Blessing of the Animals Held at Ryerss Farm
BY FRANCINE FULTON
The relationship between pet owners and their dogs and cats was celebrated during a Blessing of the Animals ceremony held at Ryerss Farm For Aged Equines on Oct. 3. The event included a short nondenominational service followed by individual blessings for all the dogs and cats in attendance, as well as the retired horses and donkeys that reside at Ryerss.
A welcome was provided by Samuel W. M. Griffin, president of the Ryerss Farm board of managers. “This is probably my favorite day of the year,” he stated. “The interaction with humans and animals is magical and wonderful.”
This year, two local pastors, the Rev. Jim Jannotti and the Rev. Scott Stevenson, led the blessings.
Jannotti spoke about the mention of animals in the Bible. “From the beginning, (the relationship
between humans and animals) has been a holy thing. In the second chapter of the first book in the Bible,
Genesis, there is a creation story,” he said. “God brings all the animals to the humans. Who names the
See Ryerss Farm pg 2
Elverson Parade To Feature Broadway Theme
BY FRANCINE FULTON
The Elverson Parade, which will feature marching bands, floats by community groups and fire apparatus, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Participants will begin to assemble on South Pine Street at 6 p.m., and the parade will begin at 7 p.m.
The parade will travel along Main Street (Route 23) through the borough and end at Yeingst Drive.
The theme of this year’s parade is “On Broadway: Celebrating Our Favorite Musicals.” Past themes have included “Advance to Go, Elverson! Celebrating Our Favorite
BY JEFF FALK
Pathways Heritage Day can’t transport visitors back in time. But the event can make history come to life.
“If you don’t take advantage of the knowledge of history, you’re going to repeat it,” said Ron Schlegel, a Pathways Heritage Day board member and team
Blessings were provided by the Rev. Scott Stevenson (left photo) and the Rev. Jim Jannotti (right photo).
Photos by Francine Fulton
As it has in previous years, the Twin Valley High School marching band will perform in the parade.
County Approves Grants for Community Projects
Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe have approved $5 million in 2025-26 Community Revitalization Program (CRP) grants. The CRP grants will fund 12 projects in urban centers across Chester County.
Chester County’s 202526 CRP grant distributions include $600,000 to the Borough of Spring City for improvements to Boat Launch Park, $550,000 to the Borough of Phoenixville for the installation of a solar panel array at Phoenixville Recreation Center, $540,000 to the Borough of Atglen for pedestrian safety and roadway improvements to the downtown area, $490,000 to the Borough of Honey Brook for infrastructure improvements to James Street, $460,000 to the City of Coatesville for continued
flood mitigation efforts, $425,000 to the Borough of West Chester for Phase 2 of safety and accessibility improvements to the Gay Street Open-Air Market, $425,000 to
the Borough of West Grove for improvements to Memorial Park, $395,000 to the Borough of Oxford to expand the Niblock Alley redevelopment project, $350,000 to the Borough of Kennett Square to replace the water main on Race Street, $310,000 to the Borough of Avondale for Phase 2 of surveying and mapping of water systems, $300,000 to the Borough of Downingtown for a comprehensive boroughwide stormwater flood study to begin flood mitigation work throughout the borough, and $155,000 to the Borough of Parkesburg for road repairs to First Avenue.
Atglen Borough Park, completed in 2024, was one of the projects that received funding from Community Revitalization Program grants.