Home Care In Birchrunville, PA

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WEST VINCENT – People last week learned about the history of the way people lived in Birchrunville as part of the’ Town Tours and Village Walks’ program.

Mildred Wilson of East Pikeland, who said she has done numerous tours for years, said she liked everything about the program, including the old photographs on display, the informative speeches from the guides at each location and the history itself of the Birchrunville mills and mechanics tour.

‘They put a lot of work into the whole program,’ Wilson said. ‘I think it’s tremendous, all the research they’ve done.’

According to literature provided on the tour, the village began with in the 18th century in support of William Branson’s iron mining settlement. It states that early tradesmen and farmers established a colonial community. The 1898 post office, stilled used by residents, was among several historic buildings discussed on the tour.

‘Birchrunville was bypassed by major transportation routes and subsequent suburban development,’ the literature states, ‘leaving the village virtually intact.’

Most of the historic buildings were constructed by the 19th century. The tour included the Birchrunville Hotel, which also served as a farm dwelling, a bakery and an ice cream parlor with a hotel. Several of the historic homes are occupied and the historic commercial buildings are in operation.

A stone grist mill, built in 1811 at the Evans-Rogers property, was featured on the tour. The mill operated until 1925. A tour guide at a bridge said that the water, to its end at French Creek at the Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge, had powered approximately 12 mills, including a Revolutionary War powder mill. The mills were outdated by the 20th century.

Terry Knox, of East Conventry, grew up in West Pikeland where he said people can enjoy the area that has preserved open space. He said he likes to learn about the history of Chester Springs.

‘I don’t think people have a real appreciation for history, of the way people lived and the way the country looked then,’ Knox said.

Donna Knox, who grew up in Pittsburgh, said it was nice to see the preserved areas that her husband, Terry Knox recalled from his childhood.

‘I got to see the place my husband grew up and what he talked about,’ Donna Knox said.

The Knox family said that they have toured over the years, even returning to the same locations in the county. Donna Knox said that with the rotation of the tours focus, they learn different aspects of the history.

‘I love these tours,’ Donna Knox said. ‘I think it’s a great thing that they do them.’

Free tours are held every Thursday at a different township in Chester County. The first guided tour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the last tour departing at 7 p.m. The last summer tour is on Aug. 21. Further information is available at the website www.chesco.org/plan, or by calling 610-344-6923.

The following tours, in order, remain: Fricks Locks: the village a canal built; ‘At Phoexnix: it’s the people that make the difference’; Nantmeal Village: the ‘sweet water’ meeting on Conventry Road; Malvern Borough, 125 years of history by trolley; Oxford Historic District tour and taste; Romansville: John Romans and his village.

The tours are sponsored by the Chester County commissioners and planning commission, the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Chester County Historic Preservation Network, and the Chester County Historical Society.

In its 20th summer, this year the tours take visitors through historic neighborhoods and villages to inform them about the sites heritage and landscape.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/26/22 – Re-Posted 7/26/22

The Pennsylvania girls’ rosters for the All-America Underclass tournament are below.

The 2022 All-America Underclass Tournament will take place July 28-31 in Columbia and Elkridge, Maryland.

The 2022 All-America Underclass Tournament is an elite high school tournament. The event features two divisions in each region, for each gender — the Command Division and Highlight Division. The Command Division will showcase players from the 2026 and 2025 high school graduation years. The Highlight Division will feature the 2023 and 2024 players. Each division will compete within itself at the tryouts and then the main event to determine which region is the best!

PHILADELPHIA GIRLS – COMMANDName Hometown High School PositionAutumn Blair Downingtown, PA Downingtown West Mid-FieldCatie Borger Malvern, PA Great Valley GoalieRylee Boyd West Grove, PA Avon Grove Mid-FieldMaggie Boyle Lincoln University, PA Avon Grove High School AttackKendall Brandon Exton, PA Henderson High School Mid-FieldRiley Czapor Limerick, PA Spring-Ford Area High School Mid-FieldAva Detweiler Philadelphia, PA St. Paul’s School (NH) DefenseSasha Dobos Yardley, PA Pennsbury High School DefenseAnya Dunn Coatesville, PA Academy of Notre Dame de Namur Mid-FieldMairyn Dwyer North Wales, PA The Agnes Irwin School Mid-FieldJenny Green Garnet Valley, PA Garnet Valley DefenseKarsen Hippert Easton, PA Easton Area High School DefenseCatie Holmes West Chester, PA Agnes Irwin School Mid-FieldGrace Holmes Yardley, PA Pennsbury Mid-FieldChelsea Kim West Chester, PA The Agnes Irwin School GoalieLeah Kolton Bala Cynwyd, PA Harriton High School DefenseJordyn Krafchick Glen Mills, PA Bayard Rustin High School Mid-FieldRiley Mattson Broomall, PA Marple-Newtown High School AttackAnnalise Messina Hatboro, PA Upper Moreland Mid-FieldGrace Naylor Furlong PA Central Bucks West High School Mid-FieldMaggie Neary Devon, PA Conestoga High School Mid-FieldLily Neilson West Chester, PA The Shipley School AttackSophia Tray Newtown Square, PA Villa Maria Academy Attack

PHILADELPHIA GIRLS – HIGHLIGHTName Hometown High School Position Avery Bickell Narberth, PA Lower Merion Mid-FieldAva Bleckley Newtown Square, PA Archbishop Carroll Mid-FieldChloe Bleckley Newtown Square, PA Archbishop Carroll Mid-FieldMary Carroll Avondale, PA Kennett DefenseSamantha Cifra Blue Bell, PA The Hill School GoalieKatherine Galica Wayne, PA Conestoga Mid-FieldSienna Golden Berwyn, PA Archbishop Carroll DefenseCailin Harrington Chester Springs, PA Owen J Roberts DefenseMakena Harrington Powell, OH Olentangy Liberty, OH Mid-FieldMachaaela Henry Broomall, PA Archbishop Carroll Mid-FieldGabrielle Koury Birchrunville, PA Owen J Roberts High School Mid-FieldSydney Manning West Chester, PA Great Valley GoalieCaitlin McConaghy Newtown Square, PA Archbishop Carroll AttackMargaret Mullen Radnor, PA Agnes Irwin GoalieAlice Nash Phoenixville, PA Villa Maria Academy AttackMia Raucci Garnet valley, PA Garnet valley Attack oAnnabella Schafer Ardmore, PA The Hill School DefenseMegan Sheridan Drexel Hill, PA Archbishop Carroll DefenseLainey Straub downingtown, PA Downingtown West AttackSophia Trahan Stewartstown, PA McDonogh School AttackAlexa Vogelman Chester Springs, PA Owen J. Roberts Mid-FieldColby Wasson Pottstown, PA Owen J. Roberts DefenseBrooke Wilson Bryn Mawr, PA Archbishop Carroll Mid-FieldElla Wright Berwyn, PA Archbishop Carroll Defense

Are these the best restaurants in Chester County? One publication says so.

Chester County is home to a wide array of stellar cuisine. Hotspots like Phoenixville and West Chester are home to some of the nation's best chains, local food, and ethnic options, while more options are scattered around the county.

But as you ponder your many delicious options this weekend, you might be wondering: where are the best dining spots in the area?

Eight en of them are right here in Chester County, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The publication recently put out its list of the 25 top restaurants in the Philadelphia suburbs. Establishments from Princeton, N.J. to Delaware County, Pa. were included in the analysis.

The following Chester County eateries were included in the list:

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BANGLES, 889 E. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown

The dinner menu has a variety of spicy and non-spicy Indian options.

Bangles aims to serve an Indian audience, but also attract mainstream American diners, with a little upscale polish, plus some fusion touches.

BIRCHRUNVILLE STORE CAFE, 1403 Hollow Road, Birchrunville

The dinner menu features venison filet, black angus strip steak, chilean sea bass, roasted rack of lamb, and roasted breast of duck foie gras.

Ringed by misty cornfields and steepled churches, this old general store turned idyllic French BYOB remains one of the single most charming dining experiences in the region. No wonder weekends are booked months ahead for the cash-only dinners. There’s almost always stuffed roast pheasant, fresh fish with wild mushrooms, rack of lamb with minted risotto, and warm butterscotch cake for dessert.

LA PENA MEXICANA, 609 W. Cypress Street, Kennett Square

The authentic dinner menu is highlighted by tacos, with burritos, fish, quesadillas, tortas, and more.

The immigrant-rich agricultural community around mushroom country has a long tradition of great Mexican food, but La Peña Mexicana is my absolute favorite. This modest, no-frills taqueria has a paint job that’s impossible to miss, its shedlike buildings striped like a bumblebee in a Mexican flag.

MAJOLICA, 258 Bridge Street, Phoenixville

Majolica's dinner menu features four courses, highlighted by oysters, roasted beets, rabbit ragout, and dessert choices like nutella crepes.

Before the new, hip version of Phoenixville took root, Majolica was the pioneer. This ambitious 44-seat BYOB, launched a decade ago by Savona alum Andrew Deery, was the first project that really brought wider attention to the possibilities of Bridge Street as a nightlife district.

RESTAURANT ALBA, 7 W. King Street, Malvern

Alba's dinner menu includes diverse antipasta, pasta with rabbit, boar, duck, and other unique options, and a "secondi" menu of fish like grouper and trout.

It’s all about the live fire at Sean and Kelly Weinberg’s Malvern oasis, where the aromatic wood grill and the flavors of Northern Italy pair with excellent service and great Piedmont wines for a refined rustic vibe that makes for one of the best overall dining experiences in the suburbs.

TALULA'S TABLE, 102 W. State Street, Kennett Square

The rotating dinner menu always includes fresh ingredients and changes daily. The October menu was themed "American in Paris" and included Frenchie chicken, fruit and fromage, beef croquettes, and more.

Hard to believe it’s already been a decade since the trendsetting debut of this locavore paradise for prepared foods, artisan cheeses, and evening tasting menu feasts put Kennett Square on every gourmand’s hot list. And amazingly, you still need to plan a year in advance to book dinner at the 12-seat country table in the charming market dining room, and a few months out for the smaller butcher block square in the fluorescent-lit kitchen (my preferred choice).

TERESA'S NEXT DOOR, 124 N. Wayne Avenue, Wayne

This trendy Main Line locale has a wide variety of beers and options like the game burger, goat tacos, and mussels.

What began a decade ago as a Belgian bar with a novel Mexican twist has settled in, refined its Euro-taqueria bistro menu, and evolved into so much more than just a great beer bar.

VECCHIA PIZZERIA, 249 Bridge Street, Phoenixville

The menu includes a variety of pizzas, including marinara, white, covaccino, fior di latte, regina margherita, and much more.

In a world that rewards multitasking, Frank Nattle is single-minded. And his quest — for the perfect Neapolitan pizza — has long been one of the best reasons to visit Phoenixville. Don’t get overly complicated with toppings.

Photo: Morguefile

WEST VINCENT – The Historic Birchrunville Neighborhood Association held its first fundraiser event to help cover its legal costs after a fight that helped save the Birchrunville site from development.

The association announced Monday during the supervisor’s meeting that there are plans to host future events. The association’s first event Sunday, a Winter Celebration at the Birchrunville Store Cafe, was more than a fundraiser.

‘Fundraising is a less important objective,’ said Thomaseth Dulchinos, vice president of the association. ‘Our main goal is offering neighbors and friends an opportunity to come together in order to celebrate the success of an almost decade-long effort to save the historic schoolhouse from overreaching development.’

The association is fundraising to help with expenses incurred while opposing a commercial development of three office buildings proposed to be built adjacent to the historic Birchrunville Schoolhouse. The board members said they had prepared an extensive legal case.

A hearing for the conditional use began in October 2013, but ended later that month when the developer withdrew its application. The association did not get to present their expert witnesses.

The association’s defense cost nearly $50,000. The association, formed in August 2013, consists of residents who joined to voice their opposition of buildings that would not suit the historic district of the village.

‘Although it has been costly, we have learned a lot about historic preservation,’ Dulchinos said.

She said she hopes that West Vincent officials use historic preservation programs to ‘learn how to best protect, not just Birchrunville, but all the historic resources found within the township.’

The township supervisors are in the process of purchasing a portion of the land to use as a park. If a sale is reached, the township will own 2 acres surrounding, but not including, the schoolhouse property.

Following the fundraiser, the association announced a special donation to the West Vincent Historic Resources Committee. The association received a donation for preservation purposes.

‘The donation was restricted and could not be used for legal fees,’ Dulchinos said, ‘So we wanted to make sure it was directed in a way that would raise awareness of the historic village.’

Harriet Stone, chairwoman of the committee, and association members collaborated and decided to use the donation to fund the purchase of marker signs for the Birchrunville Historic District. The signs will be located along several roads that lead into the historic village.

‘We are happy that the schoolhouse was saved, but we also recognize that preservation isn’t just about just saving this one building,’ Dulchinos said.

She said the event was well-attended by 60 people who ‘value the spirit and sense of community that historic villages like Birchrunville have to offer.’

The association members are continuing to sell T-shirts, sweatshirts and baseball caps with a logo that was designed by an anonymous local artist. Dulchinos said the clothing apparel has been popular. However, the association has more funding to do. She said it was a necessary cost to ‘save not only the schoolhouse, but the village and its view-scape as well.’

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nicole Kirchner, of Birchrunville, Pennsylvania, and Jennifer Taylor, of Erie, Pennsylvania, have been named student marshals for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' spring 2017 commencement. The ceremony will be held Friday, April 5, at Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State's University Park campus.

Nicole Kirchner: Student Marshal

Kirchner, a Schreyer Scholar majoring in materials science and engineering with a minor in mathematics, will serve as the college's student marshal. She is graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average. She will be accompanied by Susan Trolier-McKinstry, professor of ceramic science and engineering, and electrical engineering, during the commencement procession.

"I'm excited to serve as marshal, especially considering how many talented students are in the college. It feels like all my hard work has paid off," she said.

Kirchner was involved in research for all four years of her time as an undergraduate student. As a first-year student, she conducted experimental research with Zi-Kui Liu, professor of materials science and engineering, studying phase relations of metals. She then worked for three years in the laboratory of Susan Trolier-McKinstry, professor of ceramic science and engineering, and electrical engineering, where she helped to develop processes for depositing materials on the optics for a future X-ray space telescope that will improve the instrument’s detection limits.

Kirchner completed two internships as a student. As a quality engineering intern with First Quality, she analyzed production data and investigated a production problem related to diapers. As a metallurgical and quality systems intern with Alcoa, she helped the company stabilize the properties of cast ingots by modeling predictive behavior of materials under various conditions.

A student leader, Kirchner served as an orientation leader for the Schreyer Honors College's SHOTIME program for incoming students. She was junior and senior class representative for the student organization Material Advantage, and a member of Keramos, the national professional ceramic engineering fraternity.

After graduation, Kirchner will pursue a doctorate in materials science and engineering at Penn State, studying with Trolier-McKinstry and Ismaela Dabo, assistant professor of materials science and engineering.

Jennifer Taylor: Science Honor Marshal

Taylor, a Schreyer Scholar dual majoring in geosciences and English, will serve as science honor marshal. She is graduating summa cum laude and will be accompanied by Donald Fisher, professor of geosciences, during the commencement procession.

"I feel so honored to be the science honor marshal. I know so many brilliant and hardworking students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and that makes this honor even more amazing to me. No student succeeds without the support of dedicated teachers and peers, and I've certainly found such people here," she said.

Taylor was involved in a range of activities spanning the arts and sciences during her time at Penn State. She conducted research with Donald Fisher, professor of geosciences, using geochemical analyses to investigate deformation processes that occur in subduction fault zones. Working with James Kubicki, former professor of geosciences who is now chair of the geological sciences department at the University of Texas at El Paso, she researched the feasibility of sequestering nuclear waste in synthetic minerals and multi-phase ceramics. She completed geosciences field camp, a six-week excursion to Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, where students apply numerous geosciences techniques they learn in class.

Taylor also found a passion for dance at Penn State. She joined the International Dance Ensemble in 2015 and served as co-director of the organization in 2016 and 2017. In this role she taught a variety of dances from around the world. She also served as scheduling coordinator for the organization for three years and was chair of the group's Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) group for one year. Taylor also served as a dance instructor for the Penn State Center for Arts and Crafts.

Taylor received numerous scholarships and awards during her time at Penn State, including the Baker Hughes Scholarship Award, the Matthew J. Wilson Honor Scholarship, and the Schreyer Honors College Academic Excellence Scholarship.

After graduation, Taylor will pursue a doctorate in structural geology and tectonics at the University of Minnesota.

Last Updated April 25, 2017