MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP — Delaware County-based Wawa Inc., announced last week that this Veterans Day, the company will once again offer free any size hot coffee to veterans, active military members and their families, all day, with no military ID required.
This will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at all 1,200 Wawa stores throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Washington D.C.
“It’s our annual tradition for 16 years to salute service members on Veterans Day with a hot cup of coffee to thank them for everything they do to serve our communities,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa CEO. “We’ve also been providing service members abroad with a Taste of Home through our coffee care packages, and we are passionate about continuing this tradition for years to come.”
Operation Taste of Home care packages are an annual tradition organized by Wawa Associates and supported by the USO who together help send more than 10,000 care packages to military members currently deployed. Wawa associates and members of the USO and Army National Guard assembled more than 10,000 care packages to be sent to our military service men and women abroad.
In addition, The Wawa Foundation presented a check to the USO for $953,755 from funds raised through in-store coin and scan campaigns held at every Wawa store during the summer of 2026.
The funds go to programs supporting the military members and their families and are distributed to the local USO chapters located throughout Wawa’s operating area. Since 2012, The Wawa Foundation has raised over $15 million to support USO programs and services that help to strengthen the well-being of service members and their families.
Over the years, Wawa has sent thousands of cups of coffee and care packages to military members overseas who have written to request it. Partnering with the USO to formally send care packages to deployed military members is just one of the many ways Wawa shows support and thanks for the great men and women who serve our country.
PSU Extension Master Gardeners announce garden contest winners
The 35th Annual Garden Contest of the Delaware County Master Gardeners has concluded with an awards ceremony at the recent Fall Fest held at Smedley Park. Thirty-one ribbons were awarded in various levels and categories.
Among the many first-place gardens, there was a stellar community garden from the Kinder Park Towers at Delaware County Housing Authority in Woodlyn. Their garden includes many handicapped-accessible features, such as raised garden boxes. An abundance of vegetables and fruit is grown for all the neighbors to enjoy. At the time of judging, the peach tree has a prolific crop.
Another first-place garden in Newtown Square belongs to Nicole DiGiambattista. Over the course of six years, Nicole DiGiambattista has fine-tuned her vegetable garden into four raised beds and trellises, with a nearby flower garden to attract pollinators. She also protects her crops from animals with fencing and wire mesh. Her garden is a textbook example of maximizing yield in a small side yard.
A first-place ribbon was awarded in a new category this year. Trish Zecca of Thornton won for her Senses and Sustenance garden. She had both ornamental landscaping and a substantial fenced vegetable garden. Since her recent retirement, Zecca has pursued her passion for gardening and, in her first year, has found it to be quite rewarding.
In another ornamental category, Regina Mawusi of Glen Mills won first place in the intermediate division for her small entrance garden in her townhouse development. Mawusi combined succulents and Zen-style statuary to create a beautiful entrance garden. The garden is an inspiration to her neighbors, who all have small plots for gardening.
The Master Gardener annual Garden Contest is open to all residents of Delaware County, whether they are a novice, intermediate or advanced gardener. There are categories for every garden, whether it is a community, youth or residential garden.
Entries will be accepted in late March 2027 for three judging dates in May, June and August. For more information about the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program in Delaware County, and its garden contest, go to https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/delaware/.
Haverford Guild of Craftsmen to hold Holiday Art and Fine Craft Show
The Haverford Guild of Craftsmen will hold its 2026 Holiday Art & Fine Craft Show on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Haverford Community Recreation and Environment Center (CREC), 9000 Parkview Drive, Haverford Township.
Holiday shoppers can browse from more than 60 juried artists and buy gifts for loved ones and can not only find their perfect gifts, but they can meet the artists themselves. Admission is $5 at the door, or $3 with a coupon.
For more information, directions and a discount coupon, go to http://haverfordguild.org/Holiday2026.
Media Rotary to hold Fall Fling Bingo
The Rotary Club of Media will host Fall Fling Bingo at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Rocky Run YMCA, 1299 W. Baltimore Pike, in Media. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the BYOB/BYOF event.
Tickets are $40 if purchased in advance and $45 at the door. Admission includes eight games of bingo and a door prize ticket. Two bonus rounds will cost an additional $10.
All prizes will be worth at least $200. Prizes include a Eagles Game Day basket, which will have a couple of bottles of bourbon along with chips, crackers, sausages and other snacks; a basket with Media Theatre ticket vouchers, a local restaurant gift certificate and a bottle of wine; an authenticated Dallas Goedert Helmet; and much more.
Additional baskets will be included in a silent auction, including a YMCA three-month family membership. To purchase tickets, go to www.mediarotary.org.
Springfield Garden Club dresses up Colonial Plantation for fall
The Garden Club of Springfield recently held a fall decoration event at the Colonial Plantation farmstead in Ridley Creek State Park to prepare the historical property for visitors who come to learn about Colonial times. The autumn decorations will be on display through Saturday, Nov. 28.
The garden club decorated three rooms of the farmhouse with large and small pumpkins, and dozens of various gourds. Many of the decorations were donated by Wolff’s Apple House in Middletown Township.
For more information, about the club, email GCSmembership1@gmail.com or follow the club on Facebook at “Garden Club of SpringfieldDELCOPA.”
The Garden Club of Springfield is a member of District I Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania (GCFP) and National Garden Clubs, Inc. For more information, directions and hours of the Colonial Plantation Farmstead, go to: http://colonialfarmstead.org/.
Over 1,000 athletes to compete in Special Olympics PA competitions at Villanova
Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Fall Festival, presented by CSL Behring, will take place at Villanova University for the 38th year from Nov. 13 to 15.
This year, the event theme is “Sail the coastal sea, chart your course to victory!” and will welcome more than 1,700 coaches, athletes and Unified Partners representing 43 county programs from across the state. Participants will compete in bocce, long distance running/walking, powerlifting, soccer, volleyball and flag football.
“Special Olympics plays a special role in so many families’ lives, and we’re proud to support its work as presenting sponsor of this year’s Fall Festival,” said Joel Hanson of CSL. “We look forward to seeing these tremendous athletes from across Pennsylvania demonstrate the power of commitment, perseverance and teamwork, and to recognizing the volunteers, families and supporters who make this event such a meaningful celebration of inclusion and community.”
More than 2,000 volunteers from the Villanova student body and the surrounding community are expected to participate in the event this year, serving in numerous capacities including officials, athlete escorts and award presenters.
The full weekend begins with the thrill of the Fall Festival Torch Run, presented by Tri-State Toyota Dealers.
It is a 28-mile non-competitive run consisting of 18 segments from Courtyard Marriott Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard to Villanova University on Friday, Nov. 13. Hundreds of runners representing law enforcement officers, athletes, elected officials, schools and businesses will transport the Flame of Hope to campus to signal the official opening of the Games.
To celebrate this partnership, the Rav4th Mile was created this year and will take place on the fifth leg of the event and feature school groups cheering on the runners. The run begins at 9 a.m. and concludes its journey to campus at approximately 3 p.m.
The Fall Festival Opening Ceremonies will kick off at 7 p.m. at Villanova’s William B. Finneran Pavilion and will feature performances and guest speakers.
Entertainment and special guests will include the Villanova Cheer Spirit Line, Nate Garland, Interim CEO & President of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, and much more. Opening ceremonies will conclude with the lighting of the Olympic torch to signify the official start of the Games.
Throughout the weekend, athletes will be able to receive Healthy Athlete screenings, which include physical therapy, audiology, better health and wellness, vision, dentistry and podiatry.
Special Olympics Pennsylvania is also hosting a free Healthy Athletes Community Event on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Villanova University for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 8 and over who are not currently registered Special Olympics PA athletes.
Participants can receive free health screenings, connect with health and wellness resources, and learn more about fitness, sports and getting involved with Special Olympics PA.
This year, Allegheny Health Network’s Chill Room will be available at Healthy Athletes, where athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to practice mindfulness and learn coping skills. The Chill Room is available to help participants prepare for their next event or relax in a quiet space.
Fall Festival will also include an “Olympic town” providing athlete activities in-between sporting events; a Victory Jamboree; and Closing Ceremonies.
The 2026 Fall Festival major event sponsors include Presenting Sponsor CSL Behring; Platinum Sponsors: PHLY Insurance, Kessler Topaz Meltzer and Check, and NJM Insurance; State Premier partners: Aramark, Abarta Coca-Cola, PA Able, Knights of Columbus, Harmelin Media, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Penske, Wawa, Jersey Mike’s, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Columbia Sportswear, Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), Sheetz, Post Acute Medical, the Misitano Family and Independence Blue Cross.
For more information, or a schedule of events, go to https://specialolympicspa.org.
Philly’s largest holiday market opens at Dilworth Park this month
Philadelphia’s largest outdoor holiday market for local artists, makers, and crafters is returning with festive flair for the 2026 holiday season. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will be back for its 12th consecutive season at Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St., starting on Friday, Nov. 13 and running through Thursday, Jan. 1.
This year, the market will once again offer a unique holiday shopping opportunity, from noon until 8 p.m., with hours extended to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, giving visitors extra time to shop, sip and soak in the magical atmosphere after work and into the evening.
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market celebrates the incredible talent of local artisans, makers and crafters from the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond. Visitors can look forward to a delightful array of handmade holiday decorations, unique gifts, home goods, apparel, and specialty foodie treats, with over 40 vendors from the Greater Philadelphia and tri-state area offering a curated selection that is perfect for holiday shopping.
There is no charge to shop and visit the market, with food, drink and shopping, pay-as-you-go. The area will be festively decked out with lights, stars and other holiday decor.
“Philadelphia is home to an incredible community of makers, artists, and small businesses, and the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate them,” said CEO Thomas Bauer. “The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market gives visitors the opportunity to shop with purpose, discover special gifts and directly support the people who make our city so creative and vibrant.”
From Philadelphia-inspired artwork and handmade jewelry to artisan foods, clothing, home décor, and unique gifts, the market offers shoppers an alternative to traditional holiday shopping while putting local and regional businesses front and center during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.
For additional information, visit www.madeinphila.com or follow @philaholidays on Instagram and @madeinphila on Facebook.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com/.
