Chester County Press 04-22-2020 Edition

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553 INSIDE

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 154, No. 16

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

$1.00

Stay-at-home orders extended to May 8

As COVID-19 cases rise, Gov. Wolf to submit plan to ‘reopen’ Pennsylvania

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer In his April 17 address to Pennsylvania residents, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf said that he and his administration will roll out a plan to “reopen” the commonwealth, one “that respects the reality of the situation on the ground and works with our local, regional, and federal partners.”

Referring to it as “a plan for relief, reopening, and recovery,” Gov. Wolf unveiled “A Plan for Pennsylvania,” an initiative, he said, that will set citizens and businesses on a path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to proCourtesy photo tect life from the dangers In his April 17 address, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf of this deadly virus that outlined “A Plan for Pennsylvania,” an initiative he will involve the partnership said will set citizens and businesses on a path to Continued on Page 2A

recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oxford School Board discusses budget for 2020-2021 school year

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

The Oxford School Board reviewed several different budget scenarios for the 2020-2021 school year during the work session that took place on April 14.

The school board members and several administrators utilized Zoom to conduct the public meeting.

Brian Cooney, the district’s business adminA parade at Ware istrator, led the budget Presbyterian Village...1B presentation. He explained that the district’s Finance Committee has been working through the various

budget scenarios in preparation for the school board to adopt a final budget before the June 30 deadline.

The budgeting process was well underway for school districts like Oxford when the Coronavirus pandemic closed public schools in Pennsylvania for the remainder of the school year.

Cooney reported that the school district’s expenditures for the 2020-2021 school year are projected to be approximately $73.3 million. That’s approximately $2.7 million, or 3.92 percent, more than the bud-

get for 2019-2020, which was approved at $70.5 million. That year-to-year increase in expenditures makes a tax increase for 2020-2021 likely.

The district is seeing increases in costs associated with salaries and benefits as well as costs related to the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (PSERS). There are also increases in special education costs and the tuition costs for students who attend charter schools.

Cooney outlined some of the possible budget

scenarios to support the spending plan that have been under consideration by the Finance Committee.

One scenario would see Oxford increase the tax rate by 3.6 percent, which is the largest increase that would be allowed under the Act 1 Index limit for Oxford. Another scenario would see taxes increase by 2.6 percent. A third scenario looked at a 3 percent increase—a middle ground plan between 2.6 percent and 3.6 percent—while a fourth scenario would have no tax increase at all.

Continued on Page 4A

West Grove Diner cited for non-compliance

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The West Grove Diner received an “Emergency Operation Good Neighbor Response” inspection by ...2A the Chester County Health Department last week, after it received two complaints that the restaurant had been neglecting Pa. Gov. Wolf’s order – issued on March 19 -- that limits all Pennsylvania restaurants to remain open for take-out

UHS honored for commitment to music education...5B

and delivery, in the wake of COVID-19.

The first complaint, which was received by the department by phone on April 7 and documented in the Pennsylvania Food Safety Reporting System, led to the Health Department informing the diner’s owner not to permit customers to dine in, as well as provided information about penalties that could come as a result of the violation.

Following a second phone complaint on April 13, the Health Department, accompanied by an officer with the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department, conducted an on-site inspection, which revealed that customers were observed dining in at tables and at the counter, and that the facility’s front windows were covered with brown paper.

All customers at the diner

were requested to vacate the premises, and its owner was informed that all dine-in service must cease immediately and until further notice.

As a result of this violation, the diner was issued a non-traffic citation that will be filed in local District Court, and a warning that if the governor’s no-dine-in order is not observed, that the diner will be issued a cease and desist order that Continued on Page 3A

Ball & Thistle Pub now open for take-out dining New executive chef Jim Clarke has created a brand new menu for the Wyncote Golf Club’s restaurants

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

INDEX

The Ball & Thistle Pub has reopened for take-out Opinion.......................5A orders this week so diners can now enjoy slow-roastObituaries..............2B-3B ed pork ribs broiled and Classifieds.................4B basted in barbecue sauce, a seven-layer lasagna, crispy roasted chicken finished with pan gravy and served with roasted vegetables and © 2007 The Chester County Press garlic mashed potatoes, and a wide variety of delicious creations prepared by award-winning executive chef Jim Clarke.

Photo by Steven Hoffman Clarke was recently The Wyncote Golf Club’s Ball & Thistle Pub is now offering food for take-out from Continued on Page 4A

noon to 7 every day.

Part 1 in a series

What you need to know about your health insurance

By Frank Lobb When our parents needed healthcare, their health insurance guaranteed them the care and coverage that offered the “best possible outcome” as determined by their doctor. Today’s health insurance is very different. It has been quietly changed to guarantee only the least expensive “legally acceptable outcome” for an average patient, as determined by an insurance company. Fortunately, the laws and contractual provisions that guaranteed our parents the best possible outcome and coverage haven’t changed. We just have to know how to apply them to get the care and coverage our parents could count on—and we are still owed.

Unfortunately, having a right to this care and coverage is one thing and accessing it is quite another matter. The entire healthcare industry, and particularly the healthcare insurance industry, gives every appearance of only being interested in making the system more complex, beyond our understanding and dramatically more expensive. Consequently, the Chester County Press will be publishing a series of articles aimed at helping our readers understand their health insurance and dispelling the mistaken beliefs that interfere with accessing the care and coverage we need and are owed. As Einstein observed, “You have to learn the rules of the game, and then you have to play better than anyone else.”

Given the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe there is no better time to help our readers learn the rules of the road that the healthcare insurance industry is using so that you are equipped to “play better.” The purpose of the series of articles is to equip each of you with enough information that you can avoid the roadblocks and misdirection the healthcare industry uses to deny the very care and coverage we rightfully expect from our health insurance.

The second article in the series will appear in the April 29 issue of the Chester County Press and online at chestercounty.com.

Frank Lobb, a local resident and business owner, is the author of “How to Refuse Your Hospital Bill.”

More information about this topic is available at his website at www.killabill. com, and Mr. Lobb can be contacted at lobbsanalyticalworks@gmail.com.

2A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Chester County Press

Local News Wolf...

Continued from Page 1A

of public health experts, agencies and stakeholders.

The specifics of the plan are expected to be revealed this week.

“I’m offering the framework of a plan to increase wages for all Pennsylvanians, enact better worker protections, expand paid sick and family leave policies, and increase safe, affordable, and highquality child care,” Gov. Wolf said in his address.

“We need to strengthen the unemployment and workers compensation insurance systems. Let’s expand student loan deferments to provide relief for individuals who are on the front lines.

“And we must expand rapid re-employment programs to support businesses and workers affected by mass layoffs.”

Using a six-point strategy, Gov. Wolf said the plan will:

approach to determine reopenings.

2. Abide by guidance and recommendations for employers, individuals, and health care facilities for assured accountability while reopening.

3. Make adequate personal protective equipment and testing available before reopening.

4. Use a monitoring and surveillance program that allows the commonwealth to deploy swift actions for containment or mitigation.

1. Use a data-driven 5. Keep protections in

place for vulnerable populations throughout the reopening process, such as limitations on visitors to congregate care facilities and prisons.

6. Limit large gatherings unrelated to occupations through the reopening process.

“We need to be careful and deliberate,” Gov. Wolf said. “We need the flexibility to react to new outbreaks. Unfortunately, we cannot flip a switch and reopen the commonwealth.

There won’t be one big day. We need to make smart, data-driven decisions. We can’t be impulsive. We can’t be emotional. We need to follow the science.”

Gov. Wolf’s “Plan for Pennsylvania” was introduced two days before an April 19 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Health that confirmed there were 1,215 additional positive cases of COVID19 recently reported in the state, which brings the statewide total to 32,284,

which now includes 1,112 deaths. Pennsylvania ranks fifth-highest in the nation in the number of reported cases of COVID-19.

Chester County remains one of the hardesthit of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, all of which now have reported COVID-19 cases. The Health Department reported that there have been 839 positive cases in the county, 3,902 cases that tested negative, and 42 deaths from the virus.

State Secretary of Health

Candidate creates ‘Operation Good Neighbor’ food drive

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer In an effort to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic, Richard Ruggieri, a candidate for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives 13th District seat, recently created “Operation Good Neighbor,” an innovative food drive that is gathering food donations from community members through a pick-up service engineered by volunteers.

Under the pick-up system, Ruggieri and members of his campaign team drive to people’s homes to pick up donations that are stored in the mailboxes of those who wish to make donations. After pick-up, the

P ENNSBURY C HADDS F ORD A NTIQUE M ALL

food is delivered to various pantries, and then made available to the families and individuals who live in the Avon Grove, Octorara and Oxford school districts On Tuesdays, the food is delivered to The Bridge Food Pantry at Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene, for distribution to families in the Avon Grove School District. On Wednesdays, deliveries are made to the Octorara Food Cupboard for distribution to the Octorara Area School District; and on Thursdays, food donations are dropped off at the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center for distribution to those living in the Oxford Area School District.

The Operation Good Neighbor Food Drive will be collecting food every week throughout the Pennsylvania StayAt-Home-Order, and is delivered to food pantries

through safe and sanitary measures.

Begun two weeks ago, the initiative has already donated 750 non-perishable items to food pantries.

“I created ‘Operation Good Neighbor’ because I believe in neighbors helping neighbors,” Ruggieri said.

“It’s a simple concept with a great impact. ‘Operation Good Neighbor’ began with inspiration from a childhood hero, Fred Rogers, who once said that when he was a boy and he would see disturbing images and news on television, his mother would tell him to ‘look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

For Ruggieri, a U.S. Air Force and Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran, “Operation Good Neighbor” not only gives communities easy access to food, it does so during a time when schools are

Courtesy photos Pictured with his son, Jack Ruggieri recently dropped off a cartload of donat- Jack, Richard Ruggieri, ed food items to the Oxford Neighborhood Services a candidate for the Pennsylvania State House Center. of Representatives 13th closed, jobs are being elimi- state, and your nation. I am District, recently crenated, and when the fear grateful for what the mili- ated “Operation Good of contracting COVID-19 tary taught me — honor, Neighbor,” which assists through close contact with service, sacrifice, teamwork in getting food to families who live in the Avon others at grocery stores is and leadership.

Grove, Octorara and heightened.

“When I joined the Air Oxford school districts.

“When the news of COVID-19 broke, my campaign team wanted to do something to help,” he said. “I believe leadership means honoring and serving your community, your

Quality Antiques & Collectibles for over 40 years

Force, for the first time, I became part of something much greater than myself.

I bring that same dedication to my community of District 13.”

To learn more about the “Operation Good Neighbor” initiative and to join, visit

www.RuggieriPA13.com and click on the link for “Operation Good Neighbor.”

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

Wyeth Prints, Furniture, Jewelry, Silver, Prints, Coins, Toys, Military, Pottery, Ceramics, Glass, Rare Books, Ephemera, Original Art, Quilts, Oriental Rugs, Linens

Over 100 Dealers Upper Level 610-388-1620

Lower Level 610-388-6546

Both Levels Thursday - Monday 10-5 640 E. Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Ample Parking PennsburyAntiqueMall.com

Tower Health Medical Group seeks Physician, Hospitalist Services within the Department of Medicine at their Brandywine Hospital location to provide adult inpatient care in medical wards, acute care units, intensive care units and emergency rooms. Will diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Manage and coordinate patient care throughout treatment. Refer patients to specialists when necessary.

Req’d: graduate of accredited school of medicine with Doctor of Medicine degree or Doctor of Osteopathy plus completion of medical residency training program. Must have valid PA medical license and be Board Certified/Eligible in Internal Medicine.

To apply, send CV to K. Castaneda, Tower Health, South Sixth Avenue and Spruce Street, M-325, West Reading, PA 19611, or by email to karen.castaneda@towerhealth.org.

At Tower Health, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve.

Free Estimates Boilers, Furnaces & Hot Water Heaters All Fuels

219 Birch Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348

610-444-3810 Ask for Jeff www.tayloroilandpropane.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3A

Chester County Press

Local News Dr. Rachel Levine encouraged residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to combat the rising numbers, and stressed that mitigation efforts such as social distancing are working and that the goal of the department is to continue to provide as much data as possible in a timely manner. “COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Pennsylvania, so now is not the time to become complacent,� she said. “We must continue to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community. If you must go out, please make as few trips as possible and wear a mask to protect not only yourself, but other people as well. “We need all Pennsylvanians to continue to heed these efforts to protect our vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our health care workers and frontline responders.�

Stay-at-home orders extended to May 8 On April 1, Gov. Wolf issued a statewide stayat-home order to all Pennsylvanians, as well as ordered the closing of “non-essential� businesses. On April 20, Gov. Wolf and Dr. Levine announced that the statewide stayat-home orders will be extended until Friday, May 8 at 12:01 a.m. – movming the order up from the roriginal date of April 30. announcement � The comes at a time when the rclosure of all non-essenltial businesses has left a

severe wound in the state’s economy. In its March report, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) said that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate rose 1.3 percentage points to 6 percent – even higher than the national rate, which rose nine-tenths of a point to 4.4 percent.

Despite the gloomy numbers, Gov. Wolf and Dr. Levine offered a silver lining in a cloud that has largely shuttered the state economy for the past several weeks. “It is clear that our early and aggressive efforts to mitigate this spread of this highly contagious and deadly virus are working,�

Wolf said. “While we begin to seek ways to move forward, it’s imperative that we continue to take strong precautions to protect Pennsylvanians and ensure that our health care system is not overwhelmed.� “We are starting to see a downward trend in the number of positive cases throughout the state, which is definitely encouraging,� Dr. Levine said. “We need to proceed carefully to make sure the strides we’ve made in combatting this virus continue to move forward. Extending our statewide order until May 8 will ensure that we don’t overwhelm our health system, while helping our economy to recover.�

Under the extended order, all non-life-sustaining physical business closures will remain in effect and all life-sustaining businesses and state services will continue. Individuals

West Grove Diner...

Continued from Page 1A

will result in the suspension of its retail food license.

Subsequently, a suspension of the diner’s retail food license will require the facility to cease all food operations, and that the Health Department will retain the diner’s retail food facility license until further notice.

The food facility may continue to offer take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery in accordance with COVID-19 food facility guidelines. As of April 16, the brown paper was still affixed to the diner’s windows, and there were signs on the front door, observing that the diner

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

The West Grove Diner received an inspection by the Chester County Health Department for violating Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s order that restaurants in the state are to remain open for take-out and delivery only, in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.

was now open to take-out Chester County Press to the To contact Staff Writer and delivery only. restaurant’s management Richard L. Gaw, email A phone call from the was not returned. rgaw@chestercounty.com.

will be permitted to leave In addition, public and their residences for tasks private residential and nonessential to maintaining residential construction health and safety. may resume statewide on May 8, in accordance with Construction, auto sales, safety guidelines that will curbside pick-up of be issued by the adminspirits will restart istration.

Construction on May 8 projects already deemed life-sustaining may conIn deference to his plan -- tinue while adhering to and as a sign that efforts to social distancing, perreturn Pennsylvania to nor- sonnel limits and other malcy are slowly underway guidance as announced by -- Gov. Wolf announced the administration. on April 20 that beginning The Pennsylvania Liquor May 8, auto dealerships in Control Board (PLCB) has the state will be allowed to begun accepting orders by conduct limited car sales phone for curbside pickup and leasing operations, and of beer, wine and spirits that auto dealerships may at 176 locations throughcontinue to remain open out the state. Phone orders for certain activities, such can be placed between 9 as repairs to passenger and a.m. and 1 p.m., or until commercial vehicles and reaching a store’s maxisales of auto parts. mum order capacity each

day. Curbside pickups will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. within a few days of order placement. Callers will be guided through each store’s unique inventory. There is a limit of six bottles per order, and credit cards are the only accepted form of payment.

At pickup, customers will be required to present identification before the order is delivered.

These three limited steps forward, Gov. Wolf said, will be closely observed in the coming days and weeks to ensure that they do not result in a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, in which case the governor will use his authority under the emergency disaster declaration to resume restrictions to protect pub-

lic health and safety.

While the slow lifting of business closures begins in conjunction with the launch of “A Plan for Pennsylvania,� Gov. Wolf said that the road to full recovery will not happen overnight. “There is no magic wand to wave to get us there,� he said. “I will work, every day, to repair the damage this virus has caused and I am going to fight, every day, to keep Pennsylvanians alive.

I want to get started on the work we need to do to build a new commonwealth and to get our lives back.�

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

2WTRZ >dc >da 2;40A0=24 08B;4

D? C> 3XbR^d]cTS ?PeTab P]S FP[[b

50% OFF

2P]]^c QT R^\QX]TS fXcW P]h ^cWTa ^UUTab 4g_XaTb $ " !

B<0;; B?024B 7D64 A4F0A3B X] P ! g!# QPRZhPaS

NOW OFFERING ROLL OFF DUMPSTER RENTAL Call Today to reserve yours!

610-269-7022 â&#x20AC;˘ 610-932-7420

â&#x20AC;˘ Decorative Stone â&#x20AC;˘ Driveway Stone â&#x20AC;˘ Flagstone â&#x20AC;˘ Belgian Block â&#x20AC;˘ Dry Stack Stone â&#x20AC;˘ Bagged Cement â&#x20AC;˘ Fertilizer â&#x20AC;˘ Grass Seed â&#x20AC;˘ Weed Fabric â&#x20AC;˘ Straw â&#x20AC;˘ Tools â&#x20AC;˘ Split Rail Fence â&#x20AC;˘ Vinyl Fence â&#x20AC;˘ Firewood â&#x20AC;˘ Erosion Control Products â&#x20AC;˘ Drainage Pipe & Fittings

$2 OFF ?Ta HPaS

>] cWT 5^[[^fX]V <d[RW ?a^SdRcb)

Â&#x2019; 3^dQ[T CaX_[T 6a^d]S 7PaSf^^S A^^c <d[RW P]S ^a 1PaZ <d[RW Â&#x2019; 1[PRZ 1a^f] ATS 3hTS 3^dQ[T BWaTSSTS <d[RW Â&#x2019; 2TacXUXTS ?[PhVa^d]S <d[RW

2^]ca^[b FTTSb k ATcPX] <^XbcdaT k ?aTeT]c 4a^bX^] <PX]cPX] =dcaXT]cb k 2^]ca^[ ?Tbcb k 8\_a^eT B^X[ 2P]]^c QT R^\QX]TS fXcW P]h ^cWTa ^UUTab 4g_XaTb $ " !

PICK UP & DELIVERY WWW.A1MULCH.COM

4604 Edges Mill Road Downingtown, PA

410 Limestone Road (Rt.10), Oxford, PA

610-269-7022

610-932-7420

4A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Chester County Press

Local News Ball & Thistle Pub...

Continued from Page 1A

brought on board as the new chef of the Wyncote Golf Club’s restaurants in Lower Oxford Township, and golf club president Jim Pepple is excited to unveil some of the offerings that will be featured on a brand new menu.

In addition to the barbecue ribs, lasagna, and roasted chicken, Pepple said that the selection of new entrees includes ribeye steak that is charbroiled with a demi-glaze and served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, beerbattered haddock filets that are hand dipped and fried until they are golden brown, and a combo featuring a half-rack of ribs with either a half-order of chicken wings or a quartered chicken that he thinks patrons will love.

The take-out menu also includes a nice assortment of burgers, salads, and appetizers that will please any family. A Kennett burger is topped with Swiss cheese and mushrooms from Kennett Square. The crab bruschetta includes lump crab meat, tomato concasse, fresh basil, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Appetizers include Wyncote wings, cheesesteak egg rolls that are house-made with Sriracha ketchup, local mushrooms stuffed with crab imperial, and more. Longtime favorites like the Wyncote Burger and a wedge salad topped with bleu cheese dressing,

Budget...

Continued from Page 1A

Since projected expenditures outpace projected revenues for 2020-2021, the school district will need to balance the budget by utilizing a tax increase or dipping into its fund balance, Cooney explained. The smaller the tax increase, the more money the school district will need to pull from its fund balance.

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and its potential impact on school budgets.

Cooney pointed out that the state has not finalized its own budget for 20202021 so public schools don’t know what funding they will receive yet. Gov. Tom Wolf offered a proposed budget two months ago that included small increases in funding for

Courtesy photos

New executive chef Jim Clarke is developing new menus for the Wyncote Golf Club’s restaurants.

Jim Clarke is the new executive chef for the Wyncote Golf Club’s restaurants.

bacon, and diced tomatoes remain on the menu.

Pepple said that he gave Clarke the reins when it came to developing a new menu, although there was some collaboration as Pepple made sure to include the golf course superintendent, the special events coordinator and the pro shop director in discussions about the menu. They all had insights into what items had been popular with guests on previous menus.

Clarke comes to Wyncote with the experience necessary to develop a fantastic menu. He was previously the chef at the Mendenhall Inn, and Pepple is looking forward to seeing what direction he will take Wyncote’s restaurants. The Wyncote Golf Club opened in 1993, and the highly acclaimed restaurants debuted in 2000.

Offering take-out orders is a small, but significant

step toward normalcy for the Wyncote Golf Club, and Pepple said that he’s grateful that the Ball & Thistle Pub can once again serve the community. Offering takeout food allows Wyncote to bring back a significant portion of the staff that hasn’t been able to work since the Wyncote restaurants closed on March 19. The golf course remains closed as of now as part of the state’s plan to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Pepple is hoping that Pennsylvania golf courses will soon be able to open because they offer safe recreation for people where they have plenty of room to observe all rules about social distancing. At this time last year, when the restaurants and the golf course were all in full swing, there were 43 employees working at Wyncote, Pepple said.

The Ball & Thistle Pub is open for take-outs from

noon to 7 p.m. every day.

Orders can be placed by calling 610-998-1414 or by going to the Wyncote website. As a way to maximize the safety for the staff and customers, all orders must be paid for in advance with a credit card. Diners can drive up to the front door of the

clubhouse and pick up the take-out orders.

“I’m curious to see how this works,” Pepple said of the take-out dining. He added that they are really looking forward to the time when the restaurants can welcome their guests inside again.

“We are prepared to follow all CDC guidelines and safely spacing everyone out when we have the permission to do that again,” Pepple said.

public schools, but that was before the crisis hit.

Oxford School Board president Joseph Tighe noted that state budgets have been hit hard by the pandemic, and some states are seeking federal funds to help make up for revenue shortfalls.

Superintendent David Woods acknowledged the uncertainty about state funding until a state budget is adopted.

“Until we have an actual budget from the state, we have to do the best we can to project those figures,” Woods said.

Cooney added that the district tried to be as conservative as possible when making projections for the budget. For example, instead of counting on the hike in funding from the state, Oxford kept the funding level the same for its projections.

School board vice president Mark Patterson asked if the school district had adjusted its projections for revenues and expenditures based on the changes brought about by the pandemic. Cooney said that they had, but making such projections can be difficult.

For example, the school district will presumably save some money on transportation costs because the buses stopped running in mid-March for the current school year. But balancing that out is the fact that funding from the state will decrease in 2020-2021 because one part of that state funding is based on actual transportation costs during the previous year.

So if Oxford’s actual transportation costs decline one year, it will receive less funding for transportation for the next school year.

Additionally, the school

district will be making less than projected on investments as a result of the downturn in the economy.

Concerns about local revenues and funding from the state could result in a higher tax increase than last year when Oxford adopted a budget with a 1-percent increase. School board member Howard Robinson asked if the Finance Committee looked at a possibility of a onepercent increase.

Cooney said that the district did not look at that specific option, but there was an option of no tax increase at all.

The business administrator explained that it was the recommendation of the administration to approve a proposed final budget with a 2.6 percent increase for 2020-2021.

Cooney outlined the impact that the vari-

ous tax increases would have on tax bills. For the owner of a home with a median assessed value of $126,598, a 3.6-percent tax increase would equate to an increase of $143 in the tax bill. A 3-percent tax increase would see the tax bill increase by $119 on average. A 2.6-percent increase would amount to a tax bill hike of $104 for the owner of a home at the median assessed value.

The school board was expected to approve the proposed final budget at its meeting on April 21. After that, the proposed spending plan will be available for public review and comment until a final budget is adopted.

The school board also reviewed the agenda for the April 21 regular meeting. That agenda includes an item that would authorize the high school band

to take a trip to Walt Disney World to perform.

Tighe asked whether they should add language to the motion that would stipulate that the trip could only be taken if the pandemic is under control and it is safe for students.

Woods noted that the school district could always take action to stop an out-of-state trip if there was concern about student safety. The board was being asked to approve the trip now because outof-state trips need to be included in the school district’s insurance rider.

“We’ll certainly monitor the situation,” Woods said.

The Oxford School Board will be meeting again on Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 19.

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

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5A

Chester County Press

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

Opinion

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Now is not the time for tax increases

Book sheds light on Oxford’s history

When school districts across the Commonwealth started work on their 2020-2021 budgets, many of them were anticipating year-to-year increases in costs. The economy was generally very robust, and most school districts were seeing year-to-year increases in revenues. Some school districts were certainly on target to include a tax increase to balance the budget for the next fiscal year.

And then, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the world changed very quickly.

Now, school district officials have a daunting task of trying to project revenues and expenditures in that changed world. There is now a lot of uncertainty about school district revenues at the local, state, and federal levels.

State lawmakers had a lot of work to do on the state’s spending plan before the crisis arrived and the pandemic changed everything. When the governor unveiled the budget just a few short months ago, that robust economy meant that expenditure increases were likely. There is now a great deal of uncertainty about the full impact of the forced shutdown of most business activity. This much is certain: It is a very bad time to be raising taxes, and school district officials and state lawmakers need to do what they can to ensure that taxes don’t go up now.

School districts are sitting on millions of dollars of taxpayer money, and now is the time to dip into the fund balances in order to adopt budgets.

At the state level, all the rainy day funds and money set aside for discretionary spending should be utilized.

Millions of Pennsylvania families have been hurt by the crisis. Now is not the time for tax increases, period.

Kudos on a job well done Kudos to Ware Presbyterian Village for organizing a parade for the residents one day last week. It was a nice way to boost everyone’s spirits. After all the quarantining and social distancing, we all deserve a parade right about now.

Letter to the Editor: The article “A Look at Oxford’s Commercial History,” by Steve Hoffman, which appeared in your March 25 issue, does great service by presenting a detailed description of a valuable source of information on a dynamic time in the community’s past.

Your readers may be interested to know that the 1894 publication on which the article is based, Oxford, a Representative Pennsylvania Borough, was issued by a group similar to a chamber of commerce with the purpose of promoting the town’s economic development. The optimistic note

that pervades the book, which Hoffman rightly cites, reflects the Board of Trade’s goal of attracting investment and residential growth as the nineteenth century was coming to an end.

Oxford, a Representative Pennsylvania Borough, is available online on Google Books, and can also be pur-

chased as a reprint from Amazon. Anyone with an interest in Oxford’s past will certainly enjoy the text and the numerous photographs in either format.

John Bradley Claremont, California Former President, Oxford Area Historical Association

Essential workers are workers, not soldiers Letter to the Editor: The COVID-19 pandemic is frequently described in terms of war by the media and elected officials.

The pandemic is referred to as a war on an invisible enemy. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is referred to as a body armor.

Essentials workers are said to be warriors or soldiers in a battle on the frontlines.

They are also called heroes for going to work. While these metaphors of war are common they have a dark side. War metaphors can

condition the public to see illness or death of essential workers as casualties of war rather than what they really are—victims of a public health failure.

While calling essential workers heroes is said with good intentions, you will find few workers who want to be called heroes. I am also a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and never met a fellow veteran who wants to be called a hero. Every nurse I work with tells me they are not heroes. What they really want is not praise, but proper PPE.

More disturbing has been some responses to nurses who demand proper PPE being told “That is what you signed up for.” That is not what any essential worker signed up for. They signed up to live and to serve. If a worker gets sick or dies they are no longer fulfilling their duties.

They are either gone forever or become patients themselves.

Essential workers are grateful for thanks but please think twice about referring to them as soldiers in a war. The best

thing to do is to work on getting proper PPE for everyone interfacing with the public. That may mean contacting employers, the media, or elected officials to highlight areas of need. Once this pandemic ends we need to work on ensuring we are better prepared for the next pandemic. Pandemics are public health problems, not wars. Essential workers are workers, not soldiers.

Brent Thompson Ph.D., R.N. Lincoln University

Legislation would halt business evictions and foreclosures Senator Tom Killion (R-Chester and Delaware) introduced legislation last week, Senate Bill 1116, that would temporarily halt evictions and foreclosures of businesses affected by measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Killion’s legislation piggybacks on a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court order suspending residential foreclosures and evictions.

“Small businesses are vital to our economy

and an essential part of our communities,” said Killion. “The COVID-19 emergency has taken an unimaginable toll on them.

Halting business evictions and foreclosures will make it easier for small business owners and the hardworking Pennsylvanians they employ to get back on their feet as we restart our economy.”

Restaurants and retail have been among businesses hardest hit by the emergency, Killion noted.

Dave Magrogan of West Chester owns and operates 10 restaurants throughout the region, employing more than 800 people. The shutdown order has forced him to lay off all but three of his employees. While several of his Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar locations initially remained open serving curbside and to-go meals, he has since closed his remaining restaurants.

Margrogan voiced his strong support for Killion’s legislation.

“Suspending defaults and evictions is critical to give restaurants, bars and other businesses a chance to get back on their feet and reopen,” said Magrogan.

“Sen. Killion’s bill would make sure business owners have something other than the goodwill and mercy of their landlord in trying to reopen and re-establish their business. I hope the bill moves and becomes law quickly.”

Enjoying significant bipartisan support, Senate

Bill 1116 has 15 co-sponsors, nine Democrats and six Republicans. It is a priority of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA).

“The hospitality industry has been the most impacted by this crisis and the return to normal business operations will not be swift, our members have little to no revenue right now and we appreciate Senator Killion acknowledging this and introducing legislation that recognizes the time we

will need to recover,” said PRLA President and CEO John Longstreet.

“Mom-and-pop retailers and restaurants are as vital to the fabric of our communities as our schools and civic organizations,” said Killion. “Industry experts suggest one out of every five restaurants might never emerge from this crisis. That’s not acceptable.

Pennsylvania must do what it can to give these businesses a chance to reopen and succeed.”

Guest Column

A Remote Learning Task Force is needed to address Pa. students’ needs

By Susan Spicka For most Pennsylvanians, the COVID-19 pandemic became real on March 13 when Governor Tom Wolf ordered Pennsylvania’s schools to close. While there was resistance in many quarters, this action protected our children from illness, and protected their parents and

grandparents from this rapidly spreading, lethal virus.

Soon after, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation to provide stability and clarity for Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. Schools remain funded at prepandemic levels; school employees remain on duty for teaching, counseling

Chester County Press Randall S. Lieberman Publisher Steve Hoffman..................................Managing Editor Richard L. Gaw..................................Associate Editor Brenda Butt.........................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley...........................................Art Director Alan E. Turn...............................Advertising Director Teri Turns................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren......................Advertising Executive Amy Lieberman.............Marketing/Public Relations The Chester County Press (USPS 416-500) is published every Wednesday by: AD PRO, Inc. 144 South Jennersville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346 Telephone: (610) 869-5553 • FAX (610) 869-9628 E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., no weekend hours Annual Subscription Rate: $40.00 | Senior Citizen Rate - $30.00

NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Current and previous week's issues are &1.00 each.

Older issues are $1.50 each. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, PA 19363. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chester County Press, P.O. Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346.

The award winning Chester County Press

and food distribution activities; and the Secretary of Education has flexibility to respond quickly in the everchanging environment.

With this certainty, school leaders and educators sprang into action to transform, within days, to a new system of remote learning.

Consider the challenge keeping fidgety first graders engaged, helping fourth and fifth graders, old enough to feel their parents’ anxiety, remain interested in science and social studies, and keeping high schoolers on track for graduation.

We should acknowledge the urgency and creativity of teachers and administrators responding to this challenge.

We must also acknowledge the tremendous inequities in school districts’ ability to provide remote learning to students in Pennsylvania’s urban and rural school districts.

To address this problem we call on the Governor to immediately convene a Remote Learning Task Force of school officials and experts to ensure all school districts have the capability to provide remote learning to all students, including students with disabilities and English learners.

Students face two sig- students connect, experinificant barriers to remote menting with mobile learning: hotspots and using school building parking lots as • In less wealthy com- WiFi hubs. munities, school districts These actions are extraorstruggle to provide even the dinary but they are not most basic resources during universal. the best of times and can’t Vulnerable students will afford to give each student a fall further behind. The parpersonal computer. The lap- ents who put themselves in top or iPad that is standard harms’ way working long issue in some districts is a shifts in hospitals and waredistant dream in others. houses can’t also be full time teachers. Studies are clear • Many families can’t - children who don’t read on afford high speed inter- grade level by 3rd grade, or net service in their homes to who are disengaged in 9th connect students to materi- grade, are at great risk of als and instruction. In rural academic failure. communities, providers can The General Assembly charge $18,000 to connect should also swiftly enact a home, even when the next Representative Curtis door neighbor has access. In Sonney’s cyber education Pennsylvania’s broadband bill, requiring districts to deserts, high-speed Internet offer three cyber options to is simply not available. students, including a district program and two providThere are bright spots. The ed by qualified vendors, Pennsylvania Department of including cyber schools.

Education has made online This approach maintains curriculum available to stu- choice, creates competition dents at no cost and has to drive down costs and partnered with public tele- holds vendors accountable vision stations to connect for the quality of instruction. families with thousands Districts that are providing of hours of educational full-time cyber education for programming. $5,000 per child should not School districts and inter- be forced to pay three times mediate units are finding that amount for cyber charcreative solutions to help ter schools.

Online learning is no substitute for everything that our local public schools provide students. And parents throughout the commonwealth recognize more than ever the value of the trained professionals who teach our students every day.

Still, we must recognize the unpredictable nature of this pandemic. The Remote Learning Task Force can start immediately to identify gaps in technology and instruction. Developing a comprehensive assessment of connectivity gaps will help school districts today and put Pennsylvania in a strong position to leverage potential federal funds.

The COVID-19 has exposed tremendous gaps in our healthcare system and has laid bare the tremendous inequities in our education system. We urge the Governor and lawmakers to take up this challenge now to protect our children from short-term illness and long-term injury from this pandemic.

Susan Spicka is the executive director of Education Voters of PA, a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan education policy and advocacy organization

6A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

B

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Ware Presbyterian Village holds parade for residents

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer With a big assist from local firefighters, police officers, and first responders, the staff at Ware Presbyterian Village organized a parade to boost the spirits of residents in the community on April 16.

The parade featured fire trucks and ambulances from Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford, police vehicles from Oxford Borough and West Nottingham, and numerous cars driven by Ware staff members that were decorated with balloons and inspirational posters. Ware staff members also dressed up in costumes and danced and waved to residents as the parade moved through the community.

“The Ware residents and staff have gone above and beyond to keep themselves and each other safe and healthy during this time,” said David Nicholson, the executive director of Ware Presbyterian Village. “We are celebrating the con-

tinued efforts of many to reinforce positivity while there is so much angst and negativity all around us. We will grow stronger from all of this.”

Nicholson thanked the local emergency responders for their support with staging the parade. He said that the first responders thought it was important to participate to bring cheer and well-wishes to residents in the community.

Residents like Berta Rains really appreciated the parade and the efforts of those who planned and staged it.

“It was the sweetest thing for them to do this,” she said a few hours after the parade.

Rains explained that after more than a month of social distancing and following the rules to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus, the residents do feel isolated. The parade helped.

She added that the Ware Presbyterian Village staff has been very supportive of residents through all

Photos by Steven Hoffman

Union Fire Company No. 1 of Oxford provided fire trucks and ambulances for the parade.

this, doing everything they can to ensure that residents have what they need.

It was particularly touching, Rains said, to have

local firefighters, police, and first responders take the time to be in the parade.

“Everybody felt so appreciative that they

would go through the trouble to put on a parade for us,” Rains explained.

“It made us feel really good to be in Oxford. It’s

a wonderful community.”

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

The parade moved through the Ware Presbyterian Village community.

The Ware staff dressed appropriately for the occasion.

The Oxford Police Department and West Nottingham Police Department took part in the parade.

Signs with positive messages provided encouragement for residents.

2B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Chester County Press

Obituaries JANE HANNUM BUFFUM Jane Hannum Buffum, of Mendenhall, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on April 13. She was 72. She was a food writer for the Chester County Press, the Kennett Paper, and the Daily Local News, and was a former hostess of the Culinary Corner for WCHE 1520 AM. A 1965 graduate of Kennett High School, she attended Wilson College, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, and received her degree as the very first woman to graduate from Widener University (PMC Colleges).

“Jane was a wonderful and bigger-than-life person,” said Randall Lieberman, the publisher of the Chester County Press. “She will be remembered fondly for all she did in her community.”

Buffum served as chairwoman of the Mushroom Festival Amateur Mushroom Cook-Off for many years.

She was a member of Philadelphia Woman’s Culinary Guild, a founding sponsor for the Brandywine Valley SPCA Forget Me Not Gala, and she was most fond of her work with the Kennett Library at Bayard Taylor Commons as a member of the special events committee.

“Jane was such a character and a wonderful member of the Committee,” said Wendy Lee Walker, who served on the Kennett Library Home and Garden Tour committee with Buffum.

Jane is survived by beloved son Robert Stephan Buffum II (Amber), granddaughters Jesse, Isabella, Sabrina, and Ariel, and grandsons Oliver, Adrian, and Sebastian.

Additionally, she is survived by her sister Sara Meadows (David) of East Marlborough Township, a brother Tom Hannum (Holly) of North East, Md., six nieces and nephews and their children.

A gathering in her memory is planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Kennett Area Community Service in her memory is requested.

Condolences may be sent to R Buffum at P.O. Box 111 Mendenhall, PA 19357.

IRIS M. SOTO

Iris M. Soto, age 81, of Kennett Square, passed away on April 12 at The Friends Home in Kennett, Linden Hall, in Kennett Square.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Isidro Soto and the late Celia Gonzalez. Iris grew up in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY, and lived there until 2010, with her sister Gloria Soto and her father, Isidro Soto, who passed in 2010 at the age of 103.

Before moving to Kennett Square, Iris lived in Cranford, NJ for nine years.

Iris began an artistic career with Norcross Greeting Cards in New York City, then worked for a British advertising agency, BBD&O in New York City, and finished her 45-year career as a commercial graphic artist with the J. Walter Thompson Agency, also in New York City, retiring in 2003. While with J. Walter Thompson, Iris worked on the promotional art for many significant movies, including the theater posters for the first “Star Wars” film in 1977.

Iris was a member of the Soroptimist International, a worldwide women’s organization dedicated to helping women improve their lives. She did volunteer work for the Jewish Guild for the Blind in New York City, was a charter member supporter for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and volunteered and did artwork for the Society of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (U.S. Army).

She enjoyed many arts and crafts projects including knitting, making her own greeting cards, and designing clothing. Over her entire life, Iris enjoyed Broadway theater productions, visiting and financially supporting museums, and traveling throughout the United States and overseas. Iris loved sports, best of all professional soccer and her beloved New York Rangers hockey team, and she was a season ticket holder and officer in the Rangers Fan Club for many years. After she retired, Iris made hundreds of colorful scarves that she’d donate during the holidays to children who were seriously ill in the hospital. She was an ordained minister, a spiritual individual, frequently singing, and loved being with her family and friends.

Iris is survived by three sisters, Gloria Soto of Kennett Square, Isabel Soto (and her husband Richard Ehrlichman) of Avondale, and Maria Pereira of Cranford, NJ; one niece, Beatrice Pereira of Westfield, NJ, and other loving relatives. Her services will be held at a later date.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove.

Alleluia Thus says the LORD: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5 The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space.

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

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

Compliments of

Lions Club of Oxford

HERR FOODS, INC. NOTTHINGHAM, PA

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

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

Nottingham Inn, Nottingham, PA

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

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

CRAIG ZNOTENS Craig Mikel Znotens, 49, of Landenberg, passed away on April 9 at his residence. He was the husband of Kerri Snyder Znotens, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage.

Born in Pottstown, Pa., he was the son of Mikel and Barbara Stetler Znotens of Harleysville, Pa. Craig was an accountant at BNY Mellon Bank in Wilmington, Del. He was a graduate of Souderton High School and Susquehanna University.

Craig was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, especially the Phillies and Eagles. He enjoyed brewing his own beer, eating German food and was an excellent cook. He also enjoyed collecting train sets and going to the beach.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Olivia Znotens and Sadie Znotens both of Landenberg; one sister, Lara Penny of Radnor, Pa.; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kathy and Bill Snyder of Ft. Myers, FL. His Memorial service will be held at a later date.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.

RICHARD D. PREWITT, SR. Richard D. Prewitt, Sr., of Oxford, passed away at home on April 16. He was 81.

He and his wife Annabelle (Jones) Prewitt shared 58 years of marriage before her passing in 2019.

Born and raised in Oxford, he was the son of the late Ivory D. and Arvilla Lutman Prewitt.

Dick was the former president of Prewitt’s Garage, Inc., where he worked with his brother, Bob for decades, serving the Oxford community. He devoted all of those years to provide customers with high-quality automotive service and outstanding client satisfaction.

He was an honorary member of the Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford.

In his spare time, Dick enjoyed hunting, cutting and splitting wood, lawn equipment repair, building large operational airplane models and spending time with his best friend and love, Ann, at their retreat in Breezewood, Pa. He is survived by his son, Richard D. Prewitt, Jr. and his wife, Beth of Centre Hall, Pa.; two grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Prewitt and her fiancé, Matthew Mosses of New Cumberland, Pa. and Brian R Prewitt of Boston, MA; two brothers, Robert Prewitt and his wife, Flossi of Oxford and Rodney Prewitt and his wife, Deb of Kirkwood, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Bartram, and a brother, Ronald Prewitt.

Funeral services will be private at the Oxford Cemetery with the help of the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford.

A memorial of Dick’s life will be held at a later date.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church, 408 Bayard Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348, Union Fire Company No. 1, 315 Market St., Oxford, PA 19363 or Penn Medicine Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3B

Chester County Press

Obituaries JEAN Y. SWISHER Jean Y. Swisher, 85, a resident of Conestoga View Nursing Home in Lancaster, Pa., went to be with her Lord on April 17.

She was born in Lombard, Md. on the family farm of her late parents, John C. Duncan and Dora (Ray) Duncan. She lived most of her life in Oxford and Little Britain, Pa. She was the widow of Samuel F. Swisher.

Jean, was fondly known as Pat or Patsy to her friends and family. She was a loving mother and mom-mom.

She was an avid gardener who especially enjoyed tending to her flower gardens. She truly had a green thumb!

Pat was a caring and loving person, tending to many in need. She would make food to share, and generously gave her time to others. She started her working career as a cab driver with her husband Sam in Oxford. She then worked as a machine operator for Kennetex Inc. in Kennett Square. She finished her career working at Herr Foods Inc. on the production line until retiring at age 78 after 30 years.

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

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with her brother Harvey across the United States.

She is survived by one daughter, Betty Haga and her companion, Dave Mowrer; two sons, Randolph W. Swisher, (and his wife, Delena), and Michael R. Swisher; five grandchildren, Barry Haga, Jr, Adam ( Kristi ) Haga, Autumn ( Ken ) Eller, Jordan Swisher, and Keri ( Jeremy ) Kuppinger; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her young son, Edward (Eddie) Swift; her siblings, John C Duncan, Jr, Harvey R. Duncan and Margaret (Peggy) Richardson; and son-in-law Barry Haga, Sr. Those that knew her were greatly blessed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Wrightsdale Baptist Church Building Fund, 310 Little Britain Road South, Peach Bottom, PA. 17563.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, services will be private at Union Presbyterian Cemetery in Kirkwood, Pa. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

chestercounty.com ONLINE ALL THE TIME NEWS • SCHOOLS ENTERTAINMENT • BUSINESS SPORTS • HOME & GARDEN

LOUIS G. HURRELBRINCK Louis G. Hurrelbrinck, formerly of West Chester, passed away on the morning of April 17 at his home in Avondale. He was 85.

He was the loving husband for more than 55 years of Roberta Jenkins Hurrelbrinck.

He was born to Louis L. and Margaret Rouzer Hurrelbrinck on July 18, 1934 in Baltimore, MD. Louis attended Lansdowne High School, and following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Marine, he served his country in Korea.

Upon discharge, he was awarded three Medals of Service.

After his military service, he attended Drexel University. Next, Louis took a job with Penn Central Railroad and became the manager of property taxes for Penn Central. He retired from his job.

During his retirement, he established his own business, Westtown Antiques. In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf and was a member of The Penn Oaks Country Club in West Chester for more than 40 years.

In addition to his wife, Roberta, he is survived by two sons, Scott F. Hurrelbrinck (and his wife, Kristi) of Jennersville, Pa. and Eric D. Hurrelbrinck of Wayne, Pa. In addition, he is survived by his four grandchildren, Zachary, Luke, Karlee, and Addison, who fondly referred to him as Do-Be-Do. He was predeceased by his parents.

All funeral services will be private. Honorary contributions may be made in his name to the Brandywine River Valley Hospice, 121 Bell Tower Lane, Oxford, PA 19363. Arrangements have been made by the Foulk Funeral Home in West Grove. Please visit the online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh. com.

4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Chester County Press

Local News Alma Newlin Educational Fund announces scholarship awards for local students The Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County recently announced the awarding of Alma Newlin Educational Fund scholarships to talented students residing in the five local school districts of Avon Grove, Kennett,

Octorara, Oxford, and Unionville-Chadds Ford.

The scholarships, totaling $99,400 this year alone, are designed to assist students in preparing for careers in the health care field. Award values this year were $2,000 to $5,200.

This year’s award winners plan to study for a variety of careers including nursing, medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, dentistry, biomedical engineering, nutrition, pharmacy, optometry, and occupational, physical and

MAKE SURE THEY’RE IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat

speech pathology.

All recipients must have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be human health care education-bound students either in undergraduate studies or pursuing advanced degrees.

Each applicant is eligible for one undergraduate and/or one post-graduate award at this time.

The Alma Newlin Educational Fund was established in 1990 through a bequest from Mrs. Alma Newlin, who lived in Kennett Square. The Fund is administered by the Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County.

Applications for next year’s scholarships may be obtained on our website at www.

HWFSCC.org under the funding link. The Foundation asks that you please use only current applications for your submission printable after October 1 of each year.

The scholarship recipients Oxford Area School District include the following: Heather Mullins Avon Grove School District Rebecca Rush Saul Nieto-Torres Rachel Donten Taylor Hamiltoni Katelyn Enache Escarlet Lara-Lopez Unionville-Chadds Ford Luke Manolescu School District Kailey Mitchell Christina Hastings Dayton Walraven Erin Mazur Kennett Consolidated School District College and Savannah Applegate university students Gabriella Caruso Mary Charnicko Immaculata Arya Fagri (undergraduate programs) Madeline Fowler Gisselle Hernandez Olivia Giovannini Itzayana Lara Lopez Azia Graham Alexis Vavina-Moreno Katherine Holguin Rebecca Larimer William & Mary Gina Lusvardi Lauren Mazur David Opong (accepted at medical Tejis Ranganath school next year) Ashley Willey Octorara School District Ilyssa Marsh Nathaniel Sellers Karla Zima-Doyle

Virginia Tech Elizabeth Grove (in doctoral program, physical therapy)

Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Board of Supervisors of New Garden Township intends to consider passage of the following ordinance at its June 15, 2020 public meeting. The preamble and summary follow: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW GARDEN, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP HISTORIC RESOURCES MAP AND OFFICIAL LIST, AS AUTHORIZED IN CHAPTER 200 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE, BEING THE ZON-

ING ORDINANCE, BY ADDING CERTAIN PROPERTIES AS HISTORIC RESOURCES. EFFECTIVE FIVE (5) DAYS FROM ENACTMENT. A summary of the proposed ordinance follows: Section 1.

Amends the Historic Resources Map and Official List, as authorized by § 200-168, Map Created; Classification of Historic Resources; Revisions, to add the following properties as historic resources: 6750 Limestone Road New Garden Township UPI: 60-6-44.1, Description: House Classification: III, 1 Altemus Drive, New Garden Township UPI: 60-7-4, Description: House

Classification: I, 1610 Yeatmans Station Road New Garden Township, UPI: none Description: House Classification: I, Yeatmans Station Road New Garden 1511 Township, UPI: 60-7-15.1, Description: House Classification: III, 8936 Gap Newport Pike New Garden Township UPI: 60-3-243.6, Description: Lyceum House, Classification: I. Section 2. Effective five (5) days from the date of enactment. A full text copy of the ordinance is available for public without charge or may be obtained for a charge not greater than the cost thereof at the Municipal Building. For further

information, please contact Spence Andress, Interim Township Manager.

Public notice of the hearing on this ordinance will come at a later date.

Vincent M. Pompo, Township Solicitor 4p-22-1t

NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

Friends of the Farmhouse has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

Lamb McErlane PC, 24 E. Market St., P.O. Box 565, West Chester, PA 19382 4p-22-1t

NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

Vision Academy Charter School of Excellence has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988. The MacMain Law Group LLC, 433 West Market Street, Suite 200, West Chester, PA 19382 4p-22-1t

NON-PROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

Young Scholars of Southeastern Pennsylvania Charter School has been

incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988. The MacMain Law Group LLC, 433 West Market Street, Suite 200, West Chester, PA 19382 4p-22-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T proposes to construct a 145’ monopole at 940 Unionville Wawaset Road, Kennett Square, PA (20200489).

Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

4p-22-1t

See these local businesses and many more on our website - Click Directory

PACK N SHIP

Inquire Now! Poison Ivy • Brush & Weed Control

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

Green Grazers 484-643-6939

Southern Chester County authorized Drop-Off Center for DHL, UPS, FedEx

Go Green, Go Goats

Mon-Fri 10-6pm, Sat 10-2pm

Jennersville • 610-345-9070

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

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

Economical, Eco-Friendly All Natural Land Clearing Service for Small and Large Areas

T L MOVING C SERVICES, LLC A personalized and friendly service specializing in packing and unpacking for house to retirement home moves.

We manage your move! www.tlcmovingservicesllc.com Caen Stroud

610-268-3243

Trailer Repair Welding

Truck Acces.

Spray Liners

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

Over 40 Years Experience UHAUL

Hitches

Commercial & Residential

Free Estimates Insured

JOHN’S LAWN SERVICE – Established 1985 –

Lawn Maintenance Mulching Trees Planted Hardscaping Mowing Trimming

Landscaping Brush Cutting Field Mowing Chipping Skid Loader Tractor Work

610-467-1103

E

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Chester County Press

Local News Unionville High School receives national recognition for its commitment to music education Unionville High School has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The SupportMusic Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Unionville High School answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music-making programs, Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed

by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“The Unionville High School community is so honored to be recognized as a SupportMusic Merit Award recipient by the

NAMM Foundation,” stated Jimmy Conley, Unionville High School principal.

“This award acknowledges Unionville Chadds-Ford School District’s commitment to provide all students with access to the highestquality music instruction.

I would personally like to thank the Unionville High School Music Department members Jason Throne, Eddie Otto, and Leo Zumpetta, for their tireless commitment and countless hours that they spend with their music education students during the school day, and in our music extracurricular activities.”

This award recognizes that Unionville High School is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

“Music is essential to a child’s education,” stated

“Unionville High School music teacher Eddie Otto.

Dr. Antoinette Gomez named to Family Promise post Dr. Antoinette Gomez has joined the staff at Family Promise of Southern Chester County.

Gomez was hired as the family services case manager to take programming and case management to the next level for the five-year old organization that has served more than 62 families who had no place to live as a family unit. Those families have benefitted from the many services and programs of the organization.

Gomez is a Chester County native who brings diverse experience working with families through roles in private practice and public social services agencies. She is an undergraduate of Pennsylvania State University, received her MSCW at the University of Denver and completed doctoral-level work at Argosy University with professional accreditations in marriage and family counseling, addictions and other counseling specialties.

“I enjoy helping families meet life goals,” said

Courtesy photo

Antoinette Gomez

Gomez. “ We build a community within our program as families work hard to establish a path back to their own housing that often requires job training, financial support and family support services.”

Already, Gomez has created family outings and made home visits to program alumni.

“We are thrilled to have the level of enthusiasm and dedication that Antoinette brings to Family Promise,” said Kim Zuleba, the board president for Family Promise of Southern Chester County.

Courtesy photos

Music teacher Jason Throne with the Unionville High School Choir.

Throne, Unionville High School music teacher. “It helps them to develop language and reasoning, gives them discipline and is key to their creative thinking.

Music nourishes the human soul and gives students a way to build imagination and intellectual curiosity as

well as an outlet for their musical expression. We are thrilled to be able to share that love of music and performance with our students every day, and it is an honor to be recognized by NAMM for these efforts.”

Research into music education continues to

demonstrate educational/ cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores that their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children that in those without music train-

ing. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound; young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

The Unionville High School Marching Band.

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Crushed Stone Showers By Home Smart Industries

Project time: 2

weeks

2 DAYS!

DON’T SETTLE FOR PLASTIC SHOWER WALLS

Home ome Smart S Industries is the areas only Authorized Dealer of Kohler’s LuxStone S % shower wall system made of 70 Alabama crushed marble and professionally installed at prices comparable to acrylic showers. Design your bathtub or shower TGRNCEGOGPV YKVJ QWT VTCKPGF CPF EGTVKſGF 5RGEKCNKUVU CV C RTKEG [QW ECP CHHQTF

$

1,000 OFF

ANY SHOWER REMODEL

|

0 DOWN, 0% APR FINANCING $

|

NEW! COLORS, FAUCETS, DOORS & ACCESSORIES

When you have our Kohler LuxStone Design Consultants to your home for a Design Consultation, you will be given an exact, to the penny price including all labor, materials, removal, haul away, installation and permits. No surprise costs AND we honor that price for 1 year GUARANTEED. All of the design and product selection is done in your home, saving you time and ensuring the choices work perfectly with your space. We offer senior & military discounts as well as other discounts RNWU ſPCPEKPI UQ C UJQYGT TGOQFGN KU affordable on any budget.

|

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE

DESIGN CONSULTATION

|

484-209-6082 INDUSTRIES Bathtubs | Showers | Kohler Walk-In Baths

Authorized Dealer

Bathtubs | Walk-In Baths | Showers | Safety Showers

www.HomeSmartind.com

Must call this number for discounts ^^^

*Cannotbecombinedwithanyotheroffer.Previoussalesexcluded.Goodatinitialpresentationonly.Discountscannotbecombinedwithanyotheroffer.Additionalworkisextraandoptional.Financingavailableforqualifiedbuyers.

NO PRICE QUOTES WILL BE GIVEN VIA PHONE. 13 Mount Pleasant Drive Aston, Pennsylvania 19014.