Letters May 24

Posted 5/23/12

Encouraged by work with Jenks

While the Jenks School has always had committed, energetic parents, it is impressive to read the goals expressed by the Friends of Jenks in last week’s Local. The …

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Letters May 24

Posted

Encouraged by work with Jenks

While the Jenks School has always had committed, energetic parents, it is impressive to read the goals expressed by the Friends of Jenks in last week’s Local. The Chestnut Hill Book Festival and Speaker Series recently began a relationship with Jenks and discussed ways that we can support the school with Principal Mary Lynsky especially in the area of reading. It is exciting to hear of the many educational endeavors occurring at the school.

We are delighted to support all members of the Jenks team in their efforts to provide the best possible education for the students in our community, and we encourage others to pitch in too.

The Chestnut Hill Book Festival and Speaker Series Committee:

Kathy Bonanno, Hugh Gilmore

Marie Lachat, Kate O'Neill

and Greg Welsh

 

Cheap shots not funny

I must protest Jim Harris's recent column: “Jim's Broad Street Run a big success; he's still alive.” Never have I read such an unfair screed about a community. It is clear that Mr. Harris has little experience with the race and its neighborhood.

He writes: “The starting signal this year is a flag, since, in past years, it was hard to distinguish the starting gun from the everyday gunfire … I gave my last $3 to a woman who accosted me at Broad and Stenton, saying that her car broke down and she needed money to buy diapers for her baby … an elderly gentleman mistakes me for a flash mob and sprays mace in my eyes ...”

Had Jim actually run the race, he would have met the delightful student volunteers from Central High School, who loaded racers' luggage into school buses. He would have heard several shots from the starter's pistol as the race went off in orderly waves, allowing racers, runners, and joggers all to have their own official starts. He would have seen the North Philadelphia residents, who cheered for the runners from their front steps and rooftops. He would have heard the invigorating music from the Temple University band. He could have received high fives from children who lined the course.

Instead, he decided to take cheap shots at a neighborhood that hosted a wonderful event. Please think twice before using stereotypes to pass for humor. They are not funny.

Anne Hilton

Chestnut Hill

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