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This month, Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors is pleased to introduce you to The Brown Family: Matt, Veronica, Becky, Dylan, Aubrey and Luke. Life for this family of six is full of happiness and hard work in a community they love to call HOME.
Matt grew up in Upper Providence with his parents and two brothers. He attended Rose Tree Elementary, Springton Lake Middle School and Penncrest High School, where he ran indoor track and played soccer, basketball and lacrosse.
After graduation from Penncrest, Matt went to Delaware County Community (DCCC) and graduated from the Police Academy in 2004. He began his career as a Police Officer with the Westtown East Goshen Police Department and is currently a Detective with the Willistown Police Department. “I have always dedicated myself to serving our community and helping others,” Matt explained. “Being able to help people that have been victimized and arresting the people who took advantage of them is a gratifying part of my job.”
Over the years, Matt has also served as a Volunteer Firefighter with Rose Tree Fire Department, where he earned the rank of Lieutenant, and Edgmont Fire Department, where he worked his way up to Assistant Fire Chief. He was a Professional Fireman with Media and Goshen Fire Departments and an EMT with Riddle Paramedics and Arasapha Farms during their special events.
Veronica (Ronnie) was raised right here on Arasapha Farm with her parents, Anne and Randy Bates and her five siblings. She attended Saints Simon and Jude for grade school, then Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE, where she played volleyball and took an interest in ceramics and photography. “I loved taking photos and working with the film in the dark room,” Ronnie explained. “My father saw how fascinated I was with the process, that he built me my own darkroom in the basement of our house.”
After graduating from Padua Academy, Ronnie went to Rosemont College to earn her Bachelor’s and Fine Art with a concentration in photography. She graduated magna cum laude while also playing on the school’s volleyball team. Ronnie was named team captain in both her junior and senior years.
During her time in college, Ronnie volunteered for the Edgmont Fire Company as a photographer who would be called on to fire and rescue scenes. “My photos often played a key role in investigating the circumstances surrounding an event,” she explained. “My work as a photographer, as well
as my success as a student-athlete, earned me recognition and a full-page article that appeared in the National Collegiate Athletics Association’s (NCAA) newspaper in 2005.” After college, Ronnie served as Edgmont Township’s Tax Collector from 2008 to 2019.
These days, Ronnie works full-time at Arasapha Farm, running the concessions and gift shop during their haunted attraction season. She processes the payroll for over 300 employees and is starting to learn how to manage the farm’s finances. “I am also the sole owner of Veronica Brown Photography,” Ronnie said. “I love to capture special moments for families, whether it be newborn photos or large family portraits.” Ronnie added that her favorite part is working with young children. She said that she finds so much joy in those smiles and laughs.
Growing up on a farm with many siblings often meant a home filled with friends. The Bates hosted countless parties, barbeques and bonfires over the years. It was the perfect place to gather with old friends and to meet new ones. It was also the perfect place for Ronnie and Matt to begin their love story. “We first met one night at the end of June when a bunch of friends were hanging out in a field near my house. I was 15, and Matt was 17.” Ronnie said. “We were all back on that field a week later, on the 4th of July, to watch the fireworks when Matt asked me to be his girlfriend.”
Ronnie and Matt dated for six years before getting engaged. “Ronnie and I were living in her grandmother’s house on the farm, which was the main farmhouse,” Matt said. “When we got engaged, Ronnie’s parents gifted us 21⁄2 acres of land to build our house on the field next to the farm.” It was the same field where they first met.
They tied the knot on September 15, 2007, at Saints Simon and Jude Church with a reception surrounded by family and friends at Springhaven Country Club in Wallingford. They then spent a fun and relaxing honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico. When the newlyweds returned, they began building their home and welcomed the first of their four children in 2008.
Becky is now 15 years old and attends Penncrest High School. She enjoys drawing and playing tennis. Becky is also a big fan of Country music, cowgirl boots and impromptu photo shoots. Ronnie said that Becky is like a mama bear to her younger siblings. She’s very helpful with them and her younger cousins.
Matt and Ronnie’s second is 13-year-old Dylan, who is a student at Springton Lake Middle School. Matt said that Dylan never stops moving. He loves to fish, ride his dirtbike and play basketball and baseball. “Dylan is a sweetheart who will do anything for anybody,” Ronnie said.
Next up is Aubrey. She’s 11 years old, attends Springton Lake Middle School and loves dance, dance and more dance! “Aubrey is the ultimate performer,” Ronnie remarked. “She’s animated, speaks her mind and is a very loyal friend.” Aubrey studies all styles of dance and is determined to make it onto the competition team this year.
Last but definitely not least is Luke, an active nine-year-old who attends Glenwood Elementary School. Like his big brother, Luke loves to fish, and play basketball and baseball. “Luke is also very creative and enjoys building things,” Matt said. “He can take an ordinary box lying around the house and turn it into an elaborate skeeball machine.” Not only is Luke the baby of the family, he was born on the 4th of July and, made a special
anniversary day for Ronnie and Matt even more spectacular.
When it comes to raising their family, Ronnie and Matt feel fortunate to have had their own parents as excellent role models. “Ronnie and I both came from close-knit families and had parents who instilled the importance of family, work ethic and being a good person in us. That is what we try to teach our children,” Matt explained. Ronnie added that life on the farm taught her well. “My parents are the most generous people that I know. Growing up on the farm came with chores and responsibility,” she said. “The values and work ethic instilled in me at a young age, I have carried through my life and am passing them on to my own children.”
There is a lot of work to do when you live on a farm, but there is also plenty of fun to be had. One of their favorite things to do is spend time fishing on the large pond. The boys especially like night fishing, and Ronnie said that spending time on the pond is Matt’s favorite way to decompress after a long shift at work. They also enjoy taking their two dogs, Sarge and Stella, for walks, hosting parties and playing basketball in the driveway.
When the Browns want to get away, they head north to Ronnie’s parent’s vacation home in Mt. Pocono. “It’s a great place year-round,” Ronnie said. “We try to go every summer and every winter.” They also like to go to the beach, but the Pocono house is definitely their favorite.
But, at the end of the day, Matt, Ronnie and the kids are always grateful to come home. “We love raising our family in this community,” Ronnie and Matt said. “We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.