Lake draining debate | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, where to celebrate the Fourth of July.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
Neighbors of a West Goshen reservoir are concerned about what will be lost if it’s drained by Aqua as planned. Also this week, local caterer John Serock has taken over a Malvern events venue, Bam Margera returns to the big screen, plus all the Fourth of July events you need to know.
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West Goshen’s 64-acre Fernhill Lake will soon be drained under water company Aqua’s plans to partially decommission the Township Line Dam, which dates back to 1935.
Geese, turtles, and a bald eagle are among the critters that have called the dam home for nearly a century. Nearby residents worry about the ecological changes the draining would cause in their backyards, though environmentalists generally support the move.
Aesthetically, neighbors also fear ending up with an unmaintained eyesore, particularly as some shelled out up to $20,000 to ensure a lake view from their backyards. A township official defended the scheduled drainage in a recent board meeting, despite residents’ pushback.
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz chronicled the dissension, and has the scoop on which Chester County municipality appears to have first dibs on purchasing the site after the decommissioning.
📍 Countywide News
Last week, Chester County welcomed 63 new citizens hailing from 17 countries. They took their oath of citizenship in Valley Forge, where they were welcomed by Gov. Josh Shapiro and a George Washington reenactor.
The county made a pair of personnel changes last week. Faith Mattox-Baldini has been elevated to county solicitor on a permanent basis after serving as acting county solicitor since April, and prior to that, deputy county solicitor. And Susanna DeWese has been named chief public defender, effective Aug. 5, after 23 years in the public defender’s office.
Heads up for drivers: Expect delays and closures for roadwork throughout the county, including ongoing work on a portion of Route 30.
💡 Community News
In case you missed it, Exton Square Mall officially closed its doors yesterday after five decades in operation. A few businesses will remain open: Boscov’s, Main Line Health, and Round 1.
Good news for Main Line Health patients insured by UnitedHealthcare: The two parties have reached an “agreement in principle” for a new contract and plan to continue coverage until it’s finalized. If they hadn’t, some 32,000 patients risked losing coverage when the existing contract expired yesterday, including to providers at Paoli Hospital.
Local caterer John Serock has taken over operations of Loch Aerie Mansion after purchasing the Malvern estate and its events business for $4 million. He plans to increase offerings for midweek corporate and nonprofit events, while keeping weekends for weddings.
Notorious West Chester native Bam Margera returned to the big screen Friday when Jackass: Best and Last made its debut, featuring unseen archival footage and outtakes from the series’ early days. While Margera didn’t attend the premiere or film new stunts, he sat down with The Inquirer’s Jason Nark to discuss his sobriety, his passion for boxing, and more.
A new “fitness court” opened last week at Charlestown Township Park. It features seven exercise stations geared toward individuals 14 and older.
New Garden Township recently passed an ordinance restricting large trucks on a number of roads, except those making local deliveries. See which roads are impacted here.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Coatesville Area School District will have screenings next Tuesday and Wednesday for incoming kindergartners, helping the district understand their needs and interests. Learn more here.
Great Valley High School’s tennis courts will be closed this summer while they undergo an update.
The Kennett Consolidated School District is partnering with the Believe and Achieve Foundation to host its “Fresh Market Tuesdays” throughout July. The event will take place in the Kennett Library parking lot where fresh produce will be available, along with recipes and other resources. The markets kick off next Tuesday.
Applications are now open for Twin Valley High School’s Preschool Lab this coming school year. The program helps kids ages 3 to 5 socialize, while high school students can get hands-on experience with early childhood education. Learn more here.
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District has named Brett Thomas the new principal of Hillendale Elementary School, taking over for Josh Leight, who has been named the district’s director of human resources. Thomas was most recently principal of Russell Elementary School in the Marple Newtown School District.
🍽️ On our Plate
Nottingham-based Herr’s recently released the winners of its “Flavored by Philly” campaign. Curious what Freedom Loaded Cheese Fries, Liberty Hickory Barbecue, and United Jalapeño Cream Cheese taste like? Inquirer reporters share their thoughts.
Tickets go on sale today for the fall edition of Kennett Brewfest, which will take place Oct. 10 in Kennett Square.
🎆 Where to celebrate the Fourth of July
Norco Fire Company Fair: The annual fair includes rides, live music, and a beer garden. There will be a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. on July 2, with a rain date of July 3. ⏰ Through Saturday, July 4, times vary 💵 Free admission; pay as you go for rides or $30 for a wristband 📍 Norco Fire Company, Pottstown
Parkesburg 250: The borough is hosting a five-day celebration complete with a carnival, beer garden, live music, and baseball game, as well as a fireworks show on Friday. ⏰ Wednesday, July 1-Sunday, July 5, times vary 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Throughout Parkesburg
Longwood Gardens’ Fireworks and Fountains: The summer show gets a patriotic twist, featuring a fireworks and fountain show set to great American composers’ works. ⏰ Thursday, July 2, 9:15 p.m. 💵 $64-$84 for reserved seating 📍Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square
West Goshen Decorated Bike Parade: Catch a parade featuring decked-out bikes, tricycles, strollers, scooters, and wheel chairs. ⏰ Friday, July 3, 10 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 West Goshen Community Park
West Caln Township: Take a step back in time at this event, which features muskets, a skirmish, food and other festivities. ⏰ Friday, July 3, 4-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Layton Park, Coatesville
Good Neighbor Day: This daylong event benefiting Downingtown’s emergency services includes friendly competitions, a carnival, music, and cornhole. The day is capped by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 💵 Prices vary 📍 Kerr Park, Downingtown
Easttown Township’s Annual July 4th Community Picnic and Concert: The community event kicks off with a children’s bike parade, followed by a picnic at the park. There will be games, inflatables, a barbecue, and live music from Uptown Band. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Frank Johnson Memorial Park, Berwyn
Demo Day and Independence Day Celebration: The Mill at Anselma will offer historic demonstrations, live music, and face painting. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 $5-$10 📍 The Mill at Anselma, Chester Springs
Phoenixville Food Trucks and Fireworks: Grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks on site and then enjoy the fireworks show. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 5-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Friendship Field, Phoenixville
Tredyffrin Township Fourth of July Celebration: Listen to music and grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks ahead of the main event. The fireworks show kicks off around dusk. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 7-9:15 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Wilson Farm Park, Wayne
Exton Park Community Day: Keep the festivities going past the nation’s birthday with this community event that features kids activities, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, music, yard games, and a fireworks show. ⏰ Saturday, July 11, 4-10 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Exton Park
🎇 See more area fireworks shows here.
🇺🇸 Looking for other ways to celebrate the Semiquincentennial? Here’s what Chester County has in store through the rest of the year.
🏡 On the Market
History buffs, rejoice. This sprawling 1700s stone home in Newlin Township is situated on part of the 20,000 acres of original Pennsylvania land granted by William Penn, according to the listing agent. The updated home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, in addition to a brick terrace, ponds, and a bank barn.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $3.5M | Size: 3,418 SF | Acreage: 27.5
📈 Chester County market report
Median listing price: $625,000 (up $10,000 from April) 📈
Median sold price: $552,800 (down $7,200 from April) 📉
Median days on the market: 25 (up four days from April) 📈
This Chester County market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for May from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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