Being smart about your smile during the holidays

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
With the rush of the holidays, it can be easy to forget to maintain good dental health — but bad choices now could lead to problems in the new year.
Here’s a few fairly simple tips to keep you and your family smiling well into 2018:
Coatesville Christmas parade — bigger and better than ever — Dec. 2

Mummers and hundreds of other musicians are just a small part of the Coatesville Christmas parade, schedule for Dec. 2.
COATESVILLE — Once again this year, Chester County’s largest hometown parade, down the historic Lincoln Highway, takes place on Dec. 2, 2017. The Coatesville Christmas Parade, a holiday classic, begins at 10:00 a.m. starting at Strode Avenue and Lincoln Highway, and ends at...
On Your Table: Corn pudding for Summer gatherings

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
With July 4th coming up and all kinds of neighborhood gatherings associated with that, I have a suggestion. Whenever I go to one of our neighborhood summer gatherings, I make sure to bring my Indian corn pudding casserole. I always leave with an empty dish. You will too. It’s a crowd pleaser and in fact an easy to make dish that can be baked in...
TCHS students bring cheer to families in need

Students, faculty and staff from TCHS Pennock’s Bridge Campus raised over $13,000 to help purchase new items, goods, toys and clothing for economically disadvantaged families.
DOWNINGTOWN — Students from all three Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Technical College High School (TCHS) campuses and the Child and Career Development Center (CCDC) brought an abundance of hope to Chester County...
Gabriel’s Gift: Adopt an older dog and save

Gabriel
WEST CHESTER — The Brandywine Valley SPCA has announced a special end of the year Adoption Promotion for harder to place dogs at its West Chester and New Castle locations. An anonymous donor will be subsidizing the adoption fee for any dog over 6 months old. The special will run till the end of the year.
The story behind why this promotion is called Gabriel’s Gift: a grieving dog owner...
On Your Table: Easy finger foods for the holidays

By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
While cheese balls conjure up images of mom and dad’s cocktail parties, they are now much in the rage and so easy to serve or take as gifts to holiday parties.
As the height of the holidays approach, many of us will either host or go to festive gatherings which are all about lots of food and drink. And with the mad dash of shopping, decorating and...
State Police to ramp DUI enforcement for holidays

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will join with more than 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide to participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” impaired driving enforcement campaign from Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017.
Troopers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers with high-visibility patrols and at DUI checkpoints, according...
Police: keep your car locked, hide valuables from sight

Keep it locked, local police say.
With the holiday season fast approaching, another season is upon us: auto break-in and theft season, according to local police.
With a few steps of caution, Coatesville Police advise that you can keep your car, valuables and even your home a whole lot safer this holiday season.
The first tip is to keep your car locked and windows rolled up any time your are not in...
Coatesville’s Shop with a Cop brightens holidays for local kids

Community, local law enforcement, volunteers and organizations come together for 14th year
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
McGruff the Crime Dog was on hand to greet the officers and children participating in the 14th annual Shop with a Cop Saturday morning at the Parkesburg Wal-Mart.
COATESVILLE – Christmas came early for 78 children in the city Saturday morning, as they were selected...
On Your Table: Christmas time means cookies

Holiday recipes are a big part of most family celebrations
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
These traditional ricotta cheese cookies are the star of a selection of Italian and sugary treats. Photo courtesy of Jim and Betty Bonavita
At this time of year, friends share holiday treats and stories of their family food traditions. Their recipes hold long-treasured memories kept alive...