Open door policy

I'm planning a story for next week on the return of the stinkbugs and I need your help. What's your grossest stinkbug story: Have you found them in your pillowcase? in your belly button? on your toothbrush? Help me out! Email me at uvilleblogger@gmail.com.

Clothes horse

I was leafing through the October "Vogue" at the hair salon the other day (my life is a difficult one) and found a four-page Tommy Hilfiger ad. It appears the designer has taken his inspiration this season from the sporting world, and the photos showed immaculately groomed models posing with immaculately groomed horses and foxhounds. (I did some research and found that the ad was shot in Warrenton, Virginia, by superstar fashion photographer Craig McDean.)
They're nice clothes and boots and bags, I suppose, though the checkered helmets are silly. But I couldn't help but notice the difference between Mr. Hilfiger's stylized view of equestrian garb and the smart, timeless clothes I see real people wearing when they are out riding and foxhunting around here.

Another fall in Unionville

Last weekend a friend of mine took a tumble out of her hayloft when her hand got caught up in the twine around a bale. Almost incredibly, she landed on the bale itself and bounced off, unhurt, like she was a stunt person.
She said her descent was like Slim Pickens at the end of "Dr. Strangelove," except that she was clinging to the bale instead of a nuclear missile, and she didn't have time during the 12-foot fall to holler "Yeeeee-haw!"

Phillips head

Our area may be one of the wealthiest around, but that doesn't mean we can't be frugal as well. After only a few months my electric toothbrush started malfunctioning, just like its predecessor had. I decided that instead of just buying a new one, I'd call the company and complain.
"My toothbrush stopped shaking," I explained to the customer service rep, describing the problem in my usual sophisticated technical language.
"Are you saying the brush head is no longer vibrating?" he translated. Apparently this is a very common problem: it seems the little metal shaft loosens and no longer imparts the desired shaking motion, which greatly impairs the quality of your tooth-cleaning experience.
So they're sending me a new one! No questions asked about when I bought it, how much I paid, etc. I just have to send back the defective one. And they'll pay for shipping.

What is it?

This was unearthed by the men digging in the side yard. What is it? It's corroded brass and it's about six inches tall. The best guess I've had so far is that it's part of a sheet-music holder; actually my first thought was along musical lines, too, because it does kind of resemble a stylized lyre.

Wrong way

Thank you to "Unionville in the News" reader Joan for alerting me to the following questionable situation:
"I have just returned from a trip to the New Garden shopping center.  To get to my home in Avondale I go onto Scarlet Road across the one-way that goes to the right to Kennett to the top of the hill and turn left to go down old Baltimore Pike to Avondale.  At the top of that hill just along side of the “One Way” sign pointing left, is a Scarlet Road construction detour sign pointing right!  If they do that they will be going the wrong way on old Baltimore Pike. Very dangerous to an out-of-town driver! "
Indeed it would have been! As if pulling out from the traffic light on that hill isn't enough fun for anyone with a standard transmission. Fortunately, though, those detour signs have been removed.

Something special just for me

Call me old-fashioned (go ahead; everyone else does), but the last time I deposited checks via my bank machine, I had to find and then fill out a deposit slip and then complete an envelope listing each check. No more! You just put your check in the slot and the ATM automatically scans it, reads the amount and then deposits it and e-mails you an image for your records. How cool is that! It even processes up to 30 checks at a time. Amazing.

Register

Just another reminder, because this is important: the last day to register to vote before the Nov. 6 general election is Tuesday, October 9.

Holiday Home Tour

I've written many times about Kennett Square's annual candlelight Christmas tour. Well, they are already looking for volunteer greeters for the 13th annual tour, which is coming up on Sunday, December 9. There's a meeting for volunteers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 10, at Sinclair's Sunrise Cafe on State Street. The person to contact if you are interested in volunteering is Bobby (Woobie222@comcast.net).

Cookbook

Bakers at Red Lion, Twelves, and Doe Run Farm are among the local places featured in a beautiful new book, "The Brandywine Book of the Seasons," by Ella and Roger Morris. Nancy and Barbara at Red Lion contributed recipes for bread pudding and oatmeal bread. To order a copy, sign up at the Bakers at Red Lion, at Folly Hill Road and Route 926 in East Marlborough.

Paperwhites

Forcing paperwhites indoors is one of my favorite things about winter. I thought I'd be organized this year and buy my bulbs early, so I stopped in at R-P Nurseries the other day. They have other bulbs in stock, but no paperwhites quite yet because if you plant them now, they'll bloom long before Christmas, which is when most people want them to be at their peak. (Not me: I like them all winter long.) They advised checking back because they are expecting shipments in shortly. Will do!

God's creatures

A kind Springdell resident sent me some more information about St. Michael Lutheran Church's third annual ‘Blessing of the Animals’ ceremony, which will begin at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in the Fellowship Hall. 

"All animals are welcome and, for animals unable to attend, pet photos or other representations will be blessed in their absence.
Please adhere to the following conditions below if bring an animal for blessing:

1.         To ensure a safe environment, please refrain from bringing aggressive animals to the service.  For pets remaining home, pet photos or other representations will be blessed in their absence.

2.         All dogs must be on leashes or in cages at all times while on the church premises.

3.         Cats, birds, hamsters, etc. must be in cages.

4.         Any animal on a leash must be housebroken.
 
In conjunction with the Blessing of the Animals, the Sunday School of Saint Michael has decided to raise awareness and supplies for local animal shelters (Chester County SPCA, Forgotten Cats, and La Mancha Animal Rescue). We’ve contacted the three shelters about their needs. Feel free to bring dog, puppy, cat or kitten food (Purina, Iams, and Pedigree are requested) or any of the items listed below to the Church during the month of October.  Folks at Saint Michael will distribute them to the agencies.  Monetary contributions will be accepted via checks made payable to Saint Michael with the memo note “Animal Shelter”.
Other items:  Leashes, rawhide chews, washable dog and/or cat toys, stainless steel dog and/or cat bowls, dog biscuits, cat treats, heating pads, dog and cat brushes and combs, kitty litter (non-clumping), pooper scoopers, towels, sheets and blankets, wash cloths, newspaper, shoe boxes."
St. Michael is on Doe Run Road, just east of the Unionville roundabout.

Final count

I got an update over the weekend about the Unionville Town Walk that I attended in early September: 260 people attended! Amazing. It was a fun evening and it was so interesting to learn about the houses we drive by every day.
And speaking of Unionville history, a member of the East Marlborough Historic Commission told me that they are looking for "about three people who are interested in learning and educating the public about our township's history and its historic buildings. Anyone interested should phone the township, 610-444-0725."