Chester County Press 02-09-2022 Edition

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 156, No. 6

INSIDE

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

New Garden shares updates on key township initiatives, concerns

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

State Sen. Comitta announces funding for projects...5B

Health officials sound the alarm about blood shortage...3A

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New Garden Township Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Allaband and township manager Ramsey Reiner discussed some of the projects that are high on the township’s priority list, as part of a work session meeting held with members of the township’s boards and commissions on Feb. 7.

Allaband said that the township – in partnership with consultants -- has been addressing the proposed zoning changes that, if approved, would be incorporated into the Route 7 and Route 41 corridors, redefine these thoroughfares as mixed-use and open up opportunities for commercial and residential development that would include affordable housing.

“Hopefully it will be successful in yielding some positive changes along the Route 7 and Route 41 corridor,” Allaband said.

Another item on the township’s agenda, Allaband said, will be to address the stormwater run-off erosion damage that has increased on township roads, its trail system and its older infrastructure.

Allaband said that another priority for the township will be to address the rising cost of the fire and emergency services throughout southern Chester County, which has been exacerbated by the recent closing of two area hospitals that will require the need for longer transportation times for emergency vehicles to reach medical facilities.

Reiner provided an update about the township’s plans for Saint Anthony’s in the Hills – the 137-acre property it purchased in 2018. She said that the township is updating the park’s lighting system and parking areas; and that the Splash Surf Club is finalizing its work permits and communicating with the township on

the projected completion and opening of its New Garden facility in Saint Anthony’s.

Reiner also discussed progress on the proposed

White Clay Point mixeduse development along Route 41. She said that the developers had asked for an extension until June, and in discussions with Reiner,

they have expressed interest in learning more about the township’s plans to create zoning changes along Route 41.

Continued on page 2A

Red Devils escape with narrow win

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Despite a valiant fourth-quarter effort by visiting Kennett, the Avon Grove varsity basketball team beat the Blue Demons, 53-47, in a non-conference game played on Feb. 5.

Resident continues to press Kennett Township on investigation of manager Fiorillo elected president of the Chester County Bar Foundation...1B

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Kennett Township resident Peter Doehring, a former candidate for the township’s Board of Supervisors, recently furOpinion.......................5A thered his efforts in shining additional glare on what Obituaries............2B & 3B he believes is a conflict of Classifieds..................4B interest committed by township manager Eden Ratliff.

During the public comment portion of the

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INDEX

© 2007 The Chester County Press

Kennett Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Feb. 2, Doehring inquired about the status of a Right to Know Law request form he submitted to the Township Pennsylvania Office of Open Records on Jan. 6 that requests an electronic copy of any Requests for Advisory Opinions submitted by Ratliff to the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission and the Commission’s response –

all related to a an official complaint Doehring recently filed to the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission that targeted Ratliff.

On Jan. 13, Ratliff -- who is also the township’s open records officer – replied to Doehring in a letter sent by email about Doehring’s Jan. 6 request.

Ratliff indicated to Doehring that the request was being reviewed, given that a legal review is necessary

to determine whether the record is subject to access under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, and that Doehring’s request is expected to be responded to on Feb. 12.

“We are continuing to pursue our own inquiries into Eden Ratliff’s conflicts of interests, parallel to the township’s own investigation,” Doehring told the board. “As you know – and as we have recently docu-

mented on openkennett.org – Eden is now delaying or denying all right to know requests we submitted for related information, effectively stifling any public inquiries into his conflict.

As long as we expect that every request will delayed and that some would be denied, we’re left with no choice but to increase the number of formal right to know requests.

Continued on page 4A

Penn Township officials discuss Chester Water Authority, a proposed bikeway, phorid flies, and more

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer

of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 2, the board held the continuation of a conditionAn hour prior to the start al-use hearing that was first of the Penn Township Board presented in January.

The application of Pallares Family Holdings, LLC is seeking to use the Hood farm at 377 and 378 Hood Road for a vine-

What one Vietnam veteran gave for freedom

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Jim Allen is one of 7.2 million Vietnam veterans still living today. Like many veterans returning to the U.S. from Vietnam, he didn’t get a hero’s welcome when he came home after serving his country. In fact, he really didn’t get a welcome home at all until the Wreaths Across America organization drove into Oxford in a mobile unit and welcomed him home, finally, after all these years.

On that day, Jim Allen came to the mobile unit Continued on page 2A

Courtesy photo

Vietnam veteran Jim Allen is finally welcomed home by Wreaths Across American driver and ambassador Stefan Brann during a Wreath’s Across America mobile event held at D’Ambrosio Chevrolet in Oxford.

yard and tasting room.

Members of the Pallares family would live in the two residences already on the property, while the country store would be converted to an office. Vines would be planted and the barn would be made into the tasting room for their Casa Carmen label wines.

The continuance included some additional testimony and questions on parking and events.

The meeting was continued once again to 5 p.m. prior to the Feb. 16 board meeting. At that time, the board is expected to render its decision on the application. If they vote in favor of the conditional use, it is possible that the board could place conditions on the use of the property.

In other business, supervisor Radar O’Connell gave a brief update on the status of the proposed sale of Chester Water Authority by the city of Chester to Aqua. Having seen the sale of the Penn Township sewer system to Aqua result in escalating bills for residents, the supervisors have been following the

struggle by the CWA board to stop the sale of the nonprofit water system and the Octorara reservoir to the for-profit water company.

Penn Township supervisors support the fight against the sale by Save CWA. The city of Chester is in receivership and funds from the sale would help the city on the way out of debt. At this time, a draft agreement of sale has been uncovered through “right to know” requests by Save CWA. “They (Chester) blew their own money. If they get these millions, they’ll blow it too,” supervisor Victor Mantegna said.

Last month, the board rejected all bids for their proposed renovation of the veterans’ garden at the township’s passive use park. To seek lower costs, the township researched the cost of just replacing the existing brick with new brick. That method was estimated to cost $67,000.

Because that project would have to be bid, the township will first check to see if work can be obtained Continued on page 3A

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Local News Veteran...

Continued from Page 1A

and was presented with a pin and was welcomed home. His son, Rudy, his daughter-in-law Nikki, and the grandchildren were there to see it happen and, most importantly, Jim Allen’s family was able to view information about the war he was wounded in.

“I’m very proud of my father,” Rudy Allen said.

“What he has done, serving our country in a war that was so controversial, has made me more patriotic. I see firsthand what price he paid for freedom.

Freedom isn’t free. He has Parkinson’s Disease because he was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.”

To say the Vietnam War took a toll on a generation of approximately nine million members of the Armed Forces who served during a 20-year period from 1955 to 1975 is an understatement.

Nikki Allen said, “I can’t believe how badly people treated Vietnam veterans. It

New Garden...

Continued from Page 1A

Sunshine Act tutorial Township solicitor Bill Christman provided the members of the township’s boards and commissions with an overview on the specifics of the Sunshine Act, which establishes rules for townships and municipalities on how to advertise public meetings and times where any board, committee or commission meets and

was so wrong. I just can’t understand it.”

Jim looked at his daughter-in-law and said, “She is my hero.” He is 74 now, and he has had Parkinson’s Disease for over 20 years.

He doesn’t like to dwell on it. It is a progressive disease and since his diagnosis, it has progressed. Parkinson’s has made it difficult for him to do the simple things in life most of us take for granted—things like talking, walking, or sleeping.

The Ve t e r a n ’s Administration only officially recognized Parkinson’s as being associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service back in 2010. The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) advocated for passage of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, and it was signed into law in that year.

Despite the difficulty created by Parkinson’s, Jim has not stopped working and doesn’t plan to.

“I like to work,” he said.

Jim worked at Pinno

Pontiac where he sold and repaired cars. He retired after 42 years, and then went to work for his son and his excavation company in 2011. Five years later, he came to work for his son when he started a new business called the Soap Bucket. That business has grown and is now called Nella Naturals.

Although Jim Allen has difficulty talking, both his son and daughter-in-law have learned to understand him and are quick to meet his every need. Rudy stays with him to keep watch over him at night. During the day, he can often be found at his son’s business in the town of Oxford. They are a close family by choice.

The young Allens have five children who can also be found at the business or working with their parents.

They are always close, all supporting each other. The relationship between this family is like no other.

Jim has always been a gentle man. The wounds he received in the war have not changed that. He came

back, and many other U.S. soldiers didn’t. Like many veterans, he didn’t talk much about his experience in the war.

“I didn’t want to complain. At that time you didn’t talk about your feelings. I didn’t want people to know how I felt,” he said.

Like many veterans, his only son knew little about what his father had gone through.

“It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that Dad said anything,” Rudy explained.

“And the first time I did hear him talking about it was when he was talking to a guest at our house.”

Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 — a troubled time in America’s history. Inflation grew as part of the effort to fund the war in Vietnam. Both the U.S. and USSR continued in their space race to see who would be the first to land a man on the moon. Race riots took place in cities across the country and National Guards were needed to bring back law and order. The National

Coordinating Committee to End the War in Vietnam helped sponsor the “Second International Days of Protest” in the United States on March 25 and 26 in about 100 cities and in several places outside the U.S. This was the backdrop for many veterans who were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Protests continued as Jim went off to fill his military commitment.

He completed basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

“After basic training, I went to Keesler Air Force Base to Air Traffic Controller School for four months. I came home for a brief visit, and then went to California. From there, I flew to Cam Ranh Bay,” he explained.

And so a young gentle man left the farming community of Oxford and landed in Vietnam. From Cam Ranh Bay, he went on to the Mai Cong Delta.

“I remember landing and wondering what I was doing there. At that point

actions and deliberations are made.

“The Sunshine Act affects and is applied to every board and commission in the township, the same way it does to the Board of Supervisors,” Christman said. “The law was passed by the state legislature to make townships more transparent. The goal is to make sure that everything is done in “the sunshine,” so that the residents of that municipality know what is going on.”

Christman said that cer-

tain issues are exempt from the law, and include executive sessions and discussion of personnel matters, the purchase or lease of real estate, legal matters and confidential information. He added that the agenda for each board and commission meeting must be made public – or advertised -- at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting, whether on a township’s website, on an e-mail notice or in a community newspaper.

In addition, Christman

said that any document correspondence written by a board or commission official is public information, and that each official is bound by the laws of the Ethics Act. “The biggest pitfalls are conflicts of interest, which is defined as an occasion where a board member or an immediate family member would retain any private gain from an item being discussed,” he said. “If that is the case, or even if there is the chance of it being the case, you must recuse your-

self. You do not discuss or vote on it.”

Christman said that the township’s boards and committees are not required to provide electronic or hybrid video options for their meetings, but must meet in accordance with the advertised location of the meetings.

you don’t have any fear of death. You are young and naïve,” he said.

Jim moved on to the Mai Cong Delta. The difference between Oxford and Vietnam were night and day, and make no mistake, the night and the darkness was what he encountered in Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta, is located where the Mekong River, fans out and empties into the South China Sea. It was one of the most economically and strategically important areas of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Six million people, nearly 40 percent of South Vietnam’s population, lived in this humid wetland region south of Saigon.

Jim was assigned to an air base along with civilians located in a pre-fab building. Originally, he was going to be assigned with an infantry unit. However, when they discovered he could type, he was placed as a clerk.

“I remember it was hot and steamy weather,” he

Owens, the township’s fire marshal and assistant fire chief for the Avondale Fire Company, discussed the fire company’s new retention program being used to provide incentives for its volunteer firefighters. Distributed in a point system, the program gives awards for volunteers who provide extra service over Board and a six-month cycle. The gifts committee updates are awarded in the form of cash (a $2,000 limit) and the In township board and opportunity to choose items committee updates, Charlie from the fire company’s

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

Local News said. “They were constantly bringing in new people. I worked with a First Sergeant and other officers. I remember the first couple of months there were mortar attacks.

Sometimes I would fly off base in a helicopter and a helicopter would fly in supplies and people. There were 40 or 50 helicopters at the base.”

They also had a couple of medics at base. The mortar attacks were increasing and getting closer to the base.

Jim remembers he had personal contact with the Vietnamese people.

“The trouble was, we had North and South Vietnamese people on the base and you never knew if they were friend or foe. We could have been working with the enemy. You could never let your guard down,” he explained. “After four months mortar came into the barracks. Some nights it was just aircraft. Those nights, I took cover under a mattress. The night I got shot I just fell down. For a moment I couldn’t walk.

Then I got up and ran about 50 yards. I was shot in my leg and hip. It was only the adrenaline that enabled me to run.”

Jim was flown to base to a field hospital, and then was operated on in Japan. From there, he went on to Walter Reed Hospital back in the United States. He spent three weeks there while he was recovering.

“I remember getting shot at every day,” he explained.

“When I came home I never talked about Vietnam. I felt like I was expected to come back and be normal, the same guy I was when I left.

We didn’t talk about PTSD. I didn’t talk about my experience with my family.”

He remembers Mr. Pinno, his former employer, fondly.

“He gave me a convertible so I could drive back and forth to Washington,” he said. “I had seven months left in the military. The military was the best and worse thing that happened in my life. I remember Mr. Pinno taking me under his wing.”

It was years later his son Rudy would hear his father speak about Vietnam.

“All I knew was my father was patriotic and served his country. As I got older, he would slowly share stories with me,” Rudy said.

Rudy and his wife Nicki are only too happy to take care of the older Allen.

They feel it is an honor and can’t understand why some veterans have no one.

“He will do occupational therapy at his house and then we bring him here to our store for physical therapy. We just make it work,” Rudy explained.

All of this happens while the Allen family and their five children operate their store, Nella’s Naturals. The name of the store is “Allen” spelled backwards and their logo is a five-pointed star to represent the five Allen children, Grace, James, III (Rowdy), Emma, Cricket and Roxton.

The store is located at 209 E. Locust Street, in Oxford and came about when Rudy mentioned to Nicki that she might enjoy a hobby like

making soaps and candles for their local community.

It was just a suggestion.

He probably didn’t envision the successful business that would come from it.

They know Mother Nature, they know natural, and they know fresh: it’s hard not to when you come from a farming background in Pennsylvania agricultural

country.

They started making candles in their kitchen, then outgrew that and had to move to a shop. Then, they opened the store, first known as Soap Bucket Skincare and Candles, and they found themselves wrangling five kids and creating quality, handcrafted products. Their guiding

principals were always to make products they could trust to use on their own family.

Now at Nella Naturals, three generations of Allens make organic candles, lotions, and skincare products that you can trust.

It has been a great arrangement for the entire Allen family.

store.

Owens said that 20 volunteers at the fire company are likely to receive retention awards.

John Corbett of the Parks & Recreation Board said that the board is in the process of developing a 12-month project list, and will place an emphasis on “quality not quantity.” He said the board is also attempting to reach out to the local Hispanic community to encourage them to attend events.

Chris Robinson of the

Open Space Review Board provided an update of the board’s recent progress, which included the township’s purchase of the 7.8-acre Hiles property in Landenberg. He said the board is also currently in discussions with a local family regarding the possible township’s purchase of their property.

David Hawk of the township’s Historical Commission said that the group is working with Chester County to create

an updated historical inventory database, which he said includes 850 standing structures in the township.

Bernie McKay and Don Peters of the Friends of the New Garden Trails shared their opinion that the township is neglecting the need to finance the maintenance of the township’s trail system, which they said has become damaged by severe weather and has led to significant stormwater erosion.

McKay listed the parking lots at the Landenberg

Junction Trail and the Laurel Woods Trail as being in need of repair, as well as the area near the walking bridge on the Laurel Woods Trail, which has experienced severe erosion.

“We know the township has an awful lot on its plate right now, but quite frankly, you can sense that there is a concern from the Friends of the New Garden Trails over the years,” McKay said.

“There is a need to correct some of the major issues that are impacting the trails, and

we would like to get more attention paid to it.”

Reiner said that one of the township’s goals for 2022 is to support the Friends of the new Garden Trails, and that the township is in the process of hiring a new engineer who specializes in stormwater management, who could address the erosion issues on the trail system.

Stan Lukoff of the Communications Committee urged the township to formally recognize the group as an official township com-

mittee, which was formed in 2014. He referred to the Committee’s work on the New Garden Lyceum, the township’s official newsletter that recently published its Winter 2022 edition (available on the township’s website), and called for the establishment of township dashboards, that would provide data of concern to residents.

Penn Township...

Continued from Page 1A

without bidding through the state’s Co-Star program.

The latest estimate does not include a monument or benches but it does cover new pads for the benches.

Action was tabled until next month so more information can be found.

At the township sports park, the design for the entrances has been completed and a highway occupancy permit application should be ready for submission soon.

The board of supervisors is giving its support to the concept of a bikeway along Baltimore Pike that would connect Kennett Square to Nottingham.

In other business, resident Lauren Burnham spoke during the public comment session to be sure the board is aware of the problem some township residents have with phorid flies.

Burnham lives off Route 796 at Quimby Road. Her home was infested by phorid flies which are so small they can fly through window screens.

“They absolutely infest a home until it is sickening to live there,” she said. “I’m just letting you know this is something affecting people in your community.”

Burnham was concerned that the opening of the expanded Philips Mushroom operation would contribute to the problem.

She was told that the new construction is a state-ofthe-art facility that has all operations indoors, so they should not be the source of phorid fly problems.

Instead they would expect older or no longer operational mushroom houses to be the source.

Courtesy photo

James Rudolph Allen, Sr., a Vietnam veteran, is pictured with his family: James Rudolph Allen Jr. (Rudy) and Nicole Allen, and their five children, Grace Eva, 12, Rowdy (James Rudolph Allen III), 7, Emma Rose, 6, Cricket Addison, 3, and Ruxton John, 1.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

State health officials sound alarm over critical blood shortage Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson and Patrick Bradley, the president and CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, expressed their growing concern over the dramatically decreasing number of volunteers who regularly donate blood, during a recent news conference highlighting the critical need for blood donation across the commonwealth.

“The critical shortage of blood across Pennsylvania and the nation is still a major concern as COVID-19 has prevented some donors from giving blood and impacted the scheduling of blood drives,” Dr. Johnson said. “Blood is essential for surgeries, traumatic injuries, cancer treatment and chronic illnesses, which is why it is so important for individuals to go to their local blood bank or find a blood drive near them and donate. An adequate supply of blood is essential to ensure Pennsylvanians have safe, continuous access to the highest quality of health care. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to consider

giving blood.”

Blood donations are a critical and integral part of medical care. Many patients who have major surgeries will need a blood transfusion to replace blood lost during their procedure.

Blood transfusions are also used for patients who have serious injuries from car crashes or natural disasters, and people with illnesses that cause anemia, like leukemia or kidney disease, will often receive blood transfusions.

Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States. The type of blood most commonly requested and used by hospitals is type O. Type O blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, which is why it is often used in emergencies when there is not enough time to determine a patient’s blood type.

“A significant factor contributing to blood shortages is a decrease in the amount of people entering the field of phlebotomy,” said Bradley. “There is a

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high demand for these positions as it requires a unique skillset. To help with this challenge, Pennsylvania blood centers provide the necessary education and training to begin a career in phlebotomy.”

There are five major blood donation centers in Pennsylvania: • American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region; • Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank; • Community Blood Bank of Northwest PA and Western NY; • Miller-Keystone Blood Center; and the • Vitalant Blood Center.

To donate blood, make an appointment with a local blood bank or visit an upcoming blood drive in your community. All blood types are needed to make sure there is a reliable supply for patients.

Most individuals are eligible to donate blood in Pennsylvania if they are: • In good health, • 16 years old or older; and • Weigh a minimum of 120 pounds.

Individuals can donate blood regardless of COVID19 vaccination status as long as they meet donation eligibility requirements.

There is no waiting period

to donate blood after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or flu vaccine. According to the FDA guidance, anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 is eligible to donate blood 10 days after complete resolution of symptoms. Check with a local blood center before donating as they may have different criteria.

The department created a webpage to provide more information about blood donations in Pennsylvania.

For more information on blood donation, visit the Department of Health’s website at www. health.pa.gov or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

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Chester County Press

Local News East Marlborough board approves resolution reaffirming part-time status for police force This September, the East Marlborough police will mark 20 years in existence

By Monica Thompson Fragale Contributing Writer The East Marlborough Township Supervisors approved a resolution at their Feb. 7 meeting reaffirming the township police force as a part-time organization.

Resolution 2022-19 says the supervisors “reaffirm

Kennett Township...

Continued from Page 1A

“What action, if any, has the board of supervisors taken to ensure that such requests are responded to promptly, and in accordance with the spirit of the right to know law?”

Doehring’s comments are the latest layer in his claims that Ratliff’s affiliation with Longwood Fire Company (LFC) represents a violation of the state’s Public and

the need for a part-time police force to monitor traffic and safety conditions on a limited basis within the township of East Marlborough.”

This September, the East Marlborough police will mark 20 years in existence. The police force was created in 2002 to help supplement the work of the Pennsylvania State Police

in East Marlborough.

The township police department is led by Chief Robert Clarke.

In other business, the supervisors: • Approved the purchase of replacement equipment for the public works department • Unanimously approved a resolution setting the

sewer use and tapping fees.

According to Chairman Robert McKinstry, the sewer rates will not be changing for 2022. Currently residents and businesses must pay $8,000 per billing unit to tap into the township sewer system. For sewer use, the quarterly fees are currently $210 per billing unit in the Cedarcroft sewer district and $115 per billing

unit in the rest of the township. One billing unit is the equivalent of 230 gallons per day, according to the township.

• Approved a resolution naming Berkheimer Tax Administrator as the deputy tax collector for East Marlborough real estate, fire hydrant, and street light taxes, and sewer fees.

Berkheimer will collect

township taxes from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024.

There was also a resolution for the agreement between East Marlborough and Berkheimer. Both resolutions were unanimously approved.

• Met in executive session on Jan. 3 for legal and personnel matters, and on Jan. 6, 17, 27, and Feb. 7 for personnel matters.

Employee Ethics Act – one that Doehring claims served as a major influence in the township’s 2-1 board vote in 2021 that ended the township’s fire and EMS partnership with Kennett Fire Company (KFC) and made LFC the primary fire, rescue and EMS response service to the township.

Doehring first publicly aired his grievances at the end of a live and virtual Board of Supervisors meeting on Dec. 15, 2021 when during a public comment

session, he read a statement that questioned the validity of the township to consolidate its fire and EMS services, Ratliff’s influence on the decision and his “questionable practices,” and the township’s inability to take on “any meaningful actions to investigate, much less substantively address, any of these issues.”

In his statement, Doehring said that he was concerned that Ratliff – as well as board chairman Richard Leff and former supervisor Whitney Hoffman, who both voted in favor of the reorganization -- were making misleading claims about how using LFC as its exclusive provider of fire, rescue and EMS services would save money and improve public safety.

Doehring later submitted an official complaint to the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission, in which he

wrote that during the 2021 Fire/EMS Reorganization between Feb. 3 and April 15, 2021, the township’s supervisors voted to implement a series of recommendations, “primarily developed and promoted

by Ratliff,” that resulted in a major reorganization of how fire and EMS service would be delegated throughout the township, which had up to the reorganization been divided between LFC and KFC. Doehring’s ethics complaint further said that between Oct. 20, 2020 and April 15, 2021, Ratliff, his wife Gabrielle and brother became regular members of LFC volunteer staff, which Doehring said Ratliff did not let KFC, the township, the Commission nor the general public know about until April 15, 2021, when the reorganization was finalized by the township.

Doehring also pointed

to the hiring of Ratliff’s wife Gabrielle to become the LFC’s new executive secretary in late October as further evidence of Ratliff’s influence.

The Commission later tossed out the claim, stating that Doehring had not presented any evidence supporting his claim.

Responding to Doehring’s Feb. 2 comments and inquiry, township solicitor David Sander said that all right to know requests are governed by the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law, which regulates submitting, receiving, processing requests and responding to requests.

“When a resident submits a request [to the township], they are received by Eden, the township’s open records officer, who is required by law to examine the requests, if necessary run it by legal counsel and respond to it pursuant to

the law,” Sander said.

Under the law, Sander said, letters requesting right to know information from the township must be replied to in five working days from the township, and may invoke a 30-day extension period to allow the township to respond appropriately to those requests.

“When that 30 days is up, the township will reply in writing to the person requesting information – either to grant the request and supply records or to deny the request in part or in full,” Sander said. “At that point, the requester has the right to appeal any unfavorable response to the Office of Open Records in Harrisburg, which is reviewed and acted on by the office.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Opinion Editorial

41 days As of Tuesday morning, more than 61,500 people have signed an online petition demanding the resignation of Oxford School Board member Jennifer Kehs.

Kehs ignited a firestorm of controversy when, at a Jan. 18 public meeting, she suggested that illegal immigrants might be to blame for the school district’s declining test scores. She also stated that a school district policy regarding homeless students should incorporate the phrase “illegal immigrants.”

The backlash against Kehs’s comments was swift and immense.

A petition was started on change.org calling for Kehs to resign immediately. The petition stated: “After the comments made at the January 18th Oxford Area School Board meeting by Jennifer Kehs, she needs to resign. This isn’t the first time she has made these racist and xenophobic statements, and we cannot allow someone with these beliefs to oversee education in our school district. We are asking for her immediate resignation from the Oxford Area School Board.”

Kehs, a Republican, was elected to the school board last November and was sworn in on Dec. 7.

Comments she made just 41 days later prompted tens of thousands of people to demand her resignation and the Oxford Area School District was being mentioned in decidedly unflattering ways.

In addition to the online petition demanding the school board member’s resignation, a graduate of Oxford Area High School authored a letter outlining a wide variety of concerns about Kehs’s comments.

The letter was posted online so that Oxford Area School District alumni— and only alumni—could

sign on to it. By the time this letter was submitted to the school board, 262 Oxford Area High High School alumni had signed it.

This letter read, in part:

We the undersigned strongly object to Kehs’s unfounded, racist claims.

Laying the responsibility for poor test scores at the feet of students whose immigration status is unknown is either ignorant, at best, or else intentionally malicious. Board member Kehs could not provide any proof of these statements, which is, of course, probably the entire point. It is far easier to blame a marginalized group of people, and set the anger of the community at them, rather than address the real problems in the district.

It is clear from her comments that board member Kehs does not have the best interests of all students at heart. Not only does she show disregard for students from immigrant families, but if the amendment is not ratified due to her personal objections, the district could face financial consequences that would further hurt the entire student body. She would punish the full student community for her own perceived misdeeds of a few.

We the undersigned alumni condemn her comments, and we ask that the rest of the school board does the same.

We also declare our support for the immediate ratification of article #7320 without the change suggested by Kehs.

We believe that every student in the district, regardless of housing situation or immigration status, is deserving of the same education that we received, and that the district must confirm its commitment to providing it.

While our hope is that board member Kehs will do better in the future, we will not tolerate further comments of this nature from her or from anyone who serves on the school board.

The board will certainly hear from us again if necessary.

Dear Oxford Area School District Board Members, We, the 262 undersigned alumni of the Oxford Area School District, wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by newly elected board member Jennifer Kehs during the discussion of article #7320 at the school board meeting held on January 18, 2022.

Board member Kehs prevented the ratification of article #7320, recently amended in alignment with government guidelines, which states that the school district must provide an education to all students in the community regardless of their housing status. Board member Kehs objected to this because she believes the amendment should refer separately to students who are homeless and students who are, in her words, “illegal immigrants.” She stood by this opinion even when she was informed that the district is not permitted to ask for a student’s immigration status, and thus there is no estimate of the number of students in the community that may be undocumented.

Board member Kehs then produced printouts of data taken from a generic website, showing the school district’s decline in test scores over the past decade.

Kehs made it clear that she believes this decline to be the fault of “illegal immigrants” in the district, despite this data showing no such connection. We thank the board member who pushed back on this, pointing out that Kehs’s printouts do not break down any demographics for the community, and that she was making prejuSincerely, diced assumptions about the The Undersigned Alumni academic abilities of immi- of Oxford Area School grant students.

District

Oxford Borough officials also released a statement denouncing Kehs’s comments. The statement read: “Like all communities, Oxford area residents can and do disagree with one another on how to address our challenges. While we may disagree, we must not allow bigoted or anti-immigrant sentiments to permeate our public discourse. Using stereotypes to denigrate and blame immigrants for our problems is unfounded and dehumanizing. Bigoted language drives a wedge in our community, makes it harder to find common ground, and, if left un-repudiated, can lead to hateful acts and violence.

There is no “other.” There is only “us.”

The Borough has a responsibility to support the safety and wellbeing of all who live in, work in, and visit Oxford.

We choose to lead with policies of inclusion and to work to create a culture of respect.

We recognize that everyone who chooses to live or invest

in the Borough contributes to the strength and vitality of our community. All are valued and should feel safe.

We support efforts in the Oxford Area School District to foster environments that are inclusive and support the well-being of all students.

School officials should promote policies that celebrate our community’s diversity and aim to ensure educational opportunities for all students, regardless of immigration status.

We have a lot to learn about each other and how to work together to solve our collective problems. We must not stand in judgement of one another but look for ways to learn and grow together.

Building a better, greater Oxford requires that we: talk to our neighbors; listen to and support one another; and look for ways to move forward with compassion and empathy.”

We sincerely hope that the Oxford Area School District’s administrators and school board members take seriously the concerns expressed by the

Oxford Borough officials, the school alumni, and the signers of the petition. And we hope that Kehs understands why there has been such a backlash against her words. It is very troubling that she attempted to connect Oxford’s declining test scores to illegal immigrants when she has no data or facts to support the outrageous claim.

Compared to other parts of the state, southern Chester County has a large population of English learners. Was this a surprise to Kehs when she joined the school board? It’s a public school district’s responsibility to educate all students. Was this a surprise to Kehs when she joined the school board?

We hope that Kehs proves in the next 41 days that she didn’t join the school board with a personal agenda that runs counter to her responsibilities as a duly elected school board member.

Our fear is that, in the first 41 days, Kehs showed everyone who she really is.

Statement by Oxford Area School District The following statement was posted on the Oxford Area School District’s website in response to the comments made by a school board member at the Jan. 18 meeting: Dear Oxford Community, Due to the comments made by an individual School Board Director at the January 18, 2022, School Board Regular Meeting, we find it prudent to release the following statement to the Oxford Community.

To begin, we assure you that the comments or activity of any single School Board Member do not encompass the opinion or group conscience of the School Board as a whole or the beliefs of the OASD administration or staff. The Oxford community votes for nine school board members from three different regions, and last month’s comments show exactly why that is necessary. One person’s feelings, statements, beliefs, or activity do not represent the entire school board, and changes to any school district policy or procedure cannot be implemented without majority approval from the board members.

As a school board, we strive daily to build environments that are inclusive and support the welfare, safety, and security of all students. Our schools promote policies and procedures that applaud our community’s diversity, and our goal is to provide the best educational opportunities for all students. The Oxford School Board always has and will continue to condemn any acts or statements promoting discrimination or exclusion of any student or students.

Our mission slogan says it all, “Kids First, Progress and Unity.” We will continue to do our very best to ensure all Oxford students are given the necessary tools to become successful, confident and responsible citizens.

Sincerely, Joseph Tighe, President Oxford Area School Board

Letter to the Editor

The ‘theater’ of Kennett Township Letter to the Editor: The Chester County Press was spot-on in recently calling out the spin machine going on in Kennett Township, as seen in the press release it distributed on Dec. 20, 2021. In its editorial, the Press referred to the action as theater, but the question is: Is this play a comedy or tragedy? I say the latter. Let’s peek behind the curtain to see how much it costs the taxpayers of Kennett Township for the public relations and lawyers efforts to spin the truth.

The voters got their revenge by ousting Supervisor

Whitney Hoffman in November as reciprocation for the $3.25 million embezzlement scandal orchestrated by former township manager Lisa Moore. Supervisor Richard Leff managed to escape that anger two years earlier with the full extent of the scandal not yet revealed and help from the public relations consultants. Leff became unnerved at the thought of losing Hoffman’s automatic vote going forward. Just then, another scandal started to break out.

Enter Eden Ratliff, the brash, 28-year-old hired to replace Moore. He seemed

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impressive, and spoke at a fast cadence, implying confidence beyond his years.

The supervisors were smug in their choice. Perhaps they should have gone deeper into his former positions, but they were anxious to quickly move on from the scandal.

The new manager quickly replaced the entire office staff. Ratliff is ever quick to quote the regulations, chapter and verse, in particular, the Open Meetings Law (Sunshine Act). As it turns out, those regulations are for others to follow, not necessarily Ratliff.

Spring of 2021 brought a thrust to “reorganize” the Fire/ EMS relationship between Longwood Fire Company who serviced half of Kennett Township and Kennett Fire Company, who serviced the other half.

This arrangement that had survived years in place without major problems suddenly needed to change the entire structure of fire and rescue services in the township. Along with Hoffman, Ratliff assembled data to bolster the case for change and put the item on the fasttrack. The data had flaws, but they rammed the deal through under the guise of saving money and improving service with a 2-1 vote over

objections from Supervisor Scudder Stevens.

Soon after, a similar plan dumped Kennett Fire Company’s fire jurisdiction in favor of Longwood Fire Company, which gave Longwood a complete monopoly in the township.

It too was fast-tracked with the same 2-1 vote. The promised financial savings turned into a tax increase as revenues fell short. The $180,000 tax bump was allocated to the General Fund but it book-matched the KFERC increase.

In October, it was uncovered that Ratliff’s wife was hired as the executive secretary to Longwood’s fire chief – meaning that the very monopoly engineered

by Ratliff to award exclusive services to one particular fire company just hired his wife. Wait! Public funds from taxpayers circling back to the person authorized to manage them? Isn’t that “double-dipping?”

That smells bad and looks worse. Peter Doerhing, a former candidate who ran against Hoffman in the Democratic Primary, filed a complaint with the Ethics Commission citing a potential “conflict of interest” (See OpenKennett. org). The Ethics Commission declined the matter absent of

direct evidence.

This sent Supervisor Leff into a full-on damage control hissy-fit. How dare someone complain about his protégé?

On Dec. 20, 2021, he called a “critical and urgent” meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

The purpose was to issue a press release discrediting Doehring and elevating Ratliff to Knighthood status in Kingdom Kennett.

Stevens wrote that he would not attend, and that the meeting would be a violation of the Sunshine Law. Leff held a meeting anyway, with Hoffman’s lame-duck vote, and a press release was authorized and published on the township’s website.

Yes, public funds were expended for the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to promulgate a political “hit piece” on Doehring. The distribution line of Leff’s email listed two paid public relations consultants for the supervisors; BlankRome, the law firm who gave “feedback” on the press release and hired to independently investigate the “EthicsGate” matter; and the township’s solicitor, Ratliff and the township staff.

This meeting was a clear violation of the Sunshine Law covering open meetings that occurred after Leff and

Hoffman -- a non-practicing attorney -- were informed

by Stevens of the violation.

There was no notice for this meeting, nor any mention of the meeting at the next public meeting, until Stevens corrected the record.

The press release then mysteriously disappeared from the township’s website some days later -- a very expensive folly for sure. An eerily similar message from Kennett Area Democrats (KAD) was removed from their own email page. It smacked of a coordinated, two-pronged attack. The cover-up scheme

by Leff and Hoffman backfired. All the spin doctors’ and lawyers’ word craft couldn’t change the facts.

Residents of Kennett Township, ask yourselves: Are these costs in the best interests of the taxpayers?

Does this latest scandal pass the smell test? The PA Ethics Commission didn’t think so, because they responded to Ratliff’s (confidential) request for advice by confirming a conflict of interest.

It’s time for Kennett Township to stop these scandals!

Joe Duffy – 35-year resident of Kennett Township and township committee volunteer

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Avon Grove defeats Kennett in hoops tussle, 53-47

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer At first glance, the overall records of the Kennett and Avon Grove varsity basketball teams coming into the Feb. 5 game (3-11 and 5-14, respectively) may have deceived some in attendance into believing that they were about to see two teams merely playing out the string of a challenging season for both.

For those who expected lethargy and apathy, they were instead treated to a back-and-forth slugfest that ended in Avon Grove narrowly escaping with a 53-47 victory.

From opening tip-off, the operative for both teams was to establish momentum and maintain it, but after two early buckets by Kalen Frazier gave Kennett a quick 4-0 lead, Avon Grove tied the score on an alley-oop from Stephen Beheler to Jason Bozman and went ahead on a jumper from the key by Tyler Arnold with 5:30 left in the quarter. A few possessions later, the Red Devils jumped to a 13-7 lead on a full-court pass from Tyler Gilick to Arnold, but Kennett stormed back on a three-pointer by Ryan McCoy and a tip-in by Kharee Brunson at the end of the quarter that whittled Avon Grove’s lead to one

Kennett’s Luke Augustine looks for cutter during third quarter action.

point, 13-12.

An accidental tip-in by Adam Ziegler early in the second quarter was followed by his sharp pass to a driving Josh Cox on Avon Grove’s next possession, but the quarter also saw the emergence of Kennett’s Neil Rivera, who scored all six of his points in the quarter to keep his team within a bucket or two of Avon Grove. With time running down in the first half, however, the Red Devils were backed up by a three-pointer by Kyle Anthony and buckets by Ziegler and Bozman that sent Avon Grove into halftime with a 24-18 lead.

In the third quarter, Kennett outscored Avon Grove 14-13 to peck away at the Red Devil lead, led

by Luke Augustine’s six points, but as Avon Grove

began the fourth quarter with a slim 37-32 lead, Cox stepped forward to score eight points, including one three-pointer and three crucial free throws that extended his team’s lead, despite a frantic, lastminute defensive assault by Frazier and a three-pointer

by Reagan Pelletier that cut Avon Grove’s lead to 47-43 with 58 second left in the game, and a bucket

by Luke Augustine that brought Kennett to within two points with 15 seconds left in the game.

“This is a resilient group and every day since I’ve been here, we have had one message, and that’s to play hard every single night – no matter the score and no matter the opponent,” said Avon Grove coach Ikeem Mays, now in his third season at the helm.

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Avon Grove’s Aiden Violette drives the lane in the third quarter of the Red Devils’ 53-47 victory over Kennett on Feb. 5.

Mays spoke highly of the contributions made

by Arnold, who not only scored a game-high 16 points in the victory, but served as his team’s quarterback and cheerleader.

“It’s been great having Tyler here,” he said. “He was injured all of last season, but he has been our vocal leader since he was a sophomore, and he joins a host of seniors that have also been here since they were sophomores. I know our record doesn’t say who we are, but Tyler Arnold has been a big part of what we have been able to do.”

In addition to Arnold, Avon Grove was led by

Cox with 10 points, while Augustine and Pelletier each scored 11 points for the Blue Demons.

Still winless in the ChesMont National, Avon Grove hosted Coatesville on Feb. 8 and will host Oxford on Feb. 12. Still 3-4 in a crowded field of 3-4 teams in the Ches-Mont American, Kennett hosted Bayard Rustin on Feb. 8, will play at home against Great Valley on Feb. 10 and will close out the regular season at Downingtown East on Feb. 12.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Avon Grove’s Josh Cox sank three crucial free throws and scored eight of his ten points during the fourth quarter.

Legislation supports health care heroes The legislation allocates $225 million for recruitment and retention at hospitals, behavioral health facilities and nursing student loan forgiveness State Reps. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) and Craig Williams (R-Chester and Delaware) joined their colleagues to support a bi-partisan initiative appropriating $225 million in federal pandemic relief funds to support health care workers and facilities for the recruitment and retention of caregivers.

“The sacrifices our health

care workers have made throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic are nothing short of heroic,” Quinn said. “This appropriation of federal relief funds is in recognition of their efforts and the fact that they desperately need help.”

“Our health care workers have been tested and strained to the limit these

last two years,” said Williams. “These funds are a tangible sign of our respect for their work and commitment to alleviating the suffering and promoting the recovery of those who have fallen ill.”

House Bill 253 is the first part of a two-bill package which includes $210 million for recruitment and retention payments

for nurses, caregivers and other employees involved in direct patient care activities, environmental services or clinical care services at hospitals and behavioral health care providers.

Specifically, $100 million is directed to all hospitals while $110 million will be allocated to critical access hospitals, high Medicaid-use facilities and

behavioral health providers. Another $15 million in funding was appropriated for the nurse student loan forgiveness through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Hospitals and behavioral health facilities in Delaware County will receive more than $7.5 million. Chester County hospitals and facil-

ities will receive almost $5.1 million.

Quinn and Williams were co-sponsors of House Bill 253.

The second part of the two-bill package will provide $25 million in funding to fire and emergency medical services providers.

That measure is expected to be considered early next month.

Fiorillo elected president of the Chester County Bar Foundation Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, one of Chester County’s largest law firms, announced that John K. Fiorillo, one of the firm’s partners, has been elected the 2022 President of the Chester County Bar Foundation.

Fiorillo is the immediate past president of the Chester County Bar Association (CCBA).

The mission of the Foundation is to help Chester County citizens understand, gain access to and benefit from our legal system. Programs supported by the Foundation include, among others, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Family Services of Chester County, Law Related Education for Youth program, Elder Law Education programs, the Chester County Fund for

Women and Girls, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County. Since 1985, the Foundation has become a force in the community by helping people of all ages and backgrounds understand the legal process and their rights as citizens of Chester County. Through organizations such as Legal Aid, the Foundation directly contributes to organizations who provide those less fortunate in Chester County with free legal representation.

In 2021, the Foundation donated $175,000 to 15 different organizations and programs, including Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, Crime Victims Center of Chester County, and others.

“I am honored to be elected to President of the Foundation. It is my goal to not only continue but to sizably increase this support within our community,” said Fiorillo.

In his third decade of practice, Fiorillo cochairs the firm’s Litigation and Creditor’s Rights Departments. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, creditor’s rights, business litigation and real estate tax assessments.

He is the first member of the firm to become president of the Foundation.

He also serves on UTBF’s Executive Committee.

Named to the Pennsylvania “Super Lawyers” list consecutively since 2010, Mr. Fiorillo has been recognized as a “Top Lawyer” by Main Line Today magazine multiple times.

A dedicated member of the CCBA since 1995, Fiorillo has served on its board of directors for many years and held other leadership positions such as secretary, treasurer, and vice president in the years leading up to being elected president.

He is also a Zone 9 delegate to the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, Fiorillo received his law degree from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law. UTBF is a Pennsylvania law firm with 21 attorneys and offices in West Chester, Phoenixville and Paoli. The firm is dedicated to providing clients with the extraordinary representation and service that

Courtesy photo

John K. Fiorillo has been elected the 2022 president of the Chester County Bar Foundation.

they require to succeed in today’s sophisticated and competitive regulatory and business environment and in their personal lives.

Clients range from individuals and entrepreneurs to major corporations, and include governmental entities, financial institutions, and non-profit organiza-

tions. The firm advises on business and tax law; commercial and real estate transactions; business and creditors’ rights litigation; wealth preservation, estate and trust planning and administration; labor and employment law; municipal and school law; and zoning and land use.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Chester County Press

Obituaries WANDA M. WOODS Wanda M. Woods, of Oxford, passed away on Jan. 29 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. She was 62.

Born in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Betty Parsons Shaw.

Wanda attended Grace Baptist Church in Oxford.

She was a member of the Oxford Area Senior Center.

Wanda enjoyed flower gardening, daily walks, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Wanda S. Liddick (Timothy) of North East, Md.; six grandchildren, Troy, Hannah, Kevin, Caitlyn, DeShaun and Jayden; four brothers, Thomas Shaw of Cochranville, Terry Shaw of Kirkwood, Ernie Shaw of Morgantown, N.C., and Michael Shaw of Oxford; and two sisters, Janet Shaw of Oxford and Kathy Arnold of Mt. City, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Sonya M. Woods-Glasco and brother, Daniel Shaw whom passed away on the same day as Wanda.

A graveside service was held on Feb. 3 at the Oxford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, Pa. 19363 to offset funeral expenses.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

ERNEST ROMINGER Ernest Rominger, a resident of Avondale, passed away on Feb. 1.

He was 71.

He was the husband of Brenda Hodge Rominger, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.

Born in Banner Elk, N.C., he was the son of the late Spencer E. Rominger and the late Ora Hicks Rominger.

He was a mushroom broker and owned Rominger Mushrooms.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing softball, gardening, playing with his three puppies and feeding birds and stray animals. He also enjoyed being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Crystal Rominger of Wilmington, Del., one son, Rodney E. Rominger of Avondale, and one brother, Homer Rominger of Vilas, N.C. Ernest was predeceased by three sisters, Margaret South, Louise Wilcox and Frances Rominger and four brothers, Charlie Rominger, Norman Rominger, Chester Rominger and an infant brother.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday morning, Feb. 10 at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square.

His funeral service will follow at noon. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82 in Kennett Square.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Alleluia

CHARLES WILLIAM POPE Charles William Pope, known as “Pop” to many, passed away on Feb. 1 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was an 84-year-old resident of Oxford.

He was the husband of the late Rochella Faye Lawson Pope, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage.

Born in Creston, N.C., he was the son of the late Avery and Anna Lee Mahala Pope.

Charles retired from General Motors after 35 years of service.

He was a USBC Bowling member.

Charles was an avid people watcher and sports fanatic.

He never missed a “Smackdown” or playing his lottery numbers. He loved gardening, bowling, tinkering and fixing things, and especially loved children and his family.

He is survived by one daughter, B. Charlene Arni (Brian M.) of Nottingham; two grandsons, Steven Michael Arni (Rachel) of West Grove and Nathan Charles Arni of Nottingham; three siblings, Doris Belfield of Westminster, Md., Bryce Pope of Creston, N.C. and Nora “Dare” Cole of Easley, S.C. He was preceded in death by seven siblings.

Friends and family may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, and funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

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Chester County Press

Local News Coatesville family reserves time for discussion hour

By Joshua Reynolds Jehovah’s Witnesses of the United States of America The stream of tough topics for parents to explain can feel unending: social unrest, hate crimes, natural disasters and the pandemic.

Many children and teens have struggled to process what they see at school, in their neighborhoods and on the news.

Tony and Yolonda Todd of Coatesville confront this challenge every Tuesday evening at their home, by

reserving time for family discussions with their daughters Avery and Ava. “It’s a time when we can set aside stuff and talk about our concerns or questions,” said Avery, 12, of this weekly family discussion hour.

Avery’s 15-year-old sister Ava added, “We can share things that we’ve experienced or how we feel about a certain topic.”

Hate crimes in the news and personal experiences of prejudice have generated several conversations about racism among the Todd family.

“It’s constantly in front of us,” Tony said. “As minorities, our children see the news reports and are concerned the same may happen to them at any time. We use opportunities to alleviate their fears by focusing on the future Jehovah promised. That helps them realize any prejudice or inequalities they experience now are temporary.” In an everchanging and challenging world, experts recommend regular family discussions to help young ones build resilience.”

“God created and loves all

races,” said Yolonda.

“Good communication is essential for a child’s survival in this world,” said James Wright, a Californiabased family counselor and conflict resolution mediator.

“Why not have a family discussion once a week and talk about what’s going on in your lives?”

The Todds are not alone in holding to a set time to have family discussions. For nearly two decades, families of Jehovah’s Witnesses like theirs around the world have been encouraged to make “family worship” an unin-

Courtesy photo

Tony and Yolonda Todd of Coatesville with their daughters Avery and Ava.

terrupted weekly routine.

“For many of our families, their weekly discussions are among the most important hours of the week,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “It has brought

thousands of our families closer together and helped children feel safe and loved.”

If you would like to know more about this initiative, please visit www.JW.org.

Obituaries

DOLORES C. O’DONNELL Dolores C. O’Donnell, 84, passed away on Jan. 30 at her residence in Lincoln University, Pa. Born on July 16, 1937, in Chester, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Umberto and Selena (Pasqualini) Sordi, and she was the loving wife for nearly 62 years of Francis O’Donnell, Jr. She was alternately known as Dolores, Mom and Nonni.

Dolores graduated from Chester High School in 1955.

Her natural curiosity and love of learning led her to earn her teaching degree in elementary education from West Chester University. She taught fourth and fifth grade in the Avon Grove School District at Penn London Elementary School and retired in 1999. As an enthusiastic and creative teacher, she held classroom festivals and special events for her students to enliven the learning environment, and she was known for her creative Halloween costumes.

In retirement, she loved to travel. One of her more memorable trips was with her husband to Europe for two months, during which they visited 13 countries. They returned to Europe several more times over the years. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, read-

ing, and watching movies, sports and Jeopardy on TV. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Francis; her children: Laureen Teti (Douglas), Bonnie Beacher (James), Shawn O’Donnell (Cindy) and Patrick O’Donnell; her grandchildren: Adrian Teti (Victoria), Isabella Teti (Dustin), Gabe Teti, Seth Beacher (Molly), Joel Beacher (Marie), Kilian O’Donnell (Elea), Keegan O’Donnell (Marina), Autumn Walde (Kurt), and Ireland O’Donnell; and her great grandchildren: April, Dane, Forest and Finnegan.

She is also survived by her brother, Albert Sordi (Mary) and sister, Maria Granito. She was loved by and a loving aunt to many nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, Dolores is preceded in death by her siblings, Patricia Heller, Rikki Dymek and Loretta MacIntosh.

A memorial service was held on Feb. 5 at the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square. Please visit Dolores’ online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Flowers can be sent to the Kuzo Funeral Home, or alternatively donations can be made to her favorite, the Philadelphia Zoo, in her name at https://phillyzoo.pivvit.com/donate.

DOROTHY A. CARR Dorothy A. Carr, a resident of Cochranville, passed away on Feb. 3 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. She was 71.

She was the wife of the late James Carr.

Born in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Pauline Neff.

Dorothy was an avid fan of the New England Patriots. She loved antiquing along with reading.

She is survived by one son, Michael Burkholder (Sheryl) of Gordonville; three grandchildren; two siblings, Margaret Lomnychuk of Barto, Pa. and Robert Neff of Quarryville, Pa. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Roshelle Hart.

Friends and family are invited to the graveside service at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 at Cochranville UMC Cemetery, 147 Cochran St. in Cochranville.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

4B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Chester County Press

Local News Foutrakis and Guerin honored as Rotary Students of the Month in Oxford Leah Foutrakis and Julianne Guerin were chosen as the Rotary Students of the Month at Oxford Area High School.

Foutrakis is the daughter of George and Tracie Foutrakis. She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to earn a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. Ultimately, she plans to study physical therapy or genetic counseling.

“Studying the brain is not only interesting, but a good base for my future plans,” Foutrakis said.

She currently volunteers at Christiana Care, and also attends Technical College High School at the Pennocks Bridge Campus where she is enrolled in the

Allied Health Program.

“Technical College really helped me narrow down what I want to do in the health field,” Foutrakis said.

Foutrakis has a busy schedule which includes playing volleyball. She is also employed by Studio Blush in Oxford, and is a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and the National English Honor Society. After graduation she plans to travel to Peru this summer.

Guerin was also chosen as a Rotary Student of the Month. She is the daughter of Justin and Julie Guerin.

She plans to study psychology at a university to be

determined for four years and then go on to medical school.

She is the President of the National Honor Society, Historian for the Spanish National Honor Society, a member of the Science National Honor Society, a member of the English National Honor Society, and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

She is also a drum major in the band, a member of Book Club, and Reading Olympics. Guerin is also a member of the varsity basketball team.

Both of her parents are medical professionals and Courtesy photo she credits them with devel- The Oxford Area High School Rotary Students of the Month are Leah Foutrakis and oping her interests in the Julianne Guerin. Pictured are (left to right) George, Tracie and Leah Foutrakis and medical field.

Julianne, Julie Guerin and Justin Guerin.

Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

T-Mobile proposes to modify their existing facility (new tip heights 123.4’ & 125.2’) on the 120’ water tank 425 E Maple St, Kennett Square, PA (20211267). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809- 1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

2p-9-1t

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION

JKF SERVICES CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, has applied for registration in Pennsylvania under the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Associations Code.

The address of its principal office under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation is 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801 and the address of its proposed registered office in this Commonwealth is 206 N. Jennersville Rd., Ste. 204, West Grove, PA 19390. Eugene Steger & Associates PC, 411 Old Baltimore Pike, Suite 101, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 2P-9-1T

NONPROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

Frassati International has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

2P-9-1T

NONPROFIT INCORPORATION NOTICE

The Friends of East Whiteland Parks and Recreation has been incorporated under the provisions of the PA Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988. Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, 375 Morris Road, P.O. Box 1479, Lansdale, PA 19446 2P-9-1T

PENN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors for Penn Township, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania, will conduct a conditional use hearing on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Penn Township Building to consider the Application of Thomas Craig, Jr. for the property owned by Thomas Craig, Jr. & Rhonda Mastronardo located at 268 Woodcrest Road, West Grove, PA 19390, being tax parcel #58-4-171 in the RS Residential Suburban Zoning District. The Applicant seeks conditional use approval pursuant to Section 1501(A)(2)(d) of the Penn Township Zoning Ordinance of 2019, which requires that all accessory uses in excess of 1,000 square feet procure conditional use approval. The Applicant proposes to construct a 34 x 50 feet pole barn on the 1-acre parcel.

All persons wishing to participate in this hearing are invited to be present.

Any person with a disability requiring a special accommodation to attend this hearing should notify the secretary at (610) 869-9620, as early as possible but not later than five (5) working days prior to the hearing. The Board of Supervisors will make every reasonable effort to provide reasonable accommodations. Lamb McErlane, PC, R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire, Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, Solicitor for Penn Township 2p-9-2t

BID NOTICE

FOR THE RESURFACING AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2022 FOR PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PA PROPOSALS will be received online via the PennBID Program by the Board of Supervisors, Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania until 2:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 for the following: The bid consists of: • Reconstructing West Ewing Road from Lewis Road to Township Line, Mill Surface 1 ½” Depth approximately 11,500 S.Y Base Repair Mill approximately 1,100 S.Y. x 4’ Wide x 6” Depth Place approximately 1,100 S.Y., 6” Min Compacted Depth 25 MM WMA, 0-0.3 ESALS, PG 64S-22 (Max 15% RAP) Placed in two (2) 3” Lifts. Leveling Place Approximately 11,500 S.Y., 1” Min Compacted Depth 9.5 MM WMA, 0-0.3 ESALS, PG64S-22 (Max 15% RAP) Wearing Place Approximately 11,500 S.Y., 1 ½ ” Min Compacted Depth 9.5 MM WMA, 0-0.3 ESALS, PG64S-22 (Max 15% RAP) Line Striping 5,250 L.F. 4” Double Yellow Centerline Stop Bar one (1) Thermo Plastic Stop Bar 24” x 10’ All Bids will be read aloud by the Township Secretary at 2:15 P.M. Prevailing Time, on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the Penn Township Build-

ing, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Copies of the Form of Proposal and Specifications are available at no cost at www.PennBID.net beginning Wednesday, February 2, 2022. Each Bidder must deposit with his/her bid, security in the form of a bid bond or certified check in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid made payable to the order of the Penn Township. Each bid must be accompanied by a signed commitment of the proposed surety offering to execute a Performance Bond, as well as the Letter of Intent, and Non-Collusion Affidavit. All Bidders must be prequalified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

2p-2-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Robert W. Smith aka Robert William Smith, Smith, Robert W. aka Smith, Robert William late of Nottingham, 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 Collin Olie, c/o Mark J. McCarriston, Esq., 177 Maple Shade Road, Christiana, PA 17509, Executor. Mark J. McCarriston, Esquire, 177 Maple Shade Road, Christiana, PA 17509 2p-2-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www. bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, February 17th, 2022 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, March 21 st , 2022.

Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 22-2-40 Writ of Execution No. 2019-04198 DEBT $98,070.30

tial dwelling PLAINTIFF: MIDFIRST BANK VS DEFENDANT: JOSEPH A. KELLY & TONYA K. KELLY SALE ADDRESS: 142 Wedgewood Road, Oxford, PA 19363 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-627-1322 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, 1p-26-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www. bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, February 17th, 2022 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, March 21 st , 2022.

Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 22-2-43 Writ of Execution No. 2017-07085 DEBT $1,086,723.55

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www. bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, February 17th, 2022 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, March 21 st , 2022.

Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 22-2-48 Writ of Execution No. 2015-01455 DEBT $149,507.56 Property situate in the KENNETT TOWNSHIP TAX PARCEL # 62-02J-0003 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: M&T BANK VS DEFENDANT: DOROTHY N. CONNOLLY & FREDERICK P. MRAZ SALE ADDRESS: 9 Woodchuck Way Lot 9, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Property situate in the TOWNSHIP OF KENNETT

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-627-1322

TAX PARCEL # 62-05-0029

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, 1p-26-3t

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: M&T BANK S/B/M HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK VS DEFENDANT: MICHAEL J. FRAGALE SALE ADDRESS: 821 Burrows Run Road, Kennett Township AKA Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Property situate in the TOWNSHIP EAST NOTTINGHAM

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C.215-627-1322

TAX PARCEL # 69-2-90.3

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residen-

Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, 1p-26-3t

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Chester County Press

Local News Comitta announces $1.3 Million for watershed protection projects Five projects to protect and restore watersheds in Chester County and the surrounding region will receive more than $1.3 million in total state funding through the Growing Greener Program, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced last week.

“As we continue to face the growing impacts of climate change, including more intense precipitation and potential flooding, it’s imperative that we work together with local and regional organizations to better manage the impacts of stormwater runoff on our streams and waterways,” said Comitta, who serves as minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

“Growing Greener funds continue to play a leading role in that effort.

The grants include the following: • $495,944 for the Stroud Water Research Center to implement agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and forested buffers along the Red Clay Creek.

The proposed project will implement 55 agricultural BMPs to address livestock impacts to water quality and more than 11 acres of riparian forest buffers on three equine operations in the Delaware River Watershed. The BMPs will address concerns related to equine manure handling and heavy use areas, including grass waterways

to address erosion, riparian forested buffers, off-stream livestock watering, livestock exclusion fencing, and stabilized stream crossings. The projects are part of a focused effort to comprehensively address water quality threats and protect stream health. The project is estimated to reduce 5,522.5 pounds per year of nitrogen, 753.7 pounds per year of phosphorus, and 272.37 tons per year of sediment.

• $199,680 for the Chester County Conversation District to address the management of mushroom industry byproducts and reduce nonpoint source loading to local streams and tributaries, including within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The estimated pollutant load reductions are 1,400 lbs. per year of nitrogen, 654 lbs. per year of phosphorus, and 33 tons per year of sediment.

• $12,740 for Tredyffrin Township for a program to educate citizens about the value of rain gardens by designing and constructing two public rain gardens and organizing educational events. The Tredyffrin Rain Garden Program, launched last year by the Tredyffrin Environmental Advisory Council and the TE Green Team, also provides incentives to residents who apply to receive and maintain a rain garden on their property. The grant funding will support the design and con-

struction of 13 residential rain gardens.

• $340,000 for Tredyffrin Township for the Bair Road/ Trout Creek Infiltration, Water Quality, and Flood Mitigation Project. The project seeks to capture, treat, control, and infiltrate stormwater runoff from over 19 acres of upstream residential drainage area with the construction of two subsurface storage and infiltration beds in the township-owned and managed right-of-way. Combined, the two infiltration beds with a high-capacity storage system will be able to store nearly 15,000 cubic feet (110,000 gallons) of stormwater runoff and will manage approximately 7,400 pounds per year of total suspended solids.

• $269,298 for the Brandywine Conservancy to assess and improve water quality in the BrandywineChristiana watershed. The project calls for working with organizations and partners to achieve measurable water quality improvements in the headwater reaches of the watershed by implementing agricultural BMPs in the Brandywine Headwaters, Red Clay Creek, and White Clay Creek Focus Areas of the Delaware River Watershed Imitative BrandywineChristina Cluster. The project will also conduct Focus Area Feasibility and Opportunity Assessments to identify strategic

watershed-scale water quality interventions on select properties that do not qualify for agricultural BMP funding, culminating in two pilot projects based on the results of the assessment.

The Chester County projects come as part of $3.5 million in total state funding awarded to 14 watershed restoration and protection projects in Southeast Pennsylvania. Grants are awarded for projects in three categories: watershed restoration and protection; abandoned mine reclamation; and abandoned oil and gas well plugging projects.

Growing Greener remains the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania’s history to address Pennsylvania’s critical environmental concerns of the 21st century. Statewide, this year’s awards exceed $18 million and will fund projects focused on design, construction, education, and outreach.

Three other agencies also received funds to distribute for appropriate

Courtesy photo

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta

projects: the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to administer farmland preservation projects, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for state park renovations and improvements, and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for water and sewer system upgrades.

Comitta is also a strong

supporter of Senate Bill 525, bipartisan legislation to allocate $500 million in federal American Rescue Plan Funding to establish Growing Greener III in Pennsylvania.

The legislation overwhelmingly passed the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in September and is now before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Beiler-Campbell Upcoming Auctions - Book yours Today!

1981 W. Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17552 Saturday January 29 - SOLD 67+/- acre Farm Lancaster Co.

802 Pequea Ave., Gap, PA 17527 Friday February 4 @ 11:00 AM 21ST Annual Gap Power Auction @ Gap Fire Hall

245 Fetterville Road, East Earl, PA 17519 Saturday February 12 @ 9:00 AM Machinery & Tool Auction. Online Bidding Available

Burned out from lingering pandemic, some on front lines find faith an antidote

19 E. Farmersville Road, Ephrata, PA 17522 Online ONLY Auction closing Tuesday February 22 @ 7:00 PM Bidding now until lots start closing. 1948 Plymouth Deluxe Coupe B

108 Red Well Road, New Holland, PA 17557 Saturday February 26 @ 11:00 AM .96 acre property, 3 Bedroom 1 Bath dwelling with Horse barn and pasture.

83 Maples Road, Beavertown, PA 17813 – Snyder County Saturday February 26 @ 11:00 AM 117 +/- acre Dairy Farm. 60 Cow Tie Stall and New Manure Pit. 4 Bedroom 2 Bath 2-Story Dwelling

984 Fallowfield Road, Atglen, PA 19310 – Chester County Saturday March 5 @ 11:00 AM 1.8 Acre Country Property. 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Dwelling with Large Backyard and Mature shade trees.

When the Omicron variant started emerging around the country, Registered Nurse Currine Smith flashed back to the despair she felt at the beginning of the pandemic. Now entering the third year of COVID-19, she describes feeling a sense of dread and anxiety when walking into work.

“The scene is quite grim,” she said of the Newark hospital where she works.

“People feel like the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t exist anymore.”

Many medical workers like her are exhausted from working through the pandemic. With variants straining short-staffed facilities across the country, some on the front lines are experiencing added physical, mental and emotional stress.

“I’m feeling burnout,” said Smith, who saw her medical floor skyrocket with COVID cases amid the current surge. “The stress and anxiety I feel wears down on me mentally, emotionally and physically.”

What pulled her out of despair in the early phases of the pandemic continues to keep her afloat. She credits her faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for helping her and other health care workers in her religious community endure the ongoing toll of the pandemic.

“Remembering how my faith and relationship with God has sustained me thus far helps me to continue,” Smith said.

She also prays regularly and leans on fellow believers for support. “I pray for you every single day,” said one friend. Without hesitation, her family of faith mobilized with phone calls and texts, and even delivered food to her doorstep to help her get through the crises and not give up.

Smith gets a weekly dose of that encouragement and support at her congregation meetings, held on a virtual platform since the pandemic started. “Virtual association with those who love and support me helps me to cope and remain joyful through these challenges,” she explained.

American psychological and psychiatric associations, while not advocating or endorsing any specific religion, acknowledge the role spirituality and religious faith can play in coping with distress and trauma.

Lawrence Onoda, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Mission Hills, Calif., noted some ways spirituality can help, including giving peo-

ple “a positive hope and meaning toward life, comfort by looking for answers and strength from a higher power, and a collective shared experience of support and community.”

Smith finds joy in passing along to others what has helped her. She joins friends online to write or call people in the community with a message of hope from the Scriptures.

She recently participated in a special worldwide campaign to offer the article, “A Better World is Near,” from jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“Sharing that message was a constant reminder that the suffering I see in the hospital is only temporary.”

Jw.org offers a collection of practical articles like “How to Beat Pandemic Fatigue” and short comforting videos such as “The Resurrection – Soon a Reality.” It’s a free resource that Smith recommends to everyone.

“The information is always timely and the articles about how to handle stress have given me invaluable pointers on coping skills,” she said. “It’s definitely been a source of comfort for me.”

TO ADVERTISE CALL 610-869-5553

1529 Fisherville Road, Downingtown, PA 19335 – Chester County Tuesday March 16 @ 2:00 PM 50+/- Acre Farm, multiple zoning purposes, Residential and Medical Service Institutional 5

398 Sawmill Road, New Providence, PA 17560 Saturday March 19 @ 9:00 AM Personal Property Auction starts @ 9:00, Real Estate Auction starts @ noon. 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Dwelling

190 Union School Road, Oxford, PA 19363 – Waterway Church Saturday March 26 @ 9:00 AM Personal Property Auction, Proceeds benefit Waterway Church building fund.

51 White Road, Airville, PA 17302 – York County Friday April 1 @ 6:00 PM 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Brick Rancher, Needs Work. Walled and Gated Courtyards.

522 Covered Bridge Road, Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA 17853 Saturday April 2 @ 12:00 PM 102 +/- Acre Snyder County Farm, 4 Bedroom, 1 Bath Dwelling w/ Bank Barn

183 Street Road, Holtwood, PA 17532 Saturday April 9 @ 11:00 AM 3.2 +/- acre Country Property. 1-2 Bedroom, 1 Bath Dwelling. Horse Barn with Pastures.

1690 Kramer Mill Road, Denver, PA 17517 Saturday April 16 @ 11:00 AM 6.7+/- Acre Country Farmette. 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Dwelling, Barn and Fenced Pastures

240 Solanco Road, Quarryville, PA 17566 Saturday April 23 Personal Property @ 8:30 AM, Real Estate @ 12:00 PM Lots of Personal Property, and Real Estate Auction.

1051 Zook Road, Atglen, PA 19310 Saturday May 7 Personal Property @ 9 AM, Real Estate @ 12:00 PM Lots of Personal Property, and Real Estate Auction.

351 Cocalico Road, Robisonia, PA 17073 Saturday May 21 Personal Property at 8:00 AM, Real Estate to follow.

Check back for more details

For additional pictures go to www.beiler-campbellauctions.com, www.auction zip.com, www.gotoauction.com

BEILER - CAMPBELL AUCTION SERVICES AY#002026 522 Covered Bridge Road, Mt www.beiler-campbellauctions.com Pleasant Mills, 1-888-209-6160 PA 17853 Beiler Campbell Realtors & Auction Services 229 West 4th Street Quarryville, PA 17566 888-209-6160/717-786-8000

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022

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