Eva “Hilde” Varglien, 100, formerly of West Grove, died peacefully on Oct. 28 at Brackenville Complete Care in Hockessin.
Eva Varglien
Hilde was born in a small fishing village, Volosca, Italy on Oct. 6, 1921, to Paolo Zencovich and Erminia Mirthes Zencovich. The love of her life was Leopoldo Varglien who served in WWII for five years. They married when Leopoldo returned from the war. Since Italy lost their homeland region to Yugoslavia as a war settlement, Hilde, Leopoldo, and Cristina applied and waited for three years to move back into Italy where they lived for five years before immigrating to the USA in 1956. Hilde was a devoted hairstylist and owned two beauty salons through the years. One was in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, and the other in Glenolden. After retirement, she and Leopoldo moved to West Grove to be near their family.
Hilde is survived by her daughter, Maria Cristina Reinert (Les), grandchildren Tim Reinert (Nicole), Julie Taplin (Scott), and Natalie Edwards (Mike), and great-grandchildren, Michael, Fiana, Tyler, Lizzy, Jamie, and Samantha, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Leopoldo Varglien and brothers Giuseppe Zencovich, Enrico Zencovich and her sister Elisabetta Zencovich Manzin.
Hilde always remembered her devoted caregiver, Emma, who lived with her and lovingly cared for her for many years. She was also very appreciative of the great care she received from Brookdale Assisted Living, Brackenville Complete Care, and the dedicated staff from Bayada Hospice, all in the State of Delaware.
Hilde enjoyed being with her family, friends, traveling, cooking, and gardening. She was a member of Assumption BVM Parish in West Grove since 1988 and a founding member of the former Assumption BVM Roses in Winter Senior Organization along with being an original member of the Rosary Prayer Group founded by her friend, Janice Wolfe, 22 years ago.
A viewing was held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Assumption BVM Church, 300 State Road, West Grove, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment was at St. Malachy Cemetery, 76 St. Malachy Road, Cochranville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Assumption BVM Church, 300 State Road, West Grove, PA 19390, or The Kennett Food Cupboard, 136 W Cedar St, Kennett Square, PA 19348
To view Hilde’s online tribute and to share a memory with her family, please visit, www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com
Arrangements by the Foulk Funeral Home, West Grove, PA
A new exhibition at the Chester County Art Association wants to inspire new generations by showcasing paintings of glass-shattering icons past and present. Inspirational Women, a solo exhibition from local artist Merrill Weber, will feature more than fifty oil paintings of women who have made positive impacts on the world. The Exhibit at Chester County Art Association by Merrill Weber Opens November 11th
The women featured in the vibrant paintings come from diverse backgrounds, times, and locations. Each painting is accompanied by a brief biography of the subject giving visitors a sense of the woman’s life and impact on society. Weber wanted to include more than just the women’s outward appearance: “The viewer will also learn little-known tidbits, such as that Rosa Parks was a seamstress and that Cher donated money to support pandemic relief efforts.”
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Merrill Weber
Seeing all these trailblazers in one space can lead to moments of surprising connection, such as the radiant crowns of Queen Elizabeth II and Marsha P. Johnson, which stretch to the top of their portraits. Each woman is painted directly facing the viewer, almost challenging in their straightforward gaze, and set against a bright background that draws the eye to the subjects.
“I read and thought about who I admire,” Weber says, talking about how she picked the subjects for the exhibit. “My first subject was a pioneer for gender equality, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The exhibition painting of RBG is thirty-six by thirty-six inches. Bigger than life. Just like Justice Ginsburg.”
Weber is clear about her mission to educate and empower through this exhibition. It is a look back at those who have worked to advance the cause of women’s rights around the world, while also commentary on how far they still have to go. Visitors of all ages will learn about the revolutionary experiences and challenges these women faced in their unique situations. From Lizzo to Dolly Parton, Malala Yousafzai to Mother Teresa, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Simone Biles, the display traverses centuries, genres, countries, cultures, and history.
Inspirational Women also includes personal touches from Weber, who as a last minute addition to the exhibition painted a portrait of her mother, Betty Ann Weber Hayes, who had recently passed away. “It wouldn’t be an Inspirational Women exhibition without a portrait of my sweet mom. Better known as a storyteller, my mom was a creator, writer, composer, and teacher. She was a magic person who led others to the magic in themselves.”
The influence of her mother is felt through not just the gallery, but also in Weber’s passion and artistic history. Weber notes that, “From before I could walk, she nurtured my love of art. My mom would tint whipped cream and encourage me to paint on the walls while taking a bath.” The exhibit is a tribute in more ways than one. “I couldn’t have done it without her watching over me. This exhibition is dedicated to her. I love you, Mom.”
The exhibit will run from November 11th to November 30th in the Huston Gallery at Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA. An opening reception on November 11th from 5 to 7 pm. Weber is looking forward to the event: “Everyone is invited to have a tipple and a nibble, while enjoying the exhibition. I look forward to visiting with others during the opening, as together we celebrate Inspirational Women.” Weber’s website is https://www.merrillweber.com/
More information about the exhibit, including opening hours and upcoming shows, can be found at chestercountyarts.org. The Chester County Art Association 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester. Weber has been part of other exhibitions at the Chester County Art Association in the past and is a member artist of the organization.
Weber is a popular local artist whose work is featured in galleries, museums, and collections throughout the world. Her contemporary works have been described as playful, imaginative, and filled with energy and hope. Her studio in Spring City, Merrill Weber Art, usually open only by appointment, will be open to the public along those of with 20+ other artists as part of the 2021 Holiday Art Festival at Spring City Mill Studios, where art and gifts will be available for purchase. The event includes food, drink, free parking, and accessible access for visitors. Spring City Mill Studios is located at 20 E. Bridge Street, Spring City. More information can be found at https://www.springcitymillstudios.com/.
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
The Kennett Library has a new director who is no stranger to library construction projects like the one Kennett has started.
Christopher Manna begins Nov. 22, around the time that major site work on the new library building is set to begin. Kennett’s library construction will be the fourth he has been involved in over the last six years.
“I love seeing the impact on the community,” Manna said in a telephone interview. “Libraries play an important role in the community, and all across the field of librarianship we work to partner to raise the quality of life for everyone in our communities.”
Christopher Manna will assume his role as director of the Kennett Library on Nov. 22.
For Manna, whose background includes library consulting, experience at academic libraries, and most recently leading the Moore Public Library in Oklahoma, sees community as an integral part of any library – especially one that is enhancing its role for the communities it serves.
The new $20 million, 33,000-plus square foot library and resource center in Kennett Borough is expected to open in late 2022 or early 2023. It will feature, among other things, a 110-seat auditorium, public meeting spaces, and maker spaces for children and adults.
“What they’re trying to achieve and what they will achieve are beneficial,” said Manna, whose interest in the Kennett Library position was piqued in part by the plans for the new resource center, and the current adult literacy and citizenship programs. Those programs represent “such a value to the community and everyone around it.”
The Kennett Library serves the borough of Kennett Square and the townships of East Marlborough, Kennett, New Garden, Newlin, Pennsbury, Pocopson, and West Marlborough.
The library board of trustees interviewed five candidates from the 12 resumes they received from a nationwide search. Manna made a definite impression on the trustees, according to board President Jeff Yetter.
“We feel he is a perfect fit for the Kennett Library,” Yetter said. “He comes with years of experience in a variety of library settings and has been a part of several library building projects.
“We are looking to him to help us build the kind of library our community deserves.”
Manna also brings with him endowment experience, which could help enhance the library’s role in the community for the future. He served on the endowment committee of the Oklahoma Library Association.
The library has raised $14 million of the total building cost to date, according to Yetter.
Libraries have always been a part of Manna’s life, though music plays an equally important role. His mother was a librarian, and as he grew up he saw the impact that libraries could have. But he never imagined he would follow her footsteps.
Manna is an operatic tenor, with bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland in vocal performance and jazz trumpet, and a master’s degree in opera performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. His performing arts career includes international opera performances.
But working at a library during college also set him on the bibliosoph path. He spent the first 13 years of that career at libraries at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland and will receive a master’s degree in library and information science degree in May 2022 from the University of Oklahoma.
When he began consulting, he saw first-hand the successes and challenges facing libraries.
“Eight libraries a week, 50 weeks a year, meeting with staff and community leaders, talking about what library services look like, where there were gaps, and where were things that could be improved upon,” he said. “Through all these experiences of visiting hundreds of libraries, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t work.”
His successes in Oklahoma come from not having all the answers, Manna said and reaching out to those who do.
“I hope everyone engages in this process,” Manna said in an interview about the new Kennett Library. “This is a community building, and the community is helping to build this. I would love to incorporate how it’s really going to be used.”
He also envisions partnering with the school districts to support STEM programs with the new library’s resources, among other things, and creating a place where people can turn to find the resources they need.
In Oklahoma, Manna engaged with the community through more than just his roles with the Pioneer Library System, which includes the Moore library. He also coached youth soccer and basketball.
“It’s great fun,” said Manna, who was involved in sports his entire life and has coached his son Alex’s teams for about eight years. “It’s an opportunity for me to meet the parents, and to build those connections for him. He’s also seeing the value of giving back to the community.”
Creating community partnerships is something Yetter sees as a natural fit for both Manna and the Kennett Library.
“Chris is a strong believer in partnering with community organizations, which is why the new Kennett Library and Resource Center is designed the way it is, with 14 meeting rooms and an auditorium,” Yetter said. “The board of trustees was looking for a director to reach out and work to increase the usage of our free library materials and resources to lift up the entire community.”
Manna, his wife Karen, and son Alex will leave Oklahoma on Nov. 13 for the East Coast.
“I’ve already told him as soon as we get here, we’re signing up for basketball,” Manna said.
Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies.
She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field.
But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard.
Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.
A light voter turnout in Chadds Ford early on during the Nov. 2 election. Poll workers said the pace did pick up later in the day. Delaware and Chester counties report turnouts of 32 and 35 percent, respectively.
Results are not yet official, but Chester County reports that Republican Geoffrey Gamble unseated incumbent Democrat Whitney Hoffman for supervisor in Kennett Township. According to the county, Gamble took 54 percent of the vote with 1,358 votes to Hoffman’s 1,148.
Hoffman and her fellow incumbents have been feeling pressure ever since the public learned that former township manager Lisa Moore embezzled more than $3.2 million from the township. The township’s bank initially caught the irregularities, not the supervisors or auditor. As a result, residents said they had lost trust in the government, and Gamble ran on an effort to restore that trust.
Also in Kennett, Libertarian Jean McManus is the new auditor in the township. She ran unopposed.
Five of the six Democrats running for Concord Township Council wait for voters to show up at the township building polling place early Tuesday morning.
In Delaware County, Concord Township residents saw a large candidate field for township council. There were 12 candidates — six Democrats and six Republicans — going after the six available seats. According to Delaware County’s website, six Republicans, five incumbents, and one newcomer, each did better than their Democrat counterparts.
Lori Davenport received the highest vote total of the Democrats with 2,034 votes, while Vinita Deshmukh had the lowest tally among the Republicans with 2,680 votes. Former Republican Council member Joshua Twersky ran as a Democrat and got 2,019 votes.
Under normal circumstances, only four seats would have been up for election, each for a four-year term. However, two council members resigned in late 2019. Council appointed two replacements, Deshmukh and Colleen Morrone, a former supervisor and county council member.
The candidate lineup became a little more involved when Councilman Tom Mahoney decided not to seek re-election. Morrone then filed to run for that seat — a four-year term — and Larry Mutschler ran for a two-year term, as did Deshmukh.
The only seat that was not up for election is the one currently held by John Crossan. Going back to the council are Dominic Pileggi, John Gillespie, Dana Rankin, Morrone, Deshmukh, and Mutschler.
There were other contested races in Pocopson and East Marlborough townships. Democrat Elaine DiMonte won another term in Pocopson by defeating Teresa Del Campo by 516-473, according to Chester County. The county also reports that Republican William Mullin beat Democrat Kathryn Monohan by two votes, 1,233 to 1,231.
Chadds Ford Democratic Party Vice-chairman Jesse Sheppard shows his, and his party’s support, for incumbent Republican supervisor Samantha Reiner.
Again, though, the results are not official until certified,
In uncontested races, Samantha Reiner will serve another term as Chadds Ford Township supervisor. Democrats in Chadds Ford support Reiner. There were even campaign promotional pens with Reiner’s name at the Democrat’s table outside the polls.
Democratic Party Vice Chair Jesse Sheppard said, “We’re supportive of Samantha. She cares about Chadds Ford residents and her actions speak louder than words.”
Other uncontested races saw Aaron McIntyre earning another term in Pennsbury, Michael Shiring in Birmingham, William Kelsall in Newlin, Emory Taylor in West Marlborough, and Burling Vannote for a two-year term in East Marlborough.
In Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board races, Jeff Hellrung and Elise Anderson were elected to new terms in office in Region A, while incumbent Steve Simonson was elected to another term to represent region B. Joining the board as a newcomer is Mabel C. Yu who will represent Region B replacing To Day who did not run for re-election.
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.
State police are investigating a case of harassment and assault involving a 13-year-old boy in Pocopson Township. A report said police received a Childline report of an alleged assault on Trolley Way where the victim had been shoved and hit by unidentified suspects.
Kennett Square Police Department
Police said Theos Ramirez-Tomas, 35, of Kennett Square, was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses, after officers were dispatched for a hit and run accident in the 400 block of Birch Street on Oct. 21 at approximately 6:45 p.m. The report said officers observed indicators suggesting intoxication once they contacted Ramirez-Tomas, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI, processed and later released at his residence pending issuance of a summons.
