March 31, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Art Watch: Cheers to 10 years at The Longwood Art Gallery

FlyingRooster Mala Galleria — Flying Rooster by Bogdan Miscevic.

In Kennett Square, The Longwood Art Gallery, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with “The Art of Glass” featuring the light-filled glass works of Lore Evans, Lisa Sabol and Don Jost April 3-30. Lore Evans, of the Glass Gallery in Chadds Ford, feels that “each sheet of glass has its own point of interest, its own ‘heart'”.

From functional works in glass, to mobiles and unique art objects that catch and reflect the light, this will be a dazzling show to celebrate the Gallery’s Ten years in Kennett Square. The opening for the show is First Friday, April 3rd, from 6-9 p.m. where you can meet the artists, enjoy food, wine and live music by The Ladeens. Pop in to the gallery and say congratulations!

Also in Kennett Square, for the month of April, Mala Galleria will show two different shades of magic with he new naïve folk artworks by artist Bogdan Miscevic, as well as local traditional equine painter Mamie Duff.

Bogdan ‘s artworks have strong Yugoslavian roots in illustration, fantasy and history. Vibrantly colored, fantastically detailed magical scenes make you crave to see more. His work is featured in museums and collections around the world, and we are fortunate to see a glimpse of his creative universe right here in Kennett Square.

Juxtaposing these lively illustrative scenes is a large round canvas with a single white majestic horse by artist Mamie Duff. An avid horse rider, Mamie clearly loves her subject matter. She draws in the viewer to a kind of magical reverie that is the beauty of a horse. Stella, the owner of Mala Galleria is always bringing in such an interesting mix of talent, but I wish she had a larger gallery so we could see more!

West Chester’s First Friday in April will have a local artists showing at various business locations, but the really big Friday West Chester Art Stroll is in May, so stay tuned. This month, The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank shows “The Chester County Studio Tour Exhibit” which features the works from many of the 100 artists that will be exhibiting at 47 studios throughout Chester County on May 16-17. I will be writing more about this incredible art tour-de-force next month, but you can catch a sneak peek at The Art Trust show starting on April 1st.

Founder of the Chester County Studio tour, artist Jeff Schaller describes the show as “A plethora of Chester County’s finest all in one location.” I am looking forward to seeing it, and it will give visitors to the big tour an idea of which artist studios that they would like to visit.

In Phoenixville, at The Art Gallery at Franklin Commons on Friday April 3rd from 6:30-8 p.m. is Family Fun Night where you may bring your whole family to enjoy a gallery tour, go on an art and science scavenger hunt and create some take home science art.

If you are looking for other fun family art activities in this area, check out The Brandywine River Museum of Art, The Delaware Museum of Art and of course The Chester County Art Association and The Oxford Art Alliance for their weekly offerings.

Architecture" show at Oxford Art Alliance — Architecture” show at Oxford Art Alliance

Speaking of The Oxford Art Alliance, Friday April 3rd from 5-8 p.m. will be the opening to their newest show “Architecture”. Seven local architects are showing their work, models, sketches and the process that it goes through in an artful way. Says exhibiting architect Wayne Simpson, “Anytime you raise awareness of architecture is a good thing….it is a big part of our lives and most people don’t understand how it works!” I love that idea and I do hope that they follow this exhibition with an open discussion with the architects. That would be fascinating!

About Lele Galer

Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.

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Local farmers hear warnings on EPA rules, ticks

Home and Leisure

The focus was on agriculture as the president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau addressed the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau’s (CDCFB) Spring Banquet in Goshen Fire Hall last week.

Rick Ebert, president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, addresses the crowd at the Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau’s (CDCFB) Spring Banquet.

Rick Ebert, who is also a dairy farmer in Westmoreland County, spoke to an audience of farmers, guests, and lawmakers, including state Representatives Tim Hennessey and Becky Corbin and Senator Andy Dinniman, a Farm Bureau press release said.

Ebert urged members to get involved with the Farm Bureau as well as their communities. “Step out and tell your story” and talk to the consumer about how you care for your land and treat your livestock, he said. Adding that everyone wants clean water, he said farmers play a vital role to ensure that nutrient loss is minimized and soil erosion prevented, the release said.

He said the Farm Bureau is concerned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is increasing its role over water and land management by making decisions on how and when states need to take action, which exceeds its authority under the Clean Water Act. For example, the EPA could require farmers to obtain permits if severe rainfall causes water to lie on the surface of their farmland.

Ebert encouraged members to find time to get involved at the state and federal levels and also at the municipal level. He also recognized that sometimes a disconnect exists between farmers and neighbors, and he suggested that farmers invite their neighbors onto their farms to see how they grow food and treat animals.

The audience of more than a hundred also heard from Doug Fearn, president of the Lyme Disease Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “The ticks are already out there,” he warned, describing an epidemic that is growing increasingly more severe. The new version of “Emergence, ” a film on Lyme disease, will be shown at West Chester University, Sykes Auditorium, 100 Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, on Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. The movie is free and open to the public.

The Chester Delaware County Farm Bureau is the largest county Farm Bureau in the state with membership of over 7,200 members. Howard Robinson, now in the PFB Hall of Fame, made it clear that there are many benefits from membership, including living longer than other people, enjoying fresh country air, and getting plenty of exercise. “Membership adds years to your life and life to your years,” he said.

Membership is open to anyone who is farming or who has an interest in farmers who produce our food.

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Meade Barner Jones of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Meade Barner Jones, 89, of Kennett Square, died peacefully on Saturday, March 28, at Kendal at Longwood. She was the wife of L. Davis Jones, who died in 1984, and with whom she shared 38 years of marriage.

She was born in Richmond, Va. and grew up in Norfolk, Va. She was the daughter of the late David Meade and Nelle McClendon Barner.

Meade led a long and rich life and enjoyed success in a number of endeavors. An accomplished vocalist, she was invited to audition for a leading role in a Broadway musical at the age of 16. She met Lt. Davis Jones, USNR, in Norfolk when he returned from deployment in the South Pacific theatre. They were married in January of 1946 and settled in suburban Philadelphia, where their three children were raised.

She became very interested in horticultural activities through her participation with the Twin Valleys Garden Club, where she served as president. Her eye for flower arranging was recognized by the judging staff of the renowned Philadelphia Flower Show, who awarded her a second best in show ribbon. She also received an award for her work from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Her great love for history led to a long association with the Valley Forge Historical Society, where she was a board member and president. She ably guided the society during a period of major new initiatives, including “Valley Forge: The Reality and the Symbol,” an innovative exhibition that examined the history and significance of the Continental Army’s difficult encampment at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78.

Meade was a long-standing member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also served on the board of the Wharton Esherick Museum, the Brinton Family Association and the Hickman, a Friends senior community in West Chester. She was a member of Birmingham Friends Meeting in Birmingham Township.

Survivors include a sister, Jane Johnson, three children, Davis Jones and wife Tami, Brinton Jones and wife Annette, Carter Jones Meyer and husband, Bruce Meyer, along with three grandchildren, Davis Jones and his wife Debbie Lee, Susanna Jones, Carter Robison Meyer and great grandson Koa Lee Jones.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Kendal at Longwood for their care and kindness to Meade and the family during the five years that she lived there.

A Memorial Meeting for Worship will be held at 2:00 Friday afternoon, April 3, at the Birmingham Friends Meeting, 1245 S. Birmingham Road. Burial will be private.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo &Grieco Funeral Home Kennett Square.

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Open house to facilitate youth employment

Business

Chester County’s “one-stop shop” for youth employment and training opportunities, The HOOD: A Partnership for Youth Employment, will host an open house on Thursday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the county announced in a press release.

Located at Suite 350, 479 Thomas Jones Way in Exton, The HOOD provides young people with access to opportunities for further education and training, career development and job opportunities. A brief program, with comments from the Chester County commissioners, will take place at noon.

The HOOD, facilitated by the Chester County Workforce Investment Board and the Council for the Workforce of Tomorrow, places an emphasis on educational enrichment, career exploration and career development. It offers in-school youth programs and primarily focuses on out-of-school services for youth to attend an alternative schooling to obtain a GED as well as other post-educational opportunities.

“Our organization is forever growing and expanding, and we are focused on improving our services to make them more effective for young people,” Lila Singleton, Workforce Development Manager for The HOOD, said in the release. “All of our partners, representatives from school districts and youth services, and the general public are welcome to attend, giving us an opportunity to showcase our new premises and our services.”

With the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act regulations being implemented on July 1, The HOOD will serve out-of-school youth ages 16 to 24, and in-school youth from ages 12 to 18.

Anyone attending the open house is asked to RSVP to Roslyn Roberts at rroberts@chesco.org or call 610-344-6929 by Friday, April 3.^.For more information, contact Roslyn Roberts or go to the website at www.thehoodonline.org.

About Press Release

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Lt. Col. Henry Allen Gracey Jr. (Ret.) of West Chester

Obituaries

Lt. Col. Henry Allen Gracey Jr. (Ret.), 84, of West Chester, died March 30, 2015 at Wellington Retirement Community in West Chester.

Born in 1930 in Ridley Park, he was the son of the late Harry A. and Katherine (Rutherford) Gracey.

He was a graduate of Bordentown Military Institute and also the Pennsylvania State University. He served honorably in the US Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

He retired from the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, where he worked in human resources.

Henry Allen was the beloved husband of Ruth (Dunbar) Gracey; loving father of Lynn A. Seay (Lou) of Phoenixville, Gail G. Chapman-Groncki (David) of East Fallowfield, and H. Allen Gracey III (Alison) of Durham, N.C.; loving grandfather of Justin & Erin Seay, Crista Wagner (Matt) and Olivia and Henry A. Gracey IV; loving great-grandfather of Xavier and Styles; dear brother of Anne Crawley.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 10-11 a.m. Friday, April 3, and to his funeral service, 11 a.m., at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000. Interment Glenwood Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chester County SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

Online condolences at www.donohuefuneralhome.com.

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Maria R. Vega (nee Ortiz) of West Chester

Obituaries

Maria R. Vega (nee Ortiz), 83, of West Chester, died March 22.

Born in 1931 in Coamo, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of Eulalia (Rivera) and Ovidio Ortiz, both deceased.

Maria was the beloved wife of Juan Vega Sr.; loving mother of Sylvia Lombardo of Norristown, Juan Vega Jr. of Lancaster, Santos Vega (Meredith) of West Chester and Carlos Vega of Downingtown; dear grandmother of five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services are private.

Arrangements by The Donohue Funeral Home, West Chester, PA 610-431-9000.

Online condolences at www.donohuefuneralhome.com.

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Fire extinguisher recall

Local News

Kidde United Technologies has issued a recall of some of its home fire extinguishers.

According to a company press release: “Kidde, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, is announcing a voluntary recall to replace certain XL Fire Extinguisher units, because they may lose pressure faster than others due to an off-specification lubricant. This loss of pressure may result in the extinguisher failing to operate when activated. The affected units were manufactured in Mexico between October 2007 and April 2008.”

Kidde also said the gauges on the affected units continue to function and will alert customers to any pressure loss.

Chadds Ford Township Fire Marshal Mike Daily said he’s concerned for the welfare of the residents.

“They need to be aware of this and check their products at home. I wouldn’t want somebody to have an incident where they required a fire extinguisher and it didn’t work,” he said.

The extinguishers in question are red, white, or silver and rated as ABC or BC.

(Those designations refer to the types of fires the extinguisher can handle. ABC extinguishers can put out fires fueled by paper and wood, chemicals such as gasoline and electrical fires. BC extinguishers are for chemical and electrical fires.)

Manufacturing dates included in the recall are July 23, 2013, through October 15, 2014. A 10-digit date code is stamped on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom. Digits five through nine represent the day and year of manufacture in DDDYY format. Date codes for recalled units manufactured in 2013 are XXXX 20413 X through XXXX 36513 X and 2014 are XXXX 00114 X through XXXX 28814 X. A nameplate affixed to the front of the fire extinguisher has one of the following model numbers: 10BC, 1A 10BC, 1A 10BCW, 2A10BC, 5BC, 5BCW, FA10G, FA110, FA5B, FC10, FC110, FC5, FH/ RESSP, FX10, FX10BC, FX10K, FX210, FX210R, FX210W, FX340GW, FX340SC, FX5II, KFH Twin, M110 Twin, M5 Twin, Mariner 10, Mariner 110, Mariner 5, Mariner 5 G, RESSP and XL 5MR.

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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PennDOT seeking input on road priorities

Local News

As part of the update to the commonwealth’s Twelve Year Transportation Program, Pennsylvanians are invited to visit www.TalkPATransportation.com to provide input on their transportation priorities and to register for an interactive online public meeting on April 16, a PennDOT press release said.

The program, which serves as a blueprint of prioritized transportation projects, is updated every two years through a cooperative effort among the State Transportation Commission (STC), PennDOT and its 24 regional planning partners. The goal is to enable all Pennsylvanians to contribute their priorities and suggestions.

“In the past, we gathered feedback for our long-term planning through public meetings that our customers couldn’t always attend,” acting PennDOT Secretary and STC Chairwoman Leslie S. Richards said. “The modernized process we started a few years ago lets the public share their priorities and comments with us at their convenience, which ensures we have more comprehensive feedback as we begin developing our plan.”

The online public meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. During the live webcast, Richards will provide an update on the state’s recently released Transportation Performance Report and the public comment period. Richards and other PennDOT staff will also answer questions submitted before and during the meeting.

Pennsylvanians must register to participate and can do so at www.TalkPATransportation.com. Questions may be submitted in advance to ra-penndotstc@pa.gov and participants may also submit questions during the meeting through the webcast tool.

Through May 29, the public can also submit feedback at their convenience by emailing ra-penndotstc@pa.gov, by calling 717-787-2913 to request a printed survey copy; or by taking the public survey once it is posted on the website on April 16.

The STC evaluates and assesses the resources needed to maintain and expand the state’s transportation system. The 15-member commission includes Richards, 10 private citizens appointed by the governor, and the majority and minority chairs of the state Senate and House Transportation Committees.

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Talk aims to reduce middle-school girls’ stress

Health

Statistics show that nearly 25 percent of middle and high school students suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder and that stereotypes prevent 66 percent of them from seeking help.

Such numbers provided the impetus for “Girl Talk,” a workshop open to girls ages 11 to 16 and their parents on Sunday, April 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Westtown School, said a press release from the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls.

The program, sponsored by the fund in partnership with Minding Your Mind, will focus on the important issues young girls face today and healthy ways to overcome stress and challenges.

Topics for discussion will include dealing with stress and anxiety, building healthy relationships, identifying the symptoms of depression, and challenging perfectionism. Teens will learn how to help friends and when to reach out for help. In addition to sharing expertise, speakers from Minding Your Mind will deliver powerful messages of hope based on their own real-life experiences, the release said.

To RSVP or receive additional information, email katherine@ccfwg.org; call (484) 356-0940; or visit http://ccwomenandgirls.org/girl-talk/

The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls is a grant-making and education foundation dedicated to addressing the needs of women and girls in the county. For more than 18 years, the fund has raised awareness about the critical needs of women and girls, and has awarded over $2 million to 60 nonprofits. To learn more about the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, visit www.ccfwg.org.

About Press Release

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