Happy New Year! I’m sure that I’m not alone when I say that I was not sad to see 2020 come to an end. It certainly was a year like no other. It challenged us in ways we would have never thought possible and made us re-evaluate our priorities. So it is with relief, excitement, gratitude, and happiness that I look to the new year and all of its possibilities. While it is typical at this time to set resolutions and look forward, I have always felt that reflection on things past should be a part of the process. That being said, I took away some lessons from this past year that I thought I’d share. While some are funny and light-hearted, they are all conveyed with the knowledge and understanding that it is the friends and family whom I treasure most that make this crazy ride that we call life worthwhile.
1. My teenage son enjoys eating. Alot. All day.
2. I now understand what all the hype was/is about Downton Abbey. Consider the Kool-Aid drunk. In a Johnson Brothers China tea cup. With my pinky properly elevated.
3. I will never again take for granted the wonderful privilege it is to leave my home to go to a job that I love each day.
4. I’ve learned how to auto-program my Cuisinart coffeemaker. I am so ready for the return of early morning appointments!
5. I’m so happy that I have always made the decoration of my home a priority. After almost a year of sheltering-in-place, I have so enjoyed reaping the benefits of my passion for interior design.
6. Of all the different banana bread recipes I have tried, the Nutella-Swirled and Cinnamon Crunch will be my go-to’s from now on.
7. There are between 500 to 900 different species of rhododendrons. I’m hoping that the English Roseum that I planted in my continuing pursuit to replicate an English garden in the western suburbs of Philadelphia will prove successful. I added some coffee grounds (see #4) to help the process along.
8. My three children really do enjoy school and all that comes with it; friends, teachers, activities, and even academics.
9. Instagram Live videos saved me this past year. Watching my favorite celebrities chat with their colleagues and friends was like going to a fabulous cocktail party and circulating through different conversations that just got more and more interesting as the night progressed.
10. Going forward, a date night with my husband, coffee with girlfriends, and hugging my parents will engender an entirely new appreciation.
Until we meet again, Dear Neighbor, I wish you health, happiness, and time to appreciate the lessons.
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Make 2021 the year you conquer your addiction.
Recovery Centers of America at Devon is the leading provider of addiction treatment on the Main Line. The Devon Difference encompasses everything from evidence-based treatment programs that are custom tailored to a patient’s specific needs, to a compassionate, expert medical team, to five-star facilities designed to bring comfort and nurture wellness. Patient accommodations include bedrooms with their own bathrooms, a wide variety of meal options, a fully equipped fitness studio, and more. RCA Devon admits patients 24/7 and is in-network with most major insurance providers, so their best-in-class inpatient and outpatient care (offered both in person and via tele-therapy) is affordable and accessible.
*All admitted patients and RCA staff are routinely tested for COVID-19.
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FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Used Technology Drive
Through January 31st
The Saturday Club
117 W. Wayne Avenue, Wayne
The Saturday Club is holding a Used Technology Drive throughout the month of January. They are collecting used laptops, web cameras, iPads, and printers in alignment with The Philadelphia Children’s Foundation’s mission to provide every child with an equal opportunity to learn in a digital age.
Details
Volunteer - Winter Gardening
Thursday, January 14th
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Stoneleigh
1829 E. County Line Road, Villanova
Bundle up to give back to one of our area’s loveliest public gardens!
Details
Hoops from the Heart
Monday, January 18th
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
CREC
9000 Parkview Drive, Haverford
The Rec Department and Haverford College are teaming up for a basketball clinic. All proceeds will benefit families in need in Delaware County. Boys and girls ages 6 to 14 are welcome to participate.
Details
MLK Day Contactless Food Drive
Monday, January 18th
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
CREC
9000 Parkview Drive, Haverford
Haverford Township will be collecting non-perishable food, paper products, dog/cat food and more for delivery to pantries around the township. Visit the website for more information about acceptable items, how to volunteer, and which pantries are supported.
Details
Haverford Township Blood Drive
Thursday, January 28th
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
CREC
9000 Parkview Drive, Haverford
To schedule an appointment (preferred), register at www.redcrossblood.org. Sponsor code:CREC
Details
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WHAT'S COOKING
Spice It Up!
Tuesday, January 19th
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Swarthmore Library
121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
Join the folks at Swarthmore Library for an exploration of different spices. Patrons who register receive the monthly spice to take home and create any dish of their choosing. Participants will share their creations during the virtual Zoom meeting. The spice for January is Coriander. Registrants will receive an email notification to arrange for pickup of the spice. The Zoom information will be sent out on Monday, January 18th.
Details
Cake Decorating for Teens with Ady Cakes
Wednesday, January 20th
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Radnor Memorial Library
114 W. Wayne Avenue, Wayne
Cake Decorating for Teens with Ady Cakes
Radnor Library has a sweet treat for teens: special guest baker, Ady Abreu Miriello, will share cake-decorating tips in this virtual program.
Ady Abreu Miriello, proprietor of Ady Cakes® in West Reading, is a former ballerina turned engineer turned cake artist, and Berks County's first and only winner of the popular Food Network competition show Cupcake Wars! Participants will need to provide their own cupcake/cake for this activity.
Details
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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Museum Mindfulness
Wednesday, January 13th
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Find your inner calm with a slow, guided look at works by various artists. Museum educators Justinne Lake-Jedzinak and Greg Stuart lead you through a mindful paper-folding exercise and close look at related artworks.
Registration ends at noon the day before the event. A link to this virtual program will be sent to all registered participants prior to the program. Free, but donation appreciated.
Details
Strategies to Manage Your Time and Life
Thursday, January 21st
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Marple Public Library
2559 Sproul Road, Broomall
Does it seem impossible to get everything done in a single day? Do projects overwhelm you so much that you can't get started? Are you ready to take control of your time and life? Join professional organizer, Janet M. Taylor, for this on-line event to learn tips on how to conquer procrastination and cross items off your to-do list! Registration required.
Details
Introduction to ESSENTRICS® Aging Backwards
Saturday, February 20th
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Mainline School Night
Learn about this age-reversing, slow-paced, full-body workout that will restore movement in your joints, flexibility in your muscles, relieve pain, stimulate your cells to increase energy and vibrancy and boost your immune system. Created by Miranda Esmonde-White, the New York Times best-selling author of Aging Backwards and host of the award-winning PBS special Aging Backwards, this workout draws on flowing movements of tai chi which create health and balance, the strengthening theories behind ballet which create long lean, flexible muscles, and the healing principles of physiotherapy. Zoom link will be sent to those registered. Fee: $25.00
Details
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FOR THE KIDDIES
Hoping for SNOW! Sledding Sundays
January 17th through February 28th
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Winterthur Museum
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE
Hope for snow and bring your sled to a designated safe place on the Winterthur grounds, the Sledding hill near Visitor Center Parking Lot. Check snow conditions at winterthur.org each Sunday by 10:00 am. Included with admission. Members free.
Details
Frozen-Theme Dance Party
Tuesday, January 26th
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Springfield Township Library
70 Powell Road, Springfield
“Let it go” with all of your favorite songs from this Disney favorite. Registration is required. Zoom link will be email to participants.
Details
Vivaldi Winter with Kids
Thursday, January 28th
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Radnor Memorial Library
114 W. Wayne Avenue, Wayne
In this creative virtual class, kids ages 4-7 will be inspired to create by exploring the classical music composer, Vivaldi, and his works. They will actively interact with the music through games, stories, and more; then create their own art project inspired by the musical pieces. Take-home kits with the accompanying materials will be available to pick up from the library.
Details
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RCA provides evidence-based treatment led by an expert, caring team of medical professionals who will help you begin, and maintain,
a life in recovery
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All children deserve a school that
they love.
The School in Rose Valley supports children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and play.
The School in Rose Valley
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Through professionally-staged theater productions,
private lessons, classes, workshops, summer theater camps, and visiting artist programs including learning pods, Wolf Performing Arts Center is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through learning, experiencing and creating theater.
wolfperformingartscenter.org
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Our admissions team is eager to learn more about your
remarkable child.
Schedule your 1:1 tour today!
gladwyne.org/visit
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For 135 years, Friends School Haverford has offered an intellectually-rich academic program on its beautiful campus, guided by Quaker philosophy and the tenets of progressive, constructivist education. By promoting academic scholarship, creativity, respect, integrity, and kindness, Friends School Haverford nurtures the voice within each of our students and empowers them to speak their truth.
Friends School Haverford
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At E.G. Rall, Jr, our purpose is to provide our customers with
superior environmental service
and products.
Call us 610-239-7460 for
a free consultation or contact
us via our website
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FOR THE BIRDS
The Great Backyard Bird Count
Wednesday, January 13th
7:00 PM
Chester County Library
450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton
Join the Chester County Library, the National Audubon Society, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for the Great Backyard Bird Count 2021. Each February, for four days, the world comes together for the love of birds. This year’s count will be from February 12 through 15. Learn how to be a part of the fun and science for the love of birds. This program is part of the Longwood Gardens 8th Annual Community Read Program. Participants will be eligible for a free drawing for a one-day family pass for four to Longwood Gardens. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants.
Details
HomeMAKERS: Bird Watching
Tuesday, January 26th
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Radnor Memorial Library
114 W. Wayne Avenue, Wayne
In this STEAM program for grades K-5, Ruby’s Birds will be read. Participants will explore how to identify backyard birds in their community using tools from the Cornell Lab. They will be introduced to the Great Backyard Bird Count, a science project in which all families can participate. A take-home kit with support materials can be picked up prior to the program. Registration is required.
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Winter Wonderland Festival
January 16th & 17th
Saturday: 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM -3:00 PM
Pocono Organics
1015 Long Pond Road
Long Pond, PA
Come one, come all to the first annual Winter Wonderland Festival at Pocono Organics. Enjoy tons of incredible food, games, sleigh rides, holiday vendors, Alpacas and more! You'll even get a sneak peak at their world-class greenhouses!
Masks required.
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