What To Do: Chester County set to celebrate Juneteenth

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  This weekend features a trio of significant “holidays” – Juneteenth, Father’s Day and Summer Solstice. Kennett Square’s Juneteenth Celebration (historickennettsquare.com) will be held this weekend along with other Juneteenth events at locations around Chester County. Juneteenth is an African American tradition that commemorates the June 19,...

What Do To: A holiday season like no other

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times This is a December like no other. Normally, this is the time of year that your brain gets battered into submission by being exposed to an endless array of men and women ringing bells while standing next to donation baskets, traffic jams caused by mall-bound shoppers and the non-stop playing of Christmas carols everywhere. In 2020, your brain is also getting...

County OKs $1.77M to support affordable housing in Kennett, WC

The Melton Center Apartments WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline approved two contracts this week awarding more than $1.7 million in funds to support two affordable housing projects in Chester County. The two developments are the Melton Center Apartments in West Chester and Red Clay Manor in Kennett Square. “As one of the wealthiest counties...

Kick away the homebound blues: local ATA school offers free online class

Two young students work with their peers online, as part of live video training with ATA West Chester Martial Arts. EAST BRADFORD – By now, after weeks of staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for new ways both to pass the time, but also help with physical and mental wellness — and a local martial arts school has a special free option for community members. A local Tae...

What To Do: Dia de Los Muertos in Kennett

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Dia de Los Muertos Not all of the spirits that came back for Halloween have gone back to their homes in the netherworld. They still have a reason to hang around here for a little longer. November 1 is a special day in Mexico and in Mexican-American communities throughout the states. It is the day known as “Dia de Los Muertos” — the Day of the...

In defense of a good man who made a mistake: Bill Scott

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times There are things that make you shake your head, others that prompt a facepalm and a last category that leaves you saying “what the hell?” or words to that effect. Put the idiocy going on in West Chester right now in the latter category. For those of you who missed it, long-time Borough Council Member Bill Scott used the word “negro” in a discussion with an...

What To Do: First Friday fun for everyone

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times If it’s a Friday and the date is 7 or below, you know what that means. It means that it is First Friday The first Friday of the month is a good time to spend an evening in Kennett Square, West Chester or Lancaster – a time to enjoy special First Friday activities. Kennett Square will celebrate First Friday with its First Friday Flea Market (downtown...

What To Do: First Fridays filled with fun in the area

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Amazingly, it’s already July. And, the start of the month means that it’s time for First Friday events. When the first Friday of the month comes around, it’s a good time to spend the evening in West Chester or Lancaster. On July 5, West Chester will host its version of First Friday (downtown West Chester, http://www.downtownwestchester.com). First...

What To Do: Restaurant Festival dishes it up this weekend

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Chester County Restaurant Festival (Gay Street and downtown area, West Chester, 610-436-9010, http://www.downtownwestchester.com/view_program.php?id=29) has been treating visitors to the borough with the opportunity to sample a wide variety of gourmet treats for almost 40 years. This year, the free festival, which will be held on September 16 from...

What To Do: Mushrooms and more to kick off fall events

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Mushroom Festival After three decades, anniversaries begin to take on a special significance. This weekend marks the 33rd anniversary of the annual Mushroom Festival in downtown Kennett Square (http://mushroomfestival.org). The Mushroom Festival supports the old southern Chester County axiom “There’s a fungus among us.”   ...