Rose Tree Park Summer Festival expands recycling effort, recruits volunteers
UPPER PROVIDENCE » When performers take the stage in Rose Tree Park throughout the 2022 Summer Festival, another group of “stars” will work behind the scenes helping to sort recyclables from trash as the first step the festival’s commitment to “zero waste.” This year, concertgoers will have an opportunity to deposit their aluminum, plastic and glass bottles and cans, as well as cardboard and paper products, into 26 new dual-stream waste and recycling stations located throughout the park, ensuring that the materials collected meet the industry’s highest standards and can be fully recycled.
People can sort recyclables from trash, and in future years, compost bins may be added to reach the park’s goal of diverting 90% or more material from landfill through a system of reuse, recovery, recycling and composting.
The 26 waste stations — six permanent units located throughout the park and 20 portable units used for events — are made possible by a grant from Can’d Aid Crush It Crusade in partnership with Eco-Cycle, Delco Parks and Pennsylvania Resources Council.
A corps of volunteers is needed to staff the waste stations at 40+ events, each Wednesday through Sundays beginning June 15 and concluding Aug. 14.
“We’re recruiting hundreds of ‘Zero Waste Goalies’ who are ready to use their mitts to redirect the trajectory of what’s being tossed into the recycling and trash bins,” according to Darren Spielman, executive director of PRC, which will oversee the recycling effort throughout the summer. “Enabling a festival that attracts 40,000-plus people over a nine-week period to embrace the zero-waste approach speaks volumes about Delaware County Parks’ commitment to sustainability, and the willingness of individuals to volunteer speaks volumes about those who will help us to launch the program.”
On each concert day, individuals, families and groups can volunteer to work a two-hour shift (6 — 8 p.m. or 8 — 10 p.m.) or the entire evening (6 — 10 p.m.). To sign up, visit www.prc.org/RoseTreeRecycling and click on the volunteer link. In preparation for their onsite recycling role, all volunteers will be invited to take part in an online webinar to learn details of serving as a Zero Waste Goalie.
“Such large-scale events are important opportunities to remind people they can strive to be zero waste in their everyday lives,” said Spielman. “So we also encourage everyone coming to a concert this year to consider packing a zero waste meal or snack by using a picnic basket, reusable containers, silverware, cloth napkins and other materials that leave no trace or trash behind.”
To view the 2022 Rose Tree Summer Festival schedule, visit https:// www.delcopa.gov/departments/parks/summerfestival.html.
Amvets Post 118 holds summer picnic
Harold Paul Saks Amvets Post 118, 211 N. Morton Ave, Morton will hold a family picnic, 1- 5 p.m. Sunday, July 24. Cost is $12 for adult; $6 for kids 11-18 and free for kids under 11. All are invited to bring family and friends. Commander Howard Bilbee stated the menu will be corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, desserts, beer, soda, water and much more. Tickets are available at the post, or call 610-543-9551 any time after 4 pm daily or call Harry at 610-5432082.
Delco Chamber holds Rally For Business Expo
The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Rally For Business Expo at the Drexelbrook, Tuesday, June 21. Volunteers from SCORE, Chester and Delaware counties, will be on hand to greet small business owners and entrepreneurs who wish to connect with a business mentor to start a new business or take an existing business to the next level or who want to learn more about available resources in the small business community. SCORE is a nonprofit association that has been helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship for over 50 years.
The Delaware County Chamber’s Rally For Business Expo will include opportunities to attend one of the following sessions: Speed Networking at 2:30 p.m., providing an opportunity to meet 30 professionals in 90 minutes; “Lock It Up: Keeping Your Data Secure” at 3 p.m., hear from a an expert panel of cyber security professionals to learn how to keep data, business and clients safe; and “Playbook For Success: Building a Loyal Fan Base,” at 3 p.m., hear from the marketing experts of Philly Sports teams to gain insight on how to grow your own fan base.
From 4-7 p.m., the Expo Floor opens, featuring raffles, passport game, prizes, shopping and more. To register for the event, visit http:// www.delcochamber.org/ expo.
Delco Victim Assistance Center offers help to victims of crime
Delaware County Victim Assistance Center offers police and court accompaniment, advocacy and free confidential counseling to victims of serious crimes including robbery, burglary, assault, arson and the surviving family members of homicide victims.
For answers to any questions or for services, contact Delaware County Victim Assistance Center at 610-566-4342.
Community comes together for William Penn District’s Black Lives Matter mural project
The William Penn School District and the Lansdowne Borough reached an agreement for the school district to organize a community project to install a Black Lives Matter Mural. The WPSD Board and Administration announced the BLM mural is scheduled to be painted Monday through Friday, June 13-17, weather permitting, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The mural will be installed in the street in front of Penn Wood High School — Green Avenue Campus on the 100 block of Green Avenue in Lansdowne.
Artists Drew Montemayor and Jeleata Nicole, who led a BLM mural project in Norristown, have been commissioned to design and lead the WPSD project. WPSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Becoats had meetings with a group of approximately 30 Penn Wood High School students who volunteered to assist with the project. The group engaged in discussions about the importance and significance of the mural, and the ideas they wanted to see incorporated in the mural’s design.
The mural will be approximately 23 feet x 290 feet, and is an expressive symbol of the importance of the BLM movement — intended to raise awareness, evoke reflection, encourage meaningful dialogue, and call for change. Students, School Board members, District administrators and staff, parents, local and state legislators and other interested members of the community are expected to participate in the painting of the mural. Installation of the mural is a way to bring the community together in a reflection of the WPSD tagline — “Six Boroughs. Ten schools. One District Working Together.”
The William Penn School District serves approximately 5,000 students who live in the communities of Aldan, Colwyn, Darby, East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, and Yeadon boroughs. For more information, visit http://www.williampennsd.org.