December 7, 2017

Patricia Ferry Richardson of West Grove

Patricia Ferry Richardson, 89, of West Grove, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 3, 1928, and was preceded in death by her husband William Kealy Richardson, her grandson, Peter Francis Luebbert, her brother Dennis Ferry and her sister Virginia Ferry.

Patricia graduated from Mansfield State Teacher’s College and obtained her master’s degree from Columbia University. Patricia will be remembered by many as a favorite teacher: she taught kindergarten at West Grove Friends Kindergarten, and also taught at Unionville High School and Delcastle Technical High School.

She is survived by her brother John Ferry (Joyce), sisters Barbara Ruley (Dennis) and Eileen Byrne (Denis), her three children, Kristin Luebbert (James), Laura Conner (John) and William K. Richardson, Jr. (Diane), and seven grandchildren: Carolyn Richardson (Woods), Patrick Ellis, Lindsay Richardson (Anderson), Clare Luebbert, Samuel Ellis, David Richardson, Maddie Luebbert and Hayley Conner, and a sister-in-law, Irma Ferry, of Marietta, Ga. In addition to her loving family, Pat leaves behind many cherished friends.

Pat was a long-standing member of the West Grove community and Assumption BVM Parish. She served both these communities (and many others) throughout her life with a generous and loving heart.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Foulk and Grieco Funeral Home, 200 Rose Hill Road, West Grove and again from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Monday morning, Dec. 11, at Assumption BVM Church, 300 State Road, West Grove. Her funeral mass will follow at 10:30. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett Square.

If desired, a donation may be made to the Food Cupboard at Kennett Area Community Services, 136 West Cedar Street, Kennett Square PA 19348.

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

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Letter: Congress must act for DREAMers

Opinion

This week, Congress voted on an important issue that will have serious implications for all Americans: tax reform. Headlines on the pros and cons of the GOP tax plan abounded, and the issue was top of mind for many of us across the nation.

Yet the same cannot be said for the hundreds of thousands of DREAMers whose lives and futures are still on the line after President Trump ended the DACA program. Their plight is known and understood, and while a permanent solution garnered support from most Americans, both Democrat and Republican, our lawmakers continue to brush it off. Despite the overwhelming support of a solution for our nation’s DREAMers, Congress seems intent on delaying action on this issue once again.

This issue cannot wait, and Congress must act before the end of the year. Thousands of DREAMers, an estimated 11,000, have already started losing their jobs and protected status, and the number will only grow. This will not only have long-term consequences for our workforce and economy — but in the immediate, will upend the lives of millions of families who have proudly called this country home. In southern Chester County, it will affect many, many hard-working families whose contributions help our entire region to thrive.

To deny our DREAMers a shot at fulfilling their American Dream runs counter to the fundamental values and principles our nation celebrates. Protecting those principles is just as critical as our taxes. I hope we can turn our attention to our young DREAMers, and insist that our elected officials do the same.

Ronan W. Gannon
Board Chair
La Comunidad Hispana, Kennett Square

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Chadds Ford OKs loop road

Local News, Local News Chadds Ford, Local News Concord, Local News Kennett, Local News Pennsbury

Loop copy — The Hillman Drive extension will complete the loop road system around the intersection of Routes 1 and 202. Chadds Ford Township supervisors approved the project Dec. 6, 27 months after the plan was proposed.

After 27 months of bureaucratic back and forth, Chadds Ford Township supervisors finally gave final approval for the Hillman Drive extension on Dec. 6. Once built, the full loop road around the intersection of Routes 1 and 202 will be complete.

The build would take up to nine months once started, according to Chuck Olivo, the engineer who developed the plans for The Henderson Group, owner of the Chadds Ford Business Campus through which Hillman Drive runs. Henderson is paying for the project, so no tax money is involved.

Henderson first presented the plans on Sept. 18, 2015, and there was pushback from the start. The most vocal opposition came from residents of The Estates At Chadds Ford. Their lone access point is Evergreen Place, which intersections with Hillman Drive. There was also opposition from some residents of Painters Crossing Condominium. Even one of the supervisors admitted he was opposed to the project.

Board Chairman Frank Murphy commented before Wednesday night’s vote: “I didn’t like this project from the start. I don’t think we need it…but I’ll vote for it.” He went on to apologize to the applicant for the process taking so long and for the increased cost involved.

There are still some details to be worked out, but the project can now move forward with the work done in phases. According to Olivo, the first thing to be done is to provide a high friction surface along Evergreen Place.

One of the reasons Estates residents balked at the project was that Evergreen is a steep hill and cars lose traction when there’s ice or snow on the road. Resurfacing Evergreen is one of the conditions of approval.

Once that’s done, Henderson will build an access driveway from the condominiums so those residents can access Hillman from Evergreen.

After that, construction will begin on the extension of Hillman from where it now stops near Evergreen toward Route 1. Next comes re-doing the intersection of Hillman at Route 202, closing the left turn from Dickinson onto Route 1 and the final phase would be to construct the intersection at Route 1.

The two intersections — one at Route 1 and the other at 202 — will both consist of three lanes outbound and one lane inbound. The three outbound lanes would be for dedicated left and right turns and for straight through traffic.

Those intersections would line up across from already existing loop road segments, Applied Bank Boulevard on Route 202 and Brandywine Drive on Route 1. Traffic signals control both intersections.

In addition to the high friction surface on Evergreen Place, conditions of approval require Henderson to build a sound attenuating and light blocking fence along Hillman Drive for the benefit of condominium residents, limit the speed on Hillman to 25 mph and restrict truck traffic to accessing Hillman only from Route 1.

Henderson is also to offer the road to the township for dedication, but Murphy said the township would not be obligated to accept dedication.

Other business

Supervisors voted to opt out of allowing mini casinos in Chadds Ford. Pennsbury, Birmingham and Concord had already done the same. State law allows for the larger casinos to set up smaller, satellite type casinos, but municipalities have the option of prohibiting them through a resolution.

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. 7

Along the Ford

Holiday-jam — Darlington Holiday Jam participants come in all ages and levels of experience.

• Santa will be making his rounds this weekend and next courtesy of Longwood Fire Co. Longwood is escorting Santa on a company fire truck, beginning 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 when Santa visits East Marlborough Township. At 9 a.m. Sunday, he heads to Pennsbury. The following weekend, Dec. 16 and 17, Longwood will take Santa to Kennett and Pocopson townships, also beginning at 9 a.m. The fire company is also joining with other groups in conducting a blood drive at the Kennett Township building from 2 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14. Longwood Fire Co. and Kennett Township police are also collecting toys, through Dec. 13, for children at A.I du Pont’s Hospital for Children.

• St. Michael Lutheran Church on Doe Run Road in East Marlborough Township will host the Brandywine Valley Chorale’s performance of Kim André Amesen’s “The Christmas Alleluia” and “Cradle of God” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students.

Darlington Arts Center’s Holiday Open House and Art Jam is this Saturday, Dec. 9.

• Darlington Arts Center will hold its annual Holiday Open House and Art Jam on Saturday, Dec. 9. Events include an afternoon Gallery Opening at 2:30 p.m. featuring work of abstract expressionist Lois Schlachter, Student Recitals at 3 p.m. followed by the festive Holiday Jam with audience participation. In the evening, DAC teaching artists take the stage for the Coffee House Concert beginning at 7:30 with open mic and concert at 8 p.m. Reserve your Coffee House Concert table here.

• Brandywine Baptist Church, Chadds Ford, celebrates Christmas with a sing-along of favorite carols on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 4-5 p.m. Come, rejoice with us and enjoy reflections, singing and refreshments. The church is located at 1463 Baltimore Pike. Phone: 610-459-1302. Brandywinebaptist.org. Everyone welcome.

• Winterthur’s Yuletide Jazz & Wine Series continues every Wednesday night through Dec. 20. On Dec. 13, visitors can hear the beautiful soundscape of Sharon and Shawn. The musical paths that brought Sharon Sable and E. Shawn Qaissaunee together are rich and varied, weaving elements of jazz, world, pop, and much more, for their memorable and engaging performances that appeal to music lovers of all kinds. On Dec. 20, Winterthur presents the Rob Zinn band working its musical magic with elements of smooth jazz, blues, funk, Latin, R&B, and pop — all woven around a smooth jazz groove. All December Yuletide Jazz & Wine events will be held in the Galleries Reception Atrium from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cash wine and beer bar; fruit and cheese for purchase. To attend only Yuletide Jazz & Wine, the cost is $10 for nonmembers; $5 for members. Yuletide Jazz & Wine is included with the same-day purchase of a General Admission ticket. Advance registration is strongly recommended, spaces fill early. Visit winterthur.org or call 800-558-3883.

“A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” runs Dec. 15 through 31 at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.

• The Resident Theatre Company at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center brings Charles Dickens’ holiday classic to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials, live sound effects and engaging musical score. “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” offers evening and matinee performances Dec. 15 through 31 at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, at 226 North High Street. Showtime and ticket details are available at uptownwestchester.org, at the box office or by calling 610-356-ARTS (2787).

• Crozer-Keystone Health System will once again partner with the Community Action Agency of Delaware County and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce for their annual toy drive, delivering joy to local children in need this holiday season. The toy drive runs through Monday, Dec. 18. All donations will benefit children age 15 and under living in Delaware County. Crozer-Keystone employees, family members and members of the public are invited to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at the Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake: Main Lobby (300 Building).

A small patch of ground in Glen Eagle Square is now dedicated to active and former U.S. military personnel. A brief ceremony was held Friday, Dec. 1, dedicating the area beside Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar.

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Adopt-a-Pet: Dec. 7

Home and Leisure

The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.

Talon

Talon may be 8 years old, but he’s proof age is just a number. Talon is chipper and loves to play, plus he’s eager to please so is easy to train. Talon enjoys people big and small, so he’d be a nice fit for a home with kids. He’d prefer to be the only fur-member of the family. This gem of a dog has been overlooked for several months and hopes a family will see all the love he has to offer. Talon can be adopted through Sunday, Dec. 10, for a “name your fee” adoption price.

Papi Gato

Papi Gato lost his home when his owner fell ill. Finding himself in a shelter at 10 years old has left him a little shy, but with a gentle approach, he warms up to become a friendly lap cat with lots of love to give. And he’s clearly quite a looker. Papi Gato hopes for a quiet home with lots of love to enjoy his senior years. Papi Gato can be adopted through Sunday, Dec. 10, for a “name your fee” adoption price

For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 610-692-6113.