Looking to save some bucks this summer? Here are some FREE events to help!

‘The Wawa Way’ at Middletown Library

The History of Wawa and the writing of The Wawa Way will be the topic 1p.m., Thursday (June 19) at Middletown Library, 21 N. Pennell Road.
A new book, The Wawa Way: How a Funny Name and Six Core Values Revolutionized Convenience, was recently written by Howard Stoeckel, a Wawa executive.
The presentation by Thayer Schroeder will give the audience an in-depth look at a company that started as a Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for Wawa dairy products. For the past 50 years, the convenience store has grown into a well-known company that competes against the biggest industry players in the world in three areas: fuel, convenience, and food, all while maintaining their personal approach and small business mentality.
  FREE Wawa products will be served at the event, so registration is required; call 610-566-7828 or email mireference@delcolibraries.org to register.

Blackthorn to rock Prospect Park in FREE concert
Blackthorn will perform 7 pm Thurs. (June 19) in Park Square, Tenth and Lafayette Aves., Prospect Park, as part of the borough’s summer concert series.  The performance by the Irish rock band is free and open to local residents.

FREE Caribbean fun!
The Caribbean’s Island Culture breezes through Martins Run this month. Sway to the rhythm of lively steel drums. Inhale the aroma of fresh ginger and take a bite of deep fried cassava. Martins Run brings the Caribbean to its senior living community campus this month, celebrating breezy island culture with attendees by introducing its savory cuisine and colorful culture. Jamaica, Barbados, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many other regions of the Caribbean will be showcased.
  The public is welcome to attend the event, titled “A Caribbean Morning” that Martins Run will host on Thursday, June 19 at 10 a.m. This unique multicultural jamboree will feature island native Sheila Mitchell, who will enlighten attendees with stories about the Caribbean’s traditional rhythm & dance, art, and other influences. Musician Bronson Tennis will sing and play guitar in a variety of Caribbean styles including salsa, reggae, and calypso. A complimentary lunch of traditional Caribbean fare and island-inspired desserts will be served. Seating is limited. Please RSVP at 610-353-7660 x227.

Lots of FREE fun on tap in Marcus Hook Saturday
  Marcus Hook Borough will host its sixth annual FREE Family Day noon to 3p.m. Saturday (June 14) at Mickey Vernon Park.
Sponsored by state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, of Chester, the event will have free food, drinks and multiple activities. (For more information on family day, call 610-485-8288.)
The borough will hold its fishing derby a day later on Fathers’ Day (June 15) at the Marcus Hook Pier. The event is open to all ages.
The fishing derby attracted over 90 anglers last year. This year, the first-place winner will receive a trophy, and there will be lots of door prizes for kids.
“If you have little ones or grandchildren please bring them down here, because there’s a good chance they’re going to walk away with a door prize,” said Council Member Joe Flynn.
Signups begin at 10a.m., and fishing will go from 11a.m. to 2p.m. All rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission apply. Prizes will be awarded shortly after fishing wraps up at 2:15. The recreation board will also be serving food.
(For more information on the fishing derby, call Joe Flynn at 610-283-1902.)

Youth Choir in Free Concert at Christ UMC
  Christ United Methodist Church will host the Youth Choir of West Chester United Methodist Church 7p.m., Monday (June 23).
The program is entitled “In Concert! Come, Follow Me.” The Youth choir, with 42 members, will sing a variety of music from their classical repertoire to spirituals.  The program will follow a choral concert format with several of the students sharing how music has impacted their faith.
Everyone is welcome.
Christ United Methodist Church is at 600 East Dutton’s Mill Road, Brookhaven. For more information, go to www.christumcbrookhaven.com or call 610-874-1270.

Hooters to perform FREE concert Saturday!
         Philadelphia's own The Hooters will rock a blend of ska, reggae, and folk music during a free concert as part of the Xfinity Live! Summer Concert series on the outdoor Live! stage on Saturday, June 14 at 9 p.m.
 Dynamic cover band SideArm is set to open the Live! stage at 7 p.m. before The Hooters take the stage at 9 p.m.
   Bursting onto the Philadelphia music scene in 1980, this bar band playing punk-influenced reggae and ska cover band, quickly became a huge success. The Hooters were named “Best New Band of the Year” in 1985 by Rolling Stone Magazine and most recently celebrated their 33rd Anniversary Tour.
  SideArm’s wide-ranging playlist includes everything from Elvis to Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews to Lady Gaga, and Metallica to Prince. Renowned for covering rock, pop, dance, funk, and R&B from the 50's until now, SideArm is known to enjoy mixing it up at shows, taking requests and establishing a more personable as well as interactive bond with their crowds.
   For all of the latest announcements and information for the 2014 Summer Concert Series schedule, visit our website at XfinityLive.com and join the conversation on twitter by using the #XLSummerConcert hashtag.
   XFINITY Live! Philadelphia is a dining and entertainment district centered in the heart of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The one-of-a-kind venue features over a dozen restaurant and entertainment choices, including six main venues: Broad Street Bullies Pub, PBR Bar & Grill (Professional Bull Riders), Philly MarketPlace, Spectrum Grill, Victory Beer Hall and the first-ever NBC Sports Arena. XFINITY Live! is a joint partnership between Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor and Baltimore-based The Cordish Companies

Have fine jewelry appraised- for free- at Friendship Circle
  Friendship Circle Senior Center will welcome IGC Metals to Friendship Circle Senior Center. IGC specializes in precious metals and will offer both appraisals for fine jewelry and precious metals as well as a watch and jewelry repair clinic 9 a.m. to 3 p.m We. (July 9) at Friendship Circle Senior Center, 1515 Lansdowne Ave., Darby. The center is on the campus of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in St. Bernard’s Hall.
To register for this free event,  stop in at the center in person or contact Program Manager Donna Schumacher at: 484-534-2033 or dschumacher@scs-delco.org.

Register kids for FREE Vacation Bible School
  The Son West Rip-Roaring Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Norwood, 9 am to 12 noon August 11 – 15. All interested children between 3 years (potty trained) and 5th Grade are invited to participate. Immanuel and St. Stephen’s Episcopal are joint sponsors and church volunteers will provide fun activities, crafts, bible stories, and songs with a “Western Rip-Roaring” theme.
  For more information, e-mail Jemorrison28@gmail.com or call 610-506-5387.

Free Workshop for Job-Seeking Women: 'The Interview and Beyond'
  Wings for Success, which provides work-appropriate attire and advice to women in need who are seeking employment,  is sponsoring a free workshop  on Thursday, June 26, at Chester County Library in Exton from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  “The Interview and Beyond: The Complete Package” is open to the public.  Check-in begins at 5 p.m. and refreshments will be served.
 “The goal of the workshop is to help women learn to project confidence, look the part, ace the interview and succeed on the job,” said Wings for Success Executive Director LeeAnn Riloff. “Workshops like this one are an important part of our ongoing mission to assist women in need by providing the clothing and counsel that helps them shine in the workplace.  But you don’t need to be a Wings client to attend.”
 Since its founding in 1997, the Chester County non-profit has helped more than 8,000 women seeking to move forward from challenging circumstances such as homelessness, domestic abuse, and recovery from addiction.  Personal stylists work with clients to select up to two weeks’ worth of flattering work-appropriate outfits, shoes and accessories valued at approximately $500. Beyond wardrobe assistance, Wings for Success also offers workshops to help women gain the confidence to look, feel and do their best.
  To register for the June 26 workshop, complete the online form, or call the library at (610) 280-2624.
  Wing for Success helps women in need to progress on the road to economic self-sufficiency by outfitting and equipping them for the workplace. Visit www.wingsforsuccess.org or call 610-644-6323 to learn more about supporting or benefitting from Wings for Success.

FREE Tour of Scott Arboretum
  Explore the Scott Arboretum's plant collections with Arboretum staff 11:30 am Sat. (June 21). This free tour is designed for gardeners from beginners to experts. The tour will begin at the Scott Arboretum offices and is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled. For more information, please call the Scott Arboretum offices at 610-328-8025.
   The Scott Arboretum is an educational garden of ideas and suggestions. Covering more than 300 acres of the Swarthmore College Campus and exhibiting over 4,000 different kinds of plants, the Arboretum displays some of the best trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals for use in the Delaware Valley. Established in 1929 as a living memorial to Arthur Hoyt Scott, the Arboretum is open to the public year-round free of charge, from dawn to dusk. Adam Levine of Garden Design magazine described the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College as "the most beautiful campus in America." Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to noon and 1 to 4:30 pm. For more information,  call the Arboretum Offices at 610-328-8025. Visit us at www.scottarboretum.org.

Board game night at Folcroft Library
  Children, in 6th grade or older, are invited to attend a FREE Board Game Night at the Folcroft Public Library 6:30 pm Thurs. (June 12).
  To attend, sign up in person or by calling 610-586-1690.

Read to the Pets at Ridley Park Library
    Kids invited to read to pets this summer. The Ridley Park Library, 107 East Ward Street, Ridley Park,  invites children grades one to five into the library this summer to read books to the Pals for Life pets.
Pals for Life is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for reluctant readers to practice reading to animals. The program will be held on Thursdays, June 26 to July 24, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the children’s library. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, please call the library at (610) 583-7207.
“We’re very excited that Pals for Life is coming to the library this summer,” said library director Mary Alice Walsh. “Reading to pets is a great opportunity to practice and maintain reading skills over summer vacation. And we’re sure the children will love all the pets! ”

FREE Book Festival in Philly 
The Philly Book Festival is here for a celebration of books, authors, and publishers. The Good L.U.C.K. Foundation - Author’s Express program sponsors of the festival hopes readers attending will come out to support  authors and publishers who write to encourage readers to broaden their horizons in the literary world. This year’s Philly Book Festival will be held at The Enterprise Center, 4548 Market Street Philadelphia from 12pm-6pm. This event is FREE and open to all. Readers can get more information on: https://phillybookfestival.eventbrite.com.
   At the festival  authors and other literary participants will have the opportunity to present their latest releases and participate in discussions with their fans, as well as present special signed copies. There will be non-stop readings on stage and podcasting. There will be workshops, children's activities by Chris and Lou sang along authors and storytellers and more.
   The Philly Book Festival Guest Speaker is Saideh Browne is the host and executive producer of the Sai Browne Morning Show.  Her firm, Sai Browne Media, manages several niche blogs as well as brand development and activation strategies for authors, keynote speakers and nonprofit organizations. In addition to her continuous efforts of empowering others she is a seven-time published author who successfully integrates the hits and misses in her own life with that of her expansive audience.
   Join us as Saideh discusses and signs copies of her book "Life Remixed: Understanding the Journey of Success." Life Remixed answers the question, "What happened?" and provides solutions to help you reset your life in a meaningful and profound way. Saideh Browne, in her 7th book, conveys a message of hope for those who have done the right things and have played by the rules but have ultimately been victimized by our institutions' betrayal of public trust.
   There will be authors who will read and discuss topics from business, love, self- esteem, empowerment and more. The authors attending are: Franne McNeal - "Significant! From  Frustrated to Franne – tastic”, Samara O’Shea – “Love Me.. Not: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in the Face of Unrequited Love”, Delilah Lawrence – “ Gotta Let It Go!”,
Dr. Karen Sloan Brown – “A Reflections: What a Difference A Day Makes , What About 100 Years” and “Searching for Everland” ,Tia Johnson “To Be Goddess: Every Women Is A Goddess Discover the Domains in Which You Reign Supreme”, Crystal  Xperience Judkins – “ Tomorrow’s Seduction: Kiss Of Death”, E. Marie Sanders – “ Blindsided”,  “To K(no)w Avail” and “Consequences and Repercussions”, Leonard Anderson, Jr - “ I’ll Never Let You Go” – the series, Sherry Shoemaker – “Courage to Climb”, Kimberly Roberts - “Joy Ride! The Stars and Stories of Philly’s Famous Uptown Theater” and a few others.
   The Good L.U.C.K. Foundation – Authors Express Program mission is to connect  1000 Reader’s to 1000 Author’s! And Providing Authors Resources and Services in order to Become a Best Selling Authors. “The Good L.U.C.K. Foundation believes it will achieve this mission if readers will come out in meet these writers who not only enjoy sharing their knowledge, stories and expereince but also encourage othesr to do the same states”, Interim Executive Director Kym Oglesby.  “We challenge everyone this year to meet someone new via reading books”.  It sponsors such as Raveena Media Group and QuintEssential Magazine for Women who has work hard to make this event FREE to the public.
   The Philly Book Festival is FREE and open to the public. Guests can find more information at: https://phillybookfestival.eventbrite.com. For more info, contact Linda Goldman at Email: authorsexpress@gmail.com Ph: (267) 630-2949.

Bible School sign ups at St.John Lutheran

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 25 E. Scenic Road in Springfield, will run their Vacation Bible School: "Five Words of Understanding" from Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18.  There will be a barbecue at the church on July 28.

Parents and children registering for VBS are invited to a church picnic on Sunday, July 13.  

  Call 610-543-3100 or visit www.stjohnspringfieldpa.org.

Celebrate America's Birthday with lots of FREE events on Independence Mall

 To celebrate Independence Week (June 28 – July 6, 2014), the National Constitution Center,Independence National Historical Park, Independence Visitor Center, and Historic Philadelphia, Inc. have joined together to present more than a dozen patriotic programs and events—plus, the largest assembly of Colonials on Independence Mall since the 18th century! From a Revolutionary War encampment in front of the Constitution Center to cannon demonstrations and military drills to moving readings of the Declaration of Independence and guest appearances by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin, this All-American Celebration on Independence Mall offers both Philadelphians and tourists of all ages plenty of “authentic” ways to celebrate America’s birthday in the birthplace of independence. Events of the more savory variety include the presentation of a giant American flag made entirely of Termini Brothers Bakery cupcakes! For a complete list of programs and events taking place in Historic Philadelphia and Independence National Historical Park during Independence Week and beyond, visithistoricphillysummer.com.

 Key programming highlights:

 For the second straight year, the Constitution Center (525 Arch Street) will participate in Wawa Hoagie Day on Wednesday, July 2. Admission to the museum is FREE on July 2 courtesy of Wawa and activities include a special exhibition about the company’s history and program on the history of the hoagie (free admission also includes access to the museum’s current feature exhibition, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello). Five tons of hoagies will be assembled at the museum in the early morning hours and served free to thousands of people outside the Independence Visitor Center on Independence Mall at 12 p.m.

  The Constitution Center also has curated a series of free scholarly chats and walking tours to take place on July 2, both at the museum and at various locations throughout Historic Philadelphia. Between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., historians and scholars will give talks on subjects

including “Women in Revolutionary America,” “Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia,” and “Race and the Civil War” and “The ’60s and Civil Rights.” The intention of these talks is to provide visitors with an expanded understanding of Independence Day—one that sees the holiday as both a celebration and an acknowledgment of America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the ideals expressed in the nation’s founding documents.

  Continental Army Regiments will set up camp in front of the Constitution Center, complete with soldiers, camp followers, medical facilities, and blacksmiths. Visitors can learn basic military techniques or try their hand as an apprentice in the blacksmith shop. Guests also will have the opportunity to learn a variety of colonial-era tasks including butter churning and candle and paper making during hands-on demonstrations (July 2 – 4). Additional daily programs at the museum include interactive shows on the history of the Star Spangled Banner, flag etiquette workshops, Colonial games, musical performances, and patriotic craft activities. Museum visitors also can view a rare 1823 Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence in the main exhibition gallery and a special temporary exhibition on the history of the American flag presented in partnership with the Philadelphia Flag Day Association.

 NOTE: The Constitution Center will have extended hours onWednesday, July 2, and Thursday, July 3, until 8 p.m. The museum will be open on July 1 and 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., July 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and July 6 from 12 – 5 p.m.

  Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s signature locations and attractions—Historic Philadelphia Center, the Betsy Ross House, Franklin Square, and the Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches—provide a truly unique way to experience history that is both engaging and fun. Stop by Historic Philadelphia Center (6th and Chestnut) to view the Liberty 360 3D Show in the PECO Theater, where Ben Franklin takes viewers on an inspirational and eye-popping tour of some of

 America’s most treasured symbols of freedom. Want to blend in with the Colonials on Independence Mall? The brand new Colonial for a Day Costume Rentals program gives kids the opportunity to dress in dresses and colorful sashes for girls or shirts and haversacks for boys.

 Special events at Betsy Ross House include daily 13-star flag raisings with Betsy Ross at 10 a.m. A family favorite—Betsy’s Independence Day Bash—will take place on Friday, July 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and features a naturalization ceremony for 13 children followed by a bell-tapping ceremony along with crafts for children. At Franklin Square (6th and Race Streets), enjoy three days of family fun and activities (July 4 – 6), including carnival games and the Square’s signature activities—the carousel and mini-golf where visitors can putt through the crack in the Liberty Bell.

 Head to Independence Mall outside the Independence Visitor Center for Colonial crafting and gaming (July 3 – 5; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.); Continental Army cannon drills (July 3 – 5; 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.); and talks with a Revolutionary War-era solider (July 3 and 5; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.). On July 4 at 1 p.m., the Visitor Center hosts Betsy Ross and Termini Brothers Bakery for a presentation of a giant (and delicious) American flag made entirely of cupcakes!

 Other events taking place daily during Independence Week offered by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and Independence National Historical Park include a military muster and drill practice at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Signers’ Garden (5th and Chestnut); and readings of the Declaration of Independence behind Independence Hall at 3:45 p.m. by a Once Upon a Nation History Makers.

 Of course, no visit to Independence National Historical Park would be complete without visiting (and lots of pictures) of two ultimate representations of freedom—Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Both Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center will have extra extended hours until 8 p.m. on July 2 – July 5. On July 8, National Park Rangers will commemorate the 238th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11:50 a.m. Costumed rangers will mingle with the crowds and distribute free copies of the Declaration.