Chester County Press 8-09-2017 Edition

Hotel proposed for downtown Kennett Square

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

An upscale hotel designed to match the historic character of Kennett Square has been proposed for the 100 block of South Broad Street.

Preliminary details about the project were unveiled at the Aug. 7 meeting of Kennett Square Borough Council.

The Kennett Realty Group is looking to construct the new hotel with approximately 100 to 110 rooms

at the intersection of Broad and Cypress streets. The hotel would include a small restaurant that would serve quick foods for guests, meeting room spaces, and most likely two levels of parking that would occupy the lowest levels of the building.

The Kennett Realty Group is a collaboration between two regional leaders in real estate development: Harvey, Hanna & Associates and The Commonwealth Group. Harvey, Hanna & Associates

is a third-generation business that ranks among Delaware’s largest real estate development companies.

The Commonwealth Group, meanwhile, has been actively engaged in development, leasing and management services throughout the MidAtlantic region for more than 40 years. Donald S. Robitzer, Jr., the vice president of the Commonwealth Group, and Thomas J. Hanna, the chief operating officer of Harvey,

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Township purchases and protects 63.8acre property

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

The greening of southern Chester County just added another patch of ground.

The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors announced at their Aug. 2 meeting that the township has purchased 63.8 acres of property between Burnt Mill and Old Kennett roads that contains a protected woodland, for $1.9 million.

The property will be preserved as open space through a conservation easement held by The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC), and will become a passive recreation area with trails and open space through the woodlands. It was acquired through a collaborative effort between the township’s Land Conservation Advisory Committee (LCAC), TLC and a private donor.

The acquisition took over a year to complete. It is expected that 35 percent of

the purchase cost, which was paid through the township’s open space funds, may be able to be recouped through grant funds in the future.

Township Manager Lisa Moore said that the township has the rights to sell development rights on the property in the future. The development rights have a value, but is currently prohibited against building. The proposed trails for the property will connect to an adjacent property, which has an open space and trail easement held by TLC. The purchase of the property -- and the future plans for it -- are the latest addition to the increasing network of trail connections that are bridging local municipalities, specifically seen in the grand plans for the Kennett Greenway. Board Chairman Scudder Stevens said that the purchase of the property is the latest addition to what is becoming a major conservation corridor.

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Facilities Input Group set to make recommendation about school buildings to Avon Grove School Board

The school district has been evaluating how its school buildings support the educational needs of students. When the Facilities Input Group makes its recommendation to the school board, perhaps in September, planning will enter its next phase

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

After more than 15 months of work evaluating the district’s school buildings and how well they support the rapidly changing educational needs of students, a Facilities Input Group is on track to deliver a nonbinding recommendation to the Avon Grove School Board on Sept. 14.

The goal, according to Superintendent Dr. Christopher Marchese, is to develop a comprehensive facilities plan that will ensure that Avon Grove’s school buildings will meet the students’ long-term academic needs so that they are prepared to succeed.

“We need to have learning spaces that support our students’ success,” Marchese said during an interview last week. He added that the district must balance fiscal responsibility toward the taxpayers with the aca-

AVON GROVE SCHOOLS at a glance

Avon Grove High School

Built: 1957

Renovations: 1970, 1997 and 2010

Addition: 2009 Portable classrooms (2017-18): 12

Fred S. Engle Middle School Built: 1961

Renovations: 1970, 1997, and 2010

Addition: 2009

Portable classrooms (2017-18): 8

demic needs of students as they make decisions that will have a far-reaching impact.

In advance of the Sept. 14 meeting, Avon Grove sent out a newsletter to the community outlining the process that has been followed to reach this point and how the district will proceed moving

forward.

Avon Grove enlisted Gilbert Architects to complete a facilities study in the fall of 2014, and the results of the study were shared with district officials in February of 2015. During the same time period, the school board updated its strategic plan that identified facilities

Avon Grove Intermediate School Built: 2002

Renovations: None

Additions: None

Portable classrooms (2017-18): None

Penn London Elementary Built: 1992

Renovations: None

Additions: 2002

Portable classrooms (2017-18): 5

planning as a priority.

In May of 2016, the district formed the Facilities Input Group, a task force comprised of a broad cross-section of the Avon Grove community district administrators, parents from every school, residents from each municipality, current and former school board members, and other stakeholders.

“We aspired to have a good mix of representation,” Marchese said. “I think we have a good group of people. They have spent a lot of time and energy on this.”

The Facilities Input Group looked at the capacity and the utilization of each school building. The group reviewed enrollment projections, received information about the district’s current preventative maintenance plan, and discussed the data in the facilities study.

Regarding the current

state of the district’s four school buildings, there are some inadequacies. All four schools are utilized at more than 100 percent of the functional capacity both the Avon Grove High School and the Fred S. Engle Middle School have been over capacity for years, and portable classrooms are ut ilized to accommodate the number of students that the district has at the secondary level. There are currently 12 portable classrooms at the high school and 8 more at the middle school. The high school, built in 1957, and the middle school, built in 1961, have significant infrastructure shortcomings and are in need of repairs. The Penn London Elementary School, built 25 years ago, will have five portable classrooms for the upcoming school year, and the expansion to a full-day kindergar ten

program will place more demands on the building. The Avon Grove Intermediate School, built in 2002, is the district’s most modern building, but even that school has projected enrollments that will exceed its functional capacity.

“We have needs,” Marchese said, “and we need to come up with a plan to address them. If the district did nothing, the buildings would be overcrowded. And that’s not going to change.”

Marchese explained that the district has remodeled and expanded the buildings as necessary through the years.

“We’ve been doing low-level maintenance on buildings,” Marchese said, explaining that they have also completed larger projects like replacing the gym floor at AGI, upgrading the bathrooms at the high school, and putting in a new cafeteria floor at Penn London Elementary.

“We’ve also put a lot of effort into preventive maintenance,” Marchese said. “Our board has been very good about supporting that.”

According to Marchese, Avon Grove has, despite some of the physical limitations of the buildings, established strong 21st-century education-

al programming for the district’s approximately 5,000 students.

“We’ve made a pretty significant investment in technology,” he said, explaining that in grades 6 to 9, there is a one-toone ratio of Chromebooks to students, and that will expand to grades 10 to 12 for the 2018-2019 school year. Avon Grove has also developed a robust science, technology, and engineering curriculum. There is a high demand for specialized programs related to technology education, such as CAD courses and the state-ofthe-art TV production

studio that Avon Grove High School debuted in 2015. Right now, there are far more students who want to take these specialized programs that would give them an advantage when they enter college than there are courses to accommodate them.

Space limitations make it difficult to meet the demand. In fact, Marchese said, Avon Grove can only accommodate about 37 percent of the requests from students.

Additionally, the classrooms at the high school simply aren’t large enough for collaboration among students. In education,

collaboration is vital.

There are numerous educational opportunities that Marchese would like to extend to Avon Grove students. One example, he said, is a program where high school students who are interested in majoring in early-childhood education in college can have the opportunity to work with pre-kindergarten children so that they get practical, real-world lessons about the field they will be entering.

“We don’t have the physical space for that right now,” Marchese said.

The superintendent would like to see seminar-based courses at the high school where 70 or more students could be brought together to work

on a project or for an occasional presentation.

The seminar-based courses would replicate what takes place on university campuses.

Improved performance space would also be desirable for students who are interested in music or the performing arts.

“A point of pride for Avon Grove is the band, music, and performing arts programs,” Marchese said. “It would be nice to have those students perform in a state-of-the-art auditorium.”

Both the high school and the middle school have been remodeled and expanded through the years. There are site constraints to future expansion of both buildings. There are homes behind the middle school, which limits expansion there. At the high school, additional expansion could encroach on parking areas or athletic fields, neither of which is desirable. Traffic congestion around the middle school and high school is also an ongoing concern.

The Facilities Input Group toured each school building in the district in the fall of 2016, and reviewed each building’s educational model, enrollment, capacity, and facilities study evaluation. In the spring of 2017, the Facilities Input Group also visited recently built or recently renovated high schools in nearby districts to explore ways in which those districts addressed their students’ needs. The schools that they toured included Henderson High School, Rustin High School, Great Valley High School, and Upper Dublin High School. They then spent the summer discussing their findings so far, as they moved toward making a non-binding recommendation to the school board.

According to Marchese, the Facilities Input Group had narrowed its focus to seven different options by the end of July. Upcoming meetings for the group will take place on Aug. 23 and Sept. 7, when discussions about the options will continue. Times and locations are posted on the district’s website at www.avongrove.org.

“The idea was to come up with things that con-

nect to the mission of the district, the strategic outcomes that the district wants,” Marchese said.

To accomplish that, the Facilities Input Group received information about the educational vision for the district and updated details about a wide range of financial data, including the district’s borrowing capacity.

Marchese said that the administration and the school board have made fund balance decisions in recent years that will enable the district to fund capital projects with less financing necessary. The school board decided to allocate one mill of collected tax revenues currently about $1.8 million a year into a capital projects fund to pay for ongoing building maintenance and any renovation or construction projects that become necessary.

Marchese emphasized that no decision regarding facilities planning has been made at this point, and the district will continue to be very deliberate as it works toward a decision. All options are still on the table, he said, including projects that would involve the reno-

vation or expansion of existing buildings or new construction.

The district owns 150 contiguous acres of property less than one mile from the Penn London Elementary campus and about 3.5 miles from the Avon Grove High School campus. The school board gave serious consideration to constructing a school on the site a decade ago, but enrollment stabilized when the economy slumped and new housing starts dropped off.

The Facilities Input Group will offer a recommendation to the school board, most likely in September, and then community meetings will be held to get input from all the stakeholders in the district. “District officials want feedback from the

community throughout the process,” the superintendent said.

“The administration and the school board are committed to keeping the entire Avon Grove community informed throughout the process,” Marchese said. “The board wants input from the community.”

Community members can share comments or ask questions by emailing school board members or by emailing the administration at AGFIG@avongrove.org. Comprehensive information about the Facilities Input Group’s work up to this point is available on the school district’s website.

The school board will be having discussions about the merits of the Facilities Input Group’s recommendation once it is made.

Marchese said that the district needs to have a long-range plan so that decisions both large and small can be made about the district’s school buildings.

“We want to have a plan for what we need to do with the facilities,” Marchese said. “We want to do it right one time so that we don’t have to do it again in five or ten years.

I feel like it’s a pivotal moment for Avon Grove. There is real potential for kids to benefit from the decisions that are about to be made. It’s about making sure that there’s a physical space that meets today’s educational standards. Our kids are doing well, but I feel like they could do even more if we had the facilities that they need.”

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

East Marlborough supervisors see sketch plan for Route 82 development

By John Chambless Staff Writer

Neighbors of a proposed 42-home development got their first look at a sketch plan during the Aug. 7 East Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors meeting, and several voiced concerns about it. The sketch plan, presented by representatives from Toll Brothers, calls for development of the former nursery property which spans Route 82, south of Route 926, in East Marlborough Township. After encountering difficulty with wetlands on the east side of Route 82, the developer is suggesting putting all 42 single-family, detached homes in a loop configuration on the west side of Route 82, leaving about 26 acres on the east side of the road as passive recreation open space with walking trails. The Pratt family is reserving five acres of land on the east side of Route 82 for themselves. A crosswalk is proposed to allow residents to cross Route 82 to the open space. The entrance of the proposed development would be across from the present office of the nursery on Route 82. A connecting road may be added to allow access to Chalfont Road as well. The homes would be built on the north edge of the Village Blackshire development, which has about half as many homes.

Cuyler Walker of the township Planning Commission said that Toll Brothers had spoken to the commission about the sketch plan, and had gotten positive feedback because the plan provides for as much open space as possible.

A Toll Brothers representative said the 42 new

homes would have two-car garages and driveways, and parking would be allowed on one side of the street only.

A study has shown there is adequate capacity for public water and sewer, he said. The homes, built on lots of 1/6 of an acre, would retail for $600,000 and higher. Construction could last for about two years, he estimated.

But residents of Village Blackshire told the supervisors that wells and septic systems are already being challenged, and that the density of the homes in the sketch plan seems excessive. The Toll Brothers representative said that the plan meets all local ordinances.

While a formal traffic impact study hasn’t been performed yet, several residents said that traffic already backs up along Route 82 during events at the nearby Willowdale Chapel, and before and after school. Adding cars and children from the proposed development will only make things worse, they said.

A Village Blackshire resident said, “This is a big change. This is going to be a big burden on the residents of Blackshire, and I just don’t understand why we’re being asked to bear the weight of this.”

James Sinclair, whose property abuts the proposed open space, said, “Part of the spirit of our township should be preserving open space and the watershed. I strongly support this proposed sketch. We need to hand down open space that can be used for generations to come. I hope the board and the neighbors will try to think about what we’re passing down to our children and grandchildren.”

Board of Supervisors chairman Richard Hannum

said that any residents who want input should contact township manager Laurie Prysock, who will set up a meeting with Toll Brothers representatives to explain the plan further. The next step for Toll Brothers will be submitting a preliminary plan to the township.

Also at the meeting, a proposed development plan was submitted by Doug White. The development, on the north side of Route 1 and west of North Walnut Road, is near the Everfast property on Gale Lane. White had conditional use approval for a previous design, but rethought the layout and showed the supervisors a new design with 54 units in 27 buildings, situated on 22.6 acres. The twin-home cluster configuration allows more open space, White said, along with less impervious coverage. “I think we have a handsome subdivision here,” White said, adding that he is planning to call it Villages at Northridge. “I’m excited about this. I’m spending more money, but I think the design adds value to the properties and the township. These will be extremely attractive homes with a high resale value.” The homes would be priced at about $550,000, White said.

No designation for twin homes was in the township zoning ordinance, so White was asking for a revision. After discussion, the board agreed to allow the ordinance change, but only in the LI Zoning District. The proposed revision will be advertised, and the board will vote on the change on Oct. 2.

For more information about the township, visit www. eastmarlborough.org.

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

Kennett Library could soon have deal to purchase Weinstein lot

The Borough of Kennett Square is offering to sell the parcel on State Street for $386,000

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

If everything goes according to plan, the Kennett Library could soon have an agreement in place to purchase the Weinstein lot from Kennett Square Borough. That would set the stage for a new library to be built on the site, which is bounded by State and Willow streets, at some point in the future.

At Kennett Square Borough Council’s meeting on Monday night, council member Geoff Bosley apprised borough residents and his colleagues on council about the most recent developments related to the library project.

Just last month, Kennett Library’s board of trustees announced that it was moving forward on building a new library on its own rather than collaborating with the borough on a larger municipal building project that would have included a new borough administration building, a new library, a police station, and an auditorium. The library board also made a request for the borough to sell the Weinstein Lot, which is just one block east of the current library at a reasonable price. Kennett Square Borough officials have been working on meeting that request since then, with the finance committee that Bosley serves on taking the lead. Bosley explained that the borough needed to have an appraisal completed on the Weinstein lot, and it was

appraised at $550,000.

After some discussions that borough manager Joe Scalise was involved in, the finance committee concluded that the borough could offer the Weinstein lot to the library for $386,000, which is a figure that would allow the borough to recoup the modest costs that the borough had absorbed when it was working with the library on the plans for the multi-use building.

Selling the Weinstein lot to the library at a reasonable price has benefits for the borough, Bosley said.

“We’ve been trying to get a library for 20 years,” Bosley said. “We think this is another step.”

The offer to sell the property for $386,000 was received positively by Jeff Yetter, the vice president of the Kennett Library Board who was in attendance at the meeting.

In a brief statement to those in attendance, Yetter thanked the borough on behalf of the library board, noting that the borough was very responsive to its request to sell the Weinstein lot at a reasonable price and in a reasonable amount of time.

Yetter characterized the borough’s offer as a fair generous one.

“I am also very pleased to report that our Trustees have enthusiastically received your offer,” Yetter told council. “The Trustees are in the process of reviewing and discussing the offer with counsel and we expect to affirm the offer soon and to schedule a formal vote

and sign the agreement at our next Trustees meeting. [Library board president] Tom Swett and our Executive Committee have asked me to very clearly convey our appreciation to each of you for setting a fair and generous price and terms – and equally important, to thank you for your enormous vote of confidence in the future of the Kennett Library.”

The next step is for the agreement-of-sale to be worked on. Borough solicitor Marc Jonas said that he has already prepared a draft of the agreement that will need to be reviewed by borough officials. Negotiations on some of the terms will continue in the coming weeks, but it’s possible that borough council and the library board could have an agreement-of-sale in front of them in September. In a statement released by the library board, Swett said, “The Borough certainly came through for us by providing a reasonable price well below the appraised market value and with favorable terms and a timetable to suit our overall project. We appreciate both their generosity and their moving quickly. Our Trustees are already reviewing the proposal with counsel and preparing to formally accept the Borough’s offer. We’ll have more to say as soon as the arrangements are finalized.”

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

Hotel...

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Hanna & Associates, were on hand to help with the presentation and to answer any questions from borough officials. Edward M. Foley, an attorney with Brutscher, Foley, Milliner & Land, LLP, led the presentation.

Foley, Robitzer, and Hanna all characterized Kennett Square as an economically vibrant community that would be a good fit for this kind of project.

Hanna credited Robitzer with having the initial vision for the project. He also commented about Kennett Square being a destination for both travelers visiting Longwood Gardens or other local Brandywine Valley attractions and residents in the area who are attracted to the borough’s charming shops and restaurants.

Only the very basic details of the plan are known at this point. The Kennett Realty Group already has an agreement in place to purchase

Property...

Continued from Page 1A

“The thing that’s important to flag is that this property is adjacent to other conserved properties, so it’s not just a dart on the map,” Stevens said. “It is there, but there is something that is adjacent and adjacent and adjacent. It’s forming a conduit through the township to allow people to walk through and be a part of nature. Sixty three acres is an important number, but when you mix it all together, it becomes so much more valuable.”

In other news, the township has formed a subcommittee with representatives from the Philadelphia Electric

the properties where the hotel will be situated from the Bosley Group if the project moves forward. Those properties are currently houses being utilized mostly as office space. There are numerous details that need to be resolved as the project goes through the land-development process. There could be as many as seven or eight floors in the hotel. It is being proposed for an area that is included in the borough’s tall building overlay district, not far from the Franklin Center building, where the height limit is 75 feet. Exton, Pa.based Architectural Concepts is attached to the project as the architect.

Several council members offered brief comments about the concept plans, and although the comments were generally positive, there are some hurdles to overcome.

One of the largest will certainly be parking.

Council member Ethan Cramer pointed out that the borough finds itself in a posi-

Company (PECO) to explore ways of how the electric service provider will better be able to track, address and reduce power outages in the township.

Moore said a major component of PECO’s 2020 plan, currently underway, will be to trim trees throughout the township that may conflict with power lines, and asked for the cooperation of township residents during this process.

“Up until two years ago, it wasn’t unusual to lose power for a day or a day and a half,” said supervisor Whitney Hoffman. “Now the outages are much shorter. Across the system, [PECO]

Local News

$300K awarded to county’s conservation district

State Sen. Andy Dinniman recently announced on Aug. 1 more than $300,000 in total funding for conservation projects to reduce the amount of water runoff from farms in southern Chester County to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“Agriculture is part of our heritage and an important vital part of our economy in Chester County. These grants will help farms and agricultural operations better protect our environmental resources

tion where there has been inadequate parking for more than a decade, which limits the borough’s ability to make concessions on parking moving forward.

Foley pointed out that the very preliminary plans that they do have for the project at this point include a sig-

would like to reduce the number of power outages to the point where a [property owner] loses power only once a year. They’re trying to track those numbers as a quality measure, and that’s why they’re putting their investments in this program. They have accelerated this to the top of their list.”

By a vote of 3-0, the board approved the adoption of Ordinance No. 271, which enters the township into the proposed intermunicipal agreement with East Marlborough, Newlin, Pennsbury and Pocopson townships and the Kennett Borough to establish the Kennett Fire and EMS

are as follows:

by implementing best management practices to reduce runoff on important waterways and watersheds.”

Four Chesapeake Bay Agriculture Special Project Grants were awarded to the Chester County Conservation District for agricultural best management practices to reduce the load of nutrients and sediment delivered to the Chesapeake Bay.

The grants, funded by federal dollars and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,

nificant amount of parking, although perhaps not enough that would be required by borough regulations.

However, he noted that hotels tend to need parking mostly at night and on weekends, which tend to be lighter times for downtowns.

Council member Dan

Regional Commission, intended to oversee the capital purchases of three fire companies – Longwood, Kennett and Pro-MarLin -- who service these municipalities. The commission, which has not yet been adopted by all municipalities, will determine what equipment will be purchased, and establish fair share funding toward capital purchases and operating costs, and also address ambulance service.

“It’s important that there’s an even fair share that all townships agree to,” said supervisor Dr. Richard Leff. “It will cost Kennett Township a little more than

$43,310 to implement stream buffer projects, including stream crossings, fencing, and riparian buffers, on three farms in non-contiguous watersheds in East Nottingham, Lower Oxford and Elk;

$61,826.31 for the Rattlesnake Run Watershed – Cropland and Livestock project to implement structural agricultural best management practices on three farms previously visited by the EPA in Upper

Maffei said that the proposal could have some obvious economic benefits for the borough.

Oxford; $73,901 for the implementation of structural agricultural best management practices on animal waste storage facilities on two farms in non-contiguous watersheds in West Nottingham and Upper Oxford; $122,298 for the implementation of best management practices regarding the protection of concrete heavy use areas on mushroom farms in Oxford.

There could be 200 jobs in the borough during construction, and perhaps as many as 40 to 45 full-time and part-time jobs once the hotel is completed. Guests of the hotel would no doubt spend significant money in local shops and residents, increasing the economic impact of the hotel on the local economy.

what it spent [on fire and ambulance service] in the past, but it’s not much more.

I think it’s good that we pool our experiences and resources together to try to work more efficiently as a group.”

Over the course of discussions about the commission, Stevens said that “elected officials were asking the fire company and EMS groups to take with a measure of good faith that we were all working toward the same end, and to leap into the void with us in creating this arrangement.”

“As we started this whole process, the first thing we did as a group of municipalities was to pool funds to

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

hire a consultant to sit down with us and the EMS and fire companies and lead us through the process of how to approach this, and determine our goals and expectations,” he said. “We’re at the leading edge of trying to define the problem, and to resolve the answer. That’s what this is all about.”

In other news, the board agreed that the township would make a one-time, $6,000 gift to the Kennett Area Community Services, in order to help fund KACS’ Getting Ahead Program.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

A grand reopening in Oxford

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of the Neighborhood Service Center (NSC) Neighborhood Thrift Store took place on Aug. 4. At the ribbon cutting were Tara Eggers, NSC board member; Jim Saltysiak, the chair of the NSC board; Cheryl McConnell, NSC executive director; Darlene Noon, assistant manager of the thrift store; Tracey Davis, manager of the thrift store; Flossi Prewitt, the chair of the thrift shop committee; Rudy Allen, vice chair of the NSC board; Geoff Henry, the mayor of the Borough of Oxford; and Buzz Tyson, the executive director of the Lighthouse Youth Center.

By 6:15 p.m. last Friday night, people were lined up to buy clothing, furniture, household goods, and other items from the Neighborhood Services Center’s Neighborhood Thrift Store, as it officially reopened after a five-month remodel of the retail space at 21 South Third Street.

The large number of people who passed through the newly renovated store, with its beautiful interior and open layout, illustrated the support that the Neighborhood Services Center has after being such an invaluable part of Oxford for more than 45 years.

Neighborhood Services Center (NSC) provides a variety of assistance and services to the people who need it the most in the community. It operates a food cupboard that distributes canned goods, non-perishable items, diapers, and personal care items. NSC provides monetary assistance to pre-screened and income-eligible individuals who need assistance meeting their basic needs of housing, utilities and health care. The center also provides space for professional agencies like Family Service of Chester County, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, and the Crime Victims Center, connecting residents in the southern part of the county to these valuable services.

The thrift store enhances the Neighborhood Services Center’s ability to provide these services.

According to executive director Cheryl McConnell, NSC first opened the thrift store as a way to not only raise funds to help more families in need in the community, but also as a way to supply much-needed items like clothing, furniture, and home goods to those who need them.

The Neighborhood Services Center’s home at 35 North Third Street didn’t have the room to store the furniture, home goods, and clothing that was being donated.

The thrift store has had its place among Oxford businesses for ten years. Volunteers like Florence Prewitt, the chair of the NSC Neighborhood Thrift Store Committee, have helped to make it a success. The store relies on only a few employees to make it run, but manager Tracey Davis and assistant manager Darlene Noon see to it that customers’ needs are met.

McConnell and Rudy Allen, the vice chair of the Neighborhood Services Center board, thanked the building’s owner, Wilson King, for doing a superb job of remodeling the space, and for keeping the thrift store’s needs in mind. Avaro Ayala put a lot of effort into the remodel of the store.

At the grand opening, mayor Geoff Henry lauded the Neighborhood Services Center for providing invaluable services to residents in the community for nearly 50 years the center first opened in 1971.

The thrift store is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Donations are accepted at the thrift store five days a week. Volunteers will also make arrangements to pick up donated items for added convenience. The Neighborhood Services Center is always looking for volunteers, including those to help at the thrift shop. Anyone interested in helping out can call the NSC at 610-932-8557.

The Neighborhood Services Center is a vital part of the Oxford community because it helps so many people in need. As Allen explained, everything that is donated to the Neighborhood Thrift Store stays in the community to benefit local residents. So donating to or helping out the NSC is a good way to strengthen the community.

Sheriff’s Office gearing up for Cruise Night

The Chester County Sheriff’s Office is revving up to host its Sixth Annual Cruise Night on Friday, Aug. 16, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at West Chester University’s Farrell Stadium, and the public is invited to enjoy the festivities. Admission and parking are both free.

Organizers say they have no plans to shift into autopilot for this popular event because it continues to grow. Proceeds benefit the Chester County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, which now includes 10 dogs and is financed primarily through private donations.

Chester County Chief Deputy Jason Suydam said the event creates multiple beneficiaries. Car dealers and law-enforcement agencies get to showcase their vehicles, producing an impressive display the public can enjoy. Thirteen classes of vehicles, running the gamut from antiques and hot rods to state-ofthe-art law-enforcement cruisers, will compete for cash prizes.

“It’s a fun, family-oriented event,” Suydam said. “And we’re very appreciative of the support of the sponsors, businesses, community members, and law-enforcement partners who help make it happen. Some of the car dealers have been with us since the beginning.”

In addition to a highoctane array of horsepower, Cruise Night will feature a deejay, food vendors, door prizes, a 50-50 raffle, a

dunk tank, and children’s activities, such as a moon bounce and face-painting.

One of the evening’s highlights will be the K-9 Thrill Show, which starts at 8 p.m. Attendees will get insight into why the unit’s K-9 teams each average about 100 calls a year for service, requests that range from helping to find a lost child to clearing a building after a bomb threat.

Lt. Harry McKinney, who heads the K-9 unit, said people are always surprised at how well-behaved the dogs are, compared with the service dogs of years ago. “I attribute that to the advancement of

the training the unit has received,” he said.

Since 9-11, the demand for dogs has increased with heightened security needs, and they have also become a more versatile tool: finding people, drugs, and explosives as well as interacting with the public, sometimes in a therapeutic role, said McKinney.

“The ability to recognize the difference between a social situation and criminal apprehension requires a sophisticated level of training and dedication from both the handler and the K-9,” McKinney explained. He added that although the unit’s dogs enjoy meeting the public, citizens should

never approach one without first receiving permission from the handler.

Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh said she looks forward to Cruise Night, which helps to educate the community about the vital role the K-9 Unit fills in her office.

“This is an outstanding family event. The great collection of cars is appreciated and enjoyed by everyone,” said Welsh. “It is really exciting to end the night with this spectacular K-9 thrill show. Cars, lights, sirens, dogs: It is a real crowd-pleaser!”

Farrell Stadium is located at 855 South New Street in West Chester.

Second Landenberg Day enjoys great weather, vendors, food and music

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

At the first Landenberg Day on Aug. 6, 2016, Joseph Birmingham took temporary shelter from the intense heat in the air-conditioned space behind the tasting room at Borderland Vineyard.

Despite temperatures that climbed to well over 100 degrees, Birmingham, the creator of the event, saw more than 1,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s initial foray into the local social calendar. This past Saturday, beneath a picturesque blue sky and a persistent, cool breeze, Birmingham stood front and center, as the second annual Landenberg Day welcomed another large crowd to a full day of sights, sounds and tastes.

“It’s pretty evident, based on the reception and the reaction of everyone here, that the community needs this,” he said. “People are proud of living in Landenberg. They’re proud of being a crafter in Landenberg. Everyone is totally enrolled in this festival, so we’re making it an annual event and keep it at Borderland for years to come.”

Crafters included the Crazy Crafter, Fibersmith, Leashes by the C’s, Mike’s Lighted Bottles, Northen Roots Metalsmith, PJ’s Wood Crafts, Scottish Sisters, Woodn’t It Be Lovely and Young Living Essential Oils.

Business and retail booths were held by Berkshire Hathaway, Cornerstone

Mark and Kirsten Hurley enjoy the beautiful weather at this year’s Landenberg Day festivities, held at the Borderland Vineyard on Aug. 5. appearances at the event.

Martial Arts, D’Amico Law PC, Dance HDC, Fitchett Chiropractic, Homes for Heroes, Jennersville Insurance, LuLaRoe Select by Tara, Opulenza Designs, Passionista, Progressive Fitness Coaching, ServPro of Kennett/Oxford and Touchstone Crystal. Refreshments were provided by Borderland, Michoacana Ice Cream, M n M, Mama Mia Continental Fusion and The Polish Connection. Live entertainment was provided by Al Smith, Revolution Heroes, Jared Horning and 2uesday Nite.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman and Rep. Eric Roe made

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Kennett Run race director completes

Rider 58: Following his shadow

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

For 27 days, 23 hours and 20 minutes -- from June 3 to July 1 -- J.J. Simon of Unionville vanished into his own private journey. It lasted for 4,267 miles, and emptied him, exposed and vulnerable and pedaling, into the vast landscape of America.

Simon was one of 131 participants in the Trans Am Bicycle Race, now in its fourth year, that begins in Astoria, Ore., and cuts through ten states toward its conclusion in Yorktown, Va.

The race was not Simon’s first endurance competition. When he was a member of the Canadian Air Force, he went through rigorous training, and has competed in several longdistance races throughout his long running career, but the Trans American was the largest physical and mental test of his life.

At the start of the race, he was given maps of the course, an electronic device that would chart his location, and a race

cap, on which was written his race number, 58. Any companionship he would find would be another rider he would see along the road. He got on his new Domane SL6 and took off.

“I knew that it would be a month of my life, and that I would have to give up everything else in it,” said Simon, who has been the race director for the Kennett Run since 2016.

“My job would be to bike as far as a I can, every day, and find food and shelter and not get lost. My dogs?

My lawn? My duties as a husband and a friend?

All of those things meant nothing. My questions became, ‘How happy is my body? Where am I going to sleep tonight? In a hotel?

On a park bench? Is there a gas station around where I can buy a hot dog or a cheeseburger?’”

The Trans American Trail affords those who embark on it the gift of seeing the country, from the pristine to the calamitous.

By the time Simon entered Wyoming, he was pelted with ferocious winds, snow and hailstorms, which were followed by temperatures that reached the high 90s. He kept pedaling, through Yellowstone Park and Grand Teton Park, past empty towns and shutdown villages.

“One morning, I woke up to realize that my body was nearly frozen, and my legs and feet were like ice,” he

said. “I saw the sun come up over the ridge, and I walked up a hundred feet to where the sun was, just to warm up. It was an eye opener, and a new set of toughness was setting in. That kicked me in the head to realize, ‘This is a tough race. This isn’t just about riding through beautiful countryside.’”

Simon rode between 112 and 197 miles every day, surviving mostly on junk food and coffee from gas stations he visited along the route. He ate in restaurants only four times. He lost ten pounds. In between, he hammered down Ibuprofen

to shake the pain in his body, and constantly rubbed Neosporin to hold back the continuous sting of seat sores.

In the 26 nights he spent on the trail, Simon slept in hotels only nine of them. He spent the other nights sleeping in garages, abandoned trailers, campsites, park benches, post offices, bathrooms, and in gazebos located in small villages. One night in Virginia, he slept at the Cookie House, owned by a woman who has welcomed hundreds of racers before him. He spent the following night sleeping

in a field, and woke up the next morning to find that his back and legs were covered with bug bites. He mostly rode alone, but he was never really alone. During the race, Simon was followed by what are known as dotwatchers -- or race angels -- who tracked the racers’ positions throughout the course online, through the location device that was hooked onto Simon’s bike. In the middle of nowhere, he would suddenly hear, “J.J.! Come over and sign my poster! Let me take a photo with you!”

HAZEL T. POTTER

Hazel T. Potter, 90, of West Grove, passed away on Aug. 4 at Twin Pines Health Care Center. She was the wife of Clarence G. Potter, who predeceased her in 2002. They shared 56 years of marriage. Born in West Jefferson, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Lula Snyder. She had six sisters, Bonnie, Eula, Betty, Earsel, Pauline and Etta; and one brother, Daniel. Bonnie Barlow, Betty Jordan and Daniel Snyder are her sibling survivors. Hazel is survived by five children and their spouses, Richard and Gail Potter, Don and Sherry Potter, Jo Anne and Steve Vincenti, Steve and Barb Potter and Bob and Helen Potter; along with 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She worked at Pocopson Home as a nurse’s aide and also at the Kennett Cannery as a mushroom canner, but was primarily a homemaker. She was an excellent cook. When she was able, she loved to read and also spend time with her family, especially her sisters, Bonnie and Betty. Her dedication and will as a caretaker were exemplary, particularly how she aided her mother and husband in their later years.

A visitation will be held Aug. 11 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square). A funeral service to celebrate her life will follow immediately thereafter. Interment will take place at the Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Memorial contributions may be made in Hazel’s name to Twin Pines Health Care Center, 315 East London Grove Road, West Grove, PA 19390; and/or to The Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.

To view her online tribute and to share condolences with the family, visit www. griecocares.com.

BARRY R. WHITE

Barry Ross White, 65, of West Grove, died suddenly on Aug. 1. He was the oldest of twin boys (Barry and Garry) born to the late Charles and Dorothy White of West Grove on June 3, 1952. Educated in the Avon Grove School District and at Lincoln University, he continued his family’s sports legacy in baseball (Little League Champions) and basketball (1970 State Champions). Barry and his twin brother, Garry, provided the area with long-lasting memories of our very own Basketball Dream Team of Winners. In 2015, the 1970 Basketball State Championship Team was inducted into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame. Later in life, he worked for Hercules in Wilmington, Del., and the Avon Grove School District.

He is survived by his brother, Garry White of Quarryville; sisters, Victoria (Samuel) Webster of West Grove, Jo-Ann (Charles) Brady of North East, Md., and Sheri (Michael) Hobbs of West Grove; and a host of nieces and nephews, both great- and great-great; and cousins. He was blessed with an abundance of lifelong friends.

Barry Ross White was preceded in death by his parents, Charles R. White and Dorothy A. PorterWhite; brothers, Charles C. White, CSM, (Margaret) and Donald (Rocky) White.

ZENON LOPEZ GARCIA

Zenon Lopez Garcia, 49, of West Grove, passed away on Aug. 1 at Neighborhood Hospice. He was the husband of Guillemina Moreno Martinez, with whom he shared 32 years of marriage. Born in Sanguituelas, Municipio de Purvandiro, Mexico, he was the son of Jose Lopez Arredondo and Juana Garcia Rodriguez, both in Mexico. He was a mushroom worker for Kenneth Davis Mushrooms in Avondale. Zenon was a member a St. Rocco Catholic Church, and he enjoyed working and being with his family.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by two sons, Marco Antonio Lopez Moreno of Kennett Square, and Junior Noe Lopez Moreno of Mexico; three daughters, Diana Lopez Moreno of Georgia, Guillermina Naelly Lopez Moreno of Toughkenamon, and Loana Maybeth Lopez Moreno of Avondale; 11 grandchildren; one brother; and eight sisters.

A funeral was held Aug. 8. Burial will be in Mexico. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.

TINA R. SEATS

Tina R. Seats, 32, of Quarryville, passed away on Aug. 2. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of Archie D. Seats, Sr., of Quarryville and the late Kimberly Ann Coram Seats. Tina was outgoing and loved life. She is survived by her father; one son, Nicholas Alexander Rodriguez; and one brother, Archie D. Seats, Jr., all of Quarryville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford), where friends and family may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

JAMES E. PERON

James E. Peron, 84, of Kirkwood, left this earth to be with his beloved wife, Jean L. Peron, on July 29. James was born in 1932, the son of Olive and John Peron in Sagamore, Pa. He attended the State Teachers College (now Indiana University of Pennsylvania), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education (mathematics and physical science). After serving in the U.S. Army as a morse interceptor, James began a career as a computer programmer, first working for IBM and then the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) in Warminster, Pa.

He was a member of The Freemasonry and the American Guild of Organists. He was an accomplished organist and pianist who learned how to play without ever taking formal lessons. James also enjoyed gardening, amateur radio and building/repairing organs.

He is survived by his sons, Keith D. Peron and husband Richard of Belcamp, Md.; Kevin J. Peron and wife Amy of Morrisville, Pa., Kyle S. Peron and wife Kelly of Pottstown,; and Kenneth S. Peron of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean L. Peron; his sister, Donna J. Roberts; and brother, Jack Peron.

The family will receive relatives and friends at a memorial service to be held Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. at Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. (86 Pine St., Oxford). A reception will follow at Union Presbyterian Church (5637 Street Road, Kirkwood). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

Aug. 22 Prayer Walk for schools The Avon Grove Ministerium will sponsor this year’s Prayer Walk on Aug. 22. The event is open to anyone to participate in praying for local schools. West Grove United Methodist Church will meet at Avon Grove High School at 9:30 a.m. to distribute ID tags and to let participants choose a school where they will pray. Children are invited as well. For more information, call West Grove United Methodist Church at 610-869-9334.

‘Summer Fun’ series Through Aug. 2 3 West Grove United Methodist Church (300 N. Guernsey Rd., West Grove) celebrates summer for the third year with the Wednesday night free series, “Summer Fun for Everyone.” The community is

invited to attend from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be hot dogs, games, fellowship and a brief word from pastor Rev. Monica B. Guepet each week. All beverages will be supplied. If you’d like to bring chips, cookies or a side dish, they will be appreciated. A box of games will be available, the youth plan to have their 9-In-The-Air game up, and there is a playground for small children. For more information, call 610-869-9334 or visit www.westgroveumc. org.

Summer music series Landenberg United Methodist Church (205 Penn Green Rd., Landenberg) presents its summer music program during Sunday services. Call 610-274-8384. The schedule includes: Aug 13: Steve Poorman; Aug 20: Morgan Hollow Trio; Aug. 27: Rise Up Band.

TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace.

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For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

PA

An expanded world of art at Mala Galleria

By John Chambless Staff Writer

Moving a few feet down to its new home at 200 E. State St. in Kennett Square has made a world of difference for Mala Galleria.

Without knowing whether she would be able to complete the move in August, gallery owner Stella Scott opened the new gallery for First Friday on Aug. 4 with a crosssection of the artists she’ll be featuring regularly. The move has quadrupled her exhibition space. There’s a light tone, open floor plan and thoughtful placement of artwork and crafts by an admirably diverse group of artists, pointing the way toward a bright future.

There are surprises at every turn. Metal sculptures by Chadds Ford artist Lisa

Fedon are most immediately noticeable. Her multi-layered metal and glass table, “Everlasting Truths,” and the strikingly original sculptural chairs around it are wonderful. Her two circular pedestal sculptures “Hope” and “New World Order,” previously seen at the Philadelphia Flower Show, as well as the room-filling, life-size horse in the middle of the gallery (“Reaching Out”) are splendidly constructed with car parts and industrial bits that seem to be delicately joined by some sort of alchemy.

Fedon also has a wall full of wire sculptures that are like doodles come to threedimensional life. Each one is a fun, squiggly work of art, such as “Taking Notes,” an outline of a notebook with the tip and eraser of a pencil jutting

out, as if the notebook cover is actually covering them up. “Ideas” is the outline of a light bulb, with a vintage puzzle piece nestled inside. “Believe” is a zig-zag of rays and a central orange-yellow ceramic shard that suggests the creative spark.

The gallery’s past international slant continues with the razor-sharp color photography by Michael Gunselman – a series of striking images taken during his travels in Russia, France and the Netherlands. There are wonderful wooden birdhouses by John Siepelinga; flowing, magical paintings of light reflecting on water by Peter Quarracino; glowing ceramic lamps by Ki Crittenden; and exceptionally fun found-object sculptures by Kennett Square artist Roberta Little.

You’ll find large, vividly colored woodland paintings by Lele Galer, two bins full of framed original works and prints for browsing, and – in a nod to more traditional Chester County work – bright farm landscape paintings by Keith Hoffman.

The silhouette of dried stalks by Frank DePietro is captivating, and the semiabstract, dreamlike paintings

by Helena

also command attention. There is great original jewelry as well, and with the extra space, Scott is looking forward to spotlighting artists in the various rooms beginning in September. In short, Mala Galleria has something for nearly everyone. The selection is fresh, unexpected and brimming with possibilities.

For more information, visit www.malagalleria.com or call 620-998-5892.

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

Every day on his iPhone, he would see the location dots of the other riders along the route suddenly veer off of it, on their way to the nearest airport to take them back home. One day, he checked his map and saw that the elevation of his next climb would be 6,000 feet above sea level. He needed food. He needed to know where he would sleep that night. He texted his wife, Jacquelynn.

“All along the course, she kept asking me to measure my state of mind,” he said.

“She would use positive terms, and helped push me over a few hills when all I wanted to do was stop and

eat a meal at a restaurant.

‘Don’t stop,’ she told me.

‘Don’t stop.’”

By the time Simon reached the Blue Ridge Mountains, he knew he was home free. Of the 131 riders who entered the race back in Oregon, Simon was one of 58 who completed it. He finished in 38th place.

“As you move on, your tiredness increases, and your toughness increases, and that blister that you got 1,000 miles ago? You don’t feel it any more,” he said.

“By the end, you don’t feel any real pain. It was buried under other layers of body demands, intensity, drive and purpose. You are disconnecting from pain so that you can finish. Your body is getting into a mode

Classic features a street fair, festival foods and teams of competitors racing bikes through the downtown. (See listing).

Aug. 12

Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic

The Twilight Cycling Classic, West Chester’s popular day of racing action and family-friendly events, will be held downtown on Aug. 12. Popular attractions

such as the Kids’ Zone, Community Festival, Iron Hill Beer Garden and more will open to the public at around 3 p.m. The racing action begins at 3:30 with the West Chester Dental Arts Kids’ Race. The Tolsdorf Trike Challenge takes over

of accomplishment, and nothing will stand in your way.”

When Simon arrived at the finish line, a few of the dotwatchers were waiting for him, as well as Jacquelynn, her son, and Simon’s two dogs. He thanked his wife for never allowing him to quit, and for challenging him on the days when he needed to be.

After the finish line, Simon lifted the Domane SL6 high above his head, holding it there long enough and high enough for a camera to record the moment.

A month after the race ended, Simon showed his race companions the hat with the number 58 written in it, his iPhone, his dark racing glasses. There was another companion, he said.

“Every day, there was my shadow of my sunset ride that would always be in front of me as I rode,” he said. “And every day, I

the streets at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Rothman Institute Amateur Criterium. At 6:45 p.m., the Brumbaugh Wealth Management Pro Women’s Criterium kicks off, followed by the Iron Hill Pro Men’s Criterium at 8 p.m. For details and registration, visit http://greaterwestchester. com/events/featured-events/ wcbikerace/

Aug. 12 and 13

North Star Orchard store opening North Star Orchard, on Route 10 at 3232 Limestone Rd., Cochranville, holds a grand opening celebration for its new farm store on Aug. 12 and 13, with guest vendors, giveaways and live music on Sunday. In addition to selling the farm’s fresh fruits and vegetables, the store offers baked goods, meats,

eggs, cheeses, beverages and more products from local purveyors. The store is open Thursday and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thanksgiving. Visit www.northstarorchard.com.

Aug. 13

Country concert in the park

The Penn Park Summer Concert Series of free concerts continues on Aug. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. with live music by Jake’s Rockin’ Country Band. Hood’s BBQ food truck will be on site. Bring your own seating. Free Kona Ice will be provided while supplies last.

Aug. 13

Record Collectors show

The Keystone Record Collectors Music Expo will be held Aug. 13 from 9 a.m. to

would look at it and say, ‘Look. Company.’” Jacquelynn is currently in training for an Ironman competition that will be held in Maryland in

3 p.m. at the Continental Inn (2285 Lincoln Highway east, next to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster). Dealers will buy, sell and trade records and music memorabilia from all eras. Admission and parking are free. Call 610-932-7852 or visit www. recordcollectors.org.

Aug. 19

Kennett Symphony at Longwood

The Kennett Symphony of Chester County presents “Symphony Under The Stars – Love is in the Air” at the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The program features a potpourri of light classics and pops.

Performances by the winners of the symphony’s Instrumental and Vocal competitions will feature

October. Now it’s Simon’s turn to be the cheerleader.

To contact Staff

Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

vocal competition winner, Korean soprano Joowon Chae; and instrumental competition winner, flutist Audrey Emata, 16. Single tickets are $40 in advance, $45 on the day of the concert (students $10). Tickets include the concert, access to visit Longwood Gardens during the day on the day of the concert, the post-concert illuminated fountain performance in the new Main Fountain Garden, and free parking. Visit www.KennettSymphony. org or call 610-444-6363. 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.

Brandywine River Museum of Art wraps up summer events

A busy summer season at the Brandywine River Museum of Art concludes with a month of special programs and events. In addition to featured programs and events, “Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect,” a landmark exhibition that includes over 100 of Wyeth’s finest paintings and works on paper, continues through Sept. 17.

Concerts in the Courtyard: Bruce Ewan and Steve “Baby Jake” Jacobs Friday, Aug. 11, 6 to 9 p.m. $12-$20; prices increase on the day of the concert. “Harmonica wizard” Bruce Ewan is bringing the blues to the Brandywine River Museum of Art’s outdoor courtyard. With legendary guitarist, Steve “Baby Jake” Jacobs, the duo will reach deep into the blues heritage for a blend of obscure as well as familiar blues tunes originated by great blues harmonica players. Cash bar and food will be available for purchase. Advanced tickets are $12 for members, $15 for non-members, and $8 for students. Prices increase on the day of the concert to $20, $25 and $10.

“Evening at Kuerners” Plein Air Tuesday, Aug. 15, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($15 members; $20 non-

members). Get access to Kuerner Farm, a National Historic Landmark, where Andrew Wyeth found intriguing subjects for hundreds of tempera paintings, watercolors and drawings for more than 70 years. Artists working in all media are invited to explore the property where they can sketch, paint, or photograph and can gain insight into Wyeth’s creative process on an optional guided tour. Participants are responsible for providing all art materials. Spaces are limited.

Andrew Wyeth’s Portraits lecture and conversation Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m ($15 members; $20 non-members). Gain insights into Andrew Wyeth’s approach to portraiture in this program presented by Audrey Lewis, curator at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, and Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, associate professor of American Art at the University of Pennsylvania. Lewis will focus on local subjects including Karl and Anna Kuerner and Helga Testorf. Shaw will consider Wyeth’s relationships with models from Chadds Ford’s AfricanAmerican community. The museum will open

at 5:30 p.m., with a reception after the lecture.

On Location: Artists at the Brandywine Friday, Aug. 18 through Sunday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($8 for members; $10 for non-members in addition to museum admission). Signature member artists from the Philadelphia Water Color Society will create work at the Brandywine River Museum of Art and its three historic properties. Visitors are invited to watch 19 artists from the Philadelphia Water Color Society at work en plein air by purchasing an “On Location” ticket. Each round trip via museum shuttle includes stops at the Kuerner Farm, N.C. Wyeth House, and Andrew Wyeth Studio. The 1 hour and 15 minute trips begin at 10, 10:45 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Outdoor access only is provided; for guided tours of site interiors guests should purchase regular tour tickets at available times. Work created during the event will be available for purchase at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, beginning with a reception on Aug. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. and continuing through Sept. 22. A portion of the proceeds will

benefit the Brandywine River Museum of Art. Gin Dinner

Thursday, Aug. 24, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ($75 per person). Enjoy a Gin Dinner at the Millstone Café featuring gin from Revivalist Spirits from Elverson. A five-course small plate menu will be prepared by Blanch & Shock, with each menu offering paired with a Revivalist Gin varietal. The interactive dinner will also feature a representative from Revivalist Gin who will be on hand to highlight the types of gin served, the underlying botanical notes found in each of their five varietals, and their production process. Prior to the dinner, guests can enjoy a private viewing of the museum’s current exhibition, “Andrew Wyeth: In Retrospect.”

The Brandywine River Museum of Art is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Chadds Ford. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 65 and older, $6 for students and children ages 6 and older; free for children ages 5 and younger and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art members. For more information, call 610388-2700 or visit www. brandywinemuseum. org.

‘Symphony

Under the Stars’ at Longwood on Aug. 19

The Kennett Symphony of Chester County, under the direction of music director Michael Hall, presents “Symphony Under The Stars – Love is in the Air” at the Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside at Unionville High School Auditorium. The program features a potpourri of light classics and pops, including selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” John Williams’ “Love Theme” from “Star Wars Episode II,” and Tchaikovsky’s musical depiction of young love and impending tragedy in “Romeo and

Julie Fantasy-Overture.”

Performances by the winners of the symphony’s Instrumental and Vocal competitions will feature vocal competition winner, Korean soprano Joowon Chae; and instrumental competition winner, flutist Audrey Emata, 16. Single tickets are $40 in advance, $45 on the day of the concert (students $10). Tickets include the concert, access to visit Longwood Gardens during the day on the day of the concert, the post-concert illuminated fountain performance in the new Main Fountain Garden, and free parking. For complete information, visit www. KennettSymphony.org or call 610-444-6363.

2017 to claim this vehicle. If unclaimed this vehicle will be disposed of. Chews Towing, Inc. , 722 Market Street, Oxford, PA 19363

AUTOMOBILE CLAIM NOTICE: 1997 Cadillac Deville VIN# 1G6KF5296VU207821, owner has 30 days

from August 2, 2017 to claim this vehicle. If unclaimed this vehicle will be disposed of. Chews Towing, Inc. , 722 Market Street, Oxford, PA 19363

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ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Michael L. Sensor, deceased, late of West Grove, PA., Letters Administration on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Lundy Beldecos & Milby, PC, 450 N. Narberth Ave., Suite 200, Narberth, PA 19072, Administrator., Lundy Beldecos & Milby, PC, 450 N. Narberth Ave., Suite 200, Narberth, PA 19072 7p-26-3t

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of ANDREW W. KEEGAN, III, deceased, Late of New London Township, Chester County, PA, Letters of Administration on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Executor: Nancy Joy Wolfe, 88 Brookside Place, Nottingham, PA 19362

requested by

www.elktownship.

DEBT $188,559.17

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot or piece of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate in East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described according to a Plan of Locksley Glen, Section 1, Phase 1, made by Reagis, Inc., Engineers and Surveyors, dated 6/20/1998, last revised 3/19/1999 and recorded on 5/14/1999, as Plan #14921, as follows, to wit:

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and

610-255-5195, fax 610-255-0492, or e-mail to elktownship@comcast.net., Terri Kukoda, Secretary/Treasurer 8p-9-2t NOTICE OF FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to do engage in business under the fictitious name of : Sabina Sister Wedding Photography, located at 103 S. High St. Ste 1, West Chester, PA 19382, has submitted an application for a fictitious name under 54 Pa. C.S. Pursuant to Pennsylvania's Fictitious Name Act. Sabina Sister, 615 Downingtown Pike A-208, West Chester, PA 19380. 8p-9-1t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 11AM prevailing time, the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-462 Writ of Execution No. 2017-01543 DEBT $56,691.49

PROPERTY situate in the Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania

BLR# 72-5-34.1

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF:

estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-464

Writ of Execution No. 2016-11373

BEGINNING at a point on the southeasterly side of Winston Way, the northwest corner of Lot #67 and the southwest corner of the about to be described lot; thence along Winston Way, north 48 degrees 02 minutes 50 seconds east, 90.00 feet to a point, a corner of Lot #65 on said Plan; thence along same, south 41 degrees 57 minutes 10 seconds east, 178.75 feet to a point, a corner of Lots #70 and #71; thence along Lot #70, south 48 degrees 02 minutes 50 seconds west; 90.00 feet to a point, a corner of Lot #60 and #67; thence along Lot #67, north 41 degrees 57 minutes 10 seconds west; thence along Lot #67, north 41 degrees 57 minutes 10 seconds west, 178.75 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

BEING the same premises which Edward J. Deal, III and Marlene T. Deal, by Deed dated 6/30/2004 and recorded 8/16/2004 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds in and for the County of Chester as Instrument Number 10449228, granted and conveyed unto David Blisard and Lisa Blisard, in fee.

PLAINTIFF: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association VS DEFENDANT: DAVID BLISARD and LISA BLISARD

SALE ADDRESS: 117 Winston Way, Oxford, PA 19363

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: SHAPIRO & DeNARDO, LLC, 610-278-6800

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. The final payment must be made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. & is due twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 7p-26-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 11AM prevailing time, the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-472 Writ of Execution No. 2012-09196 DEBT $516,927.84

PROPERTY situate in the East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania

BLR # 69-3-161

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: Bank of America, N.A. Successor by Merger to BAC Home Loans Servicing, L.P. f/k/a Countrywide Home Loans Servicing, L.P. VS DEFENDANT: MATTHEW J. GIBSON

SALE ADDRESS: 329 Heron Drive, Lincoln University, PA 19352-1729

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP, 215-563-7000

N.B.

(10%) of

By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 11AM prevailing time, the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-474

Writ of Execution No. 2014-00901

DEBT $548,645.62

ALL THAT CERTAIN parcel of real estate in the Borough of Avondale, County of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as follows, to wit:

BEGINNING at a point at the southwesterly extremity of the arc of a curve having a radius of 35 feet which connects the northeasterly line of State Highway (50 feet wide) Route Number 215, and which has a bearing of south 44 degrees 00 minutes east, with the southerly line of State Highway (60 feet wide) Route No. 131 at a point of reverse curve, said beginning point being distant 22 feet northwardly and radially from the center line of railroad of The Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad Company, known as the Octorara Branch, Maryland Division; thence extending from said point the following 4 courses and distances to wit: (1) northeastwardly along said arc or connecting curve to the right having a radius of 35 feet the chord of said curve having a bearing of north 29 degrees 36 minutes east for a length of 67.15 feet to said point of reverse curve at the point of meeting with said southerly line of State Highway, Route No. 131; (2) eastwardly along said southerly line of the last mentioned highway on a curve to the left having a radius of 667.27 feet the chord of said curve having a bearing of south 89 degrees 12 minutes east for a length of 322.83 feet an arc length of 326.03 feet; (3) south 11 degrees 15 minutes west 153.11 feet and thence (4) westwardly on a line parallel with and distant 22 feet northwardly and radially from said center line of railroad on a curve to the right having arc radius of 1,888.08 feet the chord of said curve having a bearing of north 73 degrees 33 minutes west for a length of 340 feet an arc length of 342.42 feet to the place of beginning.

BEING UPI No. 4-3-30

IMPROVEMENTS consisting of commercial structure.

PLAINTIFF: PNC Bank, N.A. VS DEFENDANT: AVONDALE IQ CO., LLC

SALE ADDRESS: 72 Baltimore Pike, Avondale, PA 19311

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KRISTEN WETZEL LADD, ESQ., 610-692-1371

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. The final payment must be made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. & is due twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 7p-26-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West

PLAINTIFF: PNC Bank, National Association, Successor by Merger to National City Mortgage, a Division of National City Bank VS DEFENDANT: DAVID F. O’CONNOR a/k/a DAVID O’CONNOR and LISA ANN O’CONNOR a/k/a LISA O’CONNOR

SALE ADDRESS: 406 Township Road, Oxford, PA 19363

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: KML LAW GROUP, P.C., 215-627-1322

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. The final payment must be made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. & is due twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 7p-26-3t Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 11AM prevailing time, the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-480 Writ of Execution No. 2010-14117 DEBT $216,188.77

ALL THAT CERTAIN, message, lot or piece of land situate on, in the Borough of Kennett Square, County of Chester, State of Pennsylvania, bounded and described, as follows, to wit:

ALL THAT CERTAIN lot of land, situated on the west side of Park Avenue (formerly Race Street) being Lot #56 South View Development in the Borough Kennett Square, County of Chester and the State of Pennsylvania being bounded and described according to a survey made by George E. Regester, Jr., Registered Surveyor, as follows; BEGINNING at a stake in the West Street Line of Park Avenue (formerly Race Street) as the same is now laid out 47 feet wide, and said point of beginning being south 02 degrees 06 minutes west 175 feet from an iron pin set in the South Street Line of Chestnut Street, 50 feet wide, measured, along the West Street line of Park Avenue; THENCE along the West Street line of Park Avenue, south 02 degrees 06 minutes west 55 feet to a stake; a corner of Lot #55;

THENCE along Lot 55 north 88 degrees 45 minutes west 137.98 feet to a stake in a line of land of Kennett Consolidated School;

THENCE along land of said school, north 06 degrees 09 minutes west 58.48 feet to a stake, a corner of Lot #57; THENCE along Lot #57 south 88

degrees 45 minutes east 145.84 feet to the first mentioned point and place of beginning.

CONTAINING 7806.3 square feet of land, be the same more or less.

BEING UPI Number 3-5-190

PARCEL No.: 3-5-190

BEING known as: 818 Park Avenue, Kennett Square, PA 19348

BEING the same property conveyed to Clarence Stevens who acquired title by virtue of a Deed from John B. Morton, dated March 30, 2007, recorded June 13, 2007, at Deed Book 7184, Page 1666, Chester County, Pennsylvania Records.

PLAINTIFF: US Bank National Association, as Trustee for CMLTI 2007WFHE3 VS DEFENDANT: CLARENCE STEVENS

SALE ADDRESS: 818 Park Avenue, Kennett Square, PA 19348

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI, LLC, 614-220-5611

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash, certified check or money order made payable to the purchaser or Sheriff of Chester Co. The final payment must be made payable to Sheriff of Chester Co. & is due twenty-one (21) days from the date of sale by 2PM. CAROLYN B. WELSH, SHERIFF 7p-26-3t

Sheriff Sale of Real Estate

By virtue of the within mentioned writ directed to Carolyn B. Welsh, Sheriff, will be sold at public sale, in the Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania, announced on Thursday, August 17th, 2017 at 11AM prevailing time, the herein-described real estate. Notice is given to all parties in interest and claimants that the Sheriff will file in her office located in the Chester County Justice Center, Office of the Sheriff, 201 West Market Street, Suite 1201, West Chester, Pennsylvania, a Schedule of Distribution on Monday, September 18th, 2017. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed hereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

SALE NO. 17-8-483

Writ of Execution No. 2017-00905 DEBT $242,645.89

PROPERTY situate in the East Marlborough Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania

BLR# 61-6-404

IMPROVEMENTS thereon: residential dwelling

PLAINTIFF: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC VS

DEFENDANT: ANNA-CARIN BREWER

SALE ADDRESS: 246 Cherry Lane, Kennett Square, PA 19348-4709

PLAINTIFF ATTORNEY: PHELAN HALLINAN DIAMOND & JONES, LLP, 215-563-7000

N.B. Ten percent (10%) of the purchase money must be paid at the time and place of sale. 10% payment must be paid in cash, certified check