Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 18
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
$1.50
Stevie Wonder highlights Lincoln University’s Commencement By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The mood was electric at the Lincoln University graduation ceremony on May 5 with the news that beloved musician Stevie Wonder was one of four individuals about to receive an honorary doctorate. Each time Wonder’s name was mentioned and following the bestowing of his honor on Sunday, there was loud cheering. Even in the lead up musical prelude for “Pomp and Circumstance,” all of the melodies played were Wonder’s songs: “Isn’t She Lovely” and “My Cherie Amour,” among others. At his introduction given
INSIDE
by music department chair Charles Pettaway, Wonder was praised for his humanitarian efforts, his generosity of spirit and the spearheading of efforts to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a national holiday. Wonder, a winner of 25 Grammy Awards, referenced his lifelong blindness when he told the audience, “I have been able to see so many things with my heart you can never look at. I can see with the vision of the spirit.” He added, “I will always write songs about how we can love better.” During the commencement, Lincoln University conferred undergraduate diplomas and masters
degrees to more than 400 students. The event was held in the university gym in deference to the daylong rain in the area. The graduation activities ran smoothly despite the fact that they were held indoors rather than outside. In her greeting to the graduates, Lincoln University Continued on Page 2A
Photo by Chris Barber
Philadelphia Mayor and Lincoln University graduate Cherelle Parker approaches Stevie Wonder for a hug following her receipt of the Doctorate of Humane Letters. Wonder also received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University on Saturday.
Through raindrops, 965 runners compete at 2024 Kennett Run By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
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As Rachel Bilotta waited for the start of the 35th Newark Life Kennett Run at Anson B. Nixon Park on May 4 beside her mother and two children, she was both anticipatory and apprehensive. For the Downingtown resident, running had only come into her life last October, and while her newfound fitness journey took her to several bootcamp training classes, the Kennett Run would serve as her first competitive race, but instead of selecting to run a 5K, she chose otherwise. Kennett Library soiree “I had heard about the ...1B Kennett Run in the past, and when I registered for this year’s race, I decided to go big or go home,” said Bilotta, who participated in the 10K race. “At first, my decision to begin running was merely to stay in good shape, but over the past sev-
FROM OUR LENS New location, same spirit
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
10K competitor Bernie Mullen greets his own cheering section along State Street during the 35th Kennett Run on May 4.
eral months, it’s become so much more. My goal today is just to finish in an upright position.” For the majority of the 965 runners who competed in this year’s Kennett Run, they shared the same sentiment as Bilotta: to cross the finish line and enjoy the spirit of competition, but in a déjà vu scenario reminiscent of the splashdown
Kennett Run in 2022, the morning’s gray skies quickly gave over to a light but consistent rain that followed the 5K and 10K competitors through the park onto North Walnut Street and along State Street. While the rain was not as torrential as it was two years ago, it did serve as a slight hindrance, as did road construction Continued on Page 3A
Courtesy photo
The KSQ Farmers Market entered its 25th season on May 3 at its new location outside of the Kennett Square Borough Hall at 600 S. Broad Street, the home of the Kennett Brewfest, Winterfest and Clover Market. The weekly event – held every Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- showcases the products of nearly 40 area farmers, makers and artisans throughout the year. To learn more and for a list of current vendors, visit www.ksqfarmersmarket.com.
Local man arrested and charged with theft of funds connected to youth softball team’s fundraisers By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer James Rudolph Allen, 50, and a resident of Cochranville, was taken into custody and processed
by Oxford police officer Shakira Greer on April 24. He was arrested at an Oxford Area High School sporting event and charged with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and receiving sto-
len property. Allen was transported to the Oxford Police Department for processing before being taken by constables to Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing
has been scheduled at the District Court in Oxford for May 7. Allen previously operated a business, the Soap Bucket, in Oxford. He currently resides in Cochranville. The arrest followed over
two years of investigation beginning in April 2022 when the Oxford Police were contacted in reference to several victims who stated that funds that they contributed to a Continued on Page 3A
Cinco de Mayo celebration brings cheer on a rainy afternoon By Chris Barber Contributing Writer
© 2007 The Chester County Press
Photo by Chris Barber
Tonantin Yaotecas dancers wore colorful costumes and danced to drum beats.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration in Kennett Square on May 4 brought plenty of cheer for participants and attendees, despite the wet weather on a rainy afternoon. Cinco de Mayo is the holiday that marks the Mexican victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in Mexico in 1862, and it is celebrated nationwide in the United State among members of the Spanish-speaking popu-
lation, often on the weekend closest to the May 5 date. In past years, the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Kennett Square filled the streets of the borough throughout the day. Last year, however, the event was cancelled because of heavy rain. For 2023, the organizers had planned to hold the celebration at the borough property on south Broad Street, where the reduced Mushroom Festival had settled temporarily Continued on Page 2A