Jan. 20, 1966

Settlement over absentee ballots reverses results

The Court of Common Pleas in Norristown settled the 10-week dispute over the District 2 commissioner post in Springfield Township in favor of Mrs. Suzanne K. O’Neil. There has been growing concern over the lack of representation of the Wyndmoor area. The issue swung on the validity of 49 absentee votes cast (including two military) which became the pivotal issue when the original vote count proved to be within a three-vote margin (Lawrence Alexander, Democrat, 868 -- Mrs. O’Neil, Republican, 865). A series of hearings resulted in the most recent decision which Alexander decided not to appeal, so the final tally was O’Neil, 880, Alexander, 877.

‘That Darn Cat’ at Hill hospital freed from tree

Walt Disney has nothing on Chestnut Hill Hospital with “That Darn Cat!” The lines were endless at Radio City at Christmastime to see the movie, but those in the vicinity of Chestnut Hill Hospital any time between Jan. 5 and 7 could have seen “that darn cat” up a tree. Such a commotion around the hospital for those few days! The cat’s wails at night were so loud that they disturbed the patients, so something had to be done. On Jan. 6, the Fire Department sent a hook and ladder, and the S.P.C.A. sent several men to try to entice the feline adventurer down from its perch in a red pine, the tallest tree on the hospital grounds. They failed but came back the next day and got the cat down, who appeared no worse for the wear.

Jan. 22, 1976

Eye on education: Desegregation

A desegregation plan for Philadelphia’s public schools was argued in Commonwealth Court in December. Participants included the School Board, the Human Relations Commission, and a group asking for more community involvement. This was the latest step in a long drawn-out battle to provide equality of educational opportunity to the school children of Philadelphia. Our schools were judged to be segregated eight years ago, and the Board of Education has been under court order since that time to design a plan to integrate our schools. During that time, the School Board has never adopted a serious plan to deal with the situation. Many people have protested against busing, etc., and the Board has followed that lead in never complying with the court’s mandates.

Jan. 23, 1986

Keeping King’s dream alive theme of celebration

It could have been a dream. Hundreds of people — Black and white, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics — poured into the main sanctuary of the Germantown Jewish Centre last Sunday to celebrate what would have been the 57th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many in the crowd sat tight-lipped and tearful, perhaps reflecting as much on the death of the man as on his life, while a film excerpt flashed the sounds and images of King’s most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.”

‘Pastorius Park is one of Hill’s greatest assets’

Frederick Peck leafs lovingly through scrapbooks that contain newspaper clippings and glossy photos showing Pastorius Park in pristine condition in 1936. “It was exactly 50 years ago that we finished Pastorius Park,” Peck remembers as he showed a reporter a clipping from The Evening Bulletin dated Wednesday, August 5, 1936.

Jan. 25, 1996

Hill lands on Internet

When you are surfing the Internet don’t be surprised if you find Chestnut Hill — as in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. You might find it on your own or you may use the Chestnut Hill Business Association’s web address: membrane.com/chestnuthill/. You’ll find Chestnut Hill’s weather, the Chestnut Hill Business Association, the Chestnut Hill Local, Diane Bryman, the Antique Gallery, Barbara Russell Designs, Agreeable Friends and by the time this issue is printed, who knows how many more Chestnut Hill stories.

Snow, ice pose emergencies

While this week’s thaw provided relief from the snow for Delaware Valley residents, it was just the beginning of the problems for many Chestnut Hill homeowners. Warmer daytime, and freezing nighttime temperatures have brought on a significant amount of “ice damming” to our buildings and houses, causing leaky roofs, frozen downspouts and broken gutters. “Ever since the big snow we’ve had emergencies,” said Andy Leadbeater of Apple Roofing in Mt. Airy. “On Tuesday, January 9, when we were able to get into the office, we had 40 emergency calls waiting! The more it melts, the more problems.”

Jan. 19, 2006

Hill’s new Diamond Spa sparkles on the Avenue

In the midst of the world’s ongoing turmoil, ranging both far and near, it’s encouraging to note that Chestnut Hill is presently making a pronounced bow to beauty and inner peace. How? Well, one example is the appearance of yet another spa on the Avenue, Diamond Spa at 8430 Germantown, former home of simplycottage (I think they preferred all lower case letters, all you grammarians).

Jan. 28, 2016

Hillers dig out from record 22-inch snowfall

Chestnut Hill was the scene of yet another record-setting snowstorm as Jonas dropped 22.4 inches of snow across the city and its near suburbs. Local weather forecasters said it was the fourth-largest snowfall in recorded Philadelphia history. On Monday, with most schools closed, Chestnut Hillers continued to clear their walkways and driveways while others unearthed cars buried in snow drifts.

How will One West impact Chestnut Hill?

Chestnut Hill is a quaint, historical community known mostly for its stately homes and quaint retail buildings, many which date back to the Victorian era. But one structure that could change that reputation is the five-story, contemporary building called One West, at 8200 Germantown Ave., which is nearly complete. Its retail anchor, The Fresh Market, an upscale grocery store, will open this week.