11,500-square-foot building now being designed
Kennett Township unveils plans for new police facility
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
On the second floor of the Kennett Township Building, the township police department and its 11 officers, police chief and administration occupy a 2,000-square-foot space, the confines of which are woefully unsuited for a modern police unit. There is no lobby space.
There is no dedicated interview-interrogation room.
There are no secure prisoner processing areas.
Prisoners are secured on a bench that was originally designed to be a women’s restroom, which is located across the hall from the men’s locker room, which was once used as a slop closet.
The inconveniences don’t
end there.
“Then there’s the resident experience,” said Public Works Director Ted Otteni.
Continued on Page 2A
Courtesy image Kennett Township recently unveiled its plans to construct a new, 11,500-square-foot facility adjacent to the Township Building, which will be used by the Kennett Township Police Department.
Strengths, weaknesses and opportunities: New Garden prepares for 2026
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
For the past several years, the 16 square miles that make up New Garden Township have been a chalkboard of initiatives, acquisitions and changing demographics, buttressed against the back-and-forth sway of an economic tide that fluctuates from year
to year.
The future of the township, at least in the sustainability sense of the word, rests on its ability to attract new businesses, lure new residents by way of affordable housing opportunities and fulfilling the need for essential goods and services like effective policing and sound infrastructure.
Coming Soon:
The Oxford Theatre
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
There are plenty of reasons to visit downtown Oxford—new shops, the weekly Oxford Village Market, art exhibits and shops, but the arrival of the new and planned Oxford Theatre could make Oxford a regular destination.
Community leaders have long wanted to bring a theater to Oxford, and tremendous progress was being made at the time a raging fire destroyed three buildings in the heart of the downtown in September of 2023. The fire delayed the theater project, but it has not stopped it.
Oxford Mainstreet Incorporated (OMI) has been working on the revitalization of the downtown by renovating the space at 21 South Third Street. In April 2022, OMI was a recipient of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project
Grant in the amount of $2,144,166. This sum of money was a game-changer for the Theatre and Oxford as a whole. While the entire project is expected to cost over twice the awarded amount, it’s a huge step forward and OMI is thankful to those who helped make it happen.
The mission to build the theater took a dramatic turn in September of 2023, when the historic building was tragically lost to a fire. In the aftermath, OMI rallied to not only preserve the memories of the past, but to reimagine a future filled with possibility. The theater project marks a significant chapter in OMI’s ongoing story of community revitalization and commitment to the arts.
Liz McGill explained, “Step into the future of arts in Chester County at the Oxford Theatre, soon to be rising from the site of our community’s historical site.
Continued on Page 2A
On Aug. 25, as an interlude to the township’s creation of its 2026 budget, the broad sweep of those 16 square miles were brought into focus during a 75-minute “State of the Township” presentation by Manager Christopher Himes, who conducted a deep dive into the framework of priorities set down in the township’s 2018 comprehensive plan
against the community’s input and the encroaching realities of its need to stimulate economic and residential growth.
“This provides a summary statement of issues in the township that have focused priorities that are in the budget cycle,” he said. “We have folded in [fiscal year 2025] community surveys as a way
the sky
The Mushroom Festival:
A great event with an even greater impact
By Monica Fragale Contributing Writer
The stories are different, but the impact is the same – grants awarded each year by the Mushroom Festival continue to help community organizations make a difference in Chester County. Max’s Kicks for Kids, for example, teamed with another grant recipient –Mighty Writers – to buy 1,000 pairs of new sneakers for children in need.
The Kennett Square Police Department used its grant to continue with an online policy program that helps them meet best practices with state and federal standards.
A Child’s Light and New London Counseling Center used their respective grants to help offer mental health treatment for those who might not be able to afford it.
Longwood and Kennett Fire Companies are using their respective grants to
build firefighters a gym in the Kennett station, ensuring that emergency personnel can stay in peak physical shape. And Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company is using its grant to improve its ability to fight the dozens of vegetation fires it gets called to each year.
These and 30 other organizations received grants from the Mushroom Festival earlier this year. Recipients
Photo by Stan Lukoff
Police facility...
Continued from Page 1A
“You enter through a side door of the Township Building, and sometimes, you’re standing in the rain or intense heat and trying to hold onto your kids and speaking into an intercom.”
“We were never an idea when the township constructed the township building in 2003, because at the time, they were relying solely on the Pennsylvania State Police for coverage,” said Kennett Township Police Chief Matt Gordon.
“It wasn’t until about 2015 that the township began to seriously address the future of its police department.
When I came in 2016, we had six officers and came to grips that there is a need for a full-time police department to meet the needs of the community.
“Unfortunately, we only have the second floor of the building and have been making incremental improvements to upgrade our equipment, our vehicles and trying to
The Oxford Theatre...
Continued from Page 1A
Our theatre is set to become a symbol of resilience and cultural renaissance in the heart of our community.
We hope that the Oxford Theatre will become the go-to place in southern Chester County for live shows, movies, musical performances, children’s theatre, lectures, corporate conferences, and much more.”
bring our department into compliance.”
This crammed bandbox currently serves the needs of more than 9,200 residents of Kennett Township, making the need for a new home for its police department more than just a far-off pipedream, but a desperately needed blueprint for modern-day policing.
‘Everything we need’
In September of 2024, the township – spearheaded by Gordon, Otteni and Township Manager Alison Dobbins – began to address the township’s need for a separate police facility.
Working with Ambler, Pa.based GKO Architects, the team developed an assessment of current conditions and inventory and a need analysis for future staffing, which was followed by a feasibility study and a public presentation Dobbins and Otteni made at the Aug. 6 Board of Supervisors meeting.
During the presentation, Dobbins and Otteni said
McGill continued, “Besides the $2.1 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, the Wilson King family donated the property for the project and we are in the beginning stages of civil engineering. We have received generous donations from the Oxford Area Foundation and the James S. Herr Foundation. We have preliminary plans for the project which will seat 275 people for live theatre and movies. We are in
that GKO introduced three possible design scenarios for the facility, among them a 17,500-square-foot building.
Ultimately, the township has chosen to explore the construction of an 11,500 square-foot facility, which is expected to be built adjacent to the Township Building.
“GKO told us that the 17,000-square-foot model was calculated based on housing units in the township, our population and the spacing needs of our department,” Dobbins said. “We looked at the concept and said that it was more than what we were looking for. While their concept was the ideal space from an architect’s perspective, we chose to scale down their ideas based on what we wanted to see in Kennett Township.
“This isn’t just about the needs of the police department, but the needs of the entire township staff – both sides of the township administration. While the building will be for the police, some of that will reflect the administration’s
the early stages of kicking off our campaign to raise more money, which we know will get the community involved.”
They will also have a 50-person black box theatre, which is a flexible space for live performances like comedy shows or poetry readings, as well as for private events and for educational presentations.
“We will be fundraising through September 10. This campaign is both a naming opportunity and a communi-
growing needs.”
Saying that the 11,500 square-foot location “is everything we need,”
Gordon defined the layout of the new facility as “achieving a great flow,” from “hard areas” like a sally port, an evidence and prisoner processing area and holding cells on one side of the building, separated from “soft areas” that will include a front lobby, department offices and upgraded facilities for the entire police staff.”
“The key advantage of this building is that we are all staying together on the same property,” Gordon said. “We interact with the administrative staff daily, and I would rather do that in person than by phone. Additionally, if a resident comes to the Township Building for information, we’re also able to facilitate their needs without having them drive to two locations.”
The current cost estimate for the new facility will be $10 million, which is projected to include design and engineering, construction,
ty fundraiser to support our branding and web design. We’re encouraging folks to contribute what they can when making a selection. Every dollar helps us build momentum and raise the curtain in Oxford again,” she said.
McGill added, “We encourage people to follow along on social media, sign up for our newsletter and email Lmegill@theoxfordtheatre.com if they would like to get involved.”
People have the oppor-
furnishings and fit outs, as well as contingency and escalation costs. In terms of its financing strategy, Dobbins said that the township plans to use $2 million of its existing funds, establish a 25-year bond for $8 million, and consider raising the township’s per household property taxes by $152 a year, based on a 2025 average assessed value.
Dobbins said that the township will be hosting a public open house and information session in late September. She said the township will designate 2026 as the “design year” for the proposed facility, when they will also prepare methods of funding.
“We are sensitive to the fact that there are residents who will have concerns about their property taxes,”
Dobbins said, “which is why we will be doing as much as possible to educate the public over the next several weeks, so that when we go into budgetary discussion with the board this fall, we have as much public input as possible.”
tunity to suggest a name for the Oxford Theatre or choose from the top three finalists:
The Hive: A nod to Oxford’s Hornet pride… a buzzing place where creativity gathers and energy thrives.
The Pearl: A symbol of transformation… born from pressure, time, and perseverance into something rare and beautiful.
Theatre on 3rd: Simple, bold, and rooted in place. A name that says it all.
Calendar of Events
September 6 and 7
Thursday, September 4
Mushroom Parade
Historic Kennett Square will come alive with music, color, and small-town magic as the Mushroom Parade kicks off the 40th Anniversary of the Mushroom Festival on Thursday, September 4 at 6 p.m. Produced by Kennett Collaborative and funded by the Mushroom Festival, the parade will march along a familiar route, starting on South Broad Street and turning west onto State Street—mirroring the route of the beloved Holiday Light Parade.
Friday, September 5
Car show in Oxford
The Oxford Mainstreet Car Show returns on Friday, Sept. 5. This is the 11th year for this popular annual event, and there will be many classic automobiles, sports cars, trucks and motorcycles on display during the Friday evening festivities. Full details about the event can be found at oxfordmainstreet. com.
The Mushroom Festival celebrates 40 years
The Mushroom Festival, Kennett Square’s signature event and the largest annual event in the area, returns this year for its 40th anniversary. Spectators looking to celebrate mushrooms and the charm of Kennett Square should plan a long weekend in the Brandywine Valley, beginning with Thursday’s Mushroom Parade. Friday offers time to explore Longwood Gardens and the borough’s renowned shops and restaurants, followed by the biggest and best Mushroom Festival Kennett Square has ever seen on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7. The Mushroom Festival is always held the weekend after Labor Day, and the theme for this year’s event is “Harvesting 40 Years Together.” For more information, follow the Mushroom Festival on social media or visit the website at mushroomfestival.org.
Saturday, September 13
Flux Capacitor performs in Kennett Square
Melding energetic, spacey improvisation with electronica and melodic rock songwriting, Pennsylvania’s Flux Capacitor spent the early 2010s building a grassroots fan base through constant touring and a series of vibrant studio albums. They bring their talents to the Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert Series on September 13. Shows are presented outside, on the top floor of the Kennett Square Parking Garage located at 100-198 E. Linden Street in Kennett Square. The shows take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and seating starts at 6 p.m. A staple of the jam band circuit, Flux Capacitor pull from a wide range from tonal influences, from Phish and Bob Marley to more sonically cerebral acts like Pink Floyd and Radiohead. The show promises to be entertaining for everyone. Visit kennettflash.org for more information or to buy tickets.
While it is still too early to definitively state when the first shovel will hit the ground on the new facility, Gordon is already praising what the new facility will mean to the residents of Kennett Township.
“When they come to a facility that the township has endorsed, our residents will know that they will be dealing with a professional police department in a professional facility, and that their needs are being met,” he said. “It will also establish a sense of confidence in their police department and also promote a better sense of safety for everyone.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
You can follow this link for name selection and donations: https://www.zeffy.com/ en-US/donation-form/ ce2d52cc-3689-472d-85d68a406fe9031c. For more information on the theatre project you can follow this link: https://linktr.ee/ Oxftheatre.
“We are trying to raise awareness after a lot of hard work. We are also looking for volunteers,” McGill explained.
September 20 and 21
Kennett Arts Festival
The Kennett Arts Festival has something for everyone: over 100 artists, live music, children’s activities, and a selection of local food vendors, including beer and wine. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 and from noon to 4 p.m. on September 21. This event is hosted by Kennett Area
Community Service and more information will be available at www.kacsimpact.org.
October 18 and 19
2nd Annual Crossroads Festival
The 2nd Annual Crossroads Festival will take place over two days on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. On Saturday, the Oxford
History Center will host a free family-friendly celebration featuring craft vendors and music workshops for children of all ages. Then, on Sunday, October 19, five musical acts will perform during a music festival at the Barn of Nottingham. Proceeds from the music festival will support the ongoing mission and programs of the Oxford Area Historical Association.
Courtesy photo
Flux Capacitor will bring their talents to the Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert Series with a September 13 performance.
from Page 1A
comprehensive plan, to create initiatives and focus to create outcomes for the township.”
Himes said that the goals set in the comprehensive plan mirror the township’s objectives for 2026, which include achieving a strong financial management; creating economic development; making improvements to the township’s infrastructure; addressing the rising cost of public safety; maintaining organizational excellence in township management; enhancing community services; sustaining an open space initiative; expanding the New Garden Flying Field; and improving energy efficiency.
Community survey priorities
Many of the comprehensive plan’s priorities were reflected in the results of a recent community survey that revealed high priorities for the condition of township roads; investment in infrastructure; public input in township decision making; and full transparency of financial data to residents.
The township now includes all financial documentation on its website.
“[Providing communication to our residents] is something we as a township probably have not done well in the past,” Himes said. “We are making improvements but can always get better. A lot of this comes down to, ‘Is it a public education issue? Is it things we need to do market and do more engagement
on? Is it a funding issue? Do we not have enough people to perform these communications?’”
As the Board of Supervisors head into the budget season for next year, they will work with current revenue and expenditures that both stand at $8.179 million, while factoring in anticipated capital expenditures, creating a five-year expenditure strategy and developing ways to increase its tax base by providing future economic and residential opportunities.
“It’s knowing where your tax base comes from and understanding what those revenues mean, and folding that into future economic development initiatives,” Himes told the board. “If you say you’re going to pursue something, pursue it in a direction where you will be proactive, not by what benefits the township in the short term.
“With that, how do we grow? How do we invest into future outcomes that help us yield returns to invest back into the community? For us, it’s about creating opportunities based off land use and trying to address our infrastructure. Those are the two prominent factors that can influence economic outcomes.”
While the township benefits from its proximity to the I-95 corridor, Wilmington, Newark and Philadelphia, Himes said that the township has been burdened by the increasing cost of development.
“As we began to grow as a township, we did not expand beyond our means for the adding of future infrastructure improvements,” Himes said. “It
was more of going to the limit of the township’s last growth and it was cut off there, so any new development [in the township] has to have all new infrastructure in order to get it in the ground.”
The ‘graying’ of
New Garden Township
In order for a township to survive, it is vital to sustain and, in many cases, stimulate the growth of population and subsequently broaden a steady tax base that pays for essential services. In New Garden Township, however, current demographics provide a telltale sign of pressing urgency. While the township experienced the highest percentage increase in population over the last 30 years – a 52.2-percent increase since 1990 - this spurt occurred at the same time new home construction fell dramatically.
As a result, the 2020 census shows a decrease in population, leading to what Himes called a “boom and bust” growth pattern that has led to a consistently aging demographic, as evidenced by the results of the recent community survey, where 76 percent of township residents said they intend to retire in place.
To give further evidence of the “graying” of the township, the number of seniors aged 60 and over increased by 135 percent from 2010 to 2023. Conversely, the population of children from infant to nine years dropped 49 percent during that time, and the number of adults from aged 25 to 44 decreased 25 percent over that same period.
These numbers run right into another township priority for its residents: providing more affordable – or “missing middle” –housing opportunities in order to attract younger residents. As stated in Himes’ presentation, home values have increased 68 percent over the past eight years. To illustrate, the average value of a home in Landenberg in 2017 stood at $387,140; as of this year, that average has spiked to $635,163.
“Affordability as an index has gone down, and the cost of living here has gone up,” Himes said. “A lot of people live here because there is a high quality of life here, and while that is a perfectly justifiable reason, if you don’t have any incremental growth behind that, you create a bandwidth scenario – an ever-aging population on one side that skews your population growth which continues to graduate to a higher age.
“The cost of living here has doubled within the past
ten years - not 30, not 40, ten years – so that skews future outcomes.”
Among the township’s top priorities over the next few years, Himes said, will be to promote the construction of more “missing middle” housing opportunities, particularly for those individuals who work in the agricultural, cold storage and manufacturing industries.
Over the next several years, Himes said that another of the township’s top priorities will not be in the way of man-made initiatives, but how it will address the increasing number of storm-related events that have caused torrential storms and flooding throughout the township and southern Chester County.
Bounded by two watersheds – the east branch of the White Clay Creek and the west branch of Red Clay Creek - the township is vulnerable to significant stormwater events.
Himes said that the town-
ship currently has two stormwater projects – along Mercer Mill Road and at Wilkinson Drive – that will provide small basin repairs and pipe replacements, to mitigate flooding and topping issues in those areas.
In addition, the township is working with PennDOT to address retrofitting the degraded stormwater system in Toughkenamon, particularly in the Newark Road-Baltimore Pike intersection.
A review of the township’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan will be held on Sept. 8; a general fund review will be held on Sept. 29; the township’s enterprise fund review will take place on Oct. 6; and general work sessions with the Board of Supervisors will be held on Oct. 14 and 20. The adoption of the 2026 budget is expected to be reached in late Fall.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chesterecounty.com.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
In advance of New Garden Township’s budget preparation for 2026, Manager
Christopher Himes delivered a “State of the Township” presentation on Aug. 25.
included fire and ambulance companies, organizations that help with food insecurity and housing, an assisted living facility and nursing home, an ambulance service, nonprofits that help with mental and physical health needs, historical and open space preservation, and groups that help children, among others.
“We gave almost $200,000 away this year, which was our biggest year for grants,” Mushroom Festival President Gina Puoci said. That represents almost double the amount of grant money – $110,000 – awarded in 2024.
And everyone involved in the Mushroom Festival – from the approximately 100,000 visitors each year to the vendors who sell their wares, to the restaurants and other groups that sell food, drinks and tasty treats, to the companies that sponsor the festival, and everyone else – has a hand in making the grant program as beneficial as it is, according to Puoci.
“The money that we raise from entrance fees and wristband fees, and the money left after all the bills are paid, helps fund these grants,” she said.
Kennett Square Police Chief William Holdsworth said the grant has been “incredibly beneficial to us,” explaining that the department switched three years ago to an online policy platform program called Lexipol that regularly incorporates the changes in law into the department’s policies.
The grant allows the police department to continue with
Local
“We’re really thankful for the Mushroom Festival grant. It helps more than people realize.”
~ A.J. McCarthy, Kennett Regional Fire Chief
Lexipol.
“It’s state-of-theart,” Holdsworth said.
“Compared to what our policies were years ago, it’s night and day.”
The program, for example, allows Kennett’s officers to incorporate policies that have been proven effective in other departments nationwide.
Another beneficiary, the West Grove-based Max’s Kicks for Kids, credited the Mushroom Festival grant this year with helping them to purchase 1,000 pairs of new sneakers for kids, including for those in fellow grant recipient Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett program.
In mid-July, Tom and Lynn
Engle, the president and vice president of Max’s Kicks for Kids and the parents of the organization’s namesake, met with two groups of kids from Mighty Writers at the Adidas shoe outlet in Lancaster.
“They went and got measured for shoes,” Lynn Engle said. “It was cool to be able to be a part of that.”
“The Mushroom Festival has really helped us,” Tom Engle said.
“This is truly a passion project,” Lynn added.
In addition to Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett, Max’s Kicks for Kids works with groups helping kids, ensuring those children can experience the same joy of getting new sneakers that the Engles’ son, Max, did throughout his life.
“He was a sneaker fanatic,” Tom said about his son Max, who was a probation officer for Chester County and died in 2018. “Lynn and I both realized that sneakers are more than just foot coverings. They are building kids’ confidence.”
For New London Counseling Center, the support they receive from the Mushroom Festival and other organizations is what allows them to help offer mental health treatment for anyone.
“We could not do what we do without support from the community,” said Dr. Katie Bowman, one of the founding members of the Lincoln University-based organization. “Our model is that
anyone can receive care. We have never, in six years, told anybody they can’t have care.”
Grant funds help offset the cost of care.
“We have about 150 clients or so at any given point in time, and about half of them are receiving help,” Bowman said.
Helping to make mental health treatment more accessible is also the benefit of another Mushroom Festival grant. A Child’s Light, based in Downingtown, used their grant to help pay some of the more than 100 private therapists who work with their clients.
“This is our second year getting a donation from the Mushroom Festival,” A Child’s Light founder Leslie Holt said. “The money goes into our account and goes right back out to a therapist.”
She said the group’s mission is that all children, “no matter what the circumstances are … should have access to trauma-informed, private therapy.”
“Anywhere we get a donation, we are just so appreciative because it just literally saves these kids’ lives,” she said.
The grants that Longwood and Kennett fire companies received will go toward creating an updated fitness area at the Kennett fire station with equipment geared toward the needs of the emergency personnel, according to Kennett Regional Fire Chief A.J. McCarthy. One of the Kennett firefighters met with a fitness consultant about the right type of equipment to order, and the grants will allow the fire companies to begin to work on that dedicated fitness area.
Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company, also a part of the Kennett Regional Fire Department, received a Mushroom Festival grant this year to help its fire-
fighters continue to combat vegetation fires.
“The Po-Mar-Lin grant we’re using to outfit one of their vehicles to handle more of the natural vegetation fires,” McCarthy said, adding that without the grant, the project to replace the brush unit would have remained unfunded. “We handle a lot (of those fires) in the spring season – I think we did 40 in a span of about six weeks” over the spring.
“We’re really thankful for the Mushroom Festival grant,” McCarthy added, noting that the grants allow fire department priorities to be funded when they would not normally be. “It helps
more than people realize. With only getting about 40 percent of our budget funded through municipalities, we have to come up with the other 60 percent. It allows us to get some funding back into those priorities that otherwise would just sit.”
For the Union Fire Company No. 1 of Oxford, the Mushroom Festival grant they received will allow for their board room to be re-carpeted, according to an article on the fire company’s website. For more information on the Mushroom Festival grants and a full list of recipients, go online at mushroomfestival.org/ beneficiaries.
Octorara Area School District appoints Dr. Shawn Dutkiewicz as new superintendent
The Octorara Area School District Board of Directors announced the appointment of Dr. Shawn Dutkiewicz as the district’s next superintendent of schools, effective Sept. 1. The board approved Dr. Dutkiewicz’s five-year contract during its Aug. 11 work session.
Dr. Dutkiewicz brings more than 25 years of experience in public education, including six years in central office leadership, 12 years as an elementary principal, two years as a K–6 math and science coordinator, and five years as a classroom teacher. He currently serves as assistant to the superintendent for
K–12 teaching and learning in Radnor Township School District. His leadership has consistently focused on fostering strong relationships, collaborative practices, and strategic systems that support continuous improvement. His leadership has also resulted in measurable academic success. As principal of Chadds Ford Elementary, his school was consistently ranked among the top 10 elementary schools in Pennsylvania, and was named the number one elementary school in Chester County by NICHE. His strategic focus on curriculum development, instructional alignment, and
data-informed decisionmaking has helped elevate student achievement across multiple districts.
Among his most notable accomplishments is the collaborative development and implementation of a district-wide K–12 Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework in Radnor, designed to address both academic and social-emotional needs of students. He also led the creation of the Innovation Design Studio (IDS)—a rigorous K–5 STEM and computer science program that engages students in engineering, design, and creative problem solving. These initiatives reflect
his commitment to futureready learning and student success.
Dr. Dutkiewicz holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Widener University, a master’s in educational leadership from Immaculata University, and a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from West Chester University. His certifications include superintendent letter of Eligibility, K–12 principal, and K–6 supervisor of curriculum.
“I am extremely honored and excited to join the Octorara Area School District family as the next superintendent of schools,” said Dr. Dutkiewicz.
“I greatly appreciate the Board’s support, commitment, and ongoing collaboration in working to foster a positive and productive school community for our staff and students. I could not be more excited to bring my experiences, energy, and enthusiasm to the Octorara family. Together, we will do great things.”
“Throughout the interview process, Dr. Dutkiewicz impressed the board with his thoughtful approach to leadership and his clear focus on students, staff, and families,” said board president Matthew Hurley. “His commitment to fostering a positive school climate, building strong relationships, and advancing innovative programs like STEM education aligns well with our district’s goals. We are confident in his long-term dedication to Octorara and excited to welcome him into our Octorara family.”
Courtesy photos
Each year, the Mushroom Festival awards grants to dozens of local organizations.
The Kennett Square Police Department received a grant from the Mushroom Festival this year.
Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company is using the grant funding to improve its ability to fight the dozens of vegetation fires it gets called to each year.
Max’s Kicks for Kids teamed with another grant recipient – Mighty Writers – to buy 1,000 pairs of new sneakers for children in need.
Max’s Kicks for Kids was helped with its mission through a grant from the Mushroom Festival.
Courtesy photo Dr. Shawn Dutkiewicz
Our State Senator, Carolyn Comitta, has introduced S.B. 434 – the Marriage Equality Act. The legislation would affirm marriage equality rights in state law.
The bill removes discriminatory language in Pennsylvania law and affirms marriage equality should both state and national court rulings legalizing same-sex marriage be overturned.
The Marriage Equality Act is in direct response to the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court will give its consideration to take up a case that asks, in plain words, to overturn the 10-year-old landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that allowed recognition of same-sex marriages nationwide.
Comitta said, “This Supreme Court has proven that we cannot rely on the courts to fix the flaws in our laws, and we need to take legislative action that protects and defends our basic rights and freedoms. As we see new efforts to overturn marriage equality for same-sex couples through the court system, our legislation is needed now more than ever to protect marriage rights and demonstrate that Pennsylvania is a welcoming and caring home for all.”
Kudos to Comitta for this commence-sense legislation, and for recognizing the government’s role in ensuring equality for all Pennsylvanians.
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has introduced a companion marriage equality bill in the State House.
“Marriage equality is the law of the land, and Pennsylvania should clean up our statutes to match that,” Kenyatta said. “The current review of Obergfell v. Hodges makes it clear that the freedom to marry is under attack – this is something I’ve warned about, as have other advocates and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We passed this legislation in the House last session with bipartisan support, but the State Senate never considered it for a vote. We must continue this work to protect all marriages across Pennsylvania.”
Kudos to Comitta Love local
Southern Chester County is great year-round, but it is especially festive in the late summer and fall.
There are several events coming up that will allow residents and visitors alike to “love local.” Festivities connected to the 40th annual Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square will get underway on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a parade that will start at 6 p.m.
The Oxford Mainstreet Car Show returns on Friday, Sept. 5. This is the 11th year for this popular annual event, and there will be many classic automobiles, sports cars, trucks and motorcycles on display. Full details about the event can be found at oxfordmainstreet.com.
Then, the 40th annual Mushroom Festival will take place over two days, Sept. 6 and 7. There will be plenty of attractions, food, fun, and activities for people of all ages to enjoy during the biggest and best festival ever.
That’s a lot of fun packed into a few days. We encourage everyone to enjoy these activities and others, to support the small businesses and restaurants in the downtowns, and to always love local.
Chester County Press
Steve Hoffman..................................Managing Editor
Richard L. Gaw..................................Associate Editor
Chris Barber................................Contributing Writer
Betsy Brewer Brantner...............Contributing Writer
Marcella Peyre-Ferry.................Contributing Writer Gene Pisasale...............................Contributing Writer Monica Thompson Fragale........Contributing Writer
Brenda Butt.........................................Office Manager
Tricia Hoadley...........................................Art Director
Sherry Hutchinson..........................Graphic Designer
Alan E. Turns...............................Advertising Director
Teri Turns................................Advertising Executive
Helen E. Warren......................Advertising Executive Gabbie Burton............................ Contributing Writer, .......................Digital Marketing and Media Specialist
Chesco Connect reports an increase in ridership
The annual report of Chester County’s community transit service, Chesco Connect, shows that more than 141,000 trips were provided to county residents during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This averages to 556 rides per day, with nearly 1.8 million service miles traveled during the year.
Now in its second full year of operation, Chesco Connect continues to grow steadily in ridership. In July 2025, the service completed over 12,300 trips, an increase from 11,600 trips in July 2024.
“Chesco Connect is more than just a ride—it’s a vital link to health, employment, and community life,” said David Byerman, Chester County CEO. “This service empowers individuals—especially seniors and people with disabilities—by providing dependable access to essential destinations like medical appointments, jobs, senior centers, and grocery stores.”
A key goal of Chesco Connect is providing reliable, on-time service.
According to Pat Bokovitz, director of Chester County’s Department of Human Services, “Our ontime performance during the 2024–2025 fiscal year averaged 88 percent, with 89 percent of trips completed in under an hour. Since
the start of 2025, we’ve improved on-time performance to 93 percent, thanks to expanded driver hiring and more efficient routing systems.”
Chesco Connect also provides a vital service to vulnerable populations including reliable, life-sustaining services to dialysis patients. Top destinations include Handi-Crafters, Lauren’s House, and regional dialysis centers.
Over the past year, seniors made up 56 percent of those registered for the county’s shared ride program, 27 percent were enrolled in the Medical Assistance Transportation Program, and 143 dialysis patients received more than 23,200 trips to dialysis treatment
centers.
Chesco Connect’s call center supported the growing demand in ridership by handling more than 72,700 calls during the fiscal year.
Gene Suski, Chester County’s Department of Community Transit director, emphasized the importance of increased staffing. “We are committed to providing a transit service that meets the growing transportation needs of Chester County residents, and will do that by recruiting more drivers and more call center staff, and improving the dispatch and routing technology.”
He added, “We have successfully partnered with the Chester County OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) to
provide driver training to our drivers and two classes have already graduated, with another set to begin this month.”
Chesco Connect operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing transportation throughout Chester County for any authorized trip purpose. For non-medical or non-work trips, drop-off times are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. or later. Lifesustaining dialysis trips are available on Saturdays or during extended hours on weekdays.
For more information about applying for Chesco Connect services, or becoming a Chesco Connect driver, visit www.chescoconnect.org.
A look at traffic citations in Pennsylvania School Zones
Courtesy photo
Through Chesco Connect, Chester County’s community transit service, more than 141,000 trips were provided to county residents during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
In the middle of the swirling, swishing and sniffing at a recent wine tasting at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library sat two, 23-year-old women feeling slightly out of their depth but nevertheless excited at the chance to participate.
Accompanied by my friend and personal designated cheese taste tester, Ariana, we took our seats at Winterthur’s Taste of Terroir wine and cheese pairing event on Aug. 21, and while my days of splitting cheap wine boxes with college roommates moves further into the distant past, my potential future of being a wine connoisseur like those who sat around us seemed equally as distant. However, one unexpected perk in my role as a young journalist at the Chester County Press has been my exposure and education in wine.
From Kennett Summerfest to interviewing local winemakers, my knowledge and palette for Pennsylvania wine has grown exponentially and proven that stereotypes in the wine industry and the surrounding culture are no reason to deter anyone’s interest, including my own. I was able to expand on my limited wine knowledge on our recent visit to Winterthur.
While the event focused on the terroir of Italian wine and cheeses, special note was made for the wine and dairy legacy at Winterthur that dates to when Henry Francis du Pont began a program in order to breed
Pennsylvania cheeses, tastes of Italy
My Taste of Terroir: Exploring wine at Winterthur
the best herd with the best milk possible. Additionally, Winterthur has a history of wine extending from the 1800s to the 1960s with the du Pont family’s dedication to wine with massive stockpiled and curated collections on site during their time living there.
We may have arrived at the event just a few minutes from Chester County but were quickly transported to Italy. Led by local wine making consultant Virginia Mitchell and cheese makers Catherine and Al Renzi of Yellow Springs Farmsfounded in Chester Springs - attendees were presented with three wine and cheese pairings while receiving a lesson on terroir.
“Terroir is this concept that the wine has a sense of place, and that comes through in the flavors and the aromas that form the tasting profile, but there is also the terroir of cheese,” Mitchell said.
“It depends on what the animals eat, what the grass is, what the climate is and how long the growing season is,” Catherine added. “It depends on the breed, type of cow, sheep or goat, that would thrive in that climate.”
The first pairing of the day brought us to the Piedmont region with a Enrico Serafino Alta Langa Metodo Classico Oudeis Brut 2020 and La Tur cheese. The sparkling wine has a DOCG designation, the highest Italian wine classification. Made from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grapes, the wine was acidic, light and dry, made to contrast and pair with the creamy La Tur. The
cheese, made from goat sheep and cow milk, was soft and comparable to brie in appearance and has an earthy taste.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves but this was our favorite pairing of the day and one of the best wines we both have ever had. Our second pairing brought us to Sardinia, an island west of the Italian peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. We had a white wine – a 2024 Pala Soprasole Vermentino - paired with Pecorino cheese. The Vermentino, a signature grape for the island, had flavors featuring citrus, floral and saline notes due to the terroir, according to Mitchell.
Pecorino, which is the generic term for the sheep’s milk cheese, is a harder, sharper cheese with herbal notes due to the sheeps’ grassy diets. While Pecorino is made in other regions, Sardinia has a strong tradition in Pecorino cheese, with peasant shepherds living mostly in isolation from the outside world.
Our last pairing explored the Veneto region in northeastern Italy through Zeni Valpolicella 2023 and Piave cheese. Our only red wine of the day featured a fruity aroma of cherry, rose petals and raspberry by Mitchell but tasted smokier and richer than the aroma implied.
The Piave was a cow’s milk cheese aged eight months. The cheese was described as having a coarser texture and a nutty-sweet profile, according to the Renzis, and is similar to Pecorino.
“The Piave cheese, to me, is your ultimate charcuterie plate cheese,” Catherine said. “It’s strong enough to hold up to the salamis and prosciuttos and cured meats, but light enough to go with the stone fruits and the pears and apricots and so I think this is a delicious cheese, but not it’s not going to win the world’s best cheese.”
As our tasting tour of foreign countries concluded, Ariana and I were thoroughly impressed by the selections that were offered on our tour. This event was an opportunity for us to try
something new and learn all about wine and cheese from distinguishing flavor profiles and building pairings to the many steps and procedures of both wine and cheesemaking.
Abigail Miller, associate manager of audience engagement and an organizer for the event, emphasized the educational factor of the event.
“Who doesn’t love food and wine?” Miller said. “We always like to entertain and provide hospitality with an educational twist, too.”
Taste of Terroir: A Wine & Cheese Experience October 23 at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Celebrate the deep connection between land, flavor, and tradition. Savor locally produced wines that are expertly paired with artisanal Pennsylvania cheeses. To learn more and register, visit www.winterthur.org/ programs-and-events.
Avon Grove Lions support 28 local organizations
Photo courtesy of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
A second wine and cheese pairing is scheduled at the Museum on Oct. 23.
Photo by Gabbie Burton
The first of two “Taste of Terroir: A Wine & Cheese Experience” events was held at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library on Aug. 21.
Courtesy photos
ANGELO PIETRO MASTRIPPOLITO
Angelo Pietro Mastrippolito passed away on August 21, 2025 at Brandywine
husband of Rita Angelucci Mastrippolito, with whom he shared 68 years
marriage. Born in Fraz. Selva, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Province of Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy on August 4, 1931, he was the son of the late Luigi Mastrippolito and the late Antonia D’ Orazio Mastrippolito. After working as a stone mason in Italy and France, he immigrated to the United States in April of 1966 with his wife and three young children, reuniting with his younger siblings, parents, grandparents, uncles, and cousins who had immigrated years earlier.
He spent his first few years in the U.S. as a bricklayer and stone mason, constructing many buildings in the area, including the Concord Mall in Wilmington, Del. and the Mary D. Lang Elementary School in Kennett Square. He also started A&A Mushrooms with his brother, Alfred, with a small two-double farm at his home in Kaolin. In 1971, Angelo started work as an assembly line worker for General Motors in Wilmington, Del. and spent the remainder of his career there, retiring in 1998.
He was an avid beekeeper, keeping hives at his home and the homes of his friends. During his retirement, he began maintaining bee hives at various properties throughout northern Delaware. In addition to his wife, Angelo is survived by two sons, Luigi (Gino) Mastrippolito and his wife, Maria (DiMedio) of Colora, Md. and John Mastrippolito and his wife, Elizabeth (Malchione) of Avondale, and two daughters, Antonella Porter of Kennett Square and Angela DiMatteo and her husband, John, of Centerport, N.Y.
Also surviving are one brother, Alfred Mastrippolito of Avondale, one sister, Mary Mastrangelo and her husband, Franco of Kennett Square, eight grandchildren, Andrew DiMatteo (Rebecca), Nicholas DiMatteo, Daniella DiMatteo, Rebecca Sturgill (Tim), Philip Mastrippolito, Peter Mastrippolito (Emily), Katherine Porter, and Michael Lee Porter; one great grandchild, James DiMatteo, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and by a sister, Filomena Angelucci.
His Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, August 29 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kennett Square.
Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484) 734-8100 of Kennett Square.
To view Angelo’s online tribute and to condolences with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
Silvio J. Raimondo, age 99, of Kennett Square, died Monday, August 18, 2025. He was the husband of Stella Raimondo (nee Madonna), to whom he was married for 77 years. He was born in 1925 and was the son of the late Alberico and Antoniette Raimondo.
Silvio loved gardening, woodworking, reading, and spending time with his family.
Silvio is survived by his wife, Stella, his children, Albert (Linda), Sylvia (Charles), and Roseanne (James), as well as six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Silvio was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Moschitta, and brother, Anthony Raimondo.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Silvio served in the Coast Guard during World War II aboard the USS Evansville. Silvio was a mushroom farmer for many years alongside his father and brother. When he retired from mushroom farming, he went on to work in the maintenance department for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church. AVONDALE
Avondale Presbyterian Church 420 Pennsylvania Avenue
610.268.2919 www.avondalepc.org
St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother 8910 Gap Newport Pike
610.268.0296
www.stgabrielavondalepa.org
KENNETT SQUARE
Bethel AME Church
300 E. Linden Street
610.444.2974
www.bethelameckennsq.org
Bible Evangelical Church of Kennett Square
500 E. Cypress Street 610.467.1081
www.bibleevangelicalchurch.org
Episcopal Church of the Advent 401 N. Union Street 610.444.4624
www.adventks.org
First Baptist Church of Kennett Square
415 W. State Street
610.444.5320
www.firstbaptistkennettsquare.com
Greater Works Ministries 553 Rosedale Road 610.444.5581
www.gwministries.net
Kennett Square Missionary Church 408 Bayard Road 610.444.0867
www.kennettsquarebaptist.com
Kennett Square Presbyterian Church
211 S. Broad Street
610.444.5255
www.pcks.org
New Garden Memorial U.A.M.E
309 E. Linden Street 610.444.3357
www.uamechurch.org
Second
Unionville Presbyterian Church 815 Wollaston Road 610.347.2327
www.unionvillepresbyterianchurch.org
Willowdale Chapel 675 Unionville Road 610.444.2670 www.willowdalechapel.org
WEST GROVE and SURROUNDING AREAS
Assumption BVM Church 300 State Road 610.869.2722
www.assumptionbvmwestgrove.org
Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene 240 State Road 610.869.9500 www.avongrove.church
West Grove Presbyterian Church 139 W. Evergreen Street 610.869.9458 www.westgrovepres.org
West Grove United Methodist Church 300 N. Guernsey Road 610.869.9334 www.westgroveumc.org
Willowdale Chapel – Jennersville 111 Vineyard Way, Jennrsville 610.444.2670 www.willowdalechapel.org
Landenberg United Methodist Church 205 Penn Green Road, Landenberg 610.274.8384 www.landenbergchurch.com
Christian Life Center 125 Saginaw Road, New London 610.869.2140 www.CLCFamily.church
New London United Methodist Church 1010 State Road, New London 610.869.8129 www.umc.org
St. Michael Lutheran Church 109 E. Doe Run Road, Unionville 610.347.1696 www.stmichaelpa.com
Funeral services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Silvio’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011 or to Holisticare Hospice, 985 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 504, Wayne, Pa. 19087.
Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9-10
TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace. Weareofferingaspecialdiscountof25%offeachandeveryhelp wanted/classifiedadvertisementtoanybusinessthatadvertiseson thePRESSchurchpage. For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10
SILVIO J. RAIMONDO
Teacher offers unique internship opportunity
This summer, Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA) provided a unique internship opportunity for Macy Linsey, an incoming senior from Downingtown STEM Academy. Under the guidance of BVA teacher
Nancy Gober, Linsey contributed to aligning BVA’s Early Childhood Education course with Pennsylvania state standards and developed engaging student activities.
Using the scope and sequence that Gober designed, Linsey applied her skills to ensure that the course meets academic expectations while also creating new ways for students to interact with the material. Her work reflects BVA’s mission of providing high-quality online education and creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience.
BVA continually part-
ners with school districts throughout Chester County to expand learning opportunities for students.
Internships like Linsey’s highlight how these partnerships empower students to apply classroom knowledge in meaningful ways that prepare them for future careers and studies.
Linsey, who is interested in child psychology, plans to continue her studies with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children at the post-secondary level.
“In terms of why I am so passionate about what I am trying to accomplish, I think it can be summarized as, ‘A child is not at fault for the hand they were dealt,’” she said.
“Working with Macy has been inspiring,” said Gober. “She brought fresh ideas, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose to the project. Her con-
tributions will make a meaningful impact on the students who take this course.”
Linsey’s internship demonstrates the power of collaboration between students and educators, showcasing how innovative approaches to curriculum design can benefit both teachers and learners across Chester County.
For more information about Brandywine Virtual Academy, please contact Dr. Jeanne McCarthy at JeanneMc@ cciu.org. Brandywine Virtual Academy is operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
Courtesy photo Nancy Gober, a Brandywine Virtual Academy teacher, is pictured with Macy Linsey, a Downingtown STEM Academy senior.
Comitta: Grant funding available for small businesses to improve energy efficiency
Small businesses looking to improve their energy efficiency, reduce pollution, and cut operating costs are invited to apply for grant funding through the Small Business Advantage Grant Program from the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection.
The program provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to upgrade or replace equipment or supplies, improve processes, or reduce runoff into affected waterways.
“Improving energy efficiency is a great way for our local businesses to reduce their operating costs, but often, the initial up-front costs can make these upgrades out of reach for small businesses,”
said State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.
“That’s where the Small Business Advantage Grant can help. I encourage any local business looking to make these upgrades to apply for the program as we work to reduce costs and our energy use.”
Maximum grant award amounts will vary from up to $7,500 to up to $12,000, based on the environmental impact of the project and whether the project location is in an Environmental Justice Area in Pennsylvania.
For more information on the program, grant guidelines, and application information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website at www.dep.pa.gov.
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HELP WITH YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?
If you have questions about your pension, 401(k) or profit sharing plan, call the Trellis Pension and Retirement Rights Project - Mid America Region to get free legal advice. Funded by the U.S. Administration on Community Living, Trellis staff provides assistance to anyone with a question about their retirement plan. CALL US TODAY 1.866.783.5021
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
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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.
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ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Peter Joseph Surdo, late of Kennett Square, East Marlborough Township, Chester County, PA, 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 Elizabeth Woolslare, Administrator, 6436 Hearthstone Lane, Erie, PA 16505.
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ESTATE NOTICE
Emily Jean Talbott, late of Kennett Square, Chester County, Pennsylvania died 5/15/25. The Executrix of the Estate is Susan Crane.
All persons having claims or demands against the Estate of said decedent are requested to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Susan Crane c/o George S. Donze, Esquire, Donze & Donze, 696 Unionville Road, Suite 6, Kennett Square, PA 19348
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Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the herein-
described real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, September 18th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, October 20th , 2025. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.
Sale No. 25-9-242
Writ of Execution No. 2025-00410
DEBT $423,454.55
PROPERTY SITUATE IN UPPER OXFORD TOWNSHIP SOLD AS THE PROPERTY OF: EVAN SHOWS
Tax Parcel # 57-03-007
PLAINTIFF: PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC VS DEFENDANT: EVAN SHOWS
SALE ADDRESS: 453 Ray Mar Road, Oxford, PA 19363
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C., 215-6271322
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 8p-27-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, September 18th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, October 20th , 2025. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules
unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.
Sale No. 25-9-244
Writ of Execution No. 2023-06411
DEBT $89,352.69
Property situate in the LOWER OXFORD TOWNSHIP, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania, being
BLR # 56-03-0059.010
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC VS DEFENDANT: KAREN D. BINGHAM
SALE ADDRESS: 356 Street Road, Oxford, PA 19363
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844856-6646
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
8p-27-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, September 18th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, October 20th , 2025. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.
Sale No.2-9-252
Writ of Execution No. 2023-06970
DEBT $69,345.45
The following property situated in the city of Parkesburg, County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania:
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land known as parts of lots Nos, 5 and 6 on a plan of lots called “Park Terrace” situated in the Borough of Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a new description made by J.W. Harry, C.E., January 8, 1951, follows to wit:
BEGINNING at a point in the west line of Octorara Avenue (sixty feet wide) at the northeast corner of Lot No, 4 as shown on said plan of lots; thence along the northerly line of said Lot No, 4, North eighty- eight (88) degrees West, one hundred seventy-four (174) feet to a point in a line of land now or late of Thomas C. Young; thence along southwest corner of Lot No. 7 as shown on said lot plan; thence along the southerly line of said Lot No. 7, South eighty-eight (88) degrees East, eighty-four
(84) feet to a point, a corner of remaining land of the grantors herein, about being convey to Romayne W. Dennison and Lewis Dennison; thence along the same for the following two courses and distances (1) South two (2) degrees West, forty (40) feet to a point; (2) South eighty-eight (88) degrees East, ninety (90) feet to a point in the west line of Octorara Avenue aforesaid; thence along the same South two (2) degrees West, ten (I 0) feet to the place of beginning.
CONTAINS fifty-one hundred (5,100) square feet of land more or less,
This being the same property conveyed to Jacob Denson and Janet Louise Denson, as joint tenants with right of survivorship, dated 12/28/2016 and recorded on 01/11/20217 in instrument no, 11521319, in the Chester County recorders office.
Title to said premises is vested in by deed from dated May 4, 2018 and recorded May 16, 2018 in Deed Book 9743, Page 335 Instrument Number 11607224.
Tax Parcel # 8-3-9
PLAINTIFF: The Huntington National Bank VS DEFENDANT: Jason LaMar Denson, Known Surviving Heir of Janet L. Denson a/k/a Janet Louise Denson and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Janet L. Denson a/k/a Janet Louise Denson
SALE ADDRESS: 320 Octorara Avenue, Parkesburg, PA 19365
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 215-790-1010
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 8p-27-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, September 18th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, October 20th , 2025. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.
Sale No. 25-9-253
Writ of Execution No. 2023-00544
DEBT $525,605.33
All that certain messuage, tenement and bad of land, situate on the Easterly side of an unimproved road leading from U.S. No. 1 to Hayesville in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded
and described in accordance with a survey made 3/26/52 by Arthur Crowel, Registered Surveyor, as follows, to wit;
Beginning at an iron pipe, situate on the Westerly side of an unimproved road leading from U.S. Route No. 1 to Hayesville in line of land of T.E. Conner Estate; thence crossing said road and by land of T.E, Conner Estate North 83 degrees East 656 feet to an iron pipe in line of George and William Walls; thence by land of the said Walls South 17 degrees 15 minutes East 300 feet to an iron pipe a corner of land of Lester M. Norris; thence by land of the said Lester M. Norris North 83 degrees West 662 feet to a point near the East side of the aforementioned road, said point of ending being 17 feet from a pipe on the West side of said road; thence in and along said road North 16 degrees 07 minutes West 290.5 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.
UPI # 56-9-7
PLAINTIFF: Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC VS DEFENDANT: Luther Moyer
SALE ADDRESS: 230 Reedville Road, Oxford, PA 19363
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 215-790-1010
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 8p-27-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, September 18th , 2025 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, October 20th , 2025. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.
Sale No. 25-9-257
Writ of Execution No. 2024-07588
DEBT $110,521.06
ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or parcel of land situated in the Township of Sadsbury, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being more fully described in Deed dated April 27, 1999 and recorded in the Office of the Chester County Recorder of Deeds on May 7, 1999, in Deed Book Volume 4559 at Page 1393.
Tax Parcel # 37-1-26.2
PLAINTIFF: Nationstar Mortgage LLC VS
DEFENDANT: Thomas J. Reid
SALE ADDRESS: 762 North Octorara Trail, Parkesburg, PA 19365 a/k/a 762 North Octorara Trail, Sadsbury Township, PA 19365
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: HLADIK, ONORATO & FEDERMAN, LLP 215-855-9521
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 8p-27-3t
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
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Pa. still facing a severe teacher shortage as schools welcome back students
Pennsylvania is still facing a critical shortage of teachers throughout the Commonwealth as students begin a new school year.
Earlier this year, #PANeedsTeachers released county fact sheets measuring the severity of the teacher shortage crisis in Pennsylvania. The reports measure the overall severity of shortage, teacher supply, teacher qualifications, teacher diversity, and teacher attrition in each county. The teacher shortage severity score ranges from extremely severe, severe, moderate, and mild.
The teacher shortage in several counties, including Philadelphia, Dauphin, and Lehigh, is rated extremely severe. Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage remains at crisis levels as students begin a new school year.
“In the next few weeks, thousands of students will be walking into schools and classrooms without enough wellqualified teachers,” said Laura Boyce, Pennsylvania executive director of Teach Plus and a leader with #PANeedsTeachers. “We need to keep working to rebuild the teacher pipeline by fully funding the student teacher stipend program.
“It is already helping to get more aspiring teachers ready for their careers and into the classroom. We need to make sure that every stu-
dent teacher can get the stipend. Pennsylvania cannot afford another year of students starting school without enough well-qualified teachers to lead their classrooms.”
Research is clear that a highly qualified, adequately staffed, and diverse teacher workforce is essential for any thriving educational system, workforce, and economy.
Teacher turnover at all-time high
In the past decade, the number of certified teachers produced by Pennsylvania’s education programs has fallen by 75 percent, and teacher turnover is at an all-time high. The state now issues more emergency certificates, granted to underprepared teachers when schools cannot find qualified teachers, than regular teaching certificates to fully qualified teachers.
Teacher attrition rates are at an all-time high of 7.7 percent – while rates for teachers of color are even higher.
More than 70 percent of schools surveyed report that staffing shortages are a top concern, and 45.8 percent of rural schools struggle to fill teacher vacancies, according to a 2023 analysis by Dr. Richard Ingersoll and Henry Tran.
Festival of Flight Air, Car & Tractor Show returns to New Garden
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
During the five-year span
that began in late 2020 and ended in January of this year, the temporary flight restrictions – commonly referred to as TFRs - that the New Garden Flying Field was forced to adhere to were both necessary and debilitating.
While recognizing the safety precautions of its proximity to President Biden’s home near Wilmington, the Flying Field’s usual package of entertainment – one that included its annual Festival of Flight Air, Car & Tractor Show – was either reduced dramatically or completely halted.
This past weekend, however, the skies over Landenberg, Toughkenamon and Avondale were alive again with the sounds and swirls of flying machines, signaling the return of what will resume its title as New Garden’s heirloom of the air.
Presented by Merrill, a Bank of America Company and Snelling, Karakelian, O’Hara & Associates, this year’s festival served as a welcome return for the thousands who enjoyed the continuous calendar of aerobatic performances, drone shows, fireworks, a classic car exhibit, tours of military aircraft and a lot of family fun.
“This is our first year back to a weekend show at New Garden in the last five years,” said New Garden Flying Field General Manager Jon Martin. “We’re clear of the TFR debacle that we had been battling, so this is our return to a Saturday-Sunday show. I think what we learned from that five-year hiatus was that the night aerobatics and the drone show seemed to be very popular,
so we incorporated that into the weekend show.”
Two of the show’s many performers drew particular attention from anyone who happened to be looking at the sky above the Flying Field on Saturday when skywriters RJ Gritter and Scott Francis created hearts, smiles and other configurations.
“It was a very unique addition, and I think the community and our visitors loved it,” Martin said. “We were getting calls from as far away as Hockessin wondering what was going on in the sky, so I think their
Brandywine Virtual Academy welcomes new K-12 principal
The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) recently announced that
of K-12 online learning for the Brandywine Virtual Academy (BVA). Burr brings extensive instructional leadership
experience and a strong dedication to student-focused learning to the BVA team. In her most recent position as executive director of curriculum and instruction at Chester Community Charter School, she managed curriculum development and data-informed instructional programs for 4,000 students across eight schools. Her leadership involved advancing initiatives in math, science, educational technology, and social-emotional learning (SEL), as well as developing innovative support systems for principals, instructional coaches, and teachers.
“I am honored to be a part of the CCIU and lead
the BVA team,” said Burr. “I am passionate about educating the whole child, fostering student and staff wellness, and ensuring engaging, rigorous instruction. I look forward to supporting our students and advancing the mission and vision of Brandywine Virtual Academy.”
Her career includes various leadership roles in schools across the Philadelphia area, such as academic director, instructional coach, department lead, assistant principal, and director of teaching and learning.
Burr holds a bachelor of science in elementary education from West Chester University, a master of
The Michna family of Downingtown enjoyed their tour of aircraft.
Photos by Richard L. Gaw
Dozens of military aircraft and vehicles were on display at the Festival of Flight Air, Car & Tractor Show, held Aug. 23-24 at the New Garden Flying Field in Toughkenamon.
The Reihl family of Pennsbury Township admire the Hatz biplane.
Private plane rides were offered throughout the weekend.
Charles Hoopes of Downingtown displays his 407 Small Block Chevy with power glide transmission.
Photo by Stan Lukoff
Skywriters RJ Gritter and Scott Francis were among the more than one dozen performers at the festival.
Betsey Carlisle poses in the cockpit of her 1947 Aeronca Champ plane.
performances really helped draw additional attention to the festival.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Aileen Burr has been named the new principal
Courtesy photo
Aileen Burr is the new K-12 principal for the Brandywine Virtual Academy.