West Chester, PA May 2023

Ladies, Art, Inspiration

Campli Photography

Marvelous Mesdames

Our mothers, sisters, wives, aunts and daughters are some of the most influential women in our lives.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, attention is on moms. However, it’s not just biological mothers, but the mother figures in our lives who've made indelible impacts on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors taking awesome steps in our communities, pouring into our lives -- making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize businesses owned by women in our community. That’s one of my favorite parts of this role -- connecting with and championing the best of the best when it comes to West Chester's women. They are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care. Their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

Please take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call, set up a special meal or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. Brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love and respect them.

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Douglas McDermott douglas.mcdermott@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jeff Robinson

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shay Aubrey Allen, Frank Davis, Matthew Byrnes, Karen Franks Zetterberg

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

Proverbs 3:5-6

DOUGLAS MCDERMOTT, PUBLISHER @WEST_CHESTER_LIFESTYLE

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Amanda Grant Now Chairs Chester County Bar Association YLD

Amanda Grant was promoted to chair of the Chester County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division (“YLD”). Amanda has served as an officer of the YLD since 2021, when she first served as secretary/ treasurer. She is an attorney at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, one of Chester County’s largest law firms. The Chester County Bar Association YLD is responsible for organizing and promoting mock trial programs for local Chester County high schools.

$6.35M Grants To Crebilly Farm Awarded By Chesco Commissioners

Chester County commissioners approved a $4.2 million preservation partnership program grant to Natural Lands to preserve Crebilly Farm in Westtown Township, located at 501 W. Street Road in West Chester. The grant is added to a $2.15 million grant previously approved for the preservation of the farm. Natural Lands is a nonprofit organization that saves open space, cares for nature, and connects people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

WCU Doctoral Candidate Faces Nursing Workforce Challenges Head On

Nursing shortages have challenged the health care industry for years, however, Donna Rugh, West Chester University division manager in the Hospice and Palliative Care department at Main Line Health, is taking positive steps toward trying to assist with the dilemma. She and a colleague started a four-part mental health program called Energizing Empathy. It’s an optional program for her nurses that emphasizes selfcare and self-compassion, designed to help avoid burnout.

Photography by Unruh Turner Burke & Frees

Photography by Chester County Government/Rebecca Brain

Photography by WCU

WCASD Student Takes First Place In Chester County Spelling Contest

Christian Miller, a Stetson Middle School student, achieved first place in the 2023 Chester County Spelling Bee. Christian spelled his way to victory with the winning word “formulaic." His victory qualifies him to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, MD, this month . (L to R): Michelle Wallace, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School; Gautam Mannem, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District; Christian Miller, West Chester Area School District; and Aarush Kumar, TrefyffrinEasttown School District.

Daughters Of American Revolution Members Dedicate Marker For America's 250th

Members of the Jeptha Abbott and Great Valley Chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled an "America 250! Patriots Marker” at the museum of Gen. Anthony Wayne, 2049 Waynesborough Road, in Paoli. In 1777, the general fought in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown before being encamped at Valley Forge, 5 miles from Waynesborough. The marker is part of the 250th anniversary of America's independence, which is July 4, 2026.

Tick-Borne Babesiosis Likely On The Rise In Pennsylvania

Babesiosis, a dangerous and in rare cases deadly tick-borne disease, that mostly circulates in the Northeast and Midwest is increasing in prevalence and may be a risk in Pennsylvania, according to a report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. "Babesiosis is not reportable in all states; although transmission of B. microti has been documented in Pennsylvania, babesiosis is not a reportable condition in that state," according to the report.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/WestChester

Photography by Matthew Byrnes

Photography by Karen Franks Zetterberg

Spring Gallery Walk 2023

This Fabulous, Free Community Event Occurs May 5

Explore the vibrant art scene in downtown West Chester during the annual, Spring 2023 Gallery Walk on May 5 from 4-8 p.m.

Gallery Walk debuted in downtown West Chester during June 1990. This rain-or-shine event celebrates the thriving community of artists and galleries that make greater West Chester their home base. Multiple galleries combine with additional “one-night-only” show hosts throughout the downtown business area to spotlight inspiring, local and Chester County artists.

Along with finding familiar favorite artists, Gallery Walk participants also get to see the works of emerging talents. Exhibits over the years, featuring styles from traditional to contemporary and everything

in-between, have included sculptures, photography, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, watercolors, acrylics and oils.

This evening is complimentary and open to the public with free, on-street metered parking starting at 4 p.m. To identify at least nine, different parking areas prior to the event, visit an online map found at: DowntownWestChester.com/ Parking-Downtown-West-Chester-PA

The presenting sponsor for this year's Walk is Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery, 23 N. High St. Signature sponsors are West Chester University and Peco.

The four supporting sponsors include The Master's Baker, Visual Expansion

Gallery, Pillar Real Estate Advisors, LLC, and Village Psychology.

Participants can pick up a self-guiding brochure on the evening of May 5 at any of the participating locations to follow along the route. John O’Brien, West Chester Downtown Business Improvement District executive director, says many stops will have refreshments and light appetizers available while guests browse.

610.738.3350

For updates and participating locations :  DowntownWestChester.com/event/ Spring-Gallery-Walk-2023

ARTICLE

BY JULIE BROWN PATTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WEST CHESTER BID

Art Is An Adventure

Karl Kuerner Exhibits 'Many Hats,' Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Gallery Celebrates 40th Business Anniversary

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK DAVIS

Art: The chance to go many miles into one's own mind!

During the evening of May 5 in downtown West Chester, art collectors and enthusiasts can fully indulge their aesthete-driven senses in the borough's annual, self-guided Gallery Walk event.

Sandra Riper, owner of Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery, is presenting the 2023 Gallery Walk during a personal milestone year as her team celebrates the group's 40th business anniversary. “Art can be interpreted differently by everyone," she says. "This Many Hats exhibit makes me think about my life in business for the past 40 years."

As a founding supporter of this event, Sandy presided over the West Chester Chamber of Commerce and retail committee that launched the first Walk. "We had 12 fine art galleries and a tremendous amount of artistic talent who lived in our area. We coordinated the Walk with Chester County Day. Every gallery was different, with so many styles and choices -- there was something for everyone, and there still is," she says.

For the upcoming Walk, Sandy will showcase 25 to 30 paintings of the award-winning work of Brandywine rooted but globally renowned Karl J. Kuerner, who specializes in American realism with strong abstract shapes.

"Imagination is key to how you see life. With each painting, I tend to get emotionally involved and lose myself in it. But just when you think a painting is going to go a certain way because you're being clever, the painting signals, 'wait a second, no, this is better.' And you have to be flexible," Karl explains. "Artists are like the chiropractors of painting; you adjust, you adjust and adjust some more."

As a painter who is self-proclaimed "absorbed and moved by farming traditions and Pennsylvanian ancestry," Karl says he had the opportunity to learn the value of capturing life's history and the attributes it takes to sustain true artistry by working alongside and observing the family of Andrew Wyeth, an American visual artist who became one of the bestknown U.S. artists of the middle 20th century.

Karl Kuerner

Hailing from Chadds Ford, Karl J. Kuerner was born to third-generation farmers and raised around artists. In fact, he watched realist painter Andrew Wyeth create some of his greatest works at the Kuerner family farm.

Artist Karl Kuerner

Photo by Shay Aubrey Allen

All paintings showcased in this feature were created by Karl J. Kuerner.

TOP: You Can't Take It With You

RIGHT: Morning Sun

LEFT: Beyond Midnight

Starting when he was 13 years old, Karl studied under Carolyn Wyeth, Andrew's sister. He exhibited his first show in 1977 beside Carolyn's paintings. He says he also was mentored and "critiqued" by Andrew, which helped him learn to express himself throughout his teenage years.

Karl considers his artistic voice to stem from his keen observations. "It's the personal details and physical beauty of nature or life that catch your eye, and play within your mind. Then studying that concept. Then the idea builds and you have to push beyond your own boundaries. Ultimately, I want to convey what I was thinking and experiencing, and the story that led up to a finished piece," he shares.

"The difference between being a painter or an artist lies in the emotions that a painting evokes."

Solitude plays a huge role in Karl's creativity and artistic style, he confides. "It's about self-exploration, taking chances and not being afraid to go down different avenues."

He says he believes art represents authentic people and places that artists have known, and that a paint brush is an ideal instrument for working "as a different individual" each time one paints, given each artwork embodies a different blend of personal experiences spanning time.

TOP: Go Fish BOTTOM: Many Hats

Twenty of Karl's newest paintings will debut in the book titled Emotional Brandywine, about a key American Revolution battle at Chadds Ford. Karl says he again worked with Chester County author Bruce Mowday, following up their book  Emotional Gettysburg. The new book is due to be released by the anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11.

TOP: Pole Cat

RIGHT: Plein Air at Kuerner's Field

LEFT: Celebrating Mr. Rogers

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

Balanced Wellness

NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS AND HORMONE-BALANCING NEW PROGRAMS WITH PRODUCTS AVAILABLE LOCALLY

BeBalanced clients have the benefit of true connection with their personal wellness coaches, who are equipped with tools to help them lose stubborn weight and overcome their hormone-related symptoms, reminds Linda Barilani, natural hormone balancing specialist and local BeBalanced owner.

"While we love working with our virtual clients, there's nothing like stepping away from the busyness of life into our serene environment and sharing refreshing water before sitting down together to make a game plan for tackling the obstacles ahead," she adds.

Local BeBalanced centers are hubs of activity, and Linda says she relishes chances to assist community members with their personal health journeys.

"This year, we’ve increased the number of coaching visits our clients get as part of their program to offer greater support and accountability," she adds.

Meditation has been a key component of the BeBalanced program, however Linda says her clients were just given a major meditation program upgrade through the company's new partnership with BrainTap technology.

"We did extensive market research to identify brand confusion around our name, BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers, and are excited to change our name to BeBalanced Natural Weight Loss Centers.”

Linda Barilani / Photo by Jeff Robinson

“Amidst popularity of potentially dangerous medical weight loss injections, Natural Weight Loss better encompasses our multifaceted, non-medical approach to helping clients safely achieve the life of vitality they deserve,"

says Jennifer Seroogy Cutillo, CEO, BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers/BeBalanced Natural Weight Loss Centers

Clients in the BeBalanced program are given a stress analysis that shows how well their nervous systems are handling stress in their lives, she says, and what impact their ability to handle that stress is having on various aspects of their health. "We also added BrainTap stations in our centers that use headsets to incorporate light and sound technology to stimulate creative visualization to help eliminate addictions and unhelpful thoughts while creating new behavioral patterns that align with the life they want."

Linda says the company introduced a signature scent called 'Be,' which mirrors the centers' tranquil, enriching environment through ambient fragrance. She adds that clients also can purchase phthalate-free candles, lotions and hand wash to incorporate the BeBalanced vibe into their homes.

"Our simple-to-follow program is even easier now with their new partnership with Icon Meals. Clients now have the option to skip the grocery store and instead have freshly prepared program-compliant meals delivered straight to their door," she announces.

BeBalanced added at-home food sensitivity testing to give clients a clearer picture of how their bodies respond to potentially inflammatory foods and how the BeRenewed Gut Restoration program can help resolve some sensitivities.

Furthermore, Linda says the company this year is incorporating organic elements from crystals, geodes and metals. For example she says amethyst is believed to boost hormone production and tune the endocrine system and metabolism while strengthening the immune system and tissue regeneration. Rose quartz is known for balancing emotional health and releasing emotional blockages. Citrine is said to promote confidence and clarity and is also connected with the energy of the sun, promoting a sense of happiness and light. Copper is used to represent healing, wellness, and balance.

"While BeBalanced doesn't advocate consuming alcohol, we understand some of us like to enjoy a glass of wine in the most healthful way possible, and therefore we introduced a partnership with Dry Farm Wines and others to come," says Linda.

BeBalanced Natural Weight Loss Centers: 1385 Dilworthtown Crossing, West Chester 484.999.2133

90 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing 610.750.5158

BeBalancedCenters.com

SELF-CARE PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE

NicMarie Breathe Confidence, LLC: Sales Support Survivors Of Assaults And Abuse

For 30 years, West Chester resident and entrepreneur Nicole Kosh sold her innovative jewelry designs to encourage and inspire others. However, in 2019, she created NicMarie Design to add wellness and self-care products to her product line so she could donate a percentage of proceeds to better support survivors of assaults, physical trauma and emotional abuse.

"I've been making jewelry since I was in kindergarten, and I still really enjoy it. My goal is to inspire self-care. It's uplifting to decorate and celebrate your body with jewelry and positivity," Nicole says.

ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON

As founder and managing director at NicMarie Breathe Confidence, LLC, Nicole indicates she focuses on made-by-hand jewelry, clean beauty, aromatherapy and mental health products to intentionally encourage empowerment. "My items embody the power of nature by using pure plant products in skin and hair care products, and incorporating Earth's healing crystals, semi-precious stones, lava rocks and metals," she explains.

She says she blends fine metal chains with crystals, stones and lava rocks to provide natural diffusers and

aromatic healing properties of essential oils to "breathe confidence" into and throughout everyday lives.

She says she's had a lifetime of dry, sensitive skin, and an eczema diagnosis post-trauma, so she creates gentle skincare products applying her knowledge of the many uses of essential oils and benefits of vegan and plant-focused ingredients.

Anchored with a bachelor's degree in communications, media studies and film from Penn State University, Nicole's work experience spans multiple industries, including marketing, entertainment plus health and wellness.

Years ago, Nicole committed to the practice of sustainability. "I believe positivity encourages more positivity," she explains. "Reusing and repurposing old pieces of jewelry into fresh, modern designs is necessary, so Earth’s creations of metals and stones don’t end up wasted and buried in a landfill. Metals and many more materials can be cleaned, polished, remelted, and reshaped to use over and over. Why waste? Why not reuse?"

She confirms that she collects supplies from all kinds of places, such as thrift stores, walking along the beach and jewelry stores. "People give me their broken and

unused jewelry that I enjoy taking apart and restyling," she adds.

Local ingredients are added to Nicole's products, including local lavender essential oil from the self-pampering oriented Mt Airy Lavender farm in Coatesville. She also adds rosemary from her backyard to the bath salts she produces.

"Flower bouquets that my Mom and I receive are dried and reused, too," she says.

She says her design process reminds her of nature's cycles.

"An [jewelry] idea comes like a seed wanting to sprout. Then time, water and sunshine nurture these

ideas, like the seed, to grow a little bit each day. Eventually, each design blossoms into a unique piece of art, similar to growing trees, flowers and herbs. These plants, like jewelry, continue to nurture our health by admiring their visual components individually and together, absorbing their energetic healing properties, and inspire us to keep going. Keep healing. Keep growing," she says.

Nicole's products are known to correct, fix and reduce the incidence of cracked skin, scars, burns and inflammation, especially in victims of domestic violence, sexual harassment, RTS and post-traumatic stress disorder. By partnering with organizations

such as Joyful Heart Foundation, RAINN, Center for Community Solutions of San Diego, Monarch Services of Santa Cruz, and Home of the Sparrow in Exton, she says she helps survivors restore their confidence by first fixing any possible skin problems. Nicole says she enjoys volunteering for the End The Backlog initiative, and assists fellow entrepreneurs via providing digital communications tips as a subject matter expert for SCORE in Chester and Delaware counties. She's also an active member of the Women's Business Connection of Chester County.

In the West Chester area, shoppers can find Nicole's products at the following retail stores: West Chester Cooperative;

Chester County Art Association; White Oak Tattoo; The Jeweled Warrior and Wayne Vision. Her products also are sold in retail locations in California, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Nicole says frankincense and CBD will be added to future products this summer.

Her motivational mantra is:  "I'm strong. I can heal. I will be persistent in my goal to feel free and at peace. I can use my voice to speak my truth. I will be strong in overcoming life's hurdles."

NicMarieDesign.com

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Contoured is the premier provider of CoolSculpting® | Botox® | Juvéderm® & Restylane® fillers in Chadds Ford, PA.

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events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Whiskey Logic Band Live

KILDARE'S IRISH PUB | 6:00 PM

This rockin' local cover band plays hits from the 60s to the 90s -- anything from The Beatles, The Talking Heads, Stone Temple Pilots and much more. They will perform until 9 p.m. with a good Irish pub as the backdrop. Check out the menu from the publican (owner) at KildaresPubWC.com .

2nd Annual West Chester Porchfest

SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF BOROUGH – FROM CHURCH STREET TO BRADFORD AVENUE AND MINER TO DEAN STREETS | 1:00 PM

Porchfest is organized by the West Chester Green Team to build connections/community, and to celebrate spring with music. Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste co-sponsors this event. It’s family-friendly and free. Attendees stroll from porch to porch and relax on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent, food trucks and camaraderie until 7 p.m. Rain date May 21; WestChesterPorchfest.com

Derby At The Vineyard

PENNS WOODS WINERY | 10:00 AM

Enjoy this spectacular horse-jumping event in the vineyard with wine, local beer and cider, live music all day, food trucks, artisan vendors plus a chance for kids to get up-close to the stars at the meet-and-greet station. Attendees encouraged to don their best Derby day attire (think big hats and bright colors!) for chances to win prizes for 'Best Dressed.'

Brandywine Ballet – Beauty & The Beast

EMILIE K. ASPLUNDH CONCERT HALL | 2:00 PM

This is an enchanting, new version of the classic fairy tale, Beauty & The Beast, based on the original story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Resident choreographer, Nancy Page, created a whimsical world full of animated characters to tell the story. Tickets cost $25 to $45 each. The performance runs 2 hours.  Phone 610.696.2711, email boxoffice@brandywineballet.org or visit BrandywineBallet.org

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/WestChester

Concerts In The Park

FUGETT PARK | 6:30 PM

The Summer Concert Series gets underway with bands, food trucks and activities for the whole family. This free event concludes at 8:30 p.m. Other parks scheduled to host at other summer dates are Hoopes Park (June 22), Everhart Park (July 20) and John O. Green Park (Aug. 4).

West Chester TAPS

DOWNTOWN WEST CHESTER | 5:00 PM

Every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, head to West Chester to relax and enjoy boroughwide happy hours. Participating locations will have a select list of $4 beers, $5 wines, and $6 cocktails, in addition to a list of half-price appetizers. Call 610.738.3350 regarding participating locations and menus.

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