Sunday, July 31, 2011

Parkesburg's Flower Beds

 

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

   - Ralph Waldo Emerson
I found the Kuc's flowerbeds pictured below a couple of weeks ago while walking along the railroad tracks.

I drive by the Kuc's house at 418 Main Street every day on my way to work, to get to a meeting or buy something at the plaza at 10 and 30.

But not once did I ever notice the beautiful flower beds that cover the Kuc's backyard.

I won't make that mistake again!

























Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Drive Along The Scenic Octoraro Creek



Bob Taylor of Christiana posted this video of a leisurely drive Along Creek Road south of Atglen, back and forth over Mercer's Mill covered bridge and then continuing further down Creek Road towards West Fallowfield on Facebook this morning.

Its not clear who the creator of the video is but it looks like Rick & Rosie Woodhouse, proprietors of Gabriel's Hill Bed and Breakfast in Christiana, deserve the credit.

Here's the description accompanying the video on YouTube:
Down the hill, through the bridge, up the hill to the park and back again. The drive along the Octoraro Creek has been designated as a Pennsylvania Scenic River. The creek borders a large portion of Wolf's Hollow Park. Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge is just over a mile from Gabriel's Hill.
Enjoy the scenery and the relaxing music!



Family Fishing Programs At French Creek



Looking for something fun and educational this summer?

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will be conducting free Family Fishing Programs on August 13th from 3 to 7 PM at French Creek State Park.

The Family Fishing Program introduces basic fishing skills like knot tying, casting, baiting the hook, and taking a fish off the hook.

Instructors teach the family to recognize the variety of fish species that inhabit the waters nearby.

According to our state Senator Pileggi, the only "catch" is adults must bring a child and children must bring an adult.

No fishing license is necessary and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission provides equipment and bait for your family's inexpensive and rewarding day outdoors.

Click here for complete program information.

French Creek State Park is a 26 miles trip from Parkesburg.

Blood Donors Needed

This from the Community Courier:

The American Red Cross is issuing an appeal for blood donors to give blood now, because there is currently a critical blood shortage across the nation. 

In May and June, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen in this timeframe in over a dozen years, while demand for blood products remained steady. All types of blood are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient. 

Individuals who are 17 or older and meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Potential donors are asked to bring along a Red Cross blood donor card or other form of identification when visiting a blood drive.

Eligible blood donors are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.

Several blood drives are set for Chester County including:
  • On Saturday, July 30, a self-contained unit (SCU) bus (whole blood donations) will be located from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA Twin Valley, 51 S. Pine St., Elverson. 
  • An SCU will also be at the Acme Markets, 111 W. Lincoln Highway, Exton, on Sunday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
  • Gateway Church, Parkesburg, which is located at 160 Cowan Road, will hold a Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20. 
  • West Chester Community Donor Center in the Gay Street Plaza, 523 E. Gay St., West Chester, will accept blood during its donation hours. The hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Congressman Pitts, Big Government Spender?


Our congressman Joe Pitts can't seem to decide if he's for or against big government, if he thinks government should live within its means or over spend, if government should be involved in health care or allow the marketplace to set priorities.

Arguably one of the most conservative congressman in Washington, Representative Pitts could be seen all week holding the party line on not giving the United States Treasury the money needed to pay the country's already incurred bills, pushing the country recklessly close to defaulting on its debt.

Ironically, given his insistence that government live within its means, Pitts posted a press release Wednesday announcing legislation he co-sponsored, authorizing the government to spend up to $330M to train pediatricians, monies President Obama had cut from the budget, had passed two congressional committees.

Even more ironic, he shamelessly used the opinion and experiences of a 10 year old girl to justify the spending.

Joe, we love the cause.  We love the fact some of that money will find its way to Philadelphis's own Childrens Hospital.  We appreciate you looking out for the health and well being of our nation's children.

But an additional $300M in government health care spending in a week when you and the Republican Party spent every waking hour reminding us we had to live within our means.

What gives?

Read the entire press release on Pitts' home page here



Friday, July 29, 2011

House Of The Week


709 3rd Avenue in Parkesburg

Property Type: Single Family
Style: Ranch
Price: $184,900
Status: Active
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 1 Full Bath
Sqft: 1,172
Lot Size: 0.19 Acre(s)
Year Built: 1955
Area: Parkesburg, PA
County: Chester
Taxes: $4,377


Quite a collection of 9 Parkesburg lamps. Wonder if they come with the house.
Realtor Description
SPECTACULAR well maintained Rancher in the historic town of Parkesburg waiting for you to call "Home Sweet Home!"
This immaculate Two bedroom home has a large Living Room with wood burning fireplace and hardwood floor.
An amazing kitchen with beautiful custom cabinetry and ceramic tile backsplash!
Glass panal door leads you to your private oasis,the Sunroom.
Large backyard with new detached One car garage and off street parking.
Large finished basement with Game Room and seperate work bench and Laundry room.
Plenty of storage!
ONE YEAR HOME WARRANTY INCLUDED!
See the complete list with over 20 pictures here.

Octorara's Softball Coach Recognized


Note:  The original post incorrectly placed John Cummings as Octorara's football coach.  Thanks to Ellen Brown for pointing out our mistake! 

Ron Savastio, girl's softball coach at Downingtown's Bishop Shanahan High School for the last 10 years, tips his hat to Octorara's girls softball coach, John Cummings, in an article in today's Daily Local News.

Money Quote:
"I think the guys that do the best coaching job are guys like John Cummings at Octorara who may not get the greatest talent, but still battle you all the way and force you to fight and scratch for every last run."
Read the entire article on Coach Savastio here.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Alexander's America's Got Talent Audition



Earlier this week we gave a shout out to Scott Alexander, the Parkesburg magician who had won a coveted slot on "America's Got Talent" reality show.

The show's producers bill the talent show as "a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars."

Singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists all vye for their chance perform on stage hoping to win the top one million dollar prize.

The first 40 seconds of the video below feature Scott's winning audition.




Be sure to cheer Scott on next Tuesday and Wednesday night on NBC Channel 10 beginning at 9:00 PM.

Note: Per a comment posted last night, Scott's fans can follow his preparations leading up to Tuesday night's debut on his blog

Parkesburg Library News & Calendar

July 27, 2011

New York Bus Trip – Saturday, November 19th.  See a show, go holiday shopping, visit museums, restaurants!  $50 due at sign-up.  7:30 bus leaves from the library, second pickup at the Keystone Credit Union in Lionville.  10:30 drop off at Times Square 44th St. & 8th Ave.  8:00 pm pickup 44th St. & 8th Ave.  11:00 return to the library.

Fund Raiser! The Library is a valuable community asset for adults, children and families.  Please help us keep these programs and events for you.  Goal: $35,000 to make up our funding loss, $12,700 raised so far.

If You Give a Kid a Story – Ages 4 to 6, 6:30-7:30, Aug. 1, 2, 3 & 4.  Stories, crafts, activities.  Sponsored by Parkesburg Girl Scouts & the library.  Please register.

PAWS for Reading – Kids read to a friendly dog!  Improves reading skill.  Sign up for a 15 minute session.  Every Tuesday 5:00-6:00.  Thursday Sessions: 6:00-7:00, August 4 & 25.

Music with Miss Sue – Miss Sue leads her class with guitar, kids sing and dance.  Aug. 17th 9:30-10:15, Sept. 22nd 10:45-11:30, Oct. 27th 9:30-10:15, Nov. 10th 10:45-11:30, Dec. 8th 10:45-11:30.  $3 per child/$6 per family, infants under 6 months free.

Knitting Group – 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30-7:45, beginner or advanced.  No registration needed.

AARP Driver Safety Program – Friday, Oct. 7th, 9:00-1:00, refresher class for those who have already taken the 8 hour class.  $14 fee, $12 for AARP members.  Register at the library.

Play & Learn: Parent-Child Workshop – (Formerly “Family Place) Resumes in September.  Ages 12-36 months.  Call the library to register.

American Girl Club – Resumes in September, then 2nd Monday of each month.  New girls & dolls welcome!

Poetry Group!  Read & discuss poetry.  Resumes third Saturday in September, 10:00 in Westminster Place Community Room, 320 West 1st Ave., Parkesburg.  Call Jeffrey Bullock, 484-321-1630 for more info.

Parkesburg Book is here!  Bruce Mowday’s book uses 225 early 20th century photos, most from the library’s collection, to tell Parkesburg’s history.  Buy it here!

Special Computers for Kids - We have 2 computers for kids 2-8 years old.  These PCs have easy to use games that help with spelling, reading, math, writing and typing.

Tumblebook Library is an online collection of TumbleBooks - animated talking picture books that teach kids the joy of reading!  Go to www.ccls.org, click on TUMBLEBOOK LIBRARY.

Learn Microsoft Office and Other Programs Online!
Go to www.ccls.org, Databases, I to P Online Databases, Learning Express Library.

Library Board Meetings: 4th Monday of the month (except July, Aug. & Dec.), 7:00 pm, Parkesburg Borough Hall.
                                               
105 West St., Parkesburg PA
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 12:00-8:00
Friday: 12:00-6:00
Saturday: 9:00-4:00 (9:00-1:00 July & Aug.)

West Nile Virus, What Is It? How To Keep From Being Infected


By Magdalena Stuehrmann
As was reported yesterday in Parkesburg Today, Chester County’s Health Department detected the presence of West Nile virus in trapped mosquitoes in Parkesburg Borough this week.  
Though this is not by any means a cause for panic, it is a cause for caution.   
West Nile virus is not an uncommon disease in the eastern United Sates, but it is not a disease that should be taken lightly.
This mosquito borne member of the viral family called flavivirus was not found in the Western hemisphere until the first case was reported in New York City in 1999. Since then, the virus has spread down through the East Coast and to several Southern and Midwestern states.
The West Nile virus is a member of a family of flaviviruses.  Viruses are not categorized as living things, and are more in the classification of parasites because they cannot reproduce on their own. Viruses instead reproduce by infecting a susceptible host cell, in this case a human body cell, and inserting its own viral genetic information (in this case RNA) into the nucleus of the host cell.
Click to enlarge
Before the West Nile virus can reach human host cells, it must first be carried by a female mosquito. The mosquito becomes the carrier of the virus by first biting an infected creature, almost always a bird.
Crows and jays are the most common avian carriers of the disease, though over 100 other species have been identified as carriers of the virus.
Mosquito then bites a human, transmitting the virus to the human in the mosquito’s saliva, which the mosquito uses to keep the person being bit from feeling the bite.
Luckily, West Nile virus cannot be spread by direct human-to-human contact, which makes it easier to control.
The virus can be spread between humans through blood transfusions and organ transplants, though the risks of getting the disease are far outweighed by the benefits of such procedures. There is the possibility that it may also be transmitted from mother to infant through breast-feeding, though this is still debated.
Anyone has the possibility of contracting West Nile virus, but the possibility of a person developing a more severe form of the disease is increased if that person has a condition that might weaken the immune system, such as HIV, or has recently undergone an organ transplant or chemotherapy, or is either very young or of an older age.
Though West Nile virus sounds like a very scary disease, and it can have serious complications, eighty percent of those infected with the virus show no symptoms of having the disease or experience only mild, flu-like symptoms that last for only a few days.
Symptoms of West Nile virus usually exhibit themselves between 3 and 14 days after infection occurs.
About 20 percent of patients develop what is called West Nile fever – the symptoms include a fever, headache, body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body, swollen lymph glands, abdominal pain, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, sore throat or vomiting.
These are symptoms of a mild case of West Nile virus, but should probably be investigated by a physician to ensure that there are no underlying complications.
1 in every 150 patients with the disease develops very serious conditions called West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. West Nile meningitis is an inflammation of one or more of the three meninges, or layers of membranes that surround the brain.
This can be caused by either the presence of the virus in the meninges due to the virus crossing over the blood-brain barrier, or by the body’s own immune reaction to the virus.
West Nile meningoencephalitis is a condition that resembles both meningitis and encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, at the same time. The presence of either of these very serious conditions may be indicated by the following symptoms: headache, muscle weakness, paralysis, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, or a stupor, which is a state of impaired consciousness, extreme lethargy and reduced activity to external stimuli of the patient.
The presence of any of these symptoms requires immediate medical attention, as they are potentially lethal and debilitating through serious brain damage if they are not treated immediately and properly.
Treatment for the more mild cases of West Nile virus is simply treatment of the symptoms – there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus.
A physician will determine the proper treatment of the patient by taking into consideration a wide variety of factors about the specific person and the way the virus has affected them.
There is not currently a vaccine for West Nile virus and it is still rather rare for West Nile virus infection to occur in humans.  So the best way to avoid having to worry about all these complications is to avoid contracting the disease in the first place.
Some simple steps people can take to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitoes include:
  • Use mosquito repellent with DEET. and apply to both clothing and exposed skin.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants that have been treated with DEET repellents
  • Stay indoors at the peak times for West-Nile-carrying mosquitoes, which are dawn, dusk, and early evening.
  • Fix any holes in screens
  • Remove standing water sources around the home. 
  • Don't handle any dead birds as they may have the West Nile virus infection.
Though West Nile virus can have some very serious complications and should be taken seriously, it is certainly not a panic-worthy occurrence, as most cases are quite mild, and, with proper precautions, it is possible to avoid contracting the disease in the first place.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

West Nile Virus Found In Parkesburg

 
This from the Daily Local News website this afternoon:

WEST CHESTER – Mosquitoes found in traps placed by the Chester County Health Department at Greenfield Park in the West Chester Borough have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The traps were placed throughout the borough as part of routine surveillance conducted by the Health Department officials.

Mosquitoes in Parkesburg Borough and at Wilson Farm Park in Trefyffrin Township were also found to be carrying the virus . The Health Department is monitoring these areas and will look for signs in surrounding areas. If needed, the department will consider control activities.

According to the Health Department, chances of contracting West Nile Virus from a mosquito are small, and serious health risks from the virus are even smaller. Still, the department recommends that residents stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, as well as wearing long sleeve loose fitting shirts and pants with insect repellent if out during these hours.

The entire article is here.

Here's the official announcement from Chester County's Health Department with precautions residents should take to eliminate mosquito-breeding environments.

West Nile Virus Found in Parkesburg

School Calendar Turns Into A Fund Raiser


 
By Magdelena Suehrmann

Octorara High School junior, Ally Reel and her mother as well as Ms. Thwaites, a librarian at Octorara, have started a new program to ensure that community members, students and their parents have access to Octorara school calendars. 

The calendars were originally distributed free to each student, but, due to looming budget cuts, this will not be happening in the future.

Instead, Ms. Reel, who is in concert band and is a section leader for the marching band colour guard, will be doing this as her senior project for graduation.

The calendars will be available for ten dollars to any interested parties and order forms are available online and at the high school office, Monday through Thursday.
Completed order forms and payment should be dropped off at the high school office on the same days.

Some calendars will be available at the open house, but the prepaid sales will determine the print qualities, so it is advisable to order early.

This will be a fundraiser for the band and the Octorara Performing Arts group, in which Ms. Reel is deeply involved. She says, “The Octorara Band program and Octorara Performing Arts provide students the opportunity to learn and grow and develop self-confidence and awareness through music and performance - while also having fun and making many new friends. The staff at Octorara - Mr. Cullen, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Thwaites and Mr. Reynolds - who lead these activities are great!”

Ms. Reel has been a participant in the musicals and plays since her freshman year, and, as mentioned above, is an active participant in band.

It is no wonder she created a project like this that will benefit not only the programs that she loves, but will also help the community to stay informed about the goings-on at Octorara, including the band and Performing Arts Group performances.


The Calendar Story In Ally Reel's Own Words

About 2 years ago, my mother heard a rumor that the school was not going to provide the school calendar. 

She approached Dr. Newcome to see if the rumor was true and to ask if the calendar could become a fundraiser for a school group. Dr. Newcome said the day was coming when the calendar would be cut from the budget and he liked the idea of a group producing the calendar.

Well - next year's budget cuts include production of the school calendar so a fundraiser was born!

The calendar content will remain essentially the same including dates provided by the school principals and various departments within the district for all scheduled events.
We will be adding recommended reading lists for all grade levels, some additional information provided by the High School Guidance office, and, of course, samples of art work and photos of students throughout.

We are using the same printer so the calendar will be the same size as last year. We have also added a bonus - a miniature version of the calendar that easily fits in a purse.

We are also providing the opportunity to order additional calendars to be given to grandparents or to keep at the office so no one misses that special concert or other event.

My family really plans our life around the school calendar. We hope many families see the same value in the calendar and support this project. We expect this to be an annual fundraiser for band and the Octorara Performing Arts group and hope that this year the project is a success!

Order forms is available below as well as on the home page for each school building. There is also a supply in each school office and the district office. 

Order forms may be returned to the student's building office and I collect those on a weekly basis.

Calendar Order Form

Local Newspapers Notice Vogelsong

LancasterOnline takes notice of Octorara's Ryan Vogelsong who is enjoying a stellar season with the San Francisco Giants. 
"Octorara's Vogelsong revives career as key member of Giants' pitching staff"

So reads the headline on LancasterOnline's sport page this morning.

The money quote:
"Beat the bushes for the past five years as Octorara grad Ryan Vogelsong has done, spend more than a few of the 1,760 days you're out of the big leagues questioning yourself and your future, and you learn what's important."
Read the entire article here.

And in the Daily Local News this morning a wonderful article by sports writer Andy Edwards detailing Vogelsong's long and winding road from playing infield for Sonny Skiles' Octorara High School squad, becoming a full time pitcher at Kutztown, being drafted by the Giants, then traded to the Pirates, then to Japan, then being cut by the Phillies last Summer and finally signing with the Giants this year.

The Daily Local News article is full of great money quotes.  Here are a few:

Expressing the pain he felt when he was cut by the Phillies in 2010:
"Obviously, being a Philly guy and growing up in the area, they were always my team.  It hurt when I got released, but more so because a dream of mine to be a Phillie died that day. It happens to a lot of people but when it's a team that you really want to play for, and you've always dreamed of playing for them, it hurts, man. At the same time, it took that kind of incident to reevaluate my career and what I was doing to get me to that point."

On playing in Japan:
"It's tough, but it is what you make it.  You can go over there and shelter yourself and not experience Japanese culture, you can go over there and lock yourself in your apartment and do nothing but go to the field, which I saw people do, and those guys didn't really play too well. It's important to try, at least for me and my wife, to live as close to a normal life as we were living in the states. I think trying to live a normal life helped me play better on the field."

About his wife Nicole whom he met while playing in Pittsburgh:
"We balance each other out well.  She's an optimist, I'm a realist, and when I think things are going down the drain she always tells me they're going to be all right. She's been great. I definitely wouldn't be where I'm at without her. Everything I've been through, she's been through with me."
Read the entire Daily Local News article here.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Fulton Bank Names New Branch Manager



Carolyn D. Vincent (pictured above) of Little Britain was named branch manager at Fulton Bank’s Parkesburg office.

Vincent will manage sales growth and the daily operations of the branch.

Previously, she was assistant branch manager at Fulton Bank’s Jennersville office.

Vincent joined Fulton Bank in 2008.

Parkesburg Detective Provides Tips For Avoiding Car Theft

For the last six weeks, the Daily Local News and local law enforcement professionals from across Chester County have offered readers crime prevention tips for various topics, including identity theft, abduction, carjacking, date rape, home burglary. 

Parkesburg police department together with Chester County Detectives and the West Whiteland, West Chester, Coatesville, Upper Uwchlan police departments have assisted the Daily Local News develop the story..

In the newest segment, Parkesburg Police Detective Ryan Murtagh provides tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of a motor vehicle theft or theft from a motor vehicle. 

Here's the video:

 

Civil Air Patrol Seeks Youth Membership


This from the Community Courier:

The Civil Air Patrol, a U.S. Air Force auxiliary, offers youths ages 12 to 18 years opportunities in aerospace education, search and rescue, leadership training, disaster relief and other community activities. 

Participants learn survival skills, participate in aviation-related activities and learn leadership skills. Pilots and other adults are welcome to visit and learn about opportunities for volunteers.

Chester County Squadron 1008 meets Thursdays from 6:45 to 9 p.m. at Westwood Fire Hall five minutes east of Parkesburg along Route 372, with the exception of the second Thursday of the month, when the group meets at the Chester County Airport.

For more information, interested persons may visit the squadron website at sites.google.com/site/cap1008org/, email crgerth@verizon.net or call 484-919-7783.