Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Larry Needle, Executive Director of PHL Sports, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, discussed the exciting line up of professional and collegiate sports coming to the city this year.

He explained their mission, brining sporting events and sport-related travel to Philadelphia – the PCVB is responsible for over 1.5 Million overnight stays in Philadelphia each year, with an estimated 1 Billion economic impact on the region.

Larry described some of the events that will take place this year, including the MLB All-Star Game with a four-day fan experience at the Convention Center, FIF with their free 6-week Fan Fest at Lemon Hill, the PGA tournament and NCAA basketball – many running adjacent to WAWA Welcome America celebrations.

We talked about the facilities and opportunities that Philadelphia offers, a huge sports complex, easy access to hotels, restaurants world class museums, all walkable or easy to get to through public transportation. 

To learn more about the 2026 activities go to PHLSports.com. 

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Matt Radar, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society discussed the exhibits and events scheduled for the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, 'Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.' He discussed the Members Day and opening gala on Friday, February 27th and the international and local exhibitors and vendors appearing at this year's show. The vent, one of the top three flower events in the world each year, will draw visitors from all over, pumping millions into the Philadelphia hospitality sector. 

He promises something for everyone, from the Kids Cocoon and Butterfly room, through seminars and workshops, make-and-take planting and flower crowns, and vendors offering plants, flowers, gardening supplies and outdoor living accessories.

Fido Friday return on Friday, March 6th with dogs welcome – costumes encouraged - and the popular Flowers After Hours ‘Folklore of the Forrest’ costumed dance party on Saturday, March 7.

We discussed the programming offered by PHS throughout the year, from Tree Tenders to their job training program teaching landscaping and work skills. 

We talked about membership and its benefits from member-only trips, lectures, discounts and the Friday Members Day at the Show. 

Finally, anyone can garden, in a yard, a porch planter or in a windowsill arrangement, and anyone can volunteer to support their programming throughout the community.  

For information go to PHSOnline.org

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Alana Mauger, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross Southeastern PA and ARC Communications volunteer and blood recipient, Jenny Farley who received 5 blood transfusions following surgical complications in November. We discussed the critical need for blood donations; always an issue during the holidays and winter months, this year collections were hit by the massive snowstorms with 500 drives cancelled.

Alana talked about our local blood supply, platelets have a five-day shelf life. They must constantly collect units to supply hospitals with whole blood, plasma and platelets. Jenny shared her story, a routine surgery had complications that required five units to get her blood pressure back to near collapse. 

They discussed the ways blood is tested and then broken down to its components, allowing one donation to help several patients. They noted the continuing need not just for trauma victims, but for patients being treated for cancer and other chronic illnesses. We discussed the need for donors from all communities, as an example, Sickle Cell patients can receive so many transfusions they develop reactions to elements in blood, they need a closer match.

Finally, a conversation on who can give blood, they explain that many travel and sexual activity restrictions have loosened, when in doubt go to their website for more information. To schedule your donation call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org

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Kim E. Fraites-Dow, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA discussed the programming they offer to girls from five through high school.

She tells us there are now 25,000 girl members who are making friends, trying new things and having fun in troops across their 9-county-footprint (Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia). 

We talked about troop dynamics, from Brownies where leaders can receive weekly meeting activities – Troop in a Box! – through their pilot program Calling All Girl Bosses – designed to empower girls in grades 6-12 to lead the change they want to see in their neighborhoods.  Due to the overwhelmingly positive reaction GSEP is expanded this initiative next to Allentown and Reading. Calling All Girl Bosses asks girls if there is something in their communities they would like to change then encourages her to make a sustainable plan to solve it, and make it happen. 

To join a troop visit gsep.org and look for a troop near you, she notes there are troops in schools and rec centers, as well as faith or culture based, in English and other languages.  Volunteers drive the troops and she invites us to look into becoming a leader or program volunteer. 

Kim spoke about the annual cookie drive, recognized by Philadelphia 250 as one of their ‘52 Firsts’ as the program started in Philadelphia.   Girl Scout Cookies help girls “Unbox the Future.” Girl Scout cookie sales offer girls a building block for confidence, entrepreneurship skills, and friendships. Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable experiences for Girl Scouts such as service projects, troop travel and summer camp. 

She discussed those camps - Girl Scouts of Eastern PA offers camps throughout the Philadelphia region, including day and resident camp opportunities for girls with programming for the arts, science, travel, nature and outdoor activities.  While you do not have to be a Scout to enroll, registration includes membership. Camp information can be found at gsep.org.

To find COOKIES go to gsep.org - sales run now through March 22.

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Corinne O’Connell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, discussed their ‘audacious goal’ - a city where everyone has a decent place to live. We talked about the problems that continue to affect Philadelphia, an aging housing stock, an aging population and a high poverty rate and high percentage of tangled titles. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia looks to put families into homes that are safe and affordable with ongoing support to keep families in their homes.

She described the process, future homeowners put 125 hours of sweat equity into their home, working on construction projects and working on building their financial literacy and homeowner preparation, learning and saving for repairs and maintenance. When they are done they buy their home with a zero percent 30-year mortgage, matched to their income.

We talked about the advantages of homeownership, from financial stability to health and the benefits to the community. Habitat also offers repair services to the homes surrounding the rehabbed property, bringing up everyone’s value.

Finally, we discussed their ReStores. New and slightly used furniture, décor and building materials from sinks and stoves, to doors, windows and paint are donated to the ReStore who sells it a fraction of the cost of new. Run by volunteers, the funds help support Habitat projects and keep the materials and furniture from the landfill. 

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia runs on volunteers, office help, construction and financial advisors, and, if you can’t offer time, you can donate or shop a ReStore.

For more information go to HabitatPhiladelphia.org or, to find a Habitat for Humanity near you, habitat.org

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From the American Lung Association, Greater Philadelphia Region, Felice Kelem, Development Director, and Kate Viega, Sr. Manager, Development, discussed their work in promoting lung health and fighting lung disease. Felice shared its origins 120 years ago in the fight against tuberculosis, then grew to address all lung diseases. Kate shared the research mission and their increased efforts as the government pulls back funding.

We discussed lung cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths for women – smokers or not - and we talked about the role both radon, air quality and tobacco plays in all lung disease. We then looked at the new State of Tobacco and the low scores for PA and NJ; DE fares better and tops in some areas such as funding and access to cessation classes, and smoke-free air. 

We talked about kids and anti-tobacco programs in the schools and the work in advocacy the Lung Association does. 

Finally, a look at their website where you can find information about their virtual and in-person cessation programs, volunteer opportunities including the Fight for Air stair climb in April, their annual walk and their annual visit to Capitol Hill, student programming, as well as information about radon and other lung disease. Kate also reminds us that they have a hot line, 1-800-LUNG USA that can talk to you about your lung health and answer questions about lung disease. 

Find more information about the American Lung Association at LUNG.org.

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Matthew Skic, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution discussed their current exhibition, The Declaration’s Journey. On view now through January, 2027, it brings more than 120 artifacts from 50 private and institutional lenders together for visitors to experience and understand the Declaration’s ongoing relevance and impact on the world.

He discussed the importance of the document and its global impact on nations and movements, from France and Chile to the emancipation and women’s rights. He described the objects, documents, and works of art, as well as audio, video, and tactile elements, and how national and international leaders like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Vicente Guerrero, the Marquis de Lafayette, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, and Harvey Milk used the Declaration as a model to change the world.

We discussed the museum’s permanent collections and future galleries. He spoke about their website which features educational materials, close looks at exhibits and programming for adults and children. 

Tickets are good for two consecutive days and memberships are available, find more information at AmRevMuseum.org

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Iola Harper, the Executive Director of the Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) discussed their mission to promote social and economic self-sufficiency primarily for economically disadvantaged women and their families in the greater five-county Philadelphia metro. She spoke of their programs WORC provides training, individual business assistance, incentive savings program, job placement, and access to business and financial resources. She described how they make individuals and businesses ‘bank ready’ through the repayment of micro-loans, their matching programs to encourage saving and financial planning, and their online and community-based training programs to teach business skills. 

We discussed the Women’s Committee for the 250 core projects, the refurbishing of Belmont Mansion and the Women’s Business Pitch Competition, hosted by WORC. Applications are now available for any woman-owned small business located in Philadelphia. Applicants can receive valuable mentoring and networking opportunities, as well as cash prizes up to $25,000.

To learn more or to enter the Business Pitch Competition go to WORC-PA.com

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William R. Valerio, Ph.D., The Patricia Van Burgh Allison Director and CEO at Woodmere discussed its buildings and galleries, its world-class collection of American art and its vast holdings of Philadelphia works. After telling us its history and founding by Charles Knox Smith, he described the improvements of the past few years; the purchase and renovation of their new Frances M. McGuire building and the plantings and art on its ten acres in Chestnut Hill.

We discussed Philadelphia artists, including sculptor Harriet Frishmuth and muralist Violet Oakley and the Woodmere’s holdings of their work, and he described their upcoming semiquincentennial exhibition, The Arc of Progress, inspired by Germantown born artist Jerry Pinkney, featuring different artists views of what shapes this nation.

Visit woodmereartmuseum.org to learn more about art programming for children and adults, music and dance performances and lectures and tours.

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Vince Stango, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center and Amy Needle, CEO & President of Historic Philadelphia, discussed the 52 Weeks of Firsts, a year-long celebration of Philadelphia for the country’s 3250 birthday. Beginning in January with a celebration of the nation’s first hot-air balloon launch, through the last week of 2026, the National Constitution Center, Historic Philadelphia, VisitPhilly and more than 20 organizations and institutions are welcoming locals and tourists to learn more about the city. Each ‘First’ will be commemorated with Saturday festival and marked by a large number 1, created by the city’s Mural Arts Project. Each will be interactive with information about that ‘first.’ The campaign is city wide, in neighborhoods across the area.

For more information and a site map visit 52 Weeks of Firsts 

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