Thomas Leiper House holds Colonial Christmas open house
NETHER PROVIDENCE » The Friends of the Thomas Leiper House invite the community to a Colonial Christmas Open House and the celebration of Thomas Leiper at his 1785 country home, 521 Avondale Road, Wallingford, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
The Garden Club of Springfield helped to decorate The Thomas Leiper House for Christmas this week. The Federal Period House is a Registered Historic Place built by Philadelphia merchant Thomas Leiper (1745-1825) on his summer estate, Strath Haven, named for Leiper’s birthplace in Strathaven, Scotland. Garden Club members Marge DiPietro, Maryann DeSanto, Karen Giacomucci, and Anna Jackson decked the halls, including embellishing the fireplace mantel with white cotton buds, acuba, fern fronds, nandina berries and pinecones.
The Garden Club of Springfield is a member of District I GCFP and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Delaware County Park Police collect toys for local families this holiday season
The Delaware County Park Police are holding their 4th annual “Blue Christmas” Toy Drive. New, unwrapped toys will be collected from now until Dec. 23 at various locations across the county for children in need this holiday season.
Residents and County employees are asked to donate new, unwrapped gifts for children ages 2-16. The gifts will be donated to Delaware County’s Children and Youth Services, Healing Hats and Toys, The Domestic Abuse Project and to local families in need.
“All children deserve to feel joy on Christmas morning,” said Delaware County Park Police Chief Scott Mahoney. “For children in foster care, those battling cancer and other illnesses and those experiencing hard situations, Christmas can be a difficult time. We hope the small gesture of giving them a gift to open on Christmas morning brings them some happiness.”
Donations are being accepted from now until Dec. 23 at the following locations:
Government Center, 201 W. Front St., Media, in the ground floor lobby
The Fronefield Building,
201 W. Front St., Media Delaware County’s Office of Human Services, 20 S. 69th St., Upper Darby, third floor
Chester District Court,
160 E. 7th St., Chester Emergency Services Training Center/Building
#4 at 1600 Calcon Hook Road, Sharon Hill
Wreaths Across America ceremony honors veterans At Mount Moriah Cemetery
The public is invited to attend Wreaths Across America on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Naval Asylum Plot on the Yeadon, Delaware County side of Mount Moriah Cemetery. This nationwide event commemorates deceased veterans by laying a wreath at the graves of those who have served. This is the fifth year The Friends of Mount Moriah have participated in this ceremony.
Several speakers are scheduled during the program including retired Captain Ralph Galati, United States Air Force. Captain Galati is the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and other military awards. Shot down over North Vietnam in February 1972, Captain Galati spent 14 months as a POW at the “Hanoi Hilton” until repatriated. Also scheduled to speak is Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. Scanlon, an education and human rights advocate, represents Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. Bagpipers from the Philadelphia Police & Fire Pipes and Drums will perform.
The wreaths will be placed at 10 a.m. and the ceremony starts promptly at noon, in conjunction with all WAA events across the country and will happen rain, snow, or shine. Volunteers from The Friends of Mount Moriah
(PA0141P) will help direct traffic and parking.
The Naval Asylum Plot National Cemetery at Mount Moriah is currently the only “Naval Cemetery” overseen by the US Department of Veterans Affairs - National Cemetery Administration (VA-NCA). The 10-acre plot is the final resting place for over
2100 Navy and Marine veterans from the Revolutionary War through Vietnam.
One of Philadelphia’s oldest and most historic cemeteries, Mount Moriah
Cemetery is a 200 acre site that is being restored by the Friends group. It is the final resting place of many people significant to the history and culture of Philadelphia, with many notable citizens from politics, entertainment, sports and business, as well as over 5,000 veterans from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, War of 1812, the Korean War, World Wars 1 and 2, and others.
All are encouraged to attend Wreaths Across America, held at the Yeadon side of the cemetery on Cobbs Creek Parkway. There is no address but GPS coordinates are 39.93306, -75.23813. Updates for any severe weather postponement will be posted on Mount Moriah’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/groups/fommci/.
Knights of Columbus hold pasta dinner at St. Philomena’s
The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Christmas Tree Lighting at Saint Philomena’s Church, 41 E. Baltimore Pike, Lansdowne, after the 5:15 Mass on Saturday, Dec. 14. After the lighting, everyone is invited to enjoy a pasta dinner benefiting Catholic Heart Work Camp. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Full families only pay $30. For more information, call St. Philomena at 610-622-2420.
Transition Town Media hosts Winter Solstice celebration
Transition Town Media will host a rich and spirited celebration of the Winter Solstice 7:30– 9:30 pm Friday, Dec. 20 in
Clothier Hall at Swarthmore College. The evening will be filled with soulful music and powerful wisdom from different world traditions.
According to Transition Town Media, no matter what a person believes, celebrating the natural shift from darkness to light helps cut through all the holiday commercialization and expectations to connect people with deeper meaning. By celebrating a common natural rhythm, people will renew a connectedness with themselves, each other, and the world around them. This year’s Winter Solstice theme will be Transformation.
At the event, participants will be led on an inspirational journey with a unique blend of spiritual celebrants, led by inter-spiritual minister Joni Carley, and a band led by jazz artist Dave Posmontier.
Tickets are $15, plus $1 processing fee, and can be purchased at https:// www.facebook.com/ events/375156703201430/ or $20 at the door. Directions and parking instructions will be in each ticket confirmation. Volunteer opportunities also exist, including singing in the solstice choir, decorating, and bringing or serving food.
Delco Business and Professional Women’s Club celebrates holidays
The Delaware County Business and Professional Women’s Club will meet Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Lamb Tavern, 865 West Springfield Rd., Springfield. The Club will celebrate the holidays with entertainment provided by singer and musician Tom Surynt. The Club will also collect wish list items for Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County and PathwaysPA. Cocktails and networking begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Cost $30. All are invited to attend. For information or reservations, call 610-566-5035 or 978-473-9051.