Magargee to receive engineer group’s 2024 lifetime achievement award
The Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) announced last week that Ed Magargee will be the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award is given each year to a resident of Delaware County or southern Chester County who has demonstrated technical knowledge and skill for the betterment of human welfare; and for career achievement that has consistently demonstrated placing service above self, according to a press release.
Members of The Delco Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers Awards Selection Committee unanimously chose Magargee, who they said is “the one person that has impacted the quality of life more than anyone in Delaware County.”
Since he started in 1980, Magargee has served over 43 years in Delaware County, many of those years as the manager of the Delaware County Conservation District.
He graduated from Edinboro State College in 1979 with a degree in environmental studies, and began his career in the Delaware County Planning Department, before transferring to the Conservation District as an executive assistant, then manager.
The Conservation District is the local unit of government that fulfills the mission to ensure the wise use of the county’s natural resources and to protect and restore the natural environment through conservation of its soil, water, and related resources through the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Magargee’s leadership guided the county’s 49 municipalities and local engineering firms through the district’s many changes.
“His calm, reassuring demeanor helped even the most anxious applicant get through the process,” stated a press release accompanying the announcement of the award. “PaDEP permitting can be a complicated process. Magargee’s accomplishments over the years are too numerous to mention, but most notably, he has helped guide Delco civil engineers through the storm water, erosion and sediment control process to obtain permits for land development as well as water obstructions and encroachment permits.”
Magargee is a member of every Stormwater Task Force for the majority of Delaware County Watersheds, and promoted the concept of developing a countywide plan. The county planning department has just received a grant to move forward with the concept.
To Magargee’s credit, as one of the smallest counties in the state, Delco has always ranked in the top 20 in nearly every permitting category tracked by the DEP for efficiency and effectiveness.
Currently residing in Haverford with his wife Carol, Magargee and his wife have two daughters. He enjoys spending time with his grandsons, as well as going to the shooting range, gardening and fishing. He is active in his community’s civic association and is a member of the Haverford Township Zoning Board.
Magargee will be recognized during the nation’s celebration of Engineers Week at a banquet on. Thursday,. Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at Anthony’s Ristorante and Ballroom, 865 W. Springfield Road., Springfield. National Engineers Week will be celebrated Feb. 18-24.
For reservations, register online at https://www. delcopspe.org. RSVP by Feb. 16.
All questions about the banquet can be directed to Mike Ciocco at mjcengr@ verizon.net.
Hedgerow Theatre presents ‘Shirley Valentine’ on stage Feb. 8-24
In a nod to its roots as the first repertory theater in the U.S. and as an encore to the company’s 100th year, Hedgerow Theatre will launch “Shirley Valentine,” by Willy Russell, performed in repertory with Enda Walsh’s “The New Electric Ballroom,” and running Feb. 8 to 24.
These productions elevate two sides of the same coin, companion pieces exploring life’s potential.
“Shirley Valentine” will reunite longtime Hedgerow company member Susan Wefel with director Micki Sharpe to return to this 2010 hit.
The production previews on Thursday, Feb. 8. Opening night is Friday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $35 for adults and $20 for students and youth under 18 years old, plus fees, and are available to purchase online at http://www.hedgerowtheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre Company is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley.
A relaxed performance will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18, with a preshow sensory tour at 1:15 p.m.
The heart-warming onewoman play centers on Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw, an ostensibly ordinary English housewife, and offers a glimpse into the depth of often-overlooked domestic livelihood.
As Shirley prepares chips and egg for dinner, she ruminates on her life and shares about her husband, her children, her past, and considers an invitation from an old friend to join her on holiday in Greece for a surprise adventure.
Valentine is performed by Wefel, who has been a Hedgerow Company artist for 44 years.
“Shirley asks ‘Why do we get all these feelings and dreams and hopes, if they can’t be used?’ It’s the best of questions,” notes Wefel. “It’s been my privilege to step in Shirley’s shoes and play her again and again in this comic gem of a play over the years.”
Wefel is a 44-year company member of Hedgerow. Wefel recently led the adult acting class in a production of “The Long Christmas
Dinner” and recently performed in “Tales from Poe,” “Macbeth,” “Good Grief,” and “Twelfth Night” at Hedgerow. Wefel is also a teaching artist and props coordinator.
“Shirley Valentine” is best enjoyed by ages 14 and up, due to its adult nature. Run time is about two hours, with a 10-minute intermission.
Hedgerow Theatre’s parking lot, venue, lobby and restrooms are ADA accessible and people can inquire with the box office for any specific accommodation needs at 610-565-4211 or boxoffice@hedgerowtheatre.org.
Hedgerow Theatre Company offers extensive educational programs through theatre school and touring programs, and provides performance, technical training, and theatre management opportunities for early-career fellows in a close-knit and mutually supportive environment. For more information, visit http://www.hedgerowtheatre.org..
Brickhaus Café presents ‘Winter Love’ paint event
Brickhaus Café, 13 E. Hinckley Ave., Ridley Park, will present a Valentine’s Paint Party, led by artist Christine Burke on Wednesday,
Feb. 7 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to gather friends or make it a date night and come paint “Winter Love.” while enjoying food. Painting will be done on an 11-by-14 canvas. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and painting will start promptly at 7 p.m.
Cost is $60 and includes BrickHaus specialty appetizers, sandwiches, desserts, coffee drinks and all painting supplies.
For registration and more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/mrxbxby7 or call Brickhaus at5 610-537-7351.
Celebrate National Pie Day at Linvilla Orchards
Linvilla Orchards, 137 West Knowlton Road, Middletown Township, will celebrate National Pie Day on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Linvilla visitors can celebrate and take home a home-baked delight. Customers can dive into pie paradise with a special $5 discount on all pies through Jan. 23.
On Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., everyone is welcome to enjoy half-off all Old Fashioned Apple and Dutch Apple pie selections.
For over 50 years, Linvilla Orchards’ bakery has been baking delectable pies that
have become a community favorite. With an extensive selection of over 40 flavors, ranging from the tempting Dutch Apple Crumb to the heavenly Cherry Vanilla, there’s a pie to satisfy every
sweet tooth.
For more information, call 610-876-7116 or visit http://www.Linvilla.com.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa221stcenturymedia.com.
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