Marple Friends & Neighbors magazine, January 2024

Marple

2024 January

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Pat House

A Comedian in the House

Photo by James McCambridge

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

Heating & Air Conditioning Expert Article: Pg. 14 Len Sciulli Signature HVAC Heating & Air Conditioning 11 Wilson Ave, West Chester 484-406-4485 • LSciulli@SignatureHVAC.com www.SignatureHVAC.com

Carpeting & Floor Covering Eric Fante Fante Flooring 39 South Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square 610-232-708 • Info@FanteFloors.com www.FanteFloors.com

Residential Door Installation Paul Barrett PB Contracting Company, LLC Broomall 484-466-3221 DoorsAndWindows@PBContracting.com www.PBContracting.com

Chiropractic Care Expert Article: Pg. 4 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

Retirement & Financial Planning Charles Welde, CPA, CFP® The CP Welde Group 610-388-7705 • Charles@CPWeldeGroup.com www.CPWeldeGroup.com

Electric Service, Residential/Commercial Andrew Martella, Sr. Martella Electric Company 484-997-3097 • MartellaElectric@rcn.com www.MartellaElectric.com

Roofing, Siding & Carpentry Kevin O’Donnell O’Donnell Roofing Co. 610-624-8112 CustomerService@ODonnellRoofingCo.com www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com/bvm

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 Expert Article: Pg. 23 Deborah M. Truscello, Esq. Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello 610-892-4940 • DmtofLaw@gmail.com www.TruscelloLaw.com

Tree Care and Inspection Mike Bradley Bradley Tree Experts Broomall 610-325-8600 • Mike@BradleyTreeExperts.com www.BradleyTreeExperts.com

Fireplace Products Expert Article: Pg. 6 Scott Magness Scott’s Fireplace Products 3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square 484-422-8334 SFP@ScottsFireplaceProducts.com www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com

Expert Contributors needed!

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

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Waterproofing & Weatherization David Linn Cook and Joe Soster Waterproofing One Marple Newtown Edgmont 800-508-4144 Info@WaterproofingOne.com www.WaterproofingOne.com

Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

We’re Online www.MarpleMag.com

Dear Friends & Neighbors, After all that merry, it’s January 2024, and 2023 is no more. We’re now three more than a score into our 21st Century tour. Has it really been 25 years since the New Year number began with one?

Yes, it has, but it’s still the same fun. Happy New Year everyone!

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, Scott Magness, Deborah M. Truscello, Len Sciulli, Dr. Marc Belitsky 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, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves.

BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2024 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

January is National “Thank You” Month, named so to suggest we start 2024 off with renewed daily efforts of that simple kindness that acknowledges the efforts people make to help us. Not only the people in our lives, but the service workers and strangers who help us yet we may never see or talk to again. It’s a noble New Year effort suggested: to exercise our expressions of gratitude as a personal habit to more often say “Thank You.” In this first month of this new year, I invite every reader of Marple Friends & Neighbors to join our magazine staff and your Marple friends and neighbors to sign on with a renewed resolution to more often say “Thank You.” That simple voluntary act of kindness nearly always brings a kind gesture or smile, and that cycle of goodwill will fuel our hope for a Happy New Year.

I’ll start my January “Thank You” practice by first thanking YOU, as a faithful reader of our hometown magazine. Without your monthly choice to spend time reading our monthly social-media-in-print publication, the motto and mission of our hometown magazine, to be Bringing People Together, would not be fulfilled. You add to the purpose of your hometown magazine.

In 2023 our magazine staff received many kind words about our publication, confirming that our mission for the Marple community is being fulfilled. Your compliments, while humbling, strengthen our magazine team’s resolve to overcome the challenges of each new issue before we send it off to the printer to then be mailed to your homes.

If you’re a fan of Friends & Neighbors, you know what’s coming next. Correct! To all our advertising Sponsors, “Thank You” for making Marple Friends & Neighbors possible in print and online at www.MarpleMag.com. Your choice to use your limited marketing budget to produce our hometown publication shows Marple residents they are important to the success of your business. And I trust our readers will offer their “Thank You” back by our choosing to do business with you first when possible in 2024.

Happy New Year everyone! I know you’ll enjoy this great first issue of 2024 that our team has put together for us to enjoy. “Thank You, Holly! Thank You, Kim! Thank You, Lisa!”

Bob Blaisse

ON THE COVER

Publisher

Pat House at The Punch Line in San Francisco, CA

Marple

2024 January

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Pat House

A Comedian in the House

Dear Residents, Happy New Year! Here’s hoping your holiday season was filled with fun and festive gatherings with family and friends. Our Calendar of Events has some fun ideas to keep us from getting the post holiday blues.

This month we’ve got a comedian in the house. Yes, it’s Pat House, who has been serving up laughs around the country and drinks at Anthony’s at Paxon for the past Family: e Brady Th in Marple 20 years.

Our Profile features Fante Flooring: A family-owned business offerFullestBusiness Living Life to the ing a wide selection of high-quality, beautiful flooring solutions. You’ll also meet a family who is bringing a bit of Ireland to Marple and a local high school student who is helping make our community more inclusive.

Written by Holly Stupak

rkPhoto.com raphy www.SierraCla y of Sierra Clark Photog , Photos courtes

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.

Photo by James

McCambridge

Holly Stupak Content Coordinator

January 2024

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www.MarpleMag.com

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Expert Contributor

by Marc Belitsky, D.C., D.A.C.R.B. Broomall Total Health Center

Remove Spinal Pain from Your Career

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ith so much time spent in our virtual world, our bodies — especially our necks and backs — are suffering from real-world diseases such as migraine headaches and chronic pain due to the habitual bad postures we hold while using our electronic devices for so many hours each day.

Years ago, the unhealthiest people were often those who had careers that required hard, repetitive physical labor, or traveling long distances in a low sitting position in an auto or truck.

Those job requirements were usually the largest contributors to poor health, more so than auto accidents, as might be expected.

The digital age now rules many careers, and our time sitting in poor postures has more than tripled. This has caused an

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increase in health problems ranging from neck pain, back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica to the onset of many disease processes including obesity. For many people, it unfortunately takes being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or being inconvenienced by acute symptoms before they realize that’s their body’s way of saying “To return to full health, you must make some changes!”

A study in The American Journal of Epidemiology reported that sitting for long stretches (more than six hours a day) can make someone at least 18% more likely to die from diabetes, heart disease or obesity compared to people who sit less than three hours a day. And a study done by Physiologist Marc Hamilton discovered that when lab mice were prevented from standing up, an enzyme that burns fat got turned off, which led to the mice gaining weight.

Computers, cell phones and our virtual world are obviously here to stay. To reduce the pain and stop the degenerative physical changes caused by using those devices so much, “unplug yourself” for a while every day. Prioritize creating a healthy lifestyle by making some or all of these recommended behavioral changes: 1. Get a standing desk and/or an ergonomically designed chair.

2. Attach a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse to your laptop.

3. Take regular breaks. Get up every 30 – 60 minutes, to stretch for 30 – 60 seconds.

4. After your evening meal, don’t immediately go and sit or lounge on the sofa or in a recliner. Instead, stand, stretch or walk for 10 minutes or more.

5. Get regular exercise.

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6. Get regular chiropractic adjustments, to keep your spine, neck, back, hips and legs properly aligned.

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By making positive changes to your posture, you’ll experience many real-world — not virtual! — physical benefits including reduced pain and increased energy! M

Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

Student of the Month

by Lisa Jeffries

Lola Troiano JANUARY STUDENT OF THE MONTH Lola with Casey’s Manager Steve Jordan Photo courtesy of Lola Troiano

The January Casey’s Public House Student of the Month is Lola Troiano, who is a Junior at The Shipley School, and also received a Certificate of Achievement and a $25 gift card from Casey’s Public House, our Sponsor of this program.

Lola likes to take part in many different aspects of high school at Shipley, including being the Founder and President of the Shipley Film Club. She is an active participant in Shipley TV, the Shipley Newspaper, the Model UN and was an elected member of the Student Government, where she served as a judicial board member. Lola is also a member of the following clubs and committees: Service/Global Committee, Events Planning Committee, American Sign Language Club, Animal Awareness Club and she is the Manager of the Shipley Events Hype Instagram account. As an Honor Student, Lola is currently really enjoying both macroeconomics and precalculus as a junior.

As a swing player for Shipley Soccer, Lola plays on both the JV and Varsity teams. She also played on the JV basketball team.

As a classical Pianist for 13 years, Lola enjoys the arts and had a lead role in the school musical sophomore year. Within the community, Lola has volunteered at the Black Cat Cafe and is a volunteer-in-training at Main Line Animal Rescue.

While she’s not quite sure what career she’ll eventually pursue, she knows she wants to make a difference and contribute meaningfully to the community. She is really interested in stories, both hearing them and telling them, so possibly a future in film or communications is on her horizon. “I would love to be able to participate in research opportunities relating to psychology and media and how the two intersect and connect,” shared Lola. We can already tell that you’ll do great things in the future Lola! M

Know a terrific teen who should be our next Student of the Month?

Here’s what we look for - Students from grades 7 to 12 who demonstrate excellence in service to school, friendship, community or area groups, and reside within the geographical borders of the Marple, Newtown Square or Edgmont (no matter what school they attend, or if they are homeschooled).

Submit your nomination, highlighting what makes them so amazing, to LJeffries@ BestVersionMedia.com. Academic or athletic excellence is not required.

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Expert Contributor

by Scott Magness Scott’s Fireplace Products

How Lovely Is a Gas Fireplace in Winter?

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here’s nothing like the ambiance of a crackling, inviting fire as the centerpiece for a cozy winter afternoon or evening. There are numerous benefits to having a gas fireplace during the winter season, not the least of which include: Convenience - Gas fireplaces are easy to use and require minimal effort to start and maintain. With just the flip of a switch or the push of a button, you can have a warm and cozy fire instantly, without the hassle of collecting wood or cleaning up ashes.

Energy Efficiency - Gas fireplaces are generally more energyefficient than traditional wood-burning fireplaces, and can provide a significant amount of heat with relatively low fuel consumption, making them a cost-effective heating option.

Cleanliness - Gas fireplaces produce fewer byproducts than wood-burning fireplaces. There is no ash, soot or creosote buildup, which means less mess and easier maintenance. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from Asthma or other breathing problems.

Control Over Heat Output - Many gas fireplaces come with adjustable heat settings, allowing you to control the level of warmth generated. This flexibility is beneficial because you can use the fireplace for both ambiance and heating purposes, adjusting it according to your comfort needs.

Safety - Gas fireplaces are generally considered safer than traditional wood-burning ones. There’s no risk of flying sparks, and they don’t require an open chimney, reducing the potential

for chimney fires. Additionally, modern gas fireplaces often come equipped with safety features, such as automatic shutoff mechanisms.

Instant Heat - Unlike wood-burning fireplaces that take time to start and build up heat, gas fireplaces provide instant warmth.

This can be particularly useful during cold winter evenings when you want to quickly warm up a room or want to enjoy a nice fire close to bedtime.

Low Environmental Impact - While burning natural gas does produce carbon emissions, modern gas fireplaces are designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional wood-burning options. They generally emit fewer pollutants and particulates, contributing to better air quality.

Versatility in Design - Gas fireplaces come in a variety of designs, from traditional to contemporary. This allows homeowners to choose a style that complements their decor and adds aesthetic value to a room.

It’s important to note that the specific benefits may vary depending on the type and model of the gas fireplace, as well as the efficiency of your home. Regular maintenance and proper usage are also crucial to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of a gas fireplace. M

Value bridges the gap between low price desires and the premium products we offer at Scott’s Fireplace Products.

Direct Vent Inserts & Fireplaces Contemporary & Electric Fireplaces Glass Doors, Grates and Log Rings Vented & Vent-Free Gas Logs Gas Stoves & Accessories Outdoor Living Fire Pits 3137 West Chester Pike, Newtown Sq.

484 - 422 - 8334 • www.ScottsFireplaceProducts.com 6

Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

Real Estate

Homes Recently Sold in Marple Address

Sold Price

Beds

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Acres

2156 Sproul Road . . . . . . . . . $370,000 . . . . 3 . . . . .1 . . . . . 1,212 . . . . 0.30 211 Lawrence Road . . . . . . . . $430,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 1.5 . . . . 1,469 . . . . 0.27 10 Hawthorne Road . . . . . . . $260,000 . . . . 3 . . . . .1 . . . . . 960 . . . . 0.14 205 Remington Road . . . . . . $702,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 2.5 . . . .2,428 . . . 0.28 2014 Richard Road . . . . . . . . $715,000 . . . . 4 . . . . 2.5 . . . 2,990 . . . 1.02 24 Grove Lane . . . . . . . . . . $660,000 . . . . 4 . . . . 3 . . . . . 3,519 . . . . 0.31 2510 Highland Avenue . . . . . . $535,000 . . . . 4 . . . . 2.5 . . . .2,360 . . . 0.39 203 Hearth Road . . . . . . . . . $560,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 2.5 . . . . 1,782 . . . . 0.18 17 James Road . . . . . . . . . . $340,000 . . . . 2 . . . . .1 . . . . . 1,102 . . . . 0.17 222 Brookthorpe Circle . . . . . $575,000 . . . . 3 . . . . 2 . . . . . 2,100 . . . . 0.31 4 Stoney End Road . . . . . . . $1,025,000 . . . 5 . . . . 3.5 . . . .5,253 . . . 0.32 102 Cove Road . . . . . . . . . . $800,000 . . . 3 . . . . 3 . . . . . 1,914 . . . . 0.38 120 Lindbergh Avenue . . . . . . $599,000 . . . . 4 . . . . 3 . . . . . 1,536 . . . . 0.35 27 James Road . . . . . . . . . . $400,000 . . . 2 . . . . .1 . . . . . 1,264 . . . . 0.18 2607 Andrew Road . . . . . . . . $725,000 . . . . 4 . . . . 2.5 . . . . 3,166 . . . . 0.47 14 Tower Road . . . . . . . . . . $750,000 . . . . 5 . . . . 3.5 . . . .3,881 . . . . 0.32 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.

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610-624-8112 • www.ODonnellRoofingCo.com • January 2024

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Business Profile

by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Eric Fante

Turning Houses into Dream Homes

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hoosing a floor can seem overwhelming when faced with all the materials and designs you must choose from. Luckily, Fante Flooring in Newtown Square has you covered. Not only do they have a wide selection of flooring you won’t find anywhere else, but owner Eric Fante and his team also take immense pride in seeing the finished products in their customers’ homes.

Eric opened Fante Flooring’s Newtown Square location in 2016, but the company’s roots started long before that in South Philadelphia. Eric’s great-grandfather, Thomas Fante, came to the United States from Italy in 1901, where he opened up and ran a successful furniture business. His son Dominic, Eric's grandfather, worked alongside his father and was particularly interested and knowledgeable in the area of flooring.

They opened Fante Flooring in 1946. The business grew, and by the 1970s, Dominic had turned the store into a beautiful showroom.

Eric grew up in South Philadelphia in the 1970s and spent much of his childhood helping his dad, Ron, and grandfather in the family business. Eric remembers being a young boy and learning the many aspects of running a flooring business from both

his father and grandfather. “I started as a young kid putting tools away and sweeping the floors,” explained Eric. “Then, as a teenager and young adult, I took on more responsibilities and learned how to take measurements and install floors. They showed me how important it is to be a helper.”

Eventually, Eric took over running the business, and since 2001 he has owned and operated Fante Flooring. His father passed away in 2011, but Eric said Ron’s legacy is in great hands. His family’s traditions and techniques are what helped him run the store successfully. “My dad taught me everything in both business and life,” said Eric. “From him, I learned the business from the ground up and how important it is to pay attention to all the little details. They are the most important aspects of being a business owner.”

Over the years, as the business grew, Eric was serving more customers outside of the city. Traveling frequently to the Philadelphia suburbs and the Mainline prompted Eric to move the location to Newtown Square in 2016. Located where Route 3 and 252 intersect, the 4,000-square-foot showroom has a large selection of designer floors that aren’t always found in large retail stores.

From decorator fine hardwoods, the latest carpeting or tile and a vast array of modern engineered solutions, Fante Flooring offers a variety of flooring types that can turn houses into dream homes.

Fante Flooring in Newtown Square

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Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

It’s so great to be part of this community both in business and in life

If you are ready to upgrade one or more rooms throughout your home, Fante Flooring has you covered. Visit their website at www.

FanteFloors.com, call them at 610232-7080 or visit the showroom at 39 South Newtown Street Road (PA Rt 252) in Newtown Square. The showroom is open Monday–Friday 9:30am–6:00pm and Saturday 10am– 4pm. M Vera and Eric Fante with their children

Eric said he created the showroom so that customers can see the best and widest variety of flooring types all in one place.

Shortly after Eric moved his business to Newtown Square, he and his wife Vera decided to find their forever home here in Marple Newtown. They’d been living in Ridley Park for more than a decade but always admired the family friendly neighborhoods in our area. In 2018 they found the perfect home in Broomall on a street with more than 30 kids.

MARPLE NEWTOWN’S FLOOR COVERING EXPERTS

Vera is a fifth-grade teacher at St. Anastasia School, where two of their children attend school. Eric’s oldest son also went to St. Anastasia and is now a Sophomore at Marple Newtown High School. “It’s so great to be part of this community both in business and in life,” Eric said fondly. “I love to live and work here, and I am always happy to sponsor our school’s fundraising events like designer bag bingo and various social events.”

4,000 sq. ft. Showroom

Eric spends his days in the showroom talking with his customers and walking them through the process of selecting, designing and installing high-quality beautiful floors.

For customers who can’t come into the showroom, Fante offers a showroom on wheels. Eric can bring the floor samples directly to customers' homes so they can look at flooring under their own lighting to decide what works.

What sets Fante Flooring apart from the big box stores is Eric’s approach and attention to detail, which he takes very seriously. “I sleep better knowing a job went smoothly,” said Eric.

“Many customers become friends, so I’m elated to see them happy with the finished product.” Eric also employs sub-contractors that have worked for him for over 15 years. “I thank them every day because they help keep my business alive,” he said proudly.

Providing quality service and products in the tri-state area since 1946 including residential & commercial carpeting, hardwood, tile and laminates.

6102327080 www.FANTEFLOORS.com

39 S Newtown Street Rd, Newtown Square Across From Gentile’s Farm Market January 2024

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Resident Feature

by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of Pat House

Pat House: House:

A Comedian in the House

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hether something funny happened at the local Wawa or while he was bartending at the Paxon Hollow Country Club (PHCC), local comedian Pat House finds that everyday life is a source of great material. A Marple native, Pat may be a familiar name to many residents. He’s not only made a name for himself on the comedy circuit but he’s been bartending at PHCC for nearly 20 years.

Pat grew up in Marple with his parents and went to St. Kevin’s in Springfield for grade school and then Cardinal O’Hara High School. Growing up, Pat loved watching Saturday Night Live, Jay Leno and other comedians. “At a young age, I was drawn to stand-up comedy,” he said. “Even if I didn’t quite understand the material, the image of a comedian with a microphone really stood out to me.” Pat particularly admired comedians like Steven Wright, Chris Rock and Dave Attell. Although he was never a class clown or center of attention type, whenever Pat was with a group of friends, he could always get them to laugh.

After high school, Pat went to Temple University to study Public Relations. While living in Philadelphia and going to school, he discovered the comedy scene. “I saw a few comics perform on Temple’s campus and I knew I wanted to try it,” said Pat. Although he’d never acted or been on any stage at all, he got the courage to try stand-up. In October 2004 Pat did his first comedy routine. “I did an open-mic night at the Laff House Comedy Club in Philly,” he explained. “Ever since then, I was hooked!”

Pat started going to more open-mic nights during his sophomore year of college. During classes at Temple, he found himself jotting down ideas in a notebook to use in his act. Six to seven nights a week he was out at openmic nights around the city and in south Jersey. His first couple times on stage he excelled, but Pat said he had his share of bombs too. “That’s pretty normal for all comedians and that’s how you grow,” explained Pat. “You really learn what works and what to fix after a rough set.

It’s a constant evolution.”

In his twenties, Pat began working as a customer service representative and performing at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia. “Helium is Pat House as a young boy 10

Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

Pat House at Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia

where I really learned how to be a comic and it’s the club where I performed most frequently,” said Pat. Brad Lenora, Assistant General Manager of Helium, has known Pat for 18 years. “Pat is so authentic,” said Brad. “His stories are something we can all relate to. That is why audiences find him so funny.” Brad said that Pat is also extremely hard working. “He’s always so prepared,” he added. “When it comes to his material and promoting his shows, he pays attention to every detail.”

While working at Helium, Pat met a lot of well known comedians, including Sebastian Maniscalco, Tom Segura and Dan Cummins, who eventually all used Pat as an opener for their shows. Opening for Sebastian Maniscalco gave Pat the opportunity to perform at the Tower Theater and the Borgata, some of the biggest shows he’s ever done. “I’ve been lucky that these comedians have been so good to me over the years,” said Pat. Pat’s career in comedy has given him the opportunity to travel all over the country. “It’s not just work, it’s also a vacation,” he said. “One of my favorite places is the Pacific Northwest. I was out there to do a show and I got to see Mount Rainier from my hotel.” Now he’s on a mission to perform in all 50 states.

Later this month Pat will continue toward his goal by performing in Hawaii.

Although Pat enjoys being on the road, he also loves returning to Delco. In fact he likes performing here so much, he recorded his first special last year, “Live from The Day Job” right here in Marple. Filmed at Anthony’s at Paxon Hollow in February 2023, the special is now available FREE on YouTube.

His special is an hour of stand-up comedy featuring plenty of

material about the food industry, traveling and stories from the road.

“I am pretty sure I am the only comic that has filmed a special at their day job,” Pat said proudly.

by walking out the door,” Pat joked.

His act is autobiographical. “Even sadness and tragedies can offer a sense of humor. It’s a comedian’s job to make that funny.”

Pat has been bartending at Paxon Hollow Country Club for the past 20 years, where he’s been known to keep his customers laughing. “I love working there,” said Pat. “My customers and my coworkers are like family.” Jon Walsh, co-owner of Anthonys at Paxon said that people come to Paxon Hollow just to see Pat. “Pat is so likable and customers love him,” said Jon. “He’s a great employee and a great person.”

Pat’s parents give Pat plenty of material. “I spend a lot of time with them here in Marple when I am not traveling,” he said. “They’ve always been extremely supportive of me and come to my shows. That doesn’t stop me from putting the funny things they do into my act!”

Pat House with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco

Just like his early days, Pat is still jotting down ideas in a notebook.

Over the years Pat’s collected hundreds of notebooks and never travels without one. Not only Performing locally allows Pat to use more of his Delco refer- has he turned his notebooks into comedy shows, he’s also ences in his act. From funny things that happened to him at released three albums, including “I Heard Enough Yesterday,” the Broomall Wendy’s to interactions on local Facebook pages, which reached #1 on iTunes and “I’m Here,” which peaked at he finds that everyday life situations can be really funny. “I’ve # 2. He also has a Podcast called “I Guess I’ll Do It,” where definitely gotten a lot of material from my bartending job, on he interviews other stand-up comics. “I’ve been lucky to have vacation or from my parents. What may start out as anger or so many great guests on the show,” said Pat. “I love talking to available in a classic farmhouse design, annoyance, Pat can turn into a joke. “I get a lot ofNow ideas just other comedians and hearing how they got into comedy.”

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11

Resident Feature I hope to see a lot of my Delco friends in the crowd for my show next month at Paxon Hollow Country Club, I would love to see lots of new faces too!

After nearly 20 years in the comedy business, Pat says he’s having more fun the longer he’s doing it. “It’s a never ending grind, but the grind is fun!” Pat will be performingat PHCC on Thursday, February 29th, Friday, March 1st, and Saturday, March 2nd at 8pm. “I hope to see a lot of my Delco friends in the crowd,” Pat said. “But I would also love to see lots of new faces!”

Thanks, Pat, for sharing your story. Friends & Neighbors, let’s pack the house for Pat next month! Be sure to check out Pat’s special “Live from The Day Job” for FREE on YouTube. For more information about Pat and his upcoming shows, visit www.PatHouseComedy.com and his Instagram Page: @BohemianPatsody.

Pat House serves up drinks at Anthony’s at Paxon

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

Thursday, February 29th, Friday March 1st & Saturday March 2nd Anthony’s at The Paxon Hollow Golf Club – Call For Reservations 610-353-0220

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Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

Our Community

by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of Caitlin Chambers

Park a Pub: Bringing a Bit of Ireland to Marple

I

rish Pubs are more than just a place to get a drink. They bring a sense of camaraderie and friendship and from birthdays to even funerals, they’re a great place to celebrate any occasion. Now, you don’t have to go all the way to Ireland to experience a cozy warm vibe and a nice stout. Thanks to Broomall resident John Chambers and his family, you can now have an authentic Irish Pub delivered right to your door.

John, a carpenter by trade, launched Park a Pub in November 2022 after he designed and built his own mobile Irish Pub. Perfect for hosting any event, the outside is designed like an Irish Cottage and the inside is an authentic Irish Pub, complete with a wooden bar, six stools and two taps. There’s even a snug (a small nook), a TV to watch scenic views of Ireland or sports and a cozy fireplace.

The Park A Pub seats 12 - 15 people and can hold up to 25.

It provides the perfect BYOB pub experience with a tap for Guinness and one for a domestic beer. Customers just need to buy their own kegs and alcohol. It’s even equipped with heating and air conditioning to make it suitable for year-round entertainment. “It’s got the charm and character of a traditional Irish pub, but it’s transportable,” said John.

Pubs have always been special to John. A native of Ireland, he went to his first pub when he was just a toddler. “That probably sounds a bit young,” said Maureen, Caitlin, Sean and John. “But in John enjoying a pint in the Park a Pub Ireland, most people go to the pub as soon as they’re able to walk.” Not only did John’s parents meet at the pub where mom tended bar, John met his wife Maureen at a pub too!

Maureeen, who was born and raised in Folcroft, happened to travel to Ireland to visit her grandparents when she met John at The Welcome Inn, a pub in County Mayo. The couple fell in love and in 1987 John moved to the United States to marry and start a family with Maureen.

As a carpenter, John found there was more work to be found here in the US than in Ireland. “There was also a lot more room here as I was one of 10 kids living in our house in Ireland,”

Park A Pub’s mobile Irish Pub

John explained. He and Maureen began their married life in Norwood where they raised their two children Caitlin and Sean.

Eventually, in 2005 they found the perfect fixer-upper home in Broomall and they’ve been here ever since.

The interior of the mobile Irish Pub

When John started noticing that mobile pubs were becoming a big hit in Ireland, he got the idea to bring one to the Marple area. Enlisting the help of his 29-year-old son Sean, also a carpenter, the two got to work constructing the four-ton, 18-foot wide pub. The exterior decor includes a wheelbarrow, hay, milk jug and donkey-cart wheels and it’s even decorated by the Chambers family with seasonal decorations.

Inside, you’ll find repurposed pews from a church in Philadelphia. John also added small authentic details to the inside. There is a woven straw St. Brigid’s Cross (known to keep away fire and evil), a sign that says “one hundred thousand welcome” in Gaelic and a photograph of Burrishoole Abbey in County Mayo, where John’s father and grandfather were buried.

Since John and his family launched Park A Pub, it’s been rented steadily for everything from weddings to birthdays and even a memorial service. “It’s also become a family business for me, Maureen and the kids, which makes it really special,” said John. Sean continues to help with the heavy lifting, and Caitlin, a speech therapist by day, runs the marketing and communications for Park a Pub. Caitlin said customers love to keep the pub jumping, sometimes until 4am. “When we pick up the pub after an event, we love hearing how much fun everyone had,” she said. “That is the best part!”

The Chambers family is already on to their next mobile project – a Philly sports bar, coming in March. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends for your next St. Patrick’s Day celebration or preparing for March Madness, they’ve got you covered for your event. Visit www.ParkaPub.com for information about packages and pricing. M January 2024

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www.MarpleMag.com

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Expert Contributor

by Len Sciulli Signature HVAC

Winter HVAC Tips

W

inter is here and that means cold and drier weather.

The winter season brings a variety of adverse weather extremes from snow, ice accumulation, freezing temperatures and a high wind chill. All that makes it the perfect time for Winter HVAC tips.

Here’s a list of things you can do to ensure your HVAC is running efficiently while keeping your home toasty and warm during the cold months ahead.

1. Bundle Up and Lower Your Thermostat - By wearing a sweater or sweatshirt, you might find yourself just as comfortable as wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Even a slight downward adjustment of the thermostat in the winter has a big impact on utilities.

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Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

2. Using a programmable thermostat will help to avoid forgetting any changes to the thermostat, like programming the thermostat to restore the temperature just before you get out of bed and just before you get home.

3. Adding an extra blanket and setting the temperature back a couple of degrees overnight can also help you save more money.

Of course, set the temperature back when no one’s home.

4. Walking around the outside of your home, look for plumbing and electrical penetrations through the walls. If any are not well-caulked, add extra sealant. Don’t forget to weather-strip and/or caulk doors and windows.

5. If you have a fireplace that is not in use, you should seal the flue. Even closed, fireplace flues are the source of air leaks. If the fireplace is used, add custom-fitted tempered glass doors and seal the edges.

6. If your system is older than 20 years, it’s time to consider replacing it. Replacing the unit with a higher efficiency unit will improve your comfort and reduce your heating costs.

7. Combustion furnaces and boilers require annual maintenance to operate at peak efficiency.

Burners, for example, fall out of adjustment over the course of a heating season, wasting fuel. Beyond saving money, annual service is a safety issue for combustion heating systems.

Don’t risk your family’s safety or waste your money.

Looking ahead to colder days and nights, remember to take care of your HVAC equipment, to make sure your home is winter-ready all season long. Have a happy, healthy and safe winter! M

JANUARY 2024 Saturdays in January

Sat. January 6 – Sun. January 14

Sat. January 27

@Goshen & Newtown Street Roads A variety of rotating art displays by local artists, exhibitions and activities.

@The Media Theatre, 104 E State St, Media A 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home.

But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of their friends, Dory, Crush and the Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

@Kings Mills, 6000 Pennell Rd, Media Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation invites you to a special evening of winter fun. Enjoy colonial music and join in the dancing with the Ministers of Apollo, test your skills with colonial games, learn about tavern culture from brewmaster Michael Carver, sip on local refreshments and bid on notable auction items all while dining at the historic Kings Mills. Tickets include dinner, drinks, and entertainment. This is a 21+ event, and attire can be semi-formal, colonial or masquerade.

Art at The Square Tavern

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR.

Time: 11am–5pm Cost: FREE (donations accepted!)

www.NSHistory.org

Saturdays in January

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: 11am Saturdays and Sundays Cost: Kids $19; Adults $24

610-891-0100 www.MediaTheatre.org

Time: 1–4pm Cost: FREE (donations accepted!)

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Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation’s Winter Masquerade

Time: 5–9pm Cost: $150/members; $175/non-members

www.ColonialPlantation.org

Mon. January 15

7th Annual Media Fellowship House Toiletry Drive

Mon. January 1 – Sun. February 25

Flight On Ice

@4901 West Chester Pike, 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 are on the schedule to keep you entertained this winter.

Time: Wed. and Thurs. 4–8pm; Fri. 4–10pm; Sat. 11am–10pm; Sunday 11am–8pm Cost: Check their website for current Season Pass, Family Pass and Individual Ticket pricing.

610-627-2100 www.FlightOnIce.com

@Media Fellowship House 302 S. Jackson St, Media Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in this toiletry drive to benefit local women’s shelters. Items needed: Soap, detergent, lotions, feminine products, lip balm, diapers, baby wipes, shampoo, conditioner and hand sanitizer. Donations and volunteers are needed.

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1st Annual Kids Against Hunger One Million Meals Pack-a-thon

@The Drexelbrook 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill Purchase tickets to Kids Against Hunger’s Million Meal Pack-A-Thon on MLK Day. Spend a few hours together packing meals for our neighbors in need both near and far. Sign up by visiting the Kids Against Hunger Facebook page.

Time: 8am–8pm (Five 2-hour shifts)

www.KidsAgainstHungerUnited.Org

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January 2024

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15

Our Community

by Holly Stupak

Celebrating Super Bowl Sunday: Bringing Friends & Neighbors Together The countdown to Super Bowl LVIII (58) is on! Whether you tune in for the game, the commercials or the halftime show, this year’s celebration calls for friends, fun and “fan”tastic food.

The game, where the National Football Conference (NFC) champion will face the American Football Conference (AFL) winner, will be played on Sunday, February 11th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Allegiant Stadium is conveniently located to the Las Vegas strip, fully enclosed and climate-controlled with a capacity of 65,000.

The game will air live on CBS but can also be streamed live through subscription services like YouTube TV, Hulu and Paramount +. New this year is a partnership between CBS and Nickelodeon to present a slime-centric alternative telecast of the Super Bowl. Nickelodeon’s broadcast will feature a family-friendly version of the game, with fun, slimy graphics and appearances by some familiar Nickelodeon stars like SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star.

The featured performer for the halftime show, sponsored by Apple Music, is eight-time Grammy Award winner Usher. The pop star is in the midst of his residence show in Las Vegas — just a short drive from Allegiant Stadium. On the day of the Super Bowl, Usher will also release a new album called Coming Home. The entertainment continues with a line-up of some of the best and most-watched commercials from seasoned advertisers such as Toyota, Doritos and TurboTax. Additional

expected advertisers are those with online gambling platforms and virtual shopping services.

To host or not to host? That’s a good question!

If you’re planning to host your own Super Bowl party, we’ve got some great ideas to score a touchdown with your guests. All it takes is a little creativity and some ideas from our Sponsors.

When you think of a Super Bowl party, the first thing that comes to mind is food. There’s just something about gathering around the big screen with a plate full of wings, nachos and chips, right? Other fun foods to serve on game day are cheesesteak egg rolls, tomato pie and nachos. If you’re looking for some healthier alternatives, include fruit and vegetable trays along with some grilled chicken skewers and dipping sauces.

For the low-carb lovers out there, a quick online search for low-carb Super Bowl recipes yields hundreds of mouth-watering results.

Just like the two teams competing for the Lombardi Trophy should be evenly matched, so should your savory to sweet selections for your guests. Our friends at Jacquette’s Bakery have a wide selection of sweet treats like mini cheesecakes, cookies and lemon bars. They’ll also be selling Super Bowl Theme boxes that include cupcakes, a variety of cookies, donuts, and brownies decorated with the names of the teams facing off in the Super Bowl.

How about stepping up your game this year with a Super Bowl Sundae ice cream bar? Another fun idea is to dip pretzel rods in chocolate and decorate them with white icing lines that look like yard markers on a football field. Football-shaped decorated cakes and cinnamon churro chips with chocolate dip are more fun ideas to consider.

If your party plans include the little ones, why not create a kids’ zone with games and crafts? A simple do-it-yourself game is to pin the football on the goalpost. Draw a goalpost on a large poster board. Using either felt or construction paper, cut out some football shapes and attach the double-sided tape to one side. You’ll also need a bandana as a blindfold and a few prizes on hand for the winners.

While many of our friends and neighbors prefer hosting or heading to a friend’s house, some enjoy watching the game surrounded by big screens and bustling crowds. If that’s your idea of celebrating

16

Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

! y l F s e l g Fly Ea

the Super Bowl, then you’ve got lots of nearby options. Over at Casey’s, you’ll find the best beers on tap, a spacious bar area, fantastic food options and a view of the game from every seat in the house.

Whether you’re hosting or heading out to watch the game, the commercials or the halftime show, Super Bowl Sunday is a great way to celebrate with our friends and neighbors. Of course, it’s a bonus if your favorite team is on the field. Fingers crossed! M

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17

People In Places

by Holly Stupak Photos courtesy of Emily Kwon

Emily Kwon: Making Our Community More Inclusive When Emily Kwon moved to Broomall from South Korea in eighth grade, one of the first things she did was join the Best Buddies club at Paxon Hollow Middle School. Emily’s passion and interest in helping people with intellectual and developmen-tal disabilities (IDDs) began when she was a young girl growing up with cousins who had special needs. “When I learned about Best Buddies, I was so excited about the opportunities to promote inclusion,” explained Emily. “Back in South Korea, my cousins weren’t given the same opportunities. It always made me sad that inclusion isn’t common there.”

Emily is now a sophomore at Marple Newtown High School (MNHS) and is the co-president of MNHS’s chapter of Best Buddies. Founded in 1989, Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create friendships and social connections with people within a community who have IDDs. With thousands of chapters around the world, they create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employ-ment, leadership development and inclusive living.

Emily said that joining the club has allowed her to expand her knowledge about inclusion and help establish her future goals.

“Eventually, I hope to expand and influence people with intellectual disabilities all around the world,” she said.

This November, Emily was honored at the Champion of the Year Gala, an annual fundraising competition featuring a select group of individuals, professionals and prominent community leaders who compete to raise the most funds for Best Buddies and earn the title of Champion of the Year. The gala, held at the Drexelbrook, celebrated the efforts of several philanthropic leaders from Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs while raising funds for Best Buddies programs. The event included a silent and live

auction, d i n n e r, dancing, a keynote address and a special awards ceremony.

Emily Kwon and Mr. Michael Winterbottom at the Champion of the Year Gala

MNHS teacher and Best Buddies advisor Mr. Michael Winterbottom was not surprised at Emily’s recognition for her work with the organization. “Emily is always stepping up and is never reluctant to take on a new challenge,” he said. Last year, the MNHS Best Buddies held its first Best Buddies Ball, which Emily was instrumental in planning. “It was a big challenge, but Emily is always eager to try something. She rarely says no to an idea!” he added.

For the past eight years, the MNHS Best Buddies club has been offering students a multitude of activities and opportunities to make lifelong friendships. The group helps those with and without disabilities, allowing participants to learn from each other. “We want to match students who have similar interests and bring out the best in each other,” Mr. Winterbottom explained.

Best Buddies is one the largest clubs at MNHS, with nearly 80 students who participate. In addition to weekly meetings and activities at the school, the club participates in a number of National Best Buddies events, including the Friendship Walk, the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with IDDs. Each year, members of the group also take the Polar Bear Plunge, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

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Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

The MNHS Best Buddies club gets involved in local events as well.

Multiple times a year, they pack meals together for Kids Against Hunger. A few years ago the club organized a birthday campaign for Newtown Square resident and veteran Eugene Vickers of Newtown Square on his 106th birthday. Their card campaign produced over 500 birthday cards. The group also created a lawn sign commemorating his birthday and had members of the MN Band play for him. This year marks the third time that Best Buddies will be making 150 bag lunches at The Unforgotten Haven, a charity that operates out of Camden, NJ. Emily said that the best part of Best Buddies is coordinating events and seeing how much fun the students are having. “It just brings me joy,” she said. “It’s really given me a new perspective about friendship and the importance of inclusion.”

To learn more about the Best Buddies program, visit www.

BestBuddies.org and to see what the MNHS Best Buddies program is doing, visit their Instagram page. M

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www.MarpleMag.com 19

Bringing People Together

by Bob Blaisse, Publisher

Bringing People Together Marple Friends & Neighbors

Bringing People Together more IN 2024

T

his year Marple Friends & Neighbors will continue to grow our partnerships with local business leaders who are the advertising Sponsors of Marple Residents now taking us into our sixth calendar year of publishing your hometown monthly magazine. That partnership with our hometown Sponsors has always included You! After five years now, if you’re reading this, you likely look forward to a new issue of our free, feel-good, hometown magazine arriving in your mail every month. In 2024 twelve new issues will continue to serve our magazine motto and mission to be a catalyst for “Bringing People Together.” You know we call it: “Social-Media-in-Print.” That’s just what it is, what you experience monthly as a regular reader. And that makes you

YOUR FAMILY is our First Priority.

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20 Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

an important part of our Bringing People Together partnership with our advertising Sponsors. Your part is easy because feeling hometown pride and being loyal to those who have been loyal to us comes naturally.

Ever since we launched Marple Friends & Neighbors in 2018, readers have told us how reading the local features in our magazine is like meeting new neighbors in the community they did not know well, including local business leaders, whose sponsorship of our exclusive publication for Marple residents can be seen on every page. Those local business owners have also told us how every month our readers are rewarding the decision to use their marketing budgets for Marple residents, and not just because they are important to the success of their business, but also because the uniqueness of our magazine truly is Bringing People Together, readers with other readers, friends and neighbors, and business owners with their current customers and new customers needed to keep local business, in business.

When the news of the day brings fears over the economy or political debate, we all find ourselves at risk of failing to remain happy, and feeling good about all that we do have, with hope

in a very Happy New Year ahead. Our “Bringing People Together” mission brings hope back through the recollection of hometown pride found on our pages, in our feel-good feature articles that drive loyalty to our community, friends and neighbors and local businesses.

In this new year let hometown pride drive your loyalty to our advertising Sponsors whose products and services you need.

Let’s make a New Year’s Resolution together: to commit to being even more loyal to our friends and neighbors, to our Marple community, and to the businesses we see supporting

our needs and our local community, especially those businesses who make our hometown “feel-good” magazine possible in print and online at www.MarpleMag.com.

Whenever possible in 2024, Shop Local. Return the loyalty you see our advertising Sponsors showing us through the pride they have in Marple residents who they depend on to succeed in business. In that way you will be contributing to the mission of your hometown magazine in the partnership we have to be Bringing People Together. M

Bob Blaisse

Publisher, Marple Friends & Neighbors

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January 2024

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21

History Spotlight

Hoot Mon, Be Thrifty

by Doug Humes Photos courtesy of Marple Historical Society

G

eorge Lucas’ 1973 film, American Graffiti, depicted high school life in the 1960’s, hanging out at a favorite Friday night haunt with boys, girls, muscle cars, romance, burgers and rock and roll. The movie could have been made in Marple – where the first area fast-food joint, Scotty’s, opened around 1962. It was an immediate hit with teenagers, who could afford the fast food prices. There was no indoor seating so you parked and ordered and took your food back to your car to eat. The menu was simple: 15-cent hamburgers and 10-cent fries, sodas and milkshakes. It is hard today to understand the impact of the first fast food places – they are everywhere today. But in 1962, Scotty’s was It! When my father was out of town on business, my mother would pack four kids into her Buick Special and take us to Scotty’s. It was a treat, as before then, the go-to quick meals were those nasty TV dinners in aluminum trays. As kids, we loved Scotty’s.

The area high schoolers loved Scotty’s as well – there are ads throughout the 1960s in local yearbooks for Marple Newtown and Springfield. Haverford and Penncrest kids were close enough to come for the fights that broke out. But for Cardinal O’Hara, it was

Scotty’s, the first area fast-food burger joint, beloved by local teenagers and families looking for a low-cost meal outside the home The Scotty’s logo and motto: Hoot Mon, Be Thrifty!

their home field – an easy walk across the street after school, and the main hangout on weekends.

A Scotty’s Facebook post captures the routine: “Drink beer and head to Scotty’s to meet girls, show off my car, occasionally drag race, hang out, several minor tussles, always a blast, would wait all week until Friday night at Scotty’s.” The nearby Media Bypass, built in 1958, provided the perfect place for teenagers in muscle cars to race, and then return to Scotty’s for a victory lap. There was “turf” in the parking lot - hot rodders owned the side nearest the high school while the “hippies” gathered on the opposite side, and apparently had the better music from their 8-track players and FM radio. In the DMZ in front, families parked and ate. And if romance was in the air, the local make-out spot was nearby Reed Road.

A typical local yearbook and football program ad in the 1960s seeking their target audience – teenagers

Come See Scotty’s distinctive sign, with another distinctive local sign, the Sproul Lanes bowling pin, in the distance

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• Eye exams (glasses & contacts)

All good things must end – and Scotty’s closed by 1975.

Competition from McDonald's, Burger King, Ginos and Hot Shoppes made other choices more convenient. But you can still get fast food at Scotty’s old location, in the middle of the Y where Sproul and Springfield Road go their separate ways, currently occupied by Kentucky Fried Chicken.

• Diagnosing/treating eye conditions • Optician on staff • Fashion eyewear • Lab on site

Dr. Michael Allodoli, OD

www.BroomallEyeCare.com

•

610 -325-7688

Lawrence Park Business Center, 580 Reed Road, Ste A5-6 Broomall (Behind the Lawrence Park Shopping Center)

22 Marple Friends & Neighbors / Bringing People Together

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: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org. M

Expert Contributor

by Deborah M. Truscello, Esq. Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello

FAQs for Attorneys Here are some typical questions people have for their attorney: What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

The terms are often used interchangeably and there is no real difference between the two terms in this country. In England there is a difference in that barristers represent people in court and lawyers don’t appear in court but do render legal advice to their clients.

What are the costs associated with hiring an attorney?

Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity and subject matter of the case, as well as the attorney’s experience and the location. Some subject matter is chargeable by hourly rates while others are on a contingency.

How long does it take to resolve a legal matter?

The duration varies depending on the type and complexity of the case. Attorneys can provide an estimate based on their experience, however with the advent of COVID, it is even more difficult to estimate how long a case will take.

What information should I bring to my initial consultation with an attorney?

Bring everything that has anything to do with what you are consulting the attorney for, whether you think it is relevant or not. Let the attorney decide what is relevant.

How does attorney-client privilege work?

Attorney-client privilege protects communications between a client and their attorney from being disclosed without the client’s consent. The client holds the confidentiality privilege and not the attorney, meaning that the confidentiality is for the protection of the client.

What is a retainer fee, and how does it work?

A retainer fee is an upfront payment to secure an attorney’s services. The attorney then bills against this retainer as they work on the case and the client is given a billing statement. Usually retainers are held in escrow by the attorney until services are rendered or litigation costs are paid.

and relevant information, along with following their advice can help keep legal fees down.

What is the likelihood of success in my case?

While no attorney can guarantee specific outcomes, they can provide an assessment based on their experience with the subject matter and the court to advise of the possible remedies and/or strategies.

What should I do if I cannot afford an attorney?

Explore options such as legal aid, pro bono services, clinics at law schools or places that offer sliding scale fees. Some attorneys offer free initial consultations.

Remember, these are general questions, and the specific details will depend on the jurisdiction, the type of law and the unique circumstances of each case. Always consult with a qualified attorney for advice tailored to your situation. M

Make it Your New Year’s Resolution to

UPDATE YOUR WILL AND PROTECT YOUR ESTATE Call Deborah M. Truscello TODAY! • Personal injury • Family law • Wills & Estates

• Social security disability • Work injury claims • Real estate

You Know the Legal Expert.

Is It Time to Get Expert Legal Advice?

Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello 206 West State Street, Suite 100, Media www.TruscelloLaw.com 610-892-4940

What are alternative dispute resolution methods, and are they suitable for my case?

Mediation and arbitration are alternative methods to resolve disputes outside of court, and they are used more often now than prior to COVID. An attorney can advise on whether these methods are appropriate for your situation.

How can I keep legal costs down?

Clear communication with your attorney, providing organized January 2024

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