West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Mar. 7, 2025

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It’s Friday, March 7, 2025: WCU students and faculty rally this week to raise awareness around the local impact of proposed cuts to federal education programs. One policy expert describes it as “pitting hungry children against poor and working class college students.” I have a breakdown of what’s at risk - and what’s likely not. Also, Restaurant Inspection reports, a new sushi restaurant, and a local dog that will make you smile again. So, just keep reading. 

Who’s ready? Let’s catch up.

What’s At Stake: A Look at How Proposed Education Cuts Will Affect West Chester Schools

On Tuesday, West Chester University faculty and students joined educators countrywide in what was billed a “National Day of Action.” The events, organized by the 1.8 million members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), sought to raise awareness around proposed cuts to federal education funding and the elimination of the Department of Education. At West Chester University, local APSCUF members (an AFT affiliate) organized a rally in the Quad and a daylong teach-in at the Sykes Student Union.   

“The goal is to let local communities know what’s at stake,” said education policy scholar and APSCUF-WCU recording secretary Dana Morrison at the start of the morning’s lesson. I attended the session, but the broad scope of the directive “eliminate the Department of Education” as well as accompanying budget cuts left me fuzzy on the details. What exactly would that mean? Would popular programs like the National School Lunch Program, Title 1 funding, and Pell grants disappear? Would students be harmed, or would things just move to the states as proponents suggest? I peppered Dana with questions, and she graciously answered them all. 

Join us for a Community Egg Hunt & Open House! 

Details:  Saturday, April 5th, from 12:00-3:00 pm

12:00-2:30 pm

• Scrape and Scoop Ice Cream Truck!

• Birl Girl Face Painting!

• Inflatable Maze!

• Balloon Artist!

• School Tours!

Egg Hunt begins promptly at 2:30 pm

Held at CBA Elementary School
1190 McDermott Drive
West Chester, PA

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome! Click here to RSVP.

The Warnings.

Watch what you eat. There were 12 food facilities out of compliance with the Chester County Health Department in February, including a restaurant storing raw chicken on the floor, a local convenience mart selling oat milk that expired in January, and a hotel letting patrons grab pastries with their bare hands.  

The Accolades.

This week, we are cheering Sullivan James Lee, an eight-year-old Golden Doodle who is the living embodiment of the saying, “When life gives you lemons.” Sullivan, better known as Sully, spent seven and a half years loving life. “He’s just a big lovable fluff ball,” said owner Donna Lee. Then, on Nov. 13 - a Wednesday - the unthinkable happened. 

“A [dog] attacked Sully in our yard,” said Donna. She was out on the deck with her daughter when she heard screaming and looked up to see the dog with Sully’s leg in its mouth.

“He was chewing on Sully’s leg like a chicken bone,” said Donna. She and her husband worked for three solid minutes to get that dog off of Sully. Once free, they rushed him to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Malvern. They gave the Lees a choice (and Sully excellent care). 

 “We had two options,” said Donna. They could try to save the leg, but it would mean multiple surgeries, lots of rehab, and weeks of restricted movements, which can be hard for an active pup. Not to mention it’s a lot of money. Or they could amputate and let Sully adapt to life as a tripawd, or a three-legged dog.

After a couple of tense nights and lots of research, they decided to amputate.

“Of course, we were very nervous,” said Donna, but he did well. He recovered quickly. “He’s happy and playful. He’s back to his good ol’ self.” He’s even mastered the stairs - and got his own TikTok account.

@tripawdsully

Sullys journey🦮. #CapCut #tripawd #goldendoodle #fyp #viral #attack #sad #xyzbca

It's a horrible story, but from what I saw on TikTok, it's not a depressing feed. Quite the opposite. “Why did you start the TikTok?” I asked Donna. 

“It helped me make the decision,” said Donna. As for Sully’s TikTok, she’s thinking it could maybe do the same. “If someone’s faced with a decision like this, I would be happy to help them.” 

Or he might become famous. “To be honest, he gets so much more love now,” she conceded. 

Other things we are celebrating this week: 

State champs. Congratulations to the Westtown School’s girls’ basketball team on winning this year’s Independent Schools Athletic Association championships. The Moose, led by sophomore Jordyn Palmer’s 26 points, easily defeated challenger Friends’ Central to claim their fourth state title in a row. The girls are now waiting to see if they will be selected to play in this year’s Chiptole Nationals. 

State bound. Speaking of states, next week, several West Chester athletes are packing up and heading out to show what they’ve got against the rest of the state’s best. Henderson’s Paige Fisher, Caelan Ladd, Eddie Stoltz, Bailey Steimel, Finn Lukens, Rustin’s Aoife Speer-Gibson, Claire Roussakis, and East’s Emily Schwarz are all heading to Bucknell University for the PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Meanwhile, Rustin’s AJ Corp is in Hershey competing in the PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships. 

What to watch:

• All the girls’ swimming. Area swimmers did an excellent job this year, qualifying seven swimmers in six individual events and three relays. 

• 100 Breast. Not only does Henderson’s Paige Fisher have the sixth seed in this event, Rustin sophomore Aoife Speer-Gibson has qualified as well. 

• 100 Back. Less than two seconds separated second from 14th place, giving sophomore Claire Roussakis lots of opportunity to surprise a few people.

• 100 Fly. With the second-fastest time in the state, Henderson’s Eddie Stolz is the highest area qualifier and West Chester’s best chance to reach the top of the podium. 

• Wrestling 160 weight class. Sophomore AJ Corp, currently ranked 8th in the state, hopes to win the Golden Knights their first state wrestling medal in more than a decade.

You can find all the qualifying swimmers, their ranks, and races here: Boys, Girls.

The West Chester Parking sign guys. I am sure by now you have noticed West Chester’s new parking signs. They are black and blue, clean and modern looking, and will hopefully help visitors to town quickly locate available parking options. The change has been impactful and seemingly effortless. One day, the new signs were just there, but we know that despite appearances, these things are never as easy as they seem. A week or so ago I got a message from West Chester Parking Director Ramsey Reiner that included this note (the bulk of the email was an answer to one of my many questions,) “Merje [the company behind the sign design] is the ABSOLUTE BEST company to work with,” she wrote, “and I hope that they get props in your newsletter at some point. John Bosio has gone way above and beyond for the Borough, and I can’t thank them enough,” she added. I don’t know how much it will mean to John and team, but I am happy to give the shoutout. The signs look great and are a big improvement over what was there previously. I hope this is the start of a trend toward clean and standardized downtown signage. 

Ms. Malena’s vintage win. Last month, Ms. Malena Martinez and her Gay St. Boutique appeared in the New Yorker’s “On and Off the Avenue” column celebrating the fashion feature’s near 100-year run (the column first appeared in the November 1925 issue). The topic now - as then -  was the fashion of the Roaring Twenties. “Malena’s Vintage Boutique, in West Chester, PA,” author Rachel Syme writes, “has one of the best twenties collections in the region.” She goes on to compliment Malena on her style, collection, and attitude toward wearing vintage. “Take a silk duster coat and pop it over a band tee and patchwork jeans, and skip the fingerwaves so you don’t look like you stepped right out of Ladies’ Home Journal, but also you can wear a piano shawl any day of the week. It’s all about the attitude,” she quotes the shop owner as saying. 

Spring thoughts. With both the West Chester University men’s and women’s basketball teams eliminated from the PSAC Tournament this week, it’s time to start thinking spring sports, and WCU pitcher Julian Costa wants your attention. Julian was named the season’s first PSAC East Pitcher of the Week after throwing a no-hitter vs St. Thomas Aquinas last Friday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina. As for that impressive basketball run this winter? It might not be over just yet, but it is out of the players’ hands. West Chester will join East Stroudsburg in waiting to see if its name is called during Sunday night’s Division II Men's Basketball selection show.

Award-worthy policing. Last month, West Goshen Police Department held an awards ceremony honoring the work of several officers. Officer Ryan Kenna, Officer Patrick Greider, and Detective Robert Edwards were applauded for their response to a shooting in the Wawa parking lot and their persistent detective work to close the case. Officer Graham was recognized for his negotiation of an armed suicidal subject to a safe resolution, and Sgt David Spigarelli, Officer Logan Needham, and resident Paul McKeon were recognized for their work in protecting the public from a bitcoin fraud scheme targeting elderly residents. Thanks to all for their dedication to this community! 

Award-worthy journalism. Finally, a shout-out to all the student journalists at WCU Quad for their work keeping the student body informed and the administration accountable. Special recognition goes to writer Elijah Fisher and reporter Dani Margarite, both of whom had their work recognized at this year’s Student Keystone Media Awards. 

Sully was nominated by his neighbor. Know someone who should be recognized? Send me an email at [email protected].

Hello.

This week Mino Sushi and Ramen opened at 2 W. Gay St. The Japanese restaurant, with a location in Malvern, welcomed its first customers to its newly renovated Borough storefront on Monday. The interior of the former Boba tea shop is now gunmetal gray with gold accents. The barista counter has been replaced with a teak-fronted sushi bar with a smiling Buddha on top. There is no seating at the bar, but there is plenty as you enter the restaurant if you want to dine in. 

Goodbye.

This week, Marshall Square Park said goodbye to a tree and part of a fence as a truck crashed into the northwest corner of the park between the basketball court and the playground. N. Matlack St. was closed from E. Marshall to E. Biddle St. for several hours Tuesday afternoon after the fuel truck carrying heating oil was involved in an accident that overturned one vehicle and caused the truck to careen into the park. 

The Chester County’s hazardous materials team was called after small amounts of gas were found leaking from the truck’s gas tank. Fortunately, the cylindrical tank carrying the oil remained secure. No one was injured in the crash but several people returned to the scene to find their vehicles missing after cars parked along the street were towed so emergency vehicles could attend to the accident. The truck was safely removed by 5 p.m. The section of the park where the truck landed has been taped off until clean up can be completed. Visitors are asked to stay away until the tape is removed.  

Also, this week we are morning to passing of a couple of longtime West Chester residents. 

Fred de Long, the long serving Community Farm director for the Willistown Conservation Trust, was remembered last month with a nice profile in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The organic farmer and West Chester resident died in January from liver transplant complications. Fred established the community farm program for the WCT in 2007. “Though he was a savvy businessman and talented grower, perhaps his greatest talent was connecting with others and building strong professional and personal relationships,” his brother told the paper. You can read the full profile here. 

Patricia Ann Court, 94, spent her whole life in West Chester. Born on E. Washington St., she attended West Chester Senior High School where she played field hockey and was a cheerleader. She also holds the unique distinction of being the first person in West Chester to contract and fully recover from Bulbar Polio. She was married to her husband Richard for 74 years before his death earlier this year. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 29 at First Presbyterian Church on W. Miner St.

Finally, don’t forget, it’s goodbye to an hour of sleep on Sunday morning. At 2 a.m., clocks spring forward, marking the start of daylight savings time.

Pay it Forward.

Some ways to give back this week: 

Help a (wannabe) teacher out. Speaking of those education cuts, know a student teacher planning to do their student teaching next year? Tell them applications are now open for the PA Student Teacher Support Program. To date, this state stipend program has made $30 million in aid available to future teachers.  

Fight for your right to park it. Next Wednesday, West Goshen Township is hosting a Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan Public Update and Feedback Session. Now that’s a mouthful. Ok, so they’re not spending money on marketing, but where should they be spending it? That’s exactly what they’re trying to figure out. Park planning consultant Ann Toole, Park and Recreation Director Ken Lehr, Township Manager Chris Bashore, and members of the parks planning committee will share results of the public survey as well as give updates on where they are in the planning process. The feedback session is scheduled for Mar. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Township Building.  

Sign up for a blood drive. Two weeks from today, State Senator Carolyn Comitta is hosting her annual blood drive in partnership with the Red Cross and the Oscar Lasko YMCA. Sign up today to make a difference. According to the Senator’s statistics, only about three percent of eligible people donate annually. Go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code “Senator Comitta” to register.  

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We are celebrating my birthday with a special night out at Andiario. I have never been, and I am very curious about how the night will go. Also, hoping we’ll get a little of that beef. 

If you’re around this weekend, First Presbyterian Church is hosting its Weekend with the Arts. This free event kicks off tonight at 6:30 with an opening gala and continues tomorrow with a Best of Schubert Concert at 6:30 p.m. Also, don’t forget tonight is First Friday in the Borough. There is free street level parking and specials throughout downtown. Blink is holding a stock up sale. Buy three new things for your spring wardrobe and save 30 percent off all of it. Also, Lorenzo’s Steaks is introducing a Fish and Chip special for Lent and Gemelli is getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day with some new flavors. I’m particularly jazzed to try the Irish Coffee gelato. And don’t forget, WCU Spring Break starts today. Enjoy the exodus. 

And finally, thank you to this week’s Community Sponsor the Kit Anstey Real Estate Team. The “#1 team to know,” Kit Anstey’s team makes it their mission to provide the ultimate in personal service and sales results. Recent awards RPAC Hall of Fame, 10 Best in Real Estate for exceptional and outstanding client services, West Chester Lifestyle Readers' Choice Best Realtor, America's Best Real Estate Professionals and Legend Award of 25 years of Top 1 percent Team in the network.

View a list of all our amazing Community Sponsors here.

Business leaders: Want exclusive access to this amazing community? Of course, you do. There are a few limited spots remaining for March. Placements are filled first come- first served. Send an email to [email protected] if you are interested - and I’ll get you details!

Mark Your Calendars:

• Mar. 7 – 9 – Weekend with the Arts, First Presbyterian Church (130 W. Miner St.) Events start Friday at 6:30 p.m. with an opening gala and continue on Saturday with a Best of Schubert Concert at 6:30 p.m. An art gallery featuring the work of local painters, photographers, and artisans is open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. All events are free and open to the public.

• Mar. 7 – On the Lash, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a fresh take on Irish traditional music with original voices and creative interpretations of classic songs. Tickets: $30

• Mar. 8 – Food Truck Saturday, Brandywine Ace & Pet Farm, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Stop by Brandywine Ace this Saturday and treat yourself with warm, fresh donuts or refreshing ice cream.

• Mar. 8 – Countdown to Ecstasy, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. A passionate tribute to Steely Dan. Tickets: $40

• Mar. 10 – Film for $5: Once, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7 p.m. Complimentary popcorn included.

• Mar. 12 – Arts, Culture, History Nonprofit Symposium, Chester County History Center, 9 – 12 p.m. The purpose of the event is to convene a conversation with nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders about the importance of arts, culture, and history in Chester County, share best practices, and connect organizations to various resources. Registration required.

• Mar. 12 – Elementary and Middle School Honors Band concert, Rustin, 7 p.m.

• Mar. 13 – Cheers for Change, Ryan’s Pub, 124 W. Gay St., 6 – 8 p.m. Embrace the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day while supporting a great cause. Tickets: $30 includes buffet dinner, two drink tickets, and door prizes.

• Mar. 13 – Conversation with NYT Journalist and Author Ali Watkins, Chester County History Center, 6-8 p.m. Ali will be in West Chester for a conversation and signing on the release of her new book, The Next One Is For You: A True Story of Guns, Country, and the IRA’s Secret American Army. Tickets $5 or free with a CCHC membership

• Mar. 14 – Turks Head X Eclat, wine and chocolate class, Turks Head Wines, 6 – 8 p.m. Enjoy a curated tasting with stories of travel and chocolate making with certified master chocolatier Christopher Curtin. Tickets: $75

• Mar. 14 – East HS Calvacade Jazz Competion, East, tbd

• Mar. 15 – West Chester Grower’s Market, corner of Church & Chestnut Sts, 10 a.m. to Noon

• Mar. 15 – No Green Beer Party, Levante Brewing, 12 – 7 p.m. Enjoy Irish live music, Philly Hots food truck, and SPCA onsite. Make a $10 donation, get a free pour.

• Mar. 15 – Chester County Ancient Order of Hibernians 47th annual Irish program, ELK’s Lodge, W. Washington and N. Wayne Streets, 1 – 5 p.m. Enjoy Live Irish entertainment with the Mullin Family, and the Do’Cairde and McDade-Cara Schools of Irish dance. Plus, face painting.  Admission: $15.00 per person, children free.

• Mar. 15 – Concert in the Cupboard, Act in Faith, 10 W. Barnard St., 6:30 – 9 p.m. Join for good food and good music in support of a great cause. Tickets: $50/person; $150 for a table of four.

• Mar. 16 – Whiskey Rovers, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 4 p.m. Immerse yourself in the authentic sounds of Ireland with the Whiskey Rovers. Tickets: $25

• Mar. 17 – Celtic Psalms Concert, Sanctuary, Westminster Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Saint Patty’s Day with the Irish. Celtic Psalms sing Psalms set to traditional Irish and Scottish melodies. This is a free concert although donations accepted to support the music program.

• Mar. 20 – 15th Annual Slice & Ice Event, America’s Pie, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Stop by for a free slice of pizza and complimentary water ice.

• Mar. 21 – Blood Drive, Oscar Lasko YMCA, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration required.

Looking for more event ideas? View the full calendar here.

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That’s it. Stay safe, stay happy, and thanks to everyone who helped make this week’s issue possible. I’ll see you next week!

Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors