I had a great time at the "Real Housewives of Kennett Square" walking tour on Sept. 5. The tour was originally set for earlier this summer but was cancelled because of heavy rain. In contrast, Thursday night was perfect, and groups of maybe ten people apiece set out every half-hour or so from the starting point on the Genesis Walkway. Our guide, Grace P, did an excellent job -- as we strolled through town she added lots of interesting information about growing up here.
Along the tour route we encountered the "Real Housewives," notable women from the town's past: schoolteacher Mary D. Lang, photographer Annabelle Swayne, military nurse Marguerite Starr, physician Rebecca Moore, world traveler Emma Lamborn, Esther Hayes, Anna Hicks and Fannie Sinclair. The costumed actresses (in the latter case a lavishly costumed actor, the irrepressible Kirk Fetters) did a splendid job telling us about their lives and accomplishments. Quakerism, such a formative influence in the area, took center stage in many of their lives as they fought slavery and battled for women's rights.
(One anachronistic note: As we were listening to Annabelle Swayne telling us about her photography business, trucks from Majestic Midway were rumbling down Broad Street to set up for the Mushroom Fest carnival.)
I have to say that Kennett looked great, and the friend who went with me said that if she didn't live on a farm with all her critters, she would love to live in town.
Thank you and congratulations to the event's producers, the Kennett Square Historical Commission and the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society. Great job!
Friday, September 6, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
On the edge
The clouds on Monday evening were spectacular after a muggy day: big clouds outlined with a rim of bright gold. As I was stopped at a light in Kennett I spotted a pedestrian on North Union Street, a young woman, who caught a glimpse of the view, stopped and took out her camera to capture it.
"There's weather coming," predicted a friend, and he was right: the weather alerts started sounding and a windy but brief thunderstorm blew through at 9 p.m.
"There's weather coming," predicted a friend, and he was right: the weather alerts started sounding and a windy but brief thunderstorm blew through at 9 p.m.
Go figure!
A bunch of us met up at Starbucks on Sunday and had a great gab-fest. At one point a friend who lives in Kennett held up his phone and showed us a photo of what his right forearm had looked like the previous weekend: a blistered mess.
"Yikes, poison ivy!" I said.
No, he said. It was actually an allergic reaction to his fig tree, of all things! He'd been pruning it and ended up with this awful rash. It turns out that fig tree sap, plus direct sun, can cause nasty blisters. He ended up at his dermatologist's.
"Yikes, poison ivy!" I said.
No, he said. It was actually an allergic reaction to his fig tree, of all things! He'd been pruning it and ended up with this awful rash. It turns out that fig tree sap, plus direct sun, can cause nasty blisters. He ended up at his dermatologist's.
Joy in the morning
What is it with yard art? First I spotted "Mitt" last autumn on a hillside near Blow Horn; then it was "Dad" for Father's Day near Kirkwood; then earlier this summer a religious message at the Chapel Road Baptist Church near Springdell. Now a prominent West Marlborough farm is getting into the act: I spotted "FAT CHANCE" embossed on a small hillside near where the high-tension lines run through that farm.
Reflections
A pal of mine who lives amidst the hustle-bustle of downtown Kennett stopped by on Labor Day and we had a drink on the deck. It was a very peaceful afternoon even for West Marlborough, with a gentle breeze. My friend put his feet up on the railing, gazed at the conifers and said he wouldn't be at all surprised to see a few Zen monks drift by.
London Grove crash
Another vehicle crashed into the hillside where Route 926 meets Newark Road. A motorist heading west on Route 926 the evening of Aug. 28 saw the stop sign too late and went careening up two flights of the concrete steps leading to London Grove Friends Meeting. The van then flipped over and ended up on its side against the yellow house. Photos posted on Facebook show the giant Blittersdorf crane lifting it away from the house and setting it back on its tires.
The accident -- and the fact that it was far from the first at the crossroads -- sparked a discussion at the Sept. 3 West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Anna Myers, who lives near the intersection, suggested that a double-arrow sign be placed at the intersection to indicate that the road ends, like the sign at Route 82 and Newark Road (pictured here). Roadmaster Hugh Lofting said because it was a state road, the township could not take the responsibility of installing such a sign, but he would bring it up with the state Department of Transportation. There was some skepticism in the audience, however, whether any additional signage, or speed bumps, or rumble strips, would be effective in preventing accidents.
The accident -- and the fact that it was far from the first at the crossroads -- sparked a discussion at the Sept. 3 West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Anna Myers, who lives near the intersection, suggested that a double-arrow sign be placed at the intersection to indicate that the road ends, like the sign at Route 82 and Newark Road (pictured here). Roadmaster Hugh Lofting said because it was a state road, the township could not take the responsibility of installing such a sign, but he would bring it up with the state Department of Transportation. There was some skepticism in the audience, however, whether any additional signage, or speed bumps, or rumble strips, would be effective in preventing accidents.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
West Marlborough meeting
It was a quiet West Marlborough township meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The planning commission didn't meet at all, and most of the business on the supervisors' agenda was routine.
Zoning officer Al Giannantonio announced that the Powells were given zoning permission to install a shed at their Springdell Road home, and Roadmaster Hugh Lofting noted that Officer Bob Clarke issued ten speeding tickets and three warnings in the month of August.
Mr. Giannantonio also discussed the Act 167 stormwater management ordinance that all Pennsylvania townships must enact by the beginning of 2014. Many of the requirements in the document have been dictated by the state, but the township planning commission will devote time at its next few meetings to adapt the language that it is permitted to change to meet the township's requirements as best it can.
Zoning officer Al Giannantonio announced that the Powells were given zoning permission to install a shed at their Springdell Road home, and Roadmaster Hugh Lofting noted that Officer Bob Clarke issued ten speeding tickets and three warnings in the month of August.
Mr. Giannantonio also discussed the Act 167 stormwater management ordinance that all Pennsylvania townships must enact by the beginning of 2014. Many of the requirements in the document have been dictated by the state, but the township planning commission will devote time at its next few meetings to adapt the language that it is permitted to change to meet the township's requirements as best it can.
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