I had a nice time at the 37th annual Art Gala at the Unionville High School today. An artist friend of mine whose works were on display invited me to stop by, and I was impressed at the quality and variety of the work of all the artists -- not only paintings but sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, stained glass and furniture. A few of the local participants whose names you might know are Doug and Pat Mooberry, Neil Carlin, John Hannafin, Robert Jackson, Julie Dixon, Lele Galer and Kelly McConnell.
I especially liked Polly Davis Chalfant's tiny prints of creatures she creates by kneading erasers, Frank DePietro's waterlilies, Patsy Keller's fused glass, Sherry McVickar's barn paintings and Sarah Snyder-Dinsel's painted furniture (especially the charming little footstools decorated with frogs and goldfish).
My friend also said the Art Gala committee treated the artists extremely well, providing an excellent opening-night party. Proceeds benefit the high school's PTO.
I also browsed through the display of works by students; the art students at my high school were by far the hippest and most creative clique in the school, and it looks like nothing has changed.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
More than a commodity
Yesterday I overheard a manager briefing her staff on the company's standardized plans for its Christmas products and campaigns. She showed them photos of merchandise that will have a "hard" and "soft" launch on certain dates and urged the employees to keep track of the company's daily promotions throughout December so customers wouldn't be better informed that they were.
I have to say, her pep talk left me cold, and even a little repelled. Yes, of course, all of the spending that goes on at Christmas keeps many merchants afloat and keeps the economy humming. Yes, stockholders demand profits. And yes, Americans like a certain amount of predictability and "branding": they expect each store in a chain to be pretty much alike. I know all that. But defining Christmas in terms of how to hawk gift cards and how often to change the canned soundtrack just seems phony (to quote Holden Caulfield).
This is why Thanksgiving is increasingly becoming my favorite holiday. It's one day. It's on a human scale. Everybody celebrates it. They haven't made it into a commodity with must-have geegaws and gimmicks and promotional tie-ins, except for maybe the free turkey offer at the grocery store. And as my regular readers know, I will be the last person to complain about that.
I have to say, her pep talk left me cold, and even a little repelled. Yes, of course, all of the spending that goes on at Christmas keeps many merchants afloat and keeps the economy humming. Yes, stockholders demand profits. And yes, Americans like a certain amount of predictability and "branding": they expect each store in a chain to be pretty much alike. I know all that. But defining Christmas in terms of how to hawk gift cards and how often to change the canned soundtrack just seems phony (to quote Holden Caulfield).
This is why Thanksgiving is increasingly becoming my favorite holiday. It's one day. It's on a human scale. Everybody celebrates it. They haven't made it into a commodity with must-have geegaws and gimmicks and promotional tie-ins, except for maybe the free turkey offer at the grocery store. And as my regular readers know, I will be the last person to complain about that.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Pie day
A pal and I were running errands in the Thorndale area the other afternoon and my stomach started rumbling a bit. It's my friend's old stomping-grounds (she used to live in East Fallowfield Township), so she recommended the Double D Diner on East Lincoln Highway, where the road goes over the railroad tracks just east of Coatesville.
Great diner! We had coffee and delicious pie (pumpkin for her, cherry for me), ran into my mechanic buddy Fred, who was taking a break from his Modena garage to grab a late lunch, and chatted with some lovely retired ladies who were regulars.
Out of habit, my friend found herself reaching for her uneaten pie crust as if to toss it under the table; she shares her home with three dogs and they are always looking for handouts around mealtime.
She quickly realized what she was about to do and started laughing.
"You know," she said, "I really, really need to get out more."
Great diner! We had coffee and delicious pie (pumpkin for her, cherry for me), ran into my mechanic buddy Fred, who was taking a break from his Modena garage to grab a late lunch, and chatted with some lovely retired ladies who were regulars.
Out of habit, my friend found herself reaching for her uneaten pie crust as if to toss it under the table; she shares her home with three dogs and they are always looking for handouts around mealtime.
She quickly realized what she was about to do and started laughing.
"You know," she said, "I really, really need to get out more."
A taxing question
Probably the most excitement at the West Marlborough Township supervisors' meeting on Monday, Nov. 5, was the fact that all the tables and chairs in the township hall had been rotated a quarter-turn from their usual position in preparation for the general election to be held there the next day.
However, there was some discussion about the township's newly enacted 0.5% earned income tax, which went into effect Oct. 1. Township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton said all township residents should have received a letter from the Keystone Collections Group explaining their new tax obligations.
In the public comment section of the meeting, Springdell resident Gus Brown questioned whether the new tax had been properly enacted. He read aloud a passage from a state tax code document that he had brought along and said that based on his understanding of the law, the earned income tax can go into effect only on Jan. 1 and July 1, not on Oct. 1.
Supervisor Bill Wylie responded that the township's solicitor had advised the supervisors on the required procedure for enacting the tax, but the township would ask for his opinion on the issue raised by Mr. Brown.
However, there was some discussion about the township's newly enacted 0.5% earned income tax, which went into effect Oct. 1. Township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton said all township residents should have received a letter from the Keystone Collections Group explaining their new tax obligations.
In the public comment section of the meeting, Springdell resident Gus Brown questioned whether the new tax had been properly enacted. He read aloud a passage from a state tax code document that he had brought along and said that based on his understanding of the law, the earned income tax can go into effect only on Jan. 1 and July 1, not on Oct. 1.
Supervisor Bill Wylie responded that the township's solicitor had advised the supervisors on the required procedure for enacting the tax, but the township would ask for his opinion on the issue raised by Mr. Brown.
Compost hearing
Although the landowner, Russell B. Jones Jr., has a plan for the dumping that has been approved by the Chester County Conservation District, township regulations define mushroom compost dumping as a "conditional use." This means Mr. Jones must appear before the township supervisors, and they can impose additional conditions on the activity.
Neighbors have told the supervisors they are concerned about the truck traffic, the early-morning noise, and the possible environmental impact of the compost.
The compost is being dumped on a 90-acre property owned by Mr. Jones at the southeast corner of Hood Road and Mosquito Lane.
Mr. Jones' attorney, Mary Ann Rossi of MacElree Harvey, West Chester, submitted the application for the hearing on Oct. 25, along with the $2,500 filing fee required by the township.
The hearing will be held at the township building just after the Planning Commission's 7 p.m. meeting.
Talkin' trash
I spent Saturday morning picking up trash along Route 82 from Doe Run
east to Apple Grove Road. No, it wasn't some mandated community
service: periodically the local conservation group the Buck &
Doe Trust sponsors cleanup efforts along the part of the road it has
adopted.
One of my litter-patrol buddies was "Mountain Goat" Pat Branum, who clambered up the treacherously steep roadside banks to retrieve bottles and stray pieces of trash. She is very thorough and was certainly not going to let brambles or vines get in her way. At one point I spotted a bottle in a creek and said, jokingly, "Pat, ya wanna get that?" She got wet up to the knees, but sure enough she did!
Amy McKenna, the president of Buck & Doe, thanked us all repeatedly for coming out on a chilly morning, but it was actually fun (the coffee, donuts and camaraderie helped) and it felt good to pitch in to keep our beautiful countryside litter-free.
One of my litter-patrol buddies was "Mountain Goat" Pat Branum, who clambered up the treacherously steep roadside banks to retrieve bottles and stray pieces of trash. She is very thorough and was certainly not going to let brambles or vines get in her way. At one point I spotted a bottle in a creek and said, jokingly, "Pat, ya wanna get that?" She got wet up to the knees, but sure enough she did!
Amy McKenna, the president of Buck & Doe, thanked us all repeatedly for coming out on a chilly morning, but it was actually fun (the coffee, donuts and camaraderie helped) and it felt good to pitch in to keep our beautiful countryside litter-free.
Saturday's event was organized by board members Pam Smyth and Brendan
Miney. In addition to Amy, Pat and me, other litter picker-uppers were Kim Dillon, Annie Jones, Janet Sidewater, Joe
Huston, Brendan Miney, Pam Smyth and friend Lon. Amy tells me that the Buck & Doe Trust "is also organizing a similar clean up of the Laurels in conjunction
with the Brandywine Conservancy later this month. The first event was rained out
from Sandy."
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Veterans
It was moving and sobering. The half-size replica contains the names of the nearly 60,000 Americans who died during the conflict, listed by "day of casualty" (a chilling phrase). Sixty thousand, each with a story, each leaving loved ones behind: it's beyond comprehension.
There's also an exhibit of photographs of the young soldiers, letters home, MIA/POW bracelets, helmets and boots and dogtags, and a map and summary of the Southeast Asian conflict that was a staple of the evening news when I was growing up.
One of the workers had a thick notebook containing all the names in alphabetical order, and he looked up my friend Larry's father and helped us to find his name. Maj. Charles Kesterson was killed by a land mine on May 4, 1966, at age 30.
There were probably a dozen people at the Wall, and another one of the workers told us there had been a steady flow of visitors during its stay in Coatesville.
That morning, before I emailed Susan and asked her to go with me, I thought, it's really windy; brrr, it's going to be cold out there. I had to laugh at myself: what a wimp! Compare that to the incredible discomfort, pain, anguish and danger that these brave men and women went through (and many still do to this day) to defend their country.
Still more locally: Did you know that there's a World War II monument at Unionville Elementary School? It reads "
Connections
Retired Unionville schoolteacher Don Silknitter and his wife, Joan, have started a West Marlborough Township group on Facebook as a way to share news with township residents. It has already become a big hit, full of information about election results and township meetings, as well as historical tidbits and photos.
Don't look for any political commentary, though: Don's strictly enforced rule for the group is NO POLITICS!
Don shared a wonderful postcard view of Doe Run circa 1907, showing Edwin Buffington and Thad Herr crossing Route 82, then a dirt road.
The group is up to nearly 100 members, and at the Nov. 5 township meeting, planning commission member Josh Taylor thanked Don for providing a very useful public service.
I don't want to neglect our worthy neighbor East Marlborough Township: in recent weeks they also started a public Facebook page that you can "like"!
(Sorry, but yes, you DO have to join Facebook to access both of these sites. Some people refuse to do so, and I can't say I completely disagree with them.)
Don't look for any political commentary, though: Don's strictly enforced rule for the group is NO POLITICS!
Don shared a wonderful postcard view of Doe Run circa 1907, showing Edwin Buffington and Thad Herr crossing Route 82, then a dirt road.
The group is up to nearly 100 members, and at the Nov. 5 township meeting, planning commission member Josh Taylor thanked Don for providing a very useful public service.
I don't want to neglect our worthy neighbor East Marlborough Township: in recent weeks they also started a public Facebook page that you can "like"!
(Sorry, but yes, you DO have to join Facebook to access both of these sites. Some people refuse to do so, and I can't say I completely disagree with them.)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Found!
A month ago I mentioned that I'd gone in search of paperwhite bulbs and couldn't find any. Well, they are now in stock at RP Nurseries on Route 82 in Willowdale. I bought 20 bulbs this afternoon and have already planted two potfuls (and while I was at it I transferred a long-pot-bound aloe.) For $1 each, they will be a great mood-booster as the temperatures get colder and the days keep getting shorter: they produce a beautiful cluster of white flowers that has a spicy scent.
Hunt Cup 2012: Fried chicken
I was SO looking forward to the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup this year! The wonderful camaraderie, the excellent food and drink, the racing -- the whole atmosphere is just such a celebration. I deliberately left my phone at home because I just wanted to enjoy the day without distraction.
Each year is memorable, and this year what I'll remember is the fried chicken. Every tailgate party seemed to feature it. Ours was from Hood's, and they also included a whole tray of french fries and little tubs of unbelievably tasty mac and cheese (I ate two).
And, oh yes, I'll also remember the cold. We stood outside on the top of the hill for 6 hours in 40-degree temperatures, and that doesn't include the wind. Sun was predicted but was a total no-show. I wore fleece leggings under my jeans, two pairs of socks, fleece gloves, and multiple jackets, scarves and wooly shawls and ended up looking like a babushka. (And yes, I wore the equestrian-themed bracelets that my kind reader gave me!)
Actually I didn't get really, really cold until near the end of the day, and I was quite surprised to hear my friends complaining: after all, these are hardy people who go out foxhunting in sub-freezing temperatures and come home beaming with happiness. One fellow in my party even went home to retrieve a warmer coat -- and brought back steaming travel mugs of Irish coffee for us!
One very smart group of tailgaters on the finish line brought along a portable propane stove and had it nicely cranked up. Friends of the late Gil Sheck were out in force, as always, with Gil's black truck flying the American flag.
The racing was great fun and very exciting, and I was relieved that no one, horse or human, was seriously injured the entire day.
En route to the race course, the two Corgis in our party were bouncing off the walls in excitement. They got thoroughly spoiled all day long, and when we left, I think they fell asleep before we even pulled out onto Newark Road. I have a fair amount of stamina, but I fell into bed by 8 p.m. I'm not at all sure how anyone made it to the after-parties!
One note about the program (sold by some very energetic Upland students): the memorial pages and photos were beautiful.
Congrats to the whole Committee. It was a great day!
Each year is memorable, and this year what I'll remember is the fried chicken. Every tailgate party seemed to feature it. Ours was from Hood's, and they also included a whole tray of french fries and little tubs of unbelievably tasty mac and cheese (I ate two).
And, oh yes, I'll also remember the cold. We stood outside on the top of the hill for 6 hours in 40-degree temperatures, and that doesn't include the wind. Sun was predicted but was a total no-show. I wore fleece leggings under my jeans, two pairs of socks, fleece gloves, and multiple jackets, scarves and wooly shawls and ended up looking like a babushka. (And yes, I wore the equestrian-themed bracelets that my kind reader gave me!)
Actually I didn't get really, really cold until near the end of the day, and I was quite surprised to hear my friends complaining: after all, these are hardy people who go out foxhunting in sub-freezing temperatures and come home beaming with happiness. One fellow in my party even went home to retrieve a warmer coat -- and brought back steaming travel mugs of Irish coffee for us!
One very smart group of tailgaters on the finish line brought along a portable propane stove and had it nicely cranked up. Friends of the late Gil Sheck were out in force, as always, with Gil's black truck flying the American flag.
The racing was great fun and very exciting, and I was relieved that no one, horse or human, was seriously injured the entire day.
En route to the race course, the two Corgis in our party were bouncing off the walls in excitement. They got thoroughly spoiled all day long, and when we left, I think they fell asleep before we even pulled out onto Newark Road. I have a fair amount of stamina, but I fell into bed by 8 p.m. I'm not at all sure how anyone made it to the after-parties!
One note about the program (sold by some very energetic Upland students): the memorial pages and photos were beautiful.
Congrats to the whole Committee. It was a great day!
The song remains unsung
There are a LOT of Al Stewart fans out there! In last week's column I wrote about attending his wonderful concert on Oct. 26 at Phoenixville's Colonial Theater, and I keep getting asked: Did he do "Road to Moscow"? No, alas, he didn't. The history songs he did were "Palace of Versailles," "Lord Grenville," "On the Border," and "Merlin." (I guess "Gina on the King's Row" and "Soho" also count as history songs these days.)
He also sang "Antarctica," preceding it with biographical information about Shackleton and several other explorers.
"You might think this is a song about them," he said. "It's not. It's about a very cold woman" who refused to date him.
He also sang "Antarctica," preceding it with biographical information about Shackleton and several other explorers.
"You might think this is a song about them," he said. "It's not. It's about a very cold woman" who refused to date him.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Tony on the move
The infamous Ponzi schemer Tony Young, late of West Marlborough, Palm Beach and Maine, has been transferred from the Federal Correctional Institution at Jesup, Georgia, to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Worth, Texas, a low-security institution housing male offenders.
Visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, specifically the rules and regulations and commissary lists at Forth Worth, if you want to see how drastically Tony's life has changed from his free-spending (of other people's money) days here in Unionville.
His projected release date: July 26, 2026.
Visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, specifically the rules and regulations and commissary lists at Forth Worth, if you want to see how drastically Tony's life has changed from his free-spending (of other people's money) days here in Unionville.
His projected release date: July 26, 2026.
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