Ridley takes on Springfield in Black Friday alumni rivalry lacrosse game
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » For many in Delaware County, Thanksgiving traditions begin with local high school football rivalries, but this year, on Black Friday, a new holiday sports tradition will be born. The alumni rivalry game between Ridley and Springfield, a local sports debate that has spanned nearly 60 years, may be settled Nov. 29, as the lacrosse alumni of Ridley High School and Springfield High School will meet at iconic Phil Marion Field on the campus of Ridley High School at 1 p.m. to go head to head in a crosstown rivalry game for the ages.
With this event being the first of its kind in the region, event organizers are hoping to attract both communities to witness the experience. Teams will take the field with the purpose of honoring the past, investing in the future, remembering those lost and celebrating the game. General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance. Proceeds will support the HEAD strong Foundation and their commitment to local families overcome by cancer.
For many, this event is a nod to the rich history of both Ridley and Springfield’s programs, who have been instrumental in laying the framework for the growth of the game in the region. For some, it’s nostalgia and a chance to relive their glory days. For some it’s bragging rights. For all, it’s a chance to memorialize and celebrate the lives of two special athletes, Ridley’s #27 Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori and Springfield’s #14 Nicholas “NACHO” Baratelle, who both succumbed to cancer. As a former captain of Green Raiders, Colleluori’s tenacious defensive play once wreaked havoc on opponents and was instrumental in leading his program to three consecutive state titles. At just 19, Colleluori was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma shortly into his sophomore year at Hofstra University and created the HEAD strong Foundation to serve as a resource that he wished existed for his own family. At age 21, Colleluori lost his battle in 2006 but his legacy carries on through the charity.
Baratelle, was an accomplished goalie at Springfield and played collegiately at Wheeling Jesuit University. At 19, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Disseminating Oligodendroglioma-like leptomeningeal tumors.
At age 22, Baratelle lost his fight in 2018. To honor their fallen brothers, all of the members of Ridley’s team will take the field dawning
#27, the number that Colleluori proudly wore as a member of the Green Raiders and Springfield will take the field wearing Baratelle’s
#14. In addition, each program will wear a commemorative patch in support of Mike “Flake” Falasca, a former player and longtime coach at Ridley who is currently battling Multiple Myeloma.
From legendary Cougars such as Greg “The Beast” Gurenlian, Austin Kaut and Kyle Sweeney to Ridley greats such as Andrew Cleghorn, Brett Moyer and Marc Schaffer, the rosters have been assembled and will feature some of the most accomplished athletes that sport has ever seen. The rosters are made up of current and former members of Team USA, current and former professionals, collegiate and high school All-Americans, countless former All-State and All-County selections that span the past 30 years. More than 50 athletes from each legendary program will suit up for this special event. Both programs are competing to raise funds to support local families overcome by cancer through the charitable mission of the HEAD strong Foundation.
For ticket information, visit https://pledge.headstrong.org/event/the-score-tickets/e248425/ or visit the “HEAD strong Foundation” Facebook page.
Christ Episcopal Church holds Starfest Bazaar
Christ Episcopal Church, 311 S. Orange St., Media, will host its annual Starfest Bazaar 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 16. The bazaar will feature a silent auction, holiday shopping booths, costume jewelry, baked goods, hand crafted knit and crochet, attic treasures, books, DVDs and CDs for all ages, gift baskets, holiday cookies, Christmas decorations and greenery and much more.
Lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and consist of hot roast beef and meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and chicken salad platters. Kids’ activities will include face painting. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local people in need served by the Outreach Ministries of Christ Church.
Beef and Beer to benefit local family
The friends and family of the late Eddie Allen of Media will hold a beef and beer to lend support for Allen’s widow, Heather, and his their three young daughters, 3-8 p.m. Nov. 17 at Claymont Fire Company, 3223 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE.
Allen, who passed away suddenly at age 39, was owner of Allen’s Auto Appearance detailing shop in Chester, and later Broomall. He was an avid supporter of Vest a Cop and donated detailing services to fire companies.
Limited tickets are available and include food, beer, wine and soda. Live bands, including Gypsy Wisdom and Zero Hour, will perform. There will also be a DJ for dancing, raffles, auctions and
50/50 drawing will be held. Tickets can be purchased at http://
bit.ly/2BPyDlw/. They cost $30 or
$50 per couple and $10 for children. Tickets cost $35 at the door. People can also preorder t-shirts and sweatshirts at eddie-allen. myshopify.com/.
Neumann Univ. presents ‘Christmas Carol’ this week
The Neumann University Players will present the Charles Dickens timeless classic A Christmas Carol on November 14-17 at Neumann University. This production is adapted straight from Dicken’s original novella by John Baxter and will feature music created for the production by Richard Sayers, Ph.D. The Neumann University Players, formerly known as the Theater Ensemble, is a company of students, faculty, staff, and alumni since the group was founded in 1984.
The play will be held in the Fred P. Meagher Theater in the Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center on the Aston campus. Performances run Nov. 14-16, at 8 p.m. and Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. Seniors/students are $5. The show is free for Neumann students with ID on opening night, Nov. 14.
CASA Youth Advocates celebrates 20th annual gala in December
CASA Youth Advocates, Inc. in Media and West Chester announced that tickets are available for its 20th annual gala, to be held Dec. 6 at the Drexelbrook Catering and Special Event Center in Drexel Hill. At the event, CASA will honor two Advocates of the Year, Patty Szipszky of Newtown Square and Tracey Walsh of West Chester, along with Jacqui Lake of Newtown Square, who 20 years ago first planted the seeds of CASA’s annual gala.
In 1999, CASA was housed in a basement office that flooded frequently. The organization’s 21 volunteers advocated for 83 Delaware County children on 42 cases, supported by a budget of $101,000. There was no major fundraising event supporting the organization’s work at the time. That same year, Jacqui Lake suggested that her family and friends make a donation to CASA in lieu of exchanging gifts at their Christmas party at the Springfield Country Club. In response, the group donated several thousand dollars and collected duffle bags for the children CASA served. Over 20 years, the Christmas party and its support for CASA evolved into CASA’s gala, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. Today the gala alone raises more than the organization’s entire 1999 budget, thanks to generous community supporters. CASA itself has grown alongside the gala, expanding to serve 231 children in two counties—nearly triple the number of children CASA served 20 years ago.
For tickets to the Dec. 6 gala, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/ dZT/.