Chester County Press 02-17-2016 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553

Three Oxford soccer standouts sign to play in college...1B

Chester CountyPRESS

Volume 150, No. 7

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

your risk for heart disease? Heart Tracks™ is a fast and easy way to determine if you carry hidden risks for cardiac disease.

60 Cents

Blogger is read by Kennett area leaders thousands worldwide turn out for economic development study meeting Estelle Tracy: The Chocolate Connoisseur

The first of three public meetings to unveil the results of an economic development study for the Kennett Square area took place at the Genesis HealthCare building on Feb. 11. While it will take several more months for the study to be completed, the presentation of some of the early findings attracted a large crowd of more than 100 community leaders. The seeds for the economic development study were planted last year when Historic Kennett Square, Kennett Square Borough, Kennett Township, Genesis

Do you know

Contest winners announced ...4A

www.chestercounty.com

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

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

IT’S AMERICAN HEART MONTH.

Chaddsford Hard Cider to be spotlighted ...3A

Courtesy photo

Todd Poole of 4Ward Planning led the presentation on the economic development study.

HealthCare, and Longwood Gardens all agreed to partner on the study, which was funded in part by a Vision Partnership Program Grant from the county. “There is tremendous

growth in the borough and in the township, and we thought it was important to put together a plan to help guide us,” explained Tom Sausen, the vice president of the board of Historic Kennett Square, at the beginning of the Feb. 11 presentation. The economic development study focuses on seven areas that local leaders identified as potential locations of growth: the State Street corridor, the Cypress Street corridor; Birch Street from Walnut to Broad streets; the area known as Millers Hill on the eastern border between the borough and the Continued on Page 3A

Man stabbed, woman sexually assaulted in West Nottingham Township A 45-year-old Nottingham man is in custody after Pennsylvania State Police Avondale said he attacked a couple at 10 Center Drive in West Nottingham Township on the morning of Feb. 14. William Anthony Brown, of Nottingham, was arrested for sexually assaulting a 44-year-old woman from Nottingham and repeated-

ly stabbing a 29-year-old Quarryville man in the face, chest and stomach. He was hospitalized in critical condition. Police reported that Brown forced his way into the home by kicking open the front door at 8:20 a.m. Troopers responded to the scene after getting a report of an open phone line from

a 911 call center. Troopers arrested Brown at the scene and assisted emergency personnel with the victims. Police did not reveal if there was a relationship between Brown and the victims. Brown was initially charged with attempted homicide. Anyone with more information is asked to call police at 610-268-2022.

Photo by Jie Lan

Estelle Tracy of Kennett Square’s food blog is a study in the making, tasting and love of handcrafted chocolate.

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Estelle Tracy of Kennett Square is a food blogger whose admirers number well into the thousands, but when she first arrived in the United States in 2003, she

Constellation With Phase 1 of Network unites new youth center local churches complete, the Lighthouse looks in service to the future

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

By John Chambless Staff Writer From now through Easter Sunday, 14 churches in Southern Chester County are joining together to serve their communities. Despite differences often found between churches, under the banner of the Constellation Network, the

congregations are uniting toward a common goal of service. The Constellation Network website describes their vision: “We envision a constellation of enterprises for the common good, with the church as the bright star in the center.” The group, which was started Continued on Page 2A

One more major goal has been achieved, but many more goals remain for Lighthouse Youth Center executive director Buzz Tyson and his staff as the Lighthouse celebrates its 28th anniversary of serving the Oxford community. The last 12 months have been eventful for the Lighthouse. Last March, after years of planning, the doors to a brand-new facility on Commerce Street were opened, allowing

the youth center to serve even more children in the Oxford community. Since the new facility opened, the number of children who regularly attend activities has increased from 227 to 401. More than 14,000 meals have been served to youngsters. Seventy students have participated in the Homework Hour, where students can do their homework in a safe place among peers. And the number of volunteers who are working to help the children has increased from 22 to

did not know how to cook. There is nothing truly alarming about that admission, except for the fact that Tracy spent the better part of her youth in France, generally known in culinary circles as the country Continued on Page 4A

Borough needs to study limits By Uncle Irvin With yet another bullish report by Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Mary Hutchins at the Feb. 1 Borough Council meeting, and a virtual rookie class of borough councilors, it’s time to think about the borough’s infrastructure. Continued on Page 4A © 2007 The Chester County Press

Continued on Page 2A

Take our free Heart TracksTM assessment at PennCCHeart.org.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Chester County Press

Local News Youth Center... Continued from Page 1A

approximately 175. Tyson is amazed at how busy the first year in the new facility has been, but he’s also amazed at the continuing support that the Lighthouse receives from the Oxford community. That includes the successful completion of Phase 1 of the building project. Tyson explained that the community fully supported the $2.66 million fundraising campaign that allowed for the construction of the new building, recently concluding the capital campaign. “It‘s really neat to see that the community is 125 percent behind us,” Tyson said. With Phase 1 of the project complete, the Lighthouse staff has been hard at work looking to the future, designing new education and recreation programs that are offered to the children. Program director Duncan Oleshak explained that many of these new opportunities for youngsters come about because of partnerships with other organizations in the community. One example: The Lincoln University band helps with the recycled percussion program that teaches youngsters how to play percussion. Youngsters also enjoy a variety of 4H education programs. Girl Talk and Godly Play are other programs that provide support to the

Empty Bowls fundraiser on Feb. 20 Three non-profits in Oxford—the Neighborhood Services Center, the Oxford Arts Alliance, and the Lighthouse Youth Center—are partnering on a Empty Bowls fundraiser to help feed the hungry. Last week, youngsters at the Lighthouse were painting some of the bowls that will be used. Homemade soups are being donated by Peppercorns Catering, Sawmill Grill, La Sicilia, and the Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant. Bread is being supplied by Flower Foods. The Empty Bowls event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union Fire Company Memorial Hall at 315 Market Street in Oxford. More information is available at www.oxfordart.org. Photos (3) by Steven Hoffman

youngsters. The Oxford Arts Alliance partners with the Lighthouse on a program that allows three children to receive piano lessons once a week. Recreation is a very big part of the Lighthouse Youth Center. The youngsters have the opportunity to play volleyball, basketball, dodge ball, and soccer throughout the week. Oleshak explained that the White Clay Soccer Club also works with the youngsters once a week teaching the children the skills of the game. “We‘re looking to continue the partnerships that we have,” Oleshak explained. “And we‘re looking for more things that we can partner with organizations in the community on. All the groups that come in have a heart for helping the children. We feel that it takes a village to raise a child.”

Oleshak joined the Lighthouse on its mission about six months ago, stepping in as the program director. “It‘s been incredible. I love this place,” Oleshak explained. “Buzz is an awesome leader.” Part of that leadership has been deciding on how the Lighhouse will evolve to meet the needs of the community. In the last year, the Lighthouse has been working closer than ever with the Oxford schools to help meet the needs of students. Amy Perkins, the administrative assistant for the Lighthouse, has been hard at work enlisting volunteers, which is one reason why the number of people working with the children has increased so dramatically since the move to the new, larger facility. “What we‘re realizing,” said Tyson, “is that for us to provide more for the students, we need more volunteers.” The Lighthouse currently needs volunteers to assist with educational and recreational programs, to play sports with the children, to help serve meals, and to provide homework assistance. There is also a need for food donations of spaghetti and sauce, macaroni & cheese, ketchup, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, parmesan cheese, taco seasoning packets, Ortega taco

Ashley and Justice take part in an art activity at the Lighthouse Youth Center.

Churches...

during the Lenten season, which was inspired by the “Be Rich (in Good Deeds)” campaign at Andy Stanley’s North Point Ministries. Three local churches – Willowdale Chapel, the Christian Life Center and the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square -- participated in service projects, donated food to local food banks, and donated funds to help start Family Promise, a local nonprofit helping to combat homelessness. Numerous service projects were completed, 2.5 tons of food was

Continued from Page 1A

recently in Chester County, promotes restoration across various categories of culture – church, family, education, business, government, arts, and social. The Constellation Network does not shy away from its beliefs, but aims to do acts of restorative good, regardless of the faith backgrounds of those they serve. Last year, The Constellation Network piloted a project called Give/Serve/Restore (GSR)

Duncan Oleshak, Taylor Oleshak, and Buzz Tyson with some of the youngsters at the Lighthouse Youth Center as they paint bowls for the upcoming Empty Bowls fundraiser to support the Neighborhood Services Center.

sauce, canned corn, powdered drink mix, and health snacks. Other items needed include school supplies, basketballs, footballs, paper plates, and paper towels. With Phase 1 of the building project now complete, Tyson and the staff can now start planning for Phase 2, which will see the Lighthouse expand its programs to the second floor of the building. Anyone who is interested in more information about how to help with the next phase of the project or with youth programs should contact Tyson at 484-880-2018 or buzz@ oxfordlighthouse.org. Justin was at the Lighthouse to play basketball. donated, and $38,000 was raised to launch a Family Promise branch in the area. This year, 14 churches have signed on to partner for this initiative. In addition to the three original churches, the partnership has grown to include Brandywine Baptist, Christ Church at the Grove, Cristo Rey United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, Media Mennonite Church, Mount Vernon Christian Church, Stillwaters Presbyterian Church, The Power Place, The Barn Vineyard

Church, Toughkenamon Presbyterian and West Grove United Methodist Church. Through March 27, the churches have committed to participating in service projects, donating food, and providing monetary donations to two local organizations, Good Neighbors and Young Moms. Good Neighbors repairs homes for needy families, and Young Moms provides academic, vocational and parenting support to teenage mothers. Funds raised through the project will be split between the two organizations. The Constellation Network’s website (www. TheConstellationNetwork. com) is linked to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Everyone is invited to post their service project photos and share their serving stories. The Constellation Network website advises, “Don’t sit back and wait for inspiration to strike. Figure out what it is that you love about your community and the people in it. Get out there, get involved, ask questions, form relationships, and take action to add to the common good around you. You have a role in the flourishing of your community, so step into it!” To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Fourth annual event takes place on Feb. 27

Economic development...

Chaddsford to feature its hard cider at Kennett Winterfest

Continued from Page 1A

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Courtesy photo

Work on the economic development study will lead to a strategy and implementation plan.

stay within 60 to 90 minutes of where they lived and worked so that they can be close to the people and things that they are familiar with. Poole said that it’s very important for a town to have a mix of younger families and older residents, and Kennett Square is very appealing for people of all ages because of its amenities. The presentation included a discussion about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the area. Poole and Keener will provide a full analysis as part of the economic development study, and they asked attendees about their opinions of the advantages and disadvantages of the area. One weakness that Poole identified is a lack of public transportation, particularly when considering that many millennials are choosing not to own cars. A potential threat to the area is the potential for overdevelopment, which could jeopardize the historic character of the area. Sometimes, the lines are blurred between strengths and weaknesses and opportunities and threats. The redevelopment of the 26-acre NVF site, for instance is an opportunity—but it is also a threat if the redevelopment isn’t handled properly. After the presentation, Poole was asked what surprised him, in a good way or bad way, about Kennett Square since he started the work on the study. He replied that he was surprised at how recent some of the successes of the revitalization effort occurred. He explained that he would have thought that some of

P ENNSBURY C HADDS F ORD A NTIQUE M ALL Quality Antiques & Collectibles for over 40 years Wyeth Prints, Furniture, Jewelry, Silver, Prints, Coins, Toys, Military, Pottery, Ceramics, Glass, Rare Books, Ephemera, Original Art, Quilts, Oriental Rugs, Linens

the important components of the revitalization would have occurred twenty years ago, instead of more recently. He also said that he was surprised by the pockets of poverty that still exist in the community. Poole added that he believes Kennett Square is a very quaint, charming community that is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Kennett Square officials are very pleased with how the economic development study is being developed. Mary Hutchins, the executive director of Historic Kennett Square, said that early work on the economic development study has already produced useful information that will help officials in the Kennett area set priorities for where and how the Kennett region grows. “We’re finding it all very interesting,” Hutchins said. “We’re very pleased with the consultants and we’re confident in the process.” An online survey is being set up to help the consultants get opinions from residents. Interviews with stakeholders in the community are also continuing as work begins on developing a plan of action for the Kennett Square community. The consultants will be working with local officials on a review of zoning ordinances. A workshop for the consultants to meet publicly with local officials and residents for a second time is planned for April 7.

On what will probably be described as “the stone cold afternoon of Saturday, February 27,” the fourth annual Kennett Winterfest will welcome hundreds of hearty souls willing to brave the chill and experience the thrill of tasting products from the more than 50 breweries participating in the event. The Kennett Winterfest, like its companion, the Kennett Brewfest, serves as much more than an opportunity for beer connisseurs to quaff a few foamies, huddled in packs against the cold. It serves as a long line of curtain calls for long time favorites, and as auditions for newcomers on the gravy train that’s turned craft beer making from one nurtured in garages into a multi-billiondollar industry. In recent years, however, there’s been a new kid on the brewing block -- hard cider -- and it’s gaining ground in what Americans are choosing to accompany their food. Locally, that new kid on the block is the hard cider being made at Chaddsford Winery, which will be one of just a handful of hard ciders to be showcased at this year’s Kennett Winterfest. Created by long time Chaddsford winemaker Jim Osborne in 2015, the hard cider was conceived as a result of excess apple juice left over from the making of the winery’s popular spiced apple wine. “I noticed how popular hard ciders had become among craft beer drinkers and wanted to experiment with creating one at the winery,” Osborne said. Made from a proprietary blend of sweet and tart apples, the cider is made cold fermented and left unfiltered

610-444-3810 Ask for Jeff

www.tayloroilandpropane.com

Chester County PRESS SPECIAL SECTION CALENDAR

610-388-1620

Lower Level 610-388-6546

Both Levels

Ample Parking PennsburyAntiqueMall.com

its hard cider, and the first time the hard cider was released. In addition, the hard cider was featured in the May 2015 issue of Hard Cider News, as well as Wine Business Monthly and Beverage Industry Magazine. In addition to being available at the winery, Chaddsford Hard Cider is available at several Acme stores throughout Chester County, and at several Wegman’s locations, including Concordville, King of Prussia and Malvern. To learn more about Chaddsford Hard Cider, visit www. chaddsford.com. To learn more about this year’s Kennett Winterfest, visit www.kennettwinterfest.com. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

219 Birch Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Upper Level

640 E. Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

to capture the simple tastes of the apples. Reminiscent of the kind of hard cider served in taverns during the Colonial days, the beverage has almost no residual sugar and is dry and lemony on the tongue, with a dry and chalky finish. “The people who tend to enjoy craft beers and a more nuanced taste in their beer are gravitating toward our hard cider, because the flavors are so reminiscent of craft beers,” said general manager Corey Krejcik. “We issued the cider as an opportunity to bridge the gap between craft beer and the more traditional style of hard cider.” The cider has certainly received its share of accolades. It was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2015 International Craft Competition, the first one Chaddsford received for

Oil Tank Removal Boilers, Furnaces & Hot Water Heaters All Fuels

Over 100 Dealers

Thursday - Monday 10-5

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Corey Krejcik and Lauren Pasquini of Chaddsford Winery display the winery’s hard cider, which will be one of more than 50 beverages featured at the Kennett Winterfest on Feb. 27.

February 24 2016 Progress March 9 Education and Summer Camp Guide March 30 Home & Garden Life

Finance and Personnel Thursday after 1st. Council Meeting at 6 pm

Committee Meetings

township; the Ways Lane area in Kennett Township; the former NVF site in the borough; and the area on the west side of Mill Road in the township. Todd Poole of 4Ward Planning and Mark Keener of the RBA Group, are the consultants hired to complete the study, and they led the presentation. Poole has conducted similar studies in areas all across the country, including Bethlehem, Pa., Hoboken, New Jersey, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Poole and Kenner have frequently worked together on projects, and are working collaboratively on the study for Kennett Square. Poole talked about how regional trends can influence the residential and commercial development for a town as much as national trends or societal changes that are at work. For example, this region has a surplus of office space. “There is no need to build major office space now except for medical office space,” Poole said, explaining that technological changes allow workers to do their jobs without needing to be in an office. That means that companies aren’t looking for as much office space as they once did. There is a national trend where big box retail stores are finding it difficult to make gains from one year to the next. In Kennett Square, fifty-three percent of the businesses in the borough are small and employ four people or less. That reduces Kennett Square’s risk of being hit hard by a retail downturn that impacts the big box stores. “You’re well-positioned not to be harmed by that kind of contraction,” Poole said. Across the country, light industrial space is being redeveloped as more flexible space where artisans can do their work in what is called “maker-space.” The industries that people are finding work in are changing, too. Since 2009, the greatest employment growth has been in the retail trade, health care, and social assistance. Poole explained that Kennett Square officials want to bring in businesses that are appropriate for the area. For example, Kennett Square does have strong household spending, which is good for restaurants, cafes, spas, and live performance venues. Another aspect of the presentation focused on the need for affordable housing in the area. “There is not enough housing for people who want housing,” Poole said, explaining that people are traveling to work in Kennett Square because there is not sufficient affordable housing for them to live closer to the area. “Having quality housing at affordable price points is an economic development strategy.” Another factor that Kennett Square officials will need to consider in the future is the aging of the population. Poole explained that 10,000 people are turning 65 every day, and contrary to the popular belief, senior citizens are not overwhelmingly flocking to warmer states like Florida and Arizona. Rather, most people tend to

Police & Public Safety 1st Wed. 6 pm, Police Station

Codes 4th Monday at 6:30 pm

LTAC 1st Monday at 6:00 pm

Public Works 1st Thursday at 8 pm

Special Projects 1st Monday at 6:30 pm

Planning Commission 4th Tuesday at 6:30 pm

Historical Commission 2nd Wed. at 4 pm

Zoning Hearing Board 3rd Tuesday, 7 pm - ONLY if needed

HARB 3rd Wednesday, 7 pm - ONLY if needed

OARA (Oxford Area Recreation Authority) 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Lower Oxford Township Building Meeting are held at the Oxford Borough Municipal Building, 401 Market Street, Oxford, PA – unless stated otherwise. Oxford Borough Council meets the 2nd and 3rd Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Chester County Press

Local News Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Extravaganza winners announced

Cholocate blog... Continued from Page 1A

of food mastery, the selfprofessed center orb for all matters gustatory. The reason had less to do with her not enjoying cooking, and more to do with the fact that the family kitchen tended to be the private sanctuary of her mother. So when she arrived in the United States 13 years ago to begin her career in the chemical industry, Tracy began to experiment in the kitchen of her one-bedroom apartment in King of Prussia -- and it was like unleashing a pent-up passion. Tracy took culinary journeys around the internet, scooping up recipes she would try out on her friends from the office, at small dinner parties. Soon after she was married in Sept. 2003, she left the company while she waited to receive news of her work permit for a few months, and used that time to discover the world of food. She perused local grocery stores; she studied cooking shows on television; and flipped through food magazines, especially the now-defunct Gourmet. Soon, her world became the kitchen she always wanted for herself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more I began to cook, the more confident I became,â&#x20AC;? Tracy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I needed were a few recipes and the right sources, in order to get my confidence to the next level.â&#x20AC;? While she was engaging in her new-found passion, Tracy began to read food blogs on the internet, which her husband described to her as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a diary on the internet.â&#x20AC;? Soon, she started one of her own, including on it basic American recipes she had

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Photo by Jie Lan

The blog 37chocolates.com has been read by thousands of chocolate lovers around the world.

begun to make, writing in the French language and targeting it to French ex-patriots who were living in the United States and learning how to cook using American ingredients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mission statement has always been to feature the best American food on this blog,â&#x20AC;? Tracy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In general, I had stereotypes and cliches about coming to the United States, that of associating American food with greasy, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ballparkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; food. It was hard to judge if I had changed anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind about American food or whether I was just preaching to the choir, but I realized that there are many French people who are drawn to certain types of American food, that really doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any relative of it in France. Generally, as the

blog emerged, I learned that French people are drawn to American food and recipes that are generally associated with happiness and joyful emotions, like cookies, pies and pancakes.â&#x20AC;? Submission by submission, recipe by recipe and idea by idea, Tracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog began drawing the interest not only from readers, but from French magazines and radio stations, where she was often a guest. In 2006, she published the 12-page â&#x20AC;&#x153;Food Survival Guideâ&#x20AC;? for Frenchborn people who were struggling to adjust to the learning curve of Amercian grocery stores and subsequently, American-based ingredients and their application to recipes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw all kinds of mistakes being made,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My

Joanne Fryer hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t won anything since she became the recipient of a holy card when she was a sixth-grade Catholic school. Soon, she will get to enjoy much more than what a holy card can do. Fryer, a resident of Valley Township, was selected as the grand prize winner in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Extravaganza contest, sponsored by the Chester County Press, Locable and several local businesses, from Feb. 1-10. Fryer received an 80-minute hot stone massage fom Nicholas Anthony Salon and Day Spa; a $75 gift card to Anemoni Jewelers; one dozen roses from Sweet Peas of Jennersville; a premium box of 32 assorted, hand-crafted Swiss chocolate truffles from Neuchatel Swiss Chocolates; and a recliner valued at $498 from Martin Furniture. Fryer was chosen from 576 entries, in a contest that was promoted in the printed version of the Chester County Press, as well as on its Facebook pages, webFrench friends would look to buy soup and end up buying broth, and then end up buying yeast, thinking it was baking powder. My hope was to give people a grasp on these ingredients.â&#x20AC;? This past April, Tracy followed up her 12-page book

Make More Dough.

1.01

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD* With Qualifying Deposit, Balance Requirements Apply*

For a First Niagara Pinnacle Money Market account MONEY MARKET

1-YEAR CD

1.01%

1.15%

APY*

With Qualifying Deposit, Balance Requirements Apply*

APY â&#x20AC;

\HDU &HUWLÄ&#x2020;FDWH RI 'HSRVLW

Â&#x2020;uuÂ&#x2039;Äˇ o@;u Â&#x2C6;-Ń´b7 Ć?Ĺ&#x2020;Ć&#x2018;Ć&#x2019;Ĺ&#x2020;Ć?Ńľ |_uoÂ&#x2020;]_ Ć&#x2019;Ĺ&#x2020;Ć&#x201C;Ĺ&#x2020;Ć?ŃľÄş Stop by a branch near you Call 1-866-264-8145 ;| 1oohbm]Ä´ r;m Â&#x2039;oÂ&#x2020;u -11oÂ&#x2020;m| |o7-Â&#x2039;Äş

â&#x20AC; Minimum deposit of $500 required to receive the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 1.15% for one year (12 months). Maximum account balance per household is $1,000,000. Retirement accounts are eligible for this offer. Early withdrawals are subject to Early Withdrawal Penalties. *The promotional rate applies only to new accounts opened with a deposit of at least $25,000 in New Money. New Money is deďŹ ned as funds which do not originate from an existing First Niagara account. In order to earn the advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) you must deposit between $25,000 and $249,999.99. APY is accurate as of 01/23/2016. If at any time the account balance falls below $500, your entire balance will not earn any interest. You will earn an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.05% when your balance is between $500 and $4,999.99; 0.10% APY when your balance is between $5,000 and $24,999.99; 1.01% APY when your balance is between $25,000 and $249,999.99; 0.25% APY for balances of $250,000 or greater. If at any time the account balance plus any interest credited is $250,000 or more, the entire balance on the account will earn an APY of 0.25%. This is a variable rate account, which means rates are subject to change. This is a limited-time offer and may be withdrawn at any time. This offer may not be combined with any other promotion or program. To avoid the $25 Monthly Charge for servicing account you must maintain an Average Daily Balance of at least $5,000. Fees may reduce earnings on this account. If your account is closed within 180 days of opening, an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early Account Closingâ&#x20AC;? fee of $25 will be assessed. Pinnacle Money Market accounts are subject to a limited number of transactions per statement cycle, a $15 service charge may apply for each transaction above these limitations, refer to the Schedule of Personal Account Fees and Transaction Limitations for details. â&#x20AC; *Above rates are as of 01/23/2016. The Interest Rates will not be tied to any index but will be set by us at our discretion. There is no limitation on the amount in which the Interest Rates may change. Fees may reduce earnings on interest-bearing accounts. These offers may not be combined with any other promotion or program. Offers valid only in branches located in Connecticut and SpringďŹ eld, Massachusetts AND the following Pennsylvania counties: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton & Philadelphia; AND in the following New York counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster & Westchester. Offers are not valid online. These limited-time offers are valid through 03/04/2016, however they may be withdrawn at any time. BB-CNP

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Joanne Fryer of Valley Township, the grand prize winner in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Extravaganza contest sponsored by the Chester County Press, displays just one of her gifts, alongside advertising representative Helen Warren.

site and e-mail circulation. Amanda Boyer of Oxford, who earned a second prize in the Extravaganza, and Cathy Carl of Unionville, who finished as the third prize winner, also received gifts from Nicholas Anthony Salon & Day Spa, Anemoni Jewelers, Sweet Peas of Jennersville, Neuchatel Swiss Chocolates and Martin Furniture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Extravaganza received over 50,000 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;looksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from the readers of the

Chester County Press and its many news companions in our social media network,â&#x20AC;? said Publisher Randy Lieberman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This contest proved to a triple win -- for our three winners, for the effectiveness of our collective voice, and for our participating partners, whose marketing reach extended even further.â&#x20AC;?

with an e-book, and then had the book converted into printed form last July. Once the book was printed, Tracy was anxious to pursue her latest project, and while promoting her book, she came across the on-line comments of a French ex-patriot who wrote that American chocolate is terrible and a cheap imitation of the finer chocolates found throughout Europe. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was sick of people saying those things and coming to those false conclusions,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was inspired by my friend in Canada who ran a 50K for her 50th birthday, and was looking for something to do for her 51st birthday. I recommended that she should have some fiun and eat 51 chocolates. I thought that was an awesome idea.â&#x20AC;? Tracy turned 37 last October, so to commemorate, she committed last May to the challenge of researching, tasting and writing about 37 different kinds of American-made chocolate -- not mass-produced, but hand-made by food artisans. Every time she went back to the grocery store, she found out more and more about the true art of making chocolate, and soon, word got out about Tracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog, and by October -- her 37th

birthday -- she had begun correspondence with several chocolate makers across the United States. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are now becoming so aware of natural and organic foods, but when it comes to chocolate, there was a lack of education because many still look at it as candy,â&#x20AC;? she said. Her research led to her blog 37chocolates.com, which began last month, with the mission to educate her readers about her journey, by introducing them to chocolate makers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What really interests me is how the small maker infuses his or her personality into what they make,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Craft chocolate tends to be three to four times the cost of a normnal candy bar at the grocery store, but what you get is a piece of the soul of the maker. I want to share their stories with my readers, to serve as a guide for those who wish to explore the world of chocolate, in order that I may accompany them along the way.â&#x20AC;? To learn more about Estelle Tracy, visit her blog at 37chocolates.com, or visit her Facebook page at â&#x20AC;&#x153;37 chocolates.â&#x20AC;?

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Uncle Irvin... Continued from Page 1A

The water and sewer system is already under stress, and pipes are bursting all too often. With Magnolia Place, Cannery Row, and the huge apartment complex on State Street already either partially finished or in the process of getting permits, it is time for Borough Council to find out the status of the infrastructure at present. They need to know what new capacity would be needed to accommodate all the new development, not to mention that the water and sewer systems are ancient and archaic and are vulnerable to failure. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great that Kennett Borough is growing and prospering, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high time to find out what the growth limitations are. (Uncle Irvinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Opinion

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

The faces of a thousand words

Why did Clinton earn so many more delagates than Sanders?

Over the course of the last century, the tenor and framework of who we are and what defines us best as Americans reveals itself as a still frame of truth, one that has not so much been documented as it has been captured -- snatched from a slice of a second and held, permanent, like testimony carved into rock. Most prominently, that truth -- and our most honest portrait -- has been found at moments when we are at our most heroic and jubilant, but most profoundly, when we are at our most vulnerable. During our more than two-year coverage of the application of Artesian Water Pennsylvania, Inc., to activate a well at the corner of Broad Run and Newark roads in Landenberg, we have seen these expressions during interviews with farmers and horse owners and families, who feared that Artesian’s presence in southern Chester County would have environmental impacts on the aquifer, local waterways and eventually, the water levels of their own wells. We have seen these expressions at town hall meetings with elected officials, where residents and scientists spoke with conviction, clarity and facts. We have seen these expressions when consuming cup after cup of coffee with members of a grassroots organization whose members have served as human caution signs in an effort to hold Artesian to the proper checks and balances. We have seen these expressions during the many layers of approval that this application slogged its way through -- an alphabet soup chain of regulatory agencies that last December finally cleared the way for Artesian to eventually begin to withdraw as much as 288,000 gallons of water per day from the aquifer, for distribution to the company’s current -- and potentially future -- customers. Despite our invitation to Artesian explain its reasons for submitting a Feb. 3 request for a Leave to Withdraw application with the Public Utility Commission -- one that effectively puts an end to its plans for the Broad Run aquifer -- they have politely chosen not to provide public comment. Perhaps their reasons may have to do with the major provision of the approval issued to them by the Delaware River Basin Commission last December -- one that stated that before Artesian could begin activating the well, it would need to submit to a rigorous, nine-month monitoring program to assure local authorities and regulatory agencies that these numbers will not decimate the water level in the area, and in particular, local wells and the nearby White Clay Creek. Perhaps it was because the company still faced several layers of approval, such as having to obtain local zoning licenses from New Garden Township, as well as receive franchise approval from the PUC to expand its service area. The real answer, however, may lay in a single word. In its petition, Artesian stated that rather than continue to litigate with the PUC, “[Artesian] believes that foregoing the cost of continued litigation to an uncertain result in regard to this contested request for expansion of service territory is not in the best interests of the Company and its customers.” Contested. We know that during the last two years, representatives from Artesian have been at town hall meetings with hundreds of concerned residents. They have noted every fear, heard every contested word, and seen every expression. In the end, Artesian’s decision to end its application could be just a business-as-usual move for a commercial company which attempted to profit off of the natural resources of a neighboring state. Perhaps this petition was a calculated move -- a chapter marker placed on a project it may decide to address again in a few years, if the need for the well arises. Yet, are we right to suggest that Artesian looked around, and concluded that the price of their intentions was not worth the weight of these faces they saw, each of which told a thousand words?

Chester County Press Publisher - Randall S. Lieberman

Steve Hoffman . . . . . Managing Editor John Chambless . . . . Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw. . . . . Staff Writer Carla Lucas . . . . . . . . Correspondent Nancy Johnson . . . . . Correspondent Brenda Butt . . . . . . . . Office Manager Tricia Hoadley. . . . . . Art Director Alan E. Turns . . . . . . Advertising Director Christy Larry. . . . . . . Assistant Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Teri Turns . . . . . . . . . Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren . . . . Advertising Executive

The Chester County Press (USPS 416-500) is published every Wednesday by: AD PRO, Inc. 144 South Jennersville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346 Telephone: (610) 869-5553 FAX (610) 869-9628 Internet E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., no weekend hours

The award winning Chester County Press 2006 - First Place, Special Project, 2005 - Honorable Mention - Special Section, 1998 - First Place, Special Section, 1997 - First Place, Diversity Award, 1996 - First Place, Advertising Excellence, 1996 - First Place, Diversity Award

Annual Subscription Rate: Chester County - $28.00 Senior Citizen Out of County - $30.00 • Senior Citizen (Chester Co. Only) - $24.00

NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Back issues sent via mail are $5.00 each. Current and previous week's issues are 60 cents each. Older issues are $1.50 each. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, PA 19363. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chester County Press, P.O. Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346.

Letter to the Editor: I have been following the presidential primaries very closely. Yet, this morning, when I looked up the current delegate count for the Democrat presidential race, I was stunned to see that Hillary Clinton has 394 del-

egates to 44 delegates for Bernie Sanders. Last week, Clinton pulled a victory out of the Iowa Caucus with a razor thin margin over Sanders. And this week, Sanders beat Clinton by a whopping 22 percent of the vote count in the New Hampshire primary. Math

was never my favorite subject, but even I can see a real problem with these numbers. If the Democratic Party is going to be ruled by a “Central Committee,” much like it is done in Communist countries around the world, by way of using what they call superdelegates, then per-

haps they can at least be honest with the voters, and tell them that their votes mean very little, and cancel future Primaries. It seems to me that the Democrats aren’t very Democratic at all. Patrick F. Harrison Oxford

U-CF School Board should stop putting increased budget costs on taxpayers Letter to the Editor: The Unionville ChaddsFord School Board has passed a preliminary budget for the 2016-2017 school year to meet the state requirements. There is no indication that the board has yet considered any ways to increase non-tax income or to find cost-savings in the budget. There are several ways to increase non-tax income

that include the following: • State laws require students from outside the district to pay full tuition fees and all other fees associated with their attendance in the district. For the past several years, this requirement has been ignored. • If the property taxes are increasing by a certain percent, then student parking fees, student participation fees, and all other fees should also be increased

by that same amount. • Rental of facilities should also be increased by that same percent. • Ticket prices for all athletic events to all the presentations in the auditoriums should be increased by the same percent. • There is a large participation in AP courses that, if successfully completed, could allow these students to save large college tution

costs. Unionville-Chadds Ford taxpayers should not be paying student college costs. A very large fee for these courses should be required. The school board should adopt all of these suggestions and stop putting the increased budget costs on the property owners in the district. Bruce B. Yelton Pocopson Township

Chester County Commissioners name Rahn director of Chester County Voter Services Kara Rahn, of Honey Brook, has been appointed by the Chester County Commissioners as the new director of Chester County’s Department of Voter Services. Rahn has served as assistant director of Chester County Voter Services and is skilled in the Pennsylvania Election Code and in all

election programming software. She was instrumental in the certification process of the 2014 and 2015 election results, and is proficient in voter registration and absentee ballot processes and procedures. Prior to her service as assistant director of Voter Services, Rahn held a managerial role at Exelon, based at Limerick

Generating Station, was deputy director of the Delaware County Transportation Management Association, and served as government affairs coordinator and community relations representative for PECO. Rahn is a graduate of Shippensburg University and has an MBA degree from Eastern University.

Oxford Borough Mayor announces Citizen Recognition Awards for 2016 The submission deadline is April 15, 2016 By Geoffrey L. Henry Mayor of Oxford Borough Again this year, I have decided that it would be appropriate to recognize citizens for their unheralded work in making Oxford a better place to live, work, and enjoy. The success of any community is built on the efforts of individuals and organizations committed to working for the common good of all. The strength of a community

does not rest in the power of government, but is built instead on the foundation of its citizens. Oxford has been blessed by the contributions of many hometown heroes. Since starting the awards in 2006, 59 individuals and organizations have been recognized. Citizen recognition awards will be given to honor individuals and organizations that exemplify a commitment to improving the quality of life in the

Borough of Oxford. These awards will be given to those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the fabric and sense of community. The recipients will have given unselfishly of themselves in service to others in the community, often unrecognized, to set a better example for all of us in the work that must be done to keep our community strong and make Oxford a better

place to live. To qualify for consideration individuals must be residents of the Borough, or work or volunteer in businesses or organizations within the borough. Anyone can nominate an individual or organization for consideration. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Oxford Police Station, the Borough Hall or downloaded from my website www.oxfordboro.org/mayor.

Dinniman introduces budget impasse legislation State Sen. Andy Dinniman has introduced legislation that calls for enacting real consequences on Pennsylvania lawmakers and the governor if a state budget is not passed on time. Under Senate Bill 1124, the legislature must remain in continuous session, meeting every day without leave, without pay, without reimbursements, and without per diems, if a complete budget is not passed and signed by July 1. The same goes for the governor, his senior staff and cabinet members. Dinniman said his legislation comes in response to the ongoing budget impasse, now in its eighth month.

Yesterday, Gov. Wolf delivered his budget address for 2016-17. Meanwhile, the 2015-16 budget remains unresolved. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania’s budget runs past the July 1 deadline 37 percent of the time. “Pennsylvania is facing a financial crisis, and it is time to impose drastic consequences when the legislature and the governor’s office don’t do their jobs,” he said. “It’s time for all sides to come together and resolve both the past budget and upcoming budget. Meanwhile, steps must be

taken to ensure that budget stalemates, like the one we are currently experiencing, never happens again.” In addition to requiring legislators and the governor to forfeit their salaries and reimbursement payments when budgets run late, Senate Bill 1124 also calls for the following: • Requiring the legislature to vote on and pass a complete budget plan by May 1 – two months before the current deadline – in order to allow additional time for negotiations in case of a veto. • Requiring any meetings between legislative leaders and the governor after

June 30 must be open to the public. “There is no question that entering a fiscal year without a finalized budget has potentially disastrous and widespread impacts. Other states have enacted measures to help avoid budget stalemates and to spur lawmakers to action when partisan gridlock begins to set in. It is time for Pennsylvania to do the same,” Dinniman said. “When budgets run late, the legislature, the governor and the cabinet – not the people – should face consequences of not fulfilling their constitution obligation to provide of an on-time budget.”

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

More Obituaries appear on Page 4B

PEGGY PETERS KELLY

KATHERINE VIRGINIA DIEHL

Peggy Peters Kelly, formerly of Kennett Square, passed away on Jan. 29 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was 79 years old. She was born in Marion, Va., and was the daughter of the late Frank Wesley Peters and the late Virginia Ann Cullop Peters. She was the beloved mother of John Kelly and his wife Angie, James Kelly and his wife Alene, Robert Kelly and his wife Tracy, and Diana Lomas and her husband Kevin; grandmother of Joshua Kelly, Emily Kelly, Alyssa Kelly, Megan Kelly, Rachel Kelly, Jake Kelly, Brittany Pogar (Joseph), Devin Kelly, Richie Lomas; great-grandmother of Conner Pogar and Chloe Kelly; sister of Anne Peters Johnson and her husband Wes, Sr.; aunt of Wes Johnson, Jr. and his wife Nancy, and Carol Samsky and her husband Rob; and cousin of Henry and Joy Peters. A funeral was held Feb. 6. Burial was in National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of America (www.alz.org/donate).

Katherine Virginia Diehl, 78, of Oxford, passed away on Feb. 11 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove. Born in Shamokin, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Russell, Sr., and Eleanor Kramer Williams. Katherine retired in 2010 from Superior Food Services in Woodlyn, and was formerly employed with Rob Ann Sports Wear in Chester as a seamstress. She enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia Eagles, and was devoted to her grandchildren. She is survived by two children, Debra Anderson (Thomas) of Oxford, and Robert Diehl of North East, Md.; three grandchildren, Melissa Crowell (Matthew), Thomas Anderson, Jr., and Craig Anderson (Stephanie); one great-grandchild, soon to be two; one brother, Ralph Williams of Oxford; two sisters, Barbara Houghton of Boothwyn, and Rita Williams of Oxford; one niece and several nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Russell Williams, Jr.; and three sisters, Marilyn Goepel, Elizabeth Zernell and Nancy Williams. A memorial service was held Feb. 16. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BARBARA G. BEDDALL Barbara G. Beddall, 87, of Crosslands, Kennett Square, died on Jan. 29. The daughter of Douglas and Miriam (Baily) Gilpin, she lived as a child at Longwood. A graduate of George School and Beaver College (now Arcadia University), she was an active volunteer, including working at The Encore Shop, which benefits Chester County Hospital. She enjoyed golf and travel. She was a former member of the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club and Hershey’s Mill Golf Club. She and her husband spent many winters in Naples, Fla. She was a lifelong Quaker. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, John R. Beddall; and her brothers, D. Brooke Gilpin and Franklin Gilpin. She is survived by her daughter, Jane G. Beddall; her son-in-law, Christopher W. Brown; and her granddaughter, Margot Beddall Brown. A memorial gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to The Chester County Hospital Foundation or George School. Visit www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.

KENDALL F. FOLEY Dr. Kendall (Ken) Francis Foley of West Grove passed away suddenly on Jan. 27. He was 74 years old. Born in North Attleborough, Mass., he was the son of the late Norman Foley and the late Lillian Laporte Foley. Ken loved sailing and was working through an ambitious “bucket list” with achievements that included skydiving, hot-air ballooning, ziplining, parasailing, riding a Segway, jet skiing and much more. He enjoyed judging the annual science fair for Chester County schools, he once ran for political office, and also served on the homeowners association board at Ovations at Elk View, including a term as president. Ken completed his undergraduate studies at Brown University in 1963 and furthered his education with a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University. He was a valued 30-year employee of Hercules, Inc., in Wilmington. Ken enjoyed international travel, visiting over 80 countries as Director of International Sales for the company’s Resins Division. He was instrumental in developing trade with China and other Far East countries for Hercules. He was a traveler, a romantic, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a great friend and very proud of his grandchildren’s accomplishments in sports, music and academics. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Ken was the beloved husband of Ann (Wurst) Foley; father of Gittan Foley Grover and her husband Alan; brother of Sue Foley Bishop; stepfather of Ann Marie Hess and her husband Ron, and Chuck Wurst and his wife Lisa; grandfather of Tyler Grover and Paige Grover. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Jessica Cyr, Madison Wurst, Robbie Wurst, Allison Hess and James Hess. He was predeceased by his first wife, Lyn Ostlund Foley. Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.the mmrf.org.

CLARA LEO GATTI

Clara Leo Gatti, 89, of Kennett Square, died on Feb. 9 at Brandywine Senior Living at Longwood in Kennett Square. She was the wife of the late John B. Gatti, who died in 1997, and with whom she shared 46 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Gus V. and the late Mabel (Ingelido) Leo. A graduate of Goldey-Beacom, Clara was a secretary and teacher’s aide in the Kennett School system for over 20 years. She loved working with children, particularly those who were underprivileged or dealing with personal or educational issues. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She loved the Phillies, listening to big band and piano music, watching classic movies and, in her early years, enjoyed bowling and playing tennis. During retirement, she continued to enjoy the many wonderful friendships she made during her years at Kennett, which she often said were some of the best of her life. During her last few years, spent at Brandywine Senior Living, she was often lovingly cared for by some of the young people whose lives she touched, and was even reunited with several of her earliest friends and acquaintances. The entire team at Brandywine Senior Living and Optum Hospice became her new extended family. Clara will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her, but her impact on our community and our youth will not soon be forgotten. Survivors include three sons, Mark T. Gatti and his wife Karen of West Chester, John B. Gatti of Philadelphia, and Michael P. Gatti and his wife Darice of Vienna, Va.; one daughter, Michele Gatti of Kennett Square; one brother, Gus V. Leo of Salisbury, Md.; one sister, Connie Bailey of Lake Forest, Calif.; and two grandsons, Vincent and John Michael. A funeral was held Feb. 16. Contributions in her memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

MARGARET W. MYERS Margaret W. Myers, daughter of Margaret and F. Howard Manley, passed away peacefully at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford on Feb. 4. She was 98. Margaret was born in 1917 in Somers Point, N.J. She lived in Glassboro, N.J., for 53 years before moving to Oxford to live with her granddaughter, Catherine, in 2008. She had many interesting jobs, including as a cook at the Woodstown Hotel, as a clerk at the concession stand and later as a cashier at a Camden movie theater, and as a billing clerk with the Glassboro Water Department. As secretary of the Glassboro Democratic Club, she famously served tea to Lady Bird Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy. She loved butterflies, baseball, people watching, crocheting, and sweet treats. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin L. Myers; and daughter, Marcia A. McDermott. She is survived by her daughter, Janice C. Miller, and son-in-law Roger L. Miller; son, Benjamin L. Myers VI, and daughter-in-law Joyce M. Myers; grandchildren, Deborah A. Sannasardo, James F. Boyce, Sheryl L. Miller Hosey, and John Hosey, Catherine L. Miller and Brian Rebholz, Patricia J. Myers, Benjamin L. Myers VII and Molly Myers; nine greatgrandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and niece Patti Jo Bernazzani and her family. Funeral services were held Feb. 13. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARK F. BRADHAM

Alleluia Jeff Lampl, Senior Pastor

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

Youth Website: www.gzyouth.com

9:00AM and 10:45AM Worship Where the best of the past meets the best of the future! Nursery for infant - 4 years, KidZone and Sunday school classes for all at both services!

610-869-2140 www.clcfamily.net

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.

For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 15

Compliments of

Landenberg Church United Methodist

Lions Club of Oxford

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

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

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

Mark Franklin Bradham, 51, of Dover, Del., passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 25 at Kent General Hospital in Dover. Born and raised in Wilmington, Del., he was the son of the late Benjamin and Frances Bradham. Mark was formerly employed with MBNA in the Fraud Department. He is survived by one son, Michael Bradham (Ada) of Smyrna, Del.; one brother, Rhae Bradham of Nottingham; two sisters, Charlotte Gentry (Michael) of Oxford, and Rosemary Pedretti of San Carlos, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Isaiah, Jackson, and Liam. He was preceded in death by a brother, William Lee Bradham; and a sister, Lynne Gail Bradham. A memorial service was held Feb. 12. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

The importance of organ donations By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer In 2009, after battling a rare but debilitating ailment called Fabry disease for years, West Grove resident Bob Lauer was informed by doctors that his kidneys were functioning at just 15 percent, and they were no longer able to remove the toxins from his body. This is one of many health issues that can arise from Fabry, a genetic disease that is characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha galactosidase A due to a mutation that causes a glycolipid known as globotriaosyceramide to accumulate with the blood vessels, other tissues, and organs. This accumulation eventually leads to an impairment of the organs’ proper functions. Lauer’s kidney functions had deteriorated to the point where he was placed on the National Kidney Donor List to receive a kidney transplant. The doctors also suggested that he reach out to family and friends to see if any of them would be a donor match. His wife, Chris, didn’t hesitate. She said right away that she would be tested to see if she could be a donor. Something

miraculous happened. Chris was tested and she was a perfect match to donate a kidney to her husband. “I believe in fate,” Lauer explained. “I have a strong faith, and my wife was tested and was a perfect match.” After undergoing dialysis treatments for several months, Lauer received the kidney transplant at Johns Hopkins. Everything went well. She went home three days after the transplant, and he went home five days after that. “My wife saved my life and for that I will be eternally grateful,” Lauer explained. The experience also convinced Lauer of the importance of sharing his story with others so that they would understand that being willing to donate can mean the difference between life and death for someone else. “When I was younger, the thought of donating a kidney or any other organ was probably the farthest thing from my mind,” Lauer said. “Only until you are in the situation where one of your organs is failing do you wonder how many people [are in need of an organ transplant]. One person is added

to the organ donation waiting list every ten minutes. According to organdonor.gov, each day, on average, 79 people receive organ transplants. Another 22 people die each day waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of the shortage of donated organs. Lauer believes that more people would be willing to donate kidneys and other organs if they understood how important—and safe—it is. “The risks are low,” he explained. “You don’t have to take any medications or go back to the surgeon. It’s a one-time thing. My wife donated a kidney to me and she has had no health issues related to the donation. I think more people would donate if they understood that it’s a low-risk procedure.” Lauer understands that he is very fortunate that his wife was a match. The situation is much more dire for many people who find themselves in need of a kidney donation. A national system with strict standards is in place to ensure the ethical and fair distribution of organs. The organs are matched by blood and issue typing, organ size, medical urgency, waiting

time and geographic location. According to the National Kidney Foundation website, there are approximately 123,000 people in the U.S. currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. More than 101,000 of those people need a kidney, but only 17,000 people receive one each year. With medical advances, organ donations and

transplants are becoming more common. Organs and tissues that can be donated include the heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, corneas, skin, tendons, bone, and heart valves. In Lauer’s family, one of his two brothers who passed away from Fabry disease needed a kidney transplant at one point. Another member of his extended family, Mark McCory, donated bone marrow to his father,

Alan McCrory, who is battling two types of cancer. Lauer added that it’s also important for people to remember to donate blood regularly so that there is an ample supply when people need it. “One thing that most people can donate is blood,” Lauer said. “I have received blood transfusions several times. This can also be a life-saving gift to someone.”

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Section

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Three Oxford soccer standouts sign to play at the collegiate level The talented trio—Rachel Rogevich, Tayler Kidder, and Erin Oechsle— helped turn around Oxford girls’ soccer program By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Oxford girls’ soccer program has come a long way in a short time. Perhaps the best illustration of the progress that the program has made came on Feb. 10 when three senior players— Rachel Rogevich, Tayler Kidder, and Erin Oechsle—signed their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level. Kidder has signed to play at North Carolina Wesleyan College. Oechsle is heading to Arcadia University, and Rogevich will be playing at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Kevin Lentz, the head coach of the Oxford soccer team, said that the talented trio played significant roles in helping the soccer team turn around its fortunes. Before Lentz arrived as head coach five years ago, the girls’ soccer program had suffered through several straight years of winless seasons. That all changed with the arrival of players like Rogevich, Oechsle, Cora Boughman, Mackenzie Ehrhart, Heather Burnett, and Rachel Andrews. Kidder came to the program two years ago as a transfer. According to Lentz, before the arrival of the talented group of players, Oxford’s standout star was Rachel Boohar, who graduated from Oxford in 2014 and went on to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. While at

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Surrounded by her parents, Raymond and Beverly, Rachel Rogevich signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She is also pictured with high school principal Christopher Dormer, head coach Kevin Lentz, assistant coach Paul Oechsle, and athletic director Michael Price.

Oxford, she was one of the top goalkeepers in the area, earning all-league honors. Lentz and assistant coach Paul Oechsle had the challenge of assembling talent around Boohar, and developing the players into a cohesive unit. “When we took over,” Lentz explained, “we had a tremendous goalkeeper, and that’s what evverybody knew about Oxford. But these other players built us into a stronger unit.” The soccer team has improved each season over the last five years,

reaching a .500 winning percent two years ago when the squad posted an 8-8 record with two ties. This past season, Oxford was 9-8-1. The team was also able to reduce its goals-against total significantly from year to year. “The defenders who started as freshman have really turned things around,” Lentz explained. Oechsle played centerback and started for all four seasons at Oxford. She also earned all-league accolades for each of those four years. “She’s been a solid contributor for us for

all four years,” Lentz explained. “She’s really one of the major reasons that Oxford soccer has made a turnaround.” Rogevich overcame an injury during her freshman year to have a stellar career at Oxford. “Like Erin, she has been a solid contributor all four years,” Lentz explained. Rogevich is a very versatile player, and she was effective as a striker, as a mid-fielder, and as a back. The versatility really helped Oxford at times. “We can have strong players at certain positions, but gaps at

other positions,” Lentz said, explaining that Rogevich was able to fill some of those gaps depending on Oxford’s needs at the time. Kidder transferred to Oxford in time for her junior season and she made an immediate impact, becoming one of the team’s best offensive weapons. “She was an instant impact player,” Lentz said. “In her first year, she tied for the team lead in goals and assists.” In one game during her senior season, Kidder scored both of her team’s goals in a 2-0 win over

Octorara. “She’s great in the air,” Lentz explained, “which is something that the team lacked. She probably covered more ground than any other player—she would go box to box.” This is the first time that the Oxford girls’ soccer team has had three seniors go on to play at the collegiate level in one year. “It wouldn’t surprise me if all three are starters as freshman,” Lentz predicted. “They will all start or see significant playing time.” Paul Oechsle said that he was proud of all the players who helped turn the girls’ soccer program around. One of the players was his daughter, Erin. “It’s very exciting to watch them grow as players and as people,” Paul Oechsle said. “I’m very proud of all the players.” Michael Price, the Oxford Area High School athletic director, was pleased that three players from one team were going to have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. “That really says something about what Kevin Lentz and Paul Oechsle have done for the program,” Price said. “It’s nice to have three student-athletes who will have these opportunities. It’s a testament to the work that they’ve done.” To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty. com.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Courtesy photo

Erin Oechsle signs her letter of intent while surrounded by her parents, Paul and Michelle, and high school principal Christopher Dormer, head coach Kevin Lentz, and athletic director Michael Price.

Tayler Kidder has signed to play at North Carolina Wesleyan College.

BrandywineHospital.com

Jennersville.com

A physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner is committed to working diligently to have you initially seen within 30 minutes of your arrival. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Feb. 18 Classical concert at Brandywine The Brandywine River Museum of Art presents “Music on the Brandywine” Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m., featuring pianist Sejoon Park and cellist Timotheos Petrin. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for students, and $12 for members through Feb. 15. Prices then increase to $25 for adults, $10 for students, and $20 for members. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 610388-8326. Museum doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit brandywinemuseum. org. Feb. 18 ‘Annie’ excerpt Russellville Grange 91, on Route 896, one block north of Route 10) will present an excerpt from Oxford High School’s play, “Annie,” at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18. The school will stage the family musical March 3, 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. at the high school. Call 610-255-5418 for more information. Feb. 19 ‘Broadway Favorites’ Avon Grove Community Theater (ACT), in cooperation with Flickerwood Wine Cellars, will present a musical revue of Broadway favorites on Feb. 19 at 7 and 9 p.m. at Flickerwood Wine Cellars (33 S. Third St., Oxford). The program will include popular Broadway songs from throughout the decades performed by favorite ACT cast members, Kerry Slinkard, Patrick Murphy, Amy Carr, Jennifer McDonald, Al Uzolas and more. Tickets

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

are $20. There will be wines other refreshments available for purchase. Tickets are available at www.actheater.org, or by calling 610-932-9498. Feb. 20 ‘Empty Bowls’ fundraiser The Union Fire Company Memorial Hall (315 Market St., Oxford) will host the “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Oxford Food Cupboard on Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will share a simple meal of bowl and soup, with ticket proceeds going to the food cupboard. Visit www.oxfordart.org for tickets. Feb. 21 Chocolate Lovers Festival The Kennett Chocolate Lovers Festival will be held Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. (connoisseur tickets from noon to 1 p.m.) at Kennett High School (100 E. South St., Kennett Square). Hundreds of chocolate treats, including cakes, brownies, candies, cookies and cupcakes, will be available for tasting at this festival benefiting United Way of Southern Chester County. General admission is $10 per person and includes six tastings ($30 for a family of four). General admission parking is $5. Connoisseur tickets are $25 per person or $45 for two people (includes beverages and parking). Visit www. kennettchocolate.org. Feb. 24 Memory program The Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St., Oxford) holds a presentation on memory loss by neurologist Dr. Joseph S. Handler on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. The

free program will explain the signs, symptoms and causes of memory loss and techniques to sharpen the memory. For reservations, call 610-932-5244 or email oxsrctr@zoominternet.net before Feb. 19. Feb. 27 Kennett Winterfest The Fourth Annual Kennett Winterfest will be held Feb. 27 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in Kennett Square. There will be heated tents on South Broad Street between State and Cypress streets serving local beers, and foods from the Country Butcher, with live music by the Shady Groove Trio. Tickets are limited. They are $65 (designated driver tickets $20). No one under 21 admitted. The event will be held rain, show or shine. Visit www.kennettwinterfest. com for tickets or more information. March 3 to 5 ‘Shrek: The Musical’ Unionville High School presents “Shrek: The Musical” from March 3 to 5 in the school auditorium. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale Feb. 15 through www. showtix4u.com. Based on the animated film series, “Shrek: the Musical” is a hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. There will be a special meet-andgreet lunch with Shrek

on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Patton Middle School. For more information and reservations, visit www. ucfsd.org/music and click on the gold ticket. March 11 and 12 Chadds Ford Art Sale & Show The annual Chadds Ford Art Sale & Show opens on March 11 at Chadds Ford Elementary School with a free reception, and continues on Saturday with special events including an art salon, artisan showcase, and art tours. The show’s featured artist is Helena van Emmerik-Finn. During the Artisan Showcase on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., artisan guests will sell handmade jewelry, wooden items and more. During tours on March 11 at noon and 2 p.m., visitors can join guides for free tours of the art collection at Chadds Ford Elementary School. The collection includes pieces from artists prominent in the inception and foundation of the Brandywine tradition. The exhibition and sale features works by more than 70 professional artists from the Brandywine Valley and beyond. Thirty percent of all purchases are tax deductible. All proceeds support educational enrichment programs at Chadds Ford Elementary School. Call 610-388-1112 for more information. 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.

IT’S AMERICAN HEART MONTH. Do you know your risk for heart disease? Heart Tracks™ is a fast and easy way to determine if you carry hidden risks for cardiac disease. Take our HEART TRACKS™ assessment at PennCCHeart.org.

‘January Thaw’ by Jacalyn Beam is part of the Chadds Ford Gallery’s ‘Brandywine Romantics’ show (see listing).

Feb. 20 Animal Show Wilson Vineyard (4374 Forge Rd., Oxford) hosts the Animal Show, featuring animal-themed art by regional artists including Peter Willard, Blanche Stirrat, Maggie Creshkoff and Carol Lesher, beginning with a reception on Feb. 20 from 2 to 6 p.m. The reception features live music by guitarist/singer James Sampson. Gallery hours are Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Call 610-506-8439 or visit www. wilsonvineyard.com. Through Feb. 29 Art at Metamorphosis Metamorphosis Wellness Center (331 E. State St., Kennett Square) is featuring artwork by Chester County artist Rachel Altschuler. The show also features art by Carina Zavala, who uses abstract art to recreate moments of her past life and present emotions. Lastago Shoppe will have artisan-crafted sterling silver jewelry for sale. Call 610-444-8020 or visit www. metamorphosiswellnesscenter. net.

Through Feb. 21 ‘Brandywine Romantics’ The Chadds Ford Gallery (Route 1, Chadds Ford) will exhibit “Brandywine Romantics,” a group show of original paintings, through Feb. 21. Featured artists are Linda Barr, Marta Bartolozzi, Jacalyn Beam, Nancy Cunningham, Helena van Emmerik-Finn, Keith Hoffman, Katherine Krieg, Terry Newitt, Robert Stack, Rob Stine, Timothy Wadsworth and Sarah Yeoman. Visit www.awyethgallery.com for more information. Through Feb. 27 ‘Alan Soffer: Master of Abstraction’ The Church Street Gallery (12 S. Church St., West Chester) will exhibit “Alan Soffer: Master of Abstraction” through Feb. 27. Visit www. churchstreetgallerywc.com. Through March 11 ‘Greek Tales Retold’ “Carole Huber: Greek Tales Retold” continues at Bookplace (2373 Baltimore Pike, Oxford) through March 11. The bookstore and gallery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call 717-529-6618 or visit www.bookplaceoxford.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Oxford Area High School senior soars through Upward Bound When Oxford Area High School senior Jada Pearsall was in elementary school, her brother Torrin Davis, a member of the Class of 2008, was awarded a full four-year scholarship to California University of Pennsylvania. His achievement was the result of many years of hard work and the assistance of the Upward Bound program at Lincoln University, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. With encouragement from her mother, Mary Davis, Jada knew that when she entered high school, she also wanted to be a part of the Upward Bound program. “When I was younger and watching my brother go through the Upward Bound experience and seeing how much it helped him, I knew it was the right program for me,” she said. Since her freshman year, Jada has not only been a proud member of Upward Bound, but blossomed as one of the top students in the program, which includes over 100 students from eight Philadelphia area high schools. Her dedication to the program and the effort she has made toward improving her academics and transitioning to post-secondary education were recently recognized by Upward Bound with two honors, one of which represents the highest

achievement a student in the program can attain. Upward Bound is a federally-funded pre-college program that serves high school students from lowincome families, as well as families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The program is designed to provide students with the academic support necessary to successfully complete high school and enroll in a post-secondary educational institution. Participants take collegelevel courses at 750 sites across the nation. Upward Bound graduates have a 92 percent college enrollment rate with an 80 percent college retention/graduation rate.

“The really good thing about the program is that it not only helps you to get to college, but when you get there they will follow you all the way with advice and assistance,” said Jada. During the school year, Upward Bound students come to the Lincoln University campus for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening, where they can study and work on their high school course assignments in a supportive environment. Lincoln faculty and students are available to help with any problems the Upward Bound students might be having. Upward Bound students also come to campus each Saturday morning for a twohour session, which includes SAT prep classes. Beginning in their junior year, Upward Bound students participate in a six-week summer session of classes taught by area high school teachers. Courses center on composition, science, math and foreign language. The schedule is intensive, with students taking eight classes per day from Monday through Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays are devoted to tours of college campuses in the area as well as group recreational activities, and study sessions are held on Sundays. “During summer session we can’t have cell phones,

DVHIMSS, Evolve IP, AGI, HomeNet Automotive, Kinetic Physical Therapy, PJM and more. Special sessions designed just for the parent/educator track will be held concurrent to the student sessions and explore best practices on the road to STEM success, strategies for involvement and resources available. “The GETT program inspires hundreds of girls each year by encouraging them to explore careers in STEM, and learn from dozens of successful female role models who work in a variety of fields,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council. Last year, 530 students from 101 schools registered for this event, and more than 200 parents, educators and

volunteers attended. Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology takes place March 12 at West Chester East High School (450 Ellis Lane) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students and educators participate for free, and parents are charged a fee of $10. Registration details are available at www.2016gett. eventbrite.com. Sponsorships are available and volunteers are needed. For information, visit www.gettpa. org/sponsor and www.gettpa. org/volunteer. GETT is a program of the Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG), an initiative of the Chester County Economic Development Council, and is driven by the volunteer efforts of numerous public, private and educator organizations, along with public and private investments.

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School senior Jada Pearsall was named Miss Upward Bound during the Lincoln University program’s 2015 summer session awards ceremony.

because you have to be totally focused on your academics,” said Jada. “At first it was a little nerve-wracking for me, because I would be living on campus for five weeks and you get a feeling of homesickness. But you also get to experience what college is like on a daily basis.” Jada said that Upward Bound has given her the confidence to take courses at the high school, such as precalculus and physics, which she otherwise would have thought might be too difficult. She has excelled to such an extent that she was inducted into the high school’s chapter of National Honor Society. Because her attitude is exactly what the program hopes to instill in its students, Jada received two of the most prestigious honors granted

by Upward Bound. This past July, at the annual awards ceremony held at the end of each summer session, Jada earned the program’s highest achievement, being named Miss Upward Bound. The title is awarded to the female Upward Bound student who most embodies the ideals of the program and displays a commitment to academics and community service and a strong level of leadership, and serves as a role model for her peers. “When my name was read at the ceremony I was shocked,” said Jada Also, this past summer, Jada received the Isaiah Smith Memorial Award recognizing dedication and loyalty to the goals of Upward Bound While Jada knows she wants to study nursing

for a career as a nurse/ anesthesiologist, she is undecided about where she will attend college. But she had narrowed her choices to two institutions that are very close to her heart, Lincoln University and California University of Pennsylvania. “The Upward Bound program means a lot to me,” said Jada. “It has helped me in so many ways, like learning to be on time and using good communication skills. The program is great for high school students to explore new things that they haven’t seen before. I would encourage any eligible student to take advantage of the program, because you will learn everything about the process of getting into college and how to succeed when you get there.”

Voted Delaware’s #1 Home Improvement Co. 4 Years In A Row!

Girls invited to explore careers in science and technology

Online registration is open for the 16th annual Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology (GETT), for girls from more than 100 schools across the region. The girls, in fifth through tenth grades, will work with women role models to build rockets, design roller coasters, create mobile apps, extract DNA and construct suspension bridges. GETT, which is presented by the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) and the Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG), provides girls the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities. In addition, girls can visit more than 50 organizations offering interactive experiences during the GETT Expo, including companies such as West Pharmaceuticals, Vanguard,

Oxford Senior Center hosts memory program

With aging, concerns about memory loss or developing Alzheimer’s disease can be upsetting. On Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., in conjunction with the Oxford Senior Center, area residents are invited to learn about memory loss, early signs of Alzheimer’s and other diseases at “Keeping Your Brain Sharp

and Memory Loss at Bay.” Held at the Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St., Oxford), the program will feature neurologist Joseph S. Handler, M.D. He will share current medical research about warding off memory loss and practical actions for keeping the brain in top shape. A member of the medical

staff at Jennersville Regional Hospital, Handler is an experienced and boardcertified neurologist. The program is free and open to the community. Registration is recommended by calling the Oxford Senior Center at 610-932 5244 or sending an email to oxsrctr@ zoominternet.net.

PA LICENSED & INSURED

SHOWROOM 1 MILE FROM DEL. PARK

209 Main St. Wilmington, DE 19804

484-730-1920 www.FerrisHomeImprovements.com

10% Off Any Job With This Ad Coupon only valid when presented at time of estimate. Not valid with any other offer or coupon.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Area’s best school jazz bands unite for big show on Feb. 19 By John Chambless Staff Writer For the high school band members taking the stage, the Jazz Along the Brandywine show on Feb. 19 is a chance to play in a huge hall for a big audience. The 18th annual festival will be held in the massive Unionville High School auditorium, and features the best ensembles from the region playing classic jazz tunes.

Sponsored by the nationwide Cavalcade of Bands Association, the concert will spotlight the Unionville High School Jazz Band as well as the Charles F. Patton Middle School Jazz Band playing on their home turf. But visiting bands will be bringing their best efforts as well. Taking the stage throughout the evening will be bands from Chichester High School, Garnet Valley High School, Harriton High School, Kingsway

Continued from Page 6A

HARRY W. RICKARDS, JR. Harry W. Rickards, Jr., died on Feb. 8 at the age of 90. Born in Chester, he was the husband of the late Kathryne E. (Jaworsky) Rickards, whom he joins in glory. Over the years, he had a unique love for the people in his life, from his congregations of Grace Baptist/Oxford, Calvary Baptist/ Tyrone, Oxford Fellowship/Oxford, Crum Lynne Baptist/ Crum Lynne, and his home church, Maranatha Tabernacle/ Darby (where he met and wed his wife-to-be, Kathryne), to the staff and special needs children of Melmark Home, Newtown Square, staff at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, to his neighbors at the Antonian, Wilmington, and Regal Heights, Hockessin. Over the years one of his greatest joys as a pastor was to join two loving people together in matrimony to share their lives. He had a special fondness for young people, starting a boys club for young men early in their Christian walk at Maranatha, through his church ministries wherever he pastored. He shared the gospel from the pulpit, youth conferences, summer camps and his radio programs in Coatesville and Tyrone, Pa., while supporting his wife’s own radio program, “Heart to Heart,” to consistent support of foreign missions throughout his life. He and his wife, Kaye, traveled to Alaska to support missionaries stationed there, and Harry traveled to Africa to join his late brother, Donald, to support his ministry there. Harry graduated from the Philadelphia Bible College and the Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He was known for his dapper hats, his love of all things ice cream, his favor for the color green, his signature dish of bacon and eggs and tater tots, his passion for old war movies (perhaps because he was on one of the first medic teams to arrive in Auschwitz at the end of World War II). Those who will remember and continue to love him include his daughter, Cheryl Rickards of Delaware; son, Steven Rickards of California; and son, the late Craig Rickards (wife Susan) of Pennsylvania; sister, Dorothy Wagner of Florida; and grandchildren, Rhonda (Walt), Terry, Patrick (Carly), Tyler (Kate), Kelli (Eric), Lindsey (Nathan); great-grandchild Eliza; and nieces/nephews, Susan (David), Don (Betty), Valerie (Jim), Linda (John), and Dale (Valerie); and many great nieces, nephews and cousins.

The 2015 Jazz on the Brandywine show brought a big crowd to the Unionville High School auditorium, and the 2016 event is slated Feb. 19.

Regional High School, Pennsylvania Leadership

Charter School, Pennwood High School, Souderton

Services will be private. As the Lord leads, you are invited to make contributions to Harry’s most recent favored charities in his name: Global Recordings Network, 41823 Enterprise Circle N, Temecula, CA 92590, 951-719 1650 (www. globalrecordings.net/en/donate); or The Salvation Army, Delaware State Office, 400 N. Orange St., Wilmington, DE, 19801, 302-472-0700, (www.pa.salvationarmy.org/ delaware-command).

STEPHEN A. FARKAS Stephen A. Farkas, 85, of Oxford, formerly of Westtown, passed away on Jan. 29 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. He was the husband of Iona Martha Maria Wolters Farkas, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, he was the son of the late Stephen Farkas and Edith Tamassy-Csepan Farkas. He graduated from Shaker Heights High School and Case Western Reserve University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. Stephen was retired from Cahners Publishing Company in Eagle, Pa., where he was a salesman in the electronics industry. Stephen was a member of the Philadelphia Area Sailing Association. He was an avid reader who enjoyed reading novels and history books. He was a skilled builder of wooden and plastic model boats and airplanes, and shared his passion for modeling with his sons. He loved vintage aircraft and took great joy in watching them at airshows. He was meticulous and spent his weekends doing many carpentry, landscaping and masonry projects around his homes. He loved classical music and traveling, especially to Europe and Cape Cod with his family. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Madeleine M. Henry (Leslie) of Oxford; two sons, Stephen P. Farkas (Jaime) of San Diego, Calif., and Paul A. Farkas of Gyor, Hungary; seven grandchildren, Blake Farkas, Rowan Farkas, Dylan Howe, Amanda Howe, Stevie Farkas, Andor Farkas and Erik Farkas; one sister, Mignon Donaldson of Ohio; one nephew, Stephen Donaldson; and one niece, Kriss Schwab. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 19 at Ware Presbyterian Home Chapel (7 E. Locust St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. A luncheon will be served following the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; or Willow Tree Hospice, 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

High School, Warwick High School and West Chester East High School. While Patton Middle School and Unionville High School are doing exhibition performances, the other bands are competing for awards that will advance them in the Cavalcade of Bands competition that wraps up with Regionals on April 9 at the Millville Performing Arts Center, and Championships on the weekend of April 15 and 16. Awards are

scheduled to be given out at 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Unionville High School.ll be held on April 15th and 16, 2016 Tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and free for children under 5. Call 610-347-1600 for more information.

Feb. 17 to March 23 Lent family activities West Grove United Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove) offers a series of family programs on Wednesday evenings. There will be a potluck dinner, and activities to prepare for Lent. The events are free. Families can come to as many of the programs as they wish. The schedule is: Feb. 17 – Create a chest of those prayers we wish to confess to Christ, and then offer them to God; Feb. 24 – Praying for the world. There will be global interactive games and stations to pray for our world; March 2 – Create thankfulness sculptures to give thanks to God for blessings in our lives; March 9 – Make Easter boxes for our shutins; March 16 – Make Resurrection egg sets. Supplies will be provided. You will go home with a dozen plastic eggs that tell the story of Holy Week and Easter; March 23 – Create interactive experiences of Holy Week to pray together. Call 610869-9334 or visit www. westgroveumc.org. Feb. 23 Free meal ministry West Grove United

Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove) offers a free meal for the community on Feb. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu will feature roast pork, roasted potatoes, green beans, applesauce and pudding. A special dessert and beverages will also be served. Meals are served at round tables in the Sanctuary. Reservations are suggested, but are not required, by calling the church office at 610-8699334 or emailing wgumc@ verizon.net. Walk-ins are welcome. The Rover Bus Company provides local transportation for a nominal fee. You must call them at 610-594-3911 to reserve your seat. If you want to attend the lunch, but are unable to afford transportation, the driver will be met at the church doors, and the fee paid for you.

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

To submit items to the Church Calendar, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There is no charge. Information should be received at least two weeks before the event. Not every submission can be included. Please include the address and contact information for the church in your submission.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News

West Nottingham Academy welcomes artist-in-residence Mitch Martinez

West Nottingham Academy (WNA) boasts a unique fine arts program that includes the Eric Fischl Artistin-Residence Teaching Program, established in 2013 through the generosity of Eric Fischl, ’66, renowned artist and distinguished WNA alumnus. Artist Mitch Martinez will present his outstanding body of oil paintings on customshaped panels in his show Naturalia, which debuted Feb. 15 in the Joseph R. and Paul W. Gates Gallery at West Nottingham Academy. Martinez, a California native, resides on campus, maintains a working studio, and teaches at the Academy in tandem with Fine Arts chair and veteran teacher Trish Kuhlman. The experience Martinez brings to his students as a working professional artist is commendable and vast. Martinez comes from

a family of educators—his mother was an elementary school teacher and his father was an art teacher. Martinez shared that his first influence to become an artist was Walt Disney. As a child, he was very interested in animation, and remembers his first sculpture being of the Disney character Eeyore. He successfully fulfilled that childhood dream, completing an undergraduate degree in animation at Cal State of Fullerton, and working immediately as a scenic painter and sculptor on largescale paintings for the likes of Universal Studios, as well as a professional toymaker for Disney and Gentle Giant Studios. Martinez has mastered designing maquettes, a staple of the animation industry, creating life-like sculptures that are used in drawings and film. Martinez also worked as a commericial

ESTATE NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letters of Administration in the ESTATE OF JAMES L. PORTLOCK, late of the Borough of West Chester, (died January 2, 2016) have been granted to the undersigned. All persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims or demands to present same for settlement without delay to ADMINISTRATRIX: Linda M. Portlock, Representative’s Address: 813 Falcon Lane, West Chester, PA 19380 OR ATTORNEY: Charles E. Petrie 3528 Brisban Street Harrisburg, PA 17111 2p-17-3t

ESTATE OF Nancy Edwards Johnson, late of New London Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Nancy Edwards Johnson 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 Jeffrey Johnson, Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust Street, Oxford, PA 19363 2p-10-3t

ESTATE NOTICE ESTATE of Helen Campbell Celsi late of Chester County PA, Deceased. Letters of Testamentary on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who requests all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to: Personal Representative of the Helen Celsi Estate, Executor 251 Forest Manor Road Cochranville PA 19330 1- 770-671-8427 2p-17-3t

• Heated/Air Conditioned Units • Individual/Business Units

NOTICE HAMILTON MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. Frank P. Farmer, Jr., Esq. , 90 Daniel Drive , Avondale, PA 19311 2p-17-1t

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Innscrone Golf Course Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on March 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Township Building, 371 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA. The public is invited. Steven C. Brown ,Township Manager 2p-17-1t

800-646-7867

610-869-7060

painter of large-scale works for studios and museums. As a young artist, he would visit Comic Con fairs to shop for companies interested in professional sculpture for toymaking or film; some of his credits include names like Gloomcookie, SLG and Dark Horse Productions. “It was an incredible moment when I saw one of my prototype toy sculptures in the pages of a Tim Burton retrospective,” he said. Martinez earned a master’s degree in fine arts from the New York Academy of Art, where he also taught toymaking. Currently, he teaches at the New York Film Academy and the Long Island Academy of Fine Arts. “In working for the studios, you do get to enjoy the craftsmanship of making something beautiful, but self-driven work allows me to develop my own language

Help Wanted

A personalized and friendly service specializing in packing and unpacking for house to retirement home moves. We manage your move! www.tlcmovingservicesllc.com Caen Stroud

610-268-3243

“My work is a combination of the objectifying qualities of a frame and the transcendant nature of a painted surface,” he said. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. by appointment. For more information, please email Trish Kuhlman at tkuhlman@wna.org, call 410-658-5556, or visit www. wna.org.

Time to register for spring soccer The Southern Chester County Soccer Association is still accepting registrations for its spring recreational soccer program. The program is open to all children between the age of 4 and 17. The registration deadline is March 1. The season starts Sunday, April 4. More information and online registration is available at www.sccsasoccer.com.

Drivers: CDL-A 1yr. Excellent Family Medical Ins. Guaranteed Weekend Home Time. Earn $65,000 + Monthly Bonuses. Absolutely No-Touch. 888406-9046 “Can You Dig It?” Heavy Equipment School. 3wk Training Program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Excavators. Local Job Placement Asst. VA Benefits Approved. 2 National Certifications. 866-362-6497 Insurance: PA DRIVERS: Auto-Insurance-HelpLine. Helping you find a Car Insurance Payment You can afford. Toll Free 1-800-231-3603 www.Auto-InsuranceHelpline.ORG Help Wanted Drivers: Werner Enterprises is HIRING! Dedicated, Regional, & OTR opportunities! Need your CDL? 4 wk training avail! Don’t wait, call today to get started! 866-494-8633 EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed; Leads, No Cold Calls; Commissions Paid Daily; Complete Training; Health & Dental Insurance; Life License Required. Call: 1-888-713-6020 Help Wanted Drivers: Tractor Trailer Drivers: Transport US

Mail Scranton & Harrisburg areas. Dedicated run/pays postal wage **CDL Class A **Good Driving Record **2yrs experience. Midwest Transport 618553-1068

Adoption ADOPTION: Loving multi-cultural couple to adopt a newborn. Expenses paid. Excited to help plan a happy life for your child. www.isaacandpiaadopt. com 888-505-3696. Text 929-2862677.

Miscellaneous AIRLINE CAREERS begin here - Get FAA approved Aviation Technician training. Financial Aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-888-834-9715

Vacation Rentals OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1-800638-2102 Online reservations: www. holidayoc.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 610-869-5553

• 24 Hour Video Monitored • Secure & Lighted

Advertise Your Business HERE

Trailer Repair Welding

Truck Acces. Spray Liners

BASHER & SON 610-268-0007 • snowayparts.com

Over 40 Years Experience UHAUL

3 Briar Dr. West Grove, PA

T L MOVING C SERVICES, LLC

in exposing something close to the bone and wrestling with failure,” he said. For his upcoming show, Martinez has created a body of work inspired by forms in nature—trees, local landscapes, animals, and the sky—translated them into modern Baroque-style frame shapes -- and allowed that structure to become the surface for a finished oil painting.

CLASSIFIEDS

of our FREE use every r truck fo in! move

Outside Storage Available

with my work—to be deliberate about it and take joy in the process.” Martinez can also take joy in life outside of work: he moved to campus as a newlywed to wife, Shana, and as a new father to 10-month-old Maisie. In the classroom, Martinez says he would like to be a catalyst for young people in the art world and encourage them in the understanding that while being a professional artist does require making a living with their skills, it is a small part of the greater practice of exploration and self-expression that is the true nature of being an artist and that this is available to anyone. “I’d like to teach that lesson, to encourage them to keep that in their heart and keep making what they make, knowing that in making art, you get really comfortable with fear

Hitches

Andy's Lawn Care Lawn & Field Mowing Aerating & Overseeding Lawn Renovation Seasonal Cleanups Mulching Landscaping Tree & Stump Removal Lot & Land Clearing Grading & Drainage Snow Removal

(610) 274-2273 Office or (610) 721-3119 cell

PACK N SHIP “Quick and Easy” Shipping DHL, FedEx, UPS, Priority Mail Copying, Faxes, Laminating, Gift Boxes and Gift Items Available

Southern Chester County authorized Drop-Off Center for DHL, UPS, FedEx Mon-Fri 10-6pm, Sat 10-2pm

Kennett Square

610-444-9048

Jennersville

610-345-9070

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Registration open for CCIU Summer Career Academies

Summer Career Academies are not your normal summer day camps for kids. These hands-on programs are created for students entering grades six through nine and provide them with the opportunity to explore career passions in professional learning labs with experienced professionals. Offered by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) in week-long sessions from late June through early August, Summer Career Academies are full-day programs which run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and include lunch. The cost for the whole week is $55. Students can choose from a variety of programs focused on career topics: Advanced Manufacturing; Animal Science; Automotive Service & Collision; Commercial

& Graphic Arts; Computer Networking; Cosmetology & Barbering; Culinary Arts; Electronics & Robotics; Engineering Technology; Game Design; Girls Exploring Their Future; Health Careers; Home Remodeling; Law Enforcement & Emergency Management; Machine Tooling; Media Technology; Putting the YOU in YouTube; Mobile App Coding; My Big Idea; Recreational Vehicles & Engine Technology; and Teacher Leadership Academy. “My Big Idea” gives students the opportunity to invent and develop a concept over the course of the week and present it at the end to a panel of judges, in a format similar to that of the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” The Girls Exploring Their Future academy introduces

Summer Career Academies offer a safe and fun environment for career exploration.

girls to career paths in fields that are traditionally encouraged for boys, such as electronics and robotics, automotive technology, animal science, and video game programming. Academies are offered this summer at two locations in Chester County: Technical

College High School (TCHS) Brandywine Campus in Downingtown; and TCHS Pennock’s Bridge Campus in West Grove. For more information and to register for Summer Career Academies, visit www.cciu. org/summer.

Avon Grove Library invites public to join Community Read

Avon Grove Library (17 Rosehill Ave., West Grove) invites the public to join the annual Community Read sponsored by Longwood Gardens. The idea of “one person to inspire many” is the center of this year’s theme, featuring two inspiring titles – Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery, and On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole. Later this season, join fellow readers at these events: Saturday Preschool Storytime – On Meadowview Street (March 5, 11 a.m.) Build a Birdhouse, (March

5, 1 p.m.) Garden Thyme - Salad Planters (March 29, 6:30 p.m.) Super Science - A Plant’s Life (Longwood Gardens virtual field trip) (April 4, 4 p.m.) Books & Breakfast – Garden Gathering (April 16, 10 a.m.) Avon Grove Book Club, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk (April 21, 6:30 p.m.) Book Walk On Meadowview Street at Goddard Park (May 7, 1 p.m.) For more information, visit www.longwoodgardens.org/ community-read.

Gifts for Valentine’s Day

The giving spirit in Avon Grove The Avon Grove Lions Club now sponsors two Leo Clubs – one at the Avon Grove Charter School and the other at Avon Grove High School. The Avon Grove Charter School Leo Club was chartered on Oct. 28, 2015, sponsored by the Avon Grove Lions Club. The president of this club is Maggie Degler. They have been to La Mancha

Animal Rescue and Canine Partners for Life. They are currently working on a large amount of fundraising events and community service projects. As of Jan. 20, they had 25 members, including a treasurer, vice president, and secretary. Their biggest donation so far was giving 679 cans of food to The Bridge at Avon Grove Nazarene Church.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Front row: Zaria Cadeau, Anadna Garcia, Maggie Degler, Angelina Impagliazzo, Chris Larney, Tom Kiggins. Back row: Shawn Greer, Lily Goodwin, Zach Grzenda, Dylon Lott.

Meg Reece (center), of Sweet Peas of Jennersville, hosted a pre-Valentine’s Day party on Feb. 12 where local residents could get some one-stop shopping done. Pictured with Reece are Kristi Watt, from Harvest Ridge Winery in Dover, Del.; and Jessica Garcia and Kellie Reece from Forever Sweet in Oxford.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Oxford Area High School junior receives Widener Leadership Award Oxford Area High School junior Luis Cisneros-Guzman, son of Luis Cisneros and Maria Guzman, was recently named a winner of the 2016 Widener University/NBC10 High School Leadership Award. In its fifth year, this awards program is designed to recognize high school students in the Philadelphia region who embody the university’s commitment to develop and inspire leaders to affect positive change. Those who receive the award have been recognized for their ability to demonstrate courage by standing up for what is right, finding a way to address a wrong or making a difference in a significant way. Luis will join approximately 70 other honorees for a special awards event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on March 23. Award-winners will also be invited to attend a leadership

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School junior Luis Cisneros-Guzman was recently named a winner of the 2016 Widener University/NBC-10 High School Leadership Award. He is pictured with Principal Christopher Dormer and guidance counselor Stacey Lock.

training conference to be held later this year on the Widener campus. Award recipients will receive a scholarship of $20,000 over four years should they enroll at Widener University for undergraduate studies. Luis is captain of the high school’s Team OZONE in

the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition and a member of Chester County Futures and the Gay-Straight Alliance. After graduation, he plans to study mechanical engineering, and in addition to Widener his college choices include York College, Penn State University and the University of Delaware.

Friends with words at Hopewell Elementary School Hopewell Elementary School homeroom champions recently participated in the school level of the National Spelling Bee. The school level winner was fifth grader Sarah Brown, 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 Principal Dr. Nicole Addis, sixth grader Emily Lenhoff, the second runner-up; Sarah Brown; fifth grader Eliot Long, the first runner-up;

and Academically Talented Program teacher Jennifer Participants Shelley. included, middle from left, fifth grader Erin Chapin, sixth grader Declan Harrison and fifth graders Ryan Topmiller and Makenzie Lane; top from left, sixth graders James Fleisher, Matthew McCormack, Aisha Martin and Lyannah Ramirez and fifth grader Julia Kahn.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Mobile Agriculture Education Lab returns to Elk Ridge School For the seventh straight year, the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a division of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, recently brought its Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab to Elk Ridge Elementary School. The lab is designed to teach students about agriculture, Pennsylvania’s number one industry, in a fun and hands-on way. The lessons were led by Christine Kimble, a former Philadelphia School District teacher, and are coordinated with each classroom teacher prior to the lab’s arrival. Each year, every first and second grade class at Elk Ridge visits the lab to perform science experiments focusing on farms, food and the environment. The lab comes equipped with all the necessary materials and supplies for lessons and craft activities involving plants, bees and other insects, which are consistent with the first and second grade science curricula. First grade teacher Laura James, with help from

Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Mobile Ag Lab instructor Christine Kimble is pictured with, from left, Elk Ridge Elementary School first graders, from left, Camilla Sanchez, Jazzel Ochoa, Edwin Bernal and Elias Salas-Santiago. The students concluded their lesson on pollination by making special bookmarks featuring the parts of a flower.

Oxford Area Board of School Directors member Howard Robinson and Principal Herbert Hayes, has coordinated this event since it first came to the school. Mrs. James learned about the Ag Lab several years ago while attending “Ag in the

Classroom,” an agricultural graduate class at Penn State University. For the past three visits to Elk Ridge, the Mobile Ag Lab has been made possible in part by a $500 grant from the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.

Zaragoza named Lighthouse Youth Center’s Youth of the Month April Zaragoza was named as the Lighthouse Youth Center’s Youth of the Month. The award is based on five factors: a

positive attitude, helping others without being asked, respecting everyone, following the rules, and solving problems.

Fairy tale musical ‘Shrek’ Oxford Rotary Club honors coming to Unionville High School Seniors of the Month

Unionville High School presents “Shrek: The Musical” from March 3 to 5 in the school auditorium. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets went on sale Feb. 15 through www. showtix4u.com. Based on the animated film

series, “Shrek: the Musical” is a hilarious fairy tale in which curses are reversed, monsters get the girls, donkeys and dragons find love, and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes. The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. There will be a special meet-

and-greet lunch with Shrek on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Patton Middle School. For more information and reservations, visit www.ucfsd.org/music and click on the gold ticket. The cast includes: Justin Bowen as Shrek, Karalyn Joseph as Fiona, Ethan Pan as Donkey, and Joe Siehl as Lord Farquaad.

Everything is to the letter at Penn’s Grove Middle School

Penn’s Grove Middle School seventh and eighth grade homeroom champions recently participated in the school level of the National Spelling Bee. Eighth grader Leksie Fetrow was the school level winner, and eighth grader Kevin Puckett was runner-up. Leksie will

represent Penn’s Grove at the Chester County Spelling Bee on February 8. Front from left are language arts teacher Kristin Hamburg, the bee moderator; Leksie and Kevin. Participants included, top from left, eighth graders Gavin Baumgardner, Cassie Read and Justin Neskie and

seventh graders Chris Yacka and Kevin Hernandez.

Lions Club picks January Student of the Month

McKenna Keegan has been named the Lions Club Student of the Month for January. She is the daughter of Jim and Karen Keegan of West Grove. Her list of school activities includes Varsity Soccer (four years), Indoor Track (three years), Outdoor Track (three years), FCA, National Honors Society and Rotary Club. Her list of community activities include being a camp counselor at Wipeout Camp of Willowdale Chapel, volunteer

at ABVM track meets, camp counselor for White Clay Soccer Camp, “Buddy” for Top Soccer program and travel soccer team at Delaware Rush Soccer Club. Keegan received the National Scholar/

Athlete Award 2014-15, SecondTeam All Chesmont for Soccer 2015, First Team All State for Track & Field 2014 and 2015; she achieved high and distinguished honors throughout high school. She will be attending Villanova University, where she will run track and field, and she plans to become a pediatric occupational therapist. She wishes to thank Mrs. Rurode, Mrs. Schenker and Mrs. Wilkinson.

Oxford Area High School students Ariosto GomezFranco and Jessica Huff were honored as Oxford Rotary Club Seniors of the Month for December. Ariosto, son of Irene Franco and Ariosto GomezHernandez, is known as Tito and is a member of National Honor Society and French National Honor Society, and is a four-year member of the high school’s Team FUBAR in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition. He serves on the high school’s Student Forum and is a two-year member of the Chester County Academic Competition team. Tito is a two-year member of the varsity track and field team, competing in discus, and a member of the winter track team in his senior year. He is a member of Chester County Futures and tutors in the Upward Bound program at Lincoln University, which both provide students from low-income families with the academic support necessary to successfully complete

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School students Ariosto (Tito) Gomez-Franco and Jessica Huff were honored as Oxford Rotary Club Seniors of the Month for January. Pictured from left are Principal Christopher Dormer, Tito, Jessica and Patricia Huff and Oxford Rotary Club President Marilyn Knaub, M.D.

high school and enroll in a post-secondary educational institution. With support from Upward Bound, Tito was encouraged to attend engineering camp at Carnegie-Mellon University and to apply to attend college at Stanford University. This fall he will begin studying mechanical engineering at Stanford in Palo Alto, California. Jessica, daughter of Bryan and Patricia Huff, is a threeyear member of National

Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She is a member of the ski club and a three-year member of the fall cheerleading team. Jessica has been involved in dance programs since she was three years old and has participated in competitions since fourth grade. After graduation Jessica plans to study nursing for a career as a nurse practitioner, and her college choices include James Madison University.

Wild Birds Unlimited’s February Seed & Suet Sale Is Going On NOW!

Avon Grove Lions Club picks Student of the Month

Ryan Hoffman has been named the Lions Club Student of the Month for February. He is the son of Scott and Michelle Hoffman of West Grove. His list of school activities includes Student Council, wrestling from 9th to 11th grade, and football all four years of high school. He’s active in the community by being a football youth camp counselor. Ryan’s list of honors includes being

captain of the football team in 11th and 12th grades, captain of the wrestling team in 11th grade, he received the Red Devil Award in football for leadership,

teamwork and ability, and academically he achieved High and Distinguished Honors throughout high school. Ryan plans to attend Gettysburg College, where he will play football and seek a double major in psychology and international affairs. He hopes to join the FBI or another government agency. He wishes to thank Ms. Holly, Mrs. Peck and Mr. Stahl.

Stop by and save on bird seed, suet, bark butter, seed logs, and mealworms.

Wild Birds Unlimited 7411 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-9071 Open 7 days a week www.wbu.com/hockessin

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Local Company Explains Steps to Water Quality Assurance By Lance Witmer & Kelly Woy Master Certified Water Specialist Water. It is one of the most familiar types of matter known to mankind. On any given day it is likely that you will encounter it in two if not all three of its primary states. It is the universal solvent, it’s refreshment on a sunny day and it’s critically important to sustaining life on earth. With the average U.S. citizen using 75 to 100 gallons of water a day, the quality and safety of your water plays a greater role in your quality of life than you may realize. While many people are aware of the damaging effects impurities such as hardness and iron have on homes, current news such as the Flint Michigan Water Crisis may present new questions and concerns about the safety of municipal water. For the sake of addressing these concerns and offering guidance through a complex field of study, the following are three basic steps to empower you to take charge of your water, and in doing so,

find peace of mind for one of life’s most basic necessities. Identify Your Concerns Understanding that water is the universal solvent reveals that at any given moment, there may be virtually anything dissolved in your water. While initially this may sound overwhelming, it is useful to know what pre-dispositions already exist for water in your local area. The simplest way of knowing this is to talk to those who have dedicated their professions to studying it. Ask the experts. For any given location in the United States there are certified water specialists and even state certified laboratories that have invaluable information specific to your local region. One trusted resource to use to find them is the Water Quality Association (WQA). They are an independent, not-for-profit organization that serves as an educator of water treatment professionals, certifier of water treatment products, public information resource and voice of the water quality improvement industry. Their website (www. WQA.org) will help you identify certified water specialists in your area. It is important to use

trustworthy resources to determine the difference between tested and proven treatment methods versus all-in-one water treatment systems. Avoid the late night hype. Identify Treatment Goals When discussing water treatment, it is important to note two primary treatment strategies—Whole House (Point of Entry) and Drinking Water Only (Point of Use). In order to determine which strategy you want to pursue, purchase a water test for the specific contaminants you are concerned or curious about. The two greatest factors in determining your treatment style will be the nature and the level of the suspected contaminants in your water. *Note: To avoid the risk of inaccurate testing procedures or company bias, use a state certified lab and or certified water specialist for all your water testing. Some contaminants can pose a threat outside of consumption and can have adverse effects in activities such as bathing. For contaminants of that nature, a point of entry treatment approach is strongly recommended. The primary benefit of this whole-house style treatment is that you do not have to visit a specific faucet or walk to a differ-

ent room to get safe water for your desired task. It’s at any sink or shower at any time. As is the nature of water, solutions for specific water concerns may be fluid. Details such as cost, space restrictions and overall water quality may cause Point of Use (P.O.U.) treatments to be more practical than point of entry systems. One of the most common and effective options is a Reverse Osmosis, but how do they compare to other P.O.U. systems? The Most Versatile Drinking Water System Far as it is from a “one size fits all” system, reverse osmosis (R.O.) technology has been improving for decades. It is one of the most commonly known and trusted P.O.U. systems around. Like appliances, there are competing brands that make multiple models of competing R.O.’s. The most reliable brands are distinguished in their manuals for being NSF and or WQA approved to treat for contaminants such as lead, nitrates, herbicides, pesticides and other heavy metals. Many people love R.O’s because they do not treat with chemicals. Be sure to avoid using an R.O. with microbiologically unsafe water unless it is equipped with an

Paid Advertisement

NSF certified bacteriostatic cartridge, such as the anti-virus/bacteria guard cartridge on the Kinetico K5. The reason reverse osmosis works better than your standard faucet filter or even fridge filters is because it uses a combination of sediment filters, membranes and often carbon filters. Filters that attach to your faucet, plug into your fridge or hang beneath your sink are primarily carbon filters touting the ability to remove chlorine, bad tastes and filterable cysts. The R.O. is more extensive with a semipermeable membrane that traps contaminants that would flow right through porous carbon filters. Depending on the type of R.O. you have, you can have bottled-water quality drinking water without the cost or waste of disposable bottles. Distillers are another option for providing ultra-pure water, but it is important to acknowledge that such systems are higher maintenance and require much more energy to operate. So how can you be sure the R.O. you want is going to provide the quality water you desire? After consulting your trusted water specialist, ask for the owner’s manual. Certifications and sys-

tem requirements will be included. Trickling to a Close The human body is comprised of more than 60% water. It’s part of our daily routine, a component of every drink, and used in countless tasks throughout the course of both our professional and personal lives. Situations such as the EPA gold spill and the Flint Michigan Water Crisis force us to acknowledge the limitations of systems that have presumably provided our communities with some of the safest water in the world. But as awareness of new contaminants and the demand for even higher-quality water grow ever increasingly, we find ourselves at a crossroads. For some it will be enough to trust that the systems that have brought us this far will continue to provide for our water needs. For others who have found their peace of mind shaken, or simply want to take to their water to the next level of purification, you have options. Find your local certified water specialist on WQA.org and learn more about your specific water conditioning concerns.