WCU’s Florentino to retire in summer, 2024
Christopher M. Fiorentino
West Chester University President Christopher M. Fiorentino, Ph.D., who leads the largest university within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, announced to the West Chester University community today that he will retire in the summer of 2024.
Having led the institution as its 15th president for more than six years and having served the University now for...
Shame of the commonwealth: PA tied for no. 3 in US for hate groups
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
PENNSYLVANIA is tied for third among states…..and not in a good way.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has released its “The Year in Hate & Extremism Report” for 2022. The report tallies up the number of hate and/or extremist groups in the country by state.
Topping the list with 103 is California. Next comes Florida with 89. No surprise there. The...
Inner Nature: The nature of instinct
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
One of the unexpected sights driving around my neighborhood in Chester county is seeing an adult male peacock with a magnificent tail walking about the streets. Peacocks are native to the tropics, and are the national bird of India. This peacock was probably bought as a pet, maybe as a pair, maybe alone. He’s since become feral, and has no partner. He has...
What To Do: Kimberton Fair returns; Oliver! under the stars
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kimberton Fair
There are two things you can be sure of in this area every July – scorching heat waves and an assortment of festivals, outside music events, carnivals, family-oriented celebrations and summertime fairs.
If you enjoy country fairs, you should check out the Annual Kimberton Community Fair (Kimberton Fairgrounds, Route 113, Kimberton,...
On Stage: Andy Summers is more than just a legendary guitar player
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Andy Summers
Andy Summers is most known for his work as the guitarist of the British band The Police. Summers’ innovative guitar playing created a new paradigm for guitarists in this period and has been widely imitated ever since.
Prior to the Police, he played with various bands in the London scene including the Soft Machine, Kevin Coyne, and...
On Stage Extra: John Ondrasik is a man of many talents
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
John Ondrasik
John Ondrasik, a veteran rocker from Los Angeles, wears many hats.
He is a singer/songwriter who plays keyboards and guitars. He is a philanthropist. He is a principal figure in a family business that has been around since 1946. He is a man who looks at the plight of people in Afghanistan and Ukraine and does what he can to help.
When...
The Earth is burning and Republicans are doing nothing to put out the fire
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
IT IS HOT here in West Chester, the place we now call home. It’s not hot by the standards of our old home in East Texas where heat indexes for the past week or two, and projected into the future, are somewhere around 110. No relief in sight.
It’s not hot like it is in Vegas, or West Texas or any number of places. Our daughter checked in from Prague,...
What To Do: Only in Chester County — Blobfest
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Blobfest
There are many interesting events scheduled for the area this weekend. Some of them range from unique to common and from hysterical to historical.
Phoenixville is hosting an event that is unique — and loaded with hysterics.
Two of the most over-used and often incorrectly used worlds in the English language right now are “literally”...
On Stage Extra: Rachael Sage is focusing on performance
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Rachael Sage
Rachael Sage is like a modern-day Renaissance woman — singer-songwriter, ballerina, pianist, poet, record label owner, actress, organist, writer and record producer. Currently, she is focused on being a performer.
She seems to be endlessly touring world-wide and all across America. Fortunately, her schedule has included three local...
On Stage: Selwyn Birchwood returns for show at Sellersville
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Selwyn Birchwood
Fans of blues music have a lot to get excited about over the next few days including visits by two artists from the prestigious blues label – Alligator Records.
Selwyn Birchwood will headline a show in Sellersville on July 13 and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials will have a three-day run in Philadelphia from July 14-16.
Birchwood...
