Around Town April 25

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on April 25, 2024

Learn to incorporate native plants into your garden at Mt. Cuba Center.

• For those planning a new garden or want to incorporate native plants into an already existing garden, Mt. Cuba Center is offering a 2-hour eco-gardening consultation. The private consultation is $234, with. a two-person limit. From novel plant combinations and seasonal maintenance tips, and from difficult garden spots to attracting your favorite wildlife visitors, a Mt. Cuba consultant will provide a customized experience to meet your gardening needs. Leave with curated resources just for you and a new landscaping perspective. Book an appointment by emailing groupsales@mtcubacenter.org

• The West Chester International Film Festival at Uptown! is this weekend. From April 26 to 28, more than 70 short films will be shown in film blocks, pop-up events, and a Young Filmmaker Festival. There are 15 events throughout the weekend. At the main film blocks shown at Uptown, audiences will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. There will also be Filmmaker Q&A sessions after each block moderated by local media and professional filmmakers where audience members can ask questions about their favorite films. For more information visit the website. For additional information about the West Chester International Short Film Festival visit www.westchesterfilmfestival.com

• Certified senior fitness instructor Joe Case is setting up a core balance training class at St. Michael Lutheran Church aimed at seniors. This would be a 10-week course meeting twice per week and is free except for the need to bring a yoga mat. Core muscles allow us to bend, twist, stand, pick something off the floor, and do many other activities of daily living. In addition, the course will teach seniors to perform increasingly difficult balance exercises. Proper posture and gait along with some light cardio will also be part of the course. If interested, contact Case at Josephlcase55@gmail.com. St. Michael’s is at 109 E. Doe Run Road.

Learn about many of the famous people who are buried at Oaklands Cemetery.

• The Chester County History Center and Oaklands Cemetery are offering walking tours of the cemetery on Sunday, May 5, and May 19. Many of West Chester's leading citizens are buried at Oaklands Cemetery, but there are many stories that remain untold. Join the education staff of the Chester County History Center to learn the true tales of the soldiers, statesmen, lawyers, doctors, musicians, athletes, artists, and more who found their final rest at this garden cemetery outside of West Chester. One of the people buried there is U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler who was twice awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The tours last about two hours and cost $20 per person. Go here for tickets.

• In honor of Mother Earth, and mothers everywhere, Winterthur Museum’s Delaware Master Naturalist group is hosting an environmental celebration, "Love Your Mother," on Saturday, May 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will be joined by many local environmental groups for walks, talks, and demonstrations, as well as Gateway Gardens for a native plant sale. The event is free with general admission. There is a slight upcharge for the Doug Tallamy lecture at 1:30, followed by a book signing. Check out the website, www.winterthur.org for more details.

• Chester County organizations, neighborhoods, and individuals are getting ready for the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. CC250 will host a community planning summit on Friday, June 7 at Thornbury Farm in West Chester from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet local legislators and discuss how their organizations and groups can present interactive, inclusive, compelling experiences to commemorate and celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the signing through 2026. All are invited to attend. To register for this free event, contact CC250 at 610.696.8211, email cc250@chescocf.org or click on https://chester.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=2223.

• Delaware County Symphony presents a Tales from Europe symphony concert on Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. This final symphony concert of the season features the winner of the Youth Concerto Competition, Kai Freeman, performing Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin in E minor. Also included in the concert are the Prelude to Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Aus Italian by Richard Strauss. Go here for tickets.

• Mt. Cuba Center is holding a Kids Create event on Saturday, May 18 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. It’s billed as an afternoon of nature, artmaking, and fun. Mt. Cuba partners with award-winning folk artist, Eunice LaFate, to lead a unique children’s art program in the gardens. Kids will create a mural from natural materials and go home with their own painting. This program is intended for ages 4 to 12. Art supplies are provided. Included with garden admission, advance registration is required. Go here to register.