February 12, 2018 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Chocolate reigns on a rainy day

The-Winner — Visitors to the Chocolate Lovers festival get a taste of the winning cake in the professional division, a chocolate cake shaped like a mushroom tray in a mushroom house.

Chocolate was a rainy-day king Sunday during the seventh annual Kennett Chocolate Lovers Festival held at Kennett High School. The event is a fundraiser for the United Way of Southern Chester County, and UWSCC CEO Carrie Freeman said the festival raised more than $100,000 in its first six years.

Freeman said her goal for this year was $20,000 but fell short. The festival brought in $13,705, but Freeman wasn’t dismayed.

“We fell short because of attendance, but we were fighting a torrential downpour. With $13,705, I’m still a happy camper,” she said.

The money goes to the UWSCC’s community impact fund that provides funds for 26 different programs.

The 2018 festival had 167 entrants broken down into professional, amateur and student divisions competing in five categories: cake, cupcakes, cookies, candies and brownies.

Youngsters try a sample of some cocoa nibs straight from the shell. Not sweet enough for their taste.

Freeman poured praise on all the bakers, regardless of which division.

“All the bakers, from professional to amateur to students, what they bake for us is unbelievable,” she said.

One of her favorites, she said, was a chocolate cake in the form of a mushroom tray, complete with mushrooms made of white chocolate. That entry — by The Mexican Table in Kennett Square — won first place in the professional division, cake category. Nick Quiroz designed the cake, and Mauricio Hernandez did the baking, Freeman said.

Attendees walked through the school gymnasium sampling the offerings, oohing over the taste sensations and praising the reason for the event.

“There’s so much to choose from,” said Lois Shaffer, of Morgantown. “It’s a wonderful idea since students are involved.”

Renee´ Train, of Oxford, was attending for the second time and was amazed at how it’s grown.

“It’s huge. It’s a good, exciting community event that supports a good cause,” she said.

Like last year, there was a raffle for a chocolate dessert per month for a full year. Tickets were $10 a piece or three for $20. The winner gets 12 gift certificates and then makes arrangements with the participating bakers to get their dessert.

Last year’s winner, Sharon Johnson of West Grove, said it was well worth it. She told a story about one chocolate cake from The Gables in Pennsbury Township.

“It was huge. I thought it was just going to be a piece and was hoping there’d be enough for my husband, too, but it was the whole cake. It was delicious,” she said.

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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Claire Lilley Warrington of Landenberg

Obituaries

Claire Lilley Warrington, 84, of Landenberg, died Sunday, Feb. 11, at Brandywine Senior Living. She was the wife of Cortland W. Warrington, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage.

Born in Wilmington, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Lilley and the late Rebecca Kite Lilley.

Claire was an elementary school teacher at the Red Clay School District, retiring in 1991, after 27 years of service.

She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a charter member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, where she was a Sunday School teacher. She was the oldest surviving charter member.

Claire enjoyed traveling, cooking, was an avid reader and enjoyed being with her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Mark S. Warrington and his wife Anna of West Grove, and Keith R. Warrington and his wife Jeanne of Landenberg, and four grandchildren, Steven, Olivia, Hunter and Rachel.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. Her Funeral service will follow at 10:30. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Calvary Presbyterian Church, 701 South Maryland Avenue, Wilmington DE 19804 or to the Landenberg United Methodist Church, 205 Penn Green Road, PO Box 36, Landenberg, PA 19350.

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

About CFLive Staff

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Judge dismisses Ridge Road complaint

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

Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Greene late last week dismissed Chadds Ford Township’s complaint against Ridge Road Development and Concord Township. The dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning Chadds Ford can’t refile the same complaint.

However, township solicitor Mike Maddren said Chadds Ford could appeal the ruling or request reconsideration. He said the supervisors might make their decision on whether to follow up by the end of the month.

“We’re disappointed, but still weighing our options,” Maddren said.

If the decision stands, Ridge Road Development, a subsidiary of Pettinaro Construction, would be able to begin the next phase of turning the 20-plus-acre empty field at Ridge Road and Route 202 into a shopping center, The Shops at Ridge Road. The site is in Concord Township but borders Chadds Ford.

Plans show 21 retail pads, including three restaurants and a 58,000 square foot pad for an anchor store. But what has caused concern for Chadds Ford residents is that plans also call for Ridge Road to be widened from two lanes to six from Route 202 to the end of the development, roughly one-quarter of a mile. Residents fear excess traffic in the area.

Concord Township approved the plan initially in 2008 and reaffirmed the approval in 2014. Included in the approval decision, however, was a condition that Chadds Ford supervisors sign off on highway improvements before the plans could be released, but two former supervisors and a former township manager in Chadds Ford had signed off on several documents — including the Highway Occupancy Permit.

Residents, mostly those living in The Ridings and other homes along Ridge Road, became alarmed when they learned about the plan in 2016. Frank Murphy, Chadds Ford Township Board of Supervisors chairman, said he would not sign a letter approving the road widening unless resident concerns were addressed.

That set off a year’s worth of litigation between Concord, Chadds Ford and Ridge Road Development. First, the developer filed a complaint last spring against Concord for its refusal to remove the condition or deem it already satisfied by Chadds Ford signing the HOP.

Concord responded to that complaint saying the developer couldn’t file against Concord unless it also filed against Chadds Ford. So RRD included Chadds Ford in the complaint, and Chadds Ford responded by saying Ridge Road Development would have to name PennDOT as a defendant.

At that point, Judge Spiro Angelos dismissed the case without prejudice. The developer then refiled its complaint against Concord, and that township settled, saying Chadds Ford had already given tacit approval when it signed off on the HOP.

Chadds Ford then filed its complaint as well as a preliminary injunction against the developer. Judge Chad F. Kenney denied the injunction in November.

Attorney John Jaros, representing Ridge Road Development, has not yet responded for comment.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Education foundation holds gala

School & Education

People from across the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District came out to The Gables at Chadds Ford Saturday night to celebrate and support the work of the district’s Education Foundation.

The annual Golden Gala is the foundation’s largest fundraiser and allows the group to award grants and scholarships that benefit the students and schools in the district.

“This group really cares about taking care of the community,” said Scott Litzenberg, a foundation board member and a teacher at Unionville High School.

The Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation is a non-profit group comprising parents, community members, school representatives and others who work to “supplement funding for innovative education programs and projects in our schools,” according to its website www.ucfedfoundation.org.

Susan Mangan, left, and Linda Bronson, co-presidents of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation.

Co-President Linda Bronson said the foundation awards about $25,000 in grants, usually for projects not included in the budget.

Previous grants have helped fund signage for the Hillendale Elementary trail, water bottle filling stations in the buildings, and a low ropes course, among other things.

One grant the foundation is proud of can be seen in the Patton Middle School cafeteria. There, according to Anne Millman, the gala committee chairwoman for the foundation, students can find hydroponic towers that will grow vegetables.

“We are so excited about this,” she said. “They were just installed.”

Susan Mangan, the other president of the foundation, said the grant ideas are usually presented to them by students, teachers and others.

“The whole conversation is very collaborative,” she said at the gala.

When the grant requests require more than the foundation can provide, Mangan said, they help pursue outside funding.

The gala usually draws about 150 people, according to Millman.

“The community really comes out and supports us,” she said.

One of the main features at the gala, now in its fifth year, was the silent auction, which lined three walls. People could bid on everything from camping trips to Flyers tickets to baskets designed by each of the schools in the district.

The auction is Jennifer Hall’s favorite part of the evening.

“You get fun stuff you normally wouldn’t find,” said Hall, who has children in all of the schools and who ran the gala for the first three years.

Sherry Grieco, who has a high schooler and two elementary school students, attended the gala for the first year after hearing about it from Paula Hendley.

“We’re here to support the schools,” said Hendley, who has a fifth- and a sixth-grader. “It’s a fun event.”

About Monica Fragale

Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies. She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field. But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard. Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.

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Suzanne “Sue” E. Burke of Avondale

Obituaries

Suzanne “Sue” E. Burke, 83, of Avondale, died Saturday, Feb. 10, at her home surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the wife of Raymond G. Burke, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Born in Shamokin, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Cecilia (Koveleski) Brown.

Suzanne enjoyed a long career working for the state government of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Lansdale and Coatesville. She helped manage the state unemployment office in both Lansdale and Coatesville, which gave her great joy in helping others. As a proud parent to five sons and one daughter, Suzanne enjoyed being a den mother for her son’s Cub Scouts. Raising her children was her ultimate pride and joy.

She was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed sharing her talent with family and friends. Suzanne was also an avid hiker, swimmer, skier, ice skater and reader. The little spare time she did have, she spent doing crossword puzzles and sewing. Sue donated to many charities, some of which were the native Indian children as well as St. Luke’s Children’s hospital just to name a few. To this day, she still receives thank you cards from the Indian reservations.

Sue was a devout Catholic. In her early years, she played the organ at church. Later, she taught in the CCD program, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Clarks Summit, PA. During her retirement years in Avondale, she was a faithful member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include, in addition to her husband Ray, sons, Raymond J. Burke (Maura) of Avondale, David M. Burke (Renee) of Goodrich, Mich., Christopher J. Burke (Donna) of Rochester Hills, Mich., daughter, Suzanne M. Burke (John) of Chadds Ford and son Joseph N. Burke (Lisa) of Woodstock Ga.; two brothers, Bernie Brown (Joanna) of Dawsonville, Ga. and Casper Brown of Carlsbad, N.M., along with many grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, George M. Burke in 1987 and brother, Marty Brown.

You are invited to visit with Suzanne’s family and friends from 9 – 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. A mass celebrating her life will follow at 11. Interment will be at Longwood Cemetery, Kennett Square.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 399 Market St. Suite 102 Philadelphia, PA 19106 or to Willow Tree Hospice, 616 East Cypress Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Arrangements are by Foulk & Grieco Funeral Home (610-869-2685) of West Grove. To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.griecocares.com

About CFLive Staff

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Rosetta C. Tobia of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Rosetta C. Tobia, 75, of Kennett Square, died peacefully at her residence, under the loving care of her husband and hospice nurse, on Thursday, Feb. 8. She was the wife of Dr. Louis A. Tobia, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Naples, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Ernesto Carcaise and the late Rosalie Mocherino Carcaise. Rosetta emigrated to America with her mother in 1947.

She was a member of St. Patrick Church in Kennett Square.

She was a receptionist and secretary at the Unionville Chadds Ford School District, retiring in 2008, after 28 years of service.

Rosetta was all about family and friends and will be deeply missed by all.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Sheri Ott and her husband Raymond of Dover, and Kathleen Carmody and her husband Brian of Chadds Ford; five grandchildren, Connor Ott, Griffin Ott, Devon Ott and Identical twins Brady and Kirk Carmody and one sister, Edda Jackson and her son Kevin Jackson of Clairton, Pa.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street. Kennett Square. Her funeral mass will follow at 11 at St. Patrick Church, 212 Meredith Street, Kennett Square. Burial will be held privately.

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

In memory of Rosetta, a contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

About CFLive Staff

See Contributors Page https://chaddsfordlive.com/writers/

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Phlegm: icky yet informative

Health

Coughing-Man — Phlegm: icky yet informative

Phlegm. Ick. No one wants to think about phlegm. It’s gross, right? But it’s important to talk about, especially during cold and flu season. A lot of people are or soon will be dealing with colds, congestion and other seasonal infections—and they often come with phlegm.

Mucus is a normal part of your body. Your respiratory system is packed with mucus membranes that secrete mucus to protect your body against allergens and harmful bacteria. As mucus works to catch cells that are trying to enter your body, it can start to thicken and become phlegm.

“While your body is constantly creating mucus, you usually only notice it when you’re sick and it starts to change in appearance. Sometimes, your phlegm can change color and texture from certain infections or other factors,” says David Kalodner, D.O., a primary care physician at Crozer-Keystone Health System. “It’s important to keep an eye on changes in your phlegm and when it could be telling you to go see a doctor.”

Yellow or Green Phlegm

When you’re feeling awful from a cold or the flu, your phlegm might be a gross color, too. If you start coughing up phlegm that looks yellow or green, it’s a sign your body is fighting an infection.

“When you’re sick, your body will produce white blood cells to attack the infection. These cells can secrete a green-colored enzyme that thickens your phlegm and makes it look yellow or green,” Kalodner says. “This doesn’t mean your phlegm will be bright green or yellow every time you’re sick. The change in color and texture depends on severity and duration of the infection.”

If you do have an infection, you’ll most likely notice other symptoms like a fever, congestion and pressure in your face.

Red or Pink Phlegm

It’s normal to be surprised if you notice you’re coughing up what looks like blood. However, if what you’re coughing up looks frothy and more like red- or pink-colored phlegm, it’s usually not a cause for concern.

If you’re feeling under the weather, pink- or red-looking phlegm is most likely from prolonged coughing. The constant irritation in your respiratory tract or digestive system can cause blood vessels to rupture, leading to blood-tinged phlegm.

The pink or red shade of the phlegm will depend on how much blood is in it. If what you’re coughing up looks dark or mostly like blood, see a doctor as soon as possible.

“Blood-streaked phlegm is common. If it’s related to a more serious medical condition, you’ll likely have other noticeable symptoms such as chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate or you’ll notice blood when you use the toilet,” Kalodner says. “If you start to experience any symptoms out of the ordinary or if you have blood-streaked phlegm that is worrying you, talk to your doctor.”

Black Phlegm

The reason you might start coughing up black phlegm depends on your lifestyle choices or if you have an infection.

“People who smoke or do drugs are more likely to cough up black phlegm. It’s often associated with coal miners and others frequently exposed to coal dust—black phlegm can be a sign of pneumoconiosis or black lung disease,” Kalodner says.

If you’re not a smoker or aren’t usually around coal dust, black phlegm could mean you have a yeast infection known as exophiala dermatitidis. This condition is rare, however, and is more of a risk for people with cystic fibrosis.

A change in the color of your phlegm is not a cause for concern in most cases. It’s simply a sign your body is fighting off an infection. If changes in your phlegm and other symptoms make you uncomfortable, discuss your concerns with your doctor.

About Crozer Keystone Staff

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

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