Lots of FREE Events To Kick Off Summer!

Free Oldies Night At Redwood Playhouse
  Area residents are invited to Redwood Playhouse for an Oldies Night 7 to 9p.m., Thursday (May 31) with Good Times Band performing live music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
  The event is free and sponsored by Delaware County Parks and Recreation Dept. Light refreshments will be served.
  The Redwood Community Playhouse is at 6th St. in Upland Park. For more information, call 610-891-6061 or visit the web-site for event schedule at http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/ go on to Parks and Upland park and hit the Redwood schedule.
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Two Free Elder Law Presentations Offered at Schoolhouse Center
  Those in the community are invited to two events to catch up on all the important issues on aging and related documents. Two Elder Law Presentations will be offered at Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Avenue in Folsom, by Elder Law Attorneys Dana and Robert Breslin 9:30 am Wednesday, June 6 and 7 pm Wednesday, June 20.
 These presentations will cover the importance of having Power of Attorney documents, wills, advanced directives, Estate Recovery, Aging Waiver Program and how to protect your home in the event of nursing home placement. This presentation is especially important to caregivers.  The free presentations are open to the public, but registration is required. Call for further information at (610) 237-8100.
 
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Free Electronics Recycling Event In Folcroft Saturday
   Pennsylvania Resources Council ( http://www.prc.org/  ) Pennsylvania's oldest environmental organization, is partnering with MPC , one of the few electronics recyclers in the country to hold the highest environmental and quality accreditation  of R2, or Responsible Recycler, to conduct a free electronic waste recycling event at the Folcroft Borough Hall at 1555 Elmwood Ave. Folcroft,  9am - 2 pm Saturday (June 2).
    This effort will offer convenient, responsible recycling of the following materials: computers, laptops, TV's, printers, monitors, DVD/DVR/VCR, fax machines, gaming consoles, audio equip., telephones, cell phones, camera/ camcorders, CD/DVD's and cases, GPA, IPod/ MP3 players, remote controls, gaming and computer peripherals.  "Anything with a cord" is the  motto, with the exception of anything with freon.
   This is a great opportunity to clean out a garage or basement with total confidence that MPC will wipe clean any data on electronic equipment and that nothing delivered to this event will end up in a land fill. Everything will be 100% recycled.
   For more information contact Recycling Coordinator, Jayne Young 610-353-1555 ext 222 or young@prc.org.
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Reverse Mortgages and Other Investment Opportunities Discussed at Ridley Township Library
   Be smart about  money! The community is invited to learn about reverse mortgages and annuities, as well as oil, natural gas, “green” technology and gold and become aware of the top 10 investment scams in Pennsylvania and how to avoid them.
  The free program, one of the Money Smart at your library series, will be presented 6 pm Wed. (June 6) in Garling Hall. It is provided by the Library Foundation of Delaware County in cooperation with the Delaware County Library system. Registration is required, since refreshments will be served.
   To register, email reference@ridleylibrary.org, call 610-583-0593, or stop by the library at 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom.

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‘Sexual Abuse’  Will Be Sunday’s Topic at Lifetree Café 
   Breaking the cycle of sexual abuse will be discussed at Lifetree Café Café 6 pm Sunday (June 3).
  The program features an exclusive filmed interview with a woman who suffered childhood sexual abuse. "This brave woman's story puts sexual abuse out on the table for discussion," says Lifetree representative Craig Cable. "We'll consider why the cycle of abuse in families is so difficult to break-and how those who've suffered childhood sexual abuse can find healing."
  Cable says this particular Lifetree Café program is not appropriate for young children.
  Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Snacks and beverages are available. Lifetree Café is at The Regency Café at 29 N Lansdowne Ave. in Lansdowne.
  Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to Pastor David Anderson at 610-622-6161 or stpaul@rcn.com
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 FREE Astronomy Event At Widener
   The Widener University Observatory invites the community to attend a free open house 6:15 to 8:15p.m., Tuesday (June 5) to view the planet Venus as it transits across the face of the sun.
  The transit of Venus — when the planet passes directly between the earth and the sun — is a rare event that occurs in pairs that are eight years apart, followed alternately by spans of 121 years and105 years. The last transit of Venus occurred June 8, 2004. The upcoming transit June 5 will be the last time in the 21st century such an event will occur.
  Visitors may come at any time during the two-hour open house period to view the transit using the Widener Observatory’s main 16-inch telescope equipped with a special solar filter to see Venus as a black dot silhouetted against the face of the sun.
  Admission is free, and all are welcome. In the event of cloudy skies or rain, there will be live streaming in the observatory classroom. For directions to Widener University, go to http://www.widener.edu/stargazing, and click on the “Directions to Observatory” link. Those without Internet access should call 610-499-4003 for more information. The Widener University Observatory is on the fifth floor of Kirkbride Hall at 17th and Walnut Sts., Chester.
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Diabetes Info Session At Brookhaven Municipal Bldg.
  Area residents can become more informed about diabetes, a dangerous and often troublesome disease 2p.m., Thursday (June 7). Senior Community Services’ Center for Life Long Learning will offer a presentation at the Brookhaven Municipal Building, 2 Cambridge Road, with presenter Dr. Mary Powell, PhD, CRNP, Associate Director of Nursing at  Neumann University.
  Diabetes is predicted to affect one in three adults. At this talk, residents will learn about ways to prevent diabetes, and the ABC’s of self-management if you already have diabetes,
  The workshop is free; for a registration form, call Lori at 610-237-8100, ext. 11.
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Free Brandywine Sundays     The Brandywine River Museum will offer free admission on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, through Nov. 18.
 Visitors can also enjoy "Breakfast on the Brandywine" in the Museum's cafeteria-style restaurant, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Sunday mornings. The revolving menu, which changes weekly, costs $6 per person and includes juice and coffee, tea or milk. A child's breakfast is also available for $3.75.  
  The museum is on Rte. 1 in Chadds Ford. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit http://www.brandywinemuseum.org/.
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Free Voice Lessons Offered
  The Delaware Valley Show Chorus offers free voice lessons for motivated women who love to sing and perform, 7:30 to 8:15p.m., Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 7 at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Ave.
  Lessons are taught by Master Director Gene Bender who has extensive experience in directing choruses and musical productions throughout the region for over 40 years.
  Bender has been Music director for the Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania for 18 seasons and has also served as a faculty member at the Walnut Street Theatre. 
  Those interested may attend any Wednesday night. For more information, call Paula at 610-293-0505 or e-mail DVSCPaula@aol.com.
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  Civil Service Workshop For Delco Residents May 30
  A FREE Civil Service workshop for Delaware County residents will be held 9:30 to 11:30a.m., Wednesday (May 30)  at CareerLink, 701 Crosby St., Suite B, Chester.
  The workshop will include reviewing open test announcements, the application process, how to schedule a test, types of tests, what happens after testing and test-taking advice.
  Call 610-447-3350 for an appointment 8 to 4, weekdays.

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Third Annual Flag Rising and Community Celebration Weekend at the 1799 Lazaretto

   The Friends of the 1799 Lazaretto, and the Tinicum Township Historical Society will raise the International Quarantine Flag over the property 11 am Sat. (June 2) to re-create an annual ritual that took place every June 1, when the Philadelphia Department of Public Health would go to the Lazaretto to raise the quarantine flag and hold a banquet complete with brandy and cigars. This year's main theme will be "1799-1801 the First Years."  Special displays will be presented by Tinicum Township Historical Society, and the Friends of the 1799 Lazaretto.
 The Lazaretto at 99 Wanamaker Avenue (at 2nd Street), Essington,  will be openSaturday 10-4 and Sunday 10-3
    The Lazaretto was built in 1799 along the banks of the Delaware River in Essington. It was the official quarantine station for the city of Philadelphia. For most of the next century, all passenger and cargo vessels bound for the port of Philadelphia were required to dock at the Lazaretto for inspection. Passengers suspected of contagion were quarantined in the hospital, and all suspect cargo was stored in the public warehouse. The Board of Health of the City of Philadelphia operated the facility until 1893.
    After it was closed as a hospital, it was used as a summer resort for the Philadelphia Athletics "The Orchard,” a temperance revival center, a civilian seaplane aviation base, in WW 1 by US Army Signal Corp Aviation as Chandler Field, and to the present day as a civilian seaplane aviation base.
   Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the Lazaretto is the oldest intact quarantine facility in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth oldest in the world.
 Although presently vacant, the building is in excellent condition with much of its original fabric intact. The Friends of the 1799 Lazaretto, are now working to ensure the preservation, interpretation and adaptive re-use of this little known but important historical site.
  On the way to or from the 1799 Lazaretto Sat. (June 2)  stop at St. John's Episcopal Church's "64th Annual Strawberry Festival" 3rd and Wanamaker Avenue, Essington, (Route 420) from 11 am to 5 pm. Try their ice cream, cake and strawberries, food, games, Moon Bounce, crafts, used books, kid's crafts and chances.
  Events at the Lazaretto will be as follows. On Saturday, June 2, beginning at 10 am,  a video, "Fever: 1799," will run throughout the day as well as a PowerPoint slide presentation of "An examination of the architecture of the 1799 Lazaretto" by University of Pennsylvania students. Other highlights include: Flag Raising at 11 am; First Walking Tour with Barb Selletti at 11:30 am; "Beer Making Presentation" (also available all day) with Robert Fullmera at 12 noon; "Quaker Meeting wedding" with Sherri Groff, Alex Groff, Tony Selletti, and Barb Selletti (with public participation) at 12:30 pm; Second Walking Tour with Sherri Groff at 2 pm; Genealogy 101 with Barb Selletti at 3 pm; Lecture by Dr. David Barnes  at 4  pm.
     On Sunday, June 3,  10-3, displays by Tinicum Township Historical Society and the Friends of the 1799 Lazaretto  will be held throughout the day. Before the event at 8 am,  St. John's Episcopal will hold an Open Invitation to Worship to which all are welcome. The women and men of Tinicum Township Fire Compan Station 48 "The Island" will be out all day selling firehouse memorabilia and birch beer with a portion of the proceeds going the restoration and preservation of the "1803 Lazaretto Pumper"
  To go with that birch beer ,John Howe of "Pretzel Boys" in Aston will be selling pretzels with a portion of the proceeds going the restoration and preservation of the "1803 Lazaretto Pumper" 
   "The evolution of guns in America until the 1860's and shooting Civil War Guns” will be presented by John Symborski throughout the day, along with the video, "Fever: 1799" and a PowerPoint slide presentation of "An examination of the architecture of the 1799 Lazaretto" by University of Pennsylvania students. Other activities include "Herbal Medicine & Lore during the Colonial Era” by Jeanne Francis (available all day beginning at 11), First Walking Tour by Barb Selletti at 11:30 am; "French Immigrant Experience in 18th Century Philadelphia,” presented by Fran Wilcox at 1 pm; "Quaker Meeting wedding" with Sherri Groff, Tony Selletti, Barb Selletti and Guest Groom (with public participation) at 2 pm; Second Walking Tour -with Sherri Groff at 2:30 pm; Researching the Genealogy of Philadelphia's Ellis Island by Barb Selletti at 3 pm.
    Robert Fullmera, a brewer of beer, ale, mead and wine since 1995, will be presenting his art and science to the public from 10 am until 4 pm. Come out and learn about the process that was part of life at the 1799 Lazaretto. In the Society of Creative Anachronism, a living history society, Bob is the Southern Region Deputy Guild master; he is the Baronial brew master of Philadelphia and surrounding area and is the Bishop of the Brotherhood of Brewers in Media.
   Jeannie Muetz Francis, an herbalist, will be a featured speaker about Traditional Medicinals that were part of everyday life at the 1799 Lazaretto.
 John Symborski, a living historian representing the First Delaware Blues of the North-South Skirmish Association, will be out 10 am until 3 pm speaking about the evolution of guns in America until the 1860's and  the shooting of Civil War firearms, and artillery and encouraging the preservation and display of Civil War materials.
  For additional iformation, e-mail tonysfo@gmail.com.
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47th Annual Art Exhibit And Craft Fair Sunday In Media!
  The 47th Annual Media Art Exhibit and Craft Fair will fill State Street in Media with unique, quality art and crafts, 9 to 4, this Sunday (June 3). Admission is FREE!
  Well over 100 artists and fine craft people will come to town for what has become a welcome annual tradition. (Rain date is the following Sunday, June 10).
     Thousands of original works will be presented by exhibitors, many local and others from surrounding states. Their unique works will be featured for perusal, judging and purchase along State Street and Veterans Square in Media. (Both streets will be closed to traffic.)
     Besides fine art and photography, there will be a huge variety of crafts including pottery, jewelry, woodcrafts, toys, wearable and decorative fiber art, Colonial crafts and much more. Some of the exhibitors will demonstrate their crafts throughout the day.
     Cash awards totaling $700 will be given to first and second place winners in ten categories and all winners will receive ribbons. Judging will begin at 9a.m. sharp, by highly competent judges, who themselves are expert artists and crafters. (See separate story on the judges).
  The show is being sponsored by Bryn Mawr Trust Company and Crozer Keystone’s Media Medical Plaza which have long histories of working closely with civic and non-profit organizations and sponsoring community-enriching events in the areas they serve.
  State Street will be closed to traffic for the Art Show, allowing plenty of room to browse, bargain and buy, while enjoying the early summer weather in beautiful downtown Media. Many of Media’s unique shops will be open, and a variety of restaurants will offer al fresco dining.
  (Since State Street and Veterans Square will be closed to traffic, residents are asked to please not park on those streets from 6a.m. to 5p.m., so that exhibitors can set up their work, and so that residents will not have difficulty getting in or out of the closed street. We thank residents for their community spirit and cooperation in this matter. Pets and skateboards are not allowed on State Street during outdoor events, by borough ordinance. The Septa trolley will stop at Providence Road where a bus will take over the Media route.)
     For more information about the show, e-mail rross@delconewsnetwork.com or call 610-583-4432, ext. 102. The show is coordinated by Town Talk Newspapers.

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Malvern Retreat Celebrates 100th Anniversary With Free Outdoor Concert

  Malvern Retreat House is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with a free outdoor concert for the community with the West Chester Concert Band 8p.m., Wednesday (June 13) on the lawn at 315 S. Warren Ave.
  The band features classics, jazz, marches and contemporary arrangements, performed by a 70-piece volunteer concert band.
  There is plenty of parking and light refreshments will be served. Attendees should bring blankets, chairs, family and friends, rain or shine.
  Under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors, traditional Men of Malvern programs have grown over the years to include evening and weekend retreats for women, married couples, families, teens, veterans, caregivers, people in recovery and many others.
  Owned and operated by the Catholic laity since 1912, Malvern Retreat House is the largest Catholic retreat house in the country. Seeking spiritual guidance and inner peace, 20,000 men, women, married and engaged couples, teens and families annually come to reflect, refresh and rejoice in their faith on 125 acres. Seven buildings accommodate 400 people overnight for traditional weekend programs as well as weekday and evening retreats. All are welcome and invited to find a retreat to participate in at MalvernRetreat.com or call 610-664-0400 for more information.

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  Free Concert Series Kicks Off Friday

  The Summer of Peace 2012  Concert Series kicks off 7p.m., Friday (June 1) in Media’s Plum Street Mall.
  Media's Mayor Bob McMahon will give the opening dedication prior to musical performances by Michelle Christine and Clair Oaks and friends. All concerts will be performed outdoors in the Plum Street Mall.
  The concert series continues July 6, Aug. 3 and Sept. 7 and is being presented by Seven Stones and the Media Business Authority. For more information, call Seven Stones at 610-627-1177.