Chester County Press 02-14-2018 Edition

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Chester CountyPRESS

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Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

Volume 152, No. 7

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

A roundabout?

Township moves forward on Five Points intersection concept

60 Cents

Chocolate lovers unite!

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Following a nearly twohour-long presentation and discussion with residents on Feb. 7, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to enter the township into a grant exploration period this year, in order to help pay for the proposed installation of an oval-shaped roundabout at the Five Points intersection in the township, beginning in 2021.

Before a packed meeting room at the Kennett Township Building, Derrick Kennedy, project manager with Remington & Vernick Engineers, the township’s engineering consultant, said

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Derrick S. Kennedy, project manager with Remington & Vernick Engineers, gave a presentation at Kennett Township on Feb. 7 that discussed the concept of converting the Five Points intersection into a roundabout.

that constructing a roundabout at the five-legged intersection that merges South Union Street, Hillendale Road and Old Kennett Road is the best

method of addressing the existing and projected traffic flow at the busy intersection.

“The intersection now is at its capacity in certain Continued on Page 3A

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Taryn Morett of Kennett Square enjoys an awardwinning brownie at the annual Chocolate Lovers Festival at Kennett High School on Feb. 11. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the United Way of Southern Chester County, drew more than 1,000 visitors, who sampled chocolate treats by professional, student and amateur bakers.

Oxford honors teacher battling brain cancer Oxford Area High School shows its love and support for Ben Young, a popular science teacher and coach Honoring the heroes of Hinsonville...1B

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Oxford Area High School family offered its love and support to a much-admired science teacher who is battling brain cancer, hosting a

“Gray Out” event in his honor last Friday evening.

More than 250 people filled the school’s gym to welcome back Ben Young for the first time since he underwent surgery in December. Most of the people in attendance,

including the members of the Oxford wrestling team, were wearing gray, which is the color of initiatives related to the brain cancer awareness campaign.

Photo by Steven Hoffman The crowd got to watch Oxford wrestling coach Scott Gold with assistant the wrestling team take on coach Ben Young at the ‘Gray Out’ event held in Continued on Page 2A

Young’s honor last Friday night.

Oxford Borough secures additional funding for parking garage project Oxford Arts Alliance marks 10 years...6A

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Oxford Borough has moved another step closer to funding the construction of a parking garage in the downtown by securing an additional $143,836 in state funding to support

Expert says cell tower is needed in New Garden ...6A

INDEX Opinion.......................7A Obituaries..................2B Calendar of Events.....4B Classifieds................6B

© 2007 The Chester County Press

street improvements related to the project.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman and State Rep. John Lawrence announced the funding in a joint statement released late last week.

With this new grant, Oxford Borough is closing

VALENTINE’S DAY

EXTRAVAGANZA winners named

More than 700 readers of the Chester County Press entered our annual Valentine’s Day Extravaganza, held Jan. 29 to Feb. 9, and we are pleased to announce that three readers’ names were chosen as this year’s grand prize winners.

Jennifer Neuhof of Landenberg was randomly selected as the first-place winner; Peter Vergos of Oxford was chosen as the second-place winner; and Julie Bruno of Hockessin earned a third-place finish.

Winners will receive gift baskets and certificates from Harvest Market in Hockessin; gift certificates to Churrascaria Saudades Brazilian Steakhouse in Newark; gift certificates toward furniture at Martin Furniture; certificates for wine tastings and concerts at Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg and at the Market at Liberty Square in Kennett Square; Continued on Page 4A

Home Improvements

302-998-4500

in on having $5 million in funding from local, county, state and private sources to fund the project, which includes a parking garage, a transit hub that could lead to more access to public transportation for borough residents, as well as a new borough administration

building. The overall costs of the total project are estimated to be approximately $7 million.

Proponents of the project see it as an opportunity to solve Oxford’s longstanding parking issues, and also as a way to boost economic development in the

downtown.

In his statement announcing the grant award, Dinniman said, “This project is key to supporting the continued growth and economic revitalization of downtown Oxford, which is making great strides in Continued on Page 2A

U-CF School Board debates student discipline and approves preliminary budget

By John Chambless Staff Writer The issue of consequences for student misbehavior turned into an extended debate at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board, with revisions to the district’s policy still in question as the clock struck 10:30 p.m. and the meeting adjourned.

The student discipline policy debate was sparked after a football game last fall resulted in several student suspensions for smoking and other infractions.

Parents complained to the board that some of the teens involved were guilty of

poor decision making, and did not deserve the school suspensions that will show up when it is time for them to apply to colleges.

That led to several revisions to the policy to allow more leniency over what constitutes an infraction – “boisterous behavior” had been in the former policy, a point that several board members said was too strict.

Opening a door to having a suspension rescinded by the superintendent has been written into a new draft of the policy, but that also sparked debate on Monday night.

Board vice-president Victor Dupuis said, “I’m

concerned about putting our superintendent at incredible risk about making this decision -- just the reputational risk of putting our CEO in a position of making this decision, and potentially saying ‘No’ and having pretty dramatic fallout as a result of that. Or saying ‘Yes’ and having dramatic fallout from that as well.

“If we approve this policy, should we specify that not only must there be no more misbehavior, but that students have a community service responsibility on top of it? … In my mind, the whole issue is not rescision,” Dupuis continued.

Continued on Page 4A

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Chester County Press

Local News Young...

Continued from Page 1A

Unionville and Octorara in separate matches. Young is an assistant coach for the team.

Before Oxford’s match with Octorara, Young was introduced and the crowd cheered wildly as he exchanged high-fives and hugs with students and teachers. He was accompanied by his wife, Amanda, and their two young children.

About eight years ago, Young had a benign tumor removed. He started suffering from symptoms again in 2017, and had another tumor removed in December. He was diagnosed with brain cancer.

High school principal James Canaday said that there has been an outpouring of support for the Young family since the diagnosis. His colleagues, students, and parents of students said that Young is the kind of educator who instills important character traits into the students and athletes that he worked with.

Canaday said that Young is the kind of teacher who always puts the students first and the school first.

Parking garage...

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attracting new businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents. I’m committed to the success of Oxford and committed to working in the spirit of bipartisanship to ensure that downtown

“He’s the exact type of person that you want in front of kids,” Canaday said.

Canaday said that Young’s diagnosis has been difficult on the staff and students at the school, but everyone appreciated the opportunity to show love and support for a teacher and coach who has had a big impact on the school and its students.

Sam Blevins, a member of the wrestling team, said that it’s been difficult for the team to see one of their coaches battle cancer, but being able to honor Young on Senior Night was special.

“Coach Young is a mentor and a father figure to a lot of the guys,” said Blevins, a junior. “He’s an inspiration to all of us.

It’s been hard on a lot of us, but tonight is special because we are able to honor him.”

Kimberly Horseman, whose son, Dylan, is on the wrestling team, said that Young is an extremely popular teacher and coach with the students.

“They absolutely adore him,” she said.

Blevins said that everyone is committed to

standing with the Young family as the popular teacher and coach battles brain cancer.

“We’re all here for him,” said Blevins. “He is in our prayers and our thoughts continually.”

The high school and the Oxford Wrestling Association are planning a benefit event on Friday, March 23 at the Redman’s Hall in Oxford. There will be dinner and entertainment that evening, as well as a silent auction and raffle items. Tickets for the Photos (2) by Steven Hoffman event are now available.

The money raised will go Young exchanged high-fives, handshakes, and hugs with some students after he was announced to the crowd. toward the Young family’s medical bills and daily expenses.

Anyone who is unable to attend the benefit but would like to make a donation can do so sending the donation to the Ben Young Family Benefit, Oxford Area High School Wrestling, 705 Waterway Road, Oxford, PA 19363.

For more information about the event, contact Danielle Sheffield at danielles@cciu.org.

Oxford gets the support it needs to grow and flourish for years to come.”

The most recent grant will help pay for street and pedestrian access improvements to ensure safety around the new parking garage. This will include the reconstruction of and repairs to Second Street (between

Locust and Mt. Vernon Streets) and Octoraro Alley (from Second Street to the entrance of the new transit center). This new grant funding for the project comes through Act 89 of 2013, Pennsylvania’s C o m p r e h e n s i v e Transportation Funding Plan, which increased tran-

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email e d i t o r @ c h e s t e rc o u n t y. com.

The large crowd cheers Young.

sit funding and established dedicated multimodal funding for aviation, passenger rail, rail freight, port and bicycle-pedestrian projects.

State Rep. Lawrence has been a supporter of the parking garage project from very early on, and has personally played a part in helping the borough work through some of the issues that have arisen along the way.

“This project is vital for Oxford and the surrounding community,” Lawrence said in a statement. “The parking and transit facility will provide core infrastructure to support the continued renewal of downtown Oxford. Grant funding like this is very competitive – by working together with Senator Dinniman, Oxford Borough, and Oxford

Mainstreet Inc., $5 million has been committed to making this project a reality.”

The Oxford project was part of 45 multimodal transportation projects across 22 counties that were approved for $41.5 million in state funding. It was selected from more than 220 applicants.

PennDOT will open the next round of Multimodal Transportation Fund applications on Feb. 26, 2018, with applications due on March 30, 2018.

Oxford secured $578,077 in funding through the Chester County Community Revitalization Program in 2016, and another $500,000 in 2017.

Another $540,000 was received through the DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund. The borough also

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received $285,822 in grant funding through the DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund. Additional funding is coming through a state grant program. Oxford is also utilizing a $1 million gift that had been presented to the borough more than a decade ago by an anonymous donor who wanted the money to be used for the acquisition of a new borough building.

Oxford Borough officials are understandably pleased with the funding that has been made available for the project.

“As the mayor of the greatest small town in America, I am thrilled to be a part of the development and growth in Oxford,” said Oxford Mayor Lorraine Durnan Bell. “Our economic growth is vital to the expansion of business and quality of life for all. I am excited to be a supporter of the new multi-modal transportation center, which will be instrumental in the revitalization project that has been flourishing through the recent past and will continue in our future.”

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Avon Grove seats Education Foundation Board of Directors The Avon Grove School District (AGSD) has seated its first Board of Directors for its new Education Foundation and is eyeing a July 1, 2018 date for operations to officially begin. The non-profit organization is forming this year to maximize resources and help students achieve success.

Community members and business leaders have been selected to serve on the board following an applicant and interview process. With more than 30 applicants, the members of the new board represent a strong crosssection of the District, all eager to make the Foundation a success for the AGSD community.

They include: Mike Adams, Tara Burns, Lou Chance, Sebastian Cioaba, Brenda Deaner, Leslie Erb Wallace, Michael Giacommetti, Carolyn Hammerschmidt, Deb

Roundabout...

Continued from Page 1A

movements,” Kennedy said.

“Adding left turn lanes helps, but adding the roundabout adds more capacity than leftturn improvements. From a long-term perspective, if we’re expecting growth, a roundabout prefers to be the best option.”

Kennedy said that the preliminary cost estimate for the roundabout would be $2.6 million, which would include a $1.3 million construction cost. Pursuing grant opportunities, he said, will begin in March, and be coordinated through PennDOT or the State’s Economic Development Office. He said that 2019 would be devoted to determining final designs, and the project, he said, would get underway in 2021 and take less than one year to complete.

“We have an immediate problem that we have to address, [but] it will be more than addressed,” said board chairman Scudder Stevens.

“It will be attacked, for lack of a better term, to begin the process, [in order to] have it up and running by 2021.”

The construction of the roundabout, Kennedy said, would be done parcel by par-

L’Heureux, Roger Horowitz, John Hughes, Dorothy Linn, Tracy Litchfield, Scott Lucas, Courtney Miller, Maria Navarrete-Olvera, Nancy Rowan, Robert Ruddy, Terri Villa, Matt Walsh, Robert Weidenmuller and student board member Kyle Shah.

The Education Foundation Board will embark on strategic planning over the spring months and seeks to create connections between the community and classrooms, extending and diversifying student learning capacities.

Through this Foundation, community members and organizations, both within and outside of the Avon Grove School District, will have an opportunity to provide resources with the ultimate goal of assisting our students to reach academic and professional success.

Township adding beet juice to tackle ice storms

During the ice storm that hit the area on the morning of February 7, 2018, London Grove Township began utilizing Sugar Beet Molasses in its fight against winter weather.

The township has been utilizing Sodium Brine for several years, but with the recent completion of their state-of-the-art brine facility at its new Public Works complex, the township can mix brine solutions specific to each storm to form what the township is calling “Super Brine.”

The township’s Public Works department has completely designed and built the sodium brine production unit, as well as the storage, blending, and loading system, as well as two 1,250-gallon anti-icing

units, which are used to store and apply the brine before a storm. Utilizing this custombuilt equipment has resulted in a significant savings over the purchase of commercially available equipment.

The ability to custom blend “Super Brine” for each storm will provide a quicker acting, more environmentally safe and fiscally responsible solution to both anti-icing and de-icing operations.

“Super Brine” helps to prevent the dust that forms when plain sodium brine pre-treatments dry, this helps reduce corrosion for the motoring public and allows the pre-treatment to be done up to four days before a storm.

The Sugar Beet Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production, utilizing sugar

beets. Sugar beets are utilized to produce 20 percent of the sugar used worldwide.

The township purchases “Geomelt 55” from GVM Incorporated of East Berlin, Pa in 4,500-gallon tanker truck loads. The Geomelt 55 is then blended with Sodium Chloride Brine and Calcium Chloride to produce “Super Brine.” A blend of 85 percent Sodium Chloride, ten percent Geomelt 55, and five percent Calcium Chloride is used to treat road conditions during a typical Southeastern Pennsylvania storm. However, the blend can be adjusted based on the precipitation type or temperature profile of a storm.

The blending of these liquids can make the salt, which normally is only effective to around 20

degrees Fahrenheit and negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Sugar Beet Molasses is a coffee brown liquid, will not stain vehicles and lowers the corrosive nature of the materials used during a storm. Studies have shown that the use of “Super Brine” as a pre-wetting agent can reduce salt usage by 30 percent, by not only reducing the bounce and scatter as the salt is spread, but also “jump starting” the chemical reaction and making the salt more effective.

Township employees will use the “Super Brine” not only as a pre-wetting agent, but also to pre-treat the roads prior to a storm. This pre-treating helps prevent the snow and ice from sticking to the road as a storm starts.

Tuesday Talks with Dick Winchester

The Oxford Library will be hosting a series of programs called Tuesday Talks with Dr. Richard Winchester on the first Tuesday of the month in March, April, and May. Dr. Richard Winchester is cel, in such a way that each a retired history professor road – or “point” -- would be closed at different times for a a nearly 100 percent reducperiod of a few weeks, not all tion in fatal crashes. They at one time, to better accom- also save the driver time, modate traffic. Closures he said; at traditional interwould be coordinated with sections, drivers normally Kennett Square Borough and experience an average of a 16 -second delay, while at nearby schools.

“We would close one leg a roundabout, the delay is at a time and implement a about five seconds.

During his presentation, detour for one leg of the intersection,” Kennedy said. Kennedy showed simulaIn spelling out the positives tions of two traffic patterns. of adding a roundabout at One simulation showed the intersection, Kennedy’s a traditional intersection, presentation said that while where a growing stack of traditional intersection con- vehicles waited for lights cepts like traffic circles, from all directions. The other rotaries or mini-traffic simulation showed a typical circles are all designed to roundabout, where a steady move traffic at higher speeds, flow of vehicles moved roundabouts are designed to almost continuously, at slow slow traffic down, by creat- speeds.

A roundabout, Kennedy ing uniform, yield patterns said, could also meet for every vehicle.

“In a typical roundabout projected growth in the vicinsystem, traffic operates in a ity of the intersection. In its counter-clockwise direction 70-page traffic impact analyaround the circle, and one of sis report of the intersection the key features is that every issued on Feb. 16, 2016, leg is designed to the same Remington & Vernick wrote standards,” Kennedy said. that the projected volume of “You don’t have a main street traffic at the intersection will getting priority, and a side likely increase, largely due to the “build out” of two street trying to find a gap.”

Kennedy told the audience townhome developments that studies show significant along South Union Street: reduction in traffic crashes the Bentley-Plankington at roundabouts, compared to development at 912 South traditional intersections; and Union Street, which includes

who taught and served as the vice president of academic affairs at Lincoln University. He will give three dynamic and informal talks about history during the programs.

On March 6, he will make a presentation about the his-

tory of Oxford. On April 3, the talk will focus on some of the most important documents in U.S. history, including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

On May 1, Winchester will talk about the turbu-

lence of 1968, and events that impacted the U.S. that year.

All the programs begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public.

The Oxford Library is located at 48 South 2nd Street in Oxford.

40 units, and the Guthrie development, which includes 63 units.

Early concept designs for the project, Kennedy said, do not include pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle lanes, but township Manager Lisa Moore said that during the grant application stage, the township will work with PennDOT to incorporate sidewalks and crosswalks into a revised design.

Referring to the township’s Sidewalk Project, board chairman Scudder Stevens said that the township “is deeply committed to sidewalks and sharing the road,” he said. “Bear in mind, if you think it will be bad [to cross a completed roundabout at the Five Points intersection], think about what it’s like trying to cross there now. It’s very, very dangerous, but it will be better.”

Although the development of a roundabout at the intersection will be considered a Kennett Township project, it is being done in partnership with PennDOT, who owns two of the roads at the intersection. Both the township and Remington & Vernick have met on several occasions with PennDOT, and

at its Sept. 2017 meeting, PennDOT endorsed the ovalshaped roundabout concept.

Because the township is choosing to take ownership of the project, it considerably accelerates its anticipated timeline. Moore told the audience that if the township chose not to take the reigns on the roundabout, it would have been placed on PennDOT’s transportation project to-do list, which she said could take between 10 and 15 years to complete.

In other township news, the board supported an initiative introduced by supervisor Richard Leff that potentially links the township with other area municipalities in a joint effort to explore ways to convert these municipalities into 100 percent renewable energy centers. The goal of the concept, Leff said, is to convert all electricity use into renewable energy by 2035, and to create all renewable energy by 2050.

The initiative is being led by the Chester County Clean Energy Leaders, Leff said, and the idea is

to pool resources with the Chester County Planning Commission, in order to draft a plan to reach these goals.

Leff said that the initiative has already received support from Kennett Square Borough, Downingtown Borough, West Chester Borough, Phoenixville Borough, Schuylkill Township, West Goshen Township and Westtown Township.

“As you look at energy usage by counties across Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh light up, because there’s so many people, but if you divide it by how many people are in a certain municipality, Kennett Township lights up,” Leff said. “This would be a way for Kennett Township to determine how we can source our energy usage, and potentially get our electricity from cleaner sources. It’s a ways away, but these are aspirational goals.”

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

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March 7 Education and Summer Camp Guide March 28 Home & Garden Life April 11 Middletown Life

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Chester County Press

Local News U-CF School board...

Continued from Page 1A

“The issue is college applications. This all revolves around whether or not a student, or the district, has to declare a suspension on their college application. Does a student have to declare a suspension if it has been rescinded?

I know what the student will do. If their suspension was rescinded, they won’t declare it. Are we putting them in a position where they’re making a declaration on an application that is not true? I’m not sure if this is a fix, or whether it’s just transferring the problem.”

District superintendent John Sanville, who would be the final arbiter of appeals if the policy is adopted, said he feels that asking a student to declare a suspension is overreaching by the common application process. “I think the requirement for students to report suspensions – the goal of that is a worthy one, and that was to make college campuses safer,” he said. “But what the research is showing is that it hasn’t made any difference in making campuses safer, and in fact the practice of requiring students to report these suspensions may be discriminatory. Now we’re left with, ‘Can we, and should we as a body, address that overreach by the common application?’ We have legal advice that we shouldn’t.

Maybe we should go after the common app to fix this, but that’s not going to happen any time soon.

“You’re right. If we pass

this policy, I’m going to say ‘Yes’ to some and ‘No’ to some, and there’s going to be blowback, but I’m OK with that. I know that I will be fair,” Sanville said.

Board member Steve Simonson said, “I’ve got some serious problems with rescision in general. What is the second chance that we feel we are giving the students who have their suspensions rescinded? I’m troubled that behavior is being treated in a different way than our academics. If you screw up on your SAT, you can take it again, but the first one doesn’t go away.

If you screw up a class in a semester, that grade is there.

Why should behavior be different? I’m not sure.”

Board president Jeff Hellrung responded that the revised policy “is not a doover, it’s not an eraser. The same high expectations for students are there. If there is a violation, there are consequences imposed. That comes with chances for re-evaluation and learning.

None of that is undone by a rescision.”

Sanville pointed out that if Unionville-Chadds Ford does vote to change the policy and allow rescision of suspensions, “We’d be leading the charge in Pennsylvania” on the issue, he said.

Hellrung suggested adding a community service component to the policy.

Simonson commented, “Using a suspension, and taking a student out of the educational environment, should be only for those situations where they will be disruptive to the class, or a danger to themselves

or their classmates. I don’t understand how taking them out of the classroom helps educate them. For the kind of behaviors that are egregious enough to take someone out, I’m not sure that a little bit of community service is enough to expunge that. I think we should apply other forms of discipline to those who are short of causing disruption and danger. But if you do commit an egegious act, I’m having a lot of trouble with making it go away because of a community service project that may be of substance, or may not.”

Sanville said he plans to make a couple of small revisions to the wording of the policy for the board to review in preparation for a vote in March. “We have to make difficult decisions, so let’s make a decision,” he said. “It doesn’t help us to table this, or to wait.”

The board also heard about two new scoreboards that are coming to the Unionville High School varsity baseball and varsity softball fields. The boards will be the same size, and in the same places as the current boards. Rick Hostetler, the supervisor of buildings and grounds, told the board that the Unionville Recreation Association “is donating the entire cost for the two scoreboards. The cost is $46,570. We want to make note of that very generous donation. We will do the installation in-house.”

There are spaces at the bottom of each scoreboard to sell sponsorship to local businesses, “and that revenue will support our sports teams,” Hostetler added.

Valentines sweepstakes...

Continued from Page 1A

gift items from Cardinal Camera in Glen Mills; and gift items for the Treetops Kitty Cafe in Kennett Square.

“Our annual Valentine’s Day Extravaganza continues to draw more and more entries each year, and we’re very pleased to award Jennifer, Peter and Julie with this year’s prizes,” said Chester County Press Publisher Randy Lieberman. “We are grateful to those companies who participate in the Extravaganza, and we’re so pleased to be able to promote their name and business to the many thousands of local residents who read the Chester County Press, either in print or online, every day of the year.”

The school board will vote to approve the scoreboards, and recognize the URA, at their Feb. 19 meeting.

The board also voted to accept the preliminary general fund budget for 2018-2019, with total appropriations of $87,982,641.

That forecasts what millage increases might be needed to finance the budget. It represents the maximum increase deemed necessary and allows the school board flexibility in preparing the final budget, to be approved in June.

The preliminary budget reflects an increase in expenditures of 3.60 percent, including technology initiatives, funding for a

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Jennifer Neuhof of Landenberg was selected as the grand prize winner of the Chester County Press’ annual Valentine’s Day Extravaganza, and received gifts from several area businesses. Other winners included Peter Vergos of Oxford and Julie Bruno of Hockessin.

debt service on approximately $7.5 million to continue the ten-year capital plan, funds to address driver shortage issues in the transportation department, as well as all funds to continue the current education and support programs of the district.

The proposed preliminary millage rates for Chester and Delaware counties are 28.95 mills and 25.54 mills, respectively. These represent increases of 1.90 perrcent and 8.08 percent, respectively, and a weighted average increase of 3.13 percent. Exception dollars in the amount of $117,225 are necessary to avoid a referendum for these millage rates, and

it is estimated that $118,980 of exception dollars will be available to the district.

“There is no difference in what is before you and what you approved in January,” Sanville told the board.

“This allows the board to leave all options open. This is just the line in the sand in terms of the maximum amount, to allow the board flexibility going forward.”

The board voted 8-0 to approve.

For updated information about the district, visit www. ucfsd.org.

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

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Appointments to Kennett Square Borough’s Revolving Loan Fund Committee now finalized

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Appointments to Kennett Square Borough’s Revolving Loan Fund Committee have now been finalized.

At the Feb. 5 borough council meeting, it was announced that the committee will include Nate Echeverria, the economic development director for the Kennett area; Mary Hutchins, the Historic Kennett Square executive director; borough council member Wayne Braffman; borough manager Joe Scalise; David B. Myers, an attorney with a law office on West State Street; Lisa Ionata, the borough’s finance director; Lee Sausen and Alex Wilson, who filled the two positions designated for residents on the committee; and

Luis Tovar, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services on West State Street.

The committee will oversee the borough’s Revolving Loan Fund, which currently has approximately $900,000 that can be distributed to businesses that would help boost economic development activities in the borough.

More than a decade ago, the borough worked with a developer to secure $500,000 in state funding for an economic development project on State Street. The rules of the state grant required the developer to repay the money to the borough, and Kennett Square officials would then have those funds to spend on other economic development projects.

Borough council

decided to form a special committee to review applications for business projects that would receive loans from the Revolving Loan Fund. The idea was to have a separate committee review the applications to ensure fairness, transparency, and to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Borough council president LaToya Myers explained that the committee will make recommendations to borough council about which projects should be approved, and then it will ultimately be up to borough council to make the f inal decision. The borough is enlisting Seedcopa, which works with economic development partners throughout Pennsylvania, as a third-party organization

to evaluate whether a particular business has the necessary credit to qualify for funding.

Myers described this as a preliminary step before the Revolving Loan Fund Committee would vote to approve a loan application. Once the committee makes its recommendation, borough council would decide whether the project was a good fit for the borough, and whether the funding would ultimately be approved.

Council member Ethan Cramer said that the Revolving Loan Fund will be a “remarkable tool” for the borough to encourage economic development.

In other business at the Feb. 5 meeting, Kennett Square Borough Council authorized Marc Jonas, the borough’s

solicitor, to work toward negotiating a settlement agreement with business owner Holly Peters over a dispute regarding a decision by the Kennett Square Shade Tree Commission. The disagreement, which dates back to 2013, revolves around the fate of a tree situated on the property of Peters’ business on South Broad Street. The hope is that a settlement agreement can be reached before the dispute ends up being decided in court.

In his Finance Committee report, Braffman noted that the borough will need to find $55,000 in this year’s budget to pay for the borough’s fairshare contribution to the regional EMS/Fire Commission. Braffman said that there was some confusion regarding

which payments were to be considered as contributing to the borough’s fair share allocation, and consquently the borough has about $55,000 more in obligations than had been anticipated.

Sally Braffman was appointed to serve on the Civil Service Commission as an alternate member.

She took the oath of off ice immediately after borough council approved the appointment.

Geoff Bosley, a former council member, was appointed to the Finance Committee.

Kennett Square Borough Council will meet next on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

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

Aimee Olexy, owner of Talula’s Table, to be featured on the ‘Today Show’ in March Acclaimed chef Scott Morozin is opening Verbena BYOB at 102 E. State Street

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer In her report to Kennett Square Borough Council on Feb. 5, Mary Hutchins said that Aimee Olexy, the owner of the enormously popular Talula’s Table, is scheduled to be featured on the “Today Show” in

March. A camera crew is scheduled to be filming in Kennett Square on Thursday, March 8.

Hutchins, the executive director of Historic Kennett Square, also informed borough council that acclaimed executive chef Scott Morozin has taken over the former

La Madera Bistro at 102 E. State Street and will open his new restaurant, Verbena BYOB, this month.

In other news in the business district, Hutchins reported that Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop is moving from its location on North Union Street

to the space previously occupied by Torelli’s men’s store on State Street. Clean Slate, a fair wage gift shop, is taking the space where Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop was located. Clean Slate will offer handmade goods from around the world.

A late-May opening is

planned for the store.

Additionally, Trail Creek Outfitters has signed a one-year lease for its current space on State Street.

Hutchins also reported that Tom Sausen was appointed as the president of Historic Kennett Square’s board,

while Mike Pia, Jr. was selected as vice president during the reorganization meeting in late January.

Chad Fenstermacher is the treasurer.

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

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Expert says cellular communications tower is needed in New Garden

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Before an overflow audience at the New Garden Township Zoning Hearing Board’s Feb. 8 preliminary conditional hearing, Archie Dickson, a radio frequency engineer with T-Mobile, gave a more than two-hour testimony that supported the need for a proposed cellular communications tower on an 11.8-acre farm at 1511 Yeatmans Station Road in Landenberg.

Arthur Santoro, a retired Delaware State trooper, has owned the property since 1980.

Christopher H. Schubert of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco and the attorney representing Eco-Sites,

LLC – a Durham, N.C.based supplier of wireless and infrastructure solutions who is applying for the construction of the tower – elicited facts and figures from Dickson that spelled out that the area around the White Clay Creek Preserve does not have reliable cell phone coverage.

Referring to a test drive analysis he performed in the area last December, and then to the center of an overhead map of New Garden Township that showed various degrees of cell phone coverage strength, Dickson pointed to a pale pink area on the dark red map, and identified it as a service area that lacked radio signal capacity.

“None of these other existing cell towers [indicated

Christopher H. Schubert of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco and the attorney representing Eco-Sites, LLC, interviewed Arthur Santoro, the owner of an 11.8-acre farm in Landenberg where the proposed cellular tower may be installed.

on the map] can cover that blank spot,” he said. “We cannot place a new cell tower somewhere else to cover that blank spot. The cell tower needs to go where the coverage deficiency is.”

Dickson then pointed to several areas on the map where attempted cell phone calls prematurely failed.

“We couldn’t hear anything [during the test analysis].

The system completely failed to work in the area of the White Clay Creek Preserve,” he said.

The hearing, moderated by township solicitor Winifred Sebastian, Esq., and attended by members of the township’s Zoning Hearing Board, was also attended by Marc D. Jonas, Esq., of the law firm of Eastburn and Gray, PC, who represented parties who are opposing the installation of the tower at the site; and attorneys representing London Britain Township and New Garden Township.

The proposed 125-foothigh telecommunications tower would be constructed on the site of the former Little Stenning Farm. Built of galvanized steel, the tower will be of a monopine design similar to a pine tree.

Schubert said that Santoro would also accept a different type of structure, such as a windmill-style design, on his property.

In his testimony, Dickson said that the evidence supporting the construction of a cellular tower is being dictated by the changing ways people use phones.

“People are using fixed line telephones less and less,” he said. “We know that more and more are using mobile phones for their house connections and their emergency calls, so

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Archie Dickson, a radio frequency engineer with T-Mobile, testified on Feb. 8 in support of a proposed cellular communications tower in New Garden Township.

that in itself means that the demand for network services is always on the increase.

“People are using their phones for internet connections, for data, for sending high-definition video, for looking at their friends on Facebook. All of this takes a lot more resources.”

Before Dickson, Schubert called Santoro as his first witness, who said that EcoSites, Inc., approached him about two years ago with the proposal to install a tower on his property. He verified to Schubert that he entered a lease agreement with the company on Aug. 18, 2016.

Santoro was then questioned by Jonas about the use of his property, and whether or not Santoro receives any income from it.

Santoro said that he rents out and maintains eight horse stalls, as well as an apartment on his property that is occasionally used by horse owners.

Jonas then asked Santoro to refer to the lease agreement he signed with Eco-Sites,

Inc., and asked him to identify the “blacked-out” information on the document.

Santoro replied that it was likely the final compensation he would receive from EcoSites, Inc., but when asked by Jonas to provide the amount of compensation, Santoro did not provide a figure.

“I don’t think that’s anybody’s business right now,” he told Jonas.

From the time the proposal first surfaced in the township more than a year ago, the idea of a cell tower standing at the site has drawn both praise and criticism. The installation of a cellular communications tower would be a welcome upgrade for many in the community, who feel that they live in a cell phone-free zone. As has been discussed at previous conditional use hearings, a new tower would be able to accommodate the rise of 5G technology and increase download speeds up to ten times faster than 4G technology.

On the other side of the issue, several residents have expressed concern

that the planned placement of the tower would obstruct their views of the adjacent White Clay Creek Preserve, negatively affect the property values of their homes, and destroy the environmental aesthetic of the area.

While the application is still being considered by the Zoning Hearing Board, it will need to go through the conditional use process after the preliminary hearing process has been completed.

The township’s Board of Supervisors will then serve witness at the conditional use hearing, and render a final decision.

A continuation of the hearing has been scheduled for March 1, beginning at 7 p.m. at the township building.

Schubert told Sebastian that he has about an hour’s worth of testimony remaining for Dickson, and more than one dozen individuals who were given official party status to the hearing, are also expected to testify.

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

Arts Alliance marks 10 years and looks toward the future

By John Chambless Staff Writer Judy Petersen, who took over last April as executive director of the Oxford Arts Alliance, can sense the energy building in downtown Oxford. But she’s especially hopeful when new visitors tell her, “This town is really changing, this is really great,” Petersen said last week.

The Arts Alliance was a cornerstone of the revitalization of downtown Oxford, but never had a formal ribbon cutting, so at the organization’s 10-year celebration on Feb. 9, they made up for that with a dedication and party.

Petersen, who is an artist in her own right, has lived in East Nottingham Township for about 15 years. She remembers when Oxford didn’t have the momentum it is enjoying today.

“I see a lot of collaboration now between businesses to make the town come back,” she said, adding that a parking garage is a much-needed project for the downtown. “We want to bring more business into town, and we need to have parking to do that.”

The new businesses downtown are stabilizing, thanks to efforts by Oxford Mainstreet and other organizations, she said. With the arts as a draw for businesses and visitors, Petersen said the Arts Alliance needs to bring in “children and families, bring music and art to them. To me, it’s more about children than anything. If you bring in children, you have the parents.

Upstairs here, we have music and art private lessons for about 150 students a week. We

have the Annex now, where we hold classes. Caitlin Daugherty is now our director of art education, and she’s going to be building the classes and collaborations. All of our camps will be held at the Annex. We’re doing a collaboration with the library to do music camps this summer. We’ve also hired a special education art teacher to teach children and adults in the spring.

“When we first opened up the Annex, we had local artists showing there,” Petersen said.

“We found that, because we need to use the Annex for all our classes, we can’t do that now. Here in the gallery, we are scheduled to the middle of 2019 already. In April, we’ll have a group of artists who will exhibit at Ware Presbyterian Village.

We have a figure drawing class that brings in local artists to learn new techniques, to work with a model, to help them grow as artists.”

The monthly First Friday events are consistent highlights, she said. “Oxford has its First Friday and the Arts Alliance has its Third Friday art openings.

First Friday has always been attracting so many people in the community. We love to have children come in – we have Goldfish crackers and lemonade for them. All kinds of people come in for First Fridays.”

In ways big and small, the Arts Alliance is proving to be a draw for everyone. “There was a group of boys who came in – 10 to 12 years old – looked around, talked with one of our volunteers who showed them around. They left, and about half an hour later, one of the

A ribbon cutting was set up because the organization never had one a decade ago.

boys came back and said, ‘Do you mind if I come in and look around? My friends aren’t that interested in art, but I am,’” Petersen said, laughing. “He has come back for every First Friday to look at what we have.”

In June, art by school students will be shown in the main gallery, and in July, children from the Lighthouse Youth Center will exhibit the results of art projects that are being done in conjunction with the Arts Alliance.

Goals for the Arts Alliance in the short term are finding an administrative assistant to free Petersen up to pursue more outreach and less office work. There are currently four people to handle everything.

“And we’d love to get into a bigger space where we have one campus and grow more,” she said. “To have everything in one place – to be able to have a culinary institute, to do clay, to be able to have one big gallery and a smaller gallery for emerging artists, to be able to have more classrooms for individuals and groups, to start with computers that are a big part of art today.”

The Arts Alliance works with a lean team – a staff of four plus outside instructors – and has stabilized its finances.

“Last year we came in under budget, which was really great,” Petersen said. “That’s the first time in a long time.

Our Garden Party fundraiser

The community turned out at the Oxford Arts Alliance this month for their 10th anniversary.

has always been held in the last few years outside of Oxford.

We’re bringing it back this year.

It’s going to be held at Wayvine Vineyard in Nottingham. We’re going back to having a table decorating contest, back to its roots,” Peterson said. “And I’m working on grants as well. It’s easy to get grants for music and education for low-income communities. It’s not easy to get grants for general operating expenses, but we need to keep our doors open. That’s the basis of it. To keep our costs down, to

involve the whole community, so that everybody can benefit, we can’t have high prices. But because we can’t have high prices, we do work on a limited budget. We have to focus our fundraising on operating expenses.

“But there are so many exciting things going on. This is really an exciting time,” she said, smiling.

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

Sen. Andy Dinniman stopped by to congratulate the Arts Alliance on its contributions to the revitalization of Oxford.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

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The truth is: Redrawing proportional representation in the face of arrogance

The wrong people are in jail

Winning in politics – no matter the cost, even at the risk of losing all credibility and self dignity – reached a new low in Pennsylvania last week.

In an impassioned letter to his Republican colleagues in Harrisburg dated Feb. 5, State Representative Cris Dush called for the impeachment of five of the state Supreme Court justices, on the heels of the court’s Jan. 22 order that stated that the Congressional Redistricting Act of 2011 is “clearly, plainly and palpably” violates the state constitution, and that the misshapen and clearly gerrymandered congressional maps throughout the state – all created to favor Republicans – must be redrawn. It then gave Sen. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature until Feb. 15 to redraw the maps. If no compromise is reached by that date, the Democratic-controlled Supreme Court will draw the lines on its own.

“The five Justices who signed this order that blatantly and clearly contradicts the plain language of the Pennsylvania Constitution, engaged in misbehavior in office,” Dush wrote. “Each is guilty of an impeachable offense warranting removal from office and disqualification to hold any office or trust or profit under this Commonwealth.”

Dush was not alone. Several members of the Pennsylvania Republican Congressional Delegation issued a statement in opposition to the Supreme Court ruling, calling it “a misguided decision” and “an unfortunate example of the judicial branch inserting itself into the core functions of the legislative branch.”

“Today’s Congressional maps were drafted and approved by both Republicans and Democrats,” the statement read. “It also comes on the eve of a midterm election. An orderly electoral process is an essential function of our Democracy.”

The statement was signed by U.S. Reps. Glenn Thompson (Pa.-05), Mike Kelly (Pa-03), Scott Perry (Pa.-04), Ryan Costello (Pa.-06), Bill Shuster (Pa.-09), Tom Marino (Pa.-10), Keith Rothfus (Pa.-12), Charlie Dent (Pa.-15) and Lloyd Smucker (Pa.-16), and Patrick Meehan (Pa.-07), whose oddly-shaped congressional boundaries, critics assert, were designed in order to protect him.

In light of these accusations, the truth is that not one of the five members of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will be forced to leave the court.

The truth is that these lines were all drawn for political gain.

The truth is that Republicans have held the pens that draw the lines that have favored the Pennsylvania GOP for the last two decades.

The truth is that these efforts to undermine the court are being done to help weather the harsh, blue tsunami of anti-Trumpism that is expected to sweep over mid-term elections come this November, which could dramatically alter the current 13-to-5 Republican majority in the state’s congressional delegation.

The truth is that these state lawmakers are in fear of losing their jobs.

The truth is that both their constituencies, and those that favor other parties, have vehemently denounced gerrymandering, and they know who has held the pens and drawn the lines – power brokers who have chosen to play to the extremes of their base instead of governing to the center.

The truth is that they have neglected to understand that the goal of elections is to seek lawmakers who correspond their goals to the entirety of the public – in a show of inclusive, proportional representation.

With their objection of the court’s ruling however, and by any continued measure of their initiatives to oust Supreme Court judges, these state representatives have committed the sin of arrogance, and with these actions, have likely sealed their future fate, and that of the Republican Party in Harrisburg, for years to come.

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By Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone If your child or spouse or parent had a mental illness, addiction or developmental disability, would you want them in jail, or somewhere that could help them get better?

County jails and taxpayers dollars are increasingly being used to detain pre-trial offenders and house inmates who suffer from such issues; the majority of which do not pose a public safety risk.

Simply stated, county jails are the largest mental health facilities in our country, and Chester County is no exception.

Although offenders must be held accountable for their actions, most of these individuals have not committed serious crimes. Statistics indicate the mentally ill will spend two-and-a-half to eight times longer in jail than their non-mentally ill counterparts, so a more effective use of our limited resources is to safely provide treatment and support to those with mental health and substance abuse issues, to enhance the possibility of them becoming productive members of society.

A majority of county jail inmates will eventually return to the community, and if mental health and substance abuse issues remain untreated, they are very likely to cycle back into the system through the county jail, again and again, costing

taxpayers money and having negative effects on families, community safety and future generations; things that affect you and your children.

Taxpayer dollars could be better spent to serve the needs of these individuals and the community. The average cost of incarceration in Chester County Prison is approximately $37,000 annually, compared with many communitybased alternatives that are estimated to cost less than half of that amount and that can produce effective supports and services. Counties nationwide spend nearly $100 billion annually on health care for inmates and in Chester County 50 percent are pre-trial detainees.

Counties are the primary provider of criminal justice, and jail operations with more than 80 percent of Pennsylvania sentences are served at the county level, either in jail, on probation, or in county intermediate punishment. Of the approximately 37,000 inmates that were in Pennsylvania’s county prisons on an average day in 2014, more than 11,500 had a mental illness and around 4,000 had a serious mental illness.

Approximately half of those with serious mental illness who recycle into the criminal justice system have not committed new crimes; rather, they have been unable to comply with the requirements of probation and parole. How is incarcerating them assisting with provid-

ing them care and serving our community?

Adding to the problem, is the shortage of psychiatric, or forensic, beds in state hospitals for county inmates who have mental illness and developmental disabilities. For perspective, there are just 237 forensic beds available throughout the state, and about 250 inmates waiting for services to become available while they remain imprisoned – where their symptoms can become increasingly significant – until they can receive appropriate treatment. Once placed on the list for hospitalization, the average wait time is substantial, and, in Chester County, can be 15 months or longer.

How do we fix this?

The state and counties are already taking important steps to address this issue, but more support and assistance must be provided.

A collaborative initiative between the state and counties is needed to effectively address the shortage of forensic beds, with assistance and involvement from the governor, legislators and policy makers.

Greater focus must be placed on treatment and restoration services within the prison system, including expanded options to allow mentally ill, addicted and developmentally disabled individuals to obtain care and treatment in the community rather than prison.

And with millions of jail bookings across America

involving a person with a mental health condition each year, the collaboration between law enforcement and the mental health system has never been more important.

Last year, Chester County introduced an intensive Police Crisis Intervention Team training course for our law enforcement officials, a program that has been proven to increase public safety, divert people with mental illness from the criminal justice system and decrease officer injuries.

Effective strategies, supports and services must be provided to control the need for incarceration and reduce reentry into the criminal justice system. We must change the perception of who is in jail and seek understanding of special populations and unique circumstances so that positive reform and proper return on investment of taxpayer dollars can take place.

Simply stated, prisons are not the place for many of these individuals. Society must embrace diversion options that provide care and treatment, as well as every possible tool in an effort to improve lives, use resources more appropriately and build safer communities. We should use incarceration for its intended purpose – to protect the public – and focus on caring for the vulnerable individuals in our communities to ensure a positive outcome for everyone.

Back Home For Keeps: A Valentine’s Day message that still resonates

By Allan Andrade In 1902, Oneida Ltd., located in Sherrill, N.Y., introduced Community Silverplate, which quickly became recognized as the American standard for flatware. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, thousands of young girls in love, recently engaged or married dreamed of the day when Community Silverplate knives, forks, and spoons would grace their dining table.

Those dreams were shattered on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese bombs fell at Pearl Harbor and America found itself at war. The U.S. government mandated that some 200,000 companies stop all peace-time production, and direct their full energies towards producing the war materials that turned American industry into an avenging colossus.

Even the manufacture of silverware ceased by government order on March 31, 1942.

Instead, Oneida’s craftsmen turned their skills to manufacturing such varied essential war products as government flatware, bayonets, and surgical instruments.

As World War II continued, many companies like Oneida, Ltd. faced the problem of maintaining their brand, even though they had no consumer product to sell. Oneida, Ltd. turned to the New York City advertising firm of BBDO (Batten, Barton, Durstine, & Osborn) and their Community Silverplate account copywriter Jean Wade Rindlaub.

Born in the heart of

Amish country in Lancaster County, Rindlaub grew up on her father’s 20- acre farm and joined BBDO in 1930.

She met the wartime advertising challenge head on and the romantic, unique ad campaign she conceived for Oneida was called “Back Home For Keeps.” The first ad in the series appeared on the inside front cover of LIFE magazine September 13, 1943, and in all, a series of 21 ads for Oneida, Ltd. Ran in the magazine through Dec. 1945.

At the top of each ad in bold letters appeared, “Back Home For Keeps,” and beneath the heading, the ad featured a color drawing – created by famous illustrator Jon Whitcomb – of a sweetheart or wife in the arms of her returning serviceman, who might be dressed in an army, navy, marine, or army air corps uniform.

At the height of World War II, Oneida, Ltd. received an avalanche of letters from women and soldiers, who wrote that they were moved emotionally by the ads. Meanwhile, Life’s circulation reached as high as 21,900,000 every week, and the ads also appeared in such famous women’s magazines as Cosmopolitan, Good House Keeping, and The Ladies Home Journal.

The impact of the ad campaign was so profound that it was featured in the May 14, 1945 “Speaking of Pictures” segment of Life magazine. The article described how the sentimental advertisements had started a new kind of pin-up craze and included twelve examples of illus-

trations from the series.

At Oneida Ltd., a staff of 15 women was required to mail over 500,000 requests for reprints of the advertisement’s beautiful illustrations which were being hung on the walls of girl’s dormitories in high schools and colleges.

The “Back Home For Keeps” ad campaign was so successful that it was continued throughout 1946 as “This is for Keeps” and then during 1947 as “Let’s Make It For Keeps.” The series returned in 1950 with Whitcomb as illustrator, under the theme, “For Keeps” and continued until 1952.

The Oneida, Ltd. ad that appeared in the May 14, 1945 Life magazine article showed a photograph of Pacific air ace Richard Bong and his bride, the former Marjorie Vattendahl.

They were both fans of the ad campaign, and posed for photographers in the same manner as one of the paintings in the series. Major Bong completed over 200 combat missions for a total of over 500 combat hours and 40 confirmed destroyed enemy aircraft. For his achievements, General Douglas MacArthur personally presented him on December 12, 1944, with the the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest decoration.

Richard and Marjorie were married on February 10, 1945, and now shared their joy and happiness with Life’s millions of readers across America. In the days that followed, Major Bong was assigned as a test pilot, but less than three months after he and Marjorie

appeared in the Life magazine article, Bong was killed while test piloting a P-80 jet near Burbank, Calif.

Although he could have survived had he parachuted from the plane, he chose to remain in the aircraft, guiding it over a populated area and away from civilian housing.

The romantic messages of Rindlaub’s World War II advertising campaign for Oneida, Ltd. – and Whitcomb’s illustrations – centered around faith, hope and love, and her message was relevant then and it still touches our hearts today.

To those women whose sweethearts and husbands are thousands of miles from home facing danger daily in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea, the sentiments expressed in the ad campaign’s romantic phrases still tug at their heart strings. We hope for the day when soldiers everywhere are able to put down their implements of war and return, “Back Home For Keeps.”

Landenberg resident Allan Andrade is a WWII Leopoldville Troopship Disaster author historian, and an occasional contributor to the Chester County Press.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Section

B

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Honoring the heroes of Hinsonville

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer On the same day Dr. Cheryl Renée Gooch was named as Dean of the School of Humanities and Graduate Studies at Lincoln University in June of 2012, she noticed several tombstones near the Hosanna Church on the edge of the campus.

“Who is buried there?”

Courtesy photo

Gooch’s book chronicles the stories of 18 black soldiers from Chester County who fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.

she asked several of her colleagues. No one seemed to know, but the names on the graves were still legible, and their stories, Gooch felt, deserved to be told: George Duffy, Abraham Stout, Isaac A. Hollingsworth, Abraham Blake, Lewis Palmer and others.

Over the next few years, Gooch, a genealogist and member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, began to explore the stories of some of the men who were buried there more than a century ago.

In her newest book, “Hinsonville’s Heroes: Black Civil War Soldiers of Chester County, Pennsylvania” (The History Press, 2018), Gooch documents 18 AfricanAmerican men who served as Union soldiers in the Civil War, ten of whom are buried at the Hosanna Church cemetery.

“When I arrived here in 2012, I saw the Hosanna Church and this atmospheric cemetery,” Gooch said. “I got out of my car, and began to read the headstones of these pioneers who settled here on land known as Hinsonville, and left the physical evidence of their lives. My question was, ‘What is the relationship between this church and cemetery and the campus?’ I was insatiably curious and began to uncover their stories.”

Their stories are all here, told from the free black community of Hinsonville, where Lincoln University now sits. As members of the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, the Jay brothers – George, Wesley and William – fought in and survived the battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina, as documented in the film, Glory. Duffy and Ringgold were members of the only black regiment to lead President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession in Washington, D.C. Hollingsworth and Stout were among the black regiments who cornered General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army, which led to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

“This is an inclusive, historical narrative,” Gooch

Courtesy photo

Several of the soldiers profiled in Gooch’s book are buried in the cemetery at the Hosanna Church, near the Lincoln University campus.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Dr. Cheryl Renée Gooch will read from her newest book on Feb. 18 at Lincoln University.

said. “These were people who would otherwise be forgotten, who transformed the state and the country through their service and their sacrifices.”

The information that Gooch compiled about the soldiers came from several sources. William Fitzgerald left a detailed diary. Medical records told of injuries they dealt with, as well as the arduous process that the soldiers went through to seek and pay for medical care.

“After the Civil War, most of these men and their families lived at or near abject poverty,” Gooch said.

“Just about all of them had to apply and re-apply for medical benefits.

These men seemed to encounter difficulty, and even resistance, to securing certifications from their physicians to be approved for medical coverage.”

Gooch is also the author of “On Africa’s Lands: The Forgotten Stories of Two Lincoln Educated Missionaries in Liberia” (The Lincoln University Press, 2014), the story of two men from the church who were the first to enroll at Lincoln, the first to graduate, and who became Presbyteriantrained missionaries.

For the past 20 years,

Gooch has been researching and reconstructing her family’s lineage for a book she eventually hopes to publish. Her insatiable curiosity to dig into her past – as well as the AfricanAmerican experience – is to preserve a part of American history that needs to be told. To illustrate, Gooch pointed to a recent survey of 1,000 high school students about slavery. Most of these students did not understand slavery, or know that the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery.

“To date, I am a documented American descendant of formerly enslaved people,” Gooch said. “Silas Gooch, my oldest known ancestor, was born in 1814 in North Carolina, and according to his death certificate of 1927, he was 113 and died suddenly due to old age. That same death certificate indicated that his parents are unknown.

“His ancestry is invisible, discarded,” she added.

“The institution of slavery continues to obscure our personal and social histories as African Americans, and our relationship to American history. I wrote this book for a general audience in order to put these men’s stories back into the historical

Courtesy photo

Several of the soldiers profiled in Gooch’s book are buried in the cemetery at the Hosanna Church, near the Lincoln University campus.

narrative.”

Gooch said the moment she first stepped foot in the cemetery at the Hosanna Church, she felt she was being addressed by the soldiers.

“They seemed to say to me, ‘OK. You’re the one. Here we are. We left the record.

Unlike our counterparts at Lincoln University who served in the Civil War, we were local guys who did not have access to formal education. We were unable to articulate and shape the historical narrative, but our families intentionally left these monuments, so that we would not be forgotten.’

“I did not come to Lincoln University with the intention of writing two books,” she said, “but these are fascinating human stories that affect all that we’re

doing now, and they needed to be told.”

To further bring light to these stories in her new book, Gooch will be the featured speaker at “Owning Our Shared Heritage” on Feb. 18, as part of a celebration of Black History Month at Lincoln University.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at the Mary Dod Brown Chapel on the university’s campus.

This event will also include a musical prelude, selection and postlude, as well as reflections and dialogue

by Hersey Gray, Walls Descendant and Family Historian; and members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company B re-enactors.

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

Exploring the subtleties of the human form ‘Any Body’ is at Bookplace in Oxford through March 4

By John Chambless Staff Writer The ability to convey the weight and subtleties of the human body, and express something of the personality of the sitter, is one of the foundations for any artist. This month, Bookplace in Oxford is celebrating that tradition with “Any Body,” featuring works by 15 artists.

One of the strongest works, Alex Cohen’s painting “Standoff,” is a vertical composition of a woman standing in a bathroom, seen through the open doorway, facing the viewer. Her features are obscured, and she is lit by the glow of the vanity to her left. It’s right in all respects.

Ruth Ansel has three studio model pencil sketches that show a mastery of line, and “Seated Figure,” with the model sitting on a stool, facing away from the viewer, has a classical

air. It looks ancient due to the mottled paper.

Gillian Pederson-Krag has a masterful etching, “Garden” with a central nude statue in a thicket of slender trees. It has a wonderful tone and reflects a dazzling level of skill.

Acclaimed regional artist Lisa Bertolozzi has two charcoals and an oil that are standouts in the show.

The small charcoals “Red Profile” and “J: Front” have a soft-focus photographic quality that’s magical. Her oil, “Glance,” captures an introspective, fleeting gaze with tones that recall the work of Renaissance masters.

Dennis Young shows two paintings of models in dramatic, contemplative poses, with skin tones and textures that are powerfully rendered.

The pose of the model in Mark Bockrath’s “Standing” is expressive, conveying not only her

body contours but also a slight edge of timidity.

It’s a strong piece.

In the center of the gallery space is a seven-f igure tabletop sculpture by Harold Kalmus, “Expulsion of the Money Lenders,” that’s a technical tour de force and bristles with drama. And the two “Empty Vessel” ceramic sculptures by Marijke van Bucem are serene and voluptuous, expressing the essence of the female form with sensitivity and grace.

“A ny Body” continues through March 4 at Bookplace (2373 Baltimore Pike, Oxford). Hours are Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 717-715-4775 or visit www.bookplaceoxford. com.

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

‘Glance’ by Lisa Bartolozzi.

‘Male Nude Seated’ by Ruth Ansel.

‘Garden’ by Pederson-Krag.

Gillian

‘Empty Vessel No. 1’ by Marijke van Bucem.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

SUZANNE E. BURKE

MARY C. WHARTON

FRANCES RITA BURRITT

Suzanne “Sue” E. Burke , 83, of Avondale, died on Feb. 10 at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was the wife of Raymond G. Burke, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Shamokin, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Cecilia (Koveleski) Brown. Suzanne enjoyed a long career working for the state government of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Lansdale and Coatesville. She helped manage the PA Unemployment office in both Lansdale and Coatesville, which gave her great joy in helping others. As a proud parent to five sons and one daughter, Suzanne enjoyed being a den mother for her son’s Cub Scouts. Raising her children was her ultimate pride and joy. She was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed sharing her talent with family and friends. Suzanne was also an avid hiker, swimmer, skier, ice skater and reader. The little spare time she did have, she spent doing crossword puzzles and sewing. Sue was a devout Catholic. During her retirement years in Avondale, she was a faithful member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband Ray, sons Raymond J. Burke (Maura) of Avondale, David M. Burke (Renee) of Goodrich Mich., Christopher J. Burke (Donna) of Rochester Hills Mich., daughter, Suzanne M. Burke (John) of Chadds Ford, and son Joseph N. Burke (Lisa) of Woodstock Ga.; two brothers, Bernie Brown (Joanna) of Dawsonville, Ga., and Casper Brown of Carlsbad, N.M.; along with many grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, George M. Burke in 1987; and brother, Marty Brown.

A visitation will be heldfrom 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb.15 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). A mass celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106; or to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www. griecocares.com.

Mary C. Wharton, 95, of Easton, Md., formerly of Ridgely, Md., died on Feb. 6.

Born in 1922 near Ridgely, she was the daughter of the late Harry G. and M. Amanda Zeigler Crouse. She was a graduate of Ridgely High School, Class of 1939. In 1939, she married Otis H. Wharton and they made their home in Ridgely until moving to New Jersey in 1959, later returning to retire in Ridgely and Easton, Md. Mrs. Wharton was primarily a homemaker but excelled in anything she attempted to do, which included sewing, gardening, upholstering, knitting, canning, refinishing antiques and stenciling.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by all her siblings, sister Edna Shearer; brothers Glenn Crouse, Harry Crouse, Jr., Russell Crouse, Frank Crouse and Paul Crouse. She is survived by two sons, Herman Wharton (Ginny) and Wayne Wharton (Kay), all of Nottingham, Pa.; a daughter, Ruth Ann Smith of Easton, Md.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. A celebration of her life will be held at the Jensen’s Hyde Park Clubhouse in Easton, Md., on April 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Ridgely Historical Society, Ridgely, Md. She would love for each of you to do a random act of kindness for someone. Visit www. fhnfuneralhome.com.

Frances Rita Burritt, 87, of Lincoln University, formerly of Drexel Hill, passed away on Feb. 6 at Riddle Memorial Hospital.

She was the wife of George Lewis Burritt, who passed away in 2014, and with whom she shared 61 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore Salvagno and the late Elizabeth Baselice Salvagno. She was as a bookkeeper at many different companies, retiring in 1985. Frances was a member of the Drexel Hill Senior Center. She enjoyed going on vacations with her family, especially on a cruise, dancing and going to the casinos. She also enjoyed reading and cooking. She was a good Italian cook. She would do anything for her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, George Burritt and his wife Linda of Lincoln University, and Salvatore Burritt and Teresa of Avondale; one sister, Betty Piccione and her husband Lou of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildrent. She was predeceased by one daughter, Jeanne Burritt; one grandson, Wes Burritt; two brothers and two sisters.

A funeral was held Feb. 10. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

SUZANNE HOWARD Suzanne “Sue” Howard, daughter of the late Gus and Anna Vansice Hornberger, was born in Philadelphia in 1936. She entered eternal life on Jan. 30 at the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Ky., at the age of 81.

She married the late Robert “Bob” Howard, Sr., in 1953 in Prospect Park, Pa. They were the Letcher County representatives as missionaries at Camp Nathanael for many years. She was a member of the Mayking Baptist Church and an associate member of the Happy Bible Church in Happy, Ky. She was also a member of the Victorious Women Group. Suzanne enjoyed many things in life, such as traveling, cooking and baking, playing piano, crafts, shopping, teaching Bible lessons, and especially being the dining room hostess at Camp Nathanael.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her.?She is survived by two sons, Phillip (Barbie) Howard of West Grove, and Robert (Donna) Howard Jr. of Whitesburg, Ky.; one daughter, Elizabeth “Betty” Haupt (Richard) of Hagerstown, Md.; nine grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and seven step-greatgrandchildren. ?Also surviving are a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her passing. She was preceded in death by two sons, David Howard and Matthew Howard; one brother, Charles Hornberger; and two sisters, Kay Jacobs and Margaret Humphreys.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greg & Noreen Wells Hospice Center in Hazard, Ky., or Camp Nathanel in Emmalena, Ky. Visit www.everidgefuneralhome.com.

Alleluia My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Exodus 33:14

The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space.

We are offering a special discount of 25% off each and every help wanted/ classified advertisement to any business that advertises on the PRESS church page.

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Landenberg Church United Methodist All Are Welcome

HERR FOODS, INC. NOTTHINGHAM, PA

932-9330 ENCOURAGES YOU TO ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE

P.O. Box 270 Oxford, PA 19363 Meets First and Third Thursday at 6:30p.m.

Nottingham Inn, Nottingham, PA

Armenia Grace Osborne, 90, of Rising Sun, Md., passed away on Feb. 6 at home.

She was the wife of the late Robert Osborne, and first husband Dale Miller.

Born in 1927 in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Dewey and Corina Phillips Miller. Grace was a member of the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church.

She was employed as a secretary at Bainbridge N.T.C., The Budd Company in Newark, Del., and N.V.F. in Kennett Square. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, cooking for friends and church dinners, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

She is survived by one son, Rickie Miller (Charlotte) of Rising Sun, Md.; five grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Jennifer McKinney; and two sisters, Ruby Scotton and Pearl Zablocky.

A funeral was held Feb. 9. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church, 303 W. Christine Rd., Nottingham, PA 19362. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Feb. 24 Buffet breakfast The Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford) hosts its monthly buffet breakfast for the community on Feb. 24 from 7 to 10 a.m. The menu includes buttermilk pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, fruit, roasted potates, dried beef gravy and more.

Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $3 for ages 3 to 10. Call 610-932-9698 for more information.

Feb. 28 Joseph’s People meeting The next monthly Joseph’s People West Grove

meeting for the unemployed/ underemployed will be on Feb. 28 at 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Life Center of ABVM’s Church (300 State Rd., West Grove).

The presenter will be Darren Chick, speaking on “Reinventing Yourself: What Have I Forgotten That I Know How To Do?” Joseph’s People provides prayerful support, introduces community resources, encourages member interaction, and discusses job opportunities. Visit www.josephspeople.org.

March 3 Chocolate Festival The Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford) hosts the fifth annual Chocolate Festival on March 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. For $5, patrons will get six tickets, allowing six samples of chocolate treats (additional tickets are 50 cents each). Local bakers are encouraged to enter the contest, which will include cakes and cupcakes, cookies, candy and fudge, brownies and other desserts. Awards will be given. Call 610-9329698 for more information.

Obituary submissions

For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

Lions Club of Oxford

ARMENIA GRACE OSBORNE

205 Penn Green Rd. In Historic Downtown Landenberg Landenberg, PA 19350

610-274-8384 Services Every Sunday • 9:00 am

The Chester County Press publishes obituaries, free of charge, for those with a connection to southern Chester County. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received, space permitting. They also are posted on www.chestercounty. com. Photos should be sent as .jpg attachments to the obituary text. To submit an obituary to the Chester County Press, email the information to: jchambless@ chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Distenfeld and Sharpe named Seniors of the Month in Oxford Oxford Area High School students Madeline Distenfeld and Nicholas Sharpe were honored as Oxford Rotary Club Seniors of the Month for November.

Madeline, daughter of Alison and Joshua Distenfeld, is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She is president of the Helping Hands community service club, secretary of the LEO Club sponsored by the Oxford Lions Club, treasurer of the school chorus and a member of the women’s ensemble.

Madeline works as a lifeguard at the Jennersville YMCA and has been a member of the varsity swim team since her sophomore year, serving as team captain as a junior.

She was also a member of the junior varsity tennis team as a junior and joined the varsity as a senior, playing doubles with her sister, Sophie, a sophomore.

Madeline has overcome tremendous obstacles to thrive as a student, athlete and leader in high school. Early in her high school career she was

diagnosed with Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome, an umbrella term for several disorders that have left Madeline in nearly constant pain.

At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Madeline undertook daily, daylong sessions of grueling rehabilitative therapy for several months. “This was a period that changed my life,” she told the Rotary members. “It was hard for me to walk and I could no longer swim. The therapy was very painful, but ultimately it helped me to learn to live with the pain I was experiencing.

And at that point I decided I could turn a negative situation into a positive.”

Madeline returned to swimming, playing tennis and, despite the pain she lives with daily, enjoying life and even giving back. She is a student executive for Our Children Making Change, an organization that provides children of all ages with the opportunity to raise money for charities in their communities by performing age appropriate

chores.

Since joining Our Children Making Change at age 11, Madeline has coordinated fundraising campaigns that have raised more than $50,000 for area charities. In the past year she raised $10,000 for four charities, including $3,000 donations to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as well as the Oxford Rotary Club’s project to build an inclusive playground at Oxford Memorial Park.

After graduation Madeline plans to pursue a degree in public health and is considering a number of colleges and universities.

Nicholas, son of Marcia Schott, is a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America.

Nicholas began playing Little League baseball at age seven and since then has played on the American Legion 12 -14 year old team and the Southern Chester County Titans travel team. A third baseman, he played on the high school junior varsity as a sophomore and

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School students Madeline Distenfeld and Nicholas Sharpe were honored as Oxford Rotary Club Seniors of the Month for November. Pictured from left are Nicholas’s mom Marcia Schott, grandmother Margaret Nason and Nicholas; Madeline, Alison and Joshua Distenfeld and Oxford Area School District Superintendent David Woods.

joined the varsity as a junior.

In seventh grade, Nicholas traveled to Europe as part of the People to People youth program. With 20 other middle school age students, he visited Italy, Spain and France over two-and-a-half weeks.

Nicholas carries a full load of coursework as a senior, and last year earned a perfect score of 800 on the SAT chemistry

subject test. With his AP chemistry class, he participated in the Project REEL program that included a trip to Ohio State University to interact with college chemistry students.

Nicholas is currently enrolled in an independent study course where he is part of a team undertaking a year-long project to research methods of making more efficient use of solar cells

as energy sources. He has also volunteered as a teacher at summer learning camp in the Octorara Area School District.

After graduation Nicholas plans to study business and chemistry and is interested in several colleges including the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, New York University and Villanova University.

Oxford Area High School Kennett High School’s honors Students of the Month Mini-THON slated Feb. 23 to 24 Oxford Area High School recently held a breakfast to recognize the school’s Students of the Month for December. Each month teachers in selected departments nominate underclassmen for this honor, with the final selections made by the school administration.

Students of the Month are chosen based on criteria including demonstrating an effort and desire to learn; involvement in school and classroom activities; respect for all school policies and personnel; concern for the school community and friendliness and support for other students. The following Students of the Month for December were named after being nominated by members of the world languages and family & consumer sciences department.

Isabel Hernandez, freshman: Nominating teacher Laura Shaw said, “Isabel is eager to learn Spanish. She has a positive attitude and is willing to help her classmates. Isabel contributes to class discussion and completes work with care and attention to detail.”

Daniela Herrera Hurtado, freshman: Nominating teacher Jill Severino said, “Daniela has made a positive transition to the high school.

She serves as a student leader in my class and a positive role model for her peers, and is always willing to help out students who are struggling.

“Daniela has made academic progress in the area of literacy and continues to impress me with her communication, leadership and self-awareness skills. She is mature beyond her years and I expect Daniela will do great things at the high school and beyond.”

Markos Lopez Navarrete, freshman: Nominating teacher David Celentano said, “Markos is not only a diligent and hardworking student, but he also goes out of his way to help students whenever he can. He is honest and trustworthy and is a wonderful student in my Academic Lab and co-taught American history class.”

Mary Kate Rettig, freshman: Nominating teacher Monica Brown said, “Mary Kate is very conscientious and a great role model for her peers. She is

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School recently named its Students of the Month for December. Seated from left are junior Alijah Thomas, sophomore Phylicia Hurtt and freshmen Markos Lopez Navarette and Mary Kate Rettig. Standing from left are juniors Noah Hewes and Gina Pilaitis, sophomores Sierra Cullen and Jordan Coyle and freshman Isabel Hernandez. Freshman Daniela Herrera Hurtado and sophomore Hunner March are not pictured.

excited about our class work and always request copies of the recipes we use to practice at home. Mary Kate is a super student!”

Jordan Coyle, sophomore: Nominating teacher Diane Hauser said, “Jordan is always on task. He is very helpful in the preschool lab environment and interacts with the preschoolers immediately upon entering the classroom.

“Jordan is able to take charge and guides several preschoolers at one time. I never have to direct him to help within the preschool room. I hope that he is considering a career in which he works with young children because he does such an amazing job with them.”

Sierra Cullen, sophomore: Nominating teacher Isabel Ocampo said, “Sierra excels in class. She always has a positive attitude, volunteers in class and works well with others. She is hardworking, motivated and not afraid to take risks when using the French language.”

Phylicia Hurtt, sophomore: Nominating teacher Katie Gotwols said, “Phylicia consistently demonstrates outstanding academic performance in the content area of Spanish. I have had the pleasure of teaching Spanish to Phylicia for two years now.

“Phylicia is a remarkable student who, in addition to her excellent performance, is kind, polite and respectful of her peers. She, without a doubt, stands out among the rest of the student body. It is

also worth noting her ability to work exceptionally well with others in groups.”

Hunner March, sophomore: Nominating teacher Louise Haggerty said, “Hunner is a student who takes pride in his work. He always strives to do his best, participates in class and shows interest in what he is learning.”

Noah Hewes, junior: Nominating teacher Anna Schleicher said, “Noah is extremely hardworking, has meticulous attention to detail, participates often and has great rapport with his peers. He is very diligent and constantly trying to communicate in the target language, and I’m really proud of what he has accomplished.”

Gina Pilaitis, junior: Nominating teacher Joseph Long said, “Gina is an excellent student with a great attitude. She is always engaged, does her best and enjoys class.”

Alijah Thomas, junior: Nominating teacher Kara Emig said, “Alijah comes to class every day with a bright smile on his face, which cheers up everyone in the room. Any time I need assistance in the class, he is the first one to volunteer.

“Alijah demonstrates passion in everything he puts his mind to. In the cooking lab, he ensures every step is done with perfection.

“Alijah’s creativity sets him above others. Over the year I have known him, he has demonstrated you can learn and have fun at the same time.”

A dedicated and enthusiastic group of more than 200 Kennett High School students will remain on their feet from 8 p.m.

Feb. 23 to 6 a.m. on Saturday morning for Mini-THON, raising money for the Four Diamonds Fund to benefit pediatric cancer research and families whose children are battling the disease.

Through a variety of events, raffles, corporate contributions, donations, and the Wizards basketball game, students have already raised thousands of dollars in pursuit of this year’s goal.

Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), Kennett High School’s Mini-THON features ten hours packed with fun activities, music and food. Participants this year will be treated to a luau theme.

Faculty advisors for the event are Lisa Teixeira, KHS librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator, and Shawn Duffy, social studies teacher and Humanitarian Club assistant moderator. Student organizers are led by senior event co-chairs Erin Duffy

and Anna Wilson, along with junior chair Jayna Bruno, and committee chairs M.J. Patterson, Allie Taylor, Tyler Bowdoin, Abby Davidson, Ashton Albert, Will Michael, and Ryley Harris and returning alumnus Michael Bellino.

“I am so proud of the KHS Mini-THON team, particularly my co-chair, Shawn Duffy, and this year’s student leaders, Erin Duffy, Anna Wilson, and Jayna Bruno,” Teixeira said. “They are the most dedicated and selfless individuals and have clearly identified a future-forward vision for our Mini-THON. Our group seeks to not only raise money for Four Diamonds but to provide the community, in and out of school, with a framework for unity, inclusiveness, and fun.”

A community open house will kick off the evening’s schedule. For a recommended donation of $5 per family, members of the Kennett community are invited to Reynolds Gymnasium from 8 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 23 for a sneak

peek at the event.

Event co-chair Erin Duffy said, “Mini-THONs empower high school students to organize their communities in the fight against childhood cancer -- a difficult and daunting task. However, passionate members of the Kennett community have shouldered our cause with us, and they have been my examples of the ideals of leadership, citizenship and service.”

Co-chair Anna Wilson added, “Every step of the way, we have one thought in our minds -- the children.

Throughout this process of planning, organizing, and fundraising for our MiniTHON, we have done all that we can to improve the lives of children battling cancer, especially those fighting cancer within our own Kennett community.

We are forever grateful for the support we have received.”

To make a donation, visit the KHS MiniTHON website at www. khsminithon.org, or call the school at 610-444-6617 for more information.

Avon Grove Lions pick February Student of the Month Evelyn Fonseca-Beltran has been named the Lions Club Student of the Month for February.

She is the daughter of Gonzalo and Martina Fonseca of West Grove.

Her list of school activities includes ACTO, Cancer Society, Film Club, National Honor Society, PEACE Club and Sewing Club. She is active in the community by being a volunteer at Habitat for Humanity Restore and serving as a Catechism Aide at St. Rocco’s Parish.

Evelyn’s awards include National Honor Society and she has achieved Honors, High Honors and Distinguished Honors throughout high school.

She plans to attend Penn State University, majoring in communications and minoring in media studies.

The teachers who have influenced her most are Mr. Murray, Mrs. O’Brien, Mrs. Penn and Mrs. Worrell.

From left: Gonzalo Fonseca, Martina Fonseca, Evelyn Fonseca-Beltran, Lions Club president Eric Hansen and Avon Grove assistant principal Gary Benasutti.

Avon Grove High School holds community yard sale on March 3 Avon Grove High School is hosting a community yard sale on Saturday, March 3 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The yard sale is open to the public. All items will be half off after

noon (please no price bargaining). If you have any items to donate for the sale, stop by Avon Grove High School to drop them off on March 1 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Through April 27 Dance lessons The Oxford Area Senior Center (12 W. Locust St., Oxford) hosts dance lessons

by Shirley Mackey on Feb. 16, March 2, 16 and 30, and April 13 and 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. She will teach an assortment of popular line dances such as the Electric Slide, Cha Cha, Boot Scootin’ Boogie and more. Beginners and experienced dancers are welcome. The cost is $5 per class/per person. Call 610932-5244 or email oxsrctr@ zoominternet.net.

Feb. 16 One-man band The Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 N. High St., West Chester) presents Frederick J. One Man Band on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Frederick plays piano and drums and sings simultaneously in a humorous evening of song. Tickets are $15. The event is part of Philadelphia Theatre Week. Visit www. theatrephiladelphia.org, www.

UptownWestChester.org, or call 610-356-2787.

Feb. 17 Valentine’s Dinner Dance The Kennett Area Senior Center (427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square) hosts “Walk Down Memory Lane,” a Valentine’s dinner dance, on Feb. 17 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Call 610-444-4819 or visit www. kennettseniorcenter.org.

Feb. 19 Free CPR class Longwood Fire Company is offering two free CPR classes on Feb. 19 at the station.

Staff will be conducting the hands-only classes at 4:30 and 5:45 p.m. The station is at 1001 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square. The classes

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

are open to the public and are free. Registering for the class is recommended but not necessary. To register, visit www.chestercountyhospital. org/wellness, email EMS@ longwoodfireco.com, or call the firehouse at 610-388-6880 or Chester County Hospital at 610-738-2300.

Feb. 24 Kennett Winterfest Broad Street in Kennett Square will be the site of the annual Kennett Winterfest on Feb. 24 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

The event features unlimited beer tastings from 60 breweries, music by Shady Groove, food trucks and a warm-up tent. No one under 21 admitted. The event will be held rain, show or shine. Tickets are $60 ($15 for designated drivers). For tickets and more information, visit www.kennettwinterfest.com.

Feb. 24 Willowdale fundraiser JUMP for Willowdale, an exuberant evening in the spirit of Carnival, will be held Feb. 24 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Yellow House on the steeplechase Grounds. Guests will enjoy music by DJ Freeze and silent bidding on a few special auction items. Proceeds from JUMP will help fund the Willowdale races, which raise money for the Stroud Water Research Center, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, and Quest Therapeutic Services, Inc. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.willowdale.org or call 610-444-1582.

Feb. 28 Gardening class The Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St., Oxford) hosts a gardening program with Steve Seivwright, a landscaper with 43 years of

experience, on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

He will discuss the benefits of composting, correct watering methods, the importance of sunlight and using raised beds. For those that don’t have garden space, gardening in pots will be taught. The program si free and includes seeds for planting. For reservations, call 610-932-5244 or email oxsrctr@zoominternet.net.

March 18 ‘Azul’ in West Chester The Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 N. High St., West Chester), hosts “Azul,” a theater/dance piece exploring Picasso’s blue period, on March 18 at 3 p.m. It interweaves flamenco music and dance with stunning imagery to create a dramatic canvas of Picasso’s thoughts, doubts, actions and torments.

The Latin Program at Uptown! promotes Latin culture in West Chester and neighboring communities through live theater, dance and music performances. Purchase tickets at www.UptownWestChester. org, at the box office, or call 610-356-2787.

Kennett Flash schedule The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square) hosts regional and national artists. Tickets are available in advance at www. kennettflash.org, or at the door. Snacks and beverages are sold, or guests can BYOB. The schedule includes: Dead Flowers – Rolling Stones tribute band (Feb. 16, 8 p.m., $18 and $22); Echotest featuring Julie Slick of the Adrian Belew Power Trio (Feb. 17, 8 p.m., $12 and $15); Open Mic hosted by Jimmy McFadden (Feb. 18, 7 p.m., $4); Ellis Paul (Feb. 24, 8 p.m., $24 and $28); “I Saw the Light: Films and Words at the Flash” with Scott Birney (Feb. 25, 7

p.m., $10 and $15); Aubrey Logan of Postmodern Jukebox (Feb. 28, 8 p.m., $20 and $24); Phish tribute band The Last Rewind (March 2, 8 p.m., $14 and $17); Molly Tuttle (March 3, 8 p.m., $15 and $18); Open Mic hosted by Dennis Melton (March 4, 7 p.m., $4); James Maddock (March 9, 8 p.m., $25 and $28); Stu Hamm with Tom Griesgraber (March 10, 8 p.m., $24 and $28); Julia Johnson and Felicia Berrier (March 11, 6 p.m., $10 and $14); Beyond the Pale (March 17, 8 p.m., $20 and $24); Open Mic hosted by Angelee (March 18, 7 p.m., $4); Cactus featuring Carmine Appice (March 23, 8 p.m., $40 and $50); Genesis tribute band Trespass (March 24, 8 p.m., $24 and $28).

Reactors Comedy Club schedule Reactors Comedy Club, in the Quality Inn and Suites (943 S. High St., West Chester).

Hosts live comedy presented by Reactors on weekends. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and showtime is 8:30 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door. Visit www. reactorscomedyclub..com. The schedule includes: headliner TBA with Belynda Cleare (Feb. 16); Belynda Cleare with Bob Nelson (Feb. 17); Dan Mahoney with Tommy Highland (Feb. 23 and 24); Ton Van Horn, Norm Klar and Jake Mattera (March 2 and 3); Jimmy Carroll with Tyler Rothrock (March 9 and 10); Steve Shaffer with Matt Jenkins (March 16 and 17); Billy Garan with Terri Granahan (March 23 and 24).

To submit items to the Calendar of Events, e-mail jchambless@chestercounty. com. There is no charge.

Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event.

Through Feb. 24 ‘Around Town’ Mala Galleria (200 E. State St., Kennett Square) presents “Around Town,” with city and town views by Teresa Haag, Jack Giangiulio, Rhoda Kahler, Marie Wolfington Jones, Sarah Baptist and Brad Earl, through Feb. 24. Call 484-883-5429 or visit www.malagalleria.com.

Through Feb. 24 Group Show The Station Gallery (3922 Kennett Pike, Greenville, Del.) hosts a show of paintings by Marlene Dubin, Elaine Lisle and Mary Ann Weselyk through Feb. 24. Call 302-654-8638 or visit www.stationgallery.net.

Through March 4 ‘Any Body’ Bookplace Gallery (2373 Baltimore Pike, Oxford) presents “Any Body,” a show highlighting the human figure, through March 4. Artists include Ruth Ansel, Lisa Bartolozzi, Jill Beech, Mark Bockrath, Marijke van Bucem, Reenie Chase, Alex Cohen, Gillian Pederson-Krag, Georgia Ellis, Harold Kalmus, Meinrad Lekie, E.M. Saniga, Steven Tanis, Vicki Vinton, and Denise Young. The gallery is open Friday through Sunday. Visit www.bookplaceoxford.com.

Feb. 16 to March 10 Paintings by Dave Eldreth The Oxford Arts Alliance (38 S. Third St., Oxford) hosts a show of abstract paintings by David Eldreth from Feb. 16 to March 10. A reception will be held Feb. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Eldreth will discuss his work in the gallery on Feb. 21 at 7

p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www.oxfordart.org for more information.

March 16 and 17 Chadds Ford Art Show Chadds Ford Elementary School (3 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford) hosts the 69th annual Art Sale and Show, featuring more than 65 professional regional artists, on March 16 and 17. A free reception and sale will be held March 16 from 7 to 10 p.m. (adults only), with regular hours on March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be free guided tours of the art collection at the school, and an Art Paint Along for adults and children will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free, and 30 percent of purchases benefit educational enrichment programs at the school. Call 610-388-1112.

March 23 to April 21 Francis Di Fronzo solo show Somerville Manning Gallery (101 Stone Block Row, Greenville, Del.) will host a solo exhibition of paintings by Francis Di Fronzo from March 23 to April 21. A reception with the artist will be held April 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, including an Artist Talk at 6:30 p.m. Di Fronzo has received national attention as a featured artist in the popular television series “Better Call Saul” and his distinctive paintings that provide an uncomfortable mix of nostalgia and lamentation of the post-industrial American landscape. Call 302-652-0271 or visit www. somervillemanning.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Penn’s Grove School Kennett High School named one of names Students nation’s best high schools of the Month Penn’s Grove School teachers nominate Students of the Month for each grade level team

based on their academic achievements and participation in class and school activities.

Courtesy photo

Pictured with principal Tami Motes, top right, and assistant principal Kristen Chastain, Penn’s Grove School seventh grade Students of the Month for December are, front from left, Samantha Farrell, Madalein Clay, Giselle Sanchez Alba, Austin Price, Robert Logan and Jesus Tovar Cuervas; top from left, Mayra Ochoa, Mackenzie Clark, Ben McGhee and Cara Hotchkiss. Ella Jones and Edwin Dominguez Gonzales are not pictured.

The Ke n n e t t Consolidated School District is proud to announce that U.S. News & World Report has once again named Kennett High School one of America’s Best High Schools.

To produce the 2017 Best High Schools rankings, U.S. News & World Report teamed up with North Carolina based RTI International, a global nonprofit social-

science research firm.

The comprehensive rankings methodology is based on the key principles that a great high school must serve all of its students well, including disadvantaged populations, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators. Additionally,

the graduation rate for ranked schools is 15 percent higher than schools that are not ranked.

New this year, U.S. News & World Report began f actoring Advanced Placement (AP) exams in the ranking methodology to highlight schools that exposed their students to a diverse and rigorous high school curriculum.

With an AP pass rate

Friends with words at Hopewell Elementary School

Courtesy photo Courtesy photo

Pictured with principal Tami Motes, top right, and assistant principal Kristen Chastain, Penn’s Grove Middle School eighth grade Students of the Month for December are, front from left, Barry Brower, Yamillet Castro, Sabian Thompson, Isabella Colon, Juan Rodriguez and Zander Quinn; top from left, Zoey Jarrett Weaver, Shaniya Riddick-Johns, Abby Oliver, Seth Thompson and Yalana Arroyo. Samantha Zabosky is not pictured.

Hopewell Elementary School homeroom champions recently participated in the school-level of the National Spelling Bee. The school-level winner was sixth grader Jackson Shover, who will represent Hopewell at the Chester County Spelling Bee to be held at the Chester County Intermediate Unit on February 9. Pictured front from left are assistant principal Jason Soule, principal Dr. Nicole Addis, Jackson Shover, fifth grader Logan Spano, the Bee runner-up; and Academically Talented Program teacher Jennifer Shelley. Participants included (middle from left) fifth graders Tommy Gregg, Erik Samsonov, Rommel Sanchez, Phoebe Speer and Marya Zetune; (top from left) sixth graders Brandon Armour, MaKenzie Hart, Angelica Leon, Erik Tellez Tellez and Kevin Walsh.

Advertising Deadline: March 14, 2018 Publication Date: March 28, 2018

2018

HOME&

GARDEN LIFE

of 66 percent (meaning students scored a three or higher on an AP exam), Kennett High School students have shown that they can rise to a challenge.

“Congratulations to our students, faculty, staff, administration, parents, and Board of Education,” said Kennett Consolidated School District superintendent Dr. Barry Tomasetti.

“These awards are the result of many focused individuals giving their best efforts to provide a remarkable educational experience for our children. A Kennett education is second to none in preparing students for a successful future.”

“The most recent recognition by U.S. News & World Report naming Kennett High School as one of America’s best is something that all students and teachers should embrace with pride,” says Kennett High School principal Dr. Jeremy Hritz. “This prestigious honor is the result of their hard work and dedication.”

For more information on the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking processes and details on Kennett High School’s rankings, please visit www. usnews.com/education/ best-high-schools.

Ad Pro Inc, publishers of the Chester County Press, the Today and Life magazines will be publishing a Spring guide for home and garden services. This comprehensive directory will feature advertising information from local home, garden and home improvement services.

The booklet will be skillfully designed to display the colorful magazine style pages. This high gloss and vivid color layout promises to make this publication a ready reference and keepsake for the entire season.

30,000 CIRCULATION The comprehensive circulation of the Home & Guide will be launched on March 28 when 10,000 copies are direct mailed to only the exclusive single family homes in West Chester, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Landenberg, Pennsylvania and in Hockessin, Greenville, and Newark, Delaware. In addition, 15,000 copies will be the featured insert in the March 28 Chester County Press, the oldest and largest weekly newspaper in the county. Also, 5,000 copies will be displayed at over 150 different newsstands, public areas, and select locations all over the entire circulation area as well as Cecil County, MD.

Call 610.869.5553 for More Information

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Chester County Press

Legals

ESTATE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary have been granted to Joseph P. Chamberlain, Grace R. Chamberlain and Glenda M. Patrick, Co-Executors of the Estate of Joseph G. Chamberlain, whose last address was Oxford, Chester County, PA. Any person having a claim to this Estate is asked to make same c/o R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire, PO Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363.

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ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Russell Thayer Landis, late of Penn Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Russell Thayer Landis having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Douglas Scott Landis, Executor c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust St., P.O. Box 381 Oxford, PA 19363, Phone: 610-932-3838 2p-7-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Clara Jane Pletcher, late of Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said Clara Jane Pletcher, decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Scott N. Pletcher, Executor, c/o Emily K. Dietrich Witmer, Esq., Dietrich Witmer LLC, 221 W. High St. Suite 900, Bellefonte, PA 16823 2p-7-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Doris M. Bachman, also known as Doris Mae Bachman, late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Doris M. Bachman having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Richard

A. Bachman, Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire 208 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363 Phone: 610-932-3838 2p-7-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Robert A. McMillan, late of Penn Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Robert A. McMillan having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Jane Freeman, Co-Executrix and Ruth Ann Sumner, Co-Executrix, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust St., P.O. Box 381 Oxford, PA 19363, Phone: 610-932-3838 2p-7-3t

ADVERTISEMENT FOR GRANT OF LETTERS

ESTATE OF Harold J. Nichols, late of Oxford Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Deceased. Letters of Administration on the estate of the above named Harold J. Nichols, having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Attorney: Shaun E. O’Toole, 220 Pine Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101.

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INCORPORATION NOTICE

GREG McCAULEY FOR CONGRESS has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988. Gregory M. McCauley, Esq., 510 Kennett Pike, P.O. Box 115, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 2p-14-1t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Suburban Lancaster Sewer Authority (the “Authority”) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the offices of Blakinger Thomas, 28 Penn Square, Lancaster, PA 17603 at 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, to discuss

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providing financing for the project in the amount and on behalf of the Project Owner and Occupant: Initial Project Owner and Occupant: Presbyterian Homes, Inc., a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation, One Trinity Drive East, Suite 201, Dillsburg, PA 170198522. Project Cost: Approximately $10,000,000, Maximum Principal Amount of Tax Exempt Obligations to be Issued with Respect to the Project: Not to exceed $10,000,000. Functional Description of the Type and Use of the Facilities Being Financed: (i) the design, construction, installation, furnishing and equipping of renovations, expansions and improvements with respect to the retirement living facility known as Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 East Locust Street, Oxford, PA, as well as other related capital additions, improvements and acquisitions for such facility, and (ii) the payment of a portion of the costs of issuance of the project obligations (collectively, the “Project”).

Location of Facilities Being Financed: The project facility is located at 7 East Locust Street, Oxford, Chester County, PA 19363. Date, Time and Place of Public Hearing: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, Blakinger Thomas, 28 Penn Square, Lancaster, PA 17603. Any and all persons in attendance will be afforded an opportunity to comment on the proposed loan of tax exempt proceeds. The public hearing is held by and on behalf of the Authority as the Issuer of the financing, and on behalf of the West Lampeter Township, Pequea Township, Lancaster Township and the City of Lancaster, as the governmental units which created the Issuer, and on behalf of the Borough of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania, as the governmental unit in which the Project Facilities are located, all as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. CONDUIT FINANCINGS OF THE SUBURBAN LANCASTER SEWER AUTHORITY ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, NOR OF ANY CITY, BOROUGH, TOWNSHIP OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. This Notice is published in accordance with the requirements of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

SUBURBAN LANCASTER SEWER AUTHORITY

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE – The London Grove Township Board of Supervisors will conduct a conditional use hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA at 7 p.m. to consider the conditional use application of Avondale Investors, LLC to construct a Taco Bell and any other business before them. Section 27-1002 (2)(C) of the Codified Zoning Ordinance requires conditional use approval for the proposed use. The property subject to the conditional use application is tax parcel number 59-5-117 and is located on the north side of Gap Newport Pike (Route 41), across from Wawa convenience market, just to the west of the Walgreen’s Pharmacy. All who wish may attend and be heard. All communications relative to this hearing are to be addressed to London Grove Township, 372 Rose Hill Road, Suite 100, West Grove, PA 19390. Contact London Grove at (610) 345-0100 if any special services or facilities for the handicapped are required.

Kenneth Battin, Township Manager 2p-14-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Supervisors of London Grove Township will hold a public hearing in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, Suite 100, West Grove, Pennsylvania 19390, to consider adoption of Ordinance 211 of an amendment to the Codified Ordinances of London Grove Township. The title of the proposed ordinance is as follows: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 15-304 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LONDON GROVE TOWNSHIP TO PROHIBIT TRUCKS ON INNISCRONE DRIVE BETWEEN STATE ROAD AND CLAY CREEK ROAD, EXCEPT LOCAL DELIVERIES; AND PROVIDING FOR POSTING OF APPROPRIATE SIGNS The purposed ordinance will prohibit truck traffic on Inniscrone Drive between State Road and Clay Creek Road, except for local deliveries; official signs notifying the public that no trucks, except local deliveries, are permitted

• Heated/Air Conditioned Units • Individual/Business Units

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Copying, Faxes, Laminating, Gift Boxes and Gift Items Available

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We offer: Paid Time Off, Flexible Scheduling, Scholarship Programs, Health Insurance, 401K Savings Plan, Direct Deposit, Talent ScoutProgram, 24 / 7 On Call Clinical Manager Support, Positive Work Enviroment- We invest in our team Contact: Denise Smith, 610-658-7150 or dsmith@bayada.com

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Street, Suite 2400, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Complete copies of the proposed ordinance are also available for public inspection and may be examined without charge or obtained for a charge not greater than the cost thereof at the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, Suite 100, West Grove, Pennsylvania 19390, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kenneth Battin, Township Manager 2p-14-2t

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shall be erected at the beginning and the end of each section of road affected, which signs shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

A full opportunity to be heard will be given to any citizen and all parties in interest who attend the meeting. Complete copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public inspection at the offices of the Chester County Press, 144 S. Jennersville Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania, and the Chester County Law Library, 201 West Market

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

7B

From left: Susan Minarchi, Angela Emrich, Carol Lowe, Richard White, Wesley Bowers, Michael Bell, Rev. Annalie Korengel, Dr. Burton Rothenberger, Thomas Houghton, Esq., Phillip Duncan, and Kimberly Zuleba. Not pictured: Karen Eichman, Esq., James Herr and John Kriza.

After-The-Bell students and volunteers took part in the program’s newest activity, ‘Let’s Make a Movie!’ It was made possible by the Applestone Foundation, which donated money for the purchase of multimedia equipment.

After the Bell fundraiser celebrates the best of Kennett

The Kennett After-School Association has announced that their annual fundraiser, in support of their After-TheBell program, will be held on March 9 in the heart of Kennett Square and will feature A Taste of Kennett.

The event is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. at Holly Peters Oriental Rugs & Home (109 S. Broad St.).

“As we begin our 20th year, we truly believe that AfterThe-Bell has become part of the fabric of this wonderful Kennett community,” said KASA president Rudy Karkosak. “More than 5,000

students have benefitted from the commitment of hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers and contributors from this unique and generous community. And so we feel that the time is now to celebrate all that Kennett has to offer. We invite the community to join in this celebration.”

The After-The-Bell fundraiser, entitled The Time is Now, will feature food and drinks provided by many local establishments, including The Country Butcher, Floga Bistro, Franks Wines, Hearth Kitchen, Kennett Brewing

The Oxford United Methodist Church will once again be making eggs for Easter.

The half-pound, decorated, individually boxed eggs must be ordered by Saturday, Feb. 24.

Customers can roder peanut butter, coconut cream, butter

cream or chocolate nut. Orders can be placed by calling 610932-4556. The eggs may be picked up at the church’s Fellowship Hall (Market and Addison streets, Oxford) on March 21 between 3 and 5:30 p.m.

Oxford church taking orders for handmade candy eggs

Company, the Kennett Square Inn, Nomadic Pies, Talula’s Table and others. Music will be provided by Marlboro Road.

A silent auction will offer baskets featuring a taste of foods and cultures from around the world, and baskets that celebrate a taste of the seasons. The auction will also include Eagles tickets, timeshares, artwork and more.

Tickets for the event are $60 per person and must be purchased in advance.

Tickets are available at www. afterthebell.org or www. atasteofkennett.eventbrite. com. For more information or to receive an invitation, email executivedirector@ afterthebell.org or call 610-268-5889.

If you would like to purchase one or more tickets to make it possible for volunteers or teachers to attend, email executivedirector@ afterthebell.org.

REGISTERED NURSES PATIENT CARE ASSISTANTS

Make 2018 your year for a new career.

Be inspired to change the lives of your patients every day, and join the talented team of RNs and PCAs practicing within the dynamic, highly advanced environment of Tower Health. In addition to a culture that promotes career advancement, you’ll enjoy a diverse experience which offers training in new specialties and abundant opportunities to grow your professional practice. Learn more and plan to attend one of our upcoming:

RN and PCA Meet and Greets Tuesdays, February 20 and 27, 2018 8am - 10am and 4pm - 5:30pm Meet and Greets will be held at all Tower Health hospitals: Reading Hospital • 300 S. 6th Avenue • West Reading, PA Brandywine Hospital • 201 Reeceville Road • Coatesville, PA Chestnut Hill Hospital • 8835 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia, PA Jennersville Hospital • 1015 West Baltimore Pike • West Grove, PA Phoenixville Hospital • 140 Nutt Road • Phoenixville, PA Pottstown Hospital • 1600 E. High Street • Pottstown, PA • Pre-registration is not required.

• Upon arrival at your facility of choice, ask for the HR Department at the front entrance.

Advancing Health. Transforming Lives.

Tower Health is a strong, regional, integrated healthcare system that offers leading-edge, compassionate healthcare and wellness services across Eastern Pennsylvania. We bring together more than 11,000 dedicated team members, 2,000 nationally recognized physicians, specialists, and providers across 65 convenient locations. Together, our six hospitals and other entities offer a full range of medical care to millions of people. Here, we know that advancing the quality of care will transform the quality of life.

For current openings and to learn more about us, visit:

careers.towerhealth.org

Tower Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V.

Family Promise of Southern Chester County expands leadership team Family Promise of Southern Chester County (FPSCC), a nonprofit committed to helping families experiencing homelessness, has appointed five new board members to its Board of Directors.

Joining the board are Phillip Duncan, Karen Eichman, Angela Emrich, Carol Lowe, and Burton Rothenberger.

“An organization is only as good as the people leading it,” said Family Promise board president, Rev. Annalie Korengel. “Our board is a family of strategic thinkers and movers and shakers. We all wear many hats – from governance and fundraising to public relations and finance – and are willing to roll up our sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Family Promise works with Southern Chester County’s most vulnerable families to provide temporary housing, meals, and the support needed to turn their lives around.

Phillip Duncan is

professor emeritus of psychology at West Chester University. He is co-founder and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center, where he served as executive director from 2007 to 2013.

Karen Eichman owns Eichman Law PLLC in West Grove. Prior to establishing her law practice in 2012, she served as the business manager for Kaolin Mushroom Farms. She is an active member of numerous associations including the local bar associations, American Mushroom Institute, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Rotary Club of Kennett Square and the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce.

Angela Emrich has devoted the past ten years volunteering extensively through Westminster Presbyterian Church to create and implement programs and services to help the underprivileged.

She serves on outreach

and youth vision teams, mentoring youth, as well as spearheading donation collection activities for local nonprofit organizations.

Carol Lowe is a licensed social worker with more than 25 years of experience leading professional staff in social services. She serves as executive director for New Life Youth and Family Services, a community-based program in West Chester.

Burton Rothenberger retired from Sunoco, Inc., in 1999 after 32 years in various technical positions.

He is an advocate for affordable housing, and has had a long association with Habitat for Humanity.

He is a regular volunteer at Chester County Habitat’s ReStore in New Garden.

Family Promise of Southern Chester County is committed to helping children and their families experiencing homelessness in the Avondale, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford, and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts. Visit www. familypromisescc.org.

8B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018