Sandy Hingston

@sandyhingston
pennsylvania millennial mayors
City Life

These Millennial Mayors in the Philly ’Burbs Entered Office Eager and Optimistic. Then Came 2020

Here’s what it was like to be the caretaker of an entire community when so much stuff — PPE shortages, school closures, job losses, overcrowded hospitals, toilet-paper hoarding — suddenly hit the fan.

City Life

How Much Do You Know About Philly’s Irish History?

From Tug McGraw to Grace Kelly to the iconic Irish Potatoes, this city has a lot of Celtic connections. Take this quiz to find out how much you really know.

City Life

The Philadelphian Who Made America’s Hotels Posh

George Boldt’s Bellevue-Stratford set the standard for elegance, refinement … and chicken à la King.

william penn
City Life

William Penn Only Spent Four Years In Pennsylvania, And Other Strange Founder Facts

The rest of the time, he was busy being accused of starting various riots, shopping for fancy clothes in Paris, and getting in lots of trouble with the authorities.

 

octavius catto scholarship
City Life

New Scholarships at Community College of Philadelphia Honor Civil Rights Icon Octavius Catto

A fitting tribute to a Philadelphian who fought for education for all.

Octavius Catto
City Life

Octavius Catto Desegregated the Franklin Institute

The Philadelphia educator, orator, civil rights leader and baseball player awakened the conscience of the city.

president's house
City Life

The First White House Was Right Here in Philly

The President’s House was home to two presidents — and lots of history.

monopoly
City Life

The Strange Philly History of the Monopoly Board Game

What started as a socialist parable turned into a capitalist dream, thanks to a little light theft, repackaging, and some brisk sales at Wanamaker’s.

philadelphia zoo fire
City Life

The Day the Great Apes Died: The Legacy of the 1995 Philadelphia Zoo Fire

Twenty-five years ago, the tragedy at the World of Primates building broke the city’s heart and raised a loaded question: What, exactly, do we owe the animals in our care?

snow days
City Life

2020 Even Ruined Snow Days. Great.

They were one of childhood’s most treasured rituals. Oh well.

City Life

Best Thing: Patti LaBelle Gushes About Philly in the New York Times

Our Queen of Soul gets the royal treatment, and she heaps praise on her hometown.

City Life

Best Thing This Week: Thanksgiving 2020 — it Happened

It was a holiday like no other. And we got by.

City Life

Best Thing This Week: The Philadelphia Union Land Two Big Awards!

It’s official: Our MLS team is the best Philly sports team.

house spiders
City Life

Now That I Never Leave My House, I’m Getting to Know All About the Spiders Who Live Here With Me

Endless months of homebound isolation will make you see your surroundings in a whole new way.

Biden Burger
City Life

The Best Thing That Happened This Week: Japan’s President Biden Burger

Of course, it nods to Philly, where good things happen.