We might as well go ahead and call this the Frankford issue.

The week before Christmas, publisher Michelle Freeman and I headed up to the Frankford Historical Society for a tour. Only a short walk from our On the Ground space in St. Mark's Church, the historic building and its fascinating collection was yet another "I had no idea this was here" moment.

Our guide, Patricia Coyne, was a volunteer and had taken a long lunch in order to show us around. She led us through the beautiful main hall, lined with bookshelves and alive with ludicrously charming architectural details (local theater companies and party planners take note), and then downstairs to see the collection of artifacts. It was illuminating to see the history of the area laid out before us—from Native American arrowheads to manufacturing equipment to silver hair combs. (My personal favorite was a penny-farthing bicycle.) The display also demonstrated the sharp contrast between Frankford's once-central place in the spatial imagination of the city and its current status as scrappy underdog neighborhood on the rebound.

Flying Kite's On the Ground program is designed to foster those sorts of experiences. By immersing ourselves in a neighborhood for three months, we are able to uncover stories and make connections that can be elusive for a city-wide publication. During our time in Frankford, we met a world-class stained glass restoration specialist, a couple of kids trying to bring street art to city youth, reported on the theft of $8,500 worth of bronze from a local shipbuilder, covered the resuscitation of the Frankford Y and shared the stories of long-standing family businesses.

On a personal level, I learned a lot. It is endlessly amazing—and in some ways frustrating—to realize how little I know about some areas of the city I grew up in. After a lifetime without stepping foot in Frankford, I developed a deep affection for the place. That is in no small part thanks to the tireless efforts of the folks at the Frankford CDC, neighborhood cheerleaders extraordinaire. (Who do you think it was who pushed us to visit the wonderful Historical Society?)

One of our goals during our time in Frankford was to give others a similar experience—to draw people to the area for events, including our Fall Music & Arts Festival and our Holiday Craft Market. As we liked to joke: "You just jump on the El. Then stay on. Then stay on a little longer. Nope, not quite yet! OK, you're here!" We also helped reinvigorate a neighborhood landmark—St. Mark's Church was a fascinating place to work, full of beautiful surprises and blessed with hardy space-heaters. The role of the church in contemporary society is changing, but the spaces are still there and can be a valuable community asset.

So, as we say goodbye, we wanted to go big on Frankford. In this issue of Flying Kite, you'll get a detailed look at the neighborhood's past through the stories of small business, and an exciting glimpse at its future through the herculean efforts of the Frankford CDC. We hope this detailed glimpse at a vital Philadelphia community will tell you something about where you live, and maybe inspire you to hop on the El.

Now the big question: Where will we be going next? Mantua and Frankford opened their communities to us, and we hope it will be no different in Germantown. Yup, we'll be taking up residence in the northwest section of the city, directly across from the Chelten regional rail station at 322 W. Chelten Avenue. It's an area undergoing steady transformation, with development dollars being put to use on both infill projects and renovation of some of the area's stunning historic architecture. 

We're excited about the potential partnerships in the area, whether its with local schools, nonprofits or community groups. We also hope to loop in artists and activists from nearby Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, expanding our vision to include a broader swath of Northwest Philly.

See you in Germantown.

Got any tips to help us explore our new neighborhood? People and places we need to know about in Germantown or Mt. Airy? Email [email protected].

LEE STABERT is managing editor of Flying Kite.