Pearl L. Dunn, 77, of West Grove, died Tuesday Dec. 31, at the Chester County Hospital in West Chester. She was the wife of Raymond E. Dunn, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Shouns, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late Conley Willen and the late Bonnie Elliott Willen.
Pearl loved blue grass music and trips to Delaware Park but most importantly she loved spending time with her family.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include three daughters, Joyce Martinez (Jose) of Mountain City, Tenn., Carol Dunn of West Grove, and Brenda Rosazza (Steve) of Avondale; two sons, Raymond Dunn Jr. of West Grove, and Chris Dunn (Beth) of Oxford; one sister Venice Atwood of West Grove; one brother Dee Willen of Lebanon; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother Celmer Willen and sisters, Mary Hughes, Betty Gentry and Dorothy Hurley.
You are invited to visit with Pearl’s family from 9-11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. A funeral service celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society 1626 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19103. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com
• New Years Eve saw the first ever Mushroom Drop in Kennett Square. New York drops a ball while other places drop peaches or strawberries, so it’s natural for Kennett to drop a mushroom. The event took place at the intersection of State and Union streets.
America in the Making
• Images of inspirational and patriotic events in American history, from Coronado’s 16th-century expedition through the Southwest to Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address in 1865, will be on view from Jan. 25 through May 18 at the Brandywine River Museum. N.C. Wyeth’s America in the Making features 12 dramatic paintings, created by the artist in the late 1930s for a popular advertising calendar, and shows Wyeth’s renowned mastery of stirring action and authentic detail. Props from the artist’s Chadds Ford studio, such as a life mask of Abraham Lincoln, a coonskin cap and a Kentucky rifle, will provide fascinating insight into how Wyeth created these paintings. There will be a curator’s tour of the exhibit at 2 p.m. on Jan. 29.
• The Kennett Area Senior Center sponsors a free blood pressurescreening on the second Thursday of each month. This service is provided by Neighborhood Health Agencies Inc. In addition to KASC members, all seniors in the general public age 60 and up are invited to receive this important medical service. No appointment is necessary. The next scheduled date is Thursday, Jan. 9 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
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.
Living History: Unionville, a quiet town, a storied past
If you’ve ever walked the streets of an unfamiliar town, wondering about the people who once lived there, you know the feeling. Strolling the back roads of Unionville, one senses the serenity of a small village on the fringe of a much more bustling part of Chester County. Even though it doesn’t get recognized or designated as an actual town on maps of the region and didn’t see the activity of larger settlements, Unionville has its share of fascinating events and personalities, their stories a charming tapestry of history waiting to be explored..
One good summary of the area is “Old Jacksonville- Now Unionville — An Historical Sketch of A Small Country Town” by Joanna Bucknell. The pamphlet mentions how William Penn laid out Chester, Bucks and Philadelphia counties in 1682, settlers staking claims to the region. The village was first known as Jacksonville because of the prominent Jackson family, many of whom lived nearby. Remnants of John Jackson’s original log cabin built in the 1700’s still stand; it was incorporated into a general store in 1851. Today it houses Catherine’s, a popular local restaurant. Another portion of Jackson family property was later sold to Samuel Entriken, who opened the Cross Keys Tavern across the street. Colonial taverns like the Cross Keys were important stops for weary travelers and “drovers”- men who moved livestock to distant markets. Mail service began around 1804; parcels were carried by stagecoach from Kennett Square. By the early 1800’s, the town’s name changed to Unionville. The first general store in town was opened by Robert Buffington. He was succeeded by Charles Buffington, who advertized “Goods of all kinds free from the evil of slavery.” The village had a wide array of merchants, including blacksmiths, a tannery, a shoemaker, tinsmith, wheelwright, cabinetmaker and a coach maker, in addition to something odd- a meeting hall used by the International Order of Odd Fellows.
With a growing population, Unionville needed schools- and it built several. The best known was Unionville Academy. Many people today would be surprised by its breadth of disciplines. In addition to algebra, history and grammar, courses included surveying, navigation, astronomy, French, German and Latin. Its most famous alumnus was Bayard Taylor, Minister to Germany, world traveler and author of “The Story of Kennett”. Other former students included J. Smith Futhey, co-author of “History of Chester County” and William Marshall Swayne, noted sculptor of a bust of Abraham Lincoln. The townships of East Marlborough, West Marlborough, Newlin and Pocopson eventually built the Unionville School, replacing 21 other regional structures. Among the dignitaries attending the dedication ceremony was industrialist Pierre S. du Pont.
it’s rumored that in the days before the Civil War, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson visited the town, moving some cattle here for sale. Later when rebel guns fired upon Fort Sumter in April 1861, men from around Pennsylvania were among the first to answer the call to arms. Several markers in the Unionville Cemetery now denote their final resting places, a stately black wrought-iron fence ringing the property. The site includes more than 50 Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) plaques honoring local heroes who fought to defend the Union.
Most of the existing homes in Unionville date from 1820 to 1880. These lovely brick structures are good examples of Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Some houses were later refurbished with Victorian-era additions such as bay windows and gables, their facades a cherished reminder of the town’s heritage. One well known resident was cabinetmaker James Chalfant, who ran his business near the old Union Hotel, selling beds, clocks, sofas and side-boards as well as coffins. His home had unique half-circle windows, leading people to nickname it the “eyebrow house”. Later records show that his business successor charged $5 for embalming and $38 for solid walnut caskets with six brass handles.
Local historian Mary Dugan taught at Unionville High School for many years. She was active in showcasing Underground Railroad locations around the area. A brief summary written by her mentions several colorful characters who lived nearby. One of them was Thomas Seal, the town’s first doctor. His beautiful white brick house still stands at the corner of Route 842 and Route 82. Mary Gordon ran a “Sabbath-day” school in her home; she was dearly loved by the community. “Granny Lu” Walls was a caring soul who became a foster mother to 60 needy children. Webb Crossan ran a convenience store and gasoline station which was a popular meeting place for those who stopped in to discuss the events of the day. Crossan became township supervisor and also served as Chester County Sheriff from 1947- 1951.
Due to its significance as an example of a 19th century rural village, Unionville was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. One thing that hasn’t changed is the delightful charm of the old homes which grace the byways near Route 82, now a busy thoroughfare for truckers serving local farms and businesses. Although the sound of hoof beats on dirt roads has been replaced by the roar of modern contraptions, there’s still something precious in the air. As you gaze at the structures from yesteryear, you can almost hear the busy merchants at work, schoolchildren chatting on a leisurely stroll… and the presence of proud local citizens who called this peaceful town their home.
Gene Pisasale is an author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. He’s written six books focusing on Chester County history which are available onwww.Amazon.com. For more information, visit his website atwww.GenePisasale.comor e-mail him atGene@GenePisasale.com.
Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square, Pa. His eight books and historic lecture series focus on the history of the mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is Alexander Hamilton: Architect of the American Financial System, which delves into the life and many accomplishments of this important Founding Father who almost single-handedly transformed our nation from a bankrupt entity into the most successful country in the history of mankind. Gene’s books are available on www.Amazon.com. His website is www.GenePisasale.com; he can be reached at Gene@GenePisasale.com.
• A Glen Mills resident was arrested for drug possession in the Springwater Plaza parking lot shortly after 2 a.m. on Dec. 28. Police said Sean Bramble had a controlled substance inside his white left shoe.
• Police arrested Matthew Babcock Johnson, 33, of Honolulu, Hawaii, for DUI at a sobriety checkpoint along Route 202 at Springwater Plaza at 2 a.m. on Dec. 28.
• Michael Carl Benedict, 25, of New Castle, was arrested for DUI just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 27. The arrest was made at a checkpoint assignment, a report said.
• Police are investigating a theft from a motor vehicle at Keenan’s Auto Body in Chadds Ford Township. A wallet and amplifier box were removed from a green Dodge Durango. Police said two suspects are involved in the Dec. 29 incident.
• An early morning traffic stop at Route 202 and Naamans Creek Road led to the arrest of a Claymont man. Police said David L. Jeanes, 23, was driving a black Jeep Wrangler when he was stopped for traffic violations at 1:57 a.m. The report said he showed signs of impairment and was arrested.
• A Christmas Eve robbery resulted in the theft of one bottle of prescription medication. Police said a home on Summit Avenue in Chadds Ford Township was burglarized on Dec. 24. An unknown suspect gained entry into the home while the owner was away and stole a bottle of medicine from the bathroom.
• State police are investigating the theft of copper wiring from the Chistiana Care building on Route 202 in Concord Township. The incident happened sometime between 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 7 a.m. on Dec. 16. According to police, unknown suspects used a ladder to get to the building’s roof where they ripped out the wiring from lightning protection system. About 200 feet of wiring was stolen.
• A tractor trailer driver was cited for careless driving after his rear trailer axles wedged under a guard rail at Route 1 and Thornton Road in Concord Township. A police report said the driver was turning right onto Thornton from southbound Route 1 just before 11 a.m. on Dec. 21 when the incident happened.
• Unknown suspects stole eight tires from the Toyota dealership on Route 1 in Concord Township sometime between 2 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 20, a police report said. The report said the tires were taken from two new cars. Police are investigating.
• A 62-year-old woman from Upland was cited after being involved in a traffic accident on Dickinson Drive in Chadds Ford Township on Dec. 12. Shirley A. Gelesh was stopped on side of the road near Christy Drive before attempting a U-turn. Another vehicle attempted to pass, police said, but Gelesh began making her turn and struck the other car. There were no injuries reported, but both vehicles were towed.
The Chester County Historical Society will receive $750,000 from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a commonwealth grant program for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical improvement projects. Gov. Tom Corbett approved the project.
The grant funds will be used to address the organization’s most critical capital needs in the History Center, the former YMCA building which the Historical Society renovated in the early 1990s, and in Horticultural Hall. These needs include new roofing, HVAC upgrades, repairs to the front terrace, and other interior and exterior improvements. “The original renovations to CCHS’s History Center are nearly 20 years old and, as one would expect, the building now requires significant maintenance and upgrades. This grant will allow us to move forward with our broad programmatic plans and will ensure that we can play a growing role in our region’s educational and economic life,” said Rob Lukens, CCHS President. “Stabilizing our building is integral to the viability of the Chester County Historical Society’s overall operations, including its facility rental program and role as a cultural tourism attraction.”
CCHS was able to secure this level of commitment through the support and leadership of state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Corbett. Additional support was received from state Rep. Dan Truitt, state Sen. Andy Dinniman and a number of local community leaders. “This was really a team effort. We are very appreciative of the political support that we received in this application from our elected officials and also other community leaders,” explained CCHS Board Chair George C. Zumbano. CCHS received direction from the Chester County Industrial Development Authority who submitted the application on CCHS’s behalf. CCHS Trustees and staff have been instrumental in advocating for this and other funding opportunities, and the facilities committee of the organization has helped provide technical information to frame the building’s needs.
Pileggi said, “The Chester County Historical Society does tremendous work in preserving and showing the county’s rich history. This investment will help ensure that the many priceless artifacts, documents and photos housed by the Historical Society will remain available for generations to come. I strongly supported this application and am pleased that the Governor chose to release these funds.”
The Chester County Historical Society inspires, informs, and builds community identity by preserving and sharing the remarkable story of Chester County and its people. CCHS fulfills this mission through: acting as steward of an unparalleled collection of artifacts, manuscripts, photographs and volumes that documents over 300 years of County heritage; offering innovative educational programs and exhibitions that draw on the collections to bring history to life, and helping audiences explore their own histories through Historical Society resources and staff expertise. To learn more about CCHS visit www.ChesterCoHistorical.org
Traveling with family for the holiday vacation, I went to Mass on the “Feast of the Holy Family.” The church, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., is one of the missions found by Padre Junipero Serra in the 1700s. Amidst this history, the priest brought us to the present moment through his own family roots.
“Father Jim” described how as a boy, because one of his parents was Canadian Native American, he spent summers on a reservation. When he was home with his Anglo nuclear family, he learned the rules of that family with one mother and one father. However, on the reservation, he was taught that the family was the entire community so that every elder was to be listened to, and everyone younger was to be cared for.
This priest reminded the congregation that today the family comes in many forms — single parents, intentional families, blended families, same sex parents (not directly mentioned, but surely alluded to), grandparents raising their children’s children, and so on. He noted that, as parents age the burden of their care might become overwhelming for a family. He also stressed how the family, in whatever configuration it forms, needs support of the wider community. What defines a family is care for each other. Yet, there needs to be a community of care that extends to all as well.
A recent article in The Atlantic (November, 2013), “Why We Fight, and Can We Stop?” by Robert Wright discussed the work of psychologist Joshua Greene on the moral issues of good and evil, and emotion versus reason. The article, distilled to its essence, may be this: That perhaps doing good and being kind rests on perceiving the other not as other but as one of “us.” We do to others what they don’t want done to them for the very fact of their otherness. Pie in the sky perhaps, but the less we only consider “our tribe” as human and instead embrace each other as being together on this ark called earth, the better off we will all be. Or, as the priest reminded us, we are all family and we need to act — and enact — on that.
Now there’s a big resolution for the New Year.
* Kayta Curzie Gajdos holds a doctorate in counseling psychology and is in private practice in Chadds Ford, Pa. She welcomes comments atMindMatters@DrGajdos.com or 610-388-2888. Past columns are posted towww.drgajdos.com.
Dr. Kathleen Curzie Gajdos ("Kayta") is a licensed psychologist (Pennsylvania and Delaware) who has worked with individuals, couples, and families with a spectrum of problems. She has experience and training in the fields of alcohol and drug addictions, hypnosis, family therapy, Jungian theory, Gestalt therapy, EMDR, and bereavement. Dr. Gajdos developed a private practice in the Pittsburgh area, and was affiliated with the Family Therapy Institute of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, having written numerous articles for the Family Therapy Newsletter there. She has published in the American Psychological Association Bulletin, the Family Psychologist, and in the Swedenborgian publications, Chrysalis and The Messenger. Dr. Gajdos has taught at the college level, most recently for West Chester University and Wilmington College, and has served as field faculty for Vermont College of Norwich University the Union Institute's Center for Distance Learning, Cincinnati, Ohio. She has also served as consulting psychologist to the Irene Stacy Community MH/MR Center in Western Pennsylvania where she supervised psychologists in training. Currently active in disaster relief, Dr. Gajdos serves with the American Red Cross and participated in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as a member of teams from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Now living in Chadds Ford, in the Brandywine Valley of eastern Pennsylvania, Dr. Gajdos combines her private practice working with individuals, couples and families, with leading workshops on such topics as grief and healing, the impact of multigenerational grief and trauma shame, the shadow and self, Women Who Run with the Wolves, motherless daughters, and mediation and relaxation. Each year at Temenos Retreat Center in West Chester, PA she leads a griefs of birthing ritual for those who have suffered losses of procreation (abortions, miscarriages, infertility, etc.); she also holds yearly A Day of Re-Collection at Temenos.Dr. Gajdos holds Master's degrees in both philosophy and clinical psychology and received her Ph.D. in counseling at the University of Pittsburgh. Among her professional affiliations, she includes having been a founding member and board member of the C.G. Jung Educational Center of Pittsburgh, as well as being listed in Who's Who of American Women. Currently, she is a member of the American Psychological Association, The Pennsylvania Psychological Association, the Delaware Psychological Association, the American Family Therapy Academy, The Association for Death Education and Counseling, and the Delaware County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board. Woven into her professional career are Dr. Gajdos' pursuits of dancing, singing, and writing poetry.
One of the most dreaded chores around the house is laundry. Maybe that’s why when selling a house, the laundry room is one of the most forgotten areas to get in shape. The machines are often dusty, with detergent dripping down the sides and lint and old socks on the floor.
Yet it’s an area that doesn’t take too much time to clean and can really make a difference when showing your house to prospective buyers.
The easiest way to make a statement with a laundry room is by adding more energy-efficient washing machines and dryers. Recent statistics by the U.S. Department of Energy show that installing machines with the ENERGY STAR label will decrease water costs by up to 50 percent. There are also machines that automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for each load to prevent excess and waste.
Many new models are available with designer colors, pedestals and sleek designs, which can make a bold statement. When purchasing a new washer, you’re also going to need to choose between front- and top-loading machines. While a top-loading machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set horizontally in the machine. It requires less water and allows for larger loads, and it looks great.
On the downside, a front-loading washer is more expensive and can develop mold because it doesn’t empty dirty water as efficiently as a top-loading machine.
When it comes to dryers, new sensor technology is the rage. Dryers with moisture sensors recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than traditional machines and shut down sooner. This saves energy, cash and wear and tear on your clothing.
The use of steam washers and dryers for greater energy and water efficiency is also a growing trend. Steam machines offer enhanced clothing-care options such as short, steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing without using water and detergent.
Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but today, people are finding space for washers and dryers in more convenient areas of the house, usually near the kitchen or the bedrooms. These locations will raise the value of a home, and make it more convenient as hauling baskets of clothing up and down flights of stairs become a thing of the past.
2013 Statistics for Home Sales in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District *
No. of Homes Sold: 312
Range of Sold Prices: $90,000-$5,000,000
Average Sold Price: $542,255
Sold Price to Original List Price Ratio: 93 percent
Average Dates on Market: 94
*calculated Dec. 23, 2013
* Beth Alois and Jim DeFrank can be reached at 610-388-3700, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors, Chadds Ford.
