SWARTHMORE — Community Arts Center’s annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival returns to Park Avenue in Swarthmore, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, providing festival-goers with an opportunity to buy high quality original art directly from some of the tri-state area’s best artists and artisans.
Presented by Wendy Cotton and Len Orlando, the free family event will feature original, juried fine art from over 50 local and regional artists and also includes live music, an art raffle, and kids’ activities. Proceeds from the Fine Arts and Crafts Festival will support programs at the nonprofit Community Arts Center in Wallingford.
Sponsored by Acre Windows, Illume Hair Salon, Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, Plush Mills Senior Living, Rose Valley Asset Management, Swarthmore Town Center, The Swarthmorean, and Visit Delco, PA, the arts and crafts festival will present original art and fine craft work in watercolor, oil and acrylic painting, mixed media, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, pastel, photography, pottery, printmaking and sculpture. No mechanical reproduction arts are allowed in the festival.
Attendees can meet and buy art directly from the over 50 participating artists, plus get a look at how pottery is made on the wheel with demonstrations by artist Bob Deane.
The festival will feature music throughout the day, with performances by local musicians singer-songwriter Jessica Graae, R&B and soul musicians Big Soul Chicken, jazz musicians the Jordan Berger Trio, and Celtic Crosswinds. Festival attendees can also get information about the arts center and take a chance in the art raffle.
With a tie-dying table and children’s activity tables, the festival is fun for all ages. Volunteers will be on hand to help youngsters create a craft to take home.
Throughout the day, attendees can buy food from the Swarthmore Co-Op prepared foods department, as well as from other restaurants in town.
The festival is presented by the Community Arts Center, which offers a variety of art classes for kids and adults, summer camp, exhibitions, music events, and wedding space rentals at its historic home in Wallingford. The festival will be held rain or shine.
For a complete list of participating artists visit www.fineartsandcraftsfestival.org or www.communityartscenter.org.
Delco literacy council announces annual Champions of Adult Literacy fundraiser
The Delaware County Literacy Council will hold its 11th annual Champions of Adult Literacy Fundraiser from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 9 at Harrah’s Casino & Racetrack in Chester. This year’s event, with the theme “Creating the Next Chapter,” aims to support free literacy services for local adults, while celebrating the power of literature and learning.
Attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate the council’s Adult Literacy Award winners, meet local authors showcasing their works, participate in team games of Quizzo to test their knowledge, and support free literacy services for local adults.
The featured local authors and their books include Marisa de los Santos, author of “Watch Us Shine”; Roseann McGrath Brooks, author of “Midnight Clear at Christmas”; Sara McDermott Jain, author of “Wolves at Night”; Eric Smith, author of “With or Without You”; Amy Jane Cohen, author of “Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape”; Jenna Martorana, author of “How One Little Girl Learned It’s OK to Not Be OK”; and Judy Schachner, author of “Stretchy and Beanie.”
“The event is not just a fundraiser, but also a celebration of the transformative power of literacy in our community,” said Colleen Duran, literacy council executive director. “We invite everyone to join us in supporting this crucial cause while enjoying an evening of literature, games and community spirit.”
Tickets and sponsorship information are available at https://delcoliteracy.org. For additional information, call 610-876-4811.
The literacy council at 2217 Providence Ave., Chester, is committed to creating the next chapter in adult literacy, empowering individuals through education and fostering a more literate, engaged community. For almost 50 years, the council has helped adults develop reading, writing, math and English Language skills to help them thrive in the workplace and the community.
The literacy council offers free classes led by teachers and volunteer tutors online and in person. In addition to providing literacy instruction, DCLC employment coaches work individually with students to assess career interests and goals, create resumes, conduct job searches, enhance workplace skills, and apply for jobs so that students can obtain family-sustaining employment.
Classes are offered in-person and online and at schools and libraries throughout the county. Over the past four decades, DCLC has helped almost 20,000 adults reach their literacy goals. The organization is committed to creating a community of life-long learners in Delaware County. For more information, visit https://delcoliteracy.org.
Media VFW Post 3460 receives All-American Award
Media VFW Post 3460 received the All-American Award, presented by the VFW Department of PA Commander Barbara Loncar during the recent Delco District 7 meeting. This is the third year in a row that Post 3460 was the recipient of this award.
The Media VFW is an All-American, All-State Post that is currently recruiting combat veterans from all conflicts to join.
Interested veterans and active military can stop by the Post at 11 Hilltop Road, Media. For more information about Post 3460, visit www.vfw3460.com.
Tickets go on sale for St. Gabriel’s dinner dance
St. Gabriel Parish, 233 Mohawk Ave., Norwood, will hold a dance party featuring The Sensational Soul Cruisers on Saturday, Nov 16. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60, which includes dinner and dancing.
The Sensational Soul Cruisers is an 11-man horn and soulful vocal group. The musical group plays tribute music of the ’60s through ’80s. The group is one of the top dance party bands in the region. For tickets, call 610-291-4850.
Christ Church to hold all-you-can-eat pork and sauerkraut dinner
Christ Church, 2900 Springfield Road, Broomall, will host its all-you-can-eat homemade pork and sauerkraut dinner on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Along with the pork and sauerkraut, the menu also includes hot dogs, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, applesauce, rolls and butter, drinks and dessert.
The dinner will be served buffet style, but assistance will be available to the table upon request. The suggested donation is $15 and everyone is welcome.
Springfield Police Department receives $175,000 grant to upgrade fleet
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara recently announced the allocation of a $175,000 grant to the Springfield Police Department.
Funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and will underwrite the purchase of new police vehicles, enhancing the department’s ability to effectively serve and protect the community.
“Our police officers in Springfield are the backbone of our community’s safety and security, working tirelessly every day to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and secure,” said O’Mara. “It is essential that we provide them with the resources they need to carry out their duties efficiently and safely. This grant will enable the Springfield Police Department to upgrade their vehicle fleet to more reliable and modern models, a critical move in maintaining high standards of public safety.”
Camilla Hall to hold annual Oktoberfest, craft fair
Camilla Hall, the Convent Home and Healthcare Center of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, will hold its annual Oktoberfest and Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 on the grounds of Camilla Hall, 100 Maxis Drive, Malvern.
The event will feature crafts, vendors, food, a white elephant flea market, children’s games, vendors, a basket raffle and much more.
All proceeds will benefit Camilla Hall. For information, visit http://camillaoktoberfest.org.
Briarcliffe Senior Club announces 2025 trips
The Briarcliffe Senior Club in Darby Township is taking reservations, with a deposit, for its 2025 trips. If interested in any of these trips, people are advised to make their reservations early, as buses do fill up quickly. Trips will include:
• Tomasello Winery and casino package on Wednesday, Feb. 26: Cost is $82, which includes lunch and a wine tasting at Tomasello in Hammonton, N.J., and then a visit to an Atlantic City casino, that will include a coin package.
• The Turkey Hill Experience on Wednesday, March 26: Cost is $98, which includes a self-guided tour of Turkey Hill to discover how the ice cream is made and more, a box lunch and a tour of Columbia, Lancaster County, with a step-on guide.
• Three trips are planned to Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, each costing $85, with $25 back in slot play and a show. The bus will leave at 10 a.m. each trip. On Thursday, July 31, the show will be “Cher: The Ultimate Tribue. On Thursday, Aug. 28, the show will be “The Doo Wop Project,” and on Thursday, Sept. 25, the show is “An Afternoon of The Bee Gees.”
• Lake George, New York, for five days and four nights, June 22-26.
• Boothbay, Maine; Plymouth, Massachusetts; and Salmon, Massachusetts; five nights, six days, Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.
To receive a flyer about the overnight trips, or for more information or to make reservations on any of these trips, contact Carmella at 215-715-5004 or carmie2449@yahoo.com.
Aston Library bingo features cash prizes
A bingo event with all cash prizes to benefit Aston Public Library, 3270 Concord Road, Aston, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $25.
No one under 18 will be admitted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Tickets will only be sold at the door. All adults are welcome.
Free webinar about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems will offer a free webinar, “It Takes a Village: Supporting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder across the Lifespan,” on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Presented by educator Nancy Lockwood, the webinar will delve into evidence-based strategies for effectively supporting individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder throughout their lives. Designed for educators, service providers, community members and family caregivers, the session will equip participants with practical tools and knowledge to enhance support and improve outcomes for those with FASD.
Lockwood has over 25 years of work and lived experience supporting individuals of all ages with FASD. As FASD consultant for Health Nexus, she provides advisory support on numerous government-funded FASD initiatives.
The training is free. Participants will receive a Zoom link after registration.
This program is funded by the Delaware County Department of Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Division. To register for the link, go to https://shorturl.at/023PY.
Readers can send typed community news press releases and related photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.