A new village makes it easier to age in place | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, where to get crafty gifts around town.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
A group of township residents has formed a network aimed at helping older adults age in place. Also this week, SEPTA plans to wrap up Regional Rail car updates shortly, Narberth parking permits are available for 2026, plus where to get unique and crafty gifts around town.
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A group of Lower Merion residents has come together to help one another age in place. More and more older adults prefer to remain in their homes, a choice that comes with some logistical concerns.
Lower Merion Village, part of the national Village to Village Network, is setting out to ease some of those burdens by connecting residents to social events, as well as transportation, household help, and other services.
While Lower Merion Village isn’t accepting members yet, its organizers have their sights set on being a resource to help longtime residents thrive in the community they love.
Read more about Lower Merion Village here.
💡 Community News
SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.
Narberth residential parking permits for 2026 are now available. Fees range from $10 for a single car to $100 for a fourth vehicle.
Bryn Mawr College last week announced Airea “Dee” Matthews, professor and co-chair of the creative writing department, as its next provost. Matthews will assume the role on Jan. 1.
Looking for a crafty holiday gift for those on your list? Several Lower Merion shops, including Past Present Future in Ardmore, and Something Different by Eric in Bryn Mawr, have goods like funky snow globes, cat-themed pillows, and other unique housewares.
For those shopping in Ardmore, township metered parking spaces and the township garage on Cricket Avenue are free on Saturdays this month.
On Sunday and Monday, Santa will be visiting parts of Lower Merion aboard a Merion Fire Company of Ardmore fire truck. The big man will visit Wynnewood, Ardmore north of the railroad tracks, and Haverford on Sunday, and then the Ardmore section south of the railroad tracks on Monday.
Brook J. Lenfest sold his 14,000-square-foot Haverford home, which was the most expensive recorded residential sale in the Philadelphia area among public records last week. The CEO of telecommunications company NetCarrier’s Avonwood Road home went for $5.9 million. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
Narberth’s GET Café is the subject of a new documentary that will debut at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute tonight at 7 p.m. David Block’s Brewing Possibilities focuses on the cafe’s mission to support neurodivergent individuals through employment and community building. Tickets to the premiere are $30. (Patch)
It may not even officially be winter yet, but Holy Child School at Rosemont has opened registration for its 2026 summer camps.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Black Rocks’ book fair runs through tomorrow and winter concerts continue throughout this week and next. See the district’s full calendar here.
Lower Merion tackle/defensive tackle Kechan Miller has signed on to play college football at Temple University next year.
🍽️ On our Plate
Hanukkah begins Sunday night. Looking for takeout or catering options? Main Line Today has rounded up 10 local spots offering everything from sides to main dishes.
🎳 Things to Do
🎄 Home for the Holidays: Take a look inside the main house at Stoneleigh, all decked out for the holidays. There will also be seasonal treats and musical performances. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14, times vary 💵 $15 for Natural Lands members and $20 for non-members 📍Stoneleigh
🛍️ Ardmore Holiday Market: Over 20 vendors will be selling handcrafted goods at this inaugural event. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Schauffele Plaza
🎵 Funky Brunch: Holiday Edition: Shop local vendors while sipping beer and enjoying brunch at this family-friendly event. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Ardmore Music Hall
🍫 Happy Hanukkah Menorah Making and More: Kids ages 5 to 12 can make edible Hanukkah-themed crafts. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 4-5 p.m. 💵 $21.20 📍The Candy Lab
✡️ Menorah Lighting: Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a lighting of the giant menorah at Suburban Square. There will also be food, drinks, and activities like donut decorating. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Suburban Square
🖌️ Kwanzaa Crafternoon: Kids can make a colorful Kwanzaa craft out of paper, stickers, and markers during this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library
🏡 On the Market
This Penn Valley home has a distinctive look thanks to its midcentury modern design. The majority of the home’s living space is on the first floor, which has an updated eat-in kitchen and six of the home’s seven bedrooms. The primary suite has three walk-in closets and sliding glass doors that lead to an atrium and an office. There’s another suite on the lower level, but perhaps most unique is the glass-encased indoor pool. The home also has a large deck and patio.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $2.485M | Size: 5,881 SF | Acreage: 1.29
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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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.