FREE opportunities are knocking!

Bees Are The Topic July 21

Due to an infestation of bee mites and white moths, there will not be a "honey harvest" at the Historic Grange Estate this summer.
However, the Grange beekeepers will hold a "Bee Demonstration," 1 p.m., July 21, that will include the six new hives -- two Russian and four Carniolan hives -- recently built and relocated on the property, a visit to the "bee house" to see the tools and clothing used by the beekeepers and observing live bees in a plexiglass box to see how they operate in the hive.
For questions or more information, call the Grange office at 610-446-4958 or e-mail grangeest@verizon.net.
The Historic Grange Estate is at 143 Myrtle Ave., Havertown.
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FREE Bereavement Support Group Welcomes Newcomers
    Life Changes is a bereavement support group available to any grieving person suffering from the loss of a loved one.
  Life Changes’ mission is to help the bereaved better understand and cope with their loss. The loss can be current or from years ago.
  The group is free and meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 927 S. Providence Road, Wallingford (just south of Routes 252 and 320) in the Main Office.  For more information or directions, call the facilitator, Pollie Lang at 610-876-1599.
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FREE playdates for children with disabilities
    Organized and facilitated by Kelly Connell, Director of Advocacy Services, the Arc of Delaware County will welcome parents and children of all ages to Play Days  this summer.  Attendees will meet at different playgrounds throughout Delaware County from noon to 2p.m.; bring a lunch and enjoy good conversation while social skills and friendship building skills are encouraged. Connell will be available to discuss with any concerns or issues regarding children’s educational success.\
  The schedule is as follows:July 25, Veterans Memorial Park (Springfield Township); Aug. 1, Upland Park (Upland Borough); Aug. 8, Veterans Memorial Park (Marple Township); Aug. 15, Bethel Road Playground (Concord Township).
  Call Connell at 610-544-6600, ext. 110 or kconnell@thearcofdelco.org with questions or to register.
  The Arc of Delaware County is a support group for parents of school aged children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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 FREE Programs To Help You Stop Smoking

    Main Line Health will offer a free six-session smoking cessation program. Participants may be eligible to receive up to eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy such as gum, patch or lozenges.
  The program will be held at Riddle Hospital, 1068 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, 6-8 pm July 18, 25, August 1, 8 and 15 and again in October and November. To register, call 484-227-3635.
  The classes will also be offered at Bryn Mawr Hospital, 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, 1-2 pm July 24, 31, Aug. 7 and 14 and at Main Line Health Center in Newtown Square, 3855 West Chester Pike, in September, as well as at other locations in the fall.
  For more information, call 484-337-8329.
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Free On-Line Tutoring Program Available To Delaware County Students

  Delaware County Council recently renewed an annual subscription for a tutoring program for the county’s 28 library facilities.
  The program, Live Homework Help, is from Tutor.com and county officials said residents can access it at the county libraries and from home computers with a library card. The county’s cost of the annual subscription is $66,695, according to officials.
  David Belanger, director of the countywide library system, said children in kindergarten through twelfth grade can connect with professional tutors who will help them with their homework. He said tutors also provide assistance to students enrolled in basic college courses. The tutors also provide career tips, such as assistance with resumes.
  Belanger estimated there will be about 10,000 sessions on the program in the upcoming year. In 2010, there were about 5,400 sessions; there were 9,500 sessions in 2011, he said.
  The county launched the program in 2008. It can be accessed by visiting http://www.delcolibraries.org/.
(Article by Danielle Lynch)

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Delaware County High School Athletes "A Culture of Excellence" exhibit at the Mickey Vernon Museum 
 It is a well-known fact that when it comes to athletics, Delaware County has a culture of excellence.  Indeed, few counties in the United States can match its heritage of nationally known sports stars.  Olympic Gold Medal winners, professional football, baseball and basketball players hall of famers, a Heisman Trophy winner, an Indianapolis 500 winner, a Triple Crown winner, soccer, lacrosse and softball standouts, and coaches in all professional and college sports make up the fabric of our star-studded cast. 
How long can Delaware County continue to produce national figures in the world of sports?  Judging by a new exhibit coming to the Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum, it doesn't look as if the county is in danger of relinquishing its hold on top-flight talent any time soon. 
Delaware County Daily Times staff photographers Eric Hartline, Robert Gurecki, Julia Wilkinson and Colin Kerrigan have provided the museum with 8 1/2 x 11-inch glossy photo prints of its 22 high school Players of the Year for the 2011-2012 school year.  The photos will be on display at the museum from July 21nd through all of 2012.
You are invited to view this new crop of outstanding high school athletes, then go on to follow their careers as they attempt to walk in the footsteps of their predecessors to become stars on a larger national stage.
The museum is located at the intersection of Routes 291 and 202 at One Beaver Valley Road in Chadds Ford PA.  For museum hours and more information, contact Jim Vankoski at 610-909-4919.