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1645 ART SCHOOL ROAD | CHESTER SPRINGS
HOURS: MONDAY -THURSDAY 9AM to 4PM
610-590-5300
| | WEST PIKELAND TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER | | | | |
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE
SERGEANT WAYNE O'CONNELL
The West Pikeland community proudly celebrates a significant professional milestone as Sgt. Wayne O’Connell graduated February 15, 2026 from the prestigious School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University.
The SPSC is widely regarded as the most academically rigorous program available for experienced mid- and upper-level law enforcement supervisors. Through an innovative blend of academic theory and real-world application, the program focuses on areas critical to effective senior law enforcement leadership and management. The curriculum is intentionally designed to combine lectures with practical exercises and collaborative learning, allowing participants to apply academic principles while drawing upon the professional experiences of their peers.
This intensive program equips leaders with the tools necessary to navigate the evolving challenges of modern law enforcement while maintaining the highest professional standards. Sgt. O’Connell’s achievement demonstrates his commitment to growth, accountability, and forward-thinking leadership.
On behalf of a grateful township and a proud department, we extend our deepest appreciation and our loudest congratulations. Sgt. Wayne O’Connell, your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence honor this community. We celebrate you today and look forward with confidence and pride to the continued leadership you bring to West Pikeland. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
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Here Comes Peter Cottontail...!
Saturday, March 28th - 11am at Walnut Lane Park
Bring your basket to hunt candy-filled eggs, Have your picture taken with the Bunny and explore a Lionville Fire Truck!
Brought to you by the West Pikeland Parks and Recreation Committee and the Chester Springs Library
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DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins March 8, 2026
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 2026 begins on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. (clocks move to 3 a.m. "spring forward") and ends on Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m. (clocks move to 1 a.m. "fall back").
- Impact: Evenings will have more light in the spring, summer, and early autumn, while mornings will be darker during these months.
There is currently no permanent change to this schedule, such as the proposed Sunshine Protection Act, so the bi-annual time changes will continue in 2026.
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Big Night Out for Salamanders - Coming Soon!
Be on the lookout for an exciting event, soon to take place in your neighborhood after the snowpack melts. When three conditions coincide – darkness, temperatures above 40 degrees, and rainy weather – you may be able to observe hundreds of salamanders (as well as spring peepers and tree frogs) as they rouse themselves from their winter
state of brumation and begin their travel to nearby vernal pools where they will court,
mate and lay their eggs.
When male salamanders reach their ancestral waters, they begin a dance-like courtship behavior called “liebesspiel” (literally, “love play” in German.) Females then follow the males as they both swim away to a previously made sperm pack. After the females pick up the packs, their eggs are internally fertilized and attached to underwater vegetation, hatching into larvae with gills in 1-2 months. Then, in mid- May or June, the juvenile salamanders lose their gills and leave the water.
These beautiful and secretive creatures have been in precipitous decline in the U.S. and around the world. They are an excellent “indicator species” for a healthy ecosystem, as their very-permeable skin makes them sensitive to pesticides, diseases, drought and other environmental influences. Salamanders are also extremely valuable for medical
research. Their extraordinary capacity to regenerate limbs and organs helps in spinal cord injury treatment, regenerative medicine, and stem cell treatments for wound healing and damaged tissue repair.
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Unfortunately, one of the main reasons for the decline of salamanders and other
amphibians is death by traffic. A single road crossing on a rainy night can eliminate half
of the breeding adults in a local population. Many communities have formed volunteer
“crossing brigades” on the Big Nights, to help ensure safe passage of salamanders.
Here is an example of a very well-organized effort in southwestern New Hampshire: click here
What can we West Pikeland residents do to help save the lives of our local amphibians? If you have noticed specific locations in your neighborhood where salamanders make their yearly spring crossings, please email your information to us at: EAC@westpikeland.com.
This data can then be shared with other township residents so we all know at which
locations we should be extra careful, while driving on that first warm and rainy night in
spring, - the Big Night!
| | | HISTORIC YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS | | |
53rd Annual Yellow Springs Art Show
April 25 – May 10, 2026
10am - 4pm daily
The 53rd Annual Yellow Springs Art Show returns to the historic village of Yellow Springs from April 25 through May 10, 2026. For more than five decades, this highly anticipated event has been one of Chester County’s most cherished traditions, bringing together artists, collectors, and visitors from near and far. Set against the backdrop of a village rich in history and creativity, the show transforms the galleries of Lincoln Building into a vibrant celebration of the arts.
The 2026 exhibition will feature thousands of works from more than 200 regional and national artists, offering an incredible variety of styles and mediums to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, discovering new talent, or simply enjoying a day surrounded by beauty, the Yellow Springs Art Show promises something for everyone. Mark your calendars and join us for this inspiring showcase that celebrates both artistic excellence and community spirit. MORE INFO >
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Weekend Mill Tours
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Step back in time and discover the colonial-era milling process through our guided tours. Afterward, enjoy a peaceful stroll along our nature trail, open daily from dawn to dusk, and take in the beauty of the season.
For more information, please visit www.anselmamill.org.
| | | | Board of Supervisors Meeting | |
Monday, March 2, 2026 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Environmental Advisory Council Meeting | |
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 @ 6:00pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please note, the meeting will be held in the township office conference room.
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Wednesday, March 4, 2026 @ 7:00pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting | |
Tuesday, March 5, 2026 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Historical Commission/HARB Meeting | |
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 6:00pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Open Space Committee Meeting | |
Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 6:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Board of Supervisors Meeting | |
Monday, March 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | West Pikeland Land Trust Meeting | |
Monday, Monday 23, 2026 @ 6:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | | | Planning Committee Meeting | |
Monday, April 13, 2026 @ 6:00pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
| | | Upcoming meeting information, including agendas, can be found on our website. | | CHESTER SPRINGS LIBRARY NEWS | |
Happy Spring from Chester Springs Library
- Nancy Niggel, Library Director
There have been some big changes going on at the library. Most notably, the Sycamore trees have been
removed. Soon we will be able to begin the inside work. Exterior repairs have moved along so well that
our Board of Trustees decided to forgo a temporary space and focus on getting back into the building as
soon as possible. When we begin the interior repairs, we will post pictures of the progress on our social
media and website.
Spring Reading Challenge! The ground hog was certainly right when he saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. To celebrate his prediction, we launched a Spring Reading Challenge in the beginning of February. Please join in, as it does not end until March 20, the first day of Spring. Two
winners will receive three (3) admission tickets to the Franklin Institute. Expiration 8/31/26. The challenge is available online HERE.
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March programs also include:
- MakinMusic on a Wednesday this month, March 25, at 10:30 AM. Musical fun with Mr. Dan. Shake your sillies out, sing, and dance with friends. Held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 2440 Conestoga Road. Register HERE.
- Friday Afternoon Book Club on March 27 at 2:00 PM. Books are available to pick up at the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library circulation desk. Are you curious about book club? You are invited even if you have not read the book. No registration required. We’ll be discussing The Lost Story, by Meg Shafer. Two boys disappear for six months. When they return, one has no memory and the other has a secret. Years later they help a friend find her sister in the same magical place, and they must face what one knows and the other can’t remember. Meet at the West Vincent Township Building, 729 St. Matthews Road.
- Spring Egg Hunt at Walnut Lane Park on Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 AM SHARP!! Bring your own basket to gather candy-filled eggs, pictures with the bunny, and explore a firetruck. Rain date is Sunday, March 29 at 11:00 AM SHARP!! The library is happy to be part of this event by filling the eggs for the West Pikeland Township Parks and Recreation Committee.
- Every Thursday Crochet/Knit Group at 1:30 PM. Held at the West Pikeland Township Building meeting room. Entrance is off the courtyard. No registration required.
Keep in touch with us at www.chesterspringslibrary.org, email us at cslibrary@ccls.org, or leave us a message at 610-827-9212 and we’ll return your call ASAP.
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The Stars and Planets Will Be the Stars at This Party
March 7 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
It’s going to be a Star Party at Hibernia County Park on Saturday, March 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., when local astronomers join Chester County Park Ranger Rita Mounayar for a sky talk and celestial viewing. Volunteers from the Chester County Astronomical Society and the Delaware Amateur Astronomers will be on hand to answer questions and point out visible planets, such as Jupiter and Uranus (as long as the weather cooperates!). Registration is required for this free program.
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A Night for Montgomery
March 21 at 6:00 PM
Columbia Grande, Phoenixville PA
A Night for Montgomery brings our community together for an evening of amazing food and drinks, great music, and plenty of dancing, all in support of Montgomery School. It’s the kind of night where you reconnect with friends, meet new ones, and soak up everything that makes our community so special.
Come ready to let loose and have fun. This is one night you won’t want to miss!
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Pennsylvania’s Birthday
March 8 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates are excited to kick off their 2026 season with their annual Open House event – Pennsylvania’s Birthday. Formerly known as Charter Day, this event recognizes the day William Penn received his land grant for Pennsylvania from King Charles II of England in 1681. In observance of Pennsylvania’s founding, the Daniel Boone Homestead will offer an exciting open house and living history event featuring eighteenth century demonstrations, trades, and hands-on activities.
No admission is charged for this program, but donations are welcome. Please no pets (except service animals) and no smoking on site. Several activities and demonstrations are weather dependent. Please visit our Facebook page for the most up-to-date details. This program is funded and presented by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.
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