Chester County Press 3-25-2015 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

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Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas Volume 149, No. 12

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LIFE

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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Betty Gordon to leave New Garden supervisor post on April 1

‘The people of New Garden Township have had three years of very good government’ By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

See pages 22 & 23 for additional information

Home & Garden Life

Landenberg artist has her work showcased at Wilmington Flower Market....................1B

Kennett drops season opener to Great Valley.......................1C West Grove teacher is a Heart of Learning finalist....................2B

When Betty Gordon announced at a recent meeting that April 1 would be her last day as a New Garden Township supervisor, she did so with a heavy heart. In some ways, despite the fact that she is resigning a full nine months ahead of when her sixyear term is set to expire at the end of the year, Gordon has already made her mark in New Garden – being the first woman in the township’s history to serve on the board, and casting her viewpoints and votes during a period when the township struggled to continue to define itself as a rural community, in the wake of encroaching development. “Betty did what she believed in, which is to try to protect some of the natural resources in our township, help with preserving the natural character and open space, and to secure ground for a future trail sys-

Photo by John Chambless

A group of township officials, PennDOT officials and Sen. Andy Dinniman on the steps of the Red Rose Inn, which has been vacant for years.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Betty Gordon will resign from the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors on April 1.

tem,” said Steve Allaband, New Garden board chairman. “Betty always did her best, and was accountable and honest. She was an asset to the board and to the township, and she will be missed.” The Chester County Press recently sat down with Gordon at the New Garden Township boardroom, to reflect on her time on the board, her wishes

for the township, and her plans for her future. Chester County Press: What made you first decide to run for the Board of Supervisors? Gordon: People asked me if I would run. Some people were dissatisfied in the way the township was being run, and they felt that I may make a good supervisor. Continued on Page 4A

“Building Bridges” event highlights police’s strengths, weaknesses in its relations with community By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

INDEX Calendar of Events..........3B Opinion..........................7A Obituaries.......................8A Police Blotter.................4B Classified.....................9B

The year 2014 was a difficult one to be a police officer in the United States. On July 17, the death of Eric Garner, a black man, at the hands of Staten Island, N.Y., police quickly became a viral sensation, and on Aug. 9, the shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man in Ferguson, Mo. by a white officer became the fuel that led to a series of disparate attacks, both verbal, retaliatory and violent. These incidents have been followed by numerous other occurrences between the police and the communities they serve – most of them captured on video – that have set off a powder keg of controversy that has effectively placed law enforcement on public trial. Largely, it has been both

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick, far left, was joined by representatives from four local police departments at “Building Bridges,” an open dialogue between law enforcement officials and the community, which was held March 18 in Kennett Square.

accusatory in its anger and silent in its push for solutions. For West Grove interim Police Chief Michael King, seeing these murders splayed all over the social landscape last year was the source of a frustration he felt both from fellow

officers and the communities they serve. “There was more to the story and only some of it was being given out,” King told an audience gathered at “Building Bridges,” a dialogue between Continued on Page 3A

Dinniman gets first-hand view of work needed at Red Rose Inn By John Chambless Staff Writer The ongoing question of what to do with the Red Rose Inn property was officially addressed on Monday afternoon by State Sen. Andy Dinniman, who stood on the vacant property across the street and agreed

The past couple of weeks have been anxious ones for virtually every non-profit in the region while the United Way of Southern Chester County decides how its money will be allocated. The hardest part? Every agency that comes asking is doing good work that deserves to be supported. But

Continued on Page 5A

OASD budget picture improves slightly By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Oxford Area School District’s budget picture for 2015-2016 is improving—slightly. Brian Cooney, the district’s business administrator, provided a budget update at the March 10 school board meeting, telling the board that Oxford now expects its medical insurance costs to be about $247,885 less than originally budgeted. As a result, the $64 million proposed budget that was discussed in December now stands at $63.7 million. Cooney also outlined some of the key points to Gov. Tom Wolf’s first proposed state budget, which was released on March 3 and includes a $1 billion increase in education funding. Cooney said that according to state figures, Oxford would see an increase of $1.12 million in regular education funding and another $350,000 in special education

From a field of worthy choices, the United Way must choose how funding is distributed By John Chambless Staff Writer

that the derelict building is blocking progress. The intersection of Old Baltimore Pike and Jennersville Road in Penn Township worked just fine when people traveled by horse and wagon. But drivers going north or south on Jennersville Road who want

there’s only so much money to go around. Every year, the agencies funded by the United Way line up to make their pitches to a board of volunteers from the Continued on Page 5A Photo by John Chambless

Carrie Freeman, the CEO of the United Way of Southern Chester County, talks to this year’s panelists at a training session held last month.

funding if the proposed state budget is approved as is. That’s a big if, of course. “It will be a long road for the governor to get that budget passed,” Cooney said, explaining that GOP state senators responded to the budget proposal by sending a letter to superintendents Continued on Page 6A

Property tax for non-profits? By Uncle Irvin Every state has laws that exempt churches and federally designated non-profits from property taxes. This present law in Pennsylvania is what exempts huge, money-generating non-profits like Longwood Gardens. In the maverick state of Maine, their governor is championing a proposal that requires colleges, hospitals, and other large charities to pay property taxes in their municipalities and school districts. The Maine governor argues that non-profits rely on local services, and that their exemption unfairly drives up property taxes for others -- all true.

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Continued on Page 6A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local News Oxford School Board supports a resolution calling for a new education funding formula in Pa. By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Oxford School Board approved a resolution calling for Pennsylvania to develop a new funding formula for basic education at its meeting on March 17, joining a growing list of school boards seeking a long-term solution to school

funding issues that affect the state’s 1.8 million public school students in ways that are large and small. Superintendent David Woods presented the school board with a draft of a resolution for the school board to consider, noting that there is a commission currently working on developing a funding formula that would

reduce some of the inequalities between the school districts in a very diverse state. “I believe that we can all agree that we need a state formula for education that is fair and consistent,” Woods said. The resolution approved by the Oxford School Board notes that the state’s contribution to funding public education as a

percentage of basic instructional expenses has declined from more than 50 percent during the mid-1970s to less than 35 percent now. Other states contribute, on average, about 44 percent of the total public education costs. Pennsylvania ranks 47th out of 50 states in the percentage of state subsidies allocated to support elementary and secondary education, and the state’s reliance on local taxes to pay for education ranks eighth out of the 50 states. The resolution calls for Pennsylvania to develop a school funding formula that is “equitable, adequate, comprehensive, and consistent.” “…(T)he Oxford Area School District urges the General Assembly to reinvent its interest in the support of public schools by taking legislative action to establish a formula that is predictable and addresses adequacy

and equity for all school districts,” the resolution read. The school board unanimously approved the resolution, which calls for parents, students, and district taxpayers to contact the Pennsylvania General Assembly to convey the importance of establishing a fair and equitable public school funding formula. A copy of the resolution will also be forwarded to state lawmakers. Oxford Area High School senior Alex Coleman received a standing ovation from the large crowd in attendance when principal Christopher Dormer announced that he is a finalist in this year’s National Merit Scholarship competition. To qualify as a National Merit Scholarship finalist, a student not only scored high on the SAT test, but also maintained consistently high grades in high school coursework.

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Coleman is among just 15,000 students nationwide who have made it this far in the National Merit Scholarship Program competition. He is now eligible to be considered for approximately 7,600 National Merit scholarships that will be awarded between now and June. School board member Howard Robinson, who represents Oxford on the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) Board, updated his colleagues about the proposed CCIU budget for the 20152016 school year. Robinson said that the CCIU officials do not anticipate an increase in the core budget that school districts contribute to. This is the smallest piece of the overall CCIU budget for school districts. The CCIU is proposing 1.9 percent increases for occupational and educational tuition rates and the marketplace programs that students participate in. Robinson said that a 1.9 percent increase in these services would impact Oxford’s budget. CCIU officials will soon be making a presentation about the proposed budget to the Oxford School Board. The graduation date for Oxford Area High School has now been established for Friday, June 5. The school board will meet again on Tuesday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 21. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Hopewell Elementary School. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Building Bridges.. Continued from Page 1A

local law enforcement officers and the community held March 18 in Kennett Square. “I wasn’t taking sides, but it’s so easy to formulate opinions with limited information. Having been in this profession for many years, you know that there’s more to this.” For over 90 minutes, King was joined by five colleagues in an attempt to bridge those differences. The event, held at the Mary D. Lang School Library, was intended to serve as the start of a dialogue between the community and neighboring police departments. Moderated by Jerry Franklin Poe, the meeting was sponsored in collaboration with the MLK CommUNITY Advocates and the Inclusive Social Ministry for Solidarity. In addition to King, the panel included Matt Fetick, mayor of Kennett Square; Captain William White, commanding officer of the PA State Police Avondale; Samantha Minnucci, community service officer of the PA State Police Avondale; Rick Bell, corporal with the Kennett Square Police Department; and Gerald Simpson, police chief with the New Garden Township Police Department. Throughout the open-ended dialogue, it was revealed that despite the fact that the Hispanic population comprises the largest percentage of population in the Kennett Square community, local police departments fall way short in the number of Spanishspeaking officers they employ. Laura Gonzalez of la Communidad Hispana in Kennett Square shared several comments she received during interviews with members of the organization. Many of the comments Gonzalez shared dealt with the language gap between the police and the local Hispanic residents who live and work in the area. Quoting from the comments she received, Gonzalez asked the panel members, “Why, if we call the police, they never come, but if someone who speaks English with no accent, they immediately come?” “How can you explain that if a large majority of this population in this area speaks Spanish, there are no policemen or policewomen who are bilingual? Why don’t more police departments hire more people who understand Spanish and the Latino cultures?" Gonzalez continued to quote from her list of comments. “They fear us because they don’t understand us,” she added. “We fear them because not only do we not understand them, but because they see us as inferior. They treat us with disrespect. They think most of us are not citizens, that we don’t vote. Therefore, we can be humiliated, we can be abused, because we have no power.” Currently, those on the panel said that Spanish language lessons for officers in their respective units are voluntary, not mandatory. Further, each department representative then shared that the number of Spanish-speaking officers on staff is disproportionate to the percentage of Spanishspeaking residents in the area, which, according to 2012 data compiled by City-Data.com, puts the Hispanic community of Kennett Square at just shy of 55 percent of the entire population. Minnucci said that there are “at least four members” of the

State Police Avondale who can speak Spanish, but that the department offers Spanish language training for officers. “Many of us have taken these classes in order to bridge that gap,” she said. “We want to be able to understand them, because how else can we help them?” Bell said that the Kennett Square Police Department has a 15-person department, of which three are bilingual, but that Spanish-speaking callers to the department receive translation assistance through language lines accessible through the Chester County’s 9-1-1 line system. White said that the State Police is actively trying to recruit a diverse population, so as to enable them to be assigned to heavily-populated Hispanic areas, but that the pool of potential officers is dwindling. “We have a difficult time finding police officers," he said. "When I applied for the Pennsylvania State Police, there were 15,000 officers taking the entrance test to become a trooper. That number is down to 1,700. We’re having problems finding police officer, let along finding police officers who speak Spanish.” White said that he and King – a long-time trooper for the PA State Police Avondale – had purchased Rosetta Stone lessons in order to learn the Spanish language. “Why stop at Spanish?” King responded. “Do you think the people in the Asian community also want to be understood and communicated with? We’ve run into that professionally where there are only two Asianspeaking troopers in the entire state police, and we had to bring in officers from Philadelphia police to help us. Spanish is a prevalent language here, but in other parts of the state it may be more of an Asian influence. How can we possibly become fluent in all the languages that we may encounter? "Technology these days gives us that ability if we don’t have those resources to find the people who do.” Simpson said that the calls for service New Garden receives are taken from everyone, not by ethnicity. “In recent years, we’ve tried to get the information about how to access to police service in both English and Spanish languages,” Simpson said. “I see the reports myself, and I see the Spanish names, so I know we’re taking these types of complaints and reports and helping these people who are being victimized by these crimes." A key contributor to the chasm that exists between officers and the community is in the lack of willingness many in law enforcement have in wanting to bridge the gap on their own. Chief James Bell, retired chief of police in West Chester and a law enforcement officer for 38 years, attended the event. He said he sees a lack of people

skills training being offered to officers, as well as a lack of inter-mingling between local police – who are predominantly white – and people of different cultures. Bell said that a good example of the barrier break down was demonstrated by Kennett Township Police chief Albert McCarthy, who Bell said stopped by a cook-out in Kennett Square last year to talk with local residents. “Chief McCarthy stopped by and everybody accepted him real well,” Bell said. “I don’t think that we know enough about the people who are not criminals. We all seem to know where the criminals are. We need to know who the good people are.” Calling Chief McCarthy’s visit a great example of “community policing,” Simpson said that such communication builds a comfort level that allows a law enforcement officer to build bridges with the community he or she serves. “That’s where we all want to be at, there’s no doubt,” Simpson said. “When we have those kinds of avenues, the trust is built, so that when bad moments happen, then at least we can have that relationship and trust to work through our differences, without the turmoil that you’ve seen across the nation.” White said that a major cause of the disconnect between law enforcement and the communities they serve is because many officers are simply not able to “turn off the job” after they punch the clock. “The unfortunate reality is that things that we teach them in the academy to save their lives knock them into a different zone, which has a dramatic and sometimes negative effect when dealing with the public,” he said. “You need that when you’re working. However, after that eight hours is over, you need to get back to normal relationships with people. You need to be involved with church groups. You need to work out. You need to be involved with people other than fellow police officers. You can’t work with cops for eight hours, and then go on vacations with cops.” The members of the panel shared initiatives their departments have incorporated that attempt to lessen the distance between law enforcement and the community. Minnucci spoke about her work with after-school programs she speaks at, which she does in an attempt to “tell the students that I’m a normal person just like you,” she said. “My goal in life is to protect you. It has been making a great difference, so far.” Minnucci also spoke about the State Police’s annual Camp Cadet, a summer program solely funded by businesses throughout the county, that brings in as many as 120 children from all nationalities in the county to learn about the world of law enforcement by speaking directly with law enforcement officers. “We think that Camp Cadet is instrumental in helping us

developing those long-term relationships in the community,” White said. “When someone sees an officer [he or she got to know at the camp] five years from now, ten years from now, that relationship is still fostered.” Simpson shared information that the New Garden and Kennett Square police departments have recently become committed to speak at the la Communidad Hispana, in order to explain the role of the police throughout the nation. Bell said that several members of the Kennett Square Police are involved in the Afterthe-Bell program at Kennett Middle School, as well as the Study Buddies program on Linden Street. Bell also spoke about the effectiveness of foot patrols, which encourage officers to speak one-on-one with individuals and families in Kennett Square. Bell encouraged audience members to feel comfortable to speak with the police. A lot of times, he said, crimes in the Hispanic community go unreported because many are afraid that they will be deported. “We need to have forums like this where people can express their concerns to us and we can express our concerns back to them,” he said. Poe suggested that a method of lessening the gap between communities can be done by accessing the police department’s websites for information on how they can share resources and collaboration. White said that public opinion that connects all police officers with those officers who demonstrate poor judgment – such as those officers in Ferguson, Mo. and Staten Island, N.Y. in 2014 -- isn’t fair from a law enforcement perspective. If anything, he said, it makes it worse. “It makes cops more willing to draw their guns quicker, or become more amped up about a stop that six months ago, they wouldn’t have thought twice about. I think there has to be an understanding on both sides. There has to be a maturity level, an understanding from both perspectives. “There’s going to be mistakes,” White said. “There are going to be unarmed people shot, cops making right decisions and wrong decisions, and if we don’t come together as a law enforcement community in conjunction with the communities we serve, we’re not going to get anywhere. To be frank, we’re open to suggestions. If you have a great idea where we can interact with our community, that’s great.” To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@ chestercounty.com.

Oxford Borough may consider anti-discrimination ordinance

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Oxford Borough mayor Geoff Henry is proposing that the borough adopt an anti-discrimination ordinance similar to one that has been adopted by more than two dozen other Pennsylvania communities. At the March 16 council meeting, Henry said that he would like the Codes Committee to review the ordinance in advance of having borough council consider it for approval. The language of the ordinance would be consistent with what other communities have established. In other business at the council meeting, Hal Warner, executive director of the Jennersville YMCA, told borough council that plans are moving forward for Healthy Kids Day, which will take place on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the third year that Healthy Kids Day will take place in downtown Oxford.

Courtesy photo

Geoff Henry

“We really enjoy coming down here and bringing a crowd of people,” Warner explained. “We feel like this is where Healthy Kids Day belongs.” Donna Hossler, the new executive director of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI), introduced herself to borough council, saying that the first few weeks on the job have been very busy. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Oxford girl safely home after missing for a week By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The 16-year-old Oxford Borough girl who was missing for more than a week is now safe. Lauryn Thompson ran away from home on March 9. She was last seen on that day in the area of Honey Brook and West Brandywine Township, and the Oxford Borough police spent the week following up on tips. Police located Thompson in

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the Harrisburg, Pa. area early on March 19. A $1,000 reward had been offered for information about her whereabouts, and the A.C.E. Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance of Oxford also offered a $1,000 reward for information just days before Thompson’s return. The girl’s father, John Thompson, expressed his gratitude to the Oxford police officers who worked to secure the safe return of his daughter.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local News Betty Gordon... Continued from Page 1A

I was sort of tired of being a retired lady, and thought that I could get back to something more business-like. I knew I didn’t have experience in township management, but in every development I ever lived in, I was always on the board and knew what transpired in terms of running a housing development. I thought that a township must be run the same way, but with more rules and with a staff to support you. I really did care about serving the people, and I appreciated that enough people had the confidence in me to elect me, and that I worked for them. CCP: What were some of the components of the job that you had to adjust to? Gordon: I was definitely not a welcome addition to the ‘Old Boy Network.’ The first two years were very, very difficult, and it was made very clear to me that I wasn’t welcome here. I often wish these walls could talk, because if people could hear what transpired here, they’d be pretty surprised. I really didn’t get much help until Spence Andress became the interim township manager. CCP: When you looked around at the first meeting and saw that you were the only woman there, did you think that this would become an issue? Gordon: I had come along through the womens’ movement in my former employment at American Baptist Churches in Valley Forge, so I was well aware of male chauvinism. CCP: It is very clear that for the past several years, the New Garden Board

of Supervisors have not always been on the same page on issues of importance to the township. But by virtue of being on the board, isn’t it required of a supervisor to step back from his or her stand and be able to understand, at least to some degree, other supervisors’ viewpoints? Isn’t that part of the job? Gordon: Yes, but they should be allowed to have their thoughts and speak them in a civil manner, just as I should have my thoughts and speak them in a civil manner. I would listen to them. I know that they were more experienced than me, and I respected that, but I don’t think that I got the same in return. I got a lot of, ‘This is what you think, Betty, but really, we do this because...’ CCP: Do you think you were talked down to? Gordon: Oh, definitely. CCP: Was it because you are a woman? Gordon: Because I was a woman. Because I was the woman I was. Because they saw me as [former supervisor] Warren Reynolds’ mouthpiece. The rule was that everything got talked over and then you all agreed. Well, I didn’t. CCP: In your nearly six years on the board, you and your colleagues on the board have had to face some big challenges that have come across your agenda. What have been some of the large issues that stand out for you? Gordon: I didn’t think the [planned development along the Route 41 corridor] by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust [PREIT] was right. I wasn’t sure why some things had been agreed to by

previous boards. I was upset, as a woman and as Ms. Average Resident, because it was promised to us that the development was going to be a high-end shopping center with nice boutiques and restaurants, but when it got right down to it, that’s not what they were giving us. That was troublesome to me as it was to many residents. If that’s what we were promised and that wasn’t true, then what else was not true? CCP: For the past several years, the most important conversation in New Garden Township has been Preservation vs. Progress – the scorched Earth idea of no development vs. smart growth ideas. The general consensus of opinion was that in your time on the board, you and Warren Reynolds were an immovable force when it came to anything that threatened land preservation. Gordon: You have to manage [development], and you also need to know where to put it. The PREIT project seems like a very logical place for development, but let’s make sure it’s nicely done. Something has to be done with that property, but let’s make sure it’s a good thing. CCP: What makes a good township supervisor? Gordon: I think you have to have a spirit of service. You need to realize that you are there to serve the people. You haven’t been elected Emperor. You have been elected as a representative of the people to do what the people would like. In the end, we’re here to serve them and do what’s right for them. One person said to me, ‘Betty, there are five supervisors who were elected by the township. The people in the township don’t

always agree, so why should the supervisors?’ CCP: When you look back on your time on the board, what have you personally been happy with? Gordon: I’m happy with a lot of the changes we’ve made. We hired [New Garden Police Chief] Gerald Simpson. In my opinion, he’s done a great job with the police, and I think the police are proud of themselves in a good way. Having Spence Andress as our township manager for three years was a very good thing. We could not have done any better than that. He was familiar with the township and had the respect of all the supervisors. We got a new township solicitor in Vince Pompo, and I’m also pleased with the appointment of The Arro Group, our new engineering firm. I’m happy that the Reynolds property was finally taken care of, because that’s been going on for a long time. CCP: Do you have any regrets? Is there a decision, perhaps something that in hindsight, you would have approached differently? Gordon: There was a property on Baltimore Pike that the previous board had all sewn up that would be used for development. It was my third or fourth meeting, and I didn’t realize the magnitude of it, but thought that if they all agreed to it, that it must be okay. So when it came time to second the motion on the property, I was being Miss Cooperative, so I seconded it. I came to regret that decision. CCP: What do you think your legacy will be as a result of your time as a township supervisor?

New Garden Township seeking replacement for Gordon’s seat The New Garden Township Board of Supervisors is seeking interested residents to fill the open seat on the Board created by the resignation of Betty Gordon. Interested residents must have resided in the Township for at least one year and must be a registered elector. The Board of Supervisors have a 30-day period from April 1, the effective date of Ms. Gordon’s resignation, to appoint a replacement. The appointed individual will serve out the reminder of Ms. Gordon’s term, which expires December 31, 2015. The appointed person is eligible to seek election for the open position on the Board, but must follow deadlines set forth by the County Board of Elections. This information can be found at Chester County Voter Services www.chesco.org. Residents who are interested in the seat should submit an application to Township Manager, Tony Scheivert. Applications can be found on the Township website www. newgarden.org. Application requests can also be emailed to tscheivert@newgarden.org. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, April 6 at 4 p.m. Gordon: I hope that I was honest. I promised integrity when I ran, and that’s important. I tried to be appreciative of the [township] staff, because I’m not sure that people had been up to that time, appreciative of the staff. I tried to be a cooperative person...If I didn’t agree, at least I tried to be civil. CCP: You’re on the township’s clock until April 1, but you’re making plans to move out of the township soon. Gordon: I plan to move into the Crosslands retirement community in Pennsbury Township. I would like to be there by early June. It’s difficult, because I have to part with my stuff in order to move into a little

place. My time is going to be taken up having my new place fixed to the way I want I like it to be, and finding a place for my stuff. CCP: What do you wish to say to the people you’ve served for the last five-plus years? Gordon: I wish to thank them for the opportunity. I hope they are reasonably pleased. The people of New Garden Township have had three years of very good government; honest government by the book. I hope they realize that that’s what they’ve had, and I hope they don’t let that slip away from them. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

United Way... Continued from Page 1A

community, as well as to board members of the local United Way. Carrie Freeman, the CEO of the United Way of Southern Chester County, said the system that has worked well for them for a long time is unique to this area. She sends about 300 invitations to people in the community. Between 50 and 75 eventually accept. When it comes to deciding where money donated to the United Way will be spent, it’s the community -- not the board members -- who steer the ship. Those who serve on the panel -- men and women, retirees and working people -- cannot have any ties to any of the organizations asking for funding, and they must live in Southern Chester County. They have to commit to a training session, as well as to their share of eight days of deliberations. On March 16 at 1 p.m., the annual process kicked off in a meeting room at the Exelon Corporation in Kennett Square. Fourteen people sat around several tables and listened attentively as three community organizations presented their pleas. Each group got 20 minutes, then answered questions for 20 minutes. After each non-profit’s staff left the room, the panel deliberated for another 20 minutes before recommending how much money should be allotted. Each day, Monday through Thursday, and then again from March 23 to 26, panelists will hear from three agencies each day. Any more than that would be overload, Freeman explained. She has the process down to a smooth-running machine. Funds that are donated to the United Way stay right here, Freeman said. The service area covers four school districts, 19 townships and four boroughs. “It’s an area of socio-economic extremes,” Freeman said. “It’s one of the richest counties in the United States, but almost 20 percent of all homes bring in less than the self-sufficiency standard. There are almost 2,000 children living in poverty.” That kind of need means a big reliance on the agencies that count on United Way support. “Not every charity in the area

asks for United Way funding,” Freeman said. And those that do cannot rely solely on the United Way. Too much reliance means that in a lean year when funding support has to be reduced, the non-profit could go under. Money comes into the United Way through donations, and from two big fundraisers -- the Chocolate Festival, held in February, brought in $15,000. A wine and chocolate evening, to be held on April 25, is another big annual source of funds. But with agencies asking for anything from $6,000 to $115,000, “the range of requests is pretty dynamic,” Freeman said. This year, agencies are requesting $1,067,386 from the United Way of Southern Chester County. There is only about $900,000 available, though, so $167,386 has to be trimmed. And those cuts will come from recommendations by the panelists. On Monday afternoon, Freeman firmly repeated that the panel was looking at reduced money, and had to keep in mind that someone will have to walk away with less funding. Toward that end, in rich years and lean years, panelists recommend a range of funding they would like to give. One number is the ideal allotment, and the other is a minimum that they feel would be necessary. The United Way board takes the panel’s recommendations to heart. “In all the years I’ve been here,” Freeman said, “the board has always followed the panel’s recommendations.” Last year, seven non-profits got what they asked for. The rest had to make do with less. “You have to harden your hearts, people,” Freeman said, smiling. But the fact remains that deciding which of so many worthy efforts gets less money is a time-consuming, and often emotional, matter. The decisions made this week and next will take effect in September, and will directly impact some of the neediest families in our region. On Monday afternoon, the first agency to come before the panel was the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center, which began in 1971 and has a long history in the region. Executive director Cheryl McConnell, along with two case managers and board members,

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Red Rose... Continued from Page 1A

to turn left or right onto Old Baltimore Pike face a dilemma – stall traffic behind them while they wait to turn, or simply give up. Backups are routine at the intersection, which at this point cannot be widened with a turn lane because the porch of the Red Rose Inn forces the road to shift sideways. Penn Township owns the historic inn and the large corner property it sits on, but any plans to do something with the site have stalled for more than a decade. On Monday, Dinniman came to Southern Chester County on a tour of problem sites that he will be working on solving. “You can see that traffic takes a while to turn,” Dinniman said, gesturing to cars backing up on Jennersville Road. “We have some money now from Act 89, and in my district, I want to get these projects to move ahead. We’re trying to get everything down in writing, so we know how to put everyone together. We will go back to Harrisburg and try to find sources of funding.” With the summer opening of a large medical facility near Route 1, and long-delayed plans for an expansion of the Shoppes at Jenners Village, there is a clear need for improved traffic flow through the intersection.

Bill Finnen, a 36-year supervisor in Penn Township, was part of the gathering on Monday and said, “This intersection hasn’t changed since I was a boy. We do want to move this project, but we’re tied up until we get this intersection done. We, as a community, can’t move.” Finnen said the plan is to demolish the more recent additions to the inn, but leave the main building intact. Ideally, it would be renovated to be a place to display items from the township’s history and serve as a tourist bureau headquarters. A new community center is planned on the vacant lot behind the inn, and the Shoppes at Jenners Village would like to demolish homes across the street from the inn and expand out to the roadway in the next five years. A new school is planned behind the National Penn Bank. But before any of that can happen, the traffic clog has to be addressed.

Finnen said the township is ready to go ahead “very soon” with the demolition, but there’s no sense in doing that without first having the road work locked in. The estimated cost for the redesign and paving is in the $1.5 million range, according to PennDOT representatives, who said that funding may be available to help pay for the project. Karen Versuk, the director of operations for Penn Township, told Dinniman that, “We can connect all of these pieces together, but we really have to correct the corner first.” Dinniman said, “I’ll go to Harrisburg and ask for money ... Let’s work to see what we can come up with.” “There’s a lot of exciting things going on,” Versuk said. “Not only is this about education, but the health of our community, and also making jobs down here for people.” With the proximity of so much housing in Jennersville, it would

be ideal to make the intersection more walkable, she said. “This is part of the whole mobility plan we’ve been working on, so that we can connect the village and create a navigable and economically viable area that will function from the shopping center to the hospital. “We took a look at where our foot and bike traffic was coming from,” Versuk said. “We have all these walkers who come to the park from the senior communities and the Y and so forth. And you can’t walk here. We also have a public bus system that is growing. We want to get this all accessible, so people can take a bus or walk to the hospital or the Y on a safe pathway. We want a walkable community.”

sat at one table, facing the group of panelists. The Services Center is a kind of community center, with several agencies under one roof, McConnell explained. They connect people in need with social services, some of which are located outside the area. They also deal with immediate needs of those in crisis, offering food, shelter and clothing, as well as health care connections. The staff is bilingual. “We’re the only agency in the Oxford area that provides these services,” McConnell said. When a family comes to them, she explained, Neighborhood Services will, if they can, pay a landlord for past-due rent, or pay for crucial heating oil. Money

never goes directly to the family who is asking for support. Applicants are carefully screened, incomes are checked, and case workers personally box up any requested food, using the opportunity to talk to the family and see what other services they might need. Recently, the agency has helped a family whose budget was threatened by an unexpected illness, a family displaced by a fire, workers who have had their hours cut, and a senior citizen on a fixed income who could not afford extra heating oil for the brutally cold winter. There are people coping with unemployment, grandparents raising young children, servicemen and women returning to civilian life, or ex-

prisoners looking for a way to fit back into society. Factors working against the agency include the lack of jobs in the Oxford area, the lack of reliable public transportation, and an increase in those seeking help. “Of the families who asked for help last year, 34 percent were new to the program,” McConnell said. Typically, each family will get about $500 in support to get them over whatever crisis they are experiencing. “Without the United Way’s help, we could not do all the things we do,” she said. Panelists thoughtfully questioned McConnell and other representatives of the agency, getting down to a line-by-line study of income, costs and staffing levels. The dialogue was timed to exactly 20 minutes, after which the agency representatives left the room and the panelists talked amongst themselves. From the 14 voting panelists in the room, Freeman eventually asked for recommendations of how much money should be allotted. By a show of hands, a maximum level was agreed upon. Then a lower figure was solicited -- the minimum amount the

panel would recommend. While the exact questions and the dollar amounts are not made public at this point, everything will be revealed in May, after the United Way board formally votes. “I usually tell the agencies themselves after April 27, because they are all dying to know,” Freeman said, “but the final figures won’t be announced publicly until May.” The process of allocating money may be carefully planned, but the fact that the scale of the financial help is entirely decided by members of the community is unique to Southern Chester County. It was clear from the debate among the panelists last Monday that everyone in the room wanted to help as much as they could. Later this week, other groups will face the same deliberations, and anxiously await the verdicts. The process of giving, so that others can give, will continue. For more information, visit www.unitedwayscc.org.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman (center) met with PennDOT representatives and Penn Township officials to see the Red Rose Inn property on March 23.

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Photos by John Chambless

The Red Rose Inn’s 1740 stone marker sits near the corner of Old Baltimore Pike and Jennersville Road.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail jchambless@chestercounty.com.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local News Budget... Continued from Page 1A

cautioning them not to expect all of the additional funding that has been proposed. Cooney said that Oxford would be budgeting as if it was going to receive the same level of state support as the current year until a state budget is finalized— which could be later than normal because it is Wolf’s first budget. Oxford’s proposed 2015-2016 budget was first unveiled to the

public in December. The figures at that time showed that expenditures were increasing by $3,117,878, or 5.12 percent, from the current year. Several items were responsible for most of that increase, including the state-mandated contribution to the Pennsylvania Public School Employee Retirement System (PSERS), employee salaries, transportation costs, and tuition payments to charter schools. The PSERS contribution alone

pushed the budget up by more than $1 million. The school board voted in January to stay within the district’s Act 1 Index limit of 2.6 percent. The statewide Act 1 Index limit is 1.9 percent, but Oxford qualifies for some exemptions that would allow for a tax increase as high as 2.6 percent. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Property Tax... Continued from Page 1A

Assessing property taxes on non-profits reflects a growing debate over the non-profit exemption, especially in the Northeast (i.e. Pennsylvania) region, where there is a high concentration of tax-exempts. The Maine proposal calls for a property tax on large non-profits at 50 percent of assessed value over $500,000. Already, more than 200

localities in the U.S. have negotiated payments in lieu of taxes from non-profits. This proposal is obviously a long shot to become law, but it has meaningful attributes, such as lower property taxes for home owners, especially lower income seniors who, in southern Chester County, are selling their homes because they can’t afford to pay the annual property taxes.

Derby Day to benefit New Bolton Center The inaugural Run for the Roses Derby Day 5K Race is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center campus in Kennett Square. All proceeds from this run/walk will go to the Friends of New Bolton Center Fund. The race will start at 10 a.m. The course is mostly flat with a few gentle hills, starting from the campus, going down Byrd and Bartrum roads, and back. Registration and bib pickup starts at 9 a.m. at New Bolton Center’s Alumni Hall. Cost is $25 pre-registration until May 1, and $28 on race day. This is a rain or shine event. For additional information and online registration at http://runccrs. com/results. Angela Dion, a staff member at New Bolton Center, is organizing the event. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available. Contact Angela at adion@vet.upenn.edu. Awards will be given to top three male and female runners overall, top three male and female runners in traditional age groups, and top three walkers overall. Refreshments for all, and tech race shirts go to the first 100 entrants. The Chester County Running Store will provide the timing and results. The Friends of New Bolton Center Fund supports major breakthroughs by large animal clinical specialists and scientists in areas such as laminitis research, stem cell therapies, gene therapies, and equine arthritis. Supporting specialized surgical techniques will enhance the lives and competitive potential of horses, as well as the reproductive and nutritional well being of livestock, including cows and pigs.

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Opinion

Editorial

State

Into the mirror

Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget dares us to be great in the spirit of JFK

In the wake of the Ferguson incident of 2014, police departments all across the nation have used this tragedy as a lightning rod call to consciousness, in a broad sweep effort to re-define themselves not just as units to enforce protection, but as participants in a larger entity. Department by department, municipality after municipality, officer by officer, the lingering impact of the cold-blooded murder of Michael Brown and subsequently, a string of other similar murders at the hands of irresponsible decisions – all just an easy Youtube download away -- have turned tragedy into action, and become the child-like steps taken in order to improve relations with the communities they serve. Throughout Chester County, law enforcement units continue to turn “community policing” from a cliché in a mission statement to an every-day practice. The State Police in Avondale have created Camp Cadet, which invites young people in our area to see how policing is done first-hand. The Kennett Borough Police continue to reach out to local students as part of the “After The Bell” mentorship program coordinated with the Kennett Consolidated School District. The New Garden Township Police Department is a consistent presence at township events, moderates regular town-hall discussions with its residents, and on May 16, will host a community open house at the township building. At the March 18 Bridging the Community forum held at the Mary D. Lang School in Kennett Square, representatives from the State Police, and the New Garden, Kennett Borough and West Grove Police proudly referred to these efforts as examples of “community policing.” For that, each unit is to be highly commended. However, two glaring omissions -- elephants in the room -- came to light at the meeting that threaten to undermine the hard work these departments are doing in order to bridge relations with our community, one whose collective identity has gone from predominantly white to one more reflective of the changing face of America. When asked to provide a head count of minority officers in their ranks, the tallied numbers were embarrassingly small. When asked to provide a head count of those officers who are able to speak Spanish, again, the percentage was miniscule. Even more alarming was the fact that in a community where clearly one-half of its residents are Hispanic, there are no Spanish language lessons required at any of these units. Right now, as many as seven local municipalities are exploring the feasibility of forming a regional police department which, if implemented, will provide a blanket of round-the-clock protection to the residents of southern Chester County, the likes of which they have never seen before. Should this department eventually be formed, we advocate that each officer be required to attend mandatory lessons in the Spanish language. Finally, we advocate that the final roster of law enforcement officials be more reflective of the community’s ethnicity. With every tragedy that our nation endures, we are given a proverbial mirror upon which to see our reflections. At these moments, we as a nation are very often at our best, for the very simple reason that the mirror reveals truths, and fears, and things that we should be doing more of. We ask that when our community leaders and law enforcement officials draw up the methods by which we as a community are protected, that they remember the two elephants in the room on March 18, those now purely reflected in the mirror.

Chester County Press

By Rick Bloomingdale, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal presents a clear vision for the future of our state and dares us to be great in the spirit of President John Kennedy, who said that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” There will be some who will try to derail this budget by picking away at the pieces of the plan to protect their own “special interests.” But if we prevent that from happening, we will be seizing the opportunity to bring good family sustaining jobs back to Pennsylvania. We can once again become a leader in good jobs, good wages, and rebuilding our economy for all and for the future. The governor is asking more from those who can afford to pay it, so that we grow together and become a leader among states once again. In the end we will all be better off. I believe that this budget taken as a whole, and not picked apart in pieces, will indeed restore our state to the greatness we once knew as a leader in good jobs, in education at every level

When Galileo declared that the earth revolved around the sun, he got himself labeled a heretic. Five hundred years later, he is a hero of science. Why? Because his observations and calculations were repeated by countless other individuals and proven to be more true than the old ancient Greek model of the solar system. One of the hallmarks of sound science is its repeatability. Another scientist in the same field should be able to repeat an experiment and get similar results. You might remember that back in the late 1980s two scientists announced they had discovered a “cold fusion” process for creating energy. There was a lot of excitement for a little while, but no one could repeat their results. Cold fusion was a bust. Government agencies are responsible for a lot of science. Annually, the government spends billions of dollars to study everything from tiny microbes, to our climate and even distant galaxies. Much of this research is done to determine the appropriateness of new regulations or legislation. Despite significant lobbying from environmental activists

Steve Hoffman ........................................Managing Editor John Chambless ..............................................Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw ...............................................Staff Writer Carla Lucas ................................................Correspondent Nancy Johnson ...........................................Correspondent Brenda Butt ...............................................Office Manager JoAnn Bissinger.........................Art & Design Supervisor Tricia Hoadley .............................................Graphic Artist Alan E. Turns....................................Advertising Director Christy Larry..................................Advertising Executive Teri Turns......................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren.............................Advertising Executive Arlene McGoldrick .........................................Copy Editor

After Congress came a hair’s breadth from shutting down the Department of Homeland Security a few weeks ago, members of the leadership tried to reassure the American people. “We’re certainly not going to shut down the government or default on the national debt,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” Congress, he said, would not lurch from crisis to crisis. I wish I could be so confident. Because if you look at the year ahead, the congressional calendar is littered with opportunities to do just that. Next month, unless Congress acts, doctors will see a steep cut in Medicare reimbursements. In May, the Highway Trust Fund runs out of money, meaning that infrastructure projects all across the country could grind to a halt. The following month, the federal Export-Import Bank’s charter runs out. By the end of summer, Congress will need to raise the debt ceiling. Then it will have to find a way of funding the government for next year, deal with across-the-board spending cuts that are scheduled to take hold, and make it possible for

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Modernization will generate additional revenue to be used to lower the pension debt and costs to the Commonwealth and school districts. • Raises Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to improve wages of over one million Pennsylvania workers who are earning the minimum wage or above it. We as well as a growing number of forward thinking business owners support the raise because it will increase consumer purchasing power, create more jobs and help prevent companies from competing by paying low wages. This budget presents a vision and new direction for our state and dares all of us to be great. It ensures that everyone pays their fair share, closing tax loopholes and restoring tax fairness. And it doesn’t ask us to do things that aren’t already being done in other states. In fact, it puts us on the path that other states are taking to create good jobs, improve wages and strengthen their economies. Governor Wolf has laid out a vision that dares us to be great. Instead of saying we can’t, let’s say we can!

and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate in 2009 and 2010, President Obama didn’t get the expanded environmental laws that he wanted. Simply put, moderate Democrats thought that the new laws would be ruinous for their states’ economies. The President couldn’t win the debate in his own party. Instead of admitting defeat or trying to pare back legislative goals, the President simply directed the Environmental Protection Agency to push its legal boundaries to create new regulations. The EPA is required to support its regulatory actions with hard data. One of these new regulations is new limits on ozone. The new rules could cost taxpayers $90 billion a year, making it the most costly regulation the government has ever issued. For years now, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology has requested access to the data used to support this regulation. In September 2011, the Assistant Administrator promised to make data available to the committee. She didn’t keep her word. Years later, the EPA continues to keep the data from the committee, Congress and the public. This

is simply unacceptable. The House recently passed legislation to bring more transparency to EPA’s science: the Secret Science Reform Act of 2015. The idea is that EPA science should be held to the same standards as the general science community. Scientists who are confident in their conclusions submit their work to peer-reviewed journals. They make their theories and the data used to support them public in the hope that their experiments can be replicated and become generally accepted. The EPA should be held to a similar standard. In fact, their standard should probably be higher. The federal government has extraordinary power to reach into the lives of Americans. The EPA must be accountable, their decisions cannot be made behind closed doors. The bill has widespread support. A letter from 80 scientists, including two former EPA science committee chairs, doctors, statisticians, university deans, and environmental scientists supported its passage in the House. Statements from the President’s administration support the crux

of the bill. The President’s Science Advisor testified before the Science Committee that, “the data on which regulatory decisions are based should be made available.” Also, the chair of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board recommends, “that literature and data used by EPA be peerreviewed and made available to the public.” President Obama issued a veto threat to the bill. I understand why, he wants to accomplish his environmental goals through any means possible. Submitting the data that supports his regulation to scrutiny would certainly open up a debate that the EPA doesn’t want to have. Their opinion is that they are right, they are doing the right thing and no one should have any reason to doubt. Galileo’s view of the solar system didn’t win over because he had power. In fact, the powers of his day made him publicly recant his theories and attempted to suppress his work. His theories won out in spite of opposition because they were true. Scientists shouldn’t fear scrutiny. If the data is sound, then the truth will come out. Secret science really isn’t science at all, it’s just talking points.

Governing by crisis isn’t governing at all

Randall S. Lieberman Publisher

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deficit and increase the state share of funding for public education. These reforms eliminate the structural deficit caused by the lingering effects of the great recession and will begin making the much-needed investments in education and human services that will help expand Pennsylvania’s middle class. The budget also does the following: • Provides additional funds for health and human services to help our parents, grandparents and disabled persons, which is needed to meet the growing needs of our aging population. • Keeps the promise made to teachers, school employees, nurses and other workers in the public service who have contributed their fair share in every paycheck to ensure a decent retirement after 35 or 40 years of work. These workers are now paying as much as seven percent of their salaries toward their pensions and provide over 70 percent of the costs. • Protects and creates more good jobs and continues protecting our communities by further increasing the value of the Wine and Spirits Shoppes through modernization.

Science and secrecy don’t mix

By Congressman Joe Pitts

By Lee H. Hamilton

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and in growth for the future. For us the future is right now. We can grow together or we can continue growing farther apart. As promised, it levels the playing field in taxes by closing the loopholes that allowed some corporations to pay less than their fair share at the expense of our Pennsylvania based businesses. • In exchange for cutting the Corporate Net Income Tax, it closes the “Delaware loophole” which will allow the majority of corporations operating here in Pennsylvania to significantly reduce their taxes. • As promised, the governor proposes a five-percent severance tax on gas drillers which will be used to restore funding for public education. It will help ensure that all of our children have the textbooks and the resources they need to learn and prepare for productive careers. • We have the opportunity for the first time in many years to modernize our tax system, significantly lowering property taxes for low and middle income earners, seniors and renters. And at the same time, it will help eliminate the $2 billion budget

the Treasury to continue to borrow money. I don’t know about you, but my bet is not on smooth sailing. This is a huge problem. Great democracies do not veer from one doomsday moment to the next, nor do they fund government on a week-to-week basis. World superpowers do not risk their creditworthiness or threaten to strangle their own agencies or force them to plan repeatedly for shutdowns. Yet that is precisely the habit Congress has developed. It’s embarrassing. Why? Look at what happened with Homeland Security. The issue, essentially, was that members, unhappy with President Obama’s plan to shield undocumented immigrants from deportation, tried to use the DHS funding measure to force him to back down. In other words, they tied two unrelated issues together. The solution ultimately lay in separating them, allowing a vote on each. But during the weeks Congress spent arriving at this commonsense approach, DHS had to get ready for roughly 30,000 employees to be furloughed, arrange to wind down administrative support functions, prepare law enforcement across the country for the loss of

training funds, and ask crucial employees to be willing to work without pay — we’re talking the border patrol, Coast Guard, screeners at airports, cargo inspectors...the people on the front lines. The impasse threatened ongoing research and planning on making the country safer and grants to local communities to pay salaries for emergency personnel. At the very point when terrorism overseas was consuming the attention of our national security agencies, the department charged with protecting the nation at home had to be consumed with shuttering its operations. Small wonder that much of the world thinks the United States is incapable of governing itself. I know that the politics of Capitol Hill are difficult right now. But they’ve been troublesome for years, and legislating is about getting things done in a difficult environment. Congress is designed to be an institution where the dilemmas of the moment can be overcome by skillful legislators. We need a Congress that can address its problems before a crisis comes up. What will it take to do so? Part of the answer lies in dedication

to Congress’s job. Its members need to work at legislating every day — not just the three days in the middle of the week. Its leaders need to make clear their determination to move legislation through in an orderly fashion. The so-called “Hastert Rule” — that the Speaker of the House will not allow a vote on a bill unless he has a majority of his own party behind it — needs to be jettisoned for good, not just in extreme circumstances. Allowing a majority of the House and the Senate to work its will, whatever the partisan alignment, would do wonders. And perhaps most important, the tactic of tying two unrelated issues together in order to force an opponent’s hand needs to be rejected. The parade of makeor-break issues that Congress faces this year presents myriad opportunities for legislative mischief. If all we see before us is one government-shutdown threat after another, the remaining faith Americans hold in our chief lawmaking body could disappear altogether. And deservedly so. Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Obituaries LAWRENCE M. KLEVANS Lawrence M. “Larry” Klevans, 82, of West Grove, died on March 15 at his home in Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community. Son of the late William and Bertha Klevans, he was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Roaring Spring, Pa. He was a graduate of Penn State University with a BS in chemical engineering in 1954, and received a MS in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1956. While at Penn State, he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi social fraternity, Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Tau, engineering honor societies, the America Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the American Chemical Society. Also, he was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, Del., where he served in many organizational capacities. He was a member of the Cecil County Board of Education from 1982 to 1992 and served as president for two of those years. He was employed by the DuPont Company from 1956 until 1981 at the Chambers Works, and from 1981 to 1988 at the Barley Mill Plaza by the Agricultural Chemicals Department, retiring as a senior engineer. He worked an additional nine years for the U.S. Army Chemical Weapons Disposal Project, retiring in 1997 as chief of the Systems Acquisition Branch. After retirement, he was involved in many non-profit organizations. He served as treasurer of the Fair Hill Nature Center, as president of the Cecil County Maryland School Board Nominating Convention, as a trustee for the Cecil County Public Library System, and as a tax-preparer and district coordinator for the local AARP Foundation Tax Preparation Group. Later, when he moved to Jenners Pond Retirement Community, he was active in the following committees: Residents’ Council, Arts and Entertainment and Woodshop. Larry was a hot air balloon pilot and enjoyed flying his balloon, the Black Eagle, over the local area for 14 years. Also, he participated in major rallies such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Judith Berman Klevans; his brother Edward Klevans of State College; three daughters, MaryLynn Jensen of Orlando, Fla., Jennie Lucier of Bradenton, Fla., and Barbara Klevans of Golden, Colo.; a son, Richard Klevans of Cary, N.C.; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark on March 21. The family suggests that contributions be made the UUFN Endowment fund (420 Willa Rd., Newark, Del.); or the Jenner’s Pond Benevolent Care Fund. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

ANN E. HAGERTY Ann E. Hagerty, 83, of Oxford, passed away on March 13 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. She was the wife of the late Edward Hagerty. Born in Chester, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Gatewood Pitts. She resided in Landenberg for most of her life, until she moved to Oxford in 2006. She was employed with Kaolin Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square for 23 years as Mr. Michael Pia’s personal secretary. In 1972, Ann was the founder and past member of the New Garden Art Association. She enjoyed gardening, wildlife, cats and painting. She is survived by her two brothers, David Pitts and his wife Sharon of West Chester, and Donald Pitts and his wife Aileen of Milford, Va.; stepdaughter Nancy Kamm of Orlando, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her adopted son, Charles Hagerty; and brother, Charles Pitts. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 28 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 private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

YOLANDA CIARROCCHI BUSH Yolanda Ciarrocchi Bush, 89, of West Grove, died on March 14 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester. She was the wife of the late John M. Bush, who died in 1989, and with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born in Toughkenamon, she was a daughter of the late Charles and the late Maria (Pappone) Ciarrocchi. She was a 1942 graduate of Kennett High School and a longtime parishioner of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Avondale. From the 1970s to 1996, she was a travel agent for Bon Vivant Travel Agency, and more recently for Worldwide Travel from 1996 to 2011. She loved traveling, cooking for everyone, and most importantly, spending time with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include two sons, John C. Bush and his wife Mary of West Grove, and Jim T. Bush of Toughkenamon; two brothers, Henry Ciarrocchi and his wife Edith of Avondale, and Albert Ciarrocchi of West Grove; two sisters, Edith Haney of West Grove, and Mary DiSerafino of Aston; four grandchildren, Christopher, Melissa,

Obituaries continued on Page 9A Cory and Brian; and sisters-in-law Mary Ciarrocchi of Greenville, and Helen Downing of Kelton. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Ciarrocchi. A funeral was held March 20 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church in West Grove. Interment was in St. Patrick Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall St., Suite 204, West Chester PA 19380; or to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515. To view her online tribute or to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

ANDREW N. STEELE Andrew N. Steele, 27, of Landenberg, passed away suddenly on March 15 in Paradise, Pa. Born in West Chester, he was a son of James L. and Kimberly (Willard) Steele. He loved playing guitar and enjoyed all types of music. He was an avid reader of world history, enjoyed hiking at The White Clay Creek Preserve, and loved animals, especially his German Shepherd. Andrew attended Wilmington Christian School and Kennett High School. He was a compassionate, gentle and kind soul. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. Survivors include, in addition to his parents, one brother, Jamie Steele and his wife Catherine of Seattle, Wash.; aunts and uncles, Bob and Donna Willard and Jeff and Kathy Willard; and several cousins. A funeral was held March 20. Interment was in New London Presbyterian Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Andrew may be made to County Corrections Gospel Mission, “City Gate” P.O. Box 1136, Coatesville, PA 19320. To view an online tribute, or to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

JOHN B. DEWEY John B. Dewey, 92, passed away on March 16 in West Grove. Born in 1922 in Syracuse, N.Y., John was the youngest child of Lillian and Maurice Dewey. He grew up in Warners, N.Y., and graduated from Warners High School in 1938. In 1940, he entered Cornell University’s Agriculture School. In 1942, he joined the Navy and served as a pharmacist’s mate, second class, for two and a half years. Returning to Cornell in 1946, he became chancellor of Alpha Zeta fraternity, graduated in 1948 and married Marilyn A. Dulin in 1949. Raised on a dairy farm in Warners, N.Y., John was always a farmer at heart who enjoyed the agriculture business, gardening, and livestock. A respected judge of dairy cattle who showed Ayrshires at the New York State Fair for 13 years, he was champion dairy cattle showman at Cornell in 1941. John started his professional career as editor of the Ayrshire Digest and in 1953 joined DuPont’s Agricultural Products division, where he held various product marketing and management positions until his retirement in 1986. Never wanting to just relax, John served on the landscaping committee at Jenner’s Pond for a number of years. John loved to garden and spend time in his yard. A simple and unassuming person, John took great pleasure in his family and friends. He was a very devoted husband to Marilyn, his wife of 65 years. John is survived by a sister, Arlene; sons Michael and wife Denise, Robert, and Thomas; a daughter, Carol and husband Steve; and three grandchildren, Alex Burton, Catherine Burton, and Elizabeth Dewey. A memorial service in celebration of both John and Marilyn’s lives will be held at 10 a.m. on March 27 at the Episcopal Church of the Advent (401 N. Union St., Kennett Square). Interment will be held privately in the adjoining church memorial garden. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Chester County 4-H Club.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Obituaries ISABEL HERNANDEZ Isabel Hernandez, 81, of Oxford, formerly of Las Piedras, P.R., passed away on March 17 at Twin Pines Health Care Center in West Grove. She was the wife of the late Adalberto Serrano Casanova. Born in Las Piedras, P.R., she was the daughter of the late Eleutorio and Adela Hernandez Morales. She was a devoted Catholic who enjoyed ceramics, sewing, cooking and dolls. She is survived by her four children, Jacqueline S. Lugo of West Grove, Wilberto Serrano of Oxford, Carmen F. Sanchez of Newark, Del., and Damaris Rivera of Oxford; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Rafael Ramirez of New York and Pedro Ramirez of Florida. A memorial service was held March 20. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Dept., 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

CAROL MARIE BUELL Carol Marie Buell, 71, of Nottingham passed away on March 18 at her home. She was the wife of the Robert Steve Buell, with whom she shared 50 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late William Frances and Edith Mae Thanklingburg Devine. She was a member of the New London Baptist Church. She was also a member of Local 1776 United Food & Commercial Workers, American Legion Auxiliary Post 194 in Rising Sun, Md., and volunteered at Manna Ministries, located at the New London Baptist Church. She was employed with Acme Market and Tony’s Sub Shop in Oxford. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and cooking. She is survived by her husband; one son, Steven Buell and his wife Missy of Oxford; one daughter, Marie Vazquez of Coatesville; one stepson, Richard Allen Buell and his wife Judy of Syracuse, Ind.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, James

Church Calendar March 26 Taize service The New London United Methodist Church (101 State Rd., New London) will host a community taize service on March 26 at 7 p.m. This non-denominational service is an ecumenical, sung and silent, participatory prayer service designed to achieve a contemplative state through music, song and silence. This service will incorporate the Passion story and include members of the community choir. Call 610-869-8129 for more information.

March 28 Coffee House and Open Mic Night The New London United Methodist Church Gunthrie Hall (1010 State Rd., New London) will host a Coffee House/Open Mic Night on March 28. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Stepping Stones, a folk/gospel band, will be the opening act, with an open mic following. Sign-up at the door (performers are $5, audience members are $8). Homemade refreshments will be available. Sound equipment is available and anyone can perform, as long as the music is family friendly. Call 610869-8129 for more information.

March 28 Buffet breakfast The Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford) will host a community buffet breakfast on March 28 from 7 to 10 a.m. The menu includes pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, fruit, sausage and bacon, roasted potatoes, dried beef gravy, and specialty breads. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for ages 3 to 10. Proceeds benefit the church’s general fund. For more informaion, call 610-932-9698.

March 29 to April 5 Holy Week services Avondale Presbyterian Church (420 Pennsylvania Ave., Avondale) offers Holy Week worship services, with two services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Palm Sunday, March 29. On Maundy Thursday,

April 2, there will be worship and communion at 7:30 p.m. A Good Friday service will also be held at 7:15 p.m. On Easter Sunday, April 5, worship services will be held at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Supervised nursery care is provided at all services. For more information, call 610-268-2919 or visit www. avondalepc.org.

April 25 Mini-golf fundraiser Grove Church, 490 W. Boot Rd., north of West Chester, invites the community to come and play nine holes of mini-golf on a course constructed throughout the church on April 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost of $8 per person (or $25 per family) benefits youth service projects locally and in Appalachia. Refreshments and a light meal will be available for additional cost. For more information, email kerrimcmullin@ gmail.com or call 610-246-7562. For directions, visit www.grovechurch.org.

May 2 Super Saturday in Oxford Oxford United Methodist Church (18 Addison St., Oxford) hosts its annual Super Saturday on May 2. There will be a plant sale and chicken barbecue, and the parking lot will be full of yard sale vendors. For local residents, space in the parking lot is free for the yard sale, or $10 to rent a table. The plant sale and yard sale will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets for the barbecue can be purchased in advance by calling the church office (610932-9698), for $10. To reserve space for the yard sale, call the church office.

Overeaters Anonymous Janes United Methodist Church (213 N. Walnut St., Rising Sun, Md.) hosts meetings of Overeaters Anonymous on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Use the side door of the main entrance and go to the last door on the left. The meetings are open to everyone. For more information, call Kris at 410-658-2791.

Devine and his wife Brenda of New Jersey; and one sister, Linda Devine of New Jersey. Funeral services were held March 23. Interment was in Nottingham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Manna Ministries, 226 Pennocks Bridge Road, West Grove, PA 19390. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com .

CORRIN N. CORBIN Corrin N. Corbin, 79, of Avondale, passed away peacefully on March 17 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. Born in Altoona, he was the son of the late Miriam and Edgar A. Corbin, Sr. A graduate of Altoona High School and Lock Haven University, he was a teacher at Kennett High School. He joined the DuPont Company in 1960. In 1986, he was named director of apparel marketing. Corrin is survived by his wife, Joanna; his sisters, Wenda Clouser and Rosella DeRiemer; his son, Russell; daughter, Claudia; stepdaughters Jennifer Thomas (Jeff), and Allison Leizear (Dennis); and two grandchildren, Alexandra and Nathan Thomas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edgar A. Corbin, Jr.; his sister, Madeline Wagner; and his daughter, Dayle Rutledge. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 28 at the St. Michael Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Rd., Unionville). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org ). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com .

FRANCIS R. DIFILIPPO Francis “Frank” R. DiFilippo, 92, of West Grove, died on March 22 at Jennersville Regional Hospital in West Grove, surrounded by his beloved granddaughters. He was the husband of Miranda Quartessi DiFilippo, who died in 2004, and with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Born in Camden, N.J., he was the son of the late Nazarene and the late Mary Genova DiFilippo. He served our country during World War II in the Army, and was stationed all over Europe. He owned and operated DiFilippo mushrooms in Avondale for many years, and

late in his career, he worked for PECO in West Grove. He was a member of Assumption BVM Church in West Grove. He enjoyed playing cards with his buddies at “Tuffies Club.” Most of all, Frank cherished his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include three granddaughters, Kelly Neely (Brian) of West Grove, Beth Decker (Mike) of Landenberg, and Andrea Sarkissian (Dan) of Avondale; eight great-grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Miranda, Joey, Andrew, Julia, Lyla and Jude; one brother, James L. DiFilippo (Mae) of Wilmington, Del.; and his daughter-in-law, Barbara DiFilippo McGee (Ed) of West Grove. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Frank P. DiFilippo, in 1999; two sisters; and four brothers. A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on March 26 at Assumption BVM Catholic Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). His mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in his memory may be made to Avondale Fire Company, 23 Firehouse Way, Avondale PA 19311. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com .

GEORGE T. BUSH, SR. George Thomas Bush, Sr., 71, of Oxford, passed away on March 23 at his home. He was the husband of Dorothy Broomell Bush, with whom he shared 41 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Anna Mary Nickel Bush. He was employed with Lukens Steel, Lenape Forged Products and Timet Company as manager of the maintenance department. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and served in the Vietnam War. George enjoyed fishing and coin collecting. He also enjoyed working on John Deere tractors. He is survived by his wife; one son, George T. Bush, Jr.; one daughter, Lisa Crews and her husband Alvin; one sister, Eleanor; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 27 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 with full military honors will be in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome. com .

10A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Landenberg artist’s mural will be art for Wilmington Flower Market By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer Over the past 94 years, the Wilmington Flower Market has become synonymous with the Delaware social scene, as well as a the unofficial gate opening of the spring season. As the event is being planned for its 95th year on May 7, 8 and 9, the market’s organizers have gone over the state line to welcome the work of a Chester County artist. Nanci Hersh, from Landenberg, was commissioned by the market’s organizers to create the official artwork for this year’s event. The art will be published in the market’s printed supplement, and appear on social media sites. In preparing to create the mural, Hersh set out to capture a sense of place that holds so many wonderful memories for those who regard Rockford Park as their second backyard. She took photographs of the iconic Rockford Tower, as well as the Mt. Salem United Methodist Church. She also met Tina Klumpp, this year’s

The band’s latest recording is an EP that features four new songs written by Bill Rose.

The Rose Project releases new CD Photograph by Richard L. Gaw

Nanci Hersh will sign prints of the artwork during the Wilmington Flower Market, which is scheduled for May 7 to 9.

Flower Market chairperson, who shared with Hersh how much the church has supported the Flower Market. “It is a huge event, and I am honored and excited to have been selected to create the original art for the Wilmington Flower

Market in 2015,” Hersh said. “I love the fact that all proceeds from the prints, posters and notecards created from my original painting will benefit children’s charities. Also, I am looking forward to seeing friends and meeting new people.”

Landenberg artist Nanci Hersh was commissioned to create this year’s official artwork.

Hersh will be at the Flower Market to sign posters, prints, and notecards of the painting, as well copies of “Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings,” a book she illustrated that teaches young children to cope when a loved one is fighting cancer. She will also appear at a preview party on April 26 at Drip Cafe in the Lantana Shopping Center in Hockessin, Del., from 4 to 6 p.m., where she will sign prints of the artwork. All proceeds form the sale will benefit children’s charities. The Wilmington Flower Market will be held at Rockford Park May 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and May 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Flowers and plants of all kinds will be available, as well as children’s rides and games, concerts, food and drink, merchant booths, crafts and artwork. Proceeds will go directly to the children of Delaware through the market’s many beneficiaries. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The Rose Project, a Chester County-based band known for its harmonies and passionate live performances, will hit the road this spring in support of their new EP, a compilation of four new songs, all written by lead singer Bill Rose. The EP was recorded and mixed by Al Hahn and Star Diner Studios, mastered by Jon Beard, and produced, arranged by composed and performed by Rose, Hahn, Steve K. and Dave Walker, with backing harmonies by Anita Samis and Roberta Watts. It includes the songs “The Sound,” “Dark Street,” “Sleeper Hold” and “Long Gone,” which were written by Rose during nearly two-year journey of songwriting that began and

ended during Rose’s two-year stint in Nicaragua. While there, he managed Palmetto Medical Initiatives projects throughout Latin America, helping to establish a health care facility in Nicaragua. The band formed in 2008. Their songs are an eclectic blend of acoustic folk and introspective lyrics that examine civil oppression, as well as individual hardships and rebirth. The band will perform on March 29 at Doc Watson’s in Exton, and at The Market at Liberty Place in Kennett Square on May 29. For more information, visit www.roseprojectmusic.com, or search “Rose Project” on Facebook. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

The Rose Project is made up of, from left, Al Hahn, Steve K., Dave Walker and Bill Rose.

Southern Chester County Chamber honors Citizen of the Year The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce announced the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award at the Chamber’s 48th Annual Dinner, held at Longwood Gardens on March 20. The Award recognizes people who contribute to the community’s quality of life and display exemplary volunteer efforts demonstrating vision, leadership and citizenship that positively impact the Southern Chester County community. This year, the chamber recognized Joan Holliday as the 2014 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

She has served the community for more than 23 years. Holliday is the founder of Study Buddies, a program dedicated to helping at-risk children perform to their best abilities in school; Bridging the Community, a non-profit organization linking volunteers with community organizations; and ACTIVATE Chester County, a collaboration among hospitals, health and recreation organizations, school districts, municipalities, and community service organizations advocating for policy and behavior changes that decrease the obesity rate in Chester County.

The 2014 SCCCC Annual “Outstanding Citizen” ceremony (from left): Dennis Melton, past SCCCC chairman of the board (who accepted the award); Esther Rochester; Dr. Chad Laurence, the 2014 award nominator; and Cheryl B. Kuhn, SCCCC president.

Holliday was unavailable to accept the award because, as Dennis Melton, past chairman of the board of the Southern Chester County Chamber told the more than 220 attendees, “she was doing what she does best, helping someone else.” In this case, that was her ailing 90-year-old mother. Melton was selected by Holliday to accept the award on her behalf. In a speech prepared by her, Melton shared the following: “From 1998 to present, initiating and leading gatherings for community members to make their voices heard, while working toward a vision, has become my personal mission. From these forums, there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing minority persons become empowered to take on leadership roles and make a difference.” Holliday’s final remark summed it up: “This award belongs to the citizens of Southern Chester County. They are the ones joining together creating visions and crossing boundaries to make a difference in a peaceful, progressive and inclusive manner.” Joining Melton at the podium was Esther Rochester, a recipient of Holliday’s community service efforts. Rochester and Holliday have been friends for more than 25 years. The Study Buddies

The Annual Dinner presenting sponsor, Riley Riper Hollin & Colagreco Attorneys at Law.

program provided the setting and structure that allowed Rochester to get her high school GED, and today helps her children in much the same way. “Joan is more than a friend to me, she is like a mother, a mentor and a sister,” Rochester said. The 2014 Outstanding Citizen will share the honor with these recent past recipients: 2003 Michael Perna, Esq., 2004 John W. Singer, 2005 Kathleen Lafferty, 2006 Doris Haley, 2007 Eva Verplanck,

2008 James T. Horn, 2009 Michael R. Walker, 2010 Janice Taylor, 2011 Terence Farrell, 2012 Stacie A. Kucera, 2013 Ken Goddu. “The Outstanding Citizen Award is a celebration of the love and dedication that people have for this community,” said Ken Goddu, this year’s working committee chair. “We are proud of the accomplishments of all past recipients, and we look forward to continuing this longstanding tradition of service.”

“The nominees each demonstrated remarkable character and dedication in supporting and serving our community,” said Jim Horn, chairman of the discernment committee and past award recipient. “The contributions made by these individuals are an inspiration to all. This year’s recipient, Joan Holliday, is an exemplary model of the successes of true community service. We are proud that Joan was selected as this year’s Outstanding Citizen award recipient.”

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local Interest Longtime teacher at Avon Grove Nazarene Academy is a Heart of Learning finalist By John Chambless Staff Writer

Avon Grove Nazarene Academy director Kathy St. John (left) hugs Ann Marie Spencer after announcing her award.

On Monday morning, the staff of the Avon Grove Nazarene Academy proved they can really keep a secret. So did hundreds of parents and children who turned out to see teacher Ann Marie Spencer get her award as a finalist for the Citadel Heart of Learning Award. The awards, sponsored by Citadel Federal Credit Union and the Chester County Intermediate Unit, recognize 15 educators from Chester County for their outstanding service. Three grand prizes will be awarded from among the finalists at a ceremony in May. But on Monday, just after 8 a.m., families packed the sanctuary at the Avon Grove Church

A large crowd packed the Church of the Nazarene in West Grove on Monday morning for the surprise announcement.

of the Nazarene in West Grove as Spencer wondered what was going on. With her family members in the pews behind her, and her students and grandchildren packed in tightly all around her, Spencer thought that the assembly was a special family devotions event. School director Kathy St. John said she learned five months ago that Spencer was a finalist, but managed to keep the big reveal under wraps, informing every parent and Spencer’s family members, and even filming a video tribute without Spencer knowing. This is the first time the school has had a finalist for the awards. “I want you to know this mornng that you have been chosen to be one of the 15 recipients of the Citadel Heart of Learning Award,” St. John told Spencer. “I just want you to look at the faces of the people who are here, who love you, not only for for what you’ve taught, but for who you are.” Gwen Smoker of Citadel Federal Credit Union said, “This award was developed 14 years ago to recognize and reward, but mostly to thank, the outstanding teachers we have here in Chester County. We receive thousands of heartfelt nominations for many deserving teachers, and this year, we got nearly 2,700. We narrow that down to 15 finalists from each of the school districts. Our finalist today will get a $500 award, to be given at our banquet in May, that she can use to purchase supplies for the classroom.”

Ann Marie Spencer thanks well-wishers after the ceremony.

Smoker read from several comments from the nominations that Spencer received. “’My boys had the privilege of having her as a teacher many years ago. Still, at the ages of 14 and 16, they love to go and visit her. She truly has a gift,’” Smoker said. “’She has the ability to make stories come alive for her students. When she speaks, even the youngest children sit still, mesmerized, and intently listening to everything that she’s saying. She is loved by children and adults alike for her loving and caring nature.’” Spencer, who has been teaching at the Nazarene Academy for 33 years, accepted the glass heart trophy given by Citadel and thanked the crowd. “Actually, I should be thanking

you,” she told the audience, her voice shaking. “Each of you has contributed to who I am, and I want to thank you for trusting your children to us. They are a joy to work with every day. I love my job, but I’m really mad at my fellow teachers,” she added with a smile as the crowd laughed. Citadel Bank then gave the school a “Schools With Heart” award, based on the percentage of nominations from the student body. There are 182 children enrolled at the school, and 30 percent of the families voted to nominate Spencer for the award. The school got second place, and was presented a check for $750. To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com.

Andrew Wyeth’s studio in Chadds Ford will open for tours on April 1.

Tours of Wyeth sites open for season April 1

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Jennersville.com/events

Visitors will be able to explore the connection between art and life on guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, N.C. Wyeth House and Studio, and the Kuerner Farm as tours return to Chadds Ford on April 1 and continue through Nov. 22. Each historic property tour costs $8 per person. Additional tours on the same day are discounted to $5 per person. The Brandywine Musem of Art is continuing its “second day free” admission policy. If visitors return the day after their visit with a receipt, they may enter the museum for free and purchase tours at the $8/$5 additional rate. Tours for the second day are only available for purchase at the museum admissions desk. The tour sites are: Andrew Wyeth Studio See where one of America’s most-renowned artists created some of his most iconic works of art. Wyeth painted in his studio from 1940 until 2008. Tours are Mondays at 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m., and Tuesdays through Sundays at 10 and 11:15 a.m., and 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m. N.C. Wyeth Studio Visitors can tour the house where the artist raised his children, and the studio in which

he created his iconic paintings. Tours are offered on Mondays at 10 and 11:15 a.m., and Tuesdays through Sundays at 10 and 11:15 a.m., and 12:45 p.m Kuerner Farm For more than 70 years, the Kuerner Farm was a major source of inspiration to Andrew Wyeth. Beginning with his earliest painting of the farm in 1932 at the age of 15, Wyeth found vital subjects in Karl and Anna Kuerner, the owners of the farm, and the rustic beauty of its surroundings. Tours take place Mondays at 10 and 11:15 a.m., and 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m.; and Tuesdays through Sundays at 2 and 3:15 p.m. In addition, docent-led tours of the museum will take place Wednesdays through Sundays at 11:30 a.m., beginning on April 8. These tours will focus on collection highlights, and are included with admission. The Brandywine River Museum of Art, on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors, $6 for students and children ages 6-12; free for children ages 5 and younger and Brandywine Conservancy members. Museum admission is free on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon through Nov. 22.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Calendar of Events Ongoing Kennett Flash schedule The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square) hosts regional and national artists. Tickets are available in advance at www.kennettflash. org, or at the door. Snacks and beverages are sold, or guests can BYOB. The schedule includes: Eric Clapton tribute band The Core, with Steely Dan tribute band Countdown to Ecstasy (March 27, 8 p.m., $22); Bruce Springsteen tribute band The B-Street Band (April 3, 7 and 9:30 p.m., $30); No Good Sister with Slo-Mo (April 4, 8 p.m., $16); the Melton Brothers Band (April 11, 8 p.m., $18); Mojo Stu (April 17, 8 p.m., $18); comedy with Big Daddy Graham and Matt McCusker (April 18, 8 p.m., $25); blues with Gretchen Emery and Dirty Boots and Johnny Never (April 25, 8 p.m., $16).

Through March 29 Orchid Extravaganza Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) hosts the annual Orchid Extravaganza inside the four-acre Conservatory through March 29. There will be nearly 5,000 orchids crafted into arrangements such as baskets, a waterfall display and an orchid meadow. Children can explore orchid discovery stations, participate in a rainforest activity, enjoy interactive storytelling with puppets, and join a family seek-and-find in the Conservatory. Visit www. longwoodgardens.org.

Through March 31 Senior tax assistance The Kennett Area Senior Center (427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square) sponsors free

tax assistance for middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 and older. AARP volunteers will be available for appointments on March 27 and 31. The times are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., by appointment only. Call 610-4444819 to schedule an appointment.

March 26 Joint pain program Jennersville Regional Hospital hosts a presentation on hip and knee joint pain by orthopedic surgeon Craig Smucker on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. The program will be held at the Chester County Technical College High School (280 Pennock’s Bridge Rd., West Grove). Smucker will talk about sources of hip and knee pain, pain management, and hip and knee replacement surgery. This lecture is part of the “Doctor Lectures in the Community” series organized by Jennersville Regional Hospital. It is free and open to the community with pre-registration by logging onto www.jennerville.com/events or calling 610-869-1223.

March 27 Soup and sandwich fundraiser The Oxford Area Senior Center (12 E. Locust St., Oxford) will host a soup and sandwich fundraiser on March 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. There will be homemade chicken corn and vegetable beef soup, as well as homemade sandwiches and desserts. Reservations are not necessary and take-out meals are available. Proceeds support services to senior residents in Southern Chester County. For more information, call 610932-5244 or e-mail oxsrctr@ zoominternet.net.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

The Art Spot

March 28 Jamie Wyeth catalogue signing The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts artist Jamie Wyeth signing catalogues for his current retrospective exhibit on March 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. for members, and 3 to 4 p.m. for the general public. The event is free for members and included in museum admission. Only retrospective catalogues purchased from the musem shop will be signed (a receipt must accompany previously purchased catalogues). No other items will be signed. Visit www.brandywinemuseum.org or call 610-388-8326 for more information.

Through March 29 ‘A Sense of the Chesapeake’ Bookplace (2373 Baltimore Pike, Oxford) presents “A Sense

of the Chesapeake,” a show of landscape paintings by Carole Huber, through March 29. The gallery and book shop is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Through April 5 Jamie Wyeth retrospective The Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford brings together more than 100 works by Jamie Wyeth for a retrospective through April 5. There are early works, portraits, views of Maine and the Brandywine River areas, and his vivid portraits of animals. The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for students, free for children under six and Brandywine members. Visit www.brandywinemuseum. org, or call 610-388-8326.

Through March 31 ‘People of Kennett Square’ Mala Galleria (206 E. State St., Kennett Square) presents photographer Jie Deng’s “People of Kennett Square,” a show of portrait photographs, through March 31. Visit www.historickennettsquare.com for more information.

Through March 28 Group show at Longwood Gallery Longwood Art Gallery, (200 E. State St., Kennett Square) is featuring original oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache and mixed-media works by regional, national and international artists during March.Call 610-444-0146 or visit www. longwoodartgallery.com.

Through March 28 Three-artist group show The Station Gallery (Route

Jamie Wyeth will sign catalogues at the Brandywine Museum of Art on March 28 (see listing).

52, Greenville, Del.) presents a group show of oils by Jacalyn Beam, Carol Gray and Virginia Jacobs through March 28. For more information, visit www. stationgallery.net.

Tickets on sale for Willowdale Steeplechase Spring is here and excitement is building for The Willowdale Steeplechase, which will be held May 10. one of Chester County’s most significant community events. Reserved patron tailgate parking admission packages are available. Member’s Hill offers premier viewing of the finish line and four admission tickets for $450. The Water Jump West parking section includes four admission tickets and offers excellent viewing of Willowdale’s signature water jump for $375. The Turn parking includes four tickets for $250 and is centrally located with views of the home stretch and the paddock area. The Field

The annual Willowdale Steeplechase event will be held on May 10.

parking includes four tickets at $175 and provides tailgating with a panoramic view of the course from high on the hillside.

General admission tickets are also on sale ($25 in advance or $30 per person on race day). Parking in the general admission

parking lot is free, and children under 12 are free. A course map is on the Willowdale website, showing the location of the parking sections, food court, Kid’s Alley, Jack Russell Terrier races, antique cars and more. The 2015 ticket outlets are in Kennett Square and Unionville (Hood’s BBQ, Landhope Farms Convenience Store, Northbrook Market Place); in Unionville (Saddle Shop); West Chester (Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm); Oxford (Oxford Feed & Lumber, Outback Trading Company); and Delaware (Dover Saddlery, Wild Thyme). For additional information or to order tickets, call 610-444-1582 or visit www.willowdale.org.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Education Students get ‘happy’ at Kennett High School The Kennett High School Humanitarian Club helped students celebrate the United Nations International Day of Happiness on March 20 by decorating every student’s locker with a message to inspire happy thoughts. Club advisor Lisa Teixeira and Humanitarian Club co-presidents Kavya Shetty and Marisa Maxwell were happy with the actions of the Humanitarians, whose focus is on the wellbeing of the students and staff at the high school, as well as the larger Kennett and world communities. “Decorating 1,300 lockers is no easy feat, but it made the club members happy to know that the students would find a smile and some inspiration on Friday, a snowy first day of spring,” Teixeira said. Kennett High School was invited to participate by Kennett High School parent Sandra Borror, mother of Alison Jury, along with the YMCA. The focus for this year’s celebration was “Connections.” In an increasingly technologydriven society, despite instant connectivity, social connections are dwindling. To help students think and talk with one another about the true meaning of happiness, the Humanitarians posted quotes from a variety of people and posted them on lockers throughout the school.

Humanitarian co-president Marisa Maxwell embodies the spirit of International Happiness Day at KHS.

Sophomore Olivia Pagliaro decorates lockers.

Kennett Middle School is a ‘School to Watch’ For the second time since 2012, Kennett Middle School has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch program. This designation will be celebrated in May during a ceremony at the middle school. The Pennsylvania Schools to Watch program annually recognizes a small number of diverse, high-performing, growth-oriented middle schools that demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness to the challenges of early adolescence, social equity, and school structures and processes that sustain the path to excellence. The middle school joins a group of 31 schools in Pennsylvania and more than 370 schools across the country that have earned the distinction of being Schools to Watch. Only four others are in the Delaware Valley Region. A Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn School is a school that has made marked progress in meeting all of the nationally endorsed criteria for high-performing middle schools, including: Academic Excellence. Highperforming schools with middle grades are academically excellent. They challenge all students to use their minds well. Developmental Responsiveness. High-performing schools with middle grades are sensitive to the unique developmental chal-

lenges of early adolescence. Social Equity. Highperforming schools with middle grades are socially equitable, democratic, and fair. They provide every student with high-quality teachers, resources, learning opportunities, and support. They keep positive options open for all students. Organizational Structures and Processes. High-performing schools with middle grades are learning organizations that establish norms, structures, and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward excellence. As part of the evaluation process, a group of educators visited Kennett Middle School to observe how the school functions on a daily basis. During their observation, they noted several areas where Kennett was exceeding expectations, including: Daily grade level team meetings effectively address student needs and challenges; The entire staff appreciates the complexities of each student’s life and makes efforts to know each student well as early in the year as possible; Faculty should be commended for making learning meaningful and relevant by tapping into the diversity with their school community; Implementing the LEAD program to provide every middle school student with an advocate. “This was a collaborative

effort that included every person throughout our school,” said Kennett Middle School assistant principal Lorenzo DeAngelis. “It took an honest, collective effort to complete the evaluation process, and I am extremely proud of our students, staff, and faculty.” Representatives from Kennett Middle School attended the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education Professional Development Institute in late February. At this conference, the school was officially announced and recognized, and Kennett Middle School’s representatives presented highlights of the school’s programs. The middle school will also be recognized in Washington, D.C., at the National Schools to Watch Conference at the end of June. “My hat is off to all of the stakeholders involved with our middle school,” said Dr. Barry Tomasetti, superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District. “Together, they have developed a productive school climate where excellence and respect for others is expected from everyone.” Since 1999, the Schools to Watch program has recognized more than 380 schools in 19 states, including 35 schools in Pennsylvania. A middle school that is designated as a School to Watch retains that honor for three years and must reapply, as Kennett Middle School did.

Eby named Lions Club Student of the Month

Bill Eby, John Call, Janet Eby, Heather Eby, Jack Weber, and Natalie Ortega-Moran at the presentation of the Lions Blub Student of the Month Award.

Heather Eby has been named the Lions Club Student of the Month for March. She is the daughter of Bill and Janet Eby of Lincoln University. Heather’s list of school activities includes PEACE Club, Art Society, ENACT, National Honor Society, and track and field. Heather’s community activities include Avon Grove Library volunteer, volunteer at The Garage, and volunteer at the Lion’s Club Book Barn. Heather is a Commended

Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program and a National Honor Society member. She has received an AP U.S. History Award, AP Language and Composition Award, and achieved distinguished honors throughout high school. Heather plans to attend college and her top choices include Tufts University, John Hopkins University and Case Western Reserve University. She plans to major in Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology.

Free income tax help at The Lincoln University With less than a month before the deadline to file income tax returns, taxpayers who have yet to file can get help from two programs at The Lincoln University. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, offers free tax help to people who make $52,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation, with electronic filing to qualified individuals throughout the Lincoln University community. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, or TCE, offers

free tax help for all, with priority assistance to people who are 60 older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement issues unique to seniors. VITA and TCE are supported by the College of Professional, Graduate and Extended Studies and the Business & Entrepreneurial Studies Department, with supervision by professor Kennie Edwards. Call 484-365-7394 to schedule an appointment (available from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday). Tax help is provided on the Lincoln University campus, at 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local News ARREST IN DEBIT CARD THEFT An arrest has been made in connection with the illegal use of a stolen debit card number, according to Kennett Square Police. On July 28, 2014, a Kennett Square resident told police that charges for more than $380 had been made on their debit card in two locations in Pennsylvania. The resident said they still had the card in their possession. On March 9, 2015, Kennett Square Police filed charges against Shivon Sessoms, 32, of Newark, N.J., for two counts of access device fraud, two counts of identity theft, two counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and two counts of receiving stolen property for the fraudulent use of the debit card number. SUSPECT FLEES POLICE On March 9, New Garden Township Police responded to the 1200 block of Newark Road for a report of a possible stolen vehicle. The car’s owner said he had loaned his car to Earl Fountain, 58, of Toughkenamon, but that Fountain had not returned it on time. Police discovered that Fountain did not have a valid license and there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. As police were at the scene, Fountain drove up in the car. During a pat-down by police, Fountain fled, and police were not able to locate him. On March 11, police found Fountain at his workplace, where he was taken into custody. He was arraigned and remanded to Chester County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail. GRAFFITI ON SHOPS The London Britain Shops, at 1551 New London Road in London Britain Township, were vandalized with graffiti sometime on March 6, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. ARREST IN CHECK FRAUD Kennett Square Police have arrested Maria Rios, 43, of Lynn, Mass., formerly of Kennett Square, for forgery, identity theft and other charges. Police reported that on Jan. 18, a business in the 600 block of South Union Street informed them that a check for $675 issued by a company in Florida had been mistakenly mailed to the wrong address in the 100 block of South Willow Street in Kennett Square. Police say that Rios endorsed the check and cashed it at the business on March 31 of 2014. Police say Rios is facing charges of forgery, access device fraud, identity theft, theft by deception and receiving stolen property. TOOLS STOLEN IN BURGLARY A barn structure at 2530 Edenton Road in Upper Oxford Township was broken into on March 15 between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and several power tools were stolen, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 610-268-2022. TRUCK STOLEN Kennett Square Police said that a blue Dodge Durango with Pennsylvania registration JRT6095 was left running and unlocked in the 300 block of Juniper Street between 7:35 and 8:06 p.m. on March 15, and was stolen. The investigation is continuing.

Avon Grove Library welcomes new director Photo courtesy Mark Dammann Ungemach

New library director Lori Schwabenbauer is pictured with the staff and officials from the Avon Grove Library including (front row from left) Denise Thomson, Joyce Ford, Rochelle Brown, Lisa Sherwood, and Carole Vinciguerra; and (standing from left) Rebecca Condliffe, Lisa Sweet, Ellen March, Ursula Nunamaker, Rita Gamache, Mary Jane Morris, Susan West, and Mylinda Bralla.

Lori Schwabenbauer was welcomed as the new director of the Avon Grove Library on March 13. She began her new duties on March 18. S c h w a b e n b a u e r, of Downingtown, is a graduate of La Salle University, was a Fulbright Scholar, and earned her masters degree in library science from Clarion

University. She has worked in both public (including the Chester County Library) and university library settings, and has served as the president of the Tri-State College Library Cooperative. The Avon Grove Library, a member of the Chester County Library System federation of libraries, serves more

than 30,000 people, primarily in the Avon Grove School District. This district includes West Grove and Avondale boroughs, and the townships of Franklin, Penn, New London, London Britain, and London Grove. The library’s website is www.avongrovelibrary.org, and the phone number is 610869-2004.

Oxford Cub Scouts compete in Pinewood Derby On Feb. 28, scouts from Oxford’s Cub Scout Pack 213 arrived at Oxford Presbyterian Church, each boy carrying a racing car they made to compete in the annual Pinewood Derby. Anticipation was high to see which block of pine, four wheels and four nails (for axles) they were given and then transformed into a car would win out on the track. The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout tradition that dates back to 1953. “It was designed as an

opportunity for moms and dads to work with their child,” said Pack 213’s Cub Master, Michael Waite. “It is a fun way for Cubs to begin working with tools, to be creative, and to design something.” The Pinewood Derby is also a great opportunity to reinforce sportsmanship. “Before the races, we remind the Cubs that there will be winners and losers,” Waite said, “and we discuss how to act if you win and if you lose. It is really great

Members of Pack 213, ready to race.

to see the Cubs rooting for each other.” Each scout’s car races three times down the track, and they have chances to experience both winning and losing. At Pack 213’s Pinewood Derby, Jackson Shover (Bear, third grade) took Overall First Place. John Vanderhoef (Wolf, second grade) received Overall Second Place, and Hugh McNulty (Webelo 2, fifth grade) was awarded Overall Third Place. Cubs Scouts winning first place for their age levels were:

Bane Testa for Tigers (first grade); John Vanderhoef for Wolfs (second grade); Jackson Shover for Bears (third grade); Alex Waite for Webelo 1 (fourth grade); and Daniel Nowland for Webelo 2 (fifth grade).

Tyler Delgott (Webelo 2, fifth grade) was awarded Pack 213’s Overall Most Creative Car Design this year. To find out about scouting opportunities, visit www.beascout.org.

The first-place den winners of Pack 213’s Pinewood Derby proudly show their trophies.

6B CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local Interest The shoe ‘fairy godmother’

Courtesy Photo

Nearly every evening after work, Michelle picks up shoes and stores them in her family’s Landenberg home.

By Nancy Johnson Correspondent Landenberg resident Michelle Jorgensen started out collecting shoes as part of a fundraiser for a couple in North Carolina whom she has never met. She hoped to add a couple of hundred pairs to help them meet their quota,

but through the power of social media and the generosity of our local community, her collection has climbed over 4,000 pairs and is literally taking over her house. But she isn’t stopping yet. If you have some extra shoes around – men’s, women’s, or kids’ – in good condition, contact Michelle at blondy625@yahoo.com

before her April 6 deadline or to help with her expenses to deliver all the shoes to North Carolina, go to www.gofundme.com/bringinghomeblake and make a donation of any amount. See the upcoming spring edition of Landenberg Today for the complete story of this ambitious woman’s efforts.

Barrar and committee busy serving veterans and emergency service professionals Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/ Delaware), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, held two hearings. The first was an informational hearing that explored how organizations in the Commonwealth serve veterans. The second was a public hearing on his plan to consider the best way to overhaul Pennsylvania’s 911 Emergency Telephone Act. The informational hearing held on Tuesday provided the committee with an opportunity to learn about how organizations in the Commonwealth are serving veterans. Committee members heard from groups who house homeless veterans, train employers about how to hire veterans and create a trust fund to benefit veterans. “The biggest crisis facing our veterans today is suicide. After they come home, we are losing as many as 18 to 22 veterans a day. Tuesday’s hearing was so important because we heard from a number of the groups who are working from all angles to reduce that number,” Barrar said. “I know they won’t be satisfied until not one veteran takes his or her own life, not one is homeless and not one is without a job. These

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groups are often lifelines for our veterans.” During Tuesday’s hearing, committee members learned that a number of states have programs, such as Kentucky’s Homegrown by Heroes, which connect veterans with agriculture as not only an employment opportunity, but a non-traditional therapy. The program was born when a veteran who was paralyzed with post-traumatic stress disorder began farming 10 acres of land. Not only did he make $87,000 the first year, but his wife credits the experience for healing her husband. “When our heroes return home, we must meet their individual needs. After the unending willingness they had to serve their country, regardless of the danger, it is not enough for us to do the bare minimum when serving our veterans’ needs,” Barrar said. “That’s why I challenge Commonwealth organizations to bring their best programs to the committee every two years; we must always work to more completely serve our country’s heroes.” On Wednesday, the committee held a public hearing to further discuss how to adapt Pennsylvania’s 911 Emergency Telephone Act to changing technology and adjust the surcharge fee to allow for adequate maintenance of our 911 system across the Commonwealth. As Barrar considers all perspectives prior to rewriting Pennsylvania’s 911 Emergency Telephone Act, he hosted the committee’s sixth hearing held on the issue. It provided local government officials, 911 administrators and the telecommunications industry

the opportunity to share their views on how to make the system more effective. A panel including individuals representing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management agency, telecommunications companies, local elected officials, public safety officials, the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Professional Communications Officials presented to the committee. The bill Barrar is drafting will respond to the unmanageable financial constraints that county 911 centers have experienced as a result of an unchanged fee since its creation in 1990. Communications equipment, inflating personnel costs and technologically advanced services, such as texting and video, demand the first 911 surcharge adjustment in 25 years to meet this challenge. “While I do not agree that the 911 surcharge should be increased to $2 monthly as is written in the currently draft of the bill, I do support a lower surcharge fee increase that will adequately address the financial needs of our 911 system, thereby enhancing the public safety of our communities,” Barrar said. “Of course, this 911 surcharge increase must be developed with the taxpayer in mind.” The legislation will include an increase in the 911 surcharge to allow our 911 systems to fully serve all residents of the Commonwealth. The bill will also modernize the state 911 law in many different ways, specifically to integrate and interconnect with nextgeneration 911 technologies. Barrar is preparing his bill for introduction and committee action this April.

Chester County Press

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Annual Audit and Financial Report of

PENN TOWNSHIP

of Chester County, Pennsylvania for the year ended December 31, 2014 A complete copy of the audit report for the year ended December 31, 2014 is on file with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and available for inspection at the Township office. FUND BALANCE, All Funds, January 1, 2014

8,952,503

REVENUES AND OTHER FINANCING SOURCES: Taxes Licenses & Permits Fines & Forfeits Interest, Rent & Royalties Intergovernmental Revenues Charges for Services Miscellaneous Revenues Other Financing Sources Total Revenue & Other Financing Sources

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

1,102,917 280,736 6,376 68,019 1,131,031 479,508 58,148 3,708,743 6,835,478

$ $

705,694 493,860

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

52,687 470,727 18,077 152,709 151,593 30,405 2,075,752

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUES AND OTHER FINANCING SOURCES OVER EXPENDITURES OR EXPENSE & OTHER FINANCING USES

4,759,726

FUND BALANCE, All Funds, December 31, 2014

$ 13,712,229

The Assessed Taxable Valuation of the Township at December 31, 2014

$ 371,175,368

EXPENDITURES OR EXPENSES AND OTHER FINANCING USES: General Government Public Safety Health & Welfare Public Works -Sanitation -Highway, Road, & Street -Other Public Works Culture & Recreation Community Development Miscellaneous Expenditures Total Expenditures or Expenses and Other Financing Uses

950 S. Octorara Trail, Parkesburg

Choose well. Be well.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Legals Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-244 Writ of Execution No. 2012-06320 DEBT $350,075.42 PROPERTY situate in the Borough of Atglen, Chester County, Pennsylvania UPI# 7-4-49 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: US Bank National Association as Trustee for Residential Asset Securities Corporation, Home Equity Mortgage Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-Emx9 VS DEFENDANT: SEAN MERRITT and KRISTIN MERRITT a/k/a KRISTIN S. MERRITT SALE ADDRESS: 207 Green Street, Atglen, PA 19310971 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-249 Writ of Execution No. 2012-129281 DEBT $319,680.25 PROPERTY situate in the London Grove Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 59-8-674 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: MICHELLE BOYD SALE ADDRESS: 853 Easkey Lane, Avondale, PA 19311-9331 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to

Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-251 Writ of Execution No. 2014-06896 DEBT $311,012.16 ALL THAT CERTAIN piece or parcel of land situate in Franklin Township, Chester County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being Lot No. 13 Carriage Run, bounded and described as follows, to wit:

Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-254 Writ of Execution No. 2013-06326 DEBT $147,766.21 ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of ground known as Parcel “A” on a plan of property now or late of Frederick C. Breitenbach et ux situated in West Fallowfield Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a survey made by George E. Regester, Jr. & Sons, Inc. dated November 29, 1973.

TAX I.D.#: 2-04L-17 PLAINTIFF: LSF8 Master Participation Trust, by Caliber Home Loans, Inc. VS DEFENDANT: JOSEPH L. BEITLER, JR., and KRISTI D. MIZENKO SALE ADDRESS: 126 Carriage Run Drive, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 19352 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, P.C., 215-7901010 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-252 Writ of Execution No. 2014-00955 DEBT $92,423.01 PROPERTY situate in the Coatesville City, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 16-2-98.2 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: CitiMortgage,Inc. VS DEFENDANT: NATASHIA C. MILLER a/k/a NATASHIA MILLER f/k/a NATASHIA BOOKMAN and JOHN R. MILLER a/k/a JOHN MILLER SALE ADDRESS: 749 Coates Street, Coatesville, PA PLANTIFFS ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice

BEGINNING at a spike set in the title line of Public Road T-372 leading in the northeasterly division to T-332 and southwesterly direction to Lancaster County, said spike marking the southeasterly corner of this about to be described tract and southwesterly corner of land now or late of L. H. Schoff; thence leaving said spike of beginning and by said title line T-372, south seventy-one degrees thirty-two minutes twenty one seconds west (S. 71º 32’ 21” W.) two hundred eighty-five (285) feet to a spike marking the southwesterly corner of this and southeasterly corner of land of Parcel “B” on said Plan under option to M.A. Reinhart, Jr. et ux., grantee herein; thence by said land of Parcel “B” north ten degrees fifty-six minutes two seconds west (N. 10º 56’ 2” W.), three hundred fifteen and eighty one-hundredths (315.80) feet to an iron pin marking the northwesterly corner of this and set in line of land now or late of S. Q. Pepple; thence by said land now or late of Pepple north sixtyone degrees nine minutes fourteen seconds east (N. 61º 9’ 14” E.) two hundred eighty-five (285) feet to an old iron pin marking the northeasterly corner of this and northwesterly corner of said land now or late of L. H. Schoff; thence by said land south twelve degrees forty-two minutes thirtynine seconds east (S. 12º 42’ 39” E.) three hundred sixty-six and thirty onehundredths (366.30) feet to a spike, being the first mentioned point and place of beginning. UPI # 44-03-0002.02A BEING known as Road #1 Box 181 a/k/a 2067 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310 BEING the same premises which Helen M. Breitenbach, by Deed dated January 11, 1974 and recorded June 18, 1974 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County in Book R42 Page 328, granted and conveyed unto Maris A. Reinhart Jr. and Rebecca P. Reinhart, his wife, as tenants by the entireties. Maris A. Reinhart Jr. has since departed this life on 12/01/2011 and Rebecca P. Reinhart departed this life on 12/18/2010. PLAINTIFF: Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC VS DEFENDANT: UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES AND EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF MARIS A. REINHART SALE ADDRESS: Road #1 Box 181 a/k/a 2067 Schoff Road, Atglen, PA 19310 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: STERN & EISENBERG, PC, 215-572-8111 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in

the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-258 Writ of Execution No. 2014-08617 DEBT $437,643.57

estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-262 Writ of Execution No. 2013-02141 DEBT $783,354.45 PROPERTY situate in the East Marlborough Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania UPI# 61-5-195.20 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

TAX Parcel #59-9-1.1

PLAINTIFF: U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee for the Holders of The GSR Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-4F VS DEFENDANT: PATRICK A. GLEAN

PLAINTIFF: Green Tree Servicing LLC VS DEFENDANT: CLINTON G. HEFFNER and SHERRI A. SPINA SALE ADDRESS: 100 South Williamson Road, Avondale, PA 19311 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 and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-259 Writ of Execution No. 2010-08542 DEBT $323,457.43 PROPERTY situate in the New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 60-4-378 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: Christiana Trust, a Division of Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity but as Trustee of Arlp Trust 3 VS DEFENDANT: AJAY K. BHAN and CINDY BHAN a/k/a CINDY D. BHAN

SALE ADDRESS: 110 Hadleys Mill Road, a/k/a 110 Hadleys Mill Run, Kennett Square, PA 193481780 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

PROPERTY situate in Borough of West Grove

SALE ADDRESS: 308 Heather Hills Drive, Landenberg, PA 19350 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: UDREN LAW OFFICES, P.C., 856-669-5400 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

TAX Parcel #05-06-0039 IMPROVEMENTS: residential dwelling.

PLAINTIFF: PNC Bank, National Association, Successor by Merger to National City Mortgage, a Division of National City Bank VS DEFENDANT: LAWRENCE J. COOKE SALE ADDRESS: 11 Goldenrod Lane, West Grove, PA 19390

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real

PLAINTIFF: HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Fremont Home Loan Trust 2006D, Mortgage-Backed Certificates, Series 2006-D VS DEFENDANT: PAULA FERRANTO a/k/a PAULA J. FERRANTO and JOHN SMITH A/K/A JOHN D. SMITH

BLR# 6-5-40.2

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

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

TAX Parcel No.: 72-2-71.7

PROPERTY situate in the Oxford Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania

SALE NO. 15-4-264 Writ of Execution No. 2014-09877 DEBT $177,773.12

SALE ADDRESS: 344 Carlisle Drive, Avondale, PA 19311-1439

SALE NO. 15-4-274 Writ of Execution No. 2014-10172 DEBT $281,787.10 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot of land situate in Township of Franklin, Chester County, Pennsylvania

PROPERTY situate in London Grove Township

IMPROVEMENTS: residential dwelling.

office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter

PLAINTIFF Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: LINDA SNYDER SALE ADDRESS: 440 Park Street, Oxford, PA 193631536 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-295 Writ of Execution No. 2011-10013 DEBT $220,711.25 PROPERTY situate in the Borough of Atglen, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 7-6-1.21 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: GMAC Mortgage, LLC VS DEFENDANT: JAMES J. GRAMLICH SALE ADDRESS: 602 Cattail Road, Atglen, PA 19310-9739 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN, LLP, 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-304 Writ of Execution No. 2014-08806 DEBT $226,292.61 ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land with the buildings thereon erected, known as Lot No. 9 on a Plan of Lots of Abbie Gouge, situate in the Borough of West Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania, which Plan is recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Chester County, Pennsylvania, in Plan Book 8, Page 13, bounded and described as follows: TAX I.D. #: 5-7-1.7 PLAINTIFF: LSF8 Master Participation Trust c/o Caliber Home Loans, Inc. VS DEFENDANT: ALICE CARRIGAN SALE ADDRESS: 109 West Hillcrest Avenue, West Grove, Pennsylvania 19390 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, P.C., 215-7901010 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

TAX I.D. #: 06-05-0210

TAX Parcel #21-5-5.5

PLAINTIFF: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Residential Asset Securitization Trust 2006-A3CB Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2006-C c/o Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC VS DEFENDANT: RUSSELL V. McKINNON

IMPROVEMENTS: residential dwelling.

SALE ADDRESS: 417 Broad Street, Oxford, Pennsylvania 19363 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, P.C., 215-7901010 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

PLAINTIFF: Green Tree Servicing LLC VS DEFENDANT: DEBRA A. JEFFRIES SALE ADDRESS: 416 Reitnour Road, Spring City, PA 19475 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 and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Writ of Execution No. 2012-09658 DEBT $283,930.48 PI #60-3-1313 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot, piece or parcel of land known as Lot No. 1 situated in New Garden Township, Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, more particularly bounded and described as follows according to a survey made by Manley N. White, dated July 24, 1970, bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point in the center of Vine Street in Toughkenamon, said point being a corner of land of Mario Rao, thence along the center of Vine Street south 75 degrees 47 minutes west 154.55 feet to a point; thence the following (2) courses and distances separating land of Thomas J. Mattoscio, Jr. from land about to be conveyed; (1) north 0 degrees sixteen minutes 40 seconds west 290.40 feet to a pipe; (2) thence north 75 degrees 47 minutes east 154.55 feet to a pipe in line of land of Mario Pao, thence thereby along same south 0 degrees 15 minutes 40 seconds east 290.40 feet to the place of beginning. CONTAINING 1.0 acre of land, more or less. UPI # 60-3-131.5 ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of ground situate in New Garden Township, Chester County, State of Pennsylvania, based on a prior survey made by Manley N. White, Registered Surveyor, as taken from Plan of George E. Regester, Jr. and Sons, Inc., Registered Land Surveyors, Number M-383, dated August 8, 1979, being fully bounded and described as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point marking the northeasterly corner of this about to be described tract, a corner of lands of Joel F. Schlichter and set in line of lands of Frank A. Ferranto; thence leaving said point of beginning and along said lands of Frank A. Ferranto south 00 degrees 16 minutes 40 seconds east 229.10’ to a point marking the southeasterly corner of this and the northeasterly corner of other lands of Thomas J. Mattoscio, Jr., et ux; thence along said other lands of Thomas J. Mattoscio, Jr., et ux, and partly by lands of Albert J. Ragozzo, et ux, south 75 degrees 47 minutes 00 seconds west 194.15’ to a point marking the southeasterly corner of this and a corner of other lands of Thomas J. Mattoscio, Jr., to be conveyed unto Ruth M. Mattoscio, being Tract A on said Plan; thence along said Tract A north 00 degrees 16 minutes 40 seconds west, 234.25’ to a point mentioned Joel F. Schlichter; thence along said lands of Joel F. Schlichter north 77 degrees 16 minutes 07 seconds east 192.97’ to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. CONTAINING 1.002 acres of land be the same more or less. BEING Parcel B on said Plan. BEING the same premises which Thomas Mattoscio, JR. and Angela M. Mattoscio by Deed dated May 3, 2006 and recorded August 15, 2006 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County in Deed Book 6926, Page 2201, granted and conveyed unto Brian T. Mattoscio and Eymorfia K. Mattoscio BEING known as: 209 Maple Lane, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 PARCEL No.: 60-3-131.3 and 60-3-131.5 IMPROVEMENTS: residential property. PLAINTIFF: Federal National Mortgage Association VS DEFENDANT: BRIAN T. MATTOSCIO and EYMORFIA K. MATTOSCIO SALE ADDRESS: 209 Maple Lane, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: POWERS, KIRN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 215942-2090 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Continued on Page 8B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Legals Continued from Page 7B

Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

BEGINNING at a point in the bed of Rayesville-Lincoln Road, a corner of lands now or late of Hooper Vines; thence from the beginning point, through the bed of said road, north 46 degrees 47 minutes 53 west, 127.07 feet to a corner of Lot #2 on said Plan; thence leaving the bed of said road, along said lands, north 28 degrees 52 minutes 26 seconds east, 320.17 feet; thence extending along same, south 46 degrees 47 minutes 53 seconds east, 154.82 feet to a point in line of lands now or late of Ethel Cullen; thence along said lands, south 28 degrees 52 minutes 26 seconds west, 289.71 feet to a corner of lands of Hooper Vines, aforesaid, said point also being in the bed of aforementioned road; thence along said lands, north 89 degrees 36 minutes 50 seconds west, 30.59 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. BEING Lot #1 on said Plan. CONTAINING 1.096 acres, more or less. TAX ID: 56-4-13.1 TITLE is vested in Kathy N. Stringer a/k/a Kathy N. Boddy as personal representative for the Estate of Lawrence W. Boddy, Jr. by virtue of letters testamentary and the Estate opened in Register of Wills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Case No. 1512-0362,the for the late Lawrence W. Boddy, Jr., the original Grantee by Deed

dated 06/15/2005 from Lawrence W. Boddy, Jr. and Brenda A. Boddy, his wife, and recorded 07/11/2005 in Deed Book 6545, Page 628 in the Chestser County Recorder’s Office. PLAINTIFF: The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-22 VS DEFENDANT: KATHY N. STRINGER a/k/a KATHY N. BODDY as PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF LAWRENCE W. BODDY, JR. SALE ADDRESS: 231 Township Road, Oxford, PA 19363 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PARKER McCAY, PA, 856596-8900 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff

will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-319 Writ of Execution No. 2014-10503 DEBT $280,113.43 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or tract of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, hereditaments and appurtenances, situate in the Township of Upper Oxford, County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, described in accordance with a Plan of Lots of Dora M. Brown and Elnora A. Ward, made by Arthur Crowell dated October 31, 1942, as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point on the southwesterly side of U.S. Route #1, a corner of land of Josiah Jay; thence from the beginning point and extending along U.S. Route #1 north 70 degrees 45 minutes east, 95.7 feet

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to a spike, a corner of land of Elnora A. Ward; thence extending along same south 07 degrees 17 minutes west, crossing a well, 695.20 feet to an iron pin, a corner of Lincoln University; thence extending along same north 84 degrees 34 minutes west, 121.50 feet to an iron pipe on the north side of Cherry Tree; thence extending along same and land of Josiah Jay north 10 degrees 28 minutes east, 657.4 feet to the point and place of beginning. CONTAINING in area 1.6 acres of land, be the same more or less. BEING Parcel #57-7-54. BEING the same premises which Carmen Ramos a/k/a Carmen Martinez, by Deed dated August 4, 2006 and recorded in the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office on August 23, 2006 in Deed Book 6933, Page 2331, granted and conveyed unto Robert Comroe. PLAINTIFF: The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-18 VS DEFENDANT: ROBERT COMROE

LLC, 610-278-6800 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

SALE ADDRESS: 1491 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: SHAPIRO & DeNARDO,

SALE NO. 15-4-339 Writ of Execution No. 2014-03530 DEBT $185,908.47

Hill Drive and southeasterly corner of Lot #90 of the above-references Plan; thence (1) along Lot #90, north 02 degrees 09 minutes 04 seconds west, 169.61 feet to a 3/4” rebar set in line of land of the Oxford Recreation Association at the northeasterly corner of Open Space of the abovereferences Plan; thence (2) along northeasterly corner of Open Space of the abovereferenced Plan; thence (2) along the line of land of the Oxford Recreation Association, south 73 degrees 09 minutes 15 seconds east, 140.61 feet to a 3/4” rebar set in the southwesterly corner of Lot #92; thence (3) along Lot #92, south 21 degrees 49 minutes 59 seconds west, 152.08 feet to a 3/4” rebar set on the northwesterly right of way line of Slate Hill Drive; thence (4) along the northwesterly right of way line of Slate Hill Drive, along the arc of a 175.00 feet radius curve to the left 73.26 feet to a 3/4” rebar, the point of beginning, said curve having a chord distance of 72.72 feet and bearing north 80 degrees 09 minutes 33 seconds west. BEING the same premises which Oxford Land L.P., a Pennsylvania Limited Partnership, by Indenture dated 11/30/01 and recorded 12/14/01 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester in Record Book 5142 Page 275, granted and conveyed unto Leland Thomas and Sharon Thomas, in fee.

ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land, situated on the northwesterly side of Slate Hill Drive in the Township of East Nottingham, County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the same appears at Lot #91 on a Final Plan of “Wiltshire at Oxford” Subdivision numbered 404202 prepared by Lake Roeder Hillard & Beers, Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors, Oxford, PA and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County, PA as Plan #14559, bounded and described as follows:

BEING UPI No. 69-3-64.29

BEGINNING at a 3/4” rebar set at the northwesterly right-of-way line of Slate

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place

ASSESSMENT: $202,740.00

of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

PLAINTIFF: Citadel Federal Credit Union VS DEFENDANT: LELAND S. THOMAS and SHARON D. THOMAS SALE ADDRESS: 724 Slate Hill Drive, Oxford, PA 19363 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: CHRISTOPHER J. PIPPETT, ESQ., 610-4587500

PLAINTIFF: First Horizon Home Loans a Division of First Tennessee Bank National Association c/o Nationstar Mortgage LLC VS DEFENDANT: EDUARDO DOMINGUEZ, a/k/a EDWARD DOMINQUEZ and MARY L. ALMONY SALE ADDRESS: 125 West Evergreen Street, West Grove, Pennsylvania 19390 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: McCABE, WEISBERG &

CONWAY, P.C., 215-7901010 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11AM prevailing time the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Sheriff’s Office, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania a schedule of distribution on Monday May 8, 2015. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter SALE NO. 15-4-350 Writ of Execution No. 2014-10954 DEBT $214,166.39 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot of land situate in the Borough of Kennett Square shown as Lots No. ___ and No. ___ on Plan of Building Lots of “Kennett Heights” as recorded in the Recorder’s Office of Chester County and being bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of Richard Road as originally laid out, said point of beginning being a corner of Parcel B and being marked by the following 2 courses and distances, from an iron marking the intersection of the northerly side of Richards Road (45 feet

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

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LEGALS wide) with the westerly side of Bloomfields Avenue (50 feet wide) to wit: (1) south 18 degrees 42 minutes 00 seconds east 43.10 feet (2) north 71 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds east 50 feet to said point of beginning and along the southerly side of Richards Road as originally laid out north 71 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds east 50 feet to a point in a common driveway marking a corner of the lands of Donald R. and Patricia A. Farmer, thence along the same south 18 degrees 42 minutes 00 seconds east 1.90 feet to a point on the southerly side of Richards Road as presently laid out; thence continuing along the lands of Donald R. and Patricia A. Farmer leaving Richards Road passing through the aforementioned common drive and passing through a garage 148.10 feet to a point in line with the lands of Marvin B. and Willa Mae Claycomb; thence along same north 18 degrees 42 minutes 00 seconds west 148.10 feet to an iron pin on the southerly side of Richards Road as presently laid out thence continuing along Parcel B north 18 degrees 42 minutes 00 seconds west 1.90 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. BEING UPI #3-3-111 BLR# 3-3-111 BEING the same premises which Gary R. Clark and Suzanne J. Clark, husband and wife, granted and conveyed unto Teresa Mitchell by Deed dated August 30, 2004 and recorded September 3, 2004 in Chester County Record Book 6272, Page 416 for the consideration of $197,200.00 PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: TERESA MITCHELL SALE ADDRESS: 530 Richards Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MARTHA E. VON ROSENSTIEL, ESQ., 610328-2887 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. and the balance made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. thereof, within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2pm. 3p-25-3t

NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION – CHALLENGE OPPORTUNITY The Board of Supervisors of Penn Township is providing public notice of the opportunity to challenge the validity of the herein described Ordinance on the basis that a defect in procedure, as permitted under Section 1002-A(b) or 1002.1-A, of the PA Municipalities Planning Code, resulted in a deprivation of constitutional rights, and to provide a period of limitation to raise such challenges. The Board of Supervisors of Penn Township is providing this Notice for Adoption of Ordinance No. 201501, adopted on March 4, 2015, which includes the following: An amendment to the Penn Township Zoning Ordinance of 1968, as further amended, to amend the provisions of Article II Definitions, Article IV R1 Residential/ Agricultural District, Article V R-2 Residential District, Article V-A R-3 High Density Residential District, Article IX LC Limited Commercial Service District, Article X C-1 Village Commercial District, Article XI C-2 Special Limited Business District, Article XII I-1 Limited Industrial District, Article XIII CI Community Institutional District, Article XV Supplemental Regulations, Article XX Administration. THIS PUBLICATION IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION OF ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCE NO. 2015-01. ANY PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OF THE ORDINANCE MUST BRING LEGAL ACTION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE SECOND NOTICE DESCRIBED HEREIN. The full text of the ordinance is available for review at no charge, and copies may be obtained for a charge not greater than the cost thereof, at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA during their normal business hours. If you are a person with a disability or need special services or facilities, contact Penn Township at 610-869-

9620. R. Samuel McMichael, Esquire Solicitor for Penn Township 3p-18-2t

NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at the Township Building, 801 Burrows Run Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, at 7:00 PM, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider, and if appropriate, enact, an ordinance, the title of which appears below: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF KENNETT, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE KENNETT TOWNSHIP SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE BY AMENDING SECTION 206-502, “STREETS”, TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WIDTH OF THE CARTWAY OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF STREETS FROM 18 FEET TO 24 FEET, TO INCREASE THE RADII OF CERTAIN CUL-DE-SACS, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE USE OF BITUMINOUS PAVING MATERIAL, AND TO MAKE OTHER MINOR CORRECTIONS TO THE CURRENT TEXT THEREOF; REPEALING ALL INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE A true and correct copy of the proposed ordinance is available for inspection and copying by the public at the Kennett Township Building, 801 Burrows Run Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, the offices of this newspaper, and the Chester County Law Library, all during regular business hours. Lisa M. Moore, Secretary Kennett Township 801 Burrows Run Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 610-388-1300 Lisa M. Moore, Secretary Kennett Township 801 Burrows Run Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 610-388-1300 3p-18-2t

NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at the Township Building, 801 Burrows Run Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, at 7:00 PM, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider, and if appropriate, enact, an ordinance, the title of which appears below: AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF KENNETT, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE KENNETT TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE TO ADD A PROVISION TO THE OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL USES REQUIRING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL OFFSTREET PARKING SPACE FOR EVERY TWO (2) DWELLING UNITS AS GUEST PARKING FOR A PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OR RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM OR TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT; REPEALING ALL INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE A true and correct copy of the proposed ordinance is available for inspection and copying by the public at the Kennett Township Building, 801 Burrows Run Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, the offices of this newspaper, and the Chester County Law Library, all during regular business hours. Lisa M. Moore, Secretary Kennett Township 801 Burrows Run Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 610-388-1300 3p-18-2t

NOTICE Pursuant to the requirements of section 5975 of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, notice is hereby given that GRAYSTONE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL is currently in the process of voluntarily dissolving. MacMain Law Group LLC

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10B CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Sports

Section

C Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Kennett drops season-opener to Great Valley, 6-1 By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Kennett opened the 2015 baseball season on Monday against Great Valley—one of the perennial powerhouses of the Ches-Mont League and the defending American Division champions. Kennett jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a balk by Great Valley starting pitcher John Hammerschmidt. Great Valley struck back in the top of the second inning when Austin Lenker and Carter Rubin hit back-to-back singles off Kennett starting pitcher Joe Zirolli. A walk loaded the bases with two outs. Mike Malloy delivered a clutch two-out single to plate two runs. In the bottom of the second inning, Hammerschmidt started to settle into a groove, relying primarily on a good breaking ball that he effectively changed speeds on. Hitters from both teams were already challenged by the cold, blustery conditions. In the bottom of the third, Hammerschmidt struck out four because one hitter reached base on a passed ball on the third strike. Zirolli surrendered a walk to Rubin to start the top of the fourth inning. Rubin stole second base but then, after multiple throws to the base, the Kennett pitcher picked him off. The score remained 2-1. Kennett batters were doing a good job of making Hammerschmidt work hard and throw a lot of pitches, but they had just one hit through the first four innings. Zirolli continued to battle, keeping Great Valley’s powerful offense in check. The Patriots loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth without the benefit of a hit that reached the outfield. Zirolli coaxed a ground out to third for the second out. Then Lenker delivered a linedrive single off the base of the right field wall. Two runs scored, making it 4-1. Great Valley pushed another run across on an error. Kennett put two runners on in each of the next two innings, but couldn’t come up with a timely

hit. Hammerschmidt got the first out in the sixth and then turned the ball over to reliever Allen Barry. Hammerschmidt struck out seven and surrendered two hits—both singles to Kennett’s Drew Massetti. Great Valley tacked on a run in the seventh, then Barry closed out the game by striking out the side. New head coach Matt Royer said that he saw some things that he liked during his first game with Kennett. “I thought we competed early on,” he said. “Our defense was good in the first four innings. Joe pitched well for his first time out there this season. He worked out of a couple of situations.” Royer said that his team took too many called strikes, especially when runners were on base. “We had some opportunities,” he explained. “We need to be more aggressive at the plate when we get runners on base.” Royer has 33 years of coaching experience, including stints at Kutztown University, Liberty University, and most recently Twin Valley High School. At Kutztown University, he took his teams to the Division II College World Series in 2001 and 2002. Kutztown standouts that Royer coached include John Rozich, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Ryan Vogelsong, who still pitches for the San Francisco Giants and was a member of the 2012 and 2014 World Series championship teams. The Twin Valley squad enjoyed unprecedented success under Royer’s helm, winning a district championship. Royer said that his goal for the 2015 season is simply getting his team to play hard and to play good, fundamental baseball. “I want them to play the game the right way,” Royer explained. “I want them to play hard. We’re concerned about the process.” Kennett has games coming up against Sun Valley on March 25, Downingtown West on March 27 and East on March 30. Great Valley plays Downingtown East on March 25, Sun Valley on March 27, and Unionville on March 30. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Joe Zirolli did a good job of making pitches when he needed to against Great Valley.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Kennett’s outfielders during a break in the action.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Kennett holds a meeting on the mound.

Photo by Steven Hoffman Photo by Steven Hoffman

Matt Kelly takes a lead off second base for Kennett.

Shortstop Matt Kelly sneaks in behind the runner for a pickoff attempt.

Photo by Steven Hoffman

Great Valley is the defending Ches-Mont League American Division champions.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local Interest Oxford High recognizes Students of the Month Oxford Area High School recently held a breakfast to recognize the school’s Students of the Month for March. Each month teachers in selected departments nominate underclassmen for this honor, with the final selections made by the school administration. Students of the Month are chosen based on criteria including demonstrating an effort and desire to learn; involvement in school and classroom activities; respect for all school policies and personnel; concern for the school community and friendliness and support for other students. The following students were recognized as Students of the Month for March after being nominated by members of the health and physical education, technical education and guidance departments. Julia Degrave, freshman: Julia’s favorite subject is English. “Some of my favorite aspects are diving into new books and trying to find the meaning behind them,” she said. “Early College Academy has also been an incredible expe-

rience that has helped me to grow as an individual and a student.” In her spare time she enjoys reading, drawing, listening to music and volunteering. After graduation, Julia would like to study for a career in elementary teaching. “I love kids and helping them to learn and develop into upstanding people is a dream of mine,” she said. “Many educators I had when I was young inspired me, and I hope to do the same for other students when I become a teacher.” Victoria Giroso, freshman: Victoria’s favorite subject is English. The thing she likes most about Oxford is “the heart and work that everyone puts into us kids to make us succeed.” After graduation she would like to attend West Chester University to study for a career as a registered nurse. When she learned she was a Student of the Month she felt “very proud and excited because I’ve worked very hard in the last year to become a better person.” Nelson Rodriguez, freshman: Nelson’s favorite subjects are

chorus, English and TV/video production. “When I am not in school I listen to music while singing, drawing or writing,” he said. After graduation Nelson would like to attend either West Chester University or Full Sail University to study for a career in the film industry as a director or writer. Sarah Wilkinson, freshman: Sarah’s favorite subject is math. In her spare time she enjoys running and dancing. After graduating Sarah would like to attend Virginia Tech University to study for a degree in business and a career as an accountant. Cole Gruver, sophomore: Cole’s favorite subject is history. In his spare time he enjoys working out and playing Xbox. His favorite thing about Oxford is the athletic program, and after graduating he would like to pursue a career in a sports-related field. Maggie Mayberry, sophomore: Maggie’s favorite subject is biology, and she particularly enjoys the marine biology course taught by Anne Marie Anderson. “In my spare time I like to play with my pet rats,” she said

Sen. Pileggi announces ‘Scenes from 9th District’ contest State Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-9) is asking area residents to share photos of sites in the 9th Senatorial District. The “Scenes from the 9th District” photo contest, which has started accepting entries, will feature photographs in four themes – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter – in a calendar

which will be available to download for free on Senator Pileggi’s website later this year. “The 9th District has so many beautiful, historic and unique landmarks that deserve to be highlighted,” Senator Pileggi said. “This photo contest is a great way to share the unique-

ness of our communities.” Photos can be submitted to the contest until July 31. In August, visitors to Sen. Pileggi’s website will be able to vote for their favorite photo in each of the four categories. For more information, including the complete contest rules, visit www.SenatorPileggi.com.

Oxford Area High School recently named its Students of the Month for March. Seated from left are sophomore Cole Gruver, freshman Victoria Giroso, sophomore Joseph Rullo and freshman Julia Degrave; standing from left are principal Christopher Dormer, junior Hector Rico, sophomore Maggie Mayberry and freshmen Nelson Rodriguez and Sarah Wilkinson.

“During the summer, I like to walk to a farm near my house and buy flowers and look at the animals they have.” After graduation Maggie would like to attend either the University of Pennsylvania or the University of California-Davis to study for a career as a veterinarian.

Joseph Rullo, sophomore: Joseph’s favorite subject is history. In his spare time he likes to play video games and soccer, and be with friends. After graduation he would like attend a college that offers ROTC to study for a career in engineering for military weaponry.

Hector Rico, junior: Hector’s favorite subject is math. He likes to play soccer in his spare time. After graduation Hector is considering pursuing a career as an architect. When he learned he was a Student of the Month, “I felt surprised … it encourages me to keep doing my best.”

Human rights lawyer to speak on labor trafficking Human rights lawyer John V. Rafferty will speak on the topic of “Slavery in our Midst: Labor Trafficking and Slavery Outside Major Cities” on April 4, at 9:30 a.m. at a

meeting of ACE (Advocating, Collaborating, Educating) AntiHuman Trafficking Alliance of Oxford. Coffee and doughnuts will be served at 9 a.m. at the Oxford

Senior Center (12 E. Locust St.). This event was rescheduled from Jan. 3. For more information, e-mail stopslavery@zoominternet.net or call 610-932-0337.

Easter egg hunt in New Garden on March 28 Families are invited to take part in a community Easter egg hunt at New Garden Township Park on March 28 at 1 p.m. The hunt will be divided into

three age groups – toddler to 4, 5 to 8, and 9 to 12. There will be one grand prize winner in each age group. Families should bring their

own baskets. The park is at Route 41 and Newark Road. For more information, e-mail bunderwood@ newgarden.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local Interest Historic Commission looking to repurpose 1816 home By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer The L-shaped Lamborn House sits in the middle of New Garden Township Park, just behind the New Garden Police barracks off of GapNewport Pike. Archival evidence dates the original construction of this home to 1816, but recent renovations by members of the township’s Historic Commission suggest that the structure should not just remain an artifact of the township’s history, but a part of its future. Pointing out several interior and exterior upgrades recently made to the structure, two members of the commission said at an open house on March 22 that the home is now fully equipped to be lived in through a rental arrangement with the township, an idea that the commission has shared with township supervisors. The house could also be easily retro-fitted to become a studio space for painters, sculptors, weavers and other artisans, as well as become an ideal location for gallery shows and artisan open house events. “I can see the commission going to the township with the key to the home, and saying, ‘We did our part. Now it’s your turn,” said Dr. Margaret “Peg” Jones, a longtime advocate for the preservation of historic structures in the township. “Now that the hard work has been done to restore it with modern conveniences, it can now become income

producing, with the rental fees being put into an escrow for any house repair work that needs to be done.” Over the past year, the Lamborn House has gotten re-plastered interior and exterior walls; new windowsills; interior painting; new light fixtures; freshly scrubbed plank floors; an outdoor deck with railing, as well as a new stove and refrigerator. Historic Commission chairman Brian Roberts said the idea to have the house occupied was inspired by talks with award-winning historian

Kim Burdick, who is not only the curator of the historic Hale Byrnes House in Newark, but also lives in it. “A house is always better if someone lives in it, as opposed to sitting empty,” Roberts said. “We took the pieces we had to work with, in order to make the house come alive again.” For more information about the historic Lamborn House, e-mail Dr. Margaret “Peg” Jones at marg251@gmail.com. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@ chestercounty.com.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Members of the New Garden Township Historic Commission stand inside the renovated Lamborn House, as part of an open house the commission held on March 22 to display improvements made to the historic structure.

First State Ballet Theatre presents comic ballet ‘Coppelia’ First State Ballet Theatre’s production of “Coppélia,” the comic ballet masterpiece, at the Grand Opera House on April 18 and 19, has something for everyone. “’Coppélia’ is near the top of virtually every list of the world’s favorite ballets,” said First State Ballet president and executive director Robert Grenfell. “It has a charming story, entertaining plot with hilarious physical humor, beautiful and familiar music, exciting choreography, gorgeous costumes from one of Russia’s finest costumiers, staging by Kirov-trained artistic director Pasha Kambalov, and high production values. “It’s a ballet for the whole family, one that will delight everyone

The lavishly staged ‘Coppelia’ will be performed on April 18 and 19.

from 3 to 103,” Grenfell said. The plot features a zany dollmaker, Dr. Coppélius, whose latest life-sized doll attracts the attention of Franz, the village Romeo, who thinks the doll is a real girl. His girlfriend Swanilda finds him flirting with the doll and spurns him. Later, Dr. Coppélius and Swanilda, disguised as the doll, play an elaborate practical joke on Franz. All ends happily ever after as the villagers celebrate Swanilda and Franz’s marriage and Dr. Coppélius gives them his blessing. Tickets for the production in the Grand’s Copeland Hall are $28 to $48 for adults. Students ages 18 and younger are half of the adult prices, and seniors, groups and military get $5 off.

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The Newark Arts Alliance is holding Camp Imagine, its annual children’s camp, for the 17th year in August. The full-day arts camp for children ages 7 to 11 is composed of two week-long sessions. Week One is Aug. 3 to 7 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.). Week Two is Aug. 10 to 14 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m). The maximum number of children who can register for each week is 36. Camp Imagine offers a full day of arts instruction, with three hours of visual arts in the morning and three hours of performing arts in the afternoon. The performing arts curriculum

includes theater, singing, and dance. Instruction is different each week. Children bring their own lunches and morning snacks. Afternoon snack is provided. Pre-care and after-care are available for additional fees. Camp Imagine is held at the Newark Center for Creative Learning (401 Phillips Ave., Newark). To apply, parents or guardians must fill out the Camp Imagine Form, which is available for download at www.newarkartsalliance.org, or by visiting the Newark Arts Alliance during regular hours. The Newark Arts Alliance presents several exhibitions each

year to showcase art by local artists. The organization also offers a variety of art classes for students of all ages and skill levels, and events dedicated to the visual, literary, and performing arts. Art is displayed and sold in the exhibition gallery and the gallery shop. The Arts Alliance is in Market East Plaza (276 E. Main St., Suite 102, Newark). Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 302-266-7266, e-mail info@ newarkartsalliance.org, or visit www.newarkartsalliance.org.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

Chester County Press

Local News Workers vote to decertify union at Kaolin Mushroom Farms, Inc. On March 19, employees at Kaolin Mushroom Farms, Inc., voted by a decisive margin to decertify and remove the Kaolin Workers Union as their exclusive bargaining agent. The election, which was held at four of the company’s Chester County mushroom farms, was

conducted by officials of the Pennsylvania Labor Relation Board (PLRB). In September 2014, the PLRB notified the company that it had received a petition signed by the required number of employees in the bargaining unit, requesting that a decertification election be held.

Shortly thereafter, the union filed a charge to block the election, which it later withdrew. On March 9, the PLRB issued an order for the election to be held on March 19. The Kaolin Workers Union became the exclusive bargaining agent for the company’s

harvesting and farm production employees as a result of a 1993 representation election. Kaolin was the only unionized mushroom farm in Pennsylvania. Kaolin is a fourth-generation family business, and one of the largest mushroom producers and suppliers in the United States.

County government bond issue nets $5.4 million in savings Favorable market conditions combined with the reaffirmation of three triple-A bond ratings resulted in refinancing savings of more than $5.4 million for Chester County government on March 17. When it announced the ordinance to authorize a bond issue last week, Chester County gov-

ernment noted a potential savings of $3.5 million on the refinancing portion of the issuance. Reflecting on the results of the refinancing deal at this week’s commissioners meeting, Chester County chief operating officer Mark Rupsis said, “We achieved these savings because of the actions of members of our

finance department who were able to quickly secure the reaffirmation of all three triple-A bond ratings, and the swift efforts of our legal representatives, bankers and financial advisor. This teamwork allowed us to capture great, low interest rates in the market.” Chester County is the only

county in Pennsylvania with three triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. The continued triple-A ratings from all three agencies reflect Chester County’s success in achieving and maintaining its strategic plan priority of Smart Financial Management.

Commissioners approve preservation of open space The Chester County Commissioners recently approved the preservation of more than 1,000 acres of open space. During Tuesday’s Sunshine meeting of the county commissioners, Bill Gladden, director of the county’s Department of Open Space Preservation, said the grants to conservancies will preserve 1,054 acres and grants to municipalities will preserve about 17.5 acres, creating recreation opportunities at two new community parks and in three municipalities. Chester County Commissioners chairman Terence Farrell said, “The recreation opportunities in the municipalities that will result from this round of open space funding benefit all residents. Chester County’s wellearned reputation as one of the top counties in the nation to live and work is due, in large part, to our balance between managing

growth and preserving open space.” Commissioner Kathi Cozzone added, “Chester County’s open space preservation is a key component of our strategic plan. The insight of our open space preservation staff ensures that we are working smart in both the selection of open space projects and the cost to preserve.” “Open space preservation fits perfectly with Chester County’s VISTA 2025 efforts to guide economic growth over the next 10 years, through a focus on both progress and preservation,” noted commissioner Michelle Kichline, who is also co-chair of VISTA 2025. “We know that maintaining our ‘quality of place’ through the preservation and expansion of agriculture, parks and trails is attractive to both residents and businesses.” Acquisition of open space with public access was made in Caln, East Bradford,

Newlin, Warwick, East Nantmeal, and North Coventry. Municipal park authority grants went to Kennett Area Park Authority, New London, West Pikeland and Phoenixville. Farmland preservation took place in Newlin, Warwick, East Nantmeal, and Honey Brook Township. The county partnered with various municipalities and the Brandywine Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County. At the end of 2014, Chester County had preserved more than 123,500 acres which represents over 25 percent of the county. In addition, more than $54.4 million has been invested in community revitalization projects throughout Chester County’s 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville.

Courtesy photo

Pictured at the kickoff of the Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes campaign at Nottingham Elementary School are, from left, assistant principal Lisa Yingst, principal William Vogt, fourth grader Austin Maurer and third grader Jocelyn Nichols, both of whom are diagnosed with Type I diabetes; Jason Galante, who is the Kids Walk parent representative, and Dan Lennon, Kids Walk coordinator for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Nottingham kicks off Kids Walk for Diabetes research fundraiser On March 12, Nottingham Elementary School kicked off the annual Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes campaign for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Kids Walk is designed to educate students about type 1 diabetes, which is generally diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. It is also a way for students to show support for classmates who have been diagnosed with this form of diabetes.

A two-week fundraising campaign will culminate with the 2015 Kids Walk on May 11 at the Oxford Area High School stadium. This year, Nottingham will be joined in the fundraiser by Hopewell Elementary School. Nottingham has been the top fundraiser for JDRF among Chester County schools for the past two years. The first two Kids Walk events raised a combined total of more than $27,000 for juvenile diabetes research and awareness.