FALL 2020
The dream that grew into a garden
With the pandemic came paws
Building the bridge for our future
Seeing yellow, volunteers went to green
Contents 3
President’s Letter
4
Doing Good
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10
12
Above and cover photos by Alec Meltzer
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ FALL 2020
Neighbors organize to support their community during the COVID pandemic and beyond, a Queen Village writer praises not-so-random acts of kindness, and Fitzwater families team up with a local chef to provide Wednesday dinners to sheltered seniors.
fall 2020
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As the coronavirus crisis unfolded, Queen Villagers opened their homes—and hearts—to lost kittens and rescue dogs.
QVNA Spotlight A hats off to two dedicated QVNA volunteers, and congratulations to our most recent community award recipients!
QVNA at 50 Community activism and partnerships resulted in the South Street pedestrian bridge that was almost not to be. Plus, a Queen Village historian is collecting memories of the South Street Renaissance.
Feature: Libby’s Legacy More than 40 years ago, Libby Goldstein dreamed of planting a garden in Queen Village. The Crier joins her friends and neighbors in paying tribute to the founder of the city’s first community garden.
Feature: Pandemic Pups and Corona Cats
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School Bell To accommodate rising enrollment, Meredith adds modular classrooms.
South Street Beat South Street debuts three public art projects that address our moment. And the new pedestrian-friendly plaza nearing completion will transform the stretch from South Street to the Shambles.
It Takes a Village Volunteers keep our local parks green and clean, and a former resident leaves a legacy of lilies. Plus, the Crier tells all about participating in the Census, registering to vote and navigating the November election.
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The Commons
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Opportunity Knocks
Spotted Lanternflies are back. You can find them on trees all over Queen Village, but do you know what their life cycle looks like? And what you can do to help control them?
In the midst of the pandemic, a Queen Village tween launches a delicious dessert business, and a fashion designer offers twin sets—a face mask for you and a matching bandana for your dog.
Volume 2 | Issue 2 FALL 2020 Online at QVNA.org/crier
Publisher Queen Village Neighbors Association
Direct: 267-225-3678 Office: 215-627-3500 deidre@deidrequinn.com deidrequinn.com
Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Ingersoll president@qvna.org Executive Editor Lucy Erdelac wecare@qvna.org
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Managing Editor Nancy Brokaw editor@qvna.org PROOFREADER Jamie Bischoff Designer Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net
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QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS: Eleanor Ingersoll, President Inez Green, Vice President Meredith Piotrowski, Secretary Tom Bonney, Treasurer Caroline Allen Joseph G. Brin Anita Dupree Justin Fishman Mark Grabarits
DIRECTORS: Rosamond Howard Mike McPhilmy Mike Seidenberg Noah Swistak
EMERITUS DIRECTORS: Kathy Conway Michael Hauptman QVNA Office 744 South 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 info@qvna.org 215.339.0975 © Copyright 2020. Queen Village Neighbors Association. All rights reserved.
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Because caring neighbors like you join us, QVNA helps improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 1
Contributors
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VNA sincerely appreciates the time and talent of the volunteers who helped create this issue of the Crier. Jamie Bischoff is an editor and a recently retired copyright and trademark lawyer, who has lived in Queen Village for the past 37 years. Richard De Wyngaert is an avid reader and proprietor of Head House Books, the independent bookstore that has been a mainstay of Queen Village’s literary life since opening in 2005. A Row House blogger, Suzanne Dreitlein has been a Queen Village resident since 2007. She enjoys living in a 19 th-century row cottage, wearing 18thcentury clothing and writing about the great things going on in QV!
Taryn Goldsmith Arthur is a neighbor and the cousin of Black Thought, lead rapper in the Roots. She leads Hood Savior Inc. (HoodSaviorInc.com), a Queen Village organization that guides youth toward positive lifestyle choices and helps them acquire new skills, greater confidence and motivation to succeed. Riley Loula is a self-employed creative director who specializes in videography and photography. While he collaborates primarily with corporate, wedding and nonprofit clientele (RileyLoula.com), Riley’s true passion is exploring and documenting nature with his wife, Morgan, and dog, Piper. Martha Morowitz is a writer who moved to Queen Village in 2016 with her husband, Cory, and their poodle, Gus. Her
creative endeavors include cooking and baking, graphic and paper arts and the occasional acting gig. Meredith Piotrowski has lived in Queen Village since 2007, loving its treelined streets, pocket parks, architecture and people who are drawn here. Meredith is Secretary of QVNA’s Board of Directors. Alex & Marge Schernecke have lived in Queen Village for more than 50 years, (and Marge since birth). They are lifelong community activists and have both served terms as President of QVNA. They remain actively involved in the Association today. ■ All opinions are of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Queen Village Neighbors Association.
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President's letter
Now More Than Ever, Working Together by Eleanor Ingersoll, QVNA President
Hello Neighbors, hese past six months have been a roller coaster to say the least. What once were accepted norms like basic social interactions and medical safety have been called into question by the novel coronavirus. Likewise, protests and demonstrations around Black Lives Matter have caused many to pause and question accepted norms for policing in Philadelphia and across the country. Because times feel unsure at best—and divisive at worst—how do people come together? In Queen Village, it can be the equalizing goal of a community garden. In April, Queen Village lost one of it’s trailblazing volunteers: Libby Goldstein. Libby pioneered the city’s first community garden in a vacant lot on the 300 block of Christian Street. Growing food was the mission but the spirit of the project was all about community. Now almost 45
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years later, it is easy to take the Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden for granted, but digging into the history reveals many hurdles in a long battle which was ultimately victorious, thanks to neighbors of multiple races and socioeconomic backgrounds working together and respecting each other in order to protect their collective creation. To quote Libby, “In the late ‘70’s, turning vacant lots into community gardens reflected a new ethic of neighborhood self-sufficiency and land stewardship… gardeners had to work through ethnic and economic differences just to keep their gardens going. They became important parts of their communities.” After the Southwark/Queen Village garden, Libby was asked to use that model to help establish more community gardens around the city. While the neighborhood has changed over the decades, the spirit has not. Hopefully, the article about these con-
tributions can resonate with the good that exists in all of us, just as the articles about quarantine-spurred endeavors like Mutual Aid Philly and pet adoption demonstrate. With so many questions about where we’re going and what life will look like in, say, five years, know that there is still work to be done in the here and now. It’s precisely this unique confluence of events that can offer everyone an opportunity to find their contribution. On a final note, I am happy to report that the Bethel Burying Ground Memorial at Weccacoe Playground is still in the city’s budget and slated to move forward. Be safe, well and thoughtful,
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doing good
Queen Village resident Evan Husted is one of the driving forces behind Mutual Aid Philly.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Center City and South Philly neighbors organize to support their community during the COVID pandemic—and beyond.
by Taryn Goldsmith Arthur
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he emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the entire nation into quarantine without much notice. Businesses closed, schools went to virtual instruction, and wearing masks in public spaces was mandated as our new normal. While many of us were grappling with the idea of being closed in our
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homes for the unforeseen future, some of our neighbors could only focus on the day-to-day challenges that a stay-athome order forced upon them. Hardships became commonplace as families struggled to stretch their finances to survive. In Philadelphia, many organizations and individuals have banded together to
help fill in the gaps for their vulnerable neighbors and families. Mutual Aid Philly (MAP) is a group of neighbors from Center City and South Philly who organized their resources to match aid, education and support to those with a specific need. On the MAP website, visitors can access a link to a Google form that asks
doing good them to enter information about the aid they need or support they are able to offer. In its first three months alone, MAP helped to connect 285 families and distribute over $26,000 in aid. “It’s encouraging,” MAP Organizer and Queen Village resident Evan Husted says, reflecting on the outpouring of support that came in via donation. “It’s exciting and reassuring to see the best come out of people.” According to Evan, one of the most popular requests was for emotional support. In these cases, MAP connected people who requested conversation and wellness check calls to volunteers ready to make those calls. While Mutual Aid’s efforts were primarily focused on Center City and South Philadelphia, they did the best they could to accommodate requests that came in from other areas. “I am so thankful for Mutual Aid,” says recipient Elisabeth Lopez of South
A MAP volunteer makes a grocery delivery.
Philadelphia. Lopez used MAP for assistance with picking up medication and transporting her disabled son to and from medical appointments. “I do not know how I would have managed without them. They are doing great work.”
Similar to other spontaneous, charitable efforts, Mutual Aid Philly was formed in the midst of a crisis. And while the intention was just to provide crisis aid, it’s growing into much more than that. The window it provided into how truly horrible this crisis has been for some individuals has inspired a new wave of neighbors helping neighbors. In the true spirit of Brotherly Love, the acts of compassion and kindness helped not only to relay a message of empathy but also to provide opportunities for community building. As we work to overcome this global health crisis, we must also work to sustain the unexpected bridges it helped to build—and the good will that has come out of it. ■ For more information about how to give or receive aid via Mutual Aid Philly, visit mutualaidphilly.com
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doing good
Do Unto Others In his new book, a Queen Village writer praises the practice of not-so-random acts of kindness.
by Richard De Wyngaert
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n Human Kind, Brad Aronson thoughtfully weaves together life-changing stories, including his own, to underscore the transformative potential that acts of kindness engender. His book provides wonderful examples of how this simple and often underestimated act can transmit enduring change. Brad, Queen Village neighbor, entrepreneur, husband and father, is keenly aware of the reverberative degree to which the kindness of friends, neighbors, teachers, employers, coaches and mentors can shape one’s life. He currently teaches entrepreneurship to inner-city teens and serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hopeworks, and—at the suggestion of his mother—has been a mentor since he was in high school. Brad’s life trajectory has, too, been informed by acts of kindness. He experienced the sustaining force of kindness when his wife was diagnosed with leukemia six years ago, and his family was overwhelmed by the compassion of friends, neighbors and health care professionals. For his family, this new community provided care that nurtured their
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spirits, made a real difference in the quality of their lives and perhaps affected the course of his wife’s disease. The lifealtering kindness they experienced compelled him to explore how it shaped others’ lives. Human Kind is a collection of stories that embody the ripple effect of kindness. The forms that kindness takes are many: sharing food, offering tickets to a
game, reading a book together, helping with math homework, playing a game of catch, bowling, initiating a warm hug, providing a second chance, giving of your time. Such acts often contribute to a cascade of positive outcomes that might otherwise have been, at best, elusive and, at worst, entirely out of reach. We act as we are acted upon. Behavior, good and bad, is contagious. To varying degrees, we often become the way we are treated. Brad wants us to understand this relationship and realize its promise. Human Kind is a snapshot of inspiring stories about people whose lives have been indelibly marked, even transformed, by another’s kindness. Our world is undergoing enormous change on multiple levels. We read and hear constantly about the selfish, darker side of human nature. But there is another side characterized by abundant goodness about which we hear considerably less. Brad has shared anecdotes demonstrating a dormant wellspring of power within each of us to practice simple acts of kindness. By living so, we change the world for the better. ■
doing good
Anonymity Never Tasted So Good For two months, 65 sheltered seniors ate Wednesday dinners on the block.
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delicious surprise was delivered to 65 Queen Village seniors-inneed, made possible by four Fitzwater families who wish to remain anonymous and a chef with a hunger to feed the less fortunate. While the stay-at-home mandate was challenging for everyone, for those with chronic health conditions, home quarantine became a fortress against an unseen foe. This was the case for 65 residents
Hot meals prepared by Feed Philly Coalition are made with healthy, donated food that would otherwise have been wasted.
of Courtyard Apartments at Riverview, Queen Village’s senior center high-rise at the corner of 4th and Washington. After learning of the seniors’ plight, the Fitzwater friends cooked up an idea to have 65 hot, prepared dinners delivered to the seniors on Wednesday nights. Next, they reached out to a Philadelphia chef and entrepreneur whose goal is to give away thousands of meals to the needy during the pandemic. Chef Harry Hayman, founder of the Feed Philly Coalition, developed a hot, healthy meal program funded by the neighbors. Then on eight consecutive Wednesday nights, each of the 65 quarantined seniors received a hot dinner, personally delivered by Chef Hayman, who added dessert at his own expense. “Our residents were surprised the first time Chef Hayman arrived with 65 hot dinners,” said Courtyard Residents Council President Inez Green, who also serves as QVNA’s Vice President. “Wednesday nights became really special. It gave our seniors something to look forward to.” Chef Hayman has established a special fund to accept donations to extend the Queen Village Courtyard Apartments at Riverview dinner program. Each donation goes a long way—ten dollars covers the cost of creating and delivering each hot dinner meal. To donate: https://bit.ly/ Dinner4QVseniors. ■
Chef Harry Hayman made Wednesday nights special for 65 immunocompromised seniors. For eight weeks, he personally delivered hot dinner meals with desserts to them.
About Feed Philly Coalition
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hef Harry Hayman IV founded Feed Philly Coalition, a centralized network of food rescues, soup kitchens, restaurants and food retailers. In its professional kitchen, Chef Hayman leads its operations, and his trained staff prepares healthy meals to feed the hungry and less fortunate with fresh food that would otherwise be wasted. For more information about FPC, see feedphillycoalition.com.
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qvna spotlight
Community Service in Action QVNA is an organization that literally runs on volunteers. So it’s exciting to publicly thank neighbors for outstanding volunteer service, be it for association leadership, quality-of-life improvements or decades committed to the preservation of the neighborhood’s history and charm.
Back in Board Service to Queen Village after Serving Overseas
Making a Positive Difference in Each and Every Role
Justin Fishman safely returned to his family and friends in June, after 12 months of overseas service as a U.S. Naval Reserve commanding officer. By July, QVNA’s Board approved Justin’s presidential appointment as board director. Prior to being mobilized to active duty, Justin had served as board treasurer since 2018 and as a board director and active volunteer in The Summer at Courtyard learning enrichment program for kids since 2015. Welcome home, Justin!
Michael Hauptman’s volunteer service includes a wide range of roles, with the common thread of improving quality of life for Queen Village residents. In 2000, Mike joined the Association’s zoning committee and in 2004 became its co-chair. In that same year, he was appointed to QVNA’s Board of Directors and subsequently served on the Board for six more years. Mike also co-chaired the Queen Village Conservation District Task Force and, in turn, co-authored the design guidelines for the Queen Village Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District, the first of its kind in Philadelphia. These guidelines overlay Philadelphia’s Zoning Code and
Queen Village
Volunteers Sign up @ QVNA.org/Volunteer
!
inform zoning procedures to preserve the unique character of our neighborhood. The neighbor-driven process took two years, and the legislation was signed into law in 2008. (Read Mike’s 2013 article at https://bit.ly/Hauptman2013-NCOBackground.) Mike also represented QVNA on the Crosstown Coalition and served on the Board of Directors of the Headhouse Conservation District. As a mayoral appointment to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, he served on the DRWC Planning Committee, which helped create the master plan for the central waterfront revitalization. He continues to serve on the DRWC Board today. In 2017, Mike was made a Director Emeritus of the QVNA Board. This spring, after two decades of service to our zoning committee, he stepped back to devote more time to other volunteer interests. Thank you, Mike for your many contributions to our community. ■
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QVNA s p o t l i g h t
Living Our Mission QVNA Community Grant Awards
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VNA Board of Directors has awarded grants totalling $10,000 for three worthy projects. Queen Village’s Community Grant Program provides funding for projects and programs that help improve neighborhood quality of life. Congratulations to our three recipients: Friends of Beck Park was awarded $7,000 for masonry repair and restoration of the park’s low brick garden walls, both for safety and aesthetic reasons. Beck Park is located at the corner of 2nd and Beck streets. Friends of Beck Park is a group of nearby neighbors who volunteer to beautify and care for this small pocket park.
Apply for a Fall 2020 QVNA Community Grant
T New school lockers await the return of Nebinger students.
a box of art supplies and lesson plans so young artists have the tools and supplies they need for positive self-expression at home. Recipients are being encouraged to share their artwork on Instagram @fleishercommunity.
he next application window opens September 18 and closes November 2. Grant requests can include a wide range of projects and programs, such as enhancing parks, clean-and-green projects, and historic preservation. QVNA also accepts applications for academic and/ or learning enrichment programs during the school year and the summer. Read more at QVNA.org/grants
Beck Park garden wall is due for restoration.
Nebinger Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was awarded $2,000 to assist in the purchase of 46 lockers for incoming middle school students. QVNA’s grant, combined with other PTA fundraising efforts, helps achieve Nebinger’s goal of having one individual locker assigned to each of the 80 additional 7th- and 8thgraders in the coming school year. Fleisher Art Memorial was awarded $1,000 to provide Art Care Kits for 40 Queen Village youth to use at home during the pandemic. Each kit contains
Art Care Kits are ready for some creative kids.
Before making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors, QVNA’s Grants Committee reviewed all applications using the program’s published criteria. Thank you, Grant Committee Chair Kathy Dilonardo and committee members Matthew Atkins, Sarah Davis and Mike McPhilmy for your volunteer service. ■
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qvna at 50
Bridge Building Community activist and lifelong resident of Queen Village, Marge Schernecke and her husband, Alex, recount how community activism and partnerships resulted in the South Street pedestrian bridge that was almost not to be. Left to right: State Senator Vince Fumo, PA Secretary of Transportation Bradley Mallory, former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Joel Spivak, and Marge Scherneke celebrate the opening of the South Street Pedestrian Bridge.
by Alex and Marge Schernecke
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fter Interstate 95 reshaped the Philadelphia waterfront, the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition—particularly Queen Village Neighbors Association, Society Hill Civic Association and the South Street Renaissance—all agreed that connecting the South Street neighborhoods back to the
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waterfront was essential for business and quality of life. The focus became a pedestrian bridge, crossing over I-95, to permit walking access between South Street and Penn’s Landing. The question was: How would the bridge be paid for and what resources would be needed to make it happen? To
secure federal transit money for the expensive project, we would have to show how the bridge could be linked to transit uses. Jim Cuorato, a member of Penn’s Landing Corporation (now Delaware River Waterfront Corporation), proposed building a parking lot at the base of the bridge on Delaware Avenue. This would satisfy the federal requirement that the bridge be used for transit purposes, and federal money could be spent on its construction. More funds were raised by the community, specifically Jack Downey, owner of Downey’s (at Front and South Streets). Jack deserves to be recognized for his hard work in lobbying for the bridge and offering his restaurant to the neighbors as a home base for fundraising. A host of government agencies collaborated with the community on the project, including PennDot, Penn’s Landing Corporation, City Streets Department, Interstate Land Management Corpora-
QVNA a t 5 0 tion, the Office of Arts and Culture, Urban Engineers, Buckley and Co., and William King, who designed the bridge. The most striking element is Stroll, a sculpture featuring three 30-foot-high metal stick figures striding across the bridge. Neon signage spelling out South Street graces the arches at either end of the 26-foot-by106-foot-long span, which cost 3.1 million dollars and took years to plan and build. With great fanfare, the bridge was
dedicated in July 1995. Then Mayor Ed Rendell, State Senator Vincent Fumo, and many other officials joined the neighbors in dancing over the bridge, with the Mummers adding music and fun. We were very proud and excited that, after years of intense transit battles with the City, arguably the most significant community development to come out of the I-95 Improvement Program in Philadelphia had finally been completed. ■
Remembering the South Street Renaissance
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he South Street Renaissance was a special moment in time—part of the cultural revolution of the 60s and 70s that occurred nationwide. Today, a Queen Village historian wants to connect with those who experienced the South Street Renaissance and a bit beyond—from 1960 to 1975. If you were a South Street or 4th Street business owner, an employee or a customer who loved that era and have memories to share, please let us know at QVNA.org/renaissance. ■ Love this era? Read about it at bit.ly/SouthSt-Renaissance
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Libby’s Legacy In April, Queen Village lost one of its pioneer volunteers—Libby Goldstein.
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ibby Goldstein’s grit and determination transformed a vacant lot on the 300 block of Christian Street into the city’s first community garden—Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden. In 1976, Libby initiated a spontaneous garden, and neighbors began to join her. But in 1983, the community collaboration was uncertain; the lot became excess property of the federal government. So Libby researched options, organized neighbors, and harassed local, state and federal politicians to establish the garden as essential: It had become a shared food resource for the neighborhood, including the Southwark Housing Project (now Riverview at Courtyard). Thanks to Libby’s tireless efforts, the land was not sold and developed, the city secured a lease from the National Park Service in 1985, and in 1991, the lot was deeded to the city. Citing excellent stewardship, it was to be used for gar-
dening in perpetuity. Recognized for this vision, Libby was asked to lead the Penn State Urban Gardening Program. She was also a Daily News garden columnist and served as President of the Philadelphia Food and Agriculture Task Force. The daughter of Socialist labor lawyer M.H. Goldstein, Libby was outspoken, and her political instincts came naturally. She was a Slavic linguistics major at the University of Michigan and also studied anthropology with Margaret Mead. After 34 years, in 2011, Goldstein retired from the garden. Fellow gardeners threw her a party, and City Council declared the date that year Libby Goldstein Day. Queen Village is eternally grateful for Libby’s vision, tenacity and dedication. Below, her friends, neighbors and fellow gardeners share favorite memories of Libby with us. ■
“I met Libby back in the mid-1970s and we became immediate friends. Libby loved everything and anything horticultural. She personified loyalty, determination, and love for all of the people and things she brought to life in this community.” -Marge Schernecke
“I first knew of Libby before I knew her, because of her newspaper column. I wrote her in care of the newspaper, asking about the SWQV Community Garden, and she put me on the waiting list. After that, she took a special interest in my plot. -Marilyn Ashbrook
Clockwise from above: Libby Goldstein in her salad days, a 1994 QVNA citation for outstanding volunteer commitments, Libby in the garden and tending plants, Libby’s Horticultural Society awards, and her haricots verts (Phaseolus vulgaris) entry.
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My abiding memory of Libby was her response when I would consult with her about an issue in my garden: “That is not excellent.” I loved it. -Pauline Candaux
Feature:libby's legacy
Besides being an extremely knowledgeable gardener, Libby was also a talented potter. After my husband and I were married at Philadelphia’s mass Millennium Wedding in 1999, Libby presented us with an over-sized, hand-built, expressive ceramic urn. We treasure it even more now, in her memory. -R.W. Delaney
Libby was a force: smart, outspoken, knowledgeable, humane, and she had a wicked sense of humor. I had some experience gardening, but she had a lot more, and I respected the depth of her knowledge and her willingness to teach. -Ed Bell
A dry wit, sometimes prickly, always genuine, Libby was a forceful and passionate advocate for growing food in community gardens citywide. She knew all the Latin names for various peppers, and she truly enjoyed sharing plants and gardening tips. I still have a perennial Forget-MeNot in my back patio that Libby gave me years ago as a tiny offshoot from one of her plants. -Carla Pippin
One day I heard that there was going to be a community garden on the 300 block of Christian Street. I wanted to grow some pot but Libby said no so I built the gazebo instead. It was great to see Libby creating something amazing for the community. -Joel Spivak
Libby was one of those people; she didn’t fight every battle, sometimes didn’t even have an opinion. BUT when something important happened, she was right there, in the thick of it. Then when it was over, she went back to her gardening. Queen Village’s successes were achieved through real people not just protecting what they had but recognizing the right way to achieve the goal without hurting people. -David Auspitz
To read even more about Libby, see http://bit.ly/MemoriesOfLibby
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Covid Kitties and Pandemic Pups As the coronavirus crisis unfolded, Queen Villagers opened their homes—and hearts—to lost kittens and rescue dogs. by Suzanne Dreitlein
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ueen Village is a neighborhood that loves pets. Throughout the day, neighbors walk their dogs or stop by the dog run at Mario Lanza. Pass by front windows and you can see feline faces checking out the activity of the day and offering friendly meows to passers-by. There has been a dramatic increase in pet fostering and adoptions throughout Philadelphia during the coronavirus pandemic. Gillian Kocher, director of public relations and marketing at PSPCA, said, “With so many people staying at home, we saw a huge uptick in fosters stepping up to take animals home, even temporarily. We would normally see about 10 applications to foster in a week prior to COVID-19, but as the pandemic took hold we were receiving over 100 applications a day.” Kristine McKibban at Pet Snobs Boutique (641 South Street) says they are def-
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initely experiencing an increase in puppy grooming appointments. She volunteers at Street Tails Animal Rescue in Northern Liberties, which ran out of adoptable animals. Asked if the adoptions were impulse decisions or premeditated, she said most people were considering adopting and COVID-19 gave them a window of time to welcome a pet into their homes. Jen Sita recently moved to Queen Village when she read about a little black kitten crying under a car in front of Lucky’s Last Chance (848 South Second Street). Jen took the kitten in and started a GoFundMe to help with vet costs. Jen was still mourning the loss of her cat Teddy Roosevelt when Lucky came into her life. And although she normally adopts senior cats, she said, “I would never actively seek out a kitten, but I knew the shelters were closed and Lucky would have nowhere to go. So
Feature:Pandemic Pups and Corona Cats
Melissa Smith and Matt Abbott with their rescue puppy, Koda.
Jen Sita and one Lucky cat.
she stayed.” Jen adds, having Lucky “has really taken my mind off what’s happening because I’m focused on her not breaking anything or getting hurt! She’s a real character.” Melissa Smith and Matt Abbott have lived in Queen Village for about a year. Melissa said, “We were planning to get a dog this spring prior to the pandemic [but] the quarantine allowed us to get a puppy instead of an older dog, since it meant we’d be home to spend the time needed to care for and train a puppy.”
COVID-19 won’t be here forever. Kocher and McKibban both say that there is always the fear that people will surrender their pets when schedules return to normal or if the economic stresses caused by the economic fallout of COVID-19 become overwhelming. However, Kocher added, “The PSPCA is doing everything we can to provide resources, including pet food and other supplies, to families to ensure that the animals stay in their homes. We are always here not only to find homes for pets but to keep them there.” ■
They adopted Koda from a Delawarebased rescue called Furever Paws Dog Rescue. Melissa added, “She’s provided a lot of positivity to us, and a great outlet to pour our energy and love into.” The Kawaii Cat Cafe on 4th Street normally provides a steady flow of adoptable kitties who entertain all who pass by the window with their feline antics. While the cafe is closed, owner Kristin has been hosting live video game walkthroughs on Facebook featuring humorous commentary and adoptable kitties-of-the-day.
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school bell
Meredith Goes Modular To accommodate rising enrollment, the elementary school is adding modular classrooms by Principal Lauren Overton, on behalf of the William M. Meredith School Advisory Council
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want to take this opportunity to update you on changes happening at the William M. Meredith School, located at 725 South Fifth Street. In order to keep pace with neighborhood development and increased demand for enrollment at Meredith, the School District of Philadelphia has agreed to invest in additional classroom space through the procurement and installation of modular classrooms. Thank you to all who attended the QVNA Zoning meeting. There was a huge
turnout, and the outpouring of support for this project was exciting. Thank you to QVNA for the support of this project, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the school and the neighborhood community. On a side note, my time at Meredith has ended, as of August 1. However, I have been aiding in the transition to ensure that families and the community continue to be provided with updates regarding this project. I would like to thank you for your support during my time as the principal of the William M. Meredith School. It has been a pleasure to serve your community. â– Rendering of the view of the modular classrooms from Monroe Street.
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We r ou s r e e t n u l o V !!! With vision and compassion for future generations, volunteers care for our our parks, playgrounds and trees. When powerful forces threatened to divide our neighborhood, volunteers unified, fought and won the battle and saved our community. Whether cleaning and greening; serving on a committee or the Board; contributing to our magazine; distributing the Crier; helping in the office—whether regularly or for an hour here and there—QVNA appreciates your volunteer service.
Thank You Queen Village Volunteers
Your Caring Enriches Our Community. Since 1969, QVNA has depended on volunteers to lead and advance our mission of community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. To those who have helped bring positive change to our community, and to the volunteers who sustain it today,
thank you for your service.
Community Stewardship. Advocacy. Service. Find opportunities @ QVNA.org/volunteer
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South Street Beat
The Gift of the Inner Child
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uring a time of turbulence, Love Bubbles embodies a moment of connecting peace. This mural, located at 226 South Street, was painted by acclaimed artist Amir Campbell. When, on June 6, an estimated 50,000 people participated in Black Lives Matter protests in Philadelphia, the enormity of the moment hit home for Amir. “Of course, me being African American I’ve experienced a lot of things,” he said. “Some people were made to fight and some to remain neutral . . . we’re all still
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human. What was my part of the conversation?” said Amir, relating his thoughts from early June. Within days, Amir’s artistic voice was given a public channel through a commission by the South Street Headhouse District. Describing his vision for Love Bubbles, Amir said, “I was thinking that it would speak to everybody. That it would harbor peace that would create that frequency, no matter what race, what creed.” See more from Amir at www.instagram.com/amiracleartistry. ■
south street beat
EMERGE
T
Top to bottom: Quote by Nina “Lyrispect” Ball, member of Fellows in The Guild; Quote by Saul Miller, member of Fellows in The Guild; Quote by
he Latin root of the word Emergence, emergere, means “to bring to light.” It was also the vision that inspired the Mural Arts Philadelphia EMERGE campaign of wheatpaste posters at 501 South Street. EMERGE is a series of Public Service Announcements using wheatpaste posters, radio commercials and social media. The campaign aims to foster inspiration and hope and acknowledge the intersections of COVID-19 and systemic racism and the innate strength and resilience of people of color impacted by both pandemics. The Guild, a job readiness program for citizens returning from incarceration, paired Guild Fellows with a writing coach to develop original PSAs, sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and the Hess Foundation. “What emerged from a weekly meeting of rappers, poets and artists in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown and worldwide protests for Black Lives, was hope itself,” said Kali Silverman, project manager for Mural Arts Philadelphia. To learn more about this project, see muralarts.org/ artworks/emerge. ■
Wayne Gainey, member of Fellows in The Guild. Graphic Design: Mark Strandquist and Kate DeCiccio. Photo(s): Philadelphia Mural Arts.
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South Street Beat
The Sum of Its Close-Fitting Prints Adam Crawford designs art virtually all the time but never has a blank canvas. by Lucy Erdelac
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ne of the newest murals on South Street is outside Bridget Foy’s near 2nd Street. Its creator, Adam Crawford, appropriately entitled it Variation #6, a homage to its virtual emergence from five prior designs. With each evolution “I tightened and simplified it,” said Adam. “I pushed the composition and looked for a harmony of color. It had to resonate.” The finished mural’s flowing lines, hard edges and distinct patterns belie the discipline required for its design and execution as nine close-fitting wheatpasted posters. In lieu of initial sketches, the Variation series was conceived by Adam using the graphics design and editing program Adobe Illustrator. “I like to invent an image, just focusing on [creating] an interesting composition,” said Adam. On using software as an art medium Adam said, “It’s just a road. It’s also an integral part of my process. I focus on [designing] an interesting composition that is uniquely my own. Then execute [based on] those components.” He describes it as a disciplined process that requires critical thinking not only to invent a new design but also to repeatedly push its pieces and colors to simplify its lines and patterns. The execution of Adam’s designs require an equal amount of discipline and critical thinking. Adam relies on highresolution color printing of large, closefitting posters to execute his murals. “As I simplify my designs, the hard edg-
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es of each line become even more important,” said Adam. To maintain the integrity of his overall composition, precision is key. Each wavy line, pattern piece and color must be perfectly executed. Since the whole mural is the sum of its close-fitting prints, there is no room for error. Adam finds inspiration for his work in the patterns he sees and collects from everyday life. Images from nature, TV, print and social media—from walking through the city. According to Adam, they have become his “vocabulary of images.” Variation #6 was commissioned by Philadelphia Mural Arts and South Street Headhouse District. Adam’s other Queen Village works include South Street sidewalk art at Whole Foods, Tattooed Mom’s and Repo Records; and a mural on the South Reese Street side of American Mortals on Bainbridge Street. Additional work can be found at www.instagram.com/acrawfordart. ■
Top: The finished design of Variation #6 evolved from five prior designs in the series. Graphic design: Adam Crawford. Above: The precise matching of colors, lines, and patterns is key to the success of Variation #6. Photo: Lucy Erdelac
south street beat
A Very Welcome Change Years in the planning, the Headhouse Plaza Project is nearing completion. The new, pedestrian-friendly plaza will transform the stretch from South Street to the Shambles. Renderings courtesy of South Street Headhouse District
by Martha Morowitz
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f you have strolled near Headhouse Shambles recently, there is not a chance you missed the view of fencing and construction happening smack in the middle of South Second Street from Lombard Street to South Street. Soon, a soaring trellis and pavilion will have taken shape, giving us all an exciting preview of what this work in progress will be: the long-awaited South Street/ Headhouse Plaza. Construction started on the project back on May 26, but the current plans have been in motion for more than five years, and have been painstakingly cajoled and massaged into shape by Headhouse Executive Director Mike Harris, his team at the South Street Headhouse District, and Ambit Architecture. Of course, any project of this type must satisfy a range of competing interests. The resulting plan has
not only successfully struck a workable compromise, meeting several logistical challenges at once, but also, when complete by the end of this October (if the stars align), the plaza will be a lovely, functional enhancement to the Queen Village and Society Hill neighborhoods that honors the significant historical elements of Headhouse Square and its importance to the community as a gathering and marketplace since colonial times. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the trellis, north-to-south oriented walkway, and repurposed fountain will meet the Shambles from South Street to Lombard, complementing and reinforcing its presence with the repeated use of some of the materials existing in the
Shambles, including the same Franklinstyle swagged lantern lighting. On the plaza side of Lombard, new landscaping will be planted with shade trees, shrubs, and flowering plants to soften and beautify the environment; benches will be installed under the pavilion, and seating will be added at the old fountain site. Safety concerns are addressed with widened curbing at the site of the old fountain, raised pedestrian walkways with speed tables at the intersection of South and Second Streets, new lamppost lighting, and security cameras. Providing for the community’s vehicular needs, 10 parking spots have been relocated, but there are 30 remaining spots in their approximate original location. â–
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it takes a village
Philly Turned Yellow and Volunteers Wanted Green
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his spring, we sheltered in place for 68 days. When Philly moved from phase red to yellow, only 15 days of spring remained. The great outdoors beckoned—and doing something outside with neighbors and friends inspired volunteers to tackle clean and green projects in Queen Village. After all, community service is often the easiest, fastest and best way to meet new neighbors, catch up with friends, and do something good for the neighborhood. Here’s just three of the many good deeds done to improve our community.
Front Street Rose Garden grows green thumbs and more
Unmasking the Friends behind Moyamensing Point
On Saturday mornings all summer long, both experienced and budding gardeners volunteered to prune, weed, rake, and plant flowers at Front Street Rose Garden along with garden leader Maria Frizelle-Roberts. Caring for the four rose beds along Front Street between Christian Street and Washington Avenue is often described by volunteers as a labor of love.
Kudos to Friends of Moyamensing Point for being socially distanced while cleaning and greening one of our most charming parks. Indeed, socially distanced is the antithesis of this fun-loving group of volunteers who regularly tend the Point. The Friends group met regularly throughout the summer to tend to the garden. Friends of Moyamensing Point may be best known as the organizers of December’s annual Toys for Tots drive and Festivus celebration featuring Santa on a firetruck and carolers.
Investigative journalists of the Crier unmasked the names of Moyamensing Point’s volunteers (from left to right) as Matt Koger, Pat Bigley, Maureen Weir, Queen Village volunteers who gardened this summer included Dennis Doyle, Cassidy Ferrara-Pacetti, Maria
Tim Graham, Agi Czapka, Laura Burt and Craig
Frizelle-Roberts, Sanja Martic, Rachel Mele, Sarah McDonald, Sara McDonough, David O’Donnell,
Thomas. Also unmasked (yet unseen) is the volunteer
Dan Rosenzweig, Kathy Schneider, and Sung Whang.
group’s photographer, John Weir.
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Bucking tradition, Weccacoe’s spring cleanup happened in June. The day Philly’s stay-at-home order ended, phase red changed to yellow, playgrounds reopened, and Friends of Weccacoe volunteer Kevin Parker organized the playground’s first cleanup of the year. Four days later, two dozen mask-wearing volunteers sawed fallen branches, swept leaves, shoveled trash, and filled dozens of yard bags. The playground’s first cleanup of the year typically happens in March—but this has not been a typical year. No matter, because the weather was perfect; neighbors met, mixed, and mingled; the playground was cleaned; and, equally important, volunteers had fun. ■
QVNA Haiku Pocket Park gardens Grow more beautiful because Neighbors tend with love.
Friends of Weccacoe volunteers made even more friends during its June clean sweep of the playground, thanks to John Amadio, Caleb Benjamin, Karina Benjamin, Kimiko Benjamin, Rei Benjamin, Alejandra Borenstein,Conrad Bower, Megan Bower, Winston Bramwell, Maurice Coleman, Annie Edwards, Lilli Flink, Nikki Hagedorn, Dick Hoffman, Juliette Kang, Susan Kellogg, Gavin Koski, Colin McEllhenney, Alicia Mucci, Kevin Montmiry, Donna Pancari, Kevin Parker, Ariel Platt, Rory Phalon, Carol Purfield, Deanna Salpietra, Imali Sirisha, Alin Spearman, Brett Spearman, Khem Spearman, Shahn Spearman, and Michelle Weir.
Philadelphia Gardens, Inc. URBAN GARDEN DESIGN + INSTALLATION CONTAINER GARDENS TONI ANN FLANIGAN 215.951.9193 WWW.PHILADELPHIAGARDENS.COM Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 23
it takes a village
Patrick Carr’s Legacy of Lilies More than 200 cannas gifted to Queen Villagers.
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ormer Queen Village resident, Patrick Carr loved canna lilies. A self-taught organic gardener, Pat grew hundreds of cannas—the summer-blooming lily that grows from a bulb to a six-foot flower in a few short months. More than 200 of Pat’s towering flower bulbs were given to QVNA to share with neighbors. The gift came from Pat’s wife, Maria Kefalas, in memory of her husband who passed in April. The canna lily bulbs were shared with
Queen Village neighbors in May as part of QVNA’s #FreeFlowersR4U program, in which the cana lilies and 300 additional flowering perennials were given away free to residents. A sociology scholar, Pat loved talking to kids in the streets of Philadelphia to gain real-world insight to fuel his writing. A Philadelphia Inquirer article article about Pat and his life’s many contributions is at https://bit.ly/PatrickCarr-Inquirer2020. ■
A Clean Sweep for Queen Street
What’s Up On Our Canopy?
harles Craige “Chalie” moved to Columbus Boulevard in Queen Village in 2015 and immediately committed to making his corner of the neighborhood clean and safe. Chalie regularly clears debris and trash left in and around the Queen Street Tunnel between Front and Swanson Streets. He keeps QVNA updated with before-and-after pictures and has developed relationships with QVNA partners the Interstate Land Management Corporation and South Street Headhouse District. On his own time, Chalie is also looking into options for improving the tunnel’s appearance with mural refurbishing and lighting improvements. It does take a village, and Chalie takes that to heart with dedication of his time and pride in Queen Village. ■
Fingers crossed that both spring and fall 2020 trees will be planted in November.
C
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A Although he manages all the ins and outs of the Queen Street tunnel, volunteer Chalie Craige loves running the streets of Philadelphia.
s of this writing, curbside tree planting will be scheduled for a Saturday in November. On the same date eleven trees, originally slated for planting in April, will also be planted. This means that if you’d like to plant trees and have fun with new friends, please let us know at QVNA.org/volunteer. Also in November, we’ll release the application for spring 2021 curbside tree planting. If you want QVNA to email you an application when it’s available, let us know at QVNA.org/trees. Stay safe, stay strong, and stay tuned for more information about tree topics in November. ■
it takes a village
10 Census Questions The answers will shape the next 10 years
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he Census counts everyone living in the U.S., and the results determine electoral districts and inform decisions about federal funding for vital projects—hospitals, fire departments, school lunch programs, highways, and other critical services. The 2020 Census asks only ten questions. There is no citizenship question. Read the questions at https://bit.ly/ Census 10-questions. Your answers are used only to produce statistics. By law, the Census Bureau cannot publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or any-
one in your home. Read more at https:// bit.ly/CensusDataProtection. In one simple act, you can help shape our future. Visit 2020census.gov. ■
It’s estimated that a 1% undercount of Pennsylvania’s population would result in a loss of $3.9 billion in federal funding— including $500 million in Philadelphia— over the next 10 years. In addition, Pennsylvania would likely lose at least one congressional seat with a 1% undercount.
It’s in the Mail November 3 is the General Election. How are you voting?
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ennsylvanians can vote in person or by absentee or mail-in ballot. So what’s the difference between a mail-in and an absentee ballot? The answer lies in why you’re asking. Any qualified voter may request a mailin ballot—no reason required. Just ask! Absentee ballots are for those who can’t make it to the polls (the disabled and anyone out of town on election day).
Register to vote: Register at votespa.com by October 19.
Apply for a mail-in ballot: • Apply by October 27, 5:00 p.m. • You must have a valid PA driver’s license or photo I.D.
• Apply early to receive your ballot before the election. • Apply at votespa.com or call 1-877-VotesPA (877-3772)
Vote November 3: • By mail: Mailed ballots MUST be received by the Board of Elections by November 3, 8:00 p.m. Voters are urged to postmark ballots at least two weeks before the election. • By hand delivery: to the dedicated drop-off box at City Hall. (Other locations are listed at philadelphiavotes. com.) In person: between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. To find your polling place, visit http://bit.ly/QV-vote-here ■
Philadelphia City Commissioners installed a mail-in ballot dropbox at City Hall, located between the Octavius Catto statue and the south entrance. Dropbox artist: Adam Crawford. Photo: Kimberly Paynter / WHYY
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the commons
Spotted Lanternfly Spotted lanternflies can be found on trees all over Queen Village, South Philadelphia and beyond, but do you know how they got here or what their lifecycle looks like? by Meredith Piotrowski
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he Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture identified the Spotted Lanternfly as a threat shortly after it was first seen in the Keystone State in 2014. Native to Asia, it targets cultivated grapes, fruit trees, and hardwood trees. Eradication in the early stage of its life cycle is crucial. Lanternflies spend winter here in egg masses on everything from bark and stone, to flat surfaces including yard furniture and cars. To the casual observer,
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these egg masses can be mistaken for a clump of mud. In the next stage they emerge from their eggs in May, with a second molting in late May. Still wingless at this point, they can only crawl or jump. The adult lanternfly usually appears around July, seeking out food sources from September through December in order to double in size for egg-laying. Lanternflies feed on native species, including willows, maples, poplars, birch and ash, many of which are found lining
the streets of Philadelphia. Damage to trees appears as “wounds,” weeping with sap, and sooty fungal growth at the base of the tree—telltale signs that a tree’s life is in danger. The PA Department of Agriculture received a $5+ million grant to study and control spotted lanternfly populations. If you would like to make a report, visit services.agriculture.pa.gov/SLFReport and help stave off the impacts of the lanternfly, and save our local tree treasures. ■
The Perfect Pandemic Activity: Socially Distance while Saving Neighborhood Trees
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ow that you know what to look for at each stage of the Lanternfly life cycle, you have the knowledge to destroy as many as possible—all at a safe, social distance. Fall is the prime eating and destroying stage for these tree predators. Bella Vista neighbor Amy Cornelius led a walking workshop to educate neighbors about what to look for. She honed her skills fighting lanternflies in Chester County, where she works in estate management and landscaping. She even created her own “scraping tube” to reach the ones up high and deposit them into bleach. “But I’ll even bring out a shop vac and vacuum them off trees—they don’t really fly, they pop. And move really fast.” Lanternflies are currently feeding to support the 20 to 40 eggs they will lay in
each sack this winter, so smash them with your foot or slap them with a shoe whenever possible. “I have observed them travel up a tree in a triangular leadership with one looking back to see danger. When that one notices you, they move faster or scatter. I’m convinced they work as a pack.” Effective treatments are tough. Amy has seen lanternflies walk over stickybanded trees and says that insecticides may weaken tree bark and can hurt woodpeckers and native bees. That’s why physically destroying as many as possible is best. “You’re the only real predator for these things. Think of yourself at the top of this food chain.” Amy will be leading another free workshop September 12 through Queen Village for adults and kids. In the meantime, smash as many as you can. ■
iberty
ree
by Thomas Paine In a chariot of light, from the regions of the day, The Goddess of Liberty came, Ten thousand celestials directed her way, And hither conducted the dame. A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Where millions with millions agree, She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, And the plant she named Liberty Tree. The celestial exotic stuck deep in the ground, Like a native it flourished and bore; The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, To seek out this peaceable shore. Unmindful of names or distinctions they came, For freemen like brothers agree; With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, And their temple was Liberty Tree. Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, Their bread in contentment they ate, Unvexed with the troubles of silver or gold, The cares of the grand and the great. With timber and tar they Old England supplied, And supported her power on the sea; Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, For the honor of Liberty Tree. But hear, O ye swains (’tis a tale most profane), How all the tyrannical powers, Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting amain To cut down this guardian of ours. From the East to the West blow the trumpet to arms, Thro’ the land let the sound of it flee; Let the far and the near all unite with a cheer, In defense of our Liberty Tree.
215.886.6111 (Glenside, PA) 215.725.3637 (Philadelphia, PA) 215.572.6937 (Fax) www.libertytreecare.com Facing page: An adult lanternfly and late-stage nymph. Above: The life cycle of a lanternfly: Egg mass; late-stage (with red patches) and early-stage nymphs (black with white spots); and adult with wings spread. (Photographs: U.S. Department of Agriculture)
MIKE DUFFY Certified Arborist PD-1766A
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Opp o r t u n i t y K n o c k s
COVID-inspired Entrepreneurs The Taste of Sweet Success
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leven-year-old Queen Village resident Makyla Linder, like others her age, hasn’t been in school since mid-March, when the mayor called for sheltering in place. When her summer enrichment options were cancelled the doldrums set in. At first, screen time filled her days, but, as Makyla said, “I decided to watch more baking tutorials, which prompted me to start my dessert business, Dolci Desserts LLC.”
Starting a business seemed like a lot for an 11-year old. According to Makyla’s mother, Chelsea, “She came up with the idea, and I didn’t take it seriously, but she kept asking.” Chelsea realized that having a business would help her daughter learn math, budgeting, public speaking and time management. “So I invested!” Chelsea said. “And now Makyla has her own money and her own account.” In June, Makyla printed business cards and handed them out throughout Queen Village. In just three months, Makyla has tasted sweet success. If you like cupcakes, chocolate-dipped pretzels, strawberries
and oreos, Rice Krispie treats or banana pudding, check out www.instagram. com/dolcidessertsllc. ■
And Sew, They Became MatchMakers
I Strawberry shortcake-dipped strawberries.
Banana pudding cups, ready for delivery.
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n 2019, Queen Village resident Nicole Alper launched a luxury dog bandana business with her friend, Christina Kardon. Nicole named it Butter Bandanas, after her golden retriever, Butter. Like many fashion designers, when COVID struck Nicole and Christina shifted gears to make masks for first responders. And that’s when it clicked— making matching sets: face masks and dog bandanas. It’s another story about using this extraordinary set of circumstances to make a product that keeps health and wellness in mind, while also letting you have some fun with your best friend/four-legged child. Find them at butterbandanas.com. ■
Butter Bandana customers Dave and Debbie Duys pose with their fur children, Dewey and Trevor.
Your membership in QVNA benefits the Queen Village community. QVNA depends on volunteers, memberships, donations and parking lot revenue to provide programs and services that benefit residents. QVNA provides: News and Communication:
Community Stewardship and Advocacy:
■■ ■■ ■■ ■■
■■ Public zoning meetings ■■ Assistance obtaining City services ■■ Assistance getting vacant lots cleared of debris
Weekly eNews Updates Community meetings An online event calendar Queen Village Quarterly Crier
Improving our Quality of Life: Clean and Green Services: ■■ Graffiti removal from public places ■■ Weekly sweeping of street curbs ■■ Spring and Fall curbside tree planting
■■ Parking at below-market rates ■■ Community grants for neighborhood improvements ■■ Volunteer activities
QVNA.org/Join QVNA.org/Volunteer
Helping improve the quality of life in Queen Village is our mission. Ready to make it your mission, too?
Run for the QVNA Board On Wednesday, November 18th, board members will be elected for the January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 term. Candidate nominations will be accepted through Friday, October 16th for the following six positions: ■■ President ■■ Vice President ■■ Directors (maximum of 4) Qualifications for Candidacy: ■■ Queen Village resident 18+ ■■ Attendee of 2 QVNA meetings or volunteer activities between January 1 and October 16, 2020.
Current QVNA volunteers are encouraged to consider Board service.
Interested?
We’d love to meet with you. Please call/text 215.339.0975 or email info@qvna.org. Find more information at: www.QVNA.org/BoD-Candidates
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