December 7, 2015 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Donald L. Poole Sr. of Unionville

Donald L. Poole Sr., 82, of Unionville, died Sunday, Dec. 6, at his residence. He was the husband of Shirley Allaband Poole, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.

Born in Lancaster County, he was the son of the late Onyx and Mary Alice Coates Poole.

He was a farmer working for Edgar Scott in Unionville, for 20 years, retiring in 2008. He had also worked for New Bolton Center and Landhope Farms.

Don was a 50 years member of the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, where he was a Deacon Emeritus.

He enjoyed gardening, cooking, making fudge, cooking for the men’s breakfast at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, and enjoyed being with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Donald L. Poole, Jr. and his wife Donna of West Grove, and Kenneth B. Poole and his wife Patricia of Nottingham; three daughters, Kathleen Allaband of Unionville, Donna Bogle and her husband George of West Grove, and Barbara J. West and her husband Joseph of Kennett Square; one brother, Robert Poole of Nottingham; three sisters, Nancy Poole Allaband of Nottingham, Betsy Tome of Rising Sun, Md. and Mary Jane Krimmer of Oxford; 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends form 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square, and again from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 West State Street in Kennett Square. His funeral service will follow at 11:30. Burial will be in the Unionville Cemetery, Route 82, in Unionville.

In memory of Don, a contribution may be made to the First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, at the above address.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Donald L. Poole Sr. of Unionville Read More »

From cars to karma and charity for Christmas

Along the Ford

_1JF5496-Dave-and-bike — From cars to karma and charity for Christmas

It’s the time of year when Dave Kelleher moves from a car guy to one of Santa’s little helpers – figuratively, anyway.

Kelleher, the owner of David Dodge on Route 202 in Chadds Ford Township, is now in his eighth year of working with Adopt A Child, a charity administered by City Team Ministries in Chester.

And for the eighth year, Kelleher is coordinating efforts to get Christmas gifts for the kids of families who can’t afford to buy them.

Unlike some other Christmas-time charities, donors know who the recipients will be.

“We get a list of names, the Santa’s list, 100 at a time, and when we satisfy that list, we get another 100 names,” Kelleher said.

As he explained it, City Team vets the families who apply, and then lists those families with the names of the children and the gifts they would like. Donors may then either buy the gifts and bring them to the David Dodge showroom, or they can donate a recommended $50 to $75. The people at the front desk at the showroom will help with the paperwork.

Money donations are sent to City Team, which then takes care of getting the gifts.

Donors may also go to the David Dodge website — www.drivedavid.com — and click through the slide show until they get to the Adopt A Child banner, then click on that for instructions. Or, phone the dealership at 888-897-1901.

Either way, “it gives you the knowledge that the child has Christmas morning because of you,” he said. “Some people overdo it, which is nice.”

Last year, Kelleher’s efforts brought in gifts for more than 300 families. City Team helped more than 2,500 families in total. If there’s a shortfall on donations from his efforts at the dealership, Kelleher makes up the rest on his own, he said.

According to Kelleher, while the economy seems to be improving, donations are slower this year for some reason.

“We’re up against it. Thanksgiving was late. We’re going to be working on this until Friday [Dec. 10]. By Friday, I have to get everything to City Team. Right now we just knocked off our first 100 and just started our second 100. That’s behind where we usually are at this point, so the need is pretty immediate,” he said.

Kelleher would like any would-be donors to get in touch before Friday.

“We’ll make it so easy. Even if they have a partial donation, we would honor that as well. If all they have is $25, we’ll honor that, but at $50, we can definitively make sure the children are taken care of. And the donors will know who they donated for,” he said.

Kelleher is also involved with other charitable work, giving away coats for underprivileged kids and helping to provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

He said this year’s coat drive was a record with 248 coats being given out and also buying all the cake mix City Team needed to give to 1,200 families for their Thanksgiving dinners.

“When you have a partner like City Team Ministries,” Kelleher said, “you can leave your charity to them. They do much better work than I could ever do on my own.”

Kelleher has said in the past that he believes in giving back to the community. He said he was raised that way and admits it’s a matter of good karma, too.

(Photo: Dave Kelleher, of David Dodge in Chadds Ford, has been teaming up with City Team Ministries of Chester to provide Christmas gifts to needy children for the past eight years.)

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.

From cars to karma and charity for Christmas Read More »

Decorations attributed to elves adorn the historic Barnard House in

Elves work magic in Pocopson Township

Local News

“Christmas elves did it.”

The rear of the Barnard House on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township is decked out for the holidays.

That’s the official explanation for the holiday decorations bedecking the Barnard House on Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township.

The adornments – an assortment of red ribbons, greenery and a live tree – magically appeared over the weekend. A note on the tree indicates that it pays tribute to the E. Barnard family, Mary Dugan, and Rusty Jones, all of whom are being recognized for “their devotion to the Underground Railroad.”

In the early 1800s, the Eusebius Barnard House, a Chester County historic landmark, served as a station for escaping slaves in the Underground Railroad movement; more recently, it has served as a source of conflict in the township. Pocopson assumed ownership of the house and its surrounding 68 acres from the county in 2008 with the goal of preserving it as a township building – replacing the existing, renovated garage on Denton Hollow Road – as well as the home of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center.

A small, live Christmas tree pays tribute to some of the people committed to the Underground Railroad.

The repurposing has generated protest, pitting the members of the Barnard House Steering Committee against a group of residents who have expressed concerns about the project’s management and price tag. Opponents of the project have also questioned the building’s suitability for township administration.

But for now, one could borrow a line from a popular Christmas carol: “All is calm; all is bright.” Candles in the window of the Barnard House hearken back to the day when candlelight was used to let slaves know that a residence would welcome them.

Asked about the décor, Supervisor Georgia Brutscher, the former supervisors’ liaison for the Barnard House Steering Committee, initially insisted it represented the work of Christmas elves. But then she added: “And people who really care about that property.”

The tree itself offers another clue – not to mention a potential olive branch. One ornament features the words: “Peace to all this holiday season” from the Barnard House Steering Committee.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Elves work magic in Pocopson Township Read More »

Grab soap: It’s Handwashing Awareness Week

Health

The Chester County Health Department invites county residents to keep their hands free of germs as part of National Handwashing Awareness Week, from Dec. 6 through Dec.12.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is the single most important thing that can prevent the spread of sickness,” Jeanne Casner, director of the Chester County Health Department, said in a press release. “Clean hands protect family members, classmates, co-workers and community members from illness.”

As a reminder for the winter season, it is important to wash your hands often throughout the day. It is even more important before handling or eating food or putting in or taking out contact lenses; after changing diapers, using the bathroom, or touching animals; or when someone in your house is sick.

The Chester County Health Department recommends the following procedure when washing your hands: First, wet your hands with clean running water, preferably warm, and apply soap. Then rub your hands together to create foam and scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds – or the length of a little tune, such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps remove germs, the release said.

If clean water and soap are not available, the Health Department recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands. When using a hand sanitizer, apply to the palm of one hand and rub hands together to cover all surfaces until fingers and hands are dry. Also avoid putting unwashed hands into eyes, nose, or mouth, as direct contact with a mucus membrane enables bacteria or viruses such as strep, the common cold, and pink eye to enter your body.

The Chester County Health Department also encourages the practice of coughing and sneezing into elbows instead of covering your mouths with your hand, as it is one of the easiest ways to avoid spreading germs to others.

About Press Release

Grab soap: It’s Handwashing Awareness Week Read More »

Adopt-a-Pet Dec. 7-13

Home and Leisure

Adopt-a-Pet Dec. 7-13

Come meet all the wonderful animals available now for adoption at the Chester County SPCA. Stop by, and add a new family member to your household this Holiday Season. For information on adopting a pet, go here or phone 610-692-6113.

Sweetie

Sweetie

As my name implies, I am the sweetest of the sweethearts here at the Chester County SPCA.I love people and am very affectionate toward them. I can’t wait for you to come adopt me so I can show you what a little love bug I am! I can appear pretty excitable inside the shelter, but my true personality will shine the moment I’m outside and being shown some attention by you! I’m a smart cookie and fun girl who would do best in a home as the only pet. I am a wonderful little lady and if you give me a chance I promise you won’t be disappointed… You definitely will be covered in doggie kisses for the rest of our lives!

Oscar

Oscar

What’s better than getting an Academy Award? Getting a real live Oscar to provide endless opportunities for fun and entertainment. Yep, that’s me, a whole lot of fun and an awesome personality to boot. I am a strong guy with a lot of energy who loves to run and play until I collapse at your feet in bliss. Did I mention my fondness for kids? I think kids are awesome. I get along with the lady dogs, that’s for sure, and any males that aren’t too rough are acceptable. Also, in case you haven’t noticed, I happen to be extremely handsome. Not gonna lie, I’m a pretty awesome dude. If it were up to me, this “Oscar” would go to you!

Henry

Henry

Oh, Henry. Take one look at my cute face and fetching doggie smile and try not to fall in love. I’m a little bundle of energy who loves to play fetch and am quite athletic while doing so. I settle down quite nicely and gently play with toys. I know sit, shake, stay and down too! I’ll even roll over for those very important belly rubs. I love to cuddle up with my human friends and snuggle under blankets. I walk well with a harness and enjoy my time outside. Won’t you please swing by the shelter and ask to meet me? My adoption fee has been sponsored by a special benefactor who adopted from the CCSPCA last year, so I’m ready to go! Swing by and ask for Henry.

Cali

Cali

Hola my name is Cali Caliente and I’m a 12 years young honey. Unfortunately I was surrendered on October 7th, but fortunately I was brought to the Chester County SPCA to be given a second chance at having a home. My new friends have told me that I am a beautifully spicy example of a shorthaired calico, with amazing gold eyes. I enjoy interacting with my human friends, and while I can be a little selective pf the company I keep. My age has shown me that it’s never a bad thing to have great taste. Could you be my special friend? Stop by the shelter and let’s get this party started baby!

Knight

Knight

Hi my name is Knight, and I am in search of a kingdom to serve. I am a 5-year-old, handsome feline example of an orange and white short hair cat. While I continue to battle the fearsome foes that enter my lands (cloth mice and spiked balls), I do take care because I am FIV positive. I have been told by the locals that I am very interactive, have energy to spare, and can sing like the holiest of angels. However I do have a goofy side and love to play so do not fret if you are shy or reserved. Let me be the one you seek for a good laugh or entertainment. I wish very much to have a castle of my own.. Do you know of a land in need of my unique traits? Send them my way and ask for Knight!

Timber

Timber

Just like the lumberjacks of old, when you fall in love with me we will call out timber. I’m 3 years old and came to the shelter as a stray on Oct. 10. My pals here say that I have the softest calico coat you well ever lay your hands on, and love the attention I get from it. Just don’t get stroke happy, because I’ll let you I’ve had enough. I do love interacting with new people and will always greet you at the front of my cage. I am FIV positive so a home where I would be the only love of your life would be great!! Know any experienced cat people or lumber jacks??? I would be a great surprise for the Holidays and a wonderful addition to your family for the season.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

Adopt-a-Pet Dec. 7-13 Read More »