Red Cross to combine holiday tradition, military support

 Free card-signing for troops offered Thursday night at Longwood Gardens Visitors to Longwood Gardens on Thursday night will have a chance to sign holiday cards for those in the military, courtesy of the Red Cross. For the sixth year in a row, the American Red Cross is sponsoring holiday mail for the nation’s military, and its regional chapter is making it easy for Longwood Gardens visitors to participate. On...

Longwood Gardens to illuminate season in style

 Trip to see holiday display a staple on area residents’ wish lists A new fountain of lights will greet Longwood visitors in the main Fountain Garden. If  Thanksgiving is fast approaching, then so is “A Longwood Christmas,” a popular holiday tradition for many area families. This year’s winter Longwood Gardens extravaganza – from towering trees adorned with star ornaments to a meticulously...

Professor lauded for efforts to safeguard clean water

Award was presented at annual gala for Stroud Water Research Center John Briscoe (left) received a glass vase created by Simon Pearce from Bernard Sweeney, Stroud’s president and director, to accompany the award. An acclaimed Harvard University professor was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence, which was presented Thursday night at the annual gala...

Tourism center’s historic renovation celebrated

Former meetinghouse once served as  hub for abolitionists By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Alicia Lyons (from left) and Mary Beth Tryens enthusiastically tout the award-winning wines of the nearby Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery. Community leaders took a step back in time Wednesday as they celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Brandywine Valley Tourism Information...

Longwood Gardens’ director to be honored

Paul B. Redman will be cited for vision, leadership in county Paul B. Redman, Longwood Gardens’ director, will be honored for his positive impact on Chester County. KENNETT SQUARE – On Oct. 17, Longwood Gardens Director Paul B. Redman will receive the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s 2012 CEO of the Year award, an annual tribute to an industry leader who represents vision...

Downingtown festival cultivates diverse tastes

36th annual event features plants, antiques, music, food, history, and more By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor,  The Times Downingtown horticulturalist David L. Culp will add his expertise to the plant sale at the 36th Annual Downingtown Friends Fall Festival. When an urban high school principal thanked a longtime Longwood Gardens educator for a class that fostered empowerment to “change the...

Tourism officials welcome all to renovated info center

After months of renovations, historic building in Longwood Gardens’ shadow has reopened By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Home of the former Longwood Progressive Meeting, the visitors’ center has reopened after several months of renovations to preserve its history. No wonder local tourism officials are excited: new digs on the grounds of Longwood Gardens in a building steeped...

A skyrocketing student success story

At age 5, Jason Silverman (from right) demonstrated his aerospace inclinations with his 3-year-old brother, Steven, and father, Alan. Unionville grad taking his dreams to the edge of space By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com After years in pursuit of excellence, a 2011 Unionville High graduate started reaping his rewards well over a year ago: a slew of academic and music awards...

Passport program encourages area cultural travel

Discount promotion offers admission to 11 Brandywine Valley attractions The Nemours Mansion is the newest addition to the Treasure Trail Passport program that allows a one-price admission for a wide range of local museums and destinations. For the fourth year in a row, the Brandywine Museums and Gardens Alliance is offering a Treasure Trail Passport, a cost-saving approach to taking advantage of the...

‘Field trip down memory lane’ – Longwood Gardens

Getting to know a Chester County landmark again By Dave Conard Sports Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Longwood Gardens photo by Dave Conard KENNETT SQUARE—A funny thing happened the other day when my daughter came home from school almost bursting with excitement  because she had been told by her teacher that her class was going to get to go on a field trip. “Field trip” a word that you don’t hear...