Kristin Hunt

Kristin Hunt is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice. A history and pop culture junkie, she spends her spare time stalking the Free Library shelves and binge watching TCM. She has previously contributed to Vulture, GQ, Mental Floss, JSTOR Daily, and The Washington Post.

kristin@phillyvoice.com

November 24, 2023

History

The iron lung seems archaic, but a smaller version — like the one at the Mütter Museum — helped people, even recently

by Kristin Hunt

The Porta-Lung offered polio survivors and other patients with rare diseases a more portable version of the iron lung. The Mütter Museum, 19 S. 22nd Street in Philadelphia, has one of these negative pressure ventilators, once distributed by Respironics and then Philips.

November 21, 2023

Food & Drink

How to make a classic Pennsylvania Dutch dessert for Thanksgiving

by Kristin Hunt

Need a dessert for Thanksgiving? Try the classic Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie. This recipe comes from the Amish vendors at Beiler's Bakery, by way of the Reading Terminal Market Cookbook.

November 21, 2023

Performances

Rolling Stones to rock Lincoln Financial Field in 2024

by Kristin Hunt

The Rolling Stones return to Philadelphia in 2024 on their Hackney Diamonds Tour. The classic rockers will play the Lincoln Financial Field on June 11. Tickets go on sale Dec. 1, with presale tickets available Nov. 29-30 for registered fans.

November 17, 2023

Children's Health

Cancer death rate among kids and teens has declined by 24%, CDC says

by Kristin Hunt

The cancer death rate among kids and teens has declined by 24%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. The report analyzed data between 2001 and 2021. Brain cancer, not leukemia, is now the deadliest cancer among children.

November 17, 2023

Food & Drink

Food from Parc will be served to first-class travelers on Amtrak's Acela trains

by Kristin Hunt

Three dishes from Stephen Starr restaurants will be featured on Amtrak's fall and winter first-class menu for Acela riders. Those include the beef bourguignon from Parc and lobster mac and cheese from The Continental Mid-Town.

November 16, 2023

Transportation

Indego plans to add 1,000 new bike docks, primarily in West Philly, in 2024

by Kristin Hunt

Indego will add 1,000 new bike docks, primarily in West Philly, in 2024. The city bike share program shared its latest expansion plans on Thursday, targeting Kingsessing, Mill Creek/Parkside, Wynnefield/Overbrook, Kensington/Richmond and the upper section of East Falls

November 16, 2023

Movies

New documentary about Phoenixville's Firebird Festival to play at Colonial Theatre

by Kristin Hunt

'Firebird: Built to Burn' is a new documentary following the Firebird Festival in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The annual Chester County arts event involves the burning of a 20-foot wooden phoenix. The documentary will play at the Colonial Theatre from Nov. 29 through Dec. 14.

November 15, 2023

Weekend

Holiday markets, tree plantings and the National Dog Show: Your weekend guide to things to do

by Kristin Hunt

Several holiday markets and displays open in Philadelphia on Nov. 18, including the Christmas Village in LOVE Park and Tinseltown Spectacular in FDR Park. In nearby Oaks, the National Dog Show returns for another year.

November 15, 2023

Books

10 Free Library branches are set to resume Saturday hours

by Kristin Hunt

The Free Library of Philadelphia is restoring Saturday hours at 10 branches across the city, over three years after all locations cut weekend service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial locations will resume service on Nov. 18.

November 14, 2023

Illness

Climate change may allow infectious diseases to spread further and linger longer, federal report warns

by Kristin Hunt

Infectious diseases could spread even further and linger longer into the fall and winter seasons if climate change worsens, according to the latest National Climate Assessment released by the U.S. government. Ticks, mosquitos and other animals carrying Lyme disease, meat allergies and rabies already have expanded their usual habitats.