May 2023 - Chadds Ford Live

Anson Nixon Park anniversary

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 31, 2023

The Kennett Area Park Authority is planning a 30th anniversary celebration for Anson B. Nixon Park on June 21. From left are Mark Volpe, KAPA’s facilities director, Sheila Tekavec, office manager, and John Gaadt, KAPA’s vice chairman.

Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square turns 30 this year. According to John Gaadt, vice-chairman of the Kennett Area Park Authority, Kennett Township and the Borough of Kennett Square got together to start the park after a landfill was closed where the soccer fields are now. “The land was going to be turned over to the township when the landfill was leaving, but the…

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 31, 2023

Anna Victoria Ford (Tori), 33, of West Chester, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 24. Born in Sacramento, Calif., she was the daughter of Jeffrey Cosenza and Cathy Ford. Tori was a bright light that would do anything for a friend in need. She had the greatest smile and shared it with everyone. She had a beautiful spirit and will be missed. She loved Harry Potter…

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 31, 2023

Edward F. Kavanagh, 80, of Avondale, died Wednesday, May 24, at Christiana Hospital in Newark. He was the spouse of Sandra (Lawrence) Kavanagh, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was the son of Francis Kavanagh and Ruth (Brown) Kavanagh of West Grove. He was "Pop Pop" to his four grandsons, and "Uncle Eddie" to his many nieces and…

Posted by Sally Denk Hoey on May 31, 2023

Read more about the article Blogging Along the Brandywine: A sad goodbye

The Concordville Hotel, circa 1908

This is not about an inn with history going back almost 200 years. Nor is it about detailed corporate and legal matters about its purchase by Encompass Health Corp, its scheduled closing on June 25, or its eventual demolition. It’s about a family who believed in hard work and in America. Few remember the Great Ionian Earthquake of 1953 that measured 6.8 on the Richter…

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 31, 2023

Pennsylvania State Police Avondale Barracks • Police said they arrested a 21-year-old man from Wilmington on drug possession charges in East Marlborough Township. The arrest followed a traffic stop for a traffic violation on Route 1 near Orchard Avenue on May 23. Police did not identify the driver in the report, but said he was charged with drug possession and DUI. • Someone stole $125…

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 30, 2023

Read more about the article The Gables wants a B&B

The house on the corner of Brintons Bridge Road and Route 1 next to The Gables could become a B&B.

The owners of The Gables restaurant want to turn the old stone house next to the restaurant into a B&B. But the process might not be cut and dried. Mike Shiring, the attorney representing owner Ann Kolenick and her partner, said turning the old historic house into a bed and breakfast is a perfect idea for adaptive reuse, but added that it’s “a complex zoning…

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 30, 2023

Read more about the article Solemnity and pageantry on Memorial Day

Pageantry is part of the parade in Kennett Square.

It’s a day that began for the purpose of honoring the war dead from the Civil War and has developed into a day filled with parades and pageantry. But the roots are remembered. The first Memorial Day was in 1868 and was known as Decoration Day to honor those who fell in the war between the states. Yet that first Decoration Day came after several…

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 30, 2023

Nature’s Medusa

Erosion leads exposed roots to look like a cross between tentacles and a nest of snakes.

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 29, 2023

Read more about the article Adopt-a-Pet May 29

The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester. Doc Look at those soulful eyes. Doc is wanting his future family to come by and whisk him away to a loving home. Hurry over to meet this 3-year-old kitty today and you’ll be sure to fall in love with his sweet personality. You can name your fee for…

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 28, 2023

End primary elections. That’s right, end them. While opening Pennsylvania primary elections to all registered voters would be better than the closed system now in place, that’s only a baby step toward improvement. Ending them outright is better. Under the current system, only people registered as either Republican or Democrat may vote in a primary election, but those elections are still paid for by tax…

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 27, 2023

Dr. Arthur J. DeMarco, 103, died Tuesday, May 23, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He attended Villanova University and Temple School of Dentistry. He served his country proudly as a member of the United States Army. Arthur read the Philadelphia Inquirer every morning. Most of all, he enjoyed the beach and spending time with his family. He is the son of the…