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!
So many ways to kick off summer! π¦
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βοΈ With the sun shining ever so bright lately, I've been enamored with the app that shows me how much power our rooftop solar panels produce. Chadds Friends, I'm low-key (or lowkenuinely, as "the kids" say these days) obsessed with power from the sun powering our lives. We're getting to the time of year at our house when our PECO bill shrinks to a few cups of coffee per month while energy production skyrockets. Last month, we paid $123 to PECO, and it will continue to go down throughout the summer. Because we have two electric SUVs, that $123 cost is our electricity and "gasoline" costs combined. With these war-of-choice-induced gas prices, we're saving some serious loot. I've talked about why solar power is so great and raved about TerraSol Energies, the local Chadds Ford company that installed our rooftop solar. If you're solar-curious, now's a great time to add some serious stability to the cost of powering your home and transportation. I'm a total nerd about this stuff, so if you have questions, just hit reply. Let's chat. I'd love to tell you more about our electrified life and answer questions about what upgrades might fit into yours. β‘ Community Barbeque πIs it summer without a barbeque? The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association is hosting its first annual neighborhood barbeque for the community. More on the event here. And here's the link to purchase tickets!β π BYO Bag to the Concord Farmer's Market πThis Sunday, the seasonal farmers' market at Concord Township Park starts up for the summer. Stop by from 10 am - 1 pm to shop, purchase seasonal produce, and support local neighbors running small businesses. Details here. Got blood? π©ΈHelp a neighbor in need.This is a reminder from last week, but it's coming up this weekend! --> The American Red Cross could use a pint. Neighbor Amanda Kelly is hosting a community blood drive on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9 am - 2 pm at Chadds Ford Elementary. You can schedule an appointment here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contact Amanda with any questions. (akellyfish@gmail.com)
Is tech in school losing it's luster? π§π»βπ»There's an international rumble growing underneath the 'Big Tech in School behemouth' that's questioning whether tech-first education is actually the best way to learn. What if we got it all wrong? A group of parents, including me, spoke before the UCF School Board a couple of weeks ago to present data and ask questions about all of this. Head to the full piece for a deeper dive on the topic, more about our school board presentation, and my percolating thoughts about AI making us dumber.
Walking into summer π£The next Walking Club meet-up is on June 11 at 9:30 am at Pocopson Walking Trail. Meet in the parking lot next to the tennis courts. Details here. Put it on your calendar so you don't forget. Note the new time: 9:30 am as the weather warms. Eventually, we'll move to 7:30 am over the summer (before my kids are busy and need rides everywhere - it will also be blazing hot). βοΈ We'll take a break during late July and August when the heat peaks and vacations are aplenty. Then we'll put our walking shoes back on after Labor Day.
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£ From Ron Beitler, a Lehigh Valley (PA) County Commissioner affiliated with the Forward Party (after leaving the Republican Party and becoming an Independent): βCommon-sense solutions rarely fit into tidy partisan boxes. Real leadership means focusing on what works for the community, not what fits a party talking point. When people try to force local issues into national political frames, we lose sight of practical problem-solving and cooperation that actually moves things forward." (emphasis mine) π¦ β‘ Could data centers and electro-tech make electricity cheap, abundant, and affordable sooner than we think? Wouldn't that be nice? π Recently read Paper Girl by Beth Macy about her reflections on a journey growing up in a working class small town, leaving for a big city job, and returning home to better understand how so much changed. Among other things, it's an interesting reflection on how society thinks about education and it's role in class mobility. 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 this!
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!