It's in the Trees
Know why Lansdowne seems especially beautiful when it snows and in the spring? It’s the trees. The snow collects on the bare limbs of our many, many trees, and they become striking black and white sculptures arranged up and down the streets of our town. Come April and the budding branches turn the borough into a Technicolor advertisement for suburban living in a historic setting. Trees like ours — plentiful, aged, and stately — you don’t find everywhere.

A 350-year old sycamore, the second oldest tree in Pennsylvania, is one of Lansdowne’s most distinguished and distinguishing features. Once jeopardized by a plan for a public storage facility but rescued by the Greater Lansdowne Civic Association and concerned citizens, you’ve no doubt seen it, now secure in its own quiet little park at Wycombe and LaCrosse avenues. More than 100 feet tall and wide, the towering specimen is both impressive and a little, well, goofy. That’s because besides its sheer size, its most notable feature is a long, wonky limb that apparently started out on the horizontal but that’s taken a few jags earthward in the past century or two, leaving its farthest point only a few feet from the ground. So that long, once-tenuous limb is now supported by a simple but effective crutch system that has checked its downward tendency.

Our beloved sycamore is a recurring icon used by the borough, churches, clubs, associations, and others to quickly convey local identity. A particularly graceful rendering of it — with the streets of the borough forming its roots — served a few years ago as the cover of Lansdowne’s art and poetry publication, Seedlings.

It’s not inappropriate or an accident that this venerable tree -- old and a bit banged up but still strong and inspiring and now well supported -- has become a symbol of Lansdowne. The borough and the sycamore have both been around a long time and have taken some downturns over the years, but the future is looking great for both.

And because the future’s so bright, we’re going to need shade, so consider planting a few new trees. Every year we lose a half dozen or so of our old beauties to storms or general decrepitude, but as long as we keep planting new ones, Lansdowne will remain green and cool for generations to come. Shade trees can beautify a home, increase property values, and cut energy costs. Lucky for us, right now a limited number of bare root trees are available to borough residents free of charge. Trees will be available the second week of March, and the deadline for requests is March 1. If you’re interested, please call Mary Lou Jennings of the Lansdowne Tree Advisory Board at 610-622-0162. If you miss out on these freebies, consider planting a tree or two anyway. Thirty or 300 years from now, someone will be glad you did.

The Coalition for Peace Action brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, professions, and political persuasions in support of three goals: global abolition of nuclear weapons, a peace economy, and a halt to weapons trafficking at home and abroad. They could use some help with office work, fundraising, and organizing events, among other things. Assistance is needed mostly in the evenings, with some mid-day opportunities. Call David Gibson between 11 am and 2 pm at 610-623-3724 to get involved. For more information see www.peacecoalition.org and www.unitedforpeace.org.

Looking for Volunteers?
Does your community group need to connect with volunteers? The LEDC wants to help. Here's how: Fill out our Need Volunteers form to place your free call for volunteers. We'll list your specific volunteer needs in this space, giving you exposure to many local community-minded folks.

Mary Scholz & Alec Stewart
Thursday, February 21, 7:00 pm; Regency Cafe, 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue; Free
Singer-songwriters Mary Scholz and Alec Stewart take the stage at Regency Cafe this week.

Berks County Invasion at Lansdowne Folk Club
Thursday, February 28, 7:30 pm; 7:30 pm; Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue; $15-$18
Two projects of Lansdowne native Daniel Bower are coming to the Folk Club as the Berks County Invasion. The Manatawny Creek Ramblers are Daniel’s perpetual picking project. Tin Bird Choir is a five-piece alt-folk/barn rock band led by husband and wife Eric and Heather Hurlock and featuring harmonies, acoustic guitar, distinctive hooks, and a solid rhythm section. For more info visit the Lansdowne Folk Club online.

Penn Wood Middle School presents High School Musical
March 6-8, 7:00 PM, Penn Wood Middle School, 121 Summit St., Darby; $3-$5
Come see the talented young performers of PWMS in this lively adaptation of the popular Disney movie. Tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are good only for the date indicated.
For more information call 610-586-1804.

Celebration Theater presents Fools
March 7-22, Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue; $12-$17
A cast of lovable Neil Simon characters and Mel Brooks-style humor (heavy on the puns) combine to tell this tale with warmth and a gentle message. This "comic fable" takes place a long time ago in a remote Ukrainian village.
For tickets and times visit http://www.celebrationtheater.com

View the complete listing of local events

Do you have an event to announce?
Send your upcoming events to events@lansdownesfuture.org to have them included in this space!

 

Arts & Crafts Show: The LEDC is seeking artists and crafters to participate in the Lansdowne Arts & Crafts Show, to be held Saturday, May 3, in the municipal parking lot on North Lansdowne Avenue next to PNC bank (site of the Farmers Market). Tables are available for $25 per artists; for exhibitor information and further details please see this application form.

Facade Grants: Grants are available to business owners in the central business district for facade improvement. This program can provide up to a 50% match for qualified businesses. For more information please contact Gary Chilutti by calling 484-461-7001 or sending an email to Gary@LansdownesFuture.org.

Fundraising: Help the LEDC make Lansdowne even better by making a tax-deductible contribution today. Funds are used to support projects such as the Lansdowne Farmers Market, Lansdowne Arts Festival, Lansdowne Loves Movies, and all sorts of great stuff (including this newsletter!). Gifts can be made online at www.LansdownesFuture.org/donate.

Volunteer: Yet another way to make Lansdowne a great town...volunteer for the LEDC. We have spots open in Facade Design, Organization, Promotions, and Economic Restructuring. To volunteer, please contact Gary Chilutti by calling 484-461-7001 or sending an email to Gary@LansdownesFuture.org.