Connect Chadds Ford is a civic-minded community newsletter, focused on Chadds Ford and the Brandywine Valley. Through values of transparency, accountability, connection, and delight, Connect Chadds Ford is about building the community we hope to share with our children and neighbors. Drop your email below to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!
Got blood? π©Έ You can help!
π©Έ Can you spare a pint?Chadds Ford resident Amanda Kelly coordinates a semi-annual blood drive at Chadds Ford Elementary. The event grew out of a desire to help a neighbor when their son became quite sick and needed several blood transfusions. The blood drive gave neighbors and family a way to pay forward the generosity of past blood donors on the boy's behalf. The next blood drive is Saturday, Sept 21, from 9 am - 2 pm, and there are still plenty of spots for donors. Can you donate blood next weekend? Check out all the details about the story and register to sign up! π± Another gorgeous garden to admireNext up in the Gardens of Chadds Ford series, I stopped by Sam Reiner's historic home to walk through the gardens she and her family have curated over the many years they've lived there. While tomatoes from her garden stewed on her stove, she and I chatted about the expansive garden and how it nourishes both their bodies and souls. See photos of this lovely space and learn more about how she slowly grew it over the years. ποΈ More shopping along 202?In case you felt like there wasn't enough shopping along Route 202 and we need another mall (let's call it Some Shoppes Near Concord), there's yet another mall potentially in the works to replace part of the dilapidated Concord Mall in Delaware. Maybe they'll put in a grocery store, a tire shop, and a fitness center if we're lucky! Really though, maybe they'll do something nicer, like this outdoor shopping center in Newtown Square where you can hang out and enjoy some fresh air. Have you seen it? It's far more interesting than whatever concrete jungle is currently on tap for the infamous corner being developed by the guy in the Bentley. 𫧠Busy with all the back-to-school business?Ditch the laundry. Let's Sudsy Mama take a crack at your laundry this week? I shared in the past about her growing laundry service business, run almost entirely by moms who know a thing or two (or many) about clean laundry. If you're feeling the fall squeeze, consider outsourcing this task for a few weeks or for the foreseeable future. Check out more here! π UCF needs bus drivers!!Know someone who can help out and be paid to keep our kids safe to and from school, sports, and all the UCFSD things? Learn more here. β‘ Electrify Everything at Home Open House!Don't forget about the Electrify Everything at Home Open House I'm hosting on Sunday, Sept 13, from 2- 4 p.m. Mark your calendars, and stop by to learn why and how to electrify your home. If youβve been curious about EVs, rooftop solar, heat pumps, induction stoves, and generally how to swap fossil fuels for electrons at home, this is a great chance to walk through a real home, ask real questions, and skip the sales pitch. No cost to attend; registration is free. βGet more details here. Registration is required! I hope you can make it!! π PLEASE SHARE! π The more the merrier, so please share this with others you think might be interested.
π Are you ready for crisp apples in crisp fall?The Inquirer is out with a guide to apple picking this season. Nearest to us are Indian Orchards Farm, Highlands Orchards, and Linvilla Orchards. After unexpected overnight freezes killed 70-90% of the apple crops in Pennsylvania this past spring, the orchards need all our support. The catastrophic losses led to $10 million in state grants to help local farmers recover (though Penn State estimates that the overnight freeze caused $150-$200 million in losses). If the ladies want to hit up Highlands Orchard for a fun event, Brandywine Cool Girls has an outing scheduled for Saturday, September 26 to get your festive fall apple-picking fix with friends. The event includes apple picking, a fall festival, food trucks, a photographer to snap some pics with you and your friends, a goodie bag, and more! Buy tickets here! π§Ί Reminder: Library's Annual Fundraising Dinner!I already told you that the annual Rachel Kohl Community Library fundraising dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 pm at Fava in Glen Mills. You can catch all the details and grab your tickets here before they sell out! And don't forget about the baskets! There are some serious baskets this year, including items worth over $2,300, that WILL NOT DISAPPOINT. I made a basket specifically for the t(w)eens. π₯° I feel like so many baskets are for adults, and tweens and teens deserve a bit of love. It could be a great gift for a t(w)een in your life!
π’ The rollercoaster ride for Painter's FollyChadds Ford Township is on its way to auctioning off the historic Painter's Folly home, which has played an important role in our town's and America's art history. There are some conservation easements still being finalized that will be held by NALT, but it's been a rollercoaster ride under township ownership. The Painter's Folly Preservation Alliance compiled timelines of the home's history from local artists, as well as the ups and downs since its purchase by Chadds Ford Township. It's an interesting lesson in local history! π Ponder ThisIn this section, I share book recommendations, articles, podcasts, quotes, and other links I think Chadds Ford neighbors might find interesting. Let me know what you think. βοΈ Sick of gerrymandering (when politicians draw the lines for their own districts and essentially pick their own voters)? Me too! Here are some thoughts on a better way. π€ When the call on AI is coming from inside the house. βοΈ From the Pope on AI. Have you read it? If you say "yes" but didn't print it, I'm calling your bluff. π This is no missive meant for scanning a screen. βοΈ The math of saving with solar. π Better than bee hotels (and cheaper and easier too). Give the pollinators some love in your yard. πͺ« Heads up to the politicians using clean energy as a scapegoat for rising prices. The clean energy industry is finally fighting back. β¨ Loving Connect Chadds Ford β¨While I donβt have any secrets behind paywalls, did you know you can choose to become a paid subscriber if you value Connect Chadds Ford and itβs within your budget? No pressure, but if you feel compelled to upgrade to a paid subscription, I wonβt be mad. And if youβre already a paid subscriber, thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
Looking aheadHere are a few events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance. Double-check dates and times in case theyβve changed since I shared. Weekend Plans
Mark Your CalendarsA few more exciting and important events to put on your calendar now so you donβt miss them!
Other events to add?Feel free to share any other events happening in and around Chadds Ford (just reply to this email) that you think our neighbors will enjoy! Got a question or a comment? Hit reply to this email. It comes right back to my inbox. ππ» Did you get this from a friend and want to sign up yourself? If so, you can get more information and sign up here! From your Chadds Ford Neighbor, Jen |
Jen Panaro | Connect Chadds Ford
Connect Chadds Ford is a civic-minded community newsletter, focused on Chadds Ford and the Brandywine Valley. Through values of transparency, accountability, connection, and delight, Connect Chadds Ford is about building the community we hope to share with our children and neighbors. Drop your email below to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!