Today was the closing for the sale of the John Updike childhood home at 117 Philadelphia Avenue in Shillington, Pa., and after a long process The John Updike Society now officially owns the building and property. The eventual sale price—reduced because of needed safety-issue repairs and a furnace that the home inspector pronounced “on its last leg”—was $180,000, rather than the $200,000 original price.Shillington realtor Conrad Vanino, Jr. represented the society at closing, while president James Plath signed, scanned, and returned the necessary documents via email. Conrad worked for the society gratis, and the entire membership owes him a big thank-you, with special thanks going to The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation for making the purchase possible.