Thursday, October 15, 2009

Octrolleyfest and Darby Library Ghost Talk!

Octrolleyfest! 10/17/09

For Immediate Release Contact:

October 5, 2009 John Haigis (610) 583-0788

OcTrolleyFest 2009 to Rumble Along Rochambeau Revolutionary Route

Darby Borough: The Fifth Annual OcTrolleyFest will once again celebrate transportation heritage and community in Darby Borough on Saturday, October 17, 2009 beginning at 10 AM. Sponsored by Sharon Saving Bank, Benett’s Mens Store and Keya Graves Seafood and Steak, OcTrolleyFest 2009 will feature a fundraiser to kick off the restoration and reuse of Darby’s Old Borough Hall by offering rides on a restored vintage PCCII trolley through 364 years of area history. Beginning at Old Borough Hall on Ninth Street just up from the Darby Transportation Center at 2:00 pm, the vintage trolley will travel past the site of Hilldale Park, home of the 1925 World-Champion Hilldales of the Negro Baseball League, past Mount Moriah Cemetery, Cobbs Creek Park, and other treasures to the portal at 40th and Woodland, at which point it will return to Darby along the same route as traveled by French General Rochambeau and his troops on their way to the final battle of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown. “The 685 miles of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, also knows as W3R, has just been designated as a National Historic Trail this past March,” said Jan Haigis who will provide period music during the tour. “This is the only East Coast National Historic Trail and we are thrilled the route passed right through Darby and Delaware County Tickets for the tour, which begins at 2:00 pm, will cost $10 and are available on a first come-first served basis. “We have already sold 30 of the 50 available seats so we encourage people to reserve early by calling (610) 583-0788,” said Haigis.

Other events at Old Borough Hall, which is planned as an Underground/Aboveground Railroad Museum, will include scarecrow making at 11:00, face painting, historic displays, Pictures with Mr. Pumpkin, a flea market in the Old Borough Hall courtyard (call (267) 318-8292 to reserve a space), a Pumpkin Parade at noon, historic walking tours, music, food and fun. All events except the trolley ride are free and open to the public. For additional information or to reserve tickets, please call (610) 583-0788 or visit www.octrolleyfest.org .


Darby Library Ghost Talk! 10/24/09

Explore the Spiritual World at Darby Library's Ghost Hunting 101 Program

Do you believe in Ghosts? Do you hear banging, footsteps or voices in your home? Are you really seeing things or is that just your imagination?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, join us at Darby Library's Ghost Hunting 101 on Friday October 23rd from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Teaming up with the Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators, Darby Library will offer a workshop and live paranormal investigation for ghost enthusiasts of all ages.


Addressing a wide range of paranormal topics including the history of Ghost Hunting, EVP theory and psychic protection, the Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators will discuss the do’s-and-dont’s of paranormal investigation.


This program is open to all ages. Admission is $5.00 per person. RSVP is necessary as space is very limited.


For further details about this event and to RSVP, please contact Frank Cassidy, Investigator for Free Spirit, at 267-496-5267 or by emailing frank.freespirit@gmail.com.

Tickets sold at the Darby Library
For further information about Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators, visit www.freespiritpi.com



Tuesday, April 14, 2009

SAVE THE DARBY LIBRARY

Darby Free Library Celebrates

266 years of service

on

Saturday, April 18, 2009

with a fundraising day!



Events include:

Visits by Benjamin Franklin (played by Chris Lowell)

And the original Darby Librarian John Pearson, (played by Tom Smith)

Usborne Books Sale at the library and on the net.

www.ubah.com/BF30985





10:30 am children’s story time and crafts with Miss Sue

12 noon music and song with Past Times Present (Jan and John Haigis)

1: pm Library Celebration Cake. (.50 a piece)

1:15 pm Trolley History and Transportation, talk with walking Tour Guided by "Conductor" Scott Maits

2:00pm Rich Westcott Award winning Author of several books on the Phillies and Philadelphia sports book signing outside the library

2:30 pm “Let talk about Racism” facilitator Robert Chester Jr.

3:30 pm Library Bingo, $1.00 a game

5:30 pm. “Dinner with Ben Franklin” at

KEYA GRAVES SEAFOOD & STEAK

North 9th Street Darby, PA 19023

($30 tickets must be pre- purchased at Darby Library)

7:00 impromptu social for all Darbarians at Barnaby's Ridley Pa

After dinner enjoy Historian Keith Lockhart’s pictures and postcards

Sue Borders
Director

Darby Free Library
Sharon Hill Public Library

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Octrolleyfest 2008!

It's back!!!! Come home to Darby and celebrate our vast History during Octrolleyfest!


Friends: We are only a few days out from October 18 and the celebration of the 150th anniversary of streetcars first coming to Delaware County. I hope everyone is feeling OcTrolleyMusterFestive. We hope it is going to be a good day and I am enclosing the schedule. The t-shirts are in and the ad-books are coming soon. There will be a final meeting at noon on Wednesday, October 15 at Sharon Savings Bank

Pictures from the Art Contest http://www.octrolleyfest.org/Oct-08-ArtContest.pdf are on display at Sharon Savings Bank.

If you have never heard Charlie Gracie Http://www.octrolleyfest.org/CharlieGracieBlurb.pdf or Joe Becton http://www.octrolleyfest.org/JoeBecton.html you are in for a treat. They will be givng free concerts on the Village Green (vacant lot at 8th and Main) Also, this is the first ever Darby Fire Co.No. 1 Fireman's Muster and there will antique equipment along New Walnut Street and also trolley displays and the Shiffler at Darby No. 1 on Quarry Street. Gerry Sena will also be there with his accordian

Ken Springirth, author of Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys (published September, 2008) wil give a talk and sign books at Darby Library at 1:00

A special treat will be Carla and Allen Messinger in a talk on "Lenape Lifeways: Introducing the First People of Pennsylvania presented by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission at Darby Library at 2:00.

Dave King will show his spectacular "Back in the Day" Photo Display and we hope Tony Spano will show his historic pictures of Darby

We are planning a tour to Eden Cemetery, resting place of Streetcar Activists William Still and Octavius Catto.

The day concludes with a ceremony of dedication for a hstorical marker comemorating the oldest water powered mill in Pennsylvania built by Swedish Governor Johann Printz in 1645, more than 30 years prior to William Penn's arrival. That will take place at 4:45 (1645 railroad time) at the Blue Bell Inn on Cobbs Creek, next to t eh mill site and on the trolley route http://www.octrolleyfest.org/Oct-Route.html

PLEASE BRING A SERVICABLE COAT TO DONATE TO THE DARBY BOROUGH COAT DRIVE AND WE NEED CLEAN MILK JUGS FOR THE SCARECROW MAKING ON THE VILLAGE GREEN http://www.octrolleyfest.org/scarecrows07.html

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. As friend John Bossong so eloquently put it

SEMPER FESTIVE

If you have any questions, please give us a call
THANK YOU for your help, pateince and support

John and Jan Haigis, coordinators
(610) 583-0788



Schedule– OcTrolleyMusterFest 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008

9am - 3pm - OcTrolleyMusterFest –New Walnut Street at Powell Park
Sponsored by Darby Fire Company #1 – founded 1775
Antique equipment in action including the “Darby Ram,” Smoke House” Demonstration, fire prevention materials, flea market, DJ, and much more
(Vendors please call (267) 349-2783 )

10:30am - 2pm - Vintage Trolley Tours – on 1947 PCC reconditioned trolley:
guided tour through Darby, and parts of Yeadon, Colwyn and Southwest Philly.
Rides are free (space permitting) and no ticket is needed.

11am -12:30 pm – Legendary Rock and Roll Star Charlie Gracie in Free Concert on Village Green, 800 block of Main Street
During Charlie’s Break Time – Trolley Art Contest Winners Announced and Prizes Awarded

1:30 - 2:30pm - Joe Becton and his Guitar Explore the 19th century Roots of Jazz and Blues
on the Village Green

1-2pm - Talk and Book Signing by Ken Springirth, Author of Southeastern Pennsylvania Trolleys (published September 2008) at Darby Free Library, 10th and Main

2-3pm – 2-3pm "Lenape Lifeways: Introducing the First People of Pennsylvania Program by Carla and Allen Messinger presented by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. at Darby Library

4:45 pm – (16:45 railroad time) Dedication of PHMC Marker commemorating Old Swedes Mill, Pennsylvania ’s First Water-powered mill, built by Swedish Governor Johan Printz circa 1645
Cobbs Creek adjacent to historic Blue Bell on Cobbs Creek

5:45 pm - Celebration Dinner at Keya Graves Seafood and Steak Restaurant – 9th and Main
Music by Joe Becton - Sign up at Village Green Fair Information Table

Ongoing:

9-3 - Collection of Winter Coat donations. Sponsored by Darby Borough on the Village Green

9-3 – Village Green Fair – 800 block Main Street (Community Fair and Flea Market; Dave’s Back in the Day Photo Display; and 1922 Main Street photos from collection of Tony Spano

11 – 1 – Visit with the Ghost of the First Librarian (Tom Smith as John Pearson) at Darby Free Library, 10th and Main

11-4 – Visit with American and Swedish Colonial re-enactors – grounds of Historic Blue Bell

Other – Scarecrow-making and photos with Mr. Pumpkin on Village Green; Trolley display and videos with Bill Neal and music with Gerry Sena at Fire Co. #1; Tour by van of Eden Cemetery with historian Bob Seeley as Abolitionist Thomas Garrett to graves of trolley desegregation activists William Still and Octavius V. Catto, as well as singer Marion Anderson. Check at Village Green Fair Information Table for times and meeting places. Plus many surprises!!

Friday, July 04, 2008

Happy Fourth Of July!!!!!



Happy Independence Day, I usually don't push my patriotism but I feel these links will help educate you on some things we take for granted.


Story of the of our National Anthem, a real eye opener


I am Your Flag a nice story of our flag Play the pod cast on the upper left.

Story of our Founding Fathers
Story of Betsy Ross

and Betsy and Ben Get Married

last but not least
American Styles of Beer..

Enjoy

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Buzz Off June 7 2008!

As may of you know D&S is a member of the BUZZ homebrew club and a proud supporter of their annual Homebrew Competition the Buzz Off.
The date of the competition is June 7 and as usual we are looking for sponsors and donations.
Please read our letter below from the Buzz Off Coordinator Chris Clair
On June 7th, the Brewers Unlimited Zany Zymurgists (BUZZ) will be holding the 15th annual BUZZ Off home brew competition at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in West Chester, PA. The BUZZ Off is both a BJCP and AHA sanctioned competition and last year received 270 entries from around the country. It is also a qualifying event for the prestigious Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing (MCAB).


The BUZZ Off helps fund our club’s activities throughout the year, which promote beer and home brewing education. We are also proud to announce that a portion of our proceeds will be donated to Philabundance, a group committed to hunger relief in the Delaware Valley.
Please see their site here BUZZ is again seeking generous sponsors for prizes to be awarded to our winning entries. Sponsors will be recognized both on our website as well as with a flyer sent along with each returned score sheet. We would be grateful for any contributions that you make such as gift certificates, t-shirts, books, etc. Please let me know if you wish to donate and I will supply our address.
Chris Clair Buzz Off Coordinator

My email address is DaMole@yahoo.com
John Bossong Buzz Off Commitee
Buzz addresshttp://hbd.org/buzz/index.html
D&S Addresshttp://darbarian.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Hoppy Holidays from Darbarian and Sons!!

Hoppy Holidays! We here at the Home Brewery hope everyone will have a wonderful and magic holiday season!

Please remember that you can do all of your Christmas shopping at our family of online stores
Just click here to get to all the shops or click here to go directly to our Brewery's store here.

What's Brewing ?
Currently in the fermenters we have bubbling
Hop Hammer, our entry for the MCAB national HomeBrew competition
big on hops and malt!
Darby Imperial Pils
and
The Anvil The oaked aged Hop Hammer, cam thru at 11% and is delish!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Octrolleyfest 10/20/07

TV, Radio and Octrolleyfest!


If you have Comcast OnDemand check out last night's show -Daily News Live. (10/9)
If you fast forward to the 36st minute right after commercial break you will see a plug from Mike Barkan on OcTrolleyFest and the Autograph session we are having on 10/20 on the porch of Sovereign Bank formally 3rd base in Hilldale Park.
I am also tentatively scheduled to be on Glen Macnow's show Saturday between 2-3pm on WIP to go over what we are trying to accomplish with the 100th anniversary of Hilldale (10/19/2010) and fixing Biz Mackey's plaque in Cooperstown to have the team name corrected from Philadelphia Hilldales to Darby Hilldales.

It's almost here

OcTrolleyfest 2007!!!!


9 am October 20th 2007 is when the 3rd annual OcTrolleyfest kicks off, and boy do we have alot planned!

This year's theme is Trolleys and all that Jazz!

events-

All day

10.00-2.30pm Ride a 1947 vintage PCCII through 361 years of Pennsylvania history

Look for the Town crier on his soap box for all events, visitors are encouraged to jump the stump and vocalize themselves on the soapbox!


9:30 Ceremony at the Blue Bell on Cobbs Creek celebrating Pennsylvania 's first water powered mill (Old Swedes Mill, 1646)
10:30 Trolley starts to circulate (Free-Space Permitting)
10:30 Darby Village Green Fair (8th and Main – Rain barrel giveaway, etc)
11:00 Program on Lenni Lenape at Darby Library, 10th and Main
11:45 Talk and book signing by Ken Springirth, author of new book on Suburban Philadelphia Trolleys (Darby Library, 10th and Main)
12:00-1:00pm Autograph session-The Stars shine again at Hilldale Park. The 4 living legends of the Philadelphia Stars, Negro League Baseball team will sign autographs free on the porch of Soverign Bank 3rd base of Hilldale Park
12:00 Noon- Make Superhero-Scarecrows (Resource Center, 9th above Main)
1:00 Program at Darby Fire Company No. 1, Chester Pike, Darby
2:00 Program on Darby's Main Street, Darby Village Green, 8th and Main
Special tours every hour on the half hour to graves of streetcar activists O.V. Catto and William Still (starting from Darby Library, 10th and Main)



Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Borough now on sale!

Hello Everyone!
The Philadelphia Film Festival selected documentary 'The Borough' is now on sale for the low price of $10. ($12.50 if you order online and requireshipping)
As of Friday September 14th you will be able to order TheBorough on our website at http://www.1010films.com
'The Borough' is available for purchase at these locations:

Condon's Flower Cart225 mac dade blvdCollingdale Pa 19023

quickShutter Productions22 S. Mac Dade BlvdGlenolden Pa 19036

Top Ten Music24 S. Mac Dade BlvdGleonlden Pa 19036

This DVD includes Photos, Press shots, Articles and the Deleted Scenes.Thank you so much for all of your support and enjoy 'The Borough'!
Steve Condon , Director!
click here for a preview

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Octrolleyfest ad booklet!

As in years past we are doing an ad booklet as a fund raiser for the Octrolleyfest. You can buy a full 5x8 page- $40,
half page 5x4- $20
or just a line -$10(up to 36 characters)
Please send your ad to Octrolleyfest by the 9/15/07 deadline! It will be read by thousands! This booklet is our primary fund raiser for the events we hold every year, please be kind and help support Octrollyfest!

OcTrolleyFest 2007 Rolls Through 361 Years of Pennsylvania History on Saturday, October 20,
Get on Board
Celebrating transportation heritage and community, the third annual OcTrolleyFest rolls through 361 Years of Pennsylvania History on Saturday, October 20, 2007 with events from 9:30 am to 3:00 PM.
Started in 2005 to celebrate the area's oldest surviving trolley line (SEPTA Route 11 which began service in December 1858 as a horse car line) OcTrolleyFest features a 1947 Vintage Trolley making a loop between Darby, Yeadon, Colwyn, and Southwest Philadelphia with events along the route. Riding the trolley is free, space permitting.
The theme this year is Trolleys and All That Jazz: and we are also celebrating the Centennial of the 1907 arrival of the streetcar in Yeadon and Collingdale, and the 325th anniversary of the 1682 founding of both Pennsylvania and Darby.
Throughout the day: events include tours, a flea market, mini-train rides, historical scavenger hunt, book-signings including a new book on Subirban Philadelphia Trolleys by Ken Springirth, Community Fair, music, scarecrow making, historical reenactments, contests , balloon sculpting, pictures with Pumpkin Man, information about other interesting area treasures, and much more
Special Events
9:30 am Blue Bell on Cobbs Creek ....Commemoration of Old Swedes Mill, Pennsylvania's first water driven mill, built in 1646. historical reenactments and more...
11:00 am, Darby Library, 1001 Main, Darby, chartered in 1743 and America's oldest public library: Presentation by Dr. Marshall Becker on the Lenni Lenape the Original People in an Outreach Lecture funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Department of Archaeology and Anthropology. The presentation is free.
Noon, Program in Yeadon Plaza, home to the 1925 Negro Baseball League World-Champion Hilldales.
1:00 PM, Darby Fire Company No. 1, one of America's oldest volunteer fire companies (est. 1775) and home to the Darby Ram and the Shiffler.
2:00 pm, Darby Main Street...Time line, Trolley-Song Sing, Pumpkin and Super-Hero Scarecrow Promenade and more ......
For more information, or to participate, call (610) 583-0788 or e-mail

Friday, September 07, 2007

Michael Jackson dies






Author, Documentarian and Beer Drinker-Michael Jackson, The Beer Hunter passed away last week at his home in London.
Michael Jackson famed beer writer died last week in his home in London of a heart attack and complications of Parkinson's disease. He is considered the impetus of change in what has been called the Beer Revolution in the US and England.Michael changed the way people looked at beer, from everyday slop to gourmet. His review of a beer would make or break a brewery. He had penned numerous books on beer and breweries and most recently on single malt whiskeys.
I met Mr Jackson in the summer on 1989 in Fort Mitchell Kentucky at the now defunct Oldenberg Brewery during the AHA hombrewer conference. He was very approachable and took the time to discuss commercial beers and homebrewing with me over a glass of Oldenberg Premium Verum. All of who had met, read or saw him or his works are better for it as is the state of brewing.

Slainte Michael, Have St Pete pour you a pint tonight!