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Coronavirus Updates
As the coronavirus alters daily life around the world, the Chestnut Hill Local will report on how it is affecting residents, businesses and institutions here in Chestnut Hill and in our nearby neighbors in Mt. Airy, Germantown, Springfield Township, Whitemarsh and more. A page with latest updates from Philadelphia, Montgomery County and local institutions can […]
Latest Stories
Find a bear in Chestnut Hill, win a $25 gift card
by John Derr, Publisher As a Time magazine story published on March 25t put it: “Taking a page from Michael Rosen’s 1989 children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, members of a number of communities across the globe are placing teddy bears and other stuffed animals in their homes’ windows to create a scavenger hunt-esque activity […]
Recalling a courageous dad in equally perilous times
by Linda Good, M.D. In this moment of world-wide crisis, I hear my father’s reassuring voice: “This too will pass. Time takes care of everything.” I always thought that this adage seemed a bit too simplistic, but perhaps I am coming to a closer understanding of what patience and hope are all about in these […]
At, 80, Local’s features editor still a human-interest story dynamo
by Pete Mazzaccaro For this week’s issue, in which we focus on the accomplishments and careers of seniors, I thought it only right to highlight the most dynamic older American I know well – the Chestnut Hill Local’s very own Len Lear. Len, who recently turned 80, doesn’t look the part at all. Nor does […]
COVID cancellations hit Mt. Airy’s best-selling London
by Len Lear Alex London, 40, who lives in Mt. Airy (“I love this community!”) with his husband Tim, daughter Madeleine and 14-year-old Boston Terrier Baxter, is the best-selling author of 25 books (over two million copies sold) who put his life on the line as a freelance writer in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of […]
Gardening: Growing orchid cactus on the porch
by Stan Cutler We just found out that we live in “The Garden District” of Chestnut Hill. The title seems appropriate because the soil is rich, dark and easily worked. You would think we would have known its reputation when we bought the place 20 years ago because gardening and houseplant care are my wife […]
Pandemic not slowing down local developer Ken Weinstein
by Stacia Friedman While the pandemic has brought many businesses to a screeching halt, it has not slowed down Ken Weinstein, founder and president of Philly Office Retail, the powerhouse development company rejuvenating our region, one zip code at a time. “During the construction shutdown, we were able to move Mount Airy Pediatrics from its […]
A local’s history: Pregnant with 11th child, great grandmother died in Spanish flu epidemic
by Rich McIlhenny Our great grandmother Irene Colantonio died Oct 12, 1918, during the Spanish flu epidemic. It was the worst in world history and may have killed 50 million or more people. She was pregnant with her 11th child and left our great-grandfather Vincenzo Sonzogni, who did the mosaic tile entrances in the John […]
Beauty still in season for Hill artist and floral buyer
by Len Lear Ginger Garrett Arthur is one Chestnut Hill resident who is working just as hard now as she did before the pandemic. Ginger, 65, is a successful artist whose studio is at 8044 Germantown Ave., where the popular restaurant, Under the Blue Moon, held court for more than 20 years until 1997. For […]
What some of our neighbors are reading to ‘escape’ the pandemic
by Hugh Gilmore As you might imagine, several of our contributors today are frustrated travelers who read a lot and dream of faraway places. For example, Linda Cherkas, a recently retired psychiatric social worker who lives in west Mount Airy, writes, “Hi Hugh, I’m glad to join this survey of what people are reading these days.” Her […]
News:
Recalling a courageous dad in equally perilous times
by Linda Good, M.D. In this moment of world-wide crisis, I hear my father’s reassuring voice: “This too will pass. Time takes care of everything.” I always thought that this adage seemed a bit too simplistic, but perhaps I am coming to a closer understanding of what patience and hope are all about in these […]
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Opinion:
Dog owners need to help keep our sidewalks, streams clean
By Kadafi El-Kardah, Pennsylvania Environmental Council Life under quarantine has Philadelphians looking for ways to beat the boredom and itching for a change of scenery. For many dog owners, that means taking more than the usual number of walks – and dealing with more than the usual amount of dog waste. But a stroll around […]
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Community:
A local’s history: Pregnant with 11th child, great grandmother died in Spanish flu epidemic
by Rich McIlhenny Our great grandmother Irene Colantonio died Oct 12, 1918, during the Spanish flu epidemic. It was the worst in world history and may have killed 50 million or more people. She was pregnant with her 11th child and left our great-grandfather Vincenzo Sonzogni, who did the mosaic tile entrances in the John […]
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Sports:
Mt. Airy football star a high draft choice by NFL team
by Len Lear D’Andre Swift, 21, who grew up in Mt. Airy and went to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second day of the NFL draft on April 24. The University of Georgia (UGA) star running back, regarded by many football analysts as the best all-around collegiate running […]
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Arts & Entertainment:
COVID cancellations hit Mt. Airy’s best-selling London
by Len Lear Alex London, 40, who lives in Mt. Airy (“I love this community!”) with his husband Tim, daughter Madeleine and 14-year-old Boston Terrier Baxter, is the best-selling author of 25 books (over two million copies sold) who put his life on the line as a freelance writer in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of […]
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Business:
Some small local businesses finding ways to survive
by Len Lear Despite the excruciating hardships imposed on small local businesses by the pandemic, many businesses are finding new, innovative ways to survive. Here are just a few examples: •Brian Reisman, Hideaway Music, 8612 Germantown Ave. (hideawaymusic.org): “We’ve been trying to keep busy with online sales. We also have been offering our customers curbside […]