The Phi Beta Kappa Society
DELAWARE VALLEY ASSOCIATION
PHI BETA KAPPA DELAWARE VALLEY ASSOCIATION
Upcoming Events
PHILADANCO! Dance Company - Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center - Sat. Dec. 9, 2:00 pm; in-person; ticket fee. Optional pre-performance group lunch.
Book Club - "The Chinese Groove" - Thu. Dec. 14, 7:00 pm; virtual; no charge.
Movie Club - Classic Film: "Silver Linings Playbook" - Thu. Jan. 11, 7:00 pm; virtual; no charge.
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society: Dover Quartet - Sun. Jan. 14, 3:00 pm; in-person; fee. Optional pre-performance group lunch.
Delaware Art Museum: Two private guided tours: "The Rossettis" Special Exhibition plus "Highlights of the Museum" - Sat. Jan. 27, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm; in-person; fee. Buy-your-own lunch at the museum restaurant and sit with the group between the two tours.
Book Club - "Lessons in Chemistry" - Thu. Feb. 8, 7:00 pm; virtual; no charge.
News Briefs
PBK's Tour Historic Laurel Hill East Cemetery
On November 18, 2023, PBK's had a private guided tour of historic Laurel Hill East Cemetery, which was established in 1836 as a garden-designed, non-sectarian cemetery (in a time when cemeteries were usually affiliated with a specific house of worship) to serve as a "school of instruction" in architecture, culture, landscape gardening, and arboriculture. It was not only a burial place, but a scenic riverside sanctuary for the living, away from the noise and grime of crowded city life, to which Philadelphians regularly came out from the city to enjoy an afternoon relaxing and socializing with friends & family. The tour covered the resting places of numerous notable men and women, some with quite creative memorials, including political, military, commerce, cultural and social leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to a lively interactive discussion with the very knowledgeable guide. An optional group lunch took place afterward at LeBus restaurant in nearby East Falls.
Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Public Lecture at St. Joseph's University
On October 23 -24, 2023, the St. Joseph's University Phi of Pennsylvania Phi Beta Kappa Chapter hosted one of PBK's 2023 Visiting Scholars, Trevon Logan, the Hazel C. Youngberg Trustees Distinguished Professor of Economics and Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, The Ohio State University. On Monday, October 23rd, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Professor Logan delivered a public lecture entitled, “All We Have Is The Truth: Burdened Individuality, Abstract Equality, and Economic Interference” in the Teletorium in Mandeville Hall, to which PBK DV members were welcome to attend. The lecture asked if we are interpreting racial economic and social disparities appropriately.
PBK's Attended Philadelphia Chamber Music Society Bespoke Ensemble Concert
On October 22, 2023, PBK's and friends attended a wonderful matinee performance featuring Philadelphia Orchestra principal clarinet Ricardo Morales, violist and President of the Curtis Institute of Music Roberto Díaz, Seattle Symphony Principal Cello Efe Balticigil, and pianist and Artistic Director of the Kingston Chamber Music Festival Natalie Zhu. The ensemble performed Beethoven's Clarinet Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11; selections from Bruch's Eight Pieces, Op. 83; Husa's "Evocations of Slovakia"; and Brahms' Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114, at the American Philosophical Society's Benjamin Franklin Hall. A subset of the group enjoyed a pre-concert group lunch at nearby "Franklin Social" restaurant.
2023 Annual Meeting - Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Delaware Valley
On October 17, 2023, PBK Delaware Valley members participated in the Association's 2023 Virtual Annual Meeting. The past year's activities & plans for the coming year were presented & discussed, along with discussion of a proposal for a new scholarship award, and election of Officers and Council members for 2023 - 2024 for the governing Council of the Association.
2023 PBK Delaware Valley "Key Connections" in-person Happy Hour Social & Networking Event
On September 28, 2023, approx. 30 new and current PBK's met to connect & network at an in-person Happy Hour at the Logan Square location of Misconduct Tavern over wine, beer, soft drinks, flatbreads, empanadas & a variety of sliders. In addition to lively conversation, there was a short program with presentations on PBK DV's activities, member support resources, community outreach through high school book awards and proposed scholarships, as well as Young Professionals activities. Then each attendee briefly introduced themself and said a few words. A good time was had by all and there was interest to have additional in-person Happy Hours in the future.
PBK's Walked Old City "Bankers' Row" for Architectural Tour of Philadelphia's History as Financial Center of the Early Republic
On August 5, 2023, PBK's and guests enjoyed a guided walking tour of the area of Old City that in the early years of the new Republic, was the nation’s financial capital, home to the first stock exchange (1790), the Bank of the United States, the US Mint, the first securities exchange, the first commodities exchange, and other early banking and insurance institutions. The important early institutions were housed in architectural treasures, ranging from Greek Revival “temples” to later brick and limestone buildings such as the US Customs House. After the tour, the group had lunch and good conversation at the Red Owl Tavern restaurant, on the corner of 5th & Chestnut Streets across from Independence Hall.
PBK's Had Great Tours of the Seaport Museum, the USFS Cruiser Olympia, and the WWII Submarine Becuna
On July 22, 2023, PBK's and guests toured the Independence Seaport Museum along the Delaware River waterfront, home to one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America. In addition to the museum, the event included private guided tours of the Spanish American War (Admiral Dewey's flagship (USFS) during the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay) and oldest floating steel warship in the world, the cruiser Olympia, and the WW II submarine Becuna, to walk the steps of history. After the tours, the group enjoyed lunch at the National Mechanics restaurant, in the historic Mechanics National Bank building built by prominent architect William Strickland in 1837.
