CCCS names new gym for alum, NBA star Hollis-Jefferson
CHESTER >> Chester Community Charter School (CCCS) alumnus and Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was honored Wednesday in a surprise ceremony naming the school’s gymnasium in his honor.
“We managed to keep the surprise under wraps,” said David Clark, Ed.D., the school’s CEO. “Rondae had no idea what was happening until we handed him that sign. It was just terrific.”
Hollis-Jefferson’s foundation, Calm, Humble and Patient (CHAP) is partnering with CCCS to start a youth basketball league this fall. He has been a regular speaker at CCCS events, where he is an inspiration to cores of young students.
Addressing the students in the packed gym, Hollis-Jefferson spoke of the love he felt from his family and from school leaders. “They showed me they loved me and that is what got me to where I am today,” the former Chester High and University of Arizona hoops star said.
Steven Lee, former CEO of CCCS, spoke of Rondae’s dedication to Chester and the youth of the community.
“You earned this,” Lee said, continuing to tell the crowd that Rondae is an example of what all youth should strive to be because of his commitment to helping others.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was joined at the ceremony by his brother, his mother, and his grandparents.
Delco comics compete for title
CONCORD >> Reactors Comedy Club, 1110 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, hosts the inaugural Delaware County Comedy Competition, with 28 comics competing to be crowned as best in the region.
The competition starts every Friday in June, with seven comics performing a six minute set each night. The top two comedians each night move on to the finals on June 30. Voting will be made up of 50 percent audience and 50 percent judges. Each night also includes included a performance from a nationally touring comedian.
Tickets are $20. Doors open at 8 p.m.; showtime is at 9. For information, visit www.reactorscomedyclub.com
Hear ‘Peter and the Wolf’ from LSO
LANSDOWNE >> Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra performs “Peter and the Wolf” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday in the pre-restored lobby of the Lansdowne Theater, 31 N. Lansdowne Ave. Admission is free. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. Tours of the theater are available at noon.
Aston legion observes Memorial Day
ASTON >> American Legion Post 926, 3220 Concord Road, holds memorial services at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 28, at Rosalie Lane, followed immediately with services at the Five Points intersection. Widener University Army ROTC and Sun Valley High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets participate in the services.
The post’s Memorial Day parade forms at the Village Green Shopping Center on Concord Road between 9:15-9:45 a.m. May 29. It officially steps off at 10 a.m. The parade marches east on Concord Road to the American Legion Post 926 building. Memorial services are held at the front of the post building shortly after the arrival of all parade participants.
Food and refreshments are served following the service. All are welcome and encouraged to join the post’s Memorial Day observances.
Donation instruments in Aston
ASTON >> Keep Music Alive and Spirit of Harmony Foundation have partnered with Richards Guitar Studio, 2710 Concord Road, Unit 5, to support Hungry for Music on their Magic Music Bus Tour. The tour stops at 100 locations across the continental U.S. and Canada to pick up donated musical instruments to distribute to aspiring young musicians.
Richards Guitar Studio is the official Philadelphia area dropoff location, starting its collection May 25. The Magic Music Bus arrives on June 8 to pick up the instrument donations. The drive welcomes donations from individuals, companies, schools and stores. For hours and information, call the studio at 610-9085668 or visit www.richardsguitarstudio.com
Tour historic house May 22
BETHEL >> Bethel Township Preservation Society holds its annual open house tour of the Southery Log House on Bethel Road from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 22. The log house was built in the late 1600s in the William Penn style that was the precursor of the row houses in Philadelphia with no windows on one side, so another home could be butted up against it much like the row homes in Philadelphia The home was once a part of a 150-acre tract owned by the Southery family, some of Bethel’s earliest settlers.
Robert Southery died in 1686, leaving behind only two daughters; thus that branch of the family ended. One daughter, Mary, married Robert Palmer of Concord and the second, Marjorie, married John Hannum, also of Concord.
The two-story house was brought from a site a mile away near the John L. Myers Municipal Building on Bethel Road to its present location on the property of Dr. Mead Shaffer at 1645 Bethel Road, where it was restored. Most of the boards in the original home were saved since it was built of sturdy chestnut logs.
The home was continuously occupied until the early 1940s and lay abandoned for several years until Dr. Shaffer bought it and had it moved, log by log, to its present location.
It is furnished with antiques of the period.
Besides the tour, there will be demonstrations of colonial crafts, butter making and colonial toys for children to examine.
There is no charge for the open house tour, but contributions for the upkeep of the log house are always appreciated.
Visitors will also be able to tour the Dr. Shaffer’s home across the driveway from the log home. The 17th century house was built in 1810 on the foundation of an earlier log house and was known as the Garret-Booth-Cheyney homestead. The house is furnished almost entirely with antiques and boasts large open fireplaces, as well as a beehive oven.