Happy Easter. I think it’s safe to say one of the best celebrations in Philly is South Street’s Easter Promenade, an annual rite of spring which attracts thousands of people to the hippest street in the City. The event started in 1931 and was held at Rittenhouse Square before moving to the Gallery and eventually to South Street. This year would have been the 89th annual Easter Promenade but alas Covid19 has us all looking forward to next years celebration, which will be the 89th Easter Parade. In the meantime let’s check out photos from past years.
South Street organizers hand out about 1000 rabbit ears to the attendeesMichael Harris, Executive Dir of South Street and Frannie Price, event producer of the Easter Promenade on South Street
The Dilks family with Mayor Jim Kenney
Monica Monique, MC Henri David, Patty Jackson, Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick walked in the Easter Parade and greeted the audience at Headhouse Square
This is the first Easter in years I haven’t spent it with Kory Aver, Aversa Pr, who represents South Street and has really helped make it the success it is today promoting it, pitching the press, and reminding us how great it is to experience. There’s always next year!!
Check out this story on Billy Penn for an indepth article on how Henri David saved the Easter Parade, and it’s path to South Street. Have a wonderful day…
Ever since reporters began practicing social distancing while covering the COVID19 outbreak, we the audience have been given a peek at their off screen personalities by way of their home decor.
One of the first reporters I screen shot was sports anchor Don Bell, CBS3, all the way back on March 17 when he was one of the first reporters I noticed reporting from home (L). I love his disco ball, or is that a light fixture, near his kitchen. Then a few weeks later I captured him again and he’s changed location. He has a green thumb, great taste in art and is a talented photographer. Check out his Instagram for some of his work.
NBC10’s Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz‘s backdrop consists of lots of family photos including his wife Christie, they met on Match.com (so all my friends who say they never meet anyone on there, just hang on), a hat from Weather.com and of course a satellite photo of a hurricane. (He worked at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, from 1974 to 1977)
After Social Distancing on the anchor desk for a week, popular, perky Fox29’s Good Day anchor Alex Holley headed home last week to co-host the show from living room. The first day of broadcasting featured a photo of her entertaining co-anchor Mike Jerrick on the bookshelf behind her, but the following week he was gone and a cross stitch photo appeared “I Love My Job” next to a photo of her family which I took a few years ago at Easter Brunch. I’ll be sad this year we won’t be having brunch together as we’ve done for the past 3 years. (Happy Easter Glenn and Sharyn Holley)
Wednesday morning Alex still loves her job as the sign stays, but she replaced the Texas white candle with a stylish gold candle, removed a few books and has basically created an Easter egg hunt on her shelf as she’s shuffled the eggs around. Favorite books “Believe It” by Nick Foles, “Leave Everything To God”, “The Power of Nice” and the “The Joy of Cooking”. Maybe Alex could do her own segment on Good Day of her favorite dishes to make during a pandemic.
Book shelves are popular back drops for folks reporting from home.
Stephen Colbert’s bookshelf includes books from political, patriotic and prayer incluinge “No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden”, “The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World”, The Bible, “Lincoln” and “America”.
Originally Kathy Orr, Fox29’s meteorologist was going to transform her spare bedroom into “my #stayhome weather center” but it looks like she chose her lovely living room.
Because Robin Roberts is in a high risk category as a myelodysplastic syndrome survivor she began anchoring Good Morning American nearly a month ago. The first day on the air the background featured a lot of family photos including her parents, sister and her partner of a decade, Amber Laign. Also on the shelf behind her was a vase, and a large amethyst. (Amethyst is a stone of spiritual protection and purification; cleansing one’s energy field of negative influences and attachments) . The following week the background was rearranged, and gone was the Amethyst, and now a red sculpture was added along with a white candle. The photos have been changed, and she added a photo of her parents Lawrence E. and Lucimarian T. Roberts.
This week the red sculpture was switched sides with the candle and the Amethyst returned, the photos were switched out but her parents remain in the same place.
Fox29’s sports anchor Kristen Rodgers also has a green thumb, how bout that orchid.
Jim Donovan, CBSPhilly morning anchor’s house looks exactly as I imagined it would be, classic, traditional style just like him.
GMA’s Whit Johnson‘s home looks like it’s right out of Architectural Digest whereas weatherman Dave Price has a fish aquarium plugged into the wall and seemingly is floating in mid-air.
Brightening up the night Jacqueline London, NBC10 anchor has a beautiful living room with decorative pillows, a print of a women walking with a dog on the Parkway with City Hall in the background and image for Pinchu dog. I love everything about this house, it’s so zen.
I love 6ABC’s Sarah Bloomquist’s silver tea set with a blue and white porcelain table lamp.
Another CBSPhilly correspondent with a green thumb Kate Bilo, meteorologist presents her daily weather forecast in front of a lush background.
Not should you tune into Fox29’s Sue Serio weather rating, and spot on forecast, but she’s documenting her days reporting from home changing up the background with items with a message. Day number 5 – first completed project since isolation began. Used @premieryarns Everyday Plaid. “Planned pooling” technique took forever to figure out. Glad I hung in there. And how about this: Coincidentally, today is #tartanday! (r) For day number six, despite recommendations for physical distancing, I have the whole world in my house. @fox29philly
Lately Steve Sosna has been doing NBC10’s weather forecast from his living room near the entrance of his home. I love the blueprint of Philadelphia on the wall behind him, but my favorite item in his house is his NBC peacock pillow (on left in 2nd photo) which is on his couch, another favorite spot in his house where he reports reports.
A few correspondents have answered the question “where do you keep your Emmy?”
Ali Gorman, R.N. and Dr. Thanuja Hamilton know a thing or two about good health and lighting.Happy birthday this week Jamie Apody. I love her family room filled with so many memories and family photos.
Winner of best background is Bob Kelly, Fox29’s Traffic Reporter, when you really don’t care about what the traffic is you can just soak in all the tchotchkes on his shelves. Love his Phillies jersey, which he wore on what was supposed to be Phillies Opening Day last week. Over his right shoulder is a replica Mummers hat wore at the Eagles Super Bowl Parade by Jason Kelce, a traffic light which lights up when he’s on the air, so many traffic signs and sports bobble heads and a Good Day Philly mug.
Honorable mention Lady Gaga. For such an extravagant performer, her set up is kinda blah. Her message on the other hand about the 4/18/20 Global Citizen And WHO Announce ‘One World,’ A Lady Gaga-Curated Concert Special was magnificence. I do like how she changed her top when she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel (l) and Jimmy Fallon (r) on Tuesday night to make the announcement of the upcoming concert.
Last week I appeared on two different shows an hour apart, and I changed my shirt too.
I have so many more photos, and will periodically check out the folks above to see if they’ve moved things around to show more of their favorite things. Maybe in a few weeks I will do another segment of Reporter’s Favorite Things and did they really read that book? Happy Passover and Happy Easter. I’ll be back with new content on Monday. Keep safe, enjoy your family and keep in contact with your friends on ZOOM. HughE
Today is three weeks since my life changed. I’ve chronicled my covid19 online via Twitter, FB and Instagram, but I just want to record it here on my blog as well for my memory. Welcome Back to PhillyChitChat online. I’ll be posting every day going forward, back in business…#PhillyStrong PS If you scroll down to the bottom, the 2nd paragraph from the top will hopefully answer most of your questions on my symptoms and timeline or you can read my story.
March 16 I woke up to a different Philadelphia. It was to be my first full day of self-isolation even though I had already started to pull back following the advice of the government. Plus I have several underlying issues which at anytime could cause my death if I don’t maintain a healthy life, over the age of 50 I was in the high risk category, and was in the throes of anxiety over being infected by the coronavirus.
The evening before I suffered two panic attacks which woke me from a deep sleep. We are all so worried about ourselves, loved ones and humanity. We are caring people.
Since my business was on pause with most of the events I was scheduled to shoot in the coming days cancelled, my calendar was open for at least a month. I was excited to take this pause as a time to organize my office, and photos, work on projects around the house and finally read the pile of business books I had bought over the years.
Instead early Monday morning I woke up to excruciating back pain, a cough, a low fever, pressure in my chest and body aches. I spent the day taking a series of hot showers which was the only way I could find any relief, and was somewhat perplexed by what was happening thinking did I throw out my back. But as the day went on my anxiety increased until I finally called my doctor’s office near 5pm, just to inquire if they knew where I could get the coronavirus test. I explained my symptoms, adding that I had just photographed 3 events the past week, and went to a funeral. Not only was experiencing painful symptoms, but my anxiety level was through the roof with the responsibility having come in contact with all these people. After a series of questions with 3 levels of people including Jefferson Hospital, my doctor told me her office was just setting up testing, and scheduled an appointment for the next day at 3pm.
A lot of people are walking around with the virus who might not have all the symptoms talked about. I had a low fever 99.5F, and a serious back pain, which at the time wasn’t listed as symptom but has since been talked about by Covid19 survivors. Wear a mask. Covid19 is an involving situation with symptoms and prevention.
We arrive at my doctor’s office. I call the office and the intake nurse comes out and greets me with a mask, but I have one on already as I had the flu from 12/20 – 1/20 and I bought some at that time as I was at my mom’s for Christmas. After questions, I was directed to the parking lot behind the building where the doctor swabbed me (It did hurt but very little as they shoved the q tip up your nose, but it’s only a quick pain like a needle) and checked my chest telling me that I didn’t have an infection in my chest yet.
At this time it was still somewhat of a mystery on how people could get this test. I was so excited to tell people because I hadn’t known myself until I reached out to a few of my reporter friends who told me to call my doctor. I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing that. I continue to stress people quarantine at home, let’s flatten the curve.
March 18, 2020 – Event planners flower bomb Rittenhouse Square. Two readers send me photos. It’s beautiful, I struggle with posting them as I don’t want encourage people to go see it. I check out social media and there’s already several posts on the floral arrangements. it’s an Instagram paradise in this bleak world and people are adults and will hopefully social distance. It’s too beautiful not to share. I feel ok today. I think maybe I was just being paranoid, maybe it was allergies even though my back still hurts and I take another 4 showers today. My fever returns, it’s not high just 99.9. I’m fatigued and sleep a lot. I arrange with the event planner to get the photos for Fox29 and Philly Voice. (Sorry I can’t remember their name right now)
March 19, 2020 – I talk to several of my entrepreneur friends asking them when will this end. How will this end. Everyone of them tells me it will end, and they will be ready to help Philly get back on it’s feet. I realize that society/publicity photos may be on hold for awhile. But I will be accepting advertisements to get the word out there when we’re back all back in business, and they’re going to be BOGO Free affordable.
Church in New Orleans I visited in January
During the day I come down with a new symptom, a head cold with a splitting headache, and a low grade fever. It’s the first day of spring. I’m running out of pandemic food. I wasn’t expecting to quarantine, just social distancing, so I never went shopping to pack the pantry as I live near Whole Foods and I have a supermarket in my building, Klein’s Market. I order dinner from Little Pete’s which is also downstairs. For $15 you get a 4 course dinner. My friends and I discover zoom and 4 way talking on cell phones. We spend hours on the phone. I tell them about taking the test and every day they ask about my symptoms.
Wondering when my test will come back. I only told 4 friends about taking the test. The doctor told me the test would be back in 2 to 3 days.
March 20, 2020 – I tweet “I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day.” Don’t we all. I tweet about the incubation period of the virus. I know today is probably the day I’m going to get my test back. I take a hot shower for my aching back. When I get out I see the doctor called. She asks how I feel, I tell her my back is still extremely painful, and now I have a cold with a fever. She tells me those are symptoms of the coronavirus and my test came back positive. Despite having symptoms all week, I am still shocked and begin to cry. My worst fear has come true, and I’m going to die a painful death. That’s the only message I’ve been hearing on the news.
I inform all the event planners of the events I had photographed going back to the Saturday night beforehand. I contact all my friends who I had been with in the past week, as well as my friend who’s mother’s funeral I attended. I had also seen my cousin at the funeral, I call him. I tell them that if they are exhibiting any symptoms they are to call their doctor and tell them they had a first person encounter who has tested positive. I contact my condo building.
I go back to sleep. I’m exhausted.
When I’m not sleeping I ponder about what to do about telling the general public. I want to make sure everyone who had come in contact with me the past week knew about me testing positive for Coronavirus in case they came down with the symptoms. It was a very emotional day, to know I could have altered someone’s life even though I had no idea I have been infected. I’m still experiencing mild symptoms and I also want people to know not everyone develops severe symptoms that would land them in the hospital. I am the first person with Covid19 people know in Philly, and in my building. There’s a flurry of questions from everyone.
Thank you to everyone for all your prayers. I did a few interviews for press after this tweet but my symptoms would soon turn from mild to wild. My building notifies the residents that someone has tested positive. I receive emails from people wondering if I ran into their mother, father, sister, etc. I actually didn’t run into too many people as I have a schedule that’s opposite of so many who go to bed early, after Jeopardy.
The Phila Health Department called to get background information, as well as inform me about Covid19. A lot of what was told to me wasn’t public, and I had never heard it before. They were only concerned with who I had come in contact 72 hrs before my symptoms occurred. That would take me back to Friday, but because one of my friends didn’t feel well they would consider Thursday night as we had gone out to dinner. I would be considered negative 72hrs after my fever broke, and 7 days after my last symptom. That was kinda an odd timeline. I give her the names of the 4 people I had come in contact for more than 10 minutes during those days. Interesting they weren’t concerned about folks I ran into at the supermarket, unless I was coughing or sneezing at the time. I wasn’t as I was asymptomatic. One of the people I had come in contact that weekend was someone I shared an elevator with who called me Saturday morning. She was very upset and said she felt she was ill from me. I was devastated.
I follow up with my 3 of the people who I came in contact that week, as well as my cousin at the funeral. Two still feel ill, and the women in the elevator tells me she has no symptoms, it was probably anxiety. I am so relieved.
The interviews I did Friday night were now obsolete as I got very sick Friday night. Between Friday to Monday afternoon I suffered an incredible back ache, I was nauseous, had body aches and body twitches which woke me up, a terrible headache, a high fever and was short of breath. I packed a bag for the hospital and charged phone batteries. I pray constantly.
Monday I’m scheduled to chitchat with the two stations where I contribute, CBSPhilly and Fox29, but I cancelled in the middle of the night as I thought I was going to die, seriously. The room was spinning and my temperature had climbed to 102F. I know when Chris Cuomo would mentioned later he was hallucinating, he was telling the truth. I wake up with a rash all over my upper body, I’m fighting a g’damn virus.
Another symptom of Covid19 is fear. Fear of a relapse, fear of death, fear of what if’s, fear for humanity, fear of economy, fear of my future. At this time I am answering 100s of emails and messages of people who are also experiencing fear, anxiety and symptoms. Everyone I came in contact with who has taken the covid19 test tells me they’re negative. I wonder should I tell people, because I believe it is contagious, but no one I came in contact with came down with it, one of them I sleep with every night.
Update by Thursday Brett was off the ventilator, but still had a long way to go.
A few families and friends of victims contact me. A plasma company contacts me. In a few days I learn I am not eligible as I am gay and the FDA has rules against gay/bisexual men donating blood. In the course of the week they change the restriction policy from no donations after a year of no sex, to 3 months of abstinence. It doesn’t matter that I’m in a monogamous 25 year relationship. I’m willing to do abstain, but a lot of people are going to die before the 3 months is up. Although by this point I had decided to stop doing interviews because I felt I was becoming the face of Covid19 (I tried to convince a few new friends I met who also tested positive to the virus to do media to quell the fear, they all decided it wasn’t something they wanted to do. I understand, there is a little bit of stigma attached to being so public. BUT THERE is a lot of love as well), I do a bunch of interviews on the subject.
I still have body aches, and last week I had the most excruciating pain in my hands. So bizarre.
I have survivors guilt, and I sometimes cry for those still suffering and dying, especially when I’m alone in the middle of the night.
Many people want to know what were my first symptoms. Low fever, cough, a sore throat and back pain for the first 5 days. Then day 6 through 8 is when I had more serious symptoms, high fever, chest pressure and stabbing pains in my lungs, body aches, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Days 7 through 8 loss of taste and smell, day 9 through 14, head cold, sneezing, cough, fatigue. Day 15 to to yesterday: Head cold, cough, and fatigue. Today: I feel good . If I make it all day without a cough, today will be day 1. I want to walk out my front door, throw out my trash, get my mail and see Fairmount Park which is nearby. I want to run to the Rocky Statue while humming the Rocky Theme and thank God that I’m alive!!
Thank you so much Philadelphia for all your love, support, notes, and prayers. I will remain quarantined in my house ie condo, meaning I don’t even go out the front door to throw out my trash, until 7 days after these symptoms go away. Then, even though I will be negative, and have the antibodies, I will wear a mask like everyone else. I will be immune until next season when the beast comes back again says Dr Fausi.
We’re almost through the first week social distancing. I like so many people ate a lot this week. I confess I’ve eaten all my special snacks, and am now left with frozen food and salad until I venture out again. Let’s see what some of our friends have eaten their first week of socially distancing…
Aah pizza, that’s a perfect Friday night snack, especially because it’s Lent. Which reminds me how many of us have stuck by the no sweets promise, or for Alex Holley no carbs. Let’s see what she’s eating.
Alex Holley, Fox 29’s Good Day anchor, is sticking with it. I really didn’t doubt her, she is very disciplined and devoted. This week her favorite dish was a seaweed salad.
Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick is enjoying Geoffrey Zakarian Crab Cakes from QVC. Says they’re delicious. Watch Fox29’s Good Day with the dynamic duo every morning.
Love this french fry bag that Brittney Shipp is sporting this week. Looks delicious . I should have bought fries, and ice cream and donuts and hamburgers… Thanks for hanging. See you on Monday. Believe it or not I have a bunch of parties I shot last week that I still need to place, I was just shell shocked this week. Peace out, and stay in. HughE
City Provides Update on COVID-19 for Wednesday, March 18, 2020
PHILADELPHIA
– Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley today announced 16
additional presumptive confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in
Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 34.
The City is awaiting test results on many other cases, and officials
will no longer be reporting that number because the volume of testing is
so wide and is constantly changing. Health Department staff are working
with 144 people who have been exposed to people with this infection to
monitor for symptoms.
Dr. Farley also issued a call for Medical Reserve Corps
(MRC) volunteers. The MRC is a group of more than 2,500 volunteers who
serve the City during public health emergencies and large-scale events.
Anyone interested can visit www.phila.gov/mrc to register with our Medical Reserve Corps. Clinical and non-clinical volunteers are needed.
Also today, the City published a blog detailing City services
that remain in operation following the partial shutdown of the
government. The blog also provides guidance for residents in need of
particular services amid the curtailment of operations.
The Philly311 app now has a section dedicated to COVID-19 requests.
The app also provides translation to 16 languages. For residents who
call 311, translation is available for over 100 languages through the
City’s Language Line.
The Mayor’s and Health Commissioner’s Emergency Order
that authorizes the restrictions on business activity remains in force
until at least March 27, 2020. The order specifies categories of retail,
infrastructure, industrial, healthcare, and social service businesses
that are deemed essential. It also specifies restrictions on working
from offices. The order can be viewed or downloaded here. Residents and business owners can also view a plain-language summary of the restrictions here.
Business owners or managers who have questions about the order and restrictions can email vbeoc@phila.gov.
Residents or employees who believe a business is in violation of these
restrictions are urged to contact 311. Restaurants may operate solely to
provide food through online, delivery, pickup, or walk-in ordering.
Dine-in service is strictly prohibited.
Residents with medical questions can call the Greater
Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline at 1-800-722-7112. The Helpline, free
and available 24/7, is staffed by trained health professionals and is
for anyone in the Greater Philadelphia area, including the public and
healthcare providers, to help answer questions about COVID-19.
Residents can get COVID-19 updates sent to their phones.
Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free alerts with information and
updates from the Health Department. Information is also being updated
daily on the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s webpage www.phila.gov/covid-19.
Notes to media: City officials will continue to update
the press every day at 1:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Reception Room in City
Hall. It will be live-streamed via the Department of Public Health’s
Twitter (@PHLPublicHealth) and Facebook accounts, and broadcast on PHLGovTV, Comcast channels 64 and 1164, and Verizon channels 40 and 41.
Due to the volume of press requests related to COVID-19, members of the
media are asked to hold all City-related questions for those daily
briefings. Emailed press questions should go to press@phila.gov.
Kevin Parker and Kerry Scott Philly Fashion Week was a successful smash last month at the Fashion District on East Market last month. I stopped by on Saturday to check out “Lov’n My Curves” to grabbed a few photos fro CBSPhilly, Philly Tribune and Philly Mag. So bummed my photos won’t be in the May issue because of this nightmare we are currently living. So I am going to run the photos here as well as a few others.
Vakeycha Rogers, Marquita Williams and Nicole Connell
Bjørn Liverpool and Luis Burgos
Shan Major, Venus Mullens and Malcolm Musgrove
Jordyn Brown and Meghan Burns
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tanya Glasco
Jermaine Brantley and Staci Grosz
Brittany Holiday and Alex Peay
Briana Brooks and Yvonne Brooks
Sheryl Lee Ralph debuting her new DIVA clothing line at Philly Fashion Week. It was just announced that Mrs. Vincent Hughes will be seen in a new TV series this fall. (Source)
Our family is of Irish descent, my dad was about as Irish as they come and every year as we were growing up he would throw a big party on St. Patrick’s Day. So when he died one of his requests was that we spread his ashes in the Atlantic Ocean off of the island he lived on for half the year in Florida on St. Patrick’s Day and have an Irish Wake. Every year on the anniversary of this event I retell this story, it’s a story of hope, and it really happened to us and I want to share it with you… PS I’ve published this story before, and often re-publish it on the anniversary of the spreading of my dad’s ashes. This version I removed the original photos so none of my nieces or nephews can be identified.
Today marks the 15th year anniversary since we spread my dad’s ashes in the Florida Keys as per his wishes. My father died suddenly at their house in Florida May 3, 2004.
My family on the boat after we scattered dad’s ashes
On March 17, 2005, St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrated my father’s life by spreading his ashes about 2 miles off the Florida Keys (he had died unexpectedly the year before in an accident at this house). It was a beautiful ceremony. We had a St. Patrick’s Day memorial party in the afternoon at the house as dad had requested.
In the evening (about 9PM) the family (including the under 15 set who were not at the house during the day) gathered on the patio to enjoy mom’s key lime pie and other desserts by CANDLELIGHT. My nephew Bob (name changed) was the only youngin’ to join us on the patio as the other kids ate inside watching TV. Bob is a little over 2.5 years old (he had only met my dad about a handful of times as his family lived in another state)
He had never been to my parents house in Florida, and he was never in the backyard before this night (we all rented houses on a different parts of the island and had dinner at one anothers house the previous nights, [he never saw my dad on a boat, we only have one photo of Bob and my dad together, he had only met him a handful of times as my sister lived out of state.] AS we sat around the table on the patio, and after about 20 minutes of eating and chatting Bob stands up and points into the darkness towards the water where my dad’s boat use to be docked (as it was sold after dad died) and states “POP-POP, boat.” He says this a few times. He goes on to say Pop-pop, minnow. “Pop-pop, home” “Pop-pop hello.” “No bait to fish”
A very emotional Mom then asked me to go get a photo of dad and give it to bob’s dad. His dad pointed to the photo and says to Bob, “Who is this? Bob said Pop-pop.” Bob where is pop-pop? said his dad; then Bob pointed towards where the stern (back) of the boat would be, and where my dad spent many hours tinkering (the boat was 26 feet long and has a definite stern, middle and bow section). We were all sitting to the left, at the far right in the darkened part of the patio is a hammock that dad spent lots of hours on reading and snoozing).
As time went on, things got quiet and bob sat silent, my sister Tracy said to me that it was like the movie the Sixth-Sense, I leaned over to her and said “Can Bob see dead people?”. (I don’t think Bob heard me, but his mother came over and tapped me on the head and looked at me with a disapproving look.)
Everything happened on this veranda
THEN Bob jumped up and happily states, as he was raising his arms in the air like he was going to do a cheer, “NO ONE is DEAD,” “NO ONE is DEAD,” “No Sad, No one Dead,” Don’t be scared, No one dead.” After about a minute or two he stopped and began playing patty cake with Pop-pop? Then he played hide and go seek, even stating BOO a few times. Then he walked to the far (and less lit) side of the patio, about 25 feet from where we were all sitting, to where the empty hammock was. He then started pushing the hammock with TWO HANDS gleefully squealing “WHEEEEEE WHEEEEE ISNT THIS FUN….” Finally running back to where we were sitting stunned, Bob stated one last time “NO ONE DEAD, DON’T BE SAD” “Pop-pop HOME”
Dad on the right
At this point Bob went on to play a game of stepping on someones toes, and then someone trying to step on his toes. This was a sight to see as he was clearly communicating and playing with someone (Pop-Pop?) as he was squealing in laughter and looking up. After a bit, as we were all sniffling and in a bit of shock, Bob’s frazzled dad said it was late, and time to go, at that point the usually mild manner boy just burst out crying and actually threw himself on the ground backwards (not violently though). As his dad picked him up, Bob turned 180 degrees towards the water, where the stern of the boat would have been, where my dad spent so many hours, and said bye pop-pop, bye as he blew Pop-pop a kiss good-bye
We all know how blessed we are to have had this amazing experience. And for months following this incident, Bob would occasionally see Pop-pop and announce it to his mom and once had his mom call Nana to tell her, but sightings haven’t occurred in about 2 years, and once in awhile when I see Bob I ask him if he has seen Pop-pop, nowadays he has no idea what I am talking about, and that is just fine with his mother, as she doesn’t want Bob remembering seeing Pop-pop after he had died, so please don’t tell him!
My Mike wasn’t on this trip with me, and being Jewish/Agnostic he was skeptical of my story, and of course reminds me I got an A in Drama. He asked each of my sisters separately about the incident and the stories matched. He’s still Jewish/Agnostic, but knows that we saw Bob interatc with dad that day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! God Bless You!! I Believe!!
Joan Shepp, iconic fashion maven of Philadelphia, who’s landmark store was on Walnut Street for years and is now on Chestnut Street, is more than a business women. She’s a concerned community member, a friend to many and philanthropic. Last month she held the 20th Women of Substance & Style party to honor notable women in the black/brown community. Not only was it a huge success, but the women brought the fashion. Let’s check it out.
In Honor of Black History Month – 20 Years of Recognition in 2020! – Women of Substance & Style Created in the year 2000 by Tuesday Gordon and Joan Shepp, the “Women of Substance and Style” event has honored over 400 African-American women throughout the Philadelphia region who have contributed to the growth and betterment of their communities over the last 20 years.
A portion of the day’s sales will be donated to “Stoney’s Kids”, a fund created by Tuesday Gordon to support the children of her late dear friend, Erwena Rebecca Stone.
Mikecia Witherspoon, Patty Bean and Kecia Hilliard
Lancz Perry and Toni Lomax
Monica Miraglilo and Steph Humphrey
Photos from this event were placed in CBSPhilly, and will be in Philly Mag April issue.
From Kory Aversa Good morning, On behalf of our clients below, the following events have been cancelled, changed or postponed due to following local, state and federal recommendations in relationship to COVID-19. Coronavirus # CoronavirusPHL Please stay tuned for additional updates.
St. Patrick’s Block Party Saturday, March 14, 2020 By Stove and Tap At Stove and Tap Lansdale, 329 W. Main Street, Lansdale 19446 Status: The block party is cancelled. At this time, food and drink specials will be available at this time inside. There will be no block party, music, hot dog contest, etc.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Women on East Passyunk Panel By East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District Status: Postponed until summer or fall – cancelled for Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 QOTA LGBT Happy Hour – Anniversary Event By East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District Status: Postponed to the fall, cancelled for March 24
Saturday, April 4, 2020 East Passyunk Easter Egg HuntBy East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District Status: Stay tuned as the structure of this event may change. TBD. Sunday, April 12, 2020
Philadelphia’s 89th Annual Easter Promenade By South Street Headhouse District Status: Cancelled
Sunday, April 26, 2020 Flavors on the Avenue Street Festival By East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District Status: Cancelled
Saturday, May 2, 20208th Annual South Street Spring Festival By South Street Headhouse DistrictStatus: Cancelled
Saturday, May 2, 2020 8th Annual Maifest By Brauhaus Schmitz Status: Cancelled
Saturday, May 9, 202011th Annual IPA, Champagne and Rose Block Party By Hawthornes Beer Cafe and Wine Dive Status: Postponed tentatively to summer 2020
For events after May 9th, please stay tuned. For any questions, please let me know. Best, Kory Aversa 215-840-9216 – Aversa PR
As an event photographer a lot of my events are being cancelled during this crisis. I will keep an ongoing list here. It’s not in any reasonable order except when I heard it was cancelled. Follow me on Twitter #CancelledinPhilly to see the updated list for cancellations.
“In light of the
ongoing coronavirus situation and out of an abundance of caution, the
Wells Fargo Center’s facilities are undergoing an extensive cleaning and
sanitization on Thursday, March 12. To facilitate
this, non-essential Wells Fargo Center employees are working from home
today.
Today’s Wells Fargo Center events will be rescheduled. Tickets will be honored for a later date or will be refunded at the point of purchase.
The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia: In consultation with our sponsor Subaru and in keeping with the CDC’s and the City of Philadelphia’s guidelines for public gatherings, we have decided to cancel the 2020 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival as a measure of caution for our supporters. We are sorry to disappoint so many attendees, performers, and vendors, but we take our responsibility for protecting our public very seriously. We hope you will experience next year’s festival with us, which we plan on making bigger and better than ever.
Get Your Rear in Gear® Philadelphia has rescheduledits 5K run/walk and kids fun run from Sunday, March 22, 2020, to Sunday, July 19, 2020. The 12th annual event will still be held at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, beginning at 7 a.m. This colon cancer awareness event, usually held during March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, is the largest of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia region, typically attracting more than 4,000 on site participants. Many registered attendees have been affected by colon cancer. Get Your Rear in Gear Philadelphia organizer Maria Grasso said the safety and well-being of the attendees, especially during the current concerns around the coronavirus and major events, were the primary factors in the decision.
NEW DATE: Sunday, July 19, 2020 7:30am registration opens 8:45am Kids Fun Run 9:15am 5K Run/Walk Memorial Hall, Fairmont Park 4-mile run, 2-mile walk, & Kid’s Fun Run! Register
