Developer’s revised White Clay Point proposal nixes indoor sports facility
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
At the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors meeting on July 21, Stonewall Capital, LLC of Maryland unveiled its plans for White Clay Point in Landenberg, a 220-acre mixed-use development project consisting of 263 single-family detached homes; 90 20-foot-wide townhomes; 200 24-footwide townhomes; 112
stacked townhomes; civic spaces and park land; and 75,000 square feet of commercial space.
The sweetener in the proposal included a $26.8 million investment by Stonewall Capital, LLC in several ancillary projects related to the development - all at no cost to the township - that included a 12-acre indoor youth sports facility, estimated at $6 million. Public reaction to the concept of the facility
was swift and definitive; a sports complex of any kind crammed into a development intended for mixed-use purposes was unthinkable, many said, especially given the fragility of Route 41 and the prospect of it being used as a thoroughfare for sports tournaments and outof-town sports teams and their fans. In addition, residents argued that the initial design of White Clay Point would lead to increased traffic along Route 41 and
at the edges of the development along Reynolds and Sunny Dell roads.
At the board’s Aug. 18 meeting, Stonewall Capital, LLC unveiled its newest
Ray
managing partner of
LLC, introduced a revised plan for the proposed White Clay Point development at the Aug. 18 New Garden Township Board of Supervisors meeting.
Stay alert and protect yourself against scams
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Here’s an email you might find in your inbox:
Heads-Up: Your Invoice is Due — Kindly Settle ASAP. #37126152
If you see something like the line above in an email sent to you, please know it is probably a scam. Scams are not just happening to senior citizens, they are happening to everyone at any age—and they are happening all the time. The very first thing you should do if you think you are being scammed is to tell someone. Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your bank and the credit card companies, and check to see if your local police department has a fraud division. And report the scam to the Pennsylvania State
Attorney General. By telling someone else, you may save another person from falling victim to a scam.
In the state of Pennsylvania, you can contact your state attorney general, who is currently Dave Sunday, with details about a scam. His office can be reached by phone at 800-441-2555 or by email at scams@attorneygeneral. gov or a consumer complaint can be filed online. By reporting these scams, you are helping to protect others.
Sunday has said this about scammers: “Scammers have no compassion for people dealing with hardship as a result of natural disasters –in fact, they see this time as an opportunity.”
Telling someone you have been scammed is often the hardest thing for people to do. People who are scammed are embarrassed. It’s important for the per-
son who is scammed to remember that he or she is not the only one harmed. Everyone knows someone who has been scammed.
Counting the number of scams being run is like counting the grains of sand.
There are a million sad stories, but many are like this:
You have been contacted by a famous person who starts out just wanting to talk. By the time you think you have made a new friend, your bank account has been emptied.
You will get an email telling you that you must pay your account before it is shut down.
You think you are ordering from a respected apparel shop only to find you have been charged on your credit card by someone you don’t recognize. Oh, and you never receive what you ordered.
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The art of Susan Ebersole to be featured at the Oxford Arts Alliance
The Oxford Arts Alliance will present an exhibition of paintings by acclaimed artist Susan Ebersole beginning in early September at the gallery in Oxford. Ebersole spent four decades in the greater New
York City area before moving to the Lancaster, Pa. area. She now devotes herself to painting full time. Her work offers a seductive visual dance between architecture, geometry, and the poetics of space, while also
inviting viewers to contemplate the human body and soul.
A recurring motif in her work—the house— serves as both a physical and metaphorical bridge. Through luminous inte-
‘You suffered the flames of hatred. Now rest in God’s eternal love’
Coatesville man lynched and burned alive in 1911
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
Maya Angelou
Much in the same way a long wound finally healed still leaves traces of its memory, a well- deserved display of honor and dignity was recently bestowed upon a Coatesville man 114 years after his death.
On Aug. 13, before more than 200 citizens, parishio-
ners, elected officials and clergy of many denominations, the remains of Zachariah Walker, who was brutally lynched and burned to death in 1911 in Coatesville, were buried in a ceremony held at the Church of Christ Cemetery near Coatesville.
With the above quote by Maya Angelou serving as its spiritual guidepost, the event served as the 2025 Annual Senator Andrew Dinniman Community Gathering, and was sponsored by Dinniman, the Together Endowment, the Coatesville Area NAACP
and the Coatesville Area Ministerium.
“It is a service of the people of this county to right a wrong that occurred 114 years ago and a real desire to bring these people together so that we can heal the divisiveness and the misunderstandings that exist in our society today,” Dinniman said before the ceremony. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the struggle in America has been ‘How do you make the aspirational values expressed in
riors, Ebersole explores states of human consciousness and spirituality. Her abstract compositions are informed by an in-depth study of Romanesque architecture, third-century Italian painting, sacred geometry (including the golden ratio), and the influence of both historical and contemporary artists.
Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe approved the awarding of over $2.3 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants to local municipalities and organizations.
“We’re proud to partner with our municipalities and land trusts on these investments that ensure safe recreational spaces, protect the environment, and preserve the remarkable natural resources of Chester County,” the County Commissioners said in a statement. “These projects are part of our commitment to a high quality of life—one we hope will inspire future generations to continue this tradition of stewardship. For more than three decades, Chester County residents have supported dedicating funds to these vital efforts, and we’re grateful for that ongoing commitment.”
The Sudsy Mama is here to help...1B
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Jackson,
Stonewall Capital,
Courtesy image
Acclaimed artist Susan Ebersole will have her work on display at the Oxford Arts Alliance in September.
plan – one that has taken its direction from township residents.
During his presentation, Ray Jackson, managing partner of Stonewall Capital, LLC, introduced Plan 1A, an overview that removes the originally proposed indoor sports complex, reduces residential density by 10 percent - from an originally proposed 680 units to 620 units - and expands opportunities for retail and commercial progress. The sports complex will be replaced by high-density residential condominium units. In their place, Jackson said that the company is looking to use the now-available space for retail, which will hopefully include a 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot grocery store.
“Knowing [White Clay Point’s] close proximity to Delaware, we don’t believe we are going to attract traditional retailers,” Jackson told the board.
“We’re going to need to attract service retailers, restaurants - things that your residents said they want.
Retail comes when you build rooftops.”
Jackson said that the decision to remove the planned sports facility from the plan was heavily influenced by the responses expressed by
Grants...
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The grants are made available through Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program, which offers funding to municipalities and nonprofit land preservation organizations.
A total of 15 grants were awarded this year to help permanently preserve significant natural, recreational, agricultural, historic, and cultural land resources, enhance public access to those lands, and implement county and municipal land use policies. Conservancy grant funding recipients
Brandywine Red Clay Alliance will receive $337,790 to help purchase two conservation easements in Elk Township totaling 132.9 acres including a public trail corridor linking Lewisville Road to Big Elk Creek State Park. The easements will protect woodlands and tributaries to both the Little and Big Elk Creeks and provide for continued agricultural use of portions of both parcels.
French & Pickering Conservation Trust will receive $246,547 towards the purchase of a farmland conservation easement in West Vincent Township on 78.3 acres across four parcels of land to maintain agricultural use of the property.
community members.
“Last month we came in here and made a proposal that included a detailed presentation with regards to the sports complex,” he said. “What I heard were some concerns, and not just one or two concerns, but multiple. Subsequent to that, I had a conversation with [New Garden Township Manager] Christopher Himes and I said, ‘It’s for the betterment of the community and the betterment of this project to replace the sports complex with retail.”
Jackson told the supervisors that the company has had numerous conversations with AQUA PA about the wastewater system needs for the proposed development; spoken with members of the Somerset Lake community about solutions to anticipated water runoff problems from the development to Somerset Lake; held meetings with traffic consultants; and is beginning outreach with the environmental group S.A.V.E. on Route 41 traffic planning. In addition, Stonewall Capital, LLC has recently created a website, which will contain all reports, engineering plans, schedules and images as the proposed project moves forward.
The presentation also discussed potential access points, anticipated traffic patterns and traffic calming measures from the proposed
Natural Lands will receive a total of $289,892 for two projects—$239,892 for the preservation of 4.45 acres in Newlin Township to be managed as a restored habitat and addition to the ChesLen Preserve, and $50,000 to improve and create wildlife habitat at Stroud Preserve in East and West Bradford townships. The Stroud Preserve project includes invasive species removal, grassland conversion, and restoration of native plantings along a stream channel.
Open Land Conservancy will receive $14,000 for the Lorimer Preserve Riparian Restoration Project in Tredyffrin Township. This project will include invasive species removal and planting of native species to foster threatened bird species habitat.
Municipal grant funding recipients
Avondale Borough will receive $30,000 towards the purchase of three acres for passive recreation and natural resource conservation.
Caln Township will receive $250,000 to help construct a 10-foot-wide, quarter-mile section of the Beaver Creek Trail at Lloyd Park, which will include a pedestrian bridge over Beaver Creek to connect the park to Downingtown Borough.
East Brandywine Township will receive $80,000 to help purchase
development along Sunny Dell and Reynolds roads and Route 41.
To learn more about the White Clay Point proposal, visit www.whiteclaypointpa.com, or the township’s website at www.newgarden. org.
Community survey results
In other township business, Jason Morado, director of community research for the ETC Institute, shared the results of a six-page community survey that was recently sent to over 3,000 randomly selected households in the township. The survey yielded results from 408 respondents – a 13 percent response rate. The purpose of the survey was to objectively assess resident satisfaction with the delivery of major township services; help determine priorities for the community; set a baseline for future surveys; and compare New Garden Township’s performance with other communities regionally and nationally. Key highlights of the survey revealed:
approximately 14-acres of the former Shady Acres Campground for passive recreation and natural resource conservation. The property is part of Pennsylvania’s designated “Wild and Scenic” Brandywine Creek Corridor and sits adjacent to the Struble Trail.
London Britain Township will receive $109,200 to increase the recreational offerings at Nichol Park through the construction of six pickleball courts in an area designated for courts in the Township’s park master plan.
North Coventry Township will receive $110,000 to help fund the removal and replacement of 30-year-old playground equipment at Kenilworth Park. Funding will also support Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pathway improvements and parking spaces, as well as benches and landscaping.
Oxford Borough will receive $34,010 towards Memorial Park improvements including a bandshell performance pavilion, rain garden, improved ADA accessibility, and information kiosks.
Schuylkill Township will receive $500,000 towards the purchase of 55 acres of the Sedgley Farm property, adjacent to Pickering Creek Reservoir, to be used as a future passive recreational nature preserve.
Spring City Borough will receive $100,000 to help fund the creation of an ADA-accessible boat launch along the Schuylkill River Trail and the Schuylkill River Water Trail. Additional improvements will include ADA accessible walkways, parking for vehicles with boat trailers, signage, and picnic facilities.
Uwchlan Township will receive $100,000 towards the creation of a nature playground at Shamona Peck Park for children of all abilities. Proposed improvements also include
• Over 85 percent of respondents said that New Garden Township is an excellent or good place to live and raise children;
• Residents gave high satisfaction ratings to public safety and parks and recreation services; and
• Stressed priority for the condition of township owned roads; public involvement in local decision making; visibility of police in neighborhoods; and connectivity of the township’s trail system.
On the negative side, the township received low marks for the condition of its roads, as nearly half of respondents gave transportation infrastructure a “dissatisfied” rating. Slightly more than half
of the respondents gave a “dissatisfied” rating to the availability of public transportation in the township, and 80 percent of respondents said that improving road conditions should be the top priority for the township in the future. The survey also revealed that 30 percent of those filling out the survey called for the township to provide opportunities for more shopping and dining options.
After several minutes of deliberation, the supervisors gave their approval to the passage of Act 209, a transportation impact fee ordinance, which is paid by developers undergoing the land development application process and is calculated based on the projected cost of the
developer’s share of the required improvements within the study area intersections to maintain an overall consistent level of service. The approval follows an 18-month review of the ordinance as a method of leveraging new development to provide transportation funding to address critical intersection improvements within growth corridors in the township.
As the township heads into its annual budget preparation for fiscal year 2026, a “State of the Township” meeting will be held at the Township Building on Aug. 25 beginning at 7 p.m.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
a pollinator and edible garden plus a pedestrian bridge over Shamona Creek to connect areas of the park to the Uwchlan Trail.
West Caln Township will receive $135,000 for improvements to Layton Park including replacing
Ebersole...
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“We are delighted to present Susan’s work, which combines thoughtful intellectual exploration with a striking depth of beauty and reflection,” said Priscilla Smith, the secretary of the board of the Oxford Arts Alliance.
The exhibition will open with a public reception on Friday, Sept. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will remain on display through September 27.
The Oxford Arts Alliance is located at 38 S. 3rd Street in Oxford.
The public is invited
an aging hockey ring with pickleball courts, installing energy efficient lighting around recreational areas, and the creation of a new dog park.
Chester County has funded the preservation of over 65,000 acres
of farmland, open space, nature preserves, and parks in partnership with farmers, municipalities, non-profits, and landowners in all 73 municipalities through its Open Lands and Agricultural Land Preservation programs.
Courtesy photo
Open Land Conservancy will receive $14,000 for the Lorimer Preserve Riparian Restoration Project, just one of the projects funded in part by Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program grants this year. Through the years, Chester County has funded the preservation of over 65,000 acres of farmland, open space, nature preserves, and parks in partnership with farmers, municipalities, non-profits, and landowners in all 73 municipalities through its Open Lands and Agricultural Land Preservation programs.
Courtesy image
An overview of the proposed 220-acre White Clay Point development, which is bordered by Route 41, Sunny Dell and Reynolds roads and New Garden Hills, and also includes residential development along Sharp Road.
White Clay Point...
Courtesy image
Susan Ebersole’s work offers a visual dance between architecture, geometry, and the poetics of space.
West to Route 1
East to Delaware State line
the Declaration a reality for all Americans? This is, in my view, probably the first such event of the 250th anniversary celebration. It’s an event that doesn’t focus on historic tourism or the reenactment of a battle, but in bringing together and uniting them so that we can make those aspirations and values a reality.”
During his introductory remarks, Dinniman noted the diversity of those in attendance, both as speakers and audience members.
“We as a community, Black and white, Jewish, Islam, Christian and Hindu have come together as one people, because ultimately we are all the children of God, are we not?” he said. “We come here to this cemetery –a Quaker meeting house that had been used as a stop on the Underground Railroad – we come to one of the centers of Black history of this county – we come as one and we will be praying as one.”
Walker’s eulogy was delivered by Pastor and State Rep. Dan Williams.
“There was a fraudulent theology that supported the use of the Bible as the basis
for slavery and hatred and that people of color were somehow less human,” he said. “There was a sociology that was perpetuated in our schools that taught that we were different and not worthy simply on the basis that we were not white.”
Saying that churches were culpable for their silence in reaction to the death of Walker, Williams said that while religious leaders were committed to making sure people would not burn in Hell, “they were not addressing the fact that Black people were burning at crosses all through this township.
“Mr. Walker’s death was a public spectacle, not a private event,” he said.
Additional speakers included Pastors Bobby Duncan and Scott Feather.
After the urn containing Walker’s remains was carried to his gravesite near the ceremony, his great niece Shanda Walker Taylor-Boyd placed the urn at the foot of Walker’s tombstone, which read in part, “You suffered the flames of hatred. Now rest in God’s eternal love.”
“A legacy of love, not a legacy of lynching, hate, hatred or resentment, but forgiveness,” Taylor-Boyd said. “We are moving for-
ward, and we want everyone to be a part of it.”
Following the ceremony, members of the Coatesville Area NAACP, the Ministerium and the Together Endowment presented flowers at the gravesite of Edgar Rice, who was killed in selfdefense by Walker, which led to Walker's lynching.
According to a document written by Dr. Dennis Downey, Professor Emeritus at Millersville University, and Dr. Charles Hardy III, Professor Emeritus at West Chester University, Walker had come to Coatesville to work in the Worth Brothers Steel Mill. On the evening of Aug. 12, 1911, Walker got involved in a scuffle with Edgar Rice, a steel company security guard and former policeman. When Rice tried to arrest Walker for public drunkenness, Walker allegedly shot Rice in self-defense. Rice stumbled to a nearby storefront, where he died of his injuries. Within an hour, a local posse formed and set out to apprehend Walker, who had vanished into the countryside south of Coatesville, where he was found the next morning hid-
ing in an orchard. While there are disputes whether Walker attempted to take his own life or shot by a member of the mob, he fell from a tree and suffered severe head wounds.
After being transported to the Coatesville Hospital and treated for head wounds and a broken jaw while shackled to his bed, a crowd estimated at 2,000 later marched on the hospital and seized Walker, carrying him on the bed from the hospital to Strode Avenue and preparing a large bonfire. Walker was thrown into the fire three times but managed to escape. On the mob’s last attempt, they cut Walker’s foot off and tied a rope around him and held him in the inferno until he died.
“Don’t give me no crooked death because I’m not white,” Walker told the mob.
As he was burnt to death, a crowd estimated at several thousand looked on and some in the crowd collected his bones as souvenirs. Later that year, Coatesville Police Chief Charles Umsted was indicted for involuntary manslaughter for his failure to the stop the lynching.
While the 1911 lynching was widely condemned, it
BrandywineView
spawned what Downey and Hardy called “a conspiracy of silence” in Coatesville.
Lynchings were often underreported, and attempted lynchings, including two later incidents in Coatesville, often have been ignored in the history of racial violence. In 1938, as rumors circulated of a possible lynching, local Blacks organized themselves into an armed militia to prevent further violence.
Shortly after forming in 1909, the national NAACP took on the Walker mur-
der, which became one of the first lynching cases the association became actively involved with. The NAACP’s actions led to the passage of the Pennsylvania Anti-Lynching law in 1923.
To learn more about the lynching of Zachariah Walker, visit the NAACP Coatesville Area Branch’s website at www.chesconaacp.org.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Photo courtesy of the Chester County History Center
Local residents stand near the site of Zachariah Walker’s lynching on August 14, 1911.
Pastor and State Rep. Dan Williams addressed an audience of more than 200 at the burial ceremony for Zachariah Walker, a Coatesville man who was lynched and burned alive on Aug. 12, 1911, and had never received a proper burial.
Photos by Richard L. Gaw
Zachariah Walker's tombstone.
Longtime State Sen. Andrew Dinniman delivered remarks to the audience. The ceremony served as the 2025 Annual Senator Andrew Dinniman Community Gathering.
Shanda Walker Taylor, a descendent of Zachariah Walker, places the remains of Walker into a grave at the Christ of Church Cemetery near Coatesville.
Residents call on Delaware governor to halt reckless development
Residents in nearby Yorklyn and Hockessin, Del. have been fighting for years to preserve natural lands and a historic village along the northwest edge of New Castle County. Some progress was made during the latest state legislative session, and now they are asking for Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer to take additional steps to halt
reckless development.
Developers like Drake Cattermole have exploited a legal loophole to bypass water protection regulations and county codes, the residents allege, and only the governor can stop a project that developers slipped into a state-managed plan under the previous administration without community input or notice.
Developers, includ -
ing Cattermole, first tried to push through a large development in Yorklyn in 2008 but were denied by New Castle County. But a loophole was added to the state’s bond bill in 2011, which exempted the developers from the county code and review process. This allowed developers to clear-cut 10 acres of forest without public notice and to ignore the county’s land-
use regulations. Now, residents are sounding the alarm because construction will soon begin on 61 luxury townhomes located in the Cockeysville Water Resource Protection Area—a 3-mile stretch from Yorklyn to Route 7 that sits atop a vulnerable aquifer that supplies water to local residents and Artesian Water Company. The Cockeysville water
protection area is tightly regulated in the county code, but because the developers were exempted from the county code, they did not have to comply with those regulations. DNREC, which oversees the project, has told residents that it will not intervene because it signed an agreement with the developers.
Residents are asking Gov. Meyer to instruct
DNREC to halt construction and to end the agreement with the developers when it expires this coming December. Meyer has declined the residents’ requests to meet with him, so they are launching a petition and email drive, urging him to take action and put the public interest before that of private developers.
A fuller understanding of ourselves
“Past events, it is argued, have no objective existence, but survive only in written records and in human memories. The past is whatever the records and the memories agree upon. And since the Party is in full control of all records and in equally full control of the minds of its members, it follows that the past is whatever the Party chooses to make it. It also follows that though the past is alterable, it never has been altered in any specific instance. For when it has been recreated in whatever shape is needed at the moment, then this new version IS the past, and no different past can ever have existed.”
From “1984,” by George Orwell
In a letter sent last week to Smithsonian Institution
Secretary Lonnie Bunch, three Trump administration officials stepped up their efforts to compel the nation’s most prominent keeper of its history – one that has operated without intervention for the last 175 years - to review and revise its content in order to “reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story.”
The letter follows up an executive order signed by President Trump in late March that calls upon our nation’s history museums to revitalize cultural institutions and reverse the spread of what it referred to as “divisive ideology,” and direct Vice President Vance to essentially comb through every exhibit in every significant museum in the entire country and, with a proverbial scrub brush, wipe away any trace that signifies that United States history is anything less than pristine.
The order is called “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” and attempts to address what the current White House perceives to be a concerted effort to force the nation to adopt “a factually baseless ideology aimed at diminishing American achievement.”
The initial phase of the project will not only target the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it will scrub its way through the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The order compliments a continuing effort by the Trump administration to overhaul how American history and culture is taught and presented in institutions across the country that extends from colleges and universities to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Singling out the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Women’s History Museum, Trump is calling for the Republican-led Congress to defund exhibits that “divide Americans by race” or “recognize men as women.”
Hard in defiance against these dystopian edicts, one of Chester County’s greatest achievements has been and continues to be the way it honors history by telling the truth and wrapping it around a continuing conversation.
At the Kennett Heritage Center, guests participate in the Center’s Speaking of History Series, a bold invitation that unearths the harsh realities of slavery, the journey to equal rights for women and the Native American struggle for survival against the onslaught of the Industrial Revolution.
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, coordinated by the Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Commission, continues to tell the story of African Americans, freedom seekers, and the operatives of Underground Railroad in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where the manifest courage of hundreds saved the lives of thousands who sought freedom against oppression.
Voices Underground, in partnership with Lincoln University and Square Roots Collective, continues to endeavor to create racial healing through storytelling by promoting the history of the Underground Railroad in the region through scholarly research, creative partnerships, public experiences and historical memorialization.
Three of our county’s most prominent writers – Mark Bowden, Bruce Mowday and Gene Pisasale – have spent the last several decades documenting the truth of our county’s and our nation’s history, not with cutting shears but with the head-down determination of miners surveying through the dirt in order to unearth the facts.
Even if they are to succeed, the Trump Administration’s broadbrush whitewashing of our nation’s history will not be sustainable. It cannot completely remove what has already been etched into the stone of our history. While fiction is merely the invention of an imagined reality for the purpose of telling a compelling story, truth is the cold and hardened facts, and our nation’s truth is this: We have climbed unimaginable heights in science, in technology, in the arts and in the democracy we have championed around the world, but we are also a nation whose pages are scrawled with our worst moments, our inhumanity and our most unforgivable sins.
“History can’t give us a program for the future,” wrote Robert Penn Warren, “but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, so that we can better face the future.”
As solid proof, in Germany, they still give tours at Dachau.
Guest Column
A powerful moment honoring American hero Lafayette took place at Brandywine
By Bruce E. Mowday
A powerful moment to mark our nation’s history took place at the Brandywine Battlefield on July 26.
Marquis de Lafayette, a prominent figure in the American revolution, was awarded the Pennsylvania Cross of Valor 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 who 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 FravalVennel, 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 that 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 250th 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.
Does the four percent rule still make sense for your retirement?
You may have heard of the “four percent rule” when it comes to retirement. The idea is simple: After you retire, you withdraw four percent of your investment portfolio each year. In theory, this helps ensure your savings last for your lifetime. While this rule can be a helpful starting point, it’s not a one-size-fitsall — and it’s definitely not a substitute for a plan tailored to your specific needs, wants and wishes.
The truth is, how much to withdraw in retirement depends on factors like when you retire, if you’ll work part time, how long you expect retirement to last, your lifestyle goals, inflation and whether you want to leave a financial legacy to heirs. So, the four percent rule should be viewed as more of a guide than a strict rule.
Let’s start with age. The four percent rule is often based on someone retiring at 65 and expecting to live until about 92. But if you retire earlier, you may want your portfolio to stretch further. In that case, you might need to start with a lower withdrawal rate, maybe closer to three percent. And if you retire later, you might safely withdraw a little
more — perhaps 4.5 to five percent — depending on your financial situation.
Your retirement lifestyle also plays a big role. Are you planning to travel the world or spend more time at home? If you expect higher spending in the early years of retirement, you may need to adjust your withdrawal rate or plan to reduce spending later to balance things out.
Your financial flexibility matters too. If you have less wiggle room with your expenses, rely heavily on your portfolio for income or want to preserve wealth for your heirs, a more conservative approach might be wise. In this conservative scenario, your portfolio withdrawals may be met from interest and dividends. Think of your withdrawal rate as existing on a spectrum from more conservative to less conservative, with your personal situation determining where you land. Then there’s inflation. A well-built strategy usually includes small annual increases in withdrawals to keep up with rising costs — about 2.75 percent per year. But you don’t need to take a raise just because the calendar says so. If the markets have had a
tough year or you don’t need the extra income, it might be smart to skip an increase. Being flexible can improve the chances your money will last.
It’s also important to understand what’s known as your “portfolio reliance rate” — how much of your retirement income comes from your investments versus other sources like Social Security or pensions. The higher this percentage, the more conservative you may want to be with withdrawals.
And don’t forget the IRS. If you’re drawing from a traditional IRA or 401(k), you’ll need to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) once you reach age 73. Your RMD for any year is the account balance as of the end of the prior calendar year divided by a life expectancy factor according to the IRS. These RMDs need to be accounted for in your strategy.
The bottom line? The four percent rule is a useful starting point, but it’s just that — a starting point. A good financial advisor can help you build a strategy that reflects your age, your goals and your full financial picture. By
revisiting your plan regularly and staying flexible, you’ll give yourself the best shot at turning your savings into a secure, fulfilling retirement. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Joe Oliver. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Joe Oliver is a lifelong Oxfordian, husband, father, and financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments. Joe services business owners and individual investors by helping them accomplish their financial goals. For a complimentary financial consultation,
Joe Oliver
Are you tired of doing laundry? The Sudsy Mama is here to help
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Just in time for the back-to-school rush, The Sudsy Mama comes along to help with all those dirty clothes.
Kennett Square resident Olivia Westley came up with a great idea to help with the one chore that is never done—laundry.
She’s a mother of three, with a set of twins and a young infant. Obviously, she has a lot of laundry.
Like many mothers these days, she is always thinking of another way to make some extra money, but still stay at home with her children.
“I remember in October of 2023, I started to wonder how I could do something to make extra money,” she said. “That’s when I actually started thinking about laundry. I was starting a business when I found out I was pregnant again. Now here I am, helping other moms.”
Her business helps moms by doing the laundry, but also by employing other mothers looking to make extra money.
“I remember Googling how much people would pay to have their laun-
dry done. After that, I was off,” she said. “I was pregnant when we launched the business. I wanted to stay at home with the baby for the first year and I did.”
She explained, “I have pickup and delivery within a 30-mile radius of Kennett Square. I have 10 other moms that work for me out of their house. They are independent contractors. We wash and dry and fold. If some people request it, we’ll even put the clean laundry away. That service is extra. I think other mothers appreciate the care we give to their clothes. We have special items that need hand-drying, and washed on the delicate cycle. And we do that.”
Westley added, “We have a weekly or bi-weekly rate, or for someone whose washer has broken and just needs us one time.
We charge $2 a pound for someone that is using us on a regular base, or $2.15 a pound for a one-time user.”
The Sudsy Mama currently serves around 50 families.
“Those families feel better when they realize we are mothers,” she said. “They know the care we put into our job. I really felt God had a plan when I started this.”
Westley previously worked as a development director for Forgotten Cats, and she feels that what she learned there can be useful in her own business.
“We have the same problems as all mothers, such as childcare and cleaning,” she explained. “I have someone that cleans for me now, and I also spend $36,000 a year for childcare. That is pretty
much the going rate for good childcare.”
The other mothers partnering with Westley are stay-at-home moms, many of whom have additional side gigs and more than one job.
“I feel like we are supporting moms with our service and by hiring other moms to work for us,” she said. “They can work at home and spend time with
their children.”
Her plan for the future is to continue to grow, both in service and in hiring.
“I’d like to eventually do all of Chester County and to expand to Delaware,” Westley explained. “I’m an official LLC, and fully insured. Those that work for me are independent contractors. We also do commercial laundry for salons, massage therapists, and hotels.” She still loves cats and most of her clients have cats. Recently, she found one at a drop-off which she picked up. He is being adopted soon. If you would like help with your laundry, The Sudsy Mama can be reached by phone at 610-763-5711. She also has a website at thesudsymama.com.
Through their lens: County’s teen photo contest winners named
The Chester County Library System announced the winners of its second annual Teen Photo Contest, titled Color Our World, during a celebratory reception held on Aug. 10 at Chester County Library in Exton.
This open house-style event welcomed guests of all ages to support teen photographers and explore a vibrant gallery of original artwork submitted by local students. The contest was open to Chester County residents or students entering grades 6–12 who attend school in the county. Participants were invited to submit photographs in one or both of two categories: Traditional Photo (minimal editing) and Anything Goes (digital manipulation and artistic enhancement encouraged).
April Nickel, the youth services district coordinator, said, “This year we had 52 total entries from 18 different townships and boroughs throughout the county.”
The first, second, and third place winners in each category were announced at 1:30 PM
and are now on display in the Chester County Library vestibule through Aug. 30. You also have a chance to view the complete slideshow of entries on the Chester County Library YouTube Channel.
2nd Place: Sky on Fire — Autumn G., Grade 10, Kennett Square
3rd Place: Waiting for Water — Rachel M., Grade 7, West Chester
The Chester County Library System Color Our World Teen Photo Contest supports the Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward Basic Literacy and Civic and Social Literacy initiatives, encouraging teens to express themselves
through visual storytelling while engaging with their communities.
The Chester County Library System extends its congratulations to all participants and winners, and thanks the community
for its enthusiastic support of teen creativity and literacy. The mission of the Chester County Library System is to ensure that every resident has access to exceptional opportuni-
ties to read, learn, create, connect, and contribute to a better quality of life. For hours or more information regarding our 18 library locations, please visit the website at www.ccls.org.
Courtesy photo
Olivia Westley came up with a great business idea to help with the one chore that is never done—laundry.
Courtesy photos
The Chester County Library System announced the winners of its second annual Teen Photo Contest, titled Color Our World, during a celebratory reception held on Aug. 10 at Chester County Library in Exton.
Josephine Puma Boxler, affectionately known as Pippi, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on August 1, 2025. She was a woman full of love, laughter, stories and sunshine.
Pippi was born in Johnstown, Pa. to the late John A, and Anna C. Puma. She was the proud sister of Anna Marie Burtness of Boulder, Colo. and the late Leonard J. Puma and a loving aunt to several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John A. Boxler, a son, Paul J. Boxler, and a grandson, Joseph D. Boxler. She is survived by her children, Margaret Smith (Marlay) of Stillwater, Minn., Dan Boxler (Dorothy) of Kennett Square, John Boxler (Deborah) of Landenberg, Angela Tilton (Don) of Wilmington, Del. and her daughter-in-law, Robin Boxler of Landenberg. She also leaves behind her 13 adoring grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren who lovingly called her Mom Mom.
Pippi is best remembered as a kind and generous mother and friend. You never left her house hungry. Guided by her deep Italian heritage, she shared her love of good food and the importance of family. She was happiest when her house was full of people that she loved, and that extended beyond her family.
For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10
JOSEPHINE P. BOXLER
She was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her degree from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa. She married John, and they settled in Wilmington, Del. and then later in Landenberg, where they raised their 5 children.
She became an elementary school teacher in Wilmington, Del. and then went on to teach in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for over 30 years. Teaching was never a job to her. She loved helping children learn and she made sure they laughed along the way. She didn’t stop teaching, and owned A Step Ahead, a classroom supply store and tutoring service in Kennett Square. After retirement she was a substitute in the Avon Grove School District for many years.
Pippi was a longtime member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in West Grove.
If there was one place that rivaled her love of the classroom, it was the ocean. She spent nearly every summer from 1954 until she could no longer walk on the sand in Fenwick Island, Del., where she and John built a home full of sandy feet and happy memories. The home is still in the family today. Winters were spent in Bradenton, Fla., where she cherished her cousins and a close-knit group of friends.
She travelled widely, laughed often, prayed deeply, and gave generously. She volunteered for nearly everything and never met a stranger she didn’t want to help. She had
the unmatched ability to make everyone feel at home, even when they weren’t. She had great friends because she was a great friend. Everyone she made contact with is a better person for having known her.
She will be dearly missed, but her spirit lives on in every family dinner, beach trip and story passed down the table.
You are invited to visit with Pippi’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5 at St. Patrick’s Church at 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square. Her funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Unionville Cemetery, West Doe Run Road (Route 82) and Cemetery Lane in Unionville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her honor to St. Patrick’s Church of Kennett Square at 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348, Auburn Heights Education Fund in memory of Joseph Boxler in Yorklyn, Del. (auburnheights.org/ boxler-education-fund/BoxlerDonation), Holisticare Hospice www.holisticarehospice.org or the organization of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square (484) 734-8100.
To view Pippi’s online obituary, please visit www. griecofunerals.com.
Obituary submissions
The Chester County Press publishes obituaries for funeral homes and others with a connection to Southern Chester County for a modest fee. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received with a Monday 5pm deadline. They are also posted on wwww.chestercounty.com. Photos should be sent as .jpeg attachments to the obituary text. To submit an obituary to the Chester County Press, email the information to editor@chestercounty.com.
Scams...
Continued from Page 1A
You receive an email from a long-lost relative in England saying he/she needs money to come home.
You receive a charge on your credit card by a reputable place you have done business with or maybe you have never done business with. This one not only hurts the one being scammed, but also the real company which has no idea their name and brand is being used as part of a scam.
You receive an email from a lonely person on Facebook who just wants to talk, is lonely, or is starving in another country. Many nice
or lonely people have fallen for this one. The list of scams goes on and on, and it is very important to note the following precautions that everyone should take:
• Never give anyone your credit card information;
• Never give anyone your social security number;
• And this one is very devious: People will call you on the phone from a number that is familiar to you. Many robo-calls are like this. It can still be a scam.
• Talk to your credit card company about a lock on your account.
I have known very reputable people who have been taken in by scams. They can
lose their money, their homes, and sometimes everything because of a scam. And, often, it doesn’t stop there. It more often than not will affect an entire family. No one wants to see loved ones homeless or in need of help, so they also step in to help after the fact.
If I’m scaring you, good.
Remember:
• Check your credit cards as often as possible to catch scams.
• Credit cards do not send emails telling you to pay up. Neither does Netflix, PayPal, etc.
• Call your credit card company if you see something unusual. Use the number on the back of your card. Have
them call you back. They have your number.
• Don’t pay a bill over the phone, even if someone says they are going to arrest you now. Instead, call your local police department and let them know about the scam attempt.
In the state of Pennsylvania, the State Attorney General’s office has a wealth of information available so that residents can protect themselves. You can get put on a do-not-call list. You can forward a sketchy email you have received to the State Attorney General’s Office and they will follow up. It is hard to know who to trust. Err on the side of caution. Start with your family
and close friends. It is very important to talk about it. You may find out the same scam has happened against those you know. Don’t be embarrassed. It is not unusual to receive more than 25 or 50 email scams a day.
Talk to your family and your friends. You may save them heartbreak.
One local agency that is well-versed in helping people to prevent scams is the Oxford Area Senior Center. The senior center can be reached at 610-932-5244.
Executive director Jim McLeod has heard many stories on scams from people who have turned to the senior center for help.
“We often have programs
Chef Jonathan Fike named as director of culinary for DCCC
Chef Jonathan Fike, a seasoned culinary professional with over two decades of experience, is the new director of culinary at Delaware County Community College.
Chef Fike will lead DCCC’s award-winning Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program, which has locations in Marple Township, Phoenixville and, starting in spring of 2026, at DCCC’s upcoming new Southeast Center in Drexel Hill. He started his role in mid-June.
A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Chef
Fike has more than 20 years of experience in culinary arts and hospitality. His career encompasses roles ranging from executive chef positions in diverse establishments to academic appointments, including a teaching fellowship at The Culinary Institute of America. He spent the past eight years as chef instructor and program director at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Prior to that, he directed the culinary arts program at Davis Technical College in
Kaysville, UT.
“I am thrilled to be joining an institution with such a strong history of investment in the culinary arts and look forward to cultivating the next generation of culinary leaders in the Greater Philadelphia region,” he said.
Fike comes to DCCC at a key time for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program. He will play a pivotal role in the planning and outfitting of the College’s new multimillion-dollar education and workforce
training facility at the site of the former Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill which will feature two state-of-the-art commercial kitchens and a large demonstration kitchen. He will also draw upon his community engagement background to connect students with local industry professionals, fostering realworld learning experiences.
Chef Fike will also oversee the program’s faculty of chef instructors.
“Because our region is so rich in food and bever-
age, there are some amazing employment opportunities,” said Maxx Atkinson, a 2025 graduate of the program who is now employed by Kennett Country Club. “The chef instructors at DCCC have a true passion for the art of cooking, and industry exposure is also embedded in the curriculum.”
In addition to his bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Management from The Culinary Institute of America, Fike holds a master of education from Utah State University.
on scams,” he said. “It happens all the time. We have had representatives from the Attorney General’s office come here, and representatives from the Chester County Office of Aging. We see it all the time. It happens to everyone, not just senior citizens.”
Check with the Oxford Area Senior Center if you have knowledge of a scam so they can warn others. Call them at 610-932-5244 to find out when they will be running another program on preventing scams, or for any information about scams. The most important thing is to tell someone when you think you have uncovered a scam attempt.
For more on DCCC’s Culinary Art and Hospitality Studies Programs and its locations in Marple Township, Phoenixville and the new upcoming Southeast Center in Drexel Hill, visit dccc.edu/culinary.
Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art announces leadership and organizational changes
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art recently announced new leadership and organizational changes with the promotions of Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta, who formerly held the roles of codirectors of the Brandywine Conservancy.
Effective immediately, Armpriester was promoted to the newly created role of chief impact officer for the entire Brandywine organization, while DeCosta was elevated to become the singular director of the Conservancy.
As members of the executive leadership team, both will report directly to the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s executive director and CEO, Virginia Logan.
“Grant and Stephanie began their joint leadership of the
Conservancy in 2021 and were officially promoted to co-directors in 2022,” Logan said. “In those roles, the two of them have been remarkably aligned and have shared the Conservancy leadership with intelligence, effectiveness and great insight.
“It is a testament to their respective successes that they have both been promoted to equally important new roles, which will advance strategic goals and amplify the Brandywine’s dual mission of art and nature in new and exciting ways.”
As chief impact officer, Armpriester will lead efforts to deepen Brandywine’s community impact, expand access, and generate sustainable income through innovative, mission-aligned experiences. This builds on her previous collaborative work on art and nature
Obituaries
MAXINE EVELYN DIXON
Maxine Evelyn Dixon, a resident of Rising Sun, Md. and formerly of Nottingham, passed away on August 16, 2025 at Calvert Manor Nursing Home. She was 90.
She was the wife of the late Benjamin Dixon, Jr. Born in Sparta, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Roy and Bertha Brown Smith.
Maxine was a member of Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church in Nottingham.
She is survived by three sons, Rev. Steven R. Dixon, Sr. and his wife, Bonnie of Colora, Md., Timothy Dixon and his wife, Sandy of Rising Sun, Md., and Craig Dixon and his wife, Sandy of Nottingham; five grandchildren, Steven Dixon, Jr., Jeni Dixon, Erin Pinno, Casey Mause and Joshua Dixon; four greatgrandchildren, Benjamin, Dylan, Xena and Caleb; one sister, Juanita Coomes of Rising Sun, Md.; and one sister-in-law, Joan Smith of Nottingham. Funeral services were held on August 19 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Interment will be in Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
education offerings across the organization while as the co-director of the Conservancy—including launching a public environmental education program that has broadened visibility and engagement with the community, and most recently leading efforts to establish the Brandywine Native Garden Hub website, a new interactive guide for getting started with native plants.
In her new role, she will now oversee all public engagement efforts across the entire organization, including the robust educational programming already offered by the museum and conservancy through their individual programs, as well as enhanced art and nature programming.
In addition, Armpriester will oversee special events, rentals, and related earned revenue opportunities, as well as the Brandywine’s horticultural staff, developing new opportunities to immerse the public in the gardens, trails and meadows of the organization’s broader Chadds Ford campus. Combining these teams under one centralized department will allow for more strategic and collaborative work, as well as deeper engagement with the organization’s dual mission.
“This is a pivotal moment for Brandywine, as these organizational changes will take our engagement work to new heights,” said Armpriester, who has been with the Brandywine since 2017, and has served in a variety of leadership roles during her tenure. “With a more welcoming campus in Chadds Ford, enhanced experiential and educational offerings, and the activation of our constituents in their
own local communities, we seek to inspire the public to get involved in our unique dual mission, especially as we work on exciting new plans for our future.”
As the singular director of the Brandywine Conservancy, DeCosta will now oversee all Conservancy program areas including conservation, stewardship, municipal assistance, and community services.
During his tenure as director of community services and co-director of the Conservancy, DeCosta advanced core projects—such as leading the Brandywine-Christina Watershed Partners through the Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI)—strengthened the organization’s Municipal Assistance Program, and developed a new Community Services department, which now leads land restoration projects to improve water and soil quality. He also worked with landowners, municipalities, regulators, and policy makers to provide a holistic approach to natural resource conservation and protection.
Most recently, DeCosta led the Brandywine Flood
Study project, a partnership with Chester County Water Resources Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, which identified an actionable suite of flood mitigation and risk reduction projects to better protect communities along the Brandywine Creek before, during, and after future flooding events.
In his new role, DeCosta will continue to expand the Conservancy’s presence and efforts to protect and conserve the land, water, natural, historic and cultural resources of this region, while also providing strategic guidance and leadership for the organization to further its mission.
“For decades, the Brandywine Conservancy has been a beacon of leadership in land conservation, and I am deeply inspired to carry that legacy into the future,” said DeCosta. “As we face new and urgent environmental challenges, our mission holds enduring significance. With gratitude and determination, I embrace the opportunity to lead the Conservancy into its 58th year and beyond—working to amplify our impact, strengthen our bonds with landowners and communi-
ties, and protect the precious resources that define this region.
“By working hand in hand with Brandywine’s dedicated staff and leadership, landowners, and all who cherish this remarkable region, we can ensure that this organization’s legacy of conservation and stewardship lives on for generations to come.”
DeCosta began his career at the Conservancy in 2013 as an easement writer, and he has since served in a variety of leadership roles during his tenure. He has over 20 years of experience in conservation and environmental policy work in the non-profit, private and public sectors in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, D.C. He holds a M.S. degree in geography from West Chester University and a B.S. degree in forestry and wildlife science from Virginia Tech. Armpriester has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit, private and public sectors in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and New Jersey. She holds a master’s degree in historic preservation planning from Cornell University and a B.A. degree in history from The College of New Jersey.
Courtesy photo Chef Jonathan Fike is the new director of culinary at DCCC.
Courtesy photo
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art recently announced new leadership and organizational changes with the promotions of Grant DeCosta and Stephanie Armpriester to new leadership roles.
Hammond promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Chester County Economic Development Council
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) announced the promotion of Jim Hammond from Vice President of Finance to Chief Financial Officer.
“We are thrilled to announce Jim’s promotion to CFO,” said Mike Grigalonis, president and COO of CCEDC.
“Jim has been an invaluable part of our team for near-
ly 20 years and has been a steadying force throughout our growth. We will lean on his knowledge of our complicated budget and finance structure even more moving forward as we continue to develop more innovative programs and services.”
“CCEDC, along with its affiliated entities, is a great organization with an outstanding team that all play
an integral part to foster economic growth in Chester County and beyond,” said Hammond. “I am excited and honored to be the new CFO and am thrilled to have been part of the amazing team here at CCEDC for nearly two decades.”
Hammond joined CCEDC in 2006 and has since played a critical role in managing the financial operations of
NOTICE OF
Self Storage Sale
Please take notice
Storage First Kennett Square 328 W Mulberry St Kennett Square PA 19348 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. This sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 8/25/2025 at 10:00 AM. Curtis Barger unit #58, Curtis Barger unit #59 This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.
ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF Walter Ray Carter
A.K.A. Walter R. Carter, Died 1-30-2025, late of, Oxford, Pennsylvania, Chester County, Pennsylvania. LETTERS Testamentary on the above Estate have been granted to Bruce B. Carter, Executor , who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Bruce B. Carter, Executor C/O Attorney George S. Donze, Esquire, Donze and Donze, 696 Unionville Rd. Suite 6, Kennett Square, PA 19348 8p-6-3t
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE GRANT OF LETTERS
ESTATE OF Albert Loveland, LATE OF Upper Oxford Township, Chester County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION
on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Executor: Andrea Loveland, c/o Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363 8p-6-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Marlene E. Hamilton, deceased Late of the Township of West Fallowfield, Chester County, PA LETTERS Testamentary on the above Estate have been granted to Teresa M. Hamson, Executrix, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Teresa M. Hamson, Executrix, c/o James Clark Associates 277 Millwood Road Lancaster,
the organization and its four affiliated entities, including Chester County Economic Development Foundation, Seedcopa, Chester County IDA, and Central & Western IDA.
He brings more than two decades of accounting experience to the role, having previously worked with the CFO and Vice President of Finance at a New Jersey-
Legals/Classifieds
PA 17603 Attorney: Neil R. Vestermark 8p-6-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Robert Samuel McMichael, Executor for the Estate of Audrey Wilson Neyman, whose last address was Borough of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Any person having a claim to this Estate is asked to make same c/o R. Samuel McMichael, P.O. Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363. 8p-6-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Kathy Moody and Tracy Pietrinferni, CoExecutrices for the Estate of Carol S. Birt whose last address was East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Any person having a claim to this Estate is asked to make same c/o R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire, P.O. Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363.
8p-6-3t
NOTICE
PENNSBURY TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD
NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Pennsbury Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Pennsbury Township Building, 702 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: In re: Application of William T. Josem and Nancy Adler seeking a variance from the 600 square foot maximum size of all accessory buildings on a 3.1 acre property under Zoning Ordinance Section 162-2002.A.2.d,
and such other relief as may be required, so as to permit the addition of a detached two-car garage on residential property located at 102 Cossart Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (UPI #64-6-13.3) in the Township’s R-1 Residential Zoning District.
If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact Christina Church at 610-388-7323 to discuss how Pennsbury Township may best accommodate your needs. Edward M. Foley, Solicitor Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 8p-13-2t
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE GRANT OF LETTERS
ESTATE OF ELEANOR V. ATLEY, LATE OF Borough of Avondale, Chester County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Executor: Earl Atley, c/o Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363 8p-20-3t
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Public Meeting
The Penn Township Supervisors shall hold a SPECIAL Public Meeting for 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the Penn Township Municipal Building, Finnen Community Room,
based insurance company.
Hammond holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Albright College.
Beyond his professional achievements, Hammond is dedicated to supporting the Alzheimer’s Association, participating annually in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and helping raise funds and awareness to advance research and find a cure for the disease.
260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA. The intent is to consider the use of Municibid for purchases of public works equipment.
Please refer any questions or requests for special accommodation to Caitlin Ianni, Township Secretary at 610-869-9620. 8p-20-1t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Theodore Albert Kircher, Late of Honey Brook, Chester County, PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Theodore A Kircher, Executor, 3010 Carlee Run Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042. 8p-20-3t
Classifieds
ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE:
Contents of Victor Alfred Mancini Jr’s leased space, Unit A shall be sold to satisfy the owner’s lien per the Self-Service Storage Facility Act. Sale on Thursday, September 4th at 10:00AM at unit located at 105 Lewisville Road, Oxford PA 19363. Payment and possession taken immediately. Payment must be made in cash. Unit must be left completely clean, everything in locker must be removed by purchaser within 24 hours. 8p-20-2t
HELP WANTED
Forever Fresh LLC. seeks Quality Control Manager to oversee, test and inspect imported fruits. Duties: ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, identifying, interpreting and enforcing food safety, establish, oversee and maintain quality control processes and prepare reports per govt. requirements, monitoring transportation, storage, loading and handling of arriving produce and documenting issues, auditing inventories, overseeing repacking operations and communicating in Spanish and English with U.S. workforce and Chilean produce exporters. Requires: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Engineering (or foreign equiv./education & exp.
equiv. to a B.S.) + 2 years progressive exp. in quality control of imported fruits. Experience must include involvement in entire inspection process, auditing food safety/sanitation, training/supervising QC workers as well as 5 years in cherry repack. Applicant must have in-depth knowledge of QC and international standards for imported fruit, food safety, product tracing and product recalls, USDA/APHIS standards & quarantine procedures and be bilingual Spanish-English.
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The Chester County Economic Development Council announced the promotion of Jim Hammond from Vice President of Finance to Chief Financial Officer.
Young people honored for leadership, dedication, and contributions to local 4-H clubs
During this year’s Chester County 4-H Fair, five outstanding youth members were recognized for their exemplary leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to the core values of 4-H.
The 2025 Spirit of 4-H Award, the program’s highest youth honor on the county level, was presented to Ronak Suchindra, while Certificates of Achievement were awarded to Alexis McCafferty, Audrey Ibach, Arush Dubey, and Megan Johnson.
The award ceremony was attended by Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe, who represented the full Board of Commissioners, alongside Pennsylvania State Rep. John Lawrence. Together, they congratulated the recipients and underscored the importance of youth leadership in the fields of agriculture and STEM.
“Our 4-H members represent the future of our communities,” said Commissioner Roe. “Their dedication, leadership, and willingness to serve are exactly what Chester County needs more of. We’re proud to recognize their achievements.”
Spirit of 4-H Award: Ronak Suchindra
A resident of Upper Uwchlan Township, Suchindra began his 4-H journey at age 8. Now a National 4-H Youth in Action winner (2024–25) and the current National 4-H Council Youth Spokesperson, he has distinguished himself through his work in robotics, public speaking, and community service. His passion for STEM and mentorship has made a lasting impact both locally and nationally.
“4-H has had a huge impact on my life,” said Suchindra.
“It helped me discover my passion and develop my skills to become a leader in STEM and serve my community.”
Suchindra received a commemorative plaque, and his name will be permanently added to the Spirit of 4-H Award plaque on display at the Chester County 4-H Center.
Certificates of Achievement
Four additional youth were honored with Certificates of Achievement for their leadership and contributions within their 4-H clubs:
• Alexis McCafferty (West Brandywine Township): Nominated by both the
Swine and Sheep Clubs, McCafferty has been a 4-H member for eight years. Known for her energetic spirit and supportive nature, she serves as a club officer.
Club leader Katie Minacci noted, “Lexi exceeds the qualifications for this award. Her genuine genuine spirit and willingness to assist the 4-H community make her a standout.”
• Audrey Ibach (Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County): A seven-year member of the
Northern Chester County Horse Club, Ibak has held several leadership roles, assisted with organizing horse shows, and represented her club at the 4-H State Leadership Conference and various equine competitions.
• Arush Dubey (West Vincent Township): Dubey was recognized for his instrumental role in founding the Clover Engineering Club in 2024.
As a Pennsylvania 4-H State Project Ambassador, he advocates for STEM
education across the state and helps shape programming by offering a teen perspective.
• Megan Johnson, age 13 (Middletown Township, Delaware County): A 4-H participant since the age of 5, Johnson is active across multiple counties and projects—including sewing, dairy goats, dog training, and shooting sports. She serves as a teen leader, agricultural educator, and has presented at the Unionville Fair. Johnson also holds a
role on the Kimberton Fair Court.
“These young leaders are truly making a difference—not just in 4-H, but in their communities,” said Toni Stuetz, 4-H educator at Penn State Extension. “We’re proud to honor their accomplishments and to see such dedication to leadership, learning, and service.”
For more information about Chester County 4-H programs, visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/ counties/chester.
Courtesy photo
The Chester County Commissioners, represented by Commissioner Eric Roe, recognized the leadership and dedication of local 4-H members during the Spirit of 4-H Award presentation. Pictured are, from left County Commissioner Eric Roe, Audrey Ibach, award winner Ronak Suchindra, Alexis McCafferty, and State Rep. John Lawrence.
Horgan sworn in for fourth term as Cecil College Trustee
Public service as a community college trustee plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Cecil County, bridging education, workforce development, and community growth.
Through her 18 years of dedicated service as a member of Cecil College’s Board of Trustees, Donna Horgan has exemplified this impact, championing initiatives that expand access to education, strengthen local job training programs, and forge strategic partnerships with county industries.
On July 8, Trustee Horgan was sworn into her fourth six-year term as a member of Cecil College’s Board of Trustees. Gov. Martin O’Malley initially nominated her for her first term in 2007, and she was re-nominated by Gov. Larry Hogan, with her current nomination made by Gov. Wes Moore.
“Cecil County has a lot to offer now and moving forward. And Cecil College plays a major role in preparing our residents for what is to come,” said Horgan, a lifetime resident of Cecil County.
Horgan’s leadership has not only enriched the College but also fueled broader economic development, helping the county prosper with a more skilled workforce and vibrant local economy. The outcome of her commitment is clear: empowered students,
stronger communities, and a county better equipped to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
For more than three decades, Horgan has been a powerful advocate for Cecil College and other Maryland community colleges at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.
Cecil College has been “near and dear” to Horgan’s heart ever since attending classes back in the 1970s. Since then, both of her daughters – Kimberly Elder and Blair Burkhardt – have graduated from Cecil. Her eldest daughter went on to graduate from Wilmington University and now teaches at Perryville High School.
Horgan was sworn in by Cecil County Clerk of the Court Charlene M. Notarcola during a ceremony at the County Courthouse. Also present were Cecil College Board of Trustees vice chair Kathy Kunda, Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt, and Horgan’s family, which included her grandson, Jack.
“Cecil County is very fortunate to have Cecil College, which is making a difference for a lot of families,” Horgan said. “We had several important programs established at the college, such as the physical therapist assistant program, that have opened doors and allowed our students to be
trained in professions that provide them with more than just a living wage.”
She is looking forward to her grandson attending Cecil College, where his interest is in engineering.
“My mother instilled the value of public service in me from an early age. She made me realize how important it is to help others around you,” Horgan added.
During her time at Cecil College, the institution has added the Engineering and Math Building, the first Gold Certified LEED building in Cecil County. In 2019, she was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Charlie O’Brien Practice Facility—the first privately funded structure to be built on a Maryland community college campus. She will take part in the ribbon-cutting of the college’s nearly completed second access road, the Mary Maloney Boulevard, and a new Facilities Building that will take place this fall.
“I have been fortunate to watch the growth at Cecil College during my time on the board. Working with the administration, the college has kept pace with the times,” said Horgan.
On the state level, Horgan was President of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges from 2014-2016, where she advocated for all of Maryland’s
16 institutions. She then served on the Board of the Association of Community College Trustees, an educational organization representing more than 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States.
Before retiring, Horgan’s advocacy work extended to Annapolis, where she developed positive working relationships with elected officials for more than
30 years. She kept them informed of the significant benefits that community colleges, notably Cecil College, provide to local communities and the state’s economy. In her position as Reading Clerk of the Maryland State Senate, she kept her ear to the ground to learn of any legislation that would impact community colleges.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for Cecil County
residents to be able to get a college education without having to leave home,” Horgan said. “I know that going away to college and living on your own is a wonderful experience, but not everyone can afford it.
Cecil College has articulation agreements with so many four-year colleges and universities that the opportunities for Cecil County residents are endless now.”
Courtesy photo
Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt poses for a photograph with trustee
Donna Horgan and trustee Kathy Kunda during the swearing-in ceremony at the Cecil County Court House on July 8.
