Chester County Press 06-10-2020 Edition

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

Volume 154, No. 23

INSIDE

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

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Kennett School Oxford graduates 334 students Board approves final budget The spending plan includes a 1.74 percent tax increase

By Chris Barber Contributing Writer

In a unanimous vote, the Kennett Consolidated School District Board approved a 2020-2021 budget with a smaller tax increase than the preliminary budget figure presented at previous meetings.

The school board met virtually in a live-streamed meeting on June 8.

School board member Michael Finnegan, who chairs the Finance Committee, said that in consideration of the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic, Avon Grove Charter School earns distinction the school closures and the financial crisis, an ear...5B lier proposed tax increase of 2.42 percent had been reduced to 1.74 percent.

He said the decision was made based on a multitude of meetings that began in January as well as the information received that the Penn Township news...3B

state allocation would not be reduced from last year.

The approved operating budget for 2020-2021 is $88,200,022.

Real estate owners will pay a millage rate of 31.4852 mills. A mill is a tax of 1 percent on every $1,000 worth of assessed property value.

The average property owner whose real estate is assessed at $369,000 will have to pay an additional $97 next year.

Superintendent Dusty Blakey said plans for a formal graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 are still uncertain. The traditional celebration this year in the front lawn of the high school was cancelled because of the pandemic.

There have been several events, however, to mark the occasion.

Blakey said a formal ceremony following longtime tradition is still a possi-

Chalk the walk honors graduating seniors...6B

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

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Black Lives Matter march draws 300 in West Grove

Courtesy photo

Some of Oxford Area High School’s senior leaders celebrated their graduation in front of the school.

Please see Page 1B for coverage of the virtual graduation ceremony that took place on Friday, June 5.

bility, with four days in mid-July under consideration. He did not say what those dates were.

The importance of the graduation for the seniors has not been ignored, however, especially the procession down the stately front steps of the high school building at the start of the ceremony.

Each graduate is having his or her picture taken in the graduation gown on one of four days during the weeks of June 8 and 15 in a “front steps farewell.”

Blakey also played a

care items, household cleaning supplies and paper products are also provided to people who need them. Each month, the Neighborhood Services Center provides food and other supplies to more than 1,500 clients, on average.

The Neighborhood Services Center’s staff also runs an information and referral program that assists individuals in accessing the many health and human services that are available. This Continued on Page 4A

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video produced in-house that was titled “Kennett: It’s Who We Are.” He also announced the district buildings will reopen on June 15 following CDC guidelines. A plan to reopen for students in the fall will be worked on following instructions from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Facilities director George Wolhafe announced that renovations to the tennis courts, the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center and the sports stadium are all on schedule.

Unity Walk staged in Oxford

This past Sunday afternoon, West Grove joined the ranks of the thousands of cities and towns across the United States and the world that have brought both voices and resources together in proclaiming that police violence and racism against African American men and women must come to an immediate end.

At 5 p.m., a crowd estimated at about 300 filled the common area near the West Grove Library as part of a peaceful Black Lives Matter event that included a unified march through the borough, three public speeches and an eight-minute, forty-six second moment of silence to honor the memory of George Floyd, who was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minn. at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and three other officers, who stood idle while Chauvin jammed his knee into Floyd’s neck for that length of time, suffocating Floyd.

Carrying signs that read “Enough is Enough,” “Silence is Violence” and “Skin Color is Not a Weapon,” the protestors were greeted by event organizer Bryanna Laws, 18, who is a nursing student at Temple University and a recent graduate of Avon Grove High School. In her opening comments, Laws shared her own stories of discrimination, which included being the recipient of racist taunts directed at her and her family.

Laws thanked Kristin Proto, the executive director of the Garage Community & Youth Center; Gerald Simpson, chief of the Southern Chester County Regional

Those who joined in the Unity Walk in Oxford last week knelt for nearly nine minutes in honor of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis on May 25. Nine minutes is much longer than you think, and it is how long Floyd was gasping for air, begging to breathe, during the incident that has created a firestorm.

More than 40 people, including adults, children, teens, joined the Unity Walk in Oxford. The event was organized

by Katie Minnis.

“Bethany Atkinson and I talked about this and decided we wanted to do it quickly. We were both sick about what happened to George Floyd,” Minnis explained.

The walk was organized within hours with a call to Mayor Phil Harris and the Oxford Police Department.

Mayor Harris, Police Chief Sam Iaconno and Cpl. Scott Brown took part in the event. Council members, Borough

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By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer

Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center welcomes new executive director Rachel Lebus is the new executive director of the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center.

Lebus joined the nonprofit organization in Oxford at the end of April, taking over for Krys Sipple, who served as the interim executive director for over a year.

“I was really ready for this challenge,” said Lebus. She explained that she learned that the Neighborhood

Services Center was seeking a new leader from the pastor at her church. Redemption Community Church pastor Billy Levengood serves on the board of the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center so she was already very familiar with the organization and its core mission of providing assistance to local residents in need.

Since the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center was founded on Nov. 1, 1971, tens of thousands of area families in the southern

part of the county have been helped by its programs and services. The organization offers help for local residents who are struggling to meet their basic needs, including the need for food, shelter, and clothing.

One major initiative for the Neighborhood Services Center is a food cupboard that collects—and then distributes—canned goods and non-perishable items that are donated by individuals, churches, and community groups. Diapers, personal

By Frank Lobb When I first became aware of how easy it is for health insurance to deny coverage and care, the HMO was the dominant plan in the country. Today, the HMO has dwindled to something under 20 percent of the market and the PPO is the more dominant plan. However, the HDHP is coming on fast and there are a number of other new and clever acronyms in the pipeline. So, what does all this change mean? What does it mean for you and me in terms of the care and coverage we can expect and, more importantly, are owed from our changing health insurance?

Fortunately, the answer is simple. Our plan’s choice of an acronym has essentially nothing to do with what we are owed. That’s because all the different plans operate off the very same Provider Agreement, i.e., an agreement that defines every element of the care, coverage and payment we are owed. So what is changing?

There has to be something given the effort of the insurance industry to separate these plans.

Fortunately, the answer is once again quite simple. It’s the insurance industry walking further and further away from what they have to pay for the care and coverage we need and are owed. And, just as long as they keep their Provider Agreements a deep dark secret, you and I never realize that our insurer is simply transferring the cost of our healthcare to their in-network providers.

For, while our plan may have a contractual right to deny payment essentially any time they choose for insurance purposes, their in-network providers have a similarly clear contractual obligation to provide denied coverage free of charge.

In short, our plan’s retreat from what they pay for our healthcare simply transfers the cost of the care to the provider. But then who knows? Which means you and I get stuck with the bill.

A win-win for everyone but us. Our plan gets to pay as little as they want while their in-network providers get to ignore their contractual obligation to provide denied care and coverage for free. Unless, of course, you and I know enough to speak up.

We began this series of articles by stressing that the laws and contracts that guaranteed our parents the best possible healthcare and coverage haven’t changed.

You and I just have to know how to apply them to get what we are owed.

Consequently, we have come full circle and will end the series here.

In closing, let me stress that any and all different opinions on what has

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

What You Need to Know About Health Insurance HMO, PPO, HDHP, or POS, It Really Doesn’t Matter

Local residents rally for justice and unity Event organized and led by 18-year-old Avon Grove High School graduate

Part 8 in a series

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Local News East Evergreen Street and to Quaker Alley, where Continued from Page 1A they gathered in front of Police Department; Molly the West Grove Quaker Wood from the West Grove Meeting House and heard Quaker Meeting House for messages from community their support. members Ana Zuvala and “Seeing all of the other Satoria Johnson. protests across the small “We are all brothers and towns in our country – as sisters under the same sun, opposed to those in big cit- under the same God, and ies which is what the media sharing the same home is portraying that are violent on this beautiful earth,” and not peaceful – I wanted Johnson said. “I know that a to bring peace to our small lot of people say that they’re community, to unite us,” colorblind but through colsaid Laws, who predicted orblindness also comes prior to the start of the event blindness to the systemic that between 50 and 100 and institutional injustices protestors would attend. “I that take place against peothink this event will defi- ple of color. I challenge you nitely help to continue the today to see color, to value much-needed conversation color, and to celebrate the we need to keep having diversity among us. Color about this topic, and I think is what makes the world it will help bring us closer such a beautiful and vibrant together as a community.” place.”

Photos by Richard L. Gaw The event also included Led by Laws and her The event included a moment of silence in honor of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Minneapolis, Minn. resident fellow organizers, the con- a closing prayer by Police who was killed at the hands of four police officers on May 25 – an event that has spawned nationwide and tingent then marched up Chaplain Annalie Korengel worldwide protest against police violence against African American men and women.

Prospect Avenue, then onto and an address by Simpson.

“Earlier this week, when Bryanna contacted me to talk about this protest and demonstration, I found a young person solely motivated to bring voice to the many people who have not had a voice, as it relates to the systemic racism, inequity, unfairness, injustice, and so many other things that have affected black people’s lives, and brown people’s lives,” Simpson Eighteen year-old Bryanna Laws, a 2019 graduate of began. “I will tell you that I Avon Grove High School, organized and led a contin- have given many speeches gent of 300 protestors through the Borough of West in my life, but with this

West Grove...

Grove.

A peaceful Black Lives Matter event was held in the West Grove Borough on June 7 en route to the West Grove Quaker Meeting House.

one, I knew right away that my words would fall short at trying to frame in a narrative the pain and hurt and sorry and anger that all of you must feel through the events in Minneapolis, Louisville and all over this country.

“Know that we will always be here to support you, your voice, your constitutional rights, as your partner,” he added. “I’m sure it may feel disingenuous for me to say that I feel your pain, but I am a 37-year law enforcement veteran, and I am at a loss to understand how in God’s name George Floyd lost his life, and how in God’s name ‘I can’t breathe’ is not a signal to help this man breathe and render him aid.”

Simpson shared that under the direction of Korengel,

the department will begin to form a committee that will invite community members to offer solutions on how to better relations between law enforcement and the residents they protect.

“In all of the events that have happened around the nation to bring voice and awareness, in the 37 years I have been in this profession, I don’t think there has been one event that has galvanized a nation to finally effect the appropriate change the way this has. I applaud your efforts,

Insurance...

Continued from Page 1A

been stated in the eight articles is welcome. The goal has always been to improve the understanding of health insurance to where each of us can more effectively pursue what we are owed from our healthcare plan. And, in so doing, make the

I respect them. You will always have a voice with the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department.”

The West Grove march was the second major Black Lives Matter protest in southern Chester County in the past week. On June 1, an estimated 500 people gathered in Kennett Square and marched in similar fashion throughout the borough.

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

entire healthcare system more fair and transparent.

Frank Lobb, a local resident and business owner, is the author of “How to Refuse Your Hospital Bill.” More information about this topic is available at his website at www.killabill. com, and Mr. Lobb can be contacted at lobbsanalyticalworks@gmail.com.

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Local News Unity Walk...

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Manager Brian Hoover, and others joined to show support for those who are discriminated against, and those who have lost their lives because of the color of their skin.

“We wanted to show the community that we support everyone,” Minnis said.

“We felt we needed to do more than just share our posts. It just wasn’t enough.

Even if just a few turned out, we thought it would make others feel better.”

Minnis brought her two young boys and was glad to have them take part in this.

“My youngest is still a little too young to explain all of this to, but we do talk to our older son,” she said.

“I was so angry and hurt when I saw this on TV and realized how I had to get out of my comfort zone. I want my children to grow up knowing it is not okay to bully people. It is not okay to discriminate because of the color of someone’s skin.

I’m praying we showed hope to other people. I was so impressed to see so many teens there.”

Minnis met one of her neighbors, Pastor Larry Redmond, at the walk, who lives a street over from her.

“I was actually hugging a woman there, and thinking, ‘I haven’t even hugged my mom.’ It was as though COVID-19 went out the window,” she said.

Everyone did wear face masks during the walk.

Minnis was impressed by so much during the day.

“There was such an array of ages,” she said, “from young children to senior citizens. The police, mayor and fire police were all there to help us. I am so glad that it was peaceful. In the end, it didn’t take much to pull this together overnight. I am so happy we got this message out.”

Minnis learned a lot from this process and she hopes to build on it in the future.

“I felt grateful and humble to be a part of the walk,” she said. “It’s devastating to think of how little I know, living in my white bubble.

I need to get out of my comfort zone. I have a black friend who is married to a white woman and I can only

imagine the hard conversations they have to have with their children.”

Minnis will continue to educate her own children about different races and ethnic groups. “It isn’t enough just to talk to them about that though,” Minnis said. “You have to tell them how to stand up for others.

Our talk is much different from the talk black parents have to have with their children. It breaks my heart to think of what black parents have to tell their children and how they have to burst their bubble, telling them there are people that will hurt them because of the color of their skin.”

She added, “We have to look at our white privilege and what that truly affords us. It is easy to be in a small community and surround yourself with the same friends. I need to spread out and be more inclusive.

Honestly, I don’t know why I haven’t. More than anything, I hope in those nine minutes of everyone kneeling they felt what George Floyd felt, that he couldn’t breathe.”

Also attending the Unity Walk was Redmond, an associate pastor at Willowdale Chapel. He is also connected to Coalition for Christian Outreach at Lincoln University.

Redmond is married with two young girls. He was also a State Police officer for eleven years. All that being said, he admitted he still cannot watch the full video of what happened to George Floyd.

“It brought me to tears,” he said.

Redmond grew up in Philadelphia, attended Villanova University on a commuter scholarship, and now he and his family live in Oxford.

“When we lived in Philadelphia, we were part of a black community. We were not in the minority, but here we are. And my daughter has already faced racist comments due to the color of her skin,” he said.

“We give the older daughter ‘the talk’ a portion at a time.

It comes up when she is being made fun of because of her skin, or her hair. As a pastor, I do a lot of preaching about how God created

Young people came out to support the dignity of all people.

Dr. Richard Winchester and his wife Connie remembered other walks and protests in their lives.

us all differently and we are all called to love everyone.”

Since Redmond was commuting to Villanova, he remembers when got pulled over by police officers. He then became a State Police officer himself, so he does have a unique perspective.

He explained, “I see a lot of good officers. I tried to bridge gap between community and police. Part of what I did was trying to bring in more diverse people to the state police. We looked at the hiring and testing process. There are small subtle things we need to understand about each community when we are policing. You know if someone thanks you for giving them a citation, you might be doing something right.”

Now, as an associate pastor, his perspective is more from the religious side of things.

“I thank God for my background,” he said.

When asked how hard it is to feel after years of racism, he explained what it was like growing up in a black community.

“There are certain things innate within us when you are coming up in a black community,” he said. “We are very communal. My grandmother fed the community if someone needed shoes or clothes delivered those to them. That is the theme within the African

community. We were raised to do for each other.”

He cited a quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said, “I am because you are.”

He feels the western culture is more about making a better life for yourself and your family. It pulls you away from your community.

Redmond feels his early years made him the community-oriented person he is today and that is how he can feel for others.

He admits that there is a hardness and heaviness over him these days, but he is always encouraged.

“This was such a horribly sad event that occurred,” he said. “However, people all over the world are shouting George Floyd’s name. They are saying it everywhere.

I see the dynamics of the world shifting. The world sees the need for justice for all.”

When asked what all people can do moving forward, Redmond said, “When the opportunity arises, use your voice to echo those of the less dominant.”

He added that we all need to educate ourselves about the plight of others.

“It gets tiring, trying to educate people, they really need to educate themselves,” he said. “There is much to learn out there. I remember the mother of Emmitt Till, who left the casket of her

Photos by Betsy Brewer Brantner

Police officers joined in the Unity Walk in Oxford.

Families, police officers and the mayor came out to join the Unity Walk in Oxford.

son, badly beaten, open for the world to see saying, ‘I want you to see what they did to my son.’”

He added, “This is another loss of life. It is not political. It is a loss of human life.”

But despite everything, Redmond is an optimist.

“At the end of our walk, my wife and I were sitting there with some young white girls,” he explained.

“They were just talking about the protest when a woman came by honking her horn saying, “if you’re not happy here go home.”

The three young girls said, ‘We are home. This is where we live.’ Five minutes later, a pickup truck went by pushing out a Trump flag. I’m called to pray over our leaders. I pray for our President every day. For some reason there is something being drawn out of people now.

They are not even trying to hide their racism. This is disheartening, but I’m still encouraged. The world wants to see justice.”

Jenna Johnston, another Oxford resident, was impressed with the number of young people she saw involved with the walk, but she also felt it difficult to put into words how she felt when seeing the death of George Floyd. It is her hope as well that the walk shows there are people in

the community of Oxford that support all people.

Among the people witnessing the Unity Walk were Dr. Richard Winchester and his wife, Connie. Neither are strangers to protests or walks. Winchester, who taught at Lincoln University for 39 years, sat not far away from the Oxford Hotel, where he and Lincoln University students had protested for a week because black people were refused lodging in the hotel. That was in 1961. When asked how long black people have endured racism and injustice, he replied, “since 1619, when the first slaves were brought to Jamestown, and it has continued until now.”

He has a long memory that includes going with Lincoln students to the March on Washington, D.C. to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. He remembers the little children in the ghetto waving their American flags as their bus drove through. He remembers two weeks later when a bomb was thrown into a Birmingham church, killing four little girls.

“They were all dressed up for church,” Winchester said. “They were all killed.

That was a dramatic punctuation on the March on Washington. So many things have happened, and no one was filming them. And it continues to this day.”

A young catalyst for change On June 1, 20-year-old Naomi Simonson organized the Black Lives Matter march in Kennett Square, a peaceful protest that drew 500 voices that will, she said, allow the crucial dialogue to begin

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer In the immediate aftermath of the May 25 death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, Naomi Simonson, a 20-year-old Kennett Square resident and 2017 graduate of Kennett High School, witnessed the world’s powerful and immediate response, seen and heard in protests in American cities and across the globe.

Simonson then wrote a message on Twitter, saying that she would love to see a similar protest in Kennett Square under the umbrella of Black Lives Matter. Nearly from the time the note was sent, the tweet blew up. She engaged her friends, who pounded their keyboards to advertise the event, which was set for Monday, June 1 at 8 a.m. in Kennett Square Borough. They posted notices on social media. They created signage to be used for the march. They connected with area organizations.

In between, Simonson made all of the necessary phone calls, and reached out to a few of her fellow graduates at Kennett High School who were now forming protests in their college towns.

The entire event took only three days to create, and Simonson had no idea what to expect.

“I was telling people that the best-case scenario would be 50 to 100 people, but it would be embarrassing if only 20 people showed up,” she said. “I was in constant communication with the Kennett Police Department, and they asked me to provide and estimate. I told them, ‘I don’t think that many people are going to show up… maybe 100 or so.’”

The evening before the event, Simonson wrote the following on her social media page: “I have every hope that this will be a successful protest. Our voices will be heard. What’s happening in this country to black people every single day is

a despicable atrocity. Police officers are committing murder fueled by racism and our justice system enables them.

George Floyd is a name on a long list of unresisting black people blatantly murdered by the police and that list isn’t even comprehensive.

We live in a world where we had to start a movement to advocate for the fact that our lives matter as much as anyone else’s.

“We live in a world where white people can wave armed rifles in the faces of cops capable of committing mass murder at any time and remained unharmed, yet when black people peacefully kneel to protest yet another senseless murder, we are hit with tear gas and abused. It’s undeniable that racism is ingrained into the justice system. Remember, cops are sworn in to protect ALL people, not just the ones who look like them.

“On Monday, the people of Kennett are coming together to say, ENOUGH.” On June 1, Simonson

arrived in the borough at 7 a.m., and as the start of the protest drew near, a member of the police department contacted her. ‘You may want to get here quickly,” the message read. ‘There are a lot of people here.’

Wearing a plastic seethrough face shield and a mask and carrying a small megaphone, Simonson ran up the alleyway steps near Lily’s Asian Cuisine and emerged onto State Street.

Up and down both sides of the street, she couldn’t comprehend what she saw in front of her: an estimated 500 people of many hues and nationalities crowded the sidewalks, many of whom carried signs of protest and support.

“I was seeing all of these protestors come together in big cities and small towns, and I felt that I wanted to be a part of this movement,” she said. “Then it clicked.

I could do this march here.

We can do this together. I realized that I don’t need to go somewhere else to

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Twenty year-old Naomi Simonson, a resident of Kennett Square and a 2017 graduate of Kennett High School, served as the organizer of the Black Lives Matter march, held on June 1 in the Kennett Square Borough.

protest. There are so many people in this community who are affected by this issue. There’s no better place to address this issue than in the place where I live.”

For the next hour, Simonson’s amplified voice was often drowned out by her fellow protestors, who, after a nine-minute moment of silence in honor of Floyd, began a peaceful march of solidarity that looped around parts of the borough, traversing Meredith Street,

West Cypress Street, Union Street, the steps of Kennett High School, and back to the corner of State and Union by way of Broad Street.

“I was trying to figure out what the goal of this march would be, but at the end of the day, it was about the people of Kennett echoing this movement, and that we’re trying to build up our power and see things for the better,” Simonson said. “The Black Lives Matter has existed for Continued on Page 4A

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Local News Executive director...

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is important because many people might be unaware of the assistance that is available to them, or might not have a way to get connected to those resources on their own.

Information is power, as the saying goes, and that might be even more true now, when so many residents have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic shutdown. The staff is specifically trained to provide the information and resources that will be helpful to local residents in need.

“A lot of people that we serve may not be aware of some of their rights,” Lebus explained, illustrating the point by noting that some people might not know their rights during the stay on

Simonson...

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a long time before June 1, but now we’re a part of that movement.”

There was special significance for Simonson to see the march take up most of the outdoor steps of her alma mater. When she was a student at Kennett High School, she experienced various forms of racism and negative stereotyping, a feeling she said extended not only to African American students, but to Hispanic students.

“I saw many of my peers struggle, simply because they were perceived to be a troublemaker and problematic -- a weapon in our town and our community,” said Simonson, who will enter her senior year at West

evictions that was ordered during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Neighborhood Services Center provides space for community agencies like the Crime Victims Center, Family Services of Chester County, and the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County so that they can provide direct assistance to residents in the southern part of the county. Dozens of families are connected with these resources each month.

Additionally, the Neighborhood Services Center utilizes funding from the United Way of Southern Chester County, several private foundations, and donations from individuals to offer emergency monetary assistance to pre-screened, income-eligible individuals who are struggling to pay for housing, utilities, and health

care.

Another Neighborhood Services Center initiative is providing winter coats for children and collecting clothing for those in need.

Lebus said that she’s very pleased to be working for an organization that not only aims to help those in critical need, but also plays a vital role in strengthening the Oxford community as a whole. She brings varied professional and personal experiences to her new role as the executive director of the Neighborhood Services Center.

She was born in Alaska, and grew up in Michigan. She has lived in the Philadelphia area since 2005. She majored in psychology in college, and went on to complete her work on a master’s degree in urban community development from Eastern University in 2018. Before

Chester University in the fall. “Our skin color is not a weapon, but often times, we are weaponized. A person’s high school years are incredibly transformative. These are the years that can build you up, but these are also the years that can also tear you down.

“It was a time when a lot of our lives intersected, and where they changed, and sometimes it wasn’t for the best.”

With the power, outreach and momentum of the June 1 Black Lives Matter event still resonating, Simonson is already at work to carry the movement further. She is organizing a future online video conference with Chief Holdsworth, and has created an email address for

those who wish to become more involved in the movement – ksqblm@gmail. com. Members of the community can send Simonson messages, ideas and questions, some of which will be discussed during the online meeting.

While the Black Lives Matter march served as an hour-long megaphone for 500 voices, the tenor and rise of that sound was stilled for a period of nine minutes when Simonson urge the protestors to kneel on one knee for a moment of silence to Floyd. Soon, they were joined by Kennett Square Police Chief William T. Holdsworth, Patrol Officer J.D. Boyer, Corporal Kenneth Rongaus and Chaplain Annalie Korengel.

joining the Neighborhood Services Center, she worked for eight years at Keystone Autism Services, which provides services and support for adults with autism.

Lebus worked in the Exton office of Keystone Autism Services and some of that work involved clients from the Oxford community.

She also attends church in Oxford, so she is already fairly familiar with the town and its residents. She said that she and her husband are planning to move to the Oxford area soon.

“Oxford is such a great community where people really take care of each other,” she said. During her first few weeks on the job, she has worked hard to meet as many community leaders and local residents as she can.

Lebus said that collaboration is extremely important

for an organization like the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center, and one of her goals is to strengthen the partnerships with groups like SILO and the Lighthouse Youth Center. She also wants to build broader support by establishing relationships with more community groups and churches in the area.

Right now, there are fortunately a lot of different efforts underway to provide food and other support to individuals and families who have been hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. But at some point, those efforts will end, leaving organizations like the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center to provide the important help that southern Chester County residents need during times of struggle.

Part of the mission, and now part of Lebus’s job, is

Courtesy photo

Rachel Lebus is the new executive director of the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center.

getting the word out about what the Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center can do to provide assistance.

“We want to make sure that people are aware that we are here to help,” Lebus said.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

The solidarity expressed during the protest drew from a diverse demographic.

“I was incredibly overwhelmed,” Simonson said of the moment. “Their kneeling was symbolic of the goal of what we were trying to do. It’s one thing for the people of the African American community to come together and take a stand, but we can’t do it alone. Kneeling is not the end of this, but it’s a first step, the first statement.

Simonson led a contingent estimated at 500 down State Street, at the start of what would become a march throughout the borough.

It establishes a dialogue between the police and our community, and we’re starting to have that dialogue.

“It will take a lot of work, not only from the people but from lawmakers alike,” she added. “This will not end until the racism that is

a part of the current police system of justice ends. It demands not just a reform, but a complete and total restructuring.”

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

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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Chester County Press

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

Editorial

Be Kind Rewind Have you ever had one of those days when, because things went south, you just wanted to hit the rewind button?

Sure you have.

We all have.

In fact, we’ve all had some of those days lately, right? So can’t we all just hit the rewind button on this year? Not to watch the creeping horror show that is 2020 again, but to have some things turn out differently—to have things turn out a little better.

Wouldn’t it be great to just be able to hit rewind and not have to live through the coronavirus pandemic and all its ramifications?

Wouldn’t it be great if Ahmaud Arbery didn’t lose his life to a senseless act of violence that was almost certainly racially motivated?

Wouldn’t it be great if a few police officers in Minneapolis upheld their sworn oaths to serve and protect? George Floyd would be alive today, which would mean no anguished demonstrations and protests.

Locally, a better 2020 would have featured the Unionville Indians basketball team being able to complete their run to a state title.

A better 2020 would have featured Oxford building on its roster of businesses in the downtown. The recently completed parking garage would be filled regularly as more people visited the shops and restaurants. The First Fridays in the spring and summer would bring the community together for fun activities, leading up to a successful Connective Festival that would take place under gloriously sunny skies in August.

In a better 2020, it goes without saying that Kennett High School’s graduation ceremony in front of the picturesque high school would have also been blessed with sunny skies and good weather. All high school seniors across the U.S. would have been able to celebrate all the special events leading up to graduation.

The Kennett Run would have been a tremendous day of family-friendly fun for local residents and visitors alike. Non-profit organizations throughout the area would have been the beneficiaries of this popular event.

The Kennett Memorial Day Parade would have been another major success, kicking off a great summer in Kennett Square. At the end of summer, the Mushroom Festival would have once again been a huge celebration, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the area. Tens of thousands of dollars would have once again been raised for local organizations.

We would have enjoyed the Citadel Country Spirit USA concert, the Penn Township Community Picnic and Health and Wellness Fair, and the Unionville Community Fair, which is one of the longest-running events in Chester County.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could hit the rewind button on 2020 and get to enjoy all the aforementioned community events in Chester County?

It would be great. Unfortunately, it’s just not possible. There is no way to hit rewind. Sometimes, in life, you just have to keep your faith, keep your wits, and make it to the other side. Turn the page. We look forward to the return of all the aforementioned Chester County community events in 2021. And we also hope that, for all of us, the second half of 2020 is a little bit more kind.

Chester County Press Publisher - Randall S. Lieberman

Steve Hoffman..................................Managing Editor Richard L. Gaw..................................Associate Editor Brenda Butt.........................................Office Manager Tricia Hoadley...........................................Art Director Alan E. Turn...............................Advertising Director Teri Turns................................Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren......................Advertising Executive Amy Lieberman.............Marketing/Public Relations The Chester County Press (USPS 416-500) is published every Wednesday by: AD PRO, Inc., 144 South Jennersville Rd, West Grove, PA 19390 Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346 Phone: 610-869-5553 FAX 610-869-9628 E-mail (editor): editor@chestercounty.com HOURS: Monday- Friday 8am - 4pm, no weekend hours

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Older issues are $1.50 each. Periodicals postage paid at Oxford, PA 19363. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chester County Press, P.O. Box 150, Kelton, PA 19346.

Opinion Avon Grove Charter School values inclusivity An open letter to parents and guardians of Avon Grove Charter School students: I am so saddened that, in 2020, we continue to face inequity fueled by the color of someone’s skin. I am troubled that we, as a nation, continue to struggle to recognize the disturbing inequalities between race and power. Like many of you, I am deeply troubled by the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. We will continue to say their names as well as the other lives who were tragically taken.

I am heartbroken that our nation is so divided.

I’m writing this letter to you with a feeling of immediate action. We have to start with intentional

and honest conversations at home. Last school year we focused on diversity and inclusion. We actively listened to each other’s perspectives based on race.

We had to self-reflect and understand that some of the discussions were uncomfortable but absolutely necessary. I’ve heard conversations of students and adults in our community who describe instances of racism and the casual use of racial slurs. In addition to overt racism, students and staff can regularly feel and experience unintentional indignities. We need to acknowledge this reality and systemically work together to address this issue. These instances are the perceived, lived experiences of people in our community that not all of

us can relate or understand and it is our civic responsibility to respond to these occurrences.

The AGCS Community will continue its mission in valuing inclusivity - the inclusivity of all individuals. We will continue to be steadfast in our commitment to educate, reflect, challenge, and actively question our biased assumptions. We need to consider how our intentional and unintentional actions shape the lives of others.

Over the course of the next two weeks, resources and literature will be shared for students and parents. If you have any resources you would like to share with us, please email socialmedia@agcharter.org. In the 2020-2021 school year, you can look forward to

being able to engage in additional programming and presentations.

Thank you for reaching out, for sharing your concern and for doing your part to actively dismantle racism in our community.

Avon Grove Charter School remains committed to celebrating our relationships with all our students, families, staff, and community regardless of race, ability, gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

Each one of you makes our school community what it is. I Am AGCS. We will continue to unite together as we move forward together.

Kristen Bishop Head of School Avon Grove Charter School

Guest Column

America needs non-profits now more than ever

By Michael Werner and Christina Kazhe The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the country to a crawl. Lawmakers and consumers alike are rightly worried about the economic security of shuttered bars, restaurants, and retail locations. But many have largely ignored the nation’s charities.

COVID-19 has the potential to devastate non-profit organizations, which provide essential services to vulnerable populations, fund biomedical research, support education, and employ millions of Americans.

Social distancing and donor uncertainty prevent these organizations from hosting crucial fundraisers and food drives, recruiting volunteers, and in some cases delivering their services to those in need.

It’s time for Congress to prioritize emergency funding for non-profits. These funds will help maintain vital services and protect a vital pillar of our economy.

COVID-19 has disrupted the nation’s non-profits just when many citizens need them most. The American Red Cross -which provides 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply -- has had to cancel 7,000 blood drives since March 1st, resulting in 200,000 lost donations.

Many of the more than 20 million Americans who recently filed for unemployment will soon turn to The Salvation Army

for food, shelter, and financial assistance. But COVID-19 has forced The Salvation Army to close many of its donation centers and retail stores.

COVID-19 has also dealt a severe blow to America’s cancer research non-profits. The Lymphoma Research Foundation has postponed all in-person programs and events, including free patient and professional education programs and fundraising events, at least until this summer, to protect the patients who attend these events and who are at higher risk for severe complications from the novel coronavirus.

With hospitals canceling non-essential visits, cancer patients will rely on organizations like the Lymphoma Research Foundation to provide information about how to manage their disease. And since cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, they’ll look to non-profit organizations like LRF for support and ways to stay healthy throughout the pandemic.

Finally, Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) provides essential services for those living on remote reservations. Native Americans are extremely susceptible to COVID-19 due to overcrowded housing, higher rates of diabetes and respiratory illness, and limited healthcare options. Nearly 50 percent of grandparents raise their grandchildren, putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus.

And tribal communities often live in food deserts. The Navajo Nation, for instance, spans three states and has only 13 grocery stores.

PWNA, one of the largest non-profits serving Indian Country, is still making critical deliveries of food, water, sanitizer, toilet paper and other essentials to hundreds of tribal communities, even those with travel restrictions and shelter in place orders. But as COVID19 increases demand, PWNA’s warehouse supplies are running low.

By providing emergency funds to non-profit organizations, both large and small, Congress could help the economy as well as vulnerable Americans.

Over 1 million charitable non-profits employ more than 12 million people in the United States and

contribute $1 trillion to the economy each year.

Sustaining these groups through our present crisis will help lessen the economic turmoil wrought by COVID-19.

Lawmakers are right to provide economic relief to shuttered shops and restaurants. But they also need to assist the soup kitchens, social service organizations, cancer research foundations, and other groups that will support vulnerable Americans throughout the COVID19 outbreak and beyond.

Now more than ever, we need our non-profits.

Michael Werner is a lymphoma survivor and the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s chairman of the board. Christina Kazhe is Partnership with Native Americans’ the chairman of the board.

Speaker Turzai: Time to end the PLCB monopoly and support Wine and Spirit Convenience bill In an effort to end former Gov. Gifford Pinchot’s mandate to make liquor sales “as inconvenient and expensive as possible” by creating the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement supporting legislation introduced by Rep. Tim

O’Neal (R-Washington) to end Pennsylvania’s antiquated and failing state store system.

“As Speaker, I fully support Rep. Tim O’Neal’s House Bill 2547 to move sales of wine and spirits fully into the private sector.

The House has passed elimination of the state stores four times with Gov. Tom Wolf vetoing full privatiza-

tion encapsulated in House Bill 466 of 2015-16 that I sponsored.

“Consumers want the opportunity to buy wine and spirits in grocery stores or in specialty stores. The state will still tax and regulate the sale of these alcoholic beverages.

“We did ‘box’ the governor into signing legislation in 2016 – Act 39 of 2016,

formerly House Bill 1690 – to allow sales of wine and beer in our grocery stores, which has proved responsible, convenient and profitable.

“Rep. O’Neal, as a captain in the United States Army, earned a Bronze Star serving in Afghanistan.

He is ideally suited to carry the mantle for full privatization.”

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Chester County Press

In the Spotlight

Section

B

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Oxford Area High School’s 140th commencement

‘We are ready to take on the world and make Oxford proud’

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer The 334 members of Oxford Area High School’s Class of 2020 are now high school graduates as the school’s 140th annual commencement took place on June 5.

The student speakers reflected fondly on their time at Oxford and looked toward the future with optimism.

Justin Neskie, the class vice president and the salutatorian, talked about how it seemed like only yesterday that he and his classmates were freshmen in the high school and having a hard time finding their way from one class to the next.

“It’s been a fun—and crazy—four years,” Neskie said. “We are ready to take on the world and make Oxford proud.”

Elena Roe, the student representative to the Oxford School Board, talked about the benefits of growing up in a small town.

“Living in a place with such a strong sense of community transcends the superficial,” she said.

Roe thanked the caring and compassionate teachers and administrators for helping the students reach this milestone moment.

She also encouraged her classmates to do what they love and never let anyone else’s opinion dampen their enthusiasm.

“You are the memories you make, the things you learn, the passions that you pursue, the lives that you touch, and the legacy that you leave,” Roe said.

Class president Ashley Navarrete’s enthusiasm was evident when she stepped to the podium and proclaimed,“We finally did it!”

“After working and waiting for this day…we’re still waiting,” Navarrete said.

It was one of numerous references to the fact this Oxford graduation ceremony was quite different from the 139 graduation ceremonies that came before it. As Navarrete explained, the virtual graduation ceremony that Oxford and many other school districts are holding as a result of the coronavirus pandemic prevented the graduates from enjoying some of the traditional highlights of the evening. The students wouldn’t be able to take part in the processional. They wouldn’t be handed their diplomas after a walk across the stage.

They wouldn’t be able to throw their caps in the air.

They wouldn’t be able to pose for pictures with their friends and family.

In one of the more emotional moments of Oxford’s virtual graduation ceremony, Navarrete told her classmates, “I wish I could see your smiling faces today.”

That sentiment was echoed by school board president Joseph Tighe, who told the graduating seniors that he truly missed shaking hands with each one of them when he handed them the diplomas.

There were no shared smiles. There were no handshakes. But while the circumstances prevented most of the pomp, this was still a graduation ceremony, and it was still a time to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students.

In the days leading up to the virtual graduation day, teachers and staff posted their goodbyes to the Class of 2020. And during the virtual graduation ceremony, each of the graduation speakers emphasized the need to persevere in the

Elena Roe, the school board student representative.

face of challenges, including Oxford Area High School principal James Canaday.

“COVID-19 has not defined the Class of 2020,” said Canaday. “It’s a set of circumstances that the Class of 2020 has been faced with. How you choose to respond to those circumstances will define your character as individuals.”

Canaday praised how the students have handled the coronavirus pandemic and the closing of schools.

“I commend all of you for demonstrating resiliency in the past two months,” Canaday said. “We could not be more proud of each and every one of you.”

Canaday noted that he has a particularly strong connection to the Class of 2020. He explained that he has been the principal of members of the senior class since they were in the 7th grade because he was the middle school principal then, and that class of students moved to the high school the same year that he did.

In his speech, class valedictorian Joshua Arnold talked about how challenges are an inevitable part of life.

“There will always be challenges,” Arnold said.

“Every generation has its set of struggles and frustrations. The human spirit for progress will never be thwarted. We will never surrender our curiosity.”

The virtual graduation ceremony can be viewed online by visiting the Oxford Area School District’s website.

There is a hope that the Oxford seniors will all be together again one more time before they all head off into the world. A commencement ceremony is now planned for Saturday,

Courtesy photos

Oxford Area High School student leaders.

Celebrating graduation are Oxford Area High School Class of 2020 members Bailee Mallon, class parliamentarian, Joshua Arnold, valedictorian, Justin Neskie, the Class of 2020 vice president and salutatorian, Elena Roe, the school board student representative, and (bottom row) Olivia O’Mara, class secretary, Ashley Navarrete, class president, Naomi Richards, class historian, and Jenna Benke, class treasurer.

Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. if the restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic allow for large gatherings

Justin Neskie, the Class of 2020 vice president and salutatorian, recently signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to major in mathematics or science.

Ashley Navarrete, the class president, passing down the sash to Kelsey Bennett, the 2021 class president, from a distance.

at that time.

“I look forward to seeing everyone again on Aug. 1,” Canaday said.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Joshua Arnold, the class valedictorian, plans to attend the University of Delaware where he will major in chemistry and physics with a possible minor in meteorology.

Bailee Mallon, the class parliamentarian, Elena Roe, the school board student representative, and Justin Neskie, the Class of 2020 vice president and salutatorian.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Chester County Press

Obituaries LAWRIE R. DRENNEN

LAWRENCE LEE RICE

RICHARD WHITEHEAD, SR.

Lawrie R. Drennen, a lifetime resident of Oxford, passed away on June 6 at his home. He was 89.

He was the husband of Inez Lloyd Drennen, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Lawrence C. and Miriam Wright Drennen.

Lawrie was class officer of his Oxford Senior High School graduating class of 1948.

He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Lawrie was the president of Oxford Grain and Hay for sixty-seven years. The Oxford Grain and Hay is the oldest continuously operating business in the Oxford area and the second oldest Purina dealer in the United States. He remained active in the family business throughout his life.

He was a member of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, member and past president of the Oxford Lions Club, thirty-second degree member and past Master of the Oxford Lodge #353 F.&A.M., and member of the Union Fire Co., No. 1, Oxford.

He was also had served as a board member of the I.V.B. Bank.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Barbara Stricker (and her husband, Forrest), Lawrie Drennen, Jr. (and his wife, Diana) and Chris Drennen (and his wife, Marie); ten grandchildren Allison Denlinger (Michael), Gregory Stricker (Stacy), Jeffrey Stricker (Krista), Lauren Bohnert (Christian), Alicia McGarvey (Michael John), Lindsey Drennen, Alizabeth Rinda (Kyle), Amanda Drennen (Alex Cantarera), Devin Drennen and Chandler Drennen; and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Daniels and brother, Donald L. Drennen.

Service and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lawrie’s memory may be made to the Oxford Are Senior Center, 12 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363.

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

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

Lawrence Lee Rice, a resident of Oxford, passed away on May 27 at home. He was 67.

Born in Havre de Grace, Md., he was the son of the late Lester Grover and Viola Clare McFadden Rice.

Lawrence was employed as a truck driver with Manfredi Mushrooms and Basciani Mushrooms in Toughkenamon.

He was a handyman and enjoyed the outdoors and yard work.

He is survived by his lifelong companion of 40 years, Ruth Horne; one daughter, Carrie Rice Sentz of Md.; four step-daughters, Kathy Reburn (Saul) of Oxford, Carrie Stokes (Terrance) of Oxford, Susan Townsend (Ed) of Wilmington, Del. and Kim Horne (Alfredo) of West Grove; two step-sons, Kenny Horne of Lancaster and Jeff Horne (Becky) of Tifton, GA; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennie Rice Rowe; a step-son, Danny Horne; four brothers, Donald, Ricky, Kenny and Lester Rice; and three sisters, Patsy, Sara Jane and Pearl.

Services are private.

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

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

Richard Dorrance Whitehead Sr. passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer on May 22 at his home at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community.

He was born in Auburn, NY on May 1, 1932 to the late Louis Henry Whitehead and the late Dorothy Hawthorne Whitehead.

Dick celebrated his 88th birthday three weeks prior to his passing. He and Doris, his wife of 63 years, recently moved to the area from their beloved Lake Edge Farm, on Black Lake in New York where he had resided for thirty years.

As a young child, Dick lived in Maplewood, NJ and attended local schools. Dick graduated from Columbia High School. Dick met his wife, Doris Kleissler, while he was a senior in high school. He attended Williams College and graduated with high honors from Rutgers University School of Business in 1955.

In 1955, Dick joined Ernst & Ernst a Certified Public Accounting firm now known as Ernst and Young for a lifelong career in auditing. His career began in the firm’s New York City office. Shortly after joining the firm he was drafted into the Army serving from 1956 to 1958.

After completing his service, Dick returned to his career at Ernst & Ernst. In 1967, Dick was transferred to Caracas, Venezuela to manage Ernst and Ernst’s Venezuelan offices for more than 7 years. Dick, Doris and their three children have very fond memories of the years they lived in Venezuela.

In 1970, Dick was named a partner of the firm. In 1974, Dick and his family relocated to the Hartford, Connecticut area where he continued his career. In 1979, Dick then joined the firm’s national legal team as an audit advisor to the lawyers. During the last ten years of his career, he combined his depth of accounting knowledge with his interest in business law. Back in 1955, he attended New York University Law School but decided to concentrate on his accounting career. Dick retired from Ernst and Young in 1989.

Dick and his wife retired to a farm on Black Lake in the North Country of New York. As a child he had enjoyed working on his grandparents’ farms and especially enjoyed the time with the animals. Their Lake Edge Farm was known as their hobby farm and he raised chickens, horses, cows, goats and donkeys and even peacocks. Fondly known as the “Eggman” of Lake Edge Farm, his eggs were special because they could not be purchased. Dick gave away dozens of eggs each week. After 23 years, he then decided to downsize so that he could travel more.

Dick and Doris visited many foreign countries, traveled in their RV and visited all 48 contiguous states in the United States and many provinces in Canada. Dick was also very active in his community. He was an elder with Ogdensburg Presbyterian Stone Church, on the Board of Directors of the Frederic Remington Art Museum and a board member of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association.

He is survived by his loving wife, Doris, and three children, Pamela Cornforth (Doug), Richard Whitehead Jr. (Jane) and Theodore Whitehead (Anastasia) and seven grandchildren, Ashley, Bradley, Anna, Rebecca, Richard, Theo and Zoe and three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Alice and Benjamin, , and his brother Louis Henry Whitehead ( Sandra).

He was predeceased by a brother, Donald Wharton Whitehead.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to send donations to Ogdensburg Presbyterian Stone Church, 533 Stone Church Road, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, or to Frederic Remington Art Museum 303 Washington St. Ogdensburg NY or a charity of your choice.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a future memorial service and burial at Ogdensburg Presbyterian Stone Church in Ogdensburg, NY. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square.

JAMES JOHN FIORE James John Fiore, a lifelong resident of the Kennett Square area, passed away on June 2 at Chester County Hospital. He was 74.

Born September 16, 1945 at Chester County Hospital, he was the son of the late Charles, Sr. and Caroline Fiore (Sarmento).

Jim graduated from Kennett High School and served in the Maryland National Guard, being honorably discharged in 1971. He worked for Hewlett Packard in the Accounting Department, then various other local establishments throughout life.

In his youth, Jim was an excellent saxophone player and was a member of several bands, including The Galaxys, The Bonnevilles, and Little Eddie’s Band. He was also an avid baseball player and was a member of the Italian American Club. Jim had a passion for local horse racing and enjoyed spending time at the track.

He is survived by his brother, David M. Fiore (and his wife Tracy); a nephew, Dominic and a niece, Olivia of Port Republic, Md.; cousins Elaine Fiore of Kennett Square; Maria Fiore; Trish Fiore-Groff; his aunt, Elvira Passmore; and numerous friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Charles J. Fiore, Jr. A private graveside service will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory (In Memory of James Fiore) to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, or at www.cancer.org.

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

Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.

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3B

Chester County Press

Penn Township supervisors discuss school project, status of community events

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer

A traffic study and PennDOT approvals for the new roads at the schools are still pending.

“We don’t want to idle the construction site if we’re just waiting for PennDOT,” said attorney Andy Rau, a representative for the school district.

The district’s goal is to have the new school open for students in September, 2022.

“For a lot of reasons, the pandemic included, the timeline is tight,” Avon Grove School Board president Bill Wood said.

The board of supervisors stressed that they are trying to help the school district through the planning process.

“We’re with you school district,” supervisor Victor Mantegna said.

As the Avon Grove School District moves forward with preparations to start construction on the new high school, the Penn Township supervisors are waiting for the school district to agree in writing to the conditions the township has put on the plans before they give final approval.

At the most recent Penn Township Board of Supervisors meeting, once again a virtual meeting, the large school project was a topic of discussion.

The Avon Grove School District has already agreed to pay the township approximately $553,000 for the traffic impact the new school will have on the roads around Jennersville.

The Penn Township Board of Supervisors does not meet again until August, but they have authorized signing the final plan for permits outside a meeting.

Next on the supervisors’ agenda was discussion of a variance request for the Big Elk subdivision that will be heard this month by the township’s Zoning Hearing Board.

The request would allow the development to offer a new model home that would extend six feet farther into the back yard, which is already under the normal set-back requirement.

The township Planning Commission does not oppose use of the new model everywhere in the subdivision, but it does object for the lots that back up to the Hood property

line. On those lots, the normal 150-foot setback has already been reduced to 50 feet, plus the topography of the subdivision puts the Big Elk houses higher than the currently undeveloped Hood parcel.

The supervisors agreed with the planning commission’s recommendation and advised the Zoning Hearing Board of their position.

“I think the setbacks are already way too small,” supervisor Laura Sperratore said. She also noted that residents could later add decks to their houses, putting them even closer to the property line.

Residents should be advised that Summer Fun Days, originally scheduled for June 18, July 16 and Aug. 13, have been cancelled because of the

social-distancing requirements that are in place as Pennsylvania recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Penn Township supervisors also made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s Penn Township Community Picnic and Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Jennersville Hospital/Tower Health.

The decision came after weeks of discussion, but in the end, the supervisors, who are charged with protecting the health, safety and welfare of the community, decided to cancel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations on crowd size.

“In the end, we decided to only hold events during which we could adhere to the governor’s guidelines,” stated board chair Curtis

Mason. “While it breaks my heart to cancel this picnic, which is so loved and anticipated by our community, I think we are doing the right thing for our community.”

The supervisors pledged to make the 2021 Penn Township Community Picnic and Health and Wellness Fair bigger and better than ever.

For the remainder of 2020, the township will be holding smaller events compliant with current guidelines. There are some exciting things planned, and those will be announced in the coming weeks. A full list of events that have been cancelled, and those that are still on the township calendar is available on the township website at www. penntownship.us.

Obituaries

CHARLES RICHARD HERBERT Charles Richard Herbert, age 81, of Newark, Del., passed away peacefully on May 26, with his loving family by his side.

Born in Stewartstown, Pa., Charles was the son of the late Charles K. and Rovena (Heiss). He was a graduate of Kennard-Dale High School Class of 1956 in Fawn Grove, where he played the English horn in the band. After graduating, Charles was stationed in England with the U. S. Air Force, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Carol.

From 1970 until his retirement, he was the sole proprietor and accountant for Charles Herbert Accounting in Oxford.

Charles loved his family, especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Although he was a workaholic, Charles still found plenty of time for family and friends. He enjoyed traveling with Carol, as well as a trip to Arizona with his sister Marlene to visit their sister Charlotte. He loved weekend trips to Pennsylvania to spend time with family, as well as attending the annual Herbert family reunions Charles will be remembered as a jokester, and he loved to pull pranks. His office wall of tax accounting cartoons also reflected his sense of humor.

In his leisure time, Charles loved playing cards, having a few drinks and cracking a few jokes with friends. He also

enjoyed going to the horse races and playing horseshoes with neighbors. While in Pennsylvania, prior to moving to Delaware, he was involved with and was proud of his time as a Boy Scout troop leader. Charles was an avid Phillies and Eagles fan and supported his grandchildren when they played football and soccer.

Charles is predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Carol Herbert; his parents; his brother, Harold Waltemyer; his sisters, Charlotte Ruff, Shirley Eaton and Phyllis Hill; and his granddaughter, Heather Ferris.

He is survived by his children, Linda Dalton (Richard), Wayne Herbert, Beverley Ferris (William), and Kenneth Herbert; his 14 grandchildren (12 boys and 2 girls); his 13 great-grandchildren (9 boys and 4 girls); and his sister, Marlene Corcoran.

Family and friends may visit on Monday, June 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, Del., where a celebration of Charles’ life will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will be private. CDC guidelines will be followed during the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 750 Pride’s Crossing, Suite 110, Newark, DE 19713 or the Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg, NY 10962, ATTN: Ralph Nixon, M.D., Ph.D. To offer condolences, visit www.dohertyfh.com.

BARBARA M. WILEY Barbara M. Wiley, 77, of Oxford, passed away on May 29 in Penn Hospice in West Chester.

She was the wife of the late Harry Wiley, Jr. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Catherine Skvoretz Kuhns.

Barbara was retired from H.J. Heinz Co., West Chester.

She enjoyed riding horses, playing BINGO with friends, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Lisa Peak (and her husband, Mike) of Oxford; three grandchildren, Jordan Folker of Mt Joy, Brandon Lederman (and his wife Sarah) of Rising Sun, Md. and Rachel Peak of Oxford; and one niece Lori Marcks of Henderson, NC. She was preceded in death by her son, Brett W. Lederman and sister, Monica Otter.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to an animal rescue of your choice.

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

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

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Chester County Press

Legals

Classifieds

Board of Supervisors will be holding a regular business meeting on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 7:30 PM virtually using the ZOOM meeting conference software. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:30 PM. The meeting agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be available on Friday, June 12th, 2020 on the Township website and will be posted at the Township Building. The general public is welcome to join the meeting via a computer, laptop, tablet, cell phone or land line phone. We encourage residents to provide public comment by submitting comments via email to office@newgarden.org prior to the meeting to be read aloud. Participants attending the Zoom conference may provide public comment during the meeting. Those individuals with disabilities requiring ADA accommodations for effective participation in this meeting should contact office@newgarden. org or call 610.268.2915 at least two days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations. This meeting is being conducted virtually as the Township has declared a State of Emergency on March 16th, 2020.

6p-10-1t

PUBLIC NOTICE

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Richard D. Prewitt, Sr., aka Richard D. Prewitt, late of Lower Oxford Township, Chester County, Deceased.

Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Richard D. Prewitt, Sr. having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Richard D. Prewitt, Jr., Executor, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, Address: 208 E. Locust St., P.O. Box 381, Oxford, PA 19363 Phone:610-932-3838 5p-27-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF Mary Jeanetta Crews late of Elk Township, Chester County, Deceased. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above named Mary Jeanetta Crews having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment without delay to: Karen E. Brenneman, Executrix, c/o Attorney: Winifred Moran Sebastian, Esquire, 208 E. Locust Street, P.O. Box 381, Oxford, PA 19363 Phone: 610-932-3838 5p-27-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Elizabeth G. Hershey Late of West Fallowfield Township, PA, LETTERS TESTIMENTARY 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, J. Robert Hershey and William E. Hershey, Jr. Executors, Or Attorney: : Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363 6p-3-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

PENN TOWNSHIP ZONING HEARING BOARD NOTICE is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of Penn Township will hold a Public Hearing at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania, on June 25, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at which time the Board will hear the following matter: Application of NVR, Inc., equitable owner, seeking a variance from the thirty-foot rear yard set back requirements of (former) Penn Township Zoning Ordinance section 1302.H.3 so as to permit the construction of singlefamily dwellings on up to 73 previouslyapproved individual building lots, with encroachments of six (6’) feet, resulting in rear yards of open space on property

located at 1015 West Baltimore Pike, West Grove, PA (UPI #58-3-17.3) in the Township’s C-I Community Institutional Zoning District.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend the public meeting scheduled above and require an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, please contact the Township Secretary at (610) 869-9620 to discuss how Penn Township may best accommodate your needs. Edward M. Foley, Solicitor, Brutscher, Foley, Milliner, Land & Kelly, LLP, 213 E. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 6p-10-2t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Ellen M Vetter, Late of Downingtown, East Brandywine 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 George E Vetter, III 115 Constitution Dr Downingtown, PA 19335 , Executor.

6p-10-3t

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that due to the risks in regard to the COVID-19 virus, the New Garden Township

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Oxford Borough Council will hold a meeting on Monday, June 15, 2020, commencing at 7:00 p.m., prevailing time. To comply with the Stay-at-Home Order issued by Governor Wolf, minimize public exposure to COVID-19 and maintain social distancing, this meeting will be conducted via Zoom, an online video conferencing service. The Zoom platform allows participation both by video and telephone. Members of the public may register in advance using the following link: https://zoom.us/j/9 6961764719?pwd=YVpoQ2xqbGdQaz B0MzFFMkMySVpBZz09 or by utilizing Webinar ID#969-6176-4719 and Webinar Password #641902 on https://zoom. us/. Members of the public participating by phone may call in at (312) 626-6799 and enter meeting code #969-61764719. No in-person attendance at the Borough Building will be permitted.

Public comment should be short and concise and limited to general matters of concern and items on the agenda. To submit comments or questions prior to the meeting, email virtual@oxfordboro. org, deliver written comments to the drop box in front of Borough Hall, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, or call (610) 932-2500 by 12:00 pm. on Monday, June 15, 2020.

If you wish to participate in this meeting and are a person with a disability requiring an auxiliary aide, service or other accommodation to participate, please contact the Borough secretary at (610) 932-2500 to discuss how your needs may best be accommodated. OXFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL, GAWTHROP GREENWOOD, P.C., Stacey L. Fuller, Solicitor 6p-10-1t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will

be sold at public sale in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 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, July 20th, 2020. 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. 20-6-285 Writ of Execution No. 2019-07887 DEBT $94,901.49 Property situate in the NEW LONDON TOWNSHIP, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania BLR # 71-2-68.6S IMPROVEMENTS thereon: Residential Dwelling PLAINTIFF: Ditech Financial LLC VS DEFENDANT: Glenn R. Koch

ALL THAT CERTAIN land situate in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described more particularly according to a survey made by George E. Regester, Jr, & Sons, Inc., Registered Surveyors, dated 1 l /13/84, as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point on the title line in the bed of Public Road L.R. 13I, known as Baltimore Pike, said point being the Northwesterly comer of other land now or late of Achille Ciarrocchi and the Northeasterly comer of the about to be described lot; thence from said point of beginning and extending along said other lands the two following courses and distances: (I) South 14° 25’ 30” East, 16.50 feet to a point; (2) South 21° 29’ 46” East, 155.79 feet to a point in line of lands now or late of James D. Bertrando; thence extending along said land of Bertrando, South 64° 49’ 38” West, 95.80 feet to a point, a comer of lands now or late of Donald C. Sassaman; thence extending along said lands, North 14° 25’ 38” West, 175 feet to a point in the aforementioned bed of L.R. 131; thence extending through the bed of said road, North 64° 49’ 30” East, 70 feet to the first mentioned point and place of BEGINNING. BE the contents what they may.

SALE ADDRESS: 118 Thames Drive, Lincoln University, PA 19352-1315 PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 5p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public sale in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 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, July 20th, 2020. 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. 20-6-293 Writ of Execution No. 2020-00415 DEBT $161,453.28

BEING known as 1534 Baltimore Pike, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 BEING THE SAME PREMISES which Achille Ciarrocchi, by Deed dated 11/19/1984 and recorded 11/21/1984 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for Chester County in Deed Book 64, Page 444, granted and conveyed unto Richard A. Sydenstricker.

PARCEL NO.: 60-1Q-3 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: Residential Dwelling PLAINTIFF: Citizens Bank, N.A. S/B/M to Citizens of Bank of Pennsylvania VS DEFENDANT: Richard A. Sydenstricker SALE ADDRESS: 1534 Baltimore Pike, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: LAW OFFICE OF GREGORY JAVARDIAN, LLC 215942-9690 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 5p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public sale in the Chester

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

5B

Chester County Press

Local News Avon Grove Charter School named a Project Lead The Way Distinguished School The Avon Grove Charter School has been recognized as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Launch in grades K-3.

Of the more than 100 primary or elementary schools across Pennsylvania that utilize Project Lead the Way’s Launch curriculum, Avon Grove Charter School is one of only three schools to receive the honor. In the U.S., only 404 schools earned the designation.

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Avon Grove Charter School had to offer at least two PLTW Launch modules at each grade level and have more than 75 percent of the student body participating during the 2018-19 school year. The school offers at least three modules at each grade level (K-3) and 100 percent of the students participate.

Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they

are good at, math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.

Courtesy photos

The Avon Grove Charter School has been recognized as a project Lead the Way Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities.

Legals County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 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, July 20th, 2020. 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. 20-6-300 Writ of Execution No. 2019-10091 DEBT $201,116.12 Property situate in the PARKESBURG BOROUGH, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania BLR # 8-7-13 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: Residential Dwelling PLAINTIFF: CitiMortgage, Inc. VS DEFENDANT: Kelly D. Taylor & Brian K. Taylor SALE ADDRESS: 707 8th Avenue, a/k/a 707 Eighth Avenue, Parkesburg, PA 19365-1326 PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 5p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will be sold at public sale in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 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, July 20th, 2020. 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. 20-6-303 Writ of Execution No. 2019-11591 DEBT $161,689.99 ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PIECE OF GROUND SITUATE IN SADSBURY TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF CHESTER, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED ACCORDING TO A PLAN OF THE

MEADOWLANDS, MADE BY JOHN D. STAPLETON, 111, REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR, COATESVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, DATED 1/17/1989 AND LAST REVISED 4/17/1989 AND RECORDED IN CHESTER COUNTY AS PLAN NO. 9396, AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT: BEGINNING AT A POINT ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE ULTIMATE RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF COMPASS ROAD (T-348), SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT NO. I AS SHOWN ON SAID PLAN; THENCE EXTENDING ALONG THE ULTIMATE RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF COMPASS ROAD (T-348), THE TWO FOLLOWING COURSES AND DISTANCES,(1) SOUTH 44 DEGREES 55 MINUTES 55 SECONDS EAST, 174.25 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVE; AND (2) ON THE ARC OF A CIRCLE CURVING TO THE RIGHT, HAYING A RADIUS OF 250 FEET, THE ARC DISTANCE OF 36.77 FEET TO A CORNER OF LOT NO. 3;

THENCE EXTENDING ALONG SAME, SOUTH 64 DEGREES 18 MINUTES IO SECONDS WEST, 368.75 FEET TO A POINT ALONG LOT NO. 5; THENCE EXTENDING ALONG SAME AND ALONG LOT NO. 6, NORTH 30 DEGREES 23 MINUTES 05 SECONDS WEST, 200.67 FEET TO CORNER OF LOT NO. 1; THENCE EXTENDING ALONG SAME, NORTH 64 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST, 318.22 FEET TO THE FIRST MENTIONED POINT AND PLACE OF BEGINNING. BEING LOT NO. 2 AS SHOWN ON SAID PLAN. CONTAINING 1.583 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS. TAX MAP AND PARCEL NUMBER: 37-1-17.2 PLAINTIFF: TIAA, FSB VS

DEFENDANT: Brian J. Madonna and Deanne M. Madonna SALE ADDRESS: 421 Compass Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365 PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 215790-1010 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 5p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Fredda L. Maddox, the herein-described real estate will

Classifieds

be sold at public sale in the Chester County Justice Center at 201 W Market Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3300, West Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 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, July 20th, 2020. 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. 20-6-304 Writ of Execution No. 2016-11103 DEBT $321,620.11 Proper t y situa te in the EAST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania 19355

BLR # 42-4K-52 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: Residential Dwelling PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, NA VS DEFENDANT: Rodney V. Nutt SALE ADDRESS: 37 Deer Run Lane, Malvern, PA PLANTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP 215-563-7000 N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in cash, certified check, or money order made payable to the purchaser or “Sheriff of Chester County”. The balance must be made payable to “Sheriff of Chester County” within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 4PM. FREDDA L. MADDOX, SHERIFF 5p-27-3t

6B

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Chester County Press

Local News Chalk the Walk honors Oxford’s Class of 2020 About 10 people, including local artists, gathered on South Third Street to chalk the sidewalks with inspirational messages for Oxford’s 2020 graduates.

The event was born from a conversation between Clarissa Sherrow and Christine Grove, the executive director of the Oxford Area Chamber of

Commerce. “As the mom of a college senior, I know how hard this is for our graduates,� said Grove. “We thought this was just one visible way we could show them how much we care!�

Participants were very enthusiastic about showing their support for the students.

“It felt great to spread some positivity and love to the graduates, while brightening our beautiful little town,� said Joann Saltysiak.

Cait Daugherty, the art coordinator for the Oxford Arts Alliance, said, “It was nice being able to see the Oxford Arts Alliance Academy students again to work with them on chalk-

ing the town. The Oxford Arts Alliance has had many graduates come and go through our doors so we’re happy to celebrate them.�

Courtesy photos

Last Saturday, about 10 people used chalk to create inspirational messages for the members of Oxford Area High School’s Class of 2020.

Unionville Community Fair will not take place this year The popular annual event, planned for Oct. 2 to 4, was cancelled because of concerns about the coronavirus The Unionville Community Fair Board of Directors announced last week that the event will not take place in 2020 because of ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

A letter from board president Cindy Wallace and the entire Board of Directors stated, “It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of the Unionville Community Fair announce the cancellation of the 2020 Fair which had been

scheduled for October 2 to 4. “COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on all of us. Residents in our local communities are suffering from the effects of sudden unemployment, prolonged business closures, and worrying about loved ones who may be ill or be at a higher risk. While we all crave a return to our normal lives, our board realizes that the potential health risk of holding a fair this year is

too great for our exhibitors, volunteers, and patrons.�

The letter went on to say that Unionville Community Fair organizers were in contact with the Pennsylvania Association of County Fairs and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to seek guidance on how to safely hold a large community event in the middle of a pandemic. “This decision was not easy, nor was it taken lightly,� the letter stated. “It

is based on many factors, first and foremost, community safety and fiscal responsibility.�

The letter explained that planning the event is a year-long venture, and it involves many hours of planning and preparation that are difficult to accomplish under the current circumstances. “There are various factors and expenses involved in preparing for an event of this magnitude: advertising,

printing catalogs, contest ribbons and awards, sanitation services, construction materials, signage, entertainment contract deposits, licenses, and volunteer staffing. Therefore, it is imperative that we make the decision now before additional effort and funds are expended,� the letter stated. “We want to ensure that the Unionville Community Fair will be around for years to come.

It is our responsibility as a

board to be good stewards of the financial resources that we have thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors, patrons, and exhibitors all these years.

We simply cannot in good conscience spend money planning for an event that may not be safely or legally permitted to take place.�

The board of directors have already set Oct. 1, 2, and 3 as the dates for the Unionville Community Fair to return in 2021.

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