Some Chadds Ford residents mentioned they had heard that the Route 926 bridge over the Brandywine will be closed this autumn for reconstruction. They are used to finding ways around the bridge, because it often floods, but were surprised that no signs were up warning of the imminent closure.
I did some quick research and found out that yes, the bridge is in fact scheduled to be rebuilt, but construction bids won't even be opened until October 2011. The Pocopson Township website, http://www.pocopson.org/, has more details on the forthcoming project.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Oak trees
I don't think there have ever been so many acorns on the driveway. My car crunches over them like dozens of bags of Herr's potato chips. Is this an indicator that it will be a snowy, cold winter? Or is it that the oak trees along the driveway have reached a certain level of maturity and upped their acorn production?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Good company
Nancy Penn Smith Hannum and Roy Jackson will be inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 13.
The one-of-a-kind Mrs. Hannum, who died this spring, was the master for Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds for more than 50 years and was an ardent conservationist.
Mr. Jackson, who will join his hugely popular racehorse Barbaro as a Hall of Fame member, is being honored for his commitment to baseball. It came as a surprise to me to learn that Mr. Jackson used to own the minor-league baseball teams the Tucson Toros and the York Pirates; served as president of minor-league baseball teams; and was formerly president of Convest, Inc., which represented professional ballplayers. (Thanks to AlexBrownRacing's website for the info.)
The one-of-a-kind Mrs. Hannum, who died this spring, was the master for Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds for more than 50 years and was an ardent conservationist.
Mr. Jackson, who will join his hugely popular racehorse Barbaro as a Hall of Fame member, is being honored for his commitment to baseball. It came as a surprise to me to learn that Mr. Jackson used to own the minor-league baseball teams the Tucson Toros and the York Pirates; served as president of minor-league baseball teams; and was formerly president of Convest, Inc., which represented professional ballplayers. (Thanks to AlexBrownRacing's website for the info.)
Mason-Dixon line
In the late 18th century, astronomer Charles Mason and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon established the border line between Pennsylvania and Maryland with astonishing accuracy in order to settle a boundary dispute. They placed stones (imported from England) every mile and crownstones every 5 miles.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Todd Babcock, chairman of the Mason and Dixon Line Preservation Partnership, will be discussing this remarkable feat in a lecture at Primitive Hall in West Marlborough. Tickets are $35 and include a reception before the talk. For more information visit the Hall's website, http://www.primitivehall.org/.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Todd Babcock, chairman of the Mason and Dixon Line Preservation Partnership, will be discussing this remarkable feat in a lecture at Primitive Hall in West Marlborough. Tickets are $35 and include a reception before the talk. For more information visit the Hall's website, http://www.primitivehall.org/.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Flat Coca-Cola and applesauce
The stomach bug scourge has made its unpleasant way through our household, and we are back in business. An appetite is a wonderful thing! I was ridiculously pleased to learn that many others around here were similarly afflicted; misery does indeed love company.
Silence
Friends from two local Quaker meetings have mentioned that latecomers are becoming an issue. This is especially disruptive in the Quaker tradition because, rather than a hymn or procession, First Day worship begins by settling in, sitting in silence and quieting the mind. It seems that a tactful word to the offenders and even notices in the monthly bulletin haven't solved the problem.
On Line
There's a for-sale sign at Verizon's office building and garage on Line Road, near Newark Road. And just to the west of it, at the vacant lot at the corner of Line and Newark Roads, the graffiti-scarred decorative gate has been removed, the goldenrod and vines have grown back, and I'm assuming plans to build medical offices are permanently off the table.
It seems to me that both parcels are in a strategic location, just off the Route 1 bypass and on a nicely repaved road.
And out in Avondale, J&L Building Materials Inc. will be moving into the former Pyle's hardware store. When we drove past the other day, there was lots of site work already going on.
It seems to me that both parcels are in a strategic location, just off the Route 1 bypass and on a nicely repaved road.
And out in Avondale, J&L Building Materials Inc. will be moving into the former Pyle's hardware store. When we drove past the other day, there was lots of site work already going on.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The art world
A belated RIP to Deborah Remington, an abstract artist who lived in Manhattan but had a summer place on a quiet back road near Embreeville, where she would paint, garden, entertain -- and fight a never-ending battle against groundhogs. She died this spring at age 79.
One Sweet app
Call me behind the times -- and I won't deny it -- but I found this utterly remarkable.
During exercise class at the gym on Monday afternoon, our instructor was playing an oldies mix, and one song was "Fox on the Run."
"What band is this?" I asked.
Rebecca, the young woman next to me, simply picked up her smart phone, went over to the speaker and held it up. "Listening," said the message on the device. A screen labeled "Shazam" popped up, she pushed a button on the screen and after a moment it rendered its verdict: "Fox on the Run" by Sweet.
I'm speechless.
During exercise class at the gym on Monday afternoon, our instructor was playing an oldies mix, and one song was "Fox on the Run."
"What band is this?" I asked.
Rebecca, the young woman next to me, simply picked up her smart phone, went over to the speaker and held it up. "Listening," said the message on the device. A screen labeled "Shazam" popped up, she pushed a button on the screen and after a moment it rendered its verdict: "Fox on the Run" by Sweet.
I'm speechless.
Cheshire news
One week after the opening meet of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds, Nina S. Strawbridge resigned as one of the hunt's masters of foxhounds. Russell B. Jones Jr. and F. Bruce Miller remain as the masters and Michael Ledyard joins them as a new master.
Garden report
This year's Epic Fail in the flower garden was, believe it or not, cosmos. This beautiful annual is usually an easy mainstay of my garden, but this year I decided to buy already-growing plants rather than starting them from seed. Bad choice: The plants withered within days, leaving an embarrassingly empty half-row.
2009's disappointment was celosia, which also withered. As a result I have great admiration for the gorgeous crop of maroon-colored crested celosia (also known as cockscomb) that's thriving in someone's front garden along Street Road, between Mill Road and the New Bolton Center.
2009's disappointment was celosia, which also withered. As a result I have great admiration for the gorgeous crop of maroon-colored crested celosia (also known as cockscomb) that's thriving in someone's front garden along Street Road, between Mill Road and the New Bolton Center.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Terrain
West Marlborough residents and township supervisors alike are curious about Richard Hayne's plans for the three adjoining properties he has amassed near the village of Springdell. Mr. Hayne, the founder of clothing chain Urban Outfitters, has purchased the Thouron estate; the large house just across Thouron Road built by now-disgraced investment advisor Tony Young; and another farm south on Thouron Road and is doing extensive renovations, including erecting greenhouses and installing a creamery for the production of artisanal cheese and yogurt.
Vote!
On Monday morning in downtown Kennett we saw tireless volunteer Pat Horrocks of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters registering citizens for the Nov. 2 general election. The deadline to register is Oct. 4.
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