Publisher’s Letter

It’s November at County Lines. Getting busy. Getting ready. Election Day, Veterans Day, Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday and so much more!

Join Carol Metzker as she discovers “Brandywine Valley’s Sweet Surprises” — culinary delights, fall fun and holiday pleasures. She says this year’s holiday will be “sweeter than ever.”

Shannon Montgomery invites you to listen to the “Sounds of the Brandywine Valley.” The Chester County Pops Orchestra, Delaware, Kennett and Main Line symphonies, and more. There’s likely a concert or two near you.

Shannon also writes about our “Local Heroes: Brandywine Valley SPCA.” For nearly 100 years, the BVSPCA has been rescuing, caring for and finding loving homes for pets, with almost 20,000 helped this year.

Looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors despite the falling temperatures? Turn indoors. In “Connecting Art and Nature,” Alyssa Turner points us to the gallery at Jenkins Arboretum, calling it a “perfect spot to discover local art inspired by the beauty of the natural world.”

Laurel Anderson tours a “Horse Farm & Nature Preserve” — 16+ acres, 9-stall barn, a pool, pond and pastures, bordering the 1,282-acre Cheslen Preserve. Known locally as the Smith Farm, for it’s longtime former owners, it’s now for sale.

In Brandywine Stories’ “Riding the Rails,” Malcolm Johnstone tracks (yes, pun intended) the history of trains in West Chester. Regular service is over, but you can ride on weekends though December on the special Christmas Tree Train.

Transitioning to an assisted living or personal care community can be difficult, so Emily Hart asked several directors of their communities to weigh in. In “Senior Personal Care: The Right Time, Right Place, Right Help,” she reports what she learned. And Marci Tomassone’s “Guide to 55+ and Retirement Communities & Services” reviews your options.

Apple, pumpkin, pecan … Brandywine Table’s Courtney Diener-Stokes is thinking pie — more accurately, “The Second Pie”— and interviewing Molly Johnston of Nomadic Pies in Kennett Square about pies at Thanksgiving. Read on for Johnston’s recipes.

And remember, “Small Businesses are a Big Deal!” Friday, November 29 through December 1 is marked at Small Business weekend in West Chester. Start your holiday shopping early. And use our “Holiday Gift Guide” as inspiration.

As always, our Best Local Events section is filled with things to do for you and your family.

Perhaps you already have County Lines delivered to your mailbox. Save it for future reference. At CountyLinesMagazine.com, you can read the November 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 Wellington Square Bookshop, Main Point Books or Reads & Co. Bookstore. Visiting an advertiser is also a great — and free — way to find copies!

Ed Malet, Publisher

610-918-9300

Brandywine Valley’s Sweet Surprises

Start with a bakery and a gallery in Chadds Ford. Move on to a unique bar in downtown Wilmington. Savor a spot of organic tea in Coatesville. Enjoy a meal along Kennett’s restaurant row. Have a doughnut on Concord Pike. Drink wine in Oxford. This year, the holidays will be sweeter than ever.

Riding the Rails

In 1832, a railroad car traveled from West Chester to Philadelphia on newly laid tracks. It was part of one of the first railroads in the nation and took three hours. In 1881, the West Chester Railroad became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, operating 24 passenger trains and three freight trains every day. But service ended in 1986. Today, only the Christmas Tree Train operates out of West Chester for several weekends in December, along with other excursion trips throughout the year. Still, many hope the train travel can be revived.

Sounds of the Brandywine Valley

The music community is thriving in County Lines country! Many local ensembles are getting ready for fall and holiday concerts. Chester County Pops, Delaware County Symphony, Delaware Symphony, Kennett Symphony, Main Line Symphony, Brandywine Baroque, VoxAmaDeus, Immaculata Symphony and West Chester University ensembles. Also, catch WCU’s “Incomparable” Golden Rams Marching Band!