Community Transit unveils new eco-friendly vehicle
EDDYSTONE >> Local residents won’t see Community Transit’s newest vehicle at the gas pump or in for an oil change anytime soon. That’s because the new car is not equipped with a gas tank, engine, spark plugs, muffler or tailpipe. The vehicle is a zero-emission 2013 Tesla Model S that runs purely on batteries and is recharged by simply plugging into a standard 110V outlet. Community Transit is running a pilot program to see what efficiencies can be gained through running an electric vehicle in their daily passenger service.
Community Transit’s Fleet Manager Tom White says that, “Community Transit vehicles travel thousands of miles on the road per year and we are always be looking at ways in which our non- profit organization can save money. This vehicle should pay for itself within two years, and an added benefit is that we are able to lessen our impact on the environment.”
The cost to recharge an electric vehicle depends on the cost of electricity, the car’s fuel efficiency and the number of miles driven in a month. Current estimates show that Community Transit will pay $750 a year to power this vehicle vs. an approximate $60 a day in gasoline. Community Transit is the first shared ride transportation coordinator in the region to begin utilizing electric vehicles. According to a Community Transit press release, passengers who have ridden in the Tesla so far have commented on the ride’s quietness, because there is no engine noise and the zeroemissions ride is contributing to cleaner air.
Wendy Petkus-Mazeika, Director of Business Development, said that Community Transit is hoping to expand its fleet of eco-friendly vehicles and is searching for businesses with which to partner to help offset the cost. To find out more, email wpetkus@ctdelco.org/. Community Transit of Delaware County is a non-profit 501 (c) charitable organization whose mission is to increase the mobility and independence of the senior, disabled and other qualified residents of Delaware County. Learn more about them at www.ctdelco.org.
Friends of the Grange offer ice cream, balloons and magic
The Friends of the Grange will host the annual “Magic Show and Ice Cream Treat,” 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, at the St. James United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 135 Myrtle Ave., Havertown. The unique ‘Balloon Artistry and Magic of George Gallo’ will entertain young and old alike.
This event fills up quickly. Admission is $6 and seating is limited. Call the Grange office at 610-446-4958 or email grangeest@verizon.net for information or tickets. Proceeds will benefit the preservation of the Historic Grange Estate.
Delco students among young citizens honored at National Liberty Museum
The National Liberty Museum (NLM) celebrates its 19th annual TD Bank Young Heroes Awards on Thursday, August 15. The ceremony will honor 13 inspiring finalists, ages 18 and younger, who identified an area where liberty was lacking and took action to make positive change in their local schools or communities. This year’s TD Bank Young Heroes were chosen from among a pool of national nominations, submitted by friends, teachers and community members who recognized the incredible contributions of these outstanding young citizens. The award recognizes young people who have championed liberty through civic engagement, conflict resolution, diversity promotion, and school or community leadership.
To mark the occasion, TD Bank Representatives, National Liberty Museum leadership, friends and family will gather for a special event where each Young Hero will be recognized and their stories will be shared.
The Award Ceremony will begin at 11 a.m, emceed by NBC10’s Vai Sikahema. Each Young Hero will be presented with a special medal and certificate to commemorate the occasion. Additionally, a plaque featuring the winners’ stories will be displayed for a year in the Museum’s Young Heroes Exhibit. During the ceremony, one winner will be surprised with the honor of being named the President’s Honor Winner and will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Following the ceremony, there will be a special lunch and the chance to tour the NLM, learning about the many heroes of liberty showcased throughout the Museum.
TD Bank Young Heroes Award Recipients from Delaware County include Mrs. Susan Knight’s fourth grade class at Wallingford Elementary School in Nether Providence Township. These students, ages 9 and 10, channeled their concern about the environmentally wasteful use of plastic straws to petition local business to make straws available by request only and took political action by lobbying Governor Wolf in Harrisburg to declare June 1 “Skip the Straw” Day.
Rachel McCullough, Age 18, a student at the PA Leadership Charter School in Aston, was also chosen for the Young Hero Award. Rachel created the Traveling Women’s History Museum after realizing that women’s history is rarely found in the high school curriculum. After collecting and displaying original and reproduced items from women’s history, she has given speeches locally, displayed her items at the Aston Township Historical Society, and taken the museum to various schools and Girl Scout groups.
Located in the heart of historic Philadelphia, the National Liberty Museum brings liberty to life through stories of people whose character and courage have expanded liberty for all. The Museum’s exhibits, educational experiences and public programs inspire visitors to think about liberty as an ongoing human quest that we all share. To find out more, visit www.libertymuseum.org/.
Tickets on sale now for Media Fellowship House anniversary celebration
Media Fellowship House will celebrate its 75th Anniversary 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 at the Springfield Country Club. Special guest and keynote speaker will be CBS 60 Minutes reporter Bill Whitaker.
Whitaker, has been a CBS correspondent since 1989, and has interviewed scores of celebrities including Barbra Streisand, Michelle Obama, George W. Bush, Gladys Knight, Norman Lear and Mike Tyson. Since joining the 60 Minutes news team, he has journeyed two miles under earth for a story of a South American Gold mine and taken the lead on numerous breaking news stories. Bill was raised by his parents William and Marie Whitaker in Media and graduated from Penncrest High School. Marie was the co-founder of the Media Fellowship House.
Cost is $125 which includes dinner, a cash bar and live auction. People should RSVP by Aug. 26 to Media Fellowship House, 302 S. Jackson St., Media. Pa. 19063. For more information, call 610-565-0434.
VFW #928 receives fresh paint grant
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 928 in Folsom was recently awarded a grant through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s 2019 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania program. The program provides community groups with paint and painting supplies to transform community structures. In September, VFW Post 928 will be able to renew its building using up to 20 gallons of exterior paint and a gift card for painting supplies.
More information about the Fresh Paint Days program is available at www. keeppabeautiful.org/ keep-it/fresh-paint-days/. Eight organizations were awarded grants through the 2019 program.