What To Do: Catch these Christmas celebrations while they last

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Brandywine River Museum Christmas Day is now in the rear-view mirror but that doesn’t mean that holiday celebrations have drawn to a close for 2023. The Brandywine River Museum of Art Route 1, Chadds Ford 610-388-2700, www.brandywinemuseum.org) is celebrating the 51st anniversary of the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display now through January...

Can we find peace and goodwill this Christmas?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa “Peace on Earth, good will toward men.” Those words should – and I hope will — describe our interactions with friends and family over the holidays. But, with so much division and anger, I suspect for some folks that will prove difficult. We’ve never been a perfect people, racism, imperialism, sexism, religious discrimination and corruption have...

Becoming the Best U: Christmas stress and finding a new normal

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Question: Christmas is my least favorite holiday. My parents are divorced and both got remarried. My sister spends Christmas with her husband’s family. Me, I just want to get through the day. I hate the drama the comes with it all. Is it terrible if I just stay home and ignore the day? Jane – Berwyn Answer: You’re not alone. Although many people say...

Focus on the good for this most unusual Christmas

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa It’s easy to be hung up on all of the bad things we’re living through right now. I’m not going to list them all, you know them all too well and don’t need me to remind you. So, as we head into Christmas week, I want to focus on the things we can celebrate – and yes, there are things. With all of the difficulties, we’ve learned to appreciate...

Longwood FC again helping Santa to tour so. Chesco areas

Gianna Winters helps Santa get ready for his tour in a previous year. File photo. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Santa has scheduled his yearly arrival trips on a Longwood Fire Company truck. “It’s that time of you year again for Longwood Fire Company to escort our buddy, Santa, throughout our area,” said Longwood Fire Chief A. J. McCarthy. Because of COVID concerns, no candy canes will be distributed. All...

On Your Table: Time for Christmas cookies!

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Who can resist sugar cookies at Christmas time? The countdown to Christmas is well underway and in many kitchens so is the rush to bake holiday sweets, notably cookies.  Why do we eat cookies for Christmas? For so many families, it’s not Christmas without cookies. Our kids leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, we spend weeks baking and...

Longwood gears up for Christmas with a French accent

A Longwood Christmas runs November 23–January 7. Photo by Daniel Traub. EAST MARLBOROUGH — There is only one way to describe Longwood Gardens French-inspired holiday display . . . c’est magnifique! Explore the warm 4-acre conservatory and be enchanted by fanciful topiary and more than 50 trees adorned in classic holiday tones boasting sparkling crystal ornaments reminiscent of the splendor of...

What I really want for Christmas this year

A time to open our heart to those in need By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, the Times How many times have you been asked the question “what do you want for Christmas?” On the surface, it seems innocuous enough, right? But, as I was watching the news regarding the horrifying situation in Aleppo, I realized that our “wants” pale in comparison to others around the world. Children, orphaned by violence,...

Coatesville kicks off holiday season with tree lighting, race and parade

Holiday activities brings community together By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times The first Red Run Challenge was held Saturday morning with nearly 200 registrants and was well received by the community. Coatesville – The first weekend of December was a busy, festive one for the city with the tree lighting in Gateway Park, the first annual Red Run Challenge and the Christmas Parade along...

What To Do: Holiday season kicks off with fun events

Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square among busy weekend of activities By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square. Now that Thanksgiving 2016 is history, the floodgates have burst open and unleashed a torrent of annual traditional holiday events and activities. The holiday season will officially arrive in Kennett Square on November 27 when Downtown Kennett Square...