What remains of the barn that caught fire in Pocopson Township Sunday. Two horses were killed.
Investigators are still looking into the cause of a late Sunday morning fire that killed two horses and destroyed a 150-year-old barn in Pocopson Township. Seven other horses were saved from the fire at Deneno Farm on Wawaset Farm Road. The horses were retired racehorses owned by Don Deneno, a retired horse trainer.
More than two dozen fire companies responded to the blaze that broke out about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Longwood Fire Co. Chief A.J. McCarthy said the state police from the Embreeville barracks are handling the investigation, and that he would be checking with them later this week.
Neighbors and members of the Longwood Fire Co. start setting up temporary shelters for the surviving horses.
McCarthy said two firefighters and two civilians received injuries. He estimated six to eight acres of brushland were burned due to dry conditions and heavy winds Sunday. There were brush fires reported throughout the area.
“Chunks of hay and burning wood were flying all over,” McCarthy said.
Deneno, who received some burns while trying to rescue his horses, was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but several neighbors did talk with reporters.
“I went out for a run and, halfway down the hill, I heard a deafening explosion,” said Karen Myers. “Turning up the hill, I saw flames shooting up to the sky. I called 911 as I ran towards Don’s barn and had a protracted discussion on what road the emergency vehicles should take.”
She added that things then went surreal. “There was then a bizarre shift in reality where time stopped having meaning, and fire extinguishers were grabbed, hoses attached, buckets filled from my hot tub, shovels used to pound out flames….I am so lucky our house didn’t go up and so heartbroken for the two stallions lost and the historic barn.”
(Full disclosure, Myers is a contributor for Chadds Ford Live.)
John Lavin, who lives on the property, said the fire was under control by about 3 p.m. He said the barn had two apartments where four people lived, but none of the tenants were injured.
There’s not yet any official estimate on the financial loss, but Lavin said he would not be surprised if it topped $500,000.
Neighbors are donating horse feed and helping to rebuild fences and shelters for the remaining horses. and Lavin said a gofundme page had been set up.
“The neighbors have been great,” Myers said.
On Tuesday, many of the neighbors, and firefighters from Longwood, were erecting temporary shelters for the horses, with posts and rails donated by local businesses Fence Works and Fence Authority. Ace Hardware Store in Pocopson is also accepting donations for the Deneno Farm.
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.
Unionville-Chadds Ford School Superintendent John Sanville recognized more than a dozen Unionville High School students for nationally-ranked accomplishments during the March 15 school board meeting.
Sanville preceded the recommendation by saying Monday was like the first day of school since it was the first day for all students in the district to be back in their respective classrooms instead of taking classes online at home.
Dylan Huffman, of Chadds Ford, was named to the National Honor and All-Eastern Honor Choir Ensembles.
“It was great to see students in person all at the same time,” he said. “I know that everyone enjoyed it…Some folks even enjoyed the traffic backups at the high school and the middle school today. The good old days are back.”
Sanville then said it was time to “recognize some truly exceptional accomplishments, especially when those accomplishments are on the national level.” He went on to say that students overcame the challenges of the virtual and hybrid modes of education during the past year and attained “outstanding achievements.”
Among those students recognized were 13 who were named National Merit finalists, but Sanville singled out three others.
Addison Liu, a senior at Unionville High School, was recognized for being among the top 300 scholars in the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Sanville said that’s the oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school students. Addison would receive a $2,000 scholarship and UHS would get a $2,000 award for her winning project.
The talent search, Sanville said, involved more than 1,700 high school students from 45 states and 10 countries.
Sanville also announced that The National Association for Music Education named Leah Monteleone and Dylan Huffman to the National Honor and All-Eastern Honor Choir Ensembles.
“This is the highest level of following the PMEA [Pennsylvania Music Education Association] Circuit. This puts them at the very top nationally of choral performers in the United States.,” Sanville said, adding that the honor choir “consists of the top 241 high school vocalists across the nation.”
Dylan Huffman is the son of Craig Huffman, chairman of the Chadds Ford Planning Commission.
“I’m exceptionally proud of him,” Dylan’s father said. “To make nationals for singing is a tremendous achievement. Jason Throne at the high school is a great mentor and teacher.”
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.
Rooted in the Brandywine by Beth Palser at the Chadds Ford Art Show
When Jamie Wyeth was a student at Chadds Ford Elementary School his mother initiated what has become a long standing tradition, The Chadds Ford Art Show. After a year full of change, Meredith Petruccelli, artist liaison for the event is happy to share her enthusiasm for this year’s show saying, “In the wake of our cancellation last year and after enduring a year of shutdowns and distancing, we’ve pivoted to an online platform. This is just another example of Chadds Ford Elementary School embracing tradition while welcoming innovation. We believe that Mrs. Wyeth, a bold and innovative woman, would be delighted to see the show go on even when the pandemic precludes being physically together.”
Brandywine Homestead by Rick Phillips at The Chadds Ford Art Show
Over 60 artists from the Brandywine Valley and beyond will be sharing work in a variety of media on the online platform via the website 32Auctions.com. “Artists have chosen to join us in what feels like a reemergence. They have been prolific in this pandemic period and are showing the products of their passionate artistic expression.” Petruccelli is confident this format will engage the show’s longstanding patrons while also appealing to a broader audience. “Patrons are sure to be excited by our auction format, which we hope will feel more interactive than simply shopping online.” The platform looks very easy to navigate and includes 10 tips for browsing and bidding as well as a sneak peek of the show via YouTube.
Tulips – Longwood by Helena van Emmerik-Finn at The Chadds Ford Art Show
The event has long showcased works to satisfy every taste and budget. Patrons may also bid on local services and crafts including works of jewelry, wood, glass and more. A smart feature of the show gives Chadds Ford Elementary School families a chance to bid on unique experiences with teachers and staff. It’s a testament to the school’s status as a place of academic excellence and creative learning. “Carrying on the 72 year old tradition has been a labor of love for hundreds of parent volunteers throughout the decades. Indeed there are not many public elementary schools who are lucky enough to have a longstanding relationship with an auspicious family of artists such as the Wyeths. The show is a point of pride for our school and the Chadds Ford community at large.”
Elizabeth Chads Parlor by Beth Palser at The Chadds Ford Art Show
Many beloved artists are on board including Jacalyn Beam, Richard Bollinger, Stephen Brehm, Frank DePietro, Shawn Faust, Lele Galer, Madeleine Kelly, Don Shoffner, Beth Palser, Rinal Parikh, Vidya Shyamsundar, Helena van Emmerik-Finn, Merrill Weber to name a few. Petruccelli summed things up saying, “We would like to publicly thank our artists, patrons, volunteers, community sponsors, family sponsors, teachers and staff members for making the show what is sure to be a rousing success!” The 72nd Annual Art Show & Auction will be held from March 18th to the 21st. 30% of all sales go directly to the PTO to fund school programs. A preview of the show will be available on March 17th at 8:00 a.m. here. Live bidding begins on March 18th at 6:00 p.m. here.
Untitled by Dane Tilghman at The Art Trust
In West Chester, The Art Trust has mounted a new exhibition titled 12 x 12 x 12. This unique show was devised after the organization received an anonymous donation with a stipulation that the amount provided was to be used for an exhibition. The board came up with the idea of inviting 12 artists to create four works each using canvases purchased by The Art Trust. Artists were free to cover each substrate however way they saw fit. By using a variety of conventional and not so conventional materials, these works are eye candy for contemporary art enthusiasts.
The results are on view in the gallery now through April 23rd. Board president Liz Ruff shared her excitement about the show saying, “We wanted this exhibit to invoke the renewal of spring. We wanted the work to be energetic, colorful and thought provoking and that’s what we got. We are really excited the artists we picked agreed to participate.”
Consensus by Karen Delaney at The Art Trust
The artists are Constance Culpepper, Karen Delaney, Alex Griffin, Mary Lou Jenkins, Al Johnson, Carole Loeffler, Kathy Loev- Putnam, Emilio Maldonado, Lauren E. Peters, Joseph Lazaro Rodriguez, Temre Stanchfield and Dane Tilghman. The common thread? They are all storytellers at heart. Through disparate materials, they address themes of identity, gender, public versus private spaces, the cycle of life and spirituality. This fascinating show can be viewed online here and in person during business hours at Meridian Bank, The Art Trust’s corporate sponsor. Meridian provides 100% support, allowing The Art Trust to use net proceeds from sales for art scholarships & sponsorships. Be sure to catch the Eat Drink and be Artsy segments and meet the artists; every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. here on Instagram.
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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.
