I've been asked to weigh in on the Whitewing Farm controversy in East Marlborough, and I'm reluctant to do so because I don't know the people involved or what's really going on behind the scenes. (In short: Neighbors claim that the wedding receptions at the Valley Road farm are noisy and draw traffic; the new owner said he bought the place thinking that such receptions were permitted.)
What I will say is that I fear this is going to become East Marlborough's version of the ongoing "Springdell 8" versus the Whip Tavern battle here in West Marlborough, which has brought nothing but rancor, bitterness, neighbors not speaking to neighbors, and sky-high township legal fees paid for by us taxpayers. The Whitewing Farm controversy seems to have exactly the same components, and I really hope it gets settled before the parties' positions become set in stone, emotion and ego take over, and it becomes far more about scoring points than resolving a noise and traffic dispute.
If it hasn't reached that point already.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Speaking from experience
You'd think that by now I'd be used to how tough horse people are, but I'm constantly amazed.
A friend of mine said that last week her horse had knocked her down and then vaulted over her. She said she immediately assessed her injuries, and although she was bleeding and badly bruised, she knew nothing was broken.
"When a bone is broken, you know it. You feel this sort of electric pulse. It's very distinctive," she said, as if she were a gourmet explaining the difference between imported and domestic prosciutto. She said that in an accident years ago she knew right away that her shoulder was fractured; "what I didn't know is that it was dislocated, too."
A friend of mine said that last week her horse had knocked her down and then vaulted over her. She said she immediately assessed her injuries, and although she was bleeding and badly bruised, she knew nothing was broken.
"When a bone is broken, you know it. You feel this sort of electric pulse. It's very distinctive," she said, as if she were a gourmet explaining the difference between imported and domestic prosciutto. She said that in an accident years ago she knew right away that her shoulder was fractured; "what I didn't know is that it was dislocated, too."
Can't change the weather
Friday night I went to the Taqueria Moroleon on Route 41 with two pals for a wonderful dinner. I had the beef burrito, which was just delicious.
"This place never disappoints," one friend said as we were leaving, and he's absolutely right.
So I was walking to my car and saw a couple having dinner on the deck. It was 9:30 p.m., but it was still miserably hot and humid.
"You're sitting outside?" I said incredulously.
They were a friendly, happy, relaxed couple, and they explained that they just like to live in harmony with whatever the weather brings, hot or cold.
"Now, if it was cold, you would wish it was hot, right?" the woman asked me. "Well, see, now it's hot."
"This is true!" I agreed, laughing, and the guy gave me a high-five.
"This place never disappoints," one friend said as we were leaving, and he's absolutely right.
So I was walking to my car and saw a couple having dinner on the deck. It was 9:30 p.m., but it was still miserably hot and humid.
"You're sitting outside?" I said incredulously.
They were a friendly, happy, relaxed couple, and they explained that they just like to live in harmony with whatever the weather brings, hot or cold.
"Now, if it was cold, you would wish it was hot, right?" the woman asked me. "Well, see, now it's hot."
"This is true!" I agreed, laughing, and the guy gave me a high-five.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Fast food in downtown Kennett?
"Multiple fast-food restaurants" are being proposed for Larry Bosley's office building at 148 West State Street in downtown Kennett.
The zoning board will meet to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Borough Hall. Bosley would need a special exception from the borough's zoning ordinance for the use.
"But, Tilda," you say. "This is Kennett, not West Marlborough! How did you find out about this?"
Well, I was walking past the building with a fellow former reporter after an evening at the Half-Moon and we saw a sign saying that the property was the site of a zoning hearing. Once a reporter, always a reporter: we picked up a copy of the official notice and realized this was some interesting and potentially controversial news.
The zoning board will meet to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Borough Hall. Bosley would need a special exception from the borough's zoning ordinance for the use.
"But, Tilda," you say. "This is Kennett, not West Marlborough! How did you find out about this?"
Well, I was walking past the building with a fellow former reporter after an evening at the Half-Moon and we saw a sign saying that the property was the site of a zoning hearing. Once a reporter, always a reporter: we picked up a copy of the official notice and realized this was some interesting and potentially controversial news.
Letting my freak flag fly
What do you associate Tilda with: Gala parties? Equestrian events? West Marlborough issues?
All true, certainly, but wait til you hear this: I went to the Brandywine Valley Association's Third Annual Dead Fest on Thursday evening. "Dead" as in, the local musicians played Grateful Dead songs and drew a gigantic crowd of 21st-century flower children.
The weather was gorgeous, the music sounded great -- when was the last time you heard "Mexicali Blues"? -- and the acoustics at the BVA's amphitheater are terrific.
But the real fun was the people-watching. Put simply, it was NOT the Unionville steeplechase crowd. Tie-dyed shirts were everywhere. A lot of the women wore flowing skirts and bare feet, the better to dance in front of the stage. I spotted one woman in white bell-bottoms with a Pucci-like paisley print; does she get them out of her closet just for the Dead Fest? A couple of sinuous women were performing some really quite remarkable feats with hula hoops.
A young friend of mine who came to the Fest from Oxford -- it's a highlight of her summer -- said she deliberately dressed down rather than in her hippie finery because "it seems like some people just want to stand out," she explained apologetically.
But for the most part it was just a big family picnic. Kids were running all over the place, not deterred by the steep slope of the hillside, and they were very well-behaved and polite. I enjoyed the sight of a tiny infant being carried by his big, burly, bearded, long-haired Dad.
Bob Struble was there with his BVA display, greeting people and encouraging them to join the environmental organization. And at the gate volunteers were passing out green tote bags emblazoned with ads for a mortgage broker and an attorney.
One unfortunate note: I saw, and smelled, a lot of people smoking (cigarettes). How can you be "green" and concerned about the environment while polluting everyone's air and poisoning your body?
All true, certainly, but wait til you hear this: I went to the Brandywine Valley Association's Third Annual Dead Fest on Thursday evening. "Dead" as in, the local musicians played Grateful Dead songs and drew a gigantic crowd of 21st-century flower children.
The weather was gorgeous, the music sounded great -- when was the last time you heard "Mexicali Blues"? -- and the acoustics at the BVA's amphitheater are terrific.
But the real fun was the people-watching. Put simply, it was NOT the Unionville steeplechase crowd. Tie-dyed shirts were everywhere. A lot of the women wore flowing skirts and bare feet, the better to dance in front of the stage. I spotted one woman in white bell-bottoms with a Pucci-like paisley print; does she get them out of her closet just for the Dead Fest? A couple of sinuous women were performing some really quite remarkable feats with hula hoops.
A young friend of mine who came to the Fest from Oxford -- it's a highlight of her summer -- said she deliberately dressed down rather than in her hippie finery because "it seems like some people just want to stand out," she explained apologetically.
But for the most part it was just a big family picnic. Kids were running all over the place, not deterred by the steep slope of the hillside, and they were very well-behaved and polite. I enjoyed the sight of a tiny infant being carried by his big, burly, bearded, long-haired Dad.
Bob Struble was there with his BVA display, greeting people and encouraging them to join the environmental organization. And at the gate volunteers were passing out green tote bags emblazoned with ads for a mortgage broker and an attorney.
One unfortunate note: I saw, and smelled, a lot of people smoking (cigarettes). How can you be "green" and concerned about the environment while polluting everyone's air and poisoning your body?
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Supermarkets
I didn't make it to the closing sale at the Kennett Genuardi's, but a friend did. Her report: "Spent $128; saved $55. Not bad! And bought lots of nonperishables for food drives."
I'm eager to see what the new Giant will look like (it opens Sunday, July 8), though I find myself much more often in the neighborhood of the Kennett and Jennersville locations than I do this new one. I was in the Genuardi's only once or twice.
And by the way, did you know that the Superfresh offers 5% off your grocery bill (with some items excluded) on Tuesdays for shoppers age 55 and up? Not that I'm in this demographic quite yet, at least not in chronological terms.
I'm eager to see what the new Giant will look like (it opens Sunday, July 8), though I find myself much more often in the neighborhood of the Kennett and Jennersville locations than I do this new one. I was in the Genuardi's only once or twice.
And by the way, did you know that the Superfresh offers 5% off your grocery bill (with some items excluded) on Tuesdays for shoppers age 55 and up? Not that I'm in this demographic quite yet, at least not in chronological terms.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wedgewood blues
"
It happened on June 24 on a cul-de-sac off Route 52 near Fairville, in Pennsbury Township. She said a neighbor's car was hit as well: the thief took change but left behind the owner's brand-new set of golf clubs.
"Guess they were just after quick cash, and hit the jackpot here," she said ruefully.
It happened on June 24 on a cul-de-sac off Route 52 near Fairville, in Pennsbury Township. She said a neighbor's car was hit as well: the thief took change but left behind the owner's brand-new set of golf clubs.
"Guess they were just after quick cash, and hit the jackpot here," she said ruefully.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Church for sale
There's a small church on Strasburg Road in East Fallowfield that always has a big sign by the road exhorting passersby to "REPENT." I drove by the other evening and noticed that the property is for sale. I did an Internet search and found that last fall its longtime pastor was arrested on some extremely unsavory charges; he pleaded guilty and is facing sentencing in county court. "He's looking at a mandatory five years in state prison," Daily Local News court reporter Michael Rellahan tells me.
The agent notes on the property listing: "Current use is a church. Can be converted to a residential property. Needs rehabbed if converted to residence. No kitchen at present." The photos show a main room with pews and a lectern, and an office space.
The price of the 1.4-acre property has been dropped to $104,900. There's no word on whether the sign is included.
The agent notes on the property listing: "Current use is a church. Can be converted to a residential property. Needs rehabbed if converted to residence. No kitchen at present." The photos show a main room with pews and a lectern, and an office space.
The price of the 1.4-acre property has been dropped to $104,900. There's no word on whether the sign is included.
Welcome, Summer
Social life in Unionville can be something of an island: when you're invited to a party at X's place, you pretty much know who's going to be there.
But not so much at a friend's annual Summer Solstice party, held this year on Saturday. (Yes, there's a big bonfire. No, we don't wear Druid robes.) It's always a refreshing mixture of folks.
I thought I recognized one guest as a West Chester pastry chef, but he turned out to be a law-enforcement officer. He told some great stories about raiding questionable nightspots -- surprise, surprise, the cops found a lot of illegal weapons in booths and on the floor, where the patrons had hastily dumped them.
And I spoke to a pleasant UHS alumna who went on to earn a degree in economics and accounting and started a full-time job in Center City as soon as she graduated. She said an older partner in the firm constantly grouses about the casual dress of the younger associates -- although, she said, they are careful to don their conservative suits when meeting with clients.
I'm just sorry that the party was the same night as my gym friend Kevin's stargazing program in Londonderry Township. Too much going on all on the same night!
But not so much at a friend's annual Summer Solstice party, held this year on Saturday. (Yes, there's a big bonfire. No, we don't wear Druid robes.) It's always a refreshing mixture of folks.
I thought I recognized one guest as a West Chester pastry chef, but he turned out to be a law-enforcement officer. He told some great stories about raiding questionable nightspots -- surprise, surprise, the cops found a lot of illegal weapons in booths and on the floor, where the patrons had hastily dumped them.
And I spoke to a pleasant UHS alumna who went on to earn a degree in economics and accounting and started a full-time job in Center City as soon as she graduated. She said an older partner in the firm constantly grouses about the casual dress of the younger associates -- although, she said, they are careful to don their conservative suits when meeting with clients.
I'm just sorry that the party was the same night as my gym friend Kevin's stargazing program in Londonderry Township. Too much going on all on the same night!
Airborne
I'm seeing banners all over the place for the Vacation Bible School offerings at our local churches, but I'm not sure any of them can top the one at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where a middle-school classmate of mine is stationed as garrison chaplain.
"Had three parachutists jump in as the finale for VBS!" he reports.
Speaking of middle-school classmates, I saw another of them on TV the other night in a commercial for Brandywine Hospital, where he is a orthopaedic surgeon. He looks much the same as I remember him but I hope he tells better jokes.
"Had three parachutists jump in as the finale for VBS!" he reports.
Speaking of middle-school classmates, I saw another of them on TV the other night in a commercial for Brandywine Hospital, where he is a orthopaedic surgeon. He looks much the same as I remember him but I hope he tells better jokes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)