Santa comes to ConcordSome visitors took the opportunity to write letters to Santa,
For more than 30 years, Santa Claus has been making an early stop in Concord Township. This year the big guy stopped by on Dec. 4 to pose with more than 100 area youngsters and to pick up those letters earmarked for the North Pole.
Along with Santa, the Rose Valley Chorus was on hand to entertain families. Treats, reindeer snacks and arts and craft picture frames were also available.
Not everyone was thrilled.
The event, held at the Concord Community Center, 45 Thornton Road, was courtesy of the township Board of Supervisors and the Parks and Recreation department.
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 Tennessee-based duo described as what would happen if Tim Burton had a folk band is headed to the Kennett Flash.
Grace & Tony, a southern folk duo, are scheduled to appear at the Kennett Flash for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 8.
On Tuesday Dec. 8, Grace & Tony will take the stage at the Kennett Square venue for the first time. The duo is known to area folk music for their appearances at Arden Gild Hall, the Tin Angel, World Cafe Live at the Queen, and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, according to a press release.
The pair’s new album, “Phantasmagoric,” has elements of a macabre Broadway musical, something its creators weren’t seeking at first. But their literary influences, including Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and Stephen King, bring dark fiction into their music. They call their style “southern gothic.”
Their first album, “November,” explored a merger of punk and bluegrass. Their early favorites were heavy metal bands Metallica and Pantera. But perhaps Tony’s older brother’s influence (John Paul of the folk duo Civil Wars) has helped the band bring other elements into their music, the release said.
The new album is more classically based, with an ever-present rootsy sound. In fact, the album is far more orchestral than folk, even though it owes its storytelling sensibilities to the folk and bluegrass traditions. For a sample of their music, click here.
The duo is planning to release a companion book to the album called “Grace & Tony’s Phantasmagoric Stories”, which will feature tales from each song illustrated by UK tattoo artist Nick Devine.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 the day of the show, which will open at 7 p.m. with the Honey Badgers. The Flash is located at 102 Sycamore Alley, between State and Cypress streets in Kennett Square. For more information, visit www.kennettflash.org.
Three Chester County Department of Emergency Services members were recently honored for contributions to emergency services and their community during the 25th Annual Pennsylvania Fire and EMS Services Institute (PFESI) conference and dinner.
Beau Crowding (from left), Jon Kromer, and Steve Webb are recipients of awards from the Pennsylvania Fire and EMS Services Institute.
George “Beau” Crowding, deputy director for fire services, was honored with the President’s Leadership Award. Jon Kromer, a telecommunicator for the 9-1-1 Center received the EMS Communications Award, and Steve Webb, retired deputy director for field services, was honored with the Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Outstanding Contribution to EMS Award, according to Chester County press release.
Crowding received his award for his dedication and leadership. PFESI President Brian A. Conley said, “I am grateful that no matter the outcome of a decision, or if I am looking to get some opinions, I can count on Beau to be that sounding board, and more importantly, can count on his support.”
Crowding began his career with the Chester County Department of Emergency Services in 1991 and served as a police and fire dispatcher before becoming radio room supervisor in 1999. In 2006, he was promoted to deputy director for fire services, and was instrumental in the concept, design and building of the Chester County Public Safety Training Center. Crowding also serves as chair of the Fire Services Committee for the Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Task Force.
Kromer received his award for his significant contribution to the advancement of emergency medical dispatch. He answered a 9-1-1 call from a mother of a young child having a grand mal seizure and suffering cardiac arrest. Kromer talked the child’s mother through procedures to help her child, and, according to the nomination, “Jon’s cadence and empathy calmed the mother enough to focus on assisting her child during the emergency.”
Webb received his award in memory of Dr. George Moerkirk, who was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania’s EMS system and known as the “father of EMS.” Webb’s 30-year career began as an EMT and ambulance captain. He joined the Chester County Department of Emergency Services in the 1980s as a training coordinator, and although he retired from the county last year, he remains a strong advocate for the county’s EMS system.
The Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute is an association of emergency services organizations that research, exchange information, and cultivate relationships among constituents about the issues affecting emergency response and life safety in Pennsylvania.
