November 29, 2007 Issue                                                     

Local News

O’Doodles dodges toy troubles
by Kristin Pazulski

O’Doodle’s toy store owner Fran O’Donnell is calm despite the panic over the recent recalls that have shaken the American toy industry. His employees, he says, can help shoppers avoid recalled toys. (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

While concerned parents are rushing to return recalled toys and toy manufacturers are working on damage control, Fran O’Donnell, owner of O’Doodle’s toy store, remains calm amid the chaos of the recent toy recalls that have raised concerns about toy manufacturing oversight in America.

“I don’t remember when there’s been this much hype about recalls,” said O’Donnell, whose store at 8335 Germantown Ave., is a mecca for parents with young children.

In July, Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets were recalled because the small magnets on the sets could detach and be swallowed, causing serious intestinal problems, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall site.

Rehab hospital seeks change in Medicare patient limits
by Kristin Pazulski

U.S. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz visited Montgomery Rehab Hospital on Tuesday, November 20, to tour the only rehab hospital in her district. Christian Mongrain (pictured with Schwartz), V.P. of rehab services, and other staff members gave the congresswoman reasons why the restrictions on the number of Medicare patients it admits should be changed.  (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

Those who undergo a serious illness or emergency, such as a stroke, amputation or brain injury, use rehabilitation services to help them and their families adapt and adjust to a new way of living.

According to a local rehab hospital, the Montgomery Rehab Hospital of Chestnut Hill, an important inpatient service that provides patients with this well-rounded treatment — from physical rehab to psychological counseling — is being threatened by restrictions on the Medicare patients it treats. The hospital administration invited U.S. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz to its facilities to advocate for a change in those restrictions, which would allow inpatient rehab access to more patients, said the hospital.

Montgomery Rehab — formerly Chestnut Hill Rehabilitation Hospital before it was taken over by the Florida-based health care management company Traditions Management in May — is a for-profit rehabilitation inpatient facility that provides both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.

Local Sports

GFS cross country fifth, Kaulbach a close second at Regionals
by TOM UTESCHER

The GFS cross country team completed a successful season last weekend. The team was the best in its league and was extremely competitive in several regional tournaments. It placed fifth in the Northeast Regionals held on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Facing elite cross country runners hailing from New Jersey to Maine, Germantown Friends School senior Max Kaulbach finished second and the Tigers placed fifth in the team standings at the Nike‚ Northeast Regional Team Championships last Saturday.

Mount crew cleans up in fall regattas
by TOM UTESCHER

The victorious Mount St. Joseph varsity eight at the conclusion of the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta on November 11. Mount coach Mike McKenna is in the background, at right, and coxswain Devon Stewart is holding the Theresa Braxton Trophy. The rowers are (L-R) Katy Gregor, Mer Weber, Meg Kehan, Vicky Babson, Mary Maginnis, Lawren Kieffer, Laura Pospisil, and Mary Duff.  (Photo by Kevin Kelly)

At its Conshohocken boathouse last Saturday, the Mount St. Joseph Academy crew celebrated a successful fall 2007 campaign at its annual Class Day festivities. One of the highlights was the christening of an eight-oared shell named for Philadelphia rowing great Lawrence J. Kieffer, grandfather of current Mount senior and varsity eight rower Lawren Kieffer.