How Media became the nation’s first Fair Trade Town | Inquirer Greater Media
Plus, Media is the unlikely home for a club with some of the country’s top Scrabble players.
Hi, Greater Media! 👋
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Media as a Fair Trade Town. We delve into how it became the first in the U.S. Also this week, Swarthmore’s borough manager has been terminated, Media is home to a competitive Scrabble club, plus a monthslong utility project on Providence Road is set to get started.
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Two decades ago, one man’s vision and one woman’s email set into motion a first for Media as the pair worked to make the borough the nation’s first Fair Trade Town.
The idea came from Hal Taussig, the late founder of travel company UnTours who wanted to see his hometown prioritize quality products and fair wages for farmers in developing areas. To be part of the global trading agreement, farmers and producers must use eco-friendly practices, invest in their communities, and provide safe working conditions. In exchange, they’re paid higher minimum prices for goods like coffee, chocolate, and produce.
With a single late-night email to a man in England, Elizabeth Killough, who worked for Taussig, helped start the process. While major cities like New York and Los Angeles were working to establish themselves as Fair Trade hubs, Media beat them to it, and 20 years later, that ethos lives on.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner delves into what it means for the borough today.
💡 Community News
Swarthmore has a new interim borough manager. On Monday, borough council appointed David Unkovic to the role. He takes over for Sean Halbom, who has been terminated, according to Council President Jill Gaieski, The Inquirer learned late Wednesday night. Halbom began in the role less than six months ago, taking over for the outgoing manager Bill Webb in September.
Peco is aiming to begin a monthslong natural gas line replacement project on Monday in Media. Work will take place on Providence Road between Meetinghouse Road and Monroe Street on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through mid-July. While most work will be outdoors, Peco will need access to impacted homes to relight gas appliances. Read more about the project here.
In other construction news, the Swarthmore Avenue project is getting closer to completion. Needed parts for the repair project are expected to arrive next week, and once they’re installed, closures on the road are expected to be limited to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for “a few weeks.” Construction on the project began in December and was initially anticipated to take eight weeks.
Monday is the deadline for Swarthmore residents to order a tree for or near their curb. Here’s how you can get one.
Riddle Hospital reported a 36% increase in patients after Crozer-Chester Medical Center closed last spring. With more patients, the hospital’s parent company, Main Line Health, reported an $8.7 million operating profit for the first half of fiscal 2026, which ended Dec. 31.
Riddle Village in Middletown Township has become a hub for some of the country’s top Scrabble players. The Delco Scrabble Club’s members range widely in age and come from all over the area, but meet weekly at one of the members’ homes in Media. “I casually hop on SEPTA and then I’m face-to-face with the best Scrabble players in the country. It’s kind of intimidating,” Mark Abadi, 35, said at one of the club’s recent weekly meetings. He and another member of the group, Will Anderson, 41, have competed in national tournaments and are putting their skills to the test on this season of the CW’s game show Scrabble.
A pair of sisters recently put their family’s Spanish-style Wallingford home on the market for $699,000. The ranch was built in the 1970s, and their parents purchased it 42 years ago. Take a peek inside.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Two Penncrest High School sports teams are having successful runs. The boys’ ice hockey team shut out Conestoga High School 4-0 last week to claim the Central League championship. And the boys’ basketball team kicks off its PIAA 5A championship efforts on Friday, when the Lions host York Suburban High School. See the full 5A bracket here.
Reminder for Rose Tree Media families: There’s no school today or tomorrow for kindergarten through eighth grade students due to parent-teacher conferences. On Saturday, Penncrest High School is hosting Carnival for a Cure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food, games, and prizes, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness. See the district’s full calendar here.
Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is hosting a community meeting about the high school renovation tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Strath Haven High School library.
Also in WSSD, today is the Elementary Chorus Fest, and performances of Strath Haven High School’s musical, Alice By Heart, continue tomorrow through Sunday. On Monday, there’s a virtual meeting about navigating college admissions tests, and the spring book fair starts Tuesday. See the district’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
Fox 29’s Bob Kelly recently visited Bittersweet Kitchen in Media to sample some of its brunch offerings, including crème brûlée pancakes, apple cider fritters, and huevos rancheros. See the segment here.
🎳 Things to Do
🏕️ School Day Off Mini-Adventure Camp: Kids in kindergarten through third grade can explore Tyler Arboretum through nature-themed crafts, outdoor play, games, and more. ⏰ Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Standard daily camp admission is $83.70 for members and $93 for non-members 📍Tyler Arboretum, Media
🩰 Sleeping Beauty: The classic fairytale gets a modern spin as Ballet of Lights dancers perform in glow-in-the-dark costumes. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. 💵 $43-$57 📍The Media Theatre
🎸 The Biscotti Boys: The Chester County party cover band will make its debut at Martinique Deux. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 8 p.m. 💵 No cover📍Martinique Deux, Media
🏡 On the Market
Located in Franklin Station off Route 1, this three-bedroom townhouse spans two floors, plus a finished basement, and has access to amenities including a clubhouse, pool, walking trails, and fitness center. The townhome’s open-concept first floor features living and dining areas, as well as the kitchen, which has an 8-foot quartz island, two-tone cabinetry, a herringbone backsplash, plus a walk-in pantry. The space opens onto a deck with a pergola. All three bedrooms are upstairs, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet, a double vanity, and a tiled shower. There are open houses Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.
See more photos of the townhouse here.
Price: $712,900 | Size: 2,727 SF
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