Overheard at the Fitness Center of the Kennett Y:
Youth 1: "We don't need to do abs here. We can do abs at your house."
Youth 2: "Dude. The only thing I can get you to do at my house is eat."
Youth 1: "Hey, are we getting cheesesteaks or what?"
Sunday, March 6, 2016
WEST MARLBOROUGH: The Route 1 corridor
The West Marlborough supervisors invited representatives of the Chester County Economic Development Council to their March meeting and told them they're concerned that the council's plan to encourage development along the Route 1 corridor will increase traffic and jeopardize valuable farmland.
Bill Wylie, who heads the West Marlborough board, said the township is already seeing the effects of local development in the form of increased commuter traffic. He said many West Marlborough residents have eased their property expressly to protect the area's rural character.
Supervisor Jake Chalfin said bluntly that the Development Council's plans would "drive sprawl." He spoke about how the formerly rural northern part of Chester County, where he used to live, is no longer recognizable because of development.
Gary Smith, president and CEO of the Development Council, said he understood the value of agriculture and referred repeatedly to the fact that he grew up on a dairy farm in West Bradford. Bob Grabus, Development Advisor Consultant for the Development Council, spoke passionately about the importance of creating good jobs. He said he is sensitive to concerns about sprawl and said the Council is proposing development only on sites that are zoned for it immediately along Route 1, between the bypass and the East Penn Railroad tracks.
Supervisors from Upper Oxford and East Marlborough Townships were also at the meeting to hear Smith and Grabus's presentation. Charlie Fleischmann, an Upper Oxford supervisor, urged the West Marlborough supervisors to share their concerns with county-level officials.
Bill Wylie, who heads the West Marlborough board, said the township is already seeing the effects of local development in the form of increased commuter traffic. He said many West Marlborough residents have eased their property expressly to protect the area's rural character.
Supervisor Jake Chalfin said bluntly that the Development Council's plans would "drive sprawl." He spoke about how the formerly rural northern part of Chester County, where he used to live, is no longer recognizable because of development.
Gary Smith, president and CEO of the Development Council, said he understood the value of agriculture and referred repeatedly to the fact that he grew up on a dairy farm in West Bradford. Bob Grabus, Development Advisor Consultant for the Development Council, spoke passionately about the importance of creating good jobs. He said he is sensitive to concerns about sprawl and said the Council is proposing development only on sites that are zoned for it immediately along Route 1, between the bypass and the East Penn Railroad tracks.
Supervisors from Upper Oxford and East Marlborough Townships were also at the meeting to hear Smith and Grabus's presentation. Charlie Fleischmann, an Upper Oxford supervisor, urged the West Marlborough supervisors to share their concerns with county-level officials.
KENNETT: Friends of the NRA banquet
We had a great time at Saturday night's sold-out Chester County Friends of the NRA banquet at the Red Clay Room in Kennett.
I know nothing about guns. The only shooting I've ever done is with my brother's BB gun, plinking tin cans lined up on a fence. But I have some friends who are avid hunters, target shooters and collectors, and they were certainly in their element, discussing everything gun-related, from Henrys and reticles to the challenges of being a left-handed shooter.
Through these nationwide banquets, the Friends of the NRA raises money for gun safety and shooting programs, and they are extremely skilled at separating people from their money. There are silent auctions, live auctions, and lots of gun raffles (most were $20 a chance), with winners drawn throughout the evening. (Of course, all the necessary background checks are done before the winner gets to take possession.)
One friend, a big Clint Eastwood fan, was the successful bidder on some "Dirty Harry" memorabilia. Another member of our party had a winning ticket and got his pick of a weapon from the "Wall of Guns" display. When they called out his ticket number, we all shrieked in excitement.
"Wow. I think they're happy," commented the master of ceremonies.
We were outshouted only by the men from Table 16 when they won the "table lottery," which mean they each won a gun.
Oh, there was a hearty dinner, too: salad, roasted potatoes, green beans and carrots, pasta, chicken marsala, meatballs and roast beef. They brought plates of goodies around for dessert. Our table host, from West Grove, was celebrating his birthday, so another guest brought gluten-free chocolate cupcakes that she made with beet and butternut squash puree.
One thing you learn from attending this banquet: don't stereotype gun enthusiasts.
I know nothing about guns. The only shooting I've ever done is with my brother's BB gun, plinking tin cans lined up on a fence. But I have some friends who are avid hunters, target shooters and collectors, and they were certainly in their element, discussing everything gun-related, from Henrys and reticles to the challenges of being a left-handed shooter.
Through these nationwide banquets, the Friends of the NRA raises money for gun safety and shooting programs, and they are extremely skilled at separating people from their money. There are silent auctions, live auctions, and lots of gun raffles (most were $20 a chance), with winners drawn throughout the evening. (Of course, all the necessary background checks are done before the winner gets to take possession.)
One friend, a big Clint Eastwood fan, was the successful bidder on some "Dirty Harry" memorabilia. Another member of our party had a winning ticket and got his pick of a weapon from the "Wall of Guns" display. When they called out his ticket number, we all shrieked in excitement.
"Wow. I think they're happy," commented the master of ceremonies.
We were outshouted only by the men from Table 16 when they won the "table lottery," which mean they each won a gun.
Oh, there was a hearty dinner, too: salad, roasted potatoes, green beans and carrots, pasta, chicken marsala, meatballs and roast beef. They brought plates of goodies around for dessert. Our table host, from West Grove, was celebrating his birthday, so another guest brought gluten-free chocolate cupcakes that she made with beet and butternut squash puree.
One thing you learn from attending this banquet: don't stereotype gun enthusiasts.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
SNOW: Maybe the last storm of the season
The few inches of snow we had on March 3 into March 4 was what's known as an "onion snow." According to Susan Higgins of the "Farmers' Almanac," the term is of Pennsylvania Dutch origin and "refers to a snowfall that occurs after the spring onions have been planted, and comes right as they are sprouting. Others say that this late spring snow is an indicator for when it’s a good time to start planting onions. Either way, the snowfall is defined as light and melts quickly, and is usually the final snowfall" of the winter.
The term "sapling bender" is another Pennsylvania Dutch term referring to a late-season snow, she notes.
The term "sapling bender" is another Pennsylvania Dutch term referring to a late-season snow, she notes.
SHREK: A big, bright, beautiful world
"Shrek the Musical" was adorable. I am consistently amazed at the high quality of the shows that Unionville High School puts on. As a former high-school theater person myself, I know full well how many hours went into putting on a show as elaborate as this one, with such a large cast, creative costumes (Lord Farquaad's floppy legs!), and tricky lighting and sound effects. The acting, singing and dancing were wonderful; special kudos to Ethan Pan, whose supremely confident, over-the-top campy performance as the donkey kept us amused throughout.
The swamp backdrops, Shrek's hut and Princess Fiona's tower were beautifully designed, and the on-stage campfire was a great touch. The extended stage allowed the actors to walk (or dance, or sashay) out in front of the orchestra.
I liked the message in the program from the director and conductor, G. Scott Litzenberg: "The social message in this show is very strong in so many ways: not judging people by your first impression of them, not assuming something about a person due to their looks, accepting who each other is, and accepting ourselves for who we are."
The swamp backdrops, Shrek's hut and Princess Fiona's tower were beautifully designed, and the on-stage campfire was a great touch. The extended stage allowed the actors to walk (or dance, or sashay) out in front of the orchestra.
I liked the message in the program from the director and conductor, G. Scott Litzenberg: "The social message in this show is very strong in so many ways: not judging people by your first impression of them, not assuming something about a person due to their looks, accepting who each other is, and accepting ourselves for who we are."
CHESHIRE: The new huntsman
Congratulations to Barry Magner, the new huntsman for Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds. He will be filling the boots of Ivan Dowling.
Here is the press release that the Hunt released on March 4:
"The Cheshire Foxhounds are pleased to announce the hiring of Barry Magner as their Huntsman beginning with the 2016-2017 hunting season. Magner, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, has lived in the United States for 12 years. He was previously Huntsman for the Middleburg Hunt in Virginia, and the Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds in Maryland. He has spent the 2015-2016 season whipping in for the Cheshire.
Barry also comes from a true fox hunting family in Ireland. His brother Mervyn whips in for the Beaver Meadow Hounds in Canada, and his brother Brendan is the whipper-in and Chairman of the Stonehall Harriers in Limerick. He also has two first cousins who are huntsmen in Ireland.
Magner takes the place of Ivan Dowling, who has been the Cheshire Huntsman for the past 12 seasons, and who is leaving his position to pursue other interests in the Unionville, PA area.
Sanna Neilson, Joint Master of the Cheshire, said, "We are delighted that Barry has agreed to be our Huntsman for next season. We were very sad that Ivan decided to move on, but we certainly understood, and we feel Barry will make a very good Huntsman for many seasons to come."
Anne Moran, the other Joint Master, said, "The fact that Barry has been able to spend a season whipping in for the Cheshire and working closely with Ivan all season means he not only has gotten a real feel for the Cheshire country, but we have seen him both with hounds and riding cross country, and we have every confidence that he will be an outstanding Huntsman. Sanna and I look forward to introducing Barry to our many landowners in the coming months."
He will officially take over as Huntsman at the end of the current season, which ends March 31, 2016."
Here is the press release that the Hunt released on March 4:
"The Cheshire Foxhounds are pleased to announce the hiring of Barry Magner as their Huntsman beginning with the 2016-2017 hunting season. Magner, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, has lived in the United States for 12 years. He was previously Huntsman for the Middleburg Hunt in Virginia, and the Howard County-Iron Bridge Hounds in Maryland. He has spent the 2015-2016 season whipping in for the Cheshire.
Barry also comes from a true fox hunting family in Ireland. His brother Mervyn whips in for the Beaver Meadow Hounds in Canada, and his brother Brendan is the whipper-in and Chairman of the Stonehall Harriers in Limerick. He also has two first cousins who are huntsmen in Ireland.
Magner takes the place of Ivan Dowling, who has been the Cheshire Huntsman for the past 12 seasons, and who is leaving his position to pursue other interests in the Unionville, PA area.
Sanna Neilson, Joint Master of the Cheshire, said, "We are delighted that Barry has agreed to be our Huntsman for next season. We were very sad that Ivan decided to move on, but we certainly understood, and we feel Barry will make a very good Huntsman for many seasons to come."
Anne Moran, the other Joint Master, said, "The fact that Barry has been able to spend a season whipping in for the Cheshire and working closely with Ivan all season means he not only has gotten a real feel for the Cheshire country, but we have seen him both with hounds and riding cross country, and we have every confidence that he will be an outstanding Huntsman. Sanna and I look forward to introducing Barry to our many landowners in the coming months."
He will officially take over as Huntsman at the end of the current season, which ends March 31, 2016."
Thursday, March 3, 2016
NEW GARDEN: It's only temporary
The Dunkin' Donuts shop on the west side of Kennett was closed on March 1, 2, and 3, but only for renovations. It reopened Friday, March 4, and it's amazing how much work was done during those three days: the interior looks brand-new. Check out the digital menu boards above the donut case!
While it was closed, one store regular wrote to me in near-panic wanting to know what was going on and how she was supposed to function without her morning bagel and iced tea. By the time I stopped in, they had put up a sign informing customers what was going on.
While it was closed, one store regular wrote to me in near-panic wanting to know what was going on and how she was supposed to function without her morning bagel and iced tea. By the time I stopped in, they had put up a sign informing customers what was going on.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Continuing parking problems at the Whip
At the March 1 meeting of the West Marlborough Township supervisors, three Springdell residents told the board that patrons at the Whip tavern are parking on their properties and littering.
Chester "Chick" Rogers said one bar patron parked on his property and even gave him a hard time when he told him to leave.
Ron Heath, who lives next to the tavern, said patrons moved the rocks he put up on his property to keep people from parking there. He said he has noticed that most of the patrons are not "locals."
Brian Gouge said, "I've never dealt with what I'm dealing with now ... It's really become a hassle."
Bill Wylie, the supervisors' chairman, told the residents that he sympathized with their plight and assured them that "we're working on it."
The parking problem at the Whip has been an ongoing source of conflict in the township. Mr. Wylie said issuing parking tickets doesn't seem to work, as customers consider it to be simply part of the evening's cost.
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