August 20, 2015

The name of one of Victory Brewing Company’s popular brews – Headwaters Pale Ale – pays homage to its water source: the east branch of the Brandywine Creek.

It was that resource that led childhood friends turned business partners Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet to establish their first brewery in Downingtown, and it also motivated them to stay nearby when the brewery expanded its production in Parkesburg, which receives its water from the Brandywine’s west branch.

Victory’s commitment to the environment runs deep, according to a company press release. In order to continue delivering consistently flavorful beer, the company says it is critical to keep the water clean, not just in Chester County, but across the country. Five years ago, Covaleski and Barchet established the Headwaters Grant; for every bottle of Headwaters purchased, a portion goes to the grant, which has donated nearly $35,000 to local water advocacy groups, the release said.

“The Headwaters grant has enabled the Guardians of the Brandywine to pursue their mission to protect and preserve the Upper East Branch of the Brandywine Creek,” said a statement from Guardians of the Brandywine. “With Victory’s Headwaters funds, we have established a stream monitoring program at four sites along the Upper East Branch, have restored riparian buffers with tree plantings and have established a Headwaters scholarship for college students studying our watershed.”

The Brandywine Valley Association has also benefited, according to the release. “With funding from Victory’s Headwaters Grant program, Brandywine Valley Association has been able to restore over one mile of Little Buck Run in Parkesburg and Sadsbury Township. This restoration will improve water quality, protect the stream and provide a model for future restorations,” its statement said.

To make an even larger impact, Victory is seeking support for a number of events next month, when it relaunches Headwaters Ale, which will be available in cans.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Victory for the Headwaters River Clean Up is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; participants will meet at the Parkesburg facility. A fundraising party will follow the cleanup from 4 to 8 p.m. that features food, music and beer. Finally, on Sunday, Sept. 20, Victory’s first Run for the Headwaters 5K will be held, starting at 11 a.m. at the Downingtown brewpub.

To purchase tickets or make a donation to the Headwaters Grant, click here.

 

 

The long-sought news fell on few ears, but the news was appreciated nonetheless.

Only two residents were in the audience when Township Manager Kathy Howley announced during the Aug. 19 Board of Supervisors’ meeting that PennDOT has agreed to reduce the speed limit on Route 1 to 45 mph for the entire length of the township. One of the residents applauded the news.

Supervisor Scotty Scottoline called it a “surprisingly fast response” since it only took two months.

Howley explained that a resident implored the board in June to ask PennDOT to lower the speed limit because she and others had so much difficulty getting out of their driveways that exit onto the highway.

While she has not yet received any formal letter announcing the change, Howley said she was told about the change by phone and that some of the speed limit signs have already been changed.

The last change for the Route 1 speed limit in Pennsbury occurred three years ago when PennDOT reduced the speed to 45 mph between the Brandywine Creek and the Knolls development at Constitution Drive. Howley said it took at least six months for that to happen.

Other business

Howley also announced that there would be a tag sale at the Hope House Thursday trough Saturday, Sept. 3, 4 and 5. The Hope House is on the lot to the west of the township municipal building. Sale times are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The house had been used as an antique store, but when the township bought the property and the tenant moved out, merchandise was left behind and it will be sold off. Howley and Scottoline both said there’s “a lot of stuff” to be sold.