Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 158, No. 19
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
$1.50
DAR honors Penn Township for restoration of the Red Rose Inn By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The Daughters of the American Revolution has honored the Penn Township supervisors for their work leading to the preservation of the historic Red Rose Inn. The restored building sits at the intersection of Route 796 and Baltimore Pike in Jennersville and holds a history that goes back to the 1700s. On hand at the May 7 township meeting for the
presentation were Phyllis Recca, Kyle Gibson and Michele Thackrah – officers of the DAR. Recca is chair of the Historic Preservation Committee for the Chester County Chapter; Gibson is the 1st Vice Regent; Michele Thackrah is a historian and soon-to-be Regent. Penn Township supervisor Jay Ennis accepted the framed certificate on behalf of the township board. Recca said the chapter each year recognizes an
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outstanding individual or organization that has successfully and/or admirably restored or saved a historical site. That could include buildings, collections, artifacts, monuments or cemeteries. Continued on Page 2A
Photo by Chris Barber
The historic Red Rose Inn, restored by the authority of the Penn Township supervisors, sits at the intersection of Route 796 and Baltimore Pike.
FROM OUR LENS Third Thursdays Returns!
Avon Grove English teacher wins award...5A
Photo courtesy of Kennett Collaborative
To Subscribe Call 610.869.5553
Festival of the Peony...1B
Beginning on May 16, Chatham Financial will be the lead sponsor for Third Thursdays on State Street in Kennett Square in partnership with Kennett Collaborative. Third Thursdays will continue through October. As has become tradition, State Street will be closed to allow for outdoor dining, live music, extended shopping, cultural celebrations and other activities. In addition to supporting Third Thursdays, Chatham’s sponsorship will extend to Kennett Collaborative’s winter holiday programs, the Memorial Day Parade, and the weekly Around the Square Newsletter. To learn more, visit kennettcollaborative.org.
By Betsy Brewer Brantner Contributing Writer Beata Baker is 51 years old and she has no plan to slow down any time soon. She recently came in second place in the 5K Frogman Swim in Annapolis on April 28, with a time of 1 hour 28 minutes. At her brother-inlaw’s urging, she decided it might be a fun thing to do and it raises funds for a good cause. The Navy Seal Foundation in Annapolis holds fundraisers throughout the nation to raise money in honor of fallen Naval Academy graduates who served as SEALs or special warfare combatants. Baker, who hails from Poland and now lives in Oxford, became a U.S. citizen two years ago. She supports all those who have served in the military.
“There were 66 swimmers,” Baker said. “My brother-in-law, Butch Gosling, and I decided we were going to participate. I thought it would be fun. It is not easy to swim 5K, but on a personal level, it like a challenge. The event raises money to support veterans and their families and, as a relatively new U.S. citizen, I appreciate the freedoms we have here. I think about the sacrifices military people make every day to protect the freedoms we have in this country and I want to support them. I saw a lot of young people participating, and I was impressed.” Baker works for Little League International as a regional director for Europe and Africa. As such, she frequently travels throughout the world. She sees firsthand what the American military does and is only Continued on Page 3A
Fun and excitement at the 31st running of the Willowdale Steeplechase races By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Contributing Writer May 11 offered a beautiful day for racing over fences and all the other events and that go along with it. The 31st running of the Willowdale Steeplechase races featured terrier races, pony races, a car show, shopping, children’s activities, tailgating and fun with friends.
Tailgating is always popular at the steeplechases. Some do it just for fun while others prepare to compete in the tailgate competition or hat contest. This year, there were two themes to the tailgate competition to spark ideas – “Downton Abbey” or “Barbie.” Enjoying the day did not require a theme. Paul and Karen Martin from Lancaster County were
joined by local friends Richard and Enid O’Donnell to enjoy the races. Heavily Continued on Page 2A Photo by Marcella Peyre-Ferry
The Willowdale Steeplechase races took place this past weekend. On the racing side of the event, the featured $35,000 Willowdale Steeplechase was won by Our Friend, owned by Armata Stables.
May 18 at Glenroy Preserve
New London Counseling Center to hold first Walk for Wellness By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer
© 2007 The Chester County Press
Oxford woman comes in 2nd in Frogman Swim in Annapolis
Since it first opened in 2019, the New London Counseling Center (NLCC) has been providing the Southern Chester County community with quality and compassionate mental health services in the areas of individual, family, group
and couples therapy, as well as workshops and collaborations with other agencies. This Saturday morning, however, NLCC is inviting community members and families to lace up their sneakers and celebrate wellness in the great outdoors. In celebration of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, NLCC
will be launching its first Walk For Wellness, which will be held at the Glenroy Preserve in Nottingham, beginning at 10 a.m. Walk for Wellness, which will be free to the public and sponsored by several local partners, will offer participants their choice of a family-friendly scavenger hunt, a 3-mile trail walk
or run and a 5-mile trail run through the preserve. The event was conceived by New London Counseling Center Executive Director Dr. Katie Bowman, to promote the connection of the mind, the body and the spirit. “Dr. Bowman’s vision is to encourage connection with nature as a way to
promote one’s mental wellbeing,” said office manager Michelle Sapp. “The folks at Glenroy Preserve love the vision and love the idea of bringing the community together to encourage wellness.” Development manager Megann Graf said that the Walk for Wellness will have Continued on Page 3A