Third Friday events boost shopping and dining in Havertown’s business districts

HAVERFORD — Discover Haverford recently announced its Third Friday events in several of Havertown’s business districts.

“The Third Friday events offer a chance for expanded outdoor seating, live music and extended shopping hours for a fun date night, girls’ night out, or a chance to hang out with your neighbors,” explains Discover Haverford’s Executive Director Jeanne Angell.

The Third Friday event in the Brookline district in May was a big success, and the next event will be held on Friday, June 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Oakmont South Business District, with live jazz music provided by the Michael Kaplan Band.

The band and the Discover Haverford tent will be set up on Darby Road between House Cup Café and Buona Sera.

Dinner options include a “speakeasy” at Brick & Brew’s event space with special food and drinks, Al Pastor with its new outdoor patio, Buona Sera, The Crossbar, Havertown Pizza and Sophie’s BBQ. House Cup Café will stay open until 8 p.m. offering after-dinner coffee and treats.

Several shops in the district will stay open late and will provide special activities, host other vendors or offer discounts. Hendren House will offer 20% to 50% off storewide and will host local artist Rudy Miller and a candle-making workshop.

House Cup will offer a 15% discount on bags of coffee, pods, and tea tins and will host vendors Wee Marie’s Shortbread and What’s on the Table’s focaccia.

Brew Your Own Beer will offer beer and wine samples, plus 10% off any beer, wine or cider kit.

Havertown Bike Shop will offer free test rides on an electric bike. Mysa Fragrance House will offer a chance to customize your own fragrance. In addition, the Oakmont Fire Company will be open for tours, and will showcase its 1912 firetruck.

In the fall, Discover Haverford will host two more Third Friday events: in the Brookline business district on Sept. 20 and in the Oakmont Village district on Oct. 18.

For more information on the Third Friday events, visit http://www.DiscoverHaverford.org/third-fridays-1.

Chester plans Juneteenth celebration in Memorial Park

St. Daniel’s Ray Of Hope CDC, in partnership with Chester, will present the 13th annual Juneteenth Festival.

It’ll be in Memorial Park, 2300 W. Seventh St., Chester, on Saturday, June 15 from noon to 6 p.m.

Hosted by Anthony Moore, the event will feature the Legendary Blue Notes, as well as featured performances by Bryan Parr and The Blind Date Band featuring Tyra Starr, Mark’s Jazz Band and Nick Reynolds and Family Affair.

Added attractions will include food and craft vendors, a basketball tournament, voter registration, NAACP Chester Branch registration, swimming, face painting, dance contest, children’s activities, a health fair and more.

The free event will be held rain or shine. For more information on the festival activities or to be a vendor, call 610-716-0482.

Amvets Post 118 sells tickets to Music Bingo fundraiser

Amvets Post 118, 211 N. Morton Ave., Morton, will hold a music bingo fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Proceeds will benefit Veterans Chapel, a tax exempt nonprofit 501c3 charity, a veterans service organization that provides pastoral care and counseling to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, disability or age.

The fun-filled bingo event will feature a professional bingo caller who will guide participants through three rounds of the classic game, with plenty of opportunities to win prizes.

Cost is $30, which includes the three rounds. Guests can bring their own food, but no outside beverages will be permitted. Drinks will be for sale by the post.

For tickets, call 833-VET-CHAP (838-2427) or visit http://MusicBingo4Vets.eventbrite.com.

Yerkes Associates celebrates 150 Years of building the Philadelphia region

Yerkes Associates, one of the nation’s oldest civil engineering and surveying firms, commemorated its 150th anniversary with a special event at its headquarters in West Chester last week.

Yerkes leaders joined local and state officials, community members and employees to mark the firm’s century-and-a-half legacy and its pivotal role in shaping the Philadelphia region.

“Today is a momentous occasion for Yerkes Associates,” said Nick Cirilli, president and CEO. “This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, service and community. As we look ahead to the next 150 years, we remain dedicated to continuing to lead the way in engineering, adapting to the ever-changing needs of our clients and community.”

Founded in 1874, Yerkes Associates has been instrumental in the tri-county region’s development. From its early days of land surveying, including Valley Forge National Historical Park, to becoming a comprehensive engineering powerhouse, Yerkes has provided essential planning and design expertise for both public and private entities.

“It’s an honor to celebrate this milestone with Yerkes, a true pillar of our community,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, D-19 Chester County. “Their contributions to the region are significant, and I know I speak for many when I say we’re incredibly fortunate to have such a visionary company right here in our backyard.”

During the celebration, Yerkes presented a donation to the Valley Forge Park Alliance for the renovations and expansion of the historic Maurice Stephens House, where Gen. George Washington trained the Continental Army.

“Yerkes Associates has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of our community and the surrounding region,” said East Goshen Township Board Chair Michele Truitt. “Their work over the past century and a half has had a lasting impact on our infrastructure and growth, and we’re so grateful for their expertise.”

A display of historical equipment and original hand-drafted plans offered a glimpse into Yerkes’ storied past. The event concluded with new signage unveiling symbolizing a bright future, followed by a reception.

Founded in 1874 by Samuel and John Garrigues, Yerkes has played a vital role in shaping the development of Philadelphia’s Main Line and surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania region.

For over a century, four generations of the Yerkes family guided the firm’s growth, expanding its services beyond surveying to encompass civil engineering, planning, landscape architecture and municipal services.

Today, under Cirilli’s leadership, Yerkes Associates is a full-service surveying, civil engineering and municipal services firm celebrating 150 years of providing efficient, effective and high-quality professional services.

For more information about Yerkes Associates, visit https://yerkes-assoc.com.

Rose Tree Media Optimist Club holds giant flea market

The Rose Tree Media Optimist Club will hold its giant quarterly flea market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 at Delaware County Community College, Media Line Road, Media.

The rain date will be June 30.

Spaces at the flea market cost $50 for a single or $90 for a double space. For information on vendor space rental, contact the club at 484-908-9662.

Habitat for Humanity announces new leadership team, plan for growth

The Habitat for Humanity Affiliate of Montgomery and Delaware Counties has recently revamped its leadership team to drive forward its mission of providing a greater number of affordable homeownership and home repair opportunities.

Keith Sterling, chief executive officer, recently announced the promotion of Katie Vorce to chief operating officer. Vorce’s leadership and guidance have been instrumental in managing government funding, real estate development and program services.

Other new leadership additions include Tim Belmont as chief financial officer, providing in-house financial stewardship and guidance.

William Breish, vice president of Government Relations and Retail Operations spearheads the transformation of the ReStore thrift store operations into a hub for low-cost, high-quality furniture, household goods, construction materials, and more.

Breish will also concentrate on strengthening relationships with local municipal governments and civic organizations that share Habitat’s mission and are interested in partnering with them.

Brittney Crenshaw, director of program services, oversees the Family Services and Repair Project programs, which are critical components to the success of the affiliate.

Alyssa Spiotta, as director of development, brings valuable experience in nonprofit development, collaborating with corporations and individuals eager to contribute to the betterment of society.

Allison Smale, appointed as director of Volunteers and Outreach, brings a wealth of experience in nurturing relationships with community leaders and building trust through fostering teamwork to invigorate efforts aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods.

Sterling expressed his excitement about bringing this team of professionals together, stating, “Our mission is to transform lives by stabilizing and improving shelter conditions. Our three-year plan aims to triple the number of affordable homes built previously, provide affordable mortgages to qualified applicants, and substantially increase the number of home repairs facilitated for qualified homeowners, with a special focus on veterans and older adults.”

The Habitat chapter has dedicated over 35 years to providing affordable homeownership opportunities for income-qualified households across Montgomery and Delaware counties.

Since its inception in 1989, the organization has provided 108 affordable mortgages, with four more slated for completion by the end of the year, and has served nearly 200 owner-occupied households through the provision of critical health, safety, and accessibility repairs.

Its commitment extends beyond housing, through the revitalization of neighborhoods, stimulating economic growth, and bolstering communities in their pursuit of safe living environments for all.

For more information, visit http://habitatmontdelco.org.

Readers can send typed community news press releases and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.