U.D. Summer Stage presents its ‘Holiday Spectacular’ Dec. 8-9
UPPER DARBY » The Upper Darby Summer Stage Shooting Stars presents “A Holiday Spectacular!,” a Broadway-style musical showcase of song and dance numbers, on Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill. Friday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2. The 90-minute production is ideal for children ages 4 and up.
Tickets are $9-$13 and available by calling the box office at 610-622-1189 or visiting www.udpac.org. Proceeds from ticket sales support the Shooting Stars outreach program, entertaining the elderly throughout the region.
The Shooting Stars’ Holiday Spectacular showcases the program’s teen singers and dancers performing seasonal favorites including “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rudolf, the RedNosed Reindeer,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Carol of the Bells,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” a tribute to “The Polar Express,” “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” from “Elf,” and many more. The performance is complete with sparkling costumes and a festive set.
State grants for U.D. schools
HARRISBURG » State Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26 of Springfield, and state Rep. Jamie Santora, R-163 of Upper Darby, announce the awarding of a state grant to boost safety in the Upper Darby School District. The state Department of Education awarded the district a Safe Schools Equipment Grant in the amount of $20,000.
“A safe school promotes a climate of greater productivity and learning. When students and staff feel safe, they are better able to engage and be productive,” said McGarrigle.
“The safety of our students and their ability to learn in a secure environment is paramount. This grant is part of our efforts to invest in our children’s future and create a positive environment for success,” said Santora.
The Safe Schools Equipment Grants are used to assist schools in procuring the resources and training necessary to create a physical environment that fosters the safety and well-being of students and staff.
See ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Aldan
ALDAN » Colonial Playhouse, 522 W. Magnolia Ave., continues its production of Peter deLaurier’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens through Dec. 9. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15; $12 for children 12 and under. Sunday matinees are at 2. Tickets are $13; $12 for children 12 and under. For tickets and information, www.colonialplayhouse.net/a-christmascarol
Breakfast with Santa at Neumann
ASTON » Neumann University’s Knight for Education club hosts Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 9, in Community Hall, located in the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. Admission is a children’s toy (unwrapped) for any age. Breakfast includes eggs, home fries, sausage and pastries. Please RVSP to neumannsanta1@gmail. com to reserve a specific time.
The gifts are donated to the Sacred Heart of Camden parish for its Christmas shopping event. Parents in the parish can shop for gifts priced from 25 cents to $5, making Christmas shopping possible for needy families.
See Bobby Shantz at sports museum
RADNOR » When a baseball player uses the main tool of his trade, the baseball bat, he is gripping the most important single weapon in his arsenal. Each is customized to a certain weight, length and feel. The current exhibit at the Sports Legends of Delaware County museum features numerous bats identical to the ones used by some baseball greats during their professional career.
Visitors have the chance to actually grip professional model bats just like the ones swung by Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Hack Wilson, Mickey Vernon, Mike Scioscia and Frank “Home Run” Baker.
The museum, located at 301 Iven Ave., Wayne, is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The museum is truly excited to have as its very special guest the iconic Bobby Shantz, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Yankees. His appearance is in conjunction with that of three Delaware County baseball writers and a sale of baseball memorabilia at the museum from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 9.
Shantz was the winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1952 when he played for the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1958, he was a member of the World Champion Yankees.
Writer Rich Westcott appears with Bobby, together with fellow authors Rich Pagano and Bob Mclaughlin. Their appearance is in celebration of the 25 books that Westcott has authored.
No ball park in Philadelphia is more revered than Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium, located at TwentyFirst Street and Lehigh Avenue, and few players who played on that field were as outstanding or memorable as Bobby Shantz. He made his major league debut there in 1949 with the Philadelphia A’s and his last major league appearance with the 1964 Phillies.
Besides winning the 1952 MVP award, Bobby was also an eight-time Golden Glove award winner and three-time AllStar. In the 1952 all-star game, he struck out three fearsome hitters of the era — Whitey Lockman, Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial — in a row.
Mr. Shantz, a World War II veteran, is, at 92, the oldest living major league player to have won baseball’s Most Valuable Player award. Don’t miss this chance to see, upfront and personal, a true living legend of Major League baseball.
Also on display that day will be two of the most intriguing pieces of baseball memorabilia in the entire country. One is the National League Championship Silver Bat award that was presented to Roberto Clemente in 1967 by NL president Warren Giles. The other is a 25 inches by 42 inches horsehide having over 200 American League Baseball signatures of team players, coaches and managers collected by Mickey Vernon during the 1957 season at Fenway Park.
For information, call Jim Vankoski at 610-9094919.