Month: October 2012

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Frankford Friends Gets the Job Done

Lisa and Ben Handy

Lisa and Ben Handy watched the ribbon cutting at the new building at Frankford Friends School with more than curiosity last Saturday.  They stood holding the hand of their daughter Angelina, a 6 year old student at the school, knowing that the school had taken a giant leap ahead in improving the physical facilities.  It is not that they were dissatisfied, they praised it highly when I talked to them a few days later in their cozy living room in their house on Sellers Street in Frankford.

They moved into that house on the day Angelina was born and as many new parents do, began thinking about schools.  They had not become Quakers at that point and were not really aware that there was a Friends school only blocks away.  Things happen in life and they became aware of the Society of Friends as they were searching for a place of worship.  The Quakers seemed like it might be good fit and they paid a visit and it just felt right.  So when it was time for Angelina to start school they were willing to to what they thought was the best thing for her and aimed at Frankford Friends.

The tuition is a large hurdle for them but they believe it is well worth it.  The philosophy of the school fits in with their beliefs; a form of education which will develop an attitude of courageous indepen­dence, a readiness for responsibility, and a spiritual basis for life.  Ben and Lisa are now looking 8 years ahead and wish that Friends could have a high school running by the time the have to think about that.

The new building does present a contrast to the old.  On the one side is the meeting house, a wood frame clapboard structure.  Only feet away is the new building of glass and steel with a skin of warm toned clapboard style boards.  On the inside, it is big with classrooms in the back away from the street.  On the street side is an open space that could be a gym, auditorium or play space.  The ceiling soars high and the space is filled with light.

See the slide show below:


The building was dedicated in honor of Madge Trickey who was a vital part of the Meeting and school for many years.  You can read about her in this piece by Joe Hohenstein at this link.  Congratulations to Frankford Friends who got this project done the Quaker way.

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Coming Up in Frankford 10/6 to 11/2/2012

  • From Grief To Gratefulness — A Mother’s Journey – Sat, October 6, 9am – 2pm, 1628 E. Church St., Have you lost a loved one? Come be an eyewitness to a mother’s journey from grief to gratefulness in this interactive, comforting, inspirational and transformational workshop. The five stages of grief which are unique for everyone will be discussed. Continental Breakfast & Lunch Served. RSVP By going to this Link: http://grieftogratefulness.eventbrite.com Or CALLING Tracey Ragsdale-Mabrey @ 215.360.3283
  • Fall Festival Family Dinner – Sat, October 6, 5:30pm – 9:00pm, St. Joachim R. C. Church, 1527 Church St., “St. Joachim R. C. Church, 1527 Church St., 19124, is hosting a Fall Festival Family Dinner on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 9 PM. There will be food, music, and raffles. Cost is $15.00 for Adults and $7.00 for Children 12 and under. Off street parking is available.” Tickets available in advance at the Rectory Office or pay at the door.
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House – Sun, October 7, 12pm – 5pm, 4278 Griscom Street, Presentation at 1:30 PM: Colonel McCarter, the Fighting Parson of the 93rd Penna Regiment by Rev. Joe DiPaolo
  • Historical Society of Frankford program – Tue, October 9, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, 1507 Orthodox St. Take a virtual tour of Frankford in the Society’s newest publication “Historic Homes & Sites of Frankford” through a presentation and exhibition. Learn of our efforts to secure a listing on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places for this area’s oldest house. Free copies for all.
  • Frankford Garden Club Trip to Nemours Mansion and Gardens – Sat, October 13, 10am – 4pm, Wissinoming Park parking lot on Cheltenham Avenue, 10 AM: meet at Wissinoming Park parking lot on Cheltenham Avenue; 3 PM: leave Nemours Mansion. Tickets are $15.00 per person; Frankford Garden Club members pay $10.00. Ticket price includes transportation and a guided tour of the mansion and grounds. Space is limited. To make a reservation call Linda, 215-253-9776. Nemours Mansion is a 300-acre du Pont estate built in the late 18th century French style.
  • Meet the Artist: Emma Gardner – Sat, October 13, 12pm – 5pm, B102 Gallery, Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124, Twelve New Paintings: High Altitude Roller Derby Taking Back the Fishnet – Exhibition runs October 13th to November 4th, Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5PM
  • Friends of the Frankford Branch of the Free Library – Tue, October 16, 3:00pm – 4:30pm, Frankford Library Meeting Room
  • Northwood Town Watch Meeting – Tue, October 16, 6:30pm – 7:00pm, St. James Lutheran Church, Pratt St. and Castor Ave.
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting – Tue, October 16, 7pm – 8pm, St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street.
  • Frankford Business and Professional Association Meeting – Wed, October 17, 8:30am – 10:00am, Aria Health, 2nd floor conference room
  • Friends of Overington Park Falls Festival – Sat, October 20, 10am – 1pm, Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Sts., Costume Parade, pumpkin patch, games, candy, puppets. Rain date October 27th.
  • Frankford Garden Club – Tue, October 23, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, Wissinoming Park Playground
  • PSA 1 Meeting – Wed, October 24, 7pm – 8pm, Aria Hospital 4900 FRANKFORD AVE
  • Free Digital Photography Workshop – Fri, October 26, 1pm – 4pm, Frankford CDC, 4900 Griscom St., Celebrate Philly Photo Day. Take a free digital photography workshop followed by a tour of Frankford. Submit one of your pictures to be displayed through Philly Photo Day’s unique exhibition. Call 215-743-6580 to register.
  • Haunted History Tour – Sat, October 27, 4pm – 6pm, Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox St., Join the Frankford CDC on our Second Annual haunted history tour. $6.00 admission fee. Refreshments served before the tour. Parking available at Frankford Friends Meeting. Contact Michell Feldman for more information or to reserve your tickets today. 215-743-6580
  • Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group – Thu, October 30, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Friends Hospital, 4641 Roosevelt Blvd., Domestic Violence
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting – Thu, November 1, 7pm – 8pm, 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue
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From Grief To Gratefulness — A Mother’s Journey

Have you lost a loved one? Come be an eyewitness to a mother’s journey from grief to gratefulness in this interactive, comforting, inspirational and transformational workshop. The five stages of grief which are unique for everyone will be discussed.  Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 9 AM — 2 PM.  See this link for all the details.

Philadelphia Prevention Partnership
1628 E. Church St.
Philadelphia, PA 19124
(Market-Frankford El Church St. Stop)
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Harding Middle School Teacher Awarded “A Day Made Better Award”

Ms. Weldon and the team from Office Max

Monday, October 1st, Warren G.Harding Middle School teacher Ms. Kate Weldon was surprised with almost $3000 dollars worth of supplies from Office Max.

Ms. Weldon was nominated for the “A Day Made Better” contest last year and was selected from a pool of over 80 other deserving nominees. An entire team from the local Office Max (Cottman and the Boulevard location) came to Harding Middle School today to surprise Ms. Weldon (and her class) with all of her new supplies.

It truly was a day made better for a group of wonderful students, an amazing teacher, and a great school!  Michael  Calderone, Principal, would like to thank again store manager Silvaro Rojas and all of the employees and customers at Office Max for making this day possible!