December 29, 2016 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Laurie Anne Sicko-Szoke of Kennett Square

Laurie Anne Sicko-Szoke, 59, of Kennett Square, died Saturday, Dec. 24 at Pembrooke Health & Rehabilitation Center in West Chester after a battle with renal failure and multiple myeloma.

Born in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and raised in Niskayuna, N.Y., she was the beloved daughter of the late John and the late Laura (Eycleshimer) Sicko, and step daughter of the late Suzanne (Randals) Sicko.

Laurie graduated from the State University of New York Oneonta and went on to work at the Wolfeboro School System in New Hampshire as a teacher. Laurie then worked as the director of Outreach Programs for the Silver Bay YMCA located in the Adirondack Mountains for many years and never lost her love for the area. She was beloved by her employees as a gentle yet firm leader.

She served as an Extension Educator with Penn State Extension Chester County since Oct. 21, 1985 and made a difference in many lives throughout Chester County. During her career, Laurie worked with volunteers, leaders in business and industry and interagency networks to secure a funding base that has raised significant financial resources to expand 4-H programs for under-served and under-represented youth in Chester County. Her passion was seen in the CommUnity Outreach Programs such as Cosecha and 4-H Creating Community Networks where nonprofit organizations collaborated and delivered mobile education to underserved communities. In 2000, she funded a trip to expand 4-H Creative Music initiative in rural communities in Almoloya de Alquisiras, Mexico.

Laurie was a recipient of many awards and recognitions, among those she received The Lifetime Achievement Award as “The Hometown Hero” in 2015. Laurie’s kindness and positive energy touched many lives. Becoming a mentor and inspiration to many. Her love of all animals was well known and she treated all of her animals as if they were her children. She was an advocate for holistic healing and taught yoga and fitness classes.

Pre-deceased by her life partner Juan Avila in 2007, she is survived by Juan’s son, Anawim and Allegra Avila and their children, Ava, Ora, Camellia and Vera; her spirit daughters, Maria Navarrete-Olvera and Elizabeth Garduno; her sister, Stephanie O’Neil and her husband Brian, their children, Liam, Madeleine, Maeve and Genevieve; one brother, John Sicko; a step brother, Will Randals and his wife Mercedes; a step sister, Margaret Kotes and her husband John and their children, Emma, Julia, and Molly; and her cousin Joy Plumme.

You are invited to a celebration of life with Laurie’s family and friends. Beginning with a 10 a.m. ceremony followed by a gathering of friends 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Kennett Friends Meeting, 125 W. Sickle Street (& Rt. 82/Union St), Kennett Square PA 19348. Interment will be held privately.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Arrangements are by Kuzo & Greico Funeral Home Inc (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square.

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

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Roundabout planned for Hillman and Evergreen

Local News

Chadds Ford Township supervisors have decided they want a roundabout for the intersection of Hillman Drive and Evergreen Place. Board members made the announcement during their Dec. 28 workshop.

There was no official vote taken, but all three supervisors, Frank Murphy, Samantha Reiner and Noell Barbone agreed they had reached a consensus.

That decision allows The Henderson Group to develop a fully engineered plan for the Hillman Drive extension which, when done, would complete the final segment of the loop road system around the intersection of Routes 1 and 202.

Supervisors gave preliminary approval for the extension in October, but reserved the option of choosing between a roundabout or a raised intersection with a four-way stop.

A special meeting was held Dec. 7 in which Fran Hanney, of PennDOT, and Marilyn Causey, from the Transportation Department of the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, both said they would prefer the roundabout because they are the safer option.

Causey said at the time that drivers only have to look to the left when approaching a roundabout, and that buses are more apt to be rear-ended at a stop-sign intersection.

Henderson Vice President Mark Eisenhardt said in October that, once his group knew what direction the supervisors wanted, it would take about a year for the final plan to be developed and approved. Once that was done, he said, actual construction would take about four months.

If that timetable holds true, Hillman Drive would be open from Route 202 to Route 1 across from Brandywine Drive within the first half of 2018.

In addition to extending the road, the preliminary plan showed an improved intersection at Route 202, with three lanes leaving Hillman, and one lane coming in. Those three outbound lanes would be dedicated with one each for left turns, right turns and straight through traffic. The same type of intersection would be at Route 1.

Additionally, the intersection of Route 1 and Dickinson Drive would be changed so there would be no left turn leaving Dickinson onto southbound Route 1.

Another change would prevent motorists who are traveling south on Dickinson from turning left onto Hillman. They would have to turn right and go around the roundabout before heading to Route 202.

Eisenhardt said Henderson would pay for the project.

Other business

• Supervisors will hold the state-required re-organization meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 3, but meet again the following night for their regular January meeting, also at 7 p.m.

•The Board’s January workshop is scheduled for Jan. 25, during which supervisors will conduct an ordinance review that will likely include a discussion on a sign ordinance amendment for temporary signs and a new property management code.

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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Around Town Dec. 29

Along the Ford

Janet Witman leads an ensemble of nine harps, handbells, song and dance in a celebration of post Christmas delights, in a candlelit sanctuary at St. Michael Lutheran Church on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m.

• On New Year’s Eve, UPTOWN! Entertainment Alliance will host a grand opening celebration for its new theater. “The Celebration of the Century,” will showcase the restoration of the historic Armory building at 226 N. High Street. Featuring what has been dubbed the most entertaining party/dance band in the land, New Street HEAT, the party will additionally spotlight some of Uptown!’s future in-house programming throughout the building. Guests will be invited to wander from space to space to experience the restoration while enjoying food by John Serock Catering, wine, beer, signature cocktails, midnight champagne, and dessert. The Celebration of the Century also honors the restoration of the historic armory at the time of its 100-year-old birthday.

• New Year’s Eve is also time for the annual Mushroom Drop in Kennett Square. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, in the heart of Kennett Square, a 500-pound stainless steel mushroom glittering with thousands of lights will be lowered with a countdown to 2017 at State and Union streets. This year’s celebration will also feature a party at The Garage Community & Youth Center at 115 S Union Street, an indoor event with food, beer and wine available for purchase. Doors open at 9 p.m. There’s a $10 cover for that party. Attending the Mushroom Drop is free.

• All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31, through Monday, January 2, 2017, for the New Year’s holiday. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

• Janet Witman leads an ensemble of nine harps, handbells, song and dance in a celebration of post Christmas delights, in a candlelit sanctuary. The Brandywine Harp Orchestra is the only continuously playing harp orchestra in the United States. Come and celebrate the New Year with St. Michael Lutheran Church, 109 E. Doe Run Road on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and can be purchased at the door. No charge for children and students.

JC Brooks will make his Kennett Square debut at The Kennett Flash on Friday, Jan. 13.

• Chicago based post punk soul singer and Bloodshot Records recording artist JC Brooks will make his Kennett Square debut at The Kennett Flash on Friday, Jan. 13. Born and raised in Camden, N.J., Brooks, and his former band, The Uptown Sound, made their Philadelphia debut at the original Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus in November of 2009 with underground soul legend Renaldo Domino. Since that time, the band has performed at Kung Fu Necktie, North Star Bar, World Cafe Live Philadelphia, World Cafe Live at The Queen, Underground Arts, Morgan’s Pier, The TLA, Dogfish Head Brewery in Rehoboth, The Chameleon Club in Lancaster, and WXPN’s XPNotential Festival in Brooks hometown of Camden among many other area venues.

• The Philly Home Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia runs from Jan. 13-16 and again from Jan. 20-22. The show will feature highly-interactive exhibits including two sheds that entertain all five of the senses with the latest design trends and home entertainment equipment, IKEA High-tech vs. Low-tech Kitchens, inspiring discussion topics led by HGTV Celebrities, and hands-on DIY workshops with local home and décor experts. With more than 315 exhibitors, celebrities, design professionals, and our area’s leading contractors and product suppliers all in one place, the Philly Home Show will help attendees create the home of their dreams. Single-day tickets for adults are $13 at the door, but $10 online. Admission for children 6-12 is $3; children 5 and younger are admitted free. To save $1 off tickets, click here: https://www.tix123.com/tix123/etic.cfm?code=PHS2017&disc=CALENDAR and use the promo code CALENDAR.

• First State Ballet Theatre presents “Elegant Souls: A Triple Bill” at the Baby Grand on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19. Saturday’s performance is at 7 p.m., Sunday’s is at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $25 to $50. The program includes Walpurgis Night, Elegant Souls, and the Grand Pas from Raymonda. For tickets, call 1-800-37-GRAND or visit www.ticketsatthegrand.org

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Adopt-a-Pet Dec. 29

Home and Leisure

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, Jan. 2. 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.

Happy Holidays. My name is LB. I am a 1-year-old neutered white and beige male who was transferred in through our Second Chance program. I am a friendly cat who likes a lap to sit on. I love attention, and interacting with people. I am new to the adoption floor and right now prefer people to other cats. Will you pick me to come home with you?

GABBY

My name is Gabby. I’m an 8-year-old spayed Russian blue mixed female who was transferred in through our Second Chance Program. I am a stunning long haired grey diva, very attractive but it’s my way or the highway, so I am recommended to be with older children. I would need an experienced cat owner since I love attention but only on my terms for a short period of time. My communication of choice is then a nip. Can you deal with a beautiful diva.

MICHELANGELO

My name is Michelangelo, and I am an adorable 5-month- old kitten who arrived at the Brandywine Valley SPCA with my siblings. They have all been adopted, and I can’t figure out why I am still here. I arrived with an eye injury that has definitely limited my vision, but that makes me even more special. I know I will grow up to be just as inspirational as the great sculptor Michelangelo. I am a little shy, but I know if the right family gives me a chance, we can live a long and happy life together. I am neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations, and I am here waiting to meet you.

MOCHA

My name is Mocha and I am so excited to meet you. Right now, I’m living with my foster dad and its lots of fun. I get to play tug (my favorite game) and fetch and go on walks. I’ve learned lots of commands like sit, down, and stay. I even know how to play hide-and-seek. I spend workdays in my crate, but I don’t mind it.  I’m a smart girl who is always excited to meet new people. Perhaps my most striking feature is my expressive eyes. From conveying my utter disbelief and sheer joy that you really are going to let me lick that spoon covered in Greek yogurt to displaying my pure happiness and controllable excitement while playing tug, my eyes always let you know what I’m feeling.  I am energetic, but with rules, structure, and exercise, I am very capable of relaxing. I would do well in an experienced, cat-free home with older children. I’ve done well in play groups with other dogs. Schedule a visit with me today.

JETT

Hi, my name is Jett, and I’m a 2-year-old female terrier mix who arrived at the Brandywine Valley SPCA as a stray. I’m what you call a low rider because my belly swings low to the ground. I’m absolutely adorable. I would need to be the only animal in the home, as I like to be the only princess in the castle. I love to listen to you talk to me and have the most adorable head tilt so you know I am listening. I sit and stay, like a champ! I am HW positive so I would love to find a home where I can relax and finish up my treatment, which has been sponsored. I am spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations. Come meet me and see why I am a staff and volunteer favorite.

FRED

Hello friends. My name is Fred and I am a 3-year-old terrier mix who arrived at the Brandywine Valley SPCA as a stray. I’m a fun loving, silly guy who will keep you laughing with my antics. I know how to sit and stay and enjoy cuddles with my humans. I perform perfect zoomies when I get excited, and they are just too cute. I am neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and I am all set to go home with my forever family. I hope that is you.

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