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The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— January 3, 2025 (154th Edition) ——
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Delaware County Council wishes all residents a happy, healthy, and safe start to 2025.
As the new year begins, we know many are focusing on starting the year off right—setting resolutions, embracing new opportunities, and planning for a year of personal, professional, and community growth. Whether your goals include building stronger connections, giving back to your community, or simply enjoying all that Delaware County has to offer, we encourage you to make the most of this fresh start.
As we reflect on the past year, we are proud of the dedication and hard work of our County Team in serving the residents of Delaware County. The County is committed to providing high-quality programs and services that enhance our community and our quality of life.
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During the year ahead, we will look to expand our efforts to communicate the County's ongoing work to serve as good stewards of taxpayer trust and will continue to highlight activities, programs, services, and initiatives through this newsletter and other communication channels. Our goal is to keep you informed and engaged as we work to strengthen and enhance Delaware County.
Your input and involvement are vital to ensuring that we meet the needs of Delaware County. Throughout the year, this newsletter will continue to spotlight various opportunities for residents to get involved and strengthen our shared community—whether by attending our bi-weekly County Council meetings (an updated schedule is linked below) or other public meetings, serving on one of the County’s many boards or commissions, applying for an open position with the County, volunteering with organizations like the Delaware County Citizen Corps or Medical Reserve Corps, getting involved in our twice-yearly elections, or simply fostering a sense of connection and care within our neighborhoods.
Residents are encouraged to reach out to County Council via the contact information available on the County’s website, share ideas and feedback, and really help shape the future of Delaware County.
As we enter 2025, we remain committed to delivering high-quality services, fostering collaboration, and building on the progress we’ve achieved together.
Wishing you a New Year filled with good health, peace, prosperity, and joy!
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Delaware County Council’s Public Meeting Schedule Set for 2025 | |
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Delaware County Council has finalized its 2025 public meeting schedule, including the bi-weekly Preliminary Agenda Meetings and Regular Public Meetings for the year.
Preliminary Agenda Meetings are typically held on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m., and Regular Public Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. The schedule is adjusted to account for County holidays and the Primary and General elections.
The next Preliminary Agenda Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 7, and the next Regular Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8.
County Council meetings are open to the public and Council encourages public participation. Meetings are held in the County Council Meeting room, on the first floor of the Government Center Building at 201 W. Front St., in Media, PA.
Downloadable agendas, including key documents related to items enumerated on the agenda, are available for download from the County website, linked below, as are full recordings of all County Council meetings.
The website also includes a link to the live-stream of any County Council meetings in session.
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PA Secretary of Labor and Industry Visits Delco CareerLink® | |
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This past month, PA Secretary of Labor and Industry Nancy Walker visited Delaware County to tour the County’s PA CareerLink® location in Chester City.
Secretary Walker met with staff, clients, and partners to learn more about the critical work the PA CareerLink® team is doing to support individuals seeking employment. “The teamwork and collaboration that I witnessed among the Board, community leaders, and the CareerLink staff is inspiring,” said Secretary Walker.
“I want to thank Secretary Walker for her leadership in supporting this critically important work we are doing here in Delaware County,” said Kate McGeever, Executive Director of the Delaware County Workforce Development Board. “We’re so happy she came to see what we do in person and to discuss our shared mission of connecting job seekers to meaningful opportunities and pathways to long-term success.”
The PA Department of Labor and Industry provides funding for the Delaware County Workforce Development Board and its two PA CareerLink® sites, ensuring these essential services remain accessible to the community. Secretary Walker’s visit highlighted the importance of workforce development and the transformative impact these programs have on individuals and families throughout Delaware County.
| Nancy Walker, PA Secretary of Labor and Industry, flanked by Delaware County Workforce Development Board Executive Director Kate McGeever, connects with attendees. | |
More About PA CareerLink®
PA CareerLink® serves as a one-stop center providing a comprehensive range of workforce development services to Delaware County residents, including veterans, young adults, older workers, and individuals in the re-entry community. From career services to intensive skills training, PA CareerLink® continues to empower residents and strengthen the local workforce.
The PA CareerLink® sites in Chester City and on the Media campus of the Delaware County Community College offer services to all residents. Job seekers can use the computer lab to search for jobs, receive personalized assistance from Career Advisors to refine their resumes, and attend numerous workshops—both in-person and virtual—on topics like effective salary negotiations and job search strategies for older workers. For qualifying individuals, financial assistance is also available to complete occupational skill training in high-priority fields such as healthcare and logistics.
For more information, visit the PA CareerLink® Delaware County website.
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New Year, New YOU! COSA Partners with Lansdowne Borough to Offer Program Helping Sedentary Older Adults | |
Adults age 60 or older who want to be active but have problems maintaining traditional exercise programs are invited to participate in a health and wellness program sponsored by the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) in collaboration with Lansdowne Borough and Department of Recreation and the PA Department of Aging.
Physical inactivity is a major health problem in the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s newest study notes that nearly 80 percent of adult Americans do not get the recommended amount of physical activity each week. Twenty-five percent are almost completely sedentary. Each year, as many as 300,000 deaths in the U.S. are due to physical inactivity and poor diet. Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. For people with chronic diseases, physical activity can help manage these conditions and complications.
To address this problem, COSA is pleased to offer Active Living Every Day classes in collaboration with Lansdowne Borough and Department of Recreation, and the PA Department of Aging. Active Living Every Day is a behavior change program, focused on helping sedentary adults fit physical activity into their lives in realistic ways. The program is based on ground-breaking research that has resulted in important discoveries about physical activity and health.
The program will meet virtually on Zoom every Monday at 10:00 a.m. from January 27 through April 14, 2025. Note: Due to the President's Day holiday on February 17, the session for that week will be held on Tuesday, February 18.
For more information or to register for the Active Living Every Day Program, contact Ellen Williams, COSA Health and Wellness Program Manager at williamse@co.delaware.pa.us or call (610) 499-1937 and provide your name, address, phone number and email address.
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We Want Your Feedback: Help Shape the Future of the Delaware County Weekly | |
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In January 2022, Delaware County began publishing the Delaware County Weekly e-Newsletter with the goal of keeping residents better informed and connected to the latest news, programs, and events in our community. As we approach the three-year anniversary with over 150 editions sent to thousands of residents, we want to hear from you!
What topics, programs, or departments interest you most? Are there stories you’d like to see us cover more often? Whether it’s updates about health and safety, sustainability efforts, community initiatives, or cultural events, we want to ensure that the newsletter continues to deliver content that matters to you.
Beyond the content, we’d also love your feedback on the newsletter’s design and format. Is it easy to read? Are there changes we can make to improve your experience?
Your input is invaluable as we work to refine and enhance the Delaware County Weekly for the year ahead. Share your thoughts and help us continue to create a newsletter that keeps you informed, engaged, and inspired.
Thank you for being a part of this journey—your feedback makes all the difference!
Let us know what you think!
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Final Night for the Delaware County Festival of Lights is Tonight, Saturday, January 4! | |
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Delaware County’s annual Festival of Lights at Rose Tree Park ends its holiday run on Saturday, January 4, at 10:00 p.m.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this cherished Delco tradition before it wraps up for the season tonight!
Admission and parking are free, and the display is fully walkable. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome, and handicapped parking is available for those who need it. Please note that the park's playground closes at 4:30 p.m.
So, bundle up, grab your loved ones, and visit Rose Tree Park to create memories that will warm your heart all winter long.
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A Look Back at Delaware County’s Holiday Concert Series | |
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This past December, the halls of the Delaware County Government Center were filled with music and cheer from several student choirs visiting from across the county during the County's annual Holiday Concert Series. This cherished tradition has become a highlight of the season, spreading warmth and holiday spirit to employees, visitors, and students alike.
This year’s series showcased the remarkable talents from the Upper Darby High School Chorale, the Penn Wood High School Choir, the Media Elementary Mustang Choir, Ridley Middle School Chorus, the Paxon Hollow Middle School Tiger Tones, the Marple Newtown High School Select Choir, and the Interboro High School Choir.
Each performance filled the Government Center lobby with unforgettable musical moments that celebrated the season. The concert series continues to be a wonderful way to connect the community through music, shining a spotlight on the dedication and artistry of Delaware County’s young performers.
Thank you to the participating choirs and directors for making this tradition so magical. We’re already looking forward to next year!
| The Media Elementary Mustang Choir | The Interboro High School Choir | Paxon Hollow Middle School Tiger Tones | The Penn Wood High School Choir | The Marple Newtown High School Select Choir | The Upper Darby High School Chorale | |
The Ridley Middle School Chorus | |
Delaware County Council Attends 10th Annual Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Village | |
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Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, Council Member Christine Reuther, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, County Controller Joanne Phillips, Delaware County Sheriff Jerry L. Sanders, and elected officials from the PA State Senate, State House, and Media Borough were honored to join Rabbi Tzvi Altein of the Chabad of Delaware County in celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at the 10th Annual Grand Menorah Lighting celebration outside of the Delaware County Courthouse in Media on the evening of Sunday, December 29.
Hanukkah began at sunset on Wednesday, December 25, and ended at sunset on Thursday, January 2.
During the ceremony, U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon was honored with the lighting of the Shamash candle (used to light the other candles in the Menorah), and Council Chair Dr. Taylor highlighted the significance of the fifth night of Hanukkah. Although Hanukkah began on December 25th this year, the ceremony was scheduled to maximize attendance and inclusivity, ensuring all could participate. Dr. Taylor encouraged everyone to spread light, hope, and kindness throughout the community.
Prior to the Menorah lighting, Chabad of Delaware County and participating Media businesses created a Hanukkah Village along State Street, with Game on State, Kenny's Flower Shoppe, Homesewn, Little People's Consignment Boutique, Media-Upper Providence Free Library, Ten Thousand Villages Media, and the Law Office of Deborah Truscello opening their doors for a festive afternoon of family-fun activities, including Hanukkah story time, Hanukkah Face & Nail art, Menorah making, candle making, donut decorating, Lego dreidels, and an olive press workshop.
Thank you to the many residents and volunteers who participated, as well as the Media Fire Company Station 23 for once again participating in the Gelt Drop!
We hope that Delaware County residents enjoyed a very Happy and Healthy Hanukkah!
| Residents gathering for the big night | Rabbi Tzvi Altein of the Chabad of Delaware County speaks, backed by numerous Delaware County elected officials | Words of wisdom from the smallest speaker! Happy Hanukkah! | |
Final Reminder! Delaware County Health Department Partnering with Pennie to Provide Affordable Health Coverage | |
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The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) recently announced a partnership with Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official online health insurance marketplace. Created by the state and supported by top private insurance companies, Pennie helps residents access affordable, high-quality health insurance plans that meet their needs.
To ensure residents receive the support they need, Pennie staff members will be available at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the 2025 open enrollment period. These in-person sessions provide an opportunity for individuals and families to get assistance with understanding plan options, completing enrollment, and accessing available savings.
The 2025 Pennie open enrollment period runs through January 15, 2025. Please be aware that January 15, 2025 is the last day to enroll for coverage starting February 1, 2025.
For many, navigating health insurance can be overwhelming, and Pennie aims to simplify the process while ensuring no Pennsylvanian is left without coverage. By offering access to multilingual Assisters and free resources, Pennie helps individuals and families secure the best coverage at the lowest cost possible.
Contact DCHD via the Delaware County Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 or by email at
DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.
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