Haverford School begins construction on new middle school
HAVERFORD >> The Haverford School began construction on a new middle school this month. Members of the board of trustees, middle school students, and school leadership performed a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the occasion and bid farewell to Crosman Hall, which has served the school for more than six decades.
The new middle school will house students in grades six through eight and will provide a 35 percent increase in square footage. The building is set to be complete in 2020.
The new middle school is part of the School’s Character at Our Core campaign, a $50 million comprehensive campaign that will build upon the school’s leadership in educating boys. The building is the final piece of the school’s campus master plan and features custom designs to support the growth and education of middle schoolaged boys. The new building will house 16 state-ofthe-art classrooms focused on collaboration, a Learning Commons, custom robotics and STEM spaces, areas for boys to collaborate across grade levels, and grade-specific “neighborhoods” dedicated to the various developmental stages of middle school boys.
The $18 million middle school will also feature custom storage systems for every student, dynamic maker spaces, and a green roof supporting sustainability measures at the school.
Adams-Bickel Associates, a construction management and general contracting firm, is completing the new middle school. The building was designed by a team at WRT, an architecture firm in Philadelphia. Aegis Property Group is providing project management support. To learn more about the Character at Our Core campaign, visit haverford.org /characteratour core.
Media Theatre’s ‘Forever Plaid’ takes audience back in time
The pop hits of the 1950s and ‘60s were pleasantly memorable, with melodies that were light and romantic plus lyrics that were easy to remember, so singing along to the radio hits was an easy habit to get into. The talented quartet of “Forever Plaid,” at The Media Theatre Aug. 8-25, brings some of those hits back to life. It’s a professional production with a live band on stage to add to the fun.
The musical follows the plight of four young guys who were in a car crash after graduating from high school, so their dreams of making it big never happened. They are granted one more night on Earth to have a special onenight-only concert in the present day, without realizing times have changed.
The comic musical revue features songs such as “Three Coins In The Fountain,” “Cry,” “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing,” “Rags To Riches,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Perfidia” and more.
The four guys are played by Austy Hicks, Zack Krajnyak, James Ofalt, and Carl Nathaniel Smith.
Hicks, of Wayne, plays the role of Jinx. He was last seen at Media as Enoch Snow Junior in “Carousel” and the role of Peter in “Diary of Anne Frank.” He is the winner of The Media Theatre’s “Vocalist” contest (2013). Most recently he was seen as Peter Pan with Disney Cruise Line. He was also at Limelight as Joseph in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz.”
Krajnyak is Sparky in the quartet. Originally from near Williamsport, Pa., region he now resides in New York City, pursuing his career as a professional performer. He was last seen at Media in “Ghost and Dogfight.” His other credits include “John & Jen” at Siren & Sailor Theatre Co., as well as “Sweeney Todd” with Theatre 2020 in New York.
The role of Smudge is played by Ofalt, returning to Media after appearing in last fall’s critically acclaimed production of “Sweeney Todd.” He has played the role of Smudge in “Plaid Tidings,” the holiday-themed sequel to “Forever Plaid,” at Montgomery Theatre. He was also seen in “The Producers” at Bristol Riverside. When not on stage, he performs as a health care clown for Healthy Humor Inc., at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The leader of the group, Frankie, is played by Smith. A Philadelphia actor, Smith is taking his third turn at playing the role which he has done in “Plaid Tidings” at Montgomery Theatre. At Media, Smith has been seen in “Saturday Night Fever,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Carousel,” and “Billy Elliot.” He has performed several shows at The Hedgerow including “Pride and Prejudice” and “Godspell.”
“Forever Plaid” will run on Thursday and Friday nights at 7 p.m. and , Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m., Aug. 8-25. For tickets, call The Media Theatre at 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.
West Catholic Girls Class of ‘69 reunites
The West Catholic Girls High School Class of 1969 will hold its 50th reunion 12-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Drexelbrook. Tickets cost $69.
To attend, call Hannah Dougherty Campbell at 610-764-3249. Reservations will not be accepted after July 31.
Factory Donuts opens in Media
Factory Donuts recently opened up at 845 N. Jackson St., Media. The shop features classic flavors of donuts, as well as some unique and exotic flavors such as French Toast, Banana Foster, Maple Bacon and others. The donut shop also offers a selection of coffee and teas and a catering menu. Store hours are Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Media shop marks Factory Donuts’ second location, with the first one being on Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia.
For more information, visit factorydonuts.com or call 610-627-2224.
Easterseals celebrates anniversary of ADA with fundraiser at Iron Hill
To celebrate its 100th year of service, Easterseals will host a Week of 100 Dinners. Affiliates across the country will host dinners within the community. Locally, the Iron Hill Brewery, 30 E. State St., Media, will donate 20 percent of proceeds from customers with a coupon 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday, July 25.
Easterseals has a long history of not only services, but also advocacy. The Americans with Disabilities Act is an important piece of legislation that has had a profound impact on the disability community. July 26 marks the 29th anniversary of the ADA.
To take part in the week long celebration or to learn more, visit www.eastersealssepa.org.