Murphy vs. Kane Update

The PA Progressives Summit today released the result of the straw poll taken last night after the debate.  Here are the results: Patrick Murphy 56.1% , Kathleen Kane 41.4%. Undecided: 2.4%.  

Madonna, the 1st time

Before Madonna was booked for the Indianapolis mini concert this weekend, the archival wizards at PHL17, Philadelphia, unearthed the reported 1st ever tv appearance, nearly 30 years ago, by a young and soon to be up and coming singer named Madonna. It aired in 1983 on the program “Dancin’ on Air” on PHl17.  This was not long after the [...]

The Young & The Fancy

Okay, the Fancy Division members of the Mummers are young , too. Young in age or young in heart, but I want to start with a teenager named Mikayla, who is not a Mummer, but who embodies the best of the Mummers.  Mikayla attends Council Rock High School South in Holland.  She organized a 2 and [...]

The D in Dana

Dana Theil You could certainly say that the D in Dana Theil stands for dance. Dana is co-director of the Pennsport School of Dance in South Philadelphia.  Her philosophy is straight forward: Have fun and, says Dana, “You’ve got to put on the best show that you can with what you have and that’s all I try to [...]

Happy Campers

As you enjoy your summer, so, too, do some camping friends of mine who got to enjoy MDA Summer Camp in Montgomery County.  The Muscular Dystrophy Association makes the week long camping experiences available thanks to the generous donations of you and so many others.   Firefighters from across the region prepare meals for the kids.   Firefighters [...]

Viva Los Vikings!

They’re wowing Vegas, baby!  Mummers rocked “America’s Got Talent” last night.  Members of the South Philly Vikings, led by outstanding and upbeat Captain Pete D’Amato, performed on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”  and blew the judges away, “Apocalypse”-style.  The First Prize winning Fancy Brigade in the 2010 Mummers Parade, of course performed at the Pennsylvania Convention Center [...]

The Gathering of Legends Past & Future

It’s how I see every Mummers gathering and so it was this past weekend when I attended 3 events, the Wench Brigade Association Banquet, as well as Golden Sunrise Fancy Club’s 50th Anniversary Banquet, and the annual Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to the Lucas family and all involved with Golden [...]

Unity and Fun at 2nd and Washington

On a unusually but pleasantly warm early spring night, Mummers gathered outside the Mummers Museum Saturday evening ahead of the annual New Years Shooters and Mummers Association Banquet.  President Bob Shannon had prepared a wonderful lineup for recognition and former Durning Captain and NYSMA officer Jerry LaRosa was primed to honor the Hall of Famers. The good [...]

Cheers to Local 2493!

Yes, Cheers Cheers Cheers to IAFF Local 2493 this afternoon and evening at Casey’s Saloon in Drexel Hill, where thousands of dollars has been raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and research into neuromuscular diseases.  Firefighters from all over stopped by, from as far away as Scranton, and yes, even Heidelberg, Germany!  Local President Peter [...]

Mums of La Mancha!

It was a momentous occasion tonight in the cavernous gymnasium at St. Matthew’s School in National Park, New Jersey.  Members of Quaker City String Band, rehearsing for the upcoming Show of Shows, kept one eye on the music and one eye on the prize waiting in the corner.   Jake Hart, the judge of judges, was [...]