Who do YOU know in this week’s ‘Good Stuff’? Teachers, coaches, neighbors, charities, colleagues and teams…Got ‘good stuff’ to share? Send your great news to kim@chescotimes.com and be a part of the fun!
Good stuff, better late than never!…’Foodies’ out there will love hearing that Kennett Square’s own Lisa Keys won the National Festival of Breads baking championships this June. Lisa ALSO holds the title of ‘CHAMPION’ from the popular Food Network show “Chopped” and was a featured presenter at the 2015 Mushroom Festival…to follow Lisa visit: goodgriefcook.com…
Love of a lifetime…A caring Downingtown community and TEAM CMMD Foundation, recently fulfilled a terminally ill cancer patient’s dying wishes to walk each of his children ‘down the aisle.’ TEAM CMMD quickly secured donated church space, an officiant, dresses, tuxes, hair, makeup, flowers, limo, food and wedding cake…ALL donated by local businesses. The very special day, which also included the renewal of marriage vows with his wife of 20 years, was video-taped to ensure that family would be able to cherish the memories forever…
‘DRIVING’ away the cold…Hats off to the 36 auto dealers in Chester County who are participating in a one-of-a-kind program that will distribute 42,324 brand new winter coats to children in need this month. The eighth annual ‘Driving Away the Cold’ program is a philanthropic initiative of the Philadelphia Auto Show and the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. This year’s contribution brings the cumulative total to 220,182 new coats given to children in the five-county Philadelphia region since 2008. The program will distribute a total of 4,828 new coats in Chester County…
Soaring… Long-time Wings for Success volunteer, Lynn Knapp (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach), will be honored at ‘Wings Fling’ this Thursday, October 15 from 6 – 8PM at the Downingtown Country Club. Wings for Success empowers women in need to pursue employment and economic security through free apparel, advice, and advocacy… We hear QVC’s Leah Williams will emcee the event…
Generosity…The Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) is the recipient of $250,000 technology pledge from Bentley Systems (Corporate HQ in Exton) for the upcoming exhibition: Chester County: A Place in History. The pledge will aid CCHS in developing interactive components for this exhibit such as touchscreens, mobile tablets, handicapped-accessible devices, computer-based kiosks and listening stations, audio and multi-media devices, and more…
Hot-Shots…Kennett High Junior, Evan Brown, shot a 31 (NOT a typo…) to lead the Blue Demons golf team to a narrow win over Unionville 198-199; handing the Indians its first defeat in nearly 3 years…
Talented…West Chester East’s Matthew Hontz was selected to perform in the All-National Concert Band from October 25-28 in Nashville by the National Association for Music Education. Hontz has been playing the French Horn since he was in second grade. Unionville Student Dana Dirnberger selected for the All-National Concert Band
Who’s the ‘FAIR’est of them all?…Unionville High’s Shannon White was named the Unionville Community Fair and Farm Show’s “Harvest Queen.” Shannon will compete for the state fair queen title in January 2016…
Top tech score…The Technology & Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania has deemed Patton Middle School’s Technology and Engineering program to be a 2015 Middle School Program of Excellence…way to go Hawks!
Garden of Gratitude…’Three cheers’ for West Chester’s Ann & Steve Hutton, for hosting a ‘thank you’ reception, in their spectacular gardens. The event was held for sponsors of the Barn at Spring Brook Farm’s upcoming Hoedown fundraiser…’The Barn’ offers many animal-assisted activities for children with disabilities with a special focus for those with needs in the autistic spectrum…
SMARTIES….The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently named 11 students from the West Chester Area School District (WCASD) National Merit Semifinalists for the 2015-16 school year. In addition, 26 students from the three WCASD high schools received commended status from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation…Unionville High announces 20 students as National Merit Commended students…
FURRRRtastic news…Chesco SPCA’s ‘Building Tomorrow Today’ Futures Facility held its grand opening October 8th. The new facility, Located at 9 Coffman St., Malvern, will take Low-cost spay/neuter, affordable veterinary care, behavioral training, and safety net programs out of the shelter into a state of the art facility for our furry friends in need…
‘Wow’ factor…Catch West Chester native and current Kennett Square resident, Stephen Powell, performing as Giorgio Germont in Opera Philadelphia’s new production of Verdi’s tragic love story ‘La Traviata.’ The opera opened at the Academy of Music on Friday, October 2. We hear Stephen is an internationally renowned singer who has performed all over the globe…
Standing Strong Together…Chester County Rally to End Domestic Violence – THIS Sunday, October 18, 1 PM, at Downingtown’s Kerr Park. Join Senator Andy Dinniman, District Attorney Tom Hogan, Mayor Josh Maxwell and Domestic Violence Center of Chester County CEO – Dolly Wideman-Scott to say ‘NO MORE!’ to domestic violence…
Kudos!…Congratulations to Avon Grove’s Bryce Reid and Lindsay Traino…Reid has been named Lions Club Student of the Month – October, and Traino has been named the Rotary Club’s October Student of the Month…
Voices heard…Malvern Prep’s Nick Gatti, Christian Franck and alumnus Phil Daubney ’15 were selected to perform at Cathedral Bascilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia for the recent Papal Mass…
$$$ Bargain book alert $$$….The Kennett Square Resale Book Shoppe (113 S. Union Street, KSQ) will be having a 10th Anniversary Sale THIS Friday and Saturday, October 16 – 17. All proceeds benefit the Kennett Area Senior Center. Books $4 and under, which includes almost all of the more than 5,000 books in the store, will be half price! Hours are 10 AM – 4 PM Mon – Sat. The community is encouraged to shop for a great cause.
Know your heritage!…Coatesville Centennial Fall Heritage Day THIS Saturday, October 17, 10 AM – 4 PM. Food, fun, education & history for the whole family….for more info. visit: www.coatesville.org
‘Last Call at The Oasis’…is a powerful, full length documentary presented by Joan and Dick Stroud Memorial Lecture Series. Catch it THIS Sunday, October 18, 4:30-7PM at Unionville High School, 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA. Water. It’s the earth’s most valuable resource…cities are powered by it, countless industries depend on it, and all living things need it to survive. This timely film about the world’s water crises highlights the issues as well as their solutions. Tickets are $15 per person and include light refreshments. They can be purchased at www.stroudcenter.org/events
ON THE HORIZON…
Living Strong…Calling all parents and kids ages 10-14… From October 7th – 20th (check website for location dates) The Chester County Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is coming to a town near you. Youth can attend a session on dealing with stress, peer pressure and goals; while parents attend sessions on showing love, setting limits and house rules, and encouraging good behaviors; followed by a joint session to discuss it all. FREE FAMILY DINNER AND CHILDCARE are included in the sessions! For information and to register visit www.chestercountysfp.org/Chester_County_SFP/Home.html
Swing your partner, round & round!… Mark your calendar for The Barn at Springbrook Farm’s annual Hoedown and auction fundraiser, Saturday evening, October 24th, at ‘The Barn’ – 350 Locust Grove Rd, West Chester, PA. To learn more about the Barn’s very special services to area children, and how to purchase your Hoedown tickets, visit: springbrook-farm.org
Give Kids Sight Day…FREE vision care and eyeglasses –for kids in Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks & Philadelphia counties who don’t have health care or vision coverage. The event is Saturday, October 24th, at Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia, no appointment necessary. For more information visit: gksd@pccy.org
Help those who help others…The Rotary Club of Oxford is holding its Benefit Night – Saturday, October 24th, 7 to 11 p.m. in The Pavilion at Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 E. Locust St., Oxford. The evening will feature table games (attendees exchange casino chips for prizes), simulcast horse racing fun, and a corn-hole competition. Live music, silent auction, finger foods and a cash bar will be a part of the evening’s fun. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Order tickets by e-mail at oxcasinonight@gmail.com or by calling 610-960-5906.
