Don't be bored this summer- check out all the FREE stuff to do!

Vacation Bible School at Norwood UM Church

  The Norwood United Methodist Church will host its Vacation Bible School, with the theme “Son West Roundup,” 9-11:30 am July 29- Aug. 2. Local children are invited to travel the trail through the stories of Moses and God’s ultimate plan for their lives by playing games, watching skits, and enjoying crafts and refreshments.

  Everyone is welcome, but should register by July 21 by calling 610-566-3336.

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Free Concert in Glenolden Park

  The Glenolden Parks and Recreation Committee  will present Hegeman's String Band at a concert in Glenolden Park, Llewellyn and Knowles Aves., 7 pm Wed. (July 17).  

   Sponsored by McCausland Garrity Marchesani Funeral Home, the concert is free and will also feature free refreshments and prizes. All are welcome.

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Star Wars Day at Ridley Township Public Library

  Star Wars fans are invited to “join the Dark Side” as  Ridley Township Public Library welcomes back members of Garrison Carida 501st Legion, Saturday, July 13, from 1-3 pm at Ridley Township Public Library, 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom.

  This two-hour program will give children, teens, and adults the opportunity to experience real live Star Wars characters. Garrison Carida will promote literacy and reading in today’s youth while keeping the attendees fascinated with their movie quality costumes from the greatest movie saga ever told. 

  This free Star Wars event is open to all ages.  During the program, fans will answer movie trivia, collect trading cards, enjoy Star Wars themed refreshments, and meet Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Bobo Fett and many more.  All are welcome to come in costume, and be sure to bring a camera.

  Garrison Carida is a group of community-minded volunteers serving Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia who, through portraying the Dark Side characters of the Star Wars films and other media, participate in, and spearhead public service initiatives, charity events, promotional appearances, and public gatherings to benefit the community.

  To register for this event, call Ridley Township Public Library at 610-583-0593.

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Free Soup At St. James

  St. James Episcopal Church, 11th and Lincoln Aves., Prospect Park holds  'Soup'er Lunch at 11 am Tuesdays (except Christmas and New Year's Day). The  lunch is free of charge (donations are gratefully accepted).Everyone in the community is welcome.


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 Free Alzheimer’s Program Offered

 The Residence at Glen Riddle will host a workshop by the Alzheimer's Association, "Know the Ten Signs, Early Detection Matters,” 6:30 to 8p.m., Wednesday (July 10) at The Residence at Glen Riddle, 263 Glen Riddle Road, Middletown Twp.

  To register for the free workshop call 1-800-272-3900.

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Bastille Day celebrated in Swarthmore

   Due to the July 4 holiday, Swarthmore's First Friday was rescheduled for July 12 with several businesses celebrating the theme of France's Bastille Day as "First on 2nd Friday." 

   At The Creative Living Room from 6-7 p.m.,  Friday, July 12,  the program “Bonsoir Mes Amis~Fun with French” children ages 2-8 will have the chance to sing and dance-a-long with Miss Allison to classic French children’s songs (also in English) and hear stories while learning about France’s art and culture in age appropriate ways. Kids can make a simple craft and enjoy a light treat.

 The event is free and open to the public. The Creative Living Room is at 15 S. Chester Rd, Swarthmore. Call 610-544-5800 for more information.

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FREE Summer events at Marple Public Library

Don't miss these upcoming events at Marple Public Library! Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

    Every Wednesday evening in July they'll be showing a different film from the grooviest decade: the 1970's. No registration required. Admission is always free. Shows start at 6:30pm. Call the library or check www.marplelibrary.org for scheduled movies.

   Dig out of your mess with Professional Organizer Debbie Lillard on July 18 at 7pm. 

   Join Marple Library's book discussion July 18 at 10am. Share what you're reading and learn about some great new books.

     Healthy Steps for Seniors: Come learn about fall prevention from Jennifer Hartley, MSW, a Geriatric Social Worker for the   Department of Senior Health Services of  the Crozer-Keystone Health System. Wednesday, July 24 at 10am.

    And coming in August…

Marisa McClellan, author of “Food in Jars: preserving in small batches year-round,” will be at Marple Public Library on Thursday, August 8 at 7 pm to do a free canning demonstration & tasting. Copies of her book will be for sale during the event.   

  Dig into history! Mr. Steve Abrams from the University of Pennsylvania will present "Architectural Treasures from the Keystone State" on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 7:00PM. The FREE Outreach Lecture Program is sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

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 Local sports display at mall this summer

  The Mickey Vernon Sports History Museum has prepared a series of Chester High basketball "Teams of the Decade" posters.  The first poster in the series will focus on the years 1950 to 1960.  It will be on view at the museum's location on the second floor of  the Granite Run Mall, near Boscov's, Tuesday through Saturday, July 13 through August 3, from 11 am to 6:30 pm. 

   For more information, contact Jim Vankoski at 610-909-4919 or email vankoski21@comcast.net.

 ***************************************************** Caregivers invited to senior victim services presentation

   Heron Companions, 607 Morgan Avenue, Drexel Hill, will host the Director of Senior Victim Services Diane L. Peter for a free informational session for family caregivers 10 am Wed. (July 10).

    Senior Victim Services, Inc., a private non-profit organization, serves victims of crime in Delaware County age 55 years and older.  The organization provides advocacy, assistance and safety within the criminal justice system and with social service agencies and community organizations, in order to restore older person’s lives and prevent further victimization.

   The event is free of charge and all are welcome. Parking is available on Morgan Avenue or across the street at Heron Home Health Care’s parking lot. If you have any questions contact Angelique M. Demetris, Marketing and Business Development Manager, at 610-259-9701.

  ***************************************************** Students Invited to Christian Rock Concert

  Middle and high school students are invited to a special evening of fun, games and snacks plus a concert by 4th Man Furnace, a Christian rock band, 6p.m., Saturday (July 20.) at Middletown Presbyterian Church, 273 S. Old Middletown Road (next to Indian Lane School) just below the Elwyn intersection of Rte. 352.

  For more information, call 610-565-4080 or visit www.middletownpres.org. 

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Free Movie Night in Media July 13
  
  The Media Recreation Board will host a free Family Movie Night 8p.m., Saturday (July 13), featuring “Madagascar 3,” which  will be projected on a giant movie screen in Barrall Community Park, State and Edgmont Sts.
  The audience is encouraged to bring blankets or low back beach chairs to sit on. 
  Media’s Family Movie Night recalls the age of the drive-in theater and is a safe, fun, community event for all ages.
  For further information, call the Media Recreation Dept. at 610 566 5210, ext. 255.


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International Preacher, Counselor at Chester Heights Campmeeting

  Rev. Dr. James W. DiRaddo will be the speaker at Chester Heights Camp Meeting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (July 19, 20, and 21) at 7p.m. each evening. Free will offerings will be accepted.
  There will also be a covered dish dinner at 5:30p.m. Saturday, prior to the main program. 
  Individuals and church groups are welcome to bring a dinner and dine in the picnic grove after 5p.m.  The camp meeting received an award from the Delaware County Planning Department’s Heritage Commission in 2011, for restoring eleven 100 year old Victorian cottages.
  The Rev. Dr. James W. DiRaddo is an internationally noted counselor and preacher. For over 55 years he has spoken at conferences and evangelistic crusades throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Africa, and Asia.
  The Camp Meeting is located at 320 Valley Brook Road, one mile south of  Rte. 1  at the Smith Bridge Road traffic light.
   Chester Heights Camp Meeting Association is an evangelical religious organization that works with area churches. They are located on 31 acres, with 150 year old trees, a children’s playground, and Victorian public buildings. For more information, go to www.ch-campmeeting.org, or call 610-494-4056.

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Busy July full of FREE events planned for kids at Tinicum Public Library

  Tinicum Memorial Public Library, 620 Seneca St., Essington, will welcome the interactive musical group "Makin' Music" on Wednesday, July 17, at  6:30 pm. All are welcome and no registration is required.
  The library will hold a Movie Week in July.  On Wed., July 24, at 3 pm, all ages are welcome to attend a showing of "Monster's Inc".  Then on Thursday, July 25 at 6 pm, the library will show "The Great and Poweful Oz.”
  A "Teddy Bear Clinic", a program presented by the Taylor Community Foundation, will come to Tinicum Library 11 am  Wed. (July 26). Children ages 3 to 6 are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal for a check-up to show how real doctors and nurses care for patients. 

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 Support troops at annual FREE Glenolden Park event

  First Presbyterian Church of Glenolden and its community partners will present its 6th annual Support Our Troops Care Package Event 10 am to 12 noon Sat. (July 20) in Glenolden Park, W. Knowles and S. Llanwellyn Aves, Glenolden. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to the church at 2 S. Chester Pike, Glenolden.
  Local residents are encouraged to stop by with donations for the troops to be shipped overseas. During the event, there will be FREE art, poem and writing workshops, and all work done will be sent to the troops. FREE food, including hot dogs, pretzels and drinks, will also be featured.
  For more information, e-mail glenolde1stpres@yahoo.com or call 610-583-1342.

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FREE Concerts All Summer Long at Rose Tree Park

The 2013 concert series features 45 live performances at the outdoor amphitheater in Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence and offers area residents the chance to enjoy a wide variety of FREE entertainment in a popular scenic locale.   “Delaware County Council is pleased to offer this free musical concert series for our residents every summer,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario Civera Jr. “The Summer Festival is a fun outing for families, neighbors, friends, and people of all ages. All you need is a blanket or a lawn chair, then sit back and enjoy.”
   Light refreshments are available for purchase at the park during the Summer Festival. No alcohol or pets are permitted.
  The lineup of talent includes all types of music, from classical to Cajun, Motown to Broadway, doo wop to rock and pop, and everything in between.
  There are also two extraordinary dance presentations, the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (July 13) and the Brandywine Ballet with the Downingtown School of Rock (July 26).
   There are different shows five nights a week, Wednesday through Sunday evenings, now-Aug. 18. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of two 10 a.m. concerts for children: Steve Pullara & His Cool Beans Band (July 11).
   There are also two evening concerts for children, featuring Makin’ Music Rockin’ Rhythms (July 24) and The Plants (Aug. 4)
   County Parks and Recreation Director Marc Manfre said this year’s concert series features perennial crowd-pleasers such as Robert Eric Band’s Tribute to Billy Joel (July 19), and modern Celtic rock group Blackthorn (Aug. 15).
   “We are also looking forward to presenting several dynamite acts we’ve never had here before, including Still Surfin’s Music of The Beach Boys (July 28),” Manfre said.  One festival newcomer is south Jersey native Payton Taylor (Aug. 1), a 16-year-old singer/songwriter and recording artist whose star is rising so fast, she relocated to Nashville last year. Taylor has performed her high-energy show around the country, appeared at major venues and festivals, and opened for major country artists, including Charlie Daniels, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan and more. She will be appearing at Rose Tree as part of the “Homecoming” leg of her 2013 Summer Tour.

   Other highly anticipated groups new to the festival this year are Yellow Brick Road: Tribute to Elton John (Aug. 16), the Gypsy Jazz group Hot Club of Philadelphia (Aug. 11), local bluegrass band The Rockdale Boys (July 21), and Native American Music Award nominees Spirit Wing (Aug. 8).

   Many audience favorites are back by popular demand, including Bandstand legend Charlie Gracie (July 25), the First Ladies of Rock & Soul (Aug. 2) and the Original Orlons (Aug. 17).
  Special patriotic performances will take place with the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus (Aug. 14).
  The final performance will take place Aug. 18 with the Charlie Phillips Band playing the music of Eric Clapton.
  Delaware County Council presents the festival with support from sponsors, including PECO and the Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau. 
   IF YOU GO: The Delaware County Summer Festival runs until Aug. 18 with concerts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays (unless otherwise noted) at the outdoor amphitheater at Rose Tree Park, 1671 N. Providence Road, Upper Providence. A full schedule of concerts is posted on the county’s website at www.co.delaware.pa.us/summer. Schedules are also available in Rose Tree Park, the Media Courthouse, and in the Delaware County libraries. For more information, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 610-891-4455.