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Inspiration is all around in the Kennett Square area.
In this edition of Kennett Square Life, we introduce readers to a teacher and coach who has inspired generations of students at Upland Country Day School and to a student and athlete at Kennett High School who inspires others with his work in the classroom and on the athletic fields, as well as a few other stories that illustrate some of the inspiration that can be found in the Kennett Square area.
Court Dunn, a teacher, coach and mentor has been making a positive impact on the lives of students at Upland Country Day School for an astounding 51 years. Dunn’s work is impressive and inspiring, and so, too, are the accomplishments of James Ruffin. During his freshman year at Kennett High School, Ruffin was a shooting guard and small forward on the team’s junior varsity basketball team. He played cornerback, defensive back and wide receiver on the junior varsity football team and also ran for the school’s track team as a distance runner. He is an honors student, carrying a 3.8 grade point average and was elected as the president of his freshman class. He did all this despite the fact that he was born with just one arm and hand. His is a truly inspirational story.
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The annual Mushroom Cap Half Marathon started in 2015 and has quickly become a Kennett Square tradition. We look ahead in this edition to its tenth annual race, which raises funds for local non-profits. We also take a look at some of the fun events and activities that can be enjoyed in the Kennett Square area during the summer season.
The subject of the Q & A in this issue is Elysia Simmons, the Community Engagement Officer for the Kennett Township Police Department.
Recently, one of our writers spent an afternoon with Barbara Montgomery at her Farmhouse Retreat Center and discovered a woman of depth, honesty and the maker of an incredible life.
Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson have taken their individual talents and brought them to a unique, eclectic and curated treasure trove of style and design, and we feature their Lieu Antiques & Interiors in the photo essay.
We hope you enjoy the stories and photos in this edition of Kennett Square Life as much as we enjoyed working on them. We always welcome comments and suggestions for future stories, and we look forward to bringing you the next edition in the fall. In the meantime, have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Avery Lieberman Eaton averyl@chestercounty.com
Stone Lieberman stone@chestercounty.com
Steve Hoffman, Editor editor@chestercounty.com
By Ken Mammarella Contributing Writer
Court Dunn, a teacher, coach and mentor at Upland Country Day School for an astounding 51 years, knows the power of story in making lessons stick and nurturing his students’ growth.
“I want people to know other people’s story,” he said. “You become interested in what they’re doing, and they become interested in what you’re doing.”
Here’s some of what it takes to know Dunn’s story. At Upland, there are subjects he has taught (music, history, science, math, health, ethics), sports he has coached (soccer, hockey, lacrosse), music he has shepherded (Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, choir, organ for assemblies), clubs he has advised (student council, photography) and 50-mile hikes he has used as team-building exercises.
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He founded SPORTRIP, which organized trips for young people, primarily skiing and scuba diving. He has led young people to many nations, including 24 two-week trips to Finland, focused on hockey.
From 1973 to 1989, he served as organist and choirmaster for the Church of the Holy Trinity in West Chester, leading choir members on performance tours around 47 states, including a Christmas concert at the White House during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.
At New Garden Flying Field, he founded a flight school and co-founded an aviation summer camp. His story is partly told in the memorabilia decorating his small, windowless office at the school in East Marlborough Township. “All the stuff has a little story, which the kids like to hear,” he said. “And in a way it makes them say ‘What kind of stories will you tell about me?’”
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“He has this incredible way of making you feel you’re the only one he cares about – and he does that to everyone,” said Matt Bedwell, a 1995 Upland graduate and now president of Provident Homes.
“He helps you become well-rounded. Even as a coach, he’s teaching you other aspects of life. He’s always giving you a bigger picture, even if you don’t realize it,” said Bedwell, a former multi-sport athlete at Upland who is sending his son Tanner to Upland.
“He was our choir director, tour guide, historian, comic relief and mentor,” Brennan Barnard wrote in a 2024 essay on mentorship for Forbes.com. “Coach, teacher, organist, aviator and scuba diver, Court’s passions are diverse, sustained and eagerly shared with others. … He reminds us that if you live what you love, then your life will be full and connected.”
In that essay, Barnard – now director of college counseling for Khan Schools Network and for the College Guidance Network – also quotes Kevin Bream, who sang in the choir more than 30 years ago. “Court was known to stop practice if there was a life lesson to be learned.”
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“He did not simply employ a single [coaching] system and plug players into it,” said Charlie Gerbron, a 1993-95 hockey player at Upland and now an attorney at MacElree Harvey. “To the contrary, he would design systems and styles of play annually that suited the players and talent that he had. He had a similar approach to mentoring the young men in his charge; he found unique ways to help different kids do their best, pursue their passions, achieve their goals and reach their potential.
“Court’s diverse talents – a teacher, a musician, a coach, and a mentor – are Upland’s ‘Four A’s’ (Academics, Athletics, Arts & Attitude) manifest. He is a living embodiment of the school’s philosophy.”
Dunn was born in Bryn Mawr and moved around with his parents and two siblings before attending high school in Camp Hill. He counts his parents as his heroes, citing their “positive contribution, hard work and morality.” His father was a Honeywell salesman and his mother was a homemaker.
“Mom insisted that I continue with piano lessons through junior high school, though at the time, sports interested me more,” he said. “It was a sacrifice for my parents at the time, even though I didn’t practice as much as I should.”
He played football, basketball and baseball, and “our family activity was competitive sailing.”
As a second-grader, Dunn decided he wanted to be a teacher, emulating his stellar teacher that year.
“Too many teachers think that this is a job, not a calling,” he said. “For me, it’s a calling.”
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When he was a student at West Chester University, Dunn studied music education then switched to science education. When he was a sophomore, Jane Moore, the organist at Holy Trinity, asked him to play the piano for a musical at Upland, where she was the music teacher.
He was floored by Upland, citing small classes, the discussion-based teaching philosophy, Moore’s “electric personality” and the equally dynamic Head of School Jack Cleveland, “a sort of god to me.”
He played piano for more musicals, coached hockey and joined school trips. More importantly, “I started to get to know education firsthand. … My finest education was experiential in nature, outside of the four walls of school buildings. I learned about education working with the finest teachers, this time outside the four walls of the classroom, here at Upland.”
In January of 1974, Dunn began full time at Upland, first as a music teacher to replace Moore, who had moved. He turned his formal training and personal interests to expand into other subjects.
“Of all the classes I taught, I found teaching ninth grade health/ethics to be the most rewarding for me and, from what I’ve heard from past students, for them as well,” he said. “We have a small window of opportunity at this age, when impactful discussions around teenage issues can change a life.”
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He’s now part-time, tutoring, substituting and assisting with hockey.
“I’ll work as long as they want me. It’s nice to be needed. It keeps me happy,” the 73-year-old said. “And it keeps me young.”
For two decades, Dunn lived in an apartment on the school’s 23-acre campus. Then he decided to build equity by building a house in Chatham, a sevenminute drive away.
The house sits on three acres, enough room for his Subaru Crosstrek and the ambulance he converted into a camper (he was
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once an EMT), but not enough for his two airplanes.
The house is small enough to reduce time spent on upkeep yet large enough to hold an organ, a piano, plus large collections of books (with a lot on Abraham Lincoln), sheet music and recordings. His musical interests go from classical to classic rock, and during the interview he also namedropped Celtic Thunder and English Evensongs.
“The more interests you have, the less impact any one particular thing has on your life, and the less likely you are to be depressed or anxious or whatever,” he said. “Even now, if I’ve had a bad day, I might turn the organ on, and I’m playing away, just as happy as anything.”
What began as an idea conceived the Annual Mushroom Kennett Square tradition, and a special milestone when
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
In 2015, Karen DiMascola and Sarah Nurry – the mothers of two lacrosse-playing sons – met on the sidelines during a game, fresh off the respective courses of the long-distance runs they had competed in that morning.
DiMascola had just finished a half marathon in Rehoboth, Del. and Nurry had just arrived from the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, a distance of ten miles.
“Karen and I began talking about the beauty of where we live and how gorgeous the roads we train on are, and that was when we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a half marathon that illuminates the beauty of Chester County instead of having competitors hop on major highways to get to a race and then navigate along city streets?’” Nurry said.
From that initial discussion came the idea to create a road race that would serve two purposes: as a 13.1-mile-long postcard of life in southern Chester County that flowed like a river stream past neighborhoods and farms, and as a
fundraising event whose profits would be directed toward area non-profit organizations.
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conceived by two area runners in 2015, Cap Half Marathon has become a and on November 8, it will be celebrating when the tenth annual race kicks off
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Over the course of the next several months, DiMascola, Nurry and Kara Gibbons formed Run2Shine, the fundraising wing of their brand-new venture, and on Sept. 15, 2016, the first Mushroom Cap Half Marathon took off from the track at Kennett High School with more than 700 runners in tow.
“I was a bundle of nerves that morning,” Nurry said. “It was our very first race and we didn’t have a playbook, but seeing over 700 runners come through the gates to Kennett Stadium and line up at the start of the race was incredible. All I remember thinking and hoping for was that I wanted everyone to have the experience of what the Mushroom Cap has become.”
They did, and over the past nine years, they have continued to lace up their running shoes and participate in a race whose impact is felt far beyond the winding roads of race day. In short, it has become a race with no finish line, and on November 8, what began as an idea between two runners will celebrate its tenth year, with over 800 competitors expected to take off from Birch Street in Kennett Square in either a half marathon or a five-mile run.
Since 2016, Gibbons has played a major role in helping to define – and refine – the profile of the Mushroom Cap Half Marathon, from marketing the event to meeting with donors and sponsoring businesses to coordinating the race’s more than 250 volunteers, including the more than 100 who will be patrolling aid stations along the course route. Gibbons annually oversees a team of volunteers that have included members from The Mighty Writers, the softball team from Lincoln University, the Kennett High School Marching Band, the Kennett Middle School’s After-the-Bell program, as well as members of local robotics, cheerleading, baseball and football teams.
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“As we continue to grow this race, our theme is to continue to put Kennett Square on the map as a half marathon destination –to include our hotels and restaurants and highlight our sponsors, as a way to bring people to Kennett Square,” Gibbons said. “We are the mushroom capital of the world, and we have an amazing festival to celebrate that, but we also have a half marathon that further promotes who we are as a community.
“We already have runners registered from California, Texas, Vermont and New York for this year’s race, and as a person who lives in Kennett Borough, I love the fact that we’re playing a small role in promoting a community that has meant so much to me.”
As in past events, this year’s Mushroom Cap Half Marathon will not end when the last runner crosses the finish line. Rather, it will serve as the kick-off to the stunning “other side” of the race’s mission: to make a better community. Since its conception, Run2Shine has donated more than $78,000 to local non-profit organizations.
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“From the beginning, Run2Shine’s mission has been about promoting healthy lifestyles and giving back to the community,” Nurry said. “The primary focus of our efforts has been to explore a possible end to food insecurity, helping to overcome homelessness and providing educational support that is needed in our communities. We have also given back to non-profits that assist cancer patients, especially for children at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington.
“For such a small community of organizers and volunteers and runners, we have truly made a difference in so many people’s lives.”
To learn more about the Mushroom Cap Half Marathon and to register for this year’s race on November 8, visit www.mushroomcaphalf.com.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@ chestercounty.com.
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The role of a community engagement officer has become increasingly vital for any business or organization, particularly for police departments. Kennett Square Life recently met with Elysia Simmons of the Kennett Township Police Department to talk about her expanded role, the many events the department organizes and the connections they make in the communities they serve.
Where were you raised and who or what inspired you to become a police officer?
I was raised in Downingtown, Pa. My stepfather, LT Ronald Marshman, inspired both my sister and me as children; however, the passing of my sister, Monica, is what truly inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Talk about your journey to becoming an officer. What education, tutoring and mentoring did you receive along the way?
ered the importance of building connections within the community, and I cherished the personal bonds I formed along this journey. These experiences not only shaped my professional path but also reinforced my commitment to serve with compassion and empathy. Along the way, I’m enjoying my pursuit of a B.S. in Criminal Justice, which I will complete late June of this year.
In addition to your regular policing duties, you are the department’s community engagement officer. Describe your responsibilities in that role.
After completing my training at the municipal police academy, I was fortunate to be guided by law enforcement officers who exemplified integrity in every aspect of their lives, both on and off duty. Throughout my career, I have received invaluable mentorship and support through various training, which deepened my understanding of my career in law enforcement.
My dedication to public relations blossomed as I discov-
Public relations within my role carries significant importance, and I truly cherish every opportunity to connect with our community members. As a patrol officer, I’m grateful for the opportunity to interact with people more often than just during calls for service. Whether I’m out on patrol, paying it forward in a store, or lending a helping hand to someone in need, I strive to express my gratitude for the community I serve.
Furthermore, my responsibilities extend into more structured engagements where I have the privilege of planning community events. This not only allows me to collaborate with vendors and other agencies but also creates a welcoming environment where community members can interact with officers.
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Like many police departments in southern Chester County, the Kennett Township Police Department is a frequent and friendly presence at many public events throughout the year: Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, Family Fun Day to name just a few. Talk about the impact that the department wishes to make on the community it serves through these appearances and activities.
We prioritize our community by fostering strong connections with our officers and addressing our hiring needs to reflect the diversity of our community. We recognize the importance of having relatable and bilingual officers to serve our community effectively. Our goal is to create inclusive events where everyone feels welcome and appreciated.
Leadership at any level, in any organization, business or entity, begins with the vision of those at the top of that pyramid. What has Chief of Police Matt Gordon taught you and your fellow officers about community policing, and where would the readers of Kennett Square Life see Matt’s philosophies in action?
Chief Gordon embodies a remarkable understanding and trust in his officers, which fosters a deep sense of camaraderie within our team. He genuinely values each officer’s unique strengths and encourages us to use them for the betterment of our community. His unwavering support for our goals and aspirations empowers us to pursue our ambitions, and it truly reflects in our work.
Our department is committed to embracing diversity and nurturing a rich cultural environment, making it a priority to engage with the community. This compassionate approach enables us to connect on a deeper level and makes a genuine difference in the lives we touch.
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The Kennett Township Police Department enjoys a tremendous relationship with the students, teachers and administrators at Greenwood Elementary School. It seems that your department is always paying friendly visits there. Describe that special connection that your department has with the school and the activities you engage in.
At Greenwood Elementary School, our connection with the principal, staff, and students truly warms our hearts. Even on heavy days, a walk through the school lifts our spirits as we see those bright, smiling faces. It’s a beautiful reminder of what matters most. Our officers are dedicated to protecting our youth and showing them we’re here for them. Officer Melendez, in particular, plays a vital role attending events like field day and Trunk or Treat, where his participation and interactions with the students and staff, shows his contribution to the efforts of community policing.
So many of us have been taught as youngsters to respect police officers, but that also comes with a natural inclination to not get too close. It’s an action that has, in the opinion of some, perpetuated a tenuous relationship between the public and law enforcement and stereotyped the police as cold and distant. In contrast, the people of your department smile, and they don’t hide behind aviator glasses. How has this department conspired against those stereotypes?
I believe that our police department has worked hard to combat these stereotypes by prioritizing culture and our genuine connections. This effort stems from a deep-seated passion for our mission and a commitment to our core values. Every day, we strive to protect our citizens with professionalism and care. If I, along with my peers, can reach out and touch even the heart of one individual, helping them to view law enforcement from a more compassionate perspective, I truly believe we are making a significant, positive impact.
It inspires me to keep trying to connect with one more person, and then another, knowing that each effort can lead to a deeper understanding and a stronger community. We need our community to be involved; there is no community policing without our community.
What has your role as the community engagement officer for the Kennett Township Police Department taught you about the power of simple connection between people?
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This experience has taught me to prioritize compassion and empathy over anything else. When members of our community reach out to the police during times of need or crisis, I strive to approach each situation with genuine care and understanding. By instilling these values as core, I hope to cultivate trust within the community. I am committed to holding myself accountable and being transparent in all my interactions, as I believe it is essential to support those who turn to us in their most vulnerable moments. I also believe in maintaining these relationships, checking in, and ensuring my community is well taken care of.
You must have several moments when the importance of your role in the department crystallized and told you, ‘This is why we do what we do.” Can you recall one of those special moments during a community event that stands out for you?
Many of my most meaningful moments happen when individuals return from their experiences to express the positive impact I’ve had on their lives, whether it’s through my actions that have provided life-saving assistance or inspired them to pursue a career in law enforcement. These encounters reinforce my purpose and motivate me daily in my work. From a community events perspective, witnessing children engaging in play, enjoying themselves, having fun interacting with fellow officers, and creating lasting memories is what resonates with me the most.
What is your favorite spot in Kennett Square?
Anson B. Nixon is one of my favorite spots in Kennett Square, but if we’re talking about food establishments; then Michoacana Grill makes me happy.
You organize a dinner party and can invite anyone you wish – famous or not, living or not. Who would you want
to see around that table?
Well, I would like Amelia Earhart at my dinner table, surrounded by my family. I want to know everything; I have so many questions!
What item can always be found in your refrigerator?
Fun fact: in our home, it’s maraschino cherries and cheese, and of every kind. My husband, Brian, is a cheese lover, and well, you never know when you will crave a cherry on top of your ice cream sundae.
The Kennett Township Police Department is located at 801 Burrows Run Road, Chadds Ford, Pa. 19317. To learn more about the Kennett Township Police Department and its community events, email KTPD@Kennett.pa.us or call the department’s non-emergency phone number, (610) 268-3171.
- Richard L. Gaw
For 15-year-old James Ruffin of Kennett High School, limitations are mere roadblocks to run by, dribble past and knock down. In the process, he has become an inspiration for others to learn from
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
“We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it.”
~ Kobe Bryant
Over the course of his freshman year at Kennett High School, James Ruffin was a shooting guard and small forward on the team’s junior varsity basketball team. He played cornerback, defensive back and wide receiver on the junior varsity football team and also ran for the school’s track team as a distance runner. He is an honors student carrying a 3.8 grade point average and was elected as the president of his freshman class.
Yet the truest story of James Ruffin, at least the one that is unfolding on the athletic playing fields and in the classrooms at Kennett High School, is one that at first glance has to do with the gifts he is giving to himself and the life lessons he is giving those around him: to acknowledge that the power of perseverance is omnipotent; that the challenges we face are the hurdles we leap over towards our ascension; and that none of it – none our life’s aspirations - is
achievable without the hours we invest in them.
It is not his albatross nor is it his excuse, but rather, it has become the touchstone of his strength.
James Ruffin was born 15 years ago to Chanel and Elliott Ruffin, and blessed with only one arm and hand, his left.
“From the first time I first picked up a basketball and a football, I have had that drive in me to succeed,” he said recently. “Every time someone doubts me or my abilities, that inner drive becomes more amplified. When I hit a roadblock, I get stronger.
“Sometimes, I have lows, and I fall into the pit of it and ask myself, ‘Why did this have to happen to me?’ Yet, I always come back to feeling that it’s just who I am, and I just have to get through it. I have what I have and there is nothing that I can change about that.”
“James was raised in an environment that told him, ‘You are your only obstacle,’” said his mother, Chanel, who is the assistant principal of Kennett High School. “We always use the phrase, ‘Make yourself proud.’ James’ intrinsic desire to be successful comes from a family who tells him that there is nothing that he can’t do. As much as we would want something for him, he wants it more.”
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“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.”
Should one aspire to understand the physical manifestation of “human grit,” they may be well served to see the videos of Michael Jordan driving the lane, tongue flapping and soaring toward the basket. One could also call up the highlight reels of Kobe Bryant – quoted frequently in this article as a reference point for this profile’s subject –scowling at his opponents with eyes so intense they could slice through diamonds. For every successful person, there is a crystallizing moment of clairvoyance when inspiration meets the rolled-up fist of determination, and for most, it first kicks in when they are children. From the start of his
athletic journey, James – who began playing football with the Kennett Titans and basketball in local youth leagues –was his own servant, much to the surprise of his parents, Chanel and Elliott.
“When he was in middle school, we got James a video game, and after we opened it, I hit the pause button because I thought it would be frustrating for him to figure out the game with all of its manual cues that came with it,” said Chanel. “He sat down and figured it out without anybody showing him anything. There were many times when I felt the need to jump in and make accommodations for him, but he just figured it out for himself, and I began to learn how to sit back and watch him glow.
“When he wants to figure something out, he does so on his own. James is my reminder that anything is possible. He is walking evidence that proves that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it.”
As James puts it, his parents are the respective CEOs for two of his primary endeavors: academics and athletics.
“They both help me in different ways,” he said. “My mom helps me succeed in the classroom. On a social level, she never lets me feel out of place and always makes me feel like I belong and tells me to just be myself and not let anyone judge me because of what I look like. My dad encourages me athletically, and whenever I come home from a game and I am down on myself, he’s always there to check on me.”
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“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
~ Kobe Bryant
There is a large mural at the far end of the Kennett High School gymnasium on which every member of the school’s 1,000 career point record in the school’s basketball history is listed. James wants his name to be on that board someday, but the reality is that he will only be entering his sophomore year this fall, and there will be three full seasons before he will be able to even take a whiff of that goal. His preparation for the next three seasons, however – in basketball, football and track – is currently underway. James’ summer of 2025 will be a non-stop carousel that will consist of two-a-day practices for football – he aspires to make the varsity squad as a sophomore – as well as summer league basketball and running on the Kennett Stadium track. To help get a better edge on his opponents, he will be working with an athletic trainer in Bala Cynwyd.
“James will ask me to drive him to practice or to the basketball courts so that he can practice his shooting,” Chanel said. “As long as he is locked in, I will be there to cheer him on and push through, and I’ll make whatever sacrifices I need to make.
“This is his dream and his plan, and I am here to make sure that I pave the way.”
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Whether it is seen in a performance on the playing field or in the insular confines of a practice or a workout, James has already built up an admiring list of supporters.
“What James has accomplished on the court is nothing short of remarkable,” said Kennett High School Athletic Director Sean Harvey, whose son plays basketball with James. “Playing basketball at this level is already demanding, but being able to balance playing three sports here at Kennett High School takes skill, determination and heart. James doesn’t just participate. He competes and inspires everyone around him. It’s a powerful reminder that limitations don’t define us - attitude and effort do.”
“Knowing James for so many years now has been an honor for me,” said Kennett High School Principal Dr. Lorenzo DeAngelis. “Because James is friends with my children, he is considered a part of our family, and what my children do not realize is that they learn from James. I learn from James.
“James’s journey as an athlete is a powerful testament to perseverance and unshakable will. He has never let his challenges define or limit him. Instead, he approaches every challenge with relentless determination, showing up to
Ten-year-old James drives the lane in a
train harder, compete stronger, and push further than many thought possible. He doesn’t ask for pity or shortcuts—he earns his place through grit and heart, proving that true strength lies not just in physical ability but in the refusal to give up.”
James’ breadth of inspiring others has even touched Chanel.
“I was a business teacher at the Kennett Middle School and began to take classes in order to strengthen my classroom
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experience,” she said. “At the conclusion of the program, the position of assistant principal at Kennett High School became available. James told me, ‘Give it a shot, Mom. Just try. At least you will have the experience of interviewing.’ If it wasn’t for James, I would not have submitted my application and I would not be in this position now.
“I have had so many teachers come up to me and they tell me that James is a presence – a personality that they enjoy,” Chanel said. “All we have ever asked of James is that he tries his best and makes an effort to leave who he is behind in every assignment and with every person he knows.”
“The expectations I placed on myself were higher than what anyone expected from me.”
~ Kobe Bryant
For every able-bodied individual reading this profile, it is a fallacy for them to fully comprehend the world that James Ruffin inhabits – the daily task of looking at one’s image in a mirror and seeing the incompleteness of it glaring back like an erasure mark made to a human body - a piece of the
glorious machine unceremoniously taken away.
Yet, given the choice between drowning in loss or in the acceptance of loss, James has already drawn out the contours of his life’s journey, and there appear to be, at least in this stage of his life, no boundaries placed on his landscape.
“On and off the field, court and track, James leads by example, turning setbacks into motivation and victories into fuel for greater goals,” DeAngelis said. “He doesn’t compete despite his challenges — he competes with them, breaking barriers and showing the world that limits only exist when we choose to accept them.
“I am so proud to have James represent Kennett High School. He is truly a role model for all.”
“I definitely know that are things that I still struggle to do and sometimes I think to myself, ‘What if I hit a cap and don’t improve and don’t get any better and don’t make the team?’” James said. “It’s something I fear, but I just keep training, because I haven’t given myself any other options.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
|Kennett Square Life Photo Essay|
Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson have taken their individual talents and brought them to a unique, eclectic and curated treasure trove of style and design
The business collaboration of Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson –one that breathes life into their Lieu Antiques & Interiors on West State Street in Kennett Square – is one of generous and stunning overlap and melded by two creative minds.
As a member of the Square Roots Collective team, Mulry was infusing her eclectic design style into the formation of The Kennett Creamery, while on the other side of State Street, Johnson’s Marché Lifestyle Boutique
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“We carefully curate in order to present the juxtaposition
Johnson
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was cracking the creative mold of how furniture, linens, home décor, women’s clothing, gifts, and accessories could enhance one’s lifestyle.
“The first time I walked into Marché, Deanna’s sense of style just blew me away,” Mulry said. “Finally, I thought, someone truly gets it. She is one of the most talented people I know. I was so inspired, and that’s what really started what became a partnership. Deanna came up with the idea of creating Lieu and kept asking me if I would be interested in bringing our skills to the interior design market. It just made sense to the both of us, and we began to put the pieces together.”
“Sandra was such an amazing storyteller for Square Roots Collective, whose mission has been to gather the stories of our history and our eclectic cultures,” Johnson said. “I felt it would be inspiring for Sandra to bring her stories to what had largely been an untapped market in this community, and together, we embarked on that first story, which was ‘Let’s make this happen.’”
From the day that Lieu Antiques & Interiors opened on December 14, 2023, the store has been a love letter to the eclecticism of personal
style and statement, from a well-placed antique to a one-of-a-kind heirloom that will complement a vintage dress.
“One of our initial goals was to present merchandise in a different light,” Johnson said. “Many times, shopping for antiques and collectibles becomes a picking experience in order to find that diamond in the rough. We carefully curate in order to present the juxtaposition of old and new, by bringing all our pieces together.”
Translated from the French language, “Lieu” stands for “Place.” For those seeking to step
out of the often safe confines of self-expression – whether for the home or for one’s sense of personal style – there is no safer place than what Sandra Mulry and Deanna Johnson have created.
Lieu Antiques & Interiors is located at 404 West State Street in Kennett Square. To learn more, call (610) 242-9540 or visit them on Facebook. The store proudly showcases collections from BDH Antiques, William Groves Antiques, Rita Balee Antiques, Charlie Dog Vintage, Gallerie Simo, g. marie vintage and Marché Lifestyle Boutique.
www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2025 | Kennett Square Life 57
Recently, a magazine writer spent an afternoon with Barbara Montgomery at her Farmhouse Retreat Center and discovered a woman of depth, honesty and the maker of an incredible life
By Caroline Roosevelt Contributing Writer
My dream of interviewing Barbara Montgomery – the performing artist, the producer, the healer and the connector – was supposed to happen on a walking tour around the pond at her Farmhouse Retreat Center in Kennett Township.
On the day I arrived, however, the weather had turned sour and the sky had opened up, so my dream of traipsing through the green fields and sitting by the waterfall at the retreat would have to wait for another time.
I pulled into the driveway, one lined with Tibetan prayer flags, shut the engine off to my car, and took a breath. Suddenly, the rain I had resented all morning had become an accomplice to a beautiful lush, green setting. It amplified the sounds of the nearby waterfall as rivulets trickled through the rocks and added to calming energy of the red farmhouse perched at the corner of Bayard and Sills MIll roads.
I walked up the stone stairs to the back entrance - which had thoughtfully incorporated the gears from the old mill - and knocked and knocked again.
As I opened the door from the porch to the house, I was transported again, this time into a calm and warm sanctuary.
I noticed a chalkboard in the kitchen, on which were written the following words: patience, generosity, kindness, joyful effort, meditation and wisdom.
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A dog greeted me cautiously, and as I entered the living room, the entire space opened up to reveal beautifully restored wooden ceiling beams and a long, dark wood dining table that held a small bowl of cooling oatmeal and berries at the end seat. Clearly, a breakfast had been prepared and been interrupted. I put my purse down, smiled at the dog who was still skeptical of my intentions, and suddenly heard a warm, velvety voice ascending from the lower level of the house.
“Hello! Come on in,” Barbara smiled as she approached me. “I was just getting to my breakfast!”
I had been looking forward to learning more about the woman behind The Farmhouse Retreat Center, a safe space for growth, reflection, and nourishment that seemingly transcends space and time and has played host to audiences as diverse as inner-city youth from Philadelphia to women veterans experiencing combat trauma.
Barbara’s journey to The Farmhouse started in 2002, soon after a domestic dispute turned into a murder-suicide for a family of five that included a dear friend of Barbara’s daughter in the 9th-grade class at The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr. This left the class of fourteen-year-old girls mourning for the loss of their classmate. Knowing how immensely traumatic this situation would be for these girls in their formative years, Barbara set an idea into motion to
provide the girls with an opportunity to heal together.
“I am one of those people who if I have an idea I will do it, even if somebody doesn’t ask me,” she said.
After organizing a township meeting for the class that included state legislators and mental health professionals, Barbara was asked to lead The Brady Campaign (now Brady United) against gun violence for the Million Mom March Pennsylvania chapters, and found herself advocating on Capitol Hill. After experiencing gridlock in working with Congress with the intention of curbing gun violence and becoming discouraged over elected officials’ inability to understand the needs of their constituents, she pivoted.
“I realized that this was killing my soul, and my time would be better used working with the kids and community groups and serving them directly,” she said. With that in mind, Barbara began her search for a permanent space to lead workshops and provide a healing space for her growing network of communities, who, through their work with her in the nonprofit world, had heard about her retreat.
As founder and executive director of The Farmhouse Retreat Center, Barbara has developed her passion to build and serve community at a grassroots level through
an impressive resume of experience. She is a certified Integrative/Holistic/Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner specializing in orthomolecular medicine, nutritional biochemistry, chronic degenerative disease, PTSD, wom-
en’s health, age and weight management and pediatric neurological organization and development.
“I had this idea around 2006, and I wrote it down every day in a little notebook,” she said. “I wrote ‘I have a farmhouse,’ with the understanding that if I wrote it down every day, I would envision it and someday it would transpire. Every day I would write little notes about it for about a year and a half. Eventually, I went online to search for farmhouses, and the first photograph that came up was here,” she said, pointing out a window of the living room to a pitched roof and towering cypress trees on the property.
The home and the seven-acre property and the pond and the waterfall were soon hers.
The Farmhouse Retreat Center, a 501c3 non profit, is located on the Historic Sills Mill property, and was originally built in 1747 and operated as a grist mill, providing flour for the Continental Army, then transformed into a paper mill in 1856 and then became a residential home a few decades ago.
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Much like the multiple iterations of the mill house itself, some people manage to live several completely separate but also completely rounded lives in one and Barbara Montgomery is one of those bright lights. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, her life “on the road” began at six months of age that involved moving every year due to her father’s work as an electrical engineer. Montgomery lived in Vietnam in the 1960s and moved to Philadelphia in 1970. She worked for a decade for “The Mike Douglas Show” from its Philadelphia studios in the 1970s, rising from a production assistant to film editor, camera operator, lighting director, property master and stage manager.
An accomplished musician and singer, Montgomery has released six albums and for many years, she performed at clubs and venues on the Philly jazz circuit and along the East Coast and in Europe. She also served as the musical director for fitness expert Richard Simmons from his start in the 1980s to the
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remainder of his career. In addition, she is a Board Member and President Emeritus at the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia (where she received direct instruction from Venerable Losang Samten and His Holiness the Dalai Lama), President Emeritus, Pennsylvania Million Mom Chapters of the Brady Campaign, and Member of Vietnam Veterans for Peace.
Finding ways to dovetail her nonprofit work and her rich resume in the creative sector has proved natural for the programming at The Farmhouse. Barbara’s retreats often include elements of music, writing and Buddhism.
“I once did a summer retreat here called ‘Haven for Healing,’” she said. “Two jazz musicians, one was a percussionist and the other a horns player and 15 congos. Throughout the weekend, we used percussion to heal, and there would be time for being in the woods, time for journaling and time for meditation.”
‘Here. Now.’
Her love for the property shows up in the thoughtful renovations that have been made to the Farmhouse throughout the
years, and the work she has put forth reflects her advocacy for the green spaces and waters on the property. Meanwhile, the rich history of the former mill grows with each passing year, as Barbara embues the space with more energy from the retreats, and as
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she led me down the renovated staircase to the lower level, she explained the intention behind the aesthetics of The Farmhouse.
“When you walk in, you feel good right away, ‘Like, oh, this is Nana’s home. Grandmother’s home,” she said. “It’s cozy, and your blood pressure just dropped.”
I find myself struggling to wrap up the interview, as I’ve been charmed by the property, the owner, and the energy of the space. As we head back up to the main floor of The Farmhouse, I asked Barbara what she sees for the future of the beauty, intention and inspiration she has created for herself and others. She smiled softly.
“Here. Now,” she said.
I suddenly realized that all of Barbara’s amazing accomplishments, her vibrant stories and her colorful human connections spark from her Buddhist practice of staying in the present. It is a lesson I took with me, as I promised her that I would drop by again for tea. Whenever that time comes, I hope to have my cup filled with Barbara and the warm, authentic energy she has embedded in The Farmhouse Retreat Center.
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As anyone who lives, works, or visits Kennett Square knows, there are plenty of unique shops and fantastic restaurants to enjoy in downtown Kennett Square. The small-town charm is on full display year-round, but the Kennett Square area is particularly festive and fun in
the summer season. From fine dining and live music to world-class attractions and festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a look at a few of the sights and sounds that can be enjoyed in the Kennett Square area this summer.
The Kennett Symphony presents Masterworks 3: Fiesta
The Kennett Symphony will be performing at the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on Thursday, June 26. “Masterworks 3: Fiesta” will be a fiery program of dance music from Alberto Ginastera, Arturo Piazzolla, and Manuel de Falla, and a selection by contemporary Mexican-American composer Gabriela Ortiz, known for music that celebrates the spirit animal that guides the Wixarika people of Mexico. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held indoors at the state-of-the-art auditorium of Unionville High School. Tickets for reserved seating are $55. More information is available on the Kennett Symphony website and tickets can be purchased at www. longwoodgardens.org.
Thursday, July 3
Longwood Gardens Fireworks & Fountains shows
On July 3 starting at 9:15 p.m., Longwood will present “Grand Fanfare,” a celebration our nation that will feature fireworks paired with vivid fountains. A special ticket is required to experience Fireworks & Fountains shows. All
guests, except those under 2 years of age, must purchase a Fireworks & Fountains show ticket. All sales are final and no refunds are permitted. Shows will proceed in rain. Gardens close at 6 p.m. to everyone but Fireworks & Fountains ticket holders on the dates of Fireworks & Fountains shows. Visit longwoodgardens.org for ticket information.
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Saturday, July 12
Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert
Riot Act: A tribute to Pearl Jam will be featured in this Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert. 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. Riot Act formed in 2023 and is Philadelphia’s premier tribute to Pearl Jam. The group has continued to bring the raw energy and passionate performances of the grunge icon to audiences all across the East Coast, including a sold-out show at The Kennett Flash earlier this year. With their impressive attention to detail and a massive catalog of songs ranging from the obvious to the obscure, Riot Act offers an experience sure to please any 1990s music enthusiast. Visit kennettflash.org for more information or to buy tickets.
Thursday, July 17
The 2025 Third Thursdays on State Street event series continues on July 17 as Kennett Collaborative brings people in the community together for outdoor dining, music, and fun with your neighbors, families, and friends. Third Thursdays take place from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Parking in the garage on E. Linden Street is free during the event with street closures begin at 5 pm, starting at Broad Street and ending at Center Street. To ensure an outdoor table, the recommendation is to make a reservation directly with your restaurant of choice. The following restaurants set up tables on State Street for Third Thursdays: Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen (first come only), Lily Asian Cuisine, La Verona, Portabellos, Trattoria La Tavola, and Sweet Amelia’s. Other dining options in the event area include Café Emís and Piccola Venezia. Inside the Market at Liberty Place, still close to all the action, you’ll find Kaboburritos, Kennett Chicken, Verde Plant Based Cafe, State Street Pizza, Liberty Place Pub, Double AA Burgers, and Ji-In Korean Eatery. Beyond State Street, there are more great eateries in Kennett Square with outdoor seating in the evening, including: Braeloch Brewing, Sang Tong Thai, Letty’s Tavern, and The Creamery.
Saturday, July 19
Longwood Gardens Fireworks & Fountains shows
On July 19 starting at 9:15 p.m., “Brat Pack Soundtrack: Music from the 80s” will pay homage to the beloved Brat Pack films of the era. The Fountains will dance and the fireworks will soar to the soundtracks of the 1980s. Fountains dance and fireworks soar to throwbacks from the soundtracks of Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and more. A special ticket is required to experience Fireworks & Fountains shows. All guests, except those under 2 years of age, must purchase a Fireworks & Fountains show ticket. All sales are final and no refunds are permitted. Shows will proceed in rain. Gardens close at 6 p.m. to everyone but Fireworks & Fountains ticket holders on the dates of Fireworks & Fountains shows. Visit longwoodgardens.org for ticket information.
Saturday, August 9
Winslow: An Evening of the Eagles
The Kennett Flash Rooftop Concert Series continues on August 9 with a performance by the Winslow Tribute Band, the East Coast’s greatest Eagles tribute band that delivers the timeless music with precision and passion. This powerhouse ensemble recreates the live performance of The Eagles and the signature sound that made them one of the most successful artists in the 1970s. 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. Visit kennettflash.org for more information or to buy tickets.
Saturday, August 9
On August 9, starting at 9:15 p.m., there will be a show, “Boogie Wonderland: Earth, Wind & Fire,” featuring pop, soul, and jazz-fusion hits from one of the most influential and energetic groups of the 1970s: Earth, Wind & Fire. A special ticket is required to experience Fireworks & Fountains Shows. All guests, except those under 2 years of age, must purchase a Fireworks & Fountains Show ticket. All sales are final and no refunds are permitted. Shows will proceed in the rain. Gardens close at 6 p.m. to everyone but Fireworks & Fountains ticket holders on the dates of Fireworks & Fountains shows. Visit longwoodgardens.org for ticket information.
Thursday, September 4
Historic Kennett Square will come alive with music, color, and smalltown 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.
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September 6 and 7
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.
Flux
Saturday, September 13
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 will 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.
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September 20 and 21
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.
Each Friday throughout the summer, enjoy fresh finds, local flavor, and community vibes at KSQ Farmers Market
The KSQ Farmers Market brings together farmers and neighbors for the freshest local produce and goods in the heart of Kennett Square. Consumers
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Come meet Catt Wolfe, our General Manager and the mind behind the complete renovation of the Timber Wolfe Lanes Bowling Center & Pro Shop.
We have an updated menu at Timber Wolfe Lanes now offering new flatbread options.
BACK!
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can connect directly with small growers and producers, building relationships, trust, and a stronger local food economy. The KSQ Farmers Market is known for a variety of high-quality, in-season produce plus all kinds of meats and cheeses, mushrooms, freshly baked breads and pastries, honey, nut butters, pickles, jams and preserves, local wine and mead, coffee and teas, desserts, pet treats, natural home and skincare products, and beautiful locally grown flower bouquets. Those who enjoy good food but are short on time can find an assortment of made-from-scratch prepared foods for easy meals to heat and enjoy at home. The vendor lineup changes week to week, as some producers attend every Friday, while others come every other week or just once a month. The KSQ Farmers Market takes place at 600 South Broad Street each Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visit ksqfarmersmarket.com for information about participating vendors.