RIDLEY PARK– The Ridley Park Victorian Fair will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Eastlake Park, overlooking Ridley Lake. The rain date will be Sunday, Sept. 12.
Sponsored by the Ridley Park Recreation Board, the event annually draws visitors, of all ages, from near and far to the unique community event.
This year’s fair will host numerous community groups, as well as over thirty craft vendors. Food vendors will also be on site with a variety of choices.
Entertainment will include Magic with Chris, music by The Dusters, Irish dancers, singer Kyleigh Bleacher, Barnstormers Children’s Theater, the Ridley High School Band, as well as Ridley High’s singers who will sing a variety of patriotic songs.
Mark Dougherty will exhibit trains, Samantha Animal Rescue will display pets available for adoption, and The Leggings Project to benefit Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will have a booth.
McElvenney Magic will create balloon sculptures to delight young and old alike. The popular Orbitron and the Trampoline Thing will return this year and be located on the other side of the lake. Pony rides will be available after 1:30 p.m., over the bridge, also on the other side of the lake.
A walking tour of Ridley Park will be given at 11 a.m. by Delaware County historian Keith Lockhart. The tour will start at the corner of Hinkley and North Swarthmore Ave. and take about an hour and twenty minutes. Cost is $10 and will be limited to ten people.
To reserve a space, contact Keith Lockhart at keith106@rcn.com/.
Neumann presents ‘Path to Sainthood for Fr. Bill Atkinson’
In the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church, Bill Atkinson was the first quadriplegic to be ordained as a priest. After being paralyzed in a tragic tobogganing accident, he entered the priesthood and taught from 1975 to 2004 at Monsignor Bonner High School. Now, he might be on the path to sainthood.
On Thursday, Sept. 9, Stephen McWilliams will discuss Atkinson’s life and the journey ahead as the church considers the case for his canonization. The presentation is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Meagher Theatre on the campus of Neumann University.
One of Atkinson’s closest friends, McWilliams visited Atkinson for many years, helping with his personal needs. After Atkinson’s death in 2006, McWilliams captured the priest’s wisdom, humility, and faith in his book Green Bananas. In conjunction with the Augustinian Community, family and friends, McWilliams now works for the cause of sainthood for the former priest and teacher.
The movement toward canonization formally began 2017, when former Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput recommended investigating Atkinson’s case. Chaput’s support, approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and accepted for review by the Vatican, started the long examination of Atkinson’s life.
Local committees were appointed to collect documents and witness interviews to establish that Atkinson was a person of heroic virtue and therefore worthy of the next step towards sainthood. The documentation will be sent to the Vatican. If the supporting evidence is approved, the Pope will confer on Atkinson the title of “venerable.”
For beatification, the next step, a miracle must be attributed to the intercession of Atkinson. He would then receive the title of “blessed.” A second miracle is required for sainthood.
To register for the McWilliams lecture, visit http://www.alumni.neumann.edu/caf22. Admission is $10, and masks are required for the audience. Proceeds benefit the Dr. Margaret Mary Kearney student scholarship fund, which assists non-traditional students at Neumann.
Aston Township Lions host bingo
The Aston Township Lions Club will present bingo 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Aston Community Center on Concord Road. The cost is $20 and the doors open at 12 noon.
Cash prizes, door prizes and refreshments will be available for purchase. Everyone must be 18 years old to play.
Delco Press Club celebrates the arts
The Delaware County Press Club will celebrate the arts, in collaboration with the Delaware County Arts Consortium, in advance of Delco Arts Week, at a special Arts and Culture Meet-and-Greet, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Duke Gallery at Community Arts Center, 414 Plush Mill Rd., Wallingford.
Delaware County is home to a plethora of cultural and arts institutions, making it a treasure for local folks and visitors alike. Meet the organizations that pump creative energy into the County and find out more about Delco Arts Week, which will take place October 2 – 9.
Participants in the Press Club event include: Jennifer Hoff, Delaware County Arts Consortium, Project Manager; Paul Downie, Community Arts Center; Eric Thompson, Darlington Arts Center; Sharon Booker, Sharon Hill Art & Culture Commission; Marcie Bramucci, Hedgerow Theatre, Executive Artistic Director; and Vincent James, www.KeepMusicAlive.org/.
Members of the press and other attendees will have the opportunity to network with representatives from the many unique artistic venues and cultural experiences that Delaware County has to offer, as well as get an inside look into the organizations and learn about their latest programs and productions, music projects, and exhibitions. Attendees can also find out how residents can access a wide range of art experiences during Delco Arts Week.
Representatives from County Council will also be on hand to read a resolution recognizing Delco Arts Week. A live performance or two may also be featured during the event.
Check-in and registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. As a courtesy to the caterer, reservations are recommended but guests can also pay by cash, check, or credit card at the door.
Anyone attending is asked to consider bringing a new book or two for students in grades K through eighth for the Press Club’s Book Drive.
For more information on the press club, visit http://www.thepressclubpa.org/. To get tickets, visit https://www.thepressclubpa.org/event-details/celebration-of-the-arts-arts-and-culture-meet-greet
Our Lady of Peace Cabaret seeks performers
Our Lady of Peace Cabaret will kick off the 2021-22 Drama Program Season with a show where people can show off their singing, dancing, and musical talents. The Cabaret is looking for anyone interested in performing as a solo, duet or group act. Performers can be of all ages and abilities. Volunteers are also needed to help with rehearsals and the day of the show.
The show is planned for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26 at Our Lady of Peace Gym, 200 Milmont Ave., Ridley Township. Prior to the show, there will be two rehearsals, 5-8 p.m. Sept. 22 and Sept. 24.
To audition or to volunteer, contact Jim Barnhart at james_Barnhartjr@yahoo.com/. For more information about Our Lady of Peace Parish, visit http://www.olpparish.org
St. Francis Over 50 Club accepts reservations for Resorts trip
Saint Francis Over 50 Club in Springfield will host a trip to Resorts casino Monday, Sept. 20. Cost is $30 with a return of $20 in slot play. Bus leaves at 10 a.m. from the Springfield Country Club, 400 W. Sproul Rd. People should park near the Ice Rink in spaces facing Sproul Rd.. Call Bob Hodgson at 610-449-2956 or 610-506-5417 to reserve a seat.
Readers can email community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@delconewsnetwork.co/.
