COMMUNITY EVENTS

th July 4 Victory Run & Bike Parade & Picnic

The Easttown Township Parks & Recreation Board and the Berwyn Veterans will host th th its 20 Annual “July 4 Victory Run & Bike Parade & Picnic” with all trimmings, events and fun but more than past years.

th th Kicking off July 4 will be the 20 Annual Berwyn Victory Run/Walk, starting at Johnson Park and leading right into the Kids Race, and then the Bike Parade and Picnic. Registration for the Run starts at 7:30 AM, the Run starts at 8:30 AM, the Kids Races begin about 9:30 AM, the Bike Parade registration begins at 10:15 AM,the Parade begins at 11:00 AM (don't be late), followed by the picnic at 11:30 AM, with Games and Contests at Noon, then the Highlight around 1:00 PM with the Berwyn Fire Company providing a Water Cannon Shot over all the Kids and their Family members who want to be kids again… There is nothing like it on the Main Line.

The Berwyn Victory Run is annually sponsored by the Veterans Association of Easttown and Tredyffrin Townships (but missed 2020). The 5k Run/Walk and the Kids Races help to maintain the Veterans Memorials in Berwyn, Chesterbrook and soon in Devon. The Vets also assist local veteran's families who have come upon difficult times. The Veteran Association is made of local Vets and many Non-Vet members. These folks honor the contributions many men and woman, especially, those who have “given their last full measure of devotion” have made to us and our country, so we can celebrate days th like the July 4 .

The Picnic has “traditional” picnic food and beverage, along with two Moon Bounces, Face Painting, Water Balloon Toss, Limbo Contest, Three-Legged Races, Tug-of-War, etc. More volunteers can only make this day better. If you have questions or want to volunteer, please call Tom Toscani at 610-647-4901 or 215-840-0294 or speak to any Board member. A grand time is guaranteed for all!

Darby Creek Valley Association

Each spring since 1984, the Darby Creek Valley Association (DCVA) hosts a watershed-wide cleanup event focusing on removing trash, tires, and other debris from regional waterways. During this event, volunteers work together to clean up sites located throughout the watershed. On Saturday, April 15th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, volunteers and members of Easttown Township's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) will be gathering at sites located in Easttown Township:

SUSSEX PLACE (Berwyn)

GWILYM CIRCLE (Berwyn)

HILLTOP PARK (Devon)

Radha Pyati, Site Captain Kate Doms, Site Captain Cara Rash, Site Captain

To sign up or for more information, including additional cleanup dates/sites throughout the watershed, please visit https://www.dcva.org/watershed-cleanups. Email admin@dcva.org with questions.

In 2022, DCVA held 40 cleanup events and collected more than 16,000 pounds of debris from in and around our waterways including more than 2 dozen tires, construction material, metal, plastics, and innumerable single use plastics, soda bottles, cans, and food wrappers. DCVA is indebted to community volunteers, leaders, partners and sponsors; by working together throughout our entire watershed a larger impact was made and with continuing partnerships and combined resources we proved that we can make a difference! through October 29th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Starting in May 2023, Berwyn will showcase a brand new open-air market! This curated market will feature local farms, producers, and artists in addition to live entertainment. Hosted by Culinary Harvest, who has spent the two years curating and operating a “Best of the Main Line” online farmers market, and sponsored by Eadeh Enterprises, this market is expected to be an outstanding community event. The market will be located in the newly renovated Bronze Plaza in front of Handel's Ice Cream and is slated to run every Sunday from May 7th

Over 20 vendors have signed on already including: Stony Run Farms (Wagyu beef), Wild Fox Farms (organic produce), Kismet Bagels, Taste of Puebla (Mexican dishes), Nutty Novelties, and more. For more details and a full list of vendors, visit www.culinaryharvest.com

Starting Friday, June 2nd and running through Labor Day, Zia Yoga & Wellness Center will be leading FREE yoga at 8:00 AM for anyone in the community on the Bronze Plaza, outside of Handel's. Please bring your own mat! Stretch, love, breath... it's a Berwyn thing.

PARKS & RECREATION

Summer Camp Registration Is Underway st th

Registration is now OPEN for the Parks and Recreation Board's Summer Recreation Program.

Who Is Eligible?

Rising 1 graders through rising 8 graders — children do to be residents of Easttown Township to attend.

The program will be held during the month of July. Registration forms for any and all weeks (with all fees paid) st are due by June 1

This ensures adequate staffing and supplies. To register, visit https://www.easttown.org/347/Summer-Camp

Interested In Being A Camp Counselor or Counselor-in-training?

Applications are now being accepted. All forms are now available online at https://www.easttown.org/347/Summer-Camp

History Matters

The Birthplace of Devon

The neighborhood shown on this map--the parcel bounded by Berkley Rd., Chester Rd., S. Waterloo Rd., and Dorset Rd.has an interesting history Today it is a pleasant suburban neighborhood occupied by modest pre-war houses, but for almost 50 years before 1929 it was occupied by the Devon Inn.

The Inn operated from 1883 to 1914. For the next 15 years, unsuccessful attempts were made to bring it back as a hotel. It also was home to a short-lived girls' school. In 1928 the newly-formed Valley Forge Military Academy moved in, but the building burned to the ground in early 1929. The land stood vacant until in 1939 plans were announced for a development of 52 colonialstyle residences.This development accounts for the majority of the houses there now. Many appear little changed when viewed from the street.

The Inn was one of the grand hotels of the Victorian period where the well-to-do could spend the summer away from the noise, heat, and smells of the city. In 1881 Lemuel Coffin and Joseph Altemus, Philadelphia merchants, bought almost 500 acres along the railroad east of Berwyn and announced they would build a large hotel in a village to be developed and known as Devon. The Devon Inn is why there is a Devon; it's why the railroad station is where it is and is as large as it is. Early horse shows were on the lawn of the Inn. This was the birthplace of Devon.

Sources:

The full story of the Devon Inn can be found in the Winter 2021 issue of the TredyffrinEasttown History Quarterly, published by the TredyffrinEasttown Historical Society.

Map from Google Maps, February 2023

Postcard view of the Devon Inn courtesy of TredyffrinEasttown Historical Society.

Real estate advertisement: Philadelphia Inquirer, May 12,1940

News photo: Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 15,1940.

All color photographs courtesy of

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Upcoming Programs

Registration is required for all adult programs unless otherwise noted. Please visit https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Easttown for detailed listings and registration.

A City at War: The British Occupation of Philadelphia during the American Revolution

Tuesday, April 11th, 6:30 PM relaxation. The Tai Chi 24 is the most widely practiced Tai Chi method worldwide, which contains all the techniques of the longer Yang style 108 forms. It is for anyone interested in Tai Chi, maintaining good health, fall prevention, better balance, stress reduction, or chronic pain reduction. This 6-class series will be held on Zoom and taught by Liz Wanner, trained in TC24, and numerous other types of Tai Chi.

Papermaking with the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation

Wednesday, June 7th, 6:30 PM

Come try your hand at papermaking using a colonial-era method with staff from the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation (CPP). Following a brief discussion of the industry in colonial times and the inks used, each participant will make a small piece of paper to bring home. Participants will also be able to try quill-writing with quills and several types of ink — handmade on CPP's farm. Short sleeves or sleeves that can easily roll up are recommended.

EVENTS

On September 26, 1777, the British army marched into Philadelphia, beginning an occupation that lasted until the following spring. Their arrival led patriots to flee and Loyalists to rejoice, although wartime shortages soon led to suffering for those who remained in the city. The occupation led to no concrete gains, and the British abandoned the city the following June, but not before having the most elaborate, expensive party ever held in the American colonies. Join historical reenactor and lecturer Michael Jesberger for this informative discussion.

Passport Fair

Saturday, April 22nd, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Ready to plan your next getaway? Make sure your passport is up-to-date! It's never too early to start the process. Join us at our first annual Passport Fair and find out how to apply, get help with forms and documents, check your renewal eligibility, or apply for your passport. Fees apply, appointments are required, and DS-11 applications only.

Recent Retirement Changes and How they Affect You

Thursday, April 27th, 3:00 PM

Join Greg Crothers, certified financial planner, for an educational retirement class, focused on the Secure ACT 2.0. Learn about the changes to the required minimum distribution age, contribution limits for IRAs, improved access to guaranteed lifetime income products, and more.

Tai Chi 24

Tuesdays at 1 PM on Zoom, April 11th - May 16th

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice proven to improve health, balance, and th Saturday, April 15 , 9:00 AM 12:00PM

Secure Paper Shredding sponsored by the Friends of Easttown Library $5/grocery bag; $10/box

May 5-7

Friends of Easttown Library Book Sale

2023 Barbara Robinson Author Visit with Amy Ignatow

Thursday, May 4 at 6:30 PM

May the 4th be with you when you join Easttown Library Foundation for a fun evening at Easttown Library with Amy Ignatow, our 2023 Barbara Robinson Author. Amy Ignatow is the author and illustrator of The Popularity Papers series, the Odds Trilogy (The Mighty Odds, Against the Odds, Odds and Ends), and is the co-author of Jedi Academy; The Christina Starspeeder stories with Jarrett Krosoczka. She also has written two picture books, The Cutest Thing Ever (with Hsinping Pan) and Symphony for A Broken Orchestra; How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Music (with Gwen Millward). The Popularity Papers is currently in production as a live-action television series. Amy Ignatow will sign her books, which will be available for purchase through Children's Book World in Haverford. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of her books will benefit Easttown Library

The annual Barbara Robinson Author Visit honors the memory of children's book author Barbara Robinson, who was best known for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She was a Trustee of the library from 1973 to 1981 and was named Library Champion in 2008. Her legacy lives on through this annual event and the Story Time Room in our Youth Services room, which bears her name. The Foundation would like to thank the Robinson family and its donors who make it possible to host this annual event. To register for this event and to purchase Amy Ignatow's books, visit easttownlibrary.org.

2023 RED, WHITE, & BUBBLY

Thursday, May 18th at Historic Waynesborough

The Friends of Easttown Library and the Easttown Library Foundation are excited to be hosting the return of RED, WHITE, & BUBBLY, a wine tasting event featuring Moore Brothers wines, on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Historic Waynesborough. The purpose of this event is to bring members of the community together to learn about and enjoy a wine tasting while raising funds for Easttown Library, a valued and essential community resource. The last time this event was held, it sold out! Space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit easttownlibrary.org We hope to see you there!

Your Support Of Easttown Library

Speaks Volumes

Easttown Library is fortunate to have three affiliated organizations to support it - the Library Board of Trustees, the Easttown Library Foundation, and the Friends of Easttown Library. Each play an important role in the sustainability of the library. The Foundation is the 501(c)(3) supporting organization of the library with the sole mission of: raising funds through its Annual Fund for the library's operating budget; assisting with grant funding; and growing the Endowment Fund to ensure the library's longterm financial stability.

The Foundation would like to extend its gratitude to its supporters and community partners whose ongoing generosity make it possible for Easttown Library to be an invaluable community center. In 2022, $130,000 was raised for the Annual Fund and the Endowment exceeds $1.1 million. Thanks to their investment in Easttown Library, it is able to create new programming for all ages, to bring in dynamic speakers and New York Times best-selling authors such as William Kent Krueger, to augment its Library of Things collection with 15 admission passes to regional attractions and portable digital devices, and to meet the demand for more e-books and e-audiobooks as part of its digital collection.

The Foundation also would like to thank those who helped it meet the 2022 Denny Leeper Endowment Challenge match, honoring former Foundation President Dennis P. Leeper and commemorating the establishment of the Endowment Fund in 2011. Denny Leeper was an early proponent of creating an endowment for Easttown Library to serve as a self-sustaining revenue source for the library to provide long-term financial stability. The assets of the

The Friends of Easttown Library is a group of community members who promote awareness of and provide financial support of the library though an annual membership drive and various fundraising events. In addition to special events like RED, WHITE, & BUBBLY, the Friends' other events include the upcoming Spring Paper Shredding Event on Saturday, April 15, and Spring Book Sale from Thursday, May 4, to Sunday, May 7. Volunteering with the Friends is a wonderful opportunity to meet and join your friends and neighbors while advocating and raising funds for your library. The Friends is also a 501(c)(3) organization under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Coalition for Better Libraries (PCBL). To find out more about the Friends, visit easttownlibrary.org/friends

Endowment Fund are a long-term investment with up to 5% of its annual year-end value to be used to support the annual operations, programs, and/or capital needs of the library. The goal is to grow the Endowment Fund to $2 million, providing up to $100,000 a year in much-needed funds.

To learn more about the Foundation, how to support Easttown Library and happenings at the library, visit easttownlibrary.org

We are excited to introduce the library’s latest collection, the Library of Things!

The Library of Things is a collection of nontraditional materials including gadgets, tools, passes to attractions, games, kits, electronics, and more — all available to check out for free with a library card. While the library has offered museum passes and hot spots before now, this exciting expansion of the Library of Things includes:

Adult & child metal detectors and video to digital converter; Circut machine; Projector & screen and conference camera; Roku devices with subscriptions to streaming services;

Launchpads loaded with educational games and Tonieboxes, a screen free listening experience for children ages 3 and up feturing stories and songs; and 15 additional museum passes (for at total of 21!), many of which have a print at home and go option.

Visit www.easttownlibrary.org/