September 4, 2008 Issue                                                     

Local News

Creditors pursue Caruso’s owner for $2.5 million
Says debt “not really a big deal.”
by JOEL HOFFMANN

John J. Capoferri

Local developer John J. Capoferri is being sued for $2.56 million for failing to repay debts incurred when he purchased Caruso’s Market in March, according to city civil court documents.

“It’s not really a big deal,” Capoferri said in a phone interview last week, adding that the two civil suits pending against him would be resolved within 30 days.

Represented by Kerry Schuman, a partner in the Jenkintown law firm of Friedman Schuman, Penn Liberty Bank filed a civil complaint against Capoferri on Aug. 13 requesting $2,403,377.48 in damages.

Penn Liberty loaned Capoferri $2.2 million on Feb. 29, but Capoferri did not make loan repayments between April 1 and Aug. 12, according to the civil complaint. In that time, he accrued $90,007.98 in owed interest, $3,300 in late fees and $110,000 in plaintiff attorneys’ fees.

Bredenbeck’s Bakery owner maintains family tradition
by JOEL HOFFMANN

Bredenbeck’s owner Karen Boyd (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

“We don’t waste an inch of space,” said Karen Boyd, proprietor of Bredenbeck’s Bakery, as she led me behind two glass display cases (filled with cookies, donuts and Danish pastry) and into the humid baking room.

From start to finish, it takes about eight hours to make a wedding cake — but that’s the easy part.

Getting the bride to commit to a cake design is the real challenge.

“Some brides will call us two or three times before the wedding because they see something else they want,” Diana Anello said as she shaped a five-tier cake on Bredenbeck’s second floor.

Local Sports

GFS off to impressive 3-0 start
by Justin Goldman

GFS’ Ibrahim Kamara heads the ball toward the goal with Jack Koehler running up-field. For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com. (Photo by Pack Jr.)

The GFS soccer team opened the 2008 season with an impressive 4-2 victory over Central last Tuesday afternoon. Coming into the season, the biggest question mark for the   Tigers was their backline. And though there were some defensive lapses, GFS found ways to get the critical stops when needed.

 The Tigers opened up the scoring early: Five minutes into the game, junior Jason Symonette carried the ball down the left side of the field and sent a nice cross to fellow junior Manolo Sanchez, who one-timed the ball past the Central goalkeeper.  It seemed like the Tigers were in complete control of the game early on as they dominated possession time.

 Two thirds of the way through the first half, the Tigers got a bit of luck after senior goalkeeper Zach Fernberger launched a free kick from the box. The kick went to the other 18-yard line, and a Lancer defender jumped and headed the ball backwards into the net for an own goal. The Tigers cruised through the rest of the first half with a 2-0 lead.

 Despite being down and thoroughly outplayed, Central fought back and made some key defensive adjustments. First, they put two men on both Sanchez and Symonette, completely limiting their touches. They then continued to pressure the inexperienced Tiger backline, the tactic paid divdends. In a mirror image of the first half, a Lancer player raced by the Tiger defense on the left wing and easily put the ball past the GFS keeper. Eight minutes later, a Tiger defender misplayed an easy ball, and a Central player was there to rocket it into the back of the net from 22 yards out.

Springside hockey filling the cage in early outings
by TOM UTESCHER

Lions senior Steffi Fitzpatrick controls the ball in the air.

Under new head coach Tara Maguire, Springside School breezed through its first two field hockey scrimmages last week, outscoring Cheltenham High School, 7-0, and Friends Central, 6-0.

Turning up for their first official practice on Aug. 18, the Lions embarked on a regimen of six hours practice a day.

“They turned up ready to play and ready to run,” Maguire said. “They’ve got a lot of heart and they’re really willing to work and to take risks together as a team. I’m finding them very coachable.”

Maguire is a former U.S. Field Hockey team member and Penn State standout. With an MBA already on her resume, she’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at Chestnut Hill College.

Her last coaching stint was as a Penn State assistant in 2005, and she now operates her own business providing one-on-one field hockey training.

“I love working at the high school level because I think you can have a lot of impact on their lives right now,” she explained. “It makes a real difference when they ‘get it,’ when they understand it’s not just about field hockey, but about principle; showing up on time, following through on their commitments, showing respect for one another.”