The Heritage Commission of Delaware County will present a free workshop, "Keeping Our Heritage Healthy: All You Want to Know About Maintaining Your Historic Building" on Saturday, March 27th from 8:30 am until noon. The event will be held at The Government Center Building, County Council Meeting Room in Media, PA. Speakers include professionals with expertise in architecture, landscaping and antiques. If you are the owner of a historic house, member of a historical group or just interested in the topic, plan to attend! Pre-registration is requested. Call (610) 891-4910 or email hallj@co.delaware.pa.us for more information or to register.   

Easttown Township Parks & Recreation Board will be sponsoring an egg hunt on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 at 1:00 pm. The event will be held at Frank Johnson Park (122 Bridge Avenue) in Berwyn. Rain date is March 21st at 1:00 pm. This is a free community event--just bring your basket. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance. For questions, contact Mary Schultz at mzschultz@comcast.net. 

This house located in Havertown, Delaware County was in desperate need of an updated look. It had been on the market for months without an offer and lacked buyer appeal. After a realtor change and strong recommendation to stage, I was called in. Working with a limited time frame and budget, I was able to achieve dramatic changes. The seller agreed to remove dated window treatments and oversized furniture as well as replace dated light fixtures and ceiling fans. Initially reluctant to proceed with staging, the seller was sold on the benefits after seeing the transformation and receiving a signed offer within 10 days of listing the newly staged property! 

Berwyn's annual holiday party & tree lighting will take place Friday, December 4th at 6:30 pm at Surrey Services for Seniors (28 Bridge Avenue, across from the fire house). The event will include musical entertainment, face painting, a craft activity, refreshments and a visit from santa. The event is sponsored by the Berwyn-Devon Business & Professional Association (www.berwyndevonbusiness.com).

T & E Cares, a nonprofit organization comprised of community members who seek to help families in our area that have financial or other material needs, is sponsoring its annual holiday drive. As you can imagine, many individuals are struggling to provide a holiday meal, gifts and even basic necessities for their family this season. T & E Cares is hoping to help at least 40 such local families in the coming weeks! Check out the website at www.tecares.org to find out how you can help. You can sponsor an entire family or purchase a gift for one member of a family. Donations of food, cleaning supplies and gift cards are also needed. The deadline to drop off items for the holiday drive is December 6th. See the website for specific details about drop off locations. 

The YMCA of the Upper Main Line will host a "Haunted Mansion" on Saturday & Sunday, October 24th & 25th. The event will take place in the Cassatt Mansion, a 102 year old building that is ready made for haunting. The mansion is located at 1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Torture chambers, a cemetery and spirits from the past are a few highlights. Parental discretion is advised. Hours are 6-10 pm on Saturday & 6-9 pm on Sunday. The cost is $10 for YMCA members & $13 for non-members. Proceeds provide YMCA summer camp scholarships.

For those looking for a more scare friendly event, a "lights on" tour for children 10 & under will be held Sunday from 12-3 pm. Kids can join a mystery solving team as they search the haunted mansion for Scooby, the missing crime solving dog. Costs are $5 for YMCA members & $7 for non-members. 

On Friday, October 30th the Berwyn Fire Company will host its annual Halloween Parade. Participants should gather at the end of Bridge Street in the township building parking lot starting at 6:00 pm. The parade will begin at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be provided and prizes awarded for various costume categories. Judges will be courtesy of the Berwyn-Devon Business & Professional Association.  

On Saturday, October 17th from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm the Berwyn fire company will have a special celebration to commemorate its' 115th anniversary. It will include a parade through downtown Berwyn past the original fire station site on Berwyn Avenue. An official "housing" ceremony will begin at noon. In addition, vehicle rescue and home fire safety demonstrations will take place. Fire truck rides will also be available. The fire house will be open to the public for tours from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Refreshments will be available during that time. Go to www.berwynfirecompany.org for additional information.

The Paoli Business & Professional Association is sponsoring Paoli Sings the Blues on Saturday, October 3rd from noon to 6:00 pm. The event will be held rain or shine and is free, although a non-perishable food item to benefit the REACT food closet is requested for entry. Multiple bands will be featured at several locations throughout Paoli. The main stage will be set up at the Paoli Village Shoppes (across from the Paoli train station). Additional bands will be performing at Malvern Federal Savings Bank, The Hardware Center, CVS Shopping Center and the Paoli Design Center. Vans will shuttle you to any of the venues for free. The fest will include food, kids' activities, street entertainers, vendors and a beer garden. See www.paolibluesfest.com for details, locations and specific times.  

The Conestoga High School football team will be hosting a cancer walk to raise awareness and funds for cancer research on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. The event is in honor of Mark Herzlich, a 2006 Conestoga graduate and Boston College All American Linebacker. It will be held from 8:00 am -- 10:00 am rain (school gym) or shine (school track) at Conestoga High School, 200 Irish Road, Berwyn PA. The cost is $5.00 cash the day of the walk. Credit card donations will be accepted through 10/2 at www.upliftingathletes.org. Proceeds of the walk will benefit The Sarcoma Foundation & Uplifting Athletes. For more information, contact the Conestoga Athletic Department at (610) 240-1024.    

Penn State University and Liberty Property Trust launched a farmers market earlier this month. The market is held rain or shine in the lower parking lot of Penn State Great Valley (30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern) from 11:00 am--2:00 pm every Thursday through November. Fresh fruits and vegetables, mums, cheeses, baked goods, sandwiches, gluten free items and more are provided by local farmers and vendors.  Additionally, cooking demonstrations, seasonal recipes and samples as well as workshops on health and nutrition will be offerred.

The Great Valley Corporate Park setting allows farmers to bring the market directly to the people in the convenience of their work setting--a pretty novel idea. Additional information is available at www.pennstategreatvalley.org. Be aware that many vendors only accept cash. 

I haven't had an opportunity to check it out yet, but hope to get there in October. What a great way to eat healthy and support local businesses!