Summer, with all its warmth, has returned to bring us the predictable but somehow always surprisingly joyful display of blooming color.

In this issue, we celebrate all that color by taking you to Chanticleer, a delightful pleasure garden that's less than an hour's drive from Chestnut Hill. If you haven’t been, this is the time to go. Take a picnic, and prepare to get lost in the magic of horticultural imagination.

On the subject of gardens, ever wonder what it’s like to corral those bees that flit from flower to flower? We explore the rich history and contemporary practice of beekeeping in our city and learn that Philadelphia’s tradition of beekeeping is alive and well.

And what summer is complete without some time spent on the water? Philadelphia may not be perched on the edge of a large lake, or ocean, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of sailing to be had. In this issue, we introduce you to some of the region’s most adventurous sailors – who, with their tales of the open water and love for their craft, might just inspire you to test the waves yourself.

Once again, we bring you quarterly news from Friends of the Wissahickon, that group of devoted volunteers whose tireless efforts keep our park green and inviting, a testament to the power of community.

Artist Doug Bucci brings his particular perspective on human connection to the Woodmere Art Museum with its 81st annual juried exhibition. Bucci, a diabetic, turns his jewelry and metalwork training into an artistic exploration of medical data and abstraction, turning the clinical into the deeply personal, and expressive.

Next, we move into the stimulating world of technology with a behind-the-scenes look at the rapidly growing and competitive “sport” of high school robotics – and glimpse the future of this what this industry may become as students tackle competitive challenges.

Finally, we read about the life of Frances Maguire, a remarkable artist, mother and philanthropist who nurtured a lifelong habit of giving. Her legacy reminds us that creativity and kindness often walk hand in hand.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Carla Robinson

Editor