Philly Chit Chat

OMGosh it’s June. Social Season is winding down, but I still have a lot to say and so many fun parties to still publish.

You might have heard by now that Philly Mag has ended my column. It was sad, not surprised, it was never the same after the pandemic, it was dormant for 3 years, and when it came back it was produced by a different department, which was already busy with regular monthly columns. It made a difference, we grew the Philly scene together. It was an honor.

Lucky for you, the parties which won’t be appearing in Philly Mag, will appear on PCC Instagram. We’ve grown quite a following there. Plus we will publish more regularly here on the blog. We receive 260ks impressions monthly.

Grateful to Philly Mag for taking a bold step a decade ago. I was a regular columnist there, but after leaving my paralegal job, I needed to increase my income and was offered a column with Philly.com. I approached my editors to see if I could also contribute to the Inquirer. It was a challenging negotiation, but they ultimately agreed—as long as I covered different events. That opportunity opened the door for me to collaborate with other outlets, and today I’m proud to have monthly columns in Philly Style Magazine, Main Line Today, CBSPhilly, Metro Philly and Philadelphia Tribune!!

Geno’s Steaks in Philly turned into a full-on Madden fantasy yesterday to celebrate Eagles RB Saquon Barkley landing the cover of Madden NFL 26. Picture this: a giant Barkley leaping over a cheesesteak on the roof (as one does), fans striking poses under a huge mock cover as the poor soul he’s hurdling, and even tiny Barkleys mid-air on the stanchions. Philly really said, ‘Let’s make cheesesteak history — with hops. The Madden cover is one of the most iconic honors in football.

“It’s something you dream about as a kid. There’s a lot of accolades you want in your football career, and Madden’s definitely one of them,” Barkley said.

The former Penn State phenom turned Birds backfield star becomes the first Eagle on the cover since Donovan McNabb in 2006. More Info

More Eagles Appearances on the horizon!

Save The Date: It’s going down! Oh Brother’s turning 7 and we’re throwing a block party to celebrate — June 5th from 5–9pm at 206 Market Street! We’re shutting down the street for a night of free food, Casamigos drinks, live music, giveaways, and all the Super Bowl vibes

Super Bowl champ Grant Calcaterra will be in the building for a meet & greet , plus IMMORTAL VISION STUDIO. is bringing the heat with a custom photo activation, and Nelly Jabbarnia is showing off an epic Eagles art display

Score exclusive Oh Brother merch, hit the photo booth, and enter to win a signed jersey Tunes by: @_djnellynellz

This one’s for the city. Rally your crew and come hungry — we’re celebrating in true Philly style!

The 45th Annual Elwyn Ball was a dazzling celebration of community, compassion, and commitment to empowering individuals with diverse abilities.

Held at the elegant Ballroom of the Bellevue Hotel (which by the way looks amazing after it’s renovation), the evening brought together supporters, advocates, and partners for an unforgettable night of dinner, dancing, and heartfelt moments.

Guests honored Elwyn’s enduring legacy of service and innovation, while raising critical funds to support its vital programs in education, behavioral health, and disability services.

This year, Elwyn are honored to recognize Bill and Judy Strine for their steadfast dedication to Elwyn’s mission of enriching the lives of individuals facing developmental and behavioral health challenges. Thanks to their extraordinary $1 million gift for Elwyn’s Judy and Bill Strine Student Transition Center to life. This new center helps young adults ages 18 to 21 build independence and develop job skills as they transition into adulthood. Their generosity is already changing lives and will continue to shape many more for generations to come.

A particularly moving moment of the evening came from Elwyn alumnus Kyle Woodland, now CEO of KWS Productions, who reflected on his inspiring path—from beginning early intervention services at Elwyn at just two years old to establishing a successful career in entertainment and advocacy. “Some people say it’s not how you start, but how you finish,” he shared. “For children with differences, how you start makes all the difference.” His powerful message highlighted the lasting impact of Elwyn’s mission and the critical role early support plays in shaping futures.

Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner and elegant atmosphere as Elwyn President & CEO Chuck McLister shared exciting details of Elwyn’s most ambitious capital campaign to date, including plans for a new school and key campus updates that will advance Elwyn’s future and expand its impact. The evening continued with live music and dancing, adding joy and celebration to a night rooted in purpose.

The evening’s mission raise sparked a wave of generosity, with guests contributing $60,317 in just minutes to support Children’s Services. These funds will directly expand resources and opportunities for the youngest individuals we serve, helping them build strong foundations from the start. In total, the event raised $664,722, pushing Elwyn’s Ball’s historic impact to nearly $17 million since its founding in 1980.

From lively tailgates, elegant hats, Derby dress and galloping thoroughbreds, the Radnor Hunt Races brought together timeless tradition, tailgate parties, and steeplechase excitement. At its heart, race day is about more than just the finish line—it’s about “Racing for Open Space.”

For 45 years, the Radnor Hunt Races has proudly supported the Brandywine Conservancy’s mission by raising funds and awareness for its open space preservation and clean water initiatives. In a time when the benefits of nature are more evident than ever, your continued support plays a vital role in protecting these precious resources. By taking part in the Races, you help safeguard open space and ensure a healthier, greener future for generations to come.

This year’s weather was ideal, after the few years of clouds, rain and downright chilly. Chilly it was not. The smarter of the men ventured out without their suit jackets. I was not that smart and was sooo hot! But look how cool this set up was.

I don’t think I got one photo of the horses running, which is nearly typical of me as I am paying attention to the guests.

A great day was had by all, but I had to leave at 3PM as I was melting… look for more photos in an upcoming Philly Style Magazine column. Until then…

Socially Yours, HughE

A notable celebration gathering women of civic engagement and mentorship took place Wednesday morning – The Committee of Seventy hosted its annual Women in Public Leadership event . Among those being recognized was Charisse Lille, Esq., who expressed excitement and gratitude for the honor.

“I am thrilled to be honored by the Committee of Seventy at this important event,” Charisse said. “I look forward to the panel of outstanding leaders who will be discussing the Power of Mentorship.”

The annual gathering shines a spotlight on women making a meaningful impact in public life and encourages conversations around leadership, equity, and the importance of guiding the next generation. This year’s theme, The Power of Mentorship, brings together a dynamic panel of trailblazers sharing their insights and experiences.

I was especially excited to attend because, back in 1990, my first job as a paralegal was for Camden’s Solicitor, Karen Taylor-Lewis, Esquire (Office of the City Attorney). At the time, Charisse Lillie was serving as Philadelphia’s City Solicitor and was a mentor to my boss Karen. Much of the wisdom and guidance Charisse shared with Karen was then passed along to me. So when I had the chance to meet Charisse nearly 20 years later, in 2009, after I started PhillyChitChat, I was able to share that full-circle moment with her.

The event featured a panel discussion on the importance of mentorship, moderated by Sue Jacobson, President and CEO of Jacobson Strategic Communications. Panelists included Donna Bullock, Esquire, President and CEO of Project Home and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Carlyn D. Crawley, MPA, Chief of Staff in the Office of Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and a Buchholz Fellow alumna; and

I was truly inspired by Trish Wellenbach’s mentorship story. I’ve photographed Trish and her husband Larry McMichael for over a decade and have seen her rise with purpose and grace. At events, she’s always approachable—offering a kind word, thoughtful advice, and genuine connection. On the panel, she shared how Rebecca Rimmel, former president of the Pew Charitable Trusts, mentored her early in her career and even wrote letters of recommendation that helped open doors, something I remember well as people had done the same for me in my paralegal career. Trish now pays that forward, mentoring others with the same generosity—always available, always leading with heart.

As a mentor myself, I can say there’s real joy and fulfillment in guiding others. Watching my mentees grow and succeed fills me with pride—it’s one of the most rewarding experiences in life. I always tell them, pay it forward. Be a mentor to others. We are all in this together!!

Socially yours, HughE