On Stage Extra: After a long wait, The Lion King returns to Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  The Lion King “Rent,” “Les Misérables,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera” — many touring Broadway shows make frequent return visits to Philadelphia. The hit musical “The Lion King” is not one of them. The show made its area debut in 2006 at the Academy of Music and then didn’t come back again until 2010. It returned to the...

Can an imprisoned Trump still be president?

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times CAN DONALD TRUMP be convicted, sentence to prison, actually go to jail and still serve as president of the United States. Well, yes, he can. The U.S. Constitution, the ultimate arbiter, is silent on the criminality of a president. A lot of people are assuming that if Trump is tried and convicted prior to the November 2024 general elections on all the charges he...

Free speech has limits…even for Trump

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times GIVEN THAT EVERYONE a keyboard has weighed in on some aspect of the most recent Trump indictment, why not an old guy in West Chester? Not that I know as much as the national pundits and not that a whole lot of folks sit waiting for my latest posting. But, after a life in journalism, sitting down and letting thoughts flow is kind of how I kill time. There is, though,...

What To Do: Fiddlers take center stage at Hibernia

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times One of Chester County’s most popular annual events is edging closer to the century mark. The Chester County Old Fiddlers’ Picnic (Hibernia County Park, off Route 340, Wagontown, 610-383-2812, www.chesco.org/parks), which is scheduled for August 12, is celebrating its 94th anniversary this year. Known originally as the “Chester and Delaware Counties’...

On Stage: Hot horns, comedy at Xcite Center

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Summer Horns 2023 If you visit Parx Casino (2999 Street Road, Bensalem, https://parxcasino.com) this weekend, there is a sure way to be a winner. All you need do is head to The Xcite Center at Parx Casino to attend a show on Friday or Saturday night. On August 11, the venue will host “Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns 2023.” On August 12, it will...

94th Old Fiddler’s Picnic scheduled for this weekend

On Saturday, August 12, Chester County Parks + Preservation welcomes all musicians and music lovers to celebrate traditional music at the 94th annual Old Fiddler’s Picnic. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville. At 9:00 a.m., groups and individuals may register to play on the main stage on a first-come, first-served basis.  Solo acts are allotted...

What To Do: Fun in the sun at local festivals

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Goshen Country Fair August has arrived and that means it’s time for country fairs, festivals, outdoor concerts, big top circus shows and nature-related events. Some of the events – such as the Goshen Fair and Das Awkscht Fescht – have been around for a long time. One of the best — and longest-running — is the annual Goshen Country Fair...

On Stage: The Sound of Music at Candlelight

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Sound of Music If you’re one of those music fans who never get tired hearing the songs from “The Sound of Music” and would love to hear them performed in a live setting, you’re in luck this month. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays now through August 27, the Candlelight Dinner Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, 302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org)...

ReFirement at Any Age: Ubuntu

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Ubuntu is translated as, “I Am Because You Are, You Are Because I Am” Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading about how we humans are all connected. We are different, but by the same token, we are the same. It seemed only natural that I share this concept of Ubuntu with you so that you may experience what this could mean in your life. The...

DA’s Office announces ‘game changing’ new tech for police investigations

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) recently acquired new technology that will be used by law enforcement to assist with their investigations. Through a grant approved by the Chester County commissioners, the DAO purchased a Rapid DNA instrument that will expedite DNA testing to help solve crimes faster. In addition, Chester County law enforcement will partner with neighboring counties...