Supervisor’s arrest: Residents press township for answers
Supervisors hear pros and cons of saving a Unionville home
By John Chambless Staff Writer
There were plenty of new issues to consider at the March 7 meeting of the East Marlborough Board of Supervisors, but during public comment at the opening of the meeting, the big issue was the perennial problem of the Whitewing Farm bed and breakfast.
For the past three years, neighbors of the business have fought owners Lance and Sandy Shortt, who are seeking permission to hold large outdoor events at the site, such as weddings.
Neighbors have complained about noise and traffic on the narrow road to the farm, as well as what they say is a violation of the zoning ordinance. The Shortts have said they cannot afford to run Whitewing as only a bed-and-breakfast inn, and must cater larger events to survive financially.
On March 7, resident Rob McPherson spoke to the supervisors about a recent mediation meeting with the Shortts. “The meeting was kind of a waste of time,” McPherson said, adding that the attorney for the
Continued on Page 4A
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
The London Grove Board of Supervisors reserved the first portion of their March 2 meeting to answering the questions of its constituency regarding the February arrest of newly elected supervisor Raymond Schoen.
For more than 30 minutes, residents peppered William Lincke, an attorney with the Media, Pa. firm of Beatty Lincke and the township’s solicitor, with inquiries and opinions about Schoen, a
42-year-old West Grove resident, who was formally arrested on Feb. 10 by the Birmingham Township Police on a triple count of criminal trespassing, theft and receiving stolen property, for his involvement in the alleged theft of firearms from a home in December. Without making direct reference to Schoen – who was not present at the meeting – board chairman Richard Scott-Harper began the meeting by telling the audience that as part of being a “pro-active board,” it was
The new park in Kennett Township: How it happened
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
When Susan Pierce first decided to build her farmstead on 56 acres on Bayard Road in Kennett Township in the early 1800s, the concept of sharing her property with the rest of the township residents was just not thinkable.
However, this is 2016 –more than 200 years after what is now known as The Susan Pierce House was first constructed – and times have changed. Last year, local real estate developer Michael Pia, Jr., and his wife Stephanie decided they were going to purchase the property and its farmhouse
Lincoln University president appeals to state lawmakers to end budget
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
Lincoln University could be facing a tuition hike, more cuts to programs and services, and significant reductions in personnel costs unless lawmakers reach an agreement on the long-delayed state budget and free up funding for the four state-related universities. Dr. Richard Green, Lincoln University’s interim president, delivered this message during a state Appropriations Committee hearing in Harrisburg last week. Green and lead-
ers from the three other state-related universities— Penn State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University— appealed to Pennsylvania legislators to provide funding or jeopardize the educational opportunities for students.
Lincoln University’s state allocation is proposed to be approximately $14 million, nearly 25 percent of its annual operating budget of $56 million. Green testified during the Appropriations Committee hearing about how the state
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impasse
By Uncle Irvin
It is strange indeed that an exotic fly infestation would remain silent for at least six years around here. In the Feb. 24 Chester County Press, reporter Richard Gaw, who has covered New Garden Township for five years,
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
William Lincke, an attorney with the Media, Pa. firm of Beatty Lincke and the solicitor for London Grove Township, answered the public’s questions on March 2 about Raymond Schoen, a township supervisor who was arrested on Feb. 10.
Continued on Page 3A
from the home’s most recent owners. In the end, after more than a year of negotiations with Kennett Township, they kept 11 acres of their own, while
arranging that the remaining 45 acres become Kennett Township’s first public park, to be shared by all, for generations to come.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw Kennett Township has purchased a 45-acre parcel of property on Bayard Road, which will gradually be converted into a passive park.
Continued on Page 2A
Courtesy photo
Dr. Richard Green, Lincoln University’s interim president, appealed to Pennsylvania lawmakers to end the state budget impasse and provide the proposed allocations to the four state-related universities.
“The township’s Land Conservation Advisory Committee found out that Mike was looking to purchase all 56 acres,” said township manager Lisa Moore. “At the same time, the committee and the township felt the property was important to preserve as an open space. We approached Mike with the idea of selling a portion of that, in order to preserve it. The Pia’s both agreed to work with the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County to preserve the entire property, and place a conservation easement on the 56 acres.”
On Feb. 12, 2016, the township became the official owner of 45 acres, purchasing it for $782,000. It’s a win-win for the township, who is expected to recoup 90 percent of their investment from reimbursements through a grant from the Department of Community and Natural Resources (DCNR).
At first, Pia had exclusive rights to purchase the property from the DeLeeuw family, with the stipulation that a conservation easement be placed on all 56 acres. When Pia began talking with the township about converting the remaining 45 acres to a public access space, the agreement with the township would give them the rights to develop a “passive” park, which would be restricted to the construction of trails, community gardens and dog parks – but no playgrounds and sports fields.
“If we were going to purchase the property, we
didn’t want to keep it open space, without access to the public, so Mike presented the option of creating a passive park,” Moore said. “We felt that a creating something of this kind, where everyone has access, would be the most beneficial to the entire community.”
“We looked at many of the surrounding parcels and natural land areas that have been preserved as open space and asked ourselves, ‘What would be best here?’” Pia said.
Pia will become a part of a newly-formed township park committee who will help design and construct a butterfly garden and a sunflower garden. In addition, the park will also feature two dog parks –each designed for large and small dogs.
“Stephanie and I were originally going to purchase the property and maintain it as a crop farm,” Pia said, who plans with his wife, an interior designer, to slowly renovate the house and adjoining barn, and eventually live there.
“I have always appreciated the character and charm of historic Chester County structures. With the exception of the garage [which was built for automobiles], this property looks the same exact way it did in 1800.”
Construction on the park is expected to begin by this summer, and will be developed in phases. Tom Comitta Associates (TCA), a West Chester-based landscape architectural firm, will design the meadow. No stranger to projects of this kind, TCA has designed a number of active recre-
Local
ation facilities and assisted several municipalities in the preparation of parks and open spaces. In addition to the township, TCA is currently assisting Middletown Township, Delaware County, and East Whiteland Township, Chester County, with their recreation plans. TCA will not be working on the park alone. The township has hired wellknown trail consultant Larry Knutsen to develop a trail design for the park, which is expected to be completed by Spring 2017. Knutsen is the founder and owner of Penn Trails LLC, and is currently serving a three-year term on the Pennsylvania DCNR State Trails Advisory Board, where he chairs the board’s Accessibility and Sustainability Committee. His orientation to sustain-
able, natural surface trails has been acquired through contracted trail projects experience, professional education and certifications including Trail Planning, Design & Management certification as provided by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service. He teaches a variety of trail planning, design and construction classes for clients, including the Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Society, Wildlands Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and DCNR. Moore also credited John Snook of the Brandywine Conservancy for developing the transfer development rights for the property.
As the first public park in the township’s history, Moore sees the public-private collaboration
as a potential gateway for similar partnerships to be formed in the future.
“We love Anson B. Nixon Park [in Kennett Square] and everything they do, but this is a chance for the township to have its own park, with trails and dog parks – one that will help bring the Kennett Township community together,” Moore said. “We feel that there should be more incentives for that, because if there are other public-private partnerships, we can apply for grants each year, to provide the township with the opportunity to preserve land and expand trails, and do something that will benefit the entire community. We feel that this park may become our identity. It was a lot of work and it took a long time, but Mike was won-
derful to work with.
“We’ve all been bursting at the seams with excitement.”
Pia credited not only Moore, but the township’s Land Conservation Advisory Committee and the township’s supervisors, for their patience during the negotiation stage.
“The entire Kennett Borough is only six times the size of this property, which definitely puts the size of this partnership into perspective,” Pia said. “We are fortunate to have a municipality in this community who embraced the idea, first by being open minded, and then demonstrating the willingness to make it all happen.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
The township collaborated with local developer Michael Pia, Jr. on the acquisition of the property.
Township park...
Arrest...
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decided by the supervisors that residents would be given the opportunity to ask questions about Schoen’s arrest.
Lincke began his comments by telling the audience that because Schoen’s arrest is a criminal process being conducted by the District Attorney’s office, “It is something with which this board has no involvement,” he said. “This board has no ability to take action as a result of what may or may not happen, and that process is just getting staged.
“The theory is accepted as law is that those who are elected by the people serve for as long as they are eligible to serve, and that can only be contested in this kind of a process at the end of such a proceeding and requested only by the District Attorney’s office, not by this board. There is no vote that this board can take in order to make any change to affect the seat of a sitting supervisor. It is not in their hands. This is a function of the state
Lincoln University...
constitution.”
One resident asked Lincke if the general public has the legal right to ask the board for Schoen’s resignation.
“Legally, there is no impediment to your asking,” Lincke replied. “It’s not something that you normally see, and I don’t see that it’s good policy, because people are not making judgment relative to this case. People who are charged – until they’re convicted, you don’t know whether or not they’re guilty of what they’re charged for. In the mean time, the taxpayers have determined that this individual is to perform public duties, and until that person is convicted, it’s certainly not a practice to have boards vote to ask for resignations. It happens, rarely.”
London Grove Township is made up of a five-member Board of Supervisors, a number strategically selected to break potential ties during voting. Schoen, the newest member of the board, ran unopposed in the November 2015 election, and began his tenure on the London Grove board on Jan. 1, 2016, for a six-
Continued from Page 1A by the absence of the state budget.
budget impasse is impacting Lincoln University.
“We are committed to providing our students with an affordable, quality education, but we cannot continue to operate at the same level without this vital state funding,” Green said.
“Our students deserve the opportunity to access higher education, and we implore our lawmakers to act swiftly on a resolution.”
The state budget impasse is in its ninth month, and the lack of a spending plan has hurt everything from domestic violence programs to food banks to Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts.
Green talked about how the approximately 1,900 students who are currently enrolled at Lincoln University are being hurt
Uncle Irvin...
“The university is committed to serving the under-served, but this budget impasse is causing a devastating impact on our operating budget, which will soon have a direct impact on our students,” he explained.
The university has already seen significant cuts to its budget, including a twopercent salary reduction for non-union administrative staff and employee layoffs.
Green noted that while the country’s first degreegranting historically black college in the nation serves a diverse student body—students come from 30 different states and more than 17 foreign countries—the largest portion of students still come from Pennsylvania.
Half those students come from families with house-
Continued from Page 1A wrote about a disease-carrying fly that was just brought to the attention of New Garden Township Supervisors in a public meeting.
The phorid fly that has been bothering residents of Harrogate, an over-55 development, is super reproductive and can be found in refuse, sewer containment soil and mushroom compost. It has been infesting Harrogate homes for at least six years ... and it was first brought public at the Feb. 16 New Garden Supervisors meeting!
year tenure that will end on Dec. 31, 2021. Lincke said that the township can not appoint an interim supervisor to fill Schoen’s spot on the board, while he settles his legal matters.
“The second class township code provides for an appointment mechanism in the event of a vacancy, and there is no vacancy in the position at this time, and there will not be a vacancy, unless and until there is either a resignation or there is a conviction of a crime that would qualify as one that would disable someone from serving,” Lincke said.
Lincke said that a 180-day rule usually applies with trials of this kind – a sixmonth time line that forces the Commonwealth to bring a matter to trial during that time period.
None of the four other board members have been in personal contact with Schoen, who, to date, has not submitted his resignation to the board.
The charges filed against Schoen stem from an incident that was reported to Birmingham Township police on Dec. 16, 2015
hold incomes of less than $50,000 and the majority of the university’s students come from single-parent households, so tuition hikes and cuts to programs and services will have a serious impact.
“This is not a Lincoln University problem. This is a community and a state problem,” Green explained, referring to the fact that 54 percent of the university’s graduates remain in the state after graduation.
“Our students go to work in the Commonwealth. Our campus supports small businesses here. Lincoln University supports more than 500 Pennsylvania businesses, and the university is among the top 30 largest employers in Chester County.”
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
New Garden Township Manager Tony Scheivert told the supervisors that he has already contacted several agencies and representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture about the matter. Why elected officials would “sit on their hands” for years without doing something about this is just as puzzling as why it would take Harrogate homeowners six years to start screaming.
(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)
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by township resident John Fraser of Queens Ranger Lane. As detailed in the official police description, Fraser said that he was getting ready for bed on Dec. 15, when he noticed that a gun case beneath his bed -- one that held a Beretta Weatherby Mark V Deluxe SC682 and a shotgun -- was missing. Following a search of the house, Fraser opened his gun safe -- located in the closet of the master bedroom -- and found that a single bolt action from the rifle was also missing.
Fraser told police that prior to departing for vacation with his wife Mae that he had hired Schoen -- who identifies himself as a tax accountant and a pet sitter through his website www.thepackleader. net -- to watch the family cat while the Frasers were away. Fraser told police that Schoen was given a key to the residence and its alarm code.
On Feb. 3, Fraser contacted the township police to inform them that he had spoken with a representative from Miller’s Gun Shop, located at 97 West Jackson Avenue in New Castle, where he had orginally purchased the now missing guns in 1998. The police report stated that Lawrence Hudson, the general manager of the shop, informed police that a white, middleaged male had visited the store in late December, carrying a Beretta Weatherby Mark V Deluxe SC682 and a shotgun, in a beretta gun case.
Hudson later identified Schoen from a lineup of eight photographs, circling
and identifying Schoen as the man who possessed the firearms. Hudson told the police that Schoen had entered the store with the intent to sell the guns to the store, at a value more than what they are valued at.
Schoen then left the store carrying the guns.
On Feb. 10, accompanied by a search warrant, members of the township police entered Schoen’s home in London Grove Township and, after a thorough search of the home, found both the Mark V Deluxe and the shotgun, and later identified both guns as stolen.
Schoen was then placed into custody and transported to State Police Avondale. He was later released on his own recognizance, and received a preliminary hearing on March 1 in the Kennett Square District Court, with Magisterial District Judge Gwenn S. Knapp presiding. Schoen will report to his formal arraignment before the Court of Common Pleas on March 17 at the Chester County Justice Center in West Chester, beginning at 9:15 a.m.
In other township business, members of the board recently met with agents from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection [DEP], regarding the township’s water monitor sample testing of area creeks and waterways – namely, those near the Nutra Soils, Inc. facility in West Grove.
The meeting drew mixed results, supervisor Dave Connors said.
“The DEP seems generally interested in our concerns, but the frustrating part is that the DEP disputed our results, so we basically ended up asking them, ‘What do you want to see?’” Connors said.
“We’ve essentially brought the DEP information that demonstrates that there is an issue in our creeks, and it’s really [the DEP’s] responsibility to take it from there. Unfortunately, the responsibility still seems to continue to fall in our lap.”
Connors said the stream pollution issues at Nutra Soils, Inc. have drawn the attention of the DEP, “but it’s just frustrating that we have to continue pushing this, and continue testing,” he said. “I believe that it’s the DEP’s responsibility to continue the testing, but unfortunately, if we want something to happen, we are going to have to bear the financial burden.”
Connors said that the township will conduct two more water tests before the end of March, and share those results as part of a public discussion.
Tom Bolko of the Inniscrone Golf Course submitted a cost benefit analysis to the board, for the purchase of a Toro 3500 trim mower, at a cost of $32,322. The board is expected to make a decision on whether to purchase the mower, at its April meeting. Bolko said that public events at Inniscrone have increased over the last several months, and have included Christmas and birthday parties, communion celebrations and several baby showers. Based on a recommendation by the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee, the board appointed Tom Szakas, a chemist who focuses on water analysis, to the committee.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Shortts, Ronald Agulnick, “was insulting and threatening as usual, but I found the judge [Commonwealth Court Judge Rochelle Friedman] was a little less than impartial. She seemed to be coming across as more for the Shortts than for the township.”
Others who had been at the meeting agreed, saying that Judge Friedman had been disrespectful to the neighbors at the meeting.
McPherson asked if the Shortts prevailed in their case in Commonwealth Court, would the township have no further say in the matter.
Township solicitor Frone Crawford told the residents that, “The township would have no control under the zoning ordinance, but would have control under the nuisance ordinance.”
McPherson asked if the township still had a strong legal standing in the dispute, and Crawford said, “That hasn’t changed. But I will say that my experience with Commonwealth Court is that they’re not as predictable as you might like. They have panels of three that hear most cases, and it depends on which three representatives happen to be on a particular panel. My opinion as solicitor hasn’t changed. We have the right position and we will prevail.
“I’ve been doing this for quite a while,” Crawford added, “and rarely have I seen such unanimity and intensity of residents when it comes to a zoning issue.”
The board granted permission for road closures associated with two upcom-
ing races in the township – the Tough Mudder event on May 21 and 22; and a benefit race to be held at the New Bolton Center on May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The board also approved the final plan submitted for the second phase of the Walnut Walk townhouse development, which is under construction on Walnut Road.
A large portion of the meeting was spent hearing opposing opinions of what to do with a vacant home at 101 Poplar Tree Road in Unionville. The home, which sits on two acres at the corner of Wollaston and Poplar Tree roads at the southern edge of the village historic district, is owned by Bob Norris, who came to the supervisors for clarification on what he can do with the property.
For the past year and a half, Norris has been consulting with the Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB), which is demanding that he restore the home; and the Historic Commission, which has approved a plan to demolish the home and put a new home in its place, possibly with a second home built next to it.
“The home is in very tough shape,” Norris said.
John Rosencrans, chair of the Historic Commission, said, “If you wanted to save the house, the condition, size and design make it economically not feasible. It’s a money pit,” he said, pointing out the home was built in four phases, with improperly constructed additions and support beams that are decayed and patched. “It’s a stucco-clad, wood-frame
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building, and so there’s probably rot there. Even if you put on a completely new outside and all new systems, basically you’d only be saving stud walls.”
Norris said he paid $110,000 for the property, “and I have about $135,000 into it so far. I knew the risk when I bought it, absolutely,” he said.
Patricia Montague of the HARB told the board, “Since the HARB formed in 1976, we have lost only one historic home in Unionville, and that was due to a flood. For us to tear down a home simply because someone wants to make money is wrong. Does the house need work?” she said. “Yes, of course. Nearly every home in Unionville needs work of some kind.”
Montague said the HARB does not mind Norris putting a second home on the property to help him pay for renovation of the existing home. They do not support demolishing the existing home and putting a new home in its place. At one point, Norris had explored the possibility of putting three new homes on the property, but has since backed off that plan.
In the end, the supervisors said they would like to see the condition of the home for themselves, and they scheduled a walk-through on March 14. Norris said he was happy for them to see the conditions. “So, in April, I hope you can come to a decision to support a variance, or consider demolition, against the advice
of the HARB,” Norris said. “I’m just looking for a direction here. I understand the positions of both the HARB and the Historic Commission.”
The board also heard from township engineer Jim Hatfield about the second phase of the Unionville Park. The next phase will include a playground for toddlers, a covered pavilion with restrooms, the completion of the walking path through the park, an additional wetland crossing, a brick sidewalk and crosswalks on Route 82 at the north edge of the park, additional parking spaces and an entry plaza, some fencing and landscaping.
The total cost of the whole park will be just over $1 million, of which the township
will have spent $368,972, Hatfield said, because of grant money being used to reimburse the township. The board unanimously approved the second phase and awarded the contract to Lechmanik, Inc., of West Chester, which submitted the low bid of $626,673 for the work. Hatfield expressed complete confidence in the company, and said the township had estimated the second phase would cost $714,000, “so this is a substantial savings,” he said. Work should start in just over two months, he said, and the park should be completed by the fall of 2016.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.
Photo by John Chambless
This vacant home at 101 Poplar Tree Road in Unionville sits on a two-acre lot, and the owner is seeking guidance about what to do with the dilapidated structure.
Kennett Square officials discuss revolving loan fund
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
Kennett Square Borough Council had a lengthy discussion about the administration of its revolving loan fund at the March 7 council meeting.
Nine years ago, the borough worked with restaurateur Jack McFadden to secure an economic development grant from the state. The grant of approximately $500,000 was to be used to refurbish the former Kennett Cafe site at 120 East State Street, where McFadden planned to open an upscale restaurant. McFadden did extensive renovation work on the building, but the restaurant never actually opened at the site. The building is currently under an agreement of sale, and the potential new owner is exploring the possibility of opening a restaurant in the building. The rules of the state grant required the developer to repay the money to the borough, and Kennett Square officials would then have those funds to spend on other economic development projects.
“As we get the money back,
we have to find something to do with it,” explained borough manager Joseph Scalise.
Borough officials, including representatives from Historic Kennett Square, discussed forming a loan review committee to evaluate how the funds will be distributed for other economic development projects. The committee would review the applications that are submitted for funding and make its recommendations to borough council, which would still make the final decision about how the funds could be used.
Mary Hutchins, the executive director of Historic Kennett Square, has been researching how other Pennsylvania municipalities have handled similar revolving loan funds. As of right now, the committee could be made up of eight people that could include representatives from the borough’s administrative team, borough council, Historic Kennett Square, and the community.
Council members had a number of concerns, starting with whether the loan review committee would be formed under Historic Kennett Square
or whether it would be a new borough committee that would answer to borough council.
Council member Wayne Braffman said that he strongly supports housing the committee in Historic Kennett Square because that adds a layer of protection against potential conflicts for borough council members. He said that Kennett Square Borough officials shouldn’t be put in a position where conflicts of interest could arise.
Council member Ethan Cramer agreed that conflicts of interest should be a primary concern, and should be avoided from the start.
Council member Latoya Myers expressed her concerns that the people appointed to the committee would not have the necessary expertise to make the decisions that it would be tasked with.
Council member Jamie Mallon agreed, noting that the council doesn’t have experience in setting interest rates, which is just one of the things that the committee would need to do.
“There are people who do this professionally,” Myers pointed out.
Hutchins said that the board of directors of Historic Kennett Square had questions about how the committee would function. They would like to see a memorandum of understanding to be drawn up to specify the exact role of the committee.
“Obviously, there is a lot of work to be done before this becomes a reality,” council president Dan Maffei said.
Braffman made a presentation about the borough’s handling of bulk water sales to water haulers. He explained that a borough resident had raised concerns about the practice, and officials wanted to do a cost-benefit analysis to make sure that it was worth the borough’s efforts. The Finance Committee worked on the issue.
In 2015, Braffman said, the bulk water sales added about $24,000 to the borough’s coffers.
How does that compare to how much it costs the borough to supply that water? Braffman said that it costs the borough about $1.50 per 1,000 gallons if the water comes from a borough well, and about $3.50
Penn Township’s spring projects run the gamut
By Nancy Johnson Correspondent
The agenda items at Penn Township’s March 2 meeting outlined a busy spring and beyond in the township. Topping the priorities is the ever-present Jennersville Road and Baltimore Pike intersection.
The township has spent considerable time and money on a concept plan requested by PennDOT, but there is still no more than a verbal commitment by the state to partially fund the project, which would add a turning lane and realign the very congested intersection.
The “good faith” promise is for $800,000 through a PennDOT pilot program. In addition, township engineer Kevin Matson submitted a grant application last July which would add another $276,000. He explained that, because of the state’s budget impasse, they have had no answer. “They’ve kicked the can a number of
times,” he said.
“I wouldn’t count on anything, from what we’ve seen lately,” said board chairman Curtis Mason.
PennDOT’s request for townships to provide information for a database of traffic signals throughout the state led the board to talk about the signal at Jennersville Road and the Route 1 bypass that was installed as part of the recently completed Penn Medicine office building project.
“We have massive complaints [about the signal],” Mason said. “If it’s not working right, we are not taking [dedication of] it.”
Roadmaster Don Urban added that there was an issue with the light not working on a Saturday a couple of weeks ago.
“I’m very disheartened to hear that there are still problems,” Matson said. “It’s not been dedicated so they aren’t off the hook, and
the contractor is aware that it is not satisfactory.” The problems with the light are all computer-related. Penn is still holding $700,000 in escrow on the project.
The township’s plan to construct a salt shed on Old Lewis Road is moving forward. Urban reported that a pre-construction meeting was held, and crews hope to begin the building’s foundation very soon. Once complete, the salt shed will hold 1,000 tons of salt and 350 tons of anti-skid material, which will save the township money because materials can be purchased in bulk and stored until they are needed.
Also related to snow removal, Urban told the board about a seminar he held at the township building. Mike Fleming, who Urban referred to as “the guru of snow removal,” spent several hours with representatives from five local townships, discussing everything from the amount
of materials to when to begin plowing and how to set spreading equipment.
Operations manager Karen Versuk reported on the planned improvements to Penn Township’s existing passive park. She expects the playground improvements to be completed by Memorial Day, and a new adult exercise area adjacent to the playground to be ready in July.
Versuk also said that there has been excellent response to the Public Safety Day event planned for April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Penn’s Park and community building. There will be free document shredding, and recycling of e-waste items such as computers, laptops, mobile phones, telephones, and small electronic devices. There will also be child car seat fitting, a fire safety trailer, prescription drug take back, and a DUI simulator. Entertainer Jungle John will be presenting a safetythemed show.
per 1,000 gallons if the water is purchased from the Chester Water Authority. Braffman said that there were also concerns about truck traffic that comes into town to haul the water. He noted that the borough has a policy on the books discouraging truck traffic in town, so the impact of the truck traffic has to be factored in, too. Braffman said that after completing the cost-benefit analysis, even taking into account worst-case scenarios, the revenues far surpassed the costs, even when factoring in the costs of street repairs that could be attributed to the increased truck traffic.
“We have a net gain of $12,000,” he said.
Council member Geoff Bosley said that he was of the opinion that the bulk water sales is worth it because it is a way for the borough to generate revenues that don’t come from taxes on residents.
Regarding the truck traffic, Bosley noted that some of the trucks may have been passing through the borough anyway.
There were also concerns raised that the bulk water haulers were paying less than borough residents for their
water. But that is true only for the first 5,000 gallons of water, Braffman said.
“Ultimately the haulers are paying much more than residents,” he explained. Braffman raised the possibility of implementing an additional $25 monthly fee on the bulk water haulers. Borough council would need to amend its fee schedule, and council could consider this at a future meeting.
In her report about Historic Kennett Square, Hutchins told borough council that work on the economic development study for the Kennett Square area is continuing. The next public meeting to discuss the economic development study is slated for Thursday, April 7. This workshop meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Building.
Borough council approved the special event applications for Healthy Kids Day on April 30 and the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 1. Kennett Square Borough Council will meet again on Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
Tacey-King engagement
Elizabeth Harrison King of Oxford and Charles Phillip Tacey of West Grove are engaged to be married.
Elizabeth is the daughter of Peter and Laura King of Oxford. Phil is the son of Charles Tacey of West Chester and Linda Tacey of Hockessin.
Elizabeth graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in 2007 and Penn State University with a B.S.N. in nursing in 2011. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as an adult
gerontology primary care nurse practitioner in 2015. She is employed as a nurse practitioner in sleep medicine.
Phil graduated from Avon Grove High School in 2006. He earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Penn State Univeristy in 2010. He will graduate from West Chester University with an M.A. in business administration in May of 2016. He is employed as a business manager with SEI. The couple will be married in June 2016.
ALAN J. THOMPSON
Alan J. “Bill” Thompson, 76, of West Grove, died on Feb. 28 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Born in 1940 in Chester County, he was employed by Chester Tricot Mills of Kennett Square, The Servomation Company of Downingtown, and the Hewlett-Packard Company of Avondale.
Alan was the husband of Nancy Ann Price Thompson for 40 years. He was the son of the late Walter A. Thompson and Annie Anderson Thompson Brooks. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Betty Thompson; sister and brother-in-law, Alma and Kenneth Levenite; and sister Alta F. Caudell. He also was preceded in death by two nephews, Timothy W. and Steven W. Mains. He is survived by one sister, Alice Lewis and husband Steve of Cochranville; and five nieces and nephews.
Services were private. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.
JEAN MARIE EVANS
Jean Marie Evans, 84, of Landenberg, passed away at home, surrounded by her family, on March 5.
She was the wife of Robert H. Evans, to whom she was wed for nearly 65 years. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Raised in Claymont, Del., she was the daughter of the late Wilfred and Miriam Stuart Smith. Jean was a graduate of Claymont High School Class of ’49 and was active in the alumni association. She worked for the Avon Grove High School for 12 years as a cafeteria monitor.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by five children, Robert H. Evans, Jr. and his wife Becky of Newark, Del.; Thomas Evans and his wife Nancy of Bear, Del.; Kathleen Evans of West Grove; Beth Anne Evans of West Grove; Lawrence Evans and his wife Beth of Lewisville, Pa.; and her sister, Rosemary Smith and her husband Thomas of Newark, Del. Jean is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Wilfred Smith, Jr., and James Smith; granddaughter, Elizabeth Evans; and great-grandson, Anthony Evans.
A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. March 11 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). Her memorial service will follow immediately. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares. com.
RICHARD BONIFACINO
Richard “Rick” Bonifacino, 57, of Kennett Square, died on March 6 at his home. Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late Frederick and the late Marie (Odorisio) Bonifacino. Rick was a jack of all trades, lending a hand and the shirt off his back to friends and family whenever they needed him. For many years, he worked in the family mushroom business, and in recent years for Produce Partners in Toughkenamon. He loved animals and was a Philadelphia sports fan.
Survivors include one brother, Steven F. Bonifacino and his wife Cindy of Kennett Square; his sisterin-law Cheryl of Harrisburg; and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Henry M. Bonifacino, who passed away in 1997.
A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 11, and 10 to 11 a.m. March 12, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A funeral celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. Interment will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square PA 19348. To share memories with Rick’s family, visit www.griecocares. com.
WILLIAM E. SKINNER, JR.
William E. Skinner, Jr., 89, of Oxford, formerly of Newark, Del., passed away March 2 at his home. He was the husband of Janet Kay Biddle Skinner, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late William Sr., and Emma Laub Skinner. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in World War II. He was employed with Chrysler Corporation as an electrician for 37 years in Newark, Del. He is survived by his wife; two children, Paula Skinner and Raymond Skinner; two stepchildren, John Martin and Judy Duncan; five step-grandchildren;
five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Pearl Burns. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 23 at the Oxford Presbyterian Church, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St., Oxford, PA 19363; or Ware Presbyterian Village, Benevolent Care Fund, 7 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
JEREMIAH M. MCCARTHY
Jeremiah “Jere” Matthew McCarthy died suddenly and tragically on Feb. 28, the day after his 34th birthday, after being struck by a car while walking home. Jere was born in Stamford, Conn., lived much of his life in Kennett Square, and more recently in Hockessin, Del., with Angel King, the love of his life, and their two beautiful children, Madison Joan (8) and Joshua Matthew (5). He was the loving son of Jeremiah M. McCarthy of Philadelphia, and Rosemary A. McGovern of Hockessin, Del.; brother of Dr. Katie McCarthy of Gladwyne, and Frederick McCarthy of Avondale.
Jere was a 2000 graduate of Salesianum School and a 2014 graduate of Wesley College, where he earned a BS in business. He was a real estate agent for Beiler Campbell Realtors, but was best known for being a “jack of all trades.” His most cherished role, however, was being a dad, and he was proud to stay home to care for Madison and Josh from the time they were born. He loved his beagle, Girlie, and spending time with his large, close-knit extended family. He was a man of few words with a huge heart and a quiet smile. His life was rich with love. He will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, Angel, son and daughter, he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Helen A. McGovern; brother Fred (fiancee Jaclynn Hopkins); sister Katie; and three nieces, Ella, C.C., and Annie; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Jeremiah Martin. A funeral was held March 5. Burial was in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Jere, a contribution may be made to The Joshua and Madison McCarthy Education Fund at any PNC Bank Branch, or to the bank mailing address at P.O. Box 357, Hockessin, DE 19707. Condolences can be offered by visiting www.griecocares.com.
PHYLLIS A. BLOOM ENSBRENNER ROGERS PASTORIUS
Phyllis A. Bloom Ensbrenner Rogers Pastorius, 88, of West Grove, died on Jan. 27 at her home. She was the wife of the late Donald D. Pastorius, who died in 1992, and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Born in Canton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Elmer J. and the late Margaret G. (Ensbrenner) Bloom. She was a retired bookkeeper, and had been employed by William H. Jester, Deb-Mark Mushrooms, Inc., Roy T. Weston, Inc., Speare Brothers and Grieco-Miller Printing Company of Chester. She kept the books on a volunteer basis for the Assumption BVM Church and school in West Grove. She was a 1945 graduate of the Chester High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a founding board member of the Alcoholism Recovery Center. She served two terms as secretary and did volunteer work for A.R.C. before it became affiliated with the Southern Chester County Medical Center. She also volunteered for Bowling Green Inn. Phyllis was a lifelong Roman Catholic and was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in West Grove, where she served two terms as a Parish Council member and was a member of the “People of Joy” Charismatic Prayer Group. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, flower gardening, quilting, traveling, and reading. Phyllis is survived by four sons, Dondial J. Pastorius of Claymont, Del., Robert Pastorius (Linda) of West Grove, Paul Pastorius of West Grove, and Dan Pastorius (Debbie) of Mesa, Ariz.; three daughters, Candance L. Johnson of Aston, Mary A. Bush (John) of West Grove, and Paula Lownes of West Grove; 21 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Arthur Pastorius and Mark Pastorius (Pat). Services were held Feb. 1 in West Grove. Visit www.griecocares.com.
Fundraiser to support Harness House
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
On Thursday, March 3, an innovative, free-standing harness system was installed in Marie Beattie’s home in New London Township to help her daughter, Corey, stand, walk, and live a more independent life as she rehabilitates following a life-altering car accident in October of 2010.
Corey, now 23, has been making tremendous strides working with researchers at the Go Baby Go program at the University of Delaware. One of the program’s latest initiatives is a café set up at the University of Delaware STAR Campus where survivors of traumatic brain
A southern Chester County woman is the first to use an innovative harness system in her home as a way to improve mobility after a traumatic brain injury. Not Your Average Joe’s is holding a fundraiser to benefit the Harness House each Tuesday in March injuries utilize a harness system to work serving customers. The harness system allows them to move and work with confidence knowing that they won’t lose their balance and fall. The harness system also incorporates rehabilitative physical therapy into the work. Corey is the first local traumatic brain injury survivor to partner with Go Baby Go on a Harness House, becoming a part of a cutting-edge research study for the next six months. The harness system was developed by University of Delaware professor Dr. Cole Galloway and his team of researchers.
Marie Beattie is hopeful
Kennett YMCA supports fight against blood cancer with DKMS donor registry drive
Every three minutes in the United States someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, according to Delete Blood Cancer, DKMS. A bone marrow transplant is the best chance of survival; however 70 percent of those diagnosed must look outside of their families for a donor.
The Kennett YMCA, in partnership with Delete Blood Cancer – DKMS, is hosting a donor registry drive on March 12, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 101 Race St. Kennett Square. Those with blood cancer need of your help. 14,000 patients each year need to find bone marrow or stem cell donor matches to
give them a second chance at life. Six out of 10 are currently unable to find a match.
You can be the one to help. Registration is free. A simple cheek swab is all that’s needed to register as a potential donor on the National Donor Marrow Registry. If you match with a patient, you will be contacted to discuss donation of stem cells or bone marrow. For more information on this event contact Kerianne Barry at kbarry@ymcagbw. org or 610-444-9622, ext. 2338. To learn more about blood cancer and other ways to help, visit Delete Blood Cancer.
that the harness system will continue to help advance her daughter’s recovery— and to one day allow Corey to realize her dream of becoming a chef.
The research study could help many other people who are living with traumatic brain injuries. There are approximately 5.3 million people currently living with disabilities that are in some way related to traumatic brain injuries that they suffered. March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, and a local business, Not Your Average Joe’s, has named the Go Baby Go Harness House as a beneficiary. The restaurant, which is
Documentary
By John Chambless Staff Writer
Kacie’s Cause, the Chester County-based organization dedicated to fighting drug addiction in our area, has partnered with the Jennersville YMCA and Chester County Pro Act to present a screening of the documentary film “The Anonymous People” on March 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The film, to be shown at the Jennersville YMCA (880 W. Baltimore Pike) highlights a grassroots social justice movement in which addiction recovery advocates are organizing to end discrimination against addicted people, and move toward recovery-based solutions.
According to the new film, more than 23 million
located at 561 Glen Eagle Square in Glen Mills, will donate 15 percent of the total purchase, excluding alcohol, tax, and gratuity, for anyone who names the Harness House as the cause for the month. The offer is valid each Tuesday in March—the upcoming dates are March 15, 22 and 29.
“This fundraiser is going to help pay for the research project,” Marie Beattie said, explaining that the research gathered during the study will help many others who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
Americans are living in longterm recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions. Addiction affects two-thirds of American families in some way. Social stigma has kept recovery voices hidden while the media sensationalizes or excuses people with addiction issues. The makers of the documentary are urging that addiction is a preventable and treatable health condition.
The documentary is told through the voices of citizens, community leaders, volunteers, corporate executives and celebrities. The new recovery movement aims to transform public opinion, engage communities and elected officials, and shift policy toward lasting solutions, instead of incarcerating people who might better be rehabilitated through drug treatment.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is also promoting the screening, and a post on the district website urges families to attend the screening to better understand the scope of the national problem.
More information can be found at www. theanonymouspeople.com or www.manyfaces1voice.org.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.
Photo by Steven Hoffman
Corey Beattie, with her mother, Marie, is utilizing the innovative, free-standing harness system in her New London Township home as a way to improve her mobility and increase her independence.
Kristen Johnson (‘3rd Rock From The Sun’) is featured in ‘The Anonymous People’ as she discusses her battle with addiction. In 2013, Faces & Voices of Recovery awarded her the Voice of Recovery Award.
Editorial Letter to the Editor
Everyone has heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.
But one word can say quite a lot as well.
For example, consider the word “no.”
It’s a small word, but almost from the time we’re old enough to communicate, the word carries a powerful meaning.
John Lennon explained that he once went to the opening of an art exhibit for an artist that he didn’t know. There was a ladder that allowed visitors to reach a painting that was hung from the ceiling. A spyglass was positioned up there so that when someone took the time to climb up the ladder and peer into the spyglass, they would see the word “yes” in tiny little letters. That positive word made all the difference to Lennon. He couldn’t wait to meet the artist. It was his future wife, Yoko Ono. If the word had been “no,” Lennon explained, his opinion of the artist would have been affected and he might have walked out of the exhibit.
So “no” is a powerful word. It says a lot.
For example, did Gov. Wolf and the Republicancontrolled state legislature work together to adopt a budget before the deadline to do so?
No.
Failing that, did state lawmakers remain in Harrisburg so that they could work on a compromise agreement that would allow the state to meet not only its obligations for the fiscal year, but would establish a course for the future?
No.
Did state lawmakers work tirelessly—and collaboratively—to bridge the gap between what Gov. Wolf proposed, and what elected officials felt the state could afford?
No.
Did state lawmakers budge from their positions and find common ground so that a budget was approved in time for the start of the new school year?
No. Did state lawmakers come to their senses and reach an agreement on the budget before some of the 500 public school districts in the state used up all the available cash reserves and started to borrow money to keep the schools operating?
No.
Did state lawmakers reach an agreement on the state budget before their Thanksgiving break? Their Christmas break? Their New Year’s Day break?
No. No. No.
Did state lawmakers finally resolve the budget issue before human service organizations ran out of funding to help Pennsylvania citizens who are the most in need?
No.
Did state lawmakers at least reach a compromise on the 2015-2016 spending plan before school district officials were expected to prepare proposed budgets for the 2016-2017 school year?
No.
Do these state lawmakers deserve to be reelected after failing at the most important duty that they are charged with each year?
No. The inability to work together illustrates how both Democrats and Republicans are determined to say “no” to the other. “No” permeates modern politics, and we’re all worse off because of that. This is a time when elected officials would rather shut down the government than work together. As powerful a word as “no” can be, there is a more powerful word: Yes. John Lennon understood that, and our elected officials need to understand that, too.
Chester County Press
Proposal for cost savings for Unionville-Chadds Ford schools
Letter to the Editor:
As promised a few weeks ago, I am now proposing ways to achieve cost savings that could be useful to the Unionville-Chadds Ford budgets now and in the near future. Here are some ideas:
1.Heating systems could have their settings lowered one to two degrees in all buildings. Similarly, the cooling systems could be raised one or two degrees.
2.Geothermal systems could
be installed at all buildings to naturally lower costs for heating and air-conditioning.
3.LED lighting fixtures with computerized controls could be installed in the district.
4.Plan to run the buses longer before trading them in for new buses.
5.Use computer programs to optimize bus routes.
6.Evaluate the use of other fuels for our buses such as natural gas or electricity.
7.Install solar panels to
serve each building and cut electric costs.
8.Return the studentto-teacher ratio to the 2003-2004 level of 13.2 students per teacher, instead of the 2014-2015 level of 12.6 students per teacher. The difference in the studentto-teacher ratio requires an additional 15.5 teachers at a cost of at least one million dollars annually. This is based on the latest data that I have to establish these ratios. There may be even more
savings using current data. I am still confident that community volunteers would serve on committees to help lower costs in the school district. I am sure that there are additional cost savings that community members could propose. The 2016-2017 UnionvilleChadds Ford School District budget should not exceed $80 million.
Tractor trailers on Newark Road pose safety issues
Letter to the Editor:
I am writing regarding my concerns for the safety of the drivers in New Garden Township. It appears tractor trailer trucks are using north Newark Road in front of the Scotts plant as a parking area before 7 a.m. on weekdays.
As a driver, I can usually deal with one and safely pass
them when the southbound side is clear. However, on the morning of March 2, at 6:40 a.m. there were three tractor trailers parking in the northbound lane, creating a serious safety hazard. I did report this later to the New Garden Police Department (who had been called earlier by another driver at 6:41 a.m.). The officer commented, “The line of
cars went back to Bucktoe Road.”
This is the time of the morning when many people are off to work and our children are riding the school buses. Just imagine a still-sleepy driver trying to drive around three tractor trailers in the opposite lane. The odds are high for mis-judgements and potentially catastrophic events.
To find hope, look around you
By Lee H. Hamilton
These are very unhappy times in Washington. Relations between the executive and legislative branches are not just sour, but corrosive. The Republicanled Senate has declared it will simply ignore a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Both houses have announced that they will flout a tradition going back to the 1970s, and refuse to hold a hearing for the President’s budget director to present the White House’s federal budget proposal. Partisan paralysis and game-playing on Capitol Hill have become a hallmark of these times, as has the evident distaste our nation’s leaders feel for one another. It would be understandable to give in to despair, and a lot of Americans have done so. I have not, and for a simple reason: in our system there is always hope. Why? Because our representative democracy rests finally not on what politicians in Washington or in our state capitals do, but on what our citizens do.
The bedrock assumption of representative government is that Americans will make discriminating judgments about politicians and policies, and shoulder their responsibility as citizens to
improve their corner of the world. The remarkable thing is, they often do. Over a long career in politics, I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count. At some gathering, people will complain about the schools or the roads or the behavior of a public official or an act of government that galls them. Then, after talking it over, they decide to act. They do something about it.
Even better, the less-thanadmirable stumbling blocks that we’ve come to identify with politics — confrontation, obstructionism, divisiveness — are rarely present. Public dialogues may get heated, but they don’t often descend to the level of bitterness and obstinacy we see these days in Washington.
More than anything else, what you see when ordinary Americans decide to get involved in a public issue is their common sense and good judgment, their fundamental decency, and their remarkable sense of fairness. Over and over, as I watch citizens at work trying to fix their communities in ways big and small, I’ve found myself wishing that members of Congress and other officials could take a ringside seat. The people involved almost always want to see that even
people they don’t agree with have a chance to say their piece. They recognize there are differences of opinion and that they have to be sorted through. If you ask them to describe what result they want, they will always use the word, “Fair.” They make decisions by and large based on hope, not fear or despair.
The sense that comes through when you watch Americans at work on public issues is their overwhelming desire to improve their community. Often this is reflected in concrete projects — a new bridge, a better school, a badly needed sewer system. But you can also see it in many people’s cry for candidates who will set narrow interests and excessive partisanship aside, and work to improve the quality of life for all Americans.
While ordinary citizens may not know all there is to know about a given public policy issue, I was constantly impressed while in office at how much I learned from my constituents. We often think of representative government as a process in which the elected official educates constituents, but the reverse is usually even more the case.
Americans may think that politics is filled with messiness and noise, but at the end
of the day they understand the need for deal-making, compromise, and negotiation — and that to achieve change, they have to work through the system we have, which means educating and pushing political leaders. As a constituent put it to me, “What’s the alternative?” This is why I have an underlying confidence in representative government. Americans are pragmatic. They recognize the complexity of the challenges we face, understand there are no simple answers to complex problems, and do not expect to get everything they want. They see that what unites us — a common desire to improve our communities and create better opportunities for families and individuals — is stronger than what divides us. My confidence in the system is built on citizens exercising their right to make this a stronger, fairer country.
Lee Hamilton is a Distinguished Scholar, Indiana University School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
State ag funding requires budget compromise
By State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich
We are all hidden victims of the state budget crisis and lawmakers who refuse to compromise, but now we’re facing deep cuts to programs that literally help put food on our tables.
We’ve already seen our property taxes skyrocket, education slashed and social programs reduced or eliminated. Now, the budget crisis is looming over funding for agriculture – most notably, the agricultural extension programs that are a model for this nation.
Agriculture adds more than $8 billion to our economy
each year, and Penn State’s agricultural extension programs -- national leaders in innovation and progress –help deliver that benefit, and our small investment in the school pays off massively. Here in the United States, we spend about 10 percent of our income on food, compared to up to 20 percent in other firstworld nations.
Schools like Penn State do the research and get modern methods to our farmers –who need to be biologists, chemists and accountants themselves these days – and the savings are passed on to us.
These agricultural extensions are not funded through
tuition, but through the state’s annual budget. If we fail to address these needs, we very well may lose extension and quite possibly the entire College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. With a lack of funding, not only will more than 1,000 direct jobs be lost, but also countless others in farming, trucking, processing, food services and industries related to agriculture. As a final blow to the future of our farms, the budget crisis could mean the end of the 4-H program – meaning even fewer young people will choose agriculture as a career. As minority vice chair
of the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue the fight and urge everyone to do the same. Contact your state representative and state senator and tell them we need to act before it’s too late. The lack of a state budget is putting pressure on our schools, our social service agencies and now, Pennsylvania’s numberone industry. I urge all my colleagues to get back to Harrisburg and address this crisis.
State Representative Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-Lackawanna, is the Democratic Vice-Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
Bruce Yelton Pocopson Township
May I suggest that Scotts either designate a parking area for tractor trailers to wait on their property safely off Newark Road, or better communicate with
David Livingston New Garden Township
Bucket drums give Penn’s Grove class more bang for the bucks
Walk into the main lobby of Penn’s Grove Middle School at any time while students are in class and you are struck by how quiet a learning environment it is. Walk a little further, however, toward the music classrooms, and you will hear a joyful noise.
Pianos, guitars and voices have filled the music area for years. However, when the current school year began, a new and unique sound was added, one that immediately captured the imagination of the eighth graders in Jake Olimpi’s general music elective.
“This year we decided to go in a different direction with the eighth grade classes,” said Olimpi, the school’s choral director. “Usually we have a 45-day guitar intensive course where students learn how to read music and rhythms, and they apply that to the guitar.
“While this is a good experience for a lot of the students, it can also be kind of taxing on them, 45 days straight of the same thing. So we decided to break it up a little bit and make
it a more practical class.”
While the students begin the course with a guitar unit, the focus is now more on playing chords and reading tablature, a shorthand version of guitar music.”This way they can really take these skills out into the world and use them right away,” said Mr. Olimpi.
The remainder of the instruction is devoted to bucket drumming, which is exactly what it sounds like – percussion that uses plastic buckets as drums.
“I had done bucket drumming in the past either by myself or with a group of people and really enjoyed it, and the students seem to enjoy it as well,” said Olimpi.
“Anytime kids get a chance to hit something and make noise, they really enjoy it.”
Olimpi said the unit provides the students with a new hands-on musical experience at the point where they may be tiring of working with just one instrument.
“We take the rhythms they’ve learned on the guitar and we apply that to bucket drumming,” he said.
“Not only are the students able to play a song right away, they are able to play with people they normally would not interact with during the school day.
“They are in class together, but they may not be friends. Now we have a community playing a song together and being able to create something together.”
Bucket drumming has been prominent for well over two decades, starting in the 1990s with
Kennett Library to offer mobile WiFi HotSpots
The Kennett Public Library will be offering mobile WiFi HotSpots for library members to borrow and use for free. Wireless HotSpots offer free internet access anywhere, and will be available at the library in March, thanks to a donation from T-Mobile.
“We are grateful to T-Mobile for giving us this opportunity to test the waters on this new technology and make it available to our community,” said library
the popularity of the Broadway musical “Stomp”, which included drumming on buckets and many other items found in any basement or garage. The show coincided with the emergence of the Blue Man Group, who popularized using PVC pipe as a percussion instrument, and continues today with groups such as Recycled Percussion, whose members use pots and pans during performances.
“They rely on a lot of audience participation, which shows how anyone can make this style of music almost immediately, and it’s a really great experience,” said Olimpi.
Olimpi added that amusement parks and other recreational businesses now feature bucket drumming groups. At
director Donna Murray. The HotSpots will be available free of charge for three days at a time to any library member with a current Chester County Library system library card. As part of the pilot program, users will be asked to complete a short survey, and must return the devices to the Kennett Library. For more information, visit the library at 216 E. State St., Kennett Square, or call 610-444-2702.
HersheyPark, the group Cocoa Rhythm entertains patrons while they wait in line for rides or enjoy refreshments in the food areas.
“A lot of people have now seen that bucket drumming is a real form of music that people enjoy listening to,” said Olimpi. “It allows you to express your feelings or just create music in a less expensive, hands-on way.
In the last five or six years it has really taken off.”
Olimpi noted that bucket drumming has become more popular in music education because the instruments are inexpensive and the students get hands-on experience creating music right from the start of the unit. “There are now hundreds of books on bucket drumming, and some schools have small ensemble groups that even take part in competitions,” he said.
The buckets used at Penn’s Grove cost about $2 each, as opposed to $50 for the least expensive traditional drum. Students use traditional drumsticks during class, which also cost about $2 each.
“I have a whole class worth of legitimate instruments for under $70,” said Olimpi. “If one of the drums breaks, we can just buy another one, or we can even tape it up and it works just fine.”
Olimpi’s bucket drumming classes are lively and the 45 minutes pass quickly. The students form a line at the rear of the classroom, each with a
Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. shared the love this Valentine’s Day with a “I love my downtown because. . .” contest.
The contest is part of a promotion by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC), a state-wide nonprofit dedicated solely to the revitalization of the commonwealth’s core communities. Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. has been a member of PDC since 2002, and has won various awards, including the Physical Improvement and Design Storefront Award. As part of the PDC, Oxford
five-gallon “tenor” bucket and a pair of drumsticks.
Olimpi projects music notation on a white board in the front of the classroom, but rather than half-notes and quarter-notes, the scales feature symbols such as X’s and diamonds. “The symbols tell the students to click their sticks together, hit the rim of the bucket or hit the head of the bucket,” he explained.
Once comfortable with their instruments, the students will transition to traditional music notation when they drum. “Bucket drumming is quick to pick up, so we can get into some really fun things right away,” said Olimpi. “The most satisfying part for me is that from Day One the class is playing rhythms together.”
Olimpi explained that in addition to guitar and bucket drumming, his course includes a digital unit, where the students use iPads and other recording devices to record songs, create a podcast or tape a radio show. “As the students progress, we will try to move into syncopated, more ‘hip-hop’ beats because they enjoy that more, even though they are more difficult to play at first,” he said.
As for now, however, the students are part of a creative endeavor that they can continue to enjoy the rest of their lives.
“They practically run in to class,” said Olimpi. “They are really ready and anxious to play every day.”
Mainstreet, Inc. utilizes the National Main Street Center’s four-point approach to assist communities in revitalizing their central business districts and surrounding residential neighborhoods.
To show the love this Valentine’s Day, Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. posted the “I love my downtown because. . .” contest on social media. The winner, Chelsea Hughes, was chosen from several local entries, and won a gift basket full of gift certificates and freebies from downtown merchants.
to vice president. She reports to Aron Ireland, senior vice president, for National Penn’s
National Penn Bancshares, Inc. announced that Michelle L. Gazdik, branch manager of National Penn’s Avon Grove branch, has been promoted
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo Music teacher Jake Olimpi conducts the bucket drumming unit during his eighth grade general music class.
Courtesy photo Haley Anderson plays one of the five-gallon tenorstyle bucket drums.
Courtesy photo Chelsea Hughes won the “I love my downtown because...” contest.
Lincoln University student slain in Coatesville shooting
By John Chambless Staff Writer
A 22-year-old Lincoln University student was shot to death in Coatesville on March 5, according to Coatesville Police and Lincoln University officials.
Police identified the victim as Christopher Robinson, 22, who lived in Philadelphia but attended classes at the main campus. According to a police report, officers responded to South Fifth Avenue and Olive Street in Coatesville at 10:22 p.m. after a report
of a gunshot. They found Robinson with a gunshot wound to the neck. He died on the way to the hospital.
Police determined that Evander Wilson, 24, of Coatesville, had driven Robinson and another Lincoln student, who remains unidentified, to the intersection to rob them, with the help of other people. Three men began to rob the two students when one of the men shot and killed Robinson, police said. Wilson has been charged with seconddegree homicide, robbery, conspiracy and other
charges.
On March 5, Lincoln University officials issued a statement saying that, “One Lincoln University student was killed after he and another student were involved in a shooting with unknown assailant(s) last night in Coatesville at 11:50 p.m. Both were main campus students. … Lincoln University administration including Dr. Green, interim president, Dr. Mosley, vice president student affairs and Dr. Lee, dean of students will meet with all students to discuss the situation. University
clergy and Chester County Crisis Intervention will be available to offer grief counseling to the entire Lincoln University community.”
The investigation of the shooting is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Brandon Daniels of the Coatesville Police Department (610-3842300) or Chester County Detective Robert Balchunis (610-344-6866).
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.
RITE-AID ROBBED
The Rite-Aid store at 120 S. Mill Rd. in Kennett Square was robbed on Feb. 28 just before 7 p.m., according to Kennett Square Police. Two white men wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, with the hoods pulled tightly around their faces, entered the store. One was armed with a knife. They demanded money from the register and fled on foot, running west on West Cypress Street. Anyone with
information is asked to call police at 610-444-0501 or 610-268-3171.
KNIFE INCIDENT
On Feb. 8 at 10:22 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Avondale responded to a home at 323 Ellicott Rd., Avondale, for a report of an assault with a knife. According to police, a 17-year-old boy at the home pulled a knife from under his pillow and thrust it at a 36-year-old man inside the home. No injuries were reported. The teen was arrested and taken to the Chester County Youth Center on Feb. 9 for housing pending his detention hearing.
Finding the perfect record
Local collector sells at monthly event in Lancaster
By John Chambless Staff Writer
The jazz that Jack Supplee loved as a young man has been a constant in his life. For the past 30 years, he has been helping other people find music that they love, too.
During an interview at his Oxford home, Supplee recalled that he first heard bluegrass on a radio station he could pick up in his car when he parked in the middle of Oxford at night. “Then, when I was in the service in 1950s, a friend of mine liked jazz and he had a little record player on the ship,” Supplee said. “I got to like modern jazz. That’s what I collected for years -jazz and big bands.”
As a record collector, “I was a late bloomer,” he said. “A lot of people started out collecting as kids. They’d get their allowance and they’d go to the five and dime and buy 45s. I didn’t by my first record player until I was almost 30 years old.”
At the peak of his collecting days, Supplee estimated, he had about 1,000 albums stashed in every room of his small home. That’s not much compared to the record hoarding instincts of many collectors, but today, at 85, Supplee is still hauling heavy crates of records to sell at the monthly Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo held
in Lancaster. His fellow club members and customers “are like family,” he said. “I love to meet people and talk music. The customers can teach you a lot, and they want to talk. Sometimes you have to cut them off and take care of business,” he said, smiling.
Supplee’s early days of collecting his favorite artists – Stan Getz, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and others –led him to auctions, where he could buy records in bulk at low prices. “There used to be an auction out at Kirkwood, and I got three or four boxes of records that I bid on and got real cheap,” he recalled. “I thought, ‘This is great.’ That kind of set me going to auctions and flea markets. Back then you could find a flea market almost every day of the week.”
Supplee has been careful to stick to his self-imposed budget – “I won’t pay more than $1 for a record, usually 50 cents,” he said – and that has carried over to his dealer table. “I buy cheap and sell cheap,” he said. Most of the albums in Supplee’s stock are priced at a couple of dollars.
“Back when I was buying a lot, I’d take the extras and duplicates to the Keystone record show in Columbia, Pa.,” he said. “The first show I did was in 1987. But the club has been around since 1979.
I did OK, and any money I made, I used to support my habit. I bought more records.”
Early on, Supplee could carry only what wouldn’t break the springs on his Plymouth Horizon. These days, he has a large van that can carry dozens of crates full of records. “I have thousands more in storage units,” he said. “Sometimes I worry about what I’m going to do with all of them.”
Most collectors pursue records with zeal, but Supplee said he bought only what he wanted to listen to, and eventually sold his private collection to concentrate on buying and selling at the Keystone shows. “If I buy something I want to listen to in the car or whatever, I have a friend who makes a CD of it for me,” he said.
Supplee’s one big score was in a lot of records he picked up at an estate sale. Among them was a Beatles album with a pasted-on cover that concealed a photo of the Fab Four holding dolls and meat that was considered far too shocking for 1960s tastes. Only a few were ever printed, and the record company hastily pasted an alternate cover over the offending jackets. Supplee’s “Butcher Cover” album brought him $300. “I didn’t know what it was until I looked it up,” he said. “If I’d known it was worth that much, I would have paid more for it.”
Things like that coup “make up for lots of stuff that I just can’t sell,” he said. “Anyway, it’s more fun buying than selling.”
He still buys records
based on what he knows his customers want, but he sticks to his frugal ways.
While the dealers and attendance at the monthly Keystone shows has been fairly constant over the decades, the rise of CDs took a bite out of vinyl sales that is only recently bouncing back.
“A lot of dealers switched to selling only CDs,” Supplee said. “Old-fashioned guys like me stuck to the old vinyl.”
Supplee acknowledged that the fight over which sounds better – CDs or vinyl – may never be settled among audiophiles. And digital downloading, while convenient for buyers, mystifies collectors. They maintain that owning digital code is not as satisfying as owning a real record.
The global market for vinyl records – once all but dead – slowly become a hipster niche that has blossomed over the past five years. Today, bookstores and the few remaining record stores proudly offer brand-new vinyl pressings of classic albums.
The common albums that might have sunk to 25 cents apiece at thrift stores a decade ago are now priced at around $20 in their new pressings.
For Supplee, it’s all part of a cycle that has never stopped. The 78-rpm record was once king, and now is nearly worthless, with the exception of a very few early blues or jazz titles. “I have a box of them that I price at three for $1, but I don’t sell many,” he said.
The 45-rpm single is still collected by people who own jukeboxes, but cassettes are
dead weight, as reviled as the lowly 8-track, and the VHS tapes of the 1980s and 1990s.
Supplee said the people who come to the Keystone shows are mostly older, looking for the music they loved when they were young. But there are teens and twentysomethings who are pursuing original vinyl pressings of rock albums or other genres, as well as CDs.
Each show has about 100 tables full of records and other music memorabilia, he said.
“When I started selling, there were a lot of people looking for big-band music, but as the years go by, they pass away,” Supplee said.
Since 1987, Supplee has been sidetracked from the monthly record shows only twice. “One time I had to get a pacemaker,” he said. “I didn’t miss the show, but I took a much lighter load. And once I broke two ribs, so I just got a helper. Sometimes I think, ‘Why am I still doing this?’” he said, laughing. “But
I’ve been blessed with good health, and the best thing is that it’s educational. I learn a lot from talking to people who come to the table. And we still get newcomers, people who come in and say, “I never heard of this show before.’ “It makes me happy when a customer finds one record that they’ve been looking for,” he said. “it makes it seem like all my work was worthwhile.”
The next Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo will be held March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Continental Inn (2285 Lincoln Highway, Lancaster, next to Dutch Wonderland). It is free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 610-932-7852, visit www. recordcollectors.org, or find the Keystone Record Collectors on Facebook.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.
‘Art
of Photography’ featured along Brandywine
For the month of March, seven winery tasting rooms on The Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail will be celebrating the “Art of Photography” with photography solo and group art shows.
This is the eighth month of art themes for the 13 wineries.
This month Karl Weygandt will show his photographs at his parents’ winery in Newlin Township. He is a professional photographer
and son of John and Alice Weygandt, founders and owners of Stargazer’s Vineyard and Winery.
Weygandt photographs nature images, from very small fauna, to aerial shots from a drone.
Local family portrait photographer Liz Crowthers will be exhibiting her work at both Kreutz Creek Winery tasting rooms in West Grove and downtown West Chester. Her work ranges from images of Longwood Gardens’ flowers and paths, to casually grouped, happy family portraits. Galer Estate Winery, located behind Longwood Gardens, will a show of
photos by professional and fine arts photographer Antelo Devereux, who just published his fourth photography book through Schiffer Publishing house. Devereux’s images often have a quirky, humorous side. The show will be featured at Galer Estate on March 20 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Flickerwood Winery’s tasting room in Oxford will showcase the work of photographer Andrew DiMaio, and Linda Amonitti will exhibit in the Flickerwood Kennett Square location. Both Flickerwood shows will continue through March 19.
Award-winning local fine arts photographer Robert Lott is exhibiting his work at Ten
Gallon Hat Winery in Chadds Ford for the month of March. Lott has a distinct, richly hued palette of colors. For more information, visit www. brandywineartisanwinetrail.
com. In
up-cycled and recycled art, potted flowers, planting demonstrations, and more.
‘Winter,’ by Karl Weygandt, at Stargazer’s Vineyard and Winery.
A floral close-up by Linda Amonitti, at Flickerwood Winery.
Photo by John Chambless
Jack Supplee with an album featuring Ola Belle Reed, a frequent performer at the former Sunset Park in Jennersville.
Photo by John Chambless Supplee, 85, still loads and unloads crates of records to sell at the Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo every month.
The monthly Keystone shows have a wide variety of oldies, recent releases and rarities.
April, the Brandywine Trail will celebrate the “Art of Spring,” with
Photo by John Chambless
Hundreds of people come to the Keystone Record Collectors Music Expos held each month in Lancaster.
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.
March 13 Family Concert
The Kennett Symphony of Chester County, under the direction of music director Michael Hall, will present “Music Can Change the World” at its annual Family Concert on March 13 at 2 p.m. at Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, Phillips Memorial Building, on the campus of West Chester University. Following the performance, the symphony will offer activities and its popular Instrument Zoo, during
which children can meet and greet the musicians and try out the instruments of the orchestra. This year’s program includes “Olympic Fanfare” by Williams, “Adagio for Strings” by Barber, “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” by Liszt, “Siegfried Idyll” by Wagner, “Anvil Chorus” by Verdi, “Finlandia” by Sibelius, and “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven. All tickets are $5. Visit www.kennettsymphony. org or call the Kennett Symphony at 610-444-6363.
March 13
Record Collectors show
The Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo will be held March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Continental Inn (2285 Lincoln Highway east, Route 30, Next to Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster). Dealers will buy, sell and trade records and music memorabilia. Admission is free. Call 610-932-7852 or visit www.recordcollectors. org.
March 19
Lions Club introductory meeting
The Avon Grove Lions Club will be hosting an informal gathering at 9 a.m. on March 19 at the Willowdale Chapel (111 Vineyard Way, Jennersville). The meeting will spotlight what the Lions Club does in the community. There will be free coffee and doughnuts served. For information, call Fran Thomson at 610-316-1650.
To submit items to the Calendar of Events, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com.
There is no charge. Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event.
Through March 11
Crayon Show
The Oxford Arts Alliance (38 S. Third St., Oxford) presents “The Crayon Show,” with works in crayon by a selection of national and regional artists, through March 11. Call 610467-0301 or visit www. oxfordart.org.
Through March 31
Sarah Yeoman paintings
Mala Galleria (206 State St., Kennett Square) hosts “Moving Paint,” with new watercolor paintings by Sarah Yeoman. through
Through 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: March 9 – Make Easter boxes for our shut-ins; 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
March. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.malagalleria.com.
Through March 24
Three artists at Station Gallery
The Station Gallery (3922 Kennett Pike, Greenville, Del.) presents a group show featuring loosely constructed landscapes in oil by Louise Clearfield, gestural plein air figure paintings by Sherrill Cooper, and pastel drawings by Laura Hickman depicting the environment of her hometown of Bethany
together. Call 610-8699334 or visit www. westgroveumc.org.
March 12
Pancake and omelet breakfast
Shiloh Presbyterian Church (42 S. Fifth St., Oxford) will hold a pancake and omelet breakfast on March 12 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets at the door are $7 for adults, $5 for ages 4 to 11, and free for ages 3 and younger.
March 13
Men’s Lenten Breakfast
All men are invited to Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford) for their 53rd annual Men’s Lenten Breakfast on March 13. The morning begins at
Beach through March 24. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 302-654-8638 or visit www.stationgallery.net.
March 11 to April 2
Valerie Craig Church Street Gallery (12 S. Church St., West Chester) hosts a solo show of recent paintings by Valerie Craig through April 2. There will be a cocktail opening reception on March 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit www. churchstreetgallerywc. com.
7 a.m. with worship in the sanctuary, followed by a breakfast in the fellowship hall. This year focuses on “The Simple 365 Step Process to Being the Man God Wants You to Be.” Call 610-932-9698 or email oumcsecretary@gmail. com.
On Saturday, many items will be half-price. This sale benefits the early childhood and scholarship programs at the Children’s Morning Out and Preschool Program of the church. Call 610-869-9334 for more information.
March 19
Youth Choir benefit There will be a silent and live auction at Grove United Methodist Church
March 19 to April 9
Robert C. Jackson solo show
Somerville Manning Gallery (101 Stone Block Row, Greenville, Del.) presents a solo show of new paintings by Kennett Square artist Robert C. Jackson from March 19 to April 9. A reception with the artist will be held on March 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The opening reception will also feature the unveiling of the 2016 Wilmington Flower Market poster, created by Jackson. Visit www. somervillemanning.com.
on March 19 to benefit annual Youth Choir tour. Admission is free and open to all. The silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m., and the live auction of 10 to 12 items begins at 8 p.m. The church is at 490 W. Boot Rd., north of West Chester. Call 610-696-2663 or visit www.grovechurch.org. 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.
Christian musical tour hits New London on March 19
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Next Saturday at the Christina Life Center in New London, three of the most distinctive voices in American contemporary Christian music will all be sharing the same stage.
Josh Wilson, Jason Gray and JJ Heller will be performing on March 19 as part of a 20-city, threemonth tour that will take them to the Northeast and Midwest.
Wilson is best known for the radio singles “Savior, Please” from his 2008 album, “Trying to Fit the Ocean In a Cup” and “Before the Morning” from his 2009 EP, “Life is Not a Snapshot.” Wilson released his next album, “See You,” in February 2011, which featured the song “I Refuse,” which was inspired by the aftermath of the storms that flooded Nashville in the spring of 2010. Wilson also released a new Christmas album, “Noel,”in 2012, which featured his song “Jesus Is Alive,” which has risen to the top of all his most-
purchased songs. A resident of Minnesota, Gray released four independent records before signing with Centricity Music in 2006. He released his first major label record, “All the Lovely Losers,” in 2007. He has won two ASCAP Performance Awards for “More Like Falling In Love” (2011) and “Good to Be Alive” (2012), which was named Album of the Year by critics. In May 2013, he was honored at ASCAP’s 35th Annual Christian Music Awards with the “Most Performed Song Award” for “Good to Be Alive.”
A native of southern California, Heller released multiple albums before she had her first chart appearance in 2009, when her song “Your Hands,” from her album “Painted Red,” hit number 13 on the Billboard Christian Songs charts. Heller released her next album, “When I’m with You,” in 2010, where it peaked at number 33 on Billboard’s Christian Albums charts. In 2011, she released her “Deeper” album, which is a collection
of acoustic songs.
Even though the three artists have been longtime friends, this will mark the first time that all will tour together for an evening of stories and songs.
“I couldn’t be more excited about our spring tour,” Wilson said. “I’ve wanted to tour with Jason Gray since I met him, and I loved touring with JJ so much on my Christmas tour that I decided we needed to do it again this year. I’m so proud to share the stage with such talented friends.”
“I’m looking so forward to being a part of the J, J, and JJ tour,” Gray said. “As a fan and a friend of both Josh and JJ, we’ve talked individually many times over the years of touring together and I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’ll all be together at the same time. The musicality of their work, the heart that drives what they do, and their unique dedication to making music that is both personal to them, serves something bigger than themselves. These are just a few of the things that I resonate with in Josh’s and
JJ’s music, and I feel really grateful that we get to go out and make something beautiful together. Plus, I think it’ll be an epic hang.”
The Christian Life Center is at 125 Saginaw
Road in New London Township. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15, and are available at iTickets. com, and at the Christian Life Center. For more information about the three
performers, visit www. joshwilsonmusic.com, www.jasongraymusic.com and www.jjheller.com.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Kennett Symphony Family Concert on March 13
The Kennett Symphony of Chester County, under the direction of music director Michael Hall, will present “Music Can Change the World” at its annual
Family Concert on March 13 at 2 p.m. at Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, Phillips Memorial Building, on the campus of West Chester University.
Following the performance, the symphony will offer activities and its popular Instrument Zoo, during which children can meet and greet the musicians
and try out the instruments of the orchestra.
This year’s program includes “Olympic Fanfare” by Williams, “Adagio for Strings” by Barber,
“Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” by Liszt, “Siegfried Idyll” by Wagner, “Anvil Chorus” by Verdi, “Finlandia” by Sibelius, and “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven.
All tickets are $5 per person and seating is reserved. Visit www. kennettsymphony.org or call the Kennett Symphony at 610-444-6363.
As part of a 20-city tour, the trio of contemporary Christina singers Josh Wilson, Jason Gray and JJ Heller will be performing at the Christian Life Center in New London on March 19.
Jazz vocalist and trumpeter Bria Skonberg, hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation,” is performing with her trio at Upland Country Day School on March 30 at 7 p.m. The concert is open to the community.
A specialist in classic American hot jazz, Skonberg expands the vocabulary and traditions of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet with worldly rhythms and modern jazz variance. She will be teaching a master class at West Chester University and performing the concert at Upland Country Day School. She has earned a 2013 Jazz Journalists’ Association nomination for “Up and Coming Jazz Artist of The Year” and is included in Downbeat Magazine’s Rising Star Critics‘ Poll for 2013. Skonberg got her start as a professional big band singer
Avon Grove High School junior Noah Donten scored the highest possible ACT Composite Score of 36, an accomplishment that about one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT achieve each year.
The ACT consists of tests in English, math, reading and science, and a student’s score is the average of the four scores.
“The AP curriculum absolutely prepared me,” Noah said. “The guidance counselors talked a lot to us about preparing for our college entrance exams. The AP curriculum and academically talented program did an excellent job with preparation, too. It’s the little things you don’t think about each day but become ingrained in you that really make a difference.”
The 16-year-old is planning to major in actuarial science, and is considering Penn State, Temple, and Robert Morris.
at 16, doubling on trumpet, and has since performed as a bandleader and guest artist in North America, Europe, China and Japan. Since arriving in New York three years ago, she has appeared in concert halls and clubs such as Symphony Space, Birdland, The Iridium, and Dizzy’s among the likes of Nicholas Payton, Anat Cohen, Wycliffe Gordon, Bucky Pizzarelli and Scott Robinson.
Her debut American release, “So Is The Day,” peaked at No. 7 on the U.S. National jazz charts and features an all-star ensemble including John Pizzarelli, Victor Goines and Wycliffe Gordon. Ten percent of all proceeds support the Jazz Foundation of America.
Tickets for the March 30 performance are available at www.uplandcds.org/ briaskonberg. Admission is $15 for students, $20 for adults and $125 for a fourperson premium table.
“Noah is a very capable and humble student,” said Avon Grove High School principal Scott DeShong. “While his family and teachers have prepared him well for his future, his personal qualities and characteristics will take him far in life after graduating from Avon Grove.”
Last year, only about 1,500 students out of the 1.92 million who take the ACT scored as well as Noah did. ACT scores are accepted by all major U.S. Colleges.
Girl Scouts celebrate international friendship
More than 300 Girl Scouts, their leaders, volunteers, and families from the Brandywine Valley Service Unit celebrated International World Thinking Day recently as they traveled to 20 countries in the confines of Unionville High School Cafeteria.
The Girl Scouts, ages 5 to 16, armed with their passports, questionnaires and traveling bags, walked to each of the countries seeking the answers to the questions they were given, enjoying crafts, collecting souvenirs and sampling treats. Their adventure led them to Papua, New Guinea, to savor sweet potato biscuits and make a shell necklace; then to
Egypt to “dig” for treasures they got to keep; then Australia to savor lemon cake; Botswana to listen to drums and eat watermelon and rice; to Great Britain to design their own crowns; to Greece to eat wedding cake cookies and baklava; Venezuela to enjoy their corn bread; to Argentina for hot chocolate; to Italy for pizzelles, and to Japan to hang their wishes on the cherry blossom tree.
Seven troops performed. Greece, India, Canada and Botswana demonstrated native dances. France and Germany sang songs in their respective languages. Japan developed a skit that represented varied aspects of Japanese culture and history.
The event was initiated for this area in 2001 as a Gold Award project by Lesley Anne Bernasconi, a 2001 graduate of Unionville High School. Bernasconi volunteered this year to help the Girl Scouts check their answers to the questionnaires and hand out prizes.
As an added activity, Girl Scouts wrote thankyou notes to the men and women in the Armed Forces who are stationed overseas. These notes and drawings will be delivered with more than 5,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies sent through the “Operation Cookie Drop” project.
Courtesy photo
Brownie Troop 41310 from Bancroft/New Garden/ Greenwood Elementary Schools, representing India. Troop leaders are Neelam Das (pictured) and Elsie Simmons.
Jazz vocalist and trumpeter Bria Skonberg.
Approximately
and families whose children are battling the disease.
Organizers for the event set a first-year fundraising goal of $5,000. However, the KHS Mini-THON raised $16,644, more than tripling the goal amount.
Modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon (THON), the Mini-THON featured eight hours packed with fun activities. Students enjoyed Zumba, yoga, line dancing, basketball, dodge ball, floor hockey and soccer. They were entertained by Teacher Band, KHS’s faculty band, and two student bands, Californium and Seeking Asylum. Students danced to music selected by student DJs, battled each other in a lip sync contest, and raced scooters across the gym, all while taking regular breaks to feast on a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, quesadillas,
pastas, fresh fruit and vegetables, and baked goods donated by local merchants.
Gemma Erickson, a Kennett junior, raised $1,100 and earned herself the top fundraising prize of a 55-inch flat screen Smart TV. “I wanted to help kids,” she said. “Plus, a lot of my family has attended Penn State, and some of my cousins have danced in THON, so it really meant something to me.”
Faculty advisors for the event were Lisa Teixeira, KHS librarian and Humanitarian Club moderator;
Erin McDonnell-Jones, English teacher; and Tom Brientnall, social studies teacher. Both McDonnellJones and Brientnall are Penn State graduates and former THON participants.
Student organizers were led by senior Sean Connolly and junior Austin Maxwell, event co-chairs, along with seniors Zoe Livingston and Bridget Fox, Humanitarian Club Co-Presidents.
“The kids did an amazing job, especially for the first time through organizing an event of this magnitude. They all demonstrated leadership, compassion, and cooperation,” Teixeira said.
Donations will be accepted through the end of March. Visit http://khsminithon.org, or call the school at 610-4446617 for more information.
New service club at Avon Grove High School sews to make a difference in the community
The Avon Grove High School Sewing Club, with more than 60 student members, is creating fleece blankets, pillow cases, and even dog toys for people and animals in the community.
The club was formed this year by family consumer science teacher Alicia Van Den Acre, who wanted to give her students an opportunity to socialize while also doing something positive for other children, and adults, in need of help.
“I just started by talking with students in my classes, and I asked them if they’d be interested in a sewing and community service group like this,” Van Den Acre said. “Before we even got started, I had more than 40 kids who said they were wanted to do it.”
Two or three times a month, the club meets to work on various projects that are identified by Van Den Acre.
“The kids team up, chat, and enjoy their time together,” she said. “I think it’s a real break from the rush of every day for them. Between sports, homework, family, work, it’s one hour to just enjoy the company you’re with and do something they enjoy.”
The club has donated fleece blankets to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which distributed them to patients. Their pillowcases were donated to the “Cases for Smiles” charity that also distributes them to children and teens who have long-term hospitalization or treatment.
Fleece left over from these projects was used to make more than 250 braided dog toys. Many have already been donated to the Chester County SPCA. And in an effort to use every bit
Over
the
U.S. Police Canine Association holds certification trials in county
Chester County is hosting the United States Police Canine Association’s
(USPCA) Region 6 Scent
certifications at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus from March 14 to 16.
Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh said,
“We are expecting up to 80 canine teams attempting to certify during the trials, which makes it the largest scent certification event ever hosted in Pennsylvania. There are already more than 40 narcotic teams registered,
as well as 20 explosive teams, nine cadaver teams and one accelerant team.
“All of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 teams are competing and we are the only agency with at least one canine in every specialty. After this, we hope that our teams will advance to the national trials in Philadelphia in June, to compete against the best in the world,” Welsh said.
USPCA is the largest and oldest active organization of its kind and Region 6 is comprised of canine law enforcement agencies across
Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey. Chester County will also host the USPCA Region 6 Police Dog Field Trials in August.
Chester County’s hosting of the USPCA event coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of canine teams in the Sheriff’s Office.
“We began with two canine teams and now our unit has six handlers and eight canines,” Welsh said. “They provide excellent service, specializing in explosives, narcotics, accelerants, and
cadaver. In addition to being nationally certified in their individual scent discipline, all are nationally certified in human tracking, evidence recovery and obedience.
The most recent addition to our K-9 unit is a comfort canine used primarily in the Special Victims Unit.”
Deputy Sheriff Paul Bryant, Jr., is the newest member of the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and is a level III trainer and national judge for the USPCA. Deputy Bryant said, “I am excited that the Chester County
Sheriff’s Office is hosting this event. The response has been phenomenal – large numbers like this are usually only at national events.”
Chester County Sheriff K-9 members also interact with community groups.
“Many of the residents of Chester County have met our canines and their handlers at schools and community functions across the county.
We think it’s very important for our citizens to see these incredible animals close up and meet their handlers,” Welsh said.
Courtesy photo Casey Bruno and Molly Adelman inspiring the participants during the all-night event.
Courtesy photo The Mini-THON participants sit down at 6 a.m. for the first time in eight hours.
Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Bolt with his partner, Yukon.
Market Street, Suite 201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday, April 18, 2016. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter
SALE NO. 16-3-197 Writ of Execution No. 2015-00749 DEBT $244,783.37
ALL THAT CERTAIN, message, lot or piece of land situate on, in the Township of London Britain, County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described, as follows, to wit:
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land known as Lot #50, Plan of Fox Brook, Section 111, situate in London Britain Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and bounded and described according to a survey made by George E. Regester, Jr. & Sons, Inc., Registered Land Surveyors, dated January 29, 1971 and revised April 20, 1972 said Plan being recorded in the Office for the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester, at West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Plan Book 42 Page 34 as follows, to wit:
BEGINNING at a point set for the southwesterly corner of this about to be described tract and the northwesterly corner of Lot #49 on said Plan, said point being set on the easterly side of Fox Drive, 50 feet wide; thence leaving said point of beginning and by the easterly side of Fox Drive, north 02 degrees 47 minutes no seconds west, 160.00 feet to a point set for the northwesterly corner of this and the southwesterly corner of Lot #51; thence leaving said easterly side and by said land, north 87 degrees 13 minutes no seconds east, 277.11 feet to a point set for the northeasterly corner of this and set in line of Lot #14; thence by said land and of Lot #4 and partly by Lot #13, south 02 degrees 47 minutes no seconds east, 160.00 feet to a point set for the southeasterly corner of this and the northeasterly corner of Lot #49; thence by said land south 87 degrees 13 minutes no seconds west 277.11 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.
CONTAINING 1.018 acres of land, be the same more or less.
BEING UPI Number 73-005-00354200
PARCEL No.: 73-005-0035-4200
BEING known as:. 103 Fox Drive, Landenberg, PA 19350
BEING the same premises which Arthur Whittaker, Jr. and Betty Lou Whittaker, husband and wife, by Deed dated August 29, 2008 and recorded September 8, 2008 in and for Chester County, Pennsylvania in Deed Book 7512, Page 280, granted and conveyed unto Gregory W. Miller and Christina J. Miller, husband and wife, as tenants by the entirety.
PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: GREGORY W. MILLER
SALE ADDRESS: 103 Fox Drive, Landenberg, PA 19350
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI, 614-220-5611
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of the sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash,certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 2p-24-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday, April 18, 2016. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter
SALE NO. 16-3-133 Writ of Execution No. 2015-07493 DEBT $462,093.03
PROPERTY situate in the New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 60-4-446
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Trustee for Wells Fargo Home Equity AssetBacked Securities 2005-2 Trust, Home Equity Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-2 VS DEFENDANT: RONALD C. HUX and REBECCA N. HUX
SALE ADDRESS: 104 Hoylake Court Unit 923, a/k/a 106 Hoylake Court, Avondale, PA 19311-9638
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP, 215-563-7000
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of the sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash,certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm.
2p-24-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the
