Boyles host schools in academic challenge
State Reps. Kevin and Brendan Boyle hosted eight Philadelphia and Montgomery County elementary schools in the 2013 Boyle Academic Challenge at Archbishop Ryan High School on May 11.
The 2013 champ was Nazareth Academy, which beat out Philadelphia Academy and Our Lady of Calvary, which came in second and third.
Also participating this year were St. Christopher’s, St. Martha’s, Laura Carnell, MaST Charter and Presentation BVM. ••
Navy to commission ship in Philly
U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has decided to have the USS Somerset commissioned in Philadelphia.
In February, Sen. Pat Toomey asked Mabus to put the new Navy ship, which was christened last July, into active service in Philadelphia.
The ship honors the United Flight 93 passengers who fought with hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001, causing the plane to crash in Shanksville, Somerset County. Some believe the terrorists planned to crash the plane into the Capitol.
“Somerset is an important ship for the Navy and our nation, and commissioning her in the Port of Philadelphia will make the event even more meaningful,” Mabus said. “Once I learned it was possible to commission Somerset in Philadelphia, it was the obvious choice for me to make.”
“I am delighted that Secretary Mabus has agreed to bring the Somerset to Philadelphia,” Toomey said. “The ship is named in honor of the courageous passengers whose actions prevented the 9–11 hijackers from killing many more Americans. Pennsylvania will be privileged to have the ship begin her service to the country in the Port of Philadelphia. I am grateful to Secretary Mabus for his consideration.” ••
Y offering swimming program
The Northeast Family Y, 11088 Knights Road, will be offering basic swimming and water safety skills programs for children during Splash Week, June 3 to June 7.
For more information, call 215–632–0100 or visit www.philaymca.org. ••
Get your operatic fix May 25
The Amici Opera Company will present Fedora Saturday May 25, at 4 p.m. at Redeemer United Methodist Church. 1128 Cottman Ave.
Tickets are $25 at the door. Seniors and advance purchases are $22. Students’ tickets are $15. Children 10 and younger pay $10.
Call 215–224–0257. ••
Ryerss Museum seeks donations
The Ryerss Museum & Library, at 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme, is seeking donations to restore and repair its stained- and leaded-glass windows.
Checks can be made payable to Save the Windows, c/o Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111–3059.
For more information, call 215–685–0544 or go to ryerssmuseum.org ••
Cooks needed for the homebound elderly
The Klein JCC is looking for groups, schools and individuals to volunteer to cook meals for the area’s chronically ill homebound elderly as part of its home-delivered meals program,
The program provides up to 800 meals weekly to elderly people in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties who are sick and/or physically disabled and cannot get out to shop or cook for themselves.
Contact volunteer manager Sue Aistrop at 215–698–7300, Ext. 196 or saistrop@kleinjcc.org ••
