Longwood volunteers create piece de resistance

Series of quilts chronicle garden’s beauty – from flowers to felines By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Ann Randolph (left) and Nancy Hiss stand in front of the group’s “Seasons of Pollination” quilt. The goal was grand: Capture the colors of Longwood Gardens in a quilt. First suggested in 1996, the project failed to leave the drawing board more than once. But that was before...

Upland students decorate Longwood tree

The Christmas tree designed by students from Upland Country Day School is on display at Longwood Gardens. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Students from the fourth, fifth and sixth grade at Upland Country Day School were selected to  decorate one of the beautiful Christmas trees at Longwood Gardens this season. Located among the half million twinkling lights and thousands of beautiful poinsettias, Upland’s...

Longwood Gardens water centerpiece to get facelift

 New York architecture firm to oversee restoration of  Main Fountain Garden A renowned architecture firm has been commissioned to renovate the Main Fountain Garden at Longwood. Longwood Gardens announced Thursday that it has commissioned the New York firm of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners to lead the rehabilitation of the Main Fountain Garden, part of a 40-year master-planning initiative...

Local Red Cross collects holiday mail for military

 Longwood Gardens’ visitors got chance to enjoy light display, light up troops’ lives  By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Downingtown resident Jennifer Stokker, with her nearly 3-year-old daughter Madelyn, was the delighted winner of a 42-inch TV during a Red Cross raffle at Longwood Gardens. At first, the visitors at Longwood Gardens Thursday night were skeptical: Were...

Red Cross to combine holiday tradition, military support

 Free card-signing for troops offered Thursday night at Longwood Gardens Visitors to Longwood Gardens on Thursday night will have a chance to sign holiday cards for those in the military, courtesy of the Red Cross. For the sixth year in a row, the American Red Cross is sponsoring holiday mail for the nation’s military, and its regional chapter is making it easy for Longwood Gardens visitors to participate. On...

Longwood Gardens to illuminate season in style

 Trip to see holiday display a staple on area residents’ wish lists A new fountain of lights will greet Longwood visitors in the main Fountain Garden. If  Thanksgiving is fast approaching, then so is “A Longwood Christmas,” a popular holiday tradition for many area families. This year’s winter Longwood Gardens extravaganza – from towering trees adorned with star ornaments to a meticulously...

Professor lauded for efforts to safeguard clean water

Award was presented at annual gala for Stroud Water Research Center John Briscoe (left) received a glass vase created by Simon Pearce from Bernard Sweeney, Stroud’s president and director, to accompany the award. An acclaimed Harvard University professor was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence, which was presented Thursday night at the annual gala...

Tourism center’s historic renovation celebrated

Former meetinghouse once served as  hub for abolitionists By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Alicia Lyons (from left) and Mary Beth Tryens enthusiastically tout the award-winning wines of the nearby Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery. Community leaders took a step back in time Wednesday as they celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Brandywine Valley Tourism Information...

Longwood Gardens’ director to be honored

Paul B. Redman will be cited for vision, leadership in county Paul B. Redman, Longwood Gardens’ director, will be honored for his positive impact on Chester County. KENNETT SQUARE – On Oct. 17, Longwood Gardens Director Paul B. Redman will receive the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s 2012 CEO of the Year award, an annual tribute to an industry leader who represents vision...

Downingtown festival cultivates diverse tastes

36th annual event features plants, antiques, music, food, history, and more By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor,  The Times Downingtown horticulturalist David L. Culp will add his expertise to the plant sale at the 36th Annual Downingtown Friends Fall Festival. When an urban high school principal thanked a longtime Longwood Gardens educator for a class that fostered empowerment to “change the...