The peonies popped early this spring!
+ time to vote! + carnivals + new director + a CF Roadmaster
The peonies are popping! They’re ready for action a few days early, so the annual Styer’s Peony festival started yesterday, May 14. You can walk or drive through the fields to enjoy the blooms. Bring your cameras but not your clippers (or your dogs). Check out their site for more details, to buy tickets, and other events in the field! The event goes through May 26 at Styer’s Peonies.
Vote! Pennsylvania primaries
Remember to vote in the Pennsylvania primaries next Tuesday, May 20. The Pennsylvania State site has all the details. This year, an off-year election, there are few contested primaries. But primary elections can be critical.
If you have kids, taking them to the voting booth is a great way to introduce them to their civic responsibility. Because it’s an off-year primary, lines should be short (making it a great time to bring the kids for a little civics field trip). UCF students don’t have school that day, so they’ll be available for the great learning experience. 🗳️
New Rachel Kohl Library Director 💛
Susan Sternberg, the Rachel Kohl Community Library Director, retired on May 2 after a long career working in public libraries. The township honored her work at the May 14 Board of Supervisors meeting and introduced the new library director, Rayna Whitright.
I may have insider info on both directors as a library board member. 😉 I also might be biased, but they’re both great! Susan’s depth of knowledge and experience helped solidify the library’s future after a rocky period just before she was hired. The Board has been so grateful for all her hard work and dedication to the library. See the library’s note about her retirement in the latest monthly newsletter.
Rayna brings a fresh perspective to the library, and the Board is very excited to usher in the library’s next chapter. We hope you can make it over for a visit, especially if you haven’t stopped by in a while. Have you seen the new children’s library yet? Let us know what you would love to see from the library!
Did you know Chadds Ford has a Roadmaster?
Also at the May 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, the township appointed Rob King, Chadds Ford resident and member of the Open Space committee, as the new Chadds Ford Roadmaster. Did you know we had a roadmaster (because I sure didn’t)? Learn something new every day!
As Roadmaster, Rob drives the roads regularly to monitor road conditions and signage. He notifies the township of any maintenance issues, signs that need updating or replacement, or any other conditions that need to be addressed to keep our township roads safe and drivable.
If this was news to you, like it was to me, consider it your Civics 101 lesson for today. 🚗 To welcome him to the role, I called him this morning to say congrats and… inform him about the missing Heyburn Rd sign on Smithbridge. We’re not wasting any time around here. 🤣
Earth’s elements in a single store 🔥+ 💦
Have you heard of Earth Wind Fire and Ice? I learned about this cool, local store from a reader who sent in the recommendation (thank you!). They offer a mix of rock and mineral specimens, divination tools, medicinal herbs, indigenous arts, and more.
Patton Carnival a success!
This annual event, hosted by the Patton Middle School PTO, brings together many kids and families for classic fun and games. This year, they raised over $10,000 for the PTO. Proceeds fund teacher grants and other programs to enrich the educational environment at the middle school. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard to put this together! (My younger son attended with friends and had a blast.) 🥳
Kindness Music Fest
After a year of focusing on kindness in the school community, the Unionville Chadds Ford school district is culminating the campaign with a free music festival at Unionville High School Stadium. The family-friendly festival will feature performances from local musicians, student groups, and special guests. Check it out on Tuesday, May 20, from 4 – 7 pm.
Looking ahead
Here are a few other events you might want to add to your calendar. Several require registration in advance.
Rosann & The Rock Crushers Live Music | Fri. May 16, 6 pm – 9 pm at Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe
Birds ‘n’ Brunch | Sat. May 17, 8 am – 11:30 am at Brinton Run Preserve
Driving Tour of Brandywine Battlefield and Tour of Sanderson Museum | Sat. May 17, 8:30 am
Festival of the Peony | May 14 – May 26 at Styer’s Peony.
Derby at the Vineyard | May 17 – 18 at Penns Wood Winery.
HART Animal Fundraiser: Pick Your Project | Sun, May 18, 1 pm – 4 pm at Board and Brush, Glen Mills
Good Neighbor Sundays | Most Sundays through the summer at Chadds Ford Winery (save 20% if you show an ID and reside in zip code 19317)
Writers Workshop | Mon. May 19 from 12 pm – 1 pm at Rachel Kohl Library
Mah Jong Club | Every Tuesday from 1 pm – 3 pm at Rachel Kohl Library. This event is very popular, so check it out if you’re curious.
Yoga for Athletes (grades 3-5) | Tues. May 20 from 9 am – 11:15 am at The Yoga Space. No school for UCF that day, so keep the kids busy moving their bodies.
Kindness Music Fest | Tues. May 20 from 4 pm – 7 pm at Unionville High School Stadium.
Book Club | Wed. May 21 at 2 pm (afternoon club) and 6 pm (evening club) at Rachel Kohl Library
Wine & Chocolate Pairing | Thurs. May 22 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm at Grace Winery (benefits KACS).
Taco Fest | Sat & Sun. May 24 -25 at Chadds Ford Winery
Disco Cow Girl Ladies Night | May 31 at 4 pm at Shadow Creek Farm
Fluid Motion: Yoga & Art | Fri. Jun 6, 5 pm – 7 pm at The Yoga Space
Destination Unknown Live Music | Fri. June 6, 6 pm – 9 pm at Oso Sweet Bakery Cafe
Learn to Row with Unionville High School Crew | Sat. Jun 7, 9 am – 2 pm at Unionville Boathouse
Brews at the Battlefield | Sat. June 14, 5 pm – 8 pm at Brandywine Battlefield.
Plein Air Painting Workshop | Sun. June 22, 9:30 am – 4 pm at Andrew Wyeth Studio
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!
