Around Town
Saints at the Shore
Saints at the Shore will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 3-7 p.m. at Keenan’s Irish Pub, in North Wildwood.
Graduates and friends of Southeast Catholic, Bishop Neumann, St. John Neumann, St. Maria Goretti and Neumann-Goretti are invited.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.
The event will feature DJ Johnny Looch, drink specials, buffet, raffles, throwback merchandise and 50-50.
Buy tickets at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=hHzbrx ••
Neumann-Goretti opens business, entrepreneurship center
Neumann-Goretti High School last week formally opened and dedicated its new John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship with a ribbon cutting.
Connolly is a 1970 graduate of Bishop Neumann.
The goal of the John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship is to empower students with real-world tools, an entrepreneurial vision and leadership opportunities. The center will also serve as space for the community to host seminars, speakers and events that inspire growth and innovation.
The event featured appearances by Neumann-Goretti leadership, board, students, staff, band and cheerleaders, representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education and Mummers.
In July 2024, the school was awarded an initial gift of $350,000 from John M. Connolly and his wife, Kathy Robinson Connolly. Of that total, $300,000 was used to create The John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. The remaining $50,000 was for funding a scholarship in honor of his sister, Sara Connolly Canuso, a 1969 graduate of St. Maria Goretti, and his brother-in-law, Vito. Since that time, John and Kathy have made an additional $150,000 gift for funding scholarships and for other uses, bringing their total gift to the school to $500,000, making it the largest gift in the school’s history.
Connolly is the founder and managing director of Eaglehead Capital, headquartered in Boston. He also serves as the lead senior adviser to the Goldman Sachs Growth Group. ••
Public swimming pools open
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson last week announced that the City of Philadelphia will open more than 60 “available” outdoor public pools this summer.
City pools began opening on a rolling basis beginning June 13.
“As we welcome summer and mark the end of the school year, our public pools bring life to our neighborhoods. They offer a place for families to unwind, for children to play freely and for communities to come together,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Opening these free pools, especially in areas that need them most, reflects our commitment to joy, safety and opportunity for every Philadelphia family.”
Nearly 400 lifeguards and maintenance workers will staff the pools.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to cool off during the hottest months, regardless of their neighborhood,” Slawson said. “Thanks to the commitment of nearly 400 lifeguards and pool maintenance attendants, we are on track to open our pools as planned this summer. The hard work of our Parks and Recreation team and city leaders ensures these spaces are safe, welcoming and well-maintained.”
All public pools will once again host swim lessons for Parks & Rec’s 6,000 summer campers. Free swim lessons will also be available for children, and select pools will offer swim lessons for adults.
Parents and caregivers are responsible for watching their children in the pool deck and following all pool rules. Any child under the age of 8 must be within arms reach of their parent or guardian at all times when in the water.
Nine pools will not open this summer, due to ongoing Rebuild project construction or necessary repairs, though none are in South Philadelphia.
The only local pool that opened in phase one was Marian Anderson Pool, 1713 Catharine St., which opened on June 17. ••
Happy anniversary
Southgate, a Korean gastropub located at 18th and Lombard streets, is celebrating 10 years in business in July.
Food and cocktail specials will be available, including $10 cocktails and $10 food specials for happy hour (Tuesdays to Thursdays, 4 to 6:30 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, 2 to 6 p.m.).
From July 21 to 27, there will be a throwback cocktail menu, nostalgic to the inaugural year of 2015.
Hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4 to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, 2 to 10 p.m. ••
Review returns to old website
The South Philly Review has returned to its original website, southphillyreview.com.
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and a way to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox.
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••
Trip to see Nunsense
On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is running a bus trip to see the musical comedy Nunsense at Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee-On-Delaware, Monroe County. Cost is $144 and includes buffet luncheon at Shawnee Inn, ticket to see show and round-trip motorcoach. Bus departs at 9:15 a.m. from 604 Cottman Ave., Cheltenham, and returns about 6:30 p.m. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Call Sharyn at 267-265-5348. ••
Sign up for basketball camp
The 19th annual Jaguar Summer Basketball Camp will take place from July 21-25 at the air-conditioned Marian Center at St. Ephrem, in Bensalem. The camp is for boys and girls in kindergarten through 12th grade and will be a mix of fun, fundamentals and competition. The cost is $150 and includes a free basketball and T-shirt. Campers must bring lunch. The camp is under the direction of former college coach Dan Williams. To request a brochure or for more information, email Williams at DanW@aol.com. ••
Golfing for a cause
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold Tee for Leigh, its second annual golf classic, on Friday, Sept. 5, at Bensalem Country Club. The cost is $200 per golfer, $800 for a foursome or $60 for dinner only. Sponsorships are available, including those for holes and beverage carts. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which provides addiction-related services, including detox inpatient and outpatient services and housing. For more information, visit LeighsHelp.org. ••
Enjoy the music of Bobby Darin
The Maryln Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is going to New York City on Sept. 6 to see the Broadway show about Bobby Darin, Just In Time. The cost is $270, which includes orchestra seat and coach bus. The bus leaves from 604 Township Line Road, Cheltenham, at 9:15 a.m. and returns about 7:30 p.m. This event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. To reserve a ticket, call Penny at 215-342-4231. ••
Host foreign exchange student
World Heritage International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. World Heritage students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Ukraine, Japan and Australia. They are ages 15-18. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.
If interested in hosting an exchange student, call Debra at 800-888-9040, visit www.world-heritage.org or send an email to info@world-heritage.org to request more information or start the application process. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Trip to Niagara Falls
Polish American Cultural Center is sponsoring a Niagara Falls, New York & Made in America Store trip from Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13. There will be a canal Cruise and lunch, boat ride, underground railroad tour, wine testing, a visit to the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine and casino trip, with $25 slot play. The trip will be by motor coach, and there will be a three-night hotel stay with buffet breakfasts and dinners. The cost is $1,100 per person double occupancy, including taxes and gratuities. For more information and reservations, call Theresa Romanowski at 215-813-2780 or 215-922-1700. ••
Ukrainian festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 24, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
The event will feature folk art, live music, dance, food, refreshments, vendors, arts and crafts displays and live historical reenactments.
Admission is $20, with a portion donated to the relief of war victims in Ukraine.
Kids under 15 are admitted free.
Parking is free.
For more information, call 267-664-3857 or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
Ways for dog owners to make mail delivery safer
Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 6,000 cases last year, including 32 in Philadelphia and 316 in Pennsylvania.
As part of the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the Postal Service is offering information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees.
“Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail,” said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell letter carrier. “I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered.”
The month-long campaign theme is “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”
Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.
Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house. If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn’t slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.
Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.
By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive.
When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the employee.
When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped.
Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local Post Office.
If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.
If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail. ••
Cruise in July
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is traveling on an Independence Day Celebration cruise, July 1-8. Ports-of-call include New York, Newport, Boston on July 4 and Halifax, Nova Scotia. A passport is required. Rates range from $1,920 to $2,680 per person, double occupancy. For a flyer, call 215-788-9408. ••