Chester County Press 05-10-2023 Edition

Kennett Township reaches CBA with its police department

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

After several months of negotiations, Kennett Township has finalized a five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Kennett Township Police Department that extends to Dec. 31, 2027.

The agreement was formally adopted by the township’s Board of Supervisors at the May 3 meeting.

The path to locking in the new CBA began its negotiations last July in meetings between the township and the Kennett Township Police Association, and

was finalized in principle last November. It serves as an upgrade to a five-year contract that was first formalized in 2018 when the department began 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operations and expired at the end of 2022.

In a May 1 policy briefing summary to the

Oxford Arts Alliance plans walking tour of outdoor gallery

By Betsy Brewer Brantner

Contributing

Writer

Oxford Borough Council eagerly approved a letter of support for the Oxford Arts Alliance’s walking tour project at their May 1 meeting.

The outdoor gallery project was spearheaded by Dave Eldreth, a well known local artist and Arts Alliance board member.

This town beautification project is centered around the display of local artists’ work on buildings in the Borough of Oxford. The project is a unique opportunity for artists and not seen before town gallery which will focus on the display of oversize high-resolution images of original art on the buildings of Oxford.

If you’re an Oxford resident and local artist, and

would like more information or would like to make a donation to this program go to www.oxfordart.org for more information.

In other business, council gave preliminary approval to William Fasick, a Boy Scout and member of Troop 13, to install a 911 memorial in the Oxford Memorial Park. Fasick will work with the Borough Public Works Department to install a memorial to honor those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The project will be on the agenda for the May 15 council meeting for further discussion.

Borough council announced that the 30-day public comment period regarding the borough’s Pollutant Reduction Plan extends from May 1 to

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board, Finance & Human Resources Director Amy Heinrich wrote that the new agreement was developed in part by comparing the existing CBA with those of other police units in other municipalities throughout Chester County, in order to bring benefits “in line with other municipalities to

aid in the financial stability of our police force, while still maintaining positive morale in the department.”

The key amendments to the former CBA will allow officers to make a five percent contribution to their pension plans and their healthcare package, as well as officer a health-

care opt-out incentive; see an adjustment to holiday compensation; reflect reductions in vacation time and in payouts for unused vacation and sick time.

As spelled out by township Manager Eden Ratliff during his comments to the supervisors, the new

Kennett Borough Council agrees to contract for Borough Hall

By HaLeigh Abbott

Contributing Writer

Kennett Borough Council held meetings on May 1 and May 3, where they reached

In a busy month, Borough Council is also considering a potential easement for a borough-owned parking lot, receiving a report about fire and EMS expenditures, and discussing the Kennett Y swimming pool situation decisions on committees and policies and discussed a variety of topics including a potential easement for the borough parking lot on Church Alley and a contract

2023

agreement for the Borough Hall building.

Esmerelda Carrillo and Aide Garcia Hernandez were appointed to ACOLA, the borough’s Advisory

Kennett

Commission on Latino Affairs. Chairman Jorge Duchini backed the twoyear term appointment, welcoming the new generation of Latino voices to the

Memorial Day Parade

commission. The purpose of ACOLA is to advise the Borough Council on official actions that affect the Latino community. In addition to

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Grand marshals share their stories of service to country

Three local veterans will lead the patriotic procession through Kennett Square on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. It’s possible, in the midst of all the buzz and excitement, to miss the significance of what these men represent—to the community and the country.

The 2023 Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade’s grand marshals—Bill Taylor, Hugh Hagerty, and Phil Donohoe—have all led lives of faithful service. While their stories are very different, they’re united in urging Americans of every generation to show respect and gratitude for all who

have served, and are serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are their stories.

Former Parade Chairman honored for laying a strong foundation

Former Memorial Day Parade Chairman Bill Taylor, who organized and ran the parade until 2019, is being honored as a grand marshal this year.

“We owe Bill a debt of gratitude for all that he did for 16 years,” said current parade Chairman Dave Haradon. “The new committee is moving forward

competitors both shine at 34th Kennett Run...1B

the event, building on the strong foundation that Bill, along with his family

Kennett Square Borough Hall...

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developing, reviewing and recommending policies that support the borough’s antidiscriminatory policies, ACOLA serves as a resource for community groups, promotes Latino cultural arts, and identifies resources for the benefit and advancement of Latinos.

Mayor Matthew Fetick swore in the Kennett Fire Company officers for the 2023-2025 term. Chief Tom Brady, Deputy Chief Steve Melton, Assistant Chief Rick Franks, and Battalion Chief Bruce Mitchell are all repeating their duties and positions from the 2021-2023 term. A special

Kennett Township...

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CBA not only offers a more equitable pension plan for officers, it will include a nine percent salary increase, which equates to a 2.65 percent average raise to help compensate for the five percent pension contribution and the 1.35 percent healthcare contribution that will come out of the officers’ paychecks.

The new CBA also includes a salary tier structure for newly-hired officers that will allow them to reach the top salary level in their designation after seven full years on the job. It also locks each officer into the township’s pension plan on the first day of employment.

The new agreement will not only create a better medical and pension sce-

Oxford Arts Alliance...

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31. Residents can review the plan at Borough Hall between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at the borough’s website. Comments on the plan should be made in writing and addressed to the borough manager. Public comment can also be made in person at the next council meeting on May 15.

The update of the Borough’s Subdivision and

Local News Chester County Press

council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 25 at Borough Hall to review the findings of a Fitch & Associates consulted review on the borough’s fire and EMS expenditures. The goal of this meeting is to review the unbiased analysis of the Kennett Fire and Emergency Services Regional Commission’s funding support, and how the funds can be more efficiently utilized. According to the borough’s May newsletter, the contribution by the borough has increased 80 percent since the commission’s creation in 2017, totaling over $450,000 for 2023 with additional increases expected in future years. Public comment will be accepted

nario for its police officers, it will also save the township money. Under the current contract structure, police officers are paid $2.56 million annually; in the new contract, the accumulative annual salary will be $2.32 million per year. When calculated, the savings averages out at $244,000 per year and will accumulatively save the township $846,000 over the course of the next five years. Ratliff said that the new CBA is representative of a more equitable way of doing the business of the township.

“In the past, the lead negotiator was the former township manager [Lisa Moore], who demonstrated a history of over-compensation and benefits that were inconsistent with other Chester County municipalities, but we needed

Land Development and Zoning Ordinances is moving forward. The project, handled by Bergman and FHI Studio, will prepare new land development and zoning regulations and a zoning map.

McMahon Associates is currently working on a Community Survey for the Active Transportation Plan. The draft of the plan is expected to go before council by the end of August.

The Strategic Management Plan group has completed preliminary baseline assessment of the borough’s finances. They have scheduled individual

at this meeting after the report is presented.

A special borough council meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 15 to further discuss a requested easement by the buyer of the current Kennett Library on State Street and the adjoining borough parking lot on Church Alley. The buyer, the upscale heirloom furniture company Gish’s Furniture, is requesting the easement to ensure their box trucks can access the loading spaces for deliveries and pick-ups. Multiple options have been presented by both the buyer and the borough to find the best solution, which would preserve the lot for borough parking and still allow access to the store as need-

to let the existing CBA expire in order to begin to make progress in making amendments consistent with other benchmarks,” he said. “I thought the Kennett Township Police Association was remarkably understanding about the goals for the township and were as concerned as we were about the future sustainability of the department from a cost perspective.

“I think the Board of Supervisors and the staff are dedicated to the wellbeing of the officers and their ability to thrive, both from a personal wellness standpoint and a professional standpoint.”

“I believe that this new collective bargaining agreement gives us the stability that we have always worried about, one that led us to continually ask ourselves, ‘What’s going

interviews with department heads.

Borough council has once again approved free parking in the parking garage for the Primary Election Day on Tuesday, May 16.

Council approved sending a letter to the Office of the Budget on behalf of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI) to request a six-month extension to submit the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant post-award application and business plan in support of the Historic Oxford Theater Project.

OMI executive director Brian Dix told council, “We probably won’t need

ed. The special meeting will work to find the best solution for the buyer and the

to happen with the police department? Are we moving forward or aren’t we?’” said Police Chief Matt Gordon. “This five-year contract says, ‘Yes, we are.’ By virtue of what we agreed on, this shows that the township is investing in its police department. Their willingness to pay a nine percent salary increase up front to ease us into paying into our pension and medical benefits is clear evidence of their support.”

In related township business, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance No. 301 that amends the current pension plan with its police department, as administered by the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System.

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

the whole six months but that is what we are asking for.”

Dix said they have sought a new cost estimate for the project. At this point they are assembling a committee of 20 people. OMI will be looking to hire a director for the theatre project.

Borough manager Pauline Garcia-Allen presented the first quarterly budge financial review and discussion to council. Garcia-Allen said, “This is a high level review of the budget. We have done a lot to cut costs with this budget due to the housing market. I am happy to report that we have a good overall col-

public.

Penn Township officials decide to require additional parking at high school

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer

During the May 3 meeting, the Penn Township Board of Supervisors voted to require additional parking spaces at the new Avon Grove High School. During the land development process, a condition of the plan approval was that the township could review the parking situation after the school opened and require an additional 96 parking spaces be installed. An auxiliary parking lot with those spaces will be installed over the summer.

Supervisors Curtis Mason, William O’Connell and Jay Ennis voted for the action. Supervisor Victor Mantegna, who is employed by the school district, abstained from the vote. Board member Laura Sperratore was not present at the meeting.

lection rate in real estate, and we are on track for earned income tax. Parking fines are higher than usual due to better enforcement.

This year we are trending higher on equipment that needs repaired and hope that will level off.

Since we are cleaning up a lot of our ordinances, there will be an increase to our legal budget this year. Of course, with fuel prices going down, that is a plus. We are doing a deeper

dive in parking and parking permits to assess whether changes need to be made.” Borough council also announced that applications are being accepted for a new junior council member for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, visit oxfordboro.org or contact the borough manager.

The next borough council meeting will be held on May 15 at the Borough Hall.

Kennett Square Mayor Matthew Fetick swore in the Kennett Fire Company officers for the 2023-2025 term, including Fire Chief Tom Brady, Deputy Chief Steve Melton, Assistant Chief Rick Franks, and Battalion Chief Bruce Mitchell.

Borough council agreed to accept a contract with NAI

Emory Hill, a brokerage and property management company, to rent and manage

the Borough Hall building. The building has been available for rental space for a year now, and interest has seemed limited. Emory Hill will work to bring in renters and manage the building’s facility and cleaning needs.

Borough Council President Doug Doerfler and Borough Manager Kyle Coleman met with Nic Legere to discuss the closure of the YMCA pool to the public this summer. Legere, the executive director of the Kennett Y, has heard the feedback from the public on the request to keep it open, and has assured the council that the YMCA will work to offer public swim days this season. The YMCA has cited a decline in usage since 2017, as well

Grand marshals...

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made by those serving in World War II. As a child he collected newspapers and scrap iron for the war effort and gathered cattails to make parachutes with his father. He remembers black-outs in town during air raids and his mother using ration coupons. He also vividly recalls how “the town went crazy” the day the war was over. This sense of respect for duty and sacrifice led Taylor to enlist. After basic training at Fort Knox, he served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1964 under the Army Active Reserve Program. He was sent to Fort Lee in Virginia for supply school training and then was assigned to the Army Training Center in Delaware for one night a week of training and two weeks of training every summer at various Army bases. Taylor is a lifetime member and vice commander of the Kennett American Legion Post #491.

The Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade grew and flourished under his leadership to include a vast and diverse array of floats and performers from across the community and around the region. However, honoring the veterans who have served as grand marshals over the years was always at the heart of Taylor’s vision for the Memorial Day Parade. Taylor knows how important it is for them to share their stories—and for those stories to be heard by younger generations. It’s a fitting tribute, Haradon said, to honor Taylor as a grand marshal this year as he passes the baton of the

as lower employment rates despite an increase in benefits and incentives as the driving factor to close the pool to the public. The Y uses the pool heavily for their day camp and child care programs, but has offered day passes in the past for Kennett Square residents. Legere noted that an average of two community passes per day were sold last year on public entry days.

A roadmap for the future of Kennett Square created by TGT Solutions, a consulting firm that outlines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to communities to provide actionable plans for growth. The analysis presented described the borough at

parade’s leadership to a new generation of community leaders.

A ’19-year-old’ Korean War veteran

Hugh Hagerty emanates gratitude—for his life and for his experiences serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. Fresh out of high school in 1953, the Delaware County native decided to volunteer for the draft service along with four friends from his neighborhood. At the time, the question for all young men was when, not if, they would serve.

“Every able-bodied young guy knew he had a military obligation,” Hagerty explained. “We decided we’d get our military service in so we could get on with our lives.”

At the time, the Korean War was at a standstill.

After basic training in Georgia, the 19-year-old Hagerty, who was the eldest of his friends by six days, was immediately shipped out to Korea while the rest of his friends ended up serving stateside. He wouldn’t return home for 16 months.

“I was a kid when I left,” he said, and he’s grateful for the many different people he met who helped him grow up during his time in Korea. Hagerty’s unit was responsible for maintaining communications for the entire South Korean peninsula, on four mountainous sites from the southern end all the way to the DMZ.

“I never felt bad about having to go into the service,” he said. “I learned so much that’s not in books.”

He’s also grateful that he didn’t experience the kind

a nexus of a quaint, yet digital community with a rich cultural diversity and strong resources like financial, infrastructure, police and EMS. The vision presented for 2023-2026 is to retain the “hallmark movie feel” of the borough while strengthening infrastructure, such as roads, sewage, communication and access to affordable housing.

The plan will be further discussed and voted on at the meetings on June 3 and June 5. Both meetings will start at 7 p.m. in the Borough Hall.

Visit the Kennett Square Borough website to sign up for the monthly newsletter and review the calendar of events at www.kennettsq. org.

of sustained combat that others did.

A sense of humor and a natural propensity to look on the bright side aren’t the only qualities that have kept Hagerty young at heart. On his way to Korea in 1953, the ship passed the international date line on his twentieth birthday.

“I never had a twentieth birthday,” he said. “I’m forever a teenager!”

By the time Hagerty left Korea, he was promoted to company clerk. He laughed as he described how he could only type with one finger on each hand.

“But I was a good speller, so I got the job. I was Radar O’Reilly!” he said. In fact, Hagerty recommends the television show M*A*S*H for anyone wishing to get a true depiction of the Korean War, and attests to the accuracy of the popular series.

“The show’s creators must have been there. I swear some of those stories came from my unit,” he said.

Hagerty’s homecoming is another one of his favorite stories.

“When we left the dock on our way to Korea, they were serving coffee and donuts and the band was playing,” he said. But they arrived back at an (almost) empty dock.

“Two of my friends happened to be stationed there at Fort Lewis in Seattle at the time,” Hagerty recalled.

“So, I said to a soldier, a fellow I hadn’t met who was docking with me, ‘Do you see those two fellows down on the dock? They’re here to see me!’ He didn’t believe me, but I told him to stick with me and I’d prove it.” He did prove it, and Hagerty was able to spend about an hour catching up with his friends before

being shipped to Chicago. A month later, he said, they were all back together in the neighborhood, 21 years old and ready to move forward with their lives.

Hagerty was discharged from active service on Feb. 29, 1956.

“I celebrate my discharge every four years,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been out of the service for 15 years now!”

His experience in the Signal Corps and his veteran status gave him a leg up when applying for a job at the telephone company, what was then Pennsylvania Bell, where he worked for 37 years until his retirement. He met his wife that summer of 1956, they were married in October, and three years later they had three young children.

“That was a lot more responsibility than serving in Korea,” he said. Nine years later, they had their fourth child. “Some fellows weren’t drafted until they were 25 or 26,” he said, and he’s glad he signed on when he did so he could be there to help raise his family.

Hagerty has lived in Lincoln University with his youngest daughter and her family for the past 20 years. He loves being part of the lives of his 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and also enjoys spending time at the VFW Post 5467 in Kennett Square.

“It’s one of my hang outs,” he said. “There are always people there.” He noted that there aren’t many new veterans any more. “Not much military time is being served. Fortunately, it’s changed a lot.” But it’s hard, he said, for young people who make the choice to serve. Thanks to

them, young people today aren’t required to sign up for the draft.

“I wish young kids today respected their peers who volunteer to serve in the military to a greater extent than they do,” he said “They keep the wolf away from the door for everyone.”

A nonagenarian who continues in active service

While Hagerty’s six days of seniority resulted in his being the only one of his friends to serve in Korea, fellow grand marshal Paul Donohoe missed being shipped to Korea by just as narrow a margin.

Donohoe graduated from Kennett High School in 1949 and was drafted into the Army on May 6, 1953. “I reported to Coatesville and boarded a train for Philadelphia and from there to Camp Atterbury, Indiana for basic training,” he explained.

After graduating as a combat infantryman, he received orders to ship to Korea. But in the meantime, the conflict there had ended, so Donohoe was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri to work in the stockade with the 208th Military Police Company. From there he transferred to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth in Kansa where he worked as a guard.

“This was a prison for Army and Air Force detainees held for every infraction from being AWOL to murder,” he said. “I served the rest of my time in this post, first as an aide to the 1st Sergeant and later as an aide to the Colonel.”

After his honorable discharge from active duty on May 5, 1955, Donohoe returned home to take a

position as a partner in a local mushroom farm with his father-in-law, Wade Wilson. Two years later, he started his own mushroom-growing business in Avondale.

Donohoe’s life of active service and leadership, however, had only just begun. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Avondale Fire Company for over 20 years and served with the Avondale Fire Police, including three years as president. He was also Code Enforcement Officer in New Garden Township and is a longtime member of the Kennett American Legion Post #491 and Sage’s Senior Group and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council.

Even now, in his 90s, Donohoe continues to serve his community. He is president of the Residents’ Council of Jenner’s Pond, where he currently serves on the Landscaping Committee and is chairman of the Safety Council. He is also vice president of the Kennett Alumni Association.

“I would like to remind all members of the community the importance of continuing to support those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces with gratitude, dignity and respect,” he said.

The Memorial Day Parade Committee encourages the community to come out to honor Taylor, Hagerty, and Donohoe, and all past and present service men and women, at the Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade on May 29 at 10 a.m. Find more details about the parade, the route, and parking information, at kennettmemorialdayparade. com.

Photos by HaLeigh Abbott Kennett Square Borough Council held its regular meetings on May 1 and May 3, and meetings are coming up on June 3 and 5, with two special meetings planned for later in May.

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Please and thank you

Thomas Jefferson once said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.”

The Pa. Primary Election will take place next Tuesday, May 16.

Please vote.

Voter turnout in off-year elections is often very low. It shouldn’t be. The offices that are up for election this year—County Commissioners and some of the county row offices, local councils, supervisors, school boards, and judges at various levels—play a pivotal role in all our lives. The decisions that they make can have a bigger, and more direct, impact on our day-today lives than the high-profile offices.

It’s important for registered voters to get informed and then vote—in the Primary Election and then in the General Election in November.

Locally, there are some school board contests that could be pivotal to the direction that the school district takes. Students and taxpayers are relying on the electorate to make good decisions when they cast their ballots. Be wary of (i.e. never vote for) anyone attempting to politicize school board races or judicial contests.

Like Jefferson said, at the end of the day, you get the government you deserve. There is a direct correlation between citizens doing their civic duty and participating in elections and the quality of the governing that they receive from elected officials. We’d all be better served by our elected officials if we all went to the polls and held them accountable for their votes, actions, and inactions.

So we ask you to get informed about the candidates as best you can and then please make sure to vote.

We’d also like to thank those candidates who stand for election because they want to improve the community around them. These are the men and women who, once they are elected into office, lend their time and talents to selflessly serve others. They don’t bring chaos. They don’t bring dangerous political agendas. They work hard and try to bring people together. This area is fortunate to have quite a few top-notch elected officials—people like Bonnie Wolff and Michael Finnegan and Herman Engel and Peggy Ann Russell and Stephen Allaband, and we thank them for bringing professionalism to these largely volunteer positions.

Your vote can make a difference in the quality of education that our children receive

Letter to the Editor:

As a parent in the Oxford Area School District, I am writing to urge all registered voters to participate in the upcoming primary election.

The candidates who are elected to the school board will have a direct impact on the quality of education that our children receive.

Please review recent meetings on YouTube or meeting minutes. You will learn a lot about the candidates quickly. In recent years, our school district has faced a number of challenges, including budget issues and policy revisions. The school board will need to make difficult decisions about how to address these chal-

lenges. It is important that we elect board members who are knowledgeable about education, have the best interests of our children, and are willing to work collaboratively to find solutions. I encourage you to learn more about the candidates and to vote in the primary election.

I support the candidates

including Joseph Tighe, Jennifer Warren, Tenille Dewees, Sheri MatisMitchell, Brian Washburn, and Regina Hughes who are invested, educated, and competent. Your vote can make a difference in the quality of education that our children receive.

Cynthia Crabb

Pa. House Judiciary Committee passes life-saving gun safety bills

The bills would expand background checks, require secure firearm storage requirements, and requiring the reporting of lost and stolen guns

The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for voting to advance life-saving gun safety legislation, including establishing a Extreme Risk Law. Also known as a “Red Flag” law, the law would expand background checks, secure storage requirements and require reporting of lost and stolen guns. The bills are expected to be voted on the House floor.

“Everyday our communities are devastated by senseless acts of gun violence — we applaud the House Judiciary Committee for meeting these moments with action and not apathy,” said Elizabeth Jones, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action.

“This is an important step in the right direction and we look forward to working with lawmakers to get this bill passed in the House so we can continue to protect our communities from gun violence.”

The gun safety bills that passed the House Judiciary Committee include the following:

HB 1018 — This bill would establish an Extreme Risk law sometimes known as “Red Flag” law that would create a process through an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) allowing law enforcement, family, or household members to petition a court to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms. ERPOs can help put time and space between a person in crisis and firearms and are a proven way to prevent gun violence.

HB 714 – This bill would expand the Commonwealth’s background check requirement

to cover private sales of all firearms. Ninety three percent of voters in the U.S., 89 percent of Republicans, and 89 percent of gun owners support requiring background checks on all gun sales, and there’s a good reason why: background checks save lives. Each year on just one website, 1.2 million online ads offering firearms for sale are listed that would not legally require a background check to be completed. And nearly 1 in 9 prospective buyers who respond to ads from unlicensed sellers would not pass a background check.

HB 338 – This bill would require a person to report a lost or stolen firearm. Gun thefts occur in staggering numbers and often divert guns into an underground market where people with dangerous histories are able to easily obtain firearms. Requiring that lost and stolen guns be reported to law enforcement deters illegal gun trafficking.

One study found that lost and stolen reporting laws reduced traced illegal gun movement by 46 percent compared to states that do not have such a law.

HB 731 — This bill would require a firearm to be stored securely any time it is not on the person of the owner or in their immediate control. Gun owners can make their homes and communities safer by storing their guns securely – locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition. Securing firearms protects children and adults by preventing unintentional shootings and gun suicides, and can also prevent gun violence at schools by reducing school-age children’s access to guns. In an average year in Pennsylvania, 1,713 people die by guns, and 1,992 more are wounded by guns. Gun violence costs Pennsylvania $21.7 billion each year, of which $470.7 million is paid by taxpayers.

Legislators call for reforms to hospital closure process

In response to recent hospital closures in areas across Pennsylvania, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, and State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara are working to reform the process to better position impacted communities and residents.

They have introduced legislation to increase the

notice hospitals must give before closing a facility from 90 to 180 days, require more community input, data collection, and public hearings before a closure, and establish more comprehensive and defined standards for procedure and notification of a closure.

The lawmakers brought together healthcare advo-

cates, county officials, and fellow legislators for a special press conference in Harrisburg in support of the legislation – House Bill 158 and its companion bill, Senate Bill 184.

“Hospitals are part of our communities and when one closes it can have a destabilizing impact across an entire region,” Comitta said. “That’s why communities facing hospital closures need more time, input, and information. This legislation aims to empower communities to better address, prepare for, and potentially avert the wideranging impacts of these closures.”

“Communities across the commonwealth are suffering from an inadequate hospital closure process – hurting patients, jeopardizing the livelihoods of hospital staff, and costing local economies,” Pashinski said. “House Bill 158 and Senate Bill 184 would ensure that those most impacted by a potential closure have a voice in any major decision to close or reduce services, creating a fairer process for all. We are ready and willing to work with anyone – Republican,

Democrat, independent or health care systems – to find solutions to this problem and prevent sudden closures from happening again in the future.”

The hospital closures have had a cascading effect on other health services and emergency transport providers, including increased emergency room wait times and ambulance transport times.

“When someone needs emergency care, every second counts,” O’Mara said. “With only a 90-day notice of a closure, communities do not have enough time to transition into other care options.

“With this legislation, we are giving individuals, communities, health care providers, and workers more time to figure out these critical health care situations.”

Joining the legislators were Marian Moskowitz, chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, and Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council. Both Chester County and Delaware County have been dealing with the ramifications of recent hospital closures.

“We are in a health care

crisis in Delaware County,” Taylor said. “On behalf of Delaware County, you have our support of this bill and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that every resident has access to quality healthcare and emergency health services.”

“When Tower Health announced the closure of not just one, but two hospitals in Chester County it was devastating to the communities they serve,” Moskowitz said. “I thank

Senator Comitta and our Chester County elected officials for all they have done and continue to do to bring emergency service back to our communities and ensure there are crucial safety nets, so this never happens again.”

House Bill 158, introduced by Pashinski and O’Mara, is in the House Health Committee. Senate Bill 184, introduced by Comitta, is in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Courtesy photo

State lawmakers discussed their legislation to reform the hospital closure process. Pictured are State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, and State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski.

700+ runners enjoy competition, weather and camaraderie at 34th Kennett Run

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Wearing No. 164 across her matching black runner’s outfit, Bonnie Cardile of West Grove came down to the finish line of the 34th Kennett Run on May 6 with the gorgeous sun of the morning gleaming against her sunglasses.

When she crossed the finish line with a 10K time of 57 minutes and 38 seconds, the red digits that flashed behind Cardile meant very little to her, because what waited just steps from her exhausted body was a satisfaction far more important: the enveloping arms of her daughter, who was joined by Cardile’s best friend and a few others who had come to cheer her on.

“I have been running for the past 300 days and I made a goal last June to run at least a mile every day,” Cardile said. “I was coming up on a year and wanted to celebrate with a race, and my daughter came, my best friend came and a few other friends came, so this is a great day.”

This year’s Kennett Run – which kicked off at Anson B. Nixon Park, circled through parts of Kennett Square Borough and finished at the park -- was also a great day for Kennett Run Charities, the fundraising arm of the annual race. Not only was the sun shining brightly, but as of 8:45 a.m. – 15 minutes before the start of the 10K race -- registration stood at 735, well beyond the 599 registrants who signed up for the 2022 event, which was held in a deluge of rain and heavy winds that saw dwindling attendance.

“This has been a really great morning at the Kennett Run, with an

incredibly beautiful sun and clear skies, and it has been so nice compared to last year’s race and the two years we lost to COVID19,” said Kennett Run Charities President Bob Merkle. “The Run is a lot of fun for everyone who participates, and hopefully it will generate good money for us to donate toward the many non-profit agencies

as a result.”

Merkle said that he was also happy to see a significant increase in the number of participants who directed $5 of their entry fees toward local high school sports booster programs.

“Oxford Area High School saw a 100 percent increase, Avon Grove High School saw a 75 percent increase and Kennett High

This year’s race drew nearly 750 registered competitors.

School was up almost 30 percent,” Merkle said.

“That’s one of the improvements we were hoping to see. You hear so many stories about young people struggling with depression as a result of COVID-19, and this funding helps so many high school sports programs and the young people who participate in them.”

Top finishers in the 5K were Paul Springer

(17:04.5), Angel Chimal Rodriguez (17:36) and Joshua Alcorn (17:42.4).

The top female finishers in the 5K included Kaitlyn Kipp (19:28.2), Madison Schuck (22:05) and Michaela Perna (22:55).

In the 10K, top finishers were Brian Louis (23:02), Chris Rinschler (24:28) and Nick Geigle (24:25).

The top female finishers in the 10K were Katelyn Gardner (31:20), Renee

Clewell (31:53) and Kelly McConnell Cox (32:14).

For a complete listing of all finish times, visit www.trisignup.com/Race/ Results.

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

To see additional photos of this year’s Kennett Run, visit www.chestercounty. com.

The Kennett Run: A race for the entire family.

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Bonnie Cardile of West Grove is embraced by her daughter moments after Cardile completed her 10K race at the 34th Kennett Run, held on May 6.

Several runners were boosted by their own fan clubs.

A participant in the Kids Pond Run completes his course.

In addition to navigating the challenging terrain of the course, runners took on State Street in Kennett Square.

Beau and Kathleen Fournier’s daughter holds her father’s race bib moments before the start of the 10K race.

Sisters Annika and Katarina Tuerff of West Chester.

Robin Swayne of Narberth.

Seventh-grader Kaitlyn Kipp, pictured with her brother Colin, was the first woman to cross the finish line after completing her 5K in a time of 19:28.2.

VICTOR E. LETO

Victor E. Leto, age 95, of Kennett Square, passed away on April 24, 2023 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

Born in Kennett Square, he was the son of the late Oreste Leto Sr. and the late Jennie Sicco Leto. Victor lived in the same childhood home throughout his life.

Victor graduated from Kennett High School, Class of 1945. He then started college at Penn State University but was drafted into the Army during World War II, serving the country from 1945 to 1947. He then returned to Penn State University and earned his degree from the School of Agriculture in 1950.

After college Victor started a large poultry business on the family farm, operating that for several years. He then established and operated a successful mushroom growing business. Victor stayed abreast of advances in that industry, frequently attending post-graduate courses and seminars in the U.S. and abroad.

He enjoyed deer hunting and was an avid trout fisherman. He was a member of Shellbark Lodge, located in Lycoming County, Pa., where he not only hunted and fished, but made lifelong friendships with other members.

An accomplished pilot, Victor loved flying. He joined a

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group of local men who started the Kennett Flying Club in 1947. The Club purchased a two-passenger Ercoupe, which they flew from a small field in New Garden Township where the Giant store is now located.

Even more than all his accomplishments, Victor was known for his extremely kind, encouraging and generous nature. Always willing to lend his support, he was a constant, loyal caregiver to parents and siblings for 50 years. His nieces and nephews all have fond memories of time spent with their special uncle.

Victor is one of 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by one brother, Robert Leto and his wife Kay of Kennett Square, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Joseph, Charles, Oreste “Tino” Jr, and Frederick and four sisters, Rosalie, Mary, Hilda Smith and Sylvia Fawcett.

You are invited to visit with Victor’s family and friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday May 13 at Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St. in Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Cathedral Cemetery in Wilmington, Del. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service https://kacsimpact.org/support.

Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory of Kennett Square (484-734-8100).

To view Victor’s online tribute and to share a memory

VICKIE LYNN HAZELWOOD

Vickie Lynn Hazelwood, of Oxford, passed away on May 5, 2023 at Lancaster General Hospital. She was 55.

She was the wife of Larry Dale Hazelwood, with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late George and Alma Atwood Holland.

Vickie loved the Lord and knew him as her Savior. She also loved her grandchildren as much as anyone. She loved her husband and son just as much, along with her brothers and sisters, with whom she spoke weekly and sometimes daily. She was a favorite aunt to many of her nieces and nephews. She also loved her cats and cared for them like they were children. She was the type of person who made friends with everyone she met and had many extended family members. She was always smiling and always willing to help someone in need. She was truly one of a kind.

She is survived by her husband; one son, Larry Hazelwood, Jr. and his wife, Lauren of Quarryville; three grandchildren, Gracie, Addie and Declan Hazelwood; two brothers, Jerry Holland and his wife, Stacy of Nottingham and Daniel Holland and his wife, Jamie of Colora, Md.; and three sisters, Margaret Holland of West Chester, Brenda Zimmerman and her husband, Ivan of Nottingham, and Connie Grinestaff and her husband, Dan of Nottingham.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11 at the Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church, 303 West Christine Road, Nottingham, where friends and family may visit from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Interment will be in the adjoining church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with funeral costs.

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

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Good Samaritan Services celebrates grand opening in Kennett Square

Good Samaritan Services recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. The new location is at 342 Birch Street in Kennett Square.

Numerous chamber members, friends, and the community were at the event to welcome the new resource to the Southern Chester County community and honor the hard work that has been put in to ensure members of the community have a safe place to call home.

Nate Hoffer, the organization’s chief executive officer, welcomed guests and shared his appreciation to the many volunteers, staff

and community for their hard work and support. “Good Sam is honored to continue the work of Margaret Valentine and her family,” he said. “For over 30 years, they faithfully served this community through His Mission. We are excited to build on their legacy as we continue to provide compassionate care to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Kennett Square.”

Good Samaritan Services’

Residential Housing Program provides both transitional and affordable housing services that serve as steppingstones between emergency shelter and independent housing. Good Samaritan Services owns 15 properties,

DONNA PARNELL RUTLEDGE

totaling over 100 beds, in more than 35,000 square feet, used to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, affordable housing, and case management services to participants across Lancaster and Chester counties. This empowers individuals and families to develop a budget, increase savings, and fulfill their personal goals prior to moving into permanent housing.

“We are proud to welcome Good Samaritan Services to Southern Chester County,” said Cheryl Kuhn, the chamber’s president and CEO. “We are fortunate to have this organization in our community, providing compassionate care and friendship to those in the greatest time of need.”

Obituaries

Donna Parnell Rutledge, 78, of Oxford, passed away at her home on April 24, 2023.

She was the wife of the late James Doyle Rutledge, Jr., with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Vicksburg, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Vera Strickland Parnell.

Donna was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville, Miss. She was also a book club and garden club member.

She enjoyed bike riding with her neighbors, going to church, and spending time with friends and family.

She is survived by one daughter, Angela (Bill) Meredith of Oxford; one son, Stephen T. Rutledge of Greenville, Miss.; three grandchildren, Amy Lauren Meredith, Taylor Meredith and Landon Meredith all of Oxford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Bobbie Gail Pender and two sisters-in-law, Frances Towles and Lynette Donaldson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https:// www.alz.org.

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

JANE GORDON ROOSEVELT

It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Jane Gordon Roosevelt on April 14, 2023.

Jane was a well known and beloved presence in Kennett Square where she owned and taught at Longwood Performing Arts for 40-plus years. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of many students and firmly etched her enduring legacy in the community. She will forever be known for her exuberance and unmatched love and generosity for all who knew her.

Born on Aug. 31, 1955, Jane was the sixth out of seven children born to Henry Latrobe Roosevelt and Vera Story Roosevelt. Unwavering in her love for family and friends, Jane was not only the life of the party but the rock of support for countless people. Her love knew no bounds and her laugh endeared her to all who knew her. Jane did not have any children of her own, but was a mother to many and a comfort to all.

She was predeceased by her husband J.C. Scott, both parents, two brothers, Nicholas and Peter, and a sister, Bebe Benoliel.

She is survived by a sister, Betsy Houghton and two brothers, Harry and Thomas. There will be a private burial for family members and a celebration of her life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brandywine Valley SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Chester Pa.

Courtesy photo

The Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce recently organized a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Good Samaritan Services.

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF HARRIET A. CASHDOLLAR, DECEASED.

Late of London Grove 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 BRYAN W. CASHDOLLAR, EXECUTOR, 606 Santa Anita Dr., North Wales, PA 19454, Or to his Attorney: JENNIFER M. MERX, SKARLATOS ZONARICH, 320 Market St., Ste. 600 West Harrisburg, PA 17101

4p-25-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF NANCY M. MILLER

a/k/a NANCY K. McCLURE, DECEASED. Late of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION 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 MELISSA M. HAMMOND, ADMINISTRATRIX, 837 State Hill Dr., Oxford, PA 19363, Or to her Attorney: ELIZABETH

D. LUBKER, LUBKER OSTIEN LAW, 390 Waterloo Blvd., Ste. 210, Exton, PA 19341

5p-3-3t

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, May 18th, 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 Tuesday, June 20th, 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 # 23-5-155

Writ of Execution

No. 2022-04669 $213,814.38

PROPERTY SITUATE IN BOROUGH OF OXFORD

TAX PARCEL NO. 0609 009 03200

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: MIDFIRST BANK VS DEFENDANT: LILLIAM ROLFE & MICHAEL K. ROLFE AKA MICHAEL KEVIN ROLFE

SALE ADDRESS: 25 Liverpool Court, Oxford, PA, 19363

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 4p-26-3t

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, May 18th, 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 Tuesday, June 20th, 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 # 23-5-158

Writ of Execution

No. 2015-11436

DEBT $197,214.98

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot of land, situated in Kennett Heights in the Borough of Kennett Square, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a Plan of Lots known as Kennett Heights, dated 6/22/1959, by George E. Regester & Sons, and recorded in Plan Book 9 page 24, as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the Northerly side of Hazel Road, said point being the Southeasterly corner of Lot NO. 7 on said Plan, and the Southwesterly corner of the about to be described lot; thence from said point of beginning, and extending along said Lot No. 7 in a Northerly direction, 198.00 feet to a point in line of lands now or late of John Winters; thence extending along said land of Winters, North 75 degrees 38 minutes East, 101.00 feet to a point set on the Westerly side of a 12 feet wide right of way; thence extending along said right of way, South 02 degrees 51 minutes East, 198.00 feet to a point on the aforementioned side of Hazel Road; thence extending along the side of Hazel Road, South 71 degrees 29 minutes West, 78.00 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

BEING Lot No. 6 on said Plan.

TOGETHER with an easement for the placement of water and sewer lines across a 4 feet wide strip of the adjoining property, being a portion of Lot 7 as shown on said Plan, and specifically described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point, set of the Northerly side of Hazel Road or Avenue (45 feet wide), said point marking the Southeasterly corner of the about to be described tract and the Southwesterly corner of Lot 6 on said Plan, conveyed herein; thence leaving said point of beginning along said Hazel Road or Avenue, South 71 degrees 29 minutes 00 seconds West, 75.00 feet to a point marking the Southwesterly corner of this tract and the Southeasterly corner of Lot No. 8 on the said Plan; thence leaving said Hazel Road or Avenue and along said Lot 8, North 11 degrees 51 minutes 53 seconds West, 4.0 feet to a point in lines of Lot No. 8 and Lot No. 7; thence leaving said line, North 71 degrees 29 minutes 00 seconds East, 75.58 feet, be it the same, more or less, to a point in the lines of Lot 7 and Lot 6, conveyed herein, thence along said line, South 03 degrees 22 minutes 09 seconds East, 4.0 feet, be it the same, more or less, to the first mentioned point and place

of beginning.

BEING THE SAME PREMISES which Grant W. Carlson and Nancy J. Carlson, by Deed dated 12/12/2003 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Chester County on 12/19/2003 in Deed Book Volume 6015, Page 2256, granted and conveyed unto Jason J. Nichols and Alicia Nichols, husband and wife and David O. Barlow and Edna M. Barlow, husband and wife by deed with an undivided ½ interest as tenants by the entirety, as Joint Tenants with right of Survivorship and not as tenants in common. David O. Barlow departed this life on 1/13/2004. Edna M. Barlow departed this life on 12/30/2007.

TAX PARCEL # 3702900000

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential property

PLAINTIFF: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB d/b/a Christiana Trust, not Individually but as Trustee for Pretium Mortgage Acquisition Trust VS DEFENDANT: Jason J. Nichols & Alicia Nichols

SALE ADDRESS: 563 Hazel Avenue, Kennett Square, PA 19348

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: POWERS KIRN, LLC 215-942-2090

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 4p-26-3t

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, May 18th, 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 Tuesday, June 20th, 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 # 23-5-165

Writ of Execution No. 2022-06134 DEBT $3,721.15

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground, SITUATE in the Township of Londonderry, County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, described according to a Final Plan for Honeycroft Village by Lake, Roeder, Hillard and Associates dated 2/14/2003 and

recorded 2/5/2005 as Plan No.

17332 as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at Point on the Southwesterly side of Laurel Ridge Path, a corner of Lot No. 153 as shown on said plan; thence from said point of beginning, along the said side of Laurel Ridge Path the two following courses and distances:

(1) on the arc of a circle curving to the left having a radius of 275.00 feet the arc distance of 11.89 feet to a point of tangent

(2) South 50 degrees 19 minutes

40 seconds East 27.50 feet to a corner of Lot No. 155 as shown on said plan; thence along Lot No. 155 South 40 degrees 05 minutes 06 seconds West

118.74 feet to a point on the Northeasterly side of an alley; thence along the said side of said alley the two following courses and distances; (1) North 54 degrees 19 minutes 15 seconds West 31.22 feet to a point of curve (2) on the arc of circle curving to the right having a radius of 142.00 feet the arc distance of 22.66 feet to a corner of Lot No. 153; thence along Lot No. 153 North 46 degrees 51 minutes 37 seconds East 121.89 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

UNDER and SUBJECT TO, an easement in favor of the other lots in Honeycroft Village and enforceable by Londonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania (the “Township”) and covenants contained in a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Honeycroft Village, and Adult Planned Community, recorded in the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office at Book No. 6803, Page 156 (the “Declaration”). The easement and covenants are further depicted on a final subdivision and land development plan, and notes appended thereto, Prepared by Lake, Roeder, Hillard & Associates, dated February 14, 2003, last revised on November 10, 2004, and recorded at the office of the Chester County Recorder of Deeds as Subdivision Plan # 17332 (the “Subdivision Plan”). Grantee shall perform any and all obligations imposed upon by Lot Owners in the Declaration. BEING Lot No. 154 as shown on said Plan.

BEING the same premises which B.K. Campbell Enterprise, Inc., a Pennsylvania Corporation, by deed dated June 19, 2019, and recorded in the Office for the Recording of Deeds, in and for the County of Chester, aforesaid, in Deed Book 9959 at Page 710, et seq., granted and conveyed unto Carol Dongelewicz Milner, in fee.

BEING UPI # 46-2-489

PLAINTIFF: Honeycroft Village Community Association

VS DEFENDANT: Carol Dongelewicz Milner

SALE ADDRESS: 433 Laurel Ridge Path, Cochranville, PA 19330

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY:

CLEMONS RICHTER & REISS, P.C. 215-348-1776

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 4p-26-3t

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Red Devils now 12-3 and atop the Ches-Mont

Gregg tosses two-hitter to lead Avon Grove to 7-0 shutout win

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

In their 7-0 defeat to Avon Grove on May 8, the Downingtown West varsity baseball team was victimized by an action verb that is used to emphasize the act of being demonstrably disadvantaged.

They were outmanned.

In the latest stop of a season that has seen them rip through opponents on their way to a current 12-3 record in the Ches-Mont, head coach John Bellaver’s kiddie corps of mostly underclassmen tacked on one more win with the support of timely hitting and a stellar two-hit, eight-strikeout performance by lefty Brayden Gregg. The junior – and early West Virginia University baseball commit – held D-West hitless through the first three innings with a combination

of off-speed pitches and fastballs, a performance that was highlighted by his striking out the side in the top of the third.

Avon Grove broke into the scoring column in the third with its first three runs against D-West starter Drew Turner that began on a double by Gregg to right center field.

After Trevor Dosenbach reached on an error, Yoder Owen’s sacrifice bunt was bobbled, scoring Gregg and sending Dosenbach to third, who then scored on a wild pitch by Turner. One batter later, Joe O’Connor scored Yoder on a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Whippets mounted their only scoring threat in the fourth inning when Quinn Henicle singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With one away, Dosenbach made a spectacu-

lar, over-the-shoulder grab of a Jay Slater fly ball to deep center field to save a certain D-West run.

The Red Devils’ offense lent further support to Gregg with two more runs in the fifth inning that gave the pitcher a 5-0 cushion. With two out, O’Connor was hit by a pitch, took second on a single by Caleb Strawhecker and reached third when Ken Askin was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Jack Mills singled past the outstretched glove of first baseman Cooper Young to score O’Connor and Strawhecker.

Gregg continued his superb performance on the mound through the fifth and sixth innings, yielding no hits and striking out three while in the bottom of the sixth, he helped his cause with a lead-off single that ignited

In addition to limiting Downingtown West

two hits,

Gregg struck out eight batters and gave up only one walk. a two-run inning that sealed the victory. Not lost in Gregg’s dominant pitching performance was that his control was nearly perfect, as he yielded only one walk through five and two-third innings.

“Last year, I had a lot of trouble with getting down in the counts, so I worked on with my pitching coach in the off-season to improve how I could get ahead of

batters,” Gregg said. “If that means throwing a fastball down the middle then I throw a fastball down the middle, and if they hit it, they hit it. Getting ahead of the count has enabled me to take the pressure off of my back and allows me to make pitches whenever I want.”

Gregg spoke highly of the support he has received this season from his teammates.

“My teammates are really

the best,” he said. “They provide the defense I need behind me, and as soon as I get back in the dugout, they’re giving me high fives. As long as we play like we did today where we hit the ball and play good defense and deliver strong pitching, we can go really far.”

The Red Devils will wrap up their regular season with home games this week against Oxford and Downingtown East on May 10 and 12, and travel to Coatesville on May 15.

Downingtown West (8-8 in the Ches-Mont) will conclude its regular season with a home game against Bishop Shanahan on May 12 and a visit to West Chester East on May 15.

Trent Dosenbach, who had two singles in the game, takes a big rip in the fifth inning.

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

Kennett Summerfest tickets now on sale

Kennett Summerfest, one of the region’s premier wine-tasting events, will return this year on Sunday, June 11. Summerfest celebrates exceptional local wineries and distilleries, bringing together wine, spirits, cheese, and live music in a sophisticated festival atmosphere.

Early-bird ticket pricing for the regular session of Kennett Summerfest is in effect until Memorial Day— or until tickets for the event, which sold out last year, are gone. Discounted tickets are $65 each through May 29 and cover entrance to the festival, a tasting glass, and unlimited tastings of wines and cocktails. Ticket prices will go up to $75 after Memorial Day.

Ticket holders have the opportunity to taste wines from some of the best local and regional wineries, as well as mixed drinks featuring spirits from local distilleries. In addition, Bluestem Botanicals will be creating some of their organic, farm-crafted signature mocktails for designated drivers. A curated collection of the area’s finest cheese purveyors and makers, including the award-winning Birchrun Hills Farm and The Farm at Doe Run, will also be on hand to help festival goers find the perfect wine and cheese pairings. With artisanal food vendors, spectacular professionally designed Kennett

The event will take place on June 11

Blooms Floral Flash installations, and live music from Bryan Tuk + The Big Brass Ones, Kennett Summerfest promises to be a Sunday afternoon to savor.

“An exclusive pre-Summerfest farm-to-table lunch with wine pairings is the ultimate Summerfest connoisseur experience,” said Kennett Collaborative community engagement manager Kelli Prater. The three-course “Farm & Vine” meal will be prepared with fresh seasonal local ingredients by Zack and Karessa Hathaway of Sweet Amelia’s, the newest addition to Kennett Square’s fine dining scene. Wine pairings will be provided by Kieran and Kristie Robinson, who are Kennett Square residents and co-owners of the celebrated R FIVE WINES.

The Robinsons will share their philosophy behind the food and wine pairings in the intimate and charming event space at Work2Gether on State Street. The Farm & Vine experience begins at 12:30 p.m. on June 11. Farm & Vine ticket holders will also enjoy early admission to Kennett Summerfest.

Kennett Summerfest celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Chester County— from the award-winning wines being produced by expert local vintners from long-tended local vines that are now coming of age to some of the area’s signature cheeses like those from

Birchrun Hills Farm, which are made on a local family farm from high-quality milk and aged in an underground aging facility.

“The event is a true feast for the senses,” said Prater. In addition to wine, spirits, and food, live music from first-class musicians, and the open-air festival ambiance under white tents in charming historic Kennett Square, the event coincides with Kennett Blooms: Floral Flash.

“One of this year’s large-scale Floral Flash installations will be within the festival area on South Broad Street,” said Prater.

Artisanal vendors like Crème will bring their homemade crème brûlée, including some delicious vegan options.

“It will be fired right in front of you,” said Prater, “and Mezzaluna will be creating their delicious wood-fired pizzas on site as well. Ticket holders will also have the opportunity to purchase bottles of wines and spirits they enjoy and take advantage of our convenient wine check. A portion of the proceeds from those sales will go right back into the Kennett Square community.”

Participating wineries, distilleries, and vendors are listed on the Kennett Summerfest website, which is being updated regularly. Chaddsford Winery and R FIVE WINES are among

the wineries joining returning favorites such as Casa Carmen Wines and Wayvine Winery & Vineyard. Kennett’s own Copperglen Still Works, a favorite distillery featuring post-dinner liqueurs, is set to return. Revivalist Spirits, which is new to Summerfest but not new to the spirits scene, was named the best craft gin distillery in the country in 2020.

Kennett Summerfest, now in its second year, is playing a role in celebrating and educating people about the burgeoning local wine scene. While some are still surprised to learn that Pennsylvania ranks fourth nationally in grape cultivation, the state is growing

into a serious place for refined and elegant wines. Its moderate climate and hilly topography, in addition to microclimates with good elevation, soil composition, and drainage are attracting more and more talented and world-class wine makers. Local Chester County wines have been receiving national accolades for years, and wine connoisseurs are increasingly taking note of the area as a serious wine-growing region.

Kennett Summerfest is a fundraiser for Kennett Collaborative. The proceeds go toward funding events and programs throughout the year that make Kennett Square a vibrant and beauti-

ful place to live, work, and visit.

“We’re grateful to our featured Summerfest sponsor Cocoon, for their support of the event and their investment in our community,” Prater said. Kennett Collaborative initiatives include Third Thursdays on State Street, the KSQ Farmers Market, Kennett Blooms, Memorial Day Parade, the weekly Around the Square newsletter, the Holiday Village Market, and Christmas in Kennett.

Find tickets for “Farm & Vine” and regular Kennett Summerfest admission at kennettsummerfest.com and follow the event @kennett. collaborative

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

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Avon Grove pitcher Brayden

Photo by Becca Matthias, courtesy of Kennett Collaborative. Kennett Summerfest, one of the region’s premier wine-tasting events, will return this year on Sunday, June 11.

Red Devil Owen Yoder scored twice in the game.

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