East Falls Historical Society Oral History Interview

FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK HISTORY

Interviewee: Alexis Franklin, Founder and Coordinator of Friends of McMichael Park (AF)

Interviewer: Ellen Sheehan (ES)

Date of Interview: July 22, 2009

ES: I would like to ask you about your initial involvement with the Friends of McMichael Park.

Alexis: Hello. We started the Friends of McMichael Park because there was a need. The six acres were neglected. Trash cans were overflowing and it became a dumping ground, unfortunately, in the neighborhood where people would throw spare tires and sofas and the grass was three feet tall and I got tired of looking at it one day and 1 went over and posted small signs all around the park that said the turtle needed a friend. I scheduled a meeting at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, not knowing who or what would show up and Anne Land came along with a representative of the Department of Recreation and the room was filled with people who were concerned with McMichael Park. So that is how it started. Everyone agreed that it needed attention hut there wasn’t anyone spearheading so Tom Williams and Keith Shively, who lived across from the park were willing to act as coordinators with me to get things started; write letters, start a Friends group, open a bank account, get our EIN number and make contact with other community organizations.

ES: Are you a non-profit?

Alexis: We are non-profit. We kind of “ride the coat tails” of the East Falls Development Corporation. They have been very helpful since the very beginning. We are going back 20 years to 1989.

ES: Did you live near McMichael Park?

Alexis: I lived catty-comer to the Park right on Henry Avenue. I grew up on Queen Lane. I moved there in 1959 and attended Ravenhill Academy so I used to walk to school every day and go through the park. At that time the park was attended to. It wasn’t as bad as later. It got progressively worst. We were at the mercy of swimming pools and recreation fields that needed the attention obviously because the children needed swimming pools. So our grass wasn’t being cut because the swimming pools needed to be open or the baseball fields needed attention, so we were put on the back burner and that’s why the conditions got so bad.

ES: So at the time the park was under the auspices of the Recreation Dept. Did that change?

Alexis: Our City Councilman was Michael Nutter, who is now the Mayor. The Friends met with Michael Nutter and we discussed the fact that we were a passive park, which means we do not have a baseball or basketball field, so because we were a passive park we felt it was more of a grass cutting, peaceful place and we felt we should be under Fairmount Park because they were the ones who could really take care of it. They had arborists, which the Recreation Dept. did not have. They started sub-contracting the grass cutting and we have the grass cut every two weeks.

ES: Have they cooperated with you for these past twenty years?

Alexis: Actually, they have. There have been a number of district managers over the years, through Fairmount Park. We are part of District 3, and they are based on Henry Avenue, across from the Saul High School, up in Roxborough. They drive by every day. If they see a tree has fallen they are right there. They have been receptive. Any problems with the water fountain, they repair.

They assisted with the small stone walls on either side of the sign. They have given it a nice presentation. Anything we need they write letters of support. They help us get additional funding for the Park. The Friends provide maintenance but there are some things we cannot do. We cannot do cement work. We can’t do masonry or large trees. We do have large trees since the park was established in 1929. If we need a major work we can get a pruning grant from a local arborist.  

ES: Has the community in general supported you?

Alexis: Absolutely. We have always encourage people to use the park. Dog walkers use it and take care of it. We have nice people who stock pile debris. They work within the park. We are grateful for people who help. We encourage people to use the park so that it continues to be a viable centerpiece for the neighborhood.

ES: What about your volunteers?

Alexis: We have about 90 volunteers right now, not all active. We are aging up. We started out young and doing physical work, mulching and moving earth. Those who couldn’t do that would help by phone calling and letter writing, which was great. There is always a handful willing to come out and prune every spring and fall. We have had a lot of people who adopt a bench, a tree or area of the park. They weed, etc. on their own time. We basically meet as we can get together. People are working so we get together when we can. No dues because why would we ask people to work and pay money too? We would rather have them use volunteer time to come out and help maintain the park.

ES: How do you support the organization for paint and supplies?

Alexis: Basically, we rely on generous donations from the community. People are very generous. One of our major fund raisers is “Love Lights” supported by the Fallser. Everyone who purchases a love light for $5.00 (and it has stayed $5.00 over the years) gets an acknowledgment in the Fallser. Julie Camburn has been very helpful to us. We started out for a few hundred dollars and here we are after ten years and we raised $1‚000.00 this year. For one night, we light the tree with little red lights on Valentine night. For a February night it has been very successful. We use to have dancing at the lighting but the weather got too unpredictable. Sometimes people come with candles to the tree. It’s very sweet. It’s turned into something meaningful. I was inspired by Wissahickon Hospice. They had a lighting that they do every year at Christmas time for a loved one no longer with you. That is how I initially thought of the idea.

ES: When did you start your column with the Fallser?

Alexis: I found out this year that they celebrated their anniversary this year and I was one of the first ones. Fifteen years. I had no idea I had been writing it this long.

ES: How did you come up with the name “Turtle Talks?”

Alexis: I did it because there was a little newsletter that we had with that name. Some people refer to it as the “Turtle Park” so we called our newsletter after the turtle. We only issued one or two newsletters when Julie started the newspaper and she suggested we call it “Turtle Talks.” When I’m away on vacation, another volunteers will step up and write the column. Whenever a volunteer wants to do something I am fine with that. This is not a monarchy. Great, if you want to do something.

ES: How have other community organization helped you? For instance, East Falls Community Council?

Alexis: We have done a number of things. Every year the East Falls Festival and Flea Market use the Park. Money raised from the Flea Market goes back to the community. The Friends have applied for grants and we have obtained money from the fund for clean-up, doggie scoop bags, “Shakespeare in the Park.” Every year it’s something different. Initially our signs came from the East Falls Development Corporation and the Friends purchased the other one.

Our Historical Marker was gotten through funds from the community. We applied through the State for funding however, Morton McMichael did not have enough historical significance throughout the State so they turned us down. So we decided to do our own. We applied to East Falls Community Council for half of the funds and the Friends were going to raise the other half. We got to the council meeting and your sister (Doris Kelley) stood up and   said “I think this historical marker is so significant for East Falls that the community should pay for the entire marker.” There was a vote from the floor and it was voted on. Tom and Keith and I looked at each other and couldn’t believe it. We didn’t have to do the fundraising.  It was so             sweet of her to say she believed in the importance of this for the community. She was outspoken in a good way.

ES: Have other organizations used the park for other purposes?

Alexis: The Medical College Hospital has used it for their health fair. The schools have use it.  We coordinated with East Falls Tree Tenders, Penn Charter, Mifflin, St. Bridget’s. We had daffodil planting days. We have a program with Bartram Gardens where the school children come and learn about trees – an environmental class.  They do leaf rubbings and seed identification.  The wildlife is there – birds, butterflies, squirrels.

One year Penn Charter Lower School wanted to plant a tree, so they held an earthworm sale at the school and earned enough money to plant a tree at the corner of Coulter and McMichael Street, near the Penn Charter campus.  It is a beautiful pink flowering tree and every year those kids who are grown up now, come back and remember how they raised the money for the tree by selling earthworms. Many times kids come back now to do clean-ups or play ball.

ES: In reference to the Marker, where did it go and was there a ceremony?

Alexis: The marker was established at the corner of Midvale and McMichael Street. We had a dedication (in 1995) on Morton McMichael’s birthday, which is October 20.  He is the former Mayor of Philadelphia, Republican, Founder of the Union League, and he also founded a newspaper publication in Philadelphia. Because of the Union League’s connection, we had the Men’s Chorus group from the Union League, “The McMichaels” come and perform. We also had Edward Rendell, who was running for Mayor of Philadelphia. And a few others state reps, Michael Nutter. Keith Shively made a cover with a sketch of Morton McMichael. We unveiled the marker and held a             dedication ceremony, the group sang, and we had punch.

ES: How did the Hymn Sing for Christmas begin in the Park?

Alexis: The Hymn Sing (note: Carol Sing) was an offshoot of the EFCC. Pastor deHeyman started it. Each year it got bigger and bigger.  More instruments were added, more people came, candles were provided and music sheets. After the Hymn Sing, we went to the library for hot chocolate refreshments, and Santa Claus.

ES: What about other organizations such as the Falls Festival?

Alexis: The Falls Festival started small and grew – health care from MCP, Battle of the Bands.  They were before we were founded. Lucy Iannitto usually was involved. They asked me to chair the “Baby Parade” and that’s how I got involved. Later, I became chair of the Festival for a couple of years. Then I decided to just stick with the park.

ES: How did you establish your logo?

Alexis: The turtle is our logo. We ran an art project. Our theme was “What the Park means to you” John Gowling came up with a lovely drawing of the turtle.  He remembered playing in the sand around the turtle as a child. He designed our first logo, we put it on a T-shirt and that was our fundraiser for several years. About five years ago we added the 19129 zip code. A lot of people didn’t know where East Falls was so we used die zip code on the shirts.

Attachment:

FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK

3904 HENRY AVENUE

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19129

Phone: 215-849-0829

FAX 2I5-849-0188

Email Lexy39O4@aol.com

FRIENDS OF McMICHAEL PARK

ESTABLISHED 1990

COORDINATOR…. ALEXIS FRANKLIN (1990 TO PRESENT)

LOCATED IN THE EAST FALLS SECTION OF PHILADELPH1A. IT IS SIX GREEN ACRES WITH AN OPEN FIELD AT THE NORTHWEST END. THE PARK 1S NAMED AFTER MORTON MCMICHAEL, A FORMER MAYOR OF THE CITY. THERE IS ALSO AN HISTORICAL WAR MEMORIAL ESTABLISHED FOR ALL VETERANS.  IT IS ALSO “HOME OF THE TURTLE”, ONE OF THE LAST SURVIVING CEMENT TURTLES IN THE PARK SYSTEM. MCMICHAEL PARK IS CURRENTLY MAINTAINED BY THE FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISSION, DISTRICT THREE.

THE FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL WORK WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY AND CITY GROUPS:

EAST FALLS COMMUNITY COUNCIL (EFCC)

EAST FALLS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (EFBA)

EAST FALLS TREE TENDERS (EFTT)

EAST FALLS FLEA MARKET COMMITTEE

EAST FALLS FESTIVAL COMMIITEE

EAST FALLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (EFDC)

PENNSYLVANIA.HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (PHS)

PHILADELPHIA CARES

FAIRMOUNT PARK RANGERS

FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISSION

PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION

FRIENDS OF THE WISSAHICKON

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

CONTINUING CARE OF TREE PITS AND GARDEN BEDS INCLUDING WEEDING, WATERING AND MULCHING. LIGHT PRUNING OF SMALLER TREES.

1990,1996,1999,2001 – BENCH PAINTING 0F 22 PARK BENCHES. SOME EFFORTS COORDINATED WITH PHILLY CARES AND THE BOY SCOUTS OF TROOP #221 LEAD BY BILLY SCARPATO

1991 – REPLACEMENT S1DEWALKS AROUND PARK PERIMETER. DEPT. OF RECREATION.

1995, 1997 – SPRING ANNUALS PLANTED IN FRONT 0F WAR MEMORIAL AND GARDEN ENTRANCES.

1994 – HILARY LANGER DONATED AN EVERGREEN FROM HIS HOME TO BE PLANTD NEAR WAR MEMORIAL.

1993 – THREE WHITE AMELANCHIER TREES PLANTED IN HONOR OF MOTHERS DAY.

1993 – JOE LOCASTRO DONATED A KOUSA DOGWOOD FROM HIS GARDEN.

1995 – ESTABLISHED CEMENTED BASE TRASH RECEPTACLES IN PARK.

1996, 1998, 2000 – PRUNING OF THE TAXUS YEWS AROUND THE WAR MEMORIAL. (COST $300.00/BARTLETT)

2000 – MILLENNIUM GROVE ESTABLISHED ALONG WITH 2 KOUSA DOGWOODS AS PART OF THE “GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS PROGRAM”

1999,2000 – PENN CHARTER & THOMAS MIFFLIN STUDENTS PLANT DAFFODIL BULBS FOR SPRING BLOOMING.

2000 – FILM SERIES COORDINATED WJTH SUNOCO WELCOME AMER1CA…”T0 CATCH A THIEF” STARRING EAST FALLS OWN GRACE KELLY.

2000 – MAYOR EDWARD G. RENDELL TREE PLANTED WITH DONATIONS RAISED BY THE EFTT.

2000 – PERENNIAL BED AND RETAINING WALLS ESTABLISHED AT THE PARK ENTRANCES UNDER SIGNS.

1999,2000,2001,2002 – COORDINATED PROGRAM WLTH BARTRAM GARDENS AND EFTT WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

2001 – NEW TELEPHONE BOOTH AT THE CORNER OF HENRY AVENUE.

2001 – SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL CAMP, WILLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL.

2001 – SWEETGUM TREE PLANTED NEAR HENRY AVENUE IN HONOR OF TWO WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS, TOM WILLIAMS & KEITH SHIVELY WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY.

2002…3 – BOLLARDS ARE 1NSTALLED ON MIDVALE AVENUE NEAR BUS STOP TO REMOVE CURBSIDE HAZARDS AND GROUND IMPACTING, INSTALLED MIKE DESANTOS, FPC.

2003 – AUGUST – SECURITY LIGHTING OF THE TURTLE AND THE WAR MEMORIAL- INSTALLATION BY MIKE DESANTOS OF THE FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISS1ON.

GRANTS & FUNDRAISING          –

1992 – NEW PARK SIGNS AT HENRY AVENUE ENTRANCES…$840. GENERATED BY THE EFBA.

1996 – EAST FALLS FESTIVAL AWARDS COMMITTEE … $1,000. TO ESTABLISH AN HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATED TO MORTON MCMICHAEL.

1996 – NEW PARK ENTRANCE SIGNS … MONIES RAISED BY FOMCMP.

1997…PURP GRANT … $20,000 MATCHING GRANT FROM PENN. URBAN RESOURCE & AMOCO OIL CORPORATION & THE EFBA TO PRUNE 25 PERIMETER PARK TREES.

1998 – INTERIOR PRUNING OF OLDER TREES … BARTLETT

1995, 1996, 1997 – DAFFODIL BULB SALE AT THE EAST FALLS FLEA MARKET.

1996, 1997 – TOTE BAG SÄLE AT THE EAST FALLS FESTIVAL.

1998, 1999 – RAFFLE BASKETS AT THE EAST FALLS FESTIVAL.

1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 – “LOVELIGHTS’ ON VALENTINES DAY…ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR FRIENDS … BUY A LIGHT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL IN YOUR LIFE … RAISES $400.00 ANNUALLY.

2001 – NEW FLAG AND RESTORATION OF FLAGPOLE.

2002 … SEPTEMBER 11 – ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY …52 FLAGS WAVED IN MCMICHAEL PARK TO HONOR ALL OF THOSE WHO PERISHED IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTER DISASTER.

2003 – SPRING …5TH GRADERS FROM WILLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL PLANT ANNUALS AND GROOM THE BEDS AROUND WAR MEMORIAL. (COST $40..00 MULCH/FLOWERS)

2003 – MAY – PHILLY CARES … MULCH AND WEED TREE BEDS AROUND 60 NEW TREE PLANTINGS IN THE PARK. 60 BAGS OF MULCH WAS DONATED BY HOME DEPOT, CONSHOHOCKEN. 10-15 VOLUNTEERS FROM OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

2003 – 0CTOBER – SPRING BULB SALE TO RAISE MONIES FOR NEW ENTRANCE SIGNS AT THE CORNER OF HENRY & MIDVALE AVENUES /HENRY & COULTER ST. ($400.00 RAISED)

2004 – JANUARY …$ 1500.00 GRANT APPROVED BY THE EAST FALLS FESTIVAL FUND TO PAY FOR ONE OF THE PARK ENTRANCE SIGNS … APR1L INSTALLATION.

2004 – FEBRUARY …$300.00 RAISED THRU NEIGHBORHOOD “LOVELIGHTS” … DOLLARS RAISE CONTRIBUTED TO THE MATCHING MONIES NEEDED FOR PARK SIGNS.

2004 – OCTOBER … DONATION OF “DOGIPOTS” FROM SCHULKILL NATURE GROWING GREENER.. TWO POTS WITH BAGS WERE INSTALLED THRU FAIRMOUNT PARK, DISTRICT THREE AT THE CORNER OF MIDVALE AND HENRY AND COULTER AND MCMICHAEL STREETS.

2004 – NOVEMBER … CABLING OF THE “BIG” PAULOWNIA TREE. WORK DONATED BY HAL ROSNER OF BARTLETF. COORDJNATED THRU EAST FALLS TREE TENDERS.

JANUARY 2005 – PRUNING OF THE YEW BUSHES AROUND THE WAR MEMEMORIAL. WORK DONE BY BARTLETT TREE SERVICE. MONEY GRANTED BY THE EAST FALLS FESTIVAL FUND. ($600.00)

FEBRUARY 2005 – LOVELIGHTS FOR VALENTINES DAY. 8300.00 RAISED. FOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS PLUS THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE FALLSER.

2005 – SPRING … MULCHING OF TREE PITS ALONG MIDVALE AVENUE. ALSO, BENCH PA1NT1NG … 22 BENCHES. PAINT DONATED BY DURON PAINTS. WORK DONE AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT FOR THE 9TH GRADE BOYS AT CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY. (Cost of mulch, $240.00) (16 volunteer hours)

2005 – JUNE FLEA MARKET.. .T-SHIRT SALE TO CELEBRATE THE FORTIETH BIRTHDAY OF THE MCMICHAEL PARK TURTLE.

2005 OCTOBER – SPR1NG BULB SALE ORGANIZED BY CHRISTINA KISTLER … RA1SED $500.00

2005 NOVEMBER – COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT WITH THE 6th GRADE BOYS FROM THE WILLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL. TURTLE SWEEPING, MULCHING AND GENERAL CLEAN UP FROM THE GROUP OF 13 BOYS LED BY PENN CHARTER TEACHER, CHARLIE BROWN. COST $45.00 FOR MULCH. 4 VOLUNTEER HOURS.

2005, FALL – BENCH DONATED BY THE GREICOS IN MEMORY OF THEIR PARENTS, JUDGE STAN AND SOPHIE KUBACKI

2006, FEBRUARY …LOVELIGHTS RAISED $350.00. FALLSER SUPPORT PLUS 4 VOLUNTEER HOURS

2006, MARCH … FRIENDS RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE EAST FALLS FESTIVAL FUND OF $275.00 TO PURCHASE DOGGIE BÄGS. MCMICHAEL PARK USED 6000 BAGS IN 2005.

2006, APRIL – 4th GRADE CLASS OF THE WILLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL CAME OUT CLEAN UP THE WINDER GARDEN AS WELL AS WEED AND MULCH THE STREET TREES ALONG MCMICHAEL STREET.

2006, JUNE – FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK SELL, “TURTLE T-SHIRTS” TO BENEFIT PARK PROJECTS.  –

2006, SPRING – GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS BENCH PUCHASED BY THE HUGHES FAMILY TO CELEBRATE RITA HUGHES BIRTIIDAY.  RITA IS A REGULÄR IN MCMICHAEL PARK.

2006, AUGUST – 5 BENCHES REPAIRED BY THE FRIENDS OF WISSAHICKON. FPC HAD NO CARPENTERS.

2006, SEPTEMBER 11th, FLAGS FLYING IN MCMICHAEL TO COMMEMORATE THE FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSAY OF THOSE WE LOST IN 9-11.

2006, SEPTEMBER – 5 RECENTLY REPAIRED BENCHES WERE PAINTED AND PRIMED BY RICH LAMPERT AND DEBORAH THORP.

2006, OCTOBER – PARK PRUNING ON LOW LIMBS AND SUCKERS. CHRISTINA KISTLER, RICH LAMBPERT, VINCE GRIECO, JOHN FRANKLIN AND ÄLEXIS FRANKL1N

2007, FEBRUARY – LOVELIGHTS RAISED RECORD DOLLARS OF $750.00 THIS YEAR. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPEAR IN THE FALLSER.

2007, APRIL – ARBOR DAY COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH W1LLIAM PENN CHARTER SCHOOL. PLANTED THREE TREES WHICH WERE DONATED BY FAIRMOUNT PARK AND ALSO ASSISTED IN REMOVAL OF DEAD TREE ON COULTER STREET SIDE. LIMBS WERE ALSO STOCKPILED AND REMOVED.

2007, MAY – PHILLY CARES … PLANTINGS AROUND THE WAR MEMORIAL

2004-2008 – VINCE GREICO HAS STOCKED THE “DOGGIE BAGS” IN THE PARK. CORNER OF MIDVALE AND CORNER OF COUTLER @MCMICHAEL

2008, FEBRUARY – LOVELIGHTS RAISED $900.00

2008, MAY – TURTLE SWEEPERSIKJSTLER FAMILY. BRUCE CLAYTOR ADOPTS RENDELL TREE AND CORNER OF COULTER & HENRY AVENUE. ALEXIS FRANKLIN WEEDS & MULCHES TREES ALONG HENRY AVENUE.

2008, APRI – COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY WITH PENN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL. WEEDING AND MULCHING AND REMOVAL OF A FALLEN TREE. ALSO, WEEDING OF THE WINDER GARDEN.

JULY 23, 2008 – SHAKESPEARE IN MCMICHAEL PARK, “TAMING OF THE SHREW” BROUGHT BY COMMONWEALTH CLASSIC THEATER. SPONSORS: FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK, FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISSION & EAST FALLS COMMUNITY COUNCIL.

OCTOBER 1, 2008 – COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY WITH PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY. LEAD BY ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENTS, STEVE SPANNS AND UNIVERSITY FACILITIES DEPARTMENT, STEVE MCQUINN, 10 STUDENTS, FRIENDS ALEXIS FRANKLIN & JANE LYONS. PAINTING OF THE 22 GREEN BENCHES IN THE PARK PLUS A NEW COAT FOR THE TURTLE. PA1NT & SUPPLIES WAS DONATED BY DURON PAINTS IN EAST FALLS.

OCTOBER 18, 2008 – MCMICHAEL PARK WAS A CHEERING STATION FOR THE THOUSANDS OF WALKERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SUSAN B. KOMAN WALK FOR THE CURE.

OCTOBER 2008 – APPROVAL OF A $ 10,000.00 PRUNING GRANT THRU STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEWELL WILLIAMS. LESHAE HUDSON, ASSISTANT TO WILLIAMS, WILL DISPERSE FUNDS AS SOON AS THEY COME THRU. PAT CROSSAN & ALEXIS FRANKLIN WALK THRU MCMICHAEL PARK AND PREPARE LIST FOR THE STATE REP.

FEBRUARY 2009 – LOVELIGHTS BRING IN RECORD NUMBERS …$ 1000.00 RAISED. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AGAIN SUPPORTED BY TEE FALLSER.

APRIL/2009…COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY WITH THE WILLIAM PENN CHARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL. MULCHED AND WEEDED TREE PITS WITH 10-12 STUDENTS AND A FACULTY MEMBER.. CYNTHIA KISHINCHAND AND ALEXIS FRANKL1N SUPERVISED FROM THE FRIENDS OF MCMICHAEL PARK.

JUNE 3, 2009 – FRIENDLY PRUNERS, CHRISTINA AND BRIAN KISTLER, JANE KENNEDY, FRANCES BOURNE, BILL HOFFNER, AND RICH LAMPERT GAVE CLEARANCE TO ALL LOW LYING BRANCHES IN LIGHT OF THE EAST FALLS FLEA MARKET THAT WAS SCHEDULED THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND.