Red Cross honors Coatesville VA employee

Recreation therapist lauded for ‘above and beyond’ work with veterans Rich Yoegel (left), chair of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chester County Leadership Council and a member of its board, congratulates Ellen Barnes, this year’s Chester County hero. Photo courtesy of Alex Greenblatt The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) has honored a woman who exhibits...

Op/Ed.: Cultivating economic development in Coatesville

By Josh Maxwell, Mayor of Downingtown Josh Maxwell Cultivating economic development is often a tricky endeavor.  On one hand, we want to incentivize job-creating businesses; on the other hand, we want to avoid missing out on valuable tax revenue for our communities.  In Downingtown we have been recognized for being able to use infill development opportunities with limited tax incentives to expand...

Art Watch: Jill Beech & Steven Mogck

Two local artists with unique contemporary takes on assemblage art By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times  Three dimensional clay and metal artist Jill Beech and assemblage painter Steven Mogck will be exhibiting in a two artist Pop up show this Thursday May 8th at Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square. While their pairing was accidental, these two local contemporary artists share a joy in the assembling...

A Super Six any mom will love

Some great ideas for those Mothers’ Day gifts By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times Next week is Mother’s Day!  Therefore, my Sunday Super Six is chock full of great gift ideas! 1. If you are crafty, I love the idea of doing a monogram canvas frame project!  I found this example on Pinterest (what did we ever do before this website?)  If you are hesitant to freehand the initials,...

Spring brings out the senseless in politics

May brings flowers and Silly Season, Part I By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ah yes, it’s May. The blooms are on the trees, warm sunshine is here (that is when we don’t get washed away by five inches of rain), the birds are singing and Spring is in the air. Oh, and the crazy is really ramped up in the political world. From the 158th state house district to Gov. Tom Corbett, the red mist has...

What to do: Downton, WC May Day arts fest, beastly ballet

No shortage of fun, entertainment options this first weekend of May By Denny Dyroff, Correspondent, The Times The fashions of Downton Abbey — the popular BBC/PBS show — are currently featured at Winterthur. Winterthur’s annual Point-to-Point Races are usually held at the start of May. Being staged so close to May 5 each year, the event frequently has a heavy Cinco de Mayo party vibe. This...

Kennett’s Cinco De Mayo is area’s best

13th annual festival of food, music and fun looks bigger than ever By Denny Dyroff, Correspondent, The Times The food, music and pageantry of Kennett Square’s annual Cinco De Mayo festival will be on full display, Sunday. If you’re in search of the best Cinco de Mayo celebration in the United States, the most logical place to look would be downtown Los Angeles — especially along...

Take a musical trip back in time this weekend

The Letterman and Think Pink Floyd headlining local venues Friday By Denny Dyroff, Correspondent, The Times Many of the live music shows in the area right now feature pop and rock music that is current while some focus on futuristic sounds. There is also a variety of shows that look back to music from previous generations. This weekend, you have two options locally to attend concerts that are...

County now shifting into flood-recovery mode

5.5 inches of rain prompts evacuations, more than 60 water rescues The storm left these giant sink holes at Colonial Hyundai in Thorndale. Although the waters had largely receded amongst Thursday sunshine, reminders of the ferocity of Wednesday’s storm could be seen across Chester County. The water is receding, and now the necessary mop-up will begin. And if county officials had their...

Major roads in Downingtown flooded

Police urging people to observe road closures; even better: stay put Updated at 5:50 p.m. with information from county’s Dept.  of Emergency Services Downingtown Police Chief James R. McGowan III is urging residents to stay home or use alternate routes as the heavy rains have taken a toll on the borough’s roads. “Due to the severe rain fall accumulation, all major roadways and...