Changing weather is changing restaurants | Inquirer Greater Abington
Plus, Cheltenham axes AI-powered camera.
Hi, Greater Abington.
Extreme weather is causing a challenge for the culinary industry, local chefs and farmers said as they gathered to strategize last week at FarmerJawn in Elkins Park. Also noteworthy this week, Cheltenham changed course on purchasing an AI-powered surveillance camera, The Inquirer looks at measles vaccination rates at local kindergartens amid a statewide outbreak, and we go inside the home studio of a Glenside sculptor tapped to create a memorial for the nation’s capital.
— Laura Smythe (greaterabington@inquirer.com)
Inquirer Greater Abington
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Ingredient shortages, supply instability, long-term planning.
Those are some of the difficulties plaguing the Philadelphia-area farmers and restaurateurs who gathered last week at FarmerJawn Community Greenhouses in Elkins Park to plan how to adapt to the impacts of extreme weather last spring.
Some chefs lament how environmental shifts are threatening menu staples, from corn and apples to mollusks and cereals. And with Pennsylvania’s climate growing warmer and more intense, the industry is largely anticipating the situation to worsen.
🌰 Further reading: Sunflower picking and less-common crops such as chestnuts and jujubes are cropping up on farms’ fall offerings.
Cheltenham officials backtracked plans to buy a $35,000 surveillance camera.
The purchase had been approved by the board of commissioners at a Sept. 16 meeting. At that time, several residents voiced concerns about officials’ apparent confusion about the equipment after Township Manager Jonathan Altshul said he didn’t think the camera used license-plate reading technology — yet it does.
“If you don’t even know if that’s a license plate reader or not and you’re ready to vote, I’m not filled with confidence about this board,” one resident said at the meeting.
Rohan takes us inside Cheltenham’s switch-up and the confusion over the tech.
💡 Community news
Redeemer Health, the financially struggling Montgomery County nonprofit that owns Holy Redeemer Medical Center in Abington Township, failed to make a Sept. 1 bond payment. It said it’s working on a “reorganization.”
Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr recently visited the home studio of Glenside sculptor Zenos Frudakis, the creator of notable Philadelphia pieces such as the controversial statue of former Mayor Frank Rizzo and 10-foot-tall likenesses of Phillies players at Citizens Bank Park. He’s now been commissioned to create a Thomas Paine memorial for the nation’s capital.
Attention commuters: SEPTA made changes to some of its Regional Rail schedules as of Sunday, so be sure to check times before heading out the door this week.
Abington Township begins collecting leaves on Monday. Residents can find schedules and pick-up details here.
Abington Township is also accepting applications for the role of Ward 1 commissioner, following the resignation of Tom Hecker. The board of commissioners is tentatively planning to consider an appointment at its public meeting on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
Community members are invited to the 17th birthday celebration for Kareem Bayoumy, who has Down syndrome and autism and, per his mother, has never had a friend attend his birthday party. The event is organized by the nonprofit Cherab Foundation, and will take place on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Crestmont Park. Glenside Local has the details.
🗺️ Other nearby news
Next Tuesday is the last day to request a mail ballot for the November primary election. Check out The Inquirer’s guide to the midterms.
An expansive house featuring a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, elevator, and showroom closet is on the market for $4.25 million in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Take a look inside.
🏫 Schools briefing
As Pennsylvania experiences one of the country’s largest measles outbreaks in decades, data show that 40% of Philly-area kindergarten classrooms were vulnerable to infection last school year — an increase of 7 percentage points from 2024-25. See how vaccination rates at your local school stack up.
🍽️ On our plate
Black sesame, known for its nutty, earthy flavor, is having a moment in the culinary world. It’s cropping up in menu items across the region, The Inquirer’s Kiki Aranita writes.
🎳 Things to do
🍬 Trunk or Treat: Put on your best costume and select your candy favorites from decorated trunks around campus. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Manor College, Jenkintown
👻 Living Room of Horrors Improv Show: This unscripted act that leans on audience involvement promises bits “inspired by creepy campfire stories” and riffs on “nightmare-fueled” daily life. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 23, 8-10 p.m. 💵 $16-$20 📍 The Royal, Glenside
🔥 Fall Fest and Bonfire: Come for the hayrides and bonfire, stay for the Brews with a View beer garden and the food trucks. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Curtis Arboretum, Wyncote
🏡 On the market
This five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home in Elkins Park boasts plenty of room spread throughout its three stories. Its kitchen has been updated according to the listing, while other features include first-floor laundry, a mudroom, and off-street parking. Looking to entertain outdoors? The home has both a front porch and back deck.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $450,000 | Size: 2,518 square feet | Acreage: .21
📈 Greater Abington market report
Median listing price: $525,000 (up $40,000 from August) 📈
Median sold price: $440,200 (up $15,200 from August) 📈
Median days on the market: 30 (down eight days from August) 📉
Median listing price: $407,500 (up $17,500 from August) 📈
Median sold price: $550,000 (up $60,000 from August) 📈
Median days on the market: 38 (down 23 from August) 📉
Median listing price: $449,900 (same as August) ✔️
Median sold price: $355,000 (down $80,000 from August) 📉
Median days on the market: 49 (up four days from August) 📈
This Greater Abington market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for September from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Greater Abington residents are reading this week:
Staffer Patricia Madej contributed to this newsletter.
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