Neighborhood news: Ruthanne Madway, executive director of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, presented an award to Bill McKeown, a longtime employee at Allegheny Iron and Metal Corp., on Sunday. TOM WARING / TIMES PHOTO
More than 1,000 people attended Sunday afternoon’s Mayfair Christmas Village and Tree Lighting at Frankford and Ryan avenues.
The day featured live music, more than two-dozen vendors and appearances by Santa Claus and Elsa. A collection was taken for Toys for Tots.
The event was sponsored by the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, Mayfair Business Association and Mayfair Civic Association.
Ruthanne Madway, executive director of the Mayfair CDC, presented an award to Bill McKeown, a longtime employee at Allegheny Iron and Metal Corp., a 115-year-old company based at 2200 Adams Ave. (at Tacony Street) in East Frank-ford.
Allegheny partners with the Mayfair CDC in a city initiative. Companies such as Allegheny receive tax credits, and CDCs receive portions of a company’s business income and receipts tax per year, for 10 years.
“This program has made all the difference in the world,” Madway said.
The Mayfair CDC sponsors a farmers’ market, community festivals and cleanups. It also rehabs blighted homes and works to improve the local business climate.
Among those on hand for the presentation were state Rep. John Taylor, state Rep.-elect Mike Driscoll and officials from the city Department of Commerce.
McKeown, noting challenges facing his longtime neighborhood of Lawncrest, credited the Mayfair activists with keeping their neighborhood strong.
“You guys keep fighting to keep this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Mayfair Business Association met last week.
Issues addressed included the second annual Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest, co-sponsored by the civic association.
Homes must be nominated by Tuesday, Dec. 16. Nominations can be made on the Mayfair Civic Association page on Facebook or by emailing mayfaircivicassociation@yahoo.com
In other neighborhood news, McNoodle’s Irish Pub, 7356 Frankford Ave., has been sold, and will soon be transformed into more of a restaurant.
The Mayfair Fallen Heroes Run and Mayfair May Fair will take place on May 16. The honoree for the run will be Gerry Pellegrini, a Philadelphia police officer and Pennsylvania National Guard member killed in 2005 in the Iraq War.
A newly formed company, Northeast Security Cameras, welcomes businesses looking for security cameras to call 215–866–7073 or visit northeastsecuritycameras.com
The Mayfair Business Association will meet again on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. at Prudential Prime Real Estate, 7341 Frankford Ave. ••
