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  • 🧱 Hankin Invests $67m in Senior Living | 📚 NAACP Donates Books | 🍁FallFest and Harvest Festival | 🏈 Chesco Football Scores

🧱 Hankin Invests $67m in Senior Living | 📚 NAACP Donates Books | 🍁FallFest and Harvest Festival | 🏈 Chesco Football Scores

Downingtown Local Pulse Issue Oct 4th, 2025

Author

Chesco Sean
04 Oct

Hankin Group Begins $67M Expansion at Eagleview Landing Senior Living Community

EXTON, PA — Construction is underway on a $67 million expansion of the Eagleview Landing Senior Living Community in Uwchlan Township, Chester County. The project, led by the Hankin Group, will introduce 117 independent living residences and over 23,000 square feet of amenities, including a wellness center, indoor pool, spa, and entertainment spaces. The expansion is set to be completed by November 2026, bringing the total footprint of the community to over 340,000 square feet. This second phase supports the group's long-term goal of enabling aging in place. A third phase is already in planning, with additional development expected.

West Chester NAACP Donates Nearly 200 Books to YMCA Preschoolers

WEST CHESTER, PA — The West Chester NAACP donated nearly 200 books to preschoolers at the Oscar Lasko YMCA as part of its "Celebrate 365" literacy campaign. The YMCA also received a $50,000 state grant to improve early learning environments and plans broader renovations across its branches.

FallFest and Harvest Festival Offer Dual Celebrations This Weekend

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Our area will host two major fall events this Sunday. The Downingtown FallFest will take over Green Street and East Pennsylvania Avenue with food vendors, crafts, live performances, and a beer garden from Victory Brewing Company. Meanwhile, the Fall Harvest Festival offers a family-focused experience with pumpkin patches, obstacle courses, bounce houses, and pony rides. Costumes are encouraged, and live music and local food will round out the day. The Downingtown FallFest runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for October 12.

Dominant Wins for Downingtown West, Coatesville, and Shanahan

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — High school football action in Chester County brought a mix of blowouts and nail-biters Friday evening. Coatesville posted a 33–0 shutout over Henderson, and West Chester Rustin claimed a key 31–14 win against Downingtown East. Downingtown West cruised past Great Valley 38–6, while Bishop Shanahan handled Sun Valley 41–7. In tighter contests, Avon Grove narrowly defeated Unionville 29–28, and West Chester East outlasted Oxford 28–21. These results are shaping the late-season standings as playoff implications begin to emerge.

Local Author Matt Zaun Publishes Strategic Storytelling Guide for Leaders

Matt Zaun, a Downingtown-based author and story strategist, has released The StoryBank: Strategic Storytelling That Works, a new book that explores how leaders can use storytelling to influence, inspire, and drive organizational change.

Rooted in Zaun’s experience consulting with executives and public figures, the book outlines how well-timed narratives can enhance sales, shape internal culture, and elevate public messaging. Zaun also reflects on his personal evolution as a communicator, from struggling speaker to keynote presenter.

The book introduces the “StoryBank Method,” a framework designed to help leaders build and manage a personal archive of strategic stories. Chapters focus on practical applications across marketing, leadership communication, and team development.

Two New Ways for Local Businesses to Shine in the Downingtown Local Pulse

Downingtown is built on the strength of its small businesses — the shops, restaurants, services, and makers that give our community its unique character. Now, there are two new ways for those businesses to get in front of thousands of engaged local readers through the Downingtown Local Pulse.

We’re introducing two promotional programs designed to give businesses year-round visibility and meaningful connections with our audience:

1. Partner Program

This package gives businesses a featured listing in our Local Business Directory, making it easy for residents to find and support you. Partners also receive:

  • A monthly Business Spotlight article that tells your story.

  • A pinned article on our website for maximum visibility.

  • Exposure to our massive Facebook audience, with each feature shared across our highly engaged social channels.

2. Patron Program

For businesses ready to take their visibility to the next level, the Patron Program includes everything in the Partner Program plus:

  • A top-level ad placement one issue a month, ensuring your brand stays front and center.

Both programs are built to keep your business in the local conversation month after month — not just as an ad, but as a valued part of the community’s story.

Whether you’re a family-run shop, a growing startup, or a well-established local favorite, these programs offer an affordable way to boost your visibility while supporting the Downingtown Local Pulse’s mission to celebrate the people and businesses that make our town special.

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…

Chester County Day 2025 (West Chester) - Oct 4, 10am-5pm

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

Coatesville Star Party (Coatesville) - Oct 10, 6:30pm-9pm

St. Pauls Pop-up Thrift Store (Exton) - Oct 11, 8pm-2pm4

The FANGtastic Life of Bats (Springton Manor Farm) - Oct 11, 9pm-10:30am

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

Downingtown Fall Arts Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 11, 3pm-6pm

West Bradford Family Fall Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 11, 4pm-7pm

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

Historic Yellow Springs Fall Festival (Chester Springs) - Oct 12, 12pm-4pm

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

Caln Clean-Up Crew Litter Pick Up (Caln) - Oct 18, 1pm-3pm

Hibernia Dam Walking Tours (Coatesville) - Oct 23, 2 & 3:30pm, Oct 25, 9am & 10:30am

Caln Twp Halloween Party (Caln) - Oct 25, 1pm-3pm

Fall 4×4 Fest (Downingtown) - Oct 25, 10am-1pm

CCCC Trunk or Treat (Caln) - Oct 26, 2pm-4pm


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