What To Do: Yellow Status means get ‘out’ — but be smart about it

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times

“Yellow” is not the most positive word in the English language. Even though it is associated with sunshine, cheerfulness and warmth, yellow carries a surprising number of negative connotations.

Psychologically, yellow means happiness and optimism. It is the color of sun shining, or bright light and creativity. It is believed to have an influence on the left side of our brain, where deep thinking and perception dwells.

Conversely, yellow can draw some negative associations. Yellow is a symbol of cowardice, of sickness, and of mental illness (sort of like some of America’s top politicians). It’s the color of sensationalism and even of excess.

When intense, it is associated with flames. Some shades of yellow are associated with cowardice. Studies show that babies cry more in bright yellow rooms. And tempers are more likely to flare around yellow.

Not surprisingly, when Chester County turns “yellow” today, some will view it as a positive while others will look at it as a serious negative. Only time – and pandemic infection numbers – will tell if moving from “red” to “yellow” in early June was the right move.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that he would let the state’s stay-at-home order expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

With the arrival of the yellow phase, some stores and restaurants will re-open with health-related restrictions, but the stay-at-home guideline is still in effect – sort of.

As of June 5, the “Social Restrictions” of the yellow phase according to Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s website are: Stay at Home Order Lifted for Aggressive Mitigation; Large Gatherings of More Than 25 Prohibited; In-Person Retail Allowable, Curbside and Delivery Preferable; Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities and Personal Care Services (such as gyms, spas, hair salons, nail salons and other entities that provide massage therapy), and all Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters) Remain Closed; Restaurants and Bars May Open Outdoor Dining, in Addition to Carry-Out and Delivery.

“As Pennsylvania continues to move forward in the process to reopen, we need to remember that the threat from COVID-19 has not gone away,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.

“As counties move into the yellow and green phases, we must take personal responsibility to protect others. Wearing a mask, continuing to maintain social distancing, and washing your hands frequently are all steps we can take to help protect others, including our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our health care system.”

So, you don’t “have to stay home” but you also should limit your exposure to the outside world. The coronavirus is still all around you and is ready to land a potentially lethal “Roundhouse Right” should you drop your guard.

Realistically, you still need to stay at home for health safety reasons. Besides, even if you venture out, there just are not many places to go.

The best destinations are outdoor attractions. After being cooped up inside for months and with the arrival of nice weather,  you know that outdoors in the place to be – and it’s easy to practice social distancing when you’re not indoors.

With regard to the outdoor and indoor/outdoor attractions in the area, some are open, some are still closed, and some are somewhere in between. The best way to find which is which is to look for messages on the sites’ webpages.

Here are some of those sites listed in the categories and those messages.

After several months of closure, we are thrilled to announce that we will be reopening the garden gates to the public on Monday, May 18, 2020. We know that outdoor spaces can be a source of calm, rejuvenation, and tranquility in the midst of uncertainty, and we are proud to offer Jenkins as a resource for our community at this time.

Visiting Jenkins will be different these days, and we will need your cooperation with our new visitor guidelines in order to remain open. Some of the major changes you will notice are:

Beginning May 18, the gardens will be open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6 pm. Please limit your visit to 1 hour to allow time for others to visit without crowding.

Parking will be limited only to designated spots in our parking lot. Street parking will not be permitted. If the lot is full, we encourage you to return at another time to visit. This will help us limit the number of people in the gardens at any given time, ensuring the well-being of our staff and visitors.

You must wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times during your visit.

Portions of the gardens will be “one-way only” to reduce the amount of interaction between visitors on our paths. Please follow directional signage throughout the gardens and walk only with members of your household. Do not gather, picnic, or block trails. Keep strolling.

Restrooms, water fountains, benches, trash cans, Plant Shop, and the John J. Willaman Education Center are closed. Please plan accordingly.

Natural Lands is a non-profit organization that saves open space, cares for nature, and connects people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. We’ve been at it since the early 1950s and, today, nearly five million people live within five miles of lands under our permanent protection.

The health and safety of Natural Lands visitors, volunteers, and staff is our first priority.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and are continuing to follow  recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials.

Natural Lands’ nature preserves remain open to the public as places for outdoor recreation, but should be accessed in accordance with  guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:

What does the stay-at-home order mean for outdoor recreation?

You can go outdoors to engage in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running if you maintain social distancing.

You can recreate in your neighborhood or a local park or trail that is nearest to your home. Look for locations within 15 minutes of your home.

Avoid crowded trails or parks. Find another local location or go during less popular hours.

Be considerate. Consider wearing a mask to protect yourself and others.

All Natural Lands’ facilities, including restrooms, are closed to the public until further notice. (Be the first to get updates on preserves and other news:  natlands.org/signup)

Please know that we have never felt more committed to our mission and to you. The more than 120 miles of trails on our properties offer a perfect opportunity to engage in outdoor activity while, at the same time, experiencing the beauty and restorative nature of open space. We are so pleased to be able to offer this small but valuable public service at such a challenging time.

That said, we ask our visitors for their cooperation in ensuring safety for all and their understanding as we must make certain modifications to public access.

We welcome your visit, but require the following:

Practice social distancing. Keep six feet of space between you and others.

Hike, walk, or recreate only with members of your household. Avoid gathering in groups.

Keep your dog on a leash and away from others at all times. Please don’t leave your dog’s waste along the trail. Pick it up and take it out with you.

Pick up after yourself. Please carry out everything that you take in with you.

If the parking lot is full, you must leave and visit another time.  Making your own parking spaces damages the landscape. The police may enforce this by ticketing and towing cars parked outside of designated spots.

If you are sick, stay home.

Restrooms are closed so “go” before you arrive.

Natural Lands’ locations in this area are: Binky Lee Preserve (1445 Pikeland Road, Chester Springs), ChesLen Preserve (1199 Cannery Road, Coatesville), Stroud Preserve (454 North Creek Road, West Chester), Sadsbury Woods Preserve (443 Old Wilmington Road, Coatesville), Willisbrook Preserve (Line Road, Malvern), Crow’s Nest Preserve (201 Piersol Road, Elverson),

Bryn Coed Preserve (1869 Flint Road, Chester Springs), Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden (1829 East County Line Road, Villanova),

Saunders Woods Preserve (1020 Waverly Road, Gladwyne), Hildacy Preserve ( 1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media), and Wawa Preserve (Valley Road, Media).

Dear Friends and Supporters of Tyler Arboretum:

Thank you for your assistance in contacting your legislators regarding HB 2489 and the Quinn Amendment.  In anticipation of Delaware County transitioning into the yellow phase, we are pleased to announce that we will be re-opening on a limited basis for Tyler members only, beginning June 5th!

​In order to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors, we have modified our operations in response to COVID-19 and we invite you to review the details below to help you plan your visit.

Pre-Registration Required.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tyler. Admission at this time is limited to current Tyler members only and  pre-registration is required.

Please Select a Time to Visit

Tyler members can register for one of three available time slots: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm (rain or shine).  Only 25 vehicles will be permitted entrance to the property during each time slot.

There is no limit to the number of guests in your vehicle (…it’s ok if your guests are not members of Tyler); however, only 1 vehicle entry per time slot may be selected to allow as many families to visit as possible.

Please be aware that the entrance gate will close 15 minutes after the scheduled start time (i.e. 9:15 am, 12:15 pm and 3:15 pm).  Please arrive on time as we will not re-open the gate until the next scheduled time slot.

Please remember to bring your membership card or proof of your pre-registration receipt (printed copy or proof of the email confirmation on your phone/electronic device) and a mask or face covering.

Tickets cannot be purchased at the gate and walk-ins are not permitted under any circumstances.

Length of Your Visit — We kindly ask that you limit your stay at Tyler to 90 minutes or less, so that our team has enough time to ensure restrooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized in accordance with CDC and OSHA guidelines before the next group arrives.

Only the restrooms in the lower level of the Barn will be available.

All treehouses, trail gates and all other buildings will remain closed until further notice. We will continue to modify our operations in the coming weeks and will communicate changes via the website and social media.

Message to Our Community –

In light of current conditions, Newlin Grist Mill has extended closures and cancellations through June 30th as follows:

The NGM Visitor Center, Archive, Blacksmith Shop, Millwright Shop, and public restrooms remain closed;

All tours, programs and events have been postponed or cancelled during this period;

Pond Fishing will remain closed until further notice;

Rentals and photography sessions are being cancelled for this period of time;

There will be no Volunteer Wednesday Workdays;

The trails will remain open, but parking is limited; and we ask that everyone be mindful of social distancing when on the property.

Decisions concerning additional closings will follow based on the developing situation. Please check back for updates.

​While the trails at Newlin Grist Mill remain accessible while the site is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we do want to remind everyone of a few things:

Continue to observe proper social distancing when you are on the trails. If you are ill or have been around anyone who is ill or has been exposed to the virus, please remain at home. If you arrive and find that the parking lot is crowded, please postpone your visit to another time.

Please remember that all dogs must be on a leash that is held securely by the owner at all times. This is a township law, and it is to protect the health and safety of all park visitors (human and canine) and the wildlife in the park.

The park contains unique habitats that are home to sensitive plants and animals, some of which are being monitored through ongoing scientific surveys.  Please stay on the trails to avoid disturbances (wading, dip netting, collecting, rock throwing etc.) that could damage wildlife and vegetation.

Remember that collecting of any kind, including plants and animals, is prohibited in the park.

Winterthur Garden (5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware, http://www.winterthur.org/)

Open to Members by Reservation Starting June 1 —

Winterthur is pleased to reopen its garden and other outdoor areas to Members by reservation only, starting June 1, under the guidelines of Delaware Governor John Carney. Reservations can be made  online or by phone (302.888.4600) between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, beginning May 26.

As the well-being of our valued visitors and our staff remains our highest priority, work is underway to create a safe, limited-contact experience for all. Winterthur is committed to supporting the nationwide effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. We therefore regret that we cannot open to the general public at this time.

If you are not a Winterthur Member, we encourage you to  join.

Members can make a reservation for timed tickets only. Timed tickets will be available for two-hour intervals, beginning at 8:00 am and ending at 4:00 pm daily. The grounds will close at 6:00 pm. A maximum of 100 cars will be allowed during each two-hour interval.

Various state-mandated restrictions will be necessary through all phases of reopening the state and reopening Winterthur. Please help Winterthur comply by following safety measures such as keeping appropriate physical distancing, following one-directional pathways, wearing your face mask, and taking other precautions as posted on-site. Additionally, although the garden is open to walking, Enchanted Woods remains closed. Please do not play there. The galleries, museum, and library will reopen as soon as we are permitted to and able to do so safely.

Until then, we remain committed to bringing Winterthur to you in new and compelling ways through virtual experiences on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @winterthurmuse.

Hagley will open the lower property with miles of trails and stunning scenery along the Brandywine exclusively to Hagley Members.

With consideration for state mandates regarding social distancing and mass gatherings, Hagley is open only to Hagley Members on an advance reservations-only basis.

Hagley will expand the opening of additional guest experiences in alignment with state guidelines. We look forward to welcoming more guests at that time. Please continue to consult this page for updates.

Visit the  Hours and Admission page for details about visiting Hagley.

  FOR YOUR SAFETY 

Limiting daily capacity and hours of entry to Hagley

Ensuring employees are informed and following CDC & OSHA guidelines for working during COVID-19

Requiring personal protection equipment for our employees in guest areas

Continuing to align our cleaning procedures with the latest guidance from the CDC, and implementing them with increased frequency

Providing hand sanitizer stations at convenient locations for guest and employee use

Providing clear and frequent reminders to follow CDC guidelines for social distancing and personal hygiene via signage throughout the property

Monitoring guest areas to encourage social distancing and reduce group gatherings in accordance with government mandates

The Delaware Museum of Natural History is temporarily closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A date for reopening has not been set. Reopening will depend on conditions in our area and will be based on guidance from the State of Delaware.

The Museum building is closed. As of June 1, the Museum’s outdoor campus is open for exploration.

A message from the Delaware Art Museum:

Nothing is more important to us than your health and safety, and we take seriously our responsibility as a civic institution that serves the public good. With that in mind, we will close to the public effective Saturday, March 14. We will continue to monitor developments with the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and regularly reassess this temporary closure. Our goal is to do everything we can to help curb the spread of this outbreak in Wilmington and beyond.

The Museum’s Copeland Sculpture Garden is available to the public from dawn to dusk. As you walk through this peaceful space, including our meditative Labyrinth in the Anthony N. Fusco Reservoir, we respectfully ask that you maintain safe social distances.

We thank you for your understanding and for being a part of the DelArt community. We will continue to share news with you, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Museum when we reopen.

If you have any questions, contact us at  info@delart.org.

As you know, Governor Wolf of Pennsylvania issued a stay-at-home directive. This obviously impacts our ability to re-open our Gardens and to present our events and programs. While we will continue to monitor the situation and assess accordingly, as it stands, we’re preparing for the Gardens to be closed to the public for at least several more weeks.

As we all continue to work together to limit the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all summer performing arts events, i

ncluding all ticketed concerts, Fireworks Shows, and our Wine & Jazz Festival. In addition, the remaining spring classes and upcoming fall semester of Continuing Education classes slated to go on sale June 10 are canceled. Classes will resume in winter 2021. Memberships will be extended the length of the closure.

We are committed to continuing to share the beauty of our Gardens with you. We invite you to visit  Our Gardens Your Home where you will find educational opportunities, informational updates, and ongoing seasonal beauty from our Gardens. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter, and  Instagram, and check back here for updates.

If you’re going stir-crazy or just need a smile to brighten your day, the Brandywine has you covered on engaging virtual content to keep you entertained and feeling inspired during this trying time of quarantine. Below you’ll find art and nature highlights that include virtual tours of our collection and special exhibitions; at-home art activities for all ages; calming nature videos from our trails and preserves; informative blogs and conservation resources (like invasive species spotlights); recipes from the Millstone Café; and more.

First Sunday for Families’ Virtual Adventures will be held June 7 — all day with performance at 11 a.m.

You are invited to join Brandywine River Museum of Art for a day of online adventures featuring art activities, storytelling, curator’s talks on the  Votes for Women exhibition and highlights from last year’s river crossing by the wirewalkers of Funicular Circus.

Art activities and more will be found on this page ( https://www.brandywine.org/brandywine-home) beginning at 10 a.m. Join us on our  Facebook page at 11 a.m. for a storytelling performance by TAHIRA with Tales of Strong Women.

We are currently closed due to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania orders. Please continue to check here or on  Facebook,  Instagram, and  YouTube for updates. Learn about virtual programs  here.

We will update our hours of operation when an opening date has been determined.

Dear Friends,

COVID-19 is bringing all of us many challenges. BBPA has been able to meet these challenges thanks to your past support. As many of you know, BBPA made the responsible decision to cancel all face-to-face programs to ensure the safety of our staff, beneficiaries and community at large.

We face additional obstacles as we travel through this uncharted landscape. While we have applied for the stimulus incentives, that charities are eligible for, we still do not have a determination. Can you help BBPA continue to move forward and plan for our future reopening?

Because of you we will all be here when we safely arrive at the other side of this pandemic. Your gift in any amount is greatly appreciated. Please remember that the CARES Act provides a temporary Universal Charitable deduction of $300.

If you have been impacted by COVID-19, please ignore this request and take care of yourself and your family. “Self-care is a priority, not a luxury.”

You can donate to us via Facebook, via PayPal on our website www.brandywinebattlefield.org/donate, or by check at:

Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates
P.O. Box 202
Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Please accept our grateful thanks from all of us at the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates.

THE PLANTATION IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
Due to Covid-19, we are following the rules and regulations of Ridley Creek State Park and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. At this time, we will be closed to the public until at least June 15, 2020. No visitors will be permitted on site. We will update as more information becomes available.

Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden unlike any other. Take a virtual tour of our native plant gardens, register for classes, or learn about our research and conservation. Starting on June 17, gardens will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Link for the virtual tour of Mt. Cuba — https://mtcubacenter.org/visit/tour/summer/.

***

Additionally, parks at all levels and beach areas are starting to spring back to life.

Many local, county and state parks are open for hiking and most beaches in New Jersey and Delaware have reopened (with restrictions).

All 58 Pennsylvania state park beaches will be open to swimming starting June 6. State park pools will remain closed through at least June 12, with most in designated yellow and green counties reopening June 13. All state parks and forests now have at least one restroom open to the public in day-use areas.

Lakes, rivers, streams, forests, trails and parking areas are also open statewide for recreation. On May 29, campgrounds at 18 state parks moved into the yellow phase with cabins, cottages, lodges, and yurts opening on June 12.

South Jersey beaches are open in Atlantic City, Avalon, Brigantine, Cape May, Margate City, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Ventnor, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.