Chester County Press 11-23-16 Edition

U-CF School Board hears from concerned parent about ethnic intimidation incidents in district

By John Chambless Staff Writer

At a meeting that focused on the many positive aspects of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District as shown in the Annual Achievement Report, a concerned parent sparked a serious discussion for the school board about how minority students in the district are feeling threatened after the recent

election of Donald Trump.

At the school board’s Nov. 21 meeting at the refurbished Patton Middle School auditorium, a concerned mother of three children in district schools addressed the board during public comment. Vandana Dubay said she was representing the county’s Southeast Asian community. “Over the last couple of weeks, multiple issues have occurred in the

Officials say no tax increase is expected in Oxford Borough

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Oxford Borough officials discussed the preliminary budget for 2017 at the council meeting on Monday night, and the good news for residents is that there is no tax increase proposed in the spending plan.

Borough manager Brian Hoover said that the general fund budget totals $3,358,615. As it stands now, the spending plan projects a surplus of approximately $75,000.

Officials have been working out any issues with specific line items in the budget, and the numbers have been fairly consistent during recent weeks.

“The preliminary budget hasn’t changed since we last met,” Hoover told

council. “I’m very comfortable with where the budget stands.”

With no tax increase anticipated under the spending plan, the millage rate would remain the same at 12.25 mills. The borough’s water rates are also remaining the same for 2017, according to the current plan.

Borough council member Randy Grace noted that this would be the second year out of the last three without a tax increase.

One significant issue that is not impacting the proposed budget for 2017 is the ongoing financial situation of the Oxford Area Sewer Authority. The four member municipalities—Oxford Borough and East Nottingham, West Nottingham, and Lower

schools and colleges across the region and the country,” she said. “Kids who are in religious or ethnic minorities have been bullied. Here in our own schools, we have had several. As Southeast Asians, and as parents, we fear the threats that our children feel for their personal safety.

“These are not just random words that I’m pulling out of thin air,” she

A holidayhappening

Kennett

Township approves preliminary 2017 budget

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors gave approval to the township’s preliminary budget for 2017 at its Nov. 16 meeting.

The budget snapshot takes six township funds into account: general, library, open space, sewer, state and capital.

As of Jan. 1, 2017, the township’s beginning balance for its general fund will be $5.7 million, with $3.43 million in income projected for next year, with $2.4 million of that figure coming from local enabling taxes -- which will be nearly equal to last year’s budget.

The total revenue comes in at 13.2 percent less than the 2016 budget, which Township Manager Lisa Moore said was likely due to the high number of

DuPont employees who either retired, or were the victims of layoffs in the company over the past year.

On the expense side, the township forecasts a $4.2 million outlay from its general fund in 2017, which will include a transfer of $1.5 million from the general fund to its capital fund, that will be used to pay for the reconstruction of the historic Chandler Mill Bridge, paving projects, capital equipment, and the purchase of a new police vehicle.

The largest increase in general fund spending is reflected in a 33.8 percent boost in police expenses, which will be 14 percent higher than 2016’s budget and 12 percent higher than projected 2016 expenses.

The board is considering whether or not to hire another police officer in 2017,

which will be decided by the time the 2017 budget is finalized.

While open space income in 2017 is projected at $796,000, open space expenses are anticipated to be $3.24 million, to account for the anticipated easement purchases of two properties -- totaling 170 acres -- next year. The township’s sewer income for 2017 is projected to be slightly more than $2 million. Next March, the township expects to receive $1.5 million in sewer connection fees for the Ravello apartment complex on Miller’s Hill Road, which kicks off construction next spring. Expenses for the sewer fund next year are projected at $1.1 million. The township’s library fund will remain at $154,050 -- no change from

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

On the morning of Oct. 15, nearly 700 runners lined up at the start of the first Mushroom Cap 13.1 halfmarathon at the Kennett High School football field. It was cold, the sun had just begun to pop over the famous water tower, and each competitor knew he or she was about to face the challenge of steep slopes and never-ending roads. Many competed in order to test their endurance and better personal times, but whether or not they were aware, they were also running for another purpose: To assist hundreds of citizens in southern Chester County. On Nov. 15, the aches and pains they endured were all for a great purpose.

Run2Shine, Inc., the fundraising wing of the Mushroom Cap 13.1, donated $5,000 each to three beneficiaries: The Garage Community & Youth Center, Family Promise of Southern Chester County and The Genesis Employee Foundation, at its gala celebration held at the Marketplace at Kennett Square.

Run2shine, Inc. found-

Karen DiMascola and Sarah

co-founders of Run2shine, Inc. and organizers of the Mushroom Cap 13.1 race, celebrated with representatives from three organizations on Nov. 15, who were the recipients of $5,000 donations from the

& Youth

and Jennifer Pantalone,

and Deb Mahrlig of the The Genesis Employee Foundation.

ers Sarah Nurry and Karen DiMascola launched the idea for the Mushroom Cap 13.1 more than a year ago, soon after they completed a half-marathon together.

“We had both finished a race, and we were sitting in the field, and we left longing for a better halfmarathon,” Nurry told the audience of over 100 who attended the celebration.

“We thought, ‘Why not do it in Kennett Square, where we both live, because it’s beautiful?’ Our idea turned into a dream and because of everyone in this room, it turned into a great event.”

Nurry said that the organizations were selected on the basis of their ability help families overcome hardships. Kristin Proto, executive

director for the Garage Community & Youth Center, said the gift will support the Garage’s afterschool academics program, which includes tutoring, homework help, use of the computer labs, and support of additional studies.

“We are immensely grateful to the Mushroom Cap team, not only for all of

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All the school districts in southern Chester County have privatized their busing operations, except UnionvilleChadds Ford. The U-CF board wimped out, even after a study found it could save money by privatization. Recently, the board voted to spend $150,000 on a new fuel pump; earlier, hundreds of thousands on new buses. All of these hidden costs are borne by the private bus company, leaving the school district with the annual negotiated cost – nothing more. The U-CF district has also been averse to privatizing janitorial and cafeteria operations, and has been willing to provide health benefits and fixed benefit pensions to all these employees.

New public art brightens Oxford’s downtown

The Oxford community celebrated the official unveiling of a mural painted by artist Susan Melrath with a ribboncutting on Nov. 18.

Melrath, the owner of an art studio on Third Street, completed the project on Oct. 6. The mural is taken from a 2014 painting by Melrath that incorporates sinuous vines and leaf shapes. She came back to Oxford after living in the Seattle area for two decades. Public art is a vital part of downtown life in Seattle, and a group of art aficionados in Oxford want to add more public art in the town. Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. and the Oxford Area Foundation are two of the organizations that have been supportive of the efforts so far. Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. is also collecting contact information from local artists whose works might lend themselves to public display. A mosaic on Third Street by artist Vicki Vinton is slated for installation in the spring of 2017. More information, including a link to support the public art initiative, is available on the website at www.downtownoxfordpa.org.

U-CF...

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continued. “These are related to real, and painful, episodes that have occurred right here in our own school district. A Muslim family from our school, whose family worked for the Clinton campaign, had a campaign sign in their window. They had rocks thrown at the window, and it was broken through. In our high school, a student who had a Clinton sticker on his water bottle was shoved and mocked for his political views. A student was shoved and asked if the student was Mexican, based on the views that he expressed. A student was told that not having a job would be easy, because he could always work at a 7-11. A student was repeatedly called a terrorist

because of the religion he follows.

“This is not right. These are people that I know,” Dubay continued. “Some of them are personal friends. The girl whose window was broken -- her father is a doctor. We are giving our best to this community and making this community our home. While we are at work, we should not be worrying about the safety of our kids at school. We request action to address our concerns now, and a plan of action going forward.

“I personally believe that this coutnry is not that different than it was three or four weeks ago,” she said. “But right after the election, I felt very depressed and dejected. My kids should feel safe, and that they belong in these schools. Today, I call upon

all of you good people to do the right thing. I put my trust in you.”

School board president Victor Dupuis thanked Dubay, and asked, “Were the episodes you refer to reported to principals in those buildings? I would appreciate that if they haven’t, then they would be. I would hope that our anti-bullying curriculum attends to these issues, just as much as it does to all the other issues of bullying that we’re trying to attend to. We are a community that appreciates all our residents. Thank you for coming tonight.”

At the close of the three-hour meeting, board member Michael Rock returned to the topic of ethnic intimidation, and thanked Dubay for coming forward. He also said he reviewed statements made by another parent at the previous week’s board work session. “I went back over what she said several times,” Rock said. “There is an underlying feeling of intimidation, and our kids feel it in school.”

Rock said he was briefly in the hallway outside the auditorium when the group

of concerned parents were leaving the meeting on Monday night, “and one of the men said he really likes what is happening around all the student test scores in the achievement report, but that he’d really like it if his kids feel safe here, and right now they don’t.”

District superintendent John Sanville interrupted, saying, “I encourage folks to come to the January curriculum meeting. We’ll have the results of our school climate survey, and results from our students where they talk about how safe they feel. I’ve had many conversations with the community, with folks who have expressed concerns. And I’ve talked to them about specific issues. I can tell you that there’s not a specific issue that has not been addressed. First of all, there haven’t been many. But when they’ve been brought to us, they have been taken care of.

“I think it’s irresponsible of us to suggest that they’re not being addressed,” Sanville continued. “We have folks who are concerned, and I can understand that. We also need to look at the data

Uncle Irvin...

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By the way, cutting costs by privatizing does not have anything to do with quality education, but is all about cutting costs to lower taxes.

The U-CF board is continually overtaxing their district’s property owners! Period.

(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)

OMI plans holiday events in downtown Oxford

Oxford

Country Christmas takes place on Dec. 2

Oxford Mainstreet, Inc.

(OMI) is busy planning the Oxford Country Christmas, which is scheduled for December’s First Friday in Downtown Oxford on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This event is designed to bring residents and their families to downtown to join in fellowship, shop and celebrate the charm of an Oxford Country Christmas. The borough will be brought to light at 6:30 p.m. with the traditional community sing-along and tree lighting on the lawn of Edward Jones Investments, affectionately called “The Green.” Throughout the evening, horse-drawn carriage rides and trackless train rides will be offered,

points and the positives of climate surveys we’ve conducted in all six of our buildings that say our kids feel safe, parents feel that their kids are safe, and staff feels safe. There’s also data that says our community feels that we’re respectful of diversity. I don’t mean to wash away comments made today, or in other meetings over the last several weeks.

I think we have a positive climate, a healthy climate, and one that is moving forward in a healthy manner.

“We, as a board, have an open-door policy. And the administration has an opendoor policy,” Sanville said.

“I encourage everyone, if there are issues they feel are unresolved, to come and tell us and we will address them. We will listen to any comment that comes to us.”

Rock said, “Can I continue? I don’t think we’re listening. I don’t think we listened last week or this

while photos with Santa, the Grinch and special guest Olaf at Oxford Odds & Ends will take place. Local singer Jamie Marie will sing holiday favorites throughout the night, and the Oxford United Methodist Quarter Ringers Handbell Choir will perform as well. South Third Street and Locust Street in Downtown Oxford will be closed to traffic. More than 50 street vendors and food trucks will fill the streets and downtown businesses will stay open late to accommodate holiday shoppers.

For complete information on all the downtown holiday events, visit the OMI website at www. DowntownOxfordPA.org.

week. I think we’re going to pay a price if we don’t figure out how to listen better. I think it’s a mistake to think we can solve this problem simply by pushing it into our bullying policy processes. We need to reach out to our minority community to find out how serious this problem is. Two weeks in a row now, two sets of parents came to us and said, ‘We feel intimidated. I hope you can do something to help us.’ And twice in a row, we’ve said, ‘We’re doing everything we can.’ I just don’t think that’s right. I think that’s a mistake. I think we’ll pay for it down the road.”

A video of the Nov. 21 meeting and all public meetings of the school board are posted on www.ucfsd.org.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

Oxford tax...

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Oxford townships—are still in the process of determining what their respective financial obligations will be to make good on the Sewer Authority’s debt service payments on a $27 million loan that was taken out to expand the public sewage system.

During the budget discussion, borough council also talked about the scheduling of police officers. Funding for some extra shift coverage is included in the budget, and council president Ron Hershey suggested that it would be best to increase the police coverage during times when the business district is busy, particularly between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight. Police chief John Slauch assured Hershey that there is flexibility to adjust the schedules as needed.

The preliminary budget will now be advertised for public comment. Borough council is expected to adopt the final budget on Monday, Dec. 19, which is council’s second meeting in December.

In other business at the Nov. 21 meeting, borough council approved a re-stated development agreement, financial security agreement, and several other related agreements for Sycamore Crossing phases 3 and 5.

The final development plans were approved by the borough in 2004, but the project was halted after that approval was granted because of the sewer moratorium that went into effect for the Oxford area as a result of a lack of capacity in the public sewage system. The project is now moving forward again, with 50 total residential units expected to be added to the development during the next phases.

Stacy Fuller, the solicitor for Oxford Borough, informed council that she was to be taking part in a Nov. 22 meeting regarding the Oxford Area Sewer Authority’s financial situation. Fuller explained that she and the two other solicitors who represent the four member municipalities of the Sewer Authority were going to meet with representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and several Sewer Authority officials to discuss the debt service payments on the loan.

Fuller said that they are hoping to gain a better understanding of how the USDA might work with the member municipalities as they move toward finding a long-term solution for the Sewer Authority’s financial issues.

“Will they work with the member municipalities as they figure out what direction to go?” Fuller asked, before promising to get more information to borough officials after the meeting with the USDA takes place.

During the meeting, borough council also unanimously appointed Mary Lou Baily to serve on the Oxford Borough Planning Commission. Baily will be filling an unexpired term that was previously held by Mayor Geoff Henry. The unexpired term extends through 2017.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

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2016. The state revenue is projected to come in at $313,645, while expenses will be $300,000.

In other township news, Police Chief Lydell Nolt credited Kennett Township police detective Amanda Wenrich for her work in investigating a burglary that took place on Jan. 27, 2016, on Ironstone Lane in the township, that resulted in the theft of jewelry and money valued at several hundred thousand dollars.

On Oct. 17, Kennett Township police arrested 39-year-old Kebbie Ramseur of Manor, Del. for felony burglary and related offenses. Investigators gathered DNA evidence from the crime scene which linked Ramseur to the crime. Ramseur is being linked by investigators to a multi-state burglary crime spree which targeted high end residences throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

“What [the burglars] did not take into consideration is the fact that we have a committed detective [Wenrich] who was also very proficient in gathering some DNA evidence on the scene of the crime, and link that DNA evidence with cell phone records of suspects involved in the ring,” Nolt said.

Nolt also outlined a few of the department’s community policing projects they participated in dur-

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their hard work in putting this community event together, but for their support of the students – both at the Kennett Square and the West Grove locations –as well as the after-school programs we provide to nearly 500 students each,” Proto said.

Joanne Lippert spoke on behalf of The Genesis Employee Foundation, who disperses $850,000 every year to over 700 employees who are facing a variety of hardships, including domestic violence, medical emergencies and natural disasters.

“This money will go to help a lot of people who are facing hard times, and we are really appreciative,” Lippert said.

“There ware approximately 400 school-age children who experience homeless-

ing October. They provided services at the Mushroom Cap 13.1 race, the fall festival at Greenwood Elementary School, the Hillendale Husky 5K race, the Monster Mash 5K race, the Longwood Fire Company’s open house and the department’s Halloween police outreach event.

The police department, in conjunction with the DEA, hosted a drug take-back event on Oct. 22. Nolt said that 25 pounds of unused prescription medication and drug-related items was dropped off.

The board approved the preliminary subdivision plan, which include a list of conditions, for the 9.97-acre Sweetbriar development in the township. The property is scheduled to become a 38-unit residential community, and divided into nine clustered structures.

After several years of planning, the bridge on Marshall Bridge Road recently received new renovation to its structure, improvements to the nearby stream bed and the installation of a new guardrail, which was completed in two weeks. Detour signs have been removed near the site.

Fencing at the dog park at the new Barkingfield Park was installed on Nov. 21. It should be completed by Thanksgiving.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

ness in southern Chester County, so Family Promise was born on Nov. 1, 2015, when we accepted our first family, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since,” said Susan Minarchi, executive director of Family Promise of Southern Chester County, who helps children and their families experiencing homelessness to achieve lasting self-sufficiency and stability by providing shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services.

“We are very grateful for these funds, in celebrating our first-year anniversary,” Minarchi added. “They are really, really helpful and will allow us to serve many, many more families in the next year.”

Kennett Run race director J.J. Simon, who competed with his wife at the half marathon, said that he already sees the Mushroom Cap 13.1 as a future partner

After successful debut, Mini-Thons to continue at Kennett High School

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

The Kennett School Board voted on two new clubs for the high school, received the results of an audit report, and shared an update about the efforts to build a new baseball field for Kennett Middle School at a brief meeting on Nov. 14.

After listening to requests from students at the high school, the school board formally approved the establishment of two new clubs at Kennett School: a Medical Club and a MiniThon organization.

The Medical Club is aimed at educating students about the pathway to occupations in the fields of health care and medicine.

The Mini-Thon Club will raise awareness about pediatric cancer and stage a fundraiser each year.

Kennett High School will join a growing number of high schools in the area hosting these events. Mini-Thons are modeled after Penn State’s Dance Marathon. Kennett High School’s first Mini-Thon took place in February of this year as the school’s Humanitarian Club took the

with the Kennett Run.

“We’re calling the Mushroom Cap. 13.1 our ‘Sister’ race,” said Simon. “They were aiming for success, and they definitely got it on the race date. The weather turned out to be fantastic, and my eyes were peeled to see where the first-time race could be improved, and everything they did logistically was perfect. It started on time. There was good spirit.

“I was happy that they were able to put so much permanency so quickly into their race,” Simon added. “It’s not like they have to do anything differently next year. They did it all in one shot.”

Nurry and DisMascola also thanked the half marathon’s many sponsors, including Victory Brewing Company for serving as the

lead in organizing the event. There were eight hours of activities for participants, including basketball, floor hockey, soccer, yoga, Zumba, line-dancing and more. The initial goal was to raise $5,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund during the Mini-Thon, but they were able to far exceed that goal, raising more than $16,600.

In other business at the Nov. 14 meeting, the school district received the independent audit report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2016. The report was first presented to the district and reviewed at the Nov. 7 Finance Committee meeting. The district received what it typically referred to as a “clean opinion,” which is to say that the auditors did not have any significant reservations with regard to the financial statements. The audit report did not identify any findings or deficiencies in the district’s financial operations or internal controls. The audit report was prepared by Barbacane Thornton and Company, certified public accountants. School board member Michael Finnegan thanked the school dis-

chief sponsor. “Thank you, Victory, for taking a leap of faith and helping to make the run possible,” Nurry said.

Food and beverages were provided by Kaboburritos,

trict’s business office for the work that led to the good audit report.

In his Facilities and Operations Report, school board member Dominic Perigo, Jr. informed the board that district officials are still considering the options for moving forward with a plan to build a baseball field at the Kennett Middle School. Perigo explained that when the district first put the project out to bid, the best bid came in at $485,000, which was much higher than expected. District officials then scaled back the scope of the project and sought bids again. When the new bids came in, the best one was costing the district approximately $412,000, still more than what officials expected. District officials are now going back and taking another look at all the options.

The Kennett School Board’s next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. On Monday, Dec. 5 at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

the State Street Grill, M n M Catering and the Paradocx Winery.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail rgaw@chestercounty.com.

U-CF teacher’s aide charged with sexual assault of two students

By John Chambless Staff Writer

A substitute teacher’s aide has been charged with institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, and related charges after allegedly engaging in sexual activities with two Unionville High School students in August and September of this year.

According to a release from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Sheri Maufort, 42, allegedly kissed and performed a sexual act on one male student under the age of 18 in a field near a restaurant in Birmingham.

About three weeks later, she allegedly touched a second victim’s penis after she picked him up at party shortly following a high-school football game. Maufort is a married West Chester resident. She met both students in a class where she worked as a substitute teacher’s aide. According to the affidavit released by the District Attorney’s office, she contacted the first teen by text message on Aug. 20. Maufort reportedly picked the victim up outside his home, gave him alcohol, and took him to the restaurant in Birmingham before venturing into a nearby field to perform the alleged sexual act, according to authorities.

At this time, Maufort’s husband showed up at the restaurant. Maufort allegedly told the teen not to tell anyone what had happened, and to get in touch when he turned 18. According to the District Attorney’s report, Maufort’s husband drove the first victim home.

The second victim, who was 18 but still a student, met Maufort at a party. Maufort allegedly drove with him, parked the car, kissed him and touched his genitals before taking him back to the party.

According to the District Attorney, the incidents occurred in August and September of 2016, and were reported to police on Nov. 11. Pennsylvania State Police investigated this incident with the assistance of Chester County Detectives.

Also in the news release, UnionvilleChadds Ford School District superintendent

John Sanville wrote that the incident was immediately reported to law enforcement.

“We now will begin the difficult task of addressing this incident with our students, parents, and teachers,” Sanville wrote.

On Nov. 16, Sanville posted a letter to the school community on the district’s website. “We are shocked and disappointed by this news,” he wrote. “In this case, after an administrator heard a rumor about the alleged crimes, we immediately called the Chester County District Attorney. We fully cooperated with the investigation conducted by the District Attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police.

“We want to assure you that Ms. Maufort, who has worked in our schools on 25 occasions, dating back to May of 2015 (11 days at Unionville High School), had completed

all background checks and obtained all clearances as required by both the state of Pennsylvania and the Substitute Teacher Service (STS) with whom she was employeed. It appears that the encounters with the victims occurred out of school, during August and September of 2016.

“Though cases like this one are the anomaly, we are committed to ensuring our students’ safety and will work with STS (the substitute provider for UCFSD) to conduct a review of all substitute clearances and background checks,” Sanville wrote. “We take great pride in the quality of our faculty and staff as they are the backbone of UCFSD. Instead we have all been forced to understand that there are predators, and sometimes they invade where we live. Take comfort in the knowledge that UCFSD moved rapidly and without hesitation because the safety of our students is always paramount. Going forward, we will be available to speak to students and the community -- in small groups or oneon-one as requested. Our counseling team is prepared as well.”

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@ chestercounty.com.

IDENTITY THEFT

A 33-year-old Pocopson Township man was the victim of identity theft last month involving the fraudulent purchase of an Audi in his name. Pennsylvania State Police Avondale reported that someone bought a $62,000 Audi S5 from a car dealership in Florida in November using the victim’s name. A false insurance policy was also taken out in the victim’s name. The victim learned of the scam when he got letters in the mail containing denial letters for various loans he did not apply for, as well as copies of signed paperwork for the purchase of the car. The investigation is ongoing.

CAR STOLEN

Pennsylvania State Police Avondale reported that overnight on Sept. 3, Bryan John Pina, 31, of Penn Township, used a spare key to steal a car belonging to a 28-year-old Penn Township woman, which was parked in front of her residence. The vehicle was later found in Philadelphia, and police determined that items in the trunk had also been stolen. They included a trumpet in a Bach case and a pair of Vera Bradley glasses. These items had been previously stolen from other cars, police said. Pina has been charged with theft.

BURGLARY AND ETHNIC INTIMIDATION

Overnight on Nov. 4, a home in New London Britain Township was broken into and extensive damage was done to the home, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale. Police have one suspect, a 23-year-old man

from New London Britain Township, but are seeking others. The damage included multiple smashed windows, axe marks and holes punched through walls, and spray-painted racial slurs and symbols on the walls. Several items, mostly construction tools, were stolen before the suspects fled. The investigation is ongoing.

DUI On Oct. 15 at 3:12 a.m., New Garden Township Police saw a car being driven erratically with an equipment violation in the 9100 block of Gap Newport Pike. After a traffic stop, the driver, Marques Thompson, 23, of New Castle, Del., was charged with DUI and later released pending a court appearance.

Andrew Vincent Jeffries, 37, of Coatesville, was arrested for DUI after a crash on Oct. 14. Pennsylvania State Police Avondale reported that Jeffries was driving on Strasburg Road in West Bradford Township just after midnight when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer and drove off the road, side-swiping a telephone pole. He showed signs of impairment at the scene and was arrested for DUI. Frederick Drake Rife, 42, of Coatesville, was found by Pennsylvania State Police Avondale on Oct. 2 at 3 a.m., passed out behind the wheel of a pickup truck that was blocking the left lane of the Route 30 bypass in West Whiteland Township. He was arrested for DUI.

Oxford Area School District seeks public input on delayed start times

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

School districts throughout Chester County are considering the advantages and disadvantages of delaying the school start times for students. Citing the physical and mental benefits of later start times, a study group comprised of high school students throughout the county compiled a report and have been making presentations to school boards that recommends later start times, particularly for high school and middle school students.

At the Nov. 15 school board meeting, Oxford Area School District

superintendent David Woods provided the school board with an update about the district’s efforts to determine if delayed start times make sense for Oxford.

“Many school districts are doing their due diligence looking at delayed start times,” Woods told the board.

The superintendent said that the district’s administration will rely on the input from school staff, parents, students, and residents when it comes time to make a decision on whether to move forward with a time change for the start of the school day.

“We really want the community’s feedback,”

Woods said. “We want to get as much input as possible.”

To help accomplish this, the school district has enlisted a third-party vendor, Thought Exchange, to conduct an online survey of what people think about delayed start times. People can take the survey by following a link on the school district’s website at www.oxfordasd.org.

In the coming months, the school district will be collaborating with the PTOs to host town hall meetings about delayed start times.

Woods said that they are hoping to have all the information that they need by April of 2017 so that a decision can be made in a

timely fashion.

School board member Rebecca Fetterolf asked whether Oxford’s administration was looking to make a decision in time for the 2017-2018 school year.

“I think it would probably be a year out from that,” Woods replied.

In other business at the Nov. 15 meeting, Dr. Margaret BillingsJones, the district’s assistant superintendent, talked about how Oxford recently hosted a group of administrators from school districts through Chester and Delaware counties. Oxford officials talked about the successful partnerships that the school

district has with Cecil College and Delaware County Community College. The partnerships give students the opportunity to earn college credits while they are still in high school. Oxford officials also highlighted the STEM programs that they have introduced at Oxford Area High School, Penn’s Grove School, and Hopewell Elementary School. Some Oxford students were on hand to demonstrate their recent work as part of the STEM classes.

In his report, Woods congratulated the four high school seniors who recently signed their letters of intent to compete at the collegiate

level. Morgan Curl will compete in swimming at the University of Pennsylvania, Michael Weber is heading to Kutztown University to play baseball, Grace Hennessey earned a spot on the Millersville University basketball team, and Sarah Johnson will be attending Stanford and playing for the school’s field hockey team.

The Oxford School Board will hold its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Administration Building.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Cameron’s Hardware plans expansion

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

For decades, Cameron’s Hardware & Supply has been an integral part of the Oxford community—a place where local residents could find everything from paint and plumbing equipment to tools and holiday lighting supplies. An ongoing expansion of the store on Baltimore Pike in Nottingham will only increase the number of items that are available to customers, and owners Frank and Angie Lobb are

looking forward to the day in the spring of 2017 when all the work will be finished and they can officially unveil the results to the community.

“This project gives us the opportunity to serve the community, and to be a lasting contributor in the community,” said Frank Lobb, a longtime Nottingham resident.

According to Angie Lobb, the expansion project will increase the size of the store from about 16,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. The project

also includes new storage space on the site for large items like snowblowers, tractors, and water heaters, as well as equipment that Cameron’s Hardware rents out to homeowners and contractors. An expanded lawn & garden department with tractors, tillers, backhoes, and many more garden supplies is also part of the project, which started early in 2016. The store will also be completely reset, Frank Lobb explained, which will give customers a more direct way to navigate

through the 40,000 or so items that the store carries.

“We try to be a complete, core hardware store—to to have everything that you need,” Frank Lobb said.

Cameron’s Hardware may not carry as many of a particular item as a big box store would, but the store offers a wide variety of items, and the staff has extensive product knowledge, which equates to a superior experience for the customers.

“We pride ourselves on having what you need,” Lobb said. “And we think our prices are the best around.”

As a member of the Ace Hardware family, Cameron’s Hardware & Supply has the retail resources of a national company, but this familyowned business still prides itself on delivering excellent customer service that can only be found in locally owned and operated stores.

“When we converted to Ace, we had the opportunity to talk about what we would like for the store,” Lobb said, explaining that the expansion project is geared toward meeting the needs of the community.

Cameron’s Hardware is a warranty dealer for Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo brands. Do-it-yourselfers will find a wide assortment of Black & Decker and Craftsman tools.

Cameron’s Hardware runs four plumbing trucks and

heating trucks, and the store carries a full line of HVAC and plumbing supplies. It is also considered a top firearms distributor in the area, with prices that are hard to beat.

Cameron’s Hardware also offers the only automatic chainsaw sharpener in the area, and customers can have their chainsaws sharpened while they wait. The store also has a sharpener for lawn mower blades.

Cameron’s was first opened in the early 1950s on the site, also on Baltimore Pike, where the Oxford Center for Dance sits today. The original owner was Clyde Cameron. He moved the business to its present location in 1988.

In 2000, with Cameron

looking to retire, the Lobbs purchased the business. Frank Lobb recalled that Carl Fretz, the longtime president of the Peoples Bank of Oxford, was instrumental in getting him to purchase the business because he knew how important Cameron’s Hardware was to the Oxford area, and he knew that the Lobbs would manage it properly.

Part of the reason for Cameron’s Hardware’s success is the fact that it is very much a family business with more than 40 welltrained employees who take pride in delivering quality service to customers. Angie Lobb is the president. Frank Lobb is the vice president of operations. Jeff Lobb is the general manager. His wife, Heather, is the administrative manager. John McDermott, a son-in-law to Frank and Angie, is the retail manager. Additionally, one grandchild works at the store full-time, while three others work part-time.

“In order to run a family business successfully, you need a family that can disagree, and can agree to disagree comfortably,” Frank Lobb said. “It’s a wonderful thing to be able to do something like this with your family.”

Cameron’s Hardware is located at 2195 Baltimore Pike, Oxford. The store’s hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

The big impact of Small Business Saturday

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday—a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the U.S.

While Black Friday will get most of the attention for the crazy sales on TVs and game consoles and tablets, as well as the large crowds that flock to big box stores and malls to fight over the limited quantities of the aforementioned items, it should actually be the next day, Small Business Saturday, that shakes us from our post-Thanksgiving lethargy.

In southern Chester County, we’re fortunate to have a deep roster of boutiques, shops, and restaurants that are locally owned— stores like Ashley Austin Boutique and Lola’s, Soap Bucket Skincare and Candles and State & Union, Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop and The Candy Case, The Sawmill Grill and Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Oxford Feed and Lumber and The Mushroom Cap. Local residents can shop for unique jewelry at Bove Jewelers or Millstone Jewelers. They can enjoy a cup of coffee at comforting, friendly places like Wholly Grounds or Philter.

Shopping in these businesses is an investment in your own local economy—a local economy that we’re all connected to. Mary Hutchins, the executive director of Historic Kennett Square, said recently that the figure that is used nationally is this: For every $100 spent at a local small business, $68 of that stays in the local community. How significant is that? According to the American Independent Business Alliance, every dollar spent at local businesses returns three times more money to the local economy than a dollar being spent at a national chain store.

National chain stores have their place. So do malls and online retailers, but we can’t forget the local businesses and the men and women who make them their life’s work.

The owners of the small businesses impact the community positively in a wide variety of ways, ranging from providing local jobs to sponsoring Little League teams to participating in community activities.

Shopping local means more personalized service. It means shopping greener because small retailers often rely on locally produced products instead of products that are shipped all over the country. Shopping local means more jobs in the area and a better local economy.

Small Business Saturday was established in 2010 as a way to make sure that small businesses had their day in the middle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and each year since then more and more Americans have made a point to shop local on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We encourage everyone to do the same this year. Small businesses are the lifeblood of small towns in the U.S. Small business owners support their communities in countless ways throughout the year, and they rely on their communities to support them right back. Many small businesses rely on the holiday shopping season to drive revenue for the entire year. The small businesses in towns like Oxford and Kennett Square are woven tightly into the fabric of the community and deserve support—not just on Small Business Saturday, but particularly on Small Business Saturday.

Chester County Press

Guest Editorial

Chester County Color 5K a great success

By Michelle Kichline Chester County Commissioner

Color 5K brought a splash of brightness to the fight against Chester County’s opioid and heroin epidemic.

On an early November Saturday morning, the Borough of West Chester was filled with county residents of all ages, who were there for a single purpose: To shine a light – or in this case, splash some brightly colored powder – on the opioid and heroin addiction epidemic that is affecting us all.

The facts are terrifying. According to the Centers for Disease Control/ National Center for Health Statistics, there were nearly 44,000 deaths from drug poisoning in 2013, 81 percent of which were acci-

dental overdoses. Just last month, JAMA Pediatrics published information that showed the rate of U.S. children hospitalized for prescription-opioid overdoses more than doubled over a 16-year period ending in 2012, and hospitalizations for heroin overdoses among teens 15 to 19 nearly tripled over the same period.

The atmosphere in Everhart Park on the Saturday morning of the Chester County Color 5K was charged with a range of emotions which reflected the purpose of the event. For many, it was an occasion to remember and honor loved ones who lost their lives to opioids or heroin, or those who continue to fight the effects of addiction to opioids or heroin every day. For

others, it was an opportunity to contribute to awareness-raising and fundraising for a disease that is affecting our community, our state and our nation. But for everyone, it was a morning that was bright and fun, and that allowed us to come together and show that Chester County will continue to find practical and effective ways to address and combat this epidemic.

The final figures aren’t in yet, but we know that tens of thousands of dollars have been raised by the Chester County Color 5K, which will be used to establish a warm hand-off program in Chester County’s five hospitals. This warm handoff program will ensure that those who have been physically saved from an overdose can and will be

directed from the hospital to the right program to bring physical, mental and emotional healing through treatment and counseling. On behalf of my fellow County Commissioners, Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone, and Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, I thank everyone who participated in Chester County’s inaugural Color 5K. From sponsors, education and counseling organizations and volunteers, to the 770-plus people who ran or walked through West Chester – I congratulate each and every one of you for making the decision to join in the collaborative work that Chester County is undertaking to address the drug abuse and overdose problem. We will continue to work at it until the problem is eliminated.

Rafferty announces candidacy to become Magisterial District Court Judge in Kennett Square

Sean C. Rafferty has announced his candidacy for the Magisterial District Court Judge position left vacant by the retirement of Judge Daniel Maisano in January. Rafferty will be on the ballot in the May 2017 primary election.

Rafferty became a Special Investigator with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after more than 25 years as a sworn law enforcement officer with the Port Authority and Tredyffrin Township Police Departments. During his career, he has worked undercover narcotics inves-

tigations with the Camden County Prosecutor’s office as part of a loan program while employed by the Port Authority Police. In June 2016, Rafferty completed the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts Magisterial District Court Judge Certification Program and is certified as a Magisterial District Court Judge. Additionally, he is certified as a Traffic Accident Reconstructionist and has completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Inter County Detective training program.

Rafferty holds a mas-

ter’s degree in public administration from Widener University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Chester University, and an associate’s degree in administration of justice from Delaware County Community College. Additionally, he attended the Camden County and Montgomery County Police Academies and earned his certification as a police officer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Rafferty was twice elected as vice-president and once president of the

Tredyffrin Township Police Association. Since 1994, Rafferty has served on the Pocopson Township Planning Commission and has been a member of the Kennett Masonic Lodge for over 20 years. He is active in local politics and resides in Pocopson Township with his wife Kimberly and their two children. Rafferty’s direct experience with the various district courts for more than the last 25 years make him uniquely qualified for this position and the obvious choice.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit presents educational documentary screening and discussion

Joining a worldwide campaign to re-imagine education, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) will host a screening and discussion of the transformative documentary, “Most Likely to Succeed,” on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the Technical College High School Brandywine Campus and will feature a student panel, round-table dialogue and an open forum

discussion. Complimentary dinner will be served and pre-registration is required.

The acclaimed film “Most Likely to Succeed” offers an inspiring and innovative look at the current educational system and asks audiences to consider a new vision. The film examines the history of education in the United States, revealing the growing shortcomings of conventional education methods in today’s technology-driven world. Directed

by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been an official selection of two dozen of the world’s top film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca and AFI DOCS.

It has been featured at leading educational conferences and screened for more than 1,500 communities nationwide.

The purpose of the CCIU event is to foster meaningful discussion among educators, administrators,

parents and students about how current obstacles can be overcome on a local level. Born out of these conversations is a community-wide commitment to innovative thinking and support of what matters most for students today. The event is open to the public. To participate, guests must register at www.cciu.org/MLTSReg. For more information, please visit www.cciu.org/ MLTS.

Chester County nonprofits join the national #GivingTuesday Movement to encourage spending with a

Nonprofits throughout Chester County have joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. The goal is to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities and give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support.

Taking place this year on Nov. 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and falls in line with the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

“In 2015, the fourth year of the movement, #GivingTuesday brought together over 45,000 partners in 71 countries and helped raise nearly $117 Million online in the U.S. alone,” explained Kristine Parkes, partner at Kultivate and organizer of the initiative in Chester County. “Each year we include more and more participants and are pleased to provide them with support

to help kick-off their yearend giving season.”

To be included, a registered charitable organization must have a service area that includes Chester County as well as the ability to accept online donations through their own website. All participating organizations are listed on GivingTuesdayChesCo.org, which has more information on the national movement, the mission statements of participating organizations in Chester County, and links to their donation pages. All donations are made directly to the nonprofit organization through its own website.

“People can donate to the organizations at any time,

purpose

not just on Nov. 29, but #GivingTuesday garners more excitement and gives donors the opportunity to learn more about organizations who work so hard for their community,” Parkes said. There are currently more than 60 Chester County nonprofits signed up to be part of this year’s #GivingTuesdayChesCo. Donors are encouraged to spread the message through social media to get others involved.

To learn more about #GivingTuesdayChesCo participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit www. GivingTuesdayChesCo.org or the Facebook page.

‘Insects as Producers’ program featured at Oxford Library

At the Oxford Library, local children’s author

Annette Whipple explained how insects are useful to people. The audience enjoyed the hands-on program’s games, pollination activity, and products from insects. A book signing for Annette’s book, “Insects as Producers” followed the program.

An announcement from Oxford Borough

regarding

enforcement

of the Property Maintenance Code

Oxford Borough Council, the mayor and the police chief are committed to making the Borough of Oxford a great place to live and work. To that end, we believe that every resident and property owner deserves to reside

in a neighborhood free of trash, abandoned vehicles, high grass and other issues affecting their quality of life. Oxford Borough has ordinances in place that protect all residents and property owners and insures that property own-

ers maintain their property to standards that protect property values and quality of life. Enforcement of the borough’s Property Maintenance Code began last week by individuals who are contracted through the borough’s Codes

Department and Licensing and Inspections. Anyone with questions about the borough’s ordinances or codes can find more information online at www. ecode360.com or by contacting the the Codes office at 610-932-2500.

Former UHS student now a Rhodes Scholar

A former Unionville High School student, Meghan Shea, is on her way to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Shea, 22, is already an accomplished scholar. Among other honors, she was named one of Popular Mechanics’ top 10 innovators of 2013 thanks to a filter she designed to remove E. coli bacteria from water.

She was 18 at the time.

At Stanford University, as a student of environmental systems engineering, she has spent various terms studying the ocean in Hawaii and aboard a ship that sailed from Tahiti.

At Oxford in England, Shea plans to study in a program focused on nature, society, and environmental governance.

Scholarship applications available for students studying human healthcare

The Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County announces the search for students who reside in the Avon Grove, Kennett, Octorara, Oxford and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts to apply for the Alma Newlin Educational Fund

scholarship. This scholarship, previously in the amount of $2,500 or more, is awarded to students who are seeking higher education in the human healthcare field. Last year, a total of $90,000 was given to area students who received this scholarship. Award winners planned to study fields such as nursing, medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

The Alma Newlin Scholarship grants one-time undergraduate awards to college-bound high school seniors, current college students, and adults pursuing continuing education. Also eligible are students entering post-graduate studies, including additional onetime awards to previous scholarship winners seeking post-graduate education in healthcare. Students must have an unweighted cumu-

lative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in previous studies and be accepted for study in healthcare-related professions.

The Alma Newlin Educational Fund was established in 1990 through a bequest from Mrs. Alma Newlin, a longtime resident of Kennett Square. The fund is administered by the Health and Welfare Foundation of Southern Chester County. Applications may be obtained online at www. HWFSCC.org under the funding link. All applications must be postmarked by Feb. 28, 2017.

Sleep expert discusses school start times

Program with Judith Owens reveals the science behind the issue

By John Chambless Staff Writer

The Unionville-Chadds

Ford School District, responding to a studentsupported request, is looking at the issue of sleep schedules among teens, with a goal of possibly delaying the school start times in the district.

As one of the first big public events addressing the issue, the district welcomed expert, Dr. Judith Owens, for a presentation on Nov. 7 at the Patton Middle School Auditorium. The audience was filled with parents, teachers, and school board members from across the county who are also involved in studying the issue.

Ken Batchelor, the asssitant to the district superintendent, said, “This is a district goal this year – to study the start times. Last year, students from across Chester County, under the guidance of the Chester County Intermediate Unit, studied this topic. These students looked at the science behind the national discussion about student start times, and they also developed recommendations. The students have been reporting to different school boards around the county.”

Batchelor emphasized that the district has made no decisions about changing school start times. “But we have made the decision that we need to research it in a thoughtful manner,” he said. “When we hear about the science behind this, it is very compelling. But we want to ground ourselves in the reality of, ‘How do we do it?’ There’s not a group out there that is saying, ‘Don’t do this,’ but we do realize the challenges

that occur whenever a district decides that they want to adjust their start times. Come spring, we’re going to have a decision and bring it to the school board.”

Owens, who is the director of sleep medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, began by saying, “I’m going to talk about sleep as a health imperative. I think the conversation about school start times has really shifted from being solely focused on the academic implications, to really seeing this as a public health issue.

“Let’s talk first about some common misconceptions that I hear as I go around the country, talking about this issue,” Owens said. “There’s ‘Teens would go to sleep earlier if their parents just made them do it,’ ‘If school starts later, they’ll just stay up later,’ and ‘Kids need to learn to get up early; that’s real life.’

“Sleep is just as essential to good health as adequate nutrition, and healthy amounts of physical activity. And that means getting sleep that is appropriately timed. We know that there’s a ‘master clock’ in the brain which determines our wake and sleep patterns. But the thing we’ve learned in the last decade or so is that every cell in the body has what we call ‘circadian oscilators.’

Those ‘clocks’ need to be synchronized with each other, and with the environment. If they’re not, you get profound impairments in physiologic function and health.

“Our bodies are hard wired to be awake during the day, and asleep at night. Violating those underlying biological influences has consequences,”

Owens said.

“In younger school-aged

children, total sleep time required is 10 to 12 hours.

Most school-age children are the first ones up in the morning. This is a time when school, activities, and electronic media start to interfere with sleep times, and parents may be less aware of issues relating to their child’s sleep.

“As kids go into adolescence, they all experience a normal shift in their circadian rhythms, in association with age and with the onset of puberty. This results in a shift of up to several hours in both the natural fall-asleep and natural wake times. It’s almost impossible for the average adolescent to fall asleep much before 11 p.m. on a regular basis,” Owens said. “You can lead a teenager to bed, but you can’t make them sleep.”

Owens pointed to homework, social networking, after-school jobs and time spent with screens as contributing to lack of sleep.

“We know that these circadian rhythms are delayed even further by exposure to screens in the evening – computers, televisions, even some e-readers,” she said. “This is a big influence that we need to tailor education around. These biological changes are in direct conflict with earlier start times. That means that 8:30 or later is the sweet spot for not only allowing kids to get enough sleep, but also aligning their sleep/wake patterns with their normal biological undepinning.

“Students are required to wake for the day and function during their lowest point of circadian alertness in the 24-hour day,” she said. “It’s like asking all of us to wake up at three o’clock in the

morning, every single day, leap out of bed and greet the day, and be ready to function at your best. Pretty tough.”

Teens who try to offset sleep deprivation by sleeping in on Saturdays and Sundays don’t get any relief, Owens said. “We know that variance in sleep and wake times is associated with learning problems and behavior problems in schoolage children. I would suggest that this practice of sleeping in doesn’t compensate for sleep loss during the week. It’s like a permanent state of jet lag.”

Owens said that 13- to 18-year-olds need eight to ten hours of sleep per night. Younger children need somewhere between nine and 12 hours. “But we all know that is not happening,” she said. “By the time kids are seniors in high school, when they need to be performing at the top of their game, they’re getting the least amount of sleep.

“What are some of the effects?” Owens said. “The first cause of death among adolescents in the United States is unintentional injuries – which include car accidents. The third most common is suicide.

“One of the brain areas most affected by sleep loss is the pre-frontal cortex, which controls higher-level brain functions – decision making, problem solving, the ability to observe your behavior and change it according to anticipated consequences. We know that adolescents who are sleep deprived are not only more likely to report depression symptoms, but they’re more likely to have suicidal thoughts.”

From a safety standpoint, “Young drivers are the most

likely to be involved in drowsy driving crashes,” Owens said. “We also know the impairments are equivalent to, or greater than, those of moderate alcohol intoxication. As parents, we would never allow a teen to get behind the wheel having consumed three or four beers, and yet that happens every day when they drive themselves to school.”

Owens cited some ways to get better sleep, and for parents to make sure teens are getting enough, but she also said schools need to be involved.

“Schools should emphasize sleep as a health priority, and that includes educating all school personnel about the importance of sleep,” she said. “School counselors already know about the impact, because they see these exhausted kids come into their offices. Information about drowsy driving needs to be included in driver’s ed, and schools should not have caffeinated beverages in cafeteria vending machines.

“Schools can help students manage their schedules so they have time for adequate sleep,” she said. “That might include looking at the homework burden. We shouldn’t counter the effects of having healthy school start times with having things like athletic practices that start at five o’clock in the morning, like some swim practices, for instance.

“Healthy school start times are 8:30 or later for middle and high school students. Since the late 1990s, at least 1,000 high schools, in over 100 district in 43 states, have reported changing their school start times to make them later,” Owens said. “Almost none of those schools have returned

to their original bell times.

But we still have work to do, because less than one in five middle and high schools in the United States start at the recommended 8:30 or later. In Pennsylvania, more than 60 percent of schools start before 8 a.m.

Owens cited a study that found “Even a 30-minute delay results in significant improvements for students. But I would caution you to think about making small shifts that still get you starting school well before 8:30. You may not see the kind of impact you would like. If you’re going to do it, do it right.” In many studies, she said, after schools institute a later start time, “attendance improves, tardiness rates drop, drop-out rates decline, standardized test scores can improve, and grades improve overall, particularly in the core subjects. We also know that delayed school start times results in improvements in mood, and decreased visits to the health center for fatigue. And, for me, this is most compelling part: The school start time is also correlated with a decrease in car crashes,” Owens said, “because students are not driving to school when they are the least awake.” The hour-long presentation was followed by half an hour of questions from the audience. The entire presentation is posted on the district’s website, www.ucfsd.org. There is also a page of information regarding many aspects of sleep needs, and information about how the district is proceeding with the ongoing study of the issue. To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

With Thanksgiving on Thursday, it’s time to start the Christmas season in Chester County, and there’s nothing like visiting a traditional holiday favorite to get the whole family in the Christmas mood. Our area has worldclass attractions that you might not have visited for a few years, so make a point of getting out to see what’s new -- and what remains delightfully the same -- at these holiday events.

A Brandywine Christmas

At the Brandywine River Museum of Art, “A Brandywine Christmas” offers visitors of all ages a spectacular holiday experience, with a gallery filled with a model train display, another filled with dozens of antique dolls ranging in size from 3 to 30 inches, along with holiday trees decorated for the season with handmade “Critter” ornaments. The museum is open late on Thursdays in December, with dinner available.

The museum’s model train display, a family holiday favorite since 1972, offers a dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. With more than 1,000 pieces -- including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys, all moving along 2,000 feet of track -- the Brandywine Railroad is one of the largest modular model railroad installations in the world.

On view on the museum’s first floor, “A Holiday Fantasy: The Ann Wyeth McCoy Doll Collection” features a stunning collection of antique dolls. Approximately three dozen dolls are placed for the holiday season in a grand dollhouse filled with hundreds of miniature objects. On one side are six rooms from a large-scale dollhouse, filled with hundreds of miniature objects. Larger dolls, up to 30 inches tall, will appear nearby in two holiday vignettes. Ann Wyeth McCoy (1915-2005) started her doll collection as a young girl and added to it throughout her life.

Critters are distinctive ornaments and tabletop decorations, each made by hand using natural materials. Each Critter has its own unique personality and expression -- no two are exactly the same. From animals to angels and stars, the decorations come in all shapes and sizes. Using their imaginations, volunteers work with raw materials such as pine cones, acorns, egg shells, flowers and seed pods, to give each piece its own unique personality and expression.

Brandywine volunteers have been creating critters for more than 40 years, with all proceeds benefitting the Volunteers’ Art Purchase Fund, and art education and programming. The annual Critter Sale starts on Dec. 1 from 5 to 9 p.m., and continues on Dec. 2, 3, and 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday evenings, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22,

with musical performances, drop-in creative art activities for all ages, and holiday tours.

The Millstone Café will serve dinner until 8 p.m. with a different holiday entrée each evening, and stay open until 9 p.m. to serve beverages and desserts.

Special holiday events and activities will take place throughout the season. The list of events includes:

The Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Night family program

Thursday, Dec. 1, 7 to 8 p.m.

Children are invited to wear their pajamas as they delight in the tale of “The Polar Express” and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Tickets are limited. $15 for adults; $8 for children, including museum admission. Children’s

Christmas Party

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy entertainment, costumed characters, face painting, model trains, antique dolls, trees adorned with hundreds of Critters, and Cookie Land. $15 for adults; $12 for members; $5 for children ages 3 to 11; free for member children and children under age 3.

Breakfast with the Trains all-ages program

Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join a behind-the-scenes visit to the Brandywine Railroad. Discover how the extensive layout is created, and the complicated multitasking it takes to keep everything running. This before-hours event includes a private tour of the trains in action with the railroad’s engineer, special activities for the youngest train fans and a continental breakfast in the Millstone Café. Children will receive a Brandywine Railroad souvenir; ages 3 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome. Tickets are limited. $25 per person.

Christmas with the Dolls family program

Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to noon

Bring your favorite doll to the museum for a morning of creative crafts and light refreshments. Participants will cut and color paper dolls based on the Ann Wyeth McCoy doll collection, make matching bracelets for themselves and their dolls, and enjoy an informal tea party. Best for ages 3 and older accompanied by an adult. $15 for adults; $8 for children, includes museum admission.

Terrific Trains family program

Saturday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m. to noon

See the Brandywine Railroad one more time before it’s all tucked away for another year, and create a colorful train to display at home.

The Brandywine River Museum of Art is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(except Thanksgiving Day

and Christmas Day) and is on Route 1 in Chadds Ford. For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum.org.

A Longwood Christmas

“A Longwood Christmas” rings in the holiday season at Longwood Gardens with a musically inspired display from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8. Explore the warm four-acre Conservatory and be enchanted by more than 50 trees adorned with an array of red, gold, and green glass ornaments. Outside, illuminated stars twinkle above, colorful fountains dance to holiday music, and a half-million lights brighten the night.

Inside the Conservatory, 16,000 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, cyclamen, and anthurium, flourish. A 30-foot floral tree takes center stage, formed with poinsettias, euphorbias, and white phalaenopsis orchids. The Music Room décor features an 18-foot Fraser Fir tree rotating in a wooden music box decorated with a garland of real musical instruments. Guests entering the Conservatory will see a 22-foot tall Concolor Fir nestled next to an antique baby grand piano, with flowing lights traveling up the tree, decorated with red and gold ornaments. Throughout the season, Longwood’s Grand Ballroom will feature free and ticketed holiday-inspired performances, as well as daily holiday sing-alongs performed on Longwood’s pipe organ. Strolling Olde Towne Carolers add to the holiday charm Thursday through Sunday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. For a complete listing of performances, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.

More than 500,000 outdoor lights adorn 124 trees, with the tallest topping more than 90 feet. Outdoor favorites return, including the illuminated Italian Water Garden, and a 10-foot Concolor Fir in the Hourglass Lake Pavilion, ornamented with materials found in the Meadow Garden. The popular Wildlife Tree entices animals to nibble on edible ornaments made from wheat, apples and birdseed. The Gardener’s

Tree showcases gardeners’ creativity with handcrafted ornaments and garland made with angel vine and burlap draping the 26–foot Concolor Norway.

Created by Longwood craftsmen and local artisans, three fire pits will be placed throughout the Gardens, allowing guests to warm up by the fire with loved ones. The fire pits will be available every night throughout the holiday season, weather permitting.

In the Open Air Theatre, fountains dance day and night to holiday classics. Young and old will delight in Longwood’s outdoor train display, located near the Birdhouse Treehouse, as it travels past miniature Longwood landmarks lit for the holiday season. In the historic Chimes Tower, the 62–bell carillon plays holiday music every half-hour.

On New Year’s Eve, Longwood offers a variety of performances for the family. Organ music will fill the Ballroom from 3 to 9 p.m., Rob Dickinson and the Brandywine Christmas Minstrels perform from 2 to 8 p.m. throughout the Gardens, Galena Brass will create a festive atmosphere at the Peirce du Pont House from 4 to 9 p.m., while rhythmic Steel Drums take center stage at the East Plaza.

Admission to the Christmas display is by Timed Admission Ticket, with tickets purchased in advance for a specific date and time. There is no admittance to the gardens without a timed admission ticket. Guests should buy their tickets before arriving at the Gardens to ensure admittance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org.

For more information, visit www.longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-1000.

Holidays at Hagley

Celebrate the season at Hagley Museum and Library with “Holidays at Hagley,” on display from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1.

“Holidays at Hagley” features Eleutherian Mills, the original du Pont family home, specially decorated for the holiday season. This year’s decorative

theme, “A Child’s Delight,” will evoke memories of past holidays and remind visitors of the delight in children’s eyes when they notice their gifts for the first time. Decorations will feature toys, games, and dolls, including a case filled with small ceramic animals well-loved by some of the du Pont family children. Child-related items will also be part of the display, including an early 20th-century stroller called an Oriole. The Christmas décor at Hagley is designed to give visitors a taste of what it might have been like to experience the holiday season with the du Pont family at Eleutherian Mills. The house will be decorated with dried flowers, fruit, greenery, and other natural materials, along with soft lights and Christmas music.

Visitors can also experience early du Pont family French holiday traditions with a display of gifts that were given to E.I. du Pont’s children on New Year’s Day, as well as displays commemorating the celebration of Twelfth Night, or “le Jour des Rois,” a holiday based around the Epiphany. The museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The holiday display is included in the cost of admission and is free for members. Visitors should use the main museum entrance off of Route 141.

Hagley’s popular Twilight Tours of Eleutherian Mills will also be returning this holiday season. Twilight Tours offer a chance to explore the du Pont residence at nightfall. Tours will be offered Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Dec. 13 through 28. Tours are $10 per person and free for Hagley members, and will run every 30 minutes from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are required; call 302-658-2400, ext. 261.

The Hagley Museum Store will feature a selection of special holiday merchandise including books, gifts, and children’s items. The store will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with hours extended until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in December for Twilight Tours of the residence. For more information, call 302-658-2400 weekdays or visit www.hagley.org.

Nov. 25

Black Friday nature crafts

On Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon, families are invited to the Bucktoe Creek Preserve (432 Sharp Rd., Avondale) for a hike through the 297acre private preserve in search of natural items to use for holiday craft ornaments. The cost is $5 for TLC members and children; $10 for nonmembers. Drop-ins are welcome. Visit www. tlcforscc.org or email education@tlcforscc.org to pre-register.

Nov. 26

Holiday craft show

The Union Fire Company (315 Market St., Oxford) will hold a craft show on Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be holiday crafts and decorations, door prizes and food all day. Chicken corn soup will be sold (bring your own container). A few tables are still available. Call 610-932-8796.

Nov. 26

Story time and gift making

The Oxford Library will host an Elves Workshop and Story Time with Santa on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children are invited to make a handcrafted gift for a loved one. Bring a canned good or non-perishable item in exchange for the craft. These items will be donated to Neighborhood Services. All are invited at noon for a story time with Santa. No registration is required for this free event. For more information, call 610932-9625, or visit www. oxfordpubliclibrary.org.

To submit items to the Calendar of Events, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There is no charge. Not every submission can be included. Items should be submitted at least two weeks before the event. Christmas Continued from

Yuletide at Winterthur

Discover one of the Brandywine Valley’s most spectacular holiday showcases as you tour Henry Francis du Pont’s dazzling former home, decorated in holiday style. The majestic dried-flower tree is on view in the Conservatory and features more than 60 varieties of flowers.

This year’s Yuletide Tour highlights the holidays through the eyes of children. Kids of all ages will delight in our new 18-room dollhouse mansion, decorated for Christmas and filled with more than 1,000 treasures. The 6-foot-by-3-foot, slateroofed, fully electrified dollhouse, inspired by Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, was assembled by creator Nancy McDaniel over 30 years and recently gifted to Winterthur.

In addition to this miniature masterpiece, visitors will also enjoy

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viewing American Christmas vignettes, from skating and sleigh ride scenes inspired by the work of Currier & Ives to a Mississippi family’s holiday decorations on the eve of the Civil War, to the White House in the early 1900s, and more.

For tickets and information, call 800-4483883. Reservations are recommended. Open New Year’s Day. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Winterthur is open daily (including Mondays) during Yuletide, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The last Yuletide Tour is at 3:30 p.m. The Visitor Center Café and Cottage Café are open until 4 p.m. Galleries and stores are open until 5:30 p.m. There will be exrtended hours on Nov. 23 and 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Yuletide Jazz & Wine 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy extended hours on Nov. 25 and 26, and Dec. 26 and 27. Last Yuletide Tour tickets sold at 4 p.m. Galleries stay open until 6 p.m. Stores stay open until 6 p.m.

Yuletide Brunch with Santa Dec. 17 and 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will appear from 9 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $34.95 per person (children ages 2 to 12, halfoff; children under 2 are free). For reservations, call 302-888-4826.

Holiday Brunch with Dickens Thursday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There will be light fare food stations, soft beverages, and a

special appearance from Gerald Charles Dickens. Reservations and advance payment required ($30 per person). Reservations can be made through ccater@ winterthur.org, or by calling 302-888-4826.

Glass Matters Wine Seminar and Tasting Hosted by Riedel, The Wine Glass Company, on Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Brown Horticulture Learning Center. This seminar features Riedel crystal and delicious wine. The speaker will demonstrate how the shape of the glass influences our perception and enjoyment of the wine. Price includes comparative tasting of four different wines and four crystal glasses from Riedel’s Veritas Collection to take home (a retail value of $138). Purchase tickets online or by calling 800448-3883. Tickets to this event include admission to Yuletide Jazz & Wine in the Galleries Reception Atrium on that evening. Yuletide Touch-It Room Hours Monday to Friday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; weekends, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Concerts

University of Delaware Chorale Performs ‘Carols by Candlelight’ (Dec. 11, 4 to 4:45 p.m.). $10 per member ($20 per nonmember, $5 per child ages 10 to 17. Advance purchase recommended.

Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 18, 1 p.m., Copeland Lecture Hall. All ages will get in the spirit as the award-winning Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band performs holiday favorites. $10 per member ($20 per non-member, $5 per child ages 10 to 17. Reservations encouraged.

Live Performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Dec. 7 at 1 p.m., Dec. 8 at 1 and 6 p.m. This heartwarming oneman show is performed by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, who depicts 26 characters of the classic tale. A book signing will follow. The Visitor Center Café will be open until 6 p.m. Performance-only tickets are $19 per member; $22 per non-member; and $12 for children under 12. For tickets, call 800-448-3883.

REV. DONALD E. ARTER

Rev. Donald E. Arter, 75, of Parkesburg, passed away peacefully on Nov. 19 at Brandywine Hospital. He was the loving husband of Sally Warrenfeltz Arter. He was born in 1940 in Hanover, Pa., the son of the late Lester A. Arter and Treva L. (Sterner) Laughman. He was a graduate of Eichelberger Senior High School in Hanover, Mount Vernon Bible College in Ohio, and Methesco Methodist Seminary in Ohio. He was a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Germany and the United States.

Rev. Arter was an ordained minister with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, serving in churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After retirement, he was a Sunday school teacher and elder with the Lancaster, Pa., Foursquare Church. He worked various places over the years, including Keystone Wire Cloth (Hanover), and Safety Supply America (Reading). He served on the Board of Directors of the Lighthouse Youth Center in Oxford. He is long remembered for his favorite sermon topic, “Living in Faith,” something he lived out in his daily life.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally Warrenfeltz Arter; four children, Nathan (Misti) Arter in North Carolina, Jonathon (Bee) Arter in Maesot Thailand; Leslie (Jesse) Kiesel in York, Pa.; Lee (Katie) Arter in Nottingham; three siblings, brother Irvin (Jerri) Arter of Hanover, sister Janice (Robert) Beaver of New Oxford, and brother David Laughman of Taneytown, Md.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by three children, Mark Daniel Arter, Eugene Allen Arter, and Donald Eugene Arter, Jr.; and one grandchild, Kameron Arter.

A viewing and funeral was held Nov. 22. Family visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service at noon at Hanover Foursquare Church (518 Wilson Ave., Hanover, Pa.). Burial will be at Marburg Memorial Gardens in Hanover. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Rev. Donald A. Arter may be made to Arter Thailand Missions, c/o Family Worship Center, 150 N. Sumner St., York, PA 17404. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

NIKOLAUS S. FINGERLE, SR.

Nikolaus S. Fingerle, Sr., a former longtime resident of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 15 in Hudson, Fla., at the age of 89.

He served in the Marine Corps during World War II. He was a gifted woodworker and craftsman. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was the husband of the late Hazel Q. Fingerle, also of Oxford, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Born in 1927, he was the son of the late Sebastian Fingerle and Margaret Fingerle; and the brother of the late Erwin G. Fingerle. He is survived by his children, Nikolaus S. Fingerle, Jr., of Oxford, Dolores K. Houck of Myerstown, Pa., and Karl E. Fingerle of Hudson, Fla. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa Reginatto of Torrington, Conn., Nikolaus Fingerle III of Oxford, Nikkole A. Puckett of Oxford, Adam Fingerle of Oxford, and Derek L. Fingerle of Hudson, Fla.; and greatgrandchildren, Alexa Reginatto of Torrington, Conn., Kevin D. Puckett of Oxford, Cody J. Puckett of Oxford, and Gage S. Fingerle of Oxford. Funeral services will be private.

Through Dec. 11

Gift shop

Oxford Presbyterian Church (6 Pine St., Oxford) hosts a Ten Thousand Villages Gift Shop on First Fridays through Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. Guest author Iris Gray Dowling will be displaying her children’s and history books. The shop is also open Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., selling fair trade products from around the world. Proceeds benefit artisans in 35 countries. Call 610-9329640 for more information. Dec. 10

Advent morning retreat

The annual Advent morning retreat will be held on Dec. 10 in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart Church on Route 10 in Oxford. Refreshments will be available at 8:30 a.m., the retreat will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 11:45 a.m. The morning will consist of scripture, prayer, reflections and quiet time. Register at the parish office (610-9325040, #1). Donations will be accepted. Call 610-9320337 for more information.

To submit items to the Church Calendar, e-mail jchambless@ chestercounty.com. There

SGT. MICHAEL D. LOPEZ

Sgt. Michael Dylan Lopez, USMC, 26, of West Chester, passed away on Nov. 14.

Born in West Chester, he was the son of Sue Quackenbush of West Chester, and Guy Lopez of Hamilton, N.J. Michael attended WCASD before joining the United States Marine Corps in 2009. He was passionate about his family, the Marine Corps and friends, always giving more than 100 percent of his heart. Michael was a combat correspondent for the Marine Corps, serving in Okinawa, Japan, Afghanistan and most recently as the marketing and public affairs representative for all Marine Corps recruiting in Southern Florida, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. He received the Combat Action Ribbon Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Good Conduct Medal, among others, for his service to the nation. Michael’s laughter and kind spirit touched so many, and he will be greatly missed.

He was predeceased by his maternal grandfathers, George M. Quackenbush and Major Roger Berry; paternal grandmother, Evelyn Lopez; and brother, Eric J. Quackenbush. He is survived by his parents; his sister, Danielle Lopez; niece, Cecily Quackenbush; nephew, Kyle Quackenbush; grandfather, Fred Lopez; grandmothers, Barbara Quackenbush and Marie Quackenbush; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Nov. 26 at Grove Methodist Church (490 W. Boot Rd., West Chester), with visitation from 9 a.m. to noon. Interment with full military honors will be at Oaklands Cemetery in West Chester. Friends and family are welcome to join the celebration of Michael’s life at the VFW Post 106 (837 Lincoln Ave., West Chester) following internment. Visit www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

BETHANY GAIL CROWTHER

Bethany Gail Crowther, 73, passed away peacefully on Nov. 14 after her year-long battle with cancer. She was a resident of Ware Presbyterian Village, after having lived for many years in both Mantua, N.J., and Vero Beach, Fla. Gail was born in 1943. Along with her twin sister, she was adopted as a toddler by James W. and Elizabeth M. Kline. They were raised in Yeadon, Pa. During her administrative career with various doctors and attorneys, she was known for her lightning-fast typing and clerical skills. She also spent time as a realtor while living in New Jersey. After retirement, she continued to do secretarial work with her church and other social organizations. Other interests included bowling, bingo, and activities at the senior centers. Gail was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Friendship Chapter No. 551. Gail enjoyed spending time with family and friends and loved her pets. Although her time there was short, she loved the new friends she made while becoming a part of the community at Ware

Presbyterian Village.

is no charge. Information should be received at least two weeks before the event. Not every submission can be included. Please include the address and contact information for the church in your submission.

Gail is survived by her two daughters, Tracy Novacich (Matthew) of Landenberg, and Carol Judd (Edward) of Danielsville, Pa. She is also survived by her four nephews, James Stanton, Paul Stanton, David Stanton, and Brian Stanton. She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Jennifer Dale Stanton; her parents, James W. Kline and Elizabeth M. Kline; and her infant son, Scotty Shannon.

A memorial service was held Nov. 19. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Gail’s name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 601 N. Jackson, Media, PA 19063; or Ware Presbyterian Village, 7 E. Locust Street, Oxford, PA 19363. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares. com. More Obituaries appear on Page 4B

ELEANOR MULLIGAN HAYES

Eleanor Mulligan Hayes, 89, of Kennett Square, passed away on Nov. 16 at Crosslands Retirement Community. She was the wife of Louis Thomas Hayes, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. Born in Attleboro, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Eleanor Carey Mulligan. She attended Tufts University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in economics and secondary teacher certification. While at Tufts, she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and the Pen, Paint, and Pretzel theater group. As a cheerleader, she was in the first group of women allowed into the Yale Bowl. After college, she was active with the Connecticut AAUW. She later received her elementary teaching certification from West Chester University. She enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, and spending time at the Rhode Island coast and the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Peter Hayes of Unionville, and Jonathan Hayes and his wife Nancy of Downingtown; one daughter, Louisa Leipold and her husband Bob of Kennett Square; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was predeceased by one brother, James Mulligan.

Her service and burial will be held privately. Contributions may be made in her memory to the educational institution of your choosing. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace. Weareofferingaspecialdiscountof25%offeachandeveryhelp wanted/classifiedadvertisementtoanybusinessthatadvertiseson thePRESSchurchpage. For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

Conservation easements draw a crowd to Franklin Supervisors meeting

By John Chambless Staff Writer

The possible future conservation easements on two properties in Franklin Township were the subject of a debate at the Nov. 16 meeting of the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors.

One property is adjacent to the Peacedale Preserve and most of the board members agreed that it is not suitable for major development. But the other parcel, totaling 55.3 acres, is a working farm and would be attractive to a developer.

Supervisor Donna Dea said she was against raising taxes to purchase open space, but at the low price of $5,000 per acre, the township should investigate helping with the purchase of the easement. The county is looking for the township to contribute 45 percent of the cost.

Dea identified several areas of the preliminary budget where she thought the money could be found. Several residents were very supportive of this purchase and agreed that even though they may not have voted to raise the open space tax, they see the value in the purchase of conservation easements.

of doing everything possible to find the money in the budget.

Board member Penny Schenk first explained that if there was extra money in the budget, she would like to use it to lower taxes, but she would be willing to assist in the purchase of easements or worthy open space properties once the township’s loan is paid off and the dedicated open space fund can pay for the purchase.

purchase of an AG easement on the Echo Hill McMaster property, which was not funded by any township money.

Supervisor David Snyder

said he is firmly not in favor of preserving open space.

Chairman John Auerbach said he would vote against the Walker Road property, and that he would abstain from voting on the 55-acre farm since it is adjacent to his property.

Residents at the meeting were very supportive of preserving open space and leaving a legacy for future generations. Several residents suggested using land conservation organizations such as Natural Lands Trust or Brandywine Conservancy to look for possible funding.

In other business, Planning Commission chairman Dave Hoffman reported that the commission reviewed the Vineyard Church Sketch Plan. This plan involves two parcels -- one 8.135-acre parcel in Franklin, and one 8.139-acre parcel in London Britain Township, both of which are owned by Vineyard Christian Fellowship. This plan intends to create one new two-acre residential parcel in Franklin, and annex the remaining 6.135

bridge and donating it to the HOA, who would be responsible for building and maintaining the bridge. Auerbach expressed some concerns that the township might have some legal liability, but solicitor Mark Thompson said that since neither property was owned by the township, there would be no township responsibility.

Auerbach reported that he has spent the last month gathering information surrounding the issues he felt were most worrisome to the residents affected by the Gourmet’s Delight proposed development of the Benmark property.

He met with the fire chief, who said there are sufficient safeguards in place to extinguish any fires that could be caused by hay bales on the property. He also said that Gourmet’s Delight would be responsible for any damage to neighboring homes.

Residents asked about passing ordinances to restrict the placement and size of hay

Continued from Page 3BMARSHALL E.

STREY

Marshall E. Strey, 79, of Avondale, passed away on Nov. 19 at Ware Presbyterian Village. He was the husband of Toni Buchheit Strey, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Columbus, Wis., he was the son of the late Edwin A. and Marcella Tall Strey. He was a certified public accountant with Deloitte, in several different locations, lastly in Nashville, Tenn. He retired after 43 years of service. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale. He was a lifelong Cubs and Packers fan. He was involved in various community activities, wherever he lived.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Douglas Strey and his wife Tricia of Suffern, N.Y.; one daughter, Holly Blake and her husband David of Newark, Del.; and five grandchildren, Caitlyn Blake, Kelly Blake, Brendan Strey, Allison Strey and Lindsay Strey.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Route 41, Avondale). His funeral mass will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers. a contribution may be made to St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 709, Avondale, PA; or to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

DONALD E. YERKES

Donald Ewing Yerkes, 78, of Kirkwood, formerly of Oxford, passed away on Nov. 12 at his home. He was the husband of Juanita Roberts Yerkes, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage. Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late Harry and Anna Ewing Yerkes. A lifetime resident of the Oxford area, Donald farmed in Elk Township and was employed with Chrysler in Newark, Del., for 38 years. He attended Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church. He enjoyed car shows, watching NASCAR and going to antique shops and auctions. He is survived by his wife; one son, Mark A. Yerkes of Kirkwood; two stepsons, Daniel C. Grinestaff (Connie) of Kirkwood, and William L. Grinestaff (Dianna) of Quarryville; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one brother, Raymond Yerkes of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Evan Yerkes and Lawrence Yerkes. A funeral was held Nov. 19. Interment was in Union Cemetery in Kirkwood. In lieu of flowers, contributiosn in his memory can be made to Nottingham Missionary Baptist Church (303 W. Christine Rd., Nottingham, PA 19362). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

He was the husband of Katherine Lukats Gaspar, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he was the son of the late Joseph and the late Juliana (Springer) Gaspar. As a young man, he was a proud Scout Master and was one of the Freedom Fighters who sought to resist the Soviet occupation of Hungary. Like many others, he was captured and jailed. He spent four years in a political prison. Upon his release, he was able to escape to the West. He came to California, where he attended the University of California, Berkeley. He received his Master’s Degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He was Thomas then began a long career with Merck Sharp and Dohme, where he became the executive director for the International Division. Upon his retirement in 1989, he started his own consulting company, Product Line Management International, in New Jersey. Most recently, he was president of

Hornet pride

Four of Oxford’s top student-athletes sign to play at the collegiate level

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Morgan Curl, Grace Hennessey, Sarah Johnson, and Mike Weber all signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level in 2017. A Nov. 14 signing ceremony at Oxford Area High School recognized the accomplishments of four of the school’s top student-athletes.

Curl, who is heading to the University of Pennsylvania, rewrote Oxford’s record books as arguably the best female swimmer in the school’s history. Hennessey’s talent and hard work has earned her a spot on the Millersville University basketball team. Johnson will be realizing her dream of playing field hockey for Stanford University. Weber, a dedicated catcher and a force in the middle of Oxford’s lineup, will be delivering his clutch hits for the Kutztown University baseball team in the near future.

“I am very excited for the future of these four student-athletes,” said Oxford Area High School athletic director Michael Price. “They give many student-athletes a great blueprint of how to succeed on and off the field, and what it takes to play at the next level.”

If there is a common denominator among these four athletes who excel in four very different sports, it’s their extraordinary work ethic.

Curl’s day frequently begins before the sun comes up, as she travels 45 minutes to compete in the Delaware Swim Team’s early-morning practices. She’ll swim for 60 or 90 minutes before heading to Oxford Area High School for a full day of classes. After school, she’ll swim and work out some more.

All the hard work paid dividends as Curl has developed into one of the top swimmers in the state. She is a three-time statequalifier heading into final season at Oxford. Curl is hoping to improve her times and finish with the best time in the state in the 500 freestyle.

“Morgan has brought a lot of exposure into our swimming program,” Price said. “Watching her grow as a freshman who qualified for states to now being a three-time state qualifier going into this season has been amazing. Morgan is goal driven and works very hard at everything she does.”

That includes academics, where Curl was as much of a standout as she is when she is competing in swimming meets. She said that the education that she

received at Oxford Area High School increased her opportunities when she was deciding on a college.

“I felt really prepared academically,” Curl said. She explained that she looked at colleges of all sizes and at varying locations, but ultimately decided on the University of Pennsylvania. She is thinking about pursuing a career in architecture.

Regarding her favorite personal highlights as a member of the swimming team, Curl said that she will remember all the fun that she had with her teammates. She is looking forward to the upcoming

season and seeing the team improve.

The same can be said for Hennessey, who is a four-year varsity starter for Oxford as her senior season is about to begin. Hennessey has already established herself as a leader on the team. She plays center, and specializes in grabbing rebounds and picking up hard-earned points around the basket. She averaged 12.2 rebounds per game during her junior season, helping Oxford to reach the first round in district playoffs.

“Grace has worked hard in the off-season the past few years to get where she is today,” Price said. “To see all of her effort and work ethic pay off is something that the younger girls in the program can look up to.”

One of Hennessey’s favorite personal memories while playing for the Hornets is actually a team achievement—a one-point win over Great Valley, a team that Oxford usually has a difficult time beating. Oxford was 13-10 last year, and Hennessey is hoping the team will improve upon that in the coming season.

“I’m hoping that we improve our record and make it deeper into the playoffs,” Hennessey said.

While many members of the Class of 2017 are still going through the process of determining which college they would like to attend, Johnson has known that Stanford University was her first choice since she was a seventh-grader— which is the same year that she started playing field hockey competitively.

It’s impressive for a high school study to have such lofty goals at a young age and then achieve those goals.

“Sarah works very hard to reach all of her goals,” Price said. “She came from dreaming about how she would like to go to Stanford to actually making it a reality.”

Price said that Johnson is a special student-athlete who has made a big impact on Oxford’s field hockey program and her teammates. Oxford field hockey coach Anne Marie Anderson agreed, pointing out that Johnson loves field hockey so much that she would probably be playing the sport 95 percent of the time if she could.

Johnson couldn’t wait to join Oxford’s field hockey team, and she earned a spot on the varsity roster as a freshman—a rare occurrence.

“She was the first freshman that I’ve taken on varsity,” Anderson explained. “You could see right away that she had the skill level. But it was also the maturity. She’s a very fluid and poised player. She doesn’t get rattled. She’s very driven and very determined. She’s a strong player all around.”

Anderson added that Johnson is the kind of player who makes her teammates want to work harder so that the team improves.

Anderson said that Johnson was well aware of Stanford’s prestige, and how difficult it would be to earn a spot on the school’s field hockey team, but she never backed down from the challenge.

Johnson acknowledged that one of her strong points as a field hockey player is her competitive drive.

“I’m definitely very driven,” said said. “I hate

losing.”

Oxford’s field hockey team plays in a very competitive league, but it has improved during Johnson’s four years on the squad, reaching the playoffs during the 2016 season—a major accomplishment for the program.

“As a team, we’ve gotten so much better,” Johnson said. She is looking forward to stepping on the field as a member of the Stanford Cardinals field hockey squad. Johnson said that she plans to major in mathematics education or psychology.

Like Curl, Hennessey, and Johnson, Weber has made a big impact on his team during his time at Oxford. Weber has been a varsity player for all four years. He’s a dependable catcher and also hits at a .370 clip in the middle of the lineup for the Hornets. Price said that he has watched Weber improve his skills on the diamond in all facets of the game.

“I’ve known about Michael as a ballplayer before he came into the high school,” Price said. “He has always been a terrific hitter, but his game has really expanded the last few years. Michael will be missed as a leader of the high school baseball program.”

Weber said that his favorite personal highlight during his first three years at Oxford is hitting a game-winning home run in the ninth inning of a game against Octorara during his freshman year. He has delivered many big hits for the Hornets since then, and has one more season to go before heading off to Kutztown University.

Everyone at the signing ceremony was delighted by the achievements of four of Oxford’s top studentathletes, and pleased at the opportunities that await them.

“I am very proud of each of them for their accomplishments,” explained Price, “and the Oxford Area School District wishes them well.”

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

Pappano

3305 Edgemont Ave., Brookhaven, PA 19015 or their

Attorney: Dana Breslin, Esq., Pappano & Bresslin, 3305 Edgemont Ave., Brookhaven, PA 19015

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ESTATE NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Letters of Administration in the Estate of JEANETTE E. MALLORY-HILL, Deceased, late of Sadsbury Township, Pomeroy, Chester County, PA. Estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims or demands against the said Estate to make known the same, all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment immediately, without delay to Robert Adams, care of his Attorney, Kerry Kalmbach, 109 West Linden Street, Kennett Square, Chester County, Pennsylvania 19348. 11p-9-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

ESTATE OF OLEN M. GRIMES, JR., DECEASED.

Late of the Township of New London, Chester County, PA

LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ROXANN GRIMES, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Kristen R. Matthews, Esq., 17 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382, Or to her Attorney: KRISTEN R. MATTHEWS MacELREE HARVEY, LTD. 17 W. Miner St. West Chester, PA 19382

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ESTATE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Letters Testamentary on the Estate of Charles S. Kuhn, Deceased, late of Penn Township, Chester County, PA. have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims or demands against the said Estate to make known the same, all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment immediately, without delay to Diane M. Kuhn, Executrix 169 Sunnyside Road, West Grove, PA 19390 or his Attorney: Kenneth . Pyle, Esq., The Law Office Of Kenneth R. Pyle, P.C. 64S. 3rd Street, Suite 1, Oxford, PA 19363-1603 11p-23-3t