Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce
Letter from the President
Over the next few months, there are significant changes coming to downtown Oxford, including the completion of the MultiModal Transit Facility and the opening of the “Shoebox” Theater. There are several properties currently for sale or lease in the downtown business district. Now is the perfect opportunity to become part of our downtown business district, with centrally located parking in the new parking structure, the large community events bringing guests downtown, and successful businesses that are bringing business to Oxford.
If you are looking to expand your business to an additional location or to a larger space, or to start a business, please reach out to The Oxford Borough (oxfordboro.org), Oxford Mainstreet Inc. (downtownoxfordpa.org) and the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce (oxfordpa.org). We would like to assist you in making downtown Oxford your new business address.
Please consider joining the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and attending our monthly meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. (except for July and August) at Vista Ridge on the campus of Ware Presbyterian Village.
This being my third time as President of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and my last opportunity as President before my term ends, I would like to thank the Chamber members and the Chamber board members who give their time, talents and finances to promote the Oxford area and support the many events we promote without needing to be in the spotlight.
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Richard Hannum, President of Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce
Oxford Halloween Parade. Mark your calendar for October 24th, raindate October 25.
FEATURE ARTICLES
Oxfordian Fall/Winter 2019 Table of Contents
IN THIS ISSUE
8...... The value of open space
18....Country Chrysler
28....Outback Trading Company
42....Lovett-McCullough Building
60....Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard
74....Army-Navy in Oxford
90....Bringing back a theater
100..Find a great cup of coffee
MEET OUR MEMBERS
14....Moonloop Photography
26....Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery
36....Vixen Hall Kennels
58....Net-Werks
84....S&L Fine Cigars
98....Outback Adventure Co.
4......Letter from the President
35....Rotary Club of Oxford
38....Oxford Senior Center
48....Chamber Directory
71....Borough of Oxford
82....Lighthouse Youth Center
86....Chamber Challenge
OXFORDIAN COMMITTEE
Carolyn Blackburn
Jim Coarse
Christine Grove
Rich Hannum
Rebekah Stratton
Angie Thompson-Lobb
Helen Warren
Cliff Masscotte
Crystal Messaros
Eric Maholmes
Cover photo Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
r econ of pro open
In a spin on traditional business Return on Investment (ROI), a new study titled Return on Environment: The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester County has documented the economic value of open space in our county.
report highlights omic value otected n space
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Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Octoraro Resevoir.
Protected Open Space
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Some of the key findings of the report identify often-overlooked benefits of open space to businesses:
• Open space is part of Chester County’s quality of place, which attracts an educated and talented workforce to live and work here.
• The tax base is expanded because homes in the county are valued at more than $11,000 more on average when they are located within a halfmile of preserved open space.
• Property owners, businesses, and workers avoid having to pay additional taxes ($97 million per year) to build infrastructure that replicates the environmental services that nature provides for free, such as flood protection and air pollution reduction.
• The recreational opportunities on protected open space contribute to a healthy workforce and account for more than $324 million in avoided costs for medical care, workers’ compensation, and lost worker productivity.
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Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Above: Chrome Barrens.
Left: Southern Chester County.
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Rolling hills outside of Oxford, PA.
Protected Open Space
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To bring these numbers to a more understandable scale, the report includes nine case studies that highlight the economic, environmental, and health-related benefits of well-known open spaces in Chester County. One case study highlights the 106-acre Anson B. Nixon Park, that encompasses parts of Kennett Township and Kennett Square Borough. About 170,000 visitors are attracted to the park’s walking trails, playground areas, dog park, disc golf course, and more every year. The park adds a collective $28.6 million to the value of homes within a half-mile of the park. Nearby businesses also view the park and the nearby Kennett Greenway as assets to attract and retain talented employees. Chester County is focused on balancing growth with preservation as reflected in
Landscapes3, the county’s comprehensive plan, and VISTA 2025, the county’s 10-year economic development strategy that has “quality of place” as a primary goal.
In that context, Peter Hausmann, chairman of Natural Lands’ Board of Trustees and a former real estate developer, recently captured the connection between “quality of place,” open space, and the Chester
County economy when he stated that, “open space is infrastructure in a knowledge-based economy.”
The Return on Environment report was prepared by Chester County departments, land conservancies, municipal representatives, economic development agencies, and Econsult Solutions, Inc., an economic consulting firm that
provides econometric and analytic expertise to businesses and policymakers nationwide.
View the study and video: http://chescoplanning.org/ openspace/roe.cfm
Request a presentation: http://chescoplanning.org/ OpenSpace/ROE-PresentationRequest.cfm
Photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Octoraro Resevoir.
Meet Our Member: Jim Coarse, Photographer and Co-Owner, Moonloop Photography
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Look at the photograph that has been taken one million times the same way before –the safe shot – and that is where you will find most photographers.
Look for the photograph that’s never been taken before – the shot that finds a new narrative and contours and light and dimension -- and that is very likely where you will find photographer Jim Coarse.
Throughout his long career, Coarse has taken his camera and his talents everywhere – from places as diverse as sailing the Chesapeake Bay, hiking the Green Mountains of Vermont and cruising the Caribbean, to on-assignment essays for several leading publications, including Delaware Today, Out & About and the eight local magazines published by the Chester County Press
As the co-owner -- with Joe Del Tufo -- of Delaware-based Moonloop Photography since 2015, Coarse also brings his creativity to weddings and special events, portraiture and nature and landscape photography throughout Chester County and beyond.
“Before the internet and cable television, a lot of my Saturday nights as a young boy were spent watching photography slide shows that my dad had taken of me and my older brother, who is 11 years
Photo by Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photography Jim Coarse
older and my sister, who is 8 years older than me,” said Coarse, who lives in Oxford with his wife and two young daughters. “My father had a Conica SLR, and he just loved to use it. I don’t know what possessed him to originally buy it, but he chose to take photos of his family with it.
“It’s a lesson that you learn that tells all of us that a camera’s purpose is to document who we are. During these sessions, we would talk about the stories behind all of those photos, so it gave me a sense of who my family was before I was even born.”
On his fourth birthday, Coarse’s parents gave their youngest son his first camera – a FisherPrice 110 – which he used until he replaced it with a 35 MM camera when he was in middle school, and a Minolta when he was 16, and a student at Avon Grove High School and during his time as a photography major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Working alongside Del Tufo and Moonloop photographer Justin Heyes, Coarse has enjoyed a reputation as a creative explorer, who can immediately assess the shoot, and flavor it with the use of placement, lighting and other forms of technology.
“When I approach a photo assignment, I ask, ‘What is expected here, and in what other ways can I explore new options?’” he said. “My trunk is loaded with lights, so many times, I can look at the location and the narrative, and realize that with proper lighting, I can make the photograph work better for me, and subsequently, for who I am working for.”
To Coarse, the secret is knowing when to separate the creative from the technical.
“When we go to a wedding, we see the five typical shots that every wedding photographer gets, but we approach the same shots from a completely different perspective. This way, we keep ourselves passionate and fresh about what we’re doing. As a photographer, you’ve got to challenge yourself. You have to continually roll the creative dice.”
Often, Coarse asks the client(s) he is working for to join him on the creative journey. A recent wedding he photographed was hampered by a constant downpour of rain, so he politely asked if the couple if they wished to have their wedding photographs taken while rain fell on them.
“I promised them that it would look amazing,” Coarse said. “At first, the bride hesitated, because she was concerned about the rain’s impact on her dress. I asked her, ‘What are you doing with your dress tomorrow?’ She answered that it would likely be stored in a box. I told her, ‘Fine. Then let’s all go out in the rain and have a great time.’
Reluctantly, the bride finally agreed with Coarse. The resulting photographs created a permanent and animated document of two people in love and at play. “I simply let their energy flow, captured their unrehearsed moments, and it showed in their photos,” he said.
The Fisher-Price 110 camera that Coarse was given on his fourth birthday was recently given back to Coarse by his parents on his birthday. It now rests on a shelf beside the many other cameras that have documented the magical ride of a career that has been marked by an endless curiosity -- and the need to find the photograph that’s never been taken before.
To learn more about Jim Coarse and
Photography, visit www.moonloopphoto.com, call 484-748-0812, or email jim@moonloopphoto.com.
Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr., president of Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, has lived with his wife Mary Jo and their two children in the area since 1993. During that time, he’s also embraced another family: The Oxford community
The family m
Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr. in his Oxford showroom.
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Ten years ago, as the recession sank its teeth into the fabric of the American economy and began to chew vigorously, the automotive industry began closing dealerships all over the country in an effort to conserve resources.
One morning in 2008, Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr., the president of a successful GM dealership in Oxford, received
man
a certified letter from the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, informing Atkisson that his dealership would be forced to close in six months.
“I knew that there was no way I was going to allow this to happen,” he said. “I had all of these loyal employees, whose livelihoods were in my hands. I couldn’t tell anyone about what was going on, because I didn’t want anyone to worry that they could lose their job. It became something I had to live with every day.”
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Article photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr.
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For the next several months, Atkisson waged an email campaign to save his dealership and the jobs of his loyal staff. He pounded out letters to GM headquarters nearly every day, attempting to convince them that his dealership was a success, and it was happening in a town that had great vision for its social and economic future. Eventually, a representative from the corporate offices of
General Motors visited Atkisson at the Oxford dealership. “He sat across from the conference table from me and told me, ‘We see no future in Oxford,’” he said. “He told me that if someone wanted to buy a General Motors vehicle, they’ll go to Delaware to buy it. I asked him on what basis did he reach his decision, and he told me that he and his colleagues at headquarters had looked at
Ariel view of Country Chrysler located at 2158 Baltimore Pike, Oxford, PA.
Google Maps and satellite imagery, in order to see our location in relation to its proximity to other dealerships.
“I told him, ‘You know nothing about the fabric of this community, or what is happening here or what is being planned here.’ I told him that in order to know a community, you have to begin to know the people who live and work there. The corporation didn’t seem to understand the value that a dealership of this kind has on a community. They don’t know the value of our employees on the local economy. They pay taxes. They send their children to local schools. Their money circulates in the local economy.”
Atkisson continued to pound his keyboard. Eventually, a representative from the manufacturer visited the dealership. He walked to the front of the lot and saw sales staff speaking with customers. He saw a vibrant parts department. He watched the dealership’s automotive department hum with activity. He saw a community going on directly beyond the dealership.
“You say corporate wants to close this place?” the representative asked Atkisson. “Let me see what I can do.”
A week later, Atkisson received another letter from General Motors, proposing that the Oxford dealership relinquish selling the Buick and GMC brands, and in exchange, become an exclusive Chevrolet dealership.
Atkisson agreed to the proposal.
He saved the jobs of over 70 employees.
A native of New Jersey and a graduate of West Chester University, Atkisson began his professional career as a parts representative with American Motors, before moving to Chrysler, where he started in arbitration and later became the customer relations manager for the company’s Chicago office, which covered Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and parts of Wisconsin. Although he enjoyed the challenge of his position with Chrysler, his wife Mary Jo wanted to raise their family – which now included son Gordon III and later, their daughter Elizabeth – closer to her family in the King of Prussia area.
In 1993, Atkisson took over the Barr Motor Company, and at the same time, began to have a house built in nearby Lincoln University. Now, 26 years later, Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep has become one of the premiere dealerships of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic Region, offering an ever-changing inventory of new and quality used Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles, from coupes to vans to SUVs to trucks and wagons.
Atkisson believes that the dealership owes its success
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BLACK MULCH BROWN MULCH
Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr.
Continued from Page 21
not only to the quality of the products, but to a basic principle that began on day one.
“I told my first employees, ‘You are going to be honest. You are never going to lie to a customer, and you will never tell them that they need something that they don’t need,’” Atkisson said. “I told them that I made a conscious decision to move to this community, and I don’t want to be at a Back-to-School night and have someone say, ‘There goes the guy who cheated me out of money at the dealership.’”
“I told them that if they’re always honest, I can always back them up.”
Atkisson reeled off the length of time many of his staff worked next to him: A decade. Two decades. Nearly three decades.
“I like to make sure that they’re taken care of, that they’re taking care of our customers, and have the dealership’s best interest at heart,” he said. “Fortunately, I’ve been able to work with so many people who share that philosophy.”
The breadth of Atkisson’s reach into the Oxford community extends far beyond the long-time success of the dealership he and his staff operate. He served on the Oxford School District Board of Directors for four years, coached American Legion baseball, partnered with
New and Pre-Owned Inventory at Country Chrysler.
several other businesses in the area and has been a longtime member of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce. He recalled one meeting years ago when there was discussion as to whether the Chamber should continue on its own, or fold into the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, Atkisson heard from a local businessman, who supported disbanding the local chamber,
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Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Gordon R. Atkisson, Jr.
Continued from Page 23
and told him that he needed people outside of Oxford to help his business be successful.
“That moment has always stuck with me, in just how short-sighted he was,” Atkisson said. “He didn’t understand that the first place you have to take care of is where you live, and if you take care of where you live and the people who live in your community, then everything else will take care of itself.
“If you take care of them, it fosters satisfaction and success.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
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Meet Our Member: Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
Just because your diet demands that you remain gluten free does not mean that you can’t enjoy a delicious cake. Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery is available to bake that special cake you need for a party or any other special occasion, with ingredients that you, your family, and your guests can all enjoy.
The demand for glutenfree products is growing. When one person in a household discovers they must cut gluten from their diet, everyone in the family is impacted. Cakes are such an important part of every celebration that they should be something that everyone can enjoy together. A cake from Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery is something that will be delicious for the entire family.
Fallon Masscotte learned she could not have gluten in 2001. Her mother and brothers and sisters are also affected by gluten, but when she looked around at what was available on grocery
store shelves, she was not impressed with the textures or flavors.
Instead, Masscotte started baking gluten-free products herself. A member of the Air National Guard, she baked a cake and brought it in for her military weekend to share. After that, it seemed she was bringing in a cake each month to mark birthdays and other occasions.
Everyone was impressed with the quality of her cakes, and amazed that they were also gluten free. “I was doing it for free for about a year, and then with everybody encouraging me, I decided to start my own business,” Masscotte said.
Masscotte had previous experience working in a bakery, and her husband, Cliff, provides additional business and marketing experience for the venture.
“In the past year, I have been experimenting on what works and what tastes good,” she said. “I have had people say ‘Thank you for doing this,’” Masscotte said.
The name for the business came from Masscotte’s sister. “I made my sister, who is allergic to a lot of different things, a cake. She hadn’t had a sweet for a long time. She said ‘You should name it Tiers of Joy.’”
Masscotte does not have a storefront of her own yet, but she has plans to do so in about 18 months. For now, all products are made to order and delivered. Her delivery
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Fallon Masscotte started Tiers of Joy after experimenting with making her own gluten-free recipes.
area ranges from Nottingham to Kennett Square and as far as Exton. For those who want to taste a Tiers of Joy product before ordering a cake or cupcakes, individually packaged cupcakes are available at Landhope stores in Oxford and Unionville, as well as Triple Fresh in Coatesville. Knowing that gluten is not the only dietary problem people face, Masscotte is prepared to work with individuals who have other issues to contend with.
“If someone has other allergies, if they are allergic to dairy or soy, if someone wants something, I’ll try to make it,” Masscotte said. “If they’re allergic to something and they feel like they can’t eat anything, I will make it for them so they can enjoy.”
Most of her orders are for basic vanilla, chocolate or lemon cakes, but Masscotte has also made coconut, red velvet and carrot cakes, plus she offers a variety of different fillings and different buttercream flavors. Masscotte is also able to offer vegan cakes with no egg or dairy products. She tries to keep her products all natural, including the cake decoration. Instead of fondant, she prefers to use real flowers or party decorations to top off special occasion cakes. Prices are slightly higher than conventional cakes because of the higher price of the ingredients, particularly for vegan cakes. All sizes of cakes are available, and Masscotte will even tackle a wedding cake.
Find Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery on Facebook and Instagram. More information is also at www.tiersofjoyglutenfree.com.
Outback Trading president has big president has big downtown Oxford
Wilson King, Outback Trading Company President with his four legged friend Riley.
ideas for g ideas for
By John Chambless Staff Writer
Outback Trading Company was a fixture of Oxford’s Third Street for more than 30 years. When the outdoor apparel store closed and the business moved operations past the western border of the borough at the end of June, it left a noticeable hole in the downtown.
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Article photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Outback Trading Company
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But Outback president Wilson King, 65, is still very much involved in Oxford, and he’s working behind the scenes to fill the storefront and warehouse space, parts of the five buildings he owns on Third Street.
Speaking in the new corporate office and warehouse, King said Outback simply outgrew the space it had occupied since shortly after its establishment in 1983.
“It was meant to be a temporary situation that ended up lasting 30 years,” he said. Trying to run a business that distributes its products to just over 1,000 wholesale customers around the world from downtown Oxford – and all the truck traffic that implies – became untenable. “We were bursting at the seams,” he said.
The move to a nondescript warehouse outside the
Outback’s new showroom, located in the new corporate headquarters.
borough “is perfect,” he said. “We took a very ugly old building and used the same walls and the same floor, and the same trusses. Everything around it is brand new. We just updated the inside. We have 32,000 square feet, and 20,000 square feet of backstock space.”
While retaining the walls and footprint of the original warehouse, the Outback location has sleek new office space for the company’s 30 employees, plus a lower floor where thousands of items can be
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Outback employees can enjoy the beautiful vistas on this covered break spot.
Outback Trading Company
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brought in from where they are manufactured, then sold online or shipped to retailers, all with plenty of room for trucks to come and go.
The Outback brand has a rugged but sleek look, using durable oilskin cloth and other durable materials to create clothing that will last a lifetime. There’s a full line of men’s and women’s outerwear, hats and accessories. There’s a design inspiration from Australian Outback clothing, and King returns to New Zealand a couple of times a year. “We have a really nice business in New Zealand and Australia,” he said. “We’ve been there 22 years.”
The company website supplies more than enough orders, in addition to the hearty international sales to stores such as Cabela’s, and a national chain called Boot Barn, among others.
“The old store space in Oxford, it provided a service, it was kind of neat to walk in, but it did about 10 percent of what the Web should do this year in sales,” King said.
Moving into part of the store’s former space, longtime
Located just outside of downtown Oxford, the new Outback Trading Company headquarters has been designed to handle large delivery trucks.
businessman Ron Hershey will be opening a new store that will carry Outback Trading Company products during the second half of 2019. To fill the rest of the space available, King has some intriguing ideas.
“Behind the former store is 18,000 square feet of space on two floors. Then behind the Metro phone store is another 15,000 square feet more,” King said.
What he’d like to do is break up one 8,500-square-foot space behind the Metro PCS store into studios for local artists and crafters. Then he’d like to get a new brewpub downtown, since Oxford’s two previous brewpubs have left town.
Oxford Mainstreet has plans to put a small theater space downtown, but it’s a long-term project that will be costly, King said. But with a rich mix of artists, a theater and fresh brews downtown, Oxford could more fully live up to its potential.
“The town has really good bones,” King said of the historic architecture and charm of the main street. “And the
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Outback Trading Company
Continued from Page 33
new parking garage will help remove the parking stigma. Before, any time I’d bring someone in to show them that we have this space, they’d say, ‘Where do you park here?’ We have one lane coming into town and one lane going out, and parking along one side.
“I’m trying to bring more people to town,” he continued. “I think our Borough Council members need to be more probusiness active. If you build a revenue base for the downtown, it helps dilute the ridiculous school tax, for one thing. We need to take the old buildings and repurpose them, rather than building new buildings. And I think we can do that.”
More information and online sales are available at www.outbacktrading.com.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.
Located inside the conference room, Outback style and inspiration is on display.
Rotary and the Rotary Club of Oxford celebrate 93 years in Oxford
The Rotary Club of Oxford was established in 1926 by a dedicated group of business and civic leaders.
Rotary is an international organization. There are 530 Districts in the Rotary world, including 162 countries and graphic territories. The Rotary of Oxford Club is in District 7450, which is composed of 54 clubs with a total membership of over 2,100 Rotarians.
The privileges in being a Rotary member include friendship with leaders in the community and neighboring towns and cities, all over the United States, and in all parts of the world. The Four Way Test of the things we think, say or do is:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
2. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his/her occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
3. The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his/her personal, business, and community life.
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The privilege of giving service to your community:
The privilege of developing international good will and understanding.
The privilege of helping build higher ethical standards within your vocation.
Your obligations in Rotary:
Participation:
To be a Rotarian, you must give your time and talents:
In community work
In social functions
In Club and District activities
Each year we elect our officers. These officers conduct the general business of our club. Our President, with the approval of our Board of Directors, makes committee appointments based upon the Four Avenues of Service: Club Service: Those things that a Rotarian does to help make this club successful.
Vocational Service: The promoting of the “ideal of service” throughout the business and professional world.
Community Service: Urges every Rotarian to participate in all activities that make the community a better place to live. Recently, we collaborated with the Oxford Borough in the refreshing of the playground in Oxford Memorial Park to be an inclusive playground.
International Service: Encourage and foster the advancement of understanding and good will among peoples of the world. We support the Rotary Foundation Program, which enables outstanding students to study for one year in a country other than their own.
Activities that Rotary Club of Oxford participates in:
• Recognize & host International student
• Recognize Rotary Students of the Month at Oxford Area High School
• Organize local annual events (Crabfest at the Wellwood in Charlestown, and volunteer at the Connective Festival and the First Friday Car Show)
• Contribute to needs of local organizations
• Sponsor local students and community groups Oxford Rotary Early Act (grades 5 thru 8) and Interact (grade 9 thru 12) Clubs and the Rotaract Club at Lincoln University. Also sponsor Outward Bound students and have Interact Club members participate in Rotary Youth Leadership activities
Established in January 2015, the Oxford Rotary Foundation supports the charitable purposes of the Rotary Club of Oxford. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation allowing donors and Club members to make tax-deductible donations. It also serves as a grant and charitable funding vehicle for the club.
Please consider joining the Rotary Club of Oxford. Join us for lunch and find out how you can help make the world a better place. We meet every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ware Presbyterian Retirement Village at Vista Ridge. For more information, email oxrotaryfoundation@ gmail.com.
Meet Our Member: Vixen Hall Kennels
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
When you have to leave your pet in a boarding kennel, you want them to have the best experience possible. At Vixen Hall Kennels, your dog or cat will have a caring stay in a quiet, country environment. Whether you need doggie day care for a day, or longterm boarding while you are on an extended vacation, Vixen Hall can provide just what your animal needs.
Robert Satchell started working at the kennel in 2006, when he was in his senior year of high school. “I wanted to work with animals. I ended up falling in love with it,” he said. “I went to Penn State for business. I wasn’t really sure if I was still going to go down this road, but in my sophomore year, it clicked, so I started studying entrepreneurship in hopes of buying this place. I came on full-time after I graduated, and then my wife, Alexandra, and I took it over last January.”
As the young couple starts into the business world, they are grateful for the support they have received from their clients, their family and the kennel’s prior owners, Rhonda and Jim Merrill.
Satchell is a West Grove native who is happy to have a business in the area. “We’re excited to be in the Oxford community. We really enjoy it. There are all these small businesses everywhere and people are proud of the area,” Satchell said.
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Robert and Alexandra Satchell have been running Vixen Hall Kennels since early 2019.
Vixen Hall Kennels is equipped to handle dogs of all sizes and breeds, as well as cats. The can also take small animals upon special request.
Satchell has always had a love for dogs of all kinds, and has been personally involved in rescues. “My first dog, and I actually got him here, was a boxer-pit bull mix,” he said.
Some owners may have concerns that their dog will have trouble adapting to the boarding environment. A free day can be arranged at no charge, where the dog can try out the kennel. “We see how the dog is, how they work with the staff, and we’ll give you a report,” Satchell said. “When you actually do need to board, it’s not so much of a shock.”
Each dog is housed in an individual run, where they can enjoy the outdoor air or stay inside in climatecontrolled comfort. Because the kennel is in a rural setting, it is a quiet and low-stress environment. The location also allows the dogs to be taken on wonderful walks, and some may even get a chance to go swimming in the pond.
“We say we’re the ultimate country retreat. We’re away from busy roads, we’re on a 22-acre farm,” Satchell said. “We treat your dog or cat as if they are our own.”
Vixen Hall is prepared to address dogs with special needs, such as medication schedules. “We administer shots and meds, but if it’s a pretty severe health
issue, we recommend boarding with a vet,” Satchell said.
In addition to day care and boarding, the owners can arrange for outside trainers to work with dogs. “If you’re going away on vacation and you want a little bit of work done with your dog, the trainer can come in and work with them while they are boarding,” Satchell said.
Pricing at Vixen Hall is competitive, with one basic price covering all ordinary care. The only additional charge is for those who would like “camp time” for their dogs. This option could include swimming in the pond or exercise time, in addition to regular individual walks. “We will do it all at the basic rate and your dog will feel comfortable here,” Satchell said. “We’ll tailor it to what the individual dog’s needs are.”
Vixen Hall also offers grooming services on weekends. A kennel employee is currently training as a groomer and weekday grooming will be available starting in October. Puppies must be at least two months of age for boarding. All dogs must be up to date on their rabies, kennel cough and distemper shots.
Vixen Hall Kennel is at 925 Saginaw Rd., Oxford. For more information, find Vixen Hall Kennel on Facebook and Instagram.
History of The Oxford Senior Center
The Oxford Area Senior Center (OASC), started in 1974 as “Meals Together” by the Chester County Department of Aging Services. They met at Oxford Presbyterian Church to provide one nutritious daily meal to Oxford senior citizens.
In 1987, the senior program became independent, formed a Board of Directors, received non-profit status, hired its first Program Director, Peggy Holbrook, and offered daily activities before and after lunch. The OASC Mission Statement remains to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens in southern Chester County by providing programs and services that promote health, wellness and fellowship.
Because of a fire that destroyed OPC in 1989, OASC relocated to Oxford Methodist Church. In November 1999, OASC purchased and renovated the former Research Club property on Locust Street, which is their present home.
Nineteen years later, the OASC services 1,400 seniors yearly, who reside in 17 different municipalities in the
Oxford, Octorara, and Avon-Grove school districts. In fiscal year 2018-2019, there was a 21 percent increase in noon meals served, and a 38 percent increase in seniors participating in programs or activities. Senior participants can donate $15 annually and receive a monthly newsletter describing the services offered at OASC.
A Participants Council, elected yearly, volunteers and assists the director with ideas for programs and activities. Members are served lunch five days a week, and can participate in four health-promoting exercise programs. An Information & Assistance Specialist answers questions concerning housing, transportation, food needs, Medicare, Pace Plus, legal aid, etc.
OASC provides educational programs about health, art, music and technology, as well as birthday parties, concerts, trips and dancing.
You name it; they do it.
Compiled by Iris Gray Dowling
photo
Courtesy
A history of the Lovett-McCullough Building
By Gail Roberts
Today, the Avocado’s Mexican Restaurant is located next to the Oxford Hall on South Third Street. In the past, the building that houses this restaurant was known as the Lovett-McCullough building, named after the pharmacies that were located there for many years.
According to Oxford Historic Commission records, two lots on this site were purchased by Robert Murdaugh from the Kirk family in 1838. In 1864, the Oxford Hall Association purchased the lots (as well as the property on which the Oxford Hall stands).
According to an Oxford Press article, Dr. D.W. Hutchison established an apothecary shop on this site in 1867. Madison L. Lovett purchased the drug store in 1871. Lovett gave up the business in 1880 because of health issues. However, he did go into the tobacco business. A map dated 1900 shows a drugstore and a tobacco business located at this site. Perhaps Lovett started the tobacco business.
While Lovett was still operating the apothecary in 1873, Thomas Davis opened up a barber shop in the basement of the building. Thomas Davis operated his business for about 50 years. A picture exists of Thomas Davis and others in front of the building. In the background, there is a wooden Indian, again suggesting a tobacco business.
In 1880, Lovett sold his drugstore business to Clem B. McCullough, who was Lovett’s nephew, and Randolph Langdon. Clem had been taught by Lovett and later graduated from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. In 1885, Clem purchased Langdon’s interest in the business. Clem’s brother, Madison L. McCullough, was then employed to assist his brother. Madison took the train into Philadelphia daily in order to study at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He graduated in 1890.
Over the years, McCullough’s shared the building with other businesses. Advertisements from the early 1900s show that the Oxford Shoe Store operated by H.B. Gibson was located there. In 1901, the Oxford Shoe Store
Christ’s Candy Kitchen.
advertised that they carried “Boots, Shoes, Rubbers,” and were at “No. 9 South Third Street Next Door to McCullough’s Drug Store.” A 1908 advertisement states that Gibson carried “Shoes for the Whole Family,” and in 1914, Gibson also added “Prices Right-Shoes Right or Money Back.”
According to Oxford Historic Commission records, Frank E. Brown purchased the lot in 1921. At that time, the lot purchased was described as 8,300 square feet. Brown operated the F.E. Brown Company in the Oxford Hall. In 1923, Edgar McCullough bought land, measuring 1,156 square feet, from Mr. Brown.
Also in about 1923, Hans Olson (also sometimes spelled Olsen) went into the barber business after the death of Thomas Davis. Olson had started apprenticing with Newton Palmer in 1903 when he was 15 years old. An advertisement in 1925 declares that at Hans Olsen’s Barber Shop, there were “Four Barbers, No Waiting, SPECIAL ATTENTION TO LADIES and Latest Modes of Hair Bobbing.”
In 1926, Hans Olson purchased the building and two lots from Edgar McCullough. One lot was described as being 1,200 square feet, and a smaller lot was listed as being 156 square feet. Hans moved his business to the main floor from the basement.
Continued on Page 44
The present-day Avocado’s Mexican Restaurant.
McCullough’s after a 1972 expansion.
Lovett-McCullough Building
Continued from Page 43
In 1924, Clem McCullough sold the drug store to his brother, Madison. Clem continued to assist his brother with the business. In 1941, Joseph Leeke purchased the business from Madison. Leeke had been successfully operating a drugstore in Chester. Robert Lupton, who had been assisting Madison McCullough, managed the store for Mr. Leeke.
In 1943, Hans Olson moved his barber shop back to the basement. This made room for Christ’s Candy Kitchen, operated by Socrates and Helen Christ. They offered homemade candy and sandwiches, and had a fountain service. Socrates and Helen both emigrated from Greece, but met and married in the United States. They were known for their chocolate-covered candies, caramel truffles, and molded chocolate Easter and Christmas figures. Their window exhibited giant chocolate-covered eggs at Easter and giant candy canes at Christmas. When they eventually gave up the store, Socrates continued to make candy from a workshop in his garage on 4th Street. Olson redecorated the lower level of the building, making it an up-to-date shop. An article states, “There are
three chairs of the most modern type, and the sterilizing outfit is the very last word in sanitary equipment. The lighting effects are obtained by the use of semi-flush fixtures; exhaust and blower fans are provided for proper ventilation.” Hans Olson, John Winchester and Thomas Palmer (son of Newton Palmer, Olson’s mentor) were the barbers. Hans Olson also sold newspapers out of the same building where his barber shop was located. In 1944, he had purchased the newspaper business from Samuel Cooper, Sr., who sold papers in front of his restaurant on Market Street. Olson sold the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Coatesville Record, the Philadelphia Bulletin and the Daily Local News. Willard Heiney, and then Vernon and Bill Ringler, eventually took over the news shop.
In 1944, John Messick became the druggist at McCullough’s. Joseph Leeke still owned the business and was in the service at the time, according to an Oxford Press article. Mr. Messick came from Delaware and had graduated from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. He had worked as a pharmacist at the Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia. He took the place of Robert
Lupton. Madison McCullough continued to assist with the business. In 1950, Donald DeLong joined the business. He graduated from Temple School of Pharmacy in 1954.
In 1957, Joseph Leeke purchased the two lots and the building which housed the pharmacy. Unfortunately, Mr. Leeke also passed away that same year. In 1958 John Messick and his wife, Helena, purchased the property.
On Dec. 9, 1959, a significant milestone occurred. McCullough’s Drug Store filled its one millionth prescription! An Oxford Press photograph shows John Messick, Donald Delong and Carl Grashop, local representative of Lederle Laboratories, who presented McCullough’s with a plaque honoring the occasion. The accompanying article states, “Unlike present-day drug stores, McCullough’s is essentially an apothecary shop.” A later Chester County Press article published in 1971 has a similar theme, stating, “The mortar and pestle are still used.” At that time, Rodney Prewitt was working at McCullough’s as a fulltime druggist and John Messsick’s son, Wayne, was in his third year of college and serving an internship at his
Continued on Page 46
Thomas Davis and others in front of his barbershop.
Lovett-McCullough Building
Continued from Page 45
father’s store. Wayne Messick worked at his family’s business for his entire career.
Another business that shared the building with McCullough’s was Jay Jewelers, owned by Charles Roth. Roth was in business during the 1960s. In 1972, after the jewelry store closed, McCullough’s expanded to the entire building. John Messick was quoted as saying that his store would remain “an old-fashioned apothecary” and would not be selling cosmetics or novelty items.
McCullough’s was sold to Thrift Drug in February of 1989. Twelve months later, Thrift Drug moved to the building which would eventually become Rite Aid. The Messick family retained ownership of the LovettMcCullough building until 1998, when it was sold to Flip Sheridan.
Other businesses occupied the building after the closing of McCullough’s. The Oxford Florist was owned and operated by Brenda Butt. She ran her business from 1989 until 2000. Main Street Bagel and Bakery opened in 2003 after owner Flip Sheridan spent many years preparing the building for the bakery. Vern Ringler
remembers dirt being shoveled out of the basement and a hole being cut in the first floor to allow the bagel equipment to be located in the lower level. Daniel Pizzulli was the head chef. Pizzulli had previously worked at Bing’s Bakery in Newark, but wanted to work in his hometown of Oxford.
The Martinelli family purchased the bakery from Sheridan. An Oxfordian article from 2004 pictures members of the Martinelli family who worked in the bakery. Joe Martinelli and his mother, Marie Martinelli, were co-owners. Joe’s wife Karen and his brother John were also employees. The Martinellis served breakfast and lunch, and had a delicatessen, as well as baking fresh bread, bagels, donuts, cakes, pastries and cookies. Martinelli’s closed in 2006. Several other bakeries followed in the same location.
Studying the Lovett-McCullough building has provided an interesting glimpse into Oxford’s history. Thanks to Vern Ringler for his help in gathering information and thanks to Courtney Messick Jayne for providing some missing details!
By Anita M. D’Amico, Esquire
One of the biggest gifts you can give to heirs is an orderly estate. Keep your estate documents current. Review every three to ve years and/or when there is a big change in your personal circumstances or preferences. Leave a road map for heirs to locate important documents, passwords, account log-ons, and your safe deposit box. Create a list of friends and colleagues you want noti ed. Remember to include information about care for your home and pets, and disposition of valuables, collections and heirlooms.
Communicate your preferences regarding end-of-life decisions and preplan nal arrangements. It’s hard to make decisions for someone else. Do as much ahead of time as you can. Heirs will be grateful.
Excellent estate planning focuses not just on what you have but on who you are. Each of us has a personal history that shapes our values and habits with respect to money, how we decide when to save and when to spend, the importance of nancial security, maintaining personal
independence, and communicating with family. Your legacy plan provides a unique opportunity to re ect and communicate your personal views on family, work, giving, and inheriting.
Our attorneys can explain the importance of creating an estate plan that is right for you and the documents associated with your plan:
• Wills
• Trusts (both revocable and irrevocable)
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Powers of Attorney (Living Wills)
D’Amico, Law PC is a general practice law rm with two of ces situated in Oxford and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, providing clients throughout Chester County with exceptional, competent legal services. Founded by Anita M. D’Amico, she and her team boast over a decade of experience in a wide range of legal matters, including estate planning and administration, guardianships, family law, mediation, litigation, personal injury, corporate matters, real estate transactions, DUI, and minor criminal matters.
• Minor Criminal Matters
• Real Estate Transactions
OXFORD CHAMBER MEMBER DIRECTORY
Accounting / Financial
ABCPA Accounting Services
610-322-2424
www.ABCPAservices.com
Cyron and Company 484-770-8796
www.Cyroncpa.com
Diamond State Financial Group –David Tate, CFP® 484-885-0682 www.dsfg.com
Edward Jones Investments 610-998-9046
www.EdwardJones.com
See ad pg. 44
Fenstermacher and Company, LLP 610-444-1215 www.fandco.com
Forresters Financial 215-568-2078 www.foresters.com
Gary Pawliczek, Financial Advisor with Waddell & Reed 610-563-5853
Innovative Financial Results, LLC
484-680-0745
www.InnovativeFinancialResults. com
Nawn & Co, CPA’s Ltd.
610-268-5501
www.longcpas.com
See ad pg. 33
PRIMERICA – Charlie Delp 610-388-2573 www.primerica.com
TBRE Consulting Company 484-365-5570 www.tbreconsulting.com
TM Business Solutions
717-203-4425
www.facebook.com/tmbizsolutions
Woolard, Krajnik, Masciangelo, LLP
610-932-4225
www.wkco.com
Advertising / Newspaper/ Printing
Ad Pro, Inc./ Chester County Press
610-869-5553
www. chestercounty.com
Full Throttle Wraps and Graphics
484-584-5607
www. Fullthrottlewraps.com
See ad pg. 16
Kennett Copy and More 484-732-8066
www.kennettcopy.com
Oxford Print and Design
614-406-5892
www.OxfordPrintandDesign.com
Agriculture
Hostetter Grain, Inc.
610-932-4484
www. HostetterGrain.com
See ad pg. 66
Appliance Repair
Pro-Tec Service Inc.
610-932-7878
www.pro-tecservice.com
Martin Appliance 717-786-7373
www.MartinsAppliance.com
See ad pg. 3
Architecture / Engineering/ Land Planning
Concord Land Planners 610-932-5119
Government Specialists, Inc. 610-932-5563
Ragan Engineering Associates, Inc. 610-255-3400
Art Gallery / Art & Music Instruction
Oxford Arts Alliance 610-467-0301
www. OxfordArt.org
See ad pg. 30
Automotive
Collision Zone, Inc.
610-932-8330
www.CollisionZoneinc.com
See ad pg. 63
Country Chrysler Dodge - Jeep 610-932-0500
www.countrydodge.com
See ad pg. 52-53
Dumas Sapp & Son 610-932-8564
www.SappQualityCars.com
See ad pg. 67
Houser’s Family Auto Center 610-932-3945
www.facebook.com/HousersFamily-Auto-center
Jeff D’Ambrosio Chevrolet 610-932-9090
www.jeffschevy.com
See ad pg. 52-53
Jennings Auto Repair, Inc. 610-932-3288
www.jennings-auto.com
McComsey Automotive LLC (610) 467-1330
www.facebook.com/McComseyAutomotive
See ad pg. 30
Michael Cole Enterprises 610-869-9130
www.michaelcoleenterprises. com
Oxford Goodyear 610-932-0988
www.OxfordGoodyear.com See ad pg. 77
Oxford Mobil 610-932-5686
www.OxfordMobil.com
Banking/ Financial Institutions/Mortgages
BB&T Bank
610-998-1540
www.bbt.com
See ad pg. 83
Citadel 610-466-6608
www.CitadelBanking.com
See ad pg. 27
Coatesville Savings Bank 610-932-7756
www.CoatesvilleSavings.com
Concord Home Mortgage | Houston Baker 484-443-4435
www.concordhm.com
Fulton Bank, N.A. 610-932-2100
www.FultonBank.com
Meridian Bank 484-568-5000
www.MeridianBank.com
WSFS Bank
610-998-0414
www.wsfsbank.com
Caterer
Sherm’s Catering
302-607-7200
www.shermscatering.com
Chiropractic
Chiropractic Services
610-932-9061
www.ChiropracticCenterOxfordpa.com
See ad pg. 22
Fitchett Chiropractic 610-869-3222
www.FitchettChiropractic.com
Churches
Avondale Presbyterian Church
610-268-2919
www.AvondalePC..org
Community of Love Lutheran Church 610-998-0282 www.CoLLutheranChurch.org
Oxford Church of the Nazarene 610-932-2584 www.OxfordNazarene.com
Oxford Presbyterian Church 610-932-9640 www.OxfordPresbyterian.org
Oxford United Methodist Church 610-932-9698 www.oxford1851.org
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
610-932-8134 www.StChrisOxford.org
Cleaning Services/ Restoration
A Helping Hand
484-756-1674
www.Cleaning4me.com
Bobs Window and Cleaning Service
610-932-4418
Fiber Brite Carpet and Upholster y Cleaning
610-932-8886
www.FiberBriteLLC.com
See ad pg. 64
Rainbow International of Chester County
610-901-4077
www.rainbowintl.com/chestercounty
SERVPRO of Kennett Square/ Oxford
484-576-7015
www.ServProKennettSquareOxford.com
See ad pg. 17
Computers / Consulting
digiTEK Computer Services
610-467-1200
www.digitekcomputerservices. com
Grater Solutions, LLC
484-423-4245
www.gratersolutions.com
Lemmtec
931-224-8502 www.lemmtec.com
Net-Werks
484-365-2610
www.netwerks.technology
Construction / Contractors
Cedar Knoll Builders
610-932-5719
www.CedarKnollBuilders.com
See ad pg. 5
DiPilla Brothers, Inc.
610-932-2630
www.dipillabros.com
Dr. Concrete Surgery & Design
610-345-0855
www.drconcreteusa.com
See ad pg. 68
E Squires Paving
610-932-8810
www.SquiresPaving.com
See ad pg. 79
JFR Contracting
610-255-1471
www.jfrcontracting.com
See ad pg. 78
Harbor Stone Construction Co 610-467-0872
www.HarborStoneCC.com
See ad pg. 40
Install Solution
610-467-0686 www.myinstallsolution.com
Nowland Associates
302-731-1333
www.NowlandAssociates.com
Michael Smith Excavating 717- 989-3193
www.michael-smith-excavating. business.site
Vanderhoef Builders
610-932-3618 www.vanderhoefbuilders.net
Dental / Orthodontics
McCormick Orthodontics
610-932-2917 www.MccormickOrthodontics. com
Oxford Dental Associates
610-932-3388 www.OxfordSmiles.com
Oxford Family Dentistry 610-932-9580
www.OxfordSmileMakers.com
See ad pg. 103
Education
Barnsley Academy
610-932-5900
www.barnsleyacademy.com
See ad pg. 77
Bethany Christian School 610-998-0877
www.bethanychristian.org
See ad pg. 22
Cecil College 410- 287-1000
www.cecil.edu
See ad pg. 59
Lincoln University 484-365-7391
www.lincoln.edu
Oxford Area School District 610-932-6600
www.oxford.k12.pa.us
Oxford Educational Foundation 610-932-7200
www.oxfordeducationalfoundation.org
See ad pg. 20
Sacred Heart School 610-932-3633
www.shsoxford.us
Electric
Baer Electric LLC
610-932-6302
www.baer-electric.com
See ad pg. 97
Emergency Services
Southern Chester County EMS, Inc. 610-910-3180
www.sccems.org
Union Fire Company #1 610-932-2411
www.UnionFire.com
Continued from Page 49
Employment/Staffing
Superior Workforce Solutions, Inc.
35 North Third Street Oxford, PA 484-681-2012
Florist
Sonny Bea’s
610-932-8339
www.sonnybeas.com
Philips Florist
610-932-8187
philipsfloristinc.com
See ad pg. 64
Funeral Home
Edward Collins
Funeral Home, Inc.
610-932-9584
www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com
See ad pg. 83
Furniture/Reclaimed
Architectural
The Barnyard Boys 717-548-5000
www.barnyardboys.com
See ad pg. 45
Martin Furniture and Mattresses 717-786-7373
www.martinfurniturepa.com
See ad pg. 3
Robert Treate Hogg
Cabinetmaker Shop 717-529-2522 www.rthogg.com
The Junction
Consignment Shoppe 484-614-1937
www.facebook. com/896junctionconsignment
Golf Course
Tanglewood Manor Golf Club
717-786-2500
www.twgolf.com
Wyncote Golf Club
610-932-8900
www.Wyncote.com
Government
Borough of Oxford
610-932-2500
www.oxfordboro.org
East Nottingham Township
610-932-8494
www.eastnottingham.org
Senator Andrew E. Dinniman
610-692-2112
www.senatordinniman.com
Hair Salon
Alluring Images Hair Studio
610-932-9308
www.alluringimageshairstudio. com
See ad pg. 70
Color Cut and Curls Inc.
610-932-7834
www.colorcutcurls.com
Judy Hastings Salon
610-932-9566
www.hastingssalonweebly.com
See ad pg. 46
Studio Blush
610-467-0772
www.studioblush.net
See ad pg. 24
Health
Break Away Farm Fitness
717-529-2259
www.breakawayfarmfittness.com
See ad pg. 86
CrossFit Thunder Hill
610-998-9348
www.crossfitthunderhill.com
Gracefield Counseling 267-772-0148
www.gracefieldcounseling.com
Golden Light Wellness Center 610-932-9511
www.goldenlightwellnesscenter. com
See ad pg. 32
La Comunidad Hispana 610-444-7550
www.lacomunidadhispana.org
See ad pg. 37
Make Time For Massage
610-324-6375
www.maketimeformassage.com
Pro-Active Muscle Therapy, LLC 610-932-8888
www.pro-activemuscletherapy. com
See ad pg. 23
Write-Well Handwriting Clinics & Occupational Therapy Services 610-932-9511
www.write-wellhandwritingclinics.com
See ad pg. 32
Jennersville Hospital Tower Health 610-869-1000 www.jennersville.towerhealth.org
Allstate The Jennersville Insurance Agency 610-345-1345
www.agents.allstate.com/usa/pa/ west-grove
See ad pg. 40
Auto Tags Plus 610-932-4000
www.quickautotagsplus.com
Chuck Weed –State Farm Insurance 610-932-2400
www.here4yourfinancialfuture. com
See ad pg. 88
Garcia-Taylor Insurance Agency, Inc. 610-932-4935
www.nationwide.com/garciatayloragency
KVIS & Coe Insurance Services 610-932-9350
www.Kviscoe.com
See ad pg. 39
Stahl & Company 866-680-0951
www.pahealthcoverage.com
The Surance Group, Inc. 610-932-3360 www.Surancegroup.net
Yerkes Insurance, Inc. 610-869-4065
www.Yerkesinsurance.com
See ad pg. 71 Lawn
A-1 Mulch 610- 932-7420
www.A1Mulch.com
Carter and Son Lawncare, Inc. 610-932-5703
See ad pg. 63
Howell’s Lawn and Landscape 610-842-1683
www.HowellsLawnandLandscape.com
See ad pg. 95
Huf Landscaping 610-932-3426
www.HufLandscaping.com
Continued on Page 55
from Page 50
Lawyer
D’Amico Law, P.C. 610-444-4555
www.damicolawpc.com
See ad pg. 47
Eichman Law, PLLC 484-734-0378
www.EichmanLawGroup.com
Ira D. Binder, Attorney-at-Law 484-643-3325
See ad pg. 66
Law Office of James Clark 717-464-4300
www.jamesclarklaw.net
See ad pg. 44
Law Office of Matthew J. Canan 610-932-9464
www.CananOxfordLaw.com
McMichael, Heiney & Sebastian, LLC
610-932-3550
Miller Law Group 610-840-8400
www.MillerLawpa.com
See ad pg. 89
Manufacturer
Baltic Leisure Co., a division of Penn Sauna 610-932-5700
www.balticleisure.com
Custom Machine and Design 610-932-4717
www.custommachinedesign.com
Flowers Baking Company of Oxford, Inc. 610-932-2300
www.FlowerFoods.com
Herr’s Snack Factory 610-932-6400
www.herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Mitchell Mechanical –M2 Welding
610-932-5002
www.M2welding.com
See ad pg. 41
Outback Trading Company
610-932-5141
www.OutbackOutlet.com
Shelton Pallet Company
610-932-3182
www.sheltonspallet.com
See ad pg. 21
The Scotts Company
610-932-4200
Moving Services/ Storage/ Hauling
JDog Junk & Hauling Services
484-467-1424
www.jdogjunkremoval.com
Oxford Mini Storage 610- 932-9111
www.OxfordMiniStorage.com
See ad pg. 33
TLC Moving Services
610-268-3243
See ad pg. 24
Non-Profit
ACE Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance of Oxford 610-932-0337
See ad pg. 67
Black Rock Retreat 717-529-3371
www.blackrockretreat.com
Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation 610-945-4423
www.BraveEli.com
Family Promise of Southern Chester County 610-444-0400
www.familypromisescc.org
Fraternal Order of Eagles #2666 610-932-9943
Kacie’s Cause Oxford 610-998-9585
www.KaciesCause.com
Lighthouse Youth Center 610-467-6000 www.OxfordLighthouse.org
Lions Club of Oxford www.lionwap.org/oxfordpa
New London Counseling Center 610-869-3029 www.newlondoncounselingcenter.com
Oxford Area Historical Association www.OxfordHistorical.org
Oxford Area Neighborhood Services 610-932-8557 www.OxfordNSC.org
Oxford Area Senior Center 610-932-5244 www.OxfordSeniors.org
Oxford Library Company 610-932-9625 www.OxfordPublicLibrary.org
Oxford Mainstreet Inc. 610-998-9494 www.downtownoxfordpa.org
Rotary Club of Oxford 610-256-5794 www.OxfordRotary.org
SILO 610-932-7500 www.OxfordSilo.com
UNITE, Inc 888-488-6483 www.unitegriefsupport.org
Optometrist
Miller Eye Care
610-869-4200
www.MillerEyecareOnline.com
Oxford Family Eyecare 610-932-9356
www.OxfordFamilyEyecare.com
See ad pg. 6
Painting
CertaPro Painters of Western Chester County 484-842-0174
www.western-chester-county. certapro.com
Jones Painting 610-908-4515
www.JonesPainting.net
Photography
Jennifer Zduniak Design & Photography 610-955-4131
www.jzdesignandphoto.com
Moonloop Photography LLC 484-748-0812 www.moonloopphoto.com
See ad pg. 65
Plumbing / Heating / Cooling/ Fuel
Alger Oil and Propane Inc. 610-932-4104
www.AlgerEnergy.com
Cameron’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling 610-932-2416
www.CameronsPHC.com
See ad pg. 54
Chelsea Heating & Air 610-268-2200 www.ChelseaAir.com
Continued on Page 56
from Page 55
D&D Golder
610-932-6305 www.DandDGolder.com
Leon C. Landis, Inc. 717-786-2188 www.LeonLandis.com
Oxford Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
610-932-9503 www.OPHinc.com
See ad pg. 51
Potchak A/C Inc. 866-322-8849 www.Potchakac.com
Rapid Repair LLC
484-880-3369
www. Rapidrepairsllc.com
Scalewatcher North America 610-932-6888
www.scalewatcher.com
See ad pg. 104
Real Estate
Becky Burnham, Realtor RE/MAX Excellence
484-643-2405
www.BuyfromBecky.com
See ad pg. 69
Beiler-Campbell Realtors
610-932-1000 www.beiler-campbell.com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach– Chris Anderson 484-753-2692 www.christineanderson.foxroach. com
Berkshire Hathaway Home Service – Kelli Brandenberger 717-786-1300
www.SellwithmeKellib.com
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach/ Patrick Curran 610-656-7382 www.jpatrickcurran.com
Realtors
Joel Brown, Beiler - Campbell 610-932-2982 www.beiler-campbell.com
Matt Fetick-Keller Williams Jeff Sanders 570-412-4405
S.J. Murphy’s Home Inspections 610 506 0689 www.sjmurphys.com
Oxhaven Apartments
610-932-3700 www.Oxhaven.com
Recreational
Herr’s Snack Factory
610-932-6400 www.herrs.com
See ad pg. 2
Jennersville YMCA
610-869-9622 www.YMCAgbw.org
Kashmir Hookah Lounge 844-466-5240 www.kashmirhookahlounge.com
Oxford Area
Recreation Authority 610-314-3783 www.treasoara.wixsite.com/oxfordrecreation
Oxford Center for Dance 610-932-3267 www.oc4dance.com
See ad pg. 70
Oxford Karate Institute 610-998-0044 www.OxfordKarateInstitute.com See ad pg. 80
Restaurant / Specialty Food and Beverages
Ball and Thistle Pub 610- 624-6802 www.Wyncote.com
Bellybusters Sub Shoppes 610-932-5372
www.bellybusterssubshoppes. com/
Bog Turtle Brewery 484-758-0416 www.BogTurtleBrewery.com
Emory’s at Tanglewood 717-786-2500 www.twgolf.com/club/emorys
Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Twisted Treats 610-932-9498 www.Flickerwood.com
Kreider’s Market, Inc 717-529-6944 www.KreidersMarket.com
See ad pg. 46
La Sicilia Pizza Pasta Grille 610-998-9889 www.laSiciliaPA.com
Neuchatel Swiss Chocolates 610-932-2706 www.neuchatelchocolates.com
Nottingham Inn Kitchen and Creamer y 610-932-2778 www.NottinghamInn.com
See ad pg. 2
Pat’s Select Pizza and Grill 610-998-9191 ww.patsselect.com
Penn Brew Station 610-869-8830 www.pennbrewstation.com
Octoraro Hotel & Tavern
610-467-1939
www.facebook.com/theoctorarotavern
See ad pg. 7
Rise N Grind 443-309-8814
www.RiseNGrindCafe.com
Rita’s Water Ice of Oxford 610-932-2523 www.RitasFranchises.com/ Oxford
Saw Mill Grill 610-467-1909
www.facebook.com/SawMill-Grill
See ad pg. 7
Tiers of Joy Gluten Free Bakery 484-667-1369 www.tiersofjoygf.com
Toot Sweets 610-467-1900 www.TootSweetson3rd.com
See ad pg. 20
The Ugly Mutt 610-998-9000 www.facebook.com/The-UglyMutt
See ad pg. 34
Victory Brewing Company 484-667-9249 www.victorybeer.com
Wholly Grounds Coffeehouse
443-466-6859
www.facebook.com/whollygroundscoffeehouse
Retail
BB’s Grocery Outlet 717-786-3210 www.bbsgrocery.com
Brandywine Ace Pet and Farm 610- 345-1145
www.acehardware.com/storedetails/15574
Cameron’s
Hardware & Supply, Inc.
610-932-2416
www.CameronsHardware.com
See ad pg. 54
Cricket Wireless 610-467-0356
www.cricketwireless.com
Dubarry of Ireland
866-658-3569 www.dubarry.com
G & F Carpet/Flooring America
610-932-8724
www.g-fCarpet.com
See ad pg. 102
Honeysuckle Trail
Countr y Crafts
610-932-7734
www.HoneysuckleTrail.com
Howetts Screen
Printing and Embroidery
610-932-3697
www.Howetts.com
Jennersville Pets and Friends
610-345-1145
www.facebook.com/JVPet
Keen Compressed Gas Company
610-998-0200 www.KeenGas.com
Kennett Copy and More 484-732-8066
www.kennettcopy.com
Landhope Farms
610-467-0378 www.landhope.com
Limelife Planners
614-406-5892
www.LimelifePlanners.com
Lola’s
610-467-0774
www.Lolason3rd.com
See ad pg. 37
The Maroon HornetComics and Collectibles
610- 757-5819
www. themaroonhornetcomics. com
Martin Appliance
717-786-7373
www.MartinsAppliance.com
See ad pg. 3
Millstone Jewelers (Elkton)
443-593-3761
www.MillstoneJewelers.com
Nella Naturals
610-467-1555
www.Nella-Naturals.com
Outback Adventure Co.
610-405-4733
Oxford Feed and Lumber 610-932-8521
www.OxfordFeedLumber.com
See ad pg. 31
Oxford Odds and Ends 610-932-5858
www.facebook.com/OxfordOddsandEnds
See ad pg. 95
Pickled Pickles
410-808-5507
www.facebook.com/pickledpicklespa
RNJ Plaques & Engraving
610-932-4763
www.facebook.com/RNJPlaques-and-Engraving
S&L Fine Cigars and Tobacco
610-299-4143
See ad pg. 25
Retirement Community
Ware Presbyterian Village 610-998-2400
www.WarePresbyterian.org
Service
Armstrong 877-277-5711
www.ArmstrongOneWire.com
See ad pg. 87
Brandywine Septic Services, Inc. 610-869-0443
www.BrandywineSeptic.com
See ad pg. 4
Combat Elevator 844-266-2281
www.combatelevatorinc.com
See ad pg. 79
Design By Daphne 484-897-0030
www.DesignByDaphne.com
Helix Tattoo Lodge 410-658-8288
www.HelixTattooLodge.com
Howett’s Screen Printing and Embroidery610-932-3697 www.Howetts.com
Lloyd Shetron Termite and Pest Control 610-470-7287
www.LSPestControl.com
Martin Water Conditioning 717-786-7373 www.MartinWater.com
See ad pg. 3
Mitchell Mechanical –M2 Welding 610-932-5002 www.M2welding.com
See ad pg. 41
Paychex 484-614-8743 www.paychex.com
Trucking
C. W. Boyd Trucking, LLC 610-467-1770
LT Trucking 610-932-2702
Veterinary/Pet Boarding/ Grooming
Elk Creek Veterinary Services 610-467-1488
www.ElkCreekVeterinaryServices. com
See ad pg. 94
Oxford Veterinary Hospital 610-932-8757
www.OxfordVeterinaryHospital. com
Vixen Hall Kennels 610-932-6980 www.vixenhallkennels.com
Unionville Equine Associates PC 610-932-6800 www.ueavet.com
Videographer
Nick Lang Media www.NickLangMedia.com 484-326-0890
Wholesale
Viking Power Products 610-255-3332
www.VikingPowerProducts.com
Winery/ Venues
Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard 717-799-7277
www.britainhillvenueandvineyard. com
Flickerwood Wine Cellars 610-932-9498 www.flickerwood.com
Rosewood Farms 443-350-9938
www.rosewoodfarms.org
Meet Our Member: Net-Werks
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
From computer repairs to shipping, all your office services for home or business can be done by Net-Werks.
Wil Cruz started the business about 10 years ago, with a base of operations in Avondale at that time. Back then, the focus was primarily on computer repair and IT services, but it has grown to much more than that.
“We do basic computer repair, we also do a lot of business support for smaller businesses, we do IT and other things, such as networking, wi-fi, and maintenance on equipment,” Cruz said. “I knew I could do this, and I can provide it at a more affordable rate.”
All businesses need computer services and support,
and so do individuals. All are welcome at Net-Werks, which can provide repairs for a personal computer or a full range of computer services for small businesses. Cruz and his staff keep in touch with the ever-changing world of technology so that they are prepared for the newest threats to computer systems. “We’re always learning something new. As new technology comes out we have to keep up,” he said.
Net-Werks moved to Oxford about three-and-a-half years ago. “I wanted to come into Oxford when I first started, but it just wasn’t ready yet,” Cruz said. “As time went on, I decided to come down here because Oxford was growing. I feel like it’s a good place to have a business.”
In addition to computer services, Net-Werks is a onestop shop for shipping services, through Fed-X, UPS and
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Wil Cruz started Net-Werks about 10 years ago, and has expanded the business considerably since then.
DHL. Just bring in your ready to ship package, and the friendly staff will help send it on its way.
“We do the same thing a package place would do. You can come in and ship a package or drop off Amazon returns. We’re not the UPS store, but we do accept returns here,” Cruz said.
Cruz and his staff pride themselves on customer service, even when they are faced with hard-to-ship items. “We try to take care of everyone. We want people to know when they come in that we’re going to try our best to accommodate them. We always strive to be more helpful than other places,” Cruz said. “We take pride in taking that extra step to make sure it’s right. I know other places turn people away because they have certain things. We help them get it where it’s got to go.”
In July, Net-Werks added Identigo to their list of services. Identigo is a fingerprint service for background checks. Although necessary for many professions, there are limited sites available to provide the service.
“Our main goal is to provide services people need in this town,” Cruz said. Outside Oxford, the nearest locations include Kennett Square, West Chester and Lancaster. “Having it down here really helps out the people that need to get it done.”
Britain
Hill offers o a prime location for your event for your
Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard is nestled in the Southern Lancaster County countryside.
Article photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
offers location tion event nt
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
There’s a new spot available for your special occasion, where you can enjoy the atmosphere and rustic charm of a rural, Lancaster County barn, with all the modern comforts and conveniences expected in a top venue.
The new event venue at Britain Hill had a grand opening in late September. The all-new site is built like a classic Lancaster County bank barn, but with contemporary conveniences and a bit of glam. The 3,500-square-foot upper level can seat 185 guests, including the loft area, and there is a spacious deck. Fully climate controlled, with bar area, rest rooms and a changing room, everything is in one building.
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Continued from Page 61
Ken Helm, a builder, has put his extensive knowledge of construction to work to create a new structure that looks like it has always been a part of the landscape.
“We are on top of the hill of Little Britain, so we overlook the entire Lancaster County countryside, and you can see Maryland,” Debbie Helm said. “That’s what sold us on this property. The barn is very indicative of the area. It’s a beautiful bank barn that looks like it’s always been there, even though it’s brand new.”
The Helms have created a venue that provides an ideal setting for the celebration of any kind of event. “It’s simple country elegance. Even though it’s a rustic
The venue offers spaces perfect for any occasion.
barn, it’s got a bit of glam, with a cool chandelier and interesting lighting fixtures,” Helm said. The idea for the event barn came from the Helms’ personal experience. Between them, they have five children, two of whom were married at barn venues. “Ever since then, we had the idea in the back of our minds of how we could do it,” Helm said. “Weddings have gotten so expensive anymore. We thought
Continued on Page 64
Ken and Debbie Helm, owners of Britain Hill, had a grand opening in late September.
Britain Hill
Continued from Page 63
we could do this and offer a beautiful setting that is also cost-effective. We want to allow the brides to really make this their own. It’s less about the wedding industry and more about simple country elegance.”
For weddings, there is a dressing room for the bride and her party. An outdoor area is designed to be perfect for a fresh-air ceremony, or come indoors if the weather is not ideal.
“Our venue rental includes tables and chairs, and it includes a parking attendant for day of the event. We do not have a catering facility, but I can give recommendations,” Helm said. There are no restrictions on which caterer can be used. “I feel like the bride chooses what they are comfortable with.”
Events may bring in live music or a DJ, but amplified music must be over by 10 p.m., and the event completed by 11 p.m., in consideration of the neighbors.
Helm believes in giving the bride time to set up for her wedding without pressure, so the event rental covers a 48-hour window. “I would like to work with one family for a weekend, so they can come in, set up, and take their time. I don’t think it would be fair to the bride to push them out to try to fit another wedding in,” she said.
A bar package is available to go along with the event, complete with a trained bartender serving Britain Hill wine and Pennsylvania-made beers. Because Britain Hill is also a winery, no outside alcohol is permitted, and
hard liquor is not offered.
The lower level of the barn is devoted to the winery and tasting room. No need to be a guest at an event -- you can come just for the wonderful wine. The tasting room is open Wednesdays through Sundays.
Their friendship with winemakers in central Pennsylvania led the Helms into creating
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Beautiful views surround the Britain Hill building.
Continued from Page 64
the vineyard and winery. “They taught us the business and they taught us the craft of making wine. Eventually, it just became time to do it on our own,” Helm said
The Helms planted cab franc vines when they moved onto the property, and are now producing grapes, plus the vineyard trades juice with their partners in central Pennsylvania. They also use fruit juices purchased from local farms.
Britain Hill offers multiple varieties of wine, including dry and sweet reds and whites, as well as a wide selection of fruit wines. About 20 local restaurants carry Britain Hill wines.
“We have something for everyone,” Helm said. “We have dry reds, dry whites, and the rest are sweet or fruit wines. Our sweet wines are crisp and clean, not syrupy. We offer two spumanti, and we offer our version of port. Sangria is probably the most recognizable because it is in so many restaurants. That’s probably our biggest seller.”
All of Britain Hill’s wines are usually available to try in the tasting room. “We have a dry white that is quickly becoming very popular, called Britain Valley. It’s a dry
white wine with a pineapple finish. Our philosophy is that if you limit the wine tasting to five wines, it could be that sixth or seventh one that would be your favorite.”
When you stop by the tasting room, you can also purchase a variety of locally produced products from area artisans and small businesses. Alongside Britain Hill’s own honey there is art, pottery, chocolate, salsa, cheese, popcorn and more.
Britain Hill cab franc vines.
In support of local businesses, Britain Hill is hosting a vendor and makers market on Nov. 2 and 3, where vendors will be selling their products. The majority of items will be handmade or locally produced. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local charities. Beneficiaries will be decided by a random drawing each day from the names of local organizations submitted by the vendors.
This is just one of many events planned for Britain Hill that will appeal to the entire community. On Oct. 12, there will be a murder mystery dinner. The catered meal will be a ticketed event with a Halloween theme.
On Oct. 19 there will be a Mutt Strut, where people are welcome to bring their leashed dogs, enjoy a glass of wine, and shop from dog product vendors. Several rescues
are also invited to attend. On this day, Britain Hill is also serving as a donation drop-off area for old towels, sheets, pillowcases, dog food, and any items rescues could use. Other events are being planned, and Britain Hill is open to businesses that would like to rent the venue for corporate events or fundraisers.
Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard is at 790 Little Britain Road North, Quarryville, Pa. For more information, visit www.britainhillvenueandvineyard.com, email britainhillvv@gmail.com or call 717-799-7277.
There are impressive views surrounding the new facility.
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Enhanceyourexistingconcreteandincreaseyourhome'svalue.Specialtyresurfacingwithpolymers,groutsand acrylicsdoublethestrengthofyourconcrete.Thesecanbeappliedtonew,oldanddamagedconcrete.Manycolors, styles,andcustompatternsareavailable.Surfacecanbetexturedorsmooth,skidresistantwhilebeingfreeze/thaw,salt anddeicer,UV&Heatresistant.
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 35 years. We offer dance classes for kids from pre-school to adult and much more!
starting in Sept 2019. Tap & Tumbling also included in the class.
What’s new in Oxford Borough?
Just as you get up every day and go to work to provide for your family, the Borough of Oxford is no different. It starts each day with a goal of providing for its residents and the community. Every year, the borough establishes a budget that creates a daily roadmap to identify and fund its upcoming needs. Thus far this year our town has already seen many improvements due to our strict adherence to this process.
Over $500,000 has been invested in the aging water infrastructure. Completion of the water main replacement project on Broad, Franklin and Garfield streets and Nottingham Avenue, and the future repaving of those roads, scheduled for 2020, will bring major improvements to those neighborhoods. PennDOT is scheduled to complete a reconstruction and paving project on Third Street later this year.
Currently the borough is working to replace all of the streetlights with new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, LED street lights. Additionally, new sidewalks are scheduled to be put in along Coach Street at the Oxford Memorial Park to help facilitate pedestrian movement to and from the park. Looking ahead, we are continuing to invest in streets improvements with the reconstruction and paving of Second Street from Mount Vernon to Locust on the books for 2020.
Starting in February 2020, the borough will be relocating its offices to the new Borough Hall on Octoraro Alley. With the completion of the Transit Center and Borough Hall, Oxford has removed many obstacles that were seen as deterrents to growth and has proven that investment in infrastructure is a major component to the future of the downtown.
CELEBRATING
GYEARS! 20
The Army-Navy and the Oxfor
Midshipmen bring the game ball through the borough
Among the souvenirs brought by the Navy walkers is a fan cap.
Article photos by Chris Barber
y football game rd connection
By Chris Barber Correspondent
Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders have an old expression that goes, “It’s the journey, not the destination,” meaning that most often what you experience along the way is just as good as what you get when you arrive.
In that vein, the folks at Oxford’s Union Fire Company and their neighbors in town embrace the same spirit every fall, when the midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy stop by on their way to the annual football game with Army. The Navy, like its counterparts from West Point, has a tradition of walking or running the game ball from their academy sites all the way to the field where the game is
Continued on Page 76
Fire Company president Deb Terry surveys the trophy case that holds memorabilia from previous visits by the Navy midshipmen.
Army-Navy Games
Continued from Page 75
played. For the Navy midshipmen, Oxford is right along the way, and for about 30 years they have made a stop – some of them even spending the night — at the fire house.
Union Fire Company president Deb Terry said it is a joyous occasion, with more than 100 people in the entourage stopping by for dinner, a brief night of sleep and a breakfast snack. More than that, she said, is the fun
the children and adults of Oxford have with those Navy students.
As Terry tells it, the Navy walk of the ball involves about 150 people who travel from Annapolis, Md., to Philadelphia, starting early on the Friday before the game. Those travelers, members of the Naval Academy’s 13th Company, switch off to carry the ball every nine miles or so. The actual ball never stops moving as it is embraced
Fire Company president Deb Terry displays a T-shirt given by the midshipmen at their stop in Oxford.
by one after another of the midshipmen.
Meanwhile, the rest of the entourage, traveling on buses, makes stops along the way, and one of them is an overnight at the firehouse on cots.
Terry said enthusiasm was so high on the part of the fire company folks that in the early days, they were ready to prepare a glorious dinner and breakfast for the group.
“It turns out, they wanted pizza and steaks, so that’s what we give them. They get up early in the morning and we give them some doughnuts,” Terry said. “Besides, they told us when they get to Philadelphia there is a festive arrival and a big tailgate breakfast party.”
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Oxford’s Union Fire Company president Deb Terry holds a football autographed by members of the ball walk entourage.
Army-Navy Games
Continued from Page 77
The event is especially fun for kids, she said, because the midshipmen mingle with them and bring them souvenirs. Some have even reported continuing pen-pal relationships.
“They were playing Wii with them, playing cards and just having a good time. They wear sweats – all in blue with Navy all over them,” she said.
The Army-Navy game is traditionally played at the beginning of December, so the ball-carrying stop in Oxford fortuitously has coincided with the First FridaySanta to Town event on 3rd Street. That whips up more enthusiasm because of the number of residents on hand.
Terry said she has contacted the Oxford High School football team and the feeder Oxford Golden Bears to attend and have fun.
There is question in her mind about scheduling this year, which is that the Army-Navy game is on Dec. 14, placing it on the second weekend. She reasons that the stop will logically not coincide with the First Friday, but will still be great fun.
In retrospect, Terry said it is incredible that the Oxford tradition has gone on so long. “I have a picture of my
The Navy ball-walkers brought a Frisbee for kids to play with. daughter when she was 2 years old, sitting on the box top of a pizza when the Navy was here. My daughter is 32 now,” she said.
The ball-carrying tradition began in 1982 at the Naval Academy.
According to historical accounts, Navy had been going through a few years of losing, so they decided to coerce the midshipmen from the 13th Company (a Company is a subset of the student body) to walk the ball the 128 miles to the game – 13 being a “bad luck” number among believers. In this way they would “get the bad luck off the campus.”
One person carries the ball for a while, then passes it off to another. The trip is divided into 9.8-mile laps that are marked by stops and ball exchanges.
The walk begins at about 7 a.m. on the Friday before the Army-Navy game. The runners and the rest of the members of the 13th Company proceed on the 128-mile trek to Philadelphia. There are 14 legs to the trip, and it takes a little more than 24 hours to get there.
At the same time, the cadets from West Point in Highlands, N.Y., also run a game ball. It is reported that both teams run onto the field at the beginning of the game and present each other the balls.
According to reports, all games through 2020 will be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., will host the 2021 game. The game will then return to Lincoln Financial Field for 2022.
An account of the ball carrying tradition in the Runner’s World magazine said the final stretch of the hike is a
five-mile run down Broad Street in Philadelphia from the Art Museum, met by honking cars and fan cheering. U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs Specialist Colleen Krueger said this week that the route for this year’s ball carry has not yet been determined.
Another souvenir brought by the ball walkers is one of many whistles with Navy insignias that fans blow during the game.
Lighthouse Youth Center sends teens to help out in Long Island
Fourteen Lighthouse youth traveled to Long Island this summer on a mission team.
This summer, 14 Lighthouse youth gave up a week of their summer vacations to serve on the Lighthouse Youth Center’s first mission team.
We spent the week serving the community of Long Island, N.Y., and learning more about Jesus Christ with an organization called Next Step Ministries. During this week, our youth learned how to serve through their actions.
They boldly served the community through three different worksites. One team was able to help replace old carpeting with new laminate flooring. Another team worked for a homeowner named Miss Phyllis, doing yard work and finishing a few projects around her house.
We are blessed beyond belief to see how Jesus Christ worked in each and every one of the Lighthouse youth during this mission trip.
The Lighthouse Youth Center has been serving Oxford area children for the past 31 years. The Lighthouse primarily focuses on sharing the love of Jesus, providing a free 5 p.m. meal and a homework help hour. These programs are available to youth ages 9 to 19.
The center is open daily from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 245 Commerce St., Oxford. We offer a smorgasbord of education and recreation programs on our four-acre property. To volunteer, contact Amy Perkins, Program and Volunteer Coordinator, at amy@oxfordlighthouse.org.
To help with a fundraising event, contact Buzz D. Tyson, Executive Director, at buzz@oxfordlighthouse.org. You can also call 610-467-6000.
Workers helped complete several projects during their stay.
Meet Our Member: S&L Fine Cigars
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
Finding a spot where you can enjoy a good cigar among friendly company has become easier since the opening of S&L Fine Cigars. Here, at last, is a perfect place to purchase from a wide selection of cigars for all tastes, with prices from economical to premium. To make it even better, you can enjoy your cigar onsite while watching a sporting event on TV or chatting with friends.
Scott and Leslie Blum opened the business on March 15 of this year. Leslie is not a smoker, but Scott has been enjoying cigars for more than 20 years.
“A lot of our customers have been looking for a place where they can come and relax. We’re also getting a lot of new smokers,” Scott Blum said. “You can purchase your cigars here, you can smoke them here. We’re a BYOB, so if you want, you can come down and relax inside, in the heat or the air conditioning, depending on the time of year. We have TVs so you can watch sports and
Photo by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography Scott and Leslie Blum of S&L Fine Cigars
we’re open late for the games.”
The shop is open seven days a week, and with the start of football season, there will be late hours for Monday night, Thursday night, and Sunday night football. Customers can purchase snacks to go along with their cigars, or order from nearby restaurants to dine in the shop, or outside on the sidewalk.
As a longtime cigar smoker, Blum understands the appeal of cigars. “Cigars, to me, are not a smoking habit, it’s an enjoyment,” he said. “When I sit down and smoke a cigar I relax. You’re not inhaling it. It’s more of a flavor. It permeates your mouth and you get that flavor. It’s just a feeling of relaxation. There’s just a mellow feeling I get when I smoke a cigar.”
Cigar smoking is generally slower, and more focused on enjoying the flavor and experience, than cigarette smoking, and moves at a slower pace.
“At work, they might have a cigarette area, but a cigarette takes you five minutes. If you want to smoke a good cigar, it’s going to average 35 to 40 minutes,” Blum said. “You’re not going to have that much time on a smoke break at work. Cigarettes are just bad habits. Cigars are more like a hobby.”
S&L Fine Cigars sells cigars, pipes and pipe tobacco, along with all the accessories associated with them. “We have cigars that are made
for people who have not smoked cigars yet, we have beginner’s cigars, and we have cigars for people who have been smoking cigars for 30 or 40 years,” Blum said.
Prices for individual cigars range from $4 to $20 on average, including local cigars from Lancaster County.
“We have a pretty good selection here. We probably have 150 different cigars at a minimum,” Blum said. “If you go to a small gas station or something like that, you don’t get a big choice of cigars. This is a better place because you’re going to find that choice. Chances are you’re going to find a cigar you want to try.”
Since opening, the shop has seen a rapid growth, with steady clients coming back for special events announced by e-mail. Almost half of the customers at S&L Fine Cigars are women, and non-smokers are welcome to come in with their cigar-smoking friends to enjoy the atmosphere.
Sometimes, cigar companies will hold a tasting event at the shop, with special pricing for smokers who come in to give their cigars a try. The shop offers a 10 percent discount to first responders and military members. There is also a loyalty program, where each purchase of $25 or more earns a punch on your card. When you’ve accumulated 20 punches, there is a 15 percent discount.
S&L Fine Cigars is at 310 Market St., Oxford. The shop is also available as a location for private parties, or they can bring cigar selections to your event, such as a wedding reception. For more information, stop in the shop or call 610-467-0700. Information is also available at www.slfinecigarspa.com.
chuck.weed.dr0p@statefarm.com
OMI leads effort to brin theater back to Downtow
Oxford leaders see an entertainment venue as an important piece to the ongoing revitalization efforts
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
Anew entertainment venue could soon open in Downtown Oxford—in the very same building on Third Street that once housed the popular Oxford Theater more than a generation ago.
Brian Wenzka, the Executive Director of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI), shared some preliminary details about the twophase theater project during an interview in early August, as part of a larger discussion on how the organization is celebrating its 20th year of leading revitalization efforts in Downtown Oxford.
Continued on Page 92
Article photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
A historic photo showing the popularity of the Oxford Theater, circa the 1940s. The marquee and exterior remain largely unchanged today.
Shoebox Theater
Continued from Page 90
“The Oxford Mainstreet Board is committed to the continued implementation of the borough’s revitalization plan, recognizing that reviving the old theater is the next catalyst project,” Wenzka said. “Creating an entertainment destination and opportunity for people to lengthen their stay is a significant strategy for downtown vibrancy and economic growth.”
He explained that phase one of the project involves opening a small theater that will show classic movies,
second-run movies, and documentaries. The Shoebox Theater, as it will be called, is envisioned as an intimate, 50-seat theater with a small concession area located at 21 South Third Street. Because the building’s owner, Wilson King, has already completed some significant renovation work on the building for prior retail use, the phase one renovation work is anticipated as minimal to get the space toward the front of the building ready for its debut.
Conceptual plans showing phase 1 and phase 2 of the proposed theater revitalization project. Phase 1 includes a 50-seat theater at street level, while phase 2 proposes an approximate 400-seat venue including a stage, balcony section, and additional 2nd floor studio spaces.
“We see the Shoebox Theater as a small, quaint space where anyone could watch a movie with 49 of their closest friends,” Wenzka said. “It also fills a gap in services for our teens and seniors, providing a fun and unique activity Downtown without having to travel far.”
It was also noted that the Shoebox Theater will provide a proof of concept while efforts are begun to raise funds for phase two – the full theater renovation.
According to Wenzka, the plan is for OMI to initially
lease the first-floor space and manage the brick-and-mortar aspect of the project, while a small team will be developed to manage the day-to-day operations.
Lee Archer, a local resident, will lead the programmatic and operational aspects of the project. “I’ve always been involved in community-minded projects of one sort or another,” said Archer. “Creativity and the arts are often the heartbeat of a thriving community, and I view the theater
Continued on Page 94
Brian Wenzka, Executive Director of Oxford Mainstreet Inc. and Lee Archer, local artist and Shoebox Theater programming and operations leader.
Shoebox Theater
project as another way to bring people together in town, and to build relationships.”
Wenzka added, “Lee has a background in marketing and design and has past experience in cinema operations. He actually came to us with the idea of the Shoebox Theater, not knowing there was new energy around reviving the old theater. It’s developing into a nice collaboration, which is at the heart of OMI’s mission.”
Archer added, “My idea for the Shoebox Theater was to have a hobby business, but with the partnership of OMI, it’s grown into a larger vision that will provide even more for our downtown. We’ll be able provide a broad range of programming to serve all audiences, from young children to adults.”
During the initial lease period, OMI will also undertake an effort to pull together private and public funds to eventually purchase and complete the full vision for the new entertainment venue; a 400-seat, multi-use theater that could be used for movies, live musical performances, comedy nights, small plays, dance recitals, and more. When work on the large theater is completed, the Shoebox Theater would then be relocated to the adjacent studio space to make way for a
larger concession/reception area at the front of the building.
“The end result,” Wenzka said, “would be to have two separate, yet connected and distinct entertainment venues, one large, one small, depending on need. The Shoebox Theater space would also double as additional reception space for sold-out shows for the larger venue.”
The reopening a theater in downtown Oxford would be a way to connect the town’s future with its past. There were three different movie theaters in downtown Oxford through the years. This particular building is the only one that remains. Work began on the building at Third and Locust in 1922, and opened a year later as the Globe Theater. In 1927, there are records mentioning the dedication of new orchestral organ at the then-named Oxford Theater.
The building’s history also has an important story to tell. During the mid-century, the theater was operated as a segregated venue. One day in 1950, a group of Lincoln University students attended a show and challenged segregation at the Oxford Theater by not sitting in the “colored” section. They were escorted out by the local police. A lawsuit was filed, and the case went all the way to federal
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For updates on the Shoebox Theater project, follow Oxford Mainstreet on Facebook (@downtownoxfordpa) and Instagram (downtownoxfordpa).
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Shoebox Theater
court. In 1953, damages were assessed against the owner and the Chief of Police by a U.S. District Court judge who upheld state non-segregation laws. The theater was closed for a few years thereafter, reopened for a year, and then permanently closed in 1956.
“Understanding that history,” Wenzka explained, “it’s exciting to think about reopening the theater as a culturally diverse and inclusive venue.”
This is not the first effort to bring entertainment to downtown Oxford. As recently as about 12 years ago, there was a group of community leaders that began work and tackled some key planning phases for the revitalization of the theater. Unfortunately, the initiative fizzled out, with competition for funding and lack of off-street parking being cited as significant hurdles.
perfect with everything else that is developing downtown.”
The new parking garage that is being constructed in the Downtown ensures that supportive parking infrastructure is in place to accommodate a theater venue. There are quality restaurants in town and unique shopping experiences. Combined with Oxford’s thriving art community and the fact that similar experiences are 30 to 45 minutes away makes the town a natural fit for a theater. Such a venue would also add a new element to the annual Connective Art and Music Festival, which has gained regional recognition in just its second year.
Nowland Associates, Inc., the design build firm based out of Newark, Del., who completed the recent expansion of the Oxford Library in 2015, recently provided some initial in-kind concept plans for the project as well as preliminary renovation budgets. These draft plans were revised slightly from original concepts developed by Kennett Square-based architect Dennis Melton during the first revitalization attempt. Melton was an original member of the early theater initiative and has been re-engaged as an enthusiastic supporter of the project, along with Andrew Atkinson, a past borough council member.
Wenzka said preliminary numbers for acquisition and full renovation of the final 400-seat venue is estimated around $3 million. The bones of the old theater still exist, including the stage and balcony, but much of it has been built over by apartments. It will take detailed planning and a generous budget to meet today’s construction codes, ADA requirements, and safety standards. OMI is taking a crawl before you walk approach to the project. The phase one Shoebox Theater renovation needs are estimated between $15,000 and $60,000, depending on code requirements and the level of fit and finish desired. OMI is in the process of soliciting private funds, with the plan to be open in time for people to enjoy some holiday classics this year.
“Our goal is aggressive—to do a quick transition and to get it open by Thanksgiving,” Wenzka said. “The timing is
“I’m really looking forward to planning future content for a first Connective Film Festival and helping to further round out the festival’s creative offerings,” said Archer.
“I think most would agree that Downtown Oxford is in a much better place than it was 12 years ago. With more things to do downtown and ample parking, people have more options to string some fun together, meet friends, and then extend their day or evening together by going to the theater,” Wenzka said. “We now have all the ingredients to make this viable for the community.”
The long-term outcome from OMI’s perspective is that the theater becomes sustainable and profitable to the point that OMI could consider turning it over to an appropriate private entity and use the proceeds from a potential sale to then reinvest into another catalyst project for Downtown Oxford. “Though a new idea to OMI, it is not unusual for a revitalization entity to tackle a brick and mortar project,” Wenzka stated. “We are excited to partner with the community on this exciting adventure.”
Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as the catalyst to unify and partner with the public and private sectors to promote and foster economic growth and stability within the Business Improvement District (BID) and surrounding area, while preserving Downtown Oxford’s rich historic and cultural identity. More details about the project will be unveiled by the organization in the coming weeks as well as online at www.DowntownOxfordPA.org.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor @ chestercounty .com.
Outback Adventures Co.
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer
One of the latest changes to shopping in downtown Oxford is the addition of Outback Adventure Co., making its permanent home at 41 S. Third St.
At the new store, you will find many of your favorite products manufactured by Outback Trading Company, including their distinctive hats and oilskin dusters, vests, coats and jackets.
“I won’t have quite the full extent of what Outback had, but I do have other hat brands that I carry, so I will be bringing them in,” said owner Ron Hershey. “I’m trying to expand to surround Outback items, with others that fit in with their things, but are a little more outdoors-oriented rather than just horse-related.”
Practical and stylish Outback Trading Company products have long been a favorite in the equestrian world. Outback Adventure Co. adds to that core merchandise with a broad selection of other products that will appeal to all outdoor enthusiasts.
“I want to broaden that so there is something for everybody,” Hershey said. “I think there’s a lot of people who go hiking and do outdoors things.”
At Outback Adventure Co., you can find the gear and apparel you need for the outdoor life, including hiking and camping. Focused on comfort, durability and practicality, the products are also stylish enough that you will want to wear them throughout your days at home as well.
The store will offer brands that are familiar to outdoors enthusiasts, such as United By Blue and Eagle’s Nest Outfitters. There will be a wide range of items including camping and hiking gear such as tents, sleeping bags, packable hammocks and backpacks. Apparel from head to toe includes a variety of brands in hats, jackets and walking sticks, as well as hiking shoes and socks.
“There are different lines of outdoor clothing that are popular with people who are hiking or trail racing,” Hershey said. Some of the popular brands Outback Adventure Co. will be carrying include bags by Deuluth Pack and socks by Smartwool and Darn Tough Vermont. “We will have most of the brands you are used to seeing at Outback, plus I will be adding things as I go along.” Hershey said.
Hershey has a long time association with Outback Trading Company. He has been selling selected Outback products at trade fairs and events, taking his shop cross-country. “I’ve been selling Outback products for them for 26 or 27 years, traveling to fairs and festivals, and horse expos, with most of what Outback has to offer,” Hershey said. “When Outback decided to close their Oxford store, Wilson King asked me if I would be interested in reopening in what was their corporate headquarters.”
Hershey is likely to continue as a vendor at the major events he normally attends, but with the new store, he will be able to offer a full shopping experience to the Oxford region. “We’re bringing back Outback. Outback hasn’t disappeared. It’s going to be available in Oxford,” he said.
Outback Adventure Co
41 South Third Street, Oxford, PA 610-405-4733
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Photo by Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photography Ron Hershey will be opening Outback Adventure Co in downtown Oxford.
Article photos by Jim Coarse, Moonloop Photography
Flickerwood Wine Cellars and Twisted Treats
33 S. 3rd St., Oxford - www.Flickerwood.com
Flickerwood offers locally roasted in small batch coffee and specialty coffee drinks. Their baristas can whip up a concoction that you’ll love, whether it’s hot, iced or frozen. Flickerwood is now carrying Mrs. Robinson’s Teas. If you enjoy your coffee with a kick, try their new Espresso Martini, made with freshly brewed espresso. Flickerwood is a hub for activities as well. Enjoy live music, bingo and Quizzo nights, special events and more. Enjoy Flickerwood Wines, Pennsylvania brews, homemade biscotti, cannoli cookies, breads, cinnamon rolls and jams made with Flickerwood wines.
Landhope Farms
Oxford Location: 250 Limestone Rd. - www.Landhope.com
Landhope’s legendary self -serve Coffee Bar features coffee imported from around the world. With a dozen options of coffees, included roasting levels and flavors, Landhope’s Coffee Bar provides all the tools for you to make your own delicious cup of Joe. If you prefer your coffee cold, be sure to try their cold brew and frozen coffee drinks. Grab a Giddy Up Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Burrito or Breakfast Bowl to get your day started. Landhope is open 24/7.
Rise N’ Grind
8 East Main St., Rising Sun, Md. - www.RiseNGrindCafe.com
Here, you’ll find in-house baked goods, gourmet cream cheeses, pastries, desserts, local ice cream and yes, award-winning coffee from a small roaster in Lancaster. Looking for a really good cup of regular coffee or a Frozen Oreo Latte? Rise N Grind has an extensive menu, including gluten free options. Be sure to check out their live music and community events. Coming soon: Spiked specialty drinks.
Wholly Grounds Coffeehouse
47 S. 3rd St., Oxford
The addition of fresh doughnuts has added another dimension to the coffee experience at Wholly Grounds. Award-winning coffees including House Blend, Lazarus, Jamacian Me Crazy and Wholly Mocha are complemented by smoothies, frappes, milkshakes, Italian sodas and refreshers. Breakfast sandwiches and light lunches are also served. Live music, storytimes, and community events are held at Wholly Grounds. Their space is available for showers, small parties, etc. Coming soon: In-house coffee roasting.
Ware House
7 Locust St., Oxford
Built in 1888, the Ware Mansion is now home to Oxford’s newest coffee house, Ware House. Ware House is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coffees, pastries, sandwiches and salads are available for eat-in or to go. Free WiFi.
