Decades later, these campers’ boyhood bond endures | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, Craig LaBan reviews Longwood Gardens’ restaurant 1906.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
Nearly every week for the past six years, a group of former campers have met online, fortifying a bond they formed decades ago. Also this week, Inquirer restaurant critic Craig LaBan reviews Longwood Gardens’ 1906, several school districts have seen improvements in math and reading scores, plus, the spots seeing the county’s highest percentage increase in population growth.
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Decades after they first met at Camp Saginaw in Oxford, a group of men in their 70s and 80s gather for a weekly Zoom to reconnect and reminisce.
The tradition began in 2020 amid pandemic lockdowns and has grown in the years since, expanding to as many as 20 former campers. During their weekly calls, which they’ve taken from vacations, cars, and even hospital beds, they rib each other, chat about current happenings, or even hear from expert guest speakers.
The Inquirer’s Craig LaBan recently paid a visit to Longwood Gardens to see not only the blooms, but its updated Ornamental Kitchen Garden and overhauled restaurant, 1906.
After tasting dishes like agnolotti dumplings, ricotta-stuffed gnocchi, a lamb loin with turnip puree, a pepper-crusted flat-iron steak, and the signature mushroom-shaped dessert, he declared 1906 “one of the best all-around restaurants I’ve experienced in the Philadelphia suburbs.”
Read more about what our restaurant critic had to say.
🔔 Also of note: Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the inauguration of Longwood’s carillon.
💡 Community News
In case you missed it, last week East Vincent Township officials rejected the controversial 1.9 million-square-foot data center proposed for the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital site. While residents are celebrating the win, the developer plans to appeal the decision.
Kennett Square and Kennett Township experienced the largest percentage increases in their populations among municipalities in the county, according to the latest census data. The growth underscores their “unique setting,” The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz reports. See why they’re experiencing increased demand and how much other municipalities grew.
Residents of West Whiteland Township are mourning the death of former township supervisor, West Whiteland Fire Company chief, emergency management coordinator, and beloved mentor George “Bud” Turner, who died on Saturday at the age of 84. A funeral service will be held Monday at noon at Saints Philip and James parish in Exton.
John H. Lymberis, 57, a Parkesburg resident and the owner of eateries Harry’s Hotdogs and Athena’s Kafenio, both in Sadsburyville, was arrested and charged last week with sexual abuse of children.
Richard DiStefano, 66, of Paoli, was ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution and serve one day in prison for stealing coins valued at that amount from a bank safe deposit box.
The old post office on Airport Road in West Chester, which was damaged by a fire two years ago, will be demolished in the coming weeks to make way for a new one.
Coatesville Area School District is hosting the third annual Coatesville Community Health and Wellness Fair on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Scott Middle School. The free event includes health screenings, interactive wellness experiences, and raffles.
Easttown Township is hosting an “Anything with a Plug” recycling event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Wilson Farm Park. There’s a fee to recycle some items. Registration is encouraged.
🚧 Roadwork to watch out for
Birmingham Township: Milling is expected to get underway tomorrow on Deer Crossing, Old Wilmington Pike, and Faucett Drive, with paving to follow next week.
Coatesville and Caln, Sadsbury, Valley, and West Caln Townships: There will be a lane closure overnight on Route 30 westbound between Airport Road and Kings Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday.
East and West Nantmeal Townships and Elverson Borough: Conestoga Road between Route 82 and Fairview Road will have lane closures from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday.
East Vincent Township: Tomorrow and Friday Bridge Street between Pennhurst and Schuylkill Roads will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Garden Township: A monthslong PennDot project to replace the bridge on Broad Run Road over Broad Run Creek is set to get started Monday. Broad Run Road will be closed between Buttonwood and Eden Roads through the end of September.
South Coatesville Borough: A monthslong project is slated to get underway today. First Avenue between Modena and Newlinville Roads will have a lane closure on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the end of September.
Upper Uwchlan Township: The North Reeds Road bridge will remain closed for work this week after being shut down following an inspection last week. The goal is to reopen the bridge on or before next Friday.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Several Chester County school districts have seen improvements in their students’ math and reading scores since 2022, earning them “districts on the rise” designations in a new national Education Scorecard. Downingtown Area School District made significant gains in math scores, while Kennett Consolidated and Coatesville Area School Districts saw improved reading scores.
Tuesday is the last day for Coatesville Area School District families to have their child participate in kindergarten screenings that would make them eligible for the district’s Jumpstart Program.
Octorara Area School District is launching a new program for eligible pre-kindergartners. PreK Matters will offer free morning and afternoon programming for kids turning 4 by Sept. 1 whose family’s income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District has named current Beaumont Elementary School Principal Stephanie Demming the first principal of the forthcoming Bear Hill Elementary School, effective July 1. Chris Groppe will take over her current role. Other changes include Katie Parker being named principal of Hillside Elementary School, Ellen Turk becoming assistant principal at Conestoga High School, and Horace Rooney being named assistant principal at Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School.
West Chester Area School District’s board is slated to meet tomorrow to approve its 2026-27 proposed final budget, which calls for a 3.5% property tax increase.
🍽️ On our Plate
As some former locations of Iron Hill reopen, that won’t be the case for the Exton or Phoenixville outposts, both of which are seeking new tenants. The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy has the latest on all of the popular restaurant and brewery’s former spots.
Rum, whiskey, gin, and bourbon maker Cutter & Cannon Spirits is expanding its West Chester footprint by opening a tasting room and bottle shop at 104 E. Gay St., taking over the former Lacava Coffee space.
Fast-casual Mediterranean eatery Cava is now open at Brandywine Square in Downingtown.
🎳 Things to Do
🍺 West Chester TAPS: The borough-wide weekly happy hour event kicks off for the season, with participating restaurants offering discounted food and drinks. ⏰ Wednesday, May 27, 5-7 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Downtown West Chester
🏳️🌈 Brandywine Pride Picnic: This family-friendly event will have music, activities, and food trucks. ⏰ Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square
🦆 Modena Duck Derby: The sixth annual event includes food, games, vendors, and a rubber duck race. ⏰ Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go, $5 for a duck 📍 Union Street, Modena
🎶 Eagleview Summer Concert Series: The 25th annual concert series kicks off with a performance by Entrain, with special guest Jon Nolan and Good Company. ⏰ Tuesday, June 2, 7-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Eagleview Town Center, Exton
🏡 On the Market
Located in Willistown Township, this estate spans two houses that have a combined six bedrooms. The main Williamsburg Colonial-style home, built in the 1960s and extensively updated since, features a family room, living room with wet bar, and an eat-in kitchen with high-end appliances, an oversize island, and imported Italian marble countertops. It also has a first-floor primary suite with its own fireplace and large walk-in closet and dressing room. There are three additional ensuites upstairs. A separate carriage house has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a golf simulator. Both look out on a heated pool.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $3.75M | Size: 7,697 SF | Acreage: 4.2
📈 Chester County market report
Median listing price: $615,000 (up $16,000 from March) 📈
Median sold price: $560,000 (up $54,000 from March) 📈
Median days on the market: 21 (down four days from March) 📉
This Chester County market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for April from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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