by Debra Russino The Christmas season is upon us once again. It’s a joyous and festive occasion for all to enjoy. Santa is working overtime and because our shopping methods have changed, there is a modern day version of helpers on the scene. His sleigh has transformed into a truck and his sack has been replaced with a mailbag, filled with many holiday treats. Their attire … Continue reading The Santa Express
by Mark Casasanto File this one under the “things you don’t ordinarily get to do” category. Then, you can thank me later. Back in the summer of 2017, I was doing a security site survey for a country music festival that was going to occur a little further along as the summer transitioned to fall. As I made my way around the pretty and well … Continue reading The Day Tripper: Exploring the Secret Valley by Rail
In life, if you are fortunate enough, you may come upon a person with whom things just seem to click. For me, one such person was Alphonse Nocito. Al was my wife’s uncle, the husband of Aunt Jeannie, who was the sister of my mother-in-law. I must admit that when I first heard of Uncle Al, I was a bit intrigued. While dating my wife, … Continue reading Uncle Al by Charlie Sacchetti
Valentine’s Poems By: Rachel Amelia Porter These poems are written in three different perspectives such as in love, heartbreak, and seeking vengeance. Music in Me You are the music in me Can you recall the first time You heard this phrase? Was it a movie? In a song? Did someone tell you? What about this phrase makes it so…charming? Makes you giggle like a child? … Continue reading Valentine’s Poems
-Tom Klinedinst In late 1991, I found out that I was going to be a father for the first time. As an energetic 21-year-old, I thought about all of the cool things we would do. I pictured my son and me watching football together, teaching him how to throw a ball, and someday helping him select a college. These were the things that I thought … Continue reading The Unconditional Love
-Debra Russino Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Still, I love the change from the steamy days of summer to the cool, crisp nights of fall that somehow seems to warm my heart! The beautiful colors of autumn can be seen everywhere you turn. Many local neighborhoods decorate their houses with colorful foliage. The aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin scented candles constantly burning … Continue reading The Colorful Dance of Fall
By Mark Casasanto I went golfing today… I had to. Me, myself and I. And while I am by no means a hack, I am renewing my romance with the game thanks to an untimely rupture of my right Achilles’ tendon late in the fall of 2015, no pun intended. Post injury, I made a vow to myself, to stop the pity party and get the … Continue reading Feather Me Timbers
by Lou Pinto Happy Father’s Day, beautiful downtown world! A big shout out to all you dads out there, and to the moms who have filled the “dad” role too! This is the 34th time I have celebrated Father’s Day! On March 26, 1983 when my Ashley was born, I became a father. Now…anyone can become a father, but it takes some work to be a dad! Of … Continue reading South Philly Born and Raised by My Heroes!
-Stephen Pagano For a long time, North Philadelphia has been associated with crime, drugs, and poverty; however, many people don’t know that it’s also linked to our national pastime. In fact, Philadelphia once had two baseball teams, the Phillies and the Athletics. The A’s played in Columbia and Shibe Park, and the Phillies played in the Baker Bowl. Shibe Park was constructed in the early … Continue reading 21st & Lehigh
-Stephen Pagano Opening Day, 2017 has finally arrived! For most baseball fans, this is their Christmas. It’s a date that many people mark on their calendars to help them get through those long and dreadful winter months. It’s an exciting time, because every team is in first place, at least for one day. Fans can forget about the past season and just focus on a … Continue reading A Clean Slate
