Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Magazine
Supporting the Oxford Area and the Surrounding Community Businesses
Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce
Message from the Chamber President
Happy autumn, my fellow Oxfordians! What a year it has been so far. As the President of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and an Oxford Borough resident, I think I speak for many of us when I convey my pride and love for our little town. Not only do the residents of our town make us what we are, but the Chamber of Commerce has been busy this year to make sure our businesses are represented, supported, and consistently informed. I get to visit and patronize many of the 258 businesses that comprise the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and I am proud to serve them and get to know them even better.
The outpouring of support seen over the past month for residents affected by Hurricane Ida is what Oxford is all about.
Coming together to support each other, to love each other and to find the best in each other. None of us are perfect, but when we come together as a community, I say that Oxford is unstoppable.
This past year has been trying with ever-changing guidelines regarding the nasty coronavirus. Our hearts go out to everyone affected, both personally and professionally, by the pandemic. As a business leader in the Oxford area, I truly believe that the support everyone has shown for our local businesses has been phenomenal throughout the past year and continues as we head into the exciting fall and holiday seasons.
Throughout the past year, the Chamber of Commerce has been active in planning events (albeit smaller ones, but still so impactful). Without the support of our
local, small businesses, many of the events would not have happened. Did you know the Chamber’s executive director, Christine Grove, participates on the Communication Committee of Restore Chester County to make sure our businesses are represented and are informed about any government funding available to them? She was vital in organizing and facilitating roundtable discussions with county commissioners so the hardships, successes, challenges and policies could be conveyed personally to local government officials. We thank Christine for all of her hard work in supporting local—and you know Christine, her motto is “love local” and she loves every business in our little town and beyond.
Sponsoring an event conducted by the Chamber is a way that a small business can give back to the community, and this year sponsorships have been vital, to say the least.
What has the Chamber done this year? We awarded two $3,000 scholarships to worthy OAHS graduating seniors in May, and we financially supported the Cecil College Partnership program with a $3,000 donation. The Chamber created a job board online to help our businesses attract applicants and future employees. We even had our own job fair at the August and September First Fridays with information packets filled with jobs available in our town. Movies in the Park (with a record number of businesses sponsoring this summer event) was welcomed back to Oxford
Memorial Park with three great movies the kids loved. The Everyday Hero 5K Run had the most runners ever this year.
The Chamber partnered with the OTE for the Covered Bridge Motorcycle Ride, which benefits the American Cancer Society and the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. Let’s not forget the great 25th Annual Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament that took place on September 24, and was quickly followed by the Roar to the Rock on September 26. A great time was had by all! This list doesn’t even include the numerous ribbon cuttings and celebrations for milestone anniversaries and grand openings of new businesses in the borough.
Now we look forward to the fall and winter with many more events planned
and sponsored by— you guessed it—our local small businesses. The annual Oxford Halloween Parade is back this year and we could not be more excited to welcome everyone downtown for a great evening on October 28. So when you see the name of a small business as a sponsor of an event you attended and enjoyed, the best way to say thank you is to stop by and patronize the business. We are all better together and Oxford continues to prove that our small town is a beacon of light to so many. Thank you for your continued support for our businesses and I wish you a great rest of 2021!
Dennis McCartney President Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Jim
Christine
Rich
Angie
Helen
Cliff Masscotte
Crystal Messaros
Herr’s at 75: Legacy, innovation and people
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
It is in the Nottingham office of Herr’s Chairman and CEO Ed Herr where the fundamental guideposts to the success of the company – now celebrating its 75th year – are proudly displayed.
There is a framed image – about three feet by three feet in size -- that contains the words that seem to encapsulate the success of the company on the occasion of its 75th year.
Herr pointed to each one in the image, and deservedly so, because when magnified against the others, each word becomes stronger:
Quality and Service
Integrity
Innovation
Valuing People and Teams
Accountability
Near the door to his office, “It’s Our People” is drawn in magic marker on a large message board.
Herr then motioned to two framed color photographs on the other side of his office – that of his mother Mim and his father James -- who began Herr’s in 1946 with a $1,750 investment.
“When my parents started the company, my father as working on the family farm, and his responsibility was raising chicks,
Continued
Mim and James Herr
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography and courtesy photos
Herr’s
Continued from Page 9
and he was in a chicken house with 2,000 laying hens,” Herr said. “It was the family policy that when you reached 21, you could work somewhere else, and up until then his obligation was to work for the family farm. At that point, he said to himself, his father and to the Good Lord that while it had been great to work on the family farm, he really wanted the chance to work with people.
Continued on Page 12
Herr’s Visitor Center
Herr’s
Continued from Page 10
“That statement, along with the faith of my parents – which was built on the principle that our number one job in this world is to love God and love our neighbor – remain to this day the founding values of this company. It’s not just about making the best snacks, but about honoring the people who work for us, the people we live near and the people who are our suppliers and our customers.
“It perpetuates a family atmosphere, so as a family business that values people, it gives us purpose and brings the best out in everybody.”
During its 75 years of operations – and incorporating these same values -- Herr’s has become the largest family-owned snack maker in the United States, bringing more than 300 varieties of delicious snacks to customers as near as Oxford and Nottingham and to cities and towns throughout the country and 49 countries around the world.
Continued on Page 14
The key ingredient in Herr’s Chips - potatoes!
BEILER-CAMPBELL REALTORS
Herr’s
Continued from Page 12
Variety meets innovation
In order to identify the schematic design of what has made the company successful, it is important to look first at how its core values intersect with its vision and growth. At Herr’s, it can be found in three simple words that have become its
Continued on Page 16
‘A generous spirit can build generosity, and I think Oxford is a town that has tremendous giving power, and a great spirit of volunteerism.’
Ed Herr, Chairman and CEO, Herr’s
At Je ennersville Hospital, our highly skilled surgeons use the most advanced techniques including minimally invasive procedures that m minimize pain and shorten the recovery time. Together, with their experienced staff, they deliver the most a advanced surgical care, close to home.
Minimally invasive surgery close to home
To learn more about our comprehensive surgical program, visit TowerHealth.org/Surgery.
Herr’s
Continued from Page 14
trademark: “Herr’s Forever Good®.” With a constantly-evolving variety of more than 300 snacks – including three GameDay varieties that were introduced in September -- the company remains at the forefront of innovation and product development. It’s been that way since Jim Herr first worked out the company’s first location on Charlotte Street in Lancaster in 1946, at the family’s tobacco shed the following year, and now at the company’s primary location in Nottingham and at branches in Ohio, New Jersey and Delaware.
“Snacking is a simple pleasure and a reward for a hard day’s work, so in order to continue to develop new ideas to give our customers new tastes, we always have to be thinking about the next flavor, the next crunch, and what the design of the next bag will look like,” Herr said. “Our approach to innovation and marketing comes from the industry we compete with,
as well as the consumer, and we have to constantly meet that demand.”
‘A generous spirit can build generosity’
Part of the Herr Food’s family legacy is giving, seen in its donations to many nonprofits in the region around Nottingham and also worldwide. They
believe it is a stewardship responsibility to give back to your local community where your employee’s families and friends live, work, and play.
“By watering others, we water ourselves,” Herr said. “We hear from quite a few people in the community, who tell us, ‘Your company does so much for the community
and we appreciate it so much.’ We’re not alone; there are a lot of companies in communities like ours who give back, and it’s all based in the simple philosophy of ‘giving begets giving.’”
Herr, who serves on the board of several Oxford-based organizations, said that he
Continued on Page 18
Herr’s
Continued from Page 17
sees the same energy of giving back in nearby Oxford.
“A generous spirit can build generosity, and I think Oxford is a town that has tremendous giving power, and a great spirit of volunteerism,” he said. “What I find so beautiful about Oxford is that we have a challenge but we also have an opportunity, so what we are doing in this town is building bridges, not walls. That’s what the rest of the world should see – that here’s a community in southeastern Pennsylvania that is interested in building bridges to help someone from a different socio-economic world to join together.
“In a world that is full of
Herr’s
Continued from Page 18
polarization, what we’re doing is reaching across the table and asking ourselves to come together.”
It has often been said that James S. Herr
led a life of kindness, persistence and integrity – values that are still reflected in the company’s business model today, not just in the form of words in frames but in every phase and department.
Given that 90 percent of businesses never survive to welcome the third generation, Herr’s is proving the statistics
wrong. Herr’s is now moving into its third generation of leadership; Herr’s nephew Troy Gunden is the company’s new president, and 13 other Herr family members work in the company, with several in leadership positions.
With a commitment to “love God and people,” Herr’s is keeping the family
Herr’s headquarters - James S. Herr Corporate Center, Nottingham, PA
business in the heart of the community it has known for generations.
“We’re a family business,” Herr said. “It’s not only the Herr family, it’s the Herr’s Foods family, which is made up of members of 1,600 families who live, work and play in our community. My brother [executive chairman J.M. Herr] and I grew
up with good principles, and we treated each other with respect and love.
“The way I was treated by my brother was the way I treat people who report to me, and it is the way I expect those who report to me to treat those who report to them.
“It may sound fairly simple, but it truly
is the people. We are brothers and sisters working together.”
To learn more about Herr’s visit www.herrs.com, and follow Herr’s 75th anniversary celebrations on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
The iconic Herr’s trucks
Aristos’ Harvest
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Beth Tumas owner of Aristos Harvest, will tell you that on her best days she is either elbow deep in bee hives or retrieving an escaped goat. That is also the message on her machine when you call her.
Tumas, who runs her happy farm on 15 acres in Lincoln University, is always laughing and smiling, One can only imagine the same is true of her bees and goats.
“I just finished taking the goats out to clean up the fence line,” she said. “There is not much going on with the honey bees now that the July honey harvest is over. At this time of year, I am checking to see which hives are ok for the winter. In other words,
verifying the bees have enough resources and bees to survive the winter.”
She also spoke briefly about the dreaded varroa mite, which is a parasite that can decimate an entire honey bee colony.
“We take them seriously and vaporize them,” she said.
Tumas has been working with bees for nine years. She sells the honey, honey products, and her goats’ milk and goats’ milk products from her farm located at 125 Manor Road in Lincoln University.
“My shop is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome then or you can call 302-584-8386 and make an appointment,” she explained. She also sells her products at the Pickled Pickles store in Oxford and at Rooted on Route 896 in New London. The website is www.aristosharvest.com and her email is aristosharvest@gmail.com.
Photos by Jennifer Zduniak, Jennifer Zduniak Design and Photography
She explained that her farm is a “working farm that balances the animals, the environment, and ourselves through education, business and surrounding community.”
She invites the public to take a piece of the farm home, which is easy to do with the variety of products available. These products include raw honey extracted right on the farm. They also make beeswax candles that are sustainably harvested from the hive.
“When we harvest the honey,” she explained, “there is beeswax capping left over. We melt those in our solar wax melter to make the candles. There is also a soothing hand salve made with beeswax which is proven to be very good for skin issues. We also sell a conditioning lip balm made from the beeswax.”
One unusual item they sell is a beeswax
wrap. Tumas explained, “Basically, you take a piece of 100 percent cotton material, you brush it with melted beeswax and jojoba oil and when it dries you have a long-lasting, protective cloth you can wrap your leftover food in. It works well to wrap us cheeses and fruit.”
She does caution that you can’t use it with meat or fish. The wrap can be washed in warm soapy water and lasts for up to a year.
“People are usually surprised to find that we also have farm-grown loofas here,” Tumas said. “The loofas are part of the squash family, which looks like a zucchini. Once dried, you peel the skin off the loofah and cut into pieces. I use these pieces for my honey loofah soap, a great soap for hard working hands.” There is also the all-natural goat milk
soap. Tumas will even make up gift baskets full of her products. Recently she sold gift baskets at the Winterthur Fair.
Along with the 17 goats, she also has cows, chickens, turkeys and a donkey named Cash on the farm.
Tumas said that she and her husband, Tony, a boat broker, enjoy serving the community by sharing farm animals and the educational opportunities it provides. They work with the Garage Youth Center and the Oxford Stars. Oh, and just a fun fact about Beth Tumas: Before the bees and the goats, she was a pilot for Republic Airways. Stop by and visit them, and don’t forget to take a piece of the farm with you.
Aristos’ Harvest AristosHarvest.com
302-584-8386
Gabby Lombardi slays
By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer
Gabriella Lombardi is a cancer slayer and she is proud of that. She is no shrinking violet. After all, she was a competitive All-Star Cheerleader for 16 years, trained by KX Athletics. She was a junior coach of that sport for three years and coached two teams in her senior year. And if you think competitive cheerleading isn’t a sport, you haven’t watched it.
Lombardi graduated from Oxford Area High School this year, twelfth in her class, and is beginning her first year at the University of Pittsburgh. To see her now, she is the picture of health and unbridled joy. Even when you saw her in the midst of the battle against cancer, after losing her hair due to chemotherapy, it was still obvious that she is a force to be reckoned with.
She was a rock star during a couple of years that would have stopped anyone else in their tracks. Lombardi actually rocks everything she tries. She rocked her bald head, looking like the competitive athlete she is. Even though she went through all the harsh side effects of chemo, she emerged looking more like an athlete who is training for the Olympics than a person who was suffering from a treacherous illness.
Lombardi was diagnosed with Stage Three Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on Aug. 1, 2019. “My symptoms,” she said, “included terrible pain in my back between my shoulder blades. I had trouble swallowing. Food would get stuck in my throat and I would choke. I went to a gastrointestinal doctor who thought it was a food allergy or ulcer. They did an endoscopy and, when
Continued on Page 28
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
slays cancer
Gabby Lombardi
Continued from Page 26
I was under, found a mass protruding out of my esophagus. I got sent to A.I.duPont Hospital for a CT scan. When that came back, they rushed me to DuPont because of the placement of the tumor between my airway and esophagus.”
When asked the obvious question—if she was scared—she said, “Yes, I was very scared. They put me in their pediatric unit. I didn’t think I had cancer, but I did. I was 16 then. I got moved on to the oncology floor after the first day so they could perform biopsies on my tumor.”
Lombardi explained, “I understood what cancer was, but didn’t understand what it entailed. I didn’t understand until they came in and biopsied my tumor. When I realized I had it, I cried, but then I changed my outlook. I didn’t want to be miserable.”
“I worked with nurses, doctors, and an art therapist. They were my heroes. They saved my life. I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else,” she said.
Lombardi was originally supposed to be in the hospital for her chemo treatment for 16 days, but it turned into 50 days. The chemo had made her very sick, and she got lots of different illnesses throughout the process.
“I wasn’t thinking long-term,” she said. “I was thinking let me get through this as quickly as possible.”
She is quick to point out that she had a lot of great support from her friends and family.
“My friends showed up at chemo as often as she could,” she said. “My sister was in school in Minnesota, but she would constantly check in on me. My parents were great and I couldn’t have done it without them.”
As if all that wasn’t enough to handle, she lost both of her grandfathers in the following year. She was recovered when they passed, but COVID was very prevalent.
“I was in remission and was in school for only fifty days before the school shut down for COVID,” she explained.
Continued on Page 30
Gabby Lombardi
Continued from Page 28
Through it all she learned, “You are always stronger than you believe you are.”
“It does change you,” she said. “I take everything with a grain of salt. Little stuff doesn’t annoy me as much as it did. I think I am now a better version of myself. I am closer to my family and friends.”
She is now focused on college.
“I’m just trying to get familiar with school and campus and make new friends,” she said. “I haven’t decided on my major. I’d just like to find something that I could visualize doing for the rest of my life.
She worked at the Sawmill Grill this summer and really enjoyed that experience and all the people she got to work with. She also worked as an instructional assistant at the Chester County Intermediate Unit in a multiple disabilities classroom
“I loved working with those students. It was challenging but a great experience and I hope to do that next summer,” she
said. “My job was to make sure kids were happy and assisting the teacher. At the school they had a really good playground, and I got to go swimming with them.”
Going forward Lombardi is an Adolescence and Young Adult Ambassador for A.I. Du Pont Hospital. She has also joined three Cancer Clubs at Pitt, one of those helps raise money for the local children’s hospital.
“I’ve enjoyed every opportunity I’ve had,” she said. “Recently, an award was created after me at KX Athletics, the Gabby Lombardi Award, for outstanding, leadership, inspiring others, unwavering dedication and model sportsmanship. I was very surprised and grateful.”
Gabby Lombardi exudes gratefulness and courage, and most importantly she did slay cancer.
Own Your Future
Good Neighbors Home Repair
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Good Neighbors Home Repair will mark 30 years of service to the community in 2022. The non-profit organization has a history of being a resource for lowincome residents who need help to remain in their homes. Their mission is to help people be warmer, safer, drier, and healthier.
“We do what we call critical infrastructure. We replace and repair roofs, we put in windows or siding, we’ll repair stairs or porches or decks—anything that’s unsafe,” executive director Harold Naylor said. The organization can also replace heating systems, water heaters, plumbing and help catch up with any deferred maintenance. Good Neighbors Home Repair can also add wheelchair ramps, widen doorways, and install handrails and grab bars.
“We try to help people stay in their homes,” Naylor said. He noted that the organization does not work on rental properties or make upgrades for anyone who is planning on selling their home.
Sometimes the needs are temporary. “We do a lot of aluminum ramps that you can take out once a person recovers or sometimes a person passes away,” Naylor explained. “Then we can redeploy the ramp.”
Good Neighbors is currently working on a larger-than-usual project in Oxford. At the Market Street home of Richard and Shantra Rogers, they are creating room for the couple to properly care for their special needs children.
Naylor explained that the family adopts and fosters special needs children.
Photo by Jennifer Zduniak, Jennifer Zduniak Design and Photography Harold Naylor, Executive Director, Good Neighbors Home Repair
At any time, they have 10 to 12 children with a wide range of needs. Some of the children may have learning disabilities while others may be confined to a hospital bed.
“They take the kids that nobody else [can take care of]. They love these kids and they feel God has given them a special calling to love on the kids nobody else wants to love,” Naylor said.
To help the Rogers family, Good Neighbors is putting an addition on the building for a ground floor handicapped accessible bathroom with storage and a changing area.
“In this particular case, we are building an addition—rarely do we do that,” Naylor said. “With some grant money from a very generous family foundation in this area, we are going to end up spending $30,000 on this addition. That’s with a lot of free labor and the homeowner is handy and hands-on. On this particular project we’re
using all of our own skilled staff.”
When skilled labor is necessary, Good Neighbors Home Repair has a small professional staff, plus they have preferred relationships with contractors and vendors. Even so, in most cases, volunteer labor is a large part of projects.
“We utilize between 400 and 500 volunteers a year who contribute anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 hours each year. We couldn’t do the number of homes we do without volunteers,” Naylor explained.
Because they have been helping the community so long, people know Good Neighbors Home Repair and may call directly when they need help. The organization also gets referrals from social service agencies, churches and friends.
Good Neighbors is a non-denominational Christian ministry. “We’re not connected to any one church, we probably have 40 to 50 churches that are in our network,”
Naylor said. “We’re doing this because we love God and we love people. Our goal is to have an impact.”
Naylor would like the community to be aware of the organization’s services. He also hopes people will consider making a donations or becoming a volunteer.
Skilled and unskilled volunteers are both welcome, particularly those who have the experience to be project managers.
“We don’t charge for our repairs so we are completely funded by donations. The more funding we can get, the more people we can help,” Naylor said. “We hear people tell us ‘you loved us when nobody else did,’ I get a chance to put feet on my faith every day.”
Good Neighbors Home Repair works in Chester County and northern New Castle County, Delaware.
Good Neighbors Home Repair
GoodNeighborsHomeRepair.org
610-444-1860
Lighthouse Youth Center
The Lighthouse Youth Center is a local non-profit organization located in downtown Oxford. Programs are open to youth ages 9 to 18, each Monday through Friday, and they are all free of charge. Each day, youth in Oxford can attend the Lighthouse for recreation, a free meal, homework help, or a safe place to be with friends. It is considered a refuge for many children in our community. The Lighthouse is also a para-church organization that shares a message of the Good News of Jesus Christ each night to the youth of Oxford.
The Lighthouse Youth Center began in 1988 with a vision of many concerned citizens of the Oxford community. Their goal was to be a friend and share the love of Jesus Christ with youth in the Oxford Area. To this day, the Lighthouse is still striving to have a positive Christian impact in each person’s life.
The Lighthouse is always in need of volunteers to assist with daily programs. If you are interested in helping, please contact Amy Perkins, Program and Volunteer Coordinator at 610-467-6000 or amy@oxfordlighthouse.org.
Thank you to all of the Lighthouse Youth Center’s current supporters, volunteers, and partners! Without you, the Lighthouse could not accomplish all that it does! Your support helps us to positively impact the youth of Oxford, PA!
For more information about how you can get involved with the Lighthouse through financial giving, food donations, or volunteering please contact us at info@oxfordlighthouse.org or 610.467.6000.
Oxford Police Department officers Williams and Eller spend time volunteering at the Lighthouse Youth Center.
Lincoln University’s Orange Crush Marching Band
Photos Courtesy of Lincoln University
By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer
Onlookers greeted the Lincoln University Band with whoops, hollers, applause and cheers when it marched up the street at Oxford’s 2019 Halloween Parade.
There was no doubt those musicians knew they were good. They showed their stuff. They sold it.
But that was before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived with its devastating impact on organizations, events and entertainments throughout the world.
That glorious assembly that marched
up Oxford’s 3rd Street in 2019 was 60 members strong. Now, after almost two years of restrictions with virtual instruction and no physical contact, Lincoln University band director Timothy Chambers leads a band with about 25 members.
Despite the roadblocks, Chambers, who is 59 and wheelchair bound, is not deterred. He’s looking forward to a 2021 parade and halftime performances with the Lincoln University football team.
He’s rebuilding.
He said, “This year, I call it ‘The Pandemic Band.’”
Continued on Page 38
Band Director Tim Chambers displays the band members’ casual T-shirt design.
Lincoln University Band
Continued from Page 37
Chambers explained that some academic subjects can certainly be taught through virtual technology like Zoom virtual communication. For the arts and sciences, however, “It’s hands-on. With Zoom, we couldn’t do contact and there’s a foursecond delay,” he said.
This year, when it was time for auditions, Chambers looked around and thought he saw enough potential musicians to work with the other 16 band members that were remaining after graduations and a year of
cancellations. But when he sorted out the auxiliary applicants like band front and flag team, there were only 12 more with instruments there to apply.
That was a welcome addition of sorts, but certainly not the 60 or so that had thrilled the crowd almost two years before.
“I know they say squeeze blood out of a turnip, but a turnip doesn’t bleed like that,” he said.
Still, Chambers, inspired by his faith, plunged into the challenge of rebuilding.
He said he was prompted by the Biblical Old Testament Book of Kings account of a woman whose husband had died, and she was left with bills and one jar of oil. A person of faith in the story told her to divide up the remaining oil, have her children to pay the bills, and move on with her life.
It taught him to be, like that woman, thankful for what he had.
He explained, “So, anyway, I thought about this and said, ‘Time changes.’ This
The Lincoln University Band thrills onlookers in Oxford’s 2019 Halloween Parade.
is what you have. Take it and do what you have to do with it. I had to pull out all my skills.”
Chambers said he considers himself a believer in hard work and discipline. After putting in a lot of effort at a recent rehearsal, he said he was thrilled at how good his smaller band sounded.
“Last night when we practiced, I was just so excited about what was happening with the band. Now this is what it’s all about. I said, ‘Do you all hear that? This is what work does.’”
Chambers spoke at length about his education in Black schools and his career in historically Black colleges and universities.
“My whole career has been HBCU bands,” he explained. “In high school, Mr. Woodward, a White
Continued on Page 40
Lincoln University instrumentalists perform in Oxford’s 2019 Halloween Parade.
Lincoln University Band
Continued from Page 39
man, took me under his wings. He would take me everywhere. He would say to my mom, ‘I come to get Timmy. We’re gonna play with the community band.’”
Having been educated and worked at Kentucky State and Delaware State universities, Chambers came to Lincoln University in 2016 through the good fortune of a series of phone calls from an old acquaintance.
He said he had been temporarily out of work due to health concerns. He got a call from a friend who had been in touch with Lincoln University and knew they needed a band director. That friend told Lincoln officials, “I know the perfect person you.”
It was then he was hired to lead the band along with Jameer Judge, a recent Lincoln graduate who had served as the drum major while he was a student there.
They infused their collective spirits onto the band, including creating a dance committee. The members of that committee, Chambers said, watched videos, learned them, picked out relevant moves and taught them to the band members.
People who attended the 2019 Oxford parade will recall not only
Continued on Page 42
The Lincoln University Marching Band performs on the football field.
U.S. VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED
The brass section plays on the field.
Lincoln University Band
Continued from Page 40
the band’s music, but the sensational dance moves of the band that even included leaps in the air -- musical instruments in hand.
Chambers is deeply fond of his HBCU background, which parallels his love of music.
When he was asked about the relationship of leading music and being at an HBCU institution, he said there is no such thing as “Black” music or “White” music.
“It’s music! Music has no color,” he said. Just as the white keys and black keys of a piano combine to make sounds, the result is totally music itself.
“Music is sensory. Your brain knows it is music,” he added.
He said growing up he knew jazz and liked it. No one said it was Black or White.
“I don’t care if everyone is White when they are playing jazz. If they are playing jazz, they are getting together to play. It never took a color,” he said.
Part of the story of music, however, is that its style is informed by the history of its players rather than the color of their skin.
He cited the hymn “Amazing Grace,” and compared it to its importance to people who had been brought to the country on a slave ship. It is sung slowly and soulfully and promises a better life, he said.
“However, there are many singing that song that are soulful,” he said.
The same thing with “Negro spirituals,” he said.
The music in Black churches is reflective of the history of Blacks and slavery in America.
“Going to church was the only thing Black Americans would say was theirs. So coming to church, men were all dressed up and the women were dressed up with hats. They called it your ‘Sunday Best,’ then on Monday you were going to clean up some White person’s house. The church was a safe haven,” he said.
Chambers’ major task now is to bring
back the band. The uniforms are cleaned and ready to wear. The football games have been scheduled, and the Oxford Halloween Parade has invited them to come.
“People understand. Lincoln’s been sympathetic. They told me if anyone could build a program I could,” he said. He continued: “I’m excited about the direction I want to take the program. By October we’ll have things in place. We’ll still have our masks, but it just works.”
The band uniform sit cleaned and ready for use at Lincoln University.
Southern Chester County Sports
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Southern Chester County Sports Center is a place where young athletes can train hard to play harder.
“We created this business out of a need for youth sports to have a place to practice in the off seasons,” said owner Robert Van Zyl. Due largely to the Covid-19 pandemic, school facilities were no longer available to youth sports organizations to work out in the offseason. “The whole goal was to be able to provide a location for them.” Van Zyl said.
Along with Southern Chester County Sports, Robert and Shannon Van Zyl are the founders of the Oxford Diamond Divas Girls Softball
Organization. They have personally seen how sports can help young people learn valuable lessons about team work and life skills that serve them well in the future. To make the most of their sport, young athletes are always looking for opportunities to improve. Giving those young athletes a place to work on their sport and reach their full potential is one of the primary goals at Southern Chester County Sports Center.
Opening in January of 2021, the facility is still growing in the areas it serves. Softball, field hockey, lacrosse and baseball teams as well as a men’s soccer league have found a place to practice, train and play, with more teams discovering Southern Chester County Sports as the season’s progress.
Located at 501 South 3rd St., Unit 2A in Oxford, the 4,000-square-foot building
by Jennifer Zduniak, Jennifer Zduniak Design
and Photography
Photo
Bob, Shannon and their daughters Lily, Elisa and Cailyn
has ceilings over 20 feet tall. There is also a limited outdoor space to use as weather permits. If a group would like to have separate areas for older and younger athletes or to have areas to work on different skills, the room can be divided by a screen for diverse uses.
As the first year of the business continues, the Van Zyls are learning where and when the need for the sports center are greatest, and the best time to transition between sports seasons. As winter weather begins, more and more young athletes will be looking for an opportunity to keep working on their skills indoors.
The facility can be rented to teams so they can hold practice sessions in their off-season to keep working and developing their skills. That extra commitment has the potential to help teams develop farther than they might have otherwise.
“Off season training only makes the in-season stuff better,” Van Zyl said. “This is what you need to compete in high school sports and on a higher level.”
Although they do not offer individual training, there are instructors nearby that they will be happy to personally recommend. The center does offer weekly group workouts in varying sports.
“We try to offer that consistently, so these kids have a set place to go,” Van Zyl said.
The sports center also periodically offers a “Kids Night Out” where girls and boys ages 6 to 12 can participate in sportsrelated activities, enjoy pizza, and watch a movie on the 18-foot inflatable screen.
In addition to team sports, the facility can be rented for any type of event that could use a large indoor location.
“Our primary focus is youth sports, but when it comes to facility rentals,
we’re open to anybody,” Van Zyl said. “The room is designed to have a universal appeal that I can adjust to accommodate any group. If anybody needs the room for anything, it can be rented, even for groups that may not initially look at a sports center when they are going to do something.” One of those areas is birthday parties on the weekends. Southern Chester County Sports Center recently invested in an inflatable slide and will be making it available as part of the birthday party package.
“We are kind of a unique business. The goal is to try to provide a service to our community,” Van Zyl said.
For more information, email Van Zyl at SouthernChesterCountySports@ gmail.com or visit the website at www. SouthernChesterCountySports.com.
Pavers & Patios
Tree & Hedge Pruning
We ltoue � !e'IJlll,g dte w {O't oueJt 80 fP«ll,!.
Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament celebrates 25 years
This year we celebrate 25 years of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament. From its beginnings in the mid-1990s, the Chamber has helped local Oxford Area High School students with a financial scholarship as they head off to further their education in a two-year or four-year institution. In 2014, the Chamber Board of Directors voted to support the Early College Academy. This innovative program is a partnership with Cecil College and Oxford Area High School. Students enrolled in the program earn college credits and graduate with their Associates Degree from Cecil College. Throughout the years, business professionals have gathered on the greens to support our local students. In year’s past, the tournament was held in the spring and student recipients would attend the dinner following the day of golf. In recent years, the tournament was moved to the fall, to ease the congestion on a number of spring outings. Although the students are back at school, we have had their parents share their appreciation by being guest speakers at the dinner or by playing in the tournament itself. The gratitude shared by both the students and their parents is why this golf tournament is so important. The tournament would not be possible without the support of our local
Continued on Page 54
Lincoln University team at the 2020 Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament
Annual Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament
Continued from Page 52
business community. Since his involvement in the mid 1990s, Gordon Atkisson of Country Chrysler has heavily supported this tournament. In additional to financial support, Gordon offers a package that includes a Hole in One sponsorship for a new car.
When asked if anyone has ever won the car that he so graciously donates, Gordon replied, “Unfortunately, no. But, there is always hope! This year we had a winner at the tournament the Pennsylvania State Police hold to raise money for Camp Cadet. Hopefully, some of that luck can rub off on us in Oxford.”
Each May, a representative of the Chamber attends the Senior
Jodi Farrow and Sylvia Justice has been volunteering since their days working at People’s Bank of Oxford.
Awards Night at the high school and presents the recipients with the award. This past year, Angie Thompson Lobb, chair of the Chamber’s Scholarship Committee, presented Kate Lilly and Amie Malone each with $3000 checks to their respective colleges. Kate is a freshman at University of Delaware, studying English Education, and Amie is studying Hospitality Management at York College.
Kate and Amie are the most recent recipients, check out where a few of our former recipients are now.
Catching up with a few of our Award Recipients
Loran Warren Greim –Award Recipient 2009
Loran attended and graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management. She started out working
Helen Warren and daughter Loran, 2013
Annual Education and Scholarship Golf Tournament
Continued from Page 55
for Vanguard in Malvern and currently she is employed with City of London, an Investment Management firm which is closer to her home. She just welcomed her first child, Lillie, on Aug. 13! Loran’s mom, Helen, is a member of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. As chance would have it, the night of Loran’s award ceremony at the high school, the Chamber representative was unable to attend due to sudden illness. Helen hopped right in and presented the awards that night, including Loran’s. Loran volunteered at the golf tournament several times with her mom. “It was a lot of fun! The scholarship helped with the funding of my books,” Loran said.
Jason D’Antonio –Award Recipient 2015
Jason graduated from St. Joseph’s University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with minors in Economics and Latin American Studies focusing on international relations. He was very involved in student government and was Student Body President of the University his senior year. After graduation, Jason moved to Arlington, VA and currently works as a research and communications consultant. In this capacity, Jason works on a variety of political campaigns and public affairs efforts. Although he enjoys this work immensely, he is currently applying to various law schools to pursue his lifelong passion for law and justice. “Without the
support and encouragement from strong hometown organizations like the Oxford Chamber, Jason realizes none of this would be possible. He is forever grateful,” said Matt D’Antonio, Jason’s father.
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!
Jason D’Antonio
Donte DiFrancesco –Award Recipient 2018
Donte is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of Alpha Tau Omego fraternity and served as the secretary of ATO during his sophomore year and as their vice president during his junior year. During the summer of 2019, he ran his own painting business through a College Works summer internship. During sophomore year, he traveled to Ecuador on a missionary trip with FOCUS at Pitt (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), where he served as an interpreter between the Spanish speaking families and the missionaries who came to pray with them about the importance of the family unit. He is currently employed as a personal care assistant for a 37-year-old gentleman with cerebral palsy in Pittsburgh. He is majoring in Information Sciences, with minors in Computer Science and Italian. He hopes to attend flight school after graduation and is interested in becoming a commercial pilot.
The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship committee reviews Oxford Area
Continued on Page 58
Oxford Center for Dance
610-932-3267 • 2371 Baltimore Pike, Oxford, PA 19363 www.oc4dance.com • oc4dance@zoominternet.net
Oxford Center for Dance has been educating students in the art of dance for 37 years. We offer dance classes for kids from pre-school to adult and much more! Register your 3/4 yr old for Pre Ballet I along with a NEW Friend and pay HALF TUITION Tap & Tumbling also included in the class.
for
Donte DiFranceso
Continued from Page 57
High School senior applications at the beginning of each year and selects recipients based on a number of criteria, but heavily weighed is the applicant’s community service. Watch for the updated application in early 2022 on the Chamber’s website and from the OAHS guidance office.
Gordon Atkisson and Michelle Arnold in 2009
Joe Fecondo and the late Barry Hostetter, 2015
Oxford Arts Alliance
Oxford Arts Alliance students and members might notice a new look to our brand this fall as we rebrand the OxAA to reflect the organization’s growth and commitment to Oxford. Along with our rebrand, we are solidifying our focus on the three critical areas of GALLERIES, ACADEMIES, and COMMUNITY. Our new look brings with it revitalized energy and excitement for art and music programs for Oxford, such as open mic nights, youth rock band sessions, our emerging artist gallery, and our Color Run 5K. Be on the lookout for more opportunities to perform music together with our Youth Rock Band Sessions that will be taking place for students of the OxAA this Fall.
Additionally, thanks to a grant from Reverb Gives, we are excited to offer our students many more performance opportunities and recitals in 2021 and 2022.
Oxford’s young talent isn’t just in the music department, and the Emerging Artist Gallery has become one of the most popular spots for members to enjoy art. This space features artists 10 to 21 years old and gives them a chance to design and exhibit their solo show in Oxford. This fall, check in to the gallery and view the art of our community’s brightest artistic talents.
Finally, the Color Run 5K Fundraiser will be taking place on Nov. 13, and we are looking for runners and walkers to come and enjoy a morning of colorful fun! For
more information, please visit https://www. oxfordart.org/color-run.
From the dynamic new colors of chartreuse and azure in our logo to the exciting new opportunities for students and community members, fall 2021 is a perfect time to join us at the Oxford Arts Alliance.
Oxford Arts Alliance OxfordArt.org 610-467-0301
A History of the Union Fire Company No. 1
Part 2: The more recent years
Submitted by Gail Roberts Oxford Area Historical Association
The Union Fire Company No.1 is the fourth oldest fire company in Chester County and covers approximately 92 square miles. This makes up the largest district for any one company in Chester County. The district is comprised of the Oxford Borough, East Nottingham Township, West Nottingham Township, Elk Township, Lower Oxford Township and portions of Upper Oxford Township. The fire company serves from two locations, the “midtown station” on Market Street and the Nottingham station. A combined total of nine pieces of apparatus and three EMS units are housed at these locations and used to provide services.
Part One of this article appeared in the last issue of the Oxfordian and ended with the success of the 1946 carnival. After World War II, young members of the fire company returned from military service and were anxious to take control. Clement Rogers, who had been chief for 18 years, was defeated in an election by Horace Reynolds, who became Chief on Jan. 1, 1947. The new chief was tested when on January 2nd, the biggest fire in the company’s history broke out at the Oxford Cabinet Company plant at South and Franklin streets. This building had originally housed the Oxford Caramel Factory. It was reported that the fire started from defective wiring and was fed by flammable materials such as paint and oil. The entire main building and a storage building valued at $250,000 were destroyed. There had been a snowstorm before the fire. It spread to other nearby buildings. This experience led the company to discuss the purchase of new equipment. In 1948 they agreed to purchase a Type 505 Mack Triple Combination 500 gpm pumper with a seven-man cab at a cost of $13,874. The Fire Company’s Blue Haze Marching Club was formed in 1949. This unit went
on to win money and prizes in numerous parades in the region. The Club was led by Captain Everett Twyford and Lieutenants Willard Ayers and H. Leroy Johnson. In years past, the fire company had incurred expenses to hire marching bands for their parades, so it made sense to have their own marching unit. In 1950 the Blue Haze Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps was added. Also in 1950, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed. The fire company gave $50 to this organization to help them get started. The Ladies Auxiliary raised money through bake sales, dances and card parties. In 1951 they created a Disaster Committee to provide hot meals for firemen who were working past normal duty hours to fight large fires. Over the years, the ladies group has helped families who were victims of fires, and the group has also donated to community projects. In 1954 they made a large donation to the fire company for the purchase of radio equipment on the fire trucks. Originally the Auxiliary prepared meals in the small room used for storage space for the ambulance equipment.
During the early 1950s, the fire company added to their equipment. A tank truck, which could hold 1000 gallons was purchased in 1952. In 1953, an open cab 85 Mack 750 gallon pumper with a 45-foot aluminum ladder was added. In 1954 two way radio communication was installed. A rescue squad was organized in 1955. One of their early responses was to help rescue a drowning victim in Dilworthtown. This incident helped convince the West Chester Fire Company that they needed their own rescue squad. At one point, the Oxford Community Ambulance Association was a separate entity, but in 1958, this organization disbanded and the ambulance operation was officially turned over to the fire company. The Ambulance Association had purchased a 1957 Oldsmobile ambulance which became fire company property. Later, in 1964, an ambulance club was formed to help raise funds for the ambulance division and a new ambulance was purchased in 1965.
March 22, 1959 was a significant day in the fire company’s history. They responded to 13 fires in one day. The Hale pumper that had been purchased in 1935 broke down. This pumper had served the company well. In 1953, 27 men rode on the pumper on the way to a fire on Third Street. Apparently, only the front bumper and hood could be seen. Additional equipment was purchased in November of 1959.
In 1961 it was recognized that the communications control center needed to be remodeled. A new radio control room was constructed by Robert Brown and Frank Peters. The company paid for materials but the men donated their time. In 1965 the building committee hired Paul Risk to develop plans for dismantling the bowling alleys and adding a kitchen, meeting room and space for two ambulances. The addition of the kitchen was helpful to the Ladies Auxiliary. They were able to start serving banquets, wedding receptions, firemen at fire school and ambulance classes. Thankfully, the carnivals continued to be successful fund raisers. The 1966 Carnival brought in a record breaking amount; gross receipts were estimated at $70,000.
While on the way to assist the West Grove Fire Company in fighting a field and woods fire in February of 1968, the company’s Dodge field truck was involved in an accident and eight firemen were injured. Ronald Simpson was the most seriously injured. Because of this accident, the Chester County Fire Marshall imposed an open burning ban in southern Chester County.
In 1970 the company purchased a new pumper at a cost of $25,000. It was manufactured by the Hahn Fire Equipment Company with a Hale pump mounted on a Dodge chassis. The tank could hold 750 gallons and had a pumping capacity of 1,000 gallons per minute.
In 1971 the fire company celebrated its 100th anniversary with a week of activities which culminated with a large parade on
September 18, and 130 fire companies and bands from four states participated. The size of the crowd was estimated to be between 8,000 to 10,000 people who watched the two-mile long parade. Prizes were awarded for categories such as best appearing company, most uniformed men in line with music, best appearing senior band, best appearing high school band, best appearing fire apparatus, and uniformed company traveling the longest distance.
A significant fire occurred on March 15, 1972. The fire broke out at the Oxford Hotel in the early hours of the morning. Apparently the fire began in the coffee shop in the ground floor of the building and spread into the second and third floors. A resident with a room above the coffee shop detected the fire and
Continued on Page 64
Union Fire Company
Continued from Page 63
ran across the street to alert the fire company. Fire companies from West Grove, Cochranville, Elkton and Rising Sun helped the Oxford Fire Company to battle the blaze. Approximately, 25 people were in the hotel at the time of the fire and all were evacuated safely. Most of the damage was in the coffee shop, the old bar and an upstairs kitchen belonging to the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Vergos. The upper floors had mostly smoke and water damage and residents were able to return to their rooms later in the morning.
In March of 1977, Union Fire Company No. 1 admitted their first women members. The first six women to serve were V. Jane Brown, Sharon Goldie, Sandra Holbrook, Esther Prettyman, Betty Slauch and Mary Lee Hastings. Betty Slauch was president of the Ladies Auxiliary and had already completed an ambulance attendant’s course. Other women were enrolled in the course at the time.
Since the early 1970s, the fire company
was dealing with an inadequate amount of space. It affected the efficiency of the company and was also a safety issue. The doors of the fire stations were narrow and made it difficult for the ladder truck to turn onto Lincoln Street. There was no space indoors for the tanker, which meant it had to be stored empty in the winter. When the tanker needed to be filled for response to a fire, it caused a 20-minute delay. The mansion section of the fire station was also deteriorating and the heating system was outdated. The fire company considered several options. They could build a new fire station at a different location, but that would have been expensive. They also liked the central location of the existing station. Another possibility was to build a new station on the existing site. The third choice was to renovate the station and try to preserve the architectural style of the Dickey mansion by retaining the porch and pillars on the Market Street side. (Part One of this article reviewed the purchase of the Dickey mansion in the early 1920s for the third location of the fire station.)
Discussions took place with architect Gregory Scott Hyatt and contractor Paul Risk. In 1977 the mansion portion of the fire station was burned and knocked down to allow the construction of additional equipment bays.
Oxford citizens were used to hearing the blowing of the fire siren at noon each day. In 1980 that tradition ended because of changes made in the radio system. If the siren went off, monitors which alerted the firefighters automatically went off as well. The company didn’t want the firefighters to be called unnecessarily.
In 1985 there was a parade and housing ceremony to celebrate the addition of a new pumper as well as other equipment. The cost of the new pumper was $150,000. The parade drew lots of spectators and lasted over an hour. A new $328,000 ladder truck was added in 1989.
There were a number of serious fires in the 1980s. The Burger King burned in June of 1987. Robert Reisler’s chicken house caught on fire and caused $675,000 in damage, including the loss of 50,000 chickens. The Glen Hope Bridge also
burned in 1987 and sustained damage to its roof and sides. Another fire in 1987 was at the Oxford Lipkins store which caused $300,000 in damages and 10 people living in the building to be evacuated.
A heartbreaking fire for many community members occurred in 1989 when the Oxford Presbyterian Church burned. After the six alarm fire was answered by fire companies from three counties and two states, only the brick walls and part of the steeple remained. Damage was estimated at $4 million.
The early 1990s saw more successful carnivals and the growth of the company’s resources. One fire call in January of 1994 was to the Eldreth Pottery business. The fire started in the main building, and the firefighters were able to prevent the spread to other buildings on the property as well as to salvage books and records from the office. In 1995 a 6,000-gallon Walker/New Lexington stainless steel tanker truck was purchased. The company had 350 members, 75 of whom were active, and responded to 338 fire calls, 174 rescue calls and 1,200 ambulance calls. Late in 1995 there was a serious fire at the historic Masonic Building on Third Street. This building had been occupied by the Masonic Lodge, the Oxford Library, the Post Office and a Bell Telephone switchboard in the past. In 1995 it was occupied by a variety of businesses and a couple of apartments.
Sixty Union Fire Company volunteers and units from Maryland and Lancaster fought the blaze for two hours. The loss was estimated at $250,000.
In 1995, the company also purchased the old library building next to their parking lot from the People’s Bank. This purchase meant that the company owned the whole area from Fourth Street to Lincoln Avenue north of Market.
1996 was an important year because it marked the 125th anniversary of the company. Again, there was a week-long celebration including a parade on September 21 in which over 280 pieces of apparatus participated. Oxford’s first fire truck was brought out for display. Items from the 125th anniversary were placed in a time capsule to be opened during the 150th anniversary. The
Continued on Page 66
125th Anniversary, 1996
Union Fire Company
Continued from Page 65
Oxford Chamber of Commerce named the company Organization of the Year. Senator Bob Thompson presented the company with a proclamation. In 1996 the company owned 3 pumpers, 1 rescue pumper, a 105-foot aerial ladder, 1 6,000 gallon tank truck, 1 field truck, I multi-purpose squad vehicle and 2 ambulances. Fund raising activities included Tuesday bingo games, Sunday breakfast one day each month, and of course, the carnival.
Also in 1996 the company switched to paid Emergency Medical Technicians to staff the ambulances during the weekdays. This was necessitated by the number of calls to which they needed to respond. The amount of mandatory training hours for ambulance volunteers was also increased. The EMTs were contracted through the Southern Chester County Medical Center. In 1998 plans were developed for extensive renovations to the station. The plans included an addition to the rear of the firehouse, a sprinkler system for
the whole building and an emergency generator. The cost was $432,000. The project was completed in May of 1999 and also allowed space for a third ambulance. The company was also discussing the idea of construction of a substation in Nottingham.
The Octoraro Hotel, another historic landmark, caught on fire in 1998. It took almost three hours for the firefighters to get it under control.
A Juniors program for ages 16 and older was first considered in 1998. Guidelines for the program were approved in December of 1999 and the first junior member was sworn in in 2000.
The 77th annual and last carnival was held in 2000. The fire company had to make the difficult decision to discontinue the tradition because of the number of hours needed to plan and operate the carnival. Demand for the company’s services, regulations for mandatory additional training, and a difficulty in finding more volunteers led to the conclusion that this was necessary. The profits from the carnival had also declined
in comparison to the expenses born by the company. At the time, Fire Chief Percy Reynolds explained that it took 2,600 to 2,800 hours to organize the carnival each year.
The fire company received a number of federal grants in the early 2,000s: $100,868 for turnout gear in 2003, $179,541 for breathing apparatus equipment in 2005, and $90,000 for vehicle exhaust removal systems for fire and EMS bays in 2006. A website for the Union Fire Company was established in 2004.
2005 was an important year for the company. They purchased a brand new Pierce engine. Land was leased from Jim Mark near the intersection of routes 1 and 272 for a temporary substation. This was originally supposed to be a six-month lease, but it lasted about 5 years while land was found, a station designed, plans for a building were developed and the building was constructed. The land for the new station on Christine Road was donated by Herr Foods Inc. The new substation was built and equipment was moved in during 2008, and the new Nottingham substation
was dedicated in September of 2009. Instead of a ribbon cutting, a fire hose was unrolled across the doorway. The cost of the new substation was over $500,000 and could house two engines and a squad utility vehicle. The company also planned for additional expansion by purchasing property on Route 472 in East Nottingham Township.
The Octoraro Hotel suffered another fire in November of 2014. The hotel had been undergoing renovations and brand new windows had to be broken to fight the fire. Owner John McGlothlin was extremely grateful for the bravery of the firefighters and their caring efforts after the fire.
The first female president, Debbie Terry was elected in November of 2017 and began her service in 2018. She had joined the auxiliary in 1984 when she was 16. Members of her family, including her father, mother and husband have served the company in various capacities and her children are active as well. Before being elected president, Debbie had served as secretary, treasurer and vice president. When she became president, there were over 200 active and social members. Debbie is currently still president.
As mentioned in part 1 of this article, there are a number of families who have a tradition of serving the company, including 5 generations of the Brown family. In 2018 Lupita Nava became a volunteer. In addition to
being a firefighter, she provides another important service. She speaks Spanish and can communicate with Hispanic members of the community. Her daughter Carolena joined in 2019 as a junior firefighter.
The Union Fire Company has produced a 150th anniversary booklet. It contains many details about the history of the company, numerous photographs, lists of past chiefs and officers, copies of newspaper articles, memories of firefighters, an article on the Brown family, recognition of emeritus members, Willard Ayers and Richard Terry, tributes from community members and a discussion of how COVID-19 affected the company. This impressive booklet is available on their web site www. oxfordfire.com or by calling the station at 610-932-2411.
Market Street Station with the Dickey Mansion still intact, 1962
JDog: Junk, Vets and a new TV show
andBy Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
Who would think removing unwanted junk could be such a noble mission? We all have junk in our garage, basement, attic and, speaking from experience, some people have entire rooms devoted to junk. We all dream of having someone swoop in and whisk it away. Well, that is possible.
JDog Junk Removal & Hauling empowers veterans by offering an eco-friendly residential and commercial junk removal business opportunity. They provide dependable, sustainable, full-service junk removal and hauling services as well as peace of mind to their customers.
The peace of mind aspect is not just an after-thought, it is the foundation of the business in franchise owner Joe Yurick’s mind. Never has someone spoken so eloquently, or emotionally, about the removal of junk.
Yurick is an active duty U.S. Army veteran serving in the Air Defense Artillery Division. He worked with the patriot missile system, and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was deployed in Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, and his job and his life have taken him to some very tense situations, but his sense of humor is never far away. He told the story of how he got into the Army, laughing as he spoke.
“My buddy and I really didn’t know what we would do after graduation,” he explained “Honestly, I was the class clown in school and really didn’t take anything seriously. In my senior year, we decided we would go into the Army. We planned to go in together, (the buddy system) on the delayed entry program after graduation. Then my buddy changed his mind.”
Yurick finished his boot camp, without his buddy, and wound up at Fort Bliss in Texas.
“I remember it clearly,” he said. “We had just finished a 5K run and were in the chow hall having breakfast when the second tower was hit on 9/11. A few months later, we deployed to Qatar. I was there for just under a year and I was very fortunate. During that time, I did get a stop loss allowing the Army to keep me beyond my three-year commitment. They kept me in just under a year longer because I was fighting overseas. I went back to Fort Bliss
Continued on Page 70
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
JDOG
Continued from Page 69
for debriefing, and then I was honorably discharged.”
Yurick stated, “The Army turned my life around.”
He recalled his high school days, commenting on how much his life has changed.
“I was the class clown,” he said. “I was also getting reprimanded for my pranks. I wasn’t even sure I would be allowed to walk across the stage at graduation. The principal was afraid I’d do something to interrupt graduation. My goal was to make people laugh. My photo wasn’t even in the yearbook my senior year.”
Then he added, “Working with JDog has given me and opportunity to turn things around. I have my mission in life.”
JDog, a national franchise, is veteran owned and operated. It provides a vital service to clients, while providing employment to veterans—and so much more.
Yurick serves on the board of both the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce as well.
He explained, “When I introduce myself in a chamber meeting I say, I’m Joe with JDog. We put local vets to work, we help combat PTSD, and we donate to local
veterans. We just happen to do junk removal.”
JDog has a relationship with the Coatesville VA. Any items that can be repurposed are taken there and repurposed as part of their Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program. The CWT is a Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
clinical vocational rehabilitation program offered at every VA medical center. Their mission is to provide support to veterans living with mental illness or physical impairment with barriers to employment to secure and maintain community based competitive employment.
Veterans are not required to be service
connected to be eligible for CWT services. To be considered for participation in the CWT program, a Veteran must be eligible to receive VA health care services, have a goal of a return to competitive employment and have barriers to obtaining and/or retaining employment which requires the intensive supports
provided by one of the CWT service components.
The program also hooks them up with housing and JDog will deliver the items they have in storage, free to them if they need them.
and Marine veteran Jeff Sanders
Continued on Page 72
Yurick
Joe Yurick, Mark Lukanski and Giovanni Rivera
JDOG
Continued from Page 71
also co-founded a group called Golf Yankee 6 which, when translated, means ‘I’ve got your six.’
“We were sitting at the Sawmill Grill one day and decided to start up a group of veteran business owners, and we did,” he said.
Yurick actually calls himself a veteranpreneur, not entrepreneur.
JDog is also one of the sponsors of a golf tournament in support of the Oxford Area Educational Foundation at Tanglewood Golf Course. Specifically, JDog is sponsoring a million dollar hole in one.
And now to the junk removal aspect of JDog. Yurick is the owner of the Southern Lancaster County franchise of JDog.
“When we get rid of junk for our clients you can see that it is actually a therapeutic release for them,” he said. “I watch their shoulders drop as they reclaim a space. I’ve never been in an industry where
customers actually love you. We sweep up when we are done. We put local vets to work and we never have an unhappy customer.”
Recently they helped a client who had not parked in her garage for over 30 years. That changed when JDog showed up. When the job was finished, they all watched as she pulled her car into the garage for the first time in many years. When JDog does show up to remove junk you might think the Army had arrived. They come in a camouflage truck and the
employees wear camouflage uniforms, which at times were a little intimidating.
“Some of us are pretty big guys, and I guess we were a little intimidating to some of our clients, but we quickly got a handle on that with our humor and our professionalism,” he said. “We shine our shoes, we dress alike, and we arrive with a clean truck, ready to tackle the job of the day.”
It does sound like a military group as Yurick introduces his co-workers saying, “My truck commander is Mark Lukanski,
an Army veteran who was an infantry man during the Gulf War. My junk removal specialist is Giovanni Rivera, who currently serves as a mortarman in the Army National Guard.”
When you call on JDog to come haul away your junk, you get a uniformed team of dedicated workers to provide transparent pricing, remove your junk, dispose of it responsibly, and tidy up afterward.
You can follow Joe Yurick and his local franchise when Operation Hidden Treasures, on the Discovery Channel,
premiers on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 8 a.m.. If you miss that, you can watch an encore showing on Thursday, Oct. 14 on the American Heroes Channel at 8:30 p.m.
Three years ago they filmed a segment and shopped it around to major networks and Discovery and American Hero Channel picked it up.
Yurick explained, “There are a total of 10 episodes and my crew is in 9 episodes. There is a premier party scheduled for the Octoraro Hotel on Oct. 10 at 4 p.m..”
Continued on Page 74
JDOG
Continued from Page 73
Yurick is no stranger to filming. That is another one of his passions. And you can view some of those humorous films on their social media page. He makes fun videos on random jobs and also has a series called: Got It on The Job. It is on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram.
Yurick takes no credit for the success of his franchise saying, “It’s much bigger than me. JDog is a national franchise, and there are some 250 or more in this country.”
“It was an absolute honor to be picked out of 250 franchises to be filmed,” he said “Who would have thought? We pick things up and put them down. We have made such an impact in our community. We celebrated our fourth anniversary on August 17.”
If you need junk removal, they
can do it. They donate or recycle 60 to 80 percent of what they haul, so you know your items are being handled responsibly and can often be used by a family in need.
Here’s a short list of the items they haul: appliances, carpet, clothing, computers, construction debris, estate contents, furniture, lawnmowers, mattresses, office furniture, recreational items, scrap metal, televisions, tires, tools, warehouse contents, yard waste, and more!
The only thing they don’t haul away is hazardous waste. For more information or to enlist their services call 1-484-467-1424. Or visit them at www.jdogjunkremoval.com. You can also email them at jyurick@jdog.com. Check them out this fall on the Discovery Channel and American Hero Channel to view Operation Hidden Treasures.
Oxford Police Department
As the holiday season of 2021 approaches, Oxford Borough Police Department will be continuing daily duties of “to protect and serve.” However, as they have done the last several years, OPD will give back to the community they serve during their annual Christmas Toy Giveaway/Community Outreach event. The idea for the event started several years back when a very generous “Secret Santa” would donate bicycles for officers to give out to families they’d had knowledge of being in dire need during the year prior. As the program grew, the idea progressed to try and reach more children and those families whose parents may not feel comfortable expressing their need for help but are struggling. Perhaps there isn’t necessarily a financial need but the children have never had any contact with an officer and that visit to receive a toy on Christmas may create a lasting positive image of law enforcement in their community. There have been times officers have responded to a home for a domestic or emergency situation and the parent or child noted the officer had been there during the holidays and it turned an otherwise negative or tense situation around.
Oxford Police Department is very fortunate to hold this event each year due to the generous donations from our community. Businesses and private citizens alike make monetary donations in late Fall and then officers make several shopping trips off duty to purchase the toys that are given out during a fun Christmas Santa Police parade with Santa Clause in a patrol car with lights and siren, hitting every street in Oxford Borough on Christmas Eve morning to distribute a toy to every Borough child between 0-16years of age who comes out of their home to meet the officers that serve them. Local businesses are also visited for toy purchases so it›s great community support all around.
What started out as a conversation at Wholly Grounds between Officer Greer and Christine Grove of the Oxford Chamber, has grown into the popular Cash the Elf visits. Local members of the Oxford Chamber can support the efforts of the toy drive and
garner some public relations for their business. Cash the Elf will visit local members in exchange for a donation. The photos are shared on social media and the chamber’s website. Visit OxfordPA.org/Cah for more details. Private citizens who would like to donate can contact Officer S. Greer at Oxford Police Department at greer.pd@oxfordboro.org or by calling 610-998-0032 Ext 306.
Cash the Elf at Oxford Dental Associates
Santa, Officer Green and a lucky recipient of the toy drive.
Beiler-Campbell Realtors & Appraisers
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
For close to 50 years, the real estate brokerage of Beiler-Campbell Realtors & Appraisers has been a constant presence in Chester County and a trusted, locally owned business. Local companies like BeilerCampbell are the fabric of our community. These are the folks that go the extra mile for you, after hours and beyond the expected. When clients are also neighbors, it creates a heightened responsibility to do business in a way that benefits the community.
It is noteworthy that Beiler-Campbell has continued to be an enduring company, even during the challenges of recession, industry change and a pandemic. The national brokerages that shifted to impersonal, franchises with out-of-state owners and satellite offices have not had the same longevity. Beiler-Campbell’s success is attributed to their commitment to providing excellent personal service. At the core of this service is their rich history of realtors,
Photo by Jennifer Zduniak, Jennifer Zduniak Design and Photography
Brian Campbell and Anthony Beiler, Beiler-Campbell Realtors & Appraisers
managers and support staff that treat clients with integrity and are committed to helping them achieve their goals.
Recognized in the industry for a high standard of professionalism and ethics, the realtors at Beiler-Campbell are known for hard work and caring for their clients.
It is remarkable that while the typical realtor’s median tenure with a brokerage is 3 years, about half of Beiler-Campbell’s realtors have been with the company for over a decade with many serving 15 to 30 years! With support of a management team with 200-plus combined years of experience, realtors at Beiler-Campbell are well positioned to serve their clients with confidence. They enjoy a celebrated company culture of support and friendship. Tightly knitted into the community, many of the realtors and management team are active members of local organizations, involved with schools, civic organizations, businesses, and churches.
Realtors at Beiler-Campbell operate from a solid base of industry knowledge
and are well equipped with forward edge technology. The real estate industry is legally complex with laws changing continually. On-going education and Realtor Association involvement is a priority at Beiler-Campbell, as is utilizing advanced technology.
Beiler-Campbell’s rich history began in the early 1970s when Ben Beiler opened the first location along Route 1 in Avondale. In the 1980s, Brian Campbell started as a realtor, moved up to manager and later partner. Anthony Beiler joined the firm in 1989 as a realtor, then served as manager and later became partner. Ben has since retired, however the company culture and business principles Ben established remains the foundation of the company.
Anthony Beiler said, “I am thankful for the work ethic Ben instilled in me and his focus on serving people.”
Following the Avondale office, BeilerCampbell offices were established in Longwood, Oxford, and Quarryville. For a more focused approach in specialty
industries, the Farm & Land Division, Commercial Division and Auction Service were established. Recognizing the lack of commitment that out-of-state mortgage and title companies had for local clients and the roadblocks that caused, BeilerCampbell established affiliate companies Anvil Land Transfer real estate title services and Delaware Valley Financial Mortgage services.
Beiler-Campbell has grown beyond Chester County into Lancaster County, Delaware County, Northern Delaware, Northern Maryland, and across Pennsylvania. The talented realtors from the Farm & Land Division and Auction Service live in Central Pennsylvania and have become well known, particularly with farms and recreational property.
In a time of impersonal, automated customer service, Beiler-Campbell offers a refreshing client experience of professional diligence, ethical work practices and a realtor who cares. For more information visit the website at www.beiler-campbell.com.
Oxford Mainstreet, Inc.
The latter half of 2021 brought eased restrictions and a busy summer. At Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., we have been thrilled with the opportunity to resume hosting events that brought our downtown businesses and the community together. From a Drive-In Movie in April to the First Friday series beginning in July, we’ve hosted several events so far this year, including the 7th Annual Car Show which welcomed more than 230 unique cars to Downtown Oxford. We are so grateful to those that have participated in and supported these events. But the excitement doesn’t end there! Join us on Nov. 5 for the First Friday: Hometown Heroes as we gather to celebrate and honor our veterans. Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 27 and it’s a great opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping by staying local and supporting your favorite small businesses. Mark your calendars for Dec. 3 for First Friday: Country Christmas. Come see Downtown Oxford decorated for the holidays, watch us light the big tree, and welcome the holiday season! For more information on First Friday and other OMI initiatives, visit our website at www.downtownoxfordpa.org.
Steven Hoffman EDITOR
Richard L. Gaw STAFF WRITER
Brenda Butt OFFICE MANAGER
Tricia Hoadley ART DIRECTOR
Diane Blanche Stirrat GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Alan E. Turns ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Teri Turns ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
Helen E. Warren ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
Along with our wine list, we have a full coffee and tea bar. We sell PA Brews and Pa Libations. We also carry gourmet baked goods, DiBruno Bros. handmade cheeses and meats, jams, gourmet snacks, chips and salsa, cheese boards, small appetizers, soft pretzels and more.
Cork & Crafts
& Quizzo Nights
Kennett Copy & More
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Kennett Copy & More has everything you need in the way of office supplies, art supplies, inks, toner and more. If you have not visited lately, you will find the store is better and brighter than ever.
Kennett Copy & More opened five years ago, following in the footsteps of Rubinstein’s. “We decided it was something the community needed, so we decided to open up our own store in their old building. That’s the store that Rhonda used to run,” co-owner Lori Amway said.
Both Amway and Rhonda Thorpe worked many years with the area’s longtime premier copy, office, and art supply store, Rubinstein’s. When
Rubenstein’s was closing, it seemed like a natural extension for Amway, who worked in the West Chester location, and Thorpe, who ran the Kennett Square site, to continue the tradition. “We decided to open our own shop doing the same thing.” Amway said.
Building on the great reputation of the 739 W. Cypress Street location, Kennett Copy & More has become the place to find all the materials you need for office or personal use. Copying, office supplies and art supplies are their strongest areas, but you can also find faxing, binding, business cards, wide format printing for blue prints and much more.
Hit briefly by Covid-19 closures in 2020, Kennett Copy & More faced a greater challenge when the store suffered a devastating fire on May 12, 2020.
by Jennifer Zduniak, Jennifer Zduniak Design and Photography
Photo
“We were on target to have a really good year if Covid didn’t hit and then the fire,” Amway said. “We were completely gutted. We had nothing left, all of the other stores in our strip sustained smoke and water damage.”
While the building was closed, Amway and Thorpe continued to serve their customers, taking orders by email, and making deliveries in person. Fortunately, customer information was safely backed up to the cloud, so client’s records could be retrieved for ordering purposes.
Restoration of the building took longer than first anticipated, with the reopening on May 11, 2021. Now back to normal operations, all interior fixtures have been replaced as well as copy machines, binding machines, computers and all inventory.
“We actually expanded into the next store
and have a classroom setting,” Amway said. “We have instructors who come in and do classes for us. We had done this before, but now we have a dedicated space to do this.”
The entire store has a new look. “The one good thing came out of it is we got the store to where we wanted,” Amway said. “It’s laid out so it functions better for us. We have more working space and the lighting is much better. We lost a year of income, but we were able to design a store that fits our needs now.”
This was also an opportunity to eliminate items that weren’t selling and add new categories, particularly in the art supplies section.
Kennett Copy & More tries to use local workers and suppliers whenever possible. Being a locally owned company, they know
the value of shopping within their own community and encourage others to do so as well.
Their appreciation for the community can also be seen in their high level of customer service. “We like to give good customer service that’s what people deserve,” Amway said.
Above all, Amway and Thorpe want people to know that Kennett Copy & More is open for business and going strong.
“We’re fully open,” Amway said. “It’s important to know we are back from a devastating circumstance and we survived it. We’re here to help the community again.”
For more information call 484-732-8066 or visit Kennett Copy & More at 739 W. Cypress St., Kennett Square, and on the web at kennettcopy.com.
Oxford Area Civic Association John H. Ware IV Hunger Help Walk
The Oxford Area Civic Association along with the Oxford Area Ministerium will be sponsoring the John H. Ware IV Hunger Help Walk which is scheduled for October 17.
Join your neighbors to help feed those in our neighborhood dealing with food insecurity. The walk is being held at Waterway Church, 550 Waterway Road, Oxford. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. with the walk beginning at 1 p.m. You may do either the one mile “nature” walk around the church property or the three mile hike around the adject neighborhood.
Pick up a Walkers Packet from local Churches, Oxford Library, Neighborhood Services Center or the Lighthouse to get sponsors for walking in the Hunger Help Walk. Collect the donations and
put them in your Walkers Packet. All checks should be made out to the Oxford Area Civic Association. Bring the Walker Packet to the Hunger Help Walk. Anyone who is not walking can make a donation directly, by mailing it to the Oxford Area Civic Association, PO Box 34, Oxford, Pa 19363.
All monies raised will be distributed among The Neighborhood Services Center, Church of God Divine Sent Food Cupboard and the Lighthouse Youth Center to help feed people in OUR community.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Freeman at 610-932-2619. Thank you in advance for helping us feed those in our community dealing with hunger.
Walkers of all ages are welcome - the Levengood Family, 2020
Jane Freeman and Mary Ann Sumner.
OXFORD CHAMBER MEMBER DIRECTORY
Accounting / Financial
ABCPA Accounting Services
610-322-2424
ABCPAServices.com
Fenstermacher and Company, LLP
610-444-1215
FandCo.com
Nawn & Co, CPA’s Ltd.
610-268-5501
LongCPAs.com
See ad pg. 79
O
ffice Elf Bookkeeping
610-67-1353
OfficeElf.net
Susan J. Martorano LLC
484-354-4581
See ad pg. 38
TBRE Consulting Company
484-365-5570
TBREConsulting.com
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. 41
Kennett Copy and More
484-732-8066
KennettCopy.com
Oxford Print and Design
614-406-5892
OxfordPrintandDesign.com
Yo Sign Guy
610-329-4451
See ad pg. 42
Agriculture
Aristos’ Harvest
302-584-8386
AristosHarvest.com
Hostetter Grain, Inc.
610-932-4484
HostetterGrain.com
See ad pg. 10
Mt. Olivet Farms
484-614-5203
See ad pg. 80
Appliance Repair/ Sales
Martin Appliance
717-786-7373
MartinsAppliance.com
Architecture / Engineering/ Land Planning
Bella Architects
610-470-4151
BellaArchitects.com
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
Car Repair Services, LLC
610-869-5611
Car-repair-services-llc.business.site/
Collision Zone, Inc.
610-932-8330
CollisionZoneInc.com
See ad pg. 73
Country Chrysler Dodge - Jeep 610-932-0500
CountryDodge.com
DeFranks Automotive
610-932-1113
deFranksAutomotive.com
Dumas Sapp & Son 610-932-8564
SappQualityCars.com
Jeff D’Ambrosio Chevrolet 610-932-9090
JeffsChevy.com
McComsey Automotive LLC (610) 467-1330 facebook.com/McComseyAutomotive
See ad pg. 80
Michael Cole Enterprises, Inc (610) 869-9130
Oxford Auto and Tire 610-467-0076
OxfordAutoandTire.com
See ad pg. 79
Oxford Mobil 610-932-5686
OxfordMobil.com
Valleybrook RV Body and Paint 610-908-7124
Valleybrook-RV.com
See ad pg. 18
BB&T Bank now Truist 610-998-1540 BBT.com
Citadel Credit Union 610-466-6608
CitadelBanking.com
Fulton Bank, N.A. 610-932-2100 FultonBank.com
Meridian Bank 484-568-5000
MeridianBank.com
PenFed Credit Union/ Houston Baker 610-306-7929
PenFed.org/mortgage-center/ agents/Houston_Baker
Presence Bank (formerly Coatesville Savings) 610-932-7756
PresenceBank.com
Univest 717-588-2233 717-806-8984
Univest.net
See ad pg. 73
WSFS Bank 610-998-0414
WSFSBank.com
Chiropractic
Chiropractic Services
610-932-9061
ChiropracticCenterOxfordpa. com
See ad pg. 10
Fitchett Chiropractic 610-869-3222
FitchettChiropractic.com
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
Continued from Page 87
Oxford Presbyterian Church
610-932-9640
OxfordPresbyterian.org
Oxford United Methodist Church
610-932-9698
Oxford1851.org
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
Oxford Cleaners
610-620-5499
OxfordCleanersUSA.com
SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford
484-576-7015
SERVProKennettSquareOxford.com
See ad pg. 19
Computers / Consulting
digiTEK Computer Services
610-467-1200
DigitekComputerServices.com
Grater Solutions, LLC
484-423-4245
GraterSolutions.com
Lemmtec
931-224-8502
Lemmtec.com
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. 25
Harbor Stone Construction Co
610-467-0872
HarborStoneCC.com
See ad pg. 85
Install Solutions
610-467-0686
MyInstallSolution.com
Nowland Associates
302-731-1333
NowlandAssociates.com
See ad pg. 12
Dental / Orthodontics
McCormick Orthodontics
610-932-2917
McCormickOrthodontics.com
Oxford Dental Associates
610-932-3388
OxfordSmiles.com
See ad pg. 21
Oxford Family Dentistry
610-932-9580
OxfordSmileMakers.com
See ad pg. 95
Education
Barnsley Academy
610-932-5900
BarnsleyAcademy.com
See ad pg. 16
Bethany Christian School
610-998-0877
BethanyChristian.org
See ad pg. 39
Cecil College 410- 287-1000
Cecil.edu
See ad pg. 30
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
See ad pg. 59
Oxford Public Library 610-932-9618
OxfordPublicLibrary.org
Electric
Baer Electric LLC
610-932-6302
Baer-Electric.com
See ad pg. 71
Penn-DelMar Power LLC 610-496-2885 PennDelMar.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 Carolyn Comitta
610-692-2112
PASenatorComitta.com
Hair Salon/ Nail Salon/ Spa Services
3rd Street Parlor
(610) 932-2085
facebook. com/3rdStreetparlor/
Alluring Images Hair Studio
610-932-9308
AlluringImagesHairStudio. com
See ad pg. 67
Color Cut and Curls Inc.
610-932-7834
ColorCutCurls.com
Judy Hastings Salon
610-932-9566
HastingsSalonWeebly.com
See ad pg. 57
Mangled Mess Hair Salon
717-380-7239
Mangled-Mess-Hair-Salon. business.site
The Nail Station and Spa
610-467-1300
OxfordNailStation.com
See ad pg. 33
Studio Blush
610-467-0772
StudioBlush.net
Health
Brandywine River Valley Home Health & Hospice
610-998-1700 LHCgroup. com/locations/ brandywineriver-valley-home-health/
See ad pg. 83
Break Away Farm Fitness 717-529-2259
BreakAwayFarmFittness.com
CrossFit Thunder Hill
610-998-9348
CrossFitThunderHill.com
Graceeld Counseling 267-772-0148
GraceeldCounseling.com
See ad pg. 35
LCH
610-444-7550
LCHCommunityHealth.org
See ad pg. 43
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
See ad pg. 65
Hospital
Jennersville Hospital Tower Health 610-869-1000
Jennersville.TowerHealth.org
See ad pg. 14
Insurance
Auto Tags Plus 610-932-4000 (Oxford) 610-345-5932 (West Grove)
QuickAutoTagsPlus.com
Bankers Life/Anthony Castelluccio (484) 690-7103
Agents.BankersLife.com
Chuck Weed –State Farm Insurance 610-932-2400
Here4YourFinancialFuture. com
See ad pg. 64
Farmers Insurance –Russ Melrath 610-467-0988
Garcia-Taylor Insurance Agency, Inc. 610-932-4935
Nationwide.com/GarciaTaylorAgency
Keystone HMO CHIP 215-241-9706
IBX.com/CHIP
KVIS & Coe Insurance Services 610-932-9350
KVISCoe.com
See ad pg. 77
Stahl & Company 610-458-1588
PAHealthCoverage.com
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. 70
Butler’s Home and Lawn 610-223-1198 facebook.com/butlershomeandlawn
Carter and Son Lawncare, Inc. 610-932-5703
See ad pg. 83
Howell’s Lawn and Landscape 610-842-1683
HowellsLawnandLandscape. com
See ad pg. 45
Huf Landscaping 610-932-3426
HufLandscaping.com
Shelton Pallet Company 610-932-3182
SheltonsPallet.com
See ad back cover
Valley View Perennial Growers Inc 484-883-0303
ValleyViewPG.com
Lawyer
D’Amico Law, P.C. 610-444-4555
DamicoLawPC.com
See ad pg. 11
Eichman Law, PLLC 484-734-0378
EichmanLawGroup.com
Ira D. Binder, Attorney-at-Law 484-643-3325
See ad pg. 39
Miller Law Group 610-840-8400
MillerLawpa.com
Manufacturer
Baltic Leisure Co., a division of Penn Sauna 610-932-5700
BalticLeisure.com
Custom Machine and Design 610-932-4717
CustomMachineDesign.com
Continued from Page 89
Flower Baking
Company of Oxford
610-932-2300
FlowerFoods.com
Herr Foods Inc.
610-932-6400
Herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Outback Trading Company
610-932-5141
OutbackTrading.com
Scalewatcher North America
610-932-6888
Scalewatcher.com
See ad pg. 50
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
LCHCommunityHealth.org
See ad pg. 43
Moving Services/ Storage/ Hauling
DEStorage.com New Garden
484-406-4100
DEStorage.com/NewGarden
See ad pg. 72
JDog Junk & Hauling Services
484-467-1424
JDogJunkRemoval.com
See ad pg. 85
Oxford Mini Storage
610- 932-9111
OxfordMiniStorage.com
See ad pg. 46
Non-Prot
ACE Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance of Oxford 610-932-0337
See ad pg. 72
Black Rock Retreat 717-529-3232
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 610-467-6000
OxfordLighthouse.org
National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum 610-384-9282
SteelMuseum.org See ad pg. 84
Oxford Area Civic Association 610-932-2619
Oxford Area Foundation 610-932-4627
OxfordAreaFoundation.org See ad pg. 59
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 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
Street Lamp Community Theatre 410-658-5088
StreetLampProductions.org
The Oaks Ministry 484-368-7268
OxfordOaksMinistry.com See ad pg. 4
Warriors on the Water 717-314-2800
WarriorsOntheWaterltdcom. wordpress.com
Optometrist
Miller Eye Care 610-869-4200
MillerEyecareOnline.com
Oxford Family Eyecare 610-932-9356
OxfordFamilyEyecare.com
Painting
CertaPro Painters of Western Chester County 484-842-0174
Western-Chester-County. CertaPro.com
Jones Painting 610-908-4515
JonesPainting.net
Photography
Forever Photo Booths 610-241-2624
ForeverPhotoBooths.us
Jennifer Zduniak Design & Photography 610-955-4131
JZDesignandPhoto.com
See ad pg. 76
Mirror Me Productions 484-883-7773
MirrorMePro.com
Moonloop Photography LLC 484-748-0812
MoonloopPhoto.com
See ad pg. 66
Plumbing / Heating / Cooling/ Fuel
Alger Oil and Propane Inc. 610-932-4104
AlgerEnergy.com
See ad pg. 55
Cameron’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling 610-932-2416
CameronsPHC.com
See ad pg. 22 & 23
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. 47
Real Estate
Beiler-Campbell Realtors 610-932-1000
Beiler-Campbell.com
See ad pg. 13
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach– Chris Anderson 484-753-2692 ChristineAnderson.FoxRoach. com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach/ Patrick Curran 610-656-7382
JPatrickCurran.com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach/Deedree Erlichman 610-563-8370
DeedreeErlichman@ FoxRoach.com
Keller Williams/ Jeff Sanders 570-412-4405 jeffsanders1@kw.com
Joel Brown, BeilerCampbell 610-932-2982 Beiler-Campbell.com
Oxhaven Apartments 610-932-3700 OxHaven.com
Penfed Credit Union
610-306-7929 penfed.org/mortgage-center/ agents/Houston_Baker
Recreational
Andrea’s Academy of Dance 717-529-1065 DanceAAoD.com
CrossFit Thunder Hill 302-584-4096 CrosstThunderHill.com
Herr’s Snack Factory 610-932-6400 Herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Jennersville YMCA 610-869-9622 YMCAgbw.org
Jim Neary’s Live Bait and Tackle 717-529-2488 Jimsbait.net
National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum
610-384-9282
SteelMuseum.org
See ad pg. 84
Oxford Area Recreation Authority 610-314-3783
Treasoara.wixsite.com/OxfordRecreation
Oxford Center for Dance 610-932-3267
OC4dance.com
See ad pg. 57
Oxford Karate Institute 610-998-0044
OxfordKarateInstitute.com
See ad pg. 28
Oxford Shoebox Theatre 610-998-9494
OxfordTheatrePA.org
Southern Chester County Sports 484-758-0855
SouthernChesterCountySports.com
Timber Lanes
610-932-8850
TimberLanes.net
Restaurant / Specialty Food and Beverages
22 BBQ
Food Truck and Catering 484-883-0990
22-BBQ.com
See ad pg. 38
Andre’s Pizza Italian Restaurant 610-932-2221
Andres-Pizza.com
Ball and Thistle Pub 610- 624-6802 Wyncote.com
Bellybusters 610-932-5372
facebook.com/BellybustersSubs
See ad pg. 58
Corner Café
610-869-5557
CornerCafeJennersville.com
Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Twisted Treats 610-932-9498
Flickerwood.com
See ad pg. 81
Kreider’s Market, Inc 717-529-6944
KreidersMarket.com
See ad pg. 67
La Sicilia Pizza Pasta Grille 610-998-9889
LaSiciliaPA.com
Las Martitas 484-643-9624
OxfordFarmMarketpa.com/ vendors/las-martitas
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
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
Simply Sweet 484- 643-8296
facebook.com/simplysweetcupcakesandcakesbyash
Sweet Cakes Supplies
610-467-1101
SweetCakesSupplies.com See ad pg. 29
Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery 484-667-1369
TiersofJoyGF.com
Toot Sweets
610-467-1900
TootSweetson3rd.com
The Ugly Mutt 610-998-9000
facebook.com/The-Ugly-Mutt
See ad pg. 40
Vanessa Ross Cakes 610-467-1800
VanessaRossCakes.com
Vox Vineti Wines 203-912-2810
VoxVineti.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
Cameron’s Hardware & Supply, Inc. 610-932-2416
CameronsHardware.com
See ad pg. 22 & 23
Candle Studio 1422 814-892-3007
CandleStudio1422.com
Continued from Page 91
Country Girl
Clothing Boutique
610-637-0518
CountryGirlClothingBoutique
Dubarry of Ireland
866-658-3569
Dubarry.com
G & F Carpet/ Flooring America
610-932-8724
G-FCarpet.com
See ad pg. 94
Honeysuckle Trail Country Crafts
610-932-7734
HoneysuckleTrail.com
Howetts Screen Printing and Embroidery
610-932-3697
Howetts.com
It’s SO Lola’s
610-467-0774
facebook.com/ ItsSOLolas
See ad pg. 31
Jennersville Pets and Friends
610-345-1145
facebook.com/JVPet
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. 31
Martin Appliance 717-786-7373
MartinsAppliance.com
Mortal Skateboards
302-438-5848
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. 20
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. 61
Sweet Cakes Supplies
610-467-1800
SweetCakesSupplies.com
See ad pg. 29
The Junction Consignment & More Awesome Stuff 484-614-1937
The Maroon Hornet Comics and Collectibles 610-745-7640
TheMaroonHornetComics. com
Retirement Community
Ware Presbyterian Village
610-998-2400
WarePresbyterian.org
Security
VPP Security LLC
267-977-8706
SecurityVPP.com
Service
Armstrong 877-277-5711
ArmstrongOneWire.com
See ad pg. 86
Auto Tags Plus
610-932-4000 (Oxford) 610-345-5932 (West Grove) QuickAutoTagsPlus.com
Brandywine Septic Services, Inc. 610-869-0443
BrandywineSeptic.com
See ad pg. 3
Combat Elevator 844-266-2281
CombateElevatorInc.com
Decorations Events Lopez 484-467-6475 facebook.com/banquestDecorations
Design by Daphne 484-897-0030
DesignByDaphne.com
Freelance Event Consultation and Organization 610-241-2624
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
Michelle Sapp Social Media Support 302-561-5681
facebook.com/MichelleSappSocial
Outlier Audio 610-241-2624
OutlierAudio.com
Theater
Street Lamp Community Theatre 410-658-5088
StreetLampProductions.org
Transportation
DuVall Bus Service LLC
610-869-2881
DuVallBusService.com
See ad pg. 48 & 49
Oxford Transportation 610-932-2031
GLStudentBus.com
See ad pg. 35
Veterinary/Pet Boarding/ Grooming/ Sitting
Elk Creek Veterinary Services
610-467-1488
ElkCreekVeterinaryServices. com
See ad pg. 17
Oxford Veterinary Hospital 610-932-8757
OxfordVeterinaryHospital. com
Vixen Hall Kennels 610-932-6980
VixenHallKennels.com
See ad pg. 56
Unionville Equine Associates PC 610932-6800
UEAVet.com
Winery/ Venues
Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard 717-799-7277
BritainHillVenueandVineyard.com
Flickerwood Wine Cellars 610-932-9498
Flickerwood.com
See ad pg. 81
BLACK MULCH
BROWN MULCH