Beating the Heat. The Brandywine Creek is the place to keep cool on a hot July 4 in Chadds Ford.
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.
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, of Chester, and Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Elder Vogel, R-47, announced that Gov. Tom Corbett has signed a new law exempting family farms from the inheritance tax and the realty transfer tax.
“Too many families have been forced to sell their farms in order to pay onerous death taxes,” Pileggi said. “This new law will allow farmers to continue working their land for generations to come, supporting Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and preserving threatened open space.”
“This legislation is about furthering opportunity in Pennsylvania for our young farmers, an opportunity to stay in the business of agriculture. The costs, challenges and regulation of the agriculture industry have already resulted in our youth not returning to the farm,” said Vogel, a fourth-generation dairy farmer. “Eliminating this costly tax burden on farm families provides a great incentive for them to continue farming for generations.”
The new law excludes family farms from the inheritance tax if a farm is transferred to members of the same family. It also clarifies that the realty transfer tax does not apply to the transfer of a family farm to members of the same family.
The change was strongly supported by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Grange.
“The exemption from the state inheritance tax on working farms is a major victory for Pennsylvania farmers. The viability of the family farm is threatened when farmers are forced to sell off assets or farmland to pay off inheritance taxes. The new exemption will relieve this stress and make transitioning on the farm much easier,” said Carl T. Shaffer, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “Sen. Vogel’s and Sen. Pileggi’s leadership on advancing the inheritance tax exemption for Pennsylvania’s farm families is greatly appreciated by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. This is a landmark achievement and will go far in helping to preserve the future of production agriculture as a leading generator of economic activity in the state.”
“The Pennsylvania State Grange is delighted that the Legislature passed HB 761 eliminating inheritance tax for family farms passing to family members and remaining in agriculture,” said Betsy Huber, legislative liaison for the Grange. “Our members adopted policy in 1973 asking for this, and we are so happy that it is finally accomplished. We don’t know how many acres of farmland could still be producing food today if the heirs had not been forced to sell some of the land to pay the death tax. Our fertile farmland is one of Pennsylvania’s greatest resources and this is one way of preserving it for future generations. We thank the Legislature and Governor Corbett for taking this important step that will benefit our farm families.”
These initiatives were first advanced earlier this session in Pileggi’s Senate Bill 746. House Bill 761, which was amended by the Senate to include the family farm provisions, was signed into law by Corbett. Pileggi and Vogel shepherded HB 761 through the Senate and strongly advocated for its passage.
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Marie Brock Boddy, 94, of Avondale, and formerly of Kennett Square, died Monday, July 2, at the Franciscan Care Center in Hockessin. She was the wife of Oscar R. Boddy Sr., who passed away in 1993 and with whom she shared 55 years of marriage.
Born in Kennett Square, she was the daughter of the late Hezekiah and Ella Johnson Brock.
Marie was a licensed practical nurse, graduating from the School of Nursing in Lancaster. She worked at the Pocopson Home in West Chester for 16 years before retiring in 1987.
She enjoyed being with her family and friends.
She was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Kennett Square, where she served as an usher and was on the Trustee Board and the Missionary Board. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Carter-Miller-Johnson VFW Post #8984 in Kennett Square.
Marie is survived by two sons, Oscar R. Boddy Jr. of West Chester, and Gerald Boddy and his wife Vanessa of Cheyney; one brother, Clarence Brock and wife Geraldine, who was her caregiver for 17 years, of Avondale; one sister, Stella Barrett of Chester; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two daughters, Delores Boddy and Doris Boddy; one brother, Louis Brock; two sisters, Virginia Brock and Sarah Snipe.
You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, July 9, at the Second Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 132 South Willow Street in Kennett Square. Her funeral service will follow. Burial will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com.
Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square (Phone: 610-444-4116).
Marie Brock Boddy of Avondale, formerly of Kennett Square Read More »
Rose Fragale, 101,of Kennett Square, died Monday, July 2, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Kennett Square. She was the wife of Guisseppe Fragale, who died in 1981, and with whom she shared 55 year of marriage.
Born in Calabria, Italy, she came to the United States in 1915. She was the daughter of the late John and Mary Fazio.
Mrs. Fragale was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, cooking and going to the casino at Delaware Park. She especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren.
She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Kennett Square.
She is survived by two sons, Robert J. Fragale, Sr. of Kennett Square, and Charles “Pep” J. Fragale of Kennett Square; one daughter, Lena DiGiacinto of San Diego, Calif.; one brother, Frank Fazio of Red Lion; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by one son, Anthony J. Fragale Sr.; three brothers, Joseph Fazio, Tony Fazio and Ralph Fazio and three sisters, Angeline Mancino, Palma Mastripolito and Theresa Rao.
You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 6 to 8, Sunday evening, July 8, and again from 8:15 to 9:15 Monday morning, July 9, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square, (Phone: 610-444-4116). Her Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Meredith Street in Kennett Square. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com
Rose Fragale of Kennett Square Read More »
Harry Kolb, 94, of West Grove, died Saturday, June 30. Harry shared 52 years of marriage with Jean Renfer Kolb, who predeceased him in March of this year.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Harry was the son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Kolb.
Harry received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton and went on to earn a masters degree from Haverford College and a doctorate from Northwestern University.
Following a stint at the Naval Research Laboratory, where he helped invent sonar, Harry had a lifetime career at DuPont. Harry was a chemist and developed a patent for DuPont’s textile fibers division during the early part of his career. Upon retirement from DuPont, Harry spent several years in real estate.
Harry was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. In his free time, Harry loved traveling, crossword puzzles, bird watching, and stamp and postcard collecting. Harry was an active member of St. Michael Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir for many years.
Surviving Harry are daughter Catherine Stroup; son Peter Kolb; grandchildren Taylor Kolb, Sarah Stroup, and Alexander Stroup; son-in-law Chris Stroup, and daughter-in-law Lisa Kolb. They love him very much.
Harry’s Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday July 9 at St. Michael Lutheran church, 109 East Doe Run Road in East Marlborough Township (610-347-0148)
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to “St. Michael Lutheran Church – Columbarium Fund” at the address above. Or, cards can be sent to Catherine Stroup, 119 Middlebrook Farm Road, Wilton, CT 06897 (203.223.8524) or Peter Kolb, 4717 Lewis Woods Court, Fairfax, VA 20151 (703.906.6265).
Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square, PA
Harry Kolb of West Grove Read More »
