October 8, 2018 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Kennett Township gets $1.3 million

Kennett Township is the recipient of a generous land conservation grant of $1,300,000 from Mt. Cuba Center, the 1,000+-acre botanical gardens in Hockessin. The grant is earmarked for the township’s fee simple acquisition of two important open space parcels.

In a recent letter to Lisa Moore, Kennett Township manager, Mt. Cuba Center’s President, Ann Copeland Rose wrote, “I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Managers of Mt. Cuba Center has unanimously approved a grant to Kennett Township in the amount of $1,300,000.00 for the acquisition of these two properties. The Board is happy to be able to provide this support for such a worthy cause and passes along its best wishes for the continued success in your conservation efforts.”

According to Moore, “We are absolutely thrilled that the prestigious Mt. Cuba Center, a powerhouse in regional land conservation and land stewardship, is providing us with what is by far the largest single open space grant we have ever received. Typically, our major conservation grants come from the State of Pennsylvania and Chester County, both of whom are exceptionally supportive of our open space program. However, for those grants, the Township is required to provide at least a 50% match and meet a number of complex requirements. Amazingly, Mt. Cuba Center’s grant does not require matching funds or any contingents, and was granted within weeks of our request, making it an especially timely and generous gift.”

According to Scudder Stevens, chairman of the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors, “Receiving such a substantial grant from Mt. Cuba Center provides a major boost for our on-going efforts to conserve at least 30 percent of our township’s acreage as permanently protected open space. In addition, while most of the township’s previously protected open space is held by conservation organizations and homeowners associations, these newly acquired properties will be owned solely by the Township with a conservation easement held by a conservation organization, providing us with maximum flexibility to manage them to meet the changing recreational needs and environmental challenges of the township. Many thanks to Mt. Cuba Center for making this possible.”

Jeff Yetter, who heads the township’s Land Conservation Advisory Committee, added that “This incredible gift from Mt. Cuba Center helps us effectively double the size of our Township-owned protected open space at a very low per-acre cost to the Township. In addition, both of the two properties involved are adjacent to existing protected open space and to other properties we are targeting for permanent conservation, ultimately creating entire corridors of conserved lands. These are major wins for our Township and its residents, and we thank Mt. Cuba Center for their helping hand.

“The Township will provide additional details about these properties which total 123 acres and its plans for them after their purchase has been finalized, which is currently expected later this month.”

About Press Release

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The tradition that always offers surprises

Arts & Entertainment

Soledad Mansion open for Chester County Days

A fireplace in front of a window, a freshly painted outhouse with a wreath of autumn leaves on the door, a pet door shaped like a cat, fish swimming in a fresh, spring-fed pond in the wine room, and a glass elevator are a few of the unique touches ticket-holders saw during the 2018 Chester County Day House Tour on Saturday, October 6.

The oldest house tour in the nation, the 78^th Annual Chester County Day House Tour “a Chester County tradition” is now a well-oiled machine planned and executed by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Chester County Hospital. This year folks tramped around the northeast quadrant of Chester County, walking down long lanes and across open fields to visit sixteen homes and six public landmarks. The Women’s Auxiliary new campaign, “Heart to Heart,” intends to raise $1.25 million over the next few years, through their yearlong schedule of events, to benefit programs and state of the art equipment for the Hospital’s Cardiovascular Center.

Debbie Hess, co-chair of the event, said, “All the stars aligned—including the weather—to guarantee a beautiful day.” Smiles were abundant, which is the sign organizers look for to know they succeeded in their planning. Gail Guerl and Connie Fischer drove down countless country roads looking for interesting houses that would also fit into manageable routes. The organizers then placed easy to spot signs which the tour routes easy to follow.

People line up to see rescued Loch Aerie Mansion

Many tour-goers started the day at Loch Aerie Mansion in Frazer, dying to get a look at the interior of the mansion visible from Rt. 30 in Frazier. This Gothic beauty had been empty for decades except for when the Warlocks motorcycle gang occupied it. At day’s-end, scores of people had toured through the main floor and had poured over family memorabilia. The home is now in the loving care of new owners who plan to offer the mansion for events such as showers, weddings, and private parties.

Another jaw-dropper on the tour was Soledad Mansion. Three full-time gardeners maintain the extensive gardens throughout the property. Longtime Unionville School District teacher Fran Wilson graciously and enthusiastically welcomed visitors at the front door. Owners Bob and Maria Soledad Hollenshead greeted visitors and answered questions, as did many of the homeowners on the tour. Soledad had stood empty for forty years until the couple rescued it, restored it to its former glory, and then added some new points of interest.

The Mill at Anselma was a delightful change of pace. This National Historic Landmark, considered the most complete, authentic example of a custom water-powered gristmill in the country, is a wonder to behold. Executive Director Will Caverly welcomed visitors in the parking lot with an introduction to the site. Trustee Kevin Kerr picked up the narrative on the path to the Mill. Inside The Mill, the knowledgeable volunteers explained the gristmill’s step-by-step process in detail. If you missed this stop on the House Tour, you can visit The Mill through December 8.

Sponsorship Chair and President of the Women’s Auxiliary Marie Robinson is thrilled that sales of VIP tickets doubled this year. She credits advance publicity, the chance to drive a Mini Cooper for the day, and a tour of a unique three-level Mediterranean-style home with its collection of jelly bean-colored Porsches, available only to VIP ticket holders, as irresistible enticements.

Erica Avello and her mom, Kathy Fisher, had a special reason for supporting the House Tour. “Chester County Hospital saved my son’s life,” explained Erica. It was just a few years ago that the Avellos rushed him to Chester County Hospital where the doctors’ immediate evaluation of the situation revealed a brain tumor and a bleed. CCH staff helicoptered the boy to A.I. duPont Institute where he received treatment during a three-week stay. Erica is grateful to AIDI, but is convinced that if it weren’t for the quick and expert treatment at Chester County Hospital, her son’s frightening adventure might have ended very differently.

Debbie Hess says, “The culture of the House Tour is much like the Hospital itself. It’s built upon family, friends, and neighbors. We live in a remarkable, history-filled area with many extant historic homes.” “Aren’t we fortunate to have these wonderful people keeping this history alive?” says Hess of the generous homeowners/caretakers who share their remarkable homes for this important event.

About Lora B. Englehart

Lora has a passion for art, gardening, yoga, music and dancing. She continues to research the life of locally born abolitionist and 1998 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee Mary Ann Shadd Cary. She is a dedicated community volunteer, working with the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, DE branch (programs chair), Chadds Ford Historical Society (former board member) and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. Lora lives in Birmingham Township with her husband Bill and son Brad. Daughter Erika lives in Pittsburgh with husband Bob and baby Wilhelmina. She is a former French, Spanish and ESL teacher, bilingual life insurance underwriter and public relations coordinator for Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.

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Burn more calories

Health

Going for a walk? Here’s how to burn more calories

Whether it’s on your way to work, on a treadmill at a gym, or through the park on a summer evening, walking can be extremely beneficial for your health. Because it is such a huge part of our daily lives, we often forget about all the positive effects walking can have, particularly in terms of burning calories. Even walking normally can help burn calories.

Your weight and the distance you walk can influence how many calories you burn, but there are a few things you can do during your walk to burn even more calories. If you’re looking to make the most of your walk, consider doing these four things the next time you head out for a stroll.

Pick up the pace (and then slow it down again)

When you walk at a speed of around 4.7 miles per hour (which is, admittedly, walking really fast), you burn just as many calories as you would while running. But don’t worry. You don’t have to keep up this speed the entire time. In fact, you’ll burn even more calories if you don’t.

Research has shown that if you vary your speed, you can burn 20 percent more calories. So there’s really no need to exhaust yourself by walking at a fast pace the entire time.

The next time you go for a walk, change your speed in intervals. Walk as fast as you can for 30 to 60 seconds, and then move at a normal speed for about five minutes. You’ll burn calories and get your heart pumping without tiring yourself out.

Don’t leave your arms hanging

It may feel natural to leave your arms by your sides as you walk, but this isn’t then best position if you’re looking to burn calories. Instead, bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle and swing them as you walk. Keep the movements quick and close to your body to maximize calorie burn.

Take tiny steps

When you’re in the fast 30- to 60-second interval, take small steps. The tinier the steps you take, the more quickly your body can move, and the more calories you’ll burn. When you’re trying to increase your speed, small, quick steps are much more effective than long strides. It may feel funny at first, but will ultimately lead to burning more calories.

Walk up, up, and away

Walking on an incline requires far more effort than walking on flat ground, which in turn leads to burning almost 70 percent more calories. It’s also great for muscle growth and cardiovascular health, so opting for a hilly walk or using an incline on the treadmill is certainly a good choice.

You don’t need to schedule intense workouts every day of the week to see improvements in your health and burn calories. Simply keeping these tips in mind whenever you’re walking can help you look and feel better.

Talk to one of the certified personal trainers at Healthplex Sports Club to learn more about more tips and other exercises you can do to keep burning those calories. Call 610-938-2555 for more information.

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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Adopt-a-Pet Oct. 8

Home and Leisure

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

Dionysus

This wiggly, fun-loving pup is Dionysus. He’s a spirited 4-year old who is hoping to find someone who will include him on adventures. And he’s a pro at playing fetch. Dionysus is open to meeting other dogs, and he’d be a great addition to a family with an active lifestyle and older kids (10 or older). He can be adopted at a fee you name through Sunday, Oct. 14.

Leo

After his owner moved and couldn’t keep him, Leo found himself understandably scared and confused at the shelter. This 5-year old sweetheart is still trying to make sense of these big changes when all he wants is a comfortable place to call his own and a family to love. Leo is a bit shy at first, but he warms up to be so loving and gentle. He would do best in a home with adults where he can be an only pet. Leo can be adopted at a fee you name through Sunday, Oct. 14.

For more information, go to www.bvspca.org or phone 484-302-0865.

About CFLive Staff

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

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