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Deni Playground – Remembering Childhood Memories

by Julia (Robinson) Mitchell-Hoffman

When I was a child, I spent many hours playing at Deni Playground. I can remember being very young when my sisters would take my brother and I there. We would play in the sand box on the top level of the playground and also on the swings that had safety guards on them. My brother would climb the monkey bars and act like a monkey. As we got a bit older my sisters would take us down to the big kids playground where there were swings and a slide. My brother loved to be pushed on the swing and like to swing so high. My sisters loved climbing the rocks. My brother and I wanted to climb the rocks but our sisters would say no. There was no stopping my brother once he decided he was going to climb them. Till this day I still laugh when I think of how he would harass both of my sisters by climbing them and running along the rocks. One day he even threatened to make himself fall and tell my mom they were not watching him!!

As I got older the field across the street became more of an attraction to us girls as we would watch the boys play sports. We also loved watching them play basketball back at the playground. It was a safe place to play and always was a fun place. For the most part the kids all got along. There were occasional arguments but they did not result in much. It is funny sometimes how you forget these things of your childhood and when someone dies you are reminded of those places were you spent time enjoying childhood friends.

The field across the street from the playground was also a place where carnivals were held. I can remember playing ski-ball and so many awesome games, riding the amusements, eating cotton candy and walking hand in hand with my first boyfriend. Up the street from the playground was St Joaquim’s where we would go to Strawberry Festivals and have a great time, always returning back to the playground.

It is amazing to remember these times in a good light.  May each of us remember to be gentle with each other and with our own selves, striving to make a difference in this world.

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Frankford Civic Association Meeting

Frankford  Civic will meet on Wednesday, January 7th at 7PM at Aria Hospital, 4900 Frankford Avenue.  New day of the week for this meeting which had been the first Thursday of the month.  Now has moved to the first Wednesday.  Meeting will discuss the possibility of relocating to another site.

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Homicide in Frankford in 2014 Increased by 50 Percent

No, it was not a good year.

There were too many shootings and too many deaths.  At the same time, unless there was a truly innocent victim involved, there was very little outcry from our residents.  The result is that in 2013 there were 8 criminal homicides in Frankford and in 2014 there were 12 (50% increase).

It will remain this way until we decide that it has to end.  There is no reason why we have to put up with it.  There is no reason why kids have to be afraid to play outside.  There is no reason why murder is acceptable.  No murder, not even that guy who has been foolish enough to take the road of selling drugs.

The next time you hear that there has been another killing in Frankford, what are you going to do?

I’ll make it easy.  When that happens, there will be an invitation on this page.  Accept the invitation and you can start ending the killing.

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Kids Ears, Nose and Throat Health Tips from Aria Health

When our little ones aren’t feeling their best, sometimes it’s hard for them to communicate exactly what’s causing them discomfort. Although a sore throat or fever may seem like signs of a cold, it’s important for parents to know and recognize the signs to look for and ask their children about that could mean something more. This month, Aria Health is encouraging parents to take charge of their children’s ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) health and know the signs and symptoms of common ENT ailments such as ear infections, strep throat and tonsillitis.

Patrice Bachmann, a nurse practitioner at Aria Health FastCare, has provided a sampling of tips below to help your readers recognize the signs of common ENT illnesses that may require further medical attention:

A sore throat that won’t quit

Viral infections are the cause of 80% of sore throats in children unless they have been exposed to others with a bacterial infection. A common indication of a viral infection is a sore throat that lasts longer than 48 hours along with additional symptoms like a rash, runny nose, cough and/or swollen lymph nodes. Bacterial sore throats come on quickly (typically in less than 12 hours) and are accompanied by fevers, headaches or abdominal pain. A simple rapid strep test can determine if your child’s sore throat has evolved into something more.

Long-lasting ear pain

If your child is complaining of ear pain, monitor the time frame of their symptoms along with the severity of the pain and promptly seek medical attention if the pain persists. Severe ear pain lasting more than 24 hours is a strong indication of a middle-ear infection. Ear infection symptoms typically develop quickly and should be treated immediately.

Tonsils in trouble

When a sore throat is present, important symptoms to look for are extreme fatigue and pain when swallowing. A quick check of your child’s throat with a flashlight can also confirm the appearance of red or swollen tonsils or white patches on the tonsils; these can both indicate tonsillitis and should prompt a trip to your doctor.

If you are concerned that your child may have come down with one of these illnesses, a trip to Aria Health FastCare can help you be sure. With locations in Northeast Philadelphia or Levittown, PA, Aria Health FastCare is available to see your child (ages 18 months and older) with no appointment necessary and without the wait.  If you are not conveniently located to Aria Health FastCare,  It’s always a good idea to head into a medical facility (Aria’s Frankford campus is a perfect example of that).