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The Upper Holmesburg Civic Association presented its latest community scholarships, which are part of a 10-year, $1 million community benefits agreement among the civic association, Holy Family and NewCourtland, for redevelopment of the former Liddonfield Homes housing project.
The last Liddonfield residents moved out in 2010, and the project was demolished later that year. Since then, the 32-acre site has remained largely vacant, except for an InnovAge Living Independently For Elders (LIFE) center that opened in 2020 and an acre granted to Heroic Gardens, which intends to plant sunflowers.
Holy Family no longer has anything to do with the property, but selected high school seniors each year earn full, four-year scholarships to the university.
This year’s scholarship winners are Father Judge’s Jagger Welsch and Little Flower’s Mia Labrusciano.
Welsch will major in nursing. At Judge, he is a member of the National Honor Society and tutors other students. He’s been involved with various school events, was a member of the cross country and track teams and coaches track at St. Matthew, his alma mater.
Labrusciano will major in early education/special education. She has good grades at Little Flower and was a member of the volleyball team and Community Service Corps. She coaches volleyball at St. Hilary of Poitiers, her alma mater. She lives in St. Matthew Parish.
City Councilman Mike Driscoll and state Sen. Joe Picozzi were on hand to congratulate the scholarship winners.
At the end of the meeting, guests feasted on pizza and goodies donated by the Dining Car.
In other news from the May 15 meeting:
• The civic association announced three additions to its Hometown Heroes program, which hangs banners honoring military veterans. The banners feature a picture and branch and years of service.
The new banners honor Robert J. Gaspero, a Marine staff sergeant who served from 1965-71, including in Vietnam; Michael J. Pilieri, an Army private 1st Class who served from 1943-46, including in World War II; and Anthony Perez Jr., who has served in the Army since 2022, presently in South Korea.
Councilman Mike Driscoll’s 101-year-old dad, Joe, a World War II veteran, has a banner near Frankford Avenue and Academy Road.
Civic association vice president Bill Kenny chairs the Hometown Heroes program. The cost is $250 per banner, or free for families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. For more information, visit upperholmesburg.org.
• The Upper Holmesburg Civic Association donated 50 fishing rods to the fishing program at the hatchery at Pleasant Hill Park.
• The Upper Holmesburg Civic Association is sponsoring the Pennypack Music Festival, which will take place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. The schedule is June 4 (Black Dog, tribute to Led Zeppelin), June 11 (Pure Petty, tribute to Tom Petty), June 18 (The Land of Ozz, tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath), June 25 (Romeo Delight, tribute to Van Halen), July 2 (Idol Kings, tribute to Journey and REO Speedwagon), July 9 (Irish Night, Ed Kelly’s birthday celebration, Jamison and Bogside Rogues), July 16 (Kick it Out, tribute to Heart), July 23 (Starman, tribute to David Bowie), July 30 (Crystal Ship, tribute to the Doors), Aug. 6 (Street Survivor, tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd), Aug. 13 (The Launch, tribute to Queen, Boston and Styx) and Aug. 20 (LeCompt). ••
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