Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 155, No. 21
INSIDE
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
First Fridays coming back to Oxford By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer There is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. Oxford Borough Council approved two Special Event permits for Oxford Mainstreet Inc. (OMI) at their recent meeting that will allow First
Chadds Ford Life
Friday events to return to downtown Oxford. Council approved a Special Event permit for the First Friday in July and the First Friday in August, in accordance with the guidelines of the CDC and the Pennsylvania Health Department. Both Christy Hannum, executive director, and
Brian Dix, Mainstreet manager of OMI, were very enthusiastic about the revival of the First Fridays. July‘s First Friday will be a summer block party, while August’s First Friday will include music. And, of course, September’s First Friday, which has been approved, will be the
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Braving Veracity, Vol. 2 features 11 essays written by local women authors whose work centers around women who have influenced, changed or inspired them during difficult periods in their lives. The cover features Marlén Cordova-Pedroza, an 18-year-old senior at Kennett High School, whose essay “Where There’s a Will” is included in the book. The cover painting was created by Carrie Barcomb, whose essay Continued on page 3A “Sofia’s Voice” also appears in the book.
Obituaries..............2B-3B Classifieds.................4B
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Continued on page 2A
There is a moment early on in Patty Hillkirk’s recent TEDx Talk when she asks the viewers to think about a time when an interaction with another person changed the course of his or her life— whether that change was for the good or the bad. Next, Hillkirk, the executive director of Kennett Square-based Camp Dreamcatcher, shared her recollection of a fateful day when her own life was changed by two separate encounters that took place on the very same day. She explained that when she was a teenager, she was convinced that she wanted to be a veterinarian because she always loved animals, especially dogs. When she was 17 and preparing for college, Hillkirk met with a school advisor to talk about registering for college classes. She went into the meeting thinking that she wanted to pursue pre-veterinary coursework. When she told the advisor of her plans, he looked down at the stack of papers on his desk and replied, “Patricia, you’re not smart enough for that. Just look at your grades.” In that moment, Hillkirk said, her childhood dreams were gone. “I left that room completely shattered. My dreams were thrown away,” she explained. In her talk, Hillkirk only spends only a moment or two talking about the day that her own dream died. Most of the talk—in fact, most of Hillkirk’s professional Continued on page 4A
It’s So Lola’s opens: Check out the glam! By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Just as the pandemic began in 2020, Lola’s at 57 South Third Street was beginning an expansion.
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were put on hold due to the pandemic, OMI continued moving on other projects. One of those projects is the Shoebox Theatre. Tragically, Dennis Melton, the spark and driving force behind the theatre project, passed away. His loss will be felt by many in this
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
When Dida Gazoli published Braving Veracity, Medic 94 begins capital Vol. 1 in July of 2020, she campaign...1B had achieved a great many things, beginning with the fact that she had edited, published and released the book smack in the middle of COVID-19, when the world was in shutdown. Second, Gazoli had championed eight women writers from Chester County, and the Brandywine Valley, whose personal essays and memoirs captured in the 65-page book were both poignant and relatable. Third, and perhaps the most monuOxford Area High School mental achievement, was names valedictorian and that Gazoli was introducing local audiences to the notion salutatorian...5B that there could possibly be more to creative expression in the region than just paint
Opinion.......................5A
always-popular Car Show. Dix said since restrictions have eased, local merchants are anxious to bring back First Fridays. Dix also thanked Mary Barringer for her continued efforts as a volunteer and for recently planting beautiful flowers throughout the town. Although First Fridays
Braving Veracity Catching dreams returns with new for kids Patty Hillkirk shares the inspiring anthology of essays by story of Camp Dreamcatcher during a recent TEDx Talk – and about – women By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
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And although the pandemic slowed the progress, it didn’t stop it. On May 8, they completed their renovation and opened the doors to It’s So Lola’s, an expansion of Lola’s which features elegant,
stylish and vintage special occasion wear. Just as announcements were coming out about Pennsylvania loosening up its pandemic guidelines and getting closer to removing those masks, Lola’s had
not only survived a difficult year for many local businesses, but actually celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for an expansion. Nancy Ware Sapp, owner of the fashionable establishment, was only too happy
to explain how they created yet another gorgeous place to shop. “We actually took the existing warehouse in the back of Lola’s and turned it into an elegant showroom Continued on page 3A
Three Kennett lacrosse players headed for the national tournament Three Kennett High School lacrosse team members will be playing in the national tournament over Memorial Day Weekend. Megan Ward, Bridget Wells and Makayla Kelly earned spots on the All Area Team representing the Philadelphia area. When they arrive, each will be placed on one of the four teams from this area. Also participating are teams from the New England and Maryland regions, where lacrosse is widely played by female athletes. This tournament, taking
place in Bel Air, Md., is a college recruiting event, and is not an outcome of the scholastic competition schedules. The girls had to try out and pay the fees for their participation and uniforms. Their parents will take them there, and they will stay in hotels during that weekend of May 29, 30, and 31. According to Wells, about 200 girls in grades nine through 11 tried out, and roughly half of them made the cut. Their success in qualifying came from the results of their playing
records and actual observations by evaluators. The pool of participants from the Philadelphia area is particularly strong and even includes players from elite private schools in the region. When asked what they anticipate, the girls said they are not sure what to expect, but they are looking forward to it. If they are viewed favorably while they play, they may qualify for college athletic scholarships. Each girl said she is interested in Photo by Chris Barber playing lacrosse at the col- Headed for the national lacrosse tournament are, from legiate level. left, Bridget Wells, Makayla Kelly and Megan Ward.
Kennett Memorial Day Parade planned for 2022 The traditional Kennett Square Memorial Day parade will not occur this year, yet preparations are already underway for Memorial Day, May 30, 2022. “The last Memorial Day Parade in Kennett Square occurred in 2019. Since then, we have all pretty much been COVID-19
sheltered,” said Bill Taylor, the former chairman of this annual event. The good news is that actions are already underway to assure this celebratory parade continues as an ongoing tribute for the Kennett Square community honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States
military. An initial Parade Development Committee consisting of community leader Dave Haradon, Kennett Police Chief and interim borough manager Bill Holdsworth, Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Bo Wright and Taylor are developing a team of action-oriented
individuals dedicated to sustaining the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade for the future. “Bill Taylor, his family and Taylor Oil & Propane company employees dedicated their time, efforts and resources for the past 16 years to assure this event occurred every Memorial Day. Bill has graciously
shared his parade knowledge and experience with our committee. We are profoundly grateful for his commitment to this effort,” said Haradon. “It is a big task that will take a lot of dedicated people to execute this 90-minute event.” Those supporting this event as Continued on page 2A