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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Chestnut Hill Home & Garden Festival stays fresh with new vendors by Maddie Clark
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t’s that time of year again as Hill residents and out of towners alike gear up for Chestnut Hill’s annual Home & Garden Festival. On Sunday, May 5, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., more than 80 venders will blossom into an outdoor market place between the 8000 and 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue. It’s a great showcase for the neighborhood and its retail corridor. “Chestnut Hill is a lively and inviting destination,” said Philip Dawson, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Business District. “Our annual Home & Garden Festival gives us the opportunity to showcase the beauty of our town from parks and gardens, to boutique shopping and dining, along with our visiting vendors and gardening experts – this celebrated event will have something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a local or a visitor.” Although the festival has now reached its 23rd year, the Chestnut Hill Business District has never had trouble getting people to attend the event, that doesn’t mean, however, that the CHBD
didn’t still seek out new vendors to keep the Hill festival fresh. According to Kate O’Neill, director of operations for the CHBD, there are about 11 new vendors. Cache Hall, the marketing and events coordinator for the CHBD, actually made it her mission this year to find new vendors for the Home & Garden Festival, said O’Neill. Here are some of the newest additions to look out for this year: Barkley’s BBQ First up on the list is Barkley’s BBQ. After 15 years of truck driving and cooking every weekend for family and friends, Pit Master Terrell Barkley decided to take a leap of faith and open his own restaurant in 2014. Located at 2017 N. 29th St., Barkley’s BBQ is made daily and slow cooked to perfection. Their four main sauces mild, medium, hot and sweet & sticky, can be paired with their famous ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket or chicken on either a juicy sandwich or gut – busting entree. Barkley’s has also expanded its business to include catering and its very own food truck. Chilly Banana Food Truck In the mood for a tasty treat that’s also healthy? The Chilly Banana Food Truck is for you. After Kevin Kramer and Courtney Harding realized that most of the food options at music festivals and outdoor events were full of unhealthy options, they set out to open their own spot that would include real and fresh fruit. Frequenting both the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, The Chilly Banana offers a variety of banana-based treats that are all natural, simple and almost allvegan and dairy-free. Also, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see their next truck stop. Kona Ice Now what says summer better than shaved ice? Originating in northern Kentucky in 2007, Kona Ice revamped what we know about traditional ice cream trucks. Rather than a creepy white van and freezer-burned ice cream pops, Kona Ice offers its signature shaved ice in a new and super inviting way. Some popular flavors include Tiger’s Blood, Groovy Grape, Island Rush, as well as some other interesting concoctions like Irish Coffee, Egg Custard, Pumpkin Pie and Raspberry Cayenne. Burke Brothers Landscape Design Moving away from food, Burke Brothers Landscape Design will also be a featured vendor for the Home & Garden Festival. Burke Brothers is a full-service landscape design and build firm that has been serving the outdoor living needs for Philadelphians and those in the surrounding suburbs since 1990. Between design installation and maintenance, Burke Brothers manages all landscape aspects with its natural and formal landscape designs, creative stone work, as well as services for patios, pools, walkways and garden. Summer Classics Summer Classics, the new outdoor furnishing store at 8040 Germantown Ave. (the former home (Continued on page 3)
Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Festival stays fresh with new vendors (Continued from page 2)
of the Hill Company), will create a model backyard oasis that will feature its outdoor furniture as well as the potential services the company can provide. Summer Classics, however, is not only an outdoor furnishing store. It also offers high-style indoor furniture, lighting and accessories like the fashion forward pillow line, Wendy Jane by Gabby.
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Other vendors at this year’s closed from cars.” Home & Garden Festival include For more information regarding Hardy’s Funnel Cake and Yurt the Home & Garden festival, visit Village at Weavers Way Co-op. chestnuthillpa.com. In addition to the Subaru car display, there will also be a blast from the past with an antique and classic car display. “It feels nice,” said O’Neill about the Home & Garden Festival. “It’s just a nice experience … there’s nice people, nice things to CALL see and good food to eat … plus, everyone likes a street that’s
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Morris Arboretum of fers early bird openings ever y Saturday, Sunday in May through September
I Morris Arboretum’s popular Saturday Morning Live Tour Series returns for the season on May 4, at 11am. Led by experienced guides, these tours will highlight a different feature of the garden on the first Saturday of each month, May through December 2019 at 11am. The May tour, Dogs and Barks, features the dogwood species, a favorite ornamental tree of homeowners, thanks to their many shapes and forms, modest size and four season appeal. Guests will also compare and contrast the artistry of barks on a variety of trees– from the smooth beech bark, and the mottled lace-bark pine, to the alligator skin-like bark on the beloved dogwood. Tours begin at Widener Visitor Center. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org. No registration is required. Tour is included with garden admission.
f you’re up with the sun, start your day with an early morning visit to Morris Arboretum. The garden opens at 8am on Saturdays and Sundays in May through September. May is a great month for watching our feathered friends on their return flights north, so get out your binoculars and come early while the sun is low and bird activity is high. But these openings are not for birders only. Members, non-members, walkers, amateur photographers and everyone in between are invited to find the shining dew on more than 12,000 labeled plants in the Arboretum’s living collection. Morris Arboretum is one of more than 30 Philadelphia gardens in America’s Garden Capital. This 92-acre horticultural display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape. The official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective 1988, Morris Arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information, visit: www.morrisarboretum.org
Upcoming events in the area LuLu Shrine Circus Thursday, May 16 (6:30 p.m.); Friday, May 17 (7 p.m.); Saturday, May 18 (11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.); Sunday, May 19 (Noon and 4 p.m.) 5140 Butler Pk., Plymouth Meeting The 2019 LuLu Shrine Circus marks the 78th year “The Greatest Show on Earth” has been held. Experience elephants and big cats up close along with skits from the Shriner’s Klownz. Tickets for adults start at $24 for adults ($15 for the first 200 tickets online) and $12 for children. The arena gates open an hour prior to the show opening. For more information, visit lulushrinecircus.com Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 12 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Morris Arboretum Take your mother to the Morris Arboretum to celebrate her special day. The garden’s Compton Café features professionally made food from the café’s chef, John Hunter. After breakfast, you can take your time to admire the blooming flowers and foliage around the garden. Tickets for the event go on sale on April 1. For more information, visit morrisarboretum.org Eat and Enjoy Social Thursday, May 16 Noon – 2:00 p.m. Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation Building The Parks and Recreation Department in Whitemarsh Township will be holding a catered lunch social for residents and nonresidents alike. Along with lunch, entertainment will also be provided. Reservations are $10, and seats are limited. For more information, visit whitemarshtwp.org (Continued on page 5)
Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Upcoming events in the area (Continued from page 4)
Chestnut Hill Great House Tours Sunday, May 19 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields 8000 Saint Martins Ln. This event allows visitors to explore and admire the architecture and interior design of five Chestnut Hill homes. The main idea behind the event is to highlight how traditional and contemporary home designs can coexist in Chestnut Hill. Tickets start at $40. For more information, visit chconservancy.org/great-houses Stroll the Street Thursdays, May 30 – August 29 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Manayunk.com Visit Manayunk with family and friends this summer to “Stroll the Street.” Held every Thursday starting May 30, visitors can enjoy the local foods, music and art of Manayunk, with special discounts and $6 cocktails. For more information, visit manayunk.com/events/strollthe-street.html JUNE British Car Show and Jaguar Concurs d’Elegance Saturday, June 1 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Historic Hope Lodge Explore the grounds of the Hope Lodge mansion as you get up close and personal with over 200 iconic cars and motorcycles from British automakers such as Jaguar, Triumph and Rolls Royce. The event will also have live music, craft beer and food, and visitors can also enter the mansion to experience its architecture and décor. Visitors will also witness the Jaguar Concours, a nationally sanctioned competition to decide the most “authentic” Jaguars around the country. Tickets start at $10; seniors pay $5 and children 12 and under get free admission. For tickets and more information, visit delvaljaguarclub.com/british-car-showconcours Juneteenth Festival Saturday, June 22 Noon – 7 p.m. Hosted in Germantown, the Juneteenth Festival will start the day with an “Honor Our Ancestors” breakfast. After breakfast, a new parade route will begin at 52nd and Jefferson Streets and continue until it reaches Malcom X Park at 52nd and Pine Streets. A special ceremony will also take place to commemorate the renaming of 52nd Street to “Muhammad Ali Way” after the legendary boxer, who lived in Philadelphia from 1970 and 1973. For more information about the event, visit juneteenthphilly.org JULY Chestnut Hill July 4 Parade and Festival Thuesday, July 4 9 a.m. 118 East Hartwell Lane (the headquarters of the Chestnut Hill Bocce Club) Decorated bikes and wagons gather at the intersection of Devon St. and Hartwell Lane at 9 a.m. for a parade to the Water Tower Recreation center which starts at 10. Judges will award prizes to the best decorations in a
number of categories. Face painting, balloons, pony rides and races for boys and girls at the Watertower Recreation Center ballfields. There will also be a candy find for toddlers, clowns, a moon bounce and petting zoo. At 11 a.m., there will be a free lunch of hot dogs, juice and ice cream. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a magic show. This event is sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Bocce Club. For more information, call 215247-9776 (Continued on page 15)
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
May 19 Great Houses Tour tickets on sale
T
Morris Arboretum’s Springfield Mill.
he Great Houses Tour welcomes you to explore five fabulous Chestnut Hill homes, representing many different architectural styles and eras of construction. All of these homes have been adapted for contemporary living while embracing the community’s history and landscape. The hosts at each house include their architects, designers, and contractors to connect you to a wealth of information. No number of questions for them is too many. The event is hosted by both the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the Chestnut Hill Conservancy. $40 for non-members, $35 for members of either the CH Conservancy or CHCA; $25 for members of both CH Conservancy AND CHCA. The Tour is from 1 to 5 p.m. Check in is between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Church of St. Martin-inthe-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. This is a self-guided tour and is rain or shine. Attendees will receive a map with home locations, booties, and a wristband when they check-in.
New this year Great House Tour attendees will also receive FREE admission to Morris Arboretum’s Springfield Mills' open demonstration day. This historic mill has been restored and is stone-grinding corn for meal and flour. Explore revolutionary technology, local history and a beautiful setting along the Wissahickon Creek. Bring a picnic and relax on the lawn whileenjoying live music. Make it a Day in Chestnut Hill! Many restaurants and shops will be offering discounts for Great House Tour attendees – enjoy lunch or dinner at a participating restaurant and shops and receive a 10 discount. Just show your wrist band or ticket receipt. CHESTNUT HILL CHEESE SHOP 8509 Germantown Avenue 215-242-2211 CAMPBELL’S PLACE (discount for food only) 8337 Germantown Avenue 215-242-1818 CHESTNUT GRILL 8229 Germantown Avenue 215-247-7570 COSIMO’S PIZZA CAFÉ 8624 Germantown Avenue 215-242-9900 FIESTA PIZZA 8339 Germantown Avenue 215-247-4141 (dine-in only) McNALLY’S TAVERN (food only) 8634 Germantown Avenue 215-247-9736 PARIS BISTRO & JAZZ CAFE, (discount for food only) 8229 Germantown Avenue 215-242-6200 TAVERN ON THE HILL 8636 Germantown Avenue 215-247-9948 TROLLEY CAR DINER 7619 Germantown Avenue 215-753-1500 (not to be combined with other discounts) VALLEY GREEN INN Valley Green Road 215-247-1730, (15% off for tour attendees) TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES 8331 Germantown Avenue 215-242-3040 WEAVERS WAY 8424 Germantown Avenue 215-866-9150 CIN CIN 7838 Germantown Avenue (215) 242-8800
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Schuylkill Center Native Plant Sale celebrates spring, Mother’s Day
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he Schuylkill Center’s 14th annual Spring Native Plant Sale will stretch out over a week, featuring a spectacular selection of over 200 species of wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, trees, and vines, as well as warm-season grasses. The sale kicks off with a member’s preview and botanical happy hour on Friday, May 3, followed by a two-day event with local vendors offering their wares, food trucks serving up refreshments, and a Volunteer’s Picks table with a selection of favorite books, tools, and gardening goodies that will be available for raffle. The week-long plant sale will have a number of features. During
the week of May 6 through May 11, plants will be available to purchase until 6pm. Land Stewardship Manager Andrew Kirkpatrick will host a Q&A session on Wednesday, May 8, along with John Janick of Good Host Plants and a panel of dedicated greenhouse volunteers. On, Saturday May 11, kids will be able to pot a native wildflower to give for Mother’s Day. On Sunday, May 5th at 10:00 am, Executive Director Mike Weilbacher will lead a walk through the springtime forest to hunt for trillium, trout lily, spring beauty, Solomon’s seal, Virginia bluebells, shooting stars, and so much more. The 90-minute hike will follow the course of Ravine Loop—the single best place to see wildflowers here—as visitors learn the secrets behind wildflower names and their life histories. This annual event is a rite of spring for many local gardeners, who stock up on hardy plants that require less water, maintenance, and attention than ornamentals. This year, look for a special selection of trillium, bloodroot, and Franklin trees as well as some new wildflower cultivars that will make your garden pop, including coneflower ‘PowWow White’ and ‘Wild Berry’, ‘Tiny Tortuga’ turtlehead, and ‘Lady in Black’ calico aster. The spring native plant sale will be a great opportunity to learn something new, fill your garden with hard-to-find native plants, and create a better ecosystem for local pollinators and wildlife. Plant experts will be available to answer all of your questions and help you find the plants you need to make your landscape burst with color, texture, and year-round interest. All selections are native to this region and have been lovingly cared for by our staff and greenhouse volunteers. Members enjoy an exclusive preview and botanical cocktail hour, increased access to knowledgeable staff and volunteers, and 10% off plants. For membership inquiries, contact 215-482-7300. What: Spring Native Plant Sale When: Saturday, May 4, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: FREE Where: Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 8480 Hagy's Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128 Special Events: Member’s Night: Spring Native Plant Sale Preview Friday, May 3, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wildflower Walk Sunday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $15 for members, $20 for the general public Gardening with Natives Q&A Session Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Schuylkill Saturday: Pot a Plant for Mother’s Day Saturday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Awbur y al-Fresco event tickets on sale
An outdoor play space at Awbury Arboretum.
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he Awbury Arboretum sill celebrate “Awbury al Fresco 2019 – Celebrating the Spirit of Play” on Wednesday, May 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at AdventureWoods Natural Materials Playground Learn more about Awbury’s programs, archival activities, and educational spaces while honor-
ing two Philadelphians whose work is keeping the ‘Spirit of Play’ alive. Drinks and locally-sourced seasonal dinner provided by Birchtree catering. Honorees: Bryan Hanes and Meg Wise. Supporting the Gay Gilpin Johnson Archives and Education Fund. Tickets now on sale. Call 215849-2855
Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Friends of the Wissahickon announces 4th All Trails Challenge
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pring and summer are the most popular seasons to visit Wissahickon Valley Park, so why not make them count? Explore all 50+ miles of gorgeous trails in the Wissahickon on foot,
bike or horseback while supporting the work that conserves the park’s beauty, history and habitat. Join Friends of the Wissahickon’s Fourth Annual ATC from May 13 to August 28. FOW is proud to
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welcome Univest back as lead sponsor for this year’s event. ATC is for all ages and skill levels. It’s not a race, and you don’t have to be an athlete to have fun outdoors for a good cause. Last year, more than 450 challengers and donors raised $31,000. Find out more about ATC and how to participate at a Warm-Up session on Saturday, May. 4, from 11 a.m. to noon at Our House Culture Center, 6380 Germantown Ave. Information on how to get started – and keep going, fundraising page setup, tracking and hike apps, tips for getting donors, scheduled hikes and more will be covered. The 2019 ATC kicks off for FOW members on Monday, May 13 and for all others on Monday, May 27. Join FOW on June 6 for a launch party at the Wissahickon Brewing Company (3705 W. School House Lane) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts and maybe a new exercise buddy, while enjoying giveaways, mileage and fundraising incentives, food, and fun. Throughout the challenge, there’ll be more mileage and fundraising incentives and giveaways, as well as scheduled hikes and walks with great prizes, including exclusive vacations for the top mileage and fundraising participants. "Safeguarding the future of Wissahickon Valley Park contributes to the quality of life for our neighbors and visitors,” said Maura McCarthy, FOW’s executive director. “That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with a company like Univest that shares our commitment to this vital community asset and supports our mission year after year.” Other ATC sponsors for 2019 to date include Earth Bread + Brewery, Wissahickon Brewing Company, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Kouvenda Media, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Sponsorship opportunities for this popular event are still available by contacting Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org. To register and stay up-to-date on ATC news, visit fow.org/alltrailschallenge to register and
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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Morris Arboretum’s ‘Nature Play,’ an outdoor space, opens May 1
Pictured here at the 2018 May event are Raya, age 11, practicing her handstands and Alex, age 7, building a tower with tree slices and bark. Free with regular garden admission. For more information, visit www.morrisarboretum.org.
“P
lay is the highest form of research,” Albert Einstein famously commented, and Morris Arboretum’s Nature Play, a new outdoor space opening May 1, is the ultimate place for fun investigation. This rustic play area, open all day, every day through October 31, encourages kids to use what’s available in the outdoors for fun; learning to love nature and loving to learn naturally. Nature Play debuted last year as a monthly event series and was so popular that the Arboretum created a dedicated, fenced area in the Sculpture Garden for unstructured, outdoor fun. The concept of Nature Play is to give children space to discover the wonders of the natural world in an intuitive and informal way. Children are invited to create their own play patterns with a variety of natural elements, including fallen tree trunks and stumps; twigs and hollow logs; tree bark pieces; water and dirt. Seating for adults is provided, so kids may explore at their own pace for an extended time. Nature Play has been proven to help children learn self-reliance, make independent observations and decisions, and solve problems. Such experiences encourage a lifetime of environmental stewardship and connections with the natural world.
Upcoming events in the area (Continued from page 5)
Water Features Tour Wednesday, July 10 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Morris Arboretum A guided tour of several water features, including waterfalls, streams and fountains, that can be found throughout the garden. The tour will guide visitors though the history of the water elements in the garden and how they have shaped and evolved over time. The tours are included with general admission and begin at the Widener Visitor Center. For more information on the tour and other special events at Morris Arboretum, visit morrisarboretum.org/events_special.shtml
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Arbor Day photography exhibit in City Hall honors Philadelphia’s arborists
P
hiladelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) and the City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy hosted a reception to celebrate a new art exhibit in City Hall today. “The Arborists of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: Growing and Caring for Our Urban Forest,” is a collection of photography by renowned local photojournalist Sabina Louise Pierce which celebrates the men and women charged with the immense task of growing and caring for the city’s urban trees, including
10,250 acres of park land and 117,000 trees along city streets. 16 portraits of City employees who plant and care for our urban forest hung on the walls on City Hall outside the mayor’s office, along with quotes from many of the staff explaining why they love what they do. Nearby, a glass case displayed beautiful pieces of lumber milled from fallen trees in the park system which are used in building projects throughout the city. Sabina Pierce has worked closely with PPR’s TreePhilly program to
coordinate this photo series at three exhibitions in public spaces around the city, including an extended installation at the Philadelphia Free Library Parkway Central Branch in 2018. “When I was asked by TreePhilly to shoot portraits of Philadelphia’s arborists as a freebie I said ‘sure! I love trees, I love Philly,’” said photographer Sabina Pierce. “Little did I know how much the people that worked with them love them too-- deeply! Some have master’s degrees and all could make more in
An arborist photographed by Sabina Louise Pierce.
the private sector, but they do this because they love trees too!” TreePhilly is a program of PPR, in partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank. To date, TreePhilly has provided over 22,000 trees to Philadelphians to plant in their yards through citywide and neighborhood-specific giveaways event. In 2019, TreePhilly received an expanded $1.125 million sponsorship from TD Bank
to support PPR’s urban forestry work in a holistic manner, from street tree plantings to natural lands restoration and workforce development. The exhibit will be on view on the 2nd floor gallery of City Hall, across from the mayor’s office, through May 17th, 2019. Sabina Louise Pierce is a Philadelphia-based photographer whose experience in photojournalism gives her a unique fresh vision and a wide range of photographic skills. To learn more visit www.sabinashoots.com, call Sabina at 215.432.3039 and follow her @sabinashoots on Instagram. About Art in City Hall: Bringing the people’s art to the people’s building, establishing a presence for the visual arts in one of the city’s most important civic spaces and providing space for the local cultural community to display their work. Art in City Hall showcases juried exhibits united around a single community-driven theme or idea and may feature local emerging and professional artists, or a partnership with arts and culture institutions, schools, and community organizations. The exhibitions highlight the diverse cultural vibrancy of Philadelphia and showcase artwork by professional, emerging, and aspiring artists.
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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‘Tis Irish Day at Morris Arboretum on May 5
ON THE WISSAHICKON SCREENING The Articulate Foundation and Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association present the world premiere screening of “On The Wissahickon,” a new, short documentary film.This film is by the producers of the Emmy award-winning PBS show “Articulate” and David Contosta and Carol Franklin, authors of “Metropolitan Paradise: The Struggle for Nature in the City.” The film explores how the Wissahickon Valley’s past, present and future can be a global model for water management and urban sustainability. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with key voices from the film, including WVWA Executive Director, Gail Farmer and Friends of the Wissahickon Executive Director, Maura McCarthy. the other two panelists are: Carly Freedman, organic urban farmer and educator, and Maleka Diggs, founder of the Eclectic Learning Network. The event will be held on May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Ambler Theater. Admission is free and seating is limited. RSVP online at www.wissahickonfilm.org.
M
ay the tree lined path rise up to greet you on Sunday, May 5, Irish Day at Morris Arboretum, which is always dressed in green. Bring your whole clan to learn more about Irish culture through music and dance performances, a history talk and complimentary beer samples of a local Irish brew, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at various garden spots. • 11 a.m.: Next Generation – young musicians from the Irish Center will perform traditional tunes below the Rose Garden. • 12 p.m.: Rince Ri School of Irish Dance – this award-winning troupe will dance at the Haha Wall • 1 p.m.: The Watson Brothers – pipers and historians, William and J. Francis Watson will pipe their way down to the Baxter Circle (adjacent to the Garden Railway) where they will give a talk about the findings revealed in their book Massacre at Duffy’s Cut: Tragedy and Conspiracy on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Books will be available for purchase. • 1-3 p.m.: Doylestown Brewery – Duffy’s Cut, an Irish style red ale, will be available to sample while supplies last. The brewery will also be offering six packs for sale. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Duffy’s Cut Project. • 2 p.m.: Accordionist Rob Curto and fiddler Hollis Payer will play Irish tunes below the Rose Garden. Included with garden admission.
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
Green eating options on the Hill beyond the festival’s favorites by Maddie Clark
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nyone who lives in Chestnut Hill knows that some of the area’s best dining options were conceived with the idea of giving customers a wellrounded eating experience while still running an environmentally sustainable business. From farm grown ingredients to eating in a garden, these line of restaurants along Germantown avenue know the true nature of what it takes to maintain a sound ecosystem. If you’re looking for food options outside the great vendors on the Avenue during the festival, try these places.
Market at the Fareway
Chestnut Hill Brewing Co. at Market at the Fareway.
Behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel and accessible via the Fareway from Germantown avenue or the South Hampton street parking lot lies the Market at the Fareway, a modern 16 vender farmer’s market equipped with the area’s freshest ingredients. At Market at the Fareway, customers can take advantage of the many fresh food components either by dining in at a vender’s location, taking a meal to go or by picking up some ingredients to cook at home. Either way, it will be a win-win situation. Some popular food spots include Poppy’s Café, Tokyo Sushi, Barry’s Buns and Rice’s Quality Meats. Whether you’re looking for fresh locally brewed coffee, made from scratch cinnamon buns, hand rolled sushi, or butchered meat, Market at the Fareway is guaranteed to have what you need. Not to mention, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company which serves beer and pizza – two of the best things made by man and woman – brewed and baked on the premises. Though Market at the Fareway is already on the bandwagon of environmental friendliness, they are also heavy on recycling items such as cardboard, plastic, glass, cooking oils and even kitchen scraps. 866-413-6066 www.marketatthefareway.com 8229 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. 19118
American cuisine plus an array of draught beers and wines that include plenty of garden and farm fresh aspects. When longtime Chestnut Hill residents Rob and Vanessa Mullen took over the business in 2008, Campbell’s Place adopted a new priority regarding the use of fresh food components. With a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and experience working at several Grand Hyatt locations, Rob Mullen’s goal with the English pub styled tavern was to focus on creating high quality food with fresh and local ingredients. Mullen’s connections with local and regional farmers and suppliers has given him the opportunity to create a top-notch menu using seasonal ingredients. Though former owner Mary Campbell has since gone into retirement, the Mullens have kept the original elements of Campbell’s Place alive while still adding their own personal spin to the beloved restaurant. 215-242-1818 www.campbellsplace.com 8337 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. 19118 Cake
Just off Highland avenue, Cake originated as a small Chestnut Hill bakery in March of 2000. After Cake started to develop into a popular local spot and began serving lunch in 2001, it was evident that the business would eventually need to relocate to a larger space. In August of 2007, Cake moved into the former Robertson’s Nursery Conservatory. Though the location underwent five months of renovations, many of the conservatory’s traditional elements were kept, including the fountain and elegant slate floors, giving guests the feel that they’re dining in a greenhouse. Filled with various potted plants, small scale trees and sky lit ceilings, Cake has gained quite the notoriety for its natureesque venue. Cake has even begun to hold wedding receptions and other large-scale events. 215-247-6887 www.cakeofchestnuthill.com Campbell’s Place 8501 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia Pa. 19118 Located on Germantown avenue just below Gravers lane, If you’re looking for great food Campbell’s Place offers new that’s also fresh and locally grown, or just want the experience of eating in an orchard-like atmosphere, then along Germantown Avenue is the place to be because the Chestnut Hill community knows that the foundation for good food includes farm fresh and local ingredients.
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019
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A tree grows on the Avenue for 125 years - Chestnut Hill Local Philadelphia PA by Jeremy Jones
This story originally appeared in an April 2015 edition of the Chestnut Hill Local. It has been edited slightly to reflect the change in time.The author, Jeremy Jones, is a long time Hill resident and a contributor to the Local. hen J. Sterling Morton and fellow pioneers settled in the Nebraska Territory in 1854, they missed the trees from back home, which for Sterling and his wife was Detroit, Mich. Trees were also needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials and for shade from the hot sun. A journalist and editor, Morton eventually became secretary of the Nebraska Territory and, after meeting one day with the State Board of Agriculture, his proposal for a tree-planting holiday was approved. On that first U.S. Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, it was estimated more than one million trees were planted. He remembers his first summer in Chestnut Hill. It was 1893. Germantown Avenue was a dirt road, crusty and dry from the summer sun. Water from the Schuylkill River was carried across Wissahickon Creek in a pipe bridge to the Mt. Airy Reservoir and pumped up the Hill where workers would sprinkle the road to lay down the dust. In 1895, he marveled at the electrification of trolley cars and later enjoyed listening to the stonemasons’ yarns as they paved the Avenue with Belgian blocks. When the Blizzard of 1899 hit, he survived, even though he was just 6 years-old. He made it through the Great Blizzard in 1947, the Storm of the Century in 1950 and Hurricane Hazel in 1954. He may not be as majestic as our neighborhood’s namesake, the American chestnut, but his beauty is in his humility, and he deserves bragging rights for a remarkable reason: He is the oldest living Ailanthus tree (Ailanthus altissima) in the United States; most likely in the world, according to documentation, and he lives right here in Chestnut Hill. More commonly known as “Tree of Heaven,” Ailanthus is endeared by generations as the inspiration for the strong, tenacious and resilient metaphorical centerpiece in Betty Smith’s 1943 classic “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Planted in 1893, our Ailanthus’ roots go back to China and East Asia. His ancestors came to the United States in 1784 to be planted at William Hamilton’s “Woodland’s” estate in Philadelphia, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River. Our Ailanthus is a male – so in this story we’ll call him “Al.” He doesn’t expend energy producing resplendent flowers and seeding as the female Ailanthus does. His home is at 8419 Germantown Ave., where he grows alongside the Chestnut Hill Community Centre, and where visitors can sit on a bench for respite or conversation and feel his energy and presence.
author Kathleen Sanders chronicled in her book on the women’s exchange movement from 1832 1900. During “The Great War,” Al watched in admiration as members of the National League of Women’s Service repaired soldiers’ overcoats and worked for the welfare of the disadvantaged and refugees from the war. Al felt privileged to feel a part of the organizations thriving beside him and those who selflessly worked on behalf of the greater good, most especially the tireless volunteers of the Chestnut Hill Women’s Exchange. In addition to providing a meeting space for local organizations, the Community Centre currently houses Drakes Gourmet Foods and Catering, The Happy Butterfly and Bird In Hand Consignment Shop – a golden spoke in the wheel of life in Chestnut Hill. If Al could talk, one can only imagine the list of laureates, editors, politicians and anchors of the community he would recall coming and going across the street at Town Hall, the hub of the village. Today, at 122 years old, Al has
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Photos of the oldest Ailanthus tree (see arrow). Photographs show the same tree in 1918 (top) and 2011 (below).The tree is immediately adjacent to the Chestnut Hill Community Centre, 8419 Germantown Ave. Photo reprinted from the Chestnut Hill Historical Society. Bottom photo by M. T. Kasson.
Built as a private home in 1803, the building was purchased in 1920 by the Woodward family and deeded to the Chestnut Hill Community Center (the spelling of Center was changed to Centre in 1988).
Throughout the years, with his branches extended in friendship, Al witnessed the noble endeavors taking place at 8419 Germantown Ave. Most impressive were the women dedicating themselves to “the business of charity,” as
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lived beyond the expected age of 17-118 years. He is 164 inches in circumference and 69.1 feet tall. When ISA Certified Arborist Ken LeRoy stopped by to say hello and saw the photo of Al at 25 years-old, he looked up and said, “Wow! It’s got the same branching pattern it had in 1918.” LeRoy is with John B. Ward Tree Experts and has been working with trees in our neighborhood since 1990. He knows them all like the back of his hand and said Al is in “very good condition.” Al serves as inspiration for Chestnut Hill’s “Re-Tree the Avenue” program. The fund has already planted 11 trees in strategic spots along the Avenue and 52 trees are waiting to be planted. To participate in the program or for more information, contact the Chestnut Hill Community Association at 215-248-8810. “Each generation takes the earth as trustees,” said J. Sterling Morton. Here’s looking at you, Al. Acknowledgments: Thank you to the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, David T. Moore and Barbara Healy for providing valuable notes and documentation on behalf of this story.
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Chestnut Hill Local | Thursday, May 2, 2019