Southern Chester County Connections Fall/Winter 2024 Edition
Dear Chamber Members and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. As we continue to navigate through these ever-changing times, I want to take a moment to reach out with a message of encouragement and solidarity.
Each of you is an integral part of our vibrant community. Your dedication, hard work, and resilience have always been the cornerstone of our collective success. Whether you are a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or a leader in your field, your dreams and ambitions are what fuel our progress and drive our growth.
I know that the path to success is rarely smooth. There are challenges and obstacles that can sometimes feel overwhelming. But, it is precisely in these moments of difficulty that our true strength and determination shine the brightest. It is important to remember that every setback is an opportunity for a comeback, and every obstacle can be transformed into a steppingstone toward achieving our dreams.
resilience and creativity is what sets us apart and propels us forward.
I encourage each of you to continue pursuing your dreams with unwavering determination. Believe in your vision, trust in your abilities, and stay focused on your goals. Surround yourself with supportive networks, seek out new opportunities, and never be afraid to ask for help when needed. Remember, you are not alone on this journey – we are a community, and we are here to support one another.
James E. Turner SCCCC Chairman of the Board
We have seen countless examples of perseverance and innovation within our community. Businesses have adapted, pivoted, and thrived despite the odds. New ideas have emerged, and collaborations have flourished. This spirit of
Let us continue to inspire and uplift each other. Share your successes, learn from your experiences, and celebrate the milestones, no matter how small they may seem. Together, we can overcome any challenge and turn our dreams into reality.
Thank you for your continued dedication and for being an essential part of our chamber community. Your passion and perseverance are truly commendable, and I have no doubt that great things lie ahead for all of us.
Make it a GREAT Day!
James E. Turner Chairman of the Board Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce (Chester Water Authority)
Dear Members and Friends,
As you may know, I like to begin my “CONNECTIONS” message with a quote.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” …
— Albert Schweitzer
I will be serving as 2025 Chairman of the Northeast Board of Regents for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As an Officer on the Board, we oversee the Northeast Institute nonprofit leadership education program – held annually in July at Villanova University.
Northeast Institute is one of the U.S. Chamber’s four large scale nonprofit management certification programs offered to associations, chambers of commerce, and other nonprofits. Our duties include planning and organizing the program with an outstanding U.S. Chamber staff, overseeing program implementation, and supporting and networking with attendees and faculty throughout the week.
When I returned from this year’s program, I realized how thrilling it was to see everyone and be together. Reconnecting with Board members, chatting with faculty members, spending time with peers from around the country, and supporting attendees, helped me to remember how much serving in this industry means to me, both professionally and personally –
SCCCC
and – I look forward to serving as Chairman next year.
Our Chamber of Commerce proudly participates in community initiatives including the Chester County Digital Alliance, Kennett High School’s Degree Program and other local high school career fairs and opportunities, supporting Chester County Food Bank, and more.
As our organization continues on its path as a driving force, it brings me back full circle to Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy, which was built upon the principle of helping others. Helping others doesn’t just make the world better – it makes us better, for the act of giving back inspires happiness, health, and well-being.
Please reach out if you would like to be happier by being involved – we would love to include you in our efforts.
Best regards,
Cheryl B. Kuhn, IOM
President
&
CEO
Your Success Is Our Business
PROGRAM AND EVENT CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 2024
Drive Your Membership [VIRTUAL]
Friday, September 20th 8:30 am
Learn all you need to know about SCCCC
Network at Noon! Luncheon
Thursday, September 26th 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Event Sponsor: COMCAST
Member Venue: Victory Brewing Company – Kennett Square
OCTOBER 2024
Tuesday, October 2nd, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Member Host: Dorset Connects
Signature Event! Annual Fall Luncheon
Thursday, October 17th
visit www.scccc.com for details
Presenting Sponsor: Kendal-Crosslands Communities
2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference
Friday, October 18th 7:45 am – 1:30 pm
SCCCC in partnership Chamber Alliance of Chester County
Hosted by: The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center of West Chester University & SCORE Chester & Delaware Counties
Network at Noon! Luncheon
Thursday, October 31st 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Event Sponsorship: Paisley Solutions
Member Venue: Victory Brewing Company, Kennett Square
NOVEMBER 2024
Drive Your Membership [VIRTUAL]
Friday, November 8th 8:30 am
Learn all you need to know about SCCCC
Network at Noon! Luncheon
Thursday, November 14th 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Event Sponsor: Perna & Abracht, LLP
Member Venue: Victory Brewing Company, Kennett Square
For our current calendar of programs and events, visit www.scccc.com
Cheryl B. Kuhn, IOM
Welcome to Southern Chester County!
This is a great time of year to be visiting Southern Chester County. The area has long been a popular destination for travelers near and far, and in this edition of Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s Connections, we look at tourism, hospitality and accommodations in the area that can take a visitor’s stay to the next level.
We talk to Nina Kelly, the director of marketing and communications for Chester County Tourism, about the many attractions and activities that the area can offer—the music, entertainment, restaurants, history and seasonal open-air dining, all complemented by the growth of one-of-a-kind overnight accommodations in the area.
One example is the Bookhouse Hotel in Kennett Square. Stephanie and Matt Olenik, the owners, renovated a former bookstore into a chic-niche hotel for bookworms and cozy-cravers alike. They are celebrating the first anniversary of the boutique hotel in downtown Kennett Square this year, and planning the next chapter of this unique hotel.
After five months of construction, the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square is once again ready to receive guests. The former inn was stripped all the way down to its beams and rebuilt. The new hotel, which opened Aug. 5, retains the cozy boutique style of its predecessor, but it is more modern and luxurious. The landscaping and all the amenity offerings at the Hilton Garden Inn have also been upgraded, too.
Like the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Brandywine Valley is owned and managed by Onix Group. The Fairfield Inn has been providing great stays to guests for the last 14 years. Nancy Taltoan, the area general manager for both the Kennett Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn, said that the staff at these hotels are like family members to those guests who visit regularly, and they offer a home away from home for all who visit.
We shine a spotlight in this issue on our first-ever member-sponsored cover, Pegasus Technologies, which can provide people-focused internal IT services in a timely and professional manner to local businesses and nonprofit organizations. According to Erik Gudmundson, Chief Revenue Officer for Pegasus Technologies, the company can provide a full suite of IT support, ranging from in-person assistance and “how-doI” support to cloud migrations and cybersecurity defense. Many clients think of Pegasus as their IT department.
In this issue, we also introduce you to some of the members of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce with stories about the Housing Partnership of Chester County, LCH Health and Community Services, COMCAST, and Berger Communities. Each one is making a difference in the Southern Chester County community.
Kennett Square Apartments: ‘Keeping It Kennett’
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Berger Communities has officially arrived in Kennett Square.
Kennett Square Apartments, the brand-new residential community located at 600 West State St., offers a selection of premium one-bedroom, one-bedroom and den, and two-bedroom apartment homes, featuring spacious layouts and high-end finishes, as well as an array of modern amenities that would be difficult to find elsewhere.
Though Kennett Square is a new location for Berger Communities, the vertically integrated real estate company has made a name for itself in the apartment industry and across the state, finding success in their unique mission to make apartment living easy in every way.
“We strongly believe that renting shouldn’t be hard,” said Community Manager Vicky Graham.
Berger Communities simplifies the rental process, beginning with a security deposit alternative - a one-time, non-refundable fee that acts as a substitute for a traditional
security deposit and allows those who qualify a way to reduce move-in costs. From there, settle into your new apartment and make yourself at home. If you’ve not fully satisfied, you can give notice in the first thirty days and there is no fee to break your lease.
Life is always changing, and the benefits Berger Communities offer to residents extend beyond the move-in period. Transfer flexibility allows you to transfer to a different apartment or to another Berger community and restart your lease without a transfer fee. For those who experience a job relocation of more than 50 miles, your lease can also be broken at no charge. Additionally, the Home Purchase Freedom program lets future homebuyers break the lease without charge when they purchase a new home through one of Berger Communities’ preferred real estate agents.
Kennett Square Apartments also boasts impressive amenities that you won’t find in other locations. Residents will enjoy a spacious clubroom with comfortable lounge seating, a spectacular fireplace, and a retractable nano wall that opens onto a stunning outdoor courtyard with fire pits. Other amenities include a modern library, a bike storage
Courtesy photo
Kennett Square Apartments, the brand-new residential community located at 600 West State St., offers a selection of premium one-bedroom, onebedroom and den, and two-bedroom apartment homes, featuring spacious layouts and high-end finishes, as well as an array of modern amenities.
room, a state-of-the-art golf simulator, a fully equipped fitness center, an innovative DIY maker’s space, garage parking, electric vehicle charging stations, and a pet spa for residents’ furry friends.
Opening in early September, the community will feature 166 apartments ranging from 536- to 1,302-square-feet. Each home includes energy efficient stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, hardwood-like flooring, quartz countertops and modern pendant lighting. The community has been carefully curated, showcasing designer finishes, soft close drawers and cabinets, bedroom ceiling fans, and smart home technology, allowing residents to control climate settings remotely.
Located with convenient access to Route 1, Wilmington, and Chester County, and just steps away from Kennett Square’s vibrant dining, boutique shopping, and community events, Kennett Square Apartments offers an unbeatable location.
“We want our residents to feel truly connected to Kennett Square,” Graham said. “We’re thrilled to become part of this community, supporting local businesses and embracing the ‘Keeping It Kennett’ spirit.”
residents.
To further integrate with the local community, Kennett Square Apartments has teamed up with over 20 local retailers to create an exclusive perks program. This initiative offers residents access to special deals, discounts, and coupons, encouraging them to shop locally and further contribute to the local economy.
For more information about Kennett Square Apartments, please visit www.kennettsquareapts.com, or call (484) 462-1830.
Kennett Square Apartments provides many amenities, including deck porches for its
Chester County has long been one of the most and it’s being complimented with some
People, places and pillows
By Richard L. Gaw
A broad sweep through Chester County’s Brandywine Valley website is the equivalent of taking a journey that will open pandora’s box of treasures and reveals a rich tapestry that unfurls an ever-changing narrative of beauty, discovery and inspiration.
In short, BrandywineValley.com forms a love letter to the region it promotes, and every component that forms the fabric of Chester County – the small towns, the history, the world-renowned destinations and the hidden gems tucked into the landscape – form an unbreakable link that have made the region one of the most popular destinations in the entire Northeast.
Now, there is another attraction emerging in the county’s tourist industry, in the form of a growing number of unique, refurbished hotels and overnight destinations that are becoming a part of the county’s narrative.
“Our normal feeder markets used to be as far south as Virginia and as far north as the New York metropolitan area, but for the first time this summer, our marketing reach has extended all the way to Boston,” said Nina Kelly, director of marketing and communications for Chester County Tourism. “It’s about expanding our attractions while at the same time offering visitors charming and accessible establishments like the Mendenhall Inn, the Inn at Whitewing Farm, as well as the Fairville Inn & Suites and the remodeled Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square.
“We’re also celebrating the revitalization of our downtown areas with new boutique hotels like the Artelo Hotel and the Bookhouse Hotel in the Kennett Square Borough, and the Warner Hotel and the new Hotel Indigo in West Chester. They have become part of the entire landscape of experience -- music, entertainment, restaurants, history, seasonal open-air dining -- that resonates as small-town America.”
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popular destinations for travelers near and far, very unique overnight accommodations
by Richard L. Gaw
Photo
The new Artelo on Birch Street in Kennett Square is a 14-room boutique hotel that expresses the individual creativity of the more than one dozen artists who were commissioned to leave their imprint on every room.
Chester County Tourism
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‘The Art of the Stay’
In many ways, the evening of July 11 in Kennett Square Borough served as the long-awaited opening night for innovative reimagination of space. That night, the all-caps signage ‘ARTELO’ burned brightly on 201 Birch Street, above a new boutique hotel that officially opened to guests on Aug. 1.
The public unveiling welcomed a steady stream of nearly 300 visitors, representatives from the hotel’s sponsoring agency Square Roots Collective gave tours of each of its 14 rooms – individual imprints of expression by 14 local artists that served as a blank canvas for them to apply their talents.
Those artists who contributed to the Artelo Project were Phillip Adams, Jose Bustamante, Chenlin Cai, Betsy Z. Casanas, Kala Hagopian, Mz. Icar, Robert C. Jackson, Christian Kanienberg, Liz Maycox, Alloyius Mcilwaine, Serena Saunders, Freiman Stoltzfus, Alison Williams and WingChow. In addition, all beds were hand built by Fourge
Furniture, a fourth-generation of furniture makers, and bedding was supplied by Matouk.
The Artelo Project was coordinated by Square Roots Collective Finance Associate Stephanie Almanza, Director of Marketing and Programming Anthony Racaniello, Redevelopment Project Lead Sandra Mulry and Chief of Staff Luke Zubrod. Neil Solloway will serve as the hotel’s general manager.
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Photos by Richard L. Gaw
Artelo is part of a project to reimagine Birch Street and is a quick walk away from several popular destinations in the Kennett Square Borough.
Chester County Tourism
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In its official statement, Square Roots Collective said that its Artelo Project is the combined culmination of aesthetics, storytelling, cultural expression and celebrating diversity. In its selection of the artists for the project, “it [was] imperative for us to select artists who can authentically represent the diversity of our regional communities. We sought individuals whose creative voices echoed the myriad of cultures and perspectives found within our area.
“We wanted pieces that resonate, that would speak to something within you. That’s why we urged our artists to reference their own stories and experiences into their work.”
“This is a project that in some ways was a long shot,” said Square Roots Collective Founder Mike Bontrager. “The idea of creating an immersive art experience that could
be a hotel the launched several questions. ‘Would people want to stay there? Could we find the artists, and could we make this something that people would want to be a part of?’
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The Artelo combines the artistry of creativity with the convenience of being a quick walk from events and activities in Kennett Square.
Chester County Tourism
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“From a community side, this was not exactly what had been a beautiful building in town, but the questions was, ‘How do we restore this old building – things that are broken down – and make them new and beautiful?’ By being able to do that, this brings joy to us – and even a greater sense of fulfillment than if we had built something brand new.”
Similar to the business management plan of The Creamery – which was developed by Square Roots Collective and first opened in 2016 – 100 percent of profits from Artelo will be reinvested in community projects throughout the Kennett Square area’s non-profit organizations that include Family Promise of Southern Chester County, the United Way of Southern Chester County and Kennett Trails Alliance.
Come meet Catt Wolfe, our General Manager and the mind behind the
Continued on Page 22 One of the 14 unique rooms that make up The Artelo.
Chester County Tourism
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Bed and books in Kennett Square
In 2023, soon after Stephanie Olenik saw that a former bookstore on Union Street in Kennett Square was zoned to be the future site of a hotel, she arrived at the site and was greeted by 5,000 books that had remained there from the previous owners.
From those stacks – and with a deferential nod to the historic Macaluso’s bookstore that had stood there for decades – Olenik created her vision for what has become the most talked-about new boutique hotel in southern Chester County.
A mere six months after it first opened, The Bookhouse Hotel has become a welcome respite for guests whose childhoods were spent in oversize chairs absorbing picture books at their hometown libraries; for those who love to disappear in dusty old bookstores; and for those who wish to dream the night away in the gentle company of written words.
“I want visitors to feel like they have just stepped in from the outside world and given the gift of curling up cozy with a new book, with the charm of Kennett Square is just a moment’s walk away,” said Olenik, who owns the hotel in partnership with her husband Matt and their business partners, Stephen Tallon and Bill Rookstool. “We had to
redesign the entire space, but I had the vision in my head that books would encircle the bed in every room.”
Olenik’s vision began when she learned that the historic building was zoned for several uses, including a hotel. Combining her skills as a realtor and her background in interior design, Olenik – who attended the Moore College of Art and Design –worked with Matt to create a stunning lobby and four distinctive rooms drawn from different inspirations and filled with repurposed gems: The Studio, The Study, The Writer’s Den and The Secret Garden Room. There are also two book groups that meet every month at the hotel, where members get to meet authors who will talk about their books. The reviews from those who have stayed at The Bookhouse Hotel have been incredible, Olenik said.
Photos by Jie Deng
The Bookhouse Hotel is located in the heart of Kennett Square Borough.
The Bookhouse Hotel offers four uniquely designed rooms, all with a literary feel.
“Three YouTubers came from three different states and recorded their entire visit, and as a consequence, people who have seen the clips call and ask if we have upcoming vacancies,” she said. “Writers on retreat have stayed here, including one writer who hid her latest book in a bookshelf at the hotel. People tell me they are so excited about the small details they see here. Just last week, I saw a couple walking out of the hotel carrying a picnic basket on their way to Longwood Gardens. It’s the magic of the books and the magic of this building’s history.”
A new look for the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square
Long recognized as the gateway hotel to the treasures of Chester County, the 92-room Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square on East Baltimore Pike has recently received an extensive redesign and refurbishing that was overseen by Onix Group.
Visitors to the hotel can now enjoy a newly-designed front lobby, a bar and restaurant, a new pool and a fitness center and upgraded access to technology – all the comforts that travelers enjoy and conveniently located within minutes of some of southern Chester County’s most popular destinations and villages.
“Onix’s original vision was purely to undergo a renovation of the hotel’s rooms, but as the project got underway, they found that in order to keep up on the new technology that Hilton is requiring for its hotels in the future, it was decided that the best decision was to gut the building and
rebuild everything,” said Kimberly Turnbaugh, Onix’s area sales manager. “It had been a shell but is now a brand-new hotel. In the long term, it has been the perfect decision -- to revamp the hotel in order to meet the increasing demands of the modern traveler, as well as amplify the experiences that await them in southern Chester County.”
When it comes to overnight accommodations, the adage still applies: Location, location, location. Turnbaugh said that the Hilton Garden Inn serves as a “hub-and-spoke” hotel that provides its visitors with accessibility to a myriad of attractions.
“You can be at Longwood Gardens in a few minutes,” she said. “You can be in Delaware in ten minutes. You can be in Philadelphia in 45 minutes and in Maryland in 30 minutes. We market the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett in terms of ‘Stay here, venture out and then come home to the Hilton at night.’”
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The Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square recently underwent extensive renovations in order to better accommodate its visitors.
Chester County Tourism
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The ‘Ethereal’ overnight destination at Wayvine Winery
When Zachary Wilson was 19 years old, he used a part of the 260-acre Wilson family farm to devote to the growing of grapes, and it was there on that property in Nottingham that Wayvine Winery saw its beginning and its future.
Today, Wayvine joins nearly one dozen other boutique vineyards in Chester County as a “must-stop” destination for wine lovers who desire a long weekend sipping reds and whites at tasting rooms that flourish along the county’s country lanes and scenic byways. Two years ago, Zachary’s brother James – a co-owner of the winery – purchased a 72-acre property adjacent to both the farm and the 600-acre Glenroy Preserve with his now fiancée Laura Difrancesco. With vision, ingenuity and a lot of craftsmanship, James and Laura renovated two barn-like structures on the property and converted them to what is now The Ethereal Farm. The Mill and The Loft can each accommodate as many as eight overnight guests and provide them with endless trails and
The Ethereal Farm at Wayvine Vineyard & Winery in Nottingham offers overnight guests luxury and comfort in the countryside.
vistas that stretch for more than 1,000 acres that are dotted with the accoutrements of farm life: donkeys, horses, chickens and goats.
Wilson said that he and Laura have welcomed visitors from as far away as Europe and those who are traveling across the country, but about half arrive at The Ethereal Farm from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland – as well as weekenders from Philadelphia, where Wayvine owns the Tulip Pasta Wine Bar on Tulip Street in Fishtown, in partnership with executive chefs Jason Cichonski and Alex Beninato.
“The Ethereal Farm truly is the ultimate Chester County experience,” James said. “It’s a two-mile
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Relief for Human Need Worldwide
Since 2002, our Mid-Atlantic Branch has shipped gently used clothing, various foods, bicycles, medical equipment, and more to people in need. Last year, we shipped five 40-foot containers overseas and made many smaller deliveries to shelters in the tristate area.
Donations come from individuals and organizations.
Charity Navigator gives Orphan Grain Train, Inc. (OGT) its highest rating of Four Stars. 97.9% of donations go to the mission. OGT is a Christian 501(c)(3) charity. Mail to OGT, 89 Line Rd, Malvern, PA 19355.
How you can help:
You can donate clothing, shoes, linens and more. You can volunteer to sort and pack donations. You can contribute toward shipping costs.
We welcome donations and volunteers Wednesdays from 10AM to 2:30PM & Saturdays from 9AM to 1:30 PM.
Call for a tour. Office 610-644-4508
Visit us at www.ogt.org/branches/mid-atlantic/
Warehouse: 8 Federal Road, West Grove, PA 19390
Courtesy photos
The Ethereal Farm at the Wayvine Winery offers two overnight accommodations – The Loft and The Mill – that celebrate the beauty of the 260-acre farm in Nottingham.
Chester County Tourism
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drive from the farm to the Wayvine Winery, but most of the people who stay overnight make that two-mile walk, hang out at the farm, enjoy wine and live music and entertainment and meet every member of our family, and then walk back to the farm and enjoy their close vicinity to farm animals as the sun sets.
“We’re the perfect overnight staycation concept for those who don’t want to travel very far or spend a lot of money in order to experience that ‘get-away’ feeling.”
For the staff at Chester County Tourism, their continuing mission to promote the county as a key destination for overnight travelers is an ever-changing blueprint of ideas, packages and collaborations, and the local hotel industry is at the forefront of those partnerships.
“It is our absolute mission and our fiduciary responsibility to invigorate the tourism community, and working with our friends in the hotel industry has become a huge part of that symbiotic relationship,” Kelly said. “We are here to help tell the story of Chester County, and while Longwood Gardens
and its $290 million Longwood Reimagined project is perhaps the largest story being told, all of our gardens, our arts, our small towns, our destinations and yes – our unique hotels -- are also a part of that story.”
To learn more about the many unique hotels and accommodations throughout Chester County, visit www. brandywinevalley.com.
The Ethereal Farm is the perfect accommodation for those who wish to explore the expanding winery scene in Chester County.
The Housing Partnership of Chester County:
‘Here to help people’
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Finding help with housing can be challenging but there is help available – you just need to know where to look. One of the best resources that you may not have heard of is The Housing Partnership of Chester County (HPCC).
HPCC is available to help first-time homebuyers who are navigating the housing market and the homeowners who are facing maintenance issues that are beyond their ability to address.
“The HPCC is here to help people,” said Executive Director Ken Hutton. “My biggest frustration is people don’t know about us and we have programs that could help them if they only knew about us.”
The mission of HPCC is to “improve the quality of life for low-to-moderate income citizens of Chester County by providing the ability to acquire and maintain decent, affordable housing.”Founded in 1988, the organization provides advocacy, support, and direct financial assistance to residents who are underserved and at-risk. Although based in Downingtown, HPCC serves all of the county.
helps improve credit worthiness in preparation for a home purchase. There is also a Know Your Money, school-based program, which teaches the basics of handling money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions. That program has become the basis for an adult financial literacy program now offered.
Keeping a home safe and secure is also important. The Home Modification Access Program for low-to-moderate-income homeowners and renters with permanent disabilities can adapt the residence to the specific situation as part of a $22,000 grant program. The Senior Citizen Home Maintenance program for qualifying residents 65 and older provides grants of up to $6,000 for basic home maintenance, repairs, and access modifications. The Housing Rehabilitation Program helps qualified homeowners correct code violations, including lead-based paint abatement through a zero-percent interest loan of up to $25,000. HPCC also works with 5 local fuel companies for winter fuel oil or propane assistance for low-income residents.
Programing is accessible to Spanish-speaking residents through bilingual housing counselor Luis Castro, who is a HUD-certified bilingual counselor.
“We not only empower individuals to become homeowners, we help them to remain in their homes if and as they age-in-place or face challenges such as a disability,” Hutton said. “We also stabilize communities and neighborhoods by ensuring houses remain owner occupied. We are committed to individual solutions and tangible results. Every day we make a difference through our core programs and services.”
There are a variety of programs available, starting with the First Time Home Buyer Program which equips and empowers qualified low-and-moderate income individuals and families to purchase a home in Chester County. This program includes pre-purchase workshops. The program can provide an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 to cover settlement and closing costs on a first-time home purchase. Credit counseling individually and in group workshops
HPCC partners with multiple nonprofits throughout Chester County including Good Works, Safe Harbor, Home of the Sparrow, Housing Authority of Chester County, Brandywine Valley Active Aging, Bridge of Hope, Human Services, Phoenixville Women’s Outreach, and many more.
Individuals who would like to offer their time and talent as board members are encouraged to do so by contacting HPCC. Those with financial, marketing, or accounting experience are particularly appreciated.
For more information, find HPCC on Facebook at Housing-Partnership-of-Chester-County on Twitter at HousingChester and on Instagram at hpcci21. You can also get in contact with HPCC through the website, by email at info@housingpartnershipcc.com or by phone at 610-518-1522.
The mission of the Housing Partnership of Chester County is to ‘improve the quality of life for low-to-moderate income citizens of Chester County by providing the ability to acquire and maintain decent, affordable housing.’
Courtesy photo
The Bookhouse Hotel: The next chapter
By HaLeigh Abbott Contributing Writer
The Bookhouse Hotel owners Stephanie and Matt Olenik renovated a former bookstore, located at 130 S. Union Street, into a chic-niche hotel for bookworms and cozy-cravers alike. They are celebrating the first anniversary of the boutique hotel in downtown Kennett
Square this year, and planning the next chapter of this unique hotel.
Although The Bookhouse Hotel was their first hotel, Stephanie and Matt made a career out of real estate flipping and AirBNB management. Together with their business partners, Stephen Tallon and Bill Rookstool, the couple has completely renovated the building to welcome guests with four rooms.
“Matt did all the work,” explained Stephanie. “We had to fix the foundation, level the floors, and design and furnish each room.”
“And I just do what she says,” Matt joked. Stephanie laughed when asked how their relationship handles new projects, saying, “It’s always stressful at the end of the project, but we always make it through.”
The inspiration for The Bookhouse Hotel came from the building’s previous life as a bookstore. The former bookstore left behind 5,000 books in the basement, many of which are now used to decorate the rooms. Guests can cozy up in their rooms and read their weekends away with most necessities easily at hand. If you’re not able to finish your book, don’t worry—you can scan a QR code to purchase a copy from bookshop.org for home delivery. Each room has a private bathroom and kitchenette, and guests are supplied with teas from Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop and coffee from Horn & Hardart Coffee. Guests booking the entire hotel can also opt for a special Alice in Wonderland themed tea party, in partnership with Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop. A gift basket full of snacks and treats from Taste Local Eats, another Kennett Square business, can be purchased and ready on check in. Longwood Gardens has also partnered with The Bookhouse to offer discounted tickets for guests.
The Bookhouse has become a niche-classic for readers, thanks to its popularity in social media communities, including “booktok.” Independent book clubs have made the venue a travel destination for special events, ensuring a themed stay and pictures that are perfect for posting on Instagram.
The rooms can house 2, 3 or 4 people, depending on the suites, and two of those have a bi-level nook on the third floor looking out over Kennett Square. The rooms are not currently themed by book or genre, but each room has its own charm thanks to a mix of antique and handmade pieces.
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The Bookhouse Hotel
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“The Studio” room is tucked away on the first floor, can be entered privately from outside, and is a place “where magic and escape intertwine.” Dreamy linens and pillows deck the king-sized bed that sits perfectly in the beautifully handcrafted bookshelf brimming with books that seem to hold secrets of their own.
“The Study” is accessed on the first floor from the lobby or, for a touch of privacy, through its own side porch entrance. Imagine nights spent nestled in the king-size bed with dreamy linens, surrounded by hundreds of books, and wrapped in the embrace of your favorite book. Here you are not just booking a room. You’re embarking on a grand adventure through the pages of a book and the magic of the town.
Made to inspire writers and romantics, “The Writer’s Den” is a two-floor suite accessible via a private staircase off the lobby. The room becomes your personal library, filled with romance novels and classic tales. The king-size bed sits under a beautifully crafted bookshelf. The velvet plush sofa turns into a twin bed to host another traveler. There’s a clawfoot tub where you can soak away the cares of the day. Just a few more stairs up to the attic, you’ll discover shelves lined with books and snug reading nooks, perfect for those seeking a retreat.
The Secret Garden Room is inspired by Longwood Gardens and, of course, the novel. This two-bedroom, bi-level suite is designed to accommodate up to 4 guests. The largest suite in the hotel has two separate bedrooms adorned with custom bookshelves housing a diverse collection of books for all travelers to enjoy. For the traveler seeking a moment of solitude, the clawfoot tub awaits. The true magic of this suite unfolds upstairs, where you’ll discover an attic space filled with books and cozy sitting areas.
For families or larger groups, there is the option to book the entire Bookhouse Hotel. The Bookhouse Hotel sleeps 11 total. Reserve your exclusive stay today at the Bookhouse Hotel for a truly special and intimate experience. Please call with any questions or special requests.
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And, of course, what is a reading-centered venue without its own book club? The Bookhouse Hotel is offering a membership-style club that delivers quarterly books and curated gifts, lifetime discounts on room and hotel merchandise, and exclusive discounts for events and venues.
Community support has been positive, and Stephanie feels like Kennett Square has been welcoming to the new venture. Rooms can be booked online or by calling 610-444-1063. Visit the website at thebookhousehotel. com or their FaceBook page facebook.com/thebookhousehotel for more information.
COMCAST: Building a future of unlimited possibilities
By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer
Internet service is so much a part of our daily routines that it is hard for most people to imagine life without it. Unfortunately, low-income households or those in rural locations can experience barriers to access, but Comcast is working to make affordable broadband accessible to everyone through programs like Internet Essentials, as well as the expansions of its smart, fast, reliable network to new areas.
“Comcast is helping build a future of unlimited possibilities through Project UP, which is a $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity. One of the ways we do this is through Internet Essentials, our low-cost service intended to connect those who are income constrained to the Internet at home,” said Stephanie L. Kosta, Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs and Community Impact,
Comcast Freedom Region, which serves Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Since 2011, Internet Essentials has been an option available to low-income individuals and families, providing basic Internet service at a cost of just $9.95 per month. An enhanced version, Internet Essentials Plus, is also available at just $29.95 per month. It is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive private-sector Internet adoption program.
In Pennsylvania alone, Comcast has connected more than 504,000 homes to the Internet through Internet Essentials since the start of the program. Kosta reports 85% of the users in the program say it has been beneficial to their children in online learning.
To help provide safe spaces for students and families to access the Internet and digital skills training outside the home, Comcast created free, WiFi-connected “Lift Zones” in partnership with local community centers. There are 176
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Comcast is working to make affordable broadband accessible to everyone through programs like Internet Essentials, as well as the expansions of its smart, fast, reliable network to new areas.
Lift Zones in Pennsylvania, with six in Chester County. Two Lift Zones are located at the Garage Community Centers in Kennett Square and Avondale. Lift Zones are also part of Comcast’s Project UP.
In addition to free Internet connectivity, Lift Zones provide hundreds of hours of educational and digital-skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning.
During the pandemic, the need for Internet access became a top priority, especially for students who were now faced with virtual learning. But students are not the only family members who need access.
“You can’t apply for jobs, you can’t train for jobs, you can’t even search for jobs today without the Internet. Basic digital skills are essential for today’s workforce,” said Kosta.
Comcast understands that the best way to reach people is by supporting those who already serve the local community. This includes thousands of community partnerships statewide. In Chester County, Comcast works with nonprofit organizations such as Young Moms, La Communidad Hispania, the Land Conservancy, Lincoln University, Caning Partners for Life, Girl Scouts of Eastern
Pennsylvania, Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, and many more. Comcast has provided $145 million to nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania in the last three years alone.
In another partnership, Comcast and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey expanded its Digital Navigator Network beyond Philadelphia to the suburbs. Chester County residents can call 211 to connect with trusted community organizations that can help answer basic technology questions or assist with signing up for Internet service or learning digital skills.
“We want to make sure we are serving our communities in a way that will make the biggest impact – and we will continue to work to bridge the digital divide alongside our community partners every day,” Kosta said.
For areas that have limited, or no, access to broadband, Comcast is working to bring its full suite of Xfinity products and services to more households. In the Southern Chester County area, Comcast is currently expanding into new parts of Oxford, East Nottingham and Lower Oxford with additional towns, such as West Nottingham, on the horizon.
To learn more, visit Philadelphia.Comcast.com.
Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square Gets a New Look – Retains its Boutique Charm
By Colleen Cochran Contributing Writer
After five months of construction, the Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square is once again ready to receive guests. The former inn was stripped all the way down to its beams and then rebuilt. The new hotel, which opened Aug. 5, retains the cozy boutique style of its predecessor, but it is more modern and luxurious.
The landscaping and all the amenity offerings at the Hilton Garden Inn have been upgraded as well. The inn
offers a pool and fitness center, a state-of-the-art business center, a restaurant and banquet space, a 24-hour market with house-made salads and sandwiches, and a full bar that is open Sunday to Thursday until midnight and Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m.
The hotel’s restaurant, the Garden Grille, is serving primarily American cuisine, but some of its dishes have an international flair. The restaurant’s team of chefs have special expertise in creating authentic Jamaican, Mexican, Japanese, and Thai cuisine.
Said Hilton Garden Inn Area General Manager Nancy Taltoan, “We have a superb lineup of chefs who specialize in various types of cuisine from their countries of origin as well as from other countries around the world.”
The Hilton Garden Inn never had a full-seater bar before, so this upgrade is sure to appeal to guests and locals alike. The bar serves a wide variety of cocktails, and plans are underway to provide customers with music from local musicians a few nights a week.
The inn is boasting the fact that it has secured the services of a renowned bartender, Sally Newman Ronon, who has been a fixture in many Philadelphia and surroundingarea bars and hotels. The Philadelphia Inquirer, in one of its articles, gave her the title “Philadelphia’s First Female Bartender” because she has been in the business since way back when female bartenders were a rarity.
Ronon received a Best in Philly award for her bloody Mary, and she possesses a vast repertoire of signature drinks that include specialty margaritas and an Irish coffee that imbibers will be dreaming about forever. In addition to being a seasoned bartender, Ronon is also a mental health therapist, so for people inclined to pour their troubles out to a bartender, it is a sure bet she will have some good insights to offer them.
Sally Newman Ronon changed the landscape for Philadelphia’s female bartenders, and today her primary mission is to make sure that the atmosphere in her barroom is welcoming and fun.
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She said, “I want the lone patrons, male or female, to feel comfortable enough to walk into the Hilton Garden Inn bar and sit down at a barstool. I am going to get to know my customers, introduce them to new friends, and ensure they have a wonderful time so they want to return again and again.”
Ronon continued, “I have worked a lot of places over the years, and I am absolutely loving my experience at the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s fresh, it’s new, and it’s very exciting.”
The Hilton Garden Inn has been a fixture in Kennett Square since 2002. It is a quainter version of other Hilton Garden Inns and is a favorite choice for tourists coming into town to visit Southern Chester County’s many attrac-
tions, such as Longwood Gardens; Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library; the Mushroom Festival; the Brandywine Museum of Art; and the Kennett Underground Railroad Center.
Said Taltoan, “The majority of our staff has been here for over 20 years, and we have long-time patrons who have been visiting the hotel for just as long. Our staff knows them and even their pets by name.”
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Kennett Square locals have long been enjoying the Hilton Garden Inn as well. They will be impressed by the state-of-the-art AV equipment available to them in the banquet room, which includes dropdown screens and wireless mics, and the upgraded meeting rooms. The restaurant and bar are certain to become their favorite hangouts.
The Hilton Garden Inn at Kennett Square is owned by the Onix Group, which also owns the Fairfield Inn in town, Hampton Inn in Chadds Ford, and the Hotel Indigo in West Chester, which is set to open at the end of this year.
Said Kim Turnbaugh, who serves as the inn’s area director of sales for Pennsylvania, “Our role at the Hilton Garden Inn is to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for our customers so they can enjoy Southern Chester County’s many attractions and so that we can contribute to the economic development of the community.”
Tour the new Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square - hosting “Reblooming” tours of new hotel rooms, landscaping, and the entire facility starting Sept. 24th. Locals, present lodgers, and guests from over the years are invited! Contact the Inn’s Front Desk at (610) 444-9100 to learn about available days and times.
Pegasus Technologies offers the IT solutions you need, when you need them
There are many small and medium businesses and nonprofit organizations in the area that could benefit from IT services and support—but don’t need a full-time IT department. For these businesses and organizations, Pegasus Technologies can provide people-focused internal IT services in a timely and professional manner.
According to Erik Gudmundson, the Chief Revenue Officer for Pegasus Technologies, the company can provide a full suite of IT support, ranging from in-person assistance and “how-do-I” support to cloud migrations and cybersecurity defense. Many clients think of Pegasus as their IT department.
Pegasus Technologies is based in Kennett Square with offices in Wayne and Media. The company has approximately 30 employees and its clients usually have some presence in the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware region, Gudmundson said. Their clients’ employees may be working in remote offices on the other side of the country or in countries around the world.
Pegasus Technologies prides itself on fast response times and reliability. Response times have met goals 100% of the time for the past five years.
Gudmundson explained what really separates the company from other IT support companies.
“We have a Match-IT process. During the onboarding of a new client, Pegasus asks its client to complete a personality test. The results are used to match the organization with a team of techs who will be the best fit for communication styles, work preferences, and efficiency,” Gudmundson said. “Pegasus Match-
IT has improved client retention to record levels. No matter how well IT is documented, clients appreciate working with the same people who personally know them well. Techs also enjoy working with the same clients, so Match-IT has improved employee retention.”
Pegasus has earned numerous accolades for its work in the business community. The Philadelphia Foundation honored them with a place on the Civic 50 of Greater Philadelphia list in 2021. Pegasus won the Main Line Chamber’s and Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry’s Small Business of the Year awards. Pegasus has been recognized on the CRN Tech Elite 250 list of top Managed Services Providers in North America several years in a row. Pegasus was the 2017 and 2018 Channelnomics MSP of the Year. Channel Futures repeatedly ranked Pegasus in its annual MSP 501 list of top managed services providers. Pegasus CEO Matthew Tucker has been recognized as a Titan 100 Hall of Fame leader as well.
Pegasus has been a proud member of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce for many years. Both Tucker and Gudmundson have served as chairmen of the Chamber board. Today Tucker serves on the board of the Greater West Chester Chamber and Gudmundson serves on the board of the Chester County Community Foundation.
More details can be found at https://pegasustechnologies.com. Pegasus also welcomes telephone calls at 610-444-8256 and visitors to their Kennett Square office on McFarlan Road.
LCH Health and Community Services
‘A safety net for the community’
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer
LCH opened its doors in Oxford in 2016. That first location was near the Oxford Square Mall and the organization almost instantly realized there was a big need for good, affordable health care in the Oxford area. It didn’t take long before the numbers showed they needed a larger base of operation that was located in a safe, walkable area of the borough.
In 2021, they found a larger, more suitable location at 14 S. Third Street in Oxford. Nestled in the center of the borough amid the shops, restaurants, and the post office, it was a logical place to locate in order for them to achieve their mission. Three years later and the location has proven to be perfect.
Ronan W. Gannon, Chief Executive Officer of LCH explained, “When we saw a need in Oxford for community health care in 2016, we committed to Oxford for the long haul. Our major expansion in 2021, to a much bigger building, gave us more exam rooms and doubled our clinical staff.”
The location is within walking distance to many of their clients. When the borough’s new parking garage was built behind their current location, parking spaces were also provided for their clients and staff. Free parking is available to patients during business hours. There are spaces on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the garage with LCH parking signs.
Although LCH, which had their beginnings in 1973, began as a social service agency for agricultural farm workers, its name and outreach has changed through the years. It is not just for the Latino community – it is for everyone. In 2012 La Comunidad Hispana became LCH.
Insurance or no insurance, LCH will take care of their clients. They evaluate everyone to determine eligibility for discounted services. Their sliding scale fees are based on income and family size. They don’t turn anyone away due to inability to pay.
LCH is known for listening, caring and healing. They have a holistic approach to primary care, not only for one group but for the whole community. You will also see the same provider at each visit.
Gannon explained, “We provide integrated, person-centered care through our health centers and dental center, and
education services in our three locations in Kennett Square, West Grove, and Oxford. We offer accessible, equitable, and expert care, so that all of our patients can thrive and be happy. We emphasize preventative care, and educate our patients on how life experiences and influences at work and at home can affect overall health.”
LCH provides physical exams and wellness visits. Their doctors and medical specialists see all ages and are happy to complete school/camp physicals and sports physicals. They also provide immunizations. They follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control for vaccinations. They are also there to provide diagnosis and treatment for chronic illnesses. They screen, diagnose, and provide treatment for diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. If addressed early, they may even be able to help prevent serious complications from these diseases like stroke, heart attack or kidney problems.
LCH is also able to provide assistance with minor injuries, aches, and pains. The doctors and providers can help you heal more quickly from accidents and relieve pain from common injuries like sprains, cuts, burns or minor eye trauma. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call 911, but, if you have a problem that does not need an emergency room visit, LCH can help.
Behavioral health counseling is also available. Their friendly team of behavioral health consultants work with their Oxford primary care providers to support mental health and wellness.
LCH also prides itself on being transparent.
Last year 8,409 patients were seen in Oxford. The total visits for all of the LCH sites totaled 34,000 patients.
“We have hired a new dentist and he will be coming next month to our office in West Grove,” Gannon said. “We take Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance.”
“We often have patients that don’t have transportation, so LCH has a partnership with Uber Health and they will pick up and transport patients,” Gannon said. “We are committed to Oxford. We love the community. It is vibrant and friendly. We are always focused on meeting the needs of our community. We are here as a safety net for the community. I see LCH centers as a bright spot in otherwise broken health care centers in the U.S.”
For more information, or to make an appointment, call 610-444-7550.
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Creating comfort at the Fairfield Inn & Suites
By Gabbie Burton Contributing Writer
The charms and appeal of southern Chester County are abundant for anyone visiting the area. Whether it’s the lush plant life of Longwood Gardens, the innovative breweries and wineries, or the peace of winding roads overlooking Amish farms, there is no shortage of sights to admire. While there is plenty to see and do in the area, options for accommodations are conversely surprisingly limited.
“There aren’t very many hotels in this area,” said Nancy Taltoan, the area general manager for the Kennett Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Hilton Garden Inn.
Both the Fairfield and the Hilton are two of the only hotels servicing Kennett Square and surrounding areas. The Hilton has been operating in Kennett Square for 22 years, while the Fairfield is in its 14 year. Both hotels are owned and managed by Onix Group.
Taltoan has been working at the Hilton Garden Inn for 15 months and took on the Fairfield Inn & Suites in midAugust. Originally from Kennett Square, Taltoan has the local knowledge needed to help visitors have the most authentic experience possible while staying in the area. She also recognizes that operating hotels in this area is different than in cities.
“The opposite end of the market is more of a corporate hotel during the week and on the weekends cater more towards weddings and small sports groups,” she said. “This end of the market is more leisure.”
Taltoan shares that this leisure market means tourism in the area. Longwood Gardens is the major attraction of the area and Taltoan said that the Hilton Garden Inn is Longwood’s preferred hotel. Taltoan recommends coming attractions for tourists including the Mushroom Festival and Longwood Wine and Jazz festival. Other local events that bring visitors to the hotels include the Chester County Balloon Festival, the Devon Horse Show and Lincoln University events, including move-in day for students.
As a local however, Taltoan personally recommends visiting downtown West Chester because of its close proximity and the food and atmosphere offered there. Having staff local to the area like Taltoan helps curate the ideal home-like atmosphere the hotels are going for.
“I think the hotels in this area are more personable with the guests,” she said. “You get to know each guest and you get to ask them why they’re in the area and that’s when they tell you their stories. We just remember that when the guests return, we’re
happy to see them and they’re happy to see us.”
Taltoan shared the story of a group of gentlemen that touched her heart in her first week at the Hilton.
“This group of gentlemen were involved with the original specs of the hotel so they signed the permits for the building to be built,” she said. “They had been eating here for breakfast at that board table for 22 years and I don’t know who was more excited for the hotel to reopen—them or us.”
Taltoan expressed her gratitude to the teams at both hotels for the work they put in for their guests.
“One of the best teams I’ve ever worked with, they’re very passionate about what they do,” Taltoan said. “They’re very passionate about taking care of the guests and very proud of their hotel.”
Though visitors to the area may come for many reasons, Taltoan stressed the hospitality teams at both hotels have only one main driving reason in the work they do.
“We are their family away from their family and their home away from their home, and that’s the type of atmosphere we try to create,” she said.
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Rev. Dan Nicewonger, Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen Award recipient, passes away at the age of 55
By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
Rev. Dan Nicewonger, the beloved former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, was honored by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce as its Outstanding Citizen for 2024. The occasion of the presentation took place at the Mendenhall Inn earlier this year.
Nicewonger succumbed to cancer that he had been fighting for the past eight years just two weeks after he received that honor. He passed away at the age of 55 on May 17 at Chester County Hospital.
in 2016 and told his audience at the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting that doctors gave him no more than two years to live. He outlived that prediction by six years.
In a recorded video of the chamber ceremony, he thanked the chamber for the award.
He was called to be the pastor in Kennett Square in 2014. He served in that role until 2021, when he resigned that position to become the elder of outreach and spiritual formation catalyst.
He received a diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer
“This is just beyond anything I ever imagined. … It means a lot to me,” he said.
NIcewonger was the author of several books, worked on a podcast and a blog (https://danielnicewonger.com/) and was the executive director and spiritual formation catalyst of A Place in the Conversation, among other activities.
Known as “Pastor Dan” to many, Nicewonger graduated from Messiah College in 1990 and then earned his master’s degree in divinity from GordonConwell Theological Seminary in 1995.
Nicewonger is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two children, Joseph and Rayann.
Photo courtesy the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
Pictured with Reverend Daniel Nicewonger (seated) are Rev. Annalie Korengel, 2019 Outstanding Citizen; Rev. David Grainson; Dr. Marvin Williams; Rev. Kenneth Buck; Fr. Chris Rogers; and Pastor Gustavo Castanada.
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce Membership Index
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