CURRIE: Raffle winner raises the bar for good grooming at the gym

A gym friend joked that she has friends coming out of the woodwork ever since they found out she won as a raffle prize an entire year's worth of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures from the Currie salon. Proceeds from the raffle went to help a salon employee who is going through some difficult times.

LONDON GROVE: A Friendly birthday party at London Grove Meeting

London Grove Friends Meeting has been celebrating its 300th birthday all year, but the "official" party will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the meetinghouse. On the schedule are history talks, tours of the burial ground, and treasure hunts "highlighting historic Quaker artifacts." For the kids there will be a time capsule, games and art projects. There is more information on the website www.londongrovefriends.org.

BAD BEHAVIOR: A clear and present danger on the road

On Thursday night I was driving home from dinner at La Pena Mexicana (delicious shrimp tacos) when I noticed a car tailgating me on Newark Road. For the next few miles the driver sat on my bumper, all the way to my house. I was tempted to stop on my narrow road, walk back and confront him or her, but I thought better of it (the thought of the scolding I'd get from my mother dissuaded me).
Via social media I found out that the same vehicle had been speeding and tailgating on Route 926 and had passed in a no-passing zone on Newark Road.
A friend of mine told me about a program that Wyoming has that's called REDDI ("Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately"). I wish we had a program like that here. I would've called as soon as I pulled into my driveway.

WEST MARLBOROUGH: Lots of township business, and a moment of silence

The West Marlborough Township supervisors got through quite a lot of business in their Oct. 7 meeting, but the most memorable part was the moment of silence in memory of Bernie Langer, who died Sept. 24. Fittingly, Chairman Bill Wylie called for the tribute during the public comment portion of the meeting, when Bernie would more often than not express his opinions. The uncharacteristic silence, and his empty chair in the second row, were poignant reminders of a spirited man who cared deeply about his community.
In his monthly report, zoning officer Al Giannantonio told the board that Ron Towber applied for a permit to build a two-car garage on his property in Springdell, but he needs to get a survey done to make sure he has adequate setback.
Building inspector Eddie Caudill reported that he issued certificates of occupancy for London Grove Friends Meeting for a shed and the Irelands for their renovated Springdell Road house. He also issued a building permit to the Sacks family on Richard Wilson Drive for HVAC work.
Mr. Giannantonio reported that he attended a workshop in Wagontown about the new state stormwater management regulations that municipalities were required to enact. He said the rules the West Marlborough planning commission crafted were the least onerous ones possible -- which was the township's goal. "By law, we couldn't have done less," he said. "There's no way we could be less restrictive."
Township resident Anna Myers alerted the board to a pothole on Newark Road, north of the intersection with Route 926. She was told to call the hotline for District 6 of the state Department of Transportation: 484-340-3200.
In a work session before the meeting, Mr. Wylie met with Mr. Caudill and Mr. Giannantonio to review the township's schedule of fees for obtaining permits. They concluded that many of the requirements could be eliminated, and they will work on preparing a revised list.
Also on Oct. 7 the township planning commission and Mr. Wylie met with township engineer Harry Roth to discuss making changes to the township's zoning ordinance so that it is compatible with the regional zoning ordinance approved in May by West Marlborough, East Marlborough, and Newlin Townships. Mr. Roth recommended redoing the ordinance from scratch rather than just plugging in those changes. He suggested incorporating recent changes in state law that govern floodplain use, cellphone towers, riparian buffers (stream banks) and timber harvesting. Any such ordinance changes would have to be presented at a public hearing.
Finally, the supervisors noted that the November municipal meetings will be held on Monday, Nov. 3, because the first Tuesday in November (the usual meeting date) is Election Day, and the township building will be used as the polling place.

WEST MARLBOROUGH: Update on the overgrown house on Street Road

The mortgage company that owns an abandoned, overgrown house at the corner of Sportsman's Lane and Route 926 will be getting a letter from the West Marlborough Township supervisors pointing out that the property violates the township's grounds maintenance standards.
A neighbor reported the situation to the supervisors in September, saying that pokeweed and poison ivy are invading her yard, and at the October meeting she returned to ask the supervisors if any action had been taken. Zoning officer Al Giannantonio told her that he had visited the house, called the mortgage company and tracked down the property management company responsible for doing the maintenance. He said he'll inform the owner that fines could be imposed if the property is not cleaned up.

UPDATE: Service scheduled for the late Bernie Langer

In last week's column I wrote about the death of Bernie Langer, who lived in the village of Springdell here in West Marlborough Township. I just received word that his service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville. Bernie was very interested in township matters, and there's going to be a noticeably empty chair at this week's municipal meeting.

STATION 36: Firefighters show how they rescue car crash victims

Something new at the Unionville Community Fair this year was a demonstration by the Po-Mar-Lin firefighters of how they rescue people trapped in cars. It was fascinating to watch (given that there wasn't an injured victim inside, of course). First they secured the car in place, then they cut out the windshield, removed the doors and finally sawed off the top. The men and women worked with the efficiency of a well-trained pit crew. We're lucky to have these volunteers (Po-Mar-Lin is still an all-volunteer force) on our side when they're needed.

UNIONVILLE: Gratitude for the life of Marcus Macaluso

What an outpouring of both grief and gratitude there has been for Marcus Macaluso, who died on Oct. 3. During the week that he was in the hospital, his friends gathered at 7 p.m. each night under the Penn Oak at London Grove Friends Meeting to pray for him. Tributes on social media have mentioned what a kind and loving man he was and how he served as an inspiration to a great variety of people scattered far and wide. So many folks have shared how Marcus's example helped them to turn their lives around and put them on a healthier path toward recovery.
He will be greatly missed, and the community's thoughts are with his parents and his loved ones. May they find comfort in knowing what a hugely positive impact he had on so many people in his too-short life. As one mutual friend wrote on Facebook, "Don't know where I would be without your infinite kindness and wisdom. Will miss you dearly. Until another time & place, my friend."
Marcus' memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at London Grove Friends Meeting House. Memorial contributions may be made to Kacie's Cause, 232 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 (a nonprofit that raises awareness of heroin addiction) and Kennett Area Community Service, P.O. Box 1025, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Or simply do an act of kindness in his memory.