"The Greening of Whitney Brown" is an upcoming family movie backed by Unionville's own Ed Fitts (chairman/CEO of Dopaco [Downingtown Paper Co]). Stars Brooke Shields, Aidan Quinn and Kris Kristofferson and the young Sammi Hanratty and some beautiful Gypsy Vanner horses. Fitts and his partner, Sue Rathbone, are executive producers.
It's in post-production and should be released in 2011. Already has its own Facebook page! Can't wait!
http://www.gypsyvanner.com/sales/category/the-greening-of-whitney-brown/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1507564/
http://crushable.com/entertainment/sammi-hanratty-in-the-greening-of-whitney-brown/
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wood
Hugh Lofting Timber Framing has moved its shop from Willowdale to Mill Road in Kennett Square (south of the bypass and Line Road, not the unpaved part of Mill Road). They do amazing work. Website has a cool video.
Superintendent
We ran into Sharon Parker (not literally) at an event recently and were, as always, so impressed with her seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm. Here's a school district superintendent who wears so many hats, juggles so many balls, deals with such unfair criticism -- and is still out there kneeling down to talk to an elementary-school kid. She's a great ambassador for our school district.
And look at this website! A wealth of information.
We were involved in an interesting discussion the other day about whether the district should drastically cut its sports programs. The proponent argued that the cost savings could be amazing, and given the plethora of youth programs run by the Y, the URA and such (and the huge crowds they attract), kids would certainly not lack options for exercise, competition, team-building skills, etc.
And look at this website! A wealth of information.
We were involved in an interesting discussion the other day about whether the district should drastically cut its sports programs. The proponent argued that the cost savings could be amazing, and given the plethora of youth programs run by the Y, the URA and such (and the huge crowds they attract), kids would certainly not lack options for exercise, competition, team-building skills, etc.
Shell of its former self
Take a drive past the late Mrs. Bird's place on Route 842. The new owners, Russell and Donnan Jones, have stripped it down to an absolute shell, just the brick walls (but oh, what memories those walls hold). It'll be interesting to see what miracles Archer & Buchanan will perform in the coming months!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
New Bolton
Great story from "The Hunt" magazine about the new James M. Moran, Jr. Critical Care Center at New Bolton. Lots of photos of local people. http://thehuntmagazine.com/party/2010/06/new-bolton/#ixzz0suWXvILm
HOT meeting
We hear that tonight's West Marlborough township meeting is going to be HOT in more ways than one. There's going to be further discussion of the proposed historical preservation changes to the zoning ordinance; this has proven to be a divisive issue that inexplicably has gotten absolutely no press. I mean, how often do you have members of an historical commission admitting, at a public meeting, that they are embarrassed to be associated with the committee? Yet that's just what Helen Martin and Nancy Truitt did last time.
They, and some citizens, believe the changes will diminish homeowners' property rights. But other members of the group, including architect Richard Buchanan, and at least two of the three township supervisors say the changes will strengthen the township defenses against developers and reduce PennDOT's ability to widen country roads. Mark Myers (retired Xerox executive, head of Chesco Historical Society board) is chairing the embattled group.
There are reasonable people on both sides of this one.
Also at the meeting there will probably be more on The Whip's ongoing, and ongoing, and ongoing parking problems. And possibly more on a mushroom grower's fascinating solar power proposal.
Bring a palm-leaf fan in case you or the person next to you swoons in the heat. 7 p.m.
They, and some citizens, believe the changes will diminish homeowners' property rights. But other members of the group, including architect Richard Buchanan, and at least two of the three township supervisors say the changes will strengthen the township defenses against developers and reduce PennDOT's ability to widen country roads. Mark Myers (retired Xerox executive, head of Chesco Historical Society board) is chairing the embattled group.
There are reasonable people on both sides of this one.
Also at the meeting there will probably be more on The Whip's ongoing, and ongoing, and ongoing parking problems. And possibly more on a mushroom grower's fascinating solar power proposal.
Bring a palm-leaf fan in case you or the person next to you swoons in the heat. 7 p.m.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Philanthropist
This is quite an impressive gift! Unionville resident Lockwood Rush donated an important portrait of his colonial ancestor Benjamin Rush to Dickinson College, which Dr. Rush founded.
http://www.dickinson.edu/giving/stories/Important_Rush_portrait_finds_home_at_Dickinson/
For more on Locke Rush, who is a fascinating man of many talents: http://www.findingthewayhome.com/
http://www.dickinson.edu/giving/stories/Important_Rush_portrait_finds_home_at_Dickinson/
For more on Locke Rush, who is a fascinating man of many talents: http://www.findingthewayhome.com/
Welcome Jesse!
Congratulations to Unionville High School alumna (and Wall of Fame honoree) Chris Barber, who is celebrating the birth of her second grandson.
Just amazing
Is Runnymede the most beautifully kept farm in the county, or what? Everytime I drive by (this past week, during haying), I'm just astonished. Well done to the Youngs, all the hard-working employees and of course the visionary Mrs. W!
Not a traffic circle
I confess: I was a naysayer at first, but I really enjoy the roundabout.
And now, if Pocopson and PennDOT can get the design details worked out, one is going to be built on Route 52 near the prison and county home. Yay! Another reason to look forward to going to Simon Pearce for lunch.
And now, if Pocopson and PennDOT can get the design details worked out, one is going to be built on Route 52 near the prison and county home. Yay! Another reason to look forward to going to Simon Pearce for lunch.
Grandes Dames
There's a story on the new Communidad Hispana building in Kennett at http://www.southernchestercountyweeklies.com/articles/2010/07/03/kennett_paper/news/doc4c2b5299d06f5058711781.txt. Betty Moran and Alice Moorhead chaired the campaign committee.
This reminds me of a conversation I had about all of the Unionville Grandes Dames who have left us recently: Mrs. Ledyard, Mrs. Hannum, Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Lofting...
This reminds me of a conversation I had about all of the Unionville Grandes Dames who have left us recently: Mrs. Ledyard, Mrs. Hannum, Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Lofting...
Sir John
Linda Dougherty has a nice piece on the history of the Thouron estate, now owned and being renovated by Richard Hayne, in her "Pennsylvania Thoroughbred" blog:
http://pathoroughbred.blogspot.com/2010/06/aristocracy-and-equines.html
http://pathoroughbred.blogspot.com/2010/06/aristocracy-and-equines.html
Unionville Fair
Dates for this year's Fair (the 86th!) are Oct. 1, 2 and 3. Mark your calendar. www.ucfairinc.org
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Receivership activities
We beg to differ with the letter-writer in last month's "Horse of Delaware Valley" who said he was sick to death of hearing about Tony Young. And we suspect that most locals disagree with him, too: there's no better way to get a conversation started than "So what do you hear, is Richard Hayne going to tear the place down, or what?"
So for those of you who are interested, here's a lengthy report from the Court-Appointed Receiver about how the wheels of justice have been turning: http://02df6a4.netsolhost.com/scndrpt.pdf.
So for those of you who are interested, here's a lengthy report from the Court-Appointed Receiver about how the wheels of justice have been turning: http://02df6a4.netsolhost.com/scndrpt.pdf.
Location
Though M. Night's new movie "The Last Airbender" is getting thoroughly panned, we'll all go see it just because it was filmed around here. Just like we went to see "The Village" and "The Happening," both of which were wretched.
Still, it was kind of exciting last summer seeing all the film equipment and vans and lights parked in the staging area at Unionville Elementary.
Still, it was kind of exciting last summer seeing all the film equipment and vans and lights parked in the staging area at Unionville Elementary.
Dr. Ost
Dr. Mary-Anne Ost has opened a second office, 200 Old Forge Lane in Kennett Square (off Route 1, just east of Bayard Road), in addition to her Jennersville Hospital office. 610-388-8500. Dr. Ost is a terrific and kind doctor and an all-around good human being, as well as being a competitive side-saddle rider!
Remember her?
Wow. Here's an item about the late Diana Reeve (sculptor Clayton Bright's aunt) from the society page of a 1945 newspaper. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2293&dat=19450722&id=WdAmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mgIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1613,5457334
Trainer/jockey/spiritual seeker Chip Miller reminisces about Miss Reeve in his blog, Snufleupagus: http://snufleupagus.blogspot.com/
Trainer/jockey/spiritual seeker Chip Miller reminisces about Miss Reeve in his blog, Snufleupagus: http://snufleupagus.blogspot.com/
Keepin' it real
The Daily Local News has a story on municipal buildings, contrasting West Marlborough's utilitarian garage/meeting hall/office/polling place in Doe Run with the likes of West Whiteland's grandiose structure in Exton (ick). The reporter interviewed longtime West Marlborough supervisor Hugh Lofting and shot this video.
Violence
Looks like Houyhnhnm Farm (Nina Burnaford and Jeff Seder) along Route 82 had some trees ripped in half with prejudice during the extremely localized June 24 thunderstorm.
A pittance!
Lydia Willits Bartholomew of Plumstead Farm is having a spot of bother with the Feds. Seems her National Bank of Malvern broke a few rules regarding loans, and seven of the directors were fined $5,000 each. Her response? "I believe that the insignificant dollar amount of the civil money penalty speaks for itself."
Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/97136624.html
Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/97136624.html
Walnut Green
Realtor Brett Jones has Walnut Green, his family's farm, up for sale for $3.75 million. The senior Jones, Russell, and his wife Donnan have moved to Betty Bird's former farm just a few miles to the east.
Here's the listing: http://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/PropertyDetails.aspx?R=104242076
Here's the listing: http://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/PropertyDetails.aspx?R=104242076
Catherine's open for breakfast and lunch!
See hours and menus at http://www.catherinesrestaurant.com/.
Parking is in the back.
Parking is in the back.
It's a Small World
The interesting Tony Young/Whip connection was in The Philadelphia Inquirer's business page on Saturday, June 26. Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20100626_Investment-scheme_lawsuit_targets_Chester_County_tavern.html
Mentioned in this story are Whip investors Michael and Billie Bailkin, who live on Route 842 (Upland Rd) just west of U-ville. Here is a story about their home, Fox Hill Farm, from the guy who designed it, architect Richard Buchanan of Mercer Hill Farm. More than coincidentally, there's a piece early on in the book about Tony's house, too ("Springdell Residence").
The Chester County Press' gadfly columnist "Uncle Irv" (Irv Lieberman) has a story about Tony in the June 30 edition in which he refers to The Whip as "a West Marlborough horsey set watering hole." Here's the link: http://www.chestercounty.com/magazines/CCP%206-30-10/pageflip.html
Mentioned in this story are Whip investors Michael and Billie Bailkin, who live on Route 842 (Upland Rd) just west of U-ville. Here is a story about their home, Fox Hill Farm, from the guy who designed it, architect Richard Buchanan of Mercer Hill Farm. More than coincidentally, there's a piece early on in the book about Tony's house, too ("Springdell Residence").
The Chester County Press' gadfly columnist "Uncle Irv" (Irv Lieberman) has a story about Tony in the June 30 edition in which he refers to The Whip as "a West Marlborough horsey set watering hole." Here's the link: http://www.chestercounty.com/magazines/CCP%206-30-10/pageflip.html
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