Sue_Serio's Blog

Sheinelle's family plays Taboo and listens to Christmas music......John Anderson's mother always tried to have the dinner ready exactly at halftime....Jamie Shupak's family plays in their very own "Turkey Bowl" at Rydal Elementary School......we just try not to kill each other (just kidding).

What's your family Thanksgiving Day tradition?

Drop a few lines below and we'll try to get it on TV....and thanks for watching!

November 6, 2008

The new Please Touch Museum is so wonderful,  grownups can love it  without a kid in tow.    I'll tell you why in a moment.

 Gerald Kolpan rhapsodized about this amazing place in an earlier blog, and he was right.    During this morning's visit, I was able to steal away with the Flipcam and get a look around. 

Familes who loved the original museum were happy about having more space in the new place, but they also expressed the hope that the exhibits they love would be a part of the future.

Far and away, the most beloved of those is the Supermarket.   It's there....and like everything in Memorial Hall, it's bigger!   Take a look......

Check out this video: Please Touch Museum

Another much-loved part of the old Please Touch Museum is the Septa Bus.   That was brought over, too.....and is now a part of a huge playplace themed around transportation.

You have to see this:

Check out this video: Please Touch Museum - Old and New

The new Please Touch Museum has three times the space of the old one.   That means much more room for birthday parties!    Now there are spaces for eight parties at a time.

I'm walking by some of those rooms, housed in a realistic 'train station,' on my way to another familiar exhibit which is also bigger and better:  Alice in Wonderland:

Check out this video: Please Touch Museum - Alice in Wonderland

I wrote earlier that grownups can enjoy this place even if they don't bring a child along.

The museum has adult tours for folks that are fascinated by the rich history of Memorial Hall, which was built for our country's Centennial Exhibition in 1876.

Here, you'll be able to see, in miniature, how many other buildings were erected back then - so impressive.   But  it is kind of  sad that only two of those structures remain standing today.

Take a little stroll back in time:

Check out this video: Please Touch Museum - history

The folks at the Please Touch Museum are justifiably proud of every nook and cranny in their shiny new location.   But they are busting their buttons the most over the gorgeous Woodland Park Carousel, so brilliantly restored over a two-year process.

Here's more about this awesome artifact, all ready for a new generation:

Check out this video: Please Touch Museum - Carousel

I can't wait to go back again, to enjoy this amazing new space.    It's wonderful, and if you have a small child, you really should think about a membership so you can return again and again.

Just another reason for me to wish my daughter was a toddler again...........................

Friday, October 31, 2008

Here are a few looks behind the scenes of our Phantastic, Phun morning at Citizens Bank Park.    Pholks have been phired up since Wednesday night, and clearly, they never want the party to end!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The weather could not have been more perfect for this year's "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" walk.   I've been promoting and attending this walk for about five years now, and this, for me, was undoubtedly the best attended, with the most gorgeous autumn day.

I'm glad I have this forum to, hopefully, increase awareness of this often misunderstood and most painful affliction.   Even if you know the word, "scleroderma,"  you may not know much about what it really is.   Here's our friend Sue from the Scleroderma Foundation to lay it on the line.

Sue suffers from Scleroderma herself, and her upbeat attitude is amazing.   I can say the same for my friend Neerja Bhagat, who introduced me to the caring people who are part of this wonderful organization.   Now that you know about Scleroderma, it's not too late to help, even if you did miss the walk.

Here's the link, again, to the Scleroderma Foundation.  If you've ever known anyone who suffers from Scleroderma,  helping out with time or money will be a real no-brainer.

October 1, 2008

It's so exciting when the Phillies make it to the post season.....and right now, we're filled with confidence that the Phils will go much further than they did last year.

If the kids at KIPP Philadelphia Charter School have anything to say about it, the Phillies are going all the way.    What a cool surprise for them when they found out the Phillie  Phanatic was in the house!

 Check out this video: Sue Serio @ KIPP Phila. Charter School

We learned today that KIPP stands for the Knowledge Is Power Program.   This school opened at Broad and Lehigh in 2003.   There are over 300 students in grades 5 through 8.     As founder and CEO Mark Manella told us, the focus is on getting to college:

 I found out today that I was far from being smarter than a fifth grader.   When we sat in on math class, the first thing we realized was that blackboards are so yesterday.   Today, it's a "smart board," and the kids used it for math problems - Phillies' style.

Check out this video: Phillies math class @ KIPP

Every morning, after the students arrive at school, they start working right away on math problems to get their brains going.  Then they fuel their bodies with breakfast.

Needless to say, this particular morning was far from typical.   Here's a look at what it's like to have TV come to your school:

 Thanks to Mark Manella and Shawna Wells as well as the fine staff of KIPP for their warm hospitality, and for the great job they do with the students.

Thanks, too, to Deb Rinaldi and Scott Palmer of the Phillies for hooking us up with this great school, and for bringing the Phanatic, the Ball Girls, and the cool rally towels for the kids. 

GO PHILS !!!

Thursday, September 18:

We climbed the hills of Manayunk today for a visit to the Holy Child Catholic School.

This school is the product of a 2005 consolidation of all the Archdiocesan grade schools in Manayunk, and is currently supported by three parishes:   St. Lucy,  St. Mary of the Assumption, and Holy Family.    This is a community bound by long traditions.  The school building we were in today has been standing for 103 years!    So, it was a tough transition for many.   But from the looks of things,  they're doing just fine now.

Check out this video: Sue Serio at School

 

Holy Child is very proud of its brand new computer lab, housed in a building that used to be a convent.

These fourth graders have a program to learn about the weather (love that!)  and of course, we made sure they knew how to navigate to myfoxphilly.com.

Check out this video: Sue Serio at Holy Child School

  I've been to many, many schools, and this is the blend I like the best:   kids who are well-behaved,  and have plenty of energy.   That made the job of rooting on the Eagles very easy.   It didn't hurt that the cheerleaders and Swoop were with us, too.

With enthusiasm and support like this,  how can we possibly lose?

Check out this video: Sue at School

Check out this video: Eagles Cheerleaders Teach Students Cheers Thursday

Thanks to Principal Roselee Maddaloni for waking up so very early and for her kind hospitality.   Thanks , too, to Pat Rosini for allowing us to invade her computer lab.

The Cheerleaders and Swoop were awesome.    Hope we can hook up again soon for another fan-frenzied school visit.

Let's root on those  Phils, too!

Back today from a wonderful vacation....and right back on the road again!

It appears that our One Tank Trip to Lancaster County (according to our myfoxphilly.com poll) is your favorite destination of all the places we've visited this summer.  

 And why not?    It's not too far away....just an hour's drive and a quarter tank of gas round trip....and there's so much to do.   Let's start with  the gorgeous views on the drive there of lovely farmland and countryside to the amazing attractions once you arrive:  From Dutch Wonderland to Amish Buggy rides to Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA....there's a great deal to see and experience in this, the site of the largest Amish community in the United States.   More than eight million people visit Lancaster County every year!   Many of them come for the shopping at Rockvale Outlets, thanks to our lack of tax on clothing here in Pennsylvania.

The folks at Kitchen Kettle Village were our hosts for the One Tank Trip.   We even had a chance to make some kickin' pickle chips!     Here's a look at some of the favorites inside the store:

There's nothing that says "Lancaster" more than the sight of a horse and buggy.   Here's a look at that more quaint mode of transportation alongside our somewhat faster ride:  the Ford Edge, our One Tank Trip car for 2008.

 So, if you want to escape from the stress of city life and get a taste of a simpler time, this view might be the one for you:

Some days, the planets seem to align perfectly, and when it's over, you marvel at how wonderful it was.

That's how it was for our One Tank Trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.   It began with a gorgeous sunrise:

A trip to Rehoboth and back from Philly is 121 miles and uses only a half-tank of gas, there and back.    When you get there, you'll meet plenty of folks from Baltimore and D.C., since it's just a two-hour drive for them, too.   In fact, Rehoboth has been called the "Nation's Summer Capitol," because so many people flock there from Washington.

We found out during the trip that "Rehoboth" means "room for all."  As you can see in this view from the water's edge,  there's plenty of space on the beach for you:

The boardwalk at Rehoboth is a mile long, and Reader's Digest named it "America's Best."   Here's a view of the hub of the Boardwalk that we weren't able to show you during our broadcast on Good Day.

Thanks to our generous and helpful hosts, including Ed Fornalt from the Royal Treat Breakfast and Ice Cream Parlor on Wilmington Avenue.   When you're there, make sure you ask him about the history of the building.   And try to get a spot on the porch.  It's the best!

We were also happy to welcome Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head  Brewery, a popular spot for fans of fine ale.

Summer is running out, so if your last-minute getaway includes a drive to the First State, check out the Delaware Tourism web site for lots of ideas.

A trip to my hometown will only use up a quarter tank of gas.    Of course, I'm going to tell you that it's worth it. 

Standing on the deck of the USS Constellation, which has been docked at Baltimore's Inner Harbor since before I was born (and that's a long, long time) was a surreal experience for me.

When I was a child, that area of town was no more a tourist attraction than a trip to the dump.   It was a gritty, dirty working harbor, and my mother would tell us to lock our doors whenever we drove by in the car.

While I was in high school, I became aware that Baltimore was in the midst of  an amazing transformation.  The Inner Harbor was cleaned up, paved, and made beautiful.  For a city with an inferiority complex, living in the shadow of D.C., it was stunning  to see how our city changed.   My most amazing memory of that early time was when the Tall Ships came to town in the summer of 1976.   I actually felt proud to be from Baltimore, and that feeling has never gone away.

Take a look at what I'm talking about, in this view of the Harbor from the deck of the Constellation.  

Check out this video: One Tank Trip to Baltimore

We didn't have time during our broadcast to talk about one of the highlights of a trip to Baltimore, a visit to the National Aquarium, so here's more about the place with the cool dolphins:

 Check out this video: One Tank Trip - National Aquarium in Baltimore

The best part of our One Tank Trip for me, of course, was the fact that my whole family got up early and came to see me!   It meant more to me than I can say.

Here is my daughter Nia, along with  nephew Luke, niece Morgan, nephew Jake and   Macy, 5, giving us a tour below the deck of the Constellation, which first sailed in the 1850s.   They were amazed that even I wasn't alive then!    Take this virtual tour and then go visit in person...............

Check out this video: A Tour of the Constellation

If you've already been to Baltimore, please let me know, in the comment section below,  your favorite thing about the city.   Gotta go now.   There's a crab cake waiting with my name on it................................

What a fun time my daughter and I had last week at the Tyler Arboretum in Media!

They have an awesome exhibit of treehouses spread throughout their 650 acres called Totally Terrific Treehouses.   (although I can assure you, we didn't walk that far!) 

Sixteen different artistic interpretations of a celebration of trees, and each one is completely different from the others.   From a giant bird's nest hanging from lofty branches, to a house for hobbits (the photo above is from that one), it was really magical.

I thought Nia would be bored, but instead, she asked to return the next day.  You'll see her in some of these views of just a few of these works of art.    I want you to go and see them for yourself......

Check out this video: Tyler Arboretum Treehouse

Check out this video: Tyler Treehouse

Check out this video: A Treehouse With A View

One thing about spending a summer afternoon in an arboretum:   Plenty of shade!

Make sure you stop by with the kids before Totally Terrific Treehouses go away.

The exhibit runs through September 28th.

As I write this, it's been more than three hours since I descended from the harrowing and exciting experience of riding "Voodoo,"  the newest coaster at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.   As you'll see,  Voodoo  rises at a 90-degree angle, and goes 70 mph!     My knees are still a bit weak, and my head is still a bit dizzy.    I'll never forget the experience, and they tell me it was great TV.   If you're crazy about coasters,  this one's for you:

Check out this video: One Tank Trip - Dorney Park Voodoo

The One Tank Trip to Dorney was just one way to have fun in the Lehigh Valley.   And it only took us a quarter tank of gas to get there from Philly!    Tracey Werner from the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau tells us about The Crayola Factory,  The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail,  and the newest game in town,  Major League Baseball, with the Phillies' AAA team, the Iron Pigs.

 We also had the chance to meet some fun folks from the area's professional women's softball team.   What's that?   You didn't know there was a pro team in the area?  Neither did we, so we are happy to tell you all about the fierce ladies of the Philadelphia Force.

Check out this video: Philadelphia Force

No excuse to be bored with all these wonderful things to do.   Click on the links above for even more ideas and ....have fun!!!!

We had a cool time on a hot, hot day on our One Tank Trip to Camelbeach in the Poconos.

In case you never heard of the place,  it's known as Camelback Mountain most of the year.   For the last decade, they've been cooling people off in the summer with an amazing waterpark.

Check out this video: Camelbeach - One Tank Trip

Here's where we spent the morning on Good Day:  The newest attraction, called Pharoh's Phortress.  They found a way to keep that "Camel" theme going....

Check out this video: One Tank Trip to Camelbeach

Here's one of the coolest things we saw while exploring the park after the show:

It's called the ultimate surfing ride, the FlowRider.   I didn't try it, but I have a feeling that it's not as easy as it looks.   On second thought, it doesn't even look easy!

Check out this video: Flow Rider at Camelbeach

A few more things about Camelbeach, before you take out a second mortgage to gas up the car:

In addition to the 30 waterslides and the FlowRider, there's a Wave Pool, the Adventure Rider, Bumper Boats, Scenic Chairlift Ride, Mini Golf and Rock Climbing.

There are special nights for concerts and something they call "Camel-oke."

Plenty of special Steals and Deals (that means discounts!) can be found on their web site.

Last one in is a rotten camel!

It's Wednesday, July 16, and we're live this morning with the Girl Scouts at  Shelley Ridge Day Camp.

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania operates ten day and sleepover camps.   You don't have to be a member of the Girl Scouts to come to camp, but you do have to be a girl.   They have programs for girls grades 1 - 10.

A morning like this brings back so many summertime memories.    We'd like to hear yours.....and find out from you if there are any cool camps out there that still have openings, either day camps or sleepaway camps......

Pass the sunscreen....and the bug spray!

We enjoyed the sultry Saturday afternoon at the WXPN XPoNential Music Festival this past weekend.     

 One of my favorite places, the Camden Children's Garden, hosted the Kids' Corner stage,  with some of the most talented and clever perfomers around.   Our daughter was cranky because of the heat,  but the Phillie Phanatic and the song about  Monkeys in the House made her smile.  

It was wonderful to see my old pal Kathy O'Connell again. She's the award-winning host of Kids Corner.    I love how she has carved such a niche for herself in the radio world.    She never, ever talks down to her young listeners.    She's clever and funny, and  works hard to keep the young ones entertained and challenged every evening.  

And she's been at it for twenty years now!

Listen to the story of how it all began....

Check out this video: Kathy OConnell

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So, if your kids are old enough to understand English, introduce them to  Kids Corner,  Mondays through Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. on WXPN, 88.5 FM.

I promise you.....you'll have as much fun listening (or more) as the short people do.

Happy Anniversary!

On vacation in the land of golf and Calabash seafood buffets last week, I found an unexpected treat:  a genuine, good  Philadelphia cheesesteak....in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Philly House, on Kings Highway at 2nd Street,  was founded by a guy who left Philly after a divorce in the mid 90s to get a fresh start in a new town and raise his triplets.... yes, triplets...on his own.  Nick Papagiannis worked hard, and it paid off.   He moved to a larger location on the "Grand Strand,"  and is putting his son and daughters through college.

But he told me his heart remains in the City of .....well, you know the rest:

And now, the taste test: 

Check out this video: Sue finds Philly in Myrtle Beach

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All through the years, Nick  made sure to get his rolls straight from Philly.....there's always an Amoroso's truck going to or from his place.   Nick and his family are really nice people, and it's so sweet to hear him say he's done it all for his kids.    He promised to visit next time he's in town.    

Meanwhile, the rest of my family's taste of  Philly was to their own tastes.  Check out Billy V's incognito look:

Check out this video: Sue Serios family in Myrtle Beach

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