Sister James Frances McGlashen turns 100
ASTON >> Sr. James Frances McGlashen will join an elite group of individuals as a centenarian on January 18. She also will be celebrating her 75th anniversary as a Sister of St. Francis.
Sr. James Frances grew up in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia and was a member of St. Ann’s Parish. She was one of nine children in her family and is the last remaining member of her siblings alive today.
Sr. James Frances was first introduced to the Sisters of St. Francis during her high school years at Hallahan High School. She had many Franciscan sisters as teachers. She admired them and felt called to enter the Franciscans, despite the fact that three of her aunts happened to be Sisters of St. Joseph.
Sister ministered primarily in education, teaching for more than 55 years. She began teaching grade school but eventually found her way to teaching high school at St. Hubert’s, St Pius X in Pottstown, and, for many years, at her alma mater, Hallahan High School. “I had a busy life,” Sr. James Francis said. “I enjoyed all my work in every school. The Children were just wonderful.” At Hallahan she taught business, typing and shorthand.
Until last October, Sr. James Frances was still busy working in the medical records department at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. The staff threw her a big party for her 99th birthday and plan to be in attendance for her 100th celebration.
When asked how it feels to be 100, Sr. James replied, “I can’t believe I’m going to be 100. When I was born, I was christened right away because they thought I might not live long—and here I am.”
She credits her longevity to her mind and for the good life God has given her. “I’m lucky I still have my mind,” Sister said. “I thank God every day for my good health and good head. That’s something for 100. I thank God for my life.”
Marple-Newtown Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers
Marple-Newtown Meals on Wheels program has issued a plea for volunteers. The organization currently has a critical need for volunteer packers from 9:30 to
10:30 a.m. and drivers from
10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers make a commitment of one or two weekdays a month. Marple-Newtown Meals on Wheels provides low-cost, nutritious meals to seniors and handicapped/ homebound of any age who are unable to venture out and/or have limited ability to cook or shop. The caring volunteers, in addition to bringing nourishment, also provide friendship and a kind word to those most in need.
Volunteers will not be scheduled until February but should call with interest right away. In the event of snow or ice, the program does not deliver. To find out more about the volunteer opportunity, call Dolores at 610-359-8990.
Springfield Historical Society hosts free program about Chester
Springfield Historical Society will host a free public program about Chester, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Springfield Township Building, 50 Powell Rd. Everyone is welcome.
David Komarnicki, author of “Four Stars in The Window”, will present the program on the bustling City of Chester, during the 1930s and 1940s. The title of the book represents Komarnicki’s family members, who were serving during WW II. Born in Chester, he recalls the experiences of growing up in a family of 10 children, during the depression and war years .During the war, industry employed vast numbers of people in ship building, army vehicles, steel products manufacturing, Scott Paper and much more.
Guests are welcome to bring Chester memorabilia. Refreshments will be served following the program.
Get fit with Zumba classes in Ridley Township
Licensed Zumba instructor Megan Walsh will hold Zumba classes on Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ridley Creekside Center, 794 Milmont Ave., Ridley Township. The eight-week series of classes costs $50 and will run Jan. 28 to March 18.
Zumba is a dance fitness class that features international rhythms and a partylike atmosphere. The class is open to people of all fitness levels. To register, or for more information, call Ridley Township Parks and Recreation at 610-534-4800 or visit ridleytwp.org.
St. Kevin Pioneers Club announce upcoming trips
The Saint Kevin Pioneers Senior Club will host a trip to Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City Monday, Jan. 28, Cost is $49, with $25 back in slot dollars and a ticket to see “Your Old Time Favorites,” featuring the greatest hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The Club will host another trip to Tropicana on April 29, costing $52, to see “Grand Ole Opry Tribute,” with $20 back in slot dollars.
The Pioneers will also host trips to the St. Patrick’s Festival at Doolan’s Shore Club with full course luncheon and Green Derby Show on March 7 ($89) and to see “In The Mood” show at American Music Theatre in Lancaster with lunch at Huckleberry’s Restaurant on March 30 ($89).
All bus trips will leave from St. Kevin Church parking lot in Springfield. The community is welcome on any trip. For more information, flyers or to reserve a seat, call Nancy at 610-2127580 or Elaine at 610-5342820.
Free lecture at Scott Arboretum
Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College will offer a free lecture on “Strategic Garden Design,” 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 Science Center 101 on the college campus. The lecture is co-sponsored with the Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Chapter Effective garden design is about more than just selecting the right plants and putting them in the right place. It’s also about making strategic decisions with an eye toward long-term impacts on the garden’s future. Drawing from her experiences with The Arboretum at Penn State, Shari Edelson will discuss principles of strategic garden design, including how the decisions made today sculpt the garden of tomorrow.
Edelson is director of horticulture and curator at The Arboretum at Penn State, a new and expanding garden on the campus of Penn State University. She was the Scott Arboretum curatorial intern from 2007 – 2008.