Inside a whimsical Merion Station home | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, remembering Past Present Future’s longtime Ardmore tenure.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
Think your home is colorful? This Merion Station couple takes things up a notch or two. Also this week, shoppers remember longtime Ardmore staple Past Present Future ahead of its closure, a popular Villanova University bar under investigation says it’s being targeted, plus thousands of Main Line Health patients insured by UnitedHealthcare risk going out of network amid contract negotiations.
Inquirer Lower Merion
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When Lindsay and Noel Carota moved into their five-bedroom Georgian revival Merion Station home in 1990, they set about making it their own.
Today, the house is a riot of colors and textures and full of whimsical touches that start at the entrance. There, visitors are greeted by a brass-frog knocker on a purple door. Inside, there are plenty more frogs — something Lindsay began collecting at 21.
Rooms are painted in watercolor hues of blues, pinks, greens, yellows, and purples, including the dining room, which has swirls of pink on its ceiling and floral fabric wallpaper with matching drapes.
Take a peek at their one-of-a-kind decor.
After 50 years in business, the last 30 or so in Ardmore, Sherry Tillman is getting ready to retire and will soon close beloved shop Past Present Future.
Located at 15 Lancaster Ave., the store became a popular spot to shop for an array of goods, from trinket boxes to figurines to tarot cards. While she hasn’t set an official closing date, Tillman has begun discounting her inventory as she winds down, with plans to later sell the building itself.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner caught up with Tillman about how the shop evolved and how she helped spur the local art community.
💡 Community News
Popular Villanova University student watering hole Kelly’s Taproom is being investigated by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for alleged violations including noise, open containers, and disorderly conduct. But the owners say it’s the latest development in a decades-long battle with local officials and residents. The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner has the details.
Some 32,000 Main Line Health patients insured by UnitedHealthcare could face service interruptions and providers going out of network if the insurer and the health system, which owns Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center, don’t reach a deal by June 30. The two organizations are currently in negotiations.
The community is mourning the death of Wynnewood native and local public relations maven Nina G. Zucker, who died last week at the age of 69. A Lower Merion High School alum, Zucker was the founder and president of her eponymous firm, Nina Zucker Associates, where she worked on public relations and marketing campaigns for clients ranging from musicians, actors, artists, and athletes to governments and nonprofits.
The township is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday along with Amtrak about the railroad’s plans to upgrade the power systems on the Bryn Mawr to Paoli segment of its Harrisburg line. The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the township building. You can also attend virtually.
The latest edition of Inquirer series “How I Bought This House” takes us just over the township border to Wynnefield, where a 38-year-old accountant purchased a new-construction townhouse for $499,000. Heather Ong prioritized a move-in ready spot that was quiet and had outdoor space for her dog, Lilly, landing on a neighborhood that gave her “a bigger bang” for her buck.
A Wynnewood family got a surprise visit from the Phillie Phanatic and a makeover for their yard earlier this week when the team partnered with swing set company King Swings. The gift, which included a garden upgrade and a new doghouse, comes in the wake of the family losing their father to a rare disease. (6abc)
🏫 Schools Briefing
Lower Merion School District is considering a policy that would help reduce screen time for its youngest learners, including no longer assigning laptops and iPads to kindergartners, first graders, and second graders. There would also be changes to how technology is used for third- through sixth-grade students. The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna lays out the details and explains why some parents still don’t think the policy goes far enough.
Lower Merion’s school board is slated to meet Monday to approve its final budget for the 2026-27 school year, which calls for a 3.5% property tax hike. There’s also a facilities and purchasing committee meeting this morning.
The class of 2026 graduated last week in ceremonies at Villanova University’s Finneran Pavilion. Lower Merion High School graduated 415 seniors and Harriton High School graduated 300 seniors.
Final exams begin today for high school students. There are a number of end-of-year events, including Cynwyd Elementary’s fourth grade “glow up” party this evening, Black Rock’s “Royal Jubilee” tomorrow, and eighth-grade promotion ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday. There are also fourth-grade promotion ceremonies on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday is the last day of classes for this school year. See the district’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
With summer right around the corner, farmers markets are in full swing. Luckily there are a few nearby, including the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, the Lancaster County Farmers Market in Wayne, and for those who don’t mind crossing the river, the Pretzel Park Farmers Market in Manayunk. The Inquirer’s Hira Qureshi has rounded up two dozen spots to check out.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: Folk and blues singer Tom Rush headlines this week’s show. ⏰ Friday, June 12, 7 p.m. 💵 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo
💃 The Rock and Roll Playhouse: The kid-friendly outfit will perform Taylor Swift tunes. ⏰ Saturday, June 13, 11:45 a.m. 💵 $20.44, free for kids under 1 📍 Ardmore Music Hall
🎵 Music in the Park: The summer concert series kicks off with a performance by local party band The Percolators. ⏰ Wednesday, June 17, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo
☀️ Summer Solstice: Ahead of the longest day of the year, celebrate the season with a wine garden, kids activities, food, music, and a bonfire. ⏰ Thursday, June 18, 6:30-9 p.m. 💵 $35 per family 📍 Riverbend Environmental Education Center
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1943, this Penn Valley home exudes Old World charm from its stone exterior to the intricate moldings inside. The Colonial has both living and family rooms, both with their own fireplaces, an updated kitchen, and five bedrooms, in addition to a rec room. It also features a patio that opens onto a pool and a circular garden that branches off to a shed. There’s an open house Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $1.455M | Size: 5,142 SF | Acreage: 1.05
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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