Brandywine Valley SPCA’s big adoption event bigger than ever
Plus, Flight on Ice, Delco 5th grader wins contest, webinar on peonies, a yeti in a bridge, Winterthur and a holiday party for vets
The Brandywine Valley SPCA near West Chester said that the weekend’s Mega Adoption Event resulted in 1,141 adoptions, breaking the record for their in-shelter Mega Adoption Events.
The event, held at all Brandywine Valley SPCA locations and nine other area shelter partners across four states, brought in families from across the region who adopted a total of 579 dogs, 560 cats, and 2 other animals, the shelter said.
This is the shelter’s 15th Mega Adoption Event in partnership with national nonprofit Petco Love, BOBS from Skechers and co-sponsored by Discover.
These events have found homes for nearly 16,000 animals over eight years. Adopted animals ranged from puppies and kittens to seniors and long-time shelter residents across all BVSPCA campuses and partner shelters, the shelter said.
“What an amazing two days for pets in need. So many families came out to give these great companions a second chance and not just at our campuses, but to all the partners who joined our cause,” said Adam Lamb, chief executive officer. “Updates from families are flooding in, sharing their new cat or dog’s first hours at home, and their stories of how this has changed their lives too.
“We’re grateful to be able to help other shelters tap into the adoption potential in this region, particularly shelters in areas where there are more homeless pets than adopters,” Lamb said.
Donations from the community to support such lifesaving initiatives can be made at bvspca.org/donate.
Flight on Ice a cool spot to visit
Flight On Ice has returned to Newtown Square for the 2023-24 season, bringing back the awardwinning ice skating rink.
The Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink is located at 4901 West Chester Pike, next to the Shoppes at Marville. A portion of proceeds will be dedicated to supporting local veterans through the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association.
This season, Flight On Ice is teaming up with Tired Hands Brewery to introduce the addition of their outdoor Winter Beer Park.
Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco urges other businesses to support, stating “We are thrilled to see valued partners like Flight on Ice, Tired Hands, and the DCVMA come together to offer our community a truly special winter attraction. Over the past two winters, we have seen the Flight On Ice Rink bring consumers into the county and boost our tourism economy.”
The rink is presenting a $50,000 check in support of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association on Thursday Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
The check presentation is part of the annual tree lighting event that is open to the public.
“This is what Delco does best,“said Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco. “Coming together to help make the communities in which we live a better place. We’re incredibly proud of our community partners who continually recognize the importance of giving back.”
Delco entry wins month in state calendar contest
Attorney General Michelle Henry congratulates the winners of the Office of Attorney General’s 27th Annual Drug-Free Calendar Contest.
In October, which is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, fifth-grade students across the commonwealth were encouraged to create an original piece of artwork that illustrates a drug-free message.
Winning works of art from 13 students were selected to appear in the 2024 calendar, which is circulated across the state in efforts to educate the public about the dangers of drug use.
“Our annual calendar contest is about celebrating the talents of our incredible students and empowering young people to make smart, safe choices,” Attorney General Henry said. “Combating the addiction epidemic continues to be one of my top priorities, and a big part of our collaborative approach is education to deter young people from experimenting or trying illegal substances. This calendar allows our students to be leaders in conveying messaging that can save lives and keep people healthy.”
Each month in the calendar is represented by a piece of artwork from a Pennsylvania student. Additionally, a student’s illustration was used for the front of the calendar.
The winners were chosen from over 2,000 submissions from 482 schools in 42 counties, based on the artists’ creativity, ability to illustrate, and inclusion of a drug-free message.
The Delaware County winner was Luna Doerr, St. James Regional Catholic School, who’s drawing will appear for March.
Master Gardeners present webinar on peonies
Peonies, that wonderful spring flower that is in so many bridal bouquets, can be easily grown in your garden.
Learn how during the online Good Gardening Saturdays Webinar “The Majestic Peony, on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Presented by Thomas Mrazik, Master Gardener, horticulturalist, and owner of Goodly Gardens in Worchester, Montgomery County, this session will focus on peony types, flower features, and the care that will boost your peony garden’s beauty.
The registration fee is $10 and is required to receive the link to access the webinar. The deadline to register is Jan. 12. Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.
The Good Gardening Saturdays Series is a monthly series designed to bring garden enthusiasts together to share experiences and offer advice while learning helpful tips from the Penn State University Extension Master Gardening experts.
To learn more and register: https://extension.psu. edu/good-gardening-saturdays-the-majestic-peony.
Meet the abominable snowman at the 1862 Bartram Covered Bridge
On Saturday, Dec. 16, bring the family for photos with Newtown’s own Yeti inside the 1862 Bartram Covered Bridge from 1 to 4 p.m.
Enjoy cookies and cocoa, browse bridge memorabilia and admire the impressive architecture of Delaware County’s only remaining covered bridge.
Bridge Commission members will discuss restoration plans for the upcoming year. Spanning the Crum Creek in a beautiful park setting the Bar
tram Bridge is an iconic image, photographed frequently and painted by artists through the years. Boot and Goshen Road. For more email info@nshistory.org, www.nshistory.org
Winterthur gets grant for Old Gate preservation
A project to preserve the historic Old Gate House at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library was the only initiative in Delaware to receive funding in a recent round of grants from the National Park Service.
Winterthur requested and received $125,000 for the project, with Winterthur contributing a matching $125,000.
The award was part of $25.7 million in Save America’s Treasures grants from the National Park Service, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Located on the western edge of Winterthur along Kennett Pike (Route 52), the Old Gate House is one of the more prominent and recognizable parts of the estate.
Winterthur is the former home of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), a renowned horticulturist and antique collector. He spent his life managing Winterthur’s estate and its farm, perfecting its gardens, and amassing one of the most significant collections of American decorative arts in the world.
He ultimately transformed his magnificent 175-room mansion into a museum in 1951 to display nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640.
The Old Gate House was designed in 1902 by Robeson Lea Perot, a Philadelphia-based architect. This two-story colonial/neoclassical revival building served as the main gate entrance to Winterthur and was the residence for the gatekeeper and his family until 1961.
Today, the gatehouse serves as offices for some of Winterthur’s development staff.
The gatehouse restoration project will consist of the following tasks:
• Restoring the gatehouse’s iron railing and gate
• Conserving the historic shutters
• Painting the exterior
• Sealing the basement
• Repairing the masonry of the outbuildings and a connecting wall
Holiday party at Archer-Epler Post
All veterans and their guests are invited to a free holiday party on Monday Dec. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Archer-Epler VFW Post 979, 6736 Marshall Road, Upper Darby.
There will be free food and snacks, cash bar and a Toys for Tots collection.
Free weekly Big Mac part of McDonald’s reopening
The Boothwyn McDonald’s at 659 Conchester Highway is celebrating its grand reopening on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Santa will be there from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The big promotion is one free Big Mac a week for a year to the first 50 customers who have the McDonalds app on their phones.
The restaurant opens at 5:30 a.m.