Jim Zervanos was clearly living a charmed life a decade ago. At age 41, he had movie star looks, had been an academic all-American baseball player at Bucknell University who was named Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, loved his job teaching high school English, had a loving wife and one-year-old son and was published in literary journals, magazines and anthologies.

But cancer is a devilish intruder and doesn't care how perfect your life is.

The palliative care unit at Chestnut Hill Hospital will soon have a new name: the Susan Bray Palliative Care unit.

No doubt some people will wonder why this part of the hospital, which was started in 2011 to help chronic disease patients with pain management, is now going to be named after a radio talk show host.

Three Chestnut Hill Rotarians received recognition from Rotary International for contributing to the Rotary Foundation. Christina Spolsky became a Paul Harris Fellow and Maggie Stoeffel and David Stoeffel each became a Paul Harris x 2. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dav of Service, Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers contributed 100 hours service throughout the week. Service activities included purchasing and donating food to Face to Face Germantown, preparing, assembling, and delivering 100 bags of food, warm clothing to Prevention Point Philadelphia in Kensington, and painting the conference room and hallway of The Business Center in Northwest Philadelphia.

Chestnut Hill Rotary continues its extensive outreach in the community this week, distributing dictionaries to several 3rd grade classes at John S. Jenks elementary school in their new library. Community Service committee member Carol Bates led the effort and was accompanied by David Gary Smith and Jay Pennie.

Our club recently partnered with Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels to provide recyclable food bags for their clients in need. Chestnut Hill Rotary's logo will appear on the bags reminding the community of the great work and contribution we make to the community. 

By Barbara Wybar

I have been here for ten, really action-packed days, but there is still time to relish living in this beautiful spot, with the perfumes of its tropical flowers, its cheerful friendly people and the delicious avocados and exotic fruits. Last night, my visitors and I even went outdoors to gaze in wonder at the inky black night sky and the brilliant stars.

I think the best way to describe my life here is to review one particular day.

The Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill continues its extensive outreach in the community by recently awarding grants to 15 local and international organizations that fall within several of Rotary International’s areas of focus: supporting education, improving local communities, and protecting the environment.

From The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 18, by Kristen A. Graham, photos by Tom Gralish, staff photographer 

It took a year, thousands in donations, hours of volunteer time, and a massive amount of planning. But as of this week, John Story Jenks, the public school in Chestnut Hill, pulled off a feat — it reopened its long-closed school library.