Gladwyne Archives - SAVVY MAINLINE

The promise, pathos and too-short life of Brad Perz (Stoga ’13); Comings, goings & The Pub that stays put; Zapping pain in Paoli; Devine Designs & more

February 28, 2019 / By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Four weeks after her 24-year-old son died in her arms, Berwyn nurse Beth Perz stood before of a roomful of strangers – reporters, TV cameras and county officials – and broke down. Chester County had just announced its plan to sue opioid manufacturers. And two of the targeted companies – Endo and Cephalon – made the drugs that destroyed her son.

An eleventh-hour addition to the Jan. 15 news conference, Perz had written nothing; she would wing it.

She wiped her eyes, collected herself and began: “I’m here because I have to fight this fight.”

Social edition: Loretta Swit in Wayne, Jazz for Home of the Sparrow, Appleford Summer Solstice, Natural Lands’ Stardust, DAR, ML School Night & City Year soirées & more

July 10, 2017 / By Caroline O'Halloran / /

M*A*S*H fans flocked to the Cottage at Valley Forge Flowers to meet Loretta Swit, aka Hot Lips Houlihan.

The star: A longtime artist and animal rights activist, Swit, now 79, came to Wayne June 29 to sign copies of Switheart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit. Fetched from New York by a Valley Forge Flowers staffer, Swit was reportedly “lovely” and raved about the antiques and collectibles at the Cottage.

Social edition: Giant Steps for Sarcoma; LM Conservancy, Riverbend & JCHAI galas; Fred’s Footsteps GNO; Devereux does Devon & The Cottage kicks off in Wayne

June 16, 2017 / By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Braving steamy temps, throngs of sarcoma warriors, survivors, their families and friends – 1,300 strong – walked or raced through Wilson Farm Park in Chesterbrook on June 11.

The teams: Identifiable by their custom tees, at least 30 teams turned out for the 5K chip-timed race and one-mile walk, many led by people battling sarcoma on crutches, wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs.

Gang green: Some 80 family and friends wore green t-shirts in honor of Pat Maher of Devon, who tragically lost a four-year-battle with sarcoma last June at age 47. Pat led his green-shirted team in the first Steps to Cure Sarcoma event two years ago.

The hometown hero host: Conestoga ’06 star and Ewing’s sarcoma survivor Mark Herzlich, 29, who will play his 7th season for the New York Giants this fall.