Home of the week

The Frankford home of the week is at the corner of Horrocks and Foulkrod Streets. A nice three story single with unique look and I kind of like that fence going all around the property. Reminds me of the one I stood on as a child trying very hard to climb over. You have to be careful of those points.

Fire in Frankford

News reports today of a fire in the 4700 block of Worth Street. A father and son burned critically. A firefighter and another passerby suffered smoke inhalation.

From CBS3.com:

A firefighter is recovering after he rushed into a burning home in the Frankford section of Philadelphia in order to rescue a father and his young son.

The fire on the 4700 block of Worth Street started on the kitchen stove after something that was cooking caught fire officials said. The flames spread quickly throughout the home, trapping a 3-year-old boy and his 43-year-old father inside.

Philadelphia fireman James Babst, 41, was on his way to work around 4:45 p.m. Sunday when he passed the burning home. He stopped his truck and joined neighbors, who were breaking windows of the home.

Read the entire story here. We wish them all a swift recovery.

Historical Society of Frankford

A very important event is coming up next month.

The Historical Society of Frankford presents…

Support the HSF Building Renovation Project with Frankford’s Legendary Jazz Drummer Butch Ballard and his Trio
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 7:30 pm
Complimentary Wine and Cheese!
$20 General Admission/ $18 for Students & Seniors/ $15 for HSF Members

To purchase tickets:
Please mail your check or money order payable to:
The Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
*Please include your name, address, phone numbers, & email address. Tickets available at the door but limited Seating.

For questions or concert information call 215-743-6030
www.historicalsocietyoffrankford.org

Thank You to THIRD FEDERAL BANK for sponsoring this event!

Next week in Frankford

• Frankford Civic Association Meeting
  When Thu, Apr 3, 7pm – 9pm

  Where Frankford Hospital - 2nd floor conference room
  

Northeast history center

From the Northeast Times:

Excitement is building around the Center for Northeast Philadelphia History. Local historians held their third meeting at the Historical Society of Frankford last week to discuss the project that would preserve and promote the history of Northeast Philadelphia.

When asked if there is a defining line for what might — or might not — be considered historical, Harry Silcox, retired Lincoln High School principal, historian and co-director of the project, said that while most people think of history as when George Washington walked down Bristol Pike, to Silcox "it’s yesterday."

The session also included discussion of the history center’s Web site. The site will feature information, photos and links to each neighborhood, an overview of houses of worship, parks and watersheds, along with information related to sports and the history of ethnic groups and religions in the region. The historians discussed ways to get the community involved, as well as the benefits of undertaking possible partnerships with other organizations.

Read the entire story here.

Another day in the city

From CBS3 today:

A suspect is in police custody after a brief standoff following a bomb scare in the Frankford section of the city Thursday.

Philadelphia Police were called to the 5200 block of Marlow Street after reports of man constructing bombs in his home.

The suspect's girlfriend told authorities she smelled some type of accelerant and that there were bomb making materials in the home.

The Bomb Squad was called to the home as a precaution.

Read the entire story here.

SCRUB

I started this out thinking it would be titled "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" but I'm not really that mad. SCRUB is the Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight. The subject arises because once again I found one of these signs on my street. I take it as a personal insult and generally rip the damn things down as soon as I can. However the genius who put it up did such a good job that I did not have time to get my ladder up there and unscrew it from the utility pole for several weeks.



Now it has grown on me so that I've decided to see how the city enforces it's laws since these things are clearly illegal. Each sign can result in a $75 fine and there are at least 4 of them in a three block area that I have documented.

SCRUB has gone to court against the giants who have despoiled our city with blight and I asked their advice. They promptly invited me to supply locations and I went one better and took pictures and addresses. SCRUB will submit them to L&I and we will see how the system works.

In the meanwhile if you have any on your street and would like to add them to our collection, take a picture and email it to us.

It's not the big things that kill the neighborhood, it happens piece by piece. Rebuilding the neighborhood happens the same way, one step at a time.

Northwood Civic Association Meeting

Tom Waring of the Northeast Times reports on last week's meeting of the Northwood Civic. Read the story here.

Frankford residents arrested

From the News Gleaner:

Around 4 p.m. Sunday, police were flagged down on the 2300 block of Cottman Avenue and were told three men in a white minivan had just broken into a red Saturn in the Roosevelt Mall vehicle. Police saw the van exit the mall and gave chase up Bustleton Avenue. Several officers joined the pursuit, which only ended after the van crashed into a car on the 6000 block of Alma Street, police said.

Police said the men punched and kicked at officers. Arrested were Angel Guzman, 19, of the 3500 block of North 8th Street; Jonathan NegronVelez, 21, of the 4600 block of Horrocks Street; and Ramon Seijo, 28, also of the 4600 block of Horrocks Street.

Read the entire story here.

Home of the week

Well we made it through the winter and now find ourselves in the first week of spring. I am still waiting for that end of winter surprise snow storm but I may have to eat my words on that prediction.

My older brother and I were talking about some things a few days ago and at some point he brought up that he walked home from St. Joachim's all the way down to Plum Street near Torresdale, where we lived, every day. He was about 8 when we moved from that house so he was fairly young to be making that long walk but that was how it was in 1948.

He said he could clearly remember the house on Josephine Street where our aunt Bernice lived because he frequently had to stop there on the way to use the bathroom. That was a bit before my time.

By coincidence our home of the week is from that exact block (4300) of Josephine Street. If you have been following this series of posts you know that I don't have any pattern to what home will be coming up. I see them, like them and that is it.

What I look for is not the newest or the biggest or the most improved or most prominent. I look for homes that are cared for in one way or another. Some are easy to not see because they are in blocks that otherwise don't look all that good. Some are in areas where some folks don't want to go. They are all over because there are good people living in ever nook and cranny of Frankford.

You might call them affordable estates. Good solid houses in the city. Close to good transportation and in a walkable neighborhood.

This week there are two. It's a pair on Josephine Street. In honor of aunt Bernice.

John Adams in Frankford

HBO began running the film version of David McCullough's book "John Adams" last Sunday. It is a great story of a unique man in a unique time. I was curious if they would portray the trips that Adams had to make from Massachusetts to Philadelphia since he would have passed right through Frankford on the Kings Highway. The story jumped from his departure from home in Massachusetts and suddenly he was in Philadelphia at least 3 weeks later.

This week as I was reading the book, (John Adams by David McCullough, Simon & Schuster paperback, page 93) I came upon this passage which is of interest to us. It mirrors a scene in the movie that took place outside of the State House in Philadelphia.

In later years Adams would recall the warning advice given the Massachusetts delegation the day of their arrival for the First Congress. Benjamin Rush, Thomas Mifflin, and two or three other Philadelphia patriots had ridden out to welcome the Massachusetts men, and at a tavern in the village of Frankford, in the seclusion of a private room, they had told the New Englanders they were "suspected of having independence in view." They were perceived to be "too zealous" and must not presume to take the lead. Virginia, they were reminded, was the largest, richest, and most populous of the colonies, and the "very proud" Virginians felt they had the right to lead.

So now we know, in his own words, what happened in a small room in a tavern in Frankford in 1775.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

5129-35 Frankford Avenue was sold on 4/30/2007 for $3,732,000. See the BRT link for the details of the transaction.

Next week in Frankford

• The Great Vigil of Easter with open Baptisms
  When Sat, Mar 22, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• Easter Worship
  When Sun, Mar 23, 10:30am – 11:30am

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• Frankford Garden Club meeting
  When Tue, Mar 25, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

  Where Frankford Group Ministry

  Description Frankford Group Ministry 4620 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124
• Fellowship Worship
  When Wed, Mar 26, 10:30am – 11:30am

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• Healing Eucharist
  When Wed, Mar 26, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford

Clues sought in killing of Frankford man

From Philly.com:

Nearly a year ago, the body of a Frankford man washed up on the South Jersey side of the Delaware River.

The Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death of Lamont Palmer, 39, of the 4100 block of Orchard Street, a homicide. But little else is known about the death of a man who police said rarely, if ever, left his Philadelphia neighborhood.

Read the entire here.

Help

I wasn't expecting to meet anybody on my trip out to get an updated picture of the Twins at PowderMill but as I was going down Leiper Street I noticed two men diligently working on the stone wall that surrounds the little park on the corner of Leiper and Orthodox.



I stopped to ask them what brought them out on the first day of spring and they said that the wall was in dire need of some repairs. Not as serious as the I-95 debacle but still in need of work.

I have always been masonry challenged. It looks like it should be easy. You get sand, water, cement and some bricks or stones and put them together. Based on my experience, I can tell you it is not easy. These guys were master masons. No, not the guys who march in the parades, guys who actually can build something.

Now I would like to remember what is the name of that little park.

Thanks to a helpful reader:

"Overington Park? I used to play football there. "

The Twins at PowderMill

Progress continues on construction at Castor and Cayuga. Slabs are being poured for most of the houses on Cayuga and framing is well on the way for several. A few even have topped off the second floors. Follow this link to see a slidshow of the entire PowderMill collection.



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Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4740 Frankford Avenue was sold for $268,000 on 8/10/2007. See the link to the BRT for the transaction details.

Frankford Garden Club

We welcome the Frankford Garden Club to the community calendar. They meet at the Frankford Group ministry generally on the 4th Tuesday of the month but there are exceptions, so check the calendar for exact dates and times.

Frankford Civic takes a stand

The Frankford Civic continues to oppose the use of 4243-47 (map) Frankford Ave. as a drug- and alcohol-rehabilitation center. Emphasizing that their opposition is not to the commendable work being done but the fact that there are just too many of these centers already on Frankford Avenue.

Read the entire story here in the Northeast Times. Another story from the News Gleaner is here.

St. Marks Church, Frankford

St. Marks Church, 4442 Frankford Ave. (map) has added some information to our community calendar. These are the important dates for this week. We welcome all community groups, schools, churches to use our community calendar.

• Maundy Thursday Eucharist
  When Thu, Mar 20, 6pm – 7pm

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• Good Friday Worship
  When Fri, Mar 21, 12pm – 1pm

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• The Great Vigil of Easter with open Baptisms
  When Sat, Mar 22, 7:30pm – 8:30pm

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford
• Worship and Eucharist
  When Sun, Apr 20, 10:30am – 11:30am

  Where St. Mark's Church, Frankford

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

5101 Frankford Avenue was sold for $120,000 on 3/6/2007. See this link to the BRT for the transaction details.



No that is not a funny face on the front door, it is graffiti that the owner should remove. Absentee owner who does not have to look at it everyday.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

5025 Frankford Avenue was sold for $25,000 on 8/16/2007. It is a vacant lot. See this link to the BRT for the details. 5027 Frankford Avenue was sold on $120,000 on 5/30/2007 See this link to the BRT for the details.

Great Philadelphia GeoHistory Network

If you like local history and old maps you will enjoy this site. There is an 1849 map of Frankford and Bridesburg that is beautifully detailed. Take a look at the link.

Home of the week

This home in the 1100 block of Dyre Street is a standout.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4909 Frankford Avenue was sold for $160,000 on 7/26/2007. Follow this link to the BRT for the transaction details.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4804 Frankford Avenue was sold for $128,000 on 2/15/2007. Follow the link to the BRT for the transaction details.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4850 Frankford Avenue was sold for $70,000 on 3/1/2007. Follow this link to the BRT for details of the transaction.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4802 Frankford Avenue was sold for $118,000 on 4/18/2007. Follow this link for the details on the BRT.

Next week in Frankford

• Free Pictures with the Easter Bunny
  When Sat, Mar 15, 2pm – 4pm

  Where Frankford Hospital Lobby

  Description Free Pictures with the Easter Bunny Frankford Hospital Lobby
• Northwood Civic Association Meeting
  When Tue, Mar 18, 7pm – 9pm

  Where St. James Lutheran Church

Absentee landlords

As I was compiling data on our study of real estate transfers, I was surprised to find two owners of property on Main Street who lived in Brooklyn, New York. My first thought was how well could you manage real estate from that distance. That is commercial real estate though and I thought maybe that is different. I took a quick look at some residential blocks and the number of absentee landlords was impressive. Now that is problematic.

This is from the New Gleaner"

There are plenty of things to gripe about in any city, but in Philadelphia, one of the top five seems to be complaining about absentee landlords. They have become the stereotypes of urban evil, almost on a par with drug dealers in ruining neighborhoods.Camille Capobianco wants the City Council to do something about the out-of-towners and their poorly maintained properties and rowdy renters.

And much needs to be done, she said, because right now, some landlords are little better than predators.

She refers to a neighborhood property in which the tenants were selling drugs and were finally removed. But the landlord has a “for rent” sign up, “and the neighbors are terrified,” she said.

The Tacony woman, who was a landlord herself, has put together a petition whose points she hopes will become city law.

Read the entire story here. She makes a very reasonable and rational argument that deserves to be considered. You can bet the real estate professionals will line up against it.

A Frankford family grieves

From Philly.com today:

Adrienne Kaplan and Theodore Thomas today will bury their 22-year-old son, the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Center City.

They are coping, as well as they can, with the question of why he had to go at such a young age.

Police have questions also. They want to know who was driving the car that struck Theodore Thomas Jr. in the early evening of Feb. 22 near the Gallery as he crossed Market Street to meet a friend.

Read the entire story here.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4677 Frankford Avenue was sold on 3/29/2007 for $123,000. Transaction details at this link to the BRT. Picture to the right is the older. To the left is what it looks like this week.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4674 Frankford Avenue was sold on 4/17/2007 for $247,350. A sign on the building now says an early childhood learning center is coming to the location. Transaction details at this link to the BRT.

Wedge Medical and the facts of life

Diane Prokop at the Northeast Times has done her usual fine job of summarizing the Frankford Civic meeting last week on the subject of Wedge medical. Wedge came to the meeting with letters of support from a handful of politicians who must have carefully studied the workings of this "for profit" company and then concluded that they were very fine folks and deserve to exploit Frankford to enhance the corporate bottom line.

The facts of life are that politicians do not support anybody unless there is something in it for them. The owners of Wedge (Minda and Armando MAGUNDAYAO) are listed several times as contributors to the Friends of Dwight Evans in 2006. They were smaller contributors to the Friends of George Kenney in 2004. Does this make a difference? Yes. It's the way the system works.

We are not against these services. They are needed. But this one is not needed in this place and at this time. It's legal but its not wanted.

Home of the week

A few weeks back I was riding down Hawthorne Street and found this group of homes in the 4700 block that are all neat and well maintained. It's clean and tidy and impossible to say one of them is better than another so they are the homes of the week.

Emergency meeting of Frankford Civic

FKD Civic Association

EMERGENCY Meeting

Thursday, March 13th 7:30 PM
Frankford Hospital4900 Frankford Avenue
2nd Floor Conference Room


Important Zoning Issues: Another Rehab!
4243-47 Frankford Avenue
How much will FKD stand for? How many more Rehabs can our community handle? We must come together to let it be known that the PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE will not tolerate another REHAB! Please come and let your voice be heard. All are welcome.
For more information or questions email FKD Civic frankfordcivic@gmail.com

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

4657-59 Frankford Avenue was sold for $175,000 on 4/13/2007 . See the BRT for details here.

This picture was taken last week. Sale sign on the building makes us think it is on the market again.

The crime log

Well you have to credit the Northeast Times for getting this information out. And the police for deciding to let it get out. It's our right to know and it should be available on the city web site every week. Now can somebody please tell me why the will not report sexual assaults. it might actually help prevent future assaults if potential victims knew when and where predators are lurking.

This is a link to the entire article in the Northeast Times.

This is our value added to the information. Follow this link to the Frankford Gazette crime map.

Art holiday

The Art Holiday is on the market.

Follow this link to the listing at Prudential Fox and Roach

$275,000

Address withheld at
seller's request
Philadelphia, PA 19124-4525
Listing No: 4784340

Call agent for details. Business included. Do not visit property without appointment.

Home Details

Type: Commercial Age: 100 yrs Lot Size: 8,849 Sq. Ft. Lot Dim.: 78X113

County: Philadelphia Zip: 19124-4525 Sub/Nei: None Available School District: Philadelphia

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

On 10/9/2007 4649-51 Frankford Avenue was sold for $32,000. I previously wrote about that new business opening on Main Street. See the BRT for details here.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

The next transaction on the list is the sale of 4621-27 Frankford Avenue to NET on 6/14/2007 for $635,000. This transaction has been previously discussed.

On 10/11/2007 4640-42 Frankford Avenue was sold for $355,000. Picture to the left shows the building as it appears today. It is not much different than it was in 1954 when it was a Sun Ray drug store where I bought my first camera. See the BRT for the details here.

Next week in Frankford

• Meet Lydia Darragh
  When - Tue, Mar 11, 7pm – 8pm

  Where - 1507 Orthodox Street Philadelphia, PA 19124

  Description - Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 7:30PM $5.00 Donation & Members Free Meet Lydia Darragh, a Philadelphia Quaker who supplied General George Washington with vital information leading to the defeat of the British troops at Whitemarsh. Hear Lydia’s first hand account of this daring deed and maybe become part of the action during this interactive reenactment. Learn all about this fascinating but little known piece of American history told by Rachel Greisler storyteller. Light Refreshments will be served. Notice: This is our Annual Meeting where members vote in Board Members & the annual report is given. The Historical Society of Frankford 1507 Orthodox Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 215.743.6030 Check out our website at: www.historicalsocietyoffrankford.org Preserving and presenting the history of Northeast Philadelphia since 1905
• Free Pictures with the Easter Bunny
  When - Sat, Mar 15, 2pm – 4pm

  Where - Frankford Hospital Lobby

  Description - Free Pictures with the Easter Bunny Frankford Hospital Lobby

Frankford hit run victim dies

From kyw1060.com:

The victim of a center city Philadelphia hit-and-run has died. Police are still hunting for the car that struck him.

Twenty-two-year-old Theodore Thomas, from the Frankford neighborhood, died on Tuesday from injuries suffered when he was hit by a car on the evening of February 22nd, while he was crossing the street at Ninth and Market Streets in Philadelphia.

Read the entire story here.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

On 7/6/2007 4530 Frankford Avenue was sold for $155,000. See the BRT for details here.



The picture to the left is as the building looked at the time sale. Picture to the right shows an updated view.

Wedge Medical

I wanted to get the account from the Frankford Civic Association on what has transpired so far with Wedge Medical opening up on Frankford Avenue within sight of the PAL center.

Yes, the civic found this out and opposed their work permits. Kevin Walsh did the research and brought it to the Civic's attention.

It was discussed over the past few meetings and petitions against were circulated. The owner of the building applied for a medical center/rehab in November and the civic had 30 days to appeal - at the cost of $200.00. An Anonymous donor put up the money and the civic appealed. Like NET no zoning variance is needed.

We only have the work permits to appeal. At the hearing the information was circulated about Wedge Med and their services. The hearing was last week and it was continued. It was at that hearing that the name of the provider was established, until then we were working with an owner's name only. We are presenting more information at the next civic. We are hoping to stop another Rehab from coming to FKD. We did not get wind of NET until it was too late but we found out about this in time.

Wedge med is a For Profit Company according to the PA Dept of State. We will stop this and hope the community and our elected officials will support us in this.

FKD Civic

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

On 4/3/2007 4458 Frankford Avenue (image to the left) was sold for $45,000. See BRT details here.



On 3/27/2007 4516 Frankford Avenue (image to the right) was sold for $60,000. See BRT details here.

Not the home of the week

Every week I take some time to wander around Frankford looking for anything interesting. Many years ago I remember driving down Allengrove Street and seeing those red brick paving blocks. They were fairly common in my youth but you have to look long and hard to find them today. Last week, I was out and about and went down Allengrove and those red paving blocks are still in place. Gives the street a quaint old world look.

Coincidently, I was contacted this week by someone who is sponsoring an open house at 1225 Allengrove this weekend. I went by to take a look today and it is a nice house. You can get a view of the pictures on our flickr page here. The other details are below:

MLS #: 5196231 DOM:111 MLS Area: 19124 19124 County: Philadelphia Zip Code: 19124 -2903 Tax ID #: 234149900

Subdiv / Nei: Northwood School Dist: Philadelphia - High: - Middle: - Elem:

Ownership: FeeSimple Type: Single/Detac Design: 2-Story Style: Dutch

Beds, Baths: 3 2/0 Age: 80 Int Sq Ft: 1,620/ A Unit Flr #: AC: N Map Grid: 7934B7

Room Dimensions LR/GR: 0 x 0 M Dining: 0 x 0 M Kitchen: 0 x 0 M Family: 0 x 0 B Main BR: 0 x 0 U 2nd BR: 0 x 0 U 3rd BR: 0 x 0 U 4th BR: Inclusions: Washer Dryer Window Treatnments Exclusions:

Other Information Total Rooms: Bath Full: 0M 1U 1L Bath Part: 0M 0U 0L Model: Builder:

Tax Information RE Taxes / Yr: $1748 / 2007 Assessment: 21152

Association Information Condo / HOA: N / N Assc Fee / Freq:

Lot Information Acr / SqFt: 0.09 / 4,000 Lot Dim: 40X100 Land Use: A30 Waterfront: N Zoning: R4

Features

Utilities: GasHeat, HotWaterHeat, GasHotWater, NoA/C, PublicWater, PublicSewer Parking: NoGarage, StreetParkng Exterior: BrickExt, ShingleRoof, Patio, Porch, NoPool Bsmt: FullBasement, FinishedBsmt, OutSide/WlkO Interior: OneFirePl, BrickFirePl, LR/GRFireP, FinishedWood, W/WCarpeting, Vinyl/LinFl, TileFl, SecuritySys, Stain/LeadGl, CableTVWired, Center/EntrH, NoModifs/Unk, BsmtLaundry Kit: EatInKitchen, GasCooking, Poss: Negotiable Cond: Average+ Show: 24Hr+NoticeS

Remarks

Public:A wonderful Dutch Colonial on a quiet street in Northwood. Absolutely move in condition. Original woodwork in natural finish throughout; period lighting. Side garden leads to entry into foyer and stairwell with leaded glass window. Living room features fireplace, crown moulding and french doors to porch; Dining room has built-ins. Very nicely appointed eat in kitchen with outside entry to nicely landscaped and private back yard. Open stairway to finished lower level with outside entry: laundry room, family room, full bath, and storage. Upper level features three bedrooms and a full bath restored with period fixtures. Walk up attic provides storage and room to expand.

Directions:west of Oxford in between Oakland and Horrocks

The open house is Saturday March 8th and Sunday March 9th from 1-3PM. This could easily be a home of the week but we do not feature homes that are on the market. If you are in the market for a home, take a look.

Home of the week

This week we are on the 4500 block of Worth Street. I have been trying to get a good picture of this home since the end of December but finally landed one last week.

Real estate transactions 2007 on Main Street

On 8/29/2007 4441-49 Frankford Avenue was sold for $300,000. the details of the sale come from the BRT web site link here.


You can see some improvements have been made in this newer picture to the right taken this week.


On 7/2/2007 4458 Frankford Avenue was sold for $45,000. Details at the BRT web site via this link.

HSF needs you

The Historical Society of Frankford is looking for a few exceptional people for open positions on their board of directors. Resumes should be mailed to:

Historical Society of Frankford
Patricia Coyne
P.O. Box 4888
Phila., Pa. 19124

They are also seeking volunteers for the following committees:

Nominating Committee - reviews resumes and does board training - contact Patricia Coyne
Public Relations - putting press releases in the N.E. Times, fund raising - contact Megan Forrestal
Collections Committee - caring for the collections, setting up exhibits - contact Diane Sadler

Call society and leave message - 215.743.6030.