Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
JANUARY 29, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXII • NO 52
Pet rescue seeks fosters, adopters BY FRANCINE FULTON
Joe (left) and AJ Cress enjoy a game of chess at the Village Library of Morgantown.
It’s your move: Village Library offers Chess Club
“N
ot everyone can play soccer, football, (do) karate or play basketball, but everyone can do this,” said Joe Cress, who leads the Chess Club at the Village Library of Morgantown. The Chess Club began at the library in the fall of 2024, and after a hiatus, it returned on Jan. 18. It will be held every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. through March. Joe, who learned the game as a youngster, has been playing for at least 50 years. He recommends that Chess Club participants be at least age 10. “People can come and learn how to play chess; we are
willing to teach them,” he stated. Those who already play the game are also invited to attend. Joe was accompanied to the most recent Chess Club by his nephew, A J Cress, 14, who
“It’s really a good game for young people to start playing.” started playing at age 12. When asked if it is hard to learn to play chess, AJ responded, “It’s hard to master how to move. You can learn what the pieces do, but there is a lot of theory behind the moves and different strategies
you can use,” he replied. “It’s a lot about recognizing patterns in the board and knowing what to do.” “It takes time to learn how to move the pieces,” Joe added. “(The hard part is learning) how to put everything together and move the pieces and accomplish you goal, which is to checkmate the other player.” “You learn by playing, playing, playing and practice, practice, practice,” Joe added. While both play chess online, Joe and AJ said they prefer playing with an opponent face to face. “I prefer the real chess,” said AJ. “I don’t concentrate as much playing (online),” Joe said, noting that he has played for chess clubs
See Pet rescue pg 6
Residents can get free help with their tax returns BY FRANCINE FULTON
As tax filing season approaches, Chester County residents are reminded that their taxes can be prepared free of charge through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which is offered locally by Life Transforming Ministries (LTM) in Coatesville. This year, tax preparation sites are located in Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Kennett Square, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Royersford and West Chester. The sites opened on Jan. 27 and will
See Chess Club pg 3
remain open through Tuesday, April 15. VITA is a program offered by the IRS to partner organizations, like LTM. “VITA offers free federal and state tax preparation for hard-working families or people who do not earn high wages,” said Lyneesha Johnson, who is in charge of marketing and communication for LTM. Those who choose to make use of the program are first asked to visit www.ChesterCountyFree Taxes.org and choose “For Tax Filer,” then select “Items You See Taxes pg 2
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BY FRANCINE FULTON
All 4 Paws Rescue, a Chester Countybased nonprofit organization that rescues animals in need, is currently in need of fosters willing to take in cats and dogs that are waiting for their forever homes as well as adopters looking to provide a loving home to a pet. “The most impor tant thing for all rescue organizations are fosters and adopt- Kristen Geddes, shown with Felix, is the ers,” said Kristen founder and director of All 4 Paws Rescue. Geddes founded the rescue in Geddes, founder and director of All 4 Paws. “The more fosters we May of 2009. “I had a corporate have, the more lives we can save. job 15 or 20 years ago and started Without adopters, we can’t keep volunteering at a local rescue and became passionate about taking in dogs.”