Chester CountyPRESS
www.chestercounty.com
Covering Avon Grove, Chadds Ford, Kennett Square, Oxford, & Unionville Areas
Volume 157, No. 25
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
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KCSD approves small tax increase for $98 million school budget By Chris Barber Contributing Writer The Kennett Consolidated School District board approved a 2023-24 budget that will include a tax increase that will cost the average property owner about $53 more than last year. At the June 12 meeting,
the school board members unanimously passed an operating budget of $98.6 million – an increase of $4.3 million over last year. Based on the population and wealth of the district, it required a millage increase from 32.43 mills this year to 32.73 mills next year. A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of assessed
INSIDE
value of property in the district. The average tax bill for homeowners in the district last year was $5,900. This year’s average bill will be $5,953 based on a house that is assessed at about $181,000. This is an increase of .92 percent. For the 2023-2024 school year, the state per-
mits increases of up to 4.1 percent based on the Act 1 Index. If a district requires a tax increase above that, it must seek approval from Continued on page 2A Photo by Chris Barber
Piles of rolled up artificial turf sit ready for application beside Legacy Fields earlier this month. The turf has since been applied.
FROM OUR LENS First faith, then art, now family
Kennett Square Life Magazine
Winery to open tasting room in West Grove...1B
Photo by Richard L. Gaw
One of Landenberg’s most historic landmarks is currently undergoing major renovations. Originally built in 1893 as the Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the Landenberg Road structure later served as the longtime home of artist Bernie Felch and will soon become a private residence, with an expected completion date of late November. Most of the renovations are being done by carpenter and builder David W. Bard.
Oxford Borough receives assessment of financial conditions By Betsy Brewer Brantner Program in April. The STMP Contributing Writer assists municipalities by supporting the costs associated Brooke Queenan and Dan with hiring an independent Connelly from Keystone financial consultant to preMunicipal Solutions pare a financial plan and recently met with Borough management review of Council and the public to their municipality. The final give them an update on plan outlines short-term the Strategic Management and long-term financial, Planning Program (STMP), managerial and economic financial conditions assess- development strategies that ment and trends analysis for the municipality can consider Oxford Borough at the first implementing to strengthen council meeting in June. financial capacity. The proThe borough received a gram is administered by $52,500 grant through the the Governor’s Center for Pennsylvania Department of Local Government Services Community and Economic (GCLGS). Development’s Strategic The borough began Management Planning Continued on page 2A
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Lincoln University hosts Freedom’s Table dinner
‘Glory From Ashes’ celebrates African American food and fashion By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer In a weekend where prominent landmarks and venues hosted a diverse series of Juneteenth events throughout Chester County, it was only fitting that the culminating event of the commemoration was held at one of the nation’s premiere historically black colleges and universities. In association with Voices Underground, Lincoln University hosted “Freedom’s Table Dinner: A Dinner of Friendship” before 100 guests on June 18 that featured a four-course meal prepared by Chef Shadee
Continued on page 2A
Dinner of Friendship” that was held before 100 guests on June 18 at Lincoln University.
Wyncote Golf Club celebrates 30 years By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer
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of FoodHeadz, and a conversation with Philadelphia fashion designer and entrepreneur Kimberly McGlonn. Subtitled “Glory From Ashes,” the event served as a celebration of both food and fashion and how each has helped define and shape the African American culture – as well as fostered economic and social opportunities. “Juneteenth tells the story of African American dignity and beauty and the struggle for freedom, but it also tells the story of sustainability and resourcefulness,” said Greg Thompson, who Photo by Richard L. Gaw along with Alex Parham is Voices Underground Co-Director Greg Thompson spoke with Philadelphia fashion the co-director for Voices designer and entrepreneur Kimberly McGlonn as part of “Freedom’s Table Dinner: A
When the Wyncote Golf Club debuted 30 years ago this week, it was immediately hailed as one of the best new courses in the entire country. No less of an authority than Golf Digest ranked it as the third-best new public course in the entire country that year. The Heathlands-style golf course in Lower Oxford Township made the most
of its breezy fairways, gentry rolling hills and fertile southern Chester County soils, offering a unique and challenging experience for golfers. Jim Pepple, the owner and president of Wyncote, enlisted renowned golf course architect Brian Ault to design a course that is reminiscent of an inland Scottish links course— there are moguls, mounded bunkers, windy rises and a lush carpet of bent grass
greens, tees, and fairways that offer golfers a pleasing playing surface. Wyncote’s front nine years more or less coincided with the arrival of Tiger Woods and his transcendent popularity. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to take up golf during the “Tiger Boom” years of the midto late-1990s, and Pepple’s par-72 course featured four tees and ranges from 5,454 yards from the front tee and 7,149 yards from the back
tee. Golfers of every ability and age could enjoy a round of golf at Wyncote. It’s never easy to run a business. As the sport’s popularity skyrocketed in the 1990s, many new golf courses opened, including some competitors for Wyncote here in Chester County. But as the U.S. economy suffered setbacks—first in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks and then a larger hit during the global
financial crisis in 2007 and 2008—not all the once-successful golf courses could find their way out of the rough. Wyncote has survived an economic recession, the Great Recession and a global pandemic to emerge on the other side. At 30, the Wyncote Golf Club is on an upswing with wholein-one offerings—fabulous fairways, friendly service, food, and fun. Continued on page 4A