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...
What To Do: As Winter (hopefully) winds down, enjoy cold weather activities

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Winterfest Weekend
This is the time of year when the adventurous can get outside and enjoy a variety of winter festivals and other outdoor winter-themed events.
This weekend will undoubtedly be a weekend of wintry weather with West Chester having forecast lows of 20 degrees on Friday, 17 degrees on Saturday and 26 degrees on Sunday.
So – bundle...
On Stage: Hadestown comes to Kimmel

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Hadestown
The Kimmel Cultural Campus had to suffer through more than a year without productions from early 2020 through the fall of 2021.
Back in October, the Kimmel’s The 2021/22 Broadway Philadelphia season got off to a rousing start with a six-week run of “Hamilton” from October 20-November 28 at the Academy of Music.
The Broadway Philadelphia...
County, community work together on use of American Recovery Act funds

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz (center), Josh Maxwell (center left) and Michelle Kichline (center right) welcome the county’s ARPA advisory committee members to the inaugural meeting.
A committee of volunteers has begun work to create a system that prioritizes, requests, and reviews proposals for Chester County’s share of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The committee...
Avondale, So. Chester Regional Police sign extension for police services

On February 10th, 2022, the Public Safety Commissioners for the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department approved a three-year extension for police services in the Borough of Avondale retroactive to January 1st, 2022, through December 31st, 2024.
After a brief and positive negotiation with the newly elected Mayor and Council from Avondale, the Avondale Borough Council unanimously approved...