By LeslieKrowchenko Special to the Spirit T he Thanksgiving hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” includes the line, “God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied.” CityTeam Ministries and its partners did their part to insure the turkey, side dishes and dessert for the holiday are supplied. More than 80 businesses, schools, [...]
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) awarded a $1 million grant to Philabundance, the largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley to support and improve the hunger relief system. The majority of the grant will be applied to the proposed new community food center the organization hopes to open in Chester. The center, proposed [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Several residents attending last Thursday’s Chester Upland School Board study session held hand-made signs calling for the resignations of Board President Wanda Mann and Solicitor Leo Hackett. “We want to call attention to what has not been done,” said Hilda Campbell. “These people are wasting money and our children are not getting [...]
By KevinKaneshiki kkaneshiki@chesterspirit.com C ommunity Action Agency of Delaware County Inc. (CAADC) hosted its 32nd Annual Meeting Luncheon and Awards last week at the Springfield Country Club to recognize volunteers, clients, and companies for their community service. State Sen. Edwin “Ted” Erickson (R-26), who represents Delaware and Chester counties, and John A. Dowd, director of [...]
Seniors entertained by popular gospel group The Gospel Disciples recently performed at the Edgmont Senior Apartments as part of a variety of recreational and entertaining programs for seniors in the facility. The group, together since 1980, was founded originally by five members from Chester’s Shiloh Baptist Church Male Chorus. Since then, and added additional members, [...]
By JohnLolley and KevinKaneshiki SPIRIT staff writers Ever since the 2009 general election, when John A. Linder and Portia West became the first Democrats elected to Chester City Council since 1992, Chester Democrats have had nothing but momentum. On Tuesday, voters decided they wanted a fresh face to lead city government and Chester Democratic candidates swept [...]
By KevinKaneshiki kkaneshiki@chesterspirit.com C hester’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosted the Kings Mentoring Kings workshop last Saturday at the City Hall Community Room. It aimed to educate young men about the value of self-sufficiency and raise awareness about the need for positive male role models in face fatherlessness in many households. The workshop, the [...]
There have been many positive changes in the City of Chester since the start of the 21st century. Most of these have occurred during the tenure of Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr. with the support of City Council, other leaders and public/private partnership investments. Recreation and Youth Activity 1. The George Carter Center (Boys & [...]
Editorial We can’t sugar-coat this. There’s simply no other way to say it: leadership of the Chester-Upland School District must change! The current school board president, Wanda Mann, appears to be very popular in the community. She won her ballot spots in both the Republican and Democratic primaries so, in theory, she’s a shoe-in for [...]
Editorial T o be sure, the City of Chester is known for many things, most prominent among them is basketball and politics. From this current issue, you can see the level of political interest and debate is high. That’s good. Self-determination and public discourse are the underpinnings of democracy. But cutting through the emotion and [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com After six years of intense preparation, the Empowerment Resurrection Center (ERC) opened its doors in Chester last week. Located at 1350 Edgmont Ave. at University Technology Park II on the campus of Widener University, the ERC is a drug rehabilitation provider offering tailored programs for people suffering from substance dependence. “This is [...]
SPIRITstaff report newsdesk@chesterspirit.com The candidates for Chester mayor and City Council squared off in a debate last Thursday. The debate was formatted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) but actually organized from start to finish by a group of four young men, all professionals, whose only motivation was to allow people to [...]
By DesireGrover Special to the Spirit D uring the summer months Chester is notoriously in the news for the wrong reasons. It is during the summer that many negative things are said about youth and the city overall. It sometimes gets to the point where one might ask, “Can anything good come out of Chester?” [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A neighborhood reunion of Chester’s Second Ward was recently held at the Ballrooms at Boothwyn in Upper Chichester. Organized by Joan McCracken Bonaquisti, Bob Crowley and Chas McLaughlin, more than 80 former residents of the area surrounding the former St. Robert’s Church and School, Goodwill Fire Company, and the Bus Barn, [...]
By BriannaLopez Special to the Spirit E nvironmental stress has been one of the leading causes of health concerns for long-time Chester residents who believe air quality and pollution are the reasons. To explore the topic, the Chester Environmental Partnership (CEP) held a public meeting last Thursday at Faith Temple Holy Church, 1005 West 7th [...]
SPIRITstaff report newsdesk@chesterspirit.com C andidates running for mayor and City Council in Chester will square off in the only public debate scheduled in the election season on Thursday, Oct. 27th at Widener University’s Lathem Hall. The debate will pit incumbent Republican Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr. against freshman Councilman John Linder, the Democratic candidate. Last [...]
O ctober is American Pharmacists Month and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) says people should consider partnering with their pharmacists to help combat and control diabetes. According to a 2011 report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 25.8 million people, or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes. Last year [...]
By Eric Berman, DO, MS People with diabetes have too much sugar in their blood or not enough insulin to change that sugar into energy. There are 23.6 million people in the United States who have diabetes. More than five million people don’t even know they have diabetes. There is no cure for [...]
Editorial I n what can only be described as “sinister and unfair,” the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed, and Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law, a piece of legislation known simply as, “Act 24.” From what we can tell, Act 24 requires all current school employees with certain criminal records to formally identify themselves, even though [...]
Editorial S o the community will finally get an opportunity to hear, side-by-side, the thoughts, ideas, emotions and philosophies of the men and women running for mayor and seats on Chester’s City Council. The debate next week is being coordinated by the League of Women Voters and sponsored by a host of politically-savvy youth and [...]
By LincolnRigg With high unemployment numbers and jobs scarce, college enrollment is the highest it has been in recent years. Unable to find work, recent high school graduates are furthering their education in hopes of finding better paying jobs when they graduate. Recently laid off workers are learning new skills to advance in their former [...]
By AntoinetteS.Maciolek D elaware County Community College is celebrating its 45th year. Founded in 1967, the college has grown to serve more than 28,000 students each year in Delaware and Chester counties and offers quality educational programs and services that are student-focused, accessible, comprehensive and flexible to meet the educational needs of our diverse [...]
Art sparks downtown renaissance Many people believe Chester’s downtown business district can be vibrant again with arts and entertainment venues as a foundation. Chester Business Association President Linda Braceland, also a founding member of Art on the Avenue, hopes to jumpstart that renaissance by creating an artist colony where artists can work and a gallery to exhibit and [...]
By JeanneBennett jbennett@chesterspirit.com A 1990 book by author Annie Louise Potter, A Living Mystery, the International Art & History of Crochet, explained the word “crochet” comes from the Middle French words “croc” or “croche,” meaning “hook.” Crochet is the art of creating fabric by pulling loops of yarn or thread through other loops with the [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com I t was a walk down memory lane for Chester natives as current and former residents gathered for the OldChesterPA Reunion last Saturday afternoon on the outside deck at Harrah’s Casino and Racetrack. Hosted by the Chester Historical Preservation Committee, the reunion featured informational tables by the J. Lewis Crozer Library, Chester [...]
SPIRITstaff report newsdesk@chesterspirit.com The Chester Prison Re-entry Collaborative is preparing to make history when it opens the first one-stop prison re-entry center in Delaware County to help people coming out of prison re-engage with the general population. Located in the Crozer Building, 419 Avenue of the States, Suite 407, in Chester, city, state and county [...]
Starting this week, low-income, working families in Pennsylvania will have to dig a little deeper and pay more for child care out-of-pocket as the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW) increases the cost of co-payments for families receiving child care subsidy. Scheduled to go into effect this Monday, the General Assembly mandated the hike, [...]
Chester police vehicles, including a patrol car, a three-wheel vehicle, and the oldest motorcycle still in active service in the United States, swept the 11th annual Police Cruiser Night sponsored annually by Faulkner GMC in West Chester to benefit the Chester County Fraternal Order of Police. The event was held early last month. Chester city [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com M ore than 12,000 people flocked to the Chester Riverfront Ramble this past weekend to partake in a variety of foods, purchase novelty goods and enjoy star-studded entertainment that headlined hit R&B singers Johnny Gill and Evelyn “Champagne” King. From chicken wings, shrimp, fried fish and barbecue to cotton candy, water ice, [...]
By PhilPerrone Special to the Spirit C hester native singer/songwriter/pianist Avery Sunshine is returning to the area she left 20 years ago to appear in concert at the Baby Grand Theatre in Wilmington on Friday (Sept. 30th). The artist, who did return about a year ago for a performance at the Andre Café Acoustique in [...]
Dozens attended the third annual Health Fair sponsored by the St. Katherine Drexel Health Ministry on Sunday at the Drexel Neumann Academy gynasium and received information and screenings from organizations that included Widene Physical Therapy, ChesPenn Health Services, Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC), COSA, Health Partners, the Crozer-Keystone Health System, the American Red [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com A group of residents from the area of 4th and Townsend sts. told Chester City Council last week they believe construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at 6th and Engle sts. is the cause of flooding they have experienced. Resident Tom Porter said ever since the memorial was built, homeowners [...]
By PhilPerrone pperrone@chesterspirit.com The scorching sun rose on the Chester High football team on Sunday, but in turn, set upon the Sun Valley Vanguards. The beaming ball in the sky did not allow the Clippers a victory without a few battle scars, however; a sort of rite of passage into the realm of success. In [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com If the enthusiasm of vendors is any indication, Chester’s Riverfront Ramble, which takes place from Noon until well into the evening on Saturday, Sept. 24th, will be one major success. The event, now in its seventh year, attracts upwards of 20,000 people. This year may attract even more with a star-studded line-up [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com In addition to Chester City employees and officials, church group volunteers, Delaware County community service workers, the Harrah’s Hearts group, Chester Water Authority and MinSec, more than 500 students from Eastern University participated Saturday in the 10th annual Mayor’s Clean-Up Day. Participants in the citywide clean-up event removed trash and debris from [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com The Chester Fund for Education announced last week that this school year (2011-2012) will be the last of its affiliation with the Chester-Upland School of the Arts (CUSA). The foundation will instead apply to open its own charter school in the district for the 2012-2013 school year, which includes the City of [...]
Chester resident and recent Chester High School basketball standout Rondae Jefferson (top right) will represent the USA with kids from other cities at the Boys 3×3 Youth World Championship from Sept. 9th-11th in Rimini, Italy. Jefferson will be joined by Shaqquan Aaron (top left), of Taft High School in Apple Valley, Calif.; Jordan Swopshire (bottom [...]
By SarahS.Davis ssdavis@chesterspirit.com With moon bounces and hot dogs, music and sun in the background, residents of the Chester Apartments and, across the street, the Ruth L. Bennett Apartments enjoyed an afternoon of camaraderie and celebration at each development’s Community Day festivities on Saturday. Crowds of residents, young and old, enjoyed the day. Evoni Story, [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com For the sake of being more safe than sorry, extreme precautions and advance warnings were dished out by local officials and police and were highly-sensationalized by mainstream media leading up to Hurricane Irene’s visit. In the aftermath of the Category-1 storm, Chester City found itself mostly safe and unapologetic. “From a police [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com A familiar, four-legged friend was shot in front of Jack’s 501 Bar two weeks ago, but for several community members, his loss has not gone unnoticed. Victor, a five to six year-old mixed-breed dog, who was often seen chasing cars and lounging at the bar near Seventh and Potter sts., was shot [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com H undreds of newly-enrolled students scattered about Widener University’s campus on Move-In Day with family and bedroom essentials in hand as they left their nests to pursue a higher degree of education and independence. Last Wednesday, incoming freshman, the future Class of 2015, were assisted by upperclassmen, faculty, staff, Widener Pride mascots, [...]
Wesley House, the 17-room former mansion at 701 Madison St., Chester, that serves homeless single women and families, is installing a geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that relies primarily on the Earth’s natural thermal energy, a renewable resource, to heat or cool a house or multi-family dwelling. The facility will be just [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com Several drivers honked their horns for “a better education” as parents and students protested in front of the Chester-Upland School District’s (CUSD) administration building, shortly before its regular board meeting last week. The protest, following a series of tense school board meetings and tough decisions as the school board is forced to [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Prior to winning the City of Chester’s fourth annual Soapbox Derby on Saturday afternoon, nine-year-old Kenneth Alexis-Ramos was anticipating victory. “I really want to win a trophy so I can put it in my house,” he said. “My family would like that a lot.” And win he did! Alexis-Ramos, who moved to [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com The Communities that Care (CTC) Network of Delaware County formally received honors last week as the 2011 Pennsylvania Prevention Coalition of the Year and after nearly two decades of humanitarian work, the network has proven it hasn’t been meeting for the sake of meeting every second Thursday of the month. The award [...]
SPIRITstaff report newsdesk@chesterspirit.com In the wake of recent unrest stemming from the fatal shooting of a young man allegedly by a city police officer, Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr. is taking the long view and asking key law enforcement partners to rally for a long-term solution in an unprecedented community policing effort. Reeling from [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com Donna Davis took the day off from her city job last Wednesday to address Chester City Council about a home in her neighborhood that she purports to be a “boarder home.” Davis lives in the 2000 block of Edgmont Ave. “I took the day off (to) ask some direct questions of Council,” [...]
Crozer-Chester Medical Center nurses Joy Oakey and Gina Lanier, along with Kyle Lanier, a nationally certified personal trainer at the Chester Senior Center, brought home a national masters track and field title after a recent match in Ohio. Masters track and field is for people age 30 and older. Oakley and the Laniers are members of the [...]
By LorettaRodgers lrodgers@chesterspirit.com F rom line dancing and DJ entertainment to a variety of games, food and beverages, the 18th annual Across Colors Cultural Festival, which took place Saturday on the Chester High School practice field, seemed to have something for everyone. Hosted by state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, the event featured informational vendors, horseshoes, dominoes [...]
By JessicaBautista jbautista@chesterspirit.com A senior citizen recently locked out of her unit at the Edgmont Senior Apartments has prompted questions among residents and a call for policy change. About two weeks ago, 70-year-old Veronica Jones was visiting family in Philadelphia and it wasn’t until she was about to leave on that July 22nd night that [...]
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