The scene was embarrassing and riveting at the same time: at dinner on Jan. 31, the middle-aged, prosperous-looking couple two tables away from us were having a vicious argument. The woman did most of the talking, saying things like "You're the most annoying person I've ever met." And not in a teasing way, either: she was serious. When the man would try to respond, she'd cut him off by saying, "No! No!" or "That's none of your business!" in a loud, petulant voice.
Not that it's an excuse, but perhaps she'd had too much to drink? I noticed they were splitting a bottle of Shiraz.
Try as I might, I could pick up no clue what they were arguing about, although I did hear her mention Thanksgiving. And at one point she told him, ominously, "Everyone has their price."
Saturday, February 3, 2018
AVONDALE: Ripple effects
The State Street bridge over Indian Run in Avondale is a minor one, but its closure has had a far-reaching impact. Motorists who would take State Road or Clay Creek Road to get to the southern part of London Grove Township, the site of many schools and housing developments, now need to take either the Route 1 bypass or Old Baltimore Pike to West Grove.
The result is that every rush hour, a traffic jam forms where Chatham Road (Route 841) and Evergreen Avenue meet in the middle of West Grove. I've sat in traffic on Chatham Road stretching from the bypass exit all the way to the stop sign at Evergreen Avenue, and it's only by the kindness of yielding Evergreen Avenue motorists that drivers can pull out. And all that additional traffic, of course, jams up both Oakland Avenue and Prospect Avenue.
The bridge was shut down in July for replacement, and the project became even more complicated when on Aug. 10 a bridge beam collapsed under the weight of an excavator.
According to a Jan. 3 project update from Chester County, "Much of the remaining work such as concrete placement and paving requires mild temperatures to meet PennDOT specifications. Nonetheless, the contractor will continue to work through the winter as weather and work operations permit. The bridge is anticipated to be completed by late spring 2018."
The result is that every rush hour, a traffic jam forms where Chatham Road (Route 841) and Evergreen Avenue meet in the middle of West Grove. I've sat in traffic on Chatham Road stretching from the bypass exit all the way to the stop sign at Evergreen Avenue, and it's only by the kindness of yielding Evergreen Avenue motorists that drivers can pull out. And all that additional traffic, of course, jams up both Oakland Avenue and Prospect Avenue.
The bridge was shut down in July for replacement, and the project became even more complicated when on Aug. 10 a bridge beam collapsed under the weight of an excavator.
According to a Jan. 3 project update from Chester County, "Much of the remaining work such as concrete placement and paving requires mild temperatures to meet PennDOT specifications. Nonetheless, the contractor will continue to work through the winter as weather and work operations permit. The bridge is anticipated to be completed by late spring 2018."
ECLIPSE: No dark side of the moon
I set the alarm for 5:50 a.m. Jan. 31 so I could watch the lunar eclipse. I have a clear view to the west, so I didn't even need to go outside: I just watched the moon through my binoculars, waiting for one side to start getting dark. Occasionally I'd go to the east window and watch the sky gradually getting light.
The problem was, by the time the eclipse was supposed to start, the moon had dipped below the treeline and the sun was completely up.
Oh well: the cats were delighted to get an early breakfast, and spending an hour marveling at the heavens is not a bad way for us humans to start the day, either.
The problem was, by the time the eclipse was supposed to start, the moon had dipped below the treeline and the sun was completely up.
Oh well: the cats were delighted to get an early breakfast, and spending an hour marveling at the heavens is not a bad way for us humans to start the day, either.
Friday, February 2, 2018
HOUSE TOUR: June 2 is the date
Looking ahead: I know how busy a time early June is, with college and high school graduations, so I wanted to let you know ASAP that the annual Bayard Taylor Library Home and Garden Day will be Saturday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's tour will focus on the Greenville, Del., area, the aptly named "Chateaux Country."
UNIONVILLE: Used sporting goods sale
Unionville High School is having its annual Used Sporting Goods Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the UHS auxiliary gym. Proceeds benefit the baseball team. If you want to donate used sports equipment -- for any and all sports -- you can drop them off from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 17, or from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, both at the auxiliary gym. There will also be a collection at the sale of dry or canned items for the Kennett Food Cupboard.
DRIVING: Teenager behind the wheel
Just yesterday, it seems, the Young Relative was trying to convince me that OF COURSE he could handle an impossibly complicated Lego Star Wars project, even though it was recommended for ages 8 and up. Now the kid is a UHS sophomore and just got his learner's permit. I can't even, as the saying goes.
When I was his age, learning to drive was a lot more casual. If you could demonstrate a reasonable three-point turn, identify traffic signs and pass an eye test, you could get your "real" license the day you turned 16 and then could celebrate by loading all your pals in the station wagon and heading to Friendly's for a Fribble.
Now, novice drivers need to keep track of their hours behind the wheel (there's probably an app for it) and are supposed to practice in different weather conditions and at different times of day.
I've been asking around for what advice to give the Young Relative, and here's what I've heard:
1. Drive defensively. Always think ahead: what if a deer runs out from the woods? what if there's a pack of bicyclists around the sharp bend? what if that guy runs the red light?
2. Don't speed.
3. Don't tailgate, and allow ample following distance. (Just because professional NASCAR drivers zoom around the track millimeters behind their competitors doesn't mean you should.)
4. Use your turn signals. But remember: even if a car has its turn signals flashing, the driver might not actually turn.
5. Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, stash it in the back seat.
6. Be very careful on Route 1 at the Starbucks/Staples shopping center, which gets my vote for the most dangerous crossroads around. It seems like there's always broken glass on the roadway from yet another fender-bender.
Facebook friend Barbara B. put it perfectly:
"Always anticipate that other drivers around you will behave stupidly! I'm never disappointed. For instance, in your head you will say, 'they will NOT pull right out in front of me,' but you react as if they will. Believe me, more times than not, my reaction is the right answer!"
The Y.R. reports that he's been honked at by impatient motorists behind him, which I suppose is actually a good introduction to the sky-high level of insanity out there in the motoring public. And I'm hoping that he is talking to -- and listening to -- older friends who have some miles under their belt.
Having a student driver in the family serves as a good reminder for us adults to stay vigilant, too. On a simple trip to the Y last night, for instance, an oncoming driver barely missed a deer on Upland Road in front of the Stone Barn; an incautious driver pulled out from Wollaston Road in front of me on Street Road; and a man getting out of his car on State Street in Kennett Square opened his door right into traffic.
When I was his age, learning to drive was a lot more casual. If you could demonstrate a reasonable three-point turn, identify traffic signs and pass an eye test, you could get your "real" license the day you turned 16 and then could celebrate by loading all your pals in the station wagon and heading to Friendly's for a Fribble.
Now, novice drivers need to keep track of their hours behind the wheel (there's probably an app for it) and are supposed to practice in different weather conditions and at different times of day.
I've been asking around for what advice to give the Young Relative, and here's what I've heard:
1. Drive defensively. Always think ahead: what if a deer runs out from the woods? what if there's a pack of bicyclists around the sharp bend? what if that guy runs the red light?
2. Don't speed.
3. Don't tailgate, and allow ample following distance. (Just because professional NASCAR drivers zoom around the track millimeters behind their competitors doesn't mean you should.)
4. Use your turn signals. But remember: even if a car has its turn signals flashing, the driver might not actually turn.
5. Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, stash it in the back seat.
6. Be very careful on Route 1 at the Starbucks/Staples shopping center, which gets my vote for the most dangerous crossroads around. It seems like there's always broken glass on the roadway from yet another fender-bender.
Facebook friend Barbara B. put it perfectly:
"Always anticipate that other drivers around you will behave stupidly! I'm never disappointed. For instance, in your head you will say, 'they will NOT pull right out in front of me,' but you react as if they will. Believe me, more times than not, my reaction is the right answer!"
The Y.R. reports that he's been honked at by impatient motorists behind him, which I suppose is actually a good introduction to the sky-high level of insanity out there in the motoring public. And I'm hoping that he is talking to -- and listening to -- older friends who have some miles under their belt.
Having a student driver in the family serves as a good reminder for us adults to stay vigilant, too. On a simple trip to the Y last night, for instance, an oncoming driver barely missed a deer on Upland Road in front of the Stone Barn; an incautious driver pulled out from Wollaston Road in front of me on Street Road; and a man getting out of his car on State Street in Kennett Square opened his door right into traffic.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Driveway issues
Olympic gold medalist Phillip Dutton is permitted to put in a third driveway at his Hood Road horse farm, the West Marlborough Zoning Hearing Board decided at its Jan. 28 meeting. The driveway will lead to a 10- to 12-stall barn he plans to build just east of his current facility, his builder, Bob McComsey, explained to the board. Mr. Dutton had to apply for permission from the board because the township zoning rules allow only two driveways per property.
All four members of the board who were present voted to approve the driveway: Joseph Huston, Elizabeth "Baz" Powell, Tom Best and Clayton Bright.
During the discussion, another potential problem arose: the placement of the barn. Mr. McComsey said that putting the barn back as far from Hood Road as the zoning rules require (at least 300 feet) would impinge on an existing paddock. The zoning board said that was a separate issue from the driveway problem and would need to be handled at separate hearing.
Also on the board's agenda was another driveway situation. George Hannum, representing the estate of Georgie Stapleton, asked permission to build a driveway that would lead from a landlocked property in Newlin Township out to Apple Grove Road, across from where Tapeworm Road meets Apple Grove. Permission was needed from the board because the proposed driveway would be steeper than the zoning rules permit. At Mr. Hannum's request, that hearing was postponed and will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1.
All four members of the board who were present voted to approve the driveway: Joseph Huston, Elizabeth "Baz" Powell, Tom Best and Clayton Bright.
During the discussion, another potential problem arose: the placement of the barn. Mr. McComsey said that putting the barn back as far from Hood Road as the zoning rules require (at least 300 feet) would impinge on an existing paddock. The zoning board said that was a separate issue from the driveway problem and would need to be handled at separate hearing.
Also on the board's agenda was another driveway situation. George Hannum, representing the estate of Georgie Stapleton, asked permission to build a driveway that would lead from a landlocked property in Newlin Township out to Apple Grove Road, across from where Tapeworm Road meets Apple Grove. Permission was needed from the board because the proposed driveway would be steeper than the zoning rules permit. At Mr. Hannum's request, that hearing was postponed and will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1.
Monday, January 29, 2018
KENNETT SQUARE: El Ranchero reopens
El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant, 305 W. State St., has reopened. It was shut for a few weeks after its owner, Lorenzo Zavala Bedolla, died on Dec. 21 and the family traveled to Mexico to lay him to rest.
Also in that little shopping center these days are the Artistic Edge Salon, Kim's Nails, K9 Pet Grooming, the Treetops Kitty Café, and House of Vacuums.
Who remembers the former tenants Papier and Molly's?
Also in that little shopping center these days are the Artistic Edge Salon, Kim's Nails, K9 Pet Grooming, the Treetops Kitty Café, and House of Vacuums.
Who remembers the former tenants Papier and Molly's?
Sunday, January 28, 2018
KATS: "Here We Are Again"
True love won out over greed and evil, the kids in the chorus were completely adorable, and the jokes had us groaning: in other words, we had a great time at this year's KATS pantomime, "Sleeping Beauty and the Tangley Wood." This was the 17th KATS production, and it seems that people no longer need to be told that audience participation is encouraged: they needed no prompting to boo and hiss every time the evil Specula (played by Sofia Rose) or anyone sporting a New England Patriots jersey made an entrance.
Joe Finn was hilarious as the officious, clipboard-carrying "Borough Inspector of Jokes, Gags and Jollities." Wearing a business suit, he sat at the side of the stage monitoring for poor-quality jokes that had been banned by Borough Council. And to inform the cast which jokes they couldn't tell, HE told them. Sample: What happens if you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed.
Gary Smith, director and a KATS founder, took the stage before the curtain rose and paid a fond tribute to the late Kirk Fetters, a Kennett High School teacher who played the role of the Dame for many years. As the "in memoriam" in the program said, "Kirk's Dames were competent, confident ladies who were entirely comfortable in their own skin. Kirk intuitively understood right from the very beginning that the best pantomime Dame is 'a very nice woman played by a nice man.' Kirk was a very nice man, and, my goodness, weren't we all very lucky to have known him."
Joe Finn was hilarious as the officious, clipboard-carrying "Borough Inspector of Jokes, Gags and Jollities." Wearing a business suit, he sat at the side of the stage monitoring for poor-quality jokes that had been banned by Borough Council. And to inform the cast which jokes they couldn't tell, HE told them. Sample: What happens if you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed.
Gary Smith, director and a KATS founder, took the stage before the curtain rose and paid a fond tribute to the late Kirk Fetters, a Kennett High School teacher who played the role of the Dame for many years. As the "in memoriam" in the program said, "Kirk's Dames were competent, confident ladies who were entirely comfortable in their own skin. Kirk intuitively understood right from the very beginning that the best pantomime Dame is 'a very nice woman played by a nice man.' Kirk was a very nice man, and, my goodness, weren't we all very lucky to have known him."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)