Philly Chit Chat

Hello ChitChatters….My sling is off, and I now have use of my hand again. I hope to post more here. Sometimes I will be posting old content. I send party columns to Philly Mag, Philly Style and Main Line Today magazines. I usually send them two or three choices over the allotted choices, which may or may not be picked up by them.

This is one of the events that was not picked up, this was for ML Today as you will note their hometowns are listed, as is the requirement for that outlet. It’s rare I would run another photographer’s photos in my column (Mark Tassoni Photography) , but because of my hand I got permission, and in the end they didn’t run my column for April, zoink. This happens on occasion.

Celebrating 20 Years of Fred’s Footsteps: A Night of Legacy, Impact, and Vision for the Future

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Fred’s Footsteps celebrated two decades of life-changing impact at an intimate gathering of its Board and Committees. Held at the historic Pump House in Bala Cynwyd, PA, the evening brought the organization together to honor the man who inspired it
all: G. Fred DiBona, Jr.

Fred’s Footsteps was created in 2005 in memory of Fred DiBona, Jr., former President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross and a well-respected community and business leader for more than three decades.

It’s a nonprofit organization serving families in the Greater Philadelphia region who are caring for a critically ill, injured, or disabled child. By providing financial assistance for non-medical expenses, Fred’s Footsteps ensures families can stay focused on what matters most—the health and well-being of their children.

At Fred’s Footsteps, they step in when a family’s income is disrupted by a child’s medical condition, providing critical financial relief to help them navigate uncertain times.

Working hand-in-hand with each family’s social worker, they focus on their most urgent non-medical needs, offering substantial financial support over the course of a year.

“For over two decades, Fred’s Footsteps has invested more than $10 million in financial support to upwards of 2,000 families, filling the gaps that no other resource can. Today, the organization serves around 140 families annually, and we’re poised to support even more as demand continues to rise.” Fred’s Footsteps

March for Art, InLiquid’s re-imagined annual Benefit & Silent Auction! For 15 days, over 300 works of fine art are curated in one room where InLiquid has hosted a variety of events to connect the area’s artists and arts professionals with the general public.

I attended the first event on March 9 and took photos of the preview party. The art work, and gift store were chock full of beautiful works. Definitely worth a trip to 1400 N American Street, Philadelphia PA to buy one of a kind work. There are also two events you should consider attending.

Tonight: March 20th, InLiquid is hosting the March for Art: EAT event, a gastronomic experience held in our auction gallery!

‍They’ll be joined by acclaimed Philadelphia chefs Chef Ange Branca and Chef Guillermo Veloso to enjoy their culinary expertise alongside our collection of visual art. (INFO)

The two-week celebration featured contemporary works of art from over 200 local artists across all media, gifts from local businesses, and unique events.

This year, InLiquid also presented an experiential video installation and a pop-up cash-and-carry jewelry boutique in their gallery.

Now is the time to update your accessorizes

Did you know, InLiquid splits the proceeds from each sale with the artists so that proceeds directly benefit the community and InLiquid’s non-profit mission.

Finally The Big Close Out Event is Saturday: Get ready to ignite the night at March for Art: BASH! They’re throwing down a final bidding bash packed with electrifying energy. With mouthwatering eats, killer cocktails, and a pulse-pounding DJ set that’ll keep you moving all night long. Celebrate the grand finale of the auction with a bang!

Saturday, March 22, 6-10pm tickets available

More photos at CBSPhilly and the May issue of Philly Style Magazine.

Back at it, as I now have the use of my right hand. Today’s ChitChat is all about the Eagles, players, trophy and sightings

West Philly native, and Abbott Elementary Quinta Brunson and crew were in Philadelphia filming recently, Thursday, Feb. 27, through Saturday, March 1. The cast stayed at the Logan Hotel, grabbing dinner at Urban Farmer’s in between shooting days at The Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park. The West Philly native Brunson told Entertainment Tonight they were incorporating the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win in an episode they were filming, which also included 3000 Philly kids as extras. (Currently season 4 is airing on 6ABC.) The series is set in Philly, but this is only the second time it has actually filmed here. You might recall I broke the story of their filming at the Franklin Institute, during the pandemic in February 2023.

In 2024 Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made a cameo in the episode “Career Day Part 2” and Philadelphia-born actor Bradley Cooper had a guest spot in another, “Willard R. Abbott.”

Update: According to Philly Voice on April 8th, the current season of “Abbott Elementary” will end with a visit the Please Touch Museum.

Per ABC’s logline, the Season 4 finale will find the teachers and students “on a schoolwide field trip to the Please Touch Museum, which has some of the older kids skeptical.” The episode, set to air April 16, is titled “Please Touch Museum.”

Who doesn’t love South Street Sam. Incredible talent, skill and people person capturing portraits on South Street including the who’s who like Quinta, at the friends, family and crew party which took place last week at Bridget Foy’s on South Street.

Eagles Superbowl Champ Jordan Mailata was spotted at the Philadelphia airport by several fans as he headed to a friends wedding in Miami. He was very approachable, posed for photos and signed lots of autographs one person told me.

Lisa Wilson, owner of Jamaican Jerk Hut at The Concourse at Comcast Center, served coach of the Golden State Warriors and former 76ers player Jerry Stackhouse for lunch “with some of his players.” on February 28.

Former Eagles player Chris Long stopped by Geno’s over the weekend for a bite. No word on whether he paid cash or credit card. For the first time in ever, the iconic cheese steak place is now accepting plastic!! (All the photos up to this point were screen shots, the next photo I took.)

Shortly after the last player left the Art Museum steps, this Eagles flag popped up on the St Joan of Arc statue at 25th and Kelly. I imagined it was placed in the dark of night, but I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t there in time for the parade. Anonymous wrote me after I posted this photo on my IG. They told me they tried to place it a few times before the parade, but the police stopped them. So they put it up the following week. They don’t sell them, they are just enthusiastic fans and wanted to share the joy. Unfortunately they did damage the finishing on the statue, which had just been refurbished a few years ago. So please don’t climb the art work, no matter how enthusiastic you might be.

Socially Yours, HughE

What a great marketing collaboration between Nike and Jalen Hurts. Rumor has it the Hurts sign attached to the LOVE statue AT LOVE PARK was not approved. They put it up in the early morning Of the Super Bowl parade and took it down around 5. It’s probably why you don’t see it on any official city social media. Hurts signed with Nike’s Jordan Brand in 2023. Priced at $75 USD, the Jalen Hurts x Jordan “Love, Hurts” Hoodie will be available soon via Nike.com.

Last night, February 25, 2025, The Philadelphia Citizen held their second annual Citizen of the Year Awards, presented by FS Investments and Michael Forman and Jennifer Rice. One of the awardees was Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback. (I’ll write more about this event tomorrow)

I put a story on Instagram announcing his arrival and my friend Alex Holly wrote me and said it looks like he has a wedding band on. And I said I think you’re right i’ll try and get a better picture when he gets his award very unfortunate and hustle up to the front quick enough so I shot it when he was leaving. Enough is a wedding band on. so it looks like our king has another ring to add to his collection and this one is even more love than the Super Bowl one. Congratulations to him and Bry!!

Hall of Famers Mike Versace, Lamish Maybach, and Ziggy Mona Lisa—along with the support of the City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Bebashi—present the 10^th annual Philadelphia Kiki Awards Ball. Themed “Frozen in Time: Putting the Stigma on Ice,” the Ball promises to be an energetic evening celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community through performance, fashion, and creativity. This free event is inspired by the traditional Ballroom community but offers greater accessibility and a less competitive format to encourage youth and young adults to engage in the experiences of friendly competition and community. The Department of Public Health’s involvement with and presence at the Kiki Awards Ball aligns with its ongoing Philly Keep On Loving initiative, working to connect greater-risk populations with information and resources supporting sexual health and wellness.

                               Socially yours, HughE

Happy February. I feel like I’m always saying sorry About not postingconsistently. Hope going forward I can get at least two posts a week. Since I fell my arm is still in the sling for another two weeks or so. So I’m trying to learn but not really to type with one hand my left hand, non dominant hand. Now I’m auto texting which is why there’s probably gonna be errors. I know this is a very temporary situation and I’m excited to get my sling off. Looking forward to physical therapy I hear it’s painful but im up for it. I have learned a lot in these last two months especially patience and gratitude.

Philadelphia art museum contacted me this week and said that the rocky statue and the Eagles banner will remain up through the weekend. The rocky statue at the top of the art museum steps is personally owned by Sylvester Stallone. She meant it to Philadelphia for the month of December for rocky month. Thanks to Mike for connecting my microphone to do the typing.

OK This is the best thing I’ve seen this week. Did they get that flag out there they must have stood on the $10 million statue joni on the pony.

NOW OPEN :

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! ☕️ ✨ Exited to announce that the doors of Aroma Bakery & Coffee will be open to the public tomorrow! Come join us for great coffee, delicious desserts, good vibes, and a cozy place to connect! Can’t wait to see you all! 💖

In March I’ll be celebrating two years of photographing independence Blue Cross events. I’m so grateful let’s have them as a client and I see all the wonderful incredible things they do in sponsor we’re lucky to have their headquarters here in Philadelphia. Last week I photographed the leaders from IBX, Pico, and Jefferson Hospital AT THE 2025 The Philadelphia Tribune’s Black History Celebration Luncheon

Earlier this month, PAFIA Chair David Haddad met with Nicole Shiner and Erin Wagner of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office at The Happy Rooster. Nicole, and Erin, the new co-executive directors of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, met with David to discuss the Pennsylvania film industry and explore collaborative efforts to advocate for an increase in the film tax credit. Congratulations to Nicole and Erin on their new roles! The Happy Rooster has been in several movies that have been filmed in Philadelphia including the popular Bradley Cooper film Limitless!!

I hope just wanted to fill you in with a few things and I hope to publish again Friday.

Socially yours HughE