Fox Chase will decorate this evergreen in Lions Park for its Christmas Tree Lighting Dec. 3. Photo by G.E. Reutter

Christmas is coming early to Fox Chase. Three celebrations on Dec. 3 will keep the family busy for the day. Events at Ryerss Museum and Library and The Fox Chase Farm run during the day, capped off by the annual Christmas tree lighting at Lions Park in the heart of Fox Chase.

Fox Chase Farm at 8500 Pine Rd. will hold its annual Holiday Green Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wreaths, swags, bows, candle centerpieces, white pine roping and baked goodies will be available to purchase.

Ryerss Museum and Library at 7370 Central Ave. will hold a Victorian Open House/Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by The Friends of Ryerss, the event will include the sale of greens, baked goods, a raffle, dining in the Victorian Tea Room, a black smith demonstration and sales of used books. continue reading »

Neil Harmon donates to John Howlans as the Fox Chase Lions collect for White Cane Day.

The Northeast Lions roamed Oxford Avenue, Rhawn Street and Pine Road in Fox Chase over the weekend,
collecting for The White Cane, the Lions’ outreach program to the visually impaired.

Many neighbors greeted the volunteers by name as they were called to cars to accept donation at the intersection. Vice President Angelo Sciarra said he expected to collect between $4,000 and $5,000 over the weekend for the cause. continue reading »

Medical Mission Sisters Celine Bernier, Elona Stanchak and Helen Marie McGrath in Pakistan before returning to Fox Chase.

They have spanned the globe for decades in their mission to provide medical care and in the name of social justice. Dr. Anna Dengel founded the order in 1925 in Washington, D.C. in response to a lack of medical care provided to women and children in North India. They are The Medical Mission Sisters.

The order moved their North American headquarters to the sprawling Fox Chase campus at 8400 Pine Rd. in 1939. Their missionary work expanded to encompass five continents and has had an immeasurable impact on social issues, medical care for those in need, addiction, women’s rights and providing the basic needs for life that many of us take for granted. continue reading »

Thrift shops on Bleigh Avenue, Oxford Avenue and Pine Road provide plenty of options for Burholme and Fox Chase shoppers.

The great recession continues as many still struggle with unemployment and disposable income reduces. As prices in retail stores continue to increase where does one turn for basic needs?

In Fox Chase, there are three options for those looking for a deal on clothing, household needs and art. The two main stays are The Jeanes Hospital Thrift Shop located at 7963 Oxford Ave. and The Medical Mission Sisters Thrift Shop located in the old boat house on the campus at 8400 Pine Rd.  The third, Ivy’s Vintage Shop, recently opened at 1105 Bleigh Ave. in Burholme  All of the shops accept donated items. continue reading »

The pastures roll down the side of Mount Stanley, where on most days, you will see cows grazing along the fence line. Trees line the long driveway to the barn and homestead that traces its history to 1683 and a land grant from William Penn. An active 4-H club meets weekly, caring for pigs, sheep and cows. Schools bus in students to learn about rural life on a farm and more than 18,000 people a year visit.

It is not Lancaster County, Upper Bucks County or Chester County.  The farm, Fox Chase Farm , is the only working farm in the City of Philadelphia. Located at 8500 Pine Rd., the farm is managed by the Philadelphia School District and The Fairmount Park Commission as a working educational farm with support from an active community organization, Friends of Fox Chase Farm. continue reading »

A scenic view of the Pennypack Creek

The Pennypack Environmental Center sits on the palisades of the Pennypack Creek just off Verree Road on the northern edge of Fox Chase. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guides offer a historical overview of the center and the gallery contains numerous examples of wildlife that populate this section of Pennypack Park. Adjacent to the center are the Verree House and servants quarters that are the only remnants of Verreeville, a small mill town that once dominated the area. continue reading »

Fox Chase Homeowners Association President Matt Braden

The focus of last night’s Fox Chase Homeowners Association/Town Watch meeting was Go Ape!, and adventure course looking to take root in Pennypack Park.

The UK-based Go Ape! first introduced itself to the Northeast at last month’s Friends of Pennypack Park meeting, where members hotly contested the idea of using the park as an adventure destination. continue reading »

Medical Mission Sisters presented plans for a zoning variance with the Fox Chase community groups.

Zoning was the main focus of last night’s joint meeting of the Fox Chase Homeowners Association and Town Watch groups, with two presenters making appeals for variances.

The biggest and most controversial presentation — the second of the night — came from the owners of 8504 Bergen Terrace. Craig Turner, zoning officer for the Fox Chase groups, asked the Zoning Board of Adjustments to postpone a hearing on the property, as the homeowners were unable to make their case at the Association’s November meeting.

With photographs, blueprints and petitions in hand, the owners made the case to the 30-plus residents and political figures at the meeting — the first for 2010. continue reading »

An elderly woman was found murdered in her Huntingdon Valley home, just over the Northeast Philadelphia border.

Mary Pellegrino, 86, was found unresponsive by a handyman Sunday afternoon in her home on the 2300-block of Pine Road near Red Lion Road. An investigation revealed Pellegrino, who had been deceased for days before being discovered, died of head injuries. Her death has been ruled a homicide, and police believe it may be theft-related.

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

This week’s Philadelphia Weekly cover story provided an in-depth look into a growing problem in Philadelphia high schools: assaults on Asian students. Author George Miller talked to students and staff members from some of the schools with the more obvious problems — one being Fels High School in Lawncrest. Fels recently made the state’s Persistently Dangerous Schools list.

Keep reading for a visit from a Flyer, two major milestones and more. continue reading »