March 24, 1966

Mayor seeks more parking for Pennsy’s Hill terminus

The long years of pressure by the Chestnut Hill Community Association on the city of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Railroad for parking at Pennsy’s Chestnut Hill terminus pushed a large step forward with the announcement by Mayor Tate that he has submitted an ordinance to City Council to that effect. The mayor is asking for 175 parking spaces, to cost $225,000. Following the sale by the railroad in May of 1961 of one and a half acres of railroad land for $70,000, which eventually saw the construction of the present Hill House apartments, the Community Association has sought to ensure that no more railroad property would be sold there other than for parking purposes, the need for which has intensified over the years with the success of the commuter subsidy program.

$2 million raised in hospital drive

Chestnut Hill Hospital has passed the $2 million mark in its drive for funds for its building program. The goal is $2,565,000 and the hospital has now posted a sign to mark the spot where the new wing will be erected this summer. The bids for the new three-story structure of Chestnut Hill gray stone will be requested sometime this spring.

March 25, 1976

‘No grills,’ says Hiller

“It’s not nice to put bars or grills up in front of your store windows,” said a Chestnut Hill merchant at the Police Community Relations workshop on March 15. “They look awful and ruin the appearance of the shopping area.” The workshop was attended by 35 people who viewed a film on preventing robbery and burglary. Lt. Weldon Jones of the 14th police district recommended silent alarms and audible ones as a deterrent. He also suggested auxiliary locks.

March 27, 1986

Talented hands tend the shoes of Chestnut Hillers

Carman shoe store and repair shop, at 8113 Germantown Ave., is like a punctuation mark in the middle of the fashionable Chestnut Hill business section. But inside one finds a microcosm of the community as well as a slice of Americana. The shop was established in 1925 by the uncle of Carman Notarianni, Sr. the elder statesman of the shoe repair business. Notarianni began his career as a shoemaker at the age of 15 in his native town of Calabria, Italy.

March 28, 1996

SEARCH to demand more police, mini-station at Wyndmoor

An extraordinary amount of energy and determination filled the upstairs meeting room of Water Tower Recreation Center on Monday night when some 275 people responded to an invitation to “take back our neighborhood from the criminals.” Frustrated by the lack of police protection, the slow response to 911 calls, and the number of violent crimes that have taken place in the southeast quadrant of Chestnut Hill, those present resolved to end the crime spree. ... Meeting chairs volunteered to head four committees including one that would look into establishing a mini-police station at the Wyndmoor station.

Design your hat now for Mad Hatter’s Parade

What kind of hat are you wearing to the Mad Hatter’s Parade on Saturday, April 6? The White Rabbit is coming and he’s trying to decide on his hat, but he already has his white gloves and fan set aside for the big day. You may enter the parade in one of six categories: Biggest Hat, Silliest Hat, Funniest Hat, Most Colorful Hat, Theme Hat and Best Family Hats. Gathering place for the parade is the north corner of Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike (outside Borders Book Shop).

March 23, 2006

Norwood breaks ground for new Commons Building

The Norwood-Fontbonne Academy broke ground Sunday for its new Commons Building, part of a $12 million building project designed to “enhance the facilities we now have to match the programs and services we offer,” according to Sister Jean Laurich SSJ, the school’s principal.

March 24, 2016

Penzeys Spices shop closes on the Avenue

Penzeys Spices, at 8528 Germantown Ave., has closed as of Sunday, March 20. In a letter sent to the Local, the company explained its decision: “We are looking for a slightly larger spot in the greater area. Hopefully one that is just as convenient or maybe even more. … We’ve found over the years that trendy and exclusive locations don’t work well for us.”

Obituary: Anne C. Ewing, community leader and activist

Anne Constant Ewing, 78, a longtime community activist, died March 17 of pancreatic cancer at her home in Mt. Airy. Mrs. Ewing’s entry into a wide arena of activism began in 1970, when she returned from Ethiopia with her husband, Bill, a lawyer who had been serving with the Institute for International Education. Mrs. Ewing served as president of East Mt. Airy Neighbors; was instrumental in establishing a burn center at St. Agnes Hospital in South Philadelphia; served on a FUMCOG team of official international observers at the first free elections in South Africa, and participated in monthly vigils outside the recruiting office at Broad and Arch streets in opposition to the Vietnam War.