Students work with Tyler Arboretum to save American Chestnut Tree
ASTON >> This fall, Neumann University biology professor Mac Given and 11 students helped harvest American chestnuts at Tyler Arboretum in Media. However, these nuts will not find their way to the roasting pit. The harvest is done in an attempt to save the American Chestnut trees from disease and extinction.
Since 1997, the arboretum has been supporting The American Chestnut Foundation’s (TACF) program to restore a blight-resistant American chestnut tree to the natural landscape. A fungus, which was brought to the United States more than 100 years ago from China, is killing the American chestnut tree. To preserve the tree, Tyler planted an orchard of chestnuts with seedlings from across Pennsylvania. It is a hands-on project for the students, and one that requires gloves. A chestnut tree has burs which are spiny coverings that contain and protect the fruit. Students pick the burs and very carefully remove them from the trees. Burs must be open to extract the one to three nuts inside.
Biology major Curt Yenchik, who is currently doing an internship at the arboretum, helped with the chestnut harvest. He supervised his fellow Neumann students and helped them with data collection and opening the nuts.
Prior to volunteering at Tyler Arboretum, students became familiar with the native chestnut, the blight that threatened to destroy it, and the efforts that are being made to recover the tree. Nuts harvested each fall from these trees support breeding at other locations around the state. The harvesting program is now providing advanced hybrids that are seven generations into the process of capturing resistance to the chestnut blight.
According to John Wenderoth, TACF board member, the American chestnut was not just another tree. Some have called it the perfect tree. Capable of reaching 100 feet in height, its nut crops were a major food source for wildlife and a cash crop for mountain folks who sent wagon loads of chestnuts to market for the fall and winter holidays. The straight trunks produced excellent lumber that was particularly remarkable for its durability.
Professor Given plans to continue the partnership with Tyler in future semesters, tapping into students’ environmental awareness and providing them with an experience that they will remember for years.
Media children can meet Santa in Winter Wonderland
The Media Recreation Board will hold its annual Winter Wonderland 12-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Community Center. Santa will be available for pictures. There will be hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and cookies served. Each child will be given a book from Santa. The event is free to all Media Borough residents.
Pop-up vegan flea market returns to Media-UP Library
The community is invited to come and discover how to eat and shop vegan this holiday season at the Vegan Pop Up Flea Market at MediaUpper Providence Library, 1 E. Front St., Media, 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1.
“Delco The Halls” will feature a lineup of vegan friendly vendors, with an opportunity to taste vegan food, then do some holiday shopping for clothing and gifts.
A Vegan Pop Up Flea Market at Media-Upper Providence Library held in August drew hundreds of people and the food vendors sold out in under two hours. This time, they will be ready for the crowds. Vendors include Batter & Crumbs vegan bakery, The Bearded (wood) Carver, Grape Cat Clothing and Accessories, Nourishing Our Mind soul and Caribbean foods, Oakmont Root Café, Soap by Alana and V Marks the Shop. The featured nonprofit is Indraloka Animal Sanctuary,
Visitors can also meet with members of Veggie Table Talk, a vegan group that meets and holds pot lucks at the library. For information, call 610-566-1918. This is a free, family event.
Sign-up dates announced for free GED classes
Neighbor to Neighbor Community Development Corp. and Delaware County Literacy Council have joined together to bring free GED classes to the community. Classes will begin Jan. 8 and meet every Tuesday and Thursday. Registration for these classes will be held
10 a.m. to 12 noon, Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Nov.
29 at Neighbor To Neighbor,
814 Clifton Ave., Sharon Hill. For more information, call
610-876-4811.
Media Lions host allyou-can-eat breakfast with Santa
The Media Lions Club will hold its annual all-you-caneat Breakfast with Santa
8:30 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Dec. 8 at VFW Post
3460, 11 Hilltop Ave., Media. Admission is a $10 donation for adults, $5 for children under ten and complimentary for children under three-years-old. The event will include food, music and surprises for the kids. For more information, call
610-566-9980.
Wallingford Presbyterian to present Messiah forum
Wallingford Presbyterian Church (WPC), 110 E. Brookhaven Rd., Wallingford, will host a Messiah forum Wednesday, Nov. 28, followed by its annual Messiah Sing on Dec. 9. WPC Music Director Liz Braden will host the informal session about the oratorio, one of the most famous pieces ever written, for those who count “Messiah” among their favorites or those who know virtually nothing about the work. Listen to examples, learn a brief history and talk about how the text relates to the music. A potluck dinner will precede the event and all are invited to join for the meal and/or forum. Dinner is at
6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Dec. 9 performance will feature the Advent and Christmas portion, the first part of the piece. WPC’s Chancel Choir will lead the singing of all the choruses, with the audience invited to join in, and scores will be available for those wishing to raise their voices. Guest soloists Kara Mulder, Maren Montalbano, Daniel Taylor and Frank Mitchell will be accompanied by organist Jeffrey DeVault, with Braden conducting.
The Messiah sing will begin at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary and a reception will follow the performance. Both events are free and open to the public, with no tickets required. For more information, visit www.wallingfordpres.org or contact the church office at 610-5661644.
Holiday open house at Media Fire Company
Media Fire and Hook and Ladder Company No.1,
1 South Jackson St., Media, invites the community to its Holiday Open House
6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23. People can meet the local firefighters and EMS providers who will have informational literature about fire safety. Visitors can also take tours of the fire trucks and ambulance as well as participate in seasonal activities such as decorating their own cookies, making reindeer hats, coloring, enjoying a hot chocolate bar and visiting with Santa. Families are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank, an unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots or a monetary donation. for more information, visit www.mediafirecompany.com/.