Ridley Drama Group presents ‘60s classic, ‘Nutcracker’ comes to UD
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » The award winning Ridley Drama Group is back this fall with the hit musical comedy “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”
with matinees at 3 and evening performances at 7:30 on Nov. 10, 12 and 1719 in the Ridley High School Auditorium, 901 Morton Ave., Folsom.
The show centers on J. Pierrepont Finch, portrayed by Benjamin Mergott, who begins a meteoric rise from the mail room to Vice President of Advertising at the World-Wide Wicket Company. While trying to swindle his way to the top of the corporate ladder, Finch is often faced with many challenges including his love for Rosemary Pilkington, played by Carlee Ingelido, and his desire to remain one step ahead of his enemy, Bud Frump, played by PJ Williams. Other stand out performances in the cast include Vicky Heppard as Smitty, Josh Peacock as J.B. Biggley, and Marissa Grogan who plays Heady LaRue as well as an immensely talented ensemble and supporting cast that truly bring the show to life.
“How to Succeed” is a delightful musical satire of corporate life and office politics, packed with memorable songs such as “Brotherhood of Man,” “Coffee Break” and “Been a Long Day.” Come out to see over 100 students participate in the cast, crew and the pit orchestra.
For tickets and information, visit www.ridleydrama.com or call 484-7340109.
See ‘Nutcracker’ at UDPAC
UPPER DARBY » The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, welcomes the Main Line’s Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society to present “The Nutcracker” Nov. 17-19. See lifesize dolls, battling mice and dancing snowflakes take the stage for this production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet.
The 90-minute performances are held at 7 p.m. Nov. 17, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nov. 18, and 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19. Performances are ideal for children ages 4 and up. Tickets are $10$22. UDPAC members save $2, and children 12 and under save $1. For tickets and information, call the box office at 610-622-1189 or visit www.udpac.org
Donate turkeys in Media area
MEDIA » Media’s annual Turkey Challenge is for Monday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 15, at two locations in the borough and Upper Providence Township. Nativity BVM Parish’s CYO is collecting turkeys of all sizes plus nonperishable items on Nov. 13 at the corner of Franklin and Gayley streets in the borough from 6-7:30 p.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parish’s CYO is collecting on Nov. 15 at 2400 N. Providence Road in Upper Providence from 6-7:30 p.m.
Donations are sent to the Media Food Bank and St. Marks’s Food Bank in Broomall. Last year the drive collected over 500 turkeys combined and the CYO members hope to beat that mark in 2017.
Shop fair, help O’Hara band
MARPLE » The Cardinal O’Hara Band and Guard Craft Fair is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, in the school cafeteria, 1701 Sproul Road, Springfield.
The fair features 80-plus vendors with hand-made crafts, baby items, breads, candy, sauces, photos, candles, jewelry and much more. COHS Spirit Wear is available for sale. Admission is free.
Medicare help from county
With open enrollment for Medicare now open through Dec. 7, Delaware County offers free counseling to assist residents in making informed decisions about their Medicare health insurance coverages through programs from COSA and the APPRISE Program.
There are important changes ahead for the Medicare Annual Enrollment period. During open enrollment, people can make changes in their Medicare coverage by enrolling in a different Part D plan, changing from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, or vice versa.
Medicare’s Annual Disenrollment Period (ADP) takes place from Jan. 1-Feb. 14, 2018. During this time Medicare beneficiaries cannot use the disenrollment period to switch Medicare Advantage plans. People with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will only be able to return to Original Medicare
and/or join a stand-alone prescription drug (Part D) plan during the Annual Disenrollment period.
Through Dec. 28, trained APPRISE health insurance counselors are available to senior citizens by appointment at the COSA office in Eddystone, and on select dates at locations throughout Delaware County. APPRISE counselors are available to provide free counseling by phone. Seniors can also make an
appointment to meet one-on-one with an APPRISE counselor. To reach the Delaware County APPRISE office, call 484-4943769. A high volume of callers is expected this year. APPRISE is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program administered locally by Senior Community Services.
Trained APPRISE counselors can help Medicare beneficiaries in the following areas: Review current coverage; check qualifications for low-income programs; compare plans with all available options; search for specific plans online that meet specific prescription and medical needs; give easy-to- understand answers to questions about Medicare; help enroll in a plan online
Medicare recipients can make an appointment for free one-on-one APPRISE counseling at numerous locations throughout the county. To view a complete schedule, visit www.delcosa.org. APPRISE services are free. For an appointment at COSA, call Terry Levine at 610-447- 1767. Registration is required for one-on- one counseling. Appointments are available for free, individualized counseling at the COSA office, 206 Eddystone Ave., Eddystone from 9 a.m.noon on Nov. 14 and Dec. 15.
For information and to view a schedule of Medicare presentations and individual counseling sessions, visit www.delcosa.org, call the APPRISE office at 484494-3769. For online tools available from the federal Medicare office, visit www. medicare.gov
Chrysanthemums back at Longwood
EAST MARLBOROUGH » With autumn in full swing, Longwood Garden’s Chrysanthemum Festival is now on through Nov. 19. The four-acre grand Conservatory is full of fall’s quintessential flowers — from the thousands of colorful Chrysanthemum blooms to the one-of-a-kind Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum, the Chrysanthemum Festival showcases the traditional Asian art of cultivating chrysanthemums into grand artistic shapes.
“Longwood’s Chrysanthemum Festival is one of the oldest and grandest in North America,” said Longwood President and CEO Paul B. Redman. “It is the most horticulturally challenging display of the year for our staff to create and is a showcase of their expertise and mastery of growing techniques that are becoming increasingly rare around the world.”
In November, Chrysanthemum Festival reaches peak bloom as vibrant color fills the Conservatory. A highlight of the display is the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum, a single chrysanthemum plant grown to produce as many perfect blooms as possible. This year, the amazing plant features 1,443 uniform blooms and measures at an impressive 12 feet wide and nearly eight feet tall. The Thousand Bloom is currently on display.
On Nov. 11 from 1–4 p.m., Longwood’s horticulture staff is on hand in the Conservatory to share with guests about how they create many of the spectacular chrysanthemum forms on display, often beginning the growing process many months to more than a year in advance of the display opening. In addition, to honor the heritage and continued importance of the chrysanthemum to Asian culture, the Peter Tang Chinese Ensemble performs traditional Chinese music from 2–5 p.m. in the Conservatory.
For admission costs and information, visit www. longwoodgardens.org