Octorara townlively.com
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXII • NO 51
Open House Set at Christiana’s Zercher Hotel BY FRANCINE FULTON
The Christiana Historical Society will present an open house at the Zercher Hotel, 11 Green St., Christiana, on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to hear the story of the Rocks can be painted with inspirational messages or honor a lost pet or loved one.
Spreading Joy Through Kindness Rocks such as painting and dropping rocks to cheer up the recipient,” Gisone hester County resident Lisa explained. “Amazing things (startGisone, the founder of Kind- ed) happening. In a little over a ness Rocks Chester and month, we hit 1,000 members. Now Montgomery County (KRCMC), has we are at 6,500 members. People found a way to share happiness find them and want to join because with others by randomly hiding they feel such joy from it.” Gisone noted that Montgomery painted rocks throughout the area for people to discover. Those who County was added to the group’s find a rock may keep it or re-hide it, name to include rocks found in that but the recipients are asked to post area. Those who paint and hide rocks a photo of the found rock on the are asked to include a message, group’s Facebook page. The effort began in 2017 after either by creating a label or by writGisone heard about a similar project ing on the back of the rock with a from her cousin, who lives in Cali- marker. The message states: “You fornia. “I started a Facebook group found it! Keep it or hide it, but first to encourage Chester County resi- post it to Kindness Rocks Chester dents to impact their community by and Montgomery County.” Since the group’s formation, rocks doing random acts of kindness, have been placed and found throughout Chester and Montgomery counties at locations such as Kerr Park in Downingtown, the Parkesburg POINT youth center, St. Peter’s Village in Pottstown, the Brandywine Trail and convenience stores and other local businesses. “Sometimes I will leave (rocks) outside a craft store or supermarket. I leave them at parks when I go for walks and outside libraries. Wherever I go, I carry them in my purse and leave one,” said Gisone, adding, “The first Lisa Gisone displays the first rock she found rock I ever found was at a Starbucks in Exton.” in 2017. BY FRANCINE FULTON
Darlene Colón, Christiana Historical Society president
See Open House pg 5
Seeking Volunteer Tutors BY FRANCINE FULTON
Making a positive impact in someone else’s life, learning about other cultures and being inspired are just some of the benefits of becoming a volunteer tutor, according to the Volunteer English Program (VEP) of Chester County, which provides one-to-one English language classes to adult learners. Prospective tutors are invited to attend the next tutor training session, which will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 21; Thursday, March 23; and Monday, March 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening. Since the class is virtual, attendees may dress comfortably and feel free
to enjoy their own snacks at home. “The advantage is that people are training in the comfort of their home, and they don’t have to drive to the location,” said VEP executive director Terri Potrako. “When the session closes at 8 (p.m.), they are already home and weather is not a factor. (Virtual tutor training) has been working nicely.” According to Potrako, the tutor training workshop is designed to fully prepare volunteers to teach English to adult, non-native speakers. Volunteer tutors also help students with understanding American culture. Prior teaching experience or fluency in a language other than English is not required. See Tutors pg 2
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In addition, rocks that originated locally have made their way to other states and even other countries. “People take them on vacation,” said Gisone, noting that painted rocks have been placed in Florida; Rehoboth Beach, Del.; and even Egypt. Kindness Rock gardens have also been established at local libraries and businesses. “People have rock gardens in their front yards. There was a chiropractor in Parkesburg that had one outside their business, and we had a Scout build a rock garden at Twin Valley High School, as part of her Eagle Scout Project,” Gisone noted. Some rocks feature an image of a sports team or a favorite pet or loved one that someone has lost. “We have a woman who lost a baby, and she paints butterflies on rocks and leaves them everywhere. It can help people who have been hurt; it is an outlet for them and a way for them to (honor) the person’s memory,” Gisone said. “People have discovered that painting rocks is therapeutic and creates peace and joy in their lives.” Gisone noted that the Facebook group continues to grow. “Every day there are random people posting,” she said. “(We are) a group of people who really believe and love the group and what it stands for. What we are doing matters.” To learn more and to view or post photos of found rocks, join the “Kindness Rocks Chester and Montgomery County (KRCMC)” Facebook group.
Christiana Resistance, a slave rebellion that took place in Christiana on Sept. 11, 1851. The historic events occurred that day when slave owner and farmer Edward Gorsuch came from Maryland to retrieve four runaway slaves, whom he deemed to be his property. He arrived at the Christiana home of William Parker, an African American who was giving the slaves refuge. The black community took a stand and refused his demands. With the black residents receiving help from their Quaker neighbors, a confrontation ensued, ending with the death of Gorsuch. About 40 people both black and Quaker were arrested and held for trial on the charge of treason. A team of lawyers, led by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens of Lancaster, came to their defense and won.