Brandywine YMCA Names New Executive Director

BY FRANCINE FULTON

“When I think of the YMCA as a wellness facility, there is so much more than coming to work out,” stated Jess Rigo, who was recently named the executive director of the Brandywine YMCA in Coatesville. “It’s about your mental health and physical well-being, being connected to community and having a safe place where kids can come after school. Wellness is that whole mind-body-spiritual connection that we do so well that goes beyond coming in and walking on a treadmill.”

Rigo has served in numerous leadership roles across several YMCA associations and worked for 15 years in the mental health field. “My ultimate goal has been to return to the Brandywine Y, which I’ve always considered my home branch,” Rigo said, noting that the interview process began in August and her start day was in October.

She worked at the Brandywine branch parttime from 2010 to 2015 and at the Lancaster Family YMCA, which is now the YMCA of the Roses. After that, she spent the last five years at the Spring Valley YMCA in Limerick.

As the executive director, Rigo oversees the full-time leadership team, each member of which is in charge of a department, such as the membership director. “My main duties are general day-to-day operations of the facility, community outreach and ensuring quality programming,” Rigo said.

Currently, staff at the YMCA branches wear masks and it is recommended that unvaccinated members wear masks while in the buildings. “We have hand-sanitizing stations, and we encourage people to wipe down (equipment) before and after using it,” noted Rigo.

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She said that during the pandemic there has been a fluctuation of when members are using the YMCA facilities.

“When you work in a wellness facility, there are ebbs and flows. Before the pandemic, we saw a lot of usage in early morning and evening,” said Rigo. “It flipflopped. People were coming in (during) off times and throughout the day when it was less crowded. Within the last few weeks, the busier times are busy again. Things are on the upswing. While it’s not completely normal, it’s moving in that direction.”

The Brandywine YMCA, 295 Hurley Road, Coatesville, currently offers a wide variety of programming, including a child care and early learning center, summer camps, swimming lessons, tennis, pickleball and an array of in-person and virtual group exercise classes for the community.

“We’re trying to take the programs we have currently and make them ‘best in class.’ We want to maintain and improve our quality,” said Rigo when describing her goals. “When you work for the YMCA, you can make a difference in your own community. I’m so glad to be back home.”

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is an association of eight YMCAs: the Brandywine YMCA, Jennersville YMCA, Kennett Area YMCA, Lionville Community YMCA, Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center, Octorara YMCA Program Center, Upper Main Line YMCA and West Chester Area YMCA. To learn more about program offerings or membership opportunities, visit www.ymcagbw.org. Jess Rigo is the new executive director of the Brandywine YMCA in Coatesville.

Say Yes To The Dress

At Blessing Brides Ministry

BY FRANCINE FULTON

Despite the pandemic, Blessing Brides Ministry has been able to continue its mission of offering new, used and vintage wedding gowns at reasonable prices for brides-to-be in a boutique setting, located at 128 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown.

The shop, which was opened in November 2018 by founder Colleen Donovan, is filled with an assortment of gowns in various styles and in all sizes, including plus-size options.

Although the shop was closed for business during the shut-down order in 2020, Donovan continued to glean more inventory for brides to choose from. “I got a call out of the blue in January 2021 from a bridal chain that did not make it,” Donovan said. “I got inventory from a store in New York of 44 dresses and almost as many veils and expensive headdresses and hair combs. She said she heard about (Blessing Brides Ministry) from a friend. I tried to be humble and grateful. In the midst of (her generosity), this was someone losing their business.”

More recently, Donovan received more than 150 dresses that were donated from a bridal shop in a department store.

The pandemic also allowed Donovan to serve even more brides due to wedding venue closures. “We did OK during COVID because people’s plans (fell through) and they got married in their backyards or in simple (ceremonies), so they needed to find (a dress quickly),” she pointed out.

Blessing Brides is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursday evenings by appointment only. “The majority of the dresses (currently) in stock are brand new,” Donovan noted.

Donovan said she came up with the idea to open the shop as a way for brides to recycle gowns so that the joy of their wedding day could continue. She also noted that divorced women can donate their gowns as a way to do something positive after a breakup.

Each dress sold at the store is clean and ready for purchase. Women who visit the shop are treated to the same experience as if they were at a traditional bridal store. Brides can stand on a pedestal and look in the mirror and bring their friends or family members to watch.

All donated dresses are tagged with a name of the woman who donated the Colleen Donovan is the founder of Blessing Brides Ministry in Downingtown, which offers discounted new and used weddings gowns.

gown and a verse from Scripture. When the dress is sold, Donovan texts the donor a photo of the new bride who will be wearing her dress.

All proceeds from gowns sold at the store will be used to purchase additional inventory and to finance the cost of running the shop. Donovan, who works as a hospice nurse, hopes to devote herself full time to the ministry as she heads toward retirement.

For more information, visit www.bridedress forless.com, search for “Blessings Brides Ministry” on Facebook or email BlessingBridesMinistry@ gmail.com.

CTC Of Downingtown Launches Parent Podcast Series

Communities that Care (CTC) of Greater Downingtown recently announced the release of its new podcast series, “Parent to Parent: Real Life Tips to Raise Resilient Kids.”

Every other Monday the hosts, Bethann Cinelli, D.ED., and Chrissie Dziembowski, MPH, CHES, meet with experts and other parents to discuss topics related to raising healthy youths - everything from drug and alcohol use to mental health to supporting independence. Each episode aims to give listeners concrete, handson tips that parents can use right away with their families, plus real-life stories and support. Cinelli and Dziembowski have a combined 40-plus years experience working in health education with youths, parents, schools and communities.

The first episode, titled “Not My Kid Is Not a Thing,” highlights lessons learned from one family’s journey from substance use to recovery and resiliency. In this episode, the hosts spoke with Kim Porter, executive director of Be a Part of the Conversation. The program includes tips, strategies and conversation about what parents can do now to prevent use and how to support themselves and their children if they are using substances.

The second and most recent episode is titled “All Things Vaping.” It discusses essentials parents need to know about nicotine and vaping products.

To listen to the Parent to Parent podcast series, visit www.dtownctc.org/ parent-to-parent-podcast.

CTC of Greater Downingtown is a coalition of organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities, law enforcement and health care providers that uses evidence-based prevention programs and policies to foster positive mental health and youth development. Learn more at www.dtownctc.org.

Park Dedicated To Retired Police Chief

West Whiteland Township dedicated its newest park to retired Police Chief Joseph Catov Jr. in a ceremony on Oct. 21. Approximately 30 retired and current police department and township employees, active and previous township supervisors and family members and friends were in attendance. Participants were able to view the new baseball field and softball field, pavilion, playground equipment and restrooms at what was previously known as Boot Road Park North.

Catov dedicated 42 years to West Whiteland Township, starting in 1978 as a patrolman and then serving as detective, detective sergeant and lieutenant before being appointed chief of police in 2013, where he served until his retirement in 2020. Under Catov’s leadership, the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) awarded the department accreditation in 2018 after an assessment in which the department demonstrated its compliance with 139 professional standards. During Catov’s tenure, the police department also implemented Crimewatch, an online system to provide transparency and keep citizens informed.

After Boot Road Park was officially renamed Joseph Catov Jr. Park, Catov provided remarks. He acknowledged the role of Bud Turner and Steve Soles, both of whom were in attendance at the dedication, in his appointment as chief. Turner and Soles were on the board of supervisors when Catov was appointed.

Current township supervisors Rajesh Kumbhardare, Theresa Santalucia and Joshua Anderson were present to open the new park to the community and to honor Catov. Kumbhardare pointed out that residents of Whiteland Woods and Indian King can enjoy the new walking trail connecting their neighborhoods to Catov Park, where they can then also access

West Whiteland Township officials, along with family members of retired Police Chief Joseph Catov Jr. (fourth from left), attended the ribbon cutting naming the new park after Catov.

more trails and recreation across the street at Boot Road Park South.

Trail access and connectivity are high on the list of township goals, as is preserving open space. The township has a bike and pedestrian plan with a list of projects based on community feedback. Kumbhardare reminded the audience that permanently protected open space makes up more than onefifth of the township.

West Whiteland Township has owned the property at 71 W. Boot Road for over 15 years. This development project was kicked off because of Exton Little League’s (ELL) need for a temporary baseball and softball field when the organization was displaced from Meadowbrook Manor in 2019 due to pipeline construction. West Whiteland provided permanent facilities to benefit ELL in the short run and the community in the long run. The fields were built and funded entirely by Energy Transfer.

For more information about West Whiteland Township, visit www. westwhiteland.org; police department information is available by clicking on “Police Department” under “Government.” To follow the police department, community members may also visit https://chester. crimewatchpa.com/west whitelandpd or search for the department on Facebook.

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During their fall chapter meeting held at Olivet United Methodist Church, Coatesville, Marie Lentz (left) and Maryann Schwab (right), members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, welcomed Ellen Endslow (center), curator of the Chester County Historical Society, who presented a program titled “The Formative Years: Childhood 1830-1910.”

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Boyle, Guyer Earn National Certification

Coatesville Police Sgt. Brenden Boyle and Detective Kirt Guyer recently undertook training in crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), a science that explores common-area design and aesthetics and applies tactics to mitigate criminal and vagrant activity.

The training was funded by the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance. A collaboration with city administration and the police department, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve the overall economy and quality of life in the city of Coatesville.

CPTED is based on the premise that preplanning design of buildings and public spaces can reduce safety concerns and crime, making an environment more welcoming to residents and visitors.

Boyle and Guyer embarked on the training early Coatesville Police Sgt. Brenden Boyle (left) and Detective Kirt Guyer (right) celebrated with Lt. Rodger Ollis after Boyle and Guyer received the CPTED certification.

in 2020 and spent a year working through the online program, which culminated in a final assessment project that included an indepth analysis of some of the vacant buildings in the city.

Public safety is one component of a community revitalization strategy. Other areas of focus include resident engagement, job creation, real estate development, and home ownership programs. The 2nd Century Alliance is the city’s partner in economic and community development, and the Alliance used funds from a grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation to underwrite the training.

The 2nd Century Alliance was founded in 2015 when the city celebrated 100 years of incorporation to ensure Coatesville’s second century is economically prosperous. A public and private partnership, the organization’s mission is to drive economic development in the city of Coatesville that enables the community to thrive.

Master Watershed Stewards Install Riparian Buffer

Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Chester and Delaware Counties planted a live stake nursery riparian buffer this fall along Rock Run above the Coatesville Reservoir in West Caln Township. Riparian buffers are created to protect waterways from stormwater runoff, pollutants, and more.

The nursery combines two stream repair techniques. One of these techniques involves planting trees with surrounding tubes or wire cages next to a stream. The nursery’s other streambank repair technique uses live stakes, branch cuttings of certain native trees and shrubs that will grow into new trees and shrubs when in contact with moist soil. They can be placed in streambanks and are an effective, low-cost way to establish a root network to help prevent soil loss and to rebuild eroded banks. Common live stake shrubs include red osier dogwood, buttonbush, and other shrubs that are also often planted in backyard habitats.

The nursery consists of 90 native shrubs that, when mature, will provide live stakes (cuttings) to local conservation organizations and streamside landowners through educational workshops offered by Master Watershed Steward volunteers. These shrubs will provide future material to protect streams and habitat across Chester and Delaware counties. An additional benefit to this riparian buffer is the source water protection it will provide due to its location upstream of Rock Run Reservoir, which provides raw water supply to the greater Coatesville area.

The Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, in partnership with the Penn Master Watershed Steward volunteers and Pennsylvania American Water employees planted trees to create a live stake nursery riparian buffer.