Dear friends and neighbors,
Thank you for the warm welcome as I join the Kennett Collaborative team. My background is in nonprofit administration and creative arts programming, and I’m honored to start this new chapter with you.
Please say hello when you see me around town. You’re likely to find me out exploring local coffee shops or wineries, working on (but not always finishing) an art project or quilt, researching family history, spending too much money on native plants at the nursery, or out weeding my flowerbeds.
Something you’ll get to know about me is that I love this town. I remember my first visit to Kennett Square. Years ago I was living in New York City but, as a longtime lover of botanical gardens, came here on a special birthday trip to Longwood Gardens.
It was love at first sight driving through the woods and past the historic farmhouses along Marshall Bridge Preserve, and of course, walking down Longwood’s storybook paths. Something I distinctly remember about that trip is how impressed I was with historic Kennett Square and its charming architecture, quality shops and restaurants, and beautiful flower displays. Walking down State Street I could see the pride the community has in the town.
When I moved to Kennett two years ago, I chose this town because it felt so much like home even though I didn’t grow up here. The community is welcoming, the landscape is inspiring, and the history is fascinating. But what really makes this place so special is the people. Their pride in their community imbues it with so much personality.
Since that first visit years ago, I’ve discovered that the efforts and leadership of an organization now known as Kennett Collaborative are a key element of this pride. Through intentional placemaking initiatives, programs, and events, this small nonprofit makes Kennett a more beautiful and welcoming place.
As the new Executive Director of Kennett Collaborative, I would love to share with you my vision for Kennett as the cultural center of the Brandywine Valley and a place where all can belong and prosper. Even more, I would love to hear your vision for Kennett, and then I’d like to work with you to make that happen.
The community we will continue to build together depends on all of you. Each of our programs—from Third Thursdays on State Street to the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market—are made possible because of your generous donations, volunteer hours, and participation.
When you buy a ticket to Brewfest or Winterfest, you’re helping us pay for next year’s holiday lights and the town Christmas tree. When you shop at the Kennett Square Farmers Market, you’re sustaining our programs and helping to make other initiatives, like Kennett Blooms and our Around the Square weekly newsletter, possible. And your donation today will help us make Kennett thrive.
Thank you for your support that helps make this community such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.
Sincerely,
Daniel Embree
