Chester County Press 07-14-2021 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 155, No. 28

INSIDE

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Meola is leaving Kennett School Board post He is moving to Florida after serving on the Kennett School Board since 2012

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

Joe Meola, the president of the Kennett School Board, is retiring and moving away, bringing to three the number of unexpired terms the board will have had to fill by the end of 2021.

Meola was elected to the board from Region 2 (New Controlling the Spotted Garden Township) in 2012 lanternfly...3A to fill the unexpired term of Shirley Annand. He has served as the board president since December 2017.

Meola delivered news of his planned move at the June 14 meeting, and he said that he was emotional when the other members

gave him a standing ovation after the announcement.

Meola, 66, moved to Chester from his native Massachusetts with his wife and four children in 2004. As one of seven children, he attended Catholic schools during his elementary years and went on to Waltham High School. He graduated from Boston University, earning his bachelor’s degree there and later a master’s degree in biochemistry. He has worked for about 30 years for Siemens Healthcare and its predecessor, having risen to his current position as executive director of National Reference Labs.

He and his wife, Annie,

are moving to Florida on Aug. 2, and he will maintain his connection to Siemens to help find a replacement for his position within a year. He said they will live in the Tampa area where he has easy access to air travel to continue his contacts with Siemens.

Meola said that when he moved to the area, he chose the Kennett Consolidated School District for his four children because he liked the spirit of giving in the town, as well as the diversity of the student body.

Through the years, he has become fond of his neighPhoto by Chris Barber bors and acclimated to the Joe Meola, the president of the Kennett School Board, local atmospheric winds of is moving to Florida next month and will be leaving his Continued on page 2A

seat on the board.

A perfect partnership: Old Stone Cider brings its tastes to Hood’s

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Lafayette at Brandywine: is already popular...4A

Partnerships – personal, business and otherwise – are not often formed in accordance with rulebooks and calendars and protocol, and sometimes the very best of them begin their collective journey in the unlikeliest of circumstances and places.

The partnership that brought Old Stone Cider in Lewisville to occupy a corner office at Hood’s BBQ in Unionville in early July began in a Longwood Gardens truck several years ago, in conAvondale artist Margie Photos by Richard L. Gaw versations between two Samero...1B Evan Gruber of Old Stone Cider offers a pint of Enterprise at Hood’s in Unionville, the result of a partnership that recently established Hood’s as Old Stone Cider’s former employees.

In 2015, Larry Hood, first branch location.

INDEX

Opinion.......................5A Obituaries.............2B-3B Classifieds................4B

COVID-19 vaccination rate in Chester County stands at 89 percent

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553

Pa. Department of Health reports that there have been over 11.3 million vaccinations in the state and Pennsylvania ranks 5th highest in U.S. for administered vaccinations

© 2007 The Chester County Press

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Coinciding with the news that reported statewide positivity for COVID19 from July 2 to July 8 stood at 1.2 percent of the population, the continual downward trend of cases throughout Pennsylvania has been accompanied by even brighter statistics that rank the commonwealth as among the best in terms of vaccination rates, with Chester County recording exceptional vaccination numbers.

Statewide, vaccine providers administered 11,332,589 total vaccine doses through July 12, with 5.7 million receiving their first/single doses, and 5.5 million receiving their second doses. As of July 6, 60.8 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated while 76 percent have received their first dose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) numbers as of July 11, Pennsylvania ranks fifth among all 50 states for total doses administered. In the category of second doses being administered, however, the state ranks 22nd

among all 50 states.

Statistics provided by the Chester County Health Department report that among the 450,301 eligible residents in Chester County, 399,305 have been partially or fully vaccinated so far – a whopping 89 percent. In nearby Delaware County, 71 percent of its 500,000 eligible residents – 355,044 -- have received partial or full COVID-19 vaccinations.

“There are a number of factors that have contributed to Chester County’s high vaccination rate,” said Jeanne Franklin, Chester County Health Department director. “This includes geographically-dispersed vaccine clinics, and clear and consistent messaging about availability, as well as leveraging partnerships with the state to get us the vaccine doses we needed.”

Franklin pointed to the many county organizations who partnered with the department to facilitate the administration of the vaccine, including Chester County Hospital, La Comunidad Hispana, the county’s senior centers and several community groups who shared vaccination information with the coun-

Jr. was nearing the end of his more than 30-year career as an arborist and soils and composting specialist at Longwood, when he met Evan Gruber, who had just started in the same department after receiving a degree in soil management from the University of Delaware.

Gruber’s family had been farmers for decades, beginning with his grandfather Alfred’s Christmas treegrowing farm in Conowingo, Md. and expanding to “The Old Stone Farm” in Lewisville, where after several years of growing and harvesting grapes, Gruber’s parents Mark and Mary Continued on page 2A

State budget includes additional funding for local schools

ty’s residents.

“Our vaccination efforts The Pennsylvania Department have really been focused Of Education recently provided on getting as many eligible a breakdown of state education people as possible vaccinated as soon as possible,” funding by school district. The Oxford Franklin said. “And if anyArea School District is receiving one has received a first dose, but missed a second additional “Level Up” funding dose appointment, it is not

By Steven Hoffman two school districts— too late to get that second Staff Writer the Oxford Area School dose. The vaccine is wideDistrict and the Coatesville ly available now, and we Southern Chester County Area School District— really encourage everyone who is able, to become fully school districts will see are receiving “Level Up” small increases in the state funding. vaccinated.” subsidies that they receive Oxford is scheduled from Pennsylvania for the to receive an additional County’s partnership 2021-2022 school year. $316,735 as a result of this with Delaware County The Pennsylvania initiative. Overall, Oxford to end Aug. 1 Department of Education is receiving a state subsidy As public health needs (PDE) released data on of $13,634,811, an increase relating to the control of funding allocations follow- of $1,608,104 over the curCOVID-19 decrease, the ing the adoption of the state rent year.

Avon Grove is seeing a intergovernmental coop- budget. Gov. Tom Wolf eration agreement between signed the spending plan $1,397,843 increase in its state subsidy. The district Chester County and into law on June 30.

State lawmakers touted will receive $15,781,900 Delaware County will come the fact this budget includes for the 2021-2022 school to an end on Aug. 1.

After more than 16 months an additional $416 million year, up from $14,384,057.

The state subsidy for as the public health lead – and in funding—the largest at the request of the Chester state funding increase for the Kennett Consolidated District is County Commissioners public school students in School $6,362,444, an increase of and Delaware County Pennsylvania history.

Additionally, the state has $1,244,160 over the 2020Council -- Franklin wrote launched the “Level Up” 2021 total of $5,118,284. to Pennsylvania Acting initiative that will provide For the UnionvilleSecretary of Health Alison an additional $100 million Chadds Ford School Beam requesting the discontinuation of the to the 100 lowest-wealth District, the state subsidy school districts in the is increasing by $510,287, agreement.

Continued on page 4A state. In Chester County, Continued on page 3A

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News Hood's...

Continued from Page 1A

began planting the first of what are now 3,000 heirloom apple trees that led to the opening of the Old Stone Cider Barn in 2016.

“Larry and I would work in the same truck, and make compost and soil mixes together,” Gruber said. “I learned that he also owned a popular family restaurant.

From there, once we opened the Cider Barn, Hood’s became one of the barn’s first food trucks. That began a fantastic relationship with Larry, whose food truck came to Old Stone for years after that.”

Just as Old Stone had become firmly entrenched in the social agenda of southern Chester County by the start of 2020, COVID19 ended what would have been a banner year of hard cider production and a full calendar of events at the Barn. There was, however, a light at the end of a 15-month eclipse in the form of an extensive renovation of Hood’s – constructed

by James K. Holton, Inc. and overseen by Morgan and Larry Hood -- that saw the Unionville institution dramatically alter its interior.

Meola...

Continued from Page 1A

the mushroom industry.

“It’s a beautiful community and they are unique in their passion for helping others. I embrace diversity.

It adds value for my kids,” he said.

When he first came to the area, he became active

New ‘corner office’ The renovation also included a new “corner office” for Old Stone Cider.

“Larry brought up with me the idea of the Cider Barn setting up a bar area branch location inside of Hood’s,” Gruber said. “At first, I was a little skeptical, because our production is limited and I was concerned about selling too much cider. But after some thought, and talking with my parents, we thought it would be a great opportunity establish a satellite location.”

The expansion to Hood’s, Gruber said, would provide Old Stone with the opportunity to not only expand its imprint but its mission – to bring the taste of traditional European-style hard cider into the U.S. marketplace.

“We realized that there would be only a few avenues in which to expand, he said. “We could try to expand our main location and be open more days of the week and get more people in. We could go down the route of distribution, but it calls for high production and a low mark-up of a revenue stream.

“By joining an existing

business, we felt that it was a good combination – a way to further get our name out there and as well as work with an existing and established business.”

Since it opened in 2006, Hood's has sweetened the air along Doe Run Road in Unionville with the scent of barbecue, while at the same time becoming one of the county’s preeminent establishments for barbecue pulled pork, Baby Back ribs and smoked beef brisket – as well as comfort classics like Honey Stung Chicken and Beer Battered haddock.

Now, diners can compliment their meals with Old Stone Cider’s Roxbury Russet, Enterprise, Gold Rush and Ashmead’s Kernel – as well as four Pennsylvania-based beers on tap. The addition of Old Stone Cider fills a niche that the well-known restaurant had wanted to address for many years.

“We’ve gotten many comments from customers who would come in and tell us that it would be great to have a beer to compliment their sandwich,” said Hood’s owner Morgan Hood. “As a family, we didn’t necessarily want to get into having our own liquor license and

with the Kennett Area Park and Recreation Board in support of his children.

Later, when Annand resigned from the board, his friends urged him to apply for the position, which he did. He subsequently ran for a full term on the board. Then, in December of 2017, he was appointed president and

has served in that role ever since.

Meola’s leadership style at the meetings is efficient and decisive. Dialogue seldom goes off track.

That efficiency, he said, reflects the preparation he wants from his board and from himself, including reviewing issues and getting answers in committee

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Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Gruber shows off the Old Stone Cider bar at Hood’s, beside Hood’s owner Morgan Hood and waitperson Elizabeth Hadley.

all that comes with it, so by knowing Evan and having collaborated with him for years, it benefitted both of us.

“It allowed our business to help another business and make something great – and give our customers the chance to have Old Stone Cider with our ribs and chicken.”

Hood’s is located at 1664 West Doe Run Road, Unionville, Pa. 19348.

To learn more, visit www. hoodsbbq.com.

Old Stone Cider is located at 959 Chesterville Road,

Lewisville, Pa. 19351. To To contact Staff Writer learn more, visit www.old- Richard L. Gaw, email stonecider.com. rgaw@chestercounty.com.

meetings ahead of time.

As a scientist, he considers himself very analytical and works to make his decisions based on available information and finding out what others have to say.

Following advice from his grandfather on the occasion of a past graduation, he said he believes in listening.

He said, “Giuseppe – he called me that; he was an old-fashioned Italian – and said, ‘If you want to be successful, listen to learn.

It’s amazing what you will hear.’”

When the board meetings come around, Meola said he expects the members to have likewise perused the information in their packets, asked the questions, and discussed it. He also backs the recent accreditation program for board members by the Chester County Intermediate Unit which requires a one-day training course on how to be a board member.

When he first joined the board, he said, three veteran members, George Drake, Nick Perigo and Heather

Schaen, took him out for a meeting at Giordano’s Grill and explained his role as a board member. That is, he said, his job and the job of the other members is to govern and set policy. The operations of the school are in the hands of the administration.

Meola took those instructions seriously and has placed a high value for operations work on the school district’s superintendent, Dr. Dusty Blakey.

Meola said he views Blakey as very smart, capable, and one who stands up strongly for his school and makes decisions based on what’s best for the students.

“It was trial by fire when he came and two months later, COVID-19 arrived,” Meola said. “Dusty is a wicked-smart man. He has passion. He is very good talking to parents during the pandemic.”

In responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meola said that he and the board had to act on simply choosing among three options: all closed, all open and hybrid teaching.

The welcoming of Old Stone Cider at Hood’s coincided with an extensive interior renovation of the restaurant that took place over the past year.

The data, however, was ever-changing from state, local and county agencies, and in that fluidity were the challenges both for the board and the administration.

Personally, in addition to being a devoted husband and father, Meola sees himself as a reader and a gardener.

“I like to read articles.

I’m always reading white papers and articles to get information and answer questions,” he explained.

“Gardening is my passion and my hobby. The Sunday after the Super Bowl, I start all my seeds under lights.

I’ve grown 50 to 60 pounds of tomatoes for sauce. Two years ago, I started flowers. Starting the stuff that comes out of that mushroom soil is amazing,” he said.

How does he feel about retiring?

“I am excited about it,” he said. “I want to be able to retire and do fun stuff.

I am optimistic about it.

I’ll volunteer for things, but no more boards and commissions.”

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News Managing spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania: A collective responsibility, an opportunity to capitalize on for Pa. businesses At Eichenlaub Inc. in Allegheny County, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Rick Roush, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Administrator Carlos Martinez provided a recent update on the state of spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania and the path to beating this invasive species.

Eichenlaub Inc., a landscape business, is one of more than 26,000 businesses that have stepped up to the responsibility of holding a spotted lanternfly permit. While he hasn't seen a spotted lanternfly on his property, President Dan Eichenlaub has traps for the bad bug around his property and maintains vigilance with inspections to ensure they’re not contributing to the spread of spotted lanternfly to new areas of the state or nation.

“The spotted lanternfly is the worst bug in the commonwealth and capable of causing real damage to Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry,” said Redding. “Over the past seven years, we’ve seen lanternfly travel from east to west in the commonwealth. We’ve seen vineyards devastated. It’s invasive environmentally, socially, and economically.

“But there is good news: Pennsylvania is home to 12.8 million people who are part of the solution.

Working together, we can slow the spread. Working together, we can stomp out the threats of this invasive pest,” added Redding.

The spotted lanternfly came to Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 34 counties across the commonwealth. To slow the spread and mitigate against harm, these counties are under a quarantine that relies on an educated

population of residents and businesses to help contain the pest.

The responsibility to contain and manage spotted lanternfly is collective and falls on state and federal government combined with university research and extension education; plus educated and engaged residents and permitted, attentive business owners.

Residents and homeowners within the quarantine are encouraged to be familiar with the life stages of the spotted lanternfly and use the Checklist for Residents to effectively monitor their property and keep from transporting the pest from their property to a new location.

Sightings of spotted lanternfly should be reported by calling 1-888-4BADFLY or using the online reporting tool. This will assist a rapid response to control the outbreak before it becomes well established, as well as serve to assist officials in monitoring spotted lanternfly populations across the state.

Businesses that operate in or travel through the quarantined counties are required to obtain a free spotted lanternfly permit which comes with the responsibility of maintaining a trained, engaged workforce.

Businesses that violate permit requirements are subject to up to $300 per violation plus court costs. Being permitted not only raises awareness of responsibilities for businesses working in the quarantine area but allows for continued safe trade and commerce. A business that obtains a permit is demonstrating its commitment to protecting its customers, its community, and the environment.

A Spotted Lanternfly Business Toolkit is avail-

Funding...

develop solutions that will serve our students, our future.”

The budget increases educational efforts by $416 million in state funding for public education. Budget investments include: • $200 million increase in the Fair Funding Formula; • $100 million to support underfunded school districts through the newly implemented “Level Up” initiative; • $50 million in special education funding; • $30 million for early education; • $20 million for Ready to Learn; • $11 million for preschool Early Intervention; and • $5 million for community colleges

Continued from Page 1A

from $3,005,343 to $3,515,630, for the 20212022 school year.

“The state budget invests in the places we know resources are needed the most - to help our school communities mitigate learning gaps, break down barriers, build equitable learning environments, and move forward stronger and together,” said Secretary Noe Ortega in a statement.

“This budget - combined with federal funding - creates opportunities to invite our entire educational ecosystem to the table to collaboratively and inclusively problem solve, address disparities, and

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State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, Penn In addition to help from residents and businesses, the State College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Rick Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has Roush, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy enlisted the help of man’s best friend with a spotted Administrator Carlos Martinez provided an update on the state of spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania and the lanternfly-sniffing dog: Lucky. path to beating this invasive species.

able to help operations learn about why the spotted lanternfly is bad, how the quarantine works, if they need a permit, and their responsibilities of holding a permit.

In addition to help from residents and business, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) has enlisted the help of man’s best friend with a spotted lanternfly-sniffing dog: Lucky. A female German Shepherd, Lucky was trained as a puppy at PennVet’s Working Dog Center to detect Spotted Lanternfly eggs. Lucky joined the department in November 2020 and helps to inspect businesses like nurseries, greenhouses, vehicle fleets, and log yards. She is the first dog in the nation trained to detect Spotted Lanternfly.

At Penn State, researchers are working tirelessly to gather scientific data on how to contain and manage this pest around homes, parks, buildings, nurseries, vineyards and fruit farms, noted Rick Roush, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

These projects run the gamut from the basic biology of the pest to economic damage from feeding to its feeding preferences to the

efficacy of biological and chemical control and detection methods.

“Spotted lanternfly is a complex pest, but we are making discoveries and sharing those findings as soon as we can with the public and government and industry stakeholders,” Roush said. “Our research objectives regarding the spotted lanternfly are clear — to find sustainable longterm solutions that are effective and environmentally safe.”

Penn State Extension educators, volunteer Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards, and other staff and faculty regularly engage with the public, government officials, growers and other industries to provide research and management updates.

While studies are ongoing, Roush emphasized that it is going to take a village comprised of scientists, government and regulatory officials, businesses and citizens to make a difference in the spotted lanternfly fight.

“Penn State is using research-based results to broaden the toolkit available to each of these stakeholder groups so they can make informed management

The 2021-2022 fiscal year budget includes $7,066,773,000 for the Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $272,284,000 (4.0 percent) increase over the 2020-2021 fiscal year appropriation.

The funding includes $100,000,000 to supplement those school districts with higher at-risk populations of students and an increase of $200,000,000 to continue sustained investment in school districts.

In addition, as required by the Pennsylvania Public School Code, the 202122 fiscal year enacted appropriation includes $511,694,000 for the School Employees’ Social Security portion of the appropriation, which must be used for School Employees’ Social Security payments to school districts.

For a breakdown of education allocations in the state budget, please visit www. education.pa.gov/budget.

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decisions across the spotted lanternfly life cycle,” he said. “Our team has educated millions through multiple channels from workshops and trainings to online resources and continues to provide the newest and best research-based advice. With everyone working together, we can slow the spread of this destructive pest.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) takes its responsibility to manage spotted lanternfly seriously.

Not only supplying major funding to partners, but also establishing a presence in Pennsylvania with field offices and staff devoted solely to spotted lanternfly.

USDA and PDA staff work as one to detect and treat spotted lanternfly populations, raise public awareness, follow-up on public reports, and promote the PDA’s regulatory permit program for businesses operating within and through quarantined counties. In addition, USDA works with officials from other states, to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly regionally and nationally and supports research to learn more about this bug and how to control it safely and effectively.

As a result of its ability to damage trees, vines, crops, and plants, the spotted lanternfly is an immediate threat to Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. A 2019 econom-

ic impact study estimates that, uncontrolled, the spotted lanternfly could cost Pennsylvania up to $324 million annually and 2,800 jobs. In addition to economic threat, the spotted lanternfly threatens quality of life for millions of Pennsylvanians by making outdoor living conditions in areas heavily populated by spotted lanternfly a sticky situation.

When a spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sugary substance called honeydew. Honeydew encourages the growth of black sooty mold which causes damage to plants and attracts stinging insects. The sticky substance is known to coat decks and outdoor furniture, play equipment and vehicles.

Quick, aggressive treatment to newly identified populations of Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania has been funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Gov. Wolf’s Pennsylvania Farm Bill for the past two years.

The 2021-22 PA Farm Bill proposes another $3 million to combat Spotted Lanternfly.

For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly. For more about Gov. Tom Wolf’s PA Farm Bill and its investments in a sustainable agriculture industry visit agriculture. pa.gov/pafarmbill.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News Vaccination...

Continued from Page 1A

The intergovernmental cooperation agreement between Chester and Delaware counties, which began in March 2020, identified the responsibilities of the Chester County Health Department during the COVID-19 outbreak. Those responsibilities included coordination of testing, case investigation and surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine designations, vaccinations, and public health communication.

Throughout the pandemic, Franklin and her team also worked with Delaware County staff to support the pandemic challenges faced

by long term care facilities, hospitals, first responders, both County prisons and other congregate care settings, as well as the school districts in both counties.

“The partnership between Chester and Delaware Counties provided a focused public health response for everyone living and working in both counties,” said Commissioner Marian Moskowitz. “It worked because we all had one desire: To do everything that we could to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and to keep all of our residents as healthy as possible.

“It also worked because when we asked [Jeanne] if her team had the capacity to support Delaware County, she and her team replied

that not only did they have the capacity, but they truly wanted to provide support if needed. For that, we all thank her and everyone on her team.”

Vaccinations for back-to-schoolers When it comes to vaccinations in Chester County, the news is not all positive.

Current health department data indicates that children across Chester County are behind in their routine vaccinations, including those needed to attend school.

Pennsylvania requires children to have specific vaccines before they enter school, and students who do not meet vaccine requirements within five days of

the start of school are not permitted in school until the requirements are met.

“We all saw first-hand how proper vaccination levels across our county mitigate the spread of viruses,” Franklin said.

“We cannot forget that our children need routine vaccinations to remain healthy and free from a variety of other viruses and diseases, and many of the vaccines are required to attend school.

“Vaccines are safe, effective, and an important part of keeping children healthy year round,” she added.

“As a parent, making sure your children are vaccinated on time is an important step toward ensuring their long-term health. Proper vaccination among school-

Image courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Health

aged children promotes health and prevents disease outbreaks in schools and childcare settings, and keeps our children learning.”

The Chester County Health Department encourages all families and pediatricians to join a county-wide “Call to Action” to catch children up on their vaccinations, which are covered by health insurance and medical assistance.

Families without a doc-

tor or health insurance can receive vaccinations from the Chester County Health Department at no cost. A parent or guardian must accompany their child and bring prior vaccine records.

To learn more, visit the Health Department website at chesco.org/immunize or call 610-344-6225 for information and appointments.

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

Local author's upcoming book among Amazon's top sellers in June Bruse Mowday’s Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero to be released in October by Barricade Books Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, the upcoming new book by Chester County author Bruce E. Mowday, was ranked in the top four percent of books on Amazon on June 20, according to Amazon.

The book is being published in October by Barricade Books of Fort Lee, N.J. “I’m delighted with the pre-sales of the Lafayette book, but not surprised,” said Mowday. “This book will redefine the battle of Brandywine and introduce Lafayette, a true American

hero, to Americans. I’ve had so many positive reviews and comments on the books from Lafayette historians.”

From the book’s foreword by Chuck Schwam of The American Friends of Lafayette: “It is probably true that every author has at least one ideal reader in mind as he or she writes.

For Bruce Mowday, that reader was me. As I have been a “Lafayette-ist” for more than a dozen years now, this book spoke to me in a way no other book has.

It is not simply a biography or a description of events, but a detailed explanation

of the genesis of Lafayette’s ascent to hero status.”

Mowday is taking orders for signed, first edition, first printings of the book.

The book lists for $24.95.

Contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com. More information about the more than 20 books Mowday has authored can be found at mowday.com.

“The battle of Brandywine was a major setback for General George Washington, his troops, Congress and the fight for American freedom. For more than 240 years, Brandywine has been wrongfully viewed as

a total disaster. What has been missed has been the importance of Lafayette at Brandywine and his shedding of his blood for American freedom,” Mowday said.

On June 20, Lafayette ranked in the top 4 percent of Amazon’s listed books.

Seven other books by Mowday were also highly ranked: In the top 1 percent was Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing Serial Murderers to Justice on June 2; in the top 2 percent were Stealing Wyeth on June 19, J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg, Coatesville on June 9, and

Downingtown on June 13; and in the top four percent, Life with Flavor on June 28, Emotional Gettysburg on June 13 and Lafayette on June 20.

“I’m beginning to receive many invitations to talk on the new Lafayette book and my other books,” Mowday said, explaining that any organizations wishing to schedule a talk should contact him at mowday@ mowday.com.

Courtesy photo

Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, the upcoming new book by Chester County author Bruce E. Mowday, was ranked in the top four percent of books on Amazon on June 20.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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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

Guest column

Attempting to limit voting rights is always wrong

Pandemic proves value of homecare

Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, once observed that all happy families are alike, while each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Could a similar observation be made about legislation?

Good pieces of legislation are always alike in that whether they are short and straightforward or long and enormously complex, the goal of the legislation is to clarify a legal point, to fix a problem, and to improve people’s lives in some way—small or large.

Bad legislation, on the other hand, can be bad in a lot of different ways.

Consider House Bill 1300, also known as the Voting Rights Protection Act, which was approved by lawmakers in the State Senate and State House along party lines—and then subsequently vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf. The name would seem to suggest that the goal of the legislation was to actually protect the voting rights of Pennsylvanians, but instead the bill would have made it more difficult for citizens to exercise one of their most precious rights.

Provisions in the bill, which are being promoted by specious special interest groups in states across the country, would have cost Pennsylvania taxpayers tens of millions of dollars while limiting, not expanding, their ability to vote.

Minorities and low-income voters would have been hurt the most by the legislation. These are groups that already don’t have their voices heard in large enough numbers at the ballot box. Throwing up additional roadblocks to prevent people from voting is the exact opposite of what lawmakers should be doing when they are “at work” serving the people of the state.

In a fair, logical world, voters would send a clear message to the lawmakers who attempted to restrict voting rights by voting them out of office. But because so many lawmakers are from gerrymandered or otherwise impossibly “safe” districts, most will never pay a political price for their failures.

Look, election reform needs to take place.

Changing technologies and societal changes require constant updates to the rules that govern when and how we vote. We need fair, secure, accurate elections where every vote is counted. That has to be the objective. And that shouldn’t change. It doesn’t matter which party is in the majority at any given time.

The counties across the state have said that they need legislation that will allow county election officials to pre-canvass. Counties have also expressed a need for legislation that offers flexibility and clarification on mail-in ballot application deadlines.

All citizens—whether they are Republicans or Democrats or Libertarians or independents—should be able to agree that every eligible voter should have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box on Election Day. Your vote is just as precious as ours. And it should be easy and convenient to vote, just as long as, in the process of making it easy and convenient, we don’t open the door to corruption. So be wary of any lawmaker who wants to take away voting rights of citizens. Limiting voting rights is always wrong.

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By Thomas Ryan Doctors, nurses, and the scientists who created COVID-19 vaccines have all emerged as heroes during the pandemic, but there is another, underappreciated group that’s been crucial to the country’s pandemic response: those who provide home-based medical equipment, services, and care.

Without fanfare or headlines, home medical equipment providers saved thousands and improved millions of lives. And they could transform the way we care for our elderly and infirm -- for the better. In order to fulfill that promise, home medical equipment providers must be paid commensurate with the value they deliver for their patients and the broader healthcare system.

The people most vulnerable to the coronavirus are the elderly. And the most vulnerable among them, tragically, have been those living in nursing homes.

By treating people at home, home medical equipment providers kept millions of seniors safe from COVID-19.

Home-based care also relieved pressure on frontline healthcare workers and clinical facilities, which have been nearly overrun several times during the pandemic.

As the pandemic begins to wane, homecare’s importance will not. Rather, it will join remote work and contactless delivery as one of the staples of modern life.

The COVID-era surge in homecare is only an acceleration of long-developing trends. First, our society is aging. Seniors are living longer, more active, and independent lives than ever before.

Second, homecare is less expensive -- often considerably so -- than institutional care. So it represents a promising strategy for tackling our nation’s health cost crisis.

In recent months, hospital discharge rates have started returning to pre-pandemic levels. But when seniors leave the hospital, they’re increasingly going home, not to a nursing facility.

Doctors are becoming more supportive. According to a 2020 survey by William Blair, the propor-

tion of doctors preferring to send patients to home health agencies over nursing homes rose from 54 percent to 81 percent during the pandemic.

All told, more than three in four seniors view homecare as the preferred way to age, according to an AARP survey. Families should be able care for their loved ones in the setting that works best for them -- and fosters the highest quality of life.

Unfortunately, bad policy stands in the way of this vision. While our aging population and its preference for homecare should mean that home medical equipment suppliers are thriving, nearly 40 percent of them have closed their doors over the last decade.

Why? A faulty Medicare program is unsustainably cutting their reimbursement rates.

Congress and the Biden administration must update these rates without delay.

An increase that considers increased product costs and new operational requirements is long overdue. The industry needs to be able to guarantee salaries for its skilled workers. Otherwise,

we’re setting seniors up for failure.

COVID-19 taught us that home may be the safest place to receive care, but policies that don’t reflect the true cost of care for lifesaving equipment represent a failure to heed that lesson.

Without properly funded homecare, we can expect lower-quality outcomes for patients, increased hospital readmissions, and an overall increase in health costs.

The trend toward homebased health care is only going to accelerate. The underappreciated heroes who helped us through the pandemic will now pivot to helping Baby Boomers age and helping their families care for them. Homecare is good for patient well being, family happiness, and government budgets.

Washington needs to find a way to make the system take care of homecare providers as much as they take care of us.

Thomas Ryan is president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare (aahomecare.org). This piece originally ran in the International Business Times.

Repairing the community after the pandemic

By Luke Zubrod As Kennett Square emerges from the pandemic, we have so much to be thankful for.

Chester County boasts some of the highest vaccination rates in the country that have allowed local businesses to shift back into a more normal gear.

Almost all of Kennett’s small businesses appear to have weathered the storm, thanks to their own grit as well as significant community and governmental support. Throughout the pandemic, community organizations worked together to support our most vulnerable on issues like food and housing security, as well as education.

Organizations throughout the county also collaborated in new ways to share African American stories, underscoring the complexities of history and its shared human struggles as part of a countywide Juneteenth commemoration.

While each of these is worthy of celebration, they come with challenges that have only grown since the pandemic began that include adolescent mental health concerns, digital equity and housing affordability.

Adolescent mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation, had already been growing at alarming rates over the last decade, and these trends were exacerbated during the pandemic. In response, local counseling group The Peacemaker Center is hiring additional counselors and making plans to expand their Kennett operation to meet growing demand.

Johnny Johnston, campus pastor for Willowdale Chapel’s Jennersville cam-

pus, recently raised the issue of depression in a congressional message. His main goal was “to help normalize the conversation” within families.

The pandemic also revealed deficits that made learning more difficult for some, particularly as a result of uneven access to highspeed internet – a necessity when students were forced to learn from home for much of this year. The Southern Chester County Opportunity Network’s (SCCON) digital equity project is aimed at advocating for investments which would ensure everyone has basic access to this increasingly essential resource.

According to the National Association of Realtors, low borrowing rates and a shortage of properties boosted home prices nationwide by an average of 24 percent over the course of the last year – complicating an already difficult challenge in the region with housing affordability. The issue of affordability, long a concern in Kennett Square Borough, is a difficult one to solve because the issues driving affordability in a place like Kennett – including pandemic-induced migration away from large cities – are outside the realm of local control.

However, while there are no silver bullets to the issue of housing affordability, towns like Kennett do have some levers of control.

One such lever is reducing the surprisingly high cost municipal parking requirements place on housing development – such as that which is likely to be built in the coming years at the sizeable land parcel once occupied by NVF. A recent study calculates

that parking requirements – municipal mandates to have a certain number of parking spaces, for example, per developed unit of housing – raise housing costs by 13 percent for families without cars. Another study cited costs ranging from $24,000 to $35,000 per required parking space.

Additionally, because property taxes generally orient around buildings, an excess of parking in a town limits the town’s ability to generate tax revenue to fund municipal expenditures.

For these and other reasons, many municipalities have reduced or entirely eliminated minimum parking requirements, among other parking-related issues. Seattle, Buffalo, Spartanburg, Minneapolis and Fayetteville are among those that have eliminated parking minimums altogether. Others, including Cornelius, N.C. and Fargo, N.D. have reduced their parking requirements by half, and Cincinnati has eliminated parking minimums in certain neighborhoods.

It is not just far-flung places that have reexamined their approaches to parking, but also places closer to home like West Chester and Phoenixville. Two years ago, West Chester created a Zoning Update Task Force that included members of their planning commission,

borough staff and outside consultants. Among this group’s proposed changes was to conduct a parking analysis that would lead to eliminating unnecessary parking, rather than prescribe a fixed number of parking spots for developments. Phoenixville has done the same, and has eliminated parking requirements on their main street, among others.

As we emerge from the hardships of pandemic life and slowly resume our normal way of life, we have cause to revel in this sunny moment. However, we also have work to do in tending to the hardships exacerbated or revealed by the pandemic. Some of those hardships – e.g., mental health – orient around the family and addressing them starts with asking questions and normalizing conversations about depression, anxiety and suicide.

Others – including housing affordability and digital equity – require community-oriented solutions.

Especially on these community concerns, the time has come to begin elevating these issues in our dialogue with each other.

Luke Zubrod leads operations at Square Roots Collective and lives in Kennett Square with his wife Jessica and their three children.

Clarification In the Living History piece that appeared in the June 30 edition of the Chester County Press, the photo “Pennsylvania Landscape” © 2021 Andrew Wyeth/ Artists Rights Society was identified as a work by N.C. Wyeth, when it should have been identified as a work by Andrew Wyeth. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

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Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

Step by step, one stone and stained glass at a time Avondale artist Margie Samero found her artistic vision by accident more than 20 years ago.

She’s been following its path ever since

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer At about the time the new millennium began more than two decades ago, Margie Samero was working in the insurance industry and had absolutely no interest in pursuing the life of an artist. But the emergence of our creativity, like a lone flower bursting through a sidewalk, has a way of finding its way through the thickest of barriers.

“The basement in my house in West Grove needed its walls sealed, so I spent about two months in my basement dry-locking the walls,” Samero said from her Step by Stepping Stones studio at Yeatman’s Farm in Avondale. “At about that time, a friend of mine gave me a big bucket of stained glass scrap pieces – a whole mix of different colors that she said I could use to make something some day.

“I thought, ‘Well that’s not going to happen.’ The bucket sat there and sat there.”

At the end of the basement

project, Samero saw one remaining bag of cement, poured the concrete into a pan, pressed the pieces of glass into the cement, and soon afterward, she made a few more stained glass creations. Through her contacts, Samero’s first pieces found their way onto the display shelves at a Kennett Square garden store.

They were sold within 24 hours.

‘It gave people happiness’ “If you’re not an artist and you’ve never been into artisan crafts, and suddenly someone gives you money for something you made in your basement, it’s a very proud feeling,” she said. “After about a year, I took my items to a craft show, and I sold a few items and covered my expenses, but I still liked the feeling of being proud about something I made.

It gave people happiness to see my designs and that really made me feel good.”

Fast forward 20 years and Samero is now a promi-

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Artisan Margie Samero at her Step by Stepping Stones studio in Avondale.

nent artisan – the creator of stepping stone designs and crushed glass framed works -- with appearances at as many as 40 shows a year (pre-COVID-19) in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia and

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

The varying sizes of her art makes Samero’s work affordable at any budget range.

Maryland, and an online sales presence that regularly ships her growing stones and her crushed glass windows inventory to homes around the United States.

Samero’s studio is a busy indoor and outdoor workshop of scoring tools, pliers, buckets of crushed colored glass and trinkets, as well as handmade wooden frames custom built for her by Tennis Palmer, her boyfriend Rick’s father.

Samero’s work is not just pretty stones and stained glass windows; each piece provides a narrative of place and objects that is reminiscent of sea shores, gardens, nature and sunrises.

After each stepping stone or stained glass creation is completed, they are either displayed at an art show or packaged and shipped to customers from an adjacent studio filled with

cardboard boxes and protective wrapping.

Online presence Because COVID-19 had curtailed Samero’s regular touring schedule of shows, she began to tap into Etsy, and the results were sudden and a bit overwhelming.

“I had shipped some of my pieces in the past, but it was nothing like what Etsy was able to do,” she said. “It’s been a year and three months, and I think I have probably sold over 900 stepping stones during that time through Etsy, all over the United States.

People would write me and request entire pathways. I had a man in Tampa who recently brought 27 of my stepping stones he was going to use in his back yard.”

As Samero prepares to resume her normally rigor-

ous artisan show schedule -- coupled with fulfilling the increasing demands to maintain her inventory – she cherishes the moments when strangers make contact with her art for the first time.

“It’s the feeling that I have created something and then placed it in someone’s hands that makes them feel happy,” she said.

“To see their enjoyment as they admire my art is the main reason I do this.”

To learn more about artist Margie Samero and Step by Stepping Stones, visit www.stepbysteppingstones.com or e-mail her at stonesbymargie@aol. com.

You can also find Samero on Etsy by visiting StepBySteppingStones.

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

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Photo by Margie Samero

Step by Stepping Stones has developed an increasingly strong online presence over the past year.

Samero creates stepping stones that offer not only color and design, but individual narratives.

Photo by Margie Samero

Samero showcases her work at as many as 40 artisan and craft shows a year in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Each piece of glass art is individually cut by the artist.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

Chester County Press

Obituaries CLARENCE J. LLOYD

AMANDA NICOLE DOLLAR Amanda Nicole Dollar, 32, of Cochranville, passed away on July 3.

Born in West Chester in 1988, Amanda was the daughter of Donald Lee Dollar and Carolyn Dollar.

Amanda graduated from Octorara High School in 2007.

Following graduation, she went on to become a certified nursing assistant and worked at Harrison House.

Amanda loved to spend her time outdoors and liked to swim, hunt and fish. She thoroughly enjoyed deep-sea fishing and handled herself like a pro on the roughest of waters. She was also an animal lover and had a special bond with her dog, a Cockapoo named Sassy. Amanda was loving, outgoing and friendly. Amanda’s free spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

In addition to her parents, Donald and Carolyn, Amanda is survived by her daughter, Evelyn Rose Johnson and her significant other, Jessie Johnson; two brothers, James Dollar (Linda Pusey) and Donald Dollar, Jr.; her step father, Stanley “Mackie” Snyder; Jessie’s parents, Peggy and Chris Johnson; as well as many friends.

Services were held on July 10 at Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Interment will follow at Union Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.

To view Amanda’s online tribute and share a message with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Clarence J. Lloyd, 96, of Willow Street and formerly of Oxford, passed away on July 2 in Hospice of Mt. Joy. He was the husband of Edna Miller Lloyd, with whom he shared 75 years of marriage.

Born in Frackville, he was the son of the late Clarence B. and Alma Meade Lloyd.

Clarence was retired from Chester Water Authority after 39 years as the assistant plant manager.

He was a member of St. Phillips Church in Millersville and was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford. Clarence was a third degree charter member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart of Jesus Council #13421.

Clarence enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and woodworking. His greatest love was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Sandra A. Barr; two grandchildren, Lynne Sebastian Leed (Robert) and Timothy Barr (Jeanne); four great-grandchildren, Tiffany Neihart (John), Andrew Millay, Payton Barr and Tess Barr; five great-great-grandchildren, Abigail, Trevor, Nicholas, Anthony and Bennett; and four sisters, Alma Cullen, Inez Drennen, Marcella Moore and Betsy Pierce.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Kirk and a brother, John Lloyd.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 9 at the Sacred Heart Church in Oxford.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Hospital,501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 58105, or Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, 625 Community Way, Lancaster, Pa. 17603.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Alleluia The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.

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

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Obituaries HELEN LOUISE FOURNEY Helen Louise (Vollmer) Fourney passed away suddenly on July 3 while surrounded by her family. She was 90.

Helen was the beloved wife of Edward B. Fourney. They had celebrated 69 years of marriage on June 2.

She is survived by a son, Edward Richard Fourney and his wife, Diane; two granddaughters, Lisa McClafferty and her husband, Kevin, and Jill Haile and her husband, Michael.

She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, William McClafferty, Andrew McClafferty, Owen McClafferty, Emilie Louise Haile, Max Haile and Laine Haile; one sister, Charlotte Clemons and her husband, William, from Williamsport, Pa. and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was born, raised, and educated in Williamsport, Pa. She met Ed at a roller skating rink and later married and started a family. Ed was transferred to the Kennett Square area in 1960 while working for The Mushroom Transportation Company, and Kennett Square became their permanent home.

Helen’s life was devoted to her family. She adored her granddaughters and their children. She celebrated her 90th birthday on June 4 at a family gathering and was absolutely delighted to be honored on her special day.

Helen and Ed enjoyed their home in Rehoboth Beach, Del. where they enjoyed fishing, crabbing and boating.

Their small place was usually filled with family, children and friends. Many special memories were made there for 30 years.

Her memorial service was held on July 8 at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square.

Burial was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to support research for CTNNB1 Syndrome. This was very important to Helen due to her great-granddaughter, Emilie, being diagnosed and living with this rare disease. She always wanted to help Emilie every way she could. Online donations can be made at: http://www. curectnnb1.org or Checks can be made out to Advancing CTNNB1 Cures and Treatments and sent to Advancing CTNNB1 Cures and Treatments Attn: Lauren Cochran, 8 Loantaka Lane, North Morristown, N.J. 07960. Please put Emilie’s or Helen’s name on the check or in “Why I donated” on online donations so your donation can be honored with a thank you.

Thank you in advance for your support of Emilie.

Helen would be so very happy.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory (1-800-FUNERAL).

Condolences may be shared at www.griecofunerals. com.

TOM MAXWELL Wayne “Tom” Howard Maxwell passed away on July 7 at Mountain City Care and Rehabilitation Center in Tennessee. He was 85.

Tom was born on Sept. 19, 1935 to the late John and Betty Maxwell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, seven sisters, and his son, Donald Maxwell, as well as great friends, Mac McMillan, Bob Eller, Fred Walsh, and Herman Hoosier.

Tom was born and raised in Mountain City, but moved to Oxford when he was 17. He worked in the mushroom houses and did small engine repairs until he found a job at the General Motors Company. He worked hard and never missed a day of work. He retired from GM after 25 years. He then moved back to Mountain City to enjoy retirement. Tom loved cars, fishing, hunting, and playing bluegrass music.

Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 68 years, Bonnie Maxwell; son, Mark Maxwell (Ella); daughter, Melody Maxwell; daughter-in-law, Cindy Maxwell; nephews, Bud Osborne and Carl Dickens and several other nephews and nieces. He will also be remembered by his grandchildren, Rebecca Herman (Nathan), Cassandra Robinson, Danielle Church (David), Sierra Hazlett (Ben), Julie Crosky (Billy), and Candy Prewitt, a goddaughter, Lori Eller; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Tom never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. He loved spending time driving around town and visiting with the many friends he made over the years.

Some of those close to Tom were Danny Cullop, Bill Adams, Bo Thomas, Jr Cornett, and John Greer and many others.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mountain City Care and Rehabilitation for taking great care of Tom, who was known to be a bit ornery from time-totime. They would also like to thank the staff of Lois’ Café and Lisa and the ladies at Pleasant’s store for always being so kind to Tom and making sure he was well taken care of.

Services were held at the Mountain City Funeral Home on July 13. A private, family graveside service and burial was conducted at Sunset Memorial Park.

Pallbearers were friends and family members.

Condolences may be sent to Mountain City Care and Rehabilitation Center c/o Bonnie Maxwell, 919 Medical Park Drive, Mountain City, Tenn. 37683 and through the website at www.mountaincityfh.com.

The family of Tom Maxwell has entrusted his service to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church St., Mountain City, Tenn. 37683.

JOANNE S. KUSHNER Joanne S. Kushner, 72, of Kennett Square, died peacefully on July 2 in the presence of her husband Dave, family and friends.

Born in Philadelphia on Oct. 19, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Jessica (Salla) Fiore.

Joanne was a 1966 graduate of West Catholic High School.

Joanne met Dave Kushner when she was just 17 years old. He was the love of her life. They married on Oct. 10, 1970, and together they shared 51 beautiful years of marriage, life and love. Joanne’s love for children led her to her first career as a teacher, teaching pre-kindergarten.

Together, Joanne and Dave raised their son Andrew, whom she was most proud of. After raising their son, Joanne returned to work and found her true passion in the jewelry business. She started at Service Merchandise and then moved on to designing custom pieces with private jewelers. Joanne was extremely talented in her knowledge of diamonds, and received joy in knowing she helped someone design or select the perfect piece of jewelry. Joanne had so much love and generosity for children, the elderly, the sick and the dying and cared for so many selflessly throughout her life. She treated each of her friends like family.

Joanne was happiest when she and Dave were spending time with their son, cooking her signature Italian dishes for her family and friends, and caring for their home. Her generosity compared to none as she was always in search of the perfect card, or gift for those she loved. Joanne had true compassion in her heart, as she continuously supported animal rights and our veterans, as well as many other charities in need.

In addition to her devoted husband, Joanne is survived by her loving son, Andrew Kushner of Newark, Del., her cousin Carol Lupo of Philadelphia, and her extended family and friends that will miss her dearly.

In addition to her parents, Joanne is preceded in death by her brother Salvatore Fiore.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 9 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kennett Square.

Interment was at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pa. Contributions may be made in Joanne’s name to the Longwood Fire Company, 1001 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, Pa. 19348, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Way, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516, or to PAWS for People, P.O. Box 9955, Newark, Del. 19714.

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

Please visit the online memorial by going to www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

Chester County Press

Calendar of Events July 24 Free shredding event SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford will be hosting a free document shredding event at 315 Market Street in Oxford on Saturday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come out and shred your personal or business documents, or just come out to say hello to the wonderful fire and EMS volunteers who will be helping with the event, which is held at the Union Fire Company No. 1 in Oxford. Monetary donations will be accepted to help support fundraising for the fire house.

July 31 Philips Florist 100th anniversary party Philips Florist, which is located at 920 Market Street in Oxford, will be holding its 100th anniversary party on July 31 with special events planned. There will be a car show from 1 to 4 p.m., carnival games with prizes, a secret “speakeasy entrance” to Flickerwood, and the Sugar Shack truck will be on hand.

Sept. 3 Oxford First Friday Car Show Oxford’s First Friday series is returning in a big way with the annual First Friday Car Show. The event will feature music, automotive artwork, an autograph signing by by 2013 ISMA champion “Liquid” Lou Cicconi, and, of course, cars. The car show takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Please visit the Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. website at downtownoxfordpa.org to register your vehicle or for more information about the event. Email bdix@ oxfordmainstreet or call 610-998-9494 with any questions.

easy access. The event is filled with activities on the ground and in-the-air. There will be more than 100 vendors, live bands, balloons, children’s activities, and fireworks. The hours are Friday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 12 from noon to 8 p.m. For more information, including an event schedule, by visiting www. ccballoonfest.com.

Sept. 11 Union Fire Company No. 1 of Oxford’s 150th anniversary open house Come help the Union Fire Company No. 1 celebrate the 150th anniversary during an open house that begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11. This will include a 9/11 memorial service, games, food, antique fire trucks and a parade of lights. The parade of lights will start at 7 p.m.

Sept. 10 to 12 14th annual Chester County Balloon Festival The 14th annual Chester County Balloon Festival will be held on September 10 to 12 at a new venue, the Willowdale Steeplechase at 101 East Street Road in Oct. 16 Kennett Square. This venue Cars for Kacie will provide, grassy areas On Oct. 16, Cars for for spectator viewing, a Kacie—one of the largest new tailgating area, and car shows aimed at recovery

on the East Coast—is taking place at Downingtown East High School.

Kacie’s Cause was established after 23-year-old Kacie Erin Rumford died from a lethal dose of heroin in March of 2013. Kacie’s Cause currently has 11 chapters located throughout

Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Poconos region and as far west as on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and south to Newark, Del. The organization’s goal is to spread education, awareness, recovery, hope and support to everyone.

Kacie loved cars and attended car events for many years. Cars for Kacie currently has five shows each year and combined they are the largest car shows for recovery on the East Coast. More information is available at www. kaciescause.org.

Delaware County Community College makes federal relief funds available to students Delaware County Community College has received additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF III) from the American Rescue Plan which will allow the college to award grants to students this fall.

Students enrolled in credit courses can

receive up to $600 in grant funds and a textbook voucher of up to $400 for the fall 2021 semester. Some exceptions may apply, such as dual enrollment students and students whose tuition is paid by a third-party.

“We hope these grants assist students with their financial needs and make it easier for new and con-

tinuing students to get on track to achieve their educational goals,” said Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black.

Students are encouraged to contact the college’s enrollment central department with any questions by emailing wecare@dccc.edu.

TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Michael P. Mundy , Executor, C/O of his Attorney: Kyle A. Burch, Esquire, 22 State Road, Media, PA 19063-1442 7p-14-3t

area of 816 square feet and a height of 18 feet on property located at 1205 Stockford Road, Chadds Ford, PA (UPI# 64-5-31) in the Township’s R-1 Residential zoning district. If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact Kathy Howley at 610-388-7323 to discuss how Pennsbury Township may best accommodate your needs.

Edward M. Foley, Solicitor Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 7p-14-2t

Legals NOTICE

The London Grove Township Zoning Hearing Board will conduct a public hearing on, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA for the following purpose: 110 A Valley Road- To hear the appeal of West Grove Borough for a variance to exceed the maximum allowable impervious coverage (from 20% allowed to 34% proposed), in needed. A variance to reduce the front setback to 41.5 feet for the proposed structure from the required 50-foot perimeter setback,

if needed. A variance to extend the time period for the Zoning Hearing Board Decision, if required. A special exception for the expansion of a nonconforming use. A special exception for the expansion of a non-conforming structure. A special exception for the expansion of a structure/use on a nonconforming lot. 27-503.1C, 27-503.3C, 27-503.3E, 27-2303.2, 27-2304.1, 27-2307, 27-2508 This property is in the Rural Residential (RR) District.

William Grandizio, Chairman, Zoning Hearing Board 7p-7-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE – The London Grove Township Board of Supervisors will conduct a conditional use hearing on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA at 7 p.m. to consider the conditional use application of R&K Family Partnership, LLC to construct five storage units (4-8,000sq.ft. and 1-6,000sq.ft.), an addition to the existing Dwelling and a new retail/storage building (15,000sq. ft.) Section 27-1002.2.B of the Codified Zoning Ordinance requires conditional use approval for the proposed use.

The property subject to the conditional use application is tax parcel number 59-5-127 and is located at 524 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale, PA 19311. All who wish may attend and be heard. All communications relative to this hearing are to be addressed to London Grove Township, 372 Rose Hill Road, Suite 100, West Grove, PA 19390. Contact London Grove at (610) 345-0100 if any special services or facilities for the handicapped are required. Kenneth Battin, Township Manager 7p-7-2t

NOTICE

PENN TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Penn Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: Application of Mark and Donna Gallagher, seeking

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a variance from the 25% maximum impervious coverage limit under zoning ordinance Section 502.G so as to allow construction of a residential swimming pool and deck/patio on property located at 232 China Circle, West Grove, PA, (UPI #58-3-27.58) with total impervious coverage of 31% in the Township’s RS – Residential Suburban Zoning District. If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact the Township Secretary at (610) 8699620 to discuss how Penn Township may best accommodate your needs.

Edward M. Foley, Solicitor, Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 E. State Street Kennett Square, PA 19348 7p-7-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Linda Hurlock, late of West Chester, East Bradford Twp., County of Chester, Pennsylvania, Deceased.

Letters Testamentary on said Estate having been granted, and all persons indebted thereto are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims or demands against the same will present them without delay for settlement to: Estate of Linda Hurlock, C/O Holly Hilliard, Executrix, 538 Champions Way, Ponce de Leon, FL, 32455 7p-7-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of PAUL M. MUNDY. dec’d., Late of Chester County, PA. LETTERS

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Notice is hereby given that the London Grove Township Open Space Committee meetings for July 8 and August 12th will be cancelled and a meeting will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA. The public is invited. Kenneth Battin, Township Manager 7p-14-1t

NOTICE

PENNSBURY TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Pennsbury Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Pennsbury Township Building, 702 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: Application of Jeffrey R. and Kathryn C. Ellsworth, seeking a variance from the maximum building ground floor area and the maximum building height under zoning ordinance Sections 162-2002.A.2.d and 2002.A.4 so as to permit the construction of an accessory building (barn) having a ground floor

INCORPORATION NOTICE

The Way With Words has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

L. Theodore Hoppe, Jr., Attorney at Law, 2 S. Orange St., (215) Media, PA 19063 7p-14-1t

Classifieds Help Wanted ELECTRICAL POWER MARKET ANALYST sought by XO Energy LLC in Landenberg, PA to model renewable power plants. Resumes: HR, XO Energy LLC, 1619 New London Rd, Landenberg, PA 19350.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News Local Girl Scouts engage in international festivities More than 100 Girl Scouts from the Unionville and Kennett school districts delighted in the international festivities of Thinking Day. Local Girl Scouts celebrate this special day each year as a way of thinking about their sister Scouts and Guides around the world.

The Brandywine Valley Girl Scouts began its special version of this event 21 years ago when Lesley Anne Bernasconi. a 2001 Unionville High School

graduate, developed a unique program for this area for her Gold Award.

Thinking Day became a Service Unit Event where each troop represents a country and creates an exhibit, shares a portion of food and souvenirs/craft. Each participant is given a passport and off they go traveling the world.

For the first time, because of COVID-19, Thinking Day was held outside and in June instead of February. With

social distancing and masks, Daisies to Cadette Girl Scouts “traveled” to 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cuba, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Qatar.

In Argentina, the girls got to kick a soccer ball into a net and in France, they experienced a “walk down the runway.”

Each country shared a rec-

ipe and all the Girl Scout activities they participated in during this very challenging year. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the event coordinators, Kathy Limbaugh and Tracy Wahl, and their Girl Scout helpers and volunteers declared a successful event. If you are interested in Girl Scouts, contact Karen D’Agusto at kdagusto@aol. com or go to gsep.org.

Cadette Troop 4780 from Kennett Middle School represented Argentina and hosted a very active exhibit encouraging the girls to make a goal with a soccer ball.

Courtesy photos

Cadette Troop 4078 from Patton Middle School represented France and gave ‘private lectures’ on French history and culture and hosted a fashion runway.

Junior Troop 4210 from Chadds Ford Elementary represented Brazil and shared the amazing recipe “Pao de queijo.”

Yessenia Tavarez joins Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Fox & Roach Realtors Jerry Strusowski, sales leader of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors Kennett Square Home Marketing Center, welcomed Yessenia Tavarez as a new sales associate.

“I joined BHHS Fox & Roach because of the wonderful company reputation,” said Tavarez.

Tavarez has been licensed since 2015, and is a member of the New Castle County Board of Realtors.

She resides in Wilmington and she serves Southern Chester County and New Castle County, Del. Tavarez can be contacted at 347733-5378 or by emailing jenny.tavarez@foxroach. com.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors is part of HomeServices of America, the nation’s largest provider of total home services and largest residential brokerage company in the U.S. in sales, according to the 2021 REAL Trends 500 report.

The company has been awarded “Real Estate Agency Brand of the Year” and “Highest Ranked in Trust and/Love” in the 32nd annual Harris Poll EquiTrend Study.

With over 5,500 sales professionals in more than 75 sales offices across the Tri-State area, the company was recently acknowledged as #1, for the sixth year in a row, in the entire national Berkshire Hathaway

HomeServices Network.

Through its affiliated services, the Trident Group and Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC, the company provides one-stop shopping and facilitated services to its clients including mortgage financing, and title, property and casualty insurance. The company-sponsored charitable foundation, Fox & Roach/ Trident Charities, is committed to addressing the needs of children and families in stressful life circumstances and has contributed over $8 million to more than 250 local organizations since its inception in 1995.

Visit the company’s website at www. foxroach.com.

Brownie Troop 4745 from Greenwood Elementary represented Ireland and ‘put on their Green’ to celebrate everything Irish.

Learn what it takes to be a beekeeper at July 17 event

Learn what it takes to be a beekeeper at an event about keeping bees do’s and don’ts on Saturday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at New Leaf Sensory Garden at 776 Rosedale Road in Kennett Square.

The event is hosted by The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester

County and Brandywine Bee Company.

All ages will see a live hive in person, up-close but safely. Learn about bee colonies, different bee types in the colony, bee life, and what it takes to be a beekeeper. Bring your bee questions. Protective gear will be provided.

The cost is $5 for The Land Conservancy and Chester County Bee Association members or $10 for non-members.

Register at https://www. tlcforscc.org/events.

For additional information, contact Kathryn Pearlstine Freilich at kathryn@tlcforscc.org.

The Grand announces first set of indoor performances The Temptations, Brian Regan, Lewis Black, and more among first announced shows After a once-in-a-lifetime closure of 467 days, The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Del. has announced the first set of live indoor performances beginning in September.

This announcement also celebrates the building’s 150th birthday on Dec. 22, 2021, which will be celebrated over the course of three months.

The Grand is set to bring popular national acts such as comedians Brian Regan and Lewis Black, internet comedic sensation Vic DiBitetto, TV’s Jane Lynch (Glee), Kate Flannery (The Office), Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).

Musically, the season will also bring the return of Straight No Chaser, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, The Temptations, and Storm Large (recently seen on America’s Got Talent).

“It has been a long road to get to this announcement, but The Grand’s team is excited to welcome patrons and artists back inside our three beautiful theaters,” said Executive Director

Mark Fields. “May this first announcement provide hope of the return to enjoying the live performing arts in person and indoors. We fully intend to continue announcing new performances throughout the summer and fall months.”

The Grand’s “Broadway in Wilmington” Series, sponsored by Bank of America and performed at the historic Playhouse on Rodney Square, will be announced separately. More information on new upgrades and improvements to The Playhouse on Rodney Square, America’s longest continuously operating Broadway touring house, will also be announced at that time.

An announcement on The Grand’s 45th Annual Grand Gala will also come later this summer.

“When I look for sure signs that we are ready to return to a more normal and more enjoyable routine, I look no further than The Grand,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki.

“Our city’s premier performance center was an early victim of COVID’s devastating effects, so it is with joy that I applaud the decision to re-open the Grand stage for

all to enjoy.”

After more than a year of an entire industry shut down, artists and venues are starting to schedule performances again, but the re-emergence of indoor shows will be gradual. By the time The Grand opens for its first currently scheduled performance, it will have been 563 days since an audience sat in one of their three theaters.

“Re-starting from an extended full stop is complex. Although some outdoor venues are re-opening now, the national performing arts infrastructure have to start from scratch. And, we are still responding to changing circumstances and safety guidelines, especially for indoor shows,” said Fields. “Despite the challenges, we’re pleased to kick our re-opening off with some wonderful programs.”

The Grand has not remained silent throughout this closure, however.

The organization has held a number of sold-out outdoor events such as their Concerts by Car Concert Series at Frawley Stadium, their Drive-In Cinema at Bellevue State Park, their

Live @ 818 Livestream Concert series, and perhaps the most popular, their Winter in Wilmington DriveThru Light Show held on Wilmington’s Riverfront last holiday season. “The Grand’s staff stepped up in new and innovative ways this past year to ensure that the organization could continue to serve our community, even when the community couldn’t come inside to join us,” said Fields.

Tickets can be purchased online at TheGrandWilmington.org or by calling 302-652-5577.

Here’s a look at some of the upcoming events: MUSIC October 21– Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Copeland Hall) October 23 – Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Copeland Hall) October 30 – The Temptations (Copeland Hall) November 6 – The Rock Orchestra performs Elton John (Copeland Hall) November 13 – Kris Allen (the baby grand) November 18 – Storm Large (the baby grand) November 19 – ABBA

MANIA! (Copeland Hall) December 10 – December ’63 (Playhouse on Rodney Square) December 11 – Andy McKee (the baby grand) December 17 – Wizards of Winter (Copeland Hall) January 16, 2022 – DRUMLINE LIVE! (Copeland Hall) February 4, 2022 – Seldom Scene (the baby grand) February 12, 2022 – The Rock Orchestra performs Tom Petty (the baby grand) February 18, 2022 – Gaelic Storm (Copeland Hall) March 4, 2022 – The Red Hot Chili Pipers (Copeland Hall) March 5, 2022 – The Honey Dewdrops (the baby grand) fMarch 6, 2022 - Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy (Copeland Hall) March 13, 2022 – Tom Rush (the baby grand) March 19, 2022 – Deadgrass (the baby grand) March 25, 2022 – The Tannahill Weavers (the baby grand) April 1, 2022 – Straight No Chaser (Copeland Hall) – tickets on sale at a later date April 15, 2022 – One Night in Memphis (Copeland Hall)

April 22, 2022 – Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas (the baby grand) April 24, 2022 – One Night of Queen (Copeland Hall) May 7, 2022 – The Rock Orchestra performs Genesis (the baby grand) COMEDY September 26 – Brian Regan (Copeland Hall) October 8 – Theo Von (Copeland Hall) October 9– Lewis Black (Copeland Hall) October 15 – David Sedaris (Copeland Hall) October 23 – Jeff Allen (the baby grand) November 12 – Vic DiBitetto (Copeland Hall) November 18 – Justin Willman (Copeland Hall) December 3 – Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas!

With Kate Flannery and Tim Davis (Copeland Hall) March 5, 2022 – Jeanne Robertson (Copeland Hall) April 9, 2022 – Colin Mochrie’s (of Whose Line Is it Anyway?) presents HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis (Playhouse on Rodney Square) – tickets on sale at a later date April 21, 2022 – Whose Live Anyway? (Copeland Hall)

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021