Media Fair Trade Live Concert and Festival

Media became America's first Fair Trade Town on July 8, 2006 by meeting the requirements of the Fair Trade Federation. Today, there was a festival and concert on State Street to celebrate. Music at both ends of the street and in Veterans Square a main stage sponsored by XPN. The drummer was a big hit with the kids.

On the way home, I stopped to take this picture of Bill Battey's. If you haven't been to Media lately you may not recognize it! It went from frumpy old store to bright and modern practially overnight!

Lion of the Year

The Media Lions Club held their 62nd installation night dinner on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. Dave was named "Lion of the Year". This award is given by the outgoing club President. For Dave it was a surprise and an award well - deserved. He puts a lot of time and effort into the club and he is truly honored to be named Lion of the Year.

If you don't know, Lions is a community based organization. Lions are well known for their dedication to ending preventable blindness. They work tirelessly in the community raising funds to be donated each year to local organizations. The Media club raised and donated over $11,000 for the year ending June 30, 2008.

If you live in Media, you have probably seen their hot dog booth at Super Sunday or their every popular crab cake booth at the Fall Food Festival. They also organize the Easter Egg hunt for area children and volunteer to staff the Bike for Sight event in early June. In September the club hosts a family picnic with pig roast, hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixins and sides. Of course they are always collecting used eyeglasses and frames which are recycled for those in need.

If you'd like more information about Lions events or to become a Lion email us!

Media Five Mile Race

This is Dave and I on Veterans Square after the race.

I had two goals for this race. #1) To Finish. I managed that with minimal walking. I walked through several water stops and again on my way to the 8th Street hill the second time around. The hill was goal #2) Run up the hill both times. Dave sat at the top of the hill for motivation. It worked. :) I had two private goals as well. The first two were the only ones that really mattered. The second two were "it would also be nice if..." wishes. #1) Finish in less than one hour (done!) #2) Finish in 55 minutes or less (made it by 28 seconds!).

This is me coming up the hill the second time. The Media Five Miler is two 2.5 mile loops. The 8th Street hill comes up the first time between mile 1 and 2 and the second time between mile 3 and 4. I was muttering to myself at this point "Who's idea was this".

I was amazed at the number of people running and the number of spectators. The race caps at 1200 - or so they say - I know I saw at least one bib # over 1200 though so I'm not sure how that works. I expected a lot of spectators on State Street - and there were - but truly on every street at every corner there were lots and lots of people! This was very helpful in terms of motivation. They cheered, some played music, some held signs, and some put out spray from their hoses in case you wanted to cool off.

Phillyfit was very helpful to me for this race. I ran it because I coudn't run with the group today (6 miles) so I decided to do the 5 mile race instead. I have taken in lots of advice from Phillyfit. No one is shy about offering it and no question is every smirked at either. It's a truly supportive environment. If I heard it once I heard it a thousand times "Don't go out too fast" I think this went a long way toward the goal of finishing. If I had gone out too fast I no doubt would have run out of steam at the end. As it was I walked some as I said above, but I didn't let that bother me and even with the walking bits I made my secret goal of less than 55 minutes.

Toward the end.. during the last half mile.. I started to wonder if this was all I could do. Was the marathon an unrealistic goal. But a year ago I wouldn't have even thought about trying this and now I did it. So I'll stick with the plan and see how far I can go.

So now it's on to continue training and possible sign up for the Philadelphia Distance Run on September 21st. I think I'll decide about that by the end of the week.

Here are my official results from the Media Five Mile web page.

MEDIA 5 MILE RUN
Race Date:06-20-08
Bib Number 655
First Name Paula
Last Name Tansey
City Media
State PA
Zip 19063
Sex F
Age 48
Time 54:32
Pace 10:54.4
Place 1013
Gender Place 382/465
Age Group Place F45-49: 26/34
Masters Age PLP 49.5%

Summer in Media....

There is a lot to do in Media in the Summer. Last night Dave and I headed to the State Street Blues Stroll Summer doesn't officially start until next weekend but after the brutal heat wave we endured earlier this week it is easy to argue that Summer has arrived. The weather took a turn toward thunderstormy so the crowds seemed to be a bit less than usual.. but they have a long way to go to be called small. We saw 5 different groups in as many places and enjoyed the cooler air that the t-storms brought in.

Tonight we opted to stay home, but we could have walked over to Rose Tree Park to hear the Greaseband as part of the Summer concert series in the park. It supposedly started a few minutes ago and more than likely some of it will waft down toward our front porch. The best thing about these concerts is that they are free and outdoors. So it doesn't matter who's playing. You can try it out and leave if you don't like it. We are lucky that we can walk since parking is usually filled up quickly. They have become very popular.

On Wednesdays through the summer, the restaurants and shops in Media will come out onto the street for dining and shopping in the summer air! I look forward to a chance to wander down from time to time.

On Friday, June 20th, the Media Five Miler kicks off at 7 pm. I have signed up to run this year. We ran 5 miles with Phillyfit on Saturday so I should be ok. The 5 we did on Saturday was at Valley Forge park which is fairly hilly. So is the Media run. They advertise it as rolling hills but the 8th street hill between Olive and Jackson could hardly be called rolling. At least in my dictionary. I'll let you know how it works out.

EASTER WEEKEND ROADTRIP – Part I

Three days, two nights, no reservations, minimal destination planning, and mostly on the scenic route (i.e as little main highway as possible). THIS is my kind of road trip. The original ‘plan’ called for heading south into Maryland, then west to Route 15 then following Route 15 south to north through Pennsylvania into New York. Stopping whenever or wherever the mood struck. A newspaper article the weekend before about the Bedford Springs Resort, newly renovated and full of history prompted us to change our plans and head for there on the first day.

As is our custom we headed out Friday morning for breakfast. The Trolley Stop is closed - it is now a Mrs. Marty’s Deli as mentioned in an earlier blog entry – so we settled on the Koffee Korner on Jackson Street in Media. It’s not the Trolley Stop, but it was good.
From there we headed south on Route 1 to 695 around the top of Baltimore to 26 West to Frederick where we picked up and 40 and followed 40 and 144 west to Cumberland MD and then north on 220 to Bedford Springs and the Resort.

It was much bigger than either of us imagined. We decided to park and go exploring. FIRST we had to find a bathroom. It had been several hours since breakfast and well… you know. Normally, I wouldn’t spend even this much time on telling anyone about the bathroom but you HAD to see this place. I took this picture from inside the hallway looking back at the entry door. It was lined with benches and mirrors. I guess if there was a long line (which there no doubt would be since there were only two stalls) you could sit, rest and use the mirror to fix something.

The hotel staff was very friendly. They seemed to expect lookers and so we did. The history of the place was evident in pictures and written history in each room. Due to the number of natural springs in the area people came here to rest, relax and recuperate. The building was designed – inside and out – for residents to see and be seen and to take full advantage of the mountain air. Each room opens to a balcony. The sound of the water and the clean air would have put me to sleep easily. We walked on of the trails which lead to the springs and a wedding grotto before getting back in the car. It has an interesting history, including being the summer white house for James Buchanan, the only US President born in PA (until Emma decides to run that is)

From here we followed Route 30 east to Chambersburg to pick up route 11. In Chambersburg we ate dinner at a local restaurant called the Lighthouse. They had a seafood buffet which was ok but the whole place smelled really ‘fishy’ which started to get to me after awhile. We followed route 11 toward Harrisburg where it joins with route 15. We found a Quality Inn in Enola just north of Harrisburg on route 15 for the night. Just before we stopped for the night we were treated to a gorgeous full moon. It was huge and orange. Unfortunately the picture didn’t turn out. (We need to learn more about how the camera works best) We also had a very nice view of the Harrisburg skyline at night across the river – again the photo didn’t turn out. You’ll have to trust me.

Stopping at this point had two benefits. One, it was getting dark and we could start out again in daylight so we wouldn’t miss anything. Two, Villanova was playing Clemson in the first round of the NCAA tournament starting around 10:00 p.m. More on that in my next entry.

New Year's Eve - Media, PA

On New Year's Eve in 1907, the first ball was dropped in Times Square, New York City. On New Year's Eve 2007, Dave and I went to watch the ball drop........... in Media, PA. I don't know how long it's been 'tradition' in Media. I'd say less than 10 years is a good bet.

This was our first visit to the event. It could not have been a better evening. The temperatures were in the 40's (although they dropped several degrees while we were out) and the skies were crystal clear.

The ball is hoisted on a crane parked behind Brodeur's and Mrs. Marty's Deli, formerly the Trolley Stop Diner. (The link takes you to the story of Mrs. Marty's Deli. It returned to Media about a month ago). The ball hangs over Brodeur's roof where a giant 2008 was on display. The building where Brodeur's is now, at State and Jackson streest was once the Borough hall. After Borough hall was moved to Third and Jackson, the New Orleans Cafe moved in and now Brodeur's.

The event is organzied and supported by the Media Business Authority. Many of the restaurants were open late of course. Most of the shops were closed although I did see some of the shop owners in the crowd.

We found a spot next to the parking meter outside Quincy's. This gave us a good view of the crowd, the band (Philly Gumbo) and the 2008 which lit up at the appropriate time. Someone - a guy in a tux serving as master of ceremonies - estimated about 2 thousand people were there. I wonder how he came to that number? No one challenged him so I guess that makes him right. With ten minutes to go and with State Street full of people from Jackson to Olive someone announced that the Trolley was coming.

It wasn't - but a lot of people looked!

Next year we'll get funny hats and noisemakers. An idea occurred to me too that if we take the car down early and park there (after 6 it's free) we could have sat on top of the car and had a good view of the crowd. If you'd like to join us next year let me know.

Now it's on to the Mummers (on TV) and 2008.

Second Saturday and Super Sunday

Media was a buzz of activity this weekend. We began the weekend (after Saturday chores and stuff) with dinner at Quotations Restaurant on State Street in Media. Saturday was Second Saturday so after dinner we strolled State Street visiting the shops that stay open. This month the highlight of Second Saturday was Appalachain Clogging featuring the Fiddlekicks. Dave commented that he thought we were back at Kutztown watching the Hhedown. There were differences though. First, these woman were not all related to the fiddle player (I kid you not. In Kutztown he introduced every participant by name and his relationships to them.) The Fiddlekicks performance was entertaining. The children watching were especially into it. But of course, I forgot the camera so you will have to take my word for it.


Sunday was Super Sunday in Media. The FALL Super Sunday that is. There is a second one in the Spring. State Street is closed to car traffic and open to food and craft booths from the neighborhood and beyond. Yes you can get a deal on packages of tube socks! You can also find clothing, artwork, tools, nick nacks, and the list goes on. You'll just have to come out one time and see for yourself. Dave's Lions Club sells hotdogs at Super Sunday so we spent the day selling hot dogs and cold drinks. The club is also raffling a 42" Plasma TV for $1 a ticket. I'm not sure how those sales went but the hot dogs as always were a hit. And most people can't wait for October food festival on State Street when the club sells crab cake sandwhiches. All proceeds go to their donation fund which is distributed in June of each year. It was a sunny day. A bit humid but not enough to keep people away. The crowd slowed somewhat after 1 PM when the Eagles game started but there was a steady flow of people through 4 PM.


Back to the work week now. Hope you all have a great one!

Media, Everybody's Hometown

Click here to see a video about Media. I don't know how long the site will be active but it's a great video created by a local resident as part of a contest.

I mentioned Second Saturday in an earlier post. We also have two Super Sundays, fall and spring; three music festivals - A Blues Stroll, Jazz Festival and Roots Ramble; one food festival; garage sale day and more. We have a trolley that runs down the main street which also has lots of neat shops and restaurants. My favorite is 10,000 Villages. You can find such interesting gifts there and every time I go they have new stuff! It's fun to just walk through! And that's saying a lot for someone (me ) who doesn't really like to shop!

A favorite place to eat is the Trolley Stop. We have a tradition of going there for breakfast before we start out on a multiple day road trip. Then there's Deals an old fashioned five and dime store. Nothing is five or dime anymore but if you can't find it anywhere else, look in Deals! We have an great ice cream store, O'Malleys and of course not too far away from the main drag is a Rita's and a Starbucks.

The old armory building - where the Bastille Day celebration was staged - is now a Trader Joe's on the second floor and a veterans museum on the first floor. Haven't been to the museum yet and Trader Joe's is too froo-froo for me.

That's enough for now. I'll tell you more as the year goes on and events happen.

Bastille Day in Media PA

Every second Saturday is an event in Media. Organized by the Media Arts Council, Second Saturday tries to bring residents into town and to highlight the arts in the area. For July 2007, Second Saturday happened to be July 14th so a re-enactment of Bastille Day was planned. With the help of the players from Hedgrow Theater and the Media Theater citizens stormed the Bastille (aka the Armory; also aka Trader Joes). The storming of the Bastile went off with one minor hitch - the citizens were still coming down the street when the call was made. Oh well.

After the successful taking of the Bastille, Media residents followed the players to a makeshift stage at the corner of Olive Street and State Street to hear Lafayette speak. Here he presented the key to the Bastille to General Washington and both men spoke about revolutions and independence. Obviously some literary license was taken here but the 4th of July can never fall on Second Saturday soooooooooooo. Here you see Lafayette and Washington framing a Septa bus filling in for the Media Trolley as the route was disrupted by the festivities. Note to organizers- clear the cars away from the Armory during the event and put the stage at Jackson and State so the sun won't get in the way of photos!

After those festivities there were introductions and celebration of Media being the first Fair Trade Town in America (July 2006). Among the honorees were representatives of the second fair trade town, Brattleboro, Vermont.

Later in the evening, Cajun dancing lessons were given on State Street. I guess that was the closest they could get to French!