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This publication is an effort to keep the community informed with what is actually happening in your area. For future editions, I welcome your thoughts on topics that affect the community. I'd be happy to publish your opinions on any relevant topics. Do you have an event that you'd like to publicize? Let me know, and I'll do my best to incorporate your event into the newsletter.
This is your community. This is your home. Use this publication to share your thoughts and ideas with your neighbors. Are you ready to get involved in your community?
As Spring 2026 arrives, the Radnor Educational Foundation (REF) has already seeded many grants programs for this current school year, and has a number of additional grant requests ready to blossom!
The 21 grant requests during REF's Fall cycle were the most received in a single request cycle, and a competitive process for evaluation netted 12 funded grant requests, totaling almost $50,000. The creativity of Radnor teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members was in full bloom, with programs such as: new musical instruments for Ithan Elementary School students, an afterschool program at Wayne Elementary School, new physical fitness equipment for Radnor Elementary School students, tabletop growing gardens for Radnor Middle School students, new tables for the ceramics classroom at Radnor High School, a nationally-known author to speak on college and career readiness, and more.
Fall Grant Highlight: Casseroles for a Cause
Casseroles for a Cause is a Radnor High School club that was formed during the 2024-2025 school year, and a Radnor High School student wrote the grant request! The club's mission is to eliminate hunger in Philadelphia by making casseroles at various school events (such as the MLK Day of Service) and educating the community about food insecurity, one club, one casserole, and one meal at a time. This year Casseroles for a Cause plans 2 casserole-making days, which can accommodate students from all five Radnor schools to help in casserole production, with hundreds of people in need benefiting from their efforts.
Fall Grant Highlight: Ukeleles for the Music Classroom
This grant provides a class set of 25 ukuleles and a storage rack to offer an extension of the current music curriculum taking place at Ithan Elementary School (IES). Integrating the ukulele into music classrooms offers another extension to song accompaniment, as well as basic chordal knowledge. Music concepts such as matching pitch, steady beat, triple and duple meter, form and songwriting can all be enhanced and supported through the use of ukuleles. More than 500 children at IES will benefit from this request.
At publication, a large number of Winter grants requests was being considered, with innovation front and center to benefit Radnor public school students year-round.
Community Support of Our Public Schools is Vital
The breadth and diversity of REF grants provide Radnor students with a well-rounded education, giving more than 3,600 children a strong basis for future success. REF grants expand on the daily, Pennsylvania-state mandated curriculum, with grant programs that complement this curriculum. Grants allow Radnor principals, teachers, administrators, and parents the opportunity to bring in timely speakers, add to existing equipment or classroom supplies, try new products, and supplement teacher resources. The Foundation's Neighbors Helping Neighbors program is also funded by outside sources, helping Radnor families who have onetime financial hardships to recover and keep students learning.
Support from the community is critical to the success of the Foundation. As a 501(c)3 organization, REF relies on the generosity of individuals and local businesses, events, and fundraising efforts to generate funds for its grants.
Ways to Give For Any Budget
Giving opportunities to REF occur year-round, with options like one-time or ongoing donations, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), corporate matching gifts, and other avenues available for donors to achieve their philanthropy goals. As well, local businesses can apply for and utilize Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program to channel tax dollars to REF's grants funding. Radnor students benefit from this generosity, becoming good citizens, interns, employees, parents, and members of the community. Any donation is helpful in size for our grant-making efforts — visit our website to see our grants in action!
To learn more about the Radnor Educational Foundation,
Devereux Pennsylvania Children's Services operates six Approved Private Schools throughout Chester and Montgomery Counties that offer high-quality, innovative special education programming for students who need care, compassion and support to succeed and thrive. All schools are licensed by the PA State Board of Private Academic Schools and accept 4010 placements.
Children, adolescents and young adults may come to Devereux as day students, or as a part of residential treatment. Each student has an Individualized Educational Plan, which outlines goals for skill development and the best strategies by which the student can reach his/her goals. A multi-disciplinary team, including the individual's parent(s) or guardian, regularly reviews the plan to discuss challenges, progress and adjustments to goals as appropriate.
CARES (CENTER FOR AUTISM RESEARCH & EDUCATION SERVICES)
600 Boot Road Downingtown, PA 19335
Full-time placement: Co-ed youth, ages 5-21, with autism; intellectual disabilities; speech and language disorders.
The School for Integrated Learning
390 East Boot Road West Chester, PA 19380
Full-time placement: Co-ed youth, ages 5-21, with autism; intellectual/multiple disabilities; emotional disturbances; speech and language disorders.
Day Academy — Audubon
2650 Eisenhower Ave, Suite A101
Norristown, PA 19401
Full-time emotional support placement (day):Co-ed youth, grades 4-8, with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences.
Day Academy — Landenberg
20 McMaster Blvd, Suites 3 and 4
Landenberg, PA 19350
Full-time emotional support placement (day): Co-ed youth, grades K-8, with emotional disturbances, learning disabilities and autism.
Brandywine School
390 E. Boot Road
West Chester, PA 19383
Full-time emotional support placement (day/residential): Co-ed youth, grades 6-12, with learning disabilities and emotional disturbances.
Mapleton School
655 Sugartown Rd., Building 100
Malvern, PA 19355
Full-time emotional support placement (day/residential): Co-ed youth, grades K-12, with emotional disturbances, learning disabilities and autism.
Contact Devereux at PAEducationReferrals@devereux.org or 267-418-9623. Admissions team members will help you determine which program is most appropriate for your child. Visit www.devereuxpa.org for more information about Devereux's Approved Private Schools and other services for children.
RADNOR HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Opening Doors to Brighter Futures
A MILESTONE YEAR!
2026 marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund (RHSSF) by a group of forward-thinking community residents and educators. Since 1966, the mission of the Radnor High School Scholarship Fund remains the same: to provide need-based assistance to Radnor High School graduates for the furtherance of their post-high school education.
A gala celebration to commemorate this milestone year is planned for Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Radnor Valley Country Club. The public is warmly invited to attend.
A PROUD HISTORY
The first scholarships were awarded to nine members of the Class of 1967. From its humble beginnings, RHSSF has grown significantly. To date, scholarships have been awarded to more than 1,100 graduating Radnor seniors, representing $4.6 million in committed funds.
Average scholarship awards typically range from $2,000 to $2,500 a year for up to four years totaling $8,000 to $10,000 per student. Our recipients attend a wide variety of institutions including universities, colleges, community colleges, technical programs, and schools specializing in music, art, culinary arts, and health and dental care.
HOW IT WORKS
Radnor High School seniors are invited to apply for RHSSF need-based scholarships by mid-March. Applications are available on our website beginning in December of each year and must be returned to the Radnor High School Guidance Office by the due date along with all required financial information.
To allow sufficient time for processing, the FAFSA form should be completed and submitted by mid-February
Each application is reviewed by an outside professional to determine financial need. Finalists are then interviewed by a Selection Committee composed of RHSSF board members and representatives from the community at large. All information is kept confidential.
A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
RHSSF exists because of the generosity and support of the Radnor community — residents and alumni alike. Our Radnor Community Scholarships are funded entirely through contributions to the annual Community Campaign as well as through fundraising events such as Delco Gives, held each year in early May. Now in its third year, Delco Gives is sponsored by the Foundation for Delaware County. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps make a difference in the life of a young person here at home.
For those interested in making a more significant impact, we encourage the establishment of a Named Scholarship in honor or in memory of an individual or organization. Our longest-running Named Scholarship, the Rotary Club of Wayne Scholarship, was founded in 1993 and has been awarded to 34 students involved in community service. The Ithan PTO Scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of beloved principal, Dr. Muriel Hopp, and is presented to a student who attended Ithan Elementary School. The Class of 1969 Scholarship is now in its 27th year. This remarkable class has helped support the education of 26 Radnor graduates with financial need.
To learn more about creating a Named Scholarship or to view a full list of scholarships awarded to members of the Class of 2025, please visit our website.
CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY
We invite the public to stop by the RHSSF informational display at various community events throughout the year, including the Radnor Fall Festival and Back to School Night at Radnor High School in September We are a proud participant in the annual Radnor Memorial Day Parade.
AN ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION
The Radnor High School Scholarship Fund is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Members of the Board of Governors generously contribute their time and expertise. This structure allows us to keep administrative and operating costs to a minimum while maximizing the amount of funding going directly to scholarships.
RHSSF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
For more information about how to apply, supporting our mission, or upcoming events, please visit www.radnorscholarshipfund.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Emergency Department vs. Urgent Care: Where Should You Go?
Medical Director, Main Line Health
Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine
Making quick choices is tough, especially when you or someone in your family needs fast medical attention. When it comes to getting treatment for injury or illness, where should you be going: an urgent care center or the emergency department (ED)? Urgent care centers and EDs both offer similar services, but depending on your medical need, one facility might be a better option than the other. Although split-second decisions are typical in medical emergencies, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with what constitutes a trip to urgent care or the ED before you need to make the trip. Check out the lists below to see what facility is the right option in an emergency.
Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers are for accidents and illnesses that require a physician or nurse practitioner's attention, but not a trip to the emergency department. Common conditions and treatments provided at an urgent care center include:
• Minor cuts, lacerations and burns
• Muscle aches, strains and sprains
Where Should I Go for Care?
• Splints and stitches
• Colds, viruses and the flu
• Stomach ailments and respiratory illnesses
• Strep throat, ear infections and allergic reactions
• Flu and tetanus shots; physicals for work, camp, sports and drivers' licenses
• X-ray and EKG
Urgent care centers provide excellent quality of care for patients who need help with injuries and illnesses when most doctors' offices are typically closed. Main Line Health Urgent Care, with locations in Broomall, Concordville, Exton, Oaks and Wynnewood, offers a variety of options for after-hours and emergency care and has hours on nights, weekends and holidays. “Urgent care provides the right level of care for non-life-threatening needs, giving patients an alternative to both waiting for an office visit and heading straight to the ED. We're here for the times when your doctor's office is closed, but you still need medical attention whether it's a sprain on the soccer field, a child's fever on a Sunday evening or a cut that needs stitches on a holiday. Our goal is to provide safe, timely care when you need it most at a location convenient to you,” said Jennifer Campbell, DO, a Main Line Health physician who specializes in both urgent care and emergency medicine. Additionally, Main Line Health hospitals are near these urgent care locations, which allows patients to be easily transferred to the emergency department if they require a higher level of care.
Emergency Departments
Emergency departments are for lifethreatening conditions and symptoms like:
• Heart attack
• Major trauma
• Numbness in the face, arm or leg
• Difficulty speaking
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Severe shortness of breath
• Uncontrolled or excessive bleeding
• Severe headache or burns
• Poisoning
• Confusion, lethargy and changes in mental status
• Changes or loss of vision
• Chest pain
• Significant abdominal pain
• Behavioral emergencies, such as suicidal or homicidal feelings
While urgent care centers and emergency departments provide different levels of care, don't take too long to decide which one you should go to. While many people's first thought is to head to the emergency department, what you should do is head to whatever facility is closest. And if you're experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or any of the other symptoms listed above, call 911 to be transported. “The most important thing to remember is to not delay your care,” said Campbell. “If you're experiencing serious symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or signs of a stroke, the emergency department is always the safest place to be. But for so many other health concerns from minor injuries and infections to fevers or stomach bugs urgent care is a convenient option.”
Main Line Health is home to four emergency departments at Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital. Main Line Health serves patients at hospitals and health centers throughout the Philadelphia region. Virtually jump in line and join the waitlist at mainlinehealth.org/urgentcare.
For life-threatening conditions, visit an emergency department or call 911. Conditions include heart attack; numbness in face, arm or leg; difficulty speaking; coughing or vomiting blood; major trauma; severe shortness of breath; uncontrolled or excessive bleeding; severe headaches; severe burns; poisoning; suicidal or homicidal feelings.
Main Line Health urgent care and emergency department locations
Jennifer Campbell, DO
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Could Maria Middleton Become America's First Millennial Saint?
From her deathbed, suffering from the debilitating ravages of an inoperable brain tumor, 18-year-old Maria Middleton made a final entry in her journal: “Think Hope.” Two words that summed up Marsa's remarkable life, became the title of an inspirational book and a rallying call for her parents and the thousands of people around the world who prayed for her
In my interview with Maria's parents, Suan and Brian Middleton, for MLTV21, they described the unyielding faith in God of a young girl who believed “You don't have to be weird to be holy.”
According to the accounts in “Think Hope,” the book written by her parents, Maria was a teacher, mostly by her example, but also by her words. In a speech she gave at an eighth-grade graduation ceremony, she said: “In a world where many teenagers struggle to find real meaning and purpose, we know that our purpose in life is to know, love and serve God so we can be happy with him in heaven. This understanding calls us to lead others to Him through our words and actions.”
In another passage from the book, a friend describes Maria as “Funny, hopeful, smart, faithful, witty, and resilient. - traits that attracted friends and, eventually, led her friends and others from despair to hope.”
When I asked her parents why the book did not contain a definition of hope, they said it wasn't necessary because “Maria was a witness to hope. She lived it.”
In anexample of her indomitable faith, 17year-old Maria sent an email to Philadelphia's Archbishop Perez chastising him for closing the churches during Covid.” Your decision to suspend the Mass and Sacraments is preventing me from going t Church and receiving the Sacraments — which are graces I need.” Within 15 minutes, the Archbishop replied telling Maria that he would personally bring Holy Communion to her, which he did. He la said that Maria's email lit up his computer screen. After a three-hour visit with Maria in the sunroom of her home, he said he had the most profound conversation he'd ever had in his life about the role of the Eucharist and grace and suffering. They remained friends until her death.
In the Forward in the book, the Archbishop wrote: “'Think Hope' was the simple phrase used by Maria Middleton as she faced the immense challenge of dealing with terminal brain cancer, a diagnosis that came during her sophomore year of high school. She, and the family, faced this challenge with steadfast hope — a hope rooted in faith and expressed in love.”
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Whether the Catholic Church, after scrupulously examining her life, proclaims Maria a saint will take years to determine. Nonetheless, in the hearts and minds of thousands of people around the world, Maria's life was unquestionably saintly. Think Hope.org
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
SOLARIZE FOR THE E 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 SOLARDEL on the website or call 888.573.2672 to schedule your appointment.
Solar the Easy Way
Solar PV Tax Credits for residents ended in 2025: Commercial accounts can still get a direct 30% federal rebate for installed solar systems. PECO offers solar rebates: $500 for residential and first year production based for commercial. Grants and low cost leasing are available for income eligible households. NEW in 2026 Power Purchase Agreement offers no upfront cost and rates lower than PECO's price to compare!
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 partnerships with vetted leasing firms that can reduce monthly bills by a combination of Solar PV and weatherization. Solarize Delco can help you decide what is best for you.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA):
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?
When you purchase solar power from a solar company they own the system but you receive the benefits of low cost electricity.You can lock in a rate today cheaper than PECO for the next 25 years.
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.
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
makes solar projects happen on nonprofits, co-ops, and community-beneficial businesses through collective small investments of local Co-op members. Contact info@cleanenergy.coop to learn more.
WILLOWS PARK PRESERVE
Establishing Partnerships with Other Nonprofits
Since its establishment on the brink of a global pandemic, the Willows Park Preserve (WPP), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, has made great progress toward the fulfillment of its mission: “to revitalize the Willows Mansion” in Radnor Township and “open it to the community as a welcoming and inclusive place for relaxation, connection, celebration and life-long learning.”
Restoration activities that have taken place over the past few years include replacement of the Mansion's roof, upgrading restrooms to meet ADA requirements, repainting the Mansion's exterior and interior spaces, modernization of the kitchen, repairs to the HVAC system, installation of a new steam boiler, replacement of windows and much more. Free and low-cost community programs that have been offered at the Mansion include classes on topics such as gardening, local history, birding and music. In December, the WPP held its fourth annual Holiday Open House featuring vendors, free activities for children, music by local students and plenty of hot chocolate and cookies. In February, the WPP hosted its annual Love and Chocolate event, with free activities and chocolate treats for kids. In April, the WPP will once again be hosting its free Wellness at the Willows event, with classes on yoga, mindfulness, healthy eating and other topics. None of these restoration activities and community programs would have been possible without the support of generous donors, Radnor Township, state grants and revenues from private events.
There is still much that remains to be done at the historic Mansion, and the WPP will be relying on the support of its donors, the Township, grants and revenues from private events as it continues to serve its purpose. But with all of the physical improvements to the Mansion that have been made over the past few years, the WPP is now in a position to help other local nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions while simultaneously fulfilling its own. The key is partnerships!
There are numerous small, nonprofit organizations in Radnor that serve the local community in various ways: offering educational opportunities for students of all ages, supporting
the arts, assisting victims of domestic abuse, preserving our history, protecting our environment, encouraging literacy, protecting our homes and businesses from fire, providing support services for our senior citizens . . . the list goes on! When organizations like these are able to share their resources they can increase the level of services they offer and everybody benefits: the partners themselves and the community they serve.
A great example of this is the partnership recently established between the WPP and the Wayne Senior Center (WSC). The mission of the WSC is “to provide community, friendship and resources which enrich the lives of older adults.”
One of the WSC's many services is the provision of free lunches for the senior members of our community. The WSC serves 100 patrons each weekday at its Wayne facility. Preparing meals for so many people requires a good deal of space and equipment, both of which are limited at the WSC's facility. However, with the help of generous donors and a Keystone Communities grant from the state of Pennsylvania, the WPP was able to upgrade the kitchen at the Willows Mansion with a new exhaust hood, dishwasher and refrigerator and other improvements. The previously unusable kitchen is now up to code and up to task. Although the kitchen is used primarily by the WPP's caterer for revenuegenerating events such as weddings and other parties and for community programs involving food preparation, it is typically not in use on weekday mornings. Recognizing an opportunity for collaboration, the WSC and WPP have entered into an arrangement by which the WSC will use the Mansion's kitchen on weekday mornings for meal preparation for its clients. This collaboration enables each organization to serve the community in accordance with its mission. It is, as they say a “win-win.”
The WPP has also established a mutually beneficial partnership with Main Line School Night (MLSN), a nonprofit organization that has served not just Radnor but the entire Main Line community since 1938. MLSN's mission is “to offer adults of all ages affordable educational experiences to promote personal enrichment and to enhance the quality of our community.” The nonprofit's programs and classes are
extremely popular and widely attended. Indeed, the catalogue for Spring 2026 offers over 400 classes. Although some of these classes are offered online, most are live and most take place in one of a handful of small, makeshift classrooms in the Creutzberg Center's historic mansion. Restoration efforts at the Center will reduce the already limited classroom space. The solution? A partnership with the WPP which enables the MLSN to use the restored spaces in the Willows Mansion for some of its classes while enabling the WPP to use the Mansion for one of its primary purposes: the promotion of life-long learning.
The WPP has formed additional partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, such as the Radnor Historical Society, the Radnor Conservancy, the Radnor League of Women Voters and the Skunk Hollow Community Garden, to organize and offer programs and to provide affordable space for events. The WPP also partners with local schools and universities, providing opportunities for students to showcase their talents at concerts at the Mansion, meet their community service requirements, and learn about the management of a nonprofit corporation. The WPP also has partnered with numerous local businesses and commercial organizations, such as the Wayne Business Association, Main Line Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.
As the poet John Donne wrote, “No man is an island.” The same is true for small nonprofits that serve the same community, albeit in different ways. For such organizations to succeed in the fullest sense they need to do what they can, when they can, to ensure one another's success. Creative partnerships between and among our local nonprofits serve more than just the partners. They serve the entire community
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
THE ROAD TO CITIZENSHIP
Immigration is in the news! Many people wonder why immigrants just don't become U.S. Citizens. To many, it seems like citizenship would solve many of the current issues we see and hear immigrants struggling with each day. However, the road to citizenship is not without its potholes and detours. Many immigrants, at their own expense, obtain an immigration lawyer to navigate their journeys to citizenship.
• One must be 18 or older to file Form N-400, “Application for Naturalization.” This paperwork is accompanied by a general filing fee of $765 that can be waived for military service. There can also be other fees and requirements detailed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) depending on the applicant's situation.
• One needs to have a “Green Card” that immigrants sometimes call the “ticket to the American Dream.” These cards (officially a “Permanent Resident Card”) are issued by USCIS and look like creditcard-sized pieces of beige or light green plastic. They feature a red, white, and blue flag design along with the holder's photo, biographical data, and security holograms. These cards grant foreign nationals the right to live, work, and study anywhere in America, travel freely in and out of the county, and to pursue a path to citizenship. Green cards are not just issued to anyone coming into the country. They are generally obtained through family sponsorships, offers of employment, refugee/asylee status, or the annual Diversity Visa Lottery. Those with green cards cannot vote in federal elections and may be restricted from holding certain government jobs.
• The permanent card must be valid and current. Green cards expire every ten years (or two years for conditional residents) and must be renewed. (Visas, on the other hand, are temporary, used
for travel, and divided into categories such as immigrant and nonimmigrant with a set length of time determined by several variables).
• One must prove continuous permanent residence in the United States for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. Further, you must have lived for at least three months in your current state of residence.
Next, there is the test given by USCIS
•
•
• officers.
Applicants are interviewed to assess their ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. They are asked personal questions about their background.
To test speaking ability, officers share photos of typical activities that immigrants need to explain.
After studying materials to prepare for an assessment of their knowledge of U.S. history and government, applicants need to know vocabulary on history and civics topics. To pass, the immigrant must answer six out of ten questions drawn from a list of 100 study questions. Questions can include topics such as “What is the supreme law of the land?” or “Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?”. (Questions are available on-line if you wish to test yourself!)
Finally, there is the Naturalization Ceremony that may be held in a park, arena, or courthouse. Each immigrant takes the Oath of Allegiance in which they
•
•
• give up allegiance to their country of origin,
promise to defend and protect the United States and its Constitution against all enemies,
• agree to
bear arms on behalf of the U.S., and
perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law.
Friends and families also attend these inspirational events to support and celebrate new citizens who have reached their destination: the attainment of all the rights, responsibilities, freedoms, and privileges of every American. Members of the League of Women Voters are a part of these ceremonies that mark the culmination of years of time and effort. When League members welcome each new citizen, they share voter registration materials to assure that everyone has the opportunity to make their voice heard through voting. Voting is an American right (and responsibility) envied around the world.
The League of Women Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
WASHINGTON MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Celebrating 100 Years of Bells at Valley Forge - Washington Memorial Chapel's Carillon
Inspired by Washington Memorial Chapel's founder, the Rev. W. Herbert Burk, the Washington Memorial National Carillon developed from an earlier installation known as the “Star-Spangled Banner National Peace Chime.”This initial chime consisted of 14 bells: one for each of the 13 colonies and a 14th bell, the National Birthday Bell. This bell bears a star and inscription for every colony not among the colonies.
Cast by Meneely & Company of Watervliet (West Troy), New York then the nation's leading bell foundry these fourteen bells ranged in weight from approximately 225 lbs. to 3,500 lbs. The bells and keyboard were housed in a temporary wooden structure on the northwest corner of the Chapel Cloisters. The chime was dedicated on July 4, 1926, commemorating the 150th anniversary of American independence. The first piece performed at the dedication ceremony was “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Bigelow, an engineering professor and campanologist, oversaw the casting and tuning of the new French bells to assure that their sound would perfectly match the
The 1926 installation was conceived as just the first stage in assembling a grand National Carillon, centrally located, with a bell for each state. Through the 1920's and 1930's 14 additional bells were cast by the Meneely bell foundry and placed into an enlarged bell tower. Bell size was determined by the state's population at that time.
Construction of the new bell tower began in 1941, but was suspended for the duration of World War II. Once construction was resumed in 1950, it took three years to complete. An additional 30 bells were cast by the Paccard Bell Foundry of Annecy, France and added to the earlier bells cast by Meneely. The carillon's designer, Arthur
American Meneely bells. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution funded the new stone tower and the additional bells, and the Pennsylvania State Society DAR continues to fund special
projects and maintenance of this tower. Like at the dedication of the first 14 bells in 1926, the first piece performed at the 1953 tower dedication ceremony was “The StarSpangled Banner.”
The 110 ft. tall tower currently holds a carillon of 58 bells: one bell representing each of the U.S.States, seven bells representing our U.S. Territories, and the c.1926 National Birthday Bell.
The instrument is played by Doug Gefvert, who has been the Chapel's Carillonneur for 27 years. The bells are played for Sunday Chapel services, weddings and funerals, and Sunday afternoons April-June and September-November. There are 112 steps up a winding stairway to the keyboard where Carillonneur Gefvert manually plays the bells from a keyboard similar to that of a piano only larger and fist and feet (pedals) are used instead of fingers.
Since 1953, the Chapel's summer carillon concerts have featured outstanding performances by leading carillonneurs from America and around the world. Bring dinner or snacks and listen to the world's best carillonneurs present hour-long outdoor concerts every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM during July and August. Rain or Shine. Come enjoy world-class carillonneurs playing this world-class carillon.
Washington Memorial Chapel and Carillon, Valley Forge
The carillon is played using fists and feet (pedals).
Washington Memorial National Carillon c.1953
Three of the mid-range Meneelybells
Arthur Bigelow adjusts the bells before the carillon's dedication.
Enlarged bell tower on the west side of Chapel holding 28 bells, c.1950
The Dedication Ceremony, July 4, 1926. 14 bells. Rev. Burk appears in the foreground.
vvayne art center Enriching Our Community through the Arts
Wayne Art Center Summer Art Camp 2026: ART 250 - Visions of America
Wayne Art Center is proud to announce 2026 Summer Art Camp, featuring the landmark theme ART 250: Visions of America. In honor of our nation's 250th Anniversary, this summer's program invites campers to embark on an 11-week journey through the diverse landscape of American history, culture, and artistic expression.
Through ART 250, students will explore how artists from varied backgrounds and eras have captured the essence of America's land, people, and evolving ideas. Each week, campers will translate these historical inspirations into contemporary masterpieces, blending education with hands-on studio innovation.
Program Highlights
• Diverse Curriculum: More than 200 unique classes including drawing, painting, cartooning, ceramics, sculpture, photography, cooking, and jewelry making.
• Ages & Levels: Tailored instruction for children and teens ages 4-17
• Flexible Scheduling: 11 one-week sessions with morning, afternoon, and late-afternoon options.
• Full-Day Experience: Families can combine sessions with the supervised “Lunch Bunch” program for a full day of creative engagement.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Parents are encouraged to register early to secure preferred sessions and help their children's creativity thrive this summer 610-688-3553 or email
Established in 1931, Wayne Art Cen served the cultural needs of the community for more than 95 years. Today, it is one of the most vibrant art centers in the Philadelphia region, welcoming over 35,000 visitors and program participants annually.
Wayne Art Center Announces Art Quilt Elements 2026
Wayne Art Center is pleased to present Art Quilt Elements 2026, an international juried exhibition celebrating contemporary fine art quilts. This biennial show features
the work of 55 artists from 22 U.S. states and two international locations — Australia and Luxembourg.
The exhibition will be on view March 23 through April 25, 2026, in the Davenport, Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith, and Vidinghoff Galleries. An awards ceremony and reception will take place on Sunday, March 29, from 3-5 pm, followed by a Meet the Artists Gallery Talk, where participating artists will discuss their work. The exhibition will also be available online at artquiltelements.org
Since its inception, Art Quilt Elements has become a respected showcase for innovation in the art quilt field, attracting thousands of visitors and highlighting the evolving role of textile art in contemporary practice.
Gallery Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm
For more information, call 610-688-3553 or visit wayneart.org or artquiltelements.org
Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival Celebrates 18 Years
This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival, one of the nation’s longest running and most beloved outdoor painting events.
Over the course of seven days, 32 nationally recognized plein air artists will create more than 300 original paintings inspired by the lush landscapes, local landmarks, charming towns, and vibrant cityscapes that define our region. These impressive masterpieces will be available for sale at Wayne Art Center from Saturday, May 9 through June 20, 2026.
Plein Air Festival, May 3 - May 9
Collectors’ Preview Party, May 9, 6 -9pm
Plein Air Exhibition, May 9 – June 20
Minis and Mimosas for Moms, May 10, 11am-1pm
Juror’s Talk & Demo with Mark Boedges, May 10, 1-3pm
Origins of Plein Air Lecture with William Perthes, June 4, 6-7:30pm Exhibition Closing Reception, June 20, 2-4pm
Wayne Art Center offers more than 500 classes and workshops in the visual, performing, and culinary arts. A dynamic and diverse schedule of exhibitions attracts artists and visitors from across the United States and around the world.
Through outreach programs and community partnerships, Wayne Art Center expands access to the arts by providing enrichment opportunities for underserved populations and individuals with special needs.
