Chester County Press 06-22-2016 Edition

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Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas

Volume 150, No. 25

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

U-CF approves 2.66 percent tax increase for 2016-17 budget

60 Cents

So far, so close

By John Chambless Staff Writer The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board shaved just a bit off the numbers for 2016-17 before approving a final budget at their meeting on June 20.

Reflecting a concern voiced recently by board president Victor Dupuis, a slightly revised budget was approved, by a vote of 7-2. Robert Cochran, the district’s director of business and operations, told the board, “The new budget calls Photo by Richard L. Gaw for 27.69 mills in Chester County, which is a 2.59 percent Members of the Avon Grove softball team stand and watch as the Hempfield Area increase, and 23.56 mills in Delaware County, representing High School softball team collects its AAAA Pennsylvania State Championship a 2.93 percent increase. This is a weighted average millage trophy on June 17, in a game played at Penn State. Despite a stellar performance by pitcher Maggie Balint, the Red Devils lost 1-0, in eight innings. For a complete increase of 2.66 percent, as compared to what is written in story, see Page 5B. the agenda tonight, which is 2.77 percent.”

The expenditures in both budgets remained the same, at $82,493,427. The figures also include a 1 percent real estate transfer tax.

“The only difference between the two budgets is the amount of fund balance used,” Cochran explained. “This budget uses approximately $74,000 in fund balance. The initial motion, which is shown on the agenda, used just under $1,000 of fund balance.”

Board member Michael Rock said, “I’m not happy with

By Richard L. Gaw going below 3 percent to make somebody comfortable, if “Green Valley Farm new. On Feb, 23, 2015, the Staff Writer what we’re doing is eating away at our fund balance,” a Conservation Easement – board voted 3-2 to enter reference to Dupuis saying he was uncomfortable with an Consider motion to rescind into negotiations to purThere it was, listed about the conservation agreement chase the acreage for $2.3 increase of 3 percent or higher. “I don’t understand approving a budget with a deficit. I’m opposed to it. I think this is half-way down the first page for 178+ acres known as the million, for the purpose of of the agenda of the June Green Valley Farm.” a step backwards.” placing a conservation easeBoard member Gregg Lindner echoed Rock’s opinion. 20 New Garden Township Its inclusion on the ment on it. At the board’s meeting: board’s agenda is nothing Continued on Page 4A Supervisors Continued on Page 3A

New Garden conservation agreement, about to be rescinded, gets reprieve

Avon Grove adopts $91 million budget

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer With the end of the school year fast approaching, the Avon Grove School Board took care of two items of pressing importance at the June 9 school board meet-

Intersection chokes Jennersville

By Uncle Irvin How can Penn Township get a $400,000 grant for a sports park and not a dime for an intersection that is strangling Jennersville?

Bad government, misallocated assets, and PennDOT lethargy are all responsible for the 796/Baltimore Pike intersection that lacks left-hand turning lanes from 796 onto Baltimore Pike. AdPro moved to Penn Township nearly Continued on Page 3A

ing. The board approved the implementation of full-day kindergarten, and it also voted in favor of a $91,471,852 budget for the 2016-2017 school year.

The board voted 7-1 in favor of the spending plan, which will require a tax

increase of about 3.1 percent—just below the Act 1 Index limit for Avon Grove.

The millage rate will increase from 28.1570 mills to 29.0400 mills to balance the budget. At the new tax rate, the owner of a median assessed property value

of $169,000 will see an increase of $149 in property taxes.

The approval of full-day kindergarten and the budget can be considered a part of what the school district administration has called a reinvestment in Avon Grove.

“The support by the Board of School Directors for the 2016-2017 budget demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in our children and in our community,” said school board president Bonnie Wolff in Continued on Page 3A

Kennett Square celebrates completion of Cypress Street improvements

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Kennett Square Borough celebrated the completion of $1.4 million in West Cypress Street improvements with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of Victory at Magnolia on June 15.

Dan Maffei, the president of Kennett Square Borough Council, outlined the scope of the project, explaining that the project included streetscape upgrades to approximately 2,000 linear feet of West Cypress Street. The improvements included the paving of a stretch of Cypress Street,

a new water main, fire inlet repairs, and the addi- that was added for traffic hydrants, curbs, sidewalks, tion of more than 70 trees. calming. A gateway sign is ADA ramps, stormwater There is also a center island expected to be added in the future.

The project was made possible, in large part, by a $956,000 grant from the county, and Chester County Commissioners Terence Farrell, Kathi Cozzone, and Michelle Kichline joined a host of Kennett Square officials, including borough manager Joseph Scalise, Photo by Steven Hoffman

Terence Farrell, the chairman of the Chester County Commissioners, helped cut the ribbon during the celebration of the completion of the streetscape project on West Cypress Street. Kennett Square officials and commissioners Kathi Cozzone and Michelle Kichline spoke at the event.

Continued on Page 2A © 2007 The Chester County Press

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Chester County Press

Local News

Kennett Square Borough Council president Dan Maffei talks about the support that the borough has received from the county during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Cypress Street...

Continued from Page 1A

council members Maffei, Geoff Bosley, Doug Doerfler and LaToya Myers, and Historic Kennett Square executive director Mary Hutchins at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Farrell lauded Kennett Square officials for how they have utilized Community Revitalization Program (CRP) funds as a tool to help revitalize the borough through the years, and said that the borough is

a model for its revitalization efforts.

Farrell noted that while some of the upgrades included in streetscape projects aren’t glamorous—not many people will get excited about a new eight-inch water main, for example—these upgrades are nonetheless very important to a borough’s revitalization efforts.

Cozzone echoed that sentiment, explaining that some of the improvements to West Cypress Street took place below-ground,

and aren’t even visible to residents. Even so, the streetscape improvements benefit the entire community. She also praised Kennett Square for its ongoing revitalization efforts.

According to Kichline, the county has allocated $57 million to urban centers in the last 14 years as part of a larger economic development strategy to keep Chester County’s cities and boroughs vibrant. Kennett Square has received about $3.76 million of that funding, Kichline said.

Photos (2) by Steven Hoffman

A newly improved West Cypress Street in Kennett Square.

“This investment reflects how the town has evolved,” Kichline said. “Kennett Square cares for its residents and loves its visitors.”

Maffei thanked the county commissioners for the county’s ongoing support.

He noted that this latest round of streetscape upgrades met up with where a previous project left off. Streetscape projects like this would not be possible without county funding.

The work on the streetscape improvements

began last summer. Maffei said that the contractors that handled the project did a good job and kept disruptions to a minimum for residents and motorists. In fact, there wasn’t a single complaint during the construction process, Maffei said.

Because the borough received nearly $1 million of funding from the county for this project, the borough funded the balance of slightly more than $400,000 of the costs.

Meliora Design served as

the lead design engineers on the project.

Standing in the shadow of Victory Brewing, with traffic moving past on the newly improved West Cypress Street, Farrell perfectly summarized the completion of another project to revitalize the borough.

“Kennett Square,” Farrell said, “is really on the path to Victory.”

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Franklin Township supervisors take small step toward adding brewpub to Paradocx Vineyard

By John Chambless Staff Writer The addition of a brewpub to the existing Paradocx Vineyard took a step closer to reality on June 22.

Franklin Township Planning Commission representative Brent Van Lith reported to the Board of Supervisors that the commission recommends

enacting a draft ordinance, “Brewery as Accessory to Agriculture,” after three months of discussion. The supervisors later unanimously approved a motion to advertise the ordinance.

As part of the ordinance, which addresses the addition of a brewery and tasting room to the wine tasting facilities at Paradocx, the Planning Commission final-

ized the minimum lot size for outdoor events with less than 100 attendees, and addressed potential parking, safety and noise issues.

Historical Commission/ HARB chairman Paul Lagasse reported on the status of the proposed Eastern Shore Natural Gas Pipeline through the township. He reported that the Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission (FERC) must make a decision regarding the pipeline by July. Eastern Shore, noting they were not on FERC’s June agenda, said they want the pipeline project to be heard at a public meeting in July.

The supervisors continued their discussion about renovating the Township Office in stages. Board chairman John Auerbach has designed

an ADA-compliant bathroom for the meeting room area. The plan is ready to send to contractors for quotes. Because of space issues, the renovation of the bathroom cannot occur until the township manager’s desk is moved into a back office. Soundproofing and reworking that office is a top priority, followed by the renovation of the bathroom

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and repair of a deteriorated wall next to the salt storage area.

The board members discussed moving files offsite during construction, or getting a POD or mobile mini storage container to store some of the files. The board discussed getting quotes for each individual project and then all three.

Plans to improve the appearance of the municipal complex are moving ahead.

Supervisors Steffen Torres and Auerbach have developed a plan that would allow contractor trucks to continue straight into the work yard, and not turn to the left from Municipal Lane. The plan calls for relocating a corn bin and recycling area to behind the post office parking lot. Beyond that will be the stormwater retention basin. There would be an area of screening between the post office parking lot and the recycling area under the plan. The plan shows additional screening behind the Ford Farm Parking Lot and also at the left turn on the lane toward the municipal building.

For more information, visit www.franklintownship.us.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercount.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News New Garden...

Continued from Page 1A

Jan. 19, 2016 meeting, supervisor Pat Little – the most vocal opponent of the Green Valley Farm easement – requested that the board enter into a motion to reconsider the easement deal. The negotiations were taking far too long, he said.

He withdrew the motion after Tom Johnson and George Elser, attorneys representing the Reynolds family, spent 45 minutes explaining the reasons for the delay, and telling the supervisors that a final agreement would be reached by the end of February.

On May 16, Little requested that the board again enter into a motion to reconsider the deal at its June 20 meeting. Again, he echoed his previous sentiment, questioning why the township was committing itself to a deal that had been going on for 15 months without a hint of resolution.

There is little doubt that a major complication that has led to these delays has been exacerbated by those on the other side of these negotiations. Warren Reynolds, a former township supervisor whose family has owned and managed this property since 1904, is currently serving a prison sentence for the possession of more than 500 images of child pornography. Meanwhile, his brother John is incapacitated and therefore incapable of managing his own affairs.

As a result – and just two hours before a vote on the issue to rescind the offer was scheduled to take place – Township solicitor Vince Pompo told the supervisors that the attorney for John Reynolds filed a petition late on Monday afternoon with the Orphan’s Court in the City of Philadelphia, for approval of the proposed conservation easement on the property and the agreement of sale. The Orphans’ Court is a division of the Philadelphia Judicial System, which serves to protect the personal and property rights of all persons and entities who are otherwise incapable of managing their own affairs.

Pompo said the filing of that petition was a condition set forth in the agreement of sale. He said that he was not certain about the time frame for the petition’s approval, but that uncontested petitions can be processed relatively quickly in Orphan’s Court, and that the Court has experience in approving transactions involving conservation agreements.

Little said that because the agreement is now in Orphan’s Court, he would suspend his motion to rescind the agreement.

Pompo said that he informed the attorneys for the Reynolds family that the township was planning to rescind the agreement, prior to the June 20 meeting.

“I’m a lawyer, and I do transactions all the time,” Pompo said. “Some transactions go smoothly and very quickly, and other transactions tend to be more complicated, take a longer time, involve more parties and lawyers. Decisions have to be made, and things need to be run by many people. That is how I would categorize this transaction.”

Last week, Warren Reynolds submitted a letter to the editor that appears on

the Chester County Press’ website (www.chestercounty.com), in which he criticized Little for wanting to rescind the agreement.

“Apparently there is a rather loud voice on the Board of Supervisors who is concerned that it’s taking some time to complete this agreement and would rather just rescind it,” Reynolds wrote. “A good businessman understands the value of deferred payment. The township is saving money every day as its funds sit and collect interest and inflation decreases the value of the ultimate payment. Good supervisors should make the effort to acquaint themselves with the facts.

“Township supervisors should act based on facts and the will of the people, not based upon politics and personal agendas,” he further wrote. “Preserving Green Valley is not about one person or family. It is about the quality of life of New Gardeners now and for future generations.”

Little then responded to Reynolds’ criticism.

“The arrogance that Warren showed in the letter to the editor just amazes me – that he’s telling the supervisors how to do their job, while he’s in jail,” he said.

“That irritated me. I still think it is a bad deal. We’re going to be paying over $14,000 an acre for (the Green Valley Farms), and after we get the reimbursement from St. Anthony’s (in the Hills), we’re paying about $4,000 an acre.

You can quibble about the difference in the land, but that’s a lot of money.”

“I think it’s frustrating that it’s gone on for this long,” said supervisor Randy Geouque who, along with Little, voted against the township entering the agreement on Feb. 23, 2015 and who, during discussion after the vote, accused the deal of being laden with what he called “cronyism.”

“We hurried to get the deal done, and here we are, 16 months later, and we still don’t have a deal in place,” he said. “In my opinion, that money could be allocated to other parcels.”

In other township business, the board awarded the bid for the reconstruction of the Thompson Road Bridge to Work Force Construction, Inc.,

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for $43,710. The project is expected to be completed in August.

Pompo gave an update on the proposed sale of the township’s sewer system, and apologized for the cancellation of public meetings related to the sale.

“It has not been as quick as we had hoped,” he said.

“We had hoped to be at the active participation stage by now. We have been working very closely to finalize an agreement of sale, and then bring it to the board and to the public.

We have been working very diligently on this, but we have not been able to do it in the original time frame.

“We are very hopeful that we will be in a position by the end of this week to report back to the board on a firm schedule for bringing the matter back to th public.

Hopefully that will occur during our meeting cycles in July.”

Township manager Tony Scheivert told the audience that public meeting dates for discussion on the proposed sewer sale will be announced prior to the board’s next meeting on July 18.

Township Police Chief Gerald Simpson informed the board that police officer Jose G. Reyes submitted his letter of resignation from the department, effective June 20. The board approved the resignation, and then approved the promotion of part-time officer Jeremy O’Neill to a fulltime officer status, effective June 20.

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a statement. “We believe this budget will allow us to achieve our outcomes for all students, while continuing to lay a foundation for enhancing the overall student experience here in the Avon Grove School District.”

At the June 9 meeting, school board vice president Brian Gaerity talked about how the school board has been working with the administration to balance two imperatives: to provide high-quality education to students, but to provide that education as efficiently as possible.

Gaerity said that they have made staffing decisions and investments on things like technology and curriculum in an effort to increase academic opportunities for students. The district has also funded improvements to school buildings to make them safer and better for students.

The budget funds several support staff positions that had previously been reduced. There is funding to support a Chromebook initiative at the middle school so that there is one-to-one ratio for Chromebooks to students. There is also funding for the professional development necessary to launch the full-day kindergarten program in 2017.

“None of the investments were excessive,” Gaerity said. “Avon Grove is an excellent school district.”

Several items had a large impact on the budget.

To contact Staff Writer The district’s state-manRichard L. Gaw, e-mail dated contribution to rgaw@chestercounty.com. Public School Employee

Uncle Irvin...

Continued from Page 1A

10 years ago, and the intersection was bad then. Now additional commercial buildings, including Penn Medicine and a mammoth Dansko warehouse, have made the intersection intolerable.

If the Penn Township supervisors can get $400,000 for a ball park, why can’t they shake up our worthless state legislator John Lawrence to threaten PennDOT into action?

Let’s get the road fixed before the Red Rose is ready!

(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)

Retirement System (PSERS) increased costs by $1.3 million. The district is also seeing a $370,000 increase in occupational education, and $1.8 million in increased costs to charter school tuition payments.

The budget also includes about $1 million in spending to support curriculum development, technology, and staffing that are funded through the reallocation of existing resources.

The district is also dipping into its fund balance to balance the budget, utilizing approximately $2.5 million of committed and unassigned fund balance.

Additionally, $2.4 million will be used for the general fund reserve and to maintain debt service at the 2014-2015 level. An additional $1.6 million will be transferred to the capital projects fund for projects to improve facilities. District officials estimate that $20 million will remain in the fund balance.

School board member Charles Beatty voted against the spending plan. He agreed with Gaerity’s assessment that Avon Grove is an excellent school district, but said that the district’s spending is not sustainable.

“After careful consideration of all the information available for the board to review, I want to state that I will be voting “no” on the budget proposal,” Beatty said. “Without a comprehensive financial forecast, we do not and cannot know how year-over-year growth in the budget will affect the future sustainability of Avon Grove.”

Beatty said that during the last few years, the budget has been growing significantly.

“From 2013 to 2016, we have gone from a $76 million budget to a $91 million budget tonight,” he said.

“Even with tax increases up to the Act 1 limit, we are exceeding revenue and consuming fund balance reserves to take on higher spending levels that will continue while reserves are being depleted.”

The board did vote in favor of establishing a rolling five-year financial plan.

Discussions about what will be included in the five-year financial plan will begin in August.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Marchese thanked the school board and the community for their support of the district and its educational initiatives.

“It continues the effort of leaning toward greatness,” he said.

In other business at the June 9 meeting: Scott DeShong, the principal of Avon Grove High School, presented a profile of the senior class.

He explained that there are 446 members of the Class of 2016. DeShong said that they surveyed the seniors and found that 87 percent will be pursuing some form of higher education next year. Of the students who are going on to higher education, four out of five students are going to be attending four-year universities. Collectively, the students are reporting that they are receiving $2,941,424 in scholarships from the universities that they are attending. They have also received $122,884 collectively through the local scholarships.

The board approved a list of appointments, retirements, and resignations at the meeting. Bonnie McCloskey was appointed to serve in a special assignment as the assistant principal at Avon Grove Intermediate School from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

The board approved the starting and ending times for the school day for the 2016-2017 school year. At the elementary school level, students will begin their day at 8:25 a.m. And end their day at 3:15 p.m. The morning kindergarten class will run from 8:25 a.m. To 11:05 a.m. The afternoon kindergarten class will run from 12:30 p.m. To 3:15 p.m. The school day at the middle school will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. At the high school, it will be 7:30 a.m.

To 2:30 p.m.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Chester County Press

Local News Tax increase...

Continued from Page 1A

weighted average increase.

“Unlike Harrisburg, we now have a budget for the next fiscal year,” Dupuis said after the vote.

“Congratulations, everyone.”

In other business, the board approved bids of just over $47,000 for paving at three schools, $10,200 for sealcoating and line painting, $13,348 for instaling LED lights in the parking lot of Patton Middle School, and $25,000 for a design for replacing the district’s fuel pumps, which are aging and beginning to fail.

The board voted in favor of making federal fund applications for $104,010 for improving basic programs, and $54,393 for improving teacher quality. The board also unanimously voted to approve next year’s salaries for administrators, professional and support staff; as well as the Act 93 compensation and benefit agreement for July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020.

For more information, visit www.ucfsd.org and click on “board documents.”

“We went to a 2.77 percent at the last meeting because we discussed the fact that it would not draw from the fund balance,” he said. “We talked about the fact that our current unassigned fund balance is about 3.8 percent.

According to our policy, we should not have a fund balance below 5 percent. I understand that we have a PSER balance that is $2.5 million. I think we were doing the right thing before, at 2.77. I have all due respect for Mr. Dupuis. It’s just the math. This is not going to help us. There is nothing on the horizon that is telling me we will be increasing our unassigned fund balance in the future. We just know we’re going to be spending the dollars, and I think it’s unfortunate that we’re doing it.

“This is about $70,000 out of an $80 million budget, so I get it. But I think it’s the wrong thing that we’re doing. We’re just kicking things down the road further,” Lindner added.

In the end, the vote was 7 to To contact Staff Writer John 2 in favor of the revised bud- Chambless, email jchambget figure of a 2.66 percent less@chestercounty.com.

Upland Country Day School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2016 on June 10. Pictured (top row) are Alex Kiviniemi, Daniel Dai, Ville Wilpola, Griffin Dolata. In the front row are Carson DavisTinnell, Heidi Marttila, Ceci Fralick, Rachel Hyzny and Alix Gow. Graduation Awards for the Class of 2016 are: The Russell J. Macmullan, Jr. Prize for Academic Excellence -- Rachel Hyzny; The Johm M. and Ellen B. Cleveland Citizenship Award -- Rachel Hyzny; The Patricia Ralston Award for Motivation -- Carson Davis-Tinnell, Heidi Marttila and Rachel Hyzny; The Elizabeth Swayne Improvement Prize -- Ceci Fralick; The Dorcas Farquhar Letter of Commendation -- Alex Kiviniemi and Griffin Dolata; The Finnish Cup of Friendship -- Rachel Hyzny.

Longwood firefighter is aiming for priesthood Austin Robuck is making progress on attaining one of his life goals -- becoming a Catholic priest.

Robuck has already accomplished another childhood ambition, becoming a member of a fire company. A resident of Kennett Township, he is a volunteer EMS member and firefighter of Longwood Fire Company.

“My story began when I was a young guy and grew from there,” Robuck said.

“I thought being a firefighter was the coolest thing out there. I had a rare heart issue for a youngster, a bad valve, and I never thought I would be able to become one.

“My parents were faithful Catholics and I attended Mass. The ministry of the priests always intrigued me.

Growing up, I wasn’t sure where I was headed. Before I entered high school, I had an operation that changed my perspective and tested my faith. I became focused

on regaining my health and serving my community, giving back what I received.

“Before the surgery, I couldn’t exercise or play sports. One of my friends suggested we join the fire company as volunteers. Our journey has been about service and faith, what life is really about.”

Robuck, who is 22, has been a part of Longwood Fire Company for more than five years. He said he researched area fire companies and found that Longwood had a great program. “I came as an outsider,” he said. “I didn’t have any family members involved with the company.

Everyone, especially Chief McCarthy, was so welcoming. Honestly, Longwood has become a family to me.

The men and women are role models. They remind me how a life of faithful service is lived.”

Robuck has five more years of studies ahead of him before becoming a

From left: Tyler Bowman, Austin Robuck and Kyle Thompson during a Longwood Fire Company function.

priest. He said it was difficult at times while in the college seminary to stay involved with Longwood, but knew he needed to do so. “Only a few priests are free enough to get involved in the fire departments or EMS,” he said. “Priests lead a life of faith and service, and as I’ve been encouraged by priests along the way, volunteering has become an expression of a life marked by service, a witness to a calling.”

The priesthood and fire service both involve serving the community, according to Robuck. The experience, he said, reminds him of one of his favorite Bible verses, John 15:13: “Greater love

has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Robuck added, “A priest is one who gives his life for others.”

He hopes to be involved as a priest through Catholic healthcare services. “I feel that God has used the hands of doctors and nurses to save my life. I want to continue to give back as a priest,” he said. “I’m honored to be a small part of Longwood Fire Company.

It is a big organization with a big heart. I’m amazed at the devotion of every member to this calling.”

For more information, visit www.longwoodfireco. com.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Triple murder suspect arrested in Avondale Erick Shute was wanted for shooting three men in West Virginia

By John Chambless Staff Writer A man wanted in connection with a triple murder in West Virginia was quickly arrested in Avondale Borough in the early morning of June 14, thanks to quick thinking, good timing and a great deal of luck.

Erick David Shute, 32, allegedly shot three men to death with a rifle on the border of land he owns in Great Cacapon, W.Va., on the morning of June 13.

The property is near a state park in rural Morgan County. According to news reports from West Virginia, Shute shot the men when they were clearing wood from a roadway next to Shute’s property. A fourth man escaped, police said.

Morgan County Sheriff Vince Shambaugh was quoted in local news reports as saying Shute called himself a “sovereign citizen” and that Shute had tried to recruit people to help him build a compound stocked with guns and ammunition to prepare for the end times.

Shute was a former vocalist for a death metal band called Pyrexia, which formed in 2007 and has released a series of CDs with titles such as “Cruelty Beyond Submission” and “Sermon of Mockery.” In 2009, Shute was living in Salem County, N.J., and attracted controversy by hanging an American flag upside down as a distress signal for the nation. In

2011, he was indicted for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

As Shute drove north in his white Chevy pickup truck after the shootings, he allegedly posted a Facebook message saying that the killings were in self-defense because the men had threatened him.

The post, which has since been deleted, read: “I have nothing to hide. Media can contact me on my cell.

I am open to talk. These guys stole over $20,000 of my stuff and sold it for drugs and threatened me to my face before. They even unscrewed my brake line while I was asleep.

Everyone not on drugs on the mountain hates them.

These are known thieves and drug addicts.”

West Virginia police alerted police in Chester County because Shute was known to have contacts here.

Chief Gerald Simpson, of the New Garden Police Department, picked up the story during a phone interview on the morning of June 15.

“We were contacted by Pennsylvania State Police at 9 p.m. to be on the lookout for the perpetrator,” Simpson said. “We were told he was heavily armed and extremely dangerous, and that he may be heading to the Avondale area because he has contacts here.”

That same evening, Corporal Joe Greenwalt was with Officer Ben Brown, who was training with the New Garden department.

Erick David Shute of West Virginia was arrested just hours after killing three men and fleeing to Avondale.

Police Officer Ryan Kushner of the New Garden Police arrested a man wanted for a triple murder on June 13.

Together, they stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Fifth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Officer Ryan Kushner was called to assist, “and as he was en route to the location, he had a photo of this perpetrator and a vehicle description in his car,” Simpson said. “A couple

of minutes later, he sees a vehicle fitting the description being driven into Avondale.

So Officer Kushner gets on the radio and alerts Corporal Greenwalt about what he sees. Officer Kushner starts a traffic stop, but he notices that the vehicle is trying to evade him. Not speeding, but trying to get away.

“The traffic stop is conducted in Avondale Borough, three blocks away from where Greenwalt and Brown are,” Simpson said. “The two stops were unrelated, but we ended up with three officers who just happened to be in the area.

Talk about things working out,” Simpson added.

Kushner drew his gun and ordered Shute out of the car. Shute complied as Greenwalt and Brown arrived. “At that point, Greenwalt is the senior officer, so he takes over,” Simpson said. “At gunpoint, he asks Shute his name and he identifies himself. He’s ordered to the ground and taken into custody without further incident.”

Shute’s truck was impounded. Simpson did not say if Shute was armed, or if there were weapons in the truck, citing the ongoing investigation.

Shute was arraigned at the Pennsylvania State Police Avondale Barracks and he is being held in Chester County Prison, awaiting extradition to West Virginia to face murder charges.

“Here’s the thing,” Simpson said. “While Officer Kushner has a little more than three years with us, we invest a lot of time and money in training our officers to a very high level.

When this happened, his instincts and his training kicked in. I was talking to him yesterday, and he said, ‘We really got lucky last night,’” Simpson said. “I will not deny that luck is a police

officer’s best friend on a lot of days, but good officers make their luck. They go out and find it. At the end of the day, Shute was apprehended because Officer Kushner was being very observant.

He used the skills he has learned in the last three years to bring this suspect into custody without further incident. That’s not being lucky. He made it happen.

All three officers deserve accolades.”

The arrest brought a quick end to what could have been a volatile confrontation, Simpson said, “But while we’re pleased to bring closure to this for West Virginia police, it saddens us that these things happen.

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.”

In a June 14 post on the Pyrexia band Facebook page, a band representative wrote: “As we watch this event unfold, we are shocked and saddened to learn that our former singer Erick has been involved in what seems to be a shooting by his own hands. Although all the details have yet to unravel, and he hasn’t been an active member of Pyrexia for some time now, we have been rocked by this horrible news.

There’s no question the man had obscure views and was an odd and quiet person at times, but you try and accept a persons shortcomings or different viewpoints. No one saw this in him.”

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.

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6A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Oxford man arrested for child pornography

Attorney General’s Office also announces arrest of Downingtown man On June 13, Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane’s office announced the arrest of two Pennsylvania men who are charged with distributing and possessing child pornography. The defendants are Randi Darwin Vassar, 43, of Oxford; and Axl Rafael Penaloza Ovalles of Downingtown.

“Online exploitation of children is a foul problem confronting law enforcement in our state and our nation,” Attorney General Kane said. “In Pennsylvania, we have aggressively gone after those who sexually exploit children and asked our judges with success to impose severe punishment.”

These latest arrests were made recently following separate investigations in Chester County by the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

The arrest of Vassar began with agents discovering suspected child

Axl Rafael Penaloza Ovalles of Downingtown.

pornography distributed through a file sharing service. The investigation led agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police to execute a search warrant at Vassar’s residence.

A preliminary review of Vassar’s computers revealed numerous videos of apparent child pornography.

Vassar was placed under arrest and is charged with five counts of distribution of child pornography, 62 counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was released from the Chester County Prison after a bondsman posted a $100,000 surety bond on his behalf. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for June 21.

Vassar will be prosecuted

by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

Ovalles was arrested following an online investigation into the dissemination of child pornography.

Agents identified a computer on a peer-to-peer network sharing media files containing sexually graphic images of children. The IP address led agents from the Office of Attorney General’s

Randi Darwin Vassar of Oxford.

Child Predator Section and the Downingtown Police Department to an address associated with Ovalles. Upon executing a search warrant, agents with the Attorney General’s Computer Forensics Unit previewed several electronic devices and located numerous videos containing child pornography.

Penaloza Ovalles is charged with five counts of distribution of child pornography, 20 counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

He was released from custody on $250,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 20.

The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney Rebecca Elo of the Office of Attorney General’s Child Predator Section.

TEENS CHARGED WITH VANDALISM Kennett Square Police have charged six young people with vandalism in connection with five incidents between April 18 and May 15 at the parking garage at 100 E. Linden Street in Kennett Square. In these incidents, fire extinguisher boxes were broken into and the extinguishers were set off.

Arrested were a 14-yearold girl, a 14-year-old boy, two 13-year-old boys, and two 12-year-old boys, all of whom live in Kennett Square. Charges were filed through the Juvenile Unit of the District Attorney’s Office. Four additional juveniles were issued citations for disorderly conduct.

COUPLE CITED FOR SEX Kennett Square Police cited James Heller, 30, of West Chester, and Melissa McCabe, 28, of Yardley, for disorderly conduct after they were seen having sex in a vehicle parked in the parking garage in Kennett Square on May 4.

PHONE SCAM Kennett Square Police received a report from a resident of the 100 block of South Willow Street on May 18 that they had gotten a phone call from someone asking them to verify their address, Social Security number, place of employment, and their children’s schools. The resident did not confirm any of the information, but told police that all

the information was correct. The resident was told that they had won $250 in gift cards from the Melnet Company. A search revealed the caller’s number, 610-268-9446, as a source of fraud-related calls.

GUN LOST On the evening of June 10, a 62-year-old Oxford man told Pennsylvania State Police Avondale that he forgot he put a box containing a firearm and other items on the hood of his car and drove away from his home. The box fell off on Baltimore Pike near his home, but when he returned later to check the area, the gun was missing.

INJURY AFTER DUI CRASH On June 9, New Garden Township Police responded to a two-car crash at Newark and Starr roads. Officers found that one of the drivers, Zachary Dellavecchia, 22, of Landenberg, showed signs of intoxication, and he failed field sobriety tests. He was taken into custody for DUI. The driver of the other car was taken to Christiana Hospital with what New Garden Police described as serious injuries. Further traffic and criminal charges are expected against Dellavecchia.

CAR BREAK-INS Several locked and unlocked cars parked at 35 Pennock Alley in London Grove Township were broken into overnight on May 31, and multiple items were stolen, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale.

An unlocked vehicle

parked in a driveway at 147 Tweed Road in Oxford was broken into between June 12 and 13 and a wallet containing gift cards was stolen, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT CARNIVAL On June 11 at 8:40 p.m., New Garden Township Police at the St. Rocco’s carnival responded to a disturbance involving three people. One of them, Luis Romero-Zurita, 18, of West Grove, was shouting profanity. Officers tried to escort him away from the scene, but he resisted and fought with officers.

He was taken into custody and arrested for multiple counts of aggravated and simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He was remanded to Chester County Prison in lieu of $7,500 cash bail.

COUNTERFEIT COUPONS A 32-year-old Philadelphia woman was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police Avondale on May 19 after passing counterfeit coupons at two Walgreen’s stores. A police report said Samira Abuali Muhana used counterfeit coupons to receive about $300 worth of merchandise for $13 at a Walgreen’s store at 2235 Baltimore Pike in East Nottingham Township, and again tried to use similar coupons in another Walgreen’s store in London Grove Township.

Anyone with more information, or who has been involved in similar incidents, is asked to call police at 610-268-2022.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

7A

Chester County Press

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.

Opinion

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

What Lily left behind

HB 1947 needs to be strengthened Letter to the Editor: In Harrisburg, there was a public hearing on HB 1947, a bill to open the statute of limitations for childhood victims of sexual abuse. I have always supported Rep. Rozzi’s work in advocating for justice for the victims of childhood sexual abuse, but I am concerned that this bill cre-

ates two classes of victims.

HB 1947, as it was introduced by Rep. Marsico, limits which organizations can be held responsible for the victimization of children to only nonprofits, churches and their employees, but not governmental organizations.

Justice should not be denied to some who were victimized, while allowing

others to finally receive their long awaited justice.

Children who were victimized by employees of governmental institutions deserve the right to be heard and to have their abusers judged and held accountable. Sexual abuse is sexual abuse; all abusers must be held accountable. My hope is that the State Senate will amend this bill to make it

stronger, better and fair. I have contacted my Senator and asked to make sure to include all victims in this important bill and make sure that it holds all pedophiles accountable. Justice for some is really not justice at all.

Susan Rzucidlo Candidate for the PA House, 158th District

Column Courtesy photo

Licensed veterinarian Tracey Stewart with Lily, the 20-year-old Appaloosa/Arabian mixed breed horse who was rescued in March and taken to the Penn Vet's New Bolton Center.

This past March, a 20-year-old Appaloosa/ Arabian mixed breed horse was taken to the Penn Vet's New Bolton Center.

Philip Price, Jr. of Rhode Island was later charged with transporting the horse, and then convicted of animal cruelty and handling the animal without a license.

Around the clock, equine specialists at New Bolton set about to, in essence, bring the horse back to life. Along the way, they named her Lily.

Within days of her arrival, the story of Lily became a national one, while locally, she had become the unofficial mascot of Chester County, and a testament to how human kindness can overcome even the darkest measure of our cruelty.

In May, Tracey Stewart, a licensed veterinarian and the wife of comedian Jon Stewart, came to the New Bolton Center to adopt Lily and arrange for her transport to the animal sanctuary she and her husband own and operate in Colt's Neck, N.J. For one month, Lily received everything that was due to her: massages, baths and more hugs than she had every received in her entire life. She had her very own barn and listened to a Pandora channel of music that included Ray Lamontagne.

This past Sunday, Lily fell and broke a bone in her neck. She was later euthanized. On her Facebook page, Stewart posted the following: “It is with the deepest sadness that we share with you that dearest, sweetest Lily passed away yesterday. She went peacefully surrounded by so many that loved her. We stroked her hair and told her over and over again how loved and special she was.

She was under her favorite tree on soft grass. She will live on in our hearts and in our fight to protect, love and cherish all animals.

“When we knew there was nothing more we could do for her we covered her in kisses and kind words and said our goodbyes,” Stewart added.

“Our hearts are aching. We had so many more fun plans for her. She was beyond special and beyond loved.”

Stories like Lily's are not intended to arrive and disappear like transient fads into the psyche of our better angels. Rather, they are to remain in permanence, like passing comets we may be able to point to and say, 'Look! We saved her! This is what happens when we are at our best!'

What Lily gave us, and what she leaves behind, is not just the story of an abandoned horse, pelted to near death by paintballs and neglect, who was rescued and saved. In the last precious months of her life, Lily showed us that our capacity to love in defiance of our worst indecencies – by choosing to take the best parts of our humanity and hurdle them over the walls of our own ugliness – is our greatest gift, and one that will always win. We can now let go of her reigns, so that she may run in pastures, forever.

Chester County Press Randall S. Lieberman Publisher

Steve Hoffman ........................................Managing Editor John Chambless ..............................................Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw ...............................................Staff Writer Carla Lucas ................................................Correspondent Nancy Johnson ...........................................Correspondent Brenda Butt ...............................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley .................................................Art Director Alan E. Turns....................................Advertising Director Christy Larry.....................Assistant Advertising Director Teri Turns......................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren.............................Advertising Executive The Chester County Press (USPS 416-500) is published every Wednesday by: AD PRO, Inc. 144 South Jennersville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346 Telephone: (610) 869-5553 • FAX (610) 869-9628 Internet E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., no weekend hours

Annual Subscription Rate: Chester County - $28.00 Senior Citizen Out of County - $30.00 • Senior Citizen (Chester Co. Only) - $24.00

NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Back issues sent via mail are $5.00 each. Current and previous week's issues are 60 cents each. Older issues are $1.50 each. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, PA 19363. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chester County Press, P.O. Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346.

The award winning Chester County Press 2006 - First Place, Special Project 2005 - Honorable Mention - Special Section 1998 - First Place, Special Section 1997 - First Place, Diversity Award 1996 - First Place, Advertising Excellence 1996 - First Place, Diversity Award

Harrisburg should curb waste, not fund it

By Elizabeth Stelle What do waking up, driving to work, and stopping at Starbucks have in common?

Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes.

Think about it: You likely wake up in your home, provided you pay your annual property tax bill. Your car’s gas is taxed at the highest rate in the nation. Your paycheck carries a 3.07 percent income tax, which is nonexistent in seven other states. Even buying coffee at Starbucks costs you 6 percent in sales tax.

Individually, these state taxes may seem reasonable. Indeed, most Pennsylvanians don’t mind supporting government’s critical services.

But with Pennsylvanians already bearing the 15thhighest state and local tax burden in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation, would higher taxes fund critical services—or simply enable government waste?

Consider education. The goal should be tangible results for kids, not simply dollar signs. Despite spending nearly $16,000 per student, academic achievement remains flat. If money could buy results, we’d be at the head of the class already.

Unfortunately, too many resources supposedly desig-

nated for education instead fund bloated bureaucracies that manage onerous state mandates but bring little benefit to students.

One glaring example of wasteful spending under the guise of education is Pennsylvania’s “ghost teacher” practice that lets school employees rack up years of absences to do union work. As a recent Pittsburgh Tribune-Review editorial noted, “millions of dollars in salaries and benefits are paid to ‘ghost teachers’ who work not in classrooms but exclusively for their unions.” Allentown Education Association president Deb Tretter, for example, has received a taxpayer-funded pension and salary since 2009.

Then, there is the 6.2 percent raise the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) recently gave its executive director John Metzger—bringing his annual salary to $154,035.

Not only was this position created as a political favor, but the PLCB itself is an archaic monopoly rife with corruption. While the recent wine-expansion bill improved convenience, it did nothing to reduce the PLCB’s waste. Eliminating this agency completely would raise $220 million annually through licenses, fees, and increased sales.

Pennsylvania also doles out nearly $700 million in corporate welfare to wellknown corporations like Netflix and American Eagle Outfitters. We have topped the nation in these selective business subsidies since 2007. Yet, their promise of job growth rarely materializes. In fact, the ten states spending the least on corporate welfare from 2007-2015 saw faster job growth than the ten states spending the most.

Gov. Wolf wants to spend even more on corporate welfare—raising your taxes to do so. This is not asking Pennsylvanians to pay for core government services but for government handouts to multi-billion dollar corporations.

Finally, our rapidly growing safety net programs demonstrate the urgent need for more efficiency in government programs.

In the last five years, state welfare spending has skyrocketed by a billion dollars while our poverty rate has remained steady. The standard should be results, not simply more money, when it comes to helping vulnerable Pennsylvanians.

Last year, for example, Gov. Wolf estimated that mandated human services spending would require an additional $866 million.

Yet, legislators met the

actual need by approving just $215 million more.

Would the extra $651 million have supported those who need it most? Or would it have benefitted government bureaucracy instead?

The pattern is clear.

Without robust oversight, higher taxes can end up enabling government inefficiency by propping up programs in dire need of reform.

It’s time to break this cycle and spend smarter before resorting to tax hikes. Even relatively small targeted tax hikes on gambling or cigarettes fail to address the source of government waste and inefficiency.

Instead of scrambling to raise more revenue from hardworking Pennsylvanians, Gov. Wolf and lawmakers must first question the assumption that every tax dollar is currently being spent wisely, efficiently, and effectively.

Pennsylvanians are willing to share the cost of important government services. But before they are asked to send even more of their money to Harrisburg, they deserve to know they’re funding a government that truly works.

Elizabeth Stelle is director of policy analysis for the Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market think tank.

Human trafficking film ‘Chosen’ to be shown June 24 in Oxford Marilyn Barry, trained Shared Hope International presenter, will show and discuss the film “Chosen” at ACE (Advocating, Collaborating, Educating) Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance of Oxford on June

24 at 7 p.m. The screening will be presented at the Oxford Senior Center.

The film is the true story of teens who faced real-life encounters with trafficking, and practical resources to spread awareness and take

action. As traffickers target younger victims, American youth are engaged in a battle they never prepared for. This exploitation is now going on in every area of the country.

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or

guardian. Refreshments will be available at 6:30 p.m.

The Oxford Senior Center is at 12 E. Locust St. in Oxford. Call 610-932-0337 or email stopslavery@ zoominternet.net for more information.

House leaders call on Senate to pass, Governor to sign pension reform

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) applauded the strong bipartisan passage of a critical public employee pension reform bill and called on the Senate to pass and Gov. Tom Wolf to sign Senate Bill 1071.

The bill passed by a vote of 136-59.

“This is a significant first step in the right direction to start tackling Pennsylvania’s unsustainable public pension system,” said Turzai.

“A defined contribution plan for future hires, which

is what the private sector has offered since the mid1990s, protects the benefits earned by current employees and retirees and fully meets our statutory payment obligations to the retirement systems.”

As it was amended by the House, Senate Bill 1071 is expected to save taxpayers at least $5 billion. It includes significant reform which combines the best attributes of the 401(k) and Defined Benefits (DB) plans.

“Pension reform not only protects our taxpayers, but also enables the commitment to our retirees and

current employees to be kept as promised,” Reed said. “With pension obligations being the number one cost-driver for school districts and the state, pension reform is an absolute necessity to avoid property tax increases as well as cuts to core government services.”

Currently, more than 236,000 people are enrolled in the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS), while more than 609,000 belong to the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS).

The systems’ consulting actuaries have

reported the systems now face more than $63 billion in unfunded liability.

The plan delivers competitive benefits to new hires in today’s marketplace and helps ensure that unfunded liabilities do not grow further and proactively safeguards the Commonwealth’s credit rating.

“Estimated taxpayer savings are in the billions of dollars with savings realized to be used to pay down the unfunded liability, reducing debt and saving tomorrow’s taxpayers from billions more in interest payments,” said Turzai.

8A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Oxford Library unveils a brighter, bigger, and better Children’s Room

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Children’s Room in the Oxford Library is brighter, bigger, and better— just ask anyone who has seen it since the new space opened to the public in May. “We like it a lot,” said Renee Sceski, a Nottingham resident who frequently visits the library with her four children. “It’s a lot bigger and there’s more room for programs. We really enjoy the summer reading activities that they have.”

Library director Carey Bresler said that the staff is as excited as the children and

their parents about the new space, which features more natural light, an open floor plan, and lots of additional room for books and activities.

“The kids love it,” Bresler explained. “The parents love it. There is a lot of extra space. It’s very open and it’s a warmer space.”

The new Children’s Room is part of a larger project to expand the Oxford Library to meet the needs of the community. In June of 2015, the Oxford Library completed a building project that added 4,000 square feet of space, including a new wing to house the library’s main collection. The

Photo by Steven Hoffman

The new Children’s Room has an open floor plan that allows the staff to meet the needs of visitors better.

addition of that new wing freed up space in the original part of the building for the Children’s Room to move from the basement to the upper level. New carpeting and fresh paint was needed, and once those tasks were completed, the library staff worked with volunteers to move the books and furniture from the basement to the upper level. That work started in April, and initially, the goal was to move the children’s collection in two months. But because of all the help from volunteers, the effort was completed in a little bit more than a month.

“We really had wonderful volunteers to help us,” Bresler said. Some of the organizations that assisted with the work include the Bethany Christian School, Dansko, Boy Scout Troop 13, Brownies Troop 4468, Junior Girl Scout Troop 4644, the Oxford Library Friends, the Pokemon Club, and the Oxford Area High School Interact Club.

Bresler said that while all the volunteers were excited to be helping with the transformation of the Oxford Library, the younger volunteers were the most excited as they anticipated the opening of the new Children’s Room.

“The kids were so excited to help us build this,” Bresler said of the room, which offers approximately 3,700 square feet of space. The room was designed in such a way that

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Erin Miller, the children’s librarian, and Carey Bresler, the library director, said that the new and expanded Children’s Room will allow for more programs and activities aimed at youngsters in the Oxford community.

that books and materials for the library’s youngest patrons are on one side of the room, and the collection targets increasingly older children moving toward the other side. When the Children’s Room was downstairs, everything was divided into compartments, but now the floor plan is wide open, making it better for visitors and the staff. Staff members can respond to patrons’ needs faster, and the young adult collection, which was previously included in the main collection because of space limitations, now has a prominent place in the Children’s Room.

Erin Miller, the children’s librarian, said that she has heard many compliments about the new space.

“Everybody loves it,” she said. “It’s a lot bigger, there’s so much more room. It’s a lot brighter. It has been a very positive reaction.”

The new Children’s Room debuted just in time for the arrival of summer—a time filled with activities and programs for children.

A grand-opening for the

new Children’s Room took place on June 3 with state, county, and local officials in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Registration for the Summer Reading Club began immediately after that, a sign that the Oxford Library is ready for the busy summer season ahead.

“We were absolutely committed to getting the kids in here for the summer,” Bresler explained. “The summer is the time of the year when we get to educate the kids the most. We get to see what programs they are interested in, and what they enjoy reading.”

The library hosts an allages story time regularly that features an interactive program, including stories, songs, and crafts to boost literacy skills. There is also a Building Block program each Tuesday. The Oxford Lego Club for children ages seven and older meets on select Saturdays.

Bresler credited Miller for not only overseeing some of the library’s regular offerings, but also increasing

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Ivan Sceski plays with Giant Star Builders in the new Children’s Room at the Oxford Library.

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the programs and activities in the Children’s Room.

“She’s very enthusiastic,” Bresler said. “She loves her job, and it shows.”

Miller helped introduce a new writer’s workshop for young writers over the age of 12. This group meets each Wednesday as the young writers are provided with different writing prompts to help them craft stories.

Fitness Fun Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. each week, finds children enjoying a different movement activity or fitness presentation. Karate instructors and nutrition experts have come in to work with the children, and more guest speakers are planned as the program moves forward.

Bresler said that the library encourages people to read, but also to also stay active during the summer. The Summer Reading Program for children is titled, On Your Mark, Get Set...Read! For teens, the program is called Get in the game…Read! and for adults, the theme is “Exercise Your Mind,” all indicative of the need to keep both the mind and the body active during the summer.

The enormously popular Science in the Summer program returns this summer. The subject this time is genetics.

“Everybody loves that program. It fills up right away,” explained Miller.

The Oxford Library also hosts a program, Full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Ahead, which is also very popular. More details about the program, including dates and topics, are available on the library’s website at www. oxfordpubliclibrary.org.

Another main focus of the library is to encourage readers of all ages. Children are challenged to read 1,000 books before kindergarten.

There’s a Teen Reads Book Club for that age group.

There’s even an Adult Reading Program where adults are invited to read a book and fill out a review card and post them around the library so that others can use the reviews to find books that they like. Bresler said that they would like to expand the Adult Reading Program. She’s also looking forward to having children in the community enjoy the new Children’s Room as they make the library a regular part of their summer routine.

“We want the children to read a little bit every day, through the summer,” Bresler explained.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

9A

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10A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

I had always been an athlete, surďŹ ng, kayaking, you name it. Then, I was stricken by shoulder pain, and it seemed like nobody could get me back on track. That is, until I went to Chester County Hospital for shoulder replacement. Thanks to my orthopaedic surgeon, the nursing team and convenient on-site rehab, I moved beyond the pain. Now, I’m making waves again.

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Chester County Hospital | 701 East Marshall Street | West Chester | 610.431.5000

Section

B

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Kennett High School’s 125th commencement

‘From Kennett Square to everywhere’

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Surrounded by family and friends, the 305 members of Kennett High School’s Class of 2016 celebrated a major milestone in their young lives, fondly reflected on their time together, and optimistically looked toward the future at the school’s 125th commencement ceremony on June 17.

James Nolan Joyce, the president of the Class of 2016, delivered the welcome address. He started with a lighthearted look back at some of the trends that became popular during their time at Kennett, and even took a Selfie with his classmates.

Then he talked about how the school district has prepared the graduates for what comes next in their lives.

“Kennett has prepared us well to enter the adult world,” Joyce said. “Our school’s outstanding learning environment and rigorous curriculum have set us up perfectly to keep pace with the rapid progress of innovation in the twenty-first century.

The world is ripe for our success. We are living in incredibly exciting times with endless opportunities at our fingertips. We all have a different purpose on this earth, so after graduation, we will go in countless directions.

But, one thing remains true: receiving a quality education from Kennett High School allows us to go from Kennett Square to everywhere and anywhere our hearts desire.”

Joyce then explained how the commencement

Photo by Steven Hoffman

The Kennett High School Class of 2016.

speakers—Julie Bates, Hannah Sirusas, Alex Mark, and Christian Beveridge—were going to expand on the theme of “From Kennett Square to Everywhere” during their speeches.

“First, we’ll have Julie Bates commemorate the times we’ve shared,” Joyce explained. “Hannah Sirusas will join us next to help acknowledge our perseverance throughout the past four years. After that, Alex Mark will show us why we need to cherish our good fortune.

And, finally, Christian Beveridge will lead us in recognizing what we’re capable of accomplishing.”

Bates talked about the dual nature of the graduation ceremony, noting that it’s not just an ending, but a beginning.

“For thirteen years, every student plowed

through the curriculum filled with creative projects, five-paragraph essays, and long tests in order to reach that final milestone of graduation.

And, now, we’re here.

Congratulations, class of 2016, but what’s next?

Was graduation really the final destination? My answer to all of you is no. Though we’ve spent years working to arrive at this exact moment in time, graduation doesn’t mean the end of everything we’ve worked towards.

Rather, graduation is simply another milestone in our individual journeys.

Graduation means the end of our official time at Kennett, but it also means the start of our time in the workforce, military service, or places of higher education.

Remember that there are more lifechanging moments to come.”

Sirusas talked about the perseverance and

endurance that it took for the students to reach this point. “High school has been, for me and surely my fellow graduates, an unimaginable journey of maneuvering through highs and lows,” she explained.

“As we all prepare to embark on this journey that is maneuvering through adulthood, I just want to remind everyone that we will be all right.

The highs and lows we’ve all experienced during our time at Kennett are proof of our endurance.”

In “Appreciating our Blessings,” Mark observed that Kennett students have been blessed with books and classrooms and teachers, and he talked about the importance of education in the search for a better life.

“Education is a torch,” Mark said. “Education is building the Brooklyn Bridge. Education is extending a hand to refugees. Education is

launching our next mission to the stars. Around the world, others are begging, fighting to receive what we’ve been given. But their cries are heard... today, we become torch bearers. All we need to do is pass the torch on.”

In “Realizing our Potential,” Beveridge challenged his classmates to be optimistic in an increasingly pessimistic world. “For all of the degrading things we hear about this world we are inheriting,” he said, “I encourage you to stay optimistic and try to recognize just what an amazing time this is.

At this instant, human lifespans have never been greater, while childhood mortality rates have never been lower. The cost of nearly every essential element to modern life is exponentially decreasing.

While it may not feel like it, we are actually living in the most peaceful era

of modern history. We are closer now than ever to achieving our founding fathers’ goal of having a country where “all men are created equal.” Nearly every person in this crowd has a smart phone that would have been the world’s most prized possession one hundred years ago.

We can find information or connect with people in seconds, compared to the hours or days it would have taken our grandparents.

I encourage you to stay optimistic because history tells us, in our lifetime, the world will improve in ways we never thought possible.

And the best part about it?

We’re going to be the ones making those changes.”

The g raduation ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2016 in a variety of ways. Dr. Barry Tomasetti, the superintendent of schools, said that the hard work of the students helped the school earn a designation from several national publications as one of the best high schools in the U.S. Three seniors—Julie Bates, Saarang Karandikar, and John Libert—qualified as finalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Kendra LaCosta, the president of the school board, said that the district has enjoyed celebrating the students’ accomplishments.

She noted that the senior class was filled with athletes and talented artists and musicians.

Jeffery Thomas, assistant principal at the high school, announced that the members of the senior class earned approximately $10.1 million in scholarships, grants, and awards.

Continued on page 4B

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Kendra LaCosta, the president of the school board, handed students their diplomas as they walked across the stage. Here, she congratulations Tyler Joseph LaCosta with his diploma.

The seniors at Kennett High School were excited about their graduation night as they gathered one last time as a class.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

June 22 to July 27 Concerts in the park Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square will be the site of free concerts this summer on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. There will be food and drinks for sale. Visit www.ansonbnixonpark. org for more information.

The schedule will include: Progressive Appalachian music by Ken and Brad Kolodner, with Alex Lacquement (June 22); rockabilly with the Bullets (June 29); Crossroads (July 6); Jane Lee Hooker (July 13); Mercury Radio Theater (July 20); Angelee (July 27).

June 22 Bluegrass concert The Oxford Area Senior Center is hosting a free concert by the Original Lenape Bluegrass Band on June 22 at 7 p.m. The concert will be outdoors at the Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St.), but will move indoors in case of inclement weather.

Bring your own seating and refreshments (no alcoholic beverages). Call 610-9325244 or email oxsrctr@ zoominternet.net to make reservations.

June 24 Oxford Arts Alliance Garden Party Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery will host the Oxford Arts Alliance Garden Party on June 24 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The theme is “Steeling the Show,” and the event will feature forged fashion by artist Ellen Durkan, as well

Through Sept. 25 Summer music schedule Landenberg United Methodist Church (205 Penn Green Rd., Landenberg) present special summer music during services, which are from 9 to 10 on Sunday mornings. Refreshments will be served after the service. Call 610-274- 8384 for more information. The schedule is: June 26 -- Tom Volk and Earline Perry; July 3 – Bob Hart, former trombonist with Artie Shaw Orchestra, singer/ songwriter; July 10 – Norm Holt and the Breakaways Praise Band; July 17 -- It’s Never Too Late Band; July 24 – Morgan Hollow Trio; July 31 – Rise Up Band from St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church; Aug. 7 – String Theory Band, from OLLI at University of Delaware; Aug. 14 – Norm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

as sculptures by regional artists. There will be wines from Galer Estate, hors d’oeuvres by Brandywine Prime, music and dancing, and a silent auction to benefit the Arts Alliance. Tickets are $50. Visit www.oxfordart. org for information and reservations.

June 24 Hoagie sale The Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St., Oxford) is having a hoagie sale on June 24. Turkey or ham hoagies, with or without hot peppers, can be ordered by calling 610-9325244, or emailing oxsrctr@ zoominternet.net. Hoagies need to be ordered by June 17 and can be picked up at the Senior Center on the June 24 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. They are $5 each.

June 25 Relay for Life of LanChester The Relay for life of LanChester will take place on Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the Octorara High School track in Atglen. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life events bring together more than four million people worldwide to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to remember loved ones lost, and to empower individuals and communities to fight back against the disease.

July 1 First Friday in Oxford Start the long Fourth of July weekend by enjoying

Holt and the Breakaways Praise Band; Aug. 21 – Ken Tonge, guitar, saxophone and vocals; Aug. 28 – Martha Marsey and Ken Sharp, hammered dulcimers; Sept. 4 – Barbara and Keith Hoffman, vocals and guitar; Sept. 11 – Val and Connie Schan, vocals and 12-string guitar; Sept.

18 – Norm Holt and the Breakaways Praise Band; Sept. 25 – It’s Never Too Late Band.

Summer Fun series West Grove United Methodist Church celebrates summer with Wednesday night “Summer Fun for Everyone” programs. The weekly events will continue through the summer, culminating on Aug. 31.

The community is invited to attend from 6 to 8 p.m. for hot dogs, games, fellowship and a brief word from the pastor, Rev.

Oxford’s First Friday event with an “America the Beautiful” theme. First Friday includes many activities and events that are taking place in downtown Oxford. Stores will be open late.

July 2 Freedom Fest in Nottingham Park The Freedom Fest at Nottingham County Park will be held on Saturday, July 2 from 6 to 11 p.m.

Admission is free, but parking is $10 per car. Enjoy fireworks, a concert, plenty of activities and offerings from food vendors. There will snacks from Herr Foods, and festival foods served by vendors. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Bring your own seating. Canopies are not permitted. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. For more information, call 610932-2589 or visit www. chesco.org/ccparks.

July 15 ‘Inside Out’ at Movies in the Park The family-oriented “Movies in the Park” series returns to the Oxford Memorial Park on July 15 with a showing of “Inside Out.” The movie previews start at 8:30 p.m., with the main feature following.

Concessions are available at the pavilion throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to sit on.

Admission is free. In the case of rain, the event may be canceled. Visit www.

Monica B. Guepet, each week. All beverages will be supplied. The event is free. A box of games will be available, the youth plan to have their 9-In-TheAir game up and going, a gated playground is open for smaller children, and the parking lot and grounds will provide space for kids to ride bike, scooters, and play. The church is at 300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove.

For more information, call 610-869-9334, or visit www.westgroveumc.org.

To submit items to the Church Calendar, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There is no charge. Information should be received at least two weeks before the event.

Not every submission can be included. Please include the address and contact information for the church in your submission.

oxfordpa.org.

July 16 Community choir concert The New London Community Choir, under the direction of Robin Bidwell, will present “A Tribute to the ‘60s” on July 16 at 7 p.m. in the Avon Grove High School Auditorium (257 State Rd., West Grove). The choir performs two concerts a year, is available to sing for local community events and recently sang for the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

The program will include songs by the Beatles, Beach Boys and Elvis, among others. Donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, call 610-869-8129 or e-mail newlondonumc@verizon. net.

Aug. 5 First Friday in Oxford Enjoy food, music, and activities at Oxford’s First Friday event, which has a “Luau” theme on Aug. 5.

The downtown stores will have extended hours and special sales from 5 to 8 p.m.

Aug. 8 Benefit golf tournament The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on Aug. 8 beginning at 11 a.m. at Radley Run Country Club.

Proceeds benefit the SCCCC High School Scholarship Fund. Individual golfers are $225 and foursomes are

The Anson B. Nixon Park concert series begins on June 22 at 7 p.m. with progressive Appalachian music by Ken and Brad Kolodner. Visit www.ansonbnixonpark.org.

$825; hole sponsorships are also available. To register, visit www.scccc.com. The tournament includes a luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. and the tournament beginning at 12:30 p.m. A reception and scholarship dinner conclude the day at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.scccc. com.

Aug. 19 Third on Third Enjoy music, art, shopping and dinner on the third Friday of the month along Third Street in downtown Oxford. It is an opportunity for art lovers to view exhibits in an environment that caters to adults. Stroll Third Street for additional activities coinciding with the Arts Alliance exhibits. The hours are 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www. downtownoxfordpa.org.

Aug. 19 ‘Minions’ The family-oriented “Movies in the Park” series returns to the Oxford

Memorial Park on July 15 with a showing of “Minions.”

The movie previews start at 8:30 p.m., with the main feature following.

Concessions are available at the pavilion throughout the evening. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Admission is free. In the case of rain, the event may be canceled. Visit www.oxfordpa.org.

Sept. 2 First Friday Car Show Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., will be hosting its third annual car show as the First Friday event in September.

More than 160 antique, classic, and modern cars are expected to be on display.

The hours are 5 to 8 p.m.

To submit items to the Calendar of Events, e-mail jchambless@chestercounty. com. There is no charge.

Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event.

Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau launches online facilities guide The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau (CCCVB) in partnership with 2010 Solutions has developed and released an online Meeting and Facilities Guide. This convenient search tool will assist customers in finding the perfect event venue.

Designed with the planner in mind, the online guide easily locates meeting sites, sports venues and even the ideal wedding location utilizing criteria and filters they wish to apply.

Found on both BVFacilitesGuide.com and

BrandywineValley.com through a link, the guide is an aid to the personal service the Visitors Bureau offers.

Greg Edevane, director of sales, is happy to have the new program.

“Whether we are in front of the customer at a trade show or the client is searching on their own, the site is user-friendly and features a clear view of all the wonderful facilities we have to offer, including a function to compare venue attributes,” he said.

Courtney Babcock, sales manager, agrees and adds it

aids in getting the customer engaged, “we offer personal assistance in event planning and the Facilities Guide is a great way to get that first order of business done – secure the venue.”

While the guide is marketed out of the region to attract business, locals are also encouraged to use BVFacilitiesGuide. com according to Susan Hamley, the CCCVB Executive Director. “Our friends and neighbors here in Chester County need sites for weddings, showers, reunions and such,” she explained. “Many residents belong to associations or clubs that may meet locally at some point. All are welcome to use both this convenient guide and our friendly staff is always here to assist.”

The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, created in 1963, is a not-for-profit, independent organization that serves as the official Tourism Promotion Agency for Chester County. The Bureau is responsible for marketing Chester County and the Brandywine Valley to individual domestic and international leisure travelers; group tour, meeting and event planners; sports tournament producers and travel writers.

The Bureau maintains the Brandywine Valley Tourism Information Center at 300 Greenwood Road in Kennett Square. The center welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

3B

For Morgan Curl of Oxford, art has always come naturally

By John Chambless Staff Writer When Morgan Curl was in kindergarten, her mother, Lisa, went to her school open house.

The young students had been asked to draw their house.

“I walked in and the teacher said, ‘Oh, I bet you can pick out your daughter’s drawing,’” Lisa Curl recalled, smiling. “I started looking at the pictures hanging there and thought, ‘Oh my God.’ Morgan’s was three-dimensional, it had people with arms and hands.

I thought, ‘Wow, you mean all kids don’t draw like this?’”

Today, at 17, Morgan consistently draws a crowd when she exhibits her pencil portraits at the Oxford Arts Alliance Student Art Show.

The amount of detail, the sophisticated use of light and shadow, the way Curl can catch a personality in her work – all point to an artist of enormous gifts.

But Curl, who just finished her junior year at Oxford High School, said drawing has always come naturally to her.

She’s never had formal lessons beyond classroom instruction in school art classes. And her drawing often has to take a back seat to her swimming. She gets up at 4:30 a.m. to drive herself to Delaware for swim practice, then back to school, then more swim practice.

She often gets home at 7:30 p.m., and then must complete homework. There’s not a lot of extra time for drawing. “I think this year, I’ve only drawn about six things,” she said.

“On my mom’s side of the family, most of my aunts and uncles are artistic,” Curl said, showing a pen-and-ink farm drawing by her uncle Frank.

“I’m always learning new ways to do things. I like realism, not so much Picasso. I don’t get abstract that much. I like drawing faces.”

Curl went to Mary Mother of the Redeemer for kindergarten and first grade in Montgomery County, then Sacred Heart School from grades 2 to 5,

and then Oxford schools. All along, her artwork has been well above that of her peers.

“I’ve always been close to my art teachers,” Morgan said. “I just kind of doodle. There are a lot of doodles in my notes from school.”

A middle-school art teacher, Mrs. Muehlmatt, “was the first teacher who saw something extraordinary in her, and encouraged her to pursue art,” Lisa said of her daughter.

Morgan also credited her high school art teacher, Valerie Hill, with encouraging her art, and making sure Morgan could skip a prerequisite art class and continue her drawing in school.

“I’ve always thought she was talented, but there was no other point of reference for me,” Lisa said. “I don’t have other kids. My family tends to be a bit creative. The art gene missed me entirely, but I worked overseas and would visit the museums and cathedrals. And Morgan would be right there with me, taking it all in.”

During a trip to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios when she was 9, Morgan was so fascinated by the room where Disney animators teach visitors to draw cartoon characters “that when she was done, she wanted to go back in,” Lisa said. “We spent the better part of a full afternoon going back again and again until there weren’t any more characters to draw. And we came back the next day.”

To create her portraits, “I do a grid first,” Morgan said, “so then I can focus on the boxes.

I grid the outline first – eyes, lips, nose – then I add shading.

I like the control pencil has, and the detail you can get from it. I started working with charcoal this year,” she added, showing two detailed drawings of cats that she did “just for fun.”

This fanciful drawing was done when Morgan was in seventh grade.

This self-portrait done in first grade.

was

Morgan was fascinated at Disney World by drawing characters. This is her sketch of Pluto.

Morgan Curl, 17, has always shown a precocious gift for art.

For her senior project next took about five months.” year, Morgan is planning a Lisa added, “At the last portfolio of drawings of exhibit in Oxford, I was a women of different ethnicities. proud parent. I was watching She laid out what she called how people would look at “doodles” on notebook paper the Twiggy picture, step up of some early ideas, and they and examine it. One guy was already looked like nearly asking his wife, ‘Do you think completed drawings. that’s real? How do they do Morgan has gotten some that?’ Hey, even I still don’t requests from friends and know how she does it,” Lisa family members to do portraits added, laughing. “It’s magic.”

– and even some offers to buy With a college decision her work – but so far she hasn’t coming next year, Morgan sold any. Her latest portrait, of said she hopes to continue the 1960s model Twiggy, “took swimming “and minor in art longer than it should have,” of some sort,” she said. “I like Morgan said with a sigh. “For math a lot, too, so maybe some two months I didn’t work on it combination of engineering at all, though. That sweater,” and art.” she said ruefully of the detailed “Given the right inspiration stitching in the shoulder area in a college with an incredible of the portrait. “It’s repetitive, art program, she might be so it was painful. But it was inspired by the teachers,” already started, so I couldn’t Lisa said. “She doesn’t know erase it. The whole drawing what she doesn’t know, and it’s hard to figure that out in high school. I have an office job, and I know she’s not that person. She won’t be able to work in an office. I don’t think she’ll truly be happy in life unless she can use the creative part of her brain.”

To contact Staff Writer An experiment in painting John Chambless, email led to this work, copied jchambless@chestercounty. com. from a photograph.

The detail of the hair in this drawing was accomplished when Curl was in eighth grade.

This drawing of Morgan’s cat was done ‘just for fun’ recently.

Morgan’s recent drawing of a ballerina was exhibited in Oxford.

This portrait of the model Twiggy was exhibited at this year’s Student Art Show in Oxford.

This drawing was done in seventh grade.

This pencil portrait was shown at last year’s Student Art Show at the Oxford Arts Alliance.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Commencement Continued from page 1B

Finally, after the achievements of the Class of 2016 were spotlighted, it was the moment that everyone had been waiting for—the awarding of the diplomas. Dr. Jeremy Hritz, the principal of the high school, presented the roll call of graduates. At approximately 7:28 p.m., the last of the diplomas was presented to the members of Kennett High School’s Class of 2016.

Next, Colleen Allen, the chairperson of the Guidance Department, announced the recipients of local scholarships and awards. In total, the awards amounted to more than $100,000.

James Nolan Joyce was announced as this year’s Advisor’s Cup recipient.

This honor is given to a student who has dedicated his time and service to the senior class.

Becca Shoemaker was awarded the high school’s highest honor, the W. Earle Rupert Memorial Cup, which is given annually to the senior member of the National Honor Society who, in the judgment of the faculty, is deserving

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

of the special honor by virtue of scholarship, school spirit, and service to Kennett High School. As the winner of the W. Earle Rupert Memorial Cup, Shoemaker’s name will be inscribed on the cup—just one more illustration of how the members of the Class of 2016 left their mark on Kennett High School.

Hritz, a first-year principal at the high school, offered the closing remarks at the ceremony, thanking the students, parents, teachers, and administrative team for a great year. He said that the Class of 2016 consistently proved that they were supportive of each other, and recalled a moment at the senior dinner dance when all the seniors locked arms and took a moment to celebrate their unity and their time together.

“We are all better people, and a better school, because of you,” Hritz told the Class of 2016, just moments before they all marched back into the high school for one final time as a class.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

James Nolan Joyce, class president, takes a selfie during his speech.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Photo by Steven Hoffman

After the graduation ceremony concluded, the students went back into the high school, the final time that they would be together as one class.

Becca Shoemaker, who delivered the invocation, talked about what she and her classmates will remember most about their time in Kennett. “I can tell you it won’t be the C you got in calculus, or the time you left your lit paper on your desk at home,” she said. “Rather, you will remember the relationships, the friends you made, the experiences you had, the wise words of your favorite teacher.”

Photo by Steven Hoffman Photo by Steven Hoffman

Photo by Steven Hoffman

The students walked down the steps of the high school as the Kennett High School orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Christian Beveridge delivered a speech titled “Realizing Our Potential” that focused on the future for the Kennett High School graduates.

Amelia Caputo Piperis and Dianne Caputo Smith, members of the Class of 1968 and 1971, respectively, had the honor of welcoming the graduates as new Kennett High School alumni.

Southern Chester County’s Newest Skilled Nursing & Rehab!

Twin Pines Health Care Center 315 E London Grove Rd West Grove, PA 19390 Ph: 610-869- 2456/Fx: 610-869- 9860

SENIOR FAIR June 29 10am-2pm Everyone is invited and welcomed to visit Twin Pines to see our facility, and learn about our services and programs!

Get your questions answered!

A fun event with Food, Raffles, Give-Aways, and Live Entertainment!

Everything is FREE! Service Participants include: Optum/United Healthcare, Brandywine River HH, Neighborhood Health Agencies, Brandywine Assisted Living, Friends Home, Chester County Adult Care, Senior Helpers, and Relative Care

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Balint bows out with one-hitter

Avon Grove loses heartbreaker in state championship, 1-0

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Beneath a blue sky laced with billowy clouds, Avon Grove pitcher Maggie Balint paused for a moment last Friday afternoon near the visiting dugout at the Nittany Lion Softball Field on the campus of Penn State University, just moments before she took the mound for the most important game of her young life.

She seemed to be allowing herself one final moment of peace before she would make her final walk to the circle as an Avon Grove Red Devil, and whether or not her stellar high school career – three Gatorade Softball Player of the Year awards to her credit -- would end in platitudes or as a quiet last chapter would rely, largely, on the power of her right arm. The rain on Thursday postponed the 2016 PIAA State Softball championship game, so she had waited far too long to get in that circle and gear it all up, one final time.

The road to get to this summit began with a series of exclamation points. On the backs of her pitching – with some clutch hitting along the way – Balint had led her club to PIAA Softball Tournament wins over Archbishop Ryan, West Chester East and Hazleton to get to the championship game, but on June 17, the road to the first Avon Grove state softball championship in school history ended in heartbreak, with a sacrifice fly.

Following a seven-inning no-hitter that included nine strikeouts, Balint surrendered a bases-loaded sacrifice fly that scored the game’s only run to give Hempfield Area High School a 1-0 victory, and the PIAA AAAA Pennsylvania State Championship.

Balint and Hempfield Area pitcher Morgan Ryan – a Notre Dame recruit -went toe-to-toe for the first three innings, with a twoout single by ninth-hole hitter Olivia McCarvey to right field in the third inning the only blemish in Ryan’s pitching.

Meanwhile, Balint struck out the side in the first, fanned two more in the third, and was helped early on by some nifty fielding.

In the second, Kaylee Bloom smacked a two-out shot to dead center that was gloved by center fielder Laura Thompson; and in the third, a two-out bunt attempt by Taylor Hoffman was scooped up by Red Devil third baseman Rachel Butler, who threw a strike to first baseman Allyson Wallauer for the out.

Balint’s no-hit pursuit remained intact in the fourth, when Alexa Pastor’s lead-off dribble to third base was picked up by Butler and whipped to Wallauer, who dropped the ball. Pastor then stole second, but Balint induced Jenna Osikowicz to pop out, Ryan to fly to left, and Stoner to ground out to end the threat in the fourth.

Inning after inning,

neither Ryan nor Balint were willing to surrender.

With goose eggs dotting the scoreboard in the fifth, the story line of the championship game -- a game when crucial hits lead to trophies -- the hitting attack on both sides was written in squibs and bunt attempts. Ryan retired Avon Grove on grounders in the top of the fifth, and with one away in the Hempfield Area fifth, Balint walked Bloom on four pitches, struck out Jordan Sterling and battled with Ali Belgiovane for a ten-pitch at-bat, before Belviogane finally popped out to Balint.

By the sixth, two things were becoming apparent: That the two best pitchers in the state were sharing the circle; and that the team who would eventually walk away with the state championship would do so in the sudden blink of an eye.

In the bottom of the sixth, Balint forced Hoffman to pop out and then walked Pastor, who got into scoring

position by stealing second base after Osikowicz struck out. With two away and Pastor leading off of second, Balint struck out Ryan on a high fastball.

At 3:18 p.m., nearly two hours after the first pitch, the game pushed its way into extra innings after a scoreless seventh. After Ryan retired Butler, Olivia Kunitsky and Camryn Laterza in order in the top of the eighth, Balint walked pinch-hitter Jordan Bernard to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Sterling was re-inserted into the game as a designated runner for Bernard. A sacrifice attempt by Belgiovane was scooped up by Balint and tossed to second baseman McCarvey covering, but the throw pulled her off the bag, erasing Balint’s no-hit attempt and setting up a two-on, no-out scenario.

A Hoffman infield grounder was then bobbled

by Butler, setting up a bases-loaded situation for Pastor who, on the first pitch, drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly

to left. After making the catch, left fielder Megan Nolan fired the ball into Kunitsky at the plate, but Sterling’s hook slide just eluded Kunitsky’s tag.

“In the bottom of the eighth inning, I knew that fatigue was going to start setting in,” said Avon Grove head coach Mike DiLuzio.

“They made plays at the right time, and we didn’t make them. That’s the bottom line. We practiced that throw in the outfield with Megan, and she almost got that girl at the plate, but that girl (Pastor) hit the ball a long way, so kudos to them.”

After the game, DiLuzio was reminded of a conversation he’d had with his team before the start of the season, one where he encouraged his team to fashion its identity around one player – in this case, Balint – and work selflessly to achieve it.

“We try to gear each team to the personality we have on it, and naturally, with the team we had with Maggie, we worked on fielding and playing small ball,” he said. “Next year, we’ll have a different pitcher in the circle [expected to be Butler] and we may have to come out and work on more hitting or whatever the case may be, but we’ll

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

A dejected Avon Grove team sits in the dugout moments after the loss.

see where the personality of that team takes us.

“You would have liked to win it,” DiLuzio added, “but this is the end result of our kids buying into the program, believing in what it can do, and executing it, all the way to the state championship game.”

Moments after the game, Avon Grove received its second-place medals, in ceremonies held up the third-base line. To left fielder Nolan, however, the medallion that hung from her neck in the dugout after the game was a bittersweet consolation prize.

“This one is definitely hard to lose, and it would have been nice to win,” the junior said. “Obviously, we’re losing Maggie, so we have to learn to become a better defense, because that’s what lost the game

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Olivia McCarvey got Avon Grove’s only hit of the day on a single to right field in the third inning.

for us today.

“We need to learn how to live without Maggie,” the junior said. “That’s how we bounce back next year.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

More Obituaries appear on Page 7B

MARY M. SCOTT Mary M Scott, 96, of Kennett Square, passed away on June 12 at Linden Hall Nursing home in Kennett Square.

She was the wife of W. Robert Scott, her college sweetheart, who she married in 1945,and with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. He passed away in 2003. She was born in 1920 to the late Nicholas and Mary Madden, in Philadelphia, where she grew up. She was very proud to tell you that she attended and graduated from Girl’s High. Mary graduated from West Chester College with a major in English and a minor in math. She was a teacher in the Kennett school system for many years, retiring at the age of 70. Her passion after retirement was the Kennett Garden Club, the Junior Gardeners, and as a board member of the Kennett Symphony Orchestra. She also loved spending time with her family, and listening to classical music.

Mary is survived by four children, David and his wife Christine of Connellsville, Kenny of Kennett Square, Judi and her husband Francis of Lewes, Del., and Joan of Coppell, Texas.

A funeral was held June 16. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution be made to The Kennett Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 72, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

CAROLYN S. GUERRINA Carolyn S. Guerrina, 73, of Cochranville, passed away on June 17 at the Christiana Hospital.

She was the wife of Louis E. Guerrina, who passed away in 2011, and with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.

Born in Waynesboro, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Joseph E. and Anna Curfman Shively. Carolyn graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1960 and Shippensburg University in 1964. After college, she taught first grade in New Castle, Del. She met her husband-to-be shortly afterward and they married in 1967. She was a member of the St. Malachi Catholic Church and Choir, Brandywine Conservancy, Cheshire Hunt Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Havre De Grace Decoy Museum and

Buck & Doe Trust, and actively supported the Brandywine Conservancy, S.A.V.E, Longwood Gardens, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Misty of Chincoteague Foundation.

Carolyn was a compassionate friend to animals and enjoyed her home, where she raised her children. With her husband, she enjoyed traveling near and far. Since her husband’s passing, she has gotten great enjoyment from spending time with her grandchildren and friends.

Carolyn is survived by son Michael; daughter Karen; sonin-law Grant DeCosta; daughter-in-law Anna; grandchildren Luke, Ella and Matthew; brother Curtis Shively; sister-in-law Susan; niece Rachel; nephew Stuart; and her beloved cat, Wendell.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. June 22 at St. Malachi Catholic Church (76 St. Malachi Road, Cochranville). Her Funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Brandywine Conservancy, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or St. Malachi Catholic Church, c/o Our Lady of Consolation Church, 603 West Second Ave., Parkesburg, PA 19365. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JAMES O’BRIEN James O’Brien, 74, of Chadds Ford, passed away at his home on May 31.

He is survived by his loving wife, June; daughters Shayne O’Brien, Meg and her husband, Scott Powers; his son, Edward O’Brien; and two grandchildren, Owen and Erin O’Brien Powers. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas O’Brien and wife Shirley; his sister, Mary Patricia Smith; his sister Catherine (Minty) and husband John Young; his sister Veronica (Bonny) and husband Gilbert Cameau; and many nieces and nephews and their children, to whom he was a most beloved uncle. Jim was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Mortimer O’Brien; and his sister, Regina (Ginger) Kromphold.

Jim had a strength, spirit and zest for life that could not be suppressed. With his genuine interest in others, his overwhelming kindness and warmth, he was a friend to all who met him. His wonderful sense of humor and gift for storytelling captivated everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He had a love of travel, literature, theater and history, and great interests in painting, genealogy,

and Irish culture. He was an active student at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Wilmington, and was well known by his professors and classmates for his insights, commentary and stories – to which he had received ovations. Although diagnosed with cancer last summer, he was still determined to live his life as he always had, which was to its fullest. Jim made every day a new opportunity to learn something, befriend someone, or share a part of himself -- his laughter and quick wit, and his thoughtfulness. He adored his wife, family and friends, and always made time for everyone. Jim will be forever missed by his family and countless friends, but in our hearts and minds he will always be with us.

A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held on June 26 at 1 p.m. at the DuPont Country Club (1001 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Del.). Contributions in Jim’s memory can be made to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Wilmington Gift Fund at the University of Delaware.

Please send contributions to: University of Delaware, Gifts Processing, 83 E. Main St, 3rd Fl., Newark, DE 19716.

Make checks payable to ‘University of Delaware’ and include on the memo line the fund name and Jim’s name.

To view Jim’s online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

LOUISE LEBRON PATTON Louise LeBron Patton, 84, of West Grove, passed away on June 14 at her residence.

She was the wife of Thomas G. Patton, Jr., who passed away in 2013, and with whom she shared 58 years of marriage. She was the daughter of the late Otto and Helen MacMillan LeBron. She was born in New Orleans, La., and grew up in Baltimore, Md. She was a homemaker, and she enjoyed sewing, gardening and working with therapy dogs. She was a member of Willowdale Chapel.

She was very active in church ministries throughout her life -- everything from visiting the sick to prayer groups.

She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth Patton of Lancaster, Anne Bailey of West Grove, and Cynthia Patton of West Grove; and one grandson, Andrew Bailey of Wilmington, Del. She was predeceased by one brother, Otto K. LeBron; and one sister, Mary Frances Haslett.

A memorial service in celebration of the lives of Louise and the late Thomas Patton will be held at 1:30 p.m. July 2 at Willowdale Chapel (675 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square). Her burial in Union Hill Cemetery will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to Willowdale Chapel, 111 Marshall Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to Canine Partners for Life, P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JOAN MURPHY Joan Rose Althouse Murphy, of Oxford, passed away on June 16.

She and her husband John were devoted to each other for 63 years. Joan was born in Philadelphia in 1931 and attended Germantown High School and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where she met her husband. Post-graduation, she worked as a secretary and married in 1953. Later, she graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art, with a degree in interior design. She was also very talented at sewing and was always well dressed, usually in clothes she designed and made herself.

At home, Joan was the mother of three children and was committed to creating a strong family life. She served three balanced meals a day, big family dinners for every occasion, and was an adventurous cook. She absolutely loved Christmas. Joan was also a lifelong animal lover and was never without pets of varied species. She loved cocker spaniels most, and bred and showed them. Beyond her home and work, she and her husband loved to travel, and they trailered their way through most of the United States. She was also committed to her faith, and served the Lutheran church in countless ways over the years, volunteering her time on committees, singing in the choir, and making sure her family went to church each week.

She will be missed by her three children, Judi (husband Bob), John (wife Dori) and Joy (husband Doug); and her grandchildren, Noelle and Aliza. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Alleluia Jeff Lampl, Senior Pastor

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NEWS • SCHOOLS ENTERTAINMENT • BUSINESS SPORTS • HOME & GARDEN

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

7B

Continued from 6B

CLIFFORD A. BENNETT

EDWIN G. HASH

Clifford “Kip” A. Bennett, 87, of West Grove, passed away on June 18 at Seasons Hospice at the Christiana Hospital.

He was the husband of Mary “Betty” Bennett, who passed away on June 19, 2016, and with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville. he was the son of the late Horace D., Sr. and Elsie Brandenberger Bennett. Kip was a bus driver for the DuVall Bus Company in New London for 15 years, retiring in 2015. Prior to working for Duvall, he worked for Star Roses, Gawthrop/Delchester Oil Company, and London Britain Township. He was a member of the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene. Kip was a life member of 55 years, and past Chief at the West Grove Fire Company.

He also had service as a past Fire Police Captain. In earlier years he was a coach for the Avon Grove Little League.

He is survived by two sons, Robert A. Bennett and his wife Donna L. of Ocala, Fla., and Thomas W. Bennett and his wife Barbara Sue of Middletown, Del.; one daughter, Barbara Anne Gentry and her husband Bruce of West Grove; one sister, Jennie Reid of Coatesville; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation with friends and family will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 23 at the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene (240 E. State Rd., West Grove). A funeral service for both Clifford and his wife will follow at 1 p.m.

Burial will be in New Garden Friends Cemetery in New Garden. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

Edwin G. Hash, 96, of Oxford, passed away on June 20 at Harrison Senior Living of Christiana, Pa. He was the husband of the late Velma M. Cook Hash. Born in Independence, Va., he was the son of the late Carl and Rose Poole Hash. Edwin was employed for 20 years as a service manager for Ewing Motors in Nottingham, and owned Hash’s Auto Repair in Oxford. He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2666, Oxford. Edwin enjoyed automobiles.

He is survived by two daughters, Geraldine M. Price of Oxford and Faye A. Sebastian (Larry) of Nottingham; four grandchildren, Tom Price, Steve Price, Jeff Price and Beth Thompson; six greatgrandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Hash; and two sisters, Eunetta Philippe and Ina Faye Fitzwater.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on June 23 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

LINDSAY C. F. SCOTT Lindsay C.F. Scott, 87, of Unionville, died on June 20 at her residence.

She was the wife of Edgar Scott, Jr., with whom she shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Boston, Mass., she was the daughter of the late William S. and Lillian Wood Febiger. She was a homemaker. She was a fox hunter and she raised thoroughbred yearlings for sale.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, Edgar Scott III of Centerville, Del.; one daughter, Mary F.S. Remer of Villanova, Pa.; one sister, Ethel F. Coles of Manchester, Mass.; and two grandchildren.

Her service and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Cheshire Land Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 983, Unionville, PA 193750983. Online condolences may be made by visiting www. griecocares.com.

MARY BENNETT Mary “ Betty” Bennett, 88, of West Grove, passed away on June 19 at Seasons Hospice at Christiana Hospital.

She was the wife of Clifford “Kip” Bennett, who passed away on June 18, and with whom she shared 68 years of marriage. Born in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Wilmer S. and Mary Walker Montgomery. Betty was a billing clerk for Kennett Dental in Kennett Square for eight years, retiring in 1990. Prior to that, she was a billing clerk for 15 years at Jackson-Durning, MD in Kennett Square. She was a member of the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed being with her family and friends, and especially enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren.

She is survived by two sons, Robert A. Bennett and his wife Donna L. of Ocala, Fla., and Thomas W. Bennett and his wife Barbara Sue of Middletown, Del.; one daughter, Barbara Anne Gentry and her husband Bruce of West Grove; two brothers, James W. Montgomery of Warner Robbins, Ga.,

First Baptist Church in Oxford gets $3,900 grant The First Baptist Church in Oxford has received a $3,900 grant from the Clyde P. and Katherine B. Alexander Memorial Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation to support the ministry and mission of the church.

Announcement of the grant was made by Pedro A. Ramos, president and CEO of the foundation.

Pastor Aaron Smalley of the First Baptist Church of Oxford said the funds would

be used to maintain and support the church’s mission in its community. “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to minister in the Oxford area,” Smalley said. “These funds nicely complement the continual generosity of our church family.”

The First Baptist Church of Oxford was established in 1878. The church directly supports missionaries around the world. For

and Robert E. Montgomery of Akron, Pa.; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation with friends and family will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 23 at the Avon Grove Church of the Nazarene (240 E. State Rd., West Grove). A funeral service for both Betty and her husband will follow at 1 p.m. Burial will be in New Garden Friends Cemetery in New Garden. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ANTHONY J. SPRINGEL Anthony J. “Tony” Springel, 57, of Rising Sun, Md., passed away suddenly at home on June 16.

He was the husband of Theresa C. “Terri” (Schmidt) Springel.

Born in Chester, he was the son of Lorraine C. (Hoag) Springel and the late Anthony M. Springel.

Tony was a 1977 graduate of Oxford Area High School, and was formerly employed as a machinist with Brandywine Valley Fabricators in Coatesville, and Morton Thiokol in Elkton, Md. In 1983, he fulfilled his dream of starting his own company and he remained the sole proprietor of A.J. Springel Construction, Inc., until his death. Tony was a proud member of the NRA, Jaeger Sportsman’s Club, Oxford Gun Club and Strasburg Sportsman’s Association. He was a coach for Cecil Soccer, and also coached and sponsored Rising Sun Little League softball and baseball teams. He was a member of Good Shepherd Parish in Perryville, Md., and former member of Sacred Heart Parish in Oxford. In addition to being an avid hunter, f isherman and outdoorsman since childhood, Tony enjoyed the ocean, camping, scuba diving, NASCAR, gardening, and vacationing with family and friends. Above all else, Tony’s greatest love was his family, and he will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, brother and son.

He is survived by his wife; mother; daughter, Lauren V. and fiancé Jeff Willis of Newark, Del.; son, Ethan M. of Rising Sun, Md.; and sister, Bernadette Huss and husband Ron Hurd of Newark, Del. Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m. June 25 at Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.

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This partnership previously released a paramedic board (http://www.widgit-health. com/downloads/paramedicboard.htm) as well as a hospital board (http://www. widgit-health.com/downloads/ school-nurse-board.htm).

Many schools use these boards to teach their students how to interact with first responders before a crisis.

Cody Edmondson, a firefighter from Coates Bend Volunteer Fire Department in Alabama, said about the paramedic board, “I wanted to send a thank you. I am a volunteer firefighter and recently had a call with Spanish-

speaking patients with little knowledge of English. While we were able to give them needed care and help them, it was frustrating for both us and the patients to communicate with hand signals and gestures.

Thank you for having a free download we can use. As a volunteer, department funds are limited. So I personally wanted to thank everyone who helped in the English/Spanish board creation and allowing the download for free. I pray it’s never needed, but it will be better to know we have it.”

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They also provide training on disabilities to police, paramedics, nurses, and others.

In emergency situations, first responders are sometimes unable to effectively communicate with those they are trying to help as a result of a disability or language barrier. It was this realization that led Rzucidlo to create communication boards that would help first responders solve the problems.

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1

8B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

Chester County Press

Kennett High School named one of nation’s best and most challenging high schools U.S. News & World Report and the Washington Post have named Kennett High School one of America’s Best High Schools and one of America’s Most Challenging High Schools, respectively.

To produce the 2016 Best High Schools rankings, U.S. News & World Report teamed up with North Carolina–based RTI International, a global nonprofit social-science

research firm. The comprehensive rankings methodology is based on the key principles that a great high school must serve all of its students well, not just those who are college bound, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.

In order to name its

Most Challenging High Schools, the Washington Post uses a “Challenge Index.” This index is based on the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests given at the school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. Schools that had as many tests in 2015 as they had graduates and received a ratio of at least

1.00 earned a spot on the national list. Kennett High School was ranked 17th out of 39 schools that made the national list.

“These awards are meaningful because they are a reflection of the growth in academic achievement realized by our students.

I congratulate our parents for their influence on our students’ efforts to work to their potential, our teachers and principals who teach

and give of their time to our students each and every day with the expectation that they all succeed, and the students themselves for their desire to do their best,” said Kennett Consolidated School District superintendent Dr. Barry Tomasetti.

“These types of high school recognitions are a credit to all of our teachers, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, as each teacher has a hand in

molding our students for a successful future.”

Kennett High School principal Mr. Jeremy Hritz said, “These recent recognitions from U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post are the result of the hard work of our committed and dedicated students and staff. Teachers expect academic excellence and our students deliver. We are all tremendously proud of this accomplishment.”

OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE Lawyer Reference and Information Services Chester County Bar Association,

15 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 610-429-1500 R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire I.D. #15687, P.O. Box 296, Oxford, PA 19363 6p-22-1t

Legals BID NOTICE

Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania is accepting sealed bids for the Concrete Foundation and Slab Work for the proposed Township Salt Shed. Bid packages are available at the Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390.

BID NOTICE/ BID ADVERTISEMENT Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania is accepting sealed bids for the Concrete Foundation and Slab Work for the proposed Township Salt Shed to be constructed at 291 Lewis Road, Penn Township, West Grove, PA. Proposals for the Concrete Foundation and Slab Work for the 60’ x 75’ Salt Shed with an accompanying 30’ x 65’ Concrete Apron will include: foundation excavation and subgrade preparation, installation of forms and all steel reinforcement, slab preparation including installation of compacted aggregate base and vapor barrier and the proper placement, finishing, and curing of all concrete.

Contractor is required to provide all labor, equipment, and require material to perform all the work required as indicated in project specifications, contract plans, and structural addendum items.

Contractor is required to submit Public Works verification form.

A bid bond or certified check in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid required. Pa. Prevailing Wage Rates are applicable for this project. Bid packages are available at the Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Full sets of plans are available for $30 per set.

Bids will be accepted until and opened at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. The Township reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any part of the bid or to waive any minor discrepancies in the Bid specifications

• Heated/Air Conditioned Units • Individual/Business Units

when deemed to be in the interest of the Township. Specifications may be obtained at the Township Office Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

6p-15p-2t

BID NOTICE

Invitation to bidders Elk Township Chester County, Pennsylvania 2016/ 2017 Roadwork Equipment Rental & Roadwork Materials. Sealed proposals will be received by Elk Township at the office of Elk Township, 952 Chesterville Rd., P.O. Box 153, Lewisville, PA 19351, for 2016/ 2017 Roadwork Equipment Rental and Roadwork Materials. Bids will be accepted until 3:00 pm, Monday, July 11, 2016 and will be opened at 3:30 pm, Monday, July 11, 2016. Action will be taken by the municipality on awarding of each bid item at the July 11, 2016 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Bidders are asked to bid on the following: 1- Roadwork Equipment Rental per Specifications (Bidders Qualification Form is required) 2- Aggregate Materials 500 Tons (more or less) per Specifications 3- Blacktop Mixes 770 Tons (more or less) per specifications All the above material specified shall meet Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation Specification standards.

Bidders are not required to bid on all of the above items. The contract period for Roadwork Equipment Rental, Aggregate Materials, and Blacktop Mixes begins on July 12, 2016 and ends on July 30, 2017. The successful bidder shall, within 14 days of the award of contract, submit the following: Performance Bond in the amount of 100% of the Equipment Rental Contract: Performance Bond in the amount of 50% of the Materials Contract; Certificate of Insurance naming Elk Township as additional insured with minimum limits of

800-646-7867

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$500,000/$1,000,000 aggregate ; Proof of Workers Compensation Insurance or Workers Compensation Insurance Coverage Information for Independent Contractors Form: Hold Harmless & Indemnification Agreement; and IRS Form W-9.

All bidders are to follow the Bidders Information Guidelines. Bidding packets are available at the Elk Township Office during regular business hours, on-line at elktownship.org, and may be requested by phone 610-255-5195, fax 610-255-0492, or e-mail at elktownship@comcast.net.Terri KuKoda, Secretary/ Treasurer 6p-15-2t

NOTICE OF DEFAULT

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CHESTER COUNTY, PANO. 201603504 LOUIS ARGYRIS, Plaintiff v OXFORD ACRES, INC., Defendant NOTICE OF DEFAULT TO: OXFORD ACRES, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS You have been named as a defendant in a civil action instituted by plaintiff Louis Argyris against you in this Court. Plaintiff, Louis Argyris, alleges in the Complaint in this action that he has possessed a parcel of real property in the Borough of Oxford, Chester County, openly, exclusively, solely and continuously by maintenance and mowing, to the exclusion of all other persons, including but not limited to Oxford Acres, Inc., its successors and assigns. IMPORTANT NOTICE You are in default because you have failed to enter a written appearance personally or by attorney and file in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. Unless you act within ten (10) days from the date of this notice, a judgment may be entered against you without a hearing and you may lose or property or other important rights. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS

NOTICE TO A LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE FOLLOWING OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS

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PA103963

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

9B

Chester County Press

$90,000 in scholarships awarded by foundation The Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County has announced the awarding of 25 Alma Newlin Educational Fund scholarships to talented students residing in the five local school districts of Avon Grove, Octorara, Oxford, Kennett, and Unionville/ Chadds Ford.

The scholarships, totaling $90,000 this year, are designed to assist students in preparing for careers in the health care field.

Award values are currently $2,500 to $6,500.

This year’s award winners plan to study for a variety of careers including nursing, pre-med, physician assistant, physical therapy, dentistry, bio-medical engineering, and occupational therapy.

All recipients must have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be human health care education-bound students. In addition, previously awarded

undergraduate applicants were considered for onetime additional awards for post-collegiate graduate education.

The Alma Newlin Educational Fund was established in 1990 through a bequest from Mrs. Alma Newlin, who lived in Kennett Square.

The fund is administered by the Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County.

This year’s recipients are:

Avon Grove Rebecca Berardi Occupational Therapy Lindsay Chandler Physician Assistant Kyle Denton Biomedical Engineering Elizabeth Grove Physical Therapy Kaylee Hanway Behavioral Health Clarice Newman - Nursing Hannah Short - Nursing Jessica Simkins - Nursing Laura Skurla - Physician Assistant

Kennett Becca Shoemaker Speech and Language Pathology Joseph Wikol Biomedical Engineering Megan Ziegler - Physical Therapy Octorara Dalton Rutter - Physical Therapy Oxford Brooke Hostetter Occupational Therapy Assistant

Payton Ingiosi - Premed Julia Koehler Communication Sciences and Disorders Cassidy Raysik - Nursing Rebecca Sisson - Nursing Unionville/Chadds Ford Dakin Bond - Dentistry Brandon Boon Physician Assistant Hayley Flores - Premed Julie Lattari - Nursing Alice Liu - Premed Lauren Mazur - Premed Gabrielle Samulewicz - Neuroscience

Talley wins Keystone Shining Star Award Oxford Area High School senior Grant Talley, son of Melissa and Scott Ortega, is the Oxford Area School District high school level recipient of Keystone Federal Credit Union’s ninth annual Shining Star Award. Keystone established this program to honor students who have shown a noticeable improvement

in academic performance, extracurricular involvement, attendance and classroom conduct throughout the school year.

Grant was presented with the Shining Star award and a $200 share certificate of deposit at Keystone Federal Credit Union.

When Grant came to the high school as a fresh-

man, he was a “very shy, reserved young man,” said guidance counselor Mary Humphreys, who nominated Grant for the award. “He did not particularly like his academic courses and had several absences that first year of school.”

Humphreys explained that after putting in some hard work in the classroom,

Grant was accepted to the Chester County Technical College High School in his sophomore year to study criminal justice and police science. “This program gave Grant a new passion for academics,” she said.

“He thrived at TCHS and had a goal of pursuing a career in the criminal justice field based off of his experience there.”

In his junior year Grant began taking flying lessons at New Garden Airport.

His instructors described him as a natural pilot and he picked up all the necessary skills quickly, and having now completed his Nottingham band program, at lsummers@oxford.k12. training he will take the exam for pilot certification please contact Lisa Summers pa.us. from the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Now when I see Grant, I see a man who is proud of who he is,” said Humphreys. “He will always be able to know his dream was explored, discovered and reached at such a young age.”

Nottingham Elementary School accepts instrument donations

Nottingham Elementary School recently accepted the donation of used musical instruments from former Oxford Area Board of School Directors member Joseph Starcheski, who donated a snare drum, and fourth grade teacher Danielle Bartholomew, who donated an alto saxophone and clarinet. The school also recently received a donation of two flutes from Eldreth Pottery.

“So many of our students want to play in the band, but sometimes their families cannot afford the cost of renting an instrument,” said band teacher Lisa Summers.

“Donations like those from Mr. Starcheski and Ms. Bartholomew help give more children a wonderful opportunity to play in their school band.”

Summers said there are approximately 100 fourthgraders in the Nottingham Band, and while most students rent their instruments, 15 members play on instruments that have been donated. “We would love to be able to increase the number of donated instruments available in the music room,” she said.

If you have an instrument in your home that is no longer being played and would like to donate it to the

Courtesy Photo

Nottingham Elementary School recently accepted the donation of used musical instruments from former Oxford Area Board of School Directors member Joseph Starcheski, who donated a snare drum, and fourth grade teacher Danielle Bartholomew, who donated an alto saxophone and clarinet. Pictured from left are Starcheski, fourth graders Noah Topmiller and Zoe Verbanas, Bartholomew, fourth grader Gabe Andrews and band teacher Lisa Summers.

Turkey Hill Dairy is looking for a PT Merchandiser to help stock and support our product sales.

Must have reliable transportation and must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Scheduled days are M/W/F/Sat. To apply, please send a resume to careers@turkeyhill.com with Oxford in subject line.

Courtesy photo

Oxford Area High School senior Grant Talley is the Oxford Area School District’s high school level recipient of the Keystone Federal Credit Union Shining Star Award. Pictured from left are guidance counselor Mary Humphries, who nominated Grant for the award, his mother, Melissa Ortega, Grant, Chris Hubley, Keystone Student Branch Supervisor; and principal Christopher Dormer.

After graduation Grant, who also participated in dual-enrollment courses at Delaware County Community College, will enter Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona to begin additional

pilot’s training, and also plans to pursue a career in criminal justice.

“I am looking forward to hearing about the many adventures Grant is going to experience in his future,” said Humphreys.

49 TEMPORARY FARMWORKERS NEEDED for common field labor in watermelons in Sussex County, Delaware, for Jose M. Gracia Harvesting, Inc. with work beginning on or about 07/26/2016 and ending on or about 09/30/2016. The job offered is for a skilled farmworker and requires minimum 3 months verifiable work experience in the crop activities listed. The minimum offered wage rate that workers will be paid is $11.66 per hour. Workers must commit to work the entire contract period. Workers are guaranteed work for 3/4 of the contract period, beginning with the first day the worker arrives at the place of employment. All work tools, supplies and equipment are provided at no cost to the worker. Housing will be provided to those workers who cannot reasonably return to their permanent residence at the end of each working day.

Transportation and subsistence will be provided by the employer upon completion of 50% of the work contract, or earlier, to workers who are recruited outside the area of intended employment. Applicants must provide documentation that they are eligible legally to work in the United States. Applicants should report or send resumes to DE Dept. of Labor, FLC, 4425 N. Market Street, 3 rd FL, Wilmington, DE 19802 or the nearest local office of their State Workforce Agency, and reference job order #DE439630. EOE. H- 300-16160-064302.

10B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2016