Some of the pumpkins that decorate the Wyeth property are pink this year, a reminder of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
As darkness fell and rain showers intensified, the young woman wearing a hoodie and wielding a can of spray paint worried momentarily about being placed in handcuffs.
Victoria Wyeth, a breast cancer survivor, works her magic on some of the pumpkins.
She understood that she would have some explaining to do if police saw her traipsing around the Wyeth property on Wednesday evening, Oct. 11.
But it probably wouldn’t have taken Victoria Browning Wyeth too long to plead her case – especially since the beloved granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth was simply indulging her well-established passion for creative outreach.
For the past several years, Victoria Wyeth has celebrated Halloween – her famous family’s favorite season – by positioning 30 pint-sized pumpkins on the fence posts of her grandparents’ residence. During her frequent appearances at area schools, she learned that the decorations came into view on many of the local school bus rides.
Once she learned how much the children looked forward to the mini squash display, she enjoyed assembling it even more. But this year’s array carries a much more serious message, one that required the addition of a different color.
Wyeth was diagnosed two years ago with breast cancer and fought through successful treatment only to have a second scare. Now, she’s determined not to face that demon again. And, consistent with Halloween’s cult status among the Wyeths, she has a double mastectomy scheduled the day before the holiday.
“What a way to combine those two elements,” she noted with a quizzical smile. “This is not something that I avoid talking about. If I can help one other person by increasing awareness, then it’s worth it.”
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and so a handful of the pumpkins flanking the Wyeth property are painted pale pink.
“This just seemed like a good thing to do,” she said as she transformed another pumpkin into a pink statement. “I hope it gets people talking.”
It’s the kind of sentiment that Andrew Wyeth, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this past summer, would certainly applaud.
Darlington Teaching Artists Lingchin Liao and Ross Beauchamp preformed a string duet
A crowd close to one hundred gathered at Darlington Arts Center for their Annual Back to School Arts Party on Saturday, October 7. “The event is designed to build community through the arts and was an outstanding success,” said Darlington’s Executive Director Eric Carter Thompson. Attendees had opportunities to collaborate on a large mural and also create individual luminaire jars for the holiday season. The highlight of the evening was the music recital segment later in the evening. It proved to be a tour de force of talent featuring performances by Darlington music Teaching Artists that wowed the crowd. In addition, there were works of ceramic art on display by visual art Teaching Artists Tia Santana and Jeremy Sims along with student work.
Darlington family partygoers made beautiful luminaire jars for the coming holidays.
“We invite all members of the community to become engaged with the arts and to participate and be invigorated,” said Carter Thompson. “At Darlington, the arts are active and alive, not passive.”
“Darlington is extremely proud of our outstanding Teaching Artist faculty,” continued Carter Thompson. “They amazed, charmed, and entertained everyone during the event. We celebrated with a dinner in their honor prior to the evening party.” Darlington music Teaching Artists are talented professionals as well as exceptionally gifted teachers helping to train area students in a variety of music instruments from piano and violin to guitar, percussion, trumpet, and woodwinds, in addition to voice and vocal training.
The balmy weather added to the lightness of spirit and enjoyment for everyone at this community gathering. Adding fun to the evening was a jellybean raffle winner announced and the unveiling of the collaborative jigsaw puzzle mural now adorning the Center’s hallway wall as exclamation point to the festive evening.
“It was a wonderful community event demonstrating how the arts are thriving at Darlington, but it doesn’t end there,” says Carter-Thompson. “It just provides a momentary pause to take a breath and invite the public to our Darlington Coffee House Concert series opening this Saturday night on October 14.” Area bluegrass/folk favorite Tookany Creek kicks off the schedule at this intimate venue. This is preceded by Darlington’s initial Art Gallery opening of the season on Friday, October 13 featuring local area artists Joan Griffith and Molly Stevens. At Darlington, the arts don’t stop. They continue to provide enjoyment and opportunities to come together as a creative community.
There’s still time to register for second session Fall Classes for children and adults, and Darlington invites the community to attend upcoming free events including Preschool Halloween Open House on Tuesday, October 31 at 10 a.m. and Holiday Jam on Saturday, December 9 at 2:30 p.m. Learn more at www.darlingtonarts.org.
Darlington Arts Center is a non-profit center for the visual and performing arts offering “Every Art for Everyone.” Fall Classes are underway but there is still room in many offerings. The center is located at 977 Shavertown Rd in Garnet Valley. It is convenient to Delaware, Chester and New Castle counties, less than a mile east of Rt. 202, just south of Rte. 1, and 1 ¼ miles from the Delaware state line. For more information, please visit www.darlingtonarts.org or call (610) 358-3632.
A Planning Commission vote on whether or not to recommend final approval for the proposed Hillman Drive extension, the loop road, is expected in November.
That was the word from commission Chairman Craig Huffman during the commission’s Oct. 11 meeting. If commissioners recommend approval, Chadds Ford Township Board of Supervisors could vote on the plan in December.
Supervisors granted preliminary approval for the project last October and in March approved a roundabout at Hillman and Evergreen Place. If approved, the work would extend Hillman Drive through the Chadds Ford Business Campus from just west of Evergreen Place all the way to Route 1, making the final loop segment between Routes 1 and 202.
During last night’s meeting, Chuck Olivo, the engineer for the applicant — The Henderson Group — addressed issues brought up by the township engineer’s review letter of the final plan. Most of the items were obligatory housekeeping details, but others had more substance.
One item of significance was the proposed sound-attenuating barrier running along the boundary with Painters Crossing Condominiums. Olivo said the barrier would be 8 feet high and 300 feet long. However, Huffman said he wanted more information. Specifically, he said he wants to see a sample of the material and understand how the sound dampening material is affixed and how it works.
Huffman also said he wants to see those housekeeping issues cleaned up on the plan. Attorney Ross Weiss agreed to all the points in the review letter and Huffman’s requests.
Another topic of discussion was whether or not there should be a speed table installed on Hillman Drive between Route 1 and Evergreen, and where it should go if it were needed. That point remains open with an informal understanding that the plan could go forward without the traffic-calming device, but that it could be added later.
Next month’s Planning Commission meeting is Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The project is expected to be the first item discussed.
The Henderson Group, the owner of the Chadds Ford Business Campus, is the applicant on the project. Vice President Mark Eisenhardt said from the beginning — two years ago — that Henderson would pay for the work itself without any tax money used. While the current plan has been under formal consideration for two years, PennDOT, Henderson and residents have wanted the loop for 40 years.
The other three segments of the loop system are Applied Bank Boulevard, State Farm Drive and Brandywine Drive. Hillman Drive already connects with Route 202 across from Applied Bank Boulevard and would connect with Route 1 across from Brandywine Drive.
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.
• Heyburn Road, between Route 1 and Ridge Road, remains closed to through traffic as work continues to install a new culvert. The culvert failed, and the roadway collapsed this summer. Work is expected to take another three to four weeks, weather permitting. (See photo above.)
• Families are invited for early access to the Brandywine River Museum of Art on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., during “PECO Sensory-Friendly Saturday.” This accessible program is designed specifically for visitors on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders. “PECO Sensory-Friendly Saturday” is an inclusive program that strives to provide a welcoming experience through pre-visit materials, special gallery activities, and sensory break areas. A variety of creative art projects will also be offered throughout the program, including watercolor and sculpting activities.
March on the Brandywine is Saturday, Oct. 21, from 6-10 p.m. at Unionville High School.
• It’s “March on the Brandywine” Saturday, Oct. 21 from 6-10 p.m. at Unionville High School. March on the Brandywine is a marching band competition featuring bands from 11 schools in the region. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, free for ages 5 and under. For a list of schools and their performance times, go to http://cavalcadeofbands.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17-Unionville-Marching.xls-1.pdf
• Longwood Fire Co.’s annual open house is this Sunday, Oct. 15, from noon to 3 p.m. There will be tours of the station, a chance to meet EMS personnel and a helicopter landing. The station is located at 1001 East Baltimore Pike.
• Concord Township, Delaware County is seeking eligible candidates to fill a vacancy of office on Township Council. Interested individuals must be an elector of the Township and have resided in the Township for at least two years. Candidates should submit a personal statement of qualification and a resume to Amanda Serock, Township Manager, via email at aserock@concordtownship.org by noon on Oct. 17 for consideration by Council. For further information, please visit www.townshipofconcord.com.
• The Chester County Arts Association is offering a series of five lectures dealing with 1960s-era America. The first lecture, on Tuesday, Oct. 17 is the Vietnam War. “Voices from the Vietnam War Era: An informed community discussion about America’s involvement in Southeast Asia” presents a variety of perspectives about the war. The discussion will explore the political, military and the human dimensions of a war that forever changed the way Americans thought about themselves and their place in the world. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the lecture runs from 6-7:30 p.m. For ticket information, go to https://public.chestercountyarts.org/public/PurchaseTickets.faces, or phone 610-696-5600.
• The Great Pumpkin Carve is next week. The annual event, a major fundraiser for the Chadds Ford Historical Society, runs from Thursday night, Oct. 19 through Saturday, Oct. 21. The actual carving is done Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 7-17 and free for kids 6 and younger. Friday – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday – 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. See: http://www.chaddsfordhistory.org/events/great-pumpkin- carve/
Paul Redman, CEO and president of Longwood Gardens, is now a Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma State University.
• Longwood Gardens President, and CEO, Paul B. Redman was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma State University. The University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources recognized Redman as a “shining example of sustained excellence” in his field. Redman earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from OSU in 1990 and 1994, respectively. After serving as Executive Director at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, Redman joined Longwood Gardens in 2004.
• The Concord Township Harvest Festival is Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Park and Recreation facility, 40 Bethel Road. The day begins with a baked goods contest drop-off between 9 and 11 a.m. The Dog Costume Contest is at noon. The entire festival runs from 1-4 p.m. with a Children’s Costume Parade at 1:30.
Signs of the times in Kennett Square reflect interesting observations.
The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.
Snow
Snow
Snow was shuffled more than she’d like in her two short years. She needs a soft landing to show her what love is all about. Snow and all her kitty pals 7 months and up have no fee to adopt through Sunday, Oct. 15, in our Feel-ine the Love promotion.
Adams
Adams
Adams was in a Texas shelter when Hurricane Harvey hit, so he’s traveled a long way for that special family. He’s cool, calm, low energy and a great ballplayer. Adams also seems to be housebroken. He’d be open to meeting other dogs and should do well with kids. When you visit, please ask to see Adams outside of his kennel, as his kennel life is getting him down. Adams’ adoption fee is “pay what you want” through Sunday, Oct. 15.
For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 610-692-6113.
