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The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— November 23, 2023 (96th edition) ——
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Thanksgiving can serve as a time for us to reflect on the people and things we are thankful for. We are incredibly thankful for our County team and for the residents and business owners who make up our incredible Delco community!
We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with delicious food, fond memories with loved ones, good health, and JOY!
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Shop Local, Shop Small: Saturday, November 25 is Small Business Saturday | |
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While the day after Thanksgiving has long been known as Black Friday, a day we brave the big stores and large crowds to find the perfect holiday gifts for our friends and loved ones, an effort has grown in recent years to recognize Saturday as Small Business Saturday — a day that we support local entrepreneurs and small businesses in our community. It has become a holiday shopping tradition dedicated to supporting various small businesses — from an art store to your favorite local restaurant, to your neighborhood comic book shop, to a local boutique — and everything in between!
Started in 2016, Small Business Saturday is now formally recognized by the U.S Senate and all 50 states, providing local businesses the spotlight and an increased opportunity to thrive during the holiday season.
Our Delaware County small businesses — shops, restaurants, and service providers — grow and flourish with the support of our residents. By shopping or dining at local small businesses, residents provide support to their neighbors, help create jobs, and contribute to the local economy.
Here in Delaware County, the Delaware County Commerce Center, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Delco have collaborated to launch “Shop Delco” — a way to celebrate and support Small Business Saturday.
We hope you will consider “shopping small” this holiday season and supporting our neighbors and local economy while finding those perfect gifts for everyone on your list!
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Delaware County’s Festival of Lights and Holiday Village Opens December 1 | |
Each December, Rose Tree Park glimmers at night, welcoming visitors to enjoy a wintery walk in the park after dark. Delaware County Council and the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation are thrilled to announce the 48th annual Festival of Lights in Rose Tree Park, which opens on Friday, December 1.
“We’re grateful to host this wonderful event every year in Rose Tree Park,” said Marc Manfre, Director of Delaware County Parks and Recreation. “It’s a favorite local gathering place that really gets you into the holiday spirit.”
Delaware County’s annual Festival of Lights began over four decades ago as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration and quickly became a popular local tradition. Over time, the outdoor displays have grown from 50 decorated trees (one for each municipality and one large one to represent the County) to more than 100 lit trees and many festive displays, including candy canes, a penguin family, and Santa’s reindeer.
The festival will kick off with the park’s traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on December 1, with a welcome from County Council and seasonal songs by the Springton Lake Middle School Select Choir. The illumination of the trees will usher in Santa’s arrival and the opening of the Delco Holiday Village.
The 3rd annual Delco Holiday Village offers food trucks and a variety of local vendors, making Rose Tree Park the perfect spot to enjoy the flavors of Delco while shopping and supporting local businesses.
“We are thrilled to host this treasured Delco tradition once again this year and offer residents a fun and festive venue to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy the beautiful light displays, shop local, and enjoy some local cuisine in Rose Tree Park,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer.
Presented by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Holiday Village operates on select evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is scheduled for December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 (the first three Friday and Saturday evenings of the month).
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Holiday Village Hours
Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following weekend evenings:
Fri. & Sat., Dec 1 & 2
Fri. & Sat., Dec 8 & 9
Fri. & Sat., Dec 15 & 16
Admission and parking are free. Handicapped parking is available.
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Director Manfre highlighted some exciting new additions and changes for this year’s festival, made possible by the new sidewalk in the park which was completed over the summer.
“This year, the display area will extend to the rear parking lot behind the historic building known as the Hunt Club. Visitors will be able to stroll further than before, and there will be more space to enjoy the Holiday Village.”
Although the new playground itself will be closed after dark, the newer trees and plantings surrounding it will be lit up, and some of the displays have been relocated to that area. Also new this year: A lighted archway to guide visitors along the new path and a DJ playing holiday music to add to the festive atmosphere of the Holiday Village.
The Festival of Lights is a walk-through display and runs nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., December 1 through January 1. Admission and parking are free. Handicapped parking is available. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.
Visitors can go to www.holidayvillagedelco.com for more information and list of vendors and rain date information, or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (610) 891-4455.
For event notifications, such as weather cancellations, text the word DELCOPARKS to 888777 or select Parks & Recreation Alerts in the Delco Alert system (available at DelcoPA.Gov/DelcoAlert).
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Delaware County Health Department Delivers Thanksgiving Donations to Residents in Need | |
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The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD), in partnership with ACME Markets and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry via Philabundance were proud to host a “DCHD Delivers Thanksgiving” donation drive for members of the community this fall.
“DCHD Delivers Thanksgiving” is a Delaware County staff-oriented food collection drive supporting families in Delaware County this holiday season.
Over the past few weeks, DCHD and other County employees donated and collected food items and personally delivered the donations to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Prospect Park. ACME Markets joined the County’s efforts and donated 50 turkeys and accompanying side dishes.
Thank you to the County team and ACME for your generous donations and to Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry for distributing the food.
We hope this will create a joyful Thanksgiving dinner for residents to share with their loved ones this Thanksgiving.
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Pictured, left to right: Brendan Murphy, District Manager, ACME Markets, Reverend Christopher Heisey Terrel, Pastor, Prospect Hill Baptist Church, and Melissa Lyon, Director, Delaware County Health Department | |
Delaware County Leaders and Businesses Recognized by the Chamber of Commerce | |
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Delaware County Council Member Christine Reuther was honored to attend The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards celebration, rebranded this year as the “EPIC Awards,” to honor local organizations and individuals. The business advocacy organization’s signature event, held at The Drexelbrook on November 14, brings together hundreds of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders for an opportunity to network and recognize their peers for the year’s accomplishments.
The 2023 EPIC Award honorees are:
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Company of the Year: Main Line Health
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Citizen of the Year: Brittani Hales, Community Engagement Specialist, Delaware County Planning Department
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Nonprofit of the Year: Family Support Line
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Economic Development Award: ShopRite of Drexeline
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Young Professional of the Year: Jamie Kerezsi, Realtor with the Anne Marie Kerezsi Estate Team
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Business Excellence Award: Sharon Bank
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Outgoing Foundation Board Chair Award: Ann Logan, Leadership Performance Coach at Vanguard
Congratulations to the awards recipients on their much-deserved recognition and thank you for contributing to making Delco a great place to live and work!
For more information about the 2023 EPIC Awards and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.delcochamber.org.
|  | Pictured (left to right): Chamber of Commerce President Trish McFarland, 2023 Citizen of the Year Award Winner Brittani Hales, and Delaware County Council Member Christine Reuther | Congratulations to all the EPIC Award honorees | |
Healthy Steps Fall Prevention Program Offered at Bryn Mawr Hospital on December 12, 13 | |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that every 20 minutes an older adult in the U.S. dies from a fall, and that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.
To address this significant health risk, the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), in collaboration with Main Line Health, are teaming up to offer the evidence-based Healthy Steps program for Delaware County residents ages 60 and older.
The Healthy Steps program helps reduce fall risk by helping participants address fears while educating and equipping them with the right tools to make a difference in their lives. Research has found that adults who completed the Healthy Steps workshop lower their risk of a fall by 15%.
COSA and Main Line Health will offer the free two-day program at Bryn Mawr Hospital, located at 933 Haverford Road in Bryn Mawr, on Tuesday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 13.
Participants must attend both sessions.
All program costs, including the Healthy Steps workbook, are covered by COSA, so the program is FREE, however class size is limited, and registration is required.
Bryn Mawr Hospital
933 Haverford Road
Lower Level, Conference Room B
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Session #1: Tuesday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Session #2: Wednesday, December 13, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
To register, call (484) 337-5212 or email kanem@mlhs.org.
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