Downingtown/Exton
JULY 3, 2019
OPEN HOUSES
Old Caln Historical Society and Caln Township Historical Commission members will conduct tours of two historic sites in Caln Township on Sunday, July 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. Free tours will be given at the Old Caln Meetinghouse, circa 1726, located on Route 340, and the Hexagonal Schoolhouse, circa 1837, located on Municipal Drive, both in Thorndale. The public is invited, and no reservations are necessary. Call 610-384-8153 or visit www.oldcalnhistoricalsociety.org. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TALK
Members of the West Nantmeal Historical Commission will sponsor a free program on the Underground Railroad presented by representatives from the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC) on Wednesday, July 17, at 3 p.m. The program will be held in the community room at St. Mary of Providence Center, 227 Isabella Road, Elverson. Call 610-286-9722, ext. 17. GUIDED TOURS
VOL XXXI • NO 21
Author Discusses New Book At Library Program By Francine Fulton
John George Armstrong, a 2014 graduate of the Downingtown STEM Academy, recently made a special appearance at the Chester Springs Library, where he talked about his newly published children’s book, “The Penn Quaker’s Homecoming.” From 2014-18, Armstrong served as the University of Pennsylvania Quaker mascot. In his book, Quaker the mascot undergoes a series of setbacks that cause him to question his abilities. However, the spirit of the homecoming football game and help from his best friend, Franklin the squirrel, provide Quaker with enough inspiration to realize his own special set of talents as he cheers on the crowd as the university’s symbol of school spirit. Armstrong explained that as the school mascot at Penn, he appeared at
all basketball and football games, as well as alumni events. “The reason I decided to become the Penn mascot is because mascots make people smile,” he stated, noting his interest in taking on the persona of different characters began while growing up. “I loved the idea of becoming something else. My brother, James, and I always dressed up as Batman and Robin.” Armstrong noted that his first time appearing as a mascot was when he was a student at Lionville Middle School. “When my brother was in the fourth grade at Pickering Valley Elementary School, the Panther (the school mascot) could not make it that day, so I hopped in the panther suit and that was my first entrée into the crazy world of mascotting,” he stated. “I had no idea when I did that as a middle-schooler that I would one day be a collegiate athlete as a mascot.” He noted that he recently See Author pg 3
John George Armstrong talked about his newly published children’s book, “The Penn Quaker’s Homecoming,” during a presentation at Chester Springs Library.
Church Offers Worshipful Wednesdays Ice Cream Social Planned The Friends of Springton Manor Farm (SMF) will host a Victorian Ice Cream Social at the SMF Manor House on Sunday, July 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. Featured will be fresh, locally made ice cream and live music. Admission, parking and ice cream will be free, but donations will be accepted. For children, there will be crafts and
By Francine Fulton
Worshipful Wednesdays, a weekly program that features dinner, outdoor worship and a time for fellowship, is being offered at Calvary Lutheran Church, 730 S. New St., West Chester. The program, being held for the second consecutive summer, began on June 5 and will continue on Wednesdays from July 3 through Aug. 28. Each Worshipful Wednesday begins with dinner prepared and served by church members at 5:45 p.m. The dinner menu varies each week. The dinner is free for those who preregister by noon on the Monday prior to that Wednesday’s service. To register, readers may email freedinner@clcwc.org, call the church office at 610-696-2475 or visit www.clcwc.org/worshipful-wednesdays. See Worshipful Wednesdays pg 6
games and a giant bubble-blowing exhibition. New this year will be pony rides offered for a nominal fee. This year, the Friends will serve ice cream from Lapp Valley Farm in New Holland. Ice cream flavors will include vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip and raspberry. There will be various toppings available to create a sundae. See Ice Cream Social pg 3
Club Donates To Charity, Elects Officers The Worshipful Wednesday service held at Calvalry Lutheran Church in West Chester includes dinner and outdoor worship led by the church’s Praise Team, which includes (from left) Joe Cafarchio on saxophone, Jon Ruths on piano, Rob Cochran on bass and Ronnie Cochran, vocals.
The Newcomers Club of Central Chester County (NCCCC) recently held its annual Cook-Off and Give Back meeting at the Downingtown United Methodist Church. During the May meeting, more than $15,000 was presented to local charities. The money was raised by NCCCC through various fundraisers held during the year. Outgoing co-presidents Bernie
Flaherty and Joanne Powell and outgoing co-fundraising chairs Diana Cline and Sherry McVeigh presented checks at the Cook-Off and Give Back meeting to charity representatives. Among the recipients were Karen Dobson and Cheryl Messere from The House: Phoenixville Women’s Outreach, a transitional housing program for homeless and low-income single See NCCCC pg 2
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will be open to the community on Sunday, July 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. Members of the Uwchlan Township Historical Commission will host visitors on a guided tour of its headquaters at 21 N. North Village Ave., Lionville, in the Uwchlan Township Historic District. A display of vintage baby clothes, shoes and handmade items will be featured. At 2:30 p.m., Patricia Gaines of the commission will provide background concerning the items in the display case and answer questions. Visitors are invited to bring family pieces to share. The commission will also conduct an open house at the Edith P. Moore Schoolhouse, 9 N. Village Ave., Lionville, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the same day. Families can experience the historic school operated decades ago for the children of the farming community of Uwchlan. Visit www.uwchlan.com/170/ Historical-Commission or www.facebook.com/UwchlanHistory.
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
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The John Cadwalader House
IN THIS ISSUE: PHOENIX THEATRE TO DEBUT WITH “THE TEMPEST” page 7