What are your summer plans? Last summer my “plans” were simple: survive. The horror show otherwise known as virtual schooling had ended, but our summer prospects seemed shaky at best. Then, our pool reopened earlier than expected, we booked a beach trip and a few camp options appeared in my inbox, which were essential for my bored and restless middle daughter. We ended up having a summer that was kind of fun (as much fun as you can have during a global pandemic). In a weird way, the lack of options helped, and most days the choice was clear (i.e., stay home and strangle one another or go to the pool). We were grateful for anything that was open, and there was a peaceful, simple rhythm to our days.
But this summer feels very different. Three-fifths of my crew are vaccinated, masks are being tossed aside (sort of—still can’t figure that one out yet) and there’s a sense of lightness and optimism in the air. Everyone seems to be standing taller, lingering more and worrying less. And yet, I’m still not 100% sure what this summer should look like. Should we stay mindful of the lessons of last summer and take it slow, knowing that a busy life doesn’t always equal a happy one? Or should we make up for lost time and seize every opportunity that comes our way? For now I’ve settled on a hybrid approach, meaning we’ll do more than last summer but not so much that we’re limping into Labor Day. Most summers I struggle to strike the right balance between boredom and busyness. Maybe this summer I’ll finally find our happy medium? (Probably not.) In the meantime, go easy on yourself, neighbor; coming out of a pandemic can feel just as bewildering as being stuck in one.
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Download and print the list here, check them off one by one, and ENJOY! We’ll see you out there!
We know there are many other things that didn’t make the list and we would love to hear from YOU on what we’ve missed. Please add to it on our blog and share it with a neighbor!
And a special thanks to our Conestoga interns – Justin, Max and Ted – who helped compile the list!
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Thank you to our local advertisers!
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JP Junk Removal is a local family owned and operated business. Jim and Chrissy started doing clean-outs and demolition in 2009 and have the experience and tools to handle any job you have, whether its a single item or a complete estate clean-out. Since we are not a franchise our prices are much lower then the big guys. We are fully insured and take pride in the work we do. During these trying times of Covid-19 we offer a “No contact” service where you can gather up your items and have outside or in the garage and can leave a check or pay online. If we do need to have contact, we ALWAYS wear a mask. Safety is our number 1 priority!
Setup an appointment today,
call 610-421-JUNK or visit JPJUNK.com
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| OUT & ABOUT
Dairy Days Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 20th
1:00 PM
Harriton House
500 Harriton Rd., Bryn Mawr
Meet the "Guernsey Girls,” cows from the last 100% Guernsey herd in Pennsylvania (Harriton will pay host to the herd all week!). Treat yourself to scoops of Yodor’s ice cream, made in Lancaster County from rich Guernsey milk and cream. Free ice cream for all dads! Reservations required.
Details
Colonial Penn Story Time
Sunday, June 20th
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
3900 North Sandy Flash Dr., Newtown Square
After listening to a story about a boy named Charlie who spins a new cloak from wool, children will wash and card wool and make candles. A behind-the-scenes animal tour follows.
Details
ZooSnooze
Friday, June 25th – Saturday, June 26th
Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
Discover what happens at the zoo after the sun sets! Campout includes dinner, a flashlight tour of the zoo, a campfire, breakfast, a morning educational show and zoo admission the next day.
Details
Nature Walk through Saunders Woods
Thursday, June 17th
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Saunders Woods Preserve
1020 Waverly Rd., Gladwyne
A Natural Lands preserve located in the heart of Gladwyne, Saunders Woods is an oasis for wildlife and includes an open meadow home to a variety of bird species. As you walk along the woodland trails, learn about native tree species and the importance of preserving them. $25/person. Preregistration required.
Details
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| HONORING JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth Family Art Walk & Celebration
Saturday, June 19th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Sellers Memorial Park
76 S. State Rd., Upper Darby
Join Main Line Art Center and the Upper Darby Library System on Juneteenth for a day of unity and family activities, including artmaking, music, books and an art walk to the Upper Darby Art Gallery. BYO blanket for completing art activities.
Details
Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 19th
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Johnson House Historic Site
6306 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia
A free, family-friendly day of educational offerings and entertainment, including live music, children’s activities, food trucks and historic reenactments.
Details
Chester County's Voices Underground Juneteenth Festival
Select dates through Monday, July 5th
Various locations throughout Chester County
Chester County’s Voices Underground Juneteenth Festival packs more than 40 events to promote African cultural heritage and understanding throughout the community, including a walking tour, musical performances, poetry readings, a dinner discussion and more.
Details
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This fluffy, handsome boy is Yukon. He's a social pup who thrives on attention and love. Yukon is playful and young. His ideal day with his new family would be exploring on an exciting outdoor adventure followed by an evening of snuggles on the couch. Yukon enjoys meeting other dogs at the shelter, so would love to meet any dogs in your home before going home with you. If Yukon sounds like the one for you, stop in and meet him at Brandywine Valley SPCA's West Chester campus Tuesday - Friday 12pm -7pm, Saturday - Sunday 11am - 5pm.
Brandywine Valley SPCA
1212 Phoenixville Pike
West Chester, PA 19380
484-302-0865
bvspca.org
Since 1986, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates (MVA), a privately owned hospital and Penn Vet affiliate, has provided the highest quality of veterinary medicine. It is our mission to enhance and improve the lives of our patients through exceptional care. To aid this mission we are practicing out of a renovated 25,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. We concentrate on specialty and emergency cases, allowing us to dedicate high-level care to the following disciplines: behavioral medicine, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, emergency, internal medicine, interventional radiology, minimally invasive surgery, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology (including CT, MRI, and I-131), and surgery.
metro-vet.com
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| SUMMER BEATS
Mad Beatz Concert
Saturday, June 26th
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Suburban Square
49 St Georges Rd., Ardmore
Mad Beatz is a drum group from a Philadelphia High School that combines raw energy with today’s hits. The group is dedicated to honoring the tradition of percussion and lyricism in Black and Latinx communities, celebrating their contribution to popular music and providing performance and teaching opportunities to motivated artists in Philadelphia.
Details
Live at Town Center
Fridays through October
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
King of Prussia Town Center Lawn
155 Village Drive, King of Prussia
Join KOP Town Center outdoors every Friday evening for live, local entertainment on the green.
Details
Kidchella Music Festival 2021
Fridays, June 18th, July 16th & August 13th
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Smith Memorial Playground
3500 Reservoir Dr., Philadelphia
Smith’s Kidchella Music Festival is BACK with six nationally acclaimed children’s music artists and other festivities on its 6+ acre playground!
Enjoy food trucks, giveaways and more during the preshow party starting at 5:00 PM.
Details
Rose Tree Summer Music Festival
Wednesdays – Sundays
7:30 PM
Rose Tree Park
1671 N. Providence Rd., Media
Live music returns to Rose Tree Park this summer, featuring top-notch entertainment of all kinds, from classical to Cajun, Motown to Broadway, Doo-wop to rock, and everything in between. BYO chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks.
Details
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Malvern Prep is an independent Augustinian school for young men in grades 6 through 12, defined by the Augustinian values of
Truth, Unity, and Love.
malvernprep.org |
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Our students tell the Shipley story best. Join us for a casual chat with our students as they share their personal Shipley journey.
shipleyschool.org
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Give your child who learns differently an academic boost and a summer of fun at Benchmark Camp! World-renowned academics and a beloved recreation program create a transformational summer.
Reserve your child's place.
benchmarkschool.org
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Bring the vacation to your backyard! Book a consultation with our wildly innovative landscape design team at the click of a button!
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Carlino's, makers & purveyors of artisan food since 1983. Allow our talented chefs to custom-create a graduation or special occasion cake for you.
Visit us at carlinosmarket.com and view our seasonally-inspired cake menus.
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CULTURE & CONVERSATIONS
Is There Still Sex in the City?...An Intimate Conversation with Candace Bushnell
Through Sunday, July 18th
Bucks County Playhouse
70 S Main St., New Hope
Candace Bushnell, the critically acclaimed, international best-selling author and creator of Sex and the City, stars in her new one-woman show, touching on her arrival in New York City with $20 in her pocket, working her way up the ladder, creating Sex and the City and finding herself single again in her 50s.
Details
COVID-19 & Gen Z: When can I get my life back? featuring Dr. Anthony S. Fauci (Virtual)
Friday, June 18th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Join Penn Medicine for a free virtual conversation and Q&A for teens, families and friends, featuring Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., and leading health experts from Penn and CHOP. Preregister for meeting.
Details
32nd Annual Manayunk Arts Festival
Saturday, June 26th:
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 27th:
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Downtown Manayunk
Don’t miss the largest outdoor juried arts festival in the tri-state area, featuring hundreds of local and national artists selling unique handmade goods. Live music and food vendors too.
Details
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You’re Invited! Community Happy Hour Fundraiser
Wayne Picnic Grove in
Downtown Wayne
Hosted by the Wayne Business Association and
Music is Love Foundation
Friday, June 11th
5:30 PM
Come out to celebrate and support our community. The Wayne Business Association is hosting a fundraiser for the Wayne Picnic Grove Tent. Music in the tent by Carmen from CTO followed by We May Be Right, a Billy Joel Tribute.
The Wayne Business Association put up the Picnic Grove Tent to help support outdoor dining and community events. The Wayne Picnic Grove has helped in the local recovery not only for small businesses in the area but also supporting our community. Neighbors have used the tent over the last year to hold events for local churches and schools. It provided students a place to study with Wifi provided by a local business. Community members have enjoyed yoga and Cross-Fit in the tent. Families have hosted parties in addition to weeks of live music free to the community to enjoy (donations for musicians appreciated). So come out in support of our community and local businesses!
The Music For Love Foundation is a non-profit established by local families dedicated to organizing and promoting music events to raise money and awareness for children’s medical causes.
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Lin-ManuelMiranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS starts
Friday, June 11, at BMFI.
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