Spring has arrived, bringing with it the chance for all of us to shake off the damp chill of winter and venture out into the glow of a warming sun. 

This issue of Wissahickon Magazine is here to help you get outside and enjoy it. We’ll walk you through the joys of patiently waiting for the moment you spot a local bird species such as the green heron, favorite of local birding enthusiast Troy Bynum – and hoping to find the presumably extinct ivory-billed woodpecker. You’ll meet the internationally-known artist Syd Carpenter, whose amazing body of work includes something known as a “hugel” – an art installation that celebrates the power of soil itself. It’s made out of composting material that is shaped in specific forms, and feeds a colorful tapestry of blooms. 

Wondering what’s up on Chestnut Hill’s shopping corridor – and why so many new stores and restaurants seem to be opening up? We’re here to tell you that it’s not an accident – and explain how it works with retail recruiter Ann Nevel, one of the newest additions to the Chestnut Hill Business Association. 

We’ll introduce you to Sara Stevenson, Awbury Arboretum’s new executive director, and hear all about her vision for the future of one of the most community-spirited public gardens in Northwest Philadelphia. We visit with Angelo Cataldi, one of the Philadelphia sports scene’s most colorful personalities, to find out how he’s planning to spend his brand new retirement after one of the most exciting sports seasons of his professional life. 

For those who may be looking for a more social excursion into the newly warming weather, and want to mix it up with daily walks with your dog, we investigate the growing number of restaurants that are happy to welcome Fido for a sit down and a sandwich. And to help you get ready for all this outdoor activity, we take a close look at sleep – why so many of us don’t get enough of it, and what to do if you’re one of the unfortunate ones who struggle. 

Finally, once again we bring you important news updates from our partners Friends of the Wissahickon with their quarterly report. Look for it in the center of the magazine. 

Carla Robinson

Editor