BROOMALL — Surrey Services for Seniors will open The Center for Healthy Living Delaware County on Monday, March 6. Then, on Friday, March 10, Surrey will hold a grand opening celebration at 10 a.m., a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. and a reception with refreshments at 11 a.m.
The new community center at 505 Parkway Drive, Broomall, will be a social hub for older adults and will provide engaging programs, meals, resources and critical support services including transportation and home care.
The 8,000-square-foot building will have room for an array of activities, including spaces for exercise classes and line dancing; an art room dedicated to watercolor, weaving, crafts, and more; a gathering area for meals and socializing; a pool table, ping pong table, piano, and room for cards and games; and dedicated Surrey Member Services providing assistance and referrals.
Private meeting rooms will be available for support groups, PA Medi Medicare Counseling, and groundbreaking programs proven to improve health and wellness such as Chronic Pain Self-Management
Broomall also will be the headquarters of The Surrey Academy and Skills Lab.
The Surrey Academy is a free training and hands-on skills program for two types of caregivers: family caregivers and aspiring professional caregivers. The program, offered by Surrey Services, is made possible thanks to funding from Haverford Township and the Bennett Family.
“Thanks to support from the entire community, Surrey’s vision for a new space with room that better serves our community as a whole has become a reality,” says Jill Whitcomb, president, and CEO. “Surrey inspires, engages, and connects older adults throughout Chester and Delaware County with services, programs, and volunteer opportunities.”
Founded in 1981, Surrey is a nonprofit providing specialized programs for older adults, including home care services, transportation, center-based programs and activities, nutrition programs, lifelong learning opportunities, health and fitness activities, opportunities to volunteer, and a consignment shop to help with downsizing. Learn more about Surrey at http://www.SurreyServices.org or call 610-647-6404.
To RSVP for Friday’s grand opening celebration, call 484-843-2510 or email pwhite@surreyservices.org.
School of Rock director speaks at next Tasty Talks luncheon
Rik Alison, the music director at School of Rock Main Line, will be the guest speaker at the next Tasty Talks luncheon at noon Thursday, March 16 at Saffron Indian Kitchen, 145 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd.
The event, hosted by Michelle Leonard of Keller Williams Realty, is is $30 and includes hors d’ oeuvres, lunch, dessert, tax and tip.
Alison has over 20 years of professional performing experience and taught over 65 students a week for over 15 years.
From traveling the Midwest in a road cover band, to playing his own music in some of the top venues on the Eastern Seaboard — including The Middle East in Boston, CBGB’s and The Continental in New York — Alison has played thousands of gigs and brings this real world experience to the classroom.
As an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he majored in performance and music education, Alison has devised a program to solidify students’ understanding of harmony, arranging and ear training as it pertains to their instruments and the music they love.
All proceeds will benefit the World Cafe Live. Call to reserve a spot by March 13 at 484-278-4112.
Lions learn about diabetes
Lion Robert Yokl, Lions’ District 14A Diabetes Awareness chairperson, spoke to the Springfield Lions’ Club members at their last meeting about the programs available for diabetes awareness through his committee.
For more information about the Springfield Lions Club contact Larry Healy at 610-716-7076 or visit http://www.springfieldlionsclub.org.
For more information about diabetes awareness, contact Bob Yokl at bobpres@SVAHSolutions.com.
St. Gabriel Society holds 37th annual party
The St. Gabriel Society will hold its 37th annual party to benefit St. Gabriel Church in Abruzzo, Italy, on Sunday, April 16 from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Phoenix Ballroom, 1661 Mill Road, Upper Chichester.
The event will include a buffet dinner, hors d’oeuvres, porchetta, desserts, wine, beer, soda, coffee, espresso, one hour of open bar, from 2 to 3 p.m. Tickets for the event cost $70 and are on sale now. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly.
For tickets, contact Marie DiMattia at 610-405-3864, Nick Rapagnani at 610-212-9888 or Rose Patton at 610-505-4599.
Second annual Old City Wedding Stroll returns this spring
Old City District in Philadelphia will showcases its fast-growing wedding industry with the second annual Old City Wedding Stroll, 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26.
More than 40 locations will open their doors and offer consultations, demos, tastings and tours.
Future brides and grooms can get their first look at Old City bridal and suit shops, venues, restaurants, and wedding services, plus the chance to win a wedding gift basket valued at $500.
Participating businesses include Fred Astaire Dance Studios Philadelphia, Shane Confectionery, Positano Coast, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Bella Bridesmaids, Damari, Lovely Bride, Mari Mi Bridal, Philly Bride, SuitShop, The Wedding Factor, Christ Church, Betsy Ross House, Power Plant Productions, Independence Park Hotel, 1856, Penn’s View Hotel, Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, NE Flower Boutique, Petit Jardin en Ville, Hitched, Chick Invitations, Art in the Age, Boxbar, Grossman Furniture, Fork Restaurant, Las Bugambilias, Old City Kitchen, Panorama, The Plough & the Stars, Royal Boucherie, Scoop DeVille Wax and Wine and more.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit https://www.oldcitydistrict.org/wedding.
Old City is Philadelphia’s ultimate one-stop wedding shop. Home to more than 300 independently-owned small businesses, find wedding attire, florists, jewelers, restaurants, venues, wedding services, and more all within a few blocks.
“More than 60 new businesses have opened in Old City so far since 2021, and many of them are wedding-specific businesses, or businesses that offer wedding services,” said Old City District Executive Director Job Itzkowitz. “This event highlights independently owned businesses that can help you prepare for your big day.”
“I opened Lovely Bride Philly in Old City in 2013,” said Lovely Bride Owner Ivy Solomon. “The neighborhood was, and is, the perfect fit. The mix of old historical charm with modern independent boutiques makes it a great destination to spend the day. Bridal shopping is an experience so this allows our clients and their guests to come to us, have a relaxing meal nearby, stop in some cute clothing stores, and really make a day of it.”
License plates recognize women who served
As the nation celebrates Women’s History Month in March, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs reminds drivers that purchasing an Honoring Our Women Veterans License Plate both recognizes the importance of women who served and supports programs assisting women veterans in Pennsylvania.
Each plate costs $37, with $15 going directly to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Trust Fund. The fund regularly issues grants to statewide charitable organizations assisting veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs. The grants aid veterans in need of shelter, essential goods and other services.
“Pennsylvania’s nearly 64,000 women veterans have made significant contributions to our military, nation, and communities. It is with great pride that we recognize their commitment to our country with a special license plate created in their honor,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the department. “Purchasing one of these special plates not only pays tribute to women veterans and their contributions, but a portion of the proceeds helps to fund the Veterans’ Trust Fund grants that support all veterans across the commonwealth.”
The Honoring Our Women Veterans license plate is available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight under 14,000 pounds and motorcycles are available for $38 each, with $15 from each plate also going to the fund.
In addition to the sales of license plates, there are a variety of programs designed to help fund the VTF in support of Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans. To learn more about how to purchase the plates and support the VTF, visit http://www.vtf.pa.gov.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
