Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Magazine
Supporting the Oxford Area and the Surrounding Community Businesses
Warriors on the Water
Oxford Remembers Lawrie Drennen Sr.
The McGlothlins unlikely path to Oxford
Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director’s Message
To say that the past six months have been challenging for our business community is an understatement. Some businesses were mandated to be completely shuttered, others were asked to operate with modified guidance, and all were impacted by supply chain disruptions, personal protective equipment needs, and new recommendations. Through all of this, our business owners proved to be some of the strongest people I have ever met. Their love for their businesses, their ability to pivot to meet the changing scenarios, and their ability to find creative approaches to problem-solving has revealed a grit I’m not sure they knew they had. How can we as a community continue to support our businesses during these continued uncertain times? It’s simple –LOVE LOCAL. Before clicking “add to cart” or venturing to the national chains, think
about your local small businesses. All indicators are that the holiday shopping season will be starting earlier this year. Watch the Chamber’s social media for upcoming specials that support our retailers. You will experience unique items and great customer service! Our restaurants are one of the hardest-hit industries. The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Armstrong to bring you special segments on our restauranteurs. Stay tuned. In the meantime, dine in, dine out, take out and order delivery. Many local restaurants offer catering services. And if you’re looking for service providers, please check out the member directory listing in this issue of the Oxfordian. From insurance providers to veterinarians, electricians to lawyers, our members are here to provide you with knowledgeable service. The
directory is a great resource to keep on hand.
Through all the uncertainty over the past few months, there have been some wonderful outcomes. The OACC was able to virtually present our two scholarships to Oxford Area High School seniors, Estevan Bedolla and Daniela Ayala Lugo. Best of luck to them as they continue to make Oxford proud. The Oxford Chamber compiled a video for the Class of 2020 with greeting and words of wisdom from the area’s business leaders. We also used technology and we created a special Memorial Day ceremony that was shared with the community, local retirement communities and the Coatesville VA. This collaboration between Phil Harris, the Mayor of Oxford, Scott Brown of the Oxford Police Department, the Oxford Area High School Band Department, and
Jim Coarse of Moonloop Photography provided a moving display as we honored our fallen heroes. Both videos can be viewed on the Chamber’s YouTube channel.
Our Everyday Hero 5K Run was transitioned to a virtual event. Supported by our sponsors and the community, we are able to make a sizable donation to Wreaths Across America for the Oxford Cemetery. And we will be hosting our 24th Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament at the end of September. With some tweaks to our format, we are
looking forward to a great day of golf, camaraderie and raising funds for our 2021 scholarships.
The Chamber has worked tirelessly to advocate and champion our business community at a state, regional and local level. As a member of the Chester County Restore Task Force, we are collaborating with leadership in various areas to provide education, guidance and the tools for businesses. Locally, we are in ongoing partnerships with stakeholders in the community.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the
Oxfordian. Sit back and enjoy reading the journey of the McGlothlins to Oxford, our memories of Mr. Drennen, and the inspiring story of Warriors on the Water. Celebrate Cameron’s 20th Anniversary! Savor the history and beauty on the Covered Bridge Tour. We are excited for you to get to know some of our members a bit better in our Meet the Members articles.
Our community is special - Love Local!
Christine Grove Executive Director
MEMORIES OF MR. DRENNEN
Local residents and members of the business community share heartfelt remembrances of Mr. Lawrie R. Drennen
FEELING
BLESSED IN OXFORD
John and Nickoel McGlothlin feel blessed in Oxford
CAMERON’S HARDWARE & SUPPLY, INC.
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply, Inc. has enjoyed 20 years of growth
WARRIORS ON WATER
Gina and Jim Neary have formed a non-profit support group that welcomes veterans, police and first responders to their activities on the water
COVERED
BRIDGES
The historic, picturesque town of Oxford is a fantastic place to start a covered bridge tour
Crystal Messaros
Eric Maholmes
Memories of Mr.
On June 6, 2020, Mr. Lawrie R. Drennen passed away at his home in Oxford. A lifelong Oxfordian who was a class officer at Oxford Area High School, an Army veteran, and a member of Oxford Presbyterian Church, he was involved in multiple non-profit organizations. But it was at Oxford Grain & Hay (now Oxford Feed & Lumber) that we knew him best.
Mr. Drennen was the President of Oxford Grain and Hay for sixty-seven years. The Oxford Grain & Hay is the oldest continuously operating business in the Oxford area and the second-oldest Purina dealer in the United States. Most of us knew him as Mr. Drennen, a few Larry, and those that he loved the most called him Dad and PopPop.
Our community was forever changed by Mr. Drennen and his commitment to the customer. We will never know how many thousands of people he impacted. We do know how lucky we are that he called Oxford home. Here are a just a few memories of Mr. Drennen that we can share:
“My favorite memories of Mr. Drennen were from my banking days! He was one of my favorite customers at The People’s Bank of Oxford. At first, he was a man of few words but always had a smile. After a while, we’d carry on conversations and he would often wait to come to my teller window so we could chat. If we saw each other outside of the bank, he’d call me that Shepherd girl. I so admired his humble calm spirit. He was a gem of a man and it was a privilege to help him at the bank. What a blessing he was to this community!”
Kathy Shepherd Book People’s Bank of Oxford Representative John Lawrence’s office
Courtesy photo Drennen Family
Drennen
“I worked for the Feed & Lumber in high school. Over the next decade or more, I only saw Mr. Drennen a few times. I saw him at an event more than 10 years after I finished working with him and he still immediately knew who I was and struck up a conversation. He was a man who genuinely cared about people and this was just one small example of how he showed that.”
Joshua Gregory, DC
Hometown Health Chiropractic, Rehabilitation and Massage
“Chris Drennen and I became friends while in first grade, and from that
friendship I met the Drennen family. Lots of time was spent at the Drennen home just playing in and around the buildings at Grain & Hay. Early on, Mr. and Mrs. Drennen became second parents to me. Their friendship, example and guidance was invaluable and has had a lifelong impact on me.”
Chip
Roten
WSFS Bank
“Mr. Lawrie Drennen and his brother, Don, ran Oxford Feed & Lumber for many years and were good examples of the culture needed to run a family business and have a positive influence in a small community.
The recent passing of Lawrie brings to mind the spirit in a man of Faith in God, love for family, hard work and a friendly smile. What I loved most about Mr. Drennen is that he always seemed to have a sincere appreciative interest in people. When you walked away, you thought “I like that guy.”
I’m thankful to see the reflection of the Drennens who have passed in the hearts of their children and grandchildren.”
Ed Herr Herr Foods
“A fond memory of Mr. Drennen is how he know his customers by name and how he valued their time. When you entered the store, he would never let you wait. He would come from his desk or around the counter, grab his gloves and be ready to help. Another memory was the 100th anniversary celebration of Oxford Feed and Lumber. We will always remember how happy he was to celebrate their accomplishments while surrounded by his family, co-workers, customers and community that he loved. His smile said it all!”
Dave and Crystal Messaros Herr Foods
“Larry Drennen’s passing marked almost 50 years to the day from when I first entered Oxford Grain & Hay to buy lumber and hardware to rebuild our farm. I had moved to Oxford after the Navy and Larry became one of my very first familiar faces. A relationship marked by my rushing into the Grain & Hay to get the last-minute boards, nails or hinges I needed before the store closed for the day. I was habitually late, but was always met with Larry’s warm and knowing smile along with “Frank, how can I help you?” The passing of Larry Drennen is not just the loss of a friend, but the loss of another of the few who can be credited with making Oxford what it has become.”
Frank Lobb
Cameron’s ACE Hardware
“I would always enjoy meeting Mr. Drennen at the Post Office. It seemed we would try to be there at the same time so we could catch up on sports, weather and what was new in town.”
Buzz Tyson Lighthouse Youth Center
Courtesy photo Drennen Family
Mr. Drennen
Continued from Page 9
“I have had many wonderful conversations with Mr. Drennen over the years. I feel any opportunity a business person has to ask advice from a very successful business person....you should take it.
Shortly after Oxford Feed and Lumber’s 100th anniversary, I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Drennen how he kept the business growing and successful over the years. His answer was….”John, always work hard and be honest with customers and employees, no matter what.””
John McGlothlin SawMill Grill
Octoraro Tavern
Nottingham Inn Inn at Nottingham
“We purchased an old farmhouse outside of Oxford in 1970. It was a fixer-upper. The first time that I went to Oxford for a few pieces of lumber and a newspaper, Oxford Grain & Hay and the Oxford News Shop were the places to go.
In the corner of the Old Feed Mill Building, a classic piece of architecture, were Lawrie and Don Drennen, cheerful reassuring and welcoming brothers, behind an old counter with an antique
Courtesy photo Drennen Family
cash register and a rotary telephone, managing the shop. The small, gently lit office, pleasantly cluttered with samples of products, artifacts, and memorabilia of the family collections through the years of operation created a friendly and nostalgic picture of a 19th century store.
Larry, as I called him ever since, helped me select my materials, guided me on their use and care since I was a novice carpenter, and gave me a handwritten piece of paper to give to a helper in the yard to pick up my supplies. I believe it was one of his sons who safely loaded up the back of my old Volvo to go.
You can’t help falling in love with Oxford, when you find such a gem like Larry and his family. For the next 50 years, I worked with the Drennens not only on ideas and for supplies for renovations of the Simon Building and the old chocolate factory, but in consulting for Oxford’s economic development in the formative years of the OMI, Oxford Arts Alliance and Oxford Area Historical Association. I am grateful for his support and involvement. One of the most memorable events was when the Drennens helped the Oxford Arts Alliance in its early
days to stage their 2010 Garden Party in front of the new Oxford Feed and Lumber building.
Thank you, Larry.”
Jahan Sheikholeslami Principle founder Oxford Mainstreet Inc Oxford Arts Alliance
“Mr. Drennen was a great man, my visits to Oxford Feed and Lumber often included many thought-provoking conversations about life... I found him to be quite insightful.”
Steve Guerrera Customer Oxford Feed and Lumber
“One of my proudest professional moments was presenting Mr. Drennen with a special award from the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce the evening of Oxford Feed and Lumber’s 100th anniversary celebration. To play a small part in acknowledging the extraordinary service that the Drennen family provided to the Oxford community is a highlight. It was a beautiful event, tented in front of the business that meant the world to him.
He had such a sparkle in his eye that night. I will forever remember just how proud he was that night, to be surrounded by his beloved family, his dedicated staff and the community that he loved and loved him back. “
Christine Grove Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce
“My father (Charlie Ennis, Sr) and I have been doing business with Oxford Feed and Lumber for over 40 years. I would stop in the store, one of the first customers of the day, and Mr. Drennen would come out and help me load my truck with whatever lumber I had on order that day. I would
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Courtesy Photo Christine Grove
Mr. Drennen
Continued from Page 11
thank him for his help and ask “So what do you have planned for today?” He would respond every time, “Well, Jay, I’m heading to Maryland to have coffee with a friend.” I will miss those early morning chats with Mr. Drennen. He told me once the customer comes first. I don’t know if he ever made it to Maryland for coffee, but it was always on his agenda.”
Jay Ennis Ennis Construction Company
“We moved to the farm owned by the Burts, a former Ag teacher at Oxford Area High School. For 30 years, we have purchased supplies from Oxford Feed and Lumber and Mr. Drennen kept referring to the property as the Burt Farm.
One evening, I received a call from Mr. Drennen. He said, “Wilson, every night I go through the day’s receipts and I’ve noted that you’ve stopped buying seed. I am concerned that we aren’t meeting your expectations or you have had a problem with our service.”
I said, “Not at all. Over the years, I’ve been fertilizing from our horse barn.”
“Well, that’s the right answer. Have a good evening,” he said.
Wilson King Outback Trading Company
“My first introduction to the Drennen family started in 2002 when one of the young ladies in our church youth group asked, “Why do we drive
Continued on Page 14
Courtesy Photo Steve Guerrera
BEILER-CAMPBELL
Mr. Drennen
Continued from Page 12
so far to help people in far away places for these mission trips, when there are lowincome families and seniors right here in Oxford and Kennett who need the same type of home repair services?”
Through a series of events, which now, 18 years later, are too vague for me to recall, Project:R.A.K.E. launched its first weekend work camp.
Mr. Drennen and his family helped to supply some of the materials we needed, discounting prices to help stretch the donated dollars to meet the needs.
From 2002 to 2010, Project: R.A.K.E. served over 225 local families, involving over 500 individual teenagers and countless adults who contributed a combined 87,000 hours of community service to in-need families and seniors in our community.
Mr. Drennen, Larry Jr. and Chris were there at the lumber counter for every one of the 35 individual work camps. The Drennen Family was geared up, fork lifts at the ready, loading our trailers and getting us back out the job-sites. We still have teenagers today who remark what a difference participating in Project: R.A.K.E. made in their lives, and all the home improvement skills they learned thanks to the generosity of all those who helped make it happen year after year. Mr. Drennen shares in that fruit. Mr. Drennen is one of the kindest businessmen I’ve ever met. Loved his Family. Loved his Customers. Genuinely cared about people. Oxford is a better place today, because of Mr. Drennen’s influence. His legacy is strong. The traditions he started will be carried on for many years to come. A
life well lived... and lots of grandchildren and great-grand children to follow in his footsteps. May we all aspire to follow his example, to live our lives, lead our families, and run our businesses in such a way to leave a legacy that will make a difference in our community long after we are gone, as Mr. Drennen has done.”
Drew Cope Cope Construction & Renovation
“My parents, Ronald and Elizabeth Houghton – Sylmar Farm, have bought feed for their horses for 42 years from Mr. Drennen. It was the best relationship they have had. Many years of fun, stories and laughs. Dad and Mr. Drennen did nothing but talk about the kids. Dad was proud of his kids and Mr. Drennen just loved his boys and always checked to make sure
they were helping us out—which they have always done, and they continue to do.
Right before he passed Mr. Drennen, Larry and Chris came out to go over some things with the feed. Mr. Drennen was driving his little white pickup truck. He was just able to see over the steering wheel, but he wasn’t going to let anyone else drive. Chris just jumped into the passenger seat and away they went.
I can’t tell you how many times Mr. Drennen went past my bank window with the deposit and a huge smile on his face. I looked forward to seeing him park in the post parking lot and just take his little old time getting into the bank. I will miss that for sure.”
Robin H. Perry BB&T, now Truist/Commercial Community Bank BB
Courtesy Photo Drennen Family
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From left: Anthony Beiler, President, Matt Sarian,
Christian Campbell, Manager
Feeling bless
John and Nickoel McGlothlin work together as a team to prioritize family and run four successful businesses in the Oxford area
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
If you visit any of the local eateries, there’s a good chance you know the McGlothlins. John and Nickoel McGlothlin run four successful businesses in the Oxford area: Sawmill Grill, Octoraro Tavern, Nottingham Creamery and the Octoraro Hotel.
They have been in the restaurant business for thirty years. The couple have been married 18 years and have three talented and beautiful children: Ava, 14; Emma, 12, and Cora, 10.
Like many couples during the pandemic, they work and try to keep up with the busy schedules of their children who are going to virtual school and are involved in a variety of athletics, including field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and basketball.
John gives his wife high praise on keeping up with the children, “I can run four businesses but keeping up with the girls’ schedules, that requires a completely different set of skills that I don’t have. Nickoel is so organized. She makes it look easy, but
sed in Oxford
it’s not. I’m really blessed we are in this together.” When they do snatch some time off, they love to go camping. Being outside with the girls and their three dogs, two boxers and a pug and Boston terrier mix is their favorite thing to do as a family.
John and Nickoel frequently use the word “blessed” to describe their lives. And some couples might wonder, what it is like to work with your spouse in the very stressful restaurant business?
But for this duo, that is a blessing, too. They may not always agree, but they figure things out.
Both have a passion for restaurant work. John started as a dishwasher in his freshman year of college. Nickoel began at the age of 13 working at concession
stands in softball parks. She then became a waitress at college. Both had a dream someday to own their own restaurant.
Nickoel explained, “We met while working for the same restaurant management company, working in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. We knew each other five years before we started dating. We both became general managers at the same time, but only saw each other at meetings. Then the two of us started working in the same area. Eventually, we became a couple and worked across nine different states.”
Their success comes from working like a team. John says. “If you have people that are team players you are good to go. It’s like a bicycle chain, you are only as
strong as your weakest link. Nickoel is an excellent coach and has a tremendous drive.”
They did a lot of traveling. “For a while we moved every few years,” Nickoel said. “When we found Oxford we were in Delaware with two kids and one on the way. Oxford is my favorite place. I love the location. It is close to Baltimore and Philadelphia. And it is a little bit country, which is what we wanted.”
This power duo can’t say enough good things about Oxford and the community that supports them. It’s a symbiotic relationship, the couple is always quick to support the community too and frequently hold fundraisers at their eateries.
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John and Nickoel McGlothlin
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Anyone in the restaurant business knows there are long hours. At the end of the day, it’s good to go home to their kids. And like many moms, Nickoel has to figure out what she is going to feed them.
As for the hotel, John admits that is a completely different ballgame. But he has been blessed there too, picking up weekly rentals from construction groups or companies that do a lot of traveling.
John made a point of hiring back employees that wanted to come back. And they are always looking for more good people. “This is a seasonal industry,” he explained. “Our stay-at-home moms want to come back to work when school starts and we are happy to accommodate them. The pandemic has made things more difficult for parents to work. But this community is great and everyone helps each other.”
Both agree that the current state of affairs is heartbreaking. “I’ve seen a lot of things in
the restaurant business, but this pandemic has changed everything. We just have to keep pushing forward and hope for the best,” John said. “It helps to have dedicated people in any business. If you want to grow, you have to surround yourself with good people. We are blessed with good people
that we can count on. We work hard, have fun, and make money. We tell our people smiles are free. We want you to feel like you can bring the family in and have a great meal without all the work. And if they sit a little extra, we’re fine with that,” John explained.
They have had their challenges along the way. Nickoel remembers the day John wanted her to check out the Octoraro. Both had dreamed of having their own restaurant.
“My girls were going to pre-school at the Presbyterian Church at the time. John told
me he wanted me to go into the Octoraro with an open mind, and I did. I loved everything about the old-style tavern. I could see the potential. So we moved on that. Then we had the fire. The Herr family reached out to us about sub-letting the space where the current Sawmill Grill is. It took a very long time. We were fortunate we had good people like Jim Polita putting the Octoraro back together.”
Nickoel said it seemed like it sat there with nothing going on for some months. “The fire was in 2014, and we reopened in March of 2017,” she said.
Then three years later the pandemic. They did get some funding through the federal stimulus program, but Nickoel says, “many people don’t understand the restrictions that came with that. We had to use it in eight weeks. We could use it for payroll and utilities, but not rent or mortgage. People were receiving it at different times and the rules were constantly changing. I’m just glad we have a good accountant.”
The couple still sees three successful
restaurants and a hotel in their future. “We are not going to stop until we can get it back to the way it was. We are moving forward,” Nickoel emphasized.
No restaurant story is really complete without a glowing recommendation from a discriminating food critic. It just so happens Sawmill recently received one from someone who is pretty hard to please— four-year-old Jacob Johnson. The pandemic curtailed his outings, but during a recent drive-by he told his mom, “I remember when we used to eat there. They have good macaroni. They were nice to us. I think they like kids. I want to go back, Mom.”
And, let’s face it, who is more honest than a four-year-old?
So for a memorable meal for everyone, stop at the Sawmill Grill, Octoraro Tavern, and Nottingham Creamery. Jacob Johnson highly recommends all three.
And don’t forget the Octoraro Hotel if you want to spend a couple nights in this beautiful historic town and feel the blessings Oxford has to offer.
CrossFit Thunder Hill
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Contributing Writer
There are many options when it comes to fitness training. In Oxford, CrossFit training at CrossFit Thunder Hill is suitable for any age, and any level of physical fitness. CrossFit, known for its intense workouts consisting of constantly varied functional movements, has come a long way from its intimidating roots. Today’s CrossFit is fitness training for everyone and is based on health, happiness and performance.
“We’re a gym that focuses on functional fitness - fitness and movements that help you with everyday life,” said Jill Wallen who, with her husband John Wallen, owns and operates the gym located at 501 N. Third Street in Oxford.
CrossFit training has been around for almost twenty years. The philosophy is that if you keep varying your workouts, you get more fit in all aspects of fitness and life. “We are shooting for a low target on a long horizon,” John said. “Our goal is to stay healthy and happy for life.”
“And if you can have fun doing it,”, Jill said “it makes it so much easier.”
“One of the major benefits of CrossFit at CrossFit Thunder Hill is the community aspect. “It’s group fitness,” John said. Classes are comprised of up to 12 people and run one hour in length, beginning with warmup and stretching, followed individual movement coaching and or strength work and then the “WOD,” or workout of the day.
“We track our client’s progress and we have a leaderboard at the end of the day for each workout. It’s friendly competition. That community aspect can be more mental therapy than going to a doctor,” John said. The exercises vary from day to day, as do the intensity levels. The high intensity portion of the class could be a short five minutes or as long as 45 minutes.
“One day might be gymnastic movements another might be Olympic barbell
work. It strengthens your fitness level tremendously by mixing things up,” Jill said.
Central to the CrossFit system are the coaches, who help clients through the workouts. “The key is every class is coached. The coaches will help a person get the workout done effectively and safely,” Jill said.
Jill and John credit their CrossFit Thunder Hill community for much of their success. “We wouldn’t be here without all of the
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
dedicated, amazing and hardworking members we have at the gym,” said John. “We are all a family. They keep us inspired to help them live long, healthy, productive lives.”
The facility is open every day except Sunday, and clients may opt for memberships that offer classes two days a week, three days, or unlimited visits.
CrossFit is unique in that each class can be done by individuals at different fitness levels, working side by side. Some people have the misconception that CrossFit training is an extreme form of training only for high-level athletes. The reality is very different. CrossFit Thunder Hill is for everyone at every fitness level.
“I started doing CrossFit in 2009,” John said. I was bored with going to the YMCA and I stumbled upon the CrossFit website while looking for a more interesting fitness routine. At the time, there were no CrossFit gyms (called “Boxes”) around, so I got certified as a trainer in 2010 to coach
myself in the methodology. It was really working well, and when our friends started to see results they wanted to do it, too.”
In the fall of 2012 the Wallens’ garage officially became a CrossFit gym. In January of 2013 they opened their first physical location outside of the garage in Toughkenamon. They moved to Oxford in 2014, where Jill now runs the Box full time.
CrossFit Thunder Hill also is passionate about helping our veterans and service members. Every Friday at 6 p.m., CrossFit Thunder Hill hosts The Weekly Fight. The Weekly Fight was created to help promote healthy lifestyle through camaraderie, mission and purpose.
“We are determined to reduce veteran suicide by teaching veterans how to transition and turn Post Traumatic Stress into Post Traumatic Growth. The Weekly Fight provides free workouts to veterans, first responders and their family members.
“We stress the family unit and partner relationships because Post Traumatic Stress
not only effects the veteran, but the family as well,” John explained. “At these free weekly workouts we dedicate the WOD to a veteran. Sometimes it is a local veteran that can come in and share their experience, other times it is a veteran that has gained national or local attention. We do this to help break the stigma and show the contributions veterans are making to their communities. We welcome civilians to our workouts which helps bridge the veteran and civilian divide. This gives veterans an opportunity to be in an environment that is supportive and has likeminded individuals. The military mindset of ‘everyone suffers together’ is a perfect fit with the CrossFit community. Our workouts are always partner- or team-based to help build that camaraderie.”
CrossFit Thunder Hill
501 S 3rd St #4, Oxford, PA 19363 (610) 998-9348
CrossFitThunderHill.com
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply, Inc.
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply, Inc. has been a fixture in the community for over 50 years. The business was originally started by Clyde Cameron as a mushroom supply business operating out of his garage.
It has evolved to its current home at 2195 Old Baltimore Pike, a little more than a stone’s throw from where Clyde began the business. However, it is now a 30,000 square-foot complex that can honestly claim to be the most complete hardware store for miles in any direction. October 19, 2020 marks a very special day in the history of Cameron’s. It will be 20 years to the day that Clyde Cameron retired and passed the torch to Frank and Angie Lobb. It was a day that changed the lives of the Lobb family. Clyde had reached a point where he wanted to retire and believed Frank and Angie’s son Jeff was well-positioned to run the business. To close the sale, Carl Fretz (president of People’s Bank) backed it as the best way to continue the contribution Cameron’s had long made to the growth of Oxford. Simply put, with Carl Fretz’s urging, the bank’s support and Clyde wanting to retire, Frank and Angie bought Cameron’s and haven’t looked back since the closing 20 years ago in George Heiney’s law office.
“With Carl’s help and with Clyde’s help, we ended up buying it, which scared us to death at the time,” Frank said. He knew that Cameron’s has always been a vital part of the Oxford community.
“When we bought Cameron’s, we were continuing a service to the community that Clyde Cameron had done for years,” he said. “We continue to supply Oxford in the spirt of those who built this town.”
“It’s proven to be a really a good move for both of us and the community because of the relationship Clyde built with the people of Oxford,” Angie said.
In fact, it was that relationship and the service that Clyde established that caused Frank and Angie to keep the Cameron’s name. Yes, there was a change in ownership, but not the service that Clyde had so carefully built over more than 30 years.
“We just never saw a need to change the name,” Frank said.
Frank went on to explain that while Cameron’s is an ACE Hardware Store, Cameron’s remains a family business – one that is fully owned and operated by the Lobb family. ACE is simply the store’s primary supplier. “Frank and I are here every day, son Jeff is the general manager and son-in-law John is our floor manager,” Angie said.
The store stocks over 40,000 separate items and is viewed by ACE as an industry leader in inventory control – all due to Jeff’s outstanding management and computer skills.
Cameron’s prides itself on service to the community as its primary means for growing its business. Frank cited the following example. “A customer returned a lawn tractor with an engine problem. And while Cameron’s services everything it sells, the problem was one that couldn’t be repaired. Clearly, the customer deserved a replacement tractor. Unfortunately, the manufacturer disagreed. Cameron’s temporarily solved the problem by cutting the customer’s grass for that entire summer, while pressing the manufacturer to make good on the warranty. The end result was that the manufacturer not only replaced the defective tractor, but also replaced it with a larger and more expensive model. A win for everyone.”
Longterm residents of Oxford are likely to remember that Cameron’s operated for many years under the True Value brand. The switch to ACE Hardware five
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The business has been a fixture in the community for more than 50 years
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply
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years age was simply another step in the growth of Cameron’s. However, the switch brought with it an entirely new approach on how to organize the store. What had been a racetrack design with limited display space, ACE advocated an entirely new design for the store. And they were right. It took two years to make the changes, but Cameron’s is a far better store today.
The switch to ACE and the redesign of the store are only part of Cameron’s success story. Ace represents only about 60 percent of the products Cameron’s sells. The store has expanded well beyond traditional hardware. It offers a full line of sporting goods, outdoor living items, grills, plants and garden supplies, rental equipment and a firearms department unmatched in the area. But that isn’t all. Cameron’s offers a wide
range of services starting with traditional hardware services of pipe cutting and threading, a wide range of blade sharpening, key cutting, lock assembly and equipment repair, also a full line of plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning service and installation.
The company’s recent acquisition of Potchak HVAC is an example of Cameron’s commitment to growing the service beyond the store. The staff is second to none. “If we had to point to the one thing that has been responsible for
the success of Cameron’s it has been the quality and dedication of our employees,” Angie said.
“Angie and I came from careers in big businesses,” Frank said. “We understood that to survive in business you have to grow.”
When Angie and Frank bought the business, Oxford was still a town dominated by the farms in the area and their needs. Canning jars were a big item every summer, but that world has largely
Continued on Page 26
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply
Continued from Page 26
vanished as the town has grown. New people bring new needs, and Cameron’s has built its growth upon those changing needs. “In essence, the old farm-based Oxfordians are gone and it’s a whole new world out there,” Frank said.
Both Frank and Angie pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of just how that focus on community service has guided the company. While Cameron’s has been able to remain open throughout the pandemic, it has not been easy on the employees or the company. “There are all kinds of problems just to stay open,” Frank said.
Supplies have been severely limited and social distancing has made keeping everyone safe not only difficult but emotionally taxing. “We still find ourselves going the extra mile for our customers,” Frank emphasized.
During the last big storm, customers were calling for generators that just weren’t available anywhere. Cameron’s found 20 in a warehouse a two-hour drive from Oxford, sent a truck to get them, and stayed open an extra two hours to deliver them to the residents of Oxford that very same day.
Unfortunately, the pandemic is also limiting Cameron’s ability to celebrate 20 years of growth for the Lobb family. “We very much want to do something to give back to the community for these past 20 years, but we can’t plan anything given the current situation. We have to wait for a time when we can responsibly invite all our customers to a shared celebration of growing together,” Angie said.
Going forward, Cameron’s will keep its distinct hometown character. “This is our home,” Angie said. “We see our customers as friends and the folks next door.”
“We have no interest in owning a hardware store in a mall,” Frank added. “Oxford is where we belong.”
Vanessa Ross Cakes
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
For special occasions, a one-of-a-kind creation from Vanessa Ross Cakes can be the perfect centerpiece for any event. For all events, big or small—a birthday, wedding, or any special occasion, the cake is always an important factor. A Vanessa Ross Cake can be custom designed to match your theme and provide a wow factor you and your guests are sure to remember.
“Anybody can make a cake. I want it to be about the shock and the wow factor. They’re going to look good, and taste better,” Ross said.
Ross has been creating cakes for about 18 years. While working as an executive secretary, and then a manager of disabled shooting services for National Rifle Association, she baked cakes as a hobby.
She was self-taught, starting with a small cake decorating kit. “From there, I bought books on how to decorate and then the Food Network started the cake decorating challenge shows. I used to sit in front of the TV with a note pad and pen like I was studying for a final,” Ross said. “To me it was interesting to watch the technique.”
After leaving the NRA, and moving to Pennsylvania in 2011, Ross decided to make her hobby her profession.
Ross’ specialty and her personal favorite is making sculpted cakes in special shapes. Her carved cakes can be made
into almost any shape you can imagine. They can become dogs, cars, a soccer ball, a sea turtle and many other shapes to fit a particular theme. Recently she created a cake in the shape of a life size paint can and brush to celebrate the birthday of an interior designer, “The thing that gets me really excited is when I do a carved cake,” she said.
Ross is an expert at the use of fondant
to produce intricate designs and realistic shapes. “I specialize in the use of fondant. I use a very high-grade fondant I get from Brazil because it tastes amazing,” Ross said.
Taste is always an important part of the perfect cake. Not stopping at the traditional chocolate or vanilla, cakes can be baked in any flavor to suit the client’s taste.
“I can make anything. If there’s a flavor
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
somebody wants that I haven’t done before, I test it until I get it right,” Ross said.
Each cake Ross makes is unique. The process can begin with a photo or design provided by the client, or Ross will take the client’s basic idea and turn it into a polished design.
Normally, wedding cakes would make up the bulk of Ross’ work, but the Covid-19 pandemic changed that.
“The outdoor venues are able to move forward with weddings because they can have the bigger numbers. A lot of people are postponing till next year, so 2021 is being booked up now,” Ross said.
Even the process of designing a wedding cake has changed. Ross consults with the bride and groom by zoom and can ship cake samples for the couple to select a flavor. “Some people have very specific ideas and other people have no idea what they want.”
Adapting to the drop in weddings,
Ross eliminated the minimum purchase policy. “I was looking at no business or doing things differently, so I dropped the minimum to a dozen cupcakes, and I am crazy busy all the time now,” she said. “By having a full-time assistant plus a part-time assistant we were able to continue the volume and still do the large cakes as well.” Weddings are being postponed, but birthdays go on, and with parties limited, the cake becomes more important to the occasion. “Now what’s happening is people want to do something special. So, they’re spending a little bit more on a cake. They know that they’ll get something extra, something special, something that’s customed designed. Now it’s the centerpiece,” Ross said.
In a time when everyone is feeling down, Ross added whimsy to her creations. “At the height of the pandemic, I was doing toilet paper roll shaped cakes and toilet paper and poop cupcakes,” she said. Imagine the popular poop Emoji complete
with eyes and a smile made of frosting. At one point she put masks on them as well. “Poop cupcakes with masks. I never in a million years would have thought that’s where my business would go.”
One of the thing Ross has started doing is shipping cupcake decorating kits. Clients receive cupcakes, tubes of icing and sprinkles. Just snip the icing tube, squeeze, sprinkle and enjoy.
Ross is happiest when she can use her imagination and creativity in creating a cake.
“I like the complicated stuff,” she said. “I like the very intricate kinds of things with lots of little details. I enjoy the excitement of exceeding their expectations. I just so enjoy being able to do that for people. For me there’s nothing that’s too hard. Bring on the difficult.”
Vanessa Ross Cakes (610) 467-1800
VanessaRossCakes.com
of your life, so you can maintain a relationship at a bank you trust for years to come. Simply put, our accounts are designed
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Lighthouse Youth Center
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lighthouse Youth Center and the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center joined forces to meet the needs of the Oxford community. The Lighthouse Youth Center is a non-profit organization that reaches youth ages 9-18 with the message of the good news of Jesus Christ striving to have a positive impact in each person’s life. Neighborhood Services Center is a nonprofit organization which offers help for local Oxford residents who are struggling to meet their basic needs, including the need for food, shelter, and clothing. Together, both organizations were able to expand to help more individuals in a time of need.
Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lighthouse Youth Center and Neighborhood Services Center remained dedicated and determined to meet the needs of the Oxford community. Neighborhood Services Center continued to distribute food to those in need, but faced limitations due to their location in the heart of Oxford’s main street. Making food more accessible through a drive-up style food distribution would be nearly impossible with the limitations of parking at Neighborhood
Services Center. Due to the restraints put in place as a result of COVID-19, the ample parking and building space at the Lighthouse Youth Center was vacant, and they chose to put it to good use.
The Lighthouse Youth Center responded to the need in the community by coordinating a weekly food distribution, and they began collecting donations from the community. Neighborhood Services Center reallocated their resources, both food and staff, to the Lighthouse during the weekly food distribution. By partnering together, they were able to provide a 14-week food distribution program for the Oxford community. The Lighthouse Youth Center was able to provide use of their space as well as community resources and volunteers, and Neighborhood Services was able to provide additional food to ensure each family received a well-rounded and nutritious provision of food. In addition, each family had access to Neighborhood Services staff for any other needs they might be facing. This partnership allowed more families access to free food and assistance.
Together they were able to accomplish the following:
~ Provided a 14-week “Grab & Go”
drive up style food distribution at the Lighthouse Youth Center; ~ Provided over 306 families with groceries; ~ Gave out over 1,800 bags of groceries; ~ Provided a weekly opportunity for families to speak with a Neighborhood Services Center case manager; ~ Partnered with the Chester County Food Bank, Nature’s Own, Herr Foods Inc., Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau, Hy-Point Farms, Chatham Financial, Sunny Dell Foods, Southern Chester County Opportunity Network (SCCON), the United Way of Southern Chester County, The American Red Cross, and local donors to provide free, nutritious groceries for families.
Since this weekly food distribution has ended, the Lighthouse Youth Center and the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center are continuing to collaborate with each other. This partnership helps the Oxford community increase the availability for vital resources and serves
Courtesy photos
Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lighthouse Youth Center and Neighborhood Services Center remained dedicated and determined to meet the needs of the Oxford community.
as an illustration of what happens when the community comes together to help those in need.
If you are interested in getting involved or donating to either the Lighthouse Youth Center or Neighborhood Services Center you can do so by contacting:
Lighthouse Youth Center 245 Commerce Street, Oxford PA 19363 www.oxfordlighthouse.org 610-467-6000
Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center 35 N 3rd St. Oxford, PA 19363 www.oxfordnsc.org 610-932-8557
Warriors peace a n
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Phot
s on the Water brings nd healing to veterans
By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
Apatriotic and outdoors-loving Kirkwood couple has formed a non-profit support group that welcomes veterans, police and first responders to their activities.
Gina and Jim Neary call their group Warriors on the Water Ltd. and its operation is set on a lakeside property owned by Chester Water Authority along the Octoraro Reservoir just off Spruce Grove Road in Lancaster County.
Gina and Jim share the belief that military veterans often suffer trauma during their service that results in post-traumatic stress disorders or just the need to escape crowds and find serenity in nature.
Their mission statement says in part that their vision is to “offer programs that help and aid in providing a peaceful and stressfree time for bonding with family and each other through the participation in outdoor recreational activities such as paddling in a kayak, fishing from land or a boat. …most importantly having fun without any burdens for just a few hours.”
To that end, they host weekend events for “warriors” from April through October that include campfires, fishing, and boating. The site of their program is a lakeside property that looks out
across the scenic waters that separate Chester and Lancaster counties.
On that property are sheds that house equipment, the home that Gina and Jim share, and a bait and tackle shop that Jim operates not only for the Warrior clients but for members of the public who come by at other times to partake of aquatic activities.
For Jim, 59, his adventure on the waterfront began in 2001 when he successfully answered an advertisement by the Chester Water Authority for a conservatorship -- to be a presence along the reservoir renting out boats, dealing with the public and keeping the land along the lake in order.
In 2007, he met Gina and they married, and she joined him in his home beside the water.
Jim, a patriotic former U.S. Marine, routinely celebrated Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May, often coinciding with the Saturday before Memorial Day) with a chicken barbecue and flag raising on the property. Hundreds have shown up.
The couple would also send out the chicken dinners to various agencies including veterans’ groups, police and other people in need.
Gina said the number of dinners given out often reached about 100, and that other people would also order dinners for themselves and pay the fee.
Continued on Page 35
Photography
Warriors on the Water
Continued from Page 35
As the years went by, the tradition grew.
“After a while, we gelled our thoughts and decided to give some strength to the tradition. We called it ‘Warriors on the Water,’” Gina said. They put together a generous calendar of events for veterans to participate in on one Saturday of each month from April through October.
At no cost, the veterans have access to free fishing with no license, free boats or kayaks and free bait.
Once each month as well, the Nearys hold a campfire through those months with coffee and stories.
The big Armed Forces Day event is their favorite and has grown in size and popularity. It features a pig roast with music and attracts large crowds, Jim said.
The response to these Warriors on the Water programs has been positive and comforting among the veterans based on what participants tell them, Jim said.
He recalled one group of disabled veterans who drove up in a van together a few years ago.
“A 22-year-old guy was shaking and nervous,” Jim said. “By the end, he totally enjoyed the day. That
made it all worthwhile. Another young man came who always had to wear his full gear pack and couldn’t let it go. We calmed him, and he felt relaxed again.”
Warriors on the Water is not the only thing that goes on at this retreat on the water.
The Chester Water Authority, through the Nearys, offers access to the public at this location for boating, fishing, hiking, bird watching and a host of other outdoor activities.
Continued on Page 36
Dr. Peter P. Patellis, DMD, FMIII,
Dr. Tyler Azevedo, DMD
Dr. Martin Alfano, DDS
Dr. Robert Starner, DDS
Warriors on the Water
Continued from Page 36
For a small fee, people can come and rent a canoe, kayak and fishing equipment and get advice along with the visit.
Once they get in the water, anglers find a lake that holds species of fish almost beyond their dreams.
“We don’t stock it, but it has walleyes, white perch, northern pike, sunnies, catfish, crappy, bass and more,” Jim said. “Those fish are so happy there they jump out of the water. One guy came and he had never been fishing before. He caught a 4-pound bass. He has ecstatic.”
The Nearys reported that they get plenty of positive feedback, not only from the veterans but from others who came for the recreation.
Part of the reason the success of the experience at the Nearys’ is Jim and Gina’s industriousness.
Jim Neary’s Bait and Tackle Shop has grown from the time the Nearys arrived from a small room with a tub of minnows to an impressive complex that holds fishing gear, boating equipment and scores of live bait varieties –even including green worms that glow in the dark.
Additionally, the patriotism of the Nearys
extends beyond the land and the water at the reservoir. They join in supporting other businesses founded and run by veterans in the Oxford area. Among the local businesses in the Oxford area that they support are Young’s Transport, Full Throttle Highway Help, JDog, Berkshire Hathaway, and Woodworking with Warriors. They have recently joined the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce as well.
In summing up their dedication to local “warriors,” Jim said he views veterans as local heroes. The Warriors on Water mission statement concludes with his belief: “They are those who give us peace so that we may continue to enjoy the way we live each day.”
The website is www.warriorsonthewaterltd.com.
OXFORD CHAMBER MEMBER DIRECTORY
Accounting / Financial
ABCPA Accounting Services
610-322-2424
ABCPAServices.com
Diamond State Financial Group – David Tate, CFP®
484-885-0682
DSFG.com
Edward Jones Investments
610-998-9046
www.EdwardJones.com
See ad pg. 76
Fenstermacher and Company, LLP
610-444-1215 FandCo.com
Gary Pawliczek, Financial Advisor with Waddell & Reed
610-563-5853
Innovative Financial Results, LLC
484-680-0745
InnovativeFinancialResults. com
Nawn & Co, CPA’s Ltd.
610-268-5501
LongCPAs.com
See ad pg. 53
O ce Elf Bookkeeping
610-67-1353
O ceElf.net
PRIMERICA – Charlie Delp
610-388-2573
Primerica.com
TBRE Consulting Company
484-365-5570
TBREConsulting.com
Thrivent – Marcia Upton
717-542-3663
Connect.Thrivent.com/Marcia-Upton
Woolard, Krajnik, Masciangelo, LLP
610-932-4225
WKCO.com
Advertising / Newspaper/ Printing
Ad Pro, Inc./Chester County Press
610-869-5553
ChesterCounty.com
Full Throttle Wraps and Graphics
484-584-5607
FullThrottleWraps.com
See ad pg. 23
Kennett Copy and More 484-732-8066
KennettCopy.com
Oxford Print and Design 614-406-5892
OxfordPrintandDesign.com
Agriculture
Aristos’ Harvest
302-584-8386
AristosHarvest.com
Hostetter Grain, Inc.
610-932-4484
HostetterGrain.com
See ad pg. 10
Appliance Repair
Martin Appliance
717-786-7373
MartinsAppliance.com
Architecture / Engineering/ Land Planning
Concord Land Planners 610-932-5119
Government Specialists, Inc. 610-932-5563
Ragan Engineering Associates, Inc. 610-255-3400
Art Gallery / Art & Music Instruction
Oxford Arts Alliance
610-467-0301
OxfordArt.org
Automotive
Collision Zone, Inc.
610-932-8330
CollisionZoneInc.com
See ad pg. 68
Country Chrysler Dodge - Jeep 610-932-0500
CountryDodge.com
See ad Center Spread
Dumas Sapp & Son 610-932-8564
SappQualityCars.com
See ad pg. 64
Jeff D’Ambrosio Chevrolet 610-932-9090
JeffsChevy.com
See ad Center Spread
Jennings Auto Repair, Inc. 610-932-3288
Jennings-Auto.com
McComsey Automotive LLC (610) 467-1330 facebook.com/McComseyAutomotive
See ad pg. 14
Michael Cole Enterprises, Inc (610) 869-9130
See ad pg. 53
Oxford Mobil 610-932-5686
www.OxfordMobil.com
See ad pg. 78
Banking/ Financial Institutions/Mortgages
BB&T Bank now Truist 610-998-1540
BBT.com
Citadel Credit Union 610-466-6608
CitadelBanking.com
See ad pg. 82
Concord Home Mortgage | Houston Baker 484-443-4435
ConcordHM.com
Fulton Bank, N.A. 610-932-2100
FultonBank.com
Meridian Bank 484-568-5000
MeridianBank.com
Prosper Bank (formerly Coatesville Savings) 610-932-7756
ProsperBank.com
See ad pg. 31
Univest 717-588-2233 717-806-8984
Univest.net
See ad pg. 14
WSFS Bank 610-998-0414
WSFSBank.com
Chiropractic
Chiropractic Services 610-932-9061
ChiropracticCenterOxfordpa. com
See ad pg. 38
Fitchett Chiropractic 610-869-3222
FitchettChiropractic.com
Continued from Page 41
Hometown Health
610-467-1141
HometownHealthOxford.com
Churches
Church of the Sacred Heart Parish 610-932-5040 SacredHeart.us
Community of Love Lutheran Church 610-998-0282
CoLLutheranChurch.org
Oxford Church of the Nazarene 610-932-2584
OxfordNazarene.com
Oxford Presbyterian Church 610-932-9640
OxfordPresbyterian.org
Oxford United Methodist Church 610-932-9698 Oxford1851.org
Redemption Community Church RedemptionOxford.com
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church 610-932-8134
StChrisOxford.org
Cleaning Services/ Restoration
A Helping Hand
484-756-1674
Cleaning4me.com
Bob’s Window and Cleaning Service 610-932-4418
Fiber Brite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning 610-932-8886
FiberBriteLLC.com
See ad pg. 56
Oxford Cleaners
610-620-5499
OxfordCleanersUSA.com
SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford
484-576-7015
SERVProKennettSquareOxford.com
See ad pg. 85
Computers / Consulting
digiTEK Computer Services
610-467-1200
DigitekComputerServices.com
Grater Solutions, LLC
484-423-4245
GraterSolutions.com
Lemmtec 931-224-8502
Lemmtec.com
Net-Werks
484-365-2610
Netwerks.technology
Pierangeli Consulting Services Inc 610-420-3563
Construction / Contractors/ Home Repair
Butler’s Home and Lawn 610-223-1198
Cedar Knoll Builders
610-932-5719
CedarKnollBuilders.com
See ad pg. 5
DiPilla Brothers, Inc.
610-932-2630
DiPillaBros.com
JFR Contracting
610-255-1471
JFRContracting.com
See ad pg. 20
Harbor Stone Construction Co
610-467-0872
HarborStoneCC.com
See ad pg. 58
Install Solutions
610-467-0686
MyInstallSolution.com
Nowland Associates
302-731-1333
NowlandAssociates.com
Dental / Orthodontics
McCormick Orthodontics
610-932-2917
McCormickOrthodontics.com
Oxford Dental Associates
610-932-3388
OxfordSmiles.com
See ad pg. 36
Oxford Family Dentistry
610-932-9580
OxfordSmileMakers.com
See ad pg. 87
Education
Barnsley Academy
610-932-5900
BarnsleyAcademy.com
See ad pg. 21
Bethany Christian School
610-998-0877
BethanyChristian.org
See ad pg. 84
Cecil College 410- 287-1000
Cecil.edu
See ad pg. 69
Lincoln University 484-365-7391
Lincoln.edu
Oxford Area School District
610-932-6600
Oxford.k12.pa.us
Oxford Educational Foundation
610-932-7200
OxfordEducationalFoundation.org
Oxford Public Library
610-932-9618
OxfordPublicLibrary.org
Electric
Baer Electric LLC
610-932-6302
Baer-Electric.com
Penn-DelMar Power LLC 610-496-2885
PennDelMar.com
See ad pg. 29
Viking Power Products 610-255-3332
VikingPowerProducts.com
Emergency
Services
Southern Chester County EMS, Inc. 610-910-3180
SCCEMS.org
Union Fire Company #1 610-932-2411
UnionFire.com
Employment/Sta
ng
Superior Workforce Solutions
484-681-2012
See ad pg. 70
Florist
Philips Florist
610-932-8187
PhilipsFloristInc.com
Sonny Bea’s Florist 610-932-8339
SonnyBeas.com
Since 1951
Continued from Page 42
Funeral Home
Edward Collins
Funeral Home, Inc.
610-932-9584
ElCollinsFuneralHome.com
See ad pg. 65
Furniture/Reclaimed Architectural
The Barnyard Boys
717-548-5000
BarnyardBoys.com
See ad pg. 11
Martin Furniture and Mattresses
717-786-7373
MartinFurniturePa.com
Golf Course
Tanglewood Manor Golf Club
717-786-2500
TWGolf.com
Wyncote Golf Club
610-932-8900
Wyncote.com
Government
Borough of Oxford
610-932-2500
OxfordBoro.org
East Nottingham Township
610-932-8494
EastNottingham.org
Senator
Andrew E. Dinniman
610-692-2112
SenatorDinniman.com
Hair Salon/ Barber/ Nail Salon/ Spa Services
3rd Street Parlor
(610) 932-2085
Facebook/3rdStreetParlor
See ad pg. 33
Alluring Images
Hair Studio
610-932-9308
AlluringImagesHairStudio. com
Color Cut and Curls Inc.
610-932-7834
ColorCutCurls.com
Judy Hastings Salon
610-932-9566
HastingsSalonWeebly.com
See ad pg. 10
The Nail Station and Spa
610-467-1300
OxfordNailStation.com
See ad pg. 59
Studio Blush
610-467-0772
StudioBlush.net
Health
Break Away Farm Fitness
717-529-2259
BreakAwayFarmFittness.com
See ad pg. 12
CrossFit Thunder Hill
610-998-9348
CrossFitThunderHill.com
Grace eld Counseling
267-772-0148
Grace eldCounseling.com
See ad pg. 76
Golden Light Wellness Center
610-932-9511
GoldenLightWellnessCenter. com
See ad pg. 33
Healing Touch Transitions Ministry
484-643-3657
HealingTouchTransitions.com
LCH
610-444-7550
LaComunidadHispana.org
See ad pg. 72
Life Coaching with Kim 717-808-1056
CoachingWithKimj.com
New London Counseling Center 484-746-3112
NewLondonCounselingCenter.com
Write-Well Handwriting Clinics & Occupational Therapy Services
610-932-9511
Write-WellHandwritingClinics.com
Hospital
Jennersville Hospital Tower Health
610-869-1000
Jennersville.TowerHealth.org
Insurance
Allstate The Jennersville Insurance Agency 610-345-1345
Agents.Allstate.com/usa/pa/ west-grove
Auto Tags Plus 610-932-4000 (Oxford) 610-345-5932 (West Grove) QuickAutoTagsPlus.com
Chuck Weed –State Farm Insurance 610-932-2400
Here4YourFinancialFuture. com See ad pg. 55
Garcia-Taylor Insurance Agency, Inc. 610-932-4935
Nationwide.com/GarciaTaylorAgency
KVIS & Coe Insurance Services
610-932-9350 KVISCoe.com See ad pg. 39
The Surance Group, Inc. 610-932-3360
SuranceGroup.net
Thrivent – Marcia Upton 717-542-3663
Connect.Thrivent.com/Marcia-Upton
Yerkes Insurance 610-869-4065
YerkesInsurance.com See ad pg. 80
Lawn/ Landscape/ Tree Service
A-1 Mulch 610- 932-7420
A1Mulch.com
See ad pg. 73
Broadleaf Outdoors LLC 717-327-7420
Butler’s Home and Lawn 610-223-1198
Carter and Son Lawncare, Inc. 610-932-5703
See ad pg. 84
Howell’s Lawn and Landscape 610-842-1683
HowellsLawnandLandscape. com
Huf Landscaping 610-932-3426
HufLandscaping.com
Shelton Pallet Company 610-932-3182
SheltonsPallet.com See ad back cover
Weaver’s Lawncare 610-932-2611 Lawyer
D’Amico Law, P.C. 610-444-4555
DamicoLawPC.com
See ad pg. 40
Eichman Law, PLLC
484-734-0378
EichmanLawGroup.com
Ira D. Binder, Attorney-at-Law
484-643-3325
See ad pg. 21
Law O ce of James Clark
717-464-4300
JamesClarkLaw.net
McMichael, Heiney & Sebastian, LLC
610-932-3550
Miller Law Group
610-840-8400
MillerLawpa.com
See ad pg. 81
Sam Goodley Law LLC
610-998-1000
Manufacturer
Baltic Leisure Co., a division of Penn Sauna
610-932-5700
BalticLeisure.com
Custom Machine and Design
610-932-4717
CustomMachineDesign.com
Flowers Baking Company of Oxford, Inc.
610-932-2300
FlowerFoods.com
Herr’s Food
610-932-6400
Herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Mitchell Mechanical –M2 Welding
610-932-5002
M2welding.com
See ad pg. 60
Outback Trading Company
610-932-5141
OutbackTrading.com
Scalewatcher North America
610-932-6888
Scalewatcher.com
Shelton Pallet Company
610-932-3182
SheltonsPallet.com
See ad back cover
The Scotts Company
610-932-4200
Medical
Core Family Practice
610-612-9283
CoreFamilyPractice.com
LCH
610-444-7550
LaComunidadHispana.org
See ad pg. 72
Jennersville Family Medicine
610-932-6386
TowerHealth.org
Moving Services/ Storage/ Hauling
JDog Junk & Hauling Services
484-467-1424
JDogJunkRemoval.com
See ad pg. 58
Oxford Mini Storage
610- 932-9111
OxfordMiniStorage.com
See ad pg. 67
TLC Moving Services
610-268-3243
See ad pg. 15
Non-Pro t
ACE Anti-Human
Tra cking Alliance of Oxford
610-932-0337
See ad pg. 27
Black Rock Retreat 717-529-3371
BlackRockRetreat.com
Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation 610-945-4423
BraveEli.com
Family Promise of Southern Chester County 610-444-0400
FamilyPromiseSCC.org
Good Neighbors Home Repair 302-593-6606
GoodNeighborsHomeRepair. org
Kacie’s Cause Oxford 610-998-9585 KaciesCause.com
Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society 302-540-9029
CallKATS.org
Lighthouse Youth Center 10-467-6000
OxfordLighthouse.org
National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum 610-384-9282 SteelMuseum.org
Oxford Area
Historical Association OxfordHistorical.org
Oxford Area
Neighborhood Services 610-932-8557 OxfordNSC.org
Oxford Area Senior Center 610-932-5244 OxfordSeniors.org
Oxford Library Company 610-932-9625
OxfordPublicLibrary.org
Oxford Lions Club Lionwap.org/oxfordpa
Oxford Little League 484-343-5206
OxfordLL.com
Oxford Mainstreet Inc. 610-998-9494
DowntownOxfordPA.org
Rotary Club of Oxford 610-256-5794
OxfordRotary.org
SILO 610-932-7500
OxfordSilo.com
The Oaks Ministry 484-368-7268
OxfordOaksMinistry.com
Warriors on the Water 717-314-2800
WarriorsOnTheWaterLtd.com
Optometrist
Miller Eye Care 610-869-4200
MillerEyecareOnline.com
Oxford Family Eyecare 610-932-9356
OxfordFamilyEyecare.com
See ad pg. 4
Painting
CertaPro Painters of Western Chester County 484-842-0174
Western-Chester-County. CertaPro.com
Jones Painting 610-908-4515
JonesPainting.net
See ad pg. 37
Photography
Jennifer Zduniak
Design & Photography 610-955-4131
JZDesignandPhoto.com
Continued from Page 49
Mirror Me Productions
484-883-7773
MirrorMePro.com
Moonloop Photography LLC 484-748-0812
MoonloopPhoto.com
Plumbing / Heating / Cooling/ Fuel
Alger Oil and Propane Inc. 610-932-4104 AlgerEnergy.com
Cameron’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
610-932-2416
CameronsPHC.com
See ad pg. 46,47
Chelsea Heating & Air 610-268-2200 ChelseaAir.com
Leon C. Landis, Inc. 717-786-2188
LeonLandis.com
Oxford Plumbing & Heating, Inc. 610-932-9503
OPHinc.com
See ad pg. 43
Potchak A/C Inc. 866-322-8849
Potchakac.com
See ad pg. 47
Real Estate
Becky Burnham, Realtor RE/MAX Excellence 484-643-2405
BuyfromBecky.com
Beiler-Campbell Realtors
610-932-1000
Beiler-Campbell.com
See ads pg. 13 & 17
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach– Chris Anderson 484-753-2692
ChristineAnderson.FoxRoach. com
Berkshire Hathaway Home Service –
Kelli Brandenberger 717-786-1300
SellwithmeKellib.com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach/ Patrick Curran 610-656-7382
JPatrickCurran.com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach/ Jeff Sanders 570-412-4405
JeffSanders.FoxRoach.com
Joel Brown, Beiler - Campbell 610-932-2982
Beiler-Campbell.com
Oxhaven Apartments 610-932-3700 OxHaven.com
Recreational
Andrea’s Academy of Dance 717-529-1065
DanceAAoD.com
CrossFit Thunder Hill 302-584-4096
Cross tThunderHill.com
Herr’s Snack Factory 610-932-6400
Herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Jennersville YMCA 610-869-9622 YMCAgbw.org
National Iron and Steel
Heritage Museum 610-384-9282
SteelMuseum.org
Oxford Area
Recreation Authority 610-314-3783
Treasoara.wixsite.com/OxfordRecreation
Oxford Center for Dance 610-932-3267
OC4dance.com
See ad pg. 65
Oxford Karate Institute 610-998-0044
OxfordKarateInstitute.com
See ad pg. 57
Oxford Shoebox Theatre 610-998-9494
OxfordTheatrePA.org
Saginaw Day Camp 610-998-1281
SaginawDayCamp.com
Restaurant / Specialty Food and Beverages
22 BBQ Food Truck and Catering
484-883-0990
22-BBQ.com
See ad pg. 27
Andre’s Pizza Italian Restaurant 610-932-2221
Andres-Pizza.com
Ball and Thistle Pub 610- 624-6802
Wyncote.com
Corner Café 610-869-5557
CornerCafeJennersville.com
See ad pg. 15
Emory’s at Tanglewood 717-786-2500 TWGolf.com/club/Emorys
Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Twisted Treats 610-932-9498 Flickerwood.com
Kreider’s Market, Inc 717-529-6944
KreidersMarket.com See ad pg. 79
La Sicilia Pizza Pasta Grille 610-998-9889 LaSiciliaPA.com
Neuchatel Swiss Chocolates 610-932-2706
NeuchatelChocolates.com
Nottingham Inn Kitchen and Creamery 610-932-2778
NottinghamInn.com See ad pg. 2
Pat’s Select Pizza and Grill 610-998-9191
PatsSelect.com
Philips Florist and Bakery (610) 932-8187 PhilipsFloristInc.com
Octoraro Hotel & Tavern 610-467-1939 facebook.com/TheOctoraroTavern See ad pg. 7
Rise N Grind 443-309-8814
RiseNGrindCafe.com
Rita’s Water Ice of Oxford 610-932-2523
RitasFranchises.com/Oxford
Saw Mill Grill 610-467-1909 facebook.com/SawMill-Grill See ad pg. 7
Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery 484-667-1369
TiersofJoyGF.com
Toot Sweets 610-467-1900
TootSweetson3rd.com See ad pg. 77
The Ugly Mutt 610-998-9000 facebook.com/The-Ugly-Mutt
Vanessa Ross Cakes 610-467-1800
VanessaRossCakes.com
Victory Brewing Company 484-667-9249
VictoryBeer.com
Wholly Grounds
Coffeehouse
443-466-6859
facebook.com/WhollyGroundsCoffeehouse
Retail
Aristos’ Harvest
302-584-8386
AristosHarvest.com
BB’s Grocery Outlet
717-786-3210
BBsGrocery.com
Brandywine Ace
Pet and Farm
610- 345-1145
AceHardware.com/storedetails/15574
See ad pg. 75
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply, Inc.
610-932-2416
CameronsHardware.com
See ad pg. 46,47
Dubarry of Ireland
866-658-3569
Dubarry.com
G & F Carpet/ Flooring America
610-932-8724
G-FCarpet.com
See ad pg. 86
Honeysuckle Trail
Country Crafts
610-932-7734
HoneysuckleTrail.com
Howetts Screen
Printing and Embroidery
610-932-3697
Howetts.com
Jennersville Pets and Friends
610-345-1145
facebook.com/JVPet
See ad pg. 75
Keen Compressed Gas Company
610-998-0200
KeenGas.com
Kennett Copy and More
484-732-8066
KennettCopy.com
Landhope Farms
610-467-0378
Landhope.com
Limelife Planners
614-406-5892
LimelifePlanners.com
Lola’s
610-467-0774
Lolason3rd.com
See ad pg. 79
Martin Appliance
717-786-7373
MartinsAppliance.com
Nella Naturals
610-467-1555
Nella-naturals.com
Outback Adventure Co.
610-405-4733
OutbackAdventureCo.com
Oxford Feed and Lumber
610-932-8521
OxfordFeedLumber.com
See ad pg. 75
Pickled Pickles
410-808-5507
facebook.com/PickledPicklesPA
RNJ Plaques & Engraving
610-932-4763
facebook.com/RNJ-Plaquesand-Engraving
S&L Fine Cigars and Tobacco
610-467-0700
SLFineCigarsPA.com
See ad pg. 83
Retirement Community
Ware Presbyterian Village 610-998-2400
WarePresbyterian.org
Service
Armstrong 877-277-5711
ArmstrongOneWire.com
See ad pg. 16
Brandywine Septic Services, Inc. 610-869-0443
BrandywineSeptic.com
See ad pg. 3
Combat Elevator 844-266-2281
CombateElevatorInc.com
See ad pg. 77
Decorations Events Lopez 484-467-4936 facebook.com/banquestDecorations
Design by Daphne 484-897-0030
DesignByDaphne.com
Howett’s Screen Printing and Embroidery 610-932-3697
Howetts.com
Lloyd Shetron Termite and Pest Control 610-470-7287
LSPestControl.com
Martin Water Conditioning 717-786-7373 MartinWater.com
Mitchell Mechanical –M2 Welding 610-932-5002 M2welding.com
See ad pg. 60
Mt. Olivet Farms 484-614-5203
See ad pg. 64
Skynet Payments 800-809-6908
SkyNetPayments.com
Trucking
LT Trucking
610-932-2702
Veterinary/Pet Boarding/ Grooming/ Sitting
Elk Creek Veterinary Services 610-467-1488
ElkCreekVeterinaryServices. com
See ad pg. 26
Lady and the Tramp Pet Sitting 484-746-9137
Oxford Veterinary Hospital 610-932-8757
OxfordVeterinaryHospital. com
Vixen Hall Kennels 610-932-6980
VixenHallKennels.com
See ad pg. 71
Unionville Equine Associates PC 610932-6800
UEAVet.com
Videographer
Nick Lang Media 484-326-0890
NickLangMedia.com
Winery/ Venues
Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard 717-799-7277
BritainHillVenueandVineyard.com
Flickerwood Wine Cellars
610-932-9498
Flickerwood.com
Design by Daphne
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
Have you spotted the Mystery Machine? Have you asked, “What is that? Who is that? The brightly colored work van is reminiscent of a vintage cartoon. It might at first look like a bakery or floral delivery van, but it is not. It is Design by Daphne, LLC.
Design by Daphne is best known for economical, functional interior design renovations with an emphasis on redesign.
Company President and interior designer Daphne Bradley started the company in 2008. She explained, “My experience goes back even farther to childhood when my father built the home we grew up in and he wasn’t shy of handing a hammer, nails or even a paint brush to my siblings and me. I learned to use them all and haven’t put them down since!”
With her interior design degree from Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography and the economic fall at that time she was starting the company, the idea of redesign came into play. The price of a complete kitchen remodel with brand new cabinets can start at $20,000 and up. The Design by Daphne team can come in at a fraction of that price and still give you the new kitchen you’ve been dreaming of. Bradley was trained in using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint back in 2011. “The love
of the product didn’t come quick, but once I mastered it, I fell in love with it,” Bradley said. “It’s truly an artist paint and allows for so much creativity. Each project we do is unique in its own way, really a work of art.”
She particularly likes to bring color to kitchens, bathrooms, and furniture using various chalk paints. “These products allow us to accomplish a designer finish with the ability for easy care and touch ups for the client,” she said. These products are made to have a designer matte finish which can include distressing on the hard edges and color variations in the paint. “We call it perfectly imperfect,” she said.
The kitchen design process starts with conversations via phone or email discussing what the client is looking to achieve and what their budget is. No two clients are alike and Design by Daphne team prides themselves on listening to their clients wants and needs. Next, they set up an in-home or virtual consultation
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
to further discuss the process, color and any other project options. The client can also see and feel samples of doors that have been painted using chalk paint.
When designing a kitchen the Design by Daphne team can come into a blank canvas where they start with the design of new floors, new countertops and backsplash, painting the cabinets all the way down to soft close hinges, hardware, lighting and much more. The client also has the option of only painting the cabinets in a color that complements the existing floor, countertops, backsplash etc. This way, a whole new look for the kitchen can be achieved quickly and economically.
Design by Daphne also offers window treatments, color consultations and furniture painting. “There are so many possibilities available when it comes to window treatments that a homeowner can easily become overwhelmed. “We can come in and we can guide them,” Bradley said.
The company does the job from concept to completion, including the measuring and installation.
“We like to take older furniture pieces that have value to our clients and give them a new look. We can take grandma’s dresser and paint it to match a baby’s nursery, then years later paint it again to match a teenager’s room to allow that piece to stay with them,” Bradley said.
When it came time to get a vehicle for the business, Bradley didn’t want a plain white van.
“At first, I jokingly thought about the ‘Mystery Machine,’ A play off my name of course,” said Bradley, referring to the Daphne character from the popular cartoon series “Scooby Doo.” “It has been the best marketing choice I’ve made.”
During March and April, Bradley was without work due to the COVID-19 shut down. She came up with the idea of helping bring joy to those shut in at home. Teaming up with Vanessa Ross Cakes, she
helped deliver cakes and cupcakes from the Mystery Machine with daughter Sam in costume as Scooby Doo.
That ended in May when contractors could return to work, but Bradley is glad she had that experience of helping make birthdays and just ordinary days a little happier. “It was a treat to see so many people smile and welcome us. I truly loved being able to give back to the community,” she said.
Based in West Grove, Design by Daphne serves clients within an hour’s driving time in any direction, including both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Bradley works with Project Coordinator/Manager Miranda Doyle and painters Sam, Mariana, Hillary and Amy. “My team doesn’t get enough credit and I couldn’t do it without them,” Bradley said.
Design By Daphne
484-897-0030
DesignByDaphne.com
La Comunidad Hispana
La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) is a community health center that has been part of the southern Chester County community for nearly 50 years. Many know LCH as a nonprofit that serves the Latino community, but in recent years, LCH has grown and expanded to serve and celebrate all. “We have such a rich, proud history of serving the local Latino community,” said Barbara Mancill, director of quality care and population health at LCH. “But we do want the community to know that we are here for everyone, and we have so much more to offer now.”
Founded in 1973 to provide social services to recent immigrants in the agricultural industry, LCH has transformed into a patient-centered medical home for all ages that serves over 8,000 community members across three locations. Its health centers in Kennett Square and Oxford offer primary health care, behavioral health care, social assistance, and other community resources under one roof. Its third location in West Grove is a specialty site, with a pediatrics office, a women’s health center, and a dental center. “We are truly a team of experts dedicated to the health and wellness of our patients,” said Margarita Garay Zarco, the director of human resources. “Our
integrated model of care gives our patients the ability to seamlessly use multiple services as well as the support needed to navigate the complex world of health care. We are always finding new ways to help our patients feel their best, and we will be alongside them every step of the way.”
Plans are underway to take the LCH Oxford location a step further in its ability to provide integrated health care in the community. Their current location, which opened back in 2016, is located at 303 North 3rd Street (The Eckman building) on route 10 across from Sacred Heart Church. This location has 1,275 square feet, and LCH has outgrown the limited space available to see their patient base of more than 1,200 Oxford area residents and counting using just three exam rooms.
“We make our model of care work in the space, but there are a lot of challenges,” said James Cardasis, DO, LCH physician and interim medical director. “When a patient comes to talk with their provider, and their behavioral health consultant, and their caseworker, there is literally not enough room unless they are the only patient in our office space.”
The new location downtown at 14 South 3rd Street (previously the Oxford Area Sewer Authority building), which is 5,351
square feet, will give the community health center much-needed additional space to provide integrated health care, behavioral health, and community services under one roof. LCH hopes to be in the new building by early spring.
“I have really enjoyed taking care of our patients in Oxford, and I can’t wait to continue to grow in this great community,” Cardasis said.
All LCH services are available regardless of health insurance status. Most insurances, as well as Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP are accepted, and every patient is screened to see if they qualify for discounted services based on their sliding fee scale of household income and family size. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. LCH is accepting new patients across all their locations and
Courtesy photo
La Comunidad Hispana’s new, larger location in downtown Oxford.
services, and telehealth visits are now available. Call 610-444-7550 or visit www.LCHcommunityhealth.org to learn more.
LCH TIMELINE
1973: La Comunidad Hispana is founded in Kennett Square as a bilingual social services agency.
1985: Primary care services begin at a separate location as well as directly on mushroom farms. 2009: New Kennett Square facility opens, bringing multiple services to one central location.
2012: LCH receives designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center, which allows for LCH to serve vulnerable individuals that are insured, under-insured, or un-insured.
2015: Integrated electronic health record system is implemented to provide more integrated care.
2016: Satellite health center opens in Oxford. 2017: LCH Dental Center opens in Kennett Square.
2018: LCH Women’s Health Center opens in West Grove.
2019: LCH Dental center expands and moves to West Grove.
2020: Pediatrics expands and moves to West Grove; Behavioral Health expands services.
Agent 300 Limestone Road Oxford, PA 19363
chuck.weed.dr0p@statefarm.com
Courtesy photo
Dr. James Cardasis greets a patient in the LCH office before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oxford Area Historical Association
A look at the history of the La Sicilia Building, which was once Kirk’s Garage
By Gail Roberts
Oxford Area Historical Association
The building at 58 South Third Street, which La Sicilia occupies today, was once known as Kirk’s Garage. It has also housed Central Garage and Neuchatel Chocolates, as well as some other small businesses. This property, as is true for many other properties in Oxford, was once owned by members of the Dickey family. Oxford Historic Commission records go as far back as 1849 when the property was transferred from E.V. Dickey and Frances G. Dickey to Sarah Dickey. Reverend Clement Dickey owned this property at one point as well. There were also other owners.
A map from 1900 shows that a double home existed on this lot. This is the home that was razed in order to build Kirk’s Garage. It is believed that this double home was not the original structure on this property. Edward Howard Rollins owned this property at one time, having purchased it in 1882. Mr. Rollins was an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1862 he was made the Central Division agent and operator in Oxford, and he continued in this job until 1906. It was his daughter, Edith Rollins, who sold the property to A. Allen Kirk in 1920.
A. Allen Kirk was born circa 1853 near Calvert, Maryland. His parents died when he was young, and he was indentured to a farmer. He ran away and spent time in Texas and Kansas and learned the carpenter trade. Mr. Kirk came back east and worked for a while in Philadelphia. After his marriage to Ella Benedict, he went into a farming implements and buggy business in Wakefield. When he moved to Oxford, he purchased the implement business of the late H. Smith Worth. He erected the building for Kirk and Fredd, which sold farming implements, farm wagons, hardware, harnesses and other horse products and did harness repairs. This was on the opposite side of the street from where he would build Kirk’s Garage in the early 1920s.
An Oxford Press article published on March 10, 1921 discussed all of the garages which existed at that time. There were at least ten, which was remarkable for a town the size of Oxford.
A. Allen Kirk’s garage was described as “the latest of its type.” It was 60 by 125 feet and could contain 50 cars.
When Mr. Kirk first opened his business, he sold Buicks. The Oxford Area Historical Association’s Archives collection contains receipts from Kirk’s Garage. A receipt from 1924 advertises Buick Sales and Service. Kirk’s Garage’s phone number was 83. In 1924 six quarts of oil sold for $1.50. An advertisement from 1924 shows that Mr. Kirk added Chevrolet Sales and Service in addition to Buicks. A receipt from 1925 indicates that Nash, Oakland and Chevrolets were sold and serviced as well as Kelly Springfield Tires, car
accessories, gas and oils. In 1925, two tires and tubes cost $57.00 and 10 gallons of gas cost $2.20. In 1926 Mr. Kirk advertised used cars including Chevrolet Coupes, Ford Roadsters, Ford Tourings, Overland Tourings, Chevrolet Tourings and Ford Coupes.
Mr. Kirk died in 1930. However, Kirk’s Garage continued to operate. An advertisement from 1934 shows that Howard F. Rhodewalt was the proprietor of Kirk’s Garage. He advertised Gulf products, storage, accessories, welding and greasing. An ad placed in a high school play program proclaimed “All Work Done While You Wait.”
Circa 1942, Nicholas Bendistis became the proprietor of Kirk’s Garage. An ad placed in the 1942 Oxford High School yearbook, the Kernel, says “Compliments of Kirk’s Garage N. Bendistis, Prop. High Pressure Washing and Lubrication Phone 83.” Nicholas Bendistis purchased the garage from A. Allen Kirk’s son, A. Roger Kirk, in 1945. Mr. Bendistis renamed the business Central
Garage. Nick Bendistis’s daughter, Jane DeLong, reported that her father did some remodeling inside when he purchased the building. He did not sell cars, but did light maintenance and sold gas. People who didn’t have room to park their cars at home also stored them at Central Garage. Jane remembers riding her bike inside the building and seeing the name plates above each parking space.
Vern Ringler remembers that a pinball machine in the Central Garage provided entertainment for local youths. He also remembers that Edgar Ailes had a side business of electronics repair which operated in the same establishment. In 1961 Willard Ayers purchased Central Garage and continued to operate it. Mr. Ayers was very active in the Oxford community, including serving as President of the Union Fire Company.
The Shortline bus company rented space in the Central Garage to store busses overnight. Mr. Warren Cash, who also ran a grocery store in town with his wife, drove a bus back and forth to Wilmington, Delaware twice each day. The company also operated a route which went to West Chester.
Continued on Page 58
Kirk’s Garage circa the 1920s.
La Sicilia is located in the building today.
Kirk’s Garage
Continued from Page 57
Mrs. Ayers ran the Knit and Purl Shop out of the same building. One person interviewed by this author remembers a record store in this location as well, and a Kernel advertisement from 1978 supports this recollection.
The Ayers family sold the property in 1982 to Harold S. Wills. Apparently 58 South Third Street fell upon hard times. Oxford Historic Commission records indicate that the building was sold through a sheriff’s sale in 1986.
The buyers were Krikor and Patricia Yepremian. The couple met at the Plaza Hotel in New York when Krikor was the general manager of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, a professional soccer team. He had been asked to come to New York to consider managing the Cosmos soccer team. Patricia operated two retail outlets for Swiss chocolates, one at the Plaza. This gave the couple the idea for their business, Neuchatel Chocolates, which was established in 1981 in New York. Eventually the Yepremians decided they
wanted to get away from the congestion of New York. They looked in the Oxford area and credited People’s Bank President Carl Fretz with convincing them to locate here and helping them to obtain financing. Neuchatel Chocolates moved to Oxford in 1986. At this point the company had 16 outlets around the country and opened a 17th in Oxford. In 1986, they expected to employ 12 people. The chocolate was imported from Switzerland but the fillings were created in the Oxford factory. In 1987 Neuchatel had 12 franchise stores in different locations in the country, and 25 people were employed in Oxford. Neuchatel was best known for its truffles but made other types of candies as well and sold its products to hotels, other shops and casinos in Atlantic City. By 1989, Neuchatel had 30 full-time employees and 20 part-time workers. The Yepremians liked Oxford because of its proximity to the Philadelphia Airport where the chocolates were shipped to different parts of the country. Another advantage of the Oxford
area was the quality of its dairies. When the Cosmos team traveled to Toronto, the Yepremians had met Swiss chocolate chef, Albert Lauber, whom they convinced to join their business. Mr. Lauber had been trained in Geneva, Switzerland and was a pastry chef as well. He managed the staff at the Oxford factory. In 1995 Neuchatel produced at least 75 chocolate products. There was a Neuchatel store at the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware, and the company had 13 stores in eight states. Unfortunately at about that same time, the Yepremians experienced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy. At that point, Albert Lauber dealt with People’s Bank, took over the business (but not 58 South Third Street) and operated a store in Lancaster. Of course, Mr. Lauber has continued the Neuchatel tradition successfully with his factory and shop on Limestone Road.
Meanwhile, Jahan Sheikholeslami, who had an architecture business in Philadelphia, and his wife had come to
the Oxford area in 1970 and had initially spent weekends and summers here before relocating to the area. Jahan enjoyed stopping in at Neuchatel Chocolates and remembers the coffee shop with the sandwiches and pastries they had there. He was upset when 58 South Third Street was boarded up and thought it didn’t help the appearance of Oxford. Jahan had become involved with Oxford Mainstreet Inc. and wanted to do something to help the situation. Economic students from West Chester University did a study on how to improve Oxford and made recommendations concerning the former Neuchatel building and the building which used to house Simon’s store (now the Arts Alliance). People’s Bank owned 58 South Third Street, and Jahan explained that Carl Fretz helped him to purchase the building at a good price and obtain a loan to make renovations. Jahan purchased the building in the late 1990s.
Jahan’s first tenant on the left side of
Continued on Page 60
A 1926 Kirk’s Garage ad.
Kirk’s Garage
Continued from Page 59
the building was La Sicilia. The other side was rented by other tenants, including a woman who operated a clothing consignment business.
Victorio and Giuseppe Mascali began operating La Sicilia on December 18, 2002. The restaurant featured some traditional Scilian dishes as well as more common items such as pizza, and offered take-out only when it first opened. The Mascali family was originally from Sicily, Italy and immigrated to New Jersey where Victorio and Giuseppe’s father, Angelo, opened their first family business. The Mascali family had restaurants in a number of locations before moving back to Sicily. The brothers ran a restaurant in New Jersey for a few years before moving on to other projects. Eventually they wanted to get back into the restaurant business and settled on Oxford. Victor remembers that when they first opened, one of the businesses located in the other half of the building was a company that
manufactured log cabin pieces.
The Mascalis were able to purchase the building from Jahan circa 2005. That allowed them to expand the restaurant into the other half of the front, which provided an area for dining in the establishment. Eventually the garage door in the center of the building was replaced with glass doors. Victor became sole owner of the restaurant approximately five years ago. La Sicilia expanded into the back of
the building with its banquet room about four years ago. Hopefully, this business will continue to be successful in Oxford for many years to come.
Thanks to the following people who helped to provide information for this article: Vern Ringler, Jane DeLong, Jahan Sheikholeslami, Victor Mascali, Albert Lauber, Karen Olivieri, Donna Lee Sheetz, Jim McLeod, Carey Bresler and Carolyn Hess.
Pennsylvania Covered Bridge Tour begins in Oxford
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
The historic, picturesque town of Oxford is a welcoming gateway to Chester County, and a fantastic place to start a covered bridge tour in the
state that is known for having the most covered bridges in our country.
The borough of Oxford was once called Oxford Crossing and Oxford Village during the 1700s. It was located near the halfway point on the main road from Philadelphia to Baltimore. The owner of the stage between the two cities
purchased Hood’s Tavern and renamed it the Oxford Hotel. It became the stopping point on the two-day trip between the two cities.
Flash forward to 2020 and the Oxford Hotel is still perched at its 300-yearold location. The Oxford Historic District and Oxford Hotel were listed
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Rudolf & Arthur Bridge
on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, along with many stillpristine historic homes. People are still attracted to Oxford’s location and its rich history. Oxford host a variety of delicious eateries, unique boutiques and retail shops, all of which are anchored by a blossoming artists’ community.
There are approximately 200 covered bridges in the state, most of them built between 1825 and 1875. Sometimes referred to as kissing bridges where young sweethearts could steal a kiss, the cover was actually for more practical reasons. The bridge was covered at the time of construction to protect their timber truss structure from the elements. However, people have always taken shelter in the bridges, and probably still grab a kiss. On the Oxford tour, you may also capture the beautiful sight of an Amish buggy exiting a covered bridge. Whatever you hope to capture, be
prepared for your drive through a covered bridge. It really is a bit like entering a time capsule. Darkness descends, you hear the clip clopping of your tires on the wooden floor, and then a burst of light from a window may give you a view of a roaring stream. No, it’s not a portal to another world, but it does catch your breath for a minute. If it is your first time, you must park and get out for a closer look. It’s a sure bet that whatever surrounds or runs under the covered bridge is every bit as eye-catching as the historic structure itself.
To begin the tour of covered bridges in the Oxford area, you start in the center of the Borough of Oxford and then go east on Market Street (Rt. 472), then you make your way out the winding roads where you may slow down for an Amish buggy or stop at one of the many farm stands. Keep driving east on Market Street (Rt. 472) 4.5 miles and at the crest of hill, turn left at King Row Road.
The Linton Stevens (Stephens) Bridge: Follow King Row Road .8 miles to bridge. The Linton Stevens Bridge was originally built in 1886 by J. Deinthrome & Sons using the Burr Truss. The 102’ span over the Big Elk Creek is in good condition.While a car may cross it, the road beyond is open to vehicles with permits only. It is named after local postmaster Linton Stevens of Hickory Hill who operated the Post Office out of his general store. This location first held a small footbridge, it was then replaced with an iron bridge in 1875, but suffered severe damage in the 1884 flood. It was then that the Linton Stevens Bridge was built. It was reconditioned in the mid 1990’s and remains a gem today.
Rudolph and Arthur Covered Bridge
Rudolph & Arthur Bridge Turn around at the Linton Stevens Bridge and head back towards Rt. 472. Turn left onto Rt. 472 and go 1.1 miles. Rt. 472 will dogleg to the right,
Pine Grove BridgeGlen Hope Bridge
Linton Stevens Bridge
Covered Bridge Tour
Continued from Page 63
follow the road straight onto Camp Bonsul Road (follow bridge sign). The Rudolph & Arthur Bridge is .8 miles on Camp Bonsul Road.
Glen Hope Bridge
Drive through the Rudolph & Arthur Bridge heading northeast on Camp Bonsul Road. In .5 miles you will come to Lewisville Road. Turn right onto Lewisville Road in .25 mile make slight right at Chesterville Road (Rt. 841). Follow 1.6 miles to Lewisville Road where you will make a right. Stay on
Lewisville Road for .7 miles and take soft left onto Blake Road. Stay on Blake Road just over 1 mile and make right at Little Elk Creek Road. Little Elk Creek Road merges into Hickory Hill Road. Stay on Hickory Hill for about ½ mile to Glen Hope. Glen Hope Bridge was built in 1889 by Menander Wood and George E. Jones for $1,767 using Burr Truss and spans 65’ over the Little Elk Creek. In 1968 a large truck fell through the bridge deck causing the county to reinforce the bridge with Steel stringers. In 1990, the bridge was rehabilitated after the roof burned.
Pine Grove Bridge
Continue over Glen Hope Bridge on Hickory Hill Road for 1 mile. Turn left onto State Road for 1.5 miles. Make slight right at Chrome Road. In 2.7 m iles Turn left at Barnsley Road and then quick right onto E. Christine Road (Rt. 272). Make right in 2.2 miles onto Baltimore Pike. Follow Baltimore Pike for .4 miles and make left onto Forge Road. Bridge will be approximately 3.2 miles. Straddling Chester and Lancaster Counties, the Pine Grove Bridge is named for the nearby pines. Pine Grove was built in 1884 by Elias McMellen for $4,450. The 204’, two span bridge has long been an instrumental traveling route over the Octorara Creek. Stagecoach travelers used the bridge in the late nineteenth century as a primary route between New York and Baltimore/Washington.
Corner Café Jennersville
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
The Corner Café Jennersville, a familiar venue in the Shoppes of Jenners Village, has undergone changes with new ownership. The name remains the same but new owner Jamie Weaver, wife of Oxford Borough Police Officer Adam Weaver, has refocused the restaurant and developed a newer era menu—one that combines old favorites with new tastes everyone will enjoy.
“The Café is a breakfast, lunch, or shall we say brunch place. Breakfast or lunch is served all day every day here at the Café,” Weaver said. “We have anything
from your typical full stack of buttermilk pancakes to Crepes Du Jour, build your own omelets to a variety of eggs Benedicts, quesadillas bigger than your arm and filler free crab cakes anyway you like them. Our buttermilk fried chicken sandwich options are quite popular. Chef Nick Sullins and I are big fans of the south cuisine and enjoy putting a southern twist on our menu. All of our food is made from scratch. We believe that fresh, in-house flavor really shows through and improves the menu.”
The Corner Café has increased its appeal to the public since Weaver has given the Café a fresh new look along with the improved menu.
Weaver and her husband Adam purchased The Café in November of 2019. “We decided to keep the name Corner Café to keep tradition,” Jamiie Weaver said. It is Jamie who has the restaurant experience and is hands-on in both the front and back of the house.
The Corner Café is truly a family run business, and Jamie Weaver works alongside a select group of handpicked staff from previous restaurants, including her children.
“I have been in the hospitality industry since I was 14 years old when I was offered my first job at Jake’s in Delaware County, Pa.,” she explained. “From then on, I was hooked. I have worked every position possible in a restaurant which gives me the experience needed to succeed in this industry. An owner must be handson in every aspect of their restaurant. They must be able to jump on the line, bus tables, or wash dishes when their staff is in the weeds.”
In a convenient location with plenty of parking, The Corner Café is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with last seating at 2:30 p.m. Outdoor and indoor dining, curbside, and takeout is available.
Consideration for guest experience is emphasized at The Corner Café. “I want guests to see smiling faces when they come in and I want my guests to leave with smiling faces and full bellies,” Weaver said.
Corner Cafe
827A W Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA 19390 (610) 869-5557 CornerCafeJennersville.com
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Philips Florist and Bakery
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Contributing Writer
Philips Florist has a 99-year history at the same location just on the edge of Oxford Borough. Over the years, owners have changed, but always they have adapted to face changing times. Under the direction of Vicki Robinson, the business continues to evolve with the new addition of a limited bakery department.
Robinson has 35 years of floral experience and has owned Philips Florist for 17 years.
“Philips Florist has been here since 1921. It’s always been Philips. We kept it Philips because that’s what’s known in the community,” she said. “You just have to reinvent every once in a while.”
This year’s most recent visible change was the move to utilize a different portion of the building and a new entrance. “We like a smaller location. We still have as much room as we need for designing and delivery area, we just didn’t need a big show room.” Robinson said.
As always you can select from beautiful flowers in the showcase or order an arrangement for delivery, As a fullservice florist, the staff at Philips can help if you have trouble deciding from among all the beautiful possibilities.
“We sometimes ask if they are country or modern, that gives us an idea of the best container to use,” Robinson said.
The bigger change is the addition of the limited bakery which debuted this fall with a selection of baked goods available each Thursday through Saturday.
Longtime Philips Florist employee Sara Seitz continues to work in the floral end of the business as well as heading the kitchen. “Sara, for many years, was a manager at a bakery,” Robinson said. “It’s always been her dream to have a bakery, and a flower shop is my dream. We’re meshing them together.”
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Seitz’ innovative recipes center on flavors that are unlikely to be found on supermarket shelves. “I can do whatever somebody wants, just like we do with flowers,” she said.
A small selection of baked goods are available in store for purchase Thursday through Saturday, and special orders will be taken for pick up or delivery. Items change from day to day, and are likely to include cupcakes, breads, muffins, jar cakes, candies, chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, cookie bouquets and more. Most cupcakes will be extra tasty with added filling.
“It will be more on the gourmet side with the flavoring. There are no specialty decorations. It’s more of the flavor I’m putting my time into rather than the decoration,” Seitz said.
“We want simple yet good. We’re not going with the basic cupcake either. Our cupcakes have filling in them,” Robinson said.
The bakery and the florist shop go so well together that the baked goods can be included with a floral arrangement or cookie bouquets become their own arrangement in a basket, delivered like as a flower bouquet.
Philips continues to offer a full range of floral services from walk-in sales to orders for delivery. In addition to the beautiful selection of flowers there is also a wide range of gift items available in the stores.
When COVID-19 disrupted businesses in the spring, many events that feature flowers were cancelled. Weddings were postponed, funerals became private events, and dances were cancelled. Even Easter events were curtailed, but Philip’s Florist found a way to keep the holiday alive. They took orders for the Easter Bunny who delivered baskets of goodies and gifts in costume by motorcycle.
Reopening as soon as possible after COVID -19 restrictions were lifted was important to Robinson. She feels flowers
Own Your Future
help raise spirits and brighten anyone’s day. “We’re bringing happiness in a time of fear,” she said.
As a service to the community Philips Florist has offered a weekend open air market to provide vendors and crafters as well as customers with a safe place to shop.
“We always have produce, but we never know who’s going to show up,” Robinson said.
Philips’ 8th annual Mum Fest also remained on schedule, along with a new event—the Monster Mash set for Oct. 30. This new event will include a trunk or treat with judged trunks, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, and much more.
“We are not letting Covid take Halloween from us,” Seitz said.
Philip’s Florist and Bakery 920 Market Street 610-932-8187
PhilipsFloristInc.com
Oxford Mainstreet Inc. letter
By Christianna Hannum Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. Executive Director
As a child, I visited grain and feed stores in Oxford with my grandmother. She talked hay prices with the Amish and we travelled the country roads together, me the eldest of eight grandchildren. Later, I would base my award-winning film, “Goodnight Ladies,” on the life of my grandmother, whose passion was horses and open countryside.
I come from a family of community leaders, the most famous being my grandmother, who was at one time, the world’s most famous Master of Fox Hounds. Her pack of fox hounds, bred in Unionville, was known all around the world as the fastest and best-bred, and for those riders who followed behind, they were sure to go the fastest over the highest fences.
My mother was an open space advocate and part of the partnership that saved the King Ranch and the Laurels in Unionville. Her real estate firm put together hundreds of open space easements to protect farmland from development. My father, a local lawyer, and great athlete, also protected open space and fought hard to elect politicians for whom land conservation was a priority.
I came to fundraising by going doorto-door canvassing in the hills of Marin County, California for women’s issues. I had a quota and was responsible for raising money every night – no easy task! Fundraising in California taught me a great deal about trust and talking to donors. It was very rare that I left
a doorstep without a check. Funny to think of raising money that way in today’s environment.
Later I worked in women’s health in Pennsylvania and won a leadership award, the CORO Leadership Award in Public Affairs, which took me to New York City. Twelve individuals won the award nationwide and we spent our year cycling through internships in media, art, business, policy, education, and government. When I graduated from Coro, I worked with clergy, raising awareness for women’s health issues and attended theology school, as I was deeply interested in spirituality, religion, social justice and art.
From my theology studies, I was inspired
to make a documentary film and founded Swim Pictures to direct and produce my first feature film. Ten years later, I finished “Goodnight Ladies,” which was all shot on film, interspersed with animation and won the Equus Award for Best Film on a Historical Subject and the Eastman Kodak Award for Cinematography. Every time I screen my film, the audience tells me stories of their memories of my grandmother and her unbridled passion and bravery on a horse.
My film and I travelled the country screening “Goodnight Ladies” until it seemed just about everyone had seen it who wished to! It often sold out.
Vixen Hall Kennels is located off of Saginaw Road in Oxford. On 22 acres, these country kennels are set away from busy roads and industry. Owners, Robert and Alexandra Satchell, live right on the premises and believe that the safety and comfort of your pet is first priority.
Doggy Day Care!
Need someone to watch your pup during the day? Want your dog to have more socialization and to expel some energy? Our Doggie Day Care is perfect for your canine friend! Allow our staff to entertain your pup with play sessions, long hikes through the fields and woods, complimentary treats, and plenty of love and attention throughout the day!
Call to schedule your overnight boarding stay, doggie daycare, or grooming appointment today!
OMI
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After making my film, I worked as Director of Major Gifts at the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania which I dearly loved, as my passion is contemporary art. I was often raising money for conceptual pieces like sculptures made from computer coding, or giant balls of twine, or digital art pieces. I also had a quota but this time it was thousands of dollars a month. I was asked to meet with donors (mostly Penn alumni) and ask them to support our museum exhibitions and help to fund our curating team. I also spent a lot of time in New York City creating experiences for donors that typically included a visit to an artists’ studios. These were so diverse and exciting, and fun! After every exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art, we would serve dinner on long tables to the crowd that came that evening, and table after table was filled with artists and
friends, clinking glasses and celebrating the work they had seen.
I left my beloved job at the ICA to adopt two children from Latvia; they were four and five and full siblings. Gorgeous towheads! Now, ten and eleven, Kristians and Keita live in Kennett Square with me, and both love animals, camping, art, and swimming on our farm.
I came to the executive director position at Oxford Mainstreet with an ambitious 100-day plan. First, to meet merchants and area leaders in the Borough and BID. Second, to familiarize myself with all events run by OMI and look at budgetary issues and goals. Third, to put the Shoebox Theatre first and finish the construction that started before the pandemic. Fourth, to find ways other than events (which were sadly cancelled) to help merchants and businesses as best we can. And fifth, to reach out to new donors and prospects for the Shoebox Theatre and OMI’s efforts going forward. I have always loved the Masaii saying
“Barn’s burnt down, now I can see the Moon.” With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, many challenges face businesses in our town of Oxford. It is our job to “see the moon” and to find opportunity in such a devastating pandemic – one that threatens all economic vitality. I look forward to working with the Borough Council of Oxford, The Chamber, the Mayor and the Police Department, the town merchants and businesses and everyone for whom Oxford is a priority.
Nancy Penn Smith Hannum, Christianna’s grandmother
Oxford Educational Foundation (OEF) celebrates 25th year
The Oxford Educational Foundation (OEF) is a private nonprofit community organization founded 25 years ago for the purpose of enhancing the quality of instruction in the Oxford Area School District (OASD). Its mission is to provide mentors, tutors and classroom volunteers who support students and provide professional grants to teachers which encourage the development of innovative programs.
In October, 2019, the OEF joined members and supporters of the foundation to mark this milestone anniversary at a celebratory luncheon at Wyncote Golf Club. The OEF was proud to showcase some of their accomplishments from the past 25 years and to share some of the materials that have been provided to teachers by our grants.
Over the past five years, the OEF has seen its number of volunteers expand to 125 with at total of 3,768 volunteer hours. Since 2001, the OEF has awarded over $270,000 in grants for innovative programs such as the STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Math) In 2011, the OEF was approved as an Educational Improvement Organization through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). This permits the foundation to receive Educational Investment Tax Credit (EITC) donations from businesses and corporations for OEF and OASD approved programs through the DCED. These approved programs are the following: Oxford Robotics, Band to Orchestra, Project REEL, Early College Academy and the Chesapeake Bay Project.. During this momentous occasion, the OEF recognized Jim McLeod as Board Member Emeritus. Jim served as a board member for 22 years in which seven were as board president. Jim was presented a special Senate citation from State Senator Andrew Dinniman and a plaque from Steve Roberts, OEF President. State Sen. Dinniman shared that Jim has dedicated his life to the community as a tireless beacon of civil service.
The OEF also made a presentation to its Leaving a Legacy Society members. The Leaving a Legacy Society recognizes those individuals who have given, or plan to leave, a charitable gift to the Oxford Educational Foundation (OEF) in their estate plan. It honors its individual members’ charitable passions while recognizing its members as philanthropic role models in our community.
A Leaving a Legacy Society plaque was presented and will be displayed in the OASD with its members listed: John C. Pittenger, John H. Ware IV, Gene and Louise Rahll Foundation, Oxford Area Foundation, Alvin, Betsy Younger and Dr. Ray and Nancy Fischer. Endowment dollars are gifted in perpetuity and establishes a permanent flow of funds for the organization. The dollars are invested in a balance of funds which provide principal growth and income. The principal remains intact and held in the Endowment forever. Only the interest is utilized to carry out the mission of the OEF.
The OEF has received $630,000 since its creation in 1997. The goal
Courtesy photo
State Rep. John Lawrence made a presentation to OEF in honor of its 25th anniversary.
Courtesy photo
The Oxford Educational Foundation celebrated 25 years in 2019.
is to reach $1 million by 2026. The OEF is governed by a Board of Directors of 15 people who bring backgrounds rich in engineering, business, farming, justice and education, all of which help to meet the goals of the organization. You, too, can help by volunteering your time, talents, or treasures. If you are interested in becoming a classroom volunteer, mentor, or tutor or in learning more about the Leaving a Legacy Endowment program, please contact Dr. Ray Fischer, executive director, at 717-947-0075 or rfischer@ oxfordeducationalfoundation.org or Kim Lewin, volunteer coordinator, at 610932-7200 or oxfordedfound@yahoo.com. Information can also be found on the OEF
Continued on Page 76
Courtesy photo
During the momentous occasion, the OEF recognized Jim McLeod as Board Member Emeritus.
Pictured with McLeod are OEF president Steve Roberts and executive director Dr. Ray Fischer.
OEF
Continued from Page 75
website at www.oxfordeducationalfoundation.org.
Investing in education is a vital part of the Oxford community. The OEF invites you to join in this mission in the Oxford Area School District so that we can continue to be “Oxford Proud.” We look forward to the next twenty five years!
In October, 2019, the OEF joined members and supporters of the foundation to mark the milestone anniversary at a luncheon.
The OEF was proud to showcase some of accomplishments from the past 25 years and to share some of the materials that have been provided to teachers as a result of the organization’s grants.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Andre’s Pizza
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry
Contributing Writer
For pizza and Italian food of all kinds with real Italian flavor, Andre’s Pizza is the place to eat. Whether it is New York-style pizza, Sicilian pan pizza, pasta or salads, you can always depend on getting high quality and great taste at a good price.
Owner Mike Della Ragione was born in
Naples, Italy. He came to this country 35 years ago. He started working in a friend’s pizzeria until he was able to bring his wife Maria and their daughter to America as well.
At that time, Della Ragione didn’t speak the language fluidly, but he did whatever job he could from busing tables to running the kitchen. “You have to run everything if you want to survive in this world,” he said. He worked through years of sacrifice to continue on the road to success. “You’ve got to go through the bad things to get good things, so that’s what we did,” he explained. In 1989, Della Ragione learned about the pizzeria in Oxford that was for sale. With the help of his wife and brother Frank, he kept the name Andre’s Pizza, but began to change everything else. As time went on, Della Ragione put profits back into the business to improve the building inside and out. The interior was updated and the exterior was given much-needed repairs. The food was also improved with an emphasis on quality and freshness. That
includes fresh, real Italian sausage and all fresh ingredients.
“It takes time,” he said. “I gained my reputation by increasing my menu and making everything high quality.”
He added, “A fair price, Della Ragione good quality, and good service – you’ll never fail.”
Consistency also is a major factor. No matter when you eat at Andre’s, you can be sure to find the same favorite flavors that keep you wanting more.
“We succeed, first of all, by our food,” Della Ragione explained. “People also like us for our clean place, our service and you can rely on getting the same quality food all the time.”
COVID-19 forced all restaurants to make changes, including Andre’s. The recently updated dining rooms had to close, but the restaurant has continued to offer take-out and delivery service at reasonable prices. Della Ragione realizes everyone has been stressed by the pandemic, and so he has kept prices in line. “I feel like everybody’s got to be able to buy food, at least you can
get a pizza,” he said. The menu includes pizzas made from fresh dough every day. Sizes match any family size and appetite with 14”, 16”, 18” large, 24” extra large and 26” party size. Enjoy true Italian-style pasta including homemade lasagna, stromboli, calzone, hoagies, cheese steaks, full meals and salads of every kind. You may also order trays of pasta that are perfect for parties and events.
To reduce contact, you can order online or by phone to pick up, or have your meal delivered by DoorDash or Slice. Andre’s Pizza is located at 2209 Baltimore Pike in Oxford. For information including menu items, visit the website at www. andrespizzamenu.com. Orders can be placed online or by calling 610-932-2221.
Andre’s Pizza
2209 Baltimore Pike Oxford, PA
610-932-2221
Andres-Pizza.com
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
The Oxford Lions Club
The Oxford Lions Club remains one of the oldest nonprofit groups in our area.
Established on a Monday evening in 1939 at the Octoraro Hotel by a group of professional men, William C. Davis was selected as the first president. In its 82-year history, the presidency has been held by such Oxford stalwarts as Bob Adams (a member since 1946!), Carl Fretz, E. Worth Brown, Jack Melrath, Sam McMichael, Lawrie “Eggy” Drennan, Frank McFadden, and Scott Gold II. When Jack Melrath joined in 1967, there was a limit of 70 people in the club, and he had to wait in line 6 months before there was opening. The group was expanded to 80 members and there was still a wait to join. Many people still ponder what the Lion’s Club is, and why a person would become a member. Or a person might ask, “why should I consider supporting their fundraisers?” Read on to discover the history of the Lions International and details about the Oxford Lion’s Club
The International Lions Club was formed in 1817 by a Chicago business leader named
Melvin Jones. He asked the question, “What if people put their talents to work improving our communities?” Over 100 years later, Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization, with over 1 million members worldwide. The Lions Clubs act on one simple idea: Let us improve our community.
In 1929, Hellen Keller addressed the Lion’s Club International convention in Cedar Points, Ohio and challenged the Lions to become the “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since that time, the Lions have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired. In 1945, the Lions International was the first non-governmental organization to assist in the drafting of the United Nations charter and have supported the work of the U.N. ever since.
When someone mentions the Oxford Lions Club, their famous ham & oyster dinners usually come to mind. The dinners started in back in the early 1970s when Keele King was president. For many years, the club served over 700 people during these dinners. The
years from the first dinner at the
Hall, to what is now the Penn’s Grove cafeteria and finished at the Oxford Fire Company Banquet Hall.
During the early years, the Lions Club made their breading from stale bread in blenders. They had to rent the fryers to cook the oysters during the early days of the dinners. Once they moved to the school cafeteria, they were able to increase their tickets sales and one year the club sold over 1000 tickets, remembers current club member and past president Frank McFadden. Through the
dinner moved to several locations over the
Redmen’s
years, tastes have changed, and the people no longer wanted to eat in larger gatherings. Then, word came that the fire hall would no longer be renting space for banquets and the dinners stopped.
Through the years, the Lions Club had a thriving social life that included frequent dances at the Chantilly Golf Club and a Lions Club softball team. They frequently sent 6 to 8 people to the State Conventions that were held in different locations across the state.
The Oxford Lions Club has hosted events throughout the community. In the late 1980s, they hosted a county fair and matinee harness racing at Dana Erving’s property in West Grove. The day included helicopter rides, pony rides food, games and displays. The proceeds benefited Shriners Children’s Hospital, Wills Eye Hospital and other Lions’ charities.
In 2001, the club opened its first food trailer. They attended events throughout Chester County like the Kennett Mushroom Festival, Freedom Fest, and many Oxford Apple & Strawberry fests. In 2010, an anonymous donation was made to the club—a new trailer. The members banded together, designed, and created the current food trailer from an empty
shell. The Oxford Lions Club is famous for the breakfast sandwiches and French Fries. In more recent years, the club has attended area auctions and community events like the Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. car show and the Connective Festival.
Through the years you may have noticed our members standing outside the grocery stores, Oxford Feed & Lumber or even just walking up and down the streets in the middle of Oxford collecting money for White Cane Day. The club is collecting to raise funds for the visionrelated charities we support. All donations that are raised by the club are 100 percent returned to the community and national organizations we support. Local organizations depend on our constant support for their budgets. This year many of our fundraisers have been postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation.
In 2018, they introduced a pig roast, which was catered by Uncle Earl’s and served from the food truck at the Oxford AA (“Old Gold”) ball field. The Oxford Lions Club has decided to social distance and move forward with the annual pig roast to be held Friday, Oct 16. Tickets are on sale now and can be obtained by reaching out to Lion Jean Bender at NJBender1@comcast.net. The dinner will
include pork, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, water and dessert. Pick up will be located at Oxford AA field on Route 472 in Oxford. The following day, Oct. 17, the club will serve barbecue and pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, and French fries at Flickerwood Wine and Twisted Treats located at 920 Market Street in Oxford at the Saturday open market. The Oxford Lion’s Club is an Oxford treasure. The club has lasted the test of time and its members are proud to continue to serve our community. In past years, we have met on the first and third Thursdays at the Pavilion at Ware Presbyterian in Oxford. Currently we are conducting Zoom meetings, occasional gatherings and working at getting back to the face-to-face dinner meetings.
If you have a passion to help the Oxford community, students and or the visually impaired, this club is for you! We are accepting new members. Please check out our Facebook page – Oxford Lions Club, PA or Website – http://www.e-clubouse.org/sites/ oxfordpa/.
For membership information, please message the club on our Facebook page or contact Wendy Smith, the current president at wendysmith65@aol.com.
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