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!
π₯ There's a funding fire brewing
We need to talk about fire safety. π₯Any idea how much a new fire truck costs? How much does it cost to suit up a firefighter from head to toe? Probably more than you think! Our local fire department faces serious funding gaps, and our township isn't meeting the requested need. The reasons for this are complicated and numerous. But solving the problem requires real conversation, collaboration, compassion, and curiosity. Some of our township leaders are showing a serious lack of several of these qualities. This past week, I visited the Concordville Fire and Protective Association to learn more about their funding and operations. They spent more than two hours educating me, and I'm grateful. The department sent out its annual fall fund drive and could really use your financial support. I encourage you to read more about this long-term problem that needs your short-term and prolonged attention. If it's in your budget, also consider writing a check. π All the details are in the article below.
Presented in partnership with the Pennsylvania Resource Council πΎ Fun Glass Fact: The entire process of hauling, processing, and remanufacturing takes place within Pennsylvania. PA is home to 3 glass mills that depend on our recycled glass containers as raw material to produce new containers: Brockway, Crenshaw, and Port Allegany. That means your recycled glass creates jobs in our state and helps reduce transportation costs for production that might otherwise require shipping materials from outside the state. As you may recall from two weeks ago, the recycling-to-new-bottle process can happen in as little as 30 days. Keeping it local helps that turnaround time! 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. Read my full write-up onβ the partnership and an interview with the PRC Executive Director! π Do you know anyone who lives in Bethel Township?Could you do me a BIG favor? Bethel Township has a referendum on the ballot this November 3rd to increase the millage for library funding, and we need help getting the facts out to voters. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I am not legally allowed to tell people HOW to vote. But the library and its representatives can ask people TO vote and provide facts about the referendum. The library created a page on its website with a bunch of facts about how much and why. If you could share this page with friends who live in Bethel, so they can make an informed vote, that would be amazing! Share it on social media. Text it to friends. Send a group email or drop it in the group chat. However you get the word out. The quick deets: Yes, it's a tax increase. The tax would go up by about $1.00 per year per $100,000 of assessed property tax. So if a Bethel resident owns a home that's assessed at $300,000, they would pay an extra $3.00 per year directly to fund the library. Why? Expenses keep rising, but also... state guidelines require municipalities to contribute $5.00 per capita to unlock certain types of funding. Bethel (and Chadds Ford π« ) are the only two townships of the five served by Rachel Kohl that don't meet this threshold. The library would like to be able to access these additional state funds. So spread the word! Pass it on. π’ The library recognizes everyone should make the decision that is best for them, but we really want to be sure they know the facts!
π The call for fall fun at The VillageThe Village is out with its fall activities calendar, and it's loaded! The Village has tons of events, plus many more offsite. Check out the whole calendar. Maybe you'll find something that feels like a perfect fit. There's a really neat event on Sunday, Sept. 25, where attendees will decorate book crates for the Free Library of Philadelphia. The crates are filled with books and given to families who can't afford to create their own little home libraries. It's a fun way to get more books in the hands of anyone who wants to read! And how about a Soup Swap in November? π² Delish! π A bouquet for your civic effort?You betcha! Want to learn more about one of our state candidates running to represent us in Harrisburg? Come meet Elizabeth Moro at Renegade Flower Farm on Sunday, October 18, from 5- 7 p.m. It's hard to get to know our elected officials, so take this opportunity to learn more about who's on the ballot. Maybe she's already your candidate. Stop by to say hi and grab a bouquet. Bring a friend! Maybe she's not your candidate, and this event isn't for you. That's ok too. If you don't know who you're voting for yet, this is a perfect opportunity to get more information. Stop by and put her on the spot. Ask her tough questions! See if you feel like she'll represent you the way you want to be represented. And take home a gorgeous little Bloom Bar bouquet for showing up! State legislatures have a lot of power. They make decisions about school, healthcare, community safety, energy bills, and more. If you wouldn't let Random Susie or Random Bill make those decisions for you at home, why let them vote for candidates who will make those decisions for you in Harrisburg? FYI: I'd share similar information about Moro's opponent, Craig Williams, but I can't find any free, public events he's hosted (or had hosted on his behalf) in recent or upcoming weeks as we head into the final days of election season. Maybe I missed them? Let me know if I did or if they are coming up. Campaigns need funding, but candidates should be available to the public for free from time to time so constituents can chat with them. Craig Williams seems to be taking the Easy Street in this election, as he can't even be bothered to post an Issues page on his campaign website. At the very least, he owes voters the courtesy of telling them where he stands on a variety of topics the public largely cares about. Not Craig, though! I guess he's entitled to our vote? No candidate is entitled to anyone's vote. They ought to earn it! How hard a candidate works to earn our vote often tells us how hard they'll work for us once elected. As always, use your vote as you choose. But if you want more information about Elizabeth Moro, this Bloom Bar event is a fun way to find out. π Hosting a Trunk or Treat?Let Melissa from Pop on Pretty add a pretty pop to your trunk with her custom balloon garlands. Her garlands are statement pieces and will do much of the decorating for you. Check out more information here, when I featured her a while back. I've already snagged her for a balloon garland for my trunk at the Chadds Ford Community Association Trunk-or-Treat on October 25. If you're interested, reach out to her before her calendar fills up! REMINDER!! π Speaking of that Trunk-or-Treat eventMark your calendars for this year's Chadds Ford Community Association Trunk-or-Treat at Chadds Ford Elementary. The fun event takes place Sunday, October 25, from 4:30-6:00 pm. It's a great time for the kids... but... it's a fantastic business promotion opportunity! π There's no cost to attend or host a trunk, and last year there were hundreds of kids (and their parents) who strolled through the event. Glam up your trunk with something related to your business, and it's a great way to get the word out about what you're up to.
π£ Put on your walking shoes!Today, we walked at Newlin Grist Mill, a new location for the walking club. The trees haven't quite turned yet, but you can see it coming. Newlin will be a great place for leaf peeping in the next few weeks. ππ Next week, we're walking at First State National Park. Check out the schedule for more details. We'd love to have you join us. I also send Walking Club reminders via email. To join the list, reply to this email or sign up on the Walking Club page. Your choice! 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§ This week, my brain feels tired. I don't have much to pass along for this section. I'd love to know what you think of this section from week to week.
I'm curious what you find most helpful, interesting, and rewarding to read each week. Thanks for any feedback you feel compelled to offer. 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!