Landenberg Life Spring/Summer 2019 Edition

Spring/Summer 2019

Landenberg Life

Magazin Magazine g

Jewelry inspired by

nature Page 58

Inside: • Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens • A family. A farm. A food truck.

• Living a zero-waste life in Landenberg

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Spring/Summer 2019

Landenberg Life Table of Contents 10

Living zero-waste life in Landenberg

20

Q & A with Mike Adams, Avon Grove Educational Foundation

27

Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens

36

Saving aviation through education and inspiration

54

Spur Run Farm

58

Inspired by nature

64

A family. A farm. A food truck.

82

The Barn opens its doors to all Christians

82

10

58

27 Cover design by Tricia Hoadley Cover photograph by Jie Deng

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Landenberg Life Spring 2019

64

Letter from the Editor: Amy Stephens creates jewelry that echoes the beauty of the natural world.

Landenberg is a wonderful place to feel inspired by nature, and on the pages of this issue of Landenberg Life, you’ll find a number of stories about Stephens and others who live or work in Landenberg and are doing amazing things.

We talk to Jim D’Orazio, who owns and operates Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens, a business that began in 2010, catching the first wave of microgreen mania in restaurants nationwide.

Writer Richard Gaw interviews Matt and Kathy Goin, the owners of Katt and Mathy Farms, about their decision to start a food truck, The Road Rancher, which is the farm-to-table equivalent of a restaurant on wheels.

This issue includes a story about how Landenberg residents Karen Jury and Andy Strode are moving toward a zero-waste life. We also write about Megan D’ Amico, the owner of the Spur Run Farm, and her love of horses.

We also talk to pastor Bruce Latshaw about how the Barn Vineyard Church welcomes any and all Christian worshippers with love.

The subject of the Q & A in this issue is Mike Adams. He is one of the very dedicated individuals who serves on the Avon Grove Educational Foundation.

We hope you enjoy the stories in this issue of Landenberg Life, and as always, we welcome your comments and suggestions for stories that we might include in future issues. We are already at work planning the next issue, which will arrive in the fall of 2019.

Sincerely, Randy Lieberman, Publisher randyl@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553 Steve Hoffman, Editor editor@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553, ext. 13

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Cover design by: Tricia Hoadley Cover photo: Jie Deng www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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|Landenberg People|

Living zero-wa This family is aiming to reuse and recycle virtually all their trash

By Ken Mammarella Correspondent

W

hat’s noteworthy about the Jury-Strode household is what’s not there. Trash.

Landenberg residents Karen Jury and Andy Strode began pursuing a zero-waste life a year ago, when daughter Eve was born, joining Jane, 3, and Smokey the cat.

“I felt compelled to be more mindful of my choices,” Jury said. “Creating so much waste felt wrong. I wanted to create a better world. We were scared. We didn’t grow up on a farm or a commune.”

They both grew up in Chester County and lived most of their lives between Philadelphia and Lancaster County. “We’re not trying to present ourselves as perfect. We do our best,” Strode said.

“We hope our imperfections may be an inspiration for others,” Jury said. “You can’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

Courtesy photo

Andy Strode at the composting bin, with the tumbler adjacent.

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waste The bottom line: Over that first year, they cut the trash hauled away by 85 percent, and in March they canceled trash collection. “It will be a great motivator,” Jury said. It will also save them a welcome $120 a quarter – and necessitate occasional trips to the landfill, on top of existing recycling trips.

Two years of living in Thailand also opened their eyes to “the joys of living in simplicity in a shoebox apartment” in Bangkok. “We saw how freeing simplicity was. You value experiences more,” she said.

Thailand was also littered, with no infrastructure for recycling.

“It offended our responsibilities and our sensibilities,” she said.

Back in the United States, Jury is a course developer at the University of Delaware English Language Institute, and Strode is a project manager at Universal Services Associates in Folcroft, which makes museum exhibits.

Their guide is Zero Waste Home. As author Bea Johnson explains, “Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, rot (and only in that order) is my family’s secret to reducing our annual trash to a jar since 2008.”

All photos by Ken Mammarella unless otherwise noted.

Jane and Eve Strode with bamboo toothbrushes.

Continued on page 12

Courtesy photo

Karen Jury at the dining room table. www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Zero-Waste Continued from Page 11

“I was skeptical of everything, more resistant, stubborn, pragmatic,” said Strode, now a supportive participant in what they believe will be a two-year makeover toward that single jar (glass, of course).

“A big misconception is that you’re deprived, living a limited existence,” Jury said, but their homey 1970s split level kills that image, with comfortable furnishings, filled cabinets, art on the wall, books, games and toys. Just no TV, a choice continued from Thailand.

“We don’t have the time,” Jury said.

“We’d always recycled. We’re not big consumers of stuff.”

Many household items are reused, purchased at Hill’s Auction before the zero-waste effort began. The dining room has a Craigslist dining room table, a Goodwill cabinet and a high chair from Jury’s childhood.

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Cloth bags – designed to stand on their own – at the ready on the kitchen counter.

A kitchen drawer holds glass containers, lids and cloth with beeswax to replace plastic wrap.

Landenberg Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.chestercounty.com

The clearest way to see the Jury-Strode household’s zero-waste effort is in the kitchen. Under the sink, the largest bin is for recycling, the smallest for trash.

The in-between size is for composting.

Plastic in many forms – takeout containers, straws, shrink-wrap, packaging – are unwelcome. “That’s No. 1. Don’t get it in the first place,” Jury said. “It’s really simple.”

Except it’s not. They’ve had to learn where to shop. They’re regulars at buying bulk at Newark Natural Foods in Delaware, the Whole Foods in Glen Mills and, in season, at farmers markets. They’ve had to buy glass, metal, wood Continued on page 14

The fridge holds produce without packaging, items in glass and metal, and a few stragglers in plastic.

www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Zero-Waste Continued from Page 13

and cloth containers and utensils. They followed Johnson’s recommendation for containers from Le Parfait.

They use Bee’s Wrap (cloth impregnated with beeswax) instead of plastic wrap; towels and cloth napkins; wool dryer balls instead of fabric softener, and cloth diapers. They gave up their Keurig, with all of its single-use pods. It’s in the basement, awaiting its fate, along with dozens of CDs and DVDs and other items that they’re not quite sure what to do with.

They’ve had to learn to be proactive when dining out, immediately turning down straws and requesting cloth napkins (if they’re not available, they use towels from the diaper bag).

Still, the girls get non-recyclable stickers and other gifts.

Continued on page 16

The zero-waste effort is admittedly imperfect. The crackers sit in bags inside the boxes.

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Zero-Waste Continued from Page 14

Their environmental attention extends outside the house. Just off the driveway is a wooden compost bin and black composting tumbler.

They’re on a waiting list for wood chips from the township.

After Strode’s Hyundai Sonata died this year, he bought a hybrid Honda Accord. Jury drives a Honda CRV and anticipates buying a hybrid minivan, preferably when prices decline.

Even though the absence of trash inside – and that hulking bright blue plastic trash can outside – might not be obvious, it’s clearest under the sink, where there are three containers: a big one for recycling, a medium one for composting, and a small one for trashing.

Continued on page 18

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How to join the cause Continued from Page 16

Karen Jury calls Bea Johnson (https://zerowastehome.com) the mother of the zero-waste movement. She also recommends Lauren Singer, (@trashisfortossers on Instagram and selling the new necessities of zero-waste life at https://packagefreeshop.com). Other key influencers include Anne Marie Bonneau (https://zerowastechef.com) and Heidi Unger (@zerowasteclassroom on Instagram). Jury has just joined a sustainable moms Meetup.com group and invites like minds to connect at karen.jury610@gmail.com.

National Geographic in 2018 offered a five-point plan on going zero-waste, in order of importance: Refuse: Refuse to buy things with lots of packaging.

Reduce: Don’t buy things you don’t really need.

Reuse: Repurpose worn-out items, shop for used goods, and purchase reusable products like steel water bottles.

Compost: Up to 80 percent of waste by weight is organic. But this rarely decomposes in a landfill.

Recycle: It still takes energy and resources, but recycling is better than sending stuff to the landfill or allowing it to become litter.

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Landenberg Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.chestercounty.com

Courtesy photo

The family’s trash can is so empty that in March, they canceled the service.

www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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|Landenberg Q&A|

Mike Adams member of the Avon Grove Education Foundation

Courtesy photo

A group of the founding members of the Avon Grove Education Foundation.

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Landenberg Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.chestercounty.com

A

very talented group of individuals in the community volunteered when the Avon Grove Education Foundation was being formed in 2018. The reason for the enthusiasm? The goal of the foundation is to support education programs in the Avon Grove School District that benefit the students. Landenberg Life caught up with Mike Adams, one of the board members, to talk about who serves on the Avon Grove Education Foundation, what some of the goals of the organization are, and how the community can get involved.

Q: The Avon Grove Education Foundation (AGEF) was established in 2018. Can you talk about the mission of the foundation?

A: The intent of the Avon Grove Education Foundation is to supplement the curricular and extracurricular education program in the Avon Grove School District for the benefit of the students in the district.

The foundation has already started accepting submissions for grants. Can you talk about that grant program, and some of the opportunities that it might create for students in the district?

Generally speaking, funds from the AGEF are used within the district schools to provide for the quick creation and evaluation of pilot educational programs, or for supplementing existing programs. These programs are chosen through a process of collecting and prioritizing teacher-defined grant applications and could then be evaluated by the district administration for larger scale long-term funding.

We have a variety of grant requests already, and we are actively looking for donations to fund them.

We have a few which we’ve already been able to grant. We were able to support the first-ever STEM night at Avon Grove Intermediate School, enabling roughly 600 children and family members to get a taste for STEM activities, with the hope of sparking interest in pursuing a path in this area. We were able to provide funding to significantly increase the size of our AGIS LEGO Robotics Club, which currently must turn away about 75 percent of applicants due to lack of equipment. We also funded a request for seat licenses to vocab.com, providing teachers a powerful tool to assist in student vocabulary development.

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Mike Adams Continued from Page 21

What are some of the other activities that the foundation is currently working on?

The AGEF also plans to drive initiatives not tied directly to teacher requests. One example would be a pilot Spanish language/culture immersion program which board members have proposed in conjunction with administration and community input, and for which we are currently looking for funding.

Who is on the Avon Grove Education Foundation board?

Current members are: Mike Adams, Tara Burns, Sebastian Cioaba, Louis Chance, Brenda Deaner, Carolyn Hammerschmidt, Roger Horowitz, Debra L’ Heureux, Tracy Litchfield, Scott Lucas, Courtney Michener Miller, Maria Navarrete-Olvera, Nancy Rowan, Bob Ruddy, Kyle Shah, Leslie Wallace, and Bob Weidenmuller. We also currently have a couple Board positions open and are seeking applicants.

What led you to personally become involved with the foundation?

I am particularly passionate about the critical importance of education (and for me, STEM education in particular) in moving a society forward, and believe a community plays a critical role in helping to provide the best educational experiences possible for its children. An investment in our kids today pays off multifold for the community in the long-term, and in many forms, such as entrepreneurship and small business creation, a more highly educated tax base, and the continuous cycle of reinvestment caused by having a more attractive school system. I probably speak for all the board members when I say that I am genuinely excited to contribute to this effort.

Continued on page 24

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Mike Adams Continued from Page 22

Does the foundation have any fundraisers or other events planned during the rest of 2019 that the community should be aware of?

We are currently planning a couple of events over the course of the next 12 months and would certainly welcome community involvement. We will certainly keep those interested informed as details come together.

What are some of the ways that residents in the community can support the Avon Grove Education Foundation?

Donations are always welcome, as this is the most direct method of helping the AGEF achieve its goals of supporting the children of the district. Anyone interested can contact donations@avongroveedfoundation.org. Since we intend for corporate donations to be a significant part of our funding, we would also appreciate any contacts or insights from community members who know of corporations (or other entities) which would be willing to contribute to the AGEF cause. Anyone with this type of information can contact us at corporatepartnership@avongroveedfoundation.org.

For anyone who would like to contact the foundation, what is the best way to do that?

The best place to go to contact the AGEF on a variety of topics would be www.avongrove edfoundation.org/contact-us.

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|Landenberg Business| Photo by John Chambless

Jim D’Orazio and Tiffany Price are offering restaurants and local shoppers naturally grown microgreens and more.

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Business is growing at Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens

By John Chambless Staff Writer “Here, try this,” says Jim D’Orazio, holding a tiny flower between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s a nasturtium blossom.”

After an initial taste of what you’d expect flower petals to taste like, there’s a burst of warm pepper flavor that comes as a complete surprise. “A lot of people have never had microgreens,” D’Orazio said, “but once they try them, they’re hooked.”

D’Orazio owns and operates Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens, a business that began in 2010, catching the first wave of microgreen mania in restaurants nationwide. He now runs the business with full-time employee, Tiffany Price, making every inch of his 2.5-acre property work for him. He could hardly have done anything else, he said.

“My family grew up in West Grove,” he said. “My grandfather ran a farm right in the middle of West Grove back then. I had two uncles – one ran a farm, the other Continued on page 28

A wide variety of heirloom tomatoes are grown at Cool Breeze. www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens Continued from Page 27

one owned a farm. We always had fresh greens and vegetables.”

D’Orazio’s main business is Yardworks, which does mowing and handles road maintenance for Franklin Township, meaning he oversees road crews most days. But when he’s not on the road, he’s in the greenhouses near his home, cultivating a tempting array of tiny greens and exotic items that end up on plates in some of the area’s best restaurants.

“We grow 42 varieties of heirloom tomatoes,” he said. “There are probably 1,000 plants out here at

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Cool Breeze specializes in microgreens that have more nutrition than fully-grown vegetables.

one time. In the summer, we have a farm stand here, selling vegetables. But our biggest sellers are the micro mixes we do for restaurants.”

Pouring out a leafy, colorful pile of slender sprouts, flowers and leaves on a work table, D’Orazio pointed out tiny radish sprouts, broccoli, nasturtium shoots and more, mixed together in an nasturtium leaf is the plate for some instant salad that’s a A tiny edible items. cut above most ordinary blends.

In the greenhouses – nothing fancy, just plastic tarps stretched over plastic poles – he is growing trays full of herbs, 12 varieties of edible flowers, mint, pine berries (tiny white strawberries), mouse melons – which look like tiny watermelons but taste like cucumbers – and more, including nearly lethal peppers called Carolina Reapers that he sells to 896 Pie and Skipjack’s for hot sauces. Just don’t touch them without rubber gloves.

Continued on page 30

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Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens Continued from Page 29

One advantage of growing microgreens is that it doesn’t take long, D’Orazio said. If a customer requests a tray of something, “I’ll tell them to stop back in two weeks and they’ll be ready,” he said. “We plant about twice a week and we cut five or six days a week, so it doesn’t take long.”

Cool Breeze services 25 to 30 restaurants, including Krazy Kat’s, Brandywine Prime, Café Gelato, the Back Burner and many other top locations. D’Orazio delivers them all himself, in his own car. Along with Tiffany, he has three part-time helpers during the summer and in the evenings.

The Cool Breeze retail outlet – in a work building near the house – is open pretty much every day, D’Orazio said. “If you pull in and the door’s open, we’re open,” he said, smiling.

The advantages of microgreens include being packed with nutrition – twice as much as the larger versions of some of the greens. And as an all-natural growing facility, Cool Breeze uses no pesticides. “We use ladybugs Continued on page 32

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The Carolina Reaper pepper, grown at Cool Breeze, is the hottest pepper in the United States.

www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens Continued from Page 30

and some praying mantises in the greenhouses,” he said. “We use natural soaps and remedies and things like that.

“One of the things I’m proud of is that we sterilize all of our own soil. I have my own recipe for it.

I recycle everything, sterilize it and use it again in the greenhouse. So everything that comes out gets recycled in bins, breaks down and comes back, and we do it again.”

D’Orazio knows where each plant has been for its entire life, something that chefs and restaurant owners value. There’s no gap in the supply chain that would allow contamination, which can occur in large, factory-farmed produce.

“One chef I work with said the stuff he gets shipped from California, he has to send half of it back because it’s rotten by the time it arrives,”

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Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens owner Jim D’Orazio and employee Tiffany Price in one of the small company’s greenhouses.

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D’Orazio said. “The more local the product is, the longer shelf life it has.”

The chefs he has worked with for years keep using Cool Breeze greens, even if they move to a new restaurant, D’Orazio said. “I’m here, and I’ve built a reputation,” he said. “I’ve done the Farmer and the Chef event five times, I supply schools in Delaware for their culinary classes. Business is definitely up.”

Whether people try his greens at a restaurant or come to the farm stand, D’Orazio and Price love to get customers to try new things. “That’s satisfying, for people who have never tasted microgreens,” D’Orazio said.

“For instance, radishes -- you can eat the greens. It just puts a smile on your face when someone tries something and likes it.”

Continued on page 34

Healthy wheatgrass is a big seller for the business.

About 12 varieties of edible flowers are growing in the greenhouses.

www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens Continued from Page 33

Having grown up with farms, D’Orazio said he loves what he grows. “I’ve always been into healthy eating, and there’s nothing like picking tomatoes from the vine and just eating them with a little salt,” he said, smiling. “Even if you’re having a bad day, you come into the greenhouses and look at all the greens and smell things growing, and it’s not that bad, you know?” he said.

Cool Breeze Gourmet Greens is at 1001 Wickerton Rd., Landenberg. Call 610-345-0345 for more information.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

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|Landenberg Life Education| A newly-built pavilion at the New Garden Flying Field will provide a better view of the skies over Landenberg, and a new trail system will pave the way for journeys in nature, but an upcoming, two-day event will show future aviators that a career in the skies is waiting for them.

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By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

A

gainst the serene motion of planes landing and taking off every day at the New Garden Flying Field in nearby Toughkenamon, there is the staggering reality of numbers and percentages that threaten the future of aviation in the United States.

A 2016 Boeing report shows that 42 percent of the pilots currently flying for the major airlines in the United States will reach their mandatory retirement age of 65 in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, passenger and cargo airlines around the world are expected to buy 41,000 new airliners between now and 2036, and they will need 637,000 new pilots to fly them.

Juxtaposed against that need, the Federal Aviation Administration reported that in 1987, there were about 827,000 pilots in the U.S., but over the past three decades, that number has decreased by 30 percent.

Continued on page 38

Courtesy photo

Attendance at the Future Aviators Camp, held at the New Garden Flying Field, has grown every year since it premiered in 2009. www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Aviation Continued from Page 37

Meanwhile, federal statistics state that during the past 20 years, more than 250 public-use airports have closed in the U.S. Over the last decade, the New Garden Flying Field, in partnership with the members of EAA Chapter 240, have waged a strategic and hugely successful battle against those figures, and they’ve won in spectacular fashion.

First introduced in 2009 to 28 campers, the Future Aviators Summer Camp has introduced over 1,000 young people from ages 7 to 15 to the wonders of flight, drawing campers from all around the U.S., who construct and fly their own model airplanes by using fabric, wood and metal; learn the basics of pre-flight planning and navigation; attend the National Air and Space Museum and the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C.; engineer their own simulated flight; and take

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an introductory flight with a certified instructor.

For many years, the members of Chapter 240, the Flying Field’s home EAA chapter, has introduced youngsters to the thrill of flight through its Young Eagles Program, which allows youngsters to go on a private flight with one of the chapter’s many registered pilots.

Next month, the Flying Field and EAA Chapter 240 are adding another classroom to their educational mission. On May 18 and 19, the Future Aviators Jamboree Fly-In and Camp Out will further open up the doors of possibility for those youngsters who are interested in pursuing careers in aviation.

The event, which is open to families of young aviators and the general public, will include visits from some of the leading aviation colleges in the U.S., including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Florida Institute of Technology, whose representatives will discuss careers in aviation, and scholarship opportunities and FAA STEM programs that are available.

Youngsters will also enjoy Young Eagle flights with pilots from EAA Chapter 240; see a presentation from the Federal Aviation Administration’s FAASTeam; go on hiking tours along the new trail or participate in tours of the flying field; witness a spot landing contest and a hot air balloon glow; and enjoy live music, archery competition, a bonfire, a pasta dinner and an outdoor film. A pancake breakfast will be served on May 18, courtesy of EAA Chapter 240, and a continental breakfast will be available on May 19.

Continued on page 40

Photos by Richard L. Gaw, unless noted

Future Aviators Camp Coordinator Court Dunn with a future aviator.

www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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Aviation Continued from Page 39

This jamboree will also introduce youngsters to those aviation professionals – pilots, air traffic control engineers and mechanics -- who were once students at the Flying Field’s Future Aviators Camp.

“We want to make this event as interactive as possible, in order to create a dialogue between young people and those in nearly every component of aviation,” said pilot and event organizer Bud Swenson.

“These are people who are flying, who are fixing, who can inspire by bringing these young people into their world and introducing them to their own stories.

“Our goal is to engulf and saturate our guests with aviation

The jamboree will give youngsters in attendance the opportunity to engineer their own simulated flights.

Continued on page 42

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Aviation Continued from Page 40

throughout the entire weekend. It’s not just for kids, but for entire families to get involved. We want our parents to hear about scholarship opportunities at these schools. We want them to know that there are some fantastic schools of aviation who offer great programs to get their future aviator into the air.”

“The Jamboree is an extension of the programs that are already here,” said Flying Field General Manager Jon Martin.

“It’s a multi-layered process that begins early. We get them up in an airplane through our Young Eagles Program, then they spend a summer or several summers at our Future Aviators Camp, but then what? This event answers that, by opening the doors to colleges, scholarship opportunities and careers, for those who wish to pursue their interests in aviation.”

Courtesy photo

A new pavilion being constructed at the New Garden Flying Field will allow visitors a beautiful spot to enjoy a day or evening admiring the flying machines that take off and land throughout the day.

Continued on page 44

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Not only will future aviators soon receive another rung in their young education, they will soon have their own place to hang out and enjoy the view. On the heels of a 2018 fundraising campaign, the Future Aviator Pavilion will be officially unveiled at the May 18-19 Jamboree. Constructed of timber frame, the 30’ x 40’ structure will be used as a meeting place for all Future Aviator Summer Camp attendees, and is sure to be a prime location for those who attend air shows and other events at the Flying Field.

The Jamboree will also formally dedicate the opening of a nature trail – located just north of the new pavilion – that will offer those attending the Jamboree to take the first walk through.

“The formation of the trail began about two or three years ago, in our efforts to promote our ‘Fit to Fly’ initiative to work with community partners to establish a program that encourage fitness among our pilots,” Martin said. “In return, they will be able to live a healthier lifestyle and be able to retain their pilot’s licenses longer.

“The trail also draws those who may not necessarily come out to enjoy the airport. It is our hope that they will see the planes landing and taking off, or maybe stop by one of our programs during their walk, and become interested enough to take the next step with us.”

Continued on page 46

2019 New Garden Flying Field Events June 1: Run the Runway 5K June 21-23: Chester County Balloon Festival July 8-12: Future Aviators Summer Camp (Week 1) August 5-9: Future Aviators Summer Camp (Week 2) August 17-18: Festival of Flight Air & Car Show 44

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Tickets for the Future Aviators Jamboree on May 18-19 are available to the general public, and are $30 per person, and includes admission to all activities and seminars, as well as dinner on May 18 and a continental breakfast on May 19. The ticket entitles admission to the 2019 New Garden Festival of Flight, on either Aug. 17 or 18.

To learn more and to register, visit www.newgardenflyingfield.com, or call 610-268-2619. The New Garden Flying Field is located at 1235 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, Pa. 19374.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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|Around Landenberg| In the spotlight:

Spur Run Farm

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

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egan D’ Amico’s love of horses serves as the foundation for the Spur Run Farm. D’ Amico first began riding horses when she was ten years old, and she hasn’t stopped riding, training, and caring for them ever since. Today, at her farm on Flint Hill Road in Landenberg, Megan trains and sells hunter ponies, utilizing her experience and a love of horses to spread joy to others who want to interact with the beautiful equines.

Megan grew up in the Harrisburg area. She can recall wanting a horse at a very early age. Her mother insisted that if she were going to get a horse, she would need to learn how to ride properly first.

As soon as Megan rode her first horse, she knew that she had a real connection to the majestic animals.

“I always loved horses,” Megan said. “It was such a big passion of mine. I would choose to ride horses over trying any other sport.”

While she was growing up, Megan loved to compete in horse shows. She also enjoyed training and caring for them. She majored in equine science at Delaware Valley College, and when it became time for Megan to start her career, she opened the Spur Run Farm in Landenberg. The community offered a peaceful setting for a small farm, and there was already a large horse community in place. One of Megan’s goals was to help others discover the same love of horses that she had. Her farm quickly became a perfect place for children and adults to interact with a horse or a pony to determine the right fit for them.

Continued on page 56

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Photo by Steven Hoffman

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The Spur Run Farm sells horses of various breeds, all of them high-quality. Many of the ponies are awardwinning champions in East Coast competitions like the Swan Lake and Capital Challenge.

When a new pony arrives at the farm, Megan begins to evaluate how much training it will need in order to be ready to be sold to a new owner. Some ponies only need a few weeks of training, while others will need much more.

Megan takes pride in the level of care that is provided to the horses. She is very selective about the breeds of horses that are sold on the farm, and if she doesn’t have a particular breed that a person is looking for, she will try to get it for that person.

One of the things that she enjoys about the farm is pairing up a horse or pony with the right adult or child.

Because of her experience, she is very good at making sure that the rider and a pony are a good match for each other, based on things like temperament and experience.

Running a farm takes a high level of commitment, but Megan said that she loves it.

T L

“It is a lot of work, and there is always something that needs to be done,” she said.

It helps that Megan’s daughter, Tiara, shares the love of horses. Tiara has shown horses all over the East Coast and Lexington, Kentucky. Like her mother, she is a natural rider.

Megan joked that her daughter loves horses so much that she keeps claiming new horses as her own—which is a problem, of course, since Spur Run Farm is in the business of selling them.

Megan said that the farm focuses very much on the quality of the horses, rather than the quantity. She also would like to offer a small riding program in the future.

It’s another way for her to help others enjoy horses.

Megan’s farm is the perfect place to do that. Landenberg is an equestrian paradise.

“Chester County is huge for horses,” Megan said. “And I love Landenberg. It’s out in the country, and there’s plenty of farms, but you’re still close enough to things.”

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@ chestercounty.com.

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These professionals will pack your items with the utmost care, arrange to have them moved by a reliable moving company, then unpack them and place them in your new home where you desire. If you are downsizing, they can help you arrange a sale of your goods or assist you in donating to the charity of your choice.

Once out of your old home, they can clean-up and make repairs so the house is ready for the new owners, or to be put on the market.

If moving is in your plans, then your first move is to call TLC Moving Services, LLC. Put these professionals to work for you and call Caen Stroud at 610-268-3243.

CaenStroud@msn.com 56

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|Landenberg Life Photo Essay|

By John Chambless Staff Writer

I

n the woods surrounding her Landenberg home, Amy Stephens finds the inspiration for her distinctive jewelry creations.

“It’s all nature based,” she said of her delicate, subdued designs, which echo the shapes of ferns, the drape of a leaf, the lacy patterns of moss. There’s a consistent sky blue in the moonstones she uses, like an echo of a summer sky. The diamonds she selects are natural, untreated, rooted in the earth.

“I grew up in West Grove and went to Avon Grove High School,” Stephens said. “I was a tinkerer as a kid, and I was very into rocks. I came from a very artistic father and creative mother, which played a huge part in me becoming a metalsmith and jewelry designer.”

Stephens went to Texas A&M and then taught for three years in Texas, where she met her future husband, Ryan. But jewelry kept calling her.

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“I was teaching in Texas 10 years ago when I had my daughter, and I knew I had to find a way to stay home with her,” she said. “I started making these teeny-tiny clay earrings that I would hand mold. They took forever and I sold them for $12 a pair – like nothing,” Stephens said, laughing. “That was something I had done in high school – play with clay and make different things.”

Feeling drawn by her Pennsylvania home and family far away, she named her fledgling business Northern Roots, a name that has stuck. Stephens started with an Etsy store, but has found “the site is wonderful, but it’s also saturated with jewelry,” she said. Last year, she struck out on her own with a website to sell to customers directly.

“This is my full-time job,” she said, adding that Ryan also works from home in electronic component sales. That leaves plenty of time to pursue her jewelry design work, now that her daughter Kendall, 9, Continued on page 60

All photos by Jie Deng

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Amy Stephens Continued from Page 58

and son River, 5, are in school all day.

“It’s a very flexible schedule,” she said. “I can get up early to finish an order, or I can stay up late, and I’m available to stay home with the kids if they’re sick.”

In her basement studio, which she described as a creative mess (“If I clean up, I can’t function,” she said), she matches and contrasts stones and settings, achieving a harmonious blend of form and function. Some of the stones she orders online, and others she selects very carefully at gem shows. “I’ll stand at gem shows and hand-pick what I want. I’ll spend hours at a show, just going through stones,” she said. “I’m a complete nerd for stones.”

Formerly creating one-of-a-kind pieces, Stephens said she now does copies of successful items, but so far she isn’t chained to her studio, producing the same best-sellers.

She relishes taking inspiration from nature and turning out something entirely new.

“I get bored easily. I like to take pictures out in the yard and find seasonal things to use in the photos for my website,” she said.

“Ferns in the summer are my favorite. I like to throw in leaves and succulents and any natural things.

“I innately don’t like to spend a lot of money,” she said, so the prices for her work are very affordable – mostly in the $40-$70 range. “I’m really conscious of the parts that go into the pieces. I use natural diamonds to keep them affordable, so that means return buyers. Some people have been buying from me for years, and that’s my favorite thing.”

Some of her jewelry has been for special occasions. “I did an engagement ring, and a whole lot of bridesmaid orders, where the bride will contact me and have some sort of custom idea. I’ll do 12 necklaces or earrings for them,” she said. “My best friend is getting married in May and I’m making her earrings.”

Stephens uses silver and gold fill, not pure gold, to keep the costs low and to keep the process simple. “If I worked with pure gold, it would be more difficult to do, and more expensive. I like soft colors, blue and gray. It Continued on page 62

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Amy Stephens named her business Northern Roots to acknowledge the deep connection she has with Chester County. She chose it when she was living in Texas, thinking of her family in this area. Now, surrounded by the woods at her home in Landenberg, she creates jewelry that echoes the colors and shapes of the natural world.

She use stones that retain their original character, and her designs recall the gentle curve of a fern leaf, the delicate lace patterns of moss, or the blue of a summer sky. While juggling the demands of raising two young children, she finds time to craft her distinctive jewelry, which is seen locally at Rooted in Lincoln University, and at worKS in Kennett Square.

John Chambless

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Amy Stephens Continued from Page 60

took me 35 years to figure out what my personal style is. Basically what I make are things I would want to wear.”

Her earrings, necklaces and rings use natural moonstones and dendritic opals, which have a black, fern-like pattern. She also uses a synthetic stone, opalite, because of its color.

New designs are tested by posting photos on Instagram, where she gets immediate feedback about whether others like them. And it keeps Stephens in touch with other creative people of all kinds.

“The business is all me,” she said, from dreaming up designs to creating the jewelry, posting it online and mailing the packages. “I have friends at the post office,” she said, smiling. The feedback she gets from customers is especially gratifying.

“A picture of this ring does not do it justice,” a customer named Kasey writes on the Northern Roots website. “Such a beautiful handmade piece. Thank you so much. It is obvious that you put the utmost time, care, skilled craftsmanship and effort into your work. I’ve admired your jewelry for such a long time and can’t wait to add more pieces of yours to my collection. Couldn’t be happier. Thank you so much!”

Surrounded by the woods and the creativity of their mother, the kids have gotten into the act, Stephens said. “My daughter is learning how to make things, and my son really likes picking out the stones. They’ll arrange stones and say, ‘Mom, I think you should put these together.’ They’re both into nature and being outside.”

Northern Roots jewelry is sold at Quirk & Co. in Cape May, N.J., and locally at Rooted (2049 Newark Rd., Lincoln University) and worKS (432 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square).

Stephens will also be exhibiting at the Clover Market in Kennett Square on June 9.

For more information, visit www.northernrootsjewelry.com, or www.northernroots. etsy.com. Follow Amy at Instagram@ northernrootsjewelry.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

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|Landenberg Food & Entertainment| Three years ago, Matt and Kathy Goin of Katt and Mathy Farms in Landenberg were presented with a business concept: Open up a food truck. With the assistance of others, the Road Rancher has become a farm-to-table equivalent of a restaurant on wheels, and the ride is just beginning to hit the road.

A family. A farm.

A food truck.

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

The Road Rancher team, from left: Jack Fossler, Olivia Heyward, Tyrone Heyward, Kathy Goin and Matt Goin.

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By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

I

t is an early spring afternoon in the parking lot of Braeloch Brewing Company in Kennett Square, and everyone crammed into the Road Rancher food truck has stepped up their pace, to the point where the business is no longer just a 58-foot-long RV of food distribution, but a brilliant dance in full and cooperative symmetry.

The Beef Baronesses – Julia and Olivia Heyward – take orders from long lines of customers, while their father and head cook Tyrone Heyward is in perfect step with Matt and Kathy Goin on the grill, all at the same time Jack Fossler is filling in any gaps in the process.

It’s Organized Chaos, cooked to order.

To taste the menu that comes out of the Road Rancher is to enjoy slow food prepared in the Time of Instant Gratification.

It’s a roll-back of the clock return to lazy Sundays, when mothers and aunts and grandmothers would Continued on page 66 Matt Goin greets another customer at the order window at the Road Rancher.

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Road Rancher Continued from Page 65

do the bulk of the cooking, and fathers and sons and uncles and grandfathers would gather around the well-prepared variety of meat that sizzled on the outdoor grill, sending off smoke rings of scents so tantalizing they could whet the taste buds of neighbors several houses away.

“We’re not rolling up and re-heating up stuff that’s been cooked somewhere else, or opening up plastic bags,” Kathy said. “We’re making fresh, made-to-order entrees, so when people order from the Road Rancher, we’re not wrapping the food up and handing it off to them, like at a fast-food take-out window.

This is more than just a transaction. Our food becomes part of an experience that has to do with socializing with friends and family, of enjoying a hand-crafted brew along with a freshly-made entree.”

The ideas that began the Road Rancher were

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– and remain – closely connected to the other enterprise owned by the Goins – Katt and Matthy Farms, which since 2011 has lovingly raised grass-fed Angus cattle for cultivation into several top cuts of beef, including several kinds of steaks and ground beef. The store, located on New London Road, has become very popular for those shoppers who are looking for top-quality steaks like Porterhouse, T-Bone, Delmonico, as well as Filet Mignon and Osso Bucco.

“Our accountant was taking a look at our books, and we were talking to him about the challenges we were having in ‘moving’ our ground beef from our farm, as quickly as our other cuts of meat,” Kathy said. “We can move it, but not 2,000 pounds of it. He told us, ‘I have two other accounts who are food trucks in West Chester. They are doing an incredible business. If you think you can pull

this together, you will create a market price and turn a profit.’”

Once they decided to enter the food truck industry, the Goins went looking for an adequately-sized vehicle, and after an exhaustive search, there it was, parked in nearby Wagontown: a 58’ x 9’ beauty, fully equipped, that would provide them with 28 feet for food preparation.

“We had raised livestock for years, and we had never purchased a vehicle that big in our lives,” Matt said. “Kathy and I looked at each other and said, ‘What in the world have we done?’ But it was on.”

They quickly hired Heyward and his daughters, then Fossler.

Olivia Heyward prepares to deliver some samples of a new menu item to guests at the Braeloch Brewing in Kennett Square.

Continued on page 67

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Road Rancher Continued from Page 67

“None of us had ever worked formally in a restaurant kitchen before,” Matt said. “The only experience we had was that we all enjoy cooking, so we were confident that we knew what we were doing. We began to invite friends and family over to test what we were about to launch, and that’s when we found out what worked and didn’t work.”

It worked, and very quickly.

Officially launched three years ago, the Road Rancher has become a road warrior, seen nearly every weekend at events throughout Chester County from March through November. What began as an idea to bring the business to 40 events during the first year has extended to a desired goal of 140 events in 2019, and beyond.

From nearly the day it first arrived on the Chester County culinary scene, the Road Rancher has become known for its eclectic menu and the names they’ve attached to it.

At any stop, food lovers can tuck into the Big Wolfie burger, the Calypso Cowboy burger, the 48 Lancaster sandwich, or enjoy the Pig Pickin’ Plate, an order of slow-roasted smoked pulled pork.

Along the way, the Road Rancher receives a lot of help from its many neighbors. Nearly every burger, sandwich and accompaniment that comes from the food truck is grown and cultivate on farms throughout southern Chester County.

Remember that scent of a far-off grill from your childhood? It’s alive and well at the Road Rancher.

“We burn real firewood,” Matt said. “We have had so many people who have come up to us and said, ‘We smelled you from way over there, and we just followed the smoke.’

The next thing you know, it moves beyond just a food truck and becomes a group of guys Continued on page 70

Pub style restaurant & bar with deck

The BEST hot wings & burgers in town!

FREE parking & hometown atmosphere.

Drink specials & 16 draft beers!

6 TVs playing at all times!

562 Lincoln Street, Oxford | 610-998-9000 68

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Road Rancher Continued from Page 68

standing around talking about grilling.”

To the Goins, there was another reason -- a lasting and rich one – that helped to inspire the art of their business.

“There has been a distancing between modern living and what farming is,” Matt said.

“We’ve been reading that the typical American is four to five generations removed from the last farmer in their ancestry. We’re trying to keep the awareness of the local farmer alive.”

“Like many of the local farmers whose produce is found on our menu, Matt and I are what is known as ‘Nook-and-Cranny’ farmers, which means that we’re farming in between established communities and developments,” Kathy said. “We believe that it allows those who live around us to see what maintaining a farm is all about – to hopefully gain an appreciation for the farmers who live right near them, and work 365 days a year in taking care of the land and the animals.”

K

During a typical stretch of time when the Road Rancher is slammed with requests for a Big Wolfie burger or an Old Stone Cider burger, there is a moment that Kathy enjoys most.

“We’ll see them looking at the menu, and we tell them, ‘Hey, by the way, all of the food on this menu comes from our farm and from other farms in southern Chester County.’ Matt and I say that, the Beef Baronesses say that, Jack says that and Tyrone says that.

“We’re bringing our family and our farm to the public, and when people come up to our window, they can all bear witness to what it is like to work on a farm.”

“What we all do is life,” Matt said. “Plants and animals are living things, and to nurture a tomato from seed to fruit, or to nurture a calf so that it will someday be able to feed as many as 30 people? There’s real honor in that.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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To learn more about the Road Rancher food truck, visit them on Facebook, email theroadradrancher@gmail.com, or call 484-612-2335.

Katt and Matthy Farms is located at 1694 New London Road, Landenberg, Pa 19350. 610-656-5396. To learn more, visit them on Facebook.

Katt and Mathy Farms in Landenberg raises grassfed angus livestock.

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Summer camps offer fun and learning The Arc of Chester County 900 Lawrence Dr., West Chester Paradise Farms in Downingtown is the location for weeklong day camps this summer. Camp Safari and Teen Camp offer children and teens a camp experience regardless of disability. Call 610-696-8090, ext. 240, or visit www. arcofchestercounty.org.

Brandywine Creek State Park The park offers a variety of day camps for ages 4 to 14.

Visit www.destateparks.com/summercamp. Located at 41 Adams Dam Rd., Wilmington, Del. Call Claire Mickletz (302-655-5740, or email Claire.Mickletz@state.de.us).

Brandywine YMCA Day Camp Founded in 1958, the facility is located at 3 Mount Lebanon Rd., Wilmington, Del. Contact Ivy Sheehan (302478-8303 or email isheehan@ymcade.org).

British Soccer Camps International coaches lead practices and sessions that are focused on developing techniques and skills needed to reach the next level. Located at the Tatnall School (1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington, Del), Wilmington Christian School (825 Loveville Rd., Hockessin, Del.), and Upland Country Day School (420 W. Street Rd., Kennett Square).

Contact Chris Stevenson (877-439-9195 or email cstevenson@challengersports.com).

Camp Arrowhead Summer camps are offered in five sessions for grades 2 to 11 at a wooded site on the Rehoboth Bay. Day and overnight camps are offered. Call 302-945-0610 or visit www. camparrowhead.net.

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Cecil College Summer camps are offered this summer for ages 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 17, with outdoor activities and exploration of career pathways. Call 410-392-3366, ext. 628, or visit www.cecil.edu/youth.

Centreville Layton School Summer Program 6201 Kennett Pike, Centreville, Del. A summer program is offered for youngsters in June and July, for pre-K to eighth grade, and middle and high school students. Call 302-571-0270 or visit www.centrevillelayton.org.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit Students entering sixth through ninth grade can explore careers such as animal science, game design, and culinary arts in July. There are locations in Phoenixville, West Grove and Downingtown. Call 484-237-5525 or visit www.cciu.org/summer.

Delaware Aerospace Academy Children in grades 1 to 10 can take summer camps focusing on science and technology, engineering, mathematics and space exploration, with a variety of packages available at Newark or Smyrna, Del., locations. Call 302834-1978 or visit www.dasef.org.

Delaware Museum of Natural History 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Del. Thirty two summer camps are offered for ages 2 to 12, exploring the natural world. Call 302-658-9111 or visit www.delmnh.org.

Delaware Nature Society 3511 Barley Mill Rd., Hockessin, Del. Let your child explore, discover, and experience the outdoors this summer at our fun and educational caring Summer Camps. Meet our talented, caring, safety-certified education team for Hiking, Gardening, Stream & Pond Exploration, Live Animals, Visual & Culinary Arts, Camping, Fishing, Archery, Canoeing & Kayaking.

Fairwinds Farm 41 Tailwinds Ln., North East, Md. Horse Camp to learn the basic skills of horsemanship is offered on weekdays this summer. Call 410-658-8187 or visit www.fairwindsstables.com.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Four resident camps and three day camps are open to girls entering grades 1 to 12 this summer, focusing on a wide range of outdoor skills and interests. Visit www. gsep.org/camps.

Hockessin Athletic Club 100 Fitness Way, Hockessin, Del. Summer camps are offered for ages 3 to 12, with swimming, crafts, sports, games and volunteering. Call 302-766-7482 or visit www.hachealthclub.com.

Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center For campers spending the warm summer months at our five-acre property, we offer a fun, active atmosphere.

Our program is primarily recreational in nature, however we plan themes, events, and projects to support children’s need for summer learning. Located at 921 Barksdale Rd., Newark, Del. Contact Dane Hutchinson (302-731-4925 or email dhutchinson@newarkdaynursery.org).

New Garden Flying Field Future Aviators Summer Camp is offered for ages 7 to 15 in July and August. Call 610-268-2619 or visit www. newgardenflyingfield.com.

Paradise Farm Camps Summer programs are divided into three camp groups: Junior Camp (ages 5-7), Day Camp (ages 8-12), and Teen Leadership Program (ages 13-16). Children are assigned to their groups based on age and grade, and each group has four instructors assigned to it. We maintain at least a 1:6 counselor/camper ratio at all times.

Located at 1300 Valley Creek Rd., Downingtown. Call 610-269-9111.

Saginaw Day Camp 740 Saginaw Rd., Oxford Camps are available from June through August for first to 11th graders. Call 610-998-1281 or visit www.saginawdaycamp.com.

Sanford School 6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Del. The school offers day camps for ages 3 to 14, with sports and arts camps for ages 8 to 14, and specialty camps in tennis and Coach Hutch’s Sports Camp. Visit www.sanfordschool.org.

Tatnall School 1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington, Del. Summer camps are offered for ages 3 through 12th grade.

There are sports camps, an on-site pool, music classes, science and technology classes, dance camps and more.

Bus trips to local attractions are available. Call 302-8924347 or visit www.tatnall.org.

Total Sports Camp Total Sports Camp is a structured and highly energetic program geared towards the recreational athlete.

Instruction is interspersed with games and skills contests and tournaments. Theme weeks provide the basis for the weekly sports and include 76ers week, Phillies week, Union week, Eagles week, two All Sports weeks and a new Baseball Stadium Trip. Located at 1426 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., Downingtown. Contact Mitch Bernstein (610-466-7100 or email mbernstein@unitedsports.net).

West Chester Parks and Recreation Summer Camps Summer Day Camp for ages 5 to 10 is offered from June through August, with a variety of bus trips and other options. Call 610-436-9010 or visit www.west-chester.com.

West Chester Studio for the Performing Arts Classes are offered at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester. One-week classes in acting, improvisation and music are offered. Call 484-995-2915 or visit www.westchesterstudio.com.

Western Family YMCA Camp Wahoo As with any YMCA program, the purpose of YMCA Day Camp is to help members -- in this case, preschoolers to teens -- grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. Located at 2600 Kirkwood Highway, Newark, Del. Call Sharon Stull at 302-453-0123, or email sstull@ymcade.org.

West Fallowfield Christian School A wide variety of summer camp opportunities are available for ages 3 through the 10th grade. Call 610593-5011 or visit www.wfcs.org.

Wilmington Friends School A camp for ages preschool to ninth grade has one-week sessions from June through August, with a variety of activities and themes. Call 302-576-2998 or visit www. wilmingtonfriends.org/summercamp.

YMCA Camp Tockwogh An overnight camp on the Chesapeake Bay offers summer camps in one-week or two-week sessions, for children who have completed grades 2 to 9. There is a wide range of camp sites, age groupings and themes. Visit www. ymcacamptockwogh.org.

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DELAWARE PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Red Lion Christian Academy 1390 Red Lion Road, Bear, 834-2526, redlionca.org

Archmere Academy 3600 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, 798-6632, archmereacademy.com

Salesianum School 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, 654-2495, salesianum.org

Caravel Academy 2801 Del Laws Road, Bear, 834-8938, caravel.org

Sanford School 6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, 239-5263, sanfordschool.org

Centreville Layton School 6201 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, 571-0230, centrevillelayton.org Hockessin Montessori 1000 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, 234-1240, thehms.org Independence School 1300 Paper Mill Rd., Newark, 239-0332, theindependenceschool.org The New School 812 Elkton Road, Newark, 456-9838, thenewschool.com

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St. Andrew’s School 350 Noxontown Road, Middletown, 378-9511, standrews-de.org The Tatnall School 1501 Barley Mill Road, Wilmington, 998-2292, tatnall.org Tower Hill School 2813 W. 17th St., Wilmington, 575-0550, towerhill.org Ursuline Academy 1106 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, 658-7158, ursuline.org

Wilmington Christian School 825 Loveville Road, Hockessin, 239-2121, wilmingtonchristian.org Wilmington Friends School 101 School Road, Wilmington, 576-2900, wilmingtonfriends.org

DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON

Delaware State University 3931 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, 254-5340, desu.edu Delaware Technical Community College 400 Stanton-Christiana Road, Newark, 454-3900; 333 Shipley St., Wilmington, 571-5300, dtcc.edu Goldey-Beacom College 4701 Limestone Road, Wilmington, 998-8814, gbc.edu

Padua Academy 905 N. Broom St., Wilmington, 421-3739, paduaacademy.org

Springfield College 1007 Orange St., Wilmington, 658-5720, springfieldcollege.edu

St. Elizabeth High School 1500 Cedar St., Wilmington, 656-3369, sehs.org

University of Delaware Main Campus in Newark; Wilmington Campus, 831-2792, udel.edu

St. Mark’s High School 2501 Pike Creek Road, Wilmington, 738-3300, stmarkshs.net

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Delaware College of Art and Design 600 N. Market St., Wilmington, 622-8000, dcad.edu

Widener University School of Law 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 477-2100, law.widener.edu

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Wilmington University 320 Dupont Hwy., New Castle, 356-4636; 31 Reads Way, New Castle, 655-5400; 651 N. Broad St., Middletown, 877-967-5464;

PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOLS Avon Grove School District 375 South Jennersville Road West Grove, PA 19390 610-869-2441

Avon Grove High School (610-869-2446) 257 East State Road, West Grove, PA 19390 Fred S. Engle Middle School (610-869-3022) 107 Schoolhouse Road, West Grove, PA 19390 Avon Grove Intermediate School (610-869-2010) 395 South Jennersville Road, West Grove, PA 19390 Penn London Elementary School (610-869-9803) 383 South Jennersville Road, West Grove, PA 19390

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Kennett Consolidated School District 300 East South Street Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-444-6600

Kennett High School (610-444-6620) 100 East South Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 Kennett Middle School (610-268-5800) 195 Sunny Dell Road, Landenberg, PA 19350 Bancroft Elementary School (610-925-5711) 181 Bancroft Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 Greenwood Elementary School (610-388-5990) 420 Greenwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center (610-444-6260) 409 Center Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 New Garden Elementary School (610-268-6900) 265 New Garden Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374

Oxford Area School District

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

125 Bell Tower Lane Oxford, PA 19363 610-932-6600

740 Unionville Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-347-0970

Oxford Area High School (610-932-6640) 705 Waterway Road, Oxford, PA 19363

Unionville High School (610-347-1600) 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Penn’s Grove Middle School (610-932-6615) 301 South Fifth Street, Oxford, PA 19363

Charles F. Patton Middle School (610-347-2000) 760 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Hopewell Elementary School (484-365-6151) 602 Garfield Street, Oxford, PA 19363

Chadds Ford Elementary School (610-388-1112) 3 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Elk Ridge School (610-932-6670) 200 Wickersham Road, Oxford, PA 19363

Hillendale Elementary School (610-388-1439) 1850 Hillendale Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Jordan Bank School (610-932-6625) 536 Hodgson Street, Oxford, PA 19363

Pocopson Elementary School (610-793-9241) 1105 Pocopson Road, West Chester, PA 19382

Nottingham School (610-932-6632) 736 Garfield Street, Oxford, PA 19363

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Chester County Intermediate Unit

Educational Service Center 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 Telephone: (484) 237-5000 Chester County Technical College High School Brandywine Campus 484-593-5100, 443 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 www.tchsbrandywine.org Chester County Technical College High School Pennock’s Bridge Campus 610-345-1800 280 Pennock’s Bridge Road, West Grove, PA 19390 www.tchspennocks.org Chester County Technical College High School Pickering Campus 610-933-8877 1580 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460-2371 www.tchspickering.org

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NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Assumption B.V.M. School (610-869-9576) 290 State Road, West Grove, PA 19390 Bethany Christian School (610-998-0877) 1137 Shadyside Road, Oxford, PA 19363 CFS, The School at Church Farm (610-363-7500) 1001 East Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA 19341-2818 Episcopal Day School (610-644-6181) Church of the Good Samaritan 212 West Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301 www.goodsamdayschool.org Kimberton Waldorf School (610-933-3635) 410 W. Seven Stars Rd., P. O. Box 350, Kimberton, PA 19442 Landenberg Christian Academy (610-255-5512) P.O. Box 397, Kemblesville, PA 19347 www.lca-pa.com London Grove Friends Kindergarten (610-268-8466) 500 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Malvern Preparatory School (484-595-1131) 418 South Warren Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355 Sacred Heart School (610-932-3633) 205 Church Road, Oxford, PA 19363

Delaware County Community College (Exton Campus) (610-450-6500) 912 Springdale Drive, Exton, PA 19341

Upland Country Day School (610-444-3035) 420 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Delaware County Community College (Pennock’s Bridge Campus) (610-869-5100) 280 Pennock’s Bridge Road, West Grove, PA 19390

Villa Maria Academy Lower School (610-644-4864) 1140 King Road, Immaculata, PA 19345-0600

Immaculata University (610-647-4400) 1145 King Road, Immaculata, PA 19345

West Chester Christian School (610-692-3700) 1237 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380

The Lincoln University (484-365-8000) 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352

West Chester Friends School (610-696-2962) 415 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19380

Neumann University (610-459-0905) 1 Neumann Dr., Aston, Pa., www.neumann.edu

Westtown School (610-399-0123) 975 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382

Penn State Great Valley (610-648-3200) (School of Graduate Professional Studies) 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355

White Clay Learning Center (610-880-0114) 250 New Garden Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 whiteclaylearning.org

CHESTER COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOLS

Valley Forge Christian College (610-935-0450) 1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 West Chester University of Pennsylvania (610-436-1000) University and High Streets, West Chester, PA 19383

Avon Grove Charter School (Early Learning Center) (610-255-5325) 1769 New London Road, Landenberg, PA 19350 www.agcharter.org Avon Grove Charter School (West Grove Campus) (484-667-5000) 110 East State Road, West Grove, PA 19390 www.agcharter.org

AREA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Cheyney University of PA (610-399-2220) 1837 University Circle, P. O. Box 200, Cheyney, PA 19319-0200 Delaware County Community College (Marple Campus) (610-359-5000) 901 South Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063-1094 Delaware County Community College (Brandywine Campus) (610-723-1100) 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 Delaware County Community College (Brandywine Campus) (610-723-1100) 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335

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COLD SPRING FARM RIDING CAMP

Summer Riding Camp Full Day Camp: Ages 6+ all levels Mini Camp: Ages 3-6 After Care Available: 9am-3pm Mini Camp is week of July 22-26 only

610-324-3851 258 Spring Valley Road, Oxford, PA 19363 www.coldspringfarmhorse.com

• • • • • • • •

June 17-21 June 24-28 July 8-12 July 15-19 July 22-26 July 29-Aug 2 Aug 5-9 Aug 12-16 Learning about horses • Arts & Crafts Handling & riding horses • Water Activities Guest speakers and demonstrations Just plain fun!

FUTURE AVIATOR’S SUMMER CAMP

The Future Aviator’s Summer Camp

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2019 will be the 11th year for the Future Aviator’s Summer Camp. It has been very exciting to see the growth of the program at New Garden Flying Field, New Garden Township. In 2009 we started the FA Camp to be a week of nonstop excitement where aviation fun and discovery are combined for an unforgettable experience.

Camp week exposes youth to all aspects of aviation while providing a path for youngsters to cultivate a passion for flight. Since 2009 the program has grown from 28 campers to 160 campers last year. Attracting kids from all over the US, the Future Aviators Summer Camp has become a recognized program by many as a unique and must attend summer camp for ages 7-15. We are proud to say that we have created a program that positively impacts youth where many of our campers have gone on to earn their private pilots license and attend college with aviation focuses in engineering, airport management, professional pilot, and the military. Registration is currently open for July 8-12 and August 5-9.

Landenberg Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.chestercounty.com

OXFORD CENTER FOR DANCE LANDENBERG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Oxford Center for Dance

Presents...

Aladdin July 22nd to 26th 9am - 2pm & Mary Poppins August 5th to 9th 9am - 2pm

Summer Camps 2019

DANCING - GAMES - CRAFTS - and MORE!!!

Contact the Studio for more information Oxford Center for Dance 2371 Baltimore Pike, Oxford, PA 19363 610-932-3267 • Kofke89@gmail.com

Where classmates are like family... ...where excellence is achieved.

Providing students with a strong educational foundation rooted in a biblical worldview.

Call today, 610-255-5805 and arrange for your Pre-School, Pre-K or Elementary School tour!

109 Gypsy Hill Road • Landenberg, PA 19350 • www.lca.pa.com

JENNERSVILLE YMCA West Grove • 610-869-9622

KENNETT AREA YMCA Kennett Square • 610-444-9622

branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine www.chestercounty.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Landenberg Life

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|Landenberg People|

All photos by Natalie Smith unless otherwise noted

Members of The Barn Senior Pastoral Team include (from left) Bruce Latshaw, founding and senior pastor; Lynn Latshaw, senior pastor; Krystin Luff, children’s pastor; Justin Burton, youth pastor; Caitlyn Burton, youth pastor; and Lenny Gawlikowski, pastor and director of Pneuma Center, a pastoral prayer healing ministry.

The Barn opens its doors to Christians of all kinds Church welcomes any worshipper with love

By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

D

rivers on Appleton Road may notice the red-and-white sign at the entrance to the long driveway. Beneath a simple outline of a barn and cross, it states, “The Barn Vineyard Church,” followed by the email address and church affiliation.

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The entrance of The Barn Vineyard Church. It was inspired by the church’s original building, or ‘Old Barn,’ which served as both a shelter for small livestock and place of worship.

If the driver pulled into Chisel Creek Court, which is flanked by pastureland so common in this part of Chester County, they would indeed come to a barn – sort of.

Rather, a large, barn-inspired church building that members use for worship and community.

Senior and Founding Pastor Bruce Latshaw, who, along with wife Lynn and church staff, tend to the current flock of about 400 members, explained the original church on the property actually was a barn. When family life insurance allowed the Latshaws to purchase 20 undeveloped acres near Kemblesville in the mid-1970s, they built a family home and an animal barn.

Then, “We felt a communication from the Lord to offer that animal barn to our church to meet there. [Church

A sign for The Barn Vineyard Church, off Appleton Road in Kemblesville.

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The Barn Vineyard Church Continued from Page 83

members] said yes, and that’s why the church is named The Barn,” Latshaw said. Church growth necessitated construction of the larger building in 2004, although that first building, refurbished and used for office space and group meetings, is referred to as the “Little” or “Old” Barn.

“Our culture here is very informal and casual,” Latshaw said of his church, which draws members from Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Unlike a more traditional church service, “There is no set script,” he said.

He explained a typical service: “An introduction; 45 minutes to an hour worshiping God, singing songs accompanied by the band – guitar, drums and keyboard – flowing from one song to the next. In between the worship songs, we provide opportunity for various members of the church to come and read a meaningful scripture, or say a prayer, or give a prophetic word to the congregation.”

Personal ministry is offered at the end by a trained ministry team, who pray for those who present themselves. At the end, they celebrate Communion.

Lynn Latshaw noted that The Barn also places a high value on the arts. “Sometimes people are painting on stage; we

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A sculpture set in a room designated for private prayer.

have a dance team and children with flags,” she said. What resonates strongly through the church is the warm relationship members have with one another.

“I think of us more as a family than anything else,” said Kristyn Luff, who is children’s pastor and oversees about 45 kids. She’s considered a member of the Senior Pastoral

Team. “I love the people [at the church] and I know I would do anything for them, I know they would do anything for me. It’s our culture.

Not that we do everything right all the time; we don’t. But we love each other through that.”

Luff, who was raised Catholic, first came to The Barn in the early 2000s. Drug abuse in her family threw Luff’s life into turmoil. “I was angry and self-medicating and just walking a road that had no hope,” she said. “I was really struggling.

I never lost belief that God was there, I just didn’t have a relationship with Him.” A co-worker, who was a church member, invited Luff to a service. It was life-changing for her. “When I walked in the door with my friend

The nave of The Barn Church seats roughly 300 worshipers, according to senior pastor Bruce Latshaw.

There is also a soundboard to adjust the music, and other special areas, including one for children, and a crafting area.

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The Barn Vineyard Church Continued from Page 85

that day, I had my first understanding that God was tangible,” she said. “My walk with God has given me an understanding and compassion for all walks of life.

I can understand making decisions that aren’t the best.

I understand what it is to be in a hopeless situation and find hope. I understand what it is to have God love you despite yourself.”

The Barn was the final stop for a church that had its beginnings with the Latshaws about 50 years ago.

“Both of us were part of the hippie counter-cultural movement of the late ’60s,” Bruce Latshaw said, “and I started this whole jump into Christianity by having a conversion experience with Jesus. That led me then to come to the Wilmington area. I lived there while attending the University of Delaware, studying for my master’s degree in education.

“It was about this time that the Jesus Movement migrated from the West Coast,” he said, referring to the Christian movement that was particularly appealing to young people with its informality and exploration of the Holy Spirit.

Lynn Latshaw, who also experienced a conversion, was among the UD students who would gather for worship. “There were probably 50 of us. We had started meetings on campus,” she said, “and our pastor from [a Wilmington church] would come out and teach.”

Then Lynn’s chance encounter with a reporter looking for “the Jesus People” resulted in a newspaper story that caused their meeting attendance to “explode overnight,” she said.

“We totally outgrew [the meeting space],” Lynn said, shaking her head and laughing at the memory. “We had hundreds. Overnight. And here we’re new believers and suddenly we had all these people that we’re supposed to do something with. I’m 19 and suddenly we’re put into a leadership position. We had had no intention of leading anything.”

But the Latshaws, who married in 1971, proved to be gifted leaders. Although the Wilmington-based group disbanded, a return to Newark so both could study for additional degrees had the couple start meetings there. And people came, so their meeting spaces had to

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accommodate them.

“We were like hermit crabs,” Bruce said.

“Every time we grew, we got a bigger shell. So, we kept moving around.

Then the little group that started meeting in our graduate-school apartment in Newark was the beginning of this church.”

After earning his degree and teaching school in New Castle, Bruce was approached by church leaders who said they would match his salary if he would be willing to be a pastor.

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Services and worship at The Barn can be dynamic, with music, singing, dancing and art. The paintings leaning on the steps were created during services.

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The Barn Vineyard Church Continued from Page 87

“That’s what I really wanted to be anyway, ever since I came to the Lord. So, I said yes,” he said. “I quit my job and became pastor of a 75-person church.”

The church grew, and for 25 years, Bruce was pastor of the non-denominational Newark Christian Fellowship, but changed the name after the move to Landenberg and a 2003 affiliation with the Vineyard Movement.

“We searched around for what we called at that time a ‘larger spiritual family’ to join,” Bruce said, explaining how The Barn became a Vineyard Church. “Several networks of churches like that met with us. We decided we were most like the movement that was called The Vineyard.

“It had come from Southern California. The Jesus Movement had come from Southern California here.

The Vineyard was birthed immediately out of the Jesus Movement. So that Movement was very much like what we experienced as young people and how we did church. It was a good fit.”

In addition to Luff as children’s pastor, The Barn Vineyard Church is staffed with other Senior Pastors

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who oversee different areas of ministry.

Lenny Gawlikowski is director of the Pneuma Center, a pastoral prayer ministry that works on physical and inner healing and counseling. He also trains others to carry on that work.

Courtesy photo “Once people get healed -- you Keisha Jackson is among are going to go out and help the pastoral leaders at the church, in charge of others. I call them rough sea sail- Freedom Outreach. ors -- once you’ve navigated the rough seas, you go out and show someone else how to do it,” he said.

The former assistant pastor of a New London church, he became acquainted with Bruce Latshaw after Gawlikowski was referred to him following a “profound experience with the Lord.”

“He actually began to mentor me,” he said. Gawlikowski eventually set up a prayer ministry called Shepherd’s Continued on page 90

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The Barn Vineyard Church Continued from Page 88

Way, but after financial difficulties caused its dissolution, Bruce invited him to continue his work at The Barn. Its association with The Vineyard has given The Barn access to the School of Kingdom Ministry, which also trains participants in a more formalized fashion through an online course.

As the church’s Freedom Outreach director, Keisha Jackson is in charge of the ministry founded in 1999 by Barn member Thomas McGrath that works with at-risk youth and families in Wilmington. Jackson said she’s been a part of Freedom Outreach since she was a girl, when she joined a baseball game across the street from her mother’s house.

“Little did I know that they had an afterschool program. Once I found that out, they could not get rid of me, and here I am today – the director – almost 20 years later,” Jackson said. “I want to see transformation and change in these kids’ lives, the same way it happened in my life. I know God did it for me and He will do the same for them.”

Justin and Caitlyn Burton are the church’s youth and young adult pastors to a group of about 40 pre-teens, teens and young adults, and they came from a more traditional Baptist church. Their being at The Barn was literally an answer to a prayer.

“Much like Bruce and Lynn, I had a conversion moment which led me to Delaware, where I met my wife,” Justin said, “and we got involved in a college ministry. But our church culture was very different than The Barn and Vineyard experience.”

Friends who were leading worship once a month at The Barn invited the Burtons to join them. “It was very different, but we got exposed to different ways of thinking, new paradigms, new experiences that we just fell in love with,” Justin said. The Burtons went to California to attend ministry school, then after a year found out they were having a baby and decided to go home to Delaware, Caitlyn said. They knew they wanted to become members of The Barn, so Caitlyn sent Lynn Latshaw a text, stating they were returning and asking if they could serve the church in some way.

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Church (“The Movement calls it ‘church planting’,” said Bruce) in Newark, close to the Maryland border. In that group was the former youth pastor who received a call to become a church pastor.

Lynn Latshaw was worried about replacing the youth pastor, so she and Bruce prayed about it. The next day she received Caitlyn’s text. Lynn felt the couple could work well as the youth pastors.

“When I read it, I just really felt strongly –[Bruce did too – that God had provided people, but it was so unlike us to go outside [the church],” Lynn said. “But it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.

We have great staff, every single person.

Everyone is amazing.”

Bruce Latshaw said The Barn Vineyard Church’s acceptance of all is inherent in their tenets, even those who might be shaky in their beliefs. “We want people

A view of The Barn Vineyard Church. Set on 20 shared acres, the building was erected in 2004.

to belong, and then they believe. We want to enfold them in a family in love with Christ,” he said.

More information about The Barn Vineyard Church is available at www. thebarnvineyard.com Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com Continued on page 92

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The Barn Vineyard mission outreaches

Continued from Page 91

Pennsylvania Community Projects

Good Neighbors Home Restoration Ministry – ministry to the poor in Pennsylvania and Delaware Family Promise – Ministry to the homeless, headquarters in Kennett Square The Bridge – West Grove Church of the Nazarene ministry to the Hispanic community The Garage – West Grove ministry to high school students Healing Rooms of Avondale – healing prayer ministry Young Moms – Southern Chester County ministry to young mothers The Barn Fall Festival – entertainment, arts and crafts, food and music fair in Southern Chester County

Delaware Community Projects

Freedom Outreach Mission – literary/spiritual outreach ministry to disadvantaged urban poor in Wilmington

Maryland Community Projects

Paris Foundation – ministry to homeless in Elkton Perryville Revival Meetings in May – multi-church hosted Pure Light Ministry – evangelistic outreach to New Age festivals and summer fairs

Foreign Missions Projects

Wells for Togo – drilling, building wells in African villages in Togo Waterbrook Hills mission in Kenya – schooling and micro-industry development Digoland Mission – evangelistic and community development outreach to tribal area in Eastern Kenya called Digoland Support for Youth With A Mission missionaries from The Barn in China and Cambodia

stfrancishealthcare.org

“I’m not just some patient or some number and neither is my child.”

– Wendy B.

Our team of exceptionally skilled OB/GYNs, neonatologists, nurses and specialists never get tired of bringing new, healthy life into the world, and treating each baby as if they’re our only baby. With large private birthing suites to stay in from labor through delivery and beyond, it’s no wonder so many mothers-to-be and their families love coming to Saint Francis.

Caring for you through life.

Call 302.421.4478 to learn more about giving birth at Saint Francis Hospital.

Saint Francis Hospital

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Just off Pennsylvania Ave in Wilmington

Landenberg Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.chestercounty.com

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