‘Together, we embrace each child, working side by side with their families…’
KCSD develops protocols in response to community concern about potential ICE raids
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
On Feb. 4, in a letter to the members of the Kennett Consolidated School District and in response to the community’s concern about how the school district will respond to the possibility of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation efforts of undocumented residents, Superintendent Dr.
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Kimberly Rizzo Saunders issued the following public statement on the district’s website:
“At the heart of our work in the Kennett Consolidated School District is the unwavering commitment to the safety, well-being, and dignity of every student, staff member, family, and community member,” Saunders wrote. “We believe that each of you deserve a school environ-
ment and a school district where you feel supported, valued, and cared for. We welcome every child who steps through our doors today, tomorrow, and for as long as we have the privilege of serving the community.
“The recent changes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ‘sensitive area’ policy, which affects schools,
Board considering
''No
Mow May' in Oxford
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
As discussed at a recent Oxford Council meeting, Oxford Borough is currently discussing whether to institute a “No-Mow-May’ policy in 2025.
Council President Kathryn Cloyd said that she favors the initiative, as a follow-up to her work in helping borough residents to rethink the best care for their lawns.
She said, “This can take a variety of forms, from reducing mowing frequency to permanently converting your lawn to a more diverse and natural landscape. The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly
emerged native bees. Floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. If lawns are allowed to grow long enough for flowers to bloom, those lawns can provide nectar and pollen to help bees thrive.”
More information can be found on the website, https://beecityusa.org/nomow-may. It would be up to residents to decide if they want to participate in the No Mow May Program, and Oxford Borough Council will continue to have discussions.
In other business, Beth Uhler, the Pennsylvania Director at the Center for Watershed Protection presented an update on MS4 Stormwater Permit
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Elkview Road Bridge headed for replacement
By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
Chester County has plans to replace a bridge along Elkview Road that crosses the East Branch of the Big Elk Creek separating Penn and Lower Oxford townships.
James Patil, the bridge team manager for Larson Design Group of York, presented the plan to the
Penn Township Board of Supervisors at the Feb. 4 meeting.
Patil oversees the design, direction and coordination of the design projects, according to his position listed online.
He came with several large photographs of the bridge to accompany his talk.
The Elk View Road Bridge is a tiny overpass
that crosses over the creek about a half mile south of the East Penn Railroad Trestle. It sits beside a farm on one side and a wide field on the other.
Patil said the bridge has weaknesses that would cause all of the supports to collapse if just one failed.
He added his company would be responsible not only for the bridge replacement but for desig-
nating a detour during the construction.
The bridge is currently 16-feet wide, and its replacement will be 22 feet.
It is a one-lane-only bridge now according to the sign, but will be expanded so it can expanded for two-way traffic.
When asked how long the project would take for the replacement, Patil said, “About one season.”
He did not say when the work would begin, but suggested it could be 2026. He did not talk about how much the project would cost.
Later, Patil’s associate, Brett Coleman, the senior project manager of Traffic Planning and Design Inc., indicated that the work would probably occur in 2027.
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By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer – published by
Skyhorse Publishing this past August – weaves the family’s farming history and its fight for survival with an issue that is currently affecting every American dinner table.
The Chester County Press recently spoke to Reisinger about his book, the disappearing American farm and its connection to what could become an agricultural catastrophe in Chester County.
Chester County Press:
What inspired you to write Land Rich, Cash Poor?
Reisinger: I grew up on a farm knowing that farms were disappearing. I remember as a kid having a sense that my dad was doing something special, but that something special was going away, and I wanted to know why. As a writer and a journalist, I felt pressed to answer that question, and it’s a question that a lot of families who are in the business of growing our
country’s food and feeding families across the United States are also asking. It’s a question that I have been carrying around for a long time.
At one point in your book, you write that farms in Wisconsin are disappearing at an alarming rate, to the tune of three a day. As someone who is part of a four-generation family of farmers, what has that experience been like for you?
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KCSD...
Continued from Page 1A hospitals, and places of worship, has caused worry and anxiety for many in our community. We want to reassure you that we see and hear your concerns, and we are deeply committed to keeping you informed. Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone in our schools.
“The Kennett Consolidated School District Administration has been proactive in planning and preparing for any potential challenges this situation may bring. We shared these plans with our staff on January 24, and we are prepared with procedures and protocols that align with our standard practice of keeping our school community safe. We are here to support our students and families and will act with the utmost care, respect, and attention to their safety and rights.
“We want to emphasize that we will continue to uphold all procedures and protocols designed to ensure safety and privacy,
Oxford...
Continued from Page 1A
Compliance to council.
Uhler said, “The borough has handed out info on MS4 at First Fridays, and shared info on Facebook, and a webpage.”
More information will be coming at the next meeting, too.
Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen explained that the borough continues to install new water meters. The borough is 70 percent completed with those customers who had set up appointments for the installation.
The borough is accepting applications for a new Junior Council Person for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications will be accepted until July 31. More information is available on the borough website or by calling the borough office.
Borough council approved the Special Event Permit application by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce for Movies in the Park events at Oxford Memorial Park on June 20, July 18, and August 15.
Borough council also approved Rio Supply, Inc.’s pay application no. 1 in
prioritizing the well-being of both our staff and students. We will also strictly adhere to any requirements, including those that may require a judicial warrant before entering schools.
“Your voice and partnership are invaluable to us in ensuring that every member of our district feels safe, supported, and respected. Together, we embrace each child, working side by side with their families to nurture their dreams, guide their growth, and celebrate their learning journey.”
Following “long established” protocols
At the school board’s Feb. 10 meeting at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center, Rizzo Saunders addressed the district’s updated stance on how the community will address enforcement actions in or near “sensitive areas” at schools in the district.
The purpose of the district’s original implementation of its practices was in response to an Oct. 7, 2024 letter of understanding by the Office of Homeland
the amount of $198,150.65 and change order no. 1 in the amount of $116,285.90 for the grant-funded Water Meter Replacement Project. Regarding the Facilitation of Police Services Strategies Report, Garcia-Allen said there is no news available at this point.
Council did discuss the statement from the Borough regarding immigration enforcement which was posted on the borough’s Facebook page.
The statement reads as follows:
Statement from the borough regarding immigration enforcement in our area
“The Borough and Oxford Police Department (OPD) are aware of concerns and rumors regarding immigration enforcement in our area. We want to be clear that OPD is not involved in these efforts. Our officers are sworn to protect all members of our community regardless of immigration status. The Borough has no authority or jurisdiction to request or report the immigration status of any resident in the community. The Borough and OPD remain committed to ensuring the safety and
Local News
Security that stated a limitation of enforcement of ICE’s authority on school grounds, places of worship and hospitals. On Jan. 21, the department rescinded the letter, claiming that the department now has the authorization – supported by an affidavit – to pursue action due to probable cause.
In outlining the school district’s upgraded safety protocols, Rizzo Saunders said that all students in the district are protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which supports the privacy of student education records and states that district employees, volunteers and contractors – anyone who has information about students in the district –is prohibited from sharing information about students, according to law.
If ICE officials do visit any one of the schools, Rizzo Saunders said, the district will follow “long established protocols” which have been in place for several years. The protocols, while not shared with the public, will be
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Meanwhile, the board members were curious about several aspects of the project.
Board Vice President Radar O’Connell asked if there would be a bike lane.
Coleman said it was not their responsibility to add that feature, and there would not be one.
O’Connell then asked if there would be a sidewalk.
Coleman again said it was not their responsibility, and there would be no sidewalk.
Township Manager Karen Versuk asked if there were other safety measures built in, and if they had plans for the approaches and exits to the bridge.
She also asked if Coleman had met with
well-being of every resident. We all uphold our oath to protect and treat all individuals with dignity, respect and fairness.”
Council member Peggy
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followed by every district employee, she said.
“We reviewed who may enter the building and for what purpose they may enter,” Rizzo Saunders said of the communication the district shared with its entire staff. “You can’t just show up and say, ‘Hey, I want to come in.’ We discussed how our buildings will respond to those who come onto campus who are not identified. We talked about what we do if someone approaches a staff member outside the building asking for student information.
“We discussed how to respond if an ICE officer approaches an individual staff member and wants to gain entry to the building.”
In addition, Rizzo Saunders said all district employees were appraised on how to comply with the rights contained within the Family Rights and Privacy Act, and how the district will manage the removal of
the [customs authority] to minimize exposure to students and staff.
“I want to emphasize that these processes and protocols are things that we have in place presently, and we will continue to do,” she said. “No one can come to any school building and simply remove an adult or a child without very specific paperwork and very specific reasons.”
Rizzo Saunders said that if ICE comes to any of the district’s buildings, the district will share that information with the community, and if there are any changes to the protocols based on any policy changes on the federal, state or board level, the entire district community will be informed.
“I will share that the board asked Dr. Rizzo Saunders to make this presentation tonight, based on the level of concern within our community,” said board President David Kronenberg. “KCSD
bases its policies and protocols based on what is best for our students, for our educators and for the greater community, in that respect. KCSD is prepared but KCSD does not look forward to any specific actions.
“Given those circumstances, I want to say that KCSD has been working on this plan since December. We will take and follow any legally required action, and as we are required to do, we will follow the law.”
Rizzo Saunders said that while the school district continues to communicate with the entire KCSD community about the issue, “I just want to be clear that we have been trying to maintain the status quo and behave in as normal way as possible,” she said. “I understand why parts of our community are very concerned, and we also want to make sure that we are not increasing the anxiety of either our community and/ or our students.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
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Russell said, “I was disappointed to see the statement that was posted on Facebook because that opens an avenue for some to say cruel and hurtful things hidden behind a keyboard.
And, it was not a statement approved by council.
I appreciate that it was prepared for a newspaper, but I am sorry that it was posted on Facebook.” Garcia-Allen explained,
“We did this at the advice of the solicitor. For better or worse, people expect us to disseminate information there. We can’t delete comments or shut off comments.”
Chadds Ford Elementary School presents the 76th Annual Art Show and Sale
The Chadds Ford Elementary School will host its 76th Annual Art Show and Sale on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one—day event affords patrons an opportunity to purchase art, jewelry, wooden items, glass designs, and more directly from more than 60 artists, creating meaningful connections between creator and buyer. There is no admission fee for this event, and all ages are welcome to attend. An updated list of artists can be found on the event’s website.
New this year, there will be an online auction for works generously donated by the artists. The auction will be hosted on the online platform 32auctions.com. Information and links to the auction will be posted on the event’s website site closer to the event. As with prior years, select items will be available for an in-per-
son raffle at the event.
Patrons should note that each artist will control their own payment process. While some artists may offer various payment options, such as credit card, Venmo, or Apple Pay, all artists will accept cash or personal checks.
The late Betsy Wyeth, wife of the late Andrew Wyeth, founded the Annual
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Chadds Ford Art Show and Sale in 1949 and remained involved while their sons Jamie and Nicholas Wyeth were students at Chadds Ford Elementary. The annual event continues to serve as the school’s largest annual fundraiser. Funding continues to support enhancements to substantial enrichment opportunities, including new outdoor experiential learning structures, which will be enjoyed by many generations of Chadds Ford students to come.
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Reisinger...
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community, and for me, I think of it as a dream that has become a nightmare. It was such an incredible place to live and grow up in and it’s still an incredible place. Working with my father from sun up to sun down, being there when a baby calf takes its first steps and accomplishing the miracle of growing a crop – I am so grateful for these experiences.
It’s a situation where a beautiful thing in this country is slipping away. As those in the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania know, it is something that affects every single dinner table, whether someone has set foot in a farm field or not.
In the opening page of your book, you wrote about seeing your father’s tears. Watching the changing face of your father during those difficult years is a pain that is shared by every farmer who has ever seen a family farm suffer, including farmers in Chester County. I don’t think anyone who has never worked in the agricultural industry knows what that pain feels like. If their father is a good man, I think every son grows up thinking that their dad is Superman. You grow up seeing your dad work endless hours or more when it’s planting and harvesting time, and you understand the importance of the work. It creates a false sense of invincibility, but that’s not always the case. For farm families, mental health and farmer suicide is a huge
issue, and farming is con-
sistently one of the top five industries for suicide in occupations in America.
When we had to sell our cows on the farm, it was like a death in the family. I remember wondering whether our father was considering hurting himself, because he was questioning his purpose. I write in the book that he in fact had been thinking that. I am grateful that he came through that. He did it by talking to us, talking with members of the Farmer Angel Group, and he started thinking about his grandchildren and I am grateful that he did.
The agricultural industry in Chester County – particularly its mushroom growing and composting facilities – is currently facing a crisis of another kind. Pennsylvania is home to an estimated 155,000 undocumented citizens and around 30,000 of them work in the state’s agricultural sector. As a result of the mass deportation efforts now being imposed, these farms may lose thousands of their most trusted and reliable workers.
Paint the true picture, in economic terms, of what the loss of farms looks like for a town and a region. In other words, what may happen here in southeastern Pennsylvania?
You’re touching on one of the many ways in which family farms are subject to cross-cutting winds when you involve politics. There are a lot of people in rural communities who believe in securing our border, and at the same time, there is also that dependence on
that workforce and the people who are subject to these actions are having a huge impact on that. Whether it is mushrooms in Pennsylvania, dairy in Wisconsin or fruits and vegetables in California, coast to coast this is a reality.
There is the question of impact and there is the question of solutions. The impact is something that is terrifying if solutions aren’t figured out. You will have the food that we eat and the crops and products that farmers grow not getting harvested if we do not have an adequate workforce. For our farmers, not only will they not make the money they need to keep their farms going, their crops will potentially go to waste and that leads to greater food scarcity, or food that is far more expensive because of its scarcity or finding the money it takes to find the labor to replace the existing workforce.
Are our local, state and federal governments a part of the solution, or are they a part of the problem?
For the better part of the last half-century, they have been a part of the problem. We have seen an economic crisis that left our country not understanding the impact on our farms, governmental decisions that have been enacted but made things worse, and technology that has moved forward but has needlessly left so many of our family farms behind. The reason we have been given the false choice between securing our borders and having a sensible immigration policy is that
Comitta, Kane secure funding for Family Promise of Southern Chester County
A nonprofit organization working to alleviate homelessness was awarded state funding to help families achieve sustainable housing and stability thanks to the work of State Senators Carolyn Comitta and John Kane. Family Promise of Southern Chester County will use the funds to support its six Promise Houses, which offer families that are experiencing homelessness housing in a safe, apartment-like setting environment for up to 120 days. In between stays by guest families, the Promise Houses routinely need to be outfitted with new supplies like bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies, and occasionally new appliances.
“As families in our region continue to face a shortage of affordable housing, Family Promise of Southern Chester County helps prevent homelessness by providing meals, shelter, resources, and mentorship to help them get back on their feet,” Comitta said.
“I’m proud to support this organization because every child deserves to know they can come home to a warm bed and a safe, clean, and healthy place to live.”
“Every family deserves a place to call home,” said Kane. “When I see parents and children struggling
with housing insecurity in our communities, it breaks my heart. This funding isn’t just about buildings and supplies – it’s about giving our neighbors hope, dignity, and a foundation to rebuild their lives. When we strengthen families, we strengthen our entire community, and I’m committed to ensuring that every family in Southern Chester County has the support they need to thrive.”
“We are deeply grateful to State Senators Carolyn Comitta and John Kane for their incredible support and commitment to our mission. This $50,000 grant will provide essential supplies for our Promise Houses, ensuring that families with children experiencing homelessness have the resources they need to achieve stability and a brighter future. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in Southern Chester County,” said Carol M. Lowe, MSW, LSW, executive director of Family Promise of Southern Chester County.
Now in its 10th year, Family Promise of Southern Chester County offers shelter and case management services while helping families experiencing homelessness transition to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
Congress has failed to roll up its sleeves and deal with the issue for decades. That’s what has put us into that heart-rendering position of feeling that we must choose between a secure border and having a workforce to feed the country.
This is one chapter in an on-going story that has contributed to the loss of 45,000 family farms per year over the last century – a total of seven percent of our farms over the last 100 years. If we continue on that pace, we will lose most of our family farms in Pennsylvania and across other states within a generation.
If you could share one piece of wisdom gleaned from your own experiences with a farmer in southeastern Pennsylvania who is preparing to embrace the unknown of workforces lost to mass deportations, what would you tell them? Barreling down on the specific issue of deportation of farm workers, our farmers need to be engaged with their local farm bureaus and other organizations who work with our government. They need to be in touch with local, state and federal officials and they need to know that there are H2A initiatives that allows a foreign worker to come to the U.S. legally and work temporarily in agriculture. The program is really important, but as it stands right now, it is not robust enough to deal with the notion of people who do not have legal status in this country being moved out of our agricultural industry.
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You will hear some say that they are focused on bussing criminals out of this country, but others are saying that this is going to interrupt farming operations.
The truth is that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the federal government have ways to be discerning, so if anyone is concerned about the loss of workers, they need to be advocating with their local representatives. There is a way to focus around criminal activity and not around agricultural and
economic activity being disrupted, but it will require vigilance from people.
Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer by Brian Reisinger is published by Skyhorse Publishing and is available in hardcover and as an E-book. To purchase the book and learn more, visit www.skyhorsepublishing. com
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
Last year, the group provided more than $5,000 in rental assistance and 1,279 nights of shelter to families experiencing homelessness while serving 60 families in its core programs.
According to recent data, more than a quarter of households in Chester County are currently dedicating more than 30 percent of their income solely to housing costs, which is considered a critical point where housing becomes financially unsustainable for most families.
Comitta and Kane both support important investments in housing and affordability in Gov. Shapiro’s state budget plan, including $1 billion in property tax relief, $10 million for first-time homebuyers, $50 million to repair our housing stock, raising the minimum wage to $15/hour, and a $10 million increase for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement.
Family Promise of Southern Chester County is one of over 200 nationwide Family Promise local affiliates.
For more information on Family Promise of Southern Chester County and how you can help children with families that are facing homelessness, visit familypromisescc.org.
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Oxford United Methodist Church Chocolate Festival returns on March 1
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
The very popular Oxford United Methodist Church Chocolate Festival will return on Saturday, March 1.
Bring your best chocolate creation to enter in the competition, or purchase tickets to select your favorite chocolate temptations to enjoy.
“It’s amazing how much excitement it generates,” Committee member Patricia Reese said of the event. “It’s a great big event. People from all over come.”
The Chocolate Festival takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church located at 18 Addison St. in Oxford.
There are six categories for competitors to enter: Cakes; cupcakes; candy/ fudge; cookies; other deserts (including brownies); items made by children age 16 and under. All entries must include chocolate, and all entries must be a whole batch such as a whole cake, a dozen cupcakes, etc.
The competition is free to
enter. Just bring your uncut, homemade creation on a disposable plate or container to the church between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the morning of the competition for check-in. No containers will be returned.
Volunteers will cut the entries to size (if necessary) and judging begins at 10 a.m. with professional artisans judging along with last year’s cupcake category and grand prize winner, Haley Mara.
After judging is complete, entries will be separated into portions and set on display along with a wide assortment of other chocolate items contributed to the event by church members and local residents.
Cakes will remain in one piece with only the judges’ portion removed. They will be put up for auction at 2 p.m. along with the winners of the other categories.
Acting as auctioneer will be United Methodist Church Pastor Larry Kipp.
Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. with
winners receiving ribbons. The best in show will receive a grand prize gift basket with baking supplies and kitchen items.
This is an event that is even more fun for the visitors than it is for the contest entrants.
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Ticket sales are at the door.
The cost for 5 tickets is $5 and each additional ticket at $1. For each ticket you can select an individual size portion from the rows of tables filled with all kinds of chocolate treats. Disposable containers will be provided. Outside containers are not permitted. Tickets are cash-only, and electronic payment is not accepted.
The event is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. or when items are sold out. For the best selection, come early.
Another fun feature is the guessing games, where you try to guess the number of candies in a jar with the closest guess winning the candy.
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There will also be an opportunity to order the Oxford United Methodist Church’s delicious handmade Easter eggs. All eggs are hand-decorated and individually boxed by church volunteers. The half-pound chocolate covered eggs are available in Coconut Crème, Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Butter Cream. These eggs are only sold in advance, at $7 each, by March 16. Eggs must be picked up by their purchasers at the church Fellowship Hall on April 9. There are no deliveries of eggs available. This year, proceeds from the Chocolate Festival will go to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. For more information look for ads around town, or find the church on FaceBook at Oxford UM Church Pennsylvania or the website oxfordpaumc.org.
LCH Health and Community Services celebrates opening of new LCH pharmacy
LCH Health and Community Services marked a significant milestone with the ribboncutting ceremony for its new on-site pharmacy.
Attended by patients, staff, community leaders, and local residents, the event celebrated the launch of a critical resource designed to improve access to affordable medications for the region’s most vulnerable populations.
The ceremony featured remarks from Pennsylvania State Senators Carolyn Comitta and John Kane, as well as Pennsylvania State Representative Christina Sappey, who highlighted the importance of local partnerships in ensuring healthcare access for all.
The LCH Pharmacy is set to make a lasting impact by providing patients with affordable, accessible
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medications and fostering positive health outcomes. Through close collaboration between LCH clinical teams, pharmacists, and patients, the pharmacy aims to improve medication adherence—especially for individuals managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. In 2023 alone, LCH served 1,136 patients with diabetes and 1,464 patients with hypertension, underscoring the urgent need for this integrated care approach.
LCH’s pharmacy program aligns with the broader success seen across community health centers nationally. A 2022 survey by the National Association of Community Health Centers revealed that 92 percent of health centers utilizing the program reported increased access to medications for low-income and
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“It was time for me to change my life and the lives of my family, so I went back and got my high school diploma.”
- Darlene
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rural patients, 69 percent expanded care coordination services and 90 percent saw improvements in medication adherence and clinical outcomes.
“The LCH Pharmacy is a major step forward for our community,” said Ronan W. Gannon, CEO of LCH Health and Community Services. “By providing affordable medications and ensuring seamless communication between our clinical team and pharmacists, we are creating a healthier, more supported community where every patient has the tools they need to achieve better health outcomes.”
LCH remains committed to addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by its patients and looks forward to the transformative benefits this pharmacy will bring.
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LCH Health and Community Services officially opened its new on-site pharmacy. Pictured at the ribbon cutting are LCH executive assistant Mariel Whitney, LCH director of development Kate Wickersham, State Representative Christina Sappey, Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick, LCH Board Chairman John RaJerty, SCCCC President & CEO Cheryl Kuhn, Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, LCH CMO Joseph A. Greco, MD, LCH CEO Ronan W. Gannon, State Senator John I. Kane, LCH Pharmacist Rose Bender, Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, State Sen. Carolyn T. Comitta, senior constituent advocate for U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan Sari Shanken, LCH director of human resources Margarita GarayZarco, and LCH compliance and risk manager Catherine Alvarez.
Pouthavongsa and Oliver honored as top students at Oxford Area High School
Owen Oliver and Kaelyn Pouthavongsa were recently selected as the Oxford Rotary Club’s Seniors of the Month at Oxford Area High School.
Oliver is the President of the Class of 2025 and a member of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society. He also belongs to the Future Business Leaders of America.
Oliver is the captain of the cross country team, and also participates in indoor track and outdoor track. He is also a member of the Ski and Snow
Board Club, and Helping Hands.
Pouthavongsa is a member of the National Honor Society, the volleyball team and track and field. In 9th, 10th and 11th grades, she was also in band and was a member of the soccer team.
Outside of school, Pouthavongsa is a volunteer with the Oxford Soccer Club and the SCCSA Little Dragons where she helps coach children.
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The 56,000 Pennsylvanians who are not ‘proud, prosperous and free’
“This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is color blind and merit-based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.”
U.S. President Donald J. Trump at his inaugural address, Jan. 20, 2025
Before the current President of the United States officially returned to the resolute desk in the Oval Office one month ago, it had already seemed preordained that the 1.4 million United States citizens – including 300,000 children under 13 – who identify themselves as transgender were about to be obliterated from our nation’s moral and ethical responsibilities.
He campaigned on such a threat. Ripping pages from his “Agenda 47,” Trump sought to outlaw genderaffirming care for minors at the federal level. He said that he would convene an independent panel to investigate whether transgender hormone treatments and ideology increase the risk of extreme depression, aggression and even violence. He promised to end all programs that promoted gender transition at any age. Rolling back Title IX protections, he planned to ban transgender athletes from competing on teams that match their identity.
Further, the Trump campaign spent $65 million on ads that directly attacked transgender citizens. “Kamala supports taxpayer-funded sex changes for prisoners and illegal aliens,” the ad said. “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.”
Then, just hours after he took the oath of office on Jan. 20, Trump affixed his smudgy Sharpie signature to an order that asserts that the government must define sex as only male or female and that such designation be reflected on official documents such as passports and policies. The order destroys what the mainstream medical industry suggests should be considered a “spectrum” rather than as an “either-or” definition.
Barely one month into his second term, the tidal wave of executive orders Trump has put forth against transgendered people are tearing away their human rights as citizens, and their roll-call reads like tumbling dominoes in a continuing warfare against the protection of human identity, choice and self-dignity:
• The administration has passed an executive action to ban federal funding or support for gender-affirming care for those under 19 years of age that includes puberty blocking drugs, hormone therapy and genderaffirming surgery
• The action would also stop federal funding for medical schools and hospitals that research genderaffirming care.
• An executive order has been given to the U.S. Department of Defense that directs new policies for transgender service members that could lead to an outright ban of transgender members of our armed forces.
• The administration is placing pressure on the Education Department to enact policies aimed at blocking schools from using federal funding that supports students who are socially transitioning; further, the order would block schools from requiring teachers and other school staff to use names and pronouns that align with transgender students’ gender identify rather than the sex they were assigned at birth
In his inaugural address, Trump said that this nation’s policy “will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free. America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.”
Currently, in a state whose population is nearly 13 million, there are 56,000 residents of Pennsylvania who define themselves as transgender, including 1.43 percent of that population who are aged between 13 and 17. One by one, each of these executive actions intend to further our nation’s divide against a population who already endures the slings and arrows of alienation, ignorance and hatred, all in retribution for the courage they have demonstrated in an effort to live their own private and authentic lives.
As these policy actions reflect, the transgendered individual in the United States is not proud, prosperous and free and, by virtue of this blatant discrimination against them, we as a nation cannot rightly claim ourselves to be greater, stronger and far more exceptional.
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Teachers have the power to open students’ eyes—if
we let them
As a teacher who grew up in a small Southern town, I know the risks of giving parents veto power of kids’ education
By Randy Fair
Just recently, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority agreed to hear a case that would allow parents to block schools from teaching their kids certain books if they go against the family’s “religious beliefs” regarding gender and sexuality.
Some people may think it’s self-evident that parents have this right. However, it isn’t quite that simple.
I grew up in the 1960s and ’70s in Weaver, Alabama — a very conservative small town. The hardline segregationist George Wallace was the governor of the state for almost my entire youth, and for much of the country Alabama was the very stereotype of white Southern racism.
But teachers have the power to open students’ eyes.
I remember in the fourth grade, a classmate was giving a current events presentation on Wallace’s opposition to desegregating buses. The teacher stopped the class and said: “You know, I worry that when people around the country hear things like that, they think that everyone in Alabama has these narrow views.”
It wasn’t a popular thing for her to say in my small town, but it opened my eyes. Even at that young age, I started reading about Wallace and realizing that the things I grew up hearing about race just simply were not true. As I got older, I began questioning other stereotypes and preconceived notions held by my community.
This questioning became even more personally valuable to me when I began to realize that I was gay. Two teachers unknowingly helped me accept myself by speaking in support of LGBTQ people in a time period when that was unthinkable.
In my mind, this is the true beauty of education. It enlarges the student’s world.
In her seminal work, “Literature as Exploration,” Louise Rosenblatt says, “We must develop the capacity to feel intensely the needs and sufferings and aspirations of people whose personal interests are distinct from our own, people with whom we may have no bond other than our common humanity.”
So there’s a certain danger in allowing parents to be the sole purveyor of what
is taught. By allowing parents to opt out on topics of gender and sexuality, the floodgates will be opened for parents to restrict education in other areas as well.
Schools will be caught up in a never ending battle over what can be taught.
This is just what happened at a Florida school, when a principal was fired because he tried to placate parents’ desire to opt out of Holocaust education because those parents “didn’t believe it happened.”
It’s very easy to applaud the firing of this principal in this situation, but a ruling in the current case before the court would open up a cascade of similar cases.
Early in my teaching career, when I was teaching at a high school in rural Georgia town of Palmetto, I raised the ire of a host of parents when during a class discussion I revealed that I’m not a Christian. The principal made me call each parent to resolve the issue.
During the calls, I said what I still believe: “Your child is going to leave Palmetto some day to go to college or go to work and is going to encounter many people who aren’t Christians. It would be better for them to learn to get
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along with someone who doesn’t share their faith now instead of causing them harm later when it really will matter.”
This is the philosophy we should apply to in the current case as well. Shielding children from the outside world is impossible in today’s culture of mass media and social media use. Good teaching requires preparing children to face the outside world that may have very different ideas and beliefs than those held by their family members.
Randy Fair is the author of Southern. Gay. Teacher His forthcoming book is Gay Arab American and Middle Eastern Men. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWord.org.
Chester County Department of Voter Services seminar offers information on how to run for local office
In anticipation of the candidate deadlines to file for 2025 local elections, staff from Chester County’s Department of Voter Services recently hosted Beyond the Ballot, a free seminar for anyone considering running for a local elected office in Chester County.
More than 120 residents attended the seminar, which outlined details on local government offices, responsibilities of elected officials, filing petitions and campaign finance.
Chester County Voter Services director Karen Barsoum said, “Many people may consider running for local office but don’t fully know what the commitment is and how to begin the process. We created ‘Beyond the Ballot’ to help, providing people with information, resources, and the chance to learn from
the experiences of current local elected officials.
“Beyond the Ballot is yet another educational tool from Voter Services that gives the public a better understanding of the election process, starting with how to run for local office.”
The seminar featured an overview of Pennsylvania’s local governments and elected offices presented by Peter Wulfhorst, a retired Penn State Extension educator. Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe, together with municipal elected officials, formed an advisory panel that offered insight into experiences when running for local office.
Barsoum presented information on petition paperwork and deadlines, and the process for getting on the ballot. Attendees
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potential candidates.
asked questions of elected officials, and met with Voter Services staff to collect paperwork, petitions and accompanying helpful instructions.
“There are so many opportunities to serve your local community, and running as a candidate for a local elected office – whether as a township
supervisor, a school board member, an auditor or a judge of elections – is certainly important,” added Barsoum. “While Voter Services is there to process and record ballots on election day, we are also there to provide support and guidance for those individuals who have made the decision to run for office.”
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A Chester County Press writer captures the thrill of the Eagles’ victory
Two bars, one Super Bowl
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
The night every Eagles fan has been impatiently waiting for finally arrived last Sunday night, and thousands of the faithful flock gathered for watch parties and celebrations across Chester County, with seemingly no Chiefs fans in sight, to watch their beloved Eagles get revenge for the Birds’ Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs two years ago.
To properly gauge the local fandom and admire the smackdown, I attended two bars with watch parties: Giordano’s in Kennett Square and the Octoraro Tavern (OTE) in Oxford, in order to get the full Chester County Super Bowl experience.
4:30 p.m.: The night begins at Giordano’s
Wearing my only Eaglegreen shirt, I arrived in Giordano’s parking lot and have to sit for 20 minutes in an effort to relax, anticipating the night ahead of me. It might be worth noting now, I’m not really an Eagles fan, and my body entered “fight or flight” when I realized I’d be surrounded by so many of them on their biggest night of the year. My anxiety was begging for a win.
The Giordano’s party started at 5 p.m., but fans were already taking up space at the bar and tables. The DJ, Andrew Hugh, began playing music at the party’s kickoff, an hour and a half before the actual kickoff. To fill the time, those in attendance ate, drank and bid on the gift card and Saquon Barkley jersey raffle benefiting Kennett Area Community Service (KACS).
5 p.m.: A nun on the radio
After making the rounds in the bar, two fans – Mark and Mary Kay Woodruff –shared that they came just for the pregame party and would return home before kickoff. Actually, the pair had tickets to the game in New Orleans but revealed they sold them in order to enjoy the game with “their people,” here at home.
This was a common theme for many of the fans in attendance. The day was about football, but behind that, the familial and friendly connections that drive the Eagle’s fanbase were on full display.
Mary Doyle, Rusty Colp, and Mike and Tammy
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Clendenin were watching from the same table they sat in to watch the playoffs.
“A nun on the radio said to keep everything the same,” Colp said.
The family revealed they were not only in the exact same place, but ordered the same food and wore the same Eagles gear, changing nothing in order to protect the team’s luck. They explained the magic of the Eagles fandom.
“Fans are passionate and very communal,” Doyle said. “Differences don’t matter.”
That is as long as you’re in the fandom; otherwise, they “can be a bit rude, though.”
5:30 p.m.: A tally of jerseys
The bar was becoming increasingly more crowded but was still not packed. I took a lap to tally all the jerseys I could amidst the sea of green and Jalen Hurts’ #1 jersey was by far the most popular with 15 sightings followed by Saquon Barkley’s #26 and A.J. Brown’s #11 at five each. In the hour before kickoff, there were seven E-A-G-L-E-S chants that were assisted by the DJ. Repetition in the name of fanhood just doesn’t get old for these fans.
6 p.m.: Community, love and family
Opening festivities began on the restaurant’s big-screen televisions and I acknowledged a noticeable uptick in drinks being prepared and going out. I found a corner with a clear view to watch both the game and the people. A group of women on the other end of the bar, closest to the DJ booth, were having way more fun than anyone else surrounding them, so I decided to get their take on the Eagles’ fandom.
Darlene Christie described the fandom as
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“community, love and family.” She also shared Doyle’s earlier remark that differences don’t matter within the fandom. Is this the Eagles secret ingredient? I wonder if on the inside of the hardened, gritty and rowdy fanbase, there actually is a secret inclusive community?
First Quarter: Palpable passion
The bar erupted in a typical symphony of boos and jeers when the Chiefs were shown and claps and cheers for the Eagles. Chants of “You can’t do that,” begin with the group of 20-something guys next to me every time the Chiefs received a flag.
The Eagles’ first touchdown of the night was overturned, setting up the famous Tush Push which saw Hurts glide over bodies into the end zone. The place erupted. Nearly everyone leapt off their seats, screaming, shaking pom poms and high fiving. The passion across the room was palpable. Drinks kept flowing, as did the spirit and optimism of the fans.
Second Quarter: Dancing ensues
Cooper DeJean’s pick six managed to bump the energy of the room even higher, giving the Eagles a 17-0 lead. Joey Haass shared that he has never felt more confident in a game in his life despite his friend, Eric O’Neill, revealing his prior stress all week. Hass had $100 in bets riding on the game, or at least that’s how much he was willing to reveal in front of his girlfriend, she said.
O’Neill shared that same unique passion and excitement that only Eagles fans seem to muster before ultimately concluding, “If you’re not an Eagles fan, we hate you.” A.J. Brown’s touchdown pushed the lead to 24-0 and pushed the confidence of the fans even
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higher. The music during commercial breaks grew louder and dancing ensued.
Halftime:
Driving down Route 1
As the second quarter came to a close, I left Giordano’s for the 26-minute trek back to Oxford. I decided to go to the OTE as I can’t report at the bar I work at but still wanted to highlight my home Oxford crowd.
I missed Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show but had my own, blasting Chappell Roan in my car down Route 1, headed to my next destination.
Third Quarter: ‘Unbelievable’
I arrived at the OTE in a whirlwind, but I’ve seen larger crowds here before. I was greeted by the friendly faces of some regulars and the team working there while being offered food and drinks. Before I knew it, nearly half of the quarter flew by.
I was introduced to Daryl Thomas, a lifelong Eagles fan. While Thomas was cautiously optimistic about the direction of the game, he shared his insights on this year’s team.
“They are showcasing the team they’ve been all season right now,” he said.
“They have worked harder than any other team in the NFL.”
Jennifer Stoltzfus was simply awed by the Eagles’ dominance. Describing the night as “unbelievable,” she shared her excitement.
“These are the most supportive fans around,” she said. “There’s so many of us here right now and we just love Philadelphia. I’m feeling optimistic.”
The Eagles extended their lead to 34-0 before allowing the Chiefs to score, but no one at the OTE cared.
The boos weren’t quite so loud now, and people were swatting their hands and scoffing at the Chiefs’ first touchdown.
“Let them have it,” someone said.
While no one quite said it out loud, the whole room knew the 34-6 deficit was too great and that the Eagles would win this year’s Super Bowl.
Fourth Quarter:
All of the victory, none of the drama
The OTE was buzzing.
The Birds kept adding to their score, first 37-6 then up to 40-6 and everyone exploded with each score.
At that point, the celebrations consisted more of hugs than anything else.
The end was in sight and everyone was ecstatic.
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“Oh my God, we’re so good,” someone yelled. Celebrating a Super Bowl win without the drama of a close game gave a sense of levity and relief to the room but was also semi-anticlimactic, although I didn’t think any of the real fans minded that.
Game Over: The Eagles win their second Super Bowl championship, and the party continues to the balcony
When the Eagles were declared the winners of the Super Bowl, the OTE faithful roared louder than ever to the sound of champagne bottles popping and people yelling “Cheers” over their shots, and all through it –all through the noise – were sighs of relief, pats on the back, laughs and high-fives. The whole room seemed to embrace each other to celebrate. The party continued to the balcony of the OTE, where cars driving by lay on their horns and fireworks blazed off in the distance.
One attendee, Gary Franklin, shared why this win is different from their last and what it means to the fans.
“This is different because it’s Mahomes,” he said. “This is our revenge game, and we deserved to win.”
The largest takeaway of the night is that Eagles mania will continue to remain strong here in Chester County. To understand the Eagles fandom, it comes back to the City of Philadelphia itself, the City of Brotherly Love – a love that’s tough, honest, unwavering and all-encompassing – just like those Eagles fans who see the team through no matter what.
To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email gburton@chester-
ROBERT WAX MARK
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Robert Wax Mark, of Chadds Ford, passed away at the age of 81 on February 6, 2025.
He was the spouse of Robina Mark, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.
Born in Wilmington, Del., he was a son of the late Ben Mark and Beatrice (Wax) Mark.
Robert grew up in Wilmington, Del. as part of a large extended family. He spent summers with his beloved grandmother and extended family on Schroon Lake in upstate New York.
Robert received a bachelor’s degree with honors in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. He was the longtime president of Wax Furniture, one of the largest and most innovative furniture retailers of its time. He later pursued other consulting and entrepreneurial opportunities in the furniture industry.
Robert appreciated beautiful things and spent much of his life collecting art and antiques from around the world. He enjoyed traveling and connecting with people from different backgrounds. His travels took him through Europe, Asia, and South America. He felt at peace in nature and enjoyed gardening, walking in the woods, birds, and thunderstorms. He was a man of ideas
Alleluia
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who was constantly reading, thinking, and learning. He will be remembered for always asking, “What’s the meaning of life?” He encouraged everyone to live a life of reflection. He was often ahead of his time in his ideas, fashion, and tastes. He was a creator at heart and expressed himself through his original designs and his writings. Robert will be remembered as a family man. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Bruce Mitchell, Scott Mitchell, and Stephanie Mitchell, two nieces, Jeanette Hansen and Kaite Mark, three daughters-in-law Caren Wu, Kacie Mitchell, and Lish Simpson, one nephew-in-law Kevin Hansen, three grandchildren, Emily Mitchell, Shawn Mitchell, Aubrey Mitchell, two grandnephews Matt Hansen and Ryan Hansen, two siblings Stephen Mark and Andrew Mark, sister-in-law Catherine Blackley and her partner Gary Dunn, and many friends around the world.
Service and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the local public television station WHYY at support.whyy. org/page/donate.
Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.
To view Robert’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
GERALD GLENN THORNTON
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Gerald Glenn Thornton, age 69, of Avondale, passed away on February 7, 2025 while surrounded by his loving family after a very courageous battle with brain cancer.
He was the husband of Barbara (Leck) Thornton, with whom he shared 48 wonderful years of marriage.
Born in Phoenixville, he was the son of the late George Frank Thornton and Lenore Rittenbaugh Thornton, also of Phoenixville.
Gerald graduated from Phoenixville Area High School in 1973. He retired from Chester County Prison after 35 years. He loved his family, friends, golf, and traveling. He will be remembered for being the life of the party, the first one on the dance floor, and last one off.
In addition to his wife, Barbara Leck Thornton and his mother, Lenora Thornton, he is survived by daughters, Rebecca Thornton Hochhaus, wife of Michael, Jennifer Thornton McPhillips, wife of Patrick, and Katie Thornton Tihansky, wife of John.
Also surviving are nine beautiful grandchildren, Mackenzy, Michael, Alexa, Madison, Nicholas, Zachery, Grace, Christopher, and Penelope, brothers, George Thornton, Brian Thornton; sister, Sharon Schiele; and many more family and friends.
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You are invited to visit with Gerry’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 North Union St. in Kennett Square. A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lymphoma Foundation of America, www.lymphomahelp.org.
Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view Gerry’s online obituary and leave a tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
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NANCY HALDEMAN OLSON
JOHN THOMAS HILFERTY, II
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John Thomas Hilferty, II, of West Grove, passed away suddenly on February 13, 2025. He was 43 years old.
Born in West Chester, he was the son of late John Thomas Hilferty, I and Debora Jane Frank.
John worked as a heavy equipment operator for Buck Frank Excavating Company and Stephens Excavating Company. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on his F350 and, most of all, being with his boys, John, III and Jason.
John is survived by his beloved sons, John, III and Jason; his mother, Debora Jane Frank Young; a sister, Samantha Wood; a nephew, Steven Miller and many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his father, John Thomas Hilferty, I; his brother, Daniel Hilferty and grandparents, Elizabeth and Albert Frank, and May and James Hilferty.
Celebration of life services may be announced at a future date.
Please consider, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the family or charity of your choice. www.longwoodfuneralhome.com.
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HELEN S. BRUSH
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Helen S. Brush, a resident of Cutchogue, N.Y. and more recently of Oxford, passed away February 7, 2025 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. She was 92.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward Brush. She was the daughter of Stephen A. and Helen A. Sledjeski, and was born in Greenport, N.Y. along with her sister Ann and brother Stephen (Sonny).
Helen received her degree in education from Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., and went on to get her master’s degree from Stony Brook University. She taught social studies in the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District for more than 30 years and was passionate about connecting her students with American history.
She was first and foremost dedicated to her faith and family and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford, and formerly of Our Lady of Ostrabrama, Cutchogue, N.Y.
Helen is survived by six children, Edward (Terry) Brush, Helen (Mark) Kipps, Stephen (Joanne) Brush, Mary Anna (Len) Leo, Mark (Christine) Brush and Peter (Kelly) Brush, 13 grandchildren, Robert Kipps, Matthew Kipps, Rachel Kipps, Stephen Brush, Cassandra Brush, Angela Schofield, Thomas Chebuske Jr., Amanda Brush, David Brush, Caitlin Brush, Sarah Brush, Peter Brush, and Annie Brush, and eight great-grandchildren, Jamie, Ryan, Adrian, Stephen, Frankie, Matteo, Koda, and Emery.
A mass of Christian burial was celebrated on February 17 at Sacred Heart Church in Oxford.
Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cutchogue, N.Y. at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
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Nancy Elizabeth Haldeman Ramsey Olson passed away on January 18, 2025 at Chester County Hospital.
She was the daughter of the late John Henry Haldeman and the late Lillian Blakeley Richardson Zierach.
Nancy was a graduate of Kennett High School’s class of 1953. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in nursing in 1957. In 1962, she moved back to Kennett Square. During the 1960s, Nancy worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she worked in the blood bank and was instrumental in developing a program of fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate for the treatment of hemophilia. She created the first dedicated IV team at CHOP and was so skilled that she was among those responsible for starting IVs for preemies. Nancy also taught the parents of hemophilia patients how to do home infusion, freeing them of the burden of hospital visits every time therapy was needed. When she left CHOP for the blood bank at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, she was part of the team that developed white cell pheresis to capture white cells for treatment of leukemia.
In the 1970s, Nancy left nursing and the daily commutes to Philadelphia to be closer to home and to have more time with her two teenage boys. She joined the Haldeman family wholesale business, J.G. Haldeman & Bro., in Chadds Ford. In addition to her HR and accounting duties, she also started a kitchen to prepare food for the associated retail shop, the White Barn Seafood Shop, and to do catering.
Later in the 1970s she met the man that would be the love of her life, Jon Olson. Nancy and Jon married in 1983 and had wonderful years together until Jon passed in 2014. Together they worked Nancy’s catering events, which was moonlighting for Jon from his days as a chemical engineering professor at the University of Delaware.
After the family business closed in 1992, Nancy focused on activities closer to home. She had a passion for gardening and orchids. At one point she had a collection of more than 100 orchid plants. She was an active member of Spade and Trowel Garden Club. Jon and Nancy were active participants in the Spade and Trowel entries at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Nancy was also a coordinator of the Kennett Library Home and Garden Tours for many years.
Nancy and Jon moved to Jenners Pond in the late 2000s. They were passionate members of the Pub at Jenners Pond. Nancy eventually became the Pub treasurer. She was also a longtime member of the dining committee and a frequent clerk in the Heron’s Nest shop.
Nancy is survived by brother, Paul (and his wife, Janet); sister, Jane (and her husband, Richard); son, Chris (and his partner, Roz); stepson, Eric (and his wife, Beatriz); stepdaughter, Kirsten (and her husband, Alan); stepdaughter, Greta; 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on March 1, at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Road, Centerville, Del., with family greeting from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and a service following at 2 p.m.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Great House at Loch Nairn, 514 McCue Road, Avondale, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A buffet will be served.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Kennett Library of Chester County kennettlibrary.org/donate/; the Brandywine Valley Hemophilia Foundation brandywinehemophilia.org/donate; or the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society callkats.org/ donations.
Arrangements are being handled by the Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.
To view Nancy’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
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Notice of Self Storage Sale
Please take notice
Storage First Kennett Square
328 W Mulberry St Kennett Square PA 19348 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. This sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 2/24/2025 at 10:00 AM. Curtis Barger unit #58; Curtis Barger unit #59. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.
Legal Notice
Affidavit of Patrece-Mulica:
Glenn
I, Patrece-Mulica: Glenn, being of sound mind and over the age of 18, hereby declare the following statements to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief:
Identity and Competence:
I am legally alive and recognized as an adult, fully competent to manage my estate independently of the United States of America.
My Full Faith & Credit number is 23060357-1, licensed through the U.S. State Department on October 11, 2023.
My tax exemption number is 201688799.
Stateless Citizenship:
I declare myself a Stateless Citizen, abiding by the laws given to me by my Creator, YAHWEH.
I do not wish to enter into contracts with any governments, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, corporations, or creditors unless such agreements are made voluntarily by both parties without threat, duress, or coercion.
Non-Minor Status and Estate Management:
I am not a minor, and any accounts belonging to the Estate of Patrece-Mulica: Glenn currently under the control or management of any government agency, municipalities, law enforcement, or corporation must be returned to the Estate of Patrece-Mulica: Glenn, the living, breathing, sentient woman. I am domiciled in the Republic State of Pennsylvania (Pensilvania).
Revocation of Power of Attorney: I hereby revoke all Power of Attorney duties previously granted to any government, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and corporations.
I rescind all contracts with state, local, and federal government organizations, municipalities, and corporations, both foreign and domestic.
Conditional Acceptance of Outstanding Debt:
Any and all outstanding debt owed is conditionally accepted for value and honor exempt from levy.
I demand the immediate release of the proceeds, products, accounts, and fixtures in ac-
cordance with Public Policy, HJR-192, UCC 10-104, and UCC 1-104.
Legal Precedent:
I accept the recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings in SEC v. Jarkesy and Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council as factual and applicable to my standing and declarations.
I affirm that the above statements are made in good faith and are intended to assert my rights and status as declared.
2p-12-4t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Helene Dehaas, Deceased, late of the Borough of West Chester, Chester County, PA. Letters of Administration, on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to David Michael Dehaas Wood, Administrator, c/o David W. Crosson, Esq., Crosson & Richetti LLC, 609 W. Hamilton St., Suite 301, Allentown, PA 18101.
2p-05-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Dolores Player, Deceased, late of Honey Brook, Chester County, PA, LETTERS Of Administration on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Cynthia Snyder, Executrix, c/o George S. Donze, Esquire, Donze and Donze, 696 Unionville Rd., Suite 6, Kennett Square, PA 19348
2p-5-3t
BID NOTICE
PENN TOWNSHIP
FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE OIL & CHIP ROAD MAINTENANCE FOR THE YEAR 2025 FOR PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
PROPOSALS will be received by the Board of Supervisors, Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday, except holidays, until 3:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Penn
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NOTICE:
DEStorage.com Newgarden
Located at 710 Newark Rd Landenberg, PA 19350
Will be holding a Public ONLINE Auction at www.ibid4storage.com
Closing March 19, 2025 at 10 AM. The following units will be sold because of nonpayment of rent pursuant to the Pennsylvania Self Service Storage Facilities Act. Auction bidding and additional information about the contents, including photographs, is available on www.ibid4storage.com. Sale and payment will take place at the storage facility. Containing: Furniture, household items, totes, clothing, and boxes Unit # 4062- Kim Evans
DEStorage.com Newgarden reserves the right to withdraw any storage unit from sale or cancel the sale without prior notice.
Township Offices located at 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390, for the following
Street Improvements of Township Roads:
19,599 S.Y. - Single Seal Coat as per PennDOT Pub 408 Section 470:
Lewis Road – W. Baltimore Pike to Cul-de-Sac at YMCA
Penn Greene Drive – Ewing Road to Cul-de-Sac
White Oak Drive – Penn Greene Drive to Cul-de-Sac
Penny Lane – Baker Road to Cul-de-Sac McKinney Farm Lane – State Road to Dead-End
5,256 S.Y. – Double Seal Coat as per PennDOT Pub 408 Sec-
tion 480
Hipkins Road – State Road to Dead-End
Boors Cove Lane – Hipkins Road to Cul-de-Sac
24,855 S.Y. – Type 2 Slurry
Seal as per PennDOT Pub 408
Section 482
Lewis Road – W. Baltimore Pike to Cul-de-Sac at YMCA
Penn Greene Drive – Ewing Road to Cul-de-Sac
White Oak Drive – Penn Greene Drive to Cul-de-Sac
Penny Lane – Baker Road to Cul-de-Sac McKinney Farm Lane – State Road to Dead-End
Hipkins Road – State Road to Dead-End
Boors Cove Lane – Hipkins Road to Cul-de-Sac
2,500 Lbs – Rubberized Crack
Seal as per PennDOT Pub 408
Section 469
(Type I Material)
All Bids will be opened and read aloud by the Township Secretary at 3:00 P.M. Prevailing Time, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Penn Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390.
Specifications and Forms of Proposal may be obtained From the Director of Operations at the Office of the Penn Township, at the Township Office address above between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. There is no fee for the bid package. No hard copy or digital copies of the Specifications and Form of Proposal Packages will be sent out by the Township. Proposals must be upon the forms furnished by the Township and securely sealed in an envelope marked “Penn Township 2025 Oil & Chip Road Maintenance Program.”
Each Bidder must deposit with his/her bid, security in the form of a bid bond or certified check in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the total
bid made payable to the order of the Penn Township.
Each bid must be accompanied by a signed commitment of the proposed Surety offering to execute a Performance Bond, as well as the Letter of Intent, and Non-Collusion Affidavit.
All Bidders must be prequalified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Contractor’s Performance Bond and a Labor and Materialmen’s Bond in an amount of the accepted bid. The Surety Company and form of surety shall be subject to the approval of Penn Township. The Bond Company should have no less than an “A” rating (Best Rating) and provide documentation of their authority to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition, the Bond should be provided without a reinsurer.
No bidder may withdraw his/her bid within sixty (60) days after the date set for the receiving and opening of bids. Pennsylvania prevailing wage rates will not apply to this project. The Contractor will be responsible to obtain any and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations. Penn Township reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or parts thereof for any cause whatsoever. By Order of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors, Karen Versuk, MBA, PhD ,Director of Operations 2p-12-2t BID NOTICE
PENN TOWNSHIP
FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE RESURFACING AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2025 FOR PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PA
PROPOSALS will be received by the Board of Supervisors, Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday, except holidays, until 3:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Penn Township Offices located at 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390, for the following Street Improvements of Township Roads: Jenners Ponds Road from West Baltimore Pike to Greenbriar Drive including:
5,500 S.Y. – 2 ½” Depth Milling
800 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
100 Tons – Variable Depth
Binder Build-up
5,500 S.Y. – Paving Fabric
475 Tons – 1” Depth 9.5 MM
Leveling Course
625 Tons – 1 ½” Depth 9.5 MM
Wearing Course
750 L.F. – Seal Curb and Joints w/ PG62S-22
1750 L.F. Double Yellow Line
Hot Thermo-Plastic
3500 L.F. 4” Single White Edge
Line Hot Thermo-Plastic
45 L.F. Hot Thermo-Plastic 24”
Wide Stop Bars
Base Repair – Various Roads through the Township: Lewis Road – W. Baltimore Pike to Cul-de-Sac at YMCA
85 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
Penn Greene Drive – Ewing Road to Cul-de-Sac
350 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
White Oak Drive – Penn Greene Drive to Cul-de-Sac
75 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
Penny Lane – Baker Road to Cul-de-Sac
250 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and
Base Repair
McKinney Farm Lane – State Road to Dead-End
60 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
Hipkins Road – State Road to Dead-End
125 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
Boors Cove Lane – Hipkins Road to Cul-de-Sac
50 S.Y – 6” Depth Milling and Base Repair
All Bids will be opened and read aloud by the Township Secretary at 3:00 P.M. Prevailing Time, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Penn Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Specifications and Forms of Proposal may be obtained From the Director of Operations at the Office of the Penn Township, at the Township Office address above between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. There is no fee for the bid package. No hard copy or digital copies of the Specifications and Form of Proposal Packages will be sent out by the Township.
Proposals must be upon the forms furnished by the Township and securely sealed in an envelope marked “Penn Township 2025 Liquid Fuels Street Improvement Program.”
Each Bidder must deposit with his/her bid, security in the form of a bid bond or certified check in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid made payable to the order of the Penn Township.
Each bid must be accompanied by a signed commitment of the proposed Surety offering to execute a Performance Bond, as well as the Letter of Intent, and Non-Collusion Affidavit.
All Bidders must be prequalified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Contractor’s Performance Bond and a Labor and Materialmen’s Bond in an amount of the accepted bid. The Surety Company and form of surety shall be subject to the approval of Penn Township.
The Bond Company should have no less than an “A” rating (Best Rating) and provide documentation of their authority to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition, the Bond should be provided
without a reinsurer.
No bidder may withdraw his/her bid within sixty (60) days after the date set for the receiving and opening of bids. Pennsylvania prevailing wage rates will apply to this project, in addition to any and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
Penn Township reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or parts thereof for any cause whatsoever. By Order of the Penn Township Board of Supervisors, Karen Versuk, MBA, PhD, Director of Operations 2p-12-2t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Robert Antonio, Late of Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Marcia A. Dial, Executrix, c/o Jeff P. Bryman Esq., Law Offices of Pyle & Bryman, 225 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 200, Chadds Ford PA 19317. 2p-12-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Rober F. Winterbottom, Late of West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Richard Verdi, Executor, c/o Stephen M. Asbel of Reger Rizzo & Darnall, 2929 Arch St, Phila, PA 19104 2p-12-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of STANLEY THOMAS WASKIEWICZ, Late of East Nottingham Township and County of Chester, PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Mark S Waskiewicz PO Box 2178, Aston, PA 19014 2p-12-3t
We buy 8,000 cars a week. Sell your old,
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
Reality has a way of impeding the path of progress, and in the case of the Unionville basketball program, as it is at every other high school athletic team, that reality is in the form of graduation.
Nearly one year ago –on Feb. 29, 2024 – Chris Cowles’ team held the PIAA District One 5A championship trophy aloft on the floor of West Chester University’s Hollinger Field House after defeating Upper Dublin, 63-36. Entering the 2024-25 campaign, however, the program was absent many
Longhorns fall to Springfield, 37-28
Unionville ousted in first round of district playoffs
of the graduating players that had guided the previous team to a 22-4 record, but by virtue of heart and resilience, the Longhorns clawed their way to a 10-12 overall record this season.
That season came to an end on Feb. 14, as the Longhorns fell to Springfield, 37-28, in the first round of the PIAA District One 5A playoffs at the Cougars’ home court. Entering the game as the 11th seed, Unionville began the game in a defensive posture that can best be described as “reckless abandon,” and after two early buckets by TJ Valleti and Peter Altes gave the Cougars a 5-0 lead,
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Cowles’ team virtually shut down the 6th-seeded Springfield’s offense while James Brenner’s two three-pointers helped give the Longhorns a slim 8-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Outmatched in height and skill, Unionville nonetheless continued to thwart Springfield’s offense in the second quarter by closing lanes and trapping and double-teaming their opponents. On the other side of the ball, three-pointers by Leo Lockwood and Zach Dolce staked Unionville to a comfortable lead, but shots by Valleti, Logan Kobb and Chis Dolan gave the Cougars a slim 15-14 lead heading into halftime.
After a three-point shot by Tom Toomey gave Springfield an early 18-15 lead in the third quarter, Lockwood came back with a three-pointer of his own to tie the game at 19 with 4 minutes remaining in a quarter that continued to see Unionville’s defense shut down a Cougar offense that had tallied point levels as high as 70 during their regular season.
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As the fourth quarter began with the game deadlocked at 22, however, the virtual cream of what led Springfield to a 15-7 regular season record rose to the top. After Lockwood’s drive gave Unionville a two-point lead, Altes scored on a layup with 5:05 left in the game, that was quickly followed by two free throws by Valleti, and
a stolen pass by Valleti that extended his team’s lead to 28-24 with 4:18 left in the game. With time slowly working against them, Cowles called a timeout with 2:20 remaining and his team trailing 28-25, but after the regroup, Mason Ellis sank the last two of his four free throws in the quarter, Altes converted two more free throws, and
Toomey sank two more from the line to seal the victory.
With the victory, Springfield will visit thirdseeded Pottsgrove (19-3 overall) on Feb. 19 for a second-round playoff game on the Falcons’ home court.
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
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Enjoy a Day out on the Golf Course for a Great Cause!
Your Generous support allows Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center to provide services to your Neighbors in need. This past year we served:
• Food Pantry Served: 539 Households
• Financial Rental Assistance Program Served: 204 Households
• Financial Utility Assistance Program Served: 160 Households
• Clothing Assistance Program Served: 159 Households
For Tickets: https://www.oxfordnsc.org/golf or to Help Sponsor this Event please call Aaron Karpas at 610-932-8557 x202, OR Linda Staffieri 484-883-6441 lstaffieri@kviscoe.com
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Registration from 7:15 am – 7:45 am
Shotgun start at 8:00 am
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2025
Paid fee includes complimentary entry to the Putting, Hole-in-One, and Circle Hole Contests with paid entry
$150 Per Golfer -or- $600 Foursome Ticket includes: Greens Fees; Cart; Super Ticket; On Course Refreshments & Full Buffet Lunch 12:30 Award Lunch
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL pay online before 4/01/25
$125 Per Golfer $500 Foursome
www.oxfordnsc.org OXFORD
5/09/2025 @ 8 am