Chester County Press 8-16-2017 Edition

Four-way stop approved in Franklin Township

By John Chambless Staff Writer

On Aug. 11, Franklin Township manager Joan McVaugh got a phone call confirming that PennDOT will put a four-way stop at an intersection that has been the focus of community concern for years. The intersection of Appleton and Strickersville roads in Franklin Township has been a longtime concern. Three Amish families are now farming the 108acre property surrounding the intersection, and family members, as well as horse-drawn wagons, must cross the intersection several times each day. Traffic moving north to south on

Appleton Road does not currently stop. Traffic on Strickersville does have to stop, but motorists often assume that the intersection is a four-way stop.

The township has unsuccessfully tried to get the intersection turned into a four-way stop several times. PennDOT representatives had previously responded that there weren’t enough reportable accidents to warrant a four-way stop, and State Police officers have reported that the sight distance is adequate on the road.

The property has been farmed for years, but the Amish families working on the property are the focus

Parking garage project moves forward in Oxford

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Through three different votes on Monday night, Oxford Borough Council took the biggest step yet toward authorizing the construction of a parking garage and new borough administration building in downtown Oxford. The parking garage project has been a topic of discussion in Oxford since a comprehensive parking study was completed in 2015. After nearly two years of discussions, there was very little debate before the vote, which was part of a special meeting for borough council.

Borough council voted 4-1 in favor of moving forward

with the parking garage and then authorized two significant expenditures associated with the project, also by the same vote.

Council president Ron Hershey and Randy Grace, John Thompson, and Gary Tozzo approved moving forward with the project, while council member Peggy Ann Russell voted against it. Council members Sue Lombardi and Paul Matthews were not present at the meeting.

Russell said that she couldn’t vote for the project right now because of uncertainty that still remains regarding funding for the project, and the potential impact that that could have on borough residents. There are also ongoing concerns

about the impact the Oxford Area Sewer Authority’s financial issues might have on taxpayers. Russell said that she regularly hears from residents expressing their concerns about the costs of the parking garage.

“I don’t feel comfortable voting for this transit center at this point,” Russell said. She added, however, that her hope is that the parking garage turns out to be the right decision for the borough, and that one day her vote against the project will turn out to be the wrong one.

Hershey said that he hears from residents about the parking garage project too, and many of them have voiced their enthusiasm for

School immunization change has some parents scrambling

By John Chambless Staff Writer

A change in the state school code regarding immunization requirements is creating a last-minute scramble for some local families. The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board addressed the issue at their Aug. 14 work session, hearing from Sally Palic, the nurse at Patton Middle School.

“We have a database that we use to enter immunizations based on documents from the physicians of our students,” she said. “Each

Kennett Square author publishes book about her remarkable mother

Josephine B. Pasquarello’s “Love & Loyalty” is the true story of a widowed immigrant Italian mom raising twelve children in 1950s and 1960s Philadelphia

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

In the second chapter of her book “Love & Loyalty,” Josephine B. Pasquarello writes about the day that her father didn’t come home. “Wednesday, May 11,

1955 was the day my family went into a tailspin, a rapid, out-of-control descent with a devastating emotional impact that would be felt for many years to come,” she writes. “Our lives as we knew them would be forever changed.”

Josephine, the tenth of the twelve children, was six years old on that fateful day in May when her father, Mike, did not return home to his wife, Romania, and their family. Despite her young age at the time, Josephine can recall in vivid detail what it was like that evening when her father was not at his spot at the head of the dinner table.

Romania Pasquarello knew that there was something

wrong when her husband missed dinner that evening, but she had twelve children to care for so she took care of dinner as if nothing was wrong. She put the children to bed. There was still no sign of her husband. The next day, she walked to Mike Pasquarello’s produce store at 1829 North Seventh Street in South Philadelphia. The door was locked. She knocked. She called out her husband’s name. When

student has a paper medical chart and an electronic chart as well. This summer, the database was updated, and some of the incoming kindergartners and other incoming students popped up in this database as not compliant for this school year.

“The fourth polio immunization is a new requirement,” Palic continued. “That affects every student, from kindergarten through grade 12. Seventh grade has the tetanus shot and the meningitis requirements, and grade 12 has

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Natalie Thomas, who works in the electrical department at the Lowe’s in Avondale, surveyed the Garage Community & Youth Center in West Grove last week, and saw a place of connectivity, resources and education temporarily buried beneath a pile of sawdust, contracting tools and grand plans. Flanked by a team of

Love & Loyalty...

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children. She could see that he was somehow injured and bleeding. He was also holding a gun.

In one of the most dramatic parts of the book, Josephine recounts how her mother called the police to help her get into the produce store. Even after the police arrived, Mike refused to cooperate. He even fired a shot at the ceiling. He demanded that he be left alone. Eventually, the police got Mike’s brother, Nick, to help, and they were able to grab him and put him on the floor. Mike was ready to pass out from blood loss. They were finally able to load him into an ambulance and race him to the hospital.

The news was grave.

The doctors told Nick and Romania that Mike had been stabbed and had also consumed rat poison.

“Mom could not believe what she had just heard and fell to the floor,” Josephine writes. “Her husband was going to die in the next few days, and they couldn’t help him. There wasn’t anything they could do but wait for the end.”

Mike’s death, which came five days later, had a tremendous impact on the family. It would be a very long time before Josephine learned the truth about his death.

But while the secrets that the family guarded play a part in “Love & Loyalty,” the book is really about how Romania Pasquarello rose up with unimaginable

strength and courage to care for the twelve children.

Josephine recounts growing up in 1950s and 1960s Philadelphia in colorful detail. She describes many of the people in her neighborhood with clarity and passion, but it is Romania Pasquarello who is the focal point of the family saga. The writer recalls how the matriarch of the family raised the twelve children with compassion, wisdom, and tireless energy, handling everything that was put in front of her.

Josephine was the tenth of the family’s twelve children, so as one of the youngest family members at the time of her father’s death, details about the incident were mostly kept from her. She explained that, for years, it was believed that Mike had taken his own life, although the word “suicide” was not mentioned.

It would be more than 50 years before she learned the truth.

In 2009, Josephine’s uncle, George, passed away at the age of 92. At the funeral, George’s oldest son, Ralph, sat next to her.

As they talked, Ralph explained that he would often visit his uncle Mike’s produce store as a child. He asked if Josephine wanted to hear some old stories about her father. She said that she did, of course. After sharing several stories, Ralph turned more serious. Josephine writes about the moment toward the end of “Love & Loyalty.”

“[Ralph] grabbed my arm

and looked deep into my eyes. ‘Josephine,’ he said, ‘you know that your dad was killed by the mob. Your dad didn’t commit suicide. He would never have killed himself. He wouldn’t leave Aunt Ro and all you kids. Your dad was a good man and he loved his family.’”

Josephine was stunned by the revelation about her father’s death, even after all those years.

“After 54 years, our family secret was finally out in the open,” she writes. “It had taken me over half a century to find out the truth.”

Josephine details how her father, an honest man, had become a victim of the powerful mob in Philadelphia. Some local mobsters want-

ed Mike to take the fall for a crime that he wasn’t involved in, and he refused. He was killed as a result. But the heart of the book is about how her mother overcame the tragedy to raise twelve children on her own.

“I remember one thing in particular that my mother always said to us: ‘Keep your head held high and don’t be ashamed of who you are,’ Josephine writes. “And that’s what we always tried to do as we struggled through life without our father. We found out what it was like to be on the other side of the mob, and the law [but]…they never took away the allegiance my father and mother had for the family, and looking back over the years, it seems to me that my mother’s love and loyalty triumphed.”

The book can be purchased on the Dorrance Publishing website and on www.amazon.com. She also has a book signing scheduled for

Josephine with her mother at a wedding in 1970. Saturday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Kennett Library. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

About the author

Josephine B. Pasquarello is the tenth child of an immigrant Italian woman who is the subject of the book, “Love & Loyalty.” Josephine wrote the book— in cursive—over a four-year period. A resident of Kennett Square for the last 15 years, she is a wife, mother and grandmother. She graduated from West Philly Catholic Girls’ High School in 1967. During her lifetime, she worked in the restaurant business for twentyfive years. Later, she owned a house cleaning service and for thirteen years owned and operated a successful store in the Philadelphia area. She retired in 2000, and devoted more time to her family. Her hobbies include traveling, writing, working out, and cooking the way she learned from her mother.

Avon Grove’s kindergarten projections on target

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

With the start of the new school year quickly approaching, the Avon Grove School District is set to launch a full-day kindergarten program for the district’s youngest students.

The first day of school in Avon Grove is Monday, Aug. 28. The number of students

of concern, particularly from neighbor and former township supervisor Nan Latimer, who feared that the young family members, buggies and animals crossing the roadway would be struck by the heavy traffic on the road, which has become a commuter shortcut.

This week, Latimer said, “I was pleased with PennDOT’s decision to install a four-way stop at the intersection of Appleton and Strickersville roads. It will make not only the intersection safer but also slow the speed at which cars travel on Appleton Road. I would encourage anyone who chooses to get involved in safety to other issues to contact their township Board of Supervisors, Rep. Lawrence and Sen. Dinniman. Everyone was understanding, helpful and delightful to work with. In my opinion, it was government working the way it should. Thank you to all who worked to get this job done.”

John Auerbach of the Franklin Township Board of Supervisors, who had long advocated for changes at the intersection, said, “The road will be marked in the near future and signs installed in one month. I’d like to thank all who helped in this endeavor – PennDOT, Rep. John Lawrence, Sen. Andrew Dinniman, Nan Latimer, Samuel Stoltzfus, township residents who attended our board meetings, and the Franklin Township staff and Board of Supervisors.”

Lawrence and Dinniman had sent letters to PennDOT asking for the agency to reconsider the intersection, noting the hazards that were facing the family members at the location.

Auerbach wrote to PennDOT that, “A White Clay Trail System is being constructed south of the intersection and will be connected along Appleton Road to the existing Ford Farm Trail System north of the intersection. This will increase pedestrian, bicycle and horseback-riding traffic through the intersection.

“I have been a supervisor for almost six years, and over this period, many township residents have expressed concern about traffic safety at this intersection,” Auerbach added.

An online petition was posted recently at the township’s website, but Auerbach said this week that PennDOT likely responded primarily to the letters from Dinniman, Lawrence and himself, as well as the public’s concern about the hazardous situation.

For updated information on the township, visit www. franklintownship.us.

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

registering for the district’s kindergarten program is approaching 300, which is right in line with the projections that were made early in 2017 as district officials were planning to expand to a full-day kindergarten program.

August is a time of heavy student registration, so the number of kindergarten students entering the district could continue to climb.

the project. He added that while there is some risk involved with undertaking such a large project, there is a potential to move the borough forward. The parking garage is seen as a way to attract businesses and restaurants to town.

After borough council affirmed its support for the parking garage project, some in the standing-roomonly crowd responded with cheers.

Jim Price, who owns buildings in town, said that Oxford is taking advantage of a rare opportunity to construct the parking garage. He said that boosting economic development in the downtown area would be beneficial and could help alleviate the tax burden on residents.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Nancy Ware Sapp, a business owner in town, said that the approval of the parking garage will be beneficial as she works to transform a historic building on Locust Street into a bed-and-breakfast. She said that she will be purchasing ten spots in a parking garage so that her guests will have access to parking. She said that her late father, John H. Ware IV, who was a longtime Oxford Borough Council member and a generous benefactor for the town, would be proud of Oxford’s decision to move forward on the project.

Several other business owners in town offered their support for the project, which has evolved over time. Initially, the project included just a parking garage on lot between Second Street and Third Street, but that morphed into a transit center as the borough saw the opportunity to increase access to public transportation for people who live and work in Oxford. Then the borough administration building also became part of the project as the borough has $1 million in funding that was gifted to it by an anonymous donor more than ten years ago for the purpose of acquiring a new borough building.

There were 249 students in the half-day kindergarten program for the 2016-2017 school year. District officials expected the full-day program to be a popular option with parents.

Dr. Christopher Marchese, the superintendent of the Avon Grove School District, said that with parents still registering their children, there is no fixed number of kindergarten sections for

The entire parking garage project is estimated to cost about $7 million. So far, Oxford has been able to secure slightly more than $3 million in grant funding for the project. The effort to secure additional funding is still underway. The goal is to minimize the potential impact to taxpayers by limiting the amount that will be borrowed.

Borough manager Brian Hoover has said that the borough will be able to absorb the year-to-year costs to maintain the parking garage through parking revenues.

Randy Teel, a business owner and former council member, summed up the feelings of a lot of borough residents when he said, “I am in favor of the parking garage as long as you don’t raise my taxes to pay for it.”

In a related issue, borough council authorized the appointment of Steven A. Krug for architectural design services, which includes structural engineering and mechanical plumbing and electrical engineering services. The contract is for $360,000. Krug handled the preparation of the parking study and has also facilitated the borough’s efforts to secure funding for the project up to this point.

Council also approved the appointment of a civil engineer, Spotts, Stevens, and McCoy for professional engineering and survey services associated with the planning and development of the proposed transportation center. The contract is for $115,700.

Toward the conclusion of the meeting, Tozzo pointed out that the costs that the borough is incurring with the two appointments that were made will be paid for with the $1 million in gift money that the borough received for the new administration building. This funding will also be utilized as part of the matching funds needed for some of the grants. There will be no impact on the borough’s budget as a result of these expenditures.

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

the 2017-2018 school year yet. However, with the actual registrations tracking so closely to the projections, it appears likely that the district will be able to stay within the district’s guidelines regarding class size at the kindergarten level.

District officials have long discussed implementing a full-day kindergarten program for the academic benefits, but it was just

Immunization change...

the meningitis vaccine. Those are the ones that are new and causing some non-compliance issues.

“Since mid-July, our nurses have been re-checking the database with the paper documents that we have, and we’ve searched the Pennsylvania system that has immunization records, to double-check,” Palic added. “At this point, all the families of noncompliant students have been notified by the nurses through letters sent to their homes. We’re looking at about 25 students in each elementary school, 36 at the middle school, and about 120 at the high school.”

Follow-up phone calls to the families are planned, Palic said, but the clock is ticking.

“In the past, we’ve had an eight-month grace period,” she said, “Usually by April, we have these issues wrapped up.”

The new guidelines state that students must meet immunization regulations by the third day of school, or face consequences, which could include suspension from school.

Assistant district superintendent John Nolen said, “Our principals would be very involved in this. No one wants to hear that their child will not be able to attend school, but that may happen for a few students. We will work to make sure that number is as small as possible.”

Palic added that the district will still accept immunization deferrals based on medical, moral or religious reasons. Guidelines for immunizations are posted on the district website (www.

within the last two to three years that the concept gained momentum in the district. Avon Grove’s top administrators touted the full-day kindergarten program as a way to provide increased instructional time and learning opportunities to students. The additional learning opportunities will benefit students who have under-performed early in their academic careers

ucfsd.org).

The board also discussed the implementation of later school start times this year. The goal is to allow teens to get more sleep, and the district has delayed school starts by 15 minutes. New bus pick-up times and school start times are posted on the district website.

Rick Hostetler, the district’s supervisor of buildings and grounds, discussed a fee proposal from Alban Engineering for HVAC design at Hillendale Elementary, at a cost of $133,800. “This cost is part of our 10-year plan,” Hostetler said. “The system is old, from the days when the building was a museum.” He said the project will go to bid at the end of the calendar year.

The long-discussed issue of safety along Route 82 in front of the middle school and high school was examined by Jeff Simpson, the director of public works at East Marlborough Township, who was part of a recent meeting between township officials and the school district.

“The township has had concerns raised over the years about safety on Route 82,” Hostetler said. “In one area, it’s five lanes wide. The township is looking at potential federal grant money to cover the cost of construction, if the design work is paid by the township. Early estimates for the design work are about $180,000. The township is asking if the school district could split that cost, hoping that the grant will then cover the project.”

Simpson showed concept illustrations of what the new crosswalk area would look like. He said

the most, and give them a stronger foundation to build on as they move through the elementary grades. Avon Grove will now be able to offer more interventions and supports to young learners who might otherwise fall behind in their academic growth.

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

that while crossing guards help during school arrival and dismissal, the community also uses the school grounds and facilities, so pedestrian traffic is still substantial at other times. He said the design calls for eliminating the de-acceleration lane in front of the middle school to allow an extension of a sidewalk there.

“A crosswalk would be placed in the same location,” Simpson said. “A center island median could be driven over, but the intent is not to do that. There will be an overhead mast arm with a crosswalk sign on it, and post-mounted flashing beacons on the ground. We’re looking at almost a $1 million project, but with the federal money, they would cover 100 percent of construction costs if we come up with $180,000 for the design.”

The deadline for the grant application is Sept. 22. School Board president Victor Dupuis asked if local funding could be sought for part of the design fee, and Simpson agreed that the Longwood Foundation could be a source of funds. Dupuis also asked about reducing the speed limit on the road. The limit varies along the route, from a low of 30 miles per hour, “to 45 miles per hour, which for some reason is right in front of the school,” Dupuis said.

The board will vote on whether to join the costsharing plan at their September meeting.

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

New Garden Festival of Flight and Car Show takes off Aug. 19 and 20

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

This weekend, the New Garden Flying Field will delight the senses as visitors admire flying machines and parachuters in the air, camp beneath the stars, run past vintage aircraft, and feel the fullthrottle energy of highperformance and vintage automobiles.

On nearly every available surface of the airport, the 46th annual New Garden Festival of Flight and Car Show will be a full menu of activities for the

curious, the nostalgic and the adventurous.

Visitors can see a fleet of antique cars and classic aircraft, including a Huey helicopter used to transport top federal officials, a Corsair Navy fighter plane, the Spirit of Freedom C54 aircraft, the B-25 from the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, and a Pitts biplane. The show will feature two demonstrations by Skydive Cross Keys, a Williamstown, N.J., skydiving school; an aerobatic demonstration by driver Dan Marcotte; a performance by the

Fighter Factory of Virginia Beach; a search-andrescue demonstration by the U.S. Coast Guard with its MH-65 Dolphin Rescue helicopter; return performances by pilots Jason Flood, Kevin Russo, Paul Dougherty and Scott Francis; and monster truck rides.

For the second year, the show will sponsor the Festival of Flight Run the Runway 5K race, Kiddie Run and one-mile Family Walk on Aug. 20, beginning at 8 a.m. Participants will navigate a course around World War II aircraft, highperformance aerobatic planes, and antique and classic cars. Top male and female overall finishers will receive cash prizes, and entrance into the race includes a pancake breakfast after the race, a ticket to the air show and participation T-shirts. The proceeds from the race will

benefit youth recreation programs in New Garden Township and Kennett Square.

As part of the annual event, EAA Chapter 240 and the Future Aviators will host a Youth Aviation Jamboree for youngsters ages 8 to 17.

Each “boarding pass” will include a weekend pass to the air and car show, a free flight, a barbecue dinner and pancake breakfast, an outdoor movie, participation in a bonfire and a nighttime balloon glow, and the opportunity to camp with their parents on the grounds of the airport.

EAA Chapter 240 will also sponsor its pancake breakfast before the show on Saturday and Sunday for $7 per person.

In addition, Bill Fili, a World War II pilot, author and speaker, will be on hand for book signings

beginning at 11 a.m. on both days.

To register for the 5K Run the Runway and for advance tickets to the 46th annual New Garden Festival of Flight and Car Show, visit www. newgardenflyingfield.com, or call 610-268-2619. To get your son or daughter’s “boarding pass” to the Youth Aviation Jamboree, visit www.EAA240.org. The New Garden Flying Field is at 1235 Newark Road in Toughkenamon.

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

Our expert eye doctors and surgeons provide

Youth center...

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Lowe’s employees and her husband Dan McGill, a contractor with 30 years’ experience, Thomas was there as the project manager for the Lowe’s Heroes volunteer program, which for the past ten years has selected -- and renovated -- local nonprofit organizations or K-12 schools in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Over the course of a week-and-a-half, the team built and framed walls for new offices; made repairs to the building’s ceiling; built custom-made bench seating with cushions and a custom-made table; and created a new space that will be used as storage for the hundreds of young people who visit the center throughout the year.

The project also included

Uncle Irvin...

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to stay in it as long as we can, but it is not easy to part with big money every year for nothing.

I am sure I am thinking out loud for every senior who is going through the same ritual, especially when you think like Uncle Irvin that we’re not getting our money’s worth – even if the U-CF District is considered excellent.

The U-CF School Board members, our neighbors that we elect, say yes to every

the construction of a new office space, the conversion of former offices into a music studio for visiting musicians and a pumping room for young mothers; the construction of a new living room area which will include a projector screen; and an upgrade to the center’s computer lab.

Thomas, who estimated the value of the renovations to be about $15,000, said the project was first conceived last October, in conversations with The Garage’s Executive Director Kristin Proto, its Director of Operations Bill Rose, and Steve Edwards, the store manager for the Lowe’s in Avondale.

“Lowe’s Heroes had done a project at an orphanage last year, and we said, ‘Hey, let’s find another project in our community to do,’” she said. “I talk-

money-spending idea that Superintendent John Sanville comes up with. He’s the same bloke that put himself up for auction recently to squeeze a higher raise out of the nine pliable school directors. I recently spoke with several local realtors about homes in the U-CF School District. They all said that there is virtually no inventory. Everything under $450,000 sells immediately; homes over $450,000 take much longer. That means to me that buyers with schoolage kids want U-CF. Many families without kids want to sell.

East Marlborough is

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ed to a girlfriend of mine who grew up in the area, and she suggested The Garage.”

“Over the past six years that we’ve been here, we’ve been adding things on top of things, in a band-aid type style,” Rose said. “We knew what we needed, but didn’t have the time or the resources to make anything beautiful. When Lowe’s asked us, ‘What’s your dream?’ we had so many ideas, and suggested that we create a good foundation, and not just have walls on wheels and non-permanent fixtures, because when it looks good, the kids treat it better.”

The project also called upon Kennett Square architect Dennis Melton, who was involved in the original design of the center in 2009, to create architec-

tural schematics for the renovatio ns. Additional volunteer work was contributed by the Lowe’s store in Wilmington.

studying the addition of 50 new homes in the $450,000 range, which would completely jam up Route 82 from the bypass to the high school.

If you want high taxes and an increased population, U-CF is the place to go.

(Uncle Irvin’s column is his opinion only, and is not a news story.)

Since the program’s beginning, Lowe’s Heroes have participated in more than 1,300 projects, and has contributed more than $1.3 million in materials. Each year, many Lowe’s stores collaborate on similar group projects throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 2010, with the support of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, Lowe’s gave employees a chance to make even more of an impact in the communities where they work and live by contributing more than $1 million to support larger Heroes projects. Lowe’s Heroes’ grants, up to $50,000, brought together groups of Lowe’s stores to benefit public schools and nonprofit organizations.

Helping others is not a new concept for Thomas. When she was in her 20s, she served as a volunteer contractor during renovations to a hospital in her native Barbados.

“I am driving my team crazy,” Thomas said. “I am sending texts at two in the morning. I am not sleeping, but I am so excited to get this done. The lack of sleep and the lack of eating gets pushed away, because what we’re providing for the kids is a place where they will feel safe.”

“Lowe’s has been here for a long time, and to walk beside each other,

and not just

Protect the pearl

The creation of a natural pearl is made by means of protection.

When a microscopic intruder or parasite enters a mollusk and settles inside the shell, the mollusk, irritated by the intruder, forms a pearl sac of external mantle tissue cells and secretes the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant. This secretion process is repeated many times, thus producing a perfectly round pearl.

Highly valued as an object of beauty for many centuries, the pearl has become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable and valuable.

Over the last decade, through the foresight and proper economic planning of its business owners, elected officials and concerned residents, downtown Kennett Square has evolved and in the process has grown to become that rarest of things -- a thriving hub of commerce, activity and accessibility -- built on the firm handshake principle that a town should measure its progress by its people, not by the amount of tax ratables it can accumulate.

They have chosen to protect the town from overcommercialization and overbuilding, and in the process, they have created that natural pearl.

At an Aug. 7 meeting of the Kennett Borough Council, members of the Kennett Realty Group, in assocaition with The Commonwealth Group and Harvey, Hanna & Associates, proposed the construction of an upscale hotel at the intersection of Broad and Cypress Streets in Kennett Square. If constructed, the seven- to eight-story hotel would have between 100 and 110 rooms, a small restaurant, meeting rooms, and two levels of parking.

Looking at it from nearly every angle, the hotel makes sense. Economically, the hotel would employ 200 people during construction, and have jobs for as many as 50 employees when it opens. It would increase tax ratables for the borough. It would serve as a premiere accommodation center for out-of-town visitors who would be less than a few minutes’ drive from Brandywine Valley attractions and a few steps from restaurants, events and commerce in the borough. Further, the building blocks of its construction would be supported by the strong reputation of its real estate development team. For all of these reasons, the hotel is a brilliant idea.

Build it, but build it somewhere else in Kennett Square.

The construction of the hotel in its planned location would permanently redefine, alter and subsequently ruin nearly every smart decision made in the last decade that has built and retained downtown Kennett Square to be a town of people and not buildings. It would further complicate traffic along State Street to the point where a mild nuisance would fester into an 18-hour daily bottleneck. Its marketing efforts -- to imagine itself as Kennett Square’s bedroom -- would package up the unpretentious eclecticism of the town’s vibe and sell it under another name, to an audience who look at small towns like they are amusement parks -- and not miracles of collaboration.

They would be on top of it, every day, and they would not let the town breathe, until it suffocated under the weight of its own popularity.

Building a hotel of this kind in downtown Kennett Square is like building a hotel adjacent to the Italian Water Garden at Longwood Gardens.

To the planners of this hotel, we say “Wait.”

Wait for the nature trails to connect with one another in the town’s outer reaches.

Wait for the vision of the new Center for Economic Development to blueprint its plans for the future.

Wait for Kennett Township’s Sustainable Development Office to secure its dream to create Kennett Square as a world center for indoor agriculture.

Wait for the last brick to be installed in the building of the new Kennett Library.

Wait until you have heard ideas and opinions from every resident and every shopkeeper who cherishes Kennett Square’s precious connectivity.

To the planners of this hotel, your idea is a good one, but if you wait, and if you listen, you will better be able to determine a more optimal location to build the hotel, close enough to the vibrancy of downton Kennett Square but not right in its way. Remember that there are streetscape, sidewalk and nature trail projects that are either underway or being planned that are reimagining Kennett Square as a walkable community, to connect neighborhood to commerce and services in a vital and continuous link.

Follow those links. See where those walkable connections finish, and build your hotel there.

Leave your own legacy. Illuminate the pearl, but save it in the process.

PennDOT announces intersection improvement at Route 896 and Appleton Road

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will install a high-friction surface treatment at the intersection of state Route 896 and Appleton Road in Franklin Township, Chester County, reported State Rep. John Lawrence (R-Lancaster/Chester).

Lane restrictions are scheduled on the “Kemblesville curve” on Route 896 at Appleton Road as crews complete the high-fric-

tion resurfacing project. Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through all work areas. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

“This intersection has been a safety concern for a long time, with a number of severe accidents. While the intersection is scheduled to be reconstructed and realigned in a few years, recent discussions between PennDOT and my office highlighted

the need to make temporary improvements as soon as possible,” said Lawrence. “Adding the high-friction surface to this perennially dangerous intersection will improve traffic safety until a more permanent solution is achieved.”

High Friction Surface (HFS) treatment has been used by PennDOT across the Commonwealth in recent years to reduce accidents on curved roadways with a history of

Guest Column

wet-pavement crashes. The treatment increases friction between vehicles and the road surface, helping to keep vehicles from skidding and increasing the ability of motorists to stop in both wet and dry conditions.

The work is part of a $4.8 million resurfacing project to improve travel and safety on 25 state highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Medicare-for-all in Pennsylvania

By State Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio D-Montgomery/ Philadelphia

As a member of the Pa. state legislature, I would like to share the concepts behind my legislation H.B. 1688, The Pennsylvania Health Care Plan, a Medicare-for-All type of single-payer plan. I would like to begin by reminding readers of the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence – “We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

It is my belief that it is our government’s responsibility to ensure that these inalienable rights are protected and afforded to all citizens, and I know no better way to ensure all citizens these rights than to make sure that everyone has quality health care.

I can attest from current personal experience that the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness is much easier when we are healthy; for the past 15 months, I have been treated for breast cancer. House Bill 1688, to be reintroduced shortly, is NOT government-run health care. Health care providers and health care facilities would remain in the private sector. Our state government would be

responsible for establishing a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes the health care financing to support health care access. Cost controls (including administrative costs, pharmaceutical costs, etc.) and citizens having sufficient “skin in the game” are critical components of this plan.

It is interesting to note that there is quite a long list of industrialized countries that have universal health coverage (UHC). Currently, 32 countries provide UHC, with Norway adopting this type of coverage in 1912 and Israel offering UHC as recently as 1995.

UHC means that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship as defined by the World Health Organization.

UHC is the goal of H.B. 1688 and single payer is the mechanism to accomplish UHC in Pennsylvania.

In the U. S. Congress, similar legislation has been introduced in every session since 2003. In Pennsylvania, similar legislation has been introduced each session since 2005. Throughout the United States, single-payer type of legislation has been introduced in 20 states.

One concrete example of the benefits of single payer

is keeping our workforce healthy.

As a former CEO of four different companies over a 28-year private sector career, I can state, unequivocally, that it is more costly to run a company when employees need to frequently call out sick. It is truly disruptive if a mom or a dad needs to miss work to care for a child because that child no longer has access to wellness care because their Medicaid or CHIP coverage has been reduced or eliminated.

It is equally disruptive if an employee needs to miss work to care for aging parents or other relatives because our older citizens can no longer afford access to care outside the home or professional home health care. The proposed “age tax” on insurance coverage would make this situation more common.

It is vitally important that we strive to be a healthy society, and a single-payer system can accomplish that goal efficiently and cost-effectively.

A single-payer mechanism will be less cumbersome to navigate and less costly to access than the proposed replacement ideas for the Affordable Care Act (ACAaka Obamacare) – such as complicated tax credits and enhanced health savings accounts that are difficult for many citizens to comprehend and use.

As I have been working on this legislation, I have been

asking: What do citizens want? What are citizens willing to pay for? How should it be structured?

At my recent 66th Town Hall in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia, attended by more than 65 people, citizens made it clear that they appreciate many of the benefits of the ACA. They would like to see many of those aspects continue under any revision or new plan, including: coverage of pre-existing conditions, the ability for a dependent to stay on a parent’s plan until 26 years of age and the enforcement of no lifetime caps. Other coverage that constituents want includes dental, vision, and hearing coverage, as well as strong wellness and preventive care.

Over the remainder of this legislative session, I look forward to working with advocates and my colleagues to ensure that this legislation benefits all Pennsylvanians and is financially viable. We need to ensure that all Pennsylvania citizens are healthy and indeed free to pursue life, liberty and happiness. The time is now and we can begin right here in Pennsylvania.

Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio represents the 194th Legislative District that includes parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. She is serving her 4th term in the Pennsylvania House.

A dancer’s dream

At 18, Paige Young is pursuing her goal of being a professional ballerina

By John Chambless Staff Writer

When she was 3, Paige Young knew she wanted to be a ballerina. Now, at 18, she is putting in the tough work to pursue her goal.

During an interview at Philter in Kennett Square, Young recalled that she was definitely the one who got the ball rolling with her early career decision. “I was the one who approached my mom when I was 3, and she put me in my first dance class,” she said. Her parents signed her up for dance classes at Longwood Performing Arts, where she loved wearing leotards and having her hair done up, as well as the early dance exercises, such as skipping across the studio. She and her older sister started out, but her sister lost interest after a year.

“Someone gave me a DVD of the New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker,’ and I remember watching that. It’s Balanchine’s ‘Nutcracker,’ and that’s the same program that Pennsylvania Ballet does now,” Young said. “Watching that was my first experience with real ballet. To be in ‘The Nutcracker’ now is coming full circle.”

In her family, Paige is the only one with an artistic side. “I’m the odd one out,” she said, smiling. “Both my parents are in the sciences, and my sister, too. Science is something I enjoy as well, but ballet has always been my thing. No one in my family has even been in theater, or anything like that. Dance has always been uniquely me.”

Young was a student at Longwood until her sophomore year of high school, 2014. “I knew if I wanted to pursue a career in ballet, I had to go somewhere I could take more classes and focus on being preprofessional, like The School of Pennsylvania Ballet,” she said.

In her sophomore year at Unionville, Paige started commuting to Philadelphia to take part in the ballet training program. Last year, her senior year in high school, she danced during the day, took evening classes through Drexel University’s High School Scholars program, and graduated with her class at Unionville in June. While her grades were good enough to get her accepted to Carnegie Mellon, Young’s focus is on making her dance dreams come true while she can.

“At Longwood, I had done a little bit of everything – jazz, tap, contemporary, a little bit of hip-hop,” she said. “We got

a nice, diverse training, which is pretty valuable in the ballet world. Now, I focus on ballet, but we do get contemporary three times a week, which I really enjoy. Contemporary dance uses a lot of the same technique, but it’s much less classical and structured.

Having contemporary dance experience makes you fearless when it comes to learning new things and new choreography.”

Young passed rigorous auditions to be admitted to The School of Pennsylvania Ballet, and is now selected as a trainee, which sounds like it’s still the bottom rung, but is actually the top level for students and the first step toward becoming a professional dancer.

“The hope is to get a job after a traineeship,” Young said. “Usually you’re a trainee for a year or two. Then you possibly join a second company or studio company. There’s typically a big audition process when dancers go to New York or Philly, or you can also send out videos and resumes and hope that someone has a contract that they can offer you.”

Dancers are typically hired for a year-long contract, and companies then decide whether to renew the contract at the end of the season, Young said. “I’d love to dance at Pennsylvania Ballet, because I’ve grown up there, and I think it’s a really great company. They have really amazinh repertoire, they bring in different choreographers, they do both classical ballets and newer stuff, which I also enjoy. It would be a really exciting place to dance,” Young said.

While she has a place waiting at Carnegie Mellon’s engineering school when she’s ready, Young is seizing the moment, living in Philadelphia, and taking part in the intensive ballet training program this summer. “It was a 9-to-5 day or a 10-to-5 day, depending on the day of the week,” she said. “We had a technique class first, for an hour and a half or two hours, then we had a variety of different classes – a

pointe class for the girls, the boys have classes to work on different skills, and then we’d have ‘variations,’ where you learn short pieces from different ballets. We would have pas de deux class, which is partnering between boys and girls, and we end the day with repertoire, where you learn a piece from a famous ballet. It’s a lot of material to learn in a short amount of time, but I really enjoy that rehearsal process.”

Learning and retaining choreography “is a matter of muscle memory when the music comes on,” she said. “A lot of it does come back quickly, like you might remember the lyrics of a song. Learning choreography is a skill you have to develop, because as you get older, they’re going to throw it to you faster and see how fast you can pick things up.”

As a dancer, Young said she is attuned to how muscles work best. “You spend so many hours a day looking at yourself in a mirror, studying where your body should be,” she said. “A lot of the corrections that teachers will give you in class have to do with specific muscles, like using the muscles underneath your legs rather than the muscles on top. It does become second nature as to which muscles you should be engaging. It gives you insight into your body and how it works.”

Pain is a familiar companion, she said. “You wake up every morning and there’s a different thing that hurts,” she said, smiling. “But it might be gone the next day. It’s always something. But we do a lot of maintenance work, rolling out and stretching. There’s a certain amount of pain that you have to go through to get better,” she said, adding that “you have to know your breaking point and know when to rest” to prevent a serious injury.

As a student, Young has worked with professional dancers. Her favorite memory was doing “The Nutcracker” for two performances last winter. “I grew up watching it on DVD, and it’s such a big production – the sets are beautiful, the costumes are beautiful. I did ‘Waltz of the Flowers,’ with beautiful pink costumes,” she said. The slot opened up with only about 10 days until opening night, although rehearsals had stretched from October through December. “I was lucky to do anything,” she said. “It was very cool to be dancing on stage with the professional company members you look up to,” she added, admitting that “nerves are a part of it when you’re in

a production that big.”

In the school’sl showcase performance, she paired with a male dancer for a pas de deux. “I had never done a big partnering section on stage with a boy before. It’s a different skill, because you not only have to do your part, but you also have to trust your partner, that they’re not going to drop you, and that if something goes wrong, you’ll work it out together. I enjoyed that a lot.”

She has also understudied other dancers for another Pennsylvania Ballet show, which means learning everything for a role without actually stepping in front of an audience. “Even being selected to do it was an honor. It was privilege to learn,” she said of her work with former dancer Victoria Simon for George Balanchine’s “Western Symphony.”

“We had 10 minutes of extra rehearsal time one day, and she said, ‘Let’s work with the understudies and see what they can do.’ That was nice. She didn’t have to do that, to give us some attention and be sure we had it down,” Young said. “That was a cool experience, to be there and learn it at the same speed as the company – about two weeks. A lot of times you see the end product on stage and you don’t realize how much hard work went into it. To be there and see what obstacles they overcome was great. Even professionals struggle, but it comes out stage-ready in the end.”

The instructors “are definitely tough on us, but that’s necessary,” Young said. “That’s what is going to make you better. But they’re also there to provide emotional support when you’re frustrated. We have a variety of teachers in different styles, so it’s cool to learn from teachers with different backgrounds. Everyone has a different way of teaching and giving corrections, so there’s something to be learned from everyone.”

Young shares an apartment in Philadelphia with two other Pennsylvania Ballet dancers while she’s studying, and said, “it’s a lot of hard work, but that’s one of the

reasons I enjoy it. All the discipline and the training that go into it is what makes it such a challenge. It’s always a process, and there’s always more to improve. It’s good to go in every day and get better.

“Perfection is not attainable in ballet, but the time on stage is the big reward,” she said. “A lot of dancers will say that. It’s a lot of work for a short amount of time on stage, but if you’re making someone feel something while you’re dancing, that’s a really gratifying experience.”

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

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 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.

Aug. 19

Rotary Drive-by BBQ

The West Grove-Avondale

Rotary Club will host a driveby BBQ on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Avondale Fire House (23 Farmhouse Way, Avondale). The menu will include half a grilled chicken, chips, a drink and a cookie.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children under 12.

Tickets are available at www. westgroveavondalerotary.

org. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

Aug. 19 and 20

New Garden Air Show

New Garden Flying Field hosts the 2017 Air Show and Car Show on Aug. 19 and 20. Gates open at 9 a.m.

There will be flight and stunt demonstrations, historic cars

and planes on display, children’s activities and festival foods. Tickets are available online at www.newgardenflyingfield. com, or call 610-268-2619 for more information.

Sept. 1

First Friday Car Show

Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., will be hosting its fourth annual car show as the First Friday event in September. More than 250 antique, classic, and modern cars will be on display from 4 to 8 p.m. Visit www. downtownoxfordpa.org for details.

Sept. 10

Patriot Day concert

A Patriot Day Remembrance concert and community singalong is scheduled Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. At the Oxford United Methodist Church (Market and Addison streets, Oxford). The concert will feature music about America and music composed by Americans.

Organized by the members of The Oxford Trio (Katie Slauch-Boozer, violin, Nancy Pedrick, piano, and Julia Farber, horn), the concert will feature local musicians playing modern, traditional, jazz and patriotic music. Admission is free an offering will be taken to benefit the Oxford United Methodist Church Harvest of Talents and Family Promise of Southern Chester County.

Sept. 16

Car and Dog Wash

On Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Oxford Feed & Lumber (112 Railroad Ave., Oxford), members of the OAHS Girls Soccer Team will be washing cars and dogs for donations. Cub Scout Pack 41 will also be selling popcorn at the event.

Sept. 30 Apple Festival

The Oxford Presbyterian Church’s annual Apple Festival

in Oxford Memorial Park takes place on Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be dozens of vendors, games for children, and entertainment. For more information, visit www.opcapplefestival.org.

Kennett Flash schedule

The Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square) hosts regional and national artists. Tickets are available in advance at www. kennettflash.org, or at the door. Snacks and beverages are sold, or guests can BYOB. The schedule includes: Arlen Roth (Aug. 17, 8 p.m., $23 and $26); Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (Aug. 19, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $30 and $35); Open Mic with host Jason Ager (Aug. 20, 7 p.m., $4); Chicago 9: Chicago tribute (Aug. 26, 7 and 9:30 p.m., $25); Eilen Jewell (Sept. 1, 8 p.m., $20); Jennifer Batten (Sept. 7, 8 p.m., $20); D Corridori Band CD release show (Sept. 8, 8 p.m., $15 and $18); 10,000 Maniacs at the Mushroom Festival (Sept. 9, 8 p.m., $40 to $65); Better Than Bacon improv comedy troupe (Sept. 14, 8 p.m., $12 and $14); The New Orleans Suspects (Sept. 15, 8 p.m., $25 and $28); Bruce Klauber sings Frank Sinatra (Sept. 16, 8 p.m., $20 and $25); Open Mic with host Frank Sokolovic (Sept. 17, 7 p.m., $4); The Bryan Tuk Complex (Sept. 21, 8 p.m., $20); Yes tribute band All Good People (Sept. 22, 8 p.m., $20 and $23); Maria Muldaur (Sept. 29, 8 p.m., $30 and $35).

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.

‘American Pickers’ looking for Pennsylvania collections

The “American Pickers” team of Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz will be filming in Pennsylvania in September, and they are looking for large private collections of antiques and interesting items to explore.

The hit TV show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as

they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

The show is looking for leads before the trip is planned. Mike and Frank will only pick private collections, not stores, malls, flea markets, museums, auctions, businesses or anything open to the public. If you or someone you know has a large, interesting collection of antiques they would like to share, email the name, phone number, location and description of the collection, with photos, to: americanpickers@ cineflix.com, or call 855-OLD-RUST.

JAMES R. BADGER

James R. Badger, 79, of Milton, Del., passed away on Aug. 8 after a long illness.

He was the husband of Patricia Badger, with whom he shared 34 loving years of marriage. Born in West Chester, he was the son of the late James Donald and the late Edna (Sheets) Badger. James graduated from University of Delaware. He then went on to work in the technology industry as a buyer for Hewlett Packard. He eventually retired from Agilent Technologies. When James wasn’t working, he loved boating, fishing and being on the water in general. He also enjoyed tinkering with items and always said, “I can fix that!” Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling with them as well.

Along with his wife, Patricia, James is survived by his children, James (Donna), Dawn (Ric), Jeff (Amy), and Andrew; his sisters, Dot and Betty; his grandchildren, Niki, James, Rick, Mackenzi, Craig, Candice, Michael, DJ, Sarah, Paul, Samantha, Angela and Lauren; his three great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his brother, Bob; and his daughter, Wendy.

A funeral was held Aug. 12. Interment was at Longwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in James’s name to Delaware Hospice,100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. To view his online tribute and share condolences with the family, visit www.griecocares.com.

GWENDOLYN R. CORNELL

Gwendolyn R. Cornell, 83, of Landenberg, passed away on Aug. 8 at home.

She was the wife of Francis J. Cornell, Jr., with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Thorndale, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Blanche Busby Robinson. She graduated from Avon Grove High School Class of 1954. Gwendolyn was employed with DuPont’s AEC Division as a records clerk until 1960, when she became a stay-at-home mom. She was a lifetime member of the West Grove Fire Company, member of the Senior Circle at Jennersville Regional Hospital, and member of the Board of Directors of Oxford Area Senior Center. Gwendolyn volunteered at Jennersville Regional Hospital, Red Cross blood drives, and at her children’s schools and fund drives. She loved to travel to the Jersey Shore and camp along the East Coast, playing the organ, needlepoint, crafts and square dancing.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen McLimans and her husband Jim; one son, Ronald F. Cornell; three grandchildren, Christopher McLimans, Michael McLimans and Ronald M. Cornell; and one greatgranddaughter, Riley.

A funeral was held Aug. 11. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Oxford Senior Center, 12 E. Locust St., Oxford, PA 19363. 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.

Through Aug. 23

‘Summer Fun’ series 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 610869-9334 or visit www. westgroveumc.org.

RICHARD P. DI LIBERTO

Richard Philip Di Liberto, 74, of Oxford, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 4.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the husband of the late Marie Elena Di Liberto, with whom he shared he shared 26 years of marriage. Richard graduated from The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, receiving a Bachelor in Science in Pharmacy in June 1967. He was a devout Catholic and a member of The Church of the Sacred Heart in Oxford.

He is survived by one son, Richard Philip Di Liberto of West Chester; two grandchildren, Amelia Marie and Giuliano Philip Di Liberto; and one brother, Dr. Thomas (Alice) Di Liberto of Malvern; and one sister, Joann Mary Di Liberto of Oxford.

A funeral was held Aug. 9. Interment was in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Richard Philip Di Liberto, donations may be sent to ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (www.alsphiladelphia.org). Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

KEVIN P. ARRELL

At the age of 29, on Aug. 9, Kevin Paul Arrell left this world much too soon – but he’d want you to know that up until the very end, his hair looked good.

He had unmatched charisma, colossal blue eyes, and stole grandmothers’ hearts with a flash of his dimples – his signature feature. Kevin enjoyed making people laugh, shredding on the guitar, and nicknames – many of which he gave himself. There wasn’t a board he didn’t ride; he loved snowboarding, skateboarding, and most of all, surfing. He enjoyed a good movie, a good book, and a good steak. Music truly filled his soul, and he probably heard of that one band years before you ever did. He played lacrosse at Avon Grove High School, where he graduated in 2006, and club lacrosse at Penn College. Kevin was an apprentice electrician for IBEW Local No. 654. He was also Irish – he might have mentioned that a time or two.

The son of Paul and Helen (McHugh) Arrell and the brother of Meghan and Brianna, he lived the majority of his life in New London. Kevin is survived by his aunts, uncles, cousins, and the many others who loved him. He is also survived by the five lives he saved through organ donation.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (250 W. State St., Kennett Square) and again from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 18 at Assumption BVM Church (300 State Rd., West Grove). His funeral mass will follow at 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in Edgewood Memorial Park in Glen Mills. Contributions in Kevin’s memory may be made to Gift of Life Family House (www.giftoflifefamilyhouse.org/ support/giveagift), 401 Callowhill St., Philadelphia, PA 19123; or Kacie’s Cause (www.kaciescause.com), Kacie’s Cause, 232 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, PA. 19348. To view his online tributes and to share a memory with the family, visit www.griecocares.com.

HARVEY E. MAHAN

Harvey Elmer Mahan, 97, passed away on Aug. 7 at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford. Born in Oxford in 1919, Harvey was the eldest son of the late Harvey L. and Bessie Mahan. He resided in Oxford and he worked as a farmer and a skilled automotive mechanic much of his life. Harvey and his late wife, Margaret Buckalew Mahan, were married over 50 years and were active members of the Oxford Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Janice Mahan of Oxford; three grandchildren, John H. Mahan of England, David J. Mahan of Fairlawn, Va., and Sarah Mahan Green of Mt. Upton, N.Y.; three great-grandchildren; one nephew, Howard Mahan, Jr. of Oxford; and two nieces, Patricia Webb of Newark, Del., and Debbie Waltman of Oxford. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Buckalew Mahan; and his son, Harvey James Mahan.

A funeral was held Aug. 10. Interment was in Oxford Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www. elcollinsfuneralhome.com.

MICHELLE ANN WATSON REYES

Michelle Ann Watson Reyes, 44, of Kennett Square, passed away on Aug. 7.

She was the wife of Maurice A. Reyes, with whom she shared 28 years. Born in Chester, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Robert Watson and Barbara (Barberes) Watson, who lives in West Chester. Michele was a pricing coordinator at Giant Foodstores in Kennett Square for many years. She loved gardening, scrapbooking, doodling, going to casinos, her dogs, dancing, swimming and spending time with family.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband, one daughter, Marissa Cortez (Desiree) of Los Angeles, Calif.; one brother, David Watson (Anna) of Cochranville; one sister, Monica Watson of Coatesville; her two dogs, King and Luigi, and her cat, Sunny.

A funeral was held Aug. 15. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, visit www. griecocares.com.

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 20: Morgan Hollow Trio; Aug. 27: Rise Up Band.

Social time for singles Singles & Others Loving Opportunities to Socialize (SOLOS) will meet at West Grove Presbyterian Church (139 W. Evergreen St., West Grove) on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall adjacent to the church. SOLOS has a mission

of fostering Christian friendships and enjoyable activities for single people or married people whose spouses are not available for many social activities. The group is not intended to function as a matchmaking group. For reservations, email wgpres139@yahoo. com, or call 610-869-9458.

TheChesterCountyPressfeaturesadedicatedchurch/religious pagethatcanhelpyouadvertiseyourhouseofworshipand/or business.Thepageisupdatedweeklywithnewscripture.Only$10 Weeklyforthisspace. Weareofferingaspecialdiscountof25%offeachandeveryhelp wanted/classifiedadvertisementtoanybusinessthatadvertiseson thePRESSchurchpage. For more information or to place an ad, contact Brenda Butt at 610-869-5553 ext. 10

CLAIM NOTICE: 1994 Ford Explorer VIN# 1FMDU34X9RUB22307, 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 For Rent

1 bedroom Apt. in Kennett Square with Off street parking. Call 610-444-5660 2 Bedroom Bungalow in Kennett Square for rent with off street parking. Call 610-444-5660

Services-Misc.

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Automobiles Wanted

Classic Cars Wanted!! 1950-1970 Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Etc. Any Condition, Especially 1959’s, Convertibles. Other Makes, Years Considered. Call/Text Steve @ 315863-1600. Email: eldo1959@live.com

ESTATE NOTICE

Estate of Willard Bare, deceased, late of East Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA., Letters Testamentary 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: Regina J. Atwood, Executrix, 64 S. 3rd Street, Suite 1, Oxford, Pa 19363 or her Attorney, Kenneth R. Pyle, Esq., the Law Office of Kenneth R. Pyle,P.C. 64 S. 3rd Street, Suite 1, Oxford, Pa 19363 8p-2-3t

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BIDDERS ELK TOWNSHIP CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 2017/2018 SNOW REMOVAL/ ICE CONTROL SERVICES

Sealed proposals will be received by Elk Township at the office of Elk Township, 952 Chesterville Road, P.O. Box 153, Lewisville, PA 19351, for the 2017/2018 Snow Plowing/Ice Removal Services. Bids will be accepted until 3:00 PM, and opened at 3:30 PM, on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Action will be taken by the municipality on the awarding of each

therein; and execute the required agreements. All bidders must follow the Bidder Information Guidelines. Bidding packets are available at the Elk Township Office during regular business hours, the Township website www.elktownship. org, and may be requested by phone 610-255-5195, fax 610-255-0492, or e-mail to elktownship@comcast.net., Terri Kukoda, Secretary/Treasurer 8p-9-2t NOTICE OF HEARING AND ADOPTION MEETING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, WILL HOLD A HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 AT 5:30 PM TO REVIEW AND RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON, AND CONSIDER FOR ENACTMENT AT A PUBLIC MEETING IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH PERMITS; SETTING FORTH MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION; REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE

DATE PROVISIONS; AND AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PENN TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE OF 1968, AS AMENDED, ARTICLE

The Matt Fetick Team launches a new program to help heroes find their dream home

The Matt Fetick Team of Keller Williams, one of the top-producing real estate teams in the area, has announced the launch of their new Housing Opportunities for Military and Emergency Services (HOMES) program.

HOMES is dedicated to helping emergency service and military members find their dream home while offering affordable options and incentives for their ser-

requirements for recreational vehicles)

Article VI identifies prohibited activities which include the following: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Jails or Prison, the commencement of or any construction of a new manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision, or substantial improvement to an existing manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision; any new or substantially improved structure that will be used for the production or storage of materials described therein and identified variances and procedures; Article VII provides standards for existing structures and improvements in identified floodplain areas

Article VIII – Variance (general, variance procedure and conditions)

Article IX Outlines general and specific definitions to be interpreted in this Ordinance.

Article X provides the effective date of this Ordinance. AN ORDINANCE OF PENN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE PENN TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE OF 1968, AS AMENDED.

Section 1 deletes and replaces existing Section 1402. Flood Hazard District in Article XI Natural Resource. Establishes that the Flood Hazard District shall contain all lands within the Township which are located within the special flood hazard area as shown on the most recent revision to the official Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and that special flood hazard areas are areas in the floodplain subject to a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year, as shown

vice. Many of Matt Fetick Team members, including Matt Fetick, have a background in emergency services. The team has police officers, paramedics, firefighters, medical professionals, and active military reservists who have served prior to coming to work in real estate. It has always been a dream of Matt’s to create a program that supports fellow emergency service members.

on the FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, or, AH. Provides that the provisions of the Penn Township Flood Plain Ordinance shall apply to all lands within the Flood Hazard District. Section 2 Effect on Other Provisions and Repealer. This Ordinance shall supersede all prior Ordinances and Resolutions as to the specific subject matter contained herein. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. Section 3. Severability . If any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared by any Court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity shall not affect the constitutionality, legality or validity of this Ordinance as a whole, nor the constitutionality, legality or validity of any other section or provision of this Ordinance other than the one sol declared to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid.

The purpose of this notice is to provide a summary of the general content of the Ordinances. Each of the subsections contains extensive details, regulations, requirements, or criteria usually associated with these types of controls. The reader is advised to review a complete copy if additional information is needed for any of the proposed amendments or deletions.

A copy of the proposed Ordinances are available for inspection at no charge, and copies may be obtained for a charge not greater than the cost thereof, at the office of this newspaper and/or the Penn Township Municipal Building, 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania, during their normal business hours. All communications relative

HOMES will offer a variety of discounts and incentives to members, including a reduced commission, lender discounts from the preferred inhouse lender, New Penn Financial. HOMES will benefit all local emergency service organizations by providing opportunities for their members to purchase real estate within their community when they previously may not

to this hearing are to be addressed to Penn Township at the above address. If you are a person with a disability or need special services or facilities, please contact Penn Township at 610869-9620.

R Samuel McMichael, Esquire, Solicitor for Penn Township

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NOTICE OF HEARING AND ADOPTION

MEETING

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ELK TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, WILL HOLD A HEARING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 AT 6:30 PM TO REVIEW AND RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON, AND CONSIDER FOR ENACTMENT AT A PUBLIC MEETING IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH PERMITS; SETTING FORTH MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION; REPEALER, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISIONS; AND AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ELK TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE OF 2002, AS AMENDED, ARTICLE XI NATURAL RESOURCE OVERLAY DISTRICT. BOTH HEARING AND MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE ELK TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 952 CHESTERVILLE ROAD, LEWISVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA. WHILE

have been able to. Matt Fetick, the owner and CEO of The Matt Fetick Team, has over 25 years of experience in multiple fields of emergency service. He began his career as an EMT in West Chester and faithfully volunteered for years serving in various roles, including President of a local ambulance company. Matt also served with the West Chester Police for eight years. He still finds

THE COMPLETE ORDINANCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICE AND AT THIS PUBLISHER, THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THEIR CONTENT: AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES, AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH PERMITS; SETTING FORTH CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AREAS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ELK WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING; AND ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSONS WHO FAIL, OR REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH, THE REQUIREMENTS OR PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.

Article I and II provide for the statutory authority and general provisions; Article III provides for designation of the Township’s zoning officer as the Floodplain Administrator, and identifies the permits required before construction is undertaken; Article IV identifies floodplain areas and Flood Insurance Rate Map; Article V provides technical provisions (general statement, design and construction standards, special requirement for manufactured homes, special requirements for recreational vehicles). Article VI identifies prohibited activities which include the following: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Jails or Prison, the commencement of or any construction of a new manufactured home park or manufactured home subdivision, or substantial improvement to an existing manufactured home park or manufac-

time to work several shifts per month as a paramedic in West Chester. His service and commitment to the community grows with the new HOMES Program. He said that the goal in creating HOMES is to “make your home purchase or sale easy. We designed this program to save you time and money.”

The Matt Fetick Team was founded in 2007 after Fetick’s early successes in

real estate. Ten years later, it is now a global company. Chester County was the first major location, then the business expanded into Delaware County, Montgomery County, and the northern half of Delaware. Fetick opened his first expansion team at the beach in Delaware in 2015. Since then, he has opened offices in London, England, Ocean City and Salisbury, Maryland.

tured home subdivision; any new or substantially improved structure that will be used for the production or storage of materials described therein and identified variances and procedures; Article VII provides standards for existing structures and improvements in identified floodplain areas

Article VIII – Variance (general, variance procedure and conditions)

Article IX Outlines general and specific definitions to be interpreted in this Ordinance.

Article X provides the effective date of this Ordinance. AN ORDINANCE OF ELK TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE ELK TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE OF 2002, AS AMENDED.

Section 1 deletes and replaces existing Section 11101. Flood Hazard District in Article XI Natural Resource. Establishes that the Flood Hazard District shall contain all lands within the Township which are located within the special flood hazard area as shown on the most recent revision to the official Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and that special flood hazard areas are areas in the floodplain subject to a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year, as shown on the FIRM as Zone A, AO, A1-A30, AE, A99, or, AH. Provides that the provisions of the Elk Township Flood Plain Ordinance shall apply to all lands within the Flood Hazard District. Section 2 Effect on Other Provisions and Repealer. This Ordinance shall supersede all prior Ordinances and Resolutions as to the specific subject