Advice on love, life and surviving Valentine’s Day

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Dear Nancy, I’m a widow of five years and finally feel ready to date. My friends put me on a dating app and I realized quickly it’s not for me. Last weekend a few friends and I went skiing nearby and I met this really nice man. We talked in the ski lodge for over two hours and bought me a drink. He wasn’t wearing a ring and my friends felt he was really...

Diggs named Exec. Dir. of Chesco Housing Authority

Paul Diggs The Board of the Housing Authority of Chester County (HACC) has appointed Paul Diggs MPA as Executive Director of the organization, effective immediately.  Diggs comes to this position from the Howard County Maryland – Housing Commission and takes over HACC leadership from retired Executive Director Dale Gravett. Housing Authority Board Chair Pat Bokovitz said, “The Executive...

Octorara school president killed in plane crash in W. Caln

Sam Ganow The President of the Octorara Area School District, Sam Ganow, was killed Thursday when his the plane he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff from Chester County Airport. Ganow, 65, a long-time member of the OASD board, died when the Grumman GA-7 Cougar twin-engine plane he was flying crashed two minutes after takeoff in a wooded area in West Caln, near Old Wilmington Road. Investigators...

What To Do: Trolls at the Philadelphia Zoo

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Trolls at the Philadelphia Zoo The Philadelphia Zoo has been a habitat for an amazing array of animals ever since its opening day in July 1874. Now, for the next two-and-one-half months, the Zoo will be home to a sextet of Trolls. Now through April 15, the Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia) is hosting the East Coast debut of...

Groundhog sees his shadow; early Spring coming?

Although generally a mild winter so far for Chester County, the Commonwealth’s most famous groundhog predicted Friday that an early Spring would come this year. Pennsylvania’s very own world-famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring after not seeing his shadow this morning at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney — marking the 21st time Phil has not seen his shadow during...

On Stage: ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ comes to Academy of Music

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Mrs. Doubtfire The assortment of current theater productions in the area seems to have something for everyone. There are even two shows that will please both theater fans and film buffs at the same time – “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Hello Dolly!” There is also another play that has a film version in its future – “SMALL.” “Mrs. Doubtfire” is...

Lionville Middle School’s Kirby named outstanding PA Asst. Principal for 2024

Andrew W. Kirby Andrew W. Kirby, Assistant Principal of Lionville Middle School (LMS) in the Downingtown Area School District, was selected as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year by the Pennsylvania Principals Association. As a state winner in the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Outstanding Assistant Principal (NOAP) of the Year...

County’s 9-1-1 Center moves to New emergency call infrastructure

Chester County Telecommunicator Mike Arganetto in the Chester County 9-1-1 Center. Chester County has transitioned to the new Next Generation 9-1-1 Statewide Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network, a faster and more efficient way for the 9-1-1 call center to receive emergency calls. The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) transitioned today its Emergency Communications Center...

Penn Medicine opts out of deal to acquire Brandywine Hospital site

Brandywine Hospital. File photo. Citing construction costs and building issues, Penn Medicine has opted out of an agreement to purchase the old Brandywine Hospital, Friday. Penn is expected to look for another facility in the area, which would be used for VA medical services and potentially emergency and acute care for the Coatesville area. Tower Health, which owns the facility an operated it until...

What To Do: Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Year of the Dragon at Penn Museum The Chinese zodiac is a rotating cycle of 12 years in which each year is represented by a specific animal and its characteristics — rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2024 is the “Year of the Dragon” according to Chinese zodiac. The Chinese Zodiac dates back...