Once again, traffic was the major topic of discussion at the monthly meeting of the West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors. The supervisors agreed to hire traffic engineer Al Federico of Kimley Horn to update the traffic study he conducted in 2011. The cost of the update will be $3,350, and gathering new traffic numbers would cost $350 per location.
The updated study will focus on Route 842 between Route 841 and the township line; Newark Road between Route 926 and Route 842; Springdell Road between Route 841 and the township line; and Route 841 between Route 926 and Route 82.
The supervisors made the decision in the face of steadily increasing traffic volumes and speeds through the township, and possible improvements at the intersection of Baltimore Pike and Newark Road in neighboring New Garden Township.
Bill Wylie, who chairs the Board of Supervisors, said the supervisors will use the data to review possible steps the township could take to control traffic, such as installing four-way stop signs, lowering speed limits, and assuming maintenance responsibilities for roads that are currently owned by the state.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Those dusty days of summer
Even though the "No Winter Maintenance" signs haven't been taken down yet, the West Marlborough road crew is already preparing for summer dust-oil season. (Oil keeps the dust on the gravel roads from billowing up.) At their May meeting, the supervisors discussed what kind of oil they will be using this season and the schedule for preparing and treating the roads.
"If we're going to have dirt roads, we have to maintain them," said supervisor Bill Wylie.
Also, roadmaster and supervisor Hugh Lofting Sr. reported that the long-anticipated Rokeby Road project should finally get underway this autumn. The edge of the road has been gradually eroding and falling down a steep bank toward the Buck Run. The reconstruction project will stabilize it.
"If we're going to have dirt roads, we have to maintain them," said supervisor Bill Wylie.
Also, roadmaster and supervisor Hugh Lofting Sr. reported that the long-anticipated Rokeby Road project should finally get underway this autumn. The edge of the road has been gradually eroding and falling down a steep bank toward the Buck Run. The reconstruction project will stabilize it.
JEANS: Out of touch
You may have heard that the department store Nordstrom recently started selling $425 jeans that are covered with fake mud -- as they describe it, "a crackled, caked-on muddy coating."
How tone-deaf can you get! Deep scorn was the reaction from several local friends who regularly get their Tractor Supply jeans covered with not only actual mud but also manure, grease and other actual products of manual labor.
And frankly, I think Unionville mud should command a premium.
How tone-deaf can you get! Deep scorn was the reaction from several local friends who regularly get their Tractor Supply jeans covered with not only actual mud but also manure, grease and other actual products of manual labor.
And frankly, I think Unionville mud should command a premium.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: New car wash
People keep asking me what's being built on Onix Drive near the Kennett Walmart, the Applebee's, the Bank of America and the Hilton Garden Inn. No, it's not another bank or drugstore. It's going to be a car wash.
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| A car wash is being built next to the Hilton Garden Inn east of Kennett Square. |
SCHEDULE: So much to do!
I have a whole slew of upcoming events to tell you about, so I'll just list them in order:
-- 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 11: Walt Chiquoine will talk about the route that the British Army took to the get to the Battle of the Brandywine in September 1777. Presented by the Kennett Township Historical Commission, the lecture will be held at the township building, 801 Burrows Run Road. Free, with refreshments.
-- 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017: the annual Plant Sale at London Grove Friends Meeting House at the intersection of Route 926 and Newark Road. For me, this wonderful event is as much a community get-together as a plant sale. Get there as early as possible for the best selection of plants; the socializing is up to you. There's also a bake sale and coffee.
-- 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27: West Grove Memorial Day Parade. Starts in the Avon-Grove High School parking lot, travels north on Prospect Avenue, and ends at the memorial plaza at East Evergreen Street and Exchange Place.
-- 10 a.m. Monday, May 29: Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade. Starting at 10 a.m. at the Kennett High School, the parade travels north on Union Street, turns right onto Cypress Street, left onto Broad Street, left onto State Street, on right onto North Union Street. A memorial service follows at the Union Hill Cemetery on North Union Street.
-- 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3: Open house at Marlborough Friends Meeting, 361 Marlborough Road, Kennett Square. The schedule is: 2:30 p.m. introduction to Quakerism; 3 p.m., panel of Friends discussing their experiences; 4 p.m., lecture by author Doug Gwyn on "The Quaker View of Christian Revelation; 5 p.m., brief Meeting for Worship; 5:30 p.m., dinner provided by the Meeting; 7 p.m. Meeting for Worship.
-- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3: Bayard Taylor Home & Garden Tour. This year's tour focuses on the Unionville area. Tickets ($40) are available at the Kennett Library, 216 East State Street, Kennett Square.
-- 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 11: Walt Chiquoine will talk about the route that the British Army took to the get to the Battle of the Brandywine in September 1777. Presented by the Kennett Township Historical Commission, the lecture will be held at the township building, 801 Burrows Run Road. Free, with refreshments.
-- 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017: the annual Plant Sale at London Grove Friends Meeting House at the intersection of Route 926 and Newark Road. For me, this wonderful event is as much a community get-together as a plant sale. Get there as early as possible for the best selection of plants; the socializing is up to you. There's also a bake sale and coffee.
-- 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27: West Grove Memorial Day Parade. Starts in the Avon-Grove High School parking lot, travels north on Prospect Avenue, and ends at the memorial plaza at East Evergreen Street and Exchange Place.
-- 10 a.m. Monday, May 29: Kennett Square Memorial Day Parade. Starting at 10 a.m. at the Kennett High School, the parade travels north on Union Street, turns right onto Cypress Street, left onto Broad Street, left onto State Street, on right onto North Union Street. A memorial service follows at the Union Hill Cemetery on North Union Street.
-- 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3: Open house at Marlborough Friends Meeting, 361 Marlborough Road, Kennett Square. The schedule is: 2:30 p.m. introduction to Quakerism; 3 p.m., panel of Friends discussing their experiences; 4 p.m., lecture by author Doug Gwyn on "The Quaker View of Christian Revelation; 5 p.m., brief Meeting for Worship; 5:30 p.m., dinner provided by the Meeting; 7 p.m. Meeting for Worship.
-- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3: Bayard Taylor Home & Garden Tour. This year's tour focuses on the Unionville area. Tickets ($40) are available at the Kennett Library, 216 East State Street, Kennett Square.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Activity at the Superfresh
We did a double-take on Sunday evening when we saw that the parking lot in front of the former Superfresh store on Baltimore Pike was full of cars. Since the supermarket shut down, that entire side of the parking lot is usually empty.
So naturally we drove over to see what was going on, and it turns out that it was a car meet sponsored by Nex Gen Motors, a group of local automotive enthusiasts who get together every other Sunday. Dozens of gleaming, souped-up cars were on display, some with their hoods raised so that admirers could inspect the engines. Mostly men, with a few women and kids, were socializing and looking at the cars.
Other car enthusiasts, however, were more interested in function than form: many drivers were showing off their cars' acceleration, peeling out of the parking lot with high-revving engines and squealing tires.
When I got home I checked out the club's Facebook page, and they describe themselves as "a car club that promotes RideRespect, in which our philosophy is based on the idea of respecting your vehicle as well as the ones around you."
So naturally we drove over to see what was going on, and it turns out that it was a car meet sponsored by Nex Gen Motors, a group of local automotive enthusiasts who get together every other Sunday. Dozens of gleaming, souped-up cars were on display, some with their hoods raised so that admirers could inspect the engines. Mostly men, with a few women and kids, were socializing and looking at the cars.
Other car enthusiasts, however, were more interested in function than form: many drivers were showing off their cars' acceleration, peeling out of the parking lot with high-revving engines and squealing tires.
When I got home I checked out the club's Facebook page, and they describe themselves as "a car club that promotes RideRespect, in which our philosophy is based on the idea of respecting your vehicle as well as the ones around you."
DEMOCRACY: Yes, another election
Tuesday, May 16, is the primary election, and I just received my first ad in the mail.
Judging from the number of campaign signs along the roads, most of the attention locally seems to be focused on the race for Kennett Square district judge (officially, District 15-3-04). All five candidates (David Cox, Lorraine Ramunno, Al Iacocca, Jane Donze and Sean Rafferty) are registered as both Democrat and Republican.
A celebrity of sorts is running for a seat on the Kennett school board: borough resident Mark Bowden, a former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter and the author of "Black Hawk Down," "Killing Pablo," "Guests of the Ayatollah" and (most recently) "The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden." I met Mark in my reporter days and found him to be friendly, smart, humble and fair. He is cross-filed and is the only candidate running for the school board seat in Kennett Region A.
In the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Jeff Hellrung and Elise Anderson are running for two seats in Region A and Thomas Day and Steven Simonson are running for two seats in Region B. All four are cross-filed.
In East Marlborough Township, there are two seats on the Board of Supervisors open. On the primary ballot are Democrats Aasif Chanandin, Robert B. McKinstry Jr., and Julia McGovern Lacy and Republicans Eddie Caudill and Tom Simpers.
Ricki Stumpo is running for re-election for a six-year term as a Pocopson Township supervisor; same for Rob Pearson in Newlin Township, Wendell Fenton in Pennsbury Township, Curtis Mason in Penn Township, Jake Chalfin in West Marlborough Township, and Scudder Stevens in Kennett Township.
There are four seats open on Kennett Square Borough Council. On the primary ballot are Democrats Peter Waterkotte, Brenda Mercomes, Ethan Cramer and Latoya Myers; on the Republican side are Gregory Deveney, Matthew McGill and Dan Maffei. Matt Fetick is running for another four-year term as Kennett Square Mayor.
On the Chester County website there is a link to a complete list of the candidates, from state Supreme Court Justice all the way to local inspector of elections.
Judging from the number of campaign signs along the roads, most of the attention locally seems to be focused on the race for Kennett Square district judge (officially, District 15-3-04). All five candidates (David Cox, Lorraine Ramunno, Al Iacocca, Jane Donze and Sean Rafferty) are registered as both Democrat and Republican.
A celebrity of sorts is running for a seat on the Kennett school board: borough resident Mark Bowden, a former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter and the author of "Black Hawk Down," "Killing Pablo," "Guests of the Ayatollah" and (most recently) "The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden." I met Mark in my reporter days and found him to be friendly, smart, humble and fair. He is cross-filed and is the only candidate running for the school board seat in Kennett Region A.
In the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Jeff Hellrung and Elise Anderson are running for two seats in Region A and Thomas Day and Steven Simonson are running for two seats in Region B. All four are cross-filed.
In East Marlborough Township, there are two seats on the Board of Supervisors open. On the primary ballot are Democrats Aasif Chanandin, Robert B. McKinstry Jr., and Julia McGovern Lacy and Republicans Eddie Caudill and Tom Simpers.
Ricki Stumpo is running for re-election for a six-year term as a Pocopson Township supervisor; same for Rob Pearson in Newlin Township, Wendell Fenton in Pennsbury Township, Curtis Mason in Penn Township, Jake Chalfin in West Marlborough Township, and Scudder Stevens in Kennett Township.
There are four seats open on Kennett Square Borough Council. On the primary ballot are Democrats Peter Waterkotte, Brenda Mercomes, Ethan Cramer and Latoya Myers; on the Republican side are Gregory Deveney, Matthew McGill and Dan Maffei. Matt Fetick is running for another four-year term as Kennett Square Mayor.
On the Chester County website there is a link to a complete list of the candidates, from state Supreme Court Justice all the way to local inspector of elections.
CLARENCE: What is this noise?
In the wee hours of Saturday morning I was awakened by flashes of lightning in the western sky. I checked the weather app on my phone, and sure enough, a line of storms was on its way east from Lancaster.
This was the first thunderstorm during which Clarence, our amazing wonderful rescue cat, has been living here, and I think we've established that he does not like them. As the rumbles of thunder started, he moved from the foot of the bed steadily closer to me, and during the height of the storm he pretty much resembled a 12-pound necktie around my neck.
This was the first thunderstorm during which Clarence, our amazing wonderful rescue cat, has been living here, and I think we've established that he does not like them. As the rumbles of thunder started, he moved from the foot of the bed steadily closer to me, and during the height of the storm he pretty much resembled a 12-pound necktie around my neck.
HORSEBACK: A busy week
This past week was certainly a busy one for Unionville equestrians.
Many local eventers headed south to the world-renowned Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, either to compete or to spectate. One friend of mine went to support her Cochranville trainer (who ended up doing extremely well), and said she planned to drive down with her barn-mates on Friday afternoon after work.
"We'll get there about midnight," she said nonchalantly (it turned out to be more like 2 a.m.).
And other Unionville folks went to the notoriously challenging Maryland Hunt Cup, where this year only two horses crossed the finish line. The Hunt Cup was featured in an April 23 segment of the TV news show "60 Minutes" about the exhilaration -- and the danger -- of timber racing. Charlie Rose interviewed Hunt Cup veteran Louis "Paddy" Nielson and his daughters Sanna and Kathy; trainers Joe and Blythe Davies; and jockey Mark Beecher (who listed and pointed to the many fractures he has suffered).
The segment included a lot of action shots taken at last November's Pennsylvania Hunt Cup (including some great drone shots), and of course I tried to find myself and my friends. Every time I paused the video to rewatch it, though, an ad for an oral rheumatoid arthritis drug came on. After about the fourth time of seeing a now-pain-free woman happily walking through the zoo, I gave up. Thank you, Pfizer.
Many local eventers headed south to the world-renowned Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, either to compete or to spectate. One friend of mine went to support her Cochranville trainer (who ended up doing extremely well), and said she planned to drive down with her barn-mates on Friday afternoon after work.
"We'll get there about midnight," she said nonchalantly (it turned out to be more like 2 a.m.).
And other Unionville folks went to the notoriously challenging Maryland Hunt Cup, where this year only two horses crossed the finish line. The Hunt Cup was featured in an April 23 segment of the TV news show "60 Minutes" about the exhilaration -- and the danger -- of timber racing. Charlie Rose interviewed Hunt Cup veteran Louis "Paddy" Nielson and his daughters Sanna and Kathy; trainers Joe and Blythe Davies; and jockey Mark Beecher (who listed and pointed to the many fractures he has suffered).
The segment included a lot of action shots taken at last November's Pennsylvania Hunt Cup (including some great drone shots), and of course I tried to find myself and my friends. Every time I paused the video to rewatch it, though, an ad for an oral rheumatoid arthritis drug came on. After about the fourth time of seeing a now-pain-free woman happily walking through the zoo, I gave up. Thank you, Pfizer.
LONGWOOD: Music of the night
People who live near Longwood Gardens recently received a "Dear Neighbor" letter explaining what's involved in getting the renovated Fountain Garden ready for its May 27 grand opening.
"You may hear loud popping sounds and music as we test fountain functionality and appropriate sound levels," reads the letters, which is over the signature of Longwood's president and CEO Paul Redman.
"We appreciate your patience as we fine tune our performances before and after our public hours of operation. We are, of course, adhering to any and all codes for sound levels to ensure that we are not being a disruptive neighbor."
Two free admission tickets were enclosed.
"You may hear loud popping sounds and music as we test fountain functionality and appropriate sound levels," reads the letters, which is over the signature of Longwood's president and CEO Paul Redman.
"We appreciate your patience as we fine tune our performances before and after our public hours of operation. We are, of course, adhering to any and all codes for sound levels to ensure that we are not being a disruptive neighbor."
Two free admission tickets were enclosed.
TRACK: The Unionville Invitational
We stopped by the Unionville Invitational track meet on Saturday to support the Young Relative and were amazed at the dozens of schools represented, from Lower Merion to Dock Mennonite to the "Valleys" (Great, Garnet, Sun, and Twin) and the private schools in Delaware.
It was quite warm on Saturday, and I'll bet there were some sunburnt fans the next morning. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago I was shivering under a drop cloth at the same venue!
Track-meet veterans know to bring portable seat cushions, because those metal bleachers get mighty uncomfortable after a while. A few minutes after we got there, a man chose a seat two rows down from us and pulled out his trusty foam sit-upon.
"Oh," I groaned to my companions. "I forgot my seat cushion!"
The newcomer didn't miss a beat.
"I'll rent you mine," he said, turning toward me. "Very reasonable!"
(As it turns out, a few minutes later his son brought him an actual bed pillow to sit on, so I did get to use his cushion after all.)
We got a chuckle when the PA guy announced the makes and tag numbers of four vehicles that were blocking key parts of the roadway: two of them were Mercedes SUVs.
It was quite warm on Saturday, and I'll bet there were some sunburnt fans the next morning. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago I was shivering under a drop cloth at the same venue!
Track-meet veterans know to bring portable seat cushions, because those metal bleachers get mighty uncomfortable after a while. A few minutes after we got there, a man chose a seat two rows down from us and pulled out his trusty foam sit-upon.
"Oh," I groaned to my companions. "I forgot my seat cushion!"
The newcomer didn't miss a beat.
"I'll rent you mine," he said, turning toward me. "Very reasonable!"
(As it turns out, a few minutes later his son brought him an actual bed pillow to sit on, so I did get to use his cushion after all.)
We got a chuckle when the PA guy announced the makes and tag numbers of four vehicles that were blocking key parts of the roadway: two of them were Mercedes SUVs.
NEW GARDEN: Mexican buffet
On Saturday we visited Los 5 Arcos, a Mexican buffet restaurant in the Big Lots shopping center on Scarlett Road, on the west side of Kennett Square.
The décor is basic but the food is top-notch, and how great is the idea of a Mexican buffet: you can sample as many types of food as you want and then go back for more. The names of the dishes were written in Spanish and English.
I started with a big bowl of the amazing seafood soup, which was full of mussels and big chunks of carrots and celery. Then we both tried a variety of delicious chicken and pork dishes, cactus, rice, and salsa. The waitress brought a basket of tortillas so we could "roll our own."
There were also tamales, flan, and a variety of fruit set out on the buffet, but I was too full to try them.
The only dish that was even slightly spicy was the meatballs with chipotle, and even that wasn't too hot for our wimpy gringo palates.
For the two of us the bill was $25.
We were at the restaurant at about 6 p.m., and only two tables were occupied. Los 5 Arcos is in the space where Taqueria Moroleon was located before it moved to Route 41 near Hockessin.
The décor is basic but the food is top-notch, and how great is the idea of a Mexican buffet: you can sample as many types of food as you want and then go back for more. The names of the dishes were written in Spanish and English.
I started with a big bowl of the amazing seafood soup, which was full of mussels and big chunks of carrots and celery. Then we both tried a variety of delicious chicken and pork dishes, cactus, rice, and salsa. The waitress brought a basket of tortillas so we could "roll our own."
There were also tamales, flan, and a variety of fruit set out on the buffet, but I was too full to try them.
The only dish that was even slightly spicy was the meatballs with chipotle, and even that wasn't too hot for our wimpy gringo palates.
For the two of us the bill was $25.
We were at the restaurant at about 6 p.m., and only two tables were occupied. Los 5 Arcos is in the space where Taqueria Moroleon was located before it moved to Route 41 near Hockessin.
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