As with so many other events, the Delaware County Symphony is still not having any live, in-person concerts. But the show still goes on.
The symphony announced, through its Music Director Jennifer Nicole Campbell, that the symphony will be having virtual concerts. European Flavors is the first of six in that series and is already posted on YouTube and the symphony’s Facebook page.
Among the first concert’s works are compositions by Handel, Granados, Bach, Brahms, Schubert, and Fauré. It’s in association with Neumann University and under Campbell’s direction. DCS recorded European Flavors at Neumann’s Meagher Theater on Sept. 21. This is also the first collaboration between the university and the symphony to provide what they’re calling “Concerts on Demand.” There is no set schedule for the other concerts, but they will be announced about a week before the live stream, according to Merri Lee Newby, symphony president.
DCS will also be taking part in DELCO Arts Week 2020 with a special program on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. The presentation, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue: An American Icon is billed as a “musical walk-through” of the famous piece and how it “captures the essence of the American spirit.” It too will be available on YouTube here.
On Oct. 10, the symphony will have a “virtual instrument Petting Zoo” to teach children about various instruments and how their sounds work together. That will be at 2 p.m.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
Delaware County Republican Chairman Tom McGarrigle welcomed the Pennsylvania Senate’s confirmation of Gov. Tom Wolf’s nomination of Judge Andrea Puppio to fill a judicial vacancy on the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. Wolf’s nomination of Judge Puppio was confirmed by an overwhelming 47-2 vote of approval on Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Senate.
Judge Andrea Puppio during her confirmation.
“I have known Andrea Puppio for nearly two decades and I have no doubt that she will make an excellent addition to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas,” said McGarrigle.
“She has earned herself an excellent reputation as a knowledgeable, fair, and impartial judge. Judge Puppio is known for her balanced approach in the courtroom, treating litigants with respect but being tough when the situation calls for it. While we may be from different political parties, I thank Gov. Wolf for nominating a judge of Puppio’s caliber and the Democratic senators who set aside partisan politics to join Republicans in confirming her based on her qualifications.”
On Tuesday morning prior to the senate confirmation vote, Sen. Tim Kearney — a Democrat who represents the 26th Senatorial District in Delaware County — praised Puppio in remarks to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“I am confident she has the experience and the intellect to get to work immediately and faithfully serve the people of Delaware County,” said Kearney who joined the committee hearing remotely. “Judge Puppio is currently a magisterial district judge in Delaware County, a position she has held for over 18 years. In this role, she presided over everything from traffic hearings to truancy hearings and criminal hearings. Prior to joining the bench, she worked in private practice and in the public sector, including serving as a law clerk for a judge in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, an experience that will undoubtedly serve her well… I commend Judge Puppio’s willingness to temporarily serve in this position and bring her wealth of experience to the Court of Common Pleas and I appreciate the chance to introduce her to you today.”
Video of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, including Kearney’s remarks, can be viewed here.
Judge Puppio has served as a magisterial district judge for the 32-1-32 district court in Springfield for 18 years. She was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in May 2019 to serve as a member of the Court of Judicial Discipline, which is charged with hearing and ruling on charges of judicial misconduct within the state judiciary, as well as imposing sanctions. As a magisterial district judge, Puppio’s judicial duties include traffic and non-traffic hearings, truancy hearings, criminal arraignments, and preliminary hearings. She was first appointed to the position by former Gov. Ed Rendell in December 2002 and she has been re-elected twice by local voters.
In her capacity as a magisterial district judge, Puppio worked closely with the Springfield School District to develop a program to address truancy in the school system. She also speaks regularly at Home and School Association meetings where she shares information with parents, including new patterns of behavior in the students, trends, and other concerns. Since 2017, Judge Puppio has served on the Springfield Cares Coalition, a unified effort to address substance use disorder through positive actions and caring responses. Prior to her Senate confirmation today, Puppio served as Vice President of the Board of the Delaware County Magisterial District Judges’ Association.
A resident of Springfield Township and mother of two children, Judge Puppio received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1990 and her law degree from Villanova University School of Law in 1993. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Puppio was an associate at a plaintiff’s litigation law firm and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Frank T. Hazel in the Court of Common Pleas in Delaware County.
•Police said they arrested a Garnet Valley High School teacher for inappropriate Internet interactions with a recent Garnet Valley graduate. The report identified the teacher as Derek Vattellana, 38, of Glenmore. The victim is an 18-year-old woman from Chester Heights. Charges against Vattellana include possession of instruments of crime, indecent exposure, and open lewdness. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.
•State police reported they’re investigating a case of theft by deception. Details released are few, but a report said a 72-year-old man from Chadds Ford was directed to buy gift cards and to give those card numbers over the phone to an unknown person. The victim is out $18,000, the report said.
•A 38-year-old man from Delaware was arrested on DUI charges in Concord Township on Sept. 26. Police did not release the accused’s name in the report but said the incident happened at the Wawa on Route 202 at Naamans Creek Road at 1:20 a.m.
•Police said they arrested an 18-year-old man from Broomall for DUI following a traffic stop on Route 202 at Spring Hill Road. The arrest took place at 8:11 p.m. on Sept. 27 after police observed an unsafe U-turn. The suspect’s name was not released in the report.
Avondale Barracks
•On Sept. 22 at 8 a.m., state police made a traffic stop for a vehicle code infraction and wound up arresting the driver on an outstanding arrest warrant. Police didn’t name the suspect in the report, identifying him only as a 46-year-old man from Pike Creek, Del. The suspect was also charged with DUI and drug possession. Police made the stop on Route 1 at Bayard Road in East Marlborough Township.
•State police from the Avondale barracks said they arrested Dedrick Crawford, 30, of Baltimore, Md., for drug possession on Aug. 15. The incident took place on Route 1 near Route 82 in Kennett Township at 1:27 a.m. According to the report, police stopped Crawford’s vehicle for expired registration but smelled marijuana when they approached the car. A probable cause search ensued, which revealed a small amount of marijuana. The report also said Crawford admitted to using marijuana recently. They gave him a field sobriety test, which indicated impairment, the report said.
•According to a police report, Jeanette Steffe, 39, of Kennett Square, was arrested on retail theft charges. The arrest came on Aug. 8 at 9:47 p.m. at the East Marlborough Township Walmart. The report said Steffe used items she had paid for to hide $370 worth of merchandise she was trying to take without paying.
