Chester County Press 12-27-2017 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

Chester CountyPRESS

www.chestercounty.com

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

Volume 151, No. 52

INSIDE

Stroll Kennett Square as the mushroom drops to usher in 2018

Looking ahead to next year at the Brandywine River Museum of Art...1B

Holiday wishes for Southern Chester County...5A

Courtesy photo

Live music under the lighted mushroom will lead up to the countdown to 2018 in Kennett Square.

By John Chambless Staff Writer It’s a Chester County tradition, and a highlight of the year in Kennett Square, and it’s happening again on Dec. 31.

U-CF schools emphasize STEM education...5B

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

The annual Midnight in the Square features the famous Mushroom Drop, a lighted mushroom that is raised 100 feet above the intersection of State and Union streets. When Continued on Page 2A

New Garden easement deal expected to be reached on Dec. 28 By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer What began as a simple 3-2 vote nearly three years ago is about to finally reach its controversial conclusion. As part of its settlement with Green Valley Farms in order to purchase the 178acre property for a total of $2.3 million and place a conservation easement on it, New Garden Township is scheduled to make an initial payment totaling $1.306 million on Dec. 28. As disclosed at the board’s Dec. 18 meeting, the township will pay former supervisor Warren Reynolds a sum of $448,000, and a sum of $858,449 to a trust for the Reynolds estate. The acquisition of the property is scheduled to be paid for out of the township’s Open Space Fund, and the initial payment will comprise 37 percent of the total cost for the easement, which will be followed by the remaining 63 percent of the total cost, which will be paid in equal installments over the next three years. Moments later the

scheduled agreement was announced, Board Chairman Pat Little offered a motion that stated that if the deal is not finalized by the end of the year, the township would rescind the offer, doubling up on a motion he put forth at the board’s Nov. 20 meeting. The board voted 5-0 in favor of the motion. “For the record, in my opinion, this agreement is a bad business deal for the township, and has been since it started,” Little said before the vote was reached. The deal was brokered in negotiations between the township, attorneys for the Reynolds family, and Natural Lands, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping preserve open space in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. “Natural Lands is pleased to work alongside New Garden Township to accomplish the community’s open space goals, and we remain committed to doing everything we can to ensure the successful preservation of Green Valley Farm,” said Erin McCormick, an attor-

ney for Natural Lands. When the township voted in favor of entering into negotiations to purchase the property on Feb. 23, 2015 by a slim margin, very few involved with the agreement believed that it would take nearly three years to complete, and during that time, some on the board became agitated over the delay, none more than Little, who on a few occasions expressed the need for the township to back out of the deal, but each time, he and the other supervisors were given reasons for the delay. At one meeting, Tom Johnson, one of the attorneys representing the Reynolds family, called the negotiation for the easement “a complicated process,” due mainly to the fact that the property is owned by Reynolds, a guardianship for his brother, and by two trusts, with different beneficiaries. Wrapping up the deal was further complicated by the fact that Warren Reynolds is currently serving a state prison sentence Continued on Page 2A

Through his volunteerism, Gray makes the holidays brighter Harold Gray has been volunteering with the Salvation Army since 1965 By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Calendar of Events......3B Classifieds..................4B

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Shoppers entering the Oxford Walmart on Dec. 21 saw a very familiar sight—Harold Gray was stationed outside the store ringing that ubiquitous bell to collect money for the Salvation Army. At this time of the year, Gray can often be seen volunteering his time on behalf of the Salvation Army—just the latest example of his life of service. Gray served

his country in the military and then he served his community—first as an Oxford Borough police officer for 27 years and then as mayor of the borough for 12 years. He has volunteered for the Salvation Army since 1965. Gray explained that after he served in Korea, he returned to his hometown of Oxford and joined the police department. He saw that there were people in the community who needed help

meeting their most basic needs. A coordinator for the Salvation Army talked to him one day about the mission of the group, and Gray wanted to help out. “I’ve been blessed in my life, and I figured that I would help others,” Gray explained. The Salvation Army is an international charitable organization that helps the poor, destitute, and hungry in more than 100 countries Photo by Steven Hoffman around the world, provid- Harold Gray, a veteran and the former mayor of Oxford ing everything from food Borough, has been volunteering with the Salvation Continued on Page 4A

Army since 1965.

Kennett Square Borough Franklin supervisors Council adopts a $4.6 approve 2018 budget million budget for 2018 By John Chambless Staff Writer

The spending plan will not require a tax increase By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Kennett Square Borough Council adopted a $4.6 million final budget for 2018 that was largely unchanged from the preliminary budget that had been unveiled in November. The spending plan will not require a tax increase, and the millage rate will remain at 6.35 mills for another year. In addition to no tax increase, there will be no increase in the water or sewer fees, and there will be a decrease in solid waste fees. Overall, the borough’s financial position is strong and getting stronger. Kennett Square Borough retired $840,129 in debt during 2017, and the pro-

jection is that the borough will retire an additional $1,119,471 in debt during 2018. The general fund budget for 2018 is set at $4,646,801. The borough’s sewer fund is projected at $3,379,178 for 2018, and water fund totals $1,364,150. The parking fund amounts to $2,296,868. The solid waste fund is set at $366,400, and the liquid fuels fund will be $234,225. The borough is allocating $424,176 for the general capital improvement fund. The emergency management fund totals $319,132. The total of all the funds combined, including the transfers that will be necessary, is $13,030,929. Inter-fund transfers amount to $1,226,757, so the total

of all funds, less transfers, is $11,804,172. The spending plan includes an increased contribution to the Kennett Library to meet the borough’s fair share of the library’s operations. There will be a 3-percent increase in uniformed and non-uniformed wages. When the budget was unveiled, borough manager Joseph Scalise outlined some of the borough’s activities in 2017, and how they impacted the borough’s budget. The borough was able to fund its portion of the economic development director position, and hired a new finance director and a new police chief during 2017. Kennett Square Borough introduced a plan Continued on Page 2A

Taxes will remain the same in Franklin Township next year after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at their Dec. 20 meeting to approve the rate. The township’s fire hydrant tax will remain unchanged in 2018. The board also unanimously approved the final township budget for 2018. Several zoning issues were addressed, notably the former market at 1762 New London Road. After months of neglect of the abandoned property, the township filed a civil complaint against the owner in District Court. On the day of the court date, the owners cleaned up the property. It is now in compliance. The Planet Aid collection boxes will be removed. Board chairman John Auerbach commented that

people continue to use the recycling area near the township building to dump non-recyclable items such as dishwashers and baby furniture. This costs the township money for proper disposal. Auerbach said he sometimes takes trash that is left at the recycling bins to the dump himself. Dave Berger, organizer of the Harvest Run race, reported that the inaugural Harvest Run in October had a good turnout, with 220 participants. The Friday night 5K was run on the Geoghegan Trail, which was in great shape, he told the board. The Saturday half-marathon was run on Franklin and London Britain roads, and there were plenty of volunteers to direct traffic. There were no injuries. Berger thanked the Wilkinson family, owners of Fox Chase Farm, with their Continued on Page 3A

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

Chester County Press

Local News New Garden easement... Continued from Page 1A

for the possession of more than 500 images of child pornography, while his brother is incapacitated and not able to actively be a part of discussions related to the sale of the property, forcing the negotiations to be entered into the Philadelphia Orphans Court Division, one of the three divisions of the Court of Common Pleas that serves to protect the personal and property rights of all persons and entities who are otherwise incapable of managing their own affairs. The property, eight contiguous parcels, is located north of Route 41 and is bordered by Penn Green Road on its western edge, Old Baltimore Pike on its northern border, and the area behind the commercial and residential development along Newark Road, on its eastern edge. It offers more than 30 acres of mature woodland, large ponds, streams, existing paths and scenic vistas which can be seen from Penn Green Road. It contains the former site of a dairy farm, and an historic home built in 1740, which has been in the Reynolds family since 1904.

Kennett Square budget... Continued from Page 1A

for a tiered trash system that will be implemented in 2018 that will help homeowners save money on their trash fees. Also this year, the borough submitted two joint grant applications with Kennett Township for Birch Street streetscape improvements and for active transportation improvements. The bor-

Under the terms of agreement, there will be no public access to the property. In other township business, the township authorized and approved a petition filed by the Hartefeld National Golf Club with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB), requesting exemption from the LCB’s regulations for amplified music being heard off the club’s grounds. With its authorization, the township will agree to enforce its own nuisance ordinance with respect to noise at Hartefeld. Introduced by Ellen M. Freeman, attorney for Hartefeld, the issue of excessive noise – in the form of outdoor music from the club’s outdoor patio – that was reported in October 2016 by a resident who lives in the vicinity of the club. As a result of being reported for the noise, Hartefeld has had to suspend outdoor music on its back patio. “From my understanding, the resident, who lived about two miles from the property line, called the LCB and once they’re called, [the LCB] need to investigate,” Freeman said. “While they were standing on the property lines, they

did hear noise. It doesn’t matter if it’s a whisper or a loud noise.” Freeman said that historically, the LCB receives a complaint from a resident, or anyone who drives past a licensed premises and wants to complain about the noise, a liquor control enforcement agent is required to investigate the licensed premises. On their first visit, Freeman said, if the agent is standing on the property line and is able to hear a noise coming off of the licensed premises, the agent can issue a citation, usually between $250 and $300. A second fine is typically in the amount of $800, and on a third infraction, the LCB has the right to suspend a licensed establishment from permitting dancing and music. Ken Nicholas, general manager at Hartefeld, said that the club would be willing to work with homeowners associations who represent neighborhoods in the vicinity of Hartefeld to discuss hours of operation for live outdoor music, and amplification issues. The board’s authorization and approval of Hartefeld’s petition to the LCB is step one in the club’s plans. Freeman said that Hartefeld

will now file a similar petition to the LCB. The board also gave conditional preliminary plan approval for the planned Modern Mushroom Business Park on Newark Road, specific to the road improvements outlined for the park, that were outlined to the board by representatives for Gilmore & Associates, McMahon Associates and the township engineer. Referring to an overhead schematic of the designed improvements along Newark Road on both the north and south entrances to the planned park, Ken Hoffman, a landscape architect for Gilmore & Associates, said that Gilmore has received several recommendations about the road improvements. On the northern side of the entrance, the design calls for a dedicated right turn lane, as well as a widened road, a four-foot shoulder and two 12-foot lanes, a concrete barrier and additional grading – in order to meet the needs requested at previous presentations before the board. Hoffman said that the tweaks to the roadway would provide safer opportunities for maneuverability,

and increased opportunities for trucks to enter and leave the planned business park. “At a conceptual level, we believe it is a positive plan, and seems to do what we need it to do in order to accommodate traffic,” Hoffman said. “At this point, we’re comfortable with the plan, and want to follow the next step, which is to proceed to a full engineering plans for the road improvements. This will then give the township and PennDOT the opportunity to do a detailed review [of the project].” Among those proposing comments and recommendations were Chris William of McMahon Associates and Nate Cline, the township’s engineer. The majority of the recommendations, Hoffman said, have been resolved, while the remainder will be resolved as the project’s development continues. The supervisors also granted a waiver request by Gilmore & Associates that permits the firm to avoid having to submit a second environmental impact study.

ough also started using the Passport Parking App this year. Scalise explained that the borough has seen parking revenues increase by 15 percent. Scalise also talked about some of the initiatives that are planned for 2018. There will be traffic calming additions for North Union’s streetscape, and a $200,000 Birch Street water main is planned as a way to support economic development along Birch Street.

A $1.5 million parking garage expansion is in the works. The borough received a $500,000 grant to help pay for the expansion. The borough will also be utilizing $250,000 from the parking fund for the project. The remaining costs will require the borough to take on debt, but the borough is also retiring debt from previous bond issues. This phase of the parking garage expansion will add 100 parking spaces—less than what had originally been discussed—on two floors of the parking garage to meet the borough’s immediate needs. The expansion will be sufficient to get all the

cars off the Weinstein lot. The borough sold the lot to the Kennett Library earlier this year so that a new library can be constructed there. Two longtime business owners in the Kennett Square community were honored during a meeting in December. Mayoral citations were presented to Bob Burton and Burton’s Barber Shop in celebration of 125 years of continueous operation in town. Bob’s grandfather, Amos Burton, started the barber shop in 1892. Eventually, Amos was joined in the business by his brother, Harry, in 1911, and his son, J. Malcolm

“Bat” Burton in 1917. Bob Burton joined the family business in 1955, and he continues to run it today. A mayoral citation was also presented to Dave Torelli of Torelli’s Custom Shop. The successful clothing business was started in Prospect Park by Dave’s grandfather, Michael B. Torelli, in 1908. Dave moved the business to Kennett Square in 1979, and it has enjoyed 38 successful years in town. Dave is retiring at the end of the year.

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Kennett Mushroom drop... Continued from Page 1A

the clock strikes 12, the mushroom descends as the crowd celebrates the arrival of 2018. It also pays tribute to the area’s mushroom history, and adds a bit of eccentric fun to the usual New Year’s Eve countdown. Visitors can make a night of it, because an outdoor laser light show begins at 6 p.m. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Garage on South Union Street opens with children’s entertainment by Dan and Galla, who are favorites every year at the Mushroom Festival and Unionville Fair. Kennett Brewing Company will be serving food, beer and wine beginning at 6:30 p.m., and Robyn’s Nest Catering will have three food stations and concession carts set up on East and West State Street, offering coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea, water, soda and juice, along with soft pretzels, hot peanuts, mushroom soup, macaroni and cheese, breaded mushrooms, Porkers Sandwiches, Jello Dirt Cups, candy apples and cotton candy. Live entertainmnent on the street begins at 6:30 p.m. with vocalist Kevin, followed by the KMC Dancers, the band Rose Project, Fred McCarthy and the raising of the lighted mushroom at 8:45 p.m. The Funsters will perform live music from 9 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., including the midnight countdown. Visitors can also warm up with dinner beforehand at any downtown restaurant, including Grain, the Kennett Brewing Company, the Kennett Square Inn, La Maderia Bistro, La Verona, Lily’s Asian Cuisine and Portabello’s. Parking is available at Exelon Way, off of East Baltimore Pike, and at Kennett High School, with free shuttle buses running from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visitors are not allowed to carry open containers of alcohol. Bags will be checked at entrances, and no back packs are allowed. Midnight on the Square is a joint venture of the Kennett Area Restaurant and Merchants Association and the Mushroom Festival. Visit www.historickennettsquare.com. -Meanwhile, The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square) is hosting a concert by Mary Fahl, former vocalist for October Project, on Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and there will be a free champagne toast. The show will end by 11 p.m., allowing patrons to take part in the nearby Mushroom Drop. Fahl is a singer/songwriter who rose to fame as lead singer and cofounder of the mid-1990s group October Project. She has released several solo albums, including a reworking of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” and her studio albom “The Other Side of Time.” Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the show, if available. For tickets or more information, visit www. kennettflash.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News Franklin Twp. budget... Continued from Page 1A

help and for allowing him to host the event on their property. Berger asked to hold the race again next year, with the beneficiary being the Mason Dixon Greenway in London Britain, and the Peacedale Preserve in Franklin. The dates will be Oct. 12 and 13. Supervisor-elect Nancy Morris participated in the discussion, and the board approved the event for next year. The board adopted a resolution to approve the Lexington Point Planning Module, allowing a submission to the DEP for review. Several Lexington Point residents participated in the discussion. Auerbach summarized the history of the planned 38-house subdivision that has only six houses built. Sandi Morgan, the township’s sanitary engineer, answered questions about the development, as did the applicant’s engineer, Fred Ebert of Ebert Engineering. Nancy Morris and Bill Briegel from Keystone Custom Homes also participated. Morgan said that approving the Planning Module was an approval of the concept of the wastewater treatment system, and the details of the project will be followed closely as it develops. Auerbach read a proclamation for supervisor Penelope Schenk, who will be leaving the board in January. He thanked her for her hard work and dedication during her six-year term. During public comment at the beginnign of the meeting, resident Tracey Travis Lee told the board about unsafe conditions on Gypsy Hill Road. Cars and trucks travel at excessive speeds, she said, and cars and large trucks use Gypsy Hill Road as a cut-through. She asked about installing speed humps and reducing the speed limit on the road, and asked about posting a “No trucks” sign. Auerbach said he would take her comments under consideration, and said that the board will get back to her. To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

Hundreds of area families get some holiday cheer By John Chambless Staff Writer Christmas wishes came true for hundreds of area families last week during the 2017 Basket Event sponsored by Kenett Area Community Service. Thanks to donations from businesses and residents, 425 families who came to the New Garden Township Maintenance Building on Dec. 16 got a food box with all the trimmings for a holiday meal, as well as new toys, bicycles and warm coats for every member of the family. One hundred Christmas food boxes were delivered to Luther House as well, and up to 100 families stopped at the KACS Food Cupboard to pick up their boxes of food during the week of Dec. 18. Melanie Weiler, the executive director of Kennett Area Community Service, said, “What an incredible day! Our families were simply delighted as they arrived and found a community of people that care. As we count our blessing this holiday season, we must extend our most heartfelt

appreciation to our volunteers. They make the magic that delights children and gives relief to parents during an especially stressful season. We appreciate their participation in this event. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our staff and our families, we extend our gratitude for walking the journey with our friends and neighbors. “I hope you carry the warmth, compassion and kindness experienced today throughout the entire year,” Weiler added. The Kennett Area Community Service Food Cupboard serves families in the area by providing a supply of food each month, at no cost, through the Healthy Options program. The Emergency Assistance Program offers occasional financial assistance for rent, utility bills, and other basic living expenses, and provides case management and Children got a chance to visit with Santa during the event. referral services. For more information about Kennett Area Community Service (136 W. Cedar St., Kennett Square), visit www.kacsonline.net, or call 610-925-3556.

Hundreds of cardboard boxes await filling at the New Garden Township Mainenance Building before the event.

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Sean Stitz helps unload turkeys for the food boxes.

Courtesy photos

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

Chester County Press

Local News Oxford Borough balances budget with no tax increase By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer Oxford Borough has prepared a budget for 2018 that will not require a tax increase. Overall, the borough’s expenditures are decreasing from one year to the next. The expenditures for 2017 were budgeted at approximately $3,719,000. The projected expenditures for 2018 are coming in at $3,490,000—a reduction in spending of about $250,000 when compared to the current year.

There are increased costs for fire, EMS, and ambulance service, most notably the ambulance costs that increased from about $22,000 in 2017 to $37,000 in 2018. The borough’s insurance costs also went up. But the borough was able to absorb these increased costs with a combination of growing revenues and some cost-savings elsewhere. The borough’s revenues increased as a result of some decisions regarding parking regulations. Parking fines and revenues generated

from parking meters totaled about $90,000, a signficant increase over the previous year. The borough was able to see some savings after purchasing new street lights that are more energy efficient. That saved the borough approximately $30,000. The borough’s millage rate will remain at 12.25 mills for 2018. Oxford Borough Council will hold its first meeting in the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, when a new mayor, Lorraine Durnan

Bell, and three new council members, Amanda Birdwell, Robert Ketcham, and Phillip Hurtt, will be welcomed on board. Council member Ron Hershey also won a fouryear term in the November 7 election, and will be sworn in to office that same evening. Oxford Borough is poised for a big year in 2018, with the construction of the new parking garage and transit center expected to get underway. The borough has also boosted its codes enforce-

ment operations and inspections. A sidewalk committee has been formed to help reach a consensus on regulations that would best meet the needs of borough residents. The goal is to make Oxford a walkable community with sidewalks that are safe for pedestrians. “The things that we’re doing will affect Oxford in a positive way for 40 or 50 years,” borough manager Brian Hoover said. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor @ chestercounty.com.

Chocolate bar funds clean water Éclat Chocolate, whose chocolates were named best in America by Bon Appétit, has released the Stroud Chocolate Bar to support the scientific research, environmental education, and watershed restoration work by Stroud Water Research Center. The nonprofit dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of fresh water is celebrating its 50th anniversary and will receive half of all proceeds from the 72 percent-cacao chocolate bar. The Stroud Chocolate Bar is available at www. eclatchocolate.com and through Éclat Chocolate retailers. Stroud Center executive director Dave Arscott said, “The Stroud Chocolate Bar is such an appropriate

way for people to support clean fresh water given our recent work near Iquitos, Peru, to assess water quality in streams. DNA studies have confirmed that the pristine forest region of Iquitos, along the headwaters of the Amazon River, is the birthplace of the evergreen cacao tree. Our work has shown that the Iquitos region is not only famous for supplying the original genetic stock of the cocoa bean but also for supplying clean fresh water to the Amazon. It is wonderful that the new chocolate bar will help support our efforts to conserve and restore tropical forest ecosystems and their streams.” “We have always been a supporter of environmental and sustainable practices,

as water quality affects all facets of ecosystems. Water conservation and protection is important to

Harold Gray... Continued from Page 1A

and shelter to the poor to disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries. While he has no idea how much money he has helped the organization collect through the years, Gray’s volunteer efforts have helped make the holidays brighter for many people in need. Gray, who will turn 89 in March, can often be found ringing a bell outside stores during the days leading up to Christmas. His only concession to his age is that these days, he might ring the bell for four or five hours instead of the twelve or thirteen hours a day that he used to spend on the task. Gray isn’t the only long-time volunteer for the Salvation Army in the Oxford area. Artie Anderson, the borough’s treasurer who retired this year, has also been a longtime volunteer. Her husband, Ross, also helps out. Gray is well known around the area. Many people know him from his time as a police officer or mayor. But others recognize him because he spends so much time collecting for the Salvation Army during the holidays. He enjoys helping out others, and continuing his life of service. “I’m going to do this as long as I can,” he said.

a sustainable planet and latier Christopher Curtin. To contact Staff Writer quality of life to the farmSteven Hoffman, email ers that grow this amazing For more information, e d i t o r @ c h e s t e rc o u n t y. cacao,” said master choco- visit www.stroudcenter.org. com.

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

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.

Opinion

Editorial

Guest Editorial

Our best wishes

Reflecting on my 12 years as mayor of Oxford

Each year at this time, the Chester County Press compiles its annual Best Wishes list, which recognizes some of the many people who appeared in the pages of our newspaper this year. Individually, they have made contributions to our community this year that we felt deserved just a splash of additional recognition. Collectively, they help form the patchwork quilt that binds our communities together, through ideas, action, selflessness and vision. Were we to have more space in which to work, our annual list of recognition would easily stretch twice as long, but as it is, we use this space to extend our thanks, and our best wishes to a select few. To Patricia Maisano, Margaret Reif, Yolanda Van deKrol and Christina Vandepol, we wish you success as Chester County row officers, as you help to turn a new page for County government. To Meredith Langer, Caroline Roosevelt, Whitney Hoffman and the staff and volunteers who made the second Holiday Village Market at the Creamery a huge success this year, we wish you all a few weeks of respite, and the opportunity to infuse next year’s market with even more creativity. To Southern Chester County Regional Police Department Chief Gerald Simpson, Deputy Chief Michael King and the entire department, we wish for every brick and nail that will go toward the construction of your new facility to be a symbol of strength and prosperity, not only for your new home but for the future of community policing in southern Chester County. To Gwen Lacy and the staff at The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, we wish you all more acres to protect and preserve, and may your new interpretive nature center serve as a center for curiosity and discovery for years to come. To outgoing London Grove Township Supervisor Michael Pickel, we wish you a well-needed break from local politics, and the hope that you will again be inspired to serve your community as an elected official or volunteer. To newcomer Lee Irwin, we wish you all the best as the newest member of the London Grove Township Board of Supervisors. To Geoff Henry, we offer our thanks for his 12 years of service as the mayor of Oxford Borough and we extend our best wishes to him as he enjoys more free time after nearly 20 years of public service. We also extend our congratulations and best wishes to Lorraine Durnan Bell, Oxford Borough’s new mayor. To political newcomer Nancy Moshel Morris, we offer congratulations for winning a seat on the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors, and we thank outgoing supervisor Penelope Schenk for her service. To the reorganized Avon Grove School Board, we wish you well in the effort to develop a facilities plan that will meet the needs of students and taxpayers in the district. To incoming supervisors Robert McKinstry, Jr., and Julia McGovern Lacy, we wish you luck on the East Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors, and we congratulate outgoing supervisors Eddie Caudill and Robert Weer, Sr., who put in decades of hard work for the board. To Unionville Head Football Coach Pat Clark, we wish you another successful season in 2018, and the promise that the senior playmakers your team will lose to graduation will be replenished by a new and talented group of underclassmen. To Kennett Library Board Chairman Thomas Swett, we wish you and the rest of the board the best of luck in helping to achieve your fundraising goals in 2018, which will go toward the construction of a new library in downtown Kennett Square. And finally, to the thousands of readers of the Chester County Press, our family of local magazines and our online news resources, we thank you for your readership, your comments and opinions, and we wish you the happiest and safest of holiday seasons, and the hope for a prosperous 2018.

Chester County Press Publisher - Randall S. Lieberman

Steve Hoffman . . . . . Managing Editor John Chambless . . . . Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw . . . . Staff Writer Carla Lucas . . . . . . . Correspondent Nancy Johnson. . . . . Correspondent Brenda Butt . . . . . . . Office Manager Tricia Hoadley . . . . . Art Director Alan E. Turns . . . . . . Advertising Director Christy Larry . . . . . . Assistant Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director Stone Lieberman . . . Advertising Executive Teri Turns . . . . . . . . . Advertising Executive Helen E. Warren. . . . Advertising Executive

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NO REFUNDS AFTER RECEIPT OF SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT Back issues sent via mail are $5.00 each. Current and previous week's issues are 60 cents each. 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.

By Geoff Henry Mayor of Oxford Borough This is my final post as Mayor of Oxford, the greatest small town in America. I would like to say that after more than 275 meetings and attendance at countless community events and officiating 22 weddings, I have, for the most part, enjoyed the last 12 years as mayor. After almost a total of 20 years of public service as mayor, council member and past council president, and chair of the borough’s planning commission and Oxford Area Recreation Authority,

I look forward to being a private citizen. It has been an honor and privilege to serve. Overall, it has been a good run despite a few speed bumps in the road. I have enjoyed my experiences and the people I have met. Oxford has come a long way thanks to the hard work and dedication of borough council, borough employees, OMI, the Chamber of Commerce and countless individuals and organizations who have dedicated their time and talents to Improve our quality of life. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our police department, fire department, EMTs, crossing guards and fire police

for keeping us safe. As I look back, I only have few regrets: not having to break tie votes in council, not having my tax ordinance veto sustained in 2013, and not having the police manual completed. I applaud current and former council members for making their decisions in the best interests of the residents they have served. Public service is often a thankless job, and at this time I want to say thank you for doing what you do. I have appreciated that the councils over the years have granted me the opportunity to speak in council meetings other than just offering my monthly

reports. I also thank them for their support of the various resolutions I have proposed over the years. I hope that the new council extends the same courtesies that have been given to me to mayor-elect Lorraine Durnan Bell, and that the new council will work to continue to improve our town. Finally, I would like to thank the residents of the borough for their support and especially a huge thank you to my wife and family for being my most ardent supporters. May you and yours have a happy, safe and prosperous new year and may God continue to bless you.

New Garden Township to receive $200,000 to improve park, says Roe Rep. Eric Roe (R-Chester) announced this week that New Garden Township has been awarded $200,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to further develop New Garden Township Park. “The funding is to be

used to construct parking areas, a driveway, walkways, a pavilion and basketball court; and install state-of-the-art playground equipment, and landscaping,” said Roe. “These new improvements will benefit all township citizens and will be a wonderful addition to the park.” The program is admin-

istered by DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation to provide financial and technical assistance to local governments, river and trail organizations, trusts, and other nonprofits for planning and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects.

“I’d like to commend the DCNR – it does a wonderful job protecting and serving our state land and parks,” said Roe. “New Garden Township is a lovely place, and much of that is owed to the leadership of the supervisors and manager. This grant will continue to add value to the area.”

County establishes ‘Venture Chesco’ fund to encourage start-up companies The Chester County Retirement Board voted at a recent meeting to enter into a partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP) to invest $4 million in emerging and growing companies located in, or willing to locate to, Chester County. The partnership, Venture Chesco, will see $2 million in county funds matched by $2 million in BFTP funds that will be used to invest in new technology companies and existing companies looking to apply new technologies to their business operations. Chester County Commissioners chair Michelle Kichline, one of the five members of the Chester County Retirement Board, said, “Chester County has a long and positive history of supporting young companies that become major employers and significant contributors to the tax base of our county. But the competition to attract these young companies has become intense, so we must find innovative ways to support the companies that are here, and those who are looking to be here. “We are pleased and excited that we have reached an agreement with BFTP which will double the impact of our county funds and allow us to invest even more in growing Chester County companies.” The Chester County Retirement Board’s decision to enter into this partnership with BFTP is led by the goals of the county’s 10-year

Seated (left to right): Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell; Chester County Commissioners chair Michelle Kichline; Chester County Treasurer Ann Duke. Standing (left to right): Chester County Controller Norman MacQueen and Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.

economic development strategy, VISTA 2025, to “Improve access to capital for start-ups and early stage business ventures.” The funds allocated by Chester County represent a small percentage of the overall pension fund, valued at $420 million in October 2017. “An entrepreneurial ecosystem is typically considered to have three elements: A physical place for young companies to locate; access to mentorship and technical assistance; and access to capital,” said Chester County Commissioner and Retirement Board member Kathi Cozzone. “Chester County has a number of locations within incubator/accelerator settings and we have many options for techni-

cal assistance, but access to capital for young, startup companies continues to be a real challenge. Venture Chesco will help respond to this challenge.” Terence Farrell, Chester County Commissioner and Retirement Board member, said, “The use of a small percentage of the county’s pension fund for investment in Chester County companies that have a chance for significant growth gives us an ‘alternative investment’ asset class for our pension fund. Venture Chesco combines potential return on investment with helping to grow the next generation of strong local companies.” Under the terms of the partnership agreement, BFTP will use its proven experience to

help identify companies and technologies suitable and appropriate for funding, and will manage the process of assessing the companies and the technologies for possible investment from the Venture Chesco fund. Speaking on behalf of BFTP, president and CEO RoseAnn Rosenthal said, “Ben Franklin is all about building partnerships and we are very pleased to join with Chester County on this new fund. Venture Chesco will fill a critical early stage funding gap in the growth cycle of Chester County’s young companies and companies looking to apply technology to improve business performance – which will help add to the growing innovation culture in the county.”

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

Arts Chester County Press

Section

B Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Looking ahead to a year of art at the Brandywine Peter Hurd, George Weymouth and Winslow Homer will be spotlighted The Brandywine River Museum of Art is making big plans for next year, branching out to spotlight some artists who haven’t been prominently featured in past years. The museum in Chadds Ford has announced the following exhibitions and events: Jan. 27 to June 3, 2018: “The Way Back: The Paintings of George A. Weymouth” In addition to his roles as founder and board chairman of the Brandywine Conservancy, land and historic preservationist, George A. “Frolic” Weymouth (1936-2016) was a highly talented artist. This landmark exhibition of approximately 65 of Weymouth’s best works of art in all media will reveal the breadth of his visual investigations. From the loose, energetic style and monochromatic palette of Weymouth’s early oils in the 1950s, the mature artist, mentored by his close friend Andrew Wyeth, used the mediums of watercolor and egg tempera to create haunting, hushed landscapes and powerful portraits. Feb. 24 to May 20, 2018: “Southwestern Son: The Lithographs Peter Hurd” The artist Peter Hurd is often noted for his experiments in egg tempera painting, and particularly for introducing Andrew Wyeth to the medium with which he would become so closely associated. An inquisitive artist, Hurd taught himself not only the traditional methods of tempera, but also the late 18th-century printmaking technique of lithography. Much less well known than his paintings, Hurd’s prints reflect a brief period of his life’s work in the 1930s, when he turned to lithography to support his young family during the Depression. During this period, Hurd split his time between San Patricio, in his native New Mexico, and Chadds Ford, the family home of his wife, the artist Henriette Wyeth. Though he worked on many of the prints in Pennsylvania, nearly all of them represent scenes of ranch life in New Mexico. The exhibition will feature 24 of Hurd’s rarely seen Southwestern lithographs, as well as a selection of his drawings and temperas of similar subjects from the same period which will provide insight into his artistic process. June 23 to Oct. 21, 2018: “Natural Wonders: the Sublime in Contemporary Art” Artists since antiquity have depicted, and often mimicked, the splendors of nature. Throughout the centuries, such representations have embodied the shifting relationship between humans and their natural surroundings. Artists in this century have continued this cultural dialogue with nature, and as this exhibition will reveal, expanded it in surprising ways, bringing their distinct concerns and creative vision to the

subject. “Natural Wonders: the Sublime in Contemporary Art” will showcase the work of a dozen major American artists – Suzanne Anker, Lauren Fensterstock, Patrick Jacobs, Maya Lin, Roxy Paine, Miljohn Ruperto & Ulrik Heltoft, Diana Thater, Jennifer Trask, Mark Tribe, Kathleen Vance, T.J. Wilcox, and Dustin Yellin. These works conjure the raw power and unruliness of nature along with its harmonious effects. These works harbor pressing concerns beneath their alluring surfaces, and the exhibition’s selection will raise a number of key issues involving our relationship with the natural world, including species extinction, over cultivation of wilderness, GMOs and designer breeding. Mark Tribe will present for the first time in North America his “New Nature” series of 4K video stills drawn from wilderness preserves in the United States. As a continuation of that series, “Tribe” will explore locations protected by the Brandywine Conservancy (sister organization of the Brandywine River Museum of Art) to develop a video portrait based on those properties. A component of the project will be a site-specific commission by Kathleen Vance, whose installation in the atrium of the Brandywine – the museum’s first – will offer an extension of themes explored within the exhibition galleries. Vance will

Winslow Homer’s ‘The Nooning’ (c. 1872, oil on canvas). Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford. The Ella Gallup Sumner and Mary Catlin Sumner Collection Fund.

create a 25-foot-long recreation of the Brandywine River, with flowing water, in the atrium, translating the topography of the actual river visible through its windows. Nov. 17 to Feb. 17, 2019: “Winslow Homer and the Camera: Photography and the Art of Painting” A little-recognized aspect of the work of Winslow Homer is the relationship between his painting and photography, and the role of the relatively new medium on his approach to image making. In 2014, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art (BCMA) was given an English-made camera that once belonged to Winslow

Homer. This object was a catalyst for an exhibition organized by BCMA codirector Frank H. Goodyear and Bowdoin College assistant professor of art history Dana E. Byrd. The Brandywine River Museum of Art will be the exhibition’s second and only other venue. The exhibition will examine the roles photography played in Homer’s evolving artistic practice. As a young artist for Harper’s Weekly during the Civil War, Homer utilized photographs as source material for some of his drawings. Alexander Gardner’s famous photograph of Lincoln’s first inauguration, for example, provided Homer with the pictorial information he needed to construct his own detailed view of the event. For his Civil War paintings, such as “Sharpshooter” (oil on canvas, 1863), graphic war photography helped him to think more deeply about what he’d seen, and about how to combine personal sight and engagement with a wide range of sources for composition development. After the Civil War, Homer traveled to locations in the eastern United States that were becoming popular as tourist destinations – the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the

Catskills and Adirondacks of New York, and Cape Ann in Massachusetts. He was introduced to a new type of photography – imagery to promote tourism. During the last three decades of his life, he often created compositions of the same subject in different mediums including printmaking and photography, a cross-fertilization that came from his long interest in probing the way things look and the challenge of portraying them realistically.

The exhibition is drawn from the BCMA’s holdings of Homer’s art and archival materials, and from more than 20 major lending institutions. It will feature approximately 50 photographs created or collected by Homer and approximately 50 paintings, prints, watercolors, and drawings from all major periods of the artist’s career. For more information, visit www.brandywinemuseum.org.

Peter Hurd’s ‘The Windmill Crew’ (1936, lithograph). The Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection.

Patrick Jacobs ‘White Puffballs with Orange Slime Mold and Lichen’ (2015, mixed media diorama). Courtesy the West Collection, Oaks, Pa.

George A. Weymouth’s ‘Swelter’ (2011, tempera on panel). Private collection. © George A. Weymouth.

George A. Weymouth’s ‘August’ (1974, tempera on panel). Gift of George A. Weymouth and McCoy du Pont Weymouth in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George T. Weymouth, 2017. © George A. Weymouth

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Obituaries ROBERT F. SHAPPELL

Robert F. Shappell, 66, of West Grove, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Dec. 17 at Heartland Hospice House. He was the beloved husband of Kathleen Buffington Shappell, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage. Born in Drexel Hill, he was a son of the late Robert Shappell and the late Margaret (Cone) Messina. Bob graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1969 and received his engineering degree at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology. He retired from Southco, Inc., in Concordville in 2008 as a production supervisor after 32 years. Since 1971, Bob has served the community as a volunteer, and later as a board member and past president of Kennett Area Community Service. He was a member of Kennett Grange No. 19, where he held many offices, including past president. Bob enjoyed his years coaching KAU Little League, including the year his team won Pennsylvania District Champions. He was past Scout Master of Kennett Troop 53. Bob proudly served our country in the Army National Guard for six years. He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan. He loved cruising and attending oldies concerts. In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by one daughter, Amy Vandercapellen and her husband Butch and their son Erik of Long Neck, Del.; and one son, Brian Shappell and his children Molly and Liam of Parkesburg; one brother, Richard Shappell and his wife Regina and their children; and two stepbrothers, Robert Messina and Stephen Messina. A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 6 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Inc. (250 W. State St., Kennett Square. A service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Kennett Area Community Service (KACS), PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Calendar of Events Through Dec. 31 ‘Christmas Carol’ Radio Play The Resident Theatre Company at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 N. High St., West Chester) brings Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials, live sound effects and engaging musical score, through Dec. 31. Six actors bring dozens of characters to the stage as the familiar story unfolds. Evening and matinee performances are scheduled. Visit www. uptownwestchester.org, or call 610-356-2787. Dec. 28 Cabaret evening Avon Grove Community Theater is hosting a familyfriendly, open mic event for singers, dancers, musicians, comedians, magicians and more on Dec. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. At Kemblesville United Methodist Church. There is a $10 cover charge. Light refreshments will be served. For tickets and more information, visit www.actheater. org. To perform, email act. cafe.cabaret@gmail.com. Through Jan. 7 ‘A Brandywine Christmas’ The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts “A Brandywine Christmas” through Jan. 7. There will be a large operating model train display, holiday trees decorated for the season with “Critter” handmade ornaments, and a wide selection of holiday events and programs the whole family can enjoy. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 65 and older, $6 for students and children ages 6 and older; free for children 5 and younger, and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art members. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum.org. Through Jan. 7 ‘A Longwood Christmas’ Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) presents “Christmas at Longwood”

through Jan. 7. The Frenchinspired holiday display in the four-acre Conservatory has topiary and more than 50 trees with sparkling crystal ornaments. Inside Longwood’s Conservatory are 16,000 seasonal plants. In the Exhibition Hall, an array of floating cranberries and apples are set in patterns. The Music Room has a mirrored dining table set for Christmas Eve dinner. There are free and ticketed holiday-inspired performances as well as daily holiday sing-alongs performed on Longwood’s pipe organ. More than 500,000 outdoor lights will be hung in 124 trees, and there will be three fire pits. Admission to the Christmas display is by Timed Admission Ticket, with tickets purchased in advance for a specific date and time. Tickets are $23 for ages 18 and older ($20 for ages 62 and older and college students, $12 for ages 5 to 18, free for ages 4 and younger). Tickets can be purchased at www.longwoodgardens. org, or call 610-388-1000

DOROTHY MARIE BARKER DARNELL

Dorothy Marie Barker Darnell, 86, of Cochranville, passed away on Dec. 15, 2017 surrounded by her family. Born in Ashe County, N.C., Dorothy was the daughter of the late Luther Barker and the late Lucy Hart Barker. Dorothy was the beloved wife for 65 years to the late Clarence Darnell; mother of Lorraine Kim Francis (Robert), Lorna Kip Vitato (Barry) and Lorie Kit O’Connor (Bill); grandmother of Deana Fagan (Deana Gregory) and Courtney Smith. She was predeceased by her daughter, Loretta Kay Hoover, sister to Gaye Miller, Geneva Jumper, Carl and Harlbert Barker. She was predeceased by her siblings, Bernice, Donald, Glen, Earl and Gale Barker. She was a personal assistant and seamstress to Mary A. Rumsey for 30 years. She then worked as a manager at her daughter’s store, Capt’s Hallmark, for 14 years. A member of Kelton Church of Christ, Dorothy served as the secretary for many years. Dorothy was a wonderful mother and grandmother to her six girls and they will miss her dearly. Her funeral was held Dec. 22. Burial was in Oxford Cemetery.

LORENZO ZAVALA BEDOLLA

Lorenzo Zavala Bedolla, 58, of West Grove, passed away on Dec. 21 at the Pocopson Home in West Chester. He was the husband of Josefina Nino Villagomez, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage. Born in Las Penas, Moroleon, GTO, Mexico, he was the son of Lorenzo Zavala Lara of Mexico, and the late Eliazar Bedolla. Lorenzo owned the El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant in Kennett Square. He was a member of St. Rocco Catholic Church. Lorenzo was a great dancer and he enjoyed soccer, especially Las Chivas team, working, watching Netflix, and being with his family and friends. He was a very nice person, and a loving husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his wife and father, he is survived by one son, Jaime Zavala Nino and his wife Lindsey of West Grove; three daughters, Lorena Zavala Nino and her husband Ruben, Esmeralda Zavala Nino and her husband Antonio, and Diana Zavala Nino and her husband Luis, all of West Grove; five brothers, Rogelio Zavala Bedolla of Kennett Square, Jaime Zavala Bedolla of Mexico, Marcello Zavala Bedolla of Parkesburg, Luis Zavala Bedolla of Parkesburg, and Gustavo Zavala Bedolla of Kennett Square; four sisters, Gloria Zavala Bedolla of Mexico, Rosalina Zavala Bedolla of Oxford, Eliazar Zavala Bedolla and Milagros Zavala Bedolla, both of Mexico; and ten grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at St. Rocco Catholic Church (313 Sunny Dell Road, Avondale). His funeral mass will follow at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Mexico. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www.gricocares.com.

SARA ANN ARRELL

Sara Ann Arrell, 79, of Lincoln University, passed away on Dec. 19 at her residence. She was the wife of John A. Arrell, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Abington, Pa., she was the daughter of the late David Montgomery and the late Kathryn McCabe Montgomery. Sara had worked in the office for 15 years at Agway, Inc. She attended the Christian Life Center in New London. She enjoyed shopping, going to Disney World, Starbucks, Fig Vodka, eating steamed clams and being with her family, especially her grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Sara is survived by two sons, John A. Arrell, Jr., and his wife Patrice of New London, and Robert Arrell of New London; one daughter, Amy Coppock and her husband Lawrence of New London; one sister, Margaret Barder of Ardsley, Pa.; nine grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. Sara was predeceased by one son, Steven Arrell; one sister, Kathryn Finlay; and one brother, David Montgomery. A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 27, and again from 10 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 28, at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home (200 Rose Hill Rd., West Grove). Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will in the New London Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the The Chester County Hospital Foundation, Abramson Cancer Center, 701 E. Marshall Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (www.cchosp.com/OnlineGiving.asp); or to the American Diabetes Association, 150 Monument Road, Suite 100, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www.griecocares.com.

Alleluia I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 The Chester County Press features a dedicated church/religious page that can help you advertise your house of worship and/or business. The page is updated weekly with new scripture. Only $10 Weekly for this space. We are offering a special discount of 25% off each and every help wanted/ classified advertisement to any business that advertises on the PRESS church page.

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

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610-274-8384 Services Every Sunday • 9:00 am

CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

Chester County Press

Legals

NOTICE OF DISSOLVEMENT

Pursuant to the requirements of section 1975 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, notice is hereby given that West Forge Development Company, Inc. is currently in the process of voluntarily dissolving. Joseph M. Motta, 35 Celeste Lane Coatesville, PA 19320. 12p-27-1t

NOTICE OF DISSOLVEMENT

Pursuant to the requirements of section 1975 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, notice is hereby given that John M. McGinnes, Inc., is currently in the process of voluntarily dissolving. Eric S. Coates, Esquire, The Law Offices of Eric S. Coates, 137 E. Locust Street, P.O. Box 510, Oxford, PA 19363 12p-27-1t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Carolyn B. Welsh, 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, January 18th, 2018 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, February 19th, 2018. 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. 18-1-9 Writ of Execution No. 2017-07226 DEBT $221,004.34 ALL THAT CERTAIN messauge and lot of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate in Toughkenamon, in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the middle of a public road or street and in the middle of the track of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad; thence along the middle of said street by land formerly of Louisa A. Porter, south 26 degrees east 122 feet; thence south

64 degrees west 16.5 and south 26 degrees east 165 feet, thence by land of Isaac Larkin, south 64 degrees west 144 feet to land late of William Sharpless; thence by said Sharpless land, north 6 degrees west 148 feet to the middle of the aforesaid railroad track, thence along the middle of the said track, north 64 degrees east 107 feet to the place of beginning. BEING UPI No. 60-3-53 RECORD title: The title to said premises appears to be vested in Lee Smith Investments, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, by Deed from D.H. Lane Properties, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, dated 8/10/2007 and recorded 8/30/2007 in Chester County in Record Book 7253 Page 1255. ASSESSMENT: $96,210.00 PLAINTIFF: Hayden Asset X, LLC VS DEFENDANT: LEE SMITH INVESTMENTS, LLC SALE ADDRESS: 123 Reese Street, Toughkenamon, PA 19374 PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: CHRISTOPHER J. PIPPETT, ESQ., 610-4587500 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 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

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with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter. SALE NO. 18-1-20 Writ of Execution No. 2017-04817 DEBT $151,454.46 ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground situate in Highland Township, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a Record Plan for Jeffrey L. Booth made by Howard W. Doran surveyor dated 10/27/1999, last revised 7/20/2004 and recorded in Chester County as Plan #17496, as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a point on the east side of Five Points Road at a corner of Lot 2, as shown on said Plan, thence along the east side of Five Points Road the following courses and distances (1) north 28 degrees 40 minutes 40 seconds east 121.14 feet to a point of curve (2) on the arc of a circle curving to the left having a radius of 1025 feet the arc distance of 72.73 feet to a point of tangent (3) north 22 degrees 32 minutes 13 seconds east 23.41 feet to a point of curve (4) on the arc of a circle curving to the left having a radius of 65 feet and the arc distance of 39.67 feet to a point a corner of the lands of Sewalt and Cohen, thence along said lands, north 78 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds east 243.88 feet to a point in the bed of Buck Run said point also being on or near the boundary line between East Fallowfield and Highland Townships, thence along and through the bed of the said Buck Run the following courses and distances (1) south 75 degrees 46 minutes 08 seconds east 101.82 feet (2) north 71 degrees 39 minutes 08 seconds east 156.46 feet (3) north 51 degrees 31 minutes 31 seconds east 147.06 feet (4) south 84 degrees 18 minutes 00 seconds east 117.60 feet (5) south 65 degrees 32 minutes 41 seconds east 106.98 feet (6) south 88 degrees 29 minutes 00 seconds east 66.32 feet (7) south 62 degrees 21 minutes 16 seconds east 68.82 feet (8) south 84 degrees 24 minutes 10 seconds east 15.70 feet to a point a corner of Lot 2, thence along Lot 2 the following courses and distances (1) south 30 degrees 31 minutes 45 seconds west crossing a common access easement 800.96 feet (2) north 59 degrees 28 minutes 15 seconds west 307.81 feet (3) north 17 degrees 52 minutes 34 seconds west 120.39 feet (4) north 79 degrees 46 minutes 19 seconds west crossing a sanitary sewer

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easement and a common access and utility easement 230.73 feet (5) north 59 degrees 31 minutes 10 seconds west 138.36 feet to the point and place of beginning. BEING Lot 1 on said Plan CONTAINING 10.1459 acres gross as shown on said Plan BEING Tax Parcel No. 45-3-53.2 BEING the same premises which the Tax Claim Bureau of Chester County granted and conveyed to CJD Group, LLC by virtue of Upset Sale Deed dated January 15, 2016 and recorded January 29, 2016 in the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office in Book 9255 at Page 2201. PLAINTIFF: Landis & Setzler, P.C. VS DEFENDANT: CJD GROUP, LLC and JEFFERY BOOTH SALE ADDRESS: ES N. Five Points Road, Lot 1, Highland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: JAMES D. DOYLE, ESQ., 610-696-8500 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 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

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IMPROVEMENTS: a residential dwelling. PLAINTIFF: Keybank National Association S/B/M First Niagara Bank, N.A. S/B/M to First Financial Bank VS DEFENDANT: BARRY J. HEATON a/k/a BARRY JOSEPH HEATON and NEILL W. HEATON a/k/a NEILL WILLIAM HEATON

SALE NO. 18-1-24 Writ of Execution No. 2017-00275 DEBT $397,568.33 PROPERTY situate in the Elk Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania BLR# 7002 00212700

SALE ADDRESS: 21 Constitution Drive, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

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 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

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IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: JOHN C. SACCOMANDI, JR. and DONNA M. SACCOMANDI a/k/a DONNA M. BROWNSACCOMANDI SALE ADDRESS: 206 Victoria Lane, Oxford, PA 19363-2638 PLAINTIFF 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

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Chester, Pennsylvania, as announced on Thursday, January 18th, 2018 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, February 19th, 2018. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedules unless exceptions are filed in the Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days thereafter.

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SALE NO. 18-1-23 Writ of Execution No. 2016-01816 DEBT $75,319.03

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CHESTER COUNTY PRESS

Chester County Press

Local News U-CF School District expands tech offerings, focuses on STEM

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District has expanded its high school technology curriculum with a four-year sequence of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering courses. The first of these popular courses was offered in the fall of 2015, brought forward as part of a STEM strategic initiative. At the November 2017 School Board meeting, the board approved

Engineering Design and Development as the capstone course to this series. Students who successfully complete the PLTW courses learn about design thinking, collaboration, and problem solving while at the same time earning valuable college credits. Unionville High School Technology and Engineering teacher and department head Mike Berkeihiser said that one of

his department’s goals is to “put tomorrow’s technology in the hands of our students today.” These courses and other STEM initiatives were on display at the annual STEM night at Unionville High School in October. The district has posted a video highlighting STEM initiatives and there is a web page dedicated to providing parents information

about STEM-related activities across grade levels and schools (www.ucfsd.org/ stem). Curriculum that provides opportunities to apply engineering, science, math, and technology skills to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context helps students meet tomorrow’s challenges. These skills are increasingly in demand in the workplace.

STEM-related jobs are projected to grow by more than 1 million in the next decade (U.S. Labor Department), and 80 percent of future jobs will require technical skills (U.S. Bureau of Statistics). The U-CF STEM initiative spans grades K through 12 and includes new courses, refined teaching methods, and after-school activities. Elementary students learn object programming using

Tynker and all school are equipped with Makerspaces. This year, the middle school began offering computer programming complementing its digital media and digital citizenship courses. The high school offers students a wide variety of advanced science, math, programming, and engineering courses and more through the Chester County Technical College High School.

Avon Grove School District gets another random act of kindness The holiday spirit continues to grow in Avon Grove. Earlier this month, two anonymous donations paid off more than $800 of student lunch debt at Penn London Elementary School and Avon Grove Intermediate School, as well as the $1,600-plus lunch debt of Fred S. Engle Middle

School (FSEMS) and Avon Grove High School students. Avon Grove students have received yet another random act of kindness, this time in the form of an ongoing donation. The donor, a local business owner, has committed to providing $250 per quarter to help ensure that all

Fred S. Engle Middle School students can move into high school without a lunch debt. Middle School principal Michael Berardi shared surprise and appreciation at the donation. “The Avon Grove community continues to show an indisputable kindness to their students. It is truly a

privilege to work with such an exceptional community,” he said. The donor shared that the inspiration for the donation arose from partaking in an event at FSEMS. The donor wanted to help families in need and make sure all children were fed.

The Avon Grove School District policy provides full meals for all students. For those students who are unable to pay, a negative balance is recorded and weekly invoices are sent home. All students are eligible to receive meals regardless of their ability to pay. Twenty-seven percent of

Fred S. Engle Middle School students are enrolled in the free or reduced-price meal plan. Superintendent Marchese added, “These donations speak directly to the strong ties of our community, pulling together to help others in need.”

PARCEL No.: 45-07-0035.0000

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 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

LEGALS (21) days from the date of sale by 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

BLR# 3-2-89 IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

PLAINTIFF: Nationstar Mortgage LLC VS DEFENDANT: ISIDORO GONZALEZ and VICTORIA MCELWAINE SALE ADDRESS: 631 Linden Circle, Kennett Square, PA 19348 PLAINTIFF 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 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 12p-27-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writs directed to Sheriff Carolyn B. Welsh, 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, January 18th, 2018 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, February 19th, 2018. 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. 18-1-35 Writ of Execution No. 2016-05906 DEBT $89,819.38 ALL THAT CERTAIN, message, lot or piece of land situate on, in the Township of Highland, County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described, as follows, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN tract or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situated in the Township of Highland, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and described according to a

Plan of Property of Elmer Toth, etux, to be conveyed unto Richard Bodtke, said Plan made by George E. Regester, Jr. & Sons, Inc., Registered Land Surveyors, dated November 20, 1970, as follows, to wit: BEGINNING at a spike on the title line of L.R. 15138, said point of beginning being measured the two following courses and distances from a corner of land of Albert Wilkinson (1) north 84 degrees 15 minutes east 526.90 feet to an old spike, and (2) north 88 degrees 15 minutes east 127.79 feet to the point of beginning; thence extending from said point of beginning and along lands of which this was a part, the three following courses and distances, (1) north 01 degree 45 minutes west 791.95 feet to an iron pin, (2) south 87 degrees 07 minutes 09 seconds east, 584.15 feet to an iron pin, and (3) south 00 degrees 43 minutes west 342.78 feet to a spike on the title line of L.R. 15138; thence extending along the title line of L.R. 15138 the two following courses and distances, (1) south 89 degrees 30 minutes west 143.19 feet to a spike, and 2 south 88 degrees 15 minutes west 406.81 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning. BEING UPI Number 45-07-0035.0000

BEING known as:. 151 Doe Run Station Road, Highland Township, PA 19320 BEING the same property conveyed to Gerald M. Pisano and Martha B. Pisano, husband and wife who acquired title, as tenants by the entirety, by virtue of a deed from Margaret B. Bodtke, single woman, dated April 30, 1999, recorded April 30, 1999, at Instrument Number 35438, and recorded in Book 4554, Page 1362, Chester County, Pennsylvania Records.

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SALE ADDRESS: 151 Doe Run Station Road, Highland Township, PA 19320

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

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N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. Payment must be paid in

Avondale, quiet country 1bedroom., 2nd floor with parking. No Pets. Call 610-268-2910. Leave a message.

MARTHA B. Pisano died June 29, 2013, pursuant the assumed tenancy by the entirety in the above Deed, all rights and interests have passed to Gerald M. Pisano PLAINTIFF: Wells Fargo Bank, NA VS DEFENDANT: GERALD M. PISANO

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017