December lights up with freebies!

Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital to kick off holiday season with tree lighting and live Nativity 

 Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital will once again welcome the holiday season with its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Live Nativity 5 pm Thursday, December 4.
 The evening’s festivities will include the hospital’s tradition of a live nativity scene, musical entertainment by Darren Lucis and Joanne Farrell of the group Sway, and a visit from Santa Claus himself. The ceremony will culminate with the lighting of the hospital’s great American holly tree with help from Yeadon and Darby Fire Companies and Mercy EMS.
 In honor of the Feast of St. Nick, children can pose with Santa after the tree lighting ceremony; from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Parents are advised to bring their own cameras for photos.
 Refreshments will be served indoors. All attendees will also receive a special gift. Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a free community event open to the public. All are welcome to attend.

Christmas Coffehouses planned at First Baptist

 The First Baptist Church at Clifton and Andrews Aves., Collingdale, will hold  the first of two Christmas Coffeehouses Sat., December 13.The public is invited  to gather in the first floor of the Fellowship Hall for  a time to enjoy holiday refreshments and music to celebrate  the Christmas season.
 Those who would like to take a break from their fast-paced schedules are welcome to stop in 7-9 pm.  The featured group will be Savior Soul.  Since the original meeting between Savior Soul drummer, Mark Beecher(Drexel University Music Professor, and Grammy  nominee/member) and Rick Shryock, (fiddler for numerous Philadelphia/Tri-State bluegrass bands), the band has grown in number, with an ever-increasing repertoire.
 Savior Soul combines the traditional with the contemporary, into a unique blend of Spirit-filled Americana Music, by means of voice, guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, acoustic bass, and drums.
  “The music gets listeners past any pretentiousness and into their hearts,” says Beecher. “It’s simply an honest expression of what we are feeling in our music, rather than any forced statement or declaration. It’s an uplifting message of hope and redemption.”
People can learn more about the group at www.saviorsoul.com/. The Church will host a second Christmas Coffeehouse 7 pm Friday, Dec. 20.
   Call the church at 610-586-3563 for more information.

 Redwood Community Playhouse Offers Free Fitness and Dancing
 Area residents age fifty-five and older can help stay young and fit with free programs at Redwood Playhouse, sponsored by Delaware County Council and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Line Dance Lessons are offered every Monday and Friday from 12:30 to 2:30p.m.
Yoga, Pilates and Zumba Gold are held noon to 2:30p.m., on the first, third and fourth Wednesdays of every month.
Tai Chi classes are held three Fridays a month at 11a.m. to noon.
Country Line Dancing is held every Wednesday from 7 to 9:30p.m.

Live Nativity Celebration at Neumann University
 Neumann University will host its annual Greccio Live Nativity Celebration Sunday, Dec. 7. The program, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:15p.m. in front of the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development on Convent Road.
Neumann students and faculty will re-enact the Franciscan tradition of the crib, first celebrated in Greccio, Italy, performing the Live Nativity scene and the scripture narration.  In addition, the program will also feature the sounds of sacred Christmas music, performed by the Holy Family Regional School (Aston) Bell and Children’s Choir.
All are welcome to visit campus earlier, to attend Mass at 4:30p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel of Bachmann Main Building and to see (and pet) the animals as they arrive at 5:30p.m.  After the Live Nativity program, the community is invited to enjoy more traditional Christmas music and refreshments, and to meet Santa in the Bayada Atrium of the Mirenda Center.  The animals that participate in the re-enactment will remain on campus until 7:30p.m.
Afterwards, the University’s Christina Brame Gospel Choir will perform at 7:30p.m. in the Meagher Theatre, in the Bruder Life Center.
Proceeds from the hour-long concert will go toward the Christina Brame Scholarship Fund. Offerings will be accepted.
The Live Nativity was first staged in 1223 when a group of friars, organized by St. Francis of Assisi, led a singing throng of local residents to Greccio, a simple monastery in the heart of Italy. The villagers witnessed a primitive crib, surrounded by farm animals and peasants who re-enacted the birth of Christ. This ritual has been celebrated ever since, in Greccio and around the world.
For more information, call the Office of Mission and Ministry at 610-558-5511.

Sisters of St. Francis Open Their Doors to the Public
  A sparkling gold cross atop an orange/red dome has attracted many people from near and far to Our Lady of Angels Convent (OLAC), the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia at 609 South Convent Road, Aston.
The sisters know that there are many more people who drive past the convent every day and wonder who and what exists behind those giant doors in the big castle-like structure.
Here is their chance to find out.
The Sisters of St. Francis invite community members to tour the OLAC facility and chapel beginning with the New Year 2015. At 1p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, visitors can attend a short historical presentation and a tour of the first floor buildings and chapel, followed by light refreshments and time for questions and answers.
The hosts will be Sr. Kathleen Parisi, OSF, and several other sisters who live at the motherhouse.
To prepare for guests, the sisters ask that visitors call the receptionist at 610-459-4125 and provide name and phone number in case of cancellations, and the number of family or friends who will attend. Group tours on weekdays may be reserved by calling Sr. Kathleen Parisi at 610-558-7714 to select a date for a group tour for at least six people.

Stargazing topic at Delco Science Institute
 Greg Lee of the Delaware Astronomical Society will be the guest speaker 7:30 to 9p.m., Monday (Dec. 8) at the Delaware County Institute of Science, 11 Veterans Square, Media.
His topic will be the Geminid Meteor Shower. Together with the Quadrantids, it is the only major meteor showers not originating from a comet. The Geminid Meteor Shower, which peaks on the night and morning of Dec. 13-14, is slow moving and easily observable.  Meteor watching does not require a telescope, making it a good time to become familiar with constellations in the winter sky. It often leads to further involvement in the fascinating hobby of stargazing.
Everyone is welcome to this timely lecture to learn more about meteors, their connection to comets, and recreational stargazing.

Brookhaven Hosts FREE Senior Luncheon
 The Brookhaven Recreation Committee will sponsor its Ninth Annual Senior Holiday Luncheon for borough senior citizens age 62 and older 1p.m., Sunday (Dec. 7) at the municipal center on Cambridge Road.
Senior Citizens can sign up for tickets at the municipal center through Wednesday, Dec. 3 during normal borough business hours.
Admission is free, but tickets are required and seating is limited.

Food in ancient Egypt at Ridley Township Library
   What did a typical ancient Egyptian family have for dinner? Dr. Stephen Phillips from the University of Pennsylvania Museum returns to Ridley Township Library on Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30 pm to talk Using images from tomb walls and actual archaeological finds, Dr. Steve’s illustrated lecture will introduce the diet of ancient Egyptians.
  Phillips is the Research Assistant in the Egyptian Section of the University of PA Museum, and specializes in the analysis of ancient Egyptian mummies. Register for this free program, to be held in Garling Hall,  by calling 610-583-0593, emailing reference@ridleylibrary.org, or stopping by the library at 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom.

Demonstration of Low Vision "Assistive Devices" at Ridley Township Library
Ridley Township Library recently received a grant from Access Beyond the Stacks, a project of the PIAT(PA's Initiative on Assistive Technology). This project is geared to enable older adult patrons and others who are experiencing vision loss to return to libraries once again. The library received an IPad and a magnifying device, as well as headphones and stands for the devices.  These portable devices provide magnification and text to speech reading.
On Friday, December 5, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, PIAT will sponsor an Open House where patrons can learn about and try the equipment provided by the grant. This event will help to spread the word about the library's new equipment to those with vision loss and to those who know someone who could benefit from their use. PIAT will not only demonstrate the equipment but will provide take-away information about Access Beyond the Stacks, vendor resources, and other materials about borrowing and funding equipment. The Open House will be held in the library’s lower level meeting room. For more information, or to register for this free event, call 610-583-0593, email reference@ridleylibrary.org, or visit the library, located at 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom. Walk-ins are welcome!

Live Nativity and more at Church of Christ
The Church of Christ in Folsom will start the Christmas Season with a live nativity production in the church fellowship hall 7 pm Wed., Dec. 3. Everyone is welcome to come and hear the Christmas story, complete with live animals. For information, call Rose at 610-534-8419.
  The annual “Drop and Shop” will be held 12-4 pm Sat., Dec. 6 for those who need time to shop without their children. The church will provide crafts, snacks, games and more for the children.
  For more information, call 610-532-2636 or e-mail mkomisor@gmail.com. The church is at 1530 Fourth Ave., Folsom.

Special concert planned at St.John’s
Local opera singers will perform at St. John's Lutheran Church in Folcroft 3 pm Sunday, November 30. The church's choir director and organist, Jennifer Holbrook and her husband, William Davenport will sing such selections as "O Salutaris Hostia" from Rossini's "Petite Messe Solennelle,” "O Divine Redeemer,” and "The Lord's Prayer.”  They will also perform scenes from "La Traviata,” "Lucia di Lammermoor,” "La Boheme" and more.  The couple will be accompanied by pianist Ting Ting Wong.  The concert is free to the community.  A free will offering will be collected for Operation Crush Ebola.  There will be a reception following the concert in the church's social room.   St. John's is at Glen and Folcroft Avenues in Folcroft, with parking in the rear of the church.  For more information, call the church office at 610-583-4977.

Media-Upper Providence Library will host two upcoming events for area children.
--Girl Scout Reading Buddies: fifth grade Juniors from Media Girl Scout Troop 2548 will volunteer as reading buddies on 1 to 2p.m., Sunday (Dec. 7) at the library. Parents can bring their   children to sit with a Girl Scout and have a story read to them, or they can practice reading with a buddy. The program is recommended for ages four and older; no registration required.
--At Frozen Storytime with Makin’ Music, children will meet Elsa at a special Frozen Storytime with Makin’ Music at the Media-Upper Providence Library! This program is for all ages and will be held 11a.m., Monday (Dec. 8).
For more information call 610-566-1918 or email mecsd@delcolibraries.org. The library is at 1 E. Front St, Media.

FREE Job Search Workshops at Community College
The Delaware County Workforce Investment Board will sponsor the following free workshops for job seekers at the PA CareerLink® at the Delaware County Community College, 901 South Media Line Road.  All workshops require registration; call 610-723-1220 weekdays to register.
--Interviewing Techniques: Dec. 1, 1 to 3p.m. - Job interview success depends on how well the candidate is prepared.  Learn what hiring managers want in a candidate, what questions they may ask and how they should be answered.
--Federal Jobs I: Dec. 2, 1 to 3p.m. - Ten Steps to a Federal Job will teach attendees the process of searching for and applying for a job with the Federal Government.
--Personal Computing: Dec. 2-4, 1:35 to 4:35p.m. - This three day workshop will teach the basics needed in a job search.
--Resume I: Dec. 3, 1 to 3p.m. - Intended for beginning resume writers or for those who haven’t written a resume in over a year. Basics will include the cover letter and a professional portfolio and methods for presenting a resume and portfolio to potential employers that reflect the job-seeker in the best light possible.
--Resume II: Dec. 4, 1to 3p.m. – Learn the process of self-marketing and promotion.

Slots still open for Youth Trades Training
 The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc.’s (CAADC) Building Trades Training Program still has slots open for its employment program for out-of-school youth. CAADC is accepting applications but eligible and interested youth from Delaware County should contact them immediately as all slots will be filled soon.
The Building Trades Training Program is designed to help out-of-school youth gain the skills for a rewarding career. The program helps the youth develop skill sets including free training in plumbing basics, construction and drywall and electrical maintenance. Participants receive industry recognized certifications in OSHA Construction, Lead Safety and Forklifting.
There are a limited number of available slots though and applicants must meet the following requirements: be between the ages of 17 and 21; currently reside in Delaware County; not enrolled in High School.
Income eligibility guidelines apply.  Call to check eligibility: Carla Gordy at 610-874-8451, ext. 1047.

Breakfast with Santa at Gateway
 Gateway Community Church will host Breakfast with Santa 9 to 11:30a.m., Saturday (Dec. 13) at the church, 708 South Old Middletown Road, in the lower level gymnasium.
The event is a kid-friendly, family fun event that features a free pancake breakfast, crafts, music, face painting and photos with Santa.
An optional donation of a non-perishable food item for the church’s pantry ministry is welcome.  No reservations are needed. For more information visit www.visitgateway.org or phone 610-724-6236.

Pictures with Santa & Tree-Lighting in Brookhaven
 The Brookhaven Recreation Committee will sponsor Pictures with Santa Claus for borough children 11a.m. to 1p.m., Saturday (Nov. 29) at the Brookhaven Municipal Center on Cambridge Road.
Brookhaven’s annual tree lighting ceremony will be held 6p.m.,  Sunday (Dec. 7) on the grounds of the municipal center.
Attendees will hear the beautiful sounds of young Christmas carolers, share light refreshments and meet Santa Claus.
The event is sponsored by the Brookhaven Recreation Committee and the Brookhaven Business & Professional Association.

FREE programs at Redwood
A new fitness program, Senior Fitness conditioning classes using bands, weights and balls, will begin the first Tuesday in January and will run every first Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 1:30p.m.
Special events are held one Thursday a month with live bands. Nov. 20 will be Oldies Dance Night with Joe Staffieri and DJ Sal April from 7 to 9:30p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Every second, third and fourth Tuesday, there are live bands and DJ music for ball room dancers from 1 to 3p.m.
The Redwood Playhouse Community Center is in Upland Park on 6th St. in Upland. For more information call 610-891-6061 or 610-891-4663 or visit the county web site for monthly schedule at www.co.delaware.pa.us and click on Park and Recreation, Upland Park.

Free breakfast at Post 3460
Media VFW Post 3460 will host its monthly free breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28 at the Post, 11 Hilltop Road in Media.  The breakfast is held the last Sunday of every month.  On the menu are eggs, bacon, sausage and scrapple, creamed dried beef, French toast, pancakes,
coffee, tea and pastries.

Delco libraries host WWI Centenary series
Delaware County libraries will commemorate the centenary of World War I with a lecture given on each year of the war by local historian Andrew Miller at each participating library.
Swarthmore Public Library will host a lecture on the final years of the War, 1917-1919 2 to 4p.m., Saturday (Dec. 6).
All programs are free and open to the public.  Sign up at the library, via email (swarthmore@delcolibraries.org) or call 610-543-0436.

 Woodlyn Baptist announces Christmas events
 All are invited to experience a worshipful choral presentation and narration that traces the promise of the Messiah and then celebrates God's promise fulfilled in Jesus as the Woodlyn Baptist Church Choir presents “Journey of Promises,” a cantata by Joseph Martin, 6:30 pm Sun., Dec. 14.  Highlights of the evening will include a carol sing and special performances by children of the church. “Journey of Promises” will be followed by a dessert buffet.
A Christmas Eve Service will be held 7 pm TUES.,, Dec. 24. Everyone is welcome to sing carols, hear the Christmas story and enjoy a special night. Woodlyn Baptist Church is east on MacDade Boulevard. For more information, call the church at 610-833-5577, email woodlyn@rcn.com, or visit www.woodlynbaptist.org.

Prospect Park invites community to free holiday open house 

Prospect Park Library will hold a “Holiday Open House & Children’s Clearance Book Sale 10 am to 2 pm Sat., Dec. 13.  Drop in anytime to make holiday ornaments and seasonal crafts, including the snowman Olaf from Frozen.  The crafts are free, but there will also be   a variety of inexpensive children’s books to purchase.  All proceeds go directly to library to help “Keeping Our Children Reading!”    

Prospect Park Library is at 720 Maryland Avenue (across from the train station.) For more information, call 610.532.4643, emailprospectpark@delcolibraries.org or visit www.prospectparklibrary.org.

Experience the Camaraderie of Woodcarving at Schoolhouse Center
  Experienced and beginning woodcarvers are invited to a free group that meets 12-2 pm Mondays at Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom.
Experienced woodcarvers help beginners learn the craft, enjoying camaraderie while they carve. New carvers are always welcome. This group is affiliated with the William Rush Woodcarvers.
For more information, call Schoolhouse at 610-237-8100.

Special Norwood Library guest to make interactive learning experience
The Norwood Public Library will host Ten Unforgettable Stories that History Forgot 6:30 pm Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Library, 513 Welcome Ave, Norwood. Rochelle Christopher of Victorian Vanities will present this program that is meant to generate discussion over which of the stories in the current media will be the ones that descendants will still be discussing fifty years from now or even one hundred years from now, and the significance behind that.
  Christopher states that “a well-informed citizenry is vital to the future of a well-run democracy.  Victorian Vanities seeks to engage the public in interactive learning experiences that teach American history, making it accessible and relevant to today's consumer.  Call the Library at 610 534-0693 for more information.