Octorara /townlively
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 33
Visiting Kittens Bring Comfort To Hospice Patients BY FRANCINE FULTON
A newly dedicated marker in Christiana gives a detailed explanation about the arch bridge, which was built for the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad circa 1830.
A historical marker was recently dedicated at the site of the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad bridge in Christiana by members of the Lancaster Chapter National Railway Historical Society, including (from left) Richard Rutledge, Glenn Kendig, Steve Himpsl and Tom Shenk.
Historical Marker Unveiled In Christiana Members of the Lancaster Chapter National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) dedicated an illustrated outdoor historical marker on Sept. 12 in Christiana, commemorating the last standing stone arch bridge built by the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, one of the earliest railroads to operate in the United States. The rail line was also used as part of the Underground Railroad. About 30 people attended the unveiling, which took place on the property of the Charles Bond Company, located at 11 Green St., Christiana. The Bond Company, recognized as the oldest continuously operating manufacturing company in Lancaster County, originally made turbines, gear reducers and metal castings, many of which were used on the railroads. The bridge spans Pine Creek, which divides Lancaster and Chester counties. “This arch bridge has been back here for the last 190 years, and it deserves the attention we are giving it,” stated NRHS vice president Glenn Kendig. “It is
architecturally and historically significant, and very few people know it exists.” The newly dedicated marker gives a detailed explanation about the bridge, which was built circa 1830. After the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad reorganized into the Pennsylvania Railroad, the tracks were removed from the arch bridge in 1854 and realigned. Prior to the installation of the marker, Randolph “Randy” Harris and Joshua Schultz, consulting historians, prepared a 20-page illustrated history of the site. According to the written document, the rail line between Columbia, Lancaster County, and the port city of Philadelphia was historically significant not only as the second railroad in the nation to offer regular passenger and freight service, but also for its role in the Underground Railroad. “Perhaps in no other location or region in America was an actual railroad used to transport freedom seekers over long distances on a regular basis,” the document states. Kendig explained that the effort to install the marker has taken
place over the last several years. “ We are constantly looking for railroad-related history to promote and preserve, and (the marker) was on our list,” said Kendig. “We had a long-range planning meeting, which Randy Harris attended, and from there we put together the proposal.” Kendig said that the marker installation is part of the group’s ongoing effort to preserve local history. “This organization goes back to the 1930s and has continually done projects from restoring locomotives and cabooses to preserving buildings,” he stated. The Lancaster Chapter is the founding chapter of the NRHS, a nonprofit organization that promotes education and the preservation of railroad history. The chapter home is a Pennsylvania Railroad freight station, located at 10 Railroad Ave., Christiana. Built in 1882, it was restored by the Lancaster Chapter to be used as its meeting place. For more information about the NRHS and to read the historical document about the bridge, readers may visit www.nrhs1.org.
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See Kitten Therapy pg 6
Melissa McCarron (top photo), a licensed clinical social worker, brings kittens waiting to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA to her workplace, where they provide comfort to hospice patients (bottom photo).
Virtual Race To Benefit Natural Lands BY FRANCINE FULTON
Natural Lands will present its annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space this year, but due to COVID-19, the event has gone virtual. As part of the fundraiser, now called “ChesLen Chase ... All Over the Place,” participants are asked to complete 2 miles, a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon any time from Saturday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 18. Participants may also complete the Chase Challenge, which includes the 2 miles, 5K, 10K and half marathon.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MUSEUM PLANS STEAM PROGRAM . . . . .3 COMMUNITY CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . .4 ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR SET ONLINE . . . . . . . . . .5 HOUSE OF WORSHIP . . . . . . . . . .7 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . .9
See Virtual Race pg 5
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BY FRANCINE FULTON
While heath care workers traditionally use therapy dogs to provide comfort to patients, Melissa McCarron, a licensed clinical social worker, has come up with an additional way to bring joy to her hospice patients - kitten therapy. For the past several months, McCarron has picked up kittens waiting to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester and brought them to her workplace, Holisticare Hospice in Berwyn. At first, McCarron brough her therapy dog, Pearl, to visit with the patents, often dressing the chihuahua in little outfits. “Her personality is so mild-mannered, and she is very loving,” McCarron recalled. “I knew she would be a
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