Longtime Chester resident celebrates 103rd in grand style
HBO to close Gradyville Road May 1-2 for ‘Task’ filming
CHESTER » Viola Kilson, who was born on April 10, 1921, celebrated her 103rd birthday at a party with family and friends, from near and far, on Saturday, April 20, at Bethany Baptist Church in Chester. Kilson has been a resident of Chester for 93 years.
On her birthday, she was honored with a Certificate of Recognition by the 159th Legislative District of Pennsylvania.
The certificate, presented by state Rep. Carol Kazeem, states “Viola Kilson has demonstrated in countless ways her dedication to the welfare of others and has earned the respect and affection from people from all walks of life and ages.”
Chester Mayor Stefan Roots also attended the party to offer his birthday greetings.
Kilson, whose favorite color is pink, wore a striking pink suit and hat to the party. All of the flowers, balloons and party décor were also in the birthday honoree’s favorite color.
Kilson, who regularly attends Bethany Baptist Church, was awarded a certificate by the superintendent of the Sunday school for her many continued years of attendance, dedication and service where she became a member as a teenager and is now the oldest member of the congregation.
According to her family, Kilson’s faith has always been the anchor of her life even as she experienced the death of her two adult children, Webster Kilson Jr. and Olivia Kilson Showell, and the sudden loss of her husband when her children were young.
She is a member of the group that is called “the greatest generation,” those who were born in the 1900s through the 1920s and experienced the Great Depression and World War II and with great strength survived hardships and remain dedicated to family, church and community.
HBO to Close Gradyville Road in Edgmont Township
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced this week that HBO will close Gradyville Road in Edgmont Township for more filming of “Task”.
Motorists are advised of the following travel restriction: Wednesday, May 1, through Thursday, May 2, from 3 p.m. to 5 the following morning, Gradyville Road will be closed and detoured between Delchester Road and Providence Road.
During the closure, motorists will be directed to Providence Road, Route 3 (West Chester Pike) and Delchester Road.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
HBO will complete this project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting http://www.511PA.com or following PennDOT on Facebook and Instagram.
Delco Right to Education Task Force invites residents to salute achievements
The 12th annual Making a Difference Award Ceremony will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 at Springfield High School, 200 S. Rolling Road, Springfield Township.
Delaware County Council President Dr. Monica Taylor will preside over the free ceremony, filled with entertainment, refreshments, and heartwarming stories for all to enjoy.
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit, along with Delaware County’s Right Education Local Task Force, is sponsoring the Making a Difference Award Ceremony honoring students and adults in the community who are leveling the playing field for children with disabilities.
Honorees include students who have persevered and overcome significant challenges to be successful in their school setting. In addition, adults and students who have made significant contributions to the acceptance of individuals with disabilities will also be honored.
Winners were nominated by parents, students, community members, teachers and administrators. Previous participants have described the evening as a heartfelt opportunity to honor and learn from the award winners who are leading the way for the entire Delaware County community in accepting and includ
ing individuals of all abilities.
For more information, contact the task force via email at righttoedtaskforcedelco@gmail.com.
Neumann to host panel on mental health crisis
Neumann University will host a free panel discussion on the mental health crisis in America on Thursday, May 2.
Three experts will address the topic at 4:30 p.m. in the Bruder Life Center on the university’s Aston campus.
Janine McFadden, a licensed professional counselor, and James Corbett, an entrepreneur who has launched two programs to assist America’s veterans, will join Neumann’s Dr. Jenelle Abnett to discuss mental health challenges in a variety of industries.
The panelists will address the challenges and misconceptions about mental health crisis intervention and provide advice regarding how to address those hurdles.
The discussion will include issues that affect those who struggle with mental health personally, those who deal with mental health in their profession, and those who are caregivers.
McFadden works as an employee assistance professional with Main Line Health. She is experienced in helping people deal with work stress, caregiving, parenting, infertility, relationships, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.
Corbett left Columbia University to become an entrepreneur and has since launched two innovative programs — IMPaCT and the nonprofit Project Refit — for our nation’s warriors and their families.
Abnett has been working in the field of special education for more than 25 years. She is owner and trainer for NDATS.org, an advocacy and training company with a mission to create a more neurodiverse community.
Panel moderators are Olivia Robinson, who works at the YWCA of Richmond, Virginia, as a hospital advocate and program coordinator for survivors of domestic violence, and Dr. Colleen McDonough, director of Neumann’s MS program in forensic psychology.
The panel discussion with an audience question-and-answer is slated for one hour, followed by an opportunity to mix and mingle with the speakers until 6:30 p.m.
To learn more about Neumann University’s graduate programs in counseling, education, and psychology, visit http://www.neumann.edu/academics.
Hope For Hallie Color Run/ Walk to raise funds for mental health awareness
The annual Hope for Hallie Color Run/Walk will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 at Rutgers Avenue Field at CADES, 401 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore, in support of mental health awareness and in loving memory of Hallie Jackson.
Proceeds from this familyfriendly event support mental health awareness and provide scholarships for therapy services.
Participants of all ages are invited to join Hope For Hallie for a colorful day of fun and community spirit. The outdoor event will feature color stations where participants will be doused in colorful powder and will conclude with a celebratory group color throw and group photo.
The run/walk will also include music, food and entertainment for the whole family.
The Hope For Hallie Color Run/Walk will feature an opportunity to participate in three separate races: a 1-mile run/walk, a 100-meter dash and a relay race. Registration will cover entry to all three events.
Registrants are welcome to participate in any or all races by running, walking or jogging.
Adult registration is $30 and student registration is $20. Walkups are welcome and volunteer opportunities are also available. To register or learn more, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Swarthmore/HopeForHallieColorRun.
Hallie Jackson, the inspiration at Hope For Hallie, was a vibrant, sports-loving soul who battled with mental health issues in silence.
Her legacy is carried forward, transforming conversations around mental health awareness through CARE: Connections, Awareness, Resources and Education.
Each stride that’s made, each life that is touched, is in her memory, pushing society to shatter the silence around mental health and remind everyone that it’s OK to seek help. For more information, visit https://hopeforhallie.org.
Scholarships available for Summer Kids Camps at DCCC
From cooking to construction to coding, from Minecraft to machine learning, from arts and crafts to artificial intelligence, as well as babysitter training with CPR and first aid certification, there is something to appeal to almost any child or young teen’s interest at Summer Kids Camps at Delaware County Community College.
This year, the college offers Summer Kids Camps in a wealth of areas. Age requirements for camps vary, but the camps have options for ages 6 to 14.
New this year are combined, immersive two-week math and reading camps, designed to improve reading and math skills and increase proficiency in both, with offerings in four different age groups: 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 10 and 11 and 12 and 13.
Unemployed caregivers in Delaware County can apply for up to $1,000 in credits toward a child’s summer camp fees thanks to the Delaware County Council’s approval of the Delco Strong Summer Camp Solution.
The program helps reduce barriers experienced by caregivers who are struggling to find work, a situation made more challenging by the summer closure of schools and the difficulty in finding adequate child care.
Applications for Delco Strong scholarships can be found at http://pacareerlinkdelco.org/summer-camp.
For the first time this year, scholarships are also available through the Delaware County Workforce Development Board.
The scholarships are designed to enable middle school-age students to develop skills in some of Pennsylvania’s High Priority Occupations. Many of the Summer Kids Camps at DCCC qualify for this scholarship. To find out more about this grant and to apply, contact pscepansky@dccc.edu.
The college has held Summer Kids Camps for more than 17 years and youth programs since 1996. Register online or by calling 610-359-5025.