My friends on the Bayard Taylor Library's Special Events Committee have asked me to put one final plug in for their annual Home & Garden Day on Saturday, June 1, which as always benefits the library's children's programs. More information is available on the library's website -- if there are any tickets left, that is!
Heads up to local residents: This year the homes and gardens are in and around the Unionville area. Even though the tour route is always well marked, there may be some motorists driving around on Saturday who are lost or aren't used to driving on our one-lane roads. Please be patient.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Preview Party
Weathervanes and seafood: that pretty much sums up my Friday evening at the Brandywine River Museum's Antiques Show preview party!
"Weathervanes" was the theme of this year's show, and there were marvelous examples both on display and for sale. My favorite by far was a 1910 weathervane showing a squirrel munching on an acorn. Completely charming. $55,000. At the same booth I saw a couple buying a horse weathervane, and there was also an adorable fox weathervane with a lovely patina.
And as far as the seafood part of the evening goes: the lavish food included excellent shrimp, paper-thin smoked salmon, and a very popular sushi bar set up on the third floor, complete with chefs, servers, soy sauce and chopsticks. There was also carved-on-the-spot roast beef and turkey; a table of mini-quiches, Swedish meatballs, spinach-filled pastry triangles, and fruits and vegetables in the courtyard; and an array of wonderful tidbits brought around by volunteers. There were bars on each floor, too, and the most beautiful flower arrangements.
To me, the most intriguing booth this year was the one occupied by Charles Edwin Puckett of Akron, Ohio (www.cepuckett.com), who specializes in illuminated manuscripts and antiquities. There were sturdy medieval metal buckles that would have been right at home in the "Game of Thrones" wardrobe room, as well as crosses and reliquaries and beautifully illustrated pages from prayer books. Even older were the rings, glass jars and miniature figures from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Can you imagine using a shellfish spoon from 2,000 years ago?
Among the guests, I had the huge pleasure of meeting Lee, a long-time reader of this column who takes a great interest in my comings and goings. "You really know what's going on," she declared -- music to my ears! I also had fun talking local politics with East Bradford Township supervisor John Snook.
It was amusing to see the varied outfits worn by the visitors on the chilly, misty evening, a far cry from the usual warm late-May weather. I had planned to wear a little summer dress, but my plans changed drastically when the thermometer didn't rise much above 50 degrees. Bolder women, however, defied the weather and showed up in sleeveless dresses and sandals.
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"Weathervanes" was the theme of this year's show, and there were marvelous examples both on display and for sale. My favorite by far was a 1910 weathervane showing a squirrel munching on an acorn. Completely charming. $55,000. At the same booth I saw a couple buying a horse weathervane, and there was also an adorable fox weathervane with a lovely patina.
And as far as the seafood part of the evening goes: the lavish food included excellent shrimp, paper-thin smoked salmon, and a very popular sushi bar set up on the third floor, complete with chefs, servers, soy sauce and chopsticks. There was also carved-on-the-spot roast beef and turkey; a table of mini-quiches, Swedish meatballs, spinach-filled pastry triangles, and fruits and vegetables in the courtyard; and an array of wonderful tidbits brought around by volunteers. There were bars on each floor, too, and the most beautiful flower arrangements.
To me, the most intriguing booth this year was the one occupied by Charles Edwin Puckett of Akron, Ohio (www.cepuckett.com), who specializes in illuminated manuscripts and antiquities. There were sturdy medieval metal buckles that would have been right at home in the "Game of Thrones" wardrobe room, as well as crosses and reliquaries and beautifully illustrated pages from prayer books. Even older were the rings, glass jars and miniature figures from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Can you imagine using a shellfish spoon from 2,000 years ago?
Among the guests, I had the huge pleasure of meeting Lee, a long-time reader of this column who takes a great interest in my comings and goings. "You really know what's going on," she declared -- music to my ears! I also had fun talking local politics with East Bradford Township supervisor John Snook.
It was amusing to see the varied outfits worn by the visitors on the chilly, misty evening, a far cry from the usual warm late-May weather. I had planned to wear a little summer dress, but my plans changed drastically when the thermometer didn't rise much above 50 degrees. Bolder women, however, defied the weather and showed up in sleeveless dresses and sandals.
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Energy Independence Day
On May 19 the Cranky Friend and I headed to Modena, a tiny town just south of Coatesville, for the Fifth Annual Energy Independence Day. It was sponsored by several "green-minded" small businesses, like Waste Oil Recyclers and Organic Mechanics Potting Soil, that have brought new life to a crumbling old industrial park along the Brandywine.
Victory Brewing was there with beer samples, Robin Mastrippolito, Confectioner, sold her amazing cupcakes (I had a chocolate and mint concoction called a Grasshopper), and there were displays from all kinds of sustainability-minded community groups and businesses. I especially liked the handmade hardwood cutting boards from Philadelphia Custom Block & Board (www.blockandboard.com) (despite the name, they're located in Modena).
The live music was fantastic: it was the first time I'd heard my pal Dave Dickens sing, and he was awesome! I enjoyed seeing the extremely neat and already thriving gardens and raised beds around the buildings; there was even a pocket flower garden (literally) hanging from a rusty chain-link fence. Among the guests were local friends John Hodges and Jill Benjamin, Moira O'Neal, Sally and Hugh Lofting with their son, Claire Murray (organizing a kids' seed-planting project), and Rob Mastrippolito and Biff McNeil, both of Waste Oil Recyclers.
The Cranky Friend was captivated by Deborah Kates' demonstration of the jam-making process, from boiling up the strawberries (the aroma was unbelievable) to filling and sealing the little glass jars. He even got to take a jar home, still warm from the canner.
Thanks to my "Mogreena" friends for a delightful afternoon!
Victory Brewing was there with beer samples, Robin Mastrippolito, Confectioner, sold her amazing cupcakes (I had a chocolate and mint concoction called a Grasshopper), and there were displays from all kinds of sustainability-minded community groups and businesses. I especially liked the handmade hardwood cutting boards from Philadelphia Custom Block & Board (www.blockandboard.com) (despite the name, they're located in Modena).
The live music was fantastic: it was the first time I'd heard my pal Dave Dickens sing, and he was awesome! I enjoyed seeing the extremely neat and already thriving gardens and raised beds around the buildings; there was even a pocket flower garden (literally) hanging from a rusty chain-link fence. Among the guests were local friends John Hodges and Jill Benjamin, Moira O'Neal, Sally and Hugh Lofting with their son, Claire Murray (organizing a kids' seed-planting project), and Rob Mastrippolito and Biff McNeil, both of Waste Oil Recyclers.
The Cranky Friend was captivated by Deborah Kates' demonstration of the jam-making process, from boiling up the strawberries (the aroma was unbelievable) to filling and sealing the little glass jars. He even got to take a jar home, still warm from the canner.
Thanks to my "Mogreena" friends for a delightful afternoon!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Bridge hearing
Thursday, June 20, at 7 p.m. is the rescheduled date for the hearing about Dick Hayne's proposed bridge at his Doe Run Farm in West Marlborough. An April 24 zoning hearing was cancelled at Mr. Hayne's request. The proposed steel box beam bridge, off Route 841 near the S-curve east of Thouron Road, would be about 56 feet long and 12 feet wide, with oak planking. It will be able to carry not only cattle but also farm equipment.
Speaking of Doe Run Farm, check out the June 30 issue of "Wine Spectator"; there's a story about the award-winning cheese the farm produces! (Thanks to Bill Clement for that tip.)
Speaking of Doe Run Farm, check out the June 30 issue of "Wine Spectator"; there's a story about the award-winning cheese the farm produces! (Thanks to Bill Clement for that tip.)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Winner's circle
Last night I stopped in at the Whip Tavern in Springdell, and as they do every Wednesday evening during the steeplechase season, they were showing footage of the previous weekend's races. Jody Petty, who had ridden two horses to victory at Radnor, was there, and it was such fun to watch the footage with him.
One race had a particularly nice finish, and we all congratulated him. He would have none of it, deflecting all the credit to his horse, Mr. Skip, instead.
"Wasn't me," he said. "It was all him."
When the post-race interview came on, he said he could barely stand to watch it, and we all agreed how disconcerting it is to hear your voice on a recording.
One race had a particularly nice finish, and we all congratulated him. He would have none of it, deflecting all the credit to his horse, Mr. Skip, instead.
"Wasn't me," he said. "It was all him."
When the post-race interview came on, he said he could barely stand to watch it, and we all agreed how disconcerting it is to hear your voice on a recording.
Competition
In the May 21 primary election, incumbent West Marlborough Township supervisor Bill Wylie held off a challenge from retired Unionville Elementary teacher Don Silknitter, 49 votes to 38 (56% to 43%). Voter turnout in West Marlborough was 18% (lame, but still better than the county-wide 10%): 87 West Marlborough Republicans came out to vote (31% of the total number of township Republicans) and 22 Democrats (10% of the total number of township Democrats). One explanation for the discrepancy might be that the supervisors' race was only on the Republican ticket.
Inspired by all of my pals who ran the Kennett Run last weekend, I decided to take a mid-day break from my editing work to jog down to the polling place. I planned to walk back. Unfortunately, I kept seeing people on the way back -- boys fishing, people riding, motorists I knew -- and I just couldn't let them see me walking while wearing my running clothes. So I ended up jogging (actually trotting) most of the way back. All uphill. Ouch.
Inspired by all of my pals who ran the Kennett Run last weekend, I decided to take a mid-day break from my editing work to jog down to the polling place. I planned to walk back. Unfortunately, I kept seeing people on the way back -- boys fishing, people riding, motorists I knew -- and I just couldn't let them see me walking while wearing my running clothes. So I ended up jogging (actually trotting) most of the way back. All uphill. Ouch.
A bright future
Last night was the Young Relative's open house at Hillendale Elementary, and I was blown away by the talent and creativity of the students. Their science projects were ingenious: as a baker I especially liked one experiment where two girls tested whether adding food coloring to vanilla cupcakes affected taste-testers' ratings. (It did. They ran the statistics and showed sample forms from the taste-testers.)
In another project the Young Relative and his colleagues had to try to solve a CSI-like murder involving a poisoned soda, given a set of clues. They used pH, DNA, chromatography, fiber analysis and other techniques to narrow the list of suspects. There was no one "right" answer; each student just had to present the most convincing case he or she could. One student prepared a final report that was so professional-looking I thought it was perhaps a corporate newsletter.
Outside of one classroom was a bulletin-board display of Idioms. The kids drew the literal meaning of phrases like "in one ear and out the other," "head full of rocks" and "his bark is worse than his bite" -- hilarious cartoons! -- and then stated the figurative meaning.
Do I need to say that the Tally-ho family will miss Hillendale Elementary next year?
In another project the Young Relative and his colleagues had to try to solve a CSI-like murder involving a poisoned soda, given a set of clues. They used pH, DNA, chromatography, fiber analysis and other techniques to narrow the list of suspects. There was no one "right" answer; each student just had to present the most convincing case he or she could. One student prepared a final report that was so professional-looking I thought it was perhaps a corporate newsletter.
Outside of one classroom was a bulletin-board display of Idioms. The kids drew the literal meaning of phrases like "in one ear and out the other," "head full of rocks" and "his bark is worse than his bite" -- hilarious cartoons! -- and then stated the figurative meaning.
Do I need to say that the Tally-ho family will miss Hillendale Elementary next year?
London Grove Lake Club
Lake swimming is one of my favorite things, and I just found out that the old Avon Swim Club in London Grove Township is thinking of reopening! They didn't get enough members to open this summer, but there's an open house for potential members on Sunday, June 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the water-filled former quarry, which is located just off Route 41 near the Baltimore Pike intersection. London Grove Township owns the site, and you can find a lot more information about the plans for the quarry on the township website and the "London Grove Lake Club" Facebook page.
Phew!
I am beyond relieved and happy to put to rest the rumor that Hood's is closing. At lunch yesterday I asked Larry if there was any truth to the rumor and he said absolutely not; in fact, they have plans for improving the restaurant still further (if that's possible). Hood's pretty much serves as Unionville Central for our community; you will definitely see people you know there.
By the way, I tried their taco salad yesterday and it was delicious. And don't forget, they sell milk from Baily's Dairy!
By the way, I tried their taco salad yesterday and it was delicious. And don't forget, they sell milk from Baily's Dairy!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Spring Fling
Buck & Doe Trust's annual outdoor breakfast in the Laurels is an event I try not to miss. To start with, it's the one time of year you're allowed to drive your vehicle down that narrow trail to the covered bridge. Number two is the amazing food: pancakes cooked on the spot by Jerry Brown (this year with honey-cinnamon and orange-flavored butters!), donuts, strawberries, sausage and coffee. Number three: it honors the generous local people who help to protect our beautiful countryside by easing their land.
Sunday morning we ate inside the covered bridge because it was a little misty out. Part of the bridge's wood decking is raised by a few inches, and it certainly gave my short frame a boost when I was talking to tall people who usually loom over me.
And what entertaining conversations with old friends and new! How to control multiflora rose and mile-a-minute vine; the idiosyncrasies of local tennis courts; Macs vs. PCs; and of course the local news du jour. (In one case I noticed that the person being discussed was, in fact, present and standing just feet away. Ah, the island of Unionville!)
Inside the covered bridge were displayed two maps, one showing the amount of conserved land before 1984 and the one next to it showing the amount at present. One member of my party didn't realize that he was supposed to compare the two maps; he peered at the earlier one and said, "Wow, I thought there was a lot more than that." Without a word I pointed to the "Pre-1984" sign. "Ah. That would explain it," he said.
Thank you to the Buck & Doe Trust for the invite!
Sunday morning we ate inside the covered bridge because it was a little misty out. Part of the bridge's wood decking is raised by a few inches, and it certainly gave my short frame a boost when I was talking to tall people who usually loom over me.
And what entertaining conversations with old friends and new! How to control multiflora rose and mile-a-minute vine; the idiosyncrasies of local tennis courts; Macs vs. PCs; and of course the local news du jour. (In one case I noticed that the person being discussed was, in fact, present and standing just feet away. Ah, the island of Unionville!)
Inside the covered bridge were displayed two maps, one showing the amount of conserved land before 1984 and the one next to it showing the amount at present. One member of my party didn't realize that he was supposed to compare the two maps; he peered at the earlier one and said, "Wow, I thought there was a lot more than that." Without a word I pointed to the "Pre-1984" sign. "Ah. That would explain it," he said.
Thank you to the Buck & Doe Trust for the invite!
Twin sons
West Marlborough residents Don and Joan Silknitter are grandparents times two! Their daughter, Donna Silknitter-Rauchut, and her husband,Thomas Rauchut of East Fallowfield Township welcomed twin sons, Christopher Thomas and William John, on April 15. Congratulations! I have seen photos of the little guys and they are adorable.
Holding on
Our local Y instructors make a point of knowing their students' strengths. The other day we were doing an isometric inner-thigh exercise that started burning almost immediately, even though I have pretty strong legs.
"Try to hold it for a couple of breaths," our instructor advised. "Except for my horse people. You guys can hold it for five minutes."
"Try to hold it for a couple of breaths," our instructor advised. "Except for my horse people. You guys can hold it for five minutes."
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