May 17, 2026

DSC_2921-Packard — Bob and Patty Root, along with Betsy Ross’s great, great, great, great granddaughter were taking part in the road rally at the Brandywine Battlefield Park.

The America 250^th activities kicked off in the greater Chadds Ford area Saturday with a road rally and the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The day began with a road rally at the Brandywine Battlefield Park. It wasn’t a true road rally as there was no timing involved. Instead, participants answered trivia questions about history, and road to for sites, Stroud Preserve, Birmingham Hill, Sandy Hollow, and the Brinton Run Preserve. At each stop, the participants got out of their cars and took part in some field activity led by reenactors. The whole loop was estimated to take about 2-and-a-half hours.

Vehicles were to leave the park in groups of eight to 10 cars every 15 minutes, but that didn’t happen. They departed individually. That, however, did not dampen

Chadds Ford Historical Society President Randell Spackman gives a tour of the Barns Brinton House.

the spirits of those participating. Most of them were intrigued to learn more about history.

Scott Bosco, of Nether Providence, said he took part because he likes history, adding that his wife, Beth, actually found out about the event before he did, but he was intrigued by the process.

“I’m looking forward to whatever comes. Actually, I did not overly study up on what the day’s events are, but whatever comes, comes. But, if participating is a part of it, that’ll be fun,” Scott Bosco said.

Mike Wells and Nicole Anders, of Chadds Ford Township, were “looking for something to do on a nice day. We’re also interested in history and learning more about the area,” Anders said.

She added that they were excited to see what was out there and what the reenactors would have them do.

Coming down from Springfield, Delaware County, were Rachel and Josh Guignarz. Josh Guignarz said they learned about the rally online and thought it would be a fun thing to do.

When asked what made it fun, they both laughed and said in unison, “The history.”

Josh Guignarz added that he was hoping to learn more about the Battle of Brandywine. When reminded of the reenactors getting them involved in activities, he added, “I like living history. So, that sounds neat.”

Several people came up from Newark, Del. One couple was Bob and Patty Root. Bob Root said they belong to an antique car club. They also brought a doll with them that Patty Root referred to as Betsy Ross’s great, great, great, great granddaughter. Her name was also Betsy.

“We belong to an antique car club, and I try to organize events. I was trying to figure out how to do some revolutionary stuff. This is the second one. The first one we did was Cooches Bridge. We did that a couple of months ago. Now we’re doing this, and our third will be a trip up to Valley Forge. Then we hope to take a bus trip to Philadelphia,” Bob Root said.

He added that they were trying to do it on their own, “Then I came online and, boom, there was this event.”

A few hours later, and a few miles farther west on Route 1, the Chadds Ford Historical Society was holding a small event in honor of America 250.

There were some bread-baking vendors, tours of the Barns Brinton House, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

“We’re telling the story of the revolution,” said Randell Spackman, CFHS president. “People go by here every day and don’t realize what’s under our feet. The enthusiasm of people coming out for the house tours has been really appreciated. One family just came in for a tour and lived in Kennett Square for more than 20 years, drove by the house all the time, and were never inside. When. They came in, and they said they never knew that this was right here. They drove by, saw the activity, came in, and learned something new.”

As for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, eight people took part, including state Rep. Craig Williams and Democrat Elizabeth Moro, who is challenging Williams for the seat in November.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence by eight people, including state Rep. Craig Williams, R-160 (third from left), and his Democratic Party challenger, Elizabeth Moro (third from right).

About Rich Schwartzman

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.

Save-Ridge blasts Retail Sites

Local News, Local News Chadds Ford

The ongoing concern over the proposed Shoppes at Concord shopping center at Ridge Road and Route 202 continued Friday as the group Save-Ridge.Org held a fundraiser. And members of the group did blast the plan and the developer, Retail Sites, for its proposal for the site. The event was held at The Crown Tavern on Route 202, across from the proposed shopping center.

The site in question is in Concord Township, but it abuts Chadds Ford. The original plan called for a gas station on the property, but that has since been removed from the amended plan.

Concerns right now are focused on proposed traffic pattern changes on 202 and Ridge.

Acting as the emcee for the evening was Alex Herzlinger.

“I’m excited about the turnout and the energy as we all work together to stop this crappy development.”

That comment was met with applause. He then commented on the removal of the proposed gas station. “The gas station is out, but we’re just getting started.”

That comment was met with more applause and yelps of approval.

The first speaker was Paul Lincoln, who lives in the Ridings.

He said he and his family moved into the Ridings in 2018, and he added, “I immediately fell in love with the community and the neighborhood, the bucolic feel.”

He went on to explain the history of the Save-Ridge group, how it came together in the autumn of 2025.

“We learned what Retail Sites wanted to do and we were horrified,” he said. “Things were being designed that were not compliant with zoning ordinances, which were not in character with our community. That was our motivation. Since then, it’s been a journey. We’ve had some success, reaching out to our neighbors, letting them know what we’re advocating. It’s really simple, we have our values, traffic, water, environment, and character of the community. That’s what we’re asking for.”

Liz Moro, who is challenging Republican state Rep. Craig Williams for the 160th Legislative District seat, addresses the crowd at the fundraiser, telling people to keep up the pressure.

Lincoln went on to say the group has raised “significant funds to hire lawyers and expert advisors to challenge every dimension of this development as it impacts our neighborhood.”

The third speaker was Caróle Sinclair-Thompson, who said before addressing the crowd of about 50 people that she likened the actions of Save Ridge to those of an octopus.

“There’s great concern about what’s going to happen with the traffic situation. Now, we just have to inform people; we need to get people together. It’s like an octopus. It’s like the tentacles reach out for more people…We’ve had 50-plus people sign up for tonight. We have to think that every person has 10 people that they know, and hopefully, more people will get involved.”

A specific problem with the traffic, she said, is that the plan calls for an additional traffic light on Route 202 about 500 feet south of the intersection with Ridge Road, so vehicles can enter the site by making a left turn directly into the site from 202.

“There’s a pond there. What are they going to do, go through the pond? And I’m really worried about what they’re going to do on Ridge Road.”

The current plan calls for four eastbound lanes on Ridge, one a dedicated right turn lane, another straight through lane, and two dedicated left turn lanes. A single westbound lane would remain as is.

When she addressed the attendees at the fundraiser, Sinclair-Thompson said she came to Chadds Ford 38 years ago and “fell in love with the area, the rolling hills, the whole typography, the cloud formations, and the sunsets.”

Yet, she noted with an element of dismay about the number of parking spaces on the Retail Sites plan.

“The idea of 740 parking spots and a huge shopping center just really gets to me. I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be something, but my dream is to do what Crebilly Farm did and save the land.”

[Westtown Township rejected Toll Bros.’ plan to develop Crebilly and increased taxes to buy the property and keep it as open space.]

Sinclair-Thompson said she’d like to see a dog park or a museum dedicated to the Lenni-Lenape. Short of that, she said, she’d like to see a developer come in with a plan to build luxury homes.

Again, she brought up the analogy of an octopus.

“We’re going to put out our tentacles. We’re going to tell people about what’s going on and how much we love this area. Do we need more traffic? I don’t think we do…The congestion is enormous.”

Liz Moro, the Democrat who is again challenging state Rep. Craig Williams for the 160th Legislative District seat, also spoke.

“I hear you, and I’m here because this matters,” Moro said.

Moro acknowledged she’s running against Williams, but said she wasn’t attending in that capacity; rather, she said she wanted to share what she did for Crebilly.

She said she and her husband, who live in Pennsbury Township, started a group called Neighbors for Crebilly because they felt it better to say what they were for rather than what they were against.

“We were standing up against Toll Bros., one of the largest home builders. I had my Pennsylvania real estate broker’s license, and I was the manager of an office. I wasn’t very popular when I said I was going to shut that down because everyone wanted a paycheck,” she said.

She went on to say that saving Crebilly from Toll was the right thing to do. It was about the quality of life.

She then quoted Margaret Mead, who once said, “There’s never a doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. For, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

She advised people to continue showing up at meetings and continue talking to their neighbors.

“When things get broken in our community, neighbors, when they come together, can fix them,” she said.

Several of the people from Chadds Ford spoke from their tables, but one person from Concord Township also spoke.

Trish Young said, “I am tired of living where anything goes in Concord Township.”

She said it’s been that way for a long time, and how the farms have become developments, adding that she’s thrilled to be part of the Save-Ridge group.

“I’m thrilled to help. I’m in standing with Concord Township, and I’m fighting this. I do believe in development, I’m not entirely against development…but this is not smart growth, and that’s what we need to protect our water and the air.”

Young added that the traffic is already incredible and will only get worse.

“It scares me how much worse it will get,” she said.