May 15, 2019 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Township manager on leave over finances

Kennett Township Supervisor Whitney Hoffman has confirmed that Lisa Moore, the township manager has been placed on administrative leave following the weekend announcement of financial irregularities. Hoffman could say little else other than the township’s forensic auditors, as well as the Chester County District Attorney’s office, are investigating the situation.

Supervisors sent out a letter Saturday advising the public of the situation. In that letter, the Supervisors Scudder Stevens, Richard Leif and Hoffman said the township bank’s fraud department had found “a number of suspicious transactions” on Kennett accounts. The bank notified the township on April 25.

“Because this is a complex investigation potentially involving many legal, criminal and ethical issues, we are unable at this early point to discuss other aspects of the investigation, including any individual(s) involved,” the supervisors wrote. “We will write you again as soon as we know more. We recognize our obligation to keep you fully informed, within the guidelines provided by counsel,” the letter said.

They also stressed that the township’s finances are secure and that they are taking steps to make sure there are no other unauthorized transactions took place.

“As Supervisors, we have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the township, its citizens, its employees and every part of our government. We take that responsibility very seriously and we are working to do our duty quickly and in a fair and even-handed way,” the letter said.

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Canine ‘wedding’ benefitting PAWS

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

The bride and groom. Frangelica Meloni, left, and Shaggydog Atark on the right.

There is a certain link between humans and their animals that benefits both. Sometimes that relationship goes well beyond the routine. One such relationship is leading to a “wedding” between Frangelica Meloni and Shaggydog Stark.

Frangelica Meloni is the four-legged daughter of Chadds Ford’s Kathryn Meloni. Frangelica has been a therapy dog for the past several years and the wedding — scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rose Tree Park — is to benefit PAWS for People.

The acronym, PAWS, stands for Pet-Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services. It’s a non-profit organization committed to providing therapeutic visits to any person in the community who would benefit from interaction with a well-trained, loving pet.

Even the closest of couples can have differing opinions.

The animals, including dogs, cats, and even rabbits, are used in hospitals, health care facilities, chemical dependency centers, courtrooms, libraries, schools, and private homes. With Kathryn Meloni being an attorney, it’s apropos that Frangelica takes her therapeutic magic to the courtroom. The Melonis became part of a pilot program in 2016 aimed at calming children and families who have to go to family court.

Kathryn said at the time that Frangelica was a rescue who was “super friendly, loved people, calm enough and well-behaved” after she began training. It was a little different before that, though.

“She was a little terror. … Her name, Frangelica, is a hazelnut Italian liqueur. She was nuts. That’s how she got her name, though that doesn’t make a lot of sense now because she’s so good. Once she started the obedience training, she flourished. As a result of that, I thought serving as a therapy dog would be a good thing for her,” Meloni said at the time.

After two-and-a-half years of working with trainers, Frangelica passed her advanced level and became a favorite. She’s been used in a variety of settings. Meloni told a story about a woman in a nursing home who was highly agitated and fighting with a nurse until she saw Frangelica.

“She spotted Frangelica and stopped, smiled, calmed down and started to pet her. It was miraculous to watch. … And [Frangelica] loves it. She eats it up,” Meloni said. “She knows it’s her job.”

Today, Therapy Team Meloni works at Delaware County Courthouse, Media Library, Rachel Kohl’s Library, and Granite Farms Estates. Also, both dogs do extra work at Barnes & Noble and similar places, Kathryn Meloni said.

As for Shaggydog Stark, Kathryn Meloni said his parents are Ashley Kennedy and Lee Coates, soon to be married the end of June. Their Best Dog and Dog of Honor for the wedding are their two dogs, and they invited Frangelica to the wedding, as she is family.

Shaggydog has been with PAWS for seven years now. He volunteers at Richey Elementary, Baylor Correctional Institute, and Claymont Library. He is part of the first cohort of the “PAWSitivity for Prisoners” program. He, too, is a rescue, part-Great Pyrenees mutt from a shelter in South Carolina, his human mama Ashley Kennedy said.

Meloni refers to her future dog-in-law as “an awesome boy and a great therapy dog.”

They — the humans anyway — are looking for vendors and raffle donations for the wedding. Vendors can register here.

Meloni may be reached at KMeloni@KMeloniLaw.com

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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Mixed Media: Open Studio Tour

Arts & Entertainment

GregoryBlue — Gregory Blue Studio in West Chester - one of 62 studios on the Chester County Studio Tour

What does the word “studio” mean to you? Do you imagine a messy den of creation filled with loose papers or spartan with the paint splattered walls a la Jackson Pollock? Or maybe you envision neatly stacked paintings in an airy loft, where the light pours in from slanted skylights? Take the opportunity this weekend to explore what it is to be in a studio and to see the creative energy and final products of local artists. You will find what you are looking for at this year’s Chester County Open Studio Tour.

This weekend Saturday May 18th, and Sunday May 19th, the much-anticipated Chester County Open Studio Tour opens in our region. Participants are ready-ing their studios and yard signs, as well as putting those finishing touches on the work they’re exhibiting. This year, organizer and artist Jeff Schaler has pulled together more than 62 studios housing work by over 148 artists of varying media. The open studio tour is an excellent opportunity to take a more intimate look at the process behind the piece. Artists open up their creative spaces to the public, free of charge, to provide a more in depth art experience. Delaware County, Montgomery County and Bucks County all participate in there own county wide open studio tours as well as one in Philadelphia, which has an expansive tour in October.

Overwhelmed already? Don’t be! Chester County Open Studio Tour has thought of everything–and they are here for you to map your very own itinerary. If you check out the website, you can select at least ten studios and, through google maps, Chester County Open Studio Tour will map out your itinerary. Art and technology, merging together to accomplish a common goal. ‘Tis a beautiful thing.

Rob Sigafoos in his studio Vinewood Forge

I will be showing my work, alongside fellow painters Cary Galbraith, Catherine Peluso, and David Katz who will also host us all at his studio (#32!) in West Chester. Katz’s studio has been thoughtfully curated with artists who compliment each other. The work serves to create a crisp, colorful atmosphere whether through landscapes, still life, or figurative work. All exhibiting painters in this studio have a contemporary persuasion. Stop in and pay a visit!

Take some time this week to plan your trip to view whatever your heart desires between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 18 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19. You’ll recognize a lot of familiar names as I’ve written about many of these artists throughout the year. Contributing artists/studio hosts include Alessandra Manzotti, Sus Iserbyt, Katee Boyle (Gallery Duo), John Baker, Erica Brown, Maryanne Buschini, Karen D’Allaird, Randall Graham, Al Moretti, Monique Sarkessian, Rob Sigafoos, Brett Anderson Walker and so many more! Click here to see all 144 Chester County artists. I hope to celebrate the fantastic art of the Chester County region with you this weekend!

Tune in to Art Watch Radio this Wednesday from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on WCHE 1520 am when Jeff Schaller hosts artists of the Chester County Studio Tour. Until next week!

About Caroline Roosevelt

Caroline Roosevelt is a writer and artist based in Kennett Square, PA. She received her B.A. in Art History from Connecticut College and a Post Baccalaureate certificate from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She has previously written art coverage in Seattle, WA and Philadelphia, PA. She currently co-hosts Art Watch radio on 1520 WCHE.

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Donald F. Lewis of West Grove

Obituaries

Donald F. Lewis, 80, of West Grove, formerly of Kennett Square, died Tuesday, May 14, at Jenner’s Pond. He was the husband of Elsie May Lewis, who died April 30, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Rev. Willis Lewis and the late Mildred Fritz Lewis.

Mr. Lewis was an insurance agent and broker and owned and operated Don Lewis Agency, Kennett Square. He retired in 2000 after 40 plus years in business. Prior to becoming an insurance agent, he raised turkeys and was a machinist.

He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting, rocking in his rocking chair, bird watching, raising chickens, vacationing on Hilton Head Island and Florida, especially going to Disney World.

He is survived by one son, Donald F. Lewis, Jr. (Beverly) of Avondale; four daughters, Teresa L. Ledezma (Juan) of Kennett Square, Diane L. Plummer (John) of Kennett Square, Kathy J. Trautman (Daniel) of Lincoln University, and Millie L. Tyler (John) of Harleysville; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

You are invited to visit with his family and friends from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. His service and burial will be held privately.

To view his online tribute and to leave a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

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Police Log May 15: DUIs, crashes, terroristic threats

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

• Caitlin McCabe, 30, of Chadds Ford, was cited after the Toyota Rav 4 she was driving ran off Green Valley Road near West Doe Run Road on May 7, police said. According to the report, the vehicle drove off the right berm, hit a tree, then rolled to the bottom of an embankment. The Rav 4 came to rest on its passenger side. The report said it was unknown if McCabe was injured.

• Police said David L. Plebani, 76, of Unionville, was cited for driving under the influence after sideswiping another vehicle on South Wawaset Road in Pocopson Township on April 30. The report said Plebani had driven into the opposing lane of traffic.

• Someone broke into a property on Baltimore Pike in Pennsbury Township on April 24, smoked marijuana and wrote explicit messages on various locations of the building, police said.

• Police from the Avondale barracks said 71-year-old John Joseph Brunovszky violated a Protection From Abuse Order by trying to call the victim several times between April 9 and 10.

• Demitri B. Grivas, 24, of Mendenhall, was cited for careless driving after rear-ending a vehicle on Kennett Pike in early April, a police report said. According to the report, Grivas was driving south on Route 52 behind another vehicle. That lead vehicle stopped because of traffic and was struck from behind on April 5.

• An unidentified 38-year-old man was cited for DUI and drug violations following a traffic stop on Route 52 in Kennett Township on April 15. The police report said the odor of burnt marijuana was coming from the Hyundai Sonata he was driving and the driver showed signs of impairment.

• Michael Louis Lolber, 47, of West Chester, was charged with DUI following a traffic stop in Kennett Township on May 1, police said. According to the report, Lolber was stopped for various traffic violations on southbound Route 52, north of Route 1, at 9:55 p.m.

• Police said Joseph Michael Doheny, 24, of Pocopson Township, and an unidentified female, also of Pocopson, took items from multiple unlocked vehicles parked at a housing development on Pratt Lane between March 16 and 17. Doheny, the report said, then tried to use stolen credit cards at the Walmart in East Marlborough Township.

• Revonne Jerald Smalls, of Lincoln University, was charged with possession of marijuana on March 24, a police report said. According to the report, the incident happened on Route 1, south of Bayard Road in East Marlborough Township at 11:59 p.m.

• A police report said Meredith P. Mitchell, 19, of Kennett Square, was cited for careless driving after she rear-ended another vehicle while driving on East Baltimore Pike near Village Lane in East Marlborough Township. The accident happened on March 20 at 4:43 p.m.

Southern Chester County Regional Police

• Wilmer E. Wise, 87, of Landenberg, was arrested and charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment, in connection with an altercation that happened on March 26 in New Garden Township, police said. According to the report, Wise is accused of confronting a neighbor in an aggressive manner and striking him in the face with a closed fist. He also allegedly threatened to kill the victim if he saw him on his property again.

• Police said Zachary Sezna, 32, of Avondale, was arrested and charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment, following an altercation during which he is allegedly threatened to kill two people at a residence and shoved both in the process. The incident occurred on April 19 at 8:55 a.m., in New Garden Township. Sezna was taken into custody, processed, and arraigned, after which he was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.

• Christian A. Watson, 21, of Kennett Square, was arrested and charged with terroristic threats, possessing instruments of crime, and simple assault, following an incident during which he is alleged to have threatened to hit and kill a child’s father when the father arrived at the residence, police said. According to police, Watson was carrying a kettlebell weight when he made the threats and swung it violently, striking a tree with it, in the immediate vicinity of children. The incident occurred April 16 in New Garden Township. Watson was taken into custody on April 18, was processed and held for arraignment. He was initially committed to the Chester County Prison but was released the following day after posting $10,000 bail.

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