Letters Misquoted In your article, I was misquoted. What I said in the August community meeting was that costs to renovate and adapt Nugent Hall (NOT Impacting Your World's project) were over $5 million and that the probable premium for complying with historical guidelines was about $2 million. Projects receiving tax credits (which nonprofits can sell) must comply with U.S. Department of the Interior guidelines as well as requirements of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. It was also mentioned that a five-story parking garage was discussed. In my testimony, I noted that we were considering two or three levels, with the lowest level hidden by the drop-off from the street in the rear of the property. The garage only became necessary as a way of saving Nugent Hall if a developer for that building could be found. Obviously, a garage of any height would be possible with variances, but scale in an area between single and twin residences and apartment complexes is sensitive must be carefully handled so that all development will truly enhance the community. I was grateful that some members of the Historical Commission fully understood the politics and motivation of the nomination for designation. One would only hope that the community will not have the buildings remain "just as they are" in their deplorable condition. Emotion must take a back seat to reasoned dialogue and openness to new ideas if in fact the best liberal tradition is to be followed. John A. Teets, ARA Schuylkill Center ... for environmental education? In defense of the decision to market 22 acres of open land to developers, George Riter of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education willfully chooses to ignore the center's mission "to promote, through environmental education, the preservation and improvement of our natural environment by fostering appreciation, understanding and responsible use of the ecosystem." He further chooses to ignore the good work of the community in which the center resides in protecting and preserving the natural and historic character of the community. The Upper Roxborough National Historic District encompasses nearly 1,600 acres of largely intact 18th and 19th century land use patterns and dwellings. Coupled with a development proposal on an adjacent 40 acres of land by the Westrum Development Company, the Nature Center Development could introduce into the heart of the historic district up to 300 units of housing. What environmental lesson is Mr. Riter teaching by destroying a richly diverse habitat and the character of the community that is truly unique in the region? Is it that when it is convenient, it is okay to do this even if you lead an environmental organization? The Schuylkill Center will be held to a higher standard than this. We invite everyone to walk down Port Royal Avenue, starting at Hagy's Mill Road, to see what we are talking about. Come soon. It may not be there much longer. Dolores Volker, Roxborough Green Space Project (RGSP) Kind, honest Last Saturday at 2 p.m., I stopped at the Flourtown Dunkin' Donuts to buy doughnuts for the hospitality table at the Highlands Craft Show. I sat at the admissions table for two hours, after which I returned home. I went back there at 10 Sunday morning and, upon reaching in my purse for my wallet, I discovered it was missing. I was somewhat perturbed but believed I must have left it at home inadvertently. Upon my return home, I searched every conceivable place, with no luck. Now I was disturbed -- with my credit card, social security and insurance cards at stake. So, I went back out to the Highlands and looked thoroughly under the table -- to no avail. I reconstructed my travels and decided to stop at Dunkin' Donuts as a last resort, but, I thought that if I had left it there, there was no hope, it's being a public place and all. As I walked in the door, before I could even tell the clerk what I was there for, he bent down to a lower shelf, picked up my wallet, and handed it to me. What an honest and kind gentleman he was! Marilyn Drinker Football remembered "Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls ... Welcome to Friday and Saturday Night Football at Wyndmoor!" How many times was that announced from the perch three quarters of the way up a wooden light pole that was right on the 50 yard line! The Wyndmoor Bantams were one of the smallest in numbers of players in the Keystone League and yet were acknowledged as one of the best-coached and finest-run football organizations in the Keystone Midget Football League. The Bantams had an agreement with the Chestnut Hill Fathers Club that any boy could play sports in either organization. Oh, yes, and any young lady whose brother played football with the Bantams could become a member of the Bantams cheer leading squad. The Bantams were a self-supporting organization. The players and cheerleaders sold "shares" in the club for $1 each. The refreshment stand did a tremendous business with their hot dogs, hot chocolate, sodas, pizza and coffee and virtually all the local businesses advertised in the ad book. The Bantams had their own photographer and reporter. Every week during the season the local paper made sure the Bantams received their just space in the sports section. Yes, the football season in Wyndmoor once belonged to the Bantams ... it was not unusual to see as many as 800 fans cheering their teams on ... that is until the township decided they needed the field for something else in 1978 ... (But that is a story for another day.) The only reminder of what was once a football field is the goal post almost hidden by the trees on the Traymore Avenue end zone. Today most of the former players and cheerleaders are parents themselves and in some cases grandparents. If I happen to see them, in one form or another, these are their remarks: "I had a great time when I played at Wyndmoor," "Thanks to you and all the other people who were involved with the Bantams," "I wish my boys could have the opportunity that I did," "thanks for what you did for us." "Welcome to Friday and Saturday night football at Wyndmoor." Tom Woodruff |
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