Chadds Ford Art Show Returns with More Than 70 Regional Artists

Arts & Entertainment, Chadds-Ford, Headlines, Local News

619713374_1344830307674069_5052919893331185258_n-1 — Image courtesy of Chadds Ford Art Show and Sale.

Featuring More Than 70 Regional Artists, the Chadds Ford Art Show Returns

The Chadds Ford Art Show and Sale will return Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chadds Ford Elementary School, located at 3 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford. The longtime community event invites visitors to explore artwork from dozens of regional artists while supporting programs at the local school.

The show is organized by the Chadds Ford Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization and has become one of the Brandywine Valley’s most anticipated community art events. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

The Chadds Ford Art Show traces its roots back to 1949, when Betsy Wyeth, wife of renowned artist Andrew Wyeth, helped launch the event as a fundraiser for the school. Over the decades it has grown into a respected regional showcase for artists while continuing to support educational initiatives at Chadds Ford Elementary.

Today the event features more than 70 artists from across the Brandywine Valley and surrounding region. Visitors will find a wide range of artwork including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, woodworking, ceramics, and other handcrafted pieces available for purchase directly from the artists.

The show has become known for its welcoming atmosphere and wide variety of artwork, offering something for collectors, casual art lovers, and families alike. Many artists return year after year while new artists are also introduced to the community.

In addition to browsing artwork and meeting artists, visitors can participate in an art raffle featuring donated works from participating artists. An online auction connected to the show will also offer additional opportunities for the community to support the event.

Proceeds from the Chadds Ford Art Show benefit educational programs at Chadds Ford Elementary School, including initiatives that support experiential and outdoor learning opportunities for students.

With its long history, community focus, and diverse group of artists, the Chadds Ford Art Show continues to celebrate the creative spirit of the Brandywine Valley while supporting the next generation of students.

Learn more:
https://cfes.ucfsd.org/artshow

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Artist Nicole Wandersee Delights with Whimsical Animal Illustrations

Arts & Entertainment, Business, Chadds-Ford, Local News

522812334_18413892898110586_6092888639222682244_n — Photo courtesy of nicsterart.com.

Whimsical Animal Illustrations Delight in the Work of Artist Nicole Wandersee

Artist Nicole “Nicki” Wandersee has developed a distinctive artistic voice through detailed animal illustrations and expressive artwork that blends realism with a touch of whimsy. Sharing her work under the name Nicster Art, Wandersee creates pieces that highlight the personality and charm of animals through careful line work and imaginative design.

Wandersee was born in Geneva, Switzerland and moved to the United States when she was four years old. She grew up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania with her parents and three sisters on a property filled with animals. Horses, chickens, rabbits, and family pets were part of everyday life, and those early experiences helped shape the subject matter that would later define much of her artwork.

Her connection to animals began early. Family stories note that her first word was the name of the family dog, Heidi, and her love for animals continued throughout childhood as she rode and showed horses and helped care for the animals around the property.

Wandersee discovered her passion for drawing in her twenties and developed her artistic style largely through self teaching and practice. Much of her work is created using pen, pencil, and charcoal, mediums that allow her to focus on detail, texture, and expression. In addition to illustration, she also explores abstract painting using bold colors and layered designs.

Animals frequently appear throughout her artwork. Birds, bees, rabbits, and other creatures are often illustrated with delicate lines and expressive features that give each subject its own personality. Her work blends observation with imagination, creating pieces that feel both detailed and playful.

Wandersee has shared her artwork throughout the Brandywine Valley at community art events and local venues. Her work has been featured at Chadds Ford Winery, and she has also been selected multiple times as the artist for the Chadds Ford Historical Society’s Great Pumpkin Carve T shirt design.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to see Wandersee’s work at the Chadds Ford Art Show and Sale on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chadds Ford Elementary School, located at 3 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The annual community art event features more than 70 regional artists and raises funds for programs at the school.

Today, Wandersee continues to create new work and connect with audiences through her website and appearances at local events. Her artwork is available as original pieces, prints, note cards, and other items that allow collectors to bring her distinctive illustrations into their homes and celebrate creativity, nature, and the personality found in the animal world.

Learn more:
https://www.nicsterart.com

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PennDOT road projects with closures, detours, and lane restrictions in Chadds Ford area Caption: Weekly PennDOT updates: construction zones impacting local drivers and traffic Description: Visual of PennDOT work signs and roadway disruptions highlighting closures, repairs, and detours for community travel alerts

Road Report for March 9 to March 13

Road Reports

Road Report for March 9 to March 13

PennDOT has announced the following weather-dependent road projects that could affect drivers in the greater Chadds Ford area from March 9 to March 13. Motorists are urged to allow extra time traveling through one of the construction zones. Work schedules are subject to change.

Milling and curb/ADA ramp installation will cause daytime lane closures on Creek Road between Route 1 and Upper Bank Drive in Chadds Ford Township through March 31.
Tree trimming will cause lane closures with flagging on Lenape Unionville Road between Route 52 and Red Lion Road through April 3.
Tree trimming will also cause lane closures with flagging on Wawaset Road between County Prison Farm and Route 52 in Pocopson Township, and on Route 52 between W. Lafayette Road and Route 926 in Pocopson and East Marlborough townships through April 3.
Curb demolition, milling, and ADA ramp installation will cause daytime lane closures on Route 1 between Creek and Ring roads in Chadds Ford Township through March 31.
Roadway construction will continue to cause weekday lane closures at the intersection of Routes 202 and 926 in Westtown and Thornbury townships from Monday, March 9, through Friday, March 17.
Utility installation will cause daytime lane closures on E. Marshall Street at its intersection with N. High Street in West Chester through May 8.
Tree trimming will cause daytime lane closures on Red Lion Road between Marlboro and Lenape Unionville roads in Pocopson Township through March 16.
Tree trimming will also cause daytime lane closures on Brandywine Creek Road between Green Valley and Harvey’s Bridge roads in Newlin Township through March 27.
Roadway coring will cause periodic daytime lane closures on High Street at its intersection with Gay Street in West Chester through March 18.
Continuing, motorists should expect daytime lane closures in both directions on Route 1 between the Kennett Oxford Bypass and Greenwood Road in Kennett and East Marlborough townships. The closures are to facilitate widening that 1.3-mile stretch of roadway to three lanes in both directions. Work is expected to continue through April 17.
Intersection reconstruction will cause a full 24/7 closure of Bethel Avenue between Conchester Highway and Cherry Tree Road through late 2026. Detours to be posted.
Road reconstruction will continue to cause lane shifts on Conchester Highway between Chelsea Parkway and Cherry Tree Road in Upper Chichester through Oct. 15.
Roadway construction will cause daytime lane closures on Route 1 between the Kennett Oxford Bypass and Webb Barn Lane in East Marlborough and Kennett townships through April 24.
Kennett Square is reporting that the Birch Street Reconstruction Project is scheduled to end in the spring of 2026. During this time, Birch Street will experience rolling road closures where one or both lanes of traffic may be closed for a few hundred feet at a time. In general, the road will be open to local traffic, and road closures will be minimized as much as possible. When both lanes of traffic need to be closed for construction activities, access will be available on both sides of Birch Street, from South Broad Street and South Walnut Street.

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Bernice Moeser of Oxford

Obituaries

Bernice Moeser, 78, of Oxford, died suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Christiana Hospital in Newark. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Anna Eisenberg and the late Harry Eisenberg.

Bernice was the heart of the family; endlessly caring, selfless, and full of love. Family meant the world to her, stressing the importance of family every single day. She adored her two sons and cherished her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her laughter could brighten a room and the Italian in her allowed her love to be shown best in the kitchen where she made sure everyone was fed, whether you were hungry or not. Being around her meant feeling safe, cared for, and supported. Her home and her heart were always open. There will truly never be anyone else like her. The love she effortlessly poured into her family and those who were lucky enough to know her, will continue to live on in the hearts of us all forever.

Bernice is survived by her two sons, Keith Moeser and Steven Moeser; two granddaughters, Alexis Moeser and Avrie Moeser; three grandsons, Charles Moeser, Kyle Moeser, and Zion Moeser; two great-granddaughters, Braelyn Moeser and Scarlett Moeser; and one great-grandson, Brooks Byler.

You are invited to a graveside service for Bernice at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Oxford Cemetery, 220 North Third Street, Oxford, PA 19363.

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.

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School board election filing deadline hours away as competitive races emerge in New Castle County

Townsquare Delaware

[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #218292 — School board election filing deadline hours away as competitive races emerge in New Castle County

Kristin Bruce and Vic Leonard both running unopposed in Brandywine.

Multiple candidates enter races in Appoquinimink, Christina, Colonial, and Red Clay districts; some incumbents face challengers, while other seats remain uncontested

WILMINGTON, Del. — With the filing deadline only hours away on Friday afternoon, several competitive School Board races have already taken shape in New Castle County school board elections, setting the stage for contests across multiple districts this spring.

School board elections in Delaware are traditionally low-profile affairs. Still, this year’s filings show a mix of incumbents seeking another term and new candidates stepping forward to challenge them or enter open seats.

Across New Castle County’s five major districts—Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, and Red Clay—voters will decide a number of seats with terms extending to either 2029 or 2030.

Appoquinimink School District

The Appoquinimink School District has one of the most competitive races, with six candidates filing for two at-large seats.

Richard Forsten is currently the President of the Appo School Board.

Candidates are:

Richard A. Forsten – Currently the President
Nichelle DeWitt
Sean Brian Connally
Mark E. Heck
Elena Brenner
Britney Mumford

The winners will serve four-year terms ending June 30, 2030.

Several of the candidates are newcomers to district leadership, while the race is expected to draw attention due to the district’s rapid growth in southern New Castle County.

Brandywine School District

In the Brandywine School District, both available seats currently have only one candidate each, meaning they would be elected without opposition if no additional filings occur before the deadline.

Candidates include:

John Skrobot, running for Nominating District D

Candidate John Skrobot, Kristen Bruce both running unopposed in Brandywine School District
Kristen Bruce, running for Nominating District F

Both seats carry four-year terms ending in 2030.

Christina School District

Monica Moriak, running unopposed for the Christina School Board

The Christina School District will see several races, including one contested seat.

For Nominating District A, two candidates are competing for a three-year term:

Celita Cherry
Charlene “Amina” Sams

Other seats currently have a single candidate filed:

Monica Moriak, the incumbent, is seeking re-election in District B
Stephanie Ingram, candidate for District F
Lauren Sawin, candidate for District G

Colonial School District

Two Colonial races will feature competition.

For District F, voters will choose between:

Rasheeda J. Campbell
Dawn L. Green

The District G race for a two-year term includes:

Kayode Abegunde
Carlos Dipres

The District E seat currently has a single candidate:

Keenan D. Dorsey

Red Clay Consolidated School District

Candidate Vic Leonard for Red Clay’s Board will face Jenny Howard.

One contested race has emerged in Red Clay’s District C, where:

Vic Leonard has qualified
Jenny Howard has filed with provisional status

The District F seat currently lists a single candidate:

Najma Landis

Filing deadline approaching

The candidate filing deadline for Delaware school board elections closes later today, meaning additional candidates could still enter races before the window closes.

School board elections are scheduled for May, when voters will also weigh proposed school district operating referendums and other education-related issues.

Although turnout in school board elections is often low, the decisions made by local boards shape district budgets, policies and educational priorities for thousands of students across New Castle County.

With several competitive races already forming, this year’s elections could draw increased attention as communities debate the future direction of their local schools.

Staff Writer

Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields. Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals. If you have questions, please feel free to contact editor@delawarelive.com or our publisher, George D. Rotsch at George@Delawarelive.com

This post was originally published on TownSquareDelaware

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Ryan’s Rise Up Café in Glen Mills Creates Opportunity Through Inclusive Employment

Townsquare Delaware

[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #218105 — Ryan’s Rise Up Café in Glen Mills Creates Opportunity Through Inclusive Employment

Image courtesy of Ryan’s Rise Up Cafe.

Creating Opportunity Through Inclusive Employment at Ryan’s Rise Up Café in Glen Mills

A new café in Glen Mills is preparing to open with a mission that goes beyond coffee. Ryan’s Rise Up Café, located in Concordville Town Centre on Evergreen Drive near U.S. Route 322, was created to build opportunity, connection, and confidence through meaningful employment for individuals of all abilities.

The café was founded by Concord Township resident Jim Vail and was inspired by his son, Ryan. After years of seeing how difficult it can be for many people to find supportive and fulfilling workplaces, Vail set out to create a business designed to open doors and strengthen community connections. Ryan’s Rise Up Café reflects both a father’s love and a broader vision for a more inclusive community.

That spirit is captured in the café’s guiding philosophy: built on love, driven by purpose.

Ryan’s Rise Up Café plans to employ between 15 and 20 team members when it opens, with long-term plans to expand to as many as 45 employees. The café is designed to provide a supportive work environment where team members can develop job skills, build independence, and thrive as part of a welcoming community. Employees will include individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental and cognitive differences.

Training and mentorship will play an important role in the program. A behavioral specialist will work alongside staff to help team members grow in their roles and navigate daily responsibilities. The space will also include a sensory room where employees can take a break in a calm environment when needed.

While the mission behind the café is meaningful, the experience for customers will feel like any neighborhood coffee shop. Guests will be able to stop in for coffee and café fare while supporting a business dedicated to empowerment and opportunity.

The message behind Ryan’s Rise Up Café is simple but powerful. The goal is to create opportunities where they have too often been out of reach, empowering individuals of all abilities to grow, connect, and thrive.

The café hopes to become a gathering place for the Glen Mills and Brandywine Valley community, where a morning coffee can also support a larger purpose. Visitors are invited to come for the coffee and leave inspired by the people and mission behind the café.

Final preparations are underway at Concordville Town Centre, and the café is expected to open soon. Community members interested in following the progress of the café and learning about the official opening date can stay up to date through the café’s website and Facebook page.

More information can be found at
https://ryansriseupcafe.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584029746853