Building a new legacy along the Kennett Greenway
By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
From the time the mission of the Kennett Greenway was first imagined, the plans were not merely intended to create a permanent marker along a 14-mile stretch of nature, but rather to serve as a commitment to create spaces that would create a sense of empowerment, ownership and inclusion for everyone in the community.
Over the past decade, that
original model continues to be reflected, from Auburn Valley State Park at the northern tip of Delaware, through Chandler Mill Preserve and the Parrish Trail and winding through Kennett Square on its way to the Stateline Woods Preserve. In short, the Greenway has become part of a multi-modal network that connects people to wildlife and neighbor to neighbor across five municipalities and two states.
Now, in partnership with Square Roots Collective (SRC), Kennett Township, Kennett Square Borough and the Kennett Consolidated School District, the Kennett Trails Alliance (KTA) –the developmental wing of the Greenway – is in the conceptual design phase to eventually add one more notch to its achievement, one that will feature redwing blackbirds, marsh land and cat tails.
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by Richard L. Gaw Standing at the foot of the planned Legacy Fields Boardwalk Trail addition to the Kennett Greenway are, from left to right, Kennett Trails Alliance (KTA) executive director Christina Norland, Anita Davidson, KTA director, Trail Development; Kymm Bontrager, Square Roots Collective (SRC) youth development program manager; and SRC NextGen leadership fellows Ingrin Mendez and Ulises Miranda.
Chester Chester DA holds county-wide listening tour
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
Chester County District Attorney Chris de BarrenaSarobe’s second stop on his county-wide listening tour was held at Coatesville City Hall on Aug. 1, an event that gave community members and the DA a chance to have a dialogue with each other about concerns facing the community.
The 90-minute-long conversation was attended by two dozen teachers, faith leaders, parents and other community leaders, including Chief of Detectives David Sassa. The DA hosted his first listening tour event in West Chester on July 10.
“What I want to do is listen and talk with you all,”
de Barrena-Sarobe said.
“I’m going to walk away with your perspective so that I can go back to my legal community and go, ‘This is what they’re worried about. How can we do better?’”
In his opening remarks, de Barrena-Sarobe shared that he has been the county’s district attorney since being sworn in on Jan. 1, 2024, and is trying to connect and learn more about what unique problems are facing the different communities that make up
Chester County. He also set parameters for the discussion including that he could not disclose information or answer any questions about ongoing cases.
Prior to his position as DA, de Barrena-Sarobe served as an assistant district attorney in Chester County and was Deputy in the Drug and Organized Crime Unit before being a federal prosecutor in Delaware. While in this position, he investigated and prosecuted fraud, high-level drug trafficking, illegal gun possession and gun trafficking, kidnapping, and other violent offenses committed by criminal defendants.
He shared that the two most important things he has focused on his career has been opioids and gun violence, specifically against young Black men.
“I’m here because of that latter point upsets me daily,” he said. “The reality is that we need the communities help to solve crimes.”
Community members resonated with de BarrenaSarobe’s chief focus of the event and raised an array of concerns centered on keeping children out of danger in Coatesville, specifically pertaining to the influence of drugs and gun violence in the city and how to best to mitigate and ultimately
programs and
stop
Oxford Borough takes steps to improve its water operations
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
The Oxford Borough Water Department is responsible for providing potable drinking water to the borough’s residents, which is no small deal these days. Operating a water department is also no small feat for a municipality, as big water companies are trying to snatch up small municipal water departments whenever they can.
The borough sources its water from a combination of the Chester Water Authority and local wells and owns a water treatment plant and a transmission, production, storage, and distribution water system
serving Oxford.
The borough does also source a small portion of their water supply from Chester Water Authority (CWA). Aqua, a large company, has a desire to buy the Chester Water Authority. Understandably, the Borough of Oxford is concerned how the possible purchase of CWA by Aqua would impact the borough’s residents. Currently, the borough is pursuing new wells which would diversify its water sources. Because of that, the borough has conducted a water rate study and a capital needs assessment. The borough is also soliciting bids for new water meters. To the credit of borough officials, Oxford is
keeping an eye of the cost of water, and taking steps to limit the cost to residents.
The cost includes, but is not limited to, the responsibility for operating and managing the water system, which is staffed by three certified public water operators, including the Public Works supervisor. Those employees are responsible for all permitting, testing requirements, and mandated reporting requirements related to the operation.
Becoming a certified water operator requires constant testing and knowledge of water treatment.
A certified operator is a guardian of public health and the environment. The certified operator must meet the requirements of
the Operator Certification Program. Some of the more important requirements include the following:
• Make or implement appropriate process control decisions, or take or direct actions related to process control decisions for specific water or wastewater systems;
• Successfully complete the required continuing education;
• Make timely application for certification renewal;
• Report to the system owner any known violations or system conditions that may be or are causing violations of any DEP regulation or permit condition or requirement;
• Provide for the suitable operation and maintenance
of a water or wastewater system utilizing available resources needed to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and permit conditions and requirements;
• Approve in writing Standard Operations Plans (SOPs).
Billing and other administrative tasks are handled by borough personnel. The Water Fund funds a pro-rated portion of the workforce costs. The Water Department has achieved operating surpluses (before transfers for capital needs) every year since 2018. However, accounting for capital transfers, expenses have exceeded revenues in
stop those influences.
Gun buy-back
traffic
training were some of the initiatives
discussed to address these issues. The DA mentioned a previous successful Youth and Law Enforcement
Symposium in April that offered Chester County youth to meet with local
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Kennett Greenway...
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Following a decade of conversations and currently in its design concept stages, the Legacy Fields Boardwalk Trail will begin along South Walnut Street in Kennett Square across from the YMCA and just south of the athletic fields used by Kennett High School and other local sports leagues.
Projected to provide nearly a half mile in additional trails and border Red Clay Creek in both Kennett Square Borough and Kennett Township, the trail will feature a 13-14-foot-wide boardwalk and a pavilion – to be constructed of wood and metal -- that will provide visitors with an overview of the area’s wetlands and eventually connect to Creek Road at the South Street intersection. The project is being designed by Unknown Studio, a Baltimore-based landscape architecture and urban design studio who also developed the Greenway on Chandler Mill Road.
‘It’s about gathering and creating opportunities for interaction’
Much like the many other segments of the Greenway, Legacy Fields Boardwalk Trail is projected to become an outdoor classroom of environmental education.
“The Kennett Trails Alliance always hoped that we would be able to begin discussions with the school district about a trail across the Legacy Fields property, in order to provide educational opportunities for high school students, the YMCA campers and other local organizations,” said KTA Executive Director Christina Norland. “As our partners began to acquire and dedicate more land to the Greenway and brought a lot of it through the borough, the boardwalk trail seemed like the logical next segment to pursue.
“It’s about gathering and creating opportunities for interaction. A community forms when you interact with your neighbors Creating public spaces like this – especially around athletic fields – provides opportunities to learn about
nature by actually being in nature.”
“It will give visitors the feeling of truly walking through a wetland, as opposed to walking on a sidewalk,” said Anita Davidson, KTA’s director of trail development. “There are numerous studies that show that exposure to nature is very important for the state of one’s mental health. These are environments that are very important ecologically to the way our whole environment functions, and to be able to have exposure to those special places will help the community see the value of stewarding these areas into the future.”
As the plans for the Legacy Fields Boardwalk Trail continue to evolve, so do the negotiations between Kennett Township and the Kennett Consolidated School District Board, who on July 8 voted to pursue either an easement or land transfer of a portion of the property to Kennett Township. At their July 17 meeting, the township’s supervisors voted to authorize the township to enter into negotiations with the
Water operations...
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two of the last five years in Oxford. The department’s primary revenue source comes from water usage fees, which are quarterly fees paid by borough residents and business owners. The most recent fee increase was in 2019 when rates were raised by 10 percent. The department also charges water tapping fees for making connections to main water lines. These fees vary on a year-to-year basis based on development activity, but have averaged about $63,000 since 2018. The fund also benefits from minimal grant support and other miscellaneous revenues.
The department’s primary operating expense (prior to capital transfers) is personnel, which average about 40 percent of the department’s costs. The department is staffed by Public Works employees whose expenses are allocated to the department and paid by water-related revenue based on the percentage of their time dedicated to waterrelated activities.
Other big ticket items like maintenance of the water department facility also factor into the budget. And another, often overlooked, but vital piece of the transference of water, is the water mains.
When a customer turns on their faucet, they expect potable water on demand, but seldom do customers realize everyone and everything that is involved in bringing that water into the home.
Water departments also must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
DEP’s Office of Water Programs administers and oversees departmental programs involving surface and groundwater quantity and quality planning, and soil and water conservation. The office also coordinates policies, procedures, and regulations. These can influence public water supply withdrawals, sewage facilities planning, point source municipal and industrial discharges, and more. The policies and regulations can also impact
encroachments upon waterways and wetlands, dam safety, earth disturbance activities and control of stormwater and non-point source pollution.
In addition, the Office of Water Programs also coordinates the planning, design and construction of flood protection and stream improvement projects.
The EPA works to ensure that Americans have clean air, land and water, that national efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information, and federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended.
Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy.
The EPA also works to make sure that all parts of society—communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments—-have access to accurate information
school district for an easement or land transfer for the parcel, which is on Kennett High School property and owned by the school district. In addition, KTA is working with the township to establish a maintenance plan for the trail.
The Legacy Fields Boardwalk – which is scheduled to complete its design and engineering phases in the next year and conceivably start construction in 2026 -- will be the KTA’s second Greenway project in the borough in recent years. In 2022, backed by an initial $800,000 investment by SRC and funding from Chatham Financial and Pennsylvania’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, and building upon work by community leaders many years ago, the agency began development on Red Clay Park, a 30-acre narrow strip of green space that scissors through the eastern portion of the borough that links Anson B. Nixon Park, the Kennett YMCA, Kennett High School, the Red
sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks.
It is the EPA that ensures that contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up by potentially responsible parties and revitalized, and that chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.
How the EPA controls the responsibilities doesn’t come without a price tag. It is not unusual for small municipalities to have their budgets impacted with one unfunded mandate from the state or federal government.
One of those mandates that Oxford Borough is dealing with is the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) regulations that refer to the collection of structures designed to gather stormwater and discharge it into local streams and rivers.
Oxford Borough is not the only municipality looking for help in financing MS4 costs. Those mandates passed down to state and local government from the federal government relate to the Chesapeake Bay and are beginning to pinch local municipalities. These requirements, known as MS4 and the Chesapeake Bay Compact, require that
Clay Room, the YMCA Adventure Park and community pool and State Street.
The project includes invasive species removal, erosion control, streambanks restoration, plantings and reforestation, as well as access to a stony beach beside the Red Clay Creek.
‘Listening, acting, listening and acting again’
Similarly, the plans for the Legacy Fields Boardwalk Trail are being developed in conjunction with what the community wishes to see there, in order to maximize its value.
As with all of projects in the Kennett Greenway, the true designers of the Boardwalk Trail will be the people who will eventually use it. Norland and Davidson said the KTA will be planning several public workshops on the project over the next year.
“We are constantly meeting with members of the community to understand what they want in
sediment and nitrates be reduced by a further 10-percent over a five-year period. That is a steep reduction that can cost local municipalities millions.
The Borough of Oxford saw the writing on the wall and started working on this in the fall of 2023.The borough began a series of long-term planning initiatives and improvements to the borough water system, including development of a 10-year capital plan and completion of a water rate study. These efforts are meant to ensure the sustainability of Oxford’s water department as a publicly owned utility.
In December 2023, Oxford was awarded a $600,000 grant through the PA H2O Program to support an upgrade to the borough water meters. In the coming months the borough will replace outdated Positive Displacement Meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters and software. After a public bidding process, Oxford Borough Council awarded the meter contract to Rio Supply, Inc., a vendor for Neptune Automated meters at the regularly scheduled meeting on June 3.
For residents and property owners, this upgrade will save money over time, enhance the delivery services and improve the customer experience. The borough will be able to alert water customers to sudden spikes in water use that may indicate a water leak, affording the customer an opportunity to fix it before incurring hefty water and sewer bills.
The meter change will begin soon, so all water
their public space and on their trails,” Norland said.
“We collect data through interactive experiences, including what we’re calling ‘Build Your Own Park,’ where residents can choose what they would want to see in their perfect park. We compile that data and use it to inform the basic designs of our projects.”
“It does not make sense to build things that people do not want, or to invest in infrastructure that the community will not use,” Davidson said. “It’s critical that we go through this process and at every stage of its development we include all different levels of the community and hear what their hopes and dreams are.
“It’s about listening, acting, listening and acting again, and then building and maintaining it. When people are involved in the process of designing these public spaces, they are more likely to take ownership of these spaces.”
To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.
customers should be aware of this. Attending borough council meetings would be one way to understand what will be happening. The borough is working with Rio through the processes and work required before the installation timeline is confirmed, and they will begin providing more specific information to residents and property owners. Depending on what type of meter a customer has, it might be necessary to schedule a time with the customer to access their home or building to change the meter. More information will be available soon.
David Busch, a consultant with Keystone Alliance Consulting, is working with the borough on this issue to ensure that Oxford has enough money to pay for the operation of the water department. Gannett Fleming Consultants has also worked on a study to initiate a capital water plan. Busch confirmed that one goal of the study is also to promote equity among all rate payers.
“As we adjust the rate, if the water department does that, it doesn’t mean all people are going to get the same increase. We will promote equity among all rate payers,” Busch said.
Oxford Borough Manager Pauline Garcia-Allen said, “We are hopeful that potential changes will be made in the coming year, not before 2025. We plan to ensure that any changes we make are fair and not burdensome to property owners and residents.”
Residents with any questions are encouraged to call the borough office at 610-932-2500.
Courtesy photos
The Legacy Fields trail will include a boardwalk that will navigate its way over and through wetlands.
A pavilion will serve as a possible future site for ecological classrooms and education.
District Attorney...
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law enforcement to discuss the criminal justice system and “bridge relationships between the community and police.”
Other possible solutions and questions brought up by community members were not under the DA’s purview such as issues regarding schools, economic opportunities and home life but he encouraged the attendees to continue discussions and build on what was discussed that night. He shared that he would
support their goals and plans on tackling the issues discussed as best as he can moving forward.
Community members Linda Lavender Norris and Lila Singleton seemed to react positively to the event saying they felt it was, “constructive,” and were grateful for the opportunity to voice their opinion. They also shared that they wish other entities from the county government would similarly come out and meet communities where they are at. de BarrenaSarobe said that he would be willing to come back to Coatesville in “one to two
months” to follow up with community members on the ideas and issues brought up during the Aug. 1 meeting.
The DA’s office is planning to hold more listening tours around the county in order to connect with other communities about the specific issues facing them.
While the listening tour did not lead to any concrete plans or changes, the DA’s office goal in meeting and hearing from the community was met.
“Government works best when it merges with the community and understands what’s happening,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.
STEM graduate awarded 2024 Youth Scholarship from Chester County’s Suicide Prevention Task Force
Sophia Fontecchio recently received the third annual Youth Scholarship, presented by the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force. The $1,000 scholarship is open to high school seniors in Chester County who contributed to school and community activities to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
Fontecchio, a 2024 graduate of the Downingtown STEM Academy, became involved in mental health awareness and suicide prevention after losing a friend to suicide at the age of 14.
She became an advocate for suicide prevention and education legislation, and founded a local nonprofit, Let’s Bake The World A Better Place, which sells home-baked goods to fund a variety of local, national and international organizations. Since starting in 2021, more than $17,000 has been donated to those organizations, including funds raised to create and distribute mental health care packages for local teens.
“I am so honored to receive the scholarship. It means a lot to me since
mental health awareness and suicide prevention is the reason that I started Let’s Bake the World a Better Place in 2021,” said Fontecchio, who will be attending college in the fall.
Fontecchio added that her organization is actively looking for individuals to serve on its youth advisory board. Find out more at www.letsbaketheworldabetterplace.com.
Chester County’s Suicide Prevention Task Force has the mission to decrease suicide through increased awareness and education. The organization is a col-
laborative partnership between the Chester County Department of Mental Health/ Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, survivors of loss to suicide, mental health and public health professionals, educators, healthcare workers, crisis workers, concerned neighbors and friends.
“Students throughout Chester County have dedicated countless hours to promoting awareness and education about mental health and suicide prevention, and the Suicide Prevention Task Force Youth Scholarship was
created to recognize those efforts,” said Candy Craig, Deputy Administrator for the Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
For more information on mental health services, please visit www. chesco.org/mentalhealth or the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force, www.chestercountysuicideprevention.com.
Courtesy photo
Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe held his second listening tour event before two dozen community members at Coatesville City Hall on Aug. 1.
Courtesy photo
Sophia Fontecchio, a graduate of the Downingtown STEM Academy, is the recipient of the 2024 Youth Scholarship presented by the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force.
Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation hits major milestones in 2024
The Chester County Community Foundation announced that the Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation hit a major milestone by raising $14,000 for its annual scholarship this year.
The year 2024 is already full of other milestones: it is the 40th year of the scholarship at the Chester County Community Foundation; it has honored 45 scholarship recipients and it is the 90th birthday year for Stephen's mother, Laura, the cofounder of the scholarship.
The Stephen Chandler Ericson Scholarship was founded in 1984 in memory of Stephen Ericson, who passed away at 6:03 p.m. on Sept. 19, 1984. Stephen was running to score a goal at his soccer game when lightning struck, ending in a tragic accident. After an outpouring of support from friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers inquiring about making donations in his honor, Stephen’s mother and father, Laura Chandler Ericson and Joseph H. Ericson, Jr., established the Stephen Chandler Ericson Scholarship. The goal of the fund is to help young people with their education and inspire a mindset of giving back.
The first scholarship was awarded in May 1985 and continues to this day. The
More than $14,000 raised for annual scholarship
criteria for selection are based on the student having a good Christian testimony, a sense of humor, being an average student, having a good school spirit, being active in sports, and, active in music.
In 2010, the Ericson family started the Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation at the Chester County Community Foundation so donations could grow in perpetuity.
Each year, Stephen pays it forward from his heavenly address, as he helps high school students achieve their educational goals as they begin their freshman year of college or trade school. The mission is three-fold: With God, turning tragedy into triumph, the importance of education, and paying it forward.
Stephen’s sister, Cynthia said, “Stephen was a gen-
tle and kind soul, with a great capacity for love and understanding. We pray the scholarship truly resonates with the student and becomes a catalyst for helping others, and embracing service above self, because one life makes a difference.”
The scholarship is awarded annually to a senior high school student in the Chester County area. The 2024 winner, Vedant Bedekar, will be studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech University in the fall.
He said, “Stephen’s story has inspired me to persevere in my studies and continue my passion for the things I enjoy, like swimming and music. It made me realize that you should never take things for granted and always cherish the opportunities that you have. I promise to use this money
to better our world and make it so that more people have the chance to follow their dreams and pursue their passions. Thank you once again to everyone who made it possible for me to receive this award.”
The Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation would like to recognize their 2024 sponsors: Ken Harding, Brian and Dawn Harding, Jenny and Marc Harding Masino, Dr. Ralph and Pat Pacinelli, Ron DellaVecchia/DellaVecchia Reilly Smith Boyd Funeral Home, Carol Halebian, Theresa and Buzzy Gospodarek, Sara and Walt
and Carole Styer/Styer Propane, Judd Clayton, Dan and Kate Duffey/ Duffey HVAC - Sheller Energy, Conrad Muhly, IV/ Terra Technical, Lenore Guthrie, Ilene Sussman and Steve Brodsky, Rob and Laura Beideman, Bud Feagans, Faye Whiteman, Cecil Bond/Great Valley Awning, Harvey McClure, Moyer Pest Control, RAMS Diner, Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation, Andrew Thoresen/Oracle Forensics, Dale and Kathy Teter / Jersey Mike’s. The Stephen Chandler Ericson Foundation is a
fund of the Chester County Community Foundation. To learn more about the fund, please visit: https:// chescocf.org/fund/ stephen-chandler-ericson.
Courtesy photos
Laura Ericson, Stephen’s mother, pictured this year at age 90 holding the scholarship check.
Vedant Bedekar, the scholarship winner this year.
Stephen Chandler Ericson, eponym of the scholarship, and his beloved dog Kelly.
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.
The continuing battle of their engagement
For the past several years in New Garden Township, there have been a rising number of town criers in the form of residents who have criticized elected officials and the township itself for agreeing to sell its crumbling wastewater system to Aqua PA, Inc. and Aqua PA Wastewater, Inc. for $29.5 million in 2020. While the financial windfall of the sale has enabled the township to invest in other projects, Aqua customers in the township have said that the transaction has left them high and dry – the equivalent of being flung out to an imaginary sea with no life raft to save them.
Their vociferous battle cry continues to be that the municipality has done nothing in the form of compensation to assist them in offsetting the continually rising wastewater costs they incur on a quarterly basis.
While there has been intermittent finger pointing at board meetings and ill-placed shouting matches between elected officials and the people who voted them into office, it hasn’t lowered anyone’s sewer bills, and while this group of citizens have galvanized in an effort to get their voices heard on social media and in their appeals to the Public Utility Commission (PUC), they now face an even higher mountain to climb.
Aqua PA is proposing a new 18.7-percent rate hike for its customers, in a move that Aqua officials have claimed is part of a ten-year investment plan to restore lost capacity in the spray fields and provide infrastructure upgrades.
On Aug. 8 beginning at 1 p.m. at the New Garden Township Building on 299 Starr Road in Landenberg, Aqua customers will get another opportunity to have their voices heard – and potentially carried.
State Rep. Christina Sappey has requested and been granted from the PUC a public input hearing regarding the proposed rate increase for water and wastewater by Aqua PA Inc.
Following the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate coming out against the proposed rate increase, Sappey filed a formal complaint with the PUC regarding this proposed 18.7 percent rate hike for Aqua PA Inc. and Aqua PA Wastewater Inc.
“Many Aqua customers are still coping with a substantial rate increase from 2022 which, for some, tripled their wastewater bills,” Sappey said in a recent press release announcing the public hearing.
“It’s imperative that residents speak up now to let both the PUC and Aqua know how a rate hike of this magnitude would impact their monthly household budgets.”
It will not be the first time the big water giant has heard them.
On Nov. 21, 2022, more than 200 Aqua customers packed the New Garden Elementary School auditorium to express their outrage before Aqua officials including its president, Mark Lucca. It was a fourhour slugfest that pushed up to the midnight hour, a massive roll-out of data against the tenor of reality that saw Aqua users hold up their invoices before the company’s bigwigs and proclaim that these costs were more than their electric and gas bills.
Several in the audience said that they have considered leaving New Garden Township as part of what may become a max exodus from the municipality that will force it to change its entire tax structure.
There is no crystal ball prognostication – no firm guarantees -- for what will transpire at the New Garden Township Building this Thursday, except perhaps this: The voices of citizenship will rise again to meet the continuing battle of their engagement. In preparation for the public hearing, it is advisable that the township may want to equip its meeting hall with more chairs.
Lawmakers applaud PA 529 Tax Credit Bill being incorporated into recently passed tax code
There are significant benefits to families and employers
The 529 tax credit, originally House Bill 1745 and co-prime sponsored by State Representatives Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) and Paul Friel (D-Chester), has been successfully incorporated into the recently signed Tax Code by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
This new tax credit incentivizes employers to contribute to their employees’ PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts, providing substantial benefits to families across Pennsylvania and supporting workforce development.
House Bill 1745 expands the tax credit to encourage workforce development and ease the financial burden of higher education for
Pennsylvania families. The PA 529 tax credit allows for a 25 percent tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. This initiative encourages employers to support their employees’ educational savings, facilitating financial planning for future educational expenses.
“The 529 Act is an example of how we can, and must, work together to make progress for our families,” said Friel. “By finding common ground, building bipartisan connections and remembering who we serve—the people of Pennsylvania—I’m proud that we are making saving for college or career training that much more accessible.”
“Addressing the skills gap and strengthening our workforce starts with access to education,” said Marcell. “By encouraging employers to invest in their employees’ futures, this tax credit supports Pennsylvania families and builds a more skilled and educated workforce. We are making it easier for families to save for higher education, ensuring that our students have the opportunities they need to succeed.”
Pennsylvania treasurer Stacy Garrity said, “This tax credit is outstanding news. It will encourage employers to help employees save with our tremendous PA 529 College and Career Savings Program and PA ABLE
Savings Program for people with disabilities. That will be a huge help to families across Pennsylvania, and by offering this new benefit, employers will become even more attractive places to work. I thank Rep. Friel and Rep. Marcell for their great work getting this tax credit enacted.”
The PA 529 program, known for its flexibility and growing popularity, offers two savings plan options to cover various educational expenses, laying a strong foundation for the initiative. House Bill 1745 underscores the importance of workforce development in sustaining economic growth and competitiveness.
The Arc of Chester County receives funds for facility upgrades
To help further The Arc of Chester County’s mission to advocate, educate and provide services to empower individuals with disabilities, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta secured new state grant funding for security upgrades at the organization’s West Chester facility.
“The services provided by The Arc of Chester County help ensure our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities can lead their lives to their fullest potential,” said Comitta. “With this new funding, The Arc can continue to provide their services in a safe and welcoming space for individuals in the ID/A community and their families.”
These services are crucial, and The Arc is a vital partner in providing programming to empower and assist those with disabilities.
“For The Arc to fulfill this incredibly important mission, their facilities need to be secure,” said Comitta.
“The mission of The Arc is one that must be protected and allowed to grow. This
is why I fully support this funding to upgrade necessary security features at their facility.”
The $50,000 award from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will provide for several crucial security enhancements at their facility. The security upgrades consist of new lighting, cameras, a door entry, fencing, and gating to keep the facilities and all those inside safe from harm.
“The Arc of Chester County is incredibly grateful for the support of State Sen. Carolyn Comitta and her dedicated team, said Jeanne Meikrantz, CEO of The Arc. “It was her unwavering commitment to equity, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families that enabled The Arc of Chester County to receive a generous Community and Economic Assistance Program Grant from the Commonwealth for important security upgrades to our facility.
“On behalf of those we
are so privileged to serve, we applaud Senator Comitta and thank her for continuing to be a true champion and strong advocate for the disability community in our region.”
Throughout this year’s budget negotiations, Comitta joined community members, caregivers, and advocates to support increased investments for those with intellectual disabilities and the direct
support professionals who care for them, helping secure a 7 percent rate increase for home and community-based service providers.
The Arc of Chester County serves over 3,000 individuals and families annually, providing a lifetime of programs and services for those with differing abilities, and advocating to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded their full rights and freedoms.
Martynick, Jr. appointed as new director of county’s Facilities Department
Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe announced the appointment of George Martynick, Jr. as the director of the Chester County Facilities Department. Martynick has been serving as acting director since October 2023, following the retirement of former director Jan Bowers.
Maxwell said, “During his time as acting director, George has taken on responsibility for the county’s full range of facilities, from our buildings, large and small, to the maintenance of our parks and trails. His project management and budgeting skills will serve him well in this role, and he holds important sustainable and safety credentials that are essential to leading a facilities department.”
As facilities director, Martynick will oversee the department’s staff and
contractors, and will be responsible for the management, operations, maintenance, repairs, and capital improvements of the county’s buildings and parking facilities.
“In this role, George is on the frontline of meeting the goals of our County’s Climate Action Plan, which pledges to reduce by 80 percent the greenhouse gas emissions in county-owned buildings by the year 2050,” said Moskowitz. “George is tasked with finding ways to make our buildings more energy efficient, incorporating sustainable design, and transitioning to renewable energy. It’s a tall order, but one we know George can assume.”
George joins Chester County following a career of 30-plus years with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, where he began as an emergency response worker before moving to the
position of facilities analyst, and finally regional facility manager for the Department of Facilities and Energy Management. There, he managed operations for over 80 properties with an appraised value of $250 million.
Roe said, “A facilities director must understand and oversee all sorts of systems – mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevator, and HVAC – trades, and building codes. George has this diverse knowledge and
experience, and we are fortunate to have him on the County team in such an important role.”
Martynick holds professional memberships to the Pennsylvania Facility Managers Association, the Professional Facility Management Institute and the Green Building Council. He lives in West Goshen and has been active in the Boy Scouts of America organization for 45 years, and currently serves as a Scoutmaster.
Courtesy photo
State Sen. Comitta joined The Arc of Pennsylvania’s 2024 Advocacy and Policy Day in Harrisburg with The Arc of Chester County staff members and community members who receive services from the organization.
Courtesy photo
George Martynick, Jr. is the newly appointed director of facilities for Chester County Government.
Brandywine Festival of the Arts returns for 63rd year
Two-day end of summer event features 250 artisans, food, music and fun for kids
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts, a tradition since 1961, will again showcase the talents of 250 artisans and crafters who will display their work at Wilmington's scenic Brandywine Park on Sept. 7 and 8.
In addition to art works and food, the event will feature music, children’s activities and pet-adoption opportunities.
The artisans, coming from not only the mid-Atlantic states but also from New England, the South and the Midwest, include painters, photographers, jewelry makers, ceramicists, woodcrafters and fabric artists.
This year’s festival will feature Sue Ann Cox, billed as “the Fairy Potter.” A regular exhibitor at the festival since 2016, she is known for her whimsical stoneware floral cottages and fairy accents inspired by inspired by the 19th-century primer, “The Language of Flowers.” Just for this event, Cox is creating a
dozen handcrafted cottages depicting her impressions of two of Brandywine Park’s most popular features, Josephine Gardens and the Rose Garden. Cox will donate a portion of the sales of these cottages donated to OperaDelaware, whose singers will be performing each day. For the second consecutive year, the festival has been sold out, with artists filling all available spaces in June, the earliest ever, according to Barry Schlecker, whose Barry’s Events has produced the festival since 2010.
The festival, held on the banks of the Brandywine on the weekend after Labor Day, attracts as many as 15,000 visitors, with some regulars returning to reconnect with their favored artists while others seek out the works of new exhibitors. The festival is the largest annual two-day outdoor event in Wilmington, Schlecker said. The event marks the transition from
summer to fall and signals the start of the peak season for home redecorating and the early purchase of holiday gifts.
The festival will feature a diverse range of food and snack options, including Asian fusion, vegetarian, BBQ, soul food, chicken, seafood, ice cream, water ice, kettle corn, caramel and honey treats.
Other festival attractions include face-painting and other activities in the Kids Korner and animal rescue and shelter organizations offering pets for adoption. Also, Acme supermarkets will offer free flu shots and COVID-19 boosters to indi-
viduals with insurance cards who register in advance at https://www.acmemarkets.com/vaccinations/ group-clinic/BFA.
The festival’s presenting sponsor is the WSFS Foundation. Other sponsors include the New Castle County and City of Wilmington governments and Ourisman Tri-State Subaru.
Brandywine Park is at 1001 N. Park Drive, opposite the Brandywine Zoo. Free parking and shuttle
bus service will be available at Incyte, 1801 Augustine Cutoff. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. Admission is $5 per day, with children 12 and under accompanied by an adult admitted free. Friendly pets on leashes are welcome at the festival and on the shuttle buses. For more information, visit brandywinearts. com or facebook.com/ brandywinearts.
U.S. wins sixth FIBA Under-17 World Cup Title
Oxford resident Jordyn Palmer was a member of the winning team
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
The United States women’s basketball team recently won its sixth World Cup title by defeating Canada, 84-64, with assistance from team member and Oxford resident, Jordyn Palmer. The 2024 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup was the eighth edition of the FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup, the biennial international women’s youth basketball championship. The tournament was hosted in Mexico from July 13 to July 21. It was the first time Mexico hosted the tournament and the first time that it was held outside of Europe.
To be eligible for this competition, players must be under 17, and Jordyn is 15 years old. Her father,
Jermaine Palmer, said that it was “surreal” getting to watch his daughter compete internationally.
“She played in Mexico, and I went with her,” he said.
Palmer was selected out of 40 girls for the team that competed internationally.
Jermaine explained the hard work that his daughter put in to make the team.
“She tried out last year and made it to the finals, then got cut,” he said. “This year, she knew what was expected and made it. She works hard, starting the day with hours of cardio and then playing basketball with friends. She played a couple days a week at the Lighthouse Youth Center and then at Kennett.”
The 15-year-old has been playing basketball since she was 3, when she played at the Jennersville YMCA. Her father explained,
“Jordyn was almost three when I started coaching a Chester County Storm AAU basketball team. She traveled with me and watched the kids I coached. Eventually, she joined the YMCA League in Jennersville, which further encouraged her interest in basketball. Then at the age of seven she joined the travel team.”
Jermaine continued, “Her biggest supporter is her mother, Kim. She really keeps her grounded. When it comes to basketball that’s more me, but her character—that comes from Kim. I think it is the chemistry from both of us.”
Having a child interested in sports is not cheap. Coaching and playing sports can quickly get expensive and requires the buy-in of the entire family. Weekends are spent traveling, and require money for
hotels, meals, and paying a fee to the team, not to mention all of the equipment required to play a sport.
Basketball shoes are not cheap.
“We plan accordingly,” Jermaine said. “We get help from friends and family and Kim and I sit down and make things work. All the sacrifices we are making will pay for her college.”
At six-foot-one, Jordyn certainly has the height to compete in basketball at the next level. Numerous schools and colleges have taken notice of her.
The young athlete got a full scholarship from Westtown School in West Chester. At the age of 13, she played five grades up at the varsity level. She has three more years at Westtown. Basketball has already helped provide her with a great education.
Her proud father admits it is hard to believe that she is already receiving scholarship offers from over 40 Division-1 schools.
“It is hard to believe they are offering scholarships to my young daughter,” he said. “In another three years, Jordyn will be making that decision.”
Her mom and dad know what this journey has done for her.
“It teaches her to work with a team. It teaches her integrity and how to work on her craft to be the best. It has taught her a tremendous work ethic,” Jermaine said.
The parents are excited for their daughter’s future, and they have another daughter and a son who will follow.
“It has been a great opportunity for her,” Jermaine said. “She started at a young age. She is a good kid and we are blessed. Westtown
has been a great prep school. When she goes to college she will know what to expect. She has always been a hard worker.” That hard work has certainly made her hometown of Oxford proud. Recently, Jordyn received a welcome home with an escort from the Union Fire Company and Oxford Police Department. So what comes next for this talented athlete? First, a small break. Jermaine said, “I’m not sure what is next for her. She played for the U.S. What is higher than that? While another state championship is on the agenda, she is going to take the month of August off. We will try to keep her from touching a ball. We want her to just be a kid hanging out with friends, enjoying family game night, and taking a vacation.”
The festival will again feature approximately 250 artisans and crafters displaying and selling their works in scenic Brandywine Park.
Courtesy photos
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is a favorite tradition for many.
This year’s festival will feature Sue Ann Cox, billed as “the Fairy Potter.” A regular exhibitor at the festival since 2016, she is known for her whimsical stoneware floral cottages and fairy accents inspired by inspired by the 19th-century primer, “The Language of Flowers.”
THOMAS BURGOS
Thomas Burgos, of Oxford, passed away on Aug. 1, 2024 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. He was 47.
Born in West Chester, he was the son of Luis Santiago of Oxford and the late Carol A. Hersh Burgos.
Tommy loved spending time with his family and friends. He loved any kind of Spanish food you put in front of him with a “cold Coke,” as he would say. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Sixers. Tommy loved sitting around talking about the good ol’ time, as he would say. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for you.
He is survived by his father, four children, Shantell Folks of Atglen, Dream Burgos of Kennett Square, Barry Burgos of Delaware and Nevaeh Burgos of Delaware, and three grandchildren, Naomi, Joel and Nevaeh.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnathan Burgos and Luis Burgos.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. at 86 Pine St. in Oxford, where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
Alleluia
MITCHELL DEWAYNE NORTON
Mitchell DeWayne Norton passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 3, 2024 while with his loving daughter.
Mitchell was born in 1943 in Maryville, Tenn. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 48 years, Beverly Iris (Beerson) Norton. He is survived by his daughter, Alisa M. Orr and her husband Kevin Orr, and grandchildren Malena and Johanna. He is also survived by his two sisters, Brenda Murray and Patricia Lilly.
Mitchell was a graduate of Marcus Hook High School and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Firth, Germany. He achieved a rank of SP5 in the three years he served and also spent time in Fort Ord in California. He worked as a laboratory technician for the DuPont Company and Koch Industries for 45 years. Mitchell went on to start his own business, City Lights Video Productions, with his wife Beverly.
He loved spending time with his family and friends, playing his guitar, listening to country and blues music, etc. He moved to the West Grove area to be close to his favorite weekend country music venue, Sunset Park. He had a creative engineering mind and loved photography, video productions, and building things.
Relatives and friends are invited to his graveside service at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12 at Union Hill Cemetery 424 North Union Street, Kennett Square.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Blount County Foster Parent Association, 2753 Greenway Drive, Maryville, Tenn. 37803.
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.
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DOROTHY SMITH
Dorothy Smith, of Elkton, Md., formerly of New Castle, Del., passed away on July 22, 2024 at Caraway Manor Assisted Living in Elkton, Md. She was 97. She was the wife of the late James Smith. Born on the family farm in Oxford, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Ethel Miller Johnson.
Dorothy loved all animals, especially cats. She is survived by her nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
LCH Health and Community Services hosts community partner picnic to kick off National Health Center Week
LCH Health and Community Services kicked off National Health Center Week with a community partner picnic at its West Grove location on Aug. 1. The event brought together multiple community partners for networking, collaboration, and a tour of LCH, all while highlighting the vital role of community health centers in providing accessible healthcare.
The picnic featured various community partners, including Avon Grove School District, Avon Grove Library, YMCA Greater Brandywine, Maternal Health and Child Consortium, CCIU Migrant Ed. Program, KACS, and Oxford Neighborhood Services.
Attendees had the oppor-
tunity to tour the Pia Center for Behavioral Health, gaining insights into the behavioral health services offered by LCH. This stateof-the-art facility provides essential mental health support to patients, emphasizing the holistic approach LCH takes to healthcare.
Ronan W. Gannon, CEO of LCH Health and Community Services, expressed his gratitude for the support and collaboration.
“We are honored to host this event and thankful for the ongoing support from our community partners,” Gannon said. “Together, we can continue to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our community.”
National Health Center Week serves as an annual celebration to raise aware-
ness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Health Centers: The Key to Healthier Communities,” was perfectly embodied by this kickoff event at LCH.
LCH will be celebrating each themed day including a Community Health Screening to celebrate Agricultural Worker Day, a giveaway for patients in partnership with Longwood Gardens on Patient Appreciation Day and treats for staff thanks to a donor and Herr Foods.
The Eagles Eye Mobile, powered by Vision to Learn, visited the LCH West Grove location during at the same time to offer free vision screenings and glasses to pediatric patients.
Obituaries
JESSE C. DOLINGER
Jesse C. Dolinger, of Nottingham, passed away on July 27, 2024 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. He was 90. He was the husband of Frances King Dolinger, with whom he shared 69 years of marriage. Born in Oxford, he was the son of the late Laurel and Grace Rouse Dolinger.
Jesse was a member of the Nottingham Presbyterian Church.
In 1955, he started, owned and operated Dolinger Electric.
He was an avid golfer.
He is survived by his wife, three children, Christine
This collaboration ensured that children received much-needed vision care,
underscoring LCH’s commitment to addressing the comprehensive health needs of the community.
Kate Wickersham, LCH’s director of development, highlighted the importance of the event.
Dolinger, Bob Dolinger (Barb) and Dan Dolinger, all of Nottingham, eight grandchildren, Jason Dolinger, Emily Dolinger, Hannah Rush, Sarah McKinney, Rachael Perry, Kirstin Dolinger, Meredith Hostetter and Daniel Dolinger, and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil Dolinger.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 5 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Interment will be in Nottingham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Lighthouse Youth Center, 245 Commerce St., Oxford, Pa. 19363.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com) in Oxford.
“Our Community Partner Picnic was a tremendous success, bringing together organizations dedicated to
improving the health and wellbeing of those we all serve,” she said. “These partnerships are critical to providing a safety net for the community and enhancing the services we provide at LCH. We’re excited to celebrate National Health Center Week with our partners, our patients, our staff and our supporters.”
Courtesy photo
LCH Health and Community Services kicked off National Health Center Week with a community partner picnic at its West Grove location on Aug. 1.
NOTICE
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR IN VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF VEHICLE TITLE
Court of Common Pleas, Chester County, PA. Docket Number 2024-05961-MJ. RE: 2004 Harley Davidson, VIN# IHDIBLY174Y053104. A hearing is scheduled for August 08, 2024 at 9:30am before the Honorable Nicole Forzato, in courtroom 11, Justice Center, 201West Market Street, West Chester, PA. , in consideration of petition and upon motion of Martha Denise Prewitt. 7p-24-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Joyce Carol Farkas, late of Exton, 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 Jeffrey Farkas, Executor, 27 Manor Lane, Morris Plains NJ 07950 8p-7-3t
NON PROFIT
INCORPORATION
NOTICE
Philmont Carriage Homes Community Association has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, as amended. Kaplin Stewart, Union Mtg. Corp. Ctr., 910 Harvest Drive, P.O. Box 3037, Blue Bell, PA 19422
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NON PROFIT
INCORPORATION
NOTICE
Chan Culture Association has been incorporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988, as amended for serving as an educational and community support corporation, for providing a Buddhist educational institute and community outreach organization supporting the doctrine of Buddhism, declaring itself and all its property subject to the law, usages, and appointments of the Chan Culture Association corporation while furthering the spiritual beliefs of its’ Buddhist followers. 8p-7-1t
ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF VIRGINIA C. MELRATH, LATE OF Oxford, 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 SUSAN MELRATH, Executor C/O Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363
8p-7-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF ANNA J. GREEN, LATE OF Oxford, PA, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or de-
mands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to, DAVID GREEN, Executor C/O Attorney: Ira D. Binder, 227 Cullen Rd, Oxford, PA 19363
8p-7-3t
ESTATE NOTICE
Estate of Barry Gene Harris, Late of East Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Letters of Administration on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Richard J. Harris of 420 Husted Station Road, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318, Administrator.
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ESTATE NOTICE
ESTATE OF CHERYL A. RUSSELL a/k/a CHERYL A. HEIM, DECEASED. Late of Upper Oxford Township, Chester County, PA. LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to WILLIAM S. RUSSELL, JR., ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Steven M. Zelinger, Esq., 1650 Market St., Ste. 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: STEVEN M. ZELINGER, STEVEN M. ZELINGER, LLC 1650 Market St., Ste. 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter, Sale No. 24-8-223 Writ of Execution No. 2023-06785 DEBT $330,083.35
Property situate in the TOWNSHIP OF WEST NOTTINGHAM, CHESTER County, Pennsylvania, being BLR # 68-6-145.3A IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN
LOANS, LLC VS DEFENDANT: BRIDGET SULLIVAN
SALE ADDRESS: 82 Aarons Lane, Nottingham, PA 19362
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 844856-6646
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-229
Writ of Execution No. 2022-07831
DEBT $175,217.90
All that certain piece or parcel or Tract of land situate in the TOWNHSIP OF EAST NOTTINGHAM, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and being known as 187 Barnsley Road, Oxford, Pennsylvania 19363.
Tax Parcel # 69-6-108
PLAINTIFF: DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL INC. VS DEFENDANT: Eva M. Ham
SALE ADDRESS: 187 Barnsley Road, Oxford, PA 19363
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 215-790-1010
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/
chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter Sale No. 24-8-231 Writ of Execution No. 2018-11548
DEBT $367,144.70
PROPERTY SITUTATE IN NEW GARDEN TOWNSHIP
Tax Parcel # 60-040-171
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling
PLAINTIFF: M&T BANK VS DEFENDANT: BOUBACAR TOURE
SALE ADDRESS: 106 Birkdale Circle, Avondale, PA 19311
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C. 215-6271322
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF
7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-240
Writ of Execution No. 2019-11735
DEBT $349,561.43
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of Woodland, Situate in the Township of West Marlborough aforesaid, bounded and described as follows, viz:
BEGINNING at a stone in the public road leading from Leonard to Clonmell; THENCE by other lands of the said William Jones, North 1 degree West, 400 feet to a stone; THENCE
the same course continued 587.3 feet; THENCE by land of W. Plunkett Stewart, North 89 degrees West 211.54 feet; THENCE by land of Anna M. Brosius Estate, South 3 degrees East, 987.3 feet to a stone; THENCE along the public road from Clonmell to Leonard, South 89 degrees East 211.54 feet to the place of beginning.
CONTAINING 5 acres of land, more or less.
BEING the same premises which Barbarann J. Evans and John W. Evans, Wife and Husband, and Mary Rose Balch, by Indenture dated 11-24-99 and recorded 1201-99 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester in Deed Book 4676 Page 185, granted and conveyed unto Daniel Garrison Thomforde.
Tax Parcel # 48-7-9
PLAINTIFF: US Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust VS
DEFENDANT: Daniel G. Thomforde a/k/a Daniel Garrison Thomforde
SALE ADDRESS: 238 Clonmell Upland Road, West Grove, PA 19390
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PARKER MCCAY PA 856596-8900
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 7p-24-3t
Sheriff Sale of Real Estate
By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes, the hereindescribed real estate will be sold at public online auction via Bid4Assets, by accessing URL www.bid4assets.com/ chestercopasheriffsales, on Thursday, August 15 th, 2024 at 11AM. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file with the Prothonotary and in the Sheriff’s Office, both located in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 W Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, Schedules of Distribution on Monday, September 16, 2024. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter
Sale No. 24-8-249
Writ of Execution No. 2024-00456 DEBT $306,937.65
Property to be sold is situated in the borough/township of Kennett, County of Chester and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Tax Parcel # 6203 00060000
IMPROVEMENTS thereon: a residential dwelling or lot (if applicable)
PLAINTIFF: Civic Real Estate Holdings III, LLC VS DEFENDANT: North Mill Holdings, LLC
SALE ADDRESS: 491 North Mill Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: FRIEDMAN VARTOLO 212471-5100
N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time of the on-line sale. Payment must be made via Bid4Assets. The balance must be paid within twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale via Bid4Assets. KEVIN D. DYKES, SHERIFF 7p-24-3t
Estate,
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Annual 55+ Healthy Lifestyle Expo set for Aug. 8
The 22nd annual 55+
Healthy Lifestyle Expo
will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elkton High School at 110 James Street in Elkton. This event is a collaboration between the Cecil County Department of Community Services and Cecil College’s Lifelong Learning Department.
The 55+ Healthy Lifestyle Expo is a vibrant event packed with opportunities to connect with community resource representatives and vendors. Dive into engaging conversations about Medicare options, healthy eating,
financial planning, local Cecil County history, wellness activities, and so much more. Explore a variety of senior-friendly fitness classes and discover an array of exciting programs tailored to enhance your well-being. The registration fee is $10, which includes lunch provided by Caffé Gelato.
Additional 22nd annual 55+ Healthy Lifestyle Expo sponsors include ChristianaCare, Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, CHEP, Cecil County Health Department, Cecil County Public Library, and the YMCA.
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To register, call Cecil College at 410-287-1078, dial option 6, and then provide course number SCX100-25, or register in person at Cecil College’s Elkton Station, located at 107 Railroad Ave. in Elkton. Registrations are also being accepted at the Healthy Lifestyles Fitness Center at the Cecil County Administration Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd. in Elkton.
For more information or questions, contact Tammy Rapposelli at 443-9071378 or email trapposelli@ cecil.edu; or Holly Loss at 410-996-8170.
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Courtesy photo
The 22nd annual 55+ Healthy Lifestyle Expo takes place on Aug. 8.
Courtesy photo
Pennsylvania residents joined together as dedicated volunteers of the global non-profit organization Dr. Shri. Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan and conducted a cleanliness drive with an aim to foster
Kohler Crushed Stone Showers By Home Smart
Home Smart Industries is the areas only Authorized Dealer of Kohler’s LuxStone shower wall system made of 70% real crushed marble and professionally installed at prices comparable to acrylic showers. When you have our Kohler LuxStone Design Consultants to your home for a Design Consultation, you will be given an exact, to the penny price including all labor, materials, removal, haul away, installation and permits. No surprise costs AND we honor that price for 1 year GUARANTEED.
All of the design and product selection is done in your home, saving you time and ensuring the choices work perfectly with your space. We offer senior & military discounts as well as other discounts plus financing so a shower remodel is affordable on any budget.Don’t cover your problem up with a tub or shower liner. Design your bathtub or shower replacement with our trained and certified Specialists at a price you can afford.
“Great experience with Home Smart. I collected a couple quotes for a bathtub/surround replacement. Home Smart offered the most aesthetically pleasing option at a competitive price. They also beat the installation lead time estimate by ~4 weeks. Ken and Tony came and efficiently completed the install. My house is old and there were challenges to work with, but they worked through them and in the end, product looks really great. Thanks!”
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