West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Feb. 21, 2025

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It’s Friday, Feb. 21, 2025: This week we get our first sense of where the West Chester Area School District wants to be in three years - unfortunately, the big picture may have gotten smudged by news of snow days and spring conference cancellations. I’ll let you discuss amongst yourselves. Also, trash pile-ups, West Chester’s Borough and Housing Director is out - or at least off the website, West Chester University dominates in the pool, and the Eagle has landed - and apparently, he’s a wine drinker. Oh, where to begin? 

Who’s ready? Let’s catch up.

Strong Schools. Skilled Students. WCASD Outlines Its Vision for the Future (Spoiler Alert: It Doesn’t Include Snow Days)

After months of discussion, assessment, and refining, West Chester Area School District believes it is ready to answer the question, “Where do you see yourself in three years?”

Design Series: Make the Most of the Home You Love

At Spring Creek Design we’ve done hundreds of projects over the years, and we’ve boiled our process down to three words: Think. Build. Live.

THINK is the planning and budgeting stage. We listen to you to understand what you want to achieve, then we explore options that work within your budget. You work with a project developer and a designer to review plans, make budget decisions, and choose design options.

BUILD is the demo and construction phase as we turn your plan into reality. We take care of everything from securing permits to letting your neighbors know what’s going on. Your project manager is at your site every day, working with subcontractors and keeping the job on schedule. You get daily updates via our client web portal, where you can also track your selections, budget, and payments.

LIVE is the big payoff. During our final walk-through, we make sure every detail is perfectly finished. And even though your project ends, our commitment to you doesn’t. Our lifetime warranty means we stand behind our work for as long as you own your home.

Ready to make the most of the home you love? Give us a call at 610-273-9194.

The Warnings.

The Accolades.

The decision has been made. West Chester East assistant coach Dean Owens will lead the Vikings onto the football field next year. After a two-year stint under former head coach Scott Stephen, Coach Owens will assume the head coaching position in the fall. “It is an honor to be named head coach at East,” he told the Daily Local. 

Coach Owens has been a teacher at East for the last 21 years and has coached previously starting at East in 2004 under head coach Joe Carroll. He then served as an offensive line coach for Henderson and head coach at Twin Valley before returning to East in 2023. 

He wants to establish a running game and bring more “physicality” to the program. To help do this, he is looking to bring in some new personnel including former Henderson head coach Steve Mitten as Defensive Coordinator and Doug Randall, the Twin Valley line coach, as offensive coordinator. You can read more about Coach Owens's plans for the team here. 

Miss Pretzel City. Congratulations to West Chester’s A.K. Hazel on being named Miss Pretzel City at the Miss Berks County annual scholarship competition. I am not sure what it means to be awarded Pretzel City honors, but I do know it comes with a trip to York to compete for the title of Miss Pennsylvania in June. Good luck!

Winter discoveries. I know it’s been cold but there are rewards to bundling up and heading out during the winter months: reduced injuries, better sleep, and cool discoveries, to name a few. One such discovery was recently spotted at West Chester University's Gordon Natural Area. It is a “Burnt Lips” lichen and was found on a tree alongside Plum Run. Common Script Lichens, named because they tend to resemble scrawled writing, are fairly common but this variety, which has darkened edges giving it a burnt effect, has only been spotted once. The GNA is home to 2,145 noted species, so you never know what you’ll find. 

Paw-trol partnerships. (I kill me.) Last week, West Chester Chief of Police Joshua Lee sang the praises of Odin, the Borough’s first police dog. In service for 6 months now, Chief Lee reports Odin has participated in dozens of successful missions where he’s helped identify the presence of narcotics. WCPD is now working to secure its second police dog and hopes to begin training the new canine in March with service to begin in June. While Odin is trained in patrol and narcotics detection, this second pup would specialize in patrol and explosives detection. 

Swimming swagger. Once again, West Chester University Swimming dominated at the 2025 PSAC Championships, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams leaving the four-day event champions. Leading for the women were Susana Ungo Quero, who took first in the 200 IM and 100 butterfly and second in the 200 butterfly, and Dani Stewart, first in the 500 free, second in the 1000 free, and second in the 1650 free. Madelyn Koehle nabbed gold in the 200 breast and WCU also took first in the 800 free relay. On the men’s side, Paul Demesy stepped up with first-place finishes in the 500 and 1000 free. While Dalton Fink took first in the 100 back and Devin Metzger took first in the 50 free.  Kolos Nagy grabbed first in the 200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 back and was named Swimmer of the Meet. WCU also won the 200 free, 800 free, and 400 medley relays. The victories are probably of no surprise to swimming fans - WCU Men have won this competition 26 or out of the last 27 years; and the women 18 out of the last 19. The sole loss for both teams came during the pandemic when neither team completed. 

In like a lion, out like a lamb. I know that saying pertains to March; unfortunately, it also describes this year’s high school basketball season. After much end-of-season hustle, only two of the six high school teams made the District Tournament—WC East Girls and Rustin Girls. Now both of those are out as well. East lost to Villa Maria in the first round. Rustin beat Harriton to advance to the second round where they faced #4 seed Unionville. Unfortunately, the Longhorns proved too much on Tuesday night and the Golden Knights were eliminated 36–53. Fortunately, basketball fans, there’s always WCU and WCU. 

Knowing where your food comes from. This week, chef Anthony Andiario shared that he and his partner Maria van Schaijik are taking local sourcing to the next level. “Maria’s family and I started raising cows just over a year ago with the goal of improving the land, feeding ourselves, and supplying the restaurant with our own beef,” he shared on Instagram.

“Butchering an animal you’ve looked after isn’t easy. In their final days, it weighed on me heavily. Still, this has been a deeply rewarding experience, both as a chef and a carnivore. It’s a special opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful for, one that has deepened my appreciation for the food we prepare and serve,” he added. Want to see if food prepared with love from the start truly does taste different? Now’s your chance. Andiario’s will be serving the steer raised at home in a variety of preparations over the coming weeks.

Know someone who should be recognized? Let me know: [email protected].

Hello.

Earlier this month, West Chester Seafood Kitchen opened its Gay St. doors. This week, West Chester writer Victoria Rose takes us inside. 

Goodbye.

Goodbye, snow days. Hello, Flexible Instruction Days. This week, the 2025–2026 West Chester Area School District calendar got a second reading—and a couple of significant changes since it was first introduced. Among the changes were a reduction in the number of planned snow days from three to one and the end of March conferences for most elementary school students. Both changes have drawn quick parent feedback. “I am not ok with this and I’m curious what other moms think,” one parent shared on the West Chester PA Moms Facebook group.

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Pay it Forward.

Got some free time on your hands? West Chester Borough could use your help. The Borough is seeking volunteers for the following boards, committees, and commissions:

• Civil Service Commission: alternate position, one vacancy, you need to be a Borough resident 

• Human Relations Commission: one vacancy, you need to be a Borough resident and you can’t hold office with a political party 

• Planning Commission: one vacancy, you need to be a Borough resident

• Public Arts Commission: one vacancy, no residency requirement

• Tree Commission: one vacancy, no residency requirement 

If you can help, think about it. To paraphrase Councilperson Lisa Dorsey, your Borough needs you.

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? After a rare Thursday night out (the West Chester comedy tour continues. So fun!), I am looking forward to a chill pizza night with the fam. Then on Saturday, Piper and I are going to check out the Dholki celebration at West Chester University. We are both excited for our first henna tattoos!

If you are around this weekend, Saloon 151 is starting things off tonight with live music and $3 Yuenglings from 6 to 10 p.m. Iron Hill is hosting Girl Scout Cookie and beer pairings all weekend, and Saturday is National Margarita Day for all who celebrate. More of a drink-at-home kind of person? Pine & Quill has the coolest bar setup. Really making me question my lack of gold animal figurines. Also, on Saturday West Chester Borough is hosting a Father-Daughter Princess Party from 9:45 to 11 a.m. There will be treats, crafts, and music. Registration required. Finally on Sunday, ease into the week with American Pie’s buy one- get one ½ off on all frozen or refrigerator dinner item special. 

Finally, this week a very special thank you to our very first Community Sponsor, The Lorgus Company, which has owned and managed rental properties since 1976. Its flagship property is 103 S. High Street, once the home of impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. The company continues that legacy today by working to honor and support local artists and professionals.

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 only three spots an issue so each one gets a lot of attention, and from what I hear, responses. Placements are filled first come- first served. Send me an email if you are interested.

Mark Your Calendars:

• Feb. 21 – Comedian Joe Conklin, WCU Asplundh Concert Hall, 8 p.m. Joe Conklin is one of the area’s most sought-after comedians for his fearless, uncanny, and hilariously spot-on impressions of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Barack Obama, Elizabeth Warren, Allen Iverson, and Charles Barkley, and more. Tickets: $70-110  

• Feb. 22 – Father Daughter Princess Party, West Chester Borough Building, 401 E. Gay St., 9:45 – 11 a.m. Join for a sweet treat, crafts and music. Registration required.

• Feb. 22 – Group Show, The Corner Collective, 341 S. Matlack St., 2 – 8 p.m. One night only check out the unique visions of some of West Chester’s emerging artists.

• Feb. 22 – Theatre Rock Live, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. Theatre Rock Live electrifies the stage with a dynamic tribute to Rock Musicals from the 1970s to the present. Tickets: $40 or $60 with VIP reception. Each ticket contributes $5 to Revival Productions.

• Feb. 24 – Film for $5: The Help, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7 p.m. Complimentary popcorn included.

• Feb. 25 – Virtual Lecture: When the Negro Leagues Came to Chester County, Chester County History Center, 7 – 8 p.m. Travel back in time to the 1920 semi-pro baseball season in Chester County. This is a pay-as-you-wish event. Registration is required.

• Feb. 26 – Learn Chi Walking, West Chester Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Join Carol Bilek, certified Chi Walking instructor for free Chi Walking demonstrations, open to public. Questions? Email Carol

• Feb. 25 – Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support Group, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., 6 – 7:30 p.m.  Living with or close to someone living with dementia, please join others for a monthly support group. Contact Ann Hatfield at [email protected] to join virtually. 

• Feb. 27 – Guest lecture journalist and historian Michael Wolraich, Philips Autograph Library, 3:30 p.m. The author of The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age, will make a guest appearance at West Chester University for a lecture and book signing. Copies will be available for purchase.

• Feb. 27 – Mar. 2 – East HS Musical, East HS, 7 p.m.

• Feb. 27 – Mar. 1 – Rustin HS Musical, Rustin, 7 p.m.

• Feb. 28 – Wine and Chocolate Pairing, 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. 1 – West Chester Grower’s Market, corner of Church & Chestnut Sts, 10 a.m. to Noon

• Mar. 5 – Ash Wednesday Pancake Dinner, Spellman Hall, Westminster Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Start the Lenten season with Westminster’s annual pancake supper. Suggested dinner donation is $5/person or $10/family. 

• Mar. 5 – Ash Wednesday Worship, Westminster Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd, 7 p.m. All are invited to join.

• Mar. 6 – Dueling Pianos – The Philly Keys, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. Get ready for an outstanding dueling piano performance. There’s an art to this dynamic, and The Philly Keys have mastered it. Tickets: $35

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!

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