Western Chester County Life Fall /Winter 2019

STUDENTS

SPEND THEIR DAYS GAINING INDUSTRY SKILLS, EARNING COLLEGE CREDITS AND BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS...

Built a robot and competed on a FIRST Robotics Competition (FTC) team

drone to take photos at a TCHS community event

What is TCHS?

Completed an internship at a local aerospace production facility

Technical College High School (TCHS) is a place where students get to explore the things that interest them through a hands-on approach to education. TCHS is a part-time, public career-focused program for high school students in Chester County. TCHS is a supportive community of educators, industry and college partners and students who share common interests. TCHS is where students get to apply the skills they learn in the classroom to real world roadmap for their future.

Letter from the 2019 Western Chester County Chamber Board President

The value of learning from mistakes

Throughout my time as President of the Chamber, I have tried to espouse the benefits of mentorship and the sharing of experience with others, and the value that your business can achieve from having a mentorship program. Passing along your experience to others is a powerful way to help those next to and behind you succeed as they make their way through the professional world.

On occasion, we all make mistakes and perform in a manner that is less than ideal. These errors can occur in both our personal and professional lives. However, it is from these mistakes that we often learn the most. It took Thomas Edison countless attempts and failures to subsequently invent the incandescent lightbulb and it took a small company back in the 1950s 40 different variations to perfect the waterdisplacing and lubricating oil that we now know as WD-40 (Water Displacement on the 40th try). Many people only see the success of a product or a business, without actually seeing the failures and trials along the way.

On Sept. 17, the Chester County community will have an opportunity to hear some local success and failure stories at our CEO Roundtable titled “5 Mistakes I’ve Made on the Path to Success.” During this event, we will learn from Greg Vietri, CEO & President of G.A. Vietri Inc., Kevin Finn, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Iron Hill, and Mike DeBerdine, CEO of Roads Energy, as they discuss some of their own mistakes and trials as they worked to build their businesses. I invite and encourage anyone looking to develop professionally to attend.

On a personal note, one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as an entrepreneur was not embracing the power of networking and engaging in groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce. When I started in my industry out of college, I was new to the area, new to business and had zero contacts. I was slow to understand the value of networking to not just help my business grow, but to also help others on their journey to success.

I feel that as I have spent more time with the Chamber and through growing my business, I have seen the importance of making connections that can help others and our communities succeed. Over the years, I have worked to foster those relationships that I have made and look for opportunities to create new connections between my own network and also that of the Chamber and its members. I hope to see you at the next Chamber event, and look forward to that next connection.

Karl Klingmann II President, Penn Rise Advisors, LLC

Western Chester County Chamber Events

All Events are open to the general public. Visit WesternChesterCounty.com for more details and to register. Our Networking Events are free and a great way to discover the benefits of WCCCC Membership...helping to grow your business

Sept. 12

Making Connections

Networking Happy Hour

5 to 7 p.m.

Location TBA

Sept. 17

CEO Roundtable

7:30 to 9:15 a.m.

Spackman Building

Brandywine Hospital

Sept. 21

Coatesville Grand Prix

WCCCC VIP Viewing Area

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

September 23

Farm Tour

5 to 7 p.m.

Highspire Hills Farm

October 1

Lunch & Learn

Business Emergency Prepardness

11am-1pm

Chester County Public Safety Training Campus

Oct. 9

Making Connections

Networking Happy Hour

5 to 7 p.m.

Broad Run Golfer’s Club, Bordley House Grille

October 11

Future Focus

7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Chester County Public Safety Training Campus

Oct. 24

SCORE

Business Seminar

3:45 to 5:30 p.m.

How to Write/Update Your Business Plan

Marriott Courtyard Coatesville

Nov. 14

WCCCC Annual Dinner

5 to 8:30 p.m.

French Creek Golf Club

Dec. 13

Making Connections

Networking Happy Hour

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Location TBA

January Extravaganza

5 to 7 p.m.

Victory Brewing Parkesburg

February

Legislative Breakfast

8:30 to 10 a.m.

Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School

March

Municipal Update Luncheon

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

G.A. Vietri, Inc. Electrical Construction

Spotlight on Che County’s Hibern

Located

four miles north of Coatesville,

Hibernia

County Park was the first of Chester County’s six parks, and remains the largest park with more than 900 acres

Established in October 1964 as the first Chester County Park, Hibernia is home to some of the county’s most historical and beautiful facilities. From Hibernia Mansion and camping grounds to park pavilions and fishing sites, Hibernia welcomes around 175,000 people every year.

The park’s most popular feature, Chambers Lake, offers excellent recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, hiking and bird watching. Chambers Lake also connects to the West Branch of Brandywine Creek, another popular area for fishing in the park.

A unique aspect of Hibernia Park is its range of walking trails -- six different trails that offer many degrees of difficulty and length. One of those six trails, Birch Run Trail, is renowned for its beautiful views of Chambers Lake.

Continued on Page 12 Western Chester County Life|

ester nia Park

Hibernia Park

Continued from Page 10

History of Hibernia Park

The first owner of the land that is now Hibernia Park was George Harrison, a weaver who lived on the land as early as 1744. In the early 1790s, Harrison sold the land to Samuel Downing, and it was Downing who built the first iron forge there on the West Branch of the Brandywine to convert pig iron into bar iron. The Iron Works property passed through several ownerships from 1808 to 1821, when Charles Brooke purchased the property and became its more prosperous ironmaster.

By 1850, the Hibernia Iron Works, also known as Hibernia Forge, included two iron forges, two heating furnaces, a rolling mill, grist mill, the mansion and several houses for the families employed to work the mill. There was also a farm, gardens, orchards and other improvements. These all helped Hibernia to become a self-sustaining operation for the Ironmaster’s family and hired staff, as well as for the 16 men and boys, their families, and the 18 oxen, horses and mules that worked at producing the iron.

of Hibernia’s appearance today is the result of changes and extensions made by Colonel Swayne between 1895 and 1910. His architectural additions and furnishings reflected his admiration of English manor style and taste.

The massive lion heads at the entrance to the estate became Swayne’s symbol. He purchased them on one of his 29 trips to England and he had them installed in impressive pillar gate posts. It is said that the east wing – or ballroom – of the Mansion House was added after Swayne’s marriage to Dolly Clifford (an English actress), to host grand Christmas parties in the old English tradition. The large fireplace was originally designed to

accommodate the traditional Yule log. Legend has it that only one such party was held, in 1903, and for whatever reason the couple parted soon after.

When Brooke conveyed the then-1,594-acre property to his three sons in 1862, he did so with the understanding that he and his wife could remain in the Mansion House without charge for the rest of their lives. The Hibernia Forge operation ceased in the late 1870s, some years after a period of management by Horace Beale.

During the 1880s, the Mansion House was the country residence of Thomas Costigan, a Philadelphia contractor, and his wife Mary and their family. Costigan relished foxhunting and the family frequently used their private railroad car to travel between the city and Hibernia.

In 1894, Colonel Franklin Swayne, a successful Philadelphia real estate lawyer and avid foxhunter, bought the Mansion and 650 acres of the Hibernia property. Much

The Colonel is thought to have had the stone exterior of the Mansion House covered with coppery peach aggregate stucco. He also was responsible for the addition of a 33-foot-wide “pavilion” that projects more than a foot from the wall of the original façade of the south wall of the big house. The four-foot-deep windowsills in the front hall are a part of this change, as well as the relocation of the main entrance. In addition, the grand-scale casement windows were introduced, and the two-story quarter round turrets were added.

Much of the furniture in Hibernia Mansion today belonged to Swayne, including several of the rugs, most wooden pieces, the pianos, wall decorations, engravings, paintings and major upholstered pieces. All of the furniture in the dining room was Swayne’s. Of particular note in the dining room is his Empire sideboard, with claw feet in back as well as the front. The ballroom has been painted a deep apricot, as it was originally, and the elaborate mirror has been re-gilded.

A squire of the land, Swayne managed several enterprises during his time at Hibernia, including farming, sheep raising and selling ice. But none of these were successful financial ventures. Upon his death in 1924, Colonel Swayne willed the property to his cousin, Mary Skerrett Matteson.

Although she introduced electricity to Hibernia, she used the house primarily as a summer home for vacationing with her grandchildren. High maintenance costs and the family’s limited use of the property finally led her to sell Hibernia in 1963 to Chester County, for the enjoyment of all its citizens. Hibernia today retains the legacy of the gentleman’s country estate that Colonel Swayne created during his time there.

Hibernia Mansion

Hibernia Mansion, as you see it today, reflects the changes of lifestyle and social status of its various owners over the centuries. Long the home of ironmasters, it expanded with their increased prosperity. At the turn of the 20th century, Hibernia Mansion underwent extensive renovations,

but years later, the mansion sat vacant for more than a decade and fell into disrepair.

Now owned and operated by the Chester County Department of Facilities and Parks, Hibernia Mansion has been restored to its former glory, preserving its heritage for current and future generations to enjoy. Hibernia is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places, and it is part of the Hatfield-Hibernia Historic District.

A special aspect of Hibernia Park and the Mansion is the community that surrounds and supports it. The Friends of Hibernia County Park, a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting the legacy of Hibernia Mansion, meets monthly at the Mansion. Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Hibernia County Park organization, Hibernia Mansion is open to the public for tours on Sunday afternoons from May 27 to Sept. 22, and the Friends organization hosts other special events throughout the year, including the annual Christmas Candlelight tours of the Mansion.

Continued on Page 14

Hibernia Park

Continued from Page 13

Hibernia Park facilities and programs

Set in more than 900 acres – including the 90-acre Chambers Lake – Hibernia County Park features five miles of trails, boating and fishing, six picnic pavilions, two campgrounds, a children’s pond, playgrounds, horse riding trails and special events like Envirothon and Old Fiddlers’ Picnic. The park’s abundance of natural and historical resources attract more than 175,000 guests every year, and it is a popular place for family reunions and community gatherings, as well as educational and entertaining programs for all ages including archery, hikes and bonfires, camping for beginners, orienteering, physical conditioning and building natural bird feeders.

Hibernia Park Trails

In addition to the trails, there is a walking tour of Hibernia’s historic sites that covers less than three miles – starting at Hibernia Mansion and exploring the ruins, structures and landscape features located on the Forest Hill and Forge Trails and Lion’s Head Drive that tell the story of Hibernia’s past, focusing on mansion builders Charles Brooks and Colonel Swayne.

A map of all six trails is available to download on the Hibernia Park page of www.chesco.org/parks, and is also available at the Hibernia Park Office.

Hibernia Park hours and information

Hibernia County Park is located in Wagontown, four miles north of Coatesville, off Route 82. The address is 1 Park Road, Coatesville, PA 19320, and the phone number for the park office is 610-383-3812. Park hours are 8 a.m. to sunset, every day of the year, except Christmas Day. Hibernia Park’s campgrounds are open daily, May through October. To find out more about Hibernia Park, to reserve a campsite or pavilion online, and to register for the many programs at the Park, visit www.chesco.org/parks.

Hibernia Park’s six trails ensure there is a walk for any age and any capability.

Cedar Hollow Trail - 1.08 Miles — Cedar Hollow is a mostly-level, upland trail with some seasonally wet areas. It passes through a variety of woodland, forest edge and field habitats. This trail provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and passes through the Lake Campground.

Forest Hill Trail - .60 Miles — Forest Hill Trail is primarily a gentle-sloping and level wooded trail. A 50-yard stretch at the southern end leading into Forge Trail is fairly steep. It has three footbridges constructed over small streams. Please be cautious when crossing Park Road.

Lake Trail - 0.64 Miles — Although most of Lake Trail is about 5 percent slope, it is wheelchair accessible. The stone dust surface extends from Hibernia Mansion parking lot to the scenic overlook just around the fishing pier. This is the only trail in the park that is off limits to horseback riders and bicyclists.

Rim Trail - 2.34 Miles — The Rim Trail’s stone dust surface covers miles of the old railroad bed and is ideal for running. The upper loop portion is steep and rocky, but gently rolling on the higher level. Parking/access is available at the Hatfield House/Brandywine pull-off.

Forge Trail - 0.42 Miles — The eastern part of Forge Trail is a level floodplain, becoming muddy in some areas during the wet season, and connects with Forest Hill Trail. It travels westward through the historic Hibernia Forge area, where its surface is still black with charcoal dust. The section near the pond cottage travels up a steep hill onto Lions Head Drive. It continues west back into the woods.

Birch Run Trail - 0.55 Miles — Starting on Lions Head Drive by Cottage 3, the trail heads westerly along the Birch Run before heading gradually up through the forest. The trail merges with a gentle grass path that leads to other great fishing spots and the public boat launch area of Chambers Lake. It gradually drops down through an old stand of White Pine and returns to Lions Head Drive near Cottage 1 and the Lions Head entrance.

Meet Our Member: Octorara Area School District

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer

Maximizing Opportunities for Success! This is the vision statement of the Octorara Area School District. Teaching and learning in the 21st century require a growth mindset and a willingness to be a lifelong learner. To support the community’s leaders of tomorrow, Octorara is redefining college and career readiness by focusing on the academic, technical, social, and emotional needs of all students.

enforcement, homeland security, emergency medical services, EMT, emergency management services, and the military. Students who successfully complete the program have the potential to earn 64 industry certifications, 50 or more college credits, national Fire 1 certification, national EMT certification, and job-ready skills, as well as the ability to receive free college housing and tuition.

Career and technical education are integral parts of the school district’s program of study. Half-day programs in a variety of career and technical education keep pace with business and industry. Courses are aligned to Pennsylvania state standards and focus on national industry certifications. A competency certificate is issued to each graduate, listing the number of skills mastered and the level of proficiency in each skill.

Career and technical programs currently offered include: Mechanical Systems Technology; Animal and Plant Science Technology; Diversified Occupations and Cooperative Education; Engineering and Drafting Technology; Child Care Education; Culinary Arts; Woodworking Technology; Commercial and Graphic Arts; and Homeland Security and Protective Services. Future program offerings include Computer Systems Technology and Entrepreneurship. A partnership with the Technical College High School will provide Octorara students access to a Precision Machining program at the Senior High School.

One of Octorara’s most celebrated and unique career and technical education offerings is its Homeland Security and Protective Services Academy. “There is nothing like this program in Chester County. It is an unbelievable opportunity for our students,” said Lisa McNamara, the Director of the Octorara Area Career and Technical Education Programs. “They’re giving back to their community, immediately. They have access to every industry who comes there: Firefighters, canine units, FBI units and criminal justice units. The daily exposure to life mentors that this program gives students is amazing.”

This 3 year program, open to any school district, prepares interested students in careers in firefighting, law

Octorara continues to add courses in fields that appeal to students and have practical application after graduation. Within the Animal and Plant Science Technology program, students may participate in the Octorara Equine Sports Team. Working with nationally known local professionals, students are exposed to different riding disciplines and prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in the equestrian industry.

McNamara stated “The Animal and Plant Science Technology Program is open to any school district who has a student interested in equine industry. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and Octorara students love it!”

On the main campus, the Octorara Ecology Lab greenhouse was built to support an aquaponics and aeroponics system. As a perfect tool for STEM subjects, students may study fish, plants and bacteria interacting in a living ecosystem, and perform water quality tests. The next phase of the Ecology Lab’s development will be to add solar power to the system.

Octorara places a high value on academic growth, as evidenced by the success of student competitors on academic teams, in robotics leagues, at local and statewide STEM competitions and science fairs, and more. Because Octorara emphasizes standards based grading at its elementary schools, aligning instruction and assessment to what students must know and be able to do has increased the number of students recognized at the secondary level for their academic success. Students continue to excel in competitions hosted by Skills USA, Future Business Leaders of America, and Future Farmers of America. For the third year in a row, Octorara students have participated on a global stage in the International Youth Physicists Tournament.

Responding to students’ interest to form stronger relationships with their peers, curtail bullying, and address

mental health issues, Octorara took the bold step during the 2018-2019 school year and implemented its Home of the BRAVES character education program. Using the researchbased Positive Action curriculum, consistent and pervasive time is devoted in every grade to teaching the tenets of the school community’s mascot, the Octorara Brave.

Bold, self confidence;

Responsible, accountable for their choices actions and attitude;

Ambitious, setting and achieving goals;

Virtuous, honorable in words and actions;

Energetic, committed to school and community; and

Selfless, concerned about the rights and feelings of others.

At the elementary and junior high, and senior high school levels, the entire student body participates in positive action lessons. Students also have the opportunity to engage in acts of kindness and support through such groups as the Kindness Club and Avedum. By implementing a strategic approach to teaching the behaviors that promote success, Octorara is cultivating a culture in which students embrace a “hired for attitude; trained for skill mindset.”

The 2018-2019 school year also marked the rebirth of the school district’s online learning or in-house cyber school program. The Octorara Virtual Academy, also known as OVA, provides students with a wide range of online learning courses that can be taken at home or on campus in the district’s Learning Lab. OVA offers a quality education in a public-school setting through online classes with support from district teachers. Students enrolled in the OVA have access to all services, events, and extracurricular activities Octorara students receive. Successful completion results in a school-issued diploma, and students may participate in Octorara’s graduation ceremony. The flexibility of the Virtual Academy offers students everything from a single on-line course to a full cyber school experience. The online courses are also available to Octorara High School students, who are encouraged to take at least one online class during their time at the high school. Access to online classes allows students to explore career fields that are not available in

the standard curriculum or can’t otherwise be fit into their schedule. The online courses are perfect for students studying at an advanced rate, or those who would like to explore unusual areas of study. Interested students in grades K-6 will be afforded the opportunity to explore OVA this coming school year.

Octorara’s strategic approach to communication and community engagement offers opportunities for school district personnel to share the great things that are happening in the school district every day. Contact Dr. Michele M. Orner, Superintendent, at morner@ octorara.org should your service organization, community group, business, or municipality be interested in a presentation on any of the academic, technical, or social emotional programs offered in the school district. Visit www.octorara.k12.pa.us or follow the Braves on twitter @OctoraraSuper to learn more about district happenings.

Chester County Parks located in Western Chester County

Hibernia

Springton Manor

Wolf’s Hollow Activities, hiking, lectures and more.Visit their websites @chesco.org

Local Farmers Markets

Downingtown Farmers Market Eagleview Farmers Market growingrootspartners.com.

Remember to buy local from our area farmers! There are 1,730 operating farms in Chester County, most being familyowned small businesses. Use the Farm Finder to search by product, address or farm name to find the freshest, local farm goods near you. chesco.org/1124/ Find-Local-Farm-Products

Libraries located in Western Chester County

Atglen, Coatesville, Honey Brook, Parkesburg

Libraries host a wide array of programs and events. ccls.org

Sept. 6

Movie Night

Outdoor Movie Night at Umble Park in Honey Brook.

6:30 to 8 p.m. honeybrooktwp.com/event

Sept. 6

Coatesville Sounds of Summer Jazz Series

Local and regional jazz musicians that will have you dancing and moving to the music as you wind down your work week. The Coatesville Sounds of Summer Jazz Series admission is free. Bring your lawn chairs and stay a while. Shows run from 6 to 9 p.m. coatesville.org

Sept. 7

Caln Community Day

The 13th Annual Caln Community Day will be held in Municipal Park and on G.O. Carlson Boulevard in Thorndale from 3 to 8 p.m. Entry and activities are free! Featuring the Craft House Beer Garden, Golf Ball Drop, mini golf, live entertainment by Project: X Rocks, food vendors, more than 50 vendors and exhibitors and fireworks. Calntownship.org

Sept. 7 to Oct. 26

Harvest Festival Weekends at Highland Orchards

Pick your own apples and pumpkins, shop for local fr uits and vegetables, take home apple cider donuts, browse through crafts by local crafters, and enjoy kids activities, hayrides, beer, wine, and food trucks.

Noon to 5 p.m.

Highlandorchards.net

Sept.

11

Coatesville Remembers, 9/11 Memorial

They should never be forgotten. The thousands of victims of the 9/11/2001 ter rorist attack on the World Trade Center twin towers will be remembered at the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum’s “Coatesville Remembers September 11th” Commemorative Service. Steelmuseum.org

Sept. 11 to 14

Honey Brook Country Fair 6 to 9:30 p.m. Honey Brook Fire Company Fairgrounds honeybrooktwp.com/event

Sept. 19

Transportation Policy Priorities Breakfast

- Private Sector Driving Priorities hosted by the Transportation Management Association of Chester County. Tmacc.org

7:30 to 9:15 a.m. Downingtown Countr y Club

Sept. 21

Coatesville Vintage Grand Prix

Vintage cars and motorcycles will return to Coatesville’s city streets for the 4th Annual Grand Prix. Timed races will run throughout the day. Spectators will see over 50 historic vintage cars and motorcycles dating from the 1900s to 1970 as they race through the city streets.

Activities start at 8:30 a.m., with racing commencing at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Free to attend. Food vendors are on site at this family-friendly event! The Start & Finish line is at 3rd Street and Lincoln Highway. coatesvillegrandprix.com for details and registration.

Sept. 21

Harmony Day Health Fair

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by the Honey Brook Community Partnership. hbpartnership.org/

Sept. 21

Atglen Community Day Classic car show, apple festival, children’s games, food, craf t vendors, raffles and much more. All proceeds benefit Community Outreach and the Atglen Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. facebook.com/atglencommunityday/

Sept. 21

Music in the Park | Christiana Borough

Join family, friends and neighbors for an acoustic per formance by Bob Croce. Food available for purchase. Bring your chairs or blankets. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Fire Hall. http:// christianaboro.com/

Sept. 21

Movie Night in East Fallowfield

The event will feature a family-friendly movie on the big screen. Concessions will be sold at the event. The movie will star t at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27

Parkesburg Final Friday

Presented by The Parkesburg Action Committee. The event includes food tr ucks, live music, beer garden, the Kids Zone, vendors, and community groups. 5 to 8 p.m., Main Street, Parkesburg

Sept. 28

Moo & Brew and Grapes Too | Coatesville Senior Center

Taking inspiration from the city of Coatesville as it embraces its revival, CASC has transfor med its annual Beef and Beer into the reimagined Moo & Brew and Grapes Too. The event is held at a private hangar at the Chester County G.O. Carlson Airport, and offers food and drinks, music, games and prizes.

5 to 10 p.m.

Chester County G.O. Carlson Airport Coatesvilleseniorcenter.org

Sept. 28

West Nantmeal Community Day & 5-10k Race Music, games, helicopters, hayrides, food and more! westnantmeal.com/

Sept. 28

Valley Day

Highlands Corporate Center, Airpor t Road, Valley Township 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. valleytownship.org/ValleyDay.html

Sept. 28

4th Annual Bike the Brandywine

Explore the scenery, glimpse the history, and discover the lure of the Brandywine Creek on the 4th annual Bike the Brandywine, hosted by the Brandywine Conser vancy. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Conservancy’s clean water programs. Riders can choose from four loops that take in the Brandywine Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside, with distances of 25, 45, 62 (Metric Century) and 80 miles. brandywine.org/conservancy/ bike-brandywine

Oct. 5

79th Annual Chester County Day House Tour

The 2019 Chester County Day will feature homes and public landmarks in the southeast quadrant of Chester County. The day celebrates the traditional, distinctive architecture of Chester County with a strong emphasis on history. Every Chester County Day begins with a fox hunt. The 2019 event will be held at Radnor Hunt in Malvern,

Continued on Page 20

complete with hounds, horses and horns, and will set off promptly at 9 a.m. Guests can begin their tour of this year’s selected properties at 10 a.m.

The tours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. chestercountyhospital.org/giving/ support-an-event/chester-county-day

Oct. 6

Marshallton Triathlon

Individuals, families and teams gather in the quaint village of Marshallton to par ticipate in a triathlon course winding through Chester County. Competitors start off with a downhill bicycle race to the Brandywine River followed by a canoe paddle to the next point. Athletes continue on with a fast walk through the trail system and return to their bicycles to reach the finish line! Registration closes Oct. 1. First heat: 8 a.m. Marshaltontriathlon.net

Continued from Page 19

Oct. 12

East Fallowfield Township Park Day

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come out and meet neighbors and enjoy a free community event at the park featuring zip lining, bungee trampolining, moon bounces, carnival games, pony rides, face painting, balloon animals, a costume parade, vendors, prizes/raffles and more.

Oct. 19

ChesLenChase

Run for nature at Natural Lands’ 6th annual ChesLen Chase for Open Space, with a 10K, 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run-Walk! The challenging courses include steep hills, creek crossings, woodlands, and open fields. The fun continues after crossing the finish line with a post-race party at ChesLen’s Lenfest Center featuring music, craft beers from 2SP Brewing Company, food, an awards

ceremony, and more. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coatesville/ ChesLenChase

Oct. 19 and 20

The Chester County American Indian Cultural Festival

Enjoy drumming, dancing, vendors, food and children’s activities. Gates open at 10 a.m. each day, with the grand entry at noon. $5 per person. Children under 12 free. Seniors over 65 free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted at the Romano 4-H Center.

Oct. 25

Parkesburg Final Friday

Presented by The Parkesburg Action Committee. The event includes food tr ucks, live music, beer garden, the Kids Zone, vendors, and community groups. 5 to 8 p.m., Main Street, Parkesburg

Oct. 27

Caln Township Halloween Parade and Party Starting at 1 p.m. calntownship.org

Nov. 1

The Night of Hope Gala

The Crime Victims Center of Chester County presents their annual gala at the American Helicopter Museum. cvcofcc.org

Nov. 2

Pope John Paul II Craft and Vendor Show Jewelry, home décor, health and beauty, baked goods and holiday gif ts. Food available for purchase. Opens at 9 a.m. popejohnpaul2sch.org/craft-show

Nov. 2

5k to Benefit Coatesville Kids to College

This unique cross country 5k race course winds through the beautiful and scenic fr uit Groves of Highland Orchard! The proceeds from the event will help to support Coatesville Kids to College. Coatesville Kids

to College’s mission is to provide academic, emotional, and spiritual empowerment to Coatesville’s children and youth from pre-k to college. 9 a.m.

Nov. 7

Utopia for Workers: Housing and Planned Industrial Communities

National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum Lecture Series

Dr. Anne E. Krulikowski from West Chester University will talk about the Midvale Steel housing in Coatesville.

6 to 8 p.m. Steelmuseum.org

Nov. 30

Saturday with Santa West Brandywine Township will host a children’s visit with Santa, along with craf t vendors.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. wbrandywine.org

Dec. 1

Caln Township Holiday Kids Party Starting at 4 p.m.calntownship.org

Dec. 7

Coatesville Christmas Parade

Over 150 entries will march down Lincoln Highway in the Coatesville Christmas Parade.

10 a.m.

coatesvillechristmasparade.com

Dec. 7

Holiday Bazaar with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Highland Orchards

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 13

Holiday Open House

The National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum will host its annual Holiday Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors can stroll through candlelit grounds, enjoy holiday refreshments, listen to carolers and the Lukens Band, tour beautifully decorated, historic buildings, shop at the museum store, share your child’s delight at the train display and be sure to slip your wish list to Santa!

Traction: A progress report on the revitalization of the City of Coatesville

By Sonia Huntzinger Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance Executive Director

Opportunity Zones.

You may have heard some buzz around this new federal program. A component of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, this new program provides tax incentives for investors to invest their unrealized capital gains into qualified designated zones (QOZs). The program allows for the Governor of each state to designate 25 percent of their state’s low- to moderateincome census tracts for eligibility in the program.

Governor Tom Wolf nominated the four U.S. Census tracts that make up most of Coatesville’s geographic area to the U.S. Treasury, and the Treasury awarded the designation Qualified Opportunity Zones in 2018. These Coatesville designated zones are the only QOZ’s in Chester County.

Here’s how it works:

“Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors. First, investors can defer tax on any prior gains invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) until the earlier of the date on which the investment in a QOF is sold or exchanged, or December 31, 2026. If the QOF investment is held for longer than 5 years, there is a 10% exclusion of the deferred gain. If held for more than 7 years, the 10 percent becomes 15 percent. Second, if the investor holds the investment in the Opportunity Fund for at least ten years, the investor is eligible for an increase in basis of the QOF investment equal to its fair market value on the date that the QOF investment is sold or exchanged.” - irs.gov

If that all sounds a little complicated, it rather is, which is why we suggest you consult with a tax attorney should this program be of interest to you.

Here’s the good news: The program is already beginning to reap rewards in the City of Coatesville. In May of this year, three offers were presented on a property owned by

the city’s Redevelopment Authority. This is a property that has sat fallow for more than a decade. Three offers! The selected developer is currently in negotiations with the Authority for the purchase and redevelopment of the site. And the two buyers that weren’t selected? Still interested in finding locations within the city.

Also, a business currently located in Exton has leased space within the city’s QOZ with the intent of moving their entire operations into the city; all to take advantage of the Opportunity Zone investment potential.

All this means additional investment in Coatesville; development of vacant parcels, rehabilitation of blighted properties, and most importantly, jobs and economic opportunity for our residents. Precisely what the program was designed to do. And here at the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, we’re happy to be partnering with the City Administration and the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the program.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 2nd Century Alliance, we were formed in 2015 when the City of Coatesville celebrated its 100th anniversary as a Pennsylvania City of the Third Class. At that time, 18 community stakeholders came together with a mission to ensure that Coatesville’s “second century” would be economically prosperous for all its residents and businesses; hence the name “2nd Century Alliance.”

We partner with the City of Coatesville, the County of Chester, and many other mission-similar organizations to advance our mission to “improve socioeconomic conditions in the City, stabilize the City’s financial stature, foster community and economic development, and bring resources and stakeholders together for these purposes.”

For more information on these and other initiatives in the City of Coatesville, please call 484-786-8896 or visit www.2ndCenturyAlliance.org.

Coventry Environmental, Inc.

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer

Coventry Environmental, Inc., is a full-service environmental remediation/construction contractor handling projects large and small throughout the Delaware Valley, particularly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland

Established in 2012 by company president Steve Ohrwaschel, Coventry is able to offer well planned and cost-effective services to deal with environmental contamination of all kinds -- from large-scale cleanup of industrial or commercial sites to important remediation of problem materials in residential settings.

Dealing with environmental issues can present complex problems that Coventry has the experience and expertise to address. Coventry has served everything from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses to individual homeowners. No matter the project size, Coventry uses a collaborative approach to develop an understanding of each client’s needs and goals, including a detailed scope of services to meet the objectives of each project.

When a commercial or industrial property is purchased, particularly when there is a change of use or new construction in mind, sometimes environmental problems such as underground tanks, environmentally hazardous building materials or soil contamination may be found. Once these concerns are identified, Coventry is a reliable firm to address these issues.

Coventry has the staff and equipment to address this specialized work for projects of every size. Even outdoor

sites that look pristine can have issues, such as pesticide contamination of the soil, as might be found on old golf courses.

Coventry’s overall objective is to exceed clients’ expectations, maintaining a constant dialogue to ensure that everyone is aware of schedules, progress, health and safety concerns and any other issues that may arise.

There are times when a seemingly simple project can turn into a bigger issue once remediation work begins and new issues are uncovered. Removing an underground tank could start as a straightforward task until it is uncovered only to find that it has been leaking for years, contaminating the soil and groundwater around it.

The flexibility of Coventry Environmental allows them to reassess projects in progress when necessary, shifting to the proper equipment to handle unexpected needs.

Coventry is also adept at filing for permits and preparing the extensive reporting paperwork that is required on all environmental cleanup projects. Getting this complex portion of the job accurately completed is as essential as the hands-on work at the jobsite.

“This is a highly regulatory driven industry. If you are uncomfortable on the paperwork side, you are bound to fail,” Mr. Ohrwaschel said.

Company President Steve Ohrwaschel has been in the environmental services industry more than 35 years. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, he is a Registered Environmental Manager and Certified Waste Management Professional with multiple state tank handling licenses. He is a member of the society of American Military Engineers and directs Coventry’s relationship with a variety of business chambers throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Ohrwaschel

manages the overall operations of the company, using a hands-on approach with client and employee relationships.

“I wouldn’t know any other business. It’s the only business I have practiced my entire life. My first job out of college was conducting fish surveys in the Hudson River. It evolved into this remediation practice of mine,” Ohrwaschel said. “It’s not just a financial reward. I really enjoy seeing the end product. After what we do, I enjoy going back to those properties to see that they are revitalized and there is a new use to them.”

Ten to 15 field staff are assigned to projects, under experienced project management.

Senior Project Manager Anthony Alessandrini manages multiple projects involving remediation projects throughout the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions. He is experienced with both state and federal programs and is involved in assessing and implementing large remedial action projects involving landfill remediation, soils excavations, multiple media and wastewater treatment system designs and installations, and on-site soil and or groundwater remedial projects.

Operations Manager Gene Reider has over 25 years of operational, supervisory and management experience in the environmental industry including on-site supervision of multiple remediation, industrial maintenance, and emergency spill response projects throughout the mid-Atlantic region. He is often the on-site face interacting with clients, field staff, management and regulatory officials.

Project Manager Tracy Termin has over 16 years of field, estimating and managerial experience in the environmental industry, including facility site remediation, decontamination/demolition, underground storage tank removal, impacted sediment removal, lagoon closures, waste transportation and disposal, and industrial maintenance.

“Both myself and our project managers and field staff are continuously upgrading training requirements for safety and state regulations,” Ohrwaschel said.

Coventry Environmental has recently relocated to 795 South Main St., Spring City. The former auto shop location is close to their earlier Spring City home, with room for comfortable quarters and continued expansion of their operation. There is even a connection to the Schuylkill River Trail at their new location adding recreational opportunities for their staff.

For more information on Coventry Environmental, Inc., visit their website at www.covenv.com or call 610-245-3815.

New report highlights economic value of protected open space

By Brian O’Leary Executive Director of Chester County Planning Commission

They say money doesn’t grow on trees – perhaps not literally. But the parks, farms, and forests of Chester County increase home values, create jobs, and account for millions of dollars each year in savings, earnings, and avoided costs.

In a spin on traditional business Return on Investment (ROI), a new study titled “Return on Environment: The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester County” has documented the economic value of open space in our county. Thirty years ago, Chester County became the first in the region to formally set aside funds for a rigorous open space preservation program. As a result, about 28.8 percent of land, or 140,000 acres, has been preserved as protected open space to date, which is more land than the size of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh combined.

While commenting on the study, Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell noted that Chester County’s open spaces offer more than beautiful scenery. “Those pretty views are economic powerhouses that generate significant economic value for our region,” they stated.

Some of the key findings of the report identify often overlooked benefits of open space to businesses:

• Open space is part of Chester County’s quality of place, which attracts an educated and talented workforce to live and work here.

• The tax base is expanded because homes in the county are valued at more than $11,000 more on average when they are located within a half-mile of preserved open space.

• Property owners, businesses, and workers avoid having to pay additional taxes ($97 million per year) to build infrastructure that replicates the environmental services that nature provides for free such as flood protection and air pollution reduction.

• The recreational opportunities on protected open space contribute to a healthy workforce and account for more than $324 million in avoided costs for medical care, workers’ compensation, and lost worker productivity.

To bring these numbers to a more understandable scale, the report includes nine case studies that highlight the economic, environmental, and health-related benefits of specific well-known open spaces in Chester County. One case study highlights the landscape of preserved farms in West Fallowfield Township (one-third of lands in the township are preserved farmland) and the economic activity generated by these farms. The case study notes that these farms generate $21.4 million in total economic activity annually, and employ 110 local residents who earn a total of $3.9 million each year.

Chester County is focused on balancing growth with preservation, as reflected in Landscapes3, the county’s comprehensive plan, and VISTA 2025, the county’s 10-year economic development strategy that has “quality of place” as a primary goal.

In that context, Peter Hausmann, chairman of Natural Lands’ Board of Trustees and a former real estate developer, recently captured the connection between “quality of place,” open space, and the Chester County economy when he stated that “open space is infrastructure in a knowledge-based economy.”

The “Return on Environment” report was prepared by Chester County departments, land conservancies, municipal representatives, economic development agencies, and Econsult Solutions, Inc., an economic consulting firm that provides econometric and analytic expertise to businesses and policymakers nationwide.

View the study and video: http://chescoplanning. org/openspace/roe.cfm

Request a presentation: http://chescoplanning. org/OpenSpace/ROE-PresentationRequest.cfm

The Chester County Planning Commission can be reached by phone at 610-344-6285, by email at ccplanning@chesco.org, or by mail at 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19380. Get all the latest updates online at www.chescoplanning.org

Celebrate the season at your local Christmas tree farm

By Ann Lane Chester County Ag Council

For many families around Chester County, a visit to the Christmas tree farm is a way to partake in cherished family traditions, make new memories, and embrace a slower pace of life during the hectic hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Cochranville resident Beth Cunliffe has been visiting the same tree farm with her family for the past 16 years. “I look forward to our visit to the tree farm all year long,” she said. “My kids get hot chocolate and we take lots of family photos. The people who work at the farm are some of the nicest around, especially when it comes to helping us cut our tree and load it onto the car.”

The practice of bringing trees inside to celebrate Christmas was first introduced in the United States by German settlers in the 1800s. Originally, the trees were simple, tabletop-sized decorations, but customer preference has changed over time to include larger, floor-to-ceiling sizes to showcase holiday ornaments and lights. The first Christmas trees were also harvested from forests, whereas today’s Christmas trees are grown on farms as a cultivated crop.

Despite the apparent seasonal nature of their business, tree farmers are not resting on their laurels once December ends. They and their staff are busy year-round, planning, preparing the ground for new trees, and trimming and shaping existing trees so they are ready to be harvested right after Thanksgiving, when most farms open to the public. From seed to stand, the average growing time for a Christmas tree is about seven years, with lots of love and care going into the development of each one.

Supporting local tree farms means supporting the local economy -- from the farmers who grow the trees, to their staff, to the larger agricultural supply chain that helps make it all possible. In addition to creating community financial benefit, tree farms provide refuge for wildlife and create scenic green belts that might otherwise be developed. Christmas trees are often grown on soil that isn’t able to support other crops. From simple cut-your-own tree farms to larger operations offering free

wagon rides, delicious seasonal treats and photos with Santa, Christmas tree farms across Chester County offer a wide range of holiday experiences for your family to choose from.

Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm and Christmas Shop

Founded in 1998 by owner Bill Clark, Sr., Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cochranville has always been about family. His daughter Becky and daughter-in-law Mia run the Christmas Shop, while one of his sons owns Clark Brothers Nursery, which does all the shearing of the trees and deliveries for tree wholesale orders.

Visitors can take a wagon out into the fields to either cut their own tree or select from a wide range of Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Canaan fir, Korean fir and spruce trees across the 35-acre property. They offer sizes from three to 20 feet to accommodate any space. For the less manually inclined, tree farm staff are always happy to help visitors cut trees, which are wrapped and drilled for free for easy home installation.

No visit to Clark’s would be complete without visiting their newly expanded, 2,000-square-foot Christmas shop, the largest in the area, which showcases over 50,000 seasonal decorations, including pieces from the Jim Shore Collection and Byers’ Choice. They are always looking for new holiday items to feature. The shop also offers a wide selection of nutcrackers, personalized ornaments, wreaths and pine roping. All children receive a gift from Santa, who is onsite to greet the public and pose for photos every weekend during the season.

Clark is proud of the quality of the trees they grow, and that his farm has become a part of his customers’ holiday celebrations. “Our customers return year after year. We’re now seeing the third generation coming to get their trees and bringing their kids to meet Santa,” Clark said.

Clark’s Tree Farm: 351 Pusey Mill Road, Cochranville, Pa., 19330

Continued on Page 30

Christmas Tree Farms

Continued from Page 29

Westlake Tree Farms

Gary Westlake of Westlake Tree Farms, a fourth generation tree farmer, says his customers return year after year because he and his staff make visitors feel like they are family. They work hard all year to make sure every visitor’s experience is one fit for a Hallmark holiday movie.

“I am proud that we are an integral part of so many families’ holiday ‘treeditions,’” he said.

Nestled deep in the woods down a long, treelined driveway just north of St. Pete’s Village, the farm looks like a vision from a Currier and Ives print. The vast, 160-acre property specializes in Fraser, concolor and Canaan fir trees due to their good form and longevity once cut. Visitors are encouraged to check the farm’s website for daily updates on what species, height and pre-cut/cut trees are available.

No visit to Westlake Tree Farms is complete without indulging in at least one of their signature comfort foods, including their decadent mac n’ cheese grilled cheese sandwich and “Super Santa” hot chocolate. Visitors can also roast marshmallows around the bonfire, a great way to warm up on a chilly day. After a visit and photos with Santa, adults and children alike will marvel at Westlake’s elaborate train display in the lower level of the refurbished barn that currently houses the farm’s Christmas shop.

Westlake Tree Farms: 2421 N. Hill Camp Road, Pottstown, PA 19465

CT Farm

Visitors in the western part of Chester County don’t have to go far off the beaten path to reach relative newcomer CT Farm. This local gem is located right off of Route 10 in Parkesburg.

Charlie Meyer and his family planted their first trees in 2007 and opened their doors to the public in 2013. Their 18-acre farm has quickly become a popular destination due to the family-friendly atmosphere, outstanding tree quality and convenient location.

Check out the farm’s Facebook page to see Meyer’s daughters’ popular “CT Farm cheers” video series for a preview of what visiting CT Farm is all about. Meyer is also quick to credit his wife Sally’s cookies for part of the farm’s success.

“I think just as many people come for my wife’s cookies as they do our large selection of well-shaped trees,” Meyer said, laughing.

CT Farm offers a wide range of trees up to 10 feet tall, including Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Balsam fir, Colorado blue spruce and the occasionally hard-to-find concolor

fir, celebrated for its exceptional fragrance.

CT Farm Parkesburg: 175 S Church St., Parkesburg, Pa. 19365

Christmas Tree Farms

Continued from Page 31

Whether you are looking to spend an entire afternoon strolling through a winter wonderland or prefer just a quick trip to pick up a fresh, locally grown tree, there is a Christmas tree farm nearby with just the right amount of holiday atmosphere and entertainment perfect for you and your family. Here are a few other farms where you and your family can make memories while picking out the perfect holiday tree:

Bernard’s Tree Farm: 121 Barneston Rd., Honey Brook, Pa., 19344

Broad Run Tree Farm: 1169 Broad Run Rd., Coatesville, Pa., 19320

Collmann Christmas Tree Farm: 408 N. Manor Rd., Elverson, Pa., 19520

Marsh Creek Tree Farm: 301 Marsh Rd., Elverson, Pa., 19520

Tricolor Tree Farm: 1480 Hall Rd., West Chester, Pa., 19380

Wades Christmas Trees: 462 Trythall Rd., Elverson, Pa., 19520

Unlike plastic Christmas trees, real Christmas trees are biodegradeable, meaning they can be reused or recycled. Be sure to check whether or not your municipality offers a Christmas tree recycling program. At the end of the season, your tree could have a second life as useful playground mulch or compost. For more information, visit www.chesco.org/farmguide.

Octorara Area Career & Technical Education

Programs: Where careers begin

Carosella & Associates P.C.

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry Staff Writer

When business owners are faced with legal questions, an attorney who has experience as an entrepreneur can understand their needs and give advice from a business-world perspective.

Vincent Carosella, Jr., founder of Carosella & Associates P.C., purchased a solid waste company in Philadelphia after earning his undergraduate degree at Temple University. He built and improved that company before selling it and moving on to run a plumbing, heating and air conditioning firm while in law school. He has also owned an environmental assessment company in Delaware County and a heavy truck repair company.

“I’ve seen just about everything a business owner can see,” Carosella said. That includes all the stresses and frustrations that go along with operating a business, big or small.

On the legal side, Carosella’s focus is on business and corporate law, as well as commercial and residential real estate, zoning, wills and trusts. He practiced at a large Philadelphia law firm before forming his own firm, 24 years ago, which brings big firm experience to his clients at the fee level of a smaller practice.

Carosella can easily relate to the client who wants to grow their business. “I know how to do it because I’ve lived it,” he said. “The principles of every business are almost always the same.”

Carosella encourages people to get legal advice early on in a business venture to avoid problems, rather than waiting until issues arise. Business owners also have legal needs in their private lives, and Carosella & Associates can help there, too, such as immigration or estate planning and trusts.

“It’s much less expensive to ask for advice than to hire an attorney after you’ve gotten into trouble and you need help to fix it,” Carosella said.

Based in West Chester, the staff at Carosella & Associates have intense business, commercial and litigation experience in many areas, including bankruptcy, litigation, commercial and residential real estate and zoning issues, mergers and acquisitions,

general corporate, construction, immigration and intellectual property law.

The firm is organized into several areas, and is large enough to handle complex cases, yet small enough to provide personal attention to each client. When someone calls Carosella & Associates, they will be connected with the staff member who is best qualified to handle their legal matter. The firm’s team philosophy offers the advantage of accessibility to their entire organization of legal professionals who can combine skills and experiences when necessary to solve a client’s problems.

Everyone at Carosella & Associates makes an effort to counsel each client as if they were the only client. When you need advice, they provide it in plain English that is easy to comprehend.

Attorney Christopher Amentas practices commercial, construction, and civil litigation, real estate, zoning, and municipal law. He is a former Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of East Fallowfield Township, and has a unique perspective on how zoning and land use ordinances, procedures and laws impact construction and municipal clients on a local and statewide level. Attorney Gary Thompson has over 25 years of experience in private practice, handling a variety of cases with a concentration in bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and collection law as well as wills, trusts and estates. Attorney Timothy Trott’s practice areas include Social Security, disability, criminal law, family law, and general litigation. He represents people and businesses in need of legal services in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks and Lancaster counties.

In addition to general matters, paralegal Katarina Tkacova, with 15 years of experience, is particularly helpful in the areas of business, corporate, trade mark, immigration and environmental law. Paralegal Ginger McGuire is well versed in general matters and estate planning, with over 30 years of experience.

Carosella and Associates P.C. is located at 882 Matlack St., Suite 101, West Chester. Contact the firm by calling 610-431-3300 or visit www.carosella.com.

McMahon plans and engineers transportation solutions for today and the future

Somewhere, somehow, every person in Western Chester County comes into contact with one or more projects completed by McMahon Associates, Inc. McMahon is a traffic engineering and planning firm which opened its Chester County office in Exton nearly 20 years ago.

When you consider what’s involved with commuting between home and work, getting the kids to school and after-school activities, or weekend travel, the network of local streets, highways, trails and transit that connect to get you there safely is stunning. When it works well, we really don’t take much notice of it, but when it doesn’t, everyone feels it.

McMahon’s transportation experts on the planning, design and engineering frontlines are solving today’s transportation issues, and helping their clients and communities throughout the region make the transition to a future that will include better roads, more complete street corridors, support for

increased public transportation systems, expansion of connected trails and sidepaths, and even introducing driverless vehicles. One can’t work on this 20 years down the road. These decisions need to be researched and planned, and strategies for funding policy and implementation need to start today.

Take a look at two prime examples of McMahon’s work that directly impact residents and businesses in Western Chester County with transportation changes along the Route 30 corridors.

Route 30 Multimodal Transportation Study: Creating a Vision for Route 30

Multimodal is exactly that – accommodating all modes of transportation at a location – cars, trucks, buses, buggies, rail, planes, bicycles and pedestrian travel. McMahon led a team to develop a coordinated transportation and land use study for six municipalities

Continued on Page 36 An overview of the Route 30 Bypass plan.

Mc Mahon

Continued from Page 35

along Route 30 in Western Chester County – including the City of Coatesville, Valley, West Sadsbury, Sadsbury, Valley, West Caln and Caln townships. The study built upon previous planning efforts, including initiatives led by the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce. This study was completed to develop and shape a preferred vision for the Route 30 corridor in each area.

Instead of each municipality trying to solve their local issues individually, they took a holistic approach to team up and work together to create a more cohesive, complementary and connected corridor in total, while still addressing the unique needs of each community. The study was supported by funding from the six sponsor municipalities, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and other project partners. McMahon worked closely with Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce staff and members to engage businesses and community members throughout the study process. Additionally, the study was closely coordinated with PennDOT’s US 30 Bypass Reconstruction program and over 15 active land development projects within the study area.

“This study was a massive undertaking,” said Natasha

Manbeck, P.E., AICP – McMahon Associates and Senior Project Manager on the project. “More than 200 people were involved in the planning process, including eight stakeholder interviews, seven Study Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings, three public meetings and two technical coordination meetings. On top of that, it was condensed to a 13-month schedule to fulfill grant funding requirements.”

The team’s coordination and passion for the project made it all come together, and because of their efforts the final report was accepted by all six sponsor municipalities.

The vision created by the study focused on being Cohesive, Complementary and Connected, and the following project goals were established:

• Expand options and opportunities for jobs, housing, transportation and recreation;

• Promote and preserve agriculture, open space, the Brandywine Creek, historic districts and structures, and local businesses; and

• Leverage key assets, including the Chester County G.O. Carlson Airport and the Coatesville and Thorndale regional train stations.

The municipalities involved in the study, Chester County,

and the Western Chester County Chamber’s Regional Planning Committee have been working to implement the key recommendations from the study. The vision and goals have guided the development of plans for the US 30 Bypass interchange areas, Business 30 corridor, and regional trails that are currently being evaluated in more detail or implemented to bring this vision to life.

Planning to Reality: US 30 Bypass

McMahon has a key role on the project team for PennDOT’s US 30 Bypass program – a series of projects that will upgrade the Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass to improve safety, reduce congestion, accommodate planned growth, improve facility deficiencies, and improve system connectivity. The facility was constructed in the 1950s and early 1960s. As anyone who has driven the Bypass knows, this is an important link in the regional transportation network connecting to key transportation arteries including Business US 30, US 322, PA 113, PA 340, PA 82 and PA 10.

The first project within the program, which is currently underway, is construction of additional Intelligent

Improvements to Route 30 will mean a smoother driving experience as well as increased opportunities for commerce.

Transportation System (ITS) improvements along the U.S. 30 Bypass in Chester County and the connecting highway network. Motorists in the area will soon see crews installing dynamic message signs, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, travel time sensors, traffic signal upgrades, and installation of fiber optic cable to provide connectivity for these elements. This infrastructure will improve the response time for incidents in the area and provide more

Continued on Page 38

HONEYBROOK

Mc Mahon

Continued from Page 37

accurate travel time information to motorists. They will also be critical during the future construction phases of the program.

The US 30 Bypass has been divided into four distinct transportation-improvement projects:

• Business 30/PA 10 Project

• Airport Road Project

• PA 82 Project

• Eastern Project (generally Reeceville Road to Business 30/Quarry Road)

Each project will continue to move forward through the design and permitting process individually, but in close coordination with each other. Each project will have a unique schedule and timeline for final design and construction, based on the availability of funding and other factors to be determined as the projects progress. A public meeting was held on June 20 to review four interchange design alternatives and get feedback on the project. Currently, the project team is working to refine the alternatives and perform additional analysis for the Business 30/PA 10 and PA 82 projects at the western end of the corridor, and will soon begin similar work for the Eastern project.

McMahon is responsible for all traffic operations analyses for the program to assess alternative design solutions for the future reconstruction of the freeway and its associated interchanges. The firm is also completing safety analyses throughout the program area, and leads the public outreach and stakeholder involvement efforts, including development and maintenance of the program’s website (www. us30-chesco.com).

“This program is key to the transportation system in Western Chester County, as the US 30 Bypass is the highest traveled roadway in this part of the county,” said Nicole Kline-Elsier, P.E. PTOE Senior Project Manager for McMahon’s Route 30 Bypass project. “Completing all movements at the Airport Road and PA. 113 interchanges alone will have a transformative impact on commuting patterns, existing businesses, growth patterns, and future opportunities.”

These are two highly visible and impactful projects in which McMahon is contributing to the success of the region and value-added changes to improve the efficiency and safety of the transportation systems around Western Chester County.

You can shape the future of transportation in Western Chester County

In all of McMahon’s projects, one of the most critical components for successful creation and implementation of the plan is public participation. McMahon remains focused on the important role of local citizens and regular area travelers in the discussion to improve the transportation experience. McMahon uses innovative tools and techniques to get this feedback -- from interactive public meetings where participants can actually lay out the way they want a corridor to look, to targeted online and paper surveys to get broader feedback from a wider population.

“The planners and engineers at McMahon appreciate and respect the role of the community at these public meetings,” said Chris Williams, P.E., Regional Manager – MidAtlantic, McMahon Associates, Inc. “Our

Public meetings have been an integral part of the planning process.

projects directly serve the public, and we encourage the community to be active in the discussion on transportation needs and solutions. It is important for the community to participate in the public process, and as regular users of the transportation system, the public’s insights are incredibly valuable to help shape a successful outcome.”

About McMahon

Founded in 1976, McMahon Associates, Inc., is headquartered in Fort Washington and has more than 200 employees along the East Coast. The firm has been key in the planning and creation of many of Western Chester County’s transportation solutions and has enjoyed being part of the region’s growth for decades. For more information visit www.mcmahonassociates.com.

News from the Parkesburg Action Committee:

The Parkesburg Lamps

The Parkesburg Action Committee works within Parkesburg to revitalize and grow the community. Part of our mission is to highlight the historic aspects of our town to keep them alive and help to set us apart from other small towns in our area. One of Parkesburg’s biggest pieces of history are the Parkesburg Lamps and the Paul Thomas Glass Works.

The Parkesburg Lamps were manufactured in Parkesburg from 1936 to 1953. They were made by Paul Thomas in his manufacturing facility that was located at 160 First Ave. The location is currently a Planet Fitness (the old Acme shopping center) but the glass factory was right on the street and not set as far back as the current buildings. The lamp works occupied the first floor and basement. The main floor also housed three apartments, in which Mr. Thomas and his wife, mother and sister lived.

Paul Thomas came to Parkesburg from West Chester, where he was a truck driver who had his sights set on buying and selling antiques to people in the area. He came upon the idea of making and selling light fixtures, and Paul Thomas Glass Works was born.

The lamps created by Mr. Thomas had a marble base, a brass upright and then a beautiful glass globe piece. The glass piece is what really marks the nature of the Parkesburg Lamp. They were normally colored, pear shaped and were hand etched with designs that had been inspired from nature. Scenes of deer, flowers, stars and

other natural motifs were used.

The marble bases were originally sourced from Philadelphia in large slabs, but it is said that Mr. Thomas would scavenge marble from anywhere he could, even from old furniture out of the trash! In the early days, the marble pieces were cut by hand from the larger slabs by employees with a hacksaw. Later, when the demand for lamps increased, a machine was devised by employee Harry Robinson from an old car motor to cut the pieces more quickly. They also developed polishing and sanding devices to speed up manufacturing.

The glass pieces, the real showstoppers of the lamps, were made from Czech glass that was imported in clear form. The company worked diligently to come up with a way to get the clear glass to become colored. Harry Robinson built an electric kiln for just this purpose. Paul Thomas would spray the clear glass with gold from a spray gun and then closely watch the piece in the kiln. By trial and error of temperature and time, he was able to achieve a ruby red finish. The color was striking and they continued manufacturing in this manner, even adding golden amber, cobalt and light blue, and a beautiful cranberry red color.

The lamps were very popular in their time and Clark Gable was one of Mr. Thomas’ most notable customers, as he loved the lamps and owned quite a few of them. A signed check from Mr. Gable hung on the wall in the main office at the factory.

The story of the lamps took a sad turn on Dec. 17, 1953, when the building caught fire. Mr. Thomas was out of town on a business trip to Lancaster at the time. His employees had been busy that morning packing and shipping Christmas orders when the fire was discovered. The building had been insulated with sawdust in the ceilings and walls and this caused the fire to spread rapidly. Fighting the fire was brutal in the freezing cold temperatures and the high winds that day, and it took eight companies and a staff of over 150 fire fighters to extinguish the blaze. Newspaper stories about the incident report that the winds were so high that flames and smoke were whipping across an open lot to the east of the building. Parkesburg

residents from the time say that the smoke was so thick through the borough that day that it was sometimes hard to see past their own yards.

Four firemen sustained injuries and required medical help. There were no fatalities, but the fire consumed and destroyed most of the building, the entire business and the Thomas’ residences. Water and smoke damage finished what the fire had not. It was reported that a faulty oil burner in the basement caused the fire, but that was proven to be untrue during the investigation from the Fire Underwriters. The final opinion on the cause of the fire was not reported in newspapers from the time.

After the fire, Paul Thomas did not reopen the company. The loss was estimated to be over $50,000. Mr. Thomas and his family moved to Florida and he is believed to have been in the real estate business. There are no reports of Mr. Thomas’ life after the company was destroyed and he moved from the area.

The Parkesburg Lamps are now highly sought after and a number of local residents have collected pieces over the years and offer them for sale. You can follow Parkesburg Lamps on Facebook and the Facebook group Paul Thomas Glass Works to find beautiful pieces for sale. A few lamps are available at The Shoppes at Whitehorse Mill and at Morgantown Market. And sometimes you might be lucky enough to find them in consignment or thrift stores in the area as some people do not know the treasure which they have donated!

Information for this article was found from local newspaper reports, word of mouth from local residents and from an article written by Hugh Douglas for the Octorara Area Historical Society. Thanks must be sent out to the Wilde family for supplying newspaper clippings and information.

Thorndale’s Academy Sports Complex brings athletes in from cold … and heat

By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

Practicing or training for field sports outside during Southeastern Pennsylvania’s seasonal extremes can be frustrating for both players and coaches. A severe temperature change or torrential downpour can certainly have an effect on getting the best out of a team.

But in Thorndale, there’s a two-story indoor facility that can accommodate all field sports ranging from soccer to lacrosse to cricket. Baseball, softball, football and Frisbee football have found homes there, too.

Academy Sports Complex, at 3527 Lincoln Highway, is the brainchild of Michael Rudy, who with wife and business partner Elizabeth, owns the 2-story 36,300-square-foot center that opened in 2017.

The inspiration for ASC started with Little League, Rudy said. He’s a successful CPA, and behind his office are the Caln Athletic Association ballfields. “I see the baseballsoftball fields every day,” he said. “So one day I thought, ‘There’s no place where a baseball team, a softball team, can have batting practice and infield practice on a regulation size field.”

In 1997, Rudy and Elizabeth had purchased the lot next to his office, and had been considering different business ventures there -- in the meantime donating it every holiday season for use as a fundraising Christmas tree lot to benefit a local soccer club.

On board as ASC’s director of business development is Rob Smith, who’s well known in the soccer community. Among his past experience: having coached the Downingtown High School (West) girls; president and coach of the F C DELCO and also served as a vice president of soccer development for the Philadelphia Union.

Rudy ran down some of the reasons ASC is the premier indoor practice and training facility for field sports in Chester County. “Academy Sports houses the best artificial turf on three fields. We have the entire second floor, which is a little bit larger than a traditional indoor soccer field.” he said. “And we have a lower-level turf field that has a rebounding wall.”

For baseball and softball players, there are seven configurable batting cages. “The batting cages are very versatile here,” Rudy said, with Jugs Sports pitching machines that

will accommodate a high-arc slow pitch.

“Our facility is temperature-controlled year-round. During the wintertime, it could be 10 degrees below outside, but it’s nice and warm inside,” he said. “When it’s hot and humid out, the humidity is under check and the temperature is probably anywhere from 73 to 74 inside.”

Rudy grew up in West Chester playing soccer, and maintains his passion for the game by continuing in adult leagues. As a father whose three children are athletic and as someone who’s coached soccer, Rudy knows how hard Pennsylvania weather can be on young athletes.

Temperate playing fields are just the start at Academy Sports Complex. A number of coaches have told Rudy that practicing at ASC is proving to be a great complement to outdoor practices. “The coaches have also said, comparing it to outdoors or any other indoor facility, they’ve noticed that they don’t feel like they’re in a fishbowl, with outside eyes looking at their teams. And they’ve noticed that their players are much more attentive to their direction, and as a result, their practices have been run more efficiently.”

For those wanting to work on personal health, ASC offers two programs that span ages and fitness levels. Earlier this year, Mike partnered with Eric Mitchell to bring the Training for Warriors (TFW) systems and The Parisi Speed School into Academy Sports.

Training for Warriors is a program that focuses on strength-building, fat-burning and building confidence. But it offers a lot more to its members.

“It’s an extremely positive environment,” Smith said. Unlike many gyms or group fitness classes, members are considered a family, and the resulting encouragement they give one another helps them along and keeps them returning. “The participants are engaged in a healthy, positive outlook towards other people in the class and helping them,” Smith said.

Rudy said an important part of Academy Sport’s mission is to ensure that underserved children are able to participate. “There’s a huge population of kids in the area that don’t have the same benefit as those kids who are playing travel sports,” he said. “We want to give every kid the same opportunity to be able to practice and train at the sport that they are very

passionate about. Unfortunately, a lot of kids don’t have the financial means to be able to do that.”

ASC has established a non-profit called ABLE -- Athletic Betterment Leadership Experience -- that works with the JT Dorsey Foundation to provide opportunities for those kids. Natalie Smith may be contacted at natalie@ DoubleSMedia.com.

Chester County Council of Boy Scouts

thrilled to open

doors to scouting for girls

Scouts USA: The legacy of a youth institution adds another chapter

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Since 1971, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has been welcoming young women into its Venturing, Exploring, Sea Scouts and STEM Scouts programs.

This past February, however, the BSA broadened that sense of inclusion by welcoming young women from the ages of 11 to 17 to one of our nation’s most prestigious programs of character and leadership development – and in the process, it changed its name to Scouts BSA.

The announcement came on the heels of an October 2017 unanimous decision by the BSA Board of Directors

unanimously to welcome girls into its Cub Scout program which permits girls to participate in the same activities their male counterparts do.

For many young women, the opportunity to join Scouts BSA comes after decades and generations of standing on the sidelines, watching their brothers enjoy hikes, campouts and canoe trips, but with the decision to permit girls into the program and give them their own troops, the playing field is now completely level, giving girls the same opportunities to earn the same merit badges – as well as the prestigious Eagle Scout ranking -- and achieve the same advancements that boys have earned for more than a century.

The BSA will celebrate its inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts in 2020.

“I could not be more excited for what this means for the next generation of leaders in our nation,” said Scouts USA Chief Scout Executive Michael B. Surbaugh. “Through Scouts BSA, more young people than ever before – young women and men – will get to experience the benefits of camaraderie, confidence, resilience, trustworthiness, courage and kindness through a time-tested program that has been proven to

Continued on Page 46

The Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau advocates for farmers and the rural community

The Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau advocates for farmers and the rural community

Support local agriculture and farmers, and enjoy all the benefits and Member Discounts by joining Farm Bureau today!

JOIN as a NEW Regular Member before Nov 22nd, 2019 and be entered into our drawing for $75 Visa gift card!

Email: ChesterCountyFarmBureau@gmail.com Phone: 610-932-7363

Email: ChesterCountyFarmBureau@gmail.com Phone: 610-932-7363

www.ChesterDelawareCountyFarmBureau.com

www.ChesterDelawareCountyFarmBureau.com

Scouts USA

Continued from Page 45

build character and leadership.”

“At the same time this initiative was being discussed at the national level, we were considering this for our scouting families,” said Jeffrey Spencer, scout executive and chief executive officer for the Chester County Council of Boy Scouts. “We listened to our constituents, our families and our volunteers and thought, ‘What do you think?’ Overwhelmingly, the message came back positive.

“People told us that they wanted to experience scouting as an entire family, not just for their sons but for their daughters.”

Begun in 1919 and headquartered in Exton, the Chester County Council, serves all of Chester County and the northwestern corner of Cecil County, Md., in partnership with over 100 community organizations. Currently, it has 5,700 youth members and 2,600 adult volunteers. Since girls were welcomed into the Boy Scouts in February, Spencer said that nationally, 20,000 girls have joined Scouts BSA and 2,500 girl troops have been started.

“We’ve begun six girl troops so far and enrolled 50 girls, and anticipate that those numbers will double by the end of

the year,” Spencer said. “Any time you introduce something new to a paradigm that’s been one way for 100 years, there will be some who disagree with that path, but for the most part, this concept has been embraced.”

“This decision is true to the BSA’s mission and core values outlined in the Scout Oath and Law. The values of Scouting – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, brave and reverent, for example – are important for both young men and women,” Surbaugh said. “We believe it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children. We strive to bring what our organization does best – developing character and leadership for young people – to as many families and youth as possible as we help shape the next generation of leaders.”

The inclusion of young women in Scouts BSA also provides opportunities in areas underserved by scouting, such as the Hispanic and Asian communities, who prefer to participate in activities as a family. Recent surveys of parents not involved with scouting showed high interest in getting their daughters signed up for programs like Cub Scouts and

Boy Scouts, with 90 percent expressing interest in a program like Cub Scouts and 87 percent expressing interest in a program like Boy Scouts.

Education experts also evaluated the curriculum and content and confirmed relevancy of the program for young women.

“The time is now, and I’m excited that we can offer this program to boys and girls, Spencer said. “It’s important to know that the program has not changed to accommodate girls, but holds on to the same values and the leadership skills that it always has had, which can now be equally applied to both boys and girls.

“When a girl achieves the rank of Eagle Scout, she will get there by accomplishing everything a boy will do,” he added. “While there are those who may see it differently, we see this change as a reflection and extension of our ideals, incorporated into a youth program.”

To learn more about The Boy Scouts of America, or Scouts BSA, visit www.Scouting.

org/family scouting. To find a scouting group in your community, or to learn more about scouting throughout Chester County, visit www. cccbsa.org.

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

People are the economy’s (and CCEDC’s) most important asset

The people behind any organization are their most valuable assets. Nowhere is that truer than at the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC).

Over the course of our 60-year existence, we have been fortunate to have had hundreds of dedicated board members, thousands of generous investors, and countless committed volunteers supporting the services provided by our passionate and loyal staff.

Our services to the business community have been showcased and recognized by many. Our ability to help organizations with their finance/capital needs, locations and site support, and connections to qualified, quality workers ranks among the best in the region and state.

Led by our President and CEO, Gary W. Smith, who has been with the company for more than 40 years, CCEDC has achieved many milestones. In the past 10 years alone, the organization has accomplished the following:

• 351 projects were funded through our Seedcopa team for more than $285,000,000

• 221 projects were funded with grants from the federal, state and local sources

• 113 Next Generation Farm Loans were processed for $44,265,000

• 76 workforce development projects were supported with grants totaling $11,243,648

• 48 tax-exempt projects were financed at a total of $1,247,338,696

We look forward to addressing the needs of Chester County businesses in the future, whether it be the impact of technological advances on employees, the smart development growth of our key corridors of opportunity, or critical career guidance and exploration of the future workforce.

Our thanks to all who have supported and invested in our efforts.

Chester County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

By Nancy Wilson CCABVI Board Member

The Chester County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCABVI) started providing services in 1948. In those 71 years, the organization was led by only three different Executive Directors, all whom had a special passion for the CCABVI’s mission. Now the position is open again and the organization believes, “The fourth needs to be special as well!”

The journey started in 1948, when Reginald Henry founded the Chester County Branch of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, originally located on Lincoln Highway in Coatesville. Since then, the organization has continued to promote the adjustment, self-reliance, independence and dignity of visually impaired individuals while instilling the philosophy that the visually impaired can live normal lives, regardless of their degree of sight.

Reginald was joined in 1950 by his wife, Alice Henry, who took on the position of the rehabilitation teacher. Together, they worked to advance training and employment opportunities for the blind, as they knew the challenges these individuals faced in our community. Reginald had lost his sight at the age of 16, however, he did not let that hinder his education. He went on to graduate from the Overbrook School for the Blind and the University of Pennsylvania.

Alice lost her sight from a childhood illness, yet went on to attend Massachusetts schools before completing the home teaching program at Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, and ultimately teaching at the Delaware County Branch of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind.

The year 1952 saw great advances for the organization as it incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and purchased the house at 71 S. First Ave. in Coatesville. The house was originally built for the granddaughter of the owners of Lukens Steel. It held a workshop in the basement and another on the third floor, yet the space was limited. The organization set their sights on advancement. In 1967, a 4,500-square-foot workshop was added, with notable features to aid individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Anita Cavuto arrived at CCABVI in 1950 as a high school student, prepared to contribute her time to the organization. Her continued dedication led her to rise as the second Executive Director in 1980.

Anita was a beloved member of the community and served in this position for 65 years, including through the 2008 recession which hit the organization hard, until her retirement in the end of 2015. The following year, the torch was passed to the third Executive Director, Robert (Bob) L. Milliken.

When Anita Cavuto announced her retirement, Bob was on the

CCABVI board and no stranger to working on behalf of the blind and visually impaired. He agreed to step forward to temporarily fill the management need. However, Bob ended up serving as a full-time pro-bono Director for three and a half years. He entered the position just as an independent CPA review stated, “certain conditions indicated the Association may be unable to continue as a going concern.”

The workshop at CCABVI is a light-filled space with plenty of interaction while getting the job done.

The issues were many as the available funds had decreased, along with workshop material inventory. Without inventory, the individuals engaged in the program could not do their job of manufacturing textile products for the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) suppliers, which in turn sold the items to the military for commissary stores and post exchange base stores.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Bob felt he was up to the challenge of getting the workshop issues and the building’s growing safety concerns resolved. The organization is not a government agency, although it is often perceived as such, so Bob needed to find resources to assist the organization. He was able to keep CCABVI alive by improving safety throughout the facility, stabilizing the workshop and building the organization into one of the best National Industries for the Blind (NIB) suppliers. Today, the workshop manufactures kitchen towels, pot holders, oven mitts, ironing board covers, laundry bags, golf towels and helmet liners, all while providing the attendees with a safe environment to learn new skills. The workshop employees enjoy providing local businesses and organizations with special-order products.

Even before taking the position as Executive Director, Bob was already used to stepping forward; he was a Navy Petty Officer 1st Class from 1962 through 1970, with two of those years during the Vietnam conflict. He served on the Regional Planning Committee of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, participated in the Masons and Scottish Rite, served as President of the King of Prussia Chapter of the American Society of Highway Engineers and as the Coatesville Lions Club President.

Bob has engaged in the community as a Boy Scout leader and as a swim competition official. He is currently a Trustee of the Olivet Methodist Church at Third and Chestnut streets, where the church serves an open lunch for the community every Wednesday. Bob enlisted the skills he had used through his many positions to uplift the CCABVI, including his organization of a support group for the Blind

and Visually impaired that meets the second Wednesday of every month (from September through June, plus an August trip to the Reading Phillies) at the Olivet United Methodist Church in Coatesville.

The Association’s Board President, Tracey Melia, said, “Bob was mulling retirement from CCABVI a year ago. The current CCABVI Board of Directors is grateful that he gave us the extra time to reposition for the future which includes offering enhanced vision support services to our nearly 500 clients who are trying to remain independent in their own homes. Reginald and Alice Henry’s daughters, Marie Henry and Eileen Condron, came to the July 9 Open House and celebration for Bob’s retirement. They had been following Bob’s progress. I could tell they have been pleased with how he has cared for CCABVI and brought it back from the brink.”

About the Chester County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

CCABVI does not just employ individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It provides them with an environment to learn new skills, build confidence and come to understand they can continue being a valuable asset within our communities. As part of our commitment, CCABVI is a participant with the VA’s program providing work restoration opportunities for veterans who are vision impaired.

The organization promotes the independence and dignity of Chester County individuals who are vision impaired through public awareness, advocacy, home visitation, independence skills training, informational support groups, referrals, and employment. CCABVI seeks to stave off preventable blindness by promoting Lions Clubs’ screening of preschool children through the Lions KidSight program, and by building awareness of safeguarding vision from accidents and eye diseases in our community-focused efforts.

CCABVI is across First Avenue from the former Lukens Steel Company headquarters in Coatesville, and next door to the Graystone Mansion, which now hosts the Harcum College evening program. The workshop entrance is across from the new Coatesville City Hall and District Courthouse. Call to arrange a tour or to learn about CCABVI services at 610-384-2767.

CCABVI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. EIN # 23-140149. Pennsylvania non-profit Registration Certificate # 1316

News from the Honey Brook Community Partnership

By Reuben Schonebaum

What happens in the fall and winter, besides leaves turning and snow falling? In Honey Brook, it’s a time to have fun at a Country Fair, listen to bluegrass music, hunt for bargains at lots of yard sales, attend a parade, and decorate for the holidays.

Every afternoon/evening from Sept. 11 to 14, the Honey Brook Community Partnership will present its Country Fair, featuring the “Tons of Fun” carnival, with a wide variety of children’s and adult rides, a good selection of games, and foods, like funnel cakes and cotton candy, to enjoy. The rides and food booths will be in the parking lot across the street from the Long Way Home, and the Honey Brook Fire Department. Come one and all and enjoy the festive atmosphere!

on the borough’s lampposts to welcome people to Honey Brook. The Partnership gives an annual donation to the Honey Brook Women’s Club to help with the purchase or replacement of the banners. They are changed four times a year to coincide with the seasons.

The Honey Brook Community Partnership coordinates the annual Make A Difference Day, which is held on the fourth Saturday in October. Last year, the Honey Brook Food Bank and residents of the Veterans Hospital were beneficiaries of the program. This year, Make A Difference Day will focus on donations of items for the “Under 4” Project at the Honey Brook Food Pantry.

The final concert of the Honey Brook Borough summer series will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., when Serene Green performs in the Borough Park. Serene Green is the collective musical vision of Pennsylvania natives Quentin Fisher, Michael Johnson, Shane McGeehan, and Steve Leonard. The band’s passion for playing together comes from a deep love for traditional bluegrass music. The park is at 71 Pequea Avenue (Route 10), behind the Honey Brook Post Office and Honey Brook Borough Hall. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Honey Brook Community Partnership will present Harmony Day, celebrating the hospitable character of our community. Harmony Day activities will include a Public Health and Wellness Fair, with a chance to win a prize by completing a Health Fair Passport. There will be dozens of yard sales at the library and around town, as well as food and fun in the Borough Park.

You may have noticed the street banners that are hung

The “Under 4” Project aims to help ward off the potentially devastating consequences of inadequate nutrition in the early years of life. Among other things, the program provides infant formula for babies not being breast fed, baby foods for all stages in the first year of life and foods suitable for toddlers. Parents also are given instruction on how to use fresh produce to make their own baby foods.

Beyond food, the program also encourages reading to children and provides free books at each distribution. Look to the Partnership’s website, www.hbpartnership. org, for an announcement of the items to be collected and the locations of collection sites.

The Borough’s Halloween Parade will set off at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28. The parade will have floats sponsored by local businesses, as well as residents in their most imaginative Halloween regalia. Trick-or-treating generally precedes the parade. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children.

The Christmas tree at the Borough Building will be lit at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The Partnership will again sponsor “Deck the Brook,” an annual program where local businesses and community

residents participate in decorating their offices and homes to join in celebrating the holiday season. Most people start decorating the day after Thanksgiving; judging and online voting for the best decorations will begin on Dec. 13 and run through Dec. 19. Winners will be announced on Dec. 20. The Partnership also will participate in “Christmas in Honey Brook,” which is sponsored by local businesses. It provides an opportunity to do all your holiday shopping in one day, and get discounts and free gifts, as well.

The Honey Brook Community Partnership was founded in 2008 to bring together borough and township partners to facilitate communication, share resources, and work together to enhance the community. The Partnership’s vision is to support a thriving main street, maintain safe neighborhoods, preserve historical elements, and sustain Honey Brook’s rural charm. The Partnership includes an energetic mix of former and current public officials, representatives of retirement communities, members of service organizations and local churches, and resident volunteers. Membership in the Community Partnership is an excellent way to enhance the visibility of a business or organization. Details about becoming a Community Partner are available at the Partnership’s website: https://www.hbpartnership.org.

Treating customers ‘like family’ is key at Breuninger Insurance

By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

Ensuring that residents and businesses in and around Coatesville are protected in the wake of both big and small misfortunes has been the Breuninger Insurance agency’s mission for more than seven decades.

“We’ve had customers with us for more than 50 years,” said Frank F. “Chip” Breuninger, Jr., agency principal and son of the late founder, F. Fredrick Breuninger. And clients’ satisfaction with their coverage has been passed down, from parent to child and ultimately, to grandchild. “New homeowners, new drivers … we’ve insured a lot of local families over the years,” he said.

For those seeking a policy, Breuninger Insurance directly represents more than a dozen different companies, including Westfield, Travelers, Nationwide and Progressive, and is licensed to do business in nearly 20 states. “But we have access through brokers to deal with hundreds of companies, both commercial and personal,” added CFO Maureen Breuninger, a licensed agent and Certified Insurance Service representative. She started working at the agency in September 1973, not long after she and Chip were married. “It was supposed to be an interim job,” Chip said with a laugh. “It’s been the longest interim job in history.”

Matching a client with the perfect policy comes from agency skill and experience. “We might have two companies that are exactly the same, but recommend one company over the other because of the way they serve a young family, or the way they look at older individuals, or the way they look at people who drive further to work,” Breuninger said. “There’re a lot of different factors. What’s the claim service? How easy is it for us to do business? It all comes into our recommendation to give you the best policy and best program for your individual needs.”

The agency began with F. Frederick “Fred” Breuninger, Sr., who, after gaining experience at another insurance agency for a few years, opened his own Coatesville real estate and insurance agency in 1949.

“His first office was in a building owned by his father,” Breuninger said about his father, “then he moved into the lobby of what was the First National Bank of Coatesville, which is now the [City Clock Apartments] in town.” But

Fred’s Sr.’s business probably was best known after he made his next move in 1960 to the building at 317 East Lincoln Highway.

Fred Breuninger wasn’t alone in his ambitions or work ethic. In 1963, wife Sally joined him in the business as an independent agent, one of the first women in the area to earn that designation. After a stint at her own agency in Parkesburg in 1966, she returned to Coatesville in 1971. The Breuninger agency did business there for almost 30 years before the decision in 1989 to relocate to its current site at 1140 West Lincoln Highway.

The moving of the business to this location seemed serendipitous. Chip discovered during final settlement and a deed search that his great-grandfather, August Paul Breuninger, a Coatesville baker, owned the property from 1885 to 1915. “So it really was a coming home,” he said, noting his family traces its Coatesville roots to the 1860s.

Fred Breuninger was well-known in the Coatesville community for his outgoing personality, the high quality of his service and the resulting longevity of the business. And although the elder Breuninger passed away in 2017, his son, who joined the business in 1977, had been carrying on the agency’s tenet of “treating customers like family.” Breuninger said that the personal response to claims is

among his agency’s practices that customers appreciate. “I think one of the big mistakes the insurance industry makes is that [the clients are provided] with a policy and then at time of claim many agents say, ‘Here’s an 800-number. You have to call the claim in yourself.’”

Breuninger Insurance takes a different tack. “If you have

a problem, you’re going to see us. If you’ve had a fire in the kitchen, either myself, or Joe, another person on staff, will actually go out to see you. An insurance policy is simply a written document that says, ‘If something bad happens, we’re going to be there.’ So why wouldn’t we be?”

Having an agency which gets the ball rolling after a tragedy can be a boon, especially for any policy-holder who needs some extra help at the time of a loss. “A client was on vacation when their house burned down before they were able to get home,” Chip said as an example. “We had already arranged for substitute living quarters; we contacted the adjusters and contractors before they got home. That’s just the way insurance should operate.”

The familial legacy continues with Joseph Regenski III, who serves as the agency’s president and is the Breuningers’ son-in-law, married to their daughter Julie. Joe joined the company 15 years ago and is licensed in property, casualty, life and health insurance. He has also attained his Certified Insurance Counselor designation.

Chip gave Joe kudos for his ability to comprehend and absorb the finer points of what can be a complex industry. “I’ve had good teachers,” Regenski said, smiling.

The agency president also “took us into the 21st century, technology-wise,” Breuninger said, notably overseeing the mammoth task of helping the agency go paperless, dealing with files dating to the 1950s.

The insurance landscape has changed somewhat over the years, Breuninger said, for both personal and commercial policies.

“Ten years ago, you never heard of cyber liability. Identity theft was not a problem. We didn’t have the global exposure. But we recently provided a shipping [policy] for a company that was going through China to Russia and we had helped them plot a route that did not go through embargoed countries. Because if a loss occurred in an embargoed country, there was no coverage.”

The Breuningers give their agency’s staff high marks for their breadth of knowledge, competence and compassion. Clients coming in will get a big greeting and “some of the older people like to come in just to chat,” Maureen Breuninger said. Two staffers, Charlynn Weaver and Kim Milanese, have been with Breuninger Insurance since 1978 and 1985, respectively. Other employees – Meredith Nussbaumer, Heather Fuller, Meredith Warner, Laurie Stott and Audrey Cooper – have worked at the agency from four to 20 years.

Chip Breuninger summed up their familial business approach, that’s simple, but effective: “It’s just treating people the way you want to be treated yourself.” Natalie Smith may be contacted at natalie@DoubleSMedia.com

After 30 years, the Breuninger

in 1989 moved from downtown Coatesville to 1140 West Lincoln Highway. The property coincidentally turned out to have at one time belonged to a great-grandfather, August Paul Breuninger.

Western Chester County Life|

Highland Orchards: Growing for the community

By Rachel Cathell Western Chester County Chamber Communications Coordinator

In 1941, John and Rachel Webster purchased a farmstead of approximately 100 acres, home to a sprawling apple orchard nestled along Marshallton-Thorndale Road, outside West Chester. This original farmstead continues today as Highland Orchards, maintained for the past 78 years by a multi-generational family of farmers.

In the beginning, the Websters were no strangers to harvesting their own crops. In addition to the Pennsylvania property, they owned a farm in Wilmington, Delaware, also named Highland Orchards, which is still active today and still in the family.

Busy cultivating the land, the Websters may have not imagined that their Pennsylvania orchard would grow into the community destination it is today. The founding couple passed the reins of the farm to their daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Robert Hodge. Elizabeth and Robert expanded the property, cultivated peaches, raised cattle and added a strawberry patch in the early 1960s. Soon Appleville, a housing community, was constructed on the property and a roadside market made its debut.

Bruce, David and Alan Hodge, the sons of Elizabeth and Robert, alongside Stuart Constable, were the next in line to take charge, and did they ever. Today there are approximately 200 acres used in production, with apples, peaches and strawberries being the major crops, followed by rhubarb, cherries, nectarines, pears, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, sweet corn and pumpkins. The orchard has

expanded to be a bustling farm market, pick-your-own crops location, a bakery, and a fall festival hot spot.

With its growing team and an expanding business came another avenue -- a division of Highland Orchards formed into a paving and excavation service. This division of the business prides itself on being the very best, and the family treats each and every project with the same careful attention to detail given to the land. The division does residential driveways, driveway expansions, commercial parking lots, new construction, resurfacing, asphalt repairs and walking paths. Alan Hodge, Business Manager, said, “It takes communication and cooperation for all of the facets of the Highland Orchards business to work together.”

Driven by a passion for continuing the family business and to serving the local community, the Highland team is always making improvements to better accommodate visitors and customers. Alan Hodge said, “Every day is different, and the tasks and challenges are seasonal and weather dependent.”

Visitors to Highland will discover the charming farm market, which brims with fruit grown on the premises, freshbaked pies and award-winning apple cider donuts, which pair exceptionally well with the orchard’s signature apple cider. Neatly displayed aisles offer a wide selection of produce, dairy products, local honey, coffee, jelly, flowers and more items locally sourced from partnering growers and vendors in the surrounding community.

“Our market staff is continually adjusting displays to accommodate the diversity of produce,” Alan said. “There always seems to be something in season!”

Depending on which crop is in season, the orchard hosts festivals and activities specific to that crop. The Fall Festival is a guest favorite. As the leaves turn colors and the pumpkins grow round, the orchard busies itself

for apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, the kid corral and a whimsical hay bale maze.

Even as the seasons shift, the farm does not slow down. December brings Santa and Mrs. Claus, ornament making and cookie decorating. Spring brings the Easter Bunny to the farm, along with a pancake breakfast and the start of the pick-your-own season, which allows visitors to harvest crops directly from the orchards and berry patches.

A community yard sale pops up in May, along with the Levante Beer Garden, running from 1pm-7pm Fridays and 11am-7pm Saturdays and Sundays from late May to Labor Day. As the weather heats up, so does Highland, with the Strawberry Harvest Celebration and Bluegrass Festival in June, BBQ days with local vendors, and the Peach and Sweet Corn Harvest Celebration in August.

Since agriculture beats as the heart of Highland Orchards, the business was inspired to cultivate a Farm Tour Program. Alan explained, “This program explores and addresses the processes of agricultural practices and its environmental impact.”

This education piece is designed for preschool and elementary-age children, but also can accommodate adults and individuals with disabilities. In addition, field trips and birthday parties are popular at the orchard, and with the long line of farmers on staff, the insight to agriculture is boundless. Children can also tap into Craft Time, Storytime, Making Music and Treehouse Yoga on weekday mornings in spring and summer.

As the saying goes, it takes a village. Alan cites his team as the driving force. “Much time, money, and effort are used in producing the quality crops our customers are seeking,” he said. “The team works together to offer the produce and farm experience that our customers enjoy.”

In addition, Highland cherishes the

Continued on Page 58

Photo by Kaylee Warner

Continued from Page 57

relationships they have built with local farms, which help them ensure customers are getting top-quality local products.

Another integral piece is the community. “We are proud to be a part of our community and work with local organizations, including the Chester County Food Bank, West Bradford Fire Company, the Discover Program of the CCIU, local schools and numerous other organizations through in-kind charitable donations,” Alan explained. Community involvement runs through Highland – literally -- as they also host a 5K run for Coatesville Kids to College in November and the Highland Harvest Hustle in September.

The business strives to be a family-friendly destination for locally sourced produce and wholesome activities at a good value, while providing top-notch service in the paving and excavation branch as well.

Highland Orchards is more than just a farm. They are proud members of their community.

Visit www.Highlandorchards.net for a full lineup of upcoming events.

Turn to our local, trusted team

Commercial Loan Officer

Michael Guyer is an active member of the Chester County community and has been a valuable resource to local businesses for more than 15 years. Allow him to show you the community bank difference.

Michael Guyer

VP/COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICER

717–575–6934

michael.guyer@midpennbank.com

Tim Tebow was a beloved college football champion, Heisman Trophy winner, media sensation, and best-selling author drafted in the first round in 2010. He had a miracle playoff run with the Broncos before being traded to the Jets. After one season, he was cut. Next, he was signed by the Patriots then let go after training camp, a scenario that repeated itself the following summer with the Eagles. Tim Tebow has achieved big victories and plunged into the depths of failure, all while never letting go of his faith, even in the face of doubt and disappointment. He’ll share why neither the highs nor the lows of his life can define him—and how you can find confidence and know who you are.

With Health in Mind: Nina Malone, Arbonne Independent Consultant

When she was a kid, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce member Nina Malone wanted to grow up to be a writer, so she earned a B.A. in journalism from Rider College (now University). Upon graduation, she used those skills to do public relations and marketing for non-profits, for-profits and, after earning an M.A. in management from Rider, her own consultancy business.

Mission accomplished. Or so she thought.

It was a “life curveball” — and a few wake-up calls — that kept urging her to consider another path. Malone’s father was into supplements decades before it was a thing; that influence was always there, but she merely dabbled for a long time. Then, her mother passed away quickly from cancer at 54. That was a game-changer.

“Six months, from diagnosis to death,” Malone explained. “I was only 27, and thought, ‘What the hell just happened here?’”

Malone suffered a bout of skin cancer on her face at the same time. Luckily, it was a “harmless” version and easily removed, but left slight scarring. And, it continued to make her think.

A letter from her father was a wake-up call. It contained a Prevention magazine article about the downsides of eating red meat. On it he’d written, “Your mother’s fate doesn’t have to be your fate.” Almost immediately, Malone started exploring and embracing a mostly vegetarian lifestyle.

“I started reading everything I could find, and cut red meat out instantly,” she said. “I was particularly struck by Dr. Andrew Weil’s Natural Health, Natural Medicine, Dr. Christiane Northrup’s Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and Vegetarian Times magazine. I customized a supplement program and weaned myself off chicken and turkey, too.”

Meeting an Arbonne International independent consultant at a networking meeting provided the next wake-up call, even if it took Malone a few months to answer it. She’d never heard of Arbonne and figured as someone who’d become more “enlightened” that she was taking care of herself just fine.

“Finally, the consultant said to me, ‘You spend a lot of time worrying about what you eat; do you also check what’s in the products you put on your body?’ That stopped me in my tracks,” Malone said. “I’d never considered the impact of what I put on my skin as I’d long forgotten that it’s our largest and fastest-growing organ. The consultant told me that what we put on our skin absorbs in quickly -- similar to how dermal patches deliver medications. I was speechless. I’d been taking care of the inside yet slapping discount products on the outside.”

Malone agreed to try Arbonne’s pioneering anti-aging system, RE9 Advanced. Still a bit of a skeptic, she researched the ingredients that are not in Arbonne’s products and found the consultant was correct: Arbonne’s pure, safe and beneficial policy was worth a second look. This also extended to her experience with the company’s 30 Days to Healthy Living program. Despite being predominantly vegetarian, she’d found she’d gained weight over the past two decades -- and then lost it in a few short months using Arbonne.

She says she was impressed that everything is certified vegan, certified gluten-free and certified cruelty-free; the shakes GI Labs certified; the nutrition Kosher certified and Non-GMO Project verified; and the PhytoSport line Banned Substances Control Group and Informed-Sport certified.

“Arbonne won me over with its ingredients policy, which states that it ‘is healthy living, inside and out … pure products with botanically-based ingredients in scientifically tested formulas …. The advantage of Arbonne products is in

the promise to deliver a holistic approach to healthy living, inside and out, with cleaner formulas for better skincare results and plant-powered nutrition.’”

Then, something unexpected happened: People started commenting on her appearance -- a lot. The skin care, cosmetics and nutrition had created a visible change. Malone started telling those who inquired about Arbonne, and decided to become an independent consultant.

“The business model is simple,” she explained. “For me, it involves sharing products, working with customers in our healthy living program and/or finding solutions for their skin care and personal care concerns, and teaching and training others to do the same. I find Arbonne’s compensation plan to be straightforward and fair, as it rewards for consistent efforts and includes commissions, overrides, and cash and car bonuses.”

Malone is currently an executive area manager working with a diverse team to serve customers and those looking

Steve Ohrwaschel President

for a side hustle/business opportunity. Bonus: Arbonne’s flexible plan allows her to continue her passion for writing as a content manager for Dish LLC. In her spare time she’s a rabid Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies fan, and loves hanging out with her husband at craft brewpubs and snapchatting with her adult stepkids. She’s a member of the WCCCC Communications Committee, the Women’s Business Connection of Chester County, the Downingtown-Thorndale Chamber of Commerce, Polka Dot Power House Chadds Ford and the Brandywine Health Foundation Garden Party Committee.

Learn more at www.ninamalone.arbonne. com, follow Nina’s Health and Wellness Page on Facebook (/ninashealthylife) and ninashealthylife on Instagram.

Talk the Walk: Walk the Talk

By Tim Phelps TMACC Executive Director

One of the earliest benchmarks in our lives is the day we take our first steps. I always wondered if it is momentous because we are moving toward independent mobility, or adults have a mobile inquisitive child on their hands.

Title 75, Section 102, “Crosswalk “as:

(1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway, measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; and in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of the roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk.

Like many of you, I have very few recollections of those days, other than the stories my mother repeats to everyone about my mischievous behavior. When I was not riding on my dad’s shoulders, I do remember walking the boardwalk while holding my parents and grandparents’ hands.

to be independent, responsible and how to properly navigate the pedestrian environment. As we grew older, walking became an important mode of transportation as we walked farther and more freely.

(2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

The street that I grew on was busy, a neighborhood through street, but still safe enough to play on the sidewalk; never in the street. Up and down the block, we had great sidewalks with all different smoothness, conditions and separation. My sister and I would spend hours on the sidewalk, drawing with chalk, riding our bikes, pushing skateboards, roller skating, and bouncing on our pogo stick. We could run down the sidewalk trying to beat cars or race our bikes up and down. We owned the sidewalk until Mrs. Walker would walk her dog. It was a safe place to be.

to be ind and how ped As we becam transpo farthe In t peop to th beco soc ing lei f r o Jo b p mall o aw

, e ew her eats vous g on mber lding nds. usy, a ut still

About three blocks away and around the corner was the shopping center. There was Woolworth’s with a lunch counter, a grocery store, pizza parlor, bank and other stores. I remember one of the first times that I was allowed to walk to the grocery store by myself, and my sister in tow. Unfortunately, at the end of our block the sidewalk stops, and we had to be super careful and stay on the curb.

As you approached the main intersection, it became narrow and was just a goat path around the corner. In the summer, Mom would give us money and send us on our way to get bread, potato salad, or whatever. We learned

In the last 50 years, as people moved from the city to the suburbs, we grew to become a car-dependent society. People were looking for back yards for leisure and separation from their neighbors. Jobs moved to an office building with a sea of parking, and the strip mall offered everything you needed a few steps away from the parked car. We now controlled our lawn and commute.

We now

Today, people are seeking more outdoor physical exercise, and walking has once again re-emerged. In a recent report on “Transportation Benefits of Walking” (found at Americawalks.org), Samuel Schwartz, President and CEO of Sam Schwartz Engineering, states “Walking is incredibly efficient. Nearly a third of all car trips taken in this country are a mile or less in length -- the equivalent of a 20-minute walk. Moving those trips out of cars and onto sidewalks would solve many of our transportation conundrums.” The power of the statement resides in the idea that one has an option.

With increased walking also comes increased awareness by both motorized vehicles and walkers. Where sidewalks and roads meet, all must be diligently aware of others. In Pennsylvania, pedestrians shall obey traffic control signals. (Sec 3541(b)). In Pennsylvania motor vehicle code, at non-controlled intersections, vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk (Sec 3542(a)).

Mom always reminded my sister and me to look both ways before we crossed the street. As a pedestrian

approaches the intersection, s/he does not have the right-away to step off the curb into traffic to cross the road. We hear a lot about distracted drivers, but there can be distracted walkers. As a walker, I have a responsibility to be aware of the built environment, my impact and help keeping it safe. Growing or enhancing the sidewalk network increases accessibility and increases local property values. This then helps reduce traffic congestion and reduces noise pollution, and increases air quality. In turn, this improves community health, well-being and social interaction. The more one chooses walking over driving short trips will have a growing impact, but just one walking trip makes a difference.

The next time you need to go a short distance, consider the walk -- whether it’s to the park, the post office, the library, the farmers market or even to the train. And if you do not have sidewalks, reach out to your municipalities and encourage them to apply for PennDOT’s Multimodal Grant from PennDOT.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Wear light-colored, reflective clothing so you can be seen.

• Walk against traffic.

• Make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

TMACC is the Transportation Management Association of Chester County, a non-profit, member-based organization focused on improving traffic congestion and air quality for the County of Chester through transportation demand management strategies. If you are interested in being a part of the movement, visit them at tmacc.org.

Harry’s The Neighborhood Place: A special eatery for friends and families

By Natalie Smith Staff Writer

What began more than two centuries ago as a respite stop for those traveling between Lancaster and Philadelphia has continued today as a place to get a good meal, a refreshing drink and a friendly greeting.

Harry’s The Neighborhood Place, in the village of Sadsburyville in Sadsbury Township, Chester County, has been owned by the Lymberis family since 1973. Greek natives Harry and wife Athena emigrated to the U.S. in 1967, looking for opportunity and willing to work hard for it.

Their resulting restaurant, once known primarily for its mouth-watering Hotdogs with their famous secret recipe special meat sauce, refurbished its rooms and expanded its menu to become a place that offers something for everyone, according to John H. Lymberis, business coowner and Harry and Athena’s son.

When Harry purchased the Sadsburyville Hotel at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Old Wilmington Road from George and Andrew Shesko, it was primarily a tavern that served sandwiches, said his son. His father, who had gained much of his restaurant experience under the tutelage of George Lalagos, owner of the Central Tavern in Coatesville, had been looking for a business.

“He found this place and thought, ‘I can do this here,’” Lymberis said. “Back in the early 70’s this place was in the middle of nowhere. There were just farms and not really any business or commerce.”

Over the past 46 years, Hotdogs have become a big draw at the restaurant, so much so that for a time the place was known as Harry’s Bar and Hotdog Shop. “Originally it was the Sadsburyville Hotel and over time it became known as Harry’s Hotdogs, and now it is just known as Harry’s-The Neighborhood Place,” Lymberis said. “I don’t know if my Dad realized that his Hotdogs would become such a draw, but he thought since there was already a good bar business, why not sell his Hotdogs here too?”

Lymberis said it wasn’t just the food and drinks that brought customers in. His late father, who died in 2013, was well known and loved in the area.

“My father could be described as having a magnetic personality. People just liked him. He was just the kind of guy who made you smile when you saw him,” Lymberis recalled. “He would talk to them, he cared about them, he knew them … you know, all the people who came through the doors, they were his friends, not just customers. It was almost like this was his home and he was saying, ‘Welcome back.’”

Lymberis remembers that he and his sister Yiota spent a lot of time at the restaurant when they were young. Later, during the time Lymberis was studying architecture at Temple University, his sister married Foti “Frank” Petropoulos, a Greek immigrant himself, who was brought into the family business and is now a co-owner.

But how did an architect end up in the restaurant business? “When I graduated school in ‘92, the job market for an architect was kind of soft,” he said. “My thesis was about adaptive reuse and I had completed a case study on this building as well. And so I thought, ‘Before I go out into the job market, let me remodel and expand the place a little bit for my folks.’

“So we added dining rooms, redid the outside of the building and things like that. The business took off, once we kind of changed it over and restored its beauty,” Lymberis said with a laugh. “And I thought, ‘Why should I go work for an architect?’”

Harry’s The Neighborhood Place restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, has a takeout deli, and a smoking-allowed bar with a separate entrance. The bar has been a popular local spot for years.

Upstairs, in addition to small former rental rooms converted to dining areas, there is a non-smoking cocktail lounge called The Attic Lounge. Furnished with several large couches and with its own bar, the rooms are perfect for live music, dancing, karaoke, wine tastings, private events and special occasions.

“We really wanted to offer a separate venue for people who wanted a new vibe from downstairs,” Lymberis said. “It’s almost feels like you’re in the city somewhere. It’s a very unique and swanky type of space.”

In fact, one of their most popular specials in the Attic

Lounge, sushi night, actually led to the opening of another restaurant. In the wake of nearly half a dozen years of twice-a-week sushi nights, Harry’s opened Zing across the street, at the site of a former convenience store.

The Harry’s menu now has a wide variety of choices, and a few Greek dishes as well. Gyros are always popular, as are Greek salads, Lymberis said. “We can’t really take things off [the menu],” he said, “because people come here for certain things. But we have been changing with the times; adding more vegetarian dishes, salads and flatbreads.

“We have more specialty French fries that are smothered in a variety of ways. And our handmade halfpound burgers have many different choices of toppings.”

For those who look for specials, there are homemade soup, appetizer, lunch and dinner specials daily. Homemade fresh-baked Chicken Pot Pie is available every Wednesday. A London Fish Fry with mac and cheese and stewed tomatoes on the side, are on Friday’s menu, and prime rib fans get their wish on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lymberis said he doesn’t have a favorite dish. “I confess that I don’t eat Hotdogs all the time, but when I do, I’m reminded of how good they really are!” he said.

When an establishment has been around as long as Harry’s, Lymberis said customers really feel connected to it. “I see people who would come in when they were little kids

The Attic Lounge at Harry’s The Neighborhood Place is a popular destination for those wanting to relax in a smoke-free environment. Regular activities there include live acoustics, open mic, DJ dance parties, and is available to reserve for private parties and celebrations.

and

be purchased at the restaurant’s

Late owner

Lymberis had the window installed years earlier. Even though some might criticize the placement as marring a historic building, it’s become a popular feature for passers-by and patrons to watch the Hotdogs being grilled or wave to friends inside.

with their dads or grandfathers and now they’re bringing their kids in,” he said.

“There was a story a gentleman told me one time and I just couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘I just want to let you know what Harry’s means to me and my family. From the time I was a small kid growing up, we would go fishing with my dad and we would always stop and get Harry’s Hotdogs with everything. That was what we had to do.’ Unfortunately, his dad got ill and passed away,” Lymberis continued. “When he retrieved his dad’s ashes, he came and got the Hotdogs and went to their fishing spot and spread the ashes where they liked to fish. He said, ‘I just had to have the Harry’s Hotdogs.’ He was in tears telling me this.

“It’s stories like this, that make me realize how much a part of families we really are.”

Natalie Smith may be contacted at Natalie@DoubleSMedia.com.

CHAMBER MEMBER DIRECTORY

Accounting Service

Albert Abdala Tax & Insurance Center

Alber t Abdala (610) 384-6425 apatax.com

CBIZ Employee Services Organization

Donna McCorkle (484) 667-6652 cbiz.com

Gina’s InterNet Advising

Gina Rodkey (484) 712-5959 GinasInterNetAdvising.com

Paisley Solutions

Paula Paisley (610) 444-2597 paisleysolutions.com

Quinn, M Cynthia, CPA

Cynthia Quinn (610) 380-1040 mcq1040.com

The Small Business Accounting Solution Inc

Nicole Odeh (610) 203-9682 TSBAS.com

Administrative Services

Brandywine Business Systems

Sam Slokom (610) 563-1487

Agriculture

Cairns Family Farm

Don Cairns (610) 636-8107

Chester County Agricultural Development Council

Hillary Krummrich (610) 344-6285 chesco.org/141/Agricultural-Development-Council

Chester/Delaware County Farm Bureau

Dan Miller (717) 529-2508 pfb.com

See ad on page 45

Highland Orchards

Marsha Hodge (610) 269-3494 highlandorchards.net

Highspire Hills Farm, LLC

Deborah Ellis (610) 942-9634 localharvest.org/highspire-hills-farm-llcM6683

Penn State Extension

Logan Hall (610) 696-3500

extension.psu.edu/chester

Romano 4-H Center

Ken Walker (610) 942-0220

facebook.com/TheRomano4HCenterofChesterCounty

Windy Hill Farm

Anna Larsen (848) 218-2949 windyhillfarmpa.com

Apartments and Townhomes

Fairways Apartments & Townhomes

Kristin Undercuffler (610) 383-0690 fmgnj.com

Millview Apar tment Homes

Melissa Gatto (610) 466-7800 millviewapts.com

Architecture

Art & Architecture

Susan Salvo (484) 880-8023

fb.com/susansalvoarchitect

R onald

David Osborne Architect

Ronald Osborne (610) 384-3133

Attorneys

Carosella & Associates, PC

Vincent Carosella, Esq. (610) 431-3300 carosella.com

Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

Anthony Verwey, Esq. (610) 696-8225 gawthrop.com

See ad on page 30

Keen, Keen & Good

William Keen, Esq. (610) 383-7810 KKGLawFirm.com

Lamb McErlane PC

Helen Esbenshade, Esq. (610) 430-8000 lambmcerlane.com

Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin

Barry S. Rabin, Esq. (610) 873-1600 BarryRabinLaw.com

Law Office of Jayne Garver

Jayne Garver, Esq. (484) 784-5372 jgarverlaw.com

Law Office of Robin J. Gray

Robin Gray, Esq. (484) 769-5855 robinjgraylaw.com

Law Offices of August J. Ober, IV A.J. Ober, Esq. (215) 779-3433 OberLegal.com

Powell Law Associates, LLC

Marvin Powell, Esq. (610) 489-1714 powellpatentlaw.com

Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew LLP

Chris Gerber, Esq. (610) 321-5500 sianalaw.com

Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees, P.C.

Theodore Claypoole, Esq. (610) 692-1371 utbf.com

Wusinich & Brogan, P.C. Peter F.X. Callahan, Esq. (610) 594-1600 wusinichbrogan.com

Automotive Sales and Service

Brian Hoskins Ford Ed Kovatch (610) 384-4242 brianhoskinsford.com

Extra Mile Auto Service

George Devine (610) 384-2864 extramileauto.com

Fling’s Towing, Inc. Daryl Fling (610) 383-6362 flingstowing.com

K’s Collision Bruce Kuryloski (610) 384-3337 kskollision.com

Salvo Brothers Motorcars Ari Salvo (610) 384-1352 salvobrothersauto.com

See ad on page 20

Banks

Bryn Mawr Trust Company

Andrew Stump (610) 430-6158 bmtc.com

Coatesville Savings Bank

Steven Cunningham (610) 384-8282

coatesvillesavings.com

See ad on page 63

DNB First | Downingtown

Richard Sware, Jr. (484) 359-3308 dnbfirst.com

DNB First | Downingtown Jennifer Randisi (484) 691-3621 dnbfirst.com

First Resource Bank John Durso (610) 363-9400 firstresourcebank.com See ad on page 46

Fulton Bank | Guthriesville Patricia Savino (610) 873-4740 fultonbank.com

Fulton Bank | West Chester Mike Reese (610) 918-8814 fultonbank.com

M&T Bank

Jennifer Simmet (610) 273-7022 mtb.com

Meridian Bank Geoffrey Sheehan (484) 568-5026 meridianbanker.com

Mid Penn Bank Mike Guyer (717) 690-3985 midpennbank.com See ad on page 58

Phoenixville Federal Bank & Trust Steve Pratt (610) 933-1000 PhoenixFed.com

PNC Bank

Susan Kuryloski (610) 593-2121 pnc.com

Banquet Facility

Coatesville Moose Lodge/1910 Ballroom

Jeff Ellis (610) 857-8227 coatesvillemooselodge.com

Wagontown Banquet Hall

Bridget Ziegler (610) 384-1015 wagontownfire.com

West End Fire Company #3 Gina Langan (610) 384-9798

Beverage

Christiana Beer & Beverage

Mike Peace (610) 593-5887 christianabeer.com

See ad on page 17

Lamb Beverage Inc.

Michael McGinley (610) 384-1470 lambbeverage.com

Building Contractors

McComsey Builders Inc.

Bob McComsey (610) 679-6161

mcComseyBuilders.com

Provident Homes Corporation

Matt Bedwell (610) 692-7697 providenthomes.com

Rittenhouse Builders

George Metzler (610) 380-9570 rittenhousebuilders.com

Simmers Builders Inc

Lloyd Simmers (610) 383-5562 simmersbuilders.com

Building Supplies

Graber Supply, LLC

David Blank (610) 593-3500 polebarn.com

Hatt’s Industrial Supplies and True Value

Chip Clavier (610) 384-1954 hatts.com

See ad on page 17

Business Consulting

Novak Strategic Advisors

Alan Novak, Esq. (717) 234-9909 novakstrategic.com

SCORE of Chester and Delaware Counties

Vic Goldberg (610) 344-6910 chestercounty.score.org

Transfers of Learning

Tasha Delaney (610) 466-7521 transfersoflearning.com

See ad on page 31

Caterers

Harry’s Nieghborhood Place

John H. Lymberis (610) 857-2331

HarrysHotdogs.com

See ad on page 27

John Serock Catering

John Serock (610) 640-2836 serockcatering.com

Rita’s of Gap

Debbie Pierce (610) 405-4586 ritastr uck.net

Triple Fresh Catering

Jim Petro (610) 384-5037 triplefresh.net

Victory Brewing Company

Mike Kearnes (484) 667-9249 victorybeer.com

Chambers of Commerce

PA Chamber of Business & Industry

Jennifer Reis (717) 720-5431 pachamber.com

Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce

Donna Steltz (610)382-9550 westernchestercounty.com

Chiropractors

Agape Institute of Functional Healthcare

Michelle Conicello (484) 593-0882 agapefhc.com

Chamberlain Chiropractic Dr. Jeffrey Chamberlain (610) 429-4920 chamberlainchiropractic.com

Churches

Our Lady of Consolation

Mar y Wishneski (610) 857-3510 olcchurch.org

Cleaning Services

Clarel Janitorial/ Maintenance Ser vices Corp.

Claudia Muntean (484) 378-0827 clarelmaintenance.com

Rainbow Washhouse

Steve Dovidio (610) 637-7636

Commercial Flooring Sales and Installation

Precision Flooring Enterprises LLC

Marilyn Costalas (610) 857-3519 precisionflooringllc.com

See ad on page 18

Top Notch Flooring, LLC

Mike Smondrowski (610) 857-1131 topnotchflooring.com

Communication Services

Verizon Wireless

Akilah Sanders (484) 378-7979

Community Services

Angel Grapevine

Joan Allen (774) 272-1914 AngelGrapevine.com

Boy Scouts of America

Chester County Council

Rick Cur th (610) 696-2900 cccbsa.org

Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art

Sheila Fleming (610) 388-8389 brandywine.org/conservancy

Brandywine Health Foundation

Vanessa Briggs (610) 380-9080 brandywinefoundation.org See ad on page 45

Brandywine Regeneration Project

Bob Holliday (610) 717-2265

Bridge Academy and Community Center

Jordan Crans (610) 466-9505 thebridgeacademy.org

Caln Athletic Association

Steve Santillo (484) 378-0470 calnaa.com

Chester County Association for the Blind

Nancy Wilson (610) 384-2767 chescoblind.org

Chester County Food Bank

Anne Shuniak (610) 873-6000 chestercountyfoodbank.org

Chester County OIC Taj Brown (610) 692-2345 ccoic.org

Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance

Sonia Huntzinger (484) 786-8896

2ndCenturyAlliance.org

Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc. Christine Zaccarelli (610) 388-1218 x212 cvcofcc.org

Good Samaritan Services

Nate Hoffer (610) 380-1360 goodsamservices.com

Greater Deliverance Development Outreach

Stephanie Duncan (484) 886-6413 greaterdeliverancechurch.org

Habitat For Humanity of Chester County

Charles L. Huston IV (610) 384-7993 hfhcc.org

Honey Brook Area Community Partnership

Verna Emery (484)-467-2837 hbpartnership.org

Life Transforming Ministries

Bill Shaw (610) 384-5393 quietrevolution.org

Minding Manners With Ms B Bongai Mhloyi (484) 356-8935 mindingmannerswithmsb.com

PABA - Parkesburg Area Business Association

Allan Fellman (610) 857-5114 paba-pa.org

Parkesburg Action Committee

Jenny Alexander (610) 425-1148 facebook.com/PAC19365/

Rotary Club of Coatesville

Michael Givler (610) 384-9196 facebook.com/rotaryclubofcoatesville/

Continued on Page 68

Continued from Page 67

Salvation Army - Service Extension

Cindy Yearsley (610) 383-0868

Stewart Huston Charitable Trust

Scott Huston (610) 384-2666 stewarthuston.org

The Huston Foundation

Charles Lukens Huston III (610) 832-4955 hustonfoundation.org

The Parkesburg POINT

Debbie Shupp (610) 857-3393 parkesburgpoint.com

See ad on page 59

United Way of Chester County

Chris Saello (610) 429-9400

unitedwaychestercounty.org

See ad on page 49

Construction

City Construction Co. Inc.

Dennis Fallon (610) 269-9530

cityconstructionco.com

D. Howe & Sons, Inc.

Douglas Howe (610) 942-4249 dhoweandsons.com

David P. Kristman Excavating, Inc.

David Kristman (610) 273-9388 dpkristmanexcinc.com

Directional Drilling, Inc.

Curt Eldredge (610) 873-1099 directionaldrillinginc.com

FBSG, Inc.

Cindy Gallo (484) 576-0876 fbsginc.com

Fidelity Contracting LLC

Richard Burkholder (610) 816-0704

fidelitycontracting.com

See ad on page 58

Five Point Renovation & Remodel

Rob Wishneski (484) 888-8276

fivepointconstruction.com

Graber Supply, LLC

David Blank (610) 593-3500 polebarn.com

JGM FABRICATORS & CONSTRUCTORS LLC

Joseph Messner (610) 873-0081 jgmusa.com

Veteran Construction and Utility Services, Inc

Sue Durborow (610) 384-8235 veterancus.com

Credit Union

Citadel | Eagleview Corporate Office

Doug Thompson (610) 466-6412

citadelbanking.com

See ad on page 32

Citadel | Parkesburg

Kim Jarvis 610-466-6634

citadelbanking.com

See ad on page 32

Citadel | Thorndale

Gwen Smoker (610) 466-6649

citadelbanking.com

See ad on page 32

Citadel | South Coatesville

Anthony Williams (610) 466-6623 citadelbanking.com

See ad on page 32

Dentists

Hughes & Hughes Family Dentistry

Cher yl Gaudi 610-942-3321 hughesdentistry.com

Rainbow Valley Dental

Stephanie McGann, DMD (610) 383-4747 rainbowvalleydental.com

Developer

First Eastern Development Company, LLC

John Newton (610) 842-8224

Mark Lane Properties

Mark Sherman (215) 669-6847

New Heritage Properties, LLC

Crosby Wood (610) 383-9800

newheritageproperties.com

Legend Properties

David DePetris (610) 941-4034 lpre.com

Oliver Tyrone Pulver Corporation

Donald Pulver (610) 834-3185 otpcorp.com

Economic Development Organization

Chester County Economic Development Council

Gar y Smith (610) 321-8227 ccedcpa.com

Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance

Sonia Huntzinger (484) 786-8896

2ndCenturyAlliance.org

Education

Chester County 2020

William Stevens (484) 680-5570 CC2020.org

Chester County Intermediate Unit

Kristina Goodwin (484) 237-5153

conferencecenter.cciu.org

See ad on pages 5, 21

Chester County Technical College High School

Beth Myers (484) 593-5100 tchsbrandywine.org

See ad on pages 5, 21

Coatesville Area School District

Dr. Cathy Taschner (610) 466-2400 casd.schoolwires.net/Domain/4

Delaware County Community College

Ruth Bennett (610) 359-5131 dccc.edu

Harcum College Coatesville

Sondra Brewer (610) 810-1556 harcumcoatesville.org

Octorara Area School District

Lisa McNamara (610) 593-8238 octorara.k12.pa.us/ See ad on page 33

Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementar y School

Maria Samson (610) 384-5961 popejohnpaul2sch.org

Electrical Contractors

Bill Mullen Electric LLC

Bill Mullen (484) 716-1177 Billmullenelectric.net

Billows Electric Supply Company

Bob Weiss (610) 269-1493 billows.com

Denmans Electrical Services, Inc. Jeffrey Denman (484) 228-8111 denmanselectric.com

G. A. Vietri, Inc. Greg Vietri (610) 857-1110 gavietri.com See ad on page 13

Rumsey Electric Patrick Melvin (610) 832-9000 rumsey.com

William S. Malany & Sons, Inc. Chad Lease (610) 436-4023 malanyelectric.com

Emergency Services

Chester County Department of Emergency Ser vices George (Beau) Crowding (610) 344-5000 chesco.org/217/Emergency-Services

Elverson - Honey Brook Area EMS Steven Jones (610) 286-8925 http://www.elversonems.org

Keystone Valley Regional Fire District Raymond Stackhouse (484) 571-9686 kvfd8.com

Keystone Valley Fire Department Krystine Sipple (610) 857-3232 kvfd8.com

West End Fire Company #3 Gina Langan 610-384-9798 coatesvillefire.org/content/wfofficers/

Employment and Training Services

Chester County OIC Taj Brown (610) 692-2345 ccoic.org

Energy Management Service

Electric Advisors Consulting, LLC

Frank Lacey (610) 793-2809 electricadvisorsconsulting.com Kauffman Gas Inc. Ken Kauffman (610) 593-5063 kauffmangas.com

Rhoads Energy Family of Companies

Michael DeBerdine (610) 857-1650

rhoadsenergy.com

See ad on page 47

Tobelmann Energy Brokers, Inc.

John Tobelmann (610) 639-1406 tobelmann.net

Engineer Consultants

Advanced GeoServices Corp.

Bernie Beegle (610) 840-9100 advancedgeoservices.com

Edward B. Walsh & Associates, Inc.

Theodore Gacomis (610) 903-0060

ebwalshinc.com

See ad on page 61

Hydraterra Professionals

Joe Boldaz (610) 942-3000

hydraterrapro.com

Inland Design, LLC

Chuck Dobson (484) 947-2928 inlanddesign.net

McMahon Associates, Inc

Natasha Manbeck (610) 594-9995

mcmahonassociates.com

See ad on page 36

Traffic Planning and Design, Inc

Randy Waltermyer (610) 326-3100 trafficpd.com

Entertainment and Recreation

Air Ventures Balloon Flights,Inc

Deb Harding (484) 753-2598 air-ventures.com

Revival Productions

Heather Grayberg (484) 378-0047 revival-productions.com

Rita’s of Gap

Debbie Pierce (610) 405-4586 ritastruck.net

The Golf Zone

George McNamara (610) 942-9494 golfzoneproshop.com

The Lukens Band

Mike Givler (610) 383-4197 lukensband.org

Environmental Consultants

Coventry Environmental, Inc.

Steven Ohrwaschel (484) 639-4578

covenv.com

See ad on page 61

Envera

Michael Matheny (484) 593-4002 envera.com

Sovereign Environmental Group

Larry Johnson (610) 383-9919

sovereignenvironmental.com

Excavating Contractors

David P. Kristman Excavating, Inc.

David Kristman (610) 273-9388 dpkristmanexcinc.com

Fidelity Contracting LLC

Richard Burkholder (610) 816-0704

fidelitycontracting.com

See ad on page 58

Financial Ser vices

Beacon Financial Group, LLC

Cathy Jackson (484) 844-7824

CAJ-BeaconFinancial.com

Penn Rise Advisors

Karl Klingmann II (610) 269-8363 pennriseadvisors.com

See ad on page 53

Fire, Water and Damage Clean-up

SERVPRO of Central Chester County

Dave Lyman (610) 524-0211 servprocentralchestercounty.com

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford

Cliff Masscotte (610) 268-8620

Ser vprokennettsquareoxford.com

See ad on page 43

Fitness Training and Sports Centers

Academy Sports Complex

Michael Rudy (484) 288-8033

academysportspa.com

CrossFit Coatesville

Kyle Wegman (484) 378-2562 crossfitcoatesville.com

YMCA of Greater Brandywine, Brandywine Branch

LaKeisha Harris (610) 380-9622 ymcagbw.org

Florists

Blue Moon Florist

Ami Trost (610) 873-7900 bluemoonflorist.com

Coatesville Flower Shop

Greg DePedro (610) 384-2677 coatesvilleflowershop.net

Funeral Home and Services

Harris Mountain Funeral Home & Cremation Ser vice

Kevin Mountain (610) 384-1091 harrismountain.com

James J. Terry Funeral Home

Greg Froio (484) 378-7210 jamesterryfuneralhome.com

White Willows Memorial Design

Fay Monte (717) 442-9001 whitewillowsmemorials.com

See ad on page 31

Furniture

Greg Pilotti Furniture Makers

Greg Pilotti (484) 764-6956 gpfurnituremakers.com

Golf Courses

Broad Run Golfer’s Club

Tom Morgan (610) 738-4410 broadrungc.com

Coatesville Country Club

Chris Walton (610) 384-3200 coatesvillecountryclub.com

See ad on page 75

French Creek Golf Club

Thad Fortin (610) 913-6330 frenchcreekgolf.com

Honeybrook Golf Club

Donna Hor vath (610) 273-0207 honeybrookgolf.com

See ad on page 37

Ingleside Golf Club

Chris Ward (610) 384-9128 golfingleside.com/

Moccasin Run Golf Club/ Shotgun Pub & Grille Curtis King (610) 593-2600 moccasinrun.com

Government - County

Chester County Commissioners

Becky Brain (610) 344-6100 chesco.org

Chester County Depar tment of Community Development

Pat Bokovitz (610) 344-6900 chesco.org

Chester County Department of Emergency Services George (Beau) Crowding (610) 344-5148 chesco.org/217/Emergency-Services

Chester County DES - Public Safety Training Campus

John Gillespie (610) 344-4100 chesco.org/des

Chester County Planning Commission Brian O’Leary (610) 344-6285 chesco.org

Chester County Recorder of Deeds Rick Loughery (610) 344-6330 chesco.org

Government - Municipal

Atglen

Borough

Caren Andrews (610) 593-6854 atglen.org

Borough of South Coatesville Ramsey Reiner (610) 384-1700 south-coatesville.org

Caln Township

Kristen Denne (610) 384-0600 calntownship.org

Christiana Borough

Carol Pringle (610) 593-5199 christianaboro.com

Continued on Page 70

Continued from Page 69

City of Coatesville

Michael Trio (610) 384-0300 coatesville.org

East Brandywine Township

Scott Piersol (610) 269-8230 ebrandywine.org

East Fallowfield Township

Scott Swichar (610) 384-7144 eastfallowfield.org

East Nantmeal Township

Kathy Brumfield (610) 458-5780 eastnantmeal.org

Elverson Borough

Lori Kolb (610) 286-6420 elversonboro.org

Highland Township

Barbara Davis (610) 857-1791 highlandtwp1853.org

Honey Brook Borough

Janis Rambo (610) 273-2020 honeybrookborough.net

Honey Brook Township

Kristy Deischer-Eddy (610) 273-3970 honeybrooktwp.com

Modena Borough

Jennifer Daywalt (610) 384-6777 boroughofmodenapa.org

Parkesburg Borough

Neil Vaughn (610) 857-2616 parkesburg.org

Sadsbury Township

Tammy Russell (610) 857-9503 sadsburytwp.org

Valley Township

Carol Lewis (610) 384-5751 valleytownship.org

Wallace Township

Barbara D’Angelo (610) 942-2880 wallacetwp.org

West Bradford Township

Justin Yaich (610) 269-4174 westbradford.org

West Brandywine Township

Dale Barnett (610) 380-8200 wbrandywine.org

West Caln Township

Thomas Siedenbuehl (610) 384-5643 westcaln.org

West Fallowfield Township

Gina Wheeler (610) 593-5916 westfallowfieldtownship.org

West Nantmeal Township

Deborah (Debi) Kolpak (610) 286-9722 westnantmeal.com

West Sadsbury Township

Cindy Mammarella (610) 857-5969 westsadsburytwp.org

Western Chester County Council Of Governments

John McHugh (610) 384-9550 wcccog.com

Government Elected Officials

Chester County Commissioner

Kathi Cozzone (610) 344-6199 chesco.org

Chester County Commissioner

Michelle Kichline (610) 344-6031 chesco.org

Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell (610) 344-6151 chesco.org

State Senator Andrew E. Dinniman 19th District (610) 692-2112 senatordinniman.com

State Senator Katie J. Muth 44th District (717)787-1398 senatormuth.com

State Representative Christina Sappey 158th District (717)772-9973 repsappey.com

State Representative Dan Williams 74th District (484) 200-8256 repwilliams.com

State Representative Danielle Otten 155th District (717)783-5009 repotten.com

State Representative John Lawrence 13th District (610) 869-1602 replawrence.com

State Representative Tim Hennessey 26th District (610) 326-2626 rephennessey.com

U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan 6th District (202) 225-4315 houlahan.house.gov

U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (215) 405-9660 casey.senate.gov

U.S. Senator Patrick Toomey (215) 241-1090 toomey.senate.gov

Graphic Design and Marketing

Blue Dog Printing & Design Debi Friedmann (610) 430-7992 getbluedog.com

Hyland Graphic Design & Advertising

Matthew Weiss (484) 879-6145 hylandgraphics.com

Link Promos

Megan Lamkin (717) 543-3767 linkpromos.com

Surefire Graphics & Marketing

Vincent Zambuto (484) 378-4033 SurefireGraphics.com

Grocery Store

Crop’s Fresh Marketplace

Chad Cropper (484) 593-2665 cropsmarketplace.com

Kimber ton Whole Foods

Terry Brett (610) 873-8225 kimbertonwholefoods.com

Triple Fresh

Jim Petro (610) 384-5037 triplefresh.net

Hardware Stores

Hatt’s Industrial Supplies & True Value

Chip Clavier (610) 384-1954 hatts.com

See ad on page 17

Healthcare Providers

Brandywine Hospital Tower Health

Mark Reyngoudt (610) 383-8000

towerhealth.org

See ad on page 18

ChesPenn Health Services, Inc.

Michael Lucas (610) 383-3888 chespenn.org

Lancaster General Health

Debra Wertz (610) 857-6639

LancasterGeneralHealth.org

See ad on page 2

Levin Luminais Chronister Eye Assoc

Paul Fernandes (610) 384-9100 lleaeyes.com

Physical Therapy Workshop

John Spangenberg (610) 466-7060 ptworkshop.com

Surgical Specialists, PC Scott Kripke (610) 384-6550 surspc.com

Health & Wellness

Arbonne International

Nina Malone (610) 331-8285 ninamalone.arbonne.com

Heating and Air Conditioning

Darryl N. Barber Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Darryl Barber (610) 273-2369

darrylbarberandsons.com

Joe Ward Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Joe Ward (610) 593-6474

MACK Services Group Heating & Cooling

Eric Jameson (610) 857-5525

mackservicesgroup.com

Rhoads Energy

Amy Stackhouse (610)857-1650 rhoadsenergy.com

See ad on page 47

Summers & Zims

Joseph Zimmerman (610) 593-5129 sumzim.com

Historical Society

Graystone Society | National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum

Jim Ziegler (610) 384-9282 steelmuseum.org

Home Improvements

Budget Blinds of Coatesville

Germaine Schumann (610) 643-4929 budgetblinds.com/Coatesville/ Cellarium Wine Cellars

Don Cochran (610) 721-9698 Cellarium.com

Certapro Painters of Western Chester County

John Fecile (484) 283-5003 western-chester-county.certapro.com/

Chester County Tile and Design

Jason Phillips (610) 380-5040 chestercountytile.com

Five Point Renovation & Remodel

Rob Wishneski (484) 888-8276 fivepointconstruction.com

Good Works Inc.

Robert Beggs (610) 383-6311 goodworksinc.org

Milanese Remodeling

Mark Milanese (610) 384-5820 milaneseremodeling.com

Tony Buck Home Improvement

Tony Buck (610) 384-7863 tonybuck.com

Top Notch Flooring, LLC

Mike Smondrowski (610) 857-1131 topnotchflooring.com

Home Inspections

Ground Up Home Inspections

Kevin Kerr (610) 324-3064

grounduphomeinspections.com

See ad on page 43

Hotels

Courtyard Marriott Coatesville

Cassandra Vouriotis (610) 380-8700 courtyardcoatesville.com

Stottsville Inn

Michael Quinn (484) 718-5121

stottsvilleinn.com/

See ad on page 4

Human Resource Consultant

CBIZ, Inc.

Donna McCorkle (484) 667-6652 cbiz.com

Human Services

Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc.

Christine Zaccarelli (610) 388-1218 x212 cvcofcc.org

Greater Deliverance Development Outreach

Stephanie Duncan (484) 886-6413

greaterdeliverancechurch.org

Industrial Engineered Graphic System

Uticom Systems, Inc.

Paul Keeler (610) 857-2655 uticom.net

Insurance

Beaver Insurance Agency

Larry Beaver (484) 356-6455

allstate.com/larrybeaver

Breuninger Insurance

Chip Breuninger (610) 384-1980 binsured.com

See ad on page 39

C. Kenneth Grant Insurance & R eal Estate

Barry Norton (610) 384-6260 grantinsuranceandrealestate.com

Chester & Associates, LLC

Penny Reeder (610) 383-3884 rswinsurance.com

DiMatteo Insurance

Al DiMatteo (610) 383-1114 dimatteoinsuranceinc.com

Knies Insurance Group

Greg Knies (610) 273-3756 keytoinsurance.com

See ad on page 25

The Wright Agency

Jonathan Wright (610) 269-6115 wrightagencyinsurance.com

US Health Advisors

Harry Lilley (484) 554-4989 ushagent.com/HARRYLILLEY

VanDyne Insurance Agency

Donna VanDyne (717) 430-2798 vandyneinsurance.com

Vigorita Insurance Agency | AllState Candy Vigorita (610) 285-7560

Whitford Insurance Network, Inc.

Bob Ward (610) 524-7860 whitfordinsurance.com

IT Services

CompNet, Inc.

Mark Davis (610) 380-1314 compnetinc.com

Fashay Consulting

Diane Fasnacht (610) 331-9246 fashay.com/

Origami Technology Group, Inc.

William Gayle (484) 639-0004 origamitg.com

Landscaping

Bonner Landscape Contractors

Ryan Bonner (484) 886-2925 BonnerLC.com

The Tree Connection

Ryan Sipple (484) 888-5360 treeconnection.us

Libraries

Atglen Public Library

Robbyn Kehoe (610) 593-6848

ccls.org/158/Atglen-Public-Library

Coatesville Area Public Library

Penny Williams (610) 384-4115 coatesvilleareapubliclibrary.org

Honey Brook Community Library

Jennifer Spade (610) 273-3303

ccls.org/171/Honey-Brook-CommunityLibrary

Parkesburg Library

Kathleen Hood (610) 857-5165

parkesburglibrary.org/

Management Consultants

Transfers of Learning, LLC

Tasha Delaney (610) 466-7521 transfersoflearning.com

See ad on page 31

Manufacturing

ACR Machine Inc.

Steve Tury (610) 383-6150 ACRMachine.com

Aerzen USA Corporation Ralf Weiser 610-380-0244 aerzen.com/en-us.html

American Roll Suppliers, Inc.

Karen Neuhauser (610) 857-2988

ArcelorMittal

Albert Fuller (610) 383-2000 arcelormittal.com

Armstrong Engineering Associates, Inc.

Robin Austin (610) 436-6080 armstrong-chemtec.com

Brandywine Valley Fabricators

Josh Crane (610) 384-7440

brandywinevalleyfab.com See ad on page 38

Cigas Machine Shop, Inc.

Craig Cigas (610) 384-5239 cigasmachine.com

JGM Fabricators & Constructors LLC

Joseph Messner (610) 873-0081 jgmusa.com

John Rock Inc.

Bill MacCauley (610) 857-8080 johnrock.com

Keystone Turbine Services, LLC

Patrice Beail (610) 268-6200 kts-aero.com

Pacer Industries, Inc.

Joseph Moran (610) 383-4200 pacergrindingwheels.com

Continued on Page 72

Continued from Page 71

Paulsonbilt

Pamela Barranco (610) 384-6112 paulsonbilt.com

Pelet Welding Inc.

Timothy Pelet (610) 384-5048 peletwelding.com

RAS Industries

Rick Saha (610) 383-5070 rasind.com

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Chuck DiLabbio (610) 644-4430

lockheedmar tin.com/us/what-we-do/ aerospace-defense/sikorsky.html

See ad on page 53

Marketing and Public Relations

Communication Works Now

Judith Lee (610) 368-2058 communicationworksnow.com

Media and Publishing

Chester County Press

Randall Lieberman (610) 869-5553 chestercounty.com

Vista.Today

Ken Knickerbocker (610) 256-9571 vista.today

Memorials and Monuments

White Willows Memorial Design

Fay Monte (717) 442-9001

whitewillowsmemorials.com

See ad on page 31

Metal Fabrication

American Roll Suppliers, Inc.

Karen Neuhauser (610) 857-2988

Brandywine Valley Fabricators

Josh Crane (610) 384-7440

brandywinevalleyfab.com

See ad on page 38

JGM Fabricators & Constructors LLC

Joseph Messner (610) 873-0081 jgmusa.com

Mortgage and Financial Bank of America

Louella Gray, NMLS # 72794 (215) 292-9616 bankofamerica.com

Guaranteed Rate

Jason Ashe (610) 864-6357 rate.com/jasonashe

Museum

Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Ar t

Sheila Fleming (610) 388-8389 brandywine.org/conservancy

National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum/Graystone Society

Jim Ziegler (610) 384-9282 steelmuseum.org

Music

The Lukens Band

Mike Givler (610) 383-4197 lukensband.org

Networking Groups

Women’s Business Connection of Chester County

Cher yl Krass (484) 823-0110 wbcchesco.com

Ophthalmologists

Levin Luminais Chronister Eye Assoc Paul Fernandes (610) 384-9100 lleaeyes.com

Painting

Certapro Painters of Western Chester County

John Fecile (484) 283-5003 western-chester-county.certapro.com/

Parks and Recreation

Chester County Parks

Lori Caldwell (610) 932-2589 chesco.org

Payroll Services

CBIZ, Inc.

Donna McCorkle (484) 667-6652 cbiz.com

The Small Business Accounting Solution Inc

Nicole Odeh (610) 203-9682 TSBAS.com

Pharmacies

Honey Brook Pharmacy

Tony Scalies (610) 273-7300 honeybrookpharmacy.com

Hopewell Road Pharmacy

Tony Scalies (610) 269-0002 hopewellroadpharmacy.com

Quik-Stop Pharmacy

Alissa Steele-Griffith (610) 384-6100 qstoppharmacy.com

Photography

Aleesha Nicole Photography Aleesha Howe (484) 824-1897 aleeshanicolephotos.com

Images by Trish Trish Kozola (484) 258-1977 imagesbytrish.com

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Workshop

John Spangenberg (610) 466-7060 ptworkshop.com

Plumbing

Darryl N. Barber Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Darryl Barber (610) 273-2369 darrylbarberandsons.com

J-S All Things Plumbing

Bob Sparr (610) 500-4373 bobsparr.wix.com/allthingsplumbing See ad on back cover

Joe Ward Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

Joe Ward (610) 593-6474

Summers & Zims

Joseph Zimmerman (610) 593-5129 sumzim.com

Tri-County Water Services Inc.

Brent D. Hershey (610) 857-1740 tricowater.com

Printing and Promotional Services

Adelfi Promotions, Inc.

Michael Millard (484) 999-0656 adelfipromo.com

Blue Dog Printing & Design

Debi Friedmann (610) 430-7992

getbluedog.com

FASTSIGNS EXTON

Carrie Mengel (610) 280-6100 FASTSIGNS.COM/368

Image Ink

Janet Petsko (610) 518-5181 image-ink.biz

Link Promos

Megan Lamkin (717) 543-3767 linkpromos.com

Paragon Business Gifts, Inc.

Greg Krajewski (610) 857-5506 paragonbusinessgifts.com

Shirts N More LLC

Joseph Early (610) 873-6075 shirtsnmorepa.com

Surefire Graphics & Marketing

Vincent Zambuto (484) 378-4033 SurefireGraphics.com

Tam Arte Design Studio

Rick Milne (610) 269-7518 tamartedesign.com

The UPS Store -Parkesburg

Richard Jenkins (610) 857-2240 theupsstore.com

The UPS Store Print ShopDowningtown

Bruce Cobb (610) 518-5010 theupsstore.com

Zakback Inc.

Bruce Korn (610) 407-0285 zakback.com

Property Management

BLUE CORD Property Care

Bradley Fink (484) 796-1586

bluecordproper tycare.com

Brite Realty Services

Thomas Taylor (610) 524-8285 briterealty.com

Clarel Janitorial/Maintenance

Services Corp.

Claudia Muntean (484) 378-0827 clarelmaintenance.com

Huston Properties

Sharon Tandarich (610) 384-2666 hustonproperties.org

Wills Property Maintenance

Richard Wills (610) 384-1624 willspropertymaintenance.com

Zeke’s Inc.

Joseph DiSciullo (610) 384-5119 zekesincpa.com

Real Estate

Brite Realty Services

Thomas Taylor (610) 524-8285 briterealty.com

C. Kenneth Grant Insurance & Real Estate

Barry Norton (610) 384-6260 grantinsuranceandrealestate.com

Help-U-Sell Direct Homes

Matthew Boyle (610) 363-3737 helpusell.com

High Associates, LTD

Brian Davison (610) 380-8437 highlandscenter.com

Mark Lane Properties

Mark Sherman (215) 510-6399

The Gorham Group

Matt Gorham (610) 363-4340 mattgorhamgroup.com

Re/Max Professional Realty - Laurie Keen

Laurie Keen (610) 363-8444 teammatrixhomes.com

Recycling and Collections Services

A.J. Blosenski, Inc.

Anthony Blosenski (610) 942-2707 ajblosenski.com

R eliable Industries

Michael Carlini (717) 626-2181 relbox.com

Rentals

American Tent Rental

Jay & Denise Riley (484) 340-7450 americantentrental.wixsite.com

Residential

Exterior Remodeling

Milanese Remodeling

Mark Milanese (610) 384-5820 milaneseremodeling.com

Restaurants

Beaver Creek Tavern

Stuar t Deets (484) 593-0481 beavercreek-tavern.com

Bordley House Grille

Melissa O’Hara (610) 738-4410 x13 broadrungc.com/amenities/bordleyhouse-grille

Bright Spot Café

Shannon Maria Brower (610) 458-7000

BrightSpotExton.com

Glenmoore Deli

Christie Keith (610) 942-4321 facebook.com/Glenmoore-Deli-CountryMarket-997885856960616/

Greenside Grill at Honeybrook Golf Course

Donna Horvath (610) 273-0207 honeybrookgolf.com/greenside

Harry’s Neighborhood Place

John H. Lymberis (610) 857-2331

HarrysHotdogs.com

See ad on page 27

Little Anthony’s Pizza & Grille

Mike Madanat (610) 384-2292

littleanthonyspizza-grille.com

Little Chef Family Restaurant

Nick Lymberis (610) 384-3221 thelittlecheffamilyrestaurant.com

Mr. E’s Tavern & Fine Food

Beth Perdue (610) 384-4356 mrestavern.biz

Rita’s of Gap

Debbie Pierce (610) 405-4586 ritastruck.net

Rocco and Anna’s Ristorante Italiano

Rocco Pirozzi Jr. (610) 857-1111 roccoandanna.com/

Shotgun Pub & Grill at Moccasin Run Golf Course

Grace King (610) 593-2600

moccasinrun.com/pub/shotguns

Stottsville Inn

Kate Richard (484) 718-5121 stottsvilleinn.com

See ad on page 4

The Attic Lounge at Harry’s John H. Lymberis (610) 857-0202

TheAtticLoungeAtHarrys.com

See ad on page 27

Victory Brewing Company

Mike Kearnes (484) 667-9249 victorybeer.com

ZING Sushi

John H. Lymberis (610) 857-0001 ZingSushi.com

See ad on page 27

Retirement Life Care Communities

Freedom Village at Brandywine

Nicole Rosella (610) 383-5100 freedomvillage.com

Harrison House of Chester County

Jean Bryan (610) 384-6310 harrisonseniorliving.com

Harrison Senior Living of Christiana Sherri Stoltzfus (610) 593-6901 harrisonseniorliving.com

Heatherwood Retirement Community

Kerri Jones (610) 273-9301 heatherwoodretire.com

Tel Hai Retirement Community

David Shenk (610) 273-9333 telhai.org

Safety Systems and Services

Signal 88 Security of Octorara

Pete Mango (302) 298-3307 signal88.com

The Protection Bureau

Christine Pezzi (610) 903-4900 protectionbureau.com

Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. James Witmer (484) 288-6405 wpsginc.com/

Self Storage

Coatesville Self Storage

Sandy Chiavaroli (484) 378-0180

coatesvilleselfstorage.com

Global Self Storage Jonathan Arasin (610) 857-0777 globalselfstorage.us

Hidden Valley Self Storage Denyce Tober 610-857-1778 hiddenvalleystorageparkesburg.com

Senior Services

Coatesville Area Senior Center Bill Pierce (610) 383-6900 coatesvilleseniorcenter.org

Skincare and Cosmetics

Arbonne International

Nina Malone (610) 331-8285 ninamalone.arbonne.com

Telecommunications and Networking

CTDI

Keith Montone (610) 793-8103 ctdi.com

FBSG, Inc. Cindy Gallo (610) 633-8824 fbsginc.com

Transportation

Chester County Area Airport Authority

Gar y Hudson (610) 383-6057

chestercountyairport.com

Chester County Aviation

Steve Fortin (610) 384-9005 chestercountyaviation.com

Krapf Group

Gary Krapf (610) 431-1500 krapfbus.com

Continued on Page 74

Continued from Page 73

Signature Flight Support

Erika Marsteller (610) 384-9000 signatureflight.com

TMACC-Transportation Management

Assoc. Chester County

P. Timothy Phelps (610) 993-0911 tmacc.org

Travel and Tourism

ChescoWest chescowest.com

Chester County Conference and Visitor ’s Bureau

Susan Hamley (610) 719-1730 brandywinevalley.com Tree Care

The Tree Connection

Ryan Sipple (484) 888-5360 treeconnection.us

Wills Property Maintenance, LLC

Richard Wills (610) 384-1624 willspropertymaintenance.com

P.O. Box 150 Kelton, PA 19346

Utilities

PECO Energy Company

Scott Neumann (610) 725-7189 exeloncorp.com

PECO Energy Company

Edward Piscopo (215) 841-5411 peco.com

Pennsylvania American Water Company

Maggie Sheely 717-550-1616 amwater.com

See ad on page 30

Pennsylvania American Water Company

Justin Brame (610) 384-1776 amwater.com

See ad on page 30

Video Production Multimedia

CRD Multimedia LLC

Ross Darlington (610) 247-0766 crdmultimedia.com

Edge of Cinema

Jeremy Schmidt (484) 889-8797 edgeofcinema.com/

Valley Creek Productions

Justin Chan (215) 525-9904 valleycreekproductions.com

See ad on page 14

Water Services

Tri-County Water Services Inc.

Brent D. Hershey (610) 857-1740 tricowater.com

Website Design CompNet, Inc.

Mark Davis (610) 380-1314 compnetinc.com

Fashay Consulting

Diane Fasnacht (610) 331-9246 fashay.com

Link Promos

Megan Lamkin (717) 543-3767 linkpromos.com

Mercurygraphix

Brandon McLean (610) 639-4723

mercurygraphix.com

Youth Services

Boy Scouts of America Chester County Council

Rick Cur th (610) 696-2900 cccbsa.org

Bridge Academy and Community Center

Jordan Crans (610) 466-9505 thebridgeacademy.org

Caln Athletic Association

Steve Santillo (484) 378-0470 calnaa.com

Minding Manners With Ms B Bongai Mhloyi (484) 356-8935

mindingmannerswithmsb.com

The Parkesburg POINT

Debbie Shupp (610) 857-3393 parkesburgpoint.com

See ad on page 59