PHILADELPHIA — The Catholic Charities Appeal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CCA) is partnering with the Philadelphia Phillies for the 13th annual CCA Night with the Phillies on Friday, June 5 at Citizens Bank Park.
The evening of baseball will help to support charitable ministries serving individuals and families across the five-county region.
A portion of the proceeds from all tickets sold through this dedicated link will directly benefit CCA beneficiary programs that provide support to ministries across the Catholic Church of Philadelphia including Social Services; Special Education; Mission Parishes; Retired and Infirmed Priests; Cultural Ministries; and Life, Family and Laity programs.
This year’s featured CCA beneficiary for the game is Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s (CCoP) Nutritional Development Services.
Each year, NDS team provides more than 7.5 million meals in need across the region. Through food pantries and meal programs, CCoP ensures that those facing hardship receive not only nourishment, but also the support and resources needed to transform their lives and move toward stability and hope.
Tickets are available in various sections and levels and for various prices. An additional $8 per ticket will be applied per ticket at checkout, with those funds benefiting Catholic Charities Appeal.
If 500 or more tickets are sold, an individual from CCoP’s Out-of-School Time Program and recipient of NDS’ After School Meal Program will have the honor of throwing out the first pitch.
In addition, Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic School’s award-winning choir in Swarthmore, a participant in the NDS School Meals Program, will have the privilege of singing the national anthem.
Notre Dame de Lourdes’s choir, consisting of students in grades 5 to 8, won first place in the 2025 B101 Philly K-Eighth Grade Christmas Choir Competition. In December, the choir received a $5,000 prize and the opportunity to perform with the Philly Pops at the Kimmel Center.
The CCA of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is the archdiocese’s largest annual fundraising effort, supporting 1 in 5 people each year across the five-county metropolitan region.
In 2026, CCA continues its Giving Hope to All mission by extending Christ’s love through more than 100 ministries and programs that provide food, shelter, education, and care to those most in need. Those interested in supporting CCA by purchasing tickets for the game on June 5, can go to www.mlb.com/phillies/tickets/specials/catholic-charities.
Chester City Hall to host free shredding, electronics waste collection
Chester will host a free electronics recycling and onsite paper shredding event, in partnership with sustainable waste solutions provider Reworld and the local Tau Delta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
The event is Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Chester City Hall Parking Lot, 1 E 4th St., Chester.
Residents of Chester are welcome to drop off e-waste for responsible disposal as well as paper items for secure shredding and recycling. Registration is not required.
This free event will help Chester residents with spring cleaning at one convenient location.
The improper disposal of batteries in standard waste streams has severe environmental and safety ramifications. Reworld, which owns and operates an electronics waste processing facility in Philadelphia, will sort and dismantle the collected e-waste items, separate materials into individual commodity streams and ultimately reintegrate them into manufacturing supply chains, in compliance with the Pennsylvania Covered Device Recycling Act 108, all free for Chester residents.
Electronic items that will be accepted include televisions, laptops, mobile devices, computers, printers, monitors, gaming systems and small house appliances like toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, and vacuum cleaners. All items should be placed in a car trunk or truck bed for quick removal on-site.
Reworld is a leader in sustainable waste solutions, providing innovative and environmentally responsible services to a global community. Reworld is committed to advancing zero waste initiatives and supporting sustainability goals through state-of-the-art technologies that reimagine, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, and renew.
For more information, visit www.reworldwaste.com.
Robert Napoletano, of the Napoletano Brothers in Springfield, will be at the Folsom Italian Festival on Saturday. The well-known Italian specialty store always pleases the crowd with their Pasta Alla Ruota, Fettuccine Alfredo made in the Cheese Wheel. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
Second annual Folsom Italian Festival happens Saturday
The second annual Folsom Italian Festival, hosted by Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco, will take place, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at Folsom Fire Company and its surrounding streets at Fourth and Sutton avenues in Ridley Township.
In addition to a plethora of vendors, the festival will feature food by Napoletano Brothers, Rocky’s Catering, East Cooke Winery, Capozzoli Catering and many more well-known restaurants.
All proceeds will benefit the Folsom Fire Company, Don Guanella/Divine Providence Village, and The Italian Cultural Center of the Delaware Valley in Essington.
Everyone, of all ages, is welcome to enjoy an afternoon full of Italian food and music, craft vendors, wine and soft drinks, and more, celebrating Italian-American heritage and culture. The rain date is Sunday, March 29.
Upper Darby High School to hold spring flea market
The Upper Darby Home and School Association will host a huge flea market, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 12 at Upper Darby High School, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill.
For more information about renting a spot or about the flea market itself, call 215-834-2157.
Newtown Township has officially begun Phase One improvements at Greer Park, marking the first step in a long-term effort to revitalize this community space. (COURTESY OF CASSIE MORRISON)
Newtown Township begins improvement project at Greer Park
Newtown Township has begun construction on Phase One of planned improvements at Greer Park, a community open space located along Winding Way Road that provides residents with access to natural areas, walking paths and scenic views.
The work marks the first step in a larger, multi-phase effort to revitalize and enhance the park as part of the township’s broader redevelopment vision.
The project focuses on restoring the park’s natural stream and pond system while improving accessibility and enhancing the overall park experience for residents and visitors.
“This project represents an important investment in both environmental restoration and public access, and is part of a larger, long-term effort to thoughtfully redevelop and enhance this valued community space,” explained Leonard Altieri, chairman of the township supervisors.
Phase One will include several key improvements designed to restore the natural ecosystem and stabilize the park’s stream corridor. Planned work includes realigning the stream to its historic channel, stabilizing stream banks to improve water flow and reduce erosion and removing the existing dam as part of the pond restoration.
Additional improvements include extensive landscaping and planting to establish a healthy riparian buffer along the stream corridor. The project will also introduce new amenities to make the park more accessible, including construction of a walking trail connecting the parking lot to the pond and installation of pedestrian features such as a boardwalk along the pond’s edge.
“These upgrades will help improve water quality, strengthen the local ecosystem and create a more enjoyable and accessible park experience for the community,” Altieri said.
The project is being completed by JMC Contractors and is funded in part through grants from Pennsylvania. That funding helps reduce the cost burden on local taxpayers while allowing the township to move forward with environmental restoration efforts.
Construction is currently underway and, weather permitting, is expected to be completed by the end of June.Township officials also recognized the Greer Park Steering Committee volunteers for their role in advancing the project.
The Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble will perform at the Havertown Choristers’ spring concert. The ensemble includes Havertown Choristers singer and Havertown resident Shelley Ashfield-Neparidze, third from right. (COURTESY OF HAVERTOWN CHORISTERS)
Havertown Choristers announce spring concert
The Havertown Choristers, directed by Jennifer Cox, will present its spring concert at 8 p.m. Monday, April 27, in the Haverford Township High School auditorium, 200 Mill Road.
In celebration of 250 years of America’s independence, the program will include “This Is My Country” by Raye/Scott, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” by Berlin/Ringwald, “Simple Gifts” by Copland/Fine, as well as “America” and “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” by Bernstein/Sondheim/Lojeski. An additional feature will be an audience sing-along.
The concert’s guest performing group will be The Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble, directed by John and Lynn Symborski, which will perform 18th-century dances. The Havertown Choristers is affiliated with the Haverford Township Adult School.
The event is free but donations are appreciated. For information, call 610-446-1595.
Linvilla Orchards to hold Food Truck Frenzy in April
Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Middletown Township, will hold Food Truck Frenzy, a fun event featuring a lineup of over 20 food trucks.
It runs Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine.
Guests can eat everything from burgers and cheesesteaks to dumplings, pasta, waffles, and sweet treats, while strolling around the grounds.
This year’s lineup includes Albies Burger N’ Crabcakes, Anthony’s Hot Dogs, Bacon on a Stick, Barkley BBQ, Big Var’s Water Ice, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Chank’s Pizza Cones, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Claymont Steaks, The Crepe Truck, Dan’s Waffles, Ennis BBQ, Farina Pasta, Fiesta Churros, House of Cupcakes, Who Made This?, Humpty Dumplings, Mr. Burger, Munchies Grilled Cheese, Ravioli Remix, Ranya’s Thai, Savannah’s Southern and Star of the Sea.
With so many options, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Plus, the event will offer a full day of family friendly activities including music, hayrides, pony rides and face painting.
Food Truck Frenzy also marks the opening weekend of the Ship Bottom Brewery Beer Garden at Linvilla Orchards for the season. Guests 21 and older can enjoy a selection of craft beers from Ship Bottom while relaxing at the barn. It’s the ideal place to grab a drink, kick back, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the event.
For more information, contact 610-876-7116, info@linvilla.com or go to www.linvilla.com.
Public voting is underway in PA Chamber’s 2026 Coolest Thing Made in PA
The PA Chamber officially kicked off its 2026 Coolest Thing Made in PA public voting contest this week, an annual competition that celebrates the commonwealth’s manufacturing excellence by allowing the public to vote on social media for their favorite made-in-Pennsylvania products.
Revealed at a launch party at Hollywood Casino’s Sportsbook in Grantville, this year’s contest features 56 made-in-PA products representing companies from every region of the commonwealth and spanning a wide range of industry sectors. The bracket-style competition invites brand enthusiasts across Pennsylvania and beyond to vote for their favorites in weekly matchups conducted entirely through the PA Chamber’s social media platforms.
“Each year, with input from our members and the public, the PA Chamber is proud to spotlight the outstanding brands that make Pennsylvania a leader in economic growth and innovation,” said Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “As we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, it’s especially meaningful to celebrate these companies through a bracket that honors Pennsylvania’s foundational role in our nation’s story. We’re continually impressed by the voters’ enthusiasm for their favorite brands and the companies’ creativity in rallying support. We can’t wait to tip off another great year!”
The “Coolest Thing Made in PA” contest showcases the innovation, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit that power Pennsylvania’s economy while giving the public a vote in declaring the PA-made product that reigns supreme.
Public voting will continue weekly through early April, with winners advancing based on total votes cast across all social media platforms during each matchup. Voting will take place on the PA Chamber’s X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.
The competition introduces a “battle back” round. Contestants who lose first-round matchups will compete against other first-round runners-up in their region in a 24-hour poll, with the top vote-getter in each region “battling back” to compete in the second round.
Complete contest details, including the full voting schedule, a list of this year’s contestants with links to their company websites, and the official bracket, are available at www.pachamber.org/coolestthing.
PennDOT invites Pennsylvanians to share feedback on winter services
Safe travel on Pennsylvania roadways is a top priority for PennDOT, no matter the season. With spring beginning, PennDOT is seeking the public’s feedback on its services this winter through an online survey.
“I’m incredibly proud of how the PennDOT team met the mission across Pennsylvania this season, working around the clock to keep people and goods moving,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The public’s input through this annual survey helps us review perceptions and knowledge of our operations, while we also look for public information opportunities.”
The survey is available through April 14 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
The 17-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.
Respondents are also asked how they receive PennDOT roadway information, and whether or how they use the state’s 511PA traveler information services. During the winter, www.511PA.com offers its standard traffic and incident information while adding PennDOT plow-truck locations, winter roadway conditions and other services.
At any time, drivers can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
For more information, go to www.pa.gov/DOT.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.