Zoning Hearing Board:........................................third Thursday at 7 p.m.
Historic Preservation Commission:...............second Tuesday at 5 :30 p.m.
TOWNSHIP
RECYCLING MAP SCHEDULE
Zone 1: .........1st & 3rd Wednesday
Zone 2:.............1st & 3rd Thursday
Zone 3: .................1st & 3rd Friday
Zone 4:........2nd & 4th Wednesday
Zone 5: ...........2nd & 4th Thursday
Zone 6:................2nd & 4th Friday
Newtown Square Rotary was established here in 1949. Our club is part of over 45,000 clubs and 1.2 million members working together as Rotary International (est. 1905).
Newtown Square Rotary currently works closely with other local organizations to provide projects, assistance, and support to families and communities near and far. We support local families in need during the holidays, award scholarship funds to local students, sponsor ethics speech contests, run food drives to benefit an area food bank, and support great projects worldwide.
Rotary
Food Drive with Marple
Help continue this great tradition of Serving Others as many residents and leaders in Newtown Square have done for over 75 years.
SNOW REMOVAL & PLOWING
Snow Removal Information
The Public Works staff are preparing for the Winter Season, and we are already fully stocked with tons of salt which can easily handle several major snowstorms. Winter maintenance is a critical and difficult task, and motorists are partners in making this season a safe one by always thinking safety first and be sure that they
are giving plenty of room to our operators and other motorists. We have contracts in place to receive additional road salt and additional supplies on an ongoing basis throughout the winter season to prevent any shortages. The Public Works staff are ready to dispatch trucks and handle all our Township and State roads throughout our community.
The primary function of the Public Works crews is plowing, and the Township's goal is to first open one lane of traffic in each direction on every road, then return and plow the snow back to the curb, exposing the storm inlets.
Clearing Streets and Sidewalks
Property owners are responsible for clearing snow, sleet, and ice from the sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours after a storm and must at all times keep said sidewalks free and cle snow, slush and ice. Check with your municipality, it may be unlawful for any property owner, resident, contractor or employee to shovel, plow, discharge or otherwise place snow removed from a private property into any street, roadway sidewalk or alley within your municipality. Ordinances are usually strictly enforced.
Fire Hydrants
If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear the snow away from the area around it, leaving the markers intact. This will assist firefighters in the event of an
More Winter Reminders:
Do not drive unless it is necessary
Keep winter driving aids (blanket, shovel, boots, etc.) in the trunk of your car.
Winter Deicing
Tips for Residents
Excess salt and other deicing chemicals can harm aquatic life in our streams and impact drinking water supplies. This winter, you can help by following these environmentally-friendly snow removal practices:
Shovel snow before it turns to ice to limit the need for deicing chemicals like rock salt.
Shovel snow into permeable surfaces including gently sloping and level landscape and grassy areas so as the snow melts it will soak into the ground rather than flow directly into a nearby storm drain or stream.
If you must use deicing chemicals, follow these suggestions:
Control application of chemical deicers and avoid over application.
Limit chemical applications near environmentally-sensitive areas including springs, streams, ponds, wetlands, and water supply areas and sensitive landscape and vegetation.
After snowmelt, sweep up residues, including sand, to prevent it from washing into storm drains and streams.
When possible, remove vehicles from the street to enable road crews to efficiently plow and clear streets.
Remove snow, ice and slush from sidewalks including handicap ramps within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling.
Plowing operations typically begin after more than 2” accumulation and freezing temperatures which indicate no natural melting will occur.
Clear vehicle completely of snow and ice before driving.
Pile snow from sidewalks and driveways on lawns, not in the street.
Residents are responsible for clearing snow around mailboxes.
Basketball hoops are not permitted to be located within the right-of-way and must be removed from the roadway.
Private plowing crews should haul snow from properties if it cannot be piled safely.
Do not push snow onto the street or onto neighboring properties.
Clear fire hydrants of snow as soon as possible.
A smart way to shovel your drive
How to reduce the possibility of getting a huge pile of snow in your driveway opening when snowplows clear your street:
Make snow collection pocket. Clear an area for the snow pushed by the plow.
Shovel in same direction as traffic. Pile snow downstream of the plow.
PET HEALTH & WELL-BEING
How cold is too cold for your dog?
As winter approaches, temperature safety for dogs is important whether they are going for a short walk or playing in the snow. Dogs get cold at 45°F and below, and by 20°F, dogs can develop frostbite and hypothermia.
Dogs can get frostbite, which initially effects extremities such as ear tips, feet, tail tip, nose, and the scrotum. If left untreated they will develop hypothermia.
Size and Weight
Small dogs lose body heat faster than large dogs. Also, small dogs like chihuahuas have less fat padding around extremities making them more susceptible to ice and snow damage.
Body condition is important. A thin dog will get cold fast because they have less insulating body fat. However, obese dogs may move slower, increasing their exposure time to the cold.
Breed
and Coat Type
Thick hair insulates the body. Dogs with thicker fur such as Huskies can withstand cold temperatures for longer periods of time. Short haired dogs have less fur insulation and will get cold quickly. Hair can also be shortened from grooming or medical procedures.
Snow and ice can stick to long hair around toes. This can be painful, and cause prolonged ice contact on skin and toe pads. Snow pellets stick to longer fur, decreasing a dog's body temperature.
Age and Health Condition
Older dogs generally have more health issues that decrease their tolerance to cold
Acclimation
Dogs that live in colder areas regularly can tolerate more cold. Sled dogs get so used to the cold, they will sleep in the snow. However, if an owner moves from a warm to a cold climate and there is not sufficient time to acclimate to the cold, a dog gets cold fast.
What Can Owners Do?
Measures can be taken to keep dogs safe in the cold weather. Shoveling a small area for a dog to eliminate quickly in the cold without having to step through snow is helpful. Dogs can wear sweaters or jackets that extend along a dog's back and along the chest that is thick enough to block out wind while keeping out moisture. Booties that are warm and water resistant are great if the dog will tolerate them. Getting a dog used to these items can take a while, but persistence is key
As outdoor temperature drops, it's important to monitor dogs for signs of being uncomfortably cold. Hypothermia can set in rapidly and is life threatening. Symptoms which should prompt an owner to take a dog to a warmer location include shivering, reluctance to walk, turning to return home, whining, trouble walking, lifting paws frequently, and even falling over. Once an owner has a dog inside, it's important to keep monitoring them to make sure they are okay. If an owner is unsure, it's always best to call the veterinarian.
Dr. Jennifer McGough Emergency Services Metropolitan Veterinary Associates
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Reasons To Go To Rehab
Your body does a lot for you each day, but injuries, illness and aging can take a toll on its abilities. Without treatment, you may be left unable to complete daily tasks and do what you enjoy most.
Enter Bryn Mawr Rehab, part of Main Line Health. Physical and cognitive rehab is a way to regain your body's strength, mobility and capabilities. Through the many kinds of rehab, including physical, speech and occupational, you can reclaim your independence.
The benefits of rehabilitation go far beyond what you may think. While you might envision strength exercises to address an injured knee, stretches to relieve pain or language exercises to improve speech, there are a range of conditions that can improve from rehabilitation.
A Weak Bladder
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles in your pelvic region that help with bowel movements, urination and sex. Due to injury, childbirth, hormones related to menopause or simply getting older, these muscles can weaken and lead to problems. One of these issues is urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is when you are unable to control the muscles that facilitate urination. Symptoms can range from leaking urine when you sneeze or cough to not making it to the bathroom in time due to a sudden urge to urinate. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can improve your symptoms by strengthening your muscles through exercises.
Vertigo And Balance Issues
Balancing requires a lot from your body. Your balance is affected by information coming from your joints, your vision and your inner ear. Interestingly, there are tiny organs in your inner ear that send signals to your brain about how your head is moving in relation to your own body and in relation to the outside world. All of that information is processed in your brain and used to maintain your balance and allow you to move around normally.
Inner ear disorders, neurological problems, stroke and head injuries can all throw this system — and you — out of balance. They can also leave you feeling dizzy and nauseous as well as lead to vertigo (feeling like you're spinning when you aren't).
Vestibular rehab can help manage vertigo and balance issues through:
Visual exercises to improve your ability to maintain gaze while moving
Neuromuscular retraining to improve proprioceptive awareness and minimize balance deficits
Virtual Reality training scenarios to help with adaptation to challenging environments like work, community and school
Home exercises to promote independence
Education to help you identify dizziness triggers and use strategies to minimize their effects
Cognitive Function Issues
Memory, thinking and organization skills are connected to your speech and language. There are several reasons you might face issues with these cognitive abilities, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors.
These problems can lead to difficulty carrying out daily tasks, impaired social skills, trouble at work and concerns of further injury. Speech and language therapy can improve your cognitive function through vocabulary, memory, attention, reading and writing exercises. Your therapist can work with you to develop a plan that supports your individual speech and language development.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is a common symptom of a TMJ disorder, which affects the temporomandibular joint that connects your skull to your jawbone. TMJ disorders can also lead to aching around your ear, pain while chewing, facial pain and locking of the joint.
If you're experiencing jaw pain or difficulty related to jaw pain, it might be time to get treatment, which can include physical therapy. Your therapist can guide you in exercises that strengthen and stretch your jaw muscles as well as advise you on athome treatments, like heat and ice.
Preparation For Surgery
Surgery takes a toll on your body. To recover more quickly, you can make sure your body is in its best shape possible before entering the operating room.
Presurgical physical therapy helps your body prepare for surgery by strengthening muscles and improving range of motion. Prehab can prepare your body for surgeries like joint replacement (e.g. knee and hip replacements) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Rehabilitation For Overall Wellness
Your body is an intricate machine, and sometimes it needs some extra care. Whether through physical, occupational, speech and language, vestibular or another type of rehabilitation, you can ease symptoms and get back to doing what you love.
Learn more at mainlinehealth.org/rehab or call 484.596.5000.
SOLARIZE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Ready to Stop Climate Change?
Battle climate change and get pay back in both cash and the satisfaction of knowing that you and thousands of your neighbors, businesses and Towns throughout the Delaware Valley are getting the job done! Some steps require no investment and some do. ALL can save you money. Web sites like https://haverfordclimateaction.org provide a one-stop shop for information on things you can do, upcoming webinars, videos and more. The biggest savings in energy is to use less; please consider an energy assessment if you have not had one done. Peco offers this for $49. For a limited time, PECO is offering Solarize Delco participants a special $10 discount for any home energy assessment. Please use the special promo code SOLARDEL25 on the website or call 888.573.2672 to schedule your appointment. Expires Dec 31, 2025
Solar the Easy Way
Solar PV Tax Credits
Supercharged: Home solar tax credits went up to 30% for 2025 and beyond making solar payback even better. Non-profits can now also benefit and get a direct 30% federal rebate for installed solar systems. PECO now offers solar rebates: $500 for residential and first year production based for commercial. Solar for Schools offer grants between 30-50% for all school settings. Solar for all offers grants for low income eligibility. 2024 season closed on Sept 30, 2024! We are now evaluating for 2025.
Solarize
DelCo Group Pricing:
Residents, non-profits and businesses in Delaware County Email us at solarizedelco@gmail.com with name, address and phone number and we can help you assess whether the Solarize Delco program with vetted vendors and a significant discount over market rates is right for you.
Low Income Grants and Leasing
Options: Income qualified homeowners can apply for a grant (up to $5,000) while funds last or take advantage of our partnership with a vetted leasing firm that can reduce monthly bills by a combination of Solar PV and weatherization. Solarize Delco can help you decide what is best for you.
Who are we? Your neighbors, an all volunteer non-profit providing education, unbiased information and an easier path to putting solar on your home, business or house of worship. We can help Houses of Worship and other non-profits find sources of funding as well. More info at www.solarizedelco.org. Search Solarize Philly and Solarize SE PA for programs outside of DelCo.
Ready to Solarize Now?
In Delaware County, PA — fill out a form on www.solarizedelco.org or Email us at solarizedelco@gmail.com with your name, address and phone number and we can help you assess whether the Solarize Delco program with a selected vendor and a significant discount over market rates is right for you. In Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery County - Email solarizesepa@gmail.com.
Climate Webinar Series Videos
Watch these informative recorded Climate Action Workshops on Solar Home, adapting to Electric Vehicle use, Purchasing Renewable Energy, and others at https://www.youtube.com/@haverfordeac.
The Clean Energy Co-Op can help businesses and nonprofits go solar through education and solar development with the capital of local Co-op members. Contact info@cleanenergy.coop to learn more.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
The runners darted off, and the race had commenced.
th Sunday, October 27, 2024 marked the 47 annual Radnor Run in support of the American Lung Association.Each year, the event increases awareness and fundraising for the American Lung Association's research and progress.
“Lung cancer's the number one cancer killer in the U.S.,” said Caroline Hutchinson, executive director with the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “It affects both men and women, smokers and nonsmokers, so [our goal is] just trying to educate and bring awareness to lung cancer screenings…There's many people, adults and children in Delaware County that are battling with lung disease, asthma, COPD.”
“Lung disease is something that a lot of people overlook - a lot of people have asthma…so many people have asthma in Delaware County,” said Brandon Niezgoda, development manager for the American Lung Association and co-race director for the Radnor Run. “It's a very, very deadly disease, and it's under-researched, underfunded. Sothe American Lung Association goes out of our way to make sure that people can breathe, and people can live their lives and run, exercise, and enjoy life.”
More than 680 participants signed up for the morning's events, including 50 volunteers. These volunteers' work began bright and early at 6:30 a.m. They shuttled runners to and from the check-in and registration tables inside the Radnor Township Municipal Building. Volunteers were also stationed around the start and finish line, running the bag check, and offering moral support to the runners.
“We're actually running the bag check, so we are taking the bags from participants and holding them while they're running the 5-mile race for the American Lung Association,” said Sean Loughlin, volunteer with Good Shepherd Penn Partners.
The Radnor Run also paired with DLL Financial Solutions Partner, Linked Logistics, and Temple Health Lung Center just to name a few.
Before the runners took off, volunteers led the participants in a group stretch. Dr. Hersh Sagreiya, an assistant professor of radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania spoke about the importance of lung health. He conducts research in Informatics and Machine Learning as well as clinical work in Abdominal Imagining.
“I think this is a great opportunity to fundraise for lung disease and all the great programs that the American Lung Association has,” Sagreiya said. “We also have various research grants for looking at lung cancer.They have a few for chronic diseases, such as COVID-19, and I think it's just a really great program that fundraises for really important causes.”
Back in 1977, the Radnor Run spanned a five-mile course through the residential streets of Wayne. Since then, the Run has since appealed to a more family-friendly setting as participants can also partake in one-mile run and a two-mile walk along the Radnor Trail. The idea is that the one-mile participants could finish the run and then join in on the walk.
The five-mile run was the most attended course of the three options; however, it was also the most strenuous. Even avid runners commented on the route's toughness. It began promptly at 8:30 a.m. “It was definitely a hard race, really hilly,” said Emmett Gross, participant of the five-mile race. “At the beginning I was taking the down hills pretty easy because I end up just destroying my legs on the downhill.”
Gross crossed the finish line in fourth place, with a pace of five minutes and 32 seconds.
The one-mile run and two-mile walk began at 8:35 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. respectively
All the raised funds this year contributed to lung disease education, advocacy, and further research within the Greater Philadelphia area.
Throughout the years,the Run has funded more than $221 million in research for lung health. This year, $84,110.10 had been raised. The top contributors are posted on the Radnor Run website.
Not only did runners fundraise individually, but the Radnor Run implements a team
challenge to amplify competitive spirits. There must be at least three participants per team. The three fastest times are considered to calculate the team's overall time in the race. Participants have already begun talking about forming teams with family and friends next year.
Even co-workers joined in to support the American Lung Association.
“As we [co-worker Lauren Schwartzberg] both work in medicine, we feel like these kinds of causes are very important, and it's always nice when you can get exercise but also supporting a good cause,” said Lauren Jones, dermatology resident and participant of the five-mile race. “I think it's kinda ironic how much you use your lungs on this run. It definitely reminds you not to take that for granted and being healthy, for sure.”
Runners, walkers, volunteers, and th supporters are already excited for the 48 Radnor Run next year.
You can find more local stories by searching for Main Line Network — the area's public access channel — on YouTube or visiting their website at mltv21.org
Race Winner - Kevin McDonnell captured the winning time of 25:41.56.
VOTING INFORMATION
Drawing the Line Between Political and Partisan
Does the League of Women Voters (LWV) support one political party or candidate over another? During its over one-hundredyear history, the LWV has frequently been accused of being partisan. However, the League is a non-partisan, political organization. So, what's the difference between political and partisan.
You've heard that all decisions are political. Politics has to do with governing — be it our country, our state, our county, or municipality. It also has to do with how rules and laws are made to manage groups — be it in nations, companies, clubs, schools, or churches. Politics is a way in which individuals, or groups of individuals, obtain power and, in turn, use it to exert influence. The League supports openness and accountability in governance.
Partisanship, on the other hand, has to do with a strong attachment to a political party, its principles and/or agenda. Although many minor parties exist and support candidates, the major political parties are the Democratic and Republican. These groups are often associated with a negative view toward other parties that have a different viewpoint. Extreme partisanship can result in divisiveness and an unwillingness of leaders and officials to cooperate and compromise on important matters. Under
such circumstances, governing becomes difficult and perhaps impossible.
The League of Women Voters values its strong, non-partisan policy. It does not support or oppose any political party, candidate for elective office, office holder or any group that supports candidates. While some members may be active in party politics, the LWV leaders adopt its nonpartisan policy annually to maintain the organization's reputation as a trusted convener and source of information. The League encourages members to register voters, serve as poll workers, monitor election processes, and provide other resources to promote informed decisionmaking. However, members do not advocate for parties or people in these League-sponsored capacities.
How can the League be non-partisan and still advocate for issues like reproductive choice, gun safety, or immigration? Members do lobby and act on government matters and policies in the public interest that conform with positions at the national, state, and local levels. However, these positions are not knee-jerk reactions to a hot topic. These positions, on which the League stands, are developed through an extensive study, debate, consensus, and
adoption process by members. They are reviewed annually prior to each state or national convention and revised as needed. For example, positions on natural resources have evolved from concerns about conservation in the 1920s through the examination of flood control in the 1950s. In the 1970s, LWV built a strong, national basis for protecting and managing the interrelated aspects of air, water, land use, energy, and waste management. Since that time, the League has been involved in shaping legislation and advocating for the preservation of life-supporting ecosystems and public health at all levels of government. This advocacy has grown during the 2000s with an emphasis on climate action. LWV advocacy is issuesbased, NOT party - or candidate-based. The program and priorities of the League have shifted over time. However, the positions developed through the past century guide actions and provide a foundation to address issues without being swayed by partisan politics. The LWV is committed to helping to make democracy work. Membership is open to all.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
Watch Out For Investment Scams
When you invest, you'll find that knowledge is power. The more you know about your investment choices, and who is offering them, the better prepared you'll be to make good decisions. And this diligence can also help protect you against investment scams. How widespread is this activity? Consider this: Investment fraud losses totaled more than $4.5 billion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report.
Here are some common types of scams:
Cryptocurrency: Not all cryptocurrency offers are scams, but many are. The scammers will contact you via social media, claiming they've made a lot of money in crypto and are willing to help you do the same. They may direct you to a website or app to invest, but the “company” taking your money may not even exist, and, after taking your money, may disappear
Investment programs: These programs claim to have “proven” strategies that can enable you to get rich by investing in financial products. But these strategies are dubious at best and can cost you thousands of dollars that could otherwise go into an investment plan based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
Real estate: Typically, a real estate scam tries to get you to invest in a “world-class” or “luxury” property development, but these properties may take years to build, if they're built at all. Also, various real estate “seminars” claim they can teach you how to get wealthy by buying and selling real estate, but these programs are expensive and usually worthless.
Gold and other precious metals: Scammers who call themselves “rare coins” merchants may try to sell you gold coins, bullion or other types of precious metals, claiming that these assets will always go up in value (which isn't true) and that “now is the best time to act.” You can find legitimate ways to invest in precious metals, possibly through mutual funds, but you'll need to determine whether these assets can be an appropriate part of your investment portfolio.
So, how can you avoid these scams?
Here ae some suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission:
Don't be pushed into snap decisions. Scammers will pressure you to act quickly because “space is limited” in an investment offering or a “special deal” won't last long. If someone won't give you time to consider an offer, it's not worth considering.
Be suspicious of “risk-free” claims. All investments carry risk, and no variable investments can claim to provide
REMAIN SAFE AND INDEPENDENT AT HOME
you can DO to remain safe and independent in your own home!
There are home modifications that can be done now so you can be ready to enjoy this beautiful time of year. If you have mobility challenges or just want to stay safe and independent in own home, there is technology and products that can make life easily accessible. Today there are many amazing solutions that will make your home accessible, beautiful and safe.
Make an Entryway Accessible
Install a modular ramp for entry to a front, back, or side door. This will eliminate stairs for individuals who have mobility challenges or are in a wheelchair a scooter. A modular steel ramp can be assembled in one day, is removable and reusable, fireproof, slip resistant, and has handrails.
Install a Stair Lift
When stairs become challenging, a stair lift offers a great solution. Stair lifts take you from one floor to the next with ease and are mounted with minimal changes to the stairs. Stair lifts come in varying indoor and outdoor models with an array of features such as remote control, swivel seats, battery back up, and more.
Use Portable Ramps and Threshold Ramps
Sometimes one, two steps, or an uneven surface can become troublesome. These small areas of raised surfaces are often the biggest causes of a trip and fall accident. There are many styles of aluminum and rubber ramps that can provide a smooth transition for you to maneuver
Make a Bathroom Accessible
Many falls and slips happen in the bathroom. A few easy modifications will allow you to avoid hazards that could cause accidents. Install a ADA compliant shower, sink, or toilet. Strategically place grab bars in the shower or next to a toilet for stability in a wet and slippery environment. Widen the doorways and hallways to accommodate walkers, scooters or wheelchairs. Add lever handles to doors, cabinets and faucets for easier opening.
When you are ready to start a project, look for a company with accessibility experience, who is familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and local zoning laws. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained by the National Association of Home Builders on remodeling existing homes to age-in-place Take advantage of a FREE evaluation to review your needs.
Amramp is an accessibility product and service company that serves residents throughout Radnor Township and beyond. Our goal is to help provide confidence so you can move from room to room or inside to outside with ease. Do not let a few barriers stand in the way of enjoying your home and spending time with family and friends.
“My modular ramp has significantly increased my quality of life. The change in my daily life was instantaneous. Short trips to store and church were almost impossible. Now I can get in and out of the house and enjoy social and community interaction. My emotional well being has been positively affected.”
“guaranteed returns.” If an individual or organization downplays the risk of an investment and doesn't want to provide risk disclosures, just walk away.
Ask about licensing or registration. Legitimate investment professionals must be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and be licensed by your state's securities regulator before they can sell you any investment product. You can check the status of an individual or firm by using FINRA's BrokerCheck tool at brokercheck.fina.org.
Do some research. You can search online for the name of the company or individual offering you an investment opportunity. By entering terms such as “review,” “scam,” “fraud” or “complaint,” you may well find that other people have experienced problems or been victimized.
To achieve your financial goals, you'll likely need to invest for decades — so, be wary of scammers who claim to offer a shortcut to success.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC
WILLOWS PARK PRESERVE
A Holiday Newsletter from the Willows Park Preserve
It's that time of year again: the time when holiday newsletters from friends and family arrive in the mail. These newsletters typically recount the significant events experienced by the sender during the prior year: weddings, births, graduations, job changes, family vacations and the humorous antics of family pets. They also provide an opportunity for the sender to exercise bragging rights acquired during the past year: daughter Emma's graduation from Harvard Law School, summa cum laude; son Tyler's trip to Oslo, Norway to accept the Nobel Prize for Chemistry (youngest winner ever!); Mom's landslide re-election to the House of Representatives (her third term!); Dad's successful climb up K2 (next year, Everest!). Oh, and Grandma Betty's third place finish for her age group (80+) in the Boston Marathon.
What would a holiday newsletter from The Willows Park Preserve look like this year? For those who don't know, the WPP is an independent, nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to restore the once-shuttered Willows Mansion, located in the Willows Park in Radnor Township, and open it to the community as a welcoming and inclusive place for relaxation, connection, celebration and life-long learning.The Mansion is owned by the Township but leased to the WPP
Looking back over the past year, it is clear that the WPP has much to be proud of, and plenty of material for a cheery holiday newsletter. Such a newsletter might look like this:
Dear Friends and Family
Warmest holiday greetings from the Willows Park Preserve! We hope you had a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024 and wish you all the best in the New Year!
We have so much news to share with you! 2024 was a very successful year for our young nonprofit in so many ways. Where should we begin?
Let's start with restoration of the Mansion, our principal mission. Over the past year, the WPP made significant improvements to the building. We added a charming new restroom in what was at one time a phone booth! Ever thrifty, the WPP sought ways to minimize the cost of
this project, including restoring and installing an old sink found in a dusty corner of the Mansion's basement! A much more ambitious project completed in the past year was the restoration of the Mansion's kitchen. This involved installing a new, commercial-grade hood, a new ventilation system, a new fire suppression system, a new refrigerator and a new fryer, as well as refinishing the floors and repainting the walls. As anyone who has ever remodeled a kitchen can attest, it is not an inexpensive project! Luckily, the WPP was awarded a grant that will cover almost half of the project cost. The new kitchen will enable our ever-patient caterer to prepare meals for various events inside the Mansion rather than outdoors under a tent! Also completed this year was the exterior painting of the Mansion. We no longer have to justify peeling paint as part of the charm of this old house!
Of course, restoring the Mansion is not an end in itself. The point of restoration has always been to reopen this beloved historic building for use by the entire community for public and private events and low-cost or no-cost programs. As in prior years, in 2024 the WPP held a free “Holiday Open House” featuring a craft show, activities for children, and yummy holiday treats. The WPP celebrated Valentine's Day with a free “Love and Chocolate” event offering activities for children and, of course, lots of love and chocolate! In the spring, the WPP held its annual “Wellness at the Willows” event featuring wellness-related classes such as yoga and mindfulness, informational displays from local health-related organizations, and healthy snacks - again, all free. Other programs offered during the year were a week-long summer ecocamp for children, a lecture on and tour of the Willows Mansion and two neighboring historic homes, a “Willows Wedding Alumni Reunion” for couples married at The Willows over the past 50 years, and summer “Concerts in the Courtyard” featuring local musicians and students from local schools. The WPP also partnered with various local organizations, such as Chanticleer, the Wayne Senior Center and the Agnes Irwin School, as well as Radnor Township, to
bring educational, recreational and community service programming to the Willows Park and the Mansion.
None of the above could have been accomplished without the revenue obtained from private events at the Mansion, such as weddings, graduation parties, corporate business meetings and the like. Many community members have fond memories of attending such events at the Mansion in years gone by. The income from these events enables the WPP to continue its work restoring the Mansion, offering community programs and “keeping the lights on.”
Also critical to the WPP's accomplishments over the past year: our energetic volunteers and our generous donors. Their contributions support our nonprofit not only financially, but emotionally. Our volunteers and donors are truly part of our ever-growing family! We are so grateful for their support!
So much was accomplished in 2024, yet there is still so much to do! We look forward to another successful year in 2025 and continued progress in fulfilling our mission.
All the best to you in the New Year! The Willows Park Preserve
If you would like to host your next event at the WPP, register for a program, learn about volunteer opportunities, provide financial support, or simply want to learn more about the WPP, please visit our website: www.willowsparkpreserve.org or email us at: info@willowsparkpreserve.org
ART & CREATIVITY
Some Women You Should Meet
by Laurie Lamont Murray
No matter how you voted recently, evidence of a glass ceiling is hard to dispute. This is particularly true in the art world, where women are underrepresented and undervalued. Half a century ago, Hans Hoffman mistook one of his students work, saying “This is so good I thought it was done by a man.” That student, Lee Krasner, is even today less well known than her husband, Jackson Pollack.
A recent survey of 18 major U.S. museum reveals that 87% of the artists in their permanent collections are male and 85% are white. Let's meet a few women who have fought those odds and won a seat at the table!
Breaking barriers has been a lifelong commitment for Lubaina Himid. Born in Zanzibar, she grew up in the UK navigating the challenges of dual, very different cultural identitie her vibrant narrative art blends history with contempor She explores migration, colonialism and the en advocates for social justice, t artists. She is the first Black woman artist to win the cov prize.
Huma Bhabha creates monsters!
Sculptures by this Pakistani American artist are a blend of science fiction, ancient artifacts and modernism, crafted from a broad range of manmade and natural materials. Four towering coral figures (or “petrified ancestors” as Bhabha calls them) titled Before The End were commissioned for the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Metropolitan Museum commissioned a site specific sculpture for their roof garden and an equally monumental piece can be viewed in the Hirschhorn sculpture garden in Washington DC.
Cecily Brown is a British artist now based in New York. In 2023 the Metropolitan hosted Death and the Maid, surveying three decades of her career. Brown is often associated with the vanitas genre, which uses symbolism to remind us of our mortality and the worthlessness of worldly desires. Nude figures,
obscured by vivid brushstrokes, are characteristic of her work. Interestingly, a New York Times art critic found Brown's work unnecessarily busy when she reviewed it several years ago, but has changed her mind, after taking more time to look at Brown's complex response to worldly excess. What do you think? Have you revised some of your opinions about art?
American contemporary artist R.H. Quaytman takes a very cerebral, almost scientific approach to art. Quaytman creates site specific “chapters” of paintings on wood panels, with screen printed photos, and abstract compositions, all with geometrically interrelated dimensions. The artist considers each piece from the standpoint of space: that of the artwork itself, of the viewer standing in front of it and of the image next to it. For Quaytman, all of these spatial relationships determine the significance of each painting. We may wonder if this is overthinking or impossible to control, but it is interesting to realize that when we come back to see a piece of art in a museum, approaching it from a different angle changes everything. Context!
Jade Fadojutimi builds a continual state of motion into the often very large “environments” she creates with oil paint and pastel mark making. This young British artist builds complex layers of grids, which may suggest plants, figures or marine life but are ultimately abstract “emotional landscapes” transformed by lines and overlays of vibrant color. Her love of writing is evident in her titles, which are another way to communicate with the viewer (“The Woven Warped Garden of Ponder”). She is affiliated with the Gagosian and has work in the Metropolitan, the Tate, Los Angeles County Museum of Art to name a few. But her love of music compels her to dream about a painting performance with a live orchestra, as a “composer of color ”
Who are some of your favorite women artists? Email me at murraydesignworks@gmail.com
Lubaina Himid “Naming The Money”
Cecily Brown
Huma Bhabha “Third Voice”
Jade Fadojutimi “The Woven Warped Garden of Ponder”
