KENNETT: Lost in translation

A friend travels frequently to Germany for work and mentioned Kennett Square's Mushroom Drop to some of her colleagues. They were dumbfounded, first that Americans make such a big deal out of New Year's Eve and second that the celebration involved … a huge lighted fungus. She explained that other small towns host similar festivities, lowering items like pickles and chocolate kisses, but she said the Germans still didn't quite get the point.