LAX Play Day returns April 21 for lacrosse, fun and mental health awareness
HAVERFORD » The fourth annual Trent Stetler LAX Play Day is set for 9 a.m.8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Haverford High School athletic field. The community event raises awareness about the significance of discussing mental health issues and features a full day of lacrosse games for young residents of Haverford Township from kindergarten through 12th grade, a fun-zone, food trucks, and local organizations providing mental health information.
The Lax Play Day is a fundraiser to support scholarships in Trent Stetler’s memory awarded annually to Haverford High School varsity lacrosse players. In addition, funds raised during the day and through crowd-funding support programs within the township that will encourage students, teachers, and parents to feel comfortable about communicating with one another, thereby lifting the stigma around mental health.
The event takes place on the A. G. Cornog Field at Haverford High School, 200 Mill Road, Havertown. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to enter the field at the entrance behind the Haverford Middle School off of Darby Road.
Trent Stetler was a varsity lacrosse player all four years at Haverford High School where he played mid-field. Mid-fielder and face-off guy, during his senior year Stetler was team captain and was named team MVP. He grew up in Havertown, was a 2012 graduate of Haverford High School, and attended Elon University. Stetler took his life in January 2015 at the age of 20.
Stetler’s mother, Haverford Township resident Denette Stetler said, “our objective is two-fold. One, to recognize Haverford High School girls and boys varsity lacrosse players who are constantly supportive of their teammates and whose enthusiasm for the game keeps the other players going, just as Trent did. Two, we want to encourage discussion within our community about mental health and break down the stigma around depression and anxiety. It’s heartening to remember Trent in the community where he was raised.”
In addition to the lacrosse games on the field throughout the day, the event features a fun-zone section behind the Haverford Middle School that includes a moon bounce, food trucks, face-painting and lacrosse skill-games for young and old.
The fun-zone is set-up from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and food trucks are on site from 4–8 p.m. for families to purchase dinner. Food truck vendors support the cause with a percentage of sales.
The schedule of lacrosse games is:
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Haverford Blaze Youth Lacrosse Games
• 2:30 p.m.: Haverford HS Girls JV Game
• 4 p.m.: Haverford HS Girls Varsity Game
• 5:30 p.m.: Haverford HS Boys JV Game
• 7:30 p.m.: Haverford HS Boys Varsity Game
Funds raised support educational programs for members of the Havertown community including speaking engagements for students and parents within Haverford High School and Haverford Middle School. Plans are also in place for informal seminars at the Haverford YMCA.
For information and to make contributes, visit www.trentstetlerplayday.com
Advance directive info May 19
UPPER DARBY » Representatives from Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital visit St. Eugene Parish, Primos, for a “Preparing Your Advance Directive” presentation at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19.
The Rev. Peter A. Clark, S.J., Ph.D., Professor of Medical Ethics and Director of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics at St. Joseph University along with Sister Donna M. Watto, R.S.M., Vice President, Mission Integration Mercy Fitzgerald and Mercy Philadelphia Hospitals, speak on Advance Directives and what the public needs to know to prepare a Living Will and Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney.
The presentation answers questions about palliative care, spiritual care, hospice care, nutrition and hydration. Guests are asked to register with Sr. Betty Burke, parish nurse, at steugenenurse@rcn.com or call the rectory at 610-626-2866.
Get computer info April 20
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, offers a beginning computer class from 10 a.m.-noon April 20. The goal is to get you comfortable and confident as a new user. Participants are taught how to maneuver the mouse, how to play on-line games and how to search the Internet. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. For information, call 610-237-8100.
Rain barrel workshops this spring
The Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative holds free “Backyard Buffers & Rain Barrel Making” workshops this spring to inform residents on water conservation and storm water management practices to help protect local waterways.
The workshops are on April 24 at Collingdale Borough Hall, May 17 at Morton Borough Hall, and and June 20 at East Lansdowne Borough Hall at 6:30 nightly. The workshops are free; registration is required.
The presentations focus on using rain barrels to manage stormwater on your property. A rain barrel is a system that connects to your downspout to collect and store rain water from your roof. Rain barrels help to reduce water pollution and flooding while saving money and providing free water for use in yards and gardens. Workshop attendees learn the basics of how to construct, install and maintain a rain barrel. After the workshop, participants are provided with a recycled barrel and fittings to install a rain barrel on their property.
A free recycled rain barrel is provided to the first 50 registered participants at each workshop (limit one rain barrel per household). The workshops are being funded through a Growing Greener grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
For information or call Diana Andrejczak at 610353-1555, ext. 232.
See new take on ‘Little Mermaid’
MEDIA » There’s a new musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” at The Media Theatre every weekend through May 20.
Developed for children ages 4 and up, the 50 minute show features new songs, colorful costumes, and an opportunity for children in the audience to join the show on stage.
In this adaptation, Doria is the youngest mermaid who wishes to live on land. She wants to be more like the humans above. Her father, the humorous Sea King, understands she is unable to fulfill her dream but wants her to figure things out on her own.
She finally gets her chance to go to The Rock above land and see what life is like above the water where she rescues a group of sailors and one charming prince.
Songs include “The World Above,” “Mermaid’s Song,” “Beauty of The Sea” and more. The musical’s message is all about accepting who you are and is a reminder to appreciate the creatures of the ocean.
This production has no scary villain and is a great introduction to live theatre for small children. Roger Ricker appears as the humorous Sea King.
The play runs Sundays at noon through May 20. For tickets, visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100.
To submit community news, email Colin Ainsworth at delcocommunity@21stcenturymedia.com.