Delaware County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Blog: Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Not many cities have statues on top of their City Hall to honor one of their founders like Philadelphia does with William Penn. 

New Years Day and the Philadelphia Mummers Parade

It's a New Year in a New Decade after a Blue Moon last night.  The future is unfolding and again one is given a new start that concurs with everyone around the world.  The energy of a New Year is always powerful to me for the traditions of this day evoke hope, joy and fun.

One such "fun" tradition is the Philadelphia Mummers Parade.  If you are from the area, you know what I mean: the Mummer's Strut, the Comics, the Brigades and the String Bands (my favorite). This parade may not be your cup of tea, but you cannot deny the fact that this annual family event has an impact on many in the Philadelphia area who either participate in the event, watch it on TV or spend the day standing on Broad Street near City Hall in the cold.  This is the 110^th Anniversary of this uniquely Philadelphia event.

Regular folks participate in this parade; some families have done so for a few generations.  They prepare and do fundraisers all year long just to get the chance to parade the streets of Philadelphia and for a few minutes to perform in front of judges to hopefully win a prize.  They also do this, I imagine, for the strong community feeling that is evoked with such an event. 

If you are unfamiliar with this parade you must check it out sometime to see the amazing work that is put into the costumes, to hear the sound of the String Bands and to see something that you can only see in Philadelphia.  The performers march and play their instruments in almost freezing weather.  Having been raised in the Philadelphia area the unique sound of the string bands is something I will always enjoy hearing, watching the performances of the bands as they move in unison with each other with their glitter and plumes is truly a fun way for me to mark the New Year and to feel the fond memories of New Years past.

You may say this parade is all silliness, but you can't deny the fact that the people participating in this event and the onlookers on TV or those who brave the cold are all having fun and what a way to bring in the New Year!   Happy New Year Everyone!       (Written by Gloria)    Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC


Doug Durren and Gloria Todor, Realtors^®, CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty
Serving Delaware County Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas
610-909-0687 Doug       610-328-4300 x131 Office
484-431-3686 Gloria      www.RealEstateDelawareCountyPA.com
Email GloriaTodor@Century21.com

In September 2007 a new type of library opened its doors to the public in West Philadelphia.  The items it has on loan are not books but tools; tools that can be used to make things, repair things, maintain things and beautify things.  I remember seeing such a library in the mid 1990's when I lived in Seattle and I am so happy now to know that they are catching on in other parts of the country.

The reasons I am happy to see one here is that too often people buy a tool for a project and then they never use it again.  It sits on a shelf or in a drawer never to be seen or used again.  What a waste, someone could be using it!  I also like the community building potential such a place offers.  Not only are there the tools to be borrowed, but there is the potential to educate the public and offer a hub for sharing ideas and skills.

Another reason I like this type of library is that some people just don't have the money to buy tools or equipment to do a repair or a job around the house that they could easily do themselves if they had the right tools and now here is an affordable alternative to buying tools.

I wish this library many years of service to the public.        Gloria

Find out more about the West Philly Tool Library www.westphillytools.org

Find out more about tool libraries around the country  www.westphillytools.org/other_tool_libraries.htm