💡This Week's Guide to Local Life In the Upper Merion Area

Upper Merion Youth Football and Cheer's Beef and Beer | UM's inauguaral Buddy Walk | Trivia is Back

Author

Corey Luttrell
September 24, 2025

Good Morning, Upper Merion Area 👋

L’Shana Tova to all of you who celebrate. May your New Year be sweet! 🍎🍯 

Speaking of sweet, it’s time to start building our list of trunk or treats in the area. If you have one you’d like to put on our list, please head over to our Facebook Page and comment on THIS POST. I hope to have a nice curated list to share with everyone in the next few weeks.

Lastly, TRIVIA IS BACK! With the help of the King of Prussia Historical Society, I’ll attempt to test your knowledge with some Upper Merion Area related trivia. Keep reading for details on how to win and this week’s question.

God Bless,

Corey 💡

SPONSORED BY MAGIC TRAVEL PROS

It's Always Cruise Planning Season!

Planning your next cruise doesn't have to be stressful. With the help of an experienced professional, you can navigate through options effortlessly. Whether you're dreaming of a tropical getaway or an adventurous voyage, I’m here to guide you or handle all the details for you.

Let me take the hassle out of planning so you can focus on what really matters, enjoying your journey!

E-mail me to learn how at [email protected]

LOCAL TRIVIA 🧠

❓This week’s question: What significant event damaged the Evergreen School in Port Kennedy?

  • Earthquake

  • Fire

  • Tornado

  • Flooding

🙋‍♂️Think you know the answer? Click the button below to submit your response on our Facebook Page. All participants answering correctly will have their name entered into a drawing for this week’s prize, a gift card from The Kibitz Room. Responses must be made by this Sunday evening.

LOCAL NEWS 📰

Most clicked event/story from last week 🏆…

It seems it will always be true that any real estate news I share receives the most clicks (nearly 200 clicks last week). It feels safe to say the Upper Merion Area real estate market is just fine (for now). The event drawing the most interest last week was the Goodwill Donation Drive at Good Shepherd.

Eataly sets official open date. 🍷

I take all “opening day” announcements with a grain of salt around here (thanks 202). But, Eataly officially set its open date as Thursday, October 2nd at 3 p.m.

Eataly will be a new 21,000-square-foot Italian marketplace, opening on the ground floor of the King of Prussia Mall, in the space formerly occupied by Rite Aid and Forever 21. The marketplace will feature a full-service sit-down restaurant called "La Pizza & La Pasta," offering Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta with both indoor and outdoor seating. Additionally, it will include quick-service counters, a wine shop, and a retail market selling a variety of imported Italian goods like fresh pasta and olive oil.

September 15th School Board Meeting Recap. 🏫

Staffing & Personnel

  • Approved payment for legal services per UMAEA contract.

  • Adjusted stipend for T. Butler, Assistant Football Coach (resigned Sept. 5).

  • Approved Family/Medical Leave for Employee #4236 beginning Sept. 11.

  • Rescinded approval of J. Riera-Barrientos as full-time instructional aide (previously approved Aug. 25, 2025).

  • Accepted staff resignations:

    • Elizabeth Lourie – Instructional Aide (9/11)

    • Lindsey Sparks – Instructional Aide (9/18)

    • Kyle Venson – Custodian (9/12)

  • Approved new instructional aide hires (all $19.50/hr):

    • Melissa Gallen – Caley Elementary (9/2)

    • Tejal Pisat – Caley Elementary (9/15)

    • Sophia Robinson – Gulph Elementary (9/2)

Curriculum, Technology & Student Services

  • Approved the Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) Plan for Upper Merion High School.

  • Approved 3-year contract for PA-ETEP Educator Evaluation software:

    • Cost not to exceed $54,030 (shared by Curriculum/Instruction & HR).

  • Received updates on:

    • 2025–2026 data

    • Next steps for data-driven decision making

Next Meeting

  • Regular Public Business Meeting

  • October 13th (7-9pm) UMAMS

  • AGENDA (will be linked when publicly available).

Saturday is your final chance to visit our local Farmer’s Market 🍲

They also happen to be having a chili cook off with nearly 20 chilis to taste test. You can visit their Facebook page HERE for more info.

Vikings football opens up conference play with a W. 🏈

Congrats to the UM Vikings football team for starting their conference schedule with a 26-6 win over Pottstown! Next game is this Friday @ Phoenixville. You can visit the full activities calendar for Upper Merion Area Middle and High School by clicking HERE.

Upper Merion Assistant Superintendent Dr. Susan Silver to Retire After 16 Years 📩

September 19, 2025

Dear Upper Merion Area School District Community,

It’s with great appreciation and gratitude that I am writing to share the news that, after 16 years of dedicated and impactful service in Upper Merion, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Susan Silver will be retiring this January. 

Throughout her tenure in the district, Dr. Silver has held several leadership roles, including Elementary Principal and Director of Curriculum. As we reflect on her service, I am particularly grateful for her dedication, vision, and passion. Dr. Silver has had a significant impact on our school community, consistently emphasizing the importance of bringing people together in pursuit of our shared mission to serve students. 

Dr. Silver is particularly proud of her work in advancing student achievement, strengthening cultural awareness throughout our district, fostering collaboration, and implementing professional development programs to enhance our instructional practices. 

I am developing a plan to appoint an interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction who will provide leadership during this transition. In the coming months, the District will launch a search for the next Assistant Superintendent who will continue to support high-quality curriculum and instruction, encourage innovation, and ensure that cultural awareness, belonging, and collaboration remain at the heart of our work.

On behalf of the entire Upper Merion Area School District community, I want to thank Dr. Silver for her 16 years of dedicated leadership and extend our appreciation for her commitment to our district. Please join me in celebrating her impactful career and wishing her joy and fulfillment in retirement.

With thanks,

Tamara Thomas Smith
Superintendent of Schools

UPPER MERION AREA HOUSING MARKET 🏠

Most interesting listing on Realtor 👀…

There are currently over 120 homes for sale in the Upper Merion Area as of me typing this. The ones with massive price drops always catch my eye. There are a few but this one has the largest this week with a 45K drop. Wow!

Open houses this week:

There are 7 in King of Prussia and 1 in Bridgeport.

EVENTS THIS WEEK 📅

Spotlight Events 💡

This week, you can support our local youth by participating in two fantastic events!

On Friday, September 26, you can support Upper Merion Youth Football and Cheer at their Beef and Beer at Goodwill Shamrock Room from 6 PM to 10 PM. Enjoy great food and drinks while helping fund youth activities.

Then, lace up your sneakers for the Best Buddies Acceptance Walk on Sunday, September 28, starting at 10 AM at Viking Stadium. This event promotes acceptance within our community. Together, let’s make a positive impact!

More Events⏩

🎹 Dueling Pianos | Southern Cross Kitchen | September 26th

🏈UM Youth Vikings Beef and Beer | Shamrock Room | Sept 26th, 6-10 PM

⭐Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day | Washington’s Memorial Chapel | Sept. 28th, 2pm.

🍻Singles Event (ages 25-40) | Puddler’s K&T | October 2nd, 7-10 PM

🎭The Play That Goes Wrong | The Barn Playhouse | October 3rd, 7:30 PM

🎤Karaoke Night | Swedesburg Fire Co | October 4th, 5 PM

🍂Community Fair and Fall Festival | Heuser Park | October 4th, 12-4 PM

🏃‍♂️‍➡️10th annual Trail Race | McKaig Nature Education Center | October 5th

👮🏼National Night Out | Upper Merion Police Department | October 7th

🍬Trunk or Treat | Haunted (Frosty) Falls | October 11th, 1-4 PM

🌹West Conshy Founder’s Day 5K | West Conshy | October 11th, 8AM

👻Glow Bingo (Super T’s Mast Cell Foundation Fundraiser) | Spring Mill Ballroom | October 17th, 6PM

🎖️Gettysburg Trip | Hosted by the UMSCC | October 23rd

👻Free Family Event | Arnold’s Family Fun Center | October 25th

🏆Big Bingo | Upper Merion SSC | October 26th

🚒Not Your Average Bingo | Swedesburg Vol Fire Co. | November 8th

👜Designer Bag Bingo | Hope Community Church | November 14th

Recurring Events ♻️

🥕Upper Merion Farmer’s Market | Nor View Farms | Saturdays through September

✨Concert Under The Stars | UM Township Park | May through September

🌉Bridgeport River Market | Next to Frosty Falls | 2nd and 4th Sundays

🎸Live Music on the Green | KOP Town Center | Thursdays April through October

🚜Fall Fun Festival | Norview Farm | October 11th, 18th, 25th, 10-6 PM

Check Their Calendars🗓️ 

PET PULSE 🐾

Brought to you by: Brilliant Dog Training and Behavior

Hey, Dog Lover!  We're Here to Help!

New puppy in the house? Or is your dog’s behavior driving you a little crazy? We’re here to guide you every step of the way. At Brilliant Dog Training & Behavior, we empower families to help their dogs thrive! Every dog deserves the opportunity to understand what their people want from them. Our focus on real-life skills ensures lasting results for dogs of all breeds and life stages.


As modern, humane, and ethical dog behavior experts, we make training a rewarding experience for both dogs and their families.

Enroll today and discover your dog’s brilliance!

Cats need homes too 🐈

Yes, there are cats out there waiting to be adopted as well, and they don’t get near the attention. So, I thought it would be a good idea to remind everyone. Are you looking to adopt a cat? Check out this link to a post at Main Line Animal Rescue.

Love dressing your pup up for Halloween?

Don’t miss the Dog-gon Halloween Spectacular taking place at Frosty Falls in Bridgeport on Sunday, October 19th. You can get more information by clicking HERE.

UPPER MERION AREA WEATHER

  • Wednesday: 🌧️ Light Rain | High: 81°F | Low: 68°F

  • Thursday: 🌧️ Rain | High: 76°F | Low: 65°F

  • Friday: ⛅ Partly Cloudy | High: 78°F | Low: 59°F

  • Saturday: ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 77°F | Low: 61°F

  • Sunday: ☁️ Cloudy | High: 77°F | Low: 62°F

  • Monday: ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | High: 77°F | Low: 59°F

Thank you for reading today! Have something I can share for you? Please let me know by filling out THIS FORM📃 You’re also welcomed to e-mail with questions or suggestions at [email protected]

Corey 💡

Reply

or to participate.