What To Do: West Chester Film Festival tops busy weekend of events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Spring is here with flowers in bloom everywhere. Winter is now in the rear-view mirror (hopefully) and COVID restrictions are beginning to fade away. Not surprisingly, the area’s schedule of special things is filled to the brim. Three of the area’s popular events have returned this year – a film festival and a pair of art shows – and there...

Chester County achieves milestone in preserved open space and celebrates with Open Space Summit

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline announced the achievement of a significant milestone for the county:  More than 30 percent of Chester County has now been preserved as open space.  According to the analysis of the Chester County Planning Commission’s Protected Open Space Tracking – or POST – system, as of December 31, 2021, Chester County...

On Stage: Time for some laughs with Steve Treviño

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Steve Treviño These days, we all need something to brighten our day – something to laugh about. Fortunately, there are several comedy shows on the area schedule that are worth checking out. After all, April is National Humor Month. From April 21-23, Steve Treviño will bring his “America’s Favorite Husband” tour to Philadelphia for a three-night...

Houlahan holds ‘State of the Sixth’ town hall in Phoenixville

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan addresses the audience at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville. PHOENIXVILLE – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-6) reflected on her State of the Sixth Town Hall Tuesday night: “In ‘normal’ circumstances, gathering together in this historic theatre would be special –but last night, it was very special because this gathering and this event marked more than two...

Op/Ed: Ditch forever chemicals forever

By Kristine Howard, State Representative, 167th District State Rep. Kristine Howard Since the 1940s, the use of a group of toxic man made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been increasingly used in numerous consumer goods and industrial processes. From degreasing pots and pans to making pants stain-resistant, PFAS use has proliferated over the past eight decades. While...

DASD names O’Donnell as new Superintendent

Robert J. O’Donnell DOWNINGTOWN — The Downingtown Area School District (DASD) Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Robert O’Donnell as its next superintendent of schools, Monday. “Our community asked for a strong leader, a good listener and an experienced superintendent,” said LeeAnn Wisdom, president of the DASD Board of Directors. “The board wanted...

Brandywine Conservancy announces new leadership

Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta The Brandywine Conservancy announced new leadership changes with the promotions of Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta, both previously Acting Co-Directors of the organization. Armpriester will now serve as the Conservancy’s Director of Conservation and Stewardship, and DeCosta will act as the Director of Community Services. In these expanded roles,...

What To Do: A weekend full of holiday activities

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Easter Bunny on the West Chester Rail Road. Easter weekend has arrived and special Easter activities – big and small — are happening all over. The Easter Bunny is known for hopping around — but not always. Why would he spend all that energy hopping when he could be riding in style? Sometimes, instead of bouncing along the ground,...

On Stage: We Were Promised Jetpacks flies into Underground Arts

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times We Were Promised Jetpacks We Were Promised Jetpacks, which is headlining a show on April 14 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org), is a Scottish indie rock band featuring Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Sean Smith (bass), and Darren Lackie (drums). “The band started back in 2004 when we were in...

ReFirement at any age: Strive for better, every day

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times If there is one thing we all should have learned in the last two years is that life is short, life is precious and life is unpredictable, where you never know what each day will bring. The lessons I present every month are as much for me as they are for you, my readers. However, some topics hit me harder, like this one. It has more impact and relevance,...