Only time will tell if there will be smooth sailing for Smoothie King’s ride into Concord Township. And there’s still no building into which the business can go.
Smoothie King is a franchised healthy meal replacement business offering fruit and vegetable smoothies, according to Brad Liermann, of Smooth Operator, the franchisee hoping to set up in Concord. He testified during a brief conditional use hearing on April 28.
“It’s nutritional lifestyle meal replacements for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and for pre- and post-workouts,’ Liermann said.
The plan is to go into a yet-to-be built structure near Buffalo Wild Wings and a proposed Malvern Bank along Route 1. Smoothie King would be in a 1,400-square-foot portion on the east side of the 4,800-square-foot building.
The building has already been approved, but Smoothie King needs some modifications. Specifically, the operators want a drive-thru window, Liermann said.
Conditional use approval is needed for the drive-thru. The site would lose five parking spaces because of the window.
Seating would be limited to only six or eight seats, and they would be only for customers in the store waiting for their smoothies. There would be no inside consumption, Liermann said.
Planned operating hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Supervisors’ Chairman Dominic Pileggi said the board would give its decision in June.
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.
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.
My name is Sophie and I am a 6-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair who was surrendered to the shelter on Feb. 27. My most unique feature is my beautiful dilute tortie coat. I am on the shy side and with some encouragement, I totally enjoy being petted and loved. Due to my shyness I would prefer a more quiet home where I would be more comfortable.
• Police are investigating a report of a missing person. Police said Erica Marie Smith, 26, of Kennett Square, was reported missing at 11:19 p.m. on April 22.
• An 81-year-old from West Grove woman was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance on April 11. Police said Catherine Prescott was stopped after she ran a red light on Route 1 at Brinton Lake Road at 11:39 p.m.
• Amanda Rzaca, 27, of Garnet Valley, was accused of marijuana possession following a traffic stop at the Naamans Creek Road Wawa in Concord Township on April 1. Rzaca was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for traffic violations.
• State police from the Avondale barracks, Troop J, reported six cases of identity theft involving fraudulent tax filings. Of the six, two involved victims in Pennsbury Township, two in Kennett Township and one each in Upper Oxford and Franklin townships.
• One driver was injured and another cited in connection with an April 18 accident on Unionville Road at East Locust Lane in East Marlborough Township. Police said Thomas Keating, 63, was cited for an improper left-hand turn when turned left onto East Locust from southbound Route 82 (Unionville Road) and struck an oncoming car heading north on 82. That second car then hit a utility pole, police said.
• Falyn Michelle Rasmussen, of Wilmington, was arrested for DUI following a traffic stop on Route 1 at Pennsbury Way in Pennsbury Township on April 24, according to a police report.
• No injuries were reported, but one driver was cited for following too closely following an April 9 rear-ender in East Marlborough Township. A policed report said Marie A. Daddario, 31, of West Grove, was traveling south on Route 82 when she failed to stop in time and struck another vehicle that was stopped for a traffic light near East Locust Lane.
• On Monday, April 13, at 7:27 p.m., New Garden Township Police observed a vehicle in the 900 block of Newark Road almost collide with three other vehicles. Police said they conducted a traffic stop and arrested Jose Gutierrez-Quintino, 20, of Kennett Square, after smelling marijuana and locating it as well as paraphernalia is his vehicle.
• The Concord Township Government Study Commission will hold a public hearing on May 13 to take comment on whether the commission should recommend maintaining Concord as Township of the Second Class; institute a referendum as to whether the township should operate under one of the optional plan forms of government available under the Pennsylvania Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law; or proceed to develop a home rule charter for consideration by referendum. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
• The Delaware County Historical Society presents the First Ladies of Rock and Soul in concert this Saturday, May 2, at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, 800 Manchester Avenue in Media. Joining the First Ladies will be Tommy McCarthy from WOGL and Steve Kurtz from Cruisin’ 92.1. Tickets are $35 and are available on line at www.delcohistory.com
• Grammy Award-winning choral composer Ola Gjeilo will join the Unionville High School Choir for a performance of his choral works on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. Gjeilo offered to attend the spring performance after viewing a video recording of the UHS choir performing his Sanctus: London in December. Music Director Jason Throne sent the recording and said, “I almost fell out of my chair he offered to attend our spring performance.” Gjeilo, who was born in Norway, came to the U.S. to study at the Julliard School in New York. He will rehearse with the students and perform with them on stage.
• Darlington Arts Center welcomes Homegrown String Band, the “family that plays together,” for an evening of high energy American folk music on Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. The Homegrown String Band acoustic trio, which consists of Rick, Georgianne, and Annalee Jackofsky, will be performing a selection of original and traditional music, as well as a few tunes by American music icons like Jimmie Rodgers, Leadbelly, The Carter Family, and Bob Dylan. This event begins with an open mic at 7:30 p.m. followed by Homegrown String Band at 8. Tickets are $15, $10 for members, and include free coffee, tea, and desserts. BYOB – corkscrew and glasses are provided. Advance purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets can be purchasing by calling 610-358-3632 or visiting www.darlingtonarts.org.
• Starting once a week in May, the Kennett Area Senior Center sponsors Zumba! Join the fun on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with professional instructor Kim Malone. The class is open to all ages: teens through seniors. Come check out a class ($8 drop in fee) or just sign up for a 10-class session ($59/adult, $49/age 15 and younger).
• The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art continues its Mothers’ Day tradition with the annual Wildflower, Native Plant and Seed Sale Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. This annual event offers a wide variety of regional plants and seeds – many not available in retail garden centers – which are great for all types of gardens – sunny, shady, damp or dry. Conservancy staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions, help in the selection of plants, and provide planting instructions. Plant-lovers can also purchase wildflower seeds that have been collected from the conservancy’s own gardens and meadows, then cleaned and packaged by garden volunteers.
• The Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights Preserve in Yorklyn is looking for volunteers to take part in a variety of projects. To that end, the museum is holding a volunteer meeting and open house beginning with refreshments and a newcomers’ tour at 6:30 p.m. on May 5. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Auburn heights is located at 3000 Creek Road (Route 82) in Yorklyn. To learn more, visit AuburnHeights.org.
• The Brandywine River Museum of Art and Chadds Ford artist Karl Kuerner are teaming up for art classes at the Kuerner Farm. Classes are scheduled for Tuesdays, May 19 through July 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursdays, May 21 through July 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Costs for the program are $200 for members, $250 for nonmembers. Class size is limited. To register, phone 610-9388-8326 or visit https://335.blackbaudhosting.com/335/Art-Class-with-Karl-J-Kuerner. Participants must bring their own materials and should dress for the outdoors. The first class will be at the museum.
• The Chadds Ford Business Association is again helping the Brandywine Battlefield Park with its annual baseball with the Blue Rocks on Friday, June 26. Game time is 7:05 p.m. and there are fireworks after the final out. Tickets are $20 each. A corporate sponsorship is $200 and includes 10 tickets. To benefit the Friends of Brandywine Battlefield, buy tickets at https://chaddsfordlive.com/shop.
• Jack Highfill and Alex Schwendeman, both from Chadds Ford, were recognized at Millersville University’s 57th annual Undergraduate Honors and Awards Convocation on Saturday, April 25. Highfill was awarded the Donald Ferguson ’70 Scholarship while Schwendeman was awarded the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award.
• Matthew Micklin of Chadds Ford was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Micklin is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University.
It was a great honor for me to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Because of that experience, I understand the sacrifice and reward that comes with taking the ultimate risk to safeguard our communities and our country.
The experience also gave me a deep pride in my country, and each year, I look forward to Loyalty Day. This year, House Resolution 257 designates May 1 as Loyalty Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution was adopted on April 22.
Since the early 1930s, May 1 was unofficially celebrated as Loyalty Day, but it was not until 1949 that the observance of Loyalty Day was proclaimed, thanks in large part to the efforts of Rep. James E. Van Zandt of Pennsylvania. On May 1, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower finally made it a day of national observance.
It is celebrated every year on May 1. As such, the president of the United States annually issues a proclamation calling on officials to proudly display the U.S. flag on all government buildings this day, and citizens and elected officials are encouraged to observe this day in schools and in their communities.
As majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I believe that Loyalty Day is about honoring individuals who act selflessly and patriotically. These people perform duties that are essential to the endurance of our amazing country: police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, veterans and, of course, our active duty personnel. These great heroes who protect us all over the country deserve recognition and our highest respect.
We know that we can always count on them; they will be there for us when we need it most, and that means a great deal. These heroes are the most dependable of all, whether they’re saving lives, fighting fires or defending us oversees. For acting for others in time of crisis, I salute and thank our police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, veterans and active duty personnel.
But in America, our “ordinary” citizens are pretty special, too. I am inspired by the resilient, courageous and persevering spirit of my fellow citizens; the American spirit is an incredible asset. In times of hardship, Americans always pulls together. They are quick to help others in need without expectation of anything in return. Americans work hard for what they want.
We can never take for granted all we enjoy as American citizens. This land is filled with opportunity and promise. We are lucky to enjoy religious freedoms that many others throughout the world do not. This is truly a country unlike any other.
On Loyalty Day, I call to mind the commitment patriotism demands and reflect on how blessed I am to be a citizen of this nation. The United States truly is the best country in the world, and I am proud to be a loyal citizen. I wave my American flag with the greatest pride anyone can have.
Steve Barrar State Representative 160th Legislative District
Updated at 3:30 p.m. with defense attorney’s comments
“No way for any person to die” is how Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan described the manner in which a 92-year-old veteran met his end.
Edward J. O’Brien III
On Wednesday, April 29, Hogan and West Whiteland Police Chief Joseph M. Catov Jr. announced the arrest of Edward J. O’Brien III, 61, of West Chester, in connection with the death of his father, Edward O’Brien Jr., on Sept. 8, 2013. The son, who served as his father’s caretaker, faces charges that include third-degree murder, theft, and related offenses.
O’Brien’s attorney, Joseph P. Green Jr., called the charges outrageous and accused Hogan of resorting to “trial by press release.” In a prepared statement, Green called his client “a kind and decent man who cared for his aged father every day for two and a half years until his father passed away at age 93,” having declined further medical care.
Hogan said that when police responded to the O’Briens’ residence, they found the victim dead, covered with bedsores and feces, and they learned that the son had removed his father from a rehabilitation facility two years earlier. During a lengthy investigation, detectives determined that the son had deprived his father of proper medical care and stolen $30,000 from him.
“This was a complex investigation that involved extensive review of both financial and medical records,” said Hogan. “If somebody treated an animal so shamefully, everybody would be horrified. The fact that it happened to an elderly man, and was caused by that man’s own son, is inexcusable.”
Hogan said the victim was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served from 1942-45. He later worked for the U.S Postal Service. In 2011, the victim, a widower, was living alone at his home in Collingswood, N.J., and taking heart medication.
According to the criminal complaint, the senior O’Brien fell in 2011 and was taken to the hospital and then Cooper River West, an acute rehabilitation facility in New Jersey. On May 29, 2011, his son, his only child, checked his father out of the rehabilitation hospital, claiming that they could not afford the care; he also transferred $30,000 from his father’s bank account into his own, the complaint said.
Green said his client, who had power of attorney for his father, removed him from the facility in accordance with his wish to be spared “death by nursing home” and that he moved money from one joint account to another.
The complaint said the victim had a government pension and was eligible for health care as a veteran, but the son returned his father to his Collingwood home, ignoring discharge instructions that he receive acute care 24 hours a day.
A day later, the Collingswood Police Department conducted a well-being check and discovered that the victim was not receiving around-the-clock care, the complaint said. The police informed O’Brien III that they would be reporting the issue to Adult Protective Services. As a result, the son brought his father to live at his house in West Whiteland Township, the complaint said.
The complaint said that during the next two years, the elder O’Brien received minimal care, did not get his prescribed medication, and did not even have a doctor. When West Whiteland police responded to a 9-1-1 call from the son on Sept. 8, 2013, they found O’Brien Jr. unresponsive amid filthy conditions. An autopsy revealed that he died from congestive heart failure and acute bedsores, the complaint said.
Green disputed that account. He said his client devoted the next two and a half years to caring for his father. He prepared three meals a day for him, coming home from work each day to make him lunch.
“We are extremely sad to have lost a valued member of our community and a veteran of our armed forces under these conditions,” said Catov, adding that investigators will continue to ensure that O’Brien is “held fully accountable for his actions.”
O’Brien III was arraigned on Friday, April 24, and bail was set at $150,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11, according to court records.
“Ed O’Brien is innocent of these charges, and we look forward to a prompt trial by jury, to a complete acquittal, and to the restoration of Ed’s reputation for honesty and integrity,” Green’s statement said.
Anyone with further information on the case, which was handled by the West Whiteland Police Department and the Chester County Detectives, is asked to call West Whiteland Sgt. Jason Madormo at 610-363-0200.
Martha R. Wilson, 92, of West Grove, died Friday, April 24, at her residence. She was the wife of Robert T. Wilson Sr., who died in 2005, and with whom she shared 62 years of marriage.
Born in Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Roy S. and Ruth Jackson Mayo.
She was a homemaker, but most importantly, she was a mother.
Mrs. Wilson was an avid reader and she enjoyed poetry, enjoyed, gardening, fishing, cooking, baking, bird watching, doing crafts and especially enjoyed holiday gatherings and Sunday dinners with her family. Her family was her life.
She always made people feel welcome in her home and she never met a stranger.
She is survived by three sons, Robert T. Wilson Jr. and his wife Edith of West Grove, Timothy A. Wilson and his wife Gwen of West Grove, and George R. Wilson and his wife Teresa of West Grove; two daughters, Ruth R. Mallard of West Grove, and Helen W. Bautista of West Grove; three brothers, Roy Mayo of Newark, Leon Mayo of Illinois and Donald Mayo of West Grove; one sister, Lillian Crampton of Avondale, and 13 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren.
Mrs. Wilson was predeceased by one son, James K. Wilson.
Her Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 1, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square. Burial will follow at Union Hill Cemetery, Route 82 in Kennett Square.
