Op/Ed: On Memorial Day, A Beer For Billy

By Walt Herbert, Special to The Times When Memorial Day comes I think about Billy Rountree, the star center fielder on my high school baseball team who was destroyed in Vietnam. Two of my teammates were killed in Vietnam; Billy had worse luck coming home. When the team got together in later years, we would raise a ceremonial glass and say “A Beer for Billy.” The Rountrees were a decent and devout...

Happy Memorial Day!

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I’m sitting on the beach. I hope that you are, too. This is my happy place (ugh, that phrase is overused and annoying…yet, oddly the only way to adequately describe how I feel). You know those polls on social media that are so popular right now? The “this or that” list of questions designed to give insight about a person?...

State Police, PennDOT start ‘Click it, or ticket’ push

With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approaching, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and municipal departments across Pennsylvania today announced that they will partner to participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement from May 14 through June 3, 2018. Pennsylvania law requires drivers and passengers...

Poor weather cancels Memorial Day parades

The poor weather — the remnants of Tropical Storm Betsy — have disrupted plans for local Memorial Day parades in Downingtown and Kennett Square today.    Send article as PDF   

Local firefighters offer safe grilling tips

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, many will fire up their grills to feed their friends and family with sizzling steaks, burgers, chicken and veggies. Having a barbecue over the holiday weekend should be a safe and fun experience for everyone, but if not done correctly could result in severe burn-related injuries or damage to property. Coatesville Firefighters, IAFF Local 3790 suggest taking the following...

Op/Ed: Remembering those we lost defending freedom

By Steve Barrar, State Representative (R-160) Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160) listens as Rep. Mark Gillen (R-128) explains the updates that would be made to Soldiers’ Grove to honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives defending our country as a result of House Bill 1484. Soon, we will be recognizing another Memorial Day. In the past year, we have lost more men and women as they defended the greatest...

‘Day of Beauty’ for area veterans

A special approach to honoring those who serve Veterans from the Coatesville VA Medical Center along with the caring staff from AseraCare Hospice, Palliative Medicine – Philadelphia, and Empire Beauty School – Exton. This Memorial Day, veterans from the Coatesville VA Medical Center received a ‘Day of Beauty’ thanks to the staff of AseraCare Hospice and Palliative Medicine...

Remembering our heroes this holiday weekend

So many families can point with pride to those who served By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times In honor of Memorial Day, I wanted to pass along the amazing story of my husband’s grandfather. Wilfred Eugene Hockenberry (Gene to his family and friends) was an 18 year old U.S. Army soldier fighting in Salerno, Italy in World War II. He and his buddy were hiding in a fox hole when they were...

Memorial Day roundup: Parades in Kennett & Marshallton, honoring fallen heroes in W. Brandywine

Although for many of us Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, it remains a solemn reminder of all who served and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country. In and around Chester County, there will be various parades and remembrances to honor these heroes. Among the more somber remembrances will be tribute to local residents in gave their all in protecting...

On Your Table: For Memorial Day, get grilling!

Unofficial start of summer means it’s time to fire up the grill By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Although summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21st, Memorial weekend unofficially kicks off the summer season, marked by picnics, barbecues and much outdoor dining.  A forecast of balmy weather and sunny skies can only add to the fun. Traditional Memorial Day pleasures...