Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: From Thankless to Thank You

Marple Newtown School Board member John McDevitt reflects on his time serving on the school board during the high school and community center renovations projects.

When I first thought about running for the school board, the one word always mentioned to me in return was "thankless"–that being a member of the school board was a thankless job. After two plus years on the board understanding and living the commitment, I have come to find the experience very rewarding. I have met a whole lot of people from political leaders, board members, teachers and administrators, committed to the future of this community: it’s youth. When difficult times swept this country in late 2008, the district was committed to the high school renovation and addition project which meant this debt service had to be absorbed into the budget at the worst possible time in generations. Yet, virtually no one ever complained to me in …

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See How Marple Newtown is Praising Moms

Read the praise these moms are getting on Patch.

Patch is giving each of you the opportunity to tell the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas why your mother is so special and what makes her so wonderful. We’re so excited about getting these great stories that we’re offering $500 to one lucky person. If you haven't told us about your mom yet head on over to our contest here and tell us. Please be sure to include your hometown in your post. So far, many of you are participating and here is one of Marple Newtown Patch's Mom's praise. I know there are more of you out there.  Julie McCormick, of Broomall, tells us: How do you sum up a woman who means the world to you? How do you put in words the gratitude you have towards her? How do you explain to people the love she gives you? You …

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Mom's Corner

The Decision to Expand The Family–With a Pet

For some insane reason I decided to toss our lives up in the air because of a cute kitten, and now we are a very happy, lively, destructible, party of five.

There comes a time in every parent's life when you realize your kids are no longer destroying everything they touch and you can have nice things again. When Teddy stopped spitting up, I had the carpet removed and hardwood floors put down. When the boys finally understood that they weren't to eat on my grandmother's antique chairs, I had them reupholstered. I replaced the couches, I even went with a leather couch in the playroom earlier this year. I finally had two kids who wouldn't destroy the house. It only took eight years. Then two weeks ago, my Facebook 'friends' over at the Delaware County SPCA posted a picture of two adorable orange and white tabby kittens up for adoption. The minute I saw the picture, my heart melted. I'll never …

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Did You See the Super Moon?

Upload your photos. Let us know what you saw.

Astronomers were predicting that Saturday’s Super Moon would be even more super than usual. The clouds made it hard to see it from the Philadelphia area. Were you able to see it? Patch wants to know what you saw. Upload your photos and/or tell us in the comments area. Don’t forget to let us know where in the Philadelphia you were when you saw the moon. This Super Moon (a phrase coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979) appears especially large because the moment of perigee—when the moon is closest to the Earth in its monthly rotation—will coincide with the appearance of a perfectly full moon, Smithsonian points out. During last year’s Super Moon on March 19, 2011, for comparison, the perigee and full moon were 50 minutes apart.

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POLL: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball?

A New York Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly-priced equipment for…

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Patch’s Greatest Sports Fan Announced

Congratulations to Ryan Tygh.

Patch’s users have spoken and chosen Ryan Tygh and his Phillies fans scarecrow and cowardly lion picture as the Greatest Sports fans. "This is so AWESOME !!!   Thank you very much. I am beyond excited, and this definitely started off my Monday morning with a bang!" replied Tygh to an email Monday morning that he'd won. Jeanne Ozzimo’s picture of being held by the Philly Phanatic came in second place. Thanks to everyone who entered and everyone who voted. We have a lot of great sports fans in the Philadelphia area. Ryan Tygh will win a $240 StubHub Gift card.

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Moms Talk

How Do You Get Your Child to Help Out?

I think all parents agree, getting kids to help with chores is not an easy task. I asked local moms what they do to motivate their kids to help around the house.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council consisting of local Marple and Newtown parents, take your questions, give advice and share solutions. Question: How do I get my kids to help around the house? Do you pay your child an allowance for his/her help? Answer from Roe McKernan-O'Brien (mom of 4): My kids all make their beds, put their clean clothes away, straighten up their room, rinse their dishes and put them in the dishwasher. They also all have two nights a week to set the table, pour the drinks, etc., and also take in the empty trash cans. Their reward is that they get to stay here for free! Answer from Gina D. (mom of 2): My boys have been taking the trash out and then bringing the cans back up and have been giving them each a dollar…

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Moms Talk

What To Do When Your Child Has Low Self Esteem

It's not easy for a parent to hear their child talk down about themselves. This Patch mom reached out to local parents for some tips on raising a childs self esteem.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council consisting of local Marple and Newtown parents, take your questions, give advice and share solutions. Question:  A local mom reached out to me this week after having heard her child call themselves: "dumb, fat, stupid and slow." This is not all at one time, but instead at different times throughout the week. Homework, sports, gym class, friends–all had the kid in the dumps about themself. I reached out to local parents for advice for this mom, along with the rest of us who want our children to have good self esteem.  How do you help lift your child's self esteem? What do you do when you hear your child call themselves "stupid," "slow," "dumb," or "fat," or not good enough at a sport. What can we as …

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Marple Newtown Libraries Carry Most Challenged Books

The American Library Association has released its 2011 list of the 10 most frequently challenged library books.

The American Library Association recently released its annual list (for 2011) of the most challenged books of the year. See which books are available locally at Marple and Newtown libraries. 1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle Reasons: Offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group 2. The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa Reasons: Nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group 3. The Hunger Games trilogy by Kathleen Collins Reasons: Anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence 4. My Mom's Having a Baby! A Kid's Month-to-Month Guide to Pregnancy by Dori Hillestad Butler Reasons: Nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group 5. …

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Where in Marple Newtown

Where in Marple Newtown: Guess the Building

Can you guess where this photo was taken? The answer has been revealed.

Where in Marple and Newtown townships can you see these type of doors? Can you guess the building? Give your best guess as to where this photo was taken in the comments. Answer: Temple Sholom off of Church Lane in Broomall. Shabbat worship services are held every Friday evening and most Saturday mornings. Services are led by Rabbi Peter Rigler and Cantor Patrice Kaplan, accompanied by organist Cindy Harrington. The Shabbat Evening Service is held at 8 p.m. on the first, third and fourth Friday evenings of the month. Have a good photo to suggest for this column? Email marplenewtown@patch.com.

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Jennifer Kim

10:50 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Ding, ding, ding! You all were on the right track. The answer is Temple Sholom.   more ›