Jenny Fenton wants people to write a poem about what it's like wearing a COVID mask.
It’s been said that humor is the best medicine. But while humor won’t prevent or cure COVID-19, it is a way to cope, and that’s just what Pennsbury Township’s Jenny Fenton is trying to do.
Fenton has begun a project calling on people to write a poem about what it’s like to wear a COVID mask. “It’s a little levity in serious times,” Fenton said.
Fenton is asking people to write a poem and place it in a box she put along the walkway leading up to the U.S. Post Office in Chadds Ford Township. She’ll open the box on Oct. 1, and the poems will be read and judged. The winning entry will be posted inside the Post Office. If there are only a few entries, all will be displayed in the Post Office. [Editor’s note: Chadds Ford Live will also publish the winning poem.]
She did not divulge the judge’s identity, nor does she know how the entries will be judged, but, she stressed, it’s a way to have some fun in a stressful situation.
“I’m distressed. I’m weary of wearing a mask. It’s affected my life. There’s no hugging,” she said. “Who else is experiencing craziness? I just want people to have some fun with this.”
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.
Claire Perry Hofer, 105, of Kennett Square, died peacefully on Sept. 21, at Kendal/Crosslands Retirement Community. She was the wife of the late W. Eric Hofer, who died in 1982 and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage.
Claire Perry Hofer
Claire was born in Westerly, R.I. on Oct. 26, 1915, and was the daughter of the late Arthur L. and Alice (Edge) Perry. She graduated from Westtown School in 1934 and attended the School of Practical Art in Boston. She continued to work and live in Boston where she met her husband Eric, who was employed by the United Fruit Company and was asked to manage banana plantations in Honduras. Upon their marriage in 1940, she joined Eric in the jungle area near Progresso, Honduras where they immersed themselves in the local culture and started their family.
In 1947 they returned to Westerly, R.I. where Eric began a 30-year career working for Bostitch, Inc. During these years, Claire was very active as a volunteer for the Westerly Hospital, first as a Nurse’s Aide and then creating the hospital gift shop and becoming its manager. She was also instrumental in the capital campaign for the Hospital’s first “New Wing,” which was built in 1952. She later worked as a buyer and bookkeeper for the Frank Hall Boat Yard gift shop.
From 1962 to 1965 Claire and her family moved to Germany where Eric managed a foreign manufacturing plant for Bostitch. Claire loved every minute of these adventures and was eager to learn everything about the people, their language, and their customs. When Eric retired, they returned to Westerly but continued their travels throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She also resumed her volunteer work at the Westerly Hospital accumulating well over 10,000 hours of service. She especially enjoyed helping patients and waiting on family members in the Emergency Room.
Claire was an active member of the Westerly Friends Quaker Meeting from birth, serving in many capacities. In 2000, she moved to Kendal-Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square, where she thrived in this Quaker setting, continuing to volunteer in their nursing care facility, and enjoying visits with many family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Eric L. Hofer and his wife, Rita of Exton, and her two daughters, Patricia Campbell and her husband Leo of Stoddard, N.H., and Betsey Rice of Charlestown, R.I. She leaves six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, five sisters and a son-in-law.
Claire’s ashes will remain with her family until a time when everyone can gather together for a celebration of her life.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Kendal-Crosslands Communities Charitable Giving, PO Box 100, Kennett Square, PA 19348; or to the Westerly Friends Meeting, 57 Elm St. Westerly, RI 02891 or the Westerly Hospital Foundation, 25 Wells Street, Westerly, RI 02891.
To view her online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com
Arrangements are being handled by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square.
Frederick (Rick) Harper Taylor Jr., 69, of Lincoln University, died Sept. 19, at Christiana Hospital. Rick was born June 29, 1951, in West Chester, to the late Frederick (Sr.) and Constance Taylor. He was the oldest of four children, Cathy, Cindy, and David.
Frederick (Rick) Harper Taylor Jr.
Rick attended Temple University and was a graduate of Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington and Unionville High School. Earlier this year, Rick retired from Taylor’s Service Center in Chadds Ford, after more than 50 years. He first worked at the car repair shop with his father and then owned and operated the business with his brother.
As much as Rick enjoyed the business and his customers, his first loves were his wife, Elizabeth, and his five children, Frederick Taylor III (Laura), Leah Somers (Todd), Sarah Hillen (Curtis), William Taylor (Dawn), and Christine Vanella (Nick), and eight grandchildren.
He and Beth were married 46 years. He lived his life for his family and was loved by all who knew him.
A private Celebration of Life service will be held, and he will be buried at Brandywine Baptist Church cemetery, beside his mother and father. Arrangements are being handled by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square.
Memorial donations can be made to the West Grove Fire Company EMS, PO Box 201, West Grove, PA 19390, or the American Cancer Society.
•State police from the Media barracks will hold a child car seat safety inspection on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free inspection will be held in the parking lot of the Rocky Run YMCA, 1299 W. Baltimore Pike, Media. People are asked to make an appointment, but walk-ins are welcomed.
•Kimberly A. McBrearty, 31, of Exton, was cited for following too closely following a Sept. 15 accident on Route 202 at Spring Hill Road, police said. According to the report, the other vehicle — a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban — was stopped at the light when McBrearty, unable to stop in time, struck it from behind. Police reported no injuries.
•Police said two motorists involved in a rear-ender accident on Route 202 were injured, but both refused transport. Neither driver was named in the police report. According to police, the two were driving south on Route 202 at 9:51 a.m. on Sept. 18 when one rear-ended the other as they approached Beaver Valley Road.
•John Hall, 29, of Garnet Valley, was cited for careless driving following a Sept. 19 accident on Route 202 at Naamans Creek Road, police said. According to the report, Hall was driving west on Naamans Creek Road when he struck another vehicle traveling south on 202. Both drivers were reported injured. Hall was transported to Crozer while the other driver was taken to Wilmington Hospital.
Avondale Barracks
•A traffic stop led to a Downingtown woman being arrested for drug possession in New Garden Township. Police identified the driver as Tjaira Newkirk, 21. The report said police stopped Newkirk for a traffic violation on Route 1. The odor of marijuana triggered a probable cause search of the vehicle, with cannabis being found. Police made the stop on Route 1 at Bancroft Road at 7:19 a.m. on Sept. 7.
•State police are investigating a retail theft at the East Marlborough Township Walmart on Sept. 4. A report said two women concealed merchandise in a storage tote inside a shopping cart and fled the store without paying. They fled in a blue Chrysler Pacifica with Delaware tags.
Southern Chester County Regional Police
•Police arrested Matthew Robert Gilger on Sept. 21 in connection with car theft in August, a report said. According to that report, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 6:04 p.m., police were dispatched to the 1400 block of Baltimore Pike, in New Garden Township, to report a stolen vehicle. The victim told police his red Chevrolet Impala had been stolen from the parking lot. Through investigation and viewing of video surveillance, two suspects, Eric Kalb and Matthew Gilger, were identified, and warrants were issued for both for theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The vehicle has since been recovered, and Kalb was taken into custody on Monday, Sept. 14.
•Police said Gustavo Villagomez-Rodriguez, 27, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses following a traffic stop for erratic driving. The incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 14, at 10:23 p.m., in the 8900 block of Gap Newport Pike, in New Garden Township. After contacting Villagomez-Rodriguez, police said they observed indicators of intoxication, and field sobriety tests confirmed impairment. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI. A chemical test of his breath resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.115 percent.
•Jose M. Woods, 23, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with DUI and a related traffic offense, following a traffic stop for a registration violation, police said. The incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 5, 1:30 a.m., in the 8800 block of Gap Newport Pike, in New Garden Township. Upon making contact with Woods, the report said, police observed indicators of intoxication and field sobriety tests confirmed impairment. Woods was taken into custody and agreed to a chemical test of his breath, resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.091 percent, the report said.
