EDGMONT — Kieva Hofman, 10, who will be going into fifth grade at Glenwood Elementary School in the Rose Tree Media School District, enjoys taking Irish dance lessons at McHugh School of Irish Dance in Aston Township and Wilmington.
The young talented dancer is the daughter of Tara and Tim Hofman of Edgmont Township.
After a remarkable performance in November at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals, Kieva qualified to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships held in Dallas on July 3. The young Irish dancer from Delco placed number 11 out of 113 finalists.
“Her exceptional performance in Dallas has earned her the honor of representing North America at the 2025 World Irish Dance Championships in Dublin, Ireland, set to take place in April 2025,” said her proud mother. “This is a significant achievement for Kieva, who has been passionately pursuing Irish dance for only five years.”
The McHugh School of Irish Dance and her instructor, Tara Boyce, who owns the dance studios, has a history of nurturing talented dancers and helping them achieve their dreams. Recently, the school made headlines for dancing at Media’s Towne House Restaurant with Kylie Kelce, the wife of newly retired Eagles center Jason Kelce, on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Seeing Kieva’s hard work and dedication pay off is incredibly rewarding,” said her mother. “As Kieva continues to train and prepare for the World Championships, I hope the entire community will be cheering her on, eager to see her shine on the world stage.”
Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs Party happens at Drexelbrook July 25
The 27th annual Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs Party will be held on Thursday, July 25 from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Drexelbrook Catering & Special Events Center in Drexel Hill.
Each year the readers of Main Line Today magazine vote for their favorite restaurants, caterers, venues, personalities, and other businesses that represent the “best of the best” in the region. With 171,110 total votes cast, this was a record year for reader participation and reinforces how passionate readers are about supporting their favorite businesses.
The 2024 winners are featured in the July issue of Main Line Today and will be celebrated in person at the Best of the Main Line party where over 40 winners will be on hand to showcase what helped make them one of the best. Partygoers will enjoy entertainment and dance to songs from the renowned award-winning Jellyroll Band.
This year, Main Line Today will collaborate with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence as its Best of Party nonprofit partner. For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence has positively impacted children across Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
As a donor-supported organization, it enriches, encourages, and empowers children through safe one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence will host a silent-auction host featuring sports and celebrity memorabilia. Every dollar raised directly supports Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence’s mentoring programs.
“The Best of the Main Line Party is one of our most popular events of the year. It’s a great opportunity to sample new dishes and drinks while having a great time and helping support local businesses and Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence,” said Main Line Today publisher Michael Reath.
This year’s party-presenting sponsor is Comcast Business. Additional sponsors include WSFS Bank/Bryn Mawr Trust, Roots Landscape, Pinnacle ENT Associates LLC, JP Morgan Chase Challenge, Closets by Design, Visit DelcoPA, Havertown Carpet, The Drexelbrook, Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Pel Productions, BVTLive! and MomentsbyMax,
Complete party details, including tickets and participating winners, are available at http://BestofMainLine.com.
Drexelbrook is at 4700 Drexelbrook Drive, Drexel Hill.
Tickets $65 in advance, with doors opening at 6 p.m., and VIP tickets are $85 in advance with doors opening at 5 p.m. For more information on Main Line Today magazine, visit http://MainLineToday.com.
Delco Helping Hands holds Family Fun Day in August
Delco Helping Hands, a nonprofit with a mission to help Delco families by providing assistance with baby/children, pets, and adult necessities, will host a Family Fun Day, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Lighthouse Hall, 1401 Ninth St., Eddystone.
The free event will feature complimentary kickball, games, face painting, vendors and community resources. Food will be available to purchase.
No registration is required and everyone is welcome to a day of community and bonding. For more details, visit http://delcohelpinghands.org.
Neumann named top transfer-friendly university
For the fifth consecutive year, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has named Neumann University in Aston Township to its transfer honor roll, a list that recognizes the top 25% of colleges in the country for creating systems and processes that support transfer students.
The latest national honor roll includes 228 colleges. Colleges were selected based on their transfer friendliness rating, which is based on 40 key metrics related to the support provided by the institution and the success that transfer students achieve.
The analysis includes cost, scholarships, admissions practices, degree completion rates and peer reviews.
Neumann’s merit scholarships for transfer students, based on cumulative GPA, range from $12,000 to $17,000 per year. In addition, transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may be eligible for an additional $3,000 scholarship.
“Making the transfer honor roll is evidence of the welcoming environment that Neumann University has created for transfer students,” said Francesca Reed, university vice president for enrollment management and marketing. “This award is given to four-year colleges and universities with proven outcomes for transfer success. They are the best at providing a supportive and smooth transition from community colleges and high rates of bachelor’s degree attainment for transfer students.”
Each year more than one hundred students come to Neumann from community, state and private colleges and universities to continue their education.
To learn more about transferring to Neumann, visit http://www.neumann.edu/transfer.
Phi Theta Kappa is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievement of students at associate-degree-granting colleges. The society is made up of nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations.
Vendors can sign up for Arasapha Farms car and truck show
Arasapha Farms, 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills, will hold its fifth annual Car, Truck, Tractor, Big Rig and Motorcycle Show on Sunday Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost is $20 per vehicle, with no pre-registration required. Spectators are free.
Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 vehicles and handmade trophies for title winners. Other festivities will include a DJ, food trucks, 50/50 raffle, and a flea market featuring various vendors.
Vendors pay $30 or a 10-foot by 10-foot space; $40 for a 10-foot by 20-foor space; and $50 for a 20-by-20 space. Anyone interested in being a vendor at the event can contact Nicole Bates at 484-250-1094 or batesmobilex@yahoo.com.
Community invited to peachy good time at Linvilla Orchards’ blueberry and peach festivals
Linvilla Orchards in Middletown Township will hold its annual Blueberry Festival with a pie-eating contest, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 13.
Local blueberry season is in full swing and visitors can enjoy picking their own blueberries, watching or participating in annual blueberry pie eating contests, and dancing to live music from Manatawney Creek Ramblers.
Plus, Silly Joe, George The Magician, pony rides, train rides and more will be on site for the Festival.
For more information and details, visit https://www.linvilla.com/family-fun/blueberry-festival.
Also, Linvilla will hold its annual peach and sunflower festival on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The event celebrates the peak of summer with an abundance of ripe peaches and blooming sunflowers. Picking will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and live musical performances will be featured from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of expansive sunflower fields, perfect for photo opportunities, while enjoying the fresh, juicy peaches picked straight from the orchard. The festival aims to bring the community together, highlighting the farm’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and local produce. Everyone is welcome for a day of fun, food and festivities.
Silly Joe will be the enthusiastic host for the festival and entertain the kids with his infectious songs, comedic antics, and lively performances while he introduces an array of captivating experiences from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Paul Downie and Friends will perform a lively mix of R&B, reggae, calypso and upbeat jazz. They will take the stage at 1 p.m. to perform a sound they describe as rhythm and soul.
Kids can engage in exciting games, enjoy a hayride, a pony ride and face painting.
The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 11.
Linvilla Orchards is at 137 W. Knowlton Road. For more information about either festival, contact Linvilla at 610-876 7116, Linvilla.com or info@linvilla.com.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.