👋Good Morning, Upper Merion! 

The weekend’s here, and so is spring! March Madness is underway, and the Opening Day countdown is at six days. I truly love this time of year!

I’m continually grateful for the kind emails you all keep sending. A conversation with a subscriber today reminded me that I created a Facebook group specifically to engage more with you. If you’d like to join, click HERE. I’d love to chat with you all there!

And last but certainly not least, thank you to our sponsors: The Main Line Guide, The Magic Travel Pros, Main Line Athletes, your trusted realtor, Carolyn Kauffman, and MainLineJobs.com.

I hope you find something helpful from this issue!

Ciao for now!

Corey | Chief Spotlighter 💡

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor escape, a good deal, or a rundown of the live music scene, you’re in luck.

Here are just a few of the many options you have. To see the every growing comprehensive list, be sure to head over to The Main Line Guide. 

💡SPOTLIGHT EVENT💡

TODAY IS THE DAY! Join Bob Kelly’s After Work Pajama Party from 5 PM to 8 PM at Peppers by Amedeo’s, 175 Town Center Rd., King of Prussia! Wear your favorite pajamas and bring a pair to donate to the children at St. Christopher’s Hospital. Enjoy music by DJ Mark Sheppard, raffles, and great food while supporting Kelly’s Kidz. It’s a fun-filled evening for a heartwarming cause!

💡MORE EVENTS💡

NIGHTLIFE:

CRAFTS:

ARTS AND CULTURE: 

COMMUNITY CAUSES:

Want to browse more events in Upper Merion and the surrounding area? Are you hosting an event you’d like thousands of locals to know about? You can do both by CLICKING HERE to visit The Main Line Guide.

TIRED OF FACEBOOK GROUP GUESSWORK?

In case you haven’t decided what you’re trying this week…here’s a little help! This will be the place to learn (be reminded of) local drinks, dishes, deals, and spots!

LOCAL SWEET TREAT:

LOCAL SPOT:

CLICK HERE to explore The Main Line Guide for more delicious restaurants and food specials in the area! Discover new flavors and hidden gems that will satisfy your cravings. Happy eating!

TIRED OF FACEBOOK GROUP GUESSWORK?

Welcome to Our New Lifestyle Section!

Twice a week, I’ll dish out a variety of Upper Merion lifestyle vibes in hopes of sparking some inspiration for your next local mini-adventure. When I moved here years ago, I appreciated folks sharing ideas with me. I’m hopeful some of these shares are helpful to you as well. Enjoy!

Today’s share: Climb High at REACH’s Climbing and Fitness

Reach Climbing and Fitness in Bridgeport fuels adrenaline junkies with 58-foot walls and bouldering challenges, an adrenaline rush haven for climbers. Scale top-rope routes or tackle weekly boulder problems—no experience needed. Beginners can try autobelays or join classes, while experts push limits on competition-style walls. Open daily, it’s a thrilling escape to test your strength and conquer heights, with a ninja warrior room for extra excitement. Gear up and climb!

Located at 401 E 4th St, Bridgeport, PA

Want more inspiration? CLICK HERE to search The Main Line Guide for the lifestyle vibes that fit you. Hosting activities or running a venue that does? Get your info in there and let locals find you! Visit The Main Line Guide today!

Freedom to Play, Foundational Growth, Endless Fun!

I had the pleasure of chatting with Alex, the owner of the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Academy over the weekend. As a 20-year elementary PE teacher, Alex recognized a growing hesitation in children to face physical challenges and embrace adversity. Inspired to make a difference, he founded the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Academy to introduce young kids to rugby, a sport that builds resilience, teamwork, and confidence. In this Q&A, Alex shares how his teaching experience shaped the academy and why rugby is a game-changer for youth development in the region. As a 19 year PE teacher myself…I coudn’t agree more with his sentiment.

Q - As a 20-year elementary PE teacher, what inspired you to channel your passion for youth into founding the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Academy?
A - While teaching K-4 PE for so many years, I noticed a change in children. Many have become hesitant to make mistakes and shy away from difficult physical challenges—and don’t even get me started on the screen time. The game of rugby highlights the need for all children to overcome real-life obstacles and push through difficult challenges in our lives, all while being part of something bigger than ourselves. Rugby allows all kiddos to experience adversity, make friends, discover their strengths, improve their weaknesses, and provide many opportunities for future experiences.

Q - How do you see rugby as a unique sport to foster physical and mental growth in young children compared to other sports?
A - I coached a successful single-school high school rugby team for 16 years, won a Pennsylvania state championship, and grew it to over 100 girl and boy student-athletes. I now want to share the game of rugby with all the other local area youth and allow them to see the greatest game ever created and share the rugby culture across our region. Rather than exclude kiddos from my previous single-school program, we now want to include all the area youth to join our regional youth rugby club.

Q - What personal experiences from your teaching career have shaped the values and programs you’ve implemented at the academy?
A - Our rugby academy makes rugby fun. We model our program after the best teaching practices in education. Many of our coaches are educators and ensure all athletes find enjoyment and success in learning the game of rugby.

Q - How does the academy cater to children of all skill levels, and what steps do you take to ensure every child feels included?
A - We offer all age levels from kindergarten up to 8th grade right now. We also include both flag and tackle options in our program to allow for introductory and advanced levels. We encourage girls and boys to be part of our growing rugby club. Rugby caters to all sizes and ability levels with so many positions offered.

Q - Can you share a memorable story of a child whose life was positively impacted by participating in your rugby programs?
A - I cannot count the number of times a high school senior athlete has come up to me and said, “I wish I would have had the chance to play rugby sooner.” I have seen those players go on to play professionally and even lead their college rugby programs as captains. I now want to make up for not giving younger kiddos that chance to start earlier.

Q - What challenges did you face when starting the academy, and how did your teaching background help you overcome them?
A - Growing a program from nothing is never easy. Getting the word out to parents about starting a less mainstream sport was the biggest challenge. After four years now, we have started to grow in parents’ conversations. I guess with teaching students K-4, you see their growth over the years and know there is a long game for each of them. Our PW Rugby Academy wants to play the long game by offering a quality sports program for girls and boys K-12, and we are excited to put in the time with these young athletes.

Q - How do you balance the competitive aspects of rugby with the importance of fun and personal development for the kids?
A - The game itself lends itself to fun and competitiveness. It is mentally impossible to master and always induces physical challenge. It shows the value of sacrificing for others and trusting your teammates. Everything about rugby highlights the importance of possessing positive character traits.

Q - What role do you believe community involvement plays in the success of the academy, and how do you encourage parental participation?
A - It takes a village. Parents are vital to the success of our program but also in their child’s choice of activities. We value that choice and put together an experience completely different from all other competitive sports. Once people learn the game of rugby and its culture, they rarely ever leave it.

Q - With your deep passion for youth, how do you plan to expand the academy’s reach to underserved or diverse communities?
A - Most other spring sports require expensive equipment and lavish travel expectations. Rugby requires cleats and a mouthpiece. Our commitment level is what each person makes of it. You can make it your life, or you can make it your part-time game. There are positions for all shapes, abilities, and sizes. Rugby is a game for all.

Q - Looking ahead, what long-term vision do you have for the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Academy and the future of youth rugby in the region?
A - We want to grow into a dominating high school rugby club program that offers rugby from kindergarten to 12th grade. We want to offer competitive levels and commitment levels for all players. This game can change so many lives for the better; we want everyone to find their passion for it.

Ready to give your kids a transformative rugby experience? Join the Philadelphia Whitemarsh Rugby Academy! You can contact Alex at pwyouthrugby@gmail.com to get your K-12 child involved in a sport that builds resilience, teamwork, and fun. Don’t miss out on being part of this growing community!

MainLineJobs.com: Your Local Career Connection

What are the Spring Market Predictions for Upper Merion?📊

_{Brought to you by our sponsor, Carolyn Kaufmann, Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line}

Home Price Trends:

• Current Median Prices: As of February 2025, the median listing home price in Montgomery County, encompassing Upper Merion Township, was approximately $495,000, marking a 1% increase year-over-year. ​realtor.com

• Projected Growth: Home prices in Montgomery County are expected to rise by 2-4% throughout 2025, indicating a steady yet moderate appreciation. ​montcoliving.com

Market Dynamics:

• Inventory Levels: In February 2025, Upper Merion Township had 65 homes for sale, a 16.1% increase from the previous month, suggesting a growing inventory. ​rocket.com

• Sales Activity: The number of homes sold in February 2025 decreased by 12.5% compared to January, with 14 homes sold, indicating a potential cooling in buyer activity. ​rocket.com

• Interest Rates: Mortgage rates are projected to stabilize in 2025, offering buyers more predictable financing options. ​

Key Considerations for Spring 2025:

• For Buyers: The increase in inventory provides more options, and stabilizing interest rates may enhance affordability. However, the slight decrease in sales suggests a need for careful market analysis to identify favorable opportunities.​

• For Sellers: While home prices are appreciating, the rise in inventory means increased competition. Strategic pricing and effective marketing will be crucial to attract potential buyers.​

In summary, the Spring 2025 real estate market in Upper Merion Township is poised for modest growth, with balanced opportunities for both buyers and sellers.

Are You:

• 🤔 Curious about real-time market activity in your neighborhood?

• 💰 Looking to find out your home’s value in minutes?

• 📋 Interested in viewing all active and coming soon listings?

• 🏠 Looking to help someone buy or sell a home in Upper Merion?

🌤️ Upper Merion Weather Outlook: Your Week at a Glance

• Friday: ☀️ Sunny | High: 52°F | Low: 38°F

• Saturday: ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 59°F | Low: 31°F

• Sunday: ☁️ Cloudy | High: 48°F | Low: 39°F

• Monday: 🌧️ Rain Showers | High: 61°F | Low: 41°F

• Tuesday: ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 54°F | Low: 36°F

• Wednesday: 🌧️ Rain Showers | High: 49°F | Low: 34°F

HOW DID WE DO?