Wissahickon Magazine, Winter 2022

Wissahickon

GIVE AND GO — YOUR GUIDE TO HOLIDAY GIFTS AND EVENTS

THE ULTIMATE GINGERBREAD HOUSE WEARABLE ART

Wissahickon

MAGAZINE

Publisher

John Derr

Editor

Carla Robinson

Production Manager

Blaise Brugger

Advertising Design

Blaise Brugger

Rush Kress

Advertising Manager

Leisha Shaffer

Advertising Representatives

Leslie Cerf

Diane Lauro

Contributors

Tom Beck

Kristin Holmes

April Lisante

Paul Meyer

Nancy Parello

Carla Robinson

Photography

Tom Beck

Kristin Holmes

Paul Meyer

Design Consultant

Richard Stein

On the cover

Photographer Josh Pellegrini captured Santa making merry at Roxborough’s annual Happy Holidays celebration.

With the holiday season well underway, our winter issue of Wissahickon Magazine is here to help you make the most of it – with all the tastes, smells and traditions that make up Northwest Philadelphia’s yearly rituals of celebration.

We start by first introducing you to Chestnut Hill’s newest cafe and taproom, one of several local cideries now helping this region rediscover the craft hard cider that was once Pennsylvania’s signature drink. With next month’s scheduled opening of Cider Belly, Matt and Kim Vendeville are planning a sophisticated yet warm new venue on Germantown Avenue.

Next, we visit the story of just how it is that gingerbread, whether it be in house or cookie form, has become such a staple of all our winter merriment – and what exactly the British royals have to do with it.

Looking for that last minute, stand-out gift? We bring you Roberto Rashid, a local artist whose limited edition handmade scarves, with prints that boldly evoke the African roots of black culture, are designed to become the kind of heirloom statement pieces that last a lifetime.

And let’s face it, the holiday season is a busy time. To help you keep track of it all, we’ve rounded up an extensive list of regional events and holiday happenings – from candlelight caroling and tree lighting ceremonies to Victorian Christmas parties and stag and doe nights.

For an easy holiday-themed getaway, we take you to Cape May, a New Jersey shore town that knows everything there is to know about Victorian traditions. With its historic house tours and re-enactments, Christmas in Cape May takes you back to a simpler, more relaxing time – and also offers shopping and dining choices sure to please.

Looking for a break from it all, and want to stick closer to home? Welcome to The Royal, Glenside’s live music open-mic venue now celebrating its first full year in business – with a satisfied list of performers as well as happy customers. And for a bit of good news about our natural world, we also bring you the latest in a growing effort, both here in the Philadelphia region and nationwide, to bring back the tree that looms large in so many Christmas traditions – the American Chestnut.

Finally, this issue brings you news about our beloved Wissahickon Valley Park, with a quarterly report from our friends and partners at the Friends of the Wissahickon – that committed army of volunteers who work so hard to keep that park the delightful place that it is. Look for it in the center of the magazine.

Carla Robinson Editor

Rediscovering Pennsylvania’s signature drink

Changes in state and federal policies have made it possible for local growers to make and market their own hard cider

By CARLA ROBINSON

When Matt and Kim Vendeville open Cider Belly, an intimate cafe they say will give the same kind of sophisticated treatment to Hard Cider that most people associate with wine, they’ll be bringing more than just Philadelphia’s newest taproom to Chestnut Hill.

The newlyweds, who plan to open in December, are also a living example of why state policies really matter when it comes to homegrown industries like this one – and how flexibility and smart thinking by lawmakers can really pay off. Their taproom, and indeed their whole entrepreneurial journey thus far, would not have been possible without two recent changes to state and federal laws: the 2018 Cider Act, which gave hard cider its own federal legal status, and the 2019 decision by Pennsylvania’s state legislature to give in-state cider makers the right to produce and sell with the same licenses used by beer and wine makers.

“Being able to start under someone else’s license, and also to use their equipment and their space, is really what made it all possible for us,” Matt said. “That was like our pilot. It’s how we were able to get proof for our concept, raise some money and get into a position where we could secure the funding we need to really move forward.”

Ben Wenk, president of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild, who produces his Ploughman Farm Cider on the family farm in Adams County, said he’s seen a similar pattern play out all over the state.

“It’s been an incredible step forward for small independent producers – really a game-changer,” he said. “Those of us who have worked to make this happen are also hopeful that other family-owned orchards will see this as a viable way to keep their farms in agriculture. My own personal goal, as the owner of a family farm, is that this will spur economic development and preserve green space at the same time, all while supporting healthy and vibrant rural communities.”

Doubling the market

Industry data suggest that it’s working. According to the blog Cider Guide, run by selfstyled cider expert Eric West, the number of producers in Pennsylvania has doubled over the past three to four years – increasing from 24 to 58 statewide. And according to Wenk, membership in the Pennsylvania Cider Guild, which he founded to push for recent changes to state law, has also doubled.

“Even through the pandemic, we’re seeing more and more producers coming online,” Wenk said. “In Philadelphia specifically, we’re not just seeing new producers, we also see a new demand for the product. Our own sales in Philadelphia are growing at a really healthy rate.”

Case in point: Cider Belly is the second craft cidery to open in the Northwest Philadelphia region in the past two years, and a third is on the way.

Young American Hard Cider & Tasting Room opened its doors on Germantown Avenue in

2020 in the middle of the pandemic, just across the line from Mt. Airy into Germantown. And further west, Dressler Estate will soon be following suit – with a new Downingtown taproom scheduled to open in July.

“This industry is definitely expanding, and that’s a good thing – because the more people who are exposed to a good hard cider, the more they’ll like it, and the more demand will grow,” said Kate Kaman, Young American’s co-owner and head cider maker.

According to Kaman, there is such a taste difference between the small batch ciders made by small producers and the commercially produced big brands that customers really need to try it before they’re convinced.

“The key is, it’s got to be made from fresh local apples,” she said, adding that they buy theirs from Solebury Orchards in New Hope. “Large scale cideries that ship all over the country can’t really use fresh juice, so they depend on concentrate, which produces a completely different taste. It just doesn’t have the complexity, depth and nuance that fresh cider, properly aged and kept in the right conditions, can have.”

Brian and Olga Dressler are coming up next. Their label, Dressler Estate, is planning to open a new taproom in July.

These two, who met while he was studying mechanical engineering at Drexel University and she was studying photography at Temple’s Tyler School of Art, left the city for Downingtown six

On page 9, Olga Dressler tending the company’s newly planted cider apple grove. In top photo, visitors enjoy an al fresco meal at Young American Cider. Above, Brian and Olga Dressler taste their cider among their trees. At left, Kim and Matt Vendeville show off cans of their product in front of cider-filled oak barrels.

Courtesy of Dressler Estate

Courtesy of Cider Belly

Courtesy of Dressler Estate

years ago just so that they could eventually grow their own apples.

“Pennsylvania has a great climate, and soil, for apples,” said Dressler, who now has an acre under cultivation. “In fact, some people say it’s better for apples than it is for grapes.”

They’ve been selling their cider directly from their production facility in Downingtown, at the Phoenixville and Rittenhouse Square farmers markets and also at the one in Chestnut Hill, where they set up shop on the third Saturday of every month. And business has been good – good enough to start planning their own taproom.

“We’re planning to open right on Lancaster Avenue, and our focus will be our ciders but also other locally produced food and drink,” Brian Dressler said. “We’ll be pouring not just our own ciders but other locally made drinks as well, including beers and wines, and we’ll also have a local focus with our food.”

Dressler Estate ciders, like the other two new producers in the northwest region, tend toward being dry, with a light and crisp palate. These cider makers don’t typically add sugar to the juice, and they wind up hitting the tongue much like a dry white wine.

A festival says you’re succeeding

One of the most telling, if unscientific, ways to measure whether a product is gaining traction is whether or not it gets a festival. In the case of Philadelphia, that happened about five years ago, when Amy Hartranft co-founded Philly Cider Week. She was working as a Center City bartender at the time, and noticed how many people were starting to ask for cider.

“We threw a couple of cider events in 2017 and everything we had sold out. That’s what made us realize that this was an untapped market,” she said. And, with the exception of a forced interruption due to COVID, the festival has been growing ever since.

“This year, the traction on my website has exponentially increased from even just last year,” she said. “There’s been a significant uptick in interest in both urban cideries, where people buy the juice and ferment it on their own site, and orchard- based cideries, where people often grow their own apples.”

Mulled Cider

Makes 8-10 drinks

1 1/2 liters (2 750ml bottles) of local craft cider

1 apple, quartered and studded with whole cloves

2-3 cinnamon sticks

4-5 allspice berries

2 cardamom pods

1-2 star anise

2-inch piece vanilla bean, split 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Juice of 1/2 orange

8-10 orange zest strips

4-6 ounces choice spirit (optional, see below)

Garnish: 1/2 cup cranberries, 8-10 apple slices, 8-10 orange peels

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, careful not to boil. Serve into individual glasses, teacups or mugs and garnish with 2-3 cranberries, an apple slice and orange peel.

If you want to give your mulled cider a “little boost,” add a little apple brandy, Calvados or even Applejack. Rum or whiskey can also be used.

In Chestnut Hill, Matt and Kim Vendeville are determined to keep up – and perhaps even raise the level of the game.

“We were inspired by our honeymoon travels, so we want our place to have an intimate and warm feeling, like something you’d find in a hidden alleyway in Europe – more like a wine bar meets coffee shop,” Kim said.

The couple, who met while pursuing their master’s degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, hers in healthcare administration and his in public health and infectious disease, acquired their taste for dry, small-batch cider while living in that college town. But it wasn’t until they took their wedding trip to England, France and Ireland that it occurred to them that they could make their own.

Upon their return home, they, like many be-

Crisp, light and tart — wait, can that be a cider?

Hard cider, like wine, is made from fermented fruit – and produces just as much variety in taste and character.

Who knew, for example, that North America’s once ubiquitous cider apples, now virtually nonexistent, were so bitter to taste that no one could eat them? And that cider made with these apples can be so full of body that you almost feel that you’re eating it?

“Part of the battle in getting cider into more people’s hands is fixing the misconception that it’s

just one thing – and usually that thing is something sweet,” said Amy Hartranft, director of Philly Cider Week, an annual cider festival she co-founded five years ago. “Cider comes in many flavors and taste profiles. And just like wine, much of the flavor will come down to nature – what year the apples were grown, and where, and whether it happened to be a rainy season.”

While you can make a good cider with all kinds of apples, local makers say the best choices tend

ginners, started out making small batches in their garage. And by the time their new jobs brought them to Philadelphia in 2020, they had already “proved the concept.”

“Then we were like, ‘How do we make this a real business, and do it commercially?’” Matt said.

As soon as they learned that new state laws would allow them to produce and sell cider under another wine or beer producer’s existing license, Matt got busy.

“I sent emails to every winery within 20 miles, asking if they had a 10-by-10 space that we could rent or borrow,” he said.

Eventually, Cardinal Hollow Winery in Lansdale agreed to rent their license, their equipment, and some space. Now, a year later, Cider Belly has sold out every batch they’ve made, and the couple is ready to open their own shop.

Local, local, local….

Like Young American and Dressler Estate, Cider Belly intends to focus on local products. “We want everything to be hyper local –we’re aiming to have everything on our menu be something that’s produced within a 40-mile radius,” Kim said.

That includes their glass carafes, which will be hand blown by a local glassblower, and also their plates, hand thrown by a family member.

“Our bread is literally going to come from next door,” Matt said, referring to the fact that their taproom will be located just steps away from Baker Street Bread Company. And they buy their apples from Beekman Orchard in Boyertown, which is a 38-mile drive.

“They’re a family-owned farm that’s been around 70 years,” Kim said. “They’re the sweetest people you could ever meet.”

Their intense focus on local products, made by people they know and have relationships with, is critical to their long-term plan.

“Cider’s obviously what brought us here, and is why we’re doing all of this, but taking it full circle, what we bonded over was this entrepreneurial idea, and the kind of lifestyle we wanted to live,” Kim said. “So cider is the vehicle. We want to produce a great product, but we also want to wrap that around this awesome experience, an expression of how we want to live.”

to be sharp. A sharp apple, properly fermented and aged, can produce a drink every bit as dry as a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

“The best apples for cider are bittersweet and bitter sharp, because of the tannins,” said Ben Wenk, president of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild.

The old-fashioned cider apples, so bitter they can’t be eaten, “produce a beverage with more body, and a full-mouth experience,” he said. “They tend to have a deeper amber color, they can age longer, and they give

you that cat’s tongue fuzziness that you can get with a rich red wine.”

Kim Vandeville, who is about to open Northwest Philadelphia’s newest taproom, Cider Belly, said her sister may have put it best. “When she came to visit and I gave her a glass, she said ‘Oh my gosh it tastes like I’m eating blue cheese’.”

With the resurgence of interest in craft cider making, some local farmers are responding by bringing back some of the old cider varieties – and planting a handful of acres with apples nobody would ever want to bite into.

“While you can make good cider with any apple, there are certain types of cider that require these special apples,” Wenk said. “But it’s tough on the farmer, because you can’t use those for anything other than cider. Nobody is going to want to eat applesauce made out of those.”

On the other end of the spectrum, pears – with their light and delicate sweetness – produce a very light beverage that lands on the tongue more like wine. While it’s in the cider family, that drink gets its own name: Perry.

“Perry is super hard to make,” said Matt, who added that he and Kim intend to make it at Cider Belly. “Super hard to do. Finicky. But delicious.”

According to the legal definition recently enacted into federal law, hard cider is a fermented beverage made of apples or pears that contains up to 8.5 percent alcohol by volume. The alcohol is

a by-product of the fermentation process, during which time sugar is broken down into ethanol and carbon dioxide. So the longer the mixture ferments, the more alcohol it has and the dryer the taste becomes.

If demand for this beverage keeps growing,

the industry could do a lot to keep local farmers in business. It takes about a pound of apples to produce 12 ounces of cider – which adds up to roughly about three apples per drink.

Remember that, next time you pony up to a cider bar!

— Carla Robinson

Workers bring in the harvest at Solebury Orchards.

Courtesy of Solebury Orchards

New hope for the American Chestnut

Once believed to have succumbed to ‘functional extinction’ the beloved trees are making a comeback thanks to cross breeding and lots of patience

In the archives of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, there’s a photograph of a towering tree in the snow, its branching trunk as thick and menacing as thunder. The photo, taken on the grounds of what would become the Morris Arboretum in about 1910, has a tragic air – but not because of the tree’s gesture. It’s because of what was lost.

The tree in the photo is a glorious specimen of the American chestnut, Castanea dentata, a species that once dominated Eastern forests from Maine to Georgia and from the prairies to the Piedmont, providing timber for our growing nation’s telegraph poles and railroad ties, and food for wildlife and humans alike.

A few years before the photo was taken, a fungal blight from Asia was discovered in American chestnuts in New York City. The disease spread quickly among these stately, native trees, which had no natural resistance, and within four decades, all of the nation’s mature American

chestnuts were dead above the roots. “Functional extinction” is the term scientists use to describe the state of the species, meaning it hasn’t died out, but shoots can’t grow old and large enough to produce nuts and reproduce before the fungus stunts or kills the tree.

For most organisms, reaching the point of functional extinction would be the end of the line, but some species grab hold of the human imagination and won’t let go.

Across the country, and in the Philadelphia region, a growing number of people are joining efforts to develop disease-resistant chestnuts that could eventually repopulate Eastern forests.

Early demonstrations of those efforts are increasingly visible around the region – especially in Chestnut Hill, the neighborhood named for this majestic tree. And if you’re a homeowner, and you want to experience the magic of chestnuts in a deeper, more personal way, you also can plant your own.

The most visible “wild” American chestnuts newly planted in the area are in Chestnut Hill’s Pastorius Park, put there in 2021 by a group of volunteers led by arborist and passionate chestnut advocate Erik Werner, proprietor of Hedgerows Tree Service of Mt. Airy. You can find the small grove of these tiny, young trees – each in its own small wire enclosure to prevent damage and grazing – in a clearing on the north side of the park.

Because they have no natural disease resistance, these trees are highly unlikely to survive very long after reaching sexual maturity. But volunteers are hoping that one of the disease-resistant transgenic American chestnuts currently being developed by researchers at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, will be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in time to be planted amidst these “wild” youngsters in Pastorius Park and pollinate them, conferring its genetically engineered immunity to

the nuts they produce.

Genetic engineering isn’t the only pathway to a disease-resistant chestnut. On a parallel track, a nonprofit organization called the American Chestnut Foundation (ACF) is using a more old-fashioned horticultural tool: cross-breeding. The goal in that project is to create a hybrid that’s as genetically close to the American chestnut as possible, but with disease resistance conferred by a Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima), a species that isn’t susceptible to fungal blight.

A painstaking process

They start by crossing an American chestnut with a Chinese chestnut, then take the hybrid offspring, select for disease resistance, and cross it back with “wild” American chestnuts for multiple generations. In this effort, the hope is to gradually reduce the Chinese chestnut portion of the hybrid offspring’s genetic material while

maintaining its disease resistance.

Northwest Philadelphia now has several examples of these American-Chinese hybrids, including on the grounds of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. Students planted dozens in a teaching grove on campus in 2019, as part of a partnership with the ACF. Hybrid chestnuts also can be found in the public collection of the Morris Arboretum.

For some tree lovers, short visits with small trees won’t be enough. Fortunately, there are other options for enthusiasts who are looking for a more immersive experience. For example, people who support the ACF’s mission at the “Seed Level” of membership may be eligible to receive seeds harvested from select parent trees with elevated blight resistance.

If you want to grow a chestnut and see it reach maturity and produce gorgeous and tasty nuts, try planting a Chinese chestnut.

Somewhat shorter than their enormous

By PAUL MEYER Paul Meyer

American cousins, Chinese chestnuts often branch lower to the ground and form a broadly spreading crown, eventually reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet. Their prolific, sweet-scented flowers emerge in late June, and their nuts follow in the fall. Just watch out for the spiny, green burs that surround them – those burs bite. But it’s worth it to get at these beautiful nuts and their crisp, slightly sweet nutmeat.

For now, until the hard work of innumerable researchers, volunteers and supporters turns the dream of restored American chestnut forests into a reality, savoring the beauty of a Chinese chestnut and the bounty it creates is as close as we can get to the glory of that massive tree in that haunting old photo.

Paul Meyer is the retired F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania and a board member of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and the Chestnut Hill Garden District Fund.

FACE

THE MUSIC

Don’t call it a bar -it’s an experience

The Royal, where live music is served with just the right vibe

By TOM BECK

Bridgett Gordon

Herman Dye had been waiting for a music-focused open mic night to appear in the Glenside area for a while, and just over a year ago he got his wish. That’s because Sept. 18, 2021 saw the grand opening of Glenside’s newest music venue, The Royal. And Dye loves it –which is why he’s waiting in line outside the door 15 minutes before the venue’s 7:30 opening for Wednesday night’s weekly open mic night.

“The vibe is good,” he told the Local on a cool October evening. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere. The people aren’t that judgmental. They know you’re going to have some good acts, you’re going to have some so-so acts, but they give everybody a chance.”

The Royal gives Dye a chance to network with other musicians and practice his craft of singing and playing guitar to a backing track. He hopes to eventually get a gig opening up for a more popular musician to expand his audience.

“Musicians need an outlet to play,” said Dye. “Most of the places are down in Philly and that’s a good little trek to go down there. So it’s good that it’s in the area.”

Dye and other musicians prefer The Royal to other live music spots due to its status as a music venue – and not a bar.

“It’s the only one around that’s strictly for music,” said Fran Carroll, who’s been a regular at The Royal’s open mic nights for about three months. He started performing there because he heard it was the best open mic night in town.

“There’s no Phillies playing in the background, there’s no people ordering dinner. The people here come to listen to music. They’re not here to get drunk; they pay attention when people are playing. They don’t talk when you’re playing, which is completely different from every other place.”

Meant for music

Andrew Sironi, who has performed stand-up comedy at the venue on multiple occasions - and even emcees the open mic nights from time to time - concurred with Carroll. It’s a room meant for music - or in his case, stand up.

“I think that informs a lot of the atmosphere of the room,” he said. “It’s a great energy for open mics. It is nice. People are attentive. It’s always a great crowd and a very familial atmosphere.”

And that’s precisely what the venue’s co-owners, Bridgett Gordon and Jerry Clarke, envisioned when they opened the place.

In his day job, Clarke is both a lawyer and an accountant. Gordon is his legal assistant. In addition to being co-workers, they also play in a classic rock cover band called The Stinks.

“When we play at a corner bar or the local VFW or something like that, it’s great. It’s very warmly received,” Clarke said. “But as a performer, the people aren’t there to hear music, they’re really there to have a good time.”

That’s not the case at The Royal.

“We’re certainly not a place where the Phillies game is going to be playing,” said Gordon. “People come there to see music, and I don’t know if that’s the case in other places.”

Clarke described his business as “truly a music venue.”

On page 17, local musician Ben Arnold performs at the Royal.

At left, Comedian Andrew Sironi, an occasional emcee for The Royal’s open mic nights.

Above, The Royal’s co-owners, Bridgett Gordon and Jerry Clarke.

Leslie Portner

Tom Beck

“You’re part of the audience, and you’re expected to participate as an audience member,” he said. “Not as a bar patron.”

The music-focused approach has its challenges, however. There’s an obvious reason why most places prioritize alcohol sales, and that’s because it brings in the money. That’s something The Royal hasn’t done consistently over the past year, but Clark and Gordon hope that changes. Clarke described business as being “spotty.” He attributes that partially to COVID-19 and partially to the venue being so new.

“People are still realizing what we are,” he said. “When they come to a show, they love it. We want more people to consistently come to shows and build that up.”

Gordon described attendance as “hit or miss,” but noted the strength of The Royal’s open mic community as an example of one of the positives.

“There’s always a crowded room on Wednesday nights,” she said. “There wasn’t one week where someone new hasn’t showed up.”

The Ways and means

The Royal doesn’t have a liquor license.

However, The Ways Restaurant & Brewery - located just next door - does. The Ways and The Royal have an arrangement where The Ways sets up a stand to sell beer in the venue and The Royal gets a cut of those sales. For now, it’s working.

“We were debating whether we should be bring-your-own,” said Clarke. “But we feel [buying beer at the venue] was the vibe we’re going for.”

What makes things even more complicated is the fact that everybody who works for The Royal still has a day job. Clarke doesn’t see himself quitting his full-time job any time soon, but one of his near-term goals for the venue is to have it become more of a destination for touring artists.

“They’ll say ‘we’re touring the Philly area, what about The Royal?’ - that type of thing,” said Clarke. “And I think that’s just a matter of reputation and word of mouth and social media and all that stuff. That’s kind of where I hope it goes.”

Over the past year, some of the most notable events have included headlining performances from local musician Ben Arnold; comedian and former host of VH1’s That Metal Show Don Jamieson; and Mother Nature’s Sons, a Beatles tribute band.

“We had a band here that was a local cover band of four or five 25-year-olds who graduated from Abington High School,” said Clarke. “They were energetic, good-looking kids and it’s almost like the whole high school came here one night. It was amazing.”

It’s the kind of familial atmosphere that Gordon had been hoping to foster.

“Our goal wasn’t just to provide music, but also a home for people to provide healing or an escape to their life,” she said. “The Royal isn’t a space or a building. It’s a community of people.”

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Welcome to Friends of the Wissahickon’s inaugural appearance in Wissahickon Magazine and our first print newsletter in more than two years! Our popular quarterly newsletter had been digital-only since the pandemic suspended our printing and distribution capabilities, but now we’re back even better, with a new format and higher production values. And, thanks to our new partnership with the magazine and the Chestnut Hill Local, FOW will be reaching more readers than ever.

Our print newsletter isn’t the only thing that’s back. Over the past few months, I’ve been to more in-person meetings and events than I have in the past two years. And that includes FOW events that drew larger-than-usual numbers, such as Harvey Street and Bells Mill cleanups and our annual summer Ice Cream Social, attended by a record 425 people! On each occasion, I heard the same comment: “Isn’t it nice to be together in person?”

From cleanups to guided hikes to Valley Talks and the All Trails Challenge, even the progress of restroom facility expansion, there are many opportunities to keep coming back to the park, whether you’re simply soaking up the many benefits of being in nature or learning about Wissahickon history and FOW’s work.

But every FOW member who visits the park is helping conserve its 1,800-acre wooded gorge. More than 3,000 strong, our members support FOW’s efforts to care for the hundreds of species that call the Wissahickon home in our precious watershed. Members help the park serve as an outdoor classroom to provide environmental education programming for the next generation of park stewards. And so much more. We invite you to join us. Visit fow.org/ wissmagmember to learn how.

As we look forward to a bountiful new year, we look back with pride and gratitude for all we accomplished this year –together.

Wishing you and yours joy and good health during this season of celebration and all year long. Let’s continue to be great friends.

Ruffian Tittmann, Executive Director

Photo by Bradley Maule

40 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 108 Philadelphia, PA 19118-3324 (215) 247-0417 • office@fow.org • fow.org @fowissahickon

The mission of Friends of the Wissahickon is to conserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein.

OFFICERS

Alyssa Edwards, President

Fred Magaziner, Vice President

Garrett Trego, Vice President

Darium Poke, Treasurer

Ethan Birchard, Secretary

PAST PRESIDENTS

Cindy Affleck

Charles Dilks

Jeff Harbison

Robert A. Lukens

David Pope

John Rollins

Edward C. Stainton

Robert T. Vance Jr.

Will Whetzel

BOARD MEMBERS

Sarah Weidner Astheimer

Christine Bamberger

Kevin Berkoff

Ethan Birchard

Lula Defersha

Adam DePaul

Alyssa Edwards

STAFF

Kevin Grant

Fred Magaziner

John Meigs

Hooman Parsia

Darium Poke

Garrett Trego

Will Whetzel

Ruffian Tittmann, Executive Director

Christina Bassler, Communications Coordinator

Pauline Berkowitz, Capital Projects Coordinator

Varian Bosch, Field Coordinator

Laura Feragen, Editor/Publicist

Shawn Green, Director of Field Stewardship

Denise Larrabee, Editor at Large

Sarah Marley, Development Director

Amelia Marren, Volunteer Program Coordinator

Maeve Pollack, Development and Database Manager

Melanie-Monaye Sanders, Development Assistant

Audrey Simpson, Business Manager

Ashley Velez, Executive Coordinator

NEWSLETTER

Denise Larrabee, Editor at Large

Laura Feragen, Editor

Moon Design, Layout

Wissahickon Bike Bridges are Open!

After delays from the pandemic, a hurricane, supply chain shortages, and other obstacles, the Wissahickon bike bridges at Ten Box reopened at last to the delight of all those involved in the extensive $1.2 million project, as well as those gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 16. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Deputy Commissioner Patrick Morgan thanked FOW for keeping the public informed about the project, which completely restored and reinforced the four-decadesold trail bridges, including replacing the often-slippery wood planking with a safer, more durable metal surface.

“We are grateful to Parks & Rec for identifying the issues and getting the work done,” said FOW Executive Director Ruffian Tittmann, who also thanked the public for being patient. “These bridges have come back better than ever, so we can enjoy them for another 40 years. Congratulations!”

Deputy Commissioner Morgan noted that this project demonstrates Philadelphia’s investment in providing access to the Wissahickon trails and nature. The bridges connect the Lincoln Drive and Forbidden Drive sections of the Wissahickon Valley Trail. An important link between Forbidden Drive and the Schuylkill River Trail, from Wissahickon Valley Park to the Art Museum, the bridges are a popular and sustainable option for commuting to Center City.

7 TH ANNUAL ALL TRAILS CHALLENGE

Every Step Makes an Impact

CHALLENGE 2022

A special group of enthusiastic individuals gathered at the Chestnut Hill Brewing Company on September 15 because they were up for the Challenge–the All Trails Challenge, that is.

The occasion was a launch party for people who had signed up for Friends of the Wissahickon’s 2022 ATC, which kicked off on August 22 for FOW members, September 6 for the public.

Participants gathered to meet fellow ATC Challengers, ask questions, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. The party even inspired nearly 15 others to join the ATC, which ends November 29. Until then, Challengers ride, bike, and hike the Wissahickon’s 50+ miles of trails, raising money to improve those trails and help keep the park and the Wissahickon Creek beautiful and sustainable, now and for future generations.

The ATC may be drawing to a close, but there’s still time to support the Challengers or donate directly to this activity that means so much to the park. Visit here fow.org/event/2022atc1/ to learn more.

Sponsored by

SAVE THE DATE

2023 PUBLIC PROJECTS MEETING

JANUARY 17 • 6 P.M.

Friends of the Wissahickon will host its annual Public Projects Meeting to share progress on its major projects over the past year and discuss projects for the upcoming year. Visit fow.org for more details and to register for this virtual event.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Deputy Commissioner Patrick Morgan, assisted by some special helpers and FOW Executive Director Ruffian Tittmann (far right), cuts the ribbon at a ceremony celebrating the reopening of the Wissahickon bike trail bridges after significant restoration.

Photo by Bradley Maule

Happy Trails AUDREY SIMPSON to

Audrey Simpson has seen a lot of changes since she became the part-time business manager for both Friends of the Wissahickon and the Chestnut Hill Historical Society (now Chestnut Hill Conservancy) 22 years ago. When FOW outgrew the space that the two organizations shared on Germantown Avenue and moved to its current location on Evergreen Avenue in 2016, Audrey began working exclusively for FOW, and we’re so grateful she did. At the end of this year, the FOW family will lose an indispensable colleague and dear friend when Audrey retires from the organization.

“For a lot of people, including myself, she was the first face people saw or heard on the phone at FOW,” said Ruffian Tittmann, FOW executive director. “Audrey has seen it all and has always been a steady and reassuring presence for the many different people and situations she encountered over the past two decades.”

Quotes

““FOW without Audrey—it’s hard for me to picture. You could always rely on her. Now who is going to come to the office in the middle of the night when the alarm goes off! I know there are things she just knew and took care of as a matter of course. She was the consummate professional and there was never any doubt how much she enjoyed her job. Audrey, we will miss your great work, but we will miss you more!”

—Ruffian Tittmann, Executive Director

Over the years, Audrey has interacted with a wide range of people, from public contractors, vendors, and financial institutions to the FOW staff and board, as well as members of the public needing assistance with situations both mundane and critical. As FOW grew, so did Audrey’s responsibilities. In addition to managing FOW’s business operations, she continually expanded her skill set, from IT to HR; she even earned an SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management)-CP certification. But she took it all in stride. “I worked my way through it and figured it out,” said Audrey.

Grant for operations in 2003, enabling the hiring of FOW’s first executive director—a seminal moment in the organization’s expansion; the year FOW moved to its current location; the extraordinary 95th anniversary celebration; and the appearance of the Wissahickon bear. She fondly recalls the staff hikes, visiting various parts of the park where projects were taking place, particularly the picnic in Blue Bell Park during the pandemic because it brought the close-knit team even closer together. Although she’ll miss the variety and challenges of the work, it is the people who have become like family whom she’ll miss most. Nevertheless, she believes it’s time for a change.

Of the many memories Audrey has amassed during her time at FOW, there have been a few standouts: the first William Penn

“It is hard to imagine working at FOW without Audrey! She has always been such a stable and joyful presence here. She has never hesitated to share her considerable experience and thoughtful insights with me, while also managing to sneak in a laugh or two. I am so grateful for all I have learned from her and will miss her and our late afternoon chats dearly. But I will take one for our chocolate-loving team and eat her share of the cupcakes and cookies moving forward, ha ha! Love you, Audrey!”

—Sarah Marley, Development Director

Audrey has no idea what’s next after FOW, other than tackling “a whole lot of closets that have to be cleaned,” for starters. She hopes to spend more time with her husband and their two children, Stephen Jr. and Chris, and five grandchildren, as well as in her happy place, Cape Cod.

“Audrey is such a staple of Friends of the Wissahickon that it’s going to feel so strange to not see her regularly. Her reliable and dependable nature always keeps the rest of us in line. That (along with the fact that her son has the same birthday as me) is why I so affectionately call her ‘Mom.’ I’m gonna miss you, Mom!”

–Shawn Green, Director of Field Stewardship

“Audrey has always been the rock of the office. Constant and calming, even through the pandemic, she was a reassuring presence. Audrey was always in the office, available for any question, and she always knew the answer. She took care of the office—the physical space as well as all of us. It’s going to be a big adjustment without her.”

—Maeve Pollack, Development and Database Manager

“Although she’ll miss the variety and challenges of the work, it is the people who have become like family whom she’ll miss most.”

“Congratulations to you, Audrey, on your retirement! You’ve been the clasp to the chain that is FOW; thank you for all your work and magic wand waving. I’ve loved being your office neighbor this last year, enjoying your desk soundtrack and company. I hope you have a fantastic retirement, filled with both peace and adventure, family time, and absolutely no QuickBooks. Cheers!”

—Pauline Berkowitz, Capital Projects Coordinator

“The few office days I had each week, I would always look forward to the afternoons when Audrey came in. She has such an infectious, lighthearted, and humorous personality. Since starting with FOW in the beginning of 2022, Audrey has been someone I could always depend on. She will be deeply missed, and I wish Audrey a fulfilling and relaxing retirement!”

—Amelia Marren, Volunteer Program Coordinator

“I have been around FOW so long that, when I became president, I actually did not benefit from Audrey’s instruction, probably to my detriment. But during our many years at FOW, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her company and her wry sense of humor (usually spiced up with a few gentle personal barbs). We must find a way to keep her involved in the FOW family.”

—David Pope, former FOW President

“Audrey has been the heart and soul of FOW for over 20 years and has been an enthusiastic and knowledgeable part of the FOW leadership team from day one. I value the 14 years we worked together and know that she has left the Wissahickon stronger than it was when she arrived.”

—Maura McCarthy, Fairmount Park Conservancy Executive Director, and former FOW Executive Director

Above: Shirley Gracie (left) shares a moment with Audrey Simpson before the 95th Anniversary Celebration.

Right: Audrey Simpson shows off her granddaughters Ruby (left) and Stella (right) - and their wreath creations - at Winter in the Wissahickon.

Photos by Charles Uniatowski

“Audrey has seen it all and has always been a steady and reassuring presence for the many different people and situations she encountered over the past two decades.”

FIELD STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

It’s been a busy year of stewardship within Wissahickon Valley Park!

We’re so grateful and proud of the accomplishments that we were able to achieve, thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who came out to join us. From a huge cleanup on Lincoln Drive to the planting of over 1,000 native plants, volunteers make the park cleaner and more sustainable.

The winter season is always when the FOW field staff regroups, strategizes, and plans projects for the upcoming year. As always, we’ve got a lot of work to do, and can use your support. There are many opportunities to help in the Wissahickon:

• The easiest is to come out for some of our Volunteer Service Days. These events are open to all and don’t require any experience. We provide the tools, gloves, and instruction - you just have to show up! Check out our upcoming Volunteer Service Days here: fow.org/ volunteering/workinthepark

• For those of you who prefer to work solo, or are unable to join our scheduled service days, consider becoming a Wissahero by doing a self-guided cleanup. Check out the details here: fow.org/ volunteering/clean-up/

• If you are part of a business or organization interested in coming joining us for a private service project, read more here: fow.org/volunteering/ corporate-groups/

By Shawn Green, Director of Field Stewardship

TAKE VOLUNTEERING AT FOW TO THE NEXT LEVEL

During the winter, Friends of the Wissahickon recruits and trains several smaller corps of volunteers to work on a more involved level. We are currently recruiting for our 2023 training classes, which take place from February through March. Do you love the park and want to make a positive difference? Do you want to meet new, like-minded friends? If so, consider applying for one of these programs!

• Trail Ambassadors are park docents who teach park visitors about the park’s history, flora, fauna, and geology and assist with anything from directions to first aid. With only a few park rangers on duty in the Wissahickon, Trail Ambassadors serve a muchneeded role in the park by providing regular outreach and assistance to park users, leading hikes, and staffing information tables in the Wissahickon & the surrounding community. It’s an important job because it is through this corps that we are better able to serve the public and the park. Learn more about this program and apply at fow.org/volunteering/trail-ambassadors/.

• Crew Leaders are a special corps of stewards who are trained in leading volunteer groups in the Wissahickon, building & improving trails, restoring habitat, and sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. They work directly with FOW staff to plan and lead volunteer service days throughout the park. With the constant natural and human stresses on the park, Crew Leaders play an integral role in keeping the Wissahickon beautiful and sustainable for generations to come. Learn more about this program and apply at fow.org/volunteering/crew-leaders/.

Volunteers clear overgrowth and debris in preparation for the re-opening of the Wissahickon Bike Bridges. Photo by Bradley Maule

Class of 2022 Crew Leaders and Trail Ambassadors

GUIDED WALKS & TALKS

There’s no better way to explore Wissahickon Valley Park than with FOW volunteers! Our Guided Walks & Talks are fun, educational, and cover a wide range of topics. Come out and discover your newest favorite sections of the park!

Registration is required for all hikes so that participants can be informed of weather or other emergency cancellations. Guided Walks & Talks may be on rocky, rugged trails that may be wet and slippery. Wear sturdy shoes or boots with socks. Walks are canceled in heavy rain. Service animals are always welcome.

UPCOMING GUIDED

WALKS & TALKS:

Sunday, 11/20: Silent Sunset Cruise with Amy Yuter & Kate Charles

Saturday, 12/3: Big Rocks & Big Trees, Part 2 with Lisa Myers

REGISTER NOW AND FIND MORE GUIDED WALKS & TALKS ON FOW’S EVENTS CALENDAR AT FOW.ORG/EVENTS.

Trail Ambassador Field Report

Ambassadors: Debbie Hoellein, Jim McClory, Susan Hauck

Date: Friday, 8/19/22 Time: 9 am – 11:45 am

Location: Northern Section (Northwestern Ave. to Rex Ave.)

Description: This hike was titled “The Wissahickon in August,” one of a monthly series in which we explore the changes in the flora and fauna during the different seasons and highlight the general experience of hiking in the park during each month. We also discuss points of interest.

When we started, the weather was sunny and in the 70s, but it was warm and in the 80s by the time we finished. The heat is part of the experience of hiking in the Wissahickon in August. Luckily, most of the hike was in the shade. Besides the 3 leaders, there were 13 adult attendees. All were from Philadelphia or the suburbs, except for a couple visiting from Miami.

We started at Cedars House and took the lower trail from the driveway through the Andorra Natural Area to Bells Mill Road. We crossed the road and took Monster Hill to the Yellow Trail. We then went south to the first connector trail to Forbidden Drive. We crossed the Covered Bridge and then took the Orange Trail back to Bells Mill Road. We had planned to do part of the Lavender Trail but realized that would get us back after the stated end time of the hike. We walked across the bridge and took Forbidden Drive back to the start. One person chose to take Forbidden Drive back to the start from the Covered Bridge because he was hot. We met him at the end of the hike.

Jim talked about the Covered Bridge, the mills, and the WPA. Sue talked about stormwater runoff mitigation, FOW, and Wissahickon Valley Park. Debbie talked about plants and a little about geology. Dave Stehman explained the structure and purpose of the Monster Hill project. We had a member of Historic Rittenhouse Town speak, and he discussed what is there. As we walked, we noticed how our native and nonnative plants were looking at this time of year. We did not see much in terms of wildlife.

As always, it was fun sharing the experience of walking through our beautiful park with others.

Wissahickon Environmental Center LATE FALL-WINTER CALENDAR

All programs are FREE, all-weather, require registration, and begin at the Tree House (300 W. Northwestern Ave.) unless otherwise noted.

Coffee with the Birds

Wednesdays | 9 a.m.

We will brew a pot of hot or iced coffee to enjoy, as well see what birds are around the grounds. If time permits, we will venture into the woods or meadow.

Naturalist on Demand

Fridays | 1-4 p.m.

Feel free to drop in and ask the Tree House staff to show you around the woods.

Andorra Ecological Restoration Sessions

Mondays | November 21, December 5, and 19 | 2-4 p.m.

This is a mix of training and work sessions so you can help us fight off invasive plants and install and maintain native specimens on the Tree House grounds and Andorra Natural Area. Tools and materials provided. Adults & Older Teens. FREE.

Naturalist Potluck: Masting and Predator Saturation

Wednesday | November 30 | 6-8 p.m. Bring food to share, as well as your knowledge and opinions, as we discuss different natural history topics each week. Adults. FREE.

Family Game and Campfire Night

Friday | December 9 | 6-7:30 p.m.

The Tree House will have tables set up inside with some games and a campfire blazing outside. Families are encouraged to bring games and activities, as well as fixings for s’mores and other food to cook on the fire. Preregistration is requested. All ages. FREE

Weekend Activity Box

Weekends during park hours

Even if the building is closed, stop by the back porch and pick up materials for season-appropriate activities like scavenger hunts, crafts, and coloring pages. FREE (donations appreciated).

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Fuzzy Buddies

Saturday | December 3 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This is a celebration of the Wissahickon’s mammals! We begin at 10 a.m. with a story reading for tots. Outside, we will have some craft and activity stations. At 11 a.m., we will have a mammal artifact show-and-tell presentation, and then we will go on a walk to look for mammals and their tracks in order to make casts. Preregistration is required. Children of all ages with caregivers. FREE

Mammal Walk

Saturday | December 3 | 8 a.m.

This will be a slow and silent walk through the woods to spot deer, squirrels, foxes, and other mammals. This program is appropriate for people of any age that can be quiet! Preregistration is requested.

Yerba Maté with the Hermit Thrushes: Botany and Birding

Wednesday | December 21 | 9 a.m.

We are changing up Coffee with the Birds this week with a seasonal flair. We will provide yerba maté (tea) to fuel us on our hike through Andorra’s holly groves looking for wintering Hermit Thrushes as we discuss the identification and biogeography of hollies. Preregistration is requested. All ages that can appreciate plant taxonomy are welcome. FREE

Photo by Bradley Maule

TRISCH BETCHER

How did you decide to start volunteering with FOW?

I used to travel a lot on weekends—camping trips, snowboarding trips—adventures that eventually overtook my wallet. I found myself broke and hanging around on the weekends because I didn’t have anything left because of trying to keep up with people who liked the same activities. My housemate, who I met on a whitewater rafting trip, told me she had volunteered with FOW and saw their post asking for Crew Leaders and Trail Ambassadors. She knew my love for the trails and the park and said I should sign up. I went to the initial meeting and saw a lot of dudes who were avid mountain bikers and who were often building trails. Their experience was intimidating and overwhelming, but I knew I wanted a new experience learning new skills. It made me anxious to be in a room where I didn’t know anything about anything, but I talked myself out of running away. After learning what I was expected to do to learn these new skills, I was terrified of committing to something that required me to give up traveling on the weekends—especially in the winter for ski season. But I did it. I committed.

What do you love most about Wissahickon Valley Park?

When I first came to Philly, I used to wander into the park late in the evenings on Friday nights after a stressful week at school. I would walk or run away my stressful scenarios from being an urban schoolteacher. I remember buying my first headlamp and running late at night in the spring and seeing hundreds of frog/toad eyes reflecting on the trails (specifically Gorgas Lane, before they redid it). That was a unique night to be hiking alone in the park. I was scared I’d step on a frog.

What are your favorite moments from volunteering with FOW?

My crew from 2019 and the Crew Leaders from before and after are the nicest, kindest people I’ve ever met in my life. I felt like I finally met competent individuals who cared as much about life on earth as much as I do. I also love working with people who bring kids with a lot of energy to volunteer days. Teaching kids how to love the outdoors is a treat.

What are your favorite places in the Wissahickon?

Anywhere that has blooming umbrella magnolias strategically placed below eye level, the Yellow Trail, Lovers Leap while eating granola bars with my honey, standing on the bridges over the water, or standing under hundred-yearold tulip and chestnut oak trees, the frog pond, and Houston Meadow to watch the moon rises and eclipses. Shall I keep going?

GIVING

There are several ways to make meaningful gifts to advance FOW’s mission.

STOCK

Consider giving a gift of stock. Our DTC # is 0062 and our Vanguard Brokerage Acct # is 23501307.

JOIN FOW’S SUSTAINER PROGRAM

Support ongoing stewardship through our monthly membership program (and receive a special thank-you gift). Visit fow.org/sustainerprogram

UNITED WAY DONATIONS

Friends of the Wissahickon can receive donations through the United Way. If your employer offers United Way giving, and you would like to designate Friends of the Wissahickon as your beneficiary, please use our option code #9882.

AMAZON SMILE

If you shop on Amazon.com, use AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) and select Friends of the Wissahickon as the nonprofit organization you would like to support. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to FOW.

SECURE THE WISSAHICKON’S FUTURE: MAKE IT PART OF YOUR LEGACY

As a membership-based nonprofit, Friends of the Wissahickon depends on gifts and grants from individuals and organizations to continue important work throughout Wissahickon Valley Park. One of the most transformational ways individuals can make a lasting contribution to FOW is through The 1924 Society.

The 1924 Society is a group of committed individuals who have included FOW in their wills or have named FOW in their estate planning. Created by the late Albert Neff (1929–2005), a Philadelphia resident with a passion and love for the wildness of the Wissahickon, The 1924 Society honors and recognizes the commitment of our friends to ensure that Wissahickon Valley Park is here for generations to come.

Contributions from members of The 1924 Society make a lasting impact. Over the past decade, these friends have invested over $500,000 to help fulfill FOW’s ongoing stewardship mission in Wissahickon Valley Park. Support from these thoughtful individuals helps provide the robust educational programming and stewardship efforts needed to protect the water quality of the Wissahickon Creek and preserve the native habitat throughout the 1,800-acre park.

Members of The 1924 Society, who include FOW in their estate plans or wills, receive a lifetime membership, invitations to special events, and advanced information about FOW programs and projects. Learn more about The 1924 Society at fow.org/1924society or contact Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org.

THREE WAYS YOUR INVESTMENTS COULD HELP THE WORLD (AND THE WISSAHICKON)

A message from Prentiss Smith & Company, a generous supporter of Friends of the Wissahickon

In today’s market, your investments may be the last thing you want to think about as you enter the warm light of the Wissahickon. With financial markets battered by war and inflation, it’s understandable to want to put your latest retirement savings statement or your brokerage account balance out of your mind as you step into the woods.

But what if your walk in the Wissahickon is, in fact, the right moment to think about your investments? After all, treasuring the natural world is about more than just passing through it. It’s also about stewardship, and planning for the future. These responsibilities extend not just to us as individuals, or to our elected representatives, but also to corporations—who arguably have as much to do with the fate of our world as governments do. Fortunately, recent legislation can help point companies in the right direction. Although we may vote in elections every year, as investors who choose to be owners of those corporations, we vote with our money every day.

So how can we seize this moment and make those votes count? If we are fortunate enough to have retirement savings, brokerage accounts, or trusts, how can those investments reflect the same values we bring to our engagement with politics, with our communities, and with the Wissahickon?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Make sure your investments exclude industries and companies that don’t align with your values. For instance, oil and gas companies fuel climate change, which drives erosion and habitat degradation in the Wissahickon; agrochemicals degrade our waterways; private prison companies keep our communities isolated and divided. Choose an investment manager or funds that will allow you to avoid such investments entirely, as a matter of policy.

2. Be educated about how your shares are voted. Every share of stock you own gets a vote at a company’s annual meeting. Many investment managers and funds will vote on your behalf. Are they voting for stronger environmental disclosures? Are they voting against entrenched, nondiverse board directors at the companies in which you own a stake?

3. Find out if your investment manager or fund manager engages with the companies in which you hold shares. For instance, are they pushing for stronger zero deforestation policies at food companies whose supply chains impact forests across the world? By aggregating your shares with those of other clients, money managers can have an outsized impact on corporate policy making when they choose to.

With each of these steps confirmed, on your next walk in the Wissahickon you will have the satisfaction of knowing your investments are aligned with the world you want to see around you.

Up at the Tree House . . .

THE CALL OF THE WISSAHICKON: Welcome Back, Tony Croasdale

To Tony Croasdale, it’s what’s outside that counts. As the environmental education program specialist at the Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC), his overarching goal is to help Philadelphians learn about the rich natural history of Philadelphia’s park system, especially the amazing diversity of life in Wissahickon Valley Park that many people are unaware of.

Tony is not new to the WEC; he served as environmental education planner from 2015 to 2017, and then transferred to Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center to serve as environmental program specialist. Recently, he returned to the WEC, holding the same title.

Generations of children and families have visited the WEC’s Tree House, but Tony wants people to know that there is so much more.

What sets the WEC apart from other recreation programs?

We’re here to interpret the park, not just what’s in the building. Unlike other rec centers, our amenities are the trails, the forest, and the wildlife—focusing on the world that’s within walking distance of the Tree House, but also throughout the Wissahickon and even other parks in our system.

Our two full-time environmental educators offer programs and activities about forestry, wildlife education, and ecological restoration, adapted for audiences of all ages and interests. We keep our events calendar open for groups that want to schedule a service project or special activity. At the WEC, we work to balance hands-on activities at the Tree House with a full host of guided outdoor recreation experiences in the park that often include a nature-themed craft or game, like storytelling with hand puppets or leading a nature walk geared to older adults. Then there’s seasonal activities like maple sugaring, winter walks, and building bee houses for our backyard pollinators.

Why is nature education so important to you?

I hope to get people excited about the diversity of organisms ready to explore right in their own backyard, and inspire them to question the larger world of life around them. There should be a greater focus on wildlife education and plants, from preschool to grad school. I love Philadelphia — I’m a native and I live near Wissahickon Valley Park. I see the Wissahickon as a resource for the entire city to engage Philadelphians in handson natural history interpretation, to ultimately help maintain and improve the park’s ecological health.

What is your favorite thing about the WEC?

What consistently gets me excited is when we host visits from rec centers: when the bus pulls up with kids who have never been to the woods, and they’re awestruck. Sometimes they’re scared, but then I show them something like a salamander, and I love to see the thrill of discovery on their faces.

I also love the diversity—not just of the nature, but of the work. One minute we’ll be conducting a training for FOW about bluebird box monitoring, and the next thing a neighbor has called about a snapping turtle burrowing in their yard. We never know what we’ll be asked to do!

Tony Croasdale explores Houston Meadow with his daughter, Azalea.

Photo by Angie Croasdale

How long have you been a birding expert?

I started when I was 9 or 10. My father took me to the Pennypack Environmental Center, where I learned about belted kingfishers and that they live in the park. I asked my father if we could go look for one, and a few days later we went on our first mission to find a specific bird—and found it. That was the first time I went birding. I have been an avid birder for more than 30 years. I’ve led bird tours or performed field ornithology research all over the world, from the Mid-Atlantic to Alaska and Arctic Canada to Brazil, Peru, and Educador. Even when I was the lyricist and lead singer of R.A.M.B.O., a hardcore punk band, I birded extensively while on tour. I am proud to be a two-time winner of the Carbon Footprint Cup at the World Series of Birding, and to have finished second three times. But I love sharing my knowledge and the joy of birding with the people of Philadelphia.

What are your other interests?

Spending time with my wife and daughter, especially in nature. I co-host the Urban Wildlife Podcast (urbanwildlifecast.com). I collect field guides for plants and wildlife from all over the word, as well as wristwatches and James Bond memorabilia. My band, R.A.M.B.O., just released a new album on Relapse Records.

What is your educational background?

I have an MS in biology from St. Joseph’s University, where I focused on Aristide invertebrates on native vs. alien shrubs. I have a BS in horticulture from Temple University. I am also an adjunct professor of plant ecology at Temple University.

Valley Green Inn is hosting Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve and you’re invited!

This holiday season, treat your family and guests to our rustic, humble roadhouse in the heart of the Wissahickon.

We can accommodate small groups or larger parties (35-175+) Contact us now to book for the holidays: Events: Amber@ValleyGreenInn.com • Reservations: 215-247-1730

General reservations can be made on OpenTable.com

POSTCARDS FROM THE WISSAHICKON

David Bower, FOW’s volunteer extraordinaire, presented “Postcards from the Wissahickon” at the hybrid fall Valley Talk held in September at the Valley Green Inn and online. He delighted and impressed attendees with his anecdotes and deep knowledge from his 30 years as an avid collector of 3,000 postcards depicting images from the Wissahickon Valley.

Most of David’s collection dates from about 1898 to 1915, a period that became known as the Golden Age of Postcards. The U.S. Postal Service estimates that at the peak of their popularity, a billion one cent postcards were mailed and collected. They were cheap to buy and mail, so people were sending them all over the world. Not only were postcards the best way to share pictures, but they were also the fastest way to send messages, thanks to mail service twice, sometimes three times, daily! David likened the ease and speed of sending messages via postcard to our Tweeting today. Postcard collecting was deeply embedded into the

communication and culture of the day until World War I interrupted global trade and mail, and the postcard age declined.

David was first introduced to postcards that featured images of the Wissahickon at an antiques dealership in Frederick, Maryland, in 1992, the year he joined FOW’s volunteer corps. The cards were inexpensive, so he bought a few. Three decades later, our 2019 Volunteer of the Year’s extensive collection fills 18 albums!

David has amassed 475 different images of the Wissahickon including the

Wissahickon Creek, Valley Green Inn, lots of bridges and, of course, the beautiful woods. Some are views of things that are no longer there. There are exchanges with silly greetings and jokes. Nearly all photographs, the cards often depict the same image, but are produced in different colors and styles by different printers (who at the time were unrestricted by copyright laws), other images are artist enhanced. There are postcards postmarked from all over the world, including Europe, and in different languages. David said that over the years he’s seen Wissahickon spelled about 20 different ways.

David has spent as little as a couple of dollars and as much as $75 and thousands of hours curating his amazing collection, but he has loved every minute of it. “I meet interesting people with interesting stories about the Wissahickon,” he said. “The postcards tell the many stories of the Wissahickon, its history and culture, and remind me that although everything is changing, some things never do.”

The Power of Partnership: FOW and PowerCorpsPHL

Since 2013, FOW has partnered with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to keep the upper trails clear of fallen trees through the Volunteer Sawyers, a small subset of FOW’s volunteer Crew Leaders with specialized skills and training. More frequent and heavier storms, combined with increased foot traffic and invasive pests, are weakening trees and making them fall. As a tree falls, it sometimes will take part of its root system with it, causing the loss of valuable forest soils. With so many large, aging canopy trees in the Wissahickon, when they fall it’s always a big job to remove them.

Seventy trees and limbs have come down since January, blocking trails and overwhelming crew capacity. By spring, FOW Field Coordinator Varian Bosch decided it was time to call in reinforcements, which came through a new partnership with PowerCorpsPHL.

PowerCorpsPHL provides a paid service-based workforce development experience for disconnected young adults and returning citizens ages 18 to 30; the program is powered by a collaboration between AmeriCorps, the City of Philadelphia and EducationWorks. The organization works exclusively within the Philadelphia city limits. Their service involves natural lands restoration, urban beautification, green stormwater infrastructure and other areas of environmental stewardship. Upon successful completion of the Foundations portion of the program, members are eligible to apply to join a PowerCorpsPHL fellowship in areas

such as Urban Forestry, Solar, Masonry, Park Ranger and Green Stormwater Infrastructure.

The most recent crew of three PowerCorpsPHL Urban Forestry Academy Fellows started their fellowship cohort on August 1, 2022. Equipped with chain saws, the Fellows have provided much-needed extra hands to break up and clear nearly three quarters of the fallen logs off the trails. The work with PowerCorpsPHL wil continue through the end of November and resume in March 2023.

Until this year, none of the Fellows working with FOW had ever spent time in the Wissahickon, according to Michael Cappon, the organization’s Assistant Director of Industry Training.

“This experience has given the Fellows a chance to perform real work using the chain saws they’ve practiced with along with valuable exposure to the concept of trail erosion and the meaning of trail work,” said Michael.

But to Varian, their presence has meant even more.

“It’s been fun teaching a new generation of stewards who are really interested in learning this field,” said Varian, who has not only helped the Fellows hone their skill with chain saws and other tools but added trail maintenance and conservation, even plant identification, to this outdoor classroom. “I never saw myself as a teacher, but they’re so receptive that it’s been great helping them learn from their mistakes and offering them the tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years.”

PowerCorpsPHL Urban Forestry Fellow Kyle Sanders at work.

Photo by Michael Cappon, PowerCorpsPHL

Explore and register for programs at letsgooutdoors.net/lgo-fowcommunity-engagement

Families participate in a hike and sketch activity along a Wissahickon Trail.

HABITAT MONITORING: WINTER

FOW’s community-based science program continues this winter. Take a look at the map and photos below to help guide your summer habitat monitoring. Consult FOW’s habitat monitoring page on our website for more details and instructions, and consider printing the photo page and bringing it to the park as you hike, so you can check off what you find along the way.

SPECIES SCAVENGER HUNT

What lives in Wissahickon Valley Park? Help us find out!

The Winter 2022-2023 Habitat Monitoring Zone is Valley Green. Download the eBird and iNaturalist apps, and check out fow.org/volunteering/habitat to get started on citizen science in the Wissahickon!

Use eBird to find:

Use iNaturalist to find:

American Bladdernut Staphyleatrifolia

American Sweetgum Liquidambarstyraciflua

Common Snowdrop Galanthus elwesii

American Wintergreen Gaultheriaprocumbens

Black Squirrel* Sciurus carolinensis

Dark-eyed Junco Juncohyemalis

Great Horned Owl Bubovirginianus

Brown Creeper Certhia americana

Winter Wren Troglodyteshiemalis

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius

Photo by Keisha Scovens

Christmas in Cape May

Who says this historic village down the shore is only for summer fun?

By NANCY PARELLO

Courtesy of Cape May MAC (Museums Arts and Culture).

As the holidays bring worries about choosing gifts, planning meals and scheduling parties, make space for a break, and step back to a quieter time – when fresh greens graced curved staircases, gas lanterns lit the streets and high tea was a daily occurrence.

Welcome to Christmas in Cape May. It’s an experience tough to match and sure to fill visitors with the holiday spirit of love and hope.

Known as America’s only National Historic Landmark City and the first seaside resort, Cape May has been welcoming visitors for centuries and there are few better times to visit than during Christmas.

“We are very well known for our historic homes, which are preserved lovingly by their owners,’’ said Susan Krysiak, director of media relations, Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). “We love to celebrate Christmas and hope visitors come away from Cape May with a renewed sense of the Christmas spirit.’’

Holiday events, shopping, dining and a myriad of tours take visitors along the town’s historic streets, which are lined with Victorian homes bathed in twinkly lights and give visitors plenty to buoy that holiday spirit.

The city’s crown jewel and perfect starting point for experiencing Christmas is the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian House Museum.

An architectural wonder, this 18-room mansion was designed by famed American architect Frank Furness. It is one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country, with gigantic upside-down corbelled chimneys, hooded dormers and huge stick-like brackets on the porch.

At Christmas, the house is decked out in authentic Victorian style, with a variety of Christmas trees that depict different eras of Victorian Christmas celebrations. Emlen Physick, the grandson of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, is considered the father of American surgery, and guides portraying Physick family members share stories and holiday traditions.

Tours of the museum also include a visit to the Carroll Gallery – the old carriage house located behind the mansion – to see “An Old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit, which features a huge Christmas tree, model trains and an elaborate Dickens village collection.

“We decorate the house in true Victorian style with different Christmas trees representing different eras,’’ Krysiak said. “It is not only lovely, it tells the story of how Christmas evolved in Victorian times.’’

A beloved Cape May tradition, the Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours offer a rare peek inside private residences, along with inns, museums and churches. Started nearly 50 years ago, the tours celebrate the best of Cape May at Christmas.

Stroll along the gaslit streets, hear musicians and carolers, and visit more than a dozen homes, inns, B&Bs, churches and hotels, all elaborately

The annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour, first launched in 1973, is now the town’s longest-running and most popular holiday tour – with different homes, Inns, and B&Bs featured each year. Pictured above is The Harrison Inn, which has been featured in many previous years, and the living room on the right is just one of many interiors that get decorated in true Victorian style.

decorated for the holidays. The tours are held the first three Saturdays of December from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“These are remarkable tours that people come back to do year after year,’’ Krysiak said. “It’s a wonderful way to spend an evening in Cape May. It’s like an open house and really makes you feel like you’re stepping back in Victorian times, vis-

iting your friends.’’

Trolley rides abound in Cape May, especially during Christmas. A favorite is Santa’s Trolley Rides with Mrs. Claus, who comes direct from the North Pole to lead this tour. She tells stories and sings holiday songs on this jolly trolley ride through town. Santa joins the fun at the Gazebo on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate.

Photos courtesy of Cape May MAC (Museums Arts and Culture).

On page 37, Christmas shoppers stroll Cape May’s bustling Washington Street Mall, where visitors can get information and tickets to various tours and events.

Or try the Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides, where visitors hear dramatic tales of Christmas woe that feature Victorian ghosts, told by a member of the East Lynne Theater Company, as they ride along Cape May’s historic streets. For something even more old-fashioned, check out the Cape May Carriage Company’s half-hour horse-drawn carriage tours offered each

weekend. Bring a blanket and enjoy a cozy clop through the streets of Cape May. Tours leave from the corner of Ocean Street and the Washington Street Mall.

You’ll also want to budget time to visit the Cape May Lighthouse, located just a few minutes outside of downtown in Cape May Point State Park. Climb the 199 steps up the original, cast-

iron spiral stairway to the top of the 1859 lighthouse and be rewarded with a stunning view of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding nature trails of Cape May Point State Park and Cape May Point Borough. The lighthouse is listed in the state and national Registers of Historic Places.

Amid all this fun, you also can get some holiday shopping done, especially for those people on your list who have everything. Sophisticated boutiques and shops sell curated items that are hard to find elsewhere. Washington Street Mall is the city’s shopping hub. This outdoor pedestrian promenade spans three blocks that are lined with brick pathways, decorative fountains and wooden benches, all decorated for Christmas.

In addition, both the Emlen Physick Estate and the Cape May Lighthouse have gift shops selling Cape May-related treasures.

“Escape traffic with a visit to a street mall only open to pedestrians,’’ said Doreen Talley, executive director, Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May. “Specialty boutiques line the streets of Cape May and create the perfect place to browse merchandise while enjoying the fresh sea air. The small town, locally owned shops are unique; no big box stores here.’’

And there is no reason to go hungry. The town is brimming with fine dining, casual eateries and campy restaurants that will satisfy any palate.

“Named ‘The restaurant capital of New Jersey’ by The New York Times, Cape May offers an assortment of cuisines any ‘foodie’ would love,’’ Talley said. “Elegant atmospheres complete with Victorian charm and hospitality invite guests to relax and enjoy a total dining experience. Top chefs dot the kitchens in Cape May and impress guests with attention to detail and an appreciation of food as an art form.’’

One of Cape May’s most iconic restaurants is the Washington Inn, built in 1846. Stately columns reach to the third floor, mimicking those of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s plantation house. With the help of Mimi Wood, executive chef of more than 25 years, the Washington Inn serves up both warm hospitality and exceptional New American cuisine. It is one of the top ranked and most visited fine dining restaurants in Cape May.

With all there is to do, it’s a good idea to book a spot to stay. There are plenty of options. From stately, historic hotels to meticulously maintained bed-and-breakfast and cozy guest houses, Cape May offers vacationers all types of lodging experiences.

One of the city’s most iconic hotels is Congress Hall, a four-story, Tuscan-yellow hotel that has been welcoming guests along Cape May’s beachfront since 1816. A stay here will not disappoint.

Or go for a cozy bed-and-breakfast, many of which boast period furniture and serve up elegant afternoon teas. Try the Queen Victoria, an award-winning bed and breakfast resort located in the heart of historic Cape May. Savor a gener-

Photos courtesy of Cape May MAC (Museums Arts and Culture).

Visitors to Christmas in Cape May can choose between guided and self-guided tours as they take in the historic town center (right). Seen below is the The Mainstay Inn on Columbia Avenue decorated for Christmas. Visitors take in festive lights like these on the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride.

ous breakfast served buffet style and afternoon tea in the British fashion, complete with decadent sweets served in front of a crackling fire.

Most accommodations are within walking distance of the beach, with easy access to the Washington Street Mall, and provide a variety of amenities, from swimming pools to pet-friendly

lodging.

For more information, visit capemay.com. Self-guided Christmas Candlelight House Tours require advance ticket purchase. Visit capemaymac.org, and online reservations for horse-drawn carriage tours can be made at capemaycarriage. com.

Holiday trolley tours of the brightly-lit historic district pass by the Soldiers and Sailors Park on Columbia Avenue.

Courtesy of Cape May MAC (Museums Arts and Culture).

Home for the holidays just might mean a gingerbread house

By APRIL LISANTE

As the weather turns chilly and holidays approach, nothing captures all the homey feels of the season more than a nice baking session. And with the past two years bringing so much uncertainty and upheaval to the world, it’s no surprise that renewed interest in baking comfort foods has taken a front seat in the food world – from restaurant fare to good old fashioned home cooking. Last year’s predictions for this winter’s trends have rung true.

We all have our cultural, traditional and even religious food staples each holiday season, from hearty soups to roasts to cozy toddies. But there is arguably no better way to usher in the winter merriment than goodies baked from home. And the one baked item that seems to transcend culture, age and geography at this time of year is the mighty, yet humble, gingerbread man.

This bastion of holiday baking tradition dates back to the 15th century, when ginger found its

natural partner in molasses. The actual pairing of those two flavors dates all the way back to ancient Greece. But it was the Europeans who really embraced it, developing the concept of gingerbread as a possible cookie.

Ultimately, it was the royals who made it popular – with Queen Elizabeth I being the one who’s credited with creating cookies shaped as people. She, apparently, took to impressing her guests and visiting dignitaries by presenting them with cookies shaped in their own likeness, offering up what appeared to be a kind of edible chess board.

German bakers, meanwhile, were busy founding the tradition of building edible houses out of the sturdy and flavorful confection, baking cleverly intricate creations so fancy they were sometimes adorned with real gold. The original molds used by Black Forest bakers are so intricate, it is hard to imagine the craftsmanship involved.

“The details are mind boggling,” said Walter

Staib, former owner of Old City’s historic City Tavern and perhaps the foremost local expert on all things Black Forest. The international consultant and host of the PBS show “A Taste of History” grew up in the storied German forest and knows all about the art of gingerbread firsthand. We can leave truffles for another day.

And of course, Staib explained, we have the famous – or infamous – nursery story “Hansel and Gretel” to thank for gingerbread’s eventual role in the morality tale passed down to children ever since. The idea, he said, was to teach children not to trust strangers offering sweets, no matter how delectable they looked.

“They told us to stay away from strangers and people who try to give you gingerbread,” said Staib, adding that when he was a child, gingerbread was still a treat, and even after it became stale, because you could dunk it in milk.

According to Staib, immigrant Christopher

On facing page, mother and daughter decorate a gingerbread house. At left, Bredenbeck’s Bakery offers a pre-baked kit with everything you need to make your own little gingerbread house and decorate your own cookies. Above, two examples of Bredenbeck’s decorating art.

Photos courtesy of Bredenbeck’s Bakery

Ludwick gets the credit for bringing gingerbread to Philadelphia in the mid-18th century, as he arrived with all the intricate molds as well as the tradition. He eventually became George Washington’s baker in the Continental Army, and “taught everybody how to make gingerbread,” Staib said.

Today, we can find gingerbread in all its forms during the holidays, from the Starbucks latte to the grocery store pound cake, said Staib. It’s 5 a.m. on a Monday and it’s 48 degrees. Where’s my gingerbread latte? Bakers say it is the spice profile that attracts us as the weather cools. Think about all the reasons we start searching for pumpkin spice lattes on Sept 1. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger. Gingerbread is as much the definition of a winter profile as watermelon or lemonade is during the summer.

“Once the weather turns colder and people start thinking about the holidays, [gingerbread] is the same profile” as the pumpkin spice latte, said Chestnut Hill’s Night Kitchen Bakery owner Amy Edelman. “It is the cinnamon, the ginger, nutmeg and cloves. I think a lot of bakeries do it, but ours have even more of the spiciness to them.”

Edelman starts pumping out the gingerbread “people,” as she calls them, on Nov. 1, adorning them with buttons and eyes but no clothing. She keeps it simple, with a recipe that produces a shortbread-type consistency. Not crunchy, but softer.

“We still do a lot of pumpkin pound cake and chocolate chip cookies right now,” said Edelman, but it is the gingerbread men everyone looks for year in and year out.

Perhaps it’s the weather, or perhaps our need for tradition. Either way, it means it’s time to cozy up in front of a fire with some hot chocolate, and partake in a dessert that dates back 2,000 years –and counting.

Night Kitchen Bakery’s “Gingerbread People”

Here is a gingerbread recipe to try at home this wintry season. The only thing you’ll have to warn the kids about is not to get upset tummies from eating too many. Witch not included.

1 stick unsalted butter (room temp.)

½ cup granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

½ cup molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. ground cloves

½ tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

Mimi chocolate chips to decorate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together dry ingredients. Beat room temperature butter with sugar until light and creamy. Beat in egg yolk and then molasses and finally fold in the dry ingredients.Let the dough rest in the refrigerator covered for 2 to 3 hours.

Wrap dough well and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Lightly flour the work surface and then roll out dough to a quarter of an inch thick. Cut out gingerbread shapes and press mini chocolate chips into the dough for eyes, mouth and shirt buttons. Place figures on a greased baking sheet and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Cool completely.

Ginger

Many families make it a tradition to decorate gingerbread for the season.

Rashid’s creations sprang from ‘aha’ moment

Inspiration from a streetcorner vendor in Harlem led to a series of limited edition scarf designs

By KRISTIN HOLMES

Raymond W. Holman Jr.

Perhaps it was fate that Roberto Rashid felt inspiration course through his shivering body while standing in the cold near the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The longtime salesman was patiently waiting for his wife, Stephanie, who was buying a scarf from a vendor stationed across the street from the iconic music venue and symbol of African American arts and culture.

The colorful wrap Stephanie Rashid swirled around her neck not only shielded her from the biting cold, but led to an “aha” moment for her husband. If the vendor could create a scarf resplendent with African prints that evoke black culture, so could Rashid, a man with artistry in his background.

With that, the Wadsworth resident began the first steps toward creating a business fueled by art. He began hunting for the fabrics that have become his trademark: prints, swirling ones, jagged ones, bold ones, neon ones. Scarves by Rashid don’t tiptoe into a room. They strut.

The scarves are the focus of an entrepreneurial art form in which Rashid creates handmade limited editions – five or six scarves with the same design – and then moves on to the next. He sells them at craft shows, arts programs, and will soon launch a website.

“I am 68 and I grew up in an era where culture was high in the African American community. I had teachers that told me to read James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni and Richard Wright,” Rashid said. “We grew up on Motown and at the Uptown Theater. Men wore suits, and it was ‘Yes ma’am, no ma’am.’ We went to hear jazz at the Aqua Lounge. When you grow up in that kind of environment, you’re bound to be creative.”

Rashid’s artistic inclinations – and entrepreneurship – also can be traced back to his mother and grandmother.

His mom, Gloria Jenkins, was a seamstress for the Samson Quilting & Embroidery Co. once based near Jeweler’s Row in Center City. His dad was a military man. As a youngster, Rashid swept the floors and ran errands at the quilting warehouse while his mom worked amid the deafening din of industrial sewing machines. Workers there taught Rashid how to pin patterns. His mom made sure her son knew how to darn socks, thread a needle, use a thimble and sew on buttons.

Influential women

When his mother died of cancer, Rashid went to live with his grandmother, Gladys Wright, a registered nurse at Fox Chase Cancer Center, and also an entrepreneur.

“She owned a millinery store and health spa in North Philadelphia, and she canned, baked. We had strawberries all year round,” Rashid said.

A graduate of Mastbaum High School, where he focused on electronics, Rashid went on to study secondary education and communications at Millersville University and then Drexel University, before leaving Drexel to take a sales job.

Kristin Holmes

He worked as a job placement specialist and then in sales for AT&T and Verizon.

All the while, a creative spirit bubbled inside him, but it wasn’t ignited until one particular day, during a conversation with his cousin, Roy Mills. They were talking about sewing, and that he made his own clothing.

“My genetic memory kicked in and I started thinking about my mom and grandmom sewing,” Rashid said. He decided to enroll in a nighttime tailoring class at West Philadelphia High School. Then, he learned pattern making at John F. Kennedy Skills Center and about garment structure at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences.

“I knew there would come a time when all this would serve me,” Rashid said. Then, in the mid1990s, came the epiphany at the Apollo.

Rashid started creating scarves on the side while working in sales. He traveled to New York and searched for fabric in the Garment District, on Canal Street and at Mood, the store made famous by the TV show “Project Runway.”

His niche is mufflers: colorful designs in silk or another material on one side, backed by an underlay fabric like cashmere or rayon. He calls it a “garment that leads a double life... As an artist, I’m linking fabrics together to create something

you wouldn’t ordinarily see.” He sews in his basement workshop, sometimes to the jazz of John Coltrane.

“When you walk in [wearing a Rashid scarf], I want people to say, ‘Where did you get that?” Rashid said. Rashid thinks of them as conversation pieces with the kind of pizzazz factor that can

help people who wear them stand out, and network with style in a room full of people.

He sells them at museums, festivals, Mt. Airy Art Garage, churches and special events. His work will be featured at holiday bazaars Nov. 18 and 19 at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia in Germantown, and Dec. 10 and 11 at the Water Tower Recreation Center in Chestnut Hill.

Rashid retired from sales in 2020 and is devoting most of his time to scarf creation, marketing, and prepping the website, scarvesbyrashid.biz. He is taking classes with Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program and SCORE, a small business education and advocacy initiative. He works part-time as a kindergarten assistant in the Philadelphia schools.

As for the future, Rashid says he’s not looking to turn his craft into a big business, although he wouldn’t turn down the opportunity. But at the moment, the only expansion he is planning is adding pocket squares and infinity scarves to his accessory line.

“There’s just something about being able to work for yourself and being a creator,” he said. “God has blessed me. At this point in my life, the dollar sign is not number one, and sometimes that’s hard for people to understand.”

“

[One of my mufflers] is a garment that leads a double life... As an artist, I’m linking fabrics together to create something you wouldn’t ordinarily see. ”

On page 47, Roberto Rashid, of Wadsworth, designs scarves by combining colorful print fabrics to create a unique clothing accessory. On facing page, Mr. Rashid discusses the creative process while wearing one of his own geometric designs in purple, black and white. Above, he displays a scarf with recurring images of black women. One of his Kente cloth designs is in the background.

Kristin Holmes

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Embracing the season’s spirit

From Ambler to East Falls

folks are gearing up to shop, light trees, shop, meet Santa Claus, shop, light up the season and, of course, shop

Courtesy of Chestnut Hill Business Association

The holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year, especially in the Wissahickon Valley. Just a dusting of snow can transform the natural beauty of the landscape into a winter wonderland.

But it’s the way that neighborhoods of the Wissahickon embrace the holiday spirit that perfectly captures what is at the heart of the season – families and the peace and goodwill of the community. And their diversity is on full display in all their holiday celebrations – from the historic to the hip and the traditional to the trendy.

Here’s a sneak peek into holiday events coming up this season:

A hometown holiday in Ambler

With a business district adorned with small, local shops that is literally located on Main Street, you’re off to a good start for creating that small-town feeling. Ambler adds in traditional celebrations and brings the magic of the hometown holiday experience to all. Event details can be found at amblermainstreet.org.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

November 25th, 5 pm

First Presbyterian Church of Ambler 4 E. Ridge Avenue

HOLIDAY PARADE

December 3rd, 1 pm

Butler Avenue

Annual parade featuring bands, floats, Mummers and you know who!

SANTA ARRIVES BY TRAIN

December 8th, 7 pm

35 W. Butler Avenue

An Ambler tradition! Come to see Santa, enjoy treats and hot chocolate, and rock the holiday tunes with the DJ.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING WEEKEND

December 9th – 11th

Caroling and luminaries add to the smalltown experience during this weekend with extended shopping hours. Shoppers are treated to “Sips & Nips” at participating stores.

Chestnut Hill, our holiday village

From the festive decorations and Belgian block of Germantown Avenue to the quaint and unique shops and restaurants, Chestnut Hill just oozes holiday spirit, making it a must-visit destination for many throughout the region. Learn more about the Holidays on

the Hill at chestnuthillpa.com/events.

HOLIDAY GARDEN RAILWAY

November 25th through January 1st

Daily 10 am-4pm plus weekend nightly tour hours.

Morris Arboretum

100 E. Northwestern Avenue

This annual fan-favorite opens on Thanksgiving weekend and runs throughout the holiday season. The exhibit features an intricate and expansive train display of 15 rails spanning a quarter-mile track, surrounded by natural materials, multiple train cars, towns and miniature figurines.

STAG & DOE NIGHTS

Wednesdays starting November 30th through December 21st

Germantown Avenue

A Chestnut Hill perennial favorite, Stag & Doe Nights feature extended store hours, holiday specials and complimentary refreshments at many stores. From 6:30-8:30 pm, a brass quartet and Santa will roam the Avenue to add to the holiday cheer. The Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation offers free parking in its six public lots all day and night every Wednesday.

SANTA AT THE FAREWAY

Saturdays in December 12-2 pm

8221 Germantown Avenue (behind the

Clockwise from top: Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting the crowds at Roxborough Pocket Park. The lighting of the tree is one of the highlights at the annual Manayunk Gets Lit holiday kickoff event. Chestnut Hill is an annual holiday shopping and dining destination for friends and families.

Josh Pellegrini. Courtesy of Roxborough Development Corporation

Courtesy of Chestnut Hill Business Association Courtesy of Manayunk Development Corporation

Chestnut Hill Hotel)

CHESTNUT HILL COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARADE

December 10th (rain date December 17th)

Germantown Avenue

The Chestnut Hill Community Association presents its annual holiday parade with everything a festive parade should have – marching bands, community and school groups, choirs, antique cars, firetrucks and, of course, Santa Claus!

VICTORIAN CARD MAKING

December 10th, 11 am-3 pm

Woodmere Art Museum

9201 Germantown Avenue

Discover the beauty of Victorian holiday cards. Create your own unique designs and holiday messages.

Family fun in East Falls

East Falls celebrates the heart of the season –families and community. Details can be found at eastfallscommunity.org/events.

CANDLELIGHT CAROLING

December 14th, 7 pm

McMichael Park, 3299 Midvale Avenue

An East Falls holiday tradition! Meet at the War Memorial in McMichael Park for cookies, cocoa and caroling to sing in the holiday.

Historic holidays in Fort Washington

Celebrate the holidays in revolutionary style at the historic Hope Lodge. Details at historichopelodge.org/new-events

GUIDED MANSION

CHRISTMAS TOURS

December 3rd, 11:30 am-8:30 pm

553 S. Bethlehem Pike

The mansion is decorated for the holidays. Four daytime tours and a candlelight tour are available.

HOLIDAYS AT HOPE LODGE & COLONIAL TAVERN

December 10th, 11 am-4 pm

553 S. Bethlehem Pike

Take a self-guided tour of Hope Lodge and enjoy holiday music, train displays and more.

A Victorian Christmas in Germantown

The historical roots of Germantown are deep and varied. For the holidays, you are invited to take a step back in time and experience a Victorian-era Christmas celebration. Details can be found at historicgermantownpa.org/event-directory

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS PARTY

December 4th, 1:30 pm

Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion

200 W. Tulpehocken Street

The grace of the 19th century is celebrated at this party featuring caroling in the parlor, a classic holiday tale, Twelfth Night cake and a party favor.

Light up the holidays in Manayunk

A vibrant community deserves an equally vibrant holiday celebration and Manayunk delivers! The trendy bars, restaurants and shops of Main Street are decked out for holiday fun. Learn more about The Holidays in Manayunk at manayunk.com/events

HOLIDAY LIGHT NIGHTS

Every Thursday in December, 5-9 pm

Main Street

Weekly event featuring live music, food and

Clockwise from top: The Taqueria’s display never disappoints in the annual Manayunk Gets Lit event, which features over 50 businesses competing for best decorations. Writing letters to Santa is just one of the kids-centric activities at Happy Holidays from Roxborough. Crowds gather in anticipation of the Roxborough tree lighting.

Studio Luminoso. Courtesy ofRoxborough Development Corporation

Courtesy of Manayunk Development Corporation

Studio Luminoso. Courtesy of Roxborough Development Corporation

drink deals, shopping specials and a chance to see Main Street businesses decked out for the Manayunk Gets Lit holiday light competition. Every Thursday also features free Jolly Trolley rides.

SANTA PAWS

December 4th

Bring your furry friends to the Pet Friendly Dog Bakery, 4324 Main Street, to get their photo taken with Santa!

RUDOLPH RUN

December 10th, 9 am

Deck out in your holiday best for the 8th annual Rudolph Run, a fun three-mile run along the Canal.

Ringing in the season in Roxborough

Roxborough’s family-friendly holiday celebration will delight the young and young at heart. For details, visit roxboroughpa.com/events

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ROXBOROUGH

December 10th, 2-6 pm

Roxborough Pocket Park

6170 Ridge Avenue

This annual holiday event is a festive celebration of the season featuring a tree lighting ceremony and a holiday market with local artists and crafters, as well as food trucks and specials from local restaurants. Kids can craft their own ornaments and write letters to Santa to put in the North Pole mailbox. Rain date is December 11th.

Beyond the Holidays –Winter 2023 Events

CHESTNUT HILL ON ICE

January 27 and 28, 2023

It’s all about the ice at this two-day event on Germantown Avenue between Rex Avenue and Willow Grove Avenue. The past events have featured ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations, an iceless ice-skating rink, an ice bonfire, ax-throwing, winter inspiration spaces, an ice bar, warming stations, chili specials, live music and more! The event is free to attend with pay-as-you-go activities. Watch for details on the 2023 event at chestnuthillpa.com/events.

FOUNDERS PHILLY FREEZE-OUT

February 4, 2023, 11am-4pm

Founders Brewing Company and Manayunk. com turn Manayunk into a winter wonderland with ice sculptures, ice carving demonstrations, giveaways, food and drink specials and more. Check manayunk.com/events for updates on attractions.