The Unionville High School Art Gala is Nov. 17 and 18.
The Unionville High School Arts Gala is 42 years old this year. This annual event showcases local celebrated working artists, UHS alumni, and current UHS Students along with live music and great food. This year it runs Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Unionville High School Art Center.
Friday evening includes delicious appetizers from some of the area’s most popular restaurants. There will also be live music from local musicians.
This year’s featured Artist is MaryAnn Weselyk. Growing up in Chadds Ford, MaryAnn was influenced by its rich art culture and her beautiful surroundings. She also gained a sense of freedom in her art from her extensive study of impressionism, post-impressionism, and the modern revolutionary movements of the late 19th and early 20th Century. Understanding their work, she says “truly opened her eyes to art without boundaries.”
At heart, MaryAnn is a colorist, working in oils for its rich subdued hues and depth and acrylics for liveliness and spontaneity. MaryAnn embraces strength in abstract design, linear movement, and saturation of color with interesting patterns and texture. MaryAnn exhibits her work throughout the tri-state area, was the featured artist at other premier area shows, and was listed as a top painter in the book Artists of the Brandywine Valley, by Catherine Quillman, 2010.
The Art Gala will also feature two senior student artists, whose names will be announced later. The Student Art section of the Art Gala highlights the impressive artistic talents nurtured by Unionville High School and its outstanding Art Department.
A silent auction is offered to the public which features beautiful artwork donated by the talented artists in the show as well as select regional activities and outings. The silent auction runs both Friday and Saturday and closes one hour before the show ends.
This fun and lively event raises money for Educational Enrichment Projects, which help enhance the overall educational experience.
Jerold “Jerry” S. Panati, 81, of West Chester, died Monday, Oct. 9, at the Chester County Hospital. Jerry was the husband of Nancy Ramey Panati, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage.
Jerold “Jerry” S. Panati
Born in Philadelphia, and growing up in Ardmore, Jerry was the son of the late Jerry and late Alta (Mitchell) Panati.
Jerry was “Penn State Proud,” earning a bachelor’s of science degree in business and graduating in 1958. He was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After college, Jerry served in the army as a captain.
After college and the army, Jerry joined General Motors where he worked for over 30 years as a quality engineer. His life’s passions were his family, dogs, cars (Corvettes) and golf. He traveled around the world with his wife after retirement (seeing sights that many only dreamed of) but for Jerry, there was no place like home…swinging a golf club looking for that perfect swing, watching his granddaughters grow up and having his dog next to him. That’s what made Jerry happy. Family was everything.
Jerry (husband, father and Pop-Pop) is survived by his wife Nancy; son-Bob Panati and his wife Tracy of West Chester; daughter- Donna Lamberth and her husband Karl of Chadds Ford; his brother, Donald Panati and his wife Sandi of Dresden, Maine and his three granddaughters, Amanda, Danielle and Jenna.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Pheonixville, Pike West Chester, PA 19380. Arrangements are by Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home (610-444-4116) of Kennett Square. Condolences may be made at www.griecocares.com
Most of us living in and near West Chester have learned of the pending sale and development of the iconic land in Westtown Township called Crebilly Farm. Born and raised in West Chester, I rode my horse on the property as a young girl. I cannot imagine West Chester without Crebilly Farm and took for granted that it would always be there. Crebilly Farm is part of the Brandywine Battlefield. The threat of mass development of that sacred land woke me up. What began for me as an awareness campaign to preserve our history and push for a better outcome has grown into advocating for open space preservation in my own township, West Bradford.
Chester County is one of the most desirable places to live in our nation. People are drawn to this very special nook of Pennsylvania for its beautiful rolling hills, open fields, wildlife, charming country roads, magnificent trees, exceptional waterways, and the rich history held within all of it. Massdevelopment is the very destruction of what attracts people to live here. Where will we be twenty years from now?
I was never a person who seemed to get it right the first time around. Growing up privileged in many ways, I came from an angry and unpredictable home. I married young and thought nothing of leaving beautiful Chester County when I headed west with my new husband, scant cash, minimal possessions and no real plan.
On this journey, I was blessed with some incredible life experiences while exploring parts of our nation. I saw the smooth, subtle hills and pastel colors of light over the Midwest plains, the snowcapped Rocky Mountains and other magnificent scenic vistas of the West, such as the Grand Canyon and Lake Tahoe. I lived on the island of Maui and eventually settled in the quaint charm of Sausalito, California.
One day, my husband didn’t come home. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, he left California with a new love interest, and I never saw him again. In time, I made my way back to the comfort and familiarity of Chester County and started over. With the love of a dog from the SPCA, I discovered a whole new appreciation for our county.
Most of my adult life, I rented my home and found great solace in the peaceful, pristine lands of our county parks. If not for places like Marsh Creek, Paoli Battlefield, Valley Forge, French Creek, Stroud and Cheslen preserves, Hibernia and the Laurels, I doubt I would have survived my own depression during that time of rebuilding. Of all the spectacular places I have had the pleasure of living, I cannot imagine living anywhere else than Chester County.
In recent years, I have settled in West Bradford Township, and life has taken me on a new journey that has reinforced my love for the county’s historic treasures, many of which are now imperiled.
Land preservation of our county begins in our backyards, in ourown townships. A township with open-space funding can leverage the county and state for additional funding. The population of Chester County is expected to increase by 28.8% by 2040, and pressure from developers is increasing. We need to be proactive in protecting our land and unspoiled nature that makes this area so valuable.
West Bradford Township is proposing an open-space referendum for a 0.25% Earned Income Tax increase. For every $10,000 of household income, the annual Earned Income Tax would be $25. Such a tax does not apply to those on a fixed income. East Bradford, Newlin, East Brandywine, West Brandywine, Kennett, New Garden, London Grove and Honeybrook townships have all been proactive in passing an earned-income-tax referendum. West Bradford and the rest of the townships in Chester County need to get on board.
We need to preserve our open spaces before it is too late. We the residents are the ones with the power to elicit change and protect what can never be replaced. We are the stewards of this land and we need to get it right. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Sincerely,
Mindy Rhodes
Member, West Bradford Land Preservation and Sustainability Committee
Two candidates are in the race for magisterial district judge, Jane Donze and Al Iacocca. In all elected positions the voters are the employers, the candidates are applying for the job, the paycheck is non-negotiable, and the term is fixed. So the judge we hire, friendships and politics aside, needs to hit the ground running with the understanding and experience of the job, the law, and the community they serve. And…it is up to the voters to “hire” the best employee for the position.
So what makes Jane Donze stand out from her opponent? For her, this is not a steppingstone to further her career but the opportunity to apply her accomplishments to a position that deserves it.
Donze has three times the years of experience as a practicing attorney in our local court system compared to her opponent. She has been a resident, volunteer, leader, advocate, and self-made law practice owner in our district for most of those years. Her legal experience and the lengthy list of community accomplishments speaks to her values, energy, and commitment.
Donze is already coordinating with local law enforcement, probation officers, and youth organizations to address our community’s most pressing juvenile and substance abuse issues. She is not just talking about it. Donze will spend learning curve time in this full-time position on forging ahead to address the important community issues.
Our district is fortunate to have such an outstanding candidate for district judge. Donze’s all-encompassing legal experience, her character, and work ethic will be an asset to our local judicial system and our community. We need positive momentum from day one, not a “hope” that someone will do a mere decent job while learning the ropes.
Your vote for Jane Donze on Nov. 7 will take us where we need to be. www.donze4dj.com
Despite cloudy weather, the 2017 Wine Festival at the Dilworthtown Inn elicits lots of sunny smiles.
The 26th Annual Wine Festival at the Dilworthtown Inn borrowed lyrics from the musical “Annie” – with a slight revision: “The sun will come out … in an hour.”
The Vince Brown Band rocks the crowd at the 2017 Wine Festival.
At least that’s what forecasters repeatedly insisted. But on Sunday, Oct. 15, Mother Nature defied predictions that the clouds would soon subside. They never did, but people were having too much fun to care.
For many attendees, the festival has become a favorite fall ritual. It follows the weekend of Chester County Day, another beloved October tradition that benefits Chester County Hospital. Proceeds from the festival go to the hospital’s Abramson Cancer Program and Neighborhood Health.
Rachel McElhenney, accompanied by family and friends, said she has attended for 13 years. “This is a wonderful fundraiser,” she said. “We always have a great time.”
Those sentiments were shared by Kristin Guinan, who also enjoys attending with a group. “I used to work for the Dilworthtown Inn, and I love them,” she said. “I think I’ve only missed one year.” For 2017, Guinan’s assemblage of 10 included a couple of newcomers: her sister-in-law, Meghan Guinan, and Meghan’s husband, Jim Guinan, both of whom are likely to become repeat visitors.
Kristin Guinan (top right) poses with friends and family at the festival.
For Pamela Scott, the 2017 Wine Festival represented a homecoming of sorts. A longtime surgeon affiliated with Chester County Hospital, Scott retired about a year and a half ago and said she hadn’t been to the festival for several years. “The scale is grander than what I remember,” she said, surveying the vast array of offerings. “I’m seeing a lot of old friends, which is fun.”
Once inside the grounds of the historic Dilworthtown Inn, festival goers had numerous options. Chief among them was sampling libations. In addition to dozens of wines that ranged from local to international vintages, choices included half a dozen craft beer samples and even some spirits.
Thomas Gavin, director of development for Chester County Hospital, said this year’s festival “featured the most wines we’ve ever had, great new food pairings, new breweries in our craft beer garden and our first Pennsylvania distillery, Manatawny Creek.”
A new Volvo attracts the attention of festivalgoers.
Gavin, who’s been involved with the festival for 23 of its 26 years, said overall numbers haven’t been tallied yet, but he expects fantastic results. Sales of VIP tickets, which included a champagne brunch, special wines, a custom wine glass, gourmet food, and reserved seating, exceeded the total for previous years, he said.
“A deep and sincere thanks goes out to all of those community members who came out today to support patients and help us ‘crush cancer,’” he said, referencing the fundraiser’s motto.
Eager to do that, many ticket-holders perfected an impressive balancing act. With a glass resting in one hand, they managed to browse through a selection of artisan vendors, choose culinary offerings from a variety of food trucks, covet an array of performance cars, bid on a host of enticing silent auction items, or dance to the music of the Vince Brown Band.
Ryan Gerstel, sales promotions coordinator for the Conshohocken Brewing Company, said his first experience with the festival was a positive one. “It’s been great. People love our beer,” he said. “ It’s a classy event; everyone’s very upbeat.”
Festival goers enjoy perusing the wares of a wide variety of artisan vendors.
One of those enthusiastic customers was Rourke Dillon of West Chester. “This beer’s awesome,” he told Gerstel.
Dillon said he’s been coming for 13 years, and his friend, Kristin Salvatore of Sparta, N.J., has attended five or six years. Dillon summed up the experience this way: “Mondays are fun after the Wine Festival!”
The Brandywine and Greystone branches of the Women’s Auxiliary to Chester County Hospital jointly organize the Wine Festival. Organizers said it wouldn’t happen without the generosity of the Dilworthtown Inn, numerous sponsors, and about 300 valued volunteers.
It’s likely you’ve had a stomach bug at some point in your life or know someone who has. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are on average 19 to 21 million cases of stomach viruses annually in the U.S. While you can get a stomach virus from contaminated food, this is not always the case.
“Anyone can get a stomach bug—either from contaminated food or being around someone who has one,” says Jacqueline L. Scheier D.O., a family medicine doctor at Crozer-Keystone Family Care and Women’s Health in Broomall. “While they are usually mild and go away on their own, there are certain symptoms to keep an eye on. Babies, older adults and people with compromised immune symptoms should be especially cautious about getting a stomach bug.”
What are Stomach Bugs?
A stomach bug is generally referred to as gastroenteritis — a term used to describe a stomach virus or flu. In gastroenteritis, your stomach and intestines become inflamed from a viral or bacterial infection.
“In most cases of gastroenteritis, patients have stomach pain, cramping, nausea, fever, diarrhea and vomiting,” says Dr. Scheier. “It is important to get in touch with you doctor if you also start to experience dizziness, dry skin or dry mouth as these could be signs of dehydration.”
What Causes a Stomach Bug?
While several things can cause a stomach virus, the most common cause is a family of viral infections known as norovirus. Rotavirus is another type of virus that can cause gastroenteritis and is more common in babies and young children.
Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis and foodborne disease outbreaks.
“There are many ways gastroenteritis and stomach bugs can spread,” says Dr. Scheier. “Common ways are having contact with someone who has a virus, not washing your hands after going to the bathroom, and touching or consuming contaminated food or water.”
Stomach bugs typically have a season where they are most active depending on where you live. In the U.S., norovirus and rotavirus infections are active October—April.
Anyone can get gastroenteritis but young children, older adults or those with a medical condition that can compromise their immune system are at a higher risk. Schools, offices and places where people are in close quarters can also cause stomach bugs to spread.
Staying Healthy and Getting Better
To avoid a stomach bug, prevention is your best option. Wash your hands with warm water and soap, especially after going to the bathroom or handling food. Also, wash fruit and vegetables before eating and cook meat all the way through to avoid bacteria that could cause gastroenteritis.
If you start to experience any of the common symptoms of a stomach bug, be sure to drink lots of fluids. With gastroenteritis, you can be at serious risk for dehydration.
“Most cases of stomach bugs last one to three days and go away on their own. See your doctor if you have vomiting or diarrhea for more than a few days,” says Scheier. “Dehydration is a serious risk when having a stomach bug and it can be dangerous for a patient if it goes untreated.”
Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment.
Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425
