September 2025

HOW DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR NEWS FROM US?

We Want Your Input: Comcast Cable Franchise Renewal

Help Shape the Future of Cable Services in West Pikeland Township

West Pikeland Township is currently in the process of renewing its cable franchise agreement with Comcast. As part of this process, we are seeking public feedback on two important topics:

• Comcast’s past performance as a cable provider in our community
• The Township’s future cable-related needs and priorities



Why Your Input Matters

This feedback will help guide the Township during franchise negotiations, ensuring that Comcast continues to meet the expectations and needs of our residents.

Cable franchise renewal is the Township’s best opportunity to advocate for improved services and protections for the community. Through this process, we aim to secure key benefits such as:

Strong and enforceable customer service standards

A state-of-the-art cable system

Protection of public rights-of-way

Fair and transparent franchise fees

Regular performance and compliance reporting

Legal protections for the Township

Enhanced enforcement mechanisms

Submit Your Comments

by September 8, 2025

Your comments will be reviewed as part of the Township’s ongoing evaluation and negotiations. All feedback—positive, negative, or constructive—is welcome.

Thank you for helping us improve cable services for everyone in West Pikeland Township!

Roadway Safety Reminder: Maintain Vegetation on Your Property 

As we move into the lush summer months, vegetation growth around our properties tends to accelerate. While trees, brush, and vines add beauty and privacy to our surroundings, it’s important to remain aware of how this growth can impact the safety of our shared roadways.

Overhanging branches, encroaching shrubs, and spreading vines can obstruct drivers’ views, block signage, narrow travel lanes, and even create hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. These issues can compromise the safety of everyone who uses our roads—including emergency vehicles that may require clear and full access.

To ensure our roadways remain safe and accessible for all, we kindly remind all residents to regularly inspect their property lines and trim back any vegetation that extends into the public right-of-way. This includes maintaining clear sightlines at driveways and intersections, and ensuring sidewalks and road shoulders are free from obstruction.

By working together, we can help maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all members of our community.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and kindly ask that you take any necessary action to address potential safety concerns as soon as possible.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our roads safe!

DARC NEWS

Day Bus Trips

New York Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise – October 11, 2025

Join us for a stunning one-day bus trip featuring a 3-hour fall foliage cruise departing from Chelsea Piers. Enjoy breathtaking views of autumn colors and landmarks like the George Washington Bridge.

Savor a grand lunch buffet with desserts and complimentary beverages including coffee, tea, iced tea, water, and apple cider. Keep entertained with games like Jenga, foosball, Connect 4, or dance to tunes from the onboard DJ.

Celebrate fall’s beauty in style—don’t miss this memorable trip!

New York on Your Own Leave the Driving to Us!

 October 11 or December 13, 2025

Skip the traffic, tolls, and parking—ride in comfort to New York City and enjoy 8 hours to explore on your own! Shop, sightsee, stroll through Central Park, visit museums, or catch a show—the day is yours in the Big Apple.

Discover After School Programs with DARC!

After School Programs are a fantastic opportunity for students to explore new interests, build confidence, and connect with peers in a fun and supportive environment. These programs extend learning beyond the classroom, offering a mix of academic enrichment, creative expression, social-emotional growth, and even early career exploration.

We’re excited to continue offering a wide variety of After School Programs in DASD schools this upcoming school year! From Art Club with Abrakadoodle to Yoga Club with Miss Rebecca, Drawing with Young Rembrandts, and STEM (Legos) with Play-well Teknologies, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Will Preparation Workshop September 24, 2025

Do You Have a Will?

Many people delay creating a will, but without one, the state decides who inherits your assets and who cares for your minor children. This informative session will explain why everyone needs a will, the risks of dying without one, and the dangers of DIY online wills. You'll also learn about trusts and how they fit into estate planning.

Each participant will receive a professionally drafted will from a local attorney within two weeks of the session.

Don't delay—register today. We recommend both spouses attend.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who participated in our summer camps this year! It was a joy to see so many children engaged, active, and having fun in our programs. Your support helps us continue to provide enriching experiences for the community, and we’re so grateful you chose to spend your summer with us.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to launch a full lineup of fall and winter programs for all ages—offering everything from youth activities and fitness classes to creative workshops and family-friendly events. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Don't forget:

·     Discounted movie tickets to Regal and Movie Tavern are available year-round—perfect for weekend plans or a cozy movie night.

·     Amusement park tickets are also available seasonally, making it easy to save on fun day trips with the family.

We’re proud to serve our township and are always looking for new ways to connect, inspire, and support our residents. Thank you for being a part of the DARC community!

Find Your Fit with DARC!

Stay active and energized this season with a variety of classes designed to move your body and lift your spirit:

·      Move N Groove & Core Fusion (Mondays, 9:30–10:30am) – Dance your way through 50 minutes of high-energy cardio before finishing

strong with a 10-minute core workout set to music.

·      Move N Groove (Wednesdays, 9–10am) – Similar to Zumba, this dance fitness class blends upbeat global music with easy-to-follow choreography for a full-body workout that boosts strength, heart health, and mood.

·      Daytime Yoga with Pearl (Mondays, 10–11:30am, starting Sept. 15) – Strengthen your body, calm your mind, and find balance through yoga’s timeless practices.

·      Basic Beginner Barre/Pilates (Wednesdays, 10–11am, starting Sept. 3) – Build strength and flexibility with ballet-inspired moves, balancing exercises, and mindful breathing. No prior experience needed!

Find the class that’s right for you—and start feeling the benefits of fitness, fun, and mindfulness.

Soccer Shots: Ages 18 months - 8 years

Soccer Shots offers a fun, high-energy soccer program that goes beyond the game by helping children grow in confidence, teamwork, and character.

Our enthusiastic, well-trained coaches use a curriculum designed specifically for young players—age-appropriate and aligned with early childhood education standards.

You may register for one of the following session options beginning September 5^th: 

Monday evenings, Friday afternoons, Sunday mornings.

School’s Out? Let’s Make Art!

Join Abrakadoodle for a fun-filled morning of creativity during our School’s Out Art Program—designed for kids ages 5–12! Each session includes engaging art lessons, games, crafts, music, and more.

Students will explore different art styles, techniques, and world cultures while creating unique projects inspired by famous artists. Every day offers a new adventure in art using safe, non-toxic materials in a supportive, educational environment.



No two days are the same—just pure creativity and fun!

Dates: Sept 23, Oct. 2, Oct 20, Nov. 4 and more from 9am-12noon

HISTORIC YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

Village Open House & Fall Festival

Sunday, October 12, 2025

12 - 4pm

Historic Yellow Springs is partnering with West Pikeland Township for our 4th Annual Yellow Springs Village Open House & Fall Festival.

Celebrate the fall season and explore the haunted history of Yellow Springs.

Enjoy an afternoon in the village with activities for all ages!

Activities Include:

• Yellow Springs Pumpkin Classic

• Live Music

• Village Tours

• Artist Demonstrations

• Pumpkin Painting

• Haunted History House

• Glow For Good Jack-O-Lantern Exhibition

• Treat Bag Decorating 

• Village Wide Scavenger Hunt

This event is free to the public

Fall Programs begin September 29^th

Did you know Historic Yellow Springs has art classes for ages 6 through adults? Explore different mediums and methods – classes range from ongoing 10- or 5-week class sessions to a workshop for a few hours or a few days. With so many options available, you are sure to find something that inspires your creativity and fits in your schedule! New this semester: Create Your Own Sketchbook using historic methods; Creative Pairings Date Nights; Make it together Art Time for kids and their caregivers; and Yoga and Sunset Sound Bath for your wellbeing. The Fall 2025 Program schedule can be found online at yellowsprings.org/classes. Registration opens Wednesday, September 3^rd at 10 am.

Fine Arts & Craft Show

Opening Reception:

Friday, November 7, 5 pm - 8 pm

$10 admission

Gallery Hours:

Saturday, November 8: 10 am - 5 pm

Sunday, November 9: 10 am - 4 pm

$5 admission

The Historic Yellow Springs Fine Arts & Craft Show marks the start of the holiday shopping season with a celebration of creativity and craftsmanship. This juried show features original works in painting, ceramics, glass, wood, paper, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, and more. There are two ways to apply for the Historic Yellow Springs Fine Arts & Craft Show: As an individual vendor with your own booth, or as a featured artist in the HYS Members’ Booth. See website for details.

Photos by David Herkner

Lecture Series – Mill Technology

Saturday, September 6 | 1:00–2:00 PM

Join our miller, Dave Rollenhagen, as he explores the technical engineering behind the most complete known example of a custom grain mill in the United States. Our Mill still operates on its original 1747 powertrain, offering a powerful, hands-on educational experience.

Milling Demonstrations

Every Second Saturday | April–December | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

See our 275-year-old Mill in action! Tours begin on the hour, and visitors can watch the massive water wheel drive the wooden gears that power our millstones. Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and pick up some fresh, stone-ground flour and cornmeal.

Cider Fest

Saturday, September 27 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Rain date: October 4)

Back by popular demand! Cider Fest is a family-friendly celebration featuring children’s games, face painting, raffles, a fall-themed scavenger hunt, and tours of the historic Mill. Enjoy local vendors, great food, and learn about the history of cider making.

Admission: $10 adults | $5 children & seniors | Free for Mill members

Includes a complimentary cup of cider or a fresh apple!

Regular Hours

The Mill is open to visitors every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and every Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM between April and December. Visit them online

Upcoming meeting information, including agendas, can be found on our website.

Tale Wise Reptile Show

Science in the Summer

Adult Mosaics Class

A Visit with Mother Goose

What’s Up with Chester Springs Library

An update on the building, our services, and our plans for the immediate future.

By Nancy Niggel, Executive Director

nniggel@ccls.org

We thought we’d be well into the repairs by now and keeping you posted along the way. Unfortunately, things are not as easy or predictable as expected. For anyone who does not know, the library building has been closed to the public since February 17, when a large Sycamore tree fell against it and a branch came through the roof. Luckily, it happened before the library opened for the day and no patrons were in the building. Fast forward to July 8, when a “gustnado” swept through the Village of Historic Yellow Springs and again made tree branches fly. This time the roof at the other end of the building was damaged, and rain made its way into the ceiling. There were puddles in the program room and the children’s area. Now we are facing an even bigger challenge.

The building housing Chester Springs Library is leased from Historic Yellow Springs. While the Library Board of Trustees and the Historic Yellow Springs Board of Directors work together to make repairs happen, the library staff is busy serving patrons every day. From a base of operations at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library, we are available to help you with anything you would normally do at Chester Springs Library, including placing holds, answering questions about your library account, showing you how to use Libby, and accessing the online databases. We are a phone call away at 610-827-9212, which we answer remotely and return promptly.

Programs have also continued. Including story times, music programs, play dough mornings, and a nursery rhyme fair for young children. School-agers and teens have enjoyed gardening workshops, science classes, holiday events, and game days. Adults continue to gather for crochet group, book group, and even a mosaic workshop. This summer we held a successful Summer Reading program for all ages, and Science in the Summer for students entering grades two through six in the fall. Our seed library was also available, going mobile to reach more gardeners than ever before. A big thank you to our community partners who have been working with us since February to keep these programs going: Brandywine School of Early Learning, Coatesville Public Library, Henrietta Hankin Branch Library, Historic Yellow Springs, Pickering Valley Farm and Feed, Magic Memories Preschool, The Mill at Anselma, The Montgomery School, St. Matthew's Preschool & Kindergarten, Spring City Library, Uwchlan Garden Club, West Pikeland Township, and West Vincent Township.

Whew! We’ve been busy. Realizing repairs will now take longer due to the additional damage, and that the community would like to have Chester Springs Library completely available again, the Board of Trustees is busy looking for temporary space for a home-away-from-home library. We are excited about this prospect and hope you are too. We’ll let you know as soon as we find something.

Thank you everyone, for supporting our efforts and helping us continue our mission to serve the residents of the area by making readily available a variety of materials, resources, and programs to promote education, learning, and recreation both virtually and in person.

Check out our online calendar for our events, including Fall Yoga offered at Pine Creek Park. Brought to you by the West Pikeland Township Parks and Recreation Committee and Chester Springs Library.

Reading magazines counts too. Browse our new collection of online magazines available through the Libby app or read in your browser straight from the Overdrive catalog.

Chester Springs Library is located at 1709 Art School Road, in West Pikeland Township 

www.chesterspringslibrary.org

610-827-9212

Repair Cafe

September 13, 10am-2pm

Fall is here and we're still fixing all the things! Just two more events this year. A Repair Cafe event will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 10 AM until 2 PM at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown. Participants don't need to live in Downingtown; everyone is welcome!

Remember, there is no charge for this service. (Except for bike and lamp parts which can be purchased at our cost.) The goal is to reduce waste and educate the community on how to repair things when they break.

Website: https://repaircafedowningtown.com/