And on Saturday I stopped by Baily's Dairy in Pocopson for milk and had a great time watching the ducks strutting around.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
A Perfectly Fowl Week
Who knew? Chickens love to eat pumpkins, and the seeds even contain a natural de-wormer. Now that it's well past Halloween, I took my largest pumpkin over to a friend's hutch and something of a poultry frenzy ensued, with the hens and roosters clucking with excitement, pecking at the pumpkin flesh, and gobbling the seeds. My friend reports that nothing was left but the stem!
And on Saturday I stopped by Baily's Dairy in Pocopson for milk and had a great time watching the ducks strutting around.
And on Saturday I stopped by Baily's Dairy in Pocopson for milk and had a great time watching the ducks strutting around.
Whitewing Farm decision
The East Marlborough Township zoning hearing board has ruled against Lance and Sandra Shortt's bid to continuing to hold wedding receptions and parties at their Whitewing Farm property on Valley Road (formerly owned by the DeSetas).
Some neighbors had complained that the events brought unwanted traffic and noise to their neighborhood, and a legal battle ensued that eventually led to a series of zoning hearings. The Shortts argued that they had the right to continue holding the events because the township's zoning ordinance didn't allow "private assembly uses" anywhere in East Marlborough.
In its 30-page ruling, the members of the zoning board (Tom Simpers, Richard Pratt, Gerald Hoover, John Laffey and Steve Davidson) disagreed with the Shortts' argument and in fact found that "the proposed Private Assembly Use is encompassed and permitted under several use categories in the Zoning Ordinance." They also found the evidence presented by the township's expert witness "to be more credible" than that presented by the one hired by the Shortts.
Some neighbors had complained that the events brought unwanted traffic and noise to their neighborhood, and a legal battle ensued that eventually led to a series of zoning hearings. The Shortts argued that they had the right to continue holding the events because the township's zoning ordinance didn't allow "private assembly uses" anywhere in East Marlborough.
In its 30-page ruling, the members of the zoning board (Tom Simpers, Richard Pratt, Gerald Hoover, John Laffey and Steve Davidson) disagreed with the Shortts' argument and in fact found that "the proposed Private Assembly Use is encompassed and permitted under several use categories in the Zoning Ordinance." They also found the evidence presented by the township's expert witness "to be more credible" than that presented by the one hired by the Shortts.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Red Lion Road
"Unionville in the News" reader Beth emailed to ask me if knew anything about the little house that's being rebuilt along Red Lion Road in Pocopson Township
"I have always loved that house and often wondered about it. It is obviously going to be used as there is much construction and quite a few people around the place," she wrote. "Just wondering ... and am happy that someone cares enough to save yet another piece of local history."
I didn't know anything about it, but happily enough The Kennett Paper's editor, Fran Maye, did. He told me that the former tenant house was built in 1780 and is one of the oldest houses still standing in Chester County. Under the direction of Sam Wickersham, it's being rebuilt exactly the way it was. The masons are using fieldstone from nearby and have reused all the brick and added old brick from other places nearby.
"I have always loved that house and often wondered about it. It is obviously going to be used as there is much construction and quite a few people around the place," she wrote. "Just wondering ... and am happy that someone cares enough to save yet another piece of local history."
I didn't know anything about it, but happily enough The Kennett Paper's editor, Fran Maye, did. He told me that the former tenant house was built in 1780 and is one of the oldest houses still standing in Chester County. Under the direction of Sam Wickersham, it's being rebuilt exactly the way it was. The masons are using fieldstone from nearby and have reused all the brick and added old brick from other places nearby.
Beaver lodge
The other day I got a tip that there was a beaver lodge off a back road nearby, and I traipsed through some high weeds and a marsh and located it. It's huge! They've also built a dam, and there's now a lake where there wasn't one before.
(One local wag asked if the beavers had secured zoning permission and a building permit from the township before building the structures.)
A friend recalled that at the school where she teaches, beavers dragged away the boards that had been laid down over the wet areas along a nature trail. "It was kind of funny to imagine them strategizing tossing them into the dam they built, which is exactly what they did," she said. "Would love to see them at work but they're so secretive."
(One local wag asked if the beavers had secured zoning permission and a building permit from the township before building the structures.)
A friend recalled that at the school where she teaches, beavers dragged away the boards that had been laid down over the wet areas along a nature trail. "It was kind of funny to imagine them strategizing tossing them into the dam they built, which is exactly what they did," she said. "Would love to see them at work but they're so secretive."
Book Sale
There's going to be a used book sale at London Grove Friends Meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Donations of books, movies and CDs are welcome (except for textbooks and musty books, reasonably enough) and can be dropped off at the meeting house at Newark Road and Route 926. Proceeds benefit the meeting's kindergarten.
If you stop by the sale, make a point of taking a few minutes to appreciate the magnificent Penn Oak.
If you stop by the sale, make a point of taking a few minutes to appreciate the magnificent Penn Oak.
Semi-feral ponies
I love seeing the adorable semi-feral ponies as I'm driving past the New Bolton Center campus, and equine behavior specialist Dr. Sue McDonnell gave a fascinating lecture about them on Nov. 5. In her slide-illustrated lecture, she explained some of the research that she and her colleagues have done on the ponies over the years, including measuring the extraordinary distance they travel around their pastures using pedometers, GPS trackers and helmet-cams (the helmet-cam footage doesn't sound very thrilling; there's a lot of grazing involved). She outlined her "top ten important observations" about the ponies' behavior that "are known or suspected to be important factors underlying the extraordinarily good health, fertility and freedom from injury of these horses compared with domestically managed horses" and explained how horse lovers can improve the health of their own equines by using some of these principles.
One point I found especially interesting was that turkey buzzards and foxes seem to know when a mare in the herd is about to give birth; the researchers have noticed that both are seen hovering around with increased frequency as the time approaches.
The lecture was packed. I think I heard additional chairs being set up at the back of Alumni Hall to accommodate more people, but I didn't want to turn away lest I miss any of the slides of cute foals.
One point I found especially interesting was that turkey buzzards and foxes seem to know when a mare in the herd is about to give birth; the researchers have noticed that both are seen hovering around with increased frequency as the time approaches.
The lecture was packed. I think I heard additional chairs being set up at the back of Alumni Hall to accommodate more people, but I didn't want to turn away lest I miss any of the slides of cute foals.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
London Grove signs
London Grove village is going to get some new traffic signs at Route 926 and Newark Road. From what the West Marlborough Township supervisors have been told, PennDOT will shortly install (1) a double-pointed arrow to alert westbound motorists that if they continue going straight on Route 926 they'll run smack into a hill and (2) a "No Left Turn" sign on Newark Road to discourage southbound drivers from turning left directly onto 926 instead of taking the little jog and stopping at the stop sign.
At the Nov. 4 township meeting, Supervisor Hugh Lofting used a map drawn on a piece of old cardboard by his son, road crew supervisor Hugh Lofting Jr., to illustrate where the new signs would be located. (There was a great deal of hilarity and good-natured ribbing about the younger Lofting's distinctly low-tech -- but effective -- artwork. And friends wonder why I refuse to miss a single township meeting.)
At the Nov. 4 township meeting, Supervisor Hugh Lofting used a map drawn on a piece of old cardboard by his son, road crew supervisor Hugh Lofting Jr., to illustrate where the new signs would be located. (There was a great deal of hilarity and good-natured ribbing about the younger Lofting's distinctly low-tech -- but effective -- artwork. And friends wonder why I refuse to miss a single township meeting.)
Fireworks fallout, continued
Repercussions from the widely criticized Sept. 7 fireworks display at the Stone Barn continued at the November West Marlborough Township meeting. Cindy Weymouth, whose farm is adjacent to the Stone Barn, told the supervisors at the October meeting that the fireworks had terrified her horses (she was only one of many who expressed similar concerns), and she returned to the November meeting to ask if the board had made any progress on changing the fireworks ordinance.
Bill Wylie, who chairs the Board of Supervisors, said they would be working with the township solicitor to try to tighten up the rules, perhaps limiting fireworks to certain parts of the township or certain times of the day, and establishing a more formal process by which neighbors would be notified of an upcoming display.
"You have three supervisors up here who would be just as happy never to have fireworks again," he explained, "but it has to be legal."
Supervisor Hugh Lofting agreed, saying that in a rural area like West Marlborough with many valuable horses, a loud fireworks display "just doesn't work."
Bill Wylie, who chairs the Board of Supervisors, said they would be working with the township solicitor to try to tighten up the rules, perhaps limiting fireworks to certain parts of the township or certain times of the day, and establishing a more formal process by which neighbors would be notified of an upcoming display.
"You have three supervisors up here who would be just as happy never to have fireworks again," he explained, "but it has to be legal."
Supervisor Hugh Lofting agreed, saying that in a rural area like West Marlborough with many valuable horses, a loud fireworks display "just doesn't work."
Hay fire donations
The special fire company account established by the West Marlborough Township supervisors has grown to $2,150 thanks to contributions from the public, township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton reported at the board's Nov. 4 meeting.
All the money raised will go to the 14 volunteer fire companies that helped to battle the huge hay fire Sept. 14 at the Hicks Brothers' Meadow Springs Farm on Newark Road: Avondale, Christiana, Cochranville, Goodwill, Hockessin, Kennett, Keystone Valley, Longwood, Modena, Po-Mar-Lin, Union, West Bradford, West Grove, and Westwood.
All donations will be tax deductible; checks should be sent by Dec. 15, 2013, to West Marlborough Township, P.O. Box 94, Unionville,. PA 19375; email westmarlboroughtownship@verizo
All the money raised will go to the 14 volunteer fire companies that helped to battle the huge hay fire Sept. 14 at the Hicks Brothers' Meadow Springs Farm on Newark Road: Avondale, Christiana, Cochranville, Goodwill, Hockessin, Kennett, Keystone Valley, Longwood, Modena, Po-Mar-Lin, Union, West Bradford, West Grove, and Westwood.
All donations will be tax deductible; checks should be sent by Dec. 15, 2013, to West Marlborough Township, P.O. Box 94, Unionville,. PA 19375; email westmarlboroughtownship@verizo
Speeders
At the November West Marlborough Township meeting, the township's police officer, Bob Clarke, reported that he wrote seven speeding tickets in October (and one stop-sign violation). He said he nabs most speeders on Newark Road, as well as some on Route 926. He also warned motorists that the speed limit along Route 82 through Unionville has been lowered from 35 to 30 mph, and it is being enforced (Officer Clarke also works for the police force in East Marlborough, where the town of Unionville proper is technically located).
Internet safety
I just signed up for a lecture about Internet safety for kids ("Social Media Awareness: Your Child in the Digital World") that's going to be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Unionville High School auditorium. It's free and open to the public; register at www.socialmediafocus.eventbrite.com.
I'm constantly amazed at how fluent the Young Relative is online, but I really shouldn't be: computer games and the Internet have been around his entire life. He informed me recently that Facebook is officially passé because all of us old folks (i.e., people my age) are using it now. He wouldn't tell me what has replaced it.
When registering for the talk online I got an error message with a red X symbol warning me that the site's web certificate had dubious origins. Ah, well played, I thought; the organizers are giving us an example of effective Internet security. How clever!
Then I realized I mistyped the URL.
Braces and boots
I have often commented on the propensity of equestrians to injure themselves; it seems to be to be a fairly high-risk activity, to put it mildly. It's not just coincidence that orthopedic surgeons take out full-page ads in the programs for local equestrian events.
Anyhow, this worked to my advantage on Saturday night, when I completely overlooked a small concrete step at the Kennett parking garage and ended up turning my ankle. (No, OF COURSE I was not distracted by the handsomeness of my date. That had nothing to do with it. Silly reader!)
I iced it overnight and on Sunday morning I called my foxhunting pal, who has amassed braces, bandages, and cooling, heating, and massaging devices for every part of the anatomy (most of which she has injured; a mutual friend refers to her as "Calamity Jane"). She was delighted to lend me a lace-up brace from an ankle fracture last season; a wrap-around stretchy ankle brace (I'm wearing it now); and her stiff leather paddock boots, which give great support (and are enormously comfortable). She offered me some veterinary aspirin cream, too, but I drew the line there.
Anyhow, this worked to my advantage on Saturday night, when I completely overlooked a small concrete step at the Kennett parking garage and ended up turning my ankle. (No, OF COURSE I was not distracted by the handsomeness of my date. That had nothing to do with it. Silly reader!)
I iced it overnight and on Sunday morning I called my foxhunting pal, who has amassed braces, bandages, and cooling, heating, and massaging devices for every part of the anatomy (most of which she has injured; a mutual friend refers to her as "Calamity Jane"). She was delighted to lend me a lace-up brace from an ankle fracture last season; a wrap-around stretchy ankle brace (I'm wearing it now); and her stiff leather paddock boots, which give great support (and are enormously comfortable). She offered me some veterinary aspirin cream, too, but I drew the line there.
Monday, November 4, 2013
On display
This weekend is the 38th annual Art Gala at Unionville High School. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. I went last year for the first time and was impressed by the works of the local professional artists as well as the UHS students. I even bought the lovely little footstool (with a painting of a goldfish) that my feet are resting on at the moment. Who knows what will captivate me this year?
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Hunt Cup 2013
All week I was watching the weather forecast with dread and steeling myself to smile through a bitingly cold afternoon in gale-force winds at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races here in West Marlborough. Instead, it turned out to be a glorious day: sunny and 50 degrees, with only a light breeze. I didn't even need to don my gloves, much less the assortment of wooly shawls and knitted hats I brought with me.
My two friends and I packed the Jeep full of food, drink, chairs, and two dogs and had an absolute ball watching the races and cheering for the horses that were owned, trained or ridden by friends of ours. (I was torn in the Arthur O. Choate Memorial Race: my friend and neighbor Paddy Young was riding "Worried Man" -- but how could I not root for a horse named "The Editor"? "Worried Man" won; yay, Paddy!)
No horses got hurt this year, though quite a few of the jockeys took tumbles that looked extremely painful.
At one point -- I forget which race it was -- the horses were galloping around the north side of the course, and off in the distance, in a picturesque echo of the race, we saw a group of deer chasing each other and vaulting over their own fences.
Between races we wandered around and chatted (it's a VERY social occasion). The day before the Hunt Cup had been the beginning of the formal fox-hunting season, so the fox-hunting enthusiasts we saw shared stories about the exciting opening days they'd had. Equestrian events are always a great venue for both people-watching and dog-watching; probably the most unusual breed we saw this year was a Great Pyrenees.
On the menu at our tailgate picnic were macaroni-and-cheese and pulled pork sandwiches from Hood's in Unionville (delicious as always) and Robin Mastrippolito's fabulous cupcakes, the ones I purchased at the Unionville Community Fair auction back in October. I stored a dozen of the cupcakes in my freezer but of course ended up eating some in the meantime; fortunately I had the sense to stash the other dozen in a friend's freezer for safekeeping.
Several times during the afternoon, my friends and I just looked at each other with a sense of gratitude and said, "We are so lucky." There we were, with dear pals, the sun shining on our faces and looking over the picture-perfect Chester County landscape: awesome.
Thank you to all the organizers of this tremendous event, which benefits the Chester County Food Bank. My friends and I look forward to it every year, and it is always a memorable day!
My two friends and I packed the Jeep full of food, drink, chairs, and two dogs and had an absolute ball watching the races and cheering for the horses that were owned, trained or ridden by friends of ours. (I was torn in the Arthur O. Choate Memorial Race: my friend and neighbor Paddy Young was riding "Worried Man" -- but how could I not root for a horse named "The Editor"? "Worried Man" won; yay, Paddy!)
No horses got hurt this year, though quite a few of the jockeys took tumbles that looked extremely painful.
At one point -- I forget which race it was -- the horses were galloping around the north side of the course, and off in the distance, in a picturesque echo of the race, we saw a group of deer chasing each other and vaulting over their own fences.
Between races we wandered around and chatted (it's a VERY social occasion). The day before the Hunt Cup had been the beginning of the formal fox-hunting season, so the fox-hunting enthusiasts we saw shared stories about the exciting opening days they'd had. Equestrian events are always a great venue for both people-watching and dog-watching; probably the most unusual breed we saw this year was a Great Pyrenees.
On the menu at our tailgate picnic were macaroni-and-cheese and pulled pork sandwiches from Hood's in Unionville (delicious as always) and Robin Mastrippolito's fabulous cupcakes, the ones I purchased at the Unionville Community Fair auction back in October. I stored a dozen of the cupcakes in my freezer but of course ended up eating some in the meantime; fortunately I had the sense to stash the other dozen in a friend's freezer for safekeeping.
Several times during the afternoon, my friends and I just looked at each other with a sense of gratitude and said, "We are so lucky." There we were, with dear pals, the sun shining on our faces and looking over the picture-perfect Chester County landscape: awesome.
Thank you to all the organizers of this tremendous event, which benefits the Chester County Food Bank. My friends and I look forward to it every year, and it is always a memorable day!
Mason Porter
If you get a chance to see the local rock band Mason Porter, do. I saw them on Saturday night at the Kennett Flash, and it was a great show. The friend I went with, who is a knowledgeable fan about local music, has seen them several times and said they just keep getting better and better. One of the songs they did was "Waiting for My Man," a tribute to the recently deceased Lou Reed.
The Flash is such a great local venue: the room is comfortable, the sound isn't too loud (spoken like a true old fogey, I know), you can order sandwiches, and we got to chat with the band and some friends afterward. It was a terrific evening and gave me a much-needed night out.
The Flash is such a great local venue: the room is comfortable, the sound isn't too loud (spoken like a true old fogey, I know), you can order sandwiches, and we got to chat with the band and some friends afterward. It was a terrific evening and gave me a much-needed night out.
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