Hear haunted county history at Chadds Ford Tavern Talks Oct. 12
CHADDS FORD » Spirits of both the supernatural and the fermented kind flow freely during the October instalment of Chadds Ford Historical Society’s Tavern Talks at the BarnsBrinton House tavern, 630 Baltimore Pike. On Thursday, Oct. 12, from 7-9 p.m., guests learn about the ways Colonists tried to ward off evil spirits, listen to some local ghostly tales and taste treats that are to die for. Guest participants include Liquid Alchemy Beverages, Chaddsford Winery, Talks by Tammy, who reveals the meanings behind 18th century tombstones and their symbols, and Delmarva Historic Haunts, a local paranormal investigation team who answers visitors’ spookiest questions.
Tavern Talks is a monthly experience (not a lecture) aimed exclusively for adults 21 and older that focuses on unexplored aspects of early American history and culture. Guests experience history with hands-on activities, food and drink tastings, demonstrations and more. Admission is $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members. Tickets must be purchased in advance over the phone, in person or online; space is limited. All attendees must be 21 and older.
The final Tavern Talks of the year is on Nov. 9 with the topic “Feast Mode” (all about 18th century foodways). For information and to purchase tickets, call 610-388-7376, email info@ chaddsfordhistory.org or visit www.chaddsfordhistory.org
Hear stormwater updates in Chester
CHESTER » Stormwater Authority of the City of Chester hosts a community meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Bethany Baptist Church, 1121 Tilghman St. Topics include stormwater management, future economic development, future green infrastructure development, water quality and new federal guidelines. The authority welcomes everyone to come out to learn about stormwater management and participate in a meaningful discussion.
Get seed info in Newtown
NEWTOWN » Farmer-activist Owen Taylor leads a threehour workshop on the practice of saving, or “keeping,” seeds from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Mill Hollow Farm, 4719 West Chester Pike. Keeping seeds can make sense on multiple levels--from the breeding of local varieties to economic considerations, but the practice can also be seen as a form of cultural preservation. “Keeping seeds connects us to our past and to our collective future. When we keep our seeds, we hold onto our freedom,” said Taylor.
The workshop begins with telling some of the stories embodied in seeds. Participants explore important concepts for saving seeds, such as flower anatomy, isolation distance and taxonomy. A tour of the production site leads into the bulk of the workshop, where participants harvest and clean both wet and dry seeds, using common kitchen items.
Presenter Owen Taylor founded and runs Seed Keeping, a food sovereignty-based collaboration between rural and urban farmers that stretches from Philadelphia all the way across the United States. Seed Keeping works with community-rooted farmers focused on preserving and proliferating culturally important heirloom seeds along with their stories, rituals, and the centuries of traditions contained within them.
Cost of $20 includes food. For information and registration, visit the “Events” page at www.pasafarming. org or contact event coordinator Aaron de Long at aaron@pasafarming.org or 484-680-3778.
New programs at Chester Senior Center
CHESTER » Senior Community Services’ Chester Senior Center, 721 Hayes St., hosts the following programs:
• A monthly Caregiver Education program holds its next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 3-4 p.m. The session is facilitated by long term care professionals who offer education about available resources and supports to help ease the caregiver role. Guests share with other caregivers in support and learning as they share their story and grow through others. Light refreshments are served.
• The center partners with Widener University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to host a Memory Improvement series on Mondays, Oct. 16-Nov. 13 from 1-2:15 p.m. The session include challenges, team exercises and learning of basic techniques that create positive patterns in the memory process, and enhance brain retention and function during ageing. The sessions are be facilitated by Mrs. Lois Elman. Refreshments are served. Cost is $5 for all five sessions.
For information and to register for the above programs, call 610-497-3550.
Middle Ages return in Edgmont
EDGMONT » Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation holds Medieval Days from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 8. Come see what life was really like during the Middle Ages in Europe as various encampments will portray aspects of Medieval life. See how five hundred years of European culture thrived and changed. Saxons, Normans, and Knights Hospitalers portray life of this heroic era of Western Civilization. Finally witness the changes that technology made by the late Middle Ages by viewing the 15th century War of the Roses and Irish encampments.
Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 4-12. Children under age 4 are free. Last admission is at 3 p.m. The plantation is located in Ridley Creek State Park; use street address 3900 North Sandy Flash Drive, Newtown Square, For information, visit www.colonialplantation.org or search for the plantation on Facebook.
Buy note cards, support students
West Catholic Girls Alumnae Association is selling note cards by the art students of West Catholic Prep to benefit the association’s Student Scholarship Fund. To purchase, send a check made payable to WCGAA for $7.40 per pack (six cards for $6 + $1.40 postage) to WCGAA, 1325 Robinson Avenue, Havertown, PA 19083
Williamson announces reunions
ASTON » Williamson College of the Trades holds reunions for the classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Barnaby’s Aston, 5501 Pennell Road, Media.
For information, contact Michelle Martella at 610-566-1776 or mmartella@williamson.edu. To register online, visit www.williamson.edu/reunions