On Stage: The Connells return to the area with show at Brooklyn Bowl

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Connells When music fans talk about Southern rock, they are usually referring to a subgenre of music that is a blend of rock, country and blues with the focus on electric guitar.  Southern rock started in the 1970s and featured such bands as the Allman Brothers Band, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd. There is another Southern rock subgenre that appeared...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: March, lion or lamb?

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times You know the saying about March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb, with the intended meaning that March starts off with cold winters and ends with warmer, spring weather? It’s a perfect metaphor as March straddles two seasons, ending one and starting another. Our lives are all about endings and beginnings. March reminds us of that. So now that...

We’re overdue for a time out for the tyrant toddlers

By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa When my kids — twins — were toddlers, it was kind of challenging, as is the case with most two year olds. They were easily convinced of things that were not true and acted out. Thankfully, this was a brief period that they grew out of quickly, especially as we were pretty firm when they did act out and it never got them what they wanted. I remember...

AGSD announces new hires for administration

Michael Berardi, Scott DeShong, Nicole Harvey and Christie Snead. WEST GROVE — On Thursday, the Board of School Directors approved the appointments of Dr. Nicole Harvey and Mr. Scott DeShong to the positions of assistant superintendent of Avon Grove School District (AGSD). Harvey and DeShong will each begin a three-year term on March 1, 2022. A fourth-generation Avon Grove graduate, Harvey began...

What To Do: Kennett Winterfest brings the best of craft brewing

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 Annual Kennett Winterfest (http://kennettwinterfest.com/) will be held on February 26 from 12:30-4 p.m. in a tented area near 600 South...

On Stage: Warm up from the cold with hot jazz

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Matt Cappy A great way to combat a chilly evening is hot jazz – a live performance of hot jazz. This weekend, the temperature may dip into the twenties outside, but an antidote can be found inside a venue in Kennett Square on Friday night. On February 25, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org)...

State Supreme Court picks Democrat-backed map for Congressional districts

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa The new Sixth District, which looks much like the old 6th. The State Supreme Court ruled Wednesday a Democratic backed “Carter Plan” district map should be used for the 2022 Congressional elections, rejecting a Republican proposal — and likely sending the the dispute to the federal courts, as happened in 2018, when Republicans lost a...

Unionville’s Connolly wins Chester County Spelling Bee

2022 Chester County Spelling Bee Champion Katie Connolly from Charles F. Patton Middle School. DOWNINGTOWN — Katie Connolly, an eighth grader at Charles F. Patton Middle School, took first place as Chester County’s top speller in the Chester County Spelling Bee on Monday, Feb. 7. Winning with the word “antenatus” (A-N-T-E-N-A-T-U-S), Connolly will move on to compete in the Scripps National...

Spencer announces run for 158th state house seat

Leon Spencer KENNETT SQUARE — Leon Spencer, Jr., the former Mayor of Kennett Square, announced Saturday that he will run for State Representative in the 158th Legislative District. Surrounded by about 100 supporters on the steps of his alma mater, Kennett High School, Spencer announced his run for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Christina Sappey,...

DASD’s Lonardi to retire in June

Dr. Emilie Lonardi delivers the conferring of degrees during the 2021 DASD graduation ceremonies. DOWNINGTOWN — During the February 9 Downingtown Area School District (DASD) board meeting, the board of directors approved the retirement of district superintendent, Dr. Emilie M. Lonardi, effective June 30, 2022. Dr. Lonardi has served as a superintendent for the past 24 years, with the last five...