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Tag: Media

  • Biking cross-country to school | Inquirer Greater Media

    Biking cross-country to school | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Do you remember how you got to college? For one incoming Swarthmore student, it involved a 2,000-mile journey on bike. We explore why he took the road less traveled. Also this week, six local municipalities are gearing up to decide on a regional emergency medical services authority, Strath Haven High School earns high marks in a national ranking, plus a nearby Italian eatery has closed after less than two years in business.

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    Why a Swarthmore freshman biked from Colorado to campus

    Finn Fremstad left Colorado in late July on a monthlong trip to Swarthmore College. Courtesy of Finn Fremstad

    As carloads of students and their families make their way to campuses across the nation, one Swarthmore College freshman has taken a different approach to the journey.

    Finn Fremstad spent the past month biking from his hometown of Fort Collins, Colo., to Swarthmore, where he’s slated to start classes next week. A longtime cyclist, the 18-year-old planned the 2,000-mile journey after some of his other summer plans fell through and decided he wanted to see the nation and meet people he wouldn’t otherwise.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner spoke with Fremstad about the experience.

    💡 Community News

    • Six local communities — the boroughs of Media, Rose Valley, Rutledge, and Swarthmore, along with Nether Providence and Upper Providence Townships — are hosting a meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Strath Haven Middle School to discuss a proposed joint regional emergency medical services authority. Here’s what that could look like.
    • Longtime Springfield resident, Springfield School District board member, and Springfield High School hockey coach Phillip Eastman died over the weekend in a vehicle crash. The 68-year-old was remembered as a mentor who helped student athletes “develop teamwork, responsibility, perseverance, and other lifelong skills.”
    • Nemours Children’s Health is planning to open a pediatric urgent care at its Glen Mills location near the intersection of Routes 1 and 202 next month.
    • Media resident Florence Lauria was one of 30 artists featured recently at the second annual Older Artists of PA Showcase. Lauria was recognized in the “artist over 60 living with dementia” category for her watercolor of flowers in a vase. She was the only Delaware County resident selected, and at 100, the oldest, the Daily Times reports.
    • The Walgreens at 51 Baltimore Pike in Glen Mills will permanently close next Thursday. The next closest locations are in Aston and Brookhaven.
    • A pair of sisters recently gave birth just one day apart at Riddle Hospital, delivering down the hall from one another ahead of their due dates, People magazine reports.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Monday is the first day of school for both the Rose Tree Media and Wallingford-Swarthmore School Districts.
    • As measles cases continue to climb in the state — resulting in Pennsylvania’s first related deaths in 35 years — several local elementary schools fell under the 95% measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rate among kindergarteners in 2025, a figure needed to reach so-called herd immunity. Rose Tree Elementary School had a 91.8% rate, St. Mary Magdalen School was at 93.8%, and the School in Rose Valley had 89.3%. Here’s a look at local vaccination rates.
    • Strath Haven High School earned high marks in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best public high schools in the state, landing at No. 17. The school came in No. 578 in the nation.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸ„Ÿ Full Moon Hike: Adults and teens can hit the trail under a full moon. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m. đŸ’” $12.75-$20 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media

    đŸȘŽ PokĂ©mon Shadow Box Terrarium: Create a mini living ecosystem fit for Pikachu. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m. đŸ’” $65 📍 Nimble Craft, Media

    đŸ‘šâ€đŸ‘©â€đŸ‘§ Intro to Genealogy Workshop: Learn the basics about tracing your ancestry. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Sept. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Middletown Free Library, Media

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Wawa đŸ€ Phanatic | Inquirer Greater Media

    Wawa đŸ€ Phanatic | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    A new Phanatic-themed smoothie is the latest element of a Wawa-Phillies partnership. Here’s what it (unexpectedly) tastes like. Also this week, Wallingford residents helped lay to rest fellow veterans, a Strath Haven alum and former standout lacrosse player returned to Delco, plus, a wine tasting room marks its one-year anniversary in Media.

    Have a question about town? Submit it to Curious Greater Media and one of our reporters might track down the answer.

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    Wawa stakes more home turf claim with a new Phillies-inspired smoothie

    The new Phanatic-inspired smoothie is made with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, salted caramel syrup, and sea salt pretzel pieces.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    It’s a big week for Wawa and Wawa fans as the locally rooted convenience chain rolls out a new element of its partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies — a sweet treat that “tastes like the tears of our rivals,” Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr says.

    On Monday, the beloved store introduced the limited-edition Phanatic Caramel Curveball Cream Smoothie, a vanilla ice cream-based drink that’s “sweet, salty, and delicious,” according to Farr.

    As part of the rollout, mascot Wally Goose will throw the first pitch at tomorrow’s Phillies game.

    The new sip, in a limited-edition cup featuring the Phanatic’s eyes and the tip of his snout, comes just a couple of months after Wawa became the team’s official hoagie sponsor and has begun upping its presence at Citizens Bank Park.

    Here’s what to know about the new smoothie and the brands’ growing partnership.

    đŸŽ„ See Farr’s video from the unveiling earlier this week.

    💡 Community News

    • Fifteen local individuals with no known next of kin were laid to rest Friday after Delaware County officials helped identify them as military veterans. Among the volunteers were Wallingford residents and veterans LuAnn Jahnke and retired Army Col. Jeffery Jahnke.
    • The Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park hosted the Women’s Lacrosse League inaugural championship last weekend and there were plenty of athletes and coaches with local ties, including Strath Haven High School alum and Philly Lacrosse’s 2009 Girls’ Player of the Year Emily Parros (formerly Emily Garrity). She may now be coaching the Maryland Charms, but she’s still a “Delco girl.”
    • The Delaware County District Attorney’s office is working to extradite Michelle Zajko, a member of extremist group the Zizians, from Maryland to prosecute her in the deaths of her parents, according to the Daily Times. In June, the DA charged Zajko with the 2022 execution-style deaths of her parents in their Chester Heights home after a yearslong investigation.
    • Swarthmore has launched its fall tree sale and borough residents can purchase one to be planted along their public curbs.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Rose Tree Media School District has been awarded over $2.5 million from the state to realign Rose Tree Road as part of its proposed K-1 Early Learning Center. The road alignment alone is expected to cost north of $3.3 million, according to the district.
    • Penncrest High School recently made updates to its track, which, along with the stadium, will be closed through Tuesday. The track will again close next Saturday and Sunday.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    John Robert Cellars produces red, white, sweet, and semi-sweet wines. Courtesy of John Robert Cellars

    🎳 Things to Do

    ❄ The Winter’s Tale: See the William Shakespeare comedy performed live. ⏰ Select days from Friday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 30, times vary đŸ’” $13.50-$18.50 📍 Players Club of Swarthmore

    📚 Philadelphia Book Crawl: Two local bookstores — Celia Bookshop in Swarthmore and Bookish Notions in Media — are participating in the region-wide event. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 22, times vary đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Locations vary

    đŸŽ¶ Tribute to Queen and The Beatles: Hear covers of some of both bands’ most iconic songs. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 22, 8:45 p.m. đŸ’” $43.20-$84.24 📍 Media Theatre

    đŸ—“ïž Swarthmore Showcase: The annual event welcomes newcomers, including Swarthmore College students and their families, to the borough, which will turn into an open-air market. ⏰ Tuesday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore town center

    📈 Greater Media market report

    Media

    • Median listing price: $699,900 (down $7,600 from June) 📉
    • Median sold price: $620,000 (down $25,000 from June) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 27 (same as June)

    Swarthmore

    • Median listing price: $375,000 (down $160,000 from June) 📉
    • Median sold price: $365,000 (down $75,000 from June) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 42 (up 15 days from June) 📈

    Wallingford

    • Median listing price: $525,000 (down $57,500 from June) 📉
    • Median sold price: $366,500 (down $26,000 from June) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 25 (down two days from June) 📉

    This Greater Media market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for July from realtor.com.

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • As Rose Tree Media pushes for new K-1 school, Middletown neighbors urge township to ‘just say no’

    As Rose Tree Media pushes for new K-1 school, Middletown neighbors urge township to ‘just say no’

    Armed with signs that read “Just say no!” and buttons etched with “Save our community,” Middletown Township residents on Tuesday pushed back fiercely against a proposal to build a new school on open land behind Penncrest High School as negotiations between the Rose Tree Media School District and the township drag on into the fall.

    The Rose Tree Media School District, which serves families in Media borough and Edgmont, Middletown, and Upper Providence Townships, is proposing a new school for kindergarten and first grade students on an empty lot behind Penncrest High School. The district says the school will relieve overcrowding and allow Rose Tree Media to finally offer full-day kindergarten, bringing it up to par with neighboring schools.

    Yet the proposal has not been welcomed by many neighbors in Middletown, who during nearly two hours of public comment on Tuesday raised concerns that the school would create dangerous driving conditions on key roadways, increase traffic, and burden taxpayers.

    During the meeting, representatives from the school district presented traffic impact data to the planning commission, an advisory board that will issue a recommendation to Middletown’s seven-member council on whether the township should approve the project. The planning commission voted to postpone a recommendation vote until a later date, when the school district will be expected to provide more detailed traffic data.

    The estimated cost for the school building is around $84 million, with an additional estimated $7.5 million for a proposed athletics addition. The realignment of Rose Tree Road will cost around $3.7 million, but is likely to be funded in part by grants.

    The meeting was the latest development in a protracted process for the Rose Tree Media School District, which has been attempting, unsuccessfully, to build a new school for six years.

    School officials say the district is overcrowded and unprepared for a wave of young students coming in the next decade.

    The school district’s enrollment has risen steadily in the last 10 years, from 3,779 students in the 2015-16 school year to 4,319 in the 2025-26 year. Enrollment is expected to peak in 2032-33 with nearly 4,600 students. Student population growth has forced the district to adopt space-saving measures, including installing multiple modular classrooms.

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    The new school would also allow the district to provide full-day kindergarten, officials say, as Rose Tree Media is one of the few remaining school districts in the region that only offers a half-day option.

    During brief remarks at the beginning of the meeting, Rose Tree Media’s superintendent Joe Meloche said, “I think we all want the same thing ultimately, which is a plan that is safe, practical, and that works well for everyone.”

    Yet dozens of Middletown residents, many of whom live in close proximity to the proposed school site, said they felt the project was misguided, poorly planned, and would add hazards to already congested roadways. Some recounted watching dangerous car accidents on the streets abutting the site. Others charged the district with failing to account for how many cars would be clogging roads during peak pickup and drop off times. Many said they disagreed with the concept of a K-1 center as a whole and asked the planning commission to require the district to come up with a different option.

    “The site is too small, and student capacity is too great,” said resident Peter Wolf, who called the proposal “an oversized industrial project.”

    Residents of Middletown Township line up to make public comment at an Aug. 11 meeting of the township’s planning commission. Dozens of residents spoke in opposition to a new K-1 school proposed by the Rose Tree Media School District.Denali Sagner

    Resident Sally Turek said she agrees that the district needs full-day kindergarten, but that “there are definitely other, better options than this.”

    “This is like planning for Disney World. We can’t afford Disney World. We don’t need Disney World,” Turek said. “This is not the right time to do this, nor the right place.”

    A small contingent of parents spoke in favor of the proposal, describing the crowd as a vocal minority and saying that the residents who needed the school most, namely parents and their young children, were the very people who were unable to attend the evening meeting.

    “The kids are here. They need a place to go, and this notion that we can move the fifth grade to the middle school does not solve the problem,” said Ron Peterson, parent of an elementary school student.

    “Is this an ideal spot? Perhaps not,” Peterson said. “But there aren’t better spots available.”

    The proposal in Middletown Township is Rose Tree Media’s second attempt to find a home for a new school. The school district proposed putting a new elementary school in Edgmont Township in 2023, a plan that was voted down by the township’s board of supervisors, who cited traffic and location concerns.

    The planning commission will reconsider the proposal in September or October and has asked the school district to provide more detailed traffic data.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • K-1 center puts residents, school district at odds | Inquirer Greater Media

    K-1 center puts residents, school district at odds | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed early education center is getting pushback from some residents. Here’s why. Also this week, the developer seeking to reverse a Middletown Township decision preventing it from building a warehouse at the former Franklin Mint site has withdrawn its appeal, plus, Swiss Farms is looking to expand in the region.

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    Rose Tree Media faces residents’ ire over proposed K-1 center

    A rendering of the Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed K-1 center, which the district hopes to build behind Penncrest High School.ICS with Schradergroup

    Middletown Township residents continue to push back against a Rose Tree Media School District proposal to build a center dedicated to kindergarten and first grade students.

    At a planning commission meeting on Tuesday, residents held signs and wore buttons decrying the early education center that, if approved, would be built on open land behind Penncrest High School. Some neighbors who oppose the plan say it will worsen traffic and burden taxpayers.

    The district contends that it would alleviate overcrowding, which is expected to get worse as enrollment swells, and allow it to offer full-day kindergarten.

    The commission postponed its vote on making a recommendation to council and is expected to take the issue up again in the fall.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner explores the disconnect and why residents are opposed to the center’s proposed location.

    💡 Community News

    • A year after Middletown Township’s council voted to deny Outrigger Industrial’s proposed 330,000-square-foot warehouse at the old Franklin Mint site, the company this week formally withdrew its appeal challenging the decision. It brings an end to a saga that drew considerable community pushback to keep the site from being developed into a warehouse.
    • The state has approved a $10 million fund known as the Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant to help farmers impacted by the unexpected spring cold snap that devastated certain fruit crops, including peaches and apples at Linvilla Orchards.
    • Delaware County council has appointed the first members of its human relations commission, which it voted to establish last year. The 12-person commission will adjudicate claims of discrimination in cases like housing, employment, healthcare, education, and public housing.
    • Delaware County residents and real estate leaders are at odds over the forthcoming $120 million open space bond referendum that will be on November’s ballot, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. Some residents are in favor of enhancing green space in the county, while others worry about the cost to taxpayers. Some in the real estate industry say it could hinder housing development in an area already short on inventory.
    • Arasapha Farms owner Randy Bates died recently at the age of 68 after battling cancer, reports CBS News Philadelphia. The Glen Mills farm is home to beloved Halloween experience the Bates Motel, as well as a Christmas tree farm.
    • Elwyn Road will be closed tomorrow through Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Route 352 and Baltimore Pike for base repairs.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Springton Lake Middle School in the Rose Tree Media School District has a new assistant principal as of this week. Christine Fleming was confirmed by the board to succeed Melissa McGuire. She has spent three decades in education, including most recently as coordinator of gifted education in the Lower Merion School District, according to her LinkedIn profile.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • Fast-casual stir-fry chain Honeygrow is opening its newest location at the Promenade at Granite Run tomorrow. It’s located in the same area where wellness concepts HiLo House and Sweathouz, and food hall Wonder opened in the last year.
    • Could more Swiss Farms locations be on the way? New owner Arsh Pola is hoping to expand the local brand — which has locations in Swarthmore and Springfield — including eventually adding gas.

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸŽ¶ Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The final shows for the season include performances by the U.S. Army Field band and Soldiers’ Chorus tonight, California country rock group Cimarron 615 and fellow country artist Craig Bickhardt tomorrow, nine-piece outfit The Discoteks on Saturday, and Sensational Soul Cruisers on Sunday. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    👚 Mean Girls: See the cult classic performed live. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 23, days and times vary đŸ’” $21-$27 📍 The Media Theatre

    😂 Huge Soup: Improv performers will take the stage. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m. đŸ’” $13.50 📍 Players Club of Swarthmore

    🎹 Couples Craft Night: Couples can create a piece of art that represents their relationship. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. đŸ’” Pay what you wish 📍 Nimble Craft, Media

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • A can’t-miss tomato tart | Inquirer Greater Media

    A can’t-miss tomato tart | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Peak tomato season is here and you won’t want to miss this savory tart showcasing the summer staple. Also this week, a Media Farmers Market breadmaker has expanded, county measles vaccination rates have declined slightly, plus, Middletown Township will continue discussions about Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed K-1 Early Learning Center.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at greatermedia@inquirer.com.

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    Two local farmers’ markets staples to know about

    John Goncher recently expanded Wild Yeast Bakehouse. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Two brands that might be familiar to local farmers’ market goers have raised their profiles this summer.

    Wild Yeast Bakehouse, the sourdough startup that frequently has sell-out crowds at the Media Farmers Market, has opened a Main Line storefront, allowing it to expand its capacity.

    đŸ„– The Inquirer’s Jenn Ladd has the details.

    And Market Day Canelé’s savory tart recently got a shout out from Inquirer reporter Kiki Aranita, who said it was the best thing she ate last week. She’s especially loving the mushroom, tomato, corn, ham, gruyĂšre, and egg tart right now, at the height of tomato season.

    You can score a piece when the eatery sets up shop at the Swarthmore Farmers Market.

    🍅 Read more about Aranita’s thoughts on the tart.

    💡 Community News

    • Delaware County has fully restored operations after a June cybercriminal attack, but is continuing to investigate what may have been compromised, noting hackers were able to access data “maintained within the network.”
    • The executive director of DELGO Community Transit, a Delaware County subsidized transportation organization for seniors and people with disabilities, is facing felony charges of child endangerment after a DUI arrest. Nick Miccarelli, a former state representative and Ridley Park native, was previously accused of physical and sexual assault.
    • New data shows that 93.9% of Delaware County kindergarteners are vaccinated against measles, which is below the 95% threshold scientists say is needed to prevent the spread of the contagious virus. Across grades, the county has seen a slight drop in measles vaccination rates.
    • The Walgreens at 51 Baltimore Pike in Glen Mills is closing its doors on Sept. 3.
    • Spooky season may still be a couple of months away, but Spirit Halloween has already opened at a former Joann space in the Marple Crossroads shopping center in Springfield. It’ll be joined this month by another Springfield location in the former Party City on Baltimore Pike, as well as one in the former Joann at the Concordville Town Centre in Glen Mills.
    • Planning to take the D1 trolley in the next few days? SEPTA will be doing work on the Lansdowne Avenue grade crossing and substituting in bus service tomorrow through Sunday.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Middletown Township’s planning commission will consider Rose Tree Media School District’s application to reverse subdivide a parcel at 134 Barren Rd. with the goal of building a K-1 Early Learning Center there. The meeting will take place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Penn State Brandywine.

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸŽ¶ Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The upcoming lineup features performances from wind ensemble Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds tonight, the Americana-rooted Matt Santry Band tomorrow, Barbershop’s Best on Saturday, and Polynesian luau band Paradise Island on Sunday. Zydeco-inspired New Orleans Fish Fry will play on Wednesday. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 6-Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    đŸŒ» Sunflower Festival: Pick your own sunflowers, participate in dance workshops, and listen to live music. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Linvilla Orchards, Media

    đŸŽ” Tribute to Fleetwood Mac: Tickets are going fast for this concert featuring covers of some of the band’s most iconic songs. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 6:45 p.m. đŸ’” $52.92-$63.72 📍 Media Theatre

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Inside Granite Run’s evolution | Inquirer Greater Media

    Inside Granite Run’s evolution | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Malls were once a quintessential part of everyday life, but that shifted with the rise of online shopping. The Granite Run Mall was no exception. We take a look at its evolution. Also this week, Wawa debuted a hoagie-inspired mini-tote, the county has launched a measles vaccination campaign, plus, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has among the highest athletics participation in the region.

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    Why the Granite Run Mall had to evolve

    The former Granite Run Mall has undergone a massive transformation in the past decade to turn it into a mixed-use town center. Google Earth

    A regular at Granite Run Mall growing up, Delaware County native Mike Fenn is a little saddened about the state of former malls throughout the region. After all, many hardly resemble what they did in their heyday.

    That’s the case for Middletown Township’s former mainstay, which closed in 2015 amid declining store occupancy. But it soon got new life when developer BET Investments began a more than $100 million effort to transform the hulking space into a mixed-use town center now known as the Promenade at Granite Run.

    Today it consists of luxury apartments, stores, restaurants, and a medical facility, with retail nearly fully leased and apartments not far behind, BET president Michael Markman said.

    The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy takes a deep dive into why malls like Granite Run proliferated and then changed over the years.

    💡 Community News

    • Main Line Health, which owns Riddle Hospital, is in the process of adding specialty physicians such as gastroenterologists. The goal is to reduce how long patients have to wait to access specialized care.
    • As measles cases continue to climb statewide, Delaware County has launched an immunization campaign to increase vaccination uptake. While no cases have been reported yet in the county, it’s “only a matter of time,” the department’s director said.
    • A Havertown man, Sean Keenan, 40, has been charged with terroristic threats and ethnic intimidation after allegedly leaving racist, threatening voicemails for Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara.
    • More mosquitoes capable of spreading West Nile virus were recently detected in surrounding communities, including Ridley and Springfield Townships. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection conducted controlled spraying last week and reminded residents to reduce standing water on their properties.
    • Heads up for drivers: Roadwork will close the southbound I-476 ramp to Baltimore Pike from Saturday at 9 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m. In Middletown Township, Darlington Road will be closed between Old Forge and Valley Roads from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday. Expect paving today and tomorrow on select roads in Swarthmore. And in Aston Township, Pennell Road will be closed between Old Pennell Road and Glendale Boulevard Monday through next Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Tomorrow is the last day to provide feedback on PennDot’s draft planning and environmental linkages study for its Routes 352 and 1 roadway improvements project.
    • Nonprofit Well Rooted has launched a new housing initiative geared toward young adults aging out of foster care. Ardmore-based Well Rooted Housing has partnered with Media home goods store Chosen Tweed to open two furnished apartments in the borough, which will be used by two individuals for the next year. The organization is also providing supportive services like mentorship, financial literacy, and trauma-informed mental health resources.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    In addition to the tote, consumers could score a Wawa-themed charm and a T-shirt. Wawa
    • Delco-based Wawa recently teamed up with Lands’ End to create a limited-edition mini tote just big enough for lunch. Known as the Shorti Tote (naturally), the bag cost $39.95 and sold out online when it debuted last week.

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸŽ¶ Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: Echoes of Laurel Canyon, which performs a wide range of American throwback covers, kicks things off tonight. Tomorrow, cover band FuseBox performs, followed by Prince tribute Controversy on Saturday, and the Merion Concert Band on Sunday. Reggae Thunder will perform Jamaican-style music on Wednesday. ⏰ Thursday, July 30-Wednesday, Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    đŸ”„ Summer Fireside: There will be food trucks, fire pits, and marshmallows at this evening event. ⏰ Friday, July 31, 5-8 p.m. đŸ’” Admission is free for members and $10-$18 for non-members📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media

    🍿 Movie Night: Catch an outdoor screening of 1984 classic The Karate Kid. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 1, around 8 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Media Borough Hall lawn

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • The scoop on a local ice cream trail | Inquirer Greater Media

    The scoop on a local ice cream trail | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Delaware County is tapping into its sweet side with an Ice Cream Trail and accompanying passport. Here’s the scoop on all the area shops participating. Also this week, two Inquirer reporters offer advice on how to correct improper Wawa pronunciation, a vintage clothing store is closing, plus, the county is investigating threats made against one of its own.

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    An ice cream passport looks to boost local tourism

    Scooped Ice Cream in Media is one of 16 businesses on Delco’s Ice Cream Trail. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Looking to explore the community and sample sweet treats at the same time? There’s a trail for that — an ice cream trail, specifically.

    Earlier this year, Visit Delco launched a summer initiative called the Ice Cream Trail, which includes 16 stops throughout the county. The goal is to help local residents explore their own communities, while also incentivizing visitors to discover new downtowns, ultimately helping boost business.

    Nearby spots include Scooped Ice Cream in Media, Vera’s Water Ice & Ice Cream in Springfield, The Sugaree in Newtown Square, and Salty Cow Ice Cream in Glen Mills.

    Get the scoop on the initiative here.

    💡 Community News

    It’s definitely not “waWa.”Steve Madden
    • Have you ever heard someone mispronounce “Wawa”? In The Inquirer’s latest advice column, a reader asks how to deal with a coworker doing just that. As the home of the beloved convenience chain, there’s no question we know how to say it right. As for correcting someone? Columnist Stephanie Farr and reporter Dugan Arnett offer some subtle — and not so subtle — suggestions.
    • Delaware County detectives are investigating a racist, threatening voicemail left for county Sheriff Siddiq Kamara, The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella reports.
    • Sonny’s Vintage Clothing in Media is closing its doors after a little over a year in business. Saturday and Sunday will be the last days for the 303 W. State St. shop.
    • The election may still be months away, but Delaware County Council recently agreed to put a $120 million bond referendum on the November ballot, funds that would be used to finance land conservation. It will require more than 50% approval to move ahead.
    • Riddle Hospital has been awarded $4 million from the state to support construction of a new outpatient emergency facility at the Middletown Township institution.
    • Heads up for drivers: A monthslong project in Nether Providence Township is getting underway this week. Route 252 will be closed between Route 320 and West Rose Valley Road on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the end of the year. In Middletown Township, there will be a lane closure on Route 1 between Routes 452 and 352 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. through tomorrow. And there will be milling and paving on select roads in Swarthmore this week and next week.
    • The county has made two recent personnel changes. Chris Welsh has been named deputy executive director of human services and community programs after serving in the role on an interim basis, and Taylor Dunn has been elevated to public defender.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🍿 Hoppers: This 2026 Pixar comedy focuses on a scientific discovery transforming human consciousness into robotic animals and what ensues. Registration is required. ⏰ Thursday, July 23, 3-4:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Helen Kate Furness Free Library, Wallingford

    đŸŽ¶ Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The upcoming lineup features performances from bluegrass band The Rockdale Boys tonight, dance party outfit Del’s Groove tomorrow, Gilligan Yacht Rock on Saturday, and local rock band Cool Confusion on Sunday. On Wednesday, gypsy jazz band The Hot Club of Philadelphia will perform. ⏰ Thursday, July 23-Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    🚂 The Polar Express: Get a little dose of Christmas in July when Media Theatre screens the 2004 Tom Hanks animated movie. ⏰ Monday, July 27, 5:30 p.m. đŸ’” $15 📍 The Media Theatre

    🩉 Nature at Night: Meet owl ambassadors at this evening event. ⏰ Tuesday, July 28, 6-6:45 p.m. đŸ’” $17-$21.25 for members, $20-$25 for non-members 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • How do you spur tourism in Delco? An ‘ice cream passport’ offers one sweet answer.

    How do you spur tourism in Delco? An ‘ice cream passport’ offers one sweet answer.

    Delaware County’s tourism agency wants to reward you for eating ice cream this summer. Really.

    Visit Delco, Delaware County’s tourism promotion agency, launched the Delco Ice Cream Trail Pass in May, a 16-stop mobile “passport” that encourages participants to try out local ice cream and water ice shops, collecting points along the way that can be redeemed for prizes. The Ice Cream Trail takes participants across Delaware County, from Just Homemade Ice Cream in Aston up to the Vanilla Bean in Wayne, and back around to CJ’s Waterice & Ice Cream in Collingdale. It was borne out of a desire to get Delco residents into their communities, and local economies, through a treat that cuts across all age groups, neighborhoods, and walks of life.

    “We just wanted to create a fun and accessible experience for the summer that encourages people to explore Delco,” said Amy Bohr, Visit Delco’s marketing director.

    Participants on the trail, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, can sign up online and save the “passport” on their phones before visiting the ice cream shops, earning points at each location. Points can be applied toward rewards, including a baseball hat-shaped bowl, an ice cream scoop, or a bucket hat. Prizes can be collected at the Visit Delco office in Rose Tree Park.

    So far, 1,500 people have signed up for the pass, and 450 have “checked in” at one or more ice cream shops, according to Visit Delco.

    Visit Delco’s goal is largely to encourage nonresidents to visit, and spend money, in the suburban county. The agency helps connect visitors with places to stay, restaurants to patronize, and attractions to see, like the Delaware County Symphony or the Media Theatre. The agency also provides grants to local municipalities and organizations to help boost tourism and spur economic activity.

    Michael Mooney, 19, of Ridley Park, helps customers at Scooped Ice Cream in Media. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    However getting locals out into Delaware County is also key for the agency, and for the economic health of the county’s many municipalities, Bohr said. The Ice Cream Trail, along with Trails and Tails, another “passport” program for dog-friendly trails and parks, are formulas to help encourage locals to visit a part of the county they might otherwise skip.

    “When residents visit a new ice cream shop, or explore a town or a Main Street where that shop’s located, they spend a day in the community, perhaps they haven’t done it in a long time, and everyone benefits,” Bohr said.

    Locals are Delco’s “best ambassadors,” she said, often recommending favorite spots to family and friends and coming back again to shop or dine.

    Kyle Lefkof, owner of Scooped Ice Cream in Media and Chester Springs, said regulars and newcomers alike have stopped by to check a box on the Ice Cream Trail and enjoy a sweet treat.

    “I think this is bringing in new business and giving the existing customers something fun to do,” he said.

    Scooped opened in Chester Springs in 2009 and Media in 2017. Lefkof took over the business from his aunt and uncle in 2023, and has been running it since. Scooped serves “super premium, gourmet ice cream” with 14% butterfat and “top-shelf ingredients,” Lefkof said.

    Ice cream is often “the highlight of people’s days,” he said. “It’s really nice to be a part of that.”

    Delaware County’s Ice Cream Trail runs through Labor Day. Participants can download the pass and see all 16 stops here.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Inside the new Ikea at Granite Run | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    A small-format Ikea is now open at the Promenade at Granite Run. Here’s what you can expect. Also this week, the former president and CEO of Wawa has died, a Task-Mare of Easttown crossover is in the works, plus, Swarthmore has named a new borough manager.

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    A small-format Ikea has opened in Granite Run

    Ikea has opened a small-format store at the Promenade at Granite Run.Peter Morrison

    Area residents no longer have to trek to Conshohocken or South Philadelphia to get their Ikea goods. The Swedish furniture brand opened its first Delaware County store last week at the Promenade at Granite Run.

    Unlike its neighboring behemoths, this one is a “plan and order point” concept, where customers can meet with design consultants and order goods, or pick up items they purchased online.

    Here’s what to know about the new location.

    💡 Community News

    • In case you missed it, former Wawa president and CEO Richard D. Wood Jr. died last week at the age of 88. Wood was instrumental in growing the beloved, locally rooted convenience chain into one of the largest privately held companies in the country.
    • Swarthmore council has named a new borough manager, approving former member Scarlett McCahill for the role at its most recent meeting. She will take over for interim borough manager David Unkovic, who has served in the role since the previous manager was terminated earlier this year. In addition, council named Alex Ashcom assistant borough manager.
    • It’s happening! Hit Delco-set HBO shows Task (which just got six Emmy nods) and Mare of Easttown will finally see their two worlds collide in a crossover. Here’s what we know.
    • Nether Providence police are reminding residents to lock their car doors at night and not leave valuables unattended after several reported thefts earlier this week.
    • Delaware County said last week it was continuing to investigate a recent hack into its network and had restored internal services.
    • Students at Cheyney University will see tuition go up 4.3% after a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of governors vote last week.
    • Heads up for drivers: PennDot will be doing overnight conduit and utility cable installations Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on both sides of I-476 between the Route 1 and Baltimore Pike interchanges. Expect lane closures and potential traffic stoppages. There will also be a lane closure on Bortondale Road and Orange Street between Old Middletown Road and Baltimore Pike tonight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Starting Monday, Aqua will begin water main replacements on Providence Road between West Rose Valley and Chester Roads, and on Leslie Lane.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • Looking for an espresso martini? Main Line Today recently rounded up spots to sip the cocktail, including Ariano and Brick & Brew, both in Media.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎾 Amped Up Concert: Hear Mikeal Anthony Greto perform at this month’s concert. ⏰ Thursday, July 16, 6-8 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Swarthmore amphitheater

    đŸŽ¶ Rose Tree Summer Festival: The upcoming lineup features performances from the Eric Mintel Quartet tonight, the Lonnie Shields Band tomorrow night, the Upper Darby Shooting Stars Summer Stage on Saturday, and swing band 22 Park Avenue on Saturday. On Wednesday, seven-piece Billy Joel cover group Angry Young Band takes the stage. ⏰ Thursday, July 16-Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    đŸȘ• Tie Dye Music Festival: Try your hand at tie dying, listen to live music, and grab a bite to eat from a food truck at this annual festival. ⏰ Saturday, July 18, 4-8 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Community Arts Center, Wallingford

    âšœ World Cup Final Watch Party: Catch the action on a big screen on Olive Street. ⏰ Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Olive Street, Media

    🍿 Inside Out 2: Catch one of two screenings of the popular Disney Pixar film. ⏰ Monday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 22, 5:30 p.m. đŸ’” $15 📍 The Media Theatre

    đŸ—žïž What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • Richard D. Wood Jr., Wawa chair emeritus and ‘guiding heart and soul,’ has died at 88

    Richard D. Wood Jr., Wawa chair emeritus and ‘guiding heart and soul,’ has died at 88

    Richard D. Wood Jr., 88, of Wawa, Delaware County, chair emeritus and former chief executive officer and president of Wawa Inc., Convenience Store News Hall of Famer, lawyer, trustee, mentor, veteran, and philanthropist, died Friday, July 10, of age-associated decline at his home.

    Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Wood earned a law degree at what is now the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School in 1964 and joined his family’s nascent Wawa food market company in 1970 as its first general counsel. His great-grandfather founded the Wawa dairy in 1902, and his father’s cousin opened the first Wawa food market in 1964.

    By 1977, Mr. Wood had ascended to president of the company, and its innovations, including 24-7 hours of operation and custom-made hoagies, made it the region’s dominant convenience store. He became CEO in 1980 and chair in 1982, and was named chair emeritus in 2020.

    In 2020, Inquirer business writer Joseph N. DiStefano said Mr. Wood “presided over the board during the period of Wawa’s rapid growth from a regional cokes-smokes-milk-and-hoagies chain to a convenience store and gas outlet with more than $12 billion in annual sales and 850 stores from New Jersey to Florida.”

    For more than 40 years, Mr. Wood supervised Wawa’s multistate expansion, addition of gas pumps, expanded inventory, rigorous employee training, and popular employee stock ownership plan. During his tenure, the company grew to more than 36,000 associates and was one of the largest privately held companies in the country.

    Through it all, Mr. Wood was affable and curious, friends and family said. He wanted to know everybody’s name and what they thought, and he enjoyed touring the stores and chatting up associates and customers, especially on Christmas Day. He told colleagues he wanted to “create an environment where each of us believes that we can make a difference.”

    “Dick Wood was our true lead goose who was the guiding heart and soul of the company,” Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s chairman and CEO, said in a tribute. “He is the reason why Wawa is the company we are today and why we enjoy so much share of heart from our customers and dedication from our associates.”

    Mr. Wood hired students and women to work in the stores, and offered flexible schedules to accommodate their availability. He oversaw Wawa’s $200 million of donations to community nonprofits and its college tuition reimbursement plan for associates.

    This photo of Mr. Wood and a story about Wawa appeared in the Daily News in 1994. Newspapers.com

    In 2021, to mark his 50th anniversary at the company, Wawa established the Dick Wood College Scholarship Fund for associates. He told Inc. magazine in 2018: “Values and culture mean more in this company than being smart.”

    Colleagues called him “humble, gracious, curious, and kind” and “a beloved treasure to the company” in tributes. His life-size bronze statue greets visitors at Wawa’s corporate headquarters.

    “He made people feel important,” said Barbara Ennis, his longtime assistant, ”because to him, they were.”

    Mr. Wood was onetime chair of the executive committee of the National Association of Convenience Stores and on boards at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Riddle Memorial Hospital, Philadelphia National Bank, Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, and other organizations. He appeared often in The Inquirer and Daily News, spoke on panels and at conferences about corporate leadership, and was inducted into the Convenience Store News Hall of Fame in 1996.

    Mr. Wood (left) worked closely with fellow CHOP trustee N. Scott Adzick.Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    He served on the Chester Heights Borough Council in the early 1980s and was named 1996 businessman of the year by the Great Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. Before Wawa, Mr. Wood was a public defender in Philadelphia and a lawyer at Montgomery McCracken.

    “People loved to follow him,” said his son, Richard D. Wood III. “He was larger than life,” said his daughter, Lisa Wright.

    As a philanthropist, Mr. Wood and his family donated $25 million to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2021, and CHOP named its Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment in his honor. His family also funded the Richard D. Wood Jr. and Jeanette A. Wood Endowed Chair in Pediatric Diagnostic Medicine, and he instituted a volunteer services program at CHOP.

    Sometimes, his family said, Mr. Wood walked the halls of the hospital, sharing Wawa coffee and conversation with patients and families. CHOP honored him at its 2019 Carousel Ball. Madeline Bell, CEO at CHOP, said: “I will truly miss his warmth, wisdom, and generous spirit.”

    Mr. Wood and his wife, Jeanette, married in 1964.Courtesy of the family

    Howard Stoeckel, former Wawa vice chair, CEO, and president, said in a tribute: “He had a special mix of heart, compassion, empathy, and humility that made him a true believer and practitioner of servant leadership.”

    Richard Davis Wood Jr. was born March 4, 1938. He graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., earned a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Virginia, and served for a year in the Marine Corps and later in the Marine Corps Reserve.

    Why did best-selling author Carol Saline email The Inquirer’s obit writer?

    He met Jeannette Andrews when he was visiting New York with friends, and they married in 1964. They lived in Philadelphia and Wawa, and had a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Richard III. His wife died in 2025.

    Mr. Wood was an avid golfer, and he belonged to the Gulph Mills and Pine Valley Golf Clubs, and the Mountain Lake Club in Florida. He played tennis and bridge, and was a longtime season ticket holder for the Eagles and Flyers.

    Mr. Wood (right) enjoyed meeting and talking with Wawa associates and customers.
    Jonathan Wilson / Staff Photographer

    He and his wife traveled, hosted family holiday parties, and spent memorable winters in Lake Wales, Fla. He drove his favorite Honda Accord for years and followed Virginia college football and basketball closely.

    He championed conservation, education, and health. “He treated every single person the same,” his daughter said. His son said: “Humility defined him.”

    Mr. Wood said in a 2020 video for CHOP: “It’s a great feeling to know that you’re helping out.”

    Survivors give advice about mourning their loved ones, as told to The Inquirer’s obit writer

    In addition to his children, Mr. Wood is survived by five grandchildren, a sister, a brother, and other relatives. Two brothers died earlier.

    A celebration of his life is to be held later.

    Donations in his name may be made to the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Box 781352, Philadelphia, Pa. 19178; and Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, Fla. 33853.