What To Do: Embrace winter’s joys with a multitude of fests

Winterfests abound, fun in Chadds Ford, honoring MLK and more! By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times There are a lot of things about winter in this area to dislike — cold weather that chills you to the bone, sunlight deprivation and nasty snowstorms that cause hazardous roads conditions. But, there are also many things to like — ice skating on frozen ponds, skiing and snowboarding...

On Stage: Cracker continues to cross genres

Dustbowl Revival, Chapel Street Junction highlight roots music in area this weekend By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Cracker, which blends rock and country roots, headlines Saturday night at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Photo: Bradford Jones. When people think of the North and the South in America, they usually think about the eastern part of the country and the segments of the...

Tips for keeping your lips happy and healthy

Winter is when lips become chapped; a few ways to keep them happy and smiling By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Yes, your lips do matter and in the bitter cold of January appropriate lip care is always a concern.   In dentistry we sometimes say that the lips are just the picture frame around a beautiful smile.  Our lips are really so much more. Without healthy lips we would...

Coatesville woman charged with sex with a minor

Sarah O’Neill WEST WHITELAND — A Coatesville woman has been charged with having a sexual affair with a minor at the private school where she taught, township police said Tuesday. Township Police charged Sarah O’Neill, 35, with four counts of Corruption on Minors. Police said that the charges stem from an investigation into allegations of O’Neill having an inappropriate relationship...

Op/Ed: 2015 offer many opportunities for Chester County

By Terence Farrell, Chair, Chester County Board of Commissioners  Terence Farrell The citizens of Chester County have a myriad of opportunities as we begin 2015 and close out a successful 2014. As the newly elected chair of the Chester County Commissioners, I’m looking forward to making sure we meet the goals we’ve set in our strategic plan that will enhance our already excellent quality of...

Maybe it’s time to resolve to resolve nothing

Could ‘letting go’ be the best way to make changes? By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times The YMCA is a madhouse. For the next two weeks (or so) the parking lot is jammed with all of the 2015 New Year’s Resolutions it can accommodate. Annoying? Yes. But, I am sympathetic to the cause. I have written in the past about my attempts to “reinvent” myself every January: drink...

Don’t expect much political change in 2015

Although new approaches seem badly needed, expect the ‘same old, same old’ this year By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times New year, same old politics. As 2015 dawns, even with new majorities in state and federal legislatures, as well as a brand new governor and a new county commissioner, things are arguably more the same than different. In terms of the federal government, it’s not just...

What To Do: Don’t whine about the cold, wine about it

Plus: Philly BeerFest and Woodlands at Phillips cooks By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Nothing chases away the winter blues like a nice pairing of wine and cheese, and Chaddsford Winery will be offering special parings of its wines with cheeses from The Whirly Pig on weekends in January and February. If you’re not intimidated by the blast of severe winter weather slamming the area this...

DA Hogan says Downingtown Police put FBI, CIA to shame

Hogan commends police for prosecution of international criminal By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times The Downingtown Police Department was honored Wednesday night by Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan for its investigation of Jack Mayer, an international racketeer. DOWNINGTOWN – The Chester County District Attorney’s office commended the Downingtown Police department for its tracking,...

On Stage: Bands with some serious ‘Stones’

Music and comedy options abound in the area this weekend By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Jesse Lundy Band: Mach 4 is just one of three Rolling Stones tribute bands playing at the Ardmore Music Hall, Saturday. There are a lot of tribute acts performing across America that attempt to recreate both the sound and appearance of the musical act they’re trying to imitate. More than 95...