Features

What's behind the garden wall? A new book tells all

Nicole Juday grew up on a farm, where she never laid eyes on a carefully curated landscape. Then she paid a visit to Morris Arboretum.

Germantown's Christa Barfield wins James Beard Award

A Vintage View

Recalling the first Earth Day in Philly 54 years ago

On April 22, 1970, my wife and I were among the crowd of about 30,000 who gathered on Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park -- the first Earth Day.

Mt. Airy jazz star on stage at Kimmel

George Burton, a Mt. Airy native and one of the nation's most celebrated jazz pianists, will perform in “Timeless: a Tribute to the Legacy of Peter Nero.”

Clover Market returns April 14 with a focus on vintage

The award-winning Clover Market kicks off its 15th year in Chestnut Hill with a curated handmade and vintage popup market on Sunday, April 14.

Local WWII veteran wins high French honor

World War II veteran Benjamin Berry, a Germantown resident who celebrated his 100th birthday last Sept. 16, just received a belated birthday present.
Local Calendar
More News
The following report is for offenses reported in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy for the two-week period from April 1 to April 14. 
Pastorius Park has been recognized as a Level 1 Arboretum by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program.
A long-time employee at High Point Cafe in West Mt. Airy was seriously injured in a car crash on Lincoln Drive on Monday.
Grief coach Naila Francis will lead a walk through nature for anyone in mourning, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at The Farm at Awbury Arboretum.
Business
Cacciamani's departure was effective immediately.
Crime

Crime Report

The following crime report is for crimes reported in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy for the period from May 16 to June 6. 

Homes and Gardens

The historic character of our neighborhood is a design all its own

When most people think about design, they usually immediately think of interiors. But we are surrounded by design no matter where we are. 
Design Matters

Sometimes you need a contractor who can say ‘no’

Almost every person who undertakes a major house renovation wants to get the very most for the budget they have.
By Design

When sleuthing helps you care for your historic home

Maintaining a home’s historic significance takes time, patience and often a lot of research.

Some budget-friendly ideas to decorate your home

People often seek our advice on affordable ways to enhance their home's appearance. The first question: “Why are you doing this?"

Design principles that work in all styles of homes

As in many cities, the housing inventory in Philadelphia and its suburbs covers a wide range of sizes, styles, layouts and configurations.

Sports

SCH stickmen top GA in League opener; softball also wins

The Blue Devils hosted the Germantown Academy Patriots to launch the 2024 boys' lacrosse season.

Singles sweep helps GA win league tennis opener over SCH

The tennis courts at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy had dried just enough by Friday for the Blue Devils to host Germantown Academy.

Women's professional football takes hold in NW Philadelphia

Professional women’s tackle football is a relatively new phenomenon, and the Philadelphia Phantomz don't have it easy.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Mount St. Joseph Academy kept things local, meeting for a lacrosse match on March 25.

A day before spring break began, the softball teams from Penn Charter and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy opened the 2024 Inter-Ac League season.
We did it again - another fun and memorable Hoops Madness was had by all involved.
Area rowers launched the 2024 crew season on the Schuylkill last Sunday, enjoying unusually warm weather conditions for mid-March.
Mount St. Joseph Academy's lacrosse team figuratively dove right in at the deep end of the pool by hosting a perennial powerhouse.
Schools

My older brother Bennett taught English for many years. Every time he tells us about grateful former students, I wish I had contacted my own best teachers.

If you’re reading this, you belong to an extremely special club.

Eighth graders signed a steel roof truss in the parking lot at Our Mother of Consolation Parish School on Monday. Then it was hoisted onto the top of the school.

Obituaries
Beloved farm manager, 33, dies in car accident
On March 27, a Philadelphia man was arrested and charged with drunk driving and vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Nala Bloom.
Henry School legend who fled Nazi Germany dies at 94
Eve R. Oshtry, a Holocaust survivor and two-time Teacher of the Year at the Charles W. Henry School, died Feb. 24.
‘Keeper of the earth’ rabbi dies at 70
Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, of the Germantown Jewish Centre in West Mt. Airy, founded the nation’s first national Jewish environmental organization.
The life of Mt. Airy's Dorothy Cousins was a series of 'firsts'
Dorothy F. Cousins, a pioneer whose life encompassed a series of “firsts” in the Philadelphia Police Department and District Attorney's Office, died Feb. 29.
Walter Joseph Clayton, Jr.
Walter Joseph Clayton, Jr., 80, of Chestnut Hill, PA, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024, with his family by his side.
Opinion & letters
Editorials
I have sad news. The Chestnut Hill Local is losing Tom Beck. 
Letters to the editor
About Chestnut Hill
Spring donation drive at OMC
One person’s trash is another's treasure. Now is the time to collect your unwanted clothing and treasures to donate them.
Deep discounts at Chestnut Hill warehouse sale, April 5-6
The biannual warehouse sale on Germantown Avenue typically is offered in the spring and this year’s April 5-6 sale is no different.
Greeting the Light at Hill ‘Skyspace’
Judging from the comments in the Skyspace guest book, reactions to the program are unanimous – the experience is indeed wondrous. 
CHCA votes to support controversial development plan for Greylock
The Chestnut Hill Community Association board voted 10-5 in favor of supporting the variances required to redevelop the historic mansion.
Rex Ave. plans earn high praise
The CHCA’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee voted unanimously in favor of developers’ plans to rehabilitate the H. Louis Duhring Residence.