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🚹 When the rescuers need rescuing | Morning Newsletter

And you can’t out-Delco Delcoland

    by Taylor Allen
    Published 

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

The hot streak isn’t letting up, with a high of 88 today and clear, sunny skies.

In today’s newsletter:

📅 Remembering Hurricane Ida: One year ago today, Ida pummeled Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. First responders and survivors share their stories.

đŸȘ§ A strike: The workers of the Philadelphia Museum of Art authorized a strike after almost two years of bargaining.

💧A drought watch: Pennsylvania wants you to reduce your water intake by up to 10%.

Also, don’t forget that President Joe Biden is coming to give a speech outside Independence Hall tonight 🔑. Check Inquirer.com for live updates.

If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

Let’s get into it.

— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

‘Don’t let us die down here’: A year later, a look at Hurricane Ida’s devastation of the Philly area. 🔑

It’s been a year since Hurricane Ida unleashed record flooding, a tornado, and destruction on Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, claiming four lives.

Images of I-676 under water made national headlines. President Joe Biden declared the city and surrounding counties federal disaster zones.

But no one recalls the day more vividly than emergency responders and survivors. They walk you through surreal and harrowing moments.

Through my colleagues David Gambacorta and Barbara Laker’s narrative storytelling, you will learn about:

  1. A couple hiding in their basement as a tornado slashed through their neighborhood.

  2. Rescuers who were swept up in the floodwaters while trying to help five stranded adults and an infant.

  3. Parents desperately trying to escape a surging creek, knowing only one would likely survive.

Continue reading to uncover how ready we are for another weather disaster.

What you should know today

  1. Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz called abortion “murder” during a campaign event in May, according to a newly revealed audio recording.

  2. Philly schools won’t be fully air-conditioned until 2027.

  3. According to the CDC, COVID and other health crises continue to shorten the typical American’s life.

  4. The Jefferson Hospital shooter was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder.

  5. Workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art authorized a strike.

  6. Pennsylvania declared a drought watch for Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. It’s asking residents and businesses to decrease their water intake up to 10%.

  7. Avalon has a plan to encourage “boutique” hotels after Stone Harbor’s success. But it will have to face local pushback. 🔑

It’s not possible to love Delco more than these two

Nick Reynolds and John McKenzie are on a mission: make Delaware County even more Delco.

It’ll be hard to top their latest venture: Delcoland. It’s believed to be the only miniature golf course in the nation dedicated to the virtues of a single county.

Each hole represents a town and a notable landmark within that town.

Background: The intense pride isn’t new.

  1. The duo started their crusade to let the world know about Delco by opening Splash Surf Club, the Marple Public House, and Delco Steaks.

  2. Both men grew up in the county and have no plans to leave with their wives and children.

  3. “I was one of seven kids, my entire family has four or five kids themselves, and we all still live in the same town and all of our kids go to the same schools,” Reynolds said.

There aren’t Wawa trash cans or Swiss Farm drive-thrus to putt around. The real artistry and nostalgia are the signs for each hole.

Notable nods to the county:

  1. The Media sign features food truck owner and former professional boxer Augie Pantellas, a.k.a the “Broomall Bomber,” in front of the Delaware County Courthouse.

  2. A sign at one of the Folsom holes (yes, there are two) showcases a Delaware County Daily Times newspaper honor box outside of the first Wawa.

Reporter Stephanie Farr shares her personal favorites of the best holes in Delcoland.

🧠 Philly Trivia Time 🧠

Which fan-favorite character of the Philadelphia-inspired sitcom The Goldbergs will be killed off this season?

A. Murray

B. Erica

C. Beverly

D. Barry

Think you know? Find out.

What we’re...

📰 Reading: This essay arguing how unions can help Black workers’ upward mobility.

🎧 Sharing: The ultimate Philly podcast guide.

đŸč Craving: A highball cocktail. It’s a spirit lengthened with a bubbly, nonalcoholic mixer.

đŸ§© Unscramble the Anagram đŸ§©

Hint: MVP pizza

CARVE TRIM

Think you know? Send your guess our way at morningnewsletter@inquirer.com. We’ll give a shout-out to a reader at random who answers correctly. Today’s shout-out goes to Judy Pidgeon who correctly guessed Anthony Harris as Wednesday’s answer.

Photo of the day

That’s a wrap for your Thursday. See you again here tomorrow.