnellRoofingCo.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com/bvm

Waterproofing & Weatherization

David Linn Cook and Joe Soster

Waterproofing One Marple Newtown Edgmont 800-508-4144

Info@WaterproofingOne.com www.WaterproofingOne.com

Tree Care and Inspection

Mike Bradley Bradley Tree Experts Broomall 610-325-8600

Mike@BradleyTreeExperts.com www.BradleyTreeExperts.com

Expert Contributors needed!

Medical, Catering, Real Estate, Vacations, Public Adjuster, Education, Landscaping, Home Health Care, Mortgages, Financial Planning, Senior Care, etc. Professionals may contact: Bob Blaisse: 610-453-5536 or BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com

Homes Recently Sold in Marple

Address

Sold Price Beds Baths Sq. Ft. Acres

2889 Eastburn Avenue . . . . . $529,900 . . . . 3 . . . . 1.5. . . . 2,096 . . . 0.21 104 Beechtree Drive $430,000 3 2.5 1,877 0.29 204 Oldfield Way . . . . . . . . . $510,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 2.5 . . . 1,856. . . . 0.28 2242 Cambridge Road $530,000 4 2.5 2,808 0.27 217 S Park Way $400,000 4 2 1,920 0.07 603 Williamsburg Drive . . . . . $650,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 3.5 . . . 2,664 . . . 0.68 2604 Sunset Boulevard $500,000 3 2.5 2,193 0.24 490 Lawrence Road $395,000 3 1.5+ 1,626 0.38 2618 Oriole Road $400,000 3 1.5 1,675 0.29 110 S Sproul Road $338,000 3 1 1,044 0.16 721 Hedgerow Drive . . . . . . . $345,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 1 . . . . 1,659 . . . . 0.28 500 Westbourne Drive C3 $241,000 2 2 1,067 0.03

2227 Windsor Circle $425,000 4 2 1,864 0.35 118 Lovell Avenue . . . . . . . . . $399,000. . . . 4 . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,205 . . . 0.26 331 Candlewood Road $385,000 3 1.5 1,614 0.29 817 Cedar Grove Road . . . . . . $789,900 . . . . 4 . . . . 4.5 . . . 4,200 . . . 1.00

Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.

by Christine DeFilippis Pop Fit Studio

So Called “Healthy” Trends to Avoid

As February begins, many of us find ourselves stuck in a familiar cycle: having made enthusiastic New Year’s resolutions to prioritize wellness, only to discover that our good intentions have been left by the wayside. Why do we so often struggle with reaching our health and wellness goals?

The diet and fitness industry spends billions of dollars each year, much of that concentrated over the New Year, on flashy branding and marketing campaigns to sell us new ways to improve our health and wellness. But it can be hard to decipher which ones are actually beneficial to our health – and which ones we should avoid altogether. As we resolve to prioritize our health

and stay fit, let’s look a bit deeper into some toxic fitness trends out there so that you don’t inadvertently do more harm than good when approaching your health and wellness goals.

1. Go Hard or Go Home Exercise Mentality

Unless you are a trained athlete and looking to improve your performance, extreme exercise can lead to injuries, burnout and other health problems. The idea that you have to do more, go to extremes or feel the burn is damaging physically and psychologically. When someone is unable to push beyond their limits they are often left with feelings of shame, which then lead to not working out at all. Instead of this all or nothing mentality, listen to your body when working out and rest when needed.

2. Fad Diets

Any diet that makes promises for quick and easy weight loss without having to change your lifestyle is likely not supporting your long-term health goals. These diets are often very restrictive, cutting out entire food groups or limiting your intake to such an extent that you’re not getting the nutrients your body needs.

Not only are fad diets ineffective in the long run, but they can also be dangerous because they are often not sustainable in the long term, as people typically cannot stick to them for more than a few weeks or months. Questions to ask yourself before trying out a new diet:

• Is this sustainable? Can I continue eating this way for the rest of my life?

• Does this way of eating support my health or is it just about weight loss?

• Will eating this way be enjoyable?

If you have said no to any of the above questions, steer clear.

3. Detoxes, Cleanses and

“Snake

Oil” Supplements

Detoxes and cleanses are often touted as a way to “cleanse” your body of toxins and improve your overall health. However, our bodies are actually very good at detoxing on their own –we have organs like the liver and kidneys that filter out toxins. Additionally, most of the foods that are promoted as part of a detox or cleanse are actually just healthy foods that you could be eating anyway. There is no evidence that these types of programs actually do anything to improve your health.

Most “detoxes” and “cleanses” involve consuming only juice or water for days or even weeks at a time, which can lead to dehydration and other health problems. Similarly supplements on the market that claim to boost your energy, help you lose weight or improve your health in some other way, are not proven to be effective, and some can even be dangerous. Save your money.

4. Exercise Gadgets

There are all sorts of gadgets on the market that claim to help you get in shape, from ab belts that supposedly give you sixpack abs to vibrating machines that promise to tone your whole body. However, most of these gadgets are ineffective and a waste of money. If you want to get in shape, the best way to do so is through some form of movement, hopefully, one you enjoy.

5. Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Unhealthy body standards can take an immense toll on not only our self-image, but also our overall well-being. Let us be kind to ourselves and learn how to love the skin we’re in!

As we move forward into the new year, it’s important to be mindful of the health trends that are becoming popular. Some of these “health” trends may actually do more harm than good. By avoiding the five health trends listed above, you can set yourself up for a happy and healthy 2023. M

BROOMALL TOTAL HEALTH CENTER

Let Me Help You Get Your Life Back!

Are You Suffering From:

Back Pain? Headaches? Neck Pain? Disc Herniation? Whiplash? Knee or Shoulder Pain?

Feel Better Again with a Comprehensive Team Approach to Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy (performed by a Licensed Therapist)!

• Chiropractic Care & Physical Rehabilitation

• Muscle & Function Movement Testing Cold Laser & Ultrasound Therapy

• Spinal Decompression Therapy

• Electrical Muscle Stimulation Weight Loss Programs

STREAMLINE YOUR ROUTINE IN STYLE

Providing Winning Health Solutions in Broomall for Over 30 Years!

Call TODAY for an appointment! 610-353-2220 • www.SpineDr.org 2633 West Chester Pike, Broomall

Now available in a classic farmhouse design, the chef-inspired Riverby sink features a range of accessories that makes quick work of prepping, cooking, and cleanup. Visit weinsteinbath-kitchen.com to learn more.

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650 Abbott Dr Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 610-544-3977

650 Abbott Dr, Broomall, Pennsylvania

650 Abbott Dr Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 610-544-3977 weinsteinbath-kitchen.com weinsteinbath-kitchen.com 610-544-3977

650 Abbott Dr Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 610-544-3977

by Holly Stupak

A Dry Home Is a Happy Home

Preventative maintenance to keep water away from the foundation walls of your home may be one of the best ways to protect your property. It's a good thing our Marple Friends & Neighbors have not one, but two experts in the areas of water damage restoration or basement waterproofing. Joe Soster, owner of Waterproofing One, has teamed up with David Linn Cook, who has been our residential weatherization and waterproofing expert for the past three years, and together they deliver excellence, proficiency and professional results.

Joe grew up in Springfield and from the time he was a teenager he was working in the construction industry alongside his father, who was a land developer and builder. Over the years he worked in numerous roles in the construction industry and established himself as an expert in waterproofing and structural repairs. In 1993 he started his own business, Waterproofing One, headquartered in Phoenixville, PA.

Waterproofing One provides a variety of waterproofing services including: installing hydrostatic pressure relief systems (French drains and sump pumps); exterior waterproofing (excavation, special membranes, vapor barriers and exterior drain systems); basement waterproofing coatings; all types of foundation repairs, masonry epoxy crack injections, wall pins for block walls, carbon fiber straps for concrete and block walls, carbon fiber stitches; and lawn grading, surface drains, exterior lawn drains, flow well tanks, gutter guards, downspout drainage, etc.

What sets Joe and his team apart from other waterproofing companies is the relationships they establish with clients. “Our customers trust our commitment to excellence, budget and schedule,” said Joe. “We make sure our clients get expected results and we look at their satisfaction as the cornerstone of our success.”

Waterproofing One pays attention to the smallest details of the projects they work on. They can handle everything from roofing, basement waterproofing, water damage repair and water restoration projects, down to other general contractor services. They understand that basement waterproofing is one of the best ways to keep property values high while saving a customer’s foundation from potential disastrous situations brought on by rain.

As an expert in waterproofing and weatherization, Joe understands the damage moisture can do to both the interior and exterior of the home. “If water seeps into your basement, that is a bad sign,” said Joe. “Basement leaks can mean your foundation is in need of repair to keep the walls from cracking or growing mold which can be deadly to your family.”

Joe explained that in order to prevent wet basements, it is important to understand where the water is coming from. The four common sources of water that seeps into the basement are surface water running down foundation walls; groundwater in water-saturated soils being pushed into the basement

Photos courtesy of Waterproofing One

David Linn Cook (L) and Joe Soster (R)

by

pressure;

sewer water from the municipal storm sewer system backing up into the home’s existing perimeter foundation drain and leaking into the basement; and sanitary sewer water from a combined municipal storm/sanitary sewer system backing up into the home’s drain system, causing sewer water to come up through sink drains and floor drains on lower levels.

Joe recently added David Linn Cook to his team as his chief estimator. Longtime friends from back in their Springfield junior high school days, they’ve worked together in various settings including David’s business. It was at their recent high school reunion that they reconnected and while discussing their combined experience decided now was the time to collaborate. “We’re excited to join forces,” said Dave. “I like to joke that we know each other better than we know ourselves.”

After high school Dave earned a degree in Business Management from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and for many years he worked as a laborer, roofer and waterproofing and weatherization specialist. He soon realized that he had a keen eye for finding water leaks that others couldn’t find.

As the owner of his own weatherproofing company for 30 years, Dave was known by his customers for being sincere and passionate about his work. “I immensely enjoy talking to my customers and finding the solution to a leak problem,” Dave said. “When it comes to weatherproofing problems, it’s not always a ‘one size fits all.’ Every job is custom and sometimes that means trying one solution at a time.”

What Joe and Dave find most rewarding about their work is the joy of knowing that they’ve helped people maintain a dry and safe environment in their homes and businesses. “It's satisfying to see when people are able to use their basement for many different purposes when they couldn’t before,” said Joe. “It’s also good to see people in a healthier environment when their basements have been waterproofed.”

If your home has a crawl space or basement, the best way to protect it is to call on experts who understand how moisture enters a home and how to maintain waterproofing systems. Joe says: “A dry home is a happy home!” Waterproofing One is a full service waterproofing and basement foundation repair company servicing three states including but not limited to the following counties in PA: Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Berks and Bucks –in Delaware: New Castle and Wilmington – in New Jersey: Gloucester, Camden and Burlington County. Call 1-800-508-4144 today for a free estimate. For more information, visit their website at www.WaterproofingOne.com. M

Lawn grading, surface drains, exterior lawn drains, flow well tanks, gutter guards, downspout drainage, etc.

We make sure our clients get expected results and we look at their satisfaction as the cornerstone of our success.

Foundation repairs

waterproofing coating after

AFTER

Matt and Sara Ralph

The Ralph Family: Making Memories in Marple

by Holly Stupak

Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com

This month we are introducing you to Matt and Sara Ralph and their two young children. When the couple was looking for their forever home, they were focused on finding a house in a good location. But it’s not just the short commute to their respective jobs that makes their home special. It’s a home filled with fond and exciting memories with only more to come.

Matt is originally from Kansas. His dad was a pastor and he, his mom and two brothers moved around a bit before settling in New Jersey. He attended Countryside School in Mt. Laurel, NJ and Glen Landing Middle School in Glendora, NJ. By the time he became a high school student at Triton Regional High School in Runnemede, NJ he had discovered a love of broadcasting and journalism, serving as the PA announcer for men’s basketball and football. After serving as the sports editor for three years, Matt became the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper his senior year. Growing up, Matt attended Delanco Camp in Tabernacle, NJ where he later became a summer camp counselor and youth director.

Wanting to pursue a degree in English, Matt was looking for a small, liberal arts college to further his education. He found Lebanon Valley College to be a perfect fit and graduated in 2001. During his time there he wrote for the school’s paper, La Vie Collegian, as well as for the local daily newspaper – the Lebanon Daily News. He also hosted a campus radio show and was active in the school’s Christian ministry.

After college Matt honed his skills as a reporter, working for daily newspapers in south Jersey and southern Indiana. Today Matt can be found doing a variety of things in the communications field. He is currently the Assistant Director of Web Content and Digital Marketing at Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in Media. “I love working at an institution like DCCC that is open-door and provides so many opportunities for people in our area to get started in their higher education journey,” said Matt. “It’s inspiring to hear stories from scholarship recipients and graduates about how the college helped them to achieve their goals.”

Matt also owns a franchise called Snapology of Newtown Square, which provides STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education programs for kids in the area. If that’s not enough to keep him busy, he also serves as the managing editor of Brotherly Game, a website that covers the Philadelphia Union and other soccer teams in the area. A huge soccer fan and player for many years, he also takes on freelance writing projects about soccer for various publications.

Soccer is a big part of Matt’s life whether it’s playing, watching or embracing life as a soccer dad. He’s currently on the board of Sporting Serotonin, a soccer nonprofit and a team he plays for that promotes mental health. When he’s not playing soccer you can probably find him playing with LEGOs, which he uses a lot in Snapology’s programming. Matt also makes sure he stays current with new releases in music and staying up-to-date on TV shows.

While she was a student at Eastern one of her professors encouraged her to look at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Despite its distance from Pennsylvania, Sara was impressed with the school's program and the area, so she headed to Lexington, KY to pursue a Masters in Counseling. Now a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor, Sara is the owner/founder of Summit Grove Counseling in Bryn Mawr where she provides counseling to women 18 and older who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress and relationships. “I love that we are able to provide counseling services to so many women in our area and throughout PA (via telehealth),” said Sara. Also an adjunct instructor at Eastern University and Lebanon Valley College, Sara enjoys working with college students and counselors. “It is a joy and a privilege for me to journey alongside both my clients and my students,” she added.

Although Matt lived in Sara’s hometown while he was a college student, the couple didn’t meet until 2006 after he graduated. Luckily a mutual friend of theirs was determined to get them to hang out. “I still can’t believe my luck meeting someone from the very small town where I went to college,” said Matt. And what were the chances she just happened to go to graduate school in the even smaller town where my brother was living at the time.

Matt’s wife Sara grew up in Annville, PA with her parents and sisters. She attended Henry Houck Elementary School and Annville-Cleona High School in Annville, PA. During high school she was active in the music department, played tennis and was a member of various other clubs. Outside of school she was active in her church’s youth group. She graduated from Eastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies/Psychology.

The couple married in Cleona, PA in 2008 with a reception at Fort Indiantown Gap, where Sara’s mom works. “It was fun to be back close to where I went to college, especially since I didn’t meet Sara when I lived there,” said Matt. They honeymooned in Montreal, a beautiful and romantic city that was unlike any place they’d ever been to together.

Early in their marriage they lived in Kentucky while Sara finished her master’s degree. “We lived in a pretty wonderful neighborhood in Louisville called the Highlands where we could walk to an Olmstead park and lived on the same block as an independent bookstore, a comedy club, a coffee shop and a grocery store that sold Ale81 (Kentucky soda),” Matt recalled

Adeline and Owen Ralph

fondly. “It was a pretty blissful intro to being married despite money being tight and Sara finishing up grad school. We made the most of our pre-kid years with unforgettable vacations, binge-watching shows and dinners out.”

After Sara earned her graduate degree, Matt and Sara spent three years living on campus at Eastern University where Sara was serving as the Assistant Dean of Students and a Resident Director. Ultimately Sara decided to leave her job there, and after they started a family they decided to move closer to Matt’s job at DCCC.

Sara and Matt have two children, Owen and Adeline. Sevenyear-old Owen is a first grader at Delaware County Christian School in Newtown Square. Owen loves all of his school subjects but the thing his family hears most about is gaga ball. He loves to learn languages on Duolingo, learn about geography for fun and also loves to collect Pokemon and soccer cards, play Bakugan, board games and LEGOs. “He’s very much a renaissance man in the making,” said Matt. Owen is also a big fan of soccer and has been playing for the past couple of years for the Marple Soccer Association. His parents say he loves to laugh, has a great memory and is very observant.

Owen’s little sister Adeline turns five this month. Born on February 5, 2018, it wasn’t just the Eagles Superbowl win that caused excitement. Adeline came three weeks early and was born at home that night. “She came so quickly we did not have any time to get to the hospital,” explained Sara. “Luckily she was born healthy and without any complications.” “On a night when much of Philadelphia was celebrating the Eagles Super Bowl win, I didn’t care who won the game but I like to say that I was the happiest guy of all,” Matt added. Both Matt and Sara said that they were extremely grateful to the Marple EMS workers and police who arrived quickly and brought them to the hospital.

It’s no surprise with Adeline’s dramatic entrance into the world, that she has a big personality. “She loves to laugh and skips more than she stands still,” said Sara. When she’s not at preschool she can be found playing with baby dolls, unicorns, Peppa Pig and LEGOs.

The Ralph family moved to Broomall in the spring of 2016 when they bought their first house, a Cape Cod on a little dead end street near Russell Elementary School. The family said what is special about their house is there is very little traffic and it’s so safe for the kids to play. “This neighborhood got us through the pandemic,” said Matt. “It's nice that the kids can play outside with neighbors and we don’t have to worry.”

Sara and Matt said that what makes their house even more special is the memory of their daughter being born right at home. “We like to joke that we can never move,” said Sara. “Adeline likes to remind us that she was born right here, so we can’t imagine living anywhere else!” added Matt.

Thank you Matt and Sara for sharing your story with us. Your Marple Friends & Neighbors wish you many more exciting memories in your Broomall home (well, maybe not too exciting!). Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com. M

The Ralph Family

BROOMALL FIRE COMPANY Celebrates 100th Anniversary

by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of Broomall Fire Company

The Broomall Fire Company (BFC) celebrated its 100th Anniversary on January 8, 2023 with a procession from the Broomall Firehouse to St. Pius X Church in Broomall where a mass was held. Friends, family and members of the community came out to show their support. The mass was followed by a celebratory brunch at the Paxon Hollow Country Club.

The BFC was founded in 1923, when 26 men met in Marple Township and made the executive decision that fire protection was needed in the community. The purpose was to form a volunteer fire company that would serve the residents of Marple Township, an 11-square mile rural community made up of farmers and tradesmen.

Today, the all-volunteer Broomall Fire Company currently serves Marple Township and surrounding communities and keeping its citizens safe has always been their #1 priority. The BFC operates a fleet of vehicles specifically designed and equipped to meet the current and future needs of our community and its members receive the finest in protective equipment and training.

Thank you to the BFC for 100 years of providing us with the very best in emergency services. For information about ways to

malvern family photographer seasonal outdoor pictures and studio portraits in one location. pets welcome! holiday sets oct–dec. portraits, headshots, and events www.crissyeverhart.com Fastnachts Cookies Brownies Mini Pastries Party Trays Mardi Gras King Cakes Homemade Pies Artisan Breads Chocolate Covered Strawberries Custom Cakes and Desserts Famous Cream Filled Donuts 610 - 353 - 2550 2076 Sproul Road, Broomall

support Broomall Fire Company so their volunteers can continue to protect Marple residents, visit the SUPPORT page on www.BroomallFireCompany.com. M

& firearm appraisals •

The original Broomall Stars & Stripes TACTICAL Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm • 610-556-0223 www.StarsNStripesTactical.com 1313 West Chester Pike, West Chester (ONLY A TEN-MINUTE DRIVE to East Goshen)

firehouse Firearm Education, Sales & Service “I only sell firearms to those who accept that training in firearm use and safety becomes their duty when choosing to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to own a firearm.” ~Shawn Brown, Owner Stars & Stripes Tactical www.JacquettesBakery.com

• Love at FIRST BITE! 13 February 2023 / www.MarpleMag.com

consulting

New gun owner training

Celebrating Our Boy Scouts

Article and photos by Preston Tyrell

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) designates the Sunday that falls before February 8th as Scout Sunday, or Scouting Anniversary Day, the day in 1910 on which the Boy Scouts were founded by William Bryce here in the United States.

The origins of the Boy Scouts date back to 1908 when Robert Baden-Powell founded the group in London, England, after returning from his time serving with the British Army. He fought in the Second Boer War in South Africa and became a national hero when his troops successfully defended the town in the Seige of Mafeking. Much of his success was credited to his military training manual called Aids to Scouting which he re-wrote to suit youth groups when he returned to England.

Robert Baden-Powell’s revised publication, Scouting for Boys, was published in 1908 in six installments and quickly sparked a movement to form Scout troops across England and beyond. By the end of 1910, there were over 100,000 Scouts in England, and by 1939, the number of Scouts had grown in excess of 3.3 million around the world.

When William Bryce returned to Chicago, he told his fellow businessmen about the Boy Scouts and officially founded The Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. The movement gained momentum, and troops began to spring up across the country and here in Marple Newtown. While the start of World War I took a toll on the scout troops that had been established, some managed to weather the storm of lack of leadership with the men being off at war, while others made a strong comeback as new troops after the war.

My family has a long history of scouting, including my mother, who was a Girl Guide in Canada in her youth. She remained true to scouting roots while living in Newtown Square and raising her family. She volunteered her time with various groups in Delaware County and watched me, my brother and my sisters become scouts ourselves. The legacy continues as I now watch my daughter grow as a female member of Scouts BSA.

Our area’s history of scouting runs deep, and our troops continue to thrive today. Just this past Christmas Eve, my brother pulled out a shirt with a collection of patches my mother had sewn on it. One of the patches showed a joint camporee of five BSA Troops from Newtown Square with patches from 1971 and 1973. After a quick internet search, I discovered that these camporees were regular occurrences held at the Garrett Williamson Lodge and the adjoining Sun Company property for several years.

William Bryce’s introduction and interest in founding the Boy Scouts of America began after a trip to London. Bryce was a businessman who traveled from Chicago to London for a meeting. When he arrived, he became disoriented on the foggy streets of London and was having trouble finding his way. That is when a young lad in a uniform appeared and helped show him the way. Bryce offered to give him a tip, but he refused and said it was simply his good deed for the day as a scout.

If you go to the BSA website and look for a current troop to join in Newtown Square Proper, you have one choice: Troop 315, the oldest in town. Troop 315 traces its roots back to Newtown Square Troop 1, founded in 1922. When the BSA switched to a three-digit troop identification system, it was reassigned 315, with the 1 indicating its original number. Several other options are close by; Troop 122 Broomall / Newtown Square, the second established Newtown Square Troop and Troop 151 out of Marple Presbyterian Church. Radnor 284, while their scout cabin has a Newtown Square address, it is in Radnor, as the name suggests. Each offers Cub Pack and Scouts Troops and Radnor 284 provides a female scout program.

The Scoutmaster of Newtown Square Troop 1 was F.J. Ballaron. In 1941 he became Chief Ballaron of the Newtown Square Fire Company. His sons Frank and Albert would continue in community service. In 1951 Frank Ballaron became President of the Newtown Square Fire Company and Albert was elected Fire Chief. Frank would serve for two years and Albert for three.

Troop 533 in 1964

Today Troop 1’s legacy continues through Troop 315 and Cub Pack 315, chartered by St. Anastasia Church. One of many dedicated Scout Leaders is Broomall resident, Don Johnson who began serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader in 1984, later Cubmaster, and for the past thirty years as Scoutmaster of Troop 315. When asked why he has been so dedicated, Johnson replied, “Because my own experience as a Boy Scout taught me to... Be Prepared... for my life ahead, and I wanted that same experience for my sons and other boys. I made a promise on my sacred honor when I was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, that I would always support Scouting in my community.”

Expanding its footprint in community service, the Newtown Square Fire Company charted a Boy Scout Troop in January 1943. Presumably, Newtown Troop 2. This event would have a future impact on a member of the community.

During the Newtown Square Fire Company Banquet in April of 1937, one of the goals of the fire company was to take a more active interest in the young men of the community. By December of that year, the Scouts had moved in. Some troops charted by local churches and even one by the Newtown Township School District used the firehouse as a meeting location.

In exchange for using the firehouse, the scouts performed different jobs around the building, such as grading the back lot area and building a closet or two. Similar to what the scouts do today at locations across the country.

The Fire Company would be the charter organization for the Boy Scouts in the Newtown Square area until 1951. As with many scout troops today, storage of camping equipment and other items is always a concern. In 1950s Newtown Square they were competing for space with the ever-growing fire company. With a mutual agreement, the Scouts started to look for more space. They found that space with the help of the Rotary Club of West Chester Pike.

The charter was then switched to the Rotary Club of West Chester Pike, with meetings taking place at Messiah Lutheran Church under the direction of Scoutmaster Robert Allison, Sr. One of the young boys in the troop at the time was his son Robert Allison, who eventually became Chief and President of the Newtown Square Fire Company.

This Boy Scout Troop is still alive and well. Having changed its charter organization a few times over the years, it is the current Troop 122 Newtown Square/Broomall, and they meet at St. Marks United Methodist Church.

Several other troops in our community over the years have since closed their chapters. In January of 1952, Rev. L. Phillip Samuelson was the first Scoutmaster of Troop 121, which met at the First Baptist Church on West Chester Pike, just past Bishop Hollow Road. Records indicate they continued strong into the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Troop 533 met at the Presbyterian Church on Goshen Road in the 1950s. They had their first Eagle Scout Court of Honor in July of 1962. James J. Donnon became their first Eagle Scout at

the age of 14. He had earned 24 Merit Badges, three more than the required 21. Troop 533 was still turning out Eagle scouts in the 1980s. They also had an Explorer Post (now called Venture Scouts), and Marple Police had an Explorer Post as well in the 1970s and 80s.

Also turning out Eagle Scouts was Troop 237, which met at St. Alban’s Episcopal church. They also offered another element of scouting, the Sea Scouts, and hosted Ship 327 and Cub Pack 327. Troop 147, which met at the Immanuel Church of the Brethren on Darby Paoli Road, was chartered in 1964 and lasted a few years.

As the scouting movement grew in size and popularity, many troops also had Cub Scout Packs for boys in grade school. Alice Grim School had a standalone Cub Pack, Pack 422, up to when it closed in the 1970s.

Currently, Troop 122 has 85 scouts that have reached the rank of Eagle, the highest level in Scouting. Troop 315 has many Eagle Scouts, but their list only includes Eagle Scouts after 1967. Presumably, in the four decades before that, a few earned the rank of Eagle during the hay day of Scouting. They are in the process of researching and updating their records.

As I was concluding my research of newspaper articles, I discovered that Sun Oil Labs charted an Explorer post in 1964 that focused on Science. That post met at the Sun Oil location on Bishop Hollow Road, hidden behind the cornfields, which, oddly enough, is where this whole story began.

There are several Cub Scouts and Boy Scout Troops in the area. Visit www.BeAScout.scouting.org to find one. The Girls Scouts also have active troops in the community. That information can be found at www.MyGS.girlscouts.org. M

Publisher’s Note: Preston Tyrell grew up in Newtown Square and while attending St. Anastasia School and Marple Newtown High School, was a Boy Scout of Troop 315. Now a teacher of Business and Video Production classes at Ridley High School, Preston is also father to son Alex and daughter Avery. Having served as a Cub Scout leader, Preston is currently a leader of Radnor Troop 284, where his daughter and her fellow female Scouts, are now on their trail towards earning their rank of Eagle Scout. Thank you Preston, for your support of Scouting and our community, by writing this feature for our hometown magazine and for still serving your community in uniform as a volunteer with the Newtown Square Fire Department.

If you have an idea for a feature story you feel passionate about and may even be interested in writing the feature that would carry your byline in Marple Friends & Neighbors, email Holly Stupak at: HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.

(R)

Troop 315 Scout Leaders Don Johnson (L) and Steve Weidner

by Bob Blaisse, Publisher

Bringing People Together

Marple

Friends & Neighbors

If you enjoy the simple pleasure of reading each new issue of Marple Friends & Neighbors in print or online at: www.MarpleMag.com, then you can imagine how our Content Coordinator Holly Stupak, and Graphic Designer Kim Cesati, our writers and proofreaders are all encouraged by knowing how likely it is that nearly ten thousand Marple Newtown residents feel as you when first seeing each new free monthly issue of your hometown magazine arrive in the mail.

If you can multiply your appreciation that we have a hometown magazine, and how our staff feels rewarded by your kind words, you can understand how wonderful it is for us when one of our advertising Sponsors experiences a thankful reader like you, rewarding them for their decision to give back to Marple residents, by paying the expenses that make our hometown magazine possible.

Advertising Sponsors make our Bringing People Together mission a party, attended monthly by thousands of our hometown friends and neighbors, readers like you who call Marple their hometown. And these business leaders in our community are mindful of that mission, which they make possible because they hear from you, those of you we call Reader Leaders! And we need more of you to join our Bringing People Together mission on a larger scale. More readers who will step up to be

advertising Sponsors, and more readers who will reward our advertising Sponsors with a choice to do business with them first, in thanks for funding our magazine.

Any reader of Marple Friends & Neighbors, whether a business owner or a homeowner, can be a Reader Leader. Either by making contact with me to become an advertising Sponsor, or by contacting one of our Sponsors to thank them for their investment in hometown pride, and to let them know that you’ll choose to do business with them first.

Reader Leadership helps grow our hometown magazine by adding advertising Sponsors whose decision to advertise allows us to gradually increase our hometown magazine page count, which then allows us to publish more monthly features about Marple residents, sports and non-profit organizations, and local businesses. By adding more advertising Sponsors, we can add to our hometown party that is Bringing People Together.

If you are a local business owner, or know a business expert you trust and believe should be seen in Marple Friends & Neighbors, invite them to the party. And if your Reader Leadership brings in a new advertising Sponsor, I’ll be asking if we can share your name with readers, and asking you to select a feature family to be on the cover of an upcoming issue.

The steps to becoming a Reader Leader are on page 17. Think about extending your personal invitation to a business you know, to come join the party that’s Bringing People Together in your hometown. M

Bob

ReadeR LeadeRs: We Need Your Reader Leadership!

Name a Marple Township resident to appear on the cover of an upcoming edition.

Three easy steps to becoming a ReadeR LeadeR…

1Send an email to any business owner, reccommending Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine as the best way that a business can become known and rewarded by Marple Township residents for Sponsoring your hometown magazine. Use your email to introduce the business owner to Bob Blaisse, Publisher of Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine, by also copying Bob (BBlaisse@BestVersionMedia.com).

Just let your magazine Publisher and your business contact do the rest.

If the business owner you connect with Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine becomes an advertising sponsor of our community, you’ll be named a Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine “ReadeR LeadeR.” Reader Leaders helping to grow Marple’s monthly magazine will be featured in an upcoming edition, for their reader leadership, and asked to nominate a Marple Township resident family to appear on the cover of any upcoming edition of Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine.

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania kicked off their 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Season on January 19th. Our Marple Friends & Neighbors can support their local Girl Scout troops by purchasing their favorite cookies now through March 13th.

The assortment of cookies this year includes timeless favorites like Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, and Peanut Butter Patties®. New this season is Adventurefuls™, an indulgent brownie-inspired cookie with caramelflavored creme and a hint of sea salt.

Supporting the Girl Scout Cookie Program is critical to not only sustaining local Girl Scout programs and events, but also to expanding the reach of the Girl Scout experience overall.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program allows girls to earn new Cookie Business badges and to get a taste of what being an entrepreneur involves. Learning important skills like goal setting, decision making, money management and people skills add to the benefits.

To support local Girl Scouts and pick up a box of your favorite Girl Scouts Cookies, contact a Girl Scout in the neighborhood. You can also visit their booth locations at many of our area supermarkets and other local businesses. Finding cookie locations can be done online by visiting www.GirlScoutCookies.org or using the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for free on iOS or Android devices. M

by Mike Bradley Bradley Tree Experts

If you’ve ever read the book ‘The Giving Tree’ by Shel Silverstein, you realize how much our trees have to give. But it’s our responsibility to take care of them so they don’t have to give all they have, only to disappear.

Pruning and Shaping

When done properly, pruning can improve a tree's healthy appearance, as well as increase the life expectancy of the tree. Proper pruning opens the canopy of the tree to permit air movement and sunlight penetration. It’s important to prune in accordance with accepted tree care standards to ensure that your tree receives the maximum benefit from pruning without being subject to damage.

Cabling and Bracing

This procedure involves the installation of threaded steel rod braces and/or high strength cables to preserve the integrity and natural structure of the tree.

Lightning Protection

This procedure protects your highly valued trees from Mother Nature. Hardware is installed on the tree’s parent limbs which grounds electricity into ground rods instead of bringing disaster to your tree, or possibly your home.

Fertilization

In a forest, decayed leaves and dead plants provide mineral elements and nutrients which trees require to grow. In urban and suburban landscapes, these natural nutrient sources are often raked up or removed. Fertilizing replenishes these deficiencies and helps maintain trees and shrubs in a vigorous condition. Trees and shrubs in good condition are less susceptible to attack by insects and disease, and are able to tolerate other environmental stresses.

Tree Removal

Although tree removal is a last resort, there are circumstances when it is necessary. However, tree removal can be dangerous, not just in the use of high-strength equipment, but also to the surrounding area, structures and fellow trees. This is a good time to seek the advice of expert tree care specialists to figure out the logistics.

Stump Removal

Mechanical stump grinding is the most efficient way to remove a stump/roots, because

Firewood

can replant almost immediately.

When a tree has given all it has to give, as in ‘The Giving Tree’, the firewood and mulch can be useful all year long. M

CPR Saves Lives: Marple Township Ambulance Corps Offers Free CPR Training

February is National Heart Month and the perfect time to spotlight how lives can be saved if more of us know CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Marple Newtown residents can learn these life-saving skills for free thanks to the Marple Township Ambulance Corps (MTAC). The MTAC will be offering CPR classes every other month, with this month’s class being held on February 15.

Although the MTAC has been offering CPR classes for years, Deputy Chief Andy Tucker said the recent sudden cardiac arrest of Buffalo Bills star Damar Hamlin is shedding light on the importance of CPR and AED training. “I was one of the millions of people watching Monday night football when Damar Hamlin collapsed,” said Andy. “I immediately said to my wife, Maria, this will definitely bring CPR into the spotlight and the number of people that want to learn CPR will explode.”

Andy is not only Deputy Chief of Marple Township EMS, but he is also a contract paramedic who has covered hundreds of professional games including the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and Sixers. He said that since the medical professionals were able to start performing CPR on

Damar Hamlin, that was the key to his survival. “Hamlin had a huge team of medics surrounding himwithin seconds. That’s not always possible in cases of cardiac arrest or heart attacks,” he explained. “Early rescue reorganization and early defibrillation are key to success and that was absolutely evident in his case.”

Andy, who has been volunteering with the MTAC for 35 years, urges residents to become trained in CPR. The MTAC frequently holds CPR training for local organizations and schools including Paxon Hollow Middle School, Splash Club and the Marple Junior Tigers, to name a few. “Everyone should be CPR trained if they’re able,” said Andy.

Maria Tucker, Andy’s wife and a volunteer EMT for the MTAC for 10 years, will be instructing the bi-monthly CPR classes. Classes will be about an hour long and will teach the two steps of Hands-Only CPR that are necessary if you witness a teen or adult suddenly collapse.

Statistics from the American Heart Association show that each year in the United States an estimated 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest, and anyone who witnesses a cardiac arrest in the community can perform CPR. CPR can help keep the heart pumping and blood flowing to vital organs until an electrical shock from a defibrillator is available to restore the heart to a normal heart rhythm.

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of a spouse, a parent or a friend. By learning CPR you could be the difference for your loved one, doubling or tripling their chance of survival. MTAC’s next upcoming free CPR classes, for ages 16 and older will be held on February 15 and March 15 at 7pm at the Marple Township Ambulance Corps building on Malin Rd. For registration, email Maria Tucker at mtucker@marpleems.com. To learn more about the Marple Township Ambulance Corps, visit www.MarpleEMS.com. M

by Holly Stupak

Photos courtesy of Maria Tucker

Deputy Chief Andy Tucker demonstrates CPR

The Marple Township Ambulance Corps CPR class

Daily through February 26

Flight On Ice

@4901 West Chester Pk, Newtown Square

Newtown Square’s pop-up outdoor ice-skating rink is back and offers fun for the entire family. This winter wonderland features a 60' x 100' full-size outdoor skating rink, a heated hospitality tent with food, drinks and merchandise. Special events and live music as well.

Time: Wed. and Thurs. 4 – 8pm; Fri. 4 – 10pm; Sat. 11am – 10pm; Sun. 11am – 8pm

Cost: Check their website for current Season Pass, Family Pass and Individual Ticket pricing. 610-627-2100 www.FlightOnIce.com

Mondays in February

Book Trip Mondays with Miss Mel

@Marple Public Library, 2599 Sproul Rd, Broomall

Take a trip around the children’s department to find all the books you want to take home! During our traditional book treks, we will continue to learn about all the sections of the children’s department and where to find our favorite books. Recommended for children of all ages accompanied by parent(s) and/or guardian.

No Registration Required.

Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm

Cost: FREE 610-356-1510 www.MarpleLibrary.org

Saturdays in February

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!) www.NSHistory.org

Daily through March 5

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

@Delaware River Waterfront 101 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia

Philly’s favorite Winter wonderland on the Waterfront is back with thousands of sparkling lights, warming cabins, firepits and ice rink. Reserve tickets in advance.

Time: Mon.–Thurs. 1 – 11pm; Fri. 1pm – 1am; Sat. 11am – 1am; Sun. 11am – 11pm

Cost: Skating $5, Skate Rental $12 215-922-2386 www.DelawareRiverWaterfront.com

Daily through March 26

Winter Wonder

@Longwood Gardens

1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square

Explore the warm Conservatory as it charms with captivating color and texture, from soaring baskets, to lush planting beds, to ever-changing surprises. Delight in a performance as the sounds of jazz to classical to organ fill the air. Outside, stroll 200 acres of winter’s beauty. Timed admission tickets are required.

Time: Visit website for times and tickets.

Cost: $16 – $30

610-388-1000 www.LongwoodGardens.org

Saturdays and Sundays February through April

Devon/Berwyn Antique & Vintage Flea Market

@Valley Fair Shopping Center 260 W. Swedesford Rd, Berwyn Indoor/Outdoor flea market featuring antiques, collectibles, vintage jewelry and clothing, glassware, artwork, vinyl and more.

Time: 9am – 4pm Cost: FREE 215-625-3532 www.PhilaFleaMarkets.org

Sat. February 11 – Sun. March 5

Junie B. Jones The Musical JR. @Media Theatre, 104 E. State St, Media

Join Junie B. on her first day of first grade, where many changes are in store: Junie's best friend Lucille has found new best friends, and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Add in an intense kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

Time: Shows are Saturdays and Sundays. Check the website for show times. Cost: $17 – $22 610-891-0100 www.MediaTheatre.org

Sun. February 12 15th Annual Feel the Love 5K @Wilson Farm Park, 1601 Darby Rd, Wayne Scoring for the race will consist of a couple’s COMBINED final times. This is a unique and motivational race where it takes two to do well! With four couple categories to choose from, there is something for everyone! INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOME TO RACE. A virtual race option is also available. Proceeds benefit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at Jefferson Hospital and the Bryn Mawr Running Club. Time: 11am Cost: $35 www.RunSignUp.com/Race/PA/Wayne/FeeltheLove5K

Tues. February 14

Valentine’s Day

Pick Your Project Workshop

@Board & Brush

210 S Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square

Create your own unique wood signs when selecting a wood project from our gallery. We provide all the materials and instruct you step-by-step to create a beautiful piece for you or for a gift.

Time: 6:30 – 9:30pm

Cost: $73 each or 2 for $110. Use the discount code VDAY23 when placing 2 bookings of a $73 value on the same transaction. Must place 2 bookingsone project per person in order to get the discount. Pre-registration is required. 610-883-2679 www.BoardAndBrush.com

Wed. February 15

CPR Training

@Marple Township Ambulance Corps

8 N. Malin Rd, Broomall

The Marple Township Ambulance Corps is offering free, bi-monthly CPR training courses for residents 16 and older. Registration is required. Please email Maria Tucker at MTucker@marpleems.com Time: 7pm

Cost: FREE

Wed. February 15

The New Newtown Firehouse

@Newtown Firehouse

2 Charles Ellis Dr, Newtown Square

Preston Tyrrell will give a short history of the Newtown Square Fire Department and then give a tour of their beautiful new facility.

Time: 7pm Cost: FREE (donations accepted!) www.NSHistory.org

Sun. February 19

Valentine’s Fashion Show Fundraiser

@Anthony’s at Paxon Hollow 850 Paxon Hollow Rd, Media

The Marple Civic Youth and Mad Hatter Boutique are hosting a Valentine’s Fashion show. Price includes a lunch buffet and fashion show featuring Spring fashions and prom dresses. Visit the Marple Civic Youth’s Facebook or Instagram pages for the sign up link.

RSVP by February 9th.

Time: 11am – 3pm Cost:$40

The Hotchkins Come to Marple

by Doug Humes Photos courtesy of the Marple Historical Society

In rural Marple in the late 19th century, men of learning were rare. But from 1859 till his untimely death in 1878, the Reverend Beriah Bishop Hotchkin was the most learned man in the Township. He was not a native of the area, but a 3rd generation preacher, from a Revolutionary War soldier turned preacher from Connecticut. He received his degree in theology from Lafayette College, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. In 1845 he was named pastor of a church in New Jersey, where he served until called to be the pastor at Marple Presbyterian Church in 1859, arriving with a wife and two adult daughters.

Scrap-Book and A Church Catechism for Children and Youth in the Presbyterian Church.

His most lasting contribution to Marple began when he was irked by having to travel by horse and buggy to the nearest post office in Newtown Square for his mail. “Why don’t we have a post office of our own?” he said to his friend and neighbor, John F. Taylor. Taylor had friends in high places, and so traveled to Washington, DC to ask that question of his friend, Congressman John Broomall. A deal was struck, and the Broomall post office was created, at the general store right up the road from Reverend Hotchkin’s house.

The beloved Reverend and his wife rest today at the Marple Presbyterian cemetery with their two daughters.

Wife Elizabeth Alice Fitch was a Mayflower descendant of Governor William Bradford. She was described as “a lady of excellent family, of attractive person, engaging manners, and fine natural abilities.” A high class family had moved into Marple! Her son recalled that his mother had heard all three generations of Hotchkins, grandfather, father and her husband, all preach on the same day.

There was no suitable housing for the new minister, so he purchased land on Church Lane (today 61 Church Lane), and a beautiful parsonage was built, within walking distance of the church. Daughters Helen and Alice conducted the private Hillcroft School from 1870 to 1900 at the parsonage. Adult sons Gurdon and Samuel Fitch Hotchkiss enjoyed successful careers as a doctor and 4th generation preacher respectively.

Reverend Hotchkins was, in the words of his son Samuel, “an incessant and useful writer.” His works include Upward from Sin Through Grace to Glory, Manliness for Young Men and Their Well-Wishers, Infidelity Against Itself, The Soldier’s

Above: “A morning without clouds”

Left: “The morning cometh” –selected by Rev. Hotchkin for his wife’s grave

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: ww.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org.

Rev. B.B. Hotchkin, circa 1865

The Parsonage at 61 Church Road with 1860 datestone

Finding Our Marple Feature Stories: We Want to Hear From YOU!

by Holly Stupak

Over the last four years, we have had the privilege of introducing you to many friendly faces in our community. The families and individuals you have read about all share the same love for Marple, but each has their own unique story about where they came from, why they live here, how they are making a difference in our community and how they spend quality time together.

Some families travel the globe, while others love the Jersey shore. We have featured residents who are making a difference in the world and those who are volunteering their time to support our local youth programs. And for those of us who grew up here, it’s a treat to learn about families and individuals who choose to move to Marple because they have heard it’s a great place to live!

It’s always fun to scroll through our library of issues at www.MarpleMag.com to learn about who we have highlighted through the years. You’ll see a community of friends and neighbors from different backgrounds, religions and ethnicities who all love to call Marple their home.

There are often times along the way when we are asked how we find and select our Resident Feature and Community Feature stories. That’s a question that doesn’t have a standard answer, because each feature is unique. What we can tell you is that many times the recommendations come from you, our valued readers of Marple Friends & Neighbors.

We want you to keep those referrals coming! Who would you love to see featured in your hometown magazine? Do you have friends and neighbors who are making a difference in our community — people who work here, live here and make Marple a better place? Perhaps you know of a family or an individual who has a great story to tell about their journey or their plans for the future. Whatever it may be, we want to hear from you!

If you’d like to nominate a family, individual or nonprofit organization, please email me at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com. M

MNDrama Presents “The Addams Family”

by Holly Stupak

Photos courtesy of MNDrama

America’s darkest family will come to life this Spring at Marple Newtown High School’s Performing Art Center. MNDrama’s production of The Addams Family opens March 16th and this musical adaptation about this creepy and kooky cast of characters is sure to entertain audiences of all ages.

Based on The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams, this story about the ghoulish American family explores themes of love, family and growing up. The Addams Family began as a New Yorker cartoon in 1938 and eventually became a primetime show in the 1960s. Since the series, there have been several animated adaptations, blockbusters, a Broadway musical and most recently a Netflix adaptation called Wednesday.

Directed by veteran director Brian Walsh and produced by Marple Newtown High School (MNHS) graduate Tiffany

Caprice, MNDrama’s production of The Addams Family features more than 80 MNHS high school students as actors, dancers, stage crew members and musicians. The musical tells the story of the Addams family, a close-knit extended family with macabre interests and supernatural abilities. Brian said this year was the perfect time to put on a production of the Addams Family. “With the new Netflix series and the cartoon adaptation just a couple years ago, it seems to be the ‘it’ show these days. It’s exciting to bring it to our stage.”

Brian, a fifth-grade teacher in the Upper Darby School district, began directing Marple Newtown students back in 2015. He grew up in Drexel Hill and graduated from Upper Darby High School and Kutztown University. He’s been actively involved in the Upper Darby Summer Stage program since he was young and still works there today as a director, working with elementary-aged students.

Producer Tiffany Caprice graduated from MNHS, where she was active in the drama program as a stage crew member and enjoyed producing one-act plays. She’s now an executive producer with the We The People Company (www.WeThePeople.tv), a production company that merges entertainment with advertising.

What drew Brian and Tiffany to The Addams Family was not just the quirky characters, but the message it brings to the audience. “It’s really about how appearances can be deceiving,” said Brian. “Despite how different someone may seem on the outside, what matters is what is on the inside. And at its core, it’s really about a family who really cares and loves each other.” Tiffany said the show also gives the students the opportunity to create a lot of fun and excitement on stage. “The storyline and musical numbers are really engaging,” she said. “And the crew had a great opportunity to get very creative with the costumes and set.”

The premise of this musical comedy is that 18-year-old Wednesday Addams meets a sweet, smart boy from a “normal” family. From this connection and then a funny meeting between the two families, everything changes for the Addams family. Told through lots of jokes and entertaining song and dance numbers, the show is sure to please fans of the original show as well as those who may be unfamiliar with this ghoulish family. Sophomore Julia Izzo plays Wednesday Addams, a girl obsessed with death who enjoys performing odd science experiments. “Wednesday is really dark and straightforward. It’s fun to play a character who is so different from me,” she said. “And she really inspires people to be open to change.”

Playing the role of Morticia Addams is junior Margaret Schiller who also starred in MN Drama’s 2022 productions of Clue and Matilda the Musical. Margaret said she was a big fan of the original Addams Family television show and especially admired the character of Morticia. “She’s so majestic,” said Margaret. “And even though she’s a more serious character, she still adds humor to the show, so she’s really fun to play.”

Something new to the MNDrama program this year is something called A Star for A Day. Marple Newtown students of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in an all day acting workshop this Spring that will end with a live cabaret style show for family and friends. “It’s a great opportunity for the high school students to mentor students in the elementary and middle schools who are interested in our drama program,” said Brian.

MNDrama’s cast, crew and orchestra have been working diligently five days a week to perfect the production of this year’s Spring Musical. Audiences will not want to miss The Addams Family: an entertaining, original story that embraces the wackiness in every family. Performances start Thursday, March 16th and run through Saturday, March 18th. Visit www.MNDrama. org for showtimes and ticket information. M

Working behind the scenes and at the heart of any successful theater production, is the stage crew. The crew for the production of The Addams Family are responsible for everything from lighting, sound and props to set design. Junior Kaylie Pohlig is the student producer of the show, a role that has given her the opportunity to branch out and take on a leadership role. “It has really changed my whole high school experience,” said Kaylie, who also worked as the student producer of Matilda in 2022. “Not only has it been fun, but I am hoping for a career in theater, so it is really preparing me for the future.”

During production of The Addams Family, the cast and crew were able to meet professional actors, attend workshops and work with dialect coaches. “We really wanted to give the Marple drama students a bigger, better and memorable experience,” Tiffany explained. They were even able to hear from a stunt coordinator who taught the students how to do some of their own stunts on stage. “This is a great opportunity for them to learn from professionals,” she added. “It’s especially important to those students who want to pursue theater production after high school.”

Joel Abboud

Above: Rebecca Kennedy (Grandma Addams) and Kayley Brown (Pugsley) rehearse a scene for the show.

Left: Oscar Padilla gets ready to play the part of Uncle Fester

Roham Shirazi plays the part of Gomez Addams

BATTER UP! Baseball Season is Coming

by Holly Stupak

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time for baseball season! Home to two little league organizations, Marple Township Little League (MTLL) and South Marple Little League (SMLL), Marple offers children ages 4-12 the opportunity to learn life lessons, make new friends and develop a love of the game.

Player registrations for both programs are wrapping up this month, and plans are underway for player evaluations, team assignments, opening day parades and family-fun special events. The season will begin in early April and continue through June.

Run by dedicated volunteers and chartered members of Little League Baseball, these two leagues provide a healthy environment to play ball and to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Each league requires residency or attendance at a school within the league borders.

MTLL was founded in 1951 and serves boys and girls of the Marple Newtown area. Its goal is to encourage participation, develop character and discipline and promote teamwork. MTLL sponsors divisions from tee-ball to the more competitive majors and minors divisions as well as tournament teams.

New to MTLL this year is a Challenger League for individuals ages 4 -18 with intellectual and physical challenges. The Challenger League will allow these individuals to enjoy the benefits of Little League participation in an environment structured to their abilities. For more information call 484-888-8780 or email challenger.mtll@gmail.com.

South Marple Little League serves children who attend St. Pius X, Loomis Elementary, Paxon Hollow Middle School, and St. Francis of Assisi. Offering tee-ball, minor and major competitive baseball and softball teams, as well as tournament teams, SMLL is an ideal environment for players to excel and for families to enjoy their time at the fields. SMLL kicks off their season on Saturday, April 1 with their annual parade from Lawrence Park Shopping Center to the baseball fields located behind Loomis Elementary School.

Every season brings new possibilities, and the goal of these leagues is to ensure a safe and happy environment for families to enjoy the great game of baseball! More than just a game, youth baseball and softball teach life lessons that build stronger communities and individuals. For more information, visit the league websites at www.MTLL.org and www.SMLL.org.

Past MTLL players

Photo courtesy of MTLL

South Marple Little League Field Photo courtesy of SMLL

To determine if your home is as safe as it could be during the cold winter months, here are some things to check regularly and to always keep in mind, both inside and out.

Outside

After the holiday lights are taken down and put away for next season, what needs to be done now in order to keep things safe, neat and tidy for the rest of winter? While you make a visual inspection of your home’s interior and exterior, keep in mind the following:

• Make sure all power outlets have the proper weatherproof covers in place.

• Are your wall lights secured properly with no broken glass or pieces?

• Look at the power cables and meter box, to verify that everything is attached properly and the wiring is in place without any cracks or broken coverings.

• If you have a portable generator, make sure the power outlet is secure.

• If you have a house generator, now is a good time to make sure the area around the unit is clear of trash, leaves or any other debris that could clog the air vent on the unit.

• Is your snow blower tuned up, gassed up and ready for duty?

Inside

• Are your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in working order with fresh batteries?

• Check the plugs and cords on portable electric heaters, to make sure they are not broken or cracked. (This includes ceramic, strip element and fluid-filled units.)

• Make sure your fireplace ash pit is cleaned out and your chimney flue is clean.

• Never run extension cords under carpeting — even for only an hour!

• Are your power/surge strips in proper working order? Make sure they are not overloaded, especially if a portable heater is using one of the plugs.

by Andrew Martella Martella Electric

• Never leave or forget about candles that are burning. They can be especially dangerous if left unattended.

• If you have toddlers, are all safety gates and cabinet locks in place?

Some of these things seem like common sense, but that also makes them less likely to be high on your list of regular safety checks. Stay safe all winter long, so you can welcome spring knowing everything is in perfect working order. M

DANJOLELL

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