Book Recounts Early Memories Of Joanna Furnace

BY FRANCINE FULTON

When Juliana Flora was searching through boxes of her father’s mementos after he passed away, she came upon an unexpected treasure recollections about Historic Joanna Furnace written in 1936 by her great-greatgrandmother, who was the daughter of ironmaster Levi Heber Smith. The discovery led Flora to write a book, titled “My Childhood at Joanna: Recollections of Daisy Emily Smith Morris.”

Flora, president of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), the nonprofit organization that maintains the historic site, held a book launch on Aug. 1 at Joanna Furnace, which was a thriving iron-making community in the 18th and 19th centuries. Flora explained how the book came about and offered visitors signed copies to purchase. A portion of all proceeds from book sales will benefit the HCVHA and Joanna Furnace.

Flora recalled the moment she found the document. “I had many surprise finds in the boxes, but it was the biggest surprise,” Flora said. “It wasn’t in a binder or anything. It was just 36 pages of handwritten words on what would have been stationery paper at the time. It was like she was speaking to me.”

It took Flora a year to transcribe the document and add photographs and commentary with the help of her sister, Edith Bissell, who read excerpts of the book at the recent book launch. “We didn’t change very much because she was a very eloquent writer,” Flora pointed out. Flora said that her greatgreat-grandmother wrote a lot about the ironmaster’s mansion, calling it the “the hub of the universe.” Daisy lived in the mansion until she was 11 with her family. When she was 11, they moved to Philadelphia, but they would spend their summers at the furnace,” Flora said. “Her father would spend more time there because he was in charge of the workers.”

The ironmaster’s mansion is no longer in existence. It was torn down in the 1950s by Bethlehem Steel, which once owned the furnace property. The company eventually deeded the land to the HCVHA in 1979.

“An interesting story is that Daisy was living in an apartment in Bryn Mawr. She knew that her mansion had been torn down, so my dad went to get one of the bricks from the mansion and brought it to her,” Flora said. “He knew how much it meant to her and her heartbreak at it being gone, and he wanted her have a piece to remember.”

Flora noted she felt it was important to share the information contained in the document with others. “This is (Daisy’s) memory of this place and I’m hoping future generations can enjoy it,” she said. “The iron industry was important to the area, but with this book, I want to bring the people (who lived and worked at Joanna Furnace) alive.”

To honor her ancestors, Flora remains an active volunteer at Joanna Furnace. “I got (reconnected) with Joanna Furnace and fell in love with the place. Now, I am in my second year of being president of the (HCVHA) and I feel very blessed,” she stated. “Every time I go there, I think about the people that lived there. Joanna Furnace is my happy place.”

To learn more or purchase the book, visit www.brook shackbooks.etsy.com.

Juliana Flora

Gillen Visits Fort Indiantown Gap

In his capacity as secretary of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Mark M. Gillen welcomed the nation’s newest Black Hawk helicopters to the Fort Indiantown Gap Air National Guard facility.

Gillen also went airborne for a tour of the base in a Black Hawk. The purpose of the visit was not only to assess readiness, but also to thank those who serve.

Last year, Maddie was the top fundraiser in the club, raising $2,458. As the 202122 fundraising overall, Maddie is now in charge of creating, setting up and seeing through all of the club’s fundraising events throughout the upcoming school year.

For her dedication to the club and her fundraising efforts, Four Diamonds recently named Maddie as a member of the 2021-22 Mini-THON Student Leadership Council. In her new role, Maddie will serve as an advocate and leader for Four Diamonds and Mini-THON and will be one of the representatives for more than 90,000 students who are part of the organization.

Maddie, who joined the TVHS Mini-THON club her freshman year of high school, applied to be a member of the council after learning about it from Gail Frassetta, a liaison with Four Diamonds. “I didn’t think I was going to get it because I haven’t had as much experience as people going into their senior year,” she noted.

The Mini-THON Student Leadership Council provides feedback and shares ideas with the Four Diamonds staff throughout the school year to help improve the Mini-THON program. Council members also serve as mentors for other MiniTHON leaders and assist in Mini-THON recruitment presentations, among other duties.

Because of the pandemic, many schools, including TVHS were unable to hold their typical Mini-THON event for the 2020-21 school year. Instead, TVHS held a car wash in the high school parking lot on April 27, followed by an abbreviated outdoor Mini-THON from 5 to 8 p.m. on the school’s football field. The club also sold MiniTHON T-shirts.

The TVHS Mini-THON club has been able to raise more than $140,000 since its formation in 2014. This year, the students broke their own fundraising record and earned $30,056 by hosting multiple fundraisers, including “Laps for Leukemia,” “Dine and Donate” at local restaurants and car washes.

Even though school is not currently in session, Maddie has already held a fundraiser for Four Diamonds, organizing a “Dine and Donate” event at P.J. Whelihan’s in

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Maddie said she is looking forward to being a member of the Mini-THON Student Leadership Council. “I (want to) continue to learn, grow and spread awareness,” she stated. “I am extremely appreciative to have this opportunity, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the cause.”

For more information about Mini-THON at TVHS, visit www.facebook.com /TVHSminithon.

Maddie Morgan

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After an absence in 2020 because of the pandemic, Citadel Country Spirit USA will return on Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday Aug. 29, at the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds. This year’s headliners are Brantley Gilbert, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young.

The three-day festival, hosted by the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), will feature 20 country music acts performing live music on two stages - 14 nationally recognized artists on the GMC Sierra Stage and up-and-comers on the Citadel Rising Star Stage.

Gilbert will headline on Aug. 27. Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins, RaeLynn and Muscadine Bloodline will also perform. Lambert will headline on Aug. 28. Other performers will include Brett Young, Carly Pearce, Jon Langston and Niko Moon. Young will headline on Aug. 29. Also featured will be Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery and Lindsay Ell.

Festival goers will experience a professionally presented show designed to showcase the nationally known musical acts. “It’s a high-level production,” said Nina Kelly, CVB director of marketing and communications. “Impact Entertainment, the producers, also produce a festival called Country Summer in Sonoma Valley, Calif. The sound is fantastic; the acts are wonderful.”

She noted that organizers will begin setting up the venue earlier in the week. “There is a big stage they build out, and as (the date) moves closer, the talent brings huge buses and tractortrailers with all their equipment. It is mind-boggling what goes into it,” said Kelly.

There will be food and beverage vendors on-site, and sponsors will offer booths with various Western-themed activities. “There might be a games area, a mechanical bull and some different things set up,” said Kelly, noting that the event will be enjoyable even for those who are not die-hard country music fans. “The whole experience is super-fun. There is a lot of music and there is a festival atmosphere.”

She said that some people are impressed that Chester County is able to attract such big stars in country music. “We are internationally known because of Longwood Gardens, but this area is a little less well known, but equally as fabulous,” Kelly said. “(In 2019, performer) Brad Paisley said, ‘I don’t know where I am, but I love it here.’”

The show will have a limited capacity this year, and a few changes will be made to the site, ensuring that those who choose to socially distance may do so while still seeing the show.

Previously purchased threeday passes, single-day tickets and parking upgrades from 2020 will be honored for the 2021 dates. Tickets for the festival are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit www.countryspiritusa.com or call 800-514-3849. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

The GPS address for the event is 5 Nantmeal Road, Glenmoore. Gates will open at noon each day.

For complete details, visit www.countryspiritusa.com, www.facebook.com/Citadel CountrySpiritUSA, www. twitter.com/CountrySpiritUS or www.instagram.com/ citadelcountryspiritusa or email info@countryspirit usa.com.

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Citadel Country Spirit USA, Philadelphia’s Country Music Festival, will take place from Aug. 27 to 29 at the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds.

Commissioners Seek Volunteers

The Chester County commissioners are looking for volunteers to help direct the county’s nearly $102 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The county government is finalizing its structure for prioritizing, requesting, and reviewing proposals as it determines effective strategies for rebuilding communites affected by the pandemic.

According to the commissioner’s office, a key part of the process of directing funds is the inclusion of members of the public as part of the county’s ARPA evaluation teams, which will also help to ensure full transparency in spending the funds.

Use of the ARPA funds will include support for Chester County’s public health response, including behavioral health; areas of negative economic impact; premium pay for essential workers; and water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. The underlying theme in all of these areas will be to address services to disproportionately impacted communities.

Seven evaluation teams will be established by Chester County to address each priority area for ARPA funding. Each team will include representatives from Chester County government’s finance department, solicitor’s office, and strategic planning team, who will facilitate the priority groups. Three county employee volunteers and four volunteers from the community will complete each team.

Specifically, the county is seeking its volunteers from a cross-section of people of all ages, genders, socioeconomic categories, and geographic areas. The volunteer commitment is expected to be average five to 10 hours per month for six months. Team members will be trained on the criteria for ARPA fund use and how to score proposals, ask additional questions, and develop recommendations for project funding.

Anyone age 18 or over who lives or works in Chester County may express interest in being part of Chester County’s ARPA evaluation teams at www.chesco.org/arpa. Application forms should be submitted by Friday, Aug. 20.

Local Students Earn Degrees

Two local students received degrees from Quinnipiac University during commencement ceremonies held in May.

Kathryn Schall of Elverson earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Paige Osborn, a Morgantown resident, received a Bachelor of Science in health science.

Children’s pastors Kobi Martin (left, left photo) and Mary Edwards (standing, right photo) found inspiration from CONNECT.

During the period when COVID-19 restrictions were in place, the work of children’s ministry leaders was made especially difficult. Unable to meet with children in person, the children’s pastors were pushed to become more creative than in the past in order to reach youngsters via virtual means.

For those who take part in CONNECT Children’s Ministry, a program of Lancaster Bible College (LBC), a resource to help inspire innovations was already in place. CONNECT, which has been bringing together children’s ministry leaders for the purposes of networking, brainstorming, and fellowship for several years, was created by Deb Hinkel, former director of the Children and Family Ministries at LBC.

In the spring of 2020, the group began meeting online. In addition to bringing together more than 50 ministry leaders each month, the virtual gatherings featured well-known speakers from around the world and attracted attendees from up and down the East Coast of the United States.

Kobi Martin, pastor of children’s ministries at Hopewell Church in Elverson, participated, and he appreciated the opportunity to gain perspective. “For me, the most valuable thing … is a space to step out of all the little details of ministry to take a look at the big picture,” he said. “CONNECT provides the time and space to talk about what we are really trying to accomplish and hear the successes, failures, and struggles of other children’s ministries.”

Mary Edwards, director of KidMin at Gateway Church, Parkesburg, noted that the timing of the presentation about “Online Children’s Ministry” at a November 2019 gathering well before COVID-19 restrictions were in place, was especially helpful to her. “Dr. Sarah Holmes Zoomed into our time together, (and) she taught us methods to engage children virtually through various teaching styles,” recalled Edwards.

Once the pandemic hit, CONNECT became an invaluable resource. “(CONNECT) was super helpful during the pandemic when suddenly all the rules changed, and we all needed to figure out how to redefine success, how to use new resources, and not lose our minds at the same time,” said Martin. He pointed out that CONNECT organizers calling in speakers from across the globe during virtual meetings was “super cool and encouraging.”

Edwards said that her involvement in CONNECT has given her tools to strengthen her ministry and that she often returns from meetings with information she can use to train her KidMin leaders at the church. During the pandemic, she was inspired to offer a Remote Learning Center in the church, where students had a safe space that provided Wi-Fi and allowed students to complete school assignments while parents worked.

Esther Zimmerman, interim chair of Church and Ministry Leadership at LBC, who currently heads up the program, said that the group will begin meeting in the Olewine Dining Commons at LBC, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, on select Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Planned meeting dates include Sept. 16, Oct. 21, and Nov. 18. In 2022, meetings are planned for Jan. 27, Feb. 24, and April 28. A special evening event will be held on March 24. More information about LBC may be found by visiting www.lbc.edu.

Tips Posted For Keeping Pets Safe In Summer

Exton youngster Ellie Harrop was recently named the 2021 National Petite Miss Agriculture USA.

Miss Agriculture USA is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on positively promoting agriculture featuring queens of all ages who promote, celebrate and educate about all the diverse aspects of agriculture.

Ellie is the 8-year-old daughter of Paul and Melissa Harrop, the 2021 Pennsylvania Elite Ms. Agriculture USA. She attends Collegium Charter School and will enter the third grade this fall. Ellie and her family grow corn, soybeans, hay and cover crops on the family farm, as well as raise dairy beef. They sell beef products direct to consumers.

Ellie’s agricultural interests include dairy cows, market goats, rabbits and horses. She is also a member of Chester Valley 4-H Dairy Club and 4-H Sewing Club.

Ellie was the 2021 Chester County Petite Miss Agriculture USA and virtually competed and won the Pennsylvania Petite Miss Agriculture USA title in March.

She then had the opportunity to continue on to the National Miss Agriculture USA Competition that was held in Ohio in June. Ellie competed in areas of competition such as introduction, interview, speech, impromptu question, essay and formal wear.

For more information or to schedule an appearance by Ellie at a special event, email info@missagricultureusa.org. More information about the Miss Agriculture USA organization is available at www.MissAgricultureUSA.org.

Ellie Harrop

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Best Friends Animal Society has posted tips to help pet owners keep their animals safe in the heat.

A pet should never be left in a parked car when the outside temperature is above 70 degrees, even if the windows are partway down, the car is in the shade or the owner only needs to run a quick errand. Dogs and cats cannot sweat like humans, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they are inside a car, recycling hot air, panting gives no relief, and heat stroke can happen quickly.

Heat stroke can occur when an animal’s temperature rises to a critical level. Normal body temperatures for dogs and cats range from 100 to 102.5 degrees. When a dog’s temperature rises to 108 degrees or a cat’s to 106 degrees, the animal can experience irreparable organ damage and even death.

According to Best Friends veterinarians, signs of heat stroke include heavy panting that does not resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, a tongue color that is dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hyper-salivation, vomiting, and labored breathing.

If a dog or cat may have heat stroke, move the animal to a cooler environment immediately and apply cool water to the abdomen, ears, and footpads. To prevent shock, do not pour ice water over the whole animal. Instead, submerge the animal in a tub of cold water or cover it in a cold, wet blanket. Once it is stable, get the animal to a vet clinic as quickly as possible, even if it seems to be cooling down and its temperature seems normal. Internal changes may not produce external symptoms.

To help prevent heat stroke, pets should be kept indoors during the day, when the weather is at its hottest. Quick walks and bathroom breaks are fine, but owners should try to keep their pet in the shade.

If pets do spend time outside during the day, they should have access to shade at all times. Dogs on tethers are especially vulnerable because they could become tangled out of reach of shade or water. Grass and greenery help keep the yard cooler, too.

Pets should be provided with fresh, cool water at all times. During the heat of summer, water should be dumped and refilled often. Most dogs will not drink hot water no matter how thirsty they are.

Dogs should be exercised during the cooler morning or evening hours, not in the intense afternoon heat. Dogs that are older or overweight, have a thick coat or have a

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SALT Performing Arts will bring back its popular Princess Party on Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Ludwigs Corner Horse Show grounds. There will be seatings at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The show will last approximately 90 minutes.

During the event, children of all ages will be able to meet beloved princesses, princes, fairies and other fairytale characters, including a fairy godmother. All attendees will also take home a party favor. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as princesses and princes for the event.

The ticket price includes a meet-and-greet with all the characters, musical performances and dancing, as well as photo and autograph opportunities.

Tickets are available at www.saltpa.com/princess party. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit SALT Performing Arts, a nonprofit organization based in Chesters Springs that provides live community theater productions, summer and yearlong theater camps for children and more.

The Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show grounds is located at 1325 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore, near the intersection of routes 100 and 401. Parking will be free.

For more information about SALT, email info@saltpa.com or visit www.saltpa.com or www.facebook.com/salt performingarts.

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5 Lb. Bag 2.99 Ceasar, a 10-year-old sweet senior whose owner could no longer care for him, is currently available for adoption from Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue. He loves children, walks well on a leash and is housebroken, vaccinated and neutered. He would do best as an only dog and has never lived with cats. Visit www.luckydawganimal rescue.com to complete an adoption application.

Selection Posted For A Summer Read

Transforming Health, a WITF initiative in partnership with Capital Blue Cross and WellSpan Health, announced the selection of the 2021 A Summer Read book, “You Belong: A Call for Connection” by Sebene Selassie. This year’s A Summer Read selection is an extension of “Here With You,” a special Transforming Health campaign to promote physical and mental resiliency.

A Summer Read is a community partnership of WITF’s Transforming Health, central Pennsylvania library systems, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross. Together, these organizations have made 633 hard copies and 67 digital copies of the book available to more than 80 participating libraries throughout nine counties. Many libraries are coordinating programs and discussion groups around “You Belong.” A Summer Read will culminate with a special event, “A Summer Read: Beyond the Pages,” with Selassie in October.

Participants will be eligible to win one of 30 copies of the book and a VIP invitation to attend a special, private signing with the author and the opportunity to hear her speak on Monday, Oct. 11. To be eligible to win a signed copy, participants must complete a survey online or at a participating library by Thursday, Sept. 30.

Participating libraries include Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties’ public library systems, along with Hershey Public Library and the State Library of Pennsylvania.

For more details about A Summer Read, visit www.transforminghealth.org and click on “Summer Read” at the top of the page.

Sebene Selassie

Castillo Receives Scholarship

The Hearing Loss Association of America - Chester County Chapter announced the award of the fifth annual Mortimer Bauer Memorial Scholarship to Jennifer Castillo. Castillo was chosen for her award-winning essay and a life spent learning how to speak up for herself and advocating for people with hearing loss.

Castillo was born deaf and received her first cochlear implant (CI) when she was 7. She recently received her second CI. Over the course of her childhood, Castillo participated in speech therapy and auditory training, learning Spanish, English, English Sign Language, and American Sign Language (ASL) along the way.

Now a student at Downingtown East High School, Castillo teaches an ASL Club, is captain of the track and field team and maintains a 3.8 grade point average. She plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology and major in diagnostic medical sonography.

For more information about the Hearing Loss Association of America - Chester County Chapter, visit www.hearinglosschesco.com or email hlaachesco@gmail.com.

Pets frompg 7 short nose - like bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs are especially at risk of overheating. When on an outing, owners should bring water for both themselves and their pets, or they may bring a collapsible bowl for pets if there is a water source on their route.

Individuals should be aware of the temperature of the sidewalk, asphalt, sand, or even packed dirt as these can cause burns to a pet’s paw pads if these surfaces are too hot.

Owners should consult a veterinarian about whether their pet needs a petapproved sunscreen on exposed areas. Dogs with bald patches or minimal coats may need sunscreen, as well as dogs like Nordic breeds that are prone to autoimmunerelated sun diseases.

For more information about Best Friends Animal Society, visit www.bestfriends.org.