The members of the Women’s Committee of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are combining the gift-giving holiday season with the charitable spirit of this giving season with a holiday boutique shopping experience at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford on Friday, Nov. 30.  Pictures above left to right are Chestnut Hill committee members Susan Morse, Carolyn Webster, Flourtown’s Sally Cooke, Melen Boothby and Ellie Lloyd. The Holiday Boutique event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public; $10 is the entrance fee. The shopping features many crafts and products, including artwork, toys, antiques, home and garden pieces, jewelry and more. Proceeds go to Children’s Hospital.

Nine students at Germantown Friends School have been recognized as semifinalists by the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the National Merit Scholarship and the National Achievement Scholarship programs, which honor academically talented high school students.

GOVERNOR HONORS HILL RESIDENT: Ruth Patrick, Chestnut Hill resident who was featured on the front page of Local Life last week, is congratulated here by Gov. Ed Rendell at an Academy of Natural Sciences gala on Nov. 17. The event drew 400 friends and supporters of Ruth and raised $420,000. Patrick, an eminent scientist and one of the world’s leading experts on water pollution, was honored to celebrate her 100th birthday, which was on Nov. 26. Ruth has worked at the Academy for an astonishing 74 years. (Photo by Jim McWilliams)

Oak Lane Day School kicked off its annual Celebrate Book Week with a visit from author and illustrator Alexander Stadler.

Maxwell Perry, 6, poses with Santa, who arrived outside of Border’s Book Store on Friday, November 23 in a fire engine.  All who came got a chance to sit in the truck after photo-ops and candy canes. (Photo by Erin Vertreace)