Home Care In Kennett Square, PA

Longwood Gardens provides a quick getaway from the routines of everyday life.

KENNETT SQUARE, PA—Looking for a break from the heavy rain and snow in the middle of winter in Chester County? Longwood Gardens is the place to go.

The gardens provide the beauty of winter both indoors and outdoors.

The “Winter Wonder” exhibits, open today through March 24 bring new educational opportunities, captivating performances, and the chance to get away without going away.

The indoor conservancy features a sanctuary of blooming plants from around the world.

The Orchid House showcases nearly 300 lively blooming orchids, with the display evolving each week to feature new and captivating varieties.

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“Our Conservatory, embellished with colorful blooms, lush foliage, and inviting fragrance is the perfect antidote to winter’s chill,” said Sharon Loving, chief horticulture and facilities officer.

Longwood’s Conservatory serves as an inviting venue for live performances. A stellar winter lineup features renowned artists in classical, jazz, and organ music for those looking to expand their musical horizons.

Highlights include performances by the likes of Nicole Keller on February 9, the Martha Redbone Roots Project on March 14, and more. Limited tickets for performances include all-day Gardens Admission.

Longwood also offers education programs, including this science series:

Winter Wonder runs January 20–March 24, 2024.

More information is available here.

Experience some holiday magic in Kennett Square while enjoying holiday activities like the Holiday Light Parade and Small Business Saturday, Holiday Village Market, Christmas in Kennett with Longwood Gardens, Tinsel on the Town, and Midnight on the Square.

“Whether you call Kennett Square home or visit during the season, there is no place like Kennett Square for the holidays,” said Daniel Embree, Kennett Collaborative’s executive director. “I love strolling through town with a warm drink in hand or marveling at the matchless light displays at Longwood Gardens. There are a ‘million ways’ to revel in the spirit of the holidays in Kennett, and we hope you’ll enjoy spending time here this year.”

The charm of this quaint town, recognized by VisitPA as a “Holiday Hallmark Movie-esque Locations in Pennsylvania,” is experienced in every friendly smile shared and every step taken around the square.

Take a moment to relax and explore all the festive activities, shopping, dining, and decor. You'll find seasonal planters, cheerful street lighting, and perfect photo opportunities to capture memories with friends and family. Kennett Collaborative has invited Zena Florist to create a special photo moment along the walkway to the garage, widely known as the "Genesis walkway." While any day is a great time to visit, numerous events enhance the effervescent holiday experience in Kennett.

New this year, Kennett Collaborative will present free parking at the Borough’s garage during the holiday weekends courtesy sponsor Longwood Gardens. Parking at the garage will be free on Nov. 25 and December 2 and 3, Dec. 9 and 10, Dec. 16, and Dec. 23.

Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25

A community highlight for over a decade, the Holiday Light Parade shifts to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, on Saturday, Nov. 25, to coincide with Small Business Saturday, creating a merry and full day for all.

Park at the garage for free from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. compliments of Longwood Gardens and Kennett Collaborative, then support small businesses throughout Kennett Square, including delightful cafes, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as a diverse array of independently owned shops, boutiques, and art galleries, which will be packed to the brim with the most beautiful and highest quality gifts for everyone on your list.

Stay for the Holiday Light Parade at 6 p.m., featuring music, dance, community groups, and, of course, an assortment of vehicles, including classic cars, tractors, wagons, fire engines, and school buses, all decked with lights. The parade starts at the intersection of Cypress and S. Broad Street, turning and continuing along State Street and concludes with the entrance of Santa and Mrs. Claus lighting the town tree. Right after the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready for a meet & greet and photos at the Work2gether porch.

Kennett Collaborative’s Holiday Village Market at the Creamery on Dec. 2 and 3 and Dec. 9 and 10

Of all the adjectives used to describe Holiday Village Market, “magical” seems the most apt. Join us at The Creamery from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 2, 3, 9, and 10. Explore carefully curated artisan and vintage goods, while enveloped by holiday cheer resonating from live music, fire pits, ice sculpting, excellent food, and warming festive cocktails and drinks. Make your skating reservations through The Creamery to enjoy the Glice (Swiss-engineered, eco-friendly sustainable artificial ice) rink. It's fun for all ages—kids, teenagers, and adults will all have a blast whirling around the rink. Jolly, red-nosed Kris Kringle is also scheduled to appear from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. each day, ready with a twinkle in his eye for children to wonder at as they also enjoy family-friendly activities such as face painting and balloon twisting.

Visit kennettholidaymarket.com for more information as well as schedules for each day. Park at 600 S. Broad or the Linden Street Garage and enjoy the complimentary shuttle to and from The Creamery and enjoy even more shopping and dining around Kennett Square.

Christmas in Kennett with Longwood Gardens: Saturdays between Dec. 2 and 23

Enjoy a full Saturday in Kennett Square by beginning with festive shopping, dining, and strolling in town followed by an evening of A Longwood Christmas, celebrating with “A Very Retro Christmas” this year. “Christmas in Kennett” tickets purchased through Longwood Gardens include a complimentary shuttle, free parking at the parking garage in Kennett Square (intersection of E. Linden & N. Union Street), and admission to the Gardens. Be sure to order early as limited tickets are available.

Tinsel on the Town on Dec. 8

A special holiday shopping evening from 4 to 8 p.m. with Kennett Square merchants, designed for snatching up those last-minute gifts, and a bit of fun too. Explore the different shops and restaurants along the State Street area and complete a BINGO card to be entered to win a basket chock-full of KSQ goods and gift cards.

Midnight on the Square on Dec. 31

How does the Mushroom Capital of the World ring in the new year? With an enormous illuminated mushroom, of course. The legendary annual celebration, presented by the Mushroom Festival in tradition of the Times Square ball drop, begins at 7:30 p.m. with music, dancers, and a laser light show at the intersection of State & Union Streets. The raising of the mushroom is at 8:55 p.m., followed by the Mushroom Drop at midnight to usher in 2024! Find more information at midnightinthesquare.com

KENNETT SQUARE — The Red Cross is helping meet the basic needs of approximately 55 residents displaced by Tuesday’s blaze, at Spruce Apartments, located at 131 S. Union St.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at the Kennett High School. The school was closed to house residents from the three-story multifamily apartment building, which had 12 units.

The shelter opened at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13. As of 7 a.m., there were 34 people housed. Fortunately, the Red Cross was able to close the shelter at 7 p.m. that same day thanks to the generosity of Kennett Area Community Services (KACS), which transitioned the families into hotel rooms for one week (or more if needed). KACS is also working with the families who can’t return to their homes with help finding new housing.

No injuries were reported. The fire was declared under control at 10:33 p.m. on Tuesday and all units were cleared by 5:27 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

In total, between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m., 55 people came through the shelter.

“Along with our partners, we offered a dormitory area where people could rest (especially since many had been up all night), access to community services, three meals (two of which were generously provided by the high school), snacks, showers, comfort and hygiene items, activities for children and emotional support, Alana Mauger, of the Red Cross, reported by email on Friday.

Families were first evacuated to a reception center (staffed by Red Cross volunteers) at The Garage Youth Center. The families were moved to the high school and the Red Cross and Chester County Office of Emergency Management transitioned the operation into a shelter once it became known that power would not be restored for some time.

The Garage also provided transportation to the high school, then later from the high school to the hotel.

“According to our partners at Chester County Office of Emergency Management, some families may be able to return to their apartments once power is restored,” Mauger said.

Some residents were able to return to their homes to retrieve personal items.

“For those that can’t return, KACS is working with them to find permanent housing,” Mauger said.

The Red Cross provided the families that qualify with immediate emergency financial assistance and provided casework to help connect them with additional resources to aid in their recovery.

Some families chose to stay with friends and family. Otherwise, the families were provided with hotel rooms by KACS.

“The role of the Red Cross is to provide immediate emergency assistance and to connect families with community resources, like KACS, who can provide longer-term help,” according to Mauger.

Approximately 20 Red Cross disaster workers were on the ground, most of which were volunteers.

The high school provided locker rooms for showering (which is why most shelters open in schools) and the Red Cross provided hygiene kits with things such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. and other personal hygiene items upon request.

“Our health services team was available to work with individuals who needed to replace specific health items, like medication, canes, etc.,” Mauger said.

The Red Cross usually brings food into the shelter, sometimes with the help of other community partners. The Red Cross purchased items for breakfast, snacks and water, and the high school provided lunch and dinner for families and Red Cross workers in their cafeteria.

The Red Cross portion of the effort is paid entirely by donations.

Many people returned to work and school on Wednesday after grabbing breakfast at the shelter. The school district arranged bussing for children whose families were transitioned into hotels.

Financial donations that support American Red Cross disaster relief can be made online here: https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/southeastern-pennsylvania/ways-to-donate.html

The Kennett Borough and KACS were collecting in-kind donations for the families. However, KACS shared the below message on its Facebook page yesterday, asking that donations be paused at this time because of the overwhelming support they received.

“The Kennett Borough and Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) are overwhelmed with the generous outpouring of community support for the families affected by the fire at Spruce Apartments. At this time, we ask that you hold all donations until we can sort the donations we’ve received. Watch for an announcement that will provide a new list of most-needed items. Also, please consider donating online at www.KACSImpact.org/donate or mail a check to KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

“Thank you for helping our neighbors in their time of need!”

A Wilmington-based hospitality group is now running a decades-old Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Italian restaurant, known for its loyal regulars.

Jamestown Hospitality Group, which runs Tonic Seafood & Steak in downtown Wilmington and Park Cafe near Wawaset, was approached in late 2022 about acquiring Giordano's, a family-run restaurant at 633 E. Cypress St. that has been a part of the Kennett dining scene for more than 40 years.

“When the Giordano family approached us with an opportunity to purchase their beloved restaurant, we knew we had been entrusted with something truly special, and we take our responsibility to the family, food and fanbase seriously,” said Jamestown Managing Partner Paul Bouchard in a prepared statement.

“We share their passion for quality and consistency, and we are committed to upholding their legacy on every plate that we serve," he said.

According to Bouchard, staff from the Wilmington hospitality group spent several weeks learning the Giordano business, as well as its family recipes. The Wilmington group also has retained skilled staff members and "decades of tradition."

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A new menu will feature many of Giordano's classic dishes and some added options. The restaurant has undergone renovations and hours for the sports bar have been extended until midnight. The bar also will feature live performances by various local artists.

Jamestown was founded in 2015 by longtime friends Chris Blackwell and Paul Bouchard. In 2021, the group reopened the former Movable Feast café as Park Cafe after a complete overhaul of the site that's tucked off an area at 2510 W. Fifth St. (It's across from the back entrance of the Wawaset Plaza strip center.)

A year earlier, Jamestown revamped Tonic on West 11th St. in downtown Wilmington, increased its space, redesigned the dining rooms, changed the menu and tweaked its name

Jamestown also runs the restaurant Deep Blue at the Kitty Knight on the Sassafras River in Georgetown, Maryland, as well as a catering and event planning company.

Contact Patricia Talorico at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @pattytalorico.

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KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (CBS) -- The "mushroom capital of the world" will have its day after all.

Despite the ongoing manhunt for escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante, Kennett Square's annual mushroom festival is going on as scheduled, but with plenty of extra security to keep visitors safe.

"The safety of our community members remains our utmost priority, and we want to reassure you that all necessary precautions and protocols will be in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone in attendance," a letter from the festival president said.

The festival is bringing thousands of people to the area Sept. 9 and 10. There are mushroom-centric foods and merchandise and plenty more - like local honey and even clothing, a fried mushroom eating contest, a mushroom picking contest and a painted mushroom silent auction.

Woodside Farm Creamery is one of the vendors offering food. They're slinging mushroom-flavored ice cream at the festival this weekend.

"We plan all year long, and we planned early on for decent security," festival coordinator Gale Ferranto said. "We feel pretty good about the security this year, it is beefed up, but appropriately so."

The festival in downtown Kennett Square about three miles from the police search perimeter around Longwood Gardens.

Jasmine Payoute

Jasmine Payoute joined CBS News Philadelphia as a reporter in June 2021.

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