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!
πΎ Pop the champagne but don't trash the glass!
π The best place in town to buy books!Ok, it's at least the cheapest! We have some pretty amazing indie bookshops. But this weekend, the Rachel Kohl Library hosts its semi-annual book sale. Books are as cheap as a buck, or $5 for a whole bag on Sunday. Get all the details and make a plan to stop by. It's all for a great cause (and you get some cheap books). π
Also about the library and LSA grants π + βοΈThe library learned last week that it secured a $150,000 LSA grant from the state to replace the roof and add solar panels. It's such great news!! This will lift a huge financial burden from the library, allowing the team to put all that money back into programs, books, and resources to serve the community. I saw some chatter on social media about who gets credit for the work to secure these grants. As someone at the library who helped submit this grant, I thought I could offer a bit of insight into how the process works so you understand who does most of the heavy lifting. I didn't know how it worked before I worked through the process, and I can't be the only one, right? Let's take a dive into a little civics lesson about government grant funding.
Presented in partnership with the Pennsylvania Resource Council πΎ Fun Glass Fact: Β· Your glass bottles and jars can go from this recycling bin back onto the store shelf as a new product in as little as 30 days. Pretty quick, huh? From a Yuengling in your hand to a recycling facility and back to your Yuengling again in less than a month. Not too shabby! The Pennsylvania Resource Council (PRC) has coordinated with Concord Township to host a Glass Collection Bin at the township public works building, 675 Smithbridge Rd in Glen Mills (across Bob Mench Rd from the Rachel Kohl Community Library). The collection bin is available through December 31, 2026. Check out my full write-up about the partnership and an interview with the PRC Executive Director! Shapiro swooped in just before the Eagles game π¦Itβs not every day our little bucolic town earns a visit from the Governor. But this past Sunday, Governor Shapiro swooped in just before the Eaglesβ kickoff to support local PA State House candidate Elizabeth Moro. Check out more about his message, his visit, and the local challenger for our next House seat in Harrisburg. π£ More Walking Club meet-ups added!The next Chadds Ford Walking Club event is on September 30 at 9:30 am at Shawβs Bridge Park Trail. I also added all the walks through early December, and I'm excited to share two new locations. All the details here! Hope you can join us. βοΈ Are you a Dolly fan?The library is hosting a Dolly Parton pop-up craft event tomorrow! Did you know tomorrow, 9/25 (in honor of 9 to 5), is now Dolly Day? So go do some art! All the details here. 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. π Reading lately: Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee. I'm not a dog person, and I still thought this was sweet. If you're a dog person, you're going to love this easy-to-read memoir! This one has broad appeal. I also read The Carbon Wave by Leah Stokes (if you're into climate policy wonkiness) and 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation by Andrew Ross Sorkin (a narrative non-fiction book about, you guessed it, the 1929 market crash). Both were good but not really for casual readers. Pick these up if you're specifically interested in learning more about either topic. π Eating better is not a governmental policy. π Got a friend who thinks EVs are dumb. Wait until they see these Chinese EVs. β¨ Life choices made out of spite making you happier? Also... life choices that fill your cup and build community instead of filling big corporations' bank accounts. π§ The sprinkle embroidery you never knew you needed. π€ C-SPAN... C-SPAN(!!)... took a stand against the White House shutting out CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. A judge has since blocked this bananas nonsense, but C-SPAN said it's a no-no. If C-SPAN takes a stand?! They don't take positions on much of anything. Freedom of the press is in the FIRST amendment for a reason. Ugh... π«Άπ» Neighbouring is prepping (and yes, I spelled it like that on purpose - the author is not American). π 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!