If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote safely Tuesday if you use a little caution

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa On Tuesday, many of us will vote. Of course, here in Chester County, more than 100,000 people have returned their mail-in ballots (that number is probably low — I assume many more ballots will have shown up, maybe 40,000 more, by the time you read this — if you have a ballot, please take it to a drop off box right away). Still, it is safe to assume...

Brandywine Valley SPCA seeks families for shelter pet holiday sleepovers

NEW CASTLE, DE.— The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) announced today that the organization is looking for families to host shelter pets for holiday sleepovers. The sleepovers consist of a short-term foster arrangement in which a dog or cat currently available for adoption at one of the BVSPCA’s shelters stays with a family temporarily for a duration of a few days up to a week. “This is a great...

Operation Phoenixville Elves hold annual wrapping party

Volunteers for Operation Phoenixville Elves wrap gifts Sunday at the Great American Pub. PHOENIXVILLE — A hearty group of “Elves” gathered Sunday at the Great American Pub to wrap gifts and spread a little bit of the holiday season cheer to local families in need. After starting in 2014 with just about about 12 families, Operation Phoenixville Elves is now working to help more than 250...

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...

My present is to be more present

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times So, I had the best intentions to do a last-minute Christmas Super Six for y’all. But, then I realized that 90% of the world is currently wrapping gifts, not still buying them. (Know that I hate you if you fall into this category.) Therefore, I will spare you my holiday panic and move on to lecture about the other stuff on my mind. Namely, that I discovered...

Mixed Media: Celebrating our local holiday art traditions

By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times Welcome back from wherever Thanksgiving took you for the last week. For me, I ventured to Charleston, South Carolina to visit family and enjoy the temperate weather, brightly colored colonial buildings, and the smell of salty sea air. It was a lovely respite, but I welcome the return to the Brandywine Valley and our beautiful holiday traditions. Perhaps you’ll...

Santa ready to make annual local visit, thanks to Longwood FC

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, to hand out candy canes to all of our residents in the area,” said Longwood Fire Chief A. J. McCarthy.    Send article as PDF   

Being smart about your smile during the holidays

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times With the rush of the holidays, it can be easy to forget to maintain good dental health — but bad choices now could lead to problems in the new year. Here’s a few fairly simple tips to keep you and your family smiling well into 2018:    Send article as PDF   

Super Six: Holidays edition

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times Ho Ho Ho! Ready for the Holiday Super Six? Anyone else in “Present Panic Mode” like I am? While online shopping offers many conveniences, the sheer volume of options has me paralyzed, overwhelmed, and unable to get past “add to cart”. I have a tendency to second guess and I worry that what I see on my computer might not be as awesome in person. (More...

Longwood FC plans numerous holiday events

EAST MARLBOROUGH — Longwood Fire Company is celebrating the holiday season by participating with organization in numerous events benefiting members of the community. “The holiday season is a special time of year to assist those having specific needs,” said Chief A. J. McCarthy. “I’m proud of the way our members respond not only now but throughout the year.”    Send...