CLIFTON HEIGHTS — Clifton Heights is celebrating 140 years and, at its recent Borough Council meeting, marked this year’s milestone with a cake and recognition of the important date. The borough, which borders Darby Creek, was incorporated from Upper Darby Township on June 1, 1885. The main roadways through the borough are Baltimore Pike and West Springfield Road, which intersect in the town’s center. The SEPTA trolley stops at several locations in the borough, while traveling the route from Sharon Hill to the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby. Clifton Heights’ proud history is rooted in settlement by the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans, followed by Swedish immigrants and Quakers who arrived in the 1700s and eventually established businesses and homes. The borough’s development was heavily influenced by the presence of various mills, with the machine tool industry playing a crucial role in the community during the Great Depression. Key historical landmarks in the borough include Tin Kettle Hill, believed to be the origin of the “Heights” in the borough’s name, and the J and T Kent Co., which manufactured carpet yarn. In the early 1950s, Clifton Precision, a defense contractor, built a factory in Clifton Heights. The company designed and manufactured motors and other electronic components out of the location, which was later acquired by Litton Industries and operated until the late 1990s, when the property was sold and converted into offices and warehouse space. The borough has many interesting events in its history. The borough is home to the first Italian Ice company in the United States, Rosati Ice. The company, now owned by Rich Trotter, was founded by Sam Rosati in 1912 and is still located in the borough on East Madison Avenue. Clifton Heights is also the original home of The Slinky, one of the most popular toys of the 20th century. Invented in 1943 by local residents Richard James and named by his wife Betty, The Slinky was manufactured in Clifton Heights at James Industries until 1965. A historical marker now marks the spot where the world-famous toy made its debut. Clifton Heights is also the birthplace of the glam rock band Cinderella, formed in 1982. Clifton Heights remains a family-friendly town, with thriving athletic programs — several professional athletes grew up in the borough — and a proud history and bright future. As a part of the Upper Darby School District, Clifton Heights will soon be home to the district’s new Middle School. Clifton Heights, which also has a proud history of Independence Day celebrations, will hold its annual parade at 10 a.m. Friday, July 4. The parade will assemble at Church and Baltimore avenues at the Liberty Gas Station, and proceed down Baltimore Pike to Marple Avenue, ending at the Capp USA parking lot for the annual awards and festivities. The annual fireworks will go off at dusk. Due to the construction of the new middle school, no spectators will be permitted on the field. All residents of Clifton Heights will be able to enjoy viewing the fireworks from the comfort of their homes. The next borough council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at Borough Hall, 30 S. Springfield Road. For more information, call the borough office at 610-623-1000 or visit
www.cliftonheightspa.gov. Sisters of St. Francis honor jubilarians
More than 150 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia and their friends and family gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel in Aston on Sunday, June 8, to honor the congregation’s 2025 jubilarians who were celebrating 70 and 50 years of religious profession. Together, the 11 jubilarians represent a remarkable 750 years of collective service across a wide range of ministries, including education, health care, child care, social services, prayer ministry, parish and diocesan ministry, congregational service, and elder care. Their ministry work has extended across 14 states and 24 dioceses, and beyond the United States to Africa, Puerto Rico, and Ireland. • Sister Frances Acton, OSF, formerly Sister St. William, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and currently lives at Assisi House in Aston, serving in prayer and hospitality ministry. Sister previously ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where she taught at St. Elizabeth School, Philadelphia; St. Benedict School, Philadelphia; St. Mary of Assumption School, Manayunk; St. Aloysious School, Pottstown; and Little Flower High School, Philadelphia. She also served the congregation in the finance and charism offices for 12 years. • Sister Sheila Byrne, OSF, formerly Sister Gratiana, was born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland. She currently serves in prayer and hospitality ministry at Assisi House, Aston. • Sister Marie Francine Campbell, OSF, was born in Media. She currently serves as a volunteer/pastoral associate at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia. She previously ministered in education in the archdiocese at St. Aloysius School, Pottstown; St. Elizabeth School, Philadelphia; and at St. Maria Goretti High School, where she served as guidance counselor. • Sister Maria de Guadalupe Diaz, OSF, was born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. She currently lives at Assisi House in Aston, serving in prayer and hospitality ministry. Previously in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she ministered in parish and local house ministry at St. Boniface Parish and at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston. • Sister Magdalen Mary Dunne, OSF, was born in Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. She currently serves in prayer and hospitality ministry at Assisi House, Aston. She previously ministered in the archdiocese as a cook at Our Lady of Angels Convent, Aston; St. Mary of Assumption Convent, Bryn Mawr; and Assisi House, Aston. • Sister Mary Carmel Earls, OSF, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland. She currently serves in parish ministry at Carline Project at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Dublin, Ireland. She previously ministered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a teacher at St. Benedict School in Philadelphia. • Sister Angela O’Connell, OSF, was born in County Cork, Ireland. She currently serves as a volunteer for the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation in Aston. She previously ministered in the archdiocese in education at St. Elizabeth School, St. Ludwig School, and All Saints School in Philadelphia; Nativity BVM School, Media; Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Doylestown. She was principal of St. Francis DeSales School, Lenni and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Morton. She also served the congregation as general service administrator. • Sister Mary Rita Paratore, OSF, formerly Sister M. Rita of Crucifix, was born in Frankfort, New York. She currently serves in local house ministry at Canticle Hall in Aston. • Sister Thomasann Quinn, OSF, was born in Chester. She currently serves in prayer and hospitality ministry at Assisi House, Aston. She previously ministered in the archdiocese in education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Morton, where she also was principal; St. Aloysious School, Pottstown; and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Doylestown. • Sister Maria Orlandini, OSF, who was born in Bedizzole, Italy, and currently serves as director of advocacy for Franciscan Action Network in Washington. She previously served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in social services at Anna’s Place in Chester. The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is a community of approximately 265 Catholic women religious who choose a Gospel way of life lived in community and uphold a long and honored tradition of loving God and being in relationships through loving service. The Sisters choose to live the Gospel in the prophetic spirit of Francis of Assisi and foundress Mother Francis Bachmann. With Jesus Christ as Brother, they live as sister with one another, with the entire human family, and with all creation. They are committed to a life of contemplation, poverty, and humility. Seeking to participate in the Spirit’s action in the world, the Sisters direct their personal and corporate resources to the promotion of justice, peace, and reconciliation. To find out more information, go to
www.osfphila.org. Fire police to hold flea market at Upper Darby High School
The 7th and 8th District Fire Police will hold their annual flea market at Upper Darby High School on Lansdowne Avenue, Upper Darby, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. This is the last flea market at UDHS until the fall. For information, call 215-834-2157.
Cirque du Soleil’s OVO comes to area in July
Philadelphia-area residents can now find out what all the buzz is about when OVO by Cirque du Soleil comes to the Wells Fargo Center from July 11 to 13. Created 15 years ago, the famous show OVO (“egg” in Portuguese) by Cirque du Soleil will be making a stop in Philadelphia with a new iteration of the breathtaking show: a reimagined set design, new acrobatic acts, original characters, reimagined costumes, and reinvented music. OVO dazzles more than ever with its fascinating insect colony, bringing together 53 acrobats and musicians in a show that delights both adults and children. After captivating audiences in 40 countries and enchanting crowds in Europe, the Middle East, and Egypt, OVO is returning to North America. Shows at the Wells Fargo Center will be 7 p.m. July 11; 3 and 7 p.m. July 12; and 1 and 5 p.m. July 13. Tickets are available at
www.cirquedusoleil.com/OVO. Friends of Heinz Refuge to host Summer Solstice Celebration
The Friends of Heinz Refuge will host its Summer Solstice Celebration on Friday, June 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The event will feature an evening of family fun, featuring music, crafts, food and more. Free archery lessons will be offered from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information:
http://fws.gov/refuge/John_Heinz/. Race to sign up for First Baptist Church’s VBS
Rocket Racers are coming to Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church of Ogden, Upper Chichester, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 to Friday, Aug. 15. Kids from age 4 to grade seven are invited to join the race, with each night filled with Bible stories, games, puppets, crafts, snacks and prizes. The VBS is free to attend. However, a free will offering will be accepted for a mission project to help prepare meals for service members at Christian Servicemen’s Center. First Baptist Church is located at 2446 Mill Road, Upper Chichester. For registration and more information:
http://FBCOGDEN.org. Women invited to Testa Rossa’s Girls Night Out featuring Italian romance author
Testa Rossa Glen Mills will host a Girls Night Out on Wednesday, July 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.. Round up the girls and get ready for an evening of spritzes, stories, and serious main character energy at Testa Rossa Glen Mills, 919 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, with local Italian romance author, Tania Trozzo, for the ultimate Girls Night Out on the patio. Guests can sip Spring Spritz Cocktails, snack on small bites, and enjoy a lively chat with Trozzo, who will be dishing on her real-life Italian love story, the one that inspired her to write romance novels. After spending 10 years living in Italy, including three in the swoon-worthy city of Verona, Trozzo returned home and started turning the love-filled stories in her head into bestselling books. One of them, “Lucky Charm,” was picked up by an Italian publisher and relaunched as “Portafortuna.” Trozzo also gives tips on how to keep romance alive to attendees who are single, taken, or somewhere in between. Her books will be available at the event for purchase and personalization. And, guests will also get to create their own flower bouquet at the make-your-own flower cart, because every girls’ night needs something pretty to take home. Tickets are $55 and are available at
www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-romance-spritzes-tickets-1392859653719?aff=SocialMedia . Ticket price includes the spritz cocktails, small bites, flower bouquet experience, and the author event. In case of rain, the event will take place under the covered patio. Nestled in the Shoppes of Brinton Lakes, Testa Rossa Glen Mills delivers a bold and flavorful Italian-American experience with house-made pasta, hand-tossed pizzas, and crave-worthy share plates. The new outdoor oasis includes 52 patio seats and 43 seats on a three-season covered portico, surrounded by greenery and a serene fountain, an idyllic backdrop for everything from casual lunches to romantic dinners. For more information, call Testa Rossa at 610-335-9900.
Upland to show ‘Wicked’ in the park
The event is Saturday June 21 and runs from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. The featured presentation will be “Wicked,” rated PG. Everyone is welcome to the family-friendly movie in the park, which will start at dusk. Attendees should bring a blanket or chair for comfortable watching. Free popcorn will be offered in the pavilion, while supplies last.
