April 14, 1966

Throngs promenade at Hill’s first Easter show

April acted the coquette she is, showing every side of her nature on Easter, but her cold shoulder did not discourage an estimated 2,000 people who covered their spring finery with mink stoles or Easter egg colored pastel coats to stroll on the Avenue and vie for prizes in the Chestnut Hill Development Group contest. The band played on, framed in ferns and flowers in front of the Community Centre, and the judges rode stylishly in a horse-drawn surrey to tap this or that contestant with a flower, thus letting him or her know who was in the running for a prize. The judges, resplendent in their own finery, surveyed the promenaders in lordly fashion, obviously enjoying the spectacle and their role in it. For some reason, the first and third prize winners of the hat contest disappeared into the crowd before their names were ascertained. There were prizes for best dressed gentlemen, women and families.

Geiger counters click as city tracks down antique sewer

The 300 block of West Springfield Avenue wore aspects of the London blitz earlier this month. Neighbors stared in disbelief as a bulldozer razed a front and back yard and men with digging apparati from the Sanitation Department swarmed and probed all over the place. The problem was a disappearing sewer, and the culprit, Time. The homeowners had come home one night in early April to find their basement flooded with sewage. The offending (and offensive) sewer, it seems, was built back in the latter part of the 19th century in the St. Martin’s area, the beginning of present-day Chestnut Hill. When the pipe was discovered with the use of Geiger counters as well as bulldozers the Sanitation Department showed its muscle. The men worked all night and neighbors served them coffee and donuts. Springfield residents also learned that there is a profession known as Sewer Crawler. It pays $5,000 per year and requires a slim figure, strong constitution and nerve.

April 15, 1976

Congress race heats up here

Robert N.C. Nix Sr., 79, Democratic Congressman for the Second Congressional District, is running for re-election in the upcoming primaries on April 27. However, he is not unchallenged. The Rev. William Gray, 34, Democrat, is vigorously campaigning against Nix, who has been in office since 1958 for nine consecutive terms. “The constituency with which I’ve had the honor to serve knows I’ve devoted myself to their interests,” Nix said. “My record shows it. They receive a newsletter on my interests that is well known throughout the District.” However, Bill Gray said of Nix, “His record speaks for itself in very inaudible terms. It is a record that is definitely undramatic, definitely uncreative.”

Wyndmoor school will close in June

More than 200 people sat in stunned silence on April 6 when the Springfield Township Board of School Directors voted 7 to 2 to close the Wyndmoor Elementary School. Superintendent Robert D. Christiana then presented his reorganization plan, which also includes putting grades 6-7 in Hillcrest and 8-9 in Enfield Jr. High. After that vote, the board then voted to establish a rumor hotline during the reorganization period and to send out three township-wide newsletters during the summer.

April 17, 1986

Picnic to celebrate Pastorius Park’s 50th

On April 26 when the 50th anniversary celebration of Pastorius Park is heralded by music, tree planting and a community picnic, no one will have a better time than those who have contributed to the well-being of the park. Everyone in the community is invited and the festivities begin at noon. Bring your own picnic and come with the family to celebrate the community’s greatest treasure — the park, which is the scene of neighborhood gatherings, informal games and of course, the summer Wednesday night concerts. The park will undergo a major restoration during the next 18 months with monies provided by a gift to Fairmount Park from the Pew Foundation, a matching gift from the Chestnut Hill Community Fund, and fundraising by the neighbors.

April 18, 1996

New bike patrol officer arrives

Bike Patrol Officer Rick Paraschak has replaced Officer Mike Hogan on the bike patrol in Chestnut Hill. Hogan was transferred on Feb. 7 in a mass move in many of the districts. Paraschak, who has been on the force for seven years, all of them in the 14th District, says that he loves working in Chestnut Hill and appreciates the warm welcome he has received from residents.

SEARCH invites mayor to Hill meeting to address crime

“The neighbors in this area have had enough! We are demanding the return of our streets NOW!” wrote residents last week to Mayor Rendell in the name of the South East Area Residents of Chestnut Hill (SEARCH). They invited the mayor to come to a meeting at the Water Tower Recreation Center on April 24 to “give him the opportunity to be part of the solution” to the increase in crime which the people in the south east quadrant of the Hill have endured. SEARCH demands increased commitment of police, a mini police station at Wyndmoor Station, video surveillance cameras and increased lighting at Wyndmoor Station, police response to a recent assault, and Special District status for the entire Chestnut Hill community.

April 13, 2006

CEO at local hospital resigns

Chestnut Hill Hospital’s chief executive officer has resigned, several weeks after the departure of the assistant CEO. Hospital officials declined to release details about Rodney Reider’s resignation in time for the Local’s deadline but said an official announcement would be made this week regarding the resignation and the search for a new CEO. Community Health Systems, which owns Chestnut Hill Health System, must confirm the appointment of an interim CEO.

Who’s who at the Local

This interview is the sixth of a series to introduce the staff who brings you the weekly community news. This week, Len Lear, the Local Life editor, is featured. Q. How long have you been at the Local? A. Since 1995. Q What brought you to the Local? A. My 1998 Ford Contour, purchased from Magarity Ford. Q. What is your favorite kind of food? A. Anything that does not give me gas (and goes well with white wine). Q. What do you regret most in your life? A. Not becoming president of the United States. After dealing with Chestnut Hill politics, I think it would be a piece of cake.

April 14, 2016

From the Archives: Lambs for sale at Kilian Hardware

A small sign in the window of Kilian Hardware store advertises “lambs for sale.” This addition to the local shop’s legendary inventory reflects owner Becky Goudy’s avocation. For the past three years, Becky, with the assistance of her husband Russ and three sons, has been raising sheep. “I just love it,” she told the Local in a recent interview. An animal lover all her life, raising sheep seemed a logical choice for something to do in her “spare” time. She still finds time not only to tend the animals but also to use their wool for knitting. While she loves caring for her flock, Becky cautions that there is hard work involved, including cleaning the stalls and feeding, a process that has to be done twice a day.