November 27, 2008 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
From our readersSad to see Reese’s leave Hill It was with great sadness and regret that I too just learned of the closing of Reese Pharmacy. When selling the pharmacy in July 2002, it was with the desire and hope that it would remain as a Chestnut Hill independent pharmacy for many years to come, serving the community as it had in the past. Reese Pharmacy began as W.W. Foster Pharmacist at the corner of Germantown and Springfield Avenues. In 1926 it moved to 8000 Germantown Ave. Charles “Nick” Reese purchased the pharmacy in 1961 and it became C.N. Reese Pharmacist. I came on staff in 1966 and became Nick’s partner in 1972. It was at this time that Reese Pharmacy moved into our new building at 8039 Germantown Ave. After Nick’s retirement, Myra and I became sole owners of the pharmacy from 1986 to 2002. How sad it is for me to see the end of an era. Myra, Brett and I will always feel a part of the Chestnut Hill community. I thank you for the support, loyalty and caring you showed me when I owned Reese Pharmacy. I appreciate all of your calls and concern since hearing of its closing. I will always cherish your friendships. Fred Weissberger, R.P.H.
On Tuesday, when I phoned our Reese Pharmacy to refill prescriptions, the recorded message said that the phone was no longer in service. I hoped this message did not mean that Reese was somehow out of business. Later that day, I walked up to Chestnut Hill from our Mt. Airy residence and saw the sickening sign on the door directing us to the nearby CVS. I walked into the store as merchandise was being moved out, wanting to say goodbye. I was able to speak briefly with the owner, Stephen Reses, who confirmed the sale to CVS. When I asked why faithful customers were not told in advance and treated humanely, Mr. Reses said that if he did not act immediately on the CVS offer, it would unravel. He said that customers were decreasing, so he could no longer make a profit. I feel betrayed and know many others must feel likewise. My wife, Dr. Louise Lisi, and I patronized Reese exclusively for our pharmaceutical needs for the past 22 years to support a worthwhile neighborhood business. Reese was a friendly drug store where we were always treated courteously, where our ailments somehow mattered. After talking to Mr. Reses, I see that our personal investment in Reese mattered not at all. What does matter is profitability. There was not even an answering machine message telling us that Reese was closed and why and what to do now. Yes, this letter is a lament, but it is also a protest because our trust was betrayed simply to sell CVS our medical records — and that without our permission. Rev. Burton Froom
Thanks for great money-saving tip I want to thank you for printing the picture and information in your recent issue (Nov. 13) about the special $17.95 menu at the Blue Horse Tavern and Restaurant in Blue Bell. In these terrible economic times, my friend and I are definitely looking for bargains and to watch every penny. When I saw the item in the Local, I called my friend and said we had to go there. We did that, and it was unbelievable. A complete dinner for $17.95, and every course was wonderful. We had never been there before, but we will definitely be going back often. We could not possibly prepare a three-course dinner like that at home with steak, chicken and seafood, and it would not be nearly as good if we could. It’s also a beautiful place, and the service was wonderful. Thank you for a great money-saving suggestion. Sharon Curtis
Did we really need trolley work? With the work on Germantown Avenue nearly complete, there was recent publicity over the fact that $3 million of the $17 million spent on the project went to reinstalling the trolley tracks, poles, and wires. What I find puzzling about this is that local residents and business owners were howling over the effect of the closure of the Avenue (which I agree was horrendous and obviously incredibly difficult on businesses) yet also fought to keep the trolley tracks. I am a fan of the trolleys and think they add character, although my husband who grew up in Chestnut Hill reminds me that traffic could get backed up horrendously if there was a parked car or other impediment on the trolley tracks. The reality, however, is that SEPTA is not going to bring back the trolleys despite their previous promises. Given that reality, why waste $3 million on reinstalling the trolley tracks? More importantly, reinstalling the trolley tracks, poles, wires, etc. made the project take more time, perhaps considerably more time. Would businesses not have been better served to eliminate reinstalling the trolley tracks, thus shortening the period of disruption? Stacey Wyman Cromley
Ad-Hoc committee out of line A committee was appointed several months ago to look into options regarding the funding for the Chestnut Hill Local to bring recommendations to the board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association (owners of the paper) But the committee did not do that. (See story, page 1) Instead, On Thursday, Nov. 13, the committee brought its recommendations to the Executive Committee, which endorsed the plan in an executive session — a private committee session that is not open to the public. Minutes of these sessions are not kept. This despite the fact that such sessions are supposed to be posted in the Local beforehand. Then, on Friday, Nov. 14, three members of the executive committee. All members of the ad hoc committee — Rob Remus, Dina Hitchcock and Mark Keintz, met with editor Pete Mazzaccaro and advertising manager Sonia Leounes and instructed both employees to implement the 10-point proposal, and that the proposal was a “done deal.” Both the ad hoc committee and the Executive Committee are way out of order. No committee can determine policy. And no committee can take an action that has not been approved by the board. The policies in question can only be determined by the board. The directive to the editor and the advertising manager must be considered null and void until such time as the board has been given the information the committee used to support its recommendations. The board needs time to evaluate such recommendations. In this case, board members did not receive the committee’s proposals until the night before the meeting and they included no supporting material. The board cannot make sound decisions when it is not provided the facts by its committees well in advance. Rushed decisions are seldom sound. Ann Ward Spaeth
The Susanna DeLaurentis Charitable Foundation extends its deep appreciation to everyone involved with the recent Dance Philly! event at the Holiday Inn Stadium, hosted by Bob Pantano, WOGL, 98.1. Guests had the pleasure of meeting pop legend Chubby Checker, who received the 2008 Philly Legend Award from Philadelphia City Councilman at Large Bill Green. The hot party band, The Business, entertained all evening. Heartfelt thanks to the more than 300 guests, volunteers, sponsors, and auction-item donors, with special thanks to major sponsors McNeil Consumer Healthcare, McNeil Nutritionals, and Johnson & Johnson Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals. The event benefits the Susanna DeLaurentis Charitable Foundation (SDCF), whose mission is fighting fatal childhood diseases. The foundation is named in honor of Susanna DeLaurentis, a 10-year old Elkins Park child who died of Neuroblastoma, an aggressive, treatment-resistant nervous system cancer, in 1999. Her older sister, Lucy, has cystic fibrosis, the nation’s most common fatal genetic disease. The SDCF has raised more than $450,000 to fund neuroblastoma and cystic fibrosis research and award scholarships to area college-bound seniors who, like Susanna, compile extraordinary academic records despite serious ailments. Susanna’s elementary school teachers came up with the idea of forming a foundation to preserve her memory. For more information, visit www.thesusannadfoundation.com. Michael J. DeLaurentis,
Four cheers for Dr. Scanlon Chestnut Hill Hospital and our Community is most fortunate to have Dr. John Scanlon as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Scanlon is professional, capable, compassionate and respected by the people whose lives he has touched. As Chief Medical Officer and with the support of our Community, Dr. John Scanlon will endeavor to return Chestnut Hill Hospital to the high standards it once enjoyed. Best wishes and good luck to the best person chosen for this job, Dr. John Scanlon. Bunny & Bill Seibel
Mike Todd fan laughs out loud I’m a member of the Mike Todd Fan Club. I never miss his column in the Local. I thank you for all of them, but especially this week’s, which had me laughing aloud the whole time. Long live high fructose corn syrup and Mike Todd! I’m only sorry it has taken me so long to speak up, after all the delight his columns given me over such a long time! Thank you; thank you! Janet Mather
‘Friday’ article is a ‘great people story’ The article on our restaurant (“35 years for ‘Friday’: truth stranger than fiction,” Nov. 13) is a great piece. One doesn’t have to be interested in restaurants to enjoy it. You’ve made it into a people story rather than one of pine nuts and capers. My friend, Ralph Hirshorn, called me because he enjoyed it so much. I normally only read the paper online, but the pictures add substance. Weaver Lilley
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