Pennsylvania State Police troopers from Troop K, Media barracks, have special needs youngsters and adults tour some of the equipment during an event in Concord Township last Saturday.
•The Chadds Ford Historical Society and the Chaddsford Winery are teaming up. Come out to Chaddsford Winery on June 29 – 30 to enjoy seasonal wine, tasty food truck fare from Phyllodelphia, and the sprawling picturesque property. Throughout the weekend, Traditional Wine Tastings will be offered in the 18th century Chaddsford Vintner House. A variety of wine cocktails, wine slushies, and Pennsylvania craft beer will also be available. During the weekend, 10 percent of all wine sales will be donated to the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The Barns Brinton House will be open, and we will be offering free tours all weekend long.
•Delaware County is holding a forum on a new voting system that’s to be in place by the 2020 primary election. There are five systems under consideration, but they each are to provide a paper record. The forum is 4 p.m., July 9in the Delaware County Council Public Meeting Room. For more information, go here.
•The next movie presented by Uptown! Performing Arts Center is “Big Fish” on Monday, July 1. Tim Burton’s fantasy drama centers on a frustrated son who tries to determine fact from fiction in his dying father’s life. Films begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is at 226 North High Street, West Chester. Purchase tickets at UptownWestChester.org, at the box office or call 610.356.ARTS(2787).
•The July 3 free concert at Anson B. Nixon Park features Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber performing the music of David Bowie and Prince, as well as original works. Showtime is 7-9 p.m. M&M Barbecue will offer dinner.
•The Brandywine River Museum of Art is offering Museum Explorers Family Workshops on Thursdays, July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1 at 10 and 11 a.m. Free for members; non-members: $5 per child with one adult admitted free per child. The workshops are designed for children ages 2 to 8 accompanied by their grownups. Inspired by the exhibition, N. C. Wyeth: New Perspectives, each week will feature appearances by award-winning children’s book illustrators as well as interactive gallery and art activities.
With the July Fourth Holiday a week away, it’s time to remind people about some safety tips when it comes to fireworks.
Children Should Not Handle Fireworks
Never let children handle, play with or light any fireworks. Only adults should handle and light the fireworks. The fireworks are great family fun and entertainment, but they do burn very hot and are intended to be handled only by adults.
Do Not Use Alcohol With Fireworks
Please do not consume any alcohol when handling and lighting fireworks. Fireworks must be used only by individuals who act in a responsible manner and who are not impaired by alcohol, drugs or in any way. Impairment increases the possibility of misuse and injury to yourself or others.
Follow the Laws; Use Common Sense.
Follow your local and state laws regarding the possession and use of fireworks and use good common sense at all times in handling fireworks. Read all directions, cautions, labels and warnings on each individual fireworks item to understand the product performance and hazards associated with the use of the item before you use it. Use only those fireworks permitted under the laws of your state or local jurisdiction in which you will be using the fireworks. If your state or local areas have shooters’ sites, use them. Never attempt to procure or use professional 1.3G display fireworks with the proper permitting, license, insurance and approved shooting site.
Purchase your Fireworks from Reliable, Licensed Sources.
Purchase your fireworks from a reliable, licensed dealer in your state. Licensed and reliable dealers will only carry products that meet the standards set and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Commission and that are tested for compliance. Do not use illegal explosives; do not alter any fireworks device, and do not attempt to make your own fireworks.
Use Fireworks on a Hard Surface.
Always use fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to ensure the stability of the items. This is particularly important when using the taller items that produce a thrust upon ignition. Grass, gravel and sand surfaces are not suitable for any item intended to be used in an upright position. If you are using fireworks on grass, gravel or sand, Phantom recommends that you lay down a strong piece of plywood for use as your hard, flat shooting surface.
Brace or Bury Your Items.
You must do what you can to ensure the stability of the items as you use them. Place bricks on either side of an aerial repeater, tube and tall fountain to avoid “tip over.” Alternatively, you can bury your items half the height in the ground or in a bucket or pail filled with earth or sand. This will help stabilize the item during performances.
Use in a Clear, Open Area Away from the Audience.
Always keep the audience (particularly children) a safe distance from the launch or shooting site. Light the fireworks in a clear, open area away from buildings, vehicles overhead obstructions and shrubbery. A minimum clear distance of 35 feet for fountains and other ground-based items and 150 feet for aerial items is recommended.
You should avoid lighting your fireworks in any area where there is dry grass, dry brush or any flammable items that could catch fire. Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers. Always use fireworks outdoors.
Keep Clear of the Fireworks.
Never put your head or any part of your body over the top of any fireworks product at any time. Never look into a tube to check on the firework item. Never hold a lighted firework in your hand. Keep as far from the fireworks as possible when lighting it, and get clear of the products as quickly as possible after ignition.
Use Care in Lighting the Fireworks.
Always light fireworks products with an extended butane lighting device, a Phantom Pyro-Torch, a punk or a flare. Light the fuse only on the tip. Position yourself as far from the product as possible and extend your arm out using the extended lighting device. This method of lighting will keep you as fas as possible from the fireworks item.
Use a flashlight at night so you can see the fuse. Never use a lantern or other flame-producing device near fireworks for illumination or any other purpose. Light the fireworks product and get away quickly. Respect the fireworks products; if used improperly, they can be dangerous.
Use Only One at a Time.
Light only one firework item at a time. Certain products when ignited together, like sparklers, will have a tendency to flare up in an uncontrollable and dangerous manner.
Do Not Use Malfunctioning or “Dud” Items.
Don’t persist with malfunctioning items. Never attempt to re-light, alter or fix any “dud” firework item. If a fireworks item fails to function when ignited, let it stand for at least 5 minutes, then douse it with water. The item failed to function for a good reason, so if you then attempt to relight it in a manner not intended, you compound the problem and can create a dangerous situation. Dispose of the item properly. You can always return the item to Phantom Fireworks for a replacement, no questions asked.
Have a Ready Source of Water Close By.
Have an accessible fire extinguisher, water supply, hose or bucket of water nearby for emergencies. A connected hose is best. During any fireworks shoot, there should always be one individual assigned as the fireman, whose sole job it is to be at the ready, watch the trajectories of the fireworks and be alert with a water source for emergencies. Having a fireman is especially important during dry conditions or when there is dried grass or brush in any close proximity to the shooting site.
Windy Conditions.
Be cautious of lighting any fireworks during strong wind conditions. Light fireworks with the prevailing wind blowing away from the spectators. If there is a wind shift during the time you are lighting your fireworks, you should rearrange your shooting site to accommodate—- the wind shift or stop the shooting until the wind subsides.
Use Care in Handling Fireworks.
Use care in handling fireworks and be careful not to drop them. Do not carry fireworks in your pocket. Never smoke when handling fireworks. It is preferable to keep the fireworks in a closed container before you are ready to ignite them.
Be Careful With Fireworks Not Being Used.
It is important to use great care with fireworks not being used that are in the vicinity of your launch zone. Sparks from active fireworks can ignite idle fireworks and cause injury. Cover unused fireworks or put them in a sealed container to prevent sparks from active fireworks inadvertently igniting the idle ones.
Never Use Fireworks as Weapons.
Never use fireworks as weapons. Never aim, point or throw any fireworks at another person or at any property.
Storage and Disposal of Fireworks.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away and secure from children. Dispose of fireworks properly. Dispose of them by thoroughly dousing them with water, then placing them in a sealed metal trash container keeping the trash container outdoors. Never store spent fireworks indoors.
Use Fireworks Outdoors.
Use fireworks outdoors under safe conditions. Never use fireworks indoors.
Wear Safety Glasses.
Safety glasses are recommended for individuals lighting fireworks and those individuals in close proximity to the fireworks.
Special Reloadable Rules.
Never use a wet or damaged shell or launch tube. Insert shell all the way into the bottom of the tube, flat end down, an arrow pointing up. Never force a shell into a tube. Use only one shell in a tube at a time. Wait at least 30 seconds after ignition before loading another shell in the launch tube. Never ignite a shell outside of a launch tube. Never take the shell apart. Never relight a fuse that fails to ignite the device. After lighting the fuse, move a minimum of 20 feet from the launch tube.
Use Caution with Animals.
Please be considerate of your pets and animals when using fireworks. Noise and lights of fireworks often frighten some, so it is important that you are watchful over your pets and animals. You may want to move or keep animals away from the fireworks or inside during your display. Playing music or television can help to distract the animals from the fireworks noise.
Do Not Transport Fireworks on Airplanes.
It is a violation of federal aviation law to transport any fireworks device or novelty on an airplane. Please respect the law and do not attempt to carry fireworks onto airplanes or transport them in your luggage.
•Elizabeth Juliano, of Chadds Ford, was named to the Spring 2019 Dean’s List at Muhlenberg College. Students with a term GPA of 3.50 or higher were recognized for this academic achievement.
•Dakota Raymond and Kara Siener, both of Chadds Ford, were named to the Spring 2019 Dean’s List at University of the Sciences. Selection is based on completing and passing all assigned courses with no grade below a “C” and attaining an academic average of at least 3.4 for courses taken in the spring of 2019. Both students are going after a doctorate in physical therapy.
•Anna Lee Foster, of Chadds Ford, was named to The University of Alabama Dean’s List for spring 2019. To be on the list, students need an academic record of 3.5 or above.
•Miranda Volmer, of Chadds Ford, graduated from Widener University on May 17. The school conferred degrees to more than 1,100 graduates in a ceremony at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Volmer graduated with an associate’s degree in science in allied health radiologic technology from Widener’s Center for Extended Learning.
