Hi Neighbor!

At the grocery store during our last snowy weekend, someone at checkout commented on my items on the belt—split peas, parsnips, leeks, carrots, celery, stock. She said, “Everyone is buying soup items today. It’s officially soup season.” Freezing temperatures might scare off most but I say, bring on the cold. It’s time to warm up with soup!

Soup warms my belly and my soul. It congers up warm memories of two special people in my life, my mom and my mother-in-law. I can picture my born-and-raised-in-Baltimore mom, tediously picking at left over steamed crabs to add to her Maryland Crab Soup. Ahhh…I can still smell the Old Bay, a staple condiment in Maryland kitchens. When I was in my 20s, I spent the day learning how to make my mother-in-law’s two signature soups: Vegetable Soup and Matzoh Ball Soup. We bonded over soup stock that day, which is quite odd because she is known for making dinner reservations not dinner! 

I hope to pass down soup recipes to my daughter one day. I try new ones all the time. My latest favorite is Chicken and Barley Soup. I’ve attached the recipe here.

Please share your recipes with us! Email us at info@mainlineneighbors.com and we’ll share them with our readers!

Stay Warm Inside & Out!
Beth

GUSSY UP!   

Night For The Flight Formal
Saturday, February 25th
Pomme
175 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor
The Main Line Chapter of the board of associates at Fox Chase Cancer Center will host its 3rd annual gala featuring a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.
Details

Academy Ball
Saturday, January 28th
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
The 160th Anniversary Concert and Ball—one of Philadelphia’s most glittering social events. This annual white-tie gala benefit is a spectacular evening of music, featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra, and dining, all in support of the Grand Old Lady of Locust Street, one of the oldest opera houses in the world. Tickets  
Information

Denim & Diamonds
Saturday, February 11th
7:00 PM
Jaguar Land Rover Main Line
325 Lancaster Ave., Wayne
Support Radnor students and schools by attending the Radnor Educational Foundation’s annual fundraiser. The event will feature a food truck and catering from Nick’s Roast Beef, drinks and a special beverage by Christopher’s, and music by the Radnor High School Jazz Band and DJ Clyde Evans.
Details

Tiaras & Ties: Father/Daughter Date Night
Saturday, January 21st
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
Dance the night away in our Canopy Gardens Hall. Share a special night together with snacks, games, music and photos.
Tickets

What’s For Dinner?
Saturday, January 28th
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Camphill Village Kimberton Hills
1601 Pughtown Rd., Phoenixville
Join this nonprofit organization for a farm-to-table fundraising dinner, featuring ingredients grown by the Kimberton Hills community and neighbors. Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is a dynamic farming, gardening, and handcrafting community that includes adults with developmental disabilities.
Details

Black Tie Tailgate
Friday, January 27th
7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Philadelphia Convention Center
127 N. Broad St. (Red Carpet Entrance), Philadelphia
Dine and dance the night away at this black tie event—a moving Cocktail Party event held on the floor of the Auto Show. All the proceeds benefit the Division of Neurology at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.
phillyautoshow.com

GET INSIPRED!
 

Philly Home Show
Friday, January 20th – Sunday, January 22nd
Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch St., Philadelphia
Get inspired and scope out vendors and supplies for your next home project. The show features interactive exhibits, workshops, presentations, helpful advice from experts, and thousands of solutions for home decorating and renovation.
Details and Tickets

Historic Home Show
Saturday, January 28th – Sunday, January 29th
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Valley Forge Casino Tower Hotel
1160 First Ave., King of Prussia
This show is for anyone who wants to learn how to restore, renovate, maintain, or furnish a historic or period-inspired house. Visit exhibitors and attend seminars with experts.
Details

Longwood Garden’s Orchid Exhibit
January 21st – March 31st
Daily- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
OrKid Days: 11:00 – 2:00 PM
Mondays: Jan. 16th & Feb 20th, & Sat.: March 18th
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square
Escape the cold of winter during the Orchid Extravaganza. Explore a magical world where thousands of colorful orchids bloom, drape from walls, flow from baskets and form captivating archways in artful displays. Don’t miss their special OrKid days, too! Where kids go on an orchid quest full of fun orchid-y activities!
longwoodgardens.org    

Philadelphia Flower Show
March 11th through March 19th
Convention Center, Philadelphia
Less than 75 days until you can tiptoe through the tulips! This year’s Philadelphia Flower Show’s theme is Holland—Flowering the World, and if you purchase a Family Super Saver Pass in advance, you’ll receive 2 free admission tickets for Butterflies Live! Get tickets here

Behind the Scenes of the Philadelphia Garden Show
Thursday, February 2nd
6:30 PM Meet and 7:00 PM Greet Program
Christ Church Ithan, Villanova
The Radnor Township Memorial Library and the Community Garden Club at Wayne present Joe Blandy of Stoney Bank Nurseries who will reveal the behind the scenes of the Philadelphia Garden Show.

YOU'VE GOT TALENT!

Expressions of Radnor 2017
Tuesday, February 21st – Friday, March 18th
Opening Reception: February 26th
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
Come see the work of the talented residents of Radnor Township. Each artist may submit up to two pieces. Beth Clark, professional artist and Wayne Art Center faculty member, will present awards at the opening on February 21st.
Details

Plein Air Festival Call for Entries
Now through March 1st
Wayne Art Center
413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne
Be a part of one of the most prestigious Plein Air events on the East Coast. Juror Don Demers will select artists to participate in a week-long painting festival from May 8th-13, culminating in a fantastic exhibition of beautiful landscapes and cityscapes.
Information and Registration

Soundscape Conestoga High School Music Department Benefit Concert
200 Irish Road, Berwyn, PA
Saturday January 21st
3:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Tickets $10 and available at the door or
stogamusic.com

GET GLOBAL

Chinese New Year Community Gala
Sunday, January 29th
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Main Line Chinese Culture Center
Great Valley High School
225 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at this free gala. Chinese dances, cultural games, food, and fun.
Details

The globalization of the City of Brotherly Love
Thursday, January 19th
Wayne Art Center
Lecture begins at 7:00 PM
Tickets: $20 advance / $25 at door
America’s birthplace and our “hometown” has been named the country’s first World Heritage City, many thanks to John Smith and his collaborator, Alan Greenberger. John is a longstanding member of the Philadelphia Bar and a recently retired partner at Reed Smith. Although he’s worked within our city’s arts and multicultural movements, John’s over-riding interest has been to make Philadelphia a more global city.
In 2010, John joined with a number of leading civic organizations to create the Global Philadelphia Association and served as its board chair from its inception. In November 2015, as a result of John’s vision and tireless campaigning, along with the shared vision and work of his friend Alan Greenberger, Philadelphia was accepted to full membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cities, allowing us to enjoy an unparalleled set of relationships with some of the world’s most prominent cities. John will be joined in his presentation by Alan Greenberger. Alan was the former Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia from 2009 through 2015 under the administration of former mayor Michael Nutter. He also served as Executive Director and then Chairman of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission during that same period.
The transformative opportunities this designation brings to our region will be showcased by John and Alan during this evening at HomeGrown.
Tickets

Brandywine River’s 9th Annual Polar Plunge
February 11th
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Actual plunge takes place around 11:30 AM)
Brandywine Picnic Park
690 S. Creek Rd. at Routes 52 & 100, West Chester
Experience the Brandywine Creek in a whole new way! A fun event for those brave enough to take the plunge! Whether you go knee deep or full plunge, you are welcome to make a splash. Then enjoy the music, bon fire, burgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate. You’ll help raise awareness and proceeds for Brandywine Red Clay Alliance’s Watershed Conservation and Environmental Education and receive a free Brandywine Polar Plunge long sleeve tee for bragging rights. Register

Main Line Camp Fair
Wednesday, January 25th
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Conestoga High School
200 Irish Rd., Berwyn
Families with children ages preschool thru 18 are welcome to attend. Representatives from approximately 100 day and overnight camps will be available to answer questions and discuss their program in detail. Admission is FREE!
Main Line Camp Fair

Special Kids Camps Expo
Saturday, January 28th
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Valley Forge Educational Services, Activities Center
1777 North Valley Road, Malvern
Join us for the Camp Expo's 8th year of presenting recreational and educational summer programs for children with learning differences. This event is free for families and will feature demonstrations and "hands-on" activities. Featuring: Part-day and Full-day Programs from throughout southeastern Pennsylvania including summer Academic Programs, Day Camps, Residential Camps, Therapeutic Programs and Community Resources.
VFES

Tail Waggin’ Tutors
Monday, January 23rd
6:00 PM
RML Recollection
110 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
Children from grades K and up can practice reading with therapy dogs Daphne and Lanky.
eventkeeper.com

Chester County Library Teen Scavenger Hunt
Friday, January 27th
Find loot. Learn stuff. Have fun. Students in grade 6th through 12th can search the library for great prizes.
Register

Hamil-Teen Book Club Intro Meeting
Friday, January 20th
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Radnor Memorial Library
110 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 230, Wayne
Learn more and register for this spring’s book club that’s more than a book club. Based off the hit musical “Hamilton,” participants will read books, learn hip hop dancing, participate in cooking lessons, create Lego stop-animation shorts, and more.
Register

Conshy Classic 5k
Saturday, March 11th
819 Fayette St., Conshohocken
Registration is now open for the 4th annual Conshohocken St. Paddy’s Day 5K Classic. This event raises funds for the Conshohocken Fire Co. #2 and the Philadelphia Distance Run Scholarship Fund.
Register

Philadelphia Love Run
Sunday, March 26th
7:30 AM
Art Museum, Eakins Oval
2451 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia
Do some winter training and get ready for a “lovely” run! Three years and three sell outs to 10,000 runners. Join thousands for Philadelphia’s premier spring half marathon. Lots of great swag, free race photos, and free beer at kickoff party.
Registration

2017 Blue Cross Broad Street Run
Sunday, May 7th
8:00 AM
Lottery Opens February 1st!
Start: Broad St. and W. Fisher Ave.
Finish: Navy Yard
Popular because of its fast, slightly downhill course, this 10 miler passes through Temple University, Center City, City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts and ultimately breezes into the Philadelphia Navy Yard, with cheering crowds, music, high school bands, cheerleading squads, and church choirs along the way. Voted by Runner’s World as one of the nation’s 20 Iconic American Races That Aren’t Marathons.
Details

The Survive and Advance Race
Saturday, January 28th
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1200 Gay St., Phoenixville
Unlike traditional road races, this race is a test of your ability to hang in and survive as the pace gets faster at set intervals. Great way to test your endurance and train for the spring races!
Details

Super Bowl 5K
Sunday, February 5th
Church and Market Streets, West Chester
Prep for the big game with a race and post-run festivities at Kidare’s of West Chester. Proceeds benefit Bringing Hope Home
Sign Up

Feel the Love 5K
Saturday, February 11th
3:30 PM
The Navy Yard
4747 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
Each couple will run the race in opposite directions, making this a unique and motivational race. See how your partner is doing as you pass them again and again throughout the race. Sponsored by Bryn Mawr Running Company.
Details and Registration

RevRun
Valley Forge Revolutionary Run
Sunday, April 23rd
8:30 AM
Start training now for this hilly five-mile run takes you through scenic Valley Forge National Historical Park. The event also includes a 3 mile walk and a 1.776km Young Patriots Run for kids 6-14. All proceeds benefit the preservation of the park.
Details and Registration