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Remembering
FF Thomas Hays
Members Only Calendar
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| BROAD STREET RUN |
| Date: |
5/4/08 |
On Sunday the 4th of May, 5 members of the Merion Fire Company took on
the Broad Street Run, making the 10 mile treck down Broad Street from
Einstein Hospital to the Navy Yard with 19,108 other brave souls. It
shows their commitment to physical fitness and a lot of long, hard
training through the winter and spring.
John Connors- 1:37.59 finishing 13411th overall
Matt Hand - 55:35 finishing 62nd overall & 1st in his age group
Steve Hand - 58:26 finishing 117th overall & 2nd in his age group
Steve Hand Sr. - 1:15.55 finishing 2110th overall
Tony Van Dyke- 1:12.01 finishing 1265th overall
Good Work Guys!
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| BURN TOWER DRILL |
| Date: |
4/28/08 |
Members of MFCA as well as Union Fire Comapny (Sta. 28) worked together this past Monday night at the Montgomery County Fire Academy. The firefighters were put through various situations in this multistory building.
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| ODOR OF SMOKE |
| Date: |
4/28/08 |
MFCA was called to investigate an odor of smoke at the Churchill Court Apartments at 237 West Montgomery Ave. An unlocked apartment door allowed firefighters to search and and diagnosed it as a scent of burnt incense. Units were back in service within a half hour.
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| ASSIST WITH WATER RESCUE |
| Date: |
4/28/08 |
As Ladder 25 was en route to the Montgomery County Fire Academy, they pulled over on Old Gulph Road at the Ford to assist the Gladwyne Fire Company with a water rescue. The lady was quickly removed.
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| 118th ANNUAL BANQUET |
| Date: |
4/26/08 |
This years 118th Annual Banquet for Merion Fire Company was held again at the Merion Cricket Club. In addition to the awards handed out below, the Thomas J. Hays Fund was extremely generous with awarding four of our members attending college with a $500 scholarship. They are Matt Hand, Tom Hayden, Will Neely and Mark Stillwagon. The following awards were handed out:
5 Year Service Award - Mike O'Sullivan, Dan Rodgers (6 yrs.), Tim Van Winkle; 10 Year Service Award - Steve Paylor; 20 Year Service Award - Dan Marsh; 30 Year Service Award - Chuck Powers; 35 Year Service Award - Thomas C. Hayden Jr
Most Day Time Calls - Harry Hicks
Most Night Time Calls - Thomas W. Hayden
Highest Drill Attendance - Mark Stillwagon
Edward F. Powers Memorial Award - Chuck Powers
Firefighter of the Year - William Royster
Life Time Member (25 years) - Robert Esposto
Congratulations to all award recipients and a special thanks to all the members who have served this past year.
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| ASSIST WITH KITCHEN FIRE |
| Date: |
4/22/08 |
At 7:45 A.M. , MFCA was requested to assist the Bryn Mawr Fire Co. (Sta. 23) with a dwelling fire. With reports of smoke showing and the caller stating it was an apartment building, the call was then upgraded. Gladwyne Fire Company (Sta. 24) was dispatched for AIR / FAST Team as well as Penn Wynne Fire Company (Sta. 21)for additional manpower. The fire ended up being in the kitchen and quickly knocked down. The residence was vented and crews were back in service within forty five minutes.
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| MEDICAL ASSIST |
| Date: |
4/19/08 |
At 11:45 A.M. MFCA was requested to assist Narberth Ambulance (313) with manpower and crowd control at the Wynnewood train station. Senator Obama stopped by Lower Merion leading up to the Pennsylvania Primary. Because of the large crowd and exceptionally warm day, Narberth Fire Company (Sta. 26) and MFC were dispatched to assist with basic medical treatment.
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| MULCH FIRE |
| Date: |
4/19/08 |
The second alarm brought out MFCA to 317 W Lancaster Ave for a mulch fire. The burning mulch was situated between the CVS and Sunoco properties. The fire was extinguished and the company was back in service within fifteen minutes.
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| POWER LINE FIRE |
| Date: |
4/19/08 |
To finish the day, MFCA was called out to the 100 Block of Cherry Lane, Wynnewood for a high tension wire fire. As a result the power line snapped setting a tree and some brush on fire. PECO was called to secure the scene.
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| ALARM UPGRADED TO BASEMENT FIRE |
| Date: |
4/15/08 |
The Merion Fire Company was dispatched to the new JR Monaghan's Restaurant, 34 East Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore for a small fire in the basement. Originally dispatched as a activated alarm, it was quickly upgraded when a Lower Merion Fire Marshall reported smoke coming from the basement. The fire was quickly extinguished and the building was vented. Units that responded were MFC (Sta. 25), Bryn Mawr Fire Company (Sta. 23), Narberth Fire Company / One Engine (Sta. 26), Gladwyne Fire Company / Air Truck and FAST Team (Sta. 24) and Narberth Ambulance (313).
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| OIL SPILL |
| Date: |
4/7/08 |
Oil spill from a tank at the Honda dealership on Lancaster Ave today. The MFC assisted with absorbents until the clean up company arrived.
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| ODOR OF SMOKE AT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OFFICE |
| Date: |
4/4/08 |
At 10:30 A.M. MFCA was dispatched to the Obama Presidential Campaign Office on Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood for a report of smoke in the building. Firefighters quickly handled the situation and were back in service within 15 minutes.
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| "When kids are involved, we step up" |
| Date: |
4/1/08 |
The following article was in the Tuesday, April 1st edition of the Main Line Life.
When kids are involved, we step up (By Cheryl Allison of the Main Line Life)
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| EARLY MORNING FIRE ON CRICKET AVENUE |
| Date: |
3/27/08 |
At 3:24 A.M. MFCA (Sta. 25) and Bryn Mawr Fire Co./Full Company (Sta. 23) were dispatched to 155 Cricket Ave for a second floor/porch fire. Shortly after Assistant Chief 25-1 reported to county that the fire was now working its way up the building and fully involved. At that point an upgrade was asked for. At that point it was also made aware that all 5 residents were evacuated.
The fire was eventually knocked down on the second and third floors and overhaul took place. Assisting companies were Penn Wynne / Full Company (Sta. 21), Gladwyne FAST Team and Air Truck (Sta. 24), Radnor FAST Team (Delco Sta. 15) and Narberth Ambulance for their rehab unit. MFCA cleared the scene shortly after 6:30 a.m.
Video News Report from the Philadelphia Inquirer
Incident Audio from FiregroundAudio.com
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| HEATER FIRE |
| Date: |
3/26/08 |
Merion Fire Company, assisted by Narberth Fire Company (Sta. 26) responded to 215 Marlboro Road for a reported dwelling fire. Upon arrival there appeared to be no major signs of a dwelling fire. MFCA gained access through a first floor window and reported that there was a small heater fire. Due to the high level of CO, the house was vented and turned over to the on- duty Fire Marshal.
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| EARLY MORNING FIRE AT WHOLE FOODS |
| Date: |
3/19/08 |
The Merion Fire Company assisted by the Narberth Fire Company responded to a fire in a room at the Whole Foods Store at 359 East Lancaster Ave this morning at 2:30 AM. Firefighters overhauled the room and ventilated the smoke from the building. Quick action by store employees helped control the fire.
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| DEJA VU |
| Date: |
3/18/08 |
Major Gas leak today at Owen & Montgomery Aves. Firefighters provided protection for the PECO crews while they clamped a high pressure gas main. The Merion Fire Company, Narberth Fire Company, Narberth Ambulance, Air 24 from Gladwyne, LM Fire Department Staff, and police handled the job.
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| GAS LINE STRUCK |
| Date: |
3/17/08 |
A high pressure gas line was struck by a contractor at the Lower Merion High School today. Command was set, school evacuated, lines were stretched, and the gas in the neighborhood was monitored. PECO arrived and was able to shut a valve down to handle the problem.
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| TRASH FIRE |
| Date: |
3/10/08 |
The MFCA was dispatched to 44 West Lancaster Ave on Monday for a trash fire. Rather than extinguishing the trash fire with a water can, members of Engine 25 decided to take advantage of some leftover snow from a recent storm.
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| SPRING AHEAD |
| Date: |
3/9/08 |
A smoke detector saves a person's life almost every day. In fact, smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in a house fire IN HALF! Most fatal fires occur in the home--and at night. Smoke and poisonous gases from a fire can numb the senses of a sleeping person in a very short amount of time. Smoke detectors alert sleeping people before they are trapped in a burning building or overcome by smoke. So as a reminder when turning ahead your clocks on Saturday night, change all the batteries in your smoke detectors.
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| BASEMENT FIRE |
| Date: |
2/10/08 |
The MFCA was called to the Centennial Village Apartments at 100 West Montgomery Ave in Ardmore for a working fire in the basement of one of the units. Firefighters from Engine 25 & Ladder 25 quickly dropped a steetline and stretched a hand line to the apartment. Command was set up and the other eleven units were evacuated. An aggressive attack to the basement was made and the fire was placed under control in 15 minutes. Companies remained on location for 90 minutes.
The Bryn Mawr Fire Company assisted along with Penn Wynne for the FAST team, an extra pumper and air unit from Gladwyne, and Narberth Ambulance.
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| ASSISTING COMPANY 21 |
| Date: |
2/5/08 |
At noon today MFCA was dispatched to assist Penn Wynne with a building fire 851 Beechwood Road in Wynnewood. A small bathroom fire was quickly brought under control by members of the Penn Wynne Fire Company who were assisted by Ardmore Firefighters. One Ardmore firefighter suffered a finger injury.
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| TRUCK FIRE |
| Date: |
1/31/08 |
A contractors truck was on fire in the 400 block of Berkley Road in Haverford this yesterday evening. Firefighters from Engine 25 quickly brought the fire under control and stopped it from spreading to the exposure.
Incident Audio Excerpt
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| BURNT FOOD |
| Date: |
1/17/08 |
Twice in one day the MFCA was dispatched for activated fire alarms as a result of burnt food on the stove. Church Hill Condominiums and later on that day La Chanterelle both had activations from burned food. Due to the haze and smell of burned food, MFCA needed to set up the positive pressure fans to help push out any of the smoke and smells from the burning pots.
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| NEW OFFICERS ELECTED |
| Date: |
1/14/08 |
Last night the members of the Merion Fire Company elected Thomas C. Hayden Jr. for his fourth term as Chief. Daniel J. Rodgers has been elected to the 1st Assistant Chiefs position, followed by Anthony Van Dyke as 2nd Assistant Chief with Dave Watrous as 3rd Assistant Chief.
The Active Members Club Officers for 2008 are:
Steve Rodgers - President
Mark Stillwagon - Vice President
Tim Van Winkle - Treasurer
Dave Watrous - Secretary
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| ASSIST TO NARBERTH |
| Date: |
1/8/08 |
Roof Fire at Eviva Restaurant on Montgomery Ave in Narberth today. Ardmore firefighters assisted Narberth with ladders & opening the roof. The team effort quickly brought the fire under control. Stations responding Narberth First Due (Sta. 26), Penn Wynne (Sta. 21), Belmont Hills - FAST TEAM / Air Truck (Sta. 22).
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| NEW YEARS DAY |
| Date: |
1/1/08 |
On December 30, 1930 Merion Fire Company Firefighter Isaac Boyd was killed in the line of duty when the fire engine he was driving crashed enroute to a house fire started by wiring on a Christmas tree. Members of MFCA and Boyds family members, placed a wreath on his grave like they have for many years now.
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| LAST CALL FOR 2007 |
| Date: |
12/31/07 |
Merion Fire Company assisted by Penn Wynne (Sta. 21) responded to the corner of Ardmore Ave and County Line Road for a motor vehicle accident. The drivers side door was popped and Narberth Ambulance backboarded the driver for precautionary purposes. Both companies were in service for thirty minutes.
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| GENEROUS DONATION |
| Date: |
12/20/07 |
At today's meeting of the Ardmore Rotary Club, the Merion Fire Company was presented a check for $11,000.00. These funds were the proceeds from this years pancake day. Chief Hayden would like to thank everyone from both organizations who helped to make this happen.
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| BURNT FOOD |
| Date: |
12/7/07 |
The Merion Fire Company with the assistance of Bryn Mawr (Sta. 23) were dispatched to 113 Cricket Ave / Suburban Court apartments for a kitchen fire. Upon arrival the call was downgraded to burnt food in the oven. The burned food put off such an odor throughout the complex both companies were put to work in venting the building. Both companies were back in service within an hour.
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| HEATER FIRE |
| Date: |
12/6/07 |
The Merion Fire Company assisted by the Bryn Mawr Fire Company responded to 379 West Lancaster Ave in Haverford for smoke in the building. Several store managers were complaining about smoke in their businesses at the Haverford Square Shopping Center. Investigation found a heater fire in the attic. Several stores needed to be ventilated. Companies were in service for an hour.
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| OUTLET FIRE |
| Date: |
12/5/07 |
The Merion Fire Company assisted by Narberth Fire Company (Sta. 26) responded to 183 Midfield Road in Ardmore for a small electrical fire in the bathroom. The fuse did not blow and the fire did make it to the stud in the wall. Station 25 was in service for 45 minutes.
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| COMMENDATION AWARDED |
| Date: |
11/26/07 |
On Monday evening, Radnor Township awarded four commendations for a rescue of an elderly women from her burning home. The event took place back in October on County Line Road, Bryn Mawr when Steve Hand (Sta. 25) and Dominic Scardecchio (Sta. 23) assisted two Radnor Township police officers with the rescue of a women from her burning home. Steve Hand continued assisting in CPR en-route to Bryn Mawr Hospital. Without the quick response of these four men, the homeowners chances of serviving would not have looked so well. Congratulations on a job well done.
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| NATIONAL CERTIFICATION |
| Date: |
11/19/07 |
On Saturday a group of members from Merion Fire Company, Gladwyne, Narberth and Penn Wynne headed to Bucks County Public Safety Academy to take their Fire Fighter One National Certificate Practical. These members have been taking classes the past few months to prepare themselves for this day which consisted of fourteen skills stations. All thats left for them now is a written exam. Good Luck and Congratulations to all those who participated in this certification.
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| NEW DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL |
| Date: |
11/16/07 |
Congratulations to Frank Hand. Frank has started his new job as Deputy Fire Marshal for Lower Merion Township. The Merion Fire Company wishes Frank great success in his new career with the township!!!
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| GAS LINE STRUCK |
| Date: |
11/16/07 |
25 was dispatched to the Haverford School today for a gas leak. Construction workers struck a gas line while working on the new school expansion project. PECO was called to the scene and took control of the scene.
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| MINOR CAR ACCIDENT |
| Date: |
11/13/07 |
Ardmore Firefighters were called to 200 block of West Lancaster Ave today for a smoking car after an accident. Ladder 24 was in the area training and stopped to assist. There were no injuries.
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| FARMERS MARKET DRIVE THRU? |
| Date: |
11/8/07 |
Well not quite. On Thursday, Station 25 was dispatched to the Ardmore Farmers Market with a vehicle into the building. Engine 25 made sure that the building was structurally secure and that no interior utilities were effected. M.F.C.A. was back in service within twenty minutes.
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| SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES |
| Date: |
10/30/07 |
A smoke detector saves a person's life almost every day. In fact, smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in a home fire IN HALF! Most fatal house fires occur in the home--and at night. Smoke and poisonous gases from a fire can numb the senses of a sleeping person in a very short amount of time. Smoke detectors alert sleeping people before they are trapped in a burning building or overcome by smoke. So as a reminder when turning back your clocks on Saturday night, change all the batteries in your smoke detectors.
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| TWO GOOD SAMARITANS |
| Date: |
10/23/07 |
Yesterday MFCA was dispatched to Montgomery Ave and Haverford Station Road for a vehicle fire. Shortly thereafter Bryn Mawr (Sta. 23) was dispatched with the location now being closer to their district. A Honda Odyssey had clipped a flatbed truck causing a fire immediately in the engine compartment. Two plumbers working at a house heard the accident and rushed to pull the female driver and her young daughter from the fiery car. Bryn Mawr extinguished the vehicle fire with the assistance of MFC. The female driver was rushed to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital where her status is unknown at this time. Her young daughter was taken to CHOP so that she could be taken care of until a family member arrived. The flatbed driver was back boarded and taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital. Thanks again to the two good samaritans for their quick rescue of this family.
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| SILVER ANNIVERSARY |
| Date: |
10/14/07 |
This past Sunday the Merion Fire Company and Ardmore Rotary Club hosted its annual Pancake Day, marking twenty five years of tradition. Members of the Rotary and Fire Company worked hand and hand to serve over 700 meals. A special thanks to everyone who came out to support this great event. Hope to see everyone again next year.
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| FIRE PREVENTION LUNCHEON |
| Date: |
10/10/07 |
Members of the Ardmore Business District and Ardmore Rotary Club attended the annual Lower Merion Fire Department Luncheon. Robert (BOB) Pucci received an award for his continuing support as President/ CEO of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce to the volunteer fire service that has included a recruitment video, awareness campaign and 10 scholarships to Lower Merion firefighters. Members of the MFC salute Bob!
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| FUMES SICKEN WORKERS |
| Date: |
10/10/07 |
On Wednesday, MFC was dispatched to 317 West Lancaster Ave for fumes in the building. Two employees notified dispatch saying they felt nauseous and light headed. EMS was called to check the workers inside. The building was ventilated and Station 25 was back in service within a half hour.
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| HONORING OUR FALLEN |
| Date: |
10/8/07 |
Yesterday members of the Merion Fire Company and Narberth Fire Company traveled to Emmitsburg, MD to be apart of honoring Thomas Joseph Hays and all those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Survivors of the fallen firefighters participated in Family Day activities on Saturday on the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg; followed by an evening Candlelight Service at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
On Sunday, honor guard units and bag pipers opened the Memorial Service with a procession honoring America's bravest and their families. This years address was given by President George W. Bush who spoke about the strong bound among firefighters. Each fallen firefighters family then received a folded American flag and Medal of Valor. The President had a chance to speak one on one with the fallen families. The national tribute concluded with the unveiling of plaques listing the names of the 2006 fallen heroes and others being honored who died in previous years.
Photos from the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial - The White House
Video of President Bush's Speech from the NFFM - The White House
Video of Honor Guards from National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
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| ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES |
| Date: |
10/5/07 |
The Merion Fire Company assisted at an automobile accident today at Haverford Station & Lancaster.
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| FIRE PREVENTION WEEK |
| Date: |
10/7 - 10/13 |
"Practice Your Escape Plan!" is the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2007. It's not enough to have a home fire escape plan (PDF, 634 KB). To escape safely, you've got to make sure that everyone in the home has practiced the plan.
According to an NFPA poll (PDF, 759 KB) , the majority of Americans have a fire escape plan, but most haven't practiced it. From October 7-13, fire safety advocates will be spreading the word that when it comes to escape plans, practice is key. Let's get started! courtesy of www.nfpa.org
For more fun checkout www.sparky.org
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| FULLY INVOLVED CAR FIRE |
| Date: |
9/30/07 |
The Merion Fire Company of Ardmore responded to a well involved car fire behind the Wynnewood House Apartments at 300 East Lancaster Ave this afternoon. The fire was quickly brought under control.
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| ODOR OF GAS |
| Date: |
9/24/07 |
On Saturday, M.F.C.A. was dispatched to General Nutrician Center in the Wynnewood Shopping Center for an odor of gas. During the investigation firefighters traced the sent to a storage unit behind the building. Force-able entry was used to gain access to which they found gasoline and a gas powered vacuum. The items were removed and the building was vented.
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| ARDMORE SWINGS |
| Date: |
9/10/07 |
The Merion Fire Company of Ardmore received a $2000 donation from The Ardmore Initiative. The presentation was made at the dinner following the "Ardmore Swings" golf outing. On behalf of M.F.C.A. we would like to thank all the businesses who made this donation possible.
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