Around Town May 15

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 14, 2014

• The annual Native Plant Sale at the Brandywine Museum of Art (see photo) went off without a hitch despite the loss of some plants. Mark Gormel, horticultural coordinator for the conservancy, said a number of plants were lost to the heavy rain and flooding 10 days earlier. “We retrieved more than I thought we would,” he said in between helping plant shoppers.

• The Chadds Ford Historical Society launches “A Toast to the Tavern” in honor of the 300^th anniversary of the Barns-Brinton House on Route 1. William Barns built in the tavern in 1714. It saw life as a “rowdy tavern” and was part of the scenery as Hessian troops marched along the “Great road to Nottingham” on their way to face colonial troops under the command of Gen. George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine. The celebration begins with an art show 5:30 p.m. on May 16 at the Barn Visitors’ Center on Creek Road.

• Birmingham Township recreates the 1777 Battle of Brandywine this weekend, May 17 and 18. Re-enactors will demonstrate 18^th battle techniques and there will be talks about the history of the battle and its effect on the countryside and the residents of the area. Festivities get underway 10 a.m. at Sandy Hollow both days, with battle re-enactment each afternoon. The event is free.

• The Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance is hosting a spring celebration from 7-10 p.m. on May 21 in the Barclay building on North Church Street in West Chester. The fundraising evening will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, a live and silent auction and tours of the historic trees on the property. According to event co-chair Arlene Rengert, the event will help raise funds toward the purchase of the wooded portion of the property by the Borough of West Chester. She is one of a group of volunteers whose mission is to preserve the beautiful, historic and ecologically important Barclay Grounds for the enjoyment of not only current residents but for future generations. Reservations for the “Save the Barclay Grounds Spring Celebration” can be made online at www.savethebarclaygrounds.org, or by calling 610-696-2282.

• Grace Frunzi, a learning support teacher who works with students with deficits in language and motor skills at Pocopson Elementary School won the Citadel Heart of Learning award in the elementary school category. A 24-year veteran, she has been employed by the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for the past 20 years. She received a $1,500 award for use toward supplies and other classroom expenses.