Winterfest to be held Feb. 28, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
By Rick Marts, Correspondent, The Times
At Monday’s Council meeting, Kennett Square Borough Mayor Matthew Fetick (left) administers the oath of office to new Kennett Square Police Department officer Donald Matthew (Matt) Creighton (right), a former state trooper and U.S. armed services veteran. Creighton’s wife, Leslie, holds the Bible as she witnesses the ceremony.
No one is guaranteed their mythical 15 minutes of fame. But last night, teenagers Keyanna Phipps and Aalana Vasquez of the Borough’s Historic East Linden Neighborhood made a propitious start on experiencing theirs.
In conjunction with National Night Out, Council President Spencer and Mayor Fetick presented Phipps and Vasquez, each with smiles from ear to ear, with certificates of recognition and appreciation for their outstanding commitment to their Historic East Linden neighborhood—otherwise known as the “Joseph and Sarah Carter Community”—and the police officers of the Kennett Square Police Department.
National Night Out is an annual event, usually occurring in August, that encompasses 10 thousand communities and 37 million people nationwide. In conjunction with local police organizations, this event focuses on bringing neighbors and communities together at festivals, block parties, cookouts, parades, and various other similar events for the purpose of informing them about such programs as drug prevention initiatives, town watch organizations, or even tips on how to burglar-proof private homes.
At Monday’s Council meeting, Kennett Square Borough Mayor Matthew Fetick (right) and Borough Council President Leon Spencer (left) present Aalana Louise Vasquez (left center) and Keyanna Tonya Phipps (right center) with certificates of recognition and appreciation for their commitment to their neighborhood and the police department.
Phipps and Vasquez demonstrated their commitment to their neighborhood and to the Borough’s police department by independently obtaining the signatures of all 15 members of the department, including Chief Zunino’s.
By swearing in Donald Matthew (Matt) Creighton as a part-time police officer, the Borough’s police department now has its 16th member.
Officer Creighton began his career in law enforcement as a state trooper assigned to the Avondale Barracks. After a long stint there, Creighton joined the armed services and served several tours in the Mid-East. His service to country completed, he returned to Pennsylvania to continue his career as a state trooper in several Philadelphia area barracks.
Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Mary Hutchens reported that the winter Farmers Market and the Art Stroll will occur this Friday, December 5. She also highlighted Winterfest 2015, which will be presented by the Kennett Brewfest on Saturday, February 28, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On their website (www.kennettwinterfest.com), organizers of Winterfest say, “Bundle up and enjoy winter brews from at least 40 unique craft breweries. Tickets are $65 and includes unlimited tastings and warm food from The Country Butcher. Music will be provided by the Shady Groove Trio, comprised of local musicians with ties to Philadelphia who are known for their ability to get everyone moving. This is an all-weather event with a heated tent to warm up. The event will be held in the center of town on South Broad Street between State and Cypress Streets.”
Winterfest organizers also remind attendees that all must be over 21 years old and no children, including infants, or pets are allowed. In case of a winter storm, the event will be rescheduled, but tickets will not be refunded.
The Council’s major piece of business last night was to pass its balanced 2015 operating budget and a new tax ordinance that includes a one-mill increase in the property tax to a new level of 6.35 mills per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $635 on a property assessed at $100,000, and a 3-percent increase in water, sewer, and solid waste fees.
In his report, Council President announced that no Council meeting will be held on the regularly scheduled third Monday of the month, December 15.
