Changes in store for 2019 Willowdale Steeplechase

A few changes are in store for this year’s running of the Willowdale Steeplechase. The 27th Running of The Willowdale Steeplechase presented by the 24th Fund will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, 2019.  This Chester County tradition is a spectacular rite of spring and a traditional Mother’s Day event for people throughout the Brandywine Valley and beyond.

Peck, Ward to be honored by Chester County 2020

Sarah Peck Chester County 2020 will honor Sarah Peck, principal of Progressive New Homes and David Ward, former assistant director of the Chester County Planning Commission, during the organization’s annual reception on April 25. “Chester County is blessed to have excellent professionals planning for our county’s growth and future,” said John B. Hannum, Jr., Chairman of Chester County 2020....

On Stage: One degree of separation from Beissel to music’s greats

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Danny Beissel “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” is a parlor game based on the “six degrees of separation” concept, which posits that any two people on Earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart. If you look at rock vocalist Danny Beissel’s long and varied resume, you’ll quickly notice that there is just “one degree of separation”...

What To Do: Kennett Winterfest tops busy weekend of fun

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This is a special time of year in Kennett Square – the time for a popular annual event known as the Kennett Winterfest. Usually, tickets are already sold out by this time but this year some tickets remain. The Seventh Annual Kennett Winterfest (http://kennettwinterfest.com/) will be held on February 23 from 12:30-4 p.m. in a tented area near 600...

Mixed Media: As snows thaw, arts schedule heats up

By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times I hope everyone’s enjoying the gentle springish thaw this week after all the snow. At this point, the light has changed and, in my opinion, spring can’t come soon enough. So let’s look forward towards the upcoming art events leading us into March. March 12th – April 6th, Somerville Manning will be hosting a solo exhibition of figurative paintings...

On Stage: Pavone is a revelation in solo viola show

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Jessica Pavone A solo viola concert might not seem to be the most interesting of choices for an evening of musical entertainment. But, if the artist onstage is Jessica Pavone, then all preconceived expectations fly out the window. When Pavone performs her solo viola concerts, audiences get drawn into her complex compositions. Boredom never becomes...

Winter storm, ice could clog evening commute

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times A funny thing happened on the way to pretty much everything in Chester County shutting down on Wednesday: as of 9 a.m. only the first few flakes of what are expected to be a messy Winter storm started falling in the southern portion of the county. Here’s why many businesses and most schools are shut: a storm bringing 3 to 5 inches of snow, followed by sleet and...

On Stage: intersect series at Annenberg spans the world

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This season, the Annenberg Center (3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, https://annenbergcenter.org/events) has teamed with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia for a special internationally-themed series called “intersect.” One portion of the series deals with the music of Africa. The first presentation was “Origins and Diaspora” back in October....

On Your Table: Going for more flavor, not just more food

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Call it by any name, Chicken Cacciatore makes for a great winter dish. At this time of year, many folks are focused on how to eat less. For myself I’m focused on consuming more flavorful, more comforting and more satisfying food.  This doesn’t necessarily mean more food, just better. I suppose this is counterintuitive thinking, but it’s...

Taste of Phoenixville raises $65K for Good Samaritan

Taste of Phoenixville guests applaud reaching the goal of “15 in 15” – $15,000 raised in 15 minutes for Good Samaritan Services, which contributed to the total of $65,000 raised for shelter and housing services. This year’s Taste of Phoenixville, one of Chester County’s annual signature fundraisers, raised $65,000 for Good Samaritan Services, the non-profit that provides temporary...