• REI, with Several Local Sites, Saw Its Business Boom During Pandemic

    REI, with Several Local Sites, Saw Its Business Boom During Pandemic

    Recreational Equipment, the nation’s leading retailer of outdoor recreational products with locations in King of Prussia and Conshohocken, saw its business boom during the pandemic, writes Jason Nark for The Philadelphia Inquirer. REI is organized as a consumers’ co-op and sells everything from tents to climbing equipment to kayaking gear. The company had to close…

  • Montco Trail Access, Diversity, and Awareness Plan Receives Stamp of Approval

    Montco Trail Access, Diversity, and Awareness Plan Receives Stamp of Approval

    The Montgomery County Trail Access, Diversity, and Awareness Plan received a stamp of approval from county leaders at the recent commissioners’ meeting, writes Rachel Ravina for the Montgomery Media. According to Bill Hartman, the Montgomery County Planning Commission’s section chief for trails and open space, the study was funded through a Delaware Valley Regional Planning…

  • The Best Fall Events to Check Out in Montco This October

    The Best Fall Events to Check Out in Montco This October

    From hayrides and corn mazes to foliage hikes and wine tastings, there’s loads of exciting things to do this October in Montgomery County. Here are some popular events and activities that are a must this fall. Skippack Days Arts & Craft Show October 2-4 | Skippack Come out and support small business owners at this craft…

  • ‘Forest Bathing’ Raising in Popularity Thanks to Local Wellness Entrepreneurs

    ‘Forest Bathing’ Raising in Popularity Thanks to Local Wellness Entrepreneurs

    The practice of forest bathing is gaining in popularity thanks to Tami Astorino and Rachel Rubin, two local entrepreneurs who started Rise Gatherings health and wellness business, writes Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Forest bathing is a practice that originated in Japan. Proponents of shinrin-yoku believe that spending time truly immersed in nature is…

  • WCU’s Wells School of Music to Entertain Audiences with Free Virtual Performances This Fall

    WCU’s Wells School of Music to Entertain Audiences with Free Virtual Performances This Fall

    West Chester University’s Wells School of Music will delight and entertain audiences with a number of free virtual performances this fall. Livestream links are available by clicking on each event in the campus arts event calendar, allowing audiences from around the world to enjoy concerts from the comfort of their own homes. “It has been…

  • Philadelphia Magazine: Enjoy a Day of Hiking or Exploring at Valley Forge National Historical Park

    Philadelphia Magazine: Enjoy a Day of Hiking or Exploring at Valley Forge National Historical Park

    Situated on 3,452 sprawling acres and with 35 miles of trails, Valley Forge National Historical Park is an ideal place for a day of hiking or exploring, writes Christine Speer Lejeune for the Philadelphia Magazine. In addition to its stunning nature, the park has enormous historic importance as the place where George Washington and the…

  • 92-Year-Old Huntingdon Valley Artist Recreates Eiffel Tower Using Wine Corks

    92-Year-Old Huntingdon Valley Artist Recreates Eiffel Tower Using Wine Corks

    Despite fighting leukemia, Walter Deuschle, a 92-year-old Huntingdon Valley artist, is always up for a challenge, writes Grace Dickinson for The Philadelphia Inquirer. His latest project was a 7-and-a half-foot-tall Eiffel Tower he recreated using 2,000 wine corks. The project took nine months to complete. In that time, Deuschle used a Swiss Army knife to…

  • Lower Merion Saxophonist, Founder of Young Women in Jazz Group, Working on Her First Album

    Lower Merion Saxophonist, Founder of Young Women in Jazz Group, Working on Her First Album

    At nineteen years old, Olivia Hughart, a Lower Merion native saxophonist-composer, is already renowned in the world of jazz for starting the female-focused Key of She Jazz organization and conference, writes A.D. Amorosi for the WRTI. Hughart developed her love for jazz from an early age thanks to her parents. “Ever since we were little…

  • From Rock to Opera to Spiritual: The Musical Journey of Elkins Park Synagogue’s New Cantor

    From Rock to Opera to Spiritual: The Musical Journey of Elkins Park Synagogue’s New Cantor

    Jacob Agar, the new cantor of Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, underwent a musical journey from rock to operatic to spiritual music, writes Len Lear for the Chestnut Hill Local. Agar sang Jewish prayers for the first time at his grandfather’s funeral. A year earlier, the 22-year old graduated from the conservatory at the…

  • Fun Dog-Friendly Activities to Do in Montco This Fall

    Fun Dog-Friendly Activities to Do in Montco This Fall

    Montgomery County is a dog lover’s dream! From wide-open spaces to a wide range of dog-friendly restaurants, you’ll find there’s a lot to explore with your furry best friend. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board rounded up some of the top things to do with your dog this fall. Visit a Park Take in…

  • Local Couple Makes Wedding at Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn Feel Like Home

    Local Couple Makes Wedding at Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn Feel Like Home

    Danielle Whiteman and Adam Watson have made Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn feel more like home for their wedding by bringing in their favorite artwork, write Kristen Schott and Sarah Zlotnick for the Philadelphia Magazine. The couple was looking for a historic setting for their “Black Gatsby”-themed reception and the stunning estate fit the bill…

  • Budget Friendly Fall Activities in Montgomery County

    Budget Friendly Fall Activities in Montgomery County

    With the cooler temperatures of fall finally here, it’s the perfect time for some outdoor budget-friendly fun. Go on a Hike Listen to the leaves crunch beneath your feet as you explore the 96 miles of trails in Montgomery County. Families can easily social distance on the Perkiomen Trail and the Schuylkill River Trail. Dogs are also…

  • WCU’s Criterions Jazz Ensemble to Present Virtual Concert on Friday

    WCU’s Criterions Jazz Ensemble to Present Virtual Concert on Friday

    West Chester University’s Wells School of Music will continue to delight and entertain audiences with dozens of free virtual performances this fall. Livestream links are available by clicking on each event in the campus arts event calendar, allowing audiences from around the world to enjoy concerts from the comfort of their own homes. Beginning on…

  • Conshohocken Artist Couple Achieves Global Fame with Butter Sculptures

    Conshohocken Artist Couple Achieves Global Fame with Butter Sculptures

    Conshohocken artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton have achieved global fame by turning thousands of pounds of butter into works of art, writes Jason Nark for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Together, the couple make large butter sculptures for numerous agricultural shows and fairs all over the country. They are also responsible for most of the butter…

  • Main Line Author Pens Book on Growing Up Black in Rich, White World

    Main Line Author Pens Book on Growing Up Black in Rich, White World

    Cole Brown, who grew up attending storied private schools in the Philadelphia area, has published a book titled Greyboy – an essay collection on growing up as the “token” black kid in a rich, white world, writes Michael Pina for The New York Times. Brown is the son of a Fortune 100 executive and grandson…

  • Virtual Art in the Park – Arts & Music Festival in Norristown

    Virtual Art in the Park – Arts & Music Festival in Norristown

    Expressive Path will present its “Virtual Art in the Park” on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will be streamed live from the historic Centre Theater in Norristown and can be viewed on Expressive Path’s Facebook and Instagram Live. The afternoon will feature live music from Former Strangers-Rock, Lets Link L8R…

  • New Exhibit by Erdenheim Artist Defies Pandemic, Can Be Enjoyed by Both Art and Nature Lovers

    New Exhibit by Erdenheim Artist Defies Pandemic, Can Be Enjoyed by Both Art and Nature Lovers

    Richard Metz, an Erdenheim resident, has created a unique exhibit that is perfectly suited for the pandemic that can be enjoyed by both art and nature lovers, writes Len Lear for the Chestnut Hill Local. The 61-year-old artist painted around 30 birds on trees in the Adventure Woods area of Awbury Arboretum in Germantown. “The…

  • Pottstown Artist Turns Love of Music Into Art, Draws Attention from Several Famous Musicians

    Pottstown Artist Turns Love of Music Into Art, Draws Attention from Several Famous Musicians

    Alec Friel, owner of Astro Vinyl Art in Pottstown, has turned his love for music into art by carving artwork right into vinyl records, writes Megan Frank for PBS39. The artist founded the company with his father, David. Their workspace doubles as the community art center Cosmic Art Studios in Pottstown. “We take old records,…