Pennsylvania State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints this weekend.
State troopers from both the Media and Avondale barracks will be out in force this Memorial Day weekend and both will be conducting sobriety checkpoints.
Avondale Barracks
•Mauriyyah Pryor, 25, of Philadelphia, was arrested on drug charges in Kennett Township, according to a state police press release. According to the report, police made a traffic stop on a vehicle operated without lights on during hours of darkness. The report also said that during their interaction with the driver, police observed indicators of criminal activity. A search turned up drugs and paraphernalia, police said. The incident happened on E. Baltimore Pike at Nursery Lane on May 18 at 10:47 p.m.
•Police said they arrested a 25-year-old man from Elkton, Md., for shoplifting at the Walmart in East Marlborough Township on April 15. The suspect, not named in the report, allegedly stole $530 worth of merchandise.
Kennett Square Police Department
•Thomas Griffin, 82, of Kennett Square, was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses after police received a call about a black Chevrolet striking a street sign and then fleeing. Officers found the registration given was registered to Thomas Griffin, a report said. The incident occurred on May 13, at approximately 4:56 p.m. in the 600 block of West Cypress Street. After making contact with Griffin, officers said they observed indicators of impairment and that he admitted to drinking prior to operating his vehicle. Griffin was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and a chemical test of his breath. That test resulted in a blood alcohol level of 0.221 percent.
•Borough police said Simon Medina-Landeros, 21, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with DUI and related offenses, following a traffic stop for failing to maintain his lane of travel and almost striking another vehicle. The incident occurred on May 21 at approximately 10:22 p.m. in the 500 block of East Cypress Street. According to the police report, officers observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and submitted to a chemical test of his breath. The test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.231 percent.
Chadds Ford's Martha King is competing this Friday in Austria. The event will be covered live on Facebook and YouTube.
The reigning U.S. Women’s Division Champion “Lumberjill,” Chadds Ford’s own Martha King, is heading to Austria to compete in the first-ever international STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Women’s event – the International Women’s Cup.
King will go up against eight other women for the title of the best woman lumberjack in the world. And this time the event will be shown live on YouTube and Facebook. It will air at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 27. The YouTube link is https://youtu.be/tGZK4wnIlwA.
And she’s going for a three-peat later this summer when she’ll compete in the STIHL Timbersports U.S. Championship in Little Rock, Ark. She won the women’s national championship last summer and earned an appearance on the Kelly and Ryan show. She also took the national title in 2019. COVID knocked out the competition in 2020.
King is the daughter of Rob and Katharine King who own and operate Chadds Ford Tree Service and Martha said a lot of her training comes from working with the family business.
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.
The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association — formerly The Civic Association of Chadds Ford Township — has announced its official relaunch after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
Association President Phil Wenrich said the organization is expanding its focus to include three new areas: the use of digital communications to reach the widest possible audience, a commitment to assisting township residents impacted by disasters such as floods or fires, and a renewed emphasis on promoting township businesses.
“My vision for Chadds Ford Township and the revitalization of the old Civic Association is to bring together the people and businesses of the township so they can meet and get to know their neighbors by the use of social media and a communications portal, our website, a place to go to find out all things about the township, past, present, and future,” Wenrich said. “To accomplish this, we needed to rebuild from the ground up. The association needs to be fun, interactive, educational, and something people will want to be part of. We will also have live events in the future as well. I started this reorganization with a team of highly qualified people at the beginning of 2021 and hope to see it come to fruition by the end of this year.”
The former Civic Association, established in 1993, had long been known for its spring and fall roadside cleanups, food drives, annual scholarship, and Citizen of the Year Award. The CFTRA also works closely with the Chadds Ford Township supervisors and township manager to support events such as the annual Recycling Day.
Digital tools developed by the reincarnated association include a new website designed as a hub of township information for both residents and visitors. In addition to background about the association, it has links to the major cultural and historical points of interest in the township and an interactive map. The new website also showcases local businesses along with winners of the annual Scholarship and Citizen of the Year Awards.
The CFTRA also hosts the Chadds Ford Pennsylvania Facebook Group which has nearly 3,000 members. The moderators and association volunteers provide useful information about local businesses and cultural activities along with real-time posts about traffic, roadwork, and weather. This page served as a vital source of information for township residents after Hurricane Ida.
The Association also will launch two new initiatives this year. Its ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ program will assist township residents affected by disasters such as fires or floods. Its Business of the Year Award will recognize local businesses that support the community.
The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association is a volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan civic organization whose mission is to create a strong sense of community within the township, support its residents and businesses, and help retain the area’s unique historical quality and rural character. The CFTRA activities and programs are funded through memberships and donations. To join, go to the CFTRA website at www.cftra.org.
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.
The following animals are ready to be adopted from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester.
Gizmo
Gizmo
Petite Gizmo is an adorable kitty who loves to play with other cats. She would really enjoy a feline playmate in her future home. This cool cat loves fluffy beds, answers to her name, and is litter box trained. Gizmo would love to meet you. You can name your fee for Gizmothrough Sunday, May 29.
Pruitt
Pruitt
Pruitt is a coonhound mix on the hunt for a forever home. He does well with other dogs in playgroups. Pruitt would love to meet your family and any other dogs in the home at the shelter prior to adoption. Come visit this best boy today. All large adult dogs (1 year or older and 40 or more pounds) have waived adoption fees from May 21 to May 29.
There is a spiritual disease in modern America called “consumer Christianity.” This disease is rampant among evangelical and reformed believers, especially in wealthy suburbs like Garnet Valley and Chadds Ford. But at its root, consumer Christianity is an unbiblical mindset that turns Christians into consumers and churches into businesses.
So here’s my question: Are you a Consumer Christian or a Christian missionary?
If you’re not sure, here are two diagnostic questions to consider:
First, how do you choose a local church?
Consumer Christians say, “Ask not what I can do for my church but what my church can do for me.” They look for relevant music or well-oiled programs that are already established.
On the other hand, Christian missionaries say, “Ask not what my church can do for me but what I can do for my church.” Rather than attending a local congregation for what they can get out of the church, they look for opportunities to serve and use their gifts. For example, they may choose a church near their home so that they can invite their friends and family. They could drive 45 minutes to a church with better preaching, more people their age, or shinier programs. But they want to be missionaries and are willing to sacrifice the “ideal church” for the sake of the gospel mission.
Second, why do you leave a local church?
Consumer Christians tend to be serial church hoppers. They attend a local church for a while because they like the services it provides. But eventually, they get bored, have conflict, or disagree with the direction of the church. The church no longer offers what they hoped for. Therefore, they “feel called” to move on to a new, shiny church where they can consume something new and better.
But Christian missionaries tend to be loyal. Yes, they want a church that faithfully preaches the Bible and administers the sacraments according to the Word of God. Yes, they want a church that is devoted to prayer, fellowship, and evangelism. But they won’t leave a church for petty reasons as long as they have the opportunity to serve and use their gifts for the glory of God.
In conclusion, don’t simply join a church to receive a spiritual service; join a church to worship God with God’s people on the Lord’s Day. Don’t have the mindset of a passive consumer; have the mindset of a missionary. In all, look for a faithful, gospel-preaching church that needs you to serve and use your gifts for the glory of God. Be a missionary, not the consumer.
Originally from Colorado, Will Stern is the pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Garnet Valley. He majored in violin performance for his undergrad and taught violin for a number of years before being called into ministry. He studied theology at Duke University and Westminster Theological Seminary.
The instinct to create is older than humanity—decorating every corner of our world, and even sending art into the stars. Taking the time and energy to add beauty to even the most simple and necessary of objects is an act of love. Nowhere is that love more evident than in the new exhibit at the Chester County History Center, Unfolded, on display now through October. Showcasing quilts made in Chester County throughout the past few centuries, the display is full of craftsmanship, care, and artistry.
“Dyes”
CCHC has become a hub for quilt and textiles over the past few years because other quilt museums in the area have closed and people want to share these gorgeous pieces. “CCHC has received several quilt donations in the past six years and this was a great opportunity to highlight them,” says Ellen Endslow, Director of Collections/Curator at the CCHC. “We have an excellent volunteer group that is experienced with quilt installations and were willing to once again step up to the challenge.”
Choosing which to include was part of the challenge. The CCHC now has a collection of over 150 quilts, not including unfinished pieces and segments. “We focused on the recent acquisitions because most of them have never been publicly exhibited before,” Endslow says. “We hope it will provide an opportunity for quilters to come and see examples from the 19th and 20th centuries.”
While almost everyone has a quilt in their house, not all are made equal. The pieces on display showcase a range of techniques, styles, and patterns. Hundreds, if not thousands of hours went into creating some of the quilts, either by one person or a community. “These pieces represent fine quality and practical utilitarian sewing,” Endslow notes. “They represent consumerism and the latest design as well as frugality and practicality.”
Barbara Garrett, a Quilt Historian and Documentation Consultant, puts it another way. “It is so important to have this record of women’s work,” she says. “There needs to be a stable place to store, record, and display these examples.” You can see the pride that the craftswomen put into each square and stitch, especially those that display the names of their makers. “The Name-Inscribed Friendship Quilts,” Garrett notes, pointing out a gorgeous Turkey Red on-point quilt with green sashing, “many people call them Signature Quilts, but this one you can see, the names were all written by one person, probably whoever had the nicest penmanship.” Titled “Friends,” the quilt from the mid-1800s made by Sarah Mitchell Gawthrop has 50 names, though the connection between them is unknown. Perhaps they were the makers, or the women of the community, or people special to Gawthrop herself.
“Scraps”
The variety of fabrics is a distinctive detail of the art of quilting. Some pieces in the exhibit are made of “scrap” fabric, but both Endslow and Garrett note how much work goes into those pieces. “Scraps,” a quilt most likely made by Elizabeth Taylor Brown Graham, includes beautiful silk fabrics, and is displayed with a dress made from one of those fabrics which was worn by the maker’s daughter, Florence Graham. The workmanship in both the dress and the quilt is extraordinary. But while scraps and remnants may have been used in the quilts, a large amount of specially bought fabric would have been used in almost every instance for the sashing, edging, and backing.
Many of the quilts on display might be familiar to Brandywine Valley residents, in either style, pattern, or color. The “Turkey Red” used in many of the quilts on display, either as scraps or as a predominant fabric, is a trademark of the Quaker community of the area. Others, such as the vivid quilt titled “Dyes,” represent the “crazy quilt” pattern that used a mixture of scraps from hand-sewn clothes and available fabrics. This specific quilt was made from the bright, chemically dyed silks that became both available and fashionable after the Civil War. The unknown artist created rows of diamonds filled with geometric spirals, with seams and stiches so invisible they look painted rather than sewn.
Indeed, a painterly eye can be seen in all the quilts on display. As Garrett notes, “We in the quilt world think of a quilt as art done in fabric rather than oil or pastels.” Contemporary textile artists continue to take this farther, creating paintings with fabric or using threadwork to “draw” intricate images on fabric.
“These artifacts reflect a lot of time and commitment, from idea to completion,” Endslow comments. Garrett agrees: “This was these women’s work and lives, in fabric.” Quilts are objects of utility, meant to provide warmth and comfort. But with each stitch and piece, you can see the love that went into the quilt. They are testaments to the artistry of the makers, and the talent on display in everyday objects.
Unfolded is on display at the Chester County History Center from May until October. The Chester County History Center is located at 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA. Find out more at MyCCHC.org.
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.
Does it trouble you that the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board and administration are helping children keep secrets from their parents?
Multiple staff emails have said that middle school students are encouraged to explore their gender identity and sexuality. However, not only have parents not been notified but there is documentation showing efforts have been made specifically to hide it from parents.
Alarmed parents have shared their concerns through emails and comments at board meetings, but those concerns have been ignored, met with silence, or simply brushed off.
The purpose of this letter is not to comment on how individuals live their lives, but to alert parents to what is taking place in the school without parental consent or awareness.
School codes and policies require parental consent to send children on field trips, to have photographs taken and to join sports teams. And Code 235 requires parental consent for kids to take part in surveys, analyses, or evaluations that would reveal sexual behavior or attitudes.
It appears the district is violating that code by allowing children to be groomed and indoctrinated to go down an irrevocable path that could lead to physical or emotional harm, without parental notification.
It is time for the district to respond openly to these concerns and stop placing itself as superior to parents when it comes to parenting.
As you ponder your position, I’d ask you to imagine your son or daughter approaching a favorite teacher with a concern about an eating disorder or any behavior that could be detrimental to their health and development. Would you want that teacher to counsel your child to hide their concern from you? Or would you expect to be notified because your child’s safety and welfare are your greatest responsibility, concern, and honor?
I urge everyone to publicly and powerfully advocate for our students and families.
PennDOT has announced the following road projects, which are weather-dependent and could affect drivers in the greater Chadds Ford area during the week of May 21 through May 27. Motorists are urged to allow extra time if traveling through one of the construction zones. Work schedules are subject to change.
•Lane closures along Route 1 in Chadds Ford and Concord townships will continue at least through Thursday, May 26. Lane closures from Fairville Road to Route 202 will be in place overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. In Concord Township, closures will be between Pole Cat and Thornton roads and will run day and night, 24 hours per day.
•Pipe trench patching will cause a closure of Brandywine Creek Road in Newlin Township on Monday, May 23 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The closure will be between Powell and Green Valley roads. Brandywine Creek Road motorists will be directed to use Powell and Green Valley. Local access will be maintained during the operation.
•Pole replacement will cause lane closures on Route 842 — Clonmell Upland Road — in West Marlborough Township through the end of June. The closure will be between Street and London Grove roads.
•Utility work in West Chester will cause a daytime lane closure on High Street from May 23 through June 6.
•Running through June 10, utility replacement will cause lane closures on Route 1 between Elmwood and Lenape roads in Kennett Township.
•The Embreeville Road Bridge over the West Branch over the Brandywine Creek in Newlin Township remains closed because of the Sept. 1 flooding. The closure remains listed as indefinite.
Lorraine “Boojie” Medon, 82, of Landenberg, died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 14, in Chester County Hospital, surrounded by her immediate family. She was the wife of Donald G. Medon, with whom she shared nearly 37 years of marriage.
Lorraine “Boojie” Medon
Born in 1939 in West Grove, she was the daughter of the late Carl J. Pannell, Jr., and the late Marie E. Pannell.
She was a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Avondale Boojie loved her cats, Beans, Ra-Ra, and Fluff.
She was an active member of the Hockessin Athletic Club water aerobics classes.
Boojie is survived by her husband, Don; her daughter Jacqueline C. Dougherty of West Grove, and her son; Donald W. Dougherty of Lake Worth Beach, Fla. and brother Robert T. Pannell of Kennett Square.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Carol “Jeeps” Schwartz.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be mailed in Lorraine’s memory to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 9 Coffman Ave., Malvern, PA 19355. Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square; please visit Boojie’s online memorial by going to www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
