Ross Mitchell, executive director of Glen Foerd, discussed the estate’s upcoming catering change at last week’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting.
Mitchell explained that Glen Foerd’s lease with the city requires it to seek requests for proposals for its catering contract every 10 years.
At present, Jamie Hollander Catering & Events holds the contract, and was one of four bidders for the new contract.
In the end, the Glen Foerd board selected Cescaphe, a decision approved by the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
Cescaphe will build a new tent to be placed on the same spot as the existing one and make landscape improvements.
The contract with Cescaphe will be for six years, with an option for five more years.
Glen Foerd is a popular site for wedding ceremonies and receptions from March to December. The grounds close to the public at 3 p.m. on the day of weddings.
A neighbor asked Mitchell to ask Cescaphe to put up a large outdoor Christmas tree each December while it holds the catering contract.
Mitchell also mentioned Glen Foerd’s new garden sculpture, Medusa with the Head of Perseus. Glen Foerd announced the sculpture last month on Facebook, to the delight of feminists.
In other news from the Jan. 12 meeting:
• AARP volunteer Tony Wolchasty spoke on imposter scams and identity theft.
Wolchasty said these crimes can be committed by the person next door or someone in another country, and that victims are targeted regardless of age.
Social media, Wolchasty said, has become the No. 1 way for scammers to find victims, adding that people 80 and older are at risk of scam phone calls.
Overall, he said, scammers use text messages three times as often as phone calls.
As for a way to prevent identity theft, Wolchasty noted that people can freeze and un-freeze their credit reports for free.
Wolchasty also mentioned “sextortion,” urging people to never send naked pictures of themselves, or risk being subject to demands for money.
A man in the crowd recommended that people use default voicemail greetings instead of personalized voicemails to prevent the use of their recorded voice for AI cloning.
The AARP fraud helpline number is 877-908-3360. Other consumer references include the Federal Trade Commission (877-IDTHEFT), the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline (800-269-0271) and the Pennsylvania Attorney General (800-441-2555).
• The crowd sang Happy Birthday to member Adge Martin, who turned 92, and enjoyed cupcakes.
• Cinnamon Hill, community relations officer in the 8th Police District, offered literature on upcoming events.
There will be a cash bingo at Christ the King, 3252 Chesterfield Road, on Feb. 28. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with games beginning at 7. There will be door prizes, raffles, a 50-50, beer, wine, soda, water, coffee, tea and dessert. Tickets are $40 and will be available at the door or in advance at the district, 3100 Red Lion Road, or by calling Hill at 445-267-9689. Tables of 10 are $360.
Monthly captain’s town hall meetings will take place at the district at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25, July 30, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 29 and Nov. 24.
• St. Katherine of Siena Parish, 9738 Frankford Ave., will hold a stewardship fair on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Visitors will learn about parish organizations and ministries. There will be refreshments, contests, balloon sculpting, face painting, entertainment by the Cub Choir and drama club and a school open house and book fair.
• City Councilman Mike Driscoll was among those in attendance.
• East Torresdale Civic Association will meet on Monday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. ••
