Does your Halloween have steez?

Not sure what ‘steez’ means? “Style with ease,” duh! 🫠 It feels to me like the physical embodiment of “rizz” (i.e., charisma), but I’m sure my interpretation is just an old lady’s “way off the mark” misunderstanding, and my boys would roll their eyes at me.

If this all sounds like a foreign language to you, ask a middle school boy. 😳

I didn’t know what steez meant either until my son dressed up as it for Halloween this morning. I’m so old and clueless. Of course, I Googled it (and even that makes me old, because he would definitely ask AI).

In any case, Happy Halloween. Hope everyone has a safe night! 🎃

🚗🛍️ Grab your reusable shopping bags

While not yet approved, we will likely see a new retail center at Ridge Rd and 202. The developer of the retail site, called Retail Sites (corporate holding companies have the weirdest or most boring names), presented plans for the new project at the Chadds Ford Board of Supervisors workshop meeting last Wednesday, Oct 22.

A multi-partisan group of residents has organized to ensure they are well-represented as this project progresses. As part of the meeting, several members asked the developer questions and presented on topics related to traffic concerns, environmental matters, property lines, and legal standing.

Unfortunately, a few members of the public (one in particular who no one seemed to know) who attended the meeting disrupted the established procedures with disrespectful discourse. They were not members of the organized group, but it all puts a bad taste in everyone’s mouth as residents try to cooperate to serve the township’s interests.

It’s worth noting (or at least interesting to me) that the group’s core consists of Democrats, Republicans, and an Independent. Given Chadds Ford’s voter registration composition, that’s pretty reflective of the population. It’s nice! We could use more cross-party collaboration in politics these days. 🥴

I’m not part of the organizing group, but they seem to have a healthy contingent of professional experience that will serve their objectives well. Thanks for their efforts to ensure Chadds Ford residents’ quality of life is considered as this project builds momentum.

I’d love to know what you want to hear about this project. There are so many moving pieces and parties involved. Development on this site has had a long and fraught history. What are your questions? I’ll see if I can answer them!

🛣️ Grab your trash-picker-uppers

It’s time for the fall roadside clean-up, co-hosted by the township and the Chadds Ford Township Residents Association. Meet up with neighbors at the township building (10 Ring Rd) at 8:00 am to get started. They’ll provide gloves, safety vests, trash bags, and the pickers (so you don’t really have to bring your own). 😉 Kids and adults are welcome to join!

♻️ When it’s your trash but not trash

Stop by Chadds Ford Recycling Day and drop off items you no longer need but definitely shouldn’t go in the trash.

Here’s a summary of the event from the township (p.s. You should sign up for their newsletter to stay in the know. It’s solid!)

🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Recycling Day (10 Ring Rd)

Chadds Ford Residents (ID required):

• ✅ Free Electronics Recycling – limit 5 items per household

• 🌳 Native Tree Giveaway – one free tree per household, while supplies last

Residents & Non-Residents:

• 👕 Clothing & Household Item Drop-Offs – accepted by The Salvation Army

• 🗑️ Confidential Paper Shredding

🚫 Please note: Hazardous materials (paint, batteries, aerosols, large appliances, HVAC units, etc.) will not be accepted.

⏰ Items will not be accepted before 9:00 AM.

☎️ Calling all parents

The battle of phones for kids is arduous and nuanced. “Dumb phones” are one middle ground to help kids ease into carrying the entire friggin’ internet around with them in their pocket 24/7. There’s an alternative device fair (not in CF, but seemed worth sharing) this weekend that might interest you (or your parent-y neighbors). Feel free to play the game of “telephone” with this little nugget. Pass it on.

📚 Bookworms wiggle into this!

Penns Wood Winery is hosting a pop-up bookshop in partnership with Bookmarks bookstore. They’ll have a bunch of hand-selected titles you can browse and buy while indulging in a bit of local wine. Get all the details on their site!

Looking ahead

Here are a few other events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance. Double-check dates and times in case they’ve changed since I shared.

Weekend Plans

• 🥞 Pancake Breakfast and Food Drive | Sat. Nov 1 from 7 am – 1 pm at Masonic Lodge 475 Kennett Square (121 Center St, Kennett)

• Roadside Cleanup, Recycle Day, + Tree Giveaway | Sat. Nov 1 from 8 am – 12 pm at Chadds Ford Township Building (10 Ring Rd)

• Nature Play Day | Sat. Nov 1 from 10 am – 4 pm at Mt. Cuba Center

• 🏇🏻 PA Hunt Cup | Sun. Nov 2 in Kennett (raising money for Chester County Food Bank)

Mark Your Calendars

A few more exciting and important events to put on your calendar now so you don’t miss this!

• Acupuncture and Yoga | Fri Nov 7 from 5 – 7 pm at The Yoga Space

• Collman Meadow Trail Bird Walk | Sat. Nov 8 from 8 – 10 am at 701 Smithbridge Rd, Glen Mills (hosted by Concord Township Birdtown)

• Bookmarks Pop-Up Bookstore | Sat. Nov 8 from 12:30 – 4:30 pm at Penns Wood Winery

• Veterans Day Flag Retirement | Sat. Nov 8 at 2 pm at Brandywine Battlefield Park

• Autumn Harvest Cigar Dinner | Thurs Nov 13 at 6 pm at Taste and Sea

• Fall Food Drive | 9 am – 12 pm at Oso Sweet Bakery (hosted by CF Dems)

• Unionville HS Turkey Trot | Thurs. Nov 27 at 10:15 am at Unionville HS

• Polar Express Read Aloud – Pajama Night | Fri. Dec 3 at 6:30 – 8 pm at Brandywine Museum of Art

• Holiday Tree Lighting | Sat. Dec 6 from 4 – 6 pm at Chadds Ford Township Building (10 Ring Rd)

• American Music Theatre Bus Trip | Wed. Dec 10 at 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, hosted by Concord Township

• Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus | Sun. Dec 14 at 9 am at Harvest in Glen Mills

Explore the comprehensive event calendars of our top event hosts in the community.

• Rachel Kohl Community Library (weekly events like yoga, knitting club, storytime, Mah Jong club, and more)

• Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art

• Chadds Ford Winery

• Penns Wood Winery

Other events to add?

In the comments, feel free to share any other events happening in and around Chadds Ford that you think our neighbors will enjoy!