Registration begins for summer singing competition in Havertown
HAVERFORD » Coming to the Kelly Center Stage in Havertown this summer is “The Star: A New Singing Competition.” Produced and Directed by Danny Murphy Productions and sponsored by Tom and Paul Kelly of Kelly Music For Life, the contest will bring some excitement to the area this summer. Singers from across the area will compete in a tough four week competition before one winner from each age division will be crowned “The Star” and take home the $500 Grand Prize. The Junior division competition will take place Sunday nights in June and the adults will take the stage Wednesday nights in June.
Producer and director Danny Murphy says: “I cannot wait to get this competition going. Throughout my career I have competed in dozens of singing competitions and it has always been a dream of mine to start my own and now that dream is coming true, thanks to Tom and Paul Kelly of Kelly Music for Life. This competition will be our own local ‘American Idol.’ I cannot wait to see the talent that comes out to compete.”
Registration cost is $25 per contestant. Those who think they have what it takes to compete can fill out a registration form at https://forms.gle/6ujPkfzQigk5zokKA and claim a spot in the competition.
Auditions will be held for all ages in-person at The Kelly Center in Havertown 1-7 p.m. Sunday, May 23. In-person auditions are highly recommended. Auditions will also be accepted through video submission starting now. Videos will only be accepted until 7 p.m. May 23. Email all video submissions to starvocalcompetition@gmail.com For more information on the contest, email starvocalcompetition@gmail.com.
Williamson holds annual career fair
Williamson College of the Trades, 106 S. New Middletown Road, Middletown, will hold its annual Career Fair, but COVID-style this year. The career fairs, which help Williamson seniors find career jobs and underclassmen find summer internships, is being held but with COVID safety precautions in place. It is hoped that Williamson’s traditional 98 percent employment rate will continue.
The career fair, which has attracted a record-breaking 150 vendors, will be held from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 20, 21, and 22, in the school’s Restall Sports Center, with 50 vendors per day. The room will be laid out with social distancing between vendors and students. All will be wearing masks.
There will be ample opportunity to interview employers on why they are seeking Williamson graduates and to talk to students about their career plans. While most college graduates are worried about finding employment, Williamson seniors worry about which of several offers to accept.
Margaret Kingham, Williamson’s placement director and Career Fair organizer, says the excellent attendance is solid proof that Williamson’s skilled tradesmen are in demand.
To attend, an RSVP is required to Carl Vairo, director of public relations, at 610-566-1776, x230, or cvairo@williamson.edu. All who enter the campus, will receive a brief COVID screening and will be required to wear a mask at all times.
Delco offers in-person rental assistance appointments
Renters in Delaware County can get help amid the coronavirus pandemic, and officials just announced another way to attain that help.
The Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program, launched a few weeks ago, is now taking appointments for in-person sessions for those in need of help.
In-person sessions are being hosted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, and Saturday, April 24.
The sessions are being held at 1510 Chester Pike, Suite 102, Eddystone and 20 S. 29th St., Upper Darby.
To make an appointment, call 484-729-4200 or email info@delco-era.com.
The program assists renters who have suffered disruption and loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than $37 million is available to residents to assist with past due rent and an outstanding utility bill.
DELCO ERA will pay for past due rent, the largest past due utility bill, and up to three months of future eligible housing/utility expenses totaling up to 15 months of assistance. Past due rent can go as far back as April 1, 2020. DELCO ERA does not pay for deposits.
Only one application per household will be accepted. Grant funds are paid directly to the landlord/ property manager and the utility company and funds will be distributed on a “first-come, first qualified and approved” basis until program funds are depleted.
Eligible applicants must meet specific income and household size requirements. Residents can email info@delco-era.com or call 484-729-4200 for assistance.
Neumann freshmen bury COVID time capsule
At Neumann University’s inaugural First Fest on April 9, freshmen buried a time capsule in the residential quad to signal their transition to a sophomore year that they hope will be COVID-free. The class has spent their first year of college dealing with pandemic restrictions such as face masks, social distancing, and daily health checks.
The time capsule includes a Neumann mask, hand sanitizer, a St. Francis figurine, a Sir Francis mascot stress ball, a printed copy of the daily health check form, pandemic-era photos and marketing materials, and messages to the future from first-year students. The notes offer personal beliefs, humor, and hopes for the years ahead.
Dr. Chris Domes announced that the class will be invited back to campus in 2046, when the capsule will be unearthed. For more information on Neumann University, visit www.neumann.edu.
Chambers Memorial holds driveway sale, concert
Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2 Sylvan Ave., Rutledge, has been serving the community for 132 years. On Saturday, April 24, the church will host a driveway sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a concert featuring the Woebegone String Band at 11 a.m. Community members are welcome to bring a chair and enjoy the music or shop for gifts and other merchandise at the driveway sale. All proceeds are going to the church’s Christmas Mission for GERMA, to buy a Christmas present or gift card for every foster child. The church’s congregation also supports Family Support Line in Media and Connect by Night in Upper Darby.
For more information, call the church office at 610-544-1493.
Quinn announces $2.25M grant for Ellis Preserve Road and pedestrian improvements
Ellis Preserve, a 218-acre community at the intersection of routes 3 and 252 in Newtown, has been awarded a $2.25 million grant from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, state Rep. Chris Quinn, R-168 of Middletown, announced this week.
The grant will help fund the last set of phased road and pedestrian improvements. Included in this phase are an additional eastbound and westbound through lanes, traffic signal upgrades, ADA-required curb ramps, new pedestrian facilities and stormwater upgrades.
Ellis Preserve is home to some three dozen companies employing approximately 6,500 people as well as more than 500 residential units.
The Multimodal Transportation Fund was established by Act 89 of 2013 to stabilize funding for ports and rail freight, increase aviation investments, establish dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and targeted funding for priority investments in any mode.