Octorara townlively.com
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXI • NO 51
Octorara Graduate Authors First Book BY FRANCINE FULTON
Residents of Ashbridge Manor Senior Living who are pen pals with students at the Octorara Primary Learning Center traveled to the school to pick up donated puzzles and activity books that the students collected.
Generations Unite Through Pen Pal Program how they play in the winter,” said Phillips. “I shared that I grew up across the street from a big lake, so I grew up ice skating.” Mitman pointed out that the Ashbridge residents print their letters so that students can read them, since they don’t learn about writing in cursive until third grade. “I give the letters to the kids and if they need some help reading it, I will help them,” she said. “Most of the kids read (the letters) on their own.” In addition, the Octorara students hold live story time readings with the Downingtown seniors. “Not only are they pen pals, but some of the students from my class volunteered to read them stories virtually,” noted Mitman. “They practice books and read them.” “Not only do they do a good job reading, they turn the pages so we can see the pictures,” Phillips added.
See Octorara Graduate pg 2
Explore Chester County Parks
INSIDE THIS ISSUE New Factory Workforce Advocate Is On The Job . . .3 Community Calendar . . . .4
Programming for people of all ages is being offered in February and March by park rangers at Chester County parks. Among the events on the calendar, sponsored by Chester County Parks and Preservation, are nature walks, hikes, disc golf and maple sugaring programs. Chester County’s parks include Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville; Springton Manor Farm, 860 Springton Road, Glenmoore; Warwick County Park, 191 County See Chester County Parks pg 5
PRESIDENTS’ DAY
Business Directory . . . . . .6 Funds Available Through Heating Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 House Of Worship . . . . . . .9 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .10
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Because of the ease of texting and emailing, composing handwritten letters has become a bit of lost art. Students in Lindsay Mitman’s second-grade class at the Octorara Primary Learning Center in partnership with residents of Ashbridge Manor Senior Living of Downingtown have revived the letter-writing tradition through their annual pen pal program. The students started corresponding with the seniors at the beginning of the school year. All of the letters are included in a binder, which goes back and forth between the students and seniors about once a month. “We write things about us, and we ask questions. Sometimes the kids here draw pictures for them to put in their apartments,” said second-grader Peyton Chansky. The pen pal program came about
because of a family connection between Mitman and her mother, Veronique Hadfield, who is the activities director at Ashbridge Manor Senior Living. Recently, Hadfield traveled to the Octorara school to pick up a donation of word search and crossword puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles that students in all grades had collected for the seniors as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service activity. “There are over 100 books and puzzles, and we hope it brings them a little fun,” said Mitman. Accompanying Hadfield were two of the pen pals, Gail Phillips and Rosemary Spezzo. Spezzo’s granddaughter is Megan McLoone, a teacher at the Octorara Primary Learning Center. Phillips has two student pen pals, a boy and a girl. Recent letters have included questions related to the current season. “I wanted to know
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
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BY FRANCINE FULTON
Combining his experiences as a member of the United States Marine Corps with his love of reading and writing, Michael Peters, a 1982 graduate of Octorara Area High School, has penned his first book, “Twin Triangles.” The story, according to Peters, revolves around a squad of Marines on a fishing trip. While the Marines are at sea, their boat vanishes in a Bermuda Triangle, which was relocated to the mainland of the United States. They emerge on the other side of the world, where they must do battle against an enemy. The Marines must get themselves and the other people that they encounter Octorara Area High School alumnus home safely. Peters, who currently resides Michael Peters has released his first book, “Twin Triangles.” in Maryland, said his interest in writing started in middle school when me to write more - Stanley Dull,” he began writing poetry and short Peters recalled. “He kept telling me stories. “When I got in high school, I that he thought I would make a good had an English teacher that inspired writer. For some of his assignments,
