THE LOUD SPEAKER
A Message From The Mayor...
Hello Ivylanders! As the cooler weather of fall approaches, so do some of the best things in Ivyland! Parents enjoy their kids heading back to school, neighborhood foliage turns to lovely colors, three of our Philly sports teams start their season and one more hopefully heads into the playoffs. Our traditional Bonfire and horse-drawn wagon ride event happens right before Halloween. Borough homes take on their spooky décor and children wander for treats in a variety of clever costumes. Before you know it, we’re at Thanksgiving and then the December holidays where Santa makes an appearance (or two) and the warmth of Ivyland truly shines. Know that you are all part of a very special community–special because of our unique history and even more so because of you.
– Mayor Anthony Judice | ajudice@ivylandborough.org
A Little Free Library Comes to Ivyland
Ivyland welcomes a new Little Free Library® thanks to Gough Avenue residents Chuck and Penny Bristow. Little Free Libraries are basically free book-sharing boxes that operate on the honor system allowing anyone to take or share a book. The Little Free Library movement began back in 2009 in Wisconsin, and the idea has spread across the US and the world and is now an official nonprofit organization building community and inspiring readers.
Now Ivyland is proudly part of that community. Coincidently (or perhaps not), Penny’s father got his Masters Degree in Library Science and even worked at the Library of Congress in DC. Penny now takes the book baton as the official Little Free Library Steward. One might say it’s in her blood.
So how did this get started? The Bristows, both avid readers, intended to do the project several years ago, but ultimately got delayed by the organization’s COVID concerns and restrictions. A few months ago, they rekindled the concept and brought it before Borough Council (of which Chuck is a member) and let them know “Hey, we are going to do this”. With an enthusiastic green light, the Little Free Library project was underway.
Chuck and Penny Bristow have literally been hands-on with bringing the project to reality since mid-June. In their backyard workshop with plans carefully curated from the official Little Free Library website, they began construction of the “box”. Posting their progress on Facebook, other residents lauded their efforts and eagerly awaited updates on its completion.
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Using some “upcycled” wood, augmented by a Home Depot purchase here and there, and some dedicated craftsmanship, the basic box of the library was completed.
Next came some key finishing touches. The Bristows engaged neighbor Ellen Hall, head of the Ivyland Art Group, to make it even more special with a very Ivyland-themed artistic touch. With the Art Group’s painting talents, the Little Free Library was transformed into a functional piece of art featuring various Ivyland scenes. Thanks go to Ellen, Fern Miano, and a host of Finchs –Jenny, Lynette and Cheyanne and friend Kaylee Martinez. (Cont.)
Originally Broadcast by H. H. Eddowes | Ivyland, Pennsylvania
Chuck and Penny Bristow hard at work building Ivyland's new Little Free Library.
Ivyland 5k Runs its 25th Annual Race
Saturday August 17th boasted Ivyland’s biggest sporting event –the 25th edition of the annual Ivyland 5k run. This year’s run drew over 300 participants and with the many spectators, supporters and volunteers, it was quite a crowd. Race day started off with a one mile “fun run” and then made way for some serious competition with the 5k run.
So how did this tradition start? Well, it all began 25 years ago as an idea from Jon Severn who grew up here in Ivyland on Gough Ave. (Jon’s father Bob was a pillar of the community serving as a member and president of Borough Council for many years as well as a publisher of the Loud Speaker.) Jon and his wife Mary thought a 5K might be a fun way to get some people to come to the Church Peach Festival. Jon recalls, “After a pretty modest start, we just stuck with it. Over the years we’ve enjoyed planning the race each year.”
Jon and Mary also enjoy the people aspect of running. “We were both attracted to the social part of running. Mary enjoyed being on cross country teams in high school and college and we both joined friends to run in local races after college. We’ve met so many great people through running and we run several times a week with different groups. Running with friends is a focus for the race. Our marketing slogan is “Run with Friends. Eat Pancakes. Win a Pie.”
So what about those pancakes and pies? Severn explains, “There was a year when I thought it would be fun to give winners church bake sale items as awards. The pies were hugely popular, and demand
If you are fascinated by the history and heritage of Ivyland then you should join the IHA. Our nonprofit organization is here to honor and elebrate the rich heritage of our little borough and continue some of those traditions and even start new ones. Contact us at ajudice@ivylandborough.org.
outpaced the supply at the bake table. Solly’s make a great pie and they have been supplying our pies ever since. Post-race food is also a way to set your race apart from others. The Fire Company was doing pancake breakfasts and we saw an opportunity to partner with them. They are terrific and the pancakes have become very popular. There are a number of local races that have copied our pancakes and pies over the years, but they can’t copy the Ivyland atmosphere!”
We agree. The 5k is not only the biggest Ivyland sporting event but also a very special happening for our borough – thank you Jon and Mary for a great tradition.
Learn more and see this year’s race results at ivyland5k.org.
p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Ivyland Fire Company
Check out our activity stations, get a truck tour, see demonstrations, score some treats, trinkets, and prizes for families and kids. We look forward to seeing you!
Have Your Event With Us
The Ivyland Fire Company can host all sorts of events and gatherings. Contact us at ifcoevents@gmail.com for more information.
Stay up to date with all our events and news at facebook.com/ivyland.firecompany
Friday Night Fun
Program kicks off with a movie on September 20th. Bring your kids, grandkids and/or neighbor kids to church at 6:45 p.m. The movie will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and will be over by 8:30 p.m. We’ll have popcorn and other snacks during the movie.
Cycles of Life and Death
A meaningful look at the best practices for living in the midst of life changes. Come to Ivyland on Sunday, September 29, 2024, 11:30 a.m. - 1p.m. Lunch provided. All are welcome.
Visit us at ivylandpresbyterian.org and follow us at facebook.com/ivylandchurch
or website for times Pancake Breakfast w/ Santa
Maintaining Your Street Trees
The trees along our streets and sidewalks add to the charm and beauty of our borough, however they do require care. It is the responsibility of the homeowner resident to maintain their trees. Trees should not obstruct the street or sidewalk and, by ordinance, must maintain an overhead clearance of 8 feet.
§21-205. Tree and Shrubbery Clearance. All obstructions, such as tree limbs or shrubbery shall be kept no less than 1 foot inside sidewalks, and shall have overhead clearance of at least 8 feet over sidewalk and street.
This allows for the safety of pedestrians on the sidewalk as well as for vehicle clearance – especially taller delivery and service trucks and vans on the street side. So be a good citizen and neighbor and make sure your street trees meet clearance requirements – and keep an eye on your ground shrubbery too. Don’t make other residents have to step around trip hazard growths that extend onto the sidewalk. Trim it back and keep the path clear.
Have a dead or dying street tree and need information on removal and replacement? Contact the borough office for more information on what you should do and for a list of approved replacement species.
Welcome New Borough Council Member Jahangir Nasir
In July, Jahangir Nasir was officially sworn-in as the latest Ivyland Borough Council member. Borough Council president Sal DiPaolo expressed his enthusiasm with the appointment, ”Jahangir has already shown great pride and contributed greatly to the betterment of our tiny hamlet and is just beginning to demonstrate the first of many great contributions he will make to Little Old Ivyland. I am excited to add his voice to Council”.
Jahangir (known by many as “Gears”) has been a resident of Ivyland Village since 2016 along with his wife Jane and son Zane and daughter Zara. Gears is a fixture of the Village running the many “movie nights” he created in the Village Gazebo Park back in 2021 as a way to bring neighbors together. With other Village residents he started the holiday Grand Illumination ceremony. He was also a key volunteer on the 150th Anniversary celebration team and is always willing to lend a hand to neighbors and brough activities.
Upon joining the Borough Council, Jahangir also will chair the Parks & Rec committee which is instrumental in bringing many of the great events to our community. He looks forward to his new role, “I realized immediately that Ivyland is really a special place with its history, community and traditions. I’m excited to be part of all the activities and hope to keep the traditional ones going and bring some new ones to Ivyland residents, too”. Thanks Gears, we’re happy to have you!
Runners at the start of the Ivyland 5k photo by Rick Kintzel
Hayride
Fire Prevention Night
Company
Halloween in Ivyland Thurs. Oct 31st Evening Borough-wide
Newest Ivyland Borough Council member, Jahangir "Gears" Nasir
Grand Illumination
Light Your Luminaria
Dec. 24th at Dusk Borough-wide
Sidewalk Street
Race Organizers Jon and Mary Severn
The IHA at the 2nd Annual Crooked Billet History Fair this past April.
Around the Borough Since Our Last Issue
Easter Egg Hunt, Firehouse Pancake Breakfast, Memorial Day Parade, WSO Concert in the Park, and Ivyland 5K
A Little Free Library Comes to Ivyland
(Cont.)
Seeing the project get closer to the finish line, excited neighbors have stepped up to offer book contributions and donations. With the key pieces in place, all that was left was installation. After some discussion on the best strategic location for the library, it was decided to install it near the Ivyland Commons playground - a convenient destination for parents and kids.
Chuck personally dug the hole, mixed and poured the cement, inserted the post and (once cured) joined Penny and others to officially celebrate the opening of the Ivyland Playground branch of the Little Free Library on August 23rd.
Interestingly, there is actually another “little” library in the borough. It was inspired by Ivyland Village resident Helen Diehl, constructed by her husband Michael Mathers and installed in September of 2023. It sits at the front of the Village’s Gazebo Park on Valentine Rd.
Here are some rules for using Little Free Libraries:
• You do not need to share a book to take one.
• If you take a book, try to bring one back to share with the library or another library in the area.
• It's up to everyone who uses the library to keep it stocked with a variety of good books.
Ivyland residents are encouraged to check out either of the borough’s little libraries and enjoy some great reading!
The mill building along Greeley Avenue and the railroad tracks is an iconic part of our borough’s heritage. The original part of the structure was built by Montgomery Carr in 1874 and was used as a coal yard and feed house. In 1879, Carr sold the building to William Henry and Harvey J. Barton who continued to run the business for eleven years. William and B. Frank Hobensack bought the operation in 1890 and expanded it with a 3-story cider mill in 1898. The business grew, offering lumber, flour grinding, feed, fertilizer and agricultural implements. It thrived for many decades, becoming a prominent community landmark and to many area “old timers” is still nostalgically known as “Hobensack’s”. The mill complex today has undergone some maintenance and modest modifications, but still stands out as a major historic fixture of the borough.
THE LOUD SPEAKER
has its roots in the past and its focus on the present. We hope you enjoy it.
Ivyland Borough Council Meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Borough Hall, 991 Pennsylvania Ave. Borough information, including events, contact numbers, emails and meeting dates can be found online at ivylandborough.org.
Borough Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Mon Oct.14th, Thurs & Fri Nov. 28th/29th, Tues & Wed Dec. 24th/25th/30th/31st, Wed Jan. 1st.
NEW! Building, Zoning & Code Enforcement
The borough has engaged a new firm, Barry Isett & Associates, to manage our building, zoning and code enforcement. New Zoning and Building applications are on the borough website and can now be completed electronically.
Contact: Jimmy Valentin, BCO | jvalentin@barryisett.com | (267) 370-0405
Facebook Page for Ivyland Borough: facebook.com/ivylandpa
Election Day is Tues. Nov. 5, 2024
Ivyland Borough Residents vote at the Ivyland Presbyterian Church on 51 Gough Ave.
Polls open November 5th from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The last day to register to vote in the General Election is October 21st.
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 29th.
For more information visit, buckscounty.gov/1252/Board-of-Elections
Same Bins, New Spot
The familiar large green waste bins supplied by Leck will be available later this fall and can be found in their NEW LOCATION – the Borough Hall parking lot. These bins are for use by residents only to dispose of organic yard waste. That means leaves, grass, shrubs, sticks and the like. You may use the paper leaf recycling bags but please NO PLASTIC BAGS. Of course you can also put your recycling bags of yard waste out for the weekly trash pickup.
Artwork on the new Little Free Library by the Ivyland Art Group.
Hobensack’s Mill
A Glimpse of Ivyland History
The Cider Mill addition circa 1898
stormwater smart.