Features
Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway will unveil its new Chestnut Hill West inspired train station during its ribbon cutting on May 21.
Now entering its 27th year, Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway will unveil a new Chestnut Hill-inspired train station and pollinator-focused exhibition for the upcoming season. 
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A Vintage View

A daily newspaper dies, not because of low circulation

In September 1977, I saw a brief article in the now-defunct Philadelphia Bulletin announcing a new newspaper.

New 'Friendship Bench' in Erdenheim combats alienation

It's no secret that countless millions of Americans are feeling alienated, frustrated, overwhelmed and stressed out. Doven Brezner is not just sitting on the sidelines.

Always room for more: David Simms' culinary journey

The culinary journey of David Simms, the chef and owner of Eatible Delights Catering, has taken him far.

Don't tell mama, but here are some Mother's Day ideas

Though Mother’s Day is just around the corner, some people haven’t made plans... yet. We're here to help.

SCH entrepreneur builds broadcast brand

Speaking to Brendan Flatow now, it is hard to imagine that the senior from Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) was ever shy.
Local Calendar
Community Feature

Daune Marie knows heartbreak. After her daughter suffered a devastating illness, Marie left a lucrative corporate job to open Blooming Peace in October 2024.

Obituaries
Ex-Hiller, hero, star athlete, dies at 66
James Gillies, a former Chestnut Hill resident, died of heart failure at age 66 at St Luke’s Hospital in Allentown on March 26.
Virginia Ashenfelter, co-owner of The Happy Butterfly, dies at 94
Virginia “Ginny” Ashenfelter died on April 22 at age 94 in the Complete Care at Harston Hall Nursing Home in Flourtown.
Germantown LGBT+ icon, film festivals creator, dies at 79
From 1982 to 2017 I wrote a weekly restaurant review column. It seemed almost every time we visited a Center City restaurant, we would see Thom Cardwell.
Beloved Hill architecture preservationist dies at 82
John Randolph Williams Jr., a bon vivant known for his prowess as a cook, competitive tennis player and builder of homes, died on April 9.
Mt. Airy cellist played with Bernstein, Ellington, Casals
Not too many local musicians have memories of playing with two legendary American innovators and composers, but Ron Lipscomb performed with the best.
Business
Jansen, the upscale “Center City” restaurant at 7402 Germantown Ave. in Mt. Airy that has been a magnet for fine-dining aficionados for the last decade, will close its doors for good.
According to the Chestnut Hill Business District, there are currently 30 Black-owned businesses in Chestnut Hill, which might be the most ever.
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Crime

Crime Report

The following is for crimes reported for the period from May 5 to May 11.

Crime Report

The following is for crimes reported from April 28 to May 4. 

Homes and Gardens

Tour offers rare look inside Louis Kahn-designed Esherick House

Art and architecture lovers now have a rare opportunity to explore the Margaret Esherick House, a midcentury modern gem designed by famed architect Louis Kahn.

Caring for native pollinators in your garden

Spring is here, and along with pollen comes the pollinators; Pennsylvania is home to 437 native bee species, and diverse plants in your garden can help their populations thrive. 

Local company helps residents grow their own food

In parts of Northwest Philadelphia and the adjacent suburbs, Chris Mattingly designs plant beds with the know-how of an engineer and the heart of a farmer.

A guide to caring for an old house in three sessions

West Mt. Airy Neighbors is launching the "Old House Care 2025 Workshop Series," a trio of educational sessions aimed at assisting homeowners.

Laurel Hill Gardens owner plants himself in Chestnut Hill

Jake Bevan acquired the business on Feb. 28.

Sports

Area teams chase Episcopal at 2025 Inter-Ac Track Championships

The host school for last Saturday's Inter-Ac League Track and Field Championships, Episcopal Academy, celebrated the continued success of both its boys' and girls' teams.

Area crews excel at Philadelphia City Championships on the Schuylkill

The "postseason" in crew began last weekend with the Philadelphia City Championships, and area rowers assembled along Kelly Drive to mine the Schuylkill for precious medals.

Mount softball withstands late Villa rally for 10-8 league victory

After falling behind early in last Monday's Catholic Academies softball contest, Mount St. Joseph went ahead by four runs and then survived a rally by visiting Villa Maria.

The last of the Inter-Ac League schools to begin playing boys' lacrosse, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy recently became competitive with the league’s long-established powers.

Penn Charter completed a softball-season sweep of Inter-Ac League rival Academy of Notre Dame, logging a six-inning mercy-rule victory on the road.
After notching a solid victory over Penn Charter, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's Blue Devils turned their attention to a rematch with Germantown Academy.
Sophomore pitcher Sami Snyder logged her second perfect game of the 2025 softball season when her Springside Chestnut Hill Academy squad visited the Academy of Notre Dame.
Track teams from Germantown Academy and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy traveled to the Academy of Notre Dame for the first girls' meet of the 2025 season.
Schools

The Charles W. Henry basketball team took home the Philadelphia Youth Basketball program’s Middle School Gold Division championship for the first time in memory.

It was in a hidden corner of a Lansdale antique store that 14-year-old Ali Norcini stumbled upon a cardboard box covered in what appeared to be decades of dust.

Opinion & letters
Editorials
Change is hard. It can also be exciting.
Letters to the editor
About Chestnut Hill
CHCA Agenda
All meetings are open to the public.
Conservancy works to preserve Germantown Trust Company Building
Ahead of an upcoming renovation, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy worked with owners of the Germantown Trust Company Building to preserve certain elements.
New Sip & Shop event on May 10 celebrates the Avenue’s flowers
For the 22nd consecutive year, Germantown Avenue is about to explode with the color of flowers planted in windowboxes, barrels, hanging baskets and parks.
Eileen Javers — A life of leadership and quiet impact
Stepping down as board president of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy after eight years of leadership, Javers remains on the board and executive committee.
CH Hospital nurses warn, ‘We are strike ready’
Nurses and technicians held a press conference outside the hospital, informing the public of their concerns.
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