Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Vince Schiavone, Acting Executive Director of Caring For Friends, discussed the non-profit founded by his mother, Rita, in 1974 with the mission, no one should be hungry or alone in a world of caring people. Caring for Friends is a volunteer organization operating and independent food pantry; over 10,000 local volunteers, in churches and groups or working independently, deliver the food to homebound neighbors.  Caring For Friends refrigerators are placed throughout the region, stocked by home-cooks and by groups working in the CFF kitchen, the 300+ host organizations use the food for their home-delivery programs and emergency food banks. He described how the organization grew - and survived the pandemic - by sticking to its core mission, food and companionship.  In 2021 they provided  over 400,000 meals and over a million pounds of food, a 75% increase over 2019 numbers.  He asks any organization or individual who wants to hostr a food pantry , cook or deliver to reach out.  To volunteer or to donate go to caringforfriends.org. 

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Andrew Stewart, Director of Marketing for The Brandywine River Museum of Art and Brandywine Conservancy discussed the reopening of the museum after severe flooding from Hurricane Ida.    We discussed the history of the Chadds Ford properties, the founding of the conservancy by concerned neighbors in 1969 when industrial development threatened the area, not just its plants and wildlife, but also the water table that provides drinking water for the city of Wilmington.  Today, the Conservancy holds more than 483 conservation easements and has protected more than 64,500 acres from development in Chester and Delaware counties, Pennsylvania, and in New Castle County, Delaware.  It’s a natural home for native plants and birds and shellfish.   Open to members for hiking and outdoor enjoyment, it works with local governments and agencies to permanently protect and conserve natural, cultural and scenic resources.

The museum was founded in 1971 through a gift of NC Wyeth paintings by Betsy Wyeth.  Today the Brandywine River Museum of Art features the art of the Brandywine region, American illustration, still life and landscape painting, and the work of the Wyeth family, with works of NC, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, as well as Horace Pippen – another local artist – and Howard Pyle, Gilbert Stuart, Benjamin West,  and many more.  In addition to the galleries, the museum owns and shows the studios of NC and Andrew Wyeth and delivers special programs and children’s offerings, now available online.

He discussed the devasting flooding that damaged the classrooms and offices of the museum and forced the closure of the museum for many weeks.  The museum is now open, in time for its annual Christmas and holiday programs, including its enormous toy train, now on display.   For hours, directions, educational programming and Conservancy/Museum membership information go to brandywine.org.

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Zachary Sherman, Executive Director of PENNIE on the PA Healthcare Exchange Authority discussed the upcoming deadline to register for 2022, December 15th for coverage beginning January 1st, and January 15th for a February 1st start.  PENNIE works with major insurers to offer cost-effective plans per the ACA, with comprehensive plans including maternity and mental health coverage with no pre-existing conditions barriers.  He discussed the effects of the American Rescue Plan that made insurance more cost effectve for families and their efforts to reach underserved communities, in over 100 languages.   

For more information and to speak with an agent call 844-844-8040 or go to PENNIE.com  

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Virtua Health Gastroenterologist Dr Krysta Johns-Keating, MD, discussed gut health, keeping our digestive track moving as we overindulge Gas is normal, but any change should be reported.  She stressed these symptoms should always be brought to a health professional: blood in stool, unexplained weight loss and chronic acid reflux starting after 60.  She offered ways to stay healthy, don’t over eat, avoid processed foods and eat vegetables and fruit, don’t lie down after a big meal, exercise and get a colonoscopy.  She adds that 45 is the new recommended age to begin and that African Americans are at higher risk at a younger age.  Dr Johns-Keating promised that preparation for the test is not as extreme as it used to be, and it’s the gold standard for discovering and removing pre-cancerous polyps.   We also discussed women who present different issues, thanks to hormones and sharing space with reproductive organs.   She reminds us, if you have concerns, talk to your doctor and see a gastroenterologist, adding, ‘We hear it ALL!  We are not embarrassed. We have these conversations all the time!’

For more information about gut health and healthy tips, as well as to book an appointment, go to VIRTU.org/GutHealth.

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Alexandra Deutsch, the John L. and Marjorie P. McGraw Director of Collections, Debbie Harper, Senior Curator of Education and the main Yuletide planner for three decades and Mark Nardone, Communications Manager, discussed historic Winterthur, the former estate of Francis Henry du Pont.  Mr du Pont was an avid gardener and collector and in 1951 his 175 room home and its grounds were turned into a museum, showcasing nearly 90,000 prize objects of American decorative arts as well as a 60+ acre “wild garden,” designed a women landscaper, the first to own her own studio, and one of the few surviving examples of the design.

Ms Deutsch discussed the upcoming exhibit Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House, highlighting Jacqueline Kennedy’s Partnership with Henry Francis du Pont in the historic restoration of the White House begun in 1961. The exhibition will run May 7, 2022–January 8, 2023.

They also talked about the annual Yuletide at Winterthur, inspired by the family’s holiday traditions. Rooms are decorated in full holiday mode with multiple trees and exhibits, music presentations, a live one-man performances of A Christmas Carol by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens; wine and chocolate tastings; and family events with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

For more information visit winterthur.org/holidays.

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Caitlin Wagner and Kevin O’Brien discussed St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, the first hospital to research and treat childhood cancer.  They told the story of its funding by actor/producer Danny Thomas and the ongoing commitment by volunteers and donors to fund the institution.   Research is open and shared and treatment is free, no parent ever gets a bill, including lodging and transportation. Kevin discussed his family’s experiences at the hospital when his daughter was diagnosed with a rare tumor and how they welcomed her and her mother, allowing her to stay a 'kid' despite her medical care.  They discussed the Childlife program that let her play and stay in school, and the residential facilities that look after the parents and siblings during their time there.   We discussed the 'Country Cares for Kids' campaign and the upcoming 92.5 XTU Radiothon, December 9th and 10th.    For more information about St Jude visit STJude.org

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Kwinn Tucker, Executive Director of 
CityTeam Chester, discussed 
CityTeam,  a national faith-based charity with customized programs to specifically meet the needs of their community with hot meals, groceries, shelter, housing and restorative programs, learning and career help, and so much more..
Here they address the needs of the homeless and those suffering from poverty here in the Greater Delaware Valley, from emergency relief in food, housing and clothing, economic empowerment programs with job education and certification programs, and bridge housing, working to move families into permanent housing.   She discussed their addiction recovery program that includes housing and other support and finally,  their neighborhood programs that address at-risk youth.  

Beasley Media Group’s WMGK will host the annual John DeBella Turkey Drop on Tuesday, November 23rd.  She also encouraged us to consider making donation on giving Tuesday.  

Cityteam.org/chester

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The Fishtown District is world renowned for its dynamic eateries, taverns, and retail shops, while never forgetting its rich history.  David Childs, Executive Director, and Erica Zavilof, Director of Development and Communications for Lutheran Settlement House (lutheransettlement.org) John Geeting, President of the Fishtown Neighbors Association (Fishtown.org) , and Marc Collazo, the Executive Director of the Fishtown Kennsington Area Business Improvement District (FishtownDistrict.com) discussed the Philadelphia neighborhood cited by Forbes Magazine as one of the top communities doing development right.  They discussed how they work together, business, residents and social services, to keep the area welcoming for all, without losing the neighborhood ‘flavor.’
They spoke on how they avoided issues other redeveloped areas suffered, rising costs and gentrification shutting the long-term residents outfaced, parking, and noise problems.  We discussed how the District has helped bring funding to projects and programs the residents wanted and hos businesses support the services offered by Lutheran Settlement House

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Joseph Russell, Executive Director, and certified AHA CPR Instructor, discussed the CPAT Network; trained, certified EMTS, Firefighters and other professionals offering CPR, choking emergencies and other first aid to individuals and groups.  Joe takes us through a medical emergency, and explains how our response can give that person his or her best chance to survive.  He discussed the need for immediate response and how we can give aid correctly and confidently, from calling for help, finding an AED and giving chest compressions. 

For more information on how you or your business or group can learn CPR visit cpatnetwork.net

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Dr. Tamra Williams, Chief Clinical Officer, Community Behavioral Health (CBH) the mental health provider for qualified residents of Philadelphia, and Dr. Catherine Bracaliello Hagey, Manager, Philadelphia System of Care, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) and HiFi - High Fidelity Wraparound, designed for youth and families with long-standing mental health needs who are involved in other youth systems, child welfare or juvenile justice and are at-risk for removal from their home or community.  A team of professionals, providers, and natural helpers -aunties/uncles, family friends, coaches or ministers, work together toward goals for the family.  For more information contact CBH Member Services 1-888-545-2600 to get connected for a referral. You can also visit psoc.dbhids.org

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