Fortunate to have Historic Philadelphia Inc.
As a retired Philadelphia school teacher and former Temple adjunct, I was delighted to read last week’s front-page report by Tom Waring about an organization that is dedicated to preserving our city’s contribution to American history (“History in our back yard,” Aug. 7). What a refreshing story! We have until Labor Day to catch this unique program.
I was especially inspired by how the nonprofit organization known as Historic Philadelphia Inc. employs retired Temple University history scholars like Steve “Shecky” Perlman who impersonates Benjamin Franklin as he guides walking tours. HPI’s full program is called “Once Upon a Nation History Makers.”
Perlman is just one of many educated and costumed impersonators who teach tourists about our local history makers including Betsy Ross, credited with sewing the first United States flag.
We are indeed fortunate to have such dedicated organizations like HPI and their well-trained guides to protect and preserve the wonderful contributions made by local citizens to the history of our country. Thanks to Tom Waring for this informative report.
Here again is their contact information: Call 215-629-4026 or visit: historicphiladelphia.org.
Gloria C. Endres
Cherelle, are you listening?
I’m so tired of complaining to the mayor’s office about these issues but maybe seeing it in print may spark some action.
Now, you are allowed to store your recycle/trash bins in front of your home, this leaves passersbys to dump their trash there. Who put this in action? No one likes to drag bins through your house on trash day, but when you live in the city, that’s how it was always done.
People are leaving out their unwanted food items on steps, in this summer heat, leaving rodents to feed on. Why don’t they bring it to food pantries, like the one on South 9th Street.
And, these low-hanging electrical wires and some with spiral wiring. The wiring in the city probably hasn’t been updated in over 50 years. Yet, they are installing new power poles without removing the old ones. We look like a third-world city. Looking at wiring in the back of my house and there are so many low-hanging wiring and maybe some illegal. Why doesn’t she make the utility companies update. She wastes no time advising us of upcoming raises of real estate taxes.
Finally, those cable dishes hanging on fronts of homes, bet half of them are not active. They should make cable companies remove the moment subscription is canceled.
Guess she doesn’t mind these messes just blocks from her office and as long as it’s not in front of her home. It would be nice if she kept her promise to “fight for a safer, cleaner, greener city.”
Nancy Cappiello
