Celebrating the holidays in Kennett
Square
Kennett Square welcomed the Christmas season with its annual Holiday Light Parade last Friday night. Spectators lined the streets to watch the festive parade, which was led by the Kennett High School
U-CF School Board approves student discipline policy changes
By John Chambless Staff Writer
After months of public meetings, study and debate, the UnionvilleChadds Ford School Board voted to approve a revised Policy 218, the Code of Student Conduct, on Nov. 19. The debate began when students at a September 2017 Unionville High School football game were automatically suspended for smoking and other misbehavior in the stadium. Some parents complained
to the board, saying the suspensions – which were automatically included on student transcripts going to college application boards – would be a black mark that could keep students from getting accepted. Some parents also complained that their children were suspended for merely being near someone who had misbehaved.
Board member John Murphy prefaced the vote by saying, “This is the result of more than 12 months of effort to
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
After nearly a year-long closure – one that tried the patience of its owners and the thousands of locals who had turned it into a meeting place Mecca since its opening as a pop-up beer garden in 2016 – the Creamery of Kennett Square kicked off its newest chapter on Nov. 21 with an opening night party that seemed to make all of the delays and frustrations worth the wait. The best news yet? The popular destination spot on Birch Street will no longer just be open seasonally. Beer lovers and
Oxford Borough plans a tax decrease for 2019
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
Oxford Borough unveiled a $3.7 million general fund budget at a council meeting on Nov. 19, and there was some very good news for taxpayers: Borough officials are anticipating that the millage rate will be decreased by .25 mills for 2019.
The millage rate could be lowered from 12.25 mills to 12 mills. A vote on the final budget will take place in December adopted in mid-December. How will the borough manage the rare feat of lowering taxes? The borough’s revenues are climbing from one year to the next. Borough manager Brian Hoover explained that Oxford has seen a significant increase in construction activity, as well as a large increase in the total assessed value of all properties in the borough. Hoover estimated that the total assessed value of all properties has increased by
If the budget figures remain as they are now, the millage rate will be reduced from 12.25 mills to 12 mills when a final budget is
For additional photos, see
Oxford Area Sewer Authority offers update on efforts to sell assets
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
In September, the Oxford Area Sewer Authority announced that it was starting the process that could result in the sale of
its state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system to the Delaware County Regional Water Authority (DELCORA). At the most recent Oxford Borough Council meeting on Nov. 19, David
Busch, the executive director of the Oxford Area Sewer Authority, provided an update about the Sewer Authority’s activities— including the potential sale.
Busch said that while
progress is still being made toward finalizing the agreement with DELCORA, the deal is not going to be completed as quickly as was originally thought. Initially, there was a goal of completing an Asset
Purchase Agreement within 90 days and finalizing the entire agreement within 150 days. The sale will take more time than that. “There are still a lot of details to be worked out
The township’s millage rate will remain at zero. The spending plan is up for final adoption in December on Nov. 13.
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
The East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors have approved a proposed budget for 2019, and it is all but certain that the township will keep its millage rate at zero for another year. The supervisors discussed the spending plan at a special budget meeting on Oct. 23, and again at the
Suzanne Hamlin, the township treasurer, said that the $6.6 million proposed budget has a slight year-to-year increase in expenditures, but the township won’t need to increase taxes to balance the budget.
On the revenue side, East Nottingham’s total income plus cash on hand for 2019 is $6,667,887, and on the expenditure side the proposed expenses plus the amount allocated for 2019
is $6,667,887.
The millage rate has been zero since 2005, Hamlin said.
Township supervisor Sam Goodley explained that when the township added an earned-income tax and a tax specifically designated for funds for open space preservation, township officials then reduced the millage rate to zero to offset those increases.
The proposal for 2019 is
By Uncle Irvin
Back in the 1970s, New Garden Township was the only township in southern Chester County that had no zoning ordinances. The sleepy township was run by the mushroom industry and led by a trio of yawning supervisors, Bob Taylor, Chip Smedley and mushroom grower Dino Ruggieri. Taylor was a GOP operative who served as Chester County’s sealer of weights and measures, a politically appointed job. This township was really asleep and devoid of progress.
Fifty years later, New Garden may be the best-run municipality in southern Chester County. The highlights of this miracle are the only regional police
Chadds
Photo by Chris Barber
Marching Band. A story about Kennett Square Borough’s Holiday Light Parade and other holiday happenings will be included in our annual Christmas and New Year’s Guide inside the Dec. 5 issue of the Chester County Press
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Mike Bontrager, Chatham Financial founder and visionary behind the Creamery of Kennett Square, welcomes special guests to the re-opening of the beer garden on Birch Street in Kennett Square on Nov. 21.
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about $5.2 million during the last year. That equates to about $63,000 in revenues to the borough’s coffers.
Hoover said that Oxford saw an extraordinary amount of construction in town in the last year.
Some new homes have been built, and a large number of existing homes are selling in the borough. Many of the new homeowners are undertaking improvement projects. Improvements are also being made to commercial buildings in town, increasing the values of those buildings. Ware Presbyterian Village has also been growing significantly in the last few years.
Overall, Hoover said, the borough saw about $225,000 in building permits for 2018.
Hoover expressed optimism that the borough is growing and healthy financially.
“Our population is climb-
their families will get to enjoy it all year long.
At a champagne reception before more than 100 special guests, Mike Bontrager, the founder of Chatham Financial and the visionary behind the concept that renovated an unused historical piece of Kennett Square history and repurposed it as a successful community beer garden, said the Creamery is a juxtaposition against what he called the “Mallification of America.”
“All we wanted was a unique place that felt like community,” he told the audience. “We wanted a place that felt like a backyard barbecue where everyone was welcome, and that’s what we’ve tried to create here at the Creamery. It has a place in Kennett’s history, and we certainly hope that it will have a place in Kennett’s future.”
Bontrager also tied the beer garden’s re-opening to its link to Kennett Square history. He delivered his remarks inside the newest addition to the Creamery, a fully-renovated, heated and designed quonset hut, the semicircular structure that fronts the re-opened facility. The building, he said, was built around 1903 by Theodore Pennock, an inventor. Pennock’s father Samuel, also an inventor, moved to the Kennett area in the 1800s, where
ing,” Hoover said. “We’re adding new homes to the borough. We’re seeing a lot of commercial work being done. The borough is in a very good position financially.” The proposed budget is now available for public review and comment.
Boroughs are required to adopt a final budget by Dec. 31 each year. In Oxford’s case, borough council is on track to adopt a final budget at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 17.
Borough residents will have the opportunity to review and ask questions about the budget, or any other topics that might be of interest to them, at Oxford’s annual Borough Day, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7. Officials will be available during the day on Borough Day to meet with residents.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
he operated a machinery company and became a prominent member of the community. Samuel and his wife Deborah were prominent members of the Kennett community and were abolitionists and were involved in the Underground Railroad.
Theodore’s son Herb grew up to become a Hall of Fame pitcher in the Major Leagues for several teams, including the successful New York Yankees’ teams of the 1920s, when he became friends with his teammate, George Herman “Babe” Ruth.
“Since Herb and the Babe were friends, I like to think that they hung out, which means that they came to Kennett Square, and Babe Ruth probably hung out with Herb here at Herb’s dad’s place,” Bontrager said. “So, I like to think that Babe Ruth was hanging out here, and since we have no one to disprove that, we’re going with it.
“I have to tell you, if Babe was alive today, this is where he would hang out.”
From the freshly planted row of new birch trees along the renovated sidewalks on Birch Street to the greenery plantings in the quonset hut, the new Creamery has taken its visual splendor to a new level. While the existing area still features lawn games, fire pits, local artists and a rotating lineup of craft beer and food trucks, the quonset hut is illuminated by delicate lighting, interior plantings, plenty
More support needed for local Wreaths Across America effort
Wreaths Across America’s efforts to remember and honor U.S. military veterans are an important part of the holiday season across the U.S. each year, with wreaths being placed at more than 1,400 locations in all 50 states. There are only a few weeks left before National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 15, and the local effort is still in need of some financial support to meet its goals. There are more than 1,500 wreaths needed in southern Chester County to make sure that the graves of deceased military veterans are decorated in cemeteries throughout southern
of seating, a full-stocked bar and the convenience of being able to order menu items like pizza (The Fat Duck, Grazing Goats, Spice It Up), as well as brisket, chicken fingers, sausage and killer mac n’ cheese.
In a concept whose architectural mission was built on original ideas, a new company that’s also opening its doors in the quonset hut may be the most original idea of all. Chop Shop KSQ, LLC, is a six-lane, 12-target axe throwing facility that will allow guests – after they read and sign a 16-point liability and waiver form – to toss small axes at circular targets from several feet away. Axetossing leagues are being planned there soon.
Aaron Lefebvre, who coowns the Chop Shop with Travis Messman of White Horse Solutions, was drawn to the Creamery soon after arriving from Oregon last year.
“I am an artist, and I’m passionate about building a community around art,” he said. “When I saw the Creamery and what they were doing to repurpose old buildings and showcase local artists, I fell in love with the concept. I realized that this is the place to be.”
For most of 2018, the Creamery of Kennett Square was forced to shut its doors in order to comply with various zoning and code requirements that were requested by the Kennett Borough. While tensions between the Creamery and
Chester County. It costs approximately $22,000 to $23,000 for that many wreaths. The local fundraising effort is still somewhere between $2,000
the borough were prickly at times during its closure, both sides were determined to see that the fixes were made, and that the community could again enjoy what has become one of Kennett Square’s largest attractions.
“It’s open again, and there’s life on Birch Street,” said Doug Doerfler, Kennett Borough council member. “In looking at ideas like this around town, we have to try different things, not just look at ideas as variations of the same thing. If we do have to give a little leeway, we might get into certain sticky issues, but let’s face it. There’s going to be headaches, but they’re not deal breakers. This is an example of working through it, keeping the communication going, and seeing that everything turns out well in the end.
“It’s great to come down this once-abandoned property and see life happen. Everyone expected to see between 1,500 and 2,000 visit the Creamery last year, and we had over 30,000 people visit the Creamery over the last two years,” Doerfler added. “It’s not
East Nottingham budget.. Continued from Page 1A
to keep the earned-income tax and open-space tax at a combined 1.25 percent—East Nottingham Township has an Earned Income Tax of 1%, while the open space tax is set at .25%. The earned-income
and $3,000 short of that goal. Organizers are hoping to complete the fundraising by Dec. 3.
More information about Wreaths Across America is
Uncle Irvin...
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force in southern Chester County, a viable open space program, and a wide base of commercial development. The pres-
available at wreathsacrossamerica.org. On that site, visitors can click on “find location” and type in “Oxford” and Oxford Cemetery (PAOXCE) should come up as a selection. When the red box pops up, click “sponsor” and then you will be taken to a new page where you can securely sponsor wreaths or donate a general amount. They take PayPal and most credit cards. Donations directly to the local effort can be made through Wreaths Across America Southern Chester County’s Facebook page. Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. has also shared a Facebook post with a link where donations can be made.
ent five-man board of supervisors, led by Steve Allaband, has developed a winning streak of progressive endeavors, and a head of steam pushing New Garden to its place among the best-governed townships.
(This is an occasional column written by Uncle Irvin. The column is the opinion of Uncle Irvin, and is not a news story.)
just we in Kennett Square who are enjoying this. People are coming from all over to enjoy it.”
Bontrager closed his remarks by thanking Creamery manager Sandra Mulry, who praised the work and persistence of White Horse Solutions, the Creamery’s management company.
“Although it took a little time it’s okay, but we came back strong, and we have bonded. It’s not about the ‘How’ and the ‘What’
tax is divided between the township (.5%) and the Oxford Area School District (.5%). The .5%
EIT received by East Nottingham Township is used for the general operation of the township.
it’s always been about the ‘Why,’ the story of the Creamery,” Mulry said.
“The Creamery actually exists because of a rather small group of very talented people who were committed to this story, and I am in awe of their efforts.
“Here we are. The Creamery is ready, and we’re turning the lights back on.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
The 2019 spending plan will be advertised and is currently available at the township building for the public to review. The supervisors are expected to adopt the final budget at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
In other business at the meeting, the board of supervisors approved the advertisement for a request for proposal for the position of solicitor, which could lead to the selection of a new solicitor in 2019. Larry Welsch, the executiver director of the Chester County Food Bank, briefly outlined a plan for the organization to locate a second facility in southern part of the county. The Chester County Food Bank is interested in a property in East Nottingham, and the plan would be to build a 40,000 square-foot facility at that location. The Chester County Food Bank distributes about three million pounds of food annually to residents in need in the county, and the new location in the southern part of the county would increase the organization’s ability to get food to people in need.
The East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors will meet again on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.
The Creamery...
U-CF discipline policy...
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improve our policies and procedures following an incident at a football game at the high school last year.
… With this policy, one of the things we wanted to do was add some discretion to the length of a punishment. We wanted to allow alternative punishments, to potentially reduce the amount of time a student is out of the classroom. We wanted to provide support for students who perhaps have substance abuse problems, so they can seek some counseling. Also, we commissioned a committee of parents, educators, social workers, students, and a high-ranking law enforcement official. The policy we are going to vote on represents their recommendations, with some minor changes based on multiple policy revisions and follow-up meetings. I believe we have a policy that we can be proud of, but there are some parts that we want to watch over the coming year, to make sure there are no unintended consequences.”
Board member Gregg Lindner responded, “The changes being made today have some positive aspects. With the adoption of these guidelines, students who might have been eligible for recision because of having different levels of offenses will be eligible for recision. I do appreciate the fact that we now have some administrative guidelines. … What do I think is wrong with what we’re doing today? One, I asked multiple times at board meetings if parents who had children suspended had been consulted, and asked their opinion about these policies. I was told no, and to my knowledge this has not happened to this day. Parents were part of the committee, but none who had been impacted were part of it.
“We seem convinced that in therms of less heinous offenses, that we are obligated to have students serve suspensions prior to having a hearing on the case. It seems that that, with the majority of offenses, taking a few days before suspension would have no ill effects.
“My board partners are going to approve policies that go beyond what I feel that a board should do,” Lindner said. “We’re going to mandate certain social worker activities, and I believe that we’ve gone too far with that process. Also, we’re now going to make recision come with community service activities, without regard to those activities which students may already have been serving.
“In my seven years on the board, I have not had any meaningful difference of opinion with our superintendent. I grade him very highly and I’m thankful he’s the guy that’s running the show,” Lindner said. “But on this particular issue, he knows we have had disagreements. However, Dr. Sanville, to his credit, recommended to this board that we not report some offenses to the college board. Unfortunately, that was defeated in what I thought was a close vote.
… Let’s remember that 75 percent of the schools in the United States do
not report some, or all, of these offenses. The board has, in my opinion, gone beyond their reach. I know I’m not the only one in the community who feels that this version of Policy 218 is not the appropriate version to adopt.”
Board vice-president Victor Dupuis responded, “I’ve been opposed to a recision policy from the beginning. I remain opposed. However, the addition of a community service element and the assurance that we will review the effectiveness of this discipline policy at the end of this year has persuaded me otherwise. I am very concerned about how we review this at the end of the year, and the effectiveness of recision in general, and whether it’s something that should be removed from the policy.”
Board member Steve Simonson added, “I think our approach to discipline will be much better as a result of this project, and the revised policy. But I hope we continue to improve this aspect of our governance. I am not in favor of the recision aspect of this policy, and I hope we will continue to keep students in the learning environment, rather than out of school, for students who are not dangerous or disruptive. But these are just two elements in what I think is a vastly improved program.”
Board president Jeff Hellrung commented, “The main elements of this revised policy were a stronger emphasis on safety and security, and attention to not just rights, but responsibilities. It was a call for mutual respect. One of the things we heard from parents who had students suspended a year ago was how unproductive they thought automatic 10-day, out-of-school suspensions were. There was a lot of collateral damage to students who had to be out of school for 10 days.
“This new policy responds to that concern. It responds by giving our administrative team more flexibility in responding to disciplinary offenses, including the opportunity to assign shorter suspensions, and alternatives to suspension that can provide learning opportunities for students. Finally, I believe it does improve our recision policy. It may not be perfect, but I’m also comforted that there will be a review after a year of experience.”
In the final vote, the board approved the new policy, with Lindner voting against it. The updated policy is available for public review in the school board section of the district’s website, www.ucfsd.org.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.
Dinniman announces grants for 11 conservation projects
State Sen. Andy Dinniman has announced that 11 conservation and recreation projects in his Chester County district will receive more than $4 million in total state grant funding through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (CCPP).
“Chester County is known far and wide for our dedication to preserving our open spaces and beautiful places – it is one of the very reasons that gives our region such a distinct sense of place and makes it such a great place to call home,” Dinniman said. “These grant funds will help us continue to build on our success in protecting our land, water, and environmental treasures, while also increasing recreational opportunities for residents and families throughout the area.”
The grants, which are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), are:
• $31,000 for Atglen Borough to prepare master site development plans for the 17-acre Valley Avenue parcel, the five-acre Church
Road park, the 1.2-acre Borough Hall parcel and 206 Main Street.
• $1.5 million for the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art to go toward the acquisition of approximately 569 acres in Lower Oxford and West Nottingham for open space protection and passive recreation.
• $40,000 for the City of Coatesville to prepare a Master Site Development Plan and Swimming Pool Feasibility Study for the 9.3-acre Ash Park.
• $250,000 for the City of Coatesville for further development of Palmer Park, including the construction of pedestrian walkways and a pavilion, the installation of play equipment, lighting, ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.
• $75,000 for East Bradford Township to go toward the acquisition of approximately seven acres along Birmingham Road for open space protection and passive recreation.
• $118,800 for the Natural Lands Trust for the construction of approximately 64 acres of riparian buf-
fers along waterways in the Delaware River Watershed, including landowner outreach and engagement, buffer plantings, post-planting establishment and other improvements.
• $17,000 for the Natural Lands Trust to prepare a stewardship plan for the 571-acre Stroud Preserve in East and West Bradford.
• $100,000 for Schuylkill Township for further development of Valley Park, including the construction of pedestrian walkways, an outdoor classroom, parking area and stormwater management, as well as ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.
• $229,800 for the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County to go toward the acquisition of approximately 19 acres in London Britain Township for open space preservation habitat protection and passive recreation along the White Clay Creek.
• $1.5 million for the Conservation Fund to go toward phase 3 of the acquisition of approximately 982 acres in Elk, Franklin and New London Townships for open space protection and
public recreation.
• $500,000 for West Whiteland Township for further development of the Exton Park’s Swedesford Recreation area, including the construction of natural play areas, a dog park, pavilions, a comfort station, a parking area, and the installation of utilities, lighting, ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.
The Community Conservation Partnerships Program provides financial and technical assistance to local governments, river and trail organizations, land trusts, and other nonprofits for the planning, acquisition and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects. Funding for all the projects comes through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation, with the exception of the Natural Lands Trust projects, which are funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener) and the West Whiteland Township project, which is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Dog park brick sale extended
Give a unique gift and support the Oxford Area Recreation Authority (OARA) by purchasing a personalized brick for the dog park. You can have your name, a favorite pet’s name, or any slogan engraved on a brick that will be included in the paving of the dog park vestibule in spring of the new year.
Earlier this year, the new dog park opened at the Oxford Area Regional Park, 900 W. Locust Street. The park has sections for small and large dogs, interesting obstacles for pets to explore and raised bed gardens in the secure vestiblue.
To provide solid footing, the entrance area will be bricked this spring when weather permits. To cover the cost of the project and continuing maintenance costs related to the dog park, OARA is offering everyone a chance to purchase personalized bricks that will be included in the paving.
Each standard sized brick, purchased for $50, can be engraved with your message on up to four lines of print, each line containing up to 21 characters or spaces. The bricks make a nice memorial for a well loved person or pet. They can also be a sign of love and support to the living, a recognation of a personal accomplishment, or communicate any kind of personal message.
Larger, double-size bricks costing $200 are perfect for businesses and organizations and may
of
the entrance to the
include up to six lines of message and/or a logo.
A personalized brick is a way to communicate a lasting message, and a great gift for the holiday season. To be sure everyone has a chance to get their order in before Christmas, brick sales have been extended to Dec. 31, 2018.
To order a brick, visit the
Oxford Area Recreation Authority facebook page for information and a link to the brick sale site, or go directly to www. bricksrus.com/donorsite/ oaradogpark. Order forms are also available at the Oxford Public Library and local businesses. OARA reserves the right to refuse any message it considers inappropriate.
Courtesy photo
Oxford Area Recreation Authority chairman Chip Benke and treasurer Candace Miller cut the ribbon to open the new dog park in May. Support the dog park with the purchase
a personalized brick to become a permanent part of the paving at
facility.
Law named Professional Investigator of the Year in Pa.
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
When the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators was set to select its first Professional Investigator of the Year, there was no shortage of quality candidates.
There are 3,000 private detectives and investigators in the state, and many of them have been effective detectives for decades.
But one candidate received more nominations from colleagues across the state than any other— Eileen Law, the president of CIA, Inc. of Kennett Square.
Law was presented with the award when the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators held its annual convention in Hershey, Pa. The award is formally named the Jim Carino PALI Private Investigator of the Year Award.
Law has had a 35-year career as a private detective, specializing
Kennett Square private detective Eileen Law received the award in Hershey, Pa.
in finding kidnapped children, missing persons, and biological families. She is also a member of Intelenet, the world’s most elite private detective organization. It requires an invitation to join Intelenet.
When she was presented with the award, Law was lauded for her dedication to working for clients, assisting people in need, charitable acts, and tireless efforts to promote PALI and PALI’s educational conferences.
Law said that she was honored and humbled to receive the award. She always tries to keep some advice that her parents gave her in mind. Her father told her to never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins, which is a variation of a popular American Indian proverb. And her mother taught her to always give back and to remember two small, but important words: thank you.
Law said that her career has been about providing peace of mind to her clients. She has helped many people find their biological parents, solved kidnapping cases, and worked on a number of cold cases. She lives in Kennett Square with her husband, Stephen Stewart.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty. com.
BY YOUR SIDE FOR
Courtesy photo
Eileen Law was the first-ever recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators’ Professional Investigator of the Year Award. She received the award in Hershey, Pa.
Courtesy photo
Ecovillage concept getting new life in West Grove
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
On Aug. 7, 2013, the London Grove Board of Supervisors gave final plan approval for the development of the Three Groves Ecovillage in West Grove, an environmentally conscious, pedestrian village that was expected to break ground that September, on 7.5 acres that once served on a mushroom farm, adjacent to Goddard Park.
Located on the corner of Prospect Avenue and West State Road, Three Groves was to be a 37-unit complex – made up of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom units – that incorporated sustainable and energy-efficient practices and designed to meet meet Net Zero Energy and LEED Platinum Certification.
It was going to have a rain garden, an orchard, a natural pool, walkways and a common house that would be used for public gatherings. Its plans called for all cars to be parked on the periphery of the site for safety, so that the visual emphasis of the village would remain on its open spaces.
It would be built in partnership with nationallyrecognized green building developers and architects, and be constructed of durable and quality construction using recycled materials.
As the original members of Three Groves gathered in the lobby of the London Grove Township building moments after the 5-0 vote was tallied, their enthusiasm was infectious. They were going to be the trailblazers of a concept largely foreign to Chester County, that would combine
the best of sustainable ideas and let it flourish within a community of like-minded thinkers.
It would be a model for living whose principles would most certainly be duplicated in municipalities and townships from Chadds Ford to West Nottingham.
It never happened. Over time, the original concept for Three Groves began to lose its marketability factor. The price points for units in the village were thought by many to be above the range for most families who would be drawn to living there. From a lifestyle standpoint, its original design attempted to wedge an across-the-board commitment to sustainability into a world where convenience is everything. Three Groves was originally designed to be a pedestrian-only village, which would not be conducive for individuals and families who were used to accommodations like being able to park their vehicle near their home.
Now, after a five-year dormancy, the Three Groves Ecovillage is experiencing a rebirth, with revised plans and a firm commitment to see the project from drawings to construction. On Nov. 19, Alyson M. Zarro of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco, the attorney for Three Groves and key principal Peter Kjellerup, presented revised conditional use plans for the the ecovillage.
It was the planned project’s third conditional use hearing before the London Grove Township board of supervisors, following hearings in August and September, which heard comments from township engineer Ron Ragan and
township fire marshal Robert Weer.
Michele Adams, principal and founder of Meliora, a Phoenixville-based design firm, discussed the particulars of the reconfigured site plans, before the board and several township residents.
While the ecovillage is being proposed again in the same West Grove location, its revised plans call for a reduction of units to be built from 37 to 32, and the elimination of a common house. The original plans for two access driveways – one to State Road and the other to Prospect Street – will remain the same.
Adams said that the parking
area will include 64 spaces, and will be slightly reconfigured to allow for more room for fire and emergency service vehicles. In addition, she said that the ecovillage will include a pedestrian walkway that will extend from the lower units and connect to the sidewalk on Prospect Street.
At the conclusion of the Nov. 19 hearing, township solicitor William Link said that the record is now closed for the Three Groves application, and that the board’s decision on the conditional use application for the planned project must be reached by Feb. 6, 2019.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@ chestercounty.com
Student assessment data tops Oxford School Board meeting
By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
Dr. Margaret Billings-Jones, the assistant superintendent of the Oxford Area School District, reviewed some student assessment data with the school board at the meeting on Nov. 20.
Billings-Jones continued her ongoing reports about the 2018 PSSA test scores across the district, focusing this time on math scores in grades three through eight. Next, the assistant superintendent reviewed the 2018 Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System, which is used to measure student growth in specific content areas from one grade to the next. Billings-Jones noted that in some areas and in some grades, Oxford’s students
are meeting or exceeding the expected level of growth, while in other areas, they are not.
Billings-Jones also talked about the new Future Ready PA Index, which the state’s Department of Education recently launched as a way to measure school performance of school districts and individual school buildings across the state. The assistant superintendent said that there is a wealth of information available at the new website, futurereadypa.org, where the data is collected.
Oxford Area School District superintendent David Woods said that district officials were pleased, overall, with the results of the student assessments. He noted that the district introduced new curriculum in language arts and math several
years ago, and there has been progress for students as a result. That progress should continue as the students advance to the higher grades.
School board president Joseph Tighe said that it’s important for the district to have a plan in place to continue to help students attain higher achievement in the various assessments.
The school board presented a certificate to Lauren Watkins, a senior at the high school. Watkins serves as the student representative to the school board, and she recently completed a workshop at the Chester County Intermediate Unit to help her with those duties. Tighe noted that Watkins is the first student representative from Oxford to take that workshop.
In other business at the meeting:
The school district has established the per-pupil allocation for the 2019-2020 school year at $173. This is funding that is allocated to each school building to pay for items like supplies that students use on a regular basis.
The school board approved policy revisions regarding the federal programs procurement policy, the district-wide wellness policy, and the policy about parent involvement with regard to Title I programs.
The Oxford School Board will hold its annual reorganization meeting at the administration building at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@ chestercounty.com
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
Michele Adams, principal and founder of Meliora Design, introduced the revised plans for the Three Groves Ecovillage in West Grove, before the London Grove Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19.
Affordably priced housing is topic of Citizen Planners’ Breakfast on Dec. 13
Chester County 2020 and Chester County Planning Commission are sponsors for event is being sponsored by Chester County 2020 and the Chester County Planning Commission on Thursday, December 13 at the Desmond Hotel, 1 Liberty Boulevard, Malvern, beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Our workforce has seen little to no growth in the buying power of wages, in decades. Meanwhile the cost of housing has increased dramatically. A serious question exists as to whether the next generation can afford to live in Chester County.
A two-hour Citizen Planners’ Breakfast
Jason Duckworth, President of Arcadia Land Company, will lead a
panel discussion on the issue. Panel members will include Brian O’Leary, Executive Director of the Chester County Planning Commission, Sara Peck, Principal of Progressive New Homes LLC, and Nate Echeverria, Economic Development Director of Historic Kennett Square.
“This is a very important topic for Chester County,” said John B. Hannum, Jr., Chairman of Chester County 2020. “Chester County is known as a great place to live, work and raise a family. We need to make sure the County has affordably-priced housing for those who make this county great.”
O’Leary will begin the session by giving a talk: Why Do We Care?
The cost is $25 per person. To register, go to the breakfast sign-up section of www.cc2020. org. Sponsorships are available for $250. For information, contact Chester County 2020 by calling 484-680-5570 or
emailing info@cc2020. org.
Chester County 2020 is a non-profit organization helping to create livable communities by bringing people together to find common ground and then working to transform dialogue into action. For more information, see www.cc2020.org.
and that takes some time,” Busch explained.
He provided a quick recap of the Sewer Authority’s financial situation that prompted the exploration of the sale of the wastewater treatment system. The sewer authority obtained a $27 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand the wastewater treatment plant’s capacity. The four member municipalities of the Sewer Authority— Oxford Borough, Lower Oxford Township, East Nottingham Township, and West Nottingham Township—agreed to guarantee that loan, with each municipality assuming a portion of the debt. The sewer authority subsequently fell behind on its debt-service payments because commercial and residential connections to the system were slower than had been projected.
The sewer authority missed two debt-service payments totaling a combined $1.2 million, opening up the possibility that the member municipalities would need to make good on those payments.
The Sewer Authority raised its sewer rates and eventually negotiated a work-out agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture so that the $1.2 million wasn’t due immediately.
Busch was brought on board after the debt-service payments were missed and the rates were raised in an effort to improve the Sewer Authority’s overall financial situation.
“I was directed to right the ship, and then sell the ship,” Busch explained. Through cost-cutting and additional rate increases, the Sewer Authority was able to meet all its financial obligations, including the scheduled debt-service payments this year, Busch said.
He explained that, after a four-percent increase in sewer rates in 2018, the Sewer Authority has a balanced budget for 2018 and 2019. No increase in sewer rates is anticipated for 2019.
In addition to the wastewater treatment system, the Sewer Authority has been exploring the possibility of selling a 35-acre property that it owns. They already have someone interested in buying the property, Busch said, but the property is situated in three different municipalities, which complicates matters. The Sewer Authority is also looking at selling the building it owns on Third Street in Oxford.
If those assets are sold, the proceeds can be used to take of a portion of the outstanding debt on the loan. If the Sewer Authority finalizes an agreement with DELCORA before those assets are sold, ownership of them would pass to DELCORA, which
would then pursue the sale of those assets, with the proceeds only applied to the Sewer Authority and no other DELCORA interests. Should DELCORA purchase the wastewater treatment plant, it would assume the responsibility for the remaining balance of the $27 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would clear the obligation to guarantee the loan from the four member municipalities.
For residents who live in the Sewer Authority’s service area, one of the most important details about the potential agreement is that DELCORA will freeze usage rates for a threeyear-rate. After that period, DELVORA will adjust the rates using best practices. Additionally, if the sale is completed, DELCORA will operate the OASA as a stand-alone entity, and will establish an advisory committee comprised of residents in the service
area. For employees of OASA, DELCORA will extend employment offer letters to each current fulltime employee.
Busch said that one additional requirement of selling the wastewater treatment plant is that an Act 537 Plan special study will need to be filed with the state.
After Busch’s update, council members asked several questions.
Council member John Thompson asked what the Sewer Authority’s assets are valued at, and whether it would be more than the approximately $27 million in debt that DELCORA would be assuming.
Busch acknowledged that the Sewer Authority’s assets are probably more than $27 million. But DELCORA will need to get its own loan approved from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the goal will be to pay off the debt a lot faster than the 30-year loan that the
“I’m not just some patient or some number and neither is my child.”
– Wendy B.
Sewer Authority had. Busch pointed out that a private company could come in and offer more money to buy the wastewater treatment plant, but the major downside to that would be that the private company would pass those costs on to the rate-payers—local residents and business owners.
Busch said that having ownership of the wastewater treatment plant transfer to an entity like DELCORA would be a very favorable outcome for the municipalities and local residents.
“Delcora is a stable entity with a track record of acquiring sewer systems,” Busch explained. He added that it’s possible that the deal to transfer assets to Delcora could be completed by the spring or summer of 2019.
To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty. com.
Our team of exceptionally skilled OB/GYNs, neonatologists, nurses and specialists never get tired of bringing new, healthy life into the world, and treating each baby as if they’re our only baby. With large private birthing suites to stay in from labor through delivery and beyond, it’s no wonder so many mothers-to-be and their families love coming to Saint Francis. Caring for you through life.
Editorial Letter to the Editor
After supervisor’s resignation, East Nottingham faces a challenge
Now is never a good time to take a step backward.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about the status of the national economy or your personal finances. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about the win-loss record of your favorite football team (the Philadelphia Eagles) or the progress of a local municipality, no one likes to be caught in that moment when yesterday suddenly looks better than tomorrow.
In East Nottingham Township, Shelley Meadowcroft resigned from her position as a supervisor because some home construction work on her family’s home is prompting a brief move out of the township. Since she won’t be living in the township for a few months, Meadowcroft did not think it was right to continue to serve as a supervisor. The resignation is effective on Nov. 29, and the East Nottingham Township Board of Supervisors will have to formally accept the resignation.
Meadowcroft has served the township with distinction since joining the board of supervisors a few years ago. She is hard-working and professional.
The East Nottingham Township Board of supervisors, which includes Sam Goodley, Jr., Joe Herlihy, Art Rieck, Michael Watson, and Meadowcroft, deserves credit for moving the township forward over the last few years.
This township hasn’t always been blessed with good leadership from its elected officials. Some supervisors have been fine, of course. But the township has had more than its share of ineffectual supervisors. It’s had more than its share of terrible supervisors.
It would be a shame if Meadowcroft’s seat on the board is filled by a substandard candidate.
That’s why it’s important for at least one qualified, capable individual to step forward to serve as a supervisor. If three or four such people step forward, that makes the job of picking a replacement even easier for Watson, Rieck, Herlihy, and Goodley.
Ideally, a township resident who understands the circumstances surrounding Meadowcroft’s resignation would step forward and apply to fill the vacancy, serve four or five months, and then resign once Meadowcroft is once again living in the township and can return to the board...but that scenario is complicated and unlikely.
That leaves the existing supervisors with the challenge of trying to replace Meadowcroft. It won’t be easy, but it has to be done.
Now is not the time for the township to take a step backward.
Chester County Press
Women send a message throughout halls of government
By State Rep. Carolyn Comitta D-Chester County
As we reflect on the 2018 midterm election results, there is a notable trend nationwide and in Pennsylvania. A record number of women ran for office and won seats at both the national and local level.
According to data acquired by the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University, the number of women in the Pennsylvania General Assembly will rise from 19 percent to about 25 percent. A total of 134 women ran for the General Assembly this year, and 63 won – 52 in the House and
11 in the Senate. In the state House where I serve, Democrats picked up 11 seats to make the count there 110 Republicans to 93 Democrats. The 116th Congress will have at least 125 women serving, where women will represent 23 percent of total seats, reaching a step closer to Vision 2020’s goal of a 50-50 shared representation among men and women. In Pennsylvania, we will go from having no women in our congressional delegation to having four represent our southeast region in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2010, I was the first woman elected mayor in the borough of West Chester. Since then, I have
continued to work and promote women’s issues. After I was elected as state representative for the 156th Legislative District, I was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. The commission is a bipartisan organization that works as an advocate and advisor to the governor on policies and legislation that impact women; supports economic and civic opportunities for women; encourages mentoring programs for girls and young women; identifies programs and opportunities for the benefit and advancement of women; and serves as a resource center for Pennsylvania women.
Fortune 500 studies have shown that when a corporate board or leadership team reaches 30-percent women, the culture shifts to one that is more collaborative and solution-finding, and the bottom line goes up by at least 6 percent. These are corporate studies, but I believe the same dynamics would apply when electing a critical mass of women to office.
2018 has been called the “Year of the Woman,” playing out at the ballot box with huge gains for women across our region, state and country. These gains set the stage for a much needed shift to a more collaborative, solution-finding culture in Harrisburg and Washington.
The Rite Aid Foundation donates to Camp Dreamcatcher
In celebration of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media, Camp Dreamcatcher has received a $5,000 grant as part of the KidCents Thanks For Giving Holiday program. The grant will be used to support Camp Dreamcatcher’s free therapeutic and educational programs for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS.
“We are proud to be a part of the KidCents Thanks For Giving Holiday program,” said Patty Hillkirk, Camp Dreamcatcher Executive Director.
“This #GivingTuesday, and everyday, The Rite Aid Foundation’s support helps us to con-
tinue improving the lives of children in our community.”
The grant will support Camp Dreamcatcher’s Teen Leadership Retreats, Therapeutic Camp Session, holiday Adopta-Family Program and Mentoring Programs for children coping with HIV/AIDS.
The Rite Aid Foundation is awarding a total of $2.2 million through its KidCents Thanks For Giving Holiday program. This special program has been created to help the more than 440 KidCents charities across the country advance their efforts to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of children.
“#GivingTuesday is a global celebration of giving, and on this day, we wanted to recognize our KidCents charities for all they do to make a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. “Through the KidCents Thanks For Giving Holiday program, we want to recognize and support orgainzations that are focused on giving all year round. We thank all our KidCents charity partners for helping to give kids better lives and brighter futures.”
Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s loyalty program, well-
ness+ rewards, can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 440 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com. Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $36 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $87 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.
ACE annual gift collection set for Dec. 6
The annual holiday gift collection will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m., at the monthly meeting of ACE Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance of Oxford. Author Carol Hart Metzker, abolitionist,
will be present to welcome guests and assist with gift collection. Items needed for vulnerable women and children are hats, gloves, socks, personal hygiene items, paper towels and napkins, paper plates,
to ilette & facial tissues, anti-bacterial wipes, individually packaged snacks, gift cards, calendars, journals, pens, pencils (all items must be new). Collected gifts will be distributed to
youth centers, transitional homes and shelters. Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. at the Oxford Public Library, 48 S. Second St., Oxford. Questions may be directed to 610-932-0337.
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone to seek reelection
Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone is seeking reelection as Commissioner.
“I am honored the citizens of Chester County have put their trust in me over the last 11 years and would be privileged to continue to serve the county,” she said. In addition to her role as County Commissioner, Kathi will serve as the President of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) in 2019, through which she will work to solve problems across the Commonwealth.
Up initiative. And as an active member of both the CCAP Behavioral Health Taskforce and Courts & Corrections Committee, Kathi has shared Chester County best practices across the Commonwealth, inspiring other counties to initiate similar programs.
Kathi has been instrumental in Workforce Development in Chester County by bringing unique and innovative programs to the county. For that work, Commissioner Cozzone has been honored by the Chester County OIC with the prestigious Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Award.
Commissioner Cozzone has led efforts in Chester County to reduce the number of mentally ill inmates in county jail in conjunction with the National Association of Counties’ Stepping
Commissioner Cozzone has been active in the Chester County community through her membership on many boards including the Chester County United Way, the CC Industrial Development
Authority, the CC Workforce Development Board and the Uwchlan Ambulance Corps. In addition to her work with CCAP, Kathi sits on the Health Committee for the National Association of Counties.
Kathi is a proud “band mom” and is part of a dedicated group of parents who raise money to support all the music programs in the Downingtown Area School district. That work includes co-chairing the annual Cavalcade competition as well as serving hungry football fans in the concessions stand for Friday Night Lights.
“It’s been my passion to make government work for the people who are less fortunate,” Cozzone said.
“It’s my goal to see the projects I’ve started grow and thrive, and I am excit-
ed for the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Chester County.” Cozzone is in her third term as Chester County Commissioner. Before her election in 2007, Kathi spent 20 years in various corporate finance roles. As Commissioner, she successfully brought business experience to County government by initiating in her first year an award-winning strategic plan that has helped the County meet programmatic goals while remaining fiscally responsible. She has focused on many issues including environmental protection, public safety, workforce development, and criminal justice reform. Kathi lives in Exton, with her husband, Victor, and their son, Victor, a student at Downingtown East High School.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018
Opening night at the new Creamery
The Creamery of Kennett Square celebrated its re-opening on Nov. 21 with a champagne toast, the unveiling of its new addition, and the premiere of Chop Shop KSQ.
Emily Augustine and Luis Aldrete at Chop Shop KSQ.
Photos by Richard L. Gaw
The re-opening of the Creamery of Kennett Square served as the unveiling of the facility’s new quonset hut that features a bar area, ample seating and food stations.
Glasses of champagne were prepared to toast the beer garden’s re-opening.
Mike and Dot Bontrager cut the ribbon at the re-opening of the Creamery of Kennett Square on Nov. 21.
Chop Shop KSQ is a six-lane, 12-target axe tossing facility that will operate at the Creamery.
The quonset hut’s bar serves a wide variety of craft beers, mixed drinks and wine.
This art and greenery installation is one of the many design features in the Creamery’s new quonset hut facility.
Mushroom Cap 13.1 half marathon co-founder Karen DiMascola (left) with Theresa Kauffman of White Horse Solutions.
The Creamery’s rustic plantings have become a visual signature of the beer garden’s design.
Meaghan and Karl Saxe, with Rachel Stearett and Lennon, enjoyed opening night festivities.
The Creamery of Kennett Square will now operate as a year-long facility, and continue to serve as a destination for families.
ELIZABETH LILLIAN DUDLEY
Elizabeth Lillian Dudley, 96, of Lincoln University, formerly of Collingdale, Boothwyn and Swarthmore, passed away on Nov. 14 at Twin Pines Health Care Center in West Grove.
She was the wife of the late Ernest J. Dudley, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Born in Gulph Mills, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rosina Jordan. She was a garduate of the former Collingdale High School in Collingdale, class of 1937. She was a former employee of Shallcross Manufacturing in Collingdale, assembling escape windows for the B-25 aircraft during World War II. She was a former member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore. She was a devoted housewife and grandmother, and a lover of flowers. She is survived by two sons, Harry M. Dudley of Lincoln University and Carl R. Dudley of Harrison, Mich.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol E. Dudley Anderson; and her brother, Henry Jordan. A graveside service was held Nov. 20. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
CLARENCE L. THOMPSON
Clarence Lowell Thompson, 73, of New Castle, Del., passed away on Nov. 18 at New Castle Health Rehabilitation Center.
Born in 1945 in West Grove, he was the son of the late George, Sr., and Edith Marie White Thompson.
Clarence (or Buck, as he was often called) was the seventh child born on the seventh day of the month. He loved to sing, and enjoyed talking and giving orders to family members. Clarence enjoyed life.
He is survived by his three sisters, Anna Patterson of Middletown, Del., Charlotte Goins (Ricardo) of Philadelphia, and Shirley Barnett of Bear, Del.; one maternal aunt, Emma Moore; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends at Newark Rehabilitation. He was preceded in death by five brothers, George Thompson, Jr., Charles Thompson, Calvin Thompson, Ronald Thompson, and Arnold Thompson. A funeral was held Nov. 27. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
RAYMOND S. AMY
Raymond Sidell Amy, 73, of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 21 at his home.
He was the husband of Carol Ann Bettcher Amy, with whom he shared 28 years of marriage. Born in Chester, he was the son of the late Raymond G. and Anna Jenkins Amy. He was veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War. Raymond attended the Oxford Church of the Nazarene. He retired from the Delaware County Prison as a supervisor. He was formerly employed as a Merchant Marine with the Sun Oil Company and Phoenix Steel in Claymont, Del. He was a member of the American Legion Mason Dixon Post No. 194 in Rising Sun, Md., the Captain of the Fire Police for the Union Fire Co. No. 1 in Oxford, and was a Board Director of Chester County Fire Police Association. Raymond also formerly an umpire for Joseph Barrett PIAA Umpire League of Delaware County. He was an avid sports fan and loved his Philadelphia teams, enjoyed tending to his ponderosa, and treasured spending time with his children, grandchildren and family.
He is survived by his wife; step-siblings Ron Payne (Kim) of Middletown, Del., Allen Payne (Diane) of New Castle, Del., Arlene Gray (Joe) of Aston, Gloria Payne of Newark, Del.; one son, Raymond John Amy (Lesli) of Wilmington, Del.; five stepchildren, James Savage (Midge) of Boothwyn, Alice Sykes (Edward) of Boothwyn, Patricia Hammond (Robert Allison) of West Grove, Diane Cariola (George Bontz) of Nottingham and Tracey Brown (Brian) of Oxford; 15 beloved grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ella Brown; brother, John Amy; and stepmother, Ada Amy.
A funeral was held Nov. 26. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Divine Sent Food Cupboard, 198 Barnsley Rd., Oxford, PA 19363; or the Oxford Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
LUCINDA W. LOHR
Lucinda W. Lohr, 95, died on Nov. 5 in Kennett Square.
Born in 1923 in Atlantic City, N.J., the daughter of John J. and Virginia (Baker) White, she thrived for the past 23 years as a member of the Crosslands retirement community. Previously, she lived in Annapolis, Md., Bluefields, Nicaragua, Veracruz, Mexico, and Mt. Tabor, N.J. From her causes to the trips with her grandchildren, Cindy loved her family and loved exotic places, making friends everywhere she went. She exuded energy and spirit and everyone knew it.
She was married to Freeman W. Lohr for 30 years until his death. She was the mother of Jack (Janice) Lohr, Bob (Celia Foley) Lohr, and Ginny (Rob Briggs) Lohr; grandmother of 11; and great-grandmother of four. She is also survived by two sisters, Betsy Rigell and Mary Meagher. Cindy accelerated her 1943 graduation from Swarthmore during World War II to marry her loving husband. In 2015, she was proud to be the first to sign a letter to the Swarthmore College Board of Trustees opposing stock ownership in non-renewable energy stocks. She was a frequent lover of the Metropolitan Opera and was especially devoted to the tenor Placido Domingo. From Quaker roots, she found a spiritual home in Alcoholics Anonymous , Unity Fellowship, and Unitarian Universalism.
A memorial service at Crosslands will be scheduled in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations to Citizens Climate Education (citizensclimateeducation.org) in her memory would please Cindy, and would be matched by the organization. The family is sharing memories at cindylohr. blogspot.com.
MARY L. STEVENS
Mary L. Stevens, 74, of Nottingham, passed away on Nov. 17. She was born in 1944 in Colora, Md., to the late Francis Eckles MacCauley and Virginia Eve (McGlothlin) MacCauley. She graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1962. She retired from Pepperidge Farms in Downingtown in 2015 after over 30 years of service. Mary was a private person who loved her 2010 Mustang GT and found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, where she would garden with her grandchildren or bake treats for the whole family.
She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Barry Stevens of Nottingham; daughter, Deborah Murphy of Townsend, Del.; stepson, Barry Stevens, Jr., of West Grove; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three brothers: Francis “Buddy” (Donna) MacCauley of Rising Sun, Md., Richard MacCauley of Louisa, Va., and Ronnie MacCauley of Bumpass, Va.; seven sisters: Ruth Barker of Oxford, Joan Sexton of Olympia, Wash., Elaine (Elwood) Morrison of New Castle, Del., Sandra (James) McClure of Landenberg, Peggy (Larry) Wentzel of Kirks Mill, Pa., and Patricia Jernigan, Carol (Robert) King and Laura “Beatle” (Joe) King, all of Bumpass, Va.; as well as numerous extended family members. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her twin sister, Gertrude Emile Hamm; and brother, Robert Thomas MacCauley.
FRANCES E. ASTLE
Frances E. Astle, 92, of Lansdale, formerly of Oxford, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 17 at Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale. She was the wife of the late Otis A. Astle, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Elk Mills, Md., she was the daughter of the late Walter Avery and Frances Ann Aument Jackson. Frances assisted her husband with farming in Lower Oxford Township. She was also employed as a bookkeeper for South Penn Fuel in Oxford, and Chester County Hospital in West Chester. She was a member of Oxford United Methodist Church, Rough & Tumble Historic Steam Engine, Association, the Russellville Grange, and the Farm & Home Historic Association in West Chester. Frances enjoyed doll collecting, square dancing and traveling.
She is survived by two daughters, Allegra Estrada (John) and Beverly Chapman (Larry); three sons, Charles Astle (Dina), Otis Astle, Jr. (Tammy), and Arthur Astle (Beth); grandchildren; greatgrandchildren; and three sisters, Barbara Britenbach, Bertha Sager and Violet Hartman. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert Jackson and Walter Jackson.
A funeral was held Nov. 26. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
Through Dec. 13
Ten Thousand Villages Shop
Oxford Presbyterian Church (6 Pine St., Oxford) will host a gift shop featuring crafts from around the world by Ten Thousand Villages, on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Dec. 16. Local author Iris Gray Dowling will be at the shop on Dec. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Call 610-932-9640 for more information.
Dec. 1
Breakfast with Santa
The community is invited
A sevice was held Nov. 24. To send online condolences, visit www.rtfoard.com. Look
1 Chronicles 16:11
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to a Breakfast With Santa, to be held Dec. 1 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (116 Lancaster Pike, Oxford). Breakfast items will include pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages. Tickets are $15 for adults (breakfast and photo with Santa), $10 for adults (breakfast only), and $5 for chidlren. Children under 2 are free. The maximum charge is $40 per family. Photos will be printed before guests leave. There will be supercvised holiday arts and craft projects for children during the event. For more information, call the church at 610-932-8134. Dec. 2
Hymn sing A community Old Fashioned Hymn Sing will be held 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at New London Presbyterian Church (1986 Newark Rd., New London). The concert features organist Chuck Cole and soloist Rachel Byrd. A social hour will follow the concert. Dessert donations are welcome.
The Chester County Press publishes obituaries, free of charge, for those with a connection to southern Chester County. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received, space permitting. They also are posted on www.chestercounty.com.
An artist at the intersection of photography and painting
By John Chambless Staff Writer
Born in 1836, Winslow Homer came of age in an era when the art of photography was expanding by leaps and bounds. As his own painting developed along with the new technology, Homer embraced the possibilities of the medium, and found ways to reproduce and market
his paintings to a larger audience.
The Brandywine River Museum of Art is hosting a huge show of Homer’s paintings, prints, watercolors and drawings, as well as archival photos, through February. “Winslow Homer: Photography and the Art of Painting” is a wide-ranging exhibition of more than 100 items, ranging from Homer’s
Winslow Homer spotlighted at Brandywine River Museum of Art
major paintings to photos of him on the beach, his paint-encrusted palette and two cameras he used.
Homer’s career began with depicting Civil War scenes for Harper’s Weekly and other publications, making him keenly aware of how paintings and drawings could be turned into images for mass distribution. He also learned to work from photos. Although his 1864 oil, “Albert Post,” shows a soldier in a rather stiff pose, paintings such as “Skirmish in the Wilderness” (1864) conveys the small, confused nature of most Civil War battles, with the soldiers barely visible in the gloom of a deep forest. Homer saw the results of war, and the somber nature of “Trooper Meditating Beside a Grave” (1865) acknowledges the grim reality of death, and hints at the unsettled issues that sparked the conflict and continued after the war officially ended. After the war, Homer traveled extensively.
“Artists Sketching in the White Mountains” (1868) is a wonderfully wry comment on the booming trade in producing popular images, as three artists line up to paint the same mountain scene – Homer
including himself in the line of copyists. A similar sentiment is seen in “White Mountain Wagon” (1869), in which the vista is obscured by a wagon packed with tourists turning a corner. The point Homer is making is the commercialization of nature, and how the intrusion of tourists obscures the views
By John Chambless Staff Writer
The season of giving is filling Oxford during the Arts Alliance Artisan Gift Shops, which are open through Dec. 22.
Both in the main gallery at 38 S. Third St., and the space across the street at 19 S. Third St., you’ll find a huge array of handmade items that are perfect for holiday gifts. Collectors will want to act soon to get some of the Santa figurines designed by Dave Eldreth, who has recently moved away from ceramics to become a painter. The limited-edition figures are only $10 each, and are an ideal selection for Eldreth Pottery fans.
There are adorable bibs and onesies, napkins and towels printed with bold, fun graphics by Tangibilia Studio, as well as elegant wooden pens made by Michael Elliott. Susan O’Hanlon is offering mugs and other tableware, as well as fun ceramic mushrooms for your garden. There’s a dazzling array of handmade
jewelry by several artists, priced to be everything from stocking stuffers to major gifts.
Lingerlong
Woodworking has elegant wooden cutting boards and trays, and Karen O’LoneHahn has prints of her multicolored cows, as well as pottery that has the same palette and whimsical attitude.
There are adorable felted figures by Alyce Templeton, and her Nativity sets are both simple and evocative, as are her three tiny Wise Men. Ki Crittenden’s always impressive lighted ceramics would be a great centerpiece gift for someone special, or for yourself. Everyone gets into the act at this show, including a teen crafter who shows her work, including painted round ornaments that get the essence of Charlie Brown. There are handmade greeting cards for every occasion by Clarissa Sherrow, and Rosalie Wells has a terrific line of Frida Kahlo-inspired
embroidery, including house banners and a great denim vest.
And take a moment to examine the upcycled earrings by Dona Antonelli. She makes use of plastic gift cards and other items that would otherwise end up in landfills, cutting and shaping them into earrings and other jewelry.
If you’re from Oxford, you’ll love the 2018 holiday ornament showing Ferguson’s Garage in 1920. If you have a young farmer on your holiday list, you can also buy a chance on a John Deere pedal tractor that’s being raffled by Atlantic Tractor of Oxford.
The Artisan Gift Shops are open through Dec. 22 at both downtown locations. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Fridays until 8 p.m. Call 610-467-0301 or visit www.oxfordart.org for more information.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com
everyone has come to see. His developing skills as an artist are clear in paintings such as “Sandy Beach With Breakers,” a simple depiction of white surf and clouds, and a wide swath of unoccupied sand. In “Evening on the Beach,” he shows two women in voluminous skirts trying to maintain their modesty in a high wind. But a hallmark of most of Homer’s work is quiet observation. His figures don’t take center stage or announce themselves as the focus of the painting.
In “Weaning the Calf,” for instance, the calf being taken away from its mother is in shadow, while the focus is on two young boys who look on,
perhaps recognizing their own impending maturity. Homer’s famous “The Nooning” (1872) is another reflective moment, in which the face of the boy lying in the grass is barely visible, yet the introspective gaze and the warm summer day are universal.
Earrings made from recycled materials by Dona Antonelli.
Photos by John Chambless
The Oxford Arts Alliance is packed with gift items for everyone on your list.
Lamps by Ki Crittenden are a tradition at the annual gift show.
Bibs, onesies and towels by Tangibilia Studio.
‘West Point, Proust’s Neck’ (1894), watercolor on paper, Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Artist Winslow Homer in an 1880 photograph.
‘Eight Bells’ (1886), oil on canvas, Addison Gallery of American Art.
‘The Nooning’ (ca. 1872), oil on canvas, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
Public invited to attend Landscapes3 hearing
The Chester County Commissioners are conducting a public hearing on Nov. 29 about whether to adopt the Chester County Landscapes3 plan, the county’s next long-range comprehensive plan for the future. The hearing will be
held at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High St in West Chester, beginning at 7 p.m.
Once adopted, Landscapes3 will guide the county and municipal governments, as well as developers, investors, pres-
ervationists, conservancies and transportation providers on balancing preservation and growth.
Those in attendance at the event will include Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone, and Terence
Farrell along with Chester County Planning Commission Executive Director Brian O’Leary and other Planning Commission representatives. For more information, visit http://www.chescoplanning.org/Landscapes3.
YoungMoms receives $20,000 grant
YoungMoms, a Kennett Square-based agency providing assistance and mentorship to young mothers in the community, was the recent recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Milton Apfelbaum Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF). The grant will support the funding of the agency’s mentoring and advocacy program, which provides encour-
agement, connections, training, and resources for local young mothers. The announcement of the grant was made on Nov. 27 by Pedro A. Ramos, President and CEO of the Foundation. Through its philanthropic investment, TPF strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia, connects individuals and institu-
tions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, TPF manages more than 900 charitable funds established by its donors, and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. Over the past eight years, YoungMoms has empowered more than
LEGALS
who are a party to the registration are John Stoltzfus, 253 Maxwell Hill Rd, Morgantown, PA 19543. Samuel King, 889 Maple Grove, Mohnton, PA 19540. Simeon Stoltzfus, 5076 Leike Rd, Parkesburg, PA 19365. 11p-28-1t
160 local pregnant and parenting teens to stay in school, pursue college education or vocational training, parent more effectively, and make healthy personal decisions. Investing in teen moms has a ripple effect on their children, families, and the entire community. To learn more about YoungMoms, visit www.youngmomscommunity.com.
FICTITIOUS NAME REGISTRATION
An application for registration of the fictitious name Sowing Seed Ministry, 5076 Leike Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365 has been filed in the Department of State at Harrisburg, PA, File Date 10/01/2018 pursuant to the Fictitious Names Act, Act 1982-295. The name(s) and address(es) of the people
NOTICE It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors of Penn Township, Chester County, PA, to continue the appointment of Ronald R. Woodworth, Certified Public Accountant to audit the books per Resolution 2000-01 for the year of 2018. BY THE ORDER of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA., Caitlin
Through Jan. 6
Yuletide at Winterthur Yuletide at Winterthur runs until Jan. 6, with a yuletide tour of the du Pont mansion decked out for the holidays. Each delightful room tells a story reflecting the ways in which Americans have celebrated the winter holiday season from the 1800s to the present. Other highlights include: a magical Christmas tree inspired by Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods children’s garden; more trees celebrating the season throughout the mansion; an 18-room dollhouse mansion filled with nearly 1,000 miniatures and fully decorated for Christmas; and a display of antique Santas and figures of the mischievous Belsnickel. Winterthur’s two stores offer a selection of gifts. Programs throughout the season include the weekly Yuletide Jazz and Wine series, which features favorite holiday music ensembles on Wednesday evenings; live one-man performances of “A Christmas Carol” featuring Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens; and the popular Yuletide Brunch with Santa. Timed tickets for the tour are available at www. winterthur.org, or by calling 800-448-3883. Tickets are $22 for non-members, $20 for seniors and students, $6 for children, and free for infants.
Through Jan. 6
‘A Longwood Christmas’ Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) hosts “A Longwood Christmas” through Jan. 6. There will be decorated trees and greens throughout the Conservatory, and millions of lights on the trees and topiary outdoors. There will be outdoor fire pits, strolling
carolers and live music all season long. Admission is by advance purchase of a timed ticket. Tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and college students with ID, $12 for ages 5 to 18, free for ages 4 and younger. Visit www.longwoodgardens.org for tickets and more information.
Through Jan. 6
‘A Brandywine Christmas’
The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) holds its holiday display through Jan. 6. There will be a landscaped, operating O-gauge model train display, the annual sale of “Critter” handmade ornaments from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, caroling in the museum, decorated trees, a children’s party on Dec. 5, a “Breakfast With the Trains” for families on Dec. 8 and 15, and more. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day). Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $6 for students with ID and ages 6 to 18, free for children under 5 and members. Visit www.brandywinemuseum.org for more information.
Through Jan. 1
Holidays at Hagley Hagley Museum in Wilmington will celebrate the holidays with exhibitions, a gingerbread house display, a seasonal setting for taking photos in Santa’s Workshop, a day to meet and take photos with Santa, and evening tours of the du Pont family residence. The event is free for members and $6 to $14 for non-members. Rooms throughout the residence through Jan. 1 will display decorations reminiscent of Christmases past of the du Pont family. New this year is “The Magic of Miniatures,” with a dollhouse owned by
Mrs. E. Paul du Pont, who lived next to Hagley. On Dec. 8, Santa will be available for photos at 10 a.m., 1, and 3 p.m. Visit www.hagley.org for more information.
Dec. 1
Candlelight Christmas
The Chadds Ford Historical Society holds its Candlelight Christmas on Dec. 1 from 1 to 6 p.m. There will be performances of colonial dance by the Heritage Dancers in a decorated Visitor Center. Inside the Springhouse, once a schoolhouse in the early 1800s, there will be Christmas books from the past and present. Cross the road and join the celebration in the John Chads House, home of John and Elizabeth Chads in the mid-1700s. The rooms will be filled with live greens, stockings, arks, creche sets and toys. Hear stories from guides in colonial garb while sampling Portugal cakes, stolen (German bread with dried fruit and candied peels) and spiced tea cooked on the kitchen hearth. At the BarnsBrinton House, visitors can get a glass of wine in this tavern and home dating back to 1714. Each room will be decorated with individual themes including Santas, gingerbread, wreaths and handmade ornaments. Enjoy homemade soup, bread, cookies and hot chocolate. Admission is $15. Tickets can be purchased at www.candlelightchristmasin chaddsford.com.
Dec. 2
Holiday authors event
A Holiday Authors Event will be held Dec. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Kennett Area Senior Center (427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square). The event spotlights the works of eight local authors. Guests can talk with each author and view
their many books available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 610-4444819, or the Kennett Resale Book Shoppe at 610-444-6069. Dec. 14
Celtic Christmas
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (116 E. Lancaster Pike, Oxford) hosts a concert of Celtic holiday music by Charlie Zahm on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the church. Bring nonperishable food item which will be given to food cupboards. Tickets are $15 (children 12 and younger free). For more information and reservations, call 610869-8076 or visit www. thefriendsfolkclub.com.
Dec. 15
Voice competition
The Kennett Symphony of Chester County will host the 2018 Voice Competition on Dec. 15. The winners will get to perform with the Kennett Symphony. The competition is free, and will be held Dec. 15 beginning at noon in the auditorium of Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square. The competition is limited to 20 singers, ages 18 to 26. Competitors must perform three operatic, oratorio, or concert arias from the 18th to the 21st centuries, with at least one in English. Judges will award prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000, and the first-place winner will be invited to perform at a Kennett Symphony concert. Applications are available at www.KennettSymphony.org.
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
The Brandywine River Museum of Art will host its annual ‘Critter Sale’ from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. The holiday decorations are made from natural materials, and no two are alike. Prices range from $5 to $35, with specialty items from $50 to $250. There will be a members preview sale on Nov. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., a public sale on Nov. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m., and continuing public sales on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional ‘Critters’ will be for sale in the museum shop from Dec. 3 to Jan. 6, while supplies last.
are sold, or guests can BYOB.
The schedule includes: David Bromberg (Nov. 30, sold out); open mic with host Sarah Koon (Dec. 2, 7 p.m., $4); Dan Navarro, Bruce Sudano and Chas Sandford (Dec. 7, 8 p.m., $22 and $26); Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (Dec. 8, 8 p.m., $35); “The Merry Movable Feast” a benefit for the Flash in Kennett Square homes with various musical acts (Dec. 9, $100); Runnin’ Late Rock and Roll Christmas Jam (Dec. 14, 8 p.m., $15 to $18); Better Than Bacon Non-Denominational Holiday Extravaganza (Dec. 15, 8 p.m., $16 to $20); Open Mic with host Scott Birney (Dec. 16, 7 p.m., $4); a cappella holiday celebration with Backtrack (Dec. 20, 8 p.m., $16 to $20); Edgardo Cintron and the Inca Band: tribute to Santana (Dec. 21, 8 p.m., $14 to $22); We Kids Rock holiday show (Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m., $10 to $14); Christmas with Los Festingos (Dec. 22, 8 p.m., $15); Francis
Dunnery solo (Dec. 28, 8 p.m., $27 to $32); vocalist Bettye Lavette and keyboardist Evan Mercer (Dec. 29, 8 p.m., $60 and $65); “Films & Words” Lambert and Stamp with guest lecture by Bill Luther (Dec. 30, 7 p.m., free); New Year’s Eve with Jeffrey Gaines (Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m., $40); comedy with Big Daddy Graham (Jan. 11, 8 p.m., $20 and $30).
Reactors Comedy Club
Reactors Comedy Club, in the Quality Inn and Suites (943 S. High St., West Chester). Hosts live comedy presented by Reactors on weekends. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and showtime is 8:30 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door. Visit www. reactorscomedyclub.com. 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.
Trucks, Vans & Trailers: ‘96 F800 Ford Truck 33,000 GVW w/ Altec 10 ton crane boom & auger w/ in bed winch w/ 1000’+ cable & PTO drive generator 28K miles; ‘92 Ford F700 truck w/ Baker body & 60’ 2-man bucket, pintle hitch 58K miles; ‘90 Ford F700 truck w/ enclosed Adkins body w/ inside shelves, w/ PTO drive air compressor & pintle hitch, 151K miles; ‘00 Ford F550 Super Duty truck w/ Altec utility body w/ 40’ hyd. bucket lift, pintle hitch 176K miles; ‘03 Ford F350XL Super Duty 4WD truck w/ Stahl utility body 206K miles; ‘08 Ford E350 Super Duty Van w/ ladder rack & inside partition & shelves, hitch, 55K miles; (2) ‘06 Ford E250 vans w/ inside partition & shelf kit, ladder rack, appx. 108K mi. ea.; ‘06 Pequea 10K 12’ dump trailer; 14’ Southeast 10K skid loader trailer w/ 6’ ladder ramps; 10K duel wheel pintle hitch pole trailer w/ extendable tongue. Skid Loader, Ditch Witch Trencher, JLG Scissor Lift: ‘06 NH LS160 Skid Loader w/ bucket, forks & rear weights, 1200, 1-owner hours; ‘98 Ditch Witch 5110 Trench Machine w/ front backhoe & blade, rear chain & plow trencher; ‘98 JLG electric Scissor Lift; Ditch Witch 140 Earth Auger with many augers several sizes; Genie Mechanical Super Lift; aluminum pneumatic man lift; Moto-Truck stand on electric forklift. Benders, Threaders, Equipment & Tools: Greenlee 881 Hyd. 2 1/2” - 4” pipe bender complete w/all dies; Greenlee 855 smart bender w/ extra Ocal dies; Rigid 300 pipe threader, cutter, reamer; (2) Greenlee 882 benders; gear drive threader & dies; many electric & hand threaders & dies; Greenlee 850 - 2-851 & 4-849 PVC heaters; Greenlee 690 & other vac systems; Hilti core drill on stand w/ many diamond tip bits; Hilti dry core drill; Milwaukee & Hilti right angle drills; 10+ Hilti TE60, TE56 & 15-C hammer drills; several Hilti shot guns; Greenlee 1731 & 1732 hyd. punches; 10+ Burndy Press tools & dies; hyd. & pneumatic wire & cable cutters; knock out set & cutters; Digivolt high voltage & other testers; high voltage wire strippers; Hilti transit; (2) underground locaters / fault finders; (2) Idxpert labelers; (20) Werner step ladders 4’ - 18’; numerous ext. ladders; Honda 6500 & Honda 2200 generators; Delco hot water pressure washer; stone stomper tamper; parts washer; drill press; lots reel jacks & pipe stands; 30+ each pipe wrenches & hand conduit benders; many Milwaukee, Hilti, Dewalt & Ryobi electric & battery tools as grinders, hand held band & circular saws, sanders, drills, drivers, hole cutters & routers; lots hand tools including all sizes wrenches, air wrenches, ratchets, extensions, impact & reg. sockets, pliers, clamps, screwdrivers, hammers, tap & die set & much more; Craftsman tool chest & box; lots dirt & ditch shovels, picks, rakes & brooms; port-a-power; hand punches; fish tapes; creepers; torch set & much more.
For addi�onal pictures & informa�on go to: www.beiler-campbell.com, www.auc�onzip.com & www.GoToAuc�on.com
Inventory: Lots of high voltage electrical & line work items; (10) wooden poles, class 3-5, 20’-45’ long; misc. pole pcs; new & used Cobra Head street lights; many new & used meter bases; lots small to very large boxes including breaker, panel, fuse, backboards, switches, disconnects, motor starters & fire alarm; high voltage cutouts; (3) UPS systems; many sizes Cad Welds & H taps; Fargo & split bolts; several hundred full & partial rolls of all sizes copper & aluminum wire including high voltage commercial, triplex, overhead, underground, grounding, stranded & solid, from 14 ga. to 4/O & some up to 500; guide wires; rolls low voltage & communication wires; 100’s of pcs. conduit in flexible, liquid tight, EMT, rigid, aluminum, poly & Ocal, 1/2” to 5”diameter; 1000’s of pcs. conduit fittings, elbows, tee’s, hangers, straps, connectors, switch & recep. boxes for all sizes of metal, aluminum, explosion proof & poly conduit; metal & plastic wire molds & fittings; 1000’s of breakers including Iline high voltage, Federal Pacific, Westinghouse, Cutler Hammer, Murray, ITE, Square D, GE, Siemans & others up to 1500 Volts; all types of lights including Metal Halide, high pressure sodium, multi wattage, track, recess, shoe box, fluorescent, surface mount, emergency & temporary; multiple sizes transformers; lots galv. line hardware; 100’s fuses & insulators; all sizes ballasts; lots recep., dimmers, switches & timers; electric motors; cant hooks; fire caulk; lots pulling pulleys, ropes, lubes & mule tapes. Misc. Items: Several sections pallet racks; Bakers scaffolding; lots misc. cabinets, racks, shelving, tables & work benches; loaded bolt bin; (3) revolving organizers; warehouse ladders; misc. steel & alum. job boxes; 100 gal fuel tank w/ 12V pump; Craftsman table & miter saws; platform & hand carts; (4) shop vacs; pallet jacks; Husqvarna blower; Stihl TS360 & TS400 cut off saws; Echo PAS-260
Auctioneers Notes: After 63 successful years, Dolinger Electric Inc. will liquidate with a large 2-day auction.
Thurs, Dec. 13: Selling entire electrical
Ditch Witch trencher, skid loader, JLG scissor lift, threaders, benders & heaters, power & hand tools. More tools to be added as trucks are cleaned out.
By John Chambless Staff Writer
With the help of some additional pegboard walls and a lot of extra nails, the 2018 “Christmas in Miniature … And Moore” show of small paintings has returned to the Barbara Moore Fine Art Gallery in Chadds Ford for another year. There will be an opening reception on Nov. 28 from 1 to 8 p.m.
Most of the art is indeed miniature – as small as three inches across in the oil landscapes by Victoria McNeil Levine – but it ranges up to the major woodland watercolor “Weeds” by John Wilkison, and the atmospheric winter scenes “Winter Gleaning 1” and “Winter Gleaning 2” by H.L. Benson.
In between those extremes are a few hundred original artworks that are priced to be holiday gifts. Some of them, such as Peter Sculthorpe’s gem, “Snow on the Fields,” would be quite a financial splurge, but even if you’re just browsing, the show is an every-square-inch exercise that takes some concentration, but richly rewards your effort.
If you have a favorite regional artist, you’ll probably find them here, and you may well discover a few new artists you’ll love.
Standouts include J.M. Standish’s “Still Life Or Landscape?”, an egg tempera of a painting on a mantlepiece that’s two
A one-stop shop for local art
artworks for the price of one, and splendidly detailed. Ray Hendershot’s snow scenes and autumn woodland views are really fine, and packed with an almost photographic level of detail.
There are several originals by the late artist Paul Scarborough, including an atmospheric watercolor, “Winter Mist,” and a glowing green view of the Brandywine titled “Lazy Day Morning.”
Barbara Neville’s pastel, “Sunlite Meadow,” has a wonderful light and just the right amount of texture.
Timothy Wadsworth’s “The Clearing” is a very nice watercolor of a field, woodland and a moody sky. “Hayseed,” by Steven White, captures a curious cow with an adorably bristly face.
The show extends to the workshop area of the gallery, where you’ll find John Wilkison’s watercolor “Almost There” among the small gems. But you
can also admire Wyeth family signed prints, as well as unframed prints and posters by the dozens.
The stock of available works will change as pieces sell and are replaced, so repeat visits to the gallery would be a good idea. And you might spot something you missed the first time through.
“Christmas in Miniature … And Moore” will continue at Barbara Moore Fine Art (in the Chadds Ford Barn Shops,
Baltimore Pike and Creek Road, Chadds Ford) through Dec. 31. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 484776-5174 or visit www. barbaramoorefineart.com.
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com
There are quite a few photos of Homer himself, as well as his home and studio on a rocky coastline in Proust’s Neck, Maine. A private man who revealed little of himself in his work, Homer was a consummate craftsman, preparing reproductions of paintings he thought would sell well, and experimenting with new techniques, some of which – like the foggy print of his “The Fisher Girl” – didn’t turn out to his satisfaction. It’s interesting to compare his “Eight Bells” (1886) with the etching of the work that came out the next year. The two sailors in the work are much the same, but the sea and sky beyond them are simplified and slightly rearranged for the etching.
As a fascinating sidelight, there’s a collotype of one of Muybridge’s “Animal Locomotion” photo series, showing a man running and picking up a baseball.
It’s a thrill to see the landmark series of images – which changed how the world depicted motion –up close on a gallery wall.
As a mature artist, Homer achieved moments of grandeur such as “High Cliff, Coast of Maine” (1894), a large composition that lets the collision of the waves on the massive rocks create all the drama necessary. One of the last paintings in the show is “Artist’s Studio in an Afternoon Fog” (1894), a gray/tan composition that shows the outline of Homer’s home in a haze, but doesn’t reveal details. It’s a fitting image for an artist who shared so much of his artwork with a wide audience, but kept his personal details close. The exhibition is running along with the crowd-pleasing “Brandywine Christmas” display, so expect big crowds of people looking at the trains and trees. But by revealing Homer’s fascinating life and works, it deserves an extended visit as well.
“Winslow Homer: Photography and the Art of Painting” continues through Feb. 17 at the Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford). Visit www. brandywine.org
To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com
‘The Fisher Girl’ (1894), oil on canvas, Mead Art Museum, Amherst College.
‘Almost There’ by John Wilkison.
‘Autumn Woods 2’ by Ray Hendershot.
‘Hayseed’ by Steven White.
‘Late Fall Fields, Thornbury’ by Victoria McNeil Levine.
‘Snow on the Fields’ by Peter Sculthorpe.
‘Still Life or Landscape?’ by J.M. Standish.
‘Winter Gleaning 1’ by H.L. Benson. ‘Winter Mist’ by Paul Scarborough.
Homer Continued from Page 1C
Students honored by Avon Grove Lions Club
Justin Woodward, from Avon Grove High School, has been named the Avon Grove Lions Club Senior Student of the Month for November. He is the son of Jaime and Monica Woodward of Landenberg. Justin’s list of school activities are the Leo Club, Humanitarian Club, Youth & Government, Freshman Mentor Program and being president of Student Council. He has been active in the community by volunteering at the Jennersville Hospital, volunteering in the Avon Grove Library (where he created his own library program), being a church volunteer, playing piano
at Barnes & Noble to raise money to build wells in Africa, giving piano lessons, and being a math amd reading tutor. He has achieved High Honors and Distinguished Honors throughout high school. He plans to attend college to pursue a career that helps other people. Teachers he has most been influenced by are Mrs. Balbach, Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Worrell. Katherine Milley has been named the Avon Grove Lions Club Senior Student of the Month for November from the Avon Grove Charter School. She is the daughter of Robert and Mary Milley. Katherine is a member of the National Honor
Society, and her interests include theater, studies, and helping others. Volunteering has been an integral part of her life. She started with church functions such as helping assemble Thanksgiving baskets for families in the community and serving snacks to the residents at Luther House, and has continued with reaching out to others in her school and community. She helps patients with cancer by participating in the Relay for Life. In her school, she is a part of the Wolf Pack mentoring program. This program allows upperclassmen to meet and talk with elementary school students.
Penn’s Grove School seventh and eighth grade students who were inducted into National Junior Honor Society on November 12 are (in alphabetical order) Elizabeth Arthur, Makayla Brooks, Sarah Brown, Erin Chapmond, Mackenzie Clark, Madalein Clay, Shelby Dawson, Siena DiFrancesco, Jordan DiNapoli, Elizabeth Evans-Ralston, Riley Fitzgerald, Keegan Hannon, Alexa Harris, Emily Horton, Cara Hotchkiss, Alexandra Intonato, Ella Jones, Guadalupe Juarez Zavala, Julia Kahn, Trent Keenan, Zachary Keenan, Emma Keiser, Makenzie Lane, Christopher Latsch, Sophia Lentz, Jessica Lester, Brandee Levinsky, Lily MacNeil, Veronica Markussen, Natalie Meixell, Natalie Morlang, Kara Phelan, Sarah Potter, Tanner Repetto, Ashley Reynolds, Matthew Rinehimer, Caroline Roe, Jake Ross, Emma Russell, Luke Schoessler, Emma Sebastiani, Katlyn Sedlak, Michael Stefanosky, Ryan Steinmetz, Benjamin Towers, Sydney Troutman, Olivia Voss, Alyssa Welhaf and Clare Yesilonis.
Penn’s Grove students inducted into National Junior Honor Society
On Nov. 12, Penn’s Grove School held an induction ceremony for its chapter of National Junior Honor Society, with 49 seventh and eighth grade students taking the pledge for the 2018-19 school year. Founded in 1929 by
the National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Junior Honor Society is an international organization for students in grades six through nine, with chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. To be considered for the honor of membership, applicants must reach the five standards which include leadership, citizenship, character, service, and scholarship. Applicants must have completed at five or more hours of community service to qualify for membership.
From left: Lions president Dave Graham, Monica Woodward, Jaime Woodward and Avon Grove assistant principal Natalie Ortega-Moranand.
Courtesy photo
Students get close to nature at Stroud Center
StroudWater Research Center shared science and STEM education to students participating in Kennett Consolidated School District’s AfterThe-Bell program.
After-The-Bell is an after-school program that provides middle school students throughout KCSD with activities that promote learning and growth at no cost to the parents.
“At PECO, we power programs and initiatives that are helping our youth achieve a well-
rounded education and that provide a broad spectrum of opportunity,” said Mike Innocenzo, PECO president and CEO.
“We are proud to join Stroud and the Kennett Consolidated School District to provide this important environmental educational experience for local students.”
Throughout the six sessions, the students experienced some of the ways that the Stroud Center’s scientists study streams and rivers. With
boots in the stream, students collected macroinvertebrates and then took them back to the classroom to identify them and learn how they tell the story of stream health, just as the Stroud Center’s entomologists use macroinvertebrate populations to determine stream health.
One lesson focused on the ecosystem surrounding White Clay Creek. From riparian buffers to best management practices, students learned how land
use affects the health of a stream. Students also had the opportunity to watch electrofishing and learn how the Stroud Center’s scientists study fish populations and why that is another important piece of the stream health puzzle.
The partnership with PECO gave some students, who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, the chance to explore their natural surroundings, discover caterpillars, and learn about watersheds.
Students from the After-The-Bell program recently got a chance to explore streams at Stroud Water Research Center.
