Chester County Press 12-07-16 Edition

After arriving by helicopter,

listened to gift requests from dozens of youngsters at New Garden Township Park on Dec. 4, one of many visits he has made throughout Southern Chester County this season. For a closer look into Santa’s holiday tour, see our annual Christmas & New Years’ Guide, inside this issue of the Chester County Press.

Teel resigns from Oxford Area Sewer Authority Board

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

After serving on the Oxford Area Sewer Authority Board for five months, Randy Teel has resigned from the post.

Oxford Borough Council formally accepted the letter of resignation at a meeting in November and will need to appoint a new representative to the Oxford Area Sewer Authority Board, which is comprised of eight members—two each from the four member-municipalities.

Teel, a longtime public servant who was a council member for 16 years, said that he resigned from the sewer authority board after growing frustrated with the failure of Oxford Borough to address the dire financial situation that the sewer authority finds itself in.

The sewer authority board approved a staggering 30-percent rate increase in July after missing the interest payment on a

$27 million loan from the USDA. The loan was taken out to expand the wastewater treatment plant that serves Oxford Borough and Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, and West Nottingham townships.

The revenues generated from the rate increase weren’t nearly enough to cover the interest payment that was due in June and the debt-service payment that is looming later this month. At the time the sewer authority secured the loan six years ago, the four member-municipalities had to sign on to guarantee the loan in the event that the sewer authority couldn’t make its debt-service payments. Each municipality approved a portion of the financial responsibility: Oxford Borough accepted 44 percent, East Nottingham accepted 28 percent, Lower Oxford accepted 16 percent and West Nottingham accepted 12 percent. Teel, who was on borough

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Township enters release agreement with former manager

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

London Grove Township has entered into a settlement agreement and general release between its board of supervisors and former township manager Steven Brown. The announcement was made at the board’s Nov. 30 meeting.

On advisement from the township’s solicitor, the board did not provide any additional information at the meeting, regarding reasons that led to the agreement.

The agreement will be addressed by the supervisors at their Dec. 7 board meeting at the township building, beginning at 7 p.m.

In a phone interview with the Chester County Press, London Grove Township solicitor William Lincke, an attorney with the Media law firm of Beatty Lincke, emphasized that Brown was not involved in any inpropriety that may have caused his dismissal from the township.

“I have worked with the townhip for the past 13 years, and in that time, I know the positive feeling that others have had about Steve,” Lincke said. “It’s simply a matter of the board feeling that there needs to be a change in that position. There’s nothing out of the ordinary here. At some point in time, a governing

body simply wants to work with someone new.” Brown’s position is being filled by Terry Woodman on an interim basis. From January 1986 to January 2001, she served as assistant manager and zoning officer for Tredyffrin Township, and then served as manager for the East Whiteland Township from January 2001 to April 2015. Woodman has been serving in her new position for the past two weeks. The supervisors voted to advertise the available position, at their last meeting.

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

By John Chambless Staff Writer

There will be no tax increase again next year in East Marlborough Township, as the Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions keeping rates the same for 2017 at their Dec. 5 meeting.

In 2017, real estate taxes will remain at 1.05 mills (for an estimated income of $733,800), the library tax is 1.83 mills ($127,905), the open space tax is 0.2 of a mill ($127,904), and the fire tax is 0.75 of a mill ($524,200). The budget figures are posted on the township’s website (www.eastmarlborough.org). A

Wolff and Gaerity to lead Avon Grove School Board in 2017

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Bonnie Wolff will continue to serve as president of the Avon Grove School Board for another year following a vote at the board’s reorganization meeting on Dec. 5.

Wolff was unanimously selected by her colleagues to continue to preside over their meetings. Board member Brian Gaerity nominated Wolff for the leadership post. There were no other nominations. Wolff has been a member of the school board for 14 years, and

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Scott Fulton and Cindy Fallon-Fulton describe themselves as non-followers, but for several years, they were both part of the early-morning cattle ride commute that begins in the far reaches of New Castle and Chester counties and finishes in or near the corporate culture of Wilmington. Scott’s 35-year engineering and business career included serving as the head of a consulting firm and working for a number of years with

Ideations, Inc.

and

An organic chemist, Cindy spent 26 years in various technical and marketing roles at Dupont. They were riding the crest of success, but with each passing year,

(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and

Home Ideations...

Continued from Page 1A

down the rabbit hole of unfulfillment.

“We began to ask the question, ‘What are we going to do now that means something?’”

Cindy said. “We began to realize that we wanted to leave this world knowing that we did something for someone -- something that mattered, that touched people.”

And yet, the inspiration that eventually led the Fultons to begin Home Ideations -- a home mobility solutions company that helps families in Delaware and Chester County transform their homes in order to fit their changing lifestyle -- came from something deeper than just their desire to leave the corporate world.

Soon after Cindy’s mother passed from pancreatic cancer, she found herself caring for her father in failing health. She saw him slowly transition from a very active retired business executive who loved life -- which included world travel and a hiking adventure in Thailand just prior to her mother’s diagnosis -to the slow and tortuous descent that went from the assistance of a walker to a wheelchair and finally, to a permanent bed.

Every day, Cindy carved out time in her busy schedule to travel 40 minutes each way to the extended care facility to be with her father. Weeks before he died in June

2013 at the age of 84, he turned to his daughter and told her that “this was not my plan.”

“Mom and Dad thought they would live until they were one hundred,” Cindy said. “They had the financial planning down, but I assumed -- and they assumed -- that they would have much more time. To see that stripped away so quickly was very painful for all of us. If there was some better planning up front, there may have been a way for my father to spend his last days at home, rather than in a nursing home.”

Cindy’s emotional experiences, combined with Scott’s years of engineering and managing contractors, inspired a year-long investigation that led to an ultimate discovery: that in the process of making some of the most important decisions about how to match their living plan with their life plan, millions of Americans were not achieving their vision to Age in Place. They could benefit greatly from a single point of contact to help them understand the challenges and develop a more robust plan.

Enter Scott and Cindy Fulton of Home Ideations.

As the only design, build and maintain firm in the region, Home Ideations brings a unique, holistic approach to help homeowners enjoy more time with family for many years -- without having to sell their current home. Working directly with families, Home Ideations

Local News

creates an across-theboard, here-to-there options plan that provides long-term solutions that explore the detailed financial comparisons of remaining in one’s home versus moving to an adult community; possible home design ideas; the development of a home plan and a managed maintenance service.

In short, Home Ideations helps spell out the best path forward for seniors and their adult children.

“So many families just look at one or two options,” Cindy added. “We want to provide the whole solution -- an entire management model.

Home Ideations combines engineering, contracting, facilities management and ideation to come up with tailored solutions. If you can put that all together, you have something unique that can be of value to these families.”

Scott said that about 80 percent of families who are mapping out plans to age in place are failing at it.

“A number of retirees are playing a game of Russian Roulette,” Scott said. “They are saying to themselves, ‘I’m active and I’m going to keep doing the same things, because I’ve been doing them my whole life. But when something goes wrong, it’s usually too late to take corrective action. Often, it takes place over a weekend -- some sudden and unexpected incident that no one thought would ever come -- when they get the news that they’re

not going to just go home.”

The Fultons begin many client relationships by designing a custom-made home plan, an exercise that helps each homeowner understand and articulate his or her homelife goals, and potentially avoid pitfalls later on.

“We try to get involved early in people’s retirement planning to help design a plan for staying in their home and ensure the spaces are inviting and architecturally appealing,” Scott said. “It often calls upon some engineering creativity, but there are usually several good options.”

Perhaps the largest factor for couples and their families in planning for the future is whether or not to remain in the family home which, for many, becomes more of a burden than an asset. Bathrooms become danger zones, closets are unreachable, and mobility around the home, once taken for granted, is now a day-today struggle.

Home Ideations encompasses the entire process of a new home renovation,

A major component of Home Ideations is redesigning rooms to fit their clients’ needs.

from design to construction, with a specialty in designing for retirement and disability needs.

As homeowners get older, the last thing they want to worry about is taking care of the endless “punch-list” of home projects and upkeep.

Home Ideations’ maintenance management service includes routine comprehensive checks of the home, an up-to-date maintenance schedule, and handyman services.

Home Ideations also provides a thorough list of all equipment and current services in an “e-binder” to help keep the home running smoothly.

The Fultons believe that the mission of Home Ideations is to recognize that each client wants to continue his or her life’s story, in a place that is more than merely a structure that needs to be retro-fitted to suit their needs, but as a place of warmth and emotion, where some of their life’s best moments have happened.

“We approach every client relationship we have with the understanding that they are a person or a family, first,” Cindy said.

“Not every aspect of what we do is applicable for everyone, so the success of what we do comes from determining what is needed and what’s important for each person.”

Home Ideations LLC works with families throughout Chester County. The company is available for seminars and presentations to church groups and 55+ community associations who are looking to better understand aging-in-place challenges and acquire some tools to help them develop their own home plans. To learn more about Home Ideations, visit www.homeideations.com, or call 302-584-6712.

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

from Page 1A

council at the time, did not support the plan for Oxford Borough to guarantee the largest portion of the loan. Teel’s resignation comes at a time when local officials are racing to find the best possible solution to the sewer authority’s financial situation. Teel said that he resigned from the sewer authority board because of his concerns about the direction that the negotiations between the sewer authority and the municipalities are heading. Sewer authority representatives and elected officials from the four municipalities have formed an inter-municipal committee to look at options to cover the debt-service payments this year and at long-term options. Another committee has been formed by a sewer authority member to look at the possibility of selling the sewer system to a private operator, as many other municipalities have done.

One idea that seemed to be gathering steam was for each municipality to buy an agreed-upon share of Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) from the sewer authority at a cost of $4,915 per EDU. The municipalities would have something tangible that they own, and could later sell, under this proposal. Preliminary discussions regarding this plan had both East Nottingham and Lower Oxford buying 95 EDUs, while Oxford Borough would buy 60 EDUs and West Nottingham would purchase 22 EDUs. Several local officials stated publicly that in order for this plan to work, all four member-municipalities would need to agree to it. At public meetings, supervisors in East Nottingham and Lower Oxford indicated that the purchase of EDUs could be a better option than simply writing a really big check to cover the sewer authority’s shortfalls. Oxford Borough, however, has yet to take a public vote on the Inter-Municipal Agreement regarding the EDU plan. Borough council did vote to have the Oxford Area Sewer Authority Board demand the resignation of Edward Lennex, the executive director and highest-ranking administrator of the sewer authority. It has been noted by some, that the request for Lennex’s resignation was inappropriate at this time because it was local officials from the municipalities who supplied the director and the sewer authority with incorrect numbers for the amount of EDUs that each municipality would need to accommodate residential and commercial developments.

Late last month, the four member-municipalities dispatched attorneys to meet with officials from the USDA to discuss the terms of the loan and how they pertain to the current situation.

Teel said that he’s concerned about the impact of higher rates and increased taxes on borough residents and future businesses, and sees an unwillingness of the borough to work toward a solution so he tendered his resignation from the board.

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

Chester County Commissioners unanimously approve 2017 budget

Taxes increase by 4.95 percent. It’s the first increase since 2013

The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget.

“Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents now and into the future,” said Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell.

The budget calls for a 4.95 percent increase in county real estate taxes, which

equates to an additional $34.44 for a median assessed property value of $166,630.

“The County has not raised taxes since 2013 and we’ve worked hard to keep taxes as low as possible. This budget delivers necessary services to our residents at a fair cost, and also allows us to focus on maintaining the County’s position as one of the healthiest, best educated and best places to live in the state and the nation,” adds Farrell. Vice chair Kathi Cozzone commented: “We remain committed to our priority for citizen safety, which means further investment in

projects such as the voice radio system for emergency responders, the construction of a firing range at our public safety training campus and an upgrade in our computer aided dispatch equipment. I thank county department heads and staff for their input in maintaining – and even reducing - costs, which they’ve managed to do while preserving the quality services that our residents rely on.”

Commissioner Michelle Kichline also noted the importance placed on maintaining a balance of growth and preservation, which will

continue with the development in 2017 of Landscapes3 and further investment in urban centers and open space. “Maintaining a ‘quality of place’ here in Chester County is so important to attract and keep the right businesses and people with the right workforce skills that will allow the county to continue to thrive. That takes investment,” said Kichline. “Even with this increase, Chester County still has one of the lowest tax rates in Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Chester County Chief Operating Officer Mark

Rupsis is tasked each year to lead the budget process with finance staff and county departments. “Chester County remains one of the most economically stable counties in the state and our focus on investment benefits from the maintenance of healthy fund balance reserves which has earned us three triple-A bond ratings for 10 consecutive years and which makes borrowing less expensive. These reserves also allow us to provide for rainy day funds – like those needed for human services when we had the state budget crisis.”

U-CF School Board re-elects Dupuis as board president

By John Chambless Staff Writer

There was a smooth transition of the leadership of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board at the board’s Dec. 5 meeting, with president Victor Dupuis being re-elected to serve another term by a vote of 8 to 1. Board member Michael Rock nominated fellow board member Gregg Lindner for the president position, but he cast the only vote in favor of Lindner. Later, in a vote for vicepresident of the board, Jeff Hellrung was elected by a vote of 7 to 2. There were two votes cast for Lindner as vice-president.

At the beginning of the meeting, district superintendent John Sanville noted the flower sitting at an empty chair at the table and announced that district secretary Denise Miller had passed away on the afternoon of Dec. 5. “She was a dear friend and colleague, and we will miss her dearly,” Sanville said, noting that Miller had been unable to serve as secretary for several months while she was ill. “In recognition of Denise, we have left her place at the table and some flowers there. She was such a great part of our district. This is a great loss to the district, the board, and to me personally.”

The board voted unanimously to hire Justin Webb as the new district office director of technology, effective Jan. 23. Sanville said nearly 50 people had applied for the position. Webb is currently the director of technology for the Springford School District. His new salary will be $131,500 per year.

“I appreciate this opportunity,” Webb told the board. “I was excited to accept the position. The reputation of this school district is great, and I’m extremely excited. I can’t wait to get started.”

During public comment, Timotha Trigg of Chadds Ford Township, a former school board member, voiced her opposition to the district adopting the International Baccalaureate program, citing press reports of parent and teacher opposition to the program, which stresses an international curriculum for advanced students.

“Our current AP program is serving our students well,” Trigg said. “Please don’t generate controversy by adopting IB when we already have an excellent program in place.”

Former school board member Holly Manzone also addressed the board, saying that, “The IB program is a good one, and the way it was developed is a good idea. But at Unionville, I think it’s a terrible idea. I can’t believe you’re considering it. There are pluses and minuses about IB – there are a lot of good things and it works well in places. I’m glad you’re taking the next year to think about it and listen to the public. I don’t think it’s right for us.”

The board voted unanimously to approve a proposal from Alban Engineering to install a new HVAC system at the middle school, in the amount of $120,700, as part of ongoing renovations at the building. Lindner said, “Alban has been a group that has worked with us previously, they know what our systems look like, so that allows them to do this at a rate that is very appropriate for the work we’re asking for.”

The board also voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Ken Batchelor as the assistant to the superintendent, effective Jan. 27. Batchelor has been hired to be the new superintendent of schools in the Radnor Township School District. The board members said they will miss Batchelor’s work for the district, and

said they will formally comment about him at the board’s January meeting. (See related story on Page 5B.)

“Thank you again,” Batchelor said. “Since being a teacher here in 1996, this place has felt like my home. I cannot thank all the people who have helped me. It is with a heavy heart that I leave here, but with much excitement as well. It is hard to leave Unionville-Chadds Ford.”

During board member comments, Michael Rock asked Sanville whether he had followed up with parents who had addressed the board at recent meetings about what they say is intimidation of minority students since the election of Donald Trump. Sanville said he had followed up, and would speak privately about his discussions.

Rock then read from a prepared statement. “I remain disappointed in our board and administration’s response to our minority parents,” he said. “They came and identified specific incidents of post-election intimidation of their kids. They both said their children did not feel safe and they asked us to publicly support our minority students. One of them said that our silence sends a message.

“I now know two parents who refuse to come forward to talk about the intimidation of their kids, because they fear what will happen to their kids if they come forward,” Rock said. “In addition, when I sent an e-mail to each board member with an attached New York Times editorial titled ‘Bullying in the age of Trump,’ I got two responses from board members. One of them said, ‘From what my kids tell me, students are handling the election well.’ Another said, ‘Hey, we can-

not and should not be the community police on this subject.’ I couldn’t disagree more with both.

“So, what is to be done? I do have four recommendations. One, separately, I would like to urge the board, and the district, to issue public statements condemning intimidation of minority students in the district, and pledging to provide a safe school environment. This is what our minority parents asked for.

Two, I would ask the board and the district to hold a series of public meetings to engage our community – our students, our parents, our teachers, our staff and administration -- in a discussion of valuing tolerance and diversity. Three, I think I need – and this board needs -- to engage with the administrative staff in a series of workshops and training in diversity. Finally, I ask that we would build on our strengths by adopting a diversity plan and an annual report.”

Rock distributed copies of a diversity plan used by Bryn Mawr College to each school board member, say-

ing the document wouldn’t be an exact fit for the district, but would give an idea of what such a plan could look like.

At the end of the meeting, Dupuis announced that the board is considering John Nolen as a replacement for the assistant superintendent position being vacated by Batchelor. “We’re probably going to be asking you to take an even bigger role in the district come January,” Dupuis told Nolen, who was in the audience. “It’s a lot of stuff you’ve been prepared to do for a number of years. “

Nolen, who is currently serving as the director of curriculum and instruction for the district, said, “It’s an honor to serve the students and community. If I get an opportunity to work at a higher level, that will be an incredible honor. This is a phenomenal place to work. Thank you for this possibility, and I look forward to the dialogue to come.”

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

Board member Ed Farina nominated Gaerity to continue to serve as the board vice president. There were no other nominations, and Gaerity was unanimously selected.

The members of the Avon Grove School Board for 2017 are Wolff, Gaerity, Charles Beatty III, Jeff Billig, Herman Engle, Ed Farina, Tracy Lisi, Patrick Walker, and Bill Wood.

The experienced board will have a busy year ahead. Wolff said that the board will be working on finalizing a new teachers’ contract and moving forward with the Facilities Input Group, which is help ing the district develop a long-range plan for its facilities. Avon Grove will be launching a fullday kindergarten program at the start of the 2017-18 school year.

The school board has already formally notified superintendent Dr. Christopher Marchese that the intent is to extend his contract, and negotiations are progressing.

“We’re hoping to have something in place within the next few voting meetings,” Wolff said.

Overall, Wolff said, she thinks the school board members work well together, and the school board has provided the administration with good direction.

“I like the direction that we’re going in,” Wolff said. “There are a lot of good initiatives in progress.”

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

Chester County Press

Emergency response exercise held

Oxford Regional Emergency Management (OxREM) held an emergency response exercise on Nov. 30 at the Union Fire Company.

Emergency management coordinators and township supervisors from all six municipalities in the Oxford School District, as well as the Oxford Police Department, Union Fire Company, and Cochranville Fire Company, participated. The exercise, which was prepared and presented by the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, involved a simulated tornado. In the

scenario, a tornado touched down in four locations, causing a power outage over 65 percent of the area, with downed trees and power lines, damaging and destroying houses, and resulting in many serious injuries.

The purpose of the exercise was for all of the municipalities, police, and fire companies to discuss how they would respond to the event, including how they would assess the extent of the damage, determine their capability to respond, and decide if they had adequate resources to handle the emergency. An

important part of the discussion was how the agencies would communicate with each other, and how they would communicate with residents.

By visiting www. ReadyChesco.org, residents can sign up for alert notifications. The free service is designed to keep residents informed during emergency events.

Similar exercises will be held again. OxREM is a collaboration of the emergency management coordinators in the Oxford School District. To learn more about OxREM, visit www.oxrem.org.

OAHS students honored by Technical College High School

Eleven Oxford Area High School students were recently honored as Students of the Quarter by the Chester County Technical College High School for the first marking period. Students of the Quarter are selected for demonstrating leadership, positive attitude, technical skills and academic knowledge. Pictured front from left are senior Cesar Jimenez Juarez, Automotive Collision Technology; sophomore Hailey Brooks, Cosmetology I; junior Jonathan Potter, Criminal Justice & Police Science; senior Jacob Gilley,

Culinary Arts II; and junior Lauren McNair, Early Childhood Care and Education; rear from left are sophomores Dylan Thomas, Engine Technology; Joshua Finnefrock, Electronics & Robotics; and Abigail

Keiser, Health Career Pathways; and senior Carlee Eifert, Veterinary Science. Home-schooled senior Maxi Tenga, Criminal Justice & Police Science, and junior Joseph Sapp, Culinary Arts I are not pictured.

Kennett High School Model UN Club attends competition at Temple

On Nov. 5, Model UN club members attended OwlMUN, a Model UN conference sponsored by Temple University. Kennett High School students participated in a variety of activities as

they debated world issues and crises. Victoria Gonzalez took home the Distinguished Delegate Gavel for her work on Indonesia’s food administrative organization.

Honorable Mention went

to Kennett delegates Kevin Fiss, Henry Shattuck, Mantra Yang, James Hanby, Karma Yang, and Sebastian Kley.

Kennett’s Model UN advisor is social studies teacher Michael Waite.

East Marlborough...

Continued from Page 1A

formal vote will be held on Dec. 19 to adopt the rates, after the public has had a chance to review the budget.

Cuyler Walker, chairman of the township Planning Commission, presented the board with copies of a report on emergency services. Walker has worked with a consulting firm and board member Bob Weer to submit the report to local fire and emergency services for their input.

“This is the final report of the consultant who has been working with six municipalities on the concept of a regional fire and EMS system,” Walker told the board. The municipalities are East Marlborough, Newlin Township, Pocopson Township, Pennsbury Township, Kennett Township and Kennett Square Borough.

“The report contains a lot of data and recommendations in respect to ways that the operations of the three fire companies in the region – Po-Mar-Lin, Longwood and Kennett – could be more uniform in nature,” Walker said.

“The only thing requiring municipal reaction at this stage is that the six municipalities form a commission to work with the fire companies. The fire companies would maintain their independent status, but they would have the benefit of being able to communicate with one body, one commission, representing the six municipalities, rather than

having to go to the various municipalities whose territory they serve.”

Much work remains to be done, Walker said, and the municipalities are just starting to discuss forming a commission, and how the different stakeholders would vote. “We would like each municipality at this stage to simply accept the report as an indication of continuing the process,” Walker said. “Nothing would be implemented until the commission is in place.”

East Marlborough paid $5,500 toward the cost of the consulting firm that prepared the study.

The concept of the regional service is that each municipality would share the cost of funding fire and EMS services, eliminating some of the overlap and duplication that exists under the current system.

Under the proposal, the stakeholders would agree to a three-year term for a funding formula, to be evaluated later if necessary.

“The hope would be that a commission would be ready by the second quarter of 2017,” Walker said. “There’s been really continuous positive collaboration from the six municipalities. There hasn’t been any fundamental disagreement about the direction this is moving. The fire companies have been extremely responsive and very forthcoming with information.”

Walker and Weer said there are many details to work out. “There are a lot of challenges,” Walker said, “but the current way

of doing things is unsustainable and undesirable. There is no opportunity for fire companies to speak in a unified way to funding sources, which are the municipalities.”

Walker also addressed the board about the building that formerly housed the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company in Unionville. The garage and meeting rooms now house only the Unionville Post Office. The building sits at the entrance to the Unionville Park.

Walker was part of a group that inspected the building for historic or aesthetic value, “and the commission didn’t feel that the buildings were important enough assets to the township to justify the expense of keeping them,” he said. The commission is recommending demolition of the building, rather than paying for its upkeep or trying to adapt it for other uses.

The post office has leased its part of the building through May 2020, Walker said, so some accommodation will be required. Weer said that he met with the postmaster of the facility, who noted that about 700 boxes are rented at the location, a decline from about 800 in previous years.

Walker noted that, “The postal service is technically bankrupt,” so they may not be eager to spend money to maintain or upgrade the building.

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

Oxford Dental Associates

Comprehensive and convenient dental care in a comfortable environment

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

When Dr. Brian Shepanski, DMD, joined the Oxford Dental Associates office in August of this year, one of the things that he appreciated the most is the emphasis that is placed on providing patients with comprehensive and convenient dental care in a comfortable environment.

“We’re a familyoriented practice—we treat everybody from children to seniors,” Shepanski explained. “The staff is great. The patients are wonderful.”

Those patients of all ages can come to Oxford Dental Associates for general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care and know that they are receiving treatment from a well-trained staff that is utilizing state-ofthe-art equipment.

“We can do everything, including extractions and implants, all under one roof,” explained Dr. Peter Patellis, DMD. For the last 26 years, Dr. Patellis has built up his practice at the Kennett Center for Advanced Dentistry by providing the highest level of care for patients. When Dr. Patellis learned that Dr. Robert Strong was planning on retiring from his practice in Oxford, he decided that he would expand to a second location. They opened Oxford Dental Associates and moved Dr. Strong’s patients to the new

office, providing them with the same level of care that is expected at the Kennett Center for Advanced Dentistry.

Dr. Patellis explained the mission of the professionals in his dental offices. “People both seek and avoid dental treatment for a variety of reasons,” he explained. “We will not judge you based on your current oral health, past treatment decisions, or current desires. Our mission is simply to help you understand what it takes to have a healthy mouth and a beautiful, confident smile.”

Assembling a talented team of dentists and dental hygienists was an essential part of opening a second office. Adding Dr. Shepanski to the practice four months ago increased the number of dentists to four in the office.

“We’ve been looking for someone to be here on a full-time basis,” Patellis explained, noting that the Kennett Square and Oxford offices work collaboratively to ensure that patients are receiving the best level of treatment.

Dr. Shepanski grew up in nearby Glen Mills, so he was familiar with the area before he joined Oxford Dental Associates. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Delaware before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine in 2007. He worked in a

dental office in Broomall, Pa. for the next nine years before deciding to accept an offer to work at Oxford Dental Associates earlier in 2016.

“It was a unique opportunity with a lot of potential,” Shepanski explained.

The Oxford Dental Associates office itself boasts of modern, comfortable rooms and state-of-the-art equipment that are designed with patients in mind.

The office has a digital panograph X-ray machine that produces images that enables the staff to get a good look at a patient’s mouth. Utilizing digital radiography dramatically reduces the level of radiation that would be used by conventional film X-rays. The digital images can now be sent directly to the computer screen for the dentist to make a diagnosis and determine what may be needed to provide the patient with the best treatment possible.

Oxford Dental Associates also has a Cerec machine that allows a permanent crown to be built and placed during the same visit—a tremendous convenience for patients who are saved the extra appointment to the dental office. A digital 3D camera creates a digital image of the prepared tooth. The computer-aided design (CAD) software enables the staff to design and create precise restorations that

are specific to the patient’s dental needs. These highly durable restorations can also be color-matched for a more natural looking smile. This technology eliminates the need for messy impressions, a temporary crown, and in most cases, can be completed in one visit.

“That’s a huge shift in technology,” Dr. Shepanski explained. “Everyone loves fewer appointments.”

Technology has certainly changed—and improved— the level of dental care over the years, but there is no substitute for a professional and caring staff. Dr. Shepanski noted that the staff at Oxford Dental Associates is very involved in the community and they provide a very familyfriendly environment for the patients.

“Our staff knows the patients well,” Dr. Shepanski said. “It’s nice to be a part of that.”

The staff at Oxford Dental Associates pursues continuing education opportunities to stay informed about the latest technologies and treatments.

The staff is well-trained in cosmetic dentistry, which can range from more simple procedures like teeth whitening, to more complex procedures, like a complete smile makeover that improves both appearance and function. Cosmetic dentistry can improve stained, chipped,

or misshapen teeth. Patients can also seek whitening treatments and veneers at the office. Dr. Shepanski has been trained in the Invisalign orthodontic treatment system, and will be offering that to patients as well.

Oxford Dental Associates is located at 102 Conner Road in Oxford. For more information, visit www. oxfordsmiles.com or call 610-932-3388.

A holiday wish list

Every year at about this time, the Chester County Press compiles a holiday wish list for those newsmakers, leaders and residents who have made an impact in our community over the past year, and those who wish to make one in 2017. Some of these wishes are earnest grasps at the largely unattainable, but most are very much within reason. Either way, we wish everyone who made this year’s list the best of luck next year.

To the Oxford Area Sewer Authority, we wish for a path forward so that residents in the Oxford area are not further burdened by higher rates.

To Kennett Township, we wish for success on the next phase of construction on the new Barkingfield Township Park, so that by this time next year, the two planned dog parks will become one of the new social gathering places in the township.

To Southern Chester County Regional Police Chief Gerald Simpson, a sparkling new design of the planned police facility in New Garden Township, one that will be shared with all of those who have waited a long time for it.

To the residents of Landenberg, we wish for some positive news announcing the rebirth of the historic Landenberg Store.

To Sarah Nurry and Karen DiMascola, founders and co-organizers of the Mushroom Cap 13.1 Half Marathon, we wish you both an even more successful follow-up to the first run this past October, and the hope to redistribute even more funding back to the Kennett Square community after next year’s race.

To superintendent John Sanville the UnionvilleChadds Ford School District, we wish for an assistant superintendent to replace the departing Ken Batchelor. Batchelor, who will be taking a superintendent job in Delaware County, has a level of dedication to students that will be hard to replace.

To the residents of Southern Chester County and the thousands of families and individuals who make up the region’s mushroom industry, we wish for positive signs of progress regarding the eradication of the phorid fly from your homes and your businesses.

To Joseph Birmingham and the entire staff who organized the first Landenberg Day year, we wish you another successful event in 2017...and a little cooler weather.

To those who brought The Creamery to Southern Chester County this year and made it the highlight of the local social scene -- where couples and kids could all gather in one place -- we wish you a successful year in 2017.

To Susan Rzucidlo and Jack London -- who ran strong campaigns this past fall and yet did not win election -- we wish you the determination and perseverance needed to toss your ideas and your energy back into the political fray once more.

To the Board of Trustees at Lincoln University, we wish you success in choosing a new president, as well as the hope that he or she become a visionary force to lead this beacon of higher education, for years to come.

To all sports teams and their coaches at Avon Grove, Kennett, Oxford and Unionville schools, we wish seasons of success, as well as good sportsmanship.

The Chester County Press reports on hundreds of people, businesses, organizations and events every year, and if we were to impart holiday wishes to all of them here, this column would go on nearly for infinity. So we’ll end our annual holiday wish list here, with one last wish for health and happiness in the new year.

Chester County Press

Letter to the Editor

London Grove is lucky to have a supervisor like Dave Connors

Letter to the Editor:

I read with great interest Mr. Lieberman’s two opinion pieces in the last few weeks concerning the financial status of the Inniscrone Golf Course and then his attempt to tie that to the London Grove supervisors declining to join the regional police force.

I would like to make the following points to you, which you need to consider:

1. Mr. Connors was not on the Board of Supervisors when the decision to acquire the golf course was made, and when the course was purchased in 2009.

2. After Mr. Connors was appointed to the board in 2010, he immediately began to analyze the operations of the course and determined that oversight had to be improved. He seemed to really spend a lot of his own personal time, and as a taxpayer I appreciate that willingness to get involved.

3. Heathland Hospitality, the current manager of the course, is doing a good job. They have significantly improved the overall con-

ditions of the golf course, and have brought financial stability to the operations. Since taking over, Heathland has made rent payments to London Grove and covered all debt service related to the golf course. I have personally used them for a function, and everyone in attendance was very pleasantly surprised.

Having attended many township meetings over the years, I can say with confidence that the decision not to join the regional police force as a full partner was in no way affected by the golf course. I attended the town hall meetings the supervisors had related to the regionalization effort, and was happy to see them engaging the community in such a positive manner. I got the impression that the supervisors sincerely wanted feedback from the residents. The residents were clear during that process that we did not want to join the regional force as a full partner at this time. In the past several meetings I have attended, I am also aware that the supervisors

Thanks

Letter to the Editor:

In June, local bikers worked to bring awareness to hunger, a problem that can easily be fixed. For 27 years, Chester County Chapter A.B.A.T.E. Of Pennsylvania has been honored to do what they can to help.

In 1988, we lost our first member, and started a food run in his honor. This year was the 27th annual Dwight Wallace Memorial Food Run, held on July 2. We delivered more than seven tons of non-perishable food and baby items to the Oxford Neighborhood Services Center.

On Nov. 26, we gave

to

are seriously considering contracting with the regional police force in an effort to positively augment the existing services our community receives from the State Police. I am also aware that they are taking the time to have a professional study done to formally analyze the need, if any exists. At a meeting two years ago, the residents in attendance voted “no.” I know one of your reporters covered the event. So you can blame the London Grove taxpayers for putting themselves in danger.

Over the last year or two, I have noticed an increasingly negative tone from Mr. Lieberman toward Mr. Connors. As a supervisor in my community, Mr. Connors has many accomplishments. He is one of the few who serve and have no hidden personal agendas.

Dave Connors has worked tirelessly while spearheading a successful effort—one being emulated by surrounding communities—helping to create a funding formula for the West Grove Fire Company. He was also the

one who initiated the “letter of cooperation” which brought the communities along the Route 41 corridor together in agreement. Many safety improvements have been moved forward because of that effort, and improvements to the intersection of Route 41 and Route 841 in Chatham may finally be moving forward. Mr. Connors has implemented many financial planning tools that have put our community in a very strong financial position. London Grove Township is one of the few communities that has a capital plan, equipment replacement plan, and a five year financial forecast in place. These financial tools ensure that the proper priorities are being focused on and tax rates will be stable for years to come. Mr. Connors is one of the good ones, and I pray and believe London Grove residents would be fortunate if he decided to serve another six years. I can say I would.

the community

for its support

plaques to several organizations for their help with this year’s drive. We would like to thank the Oxford Police for covering the parking meters and leading the parade, Acme of Avondale, Dollar General of Nottingham, Redner’s Markets of Oxford, and Walmart of Oxford for allowing us to stand in front of their stores to collect items, and to all the wonderful people of this community who took time to listen to us as they went in and remembered us on their way out, to make this our best year so far.

A special thank-you goes to Giorgio Fresh of Toughkenamon for help

with storing the food, Krapf Bus Services for their donation, and Jim’s Market of Nottingham for the best sweet corn and produce for our Chapter Party after the run.

Most importantly, thanks to all those who took time

out of their weekends to help with the beggin’. Watch for us next year – we are trying for 10 tons!

Pennsylvania launches research program for industrial hemp

PA Department of Agriculture opens application process for pilot research projects

Pennsylvania is one step closer to reintroducing industrial hemp to the Keystone State as the Department of Agriculture released the application and guidelines to conduct pilot research projects that will help to determine opportunities for its growth, cultivation and marketing.

“Industrial hemp has a rich history in Pennsylvania, and we believe there is a great deal of opportunity for growers, processors and other businesses that make a range of products from automobiles, paper and textiles to a range of food and beverage products,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding. “The first step though, which we are announcing today, is to conduct research projects to better our understanding of which seed varieties are most viable for our climate, what are the best soil types, and what uses offer the greatest potential for economic development.

Industrial hemp certainly

is not a new crop, but we believe it has the potential to become a very attractive part of Pennsylvania’s future.”

Under the guidelines the department released, a maximum of 30 projects will be selected for the 2017 growing season. The department will select the successful projects based on a complete program application and a determination of the merit of the proposed research.

The department will issue a research permit to an institution of higher education or to a person contracted to grow industrial hemp for research purposes. The department will only approve products or uses that would use hemp fiber or seed for industrial purposes.

Industrial hemp was grown commercially in the United States, and in Pennsylvania, until after World War II, but became regulated along with marijuana and its cultivation was

prohibited. Industrial hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same species of plant. Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp is grown for fiber and seed, and must maintain a concentration of the psychoactive chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, below the 0.3 percent legal threshold.

“The 2014 Farm Bill represented the first step to bring industrial hemp back to Pennsylvania, and thanks to the combined efforts of Governor Wolf and the General Assembly, the passage of Act 92 of 2016 enabled us to develop the parameters for the research pilot program,” Redding added. “Beginning today, researchers can enter the application process to be considered for a permit to grow or cultivate industrial hemp. Our goal is to have research projects underway and crops in the test plots for the 2017 growing season.”

The deadline to apply for a 2017 PDA Industrial Hemp

Research Pilot Program is Jan. 6, 2017. Applications will be reviewed, and those applicants who are tentatively approved for research projects will be notified by Feb. 17, 2017. At this time, there is no regulatory framework that allows movement of viable hemp seed across state lines, so even as applicants are applying for the research projects, the department has taken the initial steps to begin the federal process for importing hemp seeds from other countries. The Department of Agriculture has applied for a general import registration, which is also available to institutions of higher education. Successful candidates in the competition for research projects will work with the department’s registered importer to purchase seed for their projects. All seeds will be shipped directly to the department and will be held for delivery to approved projects in time for spring planting.

Holiday auction raises funds community youth centers

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

For many of the 250 people who attended the seventh annual holiday auction to benefit the Garage Community Youth Center in Kennett Square on Dec. 3, the event served as more than a place to enjoy great food and beverages, and plunk down bid after bid for more than 50 items that were up for auction.

Understated and poignant, the testimonies of a dozen young people whose lives were improved by their association with the Garage were posted on the wall of the Union Street facility. Some credited the great number of mentors they were inspired by, while others wrote that the afternoons and weekends spent at either the Kennett Square or West Grove locations kept their hands busy and their minds at work.

For many in attendance at the event – past and present mentors, Garage board members and volunteers – the true success of the Garage has been in its stories.

After Maggie Walker graduated from college,

she joined the Garage and helped start the West Grove location. Six years ago, she began mentoring a very shy and insecure seventh grader who, Walker said, “was just trying to figure out life.”

Over time, the student and Walker worked on the student’s homework together, and Walker saw her student overcome learning disabilities through hard work and dedication.

“She and her mother are kind of a sisterhood

who are each other’s best friends and getting through life together,” Walker said. “She became a part of my family and I became a part of her family. I feel like I helped graduate a very secure and confident young woman, who just received a full scholarship to college.”

“The first time we did this holiday event, it didn’t look nearly this good. The bar has been raised a lot,” said Garage founding member Mike Bontrager, who praised executive director Kristin Proto, development

“I feel great when I get to see these kinds of events happen,” Bontrager added. “Even though I’m not on the board anymore or driving anything, I’m pleased to see that there are much more capable people than me doing a great job on their own.”

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

Handmade gifts for everyone on your list

Artisan Gift Shop continues at the Oxford Arts Alliance

By John Chambless Staff Writer

If you have someone on your holiday list who’s impossible to buy for, you no longer have any excuses, since the Artisan Gift Shop is open at the Oxford Arts Alliance. The show packs an admirable range of handmade gifts into one big room, making this a must-stop for gifts -- or for a little something for yourself. Three Ravens Woodworks has elegant wooden cutting boards and very cool picture frames, as well as candle stands that have the elegant simplicity of a design by Frank Lloyd Wright. There are handmade purses and toddler clothing, and a virtually unlimited variety of handmade jewelry, ranging from Victorian-inspired to sleek and contemporary, by Cheryl Gross, Stormflight Designs, Plethora Gifts, Bohemian Bea, Andrea’s Whimsies, Jay Stutman Designs and others. There are some intriguing abstract charcoal drawings by Patti Paulus, as well as some of her mountain landscape drawings. You’ll also find holiday ornaments that don’t

look like anything available at the mall. Mike Elliott shows handmade pens and implements that turn writing instruments into art, and Ki Crittenden has some of her always-dazzling pierced clay lamps. For stocking stuffers, you’ll find handmade natural soaps in exotic fragrances such as sandalwood myrrh, peppermint, and lemongrass rosemary. There’s natural honey from Elkton, note cards by Clarissa Sherrow and others, painted gourd birdhouses by Midge Diener, really clever functional pottery pieces by Susan O’Hanlon, and a whole lot more. Don’t waste time hunting for distinctive gifts this month -- the Oxford Arts Alliance has everything you’ll need.

The Artisan Gift Shop is open through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays. The Oxford Arts Alliance is at 38 S. Third St. in Oxford. Visit www.oxfordart.org for more information.

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

Through Jan. 8

‘A Brandywine Christmas’

The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts “A Brandywine Christmas” with a gallery-sized model train display, dozens of antique dolls, and holiday trees decorated for the season with handmade “Critter” ornaments. 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. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Christmas Day).

For more information, call 610-388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum.org.

Through Jan. 8

‘A Longwood Christmas’

“A Longwood Christmas” rings in the holiday season at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) with a musically inspired display through Jan. 8. Inside the Conservatory, 16,000 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, cyclamen, and anthurium, flourish. A 30-foot floral tree takes center stage. The Music Room décor features an 18-foot Fraser Fir tree. Throughout the season, Longwood’s Grand Ballroom will feature free and ticketed holidayinspired performances, as well as daily holiday sing-alongs performed on Longwood’s pipe organ. More

than 500,000 outdoor lights adorn 124 trees. 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, call 610-388-1000.

Through Jan. 1

‘Holidays at Hagley’ Celebrate the season at Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Del., with “Holidays at Hagley,” on display through Jan. 1.

Eleutherian Mills, the original du Pont family home, is decorated for the holiday season. Decorations will feature toys, games, and dolls.

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. For more information, call 302-6582400 weekdays or visit www. hagley.org.

Through Jan. 8

‘Yuletide at Winterthur’ Winterthur Museum (Route 52, Winterthur, Del.) features 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. On display is an 18-room dollhouse mansion, decorated for Christmas and filled with more than 1,000 treasures. In addition, visitors will also enjoy 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 800-448-3883. Reservations are recommended. Open New Year’s Day. Closed on 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. Through Dec. 11

Open House

The Brandywine Valley Tourism Information Center (300 Greenwood Rd., Kennett Square) invites the public to use the new interactive video display board highlighting local attractions during the Holiday Open House week, through Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be hot cocoa and candy canes as well as a drawing for $100 gift card redeemable at The Dilworthtown Inn, The Blue Pear Bistro or The Inn Keepers Kitchen. The Visitors Center is a designated drop-off site for “Toys for Tots” – donations of a new unwrapped toy will be

accepted through Dec. 11. Dec. 9

Charlie Zahm

Charlie Zahm returns for his annual Christmas Celebration on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse. The concert features seasonal music and songs of England, Ireland and Scotland. Tickets are $15 for adults (children 12 and youngr are free). Refreshments will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse. For more information: Call 610-869-8076 or email friendsfolkclub@aol.com.

Dec. 10

Celtic Christmas

A Celtic Christmas concert featuring the Seasons Family Band, dancers, drummers and pipers will be held Dec. 10 at the Patton Middle School auditorium. The free event, which is sponsored by The Hadley Fund, begins at 7 p.m. The program features Celtic and American folk music played on harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, violin, guitar and bagpipes. The auditorium is at 760 Unionville Road, Kennett Square. For more information, call 610-444-1855 or visit www.HadleyPresents.org.

Dec. 10 and 11

‘The Nutcracker’

The Academy of International Ballet in Media will present “The Nutcracker” at the Unionville High School auditorium (750 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square) on Dec. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. Cheryl B. Kuhn, president and CEO of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest narrator for the 2 p.m. performance. Kuhn will share with the audience the story and themes of the ballet, including her thoughts on why “The Nutcracker” is so important during the holiday season. For tickets, call 1-866-908-5666 or visit www. academyballetru.com.

Dec. 11

Record Collectors show

The Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo will be held at the Continental Inn (2285 Lincoln Highway east, next to Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster) on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dealers will be selling and buying records and music memorabilia of all eras. Admission and parking are free. Call 610-932-7852 or visit www.recordcollectors.

Charlie Zahm returns for his annual Christmas Celebration on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse (See listing).

org.

Dec. 13

Goldenagers banquet

The Goldenagers Club of Cochranville will meet for their Christmas banquet on Dec. 13 at noon in the Christiana Fire Hall on Bridge Street in Christiana, Pa. The program, “Christmas 1958,” will be presented by Diane Albertson. Anyone is welcome to attend. Call president Sandy Wooden at 484-678-1289 to make a reservation for lunch.

Dec. 21

‘Christmas Snacktacular’

Herr’s Headquarters (20 Herr Dr., Nottingham) hosts its “Christmas Snacktacular” family event on Dec. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be hayrides, Santa Claus, Starr the Reindeer and snacks. The event is free. Visit www.herrs. com for more information.

Feb. 25

Kennett Winterfest

Tickets are on sale for the Fifth Annual Kennett Winterfest on Feb. 25 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in downtown Kennett Square. The tented event features brews by dozens of regional breweries, as well as food trucks, and live music by Shady Groove. Tickets are $60 (designated driver tickets $15). Visit www. kennettwinterfest.com for tickets and more information. Kennett Flash schedule

The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett

Square) hosts regional and national artists. Tickets are available in advance at www. kennettflash.org, or at the door. Snacks and beverages are sold, or guests can BYOB. The schedule includes: Hometown Holiday Show (Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., $15 and $18); Crossroads featuring Dennis Melton, Billy Penn Burger, Michael Melton, Tommy Geddes and Bob Beach (Dec. 9, 8 p.m., $16); Rust: Tribute to Neil Young (Dec. 10, 8 p.m., $18 and $21); holiday show by the California Guitar Trio (Dec. 13, 8 p.m., $26 and $30); Better Than Bacon Non-Denominational Holiday Extravaganza (Dec. 16, 8 p.mn., $15); Elastic Karma: Beatles tribute (Dec. 17, 8 p.m., $16 and $20); open mic with Matt Sevier (Dec. 18, 7 p.m., $4); Vinyl Artifacts with Mojo Stu (Dec. 22, 8 p.m., $14 and $17); Old Soul Revival with music by the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and originals (Dec. 23, 8 p.m., $16 and $20); Rusty Blue album release show with Arden Kind and the Blues Reincarnation Project (Dec. 30, 8 p.m., $10 and $14).

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.

Through Dec. 23

Artisan Gift Shop

The Oxford Arts Alliance (38 S. Third St., Oxford) hosts its annual Artisan Gift Shop, with handmade items by regional artists and crafters, through Dec. 23. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Fridays until 8 p.m.). Admission is free. Call 610-467-0301 or visit www.oxfordart.org. Through Jan. 3 ‘Ceramics and Glass’ “Ceramics and Glass” continues at Bookplace (2373 Baltimore Pike, Oxford) through Jan. 3. There is an artist reception on Dec. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. Exhibiting artists are Marijke van Buchem, Maggie Creshkoff, Carole Fox, Carolyn Hess, Kevin Lehman, Gill Mallinckrodt, Margaret Seidenberg-Ellis and Lauren Vanni. Store hours are Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Call 717-715-4775 or visit www. bookplaceoxford.com. Through Dec. 31 Christmas in Miniature Exhibit

The Chadds Ford Gallery (Route 1, Chadds Ford) presents its 35th annual “Christmas in Miniature Exhibit” through Dec. 31. There will be framed, original art by 84 regional artists, created in miniature for gifts. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Visit www.awyethgallery.com, or call 610-388-2412. Through Dec. 31 Art at Metamorphosis Metamorphosis Wellness Center (331 E. State St., Kennett Square) is featuring the artwork of Regina Tolomeo. She has worked for a variety of prestigious designers, creating murals and decorative artwork. The show continues through Dec. 31. Call 610-444-8020 or visit www.metamorphosiswellnesscenter.net. Through Dec. 23 Mary Page Evans Somerville Manning Gallery (101

BARBARA A. DIFILIPPO

Barbara A. DiFilippo, 77, of Avondale, passed away on Nov. 29 at her residence.

She was the wife of Albert E. DiFilippo, who passed away in 2007, and with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born in Toughkenamon, she was the daughter of Anna Shaw Burke Martelli of Kennett Square, and the late John D. Burke. Barbara was a secretary for 18 years for Dr. Leonard Kanofsky in Kennett Square. She enjoyed doing crafts, crocheting, and was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed collecting antiques, pottery and gnomes.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by one sister, Ruth I. DiBenedetto and her husband Frank of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Peter Martelli and his wife Denise of Toughkenamon; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held Dec. 6. Burial was in the Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Barbara, a contribution may be made to Susan B. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HENRY J. CIARROCCHI, SR.

Henry J. Ciarrocchi, Sr., 93, of Avondale, joined his loving wife of 65 years, Italia “Edith” D’Amico Ciarrocchi, on Dec. 3 at Twin Pines Healthcare Center.

Born in Toughkenamon, he was the son of the late Achille “Charlie” and Maria Pappone Ciarrocchi. He was a mushroom grower, and partner in CNB Mushroom Company in Avondale, retiring in 1993 after 45-plus years in the mushroom business. Henry was an early board member of the American Mushroom Institute. He was a man of deep faith, a patriot who served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, and a devoted family man. He was a member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Avondale, and a member of the Malvern Men’s Retreat Association for over 50 years.

Henry was a history buff and enjoyed reading, baseball, eating good food, and being with his family and friends. He was a benefactor to many charitable organizations. He is survived by two sons, Henry “Rick” Ciarrocchi, Jr. and his partner, Margaret Barbine of Avondale, and Robert Ciarrocchi and his wife Suzanne of Alexandria, Va.; one daughter, Carol Griffith and her husband Michael of Gilbert,

Dec. 10

Drive-Thru Nativity

17

Beulah Baptist Church (3815 Newark Road, Route 896, Oxford) will host their annual Drive-Thru Nativity on Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Passengers in their vehicles will drive through the village of “Bethlehem,” where Jesus was born, and experience a re-creation of what it may have been like for the people who were there the night Jesus was born. The event will also be celebrated in the church lobby, where guests can come for refreshments and visit with their neighbors. For more information, call 610-932-9595 or email beulahbaptist@gmail.com.

In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held Dec. 11.

Dec. 17

Live Nativity

West Grove United Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove) opens its Live Nativity scene on Dec. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Visitors will be immersed in the scene of Christ’s humble beginnings with costumed performers and live animals. Visitors can warm up inside the church with members of the church, festive music, home-baked goodies, and cups of hot chocolate. For more information, call 610869-9334 or visit www. westgroveumc.org.

To submit items to the

Ariz.; one brother, Albert “Chubby” Ciarrocchi of West Grove; two sisters, Mary DiSerafino of Aston, and Edith Haney of West Grove; nine grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren. He was predecease by one brother, Charles Ciarrocchi; and one sister, Yolanda Bush.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church (8910 Gap Newport Pike, Route 41, Avondale).

A funeral mass will follow at 11:30. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square. In memory of Henry, a contribution may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

HARLEY PETERSON

Harley Peterson, 96, of Oxford, passed away on Dec. 2 at Calvert Manor Health Care Center. He was the husband of Rosaline Peterson, who passed away in 1982, and with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. Born in Poplar, N.C., he was the son of the late Joshua Cornelius and Darty Peterson. He was a welder at Wiley’s in Havre de Grace, Md. Harley enjoyed woodworking, baseball, and was a Phillies and Cubs fan. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by one son, James Peterson of Oxford; two daughters, Eva Osborne and her husband Keith of New Castle, Del., and Susan Monger and her husband Clarence of Nottingham, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Travis, Paula, Ashley, Cortney, Jimmy, April, Don and Daniel; and ten greatgrandchildren, Sarah, Ryan, Ethan, Clay, Kameron, Kaden, Brianna, Shyann, Karsyn and Raelynn. He was predeceased by one daughter, Mary Gail Kelly.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). His funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

JOHN W. SINGER, JR.

John W. Singer, Jr., 65, of Cochranville, died on Dec. 1 at home. He was the husband of Emily Pierce Singer, with whom he shared 11 years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was a son of the late John W. and the late Ann (Wright) Singer, Sr. He was a graduate of Unionville High School. He then served our country during peacetime in the Army. John was a small engine mechanic his entire life. There was virtually no engine he couldn’t diagnose or fix. He also enjoyed cutting grass, snow plowing and wood splitting. He was always working on something. He was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church for many years, and served on the property and management committee.

Survivors include, in addition his wife Emily, two sons, Roland Singer (Malleri) of Unionville, and Chris Singer

of St. Louis Mo.; a stepson, Bob Perry of Kennett Square; a stepdaughter, Tammy Bush (George) of Wilmington, Del.; one brother, Jim Singer (Susan) of West Chester; four sisters, Dianne Therry (Bill) of Unionville, Susan Singer of Kennett Square, Shirley Myers (Dennis) of Damascus, Md., and Janet Singer (Henry) of Kennett Square; and three grandchildren, Miles, Colleen and Lori.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church (109 E. Doe Run Rd., Unionville). A memorial service celebrating his life will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to either St. Michael Lutheran Church, P.O. Box, 178 Unionville, PA 19375; or Kennett Area Community Service or KACS, PO Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, visit www. griecocares.com.

HARRIETT SARGENT FITTS

Harriett Sargent Fitts passed away at the age of 97 on Oct. 23 at Crosslands in Kennett Square.

She was born to Rufus and Rachel (MacLean) Sargent in Swampscott, Mass. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and will be missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her son, Edward Payson; and brother, Dana L. Sargent. She is survived by her children, Carolyn Bowman (James) and Rebecca Lawson (Edward); her sisters-in-law, Sally Sargent (Dana) and Vera Sjolander; grandchildren Rachel Davis (Curtis), Margaret Prothero (David), Amy Danko(Jeremy), Katherine Vaughan (James) and R. Barrett Lawson (Regina); and nine great-grandchildren.

Harriett “Hap” was active as a tour guide at Longwood Gardens, as a volunteer at the Brandywine Tourism Bureau, the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society and The Church of the Advent.

A memorial service will be held at Crosslands on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103; or The Church of the Advent, 201 Crestline Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Burial was private.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www. griecocares.com.

6 to 8 p.m. (See listing)

Church Calendar, e-mail jchambless@chestercounty. com. There 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.

Alleluia

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24

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

New Kennett basketball coach looks to invigorate Blue Demon program

Playing for the ‘K’

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Just moments before practice on Dec. 1, Brian Grashof, the new head coach of the varsity basketball team at Kennett High School, gathered his team and the junior varsity squad in the middle of the brand new playing surface at Reynolds Gymnasium.

At first, the players, fresh from a shootaround, sat in clumps of two and three, waiting for words from Grashof and his assistant Jacob Gray. Then something out of the ordinary happened. Grashof eyed the mishmash order of things, shook his head, and pointed to the large blue ‘K’ on the gleaming floor.

“I want everyone sitting in the blue,” he said. “Let’s get riled up. Let’s push each other. Remember, it’s not about us. It’s about the ‘K.’”

Every player then squeezed together, and whether or not they understood Grashof’s motivation for doing so, this wedged-in group of 20 or so teenagers became the founding members of a new generation of Kennett High School basketball.

“Our practices are a lot about buying in,” said Grashof, 27, who was hired this past July, and inherits a team that finished 1-14 last season. “If we all buy in together, we can have

a unity of family, even if the results are not what we want. As long as we are all working together towards the same goal, I think we can start to turn this program around.”

Ask any coach and he or she will readily proclaim that the largest aspiration of their new job – one that often supersedes winning games – is the challenge of getting players to accept the blueprint of his or her coaching platform. Very often, it is not shared on chalkboards, but in the form of philosophies. For Grashof, his application to coaching at Kennett is defined by one word.

“Energy,” he said. “Every time I come to the gym, I come prepared, and I expect a certain level of focus and intensity, and a ‘Get-After-It’ atmosphere. The harder you work at anything in life, the better you’re going to be at it. I bring expectations of hard work. We will not take plays off at practice. We will push each other, and it starts with coach Gray and me.”

Gray, who once played for Kennett Athletic Director Sean Harvey at Oxford and is now Kennett’s new junior varsity coach, pointed to the varsity’s recent 30-point scrimmage loss against Academy Park as a first bookmark of this new culture. Players did not set proper screens and too many were not boxing

out on rebounds, but rather than define the loss as a negative, Gray said he and Grashof looked at the game as a series of teachable moments that can first be discussed with the team and then improved.

“Brian and I got together and talked about it, and we put our players in different situations at practice, to allow them a challenge and a chance to succeed,” Gray said. “It’s our job to boost them up and imbue them with energy and enthusiasm. Most importantly, it’s about showing them how it’s done.”

Nearly from the time he first played with an orange rubber ball and a tykesized hoop and backboard at the age of 2, basketball has served as a continuum of joy and passion in Grashof’s life. Born and raised in Downingtown, he worshiped the Alan Iversonled 76er teams, and spent countless days with his grandfather, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, at the Palestra watching the Quakers. In a basketball journey that led to being a star player on the 2008 Downingtown West team that won the Ches-Mont League championship, and later as a collegiate at St. Mary’s College in Maryland, Grashof has been led by the positive influences of his coaches.

Chief among these coaches, he said, was

Damien Blair, now the head basketball coach at West Chester University, who coached Grashof for four years at Downingtown West. It was Blair’s philosophies and expectations for his players that have helped form the teaching nucleus of what Grashof wants to bring to Kennett.

“Coach Blair was who I got my heart and work ethic for the game from,” said Grashof, who also teaches science in the Downingtown Area School District. “It was about playing hard on defense, and taking it personal when someone scored on me. Maybe my on-thecourt strategies are a little different than his, but how I played the game and how I expect my team to play is all based on what I learned from coach Blair.”

“One of Brian’s intangibles is that he played for Damien Blair, who I coached against, and have the utmost respect for,” Harvey said. “The fact that he played for a coach who taught him how to win the right way is one factor that was hard to ignore in my eyes.

“We felt as though Brian has the ability to build relationships which will allow him to successfully build the basketball

program,” Harvey added.

“He understands how much time and effort is needed to be able to compete in the Ches-Mont League. His open gyms in the fall were highly attended, which is an extremely good sign to me. There is excitement and enthusiasm around the program, because the staff is making connections with the student athletes.”

Kennett opens its 201617 regular season on Dec. 9 against Garnet Valley in the opening game of the

TOBACCOPRODUCTS

2016 Unionville Tipoff Tournament, with a club that Grashof said will utilize its strengths. He pointed to senior guard Bowen DuPhily, senior forward Kerry Tomasetti, sophomore guard Mitch Kasara and junior forward Ben Lesher as four of the team’s key pieces.

“It was always my dream when I was a kid to coach at this level, and it’s great to be able to have this opportunity,” Grashof said. “We have a great new floor. We have a great community. If we come together and play hard, we’re building towards becoming a ChesMont League contender. My ultimate goal is to win a Ches-Mont title. I did it as a player, and I want to do the same as a coach.”

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

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U-CF assistant superintendent selected for Radnor Township post

By John Chambless Staff Writer

Ken Batchelor, who is currently the assistant superintendent in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, has been appointed as the new superintendent of schools in the Radnor Township School District.

The appointment, which was announced at the Nov. 29 monthly meeting of the Radnor Township Board of School Directors, will commence with Batchelor’s first day on the job, Jan. 30, 2017.

“Radnor is truly an

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

On Nov. 24 at 7:20 a.m., New Garden Township Police responded to a home in the 300 block of Cedar Springs Road for an assault. The victim told police that Ruben AyllonOrtiz, 23, of Kennett Square, arrived home at 5 a.m., after a night out drinking. When the victim attempted to wake AyllonOrtiz for an appointment, he kicked her into a wall, causing her to fall. AyllonOrtiz stood and kicked the victim again while she was on the ground. The

outstanding school district and I am honored and humbled to serve this school community,” Batchelor said in an announcement on the Radnor Township School District website. “I am excited to partner with the School Board, the staff and the community to provide the students of Radnor with a tremendous educational experience.”

Batchelor, 45, has 22 years of experience in public education, starting as a student teacher at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. From there, he taught U.S. history, economics, and legal and

victim had visible injuries. Ayllon-Ortiz was taken into custody for simple assault and harassment. He was arraigned and taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post bail.

CARD STOLEN

BANK

Anthony Joseph Jones, 19, of Penns Grove, N.J., was arrested and charged with identity theft, access device fraud and criminal conspiracy, according to West Grove Borough Police. The arrest came as a result of an investigation into the theft of a debit card from a car parked on Oakland Avenue on Sept. 8, 2016. The stolen card was used by Jones and others at various locations in the Newark, Del., area.

political systems at East Forsyth High School in Winston Salem, N.C., before making his way back to Pennsylvania to teach cultural studies and honors American studies at Unionville High School.

He taught at UHS for six years and also coordinated and supervised the high school’s gifted program, coached lacrosse and basketball, and served as a club advisor to student activities. He was promoted to assistant principal in 2002, a position he held until 2005. He left Unionville to serve for two years as the principal of

DRUGS SEIZED

An Oct. 26 traffic stop by Pennsylvania State Police Avondale in Oxford resulted in the arrest of an Oxford man on drug charges. Police reported that Stephen Cordell Westmoreland II, 33, of Oxford, was found with 114 Oxycodone pills concealed in a laxative bottle and further hidden in a roll of tube socks. Police also seized $1,920 in cash. Westmoreland was charged with drug possession with intent to deliver.

DUI

On Nov. 25 at 10:13 p.m., New Garden Township Police responded to the 200 block of Chambers Road for a report of a vehicle into a building, with the driver

Penncrest High School in the Rose Tree Media School District before returning to Unionville-Chadds Ford in 2007 to serve as the assistant to the superintendent.

Batchelor earned his bachelors degree in political science from Villanova University and received his masters degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently a doctoral candidate in educational leadership at Widener University.

“We are excited to bring Mr. Batchelor on board,” said school board president Susan Michaelson. “We

leaving the scene. The driver, Victor Tarango-Gonzalez, 22, of Wilmington, Del., was found hiding behind a tree near a neighboring business. Tarango-Gonzalez failed field sobriety tests. The investigation found that Tarango-Gonzales drove off the road in the 1000 block of Baltimore Pike and drove across a field, striking a sign. He continued through the field before he drove off a retaining wall, striking a parked vehicle in a business lot in the 200 block of Chambers Road. Tarango-Gonzales was taken into custody for DUI. A warrant for failure to appear for a previous DUI was found after he provided another date of birth during

undertook a thorough search that included well over 40 applicants, and conducted interviews with a series of outstanding candidates. Mr. Batchelor was a consistently top choice. His deep knowledge base, interpersonal skills, and professional accomplishments as an educational leader, make him a superb fit for Radnor. I want to thank my colleagues on the board for their dedicated service throughout the process. Finally, I know I speak for the entire board in expressing our deepest thanks to interim

a chemical test of his breath. He was processed and released to the agency holding the warrant.

On Oct. 17, Pennsylvania State Police Avondale pulled over a car driven by Edwin Bosbeli Mende-Gonzalez, 25, of West Grove, for expired inspection and emission stickers, and found that he was DUI. He was arrested.

On Nov. 13 at 3:26 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police Avondale saw a car failing to maintain its lane and fluctuating its speed on Route 1 at Millers Hill Drive. After a traffic stop, police found that the driver, Jose Luis Luna, 38, of Kennett Square, was DUI. He was arrested.

superintendent Dr. Tony Costello. He continues to lead our district with distinction during this challenging interim period.” To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty. com.

On Nov. 15 at 5:55 p.m., Pennsylvania State Police Avondale responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 1 in Lower Oxford Township and found that the driver, Janice B. Allen, of London Grove Township, showed signs of intoxication. She was charged with DUI. On Nov. 12 at 2:43 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police Avondale arrived at the scene of a one-vehicle crash on Mount Hope Road in New London Township and found that the driver, Tyler Jay Neff, 20, of Oxford, was DUI. After he was charged and released, Neff damaged the front door of a home on Joseph Road, according to Pennsylvania State Police Avondale.

NOTICE The reorganization meeting of the Penn Township Supervisors will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA. The regular Board of Supervisors meeting will be held immediately following the reorganizational meeting. Caitlin A. Ianni Township Secretary 12p-7-1t

NOTICE PENN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 2017 MEETING SCHEDULE All Regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors will be held on the 1st Wednesday of each month except January. Work Session Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, January through April and then September and October. Agenda deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday preceding the regular meeting. All meetings begin at 6 p.m. at the Township Building in The Finnen Community Room, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390 unless advertised otherwise. The public is invited. The Board of Supervisors of Penn Township will meet in the 2017 calendar year on the following dates for Regular Meetings: February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6. Work Session Meetings are as follows: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, September 20, October 18, 2017.

NOTICE

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE 2017

All regular meetings of the Planning Commission will be held on the 4th Wednesday of each month with the exception of November, and December. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the Township Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA. The public is invited. The Planning Commission will meet in the 2017 calendar Help Wanted Drivers: Regional. Home Weekly/ Bi-Weekly Guaranteed. Paid Loaded & Empty/Rider Program. No-Touch, Benefits & Monthly Bonuses. 877-7583905 Part -time Cleaning Position in Kennett

Through Jan. 8

‘A Brandywine Christmas’

The Brandywine River Museum of Art (Route 1, Chadds Ford) hosts “A Brandywine Christmas” with a gallery-sized model train display, dozens of antique dolls, and holiday trees decorated for the season with handmade “Critter” ornaments. 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. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Christmas Day). For more information, call 610388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum.org.

Through Jan. 8

‘A Longwood Christmas’

“A Longwood Christmas” rings in the holiday season at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square) with a musically inspired display through Jan. 8. Inside the Conservatory, 16,000 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, cyclamen, and anthurium, flourish. A 30-foot floral tree takes center stage. The Music Room décor features an 18-foot Fraser Fir

tree. Throughout the season, Longwood’s Grand Ballroom will feature free and ticketed holidayinspired performances, as well as daily holiday sing-alongs performed on Longwood’s pipe organ. More than 500,000 outdoor lights adorn 124 trees. 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, call 610-388-1000.

Through Jan. 1

‘Holidays at Hagley’ Celebrate the season at Hagley Museum and Library in Wilmington, Del., with “Holidays at Hagley,” on display through Jan. 1. Eleutherian Mills, the original du Pont family home, is decorated for the holiday season. Decorations will feature toys, games, and dolls. 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. For more information, call 302-658-2400 weekdays or visit www.hagley.org.

Through Jan. 8

‘Yuletide at Winterthur’ Winterthur Museum (Route 52, Winterthur, Del.) features 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. On display is an 18-room dollhouse mansion, decorated for Christmas and filled with more than 1,000 treasures. In addition, visitors will also enjoy 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 800-448-3883. Reservations are recommended. Open New Year’s Day. Closed on 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.

Through Dec. 11 Open House

The Brandywine Valley Tourism Information Center (300 Greenwood Rd., Kennett Square) invites the public to use the new interactive video display board highlighting local attractions during the Holiday Open House week, through Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be hot cocoa and candy canes as well as a drawing for $100 gift card redeemable at The Dilworthtown Inn, The Blue Pear Bistro or The Inn Keepers Kitchen. The Visitors Center is a designated drop-off site for “Toys for Tots” – donations of a new unwrapped toy will be accepted through Dec. 11.

Dec. 9

Charlie Zahm

Charlie Zahm returns for his annual Christmas Celebration on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse. The concert features seasonal music and songs of England, Ireland and Scotland. Tickets are $15 for adults (children 12 and youngr are free). Refreshments will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the Oxford Friends Meetinghouse. For more information: Call 610-869-8076 or email friendsfolkclub@aol.com.

Dec. 10

Celtic Christmas

A Celtic Christmas concert featuring the Seasons Family Band, dancers, drummers and pipers will be held Dec. 10 at the Patton Middle School auditorium. The free event, which is sponsored by The Hadley Fund, begins at 7 p.m. The

program features Celtic and American folk music played on harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, violin, guitar and bagpipes. The auditorium is at 760 Unionville Road, Kennett Square. For more information, call 610-444-1855 or visit www.HadleyPresents. org.

Dec. 10 and 11

‘The Nutcracker’

The Academy of International Ballet in Media will present “The Nutcracker” at the Unionville High School auditorium (750 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square) on Dec. 10 at 2 and 7 p.m. Cheryl B. Kuhn, president and CEO of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest narrator for the 2 p.m. performance. Kuhn will share with the audience the story and themes of the ballet, including her thoughts

on why “The Nutcracker” is so important during the holiday season. For tickets, call 1-866-908-5666 or visit www.academyballetru.com.

Dec. 11

Record Collectors show The Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo will be held at the Continental Inn (2285 Lincoln Highway east, next to Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster) on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dealers will be selling and buying records and music memorabilia of all eras. Admission and parking are free. Call 610-932-7852 or visit www.recordcollectors.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.

Southern Chester County’s

2017 Health& Medical Guide

ChesterCountyPress

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