Top cyclists are coming to West Chester...................1B
State Police issue warning about meth lab debris.................4B
Longwood Fire Company promotes Mike Wells to lieutenant................6B
A horseshoes champion
Emily Hatrick, 17, and her dad Kelly take horseshoes very seriously, and the Oxford teen has just placed third in the world at a horseshoes championship. See story on Page 1B.
July 29 in West Grove
Dinniman town hall meeting to focus on state budget, education, pipeline
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Property tax reform, the Keystone Examination and the Eastern Shore pipeline will serve as the hot topics at the town hall meeting that State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19th District) will hold at the Avon Grove Intermediate School on July 29, beginning at 7 p.m.
A longtime proponent of reducing property taxes, Sen. Dinniman will provide an update on the current state budget -still being hammered out in Harrisburg -- which Dinniman said continues to fall way short of providing any concrete measures intended to lower -- or eliminate -- property taxes throughout the Commonwealth.
“The reason I voted against the state budget was that there
is nothing about property tax reform included in it,” Dinniman said. “For decades, we promised we would take action on property taxes. When I became a county commissioner in 1992, this was a concern, and I was hopeful it would have made movement. There is still hope. We have the obligation to all work together for a new budget, and this is where we can actually bring about property tax reform.”
Dinniman said that while Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to grapple on the issue of property tax reform, residents with fixed incomes -- such as senior citizens -- are unfairly stuck with a whopping share of the tax burden. Dinniman has been a supporter of Senate Bill 76 which, if passed, would
helps to
and
in Penn Township Park
By Nancy Johnson Correspondent
Accident victim files lawsuit against Kennett Township
Claims supervisors brokered ‘secret’ deal with former police chief
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Kennett Township resident
Michael Hammon has filed a lawsuit against Kennett Township and its three supervisors that claims that one or more parties are in violation of the Sunshine Act, for what the suit claims involved a “secret retirement agreement” the township fostered with nowretired Police Chief Albert McCarthy – one that will cost Kennett Township residents more than $45,000, in order to pay McCarthy a salary through the end of September.
The lawsuit asks the Chester County Court to render the agreement as “unlawfullytransacted agency business”; to determine that the township
and its supervisors have violate the Sunshine Act; to invalidate the retirement agreement the township negotiated with McCarthy; and award Hammon the cost of his legal fees and costs of litigation.
The complaint, filed on July 22 with the Chester County Court, alleges that at no time between the meeting dates of April 15 through July 15 did Board Chairman Scudder Stevens and Supervisors Dr. Richard Leff and Robert Hammaker publicly vote on or approve any retirement agreement with McCarthy, nor invite or receive comment from the public on the retirement agreement it brokered with McCarthy on May 7, which has been obtained by the Chester County Press.
Section 2.B.11 of the retirement agreement, entitled “Non Disclosure,” gives evidence that may support Hammon’s claims that the retirement agreement the township negotiated with McCarthy was done in secret.
“Except as specifically provided in this statement, McCarthy and the Township agree that, as a material part of the consideration for this Agreement, they will not disclose or discuss, other than with legal counsel, the existence of this Agreement or any of its terms except to the extent properly subpoenaed under applicable court rules or otherwise compelled by law or court of competent jurisdiction,” the section states. “The parties
Oxford Borough receives $575,000 grant for Wheeler Boulevard streetscape improvements
Chester County Commissioners award a total of $2.9 million in Community Revitalization Program grants
By Steven Hofman Staff Writer
Oxford Borough has been awarded a $575,000 Community Revitalization Program grant from the county for streetscape improvements on Wheeler Boulevard.
“The Borough of Oxford thanks the Chester County Commissioners, the Department of Community Development and the Chester County Planning Commission for their continued support of Oxford,” said Borough Manager Betsy Brantner. “Receiving the Wheeler Boulevard grant is
a very important step in continuing the revitalization in the Borough of Oxford. Wheeler Boulevard has seen an increase in traffic due to the Tastykake expansion, the Oxford Main Street First Fridays, and the build-out of the Oxford Square Mall and Oxford Commons.”
According to borough officials, the project will include replacing waterlines, valves, hydrants, and a stormwater system which will improve water pressure that is vital to fire protection in the area. The streetscape improvements will also include street paving, sidewalks, and ramps on Wheeler Boulevard
professor in hot water over online comments
Kaukab Siddique decries ‘homo uprising’ and ‘Dirty Jewish Zioninst White Supremacist thugs’ Lincoln University
By John Chambless Staff Writer
Controversy swirling around online comments made by an English professor at The Lincoln University has prompted the school to back away from tenured associate professor Kaukab Siddique. Associated Press picked up on Siddique’s comments in a July 23 story, noting that, “He asked on Facebook this month whether Bill Cosby’s accusers took so long to come forward because ‘many women are sluts.’
Beautiful “25 in 25” mini-grant. To honor the 25th anniversary of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the organization, with partial support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, awarded 25 grants in 25 days, June 1 to June 25, to local affiliates and other tax-exempt groups throughout Pennsylvania. Up to $1,000
Another recent post attributed the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision to ‘Obama’s homo uprising.’ A third post referred to ‘dirty Jewish Zionist White Supremacist thugs.’”
The Associated Press said that the university had publicly condemned the remarks, saying in a statement that they are “an insult to women and other groups singled out.”
But that hasn’t stopped Siddique, 72, whose Facebook page is a litany of anti-Israel
and anti-police internet memes, including submissions from his Facebook friend Robert Solano of Brownsville, Texas, whose own Facebook page is an online attack on Israel. In one photo on Siddique’s page, he is shown shaking hands with Solano, who is getting an award. On the bulletin board behind them are flyers reading, “Unite Against Zionism.” Siddique, who studied at the University of Karachi in Pakistan and now lives in Baltimore, drew fire in 2010 for publicly denying the Holocaust. This latest wave of controversy has grown out of his uncompromising stance on issues such as Bill Cosby’s female accusers. In a July 8 Facebook post, Siddique wrote, “The info about Cosby is not very surprising. Most non-Muslims behave like he did and he also had lots of money. Date rape is common in American universities as the stats show. It’s commonplace in show business. What I can’t understand is why it took so Continued on Page 4A
between North Third Street and Lincoln Street.
The Chester County Commissioners announced the grant awards, totaling $2,995,000 for projects in the City of Coatesville and six boroughs, on July 21.
“Community Revitalization grants have benefited a number of Chester County urban centers over the years,” said Terence Farrell, the chair of the Chester County Commissioners.
“These funds greatly improve the overall health of communities and provide for growth, as well as spur significant increases in taxable assessments.”
By Uncle Irvin
Let’s say that you are 40 years old, with a bachelor’s degree from a public college/ university, and you now have a job with a salary/benefit package of $110,000 for 180 days of work per year, with guaranteed job security.
In your 2015 annual review, how likely are you to demand that your boss give you a salary/benefits contract increase of 4.62 percent per year for the next three years (almost 15 percent), which would enhance your package in three annual steps to $124,000 per year in 2018?
For all but public school teachers, this demand is preposterous, incredible and likely to get you a pink slip. But never mind reality. The above scenario is what the U-CF teachers union is demanding of the school board, which would raise your property taxes much more than the two percent
Photo by Caitlin Ianni
Monarch butterfly looks at home already.
Photo by John Chambless
was awarded for their projects focusing on “Prevent It,”
“Clean It,” or “Keep It.”
“I look at this as a dual purpose project,” Ianni explained. “It will enhance our park with a pretty flower garden and create a habitat for various insects and especially butterflies, some of which are becoming endangered.”
Ianni enlisted the assistance of Watercrest Nurseries in West Grove as to what plants would be best for the intended butterfly garden.
“They got us a nice variety of flowers that will benefit butterflies, bees, and birds,” she said. “Then Danny Peters, Michael Busby, and Noah Midia prepped the garden area and got everything planted very quickly so we would be able to tie it into storytime.”
When she received word that they had been awarded the grant, which calls for the township to match the grant, Ianni thought the project would fit in well with Avon Grove Library’s summer program, Storytime in the Park. The program, which rotates between Nickle, Goddard and Penn parks, presents a story along with an activity.
“We are excited to be involved with the butterfly garden,” said Lisa Sherwood, manager of children’s services at Avon Grove Library.
Sherwood and librarian Jennifer Walker look for interesting ways to tie books into real-life experiences for the young children.
“In an activity like this, where the kids actively participate, it really sticks with them,” added Walker.
While the storytime program was originally intended for preschoolers and early elementary students, Sherwood is pleased that it has turned into a “family time activity” with some teens joining in to help. She explained that the evening’s storytime at Penn Park is a perfect example of how the older children can help the younger ones with some of the final planting and the releasing of the butterflies.
Ianni explained that as a storm was threatening, they had to abbreviate the evening’s program a bit.
Sherwood read two books on the topic of butterflies and caterpillars, “Waiting for Wings” and “Rob and Otto.” The group then walked the short distance from the pavilion to the new butterfly garden, where they released 20 butterflies. Ianni had selected Monarch and Painted Lady butterflies and visuals of both of these butterflies were included in the stories Sherwood read to the children.
“The kids had a blast letting the butterflies go,” Ianni said. “Most of them flew right to the butterfly bushes after being released, but some ended up landing on
Sometime later, the Monarch butterfly is still content on this plant.
the kids, which elicited lots of laughs.” Ianni expects that most of the butterflies will stick around now that they know where they can find food; though others will fly away and re-visit the garden from time to time. Ianni and Sherwood are planning to continue the kids’ involvement in the project by having them deco-
rate concrete stepping stones that will then be placed in the garden. The township already mulched the garden, and added a bench, bird bath, and bird feeder to their newest addition to the park. “We are also hoping to have stepping stones designed that show the lifecycle of a butterfly,” Ianni said. This will tie in well with Ianni’s plan to not only create a new home for butterflies and other insects, but also to create a learning environment for kids.
Photo by Caitlin Ianni
Everyone got a chance to release some of the butterflies to their new home.
Photo by Nancy Johnson Shortly after the kids released the butterflies, the township mulched the garden, and added the bench, feeders and bird bath.
Photo by Caitlin Ianni
This butterfly seems reluctant to leave his young friend.
Photo by Caitlin Ianni
Ever so carefully, this young lady releases a butterfly.
Photo by Nancy Johnson At their planned August Storytime in the Park, the kids will be making stepping stones with a butterfly motif.
Interim principal named at Unionville Elementary
By John Chambless Staff Writer
Students are on summer break, but the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board is working to hire teachers and support staff for the coming school year. At a brief meeting on July 22, the board approved 10 new hires and 23 job reclassifications in the district.
On Aug. 12, Dr. Edward Mackel will become the interim principal at Unionville Elementary School until a permanent principal can be interviewed and hired. Mackel will be paid $550 per day. The former Unionville Elementary principal, Clif Beaver, officially took over as principal of Pocopson Elementary on July 10 at a salary of $140,000 per year.
The board has previously unanimously approved Amy Jenkins as the new assistant principal at Unionville High
Town hall meeting...
Continued from Page 1A
eliminate all school property taxes and raise the earned income tax, as well as the sales tax, in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the sales tax would be expanded through the closing of current exemptions.
There are only three ways to support public education in Pennsylvania, Dinniman said. “Income, property and sales. What happens year after year is that more and more of the burden falls on the property tax. In any tax scheme, someone gets hurt and someone gets help, and at this point, senior citizens are going to continue to be hurt more if we don’t do something.”
Dinniman said that his staff will hand out information that will include several property tax reform scenarios that are being discussed in Harrisburg, as well as enourage those in attendance to fill out a survey about property taxes.
Dinniman, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Education Committee, will also discuss his continuing opposition to the Keystone Exams, a state-wide initiative that requires students to pass exams in Algebra, Biology and Language Arts, in order to graduate.
The town hall meeting will also focus on the continued application of the Artesian Water Company to activate a well on property it owns in Landenberg -- which Dinniman is strongly opposed to.
Dinniman will also discuss the proposal by the Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company to build a 16-inch wide pipeline through southern Chester County. If built, the pipeline would run from the area of Wingate Farms, southeast under Route 841 and south through Thompson Estates, cross Route 896 and pass just a few yards south of the Franklin Township Building
School, as of Aug. 1, at a salary of $115,000 per year. Jenkins is filling the assistant principal position that was vacated by former Unionville High School assistant principal Jim Conley. He became principal when Paula Massanari retired at the end of the last school year. Two retirements were announced at the board’s July 22 meeting as well. Unionville High School teacher Nicholas Sama retired as of June 17, and Unionville High School teacher Jean Stevens will retire as of Aug. 24.
The school board will have a public work session meeting at the district office (740 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square) on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
For more information, a schedule of upcoming meetings, and videos of past meetings, visit www.ucfsd.org.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.
before rejoining the existing Eastern Shore pipelines that cross Franklin Township.
The Dover, Del.-based company already owns a right-of-way for its existing pipelines, and is seeking additional easements for facilities or temporary work spaces for construction along the pipelines.
“What I have found is that through the issues of Artesian and pipelines, there is a growing and strong movement in southern Chester County to maintain its agricultural heritage and open space and as much as possible,” Dinniman said. “I sense it from citizens and many of the supervisors. What you’re finding is a desire for the citizens to have the opportunity and the means to envision and form their own future.”
Dinniman will remain after the town hall meeting to answer additional questions. The meeting will be held in the Audion Room of the Avon Grove Intermediate School, which is located at 395 South Jennersville Road, in West Grove.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@ chestercounty.com.
Lawsuit...
Continued from Page 1A
acknowledge the possibility that the Township may be compelled to disclose this Agreement pursuant to a lawful request made by the Pennsylvania Open Records Law.”
The lawsuit further stated that at no time during Stevens’ public statements at McCarthy’s retirement ceremony, held May 20 at the Kennett Township Building, did he “disclose or allude to” the existence of any retirement agreement between the township and McCarthy. Further, the lawsuit said that at no time during the meeting did the supervisors “receive public comment on, discuss, deliberate, vote upon or approve” the retirement agreement.
“When the lawmakers enacted the Sunshine Act, they explicitly found that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of governmental agencies and to witness the deliberation and decision-making of governmental agencies is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process, and that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public’s effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society,” said Mark A. Sereni, of the Media-based law firm of DiOrio and Sereni, LLP and Hammon’s attorney.
The terms of McCarthy’s retirement agreement, obtained by the Chester County Press, spell out the benefits he will continue to receive from the township, which include McCarthy being paid his “normal” salary through Oct. 1, 2015, which will be estimated at $45,000 in payment; payment for any unused sick or vacation leave; and continuation of McCarthy’s healthcare coverage through March 31, 2016.
Under the agreement, which was signed on May 6 by McCarthy, McCarthy agreed to direct any employment references to Township Manager Lisa Moore, who will provide a reference limited to McCarthy’s dates of employment, position held and salary at the time of separation, and confirmation that McCarthy voluntarily retired.
Additional caveats of the agreement include:
• McCarthy will make himself
available to help in the transition of the police department, as well as assist in the completion of any additional pending investigations;
• The township will continue to defend and indemnify McCarthy about any legal claims against him which occurred while he was employed by the township;
• McCarthy waives any right to monetary relief from the township in any legal action he may be involved with;
• McCarthy waives any rights to regain employment by the township; and
• The township and its elected and appointed officials will agree not to disparage McCarthy, and that McCarthy agrees not to disparage the township or its elected or appointed officials.
The lawsuit is merely the latest touchstone in an entire timeline of events that first began at the noon hour of April 13, when the 2006 Honda Accord Hammon was driving on Hillendale Road was struck from behind by a Kennett Township police vehicle that was being driven by McCarthy. A public information release report issued by State Police Avondale said that McCarthy was following the vehicle ahead of him too closely and at a high rate of speed. Both vehicles proceeded through the intersection of Hidden Pond Drive and East Hillendale Road, before they both stopped. Hammon sustained injury but did not require EMS transportation. McCarthy was uninjured in the accident.
Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Blittersdorf Towing. Although McCarthy was not charged in the accident, the primary violation was identified as “VC 3310(A) Following Too Closely.”
Two days later, on April 15, McCarthy was placed on administrative leave from his duties, as agreed by the board of supervisors, who also voted 3-0 to appoint Kennett Township officer Lydell Nolt to serve as the acting interim police chief for the township. McCarthy’s administrative leave was identified as “non-disciplinary.”
Soon after, the Chester County Press learned that the April 13 accident was caused by a seizure McCarthy revealed that he had at the time of the accident. He told State Trooper Erick Baker
of the State Police – who was the attending officer at the crash – that he suffered from a seizure that was caused by a previous brain injury.
On May 14, in an e-mail to township residents, the township announced that McCarthy officially retired from his position on May 7 would retire from law enforcement after 42 years of service. On May 20, before a packed audience at the Kennett Township Building, the supervisors arranged a retirement ceremony for McCarthy, who spoke briefly and received a retirement badge.
“[Chief McCarthy] educated hundreds and hundreds of children throughout the year, and many of these children who still call him today to ask for help and guidance,” Stevens said at the ceremony. “He was always firm, fair and consistent. You knew where you stood with him. He was a good listener and delegator. He followed the maxim, ‘The best way to keep power is to share it, and the best way to influence is to listen.’”
Less than one week after the ceremony, further details began to emerge about the April 13 accident. Chester County Press a hand-written document from an unnamed witness at the scene of the crash, who shared what he observed at the scene to a licensed private investigator on April 15. While driving a dump truck, the witness said he was about to turn left onto Hidden Pond Drive, when he heard a loud noise, which he described as a screech and dragging noise. He told the investigator that he looked into his rear-view mirror and saw Hammon’s and McCarthy’s vehicles “connected to each other...A white unmarked police car was in the trunk of the black car in front of it,” the witness stated.
The witness then said that after the two vehicles stopped, McCarthy’s police vehicle backed up, disconnecting itself from Hammon’s vehicle. Soon after, the police vehicle’s horn was activated. When he approached McCarthy’s vehicle to see if McCarthy was okay, the witness stated he saw McCarthy attempt to push the driver’s side air bag in the police vehicle –which had deployed during the
accident – back into the steering wheel.
The witness then noted to McCarthy that the police vehicle’s air bag had deployed, which at first, McCarthy denied. Later, the witness stated, McCarthy said that the bag did deploy.
On July 15, in a ceremony held at the Kennett Township building, Nolt was sworn in as the township’s new police chief.
A public notice published on July 28 indicated that the board will hold a special meeting on July 29, beginning at 7:30 p.m., to discuss the retirement agreement it brokered with McCarthy. “If appropriate,” the notice said, the board “may take action relative to both the agreement and prior payments made to McCarthy pursuant to the agreement.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com
per year that has been the going rate. If you are living in a home assessed at $200,000, your 2015 property taxes of $5,000 would likely be $5,800 in 2018.
Right now, the U-CF school board is playing “hardball” with the teachers’ union, saying their demands “are well in excess of what is sustainable and financially viable,” and have ordered a fact-finding report by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The U-CF teachers union has clearly escalated its demands to the five-percent per year level, saying that U-CF is “one of the wealthiest school districts in the state.” It may well be, but that is no reason to pay outrageous compensation to spoiled, greedy teachers who cannot be fired and refuse to be evaluated for competence ... and are not worth that kind of money. If all the teachers left, better replacements can be hired at two-thirds of the present salary.
(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)
Teachers
long for the violated women to come out against him. Was it: 1. He paid them off; 2. Many women are sluts; 3. American women are slaves of rich men; 4. Random sex is quite acceptable in America; 5. They don’t have families like Muslims do who would take revenge for rape.”
In a July 22 interview with The Daily Beast, an online news source, Siddique clarified his remarks about Cosby, which he said were taken “a little out of context. I was asking my readers what they thought of these five possibilities,”
Siddique is quoted as saying. “The reason I was writing five items is because I’m not sure what is going on with American women.”
The controversy comes at an awkward time for Lincoln University, which forced former president Robert Jennings to resign in November after he said that three Lincoln women reported sexual assaults to police because their sexual experiences “didn’t turn out the way they wanted it to turn out.”
The most recent statement from Lincoln University adds that, “Like all faculty members, [Siddique] is entitled to express his personal views in conversation or in public forums, as long as he does not pres-
ent such opinions as views of the University.”
Among Siddique’s other recent targets has been the cancellation of the TV reality series “19 Kids and Counting” after family member Josh Duggar was accused of molestation years ago. “The homo lobby is taking revenge for the Duggars’ criticism of transgender and homo activity,” Siddique posted on Facebook in June. “
The fact is that now in this country the homo lobby controls so much of the media that they attack Christians. No religion is sacred in America.”
In a Facebook posting on July 23, he addressed the controversy over Sandra Bland, a black woman who died after being pulled over for a traffic infraction and jailed.
“First they kill Black men and women, and then claim it was their own fault,” Siddique wrote.
“The authorities can always find something in a person’s background. Now they say she was DEPRESSED a YEAR BACK, therefore she committed suicide.
Hitler never treated Black people like this. Israel’s system has been imposed on America.”
The Daily Beast story is posted on Siddique’s Facebook timeline, although he comments, “Those who know me are shocked at the Beast’s attack.”
A woman named Teresa Rollins posted to Siddique’s Facebook wall on July 22, “My dear Muslim
friends … the Jewish Press has been trying to vilify Dr. Siddique for years and get him fired for his truth telling and activism against oppression ... I ask you to reply to this post and give him your support as they wish to silence all Muslim scholars … Here they go misquoting Dr. Siddique … it is going to be a popular thing now to shame and vilify Muslims who stand up for the Haqq of the Qur’an ... our lives are not guided by government policies our lives are Guided by a Higher Authority and we all have chosen to live in Tolerance with those who live differently –but will unabashedly speak truth to powers where ever they reside. I support Dr. Siddique who has been a Truth sayer … we live in a climate where they want us to cow-town from stating and standing up for the truth,,we are truly in the end of days … they wait but we too wait for the hand of Allah who
Oxford grant...
Continued from Page 1A
In addition to the grant to Oxford, Coatesville is receiving a $500,000 grant to partially fund a parking structure at the corner of First Avenue and East Diamond Street. West Grove Borough is receiving $400,000 for a reconstruction project of Hillside Avenue, which will include water main replacements and a project aimed at improving fire protection. Elverson was awarded $590,000 for a wastewater lagoon closure and landscaping improvements. Downingtown is receiving $180,000 for a sanitary relief line at Bradford Avenue. Honey Brook was awarded $250,000 for its White Birch Street infrastructure and a transportation reconstruction project, while Phoenixville is receiving $500,000 to replace water mains.
“Many of our urban communities are in need of updating their infrastructure, and a majority of this year’s CRP grants are helping to fund stormwater and water
gives them a short respite and then the judgement!!!! Aameen!”
Siddique is a member of a Baltimore-based organization called Jamaat al-Muslimeen (Assembly of Muslims) that promotes a rigorous version of Islam. Siddique edits the group’s newsletter. According to the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, the group “explicitly discourages acts of violence by Muslims in the United States [but] it advances a number of ideological points closely linked to violent radicalism, while excusing virtually all Muslims convicted of terrorism as victims of government persecution.”
In a June 26 posting, Siddique wrote, “Today, in Baltimore, my friend Imam Khalil denounced Gay Marriage decision by the Supreme court. It was a good khutba. Jamaat al-Muslimeen’ s shoora has led the movement against Homosexuality.
main projects,” said Commissioner Kathi Cozzone. “The municipal leaders are being prudent by replacing aging infrastructure and not waiting for an emergency.”
Commissioner Michelle Kichline added, “Chester County’s VISTA 2025 plan calls for improvements to make the county’s urban centers viable, livable locations. The county has planned for a bright future and the CRP grants help to make it a reality.”
Since the Community Revitalization Program began in 2002, the county has awarded more than $57 million in Community Revitalization Program and Community Development Block Grant program grants to the sixteen urban centers in the county for infrastructure improvements, according to Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.
According to Brantner, this support from the county through these grant programs has been important to the borough’s revitalization efforts.
We, the servants of Allah, will oppose Obama’s homo uprising which led to the court decision today.”
In his comments to The Daily Beast, Siddique is quoted as saying that radical terror groups such as ISIS are probably not responsible for all the atrocities they are accused of. “There are people who have various motivations for saying how bad they are,” Siddique told The Daily Beast, “so that all the bad people go there.” He said that terror groups “do terrible things, I’m sure, and they do terrible things to people who do terrible things to other people.”
Siddique decried murder and looting as un-Islamic. “I don’t think that anyone has the right to kill people who are innocent,” he told The Daily Beast To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com.
“Oxford Borough continues to grow and thrive due to the vision of our Oxford Borough Council, the support of Oxford Mainstreet Inc. in supporting local businesses and bringing in new businesses, and our residents who have charged the Borough with creating a vibrant community where we can all live, work and play,” Brantner said.
“Our community is continuing to thrive, our library has completed a very successful expansion, making it one of the best libraries in Chester County. A new restaurant will be opening soon. We have resumed building with three major building projects going on at the moment. And we are completing Phase 3 of our Streetscape projects, and waiting to apply for Phase 4. The Borough of Oxford is without a doubt up and coming. We invite everyone to come visit us and watch us grow.”
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
Courtesy Photo
Kaukab Siddique, 72, is in hot water over his online comments.
OASD continues to assemble administrative teams for schools
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
The Oxford School Board approved several school administrative assignments at its July 21 meeting, continuing the effort to assemble administrative teams for schools in advance of the 2015-2016 school year.
At its last meeting in June, the school board approved Lisa Yingst as the new principal of the Nottingham School, filling a vacancy that was created when William Vogt resigned from the position.
Matthew Hovanec also transitioned to the assistant principal position at the Nottingham School.
On July 21, the school board approved the transfer of Lisa Stenz from the position of principal at Penn’s Grove School to the position of district-wide Special Education Director. James Canaday is moving from assistant principal of the Penn’s Grove School to principal of the building.
In other business at the meeting, Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones, the assistant superintendent, reported on some of the activities that are taking place over the summer. One of the activities that has attracted the most interest from students is the district’s title reading program, with 175 students participating.
Oxford also offers a number of free summer academies for students. Billings-Jones said that 118 students have participated in the Art Academy, while another 40 students took part in the Music Academy.
The district introduced several new academies this summer, and they
were beneficial for students as well, with 20 students enjoying the Fitness Academy, 17 students enrolled in the STEM Academy, and students in the 15 Young Authors Academy.
Billings-Jones said that the Math Academy, one of the district’s first academies, which was introduced to give students a boost in their math work, was very effective. She said that district personnel received emails from parents saying that the students really found the math instruction to be helpful, and they enjoyed doing math in the summer more than expected.
School board member Richard Orpneck offered a legislative report that focused primarily on the unresolved state budget, which has a large impact on the district’s own budget.
“As we all know, there has not been a budget approved to date,” Orpneck said.
Orpneck noted that in Pennsylvania public schools, about $15,000 is spent per student, on average, but the state’s contribution to the overall school costs is approximately 36 percent. That leaves local taxpayers carrying a heavier burden when it comes to the funding of schools.
School board member Lorraine Bell was appointed to serve as the board’s PSBA voting delegate at a conference in the fall.
The school board has meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11 and Tuesday, Aug. 18. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
Kids race to the finish at Anson B. Nixon Park
The 12th Annual Free Kids Cross Country Race took place on July 16 at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square. The course was lined with parents, volunteers from the Kennett High School cross country team and KAPRB board members.
For the first time in 12 years, there was a clump of five boys vying for first place from the last 200 yards of the 1.5-mile race.
Cole Hiller, 14, edged Liam Kauffman, 11, by one second in a winning time of 9:39 on the mostly flat course.
Oxford Feed & Lumber presents check to assist library in its expansion project
Just a glance at the parking lot on a Monday morning provided evidence that residents are clearly making good use of the newly expanded Oxford Public Library.
The Drennen family, owners of Oxford Feed & Lumber, stopped by to present a donation to assist with the expenses of the 4,000 sq. ft. addition that brings the library to a total of approximately 11,000 sq. ft.
The Drennens, father Larry Sr. and sons Larry Jr. and Chris, believe that the library is a vital part of the community in Oxford, important not only for its collection of over 50,000 volumes, but also for the variety of programs and cultural events they offer.
“This was very generous of the Drennens,” said library director
Carey Bresler of the donation.
“When we finally got the expansion started they really wanted to see it happen. Like many in the community, they helped move the library forward.”
Oxford Feed & Lumber also provided a substantial amount of the materials for the project to Nowland Builders, who did the construction.
Chris and Larry Drennen agreed that they were glad that Jeff Nowland came to them early in the project and included them in the supply process.
The Drennen family members said that they were happy to provide a lot of the materials for the project in their hometown, and to be able to make a donation to a cornerstone of the community.
There were 122 participants this year for the 12th running of the race, which takes place on the third Thursday in July each year. Many of the runners have done this race since the inception in 2002. The race continues to be a free community event sponsored by KAPRB and
many other companies from the Kennett Square area. BaskinRobbins supplied free ice cream to all of the children.
Kelsey Lucenius, 13, (10:24) was first overall female this year. Kelsey also won the New Years Day race last year held at Anson B. Nixon Park. Clare Mazzeo followed her in second place by eight seconds.
Claire Finfrock served as the race director this year and had the help of many volunteers from the community. “It was wonderful to see so many children and their families come out for this great, free community event,” she said. “The smiles on the faces of the children as they run is a sight to see.” All of the children received random prizes, medals, ice cream and plenty of accolades from all of the crowd.
Competitors line up before the 12th annual race, held July 16 in Kennett Square.
Photo by Nancy Johnson
The Drennen family of Oxford Feed and Lumber present the Oxford Public Library with a donation in the library’s new wing.
Pictured (from left to right) are Chris Drennen; Jamie Cole, president of Oxford Public Library Board of Trustees; Carey Bresler, director of Oxford Public Library; Larry Drennen Sr., and Larry Drennen Jr.
Editorial Letters to the Editor
Don’t abandon the concept of regional policing
In 1925, former journalist Ernest Hemingway was in the last stages of completing his first novel, The Sun Also Rises, about a group of American and British expatriates who travel from Paris to Pamplona. In Paris, Hemingway labored intensely on the book and in particular, the last sentence, which was said to have been written and re-written 38 times before the author declared that it was, at last, perfect.
In the novel, Jake is about to return to Paris, when he receives a telegram from Brett, his ex, asking him for help. He finds her in a cheap hotel in Madrid, without money. The novel ends with Jake and Brett in a taxi speaking of the things that might have been but never were. The last sentence, “Isn’t it pretty to think so?” remains one of he most poignant sentences ever written in American literature, and the stunning residue of an author’s dogged determination to see it through.
For more than a year-and-a-half, several local law enforcement officers and elected officials have performed Hemingway-esque construction and reconstruction on the concept of forming a regional police department in southern Chester County that, if implemented, would provide roundthe-clock police coverage in our community and enable these departments to weave the talents of their officers into a larger, more comprehensive continuum of safety. During that time, as many as seven townships and municipalities have, at various times, entered into discussions that explored the logistics of how a regional police unit would operate, the division of tasks and leadership, and determining the costs of running such an organization. In countless meetings, pencils were sharpened and re-sharpened. Preliminary studies were undertaken. Needs were assessed and divisions of labor were analyzed. Public input continued to serve as the vocal architect for the concept.
Gradually, the municipalities content to merely dip their toes in the water of exploration began to drop out of contention, influenced in their decisions by the voices of skeptical residents. Others balked at what they perceived as heavy price tags to pay for what would, at first, be a concept still in the incubator stage. Another township swore in a new police chief and then approved the hiring of three additional full-time officers. Although the tendril strings that bind regional policing to southern Chester County still remain, they hang perilously, awaiting free-fall and demise.
By its very definition and scope, the concept of regional policing in southern Chester County is too valuable an idea to be scraped entirely. Its policies and procedures have been sculpted and broken down and rebuilt too many times to abandon the project now. This newspaper recommends that the concept of regional policing merely be placed on the back burner of discussion, and that each participating township and municipality agree in principle to re-enter negotiations at a future date.
As the southern half of the county continues to grow in population and in commercial development, it is imperative for our officials and our police departments to form a unified police force, one that combines the strengths of our community’s best law enforcement officials. Imagine, years from now, our elected officials and police having the ability to answer the call for Need with the availability of Resource, by implementing a regional police unit that it spent years crafting and perfecting. Isn’t it pretty to think so?
Chester County Press
Randall S. Lieberman Publisher
Bird flu devastating U.S. egg industry
Letter to the Editor:
The U.S. egg industry is reeling from a colossal outbreak of avian flu, mostly among egg-laying chickens. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 48 million birds, accounting for 11 percent of the nation’s egg-laying hens, have been slaughtered for fear of infection during the past few months.
The effects are far-reaching, from how to dispose of millions of potentially infected bird car-
casses to job losses and rapidly rising egg prices. More than 40 countries have restricted U.S. poultry imports.
Although the precise cause of the outbreak remains uncertain, the horrendous conditions in today’s factory farms make egg and chicken production extremely vulnerable to disease outbreaks, and therefore, not sustainable.
A number of innovative companies have stepped in to offer plant-based alternatives that
mimic closely the taste, texture, and cooking properties of eggs and chicken. They are available in the frozen food section of every supermarket.
Many of us favor replacing polluting fossil energy sources with clean renewable ones. That takes concerted national action. But every one of us has the power to effect that same transition for our food sources every time we shop for food.
Callahan Clapman West Grove
They’re off and running
By Lee H. Hamilton
The presidential election is 16 months away, but already we’re smack in the middle of the usual media scrum of campaign coverage, prognostication, and strategizing by many of us who have nothing much to do with the real campaigns. I’ve been following the rhetoric of both parties, and there are a few points that stand out enough to tell us something about what we have to look forward to.
To begin, the country is not in a sunny mood. The website Real Clear Politics keeps a running average of various polls, and its average of questions asking what Americans think of the country’s direction shows some 62 percent believe we’re headed in the wrong direction. That’s not an all-time high — the figure was up in the 80s in the weeks before the 2008 election, and stood at 76.5 percent in October of 2011 — but it suggests that the electorate is in a wary mood. There is a sense that America is adrift, that we don’t quite know how to deal with the forces of globalization, technological change, economic uncertainty, or terrorism. Americans are looking for a leader who can restore confidence.
The economy in particular weighs on ordinary Americans’ minds. There’s widespread agreement that the growing economy has done very little to help people of ordinary income — not just in recent years, but really for the past generation. Americans may feel better about the economy now than they did a few years ago, but that hasn’t lessened their longterm anxiety that it’s harder than
By
Congressman Joe Pitts
ever to get ahead, and certainly harder than it was in their parents’ generation.
Still, the improving economy may be responsible for one interesting aspect of the campaign: Republicans thus far have made national security a centerpiece issue — perhaps responding to polling that shows that Republican voters consider it a key factor in deciding among the plethora of GOP candidates. This emphasis could change with world events, but right now candidates are pressing the argument that President Obama is not tough enough when it comes to foreign policy; they don’t think highly of his leadership in the world, and in particular want to see more of a military buildup. It’s a little less clear what they want to do with that military power.
Of course, national security and terrorism aren’t the only issues that figure prominently in the Republicans’ array of issues. So do the budget deficit, cutting taxes, and, as always, pulling back on the reach of government. They want to eliminate Obamacare as well as to cut Medicaid, move Medicare to a voucher system, repeal the estate tax, cut domestic programs, roll back financial reform and efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and eliminate further consumer protections.
For the Democrats, meanwhile, addressing income inequality, maintaining social security and other entitlements, improving the country’s decaying infrastructure, job creation, college costs, immigration and energy reform, and climate change all loom large. They want to preserve Obamacare, move forward on climate change,
retain taxes on high-income earners, and preserve the financial reforms of the last decade.
The stark differences in priorities between Republicans and Democrats will probably be exacerbated by the primaries.
Despite agreement on the general sense of unease among the population at large, just reciting the parties’ rhetorical positions suggests there will be a huge gulf between the parties, with no agreement on how to bridge it. The campaign will be characterized by heavy emphasis on the impact of money on the process, and by record-breaking spending by the candidates.
So with no incumbent president, a large number of candidates, no clear favorite, and major differences in outlook on which issues to address and how to address them, this will be in the grand American political tradition a lively, contentious, long, expensive, maybe even pivotal election. Who gets to answer the biggest questions we face — the appropriate U.S. role in the world, what the reach and purpose of government should be, which path will best secure Americans’ prosperity and world peace — is up for grabs. We’ve got an interesting election ahead as a nation. I’m looking forward to it. I hope you are, too.
Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University; Distinguished Scholar, IU School of Global and International Studies; and Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
Closer to cures
Science continues to astonish us as it sprints forward, and as it expands the realm of human knowledge. Some of its advances that were once scarcely imagined now enrich our daily lives, such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, or prosthetic limbs. The terrors of former times, like polio, are almost forgotten. In the past thirty years, life expectancy in the United States has increased by five years, and almost half of that increase took place just in the last decade. Over the same three decades, disability rates were cut by a quarter. In spite of this marvelous scientific progress, government continues to disappoint us as it lags behind. Much of our public health regulatory framework was enacted before the Human Genome Project, before personalized or precision medicine, and before many other medical achievements of our time. Scientists and researchers often feel that, while they might have the power to take us to new heights, they are waiting for government to let them lift off.
Not only scientists, but, much more importantly, millions of sick Americans are waiting, too. Right now, there are nearly 7,000 known rare diseases afflicting nearly 30 million Americans—more than the population of Texas. Of these diseases, only about 500 have cures. Government must not be allowed to stand in medicine’s way. Illness affects us all, even if we
are healthy. Watching a loved one suffer can be almost unbearable. Every single one of those 30 million people have families and friends, people who love them and suffer with them. If the effects of one diagnosis ripple and echo throughout a community, then how much more so do 30 million diagnoses?
Members of Congress are not scientists. We won’t be the heroes to cure Alzheimer’s or ALS, but what we can do is make the United States the kind of environment where those heroes, who are perhaps already waiting among us, can actualize their potential. Congress can make sure that the United States remains the world leader in research and development, and break down government barriers to cures.
The 21st Century Cures Initiative started with this simple question: “How can Congress remove the legal obstacles that are in the way of finding new cures?” We spoke to doctors, patients, researchers, and administrators. Over the next year, we conducted dozens of roundtables around the country to listen to the answers.
By listening with humility and with receptive minds, we were able to compile a diverse, nonpartisan set of proposals in order to achieve two broad goals: increased investment in research and regulatory reform.
The result is H.R. 6, which the House passed this week in a bipartisan vote. Regarding investment, Cures would increase funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
By Bruce Mowday
The history Americans know, or think they know, is increasingly coming from polluted sources. Last week, I was in Gettysburg digging into original historical documents at the Adams County Historical Society and Gettysburg National Military Park for information on my next book, J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg. I had several interesting conversations with curators and historians at those sites, and one especially stood out where the person was incredulous over the lack of history known by Americans. Their knowledge is being fueled by misinformed social media postings, historical fiction and based-on-little-facts television shows and movies. The historian said he and his colleagues gave up trying to correct visitors to the national park about an aspect of the Confederate flag controversy because of the enormous amount of erroneous misinformation disseminated to the public.
The historian and his colleagues, he said, recently lobbied to take a popular work of historical fiction off the shelves of the park bookstore because the book had so badly mangled history. The book was pulled and then returned to the shelves because the book was a best seller. Profits triumphed over history, even at a historical park.
by almost $9 billion over the next five years. It would create an Innovation Fund to focus on early stage and high-risk, high-reward research. It would help the next generation of scientists repay their student loans in exchange for doing research into finding cures.
All of this investment would be offset by reductions in spending in other parts of the budget, so that it would not add a penny to our national deficit. On the contrary, it would save about $500 million over the next decade, and even more in the decade after that, bringing down our deficit over the long term.
Moreover, curing diseases saves money. Every disease we cure is a disease we don’t have to pay to treat. If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, then so too is a pound of cure worth several tons of merely palliative care.
21st Century Cures would make government’s public health role smarter and more efficient, which would lower the cost of research, and accelerate the delivery process. It would establish a National Pediatric Research Network to help sick children, and reform the way NIH conducts pediatric research studies. Our bill would require the sharing of NIH-funded scientific data, and make the national clinical trials registry easier to use.
That is why all 51 Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee voted to report H.R. 6 to the House, why it passed with bipartisan support, and why it will be a landmark achievement when it becomes law.
Devotees of some popular fiction ask Gettysburg guides to be taken to the spot at Little Round Top where a character in “Killer Angels” was killed. The character was fictionalized. Recently, I was asked the locations of Civil War battlefields in Chester County. No such battles took place in Chester County, but a recent historical fiction book gave details about those made-up conflicts. By the way, the author said at a talk that he did his background work on the Internet, a place notorious for having incorrect information. During the author’s talk a history teacher sitting next to me whispered, “Your head must be exploding.”
The Gettysburg historian said people can’t discern reality from fiction even when a work is labeled historical fiction. Americans also have a bad habit of making judgments about people in history by their myopic view through a single lens of today’s sensibilities. Today, there is an arrogant air of dismissiveness about our Founding Fathers by some who are too lazy or incapable of looking at the whole context of a historical era. Fictionalized history is causing the country great harm because too many people now believe if a computer screen, television show, movie or book indicates something is true, then that tidbit must be true.
(Bruce Mowday is an award-winning journalist, author, and president of The Mowday Group).
GEORGE K. CLAUSIUS
George Kenneth Clausius, 76, of West Grove, died on July 17 at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of the late Sandra Newlin Clausius, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage, and Ruth Detterline Clausius, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., he was a son of the late Daniel Oliver and the late Louise (Kramer) Clausius. George served in the USMC from 1956 to 1962. He was a pipe fitter for Scott Paper until 1998. He then worked as a court officer at the Media Court House before moving to Southern Chester County to the Villages at Penn Ridge, where he served on the board of directors. He enjoyed traveling and camping in his travel trailer with his family in Lewistown, Pa. He played his favorite game of golf with his friends, and also enjoyed fishing. In recent years, he volunteered at Jennersville Regional Hospital and attended Avondale Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include, in addition to his wife Ruth, three daughters, Marsha June (Jim), Debra Eichler (Mike McLaughlin) Carol Clausius (Rene); two stepdaughters, Karen Knorr, and Nancy Addison; four sisters, Diane Bowden, Darlene Orlando (Tom), Nancy Chadwick (Roy) and Sandra Higgins (Bill); one brother, Wayne Clausius (Joanne); his sister in-law Donna McCann (John); five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. July 23 at the West Grove Presbyterian Church (139 W Evergreen St., West Grove). A funeral service will follow at 11a.m., with a reception in the church hall immediately following the service. Interment will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale, PA 19311. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com.
A. PRESTON WALKER
A. Preston Walker, 9l, of Kemblesville, passed away unexpectedly at Christiana Hospital on July 19. He was the husband of Delena (Amoroso) Walker, with whom he had shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Chadds Ford, he was the son of the late Albert and Ada Weigard Walker. He attended the Christian Life Center in New London Township. He was retired from M&G Convoy, where he was an owner/operator car hauler. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing, traveling, bird watching, gardening, playing cards, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife; two children, Daria W. (husband Arthur), Derek P. (wife Lisa); four granddaughters, Amanda Kreider, Lindsay K. Verdegem (husband William), MacKenzie Walker and Sophia Walker; sister, Elizabeth W. McGibbon of Coatesville; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Buddy. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wesley W. Walker.
Funeral services were held July 23. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Christian Life Center, 125 Saginaw Road, New London Township, PA 19352. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
LOUISE KUERNER EDWARDS
Louise Kuerner Edwards, 93, of Cochranville, passed away peacefully at her home on July 19, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Paul H. Edwards, who passed away in 1990, and with whom she shared 51 years of marriage. Born in Germany, she was the daughter of the late Karl and Anna Kuerner of Chadds
Ford. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, gardening, and listening to her favorite bluegrass music, living on the family farm, and traveling to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. She will be deeply missed by her daughter Catherine and her son-in-law Duane of East Tennessee; and her son, Philip of Cochranville; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgranddaughter; brother, Karl; and two sisters, Lydia and Clara. She was preceded in death by a son, Wayne; and sister, Elizabeth. Funeral services were held on July 24. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. The family would like to thank the staff of Brandywine River Valley Hospice, especially Louise’s nurses, Kerry Oswald and Beverly Stezemienski, for the wonderful care they provided to her in her home. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
JIM C. BEAVER
Jim C. Beaver, 85, of West Grove, died on July 22 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.
He was the husband of M. Lorraine Spitler Beaver, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. Born in Port Trevorton, Pa., he was the son of the late Ralph J. and the late Margaret (Heiser) Beaver. He earned his bachelor and master’s degrees from Penn State University. He was a teacher at Avon Grove High School from 1952 to 1986, and Lincoln University from 1969 to 2000.
Survivors include, in addition to his wife Lorraine, one daughter, Andrea Lorraine Tidlow (John) of Virginia; one son, Maxwell Beaver of West Grove; one sister, Helen Mitchell of Thompsontown, Pa.; and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Tamara Jill, in 1975. A funeral was held July 28. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Beaver may be made to the Jennersville YMCA C/O Theatre Programs, 880 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA 19390 (www.ymcagbw.org/donate). To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.
JOHN F. STYER
John “Jack” F. Styer, 87, of Kennett Square, passed away on July 19 at Crosslands Retirement Community. He was the husband of Elizabeth Logue Styer, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late J. Franklin and the late Alice Siegfried Styer. Jack graduated from Penn State University with a degree in horticulture. He was the owner of Styer’s Nursery & Garden Center in Concordville. He served on the board of the Pennsylvania Nurserymens Association and several
other industry associations. He was a member of Concord Meeting and recently had served on the board of the Hickman in West Chester. He is survived by one sister, Ann Styer Aines and her husband Phillip of Centennial, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Daurice Logue Grubbs (Robert C) and Martha Logue Mendenhall; and beloved nieces and nephews. A visitation with family and friends will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Avondale Presbyterian Church (420 Pennsylvania Ave., Avondale). A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 3 p.m. Interment in Concord Friends Meeting Cemetery will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Avondale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Avondale PA 19311. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www. griecofuneralhomers.com.
DANIS LEE JONES
Danis Lee Jones, 98, of Rising Sun, Md., formerly of Oxford, passed away on July 22 at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun.
She was the wife of the late William Lonnie Jones. Born in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Jesse Abner and Minnie Jane Johnson Severt. She was a member of Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by three daughters, Annabelle Prewitt and her husband Richard of Oxford, Georgia Mayhorn and her husband Jack of Newark, Del., and Joyce Frampton and her husband Richard of Oxford; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Jessie Absher of Laurel Springs, N.C., Betty Ball and Leafie McNeil, both of West Jefferson, N.C., Kay Brooks of Lumberton, N.C., and Marsha Teaster of Grassy Creek, N.C.; and two brothers, Jack Severt of West Jefferson, N.C., and Ray Severt of Michigan. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Lou Hayworth; seven brothers; and one sister.
A graveside service was held July 25 at Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church, 408 Bayard Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religiouspagethatcanhelp youadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/orbusiness.Thepageisupdatedweekly
In the Spotlight
Wednesday,
Horseshoes is serious business for Oxford teen
By John Chambless Staff Writer
The clang of metal on metal has been a constant in the lives of Kelly Hatrick and his daughter, Emily. The game of horseshoes – a backyard favorite for generations of picnickers – is pretty serious business for the Hatrick family, and Emily has capped her young career by winning third place in her division at the junior world championships, held in Kansas this month.
Emily, 17, who will be a senior at Oxford Area High School this fall, is following the family tradition because she loves to compete, and it’s in her blood.
“My dad and his brother pitched,” Kelly said on Monday afternoon during an interview at the Penn Township Park horseshoe pits. “My dad passed it on to my older brother and me, but I was the only one who really stuck with it. I started when I was about 14.”
Kelly taught the game to Emily and her older brother, but Emily has continued playing – all the way to the world championships.
“I was 7 when I started,” Emily said. “I didn’t practice the way I should have. But I’m practicing now. This is my tenth year pitching.”
Outfitted with matching team shirts and custom-made wooden carrying cases for their horseshoes, father and daughter explained that horseshoes is not just a pastime.
Serious competitors use soft clay pits so that the horseshoes land and stick, Kelly said. The game is often played in dirt or sand, “but we don’t normally pitch on sand because we don’t like it,” he said. There’s too much chance for the horseshoe to bounce or slide.
While horseshoes is a game that anybody can play – from early childhood through old age –the size of the pits varies. Up to age 12, children pitch from 20 feet. At 13, they move up to 30 feet. “Women pitch from 30 feet forever,” Kelly said, “but they can pitch from farther back. Emily pitches from about 35 feet.” The regulation pits are 40 feet for men, “until you’re 70, when you move up to 30 feet again,” Kelly said. “That keeps you in the game.”
The horseshoes used in tournament play have to be a regulation size, but players can decorate them any way they want, and throw however they want. Some players flip the horseshoe, some gracefully land it flat around the post – all that matters is the “ping” indicating a ringer, or getting as close to the post as possible.
There’s no big investment in equipment, although Kelly does have his player name, “Big Daddy Smooth,” stitched onto his shirt. His horseshoe carrying case is also decorated. Emily’s horseshoes are painted a girly pink and white, but when she’s playing, she’s a tough competitor.
“I need to warm up a bit,” she said, taking two practice pitches before solidly landing a horseshoe on the post and making it look effortless.
At last year’s Pennsylvania state tournament, Emily came in second at the juniors level.
At the world championships in Kansas this year, she pitched five games the first day and four games the second day against young players from as far away as Norway, Canada and Japan.
On the third day of competition, she took third place in the world.
“The games are friendly, but competitive,” she said, smiling.
“You get serious.”
In total, there were 1,404 competitors at the whole competition.
To get to the worlds, players have to pitch in four sanctioned tournaments. Traveling to compete is a regular activity for Kelly and Emily, who pay about $15 per person to take part in a tournament. There’s not a fortune to be made in horseshoes, either, Kelly said. The world championship winner gets only $4,200. At that top level, out of 100 pitches a player makes, 85 or 90 are ringers, Kelly said.
For taking third place in her age division, Emily got a medallion, trophy and a $300 certificate that she can cash in when she’s 18.
There’s an etiquette to playing horseshoes, and while top-level competition can be intense, courtesy is always paramount.
“First of all, you shake hands at the beginning and end of games,” Kelly said. “You don’t jump around when somebody else is pitching. It’s like in golf –you just step back and let them play.”
The game of horseshoes has been around since horseshoes were commonly found at the blacksmith’s shop, so it’s largely a game for older people. “It’s aging out,” Kelly said. “It’s hard to recruit young kids, because they want to play video games.”
There’s an informal Oxford horseshoes league that plays mostly at people’s houses, Kelly said. But at the skill level of the Hatricks, finding a suitable place to play usually means traveling to sanctioned tournaments.
The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association is a hub for serious players, and charges only $25 per year for membership. As players move up in
the ranks, their “ringer percentage” is matched with players of similar skill in tournaments until they eventually reach the world championship level.
Emily’s friends know she plays at a championship level, but it’s not a game for most people she knows. While her father keeps her engaged in the competitions, “I encourage myself” when it comes to keeping her skills up, Emily said. “It’s something I really enjoy.”
On Aug. 2, the Hatricks will be competing in New Castle, Del., and on Aug. 22, they’ll be in New Cumberland, Pa., for another tournament. The state competition is on the calendar for Labor Day weekend in Carnegie, Pa., and the Hatricks will be there, too.
While she hasn’t made any decisions about college yet, Emily will continue playing horseshoes, she said. Is it something she can envision herself playing for a lifetime? “Oh yeah,” she said with a grin.
For more information, visit www.horseshoepitching.com.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com.
The fast and the funny: West Chester hosts cycling competitions
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
For one day next week, West Chester will become Cycling Town. With a lineup of events for bicyclists of all ages and skill levels, the 11th edition of the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series on Aug. 8 will bring intense competition and hilarious twists and turns. Headlining the event will be the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium, which attracts thousands of people to watch professional and amateur cyclists push themselves to the limit throughout the afternoon. As the last race before the USA Crit Championship Series Finals, it’s the final opportunity for professional cyclists to improve – or protect – their standings.
Also returning to the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series are the Avanté Salon Pro Women’s Twilight Criterium and Rothman Institute Amateur Men’s
Criterium, two high-performance races where the top professional women and amateur bike racers will compete for prize money. The Rothman Institute Amateur Trials, which will be held at Bayard Rustin High School, will consist of nine criterium-style qualifying races that determine the field for the Amateur Men’s Final held later in the day. This series of nine criteriumstyle races is open to men and women riders, as well as Masters 35-plus, 45-plus, 55-plus, and Juniors 10 to 18. The top qualifiers in selected categories will help determine the field for the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium Amateur Finals. Returning for the second year is the Twilight Trike Challenge, presented by Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express. An instant favorite with the crowd last year, these races feature the area’s most adventurous men and women going head-to-head in a mad dash down Gay Street while perched
on tricycles. Any business, organization or other aggregation of friends and associates is invited to enter this double-elimination tag-team race.
“This certainly proved to be one of the most entertaining events in the history of the Iron Hill Twilight Race Series, outside of the Twilight Criterium itself,” said Mark Yoder, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the event’s organizer. “And with more teams expected to compete, the fun, laughter and excitement will only grow with it.”
The popular West Chester Dental Arts Kids’ Race will also be on the bill that day, and is open to children from 3 to 10 who want to take their Big Wheel, tricycle or two-wheeled bikes into competition. Speaking of kids, families will also enjoy exploring the Benchmark Federal Credit Union Community Festival, Kid’s Zone, and Market Street Block Party, and seeing
performances by the BMX Stunt Riders. The Iron Hill Twilight Race Series is presented by the
The Iron Hill Twilight Race Series on Aug. 8 will draw professional and amateur cyclists.
Kelly Hatrick and his daughter, Emily, with her trophy from the junior world championships of horseshoe pitching.
The custom-painted horseshoes used by the Hatricks.
Emily pitches at Penn Township Park on Monday.
Chester County Press
Calendar of Events The Art Spot
Through Aug. 1
‘Fiddler on the Roof’
The Brandywiners present “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on July 30 and 31, and Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for students (13 to 21) and $15 for children 12 and younger. Group rates are available. Tickets include all-day admission to Longwood on the day of the show. Visit www.brandywiners.org or call 302-478-3355 for tickets.
Aug. 3
Community breakfast
The Kennett Area Senior Center (427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square) offers a community breakfast on Aug. 3 from 7 to 9 a.m. The meal includes scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, and omelets made to order. All breakfasts include juice, fruit, coffee, tea and milk. Tickets are $5.75 to member and $6.75 for non-members.
Aug. 14
Deb Callahan at Brandywine Blues/soul vocalist and songwriter Deb Callahan will perform at the Brandywine River Museum of Art on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Light fare and cash bar will be available for purchase. Advance tickets (through Aug. 10) are $15 ($8 for students). Prices increase to $25 and $10 the week of the event. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum.org.
Aug. 16
Senior Center dinner
The Kennett Area Senior Center (427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square) sponsors an afternoon “Sunday Dinner with Friends” on Aug. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. The theme is “Homemade Summer Dinner.” The Dixie Demons will provide music. The cost is $10 per person. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age. Call 610-444-4819 a week in advance for reservations.
Through Aug. 21
‘Movies in the Park’ “Movies in the Park” will return to the Oxford Memorial Park on June 19. This family-oriented event is hosted by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by businesses in the community. The movie previews start at 8:30 p.m. Bring your own seating. This year’s screenings will include: “Planes: Fire and Rescue” (Aug. 21).
Concessions will be available at the pavilion throughout the evening. This event is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the event will be cancelled. Visit www.oxfordpa.org for information.
Through Aug. 12
Nixon Park concert series
Anson B. Nixon Park, on Walnut Street in Kennett Square, is the site of free concerts this summer on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your own seating. Picnic suppers are catered by local restaurants. For updated weather information, call 610444-1416. The series includes: singer-songwriter Billy Penn Burger (July 29); rock/reggae by Bullbuckers (Aug. 5); Chicago tribute band Sounds of Society (Aug. 12).
Kennett Flash schedule
The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square)
hosts regional and national artists. Tickets are available in advance at www.kennettflash. org, or at the door. Snacks and beverages are sold, or guests can BYOB. The schedule includes: The Dispersions, the Good Mess, Grand Strangers and Vilebred (Aug. 8, 8 p.m., $10); Better Than Bacon improv comedy troupe (Aug. 13, 8 p.m., $10); Mark Thousands, Brian Turner, Remory and Mark Wheeler (Aug. 14, 8 p.m., $10); guitarist Johnny A. (Aug. 16, 7 p.m., $27); Ruder Than You, Jeffrey Gaines, The Future Unwritten, Cold Roses, Clashing Plaid, E. Joseph and the Sparrows, and Joe Castro in a benefit for the Joe Strummer Foundation (Aug. 21, 8 p.m., $12); the Joe Trainor Trio, Valdez and Jason Reed (Aug. 28, 8 p.m., $12); Rolling Stones tribute band Dead Flowers (Nov. 7, 8 p.m., $16).
Longwood Gardens concerts Longwood Gardens, Route 1, Kennett Square (www. longwoodgardens.org) presents the following events this summer: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players (Aug. 8, 11 a.m.); John Flynn (Aug. 19, 5 and 7 p.m.); Melissa Etheridge (Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.); Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club ‘Adios Tour’ (Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.); Lake Street Dive (Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.). Visit online for tickets and details.
To submit items to the Calendar of Events, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There is no charge. Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event.
Through July 31
‘A Different View’ Longwood Art Gallery (200 E. State St., Kennett Square) is continuing Jack Giangiulio’s show, “A Different View,” through the end of July. For more information, call 610-444-0146 or visit www.longwoodartgallery.com.
Through July 31
Fantasy art in Kennett Square
Metamorphosis Wellness Center (331 E. State St., Kennett Square) is featuring watercolors by Jessie Barber through July 31. Barber is a self-taught fantasy artist who creates paintings inspired by the natural world, animals and fairy tales. Also on view are acrylics by Dottie Randazzo. Call 610-444-8020 or visit www.metamorphosiswellnesscenter.net.
Through Aug. 23
Cartoons at Brandywine
The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts “Pointed Pens: Selected Cartoons from the Permanent Collection” through Aug. 23. The exhibit includes maze-like contraptions drawn by Rube Goldberg, political sketches by Thomas Nast, and many others that summarized and satirized current events. For more information, visit www.brandywinemuseum. org.
To submit items to the Art Spot, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There is no charge. Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event.
Church Calendar
Through Aug. 26
‘Summer Fun’ series
West Grove United Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove) is holding a new Wednesday night “Summer Fun for Everyone” series through Aug. 26. The community is invited to attend from 6 to 8 p.m. for hot dogs, games, fellowship and a brief word from the lead pastor, Rev. Monica B. Guepet, each week. All beverages will be supplied. Participants are invited to bring snacks, desserts or a side dish. The series is free. A box of games will be available, a gated playground is open for small children, and the parking lot and grounds will provide
space for kids to play. For more information, call 610-869-9334, or visit www.westgroveumc.org. Aug. 3 to 7
‘Everest’ vacation Bible school
Landenberg United Methodist Church will host a vacation Bible school, “Everest: Conquering Challenges With God’s Mighty Power,” from Aug. 3 to 7. Kids participate in Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play teamwork-building games, make and enjoy snacks, and test out Fun Gizmos they’ll take home. The program is for ages preschool through sixth grade. To register, call 610-274-8384
The Brandywiners present ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on July 30 and 31, and Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.
Top Grade Vapors celebrates opening of a second location in Kennett Square
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
The success of Top Grade Vapors store in Oxford prompted owner Bill Nichols to look for a second location in southern Chester County. He found the ideal spot for a new shop in the Minnie’s Square shopping center at 625 East Cypress Street in Kennett Square, and on July 23, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place to celebrate the official grand opening.
“Oxford has really developed a strong customer base,” Nichols said, “and we’re pleased to expand to Kennett Square.”
The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce was well-represented at the ribboncutting ceremony, with Melissa Kratz, the chamber’s member services manager, joined by Judith Lee, the chair-elect for the chamber, and Barbara Bolton and Jen Minicozzi, two chamber members.
Lee talked about how pleased the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce is to add Top Grade Vapors to the growing number of businesses in the Kennett Square area.
“We’re happy to have them,”
Lee said. “Our Chamber thrives with new businesses like this. It’s also great that it’s a family business.”
Top Grade Vapors is one of a growing number of brickand-mortar vape shops that are popping up as the popularity of
electronic cigarettes increases.
“We sell electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs or vaporizers, and mechanical modifications, which are also known in the industry as mods,” Nichols explained.
“Our ‘house’ eLiquids are made here so they are made to order and can be made to suit the hardware being used and the customer’s nicotine preference. This is a real benefit because a customer can step down the nicotine levels gradually, rather than in large steps.”
Nichols can share his own experiences with electronic cigarettes with customers. Over five years ago, he used them to help beat his addiction to nicotine cigarettes.
“I used electronic cigarettes to stop smoking,” Nichols
explained. “It’s the only thing that worked for me and I haven’t wanted a cigarette since then. I found that I really enjoy the flavors, and liked that I could step down on the nicotine. I’m still ‘vaping’ but with much less nicotine than when I smoked. I’m really excited to share this smoking alternative.”
Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered vaporizers that offer a similar feel to tobacco smoking. They do not contain tobacco, although they do use nicotine from tobacco plants. They produce an aerosol mist rather than smoke from a burning cigarette.
Nichols said that he and the staff, which includes some members of his family, do their best to stay informed on the latest trends and advancements.
“One of the things that we’re finding is that, like cell phones, there is ever-evolving technology in this business,” he said. Nichols said that he wants customers to come in and enjoy the tasting bar where they can sample a variety of delicious flavors.
“We’re blessed with a great customer base and we try to engage our customers to get to know them,” Nichols said. “It’s great to work with people that are very laid back and friendly. We get people from all walks of life in our shops: bankers, mechanics, teachers, doctors, firemen, accountants, military personnel, and many more. A lot of people are looking for a smoking alternative or a way to quit smoking that will work for them.”
Top Grade Vapors features Avondale juice maker Lena Dati’s line of Lena’s Gypsy Juices, and a wide range of other products.
The new shop is located at 625 East Cypress Street, Suite C in Kennett Square, and the first location is at 9 North Third Street, Suite 1, in Oxford. The store’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about Top Grade Vapors and upcoming events, visit the store’s Facebook page.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
Ulysses S. Grant to visit West Grove
What was life like during the Civil War? How did Hiram Grant become Ulysses S. Grant, and why was his name change so important? Adults and children alike will enjoy learning the answers on Tuesday, Aug. 4 when Grant visits West Grove in the person of Kenneth Serfass, historian and retired Marine.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves history,” said Lori Schwabenbauer, director of Avon Grove Library. “I’m excited to bring Ken Serfass here. General Grant has been Ken’s hero since boyhood, so this will be a well-informed and lively presentation. As a public library, Avon Grove is committed to providing appealing and
informative events like these to enhance the lives of our customers.”
Ken has been appearing as General Grant since 2009, performing in the History Channel’s 2010 production “Lee & Grant,” and in 2013 for the HBO series “Family Tree.” Last April, he portrayed Grant for the National Park Service at their Arlington commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Lee’s surrender. Avon Grove Library is located at 117 Rosehill Avenue in the West Grove Borough Building. The program will be held in the Public Meeting Room at 7 p.m. For more information, call 610-869-2004 or visit www. avongrovelibrary.org.
Courtesy photo
Kenneth Serfass, a historian and retired Marine, will be portraying Ulysses S. Grant at the Avon Grove Library.
Photo by Steven Hoffman
Bill Nichols officially cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of Top Grade Vapors in Kennett Square, surrounded by Chamber of Commerce representatives Barbara Bolton, Judith Lee, and Jen Minicozzi.
Police issue warning about meth lab materials Hundreds of incidents cited in Pennsylvania
By John Chambless Staff Writer
The increasing rate of methamphetamine production in Pennsylvania over the past three years prompted a community awareness bulletin from the Pennsylvania State Police on July 21.
While incidents in Chester County apparently totaled four, the statistics in the bulletin cited 227 Pennsylvania incidents in 2014 that involved meth labs, dump sites or ingredient seizures by police. The total number of incidents across the country in 2014 was 9,240.
It’s not just the rooms where the drug is “cooked” that are the problem. Drug-makers are frequently discarding containers, tubes and other components of drug labs along roadways or in remote locations. Motel rooms are increasingly poisoned by toxic chemicals from meth production, and homes purchased by unsuspecting buyers have sometimes been previously contaminated with meth-making chemicals.
Meth is made using common household ingredients which can be volatile. When the ingredients are combined, they give off toxic
fumes and could cause chemical burns. Residue from the cooking process saturates everything it comes in contact with, and can remain hazardous for months or years if not properly sterilized.
Acute exposure can occur quickly, and produces symptoms that include shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, dizziness, lack of coordination, chemical irritation, and burns to the skin, eyes, nose, or mouth. Acute exposure can even cause death.
The police department warning mentions the popular “one-pot” method of making meth. Rather than set up a whole room full of equipment, meth makers can
quickly produce the drug while driving, in retail bathrooms, motel rooms or storage units. The container, though, is highly flammable and explosive, but takes only about 40 minutes to complete. It leaves a harmful brown or cloudy residue inside a bottle. The remnants of a onepot lab can be discarded along roadways, in garbage bins or other areas.
Five to seven pounds of chemical waste is generated for every pound of methamphetamine produced. This waste is highly toxic, but it is often buried near the manufacturing site, dumped along roadways or into water-
ways, poured down drains, or placed in common household garbage.
This increases the likelihood that unsuspecting people could come in contact with the material, prompting the warning last week.
Some common discarded materials include plastic bottles with plastic tubing attached, coffee filters containing a white substance or dark red sludge, glass cookware or frying pans containing a powdery residue, jars containing a clear liquid with a white or red solid on the bottom, and stripped lithium batteries.
So far in 2015, five dump sites have been found by road crews, along mostly rural roads. Plastic bottles containing clear liquids, with tubing on the top, were found and still generating dangerous hydrochloric acid. A few one-pot laboratories were also found under pressure and at risk of exploding.
In one incident, several partially submerged plastic bags were found in a stream along a rural roadway. When members of the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team moved the bags, the chemicals reacted with the
water and air, causing the bags to ignite.
In light of the increasing discovery of labs and materials, police issued the following warnings:
Immediately call 911 if you discover a possible methamphetamine laboratory or hazardous waste from a laboratory.
Do not touch anything.
Do not turn on/off any nearby electrical power switches or light switches.
Do not eat or drink near methamphetamine lab materials.
Do not smoke anywhere near methamphetamine lab materials.
Do not open or move containers with chemicals or suspected chemicals.
Do not sniff any containers.
Do not attempt to dilute a suspected one-pot laboratory with water. The lithium metal can ignite or explode when exposed to water.
Always remain upwind and uphill from hazardous substances to avoid contamination.
Updated information is posted on the Pennsylvania State Police website, www.psp.pa.gov.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com.
Items associated with methamphetamine production include plastic bottles, tubing, coffee filters, glass cookware, jars and stripped batteries.
Police in Michigan inspect discarded materials associated with meth production.
Around the Area
Oxford Educational Foundation presents awards for educational initiatives, top volunteer
The Oxford Educational Foundation (OEF) partnered with the Oxford Area Education Association to host a breakfast for the professional staff, aides, and volunteers of the Oxford Area School District at the end of the school year. At the event, Linda Lutz was presented with the Randy Sebastian Volunteer Person of the Year Award for her work with students as an Algebra tutor and developer of lessons she taught at the elementary level that were cross-curricular and innovative.
Courtesy photo
Steve Roberts, OEF president, Matthew Hovanec, Hopewell School assistant principal, Dr. Nicole Addis, Hopewell principal, Dr. Ray Fischer, OEF executive director, and David Woods, OASD Superintendent of Schools, at the presentation of the grant to Hopewell Elementary School for STEM programming.
and John Pittenger were both founding members of the OEF, and instrumental in its set-up and continued success. Last year, both were formally inducted as emeritus board members.
The OEF also recently announced the awarding of the last set of professional grants for the 2014-2015 school year.
The OEF offers professionals in the school district four opportunities throughout the year to apply for grants to fund materials and activities not currently in the school budget.
Dr. Nicole Addis, principal,
The John C. Pittenger Award was also announced, with a $5,000 grant awarded to Hopewell Elementary School for their plans to create a STEM classroom to encourage girls in the sciences. STEM refers to initiatives involving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Education.
and John Barcus, science teacher, accepted the award and said that they are looking forward to its implementation in the next school year. Randy Sebastian
Avon Grove advances to states
The Avon Grove Little League team is one of eight teams across the state to earn a berth in the state tournament.
Avon Grove overcame an early loss (3-1 to Kennett) in District 28 action to qualify for sectionals. In sectionals, Avon Grove dropped their second game against Dillsburg, but again recovered the following day to win, 13-2, and advance to states. Avon Grove will face the Millcreek Youth Athletic Association (MYAA), out of the Erie area. MYAA is the returning 11U Little League state champion, and has yet to lose in this year’s tournaments.
The Avon Grove team includes Ben Hees, Cam Conley, Kody
2015 Avon
Clausius, Jack Lincoln, Aidan Duda, James Jones, Jacob Stretch, Sean Glatts, Ryan Goodwin, Zack Fischer, Rocco Ginnangelli, and
This past May, two grants were awarded to the Hopewell building for the purchase of eight document cameras to replace outdated overhead projectors. These new cameras will be more versatile and effective in teaching concepts. The teachers who were awarded these grants include Gina Gagliardi, Jennifer Winand, Peggy Logue, Kelly Midkiff, Theresa Norris, and Valerie Beimfohr.
A grant was also given to Sarah Gajeski of Penn’s Grove School to purchase Science World magazines to promote science literacy in the middle school.
Including the most recent awards, teachers received grants of $13,647 during the last year, and more than $146,000 has been awarded over the last fifteen years. For more information about volunteering or helping the OEF, call the volunteer coordinator at 610-932-7200 or visit www.oxfordeducationalfoundation.org.
Thankyouforthetotaleffortyouputouteveryminuteofeverygame.YOUhavea unitynowfewteamseverhaveorwillevershareasateam.Fromourpointofview,as yourfans,wefeelitaswellasfeelapartofitwithyou.Thetimesweareabletovisitwith youatthegamesyouareallalwaystruegentlemenandaccommodatingtousas,“your fans”.Welookforwardforeachseasontostartandhaveyoushareitwithus.
Yes,we'rehugefansofTheSoulandnotonlycheerandwatchintently,ButI'malso alwaysinterestedjusthowyoumakeitallwork!Wenotonlyseeallyourgames,we watchasmanyaswecanontelevision,allseasonlong!Weseehowyouworkwiththe teameveryminuteofeverygame.
youaretheconsummateleader,coach,andteacher.Youaswesee,areintenseand alwaysthinking.Yourstaffalsoworkthesameway,workingwiththeplayersnonstop! Youandtheteamshowarespectforeachotheranditisobviousbythesuccessyou haveaccomplished.Youwillcontinuetowriteyourhistorythisyearwiththat confidenceineachother.
Thankyouforyourwisdominassemblingagroupofpeoplewhomknowhowtolead, coach,teach,andplayarenafootballastrueprofessionals.YouallrepresenttheSoulas thePhiladelphiateam.WeneedtoimpressPhiladelphiatorespondtoandacknowledge theeffortandsuccessyoubringtothiscity.
Oneofthebiggesthurdlestoovercomeisthatofnonexistence.Youhaveavery successfulsportsteamthatproudlywearsPhiladelphiaontheirjerseys.Everyonewho experienceslivearenafootballhasanenjoyableexperienceandusuallycontinuesto attendmoregames,aswellasspreadingthewordtotheirfriends.Toyou,thelocal media,helpusreachthosewhohaven'theardoforbeentoanarenafootballgame!
Astheplayoffsapproach,we'reallwithyou!Playwithconfidenceandtrustineach other.
Elk Ridge Elementary School student Elias Mendoza-Ardon, who will enter third grade at Nottingham Elementary School this fall, was recently named the Oxford Area School District’s elementary level recipient of Keystone Federal Credit Union’s eighth annual Shining Star Award.
Keystone established this program in cooperation with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to honor students who have shown a noticeable improvement in academic performance, extra-curricular involvement, attendance and classroom conduct throughout the school year. Three winners – from the elementary, middle and high school levels - are chosen from each Chester County school
district.
Elias, son of Eva Ardon de Mendoza, received a trophy and a $200 share certificate at Keystone Federal Credit Union. He was nominated for the award by English as a Second Language teacher Mariana Thompson, who received a $200 gift certificate to purchase classroom supplies.
Ms. Thompson praised Elias for the strides he has made during the past school year.
“Elias’s enthusiasm for learning is contagious,” she said. “He always has a huge smile on his face and cannot wait to come to ESL class to learn more English. He is always first to volunteer to help classmates and he is a true role model for his peers. Also, Elias is extremely respectful, responsible and sweet.”
Courtesy photo
Elk Ridge School second grader Elias Mendoza-Ardon received the 2015 Shining Star Award from Keystone Federal Credit Union. From left are English as a Second Language teacher Mariana Thompson, Chris Hubley, Keystone Student Branch Supervisor, Elias and mom Eva.
Jackson Lauzon. The team is managed by Chuck Clausius and his assistants are James Conley and Deke Lincoln.
Courtesy photo
The
Grove Little League team has advanced to states.
HEROIN CHARGES
New Garden Township Police pulled over a vehicle for an inspection violation on July 20 in the 700 block of Newark Road and saw that the driver, Jeremy Mullens, 39, of Landenberg, had drug paraphernalia in view on the floor of the vehicle. Mullens admitted he had more drugs and was found to be in possession of 29 bags of heroin and one bag of cocaine. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia and released on $5,000 bail.
SEVERE INJURY
IN ACCIDENT
A 2013 Isuzu being driven by Steven Phillips, 18, of Norwood, Pa., went off the road in the 1700 block of Lenape-Unionville Road in Pocopson Township on July 10 just after 8 a.m., striking a utility pole. Passenger Mizael Olivan, 53, suffered a partial amputation of his right arm. A passer-by provided first aid until EMS personnel arrived.
Longwood EMS took Olivan to Paoli Hospital, where he was later flown to Jefferson University Hospital for further treatment. Phillips sustained minor injuries in the accident. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY
A burglar alarm thwarted a would-be burglar at a home on Sapling Drive in Pennsbury Township on July 10 at 11:30 a.m., according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. Police said someone tried to get through the front door of the home, but
fled in a tan sedan at a high rate of speed. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-268-2022.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Kennett Square Police responded to a report of a man yelling and causing a disturbance in the 500 block of East Cypress Street on July 10 at 5:38 p.m., and cited Erik Bedolla-Centeno, 28, of Kennett Square, for disorderly conduct.
SEX IN PARKED CAR
Kennett Square Police cited Abhinav Akki, 18, and a 16-year-old girl, both of Kennett Square, on July 10, after they were found naked and having sex in a car parked in the Kennett Square Parking Garage at 3:50 p.m. They were released and the parents of the girl were contacted by police.
MOTORCYCLE FATALITY
A Cochranville man was killed when his motorcycle ran off the road on July 26 and he hit a utility pole. Pennsylvania State Police Avondale reported that Darren Haas, 34, was riding his motorcycle on Center Hall Road “at an undetermined high rate of speed” at about 7 p.m., when he lost control on a curve and struck the pole. He was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no witnesses to the crash, police said.
PHONE SCAM
An Oxford woman was the victim of a phone scam on July 22, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. Someone called the victim and said she had won $8,000, but that she first had to wire $199 to an account in California using Western Union. The money
was not returned to the victim.
CAR WINDOW BROKEN
Kennett Square Police cited Hashim Fountain, 26, of New Castle, Del., for criminal mischief after he threw a rock through the driver’s-side window of a vehicle parked in the 500 block of Birch Street on July 4 at 8:35 p.m.
CARD FRAUD
On July 14, New Garden Township Police responded to a store in the 300 block of Scarlett Road where employees told them that a man had tried to make a purchase of more than $100 with card numbers that did not match the receipt. When questioned by police, Allan Crankfield, 35, of Essex, Md., fled the store. He was identified by the ID he left behind at the register. Criminal charges have been filed against him for access device fraud and theft. A court appearance is pending.
SIGN BURNED
A “For Sale” sign was destroyed in the yard of a home at 154 Fernwood Road in West Grove on July 10, just after 8 p.m., according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. An unknown person lit a tire on fire, which spread to the sign.
HARASSMENT CHARGES
Pennsylvania State Police Avondale cited Diego Salomon Juarez-Cerrato, 25, of Lincoln University, for harassment after a 24-year-old Avondale woman reported that he had sent her an excessive amount of phone calls, texts and Facebook messages from July 13 to 16. She has an active PFA against the man.
Longwood Fire Company promotes Mike Wells to lieutenant
Mike Wells, this year’s winner of the prestigious Jim McGovern Service Award, has been promoted to lieutenant.
“Mike is a dedicated firefighter and has greatly contributed to the safety of our citizens by his hard work,” said Longwood Fire Chief A. J. McCarthy. “He deserves the promotion to lieutenant.”
Last year, Wells responded to 329 of 619 of Longwood’s emergency calls. “I just enjoy running calls and helping people when they need it the most,” Wells said. “I stopped counting the calls. If the pager goes off and I’m not working, I’ll be there.”
Wells has been a member of Longwood for two years and has been in the fire service for a decade.
“My father has been in the fire service for about 44 years,” Wells said. “I used to go to the firehouse and help clean trucks and other chores even before I was a member.
Avon Grove School District offers centralized registration
Beginning on Aug. 3, the Avon Grove School District has centralized student registration. The Central Registration Office is in the District Administration Building (375 Jennersville Rd., West Grove).
Parents are asked to bring the following to the registration appointment:
Proof of age
Proof of residency
Immunization record
InfoSnap Information Visit www.avongrove.org for
To register a child, contact district registrar Cathy Santiago at 610-869-2441, or by email at csantiago@avongrove.org, to make an appointment.
details about documentation that may be needed related to residency custody agreements, special education, related services, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Also available on the website are a registration checklist, multiple occupancy form, nonresident affidavit, tuition agreement form.
I joined Longwood when I moved to East Marlborough, near the firehouse. It made sense to run at a firehouse that was only a minute away from my home.”
side of Deerfield Road (40 feet wide); thence thereby along the northerly side of said road south 81 degrees 55 minutes east two hundred forty-two and one-tenth (242.1) feet to a point; thence by the arc of a circle deflecting to the right having a radius of 50 feet; length of arc 37.403 feet to a point on the westerly side of Huntsman Path, said point on Huntsman Path being north 53 degrees 05 minutes 30 seconds east thirty-six and five hundred thirty-seven thousandths (36.537) feet from the last mentioned point; thence along westerly side of Huntsman Path. North 8 degrees 6 minutes east two hundred fifty-seven and twenty-four hundredths (257.24) feet to the place of beginning.
CONTAINING 1.7349 acres of land, more or less.
UNDER and subject to cer-
tain covenants, conditions, agreements, restrictions, reservations and limitations as set forth in Deed Book Q-24, Vol. 588, at Page 537.
BEING the same premises which Melvin F. Wood and Dorothy L. Wood, by Deed dated June 15, 1977 and recorded June 20, 1977 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County in Deed Book D-51, Page 362, granted and conveyed unto Alma M. Surratt
BEING known as: 569 Huntsman Path, Kennett Square,
PA 19348-2513
PARCEL No.: 62-4-175
IMPROVEMENTS: residential property.
PLAINTIFF: Deutsche Bank, National Trust Company, as Trustee for First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-FF9, Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2006-FF9 VS DEFENDANT: ALMA M. SURRATT
SALE ADDRESS: 569 Huntsman Path, Kennett Square, PA 19348-2513
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: POWERS, KIRN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 215-942-2090
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of the sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash,certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 7p-29-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the hereindescribed real estate.
Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday September 21, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.
SALE NO. 15-8-673
Writ of Execution No. 2014-06423
DEBT $162,029.11
ALL THAT CERTAIN prop-
nia,
erty situated in the Borough of West Grove in the County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being more fully described in a Deed dated 06/06/2005 and recorded 07/13/2005, among the land records of the county and state set forth above, in Deed Volume 6546 and Page 1747.
BEING the same premises which Dennis L. Miller, by Deed dated 06/06/2005 and recorded 07/13/2005 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County in Deed Instrument # 10551619 granted and conveyed unto Pamela Fanelli.
BEING known as: 7 Townview Drive, West Grove, PA 19390
PARCEL No.: 5-4-530
IMPROVEMENTS: residential property.
PLAINTIFF: LSF9 Mortgage Holdings, LLC VS DEFENDANT: PAMELA FANELLI
SALE ADDRESS: 7 Townview Drive, West Grove, PA 19390
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: POWERS, KIRN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 215-942-2090
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of the sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash,certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 7p-29-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylva-
PLAINTIFF: JPMorgan Chas Bank, National Association, s/b/m Chase Home Finance, LLC VS DEFENDANT: JAMES L. FOX and VALERIE I. FOX
SALE ADDRESS: 343 Old Mill Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365-9111
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP, 215563-7000
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of the sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash,certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 7p-29-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the hereindescribed real estate. Notice is given to all parties in
Help Wanted Help Wanted Drivers: Werner Enterprises is HIRING! Dedicated, Regional, & OTR opportunities! Need your CDL? 4 wk training avail! Don’t wait, call today to get started! 866-494-8633
“Can You Dig It?” Heavy Equipment School. 3wk Training Program. Backhoes, Bulldozers, Excavators. Local Job Placement Asst. VA Benefits Approved. 2 National Certifications. 866-362-6497 Drivers – No experience? Some or LOTS of experience? Let’s Talk! No matter what stage in your career, its time, call Central Refrigerated Home. 888-673-0801 www.CentralTruckDrivingJobs.com Insurance: PA DRIVERS: Auto-Insurance-Help-Line. Helping you find a Car
lizabeth W. Fritsch, Esq., LASP Executive Director (left), joined LASP staff, board members and other supporters for the 11th annual Trial Run 5K Run/Walk in West Chester on June 20.
More than 100 participants took to the streets of West Chester on June 20 for the Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Chester County Division’s 2015 Trial Run 5K Run/Walk, and raised over $17,000 to support LASP’s work to meet the civil legal needs of those who cannot afford an attorney.
The winner of the race, Colin Leak, crossed the finish line with a time of 15:32. The top female racer was Rachel McGinnis with a time of 18:29.
Since its inception in 2005, the race has raised over $182,000 for LASP.
LASP provides free legal services including protection from abuse, child custody, landlord tenant, bankruptcy and elder law to low-income people in Chester, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware Counties. In 2014, the Chester County chapter handled nearly 1,000 civil cases in areas including domestic abuse, family law, housing, and government benefits. For more information about Legal Aid of Southeastern PA visit www.lasp.org or call the central office at 610-275-5400 or the West Chester Office at 610-436-4510.
Arts Alliance adds new ‘Third on Third’
The Oxford Arts Alliance is changing its gallery opening schedule.
The family-oriented First Friday celebrations will continue in downtown Oxford, and the gallery will join the strolls in September with community art projects. The new “Third on Third” celebrations will be held on the Third Fridays
of each month, beginning on Aug. 21 with the Annual Members Show. The exhibit continues through Sept. 11.
The “Third on Third” evenings will spotlight art and artists in town, with businesses including Outback Trading Company, Pickled Pickles, and Susan Melrath Studio hosting artists and art shows on those evenings.
The mood will be more adultoriented, drawing a crowd that is more focused on art and dining.
A special fundraiser art sale will be held Aug. 7 at the Arts Alliance. Neighborhood Services Center will benefit from the sale of original art, prints, sculptures, fabric creations, photos and frames that have been donated. Most items are priced under $20. There is a pre-sale event on Aug. 4 from noon to 5 p.m., and the main sale
Girl Scout volunteers earn President’s Award
The Brandywine Valley Girl Scout Service Unit recently earned the President’s Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.(GSEP). It is the only service unit out of GSEP’s 115 units which earned this award.
The Brandwine Valley service unit serves 650 girls and 350 adult volunteers in the Unionville and Kennett Square school districts. There are 60 troops led by volunteer leaders. Twenty of those leaders volunteer to take on service unit tasks. Throughout the year, the unit sponsors Gals and Pals, World Thinking Day, Ice Cream Social, Paradise Farm Camping Weekend, Daisy Day, Holiday Hop, Junior Badge Bonanza, Cookie Rally, Whitewater Rafting, and trips to New York, Washington, Savannah and Europe.
In addition, the unit, with the help of the community, sends more than 5,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the Armed Forces through Operation Cookie Drop. Other projects include “adopting” foster kids for Christmas through the Delaware Valley Children’s
charities, providing toys and clothing to the children of the
INTRODUCING TOP GRADE VAPORS
prisoners of Chester County Correctional Facility, numerous
collections for the local Kennett Food Bank and more.
The Brandywine Girl Scout Service Unit management team displaying the President’s Award. Standing (left to right) are Kerrie Garrison, communications director; Anna Marcotte, school organizer and recruitment; Giselle Curcio,GSEP membership manager; Rosalee Wortmann, school organizer, recruitment and trainer. Seated (left to right) are Lois Weyer, event planner; Karen D’Agusto, service unit manager, event planner, recruitment and trainer; Lori Sullivan, event planner and recruitment. (Team members not pictured are Dawn Talley, registrar/treasurer; and Rachel Brunke, cookie manager.)
