I was at the Megalomart the other morning looking for a deck of playing cards for someone who likes to play Solitaire the old-fashioned way. I thought they'd be in the office supplies section, or maybe the crafts section, but they weren't. I spotted a clerk in the back-to-school section.
"Excuse me," I said. "I'm looking for a deck of playing cards."
"Toys," she said, without looking up.
"And where is that?" I asked.
With this, she looked up and gave me a glare.
"In the back. Where there's a 'Toys' sign."
I just had to laugh.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Thursday, August 3, 2017
POCOPSON: It will open soon!
I'm not sure which is more eagerly anticipated: the reopening of the Longwood Wawa convenience store (set for Aug. 23) or the reopening of the Route 926 bridge over the Brandywine Creek (set for Sept. 1).
Some friends who live near the bridge wandered down there the other day and reported to their surprise that there are actually two bridges being built, plus the intersection of Routes 100 and 926 is being moved.
In PennDOT's crisp (that's a compliment) engineering lingo: "PennDOT’s contractor will improve Route 926 (Street Road) by replacing the 79-year-old bridge with a new three-span structure built at a higher elevation; rebuilding and raising 1,700 feet of the roadway approaches to make them less prone to flooding; replacing the nearby culvert over Radley Run with an 84-foot twin arch concrete culvert; and realigning 800 feet of Creek Road at its northern intersection with Route 926 (Street Road)."
The latest report from the contractors, as of July 27, is as follows: "Everything is starting to take shape, last week crews poured the new 926 bridge concrete deck, and began the improved culverts at Radley Run. The causeways are out of the waterway, and most importantly the project continues to advance on time, and on budget."
Perhaps trumping both the bridge and the Wawa reopening is the much-anticipated return of the Bread Ladies (the Bakers at Red Lion). Finding that they couldn't stand the heat, they very wisely got out of the kitchen for July and August. "See you in September!" reads their sign.
Some friends who live near the bridge wandered down there the other day and reported to their surprise that there are actually two bridges being built, plus the intersection of Routes 100 and 926 is being moved.
In PennDOT's crisp (that's a compliment) engineering lingo: "PennDOT’s contractor will improve Route 926 (Street Road) by replacing the 79-year-old bridge with a new three-span structure built at a higher elevation; rebuilding and raising 1,700 feet of the roadway approaches to make them less prone to flooding; replacing the nearby culvert over Radley Run with an 84-foot twin arch concrete culvert; and realigning 800 feet of Creek Road at its northern intersection with Route 926 (Street Road)."
The latest report from the contractors, as of July 27, is as follows: "Everything is starting to take shape, last week crews poured the new 926 bridge concrete deck, and began the improved culverts at Radley Run. The causeways are out of the waterway, and most importantly the project continues to advance on time, and on budget."
Perhaps trumping both the bridge and the Wawa reopening is the much-anticipated return of the Bread Ladies (the Bakers at Red Lion). Finding that they couldn't stand the heat, they very wisely got out of the kitchen for July and August. "See you in September!" reads their sign.
KENNETT: Bring the lava lamps
Nostalgia was rampant among the crowd on Aug. 2 as Kofi Baker's Cream Experience took the stage at the next-to-last summer concert at Anson Nixon Park. The rain stopped just in time for the 7 p.m. show, the sun came out, and the temperature was perfect.
Kofi Baker is the 48-year-old son of Ginger Baker, legendary drummer for the 1960s supergroups Cream and Blind Faith. Kofi, too, plays the drums -- including one lengthy solo -- and told some entertaining stories of growing up in a psychedelic house. He mentioned that unlike his hippie parents, he leads a healthy lifestyle and is a regular at the gym -- and it certainly showed in his strength and endurance.
The band performed extended versions of all of Cream's hits, like "White Room," "I'm So Glad," and "Sunshine of Your Love," bringing "awws" of remembrance from us boomers. They did Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression" as an encore.
One thing I love about the Anson Nixon concerts is their small scale. At intermission we saw the other two members of the band -- Mike Keneally and Robert Pagliari -- hustling up to the refreshment area to order some pulled-pork crepes from Yor So Sweet. Kofi had given the crepes a rave revue, and rightly so: they were delicious.
The West Chester Band will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, to close the season, and the Kennett Food Cupboard will be collecting donations at the show. Apparently there is plenty of empty space on their shelves.
Kofi Baker is the 48-year-old son of Ginger Baker, legendary drummer for the 1960s supergroups Cream and Blind Faith. Kofi, too, plays the drums -- including one lengthy solo -- and told some entertaining stories of growing up in a psychedelic house. He mentioned that unlike his hippie parents, he leads a healthy lifestyle and is a regular at the gym -- and it certainly showed in his strength and endurance.
The band performed extended versions of all of Cream's hits, like "White Room," "I'm So Glad," and "Sunshine of Your Love," bringing "awws" of remembrance from us boomers. They did Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression" as an encore.
One thing I love about the Anson Nixon concerts is their small scale. At intermission we saw the other two members of the band -- Mike Keneally and Robert Pagliari -- hustling up to the refreshment area to order some pulled-pork crepes from Yor So Sweet. Kofi had given the crepes a rave revue, and rightly so: they were delicious.
The West Chester Band will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, to close the season, and the Kennett Food Cupboard will be collecting donations at the show. Apparently there is plenty of empty space on their shelves.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
UNIONVILLE: News central
Those of use who don't work in an office miss out on having a traditional "water cooler" to serve as a conversational hub, but the Unionville Post Office is a great substitute. Ther other morning I ran into an acquaintance there who introduces himself to me every time I see him, as if he's not a memorable enough character as it is.
I shook hands with him and gave him a hearty good morning.
"Friendliest post office in the world!" he exclaimed.
I shook hands with him and gave him a hearty good morning.
"Friendliest post office in the world!" he exclaimed.
UNIONVILLE: Summer vacation
Driving past the Unionville high school/middle school complex, you might think that school was already back in session. I was there at breakfast time one recent morning (en route to Landhope for a half-gallon of milk) and the place was a hive of activity. Members of the cross-country team were running around the track (the Young Relative's practice starts at 6:30 a.m. to beat the heat), football players were stretching out their shoulders using wooden poles, and dozens of soccer balls were spread out on the grass like dandelions, just waiting for the soccer camp participants to show up.
And just up the road at St. Michael's church, a canopy was set out ready to host Vacation Bible School activities.
And just up the road at St. Michael's church, a canopy was set out ready to host Vacation Bible School activities.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Only a few more weeks
Aug. 23 is the date that the Longwood Wawa on East Baltimore Pike is expected to reopen. The extremely busy convenience store shut down on July 24 for remodeling. The fuel pumps remain open during the work.
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