August 10, 2006 Issue

Back To School
Special



Classifieds

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Hundreds of couples have stepped into a future filled with promises of love, “’til death do us part,” among the spring-green foliage of the Sugarloaf Estate. But, as of Wednesday, Aug. 2, the Sugarloaf estate will serve as the stepping stone for thousands of students, taking their own stride into an educated future with Chestnut Hill College.

The College signed the final papers in front of an audience of about 400, making official its purchase of the 32-acre Sugarloaf Estate from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation for $11 million. The college invited community members, students, staff and benefactors into the air-conditioned respite of Sorgenti Arena for a ceremonial signing and blessing of the now-expanded college campus.

Last Wednesday’s signing and blessing ceremony, which was supposed to take place on the Sugarloaf Estate, now referred to as SugarLoaf Hill by the college to fit its slogan of “joining of two hills,” was moved inside to Sorgenti Arena on the college’s current campus because of the overwhelming heat.



Former part-time employee now the owner of Hill Company
By JEROME O’NEILL

Since 1949, the Hill Company at 8615 Germantown Ave. has been a fixture among the fine shops of Chestnut Hill. Originally a hardware store founded by Eli Schmidt, the Hill Company shifted to outdoor furniture in the 1970s. Over the years Eli’s wife and son, Lillian and Bruce, continued to serve the Chestnut Hill shopping community in this capacity. However, a noteworthy decision by Bruce Schmidt nine years ago recently led to a new and exciting change for the store and our community.

Linda Moran walked into the Hill Company in 1997 looking for a part-time job. She asked Bruce if he needed someone to help two days a week. Bruce decided to offer Moran a position, and in less than a decade, that position has gone from part-time employee to owner.

Springside names interim athletic director
by TOM UTESCHER

Springside School’s rapidly evolving athletic program will have new leadership for the coming academic year, as last month the local school appointed Wyndmoor resident Debbie Maine Interim Athletic Director.

The Lions are launching a cross country team this fall, and there is a new head coach for the field hockey squad. This winter a swimming team will make its debut, and there will be a new basketball coach, as well. For the latter sport, Springside has brought in four very talented players who have the ability to completely transform the school’s hoops program. Maine will also be the first Springside A.D. to start the academic year in the Lions’ impressive new field house, which opened at the end of the winter season in early 2006.

Avenue Updates …