Chester County Press 05-01-2024 Edition

Major issues addressed at Avon Grove School Board meeting

Parents raise concerns about the district’s response to a recent school safety incident; the school board discusses the budget for 2024-2025

By Colleen Cochran Contributing Writer

The Avon Grove School Board meeting held on April 25 began with a statement read by Bonnie Wolff, school board president, concerning the Avon Grove School District’s response to a recent school safety incident.

Parents and community

viewers of the meeting only learned through that board statement that a school incident had occurred, but they did not learn the specifics of the event. The nature of the incident was later brought to light during the public comment period, which occurred at the end of the meeting.

The statement informed the community that the Avon Grove School District

is “constrained by state and federal student and child privacy laws from providing public details on any possible charges or investigation status by the state police.”

It also relayed that the wellbeing of the community is a priority, assistance would be offered to students who were distressed, and that the district is working to refine communication procedures.

During the public comment period, one parent described the incident, saying that on April 14, a school counselor learned that two 14-year-old middle school students had devised a student hit list. On April 12, that list came to the attention of school administrators via email.

The parent said that, according to local news, the

Pennsylvania State Police were not informed about the hit list until April 16, and that it was only after the police reached out to the school administration that administrators sent a message out to Avon Grove Middle School families and the community.

She said, “The school was put on notice about the threats against students almost a week before any

action was taken to protect our children.”

Another parent who spoke, a father of a daughter who attends the middle school, said it was his daughter, not the school, that informed him on April 16 that she learned her name was on that list.

He said, “The school district’s lack of communication

Bill currently in Pa. House and Pa. Senate to expand Dolly Parton Imagination Library statewide

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Representatives from more than 40 area non-profit organizations joined with elected officials at “Spring Forward Together,” a celebration of the county’s commitment to families and children that was held at the Melton Terrace at the Kennett Library on April 24.

Sponsored by the library and Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. (AHHAH), the event celebrated the continuing impact of the Chester County Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The program, first begun in the City of Coatesville in 2021 and operated by AHHAH, has since expanded throughout the county and has to date provided more than 8,000 regis-

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Man arrested for double murder in East Marlborough Township

A 76-year-old man is under arrest after allegedly shooting his wife and adult daughter during a dispute in a home on Wiltshire Drive in East Marlborough Township early in the evening of April 25.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J Avondale Barracks, announced the arrest of Roger Hanks, 76. He faces charges of two counts of murder of the first degree and other related charges.

Magisterial District Judge Albert Iacocca arraigned the defendant on Friday, and Hanks is being held at the Chester County Prison without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8. According to the criminal complaint filed by the Pennsylvania State Police, troopers were dispatched to a residence following the report of a shooting. When police arrived, Hanks was directed out of his house through the garage and then

arrested. Inside the home, troopers found two unresponsive victims with gunshot wounds laying on the ground. Emergency life-saving measures were administered, but they were unsuccessful.

District Attorney Christopher L. de BarrenaSarobe said, “The defendant senselessly shot and killed his family because of a basic dispute. It is unfathomable that anyone would react this way. I want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police, who acted quickly and arrested the defendant after being dispatched to the scene.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei is the assigned prosecutor. Law enforcement officials said that tt appears to be an isolated incident and the police do not believe there was a threat to the general public. Those who have information about this incident are asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Avondale at 610-268-2022.

The evening also included the announcement of the Randy Lieberman Scholarship Grant

The Kennett Mushroom Festival continued its long tradition of giving back to the community last Wednesday night when more than $100,000 in funding was announced during the annual grant presentation.

Gale Ferranto, the volunteer Mushroom Festival Coordinator, reminded everyone that the guiding principle of the Mushroom Festival is to give back to the community. Ferranto is the owner of Buona Foods, and she said that the grant presentation is always a highlight for the event’s organizers and volunteers because the organizations that receive the grants

Kennett Run

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Photo courtesy the Mushroom Festival

Lindsay Yates (left), the president of the Unionville Community Fair, with Stone Lieberman and Avery Lieberman Eaton during the announcement of the Randy Lieberman Scholarship Grant.

Lori Cushman of the Justamere Foundation presents a check from the foundation to Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. Executive Director Jan Michener, as part of its support for the Chester County Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The event, held on April 24 at the Kennett Library, also recognized the work of more than 40 non-profit agencies who assist children and families throughout the county.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Mushroom Festival Grant...

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help so many people in the community.

“As a mushroom farmer here in Kennett Square,”

Ferranto said, “I know how important the community in and around Kennett Square is, so it’s an honor to be able to support so many community programs and initiatives that help strengthen the neighborhoods in which we live and work.”

The Mushroom Festival has provided more than $1 million in grant awards during its nearly 40 years.

Ferranto recognized the members of the volunteer Mushroom Festival Board of Directors. The board members this year include

board president Gina Puoci, vice president Jen Basciani, treasurer Laura Price, secretary Jim Hamilton and vendor chairs Rhonda Sarver, SamanthaSnyder, Eric Durynski, Lori Gebert, and Carl Lowe.

Mushroom Festival organizers also remembered Randy Lieberman, a longtime Mushroom Festival Board member and publisher of the Chester County Press, who passed away last December after a brief illness.

“We were incredibly saddened when we lost our friend and Mushroom Festival board member Randy Lieberman,” Ferranto said. “Randy was a board volunteer for more than 10 years. He was well-known in Kennett Square as publisher of the Chester County Press,

and he was a participant in many civic organizations, and cheerleader of and for the mushroom industry.”

Ferranto then announced the establishment of the Randy Lieberman Scholarship Grant that will be available to women, ages 12 to 20 years old, to assist with public speaking, interview, and essay writing skills. Four recipients will be presented with the scholarship each year, in 2024 and 2025, during the Unionville Community Fair.

Lieberman’s two children, Avery Lieberman Eaton and Stone Lieberman were on hand with Lindsay Yates, president of the Unionville Community Fair, for the official announcement of the Randy Lieberman Scholarship Grant.

Ferranto also announced that the theme for the 2024 Mushroom Festival is “Spawning Future Growth,” which is a nod not just to the mushroom farming community, but to the organizations and partners that the Mushroom Festival works with. This year’s Mushroom Festival will take place on Sept. 7 and 8.

Avon GroveMeeting...

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is beyond belief.” He also stated that the school never alerted the Pennsylvania State Police — he did.

The alleged perpetrators of the list were taken into custody on April 17 and charged with making terroristic threats, harassment by communication, simple assault by physical menace, and recklessly endangering another person.

All students and staff of the middle school are unharmed, and the Pennsylvania State Police has confirmed that the school buildings are safe, and that, as of this time, there is no active or ongoing threat. The police department has stated in writing that it will continue to support the Avon Grove School District.

During the Avon Grove School Board meeting, the committee of the whole budget report included information about the district’s long-range financial plan and announced that safety and security are slated to be the biggest expenditures over the next five years. The budget expenditures for the 202425 school year includes $1.62 million in numerous capital safety and security enhancements and

an increased investment in mental health support systems for students.

The safety and security expenditures will include the hiring of a director of school safety, a position that has been contracted through the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and the hiring of a director of school safety and security specialist/school police officer. Both positions will be plain-clothed, and those individuals will focus on building positive relationships with students.

Regarding mental health services, the district will continue to employ three mental health therapists and contract with a local counseling service provider to offer school-based mental health counseling for students, with parental consent.

It was also announced during the budget report that, despite the capital projects expenses for safety and security systems, and despite the expenses for the salaries of additional teachers, athletic trainers, and other staff, the homeowners in Avon Grove School District can expect to see no tax increase this year.

Rick Dumont, board member, commented on the zero-percent tax increase.

“I want to thank both Dr. Marchese (superintendent of Avon Grove schools) and Mr. Carsley (the district’s director of business administration/CFO) and their entire teams for all their hard work to make this happen. It’s not easy to build a brand new

high school and to do the renovations that we did to the former high school to make it a middle school, and yet, achieve a “zero” tax increase. The community should be proud.”

In academic news, the Avon Grove School Board has approved two programs that will enable high school students to obtain college credits.

The first program, the PRIZE Program, a partnership with West Chester University, will allow seniors in the 2024-25 school year, and juniors too during the 2025-26 school year, to take one class per semester online, with a possible summer offering in person at the university. Successful completion of this program could lead to admission to one of West Chester University’s education majors.

The second program, a partnership with Delaware County Community College, was opened to juniors and seniors in January, and it allows their enrollment in up to three college courses per semester. The Avon Grove students enrolled in this program can take the college classes in person at Chester County Technical College High School at Pennock’s Bridge, with transportation provided by the district. The program will allow students to earn up to 38 credits free of cost over two years, and West Chester University will accept all of the credits earned through the program.

Photos courtesy the Mushroom Festival

The Mushroom Festival’s Board of Directors with the grant recipients for this year

Book Gift Program...

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tered children ages from birth through the age of five with the free and monthly delivery of a book. Translated, that number accounts for 28 percent of children that age in the county.

AHHAH Executive Director Jan Michener thanked the many individuals who have helped expand the program to the entire county, including Lori Cushman, the president of the Justamere Foundation, who made a contribution of $260,000 as part of the agency’s five-year commitment to the Imagination Library. Located in Exton, the agency’s mission is to impact generational poverty through grants for career education and supporting programs. The foundation works closely with community partners to find innovative ways to help neighbors through education, coaching, and connections.

“In nine months, we had 653 children registered and then it was asked, can we do it for all of Chester County?” Michener said. “I said, ‘Lori, could we do it for all of Chester County? Lori, would you guarantee that you will fund it for five years?’ We want to see if [the Imagination Library] has an impact of kindergarten readiness and also on third grade reading scores, because for profit prisons look at third grade reading scores to decide where they are going to put another prison, instead of where they are going to invest in education.

“We want to change that. We want to change it so that every child is reading by third grade, and that money is being put into education and health care

and to defund for profit persons and turn them into youth centers and give these young people the help they need.”

Cushman said that reading literacy is critical to the development of a child and pointed to her own upbringing in Arkansas as an example.

“My mother raised five kids on no money, and we didn’t have a whole lot of things, and we especially did not have a lot of books, but we had a few,” she said. “She understood how important it was to have those books in the home. She couldn’t necessarily show us what a better life looked like herself, but she knew that she could through these books.

“Anything that we can do to move that needle forward for these children is so critical and it can be a small trajectory change or it can be something as amazing as giving them their own book every month in the mail.”

In a joint statement, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, State Sen. John Kane and State Rep. Christina Sappey told the audience that they are co-sponsoring a bill being introduced in the State House and State Senate by State Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery County) to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to every county in Pennsylvania.

Hanbidge’s legislation -- H.B. 2025 -- would add Pennsylvania to the program’s worldwide roster by amend-

ing the Public School Code, establishing the Statewide Imagination Library Program and the Imagination Library of Pennsylvania Restricted Account. The cost for the program would amount to about $13 per child. House Bill 2025 currently awaits consideration in the House Education Committee. The companion bill, S.B. 1097, is circulating for additional co-sponsors.

Currently, more than 53,000 Pennsylvania children are enrolled in the Imagination Library across 44 counties. However, there are approximately 700,000 eligible children in the state who are not registered.

Sappey said that the expansion of the program is important “because not every community is like Kennett Square. Not every community has a library like this, nor has as much access to so many resources. It’s imperative that every corner of Pennsylvania and all of our children have access to these wonderful books every month.”

Michener praised the partnerships of the many non-profit agencies in southern Chester County, nearly all of whom patrolled information tables throughout the library.

“It is why it was so important for us to have this event, because the problems in housing and food inequities and education and health care are so big that one organization cannot do it alone,” she said. “We have to step out of our silos, come together and create a basket of love with a trampoline beneath it, and when a child or a family fall, instead of falling through, we will help them get to a new trajectory in order to not just survive, but thrive.”

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

Section of Route 41 dedicated in memory of Cpl. Hardy

By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer

A section of Route 41 spanning across Highland Road in Atglen has been dedicated to Corporal Brandon Hardy, a graduate of Octorara High School and a U.S. Marine who was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 28, 2006.

Hardy graduated from Octorara in 1999, and served 5 years with the U.S. Air Force before enlisting with the Marine Corps in 2005, taking a cut in rank and pay to make the transition. Hardy graduated at the top of his class at the Amphibious Assault Training School, and was the crew chief of a vehicle for his unit, the 3rd Assault Amphibia Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. Hardy deployed to Iraq on March 27, 2006, and on April 28, his team’s vehicle struck an IED killing three of the five servicemen instantly—including Hardy.

At the dedication ceremony held at Octorara High School on April 26, Brandon’s mother, Jill Hardy, recalled a beautiful spring day which quickly was clouded by the news.

“Not my son, not Brandon. Brandon would surely call and say there was some mistake, but that call never came. But his body did. It arrived to me in a flag-draped coffin,” recalled Hardy.

Before his deployment, Brandon shared with his mother a passage from the Marine Corps Manual that read:

“I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.”

Jill Hardy said of her son, “It was his only regret that he only had one life to lose for his country, which is a quote by Nathan Hale that he would often tell me.”

The dedication of the highway was a twoyear process that received a boost when State Sen. Carolyn Comitta got involved a year in. Sen. Comitta introduced the guests for the Route 41 dedication ceremony, and she offered remarks on Brandon and the Hardy family before unveiling a replica of the highway sign with Jill Hardy.

Dr. Steven Leever, superintendent of Octorara School District, welcomed Brandon’s family and friends, a sea of Marines, officers from the Parkesburg Police Department, and students from the high school to the ceremony. The Octorara High School Band and Choir performed the National Anthem, and the nieces and nephews of Brandon led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Marine Corps League Detachment 286 provided the Presentation of Colors at the start of the ceremony. “We are honored that his name will be seen every day by those who travel Route 41,” said Jill Hardy before the closing of the ceremony.

The audience then gathered outside to walk across Route 41 with a traffic stop provided by the local fire company and police department. Null’s Towing provided a raised American flag in front of the newly dedicated highway sign at Route 41 and Highland Road, across from the school campus.

Photo by HaLeigh Abbott A sign was installed to signify the designation of a section of Route 41 as the Corporal Brandon Hardy Memorial Highway.

Chester County Press

Local News

Help Kennett bloom while filling your own garden with beauty

The annual Plant Sale benefitting the Beautification Committee will take place this weekend, May 4 and May 5, at Pratt’s Greenhouse on Hallandale Road in Avondale.

The Beautification Committee provides seasonal flowers in the planters and small garden spaces throughout Kennett Square.

“The gorgeous flower planters on State Street were one of the very first things that drew me to historic Kennett years ago,” said Daniel Embree, executive director of Kennett Collaborative. “People come from all over the world to look at flowers in Kennett Square because of Longwood Gardens. Our volunteers on the Beautification Committee work hard to bring some of that magic to our main streets. We’re grateful to the garden clubs, Pratt’s Greenhouse, and everyone who helps Kennett bloom!”

Each year, volunteers fill the planters with flowers in the spring and summer and holiday

greens during the winter. Bill Reynolds, owner of Pratt’s Greenhouse, meticulously selects flower varieties that will thrive in each pot’s location. The Borough of Kennett Square’s Public Works team waters them throughout the season.

The Kennett Blooms! Plant Sale takes place on Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pratt’s Greenhouse will generously donate 20 percent of the proceeds to the Beautification Committee. The annual sale pays for the flowers the committee plants uptown in Kennett Square, which means shopping the sale is a great way to make your town more beautiful.

The Beautification Committee is composed of Kennett Collaborative staff and volunteers committed to making Kennett Square beautiful through flower plantings, including representatives from Four Seasons Garden Club, Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Kennett Library, and others.

Dalton honored as Avon Grove High School Senior Student of the Month

Tyler Dalton has been named the Lions Club Senior Student of the Month at Avon Grove High School.

Tyler is the son of Jennifer and Daryl Dalton of Lincoln University. His school activities include Class Council for the Class of 2024, Vice President (grades 9-11), National Honor Society President (grades 11-12), member of Leo, Humanitarian and Model United Nations clubs (grades 9-12), and Chester County Student Forum (grades 11-12).

Tyler is also active in his community by participating as a Boy Scouts of America Patrol Leader, Den Chief and Order of the Arrow Member (grades 9-12), Shift Leader at Rita’s Italian Ice (grades 9-12) and Bear Bubble Tea (grade 12). Tyler has achieved the honor of Eagle Scout with two Palms, National Merit Finalist and Scholarship Recipient, NSLI-Y Scholarship Recipient, Excellence in AP Government and Politics, and National French Contest - Gold Medal Recipient.

Tyler plans to attend a four-year university for political science and/or business. His top college choices are the University of Southern California and the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating, he would like to pursue a career in investment banking, corporate law, or advocacy legal work, or in international business/ law. The teachers who have influenced Tyler the most are Mrs. Polin, Dr. Cahill, Mr. Habbart and Frau Cooke.

Chester County’s 2024 Farm Guide now available

Whether you’re on the hunt for locally-grown produce, a fun weekend activity, or you want to learn a little more about agriculture, one of Chester County’s important industries, the annual Chester County Farm Guide has it all.

The Farm Guide highlights more than125 family-owned farms and markets throughout Chester County, spotlights the county’s Agriculture Award recipients, and includes a Farm Product Calendar showcasing what’s in season, and various tips and resources.

Commenting on the importance – and value – of the 2024 magazine, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe said, “Supporting our local farmers and their businesses helps to ensure that Chester County’s farms are here to stay now and into the future.”

With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to take a look at the new edition of the Chester County Farm Guide.

In the latest guide you can read about Dr. Kevin Hicks: A Friend to the Forest and recipient of the Duncan Allison Distinguished Service to Ag Award who went from solving problems in the lab, to solving problems on a farm.

“Dr. Hicks is a wonderful ambassador for sustainable forestry,” the Commissioners said. “He cares deeply for the environment and is a true role model for what’s possible in Chester County’s forested acres and beyond.”

Also in the Guide, farmer Robert Todd discusses changing people’s minds about eating local through his Downingtown-based farm, Down to Earth Harvest, which operates on a CSA (community supported agriculture) model.

Farmer of the Year recipients, The Miller Family of Birchrun Hills Farm in West Vincent Township, are recognized for their dynamic business model, commitment to sustainable farming practices, and local food system advocacy. Their “cheesy” Friday happy hours provide a great opportunity for supporting a local farm, all while catching up with friends and enjoying locally produced accompaniments.

And Kyle Jones of The Acadian Wine Company in West Grove (formerly Kreutz Creek Winery) talks about the way he showcases Pennsylvania’s robust and varied wine flavors through pairing events, live music, classes, and other immersive experiences.

Other highlights of the 2024 Chester County Farm Guide include Family Friendly Recipes from Penn State Extension’s Nutrition Links Program, as well as a Q & A with Chester County Parks + Preservation’s Agricultural Program Coordinator Geoff Shellington.

The free Chester County Farm Guide is available online at www.chescofarming.org, and will be available at libraries, township and County offices, Kimberton Whole Foods locations, and at select farm stands across the county.

Tyler Dalton has been named the Lions Club Senior Student of the Month at Avon Grove High School. He is pictured with his parents, Daryl Dalton and Jennifer Dalton, and Avon Grove Lions President George Steele and Avon Grove High School assistant principal Gary Benasutti.

Chester County introduces Human Needs Network

New county initiative focuses on locally run human services crisis response, information and referral systems for all residents

The Chester County Commissioners and the Department of Human Services unveiled the Human Needs Network of Chester County, an initiative that brings a local focus on helping residents experiencing mental health concerns or a crisis, who are impacted by behavioral health issues, or who are experiencing a housing crisis.

At the core of the Human Needs Network is a locally based contact center and mobile crisis resolution teams.

The contact center runs the 2-1-1 information and referral service for those in need of housing, utility, and other human service support, and the 988 toll-free suicide and crisis lifeline is a 24/7 service staffed by trained mental health counselors that can dispatch local mobile crisis resolution team members if needed. Both contact center services are based in the county’s Government Services Center in West Chester.

The mobile crisis resolution teams provide round-the-clock support, meeting those experiencing a mental health crisis and giving personal peer-led care. The mobile crisis resolution teams are based in the

new Equity Health Center in Coatesville.

“The mobile crisis team service is a transformational part of this new program,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Josh Maxwell. “Having professionally trained peers called out to meet with individuals who are going through a crisis any time day or night will not only help the individual, it will also significantly decrease the number of times that either law enforcement or emergency medical services are unnecessarily called out.

“Mental health crisis needs should be met by those who are prepared, trained, funded, and have lived-experience. That is what the new mobile crisis response teams will do,” added Maxwell.

The Human Needs Network of Chester County was developed with input from leaders of more than 50 local organizations who represent all sectors of the community – from first responders, schools, hospitals and libraries to nonprofits and veteran organizations, the United Way of Chester County and county government departments.

Chester County Commissioner Marian

Moskowitz said, “We have all seen how mental and behavioral health needs have skyrocketed, particularly through the pandemic, so the challenges that our own county departments and organizations across the county have faced have led us to focus on a better system of care, and one that is local.

“The people who have guided us in creating the Human Needs Network are now serving on the Advisory Board to help us build upon it and identify additional needs.”

The three “pillars” of the Human Needs Network of Chester County are someone to talk; someone to respond; and somewhere to go.

“The first two pillars are now in place,” said Pat Bokovitz, director of the Chester County Department of Human Services.

“‘Someone to talk’ is met by our contact center staff, answering the 2-1-1 and 988 calls. ‘Someone to respond’ is covered by our mobile crisis resolution teams.

“The third pillar – ‘Somewhere to go’ – currently includes walk-in center and crisis residential services offered by organizations like Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, and in-patient and out-patient treatment through

Kennett Area Park Authority partners with Chester County Disc Golf

The Kennett Area Park Authority (KAPA) recently announced that Chester County Disc Golf (CCDG) will assume responsibility in collaboration with KAPA and its staff to maintain and promote events for the disc golf course located in Anson B. Nixon Park.

“We’ve expanded our vision for disc golf in Anson Nixon Park to grow the sport in our diverse community, promote broader collaboration with other local clubs and to elevate course conditions for competitive events,” said KAPA board member Eric Gaver. “The entire board and staff of KAPA believe that Chester County Disc Golf is a terrific match to help us achieve those objectives.”

“We’re excited to work together with KAPA improving the course for public benefit, promoting special events in Anson B. Nixon Park, and providing a more inclusive venue for all disc golf enthusiasts, both novices and experienced

golfers,” said Dan Wilson, president of the board for CCDG.

CCDG club is a registered 501(c)(3) organization in the state, with a mission to help grow the sport of disc golf through community outreach, course development, fundraising, membership in the club and more.

According to UDisc.com, disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. – on a par with the growing popularity of pickleball – and in 2023, the U.S. became the first country to surpass 10,000 courses. There are now more than 15,000 courses throughout the world, nearly double the number of courses that existed in 2017.

For more information about disc golf in Anson B. Nixon Park, and to learn how you can become involved as a volunteer to support operations in the park, please visit the KAPA’s website, www. AnsonBNixonPark.org.

Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester. A further extension of the Human Needs Network could see the development of a mental health urgent care model,” added Bokovitz.

The cost of the Human Needs Network of Chester County is covered by Chester County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“The greatest amount of Chester County Government

ARPA money has been directed to mental health and related behavioral health services,” said Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe.

“These investments serve mental health and suicide prevention services within schools, fund mental health and trauma therapy counseling and trauma-informed mentors and coaches, and support the work of the Chester County Suicide

Prevention Task Force.

“The addition of the Human Needs Network is significant and is a service that our Chester County communities deserve.” Chester County has contracted with Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, and with Woods’ Legacy Treatment Services to oversee the mobile crisis resolution teams.

Keep Water Affordable group receives 20th Annual Freshwater Future Hero Award

Freshwater Future, a catalyst for community action that safeguards the waters of the Great Lakes region, recently honored the Landenberg-based Keep Water Affordable citizens group with its 20th Annual Hero Award. For the past two years, key Keep Water Affordable members Peter Mrozinski, Bill Ferguson and Margo Woodacre have sparked a grassroots movement in New Garden Township to fight the continually

rising sewer rates charged to residents by AQUA, a for-profit company that purchased the township’s outdated water treatment operation for $29.5 million in 2020.

“Even though they didn’t win the battle in their community, they wanted to become a beacon of hope for communities grappling with similar privatization threats,” a press release from the organization said. “Wanting to get the information out to

others, they contacted Freshwater Future to partner with them. This commitment to sharing their knowledge with other communities to

“We

Courtesy photo

The Kennett Area Park Authority recently announced a partnership with Chester County Disc Golf to maintain the disc golf course located in Anson B. Nixon Park.

Courtesy Photo

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz (left), Josh Maxwell (center) and Eric Roe (right) with Bridget Brown, Behavioral Health Crisis Response Program Director, and Joshua Bitler, Information & Referral Director for the new Human Needs Network of Chester County.

Congress

The queen mother of hope and joy

It may be said that the most powerful image in the world is not a photograph showing a country’s military arsenal or one that captures the sheer ferocity of nature, but one that depicts a child turning the pages of a book. In the face of one of our nation’s most terrible realities – adult illiteracy – the image is a prayer, answered.

For more than 8,000 children under five in Chester County, Jan Michener, the founder of Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH), has made that image possible. Through her work with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – and in partnership with the Kennett Library and the Justamere Foundation -- these children receive a new book by mail every month, and then another the next month, and so on, and so it goes –the stunning gift at the very start of a life that provides the written-down tapestry of stories, in the hope that it will carry these children into a life of literacy, curiosity and mindfulness.

Its mission is already working; the Imagination Library program has shown that introducing books to children at a very young age improves their language and literacy skills, enhances their home environments, increases the frequency of parents reading to children, and greatly reduces the risk of incarceration when the child is older – particularly for young children living in economically-challenged areas.

On the heels of the Chester County Imagination Library’s overwhelming success and outcomes in Chester County, Sen. Carolyn Comitta and Reps. John Kane and Christina Sappey announced on April 24 that they are lending their support to a bill being introduced in state legislature calling for the statewide expansion of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. We heartily support the passage of this bill. Yet, the full breadth and magnitude of Jan’s passion for the children of Chester County does not end with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library but exists as merely one component of it. Her tireless and steadfast enthusiasm has led young people to soaring heights of self-empowerment:

AHHAH has facilitated music, yoga and story time programs to more than 500 pre-school children in Early Start/Head Start, TickTock and Tree House Early Learning Centers.

• The Pop-Up Lending Libraries (P.U.L.L.) Campaign, a collaboration with volunteers that has built over 100 small lending libraries throughout Chester County and collected and distributed over 300,000 books.

• AHHAH partners with other.with other organizations in Restorative Justice programs to facilitate trauma-sensitive creative arts and mindfulness workshops for marginalized and court adjudicated youth. AHHAH has won national awards for its programs with youth incarcerated at Chester County Youth Center in Pocopson. Other programs include “Step Up, Step Out, Make a Difference” a self-care and leadership program for girls in Coatesville, a filmmaking program for youth on probation in Coatesville, creative arts sessions for Chester County Futures after school students as well as “Self-Care, Well-Being, Resilience” workshops for teachers and organizations working with youth impacted by trauma In America, we have a terrible habit of searching for heroes in all the wrong places. Our sports pages have increasingly begun to resemble police blotters, detailing the demise of one athlete after another. Our national political scene has become a virtual minefield of division, demonized by a rhetoric so nasty that it defies belief. Our young people assign hero worship to people who offer nothing more to the world than brief snapshots and video blurbs of their invented magnificence.

In our new America, heroes are the outliers, who create masterpieces in whispers, with little fanfare. We believe that Jan Michener is one such hero. To those who know her; to those who have worked beside her; to those of us whose better angels have been nourished by the infectiousness of her ambitions, Jan Michener is the queen mother of hope and joy. May she continue to use her gracious spirit to lead and inspire the youth of Chester County toward the promise of a bright future for all of them.

To learn more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Chester County, Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. and to make a financial contribution, visit www.ahhah.org.

Opinion

Increased Medicaid funding for senior services can restore access to care for older Pennsylvanians

By Garry Pezzano

In 2020, Twining Village in Bucks County was sold.

In 2021, Westminster Village at Allentown in Lehigh County was sold.

In 2022, both the Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh and the Mercy Center Nursing Unit in Luzerne County closed.

Last November, Shook Home in Chambersburg was sold.

The list goes on. It's no longer just a threat that Pennsylvania's mission-driven nursing homes will close due to chronic Medicaid underfunding. They are closing. When closure is avoided, they are often bought by profit-driven corporate entities with no ties to the local community. Since the pandemic, senior care providers have been forced to close at least 25 nursing homes across the commonwealth.

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, play an essential role in the healthcare ecosystem, serving tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians daily. While the pandemic certainly provided unique challenges, the continued workforce

shortage and underfunding of Medicaid have made nursing home closures and sales to profit-motivated entities a harsh reality for Pennsylvania families who desperately need care for their loved ones.

These closures have contributed to the loss of 2,588 certified nursing home beds since 2020, which is especially concerning given more than 2.2 million Pennsylvanians are 65 and over.

Of the nursing home beds still available, nearly one in four are currently unable to be used due to the ongoing workforce shortage and insufficient Medicaid reimbursement, according to a new survey of LeadingAge PA members. In fact, 48 percent of nursing homes surveyed had to turn away patients from hospitals within the last three months for the same reasons. This has impacted the healthcare system upstream, with the top 15 hospitals in the state reporting a nearly twoday increase in the average length of stay for those expecting to be discharged to a nursing home from 2020 to 2023.

The difference between reimbursement rates and

Chester County Press

Published by - The Lieberman Family

Steve Hoffman...............................Managing Editor

Richard L. Gaw...............................Associate Editor

Chris Barber.............................Contributing Writer

Betsy Brewer Brantner...........Contributing Writer

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Gene Pisasale...........................Contributing Writer

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Brenda Butt......................................Office Manager

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actual costs of care reached a massive $1.2 billion gap in 2022. While recent rate increases have helped some, a significant shortfall remains. It is also worth noting that mandated state staffing ratios are set to increase for the second year in a row. Consequently, providers are grappling with unprecedented workforce shortages worsened by these new, underfunded state staffing mandates. If given an increase in Medicaid rates, nursing homes could hire more workers and increase the number of available beds.

With the requirement that 70% of nursing home costs be allocated to the bedside (including staffing and salaries), our survey shows that 93 percent of respondents would prioritize increasing starting wages and wages for existing staff. More staff would mean more available beds for residents.

The challenges don't stop with skilled nursing facilities; they extend to other aspects of the aging services ecosystem, including Pennsylvania's Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) program. LIFE, known as PACE in other states, offers comprehensive health and support services to over 8,000 older Pennsylvanians. Its focus is on helping individuals age well in their homes and communities. However, LIFE also lacks sufficient funding. Since 2008, it has only seen a 2.8 percent net

increase, failing to keep up with rising costs and inflation. This is becoming a crisis, with LIFE currently receiving 24 percent less than similar programs in surrounding states and 55 percent of what a similar individual would cost the state under the Community HealthChoices managed care option. Therefore, to help its members better serve one of America's fastest-growing aging populations, LeadingAge PA is advocating for a $70 million increase in Medicaid funding for nursing homes and a minimum of $8.9 million, plus inflation, for Pennsylvania's LIFE program in the upcoming 2024-25 state budget.

It's time to stop pitting different sectors of the aging services ecosystem against each other. Instead, we must look at all the options available to older adults as they age and work to ensure that seniors can receive care and services in the setting that best fits their wants and needs.

As we've said many times, Pennsylvania can begin to answer this critical healthcare challenge by raising Medicaid reimbursement rates and, in doing so, move closer toward the aging services system that our seniors deserve. The commonwealth should strive to ensure that all those who need care can access highquality services when and where they need them. We can't change the past. However, we can prevent its repeat, as we saw with Twining Village, Westminster Village, Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mercy Center Nursing Unit and Shook Home.

Let's work together to do the right thing.

Garry Pezzano is the president and CEO of LeadingAge PA. Follow him on X @GarryPezzano and learn more about aging services @LeadingAgePA.

Bill to expand protections for child victims passes State Senate, moves to House

State Sen. Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) announced that Senate Bill 1018 to expand protections for child victms passed the Senate unanimously.

This legislation marks a significant step forward in providing further protections for child victims and witnesses in Department of Human Services (DHS) administrative hearings when pertaining to child abuse or child sexual abuse and exploitation.

State Sen. Kearney has been a staunch advocate for child safety since his first year in office. After being moved by a constituent's story in 2019, he has worked to close gaps in the DHS system and help prevent the re-traumatization of child victims in administrative proceedings.

"This legislation is deeply personal to me,” said Senator Kearney. “No child should ever be subjected to further trauma while seeking justice. Senate Bill 1018 aims to close a critical gap in our system, ensuring that child victims and witnesses are afforded the protections they deserve."

The bill addresses the lack of statutory safeguards for child witnesses within the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, where appeals of DHS's determinations of child abuse are heard. Currently, in criminal and civil court proceedings, child victims and witnesses are provided with essential protections including the ability to testify remotely and the assistance of child advocates who can explain the judicial proceedings and advocate

for the child’s needs to the court.

Senate Bill 1018 provides these protections to administrative law hearings within DHS, ensuring consistency and fairness in the treatment of child victims.

State Sen. Kearney further highlighted the potential dangers of not passing this legislation by referencing his 2019 encounter with a distraught mother. “Her son was forced to testify before a panel of administrative law judges without proper support, leading to further trauma. This should have never happened, and my goal is to ensure that it never happens again.”

“We still have much work to do to improve Pennsylvania's child abuse system,” said Kearney. “But this legislation represents a crucial step forward in safeguarding the well-being of our children while upholding due process rights.” Senate Bill 1018 will now be sent to the Pa. House of Representatives, where it will be referred to committee for consideration.

A recent sign of bipartisan support suggests that the legislation is well on its way to becoming law sooner than later. On March 19 it was unanimously voted out of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee. This past Monday, the bill received the same positive vote when it was reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Its swift progress through the legislative process underscores its importance in protecting vulnerable children across Pennsylvania.

Courtesy photo

Garry Pezzano

Kennett JazzFest delights area aficionados

For two days this past weekend, the third annual Kennett JazzFest brought down the house at the Kennett Library and the Kennett Flash with electrifying performances

Plenty of fish biting at the annual Trout Rodeo

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

The fish were biting at Anson B. Nixon Park on Saturday thanks to the trout stocking two days earlier by the staff at the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance.

The 28th annual Trout Rodeo on April 27 attracted about 200 eager anglers, many of them in family units. The event has been held every year during the last weekend in April for almost three decades and routinely presents awards to the participants who have hooked the largest fish and the heaviest total weight.

Trophies are awarded to each age group.

The trout rodeo is very popular locally and even regionally. Some participants reported coming from as far away as West Grove, West Chester and Devon.

Brandywine Red Clay Alliance executive director Jim Jordan has been the organizer for the most recent years, and, as usual he was on hand to move the activities along and to do some fishing himself.

Jordan said he is a strong believer in the rodeo because it promotes family

unity and gets kids outside to appreciate nature.

“We do it solely to see the kids in their families – sometimes with three generations,” Jordan said. “You know, a grandpa isn’t going to go out and play soccer with his grandkids, but they can fish together. I never saw a kid in trouble with a fishing rod.”

He was heartened to see parents teaching their children how to reel in a fish and cast a line. The trout rodeo was an economical recreational activity as well. Admission was $5 for adults and $3 for children. All of the net proceeds were contributed to KAPA, Kennett Area Park Authority, for development of the park

The waters were well supplied with trout from the Cedar Springs Trout Hatchery of Mill Hall. Jordan said he ordered 648 fish of various trout species, including rainbows, goldens and brooks.

The weather was fair and cool. The anglers were enthusiastic when they or their children hooked a trout.

On hand were many regulars who had been coming

to the trout rodeo event for years, including the grandson (Al) and greatgrandson (Austin) of Al Weeks, the late athletic director at Avon Grove High School. That family comes every year and routinely makes a big catch.

Another fisherman said he had just seen a giant snapping turtle in the water and recalled that last year, after he caught his trout, a giant turtle leaped out of the water and bit off its face as he was pulling it out of the water.

Also on hand was he usual flock of geese, which are

currently nesting with eggs around the ponds, as well as the tree swallows swooping around to pay a visit. On quieter occasions, a couple of herons and some deer drop in at the park. Anson B. Nixon Park sits along North Walnut Street on the boundary between Kennett Square and Kennett Township.

The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance business center is on UnionvilleWawaset Road in Pocopson. It offers activities for youth and adults all year long while advocating for conservation.

Brandywine Red Clay Watershed Conservation director Brian Winslow dumps the trout into the Nixon Park pond two days before the Trout Rodeo.

The Piskorski/Arnold brothers from West Grove show off their catch at the Trout Rodeo on Saturday.

All photos by Chris Barber Jamison, age three, examines the trout he caught by himself at the Trout Rodeo on Saturday.

Andrew Neu, left, brought his Big Band to the Kennett Library.

John Vanore and Abstract Truth delivered a searing set at the Kennett Library.

On the heels of her latest recording, “Once Upon a Summertime, the Music of Blossom Dearie,” singer Sharon Sable performed with guitarist and arranger Shawn Qaissaunee and bassist Jason Fraticelli at the Kennett Flash.

Drummer Anwar Marshall performed with Greg Duncan.

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

The Kennett Library played host at the Kennett JazzFest for the first time, with three well-attended concerts in its 110-seat auditorium on April 27.

BRENDA KAY KRAUSS

Brenda Kay Krauss, of Oxford, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2024 at Jenners Pond Retirement Community, West Grove. She was 70. She was the beloved wife of Richard G. Krauss. Their 50th anniversary was celebrated in October of 2023.

Born in Baltimore, Md., she was the youngest daughter of the late Marshall and Golden Gladys Cody Johnston. She was a noble caretaker and devoted daughter to both.

Brenda, affectionately known as “Mimi,” enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her three grandsons, Mason Miles Butler, 23, Kline Russel Butler, 20, and Tyler Logan Delgott, 20. Her hobbies included entertaining family and friends. Many summer weekends were spent hosting crab feasts with Richard (a.k.a. Captain Dick).

She is survived by her husband, two daughters, Christina Butler (Allen Russell) of Atglen and Melanie M. Krauss of Coatesville, her grandsons, her best friend and sister, Carol Cilurso of West Grove, a brother, Clarence Johnston of Media, and a dog, Rhia.

Her selflessness and smile will be missed by all who knew her.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.

JERRY D. SMITH

Jerry D. Smith, 83, formally of St. Albans, went home to be with the Lord on April 22, 2024.

He was a graduate of St. Albans High School, served honorably in the United States Army, and was a loving son, brother, father and grandfather.

He loved dancing, hunting, working on cars and spending time with family and was a doting grandfather to his grandsons. Upon his return to civilian life, Jerry worked and retired from ACF in Huntington.

He is predeceased by his parents, Basil and Ruby Smith of Huntington, his siblings, Jack Smith and Rose Caldwell of Huntington, and a grandson Chase Prisk of Charleston.

He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Don) King of Charleston, Stacie (Andrew) Prisk of Winston Salem, N.C., grandson Kansas King, Jonathon (Kerri) Prisk, Zachary Prisk, Connor Prisk, great-grandson Calvin Prisk and his sister Sue Carter and a host of nieces and nephews.

Jerry will be interred with the military honors due to him at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Dunbar, West Va., at a later date.

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

JOSEPH L. LEOMBRONE

Joseph L. Leombrone, 78, of Oxford, passed away at his home on April 21, 2024. He was the husband of the late Louise M. Rosati Leombrone. Born in Washington, D.C., he was one of six children of the late Joseph P. and Catherine Topar Leombrone. He is survived by one son, Joseph A. Leombrone, one daughter, Robin I. Leombrone, one grandson, Gavin J. Alber, and three siblings, Isabelle Leombrone, Marlene Austin and Camille Saltzgueber.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Katrina L. Leombrone; brother, Alex Leombrone, and sister, Phyllis Bruno.

He grew up in Philadelphia and attended St. Thomas More High School.

Throughout his life, Joseph cherished his family. He had a great personality and was known for always telling a joke. He was very generous and liked helping others, and was a great man.

Joseph was a loyal worker who had a great work ethic. One of his biggest passions was his train collection, and he also loved going to yard sales, flea markets, and collecting antiques. He also loved singing, karaoke, and fixing things. He enjoyed many vacations in the Poconos with his family.

He was loved by many, made an impact on a lot of people, and he will be dearly missed.

Funeral services and interment are private.

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Donations may be made to Olivet United Methodist Church in Galena, Md. or the Willowdale Chapel in Jennersville, Pa.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Chester

Howard K. Wood, Jr., known to all as “Woody,” passed away April 16, 2024. Woody was 76 and lived with his wife Brenda in The Villages, Florida.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1948 to Howard Sr. and Margaret Wood. He was 12 years younger than his only sister Charlotte.

Growing up in rural Elkton, Md., he was known then as “HK” in order to differentiate himself from his dad. He enhanced his appreciation for the outdoors through activities like hunting, fishing, and gardening, as his father taught him these activities and more. It was in this simple environment where he gained the capabilities and appreciation for being a do-it-yourselfer.

He first encountered Brenda Garvin in middle school and quickly became the one and only love of her life. They shared experiences in choirs and musical productions, and they grew closer. They ended up attending West Chester University in Pennsylvania as music majors and Woody gained his lifelong accompanist, as well as someone to edit (OK, write) his papers for him. She managed to push him all the way through his master’s degree.

For over 30 years, Woody spent the majority of his career teaching and overseeing the choral and musical theater programs of Unionville High School, where he was a beloved educator who went the extra mile for his students. His warmth and passion helped instill a love of music in so many of his students that many went on to pursue careers in the arts. Early in

HOWARD K. WOOD, JR.

his career, he also participated as a performer in local theatrical musicals in the tri-state area surrounding southern Chester County. He remained active in the community and choral ensembles of Calvary Lutheran Church in West Chester, frequently performing at weddings and funerals. Many summers, Woody, Brenda, and the three kids would present special music at several area churches in that area.

Woody and Brenda made a home for their three children in Kennett Square. All through his career, Woody kept projects going in the garage, even building a secondstory deck off the back of the house one summer. He was the dutiful laborer, bringing Brenda’s design visions to bear, whether in the creation of a custom stained mantelpiece for their next home or an herb garden. The family remained in that area all the way into the early part of his retirement from teaching. Shortly after leaving teaching, Woody stayed busy working part-time at Longwood Gardens, capitalizing on his love of gardening.

Woody was also a cancer survivor. Upon reflection, in the summer of 2011, with the kids graduated from college and off starting their own families, Woody and Brenda relocated to central Florida. In the expansive, active community of The Villages, they were able to kindle new friendships, find a deeply sustaining new church community in Hope Lutheran Church, and reengage with hobbies and passions. Woody came full circle back to performing in Villages’ theatrical casts, appearing in such shows as “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Forever Plaid.” He also joined several choirs, including The Village Voices, Brothers in Song, and the Villages Pops Chorus. As a fun-loving artist and contributor, he left an indelible mark on scores of fellow actors, singers,

JUDITH N. LARZELERE

Judith N. Larzelere, recently of Westchester, N.Y. and Greenwich, CT, and a longtime resident of Springfield, Pa., died on April 23, 2024. She was 79.

Judith was the daughter of Richard and Dorothea, sister of Richard, loving wife of Robert, beloved mother of David, sisterin-law to Jane (Al), dear Grandma to Reggie and Bea, aunt to Brad and Scott (Jen, Martha, Gavin, Jake). She was a teacher for over twenty years in the Haverford School District, loved by students near and

far, and after she retired, she continued to teach as a volunteer tutor in Chester.

She was a ray of light in the world, a source of untiring generosity, generous with her money, her time, and her abundant spirit.

A memorial service is being planned for early June. For details of that service and for a longer obituary please visit https://everloved.com/life-of/ judith-larzelere/.

If you would like to make a gift in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Judith's name to the Chester Children's Chorus at https://swarthmore.advancementform.com/campaign/chester-children-s-chorus/give.

Local

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instrumentalists, and directors over the decades. In early 2014, Woody and Brenda took on temporary leadership of the music ministries at Hope Lutheran after a vacancy. Their willingness to step in kept the ensembles going through September of that year, until the point when their oldest son, Ken, relocated to take on the position permanently. Woody continued to offer guidance, leadership, his strong Tenor, occasional ornery rehearsal disruptions, an ear, and a work ethic toward excellence.

Woody is survived by Brenda, his wife of over 53 years, and their three children, Ken, Ben, and Phoenix. He also has 8 grandchildren, Howie and Zada (children of Ken and Carrie); Skylar, Eve, Andersen, and Diana (children of Ben and Kwi Lee); and Lois and Wren (children of Phoenix). He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Sr. and Margaret, and his sister Charlotte.

A celebration of his life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 250 Avenida Los Angelos, The Villages, Fla.. (at the corner of Morse Blvd. and 466). It takes place on Monday, May 6 at 10 a.m. Those wishing to send flowers are asked to do so through Beyers Funeral Home in advance of the service by calling Beyers at (352) 753-4444. Memorial donations can also go toward the music department at Hope (352) 750-2321. A fellowship banquet for all in attendance will take place immediately after the services.

Obituary submissions

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

Winners celebrated at reception for Chester County High School Art Exhibition and 6th Congressional District Art Competition

Local art enthusiasts gathered on Wednesday night to celebrate student creativity at the reception for the Chester County High School Art Exhibition and PA 6th District Congressional Art Competition at the Chester County Art Association in in West Chester. The exhibition featured nearly 500 works of art ranging from sculptures to oil paintings to colored pencil pieces and photography created by students from across Chester County.

Participating students in the Chester County High School Art Exhibition who live in the 6th Congressional District of Pennsylvania also had the opportunity to submit their artwork to Representative Chrissy Houlahan’s Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, across the nation, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a high school art competition, with the grand prize winner having their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

The reception and awards ceremony, which was free and open to the public, was the pinnacle of this year’s exhibition, celebrating the many student artists whose work was displayed. During the event, awards were distributed for the Chester County High

School Art Exhibition, determined by the Chester County Art Association, and Representative Chrissy Houlahan’s Congressional Art Competition.

Emily Otto, a junior at B. Reed Henderson High School, achieved first place in the PA 6th District Congressional Art Competition. Her charcoal drawing, titled Mourning Dew, will be proudly displayed in the Capitol building for one year.

“It’s amazing to see one of my pieces win first place, especially this one,” said Otto, who was surprised to win an award. “It took me so long to do; I put so much detail into it and I am glad that it won first place. It’s exhilarating!”

When asked what advice she might give to aspiring young artists, Otto answered, “It’s going to be a lot of work. Everyone says to trust the process and it’s true. Always trust the process. The more you practice, the better you will get.”

In addition to Otto, Mar Clark of Phoenixville Area High School placed second, Mason Warwick of Delaware Valley Friends School placed third, and Monica Stratton of Exeter Township Senior High School received an Honorable Mention in the competition. Clark and

First place winner in the PA 6th

Congressional Art

B. Reed Henderson High School, poses with her piece, titled Mourning Dew, which will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. for the next year.

Warwick’s artwork will be displayed in Representative Houlahan’s offices in Reading and West Chester.

The Chester County High School Art Exhibition and PA 6th District Congressional Art Competition is coordi-

nated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit and is funded in part by a grant from CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services. To see a full list of the art show winners, visit www.cciu.org/Art-Show.

Rotary Club of Kennett Square announces second annual Kennett on Top fundraiser

The first Kennett on Top fundraiser was a huge success—it was an evening with over 200 friends, great food, beer, wine, a signature cocktail and live music on top of the Kennett Square park-

ing garage. No speeches, no program, just fun celebrating the vibrant town at a fantastic venue.

The Rotary Club of Kennett Square is doing it again and recently announced a bigger and better second annual

Kennett on Top event—it will take place on June 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Kennett Rotary Foundation that supports nonprofit agencies in the community, such as

Young Moms, Family Promise of Southern Chester County, Maternal Health Child Consortium, Kennett Area Community Service, local police and emergency personnel, and more.

This year’s winners in the PA 6th District Congressional Art Competition pose with their awards at the reception hosted by the Chester County Art Association. Pictured from left to right: Mar Clark of Phoenixville Area High School, Mason Warwick of Delaware Valley Friends School, and Emily Otto of B. Reed Henderson High School.

Courtesy photos

District

Competition, Emily Otto of

Local News

County funds generator for Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe recently met with leaders, staff, and volunteers of the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) to commemorate the installation of a new generator at the DVCCC’s headquarters.

The generator, crucial to ensure that the secure, confidential services of the DVCCC are always available, was funded by a $265,000 grant through the Chester County Department of Community Development.

Recognizing the importance of this generator, the Commissioners noted, “The very nature of the support that the DVCCC offers to victims and survivors of domestic violence means that services must always be available to provide refuge. That’s why, in the event of a power

outage, having a generator to back up its emergency shelter, transitional housing, and administrative offices –all located in a single, confidential location – is a necessity.

“We are pleased that the county could secure the funds needed to purchase this new generator to give assurance to the DVCCC and individuals and families affected by domestic violence.”

The funding provided by Chester County for the DVCCC generator came from a Community Development Block Grant authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Dr. Dolly WidemanScott, DVCCC’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “While we are always here to help those experiencing domestic violence, losing power would restrict our abilities. The numbers we

Domestic Violence Center of

the

serve increased during the pandemic, highlighting even more the importance of maintaining services and

functions at our main location, no matter what.

“This generator will ensure that our conversa-

tions, our connections, and our services will continue during major weather events or random loss of power and that we can maintain a confidential, safe, and comfortable environment for our clients.”

Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch appoints new library director

The Chester County Library Board of Trustees recently announced the promotion of Jenna Persick as the next library director for Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch.

Persick’s appointment was made effective on April 8.

Mike Skay, the chairman of the Chester County Library Board of Trustees said, “We are thrilled to have Jenna take on the role of our new library director. Her vision for the future of our libraries aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing accessible resources, innovative programming, and fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community.”

Persick has been an exceedingly valuable member of the Chester County Library team since 2001.

Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and an unwavering commitment to advancing the role of libraries as vibrant community gathering places, Skay said.

Persick has worked at Chester County Library for 23 years in various positions, including as a business librarian in the Reference Department, and as the head of technical services since 2007. She has also worked at other public libraries, including the San Antonio Public Library’s central library, the Wilmington Library in Delaware, and the Memorial Library of Radnor Township.

Joe Sherwood, the executive director of Chester County Library System, praised Persick’s skills, knowledge, and expertise, which make her a tremen-

dous asset and a perfect fit for the role.

As the new library director, Persick will be responsible for executive leadership for approximately 140 staff between the two library locations. Her role will involve working closely with Chester County administration, community partners, county departments, and the Chester County Library System to leverage library programs and services to improve life outcomes for all residents in the area.

Persick expressed her excitement about her new role.

“I look forward to working with our staff to continue to provide quality library services and exploring new opportunities to engage with the community,” she said. “I believe. a strong library engages with its community to align

services and ``resources with community needs. I would love our libraries to become community hubs where residents can use our resources and spaces to educate, inform, and enrich their lives.”

She added, “I also hope that everyone in the community has a library card to use our services in person and virtually. We have so much information to share: current bestsellers, books for research, digital magazines and newspapers, eBooks, and eAudiobooks, streaming video with our Kanopy Plus subscription, and many databases to help with research for business planning, schoolwork, or consumer study.

“We have staff ready to assist with business/career and technology questions. We have Makerspaces at both libraries for our community makers to use. We

McCrea named Avon Grove Lions Senior Student of the Month

Everett McCrea was selected as the Avon Grove Lions Senior Student of the Month.

Everett is a high school senior at Avon Grove Charter School. Over his high school career, he has down-linked images from weather satellites, volunteered at Project CURE to help ship medical supplies to impoverished and wartorn nations, and worked at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. He is part of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, as well as the Tri-M Honor Music Society. At his internships at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, he worked in the

have over thirty museum passes to area museums that are free with your library card. Our libraries

continue to grow and are ready to help. Please stop by and see what we have to offer.”

Courtesy photo

Chester County staff and volunteers, Chester County Commissioners, and county staff celebrate

installation of a generator which ensures the secure, confidential services of the DVCCC are always available.

Courtesy photo

Jenna Persick has been appointed the library director for Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch.

Courtesy photo Everett McCrea was selected as the Avon Grove Lions Senior Student of the Month. He is pictured with Conor McCrea and Michelle McCrea, and Avon Grove Lions president George Steele and Avon Grove Charter assistant principal Mark Miller.

Legals

FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE RESURFACING AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2024

FOR PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PA

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Kenneth D. Hamson, Sr., DECEASED. Late of Township of West Fallowfield, 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 Dwayne S. Hamson, Executor, c/o Law Office of James Clark 277 Millwood Road Lancaster, PA 17603 Attorney: James R. Clark 5p-1-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF PAUL JAMES KENT, SR. a/k/a PAUL J. KENT, SR., DECEASED. Late of New London Township, Chester County, PA. LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above

Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DONNA K. MARCHAND, EXECUTRIX, 29 N. Fourth St., Oxford, PA 19363, Or to her Attorney: ANITA M. D’AMICO, D’AMICO LAW, P.C., 65 S. Third St., Oxford, PA 19363 5p-1-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF KENNETH E. SPIESS, JR., DECEASED. Late of New London Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to SASHA KS REIMANN-SPIESS, EXECUTRIX, c/o Stacey Willits McConnell, Esq., 24 E. Market St., P.O. Box 565, West Chester, PA 19381-0565, Or to her Attorney: STACEY WILLITS McCONNELL, LAMB McERLANE, PC, 24 E. Market St., P.O. Box 565, West Chester, PA 19381-0565 5p-1-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be

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

SALE NO. 24-5-143

Writ of Execution No. 2023-08642

DEBT $310,466.48

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground situate at East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, bounded and described accordingly to a Final Plan of Wiltshire at Oxford, drawn by Lake Roeder Hillard & Beers, dated December 9, 1996 and last revised June 26, 1998, said Plan recorded in Chester County as Plan No. 14559, as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at a point on the Easterly side of Quill Court (50 feet wide), said point being a corner of Lot No. 82 on said Plan; thence extending from said point of Beginning along the Easterly side of Quill Court the 2 following courses and distances: (1) Northwardly along the arc of a circle curving to the left having a radius of 175.00 feet the arc distance of 19.67 feet to a point of tangent; and (2) North 06 degrees 35 minutes 55 seconds East, 71.54 feet to a point of curve; thence leaving Quill Court along the arc of a circle curving to the right having a radius of 25.00 feet the arc distance of 24.06 feet to a point of reverse curve on the Southeasterly side of the cul-de-sac (of irregular width) at the terminus of Quill Court; thence extending Northeastwardly along same along the arc of a circle curving to the left having a radius of 62.50 feet the arc distanced of 44.32 feet to a point, a corner of lands marked “Open Space”; thence extending along said lands the 2 following courses and distances: (1) South 68 degrees 53 minutes 03 seconds East, 89.63 feet to a point, a corner; and (2) South 06 degrees 35 minutes 55 seconds West, 138.77 feet to a point, a corner of Lot No. 82 on said Plan; thence extending along same, North 76 degrees 57 minutes 40 seconds West, 124.16 feet to the first mentioned point and place of BEGINNING.

CONTAINING 16,901 square feet of land.

BEING Lot No. 81 as shown on the above-mentioned Plan.

BEING the same premises which Melissa S. Ott by Deed dated November 18, 2004 and recorded December 7, 2004 in Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County, Pennsylvania in Book 6352, Page 1177, conveyed unto Robert Kearney and Jennifer Kearney.

PARCEL NO. 69-3-64.19

PLAINTIFF: Fulton Bank, N.A. f/k/a Fulton Bank VS

DEFENDANT: Robert Kearney and Jennifer Kearney

SALE ADDRESS: 611 Quill Court, Oxford, PA 19363

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: HENRY & BEAVER LLP 717274-3644

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.

4p-24-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO.24-5-145

Writ of Execution No. 2019-12740

DEBT $656,364.35

ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PIECE OF GROUND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, HEREDITAMENTS AND APPURTENANCES, SITUATE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF PENN, COUNTY OF CHESTER AND STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED ACCORDING TO A PLAN OF ELK CREEK FARMS, MADE BY KELLY & ASSOCIATES, INC., GLEN MILLS, PA DATED OCTOBER 9,1998, LAST REVISED NOVEMBER 3, 1999 AND RECORDED AS PLAN FILE NO. 15972 AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT:

BLR# 58-3-33.67

PLAINTIFF: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITITES 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

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.

4p-24-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 24-5-147

Writ of Execution No. 2023-04472

DEBT $113,087.61

ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of ground, situate in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania described according to a Plan of “University Heights” prepared for Cheyney Homesteads, Inc., by Chester Valley Engineers, Inc., Consulting Engineers, Paoli, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1959 and revised May 4, 1959 and being more fully described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point in the Southeast line of Township Route No. 329 (proposed 50 feet wide) said point being South 53 degrees 3 minutes West, 25.05 feet from a point in the center line of Township Route 329 being a corner of lands now or late of Robert Bidwell and land of the Grantor; thence from said point of beginning and continuing along the Southwest line of Township Route No. 329; South 40 degrees 40 minutes 10 seconds East, 76.63 feet to a point, the radial corner at the intersection of a proposed 50 feet wide street; thence along said radial corner on a line curving to the right having a radius of 25 feet an arc distance of 39.27 feet and a chord bearing South 6 degrees 19 minutes 50 seconds West, 35.36 feet to a point in the Northwest line of and proposed 50 feet wide Street; thence

along said Northwest line South 49 degrees 19 minutes 50 seconds West, 175 feet to a point; thence along and through land of the Grantor North 30 degrees 41 minutes West, 141.43 feet to a point in the South line of lands now or late of Robert Bidwell; thence along said lands the following two courses: (1) North 84 degrees 39 minutes East, 30 feet to a point; (2) North 53 degrees 3 minutes East, 134.95 feet to the point of BEGINNING.

BEING Lot No. 1 as shown on the abovementioned Plan.

BEING the same premises which William E. Gaymon and Estelle S. Gaymon, his wife by Deed dated October 3, 1972 and recorded October 12, 1972 in Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County, Pennsylvania in Book Y40, Page 193 conveyed unto Emery Wimbish, Jr., single man.

PARCEL NO. 56-4-67

PLAINTIFF: Fulton Bank, N.A., Successor by Merger to Fulton Bank VS

DEFENDANT: Emery Wimbish, Jr.

SALE ADDRESS: 148 Elkdale Road, Lincoln University, PA 19352

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: HENRY & BEAVER LLP 717274-3644

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. 4p-24-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 24-5-148

Writ of Execution No. 2023-05438 DEBT $517,329.87

Property to be sold is situated in the borough/township

of KENNETT, County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania.

Parcel Number: 62-050067.350

PLAINTIFF: U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as indenture trustee of cim trust 2021-NR1 VS

DEFENDANT: Marie B. Dellinger

SALE ADDRESS: 15 Walnut Valley Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: FRIEDMAN VARTOLO

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.

4p-24-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO.24-5-150 Writ of Execution No. 2019-07976 DEBT $190,713.19

All that certain tract of land situate in the Township of West Sadsbury, Chester County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, compiled from surrounding deed and set forth as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at a point in the center of Upper Valley Road (L.R. 15063) said point being the Northwest corner of lands of Pearl B. Cantler, thence passing over a spike on the South side of said road, South eleven degrees twenty minutes East (S 11 20’ E), one hundred twenty-five (125) feet to an iron pin, thence continuing along land of Pearl G. Cantler, South seventy-nine degrees ten minutes West (S 79 10’ W), one hundred ninety-two and nine tenths (192.9) feet to an iron pin in line of land of Pearl B. Cantler and being a corner of land of Timothy B. Kennedy,

et ux; thence along Kennedy’s land, South ten degrees fifty minutes East (S 10 50’ E), two hundred eighteen and twentysix hundredths (218.26) feet to an iron pin on the North line of the Penn Central Railroad Company, thence along said last mentioned line one hundred twenty-five (125) feet from a parallel to center line of said Railroad, South eighty-two degrees seven minutes thirty seconds West (S 82’ 07’ 30” W), two hundred twenty-eight and forty-three hundredths (228.43) feet to a point being the Southeast corner of land of Harold D. Hall, et ux; thence along Halls land North one degrees forty-eight minutes West (N 01’ 48’ W), one hundred sixtyfour and thirty-four hundredths (164.34) feet to a point in line of land of Earl C. Skiles, et ux; thence along Skiles land, North eighty degrees East (N 80’ E), forty-seven (47) feet to a pin, thence continuing along land of Skiles North ten degrees West (N 10 W), one hundred twentyfive (125) feet to a point in the center of Upper Valley Road (L.R. 15063); thence along said center line North seventy-nine degrees ten minutes East (N 79 10’ E), twenty (20) feet to a point being the point and place of BEGINNING.

Said land bounded on the North by land now or late of Earl C. Skiles, and Iris V. Skiles his wife, Upper Valley (LR 15063) and Pearl B. Cantler, bounded on the East by land of Pearl B. Cantler, bounded on the East by land of Pearl B. Cantler and Timothy B. Kennedy, Leslie A. Kennedy, his wife, bounded on the South by land of Penn Central railroad company; and bounded on the west by land of Harold M. Hall and Elizabeth A. Hall, his wife, and Earl C. Skiles and Iris V. Skiles, his wife.

Title is vested in Richard E. Walker and Ethel Marie Walker, husband and wife by deed from Ethel Marie Walker, Married woman, dated 08/28/1986 and recorded 09/05/1986 in Book 431 and Page 541.

Tax ID: 36-05-0135.060

PLAINTIFF: The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2005-BC5 VS DEFENDANT: Ethel Marie Walker and Richard E. Walker

SALE ADDRESS: 3342 Upper Valley Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PARKER McCAY PA

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.

4p-24-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public on-line auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024 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, June 17th, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 24-5-162

Writ of Execution No. 2023-01914

DEBT $196,919.07

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate in Kennett Township, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a Plan

of Lots 94 - 96 Final Subdivision of Balmoral, made by Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc., Bel Air, MD, dated 8/7/1991, last revised 10/2/1991 and recorded on 12/17/1991, as Plan #11474, as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at an interior point from the Northwesterly side of MacDuff Court, a comer of Limited Common Area: thence extending along same, the 7 following courses and distances: (1) South 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds West, 12.33 feet to a point; (2) North 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds West, 2.33 feet to a point; (3) South 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds West, 11.67 feet to a point; (4) North 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds West. 9.67 feet to a point: (5) South 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds West, 6.33 feet to a point; (6) North 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds West, 4.33 feet to a point and (7) South 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds West, 12.00 feet to a point: thence extending North 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds West, along Lot #95. the distance of 26.00 feet to a point, a comer of Limited Common Area; thence extending along the same, the 4 following courses and distances: (1) North 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds West, 30.00 feet to a point: (2) South 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds East, 16.33 feet to a point: (3) North 56 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds East, 12.00 feet to a point and (4) South 33 degrees 34 minutes 32 seconds East, 26.00 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

BEING Unit #94 as shown on said Plan.

TOGETHER with an easement for exclusive use over the respective areas shown as Limited Common Area and as driveway space on the plan made by Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc., aforesaid.

BEING the same premises which Robert L. Duke, IV and Terri L. Graybill, by Deed dated 03/31/2003 and recorded 04/03/2003 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester in Record Book 5636, Page 371, granted and conveyed unto John J. Danko, Jr.

UPI NO. 62-5-343

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a single family residence

PLAINTIFF: Louviers Federal Credit Union VS DEFENDANT: John J. Danko, Jr.

SALE ADDRESS: 805 Macduff Court, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: JACK M. SEITZ, ESQ

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. 4p-24-3t

Classifieds be sold on May,1 2024 @ 9:00 am. Chews Towing, Inc. 722 Market Street Oxford, PA 19363

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Please take notice Storage First Kennett Square located at 328 W Mulberry St Kennett Square PA 19348 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 5/9/2024 at 10:00AM. Susan E Twaddell unit #64. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Please take notice Storage First Downington located at 3925 Hazelwood Ave Downington PA 19335 intends to hold a public sale to the highest bidder of the property stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 5/8/2024 at 10:00AM. Adrienne K Leasa unit #101. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply.

Auto Auction

2005 Honda Accord vin# 1HGCM66595A077394 to

Auto Auction 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vin# 1G1ZB5STXJF289188 to be sold on May,1 2024 @ 9:00 am. Chews Towing, Inc. 722 Market Street Oxford,PA 19363

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