Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to introduce you to The Haverdink Family: Rick, Daile, Stella, Alex and Violet. Both Rick and Daile were born and raised in our hometown, and they feel very fortunate to be able to live, laugh and play here with their own family now.
Daile grew up here in Newtown Square with her parents and younger sister, Maddie. She is a proud graduate of Culbertson Elementary School, Paxon Hollow Middle School and Marple Newtown High School (MNHS), where she was a member of the Marple Tigers Cheerleading team.
After graduation, Daile attended Delaware County Community College to study Early Elementary Education and also took some business classes. She has always enjoyed working with children and began working as a face painter for her mother’s business. “My mom owns Stacey’s Face Painting,” Daile explained. “She is a world-renowned artist in her industry, and her clients over the past 30 years include the Philadelphia Zoo, Elmwood Zoo, the Camden Aquarium and Linvilla Orchards, just to name a few!”
Then, in 2018, Daile decided to follow in her mom’s entrepreneurial footsteps by opening a business of her own, Charming Star Playroom in Edgmont. “I wanted to create a clean, safe and whimsical place in our community that families could bring their young children to play,” she said. “My husband Rick encouraged me to take the leap and helped me build out a fun, inviting and magical space.” Now in its seventh year, Charming Star Playroom has blossomed and grown into a well-respected place for kids to play, parents and caregivers to connect and families to celebrate
birthdays and special occasions.
Rick grew up in the St. Albans neighborhood with his parents and five siblings. He attended St. Anastasia Grade School, Paxon Hollow Middle School and graduated from Marple Newtown High School. During high school, Rick developed an interest in building things, so he decided to pursue a career in carpentry and went to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster to study the trade.
“My inspiration in carpentry came from just wanting to be able to build things and be able to refinish things on my own,” Rick explained. “I spent 15 years working for large commercial companies building schools, hotels and offices, and I spent a few years doing small residential work.” He added that his specialty is finish carpentry and trim work. Currently, Rick works for a nearby school district as a Carpenter. “The most rewarding thing for me and the work I do is seeing something I built being enjoyed and put to use.”
If you haven’t guessed already, Daile and Rick are hometown high school sweethearts. “We met in 2001, and have been together ever since!” Daile exclaimed. “Rick and I say we share the same brain. So much so that our siblings refuse to let us be on the same team during family game time.” They also love all the same foods, music, traveling and Adam Sandler movies.
As teenagers and throughout college, Daile and Rick spent much of their time at Ridley Creek State Park taking walks and hiking there. “It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the outside world and just be together,” Rick said. “That’s why I chose to propose to Daile there in 2009.” The happy couple decided that Ridley Creek would be the perfect place for their next significant milestone, the wedding. They celebrated their nuptials in September 2010 on the park grounds, then spent a fun-filled and rejuvenating honeymoon in Jamaica.
Rick and Daile began their married life renting in Drexel Hill before buying a home of their own in Aston that needed work. After the renovations were completed, an opportunity arose for them to move back to Newtown Square. “My mom was ready to sell my childhood home,” Rick explained. “Daile and I had always said we wanted to raise our kids here, so we jumped at the opportunity.”
Stella is Daile and Rick’s oldest daughter. If you can’t find her at Paxon Hollow Middle School, chances are she’s at a TSC All-Star cheer practice or a cheer competition. “Stella is an honor student who, in her own words, says she wants to travel and go to college for something that will make her lots of money,” laughed Daile. “She’s a smart and well-rounded kid. She loves photography, writing stories and making movies at home. I can see her being a producer one day!”
Alex is Stella’s younger brother and a recent graduate from Culbertson Elementary School. He’ll join his big sister at Paxon Hollow Middle School this month. Rick described Alex as a master outdoorsman. “Fishing is his number one hobby,” he said. “Alex and I have traveled to many different states to catch different breeds and types of fish, including a five-foot alligator gar fish in Texas.”
Alex said he wants to own his own business someday, maybe a tackle shop or as a fishing charter captain. His parents said that Alex can do pretty much anything. “He’s got incredible street smarts, can build and fix things and is quick to come up with solutions to make something work better,” they said. “If you’ve got a problem, Alex can solve it!”
Rounding out this busy bunch is three-year-old Violet, who is newly enrolled at Newtown Square Presbyterian Nursery School. Violet may be the youngest, but she’s got quite the personality. “She’s three going on 13. Her personality is hilarious and she is very outspoken and outgoing,” explained Daile. “On her first day of dance class, Violet went right in and confidently introduced herself to her classmates and teacher. After class was over, her teacher laughed and said That girl is going to be president someday.”
“Violet loves her big sister and brother, loves cheer, dance and being on camera,” Daile said. “She says she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up because she loves animals.”
Speaking of furry friends, the Haverdinks have two adorable pups: Oreo, a mini bernadoodle and Peaches, a cavapoo. They also have an assortment of fish and fish tanks around the house, with each of the three kids having their own in their rooms. “We did enjoy having a bunch of chickens over the last five years, but we recently had to rehome them when a fallen tree damaged our coop,” Rick said.
Family time is very important to Daile and Rick. They love to spend time at home, having movie nights and family game nights, but they also enjoy getting out for nature walks and family outings to fun places in the area. As for their go-to travel destination? Hint: Many call it the Most Magical Place on Earth!
“We are self-proclaimed Disney Dorks,” Daile said proudly. “We travel there at least twice a year and more if we can squeeze it in.” They especially love eating their way around the world in Epcot, the fun rides and having the characters around the park throughout the day. Daile’s favorite ride, though, is Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom. “It’s a ride that gives you a real feeling of flying and I just find it absolutely incredible and exhilarating!” Daile’s advice to anyone wanting to visit Disney but might be a little overwhelmed? “Come have a cup of coffee with me. I will give you all the tips and tricks for the best way to enjoy it!”
Life for the Haverdinks is filled with fun, family, hard work and magical moments. They work hard here at home, volunteering their time and talents at our local community events, and are committed to providing meaningful and memorable experiences for our next generation of friends and neighbors.
Thank you, Rick, Daile and your family for sharing your story. On behalf of your Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors, we’re happy to get to know you and wish you many more moments of magic!
Know a Newtown Square family, individual or group who should be better known by everyone in our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.