Palko – Comerford engagement Mr. and Mrs. John R. Palko, of Cinnaminson, N.J., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer, to Andrew Comerford, of Wyndmoor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip M. Comerford of Naples, Fla. and Stone Harbor, N.J. The bride received a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Jefferson University, and a master’s certificate in pediatric occupational therapy from Temple University. She is an occupational therapist with Moorestown Visiting Nurses and Hospice in Evesham. The groom received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University, Bloomington. He is manager of the North Highland Co., King of Prussia. A September 24 wedding is planned. Fran Flanagan, of Lafayette Hill, has joined Long & Foster Real Estate’s Blue Bell office as a Realtor. The family of Polly Murphy Keller Winter, whose late husband, the Rt. Rev. Christoph Keller Jr., was for many years Episcopal Bishop for the Diocese of Arkansas, has announced that they are giving Heifer International $3.5 million toward construction of a hunger education center adjacent to the headquarters building in Little Rock. This is the largest individual gift Heifer, which has an office in Chestnut Hill,  has ever received. Joseph M. Montella, M.D, FACOG, of Chestnut Hill, was recently promoted from clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology to associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Jefferson Medical College. Currently, Dr. Montella is the director of the Division of Urogynecolgy and the medical director for Jefferson’s Center for Women’s Medical Specialties at Thomas Jefferson University. In addition he is the president-elect of the American Urogynecology Society, an international society of physicians dedicated to advancing research and treatment of female pelvic floor disorders of uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence. State Sen. LeAnna Washington has been appointed to the board of the Sedgwick Cultural Center. The Carol Schwartz Gallery, Chestnut Hill, is supplying artwork for the 2005 MANNA Design Home. Burt Siegel, director of community relations for the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, will be honored by the Jewish Social Policy Action Network (JSPAN) on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Mr. Siegel has been with the Philadelphia JCRC since 1973, serving as executive director for nine years. A native of Bayonne, N.J., he first came to Philadelphia as assistant regional director for the American Jewish Committee. He currently is vice chairman of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, having been appointed to that body by the past three mayors of Philadelphia. New officers at Center in the Park, Germantown, include: president, Benjamin F. Ellis Jr., Retired COO, New Covenant Church; vice president, Michelle P. Tate, vice president, Mellon Financial Corporation; treasurer, John J. Cavanaugh, CFO, Carson Valley School. New board members are Joyce Criss; Rasheen N. Davis, Esq.; Louis R. Freimiller; Diane Branch-Jones; Anthony J. Turner; and Tatia Jones-Harris.
Twilight garden tour The Morris Arboretum is offering a Twilight Garden Walk on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It’s a great occasion for a “date” night, or to grab a friend, or just come by yourself. Take this rare opportunity to visit the arboretum after hours and have the history of the arboretum come alive with historian and plantsman Bob Gutowski. As the day cools into evening, Bob will expound on the Morris Arboretum’s plant collection and point out plants that may be great for your own garden. You’ll gaze at the stars, relieve the day’s stress and thrill to the sights, scents, and sensations of twilight in the garden as autumn approaches. This is truly a magical garden walk. Dress for the weather, and meet at The Morris Arboretum’s Visitor Center at 100 Northwestern Avenue. The cost is $22 for members and $24 for non-members. or information on other tours and classes, go to www.morrisarboretum.org and click on education, and then classes.	DONNA GENTILE O’DONNELL, PH.D., of Chestnut Hill, has been appointed to the board of directors of MacroArray Technologies, LLC a biopharmaceutical company. Dr. O’Donnell is the former president of the Franklin Health Trust, currently serves on the board of trustees of the Drexel University College of Medicine and is a member of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Health Research Advisory Committee.
Hidden Treasure House Tour of Philadelphia’s Historic NW Explore six exciting private homes in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 1 to 5 p.m., when the owners open their doors as part of the Hidden Treasures House Tour of Philadelphia’s Historic Northwest, sponsored by the Germantown Historical Society. The houses range in date from the Colonial, Victorian and Modern periods, spanning the history of the German Township and reflecting the variety of styles that distinguish the area’s amazing domestic architecture. Elegant interiors and exquisite furnishings await visitors who will delight in the surprise of funding these architectural gems in out of the way places — truly hidden treasures! Tour participants travel to the houses in their own cars, beginning the tour either at the Germantown Historical Society, located at 5501 Germantown Ave. between Church and School House Lanes, or at the Philadelphia Print Shop, 8441 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill. The cost of the tour is $30 per person, $25 for members of the Germantown Historical Society. $5 discount if tickets are purchased by Sept. 20. The ticket includes tours of six privately owned homes and a booklet that provides information on the history and architecture of the houses. Tickets may be purchased at the Germantown Historical Society, 5501 Germantown Ave., or at Philadelphia Print Shop, 8441 Germantown Ave. Call 215-844-1683 for information. CELEBRATE THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND ADVANCES IN AVIATION HISTORY at the 16th Annual Vintage Aircraft & Classic Car Family FunFest on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Wings Field, Narcissa Road & Stenton Avenue, Blue Bell. (Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 11.) Admission is free; parking is $10 per car. All net proceeds will benefit Angel Flight East, a nonprofit organization facilitating free air transportation for medical and humanitarian needs. For more information, call toll free 1-800-383-WING or visit www.angelflighteast.org.     INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM WILL SHOW THE FIRST-EVER EXHIBIT OF MARINE ART BY THOMAS HOYNE through September 30. The exhibit will feature approximately 45 paintings. For more information, call the Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd. & Walnut St., at 215-413-8655 or visit www.phillyseaport.org.