(The following is a special series on Bluejeanfood.com written by guest contributing writer and correspondent for “Small Bites Radio” William Knowles. He highlights his passions of trying something new whenever the opportunity presents itself, or possibly something old, but new again since it has been a while. I hope you enjoy his very special perspective that I am sure many of you can relate to. Follow him on his exciting journey “Around Town”)
“Around Town” has come back around to Revolutions at Penn Treaty, the great new food, drink and entertainment complex opened in Fishtown (right next to the Fillmore, and across from Sugar House Casino). This time it was for a special event honoring one of Philadelphia’s beloved athletes who is making a difference in his adopted hometown via his efforts through charity.
Revolutions has unveiled a Philadelphia Sports Wall of Fame, located by the Burger and Beer Joint upstairs. The inaugural inductee is former Flyers great Brian Propp, who played 11 seasons for the orange and black from 1979 to 1990. A five-time NHL All-Star and five-time Stanley Cup finalist, Propp was a part of history with the 1979-80 Flyers who went unbeaten for a streak of 35 games. He is second all-time for the franchise in goals scored (behind Bill Barber) and assists (behind Bobby Clarke), and third all-time in points (also behind Clarke and Barber, respectively). In the 1987 Canada Cup tournament, Propp played on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, helping to win the championship for Team Canada.
Propp is facing new challenges each day now, since suffering a stroke in the Fall of 2015. He has made great strides towards recovery, through his treatment at the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in the city. Seeking to assist others in need has always been a priority of Brian’s, and since his ongoing struggle became a way of life, he has a renewed purpose to help those who are going through the same scenarios as he.
The event at Revolutions on Black Friday evening was not only to honor Propp as the first inductee to the Sports Wall of Fame, but also to raise money for a scholarship that has been set up to assist fellow stroke and brain injury victims who are recovering at Magee. Our friends at Randex Communications hosted the event, with President and CEO Randy Alexander serving as master of ceremonies. WIP radio host and CSN Philly hockey analyst Al Morganti spoke about his longtime friend Propp, from his stellar hockey career to his history of giving back to others. Brian’s #26 Flyers jersey was then hung on the wall of Revolutions, to be joined by many other local sports legends in the future.
It was a pleasure to again experience all that Revolutions at Penn Treaty has to offer, and an added treat to see one of my sports heroes up close and in person. Brian is doing better and better with time, and anyone wishing to help his cause should visit the Brian Propp Helping Hands Project at mageerehab.org. Happy Holidays to all from “Around Town”…
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