Rhoda M. Gift Mattson, 81, of Landenberg, died suddenly Monday, April 13, at her home. She was the wife of the late Walter J. Mattson who died in 2011 and with whom she shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in West Chester, she was a daughter of the late George and the late Fanny (Kriner) Gift.
Rhoda was a pharmacy tech for Eckerd-Rite Aid for many years. She was a longtime member of the Landenberg United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and she was an excellent seamstress.
Survivors include one daughter, Susan Mattson-James (William) of Bear, Del.; two sons, Charles Daniel Mattson of Pike Creek, Del. and William James Mattson (Stephanie) of Wilmington; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one son, two brothers and three sisters.
You are invited to visit with Rhoda’s family and friends from 10-11 a.m. Friday, April 17, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. Her funeral service will follow at 11. Interment will be in Kemblesville UMC Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to 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
Frank Kegel, 71, died suddenly at his home in Lincoln University, on, Monday April 13. He was the husband of Gale Arscott Kegel with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.
Born in Darby, he was the son of the late Frank N. and the late Mary V. (Paradise) Kegel.
Frank graduated from West Chester University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received an associates degree from the Wharton School of Business.
He was the business manager for Avon Grove School district for 24 years before retiring in 2001. Frank absolutely loved retirement and he looked forward to and enjoyed family gatherings. He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, loved the outdoors and the change of seasons and playing golf with his buddies.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Thomas Kegel (Theresa), four daughters, Blythe Kegel, Krista Robertson (Mark), Veronica Giglio and Erika Rushing and eight grandchildren, Robert, Erik, AJ, Stephanie, Cameron, Grace, Beck and Mimi.
You are invited to visit with Frank’s family and friends from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 17, at the Kemblesville United Methodist Church Rt. 896 and Peacedale Rd. Kemblesville, PA 19347. A funeral celebrating his life will follow at noon. Interment will be in the adjoining cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association P.O. Box 15120 Chicago, IL 60693. Arrangements are being handled by the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-869-2685) of West Grove. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com
Mary Kane, Artist, at the Franklin Commons exhibit
The two big shows that open this week are at the Art Gallery at Franklin Commons in Phoenixville and at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Devon. While both are a bit far a field of Chester County, they include many well known Chester County artists and are well worth the short car trip.
Exhibit at Franklin Commons
An art organization called The Artists Equity Association is holding its 66th Anniversary Members’ juried exhibition at The Art Gallery at Franklin Commons in Phoenixville. Though I confess that I had never heard of it before, this is one of the oldest artist organizations in the five county area and has more than 170 members. There are many art associations, art centers and arts organizations in our area, and each one has its own vision and assemblage of members.
The Artists Equity Association was formed in the 1940s by a group of professional artists who were interested in helping out fellow struggling artists muddle through the complicated gallery process and worked as an advocacy and support group for advancement of the arts. While it still does offer help to fellow established artists, it is now primarily a vehicle to exhibit the fine art represented by its membership in two shows per year.
The level of expertise and variety of expressive techniques is absolutely wonderful to behold. It is a thrill to see such talent and variety of expression in one show. The opening for the Artist’s Equity 66th Anniversary show is Sunday April 19th from 2-4 p.m. and the show will continue through May 21st at Franklin Commons. Curator Katie Naber is particularly excited about the show. Pointing to a large yellow painting by Mary Kane at the entry, ” You see that – and BAM! Beautiful!” she exclaimed.
The Artists Circle membership’s 30th Annual Art Show and Sale at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Devon will exhibit hundreds of paintings in their show which opens Friday April 17th at 1 p.m. and closes Sunday April 19th at 4 p.m. More than an art show, it is a visual experience that includes hands on demonstrations by Judy Antonelli , Wendy Scheirer and Lisa Prize on Saturday. Though these artists offer a range of personal view points, this is a quintessential Chester County art show, with lovely floral and landscape watercolors and still life paintings. Prices are reasonable, and there are also prints available for sale. The Lutheran Church is located at 203 N. Valley Forge Road in Devon. For more information about this artist’s group you should visit www.theartistscircle.net.
Lenten Rose by Terri Morse
Closer to home, The Chadds Ford Gallery presents “Recent Works by William Basciani and John Hannafin” at their famous gallery at 1609 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford. The opening will be this Friday April 17th from 5-8 p.m. which is a lovely opportunity to chat with these remarkable fine local artists. The exhibition continues through May 3rd. Both artists capture “the beauty of life” in their own unique way. Basciani was trained in the Brandywine tradition of the Wyeths and W.O. Ewing, while John Hannafin approaches his subject matter with a brighter palette and more expressionistic brushwork. What a wonderful idea for a show!
In Wilmington the delightful Blue Streak Gallery is exhibiting the work of local artist Carol Tippit Woolworth in a show called “Horses and Hummingbirds.” Woolworth currently works in oil and cold wax which lends itself to exuberant color and textural combinations. Gallery owner Ellen Bartholomaus says that her gallery was one of the first to exhibit Woolworth’s stunning artwork “She is amazing and each piece is so magnificent!” The Blue Streak Gallery is celebrating 27 years as a fine arts gallery dedicated to supporting local artists and serving the local community.
If you would like a break from the visual arts and want to experience exceptional music while donating to a fantastic cause, check out Kennett High School this Friday April 17th for a benefit concert by brilliant Violinist David Kim. All proceeds will support the very good works done by the Garage Community and Youth Center. You can purchase tickets online through the Garage website (www.garageyouthcenter.org) or at the door for $45 each.
Another wonderful local non-profit, The Kennett Area Senior Center is offering free a 5-day course starting Friday April 17th 1-3 p.m. The theme of the classes is to reflect upon your life as a “Baby-boomer” and express your thoughts through the creative process. Sound like fun! Call 610-444-4819 to signup.
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.
Concord Township is looking for ways to expand its trail network and part of the consideration includes Rails-to-Trails, PECO easements and becoming part of a national trail network.
During an April 13 Greenways and Open Space Network Committee meeting, landscape architect Marc Morfei, from Pennoni Associates and a township resident, presented the public with a broad overview of what the committee is looking to do.
The idea is to connect the already existing trails with each other, Morfei said, and to have a trail network connecting all public and historic properties, including recreational areas, schools, churches and shopping centers, including the Wegmans currently under construction.
By offering people a way to use trails to and from those types of locations, trails go “from being recreation to transportation.”
“People can walk out their door, get on a bike and be connected to whole system,” Morfei said. “You could walk or ride your bike and go to the store. That’s something we don’t naturally think of because we don’t really have an opportunity to do that.”
In another example, Morfei suggested having a connecting link between the trails at the township facility on Thornton Road with the trails at Newlin Grist Mill on Cheyney Road.
Once that’s accomplished, the network could grow by using the old Octorara Rail line to build trails moving east and west. Fully built, that trail could go from Chester, through Chester Heights, and into Concord Township. It could also be extended into Chadds Ford and beyond.
PECO easements could also be used to connect Garnet Valley Woods, Concord Woods, Clayton Park and Fox Hill Farm, he said.
Morfei added that trails in Concord could also become part of a 3,000-mile national trail running from Maine to Florida, the East Coast Greenway Project. He said that system is 20 percent completed.
Some residents weren’t pleased with what they were hearing.
One resident said that while property values do rise for properties near trails, they go down for properties that abut trails because people are uncomfortable with strangers walking along their property lines.
Another resident said she has safety concerns.
“Do I want my son to have easy access to a 3,000-mile long trail? No. Do I want people from a high crime area like Chester walking by my yard? No,” she said.
Township engineer Nate Cline said not all the ideas being looked at will necessarily happen, and township Supervisor Kevin O’Donoghue said the township’s first obligation would be to protect the health and wellbeing of residents.
Supervisor John Gillespie echoed O’Donoghue. “Public safety is our number one concern for our community,” Gillespie said.
Speaking favorably about the system was Garnet Valley School District Superintendent Marc Bertrando, who said the trail system could enhance student safety. He said he becomes uncomfortable when he sees students, such as cross-country runners, running along the side of a road.
“We’re on board with this,” Bertrando said.
Throughout the meeting, Morfei said no decisions have yet been made because the township was only in the very beginning of the planning stage. One of the primary reasons for the meeting was to present initial ideas and to get feedback from residents.
The township has already received a number of grants for feasibility studies.
Gillespie said the committee would have more meetings to adjust the current plan, present it again later in the year when it’s almost final, and then do the study. He said that could happen later this summer.
On the heels of that, he said, the rails-to-trails option would be developed. The township has already received a grant with Chester Heights for that feasibility study.
(Photo: Landscape architect Marc Morfei, standing at left, gives a PowerPoint presentation on regional trails and how Concord Township’s trails can be be expanded.)
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.
A bill strengthening and modernizing Pennsylvania’s use of DNA technology to fight violent crime, sponsored by Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-9), was approved on Tuesday, April 14, by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“It’s time for Pennsylvania to catch up with DNA science,” Pileggi said in a press release. “Since our DNA database was created more than two decades ago, tremendous progress has been made – but our law has not kept pace. This bill will help get violent criminals off the streets, making our communities safer.”
Senate Bill 683 will require individuals arrested for serious crimes to submit DNA samples, a process already used by more than half of the states and the federal government. In addition, the bill establishes privacy protections, an expungement process and new quality controls. It also authorizes a new type of DNA search to help identify suspects in unsolved crimes.
Pileggi cited the case of the killer known as the Kensington Strangler, who was arrested on felony drug charges in June 2010 – but no DNA sample was mandated. “Later that year, three women were found raped and strangled to death. Numerous others were sexually assaulted but managed to escape their attacker,” Pileggi said. “Philadelphia police spent thousands of hours working to solve the case.”
Many months later, the man pled guilty to the felony drug charge and – because Pennsylvania’s law does require post-conviction DNA samples – his DNA was collected. When it was processed, investigators found the match they were seeking. The man was convicted of the three murders and numerous other crimes and was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences.
Senate Bill 683 is supported by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, and the national organization DNA Saves, the release said.
Among its provisions, the legislation would require post-arrest DNA samples from those arrested for serious offenses; establish an expungement process for the DNA records of exonerated individuals; codify accreditation requirements for forensic DNA testing laboratories; and authorize the state police to use modified DNA searches to help investigators identify unknown DNA profiles taken at crime scenes.
Senate Bill 683 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
For now, it’s back to the drawing board for the interior of the Barnard House, the Pocopson Township supervisors decided at Monday night’s meeting.
Pocopson Township Code Enforcement Officer Richard Jensen discusses possible layouts of the interior of Barnard House.
The supervisors tabled a vote on a “scope of work” bid package from Melton Architects after discussion about the space dominated the 1½ -hour-long meeting. Work has been proceeding on the exterior of the building, an early 1800s stone house and a stop on the Underground Railroad that is being repurposed as the township’s administrative offices and a home for the Kennett Underground Railroad Museum.
Richard Jensen, the township’s code enforcement officer who is overseeing the project, explained that the supervisors and township staff need to decide how the inside space will be configured. “All of these rooms right now are in flux,” he said, pointing to plans that showed two different layouts.
Supervisors’ Chairman Barney Leonard said he supported the project but was uncomfortable approving more funds until the township’s employees had an opportunity to discuss their needs with the architect. He said the township’s current building falls short in many ways, and he believed Barnard House offers a solution as long as the details are planned carefully.
“It can’t fail,” he said. “We have too much at stake.” He added that the building “needs to serve the township at least 15 to 20 years.”
“I think we have a lot more work to do before bid packages,” Supervisor Ricki Stumpo said, citing security as one of several concerns about the layout. She said more than $600,000 has been spent on renovations so far.
Supervisor Georgia Brutscher pointed to one drawing that included a proposed addition that was eliminated because of its $400,000 price tag. She said a lot of progress has been made, and she recommended continuing to move forward by setting up a meeting with Melton and the township staff as soon as possible, a suggestion met with approval.
The 2015 budget includes $825,000 in projected costs and a $750,000 facilities loan that will be needed to cover them.
In other business, the supervisors heard about the difficulties of responding to noise complaints regarding dirt bikes. Jensen said he needs more information from residents who have complained, such as where the bikes appear to originate.
“At this point, it’s like chasing a ghost,” he said, noting that complaints frequently occur on weekends.
The supervisors applauded PennDOT’s recent announcement that it will install a traffic light at Route 52 and Pocopson Road during the Route 926 bridge reconstruction project, now slated to begin next spring. Leonard said Stumpo deserved credit for a two-year effort to make it happen.
A park reservation protocol submitted by the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee received approval and will be posted on the township’s website, the supervisors said.
Public Works Director Mark Knightly reported that work on the township’s ball field is done and all the trails have been checked. The supervisors, who earlier read two letters from residents who praised the Public Works Department, approved his request for a boom mower, a $20,000 expenditure that had been placed in the capital budget. Previously, the township had been borrowing one from West Marlborough Township, Knightly said.
The supervisors also approved the expenditure of $1,100 to send two members of the township’s Historical Committee – Kris Firey-Poling and Sarah Mims – to a two-day conference in New York. They said the committee has the funds in its budget.
The Jefferson Comprehensive Concussion Center (JCCC), a collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University, Rothman Institute, and Wills Eye Hospital, has partnered with the Brandywine Youth Club (BYC) in an effort to raise awareness and educate young athletes on the dangers of concussion.
The JCCC will provide free education and ImPACT baseline testing to all 3000 of BYC’s athletes. The partnership is designed to promote comprehensive, proactive concussion care and education to the student/athlete, parent, coach and community, a press release said.
“While coaching this year, I made it mandatory for my girls’ soccer team players and parents to become aware of concussion and the impact it could have on them,” Linda Mazzoli, JCCC director, BYC soccer coach, and mother of three BYC athletes, said in the release. “We provided educational opportunities and access to ImPACT testing prior to them starting the season. It was then that I realized that not only my team, but all of the children and parents should have access to this level of education and awareness.”
Dave Wrzesniewski, the player/parent representative for BYC said the club and its board appreciate the opportunity to partner with the JCCC. “The program at Jefferson offers a comprehensive approach to the education, prevention and treatment of concussions,” he said. “BYC is focused on ensuring the safety of all of our athletes, especially when it comes to concussions. We’d like to thank the JCCC for this opportunity and their generous support.”
As part of the agreement, the JCCC will provide the following for the BYC community:
Basic education for parents and athletes of all levels, including concussion recognition, signs and symptoms, concussion avoidance and what to do when you suspect concussion.
Advanced education for coaches that will focus on coach accountability of understanding concussions, but also their role in removing athletes and returning athletes to play.
Baseline Screening Program for all athletes.
Additional educational opportunities for the club, which has served the youth of Chester Heights Borough, Bethel Township, Concord Township, Chadds Ford and Thornbury townships since 1955, will be available through in-person trainings and online webinars, the release said.
Carl George Prigg, 87, of Lincoln University, died Wednesday, April 8, at Jennersville Regional Hospital. He was the husband of Pauline Guy Prigg, with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in West Grove, he was the son of the late John and Annabelle Brown.
He was a grounds keeper at the Oxford Cemetery in Oxford for 12 years.
Carl enjoyed fishing and loved the outdoors.
dition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Tonya L. Prigg of Avondale; two sons, Ronald Prigg and his wife Rosie of Lubbock, Texas and Richard Prigg of Downingtown; 15 grandchildren, one great grandchild and two great-great grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18, , at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 347 Gap Newport Pike, West Grove, PA (Chatham, PA). Burial will be private.
Thomas Hudson McNeill, 93, of Glen Mills, formerly of Wilmington, died April 10. He was the beloved husband of the late Jacqueline A. McNeill (nee Lazare) and the dear father of Suzanne A. McNeill, David R. McNeill (Anne) and the late Marian M. Alves. He is also survived by his grandchildren Matthew, Emma, Natalie, Andrew, Daniel, Charles, Thomas and Kyle.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service, Tuesday, April 14, 2 p.m. at Maris Grove Chapel in Glen Mills. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to the Maris Grove Scholars Fund, Attn: Scholars Fund, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342 would be appreciated.
