Publisher’s Letter

Here comes March and the first signs of spring, despite the groundhog’s shadow. At County Lines, the subject this month is women.

Since the birth of our nation, women have emerged as leaders, sometimes quietly, sometimes not. They’ve fought for freedom, run for president, infiltrated Wall Street and more. In “The Power of Her Story,” Shelley Laurence of Main Point Books recommends eight books that tell their stories.

In “Young Women Leaders,” we highlight seven women for their innovation, their leadership and their voices. They come from all sectors of our community — the president & CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, the president & CEO of the Chester County OIC, the executive director of Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, the founder & owner of Madi’s on a Roll and others. Read their stories.

The Revolutionary War wasn’t won by soldiers alone. It also depended on women — organizers, writers, workers and caregivers — many of whom lived in or moved through what’s now Chester County. In “The Other Revolutionaries: Pennsylvania Women Who Shaped a Nation,” Kim Andrews writes in Brandywine Stories about four women whose contributions have long been missing from view.

In “Women’s Health,” three health professionals share their expertise on issues facing women. Amba Kasongo, the Programs Director for the Alzheimer’s Association, reports in “Alzheimer’s Hits Women Twice as Hard” that women face a double burden. They’re more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and to care for someone with the disease. In “Breast Density,” Dr. Angela Jain of Fox Chase Cancer Center tells us what we should know how that condition affects mammograms. And Beverly Fornoff of Penn Medicine in “Nurturing Yourself Through Perimenopause: A Holistic Path to Well-Being,” says acupuncture, herbal medicine and yoga may be helpful as you navigate perimenopause.

In “An Exceptional Season,” I looked back at the past sports season at private high schools in County Lines country. The girls’ teams in particular excelled in field hockey, soccer and volleyball. Many standouts will continue their sports at top colleges around the country.

Whether you’re planning a spring break trip or looking ahead to summer vacation, now’s the time to start thinking about your next getaway. In “Great Escapes Close to Home,” Shannon Montgomery selects four destinations to spark your imagination.

In “Summer Camps,” we highlight several options to keep your kids energized, engaged and happy all summer long. Marci Tomassone once again assembled our annual “Datebook Calendar” with all the fundraisers — celebrations, galas, festivals, runs, antique and flower shows, and more — you won’t want to miss, all the way through December.

Our Brandywine Table writer, Liz Tarditi, focuses on cheese this month. Featuring Birchrun Hills Farm, she discusses the history and making of cheese in “Cheeseboard, But Make It Dinner,” along with several recipes. And in “Girly Drinks? Busting the Female Palate Myth,” Liz also examines history to challenge the common trope that women prefer sweeter drinks. White wines versus reds? Brewing beer? Rights of fermentation, she finds, were more a matter of discriminatory rules than of taste preference.

Finally, check out our Best Local Events section for Family Fun and more to do in the Brandywine Valley.

Perhaps you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the March issue online. At Issuu.com, you can read the digital issue. Or click “Get A Copy” on our website to find locations to pick up your own print copy.

We hope you’d like to subscribe to County Lines. Do it on our website or call 610-918-9300. For single issues, try Baldwin’s Book Barn, Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books, More than Books, Bookish Notions or Reads & Co. Bookstore. Visiting an advertiser is also a great — and free — way to find copies!

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Thank you for reading.

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Young Women Leaders

We shine a spotlight on seven dynamic young women shaping the future of Brandywine Valley, each leading with vision, grit and a deep commitment to the community. Meet food entrepreneur Madi Coble, performing arts center director Heather Grayberg, chamber president Lura Manion, civic engagement advocate Jahnavi Rao, LGBTQ+ leader Carrie Stare, Media mayor Joi Washington and nonprofit president Javonna Wylie.

The Other Revolutionaries: Pennsylvania Women Who Shaped a Nation

In June 1780, Philadelphia’s Esther de Berdt Reed urged women to raise money for Washington’s troops. The Ladies Association of Philadelphia collected more than $300,000 in Continental dollars. Hannah Griffitts wrote political poems urging the Daughters of Liberty to resist British taxes. Hannah Till bought herself out of slavery and served the troops as a cook. Abigail Rice served as a nurse, caring for Revolutionary War soldiers, in a hospital established in Yellow Springs. Together they demonstrate the war was carried on, not only by soldiers, but also by women.

An Exceptional Season

Our independent schools had an amazing sports season last fall, especially the girls. In Pennsylvania field hockey, Notre Dame was ranked 1st, Episcopal Academy 2nd, and Villa Maria 4th. In Delaware, Wilmington Friends finished 4th. Episcopal won all of its soccer games and was ranked 3rd in Pennsylvania. And Tower Hill’s girls won the championship in volleyball in Delaware. All are sending their players to great colleges.