Frees Advice: Local

Phone A Friend: Joan Cadigan

“Phone A Friend” is a series that highlights friends and leaders of the Phoenixville community. Our phones have become part of our identities, so we got an inside look as to how these people utilize their phones in and out of the office. This week, Frees Insurance is highlighting Joan Cadigan. Joan is the Executive Director of the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation. PCEF’s mission is “to secure and provide resources that enhance the overall educational experience within the Phoenixville Area School District, including learning initiatives, preparedness programs and out of the classroom activities.”

Let’s Phone A Friend…

Tell us about yourself:

I have been the Executive Director of PCEF for 2 years and prior to that I was a board member.  PCEF supports education in our public schools by funding a variety of programs from academics, to extracurriculars, to financial assistance. I often say I have the best job in the world – raising money for children’s education!  In the past I have been a commercial lender and worked in accounting. My husband, Robb, and I love living in Phoenixville and enjoying The Colonial Theatre, Steel City and all the great restaurants in town.  We have two children, Ryan who is in grad school at the Univ of Cincinnati and Caroline, who is at Ursinus.  We also have two dogs, Scout and Shadow.

What is your most-used app?
Mail – I have 4 different email addresses so it is great to be able to check them all in one place

App you wish someone would invent:
An app that tells me what to wear each day – what goes together, will be comfortable and weather-appropriate and also knows what items are currently clean and in my closet.

Favorite new app?
A tie between Duolingo – I am learning Spanish (9% fluent!) and OurGroceries – my colleague Sharon Bauer introduced this one to me. Everyone in the family can add items to the grocery list thru this app so that when I am at the grocery store I don’t have to remember a piece of paper.   

Most recent Uber ride?
Ummm . . .I’ve never Uber-ed.  Doesn’t it go against everything your mom told you growing up?  “Never get into a car with a stranger!!”?

Last app checked at night:
Facebook

Siri user?
Oh yes – “Siri, set a timer for 10 minutes.”  “Siri, add ‘get car inspected’ to my To Do list”

Cities listed on your weather app:
Phoenixville PA
Cincinnati OH
Surf City NJ

App/Game you wish you could delete?
Boggle – my daughter wins 95% of our matches even though I clearly should know more words.

Favorite Instagram user?
I mostly just follow high school and college friends.  Apparently I’m using Instagram all wrong, according to my daughter.

Favorite fitness app?
Whole Life Challenge

Number of unread emails:
None.  But I do reset many to “Unread” so I don’t forget to act on them.  Hmmm . . .there’s probably a better app for that.

Favorite song right now:
I’m enjoying Phoenixville’s own Cliff Hillis’ EP “Many Happy Returns”

Best productivity app:
Definitely not Pinterest.  That’s like an anti-productivity app for me.  For productivity, iCal is helpful to manage my personal and business calendars and let family and colleagues see my schedule.

Most used emoji(s):
Smiley Face
Thumbs Up
All the food emoji


Visit PCEF at www.PCEFonline.com to learn more about their programs benefiting students in the Phoenixville area. 

Phone A Friend: Kristen McGee

“Phone A Friend” is a series that highlights friends and leaders of the Phoenixville community. Our phones have become part of our identities, so we got an inside look as to how these people utilize their phones in and out of the office. This week, Frees Insurance is highlighting Kristen McGee. Kristen is the Executive Director of Ann’s Heart in Phoenixville. Ann’s Heart’s mission is “to provide a place of welcome and human services for all Phoenixville people.”

Let’s Phone A Friend…

Tell us about yourself…
I am Executive Director of Ann’s Heart, a local 501 (c)(3) non-profit serving the Phoenixville area. My husband and I moved into Phoenixville about 6 years ago and fell in love with the community. I worked for 10 years in Marketing/Creative Services for a large medical company before deciding to make the switch to a non-profit last September. I have three children – 4, 2, and 6 months – so life in my house is a fun and crazy circus. I love the arts, this town, and all things silly. Fun fact – I used to be the University of Delaware’s mascot – YouDee – a 6’ tall fighting Blue Hen. Go HENS! I also spent two summers as a professional mascot traveling the country and one performing as the MC at Aberdeen Ironbirds stadium in Maryland. Needless to say – I love mascots! Some of my friends are still professional mascots for the NFL, NBA, and other professional organizations.

What is your most-used app?
Mail (lame right?!) or CNN (I’m a news junky)

Most essential app while traveling:
Google Maps or WAZE – I am constantly getting lost. If you ask my husband, I am also a TERRIBLE passenger/navigator.

Craziest place you ever lost or left your phone?
My daughter (2) likes to hide EVERYTHING. My phone has been found in the freezer, under the mattress in her room, and in the stomach of a few toys.
My most used app might actually be “Find my iPhone” or “TILE” – haha!

App you wish someone would invent?
It may exist – “Dinner Designer – Food for the Finicky Toddler”

Favorite new app?
WTForecast – Snarky weather app

Most recent Uber ride?
Brooklyn to NYC Grand Central – Visiting my best friend in Brooklyn for dinner.
Best part was the amazing AC hook up our driver had. He used a dryer vent (tin-foil like coil used for dryer venting) duct tapped to his dashboard and pumping the AC through it to the back seat. Classy.

Last app checked at night:
CNN or Instagram

Siri user?
Not me personally, but my son loves it. “Siri – show me a BIG, BIG, BIG anaconda snake!”

Cities listed on your weather app:
Phoenixville, PA, Cold Spring, NY, New York, NY, Mount Carmel, PA, Valley Forge, PA

Alarm settings:
5:15A (M-F), 5:35A (M-F), 3:28PM (W) – ???

App/Game you wish you could delete?
Facebook – but I need it for work. I get sooooo sucked down the rabbit hole.

Favorite Instagram user?
@themuppets – They aren’t mascots but I LOVE Jim Henson! Or @siobhan_bedford (local artist / awesome art!)

Favorite fitness app?
MapMyFitness for running.

Number of unread emails:
0 – Did I mention I’m addicted…

Favorite song right now:
Not a favorite song at the moment, but have been hooked on Stevie Wonder Radio on Pandora lately.

Best productivity app:
Google Drive

What’s your phone case?
Mermaid scales – only colorful cases so they can be found in the depths of a toy dinosaur’s belly or the diaper bag.


To learn more about Ann’s Heart, please click here.

Phone A Friend: Lara Lorenzi

“Phone A Friend” highlights friends and leaders of the Phoenixville community. Our phones have become part of our identities, so we got an inside look as to how these people utilize their phones in and out of the office. This week, Frees Insurance is highlighting Executive Director of the Phoenixville Library, Lara Lorenzi.

Let’s Phone A Friend…

What is your most-used app?
Facebook or the camera ( is this an app or a function?) I’m so sad already.
Netflix

Most essential app while traveling:
White noise/sound machine app

Craziest place you ever lost or left your phone?
I’ve never lost my cell phone.

Favorite new app?
Amazon Alexa

Most recent Uber ride?
To the Wells Fargo center in Philly and back to our hotel Club Quarters above Davio’s.
We went to see the Game of Thrones live concert event.

Last app checked at night:
Facebook

Siri user? Most common command?
Nope have an android, we use Alexia at home: I’m always asking her to turn on the lights or what the weather is for the day.

Cities listed on your weather app:
Narberth, PA
Phoenixville, PA
Little Falls, NY
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Philadelphia, PA

Alarm settings:
5:30am Monday through Friday

App/Game you wish you could delete?
NFL Mobile

Favorite Instagram user?
Not on Instagram, but it would totally be Lauren Coy

Favorite Twitter user?
Not on Twitter either, would be the Phoenixville Public Library or Lauren Coy

Favorite fitness app?
What’s fitness? I haven’t worked out in over 4 years, so I don’t have an app for that.

Number of unread emails:
Yahoo: More than 100
Gmail: More than 100
Work: none

Favorite song right now:
Downtown by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis or Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz) by Laurie Berkner

Best productivity app:
What does this mean? Guess that would mean I don’t have one.

What’s your phone case?
Fake wood grain and black

Favorite emoji(s):
Winking face
Sad/disappointed face
Hand gestures
Wine glass
Fireworks

Netflix/Hulu recommendations?
Netflix: The Fall, Bloodline, Narcos, The Crown, Penny Dreadful, Marco Polo
Hulu: Handmaid’s Tale
Amazon Prime: Vikings

The Phoenixville library is located at 183 2nd Ave. If you would like more information about the services that the Phoenixville public Library offers, or if you would like to support the library, please click here.

Phone A Friend: Emily Simmons

“Phone A Friend” highlights friends and leaders of the Phoenixville community. Our phones have become part of our identities, so we got an inside look as to how these people utilize their phones in and out of the office. This week, Frees Insurance is highlighting Emily Simmons.

Emily is the Director of Development for Association for the Colonial Theatre. She is also a co-organizer of the 2017 Phoenixville VegFest. She and her husband, Jon Ewald, share their home with two dogs, Clementine and Pippi Longstocking.

Let’s Phone A Friend…

What is your most-used app?
Facebook

Most essential app while traveling:
Happy Cow

Craziest place you ever lost or left your phone?
Thankfully, this has never happened to me!

App you wish someone would invent?
A real-time app that tells you which apps you’d like, based on your preferences/answers to a detailed questionnaire.

Favorite new app?
Good On You

Most recent Uber ride?
This Gen Xer hasn’t used Uber!

Last app checked at night:
Pinterest

Siri user?
No, too creepy for my taste.

Cities listed on your weather app:
Phoenixville, PA and Akureyri and Stykkisholmur, Iceland

Alarm settings:
6:30 and 7:00 am

App/Game you wish you could delete?
Star Chart

Favorite Instagram user?
Tie between @colossal and @girliegirlarmy

Favorite fitness app?
iTunes

Number of unread emails:
Zero. I can’t live with unread email!

Favorite song right now:
“Mild Confusion” by Tamaryn

Best productivity app:
Asana, but I’m not using it because I love my Passion Planner and paper lists.

What’s your phone case?
Plum Lifeproof case

Favorite emoji(s):
Dog, Moon, ‘Wow’ face, Space rocket, Heart

Opened in 1903, the Colonial is the last surviving of four theatres once existing in the borough and is the only theatre of its kind in Chester County. In its early days, the Colonial was home to live stage shows, vaudeville acts and musicals including appearances by Harry Houdini and Mary Pickford. Real movie buffs know that the Colonial was featured in the 1958 science fiction classic, The Blob, starring Steve McQueen and filmed in and around Phoenixville.

The theatre is owned and operated by the Association for the Colonial Theatre (ACT), a nonprofit corporation, which re-opened the theatre in 1999. The Colonials programming includes art and independent films seven nights a week, classic films, programs for young audiences, live concerts, and community events. ACT is committed to the full restoration of the Colonial as a cultural arts center.

If you would like to learn more about the Colonial Theatre or support the historic theatre, please click here.

Phone A Friend: Lauren Coy

Frees Insurance is happy to introduce “Phone A Friend.” This series highlights friends and leaders of the Phoenixville community. Our phones have become part of our identities, so we got an inside look as to how these people utilize their phones in and out of the office.

Lauren Coy is the Director of Development for the Phoenixville Public Library. Most recently, she played an instrumental role in the Phoenixville Beer & Wine Festival, benefiting the Phoenixville Public Library.

Let’s Phone A Friend…

What is your most-used app?
Instagram

Most essential app while traveling:
DuoLingo and AroundMe

Craziest place you ever lost or left your phone?
Nowhere. I’d be lost without it.

App you wish someone would invent?
Best books to read to match your mood

Favorite new app?
KEEP – the best variety of things to shop for and it alerts you when your wish list items are on sale.

Most recent Uber ride?
To Ardmore train station, to take the train to NYC.

Last app checked at night:
Twitter, always and forever.

Siri user? Most common command?
Yes, as I usually inquire about the weather and directions.

Cities listed on your weather app:
Phoenixville, Ocean City, NJ and Paris

Alarm settings:
Monday – Friday: 6:07am. No alarm for the weekend because why bother?

App/Game you wish you could delete?
I love deleting apps I no longer use.

Favorite Instagram user?
Actress Retta – @unforettable

Favorite Twitter user?
Writer Lauren Duca – @laurenduca

Favorite fitness app?
PocketYoga or My Fitness Pal

Number of unread emails:
Zero. I’d be far too stressed to not check and clear out daily.

Favorite song right now:
“HUMBLE” by Kendrick Lamar

Best productivity app:
None, because I use my handwritten lists.

What’s your phone case?
That’s Bananas case by Kate Spade

Favorite emoji(s):
Big grin, wink face, salsa dancer, wine glass

Favorite podcast:
‘My Favorite Murder’ or ‘Pod Save America’

Netflix/Hulu recommendations?
Netflix: The 13th, Master of None, Grace and Frankie; Hulu: The Handmaid’s Tale, Seinfeld

 

If you would like more information about the services that the Phoenixville public Library offers, or if you would like to support the library, please click here.

Happy Halloween!

Its that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors. The air is getting cooler. There is the scent of pumpkin spice coming from every coffee shop and bakery. Halloween is right around the corner. The Halloween parade was in Phoenixville this past weekend but you haven’t missed Pumpkin Fest! Check it out this Saturday, October 29th in Phoenixville (http://www.phoenixvillepumpkinfest.com/ ). There are plenty of contests, live music, games, and crafts for the whole family.

Halloween is on a Monday night this year so youngsters will be out early looking for treats. Make sure you keep your house and walkways well lit so everyone can see. Be sure to get enough candy for everyone!

This year, there is a new program spondored by the Food Allergry Research and Education Organization. By putting a teal painted pumpkin out, treat-or-treaters know that you have non-food treats available for those with allergies. Some great options are glow bracelets. Kids love them and parents are appreciative as they help make kids more visible at night. Check out the website to learn more and support the cause to make Halloween more inclusive! Teal Pumkpin Project

New East Pikeland Construction

A new neighborhood development, the Cutler subdivision, is being built in East Pikeland. An intersection will be established at Route 724 /23 and a new mile-long boulevard will connect to Township Line Road. The development will be constructed to the right of Mowere Road, behind the old bowling alley. It will contain 168 single-family homes and another 164 55+ homes. The road construction will take several months and the home construction won’t start until the near end of its completion.

On this same side of Phoenixville, the “400 Westside” project is near completion. Another 171 apartments including a clubhouse with a fitness center and outdoor pool will be constructed here along with 21,500 square feet of retail space. So far Dunkin Donuts, PetValu, Wayback Burger, Tre Nail Bar, and a dry cleaner will be put in there.

Just when you thought Phoenixville traffic couldn’t get any worse…

Kimberton Fair

From Jul 25-30th, the 88th Annual Kimberton Fair is coming to town. The fair is the largest fundraising event for the volunteer Kimberton Fire Company. Wristbands can be purchased for each night of the fair. On July 27th, the fair will also be sponsoring a Food Drive to benefit local food cupboards. If you bring non-perishable food items, you may receive a discount off of the wristbands.


The fair is a “Class A” fair within the PA Department of agriculture. It judges exhibits in home arts and the deadline to register is July 1st. The Kimberton Fair doughnuts will also return this year. Did you know that last year, 96,480 doughnuts were purchased? Other things to check out include a baby contest, baked goods auction, bicycle giveaway, Bingo, cash raffles, Kimberton Fair Queen Crowning, stage entertainment, fireworks, pedal tractor rides for kids, and a Phillies Phanatic appearance. 


Vote for the “Big Screen” Movie

This year, East Pikeland Township will be hosting a “Big Screen” movie on the lawn of  Kimberton Park on September 24, 2016. Go to www.eastpikeland.org to vote by June 30th for the movie you want to see. The options include:

  • The Good Dinosaur
  • Inside Out
  • The Lego Movie
  • Minions
  • Zootopia