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Fall flavoring
Here I am writing my annual Fall Guide introductory note, and all I can think about is the weather. What I am doing sitting on the sofa with my laptop?
The beautiful, 80-plus degree weather is screaming for a day filled with outdoor activities. I am tempted to hop in my car with a beach blanket and take a ride down the Shore. It’s a beach day.
Wait a minute, it’s October 6, which according to the calendar, is considered fall. “Shore season” ended after Labor Day. The piles of multi-colored leaves will eventually fill the sidewalks and green spaces, marking the more fall-like setting that everybody is accustomed to seeing.
Readers, you’ll notice that this week’s issue is being referred to as the “Fall Guide,” but there isn’t a rule that seasonal conditions must be in place to use the title. It provides an excuse to break away from the normal features such as Police Report, Neighborhood Gatherings and No Reservations Required to do something a little different. (Note to readers: All of the regular features will return to regularly-reserved pages in the Oct. 17 issue).
What makes this issue stand out as one of the year’s best is the 25 individuals profiled on the cover, as well as on the pages ahead (The unique stories begin to unfold on page 7.) These behind-the-scenes residents and workers — now distinguished as Difference Makers — aren’t helping neighbors in need, volunteering time to improve their respective neighborhoods or providing needed care for four-legged friends for the attention. However, in the eyes of their peers who nominated them, they are worthy of recognition. Some prefer remaining behind the scenes, and in the process, vacate their front-page square to another deserving individual.
When this concept first went from idea to print back in 2010, the biggest concern was would enough people support the nomination process to make the Difference Makers a constantly evolving process. Would we get enough nominations each year to keep the 25-a-year format intact? Well, now in its fourth cycle, we are pleased to report that the idea has come full circle as previous winners are nominating others, who in their eyes, are worthy of recognition.
Over the last few months, the stack of recognition letters came
in for candidates as young as 7 and as old as 83. Some were selected while others were placed in a folder for future consideration. As much as we would’ve liked to have profiled all of the deserving individuals, like the hit reality programs “The X-Factor’ and “The Voice,” there are only limited spots available.
Together, this group of shining stars is helping make South Philadelphia a better place. Our inbox remains open for other local leaders who should be considered in the future.
For now, two simple words perfectly tie the current group of honorees with those recognized before them: Thank you.
Feel free, should the temperatures remain unseasonably warm, to pull up a beach chair.
For those looking for more fall-like activities or Halloween-themed happenings, please see our expanded event listings on page 29.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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