Chester County Press 04-06-2022 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

Chester CountyPRESS

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

Volume 156, No. 14

INSIDE

Avondale Borough names new emergency management coordinator...2A

The 2022 baseball season begins...1B

Six local students win Good Citizens Awards...6B

INDEX Opinion.......................5A Obituaries......2B, 3B & 5B

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Classifieds..................4B

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

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Square Roots Collective developing new demonstration park project in Kennett Borough By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer There is a 30-acre narrow strip of green space scissoring through the eastern portion of Kennett Square Borough that begins at Kennett High School and extends to Anson B. Nixon Park. Bordered by Race Street to the west and Dalmatian and Walnut streets to the east, this green space has been distinguished for its gravel trail that borders property

owned not only by several private landowners but also by Kennett Square Borough, the YMCA and the Kennett Fire Company. In 2020, a consortium of the trail’s stakeholders and owners began a conversation with Square Roots Collective that reimagined the trail as something greater, both in aesthetics, environmental cohesiveness and functionality. It seemed perfectly logical that the idea to redefine and repurpose

this community green space had its start at the Kennett Square agency: since it was founded, Square Roots Collective (SRC) has helped foster several area initiatives, all of which have been created through developing partnerships, beautifying spaces and creating sustainable communities. Further, the idea of Courtesy image improving the trail and the A stony beach will serve as a signature component surrounding green space of a plan to develop a 30-acre narrow strip of land in fits nicely within the frame- Kennett Square Borough into a park tentatively called Continued on page 3A

“Red Clay Park.”

Cameron’s Ace Hardware Township manager cleared of claims that raises money for Ukraine he violated ethics laws Independent review finds no evidence to support violation of PA Ethics Act

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Blank Rome LLP, a Philadelphia-based law firm, submitted a 34-page report to the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors last Friday evening that concluded there were no ethics violations to support claims that township Manager Eden Ratliff’s connection to the Longwood Fire Company – and his wife’s employment there – represent a conflict of interest that may have influenced the township’s decision to consolidate its fire and ambulance service to the fire company. Blank Rome was hired by the township to perform an independent review of the facts and circumstances that were alleged against Ratliff, as well as to assess compliance with Pennsylvania’s Public Official and Employee Ethics Act in connection with the township’s consolidation of its fire and emergency management services and the township’s participation in the Kennett Fire and EMS Regional Commission.

When the war in Ukraine started, people in many countries were instantly caught up in the sheer destruction of a beautiful country and the trauma inflicted on its people. Perhaps no one was more affected locally by the war against the people of Ukraine than the staff and owners of Cameron’s Ace Hardware in Oxford. The nightly images of the faces of displaced families, especially the children, haunted everyone that worked at the store. Co-owner Angie Lobb thought back to her early childhood in England during World War II. “It was a long time ago, and I was a very young child, but I still remember the Germans flying over our town on their way to bomb London,” she said. “We all were devastated by the war in Ukraine and had to do something.” So they quickly decided on a fundraiser. In the past, the store has raffled off or auctioned off art

Courtesy photo

Kennett Township Manager Eden Ratliff

During the investigation, attorneys Joseph Poluka and Lawrence Beaser reviewed thousands of documents, including relevant emails, letters, and meeting minutes, and conducted interviews with 18 individuals. “Our conclusion is that Ratliff did not have a conflict of interest with respect to the reorganization of fire and EMS in Kennett Township,” Blank Rome’s report stated. “This is based upon our

factual findings that there is no evidence that Ratliff used the authority of his office or employment or any confidential information received through his office or employment for the private pecuniary benefit of himself, a member of his immediate family, or a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated.” The report further concluded that the process to consolidate EMS began Continued on page 2A

work, so that seemed like an idea that would work. “We have a former employee, Ellis Porter, who does amazing wildlife paintings which we have successfully auctioned off to raise money for Relay For Life. He was only too happy to donate 15 paintings for this cause,” Lobb said. Other employees also donated prints, and Chris Grove from the Oxford Chamber of Commerce also donated prints. A raffle ticket was $5 but many people were only too happy to make donations. Some relatives of employees offered $100 donations. Many just gave whatever money they had on them at the time. In the end, they raised $2,000 and the store matched that with another $2,000. In one week, $4,000 was raised. “I got in touch with a gentleman in New York who was connected with UNICEF. We wanted our money to go to children who had been displaced in other countries and UNICEF would do that,” she said. Continued on page 2A

Oxford Chamber honors award winners

Courtesy photo

The Oxford Lions Club was honored with the Organization of the Year Award.

The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce held the annual awards dinner dance on Saturday, April 2 at the Britain Hill Venue and Vineyard. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Oxford Chamber honored the Business of the Year, the Organization of the Year, and the Citizen of the Year. This chamber surprises the recipients with these awards. Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce president Dennis McCartney, of Landhope Farms, served as the master of ceremonies. He welcomed guests and praised them for the grit and determination needed during the past two years as all businesses worked

through the ever-changing regulations and restrictions related to the pandemic. He recalled the early days of the pandemic, when hardto-find items included hand sanitizer, masks, and plexiglass screens. After two difficult years, the awards dinner was a night to celebrate the award recipients and the Oxford community. David Trainor, who nominated the Oxford Lions Club for the Organization of the Year Award, led the presentation as he talked about the decades of service this organization has provided to the community. “The pandemic certainly did not slow this group down,” he said. Continued on page 4A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Chester County Press

Local News Avondale Borough names new emergency management coordinator Ulises Aguilera-Bodolla has a deep commitment to service and the community Avondale Borough Council announced the appointment of Ulises Aguilera-Bodolla as the new emergency management coordinator for the borough. Aguilera-Bodolla served as deputy emergency management coordinator for several years before being appointed on March 2 by Gov. Tom Wolf. As emergency management coordinator, Aguilera-Bodolla will be responsible for developing and administering Avondale’s emergency

preparedness program. This job includes developing emergency plans and procedures to coordinate emergency service response when disasters occur. He will also serve as Avondale’s representative, working with the Chester County Emergency Management staff and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Becoming the emergency management coordinator for Avondale Borough is just one of many public service positions Aguilera-Bodolla

holds. He also serves as the community outreach officer for Avondale Fire Company and he has been a part of the Avondale Fire Company since 2018. He started out as a junior firefighter and, at the age of 18 became an official interior firefighter. When asked why he is an active volunteer, he said, “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do growing up. I’d admire any first responder I’d come across, but a few of them have had a profound impact on my career in service.”

He added, “I felt as if it was my duty to become a part of the community as I am bilingual and can communicate with a percentage of the community who speaks Spanish. “Since becoming involved in emergency services my number one priority has been to build a relationship with businesses and residents. My message to everyone is to keep pushing, even when you are failing, never give up, and do the best with your abilities and beyond.”

Ratliff...

its conclusion, the report circled back to a fact that it had used before, stating that the decisions made by both the township and the Commission to reorganize the township’s fire and EMS service were made prior to Gabrielle Ratliff’s hiring. “Further, prior to Gabrielle’s hiring, none of the Ratliffs was a ‘director, officer, owner, employee or [had] a financial interest’ in LFC, such as would be required to determine that LFC is a business with which Ratliff is associated,” the report stated. “Finally, there is no evidence of any pecuniary benefit to Ratliff, a member of his immediate family, or

a business with which he or a member of his immediate family is associated. Ratliff and his family were volunteer members of Longwood Fire Company, on their own time and not as part of Ratliff’s duties as township Manager, throughout most of 2021. They performed unpaid services to the community.”

that was submitted by Ratliff, a letter request for advisory opinion that was submitted by Kennett Square Borough and a formal complaint filed by township resident Peter J. Doehring. In the middle of December, the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission provided its response to Doehring’s complaint, stating that Doehring failed to provide sufficient specific information to allow a determination as to whether this matter should be further processed, and no evidence to prove that Mr. Ratliff used his position to secure employment for his spouse. “As such, no investigation will be commenced,” the report stated. “We note that, in our discussion with him, Doehring was candid in stating that his complaint was ‘based on insights’ others had shared with him, and not upon any direct evidence of any conflict of interest on the part of Ratliff.” Despite Blank Rome’s review absolving Ratliff of any indiscretions, Doehring remains a severe critic of the township man-

Continued from Page 1A

well before Ratliff was hired by the township in 2019, and also acknowledged that Ratliff was not a voting member of the Fire and EMS Commission in 2021 when the critical decisions regarding funding were made, and he did not and does not have voting power on Kennett Township’s Board of Supervisors. Another allegation levied against Ratliff contended that his wife Gabrielle’s employment with the Longwood Fire Company (LFC) – which began last October – represented another ethics violation. In

Resident’s formal complaint reviewed The Blank Rome investigation reviewed the three submissions that were made to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission: a letter request for a confidential advisory opinion

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ager, documenting much of his commentary on the website openkennett.org. When reached for comment, Doehring said that Blank Rome’s review relied “on the impossibly high evidentiary standards” of the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission to “effectively whitewash” the content of their report. “We never expected Blank Rome to discover the kind of ‘smoking gun’ that the Ethics Commission relies upon - Pennsylvania public servants perfected the nod-and-wink model of influence peddling long ago,” he wrote in an email. “Despite its hefty 38 pages and cost -- likely $100K+ -- nobody will believe this report truly exonerates someone who negotiated a sweetheart monopoly with the township’s largest vendor, who then promptly hired his wife, and one week later was rewarded with a massive infusion of new funding. “Regardless, OpenKennett had always considered Ratliff’s ethical issues to be part of a much larger problem of mismanagement that will cost Kennett taxpayers millions over the coming years.” Doehring also wrote that the township’s standard of ethics stems from its lack of having enacted an ethics ordinance or developed an ethics handbook, especially in light of the embezzlement scandal of former manager Lisa Moore. “Without such standards of conduct, Blank Rome had little choice but to parrot the rulings from the toothless Pennsylvania Ethics Commission,” Doehring

wrote. “We can only hope now that our supervisors will finally address this fundamental issue - as many other Chester County townships already have - and get the foxes out of the township henhouse.” In their comments contained in the release, each of the township’s three supervisors – Chairman Richard Leff, Vice Chairman Scudder Stevens and new board member Geoffrey Gamble – implied that the results of Blank Rome’s review provided “closure” on the issue. “A few township residents questioned the ethics and actions of our township manager, Eden Ratliff, and the township government,” Leff said. “Because the allegations were serious in nature, the Board of Supervisors heard the concerns and engaged [Blank Rome LLP] to conduct a thorough independent review. “The results of this review and statements by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission have shown that the EMS process was proper and there was no evidence that Eden committed any violations of the Ethics Act. The time has come for the township supervisors and staff to conclude this matter and move forward with other important work for the residents of Kennett Township.” The Blank Rome report is posted in its entirety on Kennett Township’s website, www.kennett.pa.us. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Park project... Continued from Page 1A

work of Square Roots Collective’s Kennett Trails Alliance (KTA), an organization focused on physically connecting the Kennett community through regional trail networks that include the Kennett Greenway, a 14-mile pedestrian and bicycle trail loop that is being developed in partnership with Kennett Township, the Borough, and The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County, among others. The trail will be part of the Kennett Greenway. “We began to see an even greater potential for this space, because for the past several years, it has served as the underused backyard of Kennett Borough,” said Christina Norland, the executive director of the KTA and SRC’s community engagement lead. “So we got all of the property owners together and asked, ‘Could something greater happen here?’ We followed up with some initial analysis, determined ecological and restorative goals and explored recreational opportunities. “This represents the first manifestation of those ideas, in order to see if it will spark the community’s imagination as to what can happen.” Now, backed by an initial $800,000 investment by SRC and building upon work by community leaders many years ago to establish the trail, the agency is taking initial steps on what would be a multi-year project – tentatively being called “Red Clay Park” – that will directly link Anson B. Nixon Park, the Kennett YMCA, Kennett

High School, the Red Clay Room, the YMCA Adventure Park and community pool, and State Street, and will be proximate to the Kennett Senior Center and the future home of the Kennett Library and Resource Center. The multi-year project will begin with the construction of a demonstration site, which SRC Operations Lead Luke Zubrod said will serve as a catalyst to layer the concept with more ideas. “We said, ‘Let’s do a smaller project to begin a community conversation,’” Zubrod said. “One of the challenges in this work is to be very economical with local resources and tax dollars, and getting state grants is a way to do that. If we can make a case that those grants should go here, then we can take the dollars that we may have focused on one area and spread them out in order to allow us to do a greater amount of work. “If we can turn our original investment into something bigger, then we can get more done.” The demonstration project will include invasive species removal, erosion control and streambank stabilization, plantings and

reforestation and the installation of a paved trail that will be served through lighting. Among the key highlights of the project will be to provide access to an existing stony beach that will invite people to the water’s edge. The development of the demonstration project will again bring together the Unknown Studio, Biohabitats and Meliora – environmental architects and engineering firms that have provided consulting for the development of the Kennett Greenway. Slated to be constructed in 2023, the project is now in the initial schematic design phase and will then need to go through several permits and approval stages. The project has already received high marks by the Kennett Borough community. At a recent Borough Council meeting, more than 60 residents voiced their approval of the concept. “One of the priorities expressed by many has been to see the Borough even better connected and walkable,” said Borough Council President Doug Doerfler. “You can already see that with a lot that has been done in the way of sidewalks, but

Cameron's Ace Hardware...

treats everyone like family, the decision to hold a fundraiser to raise money for Ukraine was a no-brainer. “We started the event on March 12 and by March 20, we had our money. All of us wanted to do something for the people of Ukraine and we knew it had to be sooner rather than later,” she said. Cameron’s Ace Hardware, owners and employees, worked quickly and are

Continued from Page 1A

There was another connection that Cameron’s Ace Hardware has to the Ukraine—the fact that a student who had worked there was from the country. “That really pushed the issue,” Lobb said. For the popular store that

The existing trail is graveled and navigates its way through the eastern portion of Kennett Square Borough, past property owned by landowners, the Borough, the YMCA and the Kennett Fire Company.

that only solves one aspect of that connectivity. The other half of connectivity comes from our trail systems. “When you look at how much concern has been expressed by those on the eastern side of the Borough who want to have easier and safer access to the other parts of the Borough, if there are any opportunities we can explore to make that happen, we will do so.” Norland said that while the full scope of the park is far

Courtesy images

An overview of the area being designated for the project.

from being fully realized, the true architects of the plan will be those who plan to use it most frequently. “Our work on the Kennett Greenway is a community effort, and when you talk to people about what they hope their community will become it gives us impetus to move their ideas forward,” she said. “One of the exciting parts about this project is that we haven’t yet formed what the amenities of the park will be, all of which will be deter-

mined by the community and how they want this space to be used. “This is the community’s project. We’re here to nurture their ideas and move them to fruition.” To learn more about the project, visit the Red Clay Park website at https:// www.kennettgreenway.com/ red-clay. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

helping the children caught up in this war. There are many charities helping the people of Ukraine. Do your research and know that people want to give to help the many who are suffering from this war. Courtesy photo

Cameron’s Ace Hardware raised $4,000 to donate to UNICEF to be used to help displaced children in Ukraine. They raffled off prints and paintings, raising $2,000. The store matched the $2,000.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Chester County Press

Local News Award winners... Continued from Page 1A

Mike Baker, the president of the Oxford Lions Club, accepted the award on behalf of the entire organization. Tamaira Jones, an employee of Fitchett Chiropractic, shared how the culture at Fitchett Chiropractic is to help everyone who comes to them—to help each person feel better through chiropractic treatment, and to help the Oxford community as a whole through the many donations to various community initiatives. The business supports many nonprofits and animal welfare groups and provides sponsorships of community events. Fitchett Chiropractic also is a big contributor to the Oxford Police Department’s toy drive. Drs. Jenna Fitchett Ennis and Mike Fitchett

Courtesy photos

Fitchett Chiropractic was honored by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce as the The Citizen of the Year recipient was Nancy Business of the Year. Ware Sapp.

accepted the award for Business of the Year as many of their employees looked on. Chelsea Hughes, the administrative assistant at the Oxford Area Foundation shared her admiration for Citizen of

the Year recipient Nancy Ware Sapp. Sapp is not only president of the Oxford Area Foundation that supports many local nonprofit organizations, she also has opened two businesses downtown. She is also renovating a historic

home into a third business and she recently worked to preserve over 500 acres in the Oxford area that is being transformed into the Glenroy Preserve. Sapp received a standing ovation as she accepted the award.

State Rep. John Lawrence and County Commissioner Josh Maxwell graciously presented each award recipient with citations, and spoke about their impact in our community. The evening continued with dinner and dancing.

Additional information on each recipient can be found in the upcoming issue of The Oxfordian magazine, which is scheduled to publish on April 8. An online version can be found at https://oxfordpa. org/oxfordian.

Oxford School Board approves Health and Safety Plan By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The Oxford School Board has approved a Health and Safety Plan—including the draft changes that board members made over the last few months—as part of the process of securing American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP-ESSER) grants. The approval came dur-

ing the March 15 regular meeting of the board at the Hopewell Elementary School. After the board had spent numerous meetings discussing the plan, there was little comment when the time came for the vote. School board member Jennifer Kehs, who helped delay the board’s approval of the Health and Safety Plan by several months, repeated a dubious claim that Oxford would be

“selling out” the freedoms of students in exchange for the federal funding. School districts across the country are seeking, and receiving, grants through the ARP-ESSER plan to help combat the tremendous impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on students. The funding will come over the next two years, and 20 percent must be designated to programs that directly address issues related to student

education time lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will include items such as summer school and educational support programs. The rest of the money will be used for other pandemic-related costs such as personal protective equipment, technology, buildings and grounds, services for special needs students and more. Suggestions that the ARP-ESSER funding

represents the federal government’s attempt to strip away freedoms from students would seem to be, at best, partisan politicking. Kehs either wasn’t won over by her own arguments against the Health and Safety Plan or she chose a more politically expedient path, because when the vote was taken she abstained, rather than voting to oppose it. The rest of the board overwhelmingly approved

the plan. The Oxford School Board also approved the 2022-2023 Chester County Intermediate Unit Core Occupational Education and Categorical budgets. All member school districts sign off on the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s budgets each year. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

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

Opinion

Editorial

Guest column

Voting rights need to be expanded, not restricted

Without action, Pennsylvanians could lose access to pharmacy vaccination care

The Pennsylvania Primary election will take place on Tuesday, May 17. The last day to register to vote is May 2. If you’re eligible to vote in Pennsylvania, now is the time to get registered if you haven’t done so already. History tells us that most people will sit out the Primary Election, and then they will sit out the General Election in November, too. This is especially true in off-year elections. Most people aren’t satisfied by the quality of the governing they receive from elected officials. There’s a connection between people not voting and elected officials not being better at their jobs. We’d all be better served by our elected officials if we all went to the polls and held our elected officials accountable. Our elected officials would work, and behave, very differently if they knew that a vast majority of the people are going to go to the polls and vote for what was best for them. A record number of U.S. voters went to the polls for the 2020 election. Unfortunately, a lot of Republicans didn’t see this as a positive, and they responded by passing legislation that would make it more difficult to vote. Look, this country has a long history of suppressing votes. So you can’t say that attempts to make it harder to vote are un-American, exactly. But making it more difficult to vote with a goal of keeping certain groups of people away from the polls certainly violates the American ideals that all people are created equal and that voting is a right that we all have. Elections have to be secure and they have to be fair. Consider the idea of mail-in ballots and absentee voting. Some Republicans falsely claimed that mail-in ballots and absentee voting led to widespread fraud in the 2020 election. There’s no evidence to support the claim. Some states have allowed voters to mail in their ballots for decades, with no widespread issues. In Pennsylvania, it took a global pandemic to allow no-excuse mail-in voting—which is to say anyone who wanted to vote by mail could do so with no excuse necessary. Right now, Pennsylvanians can still vote by mail if they’ve applied to do so, but that could change. In January, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that mail-in ballots are unconstitutional because Act 77 – the bipartisan legislation that brought no-excuse voting to Pennsylvania – should have been placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment question. Mail-in voting has remained in place pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court. If the system of voting is truly fair, mail-in voting should be be allowed for everyone, or it shouldn’t be allowed at all. A record number of voters participated in the 2020 election, and there are numerous reasons for that. The ability to vote by mail certainly played a part. The goal should be to encourage full participation by every eligible voter. Voting rights need to be expanded, not restricted. Please be sure to vote in the upcoming election.

By Victoria E. Elliott Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Together we have sacrificed a lot to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. It is understandable that many want to move on. Still, a critical job remains – acting on the emergency’s lessons once and for all so our sacrifices are not in vain. Pennsylvania legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf have the chance right now to prevent the rollback of patients’ access to essential health and wellness services – in rural and urban areas alike. At the same time they can improve health equity and boost readiness for future public health crises. Our leaders can accomplish this by passing and enacting legislation (HB1535/ SB 511) that would make the federal government’s temporary approach to vaccinations during the pandemic a permanent solution here in Pennsylvania. It would give individuals and families continued access to their pharmacies for vaccines authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – access that otherwise will go away at the official end of the public health emergency. What’s more, enacting this legislation would deliver decisive action, without relying on waiver after waiver to overcome

the barriers and limitations of current Pennsylvania law. We shouldn’t leave patients’ health care access to chance. During the pandemic, Pennsylvanians benefited from the unique vaccination and COVID-19 testing access presented by pharmacies in grocery stores, traditional independent and chain pharmacies, as well as other retailers. Nationally, there is a pharmacy within 5 miles of 90 percent of Americans. We need to ensure people can continue this safe and convenient means for getting preventative health care services close to home, even after the pandemic is over. According to federal government statistics, pharmacies have provided more than two of every three COVID-19 vaccine doses. More than 46 percent of COVID-19 vaccine doses for children ages 5 to 11 were given at a pharmacy. Half of pharmacy COVID19 vaccination sites are located in areas with high social vulnerability, and 70 percent of pharmacy testing sites are in areas with moderate to severe social vulnerability. This means a lot for rural and urban areas alike. Pennsylvania health officials have credited pharmacies and pharmacy teams for their lights-on, doors-open dedication that has helped 67.6 percent of the state’s population get fully vaccinated – ahead of

the 66 percent rate nationally. People clearly took advantage of our pharmacies being given authority to provide life-saving vaccines at a critical time in our history. Now our lawmakers need to guarantee this same accessibility is ready to go, without delay, in the face of any new variants or viruses. Further, Pennsylvania can help residents benefit from reliable access for their routine vaccination needs. Our commonwealth has established itself as a leader in various aspects of vaccination policy. Since 2002, Pennsylvania’s adults have been able to get vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from pharmacies. Many states did not learn the importance of that policy until after the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009. Children nine years of age and older have benefited from pharmacist-provided flu shots since 2015. Under the laws currently on the books in Pennsylvania, pharmacistprovided vaccinations are tied to special arrangements with physicians. These special arrangements present unnecessary barriers. Other states – including Virginia, Florida, Georgia and Illinois – recently have come to that conclusion and have enacted legislation similar to that which is proposed in Pennsylvania. There is reason to believe that residents of states

throughout the nation expect their leaders to keep the access in place that has benefited them throughout the pandemic. A survey by Morning Consult, commissioned by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, found that 70 percent of adults support extending the national approach that has given patients enhanced access to vaccinations at pharmacies – and 68 percent back making it permanent. That said, action in Harrisburg ultimately will be necessary to preserve this access. Even if the federal government further extends its policies, it is not likely to do so forever. We all have been through a lot over the past two years. We owe it to ourselves to minimize the damage of any future public health crises, and to keep ourselves as healthy as we can on a daily basis. The pandemic has shown us yet again that maintaining pharmacy access is crucial to that end. We ought to learn from that lesson and act on it immediately, so we can move on with confidence. Victoria E. Elliott, RPh, MBA, CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. Vice president of Pharmacy at Weis Market Rick Seipp is also the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Avon Grove Lions send equipment to help Ukraine

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Courtesy Photo

The Avon Grove Lions donated walkers, canes, crutches and bedside commodes to the relief effort for Ukraine. The items came from the Lions Hospital Loaner Program. When the Lions have excess equipment, they try and donate that equipment to organizations that help people in need.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

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Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Rector collects four hits, including homer

Hornets’ hitting stings Longhorns, 13-5 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer If for some reason the rules of high school baseball were to be changed and seven-inning games were reduced to one inning, the Unionville Longhorns varsity baseball team would have hopped back on their bus with a 3-0 victory over Oxford on April 4. Thankfully for Oxford, however, the rules remain the same, and on the support of the rule and some significant offensive power, the Hornets banged out 14 hits in a 13-5 victory in early-season Ches-Mont League play. The Longhorns got to Oxford starter Joe Kelly early, when the game’s lead-off batter Grant Hineman reached first on a pop-up that was muffed by catcher Connor Booth, and after reaching second, he scored the Longhorns’ first run on a single to center by Unionville starting pitcher Nick Diehl. Drew Delcollo then singled to left, and after a pick-off attempt at second was overthrown, Diehl advanced to third and Delcollo to second, and both came in to score on

a two-run single by Sean Regenye. Diehl got out of an early jam in the first when, with one away, he loaded the bases on successive singles by Tim Haftl, Connor Reilly and Booth. On a comeback liner hit to him by Danny Wyatt, Diehl grabbed the ball, spun and tossed to Delcollo at second, who threw on to first to complete a rally-killing double play. The Oxford bats began to come alive in their half of the second, when they scored four runs to give them a 4-3 lead. The run-scoring barrage was highlighted by a basesclearing double by Owen Rector, who later came in to score on a throwing error by Diehl. After Delcollo scored his second run to tie up the score in the third, Kelly held the Longhorns scoreless for the next three innings, and became the beneficiary of three runs in the third inning on a double by Michael Matuszewski, a single by Thomas Matuszewski and a single by Rector. In the fourth, Oxford extended their lead to 8-4 when Ryan Dewees was hit by a pitch, advanced

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

After a shaky start, Oxford pitcher Joe Kelly held Unionville scoreless for three innings en route to the Hornets’ 13-5 victory on April 4.

to third on a double by Michael Matuszewski and scored on an infield single by Thomas Matuszewski. Oxford jumped to an 11-4 lead in the fifth inning against new Unionville pitcher Carter Parise that began with Rector’s third hit of the game. With one

Unionville's Drew Delcollo slides back to first on a pick-off attempt in the first inning.

out, Wyatt lined a single to right that drove in Rector. Later in the inning, Haftl scored on a sacrifice fly by Dewees and a single by Michael Matuszewski that drove in Booth. In the sixth, the Hornets tacked on two more runs on a homer to left by Rector

and a sacrifice fly by booth that scored Haftl. In the seventh, Hineman singled and later scored to round out the scoring. With the win, Oxford improved to 2-1 on the early campaign, and will travel to West Chester East on April 6 and return home on

April 8 for a game against Sun Valley. Still winless on the season, Unionville will host Bishop Shanahan on April 6 and Great Valley on April 11. To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Unionville’s Nick Diehl prepares to take a cut in the fourth inning.

Brandywine Hills at Myrick kicks off the local horse racing season By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The early rain showers over the Myrick Center abated on Sunday morning, giving time for all the youth events to take place at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point. Then, almost on cue, as the kids finished their stick pony race, the sky opened again, delaying the start of the serious adult timber races. Undeterred by the heavy downpour shortly after 1 p.m., the equestrian community of the Unionville area showed its grit, not leaving, but sheltering for 15 minutes or so in their cars. They returned to the fields when the rain stopped to watch and celebrate their beloved sport. The running of the Brandywine Hills Pointto-Point Races has been going on for 79 years. It’s an opportunity to see steeplechase racing at the home of the BrandywineRed Clay Alliance in Pocopson Township. The horses and rid-

ers traverse a course that has as many as 17 jumps during a series of as many as five distinct scheduled “timber” races. The Brandywine Pointto-Point traditionally has many entertaining events and races for young people, as well. The children’s events started at noon with several short runs over flat ground. Some of the children, clothed in colorful horse racing garb, engaged in serious races with the winners receiving awards and posing for photos with their families. Gradually, the age range of the participants went lower, and the very young riders got their taste of the equestrian life with lead line and stick pony races. The lead line races had riders 7-and-under riding their horses on a short course while being led on a line by a parent or guardian. The stick pony races followed with young children running wildly across the field, many just waving

their pony sticks with stuffed socks in the air and apparently unaware of a finish line. They just kept rushing all the way to the edge of the forest. As the skies cleared following the rain shower, the adult timber events over three miles of fox hunting country commenced. The winners of the timber races are the following: The women’s race was won in 7:06 minutes by Theresa Dempfel on Blackhall. The Amateur Apprentice Race was run simultaneously with the Novice Timber race. Sam English on Andale finished third in the Amateur but earned the first in his Novice division. Skylar McKenna won the Amateur race on Withoutmoreado in 6:32 minutes. The Open Timber race was won by Teddy Davies on Our Friend in 6:38 minutes. The women’s side onemile side saddle race on the flat was won by Lauren Apple on Sky Babe.

Photo by Chris Barber

Children run enthusiastically to complete the “Stick Pony” race at the Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point Races on Sunday at the Myrick Center in Pocopson.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Chester County Press

Obituaries BLANCHE PHIPPS

EILEEN MCGRATH BRENNAN

Blanche Phipps, 95, of West Grove, passed away at Jenners Pond Retirement Community on March 30. Born in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Emmitt Hopper and Pearl (Gambill) Hopper. She was the beloved wife of the late Barney Roscoe Phipps, who passed in 1973. Blanche attended Piny Creek Elementary in West Jefferson, N.C., and went on to serve at Strodes Sausage and Scrapple, Kraft School Bus Company, and Plumbmaster Inc. She then retired to care for her grandchildren. Blanche had an unconditional amount of love for her family, and also enjoyed blessing them with her delicious southern cooking. Blanche looked forward to going to church on Sundays and there she was everyone’s “Mom-Mom.” She was an active member of New London Baptist Church. She is survived by her daughter; Jennie Hoover (and her husband Lee) of Jennersville, two siblings, Laura Jenkins of West Grove and Mary Hash (and husband Walter) of Coatesville, five grandchildren, Patty Bryan (and husband Jimmy) of West Grove, Linda Deeney (and husband Dave) of Landenberg, Sherry Wardell (wife of the late Tommy Wardell), Mike Phipps (and wife Dawn) of Maryland, and Brian Phipps (and wife Kara) of West Grove. Additionally, she is survived by eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by two sons, Claude and James Phipps and by one sibling, Wayne Hopper. Funeral services were held on April 4 from New London Baptist Church. Interment will directly follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude for the excellent care Blanche received from the Preston staff at Jenners Pond Nursing Facility. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to New London Baptist Church, 226 Pennock Bridge Road, West Grove, Pa. 19390 in honor of Blanche’s years of membership. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.

Eileen McGrath Brennan, of Glen Mills, passed away on March 14. She was 94. She was the wife of James Edward Brennan, who passed away in 2003. They were married for over 50 years. Born in Danbury, Conn., Eileen was the daughter of the late Edward McGrath and Alberta Shannon McGrath of Pawling, N.Y. While growing up in Pawling, she worked at her father’s diner and also volunteered at the local USO during World War II. She graduated from The College of Mount St. Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y. where she made lifelong friends and had regular adventures taking the train into New York City on the weekends. While at “The Mount,” she proudly marched in the annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade. An avid reader, Eileen started her career working at Pocket Books publishing company in New York City. After marrying, Eileen and Jim – a DuPont chemist at the time – began their life in Jeffersonville, Ind. They later moved to Parlin, N.J., Rochester, N.Y., Towanda, Pa.; Harrisburg, and finally to Kennett Square in 1978, where she lived until moving to Maris Grove in Glen Mills in 2015. Throughout her many moves, she always focused first on getting her family settled and taught them all to “unpack the boxes and hang the pictures right away.” A strong believer in education and keeping her mind engaged, Eileen was a member of The Academy of Lifelong Learning in Wilmington, Del., where she took several courses each semester including French, Italian, wine tasting, world culture and current events. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends throughout her life. She loved travel—whether it was to return to Pawling to visit her family for summer breaks and holidays, annual family vacations in Stone Harbor, N.J., or for vacations with Jim and her children to the Coloradan and Canadian Rockies, Naples, FL, Ireland, Hawaii, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. Some of her best memories were from trips she helped organize with her Academy friends to France and Italy. She was fiercely committed to her family to the very end and passed along her confidence and spirit to her children and grandchildren. Eileen is survived by her sons, James Brennan and his wife Laurie of Castle Rock, Col.; David Brennan and his wife Lori of Ellicott City, Md.; and daughters Barbara Tuner and her husband Gary of Kennett Square and Dana Vas Nunes and her husband Gregory of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one sister, Fayne Daniels and her husband Ross of Pawling, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren spread throughout the country: Daniel and Caitlin Brennan; Kyle, Elise, Christopher and Shannon Turner; and Casey, Jimmy and Micky Brennan; Michael Vas Nunes; and 5 great grandchildren: Keira, Annie, Lucas, Nicole and Charlotte. There will be a family service in Pawling, N.Y. and Stone Harbor, N.J. later this year. To honor Eileen’s commitment to education, the family suggests a contribution be made to the Alberta McGrath Scholarship Fund, which was created at Pawling High School in honor of Eileen’s mother who shared her passion for education. You may send payments to: Alberta McGrath Scholarship Fund, c/o Daniels, Porco, & Lusardi LLP, 1 Memorial Avenue, Pawling, N.Y. 12564. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with Eileen’s family, please visit www. kuzoandfoulkfh.com. Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

Alleluia When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Obituaries JOHN LEE THOMAS John Lee Thomas, 64, of Landenberg, passed away on March 19 at home. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, he was the son of Virginia Doss Thomas of Oxford and the late John S. Thomas. John was employed with Kaolin Mushroom in Kennett Square as a research and design manager. He donated generously to many organizations especially to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He is survived by one son, John R. Thomas (Samantha) of Elkton, Md.; one daughter, Desiree M. Thomas (Tim Richardson) of Elkton, Md.; twelve grandchildren; and four sisters, Sharon Hawkins of Kirkwood, Debra Marshall of Oxford, Cheryl Thomas of Kirkwood and

Lisa Thomas of Oxford. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessica Lynn Thomas. Funeral services were on March 29 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, Smile Train at https://donate.smiletrain.org/, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33607, Wounded Warriors Project at woundedwarriorproject.org or Feed the Children at www.feedthechildren.org/. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MARGARET Y. MACKIEWICZ The indomitable and generous spirit of Margaret Yeager Mackiewicz was welcomed to its heavenly home on March 10. She was 94. She lived a life of courage and powerful example, which was rooted in her childhood experience of survival and frugality during the difficult years of the Great Depression. She was the rock amongst her siblings (William Jr., Marie, Thomas and Barbara) and, in many respects, was a second mother to them. Margaret was ahead of her time, serving as the financial anchor of her house of six, at a time when women had not yet been welcomed into the workforce. Through years of self-sacrifice, she and her late husband, Lawrence F. Mackiewicz, Sr., built a modest but stable home that gave her children, Ellen, Gail, Marianne and Lawrence Jr., opportunities she had never had as the mid-century, female Valedictorian of John Bartram High School in Philadelphia. In addition to her never-quit attitude, Margaret demonstrated an inclination to service, nursing her mother-in-law through years of illness, without complaint. She also cared for her husband through a terminal bout with lung cancer, always providing an example to loved ones of quiet dignity. During her well-deserved years of retirement from Scott Paper Company, Margaret was the irreplaceable social center of her family. She was a brilliant cook, with

the resourcefulness to make fantastic meals from the most meager leftovers, and her incredible “Grandmom omelet” will cast a warmly remembered, long shadow in the breakfast kitchen for many years to come. Margaret was the type of grandmother who left home and traveled out-of-state for months each year to care for her grandchildren while her children worked. She was the type of person who would shell every tedious blue crab after a long day crabbing at the beach, and she would still be the first one up to cook everyone breakfast. Margaret had a spirit of adventure, spending the years after her husband’s passing traveling all over the United States and Europe, always proudly finding the best possible deal. Margaret was always active in her community, serving as a committee woman for the City of Philadelphia, a member of the Red Hats, YMCA and various art groups. She enjoyed spending time outdoors whether at the beach collecting shells, camping in national parks or just tending to her own flower and vegetable gardens. After a life well-lived, the pillar of a growing family has passed and will be dearly missed by all who were blessed by her touch in their lives. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on March 30 at Sacred Heart Church in Oxford. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Additional Obituaries on Page 5B

DONNA CHRISTINE WILLIAMS MATSON Donna Christine Williams Matson of Kenna passed away on March 23 at her home, with her family beside her. Abiding by her wishes, Donna will be cremated and her ashes will be interned in New London, Pa. with a graveside service at New London Presbyterian Cemetery on April 9 at 2 p.m. Full obituary may be read by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com.

DOROTHY JEAN ABEL ROOP Dorothy Jean Abel Roop, 80, of West Grove, passed away on March 30 at her residence. She was the wife for 56 years of the late Dewey F. Roop, Jr., who passed away in 2017. Born on July 4, 1941 in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Palmer and Jessie (Gamble) Abel. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Kennett Square Missionary Baptist Church. She was a lifelong homemaker raising her children as well as helping with her husband’s trucking business as a bookkeeper. She loved reading, traveling, crocheting and visiting their beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Del.. She was an amazing baker making wedding cakes and her own Easter candy each year. Most of all, she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Rockie Roop, Debbie Jenkins, Robert Bedford (Kim), Rick Roop (Janice), Sandra Brown, Jane Rizzuto, Bud Roop and Karen Roop (Bob), and her grandchildren, Anthony, Heather, Kim, Gary, Stasi, Nick, Brandon, Daniel, Jimmy, Jeffrey, Matthew, Johnny, Josh, Randy, Meg, Jessie and Gram. She is also survived by her brothers, John and Eddie and will be missed by her uncle Paul Gamble with whom she lived with. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her sons-in-law, Gary and John and her sisters, Peggy and Joyce. Friends will be received on Wednesday, April 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State St., Kennett Square, where services will begin at 11 a.m. Pastor Robert Vannoy will officiate. Interment will follow in Longwood Cemetery in Kennett Square. Please visit Mrs. Roop’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Chester County Press

Legals

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF LAURA M. BRAMBLE a/k/a LAURA MAY BRAMBLE, DECEASED. Late of New London Township, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to LARRY B. BRAMBLE and ROBERT W. BRAMBLE, EXECUTORS, c/o William J. Gallagher, Esq., 17 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382, Or to their Attorney: WILLIAM J. GALLAGHER, MacELREE HARVEY, LTD. 17 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382 3p-23-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF MARGARET MASSO a/k/a MARGARET A. MASSO, DECEASED.Late of New London Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DEAN ANTON MASSO, EXECUTOR, 201 Owenwood Dr., Lincoln University, PA 19352, Or to his Attorney: ANITA M. D’AMICO D’AMICO LAW, P.C., 65 S. Third St., Oxford, PA 19363 3p-23-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Eugenia B. Woyner, Late of Lincoln University, New London Township, Chester County, PA, LETTERS Testamentary on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Joan Mashura, Executrix, 257 Tudor Circle, Lincoln University, PA 19352 3p-30-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Elk Township Board of Supervisors will hold its Annual Township Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The Board will meet at 8:00 A.M. at the Township Building located at 952 Chesterville Road, Lewisville PA 19351. Supplies such as trash bags and gloves will be provided. Elk Township residents that are of the age ten and older are invited to participate. For further information, please call 610-255-0634. Terri Kukoda Secretary/Treasurer 4p-6-1t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 3p-30-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www. bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 21st, 2022 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, May 23rd , 2022. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter. Sale No. 22-4-116 Writ of Execution No. 2019-07976 DEBT $190,713.19 All that certain tract of land situated in the Township of West Sadsbury, Chester County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, compiled from surrounding deed and set forth as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point in the center of Upper Valley Road (L.R. 15063) said point being the Northwest corner of lands of Pearl B. Cantler, thence passing over a spike on the South side of said road, South eleven degrees twenty minutes East (S 11 20’ E), one hundred twenty-five (125) feet to an iron pin, thence continuing along land of Pearl G. Cantler, South seventy-nine degrees ten minutes West (S 79 10’ W), one hundred ninety-two and nine tenths (192.9) feet to an iron pin in line of land of Pearl B. Cantler and being a corner of land of Timothy B. Kennedy, et ux; thence along Kennedy’s land, South ten degrees 50 minutes East (S 10 50’ E), two hundred eighteen and twenty-six hundredths (218.26) feet to an iron pin in the North line of the Penn Central Railroad Company, thence along said last mentioned line one hundred twenty-five (125) feet from a parallel to center line of said Railroad, South eighty-two degrees seven minutes thirty seconds West (S 82’ 07’ 30” W), two hundred twenty-eight and fortythree hundredths (228.43) feet to a point being the Southeast corner of land of Harold D. Hall, et ux; thence along Halls land North one degrees fortyeight minutes West (N 01’ 48’ W), one hundred sixty-four and thirty-four hundredths (164.34) feet to a point in line of land of Earl C. Skiles, et ux; thence along Skiles land, North eighty degrees East (N 80’ E), forty-seven (47) feet to a pin, thence continuing along land of Skiles North ten degrees West (N 10 W), one hundred twenty-five (125) feet to a point in the corner of Upper Valley Road (L.R. 15063); thence along said center line North seventy-nine degrees ten minutes East (N 79 10’ E), twenty (20) feet to a point being the point and place of BEGINNING. Said land bounded on the North by land now or late of Earl C, Skiles, and Iris V. Skiles his wife, Upper Valley (LR 15063) and Pearl B. Cantler, bounded on the East by land of Pearl B. Cantler, bounded on the East by land of Pearl B. Cantler and Timothy B. Kennedy, Leslie A. Kennedy, his wife, bounded on the South by land of Penn Central railroad company; and bounded on the west by land of Harold M. Hall and Elizabeth A. Hall, his wife, and Earl C. Skiles and Iris V. Skiles, his wife. Title is vested in Richard E. Walker and Ethel Marie Walker, husband and wife by deed from Ethel Marie Walker, Married woman, dated 08/28/1986 and recorded 09/05/1986 in Book 431 and Page 541. Tax ID: 36-05-0135.060 PLAINTIFF: The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2005-BC5 c/o NewRez LLC f/k/a New Penn Financial LLC, d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing

VS DEFENDANT: Ethel Marie Walker & Richard E. Walker SALE ADDRESS: 3342 Upper Valley Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PARKER McCAY PA 856-596-8900 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 3p-30-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www. bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 21st, 2022 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, May 23rd , 2022. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter. SALE NO. 22-4-129 Writ of Execution No. 2018-12076 DEBT $240,062.42 ALL THAT CERTAIN lots or pieces of ground SITUATE in Penn Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania bounded and described according to a 5 Lot subdivision for Fred Ham, made by Concord Land Planners & Surveyors, Inc. P.O. Box 378 Oxford, Pennsylvania 19363 (610) 932-5119, dated 10/23/2001 and last revised 05/09/2002 as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a concrete monument set on the Southerly side of a culde-sac at the end of Dutton Farms Lane a corner of Lot 2 on said plan, thence extending along same, South 00 degrees 20 minutes 37 seconds East 240.36 feet to an iron pin set in line of Lot 1, thence extending along same, North 67 degrees 28 minutes 33 seconds West 201.97 feet to an iron set in line of lands now or formerly of Walter G & E Louise Harris, thence extending along same, North 15 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds West 235.00 feet to an iron pin set in a corner of Lot 4, thence extending along same, South 87 degrees 51 minutes 34 seconds East 187.23 feet to an iron pin set on the Westerly side of said cul-de-sac at the end of Dutton Farms Lane, thence extending along same, on the arc of circle curving to the left having a radius of 60.00 feet the arc distance of 89.59 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. BEING Lot No. 3 on said plan. BEING the same premises in which William T. O’Neill, by deed dated 09/24/2003 and recorded 10/30/2003 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Deed Book 5958, Page 921, and Instrument No. 10328448, granted and conveyed unto Warren Lapham and Constance L. Lapham, Husband and wife. Parcel ID No. 58-4-93.2B PLAINTIFF: U.S. Bank National Association, not in its Individual Capacity but solely as Owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust VS DEFENDANT: Constance L. Lapham & Warren Lapham SALE ADDRESS: 25 Dutton Farms Lane, West Grove, PA 19390 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP 610-278-6800 SALE NO. 22-4-124 Writ of Execution No. 2016-06126 DEBT $346,964.84 ALL THOSE CERTAIN LOTS OR PIECES OF GROUND SITUATE IN

SADSBURY TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

NUMBER: 10314370 IN BOOK: 5923, PAGE: 1644.

BLR# 56-7K-9

BEING PARCEL NUMBER: 37-04-0115 AND 37-04-0116

TAX I.D.# 60-5-96.4

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential property PLAINTIFF: Loancare, LLC VS DEFENDANT: Joseph Zydinsky; United States of America, Department of Treasury - Internal Revenue Service SALE ADDRESS: 2085 Valley Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 855-225-6906 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 3p-30-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

PLAINTIFF: Truist Bank fka Branch Banking and Trust Company VS DEFENDANT: Jeffrey E. Hoopes, Tina M. Hoopes A/K/A Tina Hoopes & United States of America SALE ADDRESS: 150 Walnut Run Road, Landenberg, PA 19350 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 215790-1010

PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee for Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004OPT1, Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-OPT1 VS DEFENDANT: John Higgins SALE ADDRESS: 4651 Forge Road, Nottingham, PA 19362 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844-856-6646

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

SALE NO. 22-4-133 Writ of Execution No. 2018-12296 DEBT $169,045.28

SALE NO. 22-4-135 Writ of Execution No. 2019-01103 DEBT $228,170.58

Property situate in the TOWNSHIP OF SADSBURY, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania, being

Gateway Bank, F.S.B. v. Jean M. Fash and Phillip R. Fash, 502 Victoria Gardens Drive, Township of Kennett Square, PA 19348. Improvements thereon consisting of a Residential Dwelling, sold to satisfy judgment in the amount of $228,170.58.

BLR# 37-4A-1 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: HBSC Bank USA, N.A. as Indenture Trustee for the Registered Noteholders of Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust 2005-3, Renaissance Home Equity Loan Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2005-3 VS DEFENDANT: Linda K. Seal SALE ADDRESS: 47 Settlers Path A/K/A 47 Settlers Pa, Parkesburg, PA 19365 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844-856-6646 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 3p-30-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

UPI No. 62-04-0782 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: Community Loan Servicing, LLC f/k/a Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC VS DEFENDANT: Jean M. Fash & Phillip R. Fash SALE ADDRESS: 502 Victoria Gardens Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: STERN & EISENBERG, PC 215-572-8111 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 3p-30-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Obituaries JAMES MICHAEL LEVENDIS James Michael Levendis, of Kennett Square, passed away at home on March 20. He was 77. Jim is survived by his wife, Carol Speakman, with whom he shared nearly 35 years of marriage. Born in Lebanon, Pa., Jim was the son of the late Constantinos and Helen Levendis. He earned a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and his master’s degree from Temple University. Jim was a professional trumpet and flugelhorn player, arranger, vocalist, teacher and mentor. He was an instrumental music teacher in Rose Tree Media School District from 1968 to 2002. He was loved and fondly remembered by his students. Many remember and enjoyed the music of the “Jim Levendis Orchestra” at weddings, galas, benefits and dances. Jim had been working on a recording of his arrangements for big band for the last six months. The music was recorded on Jan. 4 and is now in the final stages of production to be released posthumously. In retirement, Jim renewed his passion for bowling. He has 23 perfect 300 games and six 800 series to his credit. He was most proud of winning, at the age of 74, the Amateur Qualifying Tournament on July 20, 2019. This win earned him entry in the PBA Gene Carter Pro Shop Classic that August. In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by his sons, Greg Levendis (Kama) and Darryl Levendis (Alexis); his daughter, Stefanie Levendis; two grandsons, Mick and Ashley; and two granddaughters, Grace and Sophia. Jim was predeceased by two brothers, George and Andy. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family requests donations be made to the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road – Suite 260 – Ambler, Pa. 19002. Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.

Legals sylvania, being BLR# 58-3-33.67

SALE ADDRESS: 640 Blanca Court, West Grove, PA 19390

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844-856-6646

PLAINTIFF: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Saxon Asset Securities Trust 2007-4, Mortgage Loan Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 007-4 VS DEFENDANT: Karen L. Klemaszewski & Michael P. Klemaszewski

JOHN RICHARD WILLIAMS John “Jack” R. Williams, 86, of Lincoln University, passed away on Dec. 10 with his family by his side, following surgical complications in a hospital. He is the beloved husband of Dixie F. (Fairchild) Williams, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Jack was born in Middle Granville, N.Y., the son of the late Richard and Edith Williams. He graduated from Chester High School in 1953 and was employed by Sun Olin Refinery in Marcus Hook and then with Chubb Insurance Company as a licensed Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector. He also served as a township supervisor in West Brandywine Township, and later on the Zoning Hearing Board with New London Township. Following his retirement he kept busy with a part-time family business, WRC, and tending to fences and mowing on his 10-acre gentleman’s farm. But he always found time to help out when anyone he knew could use a hand. Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 and trained at Ft. Dix, N.J. before an assignment to the demilitarized zone in Germany. Upon his return, he transferred and served in the Naval Reserves at Willow Grove Air Station until he was honorably discharged. He joined the Masonic Lodge and developed many lifelong friendships with his brothers in Concordville, New London and Oxford. He was past Master at New London, received his 50-year pin and continued supporting the lodge until the time of his death. In addition to his wife Dixie, he is survived by his son Daniel, daughter-in-law Jean and their daughters Kelsey and Olivia. Jack is also survived by his sisters Elda Harris, Norma Verdenski and Linda Gibson as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jack enjoyed throwing darts, a good game of horseshoes and hunting with his bird dogs in his earlier years. Most recently he liked to travel and even visited distant family in Wales, and enjoyed planes, trains, horseback and boat trips around different parts of Alaska, where many great memories were made. There was also an infamous family trip around the Grand Canyon, and Jack led everyone in several western songs. He also ventured west several times to Arizona, some of those trips in an RV before realizing just how “fun” a cross country drive of 2,300 miles can be. Services were held on April 2 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Additional Obituaries on Page 3B

JANE MARIE KELLY Jane Marie Kelly, of Mendenhall, Pa., passed away on March 27. She was 96. She was the loving wife of the late Francis E. Kelly, Sr., with whom she shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, Jane was the daughter of the late Albert and Bridget McLaverty. Jane attended Our Lady of Angels College on a scholarship and graduated with honors with a degree in English. She was inducted into the “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.” Jane retired from the Human Resources Department of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware as a department manager. Before moving to Media, Pa. later in life, Jane was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. Jane loved opera and classical music and was an avid reader. She was the loving mother of three sons and one daughter, Francis E. Kelly, Jr. and wife, Holly, of Ottsville, Pa., Albert R. Kelly, Sr. and wife, Marjorie, of Wilmington, Del., Owen J. Kelly and wife, Sloane, of West Chester, Pa. and Deirdre J. Doyle and husband, Joseph E. Doyle III of Chadds Ford. Jane was also an incredible grandmother and loved spending time with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sisters, Catherine McKnight and Lucy Rothfuss; as well as two brothers, Albert McLaverty and Bernard McLaverty, M.D. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on April 1 at St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, Pa. Contributions in Jane’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market St, Suite 2820, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 or to the Special Olympics, ATTN: Gifts, 1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036‐3604. Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

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

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Chester County Press

Local News Six local students win Good Citizens Awards The Chester County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (CCDAR) recently announced the winners of the 2021 Good Citizens Awards. Each year, the CCDAR presents the DAR Good Citizens Award to local high school seniors who possess the qualities of dependability, service, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. This year, six students received

the award. The recipients are Monica Dolan from Henderson High School, Seneca McCaw from Octorara Junior/Senior High School, Jordan Kane from Oxford Area High School, Jillian Evans from Coatesville Area Senior High School, Hailey Hurlebaus from Unionville High School, and Julia Vito from Bishop Shanahan High School. During the March 7 CCDAR meeting, three of the winners read their good citizen essay and were given a certificate, pin and monetary award by Dawn

Coughlan, CCDAR Regent, and Erin DeWolf, Chair, Good Citizens Awards. State Sen. John Kane and Michael Hartman, representing State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, presented the students with a certificate on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Senate. The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), headquartered in Washington D.C., is a nonprofit, non-political service organization that honors both men and women whose sacrifices made our country free. Members are

direct descendants of a Patriot who furthered the cause for American independence. They may have fought, swore an oath to the new nation or provided supplies/financial support. The organization promotes patriotism, education and historic preservation within our communities. The Chester County Chapter (founded 1894) supports the Coatesville Veterans Hospital, honors American heroes at the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery, sponsors annual

Courtesy photo

Pictured during the March 7 meeting of the Chester County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are Dawn Coughlan, Jillian Evans, Monica Dolan, Seneca McCaw and Erin DeWolf.

programs in historical essay school students. writing and good citizenVisit www.dar.org to learn ship for Chester County more about the Daughters of middle school and high the American Revolution.

Griffith appointed Chester County Sustainability Director She will collaborate with local leaders to meet the County’s Climate Action Plan goals Chester County has a new person at the helm of managing the county’s Climate Action Plan as Rachael Griffith has been appointed as the new Chester County Sustainability Director. She moves up from her role as Senior Trails and Open Space Planner at the Chester County Planning Commission. In her new post, Griffith will assist county departments, municipalities, and other stakeholders to meet the County’s goals for sustainability, clean energy, greenhouse gas reduction, resource protection, and public outreach and

communications. Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz said Griffith has distinguished herself in her five-plus years of service to the Chester County. “Improving our climate is a priority item for us, and although it is an existential global issue, we must make every effort to contribute to decreasing our local dependency on fossil fuels,” Moskowitz said. “Rachael is the ideal person to help lead our efforts. She has devoted her career to endeavors that build productive interactions between people, the

environment, and economic systems - the three tenets of sustainability.” Griffith began her career as a landscape architect before moving to the LandHealth Institute in Philadelphia as Community Projects and Programs Manager. She joined the Chester County Planning Commission in December 2016. Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, who has championed the climate issue, welcomed Griffith to the position. Living in a section of the county prone to flooding, Maxwell said he sees the effects of climate

change up close. “Flooding in our county will only continue to worsen if climate conditions are not reversed,” he said. “Severe flooding puts people’s properties and lives at risk. We need to take these critical steps to make sure that future generations don’t have to go through the same climate emergencies at the frequency that we do today. I know Rachael feels similar urgency and am pleased that she is taking on this leadership role.” Aside from the positions she has held, Griffith has been highly active in the community. She serves in

a volunteer capacity for the Urban Land Institute, East Vincent Township Planning Commission, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Natural Lands, and the Phoenixville Area Time Bank. “Rachael’s community involvement speaks to the commitment she brings to Chester County and the environment,” said Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline. “A key responsibility of this position involves constantly meeting with people to help guide their efforts, as well as building consensus. We have every confidence

Courtesy photo

Newly appointed Chester County Sustainability Director Rachael Griffith.

based on her history, that Rachael will be successful in those efforts.” Griffith earned her undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from Temple University, and a master’s in public administration and certificate in public finance from the University of Pennsylvania.