Chester County Press 01-20-2021 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 155, No. 3

INSIDE

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Public Nature Preserve envisioned along Octoraro Creek

$1.00

Avon Grove grad develops earlier breast cancer detection technology in new study

The Brandywine Conservancy and Oxford Area Foundation recently partnered to acquire 577 acres of the Glenroy Farm that is situated in Lower Oxford Township and West Nottingham Township. The plan is to establish a publicly accessible nature preserve State lawmakers prioritize economic recovery...6A

The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art has partnered with the Oxford Area Foundation to acquire 577 acres of the Glenroy Farm situated along the Octoraro Creek. This land will be owned and managed by the Oxford Area Foundation for use as a publicly accessible nature preserve. The announcement of the acquisition was made on Jan. 11. “This is an outstanding achievement for the Law enforcement Brandywine Conservancy, builds bridges with working in partnership youngsters...1B with the Oxford Area Foundation, and state and local government,” said Ellen Ferretti, the director of the Brandywine Conservancy. “The acreage and diversity of resourc-

es made this property a high priority of permanent protection in southeastern Pennsylvania.” The property for the public nature preserve was acquired from the Thouron family, and the acquisition was made possible by grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program, the Oxford Area Foundation and the Brandywine Conservancy. The property is situated along the east side of Octoraro Creek in Lower Oxford Township and West Nottingham Township. The land consists of open meadows, arable cropland, mature and successional

woodlands, numerous streams and ponds, floodplains and wetlands, and five miles of trails. The agreement also includes an access easement area comprising of 16 acres to an adjacent, nearly three-mile long strip of land situated at the top of the east bank of the Octoraro Creek and extending to the centerline of the creek. Ferretti said, “The transition of the Glenroy Farm property from the Thouron family to a public preserve will create a unique, contiguous area of public open space that will provide exceptional recreational and educational opportunities for the community and will have lasting effects on the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay—a

Bill Lotter, a 2006 graduate of Avon Grove High School and the co-founder of a Boston-based artificial intelligence software company, recently published the results of a study that illustrates an ability to detect breast cancer a year or more earlier than current practice. See the story on Page 1B.

national priority for conservation. It has been a wonderful experience to work with the Foundation and the Thouron family to conserve this beloved land, in perpetuity, for the public good.” For over 50 years, four generations of the Thouron

family have been the owners and stewards of Glenroy Farm. Rachel Nicoll, a Thouron family member, said, “The Thouron family is delighted that now, with the help of the Brandywine Conservancy, this deeply Continued on page 3A

Kennett High School and Middle School welcome back students for in-school instruction By Chris Barber Contributing Writer Donations to Chester County Food Bank...6A

INDEX

A large percentage of the Kennett Consolidated School District’s high school and middle school students returned to classrooms on Jan. 11 after almost a year of virtual learning

and shutdowns imposed by COVID-19 safety measures. At the school board meeting on that reopening day, both High School Principal Jeremy Hritz and Middle School Principal Lorenzo D’Angelis reported that things had gone well on the first day back.

Hritz said the students seemed delighted to reunite with their friends and their teachers. “You could feel the positive energy,” he said. “The kids were excited to be back. We spent the time going over procedures – getting them reoriented, especially the

ninth graders. It can be a bit intimidating.” He said about 70 percent of the high school population had signed up to return to hybrid instruction, but that number had not been reached on the first day. D’Angelis said the middle school students likewise

showed they were happy to be back. “You could see the smiles under those masks. We’re still ‘school’ and there’s still anxiety. We wanted to be transparent and let them know we were going through this together,” he said. Continued on page 2A

Opinion.......................7A Obituaries..............4B-5B Classifieds..................6B

Collaborative agencies re-connect children to their virtual classrooms

To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

As the arrival of the pandemic last March sent local school districts into the organized chaos of virtual and hybrid learning, a network of people, agencies and businesses in Kennett Square quickly realized that one component of the local student population – those in kindergarten through the fifth grade who live in the underserved pockets of the community – were deprived of valuable learning tools needed to keep them in class. If there is any town that knows the full power of collaboration, it is Kennett

Square, and the deep connection between people, agencies and businesses has become a lesson by lesson primer in how a municipality should embrace its community. On Jan. 11, that spirit of unity unveiled its latest chapter, when a small group of area schoolchildren were introduced to the Kennett Continued on page 4A Courtesy Photo

With direction by the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network, several local agencies recently collaborated to form the Kennett Learning Pod, which provides local children from kindergarten through the fifth grade with valuable internet and computer access to their virtual classrooms during the pandemic. The program is being held at the offices of Chatham Financial in Kennett Square.

State allocates $2.2 billion in federal stimulus funds to help K-12 schools improve services to students Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that Pennsylvania is dedicating $2.2 billion in federal stimulus funds to K-12 school districts and charter schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to support food programs, technological improvements and other education services. “All schools have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I commend school communities for rising to the challenge to combat the toll it has taken,” said Gov. Wolf. “This extra funding is critical to help

schools meet the unique needs of educating students at this time while keeping school buildings safe when students return to the classroom.” The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund passed by Congress in December. “Additional, much needed support is on its way to Pennsylvania schools,”

said Acting Secretary Noe Ortega. “These funds will provide critical assistance to school communities as they continue to navigate COVID-19.” To promote equity, efficiency, transparency, and local flexibility, PDE will administer 100 percent of ESSER II funding through the Federal Title I, Part A formula which considers the number of low-income students served by school districts and charter schools. Each entity will receive an amount proportional to fed-

eral Title I, Part A funds received in the 2020 fiscal year under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). PDE has urged school entities to continue to prioritize equity and consider how investments can accelerate opportunities for vulnerable students and families, including those living in deep poverty, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. School districts and charter schools may use ESSER

funding for a wide range of activities, including food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and afterschool programs; and mental health supports. A list of ESSER II fund allocations is available on PDE’s website. Funds must be used by September 2023. School districts and charter schools must apply to PDE to obtain their allocated funds. The application process will be posted on the Continued on page 3A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News In-school instruction... Continued from Page 1A

D’Angelis added that he had been in all the classrooms in the span of the day. “There was good instruction going on,” he said. “Lunch went very well. They were smiling and eating, and all day I didn’t have to ask one person to fix their mask.” The middle school and high school are now running on a hybrid schedule of half of the student populations on Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday in-school, with virtual learning on the other days. Students have the choice to remain totally virtual. The elementary schools are operating – and have been – on a population-bifurcated AM-PM schedule. Superintendent Dr. Dusty Blakey gave an update on the district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a series of PowerPoint illustrations of COVID-19 incidence levels at both the

community level and the school level. Statistics indicate that in the communities served by Kennett Schools, the incidence of positivity has gone down in the past four weeks to an average of 5.1 percent, varying depending the locality. “We felt pretty good about that,” Blakey said. He felt even better, he said, when he measured the positivity numbers in the schools, and he felt that they were the most accurate in guiding his decisions on school scheduling. One graph he displayed showed only one positive case of COVID-19 in the high school student population and zero for the other district schools. He also emphasized that residents should know when they observe a school staff member absent, it does not mean they are sick with COVID-19, but rather that they are in quarantine or have had a contact with a COVID-19 positive person.

Blakey’s guest speaker at the meeting was Dr. Susan Coffin, a physician and pediatric infectious disease expert from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Coffin made two points: One is that masking, keeping distance and hand washing are very effective in reducing spread of COVID-19 in the schools. The other point is that when the infection is spread it is often because of staff gatherings, eating and drinking in groups or out-ofschool events like carpools, off-campus gatherings, and extra-curricular activities. “It gives me a lot of confidence that a school that has a strong infection control program in place can go forth safely,” she said. She also said setting in place a rapid testing program would be beneficial in determining whether a student had a cold or COVID-19. In that connection, the board approved a resolution allowing discussions with the Chester County Health

Photo by Chris Barber

The doors are open again at Kennett High School with about 70 percent of the enrolled students choosing to return to hybrid (in the building part time) instruction.

Department to continue regarding designating certain Kennett School District buildings to be used as COVD-19 testing and vaccination centers. Similarly, the district’s head nurse Diane Shannon announced that some school staff had participated in a program to enable them to

administer COVID antigen tests. An antigen test is a nasal swab procedure that detects and indicates a current COVID-19 infection. Additionally, she said, she and all of the other school nurses have gotten their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations. “We want everyone else

to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” she said. In other business, the board approved an extension of the teacher’s contract for one more year. Assistant superintendent Michael Barber commented that the salary levels continue to “attract, retain and recruit high quality staff.”

SBA offers disaster assistance to businesses and residents of Pennsylvania affected by Tropical Storm Isaias Pennsylvania businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Isaias on Aug. 4, 2020, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the administrator Jovita Carranza announced recently. Carranza made the loans available in response to a letter from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Dec. 14 requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Berks and Philadelphia counties, and the adjacent counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery and Schuylkill in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden and Gloucester in New Jersey. “The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Pennsylvania with the most effective and

customer-focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans,” said Carranza. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.” In accordance with health precautions for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the SBA will not establish a field presence to assist survivors. However, the SBA will continue to provide customer service and conduct outreach virtually with webinars, phone assistance and step-by-step application assistance. The SBA has opened Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to help survivors apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan@sba.gov.

Virtual customer support representatives are available to help applicants complete the online application each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Survivors should contact the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for assistance in completing their loan applications. Requests for SBA disaster loan program information may be obtained by emailing FOCE-Help@sba. gov. The SBA will conduct extensive outreach to ensure that those affected by the disaster have an opportunity to apply for assistance. “Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said SBA’s

DIALOGUES FOR DIVERSITY

BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH BIPARTISANSHIP January 26, 2021 5-6:30 p.m. Online Via Zoom

Join us for a conversation with David Baime, Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Analysis for the American Association of Community Colleges.

CENTER FOR EQUITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE Delaware County Community College

Sponsored by

Delaware County Community College is an equal opportunity institution.

Pennsylvania’s district director Steven Dixel. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. “Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged

or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Kem Fleming, acting center director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect

property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster. Interest rates are as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Feb. 16, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications Sept. 20, 2021.

Lions Club honors Avon Grove High School senior Ulises Aguilera-Bedolla has been named the Avon Grove Lions Club Senior Student of the Month for January. He is the son of Jose and Maria Aguilera of Avondale. Ulises is active in the community, and serves as an exterior firefighter with the Avondale Fire Company. His accolades include being one of the top ten responders of the fire company for both 2019 and 2020, and, academically, he has achieved honors

throughout high school. He plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher and then become a police officer in Chester County. When asked about teachers who have influenced him the most, he said, “Throughout my high school career I have had many amazing teachers. I do not believe there has not been one or two. All my teachers have had a huge impact on me. Without their teaching skills, guidance and support, I don’t think I would have accomplished all I have.”

Courtesy photo

Ulises Aguilera-Bedolla has been named the Avon Grove Lions Club Senior Student of the Month for January.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Public nature preserve... Continued from Page 1A

treasured property, of great natural beauty, will be conserved in perpetuity. It is the family’s hope that this land will be valued and enjoyed by the community for generations to come.” Nancy Ware Sapp, the president of the Oxford Area Foundation, said that acquiring this property is part of the vision of the foundation to enrich the community. “We are thrilled that we now hold this amazing property and that we will be able to provide this region with such an important public space to enjoy,” she said. “In the coming months, OAF will be working on trails and a parking area, and we hope to have the property open for passive recreation by late spring to early summer.” The Oxford Foundation was founded in 1947 by Marian S. and John H. Ware, III. In 2004, The Oxford Foundation was divided into four separate Ware Family Foundations. It was then that John H. Ware, IV created the Oxford Area Foundation. A longtime member of Oxford Borough Council, John Ware, IV was a very active member in the Oxford community, and he loved the town and saw its potential. He

served as president of the Foundation until 2012. At that time, John’s daughter, Nancy Ware Sapp, was elected president and she has embraced her father’s dream of improving the community of Oxford for all who live and visit. The Brandywine Conservancy, meanwhile, currently holds over 485 conservation and agricultural easements and has facilitated the permanent preservation of more than 66,000 acres of land. The Conservancy protects water, conserves land, and engages communities through a multi-faceted approach to conservation. Staff work with private landowners who wish to see their lands protected forever and provide innovative community planning services to municipalities and other governmental agencies. Land preservation efforts are bolstered by combining state, county, and local resources, and that was certainly the case in this instance. Cindy Adams Dunn, the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) talked about the importance of preserving the property. “DCNR is pleased to partner with the Brandywine Conservancy, Chester County and the Oxford Area Foundation

Courtesy photo

The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art announced that it has partnered with the Oxford Area Foundation to acquire 577 acres of the Glenroy Farm situated along the Octoraro Creek. This land will be owned and managed by the Oxford Area Foundation for use as a publicly accessible nature preserve. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program also provided funding for the project.

to support the preservation of this regionally important property that will provide a unique, contiguous area of public open space, and offer exceptional regional recreational opportunities for residents of both Chester County and Lancaster County,” she said. Chester County also provided funding for the

project and the county commissioners — Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline — praised the acquisition. “This property will safeguard wildlife habitat, provide new recreation opportunities and protect the waters of Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay,” they said in a statement. “Projects like Glenroy

Farm, that maintain beautiful areas to be enjoyed by residents and visitors, illustrate the thoughtful, planned approach that Chester County takes to preserving land. For over 30 years, Chester County has been following that plan, which is why our preservation efforts are smart, why they encourage partner-

Questions to ask your summer camp or childcare provider about COVID-19 News from the YMCA of the Greater Brandywine Valley It has been nearly a year since COVID-19 became a reality we all had to live with and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began recommending social distancing, increased hand washing and more to prevent its spread. Things have changed and are almost guaranteed to continue changing as we continue learning about the virus. There’s always been a lot to consider when selecting a childcare or summer camp provider, but COVID-19 has created new areas that parents and guardians should consider asking about. Here are some questions to ask. What is the provider’s refund policy? As we learned in 2020,

our world can change – and rapidly! With this in mind, it is important to know what the refund policy for your summer camp and/or childcare provider is. In 2020, many families and providers were placed in difficult situations when some summer camps were not able to open their programs—or able to offer refunds for those who had already registered. What happens if your provider is required to close due to a governmentmandated shutdown? What if children and/ or staff have to quarantine due to a potential or confirmed COVID case? What if your family needs to make changes to your child’s enrollment due to a job loss or health issue?

Asking for a provider’s full refund policy can help you plan, avoid surprises and save you headaches later. How is social distancing managed by the provider? Children and personal space are not two things that often go hand in hand! That’s why many camp and childcare programs utilize stable groups, which have been recommended by the CDC, the American Camping Association and the State of Pennsylvania. Stable groups are student and staff cohorts that stay together and function autonomously from all other groups at the facility. It limits exposure potential and reduces risk, but still allows kids to be kids and engage with friends. You may also want to consider how the provider handles child drop-off and pick-up. Many facilities are managing this process outside, where parents can remain in their vehicles to further limit additional exposure. What health and safety practices and/or policies do you have in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible?

Many of the recommended CDC practices and policies have now become commonplace for our daily activities including mask wearing, temperature and health screenings and thorough cleaning and disinfecting practices. Summer camp and childcare programs should adhere to current CDC guidelines and many have instituted their own policies going above what is required. Policies should include things that were discussed above such as health screenings, frequent hand washing, mask wearing for all participants over the age of two, social distancing, stable groups and cleaning and disinfection schedules. What happens if a child or staff member tests positive for COVID-19? Whether or not they have experience dealing with cases in their program, licensed childcare providers are required by the State of Pennsylvania to have a Health and Safety plan that includes information on how they manage operations if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. The YMCA has safely

Free Estimates Boilers, Furnaces & Hot Water Heaters All Fuels

Courtesy photo

There’s always been a lot to consider when selecting a childcare or summer camp provider, but COVID-19 has created new areas that parents and guardians should consider asking about.

219 Birch Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348

610-444-3810 Ask for Jeff www.tayloroilandpropane.com

provided childcare and summer camp – including Learning Centers – to thousands of students across Chester County at eight YMCA locations. YGBW’s childcare programs and Learning Centers are currently open for enrollment. Visit ymcagbw.org/childcare for information. Summer camp registration for 2021 opens on Feb. 1, with early bird pricing available through Feb. 28. Interested families can sign up now to receive registration information and reminders at ymcagbw.org/ camp.

ships with conservancies, the Commonwealth, municipalities and other organizations, and why the County’s ‘quality of place’ is so attractive to businesses that want to be located here, and people who want to live here.” To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

School stimulus funds... Continued from Page 1A

PDE website. While ESSER II funding is beneficial for ongoing recovery and school reopening efforts, Acting Secretary Ortega noted that additional federal funding is needed to address the crises of the past year. “We are thankful for the bipartisan effort to support school communities during this time, but PDE will be advocating for additional action from Congress in the days, weeks, and months ahead and I encourage educators to join us in raising their voices,” said Ortega.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News Virtual classroom... Continued from Page 1A

Learning Pod, a learning opportunity at the offices of Chatham Financial that connects them virtually to their school classrooms through the internet. The program began with seven students and will increase to 25 children beginning next week – ten in the morning and 15 in the afternoon – as well as include several adult volunteer mentors from the local community. In addition to receiving adult supervision and internet connection, students are provided with breakfast and lunch, as well as bus transportation to and from Chatham by Krapf School Bus. The project is being coordinated through the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network (SCCON), a network of area agencies committed to address poverty and co-founded by Square Roots Collective, Kennett Area Community Services, the United Way of Southern

Chester County and other community leaders. participating Other agencies include The Garage Community & Youth Center, the Kennett Education Foundation, the Willowdale Chapel, Together for Education and the Kennett Consolidated School District’s (KCSD) 21st Century Community Learning Center. Filling a crucial need “When the pandemic started, everybody had to shift away from their normal ways of doing things, and for many families in our community, their needs increased dramatically, in terms of basic needs like food, shelter and access to education,” said Kate Daneker, Square Roots Collective’s director of social initiatives and SCCON coordinator. “As much as our school districts have worked heroically to get internet connection to these families, there are pockets in our area that remain dead zones. “Too many kids did not

have the full capability to log on to their classrooms from home, or have working parents who are essential employees. We knew that there were kids who would not have adult supervision at home, or perhaps be supervised by a grandparent who would not be able to help their grandkids with virtual schooling.” Throughout the pandemic, The Garage Community & Youth Center has already been providing internet service and academic support for its middle school and high school level students, but SCCON realized that there wasn’t the same resource for younger students, who are often at a greater need for development. Immediately, The Garage lent its expertise in an effort to help a younger student audience. “We were already doing this for another age group for a similar population, so we thought, ‘How can we work with others in the community to create an academic opportunity to help young students who are working virtually and in

a hybrid situation?’” said Kristin Proto, The Garage’s executive director. During the initial discussions that eventually launched the Kennett Learning Pod, Kate Marcus, the head of the Giving Committee for Chatham Financial, began discussing the possibility of using the company’s site as a learning center with other Chatham staff. “Chatham Financial has a long history of giving, and supporting the communities where we work is one of our core purposes,” she said. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, Chatham has been trying to support local organizations financially, but as it became clearer that school wasn’t going to come back in an inperson mode in September -- and because it was likely that our employees were not immediately returning to the office -- we started to talk about we could use our own resources.”

program is being coordinated by Elizabeth Garduno, coordinator of program activities for the KCSD’s 21st Century Community Learning Center. She said that the early success of the program – compounded by the need of families to provide technology to their children – has already led to a waiting list for children looking to enroll. “As soon as I learned about the Kennett Learning Pod, I reached out to the families and informed them about this program,” Garduno said. “Soon after my first message, seven children enrolled. After the kids began the program, they began to tell their friends, and now I have families and kids contacting me to find out how they can also be a part of this program.” While the duration of the Kennett Learning Pod is contingent upon the length of the COVID-19 pandemic, Proto said that those individuals and groups associated with the program are determined to provide A waiting list young students with equitaStudent enrollment in the ble access to learning tools.

“The DNA of The Garage is seen in those relational aspects that happen in all facets of our work, and to have these additional mentors and volunteers on board will allow these children to go from isolation at home to a small army of caring adults who are invested in their daily activities,” she said. “There is nothing better in a young person’s life than to have that relationship with an advocate or a cheerleader. “For these young people, they will be given far more than just access to the internet.” To learn more about the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network, visit www.sccnetwork.org. Donations to the Kennett Learning Pod can be made to The Garage Community & Youth Center at www. garageyouthcenter.org or by check, sent to 115 S. Union St., Kennett Square, Pa. 19348. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Oxford Educational Foundation marks National Mentoring Month Since 1995, the Oxford Educational Foundation (OEF) has been operating a mentoring program, placing hundreds of mentors in the Oxford schools. Even in the midst of a pandemic, mentors are meeting virtually with their students with the expectation of developing an ongoing relationship that

is positive and caring. “Research shows that mentoring is linked to improved academic, social, and economic prospects for young people, and that ultimately strengthens our community,” said Dr. Raymond A, Fischer, OEF executive director. Mentors can play a power-

ful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions and to stay focused and engaged in school. The program’s impact on individual students can be noticed in the child’s increased school attendance and academic success, decreased discipline refer-

rals, and improvements in social skills. It positively affects the lives of the mentors, as well. Mentors have reported a sense of satisfaction in recognizing that they can make a difference. Although the program is not a cure-all for the needs and challenges of today’s youth, it can provide a meaning-

ful, positive relationship in the life of a child who otherwise may receive very little encouragement. These children need to know there is someone to whom they can turn not only when they have a problem, but also to share a success. As we focus on engaging more community members in vol-

unteering, we will share a simple message: Mentors make a difference. If you know of anyone who could give an hour or two a week virtually to serve as a mentor, or if you can serve as a mentor, please contact OEF’s volunteer coordinator, Kim Lewin, at oxfordedfound@yahoo.com.

B u n d l e Up & Jo i n Us ! • January & February 2021

Winter Lights Cecil Nights Brighten up your winter nights — Visit sparkling towns all decked in white. Try wonderful warm-up restaurant dishes — To satisfy your culinary wishes. Add a touch of wintery fun outdoors — This winter, bundle up and make our towns —

YOURS!

Chesapeake City • Elkton • North East • Port Deposit For featured restaurant dishes, winter activities, shops & more, visit

WinterLightsCecilNights.com

This promotion supported by: OPEN FOR IT.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News State House Republicans prioritizing economic recovery policy in new session Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/ Mifflin) announced at a press conference at the state Capitol last week the formation of a caucus task force that will examine and develop economic recovery policy for the current legislative session. Joined by members of the Economic Recovery Task Force and other House Republicans, Benninghoff noted Pennsylvania must work to align its incredible home-grown assets with opportunities for economic growth.

“As we began this session, I made it a priority to develop a working group of lawmakers from across Pennsylvania, with varied backgrounds, to put their heads together to help inform my office about what economic recovery legislation should look like,” Benninghoff said. “Their charge is simple: Examine how we got here and develop and strategize legislative and policy ideas to kick-start the economy and make Pennsylvania the ‘envy of the East.’” Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) is coordinating

the efforts of the task force. “I am proud and eager to have the honor of leading the newly established Economic Recovery Task Force,” said Kaufer. “It is time to get Pennsylvania back on its feet and onto a path of economic recovery in a safe and effective manner. My colleagues and I plan on looking into legislative solutions that can offer Pennsylvania businesses owners the opportunity to again expand their livelihood, hire additional staff and do what they love most – provide to their community. With difficult challenges come great opportunities and

we are faced with the opportunity to not only recover but come back stronger.” Task force member Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks) discussed how her background can help focus the group’s efforts on attracting new businesses as part of growth and recovery plans. “We are obligated to repair the financial damage caused by the ramifications of COVID-19,” Thomas said. “We must help Pennsylvania’s businesses rebound from this crisis and thrive, but we must also focus on attracting new businesses to our state

through economic policies that remove the obstacles to economic growth. In the end, the work of this task

force will create a roadmap for helping businesses flourish and stand strong in the face of any future crisis.”

Chester County Food Bank receives donation

More than $500,000 allocated for East Penn Railroad improvements State Rep. Christina Sappey announced last week that East Penn Railroad will be the recipient of $500,500 through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program.

East Penn Railroad will use the funds to improve track conditions by replacing approximately 4,500 ties on the Wilmington Northern line and 2,000 ties on the Quakertown line. This is part of $31.3 million announced

for 26 rail freight improvement projects that will improve freight mobility while creating or sustaining more than 200 jobs across the state. “This work will improve the state’s infrastructure, increas-

ing safety and efficiency in our supply chains, while helping to minimize additional truck traffic,” Sappey said. For more information, residents may contact Sappey’s district office at 484-200-8264.

Willowdale Steeplechase to run on Saturday, May 8 Plans for the 28th running of the Willowdale Steeplechase are moving forward. The races will run on Saturday, May 8 as the kick-off to Mother’s Day weekend.

“We are grateful to the supporters who helped us survive the losses brought on by the pandemic - and to be able to run the races this spring,” said Race Director Leslie Carpenter. “The safety and well-being

of our spectators, horsemen, officials and volunteers is our top priority so our planning decisions are being guided by federal and state government mandates and public health guidelines.” Proceeds from the races

benefit the Stroud Water Research Center and New Bolton Center. Please go to Willowdale. org or the Willowdale Steeplechase Facebook page for the latest updates on attendance opportunities.

Courtesy photo

Students at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool in Exton recently donated more than 270 pounds of food and gifts to the Chester County Food Bank. Throughout December, the students hosted a donation drive to collect a variety of items, including soup, crackers, popcorn, hot chocolate mix, cookie mix, candy canes, coloring books and children’s books. At the end of the collection, students organized the items into holiday cheer bags that were distributed to families supported by the organization, just in time for the holidays. Through this initiative, students learned the importance of helping others in their community, especially during the holiday season. Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization serving more than 120 partner agencies in Chester County. Through its network of food cupboards, hot meal sites, shelters and other social service organizations, the food bank has distributed more than three million pounds of food to neighbors with limited or uncertain access to adequate meals.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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 Letter to the Editor

Editorial

The hands of her East Marlborough needs to do a small children, better job protecting its open space in the soil Letter to the Editor:

Last week, a Kennett Square mother of three small children looked into the tiny camera on her personal computer, and began delivering a short Facebook post that arrived in the form of a message of hope. She began, however, by peering down the rabbit hole of our national conversation – the one that has fractured families and friendships, narrowed our nation’s beliefs into cold and barren fortresses and seen our aspirations for sovereignty cascade into oligarchy. There was weight in her voice as she spoke, a whispering resignation of the tonnage she had witnessed over the past four years, but she was not alone. We have heard the trembling cacophony of fear from those who feel as if the American Dream has been stolen out from under them. We have felt the terror of knowing that the rip cord of our highest ideals of America has failed to release in mid air, sending our beliefs into a downward trajectory of racism, bigotry and hatred. We have seen the persistent values of decency and character buckle under the determination of our nation’s ugliest citizens, ignited by the blowtorch of social media, invented facts and a blind insouciance toward rational behavior. Her eyes carried the exhaustion of what it took to keep her children away from the television on Jan. 6, when the raging hellfire of domestic terrorists ripped open our nation’s most sacred symbol of democracy, and committed acts of such heinous offense that they repulsed even the most hardened parts of our souls. “I hate what’s happening,” she said. “I hate the brokenness. I hate the way that people have been divided against each other, whether in political systems or with other people.” Then, about midway through her post, she changed course. For the past few years, she said, about one half of the backyard of the home she shares with her children and husband in Kennett Square has been devoted to the cultivation of a vegetable garden. With the assistance of her family, she has grown a wide variety of produce, and for those who regularly visit her page, they know that the garden has become a sanctuary of growth and learning for her and her children. Throughout the growing season, it is common to see posted photographs of her children’s small hands in the soil, and the delight of tiny and happy faces peering from the stems and the plumage. “To plant a garden is to hope for the future,” she said, borrowing a quote attributed to the actress Audrey Hepburn. “What I want to leave you with today is hope, that our hope does not rest here, and that I can hope for other people, and that I can hope for a better future.” She said that she has been preparing what is generally known as a winter garden, an indoor period of design and preparation for any gardener, that for her involves the ordering of tomato, lettuce, cabbage and cucumber seeds – all of which will find their way into the soil beginning in the spring. So will sweet potatoes, which she is starting this winter from a series of sprouts that are grown from a mature potato. The cultivation of a sweet potato involves the most delicate of tasks, one that begins when the potato is cut in half and placed in a jar of water. Once the sprouts become visible, they are twisted off of the potato and placed in a shallow bowl, and are ready to plant when they are about one inch long. Once they arrive in her garden, she will water the plants thoroughly during the summer. All told, from the time they are first grown from a glass of water to the moment they are harvested, a sweet potato can take as many as four months to be pulled from the earth. Gardens, like hope, are a thing of slow anticipation, underground and invisible, acts of our unrelenting faith.

Chester County Press Randall S. Lieberman Publisher Steve Hoffman..................................Managing Editor Richard L. Gaw..................................Associate Editor Brenda Butt.........................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley...........................................Art Director Alan E. Turn...............................Advertising Director Teri Turns................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren......................Advertising Executive Amy Lieberman.............Marketing/Public Relations 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 E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., no weekend hours Annual Subscription Rate: $40.00 | Senior Citizen Rate - $30.00

NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Current and previous week's issues are &1.00 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

This new homeowner said to me, “I will only cut a few trees on my new 20-acre, wooded home site.” As I write this, it’s now the third week of listening to an army of landscapers hired to destroy and clear cut the 20 acres next to me. Bulldozers and industrial woodchoppers are

running eight hours a day nonstop. This newly developed property adjacent to me will no longer be the home to hooting owls and wild turkeys that have been my friends and neighbors for over 50 years. Pileated woodpeckers and red squirrels now have joined the white tail deer and red foxes trying to escape this destruction.

East Marlborough made a deal with this new homeowner; in exchange for destroying a large amount of mature hard woods, he has to plant saplings. I wonder who got a better deal? Mother Nature or the developer? Robert McKinsrty Jr., the chairman of the East Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors, is an

environmental lawyer who litigates ecosystem sustainability and biodiversity for a living. He should be ashamed to let this happen in the township under his watch, and this is a complete failure of East Marlborough’s existing open space and environmental resources plan. Judy Hartle

Preserving our democracy Letter to the Editor: Our founding fathers created checks and balances for our government because they wanted our democracy to last very far into the future. The greatest enemy to our democracy has recently been the lies spread by our president, his allies in Congress, far-right talk show hosts and social media. All of them are to blame for the attack on our capitol on Jan. 6 by gullible, naïve Trump

supporters. The challenge for us is to find a solution to preventing this from happening again in the future. Freedom of speech gives the president and his allies the right to spread lies, but it is good to learn that Twitter and other social media companies may restrict those accounts that may lead to insurrections and dwell on conspiracy theories detrimental to our democracy and the safety of our elected officials. If we can’t stop those

elected to government positions from telling lies, then the solution appears to be teaching our citizens the process of critical thinking: the unbiased analysis and evaluation of facts. When our president says the election was rigged against him, we must demand factual proof before we believe him. Trump’s team filed 42 lawsuits against the 2020 election results and they lost every one due to lack of evidence. Many adults who believe conspiracy

theories may be beyond help, but we may succeed if critical thinking and reliable sources for facts are taught in our high schools. Please contact your school district to learn what they are doing to prepare their students to be aware of “alternative facts” and conspiracy theories. Democracies have ended in Hungary and Poland. Let’s stop that from happening here. Joe Czarnecki Dallas, Pa.

Opinion

The new president’s toughest job: A polarized America By Lee H. Hamilton If the months since the November elections have shown us anything, it’s that the U.S. is more deeply divided than we’ve experienced in a very long time. This has been building at least since the 1990s, starting in Congress and ultimately coming to be reflected in a polarized electorate, but it’s reached the point where, rather than take pleasure in the success of a politician elected to the presidency, you have to keep your fingers crossed on his behalf. For starters, we now have a Congress—and electorate—divided along multiple fault lines. There are, of course, the partisan differences on the complex challenges that beset this country—climate change, economic growth, the pandemic, policing and racial justice, our policies toward China and Russia. Political groups with opinions on these and other issues are more sophisticated, more active, more insistent, and more aggressive in trying to shape the public dialogue than ever before. Each side tends to be suspicious of the other, viewing their adversaries not just as wrong, but as attacking the national security interests of the country. Now in the mix, though, we also have the divisions stoked by former President Trump, whose desperation to hold onto power has led him and his followers to traffic in conspiracy theories lacking any evidence and to reject the norms, principles, and institutions we’ve relied on for centuries to build this nation. There now seem to be two Republican Parties in Congress and in the country at large: one that is interested in enabling and

appealing to people who reject constitutional democracy, and one that is willing to stand up for it. This is exacerbated by our splintered media and social media universe, our rural/ urban/suburban divide, our regional and racial differences, and even ideological differences that were once about policy but today are as much about lifestyle and community preferences as anything else. You get the impression that many Republicans and Democrats—Americans all—live in different worlds today, gravitating toward separate houses of worship, schools, neighborhoods, bars and restaurants, media outlets, movies and television shows. I’ve even run across people of both parties who don’t want their children to marry someone of the other party. These are not entirely new issues, but they’ve become sharply more painful. The stark, no-prisoners divisions in our country make the life of our elected leaders—the people we choose to move our country forward—overwhelmingly challenging. In short, the greater the polarization, the

tougher it is to build consensus and solve our problems, even though if you talk to ordinary Americans, they tend to prefer cooperation and bipartisan solutions— though even that has been fraying in recent years. Every indication is that President Biden identifies himself as a moderate and plans to govern from the center or a bit to its left. His cabinet choices so far have been from the deep pool of centrist Democrats, people with expertise and experience. He believes that he can advance his goals through bipartisanship and cooperation, and he’s certainly spent a lifetime in the game and has friends on both sides of the aisle. His political instincts are strong. Democrats’ tenuous hold on both the House and the Senate may help him on this front, giving strength to moderates in both parties who are willing to sit down together in the interests of governing the country effectively. To be sure, there are plenty of forces working against bipartisanship. Many Democrats will be eager to reverse the policies of the last four years and will

argue for jamming through whatever they can accomplish. Many Republicans will see political advantage in either peddling the fake narrative that Biden’s win was illegitimate or reprising the rejectionist stance taken by minority leader Mitch McConnell when Barack Obama became president. But with Congress’s divisions mirroring the country’s, maybe there’s also room for hope. If a core of legislators of both parties are willing to work with the Biden administration, find common ground, and pass legislation that makes the country better, then perhaps Washington can actually set an example that helps a reeling nation heal. Lee Hamilton is a Senior Advisor for the Indiana University Center on Representative Government; a Distinguished Scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies; and a Professor of Practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Avon Grove grad develops earlier breast cancer detection technology in new study By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer For many of us, determining our life’s aspirations is an often topsy-turvy roller coaster ride that eventually – whether by influences or by accident -- stumbles onto something. By the time he was in the fifth grade at Kemblesville Elementary School, Bill Lotter knew what he wanted to do. In his essay, “What I Want to Do When I Grow Up,” Lotter wrote that he wanted to become the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite team. He loved sports, especially football, and in his essay, Lotter wrote that if he couldn’t work for the Eagles, he’d settle for becoming an ESPN announcer. While these aspirations never came to pass, the early interest Lotter had developed in math and science did, and recently, they helped lead the way to a discovery that may eventually save the lives of many of the more than 270,000 American men and women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Lotter, 32, the chief technology officer for Boston-based DeepHealth -- an artificial intelligence (AI) software company he co-founded in 2016 that provides assistance in the interpretation of medical images – recently published the results of a three-year study that illustrates an ability to detect breast cancer a year or more earlier than current practice. The study was published in Nature Medicine. In its findings, DeepHealth, now a subsidiary of RadNet -- the largest supplier of outpatient imaging services in the U.S. -- compared its AI to five full-time, breastfellowship-trained expert radiologists reading the same screening mammograms. The company’s software exhibited higher performance than all five radiologists, and the results suggest that the AI could help detect cancer one to two years earlier than standard interpretation in many cases.

“Our results point to the clinical utility of AI for mammography in facilitating earlier breast cancer detection, as well as an ability to develop AI with similar benefits for other medical imaging applications,” Lotter said. “By building AI software with high performance, DeepHealth has the potential to help radiologists enable more widespread access to high quality care.” While Lotter said that he and his colleagues – who include co-founder Greg Sorensen, a radiologist and former Harvard professor – anticipate that their AI software package for 2-D and 3-D mammograms will indeed save many lives through earlier breast cancer detection, there are still many hurdles to ascend before it is formally introduced into the marketplace. The first step will be receiving FDA approval, which Lotter said is expected to come in 2021 for their first product. “Our results are encouraging and we see the potential for impact, but we need to fully bring our technology to fruition and deliver those outcomes clinically to really make a difference,” he said. “Clinical deployment will be a next main phase and we’re working hard to ensure we do so effectively, including having frequent conversations with radiologists about integration, and also scaling up our computational resources to deploy our software across many clinics.” ‘Math and science nerd’ While the results of DeepHealth’s discovery may soon revolutionize how mammography screenings are conducted in the future, the journey that got Lotter there was developed early in his life, when he was a young boy growing up in Landenberg. A selfdescribed “math and science nerd,” Lotter flipped his time between his passion for sports and the multidisciplinary connection between math and science. When he wasn’t on the gridiron playing for the Red

All photos courtesy of Bill Lotter

Bill Lotter, a 2006 graduate of Avon Grove High School, is the Chief Technology Officer for Bostonbased DeepHealth, an artificial intelligence software company.

Devils at Avon Grove High School, Lotter was attending AP classes in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus and statistics. Although he was influenced by many of his teachers, one stands out above the rest: Gary Habbart, his calculus teacher. “I appreciated how much Mr. Habbart cared about his students and what he taught. It was clear he really thought through each lecture and how to present it. This helped me develop my interests as well and gave me a solid math foundation going into college,” Lotter said. “I learned early on that I like trying to understand how things work and thinking about math and science, partly because they are not subjective. The same equations apply no matter who you are or where you’re from.” After graduating from Avon Grove in 2006, Lotter attended Northwestern University, where he joined the university’s Integrated Science Program, and graduated with a B.A. in Integrated Sciences, a B.A. in Math and an M.S. in Applied Math. By the time he entered Harvard University in 2013 to pursue a Ph.D. in Biophysics (with a secondary degree in Computational Science), Lotter wanted to focus on how he could bring math and science together in

Recently, DeepHealth published a study illustrating that through its software, radiologists will have the ability to detect breast cancer a year or more earlier in mammograms.

When he was a fifth grader at Kemblesville Elementary School, Lotter wrote an essay about his career aspirations, which included becoming the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was later offered a job by the NFL franchise to develop algorithmic models to predict player performance.

order to make a positive impact on people’s lives. “It was a perfect fit for me because it allowed me to work on multidisciplinary scientific problems with an opportunity for tangible impact,” he said. Lotter complimented his studies by nurturing his fascination for machine learning that opened the door to developing machine learning solutions. Before starting at Harvard, he worked for two years as an algorithmic trader for a Chicago-based trading firm, and while at Harvard, he wrote a few articles for Harvard’s Sports Analytics Club that focused on developing algorithmic models

to predict NFL player performance. Soon after, NFL teams began noticing, and it helped him land a position as a machine learning consultant for an NFL team. As he was finishing his studies, several other teams wanted Lotter to work for them. One of them was the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2017, they offered him a job. It would be the opportunity he had dreamed about since he was a kid. Lotter accepted the offer at first, but then changed his mind. “This was the same season the Eagles won the Super Bowl, and if I had taken the job, that would have been an unbelievable experience,” he said. “I had initially told

those I interviewed with that I had just begun a start-up company back in Boston, and that I was reluctant to leave what Greg [Sorenson] and I had just begun. It was the hardest decision of my life, and as much as I love the Eagles, in the end I just couldn’t give up on the start-up. “It was still very early on for DeepHealth, but it was hard for me to give up its potential. Now a few years later, I’m proud of our team for being in a position to positively impact patients’ lives.” To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Youth ambassadors and law enforcement officers build bridges and skills with de-escalation training A Chester County Sheriff’s Office initiative with local law enforcement officers and African American teenambassadors has led to friendship and training. Seven months after Chester County youth group Sanji Strong led a peaceful Black Lives Matter rally in West Chester, ambassadors from the group honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by attending de-escalation and media resolution training with representatives from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and West Chester Police Department (WCPD). Bridge-building meetings between the teens and officers began in the summer and fall of 2020, and this led to a unanimous vote to learn more together about conflict resolution and to expand

their gatherings to include friends later in 2021. The de-escalation training, held on Jan. 16, was led by instructors from Philadelphia’s Good Shepherd Mediation Program, and was sponsored by the Unionville Presbyterian Church. At Sanji Strong’s rally last June 27, Chester County Sheriff Fredda Maddox listened to the stories of local teens who had experienced hurtful encounters with law enforcement officers. Moved by their stories and realizing there was an opening to build rapport with youth who were distrustful of police, she offered to meet with them. In a thoughtfully arranged bridge-building gathering among officers from the CCSO and WCPD and

ambassadors from Sanji Strong, the teens told their stories. They spoke of feeling terrified when their home was torn apart during a police search of the wrong home. They also talked about being protected by an officer when a noose appeared on the desk of one of the students, and seeing cops who went out of their way to simply say hello to kids playing outside. The adults listened and conversations about needed changes began. They forged early friendships. “To help our community move forward, we decided to learn de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution principles,” said Maddox. “Our goal is to continue and expand the work we’ve done together, so that more people in the county

Courtesy photo

A meeting among teens from Sanji Strong and officers from the Chester County Sheriff’s Office and the West Chester Police Department resulted in shared skills in conflict resolution.

have tools to communicate with respect and respond to conflict without violence.” Tiffany Perkins, who founded the Sanji Strong youth group after her son

Eric “Sanji” Brown was killed in West Chester in 2018, agreed. A driving force behind the training and meetings, Perkins finds hope in the work being done to

build bridges. “We are changing history in Chester County,” she said. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and my son Eric—‘Sanji’— would be proud.”

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Crushed Stone Showers By Home Smart Industries

LuxStone Showers Project time:

1-2 weeks

DAYS!

Why settle for shower walls that look like plastic? Home Smart Industries is the areas only Authorized Dealer of

Kohler’s LuxStone wall system made of 70% crushed stone and professionally installed at prices comparable to acrylic showers. Design your bathtub or shower VITPEGIQIRX [MXL SYV XVEMRIH ERH GIVXMŶIH 7TIGMEPMWXW EX E TVMGI ]SY GER EJJSVH

WINTER SHOWER SALE

FREE ESTIMATES

Save 18 Months $ 1,000 + 0% APR

Kohler Shower Replacements Exp. 04/15/2021

Home Smart Industries- Bathtub, Shower and Walk-In Bath Tub Specialists

Call NOW INDUSTRIES Bathtubs | Showers | Kohler Walk-In Baths

Authorized Dealer

484-209-6082

*Cannot be combined with any other offer. Previous sales excluded. Good at initial presentation only. $1,000 discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Additional work is extra and optional. Financing available for qualified buyers. 13 Mount Pleasant Drive Aston, PA 19014

NO PRICE QUOTES WILL BE GIVEN VIA PHONE. 4.9 Stars 306 reviews www.

HomeSmartind.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

Obituaries SHELLEY ROBERTS JONES Shelley Roberts Jones, a resident of West Grove, passed away on Jan. 7. She was 83. She was the loving wife of Donald Raymond Jones, with whom she shared 43 years of marriage. Born in 1937 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth S. Roberts and the late Grace Chardy Roberts. At the age of 13, Shelley and family returned to Pennsylvania, moving from West Chester to Kennett Square. She married Richard W. Taylor in 1957 and eventually settled in Kennett Square. She had two children. She was very active in the Kennett Square community and was a member of the United States Tennis Association as a coach and ranked player. After a divorce in 1978, she moved to Raleigh, N.C. In 1979, she married Donald R. Jones. They lived in Wilmington, Del. and then they moved to Pocopson Township in Chester County. In 1994, Don and Shelley moved to Nokomis, Fla. to enjoy the warm climate and be the go-to person for dog watching in the neighborhood. They returned to West Grove in 2017 and resided at Jenner’s Pond. In addition to her husband Donald, she is survived by her two children, Bryan Taylor (and his wife Diana) of York Pa. and Stacy Botkin of Landenberg; Don’s three children, Judith (Jones) Harlin (and her husband James) of Berlin, Md., Cynthia Jones-Taddei (and her husband Leonard) of Newark, Del. and Douglas Jones (and his wife Karen) of Milton, Fla.; two brothers, Kenneth Roberts of Kennett Square and Henry “Rique” Roberts of West Chester; and 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Due to pandemic restrictions, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Brandywine Valley SPCA by using the link, bvspca.org/ donate/ or by calling 610-482-4289. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit http://www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove.

J. EVERETT DONACHE, II J. Everett Donache, II, 75, of Nottingham, passed away on Jan. 12 at Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy, Pa. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to many. He was the husband of Donna Wimer Donache, with whom he shared over 55 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late John Everett (Jim) and Emily L. Berrell Donache and brother of the late Helen M. Stewart. Everett graduated from Oxford High School Class of 1963 and retired from General Motors in Wilmington, Del. after 31 years. He served as Past Sachem for the Improved Order of Redmen, Tribe #212, Oxford. He was a past member of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2666, Oxford, Ancient Order of the Croaking Frogs, Quarryville, and Christiana American Legion Post 865, Christiana, Pa. He was an honorary active member of the Union Fire Company No. 1 Fire and Ambulance Divisions, Oxford since May 1964, serving as assistant chief, lieutenant, chief engineer, ambulance director, driver and attendant, and he served as captain and lieutenant of the rescue squad. Everett loved working on trucks and cars and enjoyed his 1936 Chevy Street Rod, restoring his 1978 El Camino, shopping at flea markets, and reading. And if you ever needed to find out who someone was or what happened years ago, he was the one to ask. He also enjoyed going to the family cabin in Huntingdon County. Everett always had a deep love for all of his fur buddies: Remington, Ralph and current dog, Molly, along with his grand dogs, Aleu and Arsen. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Lee Ann Donache of Nottingham and Jill K. Donache-Sheets (Jeffrey) of Peach Bottom; three grandchildren, Kalli J. Sheets, Emma N. Sheets and Hunter E. Sheets, all of Peach Bottom. Services were held at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home and the Oxford Cemetery on Jan. 16. Donations may be made in Everett’s memory to the Union Fire Co. No. 1 and Ambulance Division, 315 Market St., Oxford, Pa. 19363 or Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, Pa. 17604. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Alleluia My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space. We are offering a special discount of 25% off each and every help wanted/ classified advertisement to any business that advertises on the PRESS church page.

For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

Compliments of

Lions Club of Oxford

HERR FOODS, INC. NOTTHINGHAM, PA

932-9330 ENCOURAGES YOU TO ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE

P.O. Box 270 Oxford, PA 19363 Meets First and Third Thursday at 6:30p.m. Nottingham Inn, Nottingham, PA

Landenberg Church United Methodist All Are Welcome 205 Penn Green Rd. In Historic Downtown Landenberg Landenberg, PA 19350

610-274-8384 Services Every Sunday • 9:00 am

E. LORINE RAGON E. Lorine Ragon, of Kennett Square, was called home to our Lord on Jan. 12 with her children by her side. She was 84. Lorine married the late Jimmy Ragon in 1951. He was the love of her life and they shared 53 years of marriage before he passed unexpectedly in 2005. Besides Texas, they made homes in Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Italy, Louisiana, and California. They traveled the world extensively, visiting six of the seven continents. Born and raised in Marshall, Tx., Lorine met Jimmy on a blind date, and they married six weeks later. Her adventurous spirit was the perfect complement to Jimmy’s nomadic career as a civil engineer. While raising three children in those early years, Lorine completed college. She made sure that her studies never interfered with the time that she gave her children by attending evening classes. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1970 with a degree in education and taught 5th grade math and science in Wilmington, Del. until the family moved to Italy in 1973 so that Jimmy could manage the construction of an Astra-Zeneca chemical plant outside of Milan. Moving to Italy with three children was a challenge, but Lorine met it with the courage and grace she demonstrated throughout her life and turned that challenge into an opportunity for adventure. Besides traveling large parts of Europe with the whole family jammed into a small station wagon, other highlights included negotiating the purchase of a whole turkey (including the head) from a local butcher for an American-style Thanksgiving dinner, racing home across the Swiss Alps in record time to meet the Sunday driving curfew due to the oil shortages of the 1970s, and savoring all the varieties of Italian red wine. Upon return to the United States, Lorine pursued her real estate license and was a successful realtor for B. Gary Scott Realty. In her free time, Lorine was an avid gardener who fought, and most-often won, the constant battles with the local deer. She was an extremely competitive bridge player and continued to travel across the world. Whenever Jimmy and Lorine visited far flung places they always returned home with a small cache of local mementos and interesting stories of the different cultures that they shared with the family. After Jimmy passed, Lorine continued her worldwide travel with friends from Pennsylvania and family from Longview, Tx., creating new memories and experiences. More than anything, Lorine was a devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren who she adored and doted on from the moment they were born: Caitlin Graney, Erin Graney, Daniel Graney, Sam Obaditch, Emily Obaditch and William Obaditch. She passed on her love of games to her grandchildren by regularly beating them in poker, Mexican Train, dominoes, rummy and pinochle. She made costumes, traveled with two Flat Stephanies and one Flat Steven, and dug worms for fishing trips. Her grandchildren will forever remember all the themed Christmas Eves at her house including Hula Hoop Christmas, Harmonica Christmas, and Paper Plane Christmas, just to name a few. Lorine was a strong woman of faith and never doubted that after this life she would join her beloved Jimmy in Heaven singing in perfect key to honor her savior. Lorine is survived by her three children: Cheryl R. Graney (and her husband, Daniel) of Glen Mills, Pa.; Jon C. Ragon (and his wife, Angela, of Kennett Square); and Susan Obaditch (and her husband, Jeremy of Montclair, N.J.). She is also survived by her brother, Richard Brown of Marshall, Tx. and her beloved aunt, Jean Keasler of Longview, Tx. Due to pandemic restrictions, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Obituaries SAMUEL F. MATTSON

ROY FRANCIS HUGHES, SR.

Samuel F. Mattson peacefully passed on Jan. 16, at Sanatoga Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. He was 72. Sam was the beloved son of the late Fred Mattson and Sara J. Mattson. He was born in West Chester and spent his life in Kennett Square. He was a 1966 graduate of Kennett High School. He was a longtime member of the Kennett YMCA and enjoyed going there each day to see his many friends. Sam was most proud of his service as a combat medic in the Vietnam War where he was awarded a Purple Heart Medal. He also loved to talk about his job with Delta Airlines, where he also had many friends. Sam spent many hours in service to military veterans, and will be missed by all. There will be a visitation at Kuzo Funeral Home at 250 W. State Street. Kennett Square from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday Jan. 21, followed by mass at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church at 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s name should be made to either, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, 101 Race Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 or the Disabled American Veterans, of Cold Spring, KY, mailing address: P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square. Please view his online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Roy Francis “Buddy” Hughes, Sr., passed away on Jan. 16 at his residence. He was the husband of the late RoseMary (Gormley) Hughes, who passed away in 2011. Born on Nov. 13, 1944, he was the son of the late Donald J. and Francas K. (Rhodes) Hughes. He was a plumber for over 30 years, working at Longwood Gardens. He was a member of the VFW for years. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time in Wildwood, the Docks at the Lobster House, with good friends and music. His favorite song was “1000 Stars in the Sky.” He had a heart of gold, a handsome smile, perfect hair and he loved his children. He is survived by his children, Holly and Alex Vargas, Beth and Denny Bird, and Roy Hughes, Jr., as well as by 12 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister, Sandy (and her husband Bob) Hickey, a brother, Kevin (and his wife Linda) Hughes, and sister Barbara Hughes. He will also be remembered by his girlfriend Christine Wilson. All services will be private. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

GEORGE Y. THOMSON, III

Obituary submissions The Chester County Press publishes obituaries free of charge for funeral homes with active advertising accounts only. Others with a connection to southern Chester County are charged a modest fee. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received with a Monday 5pm deadline. They are also posted on www.chestercounty.com. Photos should be sent as .jpeg attachments to the obituary text. To submit an obituary to the Chester County Press or for a rate quote, email the information to editor@chestercounty.com.

George “Scott” Y. Thomson, III passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 11. He was a 58-year-old resident of Oxford. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of George Y. Thomson, Jr. of Oxford and Barbara T. Metz Blevins of Oxford. Scott enjoyed working on any type of engines, his favorite being the Hemi engine. He is survived by his father; his mother; two brothers, Robert S. Thomson of Ohio and Paul Thomson of Fla.; one sister, Kimberly Conner of Oxford; one uncle, George W. Metz of Newtown Square; and two nieces, April Dawson and Andrea Dawson. Services are private. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

EDNA EARLE MILLER Edna Earle Miller, 72, of Oxford, passed away Jan. 15 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove. She was the wife of James Miller, with whom she shared 56 years of marriage. Born in Wilmington, Del., she was the daughter of Catherine Ellsworth Smith of Dover, Del. and the late Conrad Smith. Edna enjoyed playing cards, traveling, collecting angels and especially loved her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband; her mother; three children, Timothy Miller (Deborah) of Nottingham, Dawn Vanderhoef (John) of Palmyra and Brian Miller of Oxford; seven grandchildren, Brandon Miller (Kelly), Matthew Miller (Jen), Paul Skinner, Casey Skinner (Meghan), Adam Miller (Sarah), Julia Miller and Rachel Miller; three great-grandchildren, Aiden Miller, Elora Miller and Gwen Miller; and four siblings, Kathleen Robinson of Dover, Del., Agnes Brown (Arthur) of Lenoir, N.C., Edward Smith (Joann) of Middletown, Del. and Doris Atizer (Chad) of Dover, Del. Friends and family may visit from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford. Services are private. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38148-0424. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

chestercounty.com ONLINE ALL THE TIME NEWS • SCHOOLS ENTERTAINMENT • BUSINESS SPORTS • HOME & GARDEN

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Chester County Press

Local News Tower Health adds six academic programs New residency and fellowship programs expand Tower Health’s commitment to academics Reading Hospital – Tower Health received approval to add six new residency and fellowship programs in 2020. The hospital now offers fellowship programs in nephrology, plastic surgery, sleep medicine, and pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. The hospital also added residency programs in neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation. When the programs

are fully operational, they will educate an additional 60 resident and fellows per year at Reading Hospital. Reading Hospital now has 21 residency and fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as well as other accrediting bodies. The nine ACGME-accredited residency programs are anesthesiology, emergency

medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, surgery, and transitional year. Reading Hospital also has 12 fellowships available for residents to pursue after graduation including programs for addiction medicine, bariatric surgery, cardiovascular disease, endocrinology and diabetes/metabolism, gas-

troenterology, hematology/ oncology, infectious diseases, nephrology, plastic surgery, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine, sleep medicine, and surgical/critical care. “Residents and fellows have long been an integral part of the care team at Reading Hospital,” said William M. Jennings, president and CEO of Reading Hospital. “In addition to providing high-quality

care to our patients, we are honored to train the next generation of physicians who will serve our community and communities across the country.” Mark G. Martens, M.D., senior vice president and chief academic officer for Tower Health added, “The addition of these new residency and fellowship programs further demonstrates Tower Health’s ongoing commitment to

our growing academic mission. With the addition of these programs the health system now has a combined total of 45 fellowship and residency programs.” Reading Hospital was recently named one of the top 50 best teaching hospitals in the United States, according to a ranking released by Washington Monthly and the Lown Institute.

Cecil County Tourism plans campaign to support local businesses Following Christmas and the celebration of welcoming a new year, a winter chill tends to settle in and keep families indoors. During the winter of 2021, however, Chesapeake City, Elkton, North East, and Port Deposit plan to light up their communities and brighten up January and February with a promotion initiated by Cecil County Tourism called “Winter

Lights - Cecil Nights.” This campaign creates reasons to bundle up and come to Cecil County during the new year’s early months to support local businesses. Each town is planning their own unique way of celebrating the winter. Some will offer the magic of white lights, others special shopping deals, winter window decorations, and theme activities.

All towns have eateries featuring mouthwatering chilly-weather dishes and winter drinks perfect for sitting under a blanket on a deck, dining in, or taking home after enjoying the town. Activities being planned include a decorating contest, Sip & Stroll, Family Puff Snowball Fights, Carriage Rides, Snowman Making, a Way Back

our participating towns. “Winter Lights - Cecil Nights” supports small business and provides an uplifting magical atmosphere to all of those seeking something fun to do in January and February,” said Tourism Manager Sandy Maruchi-Turner. “We greatly appreciate the town partners, Maryland Upper Shore Regional Council and Maryland Office of Tourism

for grants, and Delmarva Power for assistance with lighting. Residents are also encouraged to light up their homes. This group effort will continue to unfold into the winter. Schedules for activities and weekly updates are available during January and February at www.SeeCecil.org or www. WinterLightsCecilNights. com.

will meet on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:30PM. The New Garden Township Park and Recreation Board will meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00PM. All meetings will be held on Zoom conference software with log on details becoming available on the Township website, www.newgarden. org, the Friday before the meeting. In person meetings will resume as restrictions allow and notification will be made of the same. Anyone needing special accommodations in order to participate in or observe the proceedings should contact the Township Office at 610-9322915 to discuss how best to make such accommodation. 1p-20-1t

Articles of Incorporation were filed with and approved by the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the 21st day of October, 2020, for the purpose of creating a business corporation which has been incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988. The name of the corporation is Project Santa PXV, Inc. 1p-20-1t

INCORPORATION NOTICE

HELP WANTED Modern Mushroom Farms, Inc. @ 1330 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, has an opening for a Machine Operator for

Garden Soils packaging plant – full time- starts @ $19.00 hr. Must know loaders and turners. Valid Driver’s License . We offer a full benefit package and overtime pay. Work is 5 1/2 days per week. You can call (610) 268-3535 ask Larry Moore. Resume or questions Prefer e-mail to: Jackies@Modernmush.com. HELP WANTED Modern Mushroom Farms, Inc. @ 1330 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, has an opening for a Dump truck driver for our Garden Soils packaging plant – full time- starts @ $18.00 hr. Valid Driver’s License. We offer a full benefit package and overtime pay. Work is 5 1/2 days per week. You can call (610) 268-3535 ask Larry Moore. Resume or questions Prefer e-mail to: Jackies@Modernmush.com

Winter history theme day, and more. Fabulous foodie dishes includea Bacon Mac & Cheese, Crab Fondue, Bananas Foster, Crab Risotto, Pumpkin Bisque, Molten Lava Chocolate Cake, Warm Bread Pudding, and Crab Asparagus Soup, just to name a few. “We’re really excited about the winter campaign shining a spotlight on

Legals ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Richard J. Pollard Late of Coatesville, Chester County, PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the

above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known

the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Melissa Pollard, 7514 Tamarron Drive, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 Executor, Or Attorney: Charles C. Bratton, II, Esquire at 18 Kings Highway West, Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033. 1p-13-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP BOARD AND COMMISSIONS MEETING SCHEDULE The New Garden Township Planning Commission will meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. except in the Month of November and December when they will meet on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00PM. The New Garden Township Open Space Review Board will meet monthly on the Second Tuesday of each month at 7PM. The New Garden Township Historic Commission

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT

Classifieds Help Wanted

See these local businesses and many more on our website - Click Directory

Andy's Lawn Care Lawn & Field Mowing Aerating & Overseeding Lawn Renovation Seasonal Cleanups Mulching Landscaping Tree & Stump Removal Lot & Land Clearing Grading & Drainage Snow Removal

(610) 274-2273 Office or (610) 721-3119 cell

T L MOVING C SERVICES, LLC A personalized and friendly service specializing in packing and unpacking for house to retirement home moves. We manage your move! www.tlcmovingservicesllc.com Caen Stroud

610-268-3243

Trailer Repair Welding

Truck Acces. Spray Liners

BASHER & SON 610-268-0007 • basherandson.com

Over 40 Years Experience UHAUL

Hitches

Inquire Now! Poison Ivy • Brush & Weed Control

Green Grazers 484-643-6939 Go Green, Go Goats Economical, Eco-Friendly All Natural Land Clearing Service for Small and Large Areas

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Counties call for election reforms based on 2020 experience Renewed ask for expanded pre-canvassing, extension of mail-in application list, are top priorities The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) released its preliminary report and recommendations outlining county priorities for further Election Code reforms, and strongly urged the General Assembly and administration to work together closely with counties to create positive, effective election policy. “Despite the challenges of 2020 – including implementation of Act 77 and administering elections in the middle of a global pandemic – counties continued to uphold their responsibility to deliver fair, secure and successful elections,” said Butler County Commissioner and 2021 CCAP President Kevin Boozel. “But coun-

ties have also learned a great deal from our experiences on the front lines, and we have identified a number of areas where we can work with the General Assembly and administration to improve the Election Code and our elections processes.” As their top priority for 2021, counties are renewing their call to allow counties additional time to pre-canvass mail-in ballots, and to move the deadline for mailin ballot applications back to 15 days prior to an election in conjunction with the voter registration deadline. “These two priorities alone could resolve a significant portion of the challenges counties experienced in 2020,” said Indiana County Commissioner and

CCAP Elections Reform Committee Chair Sherene Hess. Counties raised concerns for months prior to the November election that if they were unable to begin processing the expected volume of absentee and mail-in ballots before Election Day, they would have very real challenges in providing the timely results they knew would be sought, especially in a highly contested and highly visible presidential election. As predicted, it took several days for the millions of mail-in ballots to be counted, delaying election results and causing confusion despite counties’ best efforts. Therefore, counties renew their call for legislation to allow pre-canvassing

to begin prior to Election Day, thus allowing counties to focus on administering an in-person election on Election Day, improving workload management and allowing results to be available much more efficiently. In addition, Act 77 permitted voters to apply for a mail-in ballot up to seven days before an election, which created timing challenges with the postal service. Many voters faced uncertainty about whether they would receive their ballot, or whether the county would receive their ballot in time. With postal delays and ongoing public health concerns, shifting this deadline to 15 days before an election offers the best opportunity to enfranchise our mail-in

voters by offering more confidence that ballots will be able to make it from the county to the voter and back again. Boozel and Hess noted that in addition to these two priority issues, counties seek meaningful reforms that can address other issues that arose during the 2020 elections, including additional Election Code amendments, particularly to clarify matters that became subjects of interpretation throughout various lawsuits, as well as administrative issues to be addressed with the state and recommendations related to county operations and administration. “It is our responsibility to work together in the future to promote a smoother elec-

tion process in support of our democracy,” said Hess. “Counties – as the entities that administer our elections – must be at the table for these conversations to help create language that is clear and easily understood and to identify upfront any potential challenges with implementation.” “Running elections should be about making sure that our systems are secure and accurate and that our voters can have confidence that every properly cast vote will count,” Boozel said. “Every level of government has a stake in assuring our elections are secure, fair and accurate, and we look forward to working with our state partners on this important topic.”

Oxford Presbyterian Church provides food boxes to 145 families in the Oxford community This has been an annual event for 60 years Oxford Presbyterian Church provided the ingredients for Christmas dinner for families in need in the Oxford area on Saturday, Dec. 19. People gave generous food boxes to 145 families. Local merchants and the church’s congregation provided financial support. Cub Scout Pack 213 and Girl Scout Troops of Unit

609 collected canned goods over the last two months. Rising cases of COVID19 in Pennsylvania restricted building use for this project. With only 10 people allowed to help, volunteers managed to sort and fill boxes on Dec. 18. On Saturday, Dec. 19, they had the challenge of giving out Christmas Food Boxes as recipients drove

through the parking lot. It was a contact-free day for pickup and delivery, outside only, and on a frigid day. The church would like to thank all who helped make the drive-thru pick up run smoothly. Herr’s Potato Chip Factory donated boxes, assembled by Gene and Seth Allport. Chester County Food Bank

8 Federal Road, Suite 1 West Grove, PA 19390

donated 150 turkeys, canned goods and produce boxes. Flowers Bakery donated loaf bread. La Communidad Hispana (LCH) donated hand sanitizers. Oxford Presbyterian Church provided eggs, butter and a $25 gift certificate to complete the boxes. It was a huge community effort, and met a real need.

The church offers many thanks to the members of the Christmas Food Box Committee. Ila Barlow, and Bev Hartgrove helped Lisa Koza, the project leader. Special thanks also to Nancy Rodriquez, who assisted with Spanish translation, Clyde Prigg, the Sexton, who is involved in every activity at the church, Boy

Scout Troop 44 for their help, and the volunteers who delivered 30 of the boxes to those who could not pick up the food boxes. Oxford Presbyterian Church can only do this project with the generous help of the Neighborhood Services Center, which interviews families to qualify them for eligibility.

Spring 2021

Attract More Customers!

Dear Chamber Member and Friends, The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce production of the 2021 Spring issue of the CONNECTIONS magazine. CONNECTIONS is the Chamber’s exclusive publication representing business across the region. The colorful and professionally-designed magazine brings Chamber members and communities together and links commerce, lifestyle, entertainment, and education in a reader-friendly format. This valuable marketing tool serves as a comprehensive guide for all those working, living, and visiting our region. By advertising, you gain: 1. 2. 3.

VISIBILITY & ATTENTION – in print, online and across major social media platforms CREDIBILITY & IMPACT – share your message and stand out from competition MAXIMUM EXPOSURE – 23,000 printed full color magazines serve as the leadingresource for thousands who do business and buy locally.

Our member/publisher, Ad Pro, Inc., is available to assist you in building your ad, AT NO COST. For more information, please call 610-869-5553. Sincerely,

Cheryl B. Kuhn Cheryl B. Kuhn, IOM, President & CEO Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

23,000 CIRCULATION • 3,000 copies available at most area businesses throughout Southern Chester County. • 4,000 copies mailed to high net worth residences in Southern Chester County • 1,000 copies mailed to every Chamber member and available at all Chamber events and programs. • E-Edition and interactive web-driven version prominently placed on scccc.com and promoted on social media platforms.

PUBLICATION DATE: Spring 2021 - March 31 For more information call 610-869-5553

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

Primary care near Kennett Square

One Search is All It Takes to Find Your Best Health A partner in your everyday wellbeing should be easy to find. With a ChristianaCare Primary Care location here in Kennett Square, and even more ways to manage your wellbeing by video, by phone or in-office — it’s easy to get the care you need, where you need it. If you don’t already have a Primary Care provider, one is waiting for you right in your backyard. It’s important to find a partner you trust to guide your health and wellbeing and even connect you with specialists when needed. Connect with an expert, caring Primary Care provider in Kennett Square today!

ChristianaCare Primary Care at Kennett Square ȮȶȦ *EWX 'EPXMQSVI 5MOI 0IRRIXX UYEVI 5& Ȧȟȴȏȁ ȰȦȉ ȮȰȍ ȏȶȉȉ

Visit ChristianaCare.org/HealthyKennett for more information.