Holiday entertaining can be done without stress

A few steps can take the hassle out of hosting
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
The holiday season is in full swing! Entertaining family and friends can be festive AND stress free if you do it the right way…
Although I looooove the idea of a printed, mailed invitation…let’s be honest, it ain’t happening. The website “Paperless Post” (www.paperlesspost.com) has a ton...
Observing National Influenza Vaccination Week

County to offer free flu shots Monday at Exton library
Don’t take chances with your health, urges the county, which is offering free flu shots on Monday, Dec. 9.
In observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 8-14), the Chester County Health Department will offer the free vaccinations – recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older – at the Chester County Library in Exton...
Progress seen in plan to end homelessness

County officials applaud collaborative Decades to Doorways initiative
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell (right) discusses the Decades to Doorways initiative, with its administrator, Michael Hackman.
For nearly 10 years, 77-year-old Pedro lived in the Kennett Square shadows: hidden in a ramshackle, makeshift structure he called home....
I have many things to be thankful for

And so do my kids, nieces and nephews
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
My memories of Thanksgiving as a child are some of my most precious. Our (not so large) extended family would gather at my Great Aunt’s house for food (including tons of desserts…my grandfather and his brother owned a few bakeries!) laughter and love.
We would play touch football with our cousins and then come...
County to smokers: Be a quitter

Free assistance being offered to help kick the habit
In observance of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 21, the Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition will be distributing 1,000 free “quit kits” to work sites and community-based organizations in Chester County, a news release from the county Health Department said.
Quit kits, tobacco prevention information, and smoking cessation...
Shopping on Thanksgiving a real turkey
Stores open on the holiday, mess with the holiday and hurt Black Friday
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
By now, it is evident how much I love to shop. In fact, hunting for bargains may be one of my favorite things to do…but NOT ON THANKSGIVING.
Black Friday was traditionally the kick-off to the shopping season frenzy. Remember how people would line up at 3:00am for a Cabbage Patch...
What were all those dentists doing in New Orleans?

Annual American Dental Association Meeting highlight tech, learning
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Just last week more than 24 thousand dental professionals gathered in New Orleans for the Annual meeting of the American Dental Association. That’s a lot of dental people in one place. What makes these meetings so important?
As a private practice dentist, I believe it...
County fire marshal offers winter safety tips

Extra precautions recommended with space heaters
With winter approaching, the Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office is urging all residents to be extremely careful when using any auxiliary heating device.
Recently, the Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated fires that involved space heaters. “Check the electrical cord and unit for any damage; do not use if any damage is found,” Chief Fire Marshal Harrison Holt said....