Since the relaunch of the Start Local podcast in June 2023, I have found meaningful inspiration in much of what our guests have shared with us in more than eighteen months worth of podcast episodes. What I have learned from these conversations has enticed me to get out, do more, and get to better know my corner of the world. What follows then is a list of and have worked to connect more with my local region, Chester County.
1. Libraries & Book-Related Activities
- Visited the Kennett Library, exploring all its corners.
- Got a new library card from the Henrietta Hankin Library (my local), and checked out both an ebook and a hardback (The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hira Arikawa).
- Spent at least a few hours in Baldwin’s Book Barn, perusing its many floors and countless shelves before picking up a handful of titles.
- Stopped by an evening book signing for Is the Grass Always Greener? by Catherine ad Al Renzi. Bought a signed copy of the book. Read it too. Fun read!
2. Food, Markets & Festivals
- Spent a beautiful afternoon at Good Food Fest. (Listen to my conversation with Christy Campli, who runs the festival.)
- Shopped for Thanksgiving goodies at the Eagleview Farmer’s Market.
- Attended Cider Fest at The Mill at Anselma.
- Enjoyed many a delicious lunch at Victory Brewing in Kennett Square as an attendee of the Network at Noon sessions with the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce.
- Volunteered at the Kennett Brewfest.
- Attended the Mushroom Festival.
- Made “Mushroom Mondays” a regular happening in my family’s kitchen. (Listen to my conversation with Meghan Klotzbach of Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms.)
- Ate lunch on two occasions at Giordano’s in Kennett Square.
- Bought beer at Waywood Beverage Co.
- Enjoyed more than a few meals at White Dog Cafe in Chester Springs.
3. Coffee Shops
- Met a colleague at Northbrook Marketplace for a breakfast networking meeting.
- Have held a handful of meetings at a couple of different locations of Twin Valley Coffee.
- Enjoyed a couple of meetings at Farmhouse Coffee in Downingtown, Pa.
- Spent a Saturday morning working at Gryphon Coffee Co. in West Chester, Pa.
- Worked for an afternoon and a subsequent Saturday morning at Philter in Kennett Square.
4. Networking & Business Events
- Attended a 2nd Century Alliance networking event at The Arches in Coatesville.
- Attended the ribbon-cutting of the new West Chester branch of Propell Credit Union.
- Attended the Chester County Food Bank’s Community Food Forum.
- Attended the Kennett Square Small Business Forum hosted by the Pennsylvania Small Enterprise Foundation and Kennett Collaborative.
- Hosted a sponsorship table at the premier of Show Her The Money at West Chester University.
5. Volunteering & Community Involvement
- Volunteered with Good Works, helping rehab a house in Coatesville.
- Volunteered at the Kennett Brewfest.
- Donated furniture at Community Warehouse Project.
6. Farms & Agricultural Experiences
- Met Catherine and Al Renzi of Yellow Springs Farm.
- Attended a wonderful farm-to-table fundraising event at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills.
- Spent more than a few Friday afternoons at the Happy Hour at Birchrun Hills Farm.
- Visited the Farmer Jawn store and bought a bunch of vegetables and local food products.
7. Outdoor & Recreational Activities
- Biked the Schuylkill River Trail on my ebike.
- Became a member of Longwood Gardens.
- Watch the classic film Casablanca on the big screen at The Colonial Theatre. Became a member of the theatre.
8. Personal Growth
- Learned how to navigate the drive from Kennett Square from Chester Springs without using Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Hosting the Start Local podcast has been an adventure from the beginning. I look forward to continuing to share conversations with business and nonprofit leaders for years to come.