Northwood Civic Association new 2012 board of directors, from L to R: President Joe Krause, member Gina Panchella, Vice President Frank Bennett, member Renee Hudson and member Lou Kubik. Not pictured: Treasurer Bill Rodebaugh.

New Northwood Civic Association board leadership was introduced Tuesday night, but a familiar voice took hold.

After a debate raged at last month’s meeting around the necessary quorum and other group charter rules surrounding the choosing of new board members, not a single vote was cast at the December meeting.

Instead, new civic president Joe Krause, formerly board vice president, said the board had largely remained the same, except for his promotion and a single new nomination. The group’s charter allows for board nominations to fill vacant seats, Krause said, so no vote was necessary.

Krause is replacing the outspoken and fiery Barry Howell, who retired from the board yet still grabbed the spotlight Tuesday, as he is known to do, by calling for an audit of the finances of the Historical Society of Frankford, something close to a neighborhood sacred cow.

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The Frankford Haunted History Tour stops at the Grand Army Republic Museum and Library. Photo submitted by the Frankford CDC

From the Frankford CDC:

Frankford is full of history, but did you know some of it is haunted?

Last Saturday, the Frankford Community Development Corporation, Historical Society of Frankford, St. Mark’s Church, South Jersey Ghost Research, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association organized a haunted history tour of Frankford. continue reading »

Bruce Conner helps lead a meeting of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network last March, when the group split from the Historical Society of Frankford.

Bruce Conner passed away last week following a car accident late last month. In the passage below, his friend and fellow historian, Jack McCarthy, remembers Bruce.

The Northeast Philadelphia history community suffered a major loss with the recent death of local historian Bruce Conner. Bruce had been in a coma following an auto accident in late February and died on March 9th. The accident occurred as he was driving home from one of the many local history meetings he regularly attended.

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Photo by Christopher Wink.

For the second year in a row, Northeast residents came together to reflect on history, celebrate progress and embrace the future.

The second annual Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame honored five new members yesterday at an induction ceremony at Holy Family University.

“It’s always a pleasure to reflect on individuals or groups — living or dead — who ebody the spirit of Northeast Philadelphia,” said Sr. Francesca Onley, president of Holy Family. continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »

Northeast Philadelphia History Network members discuss ways to enhance the organization's meetings.

In keeping with the beginning of community meeting season, attendees at last night’s Northeast Philadelphia History Network meeting discussed ways to freshen up the network and carry it into the future.

The group, which in March, separated from the Historical Society of Frankford amidst Jack McCarthy’s resignation as archivist of the Frankford group, met in Rhawnhurst’s Pelbano Rec Center to share thoughts about where to take the NEPHN.

“[The network] is still defining itself,” said Lou Iatarola, who spearheads Tacony history research and serves with the Tacony Civic Association. “To me, it’s a very rewarding group on a number of levels.” continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »

Debbie and John Klak, courtesy of Historical Society of Frankford

From the Historical Society of Frankford:

Frankford’s Flag House Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, installed its 2010-2013 officers and honored two local recipients of NSDAR Community Service Awards at its 107th Anniversary Luncheon Saturday.

An invocation by Treasurer Mrs. Charles H. Link was followed by greetings and a patriotic ritual by Regent Mrs. Bruce C. Zielinski.  Assembled guests enjoying lunch included a number of national, state and local DAR, and CAR (Children of the American Revolution) representatives, several prospective members, area residents and those from various historical and religious institutions throughout the Northeast. continue reading »

Northeast Philadelphia held its second annual Northeast Philadelphia History Faire yesterday.  The event featured about a dozen historical organizations. These included Friends of Lower Dublin Academy, the Historical Society of Tacony, the Historical Society of Frankford, Byberry Friends Meeting House, a table for the Poquessing Creek Watershed, the Delaware Valley Civil War Round Table and tables for Kensington and Torresdale, plus more.

The event, which featured a live folk band and a table for food, was once again held at Holy Family University’s Campus Center. continue reading »