Bruce Mowday, Author at Bruce E. Mowday

August 1, 2025

A Powerful Moment Honoring

American Hero Lafayette Held at Brandywine

By Bruce E. Mowday

A powerful moment to mark our nation’s history took place on the field of Brandywine battlefield on Saturday.

As a social media posting by the American Friends of Lafayette reported, “Honoring the past at Brandywine! A powerful moment as Lafayette was awarded the Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal, with an official citation from Governor Josh Shapiro and Adjutant General Pippy recognizing his enduring legacy and service during the American Revolution.

Two hundred years to the day that Lafayette visited Chadds Ford and West Chester, the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee presented its Lafayette Day programs commemorating Lafayette, an American hero that greatly contributed to the freedoms we all now enjoy. The 70-person committee worked for almost four years to mold the “powerful moment.”

Lafayette contributed his youth, his fortune and his blood to make America free. On July 26, 2025, our community honored the Frenchman with a welcoming service at Thornbury Farm and at a Lafayette Ball at the Chester County History Center in West Chester.

Brigadier General Frank McGovern presented the medal to Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia. The medal was then pinned on Lafayette, portrayed by Michael Halbert. Chuck Schwam, Executive Director and Bicentennial Chair of the American Friends of Lafayette participated in the presentation and took possession of the medal.

The post by the American Friends of Lafayette reported, “The ceremony opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, grounding us in the values” of the American Revolution. At Brandywine on September 11, 1777, Lafayette was wounded while fighting the British, thus proving his dedication to freedom and independence.

A feature article in France Today by Martha Sessums reported, “Another key purpose of the Bicentennial is to remind us of the importance of the French/American friendship. Lafayette returned to France in February 1779 to convince the king of France, along with Benjamin Franklin, to increase French support for the American Revolution. France agreed to send ships, arms and 6,000 troops that ultimately made the key difference in American Independence success. This was shown in the decisive battle of Yorktown where troops under Lafayette’s command helped block the British army which finally surrendered, making way for the creation of the United States.

“People don’t realize that next to the United States, the allied with the most troops in harm’s way were French,” said Schwam. “We would have never won the Revolutionary War without France. It never, ever, never would have happened. There were more French military personnel in Yorktown than American. And this is something that we feel is important. We tell people that without France’s involvement we would have never gained our independence.”

The American Friends of Lafayette are marking the 13-month visit of Lafayette in 1824 and 1825 by holding hundreds of events in the then 24 states Lafayette visited as our “Nation’s Guest.” The celebration began in New York City in August 2024 and will conclude in September with a weekend celebration in Washington, D.C.

So many people contributed to our events on Saturday, including Randell Spackman of Thornbury Farm, committee member Lisa Doan-Harley, American Friend of Lafayette’s Patti Maclay, who is National Vice Chair of Lafayette Farewell Tour, Daughters of the American Revolution: National Chair Franco-American Committee and Vice Regent of Maryland DAR and Troy Grubb, site administrator of Brandywine Battlefield Park.

Conor Hepp and Jennifer Green of the Chester County History Center deserve special recognition for organizing a spectacular Lafayette Ball.

The committee received many compliments for Saturday’s programs. Marine Fraval-Vennel wrote, “It was a pleasure to support Saturday’s program, and I was impressed by the care and professionalism that went into every detail. The positive feedback from attendees speaks to the success of the day.” Several people wrote Saturday was a day they will never forget. Another wrote, “You all truly knocked it out of the park, the events were well planned, paced, and orchestrated!”

While Lafayette Day was an overwhelming success and a kickoff for our America 250^th celebration, additional work needs to done to continue the education of Americans about Lafayette and the founders of this nation.

(Bruce E. Mowday is the chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee and author of the books September 11, 1777: Washington’s Defeat at Brandywine Dooms Philadelphia, Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, and Lafayette: America’s Young Hero and Guest.)

July 22, 2025

Lafayette Ball takes place at Chester County History Center

Revolutionary War Hero Marquis De Lafayette

honored with Pennsylvania military medal

and grand celebration in Chadds Ford

Public invited to free morning event on Saturday, July 26, 2025

CHADDS FORD _ Two hundred years ago, American Hero Major General Marquis De Lafayette visited Chadds Ford and West Chester as part of Lafayette’s 13-month tour as America’s guest.

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, after three years of planning, Lafayette will be honored by the public at two events in connection with the American Friends of Lafayette national recreation of Lafayette’s grand tour. Hundreds of thousands of people have participated in Lafayette Bicentennial events across the nation since August 2024.

“Saturday is our turn to publically honor Lafayette in a grand style. All are welcome to attend the free event in Chadds Ford. I’m hoping many citizens, young and not-so-young, attend this historic event,” said Bruce E. Mowday, chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee. “Lafayette contributed his youth, his fortune and his blood to make America free.”

The Chadds Ford event takes place at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The official ceremony is slated for 11:00 a.m. Following the ceremony, a heritage walk will take place to the site where Lafayette was wounded on September 11, 1777, during the battle of Brandywine.

At 6:00 p.m., the Chester County History Center, 225 North High Street, is hosting a Lafayette Ball. The gala will include an appearance by Lafayette and Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia. Fraval-Vennel is the main speaker at the Chadds Ford event. Tickets are required for the Ball. For information, go to https://mycchc.org/lafayettes-ball/.

“Saturday is an excellent opportunity for our community to celebrate Lafayette, to engage in our rich American history and to have a fun and memorable family outing,” Mowday said. “So many organizations and individuals have contributed to these two events. There will be history displays, music and events for children at Chadds Ford.

One of the highlights of the day will be the awarding of “The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor to Major General Marquis De Lafayette, Continental Army American Revolution for Act of Valor Above the Ordinary Gallantry.”

The medal was approved by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Major General John R. Pippy, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania. This will be the first military medal given to Lafayette from Pennsylvania.

The citation states, “Major General Marquis de Lafayette demonstrated exceptional bravery and valor engaging the British Army in support of the Continental Army on September 11, 1777. Major General Lafayette’s inspirational leadership and tireless devotion resulted in a successful retreat at Brandywine, positioning General Washington for future success in the war with the British. His dedication to preserving American freedom through military action in support of a partner nation set an example for all to follow. Major General Lafayette’s courage and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself, the Continental Army, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

In 1824 and 1825, Frenchman Lafayette, a Revolutionary War American hero, returned to the United States as the “Nation’s Guest.” For 13 months, Lafayette toured all 24 states and received grand welcomes from each city and hamlet he visited. The American Friends of Lafayette is recreating Lafayette’s stops in American during those 13 months. The celebration began in New York City in August 2024 and will conclude in Washington, D.C., in September. For more information, see www.lafayette200.org.

On July 26, 1825, Lafayette visited the Brandywine battlefield where he was wounded. Later in the day West Chester where he was given a grand dinner.

“Lafayette earned The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor on September 11, 1777, on a field near where the presentation will be made,” said Mowday. Lafayette was wounded in his left leg rallying American troops. The moment he spilled his blood in the cause of our freedom, he became an American hero.”

Committee member Pauline Cabouli deserves credit for pursuing the medal for Lafayette, according to Mowday. “Pauline worked tirelessly filling out forms and contacting state officials to make the presentation possible. Her dedication to the Lafayette cause is admirable.”

July 8, 2025

The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor

for Major General Marquis De Lafayette

to be presented during Lafayette Bicentennial event

in Chadds Ford on Saturday July 26, 2025

CHADDS FORD _ Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Major General John R. Pippy, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, have authorized the awarding of “The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor to Major General Marquis De Lafayette, Continental Army American Revolution for Act of Valor Above the Ordinary Gallantry.”

The presentation will be made during the opening ceremony of American Friends of Lafayette’s Bicentennial Celebration on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester. The 11:00 a.m. ceremony is being organized by the Lafayette Bicentennial Lafayette Committee to mark the 200^th anniversary of Lafayette, an American hero in the American Revolution, return to Chadds Ford and West Chester.

“Lafayette earned The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor on September 11, 1777, on a field near where the presentation will be made,” said Bruce E. Mowday, chairman of the local committee. Lafayette was wounded in his left leg rallying American troops. The moment he spilled his blood in the cause of our freedom, he became an American hero.”

On July 26, 1825, Lafayette visited the Brandywine battlefield where he was wounded. Later in the day West Chester where he was given a grand dinner. This year, a celebration at 10:00 a.m. will begin at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, on the Brandywine battlefield. The program, including an appearance by Lafayette, will take place at 11:00 a.m. and followed by a heritage walk to the location where Lafayette was wounded on September 11, 1777.

The keynote speaker is Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia.

The day concludes with a grand Lafayette Ball at the Chester County History Center. For tickets and information, go to https://mycchc.org/lafayettes-ball/.

The Chadds Ford event is free and will include history displays and family fun.

July 1, 2025

Marine Fraval-Vennel, French Consul to Philadelphia

is one of featured speakers at celebration

of Lafayette Bicentennial in Chadds Ford and West Chester

July 26, 2025, event includes Lafayette Ball at Chester County History Center

WEST CHESTER _ The Brandywine Valley’s salute to the Marquis Lafayette on Saturday, July 26, 2025, includes celebrated Lafayette speakers, a Lafayette Ball and appearances by Lafayette.

“For more than three years, members of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee have been working hard to commemorate the day Lafayette, an American hero, visited Chadds Ford and West Chester on July 26, 1825,” said committee chair Bruce E. Mowday. “We’re part of a fantastic 13-month national celebration being administered by the national American Friends of Lafayette. July 26 is our day to show our appreciation for the Revolutionary hero and to commence the celebration of our nation’s 250^th anniversary.”

The morning events, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, are free and the public is encouraged to attend. The evening’s Ball at the Chester County History Center, 225 North High Street, beginning at 6:00 p.m. requires tickets. To obtain tickets, go to https://mycchc.org/lafayettes-ball/.

“In August 2024, thousands and thousands of people welcomed Lafayette in New York City,” Mowday said. “It was a grand welcome for Lafayette. By the time the 13-month concludes, Lafayette will be honored in all 24 states that constituted the United States 200 years ago. For our celebration, we are offering history, community and national pride and fun for everyone in the family.”

At our Chadds Ford morning opening ceremonies, Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia, and Patti Maclay, who is a leader in the American Friends of Lafayette, the DAR and is Vice Regent of the Maryland DAR. Members of the Chester County Latta family will recite the prayer a family member recited at Lafayette’s dinner in 1824.

“Historical groups and organizations will be attending the morning event along with artifacts from the J. Howard Wert family collection,” Mowday said. “We’ll conduct a heritage walk from Thornburg Farm to the location with Lafayette was wounded during the battle of the Brandywine on September 11, 1777. That location is close to where Lafayette visited in 1825.”

The following is the program for day:

Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee Program

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Thornbury Farms, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, PA 19380

10 a.m. Opening of Lafayette Day on the Brandywine battlefield

10 a.m. Displays, historical vendors, historical and Lafayette authors will be available to the public.

11 a.m. Welcoming Ceremony

Randell Spackman welcomes everyone and introduces Bruce E. Mowday, chair and Master of Ceremonies
Peter Alois introduces Marine Fraval-Vennel, Honorary French Consul to Philadelphia
Lisa Doan-Harley announces winner of the student Lafayette essay contest
Patti Maclay, NSDAR National Chair of the Franco-American Committee
DAR’s Kris Barone presentation on Joseph C. McClellan
Latta family presents invocation given by Rev. Latta on July 26, 1825.
Dignitaries are recognized.
Troy Grubb, site administrator of Brandywine Battlefield Park
Chuck Schwam, Executive Director and Bicentennial Chair for the American Friends of Lafayette.
Lafayette’s presentation.

11:45 a.m. Heritage Walk from Thornbury Farm to Birmingham Hill where Lafayette was wounded on September 11, 1777.

3 p.m. Close of festivities at Thornbury Farm.

West Chester

2 p.m. Walk from Miner Street to Marshall Square Park as part of Chester County’s Town Tours & Village Walks p.m.

6 p.m. Grand Lafayette Ball takes place at Chester County History Center, 225 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19382.

Evening festivities conclude in West Chester where Lafayette spent the night on July 26, 1825.

“We’re working on additional events,” Mowday said. “We hope to have final approval for the awarding of the Pennsylvania Cross of Valor. The medal is quite an honor for Lafayette and our program.”

For information see the Facebook page of Lafayette Brandywine Bicentennial Committee and www.Lafayette200.org. The American Friends of Lafayette Bicentennial is affiliated with the national and Chester County 250 committees.

May 7, 2025

Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration

in Chadds Ford and West Chester

added to Town Tours & Village Walks

Saturday, July 26, 2025 is national Lafayette Day!

WEST CHESTER _ Chester County’s yearly Town Tours & Village Walks program added a special event this year, the national Lafayette Bicentennial celebration event taking place in West Chester and Chadds Ford.

“The national spotlight will focus on our community,” said Bruce E. Mowday, chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee. “We’re pleased that the Chester County Planning Commission added our day to the county’s highly successful Town Tours & Village Walks program.”

On July 26, 1825, Lafayette visited the Brandywine battlefield where he was wounded on September 11, 1777, and later in the day West Chester where he was given a grand dinner.

This year, a celebration at 10:00 a.m. will begin at Thornbury Farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, on the Brandywine battlefield. During the afternoon in West Chester, a procession to Marshall Square Park, where Lafayette spoke in 1825, will take place along with an event at the historic courthouse on High Street where a recreation will take place of the toasts given during Lafayette’s grand dinner. The Chester County History Center is hosting Lafayette’s Ball that evening.

“Details of the day’s events and the evening Ball are being finalized. We’re getting many requests for tickets! This will be an event not to be missed,” Mowday said. “The whole day will be a grand celebration. Our day is part of the American Friends of Lafayette 13-month national celebration. The festivities began in New York City in August 2024 with a parade on Broadway and numerous events, including a reception at the French Consulate. For more information on the national celebration, see www.Lafayette200.org. Information on the West Chester and Chadds Ford celebrations can be found on Facebook at Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee page.

“One of the Chadd’s Ford highlights is a heritage walk from Thornbury to Birmingham Hill where Lafayette was wounded,” Mowday said. “When Lafayette spilled his blood that day, he began his ascent as an American hero.” Mowday, who authored the books Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero & Guest, and September 11, 1777, will lead the walk.

A Lafayette interpreter approved by the American Friends of Lafayette will be part of the programs.

“The day will be fun and filled with history,” Mowday said. “We’re urging everyone to join us.”

The Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine celebration and Chester County’s Town tours & Village Walks are both partners of the county’s 250^th celebration of our nation’s founding. Information on the 250^th can be found at www.america250chesco.org. For Town Tours & Village Walks, see www.chescoplanning.org/historic/towntours.

April 8, 2025

April presentations by author Bruce E. Mowday

highlight Lafayette’s Bicentennial celebration

and crab-walking murder Danilo Cavalcante

April 15 marks release of Gettysburg Mysteries and More: Unexplained Personal Paranormal Phenomena

WEST CHESTER _ Regent Press of Berkeley, California, is releasing author Bruce E. Mowday’s new book Gettysburg Mysteries and More: Unexplained Personal Paranormal Phenomena on April 15.

“The book recounts my personal experiences researching my history books,” Mowday said. “I included incidents related to me by those I trust. This is a different type of book. As one reviewer wrote, ‘A look at the paranormal from a dispassionate point of view was needed. Bruce’s book fills a much-needed void.’ For me, this was a different type of book to write.”

Book presentations in April will concentrate on his books on Lafayette, an American hero, and crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante. Cavalcante’s escape from Chester County Prison cost residents an estimated $20 million. The Cavalcante book is A Killer at the Door.

Mowday began the month with talks in Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana. “The trip was connected with the American Friends of Lafayette Bicentennial celebration. For 13 months in 1824 and 1825, Lafayette was America’s guest. He greatly contributed to the winning of America’s freedom.”

Mowday wrote three books on Lafayette and the September 11, 1777, battle of Brandywine, where Lafayette was wounded. The books are Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero and Guest, and September 11, 1777: Washington’s Defeat at Brandywine Dooms Philadelphia.

All of Mowday’s more than 25 books can be viewed on his website, www.mowday.com. Signed books can be obtained by email Mowday at mowday@mowday.com.

On April 17 at 7:00 p.m. Mowday will be speaking on Lafayette at the Salisbury Historical Society. On April 30 at 5:30 p.m. Mowday will be at Historic Rock Ford presenting on Lafayette.

Mowday is the featured speaker at the Chadds Ford Historical Society’s annual dinner on April 23 at 6:00 p.m. He will speak on Cavalcante. The next evening, April 24, Mowday will speak on the Cavalcante escape at the Avon Grove Library at 6:30 p.m.

Paradocx Vineyards, Landenberg, features a Mowday book signing on Cavalcante on April 26 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Cavalcante is the subject of Mowday’s presentation at Radley Run Country Club on April 29.

Mowday is scheduled to be a guest on the Santana True Crime pod cast. He is being interviewed for the show on April 28.

The Chester County History Center is hosting a Mowday zoom broadcast on Chester County author and poet Bayard Taylor of Kennett Square. An article by Taylor was included in Mowday’s book on the battle of Brandywine.

March 24, 2025

Regent Press releases:

Gettysburg Mysteries and More:

Unexplained Personal Paranormal Phenomena

GETTYSBURG: _ Regent Press of Berkeley, CA, is releasing Gettysburg Mysteries and More: Unexplained Personal Paranormal Phenomena on April 15, 2025.

The book details numerous unexplained experiences of West Chester, PA., author Bruce E. Mowday during his history research. Mowday, who authored four books on the Civil War, traveled extensively to historical locations in the United States and Europe.

“There is one question I routinely receive during my talks on Gettysburg. ‘Have you seen any ghosts?’ The answer is no, no ghosts. This is not a ghost story book. What I experienced is a string of unexplained personal encounters that very well could be paranormal phenomena,” Mowday said. “From the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam to my home area of Chester County to the Nazi death camp at Dachau, I’ve documented questionable happenstances.”

Gettysburg Mysteries and More: Unexplained Personal Paranormal Phenomena costs $19.95 and can be ordered through the Regent Press at www.regentpress.net, Amazon and other internet outlets. For signed copies, contact author Mowday at mowday@mowday.com.

In Gettysburg, the book is being featured by Gettysburg Heritage Enterprises at the Gettysburg Tour Center, Jennie Wade House and the Orphanage at 778 Baltimore Street. A Gettysburg book launch is being planned for the Orphanage.

“I’m so glad Max Felty at Gettysburg Tour Center and his organization assisted on the research of the book. Chris Rowand, marketing director, suggested this book during a signing for my book Pickett’s Charge: The Untold Story on July 3, 2024,” Mowday said. “Chris wrote an excellent foreword.”

The book is written for those who believe in the paranormal, those that don’t believe in the paranormal and for those, like the author Mowday, is unsure but open to the possibility of the existence of the paranormal. Mowday included statements by his book colleagues. One commented that maybe we live in the paranormal and the paranormal is normal. In Chester County, encounters are recounted from the General Warren inn and restaurant in Malvern and historic Thornbury Farm.

Bruce E. Mowday is an award-winning author and newspaper reporter. He has authored more than 25 books on history, sports, business and true crime. He is a Consulting Producer with Lionsgate/Blackfin productions in connection with a documentary on his new book, Killer at the Door.

Mowday has appeared on television and radio shows, including The Spark of PBS member station WITF, Counter Culture, a PBS Emmy-winning show, the Discovery ID channel, ReelZ network, C-SPAN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Hollywood and Beyond, the Opperman Report, Our American Heritage, Whatcha Got, Journey into the Civil War, Chronicles of the American Civil War, WGAL’s In Focus and local television and radio stations.

March 3, 2025

True Crime, History and Sports are topics for March talks

Author Bruce E. Mowday takes part in events

across Chester and Lancaster counties and Maryland

WEST CHESTER _ Author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to give talks on his books on Richie Ashburn, General Lafayette, crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante and Gettysburg during events in March.

Mowday said. “I’m honored to be asked to take part in the events and give presentations on my books.”

His new book, A Killer at the Door, was released by Schiffer Publishing last week. The work details the escape of Cavalcante and the fear he spread throughout the county. Talks on the book include March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Traditions at Longwood, March 8 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Brandywine Ace Hardware, Pocopson, on March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Ware Presbyterian Village, Oxford, on March 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club in Kennett Square, and at the library in North East, Maryland, on March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The event at the General Warren, Malvern, on the Cavalcante book on March 13 is a sellout.

“The interest in A Killer at the Door has been tremendous,” Mowday commented. “This morning Amazon listed the book at 29,792 out of more than 30 million books listed for sale and number 223 in its Murder and Mayhem category.”

Details for the talks are found at www.mowday.com. The website also has information on Mowday and his books. Those wanting signed copies should contact Mowday at www.mowday.com.

Mowday’s book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero is the subject of two presentations. One is at the Penn State York campus on March 10 at 1:00 p.m. as part of a life-long learning program. On March 20 at 4:30 p.m., Mowday is taking part of an event at Lancaster History.

Mowday has written three books on Gettysburg. On March 16 at 3:00 p.m. he will speak on Emotional Gettysburg. The event is hosted by the East Brandywine Historical Commission and takes place at the township building, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown. Mowday wrote essays to go with paintings by noted artist Karl J. Kuerner. Kuerner and Mowday also collaborated on Emotional Brandywine.

Mowday’s final talk of the month takes place March 31 at 2:15 p.m. at Tel Hai Retirement Community, Honey Book. The subject will on Phillies great Richie Ashburn and his book Why the Hall Not.

February 17, 2025

Schiffer Publishing releases A Killer at the Door on February 27

Television shows, signings and talks scheduled

for book on escape from Chester County Prison

by crab-walking murderer Danilo Cavalcante

Special dinner event takes place on March 13 at General Warren

WEST CHESTER _ An interview with author Bruce E. Mowday is scheduled to be taped Thursday by Pennsylvania Cable Network on his new book, A Killer at the Door. The book covers the escape of convicted murderer Danilo Cavalcante and the havoc the incident caused neighbors of Chester County Prison.

The book was featured on show on WGAL’s In Focus program earlier this month. Mowday has entered into an agreement with Lionsgate Media to assist on the making of a documentary on the escape. Schiffer Publishing of Atglen is releasing the book on February 27.

“The book has garnered great attention,” Mowday said. “I’ve been asked to do a number of talks and signings, already. The Cavalcante escape and hunt captured the attention of the world in September 2023. The two-week ordeal caused so much anguish for the citizens in the neighborhood of the prison. The cost of the escape was enormous, estimated to be $20 million.”

Besides the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Mowday is to be interviewed by the Chester County Press this week. On Saturday, the book was part of a true crime presentation to the Sisters In Crime organization at Tredyffrin Library.

A special dinner, reception, talk and book signing is scheduled for Thursday, March 13 at the General Warren, 9 Old Lancaster Highway, Malvern. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

The price per person is $59.00 and includes the reception, meal, dessert and unlimited soft beverages, coffee and tea. Adult beverages, tax and gratuity are additional. Reservations are required. Call the General Warren at 610 296-3637 for reservations.

Mowday will be at Kings Tavern on Sunday, February 23, for a reception and signing at Kings Tavern 313 W. Lincoln Highway, at 4:00 p.m.

Four presentations, in addition to the one at the General Warren, are scheduled for March. On March 6, Mowday will give a talk at Traditions at Longwood at 7:00 p.m. On March 8, Mowday will sign books from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Ace Hardware, 1150 Pocopson Road, West Chester.

Mowday will be at Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 E. Locust Street, Oxford, at 7:00 p.m. And, on March 15, the author will talk at the Italian American club, 30 Ways Lane, Kennett Square, at 1:00 p.m. The final scheduled March talk by Mowday takes place in Maryland at the North East Library, 485 Mauldin Avenue, North East, at 6:30 p.m.

Three events are scheduled, so far, in April. On April 24 at 6:30 p.m., Mowday will be at the Avon Grove Library, 117 Rosehill Avenue, West Grove. He’ll do a book signing at the Paradocx Vineyards, 1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg, on April 26 at 4:00 p.m. Mowday will give a special presentation at the Radley Run Country Club on April 29.

Four presentations are arranged for June. On June 5, Mowday will be at the Longwood Rotary, Longwood Gardens at 7:00 p.m. The Phoenixville Library, 183 2^nd Avenue, will host Mowday’s talk on June 9 at 6:30 p.m. The final two June events include a visit to the West Chester Sunrise Rotary on June 25 and a signing at the Barnes & Noble in Fredericksburg, VA., on June 21.

The book costs $24.99 and can be ordered through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, SchifferBooks.com, and wherever books are sold. For signed copies, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. All of Mowday’s books can be seen at www.mowday.com.

“I’m not surprised about the international interest,” Mowday commented. “After an illegal migrant was convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend in front of her children, he crab-walked up a prison wall while a guard was on his telephone and led police on a two-week search that cost businesses and taxpayers $20 million dollars. The brazen escape and search was followed locally and internationally.

“County authorities didn’t timely inform the public of the escape of the murderer,” Mowday continued. “A major part of the book is the fear experienced by neighbors of the prison as the hunt continued for almost two weeks. Airplanes and helicopters were constantly in the air. To some, the thought of those helicopters cause trauma today.”

Mowday has appeared on television and radio shows, including The Spark of PBS member station WITF, Counter Culture, a PBS Emmy-winning show, the Discovery ID channel, ReelZ network, C-SPAN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Hollywood and Beyond, Our American Heritage, Whatcha Got, Journey into the Civil War, Chronicles of the American Civil War, WGAL’s In Focus and local television and radio stations.

February 17, 2025

The nation’s focus is on West Chester and Chadds Ford

July 26 as part of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration

Since the gala kickoff in New York City in August, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration throughout the United States. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the eyes of the nation will be upon West Chester and Chadds Ford.

The day is our opportunity to remember and salute the Marquis Lafayette, the young Frenchman who defied his king to come to the United States. He greatly assisted the winning of our freedom and independence during the American Revolution. Brandywine holds a special place in our nation’s history, as on September 11, 1777, Lafayette was wounded. Once he spilled his blood in a field on Birmingham Hill, Lafayette was on his way to becoming a revered American hero.

From August 1824 until September 1825, Lafayette was our “Nation’s Guest,” invited by President Monroe and Congress to tour and be honored. Currently, the American Friends of Lafayette is recreating community celebrations on the day Lafayette visited a city, town or village. This grand 13-month celebration involves many dedicated people from across the United States and France. Information can be found at www.lafayette200.org.

The local committee has been hard at work for many months. Plans are being completed for the day-long celebration. The celebration is inclusive and organizations are encouraged to contact Chair Bruce Mowday at mowday@mowday.com to volunteer or participate. For more information, see Facebook page Lafayette Bicentennial Brandywine Committee.

The Lafayette Bicentennial Lafayette Committee was involved in the successful October Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in Chester. The committee devised and developed a non-fiction book on Lafayette for students. The book, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero, is designed to give information to students and adults on Lafayette. Education is a key goal of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration. Individuals and DAR groups have distributed the book to more than 1,300 students in the past year. A presentation was given last year to 100 international students at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Each student received a copy.

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New in 2026!

Brandywine Valley Symphony debuts America 250th commission at Longwood