On Your Table: Time for Christmas cookies!

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Who can resist sugar cookies at Christmas time? The countdown to Christmas is well underway and in many kitchens so is the rush to bake holiday sweets, notably cookies.  Why do we eat cookies for Christmas? For so many families, it’s not Christmas without cookies. Our kids leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, we spend weeks baking...

My present is to be more present

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times So, I had the best intentions to do a last-minute Christmas Super Six for y’all. But, then I realized that 90% of the world is currently wrapping gifts, not still buying them. (Know that I hate you if you fall into this category.) Therefore, I will spare you my holiday panic and move on to lecture about the other stuff on my mind. Namely, that I discovered...

On Stage: Lindsey Stirling does it all

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Lindsey Stirling Lindsey Stirling is a rock musician – and a lot more. She dances, blends genres of music, does her own choreography, plays violin and is the consummate entertainer. She also is a successful writer who has several books to her credit. Stirling released her eponymous debut album in 2012 and followed with “Shatter Me” in...

What To Do: Christmas celebrations are everywhere!

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Christmas season seems a little different this year. The holiday spirit is in the air but the traffic around malls and shopping centers is almost normal — thanks to online shopping trends. One thing will never change – the omnipresence of Christmas events. They are truly everywhere. Over the next week or so, you can head in any direction...

DA adds three to prosecution staff

Three new Assistant District Attorneys have joined the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. Stefanie Friedman, Kaitlyn Macaulay, and Scott Werner were sworn in before the Honorable Allison Bell Royer. District Attorney Hogan stated, “Chester County is fortunate to add these three prosecutors to our team. We seek the best and brightest prosecutors, and then try to make them even...

On Stage: Doobie Decibel System Trio is back in Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Doobie Decibel System Roger McNamee, a talented musician and tech entrepreneur from the San Francisco area, lived for a while in Delaware County and is a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately for him – and for fans of his Bay Area band Doobie Decibel System – McNamee rarely gets to visit the area and enjoy a hoagie and the...

How being vegan can affect your teeth

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times As the year comes to a close many people are considering changes to make for the new year.  I was recently asked if there were any dental concerns with being vegan.  Does the vegan diet have an impact on dental health? There is no doubt that plant-based food sources can be a healthy choice. Even meat eaters benefit from the nutrients found...

Brandywine SPCA: 1,181 pet adoptions at Mega Adoption Event

The Brandywine Valley SPCA announced  Monday that the weekend’s Mega Adoption Event resulted in 1181 adoptions. The event held at the Delaware State Fairgrounds brought in families from across the tri-state area who adopted a total of 716 dogs and 465 cats.

On Stage: Modern day minstrels take their art to the people

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times hackedepicciotto Europe in medieval times had minstrels. A minstrel was an entertainer. Originally describing any type of entertainer such as a musician, juggler, acrobat, singer or fool, the term later, from the 16th century, came to mean a specialist entertainer who sang songs and played musical instruments. From the 14th century until the present...

On Stage: Intense is how Ministry likes it

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times People may disagree about what kind of band Ministry is – industrial, metal, rock, goth. But they all have to agree that Ministry is one of the most intense bands they’ve ever heard – lyrically and sonically. Ministry has been making music that rattles your bones, challenges your brain and touches a need for rebellion for almost four decades...