Thursday, May 24 was graduation day for the 2018 class members of the Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy. The academy is a half-day high school program open to all Chester County students to train for careers in firefighting, emergency medical, and law enforcement related careers. This year, Jordan Marzolf, a senior from Unionville High School has earned the title of Cadet of the Year.
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent John Sanville congratulates Jordan Marzolf for being named Cadet of the Year.
Among the normal activities of those pressing for academic excellence, he also committed himself to a life of service. As a toddler, Jordan was passionate about fire engines and airplanes. The local fire department where he lived in Pittsburgh knew him by name from his many visits. At age 14, he began training and volunteering to be a first responder, accumulating over 1,000 hours of training. Today, he is an AP/Honors student at Unionville High School in the morning and travels to the Chester County Public Safety Training Center for the second half of his day where he earned national certifications in firefighting, hazardous materials, vehicle rescue, emergency medical technician and emergency management. Combined, both the academic and practical curriculum is extremely challenging, yet he excelled and maintained honors in both. Jordan is a member of the Unionville National Honor Society. Jordan also scored advanced in both the written and practical for the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute for the Protective Services field.
Jordan is an active volunteer with Po-Mar-Lin and Avondale Fire companies. He was the 2017 Firefighter of the Year at Po-Mar-Lin. He has taken many additional training classes such as Aircraft Rescue, Building Construction, and Fire Dynamics. He is a certified Fire Police Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Regardless of whether he is working, studying, flying his airplane (he is also an FAA Certified Private Pilot), or simply keeping busy at the firehouse training and coordinating emergencies, Jordan is always available to serve. As soon as the pager activates, he responds to help those in need…such as the recent Barclay Friends Home fire. Jordan received a citation for assisting in the rescue of occupants during that event among many others. He is a dedicated servant constantly pursuing excellence in everything he does.
Jordan has stayed true to his lifetime passions. His goals are to dedicate his life to volunteer work as a first responder where he hopes to become chief of a volunteer fire department and fly professionally as a commercial pilot. He will attend Marywood University where he received a merit scholarship to study business aviation operations and commercial pilot curriculum.
New work of Merrill Weber on exhibit at the Pop Up Art Exhibit at Galer Estate Winery
It’s that magical time again. Time for the Kennett Square First Friday Expanded Art Walk. This rotations’ theme is Destination: Kennett Square. Kennett Square does not have your typical art venues. Square Pear, which is prominently located at State and Broad Street serves as the only real gallery in town. So what does an expanded art walk look like in a town where art has limited and temporary homes? Let’s find out together.
First, there is Evening of The Arts at the Genesis Building on State Street. Historic Kennett Square hosts over 37 local artists at this annual fundraiser. You can enjoy a beer or glass of wine from sponsors, Victory Brewing Co. and Galer Estates. Enjoy light bites from local restaurants and take in some music provided by Kennett Symphony members. Enjoy work by T.S. Kist, Neilson Carlin, Karen Delaney, Lele Galer, Carol Lesher, Tracey Rothenberger, and Sarah Yeoman and more. Evening of The Arts runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The show is organized by Historic Kennett Square and artist John Baker.
Next, Meredith Langer of Historic Kennett Square and Holiday Village Market, debuted her first Flea Market to coincide with the Farmers Market a few weeks ago. Check out it’s second running this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. If you are a fan of the Holiday Village Market, you’ll love this truncated version featuring returning vendors: Mid Center Sistes, Give A Fig, and one of my personal favorites, Joey Five Cents. This market has you covered, as it offers vintage clothing, ceramics, prints, jewelry and more! You can’t miss it, the market is just across from the Farmers Market on State Street between Broad and Union.
Tarot Card 1 by Alexi Natchev
Just a little further east on State Street, Square Pear will host their upcoming show “Opposite Views,” featuring Steel Sculptors Stan Smokler, Helen Mason and illustrator Alexi Natchev. Natchev has been on exhibit at the Delaware Museum of Art in 2013 and just ended a show at The Mezzanine Gallery put on by the Delaware Division for the Arts. He is an internationally renowned childrens’ book illustrator, and his work resembles the rich and layered tempera murals, and panels of the Renaissance era in some instances in and in others, he creates more simplistic, jovial illustrations. His style is recognizable yet attains a level of malleability. He is currently an Area Coordinator for Illustration with Delaware College of Art and Design and has previously taught at Savannah College of Art and Design and Maryland Institute College of Art. This exhibition will be on view through the end of June.
For a more intimate art experience, wander down to the area of Magnolia, Center, and Union Streets for the trifecta of in home art galleries making up the Pop Up Art Walk put on by PopUpKSQ and sponsored by Kennett Arts and Kennett Township. This one is a little trickier, as you have to get your map first, at the Marilyn Monroe Statue between 4:30 and 8:30 .pm. Once you pick up your map, you can check out three locations which I’ll list here by address: 242 Center Street, 316 South Union Street and 137 Magnolia Street
Each location will feature multimedia work of local artists, as well a live music and food. This event features fashion design by Wylie Florence Bushnell, video art by Kyle Kentzel, sound art by Sam Ferraro, floral installations and watercolor by Kristen Burdumy, photography by David Creech and Emily Townsend, paintings by Racer LeVan, Lauren Mulhern, and Ivana Gatica Aguillar, and prints by Rebecca Brakeall. Stick around at each spot to enjoy the ambience and music provided by Kyle Fetzer, Kira Alejandro, Chris Thornton, Alex Moreno, and Djing by their in house DJ Aaron Morgan. Returning again for some culinary treats will be Sarah Bates of Brewers Hideaway Farm! Stop by this magical set up of one night only in home art galleries from 5 and 9 p.m.
First Friday Pop-Up Art Show on June 1, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m at Galer Estate located at 700 Folly Hill Road in Kennett Square. Merrill Weber will be there showing new work, along with painters Maryanne Buschini and Sue Biebuyck plus ceramicist Judy DiSimone and jeweler Hattie Weselyk. The art show wine special will be $5 glasses of Grüner Veltliner. Acoustic guitar player, Gary Moore, will be performing from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
[Update: event postponed until Saturday June 9 due to weather] Saturday, stop by the much anticipated annual Scarlett Thicket Farm exhibition “Abstractions” hosted by Peter Welling at 284 Street Road. Local artists include: Frances Roosevelt, Stan Smokler, Dev Devereux, Katee Boyle, Lele Galer, Vicki Vinton, Peter Willard, Carol Lesher, Gerald Harris, and Dennis Beach. This show is always a blast, it’ll be my fourth year returning to view. Enjoy a glass of wine, and some truly extraordinary art in a bucolic setting. Nothing quite like taking in some original paintings while surrounded by fluttering barn swallows and the sounds of the leaves rustling just beyond the barn. Phew. Do you think you’ll have enough art to fill your weekend? I know I will.
Next week tune into Art Watch WCHE 1520AM as John Chambless, journalist, hosts letterpress artist Lindsay Schmittle who walked the Appalachian Trail and documented it in art. Until next week!
The 44th annual Delaware County Summer Festival concert series in Rose Tree Park begins Wednesday, June 13.
The 44th annual Delaware County Summer Festival concert series in Rose Tree Park kicks off on Wednesday, June 13, with a riveting performance by the Delaware County Symphony.
Members of the symphony have shared that the opening night concert will feature a variety of classical selections, including “Capriccio Espagnol,” and many popular favorites by composers Gershwin, Bernstein and Copland. There will also be a surprise celebrity guest conductor just for fun.
“Delaware County Council is once again thrilled to offer this free outdoor concert series for our residents this summer,” said Council Chairman John McBlain. “The Summer Festival is a great way to enjoy a night with your family and friends in beautiful Rose Tree Park. It’s also a great way for us to support and enjoy many of our talented local performers.”
The Summer Festival is a free outdoor concert series which runs five times a week for nine weeks throughout the summer, on Wednesdays through Sundays from June 13 to August 12.
Each evening’s entertainment is different from the night before, and fans of all styles will find a wide variety of genres throughout the summer, including Big Band, Cajun, jazz, blues, rock, pop, bluegrass, R&B, reggae, rockabilly, and more.
“In Delaware County, we are extremely fortunate to have this beautiful venue to showcase local talent,” said Marc Manfre, Director of the Delaware County Parks and Recreation Department, “and we’re thrilled to provide our residents the chance to see top quality entertainment free of charge. It’s become a Delco tradition for thousands of families.”
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with two exceptions: the morning concerts for children on June 20, Summer Singalong with Peter Moses, and June 28, Steve Pullara & His Cool Beans Band take place at 10:00 a.m. The amphitheater will be closed for the fourth of July holiday.
This season’s schedule includes many perennial summer favorites, such as The Fabulous Greaseband on June 14 and Chico’s Vibe on June 17 plus nine shows never seen before at Rose Tree, including three of Philly’s hometown notables: The Aqua String Band on June 30, Boathouse Row on July 8 and The Ebonys on August 4.
Audiences should bring blankets and chairs for seating. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase during the concerts. Picnics are welcome; alcohol is prohibited. Pets and smoking must remain outside the amphitheater. There are no rain dates in case of weather cancellations.
The Summer Festival is presented by Delaware County Council with support from local sponsors, including Acme Markets and PECO. Schedules are available in Rose Tree Park, the Media Courthouse Complex, and Delaware County libraries. For more information, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 610-891-4455 or visit www.co.delaware.pa.us.
The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.
Shadow
Shadow
Shadow may be 9 years old, but he’s young at heart. This love bug has been around and seen it all, and now he’s hoping to find a loving home to relax in his golden years. Shadow turns into a purr machine when being held, he loves to snuggle, and he’s a little chatterbox. He could live with another kitty, as long as they don’t mind cuddling all day. Shadow can be adopted at a fee you name through Thursday, May 31, then he’ll be at the Mega Adoption Event over the weekend along with 1000+ other adoptables. Details at www.megaadopt.com.
Bailey
Bailey
Bailey is a super friendly 1-year-old who has her heart set on adventure. She enjoys going for long walks and hopes for a family with an active lifestyle like her. Bailey is friendly with other dogs and asks for a home without cats. This outgoing cutie can be adopted at a fee you name through Thursday, May 31, then he’ll be at the Mega Adoption Event over the weekend along with 1000+ other adoptables. Details at www.megaadopt.com.
For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 610-692-6113.
