DELCO Today

Delaware County doesn’t run short on ways to beat the heat. From resort-style pools with lazy rivers to a volunteer-run club rebuilt from the ground up, the options span nearly every budget and every kind of swimmer. The trick is matching the pool to the family. Most of Delco’s outdoor pools operate as private neighborhood swim clubs, while local YMCA branches keep the water open all year indoors. Some clubs stop at a pool and a snack bar.

Dick Wood Jr., the man who spent 34 years steering Wawa from a regional dairy business into a convenience-store powerhouse, died peacefully at his home on July 10, according to KYW Newsradio. He was 88. Wood carried his family’s legacy forward. His great-grandfather, George Wood, opened Wawa Dairy in 1902. The first Wawa Food Market opened in 1964 in Folsom, laying the groundwork for what Wood would later build into a household name across the region.

For decades, Darby Free Library told a story straight out of a movie with a book borrowed in the mid-1800s that was lost for nearly a century. Then, in October 1947, a mystery woman walked in with volume four of Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa, claiming she’d found it among her late grandfather’s belongings, writes Denali Sagner for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! loved it so much, the tale ran in a 1948 panel seen around the world.

Wayne native Matt Freese made history at this World Cup before one mistake threatened to overshadow it, writes Nick Kariuki for Billy Penn at WHYY. The USMNT goalkeeper started every match of the tournament, helped the U.S. post three wins, and tied the American record for World Cup clean sheets. Then came the second half against Belgium. A single error led directly to Belgium’s third goal, closing the door on any U.S. comeback in the 4-1 loss.

Two first-graders sit listening to a math lesson. One of the boys, Miles, is rapidly wiggling his legs, causing the boys’ desks to bump repeatedly against each other. When Jake, the boy next to him, nudges Miles to stop, Miles flares up and angrily shoves Jake to the floor. A startled Jake lands on his back, crying. The math lesson is interrupted. What happens next? In many schools, Miles probably gets a public rebuke, a time-out, detention, or perhaps a suspension if this is not the first time.

Thinking about senior living but unsure what it’s really like? Freedom Village at Brandywine is inviting area seniors and their families to separate fact from fiction during a special “Hot Topics” event on Tuesday, July 28, at its picturesque campus in West Brandywine. Beginning at 11 a.m., guests will enjoy an engaging presentation that tackles many of the most common myths surrounding luxury senior living.

Strong leadership has always been about more than numbers, especially in community banking. It’s about building trust, supporting local businesses, and creating lasting relationships that strengthen neighborhoods over time. That commitment has earned First Bank President and CEO Patrick L. Ryan a place on the 2026 NJBIZ Finance Power List, recognizing influential leaders helping shape New Jersey’s financial future.

Automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, and scheduled savings have made managing money easier than ever. These tools can help you stay organized and make steady progress toward your financial goals, but convenience comes with an important responsibility: checking in. Financial “autopilot” is when you set automated tools into motion and never look back or check in.

Nordstrom Rack, the discount-price division of fashion retailer Nordstrom, is opening a store in fall 2026 at Promenade at Granite Run, writes Jeff Blumenthal for Philadelphia Business Journal. The Nordstrom Rack store joins TJ Maxx, Michaels, Kohl’s, and Boscov’s at the mixed-use community in Media. A small-format IKEA store is opening there in the spring.

A Southeast Delco School District teacher is heading back to school herself, and this time it’s with financial help. Lisa Comrey has won the 2026 Teachers’ Teammates ACE Scholarship contest, earning a full scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Instructional Coaching and Teacher Leadership, Peg DeGrassa reports for the Daily Times. The scholarship comes through a partnership between Delaware County nonprofit Teachers’ Teammates and American College of Education.