June 11, 2014 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Grace eyes former Goodman horse farm

Chadds Ford builder Joe Grace has plans to develop the former Goodman property along Oakland Road near Brintons Bridge Road.

The 90-plus acre property, which was once a riding school and stable, is in the R-1 Zoning District that calls for 2-acre lots. However, Grace and his attorney, Mike Dignazio, discussed several options with members of the township Planning Commission during their June 11 meeting.

One option is a straightforward by-right plan that would allow Grace to construct about 35 new homes on 2-acre lots. While there would be no zoning changes or special permission required for that type of development, there would be little open space, Dignazio said.

Homes built that way would use on-site sewage and water.

Two other options include a PRD — planned residential district — ordinance. Both ideas would increase density to 40 new homes, but there would be more open space.

If the property were developed with 1-acre lots, there would be 30 acres of open space in a wooded area. However, Dignazio said, if the homes are clustered and built on lots of one-half acre each, there would be an additional 19 acres of open space for a total of 49 acres.

Dignazio said those other 19 acres would be along Oakland Road and dedicated to the township to preserve the historic corridor. Both of those designs call for public sewer and water instead of on-site systems.

Township resident Noelle Barbone said she likes the PRD concept. She said they’re more environmentally friendly because of the extra open space and the public systems for sewer and water.

There was no voting on the matter during the meeting. The session was an informal discussion of a sketch plan with no formal application yet on the table.

Most of the concerns from commission members centered on housekeeping matters regarding setbacks and how to proceed with the matter.

Commission Chairman Craig Huffman wondered whether there would next to be a text amendment or a new PRD ordinance, but did say clustering is a sensible approach. Dignazio said Grace is willing to work with the commission and follow its lead.

Dignazio was uncertain when they would return to the commission with a formal application.

Mansfield Development, a company owned by the Grace siblings, is the legal entity proposing the project. Their father Joe is the consultant.

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.

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New CFES principal and new board member to be named

Local News

board-candidates-_1JF7220 — New CFES principal and new board member to be named

New faces will be showing up in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. One will be a new school board director and the other will be a new fulltime principal at Chadds Ford Elementary School.

Superintendent of Schools John Sanville said the principal would be announced at the June 16 board meeting. He made the announcement at the June 9 work session.

Sanville said the screening process began with 60 applicants who were interviewed by administrators and board members. The number was whittled down to 16, then to seven, then three before getting to the one to be named.

Sanville did not want to announce the name at the workshop because the administration is currently working out contract details and the fact that the person is a sitting principal who needs to give notice.

Former Principal Mark Ransford unexpectedly retired in April following a breakdown in testing protocols in March. It was reported that Ransford had given 12 students extra time to finish sections of the PSSA exam.

Tom Tobin has been filling in as principal on an interim basis.

A new principal won’t be the only new appointment the board will make on June 16. Members will also vote on an appointment to fill the seat vacated by Eileen Bushelow, who stepped down from the board for personal reasons.

The board interviewed four people for the position during the work session. They are Bennett Baird, Arnie Klingenberg, Robert Sage and Hsinte James Yen. (See photo.)

Klingenberg, of Birmingham Township, grew up in the school district, eventually graduating from Penn State and going into business. He returned to Birmingham when he started his own company so his children could go to schools in U-CF.

He said he wanted them to have peer pressure for “where they would go to college, not if.”

Baird, who has a doctorate in chemical engineering, is retired from DuPont and now has his own research and development business. He’s been living in the district for 34 years.

He said his goal would be to help maintain and build on the district’s excellent reputation. In response to a question regarding advocacy, Baird said board members should advocate for the needs of the schools, the stakeholders and the students.

Yen is originally from Taiwan and said that he prefers the Western style of education to the model used in Asia. Western education is far more creative and is less stressful.

He coaches sports and is involved with Lego Robotics.

Sage moved into the district four years ago and has three sons attending Pocopson Elementary School. “What happens here in the next 10 years is critical for my family.”

He said his career in corporate America gives him a good background for being on the board, enabling him to be a credible spokesperson for the district and enhance the board’s creativity.

The appointment would be for 18 months and each applicant was asked whether they would run for election next year if named to the board now. Only Sage said yes. The others said they had made no decision on that.

Board President Vic Dupuis said all four candidates are solid and would make a good board member.

Director Michael Rock echoed Dupuis, saying, “We almost can’t make a mistake.”

About Rich Schwartzman

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Twisted Vintner scores for Rotary philanthropy

Local News

Andy-Varriale,-Jim-Barnes — Twisted Vintner scores for Rotary philanthropy

Put a big tent in a parking lot, fill it with more than 400 people, 13 restaurants, five wineries and one brewer and you get the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary’s 2014 Twisted Vintner event.

This was the Rotary’s fourth annual Twisted Vintner and is a major fund-raiser for the group’s philanthropic efforts.

This year’s goal was $20,000, according to chapter President-elect Dominic Cappelli.

“We have to raise a minimum of $20,000 to maintain our philanthropic pace,” he said amid the sounds of live music and hundreds of people talking.

Wine judges Michelle Colson and Chris Dion check the clarity of wine before tasting.

If ticket sales were any indicator, the goal was likely attained. Cappelli said 425 people bought tickets at $40 each, for $17,000 at the gate. In addition to admission, there were scores of items offered as part of a silent auction.

Money raised at the event goes toward a variety of Rotary effort including the Brandywine Youth Club, support for the Rachel Kohl Library, scholarships and a dictionary project that provides dictionaries for all third-graders in the Garnet Valley School District.

As with all other Twisted Vintner events, there was a homemade wine competition. Among the judges were state Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-160, restaurateurs Andy Varriale from Pescators and Jim Barnes from The Dilworthtown Inn. Also at the judging table were Chris Dion from Ten Gallon Hat Winery, Michelle Colson, from Southern/Deerfield Winery and Alicia Lyons from the Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery.

Main photo: Andy Varriale, of Pescatores Restaurant, and Jim Barnes, of the Dilworthtown Inn, offer a toast before judging some homemade wine.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Around Town June 12

Along the Ford

• The Christian C. Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford presents a Tribute to the Pocopson Valley Boys (see photo) on Saturday, June 14, 2014 with musical performances at 2 and 3 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of musical fun and delicious summertime refreshments. The band will play some of the old tunes and other toe tapping favorites. The museum will also be open for visitors to enjoy Chris’ wonderful collection of art, military memorabilia, presidential artifacts, local history and collectibles. Bring friends and family to enjoy a terrific afternoon of Pocopson Valley Boys music. The concert is free; admission to the museum is $5 per person and free for members and children under 12.

• Rock the Mill this Saturday, June 14, from noon to 8 p.m. This year’s Rock the Mill Music Festival will feature eight acts, including local bands Venom Blues and Whirled Peas. Proceeds go toward maintaining the Newlin Grist Mill dam, which helps keep the water wheel a-turning and the corn a-grinding. Visit www.rockthemill.org to learn more about the event and purchase tickets.

• Hotties~4~Humanity is holding a Hotties & Hunks Event at Pescatore’s Italian Restaurant in the Keystone Plaza on Route 202 in Chadds Ford Township on June 17th from 6 – 8 p.m. to benefit the Power of Pink. Cost is $25 prior to the event and $28 the day of the event. Includes free appetizers, discounted drinks, door & raffle gifts, dessert and a donation to the charity. Tickets are available at www.hotties4humanity.com. Men and women are welcome, couples and singles.

• Uptown! Entertainment features “Women of Jazz” in a new series of jazz concerts beginning Thursday, June 26 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 121 Market Street in West Chester. These cocktail hour concerts will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. for socializing; patrons will also be able to purchase cocktails and small bites before and during the concert and are encouraged to dine afterwards in West Chester. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at www.uptownwestchester.com. The June 26 concert is with Lynn Riley and World Mix.

• The Chester County Board of Commissioners and the Agricultural Development Council has released the 2014 Chester County Local Farm Products guide. The guide includes a list of over 100 farm producers, fun facts about local agriculture and a map offering locations to a wealth of farm-fresh products year-round. The guide is available from a number of locations including the Government Services Center (601 Westtown Road in West Chester), the Chester County administration building at 313 West Market Street in West Chester, as well as local libraries, municipal buildings and many other places throughout the community. It’s also available online at www.chesco.org/agdev/farmguide

• On June 15, at 1 p.m.at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, author Michael Harris will be presenting and signing copies of his newly released book Brandywine: A Military History of the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America, September 11, 1777. There is a suggested donation for the event of $3 for CFHS members and $5 for nonmembers.

• On June 21, the Historical Society will hold a colonial fair in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Barns-Brinton House. The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes colonial crafts, foods and drink, period dancers, local musicians, colonial demonstrators, plein air painters and tours of the house. At 11 a.m. there will be an unveiling of a plaque for the national Register of Historic Places. There will be birthday cake.

• Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery’s Thursday Pop-up Art Shows will now benefit Tick Tock Early Learning Center in Avondale. For the past year, Galer Estate Winery has hosted Pop-up Art shows every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. with a different artist exhibiting every week. Pop-up Art shows are simply an art show that is for only one day; like having a gallery opening party without the gallery. Thursday Pop-ups introduce the Chester County community to a variety of local artists, give local artists a new venue to exhibit their work, bring new visitors into the winery and give back to a good cause. Twenty percent of the art sales go to support a local non-profit. Tick Tock needs to raise $350,000 to revamp their current facility. Later this summer Galer Estate will host a benefit dance event “Dress as your Favorite Rock Star” also to benefit the Tick Tock Early Learning Center Expansion. For more information on the Tick Tock Early Learning center see www.ticktock@kennett.net, and for the latest Galer Estate Winery Popup Show calendar, see www.galerestate.com.

• Brandywine Ballet is offering a three-week summer intensive program and four-week choreography project for serious dancers from June 30 – July 25. The program will feature instruction focusing on technique, pointe, and variations for advanced and intermediate students. The first week will feature professional faculty from the “Best of the Brandywine Ballet.” Week two features noted dancers Gabrielle Yudenich and Barbara Sandonato. Aynsley Inglis will join us for weeks two and three. Ballet Mistress and resident choreographer Nancy Page will offer a four-week choreography project culminating in a performance opportunity at Rose Tree Park in Media, on Friday, July 25. For more info, visit www.brandywineballet.org

• Unionville-Chadds Ford administrators play host during the fifth annual Kennett/Unionville Community Breakfast. According to Unionville Superintendent John Sanville, there was a communications problem and the folks from Kennett were unable to attend. The servers, who U-CF School Board President Vic Dupuis called “suspicious looking” are, from left, Ken Batchelor, assistant to the superintendent, Tim Hoffman, CF Patton principal, John Nolen, director of elementary education and Cliff Beaver, UES principal.

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Photo of the Week: Ring Road Sunset

Photo of the Week

Ring Road Sunset_1JF7015_HDR — Photo of the Week: Ring Road Sunset

As the title implies, this image was shot from the top of Ring Road in Chadds Ford Township as the sun was setting on June 5.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Blogging Along the Brandywine: Quiet Wisdom in Loud Times

Along the Ford

KCG--Dr.-Gajdos-at-signing — Blogging Along the Brandywine: Quiet Wisdom in Loud Times

When Chadds Ford psychologist Kayta Curzie Gajdos has something to say, she says it brilliantly like the cover of her new book, – a nighttime volcanic eruption

Why the erupting volcano on the cover?

That seemed to be the question of the evening at the release of her new book, “Quiet Wisdom in Loud Times – The Rise of the Wounded Feminine” at the Chester County Book Company in West Chester last Wednesday, June 4.

Now before all you handsome hunks get all weird on me because you saw the words “wounded feminine”, let me clue you in — this is not a chick book. In Jungian philosophy, “feminine” merely refers to the energy of horizontal collaboration, while “masculine” refers to the energy of vertical or hierarchical power.

As Gajdos said at recent signing, “It’s not about men or women — it’s not a gender issue”

OK guys, are you breathing again? Keep reading.

So what about the volcano on the cover?

The picture was taken by Gajdos herself at the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii while she was there for a conference in 2010 giving a paper on the three novels of the Larsson trilogy. Kilauea is said to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.

And like a volcanic eruption, this book has been simmering for a long time.

“I’ve wanted to write a book forever”, Gajdos said, “for the past 10 or 20 years”.

And her book has already received widespread acclaim from noted authorities such as Dan Gottlieb, PhD, host of “Voices in the Family”

Part of Gajdos’s inspiration was reading the second novel of the Larsson Trilogy, “The Girl Who Played with Fire.”

In the second story of the trilogy, Lisbeth Salander, is shot by her father and buried by her half-brother. But at dawn, her hand rises from the grave.

“It gave me chills,” Gajdos related. “This was the rise of the wounded feminine”

(OK guys, put your head down between your knees if you have to. Remember, this is not a gender-based issue)

“Then I went back and studied the Larsson Trilogy and discovered he was really on to something”, she said.

According to Gajdos, we need to re-examine world issues like the environment, the economy, politics and the media and ask ourselves how we approach these problems. Are we working in a vertical mode that involves domination and subordination or can we work in a horizontal mode, in the spirit of collaboration and partnership?

One passage in the book that left a really big smile on my face revolved around the criticism American Catholic sisters have received from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church for their work being “tainted by radical feminism”.

Benedictine Nun, author and speaker, Sr. Joan Chittister fired back that the criticism came from “a group of men whose chance of knowing what the term radical feminism means is obviously close to zero!”

Gajdos comments, “What if the new Pope Francis makes Sister Joan a cardinal to become the feminine voice behind the papal throne?”

I’m not going to get into the minutia of Canon Law here, but it could be done.

Reading “Quiet Wisdom in Loud Times” not only opened my eyes to relationships, but left me hungry to learn more about lives of the various personalities Gajdos sites in her book such as novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand and painter-sculpter Käthe Kollwitz.

For more information on Kayta Curzie Gajdos and her book, go to http://www.drgajdos.com and click on “publications.”

About Sally Denk Hoey

Sally Denk Hoey, is a Gemini - one part music and one part history. She holds a masters degree cum laude from the School of Music at West Chester University. She taught 14 years in both public and private school. Her CD "Bard of the Brandywine" was critically received during her almost 30 years as a folk singer. She currently cantors masses at St Agnes Church in West Chester where she also performs with the select Motet Choir. A recognized historian, Sally serves as a judge-captain for the south-east Pennsylvania regionals of the National History Day Competition. She has served as president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates as well as the Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford where she now curates the violin collection. Sally re-enacted with the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment for 19 years where she interpreted the role of a campfollower at encampments in Valley Forge, Williamsburg, Va., Monmouth, N.J. and Lexington and Concord, Mass. Sally is married to her college classmate, Thomas Hoey, otherwise known as "Mr. Sousa.”

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Adopt-a-Pet June 12: Achilles

Home and Leisure

Achilles3 — Adopt-a-Pet June 12: Achilles

Handsome boy Achilles is a 3-year-old neutered male boxer/bulldog mix. Achilles arrived at the Chester County SPCA during the cold month of January and despite his past, he absolutely adores people. This lovable guy has a mellow personality and is already housetrained. Although he’s mellow, that does not stop Achilles from having a good time. Achilles will engage in just about any game that will involve tennis balls and he will love to tag along during your daily jog. He is also quite the snuggle buddy. If you are interested in Achilles, please come by the Chester County SPCA at 1212 Phoenixville Pike, call at 610-692-6113 for more information, or go to www.ccspca.org.

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District considers rejecting new school lunch regs

School & Education

New federal school lunch program regulations have Marie Wickersham concerned. Wickersham heads the Food Service Department for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

She told school board directors during the June 9 work session that high school students are increasingly dissatisfied with the meals the schools are providing and that participation in the lunch program is decreasing. She wants the board to opt out of following newer standards that are more restrictive.

Opting out would only be for Unionville High School, not the middle school or the elementary schools, she said.

While the district would lose reimbursement money, that would be offset by an increase in the number of high school students buying lunches that they actually like.

“As guidelines become more strict, we lose participation,” Wickersham told the board.

During the 2011-2012 academic year, 32 percent of UHS students bought lunches at the school, Wickersham said. However, that dropped to 26 percent the following year after the district opted into the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act.

That act, prompted by Michelle Obama’s initiative to fight childhood obesity, set new standards for meals served at school. It decreased the portions of meat and grains while increasing portion sizes for fruits and vegetables. It also eliminated milk products containing fat and set a minimum/maximum for calories.

Even stricter regulations are scheduled to take place next year, Wickersham said. She estimates participation at the high school level would drop to 24 percent under the stricter guidelines.

“It’s not good nutrition if kids won’t eat it,” she said.

New standards about to go into effect set sodium limits and require all grain products — such as pasta, breads and pretzels — be made from whole grains. Additionally, food products sold at schools during a fund-raising bake sale must also conform to the standards.

“[The new standards are] not in the best interest of the community,” she said.

She added that her department would continue to provide meal options that fit the HHFKA including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and offer other nutrient dense meal options that follow the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans.

“We don’t serve junk food…We have a good wellness policy that meets the needs of the community,” she said.

There is also educational value in opting out, she said. High school students can’t learn to be wise consumers unless they have a choice.

The new standards are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, Wickersham said, and she wants the board to vote on the matter at its June 16 meeting.

School Board President Vic Dupuis said other districts have already decided not to follow the new guidelines. He also said he’s aware that many students go to the nearby Landhope Farm store to buy food they like, rather than buy from the cafeteria.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Hall property decision continued; overlay possible

Local News

Concord Township supervisors have continued for 60 days a hearing on a text amendment that, if passed, would allow for greater density in some residential zoning districts throughout the township.

The request for the continuance came from the attorney for the Hall family, owners of a 17-acre parcel at Bethel Road and Featherbed Lane, after supervisors considered the opinion of another attorney representing one of the residents who opposes the density change.

During a hearing in May, roughly three-dozen people requested party status in the proceedings to oppose changing the zoning. If the changes were to go into effect, the property could be developed to accommodate 44 homes. Current zoning would allow for 12 homes.

Residents objected to the density proposal and urged against the text change that would have affected all R2 and R2D districts in the township.

According to Supervisors’ Chairman Dominic Pileggi, attorney Jack Michael asked the board look at the proposed change to determine the effect on other properties. Michael represents Concord resident Ken Hemphill.

Pileggi then said the board approached the attorney for the Halls, Paul Padien, to pass on the concerns. Padien then requested the continuance.

According to Pileggi, the board could have voted yes or no during the June 10 meeting, but agreed to the continuance so the applicant could consider options other than the text amendment. One of those options would be to create an overlay district — an Infrastructure Overlay District — that would not involve other areas in the township.

“It zeros into a specific area,” Pileggi said after the meeting.

That specific area is in the area of Route 322, Bethel Road and Featherbed Lane. Supervisors plan to hold a public meeting sometime within the 60-day period to get resident feedback. Pileggi said residents of Cambridge Downs, Clayton Park and those who live on Featherbed Lane and Bethel Road would get specific notice for the meeting.

Referring to the possible district as an infrastructure overlay is based on developer plans that extend Perkins Lane from the Cambridge Downs development through the proposed Hall development to Bethel Road. That would provide safer access to and from Route 322 once the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation widens that highway and limits left turns to and from 322.

The plan also includes building a sewage pump station that would accommodate flows from an estimated 150 homes and from the Garnet Valley School District property to the north should the school district choose to abandon its own treatment facility.

It’s the cost of those infrastructure improvements that, the project engineer said, require the extra density. It would be too expensive to build the road and the pump station if only 12 homes were to be built.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Police Log June 12: Pedestrian arrested on drug charges; traffic accidents and stolen baskets

Police

• A Bryn Mawr woman was cited following a traffic accident on Concord Road in Concord Township on June 9. A police report said Elizabeth L. Kirk, 32, pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle when she turned onto northbound Concord Road from Mattson Road. The second driver could not stop in time and hit Kirk’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.

• Darius Oliver Brooks, 22, of Aston, was charged with DUI on June 8. According to police, Brooks was pulled over for a traffic stop, then determined to be under the influence of alcohol. The stop was made at 2:59 a.m. on Naamans Creek Road, just east of Route 202.

• Crossing Route 1 on foot led to the arrest of a Morton man for drug possession. Police said Christopher Dolceamore, 19, was seen walking across Route 1 at Thornton Road just after 2 a.m. on June 6. When troopers approached to check on his wellbeing, the report said, Dolceamore was found to be in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

• One person was cited, but no injuries were reported in a three-car rear-ender on Route 202 at Brandywine Drive on June 6. Police said the 8:22 a.m. accident happened when all three vehicles were traveling south on 202. The first vehicle stopped for traffic in the left lane and the second vehicle slowed. The driver of the third vehicle tried to stop but, police said, his brakes locked up and he hit the second car, which then hit the first. Police identified the cited driver as Jason M. Fahey, 32, of West Chester.

• In another three-car rear-ender, one person did receive minor injuries while another was cited for following too closely. This accident happened on northbound Route 202 just prior to Dilworthtown Road at 2:26 p.m. on June 1. Laura E. McManus, 26, of West Chester, was cited. The driver of the second vehicle was reported to have sustained a minor injury, but was not transported.

• Police said someone stole six hanging flower baskets from a property in the 1600 block of Creek Road in Chadds Ford Township sometime between May 30 and June 2.

• Police are investigating a hit and run accident on Hillendale Road in Pennsbury Township. One driver attempted to pass another car that was driving at what police said was well below the posted speed limit. The driver being passed swerved into the other car and then fled the scene. The incident happened on June 4 at 4:33 p.m.

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