Chester County Press 04-12-2023 Edition

Lack of digital equity continues to affect several sectors of southern Chester County

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

In early 2021, as southern Chester County entered its second year of a worldwide pandemic that had impacted schools, businesses and homes, a group of 50 area citizens first met to address and advocate for the improving and providing digital access throughout the region, particularly

in more vulnerable areas where access to technology is scarce. From that meeting, the Southern Chester Digital Equity Coalition was formed, and one of its key members – former Kennett Township supervisor Whitney Hoffman -- told the township’s supervisors at their April 5 meeting that while digital infrastructure in the region is one of the

strongest in the commonwealth, there remains a long way to go before complete equity is reached.

“We have some places [in the township] that don’t have good wired access to houses, and then we all found out during the pandemic when kids were issued Wi-Fi hot points to get on the internet for their virtual classes, that you couldn’t get good cellular

access everywhere in the township,” Hoffman said at the start of her presentation. “It’s a real problem.”

While internet access to the government and informational services, healthcare, e-commerce and education are all vital, having connectivity to emergency management and safety agencies during a crisis is absolutely crucial, and not everyone in the

township has that capability, Hoffman said.

“What happens in Kennett Township all the time is that during a storm, we all lose power and if you don’t have power and cell phone coverage and someone has a heart attack in a house, that’s a real problem,” she said. “Getting hold of emergency services involves having really good connections. Dropped calls can not

only be inconvenient, they can cost lives.”

The problems on the road to achieving digital equity in southern Chester County are not unlike what is happening in other regions of Pennsylvania, said Hoffman, who listed the lack of reliable access, outdated cable infrastructure and the area’s rural topography as major factors.

Continued on page 2A

Kennett Square Borough Police Department shares

By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer

A presentation by the Kennett Square Borough Police Department about plans for the new station that will occupy the first floor of the borough building highlighted a council meeting last week.

Kennett Square Borough Council also addressed a variety of ongoing issues and future projects during the meetings that took place on April 3 and 5, including the sewer contracts with Kennett Township, the controversy surrounding the Kennett Y’s decision to close the outdoor pool to members and community during the summer,

plans for new police station

It will occupy the first floor of the borough building and proclamations declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and 811 Safe Digging Month.

The first floor of the borough building located at 600 S. Broad Street will be dedicated to the new police station, allowing for a more secure and visitor-friendly experience.

The current building, located at 115 N. Broad Street, has served its purpose, but new challenges and requirements for accreditation have expedited the need for an upgrade that is made possible by a $2 million grant awarded to the borough by the Governor’s Office in 2022.

Continued on page 2A

$10.4 million will go to 15 projects in Chester, Berks counties

Rep. Houlahan acquires funding for community projects

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

bikes on a new sidewalk.

Thanks to Houlahan, her vision of a redefined street in West Grove is about to become a reality.

The Oakland Avenue Revitalization project is one of 15 priorities in Chester

and Berks counties that will receive a total of $10.4 million through Houlahan’s work to secure Community Project Funding through the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. The West Grove project will receive $216,656 that will be used to refurbish the deteriorating condition of the street, repair its storm water system and construct sidewalks that will improve public safety.

“The installation of new sidewalks on Oakland Avenue will instantly increase connectivity for residents as soon as they come around

Continued on page 3A

Penn Township supervisors discuss speeding issues, Red Rose Inn visitors and a responsible contracting ordinance

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry

Contributing Writer

There will be a dedication of the new Avon Grove High School on April 13, but the Penn Township Board of Supervisors said at a recent meeting that there are still items to complete on the project.

“I’m very surprised at a lot of things I think should be done that are not,” supervisor William O’Connell said.

O’Connell reported that he does not believe that all of the curbs have the required 6” reveal. He also does not think that the wastewater pump station has a large enough discharge pipe. This

can lead to clogging.

At the time of the board meeting, landscaping work at the high school was underway but not yet complete.

The board also heard complaints about speeding on Waltman Way. Because this is a private road owned by the school district, the township has no jurisdiction in the

matter. To date, speed limit signs have not been installed. “It’s private property. We don’t have any control of it. It’s the school district,” O’Connell said.

To help with speeding issues, the township has erected electronic speed signs on three township roads – Jenners Pond Road, West

Ewing Road and Pennocks Bridge Road. The signs not only let drivers know their speed, but they also collect data which is then reported to the State Police each Monday.

Of the three current locations, there does not appear to be much speeding on

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

of

casting their lines at a small pond located in the

Photo by HaLeigh Abbott

The Kennett Square Borough Police Department recently shared plans for the new station that will occupy the first floor of the borough building at 600 S. Broad Street.

Digital equity...

Continued from Page

Pointing to an overhead map image of southern Chester County that indicated several zones that are practically devoid of internet coverage, Hoffman said that the lack of digital equity is not keeping up with the increasing reliance on internet technology. According to Forbes’ 2022 analysis of 41 million homes in the U.S., the average home now has nearly 22 connected devices, while Europeans have an average of 17.4 devices and Japan has only 10.3 devices. Right now, she said that 26 million U.S. employees are working remotely, a figure that is expected to grow to 36.2 million by 2025. Hope in the way of state funding has begun to fully address the problem of digital equity. On April 5, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Carson announced the approval of grant guidelines for the Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program, which will provide $200 million in funding to businesses, non-profits, local government and economic development agencies.

The Authority expects to award grants prior to the end of the year.

On the federal level, the Digital Equity Act and the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion – that ensure Americans have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.

“With all of this money coming down from the Feds, we have a unique opportunity to really solve some of these problems in a bigger way, but I think it’s going to take somebody bigger than just Kennett Township to do that,” Hoffman said. She called for the township to advocate for the establishment of an office of digital equity in Chester County that would help manage internet service providers and coordinate grant programs. If there is a silver lining in the cloud that continues to restrict digital access in Chester County, it is that the county is way ahead of other counties in the commonwealth.

“It’s important to note that we are really different than

the rest of Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Christina Sappey, who visited the meeting. “I can’t underscore it enough that even though we are trying to serve people that don’t have access right now, we still have far more resources and connectivity than a lot of the rest of the commonwealth.”

Other township business

The supervisors authorized the township to re-submit an application for a 202327 Kennett Woodlands and Trails Acquisition Grant in the amount of $300,000 to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. If given, the grant will be directed toward the purchase of 22 acres of open space in the township, and account for one-third of the total acquisition price of the property, which is valued at $942,195.

Police station...

Continued from Page 1A

A brand new lobby will separate the general public from the back office, allowing residents to pay their bills or report issues in a more private setting. Multiple interview rooms, holding areas, filing rooms and an annex will be created to meet the requirements for Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation.

The upgrades and accreditation will help the agency reduce the risk and exposures to lawsuits, and decrease liability to insurance expenditures. The new location is adjacent to Kennett High School

Rep. Sappey shared her work with several commissions in her role as the representative for the 158th district in Harrisburg. They include the Veterans Emergency Preparedness Committee, the Local Government Committee, the Local Government Commission, the Recreational Economic Development Tourism Committee and a committee on agriculture. She encouraged the township to partner with her on grant funding opportunities and infrastructure issues.

“I feel very strongly about using my role to connect people to their local government and the state government whenever that is appropriate, to solve problems that impact us all,” she said. “We are going through a lot of growth here in Chester County and southeastern Pennsylvania so we

and in close access to the main thoroughfares of the borough. Plans to create a gated, secure entrance for officers transporting suspects and detainees are also being discussed, separating the general public side of the building from the enforcement side.

Council President Doug Doerfler provided an update that there is a meeting scheduled with the Kennett Y to discuss the closure of the outdoor pool to the public.

As reported in the Chester County Press on April 5, the Kennett Y has decided to only allow swimming teams and summer camps to use the pool, citing three reasons—frequent flooding

want to make sure that we want to get it right. We owe that to our constituents.”

Rep. Sappey also encouraged township residents to attend a family-based stream walk event in partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The event will

from the Red Clay Creek, lifeguard understaffing and declining membership—for this decision.

Borough Council approved a Shared Cost Agreement for a third-party engineering firm, Carroll Engineering, to act as the arbitrator of each municipality’s findings while preparing an Act 537 Plan for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP requires a joint 537 plan, which addresses current and anticipated sewage disposal needs and possible problems by proper planning, permitting and design of sewage facilities. Both municipalities have their own engineer-

introduce families to the importance of maintaining stream ecosystems. To learn more about the walk, email RepSappey@pahouse. net or call her office at 484-200-8264.

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

ing professionals analyzing their needs and will utilize Carroll Engineering as an unbiased third-party on opposing findings. Borough Council approved the proposal to split the cost for Carroll Engineering with Kennett Township.

April has been declared as Sexual Assault Awareness Month by Doerfler.

Christine Zaccarelli, CEO of the Crime Victims Center of Chester County was present to share information about the organization. The Crime Victims Center of Chester County is celebrating its 50th year of work this year. The organization helps sexual assault victims in Chester County by making sure they understand their rights and by advocating, when necessary, to ensure that these rights are met. The Crime Victims Center of Chester County runs a 24/7 hotline to report sexual crimes committed in Chester County, or to a Chester County resident, at 610-692-7273. Find out more at www.cvcofcc.org.

With spring yard work in full swing, Pennsylvania recognizes April as 811 Safe Digging Month, reminding all residents to call 811 before digging. Additional information is also available by visiting the website at call811. com. Prior to digging, it is important to allow for the proper utility companies to review underground utilities. Disturbing utilities is not only dangerous, it can cause mass disruption for nearby residents at cost to the responsible party.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Former Kennett Township supervisor Whitney Hoffman gave a presentation that updated the status of digital equity in southern Chester County at the township’s Board of Supervisors meeting on April 5.

Community project funding...

Continued from Page 1A

the corner,” said West Grove Borough Manager Gregory McCummings. “This is really going to step up our sidewalk system and provide a more functional method of getting residents to businesses and parks in the borough.”

The grant will serve to pay for what will be the second leg of the street’s revitalization. The borough received a grant from the county that recently completed the installation of sidewalks on both sides of Oakland Avenue from East Evergreen Street to Railroad Avenue.

Community Project Funding was also extended to the following agencies in Chester County:

Penn Township...

Continued from Page 1A

Pennocks Bridge Road, officials said. The other two locations have recorded many speed violations including drivers doing 70 mph and more on Jenners Pond Road and a high speed of 87 mph on Ewing Road.

“We are going to move signs around a little bit, but for now we are going to leave them on Jenners Pond and Ewing,” township Director of Operations Karen Versuk said.

In the Historical Committee report, Scott Steele noted that the Red Rose Inn was open to visitors for tours on April 2 with about 70 visitors over

Local News

• $1 million for the City of Coatesville to create a master plan for Ash Park, that provide demolition and site preparation for the stormwater mitigation, establish a main park entrance, create open paved event space, renovate public bathrooms, relocate the playground area and install a new splash pad, build a pavilion structure with cooling station, add various seating types and new landscaping including trees and meadow grasses that provide stormwater management and reduced maintenance of sloped areas;

• $750,000 for the Kennett Library & Resource Center that will provide the new library with appropriate furnishings, fixtures, as well as new computers and associated equipment;

the three-hour period.

“People are very appreciative of the investment the township has made, preserving the historic structure,” Steele said.

Supervisor Jay Ennis reported that he is hoping to get quotes for replacing the gable ends of the front porch on the Red Rose Inn.

Versuk reported that an archeological review of phase 3 at the township sports park has been resolved.

Versuk explained that although the site had been archaeologically cleared by the state, the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma made a request to the National Park Service for a study to see if there were any bones or funerary objects on the site. The township com-

• $715,770 for West Chester University that will establish a comprehensive outreach, research and mentorship program that will guide students from elementary school to a degree in STEM;

• $605,000 for LCH Behavioral/Mental Health Support that will support the formation of a partnership between the Oxford Borough, the Oxford Borough Police Department and LCH Health and Community Services, and provide funding for harm reduction strategies including medically assisted treatment, group and individual psychotherapy, pharmaceutical management and access to existing programs;

• $325,000 for the Chester

plied by authorizing a study that dug 56 holes on the property at a cost of $21,000. The only items found were a few shards of pottery.

At the close of the meeting, under public comment, Lou Stevens from Chester County Building Trades ad the AFL-CIO gave the supervisors information on the potential benefits to the township by adopting a responsible contracting ordinance. Under this ordinance the township would not be forced to accept the lowest bid on a project if that bidder did not meet standards. Stevens reported that seven municipalities in the county have already adopted similar ordinances.

County District Attorney’s Office that will allow the department to purchase a Rapid DNA instrument, scientific and technology support services and supplies to help bolster law enforcement efficiency and improve community outcomes. This technology will enable law enforcement officers the ability to obtain DNA results in 90 minutes, helping to solve crimes and potentially exonerate those who may have been falsely accused of a crime;

• $200,000 for the United Way of Chester County that will create a stateof-the-art collaborative center designed to jumpstart innovative approaches and solutions to community problems and drive economic development; and

• $100,000 for The Garage Community & Youth Center’s After School Youth Development Program.

“Here in southeastern Pennsylvania, we are known for our service to others and community engagement— and these 15 projects are a reflection of those guiding principles,” said Rep. Houlahan. “From workforce development and housing assistance to violence reduction and support for first responders, I’m extremely proud to advance funding for these projects. They are all force multipliers that will assist and uplift our community, while growing our economy.

“These projects are as diverse as our district, and together they represent a major investment in our future. Chester and Berks Counties continue to attract

families and businesses from across the country and world, and this support will help ensure our community is strong for generations to come.”

The following Berks County agencies are also the recipients of grants through the Community Funding Project:

• Alvernia University Reading CollegeTowne Health Science Expansion ($2 million);

• Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation ($1.9 million);

• Centro Hispano Daniel Torres Inc - Reading

Community Health Hub Project ($635,713);

• Keystone Valley Fire Department ($29,385);

• LGBT Center of Greater Reading - Violence Reduction Project ($113,520);

• Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) ($1.05 million);

• Reading Housing Authority – Oakbrook Homes Center for Community Services ($750,000).

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

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan stands with West Grove Borough Manager Gregory McCummings and interim Police Chief Joseph Greenwalt and Sergeant Ryan Kushner of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department at Oakland Avenue in West Grove. Through Houlahan’s work to secure Community Project Funding, the street will receive extensive repairs and the installation of sidewalks.

Calvert Grange celebrates 70 years as a community resource and event venue

By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Much of the rich farmland that existed in the Pennsylvania and Maryland area may have been swallowed up by developments, but advocates such as the farm grange still exist to protect those few farms that provide us with their bounty.

The original farm grange was founded in 1867 and continues today as a “nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal organization that advocates for rural America and agriculture.” They were organized after the Civil War to reunite the north and south, and to rehabilitate farms destroyed in that war.

Calvert Grange #424, a mere stone’s throw away from southern Chester County, was founded in 1953 in Calvert, Md. which borders on the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware. It is the only Grange in Cecil County.

The charter members of Calvert Grange are Walton and Mildred Mason, Grove and Arlene Miller, Roby and Fanny Wagner, William and Lillian England, Florence Brown, and Lorraine Price.

At its inception, the Grange met at the Calvert Elementary School, then relocated to the Rosebank Church. In 1964 they built the Grange building at 2357 Telegraph Road, Rising Sun, Md.

Original charter member Grove Miller is now 95. Eleanor Cline, current president of the organization has been a member for 64 years. Cline and other grange members still advocate for the farmer and still preserve this valuable asset in Cecil County.

Farming families are very familiar with granges. Most farm children spent their free time at granges participating in family events, 4H activities, or gaining valuable knowledge about farming.

The Grange has continuously fought for the

Avon Grove High School presents musical Chicago on

April 20, 21, and 22

rights of farmers and rural Americans everywhere, taking hometown words and policies to the steps of Congress year after year. If not for the granges, farmers would have had to struggle even more to get fair prices for crops, milk, livestock and other agricultural products.

Although farming and agriculture has changed tremendously in recent years, granges continue to be a vital part of the entire community. It is impressive to see how active this particular grange continues to be and how it still serves the people of Cecil County.

Elinor Cline said, “The grange continues to welcome new members and continues to maintain their building, which includes a new HVAC system. We have plans for more improvements in this building which serves people from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“Upkeep isn’t cheap but we feel we provide a great venue for meetings, for family functions, plus yard sales and craft shows.”

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to hold your next business meeting or party, Calvert Grange has the space. They rent the facility for a variety of events: training sessions, board meetings, family holiday dinners, weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, reunions, receptions, live music performances, fundraisers, auctions, yard sales, church services, graduation parties, craft sales, and more. Rental includes the use of the hall, kitchen and grounds outside.

The Grange still provides education to farmers and to students who have the dream of owning a farm someday. They are also a valuable asset to the increasing number of people seeking knowledge on gardening, caring for their yard, or those interested in the environment.

And, lest you think there is less interest in farming, you must not be watching popular cooking shows.

Local restaurants have become more interested than ever with the concept of farm-to-table and could learn much about that process at this local grange.

There is also a growing interest in eggs. Chefs have been flocking to local producers of exotic eggs. There is a growing market in producing eggs that snatch a hefty price. Rare chickens, duck, goose, emu and ostrich eggs are used in many exclusive restaurants.

This particular Grange has become a haven for crafters and artists from three states looking for a venue to sell their handmade items. Vendors also sell fresh plants and flowers grown on their farms. And others fashion wreaths or other decorations with those farm-grown products.

One thing that brings crafters to this grange is being able to buy beautiful yarns or felting wool that come directly from local sheep, llamas, and alpacas.

If this hasn’t piqued your interest, consider the popular events the grange holds each year: The Calvert Grange will be selling food and beverages inside during the event.

The yard sale schedule for 2023, with the hours set at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will take place inside and outside on the following dates:

• April 29

• May 27

• June 24

• August 19 (Back to school)

The craft show schedule for 2023, with the hours set at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will take place inside and outside on the following dates:

• Oct 7

• Nov 4

• Dec 2

For more information about joining the grange, reserving the venue or signing up for events, go to calvertgrange.org.

“We are always looking for new members,” Cline said. “The grange is a great family experience and resource.”

Avon Grove High School will present the teen edition of the musical Chicago as the first spring musical in the brand-new auditorium on April 20, 21, and 22.

Set in the windy city during the roaring 20s, Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses who are locked up together in Cook County Jail.

Nightclub star Velma is serving time for killing her husband and sister after finding the two cheating together.

Chorus girl and aspiring dancer Roxie finds herself in jail for shooting her lover. She meets, and is inspired by famous dancer Velma, who enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton and well “respected” lawyer Billy Flynn.

They turn Velma’s incarceration into a murder-of-the-week media frenzy, preparing the world for a splashy showbiz comeback. Roxie’s

loving and loyal husband Amos works with Flynn to try to free Roxie by telling lies and manipulating the press. And Roxie’s got some of her own tricks up her sleeve.

Avon Grove students who are part of the cast, crew, and live pit orchestra have been working hard in preparation for a performance that will include their renditions of one show-stopping number after another—“All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango”

and “When You’re Good to Mama.”

Opening night is Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m. There will be a show on Friday, April 21, also at 7 p.m. and then two shows—a matinee at 2 p.m. and the final performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or check only.

The Friends of Chester County Library Book Sale takes place April 14 to 16

The Friends of Chester County Library Spring Book Sale will be held on April 14-16. A variety of books, music and movie CDs and DVDs will be sold at bargain prices. A huge selection of children’s books will be available in a separate room.

The schedule for the book sale will be:

Friday, April 14, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: The sale starts for members of the Friends of the Chester County Library only. Memberships can be purchased on Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. at the membership table or in advance by mailing in the membership form available at the library or on our website.

Saturday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The sale will be open to the public.

Sunday, April 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: During “Bag

Courtesy photo

The Friends of Chester County Library Spring Book Sale is scheduled for April 14 to 16.

Sale Day,” the Friends of Chester County Library will supply the bag, and customers can fill it and pay $10 (only $7 per bag with a Friends membership). For less than a whole bag, the books will be sold at half-price.

Cash, checks, or PayPal will be accepted. All proceeds from the book sale benefit the Chester County Library.

The fall book sale dates

this year are Oct. 6 to 8. The mission of the Chester County and Henrietta Hankin Branch Libraries is to provide informational, educational, and cultural services to the residents of Chester County so that they may be lifelong learners. Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, Pa. For hours or more information, visit the website at https://chescolibraries.org.

The new Kennett Y pool policy must be revisited

By Chris Barber

Contributing Writer

It’s not likely the Kennett Area Y made any friends by announcing the closing of its outdoor pool to everyone except its swim team members and enrolled campers.

Kennett Y Executive Director Nic Legere confirmed the move in a March 22 letter to Linda Cangi, a member who had questioned what was going on. He later deferred further comments to Jenny James Lee, vice president for Marketing of YMCA of the Brandywine Valley, who explained the reasons for the decision. They are threefold: The floodplain, the lifeguard shortage and the diminishing usage of the pool. While Lee’s explanations have some basis in fact, they nonetheless give the impression of the Y’s lack of desire to try to find solutions.

The Red Clay Creek, for example, is an arbitrary little stream that runs in the floodplain just a few feet from the pool. It’s been rolling along there for the past 50-orso years that it and the pool complex have been neighbors. Sometimes when the weather takes

a bad turn, the stream overflows its banks and even floods. When the mud gets into the pool, the Y has to close it for awhile and clean it up.

Lee said when swimmers are deprived of the use during the clean-up period, they ask for refunds for the time they had to miss, and that is troublesome.

What Lee didn’t say is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many other events and contracted affairs had to be cancelled. But, unlike the Y, the administrators of these other events and services sprang into action and figured out how to fix the problems.

Take the Kennett Symphony for example, which sells tickets ahead of time and had to cancel in 2020. They gave the ticket-holders options: Use the credits toward future concerts, take a refund or consider the payment a contribution to the orchestra.

Hank’s Place in Chadds Ford was destroyed by a flood. Its owner wowed to come back and is in the process of rebuilding even stronger.

Churches held services with spaced seating outside and received enthusiastic responses. Restaurants found ways to offer dining in outdoor spaces.

Brandywine Red Clay

Alliance Executive Director Jim Jordan, who knows a lot about the creek, said the last time the Red Clay had an incident was 2021, and it was a “bank overflow, not a flood . . . It was minor.” He called the floods “infrequent.”

The decline in the number of available lifeguards and pool attendants reflects a related crisis faced by businesses all over the world when COVID-19 arrived. People couldn’t go to work.

It was a challenge not only for the Y, but for restaurants, hospitals, stores and school districts.

And yet, the schools kept picking up kids, restaurants kept serving dinner and people even kept taking vacations. That’s because the owners and operators got creative and offered bonuses, crisis training and alternative protocols for employees.

In order to keep the lifeguards overseeing the water, did the Y dig in their heels and set their sights on rounding up candidates very early in the game—perhaps the preceding autumn? If not, it would have been wise to do so.

One observer noted that the other private pools in the Kennett area like Greenwood and the country club did not shut down for lack of guards,

and neither did the New Jersey beaches. It appears the other Y pools that the Kennett Y directed its members to use instead of the pool in Kennett—including West Chester, Upper Main Line, Jennersville and Brandywine— didn’t either. Did Kennett offer sign-up bonuses and other methods of attracting staff?

Lee’s third reason for the shutdown is puzzling. She writes that even before COVID-19 the numbers enrolled in pool membership were going down. And yet, in a town where attendance at brew fests, parades, on-the-street dining, Mushroom Festival and other events is growing, it is doubtful that on hot summer days these people have chosen to stay away from the only pool that is affordable and conveniently located in the middle of town.

Few observers can honestly say the number of people who like to go swimming and be with their friends outside in hot weather has declined.

Is there a marketing problem? This Y certainly has the space for people of all ages to come, cool off, schmooze around with friends and bring their kids. Generally, people respond positively when something they like is going on, especially if it is nearby and

Commentary

affordable. If these decreasing numbers bear out, what is the problem?

Some other pools do things that attract clients. How about special events like –as community activist Nick Perigo suggested – some “Hawaiian Nights?” How about the last day before closing a Bring-Your-DogTo-Swim Day? How about guest band music or celebrity visit nights?

Y member Mike Cangi, a Kennett Square resident and father of three young children, is so concerned that he offered to organize help: finding guards, cleanup crews, financial support, anything that would aid the reopening without any obligation from the Y. His offer was refused. He has since organized a petition urging the reversal of the current policy.

The Y is a national non-profit with a serious mission: “The Y is committed to partnering with young people to create stronger communities and a more equitable society for all of us. We envision a future in which all people – no matter who they are or where they come from – get the support they need, when they need it, to reach their full potential.”

In a statement on “Community Needs” it says this: “We work with the

communities we serve to provide solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs.”

In this regard, it has fallen short, because this community has a large population of moderate- and lower-income residents – who, incidentally, the town has built its prosperity upon. Many of the adults like to go swimming in the summer and see the pool as a healthy and needed resource for their children.

In towns that have faced much more dire challenges than a creek overflowing its banks, its residents appear on newscasts with their surviving pets under one arm and their remaining belongings in the other hand.

Days after the floods, fires and tornadoes, they say, “We are down, but we will return.”

The Y must show its grit and creativity. It must go beyond suggesting that its members find swimming pools elsewhere. When the Y stands and faces its neighbors, tells them it loves them and says, “We have obstacles, but we shall overcome,” it will be admired and responded to.

This new policy must be revisited.

Keeping our children safe from online predators

With the advancement of technology comes an alarming rise of child abuse facilitated by predators on the internet. To keep our children safe, we must be vigilant about these advances, engage in open dialogues with our kids about these threats, and monitor who they are communicating with online.

In the United States, 3.6 million child abuse allegations were filed in 2022. Unfortunately, online predators have become one of the most dangerous threats to our children over the past several years. According to statistics by the FBI, over 500,000 online predators jeopardize the safety of our children daily.

New waves of technology establish a hard truth: child abuse is not solely restricted to physical contact, but also includes noncontact abuse such as exploitation, voyeurism, and child pornography. At the heart of each of these disturbing cases, however, lies a real victim whose life has been irrevocably altered.

Social media, gaming, and online dating sites are rife with opportunities for predators to prey on children. Online grooming has become increasingly popular, where offenders manipulate children by lying about their identity and engaging in rapport building through

alleged shared interests, compliments, and even by liking someone’s social media posts. This can lead to an exchange of sexual conversations and explicit images that are further fueled by incentives like gift cards, alcohol, or drugs.

Although it is still difficult to comprehend all the long-term impacts of COVID-19, we have seen the number of online solicitations increase by 106 percent in 2020 as reported by the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In 2019, there were 19,174 online enticement reports and almost double the numbers in 2020 with a total of 37,872 reports.

The good news is that in Chester County, since 2019, we have seen a slight decrease by almost 3 percent in the number of child abuse allegations we received over the past four years. That decrease may be attributed to the pandemic, prevention and education programming, and the increase in the number of child abuse detectives, prosecutors, and other support we have dedicated to address this epidemic in the past few years.

The bad news is our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is now triaging a 53 percent increase in the number of online offenses, also called “cybertips,” we have handled over the same timeframe.

which is concerning. One in 25 children who are solicited by online predators are asked to meet in person—which can lead to a sexual assault.

According to NCMEC, in 2021, there were more than 17,000 reports of child sex trafficking throughout the United States. Predators often seize upon the most vulnerable children in these cases and the trafficking occurs when a child under 18 is advertised, solicited, or exploited through a commercial sex act. This can be the exchange of money, drugs, or something else in exchange for sexual activity.

In Chester County we have investigated recent cases involving “sextortion” where a child shares an explicit image of themself believing it to be sent to a trusted peer/friend, when in fact it was a ruse. Once received the abuser is then able to blackmail, bully, harass, or demand more photos, money, or sexual contact from the victim. The dangerous online predator now possesses that indelible image that can been seen on the internet. Believing that there is no way to emerge from this humiliating encounter victims often become suicidal, depressed, anxious, and hopeless.

The ICAC Task Force is working diligently to ensure our children’s safety. To attack the surge of internet crimes we expanded the task force in 2021 to 10 investigators including police officers from Phoenixville, Oxford, East Brandywine, West Whiteland, North Coventry, Willistown, and Kennett Square. They have done outstanding work in prevention and education, investigations, and prosecutions.

Investigators and others from our office provide trainings to parents and children to educate them on everything concerning internet crimes against children and internet safety.

One of the key issues our child abuse prevention training addresses is that parents and guardians have a duty to ensure their children’s safety by monitoring what they are doing online. That means checking their child’s devices, talking about the danger of possible predators, and stressing that they should not share pictures or personal information with anyone.

We know that parents and guardians are mostly unaware of what their children do online. Most don’t want to intrude or violate their children’s privacy. In fact, the reports indicate that only 15 percent of parents really know what their children are doing online.

Statistics from the FBI show that online predators mostly target children between the ages of 12 to 15,

All of us in law enforcement and our community partners will continue to fight for justice for all victims of child abuse. Our efforts promote educational safety and protection of children to the fullest extent. With additional resources and quickened response times, the hope is that the number of child abuse cases will decrease exponentially, but we must all work together to attain that goal. That also means talking to your children about these concerns, engaging in open and honest dialogues about sex, our bodies, safe/unsafe touches, and letting them know that you are there to help and support them, regardless of the situation.

Over the past years, the DAO and Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. delivered a child abuse prevention training called, “Stewards of Children,” to focus on learning how to prevent child sexual abuse. Since 2018, over 5,777 people were trained in the county. We believe that has made an impact, but we must do more.

(Editor’s Note: This is a release from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office).

The PA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) provides personnel and funding for investigations related to the exploitation of children on the Internet. ICAC is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, based in Washington, D.C. In Chester County, the ICAC Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Chester County Detectives and local municipalities.

Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 if you suspect a child is being abused.

Singer-songwriter to perform acoustic show at The Kennett Flash on April 20

The boundless energy and raw enthusiasm of Jill Sobule

By Caroline Roosevelt Contributing Writer

If you told me to write a love song tonight, I’d have a lot of trouble. But if you tell me to write a love song about a girl with a red dress who goes into a bar and is on her fifth martini and is falling off her chair, that’s a lot easier, and it makes me free to say anything I want.

- Stephen Sondheim

I was concerned I would really miss out on an element of personality by interviewing Jill Sobule over the phone, but by the end of my call, her boundless energy and raw enthusiasm left me with a feeling of pure admiration and I had to shake from my voice a slight desperation to befriend her.

A singer-songwriter haling from Denver, Sobule – who will be performing an acoustic concert at The Kennett Flash on April 20 -- broke into the mainstream in 1995 with her hit “I Kissed a Girl” (not the Katy Perry song). Throughout her career, Sobule has mined her life and the memories of her tender teenage years in her live performances, and in between weaves social and political themes which create a time and place for all of her stories.

At first glance, it might seem that Sobule is just another in the parade of mid-90s female singersongwriters alongside other contemporaries like Melissa Etheridge, Shawn Colvin, Liz Phair, Lisa Loeb and Sophie B. Hawkins. What separates Sobule from the rest of the pack is her expansion into other genres, her grassroots collaboration with other artists, and her dogged dedication to social and political causes. She has served as the musician in residence at the

Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (an LGBTQA community center in Princeton, N.J.) and has performed with Jail Guitar Doors USA, an initiative advocating for change in corrective systems and providing musical instruments and mentorships to rehabilitate prisoners. In 2009, she released her album California Years entirely thanks to online donations from fans. Sobule has also hosted pop-up concerts at her childhood home in Denver and teaches a writing course online. Last fall, she debuted the critically-acclaimed ****7THGRADE, an OffBroadway musical that she wrote and performed alongside an all-female band. It is Sobule’s musical ode to a socially-oppressive year of secondary school that debuted last fall at The Wild Project in New York City, and, as she mentioned in our conversation, may pop up as part of her show at The Kennett Flash.

CR: I was looking through all of your work last week. My shameful way of knowing you is through your song “Supermodel” in the 1995 film Clueless, but it opened me up to listening to a bunch of your more recent music. It’s interesting to see how you developed as an artist.

JS: The thing is that I’ve never really tried to follow any trends. My favorite artists were artists who were developing and evolving even if there were moments that weren’t that great. I’m too ADD, so I’m always experimenting.

CR: And you collaborate with a lot of different media.

JS: In the last couple years I’ve been doing more and more with theatre. That seems to be a natural evolution because I think a lot of my songs. I’ve been

influenced by the storytellers. They’re all two minute long stories.

CR: Who would you look to as inspirational storytellers?

JS: I was lucky to have a brother who was older so I got to hear a lot of cool music. I was exposed to Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen -- people who had that kind of narrative in their lyrics.

CR: Tell me about your most recent album, Nostalgia Kills. It's political, apocalyptic, gentle, sentimental and very personal.

JS: I like to play with a lot of different timbres, and flavors, and put instruments on that you don’t think should fit but do. I like to have a lot of toys at my disposal.

CR: What is your most cherished, beloved song?

JS: From my last record (Nostalgia Kills) I really love the craft of “The Island of Lost Things.”

That would be one of songs I’m most proud of, lyrically. My prompt (for this song was) I’ll look at old books, lyrics. There were books from the 50s, 40s, and I came across “Island of Misfit Toys.” Every hotel I’ve stayed has something I’ve left. I lose things constantly. It started like that, and then it started with material things to more metaphysical and more personal. It was interesting.

CR: How would you describe your writing process?

JS: Use your anarchy, your ADD, your stream of consciousness to create a

frame around it…If I’m just writing stream of consciousness, something will come out of that when you trick yourself into writing. There’s a great Sondheim quote, I wish I could find it.

performing an acoustic solo performance at The Kennett Flash on

Kennett Collaborative announces plans for 2023 Memorial Day Parade

The Kennett Memorial Day Parade made a triumphant post-COVID return last year, and the area’s largest Memorial Day event will return this year on May 29. The parade always promises to be a fun, family-friendly and patriotic event to remember. It serves as a public tribute to honor the U.S. military personnel who died while serving with devotion, loyalty and commitment in the United States Armed Forces to protect the freedom we all enjoy together.

All organizations, groups, families, clubs, churches, companies, individuals and sponsors are invited to walk, march, ride and/or drive. To become a parade participant and/or sponsor, simply sign up on

the Kennett Memorial Day Parade website at https:// bit.ly/KennettParade.

Over a dozen marching bands and musical groups are expected to participate in a spectacular musical showcase. Notable groups invited for this year include a Mummers band, the Philadelphia Eagles Pep Band, bagpipers, fife and drum corps, bugle corps, high-school bands, dancers, classic cars, colorful floats created by various community organizations, historic military re-enactors, vintage military equipment, fire trucks and much more.

The parade is produced by an enthusiastic committee of volunteers supported by the nonprofit Kennett Collaborative organization which transitioned

the parade’s production last year under the tutelage of local businessman Bill Taylor who retired from the parade production efforts after 17 dedicated years.

Dave Haradon, who was the Parade Chair for the first time in 2022, said, “Bill Taylor and his staff at Taylor Oil were very patient with our parade production team last year and patiently trained us about all the intricacies of this great event. It’s now up to us to proudly carry on his marvelous legacy.”

Daniel Embree, Kennett Collaborative’s new executive director, said, “After moving to Kennett Square in the midst of the pandemic, last year’s Memorial Day Parade was one of my first opportunities to expe-

Throughout her career, Sobule has become known for her musical collaborations and willingness to experiment with several musical genres.

Jill Sobule will be

Thursday, April 20 beginning at 8 p.m. To learn more and obtain tickets, visit www.kennettflash.org.

Courtesy photos Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule will be performing at The Kennett Flash on April 20.

Courtesy photo

The Kennett Memorial Day Parade is always a fun, family-friendly and patriotic event to remember.

MICHAEL PHILLIP RUFF

Michael Phillip Ruff, 72, of Lincoln University, Pa., passed on March 26, 2023 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

Born on Jan. 30, 1951 in West Chester, he was the son of the late Robert “Preach” and Ruth Ruff Henderson.

Mike shared 32 years with his significant other and loving companion, Robin Annette Hudson.

Michael graduated from Avon Grove High School as a member of the class of 1970. He was employed by Lincoln University as a boiler room technician for 53 years.

Mike was an excellent cook and enjoyed fishing, boating and loved Sunday dinners. He touched many young lives through the Youth Employment Program and will

The Chester County Press publishes obituaries free of charge for funeral homes with active advertising accounts only. Others

be greatly missed.

He leaves to cherish his memory his companion, Robin Hudson; seven children, Kareem Charity, Michael A. Ruff, Jason Flagg, Patrick Trammel, Dante Tyman, Andru Hudson and Velina Stack; 14 grandchildren; and four siblings, Barbara Henderson Griffin (Keith), Chery Henderson, Robert Henderson (Kim) and Clinton Henderson (Alane).

He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Marcus Ruff and Adrien Hudson; and two brothers, Richard Boddy and his twin brother, Eugene Ruff.

A home-going service was held on April 8 at the International Cultural Center at Lincoln University. Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square.

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

Obituary submissions

with a connection to southern Chester County are charged a modest fee. Obituaries appear on the Wednesday after they are received with a

Alleluia

Psalm 86:16

TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace. Weareofferingaspecialdiscountof25%offeachandeveryhelp wanted/classifiedadvertisementtoanybusinessthatadvertiseson thePRESSchurchpage.

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

Monday 5 p.m. deadline. They are also posted on www.chestercounty.com. Photos should be sent as .jpeg attachments to the obituary text. To sub-

mit an obituary to the Chester County Press or for a rate quote, email the information to editor@chestercounty.com.

RUTH CHESLOCK

Ruth W. (O’Gorman) Cheslock passed peacefully while surrounded by family at the York Hospital on March 31, 2023. She was 78. Ruth brought smiles and laughter to everyone who knew her. She was the second child of Nellie Agnes Douglas (Muddy Creek Forks, Pa.) and John Frances Rose O’Gorman (Wilmington, Del).

Ruth’s early years were spent in West Philadelphia and the Route 3 suburbs. From Archbishop Prendergast High School, Ruth broadened her horizons through Drexel University and became a medical technician. She worked in Lankenau Hospital’s lab in Darby, Pa., DuPont and then locally at Jennersville Hospital and Stroud Labs.

Ruth was “a friend of the library” and an avid reader. She belonged to two quilting groups “Quilters on the Line” and “Quilts of Valor,” and the work of those groups has raised the spirits of many.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Edward P. Cheslock. They were married on July 31, 1966 and they built a wonderful life together in New London, Pa. That’s where they raised their daughter Rachel (Shawn Carroll) and practiced falconry. When Rachel was older, Ruth became a PIAA official in her favorite sport—swimming.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by her grandchildren, Shawn Carroll and Mary R. Carroll, a sister, Helen A. Tetrault of Ormond Beach, Fla., and a brother, John R. O’Gorman of Freeport, Long Island, N.Y. She is also survived by one niece, Eleda M. Moss, of Roswell, GA, a nephew (and Ruth’s Godson), Albert R. Tetrault (Rob) of Canton, GA, many cousins, river friends, “Drexel Buddies,” and her heartbroken dog “Pepper.”

Funeral services were held on April 8 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr., Funeral Home, Inc. 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.

The Delaware tradition of Point-to-Point returns for its 45th year

An antique carriage parade, a Rolls-Royce display, a tailgate competition judged by a Food Network star, pony races, and a thrilling steeplechase await visitors at the 45th annual Point-to-Point at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library on May

7.

This year’s judge is celebrity pastry chef Dru Tevis, winner of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship in 2022 for Season 9. He has been the corporate pastry chef for SoDel Concepts since 2018. A resident of Lewes, Tevis received a grand diploma in professional pastry arts and graduated class valedictorian from the International Culinary Center in New York City.

“As a Delawarean, it thrills me to take part in an iconic Delaware institution such as Point-to-Point,” Tevis said.

Point-to-Point is a festive day of pageantry, fun for the entire family, and thrilling horse-racing action, with purses totaling $60,000.

The full schedule of events includes the beloved Parade of River Hills Foxhounds, the Keystone Region RollsRoyce Owners’ Club Antique Auto Display, and

the spectacular George A. “Frolic” Weymouth Antique Carriage Parade. Contests include the always-fashionable Best Dressed Head to Toe and tailgate-party judging, online fantasy-stable betting through StableDuel, and children’s stick-pony races. The Marketplace offers shopping, with wares offered by local merchants, and attendees can enjoy special activities, crafts, and contests provided by community organizations at the Winterthur Hunt.

As usual, the “mane” attraction will be the finest riders and horses on the National Steeplechase Association race circuit, which provide unparalleled equestrian excitement.

“Point-to-Point is a Delaware tradition like no other,” said Race Director Jill Abbott of Winterthur. Tailgate parking spaces and guest wristbands can be purchased by visiting www.Winterthur.org/PTP.

Advance sales only. All parking and admission must be purchased

by Saturday, May 6. No will call. No wristbands or tailgate credentials will be mailed after April 28. Event is rain or shine. No refunds.

Proceeds from this year’s Point-to-Point support key environmental and landscape stewardship initiatives such as Winterthur’s Natural Lands program managing woodland, meadow, and wetland habitats throughout the estate; preservation of the Winterthur Garden; and initiatives to invite

include

&

members and visitors to enjoy almost 1,000 acres of conserved land.

Sponsors for the 2023 Point-to-Point event

This year’s judge is celebrity pastry chef Dru Tevis, winner of Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship for Season 9 in 2022.

Courtesy photos

“Point-to-Point is a Delaware tradition like no other,” said Race Director Jill Abbott of Winterthur.

Draper

Kramer Mortgage Corp., Bluecoast Seafood Grill & Raw Bar, Woodford Reserve, and Constellation.

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Denis Vincent Brenan, Deceased. Late of Berwyn, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Clarence Kane Brenan and Clare Erin Friday, Executors, c/o John W. Richey, Esq., The Tannenbaum Law Group, 600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. 3p-29-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Holly J. Gilbert, Deceased. Late of Malvern, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Ramona Negron, Executrix, c/o David W. Crosson, Esq., Crosson Richetti & Daigle, LLC, 609 W. Hamilton St., Suite 210, Allentown, PA 18101. 3p-29-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE: The London Grove

Township Zoning Hearing Board will conduct a public hearing on, Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., in the London Grove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA for the following purpose: 574 E. State Road- To hear the appeal of Robert Ricci for a Special Exception from Part 23, sections 27-2301, 272304.1, 27-2304.2, 27-2304.2A, 27-2304.2B, 27-2304.3, 272304.3A, 27-2304.3B, 272304.3C, 27-2304.3D, 27-2305.

Mr. Ricci is proposing improvements/addition to the existing 34’x50’ 2-story Bank Barn, is an adjacent, abutting, 30’x30’ 2-story barn addition (structure), to gain more room necessary for dry and secure storage, in keeping with the historical character of the existing 2-story bank barn, while necessarily improving the structural integrity and support of the existing Barn’s southeastern corner and existing southern-facing stone wall- which together form the stone structure of the existing Bank Barn’s southern-facing wall-while removing the existing failed stone retaining wall immediately adjacent the southeast corner of the existing Barn; providing greater structural integrity and support to the southern facing structural stone wall by way of the below-grade and above-grade proposed adjoining and abutting 2-story barn addition, and the necessary lateral structural reinforcement(s) provided by the same proposed

addition. This property is in the Rural Residential (RR) District. William Grandizio, Chairman, Zoning Hearing Board 4p-5-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF LAURA L. STOUT, DECEASED. Late of East Nottingham 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 TAMMY L. SCHIED, EXECUTRIX, c/o Dawn Getty Sutphin, Esq., 852 Eleventh Ave., Prospect Park, PA 19076, Or to her Attorney: DAWN GETTY SUTPHIN, 852 Eleventh Ave., Prospect Park, PA 19076 4p-5-3t

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of London Grove Township will conduct a public hearing and public meeting on April 12, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the London Grove Township Municipal Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA 19390, to consider the enactment of a proposed Ordinance with the following title:

AN ORDINANCE OF LONDON GROVE TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, REPEALING THE LONDON GROVE TOWNSHIP STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ADOPTED ON APRIL 2, 2014 AS ORDINANCE NO. 183 AND ADOPTING IN ITS PLACE THE CHESTER COUNTY WIDE ACT 167 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED FOR LONDON GROVE TOWNSHIP.

In summary, the Ordinance contains the following provisions: ARTICLE I - GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 101. Short Title, Section 102. Statement of Findings,

103. Purpose, Section

Statutory Authority, Section 105. Applicability, Section

Exemptions and Modified

Section 107. Repealer, Section 108. Severability Section 109. Compatibility with Other Ordinances or Legal Requirements, Section 110. Financial Security, Section 111. Waivers Section 112. Erroneous Permit ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS Section 201. Interpretation, Section 202. Definitions ARTICLE III - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STANDARDS Section 301. General Requirements, Section 302. Permit Requirements by Other Gov-

ernmental Entities, Section 303. Erosion and Sediment Control, Section 304. Site Design Process, Section 305. Water Quality and Runoff Volume Requirements

Section 306. Infiltration Requirements, Section 307. Stream

Channel Protection Requirements, Section 308. Stormwater Peak Rate Control Requirements, Section 309. Calculation Methodology, Section 310. Conveyance System Design Standards

Section 311. Erosion and Sediment Control Design Standards, Section 312. Other Requirements,

ARTICLE IV- STORMWATER MANAGEMENT (SWM) SITE

PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Section 401. General Requirements, Section 402. SWM Site Plan Conte, ts, Section 403. SWM Site Plan Submission, Section 404. SWM Site Plan Review, Section 405. Revision of SWM Site Plans, Section 406. Resubmission of Inconsistent or Noncompliant SWM Site Plans

ARTICLE V - PERFORMANCE AND INSPECTION OF REGULATED ACTIVITIES, AND FINAL AS-BUILT PLANS

Section 501. Performance and Inspection of Regulated Activities, Section 502. Final As-Built Plans

ARTICLE VI - FEES AND EXPENSES

Section 601. Municipality SWM Site Plan Review and Inspection Fees, Section 602. Expenses Covered by Fees

ARTICLE VII - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) RESPONSIBILITIES AND EASEMENTS

Section 701. General Requirements for Protection, Operation and Maintenance of, Stormwater BMPs and Conveyances

Section 702. Operation and Maintenance Plans., Section 703. Operation and Maintenance Agreements, Section 704. Easements and Deed Restrictions, Section 705. Other Post-construction Responsibilities, Section 706. BMP Operations and Maintenance Requirements

ARTICLE VIII - PROHIBITIONS

Section 801. Prohibited Discharges, Section 802. Prohibited Connections, Section 803. Pet Waste, Section 804. Roof Drains and Sump Pumps, Section 805. Alteration of BMPs

ARTICLE IX - ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

Section 901. Public Nuisance, Section 902. Right of Entry, Section 903. Enforcement, Section 904. Suspension and Revocation of Permits and Approvals, Section 905. Penalties, Section 906. Appeals, Section 907. Effective Date The proposed Ordinance is

available for public inspection during regular business hours at London Grove Township Municipal Building, 372 Rose Hill Road, West Grove, PA, the Chester County Law Library, West Chester, PA and the Chester County Press, 144 S. Jennersville Road, West Grove, PA, 19390. Kenneth Battin, Township Manager 4p-5-2t

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Pursuant to the requirements of section 1975 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, notice is hereby given that 1 SOURCE SAFETY AND HEALTH, INC. is currently in the process of voluntarily dissolving. Delaney & Scott, P.C., 1528 McDaniel Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 4p-12-1t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-107

Writ of Execution No. 2022-05654

DEBT $216,678.53

ALL THAT CERTAIN , MESSAGE, LOT OR PIECE OF LAND SITUATE ON, IN THE BOROUGH OF OXFORD, COUNTY OF CHESTER, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED, AS FOLLOW, TO WIT:

All that certain tract of land situate in the Borough of Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania, known as Lot 1 on the final plan of R.S. McMichael recorded in the Recorder’s Office in and for Chester County, Pennsylvania in Subdivision Plan file No. more fully bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point along Commerce Street at a corner of Lot No. 2 on said plan; Thence extending along said Street,

North 08 degrees 47 minutes 48 seconds East 62.59 feet to a point; Thence extending along other lands, South 79 degrees 30 minutes 21 seconds East 171.44 feet to a point; Thence extending South 13 degrees 14 minutes 39 seconds West 55.565 feet to a point; Thence extending along Lot No. 2 aforesaid North 81 degrees 55 minutes 44 seconds West 167.07 feet to the place of beginning.

BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO JEDEDIAH CHARLES HUF WHO ACQUIRED TITLE BY VIRTUE OF A DEED FROM BONIFACIO DAVALOS AND MARIA DAVALOS, DATED JANUARY 15, 2019, RECORDED FEBRUARY 1, 2019, AT DOCUMENT NUMBER 11650372, AND RECORDED IN BOOK 9877, PAGE 1126, OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF DEEDS, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

UPI NUMBER 6-8-98.2

PLAINTIFF: Cardinal Financial Company, Limited Partnership VS DEFENDANT: Jedediah Charles Huf

SALE ADDRESS: 267 Commerce Street, Oxford, PA 19363

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC 614-220-5611

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-110

Writ of Execution

No. 2022-03214

DEBT $243,467.14

ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of ground, SITUATE partly in the Borough of West Grove and partly in the Township of London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described in accordance with a plan known as Locust Wood Development, being a subdivision for William J. Sanft made by Henry S. Conrey, Inc., a division of Chester Valley Engineers, dated October 3, 1963 as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at a point at the Southerly edge of Chestnut Road, said point also marking the Northeasterly corner of Lot #1 on said Plan; thence along the edge of Chestnut Road, North 75 degrees 11 minutes 09 seconds East, and passing over the line dividing West Grove Borough and The Township of London Grove 120 feet to a point still on the Edge of Chestnut Road and line of land now or late of Frank M. Kirkner and Wife; thence along line of land of Kirkner South 14 degrees 05 minutes 50 seconds East 100 feet to a point; thence from said point and along line of land of Lot 5 and 6 on said Plan, South 75 degrees 11 minutes 09 seconds West 106 feet to a point, said point also marking the Southeasterly corner of Lot #1 on said Plan, thence by line of land of Lot #1 North 22 degrees 04 minutes 50 seconds West 100.60 feet to the edge of Chestnut Road, being the point and place of beginning.

Containing 11,298 Square Feet of land, be the same more or less. Being Lots 2 and 3 on said Plan.

BEING THE SAME PREMISES

AS Donald E. Mayo and E. Ruth Peirce, by Deed dated February 29, 2008, and recorded on March 21, 2008, by the Chester County Recorder of Deeds in Book 7391, at Page 912, as Instrument No. 10830499, granted and conveyed unto Donald E. Mayo and Edna Mayo, as Tenants in the Entireties.

TAX PARCEL NO. 5-5-1.5

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST I VS

DEFENDANT: DONALD E.

MAYO AND EDNA MAYO

SALE ADDRESS: 208 Chestnut Road, West Grove, PA 19390

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: HILL WALLACK LLP, 215-579-7700

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-115

Writ of Execution No. 2022-05227 DEBT $140,620.47

ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PIECE OF GROUND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, HEREDITAMENTS AND APPURTENANCES SITUATE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST MARLBOROUGH, COUNTY OF CHESTER AND COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TAX PARCEL # 61-2-78

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling & lot

PLAINTIFF: U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as trustee of the Truman 2021 SC9 Title Trust VS

DEFENDANT: F. Bruce Miller, Jr.

SALE ADDRESS: 405 Marlboro Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: RO-

MANO, GARUBO & ARGENTIERI 856-384-1515

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-137

Writ of Execution

No. 2019-03448 DEBT $368,284.40

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2018-2 VS

DEFENDANT: PERRY CAMERLENGO, JR A/K/A PERRY J. CAMERLENGO, JR. AKA

PERRY CAMERLENGO & ZAROUHI SARA CAMERLENGO

SALE ADDRESS: 1608 Cheryl Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-6271322

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-143

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

TAX PARCEL NUMBER: 3704-0115 and 37-04-0116

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential property

PLAINTIFF: LOANCARE, LLC VS DEFENDANT: JOSEPH J. ZYDINSKY; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-147

Property situate in the TOWNSHIP OF PENN, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania BLR # 58-3-33.67

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2007-4, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-4 VS DEFENDANT: KAREN L. KLEMASZEWSKI & MICHAEL P. KLEMASZEWSKI

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

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844856-6646

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-148

Writ of Execution No. 2021-07259

DEBT $257,910.24

ALL THOSE TWO (2) CERTAIN lots of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, Situate in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, being Lots 28 and 29 on the Plan of Lots of “Oxford Heights”, which plan is recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Chester County, in Plan Book 1 page 273, each of said Lots being 25 feet in width and of that width in length or depth between parallel lines a distance of 200 feet.

Being the same premises which Jayack, LLC, by Indenture dated December 28, 2016 and recorded January 4, 2017 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in the County of Chester Record Book 9468, page 2335, granted and conveyed unto W.C. Real Estate Properties, LLC, in fee.

Title to said Premises vested in Daniel William Wissman, as sole owner by Deed from WC Real Estate Properties

LLC dated July 26, 2017 and recorded July 28, 2017 in the Chester County Recorder of Deeds in Book 9587, Page 12.

UPI # 56-8-91

PLAINTIFF: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation VS DEFENDANT: Daniel William Wissman

SALE ADDRESS: 192 Limestone Road, Oxford, PA 19363

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MILSTEAD & ASSOCIATES, LLC 856-482-1400

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-4-151

Writ of Execution No. 2019-10792 DEBT $515,388.80

PROPERTY SITUATE IN NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP

A portion of the premises located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being Chester County tax parcel no. 60-719.10, which is part of a parcel of land located in both the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Delaware and which has a mailing address of 10 Ironwood Dr., Newark, DE 19711, LOCATED IN NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP, PA.; CHESTER COUNTY

TAX PARCEL NO. 60-7-19.10

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION “FANNIE MAE” VS DEFENDANT: CHARLES A. FERRIS & BRENDA B. FERRIS

SALE ADDRESS: 10 Ironwood Drive, Newark, DE 19711 located in New Garden Township, PA, A portion of a Dual-State residental property

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-6271322

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-29-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 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 22nd , 2023. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE # 23-2-48

Writ of Execution No. 2019-11251 DEBT $161,174.55

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground, situate in the Township of Kennett, County of Chester and the State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to the Record Plan of “Millbrook” made by Edward H. Richardson Associates, Inc., Consulting Engineers, Newark DE dated 8/14/1978 as follows to wit: Beginning at a point on the South Side of Millbrook Drive at a corner of Lot No. 11 on said Plan; thence extending from said beginning point along Lot No. 11, South 2 degrees 36 minutes 23 seconds West 313.76 feet to a point in line of open space; thence extending along the same North 87 degrees 23 minutes 37 seconds West 140.00 feet to a corner of Lot No. 13; thence extending along the same North 2 degrees 36 minutes 23 seconds

West, 313.76 feet to a point on the South side of Millbrook Drive aforesaid; thence extending along the same South 87 degrees 23 minutes 37 seconds East 140.00 feet to the first mention point and place of beginning. Containing 43,927 square feet of land. Being Lot No. 12 on said Plan.

Tax Parcel: 62-5-75.13

PLAINTIFF: OCEANFIRST

BANK, N.A. VS

DEFENDANT: MANGESH K. HONWAD and MOHIT HONWAD, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF NEELAMBARI M. HONWAD

SALE ADDRESS: 110 Millbrook Drive, Kennett Township (Chadds Ford), PA 19317

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: ROBERT L. SALDUTTI, ESQ. 610-

994-1137

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-29-3t

Classifieds

Miscellaneous

Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on Vet Bills? Physicians Mutual Insurance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-888-616-1622 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow. com/pasn

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer - $500 Discount + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844290-9042

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855569-3087

Dish Network: Only from Dish3 year TV Price Guarantee! 99% Signal Reliability, backed by guarantee. Includes MultiSport with NFL Redzone. Switch and Get a FREE $100 Gift Card. Call today! 1-855335-6094

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options Request a FREE Quote – Call now before the next power outage: 1-888-6054028

Become a Published Author.

We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920 Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-670-0236 or visit dorranceinfo.com/pasn

Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special offer - 5 screenings for just $149. Call 1-855-672-8674

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833-437-1428

National expert to speak in Kennett Square about community-owned grocery stores

Acclaimed national speaker and author Jon Steinman believes Kennett Square has the resources and potential to create and operate a communityowned grocery store.

Many local residents have questions about what food co-ops are, how they help the community, and why it’s important to support them. Steinman will answer these questions and more in a talk titled “Building a Better Community with a CommunityOwned Grocery Store” on Thursday, April 13, where he will make the case for a food co-op in Kennett Square as an alternative to “the corporate giant’s grocery store.”

This event, which is part of the Kennett Collaborative Speaker Series and copresented with Kennett Community Grocer, will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square on South Broad Street.

“Jon Steinman has devoted his career to promoting the notion that people from four different groups— everyone who grows, sells, buys, and eats food—is part of one ecosystem,” said Kennett Community Grocer (KCG) Board President Edie Burkey.

“That ecosystem is at its best—environmentally, economically, and for our own health—when it’s totally local.”

Many are familiar with the concept of the carbon footprint of the food we eat. The further our food has to travel, the higher the impact on the environ-

ment. Conversely, the fresher and more local food is, the higher its nutritional value—and the better it tastes. Anyone who shops the KSQ Farmers Market, for example, understands the difference between a carrot stick in a plastic bag and the real thing, fresh from the earth.

But what is less widely understood, Burkey said, is the depth and breadth of influence a communityowned grocery store can have in terms of ensuring food access and equity, being a significant engine of local revenue, supporting local agriculture, and even in making sustainable decisions about food waste. When a community understands the interconnectedness of all of these decisions, and a community-owned enterprise makes these options easily available, significant and lasting change can be achieved.

“If you have interest in the ability of the land to continue to sustain the people who live here, then you will have interest in how a food co-op can support your interest in the land, the community, and future generations,” Burkey said.

Kennett Community Grocer: Four Years On

In December 2018, the newly formed board of the Kennett Square Food Co-op (now Kennett Community Grocer) held a public meeting at The Garage Community & Youth Center to share their idea to create a member-

owned co-op grocery store in Kennett Square. The store would provide the whole community with nutritious local food, create living-wage jobs, and offer access to nutrition education. This passionate group of pioneers, led by thenpresident Britton Elwood, pointed to countless other towns—in Pennsylvania and around the world—that have come together to open community-owned stores.

In the four years since that initial meeting, a small but dedicated group of Kennett Community Grocer board members and volunteers have worked tirelessly towards making the store here a reality. Most recently, they engaged a national expert to conduct a market study. The study concluded that the Kennett area can support a community-owned store of roughly 4,000 square feet and also projected a solid sales forecast. With this confirmation, the group is shifting its focus for 2023 to locating a site, in or near the borough, for the store.

When people hear about Kennett Community Grocer, they often ask where the store is. But the model is not a top-down, corporate “build it and they will come” one. Rather, a food co-op is built by the community, for the community.

“We simply can’t do it without community support,” Burkey said. “We need to expand our membership to at least 500 before we can start to build a store.”

Burkey cited, as inspiration, the example of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The movement for a community-owned grocery store there has been on a similar trajectory and timetable to that in Kennett Square. With a burgeoning membership of over 1,300 people, Bethlehem Food Co-op has received millions in grant funding and is opening a huge “community-owned, ‘everyone welcome’ grocery store” this summer. Kennett has the potential and the resources to do something similar, Burkey says, and national expert Jon Steinman agrees.

To join Kennett Community Grocer, there is a one-time, member-owner equity payment of $300, and the impact of each member’s contribution is enormous.

A national expert sees

Kennett’s potential

Burkey has been a proponent of food co-ops, including Weavers Way in Philadelphia, since the 1970s. She’s a prolific reader and came across Steinman’s book Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-ops in the age of Grocery Giants when she first joined the Kennett Community Grocer board and started a book club at the library. She found the book so helpful and inspiring that she wrote to Steinman to ask whether he would attend one of their meetings via Zoom. He agreed. “He was so personable and down to earth,” Burkey said, “and he really understands the concept of a cooperative space.”

Steinman was also delighted to accept the invitation to come to Kennett Square to talk about the great potential he sees for Kennett Community Grocer. In addition to being an expert on the process of creating an alternative food ecosystem, some of which he shares in an online multimedia project called

Deconstructing Dinner:

Reconstructing our Food System, he is one of the leaders of the largest food cooperative in Canada, the Kootenay Co-op. There’s a more local connection, too. Some of the founders of the Kootenay Co-op, which started after the Vietnam War, Burkey said, were Pennsylvania Quakers.

Saving the land, saving ourselves

One of the frustrating and sometimes debilitating struggles for local farmers and producers, who can’t afford to pay to place their products in national chains, is retailing their products.

“Corporate grocery stores are very detrimental to local farmers,” Burkey says. Co-op grocery stores, on the other hand, contract with local vendors to buy a certain amount of product. This relationship works like a giant CSA, Burkey said. It gives local vendors more stability and gives consumers access to products that support their own health and that of the land and their community.

While supermarkets have efficiently and systematically taken wealth out of local communities, locally owned grocery stores effectively restore that vital revenue—and the atten-

dant power to make better choices for the health of the community.

Farmers markets and local food co-ops around the world are complementary and collaborative partners, Burkey said, working together to support farmers, promote equitable access to food, and build community. “As the organization that runs the weekly KSQ Farmers Market, Kennett Collaborative has been invested in supporting local agriculture and sustainable food culture for over twenty years,” said Executive Director Daniel Embree. “We hope area residents will come to the next installment in our Speaker Series to meet some of our Farmers Market growers. We’re excited to collaborate with Kennett Community Grocer to bring a leading expert to Kennett Square so that folks can learn more about our local food economy and the possibilities a food co-op could bring to our community.”

The Kennett Square community has embraced the concept of building a legacy for future generations through initiatives including support for land preservation throughout Southern Chester County and building the new Kennett Library & Resource Center.

Courtesy photo

Acclaimed national speaker and author Jon Steinman believes Kennett has the resources and potential to create and operate a community-owned grocery store.

Chester County Science Research Competition participants recognized at awards ceremony

Students in grades 6 to 12 from across Chester County recently gathered last week with their families at the Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine Campus for the Dr. Lucy Balian RorkeAdams Science Fair Awards Ceremony.

Earlier this month, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) partnered with The Parkesburg Point to host the 34th annual Chester County Science Research Competition (CCSRC). This two-day event provides students in grades 4 and 5 and 6 to 12 an opportunity to showcase their passion and talent for science.

Of the 156 projects entered in the Rorke-Adams Fair, 97 met the judges’ criteria of a “winning” project. During last week’s awards ceremony, nearly all 97 participants attended, patiently waiting to see what their hard work and

research had earned them. During the ceremony, each winner received a ribbon based on their category and project ranking. In addition to category winners, the CCIU also distributed special awards, over $700 in value. Special awards were distributed to 14 student winners. High school students who placed first, second or third in their category and middle school students who placed first or second advanced to the Delaware Valley Science Fair. Those students who will represent Chester County are:

• A Division: Devyn Stek (microbiology) - Villa Maria Academy High School

• B Division: Arjun Surjawanshi (engineering) - Unionville High School

• C Division: Remington Yang (engineering)Conestoga High School

• D Division: Milan Shah (engineering) - Conestoga High School

Courtesy photos

Atharva Singh from Great Valley Middle School was a first-place zoology winner.

• E Division: Diya Vimal Kumar (chemistry)Lionville Middle School

Atharva Singh, an eighthgrade student from Great Valley Middle School, won first place in the zoology category with his project titled, Regeneration in Planaria. When asked to describe his project, Singh said, “Planaria can regenerate after being dissected into equal pieces,

so I tested how different environmental conditions would affect the rate of regeneration in planaria.” Singh is one of 70 students who will be competing at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs and will join other middle school participants in the E division.

Villa Maria High School senior, Devyn Stek, will also be advancing to the

DVSF. Stek has been competing in the CCSRC for the last few years. During her junior year, Stek’s project earned first place and best in division for her microbiology project. As a senior, Stek’s project titled, Isolation & Analysis of Malaria’s Mutant DXR Enzyme, also earned her first place in the microbiology category and a best in division award.

When asking Stek what advice she would give to students looking to compete in next year’s science research competition, she said, “Keep pursuing anything that you’re interested in, and do not be afraid to reach out to doctors or professionals. They are more than happy to help you.”

To see a full list of CCSRC winners, please visit www. cciu.org/science-fair.

More than 300 local Girl Scouts participate in World Thinking Day

The International Friendship Celebration recently observed by local Girl Scouts garnered over 300 participants. Officially called “World Thinking Day” by Girl Scouts it was determined that this International movement should celebrate its worldwide status as a girls’ movement and its policy of inclusion in a way that proclaims the sisterhood of Girl Scouts.

The Brandywine Valley Girl Scout Service Unit,

which includes both the Kennett and Unionville school districts, has dedicated the day to sharing their months-long research and hard work to tell the story of their chosen country to the whole Service unit. They created a display, practiced songs/dances, chose food to share, made souvenirs, or offered a craft.

This is the 23rd year of World Thinking Day participation day locally. A 2001 graduate of Unionville High School, Lesley Anne

Bernasconi initiated this multi-cultural program locally as her Gold Award project. It remains an annual staple of the local Girl Scout experience.

This year the troops, from Brownies (2nd and 3rd grade to Ambassadors (11th to 12th) represented 16 countries including Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Australia, Ecuador, India, Brazil, England, France, Mexico, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Germany.

Each of the Girl Scouts received a passport and traveled to each country learning about the country, having their “passports” stamped, trying the variety of food delicacies, collecting souvenirs, and/or doing a craft related to that coun-

try. In addition, some of the troops entertained the audience with dances and songs from the countries they represented.

This year the theme of World Thinking Day encouraged girls to become environmentally conscious leaders. Climate change issues were discussed and explored in each of the countries and an Environmental Gallery was displayed with special emphasis on how girls and women are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental issues.

If you are interested in Girl Scouts, please contact Karen D’Agusto at kdagusto@aol.com or go online to gsep.org to learn about the Girl Scout program and register your daughter.

Pictured from left to right are Devyn Stek, Villa Maria Academy High School (grade 12), Ian Fabris, Devon Preparatory School (grade 11) and Lilah Wilkes, Owen J. Roberts Middle School (grade 7), with their firstplace ribbons.

Cadettes from 4210, Patton Middle School, pose in front of the United Arab Emirates.

Cadettes from 4780, Kennett Middle School, pose in front of the Environmental Gallery where each country displayed issues of concern related to climate change.

Brownie Girl Scouts and Junior Girl Scouts Troop 41293 (Bancroft, New Garden, and Greenwood Elementary schools) enjoy Italy.

Courtesy photos

Brownie Girl Scouts from Pocopson Elementary have fun decorating “Australian boomerangs.”

Kohler Crushed Stone Showers By Home Smart

Why settle for shower walls that look like plastic?

Home Smart Industries is the areas only Authorized Dealer of Kohler’s LuxStone shower wall system made of 70% real crushed marble and professionally installed at prices comparable to acrylic showers. When you have our Kohler LuxStone Design Consultants to your home for a Design Consultation, you will be given an exact, to the penny price including all labor, materials, removal, haul away, installation and permits. No surprise costs AND we honor that price for 1 year GUARANTEED.

All of the design and product selection is done in your home, saving you time and ensuring the choices work perfectly with your space. We offer senior & military discounts as well as other discounts plus financing so a shower remodel is affordable on any budget.Don’t cover your problem up with a tub or shower liner. Design your bathtub or shower replacement with our trained and certified Specialists at a price you can afford.

“Great experience with Home Smart. I collected a couple quotes for a bathtub/surround replacement. Home Smart offered the most aesthetically pleasing option at a competitive price. They also beat the installation lead time estimate by ~4 weeks. Ken and Tony came and efficiently completed the install. My house is old and there were challenges to work with, but they worked through them and in the end, product looks really great. Thanks!”

Read more reviews from our satisfied customers!

4.9 Stars, 374 reviews

OFF