April 8, 2016 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Roadwork for week of April 9

PennDOT has announced the following road projects, which are weather-dependent and could affect residents in the greater Chadds Ford area during the week of April 9 through April 16. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if they are traveling through one of the construction zones.

Shoulder work on Route 202 in both directions is scheduled for Monday, April 11, through Thursday, April 14. Lane restrictions will be needed between Routes 926 and 422 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will affect motorists in Birmingham, Thornbury, Westtown, West Goshen, East Goshen, East Whiteland, West Whiteland, and Tredyffrin townships.

Route 1 in Concord Township will be the site of utility installation through Sept. 1. Lane shifts will be needed on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Brinton Lake Road and Applied Card Way.

Patching crews on Route 322 will require lane closures in both directions between Route 1 and 1-95 in Concord, Bethel and Upper Chichester townships. The work is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12.

Lane restrictions will continue to be needed on Gay Street in West Chester Borough between North Worthington and Montgomery Street for sidewalk installation. Crews are scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Monday, April 18.

Work is continuing on the project to widen Route 202, which is scheduled for completion in August 2016. Motorists should expect delays for traffic pattern shifts in Tredyffrin and East Whiteland townships.

One lane in each direction of Route 3 in East Goshen Township will be closed from through Friday, April 15. Crews will be working between Valley Drive and Westtown Way from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on bridge joint repairs.

Work will continue on the Speakman Covered Bridge in East Fallowfield and West Marlborough townships. Frog Hollow Road between Concord Bridge and Strasburg roads will be closed and detoured until the estimated completion date of Sept. 20.

Burnt Mill Road in Kennett Township remains closed and detoured indefinitely between Norway and Spring Mill roads while advance work continues on repairs to the Burnt Mill Bridge, which was closed on April 24, 2014.

Work will continue on the Birmingham Road Bridge in Birmingham Township, which closed in September due to structural damage. Posted 24-hour detours will be in effect between Lambourne Road and Stoney Run Drive through Aug. 31.

Daylong lane closures will be in place on Route 100 in Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships for the installation of aerial fiber optic lines. The project is scheduled to finish on Friday, April 29. The northbound right lane will be closed from Ship Road to Sheree Boulevard, and the southbound right lane will be closed from Marchwood Road to Sunrise Drive. An additional lane closure also may occur, if needed, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I-95 South between Routes 291 and 420 in Tinicum Township will require lane closures for bridge joint repairs. Crews will be working from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, April 10, through Friday, April 22.

I-95 will also be subject to intermittent lane closures between the Philadelphia County and Delaware state lines for patching. Crews will work on the southbound side on Wednesday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the northbound side on Thursday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Route 30 Bypass will continue to be the site of patching crews, who will be working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Swan Road and Route 100 from Monday, April 11, through Wednesday, April 13.

If you want to report potholes and other roadway maintenance concerns on state roads, call 610-566-0972 in Delaware County or 484-340-3200 in Chester County, or visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “submit feedback.”

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Marc Buckwalter is founder of M.A.D. UpCycle (Middle Aged Dude Upcycling). Bed springs photograph is from exhibit at 10 Gallon Hat Winery.

Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail’s ‘Art of Spring’

Arts & Entertainment

For the month of April , seven winery tasting rooms along the Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail will be celebrating the “Art of Spring” with a wide variety of spring-inspired art events. Earth Day in April, will be marked by art that utilizes “up cycling and recycling” and encourages us to look at old things and repurpose them in new and utilitarian ways.

Spring is also a great time to start up new projects, take a stab at that new book idea, or follow through with a blog or Instagram concept. The warm weather is also a perfect time for art shows and getting outside to plant vegetables and paint “plein air.”

In the vineyards, the vines have been pruned and the first buds have appeared on the vines – a very exciting time in the vineyard. In the wineries and tasting rooms, the patios and porches have been made ready for guests to enjoy their wine outdoors, in the spring sunshine.

The Brandywine Artisan Trail links the wineries in our region through a series of monthly themes that celebrate local arts. Individual wineries chose to opt in or opt out of a theme as their busy schedules permit. Visitors are encouraged to try wines at all of the wineries along the trail, and if they stop by these wineries during an artisan event, they get to enjoy terrific wines and local arts as a double incentive to pop in.

At Ten Gallon Hat Winery, master carpenter and “Up-Cycler” Marc Buckwalter is creating an installation of found and repurposed artifacts for their tasting room in Chadds Ford. Mark specializes in making hanging light fixtures and cool, vintage inspired table lamps.

He is the founder of M.A.D. UpCycle (Middle Aged Dude Upcycling), and loves to breathe new life into forgotten things. Visit the Ten Gallon Hat tasting room throughout the month of April, taste great wines, get creatively inspired, and buy some MAD objects to enliven your home. In addition to running with the theme of Spring and all things new and bright, Ten Gallon Hat will be featuring the promising, fresh, young artists of our county, with the works of West Chester Area School District’s Art students gracing their walls. The student exhibition is made possible through a collaboration with Lisa Bryan, one of the amazing and talented Art teachers from the West Chester School District.

Kreutz Creek Vineyards will showcase the recycled and repurposed utilitarian art objects by Jen Harley, of Mission Salvage Company in West Chester. Jen’s work will be exhibited in both Kreutz Creek locations in West Chester and in West Grove. This artist finds “the beauty in all things, especially old rusty items and recycled barn materials” and will be exhibiting some delightful items this April at Kreutz Creek!

Flickerwood Winery recently closed its location in Kennett Square to concentrate its efforts at its popular Oxford location across from The Oxford Arts Alliance. To celebrate the merger of their Kennett Square and Oxford staff and customers, Flickerwood is having a Spring party on April 16th from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. with food, music, and wine. Customers might also enjoy Flickerwood’s Oracle Readings on April 8th 6 to 9 p.m., and words of insight by medium Kelly Kearney April 29 from 6 to 9 p. m. Both of those events should be very popular, so make reservations at 610-932-9498.
Penns Woods Winery is celebrating April’s Earth Day with their First Session of “Organic Gardening Class” April 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. Topics will include container gardening for any size space, heirloom and hybrid seeds and plants, what to plant for mid-spring, and how to grow lettuce and other spring greens.
Learn from third generation gardener Deborah Kates from Coatesville Area Arts Alliance. Tickets are $38 per person, which includes a glass of wine and a starter plant to take home. Class size is limited to 35 people, so it is suggested that you purchase your ticket in advance.
Galer Estate Winery, located behind Longwood Gardens, will have several art events tied to the idea of making a fresh, creative start in the Spring. On April 17, 3 to 5 p.m, very popular local blogger Estelle Tracy will hold a free social media workshop at the winery. For the many of us who cannot keep social media platforms straight, or are fearful to take the plunge, Estelle makes social media understandable and approachable – even exciting.

If you have ever wanted to write that book, or read a new author’s prose, on April 24 from 3 to 5 p.m , 6 local authors will talk with customers about their writing and their commitment to the process of writing. Engaging and wise, this is a great spring event to get your writer’s block unblocked.

Patsy Keller, fused glass artist, will be exhibiting her work for sale on April 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Her bowls and pendants are all about color and light, a perfect spring antidote for Winter’s grey.

Paradocx Winery will be hosting “Earth Day Painting Class in the Vineyard” on Friday, April 22nd at 6 to 7p.m. which includes a glass of wine. Sign up online at paradocx.com. In support of Earth Day, Paradocx will also be promoting their eco friendly cans and pouches with a buy one get one 10% off April 22 to 24th.

Wilson Vineyards also has monthly outdoor painting classes, instructed by artist Sally Wilson. Check out their website for more information and signup details.

For more information about each of these events, please go to the Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail website www.brandywineartisanwinetrail.com, or to the individual participating winery sites.

April on the Brandywine Artisans Wine Trail

In May, the Brandywine Artisan Trail will celebrate the Art of Chester County, in coordination with the fantastic not-to-be-missed Chester County Study Tour May 21 and 22.

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Ideas, energy abound at Kennett workshop

Local News Kennett

KS_0316 — Members of the Kennett community put their heads together during an economic development workshop on Thursday, April 7.

On Thursday, April 7, Kennett Square endured another downpour, but it ended appropriately with a rainbow, noted Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square.

Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square, addresses the audience at the American Legion building.

Hutchins made the observation at the beginning of a workshop in the American Legion building, part of the Kennett region’s economic development strategy and implementation plan. Organizers are hoping that the project will bring a bright and welcome change to the region.

On Feb. 11, Todd Poole of 4Ward Planning and Mark Keener of RBA Group, the consultants, gave a public presentation and overview of plans for the community’s future development. They were hired last year by Historic Kennett Square, the Borough of Kennett Square, Kennett Township, Chester County, Genesis HealthCare and Longwood Gardens to help set the course for Kennett’s growth.

Thursday’s program began with remarks from Paul Redman, executive director of Longwood Gardens – and a huge proponent of advance planning. He said the gardens subscribe to the “measure twice and cut once” philosophy. Changes at Longwood, which is approaching 1.5 million visitors a year, don’t occur without a lot of deliberation, he explained.

Todd Poole, one of the study consultants, reviews his notes during the small-group sessions.

Redman said Longwood has “north of 500 employees,” the majority of whom are part-time and seasonal. With an absence of mass transit, Longwood could use more affordable area housing, a need that was echoed at the Feb. 11 gathering.

At Thursday’s meeting, Poole and Keener reminded residents that seven geographic areas had been identified as “susceptible to change:” the State Street corridor; the Cypress Street corridor; Birch Street from Walnut to Broad streets; the area known as Millers Hill, on the eastern border between the borough and the township; the Ways Lane area in Kennett Township; the former NVF property, a nearly 24-acre vacant industrial site in the borough; and the area on the west side of Mill Road in the township.

The bulk of the workshop gave the approximately 100 participants, seated at eight-person tables, the opportunity to share their thoughts with the smaller group on each of the seven areas. A table leader served as recording secretary, jotting down notes on suggested changes and improvements for each of the geographic locations.

Marnie Conley (standing), Longwood's chief marketing officer, confers with her group during the brainstorming sessions. — Marnie Conley (standing), Longwood’s chief marketing officer, confers with her group during the brainstorming sessions.

At the end of the small-group exercise, Poole solicited an overview from the groups about the targeted areas, eliciting nearly a dozen lively comments.

Kennett Square Borough Councilman Wayne Braffman said his group envisioned Birch Street as a cultural and arts center with 50 percent residential and a themed main street. Architect Dennis Melton suggested that the Creamery building could become the largest banquet hall in the area.

John Haedrich, a member of the Kennett Township Planning Commission, said Millers Hill represented an opportunity to create a lushly landscaped gateway for visitors heading toward the borough from Longwood Gardens.

Kennett Township Supervisor Richard L. Leff said his table felt that Ways Lane needed to become more of a corporate campus with light industrial, and Kennett resident Michael Guttman noted that Cypress Street offered a logical place for a parallel “main street,” a mix of residential and commercial that would encourage filling in the side streets.

Mia Fragale, 10, poses with her mother, Monica Fragale, after contributing feedback to the audience of 100.

But for thinking outside the box, there’s nothing quite like a 10-year-old. Mia Fragale, seated next to her 7-year-old sister, Emilie, and her mother, Monica, offered two creative suggestions. She would like to see a roller-skating rink on the NVF site and a radio or TV station on Millers Hill. “People should go rollerskating,” she added.

Mark Keener, the director of urban design for the RBA Group and one of the organizers, said he did not need to review the documentation that was amassed during the evening to deem the workshop a success.

“You saw a level of animation and engagement,” he said. “That doesn’t always happen, and it bodes well for the project.”

Indeed, many of the conversations continued after the meeting ended, and some even spilled out onto the street.

About Morgan Carter

Morgan Carter is a creative writing student interning with Chadds Ford Live. She loves tea, long walks on beaches, and baking – provided there is a recipe on the back of the box. She lives in Chadds Ford with her parents, three siblings, and two spunky parakeets. Morgan is very excited to be a part of the Chadds Ford Live team, and hopes to pursue a career in writing after graduating from college.

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7th Run for Our Sons takes aim at Duchenne

Local News

On Saturday, April 16, racers will converge at Charles F. Patton Middle School, making a mad dash to help find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

The 2016 Race for Our Sons will benefit the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

The Seventh Annual Unionville Run for Our Sons will raise funds to research treatments for this debilitating disease that affects approximately one in every 3,500 boys born each year. The disease is the result of a mutation of a gene on the X chromosome, and primarily affects men.

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), an organization focused on raising awareness and funding research of muscular dystrophy, began its Run For Our Sons program in 2005. Since then, the program has expanded, and branches have opened in cities and towns all over the country.

DMD causes a progressive decrease in strength, which can contribute to many medical problems (especially those affecting the heart and lungs). Many affected by Duchenne live only into their late 20s, according to the PPMD website.

Runners get ready to take off during the 2015 race. — Runners get ready to take off during the 2015 version of Run for Our Sons.

A local couple, Joanna and Paul Johnson, became involved with PPMD after their sons, Henry and Elliot, were diagnosed with the disease in 2007. Joanna Johnson teaches Spanish at Unionville High School, and a letter on the Johnsons’ Run for Our Sons website explains the genesis of the local race.

“The days and months that followed [the diagnoses] were the darkest days we experienced as parents as we came to grips with the fact that our two beautiful boys would become progressively weaker over time and most likely not live beyond the age of 30,” they wrote. “Worst of all, there was no treatment or cure that would change the outcome. However, we refused to believe that nothing could be done and started researching to learn all that we could about the disease.”

In the six years since the race’s beginnings in Unionville, over $300,000 has been raised for PPMD to support Duchenne research. The Johnson boys have been a part of a clinical trial for a drug called Ataluren, which is reaching the final stages toward getting FDA approval.

AJ Sandor, 16, Elliott Johnson, 12, and Jordan Reidenberg, 14, are among the children hoping to benefit from advances in treatment for Duchenne.

“For the last few years, I have dreamed of starting this letter by saying, ‘Congratulations! Our hard work has paid off as the first treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been approved by the FDA,’” the letter said. “We are that close, but still have yet to cross the finish line … However, this battle is a marathon and we are only at the beginning stages. FDA approval of Ataluren would be a victory, but we need to take that momentum and keep it going.”

The treatment will only benefit 15 percent of the boys with Duchenne. “That is simply not good enough,” the letter said. “We will not stop until every boy, every single one, has a viable treatment.”

Joanna Johnson said it is hard to believe that the seventh race is a week away. “My husband and I never could have dreamed how successful this event would become when we first thought about having a local run,” she said. “Every year when we watch the runners take off, we are overcome with emotion. The way that this community comes together to support our cause to end Duchenne means the world to us. It gives us the strength to keep fighting against this devastating disease.”

She said she and her husband have formed close relationships with other families fighting DMD and share the pain of watching their sons grow weaker. “This is why we are so committed to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and donate all funds raised to them every year,” Johnson said. “They have completely changed the landscape of this disease and have given hope to families like us.”

Last year’s race had over 900 runners registered, Unionville’s largest turnout yet.

The race will begin and end at Charles F. Patton Middle School, proceeding through the rolling hills of two residential neighborhoods. Runners can register for $30 ($25 for students).

In addition to the race itself, there will be raffles, family fun activities, and refreshments for all who attend. The race begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, with on-site registration starting at 8 a.m. For more information, click here.

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Lola Auriti of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Lola Auriti, 86, of Kennett Square, died Tuesday April 5 at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

She was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but lived her early years in Guardiagrele, Italy, then moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. and eventually to Kennett Square. She was the daughter of the late Giovanni and the late Emma (Damiani) Auriti and was a sister to three brothers.

Lola worked in the clothing industry for many years. She loved good food and enjoyed spending time with her brothers and their families and socializing with friends and neighbors.

She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kennett Square.

Survivors include one brother, Ovidio Auriti (Donatella) and several nieces and nephews, all of whom brought her great joy in her later years.

You are invited to visit with Lola’s family and friends from 9:30– 10:30 a.m. Monday April 11, at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. Her Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 at St. Patrick Catholic Church 212 Meredith St. Kennett Square. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Kennett Square.

To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com

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CCHS to bring ‘Age of Aquarius’ alive

Arts & Entertainment

That complex, sometimes wacky, often turbulent period known as the ‘60s will be the focus of a daylong presentation at the Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) on Saturday, April 16.

“At the outset of the ‘60s, it was ‘Ask not what your country can do for you.’ Long before the decade ended, it was ‘Hell No, We Won’t Go,’ noted Bill Ehrhart from the Haverford School.

Ehrhart, one of more than half a dozen speakers for “The Sixties! The Age of Aquarius in Chester County – A Symposium,” will discuss how and why that transformation occurred. The presentation coincides with the CCHS exhibit on the ‘60s, which runs through Aug. 27.

At the beginning of the 1960s, many Americans believed they were standing at the dawn of a golden age. On Jan. 20, 1961, the handsome and charismatic John F. Kennedy became president, suggesting that the government had big answers to big problems, but that golden age never materialized. Instead, by the end of the 1960s it seemed that the nation was falling apart, said a CCHS press release.

The symposium will explore the myths and realities of the years 1954 through 1974, and provide insights into the turbulence, turmoil, creativity and accomplishments of the 1960s through the music, fads, fashions and protests of twenty years that defined a generation.

Keynote speaker Emma Lapsansky of Haverford College will discuss 'Sculpting a New Identity: Peace, War and Revolution in Camelot.' — Keynote speaker Emma Lapsansky of Haverford College will discuss ‘Sculpting a New Identity: Peace, War and Revolution in Camelot.’

The keynote speaker will be Emma Lapsansky of Haverford College, whose talk is entitled “Sculpting a New Identity: Peace, War and Revolution in Camelot.”

She will be joined by Michael Long of Elizabethtown College speaking on “From Black to Gay: The Evolving Dimensions of the Civil Rights Movement;” Jo B. Paoletti, “Revolution Will be Litigated: Short Skirts, Long Hair, and Civil Rights;” Michell Muldoon and Kim Holston, who will discuss “Movies in a Decade of Change,” and Mark Oppenlander, “The Beatles Phenomenon.”

The program will begin at 8:45 a.m. and end after a reception that begins at 4 p.m. at the CCHS, 225 N. High St. in West Chester. The cost is $35 for CCHS members, $50 for non-members, and $20 for students with a valid ID. The fee includes lunch and the concluding reception.

Registration will be accepted up to and including the day of the symposium. RSVP by calling 610-692-4800 or emailing rsvp@chestercohistorical.org. To view the event brochure, click here http://files.ctctcdn.com/10179597001/e87edd77-d5a8-4847-822e-7a490b3a3adc.pdf?utm_source=Sixties+Symposium+e-blast+&utm_campaign=symposium&utm_medium=email.

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