🧭 Downingtown Author Publishes First Book | 🎨 Upcoming Murals | 🚧 Bypass Sinkhole Repair | 🚛 Refuse Driver Wanted | & more

In Today’s Edition of Downingtown Local Pulse…

☀️ Downingtown PA Weather

🧭 Downingtown Author Publishes First Book

🎨 Local Artists to Transform Downingtown with New Public Art

🚧 PennDOT to Begin Sinkhole Repairs on U.S. 30 Exton Bypass

🚛 West Bradford Seeks Full-Time Refuse Driver

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Good2Know in Chester County

🗓️ Upcoming Local Events

🔎 Support Local Downingtown Businesses

From Stage Fright to the Page: Downingtown Author Publishes First Book

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Matt Zaun, a Downingtown author and public speaking coach, has published his first book. His journey began with early setbacks in communication, including failing a college course on public speaking, but he went on to develop skills that have since taken him to 36 states, where he trains leaders in business and nonprofit sectors. His new book collects those insights, offering practical strategies for leaders who want to improve communication, strengthen company culture, and better connect with their audiences. Zaun hopes the release will not only extend his reach nationally but also encourage leaders in the Downingtown area to refine their skills.

Get your copy here!

Local Artists to Transform Downingtown with New Public Art

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A new wave of public art is coming to Downingtown this fall through a collaboration between the borough’s Parks and Rec Department and the Chester County Mural and Arts Project. Local artists have been selected to create murals that reflect Downingtown’s history and community spirit. Each artist will be spotlighted in the coming weeks, leading up to a public celebration at the Downingtown Arts Fest on Oct. 11 in Kerr Park. The festival will feature the artists and their work, with proceeds directed toward future public art projects, reinforcing a vision of creativity as a vital part of civic life.

PennDOT to Begin Sinkhole Repairs on U.S. 30 Exton Bypass

EAST CALN TWP — PennDOT is launching a long-term sinkhole remediation project on U.S. 30 (Exton Bypass) in Chester County beginning Monday, September 29. Survey work will cause alternating lane closures between Route 100 and Business U.S. 30 during daytime hours through October 3. The broader project will include permanent stabilization measures at two sites between Business U.S. 30 and Clover Mill Road, where crews will use a grouting process to fill underground voids. Additional improvements include pavement reconstruction, drainage pipe replacement, and stabilization of roadside swales. The initiative aims to secure a key stretch of the bypass that has faced repeated disruptions due to sinkholes.

West Bradford Seeks Full-Time Refuse Driver for Public Works

WEST BRADFORD TWP — West Bradford Township has announced an opening for a full-time Public Works refuse driver. The role involves operating automated, side-loading refuse vehicles on designated township routes. The township offers competitive pay, medical/dental/vision benefits, paid holidays and time off, and pension and retirement plans, with no weekend schedule. Applicants need a Class B CDL with an air-brake endorsement—Class A preferred—along with the ability to lift 50 pounds, work in all weather conditions and provide reliable, customer-focused service to residents. Applications are available at the Township Building and online; materials, including salary requirements and references, should be sent to Pam Henrichon at [email protected]

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 Farmers’ Market (Downingtown) - Sept 27, 9am-1pm

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)

Cmac’s 8th Choo Choo (West Chester) - Sept 27, 4:30pm-9:30pm

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

Pawpaw Festival at Bondsville Mill Park (Downingtown) - Sept 28, 11am-1pm

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

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

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

October Coffee Chat (Downingtown) - Oct 1, 7:30am

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

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

Catch up on previous issues…