Teen skater remembers partner killed in D.C. plane crash | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, a Narberth native shares how Nick Foles inspired a pivotal moment in her new book.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
Months after a tragic plane crash took the lives of 67 people, Bala Cynwyd’s Matt Jacoby is finding ways to honor his late skating partner, Alydia Livingston. Also this week, we sat down with Narberth native and author Beck Dorey-Stein to talk about her newest book, an Ardmore joint has one of the region’s best tomato pies, plus the township is exploring a new shuttle service.
It’s been a few months since we first launched this newsletter, and we want to hear from you. How are we doing? Tell us by taking our survey or emailing us at lowermerion@inquirer.com.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
On the night of Jan. 28, Bala Cynwyd figure skater Matt Jacoby awoke to the unthinkable. After receiving a slew of texts and a phone call, the 16-year-old and his family learned that an American Airlines flight from Wichita to Washington, D.C. carrying his ice dance partner and her family had collided with a military helicopter, killing everyone on board. It was a flight he and his mom were almost on themselves.
Months after the tragedy that rocked the nation, Jacoby is honoring his late partner, 11-year-old Alydia Livingston, who he thought of like a little sister, by continuing to skate with joy, even on his hardest days, The Inquirer’s Alex Coffey reports.
Read more about how the Jacoby family is honoring Livington’s legacy.
💡 Community News
Author and Narberth native Beck Dorey-Stein is in town tonight for an event at Narberth Borough Hall at 6:30 p.m. promoting her latest book, Spectacular Things. Dorey-Stein sat down with us to share her inspiration for the book that includes sacrifice, sisters, and soccer, and how Nick Foles’ Super Bowl journey is partly reflected in one pivotal scene.
The Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth has elected a new chair to serve out its prior leader’s remaining tenure. Robert Paul took the helm after a committee member vote on Sept. 2. He succeeds Jeff Scott, who announced his plans to resign last month in advance of his term’s conclusion in May. Scott cited “increasing work and family commitments” for his decision. Paul, who is a lawyer, has been volunteering with DCLMN for over a decade and has served as vice chair of the DCLMN’s Eastern Wards for over two years. He will continue to serve in that role, as well, until a replacement is selected.
As the buzzy Amazon Prime Video show The Summer I Turned Pretty nears its end, fans are once again debating whether its main character is from the Main Line, as the show seems to suggest. Belly Conklin is a graduate of the fictitious Chesterbrook High School, but some locals envision her having grown up in Ardmore or Bryn Mawr. Wherever she’s from, local fans don’t think the character exudes Philly-area vibes. Here are their hot takes.
The township recently released findings from its shuttle survey, which explored the desire and feasibility of establishing a township-run service, in part due to SEPTA’s service reductions. The survey received responses from 1,145 people, who said their preference for potential stops included Suburban Square, grocery stores, libraries, parks, and trails. Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association, which prepared the survey, will next look at possible routes and present its findings to the township.
Heads up for drivers: PennDot is doing overnight roadwork on I-76 during weeknights now through Oct. 3. Expect lane closures in both directions between City Avenue and I-676 from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.
Registration is open for Narberth Athletic Association’s fall leagues, including boys’ and girls’ flag football and soccer.
A new menopause-focused health practice is getting ready to open in Bryn Mawr. The MP Collective, led by board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Kim Einhorn, will debut on Sept. 15 at 817 Summit Grove Ave. The membership-based practice will work with patients going through perimenopause and menopause. (Philadelphia magazine)
The owner of Cork & Candles in Ardmore is on the search for a kidney and has turned directly to potential donors in hopes of finding a match. Chris Holloway first received a kidney transplant in 2016, but last year discovered that transplant was failing. (Fox29)
Rabbi Shraga Sherman, of Chabad of the Main Line in Merion Station, has a unique view on Yom Kippur, a solemn Jewish holiday coming up in early October. Read about the rabbi’s “very upbeat, very positive, very empowering, very celebratory” philosophy toward the day of atonement in the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent’s recent profile.
🏫 Schools Briefing
School activities are in full swing this week, including picnics and back-to-school nights for select schools. Lower Merion High School’s Home and School Association is also hosting an ice cream social at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in Narberth from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. See the full list of events here.
LMSD is preparing its next five-year strategic plan, contracting a team from Chester County Intermediate Unit to help with development. Planning will get underway in October and run through April, with a report from the board expected in May. (Main Line Times)
The Shipley School’s new head, who began July 1, recently shared some of his goals for the private pre-K through 12th grade Bryn Mawr school, which includes planning for its vast and growing real estate portfolio. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
🍽️ On our Plate
Carlino’s Market in Ardmore has one of the best tomato pies in the region, according to The Inquirer’s Food writers, who noted “the thick, focaccia-style crusts are topped with a chunky puttanesca sauce."
Starting Monday, Lark in Bala Cynwyd will be open seven days a week. The restaurant was previously open Tuesday through Sunday.
🎳 Things to Do
🐕 Paws in the Pool: Pups can cool down in the pool before it closes for the season. ⏰ Through Friday, Sept. 5, 3-7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 7, noon-4 p.m. 💵 $15 per day or $60 for all days 📍 Kaiserman JCC
🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: Canadian musician Ron Sexsmith, known for his classic pop and contemporary folk tunes, headlines this week’s show. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. 💵 $24.84 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo
🎪 Bryn Mawr Day: The annual event returns with a circus, food, local businesses, and more. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 💵 Free to attend 📍 Bryn Mawr
🐛 Biodiversity Bash: Help the Stoneleigh team identify biodiverse species in the gardens during three, 45-minute guided walks. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Stoneleigh
🦸 Saturday Afternoon Cartoons: Catch nearly two hours of cartoons from the 1980s through today. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m. 💵 $11.75 for children, $13.75 for students and seniors, and $16.25 for adults 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🎸 The Legwarmers: Travel back several decades as the band performs popular 1980s hits. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 6, 8 p.m. 💵 $33.38-$71.42 📍 Ardmore Music Hall
🍿 Pitch Perfect: If comedy is more your style, you won’t want to miss the beloved 2012 film about a college a capella group. ⏰ Monday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. 💵 $11.75 for children, $13.75 for students and seniors, and $16.25 for adults 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1979, what was once a barn has been converted into a high-end Villanova home. Spanning over 7,000 square feet, it has a two-story great room with a fireplace and wet bar, accented by overhead beams and skylights. The first floor also features an office, a mud room, and a kitchen with an adjacent dining area and a prep kitchen. The primary suite is situated in its own wing on the first floor, where it has a walk-in closet with built-ins and an island. The bedroom has a fireplace and access to a private balcony overlooking the backyard. There are dual marble bathrooms and a large walk-in shower, as well. The second floor has four additional bedrooms, while a third-floor loft provides additional living space. Other features include a theater set-up in the finished basement, and a saltwater pool surrounded by a patio out back.
See more photos from the listing here.
Price: $2.689M | Size: 7,063 SF | Acreage: 2.65
Have you seen an interesting listing in or around Lower Merion? Share it with us in an email to lowermerion@inquirer.com.
🗣️ We want to hear from you!
See something we’re missing? Want to alert us about a community event? Take our survey or reach out to us at lowermerion@inquirer.com.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.