On my list of first-world problems this week: At an art show opening I went to the other night, the food table had attractive but not-so-practical offerings. On the fruit tray were piles of individual grapes, not bunches, and blueberries, but there were no spoons or bowls. What were we supposed to do, just grab them individually with our fingers?
And another platter had various cheeses sliced in squares and triangles and a molded rice dish. But again, there were no serving implements, or even crackers or toothpicks (not that toothpicks would have helped with the rice).
The hungry man in front of me looked at the table helplessly.
"Maybe you get issued a packet of crackers if you buy a piece of art," I suggested.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Mixing it up
Mo Hodges, son of Jill Benjamin and John Hodges of Unionville, got a shout-out in the New York Times' "6th Floor" blog, Jill told me tonight with a justified measure of maternal pride.
It seems that Mo tends bar at Big, a San Francisco bar, which blogger Rosie Schaap describes as "a minuscule lounge" that "has the finest virtues of great cocktail bars (foremost among them: thoughtful, unusual drinks prepared with great finesse) minus the stuffiness that sometimes suffuses such places."
One of those unusual drinks is Mo's creation "The Drink With No Name," which features gin, vermouth, cardamom bitters, Aquavit, a gentian apertif and a sour cherry liqueur. The March 22 blog entry shows a photo of Mo with his drink (he definitely has his father's smile) and gives the full recipe.
(Jill said that unfortunately, just after the piece appeared, the bar lost its lease and will have to move.)
To celebrate his own recent milestone birthday, Mo's dad John went out to California and spent an evening bartending alongside his son, "slinging drinks and great bar conversation in observance of his fantastic career in the game of life," Mo wrote in a description of the event.
(I want to share a comment that was posted on my blog: "I graduated from UHS with Mo, he had a great personality and sense of humor, looks like it is serving him well!")
It seems that Mo tends bar at Big, a San Francisco bar, which blogger Rosie Schaap describes as "a minuscule lounge" that "has the finest virtues of great cocktail bars (foremost among them: thoughtful, unusual drinks prepared with great finesse) minus the stuffiness that sometimes suffuses such places."
One of those unusual drinks is Mo's creation "The Drink With No Name," which features gin, vermouth, cardamom bitters, Aquavit, a gentian apertif and a sour cherry liqueur. The March 22 blog entry shows a photo of Mo with his drink (he definitely has his father's smile) and gives the full recipe.
(Jill said that unfortunately, just after the piece appeared, the bar lost its lease and will have to move.)
To celebrate his own recent milestone birthday, Mo's dad John went out to California and spent an evening bartending alongside his son, "slinging drinks and great bar conversation in observance of his fantastic career in the game of life," Mo wrote in a description of the event.
(I want to share a comment that was posted on my blog: "I graduated from UHS with Mo, he had a great personality and sense of humor, looks like it is serving him well!")
Over my head
What's the over/under on when that black oak branch hanging over Route 842, about a quarter-mile east of Byrd Road, is going to come crashing down? Last June one big branch from the huge tree came down, and I don't think this one will make it through the first strong summer storm.
A friend of mine was giving directions and I heard her say, "that branch that's ready to crush your car," and I knew exactly what she meant. I've noticed myself speeding up a little bit to decrease the amount of time I spend directly under it.
Kind of reminds me of the twisted logic that an old boyfriend used: he reasoned that because so many fender-benders occurred in parking lots, it was best to spend as little time as possible in them -- and hence, to drive as fast as possible through them, ideally doing spins and sideways skids.
A friend of mine was giving directions and I heard her say, "that branch that's ready to crush your car," and I knew exactly what she meant. I've noticed myself speeding up a little bit to decrease the amount of time I spend directly under it.
Kind of reminds me of the twisted logic that an old boyfriend used: he reasoned that because so many fender-benders occurred in parking lots, it was best to spend as little time as possible in them -- and hence, to drive as fast as possible through them, ideally doing spins and sideways skids.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Autism benefit
A Kennett friend asked me to give his charity event a little publicity, and I'm happy to oblige.
"Singing Out For Autism," sponsored by the Brandywine Folk Collective, is going to be held on Saturday, April 13, at the Melton Center, 501 E. Miner Street, West Chester. Proceeds go to S.P.A.R.C. (South Eastern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center. Admission is free and the music runs from 1 to 11 p.m. Ten tri-state area bands in the genres of folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, and more will be playing; there will also be games, children’s activities, food, craft, and artisan vendors, and tables providing information about ways to get involved in local community. For more information, visit "Singing out for Autism" on Facebook.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Party at Bam's
As long as I can remember, I've thought it's important to hang out with a wide variety of people. That was perhaps never more evident than when I was tailgating at the Cheshire Point-to-Point with my Unionville pals and received a text from a young friend inviting me to a punk-rock art exhibit at his friend Bam Margera's compound in Pocopson Township. He sent me the gate code.
Well, who could say no to that? The only gate I usually have to deal with is the one at the Mr. Wizard Car Wash. And after all Bam, a West Chester native, is something of a celebrity and Renaissance man: he's a skateboarder, a television and radio personality, a musician, and an actor and has made a name for himself -- and a considerable fortune -- celebrating the cool hipster lifestyle. He has developed an interest in painting and was hosting an art show that featured his own work and that of his friend, the more traditional painter John Hannafin.
So late Tuesday afternoon I drove over to Bam's. Cars were parked along the road and the gate was wide open. I parked and walked to the indoor skateboarding park where the art show was being held.
The guests were an eclectic and very friendly bunch: young, bearded, pierced, tattooed guys in hooded sweatshirts, some of the local art crowd (I saw Julie Dixon), and some more conventional curiosity-seekers (like me). Even County Commissioner Terence Farrell was there!
Bam's dark, graffiti-inspired paintings depicted wraithlike, tortured figures and a lot of symbols and curse words. John Hannafin's provided a vivid contrast, especially his paintings of sunflowers and tulips and West Chester scenes. A portrait he did of Bam was marvelous.
At one point I wanted to get a closer look at one of Bam's paintings and started walking up a skateboarding ramp. I quickly realized that was a big mistake, as my high-heeled boots gained absolutely no traction on the ramp, which was as smooth as a ballroom floor.
Unfortunately I had to leave to cover a West Marlborough township meeting, so I missed the performance by Bam's band, FFU (you can guess what one of those initials stands for), which will be touring in England in July.
On the way back to my car I noticed that one of the garage doors was open. I can now say that I attended a punk-rock art show where there was a bright-blue Lamborghini parked in the garage.
Well, who could say no to that? The only gate I usually have to deal with is the one at the Mr. Wizard Car Wash. And after all Bam, a West Chester native, is something of a celebrity and Renaissance man: he's a skateboarder, a television and radio personality, a musician, and an actor and has made a name for himself -- and a considerable fortune -- celebrating the cool hipster lifestyle. He has developed an interest in painting and was hosting an art show that featured his own work and that of his friend, the more traditional painter John Hannafin.
So late Tuesday afternoon I drove over to Bam's. Cars were parked along the road and the gate was wide open. I parked and walked to the indoor skateboarding park where the art show was being held.
The guests were an eclectic and very friendly bunch: young, bearded, pierced, tattooed guys in hooded sweatshirts, some of the local art crowd (I saw Julie Dixon), and some more conventional curiosity-seekers (like me). Even County Commissioner Terence Farrell was there!
Bam's dark, graffiti-inspired paintings depicted wraithlike, tortured figures and a lot of symbols and curse words. John Hannafin's provided a vivid contrast, especially his paintings of sunflowers and tulips and West Chester scenes. A portrait he did of Bam was marvelous.
At one point I wanted to get a closer look at one of Bam's paintings and started walking up a skateboarding ramp. I quickly realized that was a big mistake, as my high-heeled boots gained absolutely no traction on the ramp, which was as smooth as a ballroom floor.
Unfortunately I had to leave to cover a West Marlborough township meeting, so I missed the performance by Bam's band, FFU (you can guess what one of those initials stands for), which will be touring in England in July.
On the way back to my car I noticed that one of the garage doors was open. I can now say that I attended a punk-rock art show where there was a bright-blue Lamborghini parked in the garage.
What's new at Doe Run Farm?
Richard Hayne wants to build a bridge so his cattle can cross a branch of the Doe Run Creek at his Doe Run Farm, and he will be seeking permission for it at a meeting of the West Marlborough Township Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 p.m.
The proposed steel box beam bridge, off Route 841 near the S-curve east of Thouron Road, will be about 56 feet long and 12 feet wide, with oak planks, and will be anchored by steel pilings. At the township planning commission's monthly meeting on April 2, the township's engineer, Al Giannantonio, described it as "a very substantial bridge" that could bear the weight of not only cattle but also heavy vehicles.
He said Mr. Hayne's workers had already started the bridge project when the township alerted them that they needed permits; the project was then halted.
In other Doe Run Farm business, township supervisor Bill Wylie said he and Mr. Giannantonio recently met with two of Mr. Hayne's representatives, Mike Gladnick and Dave Ziel, to discuss several outstanding items:
1. The creamery, where the farm's cheese is made, does not comply with state regulations for commercial buildings.
2. The corn crib/chicken coop on Hicks Road is in the flood plain.
3. A small part of the paved road that Mr. Hayne built between Thouron Road and Route 841 is in the flood plain.
The supervisors said they did not consider the second and third items significant enough to pursue, especially since the expenses involved in holding a hearing would exceed the required fees.
"It's really not worth going there," said supervisor Hugh Lofting.
But on the first item, "there's not a whole lot of wiggle room" when it comes to enforcing state code, explained Mr. Giannantonio.
Back in 2010 Mr. Hayne had said the cheese-making facility would be for his personal use only, which meant that it had to comply only with regulations for agricultural buildings. However, when he started selling the cheese off-site, it then became subject to regulations for commercial buildings, such as having elevators and handicapped-accessible bathrooms.
Mr. Giannantonio said the township is awaiting a response from Mr. Hayne's representatives.
The proposed steel box beam bridge, off Route 841 near the S-curve east of Thouron Road, will be about 56 feet long and 12 feet wide, with oak planks, and will be anchored by steel pilings. At the township planning commission's monthly meeting on April 2, the township's engineer, Al Giannantonio, described it as "a very substantial bridge" that could bear the weight of not only cattle but also heavy vehicles.
He said Mr. Hayne's workers had already started the bridge project when the township alerted them that they needed permits; the project was then halted.
In other Doe Run Farm business, township supervisor Bill Wylie said he and Mr. Giannantonio recently met with two of Mr. Hayne's representatives, Mike Gladnick and Dave Ziel, to discuss several outstanding items:
1. The creamery, where the farm's cheese is made, does not comply with state regulations for commercial buildings.
2. The corn crib/chicken coop on Hicks Road is in the flood plain.
3. A small part of the paved road that Mr. Hayne built between Thouron Road and Route 841 is in the flood plain.
The supervisors said they did not consider the second and third items significant enough to pursue, especially since the expenses involved in holding a hearing would exceed the required fees.
"It's really not worth going there," said supervisor Hugh Lofting.
But on the first item, "there's not a whole lot of wiggle room" when it comes to enforcing state code, explained Mr. Giannantonio.
Back in 2010 Mr. Hayne had said the cheese-making facility would be for his personal use only, which meant that it had to comply only with regulations for agricultural buildings. However, when he started selling the cheese off-site, it then became subject to regulations for commercial buildings, such as having elevators and handicapped-accessible bathrooms.
Mr. Giannantonio said the township is awaiting a response from Mr. Hayne's representatives.
Home & Garden Day
The Bayard Taylor Library's annual Home & Garden Day -- this year in our own beautiful Unionville area! -- will be held on Saturday, June 1. Yes, I know, it's two months away, but everyone's schedule gets so busy that time of year that I wanted to give you plenty of advance notice. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance: you can buy them on line (www.bayardtaylor.org); at the library or by mail, 216 E. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348; or by phoning the library at 610-444-2702. Tour proceeds benefit children's programs at the library.
Lunch will be available on the day of the tour at the Foxfire Restaurant at the Stone Barn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch tickets ($20) also must be purchased in advance.
Lunch will be available on the day of the tour at the Foxfire Restaurant at the Stone Barn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch tickets ($20) also must be purchased in advance.
In other bridge news...
Frog Hollow Road residents will be delighted to hear that the legal wrangling with the state Department of Transportation appears to be over, and reconstruction of the long-closed Speakman Covered Bridge could begin in 2014. The 1881 bridge over the Buck Run has been closed since it was damaged by a truck, forcing those who live on the road to make a detour all the way north to Strasburg Road whenever they needed to travel anywhere.
Bridge reconstruction has been delayed because one neighboring landowner, Jeff Seder of Houyhnhnm Farm, objected to PennDot's plans.
"I'm happy to say that Jeff has settled with PennDot," announced West Marlborough Township supervisor Michael Ledyard at the board's April 2 meeting. As part of the agreement between Mr. Seder and PennDot, an independent engineer will test the parts of the bridge that Mr. Seder does not think need to be replaced, and PennDot will not remove the bridge from the National Register of Historic Places.
"This is great news for everyone involved," Mr. Ledyard said, especially those who live on Frog Hollow Road.
[By the way, Houyhnhnm Farm is not a typo. In Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," the Houyhnhnms are a race of intelligent horses.]
Bridge reconstruction has been delayed because one neighboring landowner, Jeff Seder of Houyhnhnm Farm, objected to PennDot's plans.
"I'm happy to say that Jeff has settled with PennDot," announced West Marlborough Township supervisor Michael Ledyard at the board's April 2 meeting. As part of the agreement between Mr. Seder and PennDot, an independent engineer will test the parts of the bridge that Mr. Seder does not think need to be replaced, and PennDot will not remove the bridge from the National Register of Historic Places.
"This is great news for everyone involved," Mr. Ledyard said, especially those who live on Frog Hollow Road.
[By the way, Houyhnhnm Farm is not a typo. In Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels," the Houyhnhnms are a race of intelligent horses.]
Road work
In his monthly roadmaster's report, West Marlborough Township Supervisor Hugh Lofting said that the road crew spent 19 hours clearing snow and spreading salt in March. They also worked on the township's gravel roads, replaced a pipe under Covered Bridge Road that was destroyed by fire, and worked to get the road equipment ready for summer: "Hopefully, it'll come," he said. Mr. Lofting also said that the township's police officer, Bob Clarke, issued eight speeding citations and seven parking tickets in March.
Resignation
Michael Ledyard, chairman of the West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors, announced at the board's April 2 meeting that he will be stepping down effective the end of April after 15 years of service. He singled out for thanks and praise the township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton, solicitor Dwight Yoder, engineering and zoning consultants Al Giannantonio and Russell Yerkes, building inspector Eddie Caudill, the township road crew, and the township planning commission and zoning hearing board. He called his fellow supervisors Bill Wylie and Hugh Lofting "rock solid" and said he knows they will appoint "a good person" to fill his spot.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Tiny pieces
Well, I wish I'd known this before I gave my own shredder such a workout last week!
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, the Bayard Taylor Library in Kennett is hosting a shredding truck, which will be parked in the lot behind the library. Citizens can bring their sensitive documents to be destroyed for free. (No business documents, please!)
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, the Bayard Taylor Library in Kennett is hosting a shredding truck, which will be parked in the lot behind the library. Citizens can bring their sensitive documents to be destroyed for free. (No business documents, please!)
On a roll
I lunched at Hood's today (BBQ pulled chicken, yum!) and Larry told me that their spring/summer hours have started. They're open Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Today I shared my table with a Chester County residential real estate appraiser who was on his way to a job in Kennett borough. (By the way, he said business is really picking up this spring.) He told me he'd often passed Hood's but had never stopped in until now. I told him I hoped I'd see him back again!
Today I shared my table with a Chester County residential real estate appraiser who was on his way to a job in Kennett borough. (By the way, he said business is really picking up this spring.) He told me he'd often passed Hood's but had never stopped in until now. I told him I hoped I'd see him back again!
Family values
Well-known local residents Megan Bushnell and Laura Florence and their two children, Wylie and Mavis, starred in a "Wall Street Journal" video on March 27! The family was in Washington DC to show their support for same-sex marriage. Megan got a little choked up as she told the reporter that she and Laura had been together for 28 years and "we want to get married." She said she had high hopes that they soon would be able to.
Thanks to my pal Melissa for posting the interview on Facebook.
Here's the link to the video: http://stream.wsj.com/story/world-stream/SS-2-44156/SS-2-198423/?mod=wsj_streaming_world-stream
Megan and Laura are also featured in Wilmington photographer Barbara Proud's "First Comes Love" project, which profiles same-sex couples from all over the country who are in long-term relationships (firstcomeslove.org).
Thanks to my pal Melissa for posting the interview on Facebook.
Here's the link to the video: http://stream.wsj.com/story/world-stream/SS-2-44156/SS-2-198423/?mod=wsj_streaming_world-stream
Megan and Laura are also featured in Wilmington photographer Barbara Proud's "First Comes Love" project, which profiles same-sex couples from all over the country who are in long-term relationships (firstcomeslove.org).
Baby chicks!
On Monday morning at 8 a.m., I got a frantic call from a friend: her baby chicks had arrived at the Unionville Post Office, but her contractor's truck was blocking her driveway and she couldn't get out! I calmed her down and dashed over to her farm to pick her up.
First stop was the Embreeville Mill to buy two bags of chick feed (medicated). Then we went to the Post Office, and as soon as we walked in we heard the high-pitched cheeping noises coming from the cozy box they'd traveled in from Texas. As soon as Choon Ok handed us the box, we took the little guys (n = 4) and girls (n = 24) home.
My friend had already set up in her garage a big black tub, lined with shavings and newspaper, and had rigged up a heat lamp over the top. One at a time she gently removed the chicks from the box, dipped their beaks into the water feeder so they'd know where it was, and then set them down on the newspaper.
They immediately started bustling around, pecking at the feed and trying to fly. My friend said in a short time she'd have to put a screen over the top of the trough to keep them from flying off.
First stop was the Embreeville Mill to buy two bags of chick feed (medicated). Then we went to the Post Office, and as soon as we walked in we heard the high-pitched cheeping noises coming from the cozy box they'd traveled in from Texas. As soon as Choon Ok handed us the box, we took the little guys (n = 4) and girls (n = 24) home.
My friend had already set up in her garage a big black tub, lined with shavings and newspaper, and had rigged up a heat lamp over the top. One at a time she gently removed the chicks from the box, dipped their beaks into the water feeder so they'd know where it was, and then set them down on the newspaper. 
You'll notice on the shipping label that they included a "free rare exotic chick." We had fun trying to figure out which one it was and burst out singing "One of these things is not like the other..." We settled on a gray one that didn't seem to have a twin.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
The Cheshire Races
I spent Easter Sunday afternoon at the 68th running of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds Point-to-Point Races at Plantation Field, and despite the drizzle and gusty wind I'd wager that everyone had a fantastic time. I know I did!
The races seemed especially exciting this year: it's amazing watching the horses thundering right past you. The jockeys are magnificent riders and, like the great athletes they are, make it all look so easy.
Early on in the afternoon an acquaintance of ours stopped by and urged us to cheer for Class Classic, a horse owned by her and some foxhunting friends who call themselves "The Pod." Sure enough, Class Classic, with Jody Petty up, won his race! It was fun to see all of them posing for a photo in the winner's circle.
It was great to say hello to so many friends and neighbors, including several I see on Facebook all the time but rarely in person (Andie, Gordon, Amy and Mark, I'm looking at you in particular). Some tanned folks had recently returned from spending the winter down South, and I'm afraid Sunday's weather was something of an unpleasant shock to them.
Heavy jackets, boots, jeans and warm hats were pretty much the uniform of the day. I saw several photographer friends shooting the action, including Jim Graham (who has a photography show opening Friday, April 5, at the Hardcastle Gallery in Centerville, Delaware) and former Kennett Paper editor David Yeats-Thomas, who now edits "Mid-Atlantic Horse" (and already has his onions planted).
What's any equestrian event without food? For our tailgate party one of my pals brought "Walking Tacos," which were a huge hit. What's a walking taco? You take a snack-size bag of tortilla chips (Doritos Nacho Cheese in this case) and, without opening the bag, crunch the chips up. Then open the top of the bag, ladle in chili from a crock pot, and add cheese and sour cream to taste. Then just take a spoon and eat out of the bag. Delicious ("painfully good" was one description I heard), tidy and even ecologically sound (well, except for the fact that we kept the Jeep running so that we could plug that crock pot into the 110V outlet). My hostess says she got the idea from some clever pony club kids at the recent Andrews Bridge Paper Chase in Fair Hill.
Getting our party -- four humans, two dogs, a table, folding chairs, a large cooler, and plenty of food and drink -- packed into the Jeep Liberty was pretty funny; it was like Tetris, or one of those vexing 3-D wooden puzzles that you have to assemble in exactly the right order. On the way to the course the dogs were bouncing off the windows, they were so excited; fortunately, on the way home at about 4 p.m. they were so exhausted they immediately fell asleep.
And I have to say: I went home, dried off and warmed up, cleaned off the mud and took a brief nap myself.
The races seemed especially exciting this year: it's amazing watching the horses thundering right past you. The jockeys are magnificent riders and, like the great athletes they are, make it all look so easy.
Early on in the afternoon an acquaintance of ours stopped by and urged us to cheer for Class Classic, a horse owned by her and some foxhunting friends who call themselves "The Pod." Sure enough, Class Classic, with Jody Petty up, won his race! It was fun to see all of them posing for a photo in the winner's circle.
It was great to say hello to so many friends and neighbors, including several I see on Facebook all the time but rarely in person (Andie, Gordon, Amy and Mark, I'm looking at you in particular). Some tanned folks had recently returned from spending the winter down South, and I'm afraid Sunday's weather was something of an unpleasant shock to them.
Heavy jackets, boots, jeans and warm hats were pretty much the uniform of the day. I saw several photographer friends shooting the action, including Jim Graham (who has a photography show opening Friday, April 5, at the Hardcastle Gallery in Centerville, Delaware) and former Kennett Paper editor David Yeats-Thomas, who now edits "Mid-Atlantic Horse" (and already has his onions planted).
What's any equestrian event without food? For our tailgate party one of my pals brought "Walking Tacos," which were a huge hit. What's a walking taco? You take a snack-size bag of tortilla chips (Doritos Nacho Cheese in this case) and, without opening the bag, crunch the chips up. Then open the top of the bag, ladle in chili from a crock pot, and add cheese and sour cream to taste. Then just take a spoon and eat out of the bag. Delicious ("painfully good" was one description I heard), tidy and even ecologically sound (well, except for the fact that we kept the Jeep running so that we could plug that crock pot into the 110V outlet). My hostess says she got the idea from some clever pony club kids at the recent Andrews Bridge Paper Chase in Fair Hill.
Getting our party -- four humans, two dogs, a table, folding chairs, a large cooler, and plenty of food and drink -- packed into the Jeep Liberty was pretty funny; it was like Tetris, or one of those vexing 3-D wooden puzzles that you have to assemble in exactly the right order. On the way to the course the dogs were bouncing off the windows, they were so excited; fortunately, on the way home at about 4 p.m. they were so exhausted they immediately fell asleep.
And I have to say: I went home, dried off and warmed up, cleaned off the mud and took a brief nap myself.
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