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  • 😎 Students Deliver Solar Energy Kit | 🚮 New Clean Up Crew Rewards | 🎻 Free Outdoor Symphony Concert | 🪖 VFMA to Close

😎 Students Deliver Solar Energy Kit | 🚮 New Clean Up Crew Rewards | 🎻 Free Outdoor Symphony Concert | 🪖 VFMA to Close

Downingtown Local Pulse Issue Sept 18th, 2025

Author

Chesco Sean
18 Sep

Downingtown Students Deliver Solar Energy Kit to Pickering Valley Elementary

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Students from the Downingtown Area School District, representing various schools and grade levels, have delivered a student-led solar energy kit to Pickering Valley Elementary School. Organized through the Drishti Foundation, the project involved detailed planning, including solar technology research, fundraising, and educational demonstrations for the younger students. The effort not only provides a practical introduction to renewable energy but also reflects a growing culture of sustainability and leadership among local students.

Caln Township Adds Clean Up Crew Rewards with New Milestones

CALN TWP — Caln Township has enhanced its Clean Up Crew program by introducing new milestone rewards to encourage volunteer participation. In addition to previous incentives—a sticker, magnet, and hat for attending one, three, and six events respectively—participants will now receive a branded water bottle after nine cleanups and a hoodie after twelve. The next community event will take place on October 18 along Embreeville Road, a location requiring added caution due to traffic, making it more appropriate for adult volunteers. The township continues to invite residents to sign up and help maintain local public areas while earning recognition for their contributions.

Immaculata Symphony Opens Season with Free Outdoor Concert

Shot for Kruno’s Violin Shop in Amarillo, TX. One of many beautiful photos of stringed instruments for symphony and orchestra musicians.

MALVERN, PA — The Immaculata Symphony will begin its 2025–2026 season with a free concert titled The Great Outdoors, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. on the Back Campus of Immaculata University. Attendees can expect a varied program, including well-known works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Johann Strauss II, Franz von Suppé, and Alexander Borodin. Led by longtime conductor Dr. Joseph Gehring, the Symphony continues its tradition of community-focused musical engagement. While the event is free, donations are welcomed to sustain future performances. In case of rain, the concert will move to Alumnae Hall Theater.

Valley Forge Military Academy to Close After Current School Year

WAYNE, PA — Valley Forge Military Academy (VFMA), a private preparatory boarding and day school for boys in grades 7 through 12 located in Wayne, Pennsylvania, will cease operations at the conclusion of the 2025‑2026 academic year, with its final day of classes marked for May 30, 2026. The decision follows a trustee‑led review which determined that the academy’s current financial and regulatory environment has made its continuation untenable. Key challenges include sharply declining enrollment; escalating costs associated with boarding tuition; changes in state law that have increased liability exposure; and soaring insurance premiums. As of now, VFMA serves approximately 90 students, including 24 seniors. School leadership has pledged to help students and families find suitable alternative schools, and all seniors completing the year will receive a Valley Forge diploma. Meanwhile, Valley Forge Military College, although on the same campus, operates under a different governing body and will remain open.

Replay Available on Chester County TV of The Community Gathering in Honor of Charlie Kirk


WEST CHESTER, PA — On September 14, at 3 p.m., over a thousand people converged at the old courthouse steps in West Chester to honor the life and work of Charlie Kirk, conservative leader and Turning Point USA founder, who was recently assassinated. The ceremony, hosted by local political and youth groups, included remarks from County Commissioner Eric Roe, officials from the Chester County Republican Party, the Chester County Young Republicans, and representatives of the local Turning Point USA chapter. The gathering was live‑streamed on ChesterCountyTV’s Youtube channel, where those unable to attend can still view the replay. The event served as both a memorial and a rallying point for local conservative activists.

Good 2 Know in Chester County | Ep 12 | Kathy Cole, Peonies & Lilacs

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Jenny Leigh sits down with Kathy Cole, founder of Peonies & Lilacs, a backyard flower farm bringing locally grown bouquets and seasonal arrangements to Chester County. In this warm conversation Kathy shares how a hobby became a business after making heartfelt arrangement videos for her mom, how she grows for cutting (not just for curb appeal), her sustainable practices, the beloved “petal drop” community gift program, holiday evergreen offerings, and upcoming community events and fundraisers.

Upcoming local events…

Downingtown Library Horror Trivia Night (Downingtown) - Sept 19, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Car Seat Safety Check (Thorndale) - Sept 24, 3pm-6pm

Money Matters and Stewardship for Teens (Downingtown) - Sept 25, 6:30pm-8pm

Chester County Art Walk (East Goshen Park) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

Cider Fest At The Mill (Chester Springs) - Sept 27, 10am-4pm

Oktoberfest 2025 (West Chester) - Sept 27, 11am-5pm

Art in The Park (Caln) - Sept 27, 1pm-3pm

VFW First Annual Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 2pm (ticketed)

Drive Out Hunger (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-3pm

Kidz Town Fall Fest (CFC Downingtown) - Sept 28, 9:30am-11am

Designer Bag Bingo (Wagontown) - Sept 28, 12pm-5pm

Road to LionCage (Downingtown) - Sept 30, 4pm-7pm

Solar Viewing with the Astronomical Society (Pottstown) - Oct 4, 10:30am-1:30pm

Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 8:30am-2pm

Jeeps and Java! (West Chester) - Oct 5, 8am-12pm

Downingtown Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 5, 11am-4pm

East Brandywine Fall Festival (EB Community Park) - Oct 5, 12pm-3pm

Food Truck and Music Festival (East Goshen) - Oct 11, 2pm-5:30pm

October Cruse for the Troops (Exton) - Oct 11, 5pm

Exton Park Fall Fest (Exton) - Oct 18, 11am-3pm


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