Tredyffrin Winter 2026

TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY

Township Staff

TOWNSHIP MANAGER

William F. Martin

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Dean Dortone

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Joseph DiRocco, CPA

DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND ZONING

Erin McPherson

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

Stephen Burgo, P.E.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Darin Fitzgerald

PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Gabrielle Ignarri

DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES

Mallory Hoffman

SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

T. Michael Beaty

TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

Board of Supervisors

David Miller, Chair

Sharon Humble, Vice-chair

KS Bhaskar

Eamon Brazunas

Julie Gosse

Carlotta Johnston-Pugh

Hans van Mol

Volunteer Boards

Arts Commission

Environmental Advisory Council

Commission Library Board of Trustees

Authority

& Recreation Board Pension Trustees

Planning Commission

Committee

Zoning Hearing Board

Newsletter Staff

Patricia Hoffman, Editorial Assistant

Edward Watton, Franklin Maps Sales & Graphics Manager

The staff wishes to thank the many contributors for the content of each Tredyffrin Township newsletter.

Important

Phone Numbers

Tredyffrin Township Building

Tredyffrin Township Police Department

Tredyffrin Township Public Works Department

Fire and Ambulance

Tredyffrin Township Libraries

Tredyffrin/Easttown School District

PLEASE NOTE: th During your participation in and attendance at Township events and activities like the Summer Concert Series, 4 of July Celebration, or Community Day, you may be filmed, videotaped, and/or photographed by Township Staff. Your attendance serves as permission for use of your image by the Township (for example: in newsletters or on the Township website).

2026 MEETING SCHEDULE & HOLIDAY CALENDAR

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

7 PM January 5** & 26**

February 23**

March 16

April 20

May 20****

June 15

July 20

August 17

September 21

October 5 & 19

November 4** & 16

December 7 & 21

ARTS COMMISSION

5:45 PM

January 22

February 26

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 25

July 23

August 27

September 24

October 22

November 19**

December 17**

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

7 PM

January 27

February 24

March 22

April 28

May 26

June 23

August 25

September 22

October 28

December 1**

HISTORICAL COMMISSION

7 PM

January 8

February 12

March 12

April 9

May 14

June 11

July 9

September 10

October 8

November 12

December 10

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

7 PM - Tredyffrin Public Library

January 22

February 26**

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 25**

July 23

August 27

September 24

October 22

November 19 **These Meeting will be held at Paoli Library

MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

7 PM

January 21

April 15

July 15

October 21

PARK & RECREATION BOARD

7 PM

January 14

February 11

March 11

April 8

May 13

June 10

September 9

October 14

November 18**

PENSION TRUSTEES

7:30 AM

February 11

May 13

August 12

November 18**

PLANNING COMMISSION

7 PM January 15

February 19

March 19

April 16

June 18

July 16

August 20

September 17

October 15

November 19

December 17

TRAFFIC COMMITTEE

7:30 AM

March 18

June 17

September 16

December 16

ZONING HEARING BOARD

7 PM

January 22

February 26

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 25

July 23

August 27

September 24

October 22

November 18**

December 16**

May 21 **Meeting dates marked with asterisks are at a different day than usual due to holidays or elections.

New Year’s Day 2026..............Thurs. Jan. 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day.... Mon. Jan. 19

Presidents' Day .....................Mon. Feb. 16

Memorial Day .......................Mon. May 25

Juneteenth Independence Day ................................................Fri.. June 19

Independence Day (observed)........Fri. July 3

Labor Day ..............................Mon. Sept. 7

Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples Day ......Mon. Oct. 12

Veterans' Day........................Wed. Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Day.................Thurs. Nov. 26 Day after Thanksgiving.............Fri. Nov. 27

Christmas Day ..........................Fri. Dec. 25

New Year’s Day 2027..................Fri.. Jan. 1

LIBRARY NEWS

Displays are the kitchen table of your libraries. They are the place to find out what's new, what's trending, what's seasonal. Library visitors gather and chat around the displays; displays connect the community and encourage interaction among browsers. Next time you're at the library, don't miss the displays.

Librarians research books and other media for the displays with care. Displays are a window into what your librarians recommend for readers and love themselves. Since displays have limited space, they are a taste of what's available on each theme or topic and created to inspire further browsing in the library Librarians add to displays throughout the month as items are checked out, so they are always different. New displays are put up monthly and you can learn about monthly themes on Tredyffrin Public Library's and Paoli Library's social media.

At Tredyffrin Public Library, the main display on the top floor features seasonal books — cookbooks near Thanksgiving, books about women for Women's History Month, books about roadtrips in the summer, etc. — or new books or materials. One patron noted that this main display includes “the most disparate yet on-topic array of great reads — relevant and topical — pulling from the season, holiday, or recent events. It's amazing how the library team always pulls something new and exciting to read up on.”

The display in the Teen Department also features seasonal selections or books about a current teen interest or trend. Next to the circulation desk, patrons will find suggestions for books that fulfill the adult reading challenge.

Tredyffrin Public Library's display of new nonfiction behind the Circulation Desk is particularly conversation provoking. A patron may share a memory about the subject of a new biography, comment about the tantalizing cover of a new cookbook, or exclaim about the genius of an author with a new work. Even library staff are often stopped in their tracks by books on this display. One patron summed it up as “the magic algorithm bookshelf that seems to always pull the most random, yet incredibly interesting reads onto its limited wooden display. It puts Google and Spotify algorithms to shame, it's that magical…I always want to take the whole shelf home with me each visit.”

The Tredyffrin Children's Department features four displays. Along the curved staircase, a different author is featured each month. In the children's play area, parents and children can find a display of seasonal picture books. The main children's display highlights seasonal books or new items. It recently featured Whazoodles, a new screen-free audio-player that comes preloaded with stories, music, podcasts, and more on a theme. Young patrons and their families could see the Whazoodles available at the library and learn how they worked at the display. Finally, as patrons head to the Red Fox Book Shop, a display along the wall features books for older readers about a topic of interest to school age kids.

Paoli Library packs four display areas into a small and cozy space. The island at the main entrance highlights one seasonal theme on top and another face-out on the bottom shelves. For instance, this November, the island featured books about fall on top and

Indigenous authors on the shelves. Don't miss these two displays when you come into Paoli Library. Further in, a small teen display highlights fiction or nonfiction of special interest to teens, and a picture book display is themed for the season or upcoming holidays.

Miniature Golf Success

nd

Nearly 500 people participated in the 2 Miniature Golf Classic on November 7 & 8. On Friday night, adults celebrated at the ParTEE. Highlights of the night were awards for the best themed costume and an exciting expression of support as attendees pledged more than $7,000 for eBook and eAudiobook purchases. (Want to learn how the library must purchase these in-demand resources? Scan below.) On Saturday, golfers young and old enjoyed the courses at both libraries, as well as prizes, snacks, entertainment, and raffles. We thank the more than 50 sponsors that helped raise more than $37,000 for the Library Foundation.

RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

To review the full Solid Waste Ordinance and a full overview of the Township’s recycling requirements, scan the QR Code.

Residential, Commercial, Institutional & Municipal Recycling Requirements

The Township is mandated by Pennsylvania State Act 101 to recycle. All persons in the Township must contract with an approved collector for the separate curbside or similar collection of municipal waste, recyclable materials & leaf waste.

Single-family residential establishment

Except as otherwise provided herein, all persons owning or occupying single-family residential establishments shall separate all recyclable materials from municipal waste. Recyclable materials shall be placed in recycling containers and the recycling containers placed curbside or in another designated location for collection by an approved collector. Separate collection of recyclable materials shall be arranged with an approved collector by the owner or occupants of each single-family residential establishment. Owners or occupants of each single-family residential establishment and the approved collector shall establish a collection frequency that shall occur no less than once every other week

Multifamily residential establishments

Owners, landlords, or agents of owners or landlords of a multifamily residential establishment must establish a system for source-separation, collection, transportation, and recycling of the recyclable materials generated at multifamily residential establishments. The system must include an appropriate number of labeled recycling containers at easily accessible locations to accommodate the amount of recyclable materials generated at each multifamily residential establishment. The system must also include written instructions to the residents of multifamily residential establishments to inform them of the requirement to recycle and the use and availability of the collection program. The Township reserves the right to require additional recycling containers if the Township deems there is insufficient recycling containers to serve residents. Separate collection of recyclable material

shall be arranged by the owner, landlord, or agent of an owner or landlord of a multifamily residential establishment and the approved collector, but shall occur no less than once every other week. More frequent collection recyclable materials may be necessary to prevent recycling containers from being overfilled and cause materials to be blown about or littered on Township streets and private property.

Commercial, Institutional, and Municipal establishments

Owners, landlords, or agents of owners or landlords of a commercial, institutional, or municipal establishment must establish a system for source-separation, collection, transportation, and recycling of recyclable materials generated at each building. The system must include an appropriate number of labeled recycling containers at easily accessible locations to accommodate the amount of recyclable materials generated at each building. It must also include written instructions to the tenants or occupants of commercial, institutional, and municipal establishments to inform them of the requirement to recycle and the use and availability of the collection program. The Township reserves the right to require additional recycling containers if the Township deems there is insufficient containers to serve occupants or tenants. Separate collection of recyclable material shall be arranged by the owner, landlord, or agent of an owner or landlord of a commercial, institutional, or municipal establishment and the approved collector, but shall occur no less than once every other week. More frequent collection of recyclable materials may be necessary to prevent recycling containers from being overfilled and cause materials to be blown about or littered on Township streets and private property.

Community activities

Recycling Organizers of community events must provide for the separation, storage, and collection of aluminum, plastic, glass, corrugated cardboard, high-grade office paper, and leaf waste at the events. Community activities required to recycle include events sponsored in whole or in part by a municipality or held within a municipality and sponsored privately

RECYCLE

Events include fairs, bazaars, picnics, or sporting events that will be attended by more than 200 or more people each day of the event.

The organizers or sponsors of a community activity must establish a system for source separation, collection, transportation, and recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, corrugated cardboard, high-grade office paper, and leaf waste. Arrangements for the source separation and collection of these materials shall be the responsibility of the organizers or sponsors.

The organizers or sponsors of a community activity must establish a collection system that includes an appropriate number of recycling containers at easily accessible locations to accommodate the amount of recyclable materials generated. Community activity organizers and sponsors must provide signage and/or labels on recycling containers to indicate what recyclable materials are to be source-separated by event participants.

Organizers or sponsors must contract with an approved collector for the collection of recyclable materials.

Organizers or sponsors of a community activity must provide a written report to the Township that lists the name of the community activity, the approved collector collecting recyclable materials, the total quantity of each recyclable material collected, and the name and affiliation of the person submitting the report. Reports are to be submitted to the Township no later than 30 days upon the conclusion of the event.

RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

Recyclable Materials

Those materials specified by Tredyffrin Township for collection in accordance with this article and recycling regulations that may be promulgated from time to time for separation, collection, processing, and recovery as part of a recycling program. These materials may include aluminum containers, bi-metal containers, cardboard, glass, leaf waste, magazines, mixed paper, newspaper, high-grade office paper, and plastic.

The following is a list of materials that are required to be recycle within Tredyffrin Township:

Aluminum

Empty beverage and food containers, trays and plates comprised of 100% aluminum

Rinse to prevent bugs

Crush to save space

Bi-Metal (Tin) Containers

Empty food or beverage container made of steel with a thin plating of tin over the steel

Rinse to prevent bugs

Crush to save space

Corrugated Cardboard

A structural paper material with an inner core shaped in rigid parallel furrows and ridges

Break down boxes to easily fit into recycling containers

Fit smaller boxes into larger boxes to keep neat at the curb

Glass

Empty bottles, jars, and food and beverage containers made of clear, blue, green, brown, or amber glass, excluding plate glass, window glass, automotive glass, porcelain, ceramic products, and glass ornaments

Empty and clean all bottles

Remove metal caps and rings from bottles

Labels can stay intact

NO light bulbs, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, Pyrex or dishes

Leaf Waste

Leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings and similar materials, but not including grass clippings

Must not be combined with municipal waste or recyclable materials; must be source-separated & stored in containers/bags until collection

Leaf waste shall be collected curbside or

at a similar location by an approved collector, separate from municipal waste and recyclable materials, at a frequency of no less than once per month

Additionally, in accordance with Act 101, Township leaf waste drop off site(s) shall be available to residents at a frequency of no less than once per month. The location(s) and hours of operation for the Township leaf waste drop of site(s) will be posted on the Township website and posted in an area of the Township building which is accessible to the public

Leaves and yard waste may also be utilized for compost, mulch, or other agriculture, horticulture, or landscaping purposes on the property where the leaf waste is generated.

Options for those who miss monthly collection or wish to not put leaves curbside

Tredyffrin accepts leaves and yard waste at its compost center on Mill Road in the spring and fall, as well as the first Monday of the month during the winter months.

From January to September, the Mill Road Leaf Site is open the first Monday of every month. If the first Monday of the month falls on a holiday, the Township will post an alternate date that the site will be open. The Mill Road Leaf Site is open daily from October through December, Monday through Thursday and Saturday's (closed Fridays & holidays) from 7:30AM to 2:30PM.

Magazines

A periodical publication containing a collection of articles, stories, photographs, illustrations, and other features usually bound with a paper cover and printed in one or more colors on glossy or chemically coated paper, excluding newsprint and all other paper or fiber materials

Tie in bundles or place in paper bags

Mixed

Paper

Recyclable paper materials including paperboard/boxboard, junk mail, and other designated recyclable paper. Excludes cardboard containers, magazines, office paper, and newsprint

Newspapers

Paper distributed at fixed or stated intervals, usually daily or weekly, having printed thereon news and opinions and containing advertisements and other matters of public interest

Tie in bundles or place in paper bags

Office Paper

Any white printed or unprinted sheets of ledger, bond, writing, or other papers, including letter-writing stationary, note paper, computer paper, envelopes, and

other general-purpose paper, including shredded paper

Plastic

Empty and clean plastic containers that contained food, beverage, cleaning, laundry, and other household products Includes only rigid containers marked with a recycling symbol and a single number (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7).

Examples include soda and water bottles, milk and water jugs, laundry soap containers, produce and other food containers, and soap bottles. Excludes expanded polystyrene containers

It shall be unlawful for any person to collect, remove and/or transport municipal waste, recyclable materials, and/or leaf waste within Tredyffrin Township without first registering with the Tredyffrin Township Manager. This includes contractors, companies, organizations, or other entities that perform landscaping or other yard services to persons in the Township and transport leaf waste off the property where it was generated. Exceptions are made for residents who directly deliver (self-haul) their municipal waste, recyclable materials and/or leaf waste to a disposal facility.

Persons may self-haul recyclable materials and leaf waste to a state-authorized recycling facility in lieu of contracting for curbside recyclable material and leaf waste collection services. Persons opting to selfhaul materials must receive prior approval from the Township to self-haul, retain receipts and/or weigh tickets that document the quantity of recyclable materials and leaf waste disposed, and submit annual reports to the Township documenting their name, address, quantities of each material selfhauled, name and address of facility where materials were self-hauled, and other information as required by the Township. Reports must be submitted within 30 days of the end of each calendar year for the previous year

Need more information? E-mail tredyffrin@tredyffrin.org or call 610-644-1400.

ARTS COMMISSION

Showcasing Homegrown Excellence: Local Talent Shines in Arts Commission's Debut

The newly formed Arts Commission is dedicated to enriching the community by supporting local artists and providing accessible art experiences for residents of all ages.The Commission is proud to announce the tremendous success of its inaugural art gallery show, which ran from September 28 to December 11. The exhibition, held in the Township Building lobby, celebrated the inspiring creativity of local residents. The show opening on Friday, October 10, drew an enthusiastic crowd of artists, community members, and elected officials, highlighting the strong support for the arts in our area. This exciting event marks a significant milestone for the Commission and reflects the growing vibrancy of our community's art scene.

The show featured a diverse collection of works by twenty local artists, ranging in age and experience. Attendees were treated to a stunning array of mediums, including abstract pieces bursting with color to detailed landscapes capturing local beauty. The quality and variety of the artwork deeply impressed visitors and highlighted the significant pool of untapped talent right here in our community. This event was a true celebration of our neighbors' creativity, and the community's support proved that there is a real hunger for local art.

The Commission's Vision in Action - This successful gallery show is a cornerstone of the Arts Commission's mission: to use the full spectrum of arts to create a sense of place and community within Tredyffrin Township. Their vision is to encourage wide participation in arts making to showcase all aspects of the Township, its citizens, and the beauty of the seasons. The success of this first show is a clear indicator that the Commission is on the right track to making Tredyffrin a more vibrant and culturally rich place to live.

Thank You and What's Next - Sincere thanks go to every artist who submitted work, the volunteers who helped organize the event, and every member of the public who came out to make the inaugural art exhibition a resounding success.

Missed the show? Don't worry! The Arts Commission aims to continue building on this momentum and is already planning its next series of initiatives for 2026, including an original black and white photography exhibition FebruaryApril by high school-age students who reside in or attend school in Tredyffrin Township. This show will celebrate the creativity and perspective of local youth artists while highlighting the artistry of black and white photography. For more information, visit www.tredyffrin.org/BoardsCommissions/Arts-Commission.

Also, in the planning stages for the Spring is a special rock painting community event on Saturday, April 11 (rain date: Saturday, April 18), where people of all ages will gather to paint rocks with positive messages or images. In partnership with local nonprofit organization, Open Land Conservancy (www.openlandconservancy.org), the specific details of the kindness rock project will be available on the Township website when available.

Stay tuned to the Township website and social media channels for more information on how you can get involved with the Arts Commission, whether as an artist, a volunteer, or an art admirer

WELCOME NEW SUPERVISORS

In November, Tredyffrin citizens elected two new supervisors and re-elected one supervisor to start their terms in January 2026.

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) is simplifying the way that Chester County residents and visitors can voluntarily share emergency information with CCDES in the event of an emergency - using existing smartphone features. The Chester County Emergency Communications Center (ECC) can now receive updated emergency information through opt-in applications and integrated settings on smartphones.

Commonly, these apps are the default Health app for Apple phones and the Personal Safety app for some Android phones. On Samsung devices, this information can be added in settings, under Safety and emergency.

Once the user approves their information to be shared with 9-1-1, these applications and integrated settings automatically share emergency information with dispatchers when they call 9-1-1.

If enabled, these apps also allow first responders to access this information on the user's phone in the event that the patient is unable to communicate.

In addition to these mobile phone apps, anyone can sign up for a free account at www.emergencyprofile.org regardless of their mobile phone brand. The following information illustrates what can be shared with 9-1-1 and first responders:

• Name

• Age

• Medical Conditions

• Medical Notes

• Allergies & Reactions

• Medications

• Blood Type

• Weight

• Height

• Primary Language

• Emergency Contacts

In addition to the ability to receive emergency information through 9-1-1, ReadyChesCo, Chester County's official emergency notification system, has the ability for users to add additional personal information, including access, functional, and evacuation needsto their ReadyChesCo account. This additional information will allow county and municipal emergency management officials to make betterinformed decisions regarding evacuations during disasters.

When signing up for a ReadyChesCo account, community members are prompted to provide Additional Needs. Community members who already have a ReadyChesCo account can log in at ReadyChesCo.org and update or add this information on the home page under My Information.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Plastic Film Recycling Program

By volunteer Nancy May and member

Are you aware that our Township has an ongoing recycling project wherein volunteers collect plastic bags which are turned into decking, railing, and outdoor furniture via the TREX company? (https://nextrex.com/)

TREX plastic film collections began in 2019 by the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). T/E Middle School ran TREX bins for years, but since 2022 it has been at Conestoga High School. Casmir Przybyloski, head of the CHS Plastics Club, has said, “The Plastics Club at Conestoga sets a goal to collect 1,000 pounds or more of single-use plastic annually. We are proud to not only help collect plastic for recycling purposes but also educating our school community to use LESS plastic.”

An overpopulation of deer in Chester County has led to increasing damage from deer rub and deer browse, particularly for newly planted trees and many shrubs and perennials. The most serious form of deer damage is deer rub, which removes the outer layer of bark along with the cambium, which transmits the tree's nutrients; if continued, deer rub can girdle and kill the tree within one year. Deer browsing of leaves on young trees can also weaken the tree, and if unchecked over time, can also end up killing the plant.

Installation of some form of protection from deer damage is now required under

Subsequently, the project has expanded to include collection bins located at the Tredyffrin Public Library and the Township Building. On a weekly basis, community volunteers collect the plastics to take to the Wegman's store in King of Prussia who then arrange the transfer of our collections to the TREX company. At the library location alone, the weekly weight of the recycled plastic film ranges from 25-50 pounds. When we have collected 1,000 pounds — you would be amazed at how much plastic that is — we earn a free TREX recycled plastic outdoor bench (one of them currently resides at the Township Building).

We volunteers want to THANK YOU for bringing your clean, dry plastic bags to these collection points and we hope the

Tredyffrin's Woodland Conservation Ordinance (adopted August 2023) when replanting of removed trees is required. It is also recommended for most new trees and shrubs, along with perennials which are not deer resistant.

To be effective, deer protection should be in the form of a cage or grid and should reach at least four feet high — the cage or grid will allow sunlight to reach the barkand, ideally, should be at least six inches in diameter to allow for several years of tree growth. A metal or wooden post is recommended to secure whatever grid or cage is used to protect the tree. Solid black plastic piping is

volume continues to increase. For example, That said, PLEASE READ the signage on the bins or scan the QR code to learn what is and is not acceptable plastic.

these items are NOT RECYCLABLE: frozen food bags, candy bar wrappers, chip bags, pet food bags, mulch or soil bags, net or mesh produce bags, dirty or wet plastic. We appreciate your interest and participation in this community effort to protect our environment and we always welcome additional volunteers. If you'd like more info about this initiative or would like to get more involved in Township environmental efforts, reach out to Tracy at tracyviola@comcast.net

Examples of a typical plastic collection

not recommended because it does not allow the tree's trunk to photosynthesize and can also harbor wasps and voles. Deer have impressive leaping skills: if a whole section of yard is to be fenced, the recommended fence height is eight feet. Below is an example of deer rubon a tree plus pictures of various protection measures recently installed at Wilson Farm Park and Valley Forge Middle School. Staking a tree can be helpful if it is young and is part of a deer protection strategy, but staking should be removed after one year to avoid harming the tree and substituted with a pole to secure the grid or fencing itself

OPEN LAND CONSERVANCY BY

RAYMOND CLARKE

Restoring Native Habitat and Building Community Engagement

In the past two newsletters, we've reported on the major effort to remove the failing dam and restore the stream in the Conservancy's George Lorimer Preserve, and on how the neighboring community has come together to sustain the precious open space in the Valley Creek Preserve. It's time for an update on efforts in those Preserves, to report on initial “steps” to open up the Conservancy's newest property, and to let you know how you can keep up to date on our activities through our invigorated social media channels.

Last winter, the planting at the restored Lorimer Preserve dam site had been completed, and we were praying for rain. And…thank goodness, the first half of 2025 brought a typical 25 inches or so, in steady increments. Our blackgum/red maple palustrine plant community has flourished. But our birding friends told us that it was important to extend the area of native habitat to be large enough to make a significant difference for the birds we want to attract, including species of greatest conservation need such as wood thrush. The understory in the area downstream of the pond was comprised almost exclusively of the alien invasive bush honeysuckle shrub, having limited wildlife value. Our plan was to remove that and extend the upstream plant community. In March 2025, the Conservancy's meadow mowing contractor, All Seasons Landscaping, came in with a forestry mulcher mounted on a skid steer, which over three days reduced the three acres of honeysuckle to stumps, small

students from the Baldwin School to contribute a service day to spread a mix of native seeds and begin the native vegetation. The cleared area is divided into two sections by a trail that leads to the creek. It was decided to fence the smaller

exclosure. We used two types of fence: a section repurposed from a prior planting in the Miller Preserve (now flourishing, check that out) attached to trees along the perimeter, and a Deerbusters fencing system as used in the Airdrie Forest Preserve (check that out, too). All that work was accomplished by community volunteers, Devon 50 scouts and parents, and despite a rainy day a great team sponsored by Resolution Life's Day of Service.

The final step was the acquisition and planting of the trees and shrubs. Octoraro Native Plant nursery again provided great plants delivered to the gatehouse, then loaded by Conservancy members and volunteers from Malvern-headquartered Eggland's Best into Mark Saylor's pickup for transport to the site. Once again, pre-drilling planting holes was vital. 30 wonderful volunteers got the plants in the ground over a couple of days in late September 2025.

The increased native species diversity will give visitors of all ages and interests something to look for. A neighborhood family and friends are seeing what life they can find in the restored stream. Amidst the riot of perennial flowers inside the protected exclosure, here's some autumnflowering Common Sneezeweed. Because the plant is pollinated by insects, not wind, it does not cause seasonal allergies or sneezing, despite its common name. A Question Mark butterfly takes a moment to rest on one of the new red maple trees. The silver mark on the underside o the hind wing is broken into two parts, a curved line and a dot, creating a ?-shaped mark that gives the species its common name. Funding and guidance for this portion of the project were provided by the Conservancy Grant Program, Commissioners of Chester County and the Marshall Reynolds Foundation, Unionville, PA.

While much attention has been paid to projects in our biggest Preserve, we have not forgotten the Conservancy's newest addition, Valley Hill Preserve. Although we have yet to develop a parking solution for the Preserve, Eagle Scout Jack Gosse and his team from Devon 50 made a big improvement to access by building a switchback trail down the very steep slope. The project was a big success, thanks to great organization, a strong team and of course parental support from Township Supervisor Julie Gosse and husband Nate.

We must also give another shout-out to the students at Baldwin School. Not to be out done by the middle schoolers' seeding in Lorimer, a group of high school students came out in heavy rain to Valley Creek Preserve to plant blackgum and red maple trees to replace the few failures from the 2023 planting. Great conditions to water the trees, not so great for the students, but they were super enthusiastic anyway, and 30 trees were planted.

Those students were happy to “touch grass” (and mud) away from social media, and of course Conservancy

Preserves are great venues for that. But we encourage you to take a little of your limited screen time and follow us on the sites listed below for all the latest news. A certified young person, Kristen Misialek, has volunteered to mastermind our social media presence, and you can of course also find out all about us at our website: openlandconservancy.org.

Facebook: facebook.com/openlandconservancy

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/open-landconservancy

Instagram: @OpenLandConservancyChesCo

x/Twitter: @openlandconserv

BlueSky: @openlandconserve.bsky.social

None of our work would be possible without the advice and hard work provided by the Conservancy's professional partners and countless volunteers, for which we are truly grateful.

TREDYFFRIN/EASTTOWN SCHOOL

Groundbreaking on Bear Hill Elementary School

On July 31, members of the TESD School Board and administration, along with representatives from Heckendorn Shiles Architects, gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Bear Hill Elementary School. This milestone marks the beginning of construction for the district's sixth elementary school at 1200 West Swedesford Road in Berwyn.

The School Board awarded bids for construction during its July 2025 meeting, and construction began in November. The School is scheduled to be open for the 2027-2028 school year and will support full-day kindergarten and accommodate high elementary enrollment. For more information about the Bear Hill Elementary School project, visit www.tesd.net/newelementaryschool.

Forty Conestoga High School Students Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists

Conestoga High School has again reported the most National Merit Semifinalists in all of Pennsylvania, with 40 this year. Approximately 16,000 of the highest scorers qualify as Semifinalists annually, representing less than 1 percent of the nation's high school graduating seniors. This recognition is based on the students' performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. These academically talented high school seniors will go on to compete for over 6,930 scholarships through the National Merit Corporation or its sponsoring organizations. Congratulations to all of our scholars!

Conestoga High School Girls Golf Team Clinches State Championship

The Conestoga Girls Golf Team captured the PIAA 3A Girls Team Golf State Title at the Blue Course of the Penn State Golf Courses, finishing with a team score of 232 (+12), four strokes ahead of defending champion Peters Township. This crowning achievement capped off a standout season marked by strong team depth and clutch performances. The team also went undefeated in matches with a 6-0 record, claimed first place at the Girls Golf of Valley Forge Tournament, and earned the title of District 1 AAA Champion.

T/E Schools Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month

Throughout the District, students and staff joined together to honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of engaging activities. Bulletin boards were decorated with facts about Hispanic countries, highlighting their cultures. Student volunteers enriched morning announcements by sharing information about famous Hispanic Americans and inspiring stories of achievement and cultural pride. Libraries featured vibrant displays of picture books, inspiring biographies, and engaging chapter books, inviting students to explore the rich voices and stories from Latin America and the United States. At some schools, families were also invited to participate in a special video project, sharing traditions, recipes, music, and stories that reflect their unique backgrounds. These videos were shared in classrooms to deepen understanding and celebrate the diversity across our schools.

TREDYFFRIN HERITAGE CENTER AT DUPORTAIL

A Gateway to Chester County's Revolutionary Legacy

has launched a capital campaign to transform the historic Duportail House along with its period barns and park-like grounds into a dynamic heritage destination that honors both the property's colonial roots and its Revolutionary War significance. With the Duportail House at its center, the vision is to create a historical campus that brings the past to life through interpretive signage, multimedia storytelling, and digital kiosks linking visitors directly to other historic sites and the Chester County Visitors and Convention Bureau. Together, the Duportail House and the adjacent Federal and Jones Log barns will form an integrated experience connecting visitors to the region's history, boosting the local economy, and making the past more engaging and accessible for all.

A Legacy Property with National Significance

The property's story begins with John Havard who established this land as the heart of a thriving colonial farm in the early 18th century. The Havard family's stewardship of this land through multiple generations created the foundation for what would become a site of national importance. Built by the Havards circa 1740, the stone house they erected would later play a pivotal role in America's fight for independence as the headquarters for General Louis Lebègue Duportail, George Washington's Chief Engineer. It was here during the Valley Forge encampment, one of the war's darkest periods, that General Duportail's expertise proved crucial to the Continental Army's survival and ultimate success. Recruited by Benjamin Franklin in France, Duportail laid the foundation for American military engineering, establishing what would become the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and later advocating for the creation of the U.S. Military Academy at

(Let us try), adopted by the Corps as its own, remains today a testament to the determination and innovation that helped forge a new nation. The remarkable discovery of Duportail's detailed defensive plans for Valley Forge, found after nearly a century in the house's attic, underscores the site's extraordinary historical value.

Preserving Multiple Layers of History

Beyond the main house, the property includes two other significant structures:

• The Federal Barn (1792), a rare surviving bank barn with its builders' signatures, John Hamer and Jonathan Moor, inscribed in its rafters.

• The Jones Log Barn, a carefully recreated period structure now serving as a living history center showcasing 18th-century rural life.

These buildings together tell the complete story of early American life from the Havard family's colonial farming enterprise through the Revolutionary struggle for independence and into the early Federal period.

Chester County Leading America's 250th Anniversary

As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026, Chester County is taking the lead with a coordinated effort to recognize its pivotal role in the nation's founding. The Tredyffrin Heritage Center stands as a cornerstone of this initiative. The Center will be a key component in the Chester County Heritage Information Network, a countywide system connecting heritage sites through touch-screen displays, QR codes, and multimedia content. This network will create a web of historical

understanding, encouraging deeper, more meaningful visitor engagement throughout the region.

Dare to Declare

On July 4, 2026, the Heritage Center invites the community to literally stand in the rooms where American independence was charted. Our Dare to Declare event will feature a powerful public reading of the Declaration of Independence, bringing this founding document to life in the very spaces where those who fought for its principles once stood.

Your Support Makes History Live

To achieve this vision, the Center seeks both public funding and private support. A donation to the Tredyffrin Heritage Center offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve a nationally significant landmark as a valued community asset that will inform, inspire, and strengthen our sense of place and history for generations to come. Your investment will enable crucial site upgrades, including accessibility improvements, expanded educational programming, and the preservation of these irreplaceable structures that connect us to our shared heritage.

Join Us in Preserving America's Story

Donations and pledges of support should be sent to:

Tredyffrin Heritage Center at Duportail 297Adams Drive, Chesterbrook, PA 19087 Tel: 445-241-4427

Email: info@duportailhouse.com

Website: TredyffrinHeritageCenter.org

The Tredyffrin Heritage Center at Duportail is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.

The Historic Resource Overlay District (HROD) is the ordinance that protects historic structures in Tredyffrin Township. This update aims to strengthen the ordinance to better meet the needs of Township residents. Visit the Township website for more information (https://www.tredyffrin.org/Boards-Commissions/Historical-Commission/Historic-Resource-Overlay-District-Ordinance-Update) & scan the QR code to participate in a community survey about the HROD.

VALLEY FORGE PARK ALLIANCE

Looking Ahead to 2026: Valley Forge's 50th and America's 250

Big things are coming to Valley Forge in 2026 and the Valley Forge Park Alliance will be right at the heart of it all. As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Valley Forge National Historical Park —and the Alliance — will also mark its 50th year as part of the National Park System.

Valley Forge Park Alliance's mission is to inspire appreciation for and citizen stewardship of Valley Forge National Historical Park. The Alliance is dedicated to preserving and promoting the historical, cultural, and natural resources of this national treasure. As the Park's philanthropic partner, the organization engages the public with educational programs, events, and volunteer opportunities that enhance the visitor experience and foster a deep connection to the Park.

The Alliance is proud to be one of the official Houses of Declaration for the region's “Dare to Declare” celebration, hosting a community reading of the Declaration of Independence at our new headquarters, the historic Maurice Stephens House, in the center of Valley Forge National Historical Park. It promises to be a meaningful and memorable day, tying to gether our nation's founding ideals and the park's remarkable legacy.

In the coming months, the Alliance will open a contest inviting community members to apply to be one of the readers of the Declaration or to sing the National Anthem during our July 4th celebration.

Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to celebrate. To stay informed and receive updates, please visit our website vfparkalliance.org or email us at info@vfparkalliance.org

JENKINS ARBORETUM & GARDENS

Bird-Safe Windows:

How Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens Is Modeling Change

by Alyssa Turner, Development Assistant

You have probably heard it before — the sudden thud of a bird crashing head-first against the window. Maybe you look and notice a smudge, a few feathers on the glass. Maybe there's no sign of the strike at all. The sound is easy enough to brush aside, but for birds, it's a moment that often marks life-or-death.

For the staff and volunteers at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, these moments were incompatible with our guiding philosophy: to steward our 48 acres of woodlands and gardens in partnership with nature. With guidance from Bonnie and Phil Witmer, trained experts with a deep passion for birds and for Jenkins, we set into motion a community-funded project that has transformed how we think about glass, reflection, and our shared responsibility to protect wildlife.

Unlike people, birds don't recognize glass as a barrier. Instead, they see reflections of trees and sky and hurtle head-first into what they perceive as open space. The result is one of the biggest humancaused threats to bird populations, with window collisions killing over a billion birds annually in North America alone. It's a devastating figure and an international crisis, but the solution is surprisingly simple.

In 2025, Jenkins completed a site-wide retrofit of our John J. Willaman Education Center windows using a combination of Feather Friendly markers and Acopian BirdSavers. The small, white markers by industry leader Feather Friendly — spaced just two inches apart and applied to the outer glass — create a subtle pattern that breaks up reflections, helping birds to recognize the glass as a solid surface and reducing bird-window collisions by up to 95%.

In contrast, the Acopian BirdsSavers stationed on the windows below our Tree Canopy Deck are made of black paracord that hang in front of the glass. The movement of the paracord alerts birds to the barrier without blocking views. Collectively, these two methods allow Jenkins to maintain the open, airy feeling of our building while also making it much safer for wildlife.

It's easy to feel environmental challenges are too big to tackle, but this project reminds us otherwise. Protecting birds starts at home.

Visit www.jenkinsarboretum.org/birds to learn more or stop by our Education Center (free and open daily from 9AM 4PM) to see our bird-safe designs in person. Together, we can save birds, one window at a time.

WHARTTON ESHERICK MUSEUM

Off The Shelf — The Wharton Esherick Museum Book Club

As we make our plans for another season of the Wharton Esherick Museum Book Club, we are eager to share with local readers a bit more about Wharton Esherick's literary network and what makes the book club at WEM so unique. Off the Shelf is an Eshericklike twist on the classic book club. It provides the opportunity for bookworms, Esherick fans, and local community members alike to explore Wharton Esherick's legacy through the artist's own richly stocked bookshelves, recently published books that illuminate Esherick's artistic networks and enduring legacy, as well as materials from our special collections and archives.

Esherick's Relationship with Books and Authors

Wharton Esherick's life intertwined with many prominent writers of his day. His close friends included the American authors Theodore Dreiser, Sherwood Anderson, and Jean Toomer. Beyond these friendships, Esherick worked with many authors and publishers during his lifetime to provide woodblock print illustrations. In many ways, Esherick's journey in wood and threedimensions began with the woodblock prints he created for Mary Marcy's Rhymes of Early Jungle Folk (1922). Esherick was also quite the book collector, and often shared books that were meaningful to him for others to experience, too. What can we learn about Esherick's life, work, and the time in which he lived through the books he worked on, read, lent out, as well as through the writers he considered close friends?

Whether they are pulled directly from his shelves, written by his close friends and

companions, or shed light on Esherick's life and work in new ways from our present moment, the books we discuss together every month promote a deeper, richer understanding of Wharton Esherick's legacy.

Our 2025 book list included texts by Zora Neale Hurston, D.H. Lawrence, Jia Tolentino, Rachel Carson, Virginia Woolf, and Walt Whitman. For this final selection, we read Whitman's Leaves of Grass and through it

explored some of Esherick's ideas about individuality, relationships to nature, and the philosophies that played an important role in his life and work. One of his all time favorite writers, Esherick did not only engage with Whitman's work as a reader Rather, Esherick had the opportunity to make illustrations for reprints of Whitman's Song of the Broad Axe and Philip Dalmas' musical setting for As I Watch'd the Ploughman Ploughing. During the meeting, we looked at rarely displayed collections, objects and archives related to Esherick's work on these publications. This was just one of many rich discussions from the past year.

Join the Club

Looking for a community of curious, generous, and engaged readers? Hesitant to dive into some of the old classics without a group to discuss them with? Looking for a way to explore new titles? Join us at the Wharton Esherick Museum for Off the Shelf: The Wharton Esherick Museum Book Club. With each meeting, we took a look into WEM's special collections and archives to explore materials related to the month's reading. Meetings are moderated by friend of the museum, WEM board member and Director of West Chester University Special Collections Ron McColl.

Details can be found at https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/ book-club

OPERATION SAFE STOP

Shapiro Administration, Law Enforcement Highlight Safe Driving Around School Buses Through Operation Safe Stop

In November, the Administration released the results of Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative aimed at enhancing school bus safety for students across the Commonwealth by curtailing violations of Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law. Participating school districts and law enforcement agencies documented 188 violations (up from the 176 reported the previous year) near school busses during Operation Safe Stop, a one-day targeted enforcement and education event where law enforcement officials and participating schools documented drivers violating Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law, emphasizing the frequency of these violations and highlighted the importance of driving safely around students and school buses.

“Just one incident of passing a stopped school bus is too many, and this many violations in just one day is unacceptable,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Responsibly sharing the road with students and school buses helps keep all of us safe.”

The School Bus Stopping Law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm activated to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop, unless they encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median.

“Although there are steep penalties for violating Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law, they pale in comparison to a tragedy that could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings,” said Corporal Zeina Black, Permits and Bus Safety Unit Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police. “If a driver is stopped by law enforcement and convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law — the penalty is a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60day license suspension. The fine increases to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera.”

“Student safety in school zones and at school bus stops is of the utmost importance, requiring the undivided attention of all motorists. Local school districts work hard to identify the safest locations possible for school bus stops and provide training for staff to foster greater safety for all students,” said Department of Education Deputy Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Amy Lena.

“Vehicle operators can contribute greatly to improving the safety of our students by watching for the flashing lights of school buses and always stopping when students are boarding and exiting the busses.”

Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for or loading and unloading the bus include:

• Get to the school bus stop at least five minutes early, so you won´t have to run across the road to catch the bus.

• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic.

• Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.

• Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.

• Never push when getting on or off the school bus.

For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT's School Bus Safety Tips page at www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driverservices/school-bus-drivers/school-bussafety.

The Drivers Services website at www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services also offers an interactive video illustrating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Follow PennDOT on X and like the Department on Facebook and Instagram

SPECIAL THANKS to the Community Event Sponsors 2025

Special Thanks to the 2025 Community Event Sponsors

Many thanks to our 2025 Community event sponsors. Without their support, our Summer Concert Series, th Movie Nights, 4 of July Fireworks, Community Day, Trunk or Treat, & Holiday Tree Lighting would not be possible. We are grateful for their generosity

Gold Level

Metropolitan Veterinary Associates Novocure

Silver Level

Rubenstein Partners

Citizens & Northern Bank

Penn Medicine Valley Forge

O’Donnell Roofing

Special Thanks to the 2025 Community Event Sponsor s

Bronze Level

Paoli Hospital - Main Line Health PECO

Unruh Turner Burk & Frees

Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd.

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Primrose Schools

Gawthorp Greenwood

Riley Riper Hollin & Colagreco

Manythanks to our 2025 Community event sponsors. Without their support, our Summer Concert Series, Movie Nights, 4th of July Fireworks, Community Day, Trunkor Treat, & Holiday Tree Lightingwould not be possible. We are grateful for theirgenerosity.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT