With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday September 27, it’s official. It’s fall (even if it doesn’t feel like it.) Big announcements from the school district and Iron Hill this week, the Chester County Historical Society needs your help and (tear) we say goodbye to three West Chester favorites. Ok, grab that
Where do you see yourself in the next two years? This week the West Chester Area School District Board of Directors approved $23.6 million to begin construction on the district’s eleventh elementary school. According to a letter sent to parents this week, construction on Greystone elementary is scheduled to begin mid-October and open for back to school August 2021. The school will be located behind the Wawa at the intersection of Route 100 and Greenhill Road. Upon completion the school will accommodate 588 students. The new school will also require the District to redistrict. More details to come next month but for now they are pledging to keep the feed system in place (Pierce to Henderson; Fugett to East; Stetson to Rustin) and move as few students as possible.
Where do you see yourself in four years? If you are a West Chester University freshman majoring in the biomedical engineering program that answer is, “finishing my degree in the new Science and Engineering Building then living much more comfortably than you.” Construction is underway on the new 175,000-square-foot Sciences and Engineering Building and The Commons. The first element to open, a 460-car parking garage, is being built now.
Chester County Historical Society needs your help. Once housing the 1852 Women’s Rights Convention, their historic roof is now leaking. To help fix the roof CCHS has applied for and has been named a finalist for a national grant sponsored by Amerincan Express and the National Trust. Ok pay attention, this is where we come in. The winning entries are being selected by vote. You can vote up to five times a day, but even once would help. Vote here. Let’s save the roof.
Preparing early for the open office environment. Hillsdale Elementary unveiled the $13,000 upgrade to their library this week. The redesigned space now better supports the “six Cs of education – communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, confidence and content.” The space now includes flexible seating that is easily movable to accommodate a variety of projects and learning styles. As Hillsdale librarian, Christine Roberts points out, “There is no shushing!” in this library.
The warnings. The flu is no joke. The school district in collaboration with the Chester County Health Department is holding a Flu Vaccine Clinic on Oct. 7 from 2:30 p.m.- 7 p.m. Bring your insurance card but vaccines are free to those without insurance.Spread the word.
The accolades. A standing ovation to Rustin senior Christopher Palmer for his inspiring entry into the Brandywine River Museum’s Young Composer competition. Sounds like it was quite the performance – hopefully he will get an opportunity to play it again.
Also, a shout out to distance runner and West Chester resident Dylan Smiley, 21, who took down the beaches this summer with distance wins at both Rehoboth and Dewey and more than 500 runners in his wake.
Hello. To Iron Hill beer in cans. The ever expanding brewery just announced it will be opening its first full-scale production brewery in Exton next year. The Iron Hill Brewery and Tap room will house a 10,000 square foot brewery facility and 4,500 foot tap room with seating for up to 150.
Also, say hello to Jay Leno, who was spotted at Buddy Burgers this week after making an appearance at QVC.
Goodbye. To the Great Pumpkin Market. The natural food store shut its doors on Sunday after serving the community for more than four decades. Thank you for your years of service. I wish I shopped you more.
Also, goodbye to Swinging Summer Thursdays. The monthly event which brought live music downtown will not be returning next year. Instead the Recreation Commission is trying a concept it calls “dining al fresco.” During these events Gay Street will be closed from High to Darlington Streets allowing restuarants to extend seating across the road. They tested the concept at this summer’s final Swinging Summer Thursday. They are still working to build support from local businesses but hope to launch the first event next July.
Finally goodbye to the QVC store and studio tours. Both were ended quietly in August.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? My parents are visiting from out-of-town so we are squeezing in a birthday party for seven year old and probably at least one trip here.
Also, this weekend the Criterions Jazz Ensemble. Its a free concert put on by the University. I’ve never been but I heard, if you like jazz this is an amazing show. Thanks, Tom for the tip!
Mark your calendars:
- Criterions Jazz Ensemble & Honor Jazz Combo, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre WCU, Sept. 27
- Free dance lessons at the Carousel Ballroom Open House, Sept. 27
- Fall Block Party, E. Lafayette St., Sept. 28
- Oktoberfest, Thornbury Farm, Sept. 28
- First Friday and Gallery Walk, Downtown, Oct. 4
- Cabaret, Resident Theatre Company at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, Oct. 4-Oct. 20.
- Chester County Color 5K, Everhart Park, Oct. 5
- West Chester Halloween Parade, downtown, Oct. 23
That’s it. Thanks for stopping by! Here’s last week’s Roundup and if you just want to drool for minute, this week I shared a poll of the best places in West Chester for breakfast. Some many good ones! See you next Friday!
Remember, sign up to get all the news delivered right to your inbox.