Pride of Torresdale to perform
The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been canceled for the second year in a row, but the Pride of Torresdale will be dancing through the neighborhood on Sunday, March 14.
The socially distant parade, with participants wearing masks, will begin with a performance in the St. Katherine of Siena Parish parking lot, 9700 Frankford Ave., after the 10 a.m. Mass, about 10:45.
Following the performance, the parade will begin.
It will travel south on Frankford, east on Eden Street, south on Ditman Street, east on Convent Lane, south on Torresdale Avenue, west on Aubrey Avenue, north on Glenloch Street, west on Convent, north on Jackson Street, west on Eden and north on Frankford.
Dance performances will be at Eden and Ditman, Torresdale and Convent, Glenloch and Aubrey and Barry Road and Jackson. ••
Memorial Mass for Monsignor McGroarty
St. Matthew Church, 3000 Cottman Ave., will host a memorial Mass for Monsignor Charles E. McGroarty, its pastor emeritus, on Saturday, March 13.
Visitation is from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10:30 a.m.
McGroarty passed away on March 17, 2020 at the age of 86. He served as pastor of St. Matthew from 1987 to 2014.
The Mass will be streamed live on St. Matthew Parish’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/StMattsMayfair/. Donations may be made in memory of McGroarty to the Friends of Saint Matthew, Inc. Masks are required. ••
Help design library and rec center
A virtual design workshop will take place on Saturday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in regard to Lawncrest Library and the Lawncrest Recreation Center.
To RSVP and get the Zoom workshop information, email lawncrest@community-ventures.org or call 215-564-6004, Ext. 104. All are welcome.
For more details, visit www.community-ventures.org/rebuildlawncrest. ••
Ramp closures at Betsy Ross Bridge
The ramp from the Betsy Ross Bridge to northbound Interstate 95 is closed for reconstruction and will remain so until about December.
Bridge traffic heading for northbound I-95 will be detoured to Aramingo Avenue and rerouted through the interchange to the Aramingo Avenue ramp to northbound I-95. The ramp from the bridge to southbound I-95 is also closed for reconstruction and is detoured to Aramingo Avenue and rerouted along the same detour route.
Crews will demolish and construct new ramps. Both ramps from the bridge to I-95 are expected to be completed and reopened in late 2021.
The ramp from the bridge to northbound I-95 was originally scheduled to be reconstructed beginning in 2022, but its replacement was advanced due to deterioration of its structural components.
The work is part of a $93.6 million project. ••
Solomon slams Johnny Doc
State Rep. Jared Solomon is again condemning John Dougherty after the union leader was charged with extortion for allegedly threatening an electrical contractor who employed his nephew.
Dougherty, 60, was already facing federal charges of embezzling money from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, which he heads.
In 2019, Solomon held a news conference in City Hall courtyard to criticize Dougherty.
“Here we are, two years later, awaiting trial and justice for those 116 indictment charges of fraud and John Dougherty is arrested again for 19 different charges of conspiracy and extortion,” he said in a statement.
Solomon described City Councilman Bobby Henon as a Dougherty puppet, and again called on Henon to resign. Henon is facing federal corruption charges in relation to the 2019 indictment that includes Dougherty.
Solomon said the city faces a $31 million dollar school deficit, a failed COVID-19 response and gun violence rising.
“It’s time to rid Philadelphia’s governance of John Dougherty and corruption, so we can begin to do the true work of government — improving Philly lives,” he said.
Frank Keel released a statement on behalf of Dougherty, saying the federal investigation of the union leader has been going on almost from the day he was sworn in as IBEW Local 98 business manager in 1993.
“Today, after John just returned home after spending 12 days at his seriously ill wife Ceilie’s bedside in the intensive care unit of Jefferson Hospital, they descended again upon John and Ceilie”s home and arrested him again. This isn’t a prosecution, it’s a persecution,” Keel said. ••
Offerings of the Free Library
To find information about Free Library of Philadelphia branches, visit https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/limited-services/.
Free Library staff is available to answer questions, give recommendations and provide research assistance at 833-TALK FLP. The line is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
To access the Free Library’s resources virtually, patrons can check out ebooks, stream movies and music at freelibrary.org/digitalmedia. Visit freelibrary.org/elearning to find study materials, learn a language or take an online class.
There are also a number of virtual storytimes, lectures, author events and other programs taking place at freelibrary.org/virtualprograms.
Patrons can also visit freelibrary.org/locations for more information. ••
Holy Redeemer is now Redeemer Health
Holy Redeemer Health System is now known as Redeemer Health.
“This rebrand is part of broader strategic initiatives to grow and expand the system to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” said Mike Laign, president and CEO of Redeemer Health. “Retaining the richness of our legacy, with a fresh, contemporary approach, the name and logo make a renewed promise that all members of our community can relate to.”
The system was founded by the Sisters of the Redeemer.
“Almost 100 years ago, our Sisters stepped onto American soil to answer a calling to care, comfort and heal,” said Sister Ellen Marvel, Province Leader, Sisters of the
Redeemer. “The beliefs that compelled the Sisters back then continue to inspire and guide the organization forward today.” ••
Charity golf tournament scheduled
The Miracle League of Northampton Township will hold its first golf tournament on Friday, June 4, at Northampton Valley Country Club.
Tee-off is at 9 a.m. There will be a putting contest and hole-in-one prizes.
The cost per player is $150. A box lunch will be provided.
Non-golfers are invited to make donations of any amount. Sponsors are also welcome.
Proceeds will go to construction of an all-inclusive playground and sports programs for disabled children. The Miracle League offers soccer, baseball, bowling and basketball.
Checks can be made payable to Miracle League of Northampton Township and mailed to Miracle League Golf Outing, 53 Brinker Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Call 267-679-8831 or visit https://www.dixongives.com/miracleleague. ••
Dollar sale continues
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., is extending its dollar sale through Friday, March 12.
All clothing, shoes and handbags are $1 apiece.
Hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays.
Call 215-624-9130. ••
Bartos joins Senate race
Jeff Bartos, co-founder of the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
A real estate developer active in the greater Philadelphia market, he led an effort to raise and distribute more than $3.3 million to struggling small businesses in Pennsylvania.
Bartos was the Republican nominee in 2018 for lieutenant governor. He and his wife, Sheryl, have two daughters, Emily and Sarah.
Other Republican candidates are Sean Gale and Everett Stern.
Democratic candidates are Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Brandaun Dean, Lew Tapera, Dr. Larry E. Johnson, Alexandria Khalil and John McGuigan. ••
Enroll at Maternity BVM
Maternity BVM Catholic School will hold 2021/2022 school year registration for new and returning families on Tuesday, March 23, and Wednesday, March 24, from 9 to 10 a.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 9322 Old Bustleton Ave.
For more information, call Mr. McDonough at 215-908-3329. ••
White wants National Guard distributing vaccine
The Republican Southeast House delegation is demanding the Wolf administration give the responsibility and authority for allocating and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“We are hoping the new leadership at the health department will join us in our call to use the National Guard to save lives,” said Rep. Martina White. “This is all about vaccine equality.”
The delegation made its decision to call on the National Guard after a meeting with administration officials Sunday. ••
More schools opening Monday
City, School District of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Federation of Teachers officials announced PreK through second-grade students in 45 additional schools will begin returning to school buildings for in-person learning on Monday, March 15. More schools will continue to be added on a weekly rolling schedule, which began Monday, March 8.
These schools follow the first group of 53 schools that reopened for in-person learning on March 8.
The list of the latest elementary school openings includes A.L. Fitzpatrick School, Benjamin Franklin, Hamilton Disston, Joseph H. Brown, Kennedy C. Crossan, Louis H. Farrell School, Rhawnhurst, Robert B. Pollock and Thomas Holme. ••
Register for KleinLife summer camp
Registration is open for the 2021 summer day camp at KleinLife, located at 10100 Jamison Ave. Camp will run from June 21 to Aug. 13.
Camp will be offered in four age-related segments: the lower camp, grades k to 3; Maccabi boys sports program, grades 4 to 7; senior girls, grades 4 to 7; and the CIT program for grades 8 and 9. There also is a special-needs program for all children.
Camp hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Camp offers air-conditioned facilities including a hardwood gym and indoor pool, sports clinics and games led by Olympic champion Mariya Ryemyen, playground climbing wall and outdoor fields for sports leagues. Activities include arts and crafts, instructional and free swimming, music and dancing, robotics, plus special entertainment and shows. Three healthy homemade meals also will be included every day.
Costs for summer camp are (lower camp, Maccabi and senior girls) $1,800 per camper for eight weeks; $1,500 per camper for six weeks; $1,000 per camper for four weeks; and $250 per camper for one week. For CIT camp, it’s $1,200 per camper for eight weeks, $900 per camper for six weeks, $700 per camper for four weeks and $150 per camper for one week.
For additional information, contact Colleen Lane at 215-698-7300, Ext. 112 or clane@kleinlife.org. ••
Virtual basket bingo
Redeemer Lutheran Church will hold a virtual basket bingo on Sunday, March 14, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Admission is $20 for 10 rounds of bingo. You will have six cards per round. The prize for the first nine games will be a gift basket of varying themes. The grand-finale prize is a cash prize.
All proceeds go to benefit the ministries of Redemption Lutheran Church. Everyone is welcome to play.
Visit www.redemptionphiladlephia.org/bingo or call 215-342-2085. ••
Learn to plant vines
Join the Men’s Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim on Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. for a virtual presentation of Wine On The Vine, a project of The Israeli Innovation Fund.
Learn how you can plant a vine, start a vine bank or even plant a vineyard. This alternative to planting trees helps Israeli wineries and benefits the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and CSS.
There is no charge for this event. Call Paul Kaplan at 215-677-1600. ••
Help needy children
The public is invited by the Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim to attend a virtual baby shower mitzvah project meeting on Tuesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Donations are being accepted for items for babies through age 5. Items will then be donated to benefit the clients of Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
Call the synagogue office at 215-677-1600 for further details. ••
Tea will celebrate Golda Meir
The Sisterhood of the Congregations of Shaare Shamayim invites you to join them for their virtual Tea with Golda on Monday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m.
The cost is $18 per person. The program will be a presentation on the life Golda Meir, presented by Maxine Goldman.
Each participant will receive a packet of pictures and data. RSVPs are needed by April 15.
Mail your checks payable to the Sisterhood of CSS, along with your email address, to 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115. For further information, call Gita Farbman at 215-677-1600. ••
Free Yiddish Bingo
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a virtual general meeting on Tuesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.
The program will be Yiddish Bingo. There is no charge.
Call the synagogue office at 215-677-1600 to provide your email address. Materials and a meeting link will be forwarded. ••
S. Phila. High Class of ‘68 meeting in October
Members of the South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will meet on Saturday, Oct. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St.
Tickets cost $55 and include an open bar and buffet luncheon.
The luncheon is open to all classes of South Philadelphia High.
Checks can be made payable to SPHS Class of 1968 and mailed to Maria Leati, 26 Old Republic Lane, Marlton, NJ 08053.
For tickets and information, contact Stephen Michielli at 267-252-2740 or sdmichielli@yahoo.com. ••
