Editor’s choice
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Rich Schwartzman
July 21, 2016
Kennett Twp. lauds police, collaborations
Kennett Township Police Chief Lydell Nolt’s monthly report at the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, July 20, ranged from routine warnings about heat stroke to an invitation for residents to attend National Night Out festivities on Tuesday, Aug. 2, in Kennett Square.
When Nolt finished his remarks, Supervisor Whitney S. Hoffman said she felt compelled to express support to members of the department. “It’s been a stressful time for police officers across the country,” she said, referencing a spate of shootings that have targeted police.
Nolt responded that he was grateful to work in a community that values law enforcement. “We have received an outpouring of support,” he said, adding that churches have called to offer prayer vigils and members of the public have repeatedly offered unsolicited thanks. “There’s a large portion of our population that appreciates our law enforcement.”
Continuing a theme of public safety, Supervisors’ Chairman Scudder G. Stevens said the Kennett Fire Company took delivery of its new $1.2 million fire truck, a joint capital expenditure between the township and the borough. Several township officials got an opportunity to ride in the bucket, which can reach heights of 100 feet, with dramatically different reactions.
“It’s pretty scary up there,” Township Manager Lisa M. Moore said, acknowledging a spectacular view. Stevens labeled it exciting, and Hoffman called it “an incredible learning experience,” explaining that one realizes the importance of maintaining 24-foot-wide roads when turning a corner in such a large vehicle.
Stevens said the township is working with several neighboring municipalities on a study designed to figure out the best way to maintain long-term, meaningful relationships for fire and emergency medical services. Moore said the township would be reviewing a draft of the report with its emergency services providers before sharing the information with the public.
Another study is nearing completion, Moore said. A draft of the economic development study commissioned by Historic Kennett Square, the Borough of Kennett Square, Kennett Township, Chester County, Genesis HealthCare and Longwood Gardens, is expected to be reviewed at a public meeting in September. The report is expected to outline priorities for where and how the region should grow while protecting its natural, rural, cultural and historic heritage.
Moore said a third study is about to start that will explore the feasibility of pursuing a new home for the Kennett Library that might also include borough offices and a community center.
Supervisor Richard L. Leff applauded the multiple collaborations. “When we work with other groups, we can accomplish more,” he said.
In other business, the supervisors heard a request from Joseph A. Corrado, who needs a zoning change so that he can subdivide one of six parcels he owns off of Old Kennett Road to create another home for a relative. “It’s pretty much a family compound, and we’d like to keep it that way,” Corrado told the supervisors.
Diane Hicks, the township’s zoning officer, said the proposal makes sense. Solicitor David J. Sander suggested that she help Corrado prepare a petition for the ordinance change and also notify a group of contiguous landowners to determine whether the change should be extended to them. Once that is accomplished, Corrado could then go through the subdivision process, Sander said.
The supervisors voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance that enables the township to charge 10 percent interest annually to residents with delinquent accounts, such as sewer bills. They also voted to approve an ordinance that permits the township’s police officers to use a firing range in New Garden Township, an arrangement that facilities training. The $750 cost was budgeted, Nolt said.
The board agreed to advertise the possible reenactment of its gun discharge ordinance. Sander explained that the township withdrew the ordinance after a federal law gave organizations like the National Rifle Association the right to sue local municipalities over gun restrictions, a right that was subsequently deemed unconstitutional by an appellate court. A vote would likely occur at the next supervisors’ meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
After a half-hour of discussion, the board agreed that the next step in a five-year dispute over a stormwater easement between Randy Bishop and Greenwood Mushrooms depends on Bishop.
Bishop, who attended the meeting, repeated his long-running complaint that he never signed a stormwater easement agreement with Greenwood. Moore explained that Greenwood was required to file the paperwork, which apparently didn’t happen since no one can find a signed document. As a result, the township has changed its procedure to ensure that such a situation won’t occur in the future.
In the meantime, the township has attempted to facilitate a resolution between Louis Marson, who owns Greenwood Mushrooms, and Bishop, Moore said. Now that attorneys are involved, the township’s role is limited.
Moore said that Greenwood has offered Bishop a settlement and he needs to respond to that offer. If he rejects it, the company said it would remove the drain on his property, Moore said.
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Constellation Network announces new director
The Constellation Network, a collaboration of Kennett area churches committed to accelerating good work in Southern Chester County, has announced a new executive director.
Ben Stafford, who worked previously as the program associate for the Kern Family Foundation, will be relocating to the area from Wisconsin with his wife, Marissa, and their 18-month-old son, Caleb, according to a Constellation Network announcement. He is expected to start his new position in early August.
At the Kern foundation, Stafford developed and implemented the national “Made to Flourish Network,” facilitating numerous gatherings of pastors and community members around the concept of human flourishing. He also managed more than 100 grant proposals focused on the role of vocation and common good. His broad experience ranges from project development and implementation to strategic planning and overall operations, the announcement said.
Stafford, who studied economics at Hillsdale College, joins the network as momentum is building to discern the community’s needs and develop a dedicated team of volunteers to support this effort. He also received executive-level training for nonprofit operations and management from The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation.
One of the Constellation Network’s recent initiatives occurred in response to Pennsylvania Act 153, 2015 legislation that requires comprehensive criminal and child abuse background checks for all volunteers who work with children. The Constellation Network collaborated with the YMCA of Greater Brandywine to help alleviate this burden, purchased a fingerprinting machine and took it on the road, fingerprinting over 150 local volunteers for multiple churches, school districts, sports leagues and community organizations, according to its website.
For more information, visit https://theconstellationnetwork.com.
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Pennsbury passes resolutions on money
Pennsbury Township supervisors Wednesday night passed two resolutions, one that could lead to the township spending money, the other that could lead to the township getting some.
The first resolution authorizes the township to join with Chester County in an attempt to ease 41 acres of land along Hillendale Road, property belonging to the Trammell family, George Trammell and Elizabeth Sullivan, according to solicitor Tom Oeste.
Oeste said the township is agreeing to pay up to $3,000 per acre, matching what the county would pay. However, the property has not yet been assessed. The $6,000 per acre figure is the maximum the county is willing to consider. If the land were assessed at a higher figure, the Trammells would need to offer an equal charitable contribution of land for the easement.
“We don’t know how much we’ll be asked to pay,” said Supervisor Charles “Scotty” Scottoline.
But fellow supervisor Aaron McIntyre quickly interjected that the $3,000 figure would be the minimum.
The resolution “expresses our intent to continue,” McIntyre said.
Scottoline added that that the township does not have to pursue the matter if the appraisal is too high.
At $3,000 per acre, the township would have to kick in a total of $123,000 for 41 acres.
The second resolution throws township support behind an amendment or repeal of the Sterling Act, a state law passed in the 1930s. That law gave Philadelphia the right to pass its City Wage Tax and allows the city to keep all the money collected, even if the worker lives outside the city, in a municipality that has its own income tax.
Pennsbury does have its own earned income tax and the supervisors want to join with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors in an attempt to change the Sterling Act provision so the township can get at least some of the money Philadelphia takes from township residents.
Oeste said a change would bring in one percent of the money the city takes from Pennsbury residents — about $40,000 per year — for the township.
“That makes a lot of sense,” said McIntyre.
Scottoline readily agreed.
Both resolutions passed 2-0. Supervisor Wendell Fenton was absent.
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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For ‘Shrek’ at Longwood, beauty in eye of ogre
By day, he works as the senior director of partnerships with Nemours/KidsHealth; at night, Jeffrey Santoro morphs monstrously into everybody’s favorite green ogre – at least for the next two weeks.
Santoro has the title role in “Shrek, the Musical.” Directed by Shauna Goodman, “Shrek” is the latest in an 85-year string of summer musical treats presented by The Brandywiners, Ltd., one of the largest nonprofit theatrical groups in the Delaware Valley. “Shrek the Musical” will be performed in Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, starting on Thursday, July 21, and ending on Saturday, July 30, at 8 p.m.
Shrek is a family-friendly show that proves beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre – not to mention the beholder. Kate Wright plays the lovely and level-headed Princess Fiona of Far Far Away, who eventually falls in love with Shrek. Paul Goodman, the director’s husband, plays Donkey, Shrek’s pushy, goodhearted, chatterbox companion.
During a recent interview, Santoro said he and Goodman have known each other since childhood. So when they are on stage together, they easily play off each other, ad-libbing and keeping the show’s dialogue fresh and lively.
The part of Shrek, and the show itself, are perfect for Santoro, who acknowledges being a kid at heart who sees the funny in everything and loves to play and pretend. He grew up acting in shows at Three Little Bakers, Wilmington Drama League, Candlelight Dinner Theatre and The Delaware Children’s Theatre.
As an adult, Santoro was Marie Swajeski’s right-hand man at The Delaware Children’s Theatre. He moved to Florida in 1990 to work as an audio-visual technician with Disney-Orlando. He then moved to Disney Studios, where he worked with imagery, design, editorial, art and sound. Since returning to Delaware in 1999, he has thrown himself into his new career with Nemours and multiple volunteer areas – from serving on boards of several nonprofits to establishing the Delaware All-State Theatre in 2005 and serving as its artistic director.
Shrek’s voice may sound a little gravelly on opening night. Santoro woke up with strep throat on Wednesday morning. But, the show must go on, and Santoro promised he would power through the pain. To prepare for Shrek’s highly recognizable accent, Santoro listened to Scottish comedians on YouTube. He didn’t want to imitate comedian Mike Myers, the voice of the popular film character, but he did want to honor the voice that kids in the audience would expect to hear.
“It was really hard to imitate the Scottish accent,” Santoro said. “If you listen to real Scots, “ he said, “you can’t understand a word they’re saying.“ In the end, he said, “I think what I have is part Irish, part Scottish and part little old Jewish man.”
The Shrek costume also presented some challenges for Santoro. “The costume and the makeup are comprised of several layers, so it’s all very hot,” he explained. “Maintaining my energy level will be a challenge, but my primary focus is to fulfill the expectations of the audience.”
Referring to the brutally hot weather forecast for opening week, he confided that the actors work harder so they won’t disappoint. And performances will conclude with a fountain show that’s likely to beat the heat.
The Brandywiners, Ltd. traces its history to the Depression year of 1932, when a group of young people decided they could improve on an operetta performance they had just seen and started the company. The fact that one of the organizers, William Winder “Chick” Laird, was the nephew of Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont led to an enduring relationship with the gardens, according to the Brandywiners website.
“Shrek the Musical” will be performed in Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre on July 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets include admission to Longwood Gardens beginning at 9 a.m. on the day of performance, plus a fountain display immediately following the show. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 per person for groups of 25 or more on Thursday and Friday nights only, $25 for students ages 13 to 21, and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. Reservations are available at www.brandywiners.org.
Proceeds from The Brandywiners’ concerts and musical theater productions benefit cultural, educational and civic causes throughout the Brandywine Valley.
About Lora B. Englehart
Lora has a passion for art, gardening, yoga, music and dancing. She continues to research the life of locally born abolitionist and 1998 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Ann Shadd Cary. She is a dedicated community volunteer, working with the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, DE branch (programs chair), Chadds Ford Historical Society (former board member) and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Lora lives in Birmingham Township with her husband Bill and son Brad. Daughter Erika lives in Pittsburgh with husband Bob and baby Wilhelmina. She is a former French, Spanish and ESL teacher, bilingual life insurance underwriter and public relations coordinator for Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
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Around Town July 21
• The Philly Pops celebrated its third annual Christmas in July this past week, giving away 300 bicycles and helmets to children of members of the military, Philadelphia police officers, and fire departments, thanks to a host of donors. The event also marks the on-sale date for tickets to the Pops’ widely-attended Christmas concert series in December – shows that almost sold out in 2015. It also previews the third annual “I’ll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders” event, which opens the Christmas concert season with a free concert for military, veterans, police officers, firefighters and their families at the Kimmel Center. For more information, visit http://www.phillypops.org/.
• The Philly Pretzel Factory on Route 202 in Concord Township, is going to the dogs on Saturday, pretzel dogs, that is. July 23 is National Hot Dog Day and the Philly Pretzel Factory will be celebrating with $1 pretzel hot dogs. Franchise owner Michael Gunselman anticipates 200 of the hotdogs wrapped in cheese and baked in pretzel dough will be sold. He said he’s doing it as a courtesy for his customers.
• The Brandywine River Museum of Art will present Crafts in the Courtyard on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop unique wares made by regional artisans in a variety of mediums. This event will showcase exceptional works from 13 juried-members of the Chester County Craft Guild, a chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.
• And speaking of crafts, the Unionville Community Fair is hoping to attract more local craft vendors to sell their goods at this year’s fair, which will run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 2. To accomplish this, fair organizers have drastically cut the vendor fees. Anyone who might be interested in being a craft vendor at this year’s fair should send an email to vendors.ucfair@gmail.com to receive an application.
• Join local businesses at the Delaware County Chamber Business Trade Show on Aug. 4 at Concord Country Club. Meet over 25 exhibiting companies and network with fellow attendees from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a continental breakfast and light fare throughout the day. Attend a Winning in a Competitive Market workshop with SCORE at 10 a.m. Engage with representatives from sponsor members Comcast Business and Main Line Today. Enter to win prizes to be drawn every hour. Pay $20 at the door or pre-register to attend for free at www.delcochamber.org.
• The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls is pleased to announce the appointments of Ingrid Tomlinson, Kathy Weber and Denise Wine to its board of directors, all of whom have a strong history with the fund. Tomlinson, a professional photographer, has served on the Grants Allocation Committee and she has volunteered on the Making a Difference Luncheon in many capacities. Weber, an active volunteers in her son’s schools, has served on the Grants Allocation Committee twice and is now a member of the Making a Difference Luncheon, where she was sponsorship chair, and the Grants Policy Committee. Wine, a financial advisor, recently served as co-chair for the Making a Difference Luncheon and has also served on the Grants Allocation Committee.
• Tickets will go on sale Aug. 15 for Chester County Day, the longest running house tour in the country. This year’s event will feature the county’s southwest quadrant: Birmingham, East Bradford, West Bradford, Kennett, Newlin, Pocopson, Pennsbury and East Marlborough townships, as well as Kennett Square Borough. Organized by the Women’s Auxiliary to the Chester County Hospital, Chester County Day is a 76-year autumn tradition. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Women’s Auxiliary $1.25 million pledge to expand the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. For more information, visit www.ChesterCountyDay.com.
• Explore the scenery, glimpse the history and discover the lure of the Brandywine creek on the inaugural Bike the Brandywine, sponsored by the Brandywine Conservancy. The ride on Saturday, Sept. 17, will consist of an 80-mile or 40-mile loop in the beautiful Brandywine Creek Greenway. The Brandywine Creek is a major source of drinking water for nearly half a million area residents, including Downingtown, Coatesville, West Chester, and Wilmington, Delaware. The Brandywine Conservancy has worked for nearly 50 years to help preserve water quality and quantity in the region. Connect your wheels with the water on this scenic ride. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the Conservancy’s clean water programs. The cost to participate is $45. To register, visit https://335.blackbaudhosting.com/335/Go-with-the-Flow-Bike-Ride.
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Adopt-a-Pet July 21
Come meet all the wonderful animals available now for adoption at the Brandywine Valley SPCA. All featured pets are “Name Your Price” adoption fee until Monday, July 25. Not ready to adopt? Then sponsor a pet and provide a safe place for our companions to rest until they find their forever homes. Help us give them a second chance at a fresh start.
TIGGER
Hey everybody, my name is Tigger. I’m a pretty little orange and grey tabby cat with an inquisitive personality. I’m approximately 6 years young and I’m definitely a social butterfly. I’ll gladly introduce myself to your entire family, especially if they’re willing give me some love and pets. I love attention so much that I want to be the only kitty in your life, so I’d do best in a single-pet home. Come in and meet me. I know we’ll hit it off. After all, the wonderful thing about Tiggers is Tiggers are wonderful things.
TAYLOR
Hey guys, it’s Taylor here. ‘Lil Taylor as I am know in the shelter. I arrived as a skinny little girl but my friends here are taking such good care of me. I’ve grown into a little bit of a beauty. I have been lucky enough to go on sleepovers with one of our great volunteers and she has nothing but good things to say about me. I’m a total cuddle bug, according to her, housebroken too. I love to ride in the car; I just settle down in the backseat and enjoy the ride. My friends live in the borough of West Chester and walk me around the town and it’s so fun for me, because I get to greet everyone happily. I love meeting new people. In addition to being in love with my people, I am also dog friendly. So, yeah, I rock. Come meet me.
BOB
What about Bob? That’s what I am saying, along with most of my friends at the shelter. I’m a totally awesome, adorable pal who absolutely loves everyone I meet. I get so excited to see my friends that when I wag my tail my whole body wiggles, and I even cry in joy for the attention. I love playing with balls- sometimes I even sleep with them next to me. I’m treat motivated and listen very well. I enjoy playtime but definitely love to take long naps- and having a cuddle buddy would make those naps even more incredible. Won’t you please come meet me? I’m excited and wiggling just thinking about it.
BUTTONS
Well, hello there. My name is Buttons and I’m a 3-year-old spayed female kitty with declawed front paws and a love for everyone I meet. I have a very classy black and white tuxedo coat and an excellent personality. Some of the volunteers here say that I’m their favorite. I haven’t met a person or cat that I didn’t like, so I’d be a great companion cat, family pet, or playmate for the kitties you already have. I’m definitely a snuggler so I’ll gladly hop up onto your lap for some cuddles. Won’t you come take me to my new forever home?
TAB
I am one cool cat looking for a forever home to call my own. I’m a laid back, loveable guy who gets along fine with other cats. Come visit me and see for yourself what a wonderful new member of your family I would be. I’m neutered and up to date on all of my vaccinations. I “pawsitively” can’t wait for us to meet.
KHAN
Hi. My name is Khan and I’m a real sweetheart of a girl, if I say so myself. I’m super friendly and playful and love to cuddle – perhaps with you? Come see me and I bet it will be love at first sight for both of us. I have been spayed and am current on all of my shots so I’m ready to go. Let’s meet soon.
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Academic Acknowledgement
• Annalisa Szymanski, of Chadds Ford, earned Dean’s List honors at Saint Joseph’s University for the Spring 2016 semester. Szymanski studies business intelligence & analytics in the University’s Haub School of Business. Students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above, a B or greater in all their classes, and complete at least 15 credits to earn dean’s list status for a semester.
• Jesse Saran, of Chadds Ford, made the Dean’s List at the Rochester Institute of Technology for the spring 2016 semester. Saran is studying computer science. Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.4; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.
• The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the final group of scholarship winners, bringing the number of 2016 National Merit Scholars to more than 7,300. These distinguished high school graduates include Ryan A. Margolin of Chadds Ford, a Unionville High graduate who will attend Clemson University, where he expects to study law; Jasmine Lee Cheung, a Garnet Valley graduate from Glen Mills, who plans to study biology at Rutgers University; Randall P. Mueller, a Glen Mills resident who attended Salesiamum School and plans to major in economics at Fordham University; John K. Libert of Landenberg, a Kennett High graduate who is headed to Case Western Reserve University to pursue a career in biomedical engineering; and Matthew H. Marcelli of West Chester, who went to Bayard Rustin High and will pursue studies in chemical engineering at Penn State.
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