After four complaints about a naked male near East Boot Road and northbound Route 202, police decided to take action.
Detectives from the West Goshen Police Department installed multiple cameras in the area believed to be the site where the unclad man had been seen fondling himself along the side of the road between June 27 and Sept. 9, said a West Goshen Township Police press release.
Police said another report came in on Aug. 30. When investigators checked the cameras, they saw a white male in his 50s, wearing a white V-neck t-shirt, gym shorts, and Merrell sneakers as he left the area.
In one of the reports, a caller advised that she saw a white Jeep SUV parked on the side of the road in the area and thought it might have been related. On Sept. 9, an off-duty West Goshen officer was traveling northbound on Route 202 and exited at Boot Road, the release said.
As the officer drove up the ramp, he observed a white Jeep Liberty. Since the officer was aware of the investigation, he took a picture of the vehicle. He then made a right turn onto Boot Road and observed a white male standing along the roadway masturbating.
When the suspect realized the officer was stopping, he fled to his vehicle but got stuck in traffic. The officer approached, identified himself, and told the man to remain at the scene, where he was arrested and transported to the station, the release said.
Police said Gary Reed Hacker, 59, of Collegeville, has engaged in similar conduct before. Court records show that Hacker received two years’ probation for open lewdness, stemming from an October 2006 incident in Perkiomen Township. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in Limerick, receiving a sentence of a year on probation.
Dianne Mary Stuverude, 58, lost her battle to cancer Friday, Sept. 9 at Neighbor Hospice House.
Born in Queens, New York on April 11, 1958 to Joseph and Eileen Brandt, she was the only girl with four brothers. She grew up close to her grandparents and enjoyed her grandma’s mint tea, tormenting her brothers, gymnastic and ice skating.
After graduating from St. Agnes All Girls Catholic High School she went to work for a small airport called 3M, where she would meet her husband. After marrying Eric, she gave birth to two girls and the family settled down in Chester County. She spent many years in working for Tick Tock Early Learning Center as the financial director, heading all of their fundraisers.
She left work to become a full time caregiver to her beautiful grandchildren who she loved and adored.
She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Eric, daughters Krysta and Amy, three grandchildren Kylee, Izzy and Jace, God-son Frankie, mother Eileen, three brothers Joe, George, and John and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph, and brother, Frank.
You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street in Kennett Square. Her memorial service will follow at 4. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Humane Society of the United States, Dept. HACDQ100904001. 2001 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Several wonderful new shows are opening this Friday, September 16th! Opening receptions this Friday include: The Art Trust’s “Mirage” show in West Chester, Somerville Manning Gallery’s Timothy Barr exhibit in Greenville Delaware, The Chadds Ford Gallery’s “Scarborough Days” show, and the “The National Juried Show” at the Oxford Arts Alliance in Oxford. On Wednesday September 16, there is an excellent curator talk at 2 p.m. at The Brandywine River Museum of Art to discuss the recent Scaife bequest of important late nineteenth century American artists.
Skin and Bones by Timothy Barr
The Somerville Manning Gallery has a stunning exhibit on the paintings of Timothy Barr which opens on Friday with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show continues through October 15th. Timothy Barr is a contemporary natural realist and “luminist” who depicts trees and landscapes with an uncanny eye for light and verisimilitude. His images online flatten out his works. You must see them face to face to experience how wonderful they are.
The Chadds Ford Gallery, located at 1601 Baltimore Pike opens their season with “Scarborough Days. The exhibit is another visit to Scarborough Fair” on Friday, with a reception from 5-8 p.m. The show of painted works, signed and limited edition giglee prints of renown Chester County realist painter Paul Scarborough continues through October 2.
The Oxford Arts Alliance’s most famous show of the year “The National Juried Show” opens this Friday September 16th, from 5-8 p.m. at their gallery location at 38 South Third Street in downtown Oxford. With over 220 entries from all over the country, 40 pieces were selected for this desirable show. This year’s juror is Dr. Jennifer Samet, who is a professor of Art History at City University of New York, a writer for many art magazines and publications, as well as co-director of gallery Steven Harvey Fine Arts Projects in downtown Manhattan. The forty selected works offer a wide range in mediums, from sculpture to paintings, and come from 30 artists living locally in Chester County, to artists from states including Wisconsin, South Carolina, and California.
Convergence by Simon Galer
Local artists that you might recognize are Susan Melrath, Lele Galer, Heather Davis, David Katz and newcomer metal sculptor Simon Galer. This is Simon’s first show. He got addicted to making metal sculptures after attending metal sculpture artist Stan Smokler’s very popular summer metal workshops last year. I had encouraged Simon to enter this national show so that he could learn the exhibition application process and either learn to accept rejection or be a part of a wonderful national show — and he had two sculptures accepted!
Tribal Pup by Jen Roth
Jen Roth is another young artist selected into the show. Jen’s colorful, delightful “Tribal Pup” is a pastel dog portrait that she particularly enjoyed creating. She writes that she has “always loved dogs..they have a special place in my heart.” At age 18, Jen has been publicly showing her artworks since the fifth grade and won awards and recognition statewide which took her to exhibit in Washington D.C. What a terrific opportunity for these two young artists to show alongside well established professionals. Like the blind auditions on the TV show The Voice, another great thing about this juried show is that it is all about the art, not the fame or age of the artist.
Visitors to the opening are encouraged to look through the juried selection and choose their personal favorites, while enjoying wine and food supplied by the Oxford Arts Alliance. The art in the show is also for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to support the art and music programs at the Arts Alliance. The rest of downtown Oxford will also be open late, celebrating the arts, so this is a great evening to check out Oxford and stay for dinner in this charming town. Local artists studios are springing up all along 3rd Street, including the studios of Vicki Vinton and Susan Melrath, and there are plenty of other small new shops, a wine bar, coffee bar, and a new comic book store.
On Sunday, September 18 at 2 p.m., Dr. Samet will give a gallery talk, and discuss her selection process and unveil the 5 prize winners. That is exciting! First place prize is $1000, second place is $500, third place is $350 and there are two Honorable Mention prizes at $100 each. Those are very large prizes for a Chester County show, which is one of the reasons this show draws in artist entries from all over the country.
Chris Grove, Executive Director of the Oxford Arts Alliance says, “what I particularly love about this show is that Sacred Heart Elementary School has this show as part of the school’s curriculum.. the opportunity for these kids and the community of Oxford to see art from literally all over the country, right here in Oxford. That is really unique.”
On Wednesday, 2 p.m. September 14th at The Brandywine River Museum of Art, Associate Curator Amanda Burdan will be giving a gallery talk “Terra No Longer Incognita”. Immerse yourself in a fascinating discussion about American artists such as William Merritt Chase, John La Farge, Martin Johnson Heade and other great artists introduced to the museum by the recent bequest by Richard M. Scaife, a Pittsburgh philanthropist and former Board Member of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art. “New Terrains” is an exhibition of 25 important works in the bequest from Mr. Scaife, representing the many of the foremost American artists of the late-nineteenth and early twentieth century. The show continues through the end of January 2017.
Lele Galer is an artist who has chaired numerous art shows, taught art history and studio art, public art and has chaired, written and taught the Art in Action Art Appreciation series for the UCFD schools for the past 12 years. She worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and wrote for the Associated Press in Rome. She has been dedicated to Art History and art education for most of her adult life. Lele and her husband Brad own Galer Estate Winery in Kennett Square.
The Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors faced a lengthy agenda at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 12; however, a number of issues hit snags and remain unresolved.
Pocopson Township’s Barnard House, a former Underground Railroad stop, continues to have an uncertain fate.
Chief among them is the status of the Barnard House, a historic building that has generated substantial controversy since its purchase from the county for $1 in 2008.
Most recently, the supervisors have been trying to get a security system installed so that the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC) can occupy part of the former Underground Railroad stop, pursuant to a 2014 lease agreement.
“It’s not done,” reported Mark Knightly, the township’s public works director. “The system crashed today. I don’t know what else to say … It’s just not done.”
Knightly cited issues with Comcast and the Protection Bureau, which has the contract for the wireless security system; he said he hoped the problems would be fixed within the next week.
“It’s only six weeks’ late,” noted Supervisor Elaine DiMonte.
But even when the security system is functioning, questions will remain about the building’s future. The Barnard House was originally envisioned as the home of the KURC as well as the township’s offices; however, the supervisors put the brakes on the latter option due to reports on the building’s unsuitable layout and escalating renovation costs.
Instead, the supervisors have focused their attention on getting input from the Chester County commissioners, who imposed restrictions on its use. Supervisors’ Chairwoman Ricki Stumpo said an effort to set up a meeting with them at the Barnard House has not yet been successful.
DiMonte said a meeting last month with Sen. Tom Killion, R-9, and Rep. Steve Barrar, R-160, was enlightening for the lawmakers and enabled them to see firsthand the obstacles and expense involved in renovating the building.
“That’s why we so want the commissioners to come out,” Stumpo explained.
Pocopson Township Supervisors Elaine DiMonte and Ricki Stumpo hear about landscaping complaints at the Preserve at Chadds Ford, a Toll Brothers’ subdivision.
Another longstanding issue involved the Preserve at Chadds Ford, a Toll Brothers subdivision. The supervisors have rejected the developer’s request for dedication multiple times due to inadequate landscaping.
The supervisors were prepared to approve Thomas Comitta Associates as a third-party contractor to review the landscaping. However, remarks about the scope of the problem from Santhosh Kanjula, a board member of the Preserve’s homeowners’ association, gave them pause. Ultimately, Stumpo and DiMonte – Supervisor Alice Balsama was out of town – ratified the agreement with the condition that it include a meeting between Comitta and the HOA board.
“We have to have our residents’ voices heard,” explained Stumpo.
The supervisors also heard from Justin Colella, another resident with a protracted problem. “It’s a weird, muddy kind of issue,” he said, referencing a complaint about a fence on his property that surrounds a pasture for Penelope, a pygmy goat, and another pet, Jemima Puddle Duck.
Colella, a resident of Bragg Hill Road, said he took down the fence section in question and has been transporting the animals to a friend’s property during the day when Colella is working. He explained that even Craig Kologie, the township’s code enforcement officer, is confused about the required setback for the fence since it doesn’t appear to fall under the existing regulations.
“I want to do it once and be done with it,” Colella said.
Stumpo and DiMonte both said they appreciated his explanation but suggested that he needed to work with Kologie to resolve the situation.
The supervisors received updates from board members from each of the two libraries that serve the township. Brad Peiper, a member of the Kennett Library board, said that exciting progress is continuing on plans for a new facility and that the library would be unveiling new lighting and displays later this month.
Scott Kirkland, the township’s liaison to the West Chester Public Library, described a host of great programs, particularly a visit on Nov. 2 from teen author Sara Shepard of “Pretty Little Liars” fame, the day after her latest book debuts.
Kirkland said he wanted the board to know that the county has designated the Kennett Library as the township’s library, which means that it receives all state and county funding. However, 44 percent of the township’s library users patronize the West Chester facility.
Both the supervisors and Peiper suggested that Kirkland pursue that apparent inequity with the county, which he said he planned to do.
The final land development plan for the Riverside Daycare Partnership’s Ducklings Early Learning Center on Winston Lane in the Riverside at Chadds Ford community was on the agenda; however, the supervisors said no plan was submitted.
The supervisors heard a report from Colleen McKinney, who’s chairing the Founders Day Committee, an event that drew an enthusiastic crowd of about 1,000 last year to myriad activities that ranged from hayrides to games. McKinney said plans are progressing for what is likely to be the 10th and final Founders Day, due to the usual problem: a lack of volunteers.
McKinney said she is currently looking for about 10 people to help with parking and has been striking out with Boy Scouts and high school students. A couple of the half-dozen residents at the meeting offered to help, and McKinney said she would enlist some relatives at the 11th hour if necessary.
“We’ll see you on the 25th,” said Stumpo. “It’s sad that this could be the last one, but that’s another story.”
Finally, a flyer for the Pocopson Township Historic Committee’s fundraiser on Oct. 1 at Applebee’s restaurant was attached to the meeting’s agenda. The all-you-can-eat event to benefit the restoration of the Locust Grove Schoolhouse will feature pancakes, sausage and beverages from 8 to 10 a.m. at the restaurant, which is located at 815 Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square.
The cost will be $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the township building, at Founders Day on Sunday, Sept. 25, or at the door.
Clara “Clare” Hosmer Victorius, 95, died Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Chester County Hospital. She was married to the late Claus Victorius. They resided in Rose Tree, near Media, until moving to Crosslands, Kennett Square, in 1994.
Born Jan. 19, 1921 in South Hadley, Mass. to Herbert Eugene Hosmer and Elin Westfors Hosmer.
Clare was an avid gardener and accomplished watercolor painter. She loved her family and friends and cherished the time she and her husband Claus spent with her three grandchildren.
Clare is survived by a daughter Cathy of Boothwyn, son Carl and daughter-in-law Irma of Chestertown, Md., and grandsons Ben (Emily), Jared (Lisa) and Tyler (Morgan), and two great-grandsons.
Clare supported Doctors Without Borders, American Friends Service Committee, and Feed the Children. In lieu of flowers, she would be happy if any contributions were made to one of her favorite causes.
A memorial service will be held in the William Penn Room at Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square Saturday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m.
Samuel Reynolds Hendrickson, 76, of West Grove, died Friday, Sep.9, at Seasons Hospice in Newark. He was the husband of Barbara Atkins Hendrickson, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Born in Landenberg, he was the son of the late Manley and the late Henrietta (Lucas) Hendrickson.
Sam was a 1959 graduate of Kennett High School. He worked for Acme Food stores in various managerial roles for over 40 years. He was the previous owner of the Landenberg Store known as Sam’s Market.
He enjoyed bowling, pheasant hunting, attending his grandchildren’s events, going to car shows, cruising, and traveling throughout the US.
Survivors include in addition to his wife, three daughters, Jacquie Hendrickson Fitchett (Michael) of Nottingham, Christine Simpson (Scott) of Elkton, Md., and Robin Hendrickson of West Grove; two brothers, Howard (Judy) of Peach Bottom, and Robert (Sharon) of Landenberg; five grandchildren, Stephanie Simpson (Christopher), Justin Simpson, Lucas Fitchett, Jenna Fitchett Ennis (Charlie) and Tim Fitchett (Heather) and one great-grandson, Sam Ennis. He was predeceased by three brothers, Manley “Nick”, William and Jack and two sisters, Sarah and Mary.
You are invited to visit with Sam’s family and friends from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home Inc. (610-444-4116) 250 W. State St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. A memorial service celebrating is life will follow at 11. Interment will be held privately. Contributions in his memory may be made to Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com
The physical work is still to be done, but Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers has a green light to open in Birmingham Township.
The supervisors on Monday night gave final approval for the land development plan for the eatery, to be located on Route 202 at Old Wilmington Pike, across from Penn Oaks Drive.
Stephen DiMarco, owner of the Freddy’s franchise in Broomall, said he expects his new restaurant to be open sometime in early 2017. Before the new building can go up, the old one — a former convenience store — needs to be torn down. He said the work should take about 100 days once it gets started.
DiMarco, who also owns Penn Oaks Country Club, went through a conditional use hearing for the project in February, and received approval in March. Preliminary land use approval came in July.
The final approval this week almost stalled because the applicant is now asking for some outdoor seating, something that wasn’t part of the conditional-use hearing. Supervisors agreed to approve the plan as heard in February, but not with the outdoor seating. They will wait until the township solicitor has a chance to review the amended proposal before making that decision.
DiMarco said Freddy’s would be similar to an Applebee’s or TGI Friday’s type of restaurant, but without alcohol. It would be open for lunch and dinner only, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday trough Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Other business
• Concordville Fire Company Treasurer Dave Montville addressed the supervisors, explaining that the fire company wants the township to increase its annual donation. He said that 8.9 percent of the company’s calls come from Birmingham and that he’d like the township to pay that same percentage of its operating costs, which would bring the township‘s share to $37,000. The township currently pays $17,000 per year.
Montville explained that part of the rising cost is due to a diminishing number of volunteers, and that paid firefighters need to be hired.
• Joe Mobile, an aide to state Rep. Dan Truitt, R-156, announced that Truitt would hold a town hall meeting at the Birmingham municipal building on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m.
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.
Members of the Gelling family from Marshalltown unveil the marker for the Trimbleville Historic District during a well-attended ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Fortunately for the audience of nearly 150, General “Mad” Anthony Wayne did not live up to his name on Sunday, Sept. 11 – and with good reason.
William Scudder (from left) of Exton takes a selfie with Jeannine Speirs of the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force and and Charlie Fifer of West Chester, also known as General ‘Mad’ Anthony Wayne.
Wayne, also known as West Chester resident Charlie Fifer. sported Revolutionary War attire as he joined a large gathering at 311 Broad Run Road that included history buffs, neighbors, assorted officials, and area residents to celebrate the unveiling of a marker for the Trimbleville Historic District.
“I’m absolutely in a happy mood,” the general said, stressing the importance of paying homage to key moments in history.
The celebration capped an effort by the Friends of Martin’s Tavern, a nonprofit committed to preserving history in and around Marshallton, to ensure that area residents do not pass through the once-prosperous hamlet of Trimbleville without recognizing its significance.
Linda Kaat, president and founding member of the Friends of Martin’s Tavern, gets ready to address the audience.
Linda Kaat, president and founding member of the Friends of Martin’s Tavern, noted that the residents of Trimbleville awoke on Sept. 11, 1777, prepared for their weekly baking day. Instead, they ended up participating in “a turning point” in the life of the young country. “It’s up to us now to care and conserve and to bring the respect this area deserves,” she said.
Jack M. Hines Jr., a West Bradford Township supervisor who served as the event’s emcee, agreed. He pointed out that 8,000 British troops marched through the town, located about two miles south of Marshallton, and he expressed gratitude to the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force for its efforts to encourage preservation planning so that the landscapes involved in such historic occurrences could be protected.
The Trimbleville Historic District, which originated about 1740, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It encompasses an area that includes Northbrook, Broad Run, and Camp Linden roads.
Elaborating on Trimbleville’s history, Mark Slouf, vice president of the Friends of Martin’s Tavern and a member of the West Bradford Township Planning Commission, described the village as a thriving industrial hub the day the British troops thundered into the area on a hot, foggy morning. He said “the army of redcoats” would have formed a line of two abreast that ran four miles long.
Mark Slouf (left) provides a history lesson on Trimbleville to an appreciative audience.
During their flanking march to engage Gen. Washington’s troops in Birmingham Township, the British looted and burned fences, Slouf said. So 239 years ago, the date of Sept. 11 resonated with negative associations, he said.
“The area didn’t recover for 10 to 20 years,” he said, adding that after the ordeal, some of the residents likely retreated to Martin’s Tavern in nearby Marshallton to have a drink.
Although the Americans subsequently lost the Battle of Brandywine, they demonstrated talent, grit and resiliency that prompted assistance from the French and also led to a more effective defensive strategy that ultimately won the war.
The speakers’ remarks were followed by bagpipe renditions of the national anthems for the U.K. and U.S. and the plaque unveiling, which was performed by Katherine Gelling and her sons Dean, Drew and Grant.
Later, Gelling said she was honored to have participated. She said she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and didn’t have the same reverence for history until relocating to Chester County a couple decades ago. “I really hope people don’t take this [history] for granted,” she said.
She said she particularly valued the opportunity to have her sons included in the celebration. But even more gratifying was the timing on Sept. 11, which has experienced two instances of American tragedy.
“The fact that we can celebrate a positive accomplishment on this day gives me hope,” she said. “Maybe it can help offset the negatives.”
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Photographs in slide show are courtesy of Lindy Powers Photography
The Friends of Martin’s Tavern is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), organized to preserve the Revolutionary-era tavern in Marshallton. Over the years, the Martin’s Tavern site has served as a focal point for many village activities, and the organization has also become caretakers of the Marshallton Blacksmith Shop, a nearby historic building built in 1750 that remains essentially unchanged from its original condition.
In 1993, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force was formed with municipal, state, and federal representatives along with nonprofit institutions. Since then, it has been working to ensure that this integral part of American history gets the attention and preservation it merits. To learn more, visit http://www.landscapes2.org/publications/PubHistoric.cfm.
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.
