Plaques honoring the five new Hall of Fame members line a wall in Holy Family’s Education & Technology Center. Photo/Shannon McDonald

More than 200 people opted to spend a sunny Sunday indoors for what, for many, was an emotional Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“The average Philadelphian probably doesn’t think of ‘Northeast Philadelphia’ and ‘history’ in the same sentence,” Hall of Fame project director Jack McCarthy said as he took the microphone inside Holy Family University’s Education and Technology Center.

Since 2009, that’s what the Hall of Fame ceremonies have aimed to do – get people thinking about the Northeast’s history and how its major players have impacted not just the region, but the city, and even beyond the country. Some of the 2012 inductees have had a global impact. continue reading »

Ed Kelly, grand marshall for the 2011 Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade, died Monday at age 86. Photo/Bill Achuff

“We sadly announce the passing of Ed Kelly, former executive director of the GNPCC this morning at Holy Redeemer Hospice,” reads a notice sent today by the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all who knew him.” continue reading »

Councilman Denny O'Brien announces the 2012 Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame inductees. Photo/Rebecca Haegele

On October 21, Northeast Philadelphians will gather at Holy Family University. They’ll eat h’ordeuvres, listen to classical music and meet the historians who can answer almost any query about the region’s history.

They’ll be there as four people and seven houses of worship are added to a growing list of  Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame inductees. The new class of members was announced yesterday Holy Family, with President Sr. Francesca Onley and steering and selection committee members in attendance. continue reading »