Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
MARCH 8, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXI • NO 5
Capturing a winning image Elverson resident wins photography contest BY FRANCINE FULTON
Combining his love of nature and his photography skills, Elverson resident Mark Lucas was able to capture the winning photograph in a contest presented by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. Lucas won the Judge’s Choice Award in the Forests category of the contest, which had nearly 600 entries. Lucas’ photo pictures a decaying
tree deep in the woods. The tree is covered in moss and surrounded by bright orange mushrooms. He came upon the tree while hiking in Gallitzin State Forest near his hometown. “It is located just west of a little town called Windber. It’s on the western side of the state in the heart of Appalachia,” Lucas explained. “It’s about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh, and it’s about a three-hour-and-15 minute drive (from Elverson). My family is still there, and I (visit) for the holidays.” See Photography contest pg 3
Twin Valley Elementary Center second-graders, including Garrett Inman, decorated kindness rocks that have been placed at various locations in the community.
Twin Valley students spread kindness rocks BY FRANCINE FULTON
eople who live in the Twin Valley area should be on the lookout for kindness rocks that were created by second-grade students at Twin Valley Elementary Center (TVEC). The rocks, which have been decorated with bright colors and inspirational messages, all include the hashtag #BeKindTV. The rocks were painted during a Valentine’s Day party held at TVEC on Feb. 17 that was hosted by homeroom moms Kristin Inman and Lana Pellegrino. “I plan the parties with (Pellegrino) and I wanted this to be a kindness party, and I wanted to involve the community,” said Inman. After receiving approval from the school principal and homeroom teacher, Inman set out on a mission to find rocks, including searching for them while wading in the cold
told them that we want to spread kindness into the community.” Those who find a rock are asked to post a photo of it on the “In Twin Valley” Facebook page, along with the hashtag. Then, they may keep the rock or place it at another location. “I placed (the rocks) at various local businesses, and I took pictures and posted clues,” Inman pointed out. So far, the rocks have been found at a local day care center, a dentist’s office, a veterinarian’s office, a church, a car wash, several restaurants, the Village Library of Morgantown and the Elverson Post Office. “My whole goal was to get the kids involved in a community activity and to promote and highlight local businesses,” said Inman. “(It has been) a nice community project and (a way to) teach the kids that a little kindness can go a long way.”
The award-winning photo depicts a decaying tree in the woods covered in moss and surrounded by orange mushrooms.
VITA offers free tax preparation services 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). “VITA is an amazing program offered by the IRS to partners, such as LTM. (It gives LTM) the opportunity to offer free federal and state tax preparation for low- to moderate-income households in our
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communities,” said Donna Laird, LTM VITA administration support. “By low, we mean those making around $70,000 or less, yet our goal is to offer service to anyone who needs help. Tax returns are electronically prepared and filed at no cost to the taxpayer. Every site is run by volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS.” LTM’s VITA program began in 2004 in Coatesville. “We did 15 paper returns that year,” Laird said. “Last year, we were able to put $5.4 million back into the community by submitting over 2,600 tax returns.” See VITA pg 5
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R093339
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waters of French Creek at Warwick County Park. Eventually, she asked if any were available free of charge on the “Twin Valley Gift and Take” Facebook page. “I was on a budget. I used Facebook and went to Gift and Take and asked if anybody had any flat river rocks to donate,” Inman explained. “A woman from that group messaged me. She said that at her cabin there are hundreds of these rocks, and she grabbed some for me. They were flat and smooth; they were just perfect.” The students decorated about 40 rocks using acrylic paint pens at the party, which also featured a lesson about kindness. “(We talked with the students about) what kindness means to them and (asked them) to give examples of what it meant to be kind,” said Inman, noting that prizes were awarded for winning answers. “We showed them the rocks and
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717-806-7373
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