October 8, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Seventy five and getting younger

What’s old, new and festive all over? The venerable Kennett Symphony Orchestra is reaching out to young talent, new venues and new opportunities for its 75^th year.

Opening night will begin with a commissioned work by Anthony Constantino. Conductor Michael Hall met Constantino while he was working with the Tuscon Symphony. Young composers come to study for a year with a mentor at the symphony. Hall began to appreciate Constantino’s talent when the symphony played his composition “Vesuvius.”

When the idea of commissioning a work for the Kennett Symphony anniversary celebration arose, Hall thought of Constantino. Constantino is a student of composition at the Manhattan School of Music. At 20, he already has many awards and commissions to his credit. Samples of his work are on his website, www.anthonyconstantino.com.

Hall wanted a piece for the whole orchestra that would be festive for the anniversary celebration and last five to seven minutes long. Hall contacted Constantino, who expressed interest in the commission. Hall was surprised by how fast the project progressed when he received the first transcript of the music.

On first reading, the piece was rich with contrast; it had energy and open themes, Hall said. Beyond the initial appeal of the music, Hall was impressed with the craft, the quality and the compositional cohesiveness of the work.

Constantino will be in the area the week preceding the Oct. 17 concert. He will work with composition students at West Chester University. Hall will be at those sessions to absorb as much of the composer’s thinking behind the notes as he can, leading up to the rehearsals and the performance.

Constantino will also work with students at Kennett High School and at Unionville High School. Later in the week he will be available during rehearsals to answer questions.

The new work is entitled “Amidst All Our Brilliance.” The members of the KSO are faced with playing a piece they have never heard before. Hall says that often musicians have to concentrate on difficult sections of music. A new piece will require full attention for the entire piece.

Another young face at the concert will be the cellist, Timotheos Petrin. Petrin is from the Curtis School of Music and came by recommendation of the Head of Curtis, Robert Diaz.

The concert itself will begin with the commissioned piece. Petrin will play the “Saint Saens Cello Concerto.” Then the beautiful and melancholy elegy for strings by Puccini is the third piece. The concert ends with a boisterous finale with Respighi’s epic tone poem, “The Pines of Rome.”

Hall says he wants the whole season to radiate energy. He is particularly looking forward to the April performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. “Just like The Pines of Rome, the Fifth Symphony is celebratory,” he said.

“Music is a living art form,” said Hall, while describing the new directions of the Kennett Symphony this season. He was delighted with the performance at the Mushroom Festival. For the first time, the orchestra gave a free concert during the festival. Hall asked the audience how many people had seen the KSO perform. Three quarters of the people had never been to a performance. There were glow sticks passed out to the kids and cheery, fun music.

Other new venues this year will be Unionville High School and the Exhibition Hall at Longwood Gardens.

According to Executive Director Monica Buffington, “The Kennett Symphony of Chester County (KSCC) is Chester County’s only fully-professional symphony orchestra, and the Kennett Square community is one of the smallest communities in the nation to support a fully-professional symphony orchestra.”

For more information and tickets, go to the KSO website: http://www.kennettsymphony.org

About Emily Myers

Emily Myers has lived and worked in Chadds Ford for over thirty five years. She founded the parent company of Chadds Ford Live, Decision Design Research, Inc., in 1982. ChaddsFordLive.com represents the confluence of Myers' long time, deep involvement in technology and community. Myers was a founding member of the Chadds Ford Business Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Her hobbies include bridge, golf, photography and Tai Chi. She lives with her husband, Jim Lebedda, in Chadds Ford Township.

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Valerie “Joyce” Bohmier of New London

Obituaries

Valerie “Joyce” Bohmier, 86, of New London, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, in her home. Born on Oct. 17, she was the only child of Henry G. and Valerie A. Trelawny.

Mrs. Bohmier is survived by her husband, Joseph William “Bill” Bohmier, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage, and four of their six children: Michael Bohmier (Joy), Patti Crossan (Ken), Tom Bohmier (Robbie), and Polly Preston (Ed). Mrs. Bohmier was pre-deceased by daughter Terry Bohmier and son Tim Bohmier and family (Sharon, Jessica, and Christina). She has eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Bohmier attended Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, and Plattsburg State Teachers College in Plattsburgh, N.Y. She then joined the Singer Sewing Machine Co. staff to teach and represent them in sales in Kingston, N.Y., and West Chester, Pa. After marrying Bill and settling into New London, Joyce focused on raising her family and supporting her husband’s many business endeavors, including the New London Airport.

Her passion for community involvement included founding the New London Recreation Association and the Avon Grove Youth Serving Coalition, serving on the Avon Grove School Board, and advocated for change locally on the grass roots political level. Well known as “the goat lady in New London,” Joyce was a member of the American Dairy Goat Association, bred and showed dairy goats for 35 years, and served as a 4-H dairy goat leader for Chester County during that time.

Joyce enjoyed animal husbandry, gardening, canning, sewing, and knitting … and teaching others the same. She also enjoyed traveling and visited Canada, Hawaii, Figi Islands, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia (Africa), Bermuda, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Her travels in and out of the U.S. allowed her to see and learn about many cultures and the needs of others. And, while a member of New London Presbyterian Church, she enjoyed hosting ‘Cords of Love,’ a ministry that brought ladies together to pray for and hand make items for various ministries, such as veterans, underprivileged, and chemotherapy patients.

Visitations to honor Mrs. Bohmier and her family will be held at the Christian Life Center, 125 Saginaw Road, Lincoln University, PA 19352, on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 12 from 1-2 p.m. A Life Celebration Service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, and her burial will follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christian Life Center C/O Missions Ministry 125 Saginaw Road, Lincoln University, PA 19352 and/or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Mrs. Bohmier’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.griecocares.com

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Bridge conflict closer to bucolic resolution

Local News

The Chandler Mill Bridge – flooded in conflict that belied its tranquil surroundings for more than a decade – moved closer to becoming a key component of a nature center and trail network on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Kennett Township Supervisors’ meeting.

Kennett Township Supervisors Robert Hammaker (from left). Scudder G. Stevens, and Richard L. Leff and Township Manager Lisa M. Moore listen during public comment at Wednesday night's supervisors' meeting. — Kennett Township Supervisors Robert Hammaker (from left). Scudder G. Stevens, and Richard L. Leff and Township Manager Lisa M. Moore listen during public comment at Wednesday night’s supervisors’ meeting.

Supervisors Chairman Scudder G. Stevens and Vice Chairman Richard L. Leff voted 2-1 to sign a transfer agreement with Chester County to take ownership of the bridge for $1. After the meeting, Supervisor Robert Hammaker said he did not want the township to inconvenience motorists or incur maintenance expenses.

The transfer agreement, which still has to be signed by the commissioners, was put in motion in January when Stevens and Leff passed a resolution that limited the historic span — a 1911 stone and steel structure that traverses the west branch of the Red Clay Creek — to pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles up to 20 tons.

That decision marked the end of years of acrimony, which culminated in 2009. In conjunction with PennDOT, county engineers concluded that the best way to deal with the one-lane, two-way span’s deterioration would be to raze and modernize the bridge, which sits in a particularly bucolic swath of the township.

When some area residents and preservationist groups protested, the county offered a solution: Whoever wanted the bridge, designed for horse and buggies and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, could take it for free. At the time, neither Kennett Township — nor anyone else ‘ expressed interest.

In May 2011, the bridge, now surrounded by about 500 acres of conserved land, was closed after engineers deemed it unsafe. Since then, the township and advocacy groups worked to find a solution that would avoid the historic bridge’s demolition.

For the second time this year, the supervisors’ vote on the bridge elicited applause. Gwen Lacy, executive director of the Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County, expressed thanks after the vote. She said the conservancy would do whatever it could to assist “with the best decision you’ve ever made for the public benefit.”

In other business, the supervisors agreed to permit the township’s insurance company to settle a lawsuit brought by resident Michael Hammon, who accused the supervisors of negotiating a secret retirement agreement with former Police Chief Albert J. McCarthy.

Stevens said the settlement, which would be paid by the insurance company, offered “a better long-term result than getting tied up in litigation.” Solicitor David Sander said the document would become part of the public record once it is signed. Township Manager Lisa M. Moore said the document would be posted on the township website when it’s finalized.

The supervisors unanimously approved the selection of Collis Townsend to sit on a task force for the Kennett Library, an initiative started by Kennett Square Mayor Matt Fetick, who has suggested that the library board could use help in restoring public trust. Stevens said he hoped that other municipalities served by the library would join the effort.

Township Manager Lisa M. Moore received approval to research trash-hauling options to determine whether residents could save money by all using the same service, an option that could also reduce traffic and wear-and-tear on roads.

Moore said a number of residents have inquired about the building under construction behind the historic Fussell House, also known as “The Pines,” on Route 52. Moore said it would be a commercial office building for a dental surgery practice that would be operated by the property owner, Dr. Chris Franck.

An amendment to the soliciting ordinance that would change the penalties from civil to criminal was discussed and will be voted on at the Oct. 21 meeting. Police Chief Lydell Nolt said the change would make it easier to cite violators, who are typically from commercial enterprises that don’t bother to obtain a permit.

Nolt said the ordinance exempts schoolchildren and nonprofit initiatives. Other ordinance changes in the works involve curfews and loitering, Moore said.

In addition, the supervisors said they would wait to hear back from a resident who has failed to pay sewer fees for seven years. Moore said the resident received a letter and has until Oct. 15 to respond. If a resolution isn’t reached, the supervisors could vote to convert a lien on the property into a judgment, which would ultimately lead to a sheriff’s sale.

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D. “Bill” Garlington of West Grove

Obituaries

W.D. “Bill” Garlington, 91, of West Grove, died at Jenner’s Pond Retirement Community, on Sunday, Oct. 4. He was the husband of Helen Louise Barrows Garlington, with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.

Born in Topeka, Kan., he was the son of the late Maurice D. and Grace Webb Garlington. He was raised in Kentucky and graduated from Yale University.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, as an ensign on an aircraft carrier. After the war he returned to Yale University for his master of engineering degree.

He worked for the DuPont Company for 37 years in development in the Film and Plastics Department and retired as a senior research engineer.

He was a scoutmaster in Southbridge and was on the troop committees. He was active in interracial affairs and participated in a Unitarian sponsored West Seventh Street apartment renovation project.

He helped found the CECON scientific consultation agency and served there as a vice president and consultant for 15 years.

On retirement he did volunteer work at the Neighborhood Service Center in Oxford. He also was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, and attended the Academy of Life Long Learning in Wilmington. His interests include painting, woodworking, and woodcarving.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Laura Lee emery and her husband Bill of Ashland, Ore. and Susan Ayotte and her husband Donald of Georgetown, Del., and five grandchildren, Chris Garlington, Rea, Shannon and Ian McLean and Nathan Ayotte.

A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the First Unitarian Church, 730 Halstead Road in Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made to the Neighborhood Service Center, 35 North Third Street, Oxford, 19363.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Foulk & Grieco funeral Home, West Grove.

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Phyllis C. Leo of West Grove

Obituaries

Phyllis C. Leo, 79, of West Grove, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, at her residence. She was the wife of Anthony J. Leo, who died in 1991, and with whom she shared 32 years of marriage.

Born in Cecil County, Md., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Evelyn Purcell Craig.

She was a homemaker, and an avid gardener. She enjoyed her cats, going to the beach and being with her family and friends.

Phyllis is survived by two daughters, Patricia C. Eick and her husband Robert of Cochranville and Deborah Leo of West Grove; two sisters, Brenda Craig of Cecilton, Md. and Alberta Biggs of Chesapeake City, Md.; one grandson, Taylor Matthews and two great grandchildren, Savannah and Troy.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home, 200 Rose Hill Road in West Grove. Service and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

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

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Op/Ed: Sestak seeks middle-class prosperity

Opinion

For many Americans, one of the most important issues in the current national election campaigns is their ability to earn a living. Both parties have taken on jobs issues, in their separate ways. Economics already counts highly in this election: we are hearing about income inequality, the wasting of the middle class, the pitiful growth in gross domestic product, and the accumulation of wealth into the fortunes of a few individuals.

The candidates, and the media, concentrate on jobs and income. Yet behind the declines and stagnations that we have suffered in these are changes in the distribution of wealth in the last 40 years. Wealth is a form of what economists call capital. Those who own it receive “rents.” Capital becomes wealth when its rents are greater than enough for its owner to live on. When the owner isn’t just a playboy, these extra rents are reinvested in more wealth, which then keeps growing. Wealthy individuals keep getting richer.

Most Americans, even the middle class, have no such wealth. We try to live on our earned incomes and save some capital. We hope that, as we become more productive over our lifetimes, our incomes will grow. This is what is failing us now – wages are not growing, even though workers are producing wealth at greater and greater rates.

Where is the extra wealth going? Not into higher wages, but into the estates of a small group of people amounting to 0.1 percent or 1 percent of Americans.

Senator Pat Toomey, in his book The Road to Prosperity, writes that this is nonsense, because even though incomes of working groups stay stagnant, individual workers in those groups would still enjoy raises due to promotions. He seems to think that employment works like a pyramid scheme, everyone continuously getting promotions and raises.

With a Harvard degree in political science, Senator Toomey knows better. His agenda is the status quo, the very wealthy absorbing the fruits of growing productivity and getting wealthier, and the middle class declining. We really don’t need a senator for the so-called Club for Growth, but one who cares about what middle-class Americans need.

Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate for Senate in the 2016 election, is also a Harvard graduate in political science (PhD this time) and has also written a book, Walking in Your Shoes to Restore the American Dream. He explains how the Dream can be restored by proactive programs such as in education, increasing workforce skills, providing opportunities for small business, and, yes, raising the minimum wage. The status quo and the super-wealthy get small shrift in his program, but the middle class would prosper. It would be about time.

Paul Kronick

Kennett Square

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The Carve cometh anew

Local News

It’s the event that satisfies the Linus in all of us. So get your whittling tools, carving knives and all other means of pumpkin dismemberment together. It’s The Great Pumpkin Carve and it’s coming to the Pumpkin Patch at the Chadds Ford Historical Society on Oct. 22.

The annual event, steeped in local lore, is one of the two largest fundraising efforts for the society. Thousands of people will gather during a three-night period to ogle, gawk and just admire carvings that range from the simplest to the more ornate and difficult.

More than 60 carvers will begin whittling their way into a tradition that has seen the likes of Jimmy Lynch and Andy and Jamie Wyeth test their Halloween humor.

The Carve began more than 40 years ago on the porch of the former Chadds Ford Inn (now Brandywine Prime). As some tell the story, the event eventually had to find another venue because “the pumpkins were getting in the way of the drunks.”

Another story tells of a near accident when one young carver stepped back into Route 1 to get a wider perspective of his creation and was almost hit by a car. That artist, according to the lore, was Jamie Wyeth.

Now there are those who deny the tales as just that, tall tales, but that’s the nature of The Carve. While it might be a fundraising event, people go because it’s fun, as much fun as telling tall tales and kids dancing on hay bales.

What is true is that The Carve has gone from the old inn to Hank’s Place, to the Barn Shoppes to the Brandywine River Museum of Art and eventually to the Chadds Ford Historical Society in 1992.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, carvers and carving teams will begin their task of turning large pieces of orange vegetable matter — some pumpkins weighing in at up to 400 pounds — into works of art that will last only until Sunday morning.

After the pumpkins are carved, they are lit with candles that add to festive atmosphere.

In the past few years, other attractions have evolved, such as a haunted walk along the side of the pumpkin patch.

There is also live music, hayrides, and raffles will be featured. Another tradition includes a shirt designed just for The carve. While the design itself can’t be revealed, the designer this year is Chadds Ford resident Nicki Wandersee.

The event runs from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-24. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 7 to 17. It is free for Society members and kids 6 and under.

The Carve is co-sponsored by the Historical Society and the Concordville-Chadds Ford Rotary. The rotary will also be selling food.

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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ChesLen Chase seeking volunteers

Along the Ford

If you’re more interested in exercising your ability to give directions rather than participating in a race, the ChesLen Chase for Open Space has that opportunity.

The ChesLen Chase for Open Space, a fundraiser for Natural Lands Trust, is seeking volunteers.

Organizers from Natural Lands Trust, which is sponsoring the fundraiser, are seeking “cheerful volunteers” ages 18 and up to help before, during and after the event, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Lenfest Center.

Volunteers, who will participate in activities ranging from course marshals to registration takers to parking assistants, will have the satisfaction of helping a worthy cause. And, in addition, Natural Lands Trust will throw in a free event T-shirt, food, and beer (from the over 21 crowd).

ChesLen Chase volunteers can choose from a variety of positions and time slots from 8 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. To sign up or get more information, visit https://natlands.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/10/Chase-Volunteer-Registration-Form-2015-3.pdf.

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Dominican Republic hosting baseball program

Local News

Attention standout high-school baseball players: The Dominican Republic Sports & Education Academy (DRSEA) will be holding tryouts at Lincoln University on Oct. 17 for its Summer Baseball Experience, a one-month pilot project in the Dominican Republic for summer 2016.

The program is seeking baseball players from the U.S. who are currently sophomores or juniors in high school. Players will be selected by a panel of experts, based on baseball skills and academic standing, and invited to participate in the project, a DRSEA press release said.

Participants will receive baseball instruction from some of the top coaches in the Dominican Republic, including clinics conducted by Major League Baseball, as well as receive SAT and ACT preparation, and Spanish lessons.

While tryouts are open to all sophomores and juniors, in part the project is intended to bring more attention to the dearth of African Americans participating in baseball. African American participation in Major League Baseball is dangerously near as low as it was when Jack Robinson broke the color line, the release said.

After peaking in the 1980s, the number of African Americans in Major League Baseball has steadily declined. Currently, African Americans comprise just 8.3 percent of Major League Baseball team rosters.

Conversely, the number of players of Latin descent continues to increase, currently making up 28 percent of Major League rosters. The Dominican Republic leads the way, trailing only the United States in producing players, with 86 players on 2015 opening day rosters.

Not only do all 30 Major League Baseball teams run academies in the Dominican Republic to train Dominican players, most import players to the Dominican Republic from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Panama and other Latin American countries. In essence, the Dominican Republic has become the world epicenter of baseball player development, the release said.

The first tryout will be at the baseball facilities at Lincoln University (www.lincoln.edu) on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. and is open to current high school sophomores and juniors and requires a $25 registration fee. Prospects should arrive for registration at 12:30 p.m.

Those interested in participating in the tryout or finding out more can contact Tim Halloran at thalloran@drsea.org or obtain more information at www.drsea.org. Pre-registration is available at the website.

About Press Release

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Edward Carl Classen of Jennersville

Obituaries

Edward Carl Classen, 89, of Jennersville, formerly of Casper, Wyo., died Monday, Oct. 5, at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. He was the husband of the late Louise Meyerkort Classen, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Born in New York, N.Y., he was the son of the late Hans C. and the late Rea Schneider Classen.

Edward was a 1946 graduate of Princeton University. He served our country during WWII in the Navy. After college, he joined his father in the family business, Independent Fur Brokers, Inc. in New York. He raised his family in Cranbury, N.J., where he was a member of the Cranbury Rescue Squad.

For many years, he was a small business owner and real estate appraiser in Casper Wyo. In Casper he was also a member of the Rotary Club. He was a lifelong Lutheran attending Grace and St. Paul’s in New York, St. Paul’s Lutheran in East Windsor, N.J., Messiah Lutheran in Princeton, N.J., Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Casper and St. Michaels Lutheran in Unionville.

Survivors include, two daughters, Laura Classen (Donald Wolfe) and Julia Classen (Judy Remington); one son, Carl Classen (Susan) and five grandchildren, Benjamin, Jennifer and Carrietta Classen and David and Ellen Pizzuto. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Linda Classen.

You are invited to visit with Ed’s family from 10-10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Michael Lutheran Church 109 E. Doe Run Rd. Unionville, PA 19375. His funeral service will follow at 10:30. Interment will be in Brainerd Cemetery in Cranberry, NJ. Contributions in his memory may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 318 E. 6^th St. Casper, WY 82601 or St. Michael Lutheran Church P.O. Box 178 Unionville, PA 19375 or to the Rotary Club of Casper WY P.O. Box 496, Casper, WY 82602. Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square. To share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com

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