The new calendar year is only two weeks old, but already the school board is planning for the next school year budget. Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors approved a proposed preliminary 2013-2014 budget during their Jan. 14 workshop.
By state law, the proposed preliminary budget had to be available for public review for 30 days prior to Feb. 19 when the board is expected to adopt the preliminary budget. A series of hearings will take place after that before a final budget is voted on in June for the next fiscal year. Hearings are currently scheduled for May 6, 8 and 9.
At present, the budget is for $72.7 million in spending and revenue and is within the Act 1 limits — meaning there is no anticipated need for a referendum for a tax hike — said district Business Manager Bob Cochran. He said the planned millage rates are 25.64 mills for Chester County residents, and 21.63 mills for Chadds Ford Township residents. Chadds ford is the only Delaware County township in the school district. Current millage rates are 25.18 and 21.44, respectively. A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Other business
Directors agreed to vote during their Jan. 22 regular meeting, whether to make marching band extra-curricular. It is now co-curricular, mandatory, for students involved in concert or jazz band.
Concert and jazz band work takes place during the school day, while marching band activity imposes additional time commitments at night and on the weekends. There’s normally practice from 6 to 9 p.m. two nights per week, plus performances at Friday night football games and Saturday competitions.
“Parents are saying that commitment is too much,” said Assistant to the Superintendent Ken Batchelor.
The board is expected to vote to either make marching band extra-curricular, or to keep it co-curricular for freshman only.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
A series of hearings that could lead to a Wegman’s supermarket are underway in Concord Township. Supervisors’ there opened the first round on Jan. 15.
That first round included a conditional use hearing and the creation of a zoning overlay that would allow for the food market and the creation of the southeast section of the loop road between routes 1 and 202.
There was testimony from only one witness, land planner Dennis Glackin. Cross examination was continued to March 12.
Wegman’s wants to build on a 33.1-acre property currently owned by the Hineman Family. It borders Chadds Ford Township near Route 202 and between Route 1 to the north and Applied Card Way to the south. The Applied Card building is to the east of the site.
The land is currently zoned Light Industrial. There are a number of commercial, retail and other business uses on surrounding properties. Conditional use approval is needed to allow for the market because it would be a single building in excess of 65,000 square feet. The proposed Wegman’s would be 140,000 square feet.
Also planned is a second building for other retail and commercial uses. Plans also call for 800 parking spaces.
The proposed leg of the loop road would connect with Applied Card Road at Route 1 with Route 202 across from Hillman Drive in Chadds Ford Township.
Plans also include use of property in Chadds Ford other than for the loop road extension. Two retail buildings are planned as is parking for the Wergman’s.
Glackin said the plan is consistent with existing land use patterns and is in the public interest.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
• Pennsylvania State Police from the Avondale barracks recovered a stolen car at a crash site on Cossart Road in Pennsbury Township. A report said troopers responded to a one-car accident shortly before 2 a.m. on Jan. 16. The vehicle was unoccupied, but further investigation revealed it had been reported stolen in Delaware.
• A 27-year-old woman, identified as Jacquelyn G. Farmer, of West Chester, was cited following a traffic accident on Route 926 at Cartmel Road on Han. 11. Police said Farmer was driving too fast for conditions when she failed to stop in time before striking a car waiting to make a left hand turn.
• Five people, all from Philadelphia, are accused of retail theft following a traffic stop along Route 1 near Independence Way in Pennsbury Township on Jan. 10. Details were sketchy, but police said approximately $2,300 worth of stolen merchandise was found in the car.
• More than 60 works by F.O.C. Darley, whose talent in book and magazine illustrations made him the most popular illustrator of his day, will be on view at the Brandywine River Museum from Jan. 19 through March 10. The Magic Pencil of the Amazing F.O.C. Darley features works from the Brandywine River Museum’s rich permanent collection, rarely seen prints on loan from the Darley Society, and several important works on loan from private collectors. The exhibition also includes bank notes and bonds illustrated by Darley, a sketch book from his European tour, drawings for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, James Fenimore Cooper’s The Pioneers and Sylvester Judd’s Margaret, as well as examples of his important historical drawings and more.
• Have you ever wondered what makes a firefly glow? Or how strange sea creatures light up the deepest depths of the ocean? The Delaware Museum of Natural History presents Glow: Living Lights, on display Jan. 26 through May 27. The exhibit takes visitors through an illuminating journey of both terrestrial and marine environments to learn why and how so many creatures are lighting up the dark.
• The Chadds Ford Historical Society will hold its fifth annual Winter Plein Air event on Saturday, Feb. 2. After a day of painting in Chadds Ford, PA and the Brandywine Valley, 30 award winning artists from the Mid-Atlantic region return to the Chadds Ford Historical Society’s Barn Visitor Center to frame and hang their paintings for a special exhibit and art sale. There will be a “first look” sale and preview party from 5 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $50. $25 can be applied to the purchase of a painting. That will be followed by a wine and cheese gathering with an admission price of $10.
Gertrude is a sweet, young lady who came to CCSPCA back in August as a stray kitten looking for a new home. Gertrude has since grown up at the shelter and, thanks to CCSPCA cat volunteers, is a real social butterfly. Gertrude is very playful but also affectionate, making her the perfect family cat. Since she has been at the shelter for so long, Gertrude is available for the special adoption fee of $25. If you are able to provide Gertrude or any of our other animals here at the shelter a home, visit the Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen or call 610-692-6113. Gertrude’s registration number is 96810178. To meet some of our other adoptable animals, visit the shelter or log onto www.ccspca.org. Not quite ready to adopt? Consider becoming a CCSPCA foster parent. Additional information and applications are available online or at the shelter.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
Brief: Longwood Gardens’ Orchid Extravaganza opens January 19 with more than 5,000 orchids on display.
Guests invited to Go Beyond the Garden Gates on special Saturdays.
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Longwood Gardens has acres of reasons to visit this winter. The horticultural showplace near Kennett Square, PA, transforms its majestic conservatory into an Orchid Extravaganza January 19-March 24. The heated 4-acre conservatory transports guests into a warm oasis featuring thousands of orchid blooms displayed in extraordinary ways. On special Saturdays, Longwood invites guests to Go Beyond the Garden Gates to meet our gardeners, see our workspaces, and discover how we create our dazzling displays.
Featuring a plethora of colors, sizes and shapes, guests will be amazed by the variety of orchids on display, including Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium, among others. In all, more than 5,000 blooming orchids will delight the senses. In the East Conservatory, white and yellow Phalaenopsis artfully arranged adorn the oval basin, welcoming guests to the Conservatory, while white and yellow Phalaenopsis fashioned into gigantic 6 hanging orbs usher you into the Main Conservatory. A dazzling floral arch rising 15 feet and containing more than 1,100 white Phalaenopsis marks the entry to the Exhibition Hall, while chandelier of various orchid varieties hangs over the Exhibition Hall stage. Hanging baskets of Cymbidiums line the yellow-blooming Acacia Passage as a waterfall of red-golden Oncidium marks the entrance to the South American-inspired Cascade Garden. In all, more than 5,000 beautiful, blooming orchids are artfully displayed.
Additional indoor highlights include the Mediterranean Garden, a riot of vibrant color January through April with Australian purple coral-pea (Hardenbergia) vines blooming like miniature wisteria; while the Estate Fruit House displays nectarines, melons, and other fruits and vegetables flourishing in the midst of winter.
In early March, Longwood’s famed Blue Poppy (Meconopsis) returns to the Exhibition Hall. Usually, to see masses of blue poppies in bloom, you needed to travel to Scotland, Alaska, or the Himalayas. Not anymore. Longwood Gardens has successfully produced a stunning crop of blue poppies that decorate the Conservatory’s Exhibition Hall with their unique blue blossoms.
Beyond the Garden Gates Days
Experience the Orchid Extravaganza like never before as we invite you to meet our gardeners, go into our workspaces and learn how we create our dazzling displays during Behind the Garden Gates Days. January 19, February 2 & 16, and March 2 and 23 from 11 am -3 pm, hear our experts talk about Longwood’s historic and vast orchid collection of 9,000 plants; hear and see how we create our displays during informative talks and demonstrations by our gardeners; and visit areas rarely open to our guests including, our orchid growing houses and library. Each season throughout 2013, guests will have the chance to go beyond the garden dates and discover that what happens behind the scenes is also a thing of beauty.
OrKid Days Family Fun
The entire family will enjoy Longwood’s “OrKid” Days. Spend a Saturday experiencing a children’s performance (Noon & 2 pm) and activities (Noon–3 pm), including discovery stations, orchid sketching and more. OrKID days are free with Gardens Admission.
The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels will bring a lineup of exotic animals to the gardens for children to see and learn more about.
January 21: Folk musiciansKim & Reggie Harris share family friendly music about the underground railroad.Animal fun abounds when the Elmwood Park Zoo brings a variety of furry friends to delight young visitors.
February 18: Two of a Kind perform upbeat music about the environment designed just for children.
March 16: Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble presents jazz music for kids.
About LongwoodGardens Longwood Gardens is on US Route 1 near Kennett Square, PA, 30 miles west of Philadelphia. The Gardens Shop is open daily. The Terrace Restaurant Café is open daily. Please note The Terrace Restaurant Café will offer limited service January 17 –28 and the 1906 full-service dining room is closed through January 28, when it reopens for weekend service, then reopens for daily service on March 21 with an new spring menu. Admission is $18 for adults; $15 for seniors (age 62+); $8 for students (ages 5–18 or with valid student ID) and free ages 4 and under. Group rates available. Details at www.longwoodgardens.org.
