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Inside the township’s composting program | Inquirer Haverford

Plus, a local gallery owner is accused in a fraud scheme.

Chris Pieretti's Kitchen Harvest is turning organic waste into compost on the grounds of Linvilla Orchards.
Chris Pieretti's Kitchen Harvest is turning organic waste into compost on the grounds of Linvilla Orchards. Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

Hello, Haverford!

Welcome to the first edition of The Inquirer’s weekly newsletter bringing you the most pertinent news from in and around Haverford Township. Each week, you can expect a mix of the biggest community stories, school district and municipal government updates, restaurant and retail comings and goings, as well as local events you won’t want to miss.

Here’s what’s going on this week: The township’s new compost program is helping turn food waste into compost. We look at how it’s feeding area crops. Also noteworthy, a local gallery owner has been accused of being part of a scheme to sell fraudulent artwork, township resident and Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham has his eye on the future, plus, where to go leaf peeping this fall.

As we get started, tell us what you think of our newsletter by emailing us back here or taking our survey. And feel free to drop us a line any time, whether it’s with tips, coverage ideas, or just to say hello.

See you back here next week!

— Lisa Dukart (haverford@inquirer.com)

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Inquirer Haverford

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Earlier this year, Haverford Township launched a curbside composting program, becoming the latest local municipality to seek ways to divert organic materials from landfills.

But what happens to those banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds after they’re taken away? Thanks to the initiative, they’re being repurposed at Linvilla Orchards, where composting company Kitchen Harvest is converting food scraps into nutrient-rich, soil-like compost. In turn, the compost feeds Linvilla’s crops and enriches local gardens, creating a circular system.

In July, 162 tons of organic material was collected, township manager Dave Burman said, adding that the amount of trash collected was down 141 fewer tons this July compared to last July.

The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner digs into the township’s free program and how residents are diverting waste.

💡 Community news

  1. The owner of Dane Fine Art has been named in a lawsuit for allegedly participating in a scheme to sell fraudulent artwork, including fake Andy Warhol paintings. The 2320 Haverford Rd. gallery was raided by the FBI earlier this year. Owner Nathan “Nicky” Isen has denied the accusations.

  2. Jason Eaton, the 51-year-old man who shot three people over Thanksgiving 2023, including a Haverford College student, was convicted this week on three counts of second-degree attempted murder. The shooting, which happened in Vermont, caused non-life-threatening injuries to Haverford’s Kinnan Abdalhamid and paralyzed another individual.

  3. After Haverford resident Brandon Graham announced his retirement from the Eagles — for the second time — earlier this month, he’s turning his attention to his budding media career. The two-time Super Bowl champion is now focused on the new season of his Unblocked podcast and will also be on PHLY for postgame Eagles coverage.

  4. New adult fitness equipment has been installed at Polo Field as part of a larger park makeover that will include a fresh basketball court, new playground equipment, a pavilion, and seating.

  5. Roadwork will continue on College Avenue between Haverford and Coopertown Roads on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Nov. 20 for a monthslong Peco project.

  6. Registration is open for the township’s fall programs, which include fitness classes, nature series, and the start of indoor pickleball.

  7. There’s a township-wide volunteer fair Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Community Recreation and Environmental Center. The inaugural event will give residents a chance to connect with over 20 nonprofits.

  8. Delaware County plans to install 70 flood gauges to help it better track data and plan for future extreme weather, as well as improve flood responses. The region experienced an unusually high number of flooding events over the summer, posting some of the largest numbers of warnings issued nationwide. On the upside, all that rain may make for a particularly vibrant foliage season.

🗺️ Other nearby news

  1. Fall is officially here. Making plans for the season? The Inquirer has rounded up can’t-miss festivals, a guide to apple picking, plus a dozen great spots to go leaf peeping.

🏫 Schools briefing

  1. Residents can meet with Superintendent Matthew C. Hayes at tomorrow morning’s community connection event at the administration building. The discussion will focus on school year updates.

  2. The Haverford School is looking to demolish several buildings on Panmure Road and Buck Lane to make way for two artificial turf fields, a move that some area residents oppose, citing traffic concerns. The township’s planning commission earlier this month said it would not make a decision until a traffic study had been completed.

  3. Manoa Nursery School at 153 N. Eagle Rd. has been shut down after operating without a license, but expects to open under new management shortly, the Daily Times reports.

🍽️ On our plate

  1. A La Mousse owner Anna Chen is working to improve mooncakes’ reputation by giving the intricate but otherwise unimpressive treats a twist, The Inquirer’s Kiki Aranita writes, including stuffing them with a range of fillings and flavors. Find Chen’s take on mooncakes at A La Mousse’s Narberth outpost ahead of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow.

  2. Nanu’s Hot Chicken reopened last week at 59 W. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore after being forced to close at the end of July when a vehicle damaged the store.

  3. Former Sixers icon Julius “Dr. J” Erving will be at the Fine Wine and Good Spirits on Greenfield Avenue in Ardmore Saturday at 2 p.m. to sign pre-purchased bottles of American Harvest Organic Vodka.

🎳 Things to do

🐑 The Farmstead Fair: Harriton House’s annual celebration includes tours, cooking demonstrations, a beer garden, vendors, games, and pumpkin decorating. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Harriton House

🎸 Haverford Music Festival: Now in its 14th year, the festival includes performances by Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Shannon McNally, blues artist Buffalo Nichols, and bluegrass outfit Demolition String Band. There will also be food trucks, kids activities, and a beer and wine garden. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, noon-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Intersection of Eagle and Darby Roads

🎵 Imagine Lennon Live: Scot Arch and the Instant Karma Horns will perform a mix of Beatles tunes and John Lennon’s solo hits. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30-10 p.m. 💵 $26.50-$36.70 📍 Kelly Center

🌻 Eco-Printing with Wildflowers Workshop: Summer may officially be over, but that doesn’t mean its remnants can’t still make beautiful art. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 $85-$95 📍 Stoneleigh

🎶 Matchbox 30: The Tim William Bands will pay tribute to Matchbox 20 for the 30th anniversary of its iconic album Yourself or Someone Like You. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $29.50-$71.42 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

🏡 On the market

Built in 1945, this three-bedroom Ardmore home has gotten a modern interior makeover to give the first floor an open-concept layout. The space connects a living room with an electric fireplace to a dining area and the kitchen, which has an island, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops. All three bedrooms are upstairs, and there’s a finished basement with a half bathroom downstairs. There’s an open house Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $499,900 | Size: 1,260 SF | Acreage: 0.06

Each week we feature an interesting listing in or around the township. Have one we should consider? Email us at haverford@inquirer.com.

📈 Haverford market report

  1. Median listing price: $595,000 (up $2,500 from July) 📈

  2. Median sold price: $582,500 (down $7,500 from July) 📉

  3. Days on the market: 32 (up three days from July) 📈

This Haverford market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for August from realtor.com.

🗞️ What other Haverford residents are reading this week:

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