November 23, 2011 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Bits & Pieces Nov. 24

• U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, R-16,
will hold a town hall meeting Monday, Nov. 28, at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road in Lancaster, from
7– 8:30 p.m. Pitts will discuss his legislative plan to encourage job growth
and also will listen to concerns about all issues impacting the 16th District.
In a statement, he said he wants constituents to know what solutions he’s
proposing to revive the economy.

• Twenty mixed media
illustrations created by Jamie Wyeth for the recently published children’s
book, Sammy in the Sky, will
be on view for the first time anywhere at the Brandywine River Museum from
Dec. 6 through Jan. 15. Sammy in the Sky,
written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Barbara Walsh, is the tale of
a little girl’s loss of her best friend–“the best hound dog in the whole
world”–and her struggle to understand the finality of death.

• Mt. Cuba Center, the region’s
premier native plant garden, has launched Mt.
Cuba Center Connect, an online resource for the study of native plants,
accessible from a computer or mobile device. Mt. Cuba Center Connect captures a
selection of Mt. Cuba Center’s live education programs, informational handouts,
and plant videos and makes them available online and on demand. The first
class, The Ferns at Mt. Cuba Centeris
now available for purchase for $40. Go to www.mtcubacenter.org and click on the
Distance Learning button to learn more.

• Chadds Ford Historical Society’s 26^thannual
Candlelight Christmas holiday house tour will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, from
1 to 6 p.m. The tour features four festively-decorated private homes in the
Pocopson Township area. Advance tickets are $16; tickets are $20 on the day of
the event. For information, call 610-388-7376 or visit our website www.chaddsfordhistory.org.

The houses featured on the tour include:
Christmas at the Old Homestead, Family Gathering at Stonebridge Farm, Christmas
at the Old Mill, and Holidays at Ravenroyd Farm, a stone, stucco and clapboard
farmhouse built in 1734 to replicate the ancestral home the family left behind
in England.
Also open for the tour is the Barns-Brinton House, the society’s 18^th-century
tavern where innkeepers will dispense samples of colonial food and drink.

•The Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation announced that lane restrictions are scheduled on
the Route 82 (Doe Run Road) Bridge over Buck Run in East Fallowfield and West
Marlborough townships, Chester County, on Monday through Friday, Nov. 28-Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The
work is part of PennDOT’s $1.8 million project to repair 39 bridges in the
Philadelphia region.

•The Delaware Museum of Natural
History’s popular Dino
Days presented by Bank of America returns on Tuesday, Dec. 27,
and Wednesday, Dec. 28. This dinosaur extravaganza features a fossil dig, the Giants: African Dinosaurs exhibit, live
animals, and special crafts and activities.
Visitors can uncover a Maiasaura
skeleton at the fossil dig and search for a real fossil to keep as a souvenir.
A paleontology scavenger hunt sends families around the museum to look for
different tools needed on an excavation. Along the way, kids can examine
specimens at the fossil table and view live reptiles from the Philadelphia Zoo
to compare similarities and differences to dinosaurs.
Also on Dino Days, visitors can piece together puzzles of life-sized dinosaur
heads. Other special activities available only on these two days are free Dino
Photos in front of a prehistoric backdrop, a puppet show about dinosaurs, and a
finger puppet craft to take home.
Admission includes the special exhibit Giants:
African Dinosaurs, with 25-foot-long skeletal casts of the fierce
carnivores Deltradromeus and Afrovenator. Hands-on components
include a fossil of a 6-foot-long Jobaria
leg bone and a petrified tree trunk.

About CFLive Staff

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Police log Nov. 24

Police

• State police reported that sometime
during the weekend of Nov. 13-14, someone stole a generator from a driveway in
the 800 block of Northbrook Road in Pocopson Township. No other information was
available.

• One man received minor
injuries after a deer crossing Route 1 forced a motorist to brake hard, which led to a rear-ender accident
near Chadds Ford Elementary School at 3:21 p.m. on Nov. 25. Police said the
first driver tried to avoid the deer, but hit it anyway. The second driver was following
too closely, police said, and struck the first car from behind. The second driver,
Ryan Patton, 20, of Moorestown, N.J., was cited for following too closely. He
was also transported to Riddle Hospital with a head injury and complaining of
back pain.

• State
policewill be stepping up traffic enforcement over the Thanksgiving weekend
due to the increased traffic on the roadways,
according to a press release.Police
will be seeking out and citing careless and aggressive drivers and arresting
drug and/or alcohol-impaired motorists.Motorists
are also reminded to wear a seat belt and drive safely. Additionally, drivers need to remember
to that if the vehicle’s windshield wipers are operating then the headlights
(not just day-time running lights) must also be on.

About CFLive Staff

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Private property saved the Pilgrims

Opinion

The traditional story about how
the pilgrims shared their bountiful harvest is pretty much a collectivist’s
fairy tale, a fable that distorts the truth.

The first few years the
pilgrims almost died out due to starvation. They would have except for two
things. First the Indians shared food to keep them alive. Second, they made
some changes to their compact.

The original agreement was a
socialist’s pipe dream in which everyone shared the labor as best they could, a
forerunner to the famous adage of from each according to his ability and to
each according to his need. It failed.

Everyone was to have been
working the same common field with everyone else — supposedly — doing their
fair share, while reaping his or her own ration. But laziness won out over
idealism, as happens with human nature when responsibilities are diffused.
Fewer people tilled the soil until only a few were working. The others were
feeding off the labor of others. Oops, not enough food.

The colony’s governor, William
Bradford, then changed the rules. The colony would honor the concept of property
rights. Instead of a common, colonists were given their own plots of land and
allowed to work their land as they so chose.

Bradford wrote in his diary:
“This had very good success for it made all hands very industrious, so as much
more corn was planted than otherwise would have been. … By this time harvest
was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the face of
things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many.”

Private property defeated the
tragedy of the commons. There were no guarantees of reward, but without effort
there would have been no reward at all and no bounty in 1623.

It was honoring the concept of
private property and allowing people to reap their own rewards and be
responsible for their own failures that turned 13 colonies into the most
industriously productive nation in the history of the planet.

People should be free to make
any voluntary association they choose, including the option of living
communally. However, no one should be forced to do so. Forced cooperation leads
to failure.

Just as the Plymouth colonists
saved themselves from starvation by employing the philosophy of private
property and rational self-interest, the U.S. can get out of its $15 trillion
debt the same way. As a nation we must mind our own business and put an end to
the welfare/warfare state. As individuals we must return to an attitude of
self-reliance, of relying on friends and family as opposed to being dependent
on government.

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George J. Vargo Jr. of Avondale

Obituaries

George J. Vargo Jr., 55, of Avondale, died Sunday, Nov. 20, at
his home. He was the husband of Susan E. Renner Vargo.

Born in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late George J. and
the late Lois (Samer) Vargo Sr.

George was a certified health physicist for the state Dept.
of Environmental Protection.

George developed an interest in health physics during his high
school days while working on a science fair project. After graduating from
Duquesne with a bachelor’s degree in radiological health, George joined the
staff of Radiation Service Organization in Laurel, Maryland, in 1978 as the radiation
safety officer. In 1979, he joined the staff at Fitzpatrick Power plant
in New York. He moved on to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories
in 1991. Along the way, George completed a master’s of science degree in health
physics from Georgia Institute of Technology and a doctorate in applied physics
from Columbia Pacific University. George joined MJW Corp. in 2002 and the
Dept. of Environmental Protection in 2009.

He was the recipient of the William A. McAdams Outstanding
Service Award, has been selected as an official delegate to the IRPA Congresses
in Montreal, Vienna, and Hiroshima, was awarded the title of Fellow of the
Society for Radiological Protection in 1998, Fellow of the Institute of Physics
in 2000, and Fellow of the Health Physics Society in 2008. George was
certified by the American Board of Health Physics in comprehensive practice in
1984 and in the power reactor specialty in 1986. George developed a
passive directional radiation probe using an array of TLDs. In 1992, he was
granted a United States patent for this invention.

He was formerly an associate editor and software editor for
the Health Physics Journal and has written numerous book reviews. George
managed the Chernobyl Dose Reduction Project, whose goal was to transfer and
upgrade health physics technology at the Chernobyl Shelter and edited a book on
the Chernobyl accident.

Somehow, in addition to this impressive list of professional
activities, George found time to engage in such hobbies as photography, amateur
radio (CCAR), and Skywarn.

Survivors include in addition to his wife Susan, one step
daughter, Catherine “Katy” O’Toole of Avondale; one brother, Charles Vargo of
Pittsburgh, and one sister, Claire Vargo of Pittsburgh.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1,
, at St. Gabriel Of The Sorrowful Mother Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike (Route
41), Avondale.

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett
Square, PA (Phone: 610-444-4116)

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Adopt-a-Pet Nov. 24

Local News

Buttershine is a beautiful, young spayed female cat
available for adoption at the Chester County SPCA. She came to the shelter in the beginning of August as a juvenile
stray in the search for a loving, indoor home. Buttershine was then placed in a CCSPCA foster home for some
time so that she could receive additional socialization and learn how to be a
member of a household. She is an
active yet loving kitty who enjoys chasing her mouse toys and snuggling with
people. Buttershine’s striking
brown and orange tabby markings would make her a unique addition to any
family. She is even available for
the special adoption price of $25, as she has been at the shelter for far too
long! For a limited time, adopters
can save over 50 percent on adoption fees (even more with some cats.) This
incredible value more than pays for itself – The adoption fee includes a
complimentary examination by one of over 75 area veterinarians, vaccination and
dewormer, spaying or neutering before adoption, AVID identification microchip, Chester
County SPCA ID tag, a starter package of Science Diet Cat or Dog Food, and
unconditional love. Your new best friend is waiting for you now! If you are
able to provide Buttershine or any of our other animals here at the shelter a
home, visit the Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike in West Goshen or
call 610-692-6113. Buttershine’s registration number is 96804962. To meet some
of our other adoptable animals, visit the shelter or log onto www.ccspca.org.

About CFLive Staff

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U-CF students continue with high achievement

Local News

The Nov. 21,
School board Meeting featured a glowing report on Unionville – Chadds Ford 2010
– 2011 Pennsylvania academic achievement test scores. Kenneth Batchelor, Assistant to
the superintendentand John Nolan, director of elementary educationpresented the test results
provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The Pennsylvania System of School
Assessment, also known as PSSA, measures how well students have achieved in
reading, mathematics, science and writing according to Pennsylvania’s
world-class academic standards. By
using these standards, educators, parents and administrators can evaluate their
students’ strengths and weaknesses to increase students’ achievement
scores. According to the federal
No Child Left Behind Act, students must be 100 percent proficient in reading and math
by 2014.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act also
requires states to determine annually whether schools and districts in
Pennsylvania make Adequate Yearly Progress. The purpose of AYP is to ensure
that all students have reading and mathematics skills that prepare them for the
future. For a school to “Make AYP,” students in the school must meet
goals in three areas: (1) graduation, (2) academic performance, and (3) test participation. For Unionville High School, the
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment taken by students in grade 11 is used
to determine academic performance and test participation in reading and mathematics.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education
provides detailed achievement test results for all school districts in the
Commonwealth. The Internet address for the Unionville Chadds Ford School
District is -http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442

Other business

* Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., the school board
directors will hold a public reorganization meeting at the school district
office located at Unionville High School. Corrine Sweeney, Paul Price and Board
President Timotha Trigg will be replaced by Kathleen Do, Victor DuPuis and
Gregg Lindner who will be joining the six returning school board directors.

Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. a voting work session
will be conducted by the school board directors. This meeting will also be held at the school district
office.

• On Saturday Dec. 17, along with the Bike
Drive, UCFSD Community Service will give away gently used warm coats, fleece
jackets, hats, mittens/gloves and snow pants to local families in need. Donated
items can be dropped off in the lobbies of any of the UCF district schools now
until Thursday Dec. 15. Items
should be clean and in good condition. All styles and sizes are needed. New items are also
gladly accepted!

Volunteers are needed to set up and
assist families with selections on Dec. 17. If you would like to help out with the Coat
Drive, please contact Ann Ferentinos (Ann.Ferentinos@comcast.net 610-558-0965).
Contact Faye Morin at fayemorin@comcast.net or Ann Ferentinos if you
have any questions.

About Jim Phreaner

After 41 years of auditing large NYSE global corporations, former IRS Agent Jim Phreaner was looking for a project in retirement with fewer regulations and more people. He joined the staff at Chadds Ford Live more than a year ago. James Edward “Jim” Phreaner, 64, died suddenly in his Birmingham Township home on Dec.17, 2012. Jim was a devoted husband, son, father, friend, and neighbor.

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No tax increase in Birmingham

Local News

Birmingham Township supervisors
will vote Dec. 19 on a 2012 budget, a budget that keeps taxes where they are.
The board voted Nov. 21 to advertise the spending plan and set the date for the
vote.

The budget anticipates revenues
of $1,806,000 and expenses of $1,339,000. There is also more than $575,000
being carried over into next year.

In addition to no increase in
township taxes, there will be no tax anticipation note taken out, according to
Township Secretary Quina Nelling.

Other business

The board agreed to support the
zoning variance request at Radley Run Country Club to turn the mansion and
cottage house into guest facilities.

A total of 12 guest rooms, 11
in the mansion and one in the cottage, would be made available.

The one-acre parcel is located
within the country club property. There will be no external construction, just
some internal renovations for the two buildings, according to Brian Nagle, the
applicant’s attorney.

“There will be no changes to
the property at all other than the renovation and restoration of the mansion
house and cottage for use as a guest house,” Nagle said.

The only changes to the
exterior, he said, might be a fire escape and a ramp to satisfy requirements of
the Americans with Disability Act.

“We don’t know for sure, yet,”
he said.

Supervisors John Conklin and
Bill Kirkpatrick agreed to support the request with a letter to the Zoning
Hearing Board. Supervisor Al Bush was absent.

The zoning hearing is scheduled
for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

No tax increase in Birmingham Read More »

Kennett Knights Win ‘Tournament of Terror’

School & Education

The
10-year-old Kennett Knights baseball team won the first-ever “Halloween
Tournament of Terror.” The Knights, all of whom are students in the Kennett
Consolidated and Unionville-Chadds Ford School Districts, defeated Avon Grove
Bulldogs on tiebreakers in the rain-shortened tourney.

Other
teams participating were: Avon Grove Bulldogs 2, Downingtown Devils, Game Ready
Dragons, Lionville Hillcats, and
Oxford Outlaws.

About CFLive Staff

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Free Your Space: A tisket, a tasket…

Home and Leisure

Once again, it
is the season for giving. Not long
after we swallow the last bite of turkey and cranberry jelly we will be asking
for the children’s sizes, picking names for gift swaps and reviewing lists of
relatives, friends, colleagues and service providers who we would like to
acknowledge.

Food, wine and
spa catalogues that sport gift baskets of various types and sizes are often a
popular and practical choice for gift giving. These consumables can be just the solution to the pressures
of an overstuffed home. Sometimes, however, we receive and collect so many
baskets that we just don’t know what to do with them all. Oddly shaped containers can be
cumbersome and difficult to store, but they are so nice that letting them go
can be challenging.

I would like to
suggest a few ways to use some of the baskets you already own to help manage your
holiday home and events and then offer some useful organizing product ideas
that you might give as gifts, some of which can double as gift baskets.

First, with a
little forethought, a basket is a convenient and decorative way to handle all
the extra considerations that this season brings. Pull out whatever baskets you have so you can decide which
ones might be handy and then look around your home for areas that will need to
be managed, especially when there area few
extra people in the house. Some
uses might be:

• to hold extra hand towels or toilet tissue
• holiday card holder
• guest slippers
• candy/goodies to offer
• paper goods holder
• centerpiece container
• key basket

Wherever you
think a container might make your guests feel more welcomed while making your
job easier is the best spot for a basket.

Once you’ve
chosen those whose sizes and shapes that might do the trick, you can turn each
basket into seasonal décor with as little as a wide piece of ribbon. If you care to get a little more
creative, add holly or garland, and a seasonal cloth napkin as a liner. At the end of the season, if you find
that the basket solution you’ve tried would work year-round, simply change the
ribbon and keep it in place!

As for gift
giving, if you’re looking for a gift or goodie container that will be
appreciated and used, rather than adding more clutter or another odd basket to
someone else’s growing collection, try one of these organizing products:

• collapsible fabric totes (so many colors, shapes and sizes
to choose from)
• under bed zippered shoe storage (add a pair of slippers!)
• car caddy (great for an on-the-go family)
• sewing or Craft organizer (most craft stores carry a large assortment)
• a package of thin non-slip hangers (great space-savers that keep clothes from
falling off. They can be found at
almost any local home goods store). Try using a silk scarf for a ribbon!
• photo storage box (get the kind with dividers for sorting)
• snow salt/sand container (help dad, grandma, neighbor be ready for winter
challenges!)

In this time of
over-abundance in our closets and, perhaps, under-abundance in our wallets,
using what we have and receiving useful things can bring new found appreciation
and some peace and joy to our homes and lives.

Whatever you
choose, my wish for you is that your holiday homes would be filled with
abundance – especially of that which cannot be contained.

* To contact Annette Reyman for
organizing work, productivity support, gift certificates or speaking
engagements in the Greater Philadelphia area call (610) 213-9559 or email her
at annette@allrightorganizing.com.
Reyman is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers
(NAPO®) and Board Member of its Greater
Philadelphia Chapter.
Visit her blog, http://www.areyofhope.blogspot.com
or her website at www.allrightorganizing.com
or follow All Right Organizing on Facebook.

About Annette Reyman

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