What To Do: It’s spring, get out there for festivals and fun

Flowers, Chester County Studio Tour, cars, Shrine circus and tons more fun things to do By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times “Peonies and Primroses” are featured Sunday at Winterthur, just one of many great outdoor activities in the area this weekend. Spring is “bustin’ out all over” and some of the best places to enjoy it are the top-caliber historic sites and tourist attractions around...

On Stage: David Torn, the best guitar player you’ve never heard of

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times David Torn, who performs on May 14 at Philadelphia Art Alliance, might just be the best, least-known guitar player in the world, if not the most versatile. There is a huge array of genres in popular music today and, within each of those genres are many excellent guitarists. There are rock greats such as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks. There are jazz...

Mayor pledges support, thanks volunteers after fire

Tuesday’s fire at a Wallace Avenue shopping center left a number of borough businesses homeless. Mayor Josh Maxwell offered thanks to the volunteers who helped battle the blaze, as well as those who offered food and beverages to the volunteers. He said the borough was already at work, looking for places to house the displaced businesses. Photo: courtesy Josh Maxwell. DOWNINGTOWN — Mayor Josh...

Toxic Waste may be more dangerous than it sounds to teeth

Super-Sour candy is almost as acidic as battery acid By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times No really – one of today’s hottest super sour candies is called Toxic Waste. Yummy huh?   The website for Toxic Waste is full of cartoons, games and challenges. How long can you keep this sour candy in your mouth? Are you tough enough?   Now, to be fair Toxic Waste is not the...

Op/Ed: Helping our female veterans

By Ryan Costello, U.S. Rep., Sixth Congressional District U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6) May provides us with a unique opportunity to honor both our veterans (Military Appreciation Month) and the women who are very special to us (Mother’s Day). Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans and our mothers, and I wanted to update you on my efforts to help our female veterans. Female veterans...

City backs ‘Young Lungs At Play’ initiative

Coatesville police and other city officials gathered to express support for ChesPenn Health Services and Coatesville Youth Initiative’s Young Lungs At Play, to get tobacco products away from parks and playgrounds. Pictured, front row, Gabrielle Thomson, age 11; Israel Thomson, age 8 ;Amina Thomson, age 10. Second row: Sergeant Rodger H. Ollis, Jr., City of Coatesville Police Department; Lula...

UCF board gives prelim approval to 2.01% tax increase, 5-4

Teachers express offense at educator award proposal By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH – After much review of what items are new to the budget and the presentation of three scenarios by Robert Cochran, the district’s director of business and operations, the proposed final budget for 2015-2016 for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Distrct was approved at Monday night’s...

Willowdale Steeplechase – 23 years of family fun

Steeplechase fans enjoy each other’s company and some great hats! By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH – Thousands of families attended the Willowdale Steeplechase Sunday – a regional Mother’s Day tradition now celebrating its 23rd year. A “James Bond” themed tail gate competition, Jack Russell Terrier races, boutique shopping, kid friendly crafts and of course,...

Saving the Post Office

Handcuffed by Congress, Postal Service faces a murky future By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times I’ve always been a fan of the post office. I enjoy getting the mail out of the letterbox attached to my house six days a week; I like knowing that a mail carrier is walking around my neighborhood and going to people’s doors without asking for subscriptions or conversions. I enjoy taking...

A mother’s note to her sons on Mothers Day

Reflections on raising two teen boys, the fears, the joys By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times My dearest sons, Even though everyday is a joy with you little cherubs, I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you just how much you have changed my life for the better. The funny thing about parenthood (that no one tells you in advance) is how hard it is, ALL THE TIME. Not necessarily hard in...