Western Chester County Life Fall 2017 Edition by Ad Pro Inc.

Fall/Winter 2017

WESTERN Chester County LIFE

Magazine

Fall/Winter 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 1 Complimentary Copy

Inside - Hundreds of riders to Bike the Brandywine - Planning for Route 30 Bypass reconstruction is under way - Coatesville Vintage Car Grand Prix

Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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2017 • Volume 1——

Western Chester County Life

Table of Contents Fall/Winter 2017 Meet our Member Rhoads Energy celebrating their 100th Anniversary...............14 Darryl Barber & Sons Plumbing & Heating............................22 Citadel Celebrating their 80th Anniversary ............................36 Chester County Technical College High School ....................42 Krapf Group / 75th Anniversary.............................................46 Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers ................................................54 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.................................................58

Featured Articles Brandywine Conservancy’s “Bike the Brandywine” ...............10 Coatesville Vintage Grand Prix..............................................18 Route 30 Bypass Projects moving forward.............................24 National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum ................................28 Art Partners Studio.................................................................38 Farm to Table Restaurants .....................................................48

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In Each Issue WCCCC President Mike Guyer ...............................................8 Chamber Calendar and Community ........................................9 TMACC Executive Director Tim Phelps .................................27 CCPC Executive Director Brian O’Leary ................................32 CCEDC President Gary Smith ................................................41 Honey Brook Community Partnership President Donna Horvath ......................................................44 Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance Executive Director Sonia Huntzinger.....................................52 Parkesburg Action Commmittee ............................................57 WCCCC Directory by Category .............................................60

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new news, ew e ews, wss,, events eve events, vents, ve nts ts, a and nd inf inform information orm rmati ation ati o vis on visititt www www.We ww www.WesternChesterCounty.com—— .We WesternC W ste ernChes rnC nChes hester ter e Cou County nty y.co com—— m——

Revitalization, local commerce and history

he Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to bring you our inaugural issue of Western Chester County Life Magazine in partnership with The Chester County Press. Founded in 1916 as the Coatesville Chamber of Commerce, becoming the Coatesville Area Chamber in the 1940s, and to service our neighboring townships, we became the Western Chester County Chamber in 1975. The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 101st year with the continued commitment to this area to help connect our members and the community to new ideas, resources, and building relationships. This has never been more prevalent as it is today with so much going on in our community, such as the revitalization of Coatesville, the Coatesville Grand Prix, area road and train station improvements and expansion of our hiking & biking trails. Our community offers an abundance of benefits for both work and play. Michael Guyer You can bicycle through our parks that will take you along the beautiful Brandywine River. Many restaurants throughout our footprint provide farm-to-table fresh foods. Seven different 18-hole golf courses offer different degrees of difficulty, all while embracing our rolling landscape. There is so much western Chester County has to offer, and we will do whatever is necessary – working in conjunction with state & local government, PennDOT, and local businesses – to help strengthen our communities. Our chamber plans to be even more visible this year by encouraging members and residents to buy local. The next time you are shopping at a local business, ask them if they are a Chamber member. Currently, we have over 340 members within the Chamber from local industries who have nominated our Board of Supervisors who meet monthly to discuss new ways we can support our local commerce and help bring awareness to our residents. As President, I encourage Chamber members and residents to take the time to stop in and visit one of our meetings. The input you provide could be invaluable. For a listing of our upcoming events, please visit our website at www.westernchestercounty.com. Remember, the chamber is here to support Western Chester County, its businesses and citizens. If you have questions, please contact the Chamber at 610-384-9550, or stop by during business hours at the Lukens Executive building, 50 S. First Avenue, Coatesville, PA 19320. All the best, Michael Guyer WCCCC President

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Western Chester County Chamber events All Chamber events are open to the public. Discover the connections to grow your business! Thursday, August 24 WCCCC Corporate Citizenship Breakfast 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Handi-Crafters, Thorndale Wednesday, August 30 Networking & Tours 4:30-6:30 p.m. HiHo Work Space, Honey Brook Wednesday, September 6 Networking & Entertainment 4:30-6:30 p.m. Golf Zone & Annabelle’s Cafe, Honey Brook Thursday, September 14 Making Connections Happy Hour 4:30-6:30 p.m. APA Certified Public Accountants, Coatesville Tuesday, September 19 Agricultural Tour 4:30-7:00 p.m. Lundale Farm, South Coventry Thursday, September 28 Networking & Tours 4:30-6:30 p.m. Graber Supply, Atglen

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Tuesday, October 3 Hiking Or Golf then Networking Together 3:00 - Hiking or Golf 9 holes then Networking 5:00-7:00 p.m. Hiking at Wolf’s Hollow, Golf at Moccasin Run Golf Club, networking back at Moccasin Run, Atglen

Thursday, November 9 Making Connections Happy Hour 4:30-6:30pm Rocco & Anna’s, Parkesburg

Thursday, October 5 Municipal Candidate Meet & Greet 5:00-7:00 p.m. Technical College High School Brandywine, Downingtown

December Member Appreciation Luncheon Freedom Village Brandywine

Thursday, October 12 9 Chamber Alliance Mega Mixer & Biz Expo 5:00-7:00 p.m. Church Farm School, Exton Wednesday, October 18 Economic Forecast 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Downingtown Country Club

Thursday, November 16 WCCCC Annual Dinner 5:00-8:30 p.m. Coatesville Country Club

January Extravaganza 4:30-7:00 p.m. Victory Brewing Parkesburg February Home Show March Municipal Update Luncheon 11:00-1:30 p.m. G.A. Vietri, Sadsburyville

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Hundreds of riders to Bike the Brandywine Second annual event, set for Sept. 30, promotes importance of protecting lands and waterways

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By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

ew could argue the natural beauty of Chester County, with its rolling hills, shimmering creeks and lush, green spaces. But how much have you really seen? If your view has been limited to what’s outside your car window, the folks at the Brandywine Conservancy have a suggestion: Take a bike ride. More specifically, participate in their Bike the Brandywine event on Sept. 30, in which cyclists choose one of three routes roughly following the east and west branches of the Brandywine Creek. We made every effort to take cyclists past the areas of protected open space, and past cultural and historical features, said Rob Daniels, a senior land-use planner with the conservancy, and a ride organizer.

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‘[Last year’s ride] brought in people’s understanding that a greenway is a conservation corridor, that it has recreational offerings, and that it [includes] a lot of very natural scenic, historic and cultural beauty that we have in the area.’ The ride concept, said Daniels and fellow organizer Meredith Mayer, is to highlight the Brandywine Creek Greenway, a corridor of linked greenspace which runs through 25 municipalities. The 30-mile public and private strip of varying widths stretches from near Honey Brook in the northwest to the Delaware state line near Chadds Ford in the southeast. The greenway, which extends out from the creek and includes recreational lands, waters and area attractions, is a conservancy initiative underscoring the importance of preserving and protecting the area’s natural lands and waterways. The establishment of the greenway is an ongoing process, as the conservancy works with the municipalities in Chester and Delaware counties. Since 1967, when a group of concerned citizens acted to stop development on a property called Pott’s Meadow in Chadds Ford, the Brandywine Conservancy has protected water, preserved land and engaged communities, using a multi-faceted approach to conservation. The conservancy works with private landowners who wish to see their lands permanently protected, and provides community planning services to municipalities and other governmental agencies. It currently holds 479 conservation and agricultural easements and has facilitated the permanent preservation of more than 63,000 acres of land. The Brandywine River Museum of Art, known internationally for its collection of American art, and the conservancy are part of an organization called the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Daniels explained that within the conservancy there are three arms. Municipal assistance helps municipalities with their planning efforts and ordinances. Stewardship over——For

- Meredith Mayer, Bike the Brandywine organizer

Photo by Natalie Smith

Meredith Mayer and Rob Daniels stand outside the offices of the Brandywine Conservancy in Chadds Ford. Mayer, an associate land-use planner with the conservancy, and Daniels, a senior planner, are organizers for Bike the Brandywine event Sept. 30.

sees the properties belonging to the conservancy and privately owned lands that are protected by conservation easements. The stewardship team goes out once a year to make sure the terms of those easements are being upheld, he said. The third arm is land conservation, which works at acquiring conservation easements as well as properties to own outright. Most recently the conservancy has been working with the Chester County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. We’ve been very active in the Honey Brook area, working to preserve farms, Daniels said. Although the first organized Bike the Brandywine was in 2016, this year’s is part of a year-long celebration of the conservancy’s 50th anniversary. Last year’s ride gave cyclists a choice of traveling a 40- or 80-mile loop. The 2017 riders can take a 25-, 50- or even 100-mile

trek, the longest passing the headwaters of the Brandywine Creek near Honey Brook. The idea really stemmed from trying to take it beyond a theoretical idea of a greenway, said Mayer, who is an associate planner at the conservancy. I think a lot of people think a greenway is a green trail through something … [Last year’s ride] brought in people’s understanding that a greenway is a conservation corridor, that it has recreational offerings, and that it includes a lot of very natural scenic, historic and cultural beauty that we have in the area. Ride organizers list some high points along the way as King Ranch, Springton Manor, Kardon Park, Struble Trail, East Brandywine Trail and Hibernia Park. We’re on the back roads for the most part, said Daniels, himself a

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Continued on Page 12 11

Bike the Brandywine Continued from Page 11

cyclist who’ll be again participating in the ride, so when you drive your car you might not see them. There are a lot of roads out there that are just incredibly scenic. Let’s get [people] out there on their bikes to be able to see what they basically have in their backyard and that they may not be that familiar with. The organizers said they knew they were on the right track last year after hearing from the cyclists. We got an incredible amount of responses. You usually do a survey and hope for 15 percent, but probably about half the riders responded, Daniels said. And we got huge responses, added Mayer. [Ride participants] would write long paragraphs about how scenic it was. Last year’s ride had cyclists passing markers to help them understand the expanse of the lands aided by the Brandywine Conservancy. We labeled properties with signs identifying them as protected, so [cyclists] had a greater sense of all the work that gets done by agencies, non-profits and other conservation organizations to give us such a rich landscape, Mayer said, noting that some of these properties are privately owned. The signs generated such positive feedback that Mayer said they’d be repeating their placements this year. Mayer said the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, one of the conservancy’s partners, was invaluable in helping make last year’s ride a success. It’s awesome to have the chamber on board, in addition to all the businesses in the chamber on board. They’ve been a great partner in terms of shouldering the muscle of the ride. They did all the rest stops last year except for one. They helped us in terms of promoting and making municipal connections and business connections as well. We have a lot of help for this event, Mayer said. Between us and the chamber, we have about 100 volunteers. The volunteers will be handling tasks such as delivering food and water to rest stops, setting up tents and monitoring traffic intersections. It’s a really logistically complicated event, Mayer said, but really fun and rewarding when it happens and you see all these riders show up who are supporting clean water and recreation and our work. Daniels said that new to this year’s Bike the Brandywine will be an after-ride celebration with live music and food. Victory Brewing, a sponsor of the ride, will also be there. It 12

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will be on the grounds of the Chadds Ford Historical Society on Creek Road, where the ride begins and ends. We’re trying to make it more of a festive, post-ride feel, Daniels said. Last year was our first year, so we heavily focused on logistics. Now we’re trying to focus on some of the things we can give back to the riders and make it more sort of a [full] day event. The registration fee for the benefit ride, which is from $50 and $75 depending on date of sign-up, goes toward the conservancy’s clean water programs. Daniels said they want to emphasize that relationship. We’re trying this year to make more of a connection between the ride and the creek itself and water quality. Funds raised from the ride go to water quality programs here and other things to help improve the Brandywine, the organizer said. We want to make that connection to open space, and that it’s all connected to the quality of the water in Brandywine Creek. With three routes, the conservancy is anticipating about 600 riders this year, around a 70 percent increase over 2016. The addition of longer and shorter rides is in hopes of attracting a broader selection of cycling enthusiasts. The 50-mile half-loop was added as a nod to the conservancy’s anniversary, Mayer said. We hope the 25-mile is more inclusive, she said. We think that anyone who’s in shape could do it.

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We would love to offer a more family-friendly route, but the conditions of the roads are such that there isn’t a way to do that from our start and finish locations. But we did have some teenagers ride with their parents last year, which was really impressive. The organizers said they were surprised and pleased by the distance some of the cyclists came for last year’s ride, a trend they’re hopeful will be repeated. We knew there would be local cyclists from the greater Philly area, said Daniels. But we were shocked that we had people from [Washington,] D.C. to Connecticut for the ride. Cyclists from Delaware and Maryland were also there for the fun. We did do a lot of local outreach in promotion for the ride -- bike stores, coffee shops, grocery stores, those kinds of things -- but beyond that it was mostly Facebook, he said. Mayer added, We also did a lot of outreach to bicycle clubs and coalitions. Those communication outlets especially helped spread the word. What impression do the organizers hope the ride will leave on cyclists in the 2017 Bike the Brandywine? It’s that this area of Chester County and the Brandywine Creek Greenway have an awful lot to offer, from open space, cultural and historical resources, Daniels said. We want them to make the connection to the open space, and that it’s all connected to

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Photo by Natalie Smith

Bike the Brandywine organizers Meredith Mayer and Rob Daniels look over a map outlining routes for this year’s ride. Organizers hope the event will bring attention to the Brandywine Creek Greenway.

the quality of the water of the Brandywine Creek. It’s our quality of life, as well, said Mayer. For more information about the Brandywine Conservancy’s Bike the Brandywine on Sept. 30, call 610388-2700 or visit www.brandywine.org. Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@ rocketmail.com

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

After 100 years, Rhoads Energy still going strong Lancaster firm continues to serve customers and its community was hired as a bookkeeper by Rhoads, probably By Natalie Smith never imagining that he would eventually end Staff Writer up as president of the company. veryone called him Mr. Rhoads. So, it’s pretty good how that job interview A sign of respect, to be sure. But Jennifer worked out, Goldbach said, laughing. DeBerdine Goldbach, vice president of As the business grew, so did Rhoads’ commitbusiness development at Rhoads Energy Corp., ment to those around him, as was underscored said the title was also a way for employees and by a Christmas holiday gathering in 1959. the community to acknowledge founder Jerome On Dec. 23, Mr. Rhoads called in several Rhoads’ kindness, generosity and loyalty. of his nieces and nephews and my mom and Rhoads Energy is celebrating its 100th annidad for a meeting at his house, Goldbach said. versary this year -- quite a milestone for any And that’s when he said he decided to incorcompany. And Goldbach, whose family roots in Jerome H. Rhoads and porate and divided up ownership shares of the the firm are as deep as anyone’s, believes that in his wife, Florence. company among seven families. He was kind addition to providing good service, the reason of insuring, for his sake, it would stay a familyfor the Lancaster-based firm’s success has been because we’ve remained committed to community and fam- owned, locally based company. After Rhoads passed away in 1970, his sister-in-law, Anna ily values. The Rhoads family of companies includes heating, Hostetter, became president for a few years. Then DeBerdine cooling and propane options with a presence in five counties. Jerome Rhoads, the history goes, was an ambitious young Jr. took on the mantle of CEO. When [Hostetter] passed away, man who, in 1917, started selling kerosene out of the back of she had willed her ownership in the company to my dad. My a rail car in Quarryville. As his fuel business grew, he branched dad was pretty humbled by that. Both Goldbach and her younger brother, Michael, grew up in out in other areas, including an eatery in that borough that was the family business, including her stint pumping gas at one of eventually called the Rhoads Restaurant. It was in the 1920s when Goldbach’s family entered the the company’s stations. Ever since my brother and I were old picture. Her grandfather, Michael DeBerdine, was a young enough to work, we worked, she said. Her career path initially took her to banking, but her brother man who had been raised in an orphanage and foster care in Philadelphia. Rhoads came across him when DeBerdine was went to work for their father, and in 1999, Michael DeBerdine III took the reins as the fourth CEO of Rhoads Energy. working at a food market in Chester County. But Goldbach would be coming back. I was a banker for 25 Rhoads was impressed by what he saw, and offered years and then spent five years in commercial construction, DeBerdine a job. [Rhoads] thought he was a good worker, Goldbach said of she said. My brother wanted to grow the propane division of her grandfather, who eventually become an invaluable assis- the company. He took me out for a beer one night and we tant and surrogate son to Rhoads and his wife Florence, who talked about it. We went through some independent scrutiny and in the end, we said, ‘Let’s do this.’ So now I work for him. were childless. Goldbach said the siblings have always had a warm relationDeBerdine worked many jobs for Rhoads. In 1929, my father, Michael DeBerdine Jr., was born. [There are stories about ship. We’ve been close all our lives, Goldbach said of her how] he would be sitting in a high chair in the restaurant, brother. We’re like best friends. I would say until my husband because both parents worked there, Goldbach said. Florence Tom came along, Michael was my very best friend. We’ve had Rhoads managed the restaurant, which was within walking a great ride together. Serving the community is second nature to those at Rhoads distance of the Rhoads home. DeBerdine Jr. also later worked in the restaurant. Then he Energy, a tradition of which Goldbach is proud. The cool thing spent a couple years in the service, his daughter said. After he is that my dad and then my brother maintained the values that came home, he was going to apply for a job at a local bank in Mr. Rhoads had. We give a lot of ‘time, treasure and talent’ to Quarryville. He went to Mr. Rhoads and said, ‘What do you the community, she said. Just a few of the organizations with which Rhoads Energy think about me applying for a job there?’ -- Mr. Rhoads was on the bank board of directors -- and Mr. Rhoads said, ‘What do is affiliated: Lancaster General Health Foundation; Lancaster County Community Foundation; Brandywine Health you think about coming to work for me?’ And with his answer to the affirmative, Michael DeBerdine Jr. Foundation; and Girls on the Run.

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Michael was one of the founding members of the local Challenger Little League and today remains very involved, Goldbach said. He’s also on the board of Milagro House. We are very involved in the United Way. We host their annual trike race, which is a kickoff to their campaign season. Rhoads Energy’s 115 employees are also urged to give back. We encourage our employees to give time to volunteer. If they do, and they document it for us, we will donate $10 for every hour, up to 20 hours a year, Goldbach said. We ask people, ‘What’s your passion?’ Those who can donate their time, should. Business group affiliations include the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, the Lancaster chamber named DeBerdine as Small Businessperson of the Year, and in 2015, the Rhoads Family of Companies was named Business of the Year by the Central Penn Business Journal. What’s next for Rhoads Energy? Our focus is growing the propane division, Goldbach said, pointing to the fuel’s flexibility in being able to handle everything from cooking to heating a pool to powering a fireplace. But it can do still more. We’ve really embraced the school bus market, she said. We’re helping schools that want to get away from diesel and move to propane-powered buses. [The fuel] is less expensive, cleaner – emissions are 80 percent less than a diesel bus -- and the noise reduction is by 50 percent. Celebrating a century continues for Rhoads Energy. The company is sponsoring a Sept. 21 performance by the Uptown Band at the Solanco Fair. Come out and dance, Goldbach said. More information about Rhoads Energy Corp. is available at RhoadsEnergy.com. Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com

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Members of the Rhoads Energy team participating in the Lancaster County Community Foundation Extraordinary Give event last November. The company was a sponsor, and the event raised more than $7 million in 24 hours. Front, from left: Marketing Coordinator Heather Stehman and Goldbach; back row: President and CEO Mike DeBerdine, Delivery Operations Manager Amy Stackhouse and Director of Operations Luke Senkowski.

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Calendar of Events Regional Community Days August 19 – East Brandywine September 9 – Caln September 9 – South Coatesville September 16 – Atglen September 23 - Warwick County Park Live Music Friday night at Victory Brewing Company in Parkesburg Join us every Friday night at Parkesburg from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. for some live music! Come enjoy some beers, listen to some tunes and ease into your weekend. We’ll be featuring local bands.

August 19 Creepy Crawly Critters Nature Play Day Bugs and beetles and worms, oh my! Look all around to find creatures in Ollie Owl’s NaturePlayGround. ChesLen Preserve. 10 a.m. - noon. natlands.org/events/.

August 19 BrewBQ 2017 at at Victory Brewing Company in Parkesburg We are excited to announce that our 9th Annual BrewBQ will take place on Saturday, August 19th from 1 p.m. -6 p.m. at our Parkesburg brewery. Visit www.victorybeer.com.

Through September 3 Hibernia Mansion Tours The mansion will be open to the public for tours. Hibernia Mansion, as you see it today, reflects the change of lifestyle and social status of its various owners for over two hundred years. Long the home of Ironmasters, it expanded with their increased prosperity. Hibernia County Park. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. chesco.org/1785/Hibernia-Mansion

Through December 2 Sip & Style Craft Workshop First Saturday of the month. Sip Black Walnut wine and create unique, handcrafted, up-cycled gifts and décor with the ladies of JL Style Sisters. Each month you will create a new project to decorate your space or give as a thoughtful gift. Black Walnut Winery. 1 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Reservations required. blackwalnutwinery.com/events.php. 16

Weekends September 16 through November 5 Hurricane Hill Corn Maze This year’s theme – The Great Train Adventure! Take a fascinating ride through the history of the railroad in America. Maze design includes a dynamic view of a steam. locomotive. Hurricane Hill Farm. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. hhfmaze.com.

September 16 August 25, September 29, October 27, November 24 Final Friday Parkesburg The 200 block of Main Street will host the event with local businesses, vendors, community groups, food and live music. Come and celebrate all that Parkesburg has to offer! 200 Block Main Street. 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. facebook.com/pg/PAC19365/posts/.

September 9 Beats and Brews Live music, local brews, and good friends a.m.id stunning landscape. ChesLen Preserve. 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. natlands/org/events/.

September 9 Northbrook Canoe Company Canoe & Dine, Twilight Dinner Trip Join us for an evening canoe trip departing at 6 p.m. for the Corcoran’s Bridge 1.5 hour canoe trip. When you arrive back at Northbrook, a catered dinner will be served in our picnic grove followed by a bonfire under the stars to finish off the evening. northbrookcanoe.com

September 11 Coatesville Remembers Guests are invited to quiet reflection among the World Trade Center Steel Tridents that will be on display, and to view various works of art, videos, student projects and other commemorative pieces in the Lukens Executive Office Building. The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum. All day beginning at 8:45 a.m. steelmuseum.org.

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Honey Brook Harmony Day The Honey Brook Community Partnership will sponsor an Old Time Country Fair at the fire company. Flea market & Vendor space available, food trucks, public health and wellness fair, strolling musicians, and much more. Fire Hall Carnival Grounds. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. honeybrookborough.net.

September 16 Canine Partners for Life Open House & Cow Bingo The mission of Canine Partners for Life is to increase the independence and quality of life of individuals with physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities or who are in other situations of need. We achieve our mission by providing and sustaining professionally trained service and companion dogs. 1 p.m. -5 p.m. Manor Presbyterian Church, Cochranville k94life.org.

September 17 Family Fishing at Springton Manor Fishing is a great way to connect with your family! Learn knot-tying, casting, baiting and unhooking a fish. All equipment provided and no fishing license is required. BYOB - bring your own bait! Springton Manor Farm. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Registration required. chesco.org/2433/ September-2017.

September 23 Sadsbury Township Tricentennial Day The event marks the 300th anniversary of the year the township was organized. Events include an opening ceremony, blood drive, baton twirling contest, and karate display, with more to be scheduled. Gateway Church. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. parks.sadsburytwp.org/300.

September 23 Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix The 2017 Grand Prix features race cars from 1900 to 1965 and motorcycles from 1940 to 1965. The race is an individually timed driving event, run over a 2.2 mile course through the streets and neighborhoods of the City of Coatesville. Start/ Finish Line 50 feet east of 3rd Avenue and Lincoln Hwy. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. coatesvillegrandprix.com.

September 30 Bike the Brandywine Celebrate the Brandywine Conservancy’s 50th Anniversary and bike along the Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside. New for this year, three routes with distances of 25, 50, or 100 miles will be offered. Start/End location at Chadds Ford Historical Society. 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. brandywine.org/ bikeride.

October 1 Marshalton Triathlon The Marshalton Triathlon is Chester County’s premier community and sporting event that has flourished for forty years and counting. First run in 1973, it is considered one of the longest continually running triathlons in the country. With its first running primarily recreational for the patrons of the Marshalton Inn, the race has become an annual tradition for families and friends from all portions of Chester County. The race begins and ends in the village of Marshallton, and participants race over ten miles of beautiful Chester County. The race includes bicycling, canoeing and fast walking. The Marshalton Triathlon has grown from

sixty competitors, in that first year, to include as many as 2200 participants and a thousand or more spectators. A unique feature of our race is that it is open to beginners; with a shorter race course than most traditional triathlons, allowing the 8-16 year old age group participants. marshaltontriathlon.net/

October 7 Fall Flying Festival A community outreach event in its sixth year, the festival features free admission, static aircraft displays, aircraft fly-bys, music and other activities for the whole family. Airplane rides will be available and several food vendors will be on site. Chester County G.O. Carlson Airport. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. fallflyingfestival.com.

October 7 Chester County Day House Tour Walking tour of Marshall Square Park area in West Chester Borough and The Northwest Quadrant of Chester County. chestercountyday.com.

October 21 ChesLen Chase for Open Space 2017 Get ready to run for nature at our 4th annual trail race, featuring 10K, 5K, 2-Mile Fun Run-Walk, and lively postrace party! ChesLen Preserve. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. natlands.org/events/.

November 25 through December 9 Chester County Best Kept Secrets Tour Set up like a home or garden tour, you’ll travel place to place, in your own vehicle—going where you want, when

QUIK-STOP PHARMACY

Drive Thru and Delivery Service ROBERT A. STEELE, R.PH.

ALISSA F. STEELE-GRIFFITH, R.PH.

610-384-6100 610-384-6110 Fax 3506 E. Lincoln Hwy. Thorndale, PA 19372

you want. Your ticket is valid the entire time—do what you can in a day or take 16 days—it’s up to you. All tour shops are open at least Monday thru Saturday from 10 to 5. Gift & home accessory stores in barns, log cabins, Victorian mansions, old factories, private homes or stone mills, farmers’ markets, farms with products and animals, unique cafes, gourmet food shops, orchards, specialty shops, artists’ galleries, potters’ studios, greenhouses, factory stores, vintage shops, woodworking shops, antique stores, clothing, jewelry and more. Every tour is different. We are always finding new tucked away treasures to share with you. Visit www.bestkeptsecretstour.com.

December 2 Coatesville Christmas Parade Coatesville’s main street is lined with thousands of spectators, watching bands, floats, school groups, cub scouts, brownie troops, antique and customized autos, fire trucks, clowns, and many others welcoming Santa and the official start of the holiday season. Lincoln Highway starting at Strode Avenue and ending at 11th Avenue. 10 a.m. coatesvillechristmasparade.com.

December 8 Holiday Open House Stroll through candle lit grounds, enjoy holiday refreshments, listen to carolers and the Lukens Band, tour beautifully decorated, historic buildings, shop at the museum store, share your child’s delight at the train display and be sure to slip your wish list to Santa! The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. steelmuseum.org.

Susan V. Scott-Hernandez Vice President Branch Manager II - Thorndale 3909 Lincoln Highway Downingtown, PA 19335 phone: 610-873-9600 fax: 610-873-6301 susan_hernandez@keybank.com

Mon-Fri 9:30 to 8:00 | Sat 9:30 to 5:00 | Sun 10:00 to 2:00 www.qstoppharmacy.com • qstoppharmacy@yahoo.com ——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Racing through the city Coatesville to hold Vintage Grand Prix in September By Phyllis Rowan

tep back almost 90 years in history, when Lincoln Highway through Coatesville was the major route between Philadelphia and Lancaster and other points west. Cars rumbled down the street while residents waved to them from the sidewalks. On Saturday, Sept. 23, that bit of history will return to the city when Coatesville holds its second Invitational Vintage Grand Prix. It all began in July 2015 when City Manager Mike Trio was inspecting buildings slated for redevelopment as part of the city’s Gateway Project at the corner of First Avenue and Lincoln Highway. One of those buildings was Dick Miles’ workshop on Diamond Street. Miles has been described as a machinist, a vintage motorcycle and go-kart racer and a magician – calling himself Houdini in his act. He has the Gasoline Alley of Coatesville, I call it, Trio said. When I walked in, I said, ‘Holy smokes.’ Miles’ workshop is filled with cars, motorcycles, go-karts, scooters and much more. It was a total visual overload. Trio admits he’s not a car guy, but he watched the movie Rush, about Formula 1 drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt. He talked about the movie with Miles and ultimately said, ‘Let’s have a race through the city,’ and it started from there. It was word of mouth through the vintage car community that brought the event together. Denis Branca, who serves as chairman of the event, had organized many car shows in the past. He heard about it through Bill O’Connell, who got involved through John Lawless, who was involved with the vintage car and motorcycle show held at the Radnor Hunt. Lawless heard about it from Dick Miles. Ed Simpson was the city council liaison who worked with the group to ensure that the race happened and that all issues were addressed. There are now 18 people on the committee, with additional 18

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support from the city public works department, fire companies and police, State Police, and the county Sheriff’s Department. We had a full effort in putting this all together, Trio said. They also worked with area businesses, encouraging them to sell their wares and food to the many onlookers lining the streets. When we started this, it was a great place for people that owned cars … they go to car shows and have them sitting on a lawn somewhere and people can look at them, but they want to turn it on and run it, Trio said. Last year, there were 15 motorcycles and about 40 cars participating. This year, organizers are anticipating more than 60 vehicles. Cars allowed in are from 1900 to 1965, said Branca. There were some really rare cars here, and having rare cars in an event like this is really impressive. Some of those participating in last year’s event were owner/driver Dave George’s 1936 Indy Champ car Bear Special and former Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil’s restored 1927 Miller Schofield Sprint car. Len Rusiewicz brought his Le Mans-prepared and raced 1969 Ferrari 365 Daytona prototype. Roger Radbill’s original 1923 Mercer Raceabout was the oldest car there. Many are expected to return this year. Just like last year, the cars will race through city neighborhoods on a 2.2-mile course, with the start and finish lines at Third Avenue and Lincoln Highway. The Vintage Grand Prix is not a wheel-to-wheel race. Each car runs alone and is individually timed. Speed on the eight-block race will be challenged by hay bale chicanes arranged along the route, recalling the early days of racing. Dick Miles will again serve as course marshal. Racers have been broken down into groups. Group 1 is set aside for 1900 to 1940 open-wheel race cars; Group 2 for 1940 to 1965 four-cylinder race cars; Group 3 for 1940 to 1965 six-cylinder cars; and Group 4 for 1940 to 1965

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eight- and 12-cylinder race cars. Group 5 is for 1940 to 1965 motorcycles. New this year is Group 6, for 1900 to 1965 nonrace cars. There is only one other non-professionally run race, and that is in Pittsburgh, according to Trio. We are the only other one right now. We understand that there hasn’t been one that races past buildings in a city since the 1952 or 1953 Watkins Glen. So this is a historic race, he said, adding that the Pittsburgh race is run through a park. The bottom line is this is not a money-making venture, Trio

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said. It’s an economic development project. According to Trio, funds raised through the event will go to the Coatesville parks capital budget to improve and repair playground equipment and water features throughout the city. But the biggest boost will be to the city’s image. About 5,000 people attended the event last year, many of whom might not have come into Coatesville before. It’s a huge positive image-building event for the city, said Branca, event chairman.

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

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Racing Continued from Page 19

Many of the people that have the money to restore and race these cars have funds that can be used elsewhere – in Trio’s case, he’s hoping they see development opportunities. The star of the show this day is the city, Trio said. We want to bring people in that may not usually come into the city proper and see the bones of the city and the buildings, the business and the real estate opportunities here. And it brings recognition. The city is coming back in economic development programs, Trio said, citing the Gateway Project and the new $25 million to $30 million Amtrak station and mixed-use project between Third and Fourth avenues, scheduled for completion in 2021. It’s a big event for the city and it takes a lot of commitment from the city, Trio said. It also takes a big commitment from the residents. Because the neighborhood streets are used for the race, many residents had to find alternative routes to and from their homes. But after last year’s inaugural race, while city personnel were cleaning up, Trio witnessed the positive reaction from the neighbors. Parents and kids were coming out of their houses and saying, ‘Are we going to do this again next year? It was the best thing that’s been done in the city.’ I was totally surprised by [how the residents] embraced it, Branca said. And this year they plan more activities, a DJ, more food trucks and entertainment. I think it’s going to be better than last year. We have planted the seed and gotten it to grow. Now we have to sustain it, Trio said. We’ve got to make sure that, 10 years from now, this thing keeps moving and keeps getting better and the city keeps growing.

Empowering youth and their families to live victoriously by offering a safe, engaging, Spirit-filled environment.

Parkesburg POINT Youth Center

700 Main Street, P.O. Box 731, Parkesburg, PA 19365

610-857-3393

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For information, visit www. coatesvillegrandprix.com or the Facebook page for Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix. The free event will be held Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The start/finish line is located at Third Avenue and Lincoln Highway.

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news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

Barber & Sons firm cares about its customers It’s ‘all in the family’ for Honey Brook plumbing and heating company By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

amily means a lot to Darryl Barber. As the owner of Darryl Barber & Sons Plumbing and Heating, the Honey Brook man has been in the business a long time. And he’s always been a local guy. Born in Coatesville Hospital – the old Coatesville Hospital on [Route] 82 and lived in Thorndale; there’s a pharmacy where my house used to be, Barber said with a laugh. Barber is joined in his day-to-day business by two of his sons: Chad, the eldest; and Jordan, his third-born. Youngest son Christian is helping by working as a laborer, but his interests lay in other areas, Barber said. He has plans to be a state policeman. Barber’s second son, Joshua, died in a 2007 car accident. The business isn’t just plumbing and HVAC. Among the services Barber offers are bathroom and kitchen remodeling, carbon monoxide testing and geothermal system installations. As third-generation plumbers, Chad and Jordan are following in the footsteps of their grandfather, George L. Barber. Darryl Barber and his brother also helped their father in his plumbing business. I’ve been around plumbing and heating

all my life, Barber said. He also learned his work ethic from his dad, who worked as a pipefitter for Lukens Steel during the day, and had his own plumbing business after hours. Folks knew that they could call him and leave a message, and after he was done work, he’d be over. He worked 16 hours a day his whole life. It was the death of his father that started another period for Barber. When I was 18, he passed away, but I didn’t know enough to take over his business. So, what I started doing was going to trade school in the evening. I was a welder by day -worked in a fabrication shop for about two years while I was going to trade school. Well, it got to the point for the last two years of trade school, you have to work for a master plumber. I went to work for a company [Craig D. Reynolds Plumbing & Heating in Coatesville], and my idea was to work there for two years and then start my own business. Life doesn’t always go according to plan. A year and a half after working there, he made me shop foreman … I ended up working there for 18 years, Barber said. He gained experience and when he was ready, in 2004, he ventured out on my own. I wanted something for my boys

Photo courtesy of Darryl Barber

Darryl Barber (right) owns a plumbing and heating business in Honey Brook. He was happy to bring oldest son Chad (center) and third son Jordan into the family business.

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to eventually take over and run. Barber said nothing pleases him more than to be working with his sons. It’s pretty nice for the most part. No, actually, it’s perfect, he said. I know my boys inside and out and know they’re 100 percent trustworthy. “It shows when I get calls all the time praising my sons and how much customers like them. I get calls and letters stating that, you know, ‘Your sons are so nice and pleasant and helpful.’ It is a proud moment when you get these types of calls. You don’t always hear from customers unless something’s wrong, but when they do take the time to call you and say how everything turned out perfect, that is really nice.” But it’s not just his sons who make Barber proud. His daughter Savannah is studying early childhood development, with her eye on teaching special-needs children. An equestrian, she wants to incorporate horses in therapy for the children. Barber reluctantly admits having a soft spot for his only daughter. But we won’t talk about that, he said, laughing. Let’s put it this way: I said no to one horse and she has six; I said no to a goat, and she has three; I said no to a cat, so right now we have five. Barber’s wife Payton is a partner with Amy Pippin in S&S Stables, a 32-acre horse-boarding facility in West Caln. They also offer riding lessons and both are 4-H-certified counselors, Barber said. Although he’s busy, he does find time to be involved in the community. He’s president of the West Caln Sportsmen’s Club in Wagontown and worshipful master (that’s basically the president) of Brandywine-Goddard Lodge No. 383 of the Masons in Coatesville. Although he’s pleased with how the business is going, Barber is looking toward the future. He is also torn. I basically want to keep building my list of good customers. Ninety percent of the customers I work for, we just enjoy them and helping them with their problems. But I don’t know how big I want to get. We’re all in the trade because we like it and want to make a living. But I don’t want to ever become one of those big companies. And I don’t ever want to be a bad company. I want [my sons] to be technicians that can solve the problem on their own. I just won’t hire off the street. I’m probably missing some good guys. But I’m a family-run business and it means something to me. If something ever happened, I’d feel terrible if it was a guy who worked for me who caused it. If it just stayed me and my boys forever, I’d be pretty happy. But I think I’d need one or two more guys to be in the area I need to be in. When I -- or if I -- ever decide to retire, my boys are prepared to take over and I have them in a position where they can pretty much take over, and the place is running turnkey. I try to involve them as much as I can in the office. They’re out in the field every day. They have a good relationship with my customers. Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com. ——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Planning for Route 30 Bypass reconstruction is under way PennDOT seeks public input for $835 million highway rebuilding, widening project By Natalie Smith

becoming more frequent and those delays can put a serious crimp in future economic development. In the western section of the reconstruction effort, onsidering all the twists and turns it will the current plan is for two lanes in each direction take to make improvements to U.S. Route to remain at 12 feet wide, while shoulders will 30 in Chester County, PennDOT is seekincrease from 10 feet to 12 feet, and a median baring a partner in its decision-making: The public. rier will be installed. The one thing I’d like them to know is we’re On its website, PennDOT has identified five indiopen and listening to their thoughts on the projvidual projects and the problems that it wants to ect, said Tim Stevenson, the state Department address pertaining to U.S. 30. of Transportation’s design portfolio manager of In the western section: Engineering District 6-0. • U.S. Business 30 and PA Route 10 – Problems Stevenson encouraged residents to go on the identified are lack of safety, road conditions and project’s website, www.us30-chesco.com, and congestion/growth. This project consists of a 1.7examine the conceptual design alternatives for mile corridor of U.S. 30 in Sadsbury and West the $835 million reconstruction effort, then Sadsbury, extending from about 1,250 feet west of respond with questions, comments or ideas. Photo by Natalie Smith It’s been almost 60 years since the 14-mile A 14-mile corridor of Route 10 to about 1,000 feet east of the Old Mill corridor was built. More familiarly known as the U.S. Route 30 through Road overpass. This project is planned to include Route 30 Bypass or the Coatesville-Downingtown Chester County will improvements to the Route 10 and Business Route Bypass, the highway passes through Coatesville, be under construction 30 approaches to Route 30. by PennDOT to make • Airport Road -- – Problems identified are, road Downingtown, Caln, East Caln, Sadsbury, it safer, improve road Valley, West Brandywine, West Caln and West conditions and ease conditions and congestion/growth. This project consists of a 3.9-mile corridor of Route 30 in Sadsbury. The transportation department has congestion. Sadsbury, Valley, and West Caln, extending from split the pending reconstruction project into eastern and western sections, with Reeceville Road being the about 1,000 feet east of the Old Mill Road overpass to about 950 feet east of the Wagontown Road overpass. This projdividing line. All those years of traffic volume have taken their toll, and ect will include improvements to the Route 30/Airport Road the number of vehicles is increasing. Stevenson said currently Interchange. • PA Route 82 – – Problems identified are lack of safety, the bypass near Route 10 sees 20,000 cars a day, while at the Norwood Road and Route 113 ramps, it’s not uncommon to road conditions and congestion/growth. This project consists of a 2.1-mile corridor of Route 30 in Coatesville and Valley, handle 75,000 vehicles daily. That section has more traffic on it than, say, the [Pennsylvania] extending from about 950 feet east of the Wagontown Road Turnpike does where it goes through Chester County, he said. overpass to about 2,000 feet west of Reeceville Road. This The motivation for the entire project is twofold. First, project will include improvements to the Route 30/Route 82 PennDOT says that a combination of increasing traffic vol- Interchange and the Route 82/Route 340 intersection. • On the eastern section of the U.S. 30 reconstruction projumes and aging and deteriorating road surfaces means the highway, as constructed, is beginning to show more signs of ect, from East Reeceville Road to Business Route 30/Quarry deficiencies. Regular travelers on the highway are aware of Road, the plan is for Route 30 to be bumped up to three, 12-foot lanes, 12-foot shoulders and a median barrier. Other those deteriorating conditions. Second, continued construction growth and population interchanges affected include PA Route 340, U.S. Route 322 increases in the western part of Chester County, along the (Manor Avenue) and PA Route 113/Norwood Road. • Improvements will also be made to the Intelligent U.S. 30 corridor from PA Route 10 west toward Lancaster County, means that delays along the current highway are Transportation System electronic displays.

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Photo by Natalie Smith Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

An overview of the U.S. Route 30 Bypass projects in the western section of the project.

PennDOT has had two public meetings this year, one in Wagontown and one in Downingtown. Stevenson said they were both well attended and people were responsive. We had a good representation of folks coming in asking questions and participating, he said. We had boards, displays of all the alternatives that are on the website. We had engineers explaining what the concepts were and how they'd operate. We’ve received a lot of comments relating to Norwood [Road in Downingtown] and [PA Route] 113. That's probably one of the areas that has the biggest change as far as how many lanes are going to be widened and what that construction would look like, as well as potentially eliminating the Norwood Road ramps, Stevenson added. For example, the [Minquas Fire Company No. 2] moved from their headquarters, which used to be off of Business Route 30 in Downingtown. Now they're off [PA Route] 282. They weren’t interested in seeing the Norwood ramp go away because it would have affected their response time. Also, the people who live on both sides of [Route] 30 right there -- we had people suggest such things as using those moveable barriers that you see in the bridges over the Delaware River as a means of dealing with the widening in that area. The way technologies have changed, it's become a more viable opportunity to have our traffic management center flip a switch, that would start a truck, that would move a barrier -- that's a possibility, as compared to a decade or so ago, Stevenson said. There's a situation where elimination of ramps causes consternation with those municipalities, and so we're going to continue to work to come up with a solution at that location. While the project development is in its first stage, Stevenson said they might be moving onto the next step in six months to a year. At which point, we'll have hopefully all our interchange alternatives and/or general alternatives identified, then we'll actually start the preliminary design process, he said. We've taken traffic counts, we've worked with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for traffic projections and so we're analyzing just how the highway would operate in our design year. ——For

U.S. Route 30, looking east from the Reeceville Road overpass. This is the western end of the eastern section of the proposed rebuilding project.

When the project moves on to its preliminary design stage, there are many more aspects that must be investigated. There's a bunch of historic properties, parks that are adjacent to the roadway, streams and things along that line, or that cross the corridor, he said. So we'll be looking at when we reconstruct it, how we can minimize our impact to those resources. So beyond that, eventually after we've gotten through our preliminary design, one of the first things we will do in final design is to put together right-of-way acquisition drawings to acquire any properties that we need to construct the improvements. Then we would begin the conversation to acquire property from individuals, townships, parks -- as well as coordinating with utility companies about relocating their facilities that would be in conflict with our proposed construction activities. A timeline provided by PennDOT stresses that drivers will need to be patient. A project of this scale takes lots of planning, effort, money … and time. Current time estimates of the project have work starting in the mid-2020s, when construction would begin on the western portion of the bypass (west of Reeceville Road). When we do begin construction [there] it’s easier and simpler to advance the project because we're not having to contend with all the tight space issues we have to deal with further east, he said.

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

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Rt. 30 Bypass Continued from Page 25

The time frame takes into consideration the conceptual design phase [about two years]. The preliminary engineering and environmental evaluation [two to four years] and the final design segment [also, two to four years]. Once all those phases have been accomplished, construction can begin. It’s easy to see why planning is so important when you’re looking at a project that’s likely at least a decade away from completion. It’s also important to note that, according to PennDOT, while planning is continuing on the U.S. 30 reconstruction project, other activities will be taking place on this stretch of highway, including median work and remediation. This work, along with resurfacing of pavement areas, will occur as part of necessary ongoing maintenance. These improvements are not related to the reconstruction projects. Stevenson again underscored how PennDOT was

encouraging people to look at the project alternatives and share their thoughts. We're open and listening to their thoughts about the project. Of course, they shouldn't expect to see the improvements in a year’s time, unfortunately. It’s not like new software that comes out every year; there can be an expectancy that we can deliver these changes quickly. Unfortunately, it's a longer process and people just need to be patient while we advance the project. I can't implore enough for people to provide comment and let us know what they're thinking. If they have a better mousetrap that would improve one of these interchanges to make it work better, we're open to hearing it. Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com.

Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

A PennDOT map points to the location of the projects in the western section.

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The vital importance of transportation

ransportation is one issue that touches everyone’s life every day. It is how we get to school, work and shop. It is the roads, bridges, sidewalks and tracks that we use every day. Whether by car, bus, train, cab, rideshare, bike or even by foot, we are constantly asking ourselves, Where do we need to be, and how are we getting there? Now, I am almost sure by the time you finished reading the first line, you thought of a transportation issue that has impacted your day or has occurred within the past week. Many people approach transportation as a problem with most conversations beginning with a groan; where is the bus? I was sitting in traffic, when will they fix that pothole, the train was late, again, and the construction is going to last how long? One of the roles that the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) plays is that of a librarian of transportation information, sharing resources about transportation projects in Chester County. As a membership-based, non-profit transportation advocacy organization, we work with the public and private sectors of Chester County to identify transportation issues and recommend solutions that increase connectivity, reduce congestion and improve air quality. Who doesn’t want a more reliable, less stressful commute that enables greener grass and bluer skies? As PennDOT and government agencies plan and fund transportation infrastructure in Chester County, TMACC believes we should be mode agnostic and focus on the holistic approach of the safe, multimodal movement of people, which includes pedestrian, cyclists, motorized vehicles, and public transportation. We advocate for safe and efficient transportation infrastructure, as well as access to and frequency of public transportation. For Western Chester County, there are a number of upcoming opportunities that will enhance the regional transportation infrastructure, provide for alternative commuting options and increase connectivity. From the reconstruction of the Route 30 bypass to the extension of the Chester Valley Trail through Downingtown, as well as the redevelopment of the Coatesville, Downingtown and Exton train stations, there are numerous transportation projects that will enhance the quality of life in Western Chester County. The reconstruction of the Route 30 bypass will benefit the region by reducing congestion and improving travel time, air quality and overall safety. The current design calls for enhancing the interchanges through increased lane capacity and length, which will provide a safer and easier merge

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on and off the highway. Ultimately, this reduces the idle time of vehicles and improves the air quality. Having the Chester Valley Trail extend to Downingtown provides an additional safe alternative connection for both pedestrians and cyclists. Chester County continues to see an increase of commuter cyclists who travel along the trail from King of Prussia to Exton, as well as on surface streets. The backbone of public transportation in Chester County is the Amtrak Keystone Corridor and the SEPTA Paoli Thorndale train line. Amtrak service connects to Lancaster, Harrisburg and Pittsburg to the west and Philadelphia and New York City to the east; SEPTA provides service from Thorndale connects to Center City Philadelphia. In 2016, the Urban Land Institute stated that over 52 percent of Americans want to live in a place where they need to use a car less frequently. This means more bike lanes and public transit options will need to be installed to attract more people in our towns. As the county and municipalities around this corridor plan for future mobility, we must encourage and promote Transit Oriented Design (TOD) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) principles. TDM guides the planning process from concept plans to the design build of our physical infrastructure so that alternatives to driving can be safely and naturally encouraged, such as the bike lanes in Coatesville or sidewalks connections along Route 30 in Thorndale. By historic design, communities like Atglen, Parkesburg, Coatesville and Downingtown -- who are already focused toward regional rail – are the precursor to TOD and can be enhanced. As the county projects continued growth, we know through surveys like Landscapes3 that people want more multimodal networks. An alternative to driving along the Route 30 corridor, TMACC operates the Chescobus Link, a fixed public transit bus route, between Parkesburg and the Brandywine Hospital during the day. These bright green buses operate between Coatesville and the Exton Mall during the evenings. The Krapf A bus operates during the day between Coatesville and downtown West Chester. Both of these services provide residents who may not have or want a car with an alternative to access to health care, shopping and employment. Western Chester County has a growing number of mobility options that connect to regional economic hubs. As we ask ourselves, where are we going and how are we getting there?, we have options. To learn more about commuting options, transportation projects, or Chescobus schedules, visit TMACC at www.tmacc.org. Tim Phelps Transportation Management Association of Chester County Executive Director

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Iron and Steel Museum has technology, art and history Legacy of Rebecca Lukens lives on in Coatesville By Natlie Smith Staff Writer

ot many folks can trace their lineage to someone who’s left an indelible mark on Chester County, let alone an entire industry. But Scott Huston’s great-great-great grandmother, Rebecca Lukens, has been called the nation’s first female industrialist,

and the iron and steel business she nurtured in the 1800s ultimately stretched into the next century and beyond. She couldn’t vote, she had limited rights … people try and label her a lot of different things, but I think she was just strong, Huston said of his ancestor, who lived from 1794 to 1854. An educated Quaker, Rebecca Lukens went from being a pregnant widow running a small steel mill to a savvy businesswoman who oversaw numerous enterprises. But steel, and the

All photos by Natalie Smith

This 50-ton steel trident was part of the support columns that were left standing in the northeast corner of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Constructed by Lukens, it and other pieces were returned to the company following the attack. 28

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A sign that was hung in the Lukens Steel plant. James Ziegler is executive director of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum. He’s standing in front of safety gear that had been used in the Lukens Steel mill.

Scott Huston is president of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum in Coatesville and a descendent of Rebecca Lukens. He’s standing on the staircase in the Lukens Executive Office building.

boilerplates made from it, is what welded the Lukens name driveway and wood-paneled rooms have made it a popular into the lifeblood of area, leading to more than two centuries rental location for weddings and other special events. In the process of renovation, and not yet open to the public, of contributing to the construction of ships of all makes. As president of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum is a very significant structure: Brandywine Mansion, the actual home of Rebecca Lukens. She occupied in Coatesville, Huston wants to preserve it from 1816 until her passing in 1854, and share not only his family history, the executive director said. but that of Lukens Steel, which has been All three of the homes are close to one continuously operating in some fashion another, and close to the steel plant. In for more than 200 years. 1994, the U.S. Park Service named the The museum, a venture of the homes and executive building a National Graystone Museum and Historical Historic Landmark. Society of Coatesville, includes homes Funds to help acquisitions and renovathat were residences of Lukens family tions over the years have come from, members, historical emergency vehicles, among others, The Lukens Foundation, items manufactured by Lukens and steelThe Stewart Huston Charitable Trust making exhibits in the Lukens Executive Office building. The area is designated An ad for Lukens Steel Company touting its and The Huston Foundation. In June, products, reprinted from Railway Age, a trade state Sen. Andy Dinniman also helped the Lukens National Historic District. journal for the transport industry, Oct. 14, 1922. to obtain some state funding for the Terracina is among the buildings owned museum. by the Graystone Society on the museum Also among the museum’s collections are works by artist tour. The home of Rebecca Lukens’ daughter, Isabella, it was built in 1850 and is furnished as a house from that period. It’s Klaus Grutzka, an industrial artist who was born in Germany. a beautiful home, said James Ziegler, executive director of the Grutzka’s subjects reflect the industrial age, and many of them are related to the steel industry. Grutzka died in 2011 and the museum. Across South First Avenue from Terracina is majestic museum took ownership of several thousand artworks the next Graystone Mansion, which had been the family home of A.F. year. We have photographed 1,700 to date, said Ziegler, repreHuston, who was Isabella’s son, Rebecca’s grandson and one senting perhaps half of the collection. Several paintings are on of the presidents of Lukens Steel. A.F. Huston had the home built in 1889, and his family lived display throughout the museum. The Grutzka Studio is on the second floor of the Lukens there until the 1930s. Philadelphia architects Walter Cope and John Stewardson designed it in the Collegiate Gothic style, Executive Office Building. But recent larger acquisitions have expanded the museum’s which can be seen at colleges and universities, including Bryn Mawr, Ziegler said. They named it after the color of the build- footprint, and its ability to tell the fuller Lukens story. In October 2016, current plant company owner, Luxembourging. The mansion was sold to the city in 1938, and was used as Coatesville’s city hall until 1992. The building now belongs based ArcelorMittal, donated two buildings to the museum: The former 120-inch rolling mill and the motorhouse. Including a to the Graystone Society. In addition to tours, the mansion’s inherent elegance, curved Continued on Page 30 ——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Lukens Steel Continued from Page 29

side yard, the donated area covers about four acres. The buildings were originally constructed during World War II and the rolling mill was operational until 1982. Museum president Huston said when the transformation is complete, the mill building will be used for larger and more detailed displays, particularly ones that highlight steel’s connection to the world of space and science. Ziegler said the Lukens products were used in the propulsion systems of NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo spacecraft. While currently this is featured in a small-scale presentation, In the museum, we could have a more permanent display, Ziegler said. The larger building will have a micro-climate environment, Huston said, where we would put models and displays. It has a concrete floor, brick walls. It can be heated or cooled. Huston is eager to show how the history of steel is relevant to today’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational emphasis. Iron and steel. How do you make iron and steel? It’s with chemistry, it’s with engineering, it’s with math. And it’s big, cool stuff. Rocket engines and all kinds of fun things. If we can get people interested in that, we think we really have something. We need dedicated space for some of those concepts. The plant’s steel has been used in many ways, including the hulls of America’s Cup racing boats, the Freedom Tower in Manhattan, the Tappan Zee Bridge (over the Hudson River in New York) and U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers. ArcelorMittal currently employs about 700 at the Coatesville plant. During the Civil War, Rebecca’s mill, reflecting her Quaker legacy, did not produce iron for artillery purposes. It did, however, produce iron during the Civil War. But not for the Monitor, one of the iron-clad warships. Every steel mill in this area will tell you they put steel in the Monitor, Huston said with a laugh. Lukens did for a Monitor-class boat, like riverboats and gun boats. Rebecca had this strategic outlook. It was a local company, but it had a nationwide market. She had selling agents in Boston, New York, Cincinnati, New Orleans – which was closed in the Civil War, but reopened again. She had multiple selling agents. She really had people out there networking for her. A distinctive feature planned for the mill building will be a display of pieces the plant created for the World Trade Center which were left standing after its destruction, the seven sister columns that made up the northeast corner of the North Tower. When you cut them, you’ve got the trident and the base and what we call support columns, Huston said. Fourteen pieces will be re-erected outside the new museum building. Currently, one of the 50-ton tridents is on display as part of a Steelworkers’ Memorial, which pays tribute to steel workers and first responders who lost their lives in Coatesville steel making. Huston also sees importance in telling the stories of the steelworkers. We’re really excited about the mill because that’s where the steel story is told and the steelworker story is told. Someone brings their grandkids back here and they want to show them where they worked. It wasn’t in any of these [Lukens and Huston family] houses. That’s 30

——Fall/Winter

Graystone Mansion was built in 1889 as the family home for Lukens Steel president A.F. Huston. The building later served as Coatesville City Hall for 60 years.

This model of the original water-powered Lukens mill was taken from a drawing of the old mill in the 1950s. The model shows a heating furnace, rolls and a shearing operation. The model was originally constructed for and exhibited at the Hagley Museum of Industrial History.

what’s really key. We’re happy about what we’ve done and where we’re going and who we’re doing it for. Our family history is pretty well preserved and protected. The people who got us there, we need to tell their story. But Huston also sees the tight connection between the steelworkers and the Lukens family themselves. The family’s right here. We’re in this together, he said. They talk about this as a family company -- a word that was thrown around a lot was ‘Lukenite,’

2017 • Volume 1——

if you’re in the family of steelworkers. And it really was a family company beyond that. While the completion of the converted buildings is in the future, Huston has high hopes for the impression this part of the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum leaves on a visitor. I want them to take away a lot. I think the main thing is that people have made and still make great things, he said. I want them to connect people with individual stories. You can see a big steel building, but getting people inside and getting the sense that people make this stuff and they’re very proud of it. We’re proud of it. Information about the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum is available at www.steelmuseum.org or by calling 610-384-9282. On Sept. 11, the museum will again host Coatesville Remembers 9/11, a commemorative event recalling the 16th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. The reflective gathering will be among the steel tridents on display. Also featured will be various

Photo by Robert O. Williams, The Williams Group for NISHM

The team responsible for making the property transfer a reality (from left): James Ziegler, Executive Director, NISHM; Scott G. Huston, President, NISHM; Charles L. Huston III, President, The Huston Foundation; Edward Frey, General Manager, ArcelorMittal-Coatesville; Sheldon Gregg, Unit President, Local 1165-00/USW; Eugene DiOrio, Historian, NISHM.

works of World Trade Center art, videos, student projects and other pieces in the Lukens Executive Office building. Natalie Smith may be contacted at DoubleSMedia@rocketmail.com

BECAUSE SOLAR MATTERS

Call for a Free Estimate

717-768-8500 624 North Shirk Rd. New Holland, PA 17557

www.AdvancedSolarIndustries.com ——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Plans under way for western Chester County By Chester County Planning Commission staff The Chester County Planning Commission is excited to reach out to the residents of western Chester County in this inaugural issue of Western Chester County Life and offer some helpful tips, current news, and resources on issues that impact the daily lives of county residents. We’re involved in several projects in the western part of Chester County, helping facilitate transportation improvements, revitalization projects, and long-range community plans, said Planning Commission Urban Planner Kevin Myers. We hope residents are aware of all the great initiatives that we’re working on in conjunction with our municipal partners. For example, we are currently working hand-in-hand with Atglen to update the borough’s long-range plan, which has a local task force guiding the process. The project is well under way, and has identified the town center, economic development, neighborhoods, and connectivity as key issues for the future. Meetings are typically held monthly, and a full draft of the plan will be presented at a public meeting in January 2018. Along with borough funds, the county’s Vision Partnership Program (VPP) is the funding mechanism for Atglen’s long-range plan. The VPP promotes cooperation between the county and local government to implement the county’s long-range plan, currently Landscapes2. This program has funded multiple projects in western Chester County, with several currently under way, in addition to the Atglen project. South Coatesville is leading a regional project to improve sidewalk and bicycle connections with neighboring Coatesville, Modena, and Valley. The Mill Trail project is wrapping up a feasibility study that looks to advance 7.4 miles of bike lanes, on-street facilities,

Coatesville Riverwalk

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sidewalks and multi-use paths. To review the Mill Trail project conceptual plans and submit comments, visit the project website (www.brandywine.org/conservancy/projects/ mill-trail-bicycle-and-pedestrian-facilities-plan). There is also another trail project that is coming to western Chester County. The Planning Commission recently began a study to identify a route for extending the Chester Valley Trail westward across the county from Downingtown to connect with the future 29-mile Enola Low Grade rail-trail just outside Atglen in Lancaster County. For more information about the project, visit www.chescoplanning.org/transportation/cvtw.cfm. A resource that offers more immediate assistance in getting around is the Planning Commission’s Ride Guide, available in print and online at www.chescorideguide. org. The Ride Guide directs residents to transportation options in and around Chester County, and is available in Spanish. Looking to understand where Amtrak stops in Chester County versus where SEPTA stops? Needing to know which bus service can take you from Parkesburg to Brandywine Hospital? The Ride Guide has the answers and links to the current schedules. (To help you out, that’s the Coatesville Link that goes from Parkesburg to Brandywine Hospital, Mondays through Saturdays.) A significant project under way that involves all of our municipalities, partners, and the public is the update of the county’s longrange plan. Development of the new plan, Landscapes3, has been ongoing since the end of 2016. Phase one – gathering background information – is now complete, and phase two – constructing the vision – is getting under way. The Chester County Commissioners appointed a steering committee for plan development, with representatives from varying perspectives and areas of the county. Western Chester County residents will see

2017 • Volume 1——

some familiar faces on the steering committee, which includes Arvilla Hunt, president of Coatesville City Council, and Donna Siter, executive director of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Public input on the future of Chester County is critically important to developing a plan that serves current and future generations. Visit www.chescoplanning.org/CompPlan.cfm to see how you can be involved and find out more about past outreach efforts and materials developed so far. The Landscapes3 public survey had nearly 6,000 participants, and we heard feedback on what should be the broad priorities of the county, as well as detailed feedback, such as: Thumbs down to Route 30 on and off ramps; Thumbs up to Wolf’s Hollow Park; Extend SEPTA service to Coatesville and Parkesburg as soon as possible; and Looking forward to seeing the proposed developments coming to Coatesville. Hope to see the more improvements so that Coatesville can capture the growth that is occurring elsewhere in Chester County, such as Kennett and West Chester. Public survey results from the Landscapes3 survey will be folded into other feedback received to date, and provided to the steering committee for consideration of how to address the concerns and opportunities that county residents have identified. Development of the vision, goals, and actions for Landscapes3 will kick into high gear late in 2017 and extend into 2018. Look for a public meeting to start off the second phase of the project in late 2017, and then regional public meetings in the first half of 2018, as we check back in with municipalities, partners, and the public.

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

Citadel: An 80-year history of community involvement Citadel encourages employees to volunteer to assist local organizations

itadel, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2017, has a long history of supporting the local community. In 1937, Citadel was founded by 13 Lukens Steel employees in Coatesville as the Lukens Steel Mill Employee Credit Union. During this time, the Great Depression caused many financial institutions, companies, and businesses to shut down, and there was a need for community support. Citadel served as a financial backbone for its community at this time, and in turn, a communitycentric organization was formed and remains today. “At that time, part of a credit union’s charter was to give back to the community in which they served. It is part of who we are,” said Doug Thompson, who is Citadel’s director of retail delivery for its Western Division, which includes six retail branches from Downingtown to Oxford to Lancaster.

The community-mindedness of Citadel spreads across a breadth of service and local community involvement. Citadel supports various organizations across the Greater Philadelphia area in the counties it serves (Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, and Philadelphia) and even encourages employees to get involved. A few of the Chester County organizations Citadel supports are the Chester County Food Bank, at which CEO Jeff March is board chairman; the United Way of Chester County; the Coatesville Youth Initiative; the Community Volunteers In Medicine; and Maternal Health Consortium in West Chester. “Giving back to the areas in which our members live and work is part of the culture at Citadel,” says Gwen Smoker, manager at Citadel’s Thorndale branch, which opened in 1983. “We get excited to show support as a team and be

Gwen Smoker, Citadel’s Thorndale branch manager. 36

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2017 • Volume 1——

involved. There are even competitions among internal teams for who can raise the most money, or who can collect the most food or toys.” Structurally, credit unions and banks are different; credit unions are member-owned, as opposed to ownership by shareholders or stockholders. With member ownership, credit unions are committed to delivering not only the best financial experience for members, but also supporting the growth of local main street businesses in addition to volunteering time to non-profits. Evidence of this mentality is a philosophical phrase used by credit unions nationwide: “People Helping People.” Citadel, which now has more than $2.8 billion in assets, is focused on providing the best customer experience possible. “Whether a customer wants to come in and bank with us face-to-face, or interact with us digitally, we are determined to provide that person a warm, helpful experience,” Smoker said. “We are committed to making banking with Citadel convenient, and giving our customers genuine advice to support their financial needs.” Recently, Citadel was named the number-one credit union in the country for providing value to its members on the “Return of The Member” list by independent research firm, Callahan & Associates. Smoker continued, “The most important thing we can do for our customers, at the end of the day, is provide real

——For

Gwen Smoker and Ryan Morrison, Citadel senior financial service representative.

value to their lives. That includes making sure our rates on products remain competitive, and that we always have their best interest when recommending a product or service. That is what makes Citadel different.” “There is a sense of family here, we don’t just work together. There’s a level of caring, and people tend to stay working at Citadel for a long time.” Citadel is proud to be 80 years strong!

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Art in the City Art Partners Studio brings a creative force to Coatesville

rt Partners Studio has been bringing art to Art Partners started working with youth and Coatesville since its inception in the 1990s adults in the city as a result of a request by the as a program of the Chester Springs Studio. Brandywine YMCA to create a mosaic mural at the “Art Partners, before it became Art Partners Ash Park pool. The group then began conducting Studio, was the community partclasses at Oak Street. In 1998, nership program of the Chester they established a storefront Springs Studio. We wanted to studio, remaining a program partner artists with the communiof the Chester Springs Studio ty and area schools,” said Lindsay until 2005. Art Partners Studio Brinton, founding director. “One became a separate, non-profit of our longest partnerships was organization in 2007. with young people in Coatesville. The new studio’s classes We brought them to art camps were held at the Coatesville in the village of Historic Yellow Memorial Community Center Springs in Chester Springs. and the library until 2009, “Until one day, a young artwhen they moved into a ist came up to me and said, Victorian house at Fifth ‘This is really nice, I love it over Avenue. “That was just wonhere, but why don’t you come to derful; classes could now be Coatesville?’ That was the genesis consolidated in one building,” of trying to create more sites in Brinton said. “We started offerthe county where art could take ing free classes and enrollment Photo by Phyllis Rowan place.” spiked. There was an obvious This mural was the first work of art created “At that time, only the Chester when Art Partners moved to Coatesville in interest because there were County Art Association and 1996. just few opportunities.” Chester Springs Studio were The idea was to grow an around to encourage the abundance of inspiration audience and slowly add classes with affordable and creativity in Chester County,” Brinton said. tuition fees. “They were $35; now they have dou“The studio’s goal has always been to ensure access bled,” Brinton said. to art, whether it’s enjoying art or participating in it With a move the former Benner School across or encouraging it.” East Lincoln Highway in 2015, the studio tripled

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2017 • Volume 1——

The Coatesville Memorial Community Center Mural.

Painting the Coatesville Memorial Community Center mural with artist David McShane. Photo by Phyllis Rowan

Denise Sedor (left) and Lindsay DuBarry paint scenes of Lukens Steel during art Partners Studio Plein Air program.

its space to include a media lab, two studios, offices and a 300-volume art library. The artist faculty includes those who teach for local school districts or area art centers. Many have graduated from some of the better-known regional art colleges and universities, including Moore College of Art & Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Temple University, University of the Arts, and West Chester University. “From the start, with our first grant from the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust, our idea was to position a permanent art resource in the heart of the city and engage the families that reside in the townships of the Coatesville Area School District,” Brinton said. The studio’s current focus is the visual arts, and they are committed to making art as accessible as possible for all ages. And, while they offer tuition-based classes in the downtown studio and after-school art clubs for all the elementary schools in the district, they still have many free classes and drop-in art activities at city or school district events. Financial aid for tuition classes is always available. According to Brinton,

about 68 percent of the participants enjoy art and art-making at no cost. “We also continue to work with neighbors in the community that would like to include art in their programs,” she said. The Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville Kids to College, Coatesville Area Senior Center, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Veterans Administration Medical Center contract the studio for art programs. Many times, through acquired funding, these groups are able to provide art for their audiences, all at no charge to their students. “No one is ever turned away,” Brinton said. Brinton broke down the art programs the studio has initiated to encourage arts engagement: Art in the City, Art Out Front, Artists 19320! and Art Squad. Art in the City includes year-round education programs for all ages in the studio and in various locations across greater Coatesville. A recently initiated series of workshops is attracting professional and amateur artists to the Lukens Historic District. In July, 25 artists visited the site to paint and photograph Continued on Page 40

Larry Beaver, LUTCF Agency Owner 3498 Lincoln Hwy. Thorndale, PA 19372 610-384-5300 Larrybeaver@allstate.com Auto, Home, Life, Retirement

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Art Continued from Page 39

the industrial landscape at the heart of Coatesville. “The idea behind it is to revisit the history and environs of Lukens Steel – to understand the importance of this site along the Brandywine and the river that fed the American Revolution,” Brinton said. “That’s exciting. We are working to keep that memory alive through the art of contemporary artists.” Art Out Front! partners artists with neighbors in free art projects that encourage civic engagement. In the fall of 2016, the “I Am Coatesville” exhibition featured the photographs of 30 city residents – from bank presidents and civic leaders to students who sat for their portraits in a pop-up studio on the porch of the Benner School. Brinton and Darcie Goldberg, the former executive director of the Chester County Art Association, are working on a project “I Am Coatesville Steel.” As the studio’s resident artist for the year-long project, Goldberg will work with local photographers, high school and college students to take portraits of people associated with the extended Lukens Steel family – family, steelworkers, and administrators. A September 2018 exhibition is planned in venues throughout the city, with 250 photographic portraits and the stories behind them. Artists 19320! offers regional artists the opportunity to exhibit their work at the studio, Coatesville Savings Bank, and the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum. Exhibiting artists are expected to have some connection to Coatesville, whether they live in the community, have been teachers at the studio or have studios of their own in the 19320 Coatesville zip code. Student shows are also held. “We really feel it is important to affirm the students’ work,” Brinton said. Art Squad is a new venture. “The idea behind this was, ‘How do you get anybody aged 13 or older to lean into their creativity with artists?’” Brinton said. This free program is for teens and emerging artists who want to work in a studio setting with artist mentors. Art Squad meets on Thursday

A Lukens Steel painting by Sarah Baptist done at the plein air workshop.

Bridge Academy teens creating sketches for the ‘Darkness Into Light’ mural.

evenings and students can explore various art media, from cartooning, jewelry making, photography and post-production imaging, painting, drawing, sculpture, and stop-motion animation. The studio is open to anyone who drops in, and there is free pizza. “We want to make Art Partners Studio art central and a happening place for the arts,” Brinton said. Through these four avenues to art, APS involves about 1,500 youth and adults each year-- the majority are youth in school. And it’s through these programs that Art Partners Studio is getting people to see Coatesville differently. Funds to sustain the studio come primarily from grants and the generous gifts of friends -- only 25 percent of the budget is fulfilled by income from art contracts, art sales, and tuition fees. “The studio receives grants from foundations that support the arts and recognize the importance of the arts for the citizens of Coatesville,” Brinton said. “The studio is on the upswing. We have a wonderful board now and have begun to create the framework for art to prosper and endure. I am convinced we’re here to stay.” Art Partners Studio is on the second floor of the former Carl Benner School building, 545 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. For information, call 610-384-3030, email info@artpartnersstudio.org, or visit www.artpartnersstudio. org or its Facebook page at facebook.com/artpartnersstudio.

HATT’S HARDWARE 2803 E. Lincoln Hwy. Thondale, PA 610-384-1954 40

——Fall/Winter

2017 • Volume 1——

Western Chester County: Collaboration leads to county’s success

ou might be aware that Chester County was ranked No. 4 on a Movoto list of the “10 Best Counties in America.” You may even know that the county ranks as the wealthiest in Pennsylvania and 12th in the nation, or that we are the top tech hub in the state. What you might not realize is the underlying impact these factors, along with many others, are having on our area’s economy. Smart growth in the county occurs when we can forge a balance between progress and preservation. One can look to western Chester County to find key examples: Chester County-based Victory Brewing chose Parkesburg as the site for its state-of-the-art brewery. The company’s expansion efforts led to a recent joint venture with Southern Tier Brewing Company to form a new parent firm, Artisanal Brewing Ventures, which was recently ranked No. 13 on the Brewers Association’s Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies. Popular farm-to-table restaurant, Wyebrook Farm and Market also received national attention when it earned a spot among Open Table’s list of “100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants In America.” Western Chester County is also home to the county’s only city, Coatesville. In the city’s downtown area, the planned Coatesville Gateway project will develop storefronts along the north side of Lincoln Highway, ranging from First Avenue to the Coatesville Cultural Center. The city also was energized by the 2016 inaugural Coatesville Grand Prix.

A key component of success is ensuring that area businesses have what they need to succeed -- a location, financing and most importantly, its workforce. To help provide for those needs, the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) was established in 1960 to attract industry and commerce to the county, and assist in the smart growth and expansion of our key industry groups. As a private, non-profit, non-governmental entity, the CCEDC has been supporting businesses for more than 50 years. CCEDC’s transaction-based services include providing proven financing solutions; cultivating workforce development; leveraging business partnerships; and fostering entrepreneurial collaborations. The ultimate goal is maintaining the strong and vibrant economic health of Chester County, and that is best accomplished through partnerships such as the one between CCEDC and the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce (WCCCC). Together, our organizations have worked to build a diverse and healthy economic base for the Western Chester County region. With its available corporate and industrial parks, great highway and rail service, necessary infrastructure, and a skilled workforce, Western Chester County will continue to enhance its economy and be seen as a great place to live, work and play. Gary Smith, Chester County Economic Development Council President

Courtesy photos clockwise: Participants at the 2017 Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology Event (GETT) extract DNA from strawberries. CCEDC Staff. MaryFrances McGarrity, Senior Vice President, Business Development Services addressed attendees at CCEDC’s 13th Annual Economic Outlook. Students and educators from 13 middle schools from Chester & Delaware Counties participated in the What’s so Cool about Manufacturing? Video contest.

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

A Path to Success Technical College High School offers career options for students By Phyllis Rowan

rank McKnight knows the value of handson experience when it comes to education. As principal at the Technical College High School, Brandywine Campus, in Downingtown, he has seen the results. “There seems to be a thought process in many districts that all kids need to go to college, and that determines the success of a school district,” he said. “But more recently, district superintendents and administrators are seeing and verbalizing the value of all different types of post-secondary schools, not just four-year colleges.” Four-year colleges are not for everyone. “In fact, if the student can find their passion at a career and tech school and be able to engage in that during their high school years, most of them will move on to a post-secondary education, but it will be in a field they know they are committed to because they’ve already had experience in it,” McKnight said. There are many students in upper middle school and high school that thrive in a hands-on environment, he said. And TCHS provides that. “The one-size-fits-all approach is not the way to go,” McKnight said. TCHS offers multiple pathway options for its students. They can go right into the workforce, relying on the experience they have received through their education. Or, the students can further their education in a two-year college or technical school. The third option is a four-year college education, taking what they have learned in many of the programs offered and expanding on it. “Another feature that is very beneficial for students who attend career and technical schools is that they have the chance to work in their field,” McKnight said. “We have connections with industry partners and businesses that want to hire our students.” During their senior year – once they have proven they are competent in their field – there are internships and co-op programs. “This helps foster and reinforce what they’ve learned,” McKnight said. Programs offered at the school are largely dictated by student interest and are considered part of the students’ electives. Most core courses, such as English, math and science, are

——Fall/Winter

offered in the sending school – in the Brandywine Campus case, the sending districts are Coatesville, Downingtown and West Chester and Bishop Shanahan – where the students spend half their day. Programs are aligned to both Pennsylvania State Standards and national industry certifications. While many students know exactly what they want to study when they enter the school, others do not. To help them out, the school offers a three-week exploratory program where the students can try three to five different programs to find their passion. There are more than 20 different paths for students to follow. Courses are also offered based on what the market demands. Cosmetology is one of the more popular programs, attracting 90 of the total student population of almost 900. Other popular programs include automotive collision and service, where students can work on cars; animal science and veterinary science, with its own doggie day care for the staff’s pets; bakery and culinary arts, which offers a catering service; and carpentry, in which students recently built a large shed. Several programs, such as criminal justice, are taught in conjunction with Penn College of Technology and Delaware County Community College. The courses that the students take through these programs are transferrable to these postsecondary schools and other colleges. Courses are also offered based on what the market demands. The school recently added programs in robotics and mechatronics – technology that combines electronics and mechanical engineering. “The Manufacturing Alliance of Chester and Delaware Counties shared with us that they are concerned about the baby boomers who are moving on and not having employees to replace the current workforce in the manufacturing arena. So, based on the local chambers of commerce and the alliance, that’s why we opened up this program,” McKnight said. Some students resign themselves to the fact that they want to work right after high school, he explained. “We talk with them and tell them not to rule out college as an opportunity, even in a couple years, but ultimately the teachers will focus on getting those students the skills necessary to go out and hit the ground running, to be able to communicate.”

2017 • Volume 1——

The school offers a career fair where businesses come in and interview the students. They are coached on how to conduct themselves in interviews and, if necessary, are given business attire so they look professional during the interviews. “It really helps them when they go out on other interviews,” McKnight said. McKnight has seen students who just want to learn a trade and keep it simple and easy, but he has seen others where a spark has been ignited. “They come away with more confidence and awareness of what it takes to be successful and they realize, ‘Hey, I can do this,’” he said. For more information on the Technical College High School, visit www.cciu. org/tchsbrandywine or call 484-593-5100. The campus is on Boot Road in Downingtown. The Pickering campus, which serves students in Great Valley, Phoenixville, Owen J. Roberts and Tredyffrin-Easttown school districts, is in Phoenixville. Visit www.cciu.org/tchspickering. The Pennocks Bridge campus is in West Grove and serves the Octorara, Oxford, Unionville-Chadds Ford, Kennett and Avon Grove districts. Visit www.cciu.org/tchspennocksbridge.

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Honey Brook:

A little town with a lot of energy

any people don’t realize that, 100 years ago, Honey Brook was a vibrant, bustling crossroads community. Today, some local people are trying to bring new energy to the community through the Honey Brook Community Partnership. The partnership is comprised of people from all parts of the township and borough, with a mission to facilitate communication and share resources for the betterment of our community. We believe that through collaboration, the Honey Brook community can be a more vibrant place to live, work, and play. The partnership meets on the second Tuesday of each month. We welcome and encourage anyone interested in supporting the mission to attend. We discuss projects, community happenings, and sometimes listen to guest speakers. It is a nice way to meet people, promote activities, learn about community resources and work together. Here’s a look at some of the projects we work on:

Harmony Day This action-packed day is held each year on the third Saturday of September. This is a great day to get outside and meet neighbors, explore the community, and all the activities and events taking place on this day. Yard sales, flea markets, live music, food, and book sales are just a sampling of all the things happening on Harmony Day. This year, on Sept. 16, the partnership is hosting an Old Time Country Fair and a Public Health and Wellness Fair at the Honey Brook Fire Company Carnival Grounds. Community beautification projects Thanks to our partnership with the Honey Brook Lions Club, we have attractive Welcome to Honey Brook signage at four locations around town. Each sign is adopted and maintained by volunteers. Deck the Brook is an annual holiday contest where we encourage residents and businesses to decorate their doors and display holiday spirit. The decorations are judged, prizes awarded and pictures of winners are displayed in the local paper and on social media sites. Honey Brook has some beautiful historic doors, especially on Main Street. Promoting our town The partnership maintains two Facebook pages: Honey

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Brook Community Partnership and Honey Brook Harmony Day. Take a look, follow and LIKE us! All the Buzz in Honey Brook is a monthly full-page ad in a local paper featuring events and activities happening around town. The partnership underwrites the cost. New folks moving into town are given a Welcome Bag containing information about the community. Community assistance We have fundraised to provide AEDs for our ambulance and police force. Under the guidance and encouragement of the Western Chester County Chamber, we have participated in the

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national Make A Difference Day the last two years and plan to participate again this year. The goal of each project is always to benefit the community and encourage as many people as possible to participate. We have held a winter coat drive and food/toiletry drive for the local food pantry. We enthusiastically welcome new members and new ideas to our partnership. Please contact Chairperson Donna Horvath (donna@honeybrookgolf.com) if you’d like more information on the group in general, or on any particular project.

Great Things are Happening in Coatesville!

New Heritage Properties, LLC 610-383-9800

353 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

Moving Chester County Krapf celebrates 75 years of transporting students, adults around the region

George & Eleanor Krapf

By Phyllis Rowan

ost everyone in Chester County is familiar with the yellow school buses or the blue-and-white coaches emblazoned with the word Krapf. They can be seen traveling the highways and back roads throughout the county. But what many might not know is it all started out 75 years ago in a small garage and gas station in Guthriesville. In 1942, George Krapf was a respected mechanic in the area and was contacted by officials of what is now the Downingtown Area School District to drive a school bus. Dale Krapf, George’s son and chairman of the Krapf Group, told the story of the beginnings in a company video. It was World War II and there were no school buses available, so George took two dump trucks, stripped them down to the frame and a seat, and he and a friend drove them to Indiana, where the body was added. George and his wife, Eleanor, worked together. Eleanor was the second female school bus driver in Pennsylvania. Over the years as the business grew, so did the family. The Krapf family had three daughters – Millicent, Marcia and Mardette, and two sons – Dale and Dallas, who are owners and sit on the board. The third generation includes Dale’s three sons – Blake is CEO of the Krapf Group, Bradley is executive vice president of strategic planning and business development, and Gary is president of Krapf Transportation. Everything that’s not yellow, Gary said to describe his position. Mardette’s two children are also active in the company. Frank Cumens is the school bus fleet and maintenance manager, and Alison Bryant is an area general manager for school bus operations. The fourth generation is also now involved. We learned

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at a very early age how to clean a school bus, Gary said. There was no expectation that we were to follow in the business. My father was very clear about giving us the choice. You came in, and where you were needed, you were put to work. Gary started full-time with the business after graduating from Penn State, but everyone came into it differently, he said. While the school bus business was growing, the family was adding more transportation options into the mix. In 1982, the first motor coaches were added to the fleet and Krapf Coaches was born. The first trip was transporting Coatesville players to Williamsport for a basketball game. Dale drove the team bus and Dallas drove the spectator bus. At its height, Krapf had 55 motor coaches, but over the years, it has been downsized to 14, offering charter services and providing the bus and the driver. This tends to be our flagship, as far as the billboard is concerned, said Gary. At the same time, the company began what is now called ROVER, the county’s paratransit service. Krapf Transit began in 1992 with the acquisition of countybased SEPTA routes, the Coatesville Link and Scoot services. They also run corporate shuttles, shuttles for Villanova and West Chester universities, the Philadelphia Navy Yard shuttle and the Philly PHLASH, a hop-on-hop-off tour bus. At the same time it is celebrating its 75th anniversary, the company is undergoing a rebranding. We felt that because of our growth and the broad scope of businesses we are in, we didn’t have a common brand, Gary said. The first entity was George Krapf Jr. and Sons, which was the school bus company. Then you have Krapf’s Coaches, the Rover, then came Krapf’s Transit. Now we have all these other school bus companies with different names. The mother ship will be called the Krapf Group.

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Over the years, they have acquired various bus companies and the company now reaches children and adults in New York, Delaware and Virginia, as well as several regions in Pennsylvania. Krapf is now the largest private school bus contractor in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware and the largest familyowned public transportation company in the nation, with 2,800 school bus and commercial vehicles and employing more than 3,200 people. The company has twice been named National Contractor of the Year by National School Bus Fleet, received the Department of Transportation Safety Award, and was the first recipient of the National School Transportation Association’s Go Yellow Go Green award as a pioneer in reducing school bus emissions. George Krapf and his sons butted heads about the company’s growth, according to Gary. Anything that wasn’t Chester County or wasn’t yellow, initially wasn’t part of his plan. But I’m sure he would be proud of everything now, Gary said. On the company video, Dallas said, If you’re fortunate enough to have all the family on the bus, sitting in the right seats, going in the right direction, a family business can be successful. The success of the company during the last 75 years has proven that everyone in the family is in the right seats.

George Krapf at the company garage, circa 1941.

Gary Krapf (far right) and team.

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news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

————|Western Chester County Life|————

Farm to Table Wyebrook Farm and Far Away Farms Country Corner serve up fresh, local menu

By Phyllis Rowan

Carlson is achieving his goal of cutting down on the use of fossil fuels. “The best example of it is with grassfed beef -- all of their food is grass. Grass is perennial, so you don’t have to replant it ever year and the animals harvest it themselves.” They get three to four grazings a growing season from the grass, and during the harshest months of winter, the beef are fed hay. “It’s turning solar power into calories,” Carlson said. “Cows have developed to digest grass, so it’s a way to produce food almost endlessly. Pigs and chickens aren’t herbivores -- they can’t live solely on grass, but a large part of their diet comes from the grass.” Animals are raised on the farm and taken elsewhere to be slaughtered under USDA regulations. The meat is then brought back to the farm for butchering. When the farm first started operations, about 75 percent of the sales were from the butcher shop. Now that figure has flipped, with about 75 percent of its business coming from the restaurant. Last year, they dedicated about three acres to growing produce for the restaurant. There are also greenhouses where the vegetables are started and herb gardens. Beef, pork and chicken are staples of the restaurant, but the featured vegetables change. “You have to be flexible” Carlson said. “Most restaurants aren’t used to doing that. They plan their menu and then call and order what they need.” Anthony Colontonio is the executive chef at Wyebrook and a proponent of the farm-to-table concept. “It lets us know where our food is coming from

he farm-to-table concept is one of the most popular culinary trends around the country. In most cases, restaurants buy their meats and produce from local farms for their tables. But two local farms are taking the concept a step farther, using the produce and meats from their own farms on their own tables. Wyebrook Farm in Honey Brook and Far Away Farms Country Corner in Glenmoore are true farm-to-table ventures. Dean Carlson and his wife, Emelie, live on the 360-acre Wyebrook Farm in a house overlooking the rolling land where the cattle graze. After working in finance for 15 years, he took time off in 2009. “I became interested in the idea of sustainable farming. I saw how modern, conventional farming was so dependent on fossil fuels. So it wasn’t until I did see there was another way to do it that I became really interested,” he said. He bought the farm in 2010 and spent two years repairing the structures. The old barn, with its date stone of 1785, now houses the market and the restaurant. When he got to the farm and saw the potential – with its beautiful scenery and multiple buildings – he realized that it made sense for people to come to the farm. “Part of the reason is that farming this way is more expensive. You’re starting out in a big hole because you’re doing things the hard way,” he said. “You need to be able to sell directly to people at retail price rather than wholesale price.” Wyebrook Farm

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2017 • Volume 1——

perfect fit for their skills. “It seemed like it was made in heaven,” Jean said. “I wasn’t thrilled about it. I thought we were busy enough,” but Far Away Farms Country Corner became a reality. The cart that used to sit at the end of their drive was moved to the restaurant property. The cart served as the café while work was done on soil remediation and building renovations at the new location. Customers who had shopped at the end of the farm’s driveway were now coming to the cart and eventually the café. The menu at the café includes a variety of dishes featuring products from the farm. The breakfast sandwich includes their eggs. The sauerkraut on the Reubens is homemade from cabbage grown on the farm. The Sloppy Joes and hamburgers are made with their own ground beef. Roast beef and steak sandwiches are made with their own meat. The chicken salad features Far Away Farms Country Corner chicken. And the farm’s pumpkins and apples are used in the pies. They also make their own apple butter, salsas, relishes and jellies. They are known for their homemade oatmeal bread. In addition to the food and baked goods they sell in the café, the Leys have freezers full of butchered meat for sale. “We have lived the farm life all our lives. The freezing and the canning I’ve been doing before I married George,” Jean said. The farm is home to about 100 head of cattle, 200 laying chickens and 300 roaster chickens, as well as a small population of boar goats, which are usually used for meat. But most of the goats have been like pets to George. The Leys raise their animals using allnatural methods, in open pastures, with no steroids and antibiotics. “We are not a feed lot with 1,000 animals in one place,” she said. “We want to make sure our final products are clean,” said George. “We raise it the way we want, we know where it comes from. We have raised them from calves.”

and who’s behind it,” he said. “Calling us a sustainable farm, and this as a farm-to-table restaurant, it includes me utilizing everything.” When it comes to an animal, he uses the fat, the bones and the feet in addition to the meat. When it comes to vegetables, he uses the whole plant – the top, the root and the vegetable in different ways. “I try to incorporate fun stuff into my cooking, but also let the component shine without doing too much to it,” Colontonio said. Because of the unpredictable nature of the farm, Colontonio might not know what will be on the complete menu the following week. “It’s difficult, it keeps me on my toes, keeps me fresh” he said. It’s a collaborative effort. He talks with the in-house butcher to find out what is available, sees what produce is ready for harvesting and plans his menu to include whatever he is given. “It’s as fresh as it gets,” he said. -George Ley’s family has been in farming for decades. He now owns Far Away Farms Country Corner in Glenmoore with his wife, Jean. There they raise chickens, cows and vegetables which are used in the Far Away Farms Country Corner, 1.2 miles down the road. The farm includes two plots -- one is 43 acres where they live, grow the produce, raise the chickens and graze the cattle on Devereux Road in Glenmoore. The other is 100 acres is mostly pasture land in Elverson. The main part of the farm is from the 1740s, and George Ley’s family acquired it in the late 1970s. George and Jean took it over 11 years ago. Jean opened the café four years ago. “We had been selling meat [and produce] from the farm for decades out of a cart at the end of the driveway,” Jean said. They even got their four children involved. “We told them if you pick it you can keep [the money],” she said. Jean and George’s daughter had graduated from culinary school, their future daughter-in-law was a baker, so to most of the family, the restaurant was a

Continued on Page 50

Far Away Farms Country Corner ——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Farm to Table Continued from Page 49

Jean said that the farm-to-table concept is somewhat of a niche for some people. “They are used to living in the city -- you go to the big sandwich place down the street,” she said, adding that what they are doing is the most expensive way to run a restaurant. There is no buying cheaper in bulk from a wholesaler, no mass production. “Everything we sell, in season, comes from within 20 miles,” George said, and all their meats -- even the ones they don’t raise on the farm -- are always from Chester or neighboring counties. Wyebrook Farm is on Wyebrook Road in Honey Brook. For information, visit www.wyebrookfarm.com or call 610-942-7481. Far Away Farms Country Corner is at 690 Marshall Road (at the corner of Route 282), Glenmoore. For information, visit www.farawayfarmcc.com or call 610-942-2848.

Wyebrook Farm raised meats for sale and view of their outdoor restaurant.

Far Away Farms Country Corner Menu

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2017 • Volume 1——

Recipes to try at home You can experience a taste of Wyebrook Farm in your home. In 2016, Dean Carlson published a cookbook, “Field & Feast: Sublime Food from a Brave New Farm.” Publishers Weekly wrote about the cookbook, “foodies who are passionate about farm-to-table cookbooks will be hard pressed to find a better example of the genre.” Or, try these recipes, courtesy of executive chef Anthony Colontonio, featuring ingredients from the farm.

Salsa Verde

4 cups parsley 3 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon red pepper flake 4 cups olive oil Combine all ingredients blend until smooth.

Roasted Garlic Butter

2 pounds room temperature butter half cup roasted garlic 2 tablespoon red pepper flakes Combine all ingredients.

Chicken Liver Mousse

1 pound butter 10 sprigs of thyme 2 tablespoons garlic 1 cup white onion 1 pound chicken livers 1/4 cup heavy cream Sweat onions and garlic in butter. Add chicken livers and the thyme cook until livers are fully cooked, then add the 1/4 cup of cream. Stir well. Take off heat and blend all ingredients until smooth. Pass through a strainer then let set in the refrigerator until completely chilled. Serve on toast.

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Changing the future of Coatesville

Back row left to right; Rick Lougherty, Fred Henrich, Commissioner Terence Farrell, Mike Trio, Linda LavenderNorrisFront row left to right; Regina Lewis, Sonia Huntzinger, Steve Cunningham, Commissioner Michelle Kichline, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone

Sonia Huntzinger Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance Executive Director

ou might remember waaaay back in 2015, the City of Coatesville celebrated its 100th anniversary as a Pennsylvania City of the Third Class. 100 years! Prior to 1915 it was a borough, and before that, two small villages. There’s actually some pretty fun and interesting history on Wikipedia. At the advent of Coatesville’s second 100 years, a group of community stakeholders came together and formed the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance. Their mission: to ensure that Coatesville’s second century is economically prosperous. The alliance went on to partner with city and county leadership to create a position dedicated to community and economic development in the City of Coatesville. Early in 2016, a seasoned professional was hired to manage the initiatives and advance the mission of the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance. With staff in place, the volunteers, elected officials, administrators, and numerous community stakeholders developed a five-year action plan – not one of the multitude of plans that sits on a shelf in so many municipalities, but one that was achievable, and financially feasible. You’ll find there are many elements to the work: Jobs, housing, business attraction, public safety, beautification, public spaces, communications, and more. Often, someone will ask which one the priority is -- and the truth is: they are ALL priorities. It’s been said that you can’t plant some flowers and stabilize your neighborhood; that you can’t mitigate vagrant activity and have your downtown come back. Each and every one of these elements is important in its own right, and must be ratcheted up over time to ensure the successful and sustainable revitalization of a community. The planets are aligned for the City of Coatesville. Its geographic location, established infrastructure, progressive

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leadership, renewed partnerships, and (frankly) experience from past mistakes, all meld to support a unique competitive advantage. We have the tools, the technology, and the tenacity to turn the economics of the city around. Make no mistake, though: It’s important to be realistic about timing. The 2nd Century Alliance Action Plan calls for five years, and there’s much work to be done. Some might think that revitalization the likes of which we’ve seen in West Chester, Phoenixville, and Kennett Square happens naturally, organically. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that it takes dozens, if not hundreds, of people, groups, organizations, and administrations working together to change the nature of a town. And it doesn’t happen overnight. You can always keep up with our progress by signing up for our E-news at www.2ndCenturyAlliance.org. Now, while we’re working on all of that, there are three major projects in Coatesville that are also critical to Coatesville’s renaissance and seem to be on everyone’s mind. Here’s the skinny so you’ll be in the know: DEPG Gateway Project This is the real estate development project located at the corner of First Avenue and Lincoln Highway. The development will include 18,000 square feet of first-floor retail at street level, with one floor of office/commercial space above it. Additionally, a sports bar is planned to occupy the first floor of the Cultural Society building, and a restaurant is being sourced for the former bank building across the street. Demolition of the former Lincoln Center is slated to begin in August. Two buildings behind the development on Diamond Street will be razed to make way for a parking lot to support the new development. This project will bring new and unique retail and restaurant

2017 • Volume 1——

options for residents and visitors, and be catalytic in spurring additional investment in downtown Coatesville. New train station The train station development will consist of three phases. The first phase is the Third Avenue Streetscape improvements, which will commence this summer and include new sidewalks, lighting, paving, and improvements to the exterior of the existing train station building at the corner of Third Avenue and Fleetwood Street. The second phase will be improvements to the Fourth Avenue streetscape from Lincoln Highway to Fleetwood Street. The third phase involves the relocation of Fleetwood Street north, closer to the train tracks, and the development and construction of the station platforms. Simultaneous to phase three is the private development on Fleetwood Street that -- in its current design – includes a parking garage and a 20,000-square-foot commercial building. Coatesville Growing Greater, a neighborhood revitalization project sponsored by the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. In early 2016, the partnership of Coatesville Area Partners for Progress and Chester County Economic Development Foundation received a grant award in the amount of $100,000. As a planning grant, the funds were to be used to gauge the existing conditions of Coatesville’s residential neighborhoods and dig deep into the challenges facing the city’s residents. Over the course of the year, a property conditions survey was conducted on more than 2700 housing units, over 300

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residents were surveyed, focus groups and public meetings were held, and a wealth of information gathered. As the data was compiled, four themes consistently emerged: Jobs, programs for the youth, public safety, and resident engagement. Subsequently, task forces were formed to evaluate existing conditions in each of these areas, and to develop creative strategies to address and overcome the deficiencies. A final report of the entire initiative was submitted to the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation in May of this year, and it is the hope of everyone involved that we be invited to apply for funding to implement the solutions crafted by the task forces. For more information on the Coatesville Second Century Alliance or any of the projects mentioned, visit www.secondcenturyalliance.org or call the office at 484-786-8896.

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

Tech meets tradition Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers produce high-quality furniture, cabinets By Phyllis Rowan

y combining modern technology and traditional techniques, Greg Pilotti believes he and his employees are able to produce the high-quality products that his clients demand. Pilotti started Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers in 2013, the day he started trade school at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster. Pilotti grew up in the Coatesville area, graduating from Coatesville Area Senior High School in 2008. His family owned a convenience store in the city. When his father died in 2011, Pilotti was studying architecture in college. He dropped out to take over the business, which he sold in 2013. “I got a good dose of business experience, jumping in without knowing what I was doing,” he said. “But I figured it out. It was an important lesson for me, because there’s always something that has to be figured out.” Pilotti wanted to find something he was passionate about. “I think part of it was that people were starting to get back into [the trades] because there is an unbelievable need for workers,” said Pilotti, explaining the path he chose. “I had always been interested in woodworking because of architecture school, building the little models in the wood shop. I decided to go for it.” Just like the family business, he figured it out. He had found his passion. “I jumped right into it. The day I started school, I opened the business,” he said. He knew that there was no way he was going to be able to “flip on a switch” on the day he graduated and have a business ready to go. “No one would know who we were -- it’s a tough market. People just don’t spend thousands of dollars on someone they don’t trust,” he said. So he started building up that trust. He describes his education as very hands-on, using hand tools and learning how things were done 300 years ago. At the same time, he learned about production. “Yes, it’s awesome that we know the hand work and we know how to build pieces exactly like they did 300 years ago, but the reality of our market and what we do is that we

have to be able to use machinery and technology,” he said. He said the school was very good at teaching students to work hard. That is why, when it comes time to hire someone, he looks to the school for new employees. He graduated in 2015 and Cory McCall, who now works as his shop manager, was the first person he hired as a cabinetmaker. Then Pilotti added Matt Curran as a design engineer. “It’s been a mix of understanding how furniture making is done correctly, translating that to the products we make, and using technology to our advantage,” he said. “And we are pretty big users of technology. That’s what has set us apart and made us more efficient.”

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2017 • Volume 1——

Most of the work is custom conference tables, which he has shipped to major corporations across the country. They also craft cabinetry. Tables can run from $5,000 to $30,000. Designing is done in-house. The design engineer will take the client’s idea and, through 3-D modeling and computer drawings, will show them what the piece will look like before they build it. In addition to the consistent quality of the work, Pilotti attributes much of his success to good use of the digital world. He tells the story of the company and the products with highquality images through Instagram, Facebook, podcasts and a website with his own blog.

He also focuses on the employees. He is very proud of them, despite the fact that at 28, he is the oldest person in the company. “I really believe they are the strongest part of this company, not me,” he said. “I just come up with the ideas, and they implement them.” He also has to trust them. He explained that you can’t have someone cutting a piece of wood one inch shorter than it should be 100 times a day. “You can’t build a 20-foot table and have it end up being 19,” he said. Pilotti has been able to take both worlds to which he has been exposed in his earlier years and is making it all work. “The school gave me the confidence that I knew how to build, I knew my processes were going to be correct because the guys that run that are some of the most respected cabinet and furniture makers in the country,” he said. “I learned a lot about customer service from the [family business]. I learned a lot about patience, over-explaining.” But he said he really doesn’t need to sell that much. “It all goes back to Instagram [and other social media outlets],” he said. “Because we spend so much time explaining what we do, people are pre-qualified leads.” When he gets an email or phone call about a table, “they are already sold. They want the table. They trust us.” Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers is on Lower Valley Road in Parkesburg. For information, visit www.gpfurnituremaker. com.

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2017 • Volume 1——

The big picture The Parkesburg Action Committee sets down roots and engages in town revitalization By Jenny Alexander

month (April-November), the street will be closed to traffic. Local businessow does a town es, vendors, community revitalize? How groups and food trucks does a town attract are out to meet and greet new businesses? How residents. With live music does a town reach out to and family activities, the their community? event has grown month By seeing the big picture. to month and the Action The newly formed Committee is so pleased Parkesburg Action to see the enthusiastic Committee has its sights community response. One set high, and is focusing resident stated, It looks its energy and resources like this town is finally on Parkesburg revitalizaPhoto by Shelli Miller McKenna of McKenna Moments alive. The group hopes tion. They are a group of From left: Ty Williams (Core2Development); Sue Boninu (Salon Boninu); Jenny local business people who Alexander (The Painted Lily); Raeleen Mills (Fountain Springs Wellness Spa); that the event continues are also residents and and Tina OConnor (Experience Positive Therapy, LLC). Not pictured: Todd and to grow and that it draws attention from surroundare committed to raising April Brade (Wood & Willow). ing areas. Parkesburg Parkesburg to new heights. Action Committee member Tina O’Connor said, We know Their mission is to create a sense of community and promote all about the wonderful things Parkesburg has to offer and growth and improvement to downtown Parkesburg. They are excited to share those things with our neighbors. strive to preserve the historic charm of the town, and improve Just a quick peek on the 200 block of Main Street shows the quality of life for residents and visitors alike by making the progress our town has made. We’ve got everything from Parkesburg a more attractive place to live, work, shop and a vintage shop to a shop offering local, handmade goods play. to a hair salon, a wellness spa, a beautiful flower shop, a Through cooperation with the Parkesburg borough, local therapist’s office and a brand-new karate studio. And that’s businesses and residents, they are hosting events throughout just one block in town! Look around town and you can find town to highlight the wonderful things Parkesburg offers; to so many businesses popping up. The Action Committee beautify the town and attract residents to Parkesburg from all encourages people to first look for local options when of southeast Pennsylvania. shopping, eating or seeking out services needed. With In April, they hosted a clean-up day at Minch Park. a business association that boasts almost 100 members, Residents and businesses came together with the borough to Parkesburg sure has a lot to offer in their 1.2 square miles. clean the park and make needed repairs to the block house It is with businesses, residents and local government poolwhich houses the public bathrooms, concession stand, and ing their resources and energy, that a town can come alive. holds storage for the borough and football/baseball teams. A Events are hosted, partnerships are formed, roots are deepnew roof was installed, the building was repainted in places, ened and a community thrives. Revitalization happens one the kitchen was cleaned and repairs were made, the bathsmall piece at a time … each piece fitting together to make rooms were deep cleaned, weeds were pulled and trash was the big picture of community, growth and development. picked up throughout the borough. Please follow the Parkesburg Action Committee on In May, the Action Committee worked in conjunction with Facebook for all the information on their involvement in Curiosity Corner Children’s Academy to add planters to Minch Parkesburg and to find out details about each Final Friday Park. Each planter was painted by the children and teachers event. Are you a local business looking for sponsorship and at the school. They were planted by the Action Committee advertising opportunities? Contact the Action Committee and school families. This project was done through a generon Facebook to learn all about their Final Friday sponous donation from longtime Parkesburg mayor, John Hagan. sorship options. Thanks for your interest in helping our Their most ambitious project to date is the launch of community grow and flourish! Final Friday on Main Street. On the last Friday of every

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

Meet Our Member:

Sikorsky builds helicopters that are tops in safety, reliability S-92 and S-76 fleets serve many functions By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

ikorsky, located in Coatesville, is part of the aerospace, defense and technology titan Lockheed Martin, and a builder of helicopters used around the world. The western Chester County fabricator’s S-92 and S-76 rotorcrafts have been used in many roles, including searchand-rescue missions, tending to offshore oil and gas rigs, and transporting heads of state. Audrey Brady, general manager of Coatesville operations, answered a few questions about Sikorsky and her role at the local helicopter producer. Q: Can you give me a brief history of Sikorsky and how it ended up in Coatesville? Brady: Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, is headquartered in Stratford, Conn., and manufactures both military and civil helicopters. Sikorsky entered the commercial business in 1946, and in 2005 moved assembly and completion of the S-92 and S-76D helicopters to a production facility in Coatesville, after acquiring it from Keystone Helicopter Corporation. The facility covers more than 416,000 square feet, including a 217,000-square-foot Heliplex, where the assembly and production test flight and delivery centers are located. The facility employs more than 500 individuals and performs as a system integrator to assemble and complete the aircraft once the major airframe components have been delivered to Coatesville from partners around the world. Can you tell me something about your helicopters? Are they designed and constructed here? Production and completions work for the S-92 and S-76D helicopters are conducted at the Coatesville Operations facility in Coatesville. The S-92 helicopter has become the industry’s standard. It leads the way in compliance with the latest U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European airworthiness safety standards by meeting or exceeding oil and gas industry requirements. With more than a million fleet flight hours of service, the S-92 helicopter sets standard for safety. Since 2004, Sikorsky has delivered more than 275 S-92 helicopters, predominantly to operators serving the worldwide offshore oil and gas industry, and for civil search and rescue operations. Eleven nations fly the S-92 helicopter for their head of state missions. In May 2014, Sikorsky was selected to build the next U.S. Presidential helicopter fleet, the world’s most advanced

——Fall/Winter

Photo courtesy of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company

The S-92 helicopter is manufactured at Sikorsky in Coatesville. The highly adaptable craft has been used worldwide and leads the way in its safety compliance and fuel requirements.

Photo by Skip Robinson

The S-76 helicopter is constructed at Sikorsky in Coatesville.

executive transport helicopter, using the S-92 platform. The S-76 helicopter operates successfully in more than 40 countries on five continents, fulfilling its many missions in varied environmental conditions. The fleet surpassed 7 million flight hours earlier this year. Sikorsky has delivered more than 850 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979. We have delivered more than 130 VIP/Corporate S-76 helicopters, and the S-76 provides Head of State transportation for 10 countries, including the Queen of England since the 1990s.

2017 • Volume 1——

Your job and background? Are you an engineer? Do you have a pilot’s license? In my eight years with Sikorsky, I have held multiple roles, including operations manager in rotor systems, senior operations manager, and then director, in the Connecticut Assembly and Flight Operations for the production of Black Hawk and Naval Hawk aircraft. I served as director for S-92 programs prior to most recently becoming the general manager of Coatesville Operations. I hold BS degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering from Trinity College, an MS degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon. I serve on the board of the Chester County Economic Development Council in Chester County, and am very active with numerous volunteer organizations in the region. I pride myself on being a lifelong learner and am also a private helicopter pilot. How did you get into the helicopter business? What’s the most satisfying part of your job? I started my career as a design engineer at Pratt & Whitney. I quickly advanced as an engineering manager, shop manager, and later moved to Rzeszow, Poland, where I became a business center manager for a joint venture organization. A year later, I was asked to join Sikorsky’s then-parent corporation United Technologies as the supply chain expert for

——For

Photo courtesy of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company

The S-76 fleet has been a popular one for Sikorsky. The 40th anniversary of the S-76’s first flight was in March.

Eastern Europe and Turkey, primarily to assist in an acquisition between Sikorsky and an international business. After supporting this venture, I joined Sikorsky full time, fell in love with helicopters and cannot imagine doing anything else. Does Sikorsky ever give tours or have events to which the public is invited? We are heavily involved in the community, and are committed to keeping our valued relationships with local organizations across all of our sites.

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——

CHAMBER MEMBER DIRECTORY Accounting Services

Architectural Services

Automobile Sales & Service

APA Tax Accountants Inc. (610) 384-6425 www.apatax.com

Architectural Concepts, PC (610) 518-1596 www.arconcepts.com

Brian Hoskins Ford (610) 384-4242 www.brianhoskinsford.com

Paisley Solutions (610) 444-2597 www.paisleysolutions.com

Art & Architecture (484) 880-8023 www.fb.com/susansalvoarchitect

Automotive Repair & Service

Quinn, M Cynthia, CPA Kennett Square (610) 444-1040 www.mcq1040.com

Art Organizations and Artists Art Partners Studio (610) 384-3030 www.artpartnersstudio.org

Quinn, M Cynthia, CPA - Coatesville (610) 380-1040 www.mcq1040.com See ad pg. 26

Kyle Whary www.facebook.com/kylewharyart

The Small Business Accounting Solution Inc (844) 208-2937 www.TSBAS.com

Carosella & Associates, PC (610) 431-3300 www.carosella.com

Administrative Services Brandywine Business Systems (610) 563-1487

Advertising Catalyst Outdoor Advertising (610) 975-9390 www.catalystoutdoor.com

Agriculture Chester/Delaware County Farm Bureau (717) 529-2508 www.pfb.com Highspire Hills Farm, LLC (610) 942-9634 www.localharvest.org/highspire-hillsfarm-llc-M6683 Windy Hill Farm (848) 218-2949 www.windyhillfarmpa.com Wyebrook Farms (610) 942-7481 www.wyebrookfarm.com

Apartments Fairways Apartments & Townhomes (610) 383-0690 www.fmgnj.com Millview Apartment Homes (610) 466-7800 www.millviewapts.com See ad pg. 59

Attorneys, Legal Services

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC (610) 696-8225 www.gawthrop.com Keen, Keen & Good (610) 383-7810 www.KKGLawFirm.com Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin (610) 873-1600 www.BarryRabinLaw.com Law Office of Jayne Garver (484) 784-5372 www.jgarverlaw.com LegalShield (215) 847-4365 www.amberjlittle.legalshieldassociate.com MacElree Harvey, Ltd. (610) 436-0100 www.macelree.com Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew LLP (610) 321-5500 www.sianalaw.com The O’Meara Law Firm (610) 383-4008 www.theomearalawfirm.com Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees, P.C. (610) 692-1371 www.utbf.com Wusinich & Brogan, P.C. (610) 594-1600 www.wusinichbrogan.com

——Fall/Winter

Fling’s Towing, Inc. (610) 383-6362 www.flingstowing.com See ad pg. 19 L.C. Auto Body (717) 442-4985 www.lcautobody.com

Banks

Santander - Parkesburg (610) 857-5531 www.santanderbank.com Santander - West Chester (610) 431-9330 www.santanderbank.com Woodforest National Bank (610) 857-0723 www.woodforest.com WSFS Bank (610) 535-6821 www.pennlibertybank.com

Banquet Facility

Coatesville Savings Bank (610) 384-8282 www.coatesvillesavings.com

Coatesville Moose Lodge/1910 Ballroom (610) 857-8227 www.coatesvillemooselodge.com

Customers Bank (610) 917-3268 customersbank.cbzsecure.com

Wagontown Banquet Hall (610) 384-1015 www.wagontownfire.com

DNB First (484) 691-3621 www.dnbfirst.com

Business Management, Consulting, Training

First Resource Bank (610) 363-9400 www.firstresourcebank.com See ad pg. 15

Novak Strategic Advisors (717) 234-9909 www.novakstrategic.com

Fulton Bank - Guthriesville (610) 873-4740 www.fultonbank.com Fulton Bank - Parkesburg (610) 857-5005 www.fultonbank.com See ad pg. 47 Fulton Bank - West Chester (610) 918-8814 www.fultonbank.com

Sales Automation (215) 643-7599 www.salesautomation.com SCORE (610) 344-6910 www.chestercounty.score.org Transfers of Learning, LLC (610) 466-7521 www.transfersoflearning.com

Caterers

Key Bank - Thorndale (610) 873-9600 www.key.com

Dashing Rogue, LLC (717) 283-6985 www.dashingrogue.com

Key Bank - Coatesville (610) 383-9300 www.key.com

Far Away Farms Country Corner (610)942-2848 www.farawayfarmcc.com

Key Bank - Downingtown (610) 269-9701 www.key.com

Harry’s Neighborhood Place (610) 857-2331 www.HarrysHotdogs.com See ad pgs 34-35

M&T Bank (610) 273-7022 www.mtb.com Meridian Bank (484) 568-5026 www.meridianbanker.com

2017 • Volume 1——

John Serock Catering (610) 640-2836 www.serockcatering.com

Breathe Partners CPR-3 (484) 615-6151 www.breathepartners.com

Purple Picnic People/Cricket Catering and Special Events (610) 623-2006 www.cricketcatering.com

Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties (610) 380-1360 www.bridgeofhopelcc.org

Triple Fresh Catering (610) 384-5037 www.triplefresh.net

Chester County Association for the Blind (610) 384-2767 www.chescoblind.org

Chambers of Commerce PA Chamber of Business & Industry (717) 720-5471 www.pachamber.org Western Chester County Chamber (610) 384-9550 www.WesternChesterCounty.com

Chiropractors Chamberlain Chiropractic (610) 429-4920 www.chamberlainchiropractic.com

Churches

Chester County Food Bank (610) 873-6000 www.chestercountyfoodbank.org Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance (484) 786-8896 www.2ndCenturyAlliance.org Coatesville Area Partners for Progress (CAPP) (610) 420-1167 Coatesville Youth Initiative (610) 380-0200 www.coatesvilleyouthinitiative.org

Our Lady of Consolation (610) 857-3510 www.olcchurch.org

Cleaning Services, Commercial, Residential Rainbow Washhouse (610) 637-7636,

Commercial Flooring Sales and Installation

Habitat For Humanity of Chester County (610) 384-7993 www.hfhcc.org Honey Brook Area Community Partnership (610) 990-5670 www.honeybrookevents.com Life Transforming Ministries (610) 384-5393 www.quietrevolution.org

Precision Flooring Enterprises LLC (610) 857-3519 www.precisionflooringllc.com

PABA Parkesburg Business Association (610) 857-5114 www.paba-pa.org

Community Services, Organizations Angel Grapevine (774) 272-1914 www.AngelGrapevine.com

Parkesburg Action Committee www.facebook.com/pg/PAC19365/ posts/

Boy Scouts of America Chester County Council (610) 696-2900 www.cccbsa.org Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art (610) 388-8389 www.brandywine.org/conservancy Brandywine Health Foundation (610) 380-9080 www.brandywinefoundation.org See ad pg. 33

Rotary Club of Coatesville (610) 384-9196 www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofcoatesville/ Salvation Army - Service Extension (610) 383-0868 Stewart Huston Charitable Trust (610) 384-2666 www.stewarthuston.org

Brandywine Regeneration Project (610) 717-2265

The Huston Foundation (610) 832-4955 www.hustonfoundation.org

Credit Unions

The Parkesburg POINT (610) 857-3393 www.parkesburgpoint.com See ad pg. 20 United Way of Chester County (610) 429-9400 www.unitedwaychestercounty.org

Computer Services CompNet, Inc. (610) 380-1314 www.compnetinc.com

Citadel - South Coatesville (610) 380-6003 www.citadelbanking.com See ad pg. 4 Citadel - Eagleview Corporate Offices (610) 466-6412 www.citadelbanking.com Citadel - Parkesburg (610) 466-6634 www.citadelbanking.com

EntireTech Group LLC (484) 786-8049 www.etech4it.com

Citadel - Thorndale (610) 466-6649 www.citadelbanking.com

Jerry’s Computer Service, LLC (610) 331-7069 www.jerryscomputerworld.com

Dentists/Dental Surgeons/ Dental Labs

Lownes Computer Service (610) 383-0657 www.lownes.net

Opera House Dental (610) 857-9244 www.OperaHouseDental.com

Origami Technology Group, Inc. (484) 639-0004 www.origamitg.com See ad pg. 3

Rainbow Valley Dental (610) 383-4747 www.rainbowvalleydental.com

Developer

Parkesburg Computer & Mobile Device Shoppe (610) 857-5700 www.parkesburgcomputer.com

First Eastern Development Company, LLC (610) 842-8224, Legend Properties (610) 941-4034 www.lpre.com See ad pg. 21

Contractors & Construction D. Howe & Sons, Inc. (610) 942-4249 www.dhoweandsons.com FBSG Inc. (610) 633-8824 www.fbsginc.com

New Heritage Properties, LLC (610) 383-9800 www.newheritage properties.com See ad pg. 45

Five Point Renovation & Remodel (484) 888-8276 www.fivepointconstruction.com

Oliver Tyrone Pulver Corporation (610) 834-3185 www.otpcorp.com

Graber Supply, LLC (610) 593-3500 www.polebarn.com

Economic Development Organization

Keystone Custom Homes (717) 517-0503 www.keystonecustomhome.com

Chester County Economic Development Council (610) 321-8227 www.ccedcpa.com

Provident Homes Corporation (610) 692-7697 www.providenthomes.com

Education

Rittenhouse Builders (610) 380-9570 www.rittenhousebuilders.com

Chester County Intermediate Unit (484) 237-5153 conferencecenter.cciu.org See ad pg. 5

Veteran Construction and Utility Services, Inc (610) 384-8235 www.veterancus.com

Chester County Technical College High School (484) 593-5100 www.tchsbrandywine.org Continued on Page 62

——For

news, events, and information visit www.WesternChesterCounty.com——