Artist Jill Beech held her annual open studio at her East Fallowfield home on Saturday, and I was fortunate enough to hear about it (thanks for the tip, Laura!). Jill, a world-renowned veterinarian who recently retired from New Bolton Center, works in ceramics and copper, with tribal, equestrian, anatomical and nature themes, and I enjoyed wandering through the three rooms full of her work. I bought a stunning mobile of dancing copper leaves that I plan to hang in my office, and I saw several people buying bowls and plates with pine-needle motifs.
I also had a great time catching up with Chuck Ginty of Unionville -- he told me about the fun and the challenges he's having renovating the old hotel at the corner of Route 82 and Wollaston Road. He is converting it into two large apartments.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Rosewood
On Saturday, as part of the Chadds Ford Historical Society's Christmas tour, I visited Rosewood, a spectacular Victorian home set on 36 acres off Route 842 in Unionville. The original part of the brick house (built in 1861 by Thomas Seal) featured lavish heavy draperies, chandeliers dripping with prisms and ornate wallpaper, and the newer portion had a huge kitchen, with hand-planed pine cabinets and a commercial-grade espresso machine, and a comfortably lived-in family room. There were masses of perfectly blooming poinsettias throughout.
I enjoyed seeing the two original N.C. Wyeth paintings of Robinson Crusoe, both purchased from the Delaware Art Museum, and the beautiful mahogany sideboards, bobinga-wood family-room table and other pieces by Unionville woodworker Doug Mooberry.
Several homes in Marlboro Village were also on the tour, as well as the Galer Winery, the Sanderson Museum, the Yellow House at Willowdale, and St. Michael Lutheran Church. I wish I could have visited more of the locations, but I only had enough time to get to Rosewood, which I've always been especially curious about.
I was reminded how much the quality of the parkers and guides affects the visitors' experience on a tour like this.
I enjoyed seeing the two original N.C. Wyeth paintings of Robinson Crusoe, both purchased from the Delaware Art Museum, and the beautiful mahogany sideboards, bobinga-wood family-room table and other pieces by Unionville woodworker Doug Mooberry.
Several homes in Marlboro Village were also on the tour, as well as the Galer Winery, the Sanderson Museum, the Yellow House at Willowdale, and St. Michael Lutheran Church. I wish I could have visited more of the locations, but I only had enough time to get to Rosewood, which I've always been especially curious about.
I was reminded how much the quality of the parkers and guides affects the visitors' experience on a tour like this.
Friday, December 6, 2013
It's open!
Foxy Loxy, the coffee shop in "downtown" Unionville, has finally opened, and I predict it is going to make a wonderful addition to our town. I also predict I will be spending a lot less time at Starbucks.
It's a great community meeting spot and looks a lot like an inviting, cozy country living room, with comfortable leather chairs, a fireplace, shelves of foxhunting and local history books and memorabilia, and Oriental rugs on hardwood floors. Old-timers will remember the disrepair that brick building had fallen into, with its rickety-looking tacked-on porches; it's totally renovated and beautiful now.
As far as food goes, they offer way more than just ice cream (although manager Jayne Shea told me her arms were aching after scooping out lots of servings): they've got quiches, soup, muffins, scones and other baked goods, and serve-yourself penny candy.
I met a friend there for coffee on the third day it was open (it was already her third visit!), and we knew almost everyone in there, including Jerry Brown (sporting a big smile and a Foxy Loxy baseball cap; he's the store's mastermind) and Doug and Pat Mooberry (who own the property).
One patron from Newlin Township has one arm in a sling after he suffered an accident while doing his after-dinner horse chores a few weeks ago. He was browsing through the equestrian books and -- with his one good arm -- held up one entitled "Risk in the Afternoon." In his case, he said ruefully, it should've been titled "Risk in the Evening."
It's a great community meeting spot and looks a lot like an inviting, cozy country living room, with comfortable leather chairs, a fireplace, shelves of foxhunting and local history books and memorabilia, and Oriental rugs on hardwood floors. Old-timers will remember the disrepair that brick building had fallen into, with its rickety-looking tacked-on porches; it's totally renovated and beautiful now.
As far as food goes, they offer way more than just ice cream (although manager Jayne Shea told me her arms were aching after scooping out lots of servings): they've got quiches, soup, muffins, scones and other baked goods, and serve-yourself penny candy.
I met a friend there for coffee on the third day it was open (it was already her third visit!), and we knew almost everyone in there, including Jerry Brown (sporting a big smile and a Foxy Loxy baseball cap; he's the store's mastermind) and Doug and Pat Mooberry (who own the property).
One patron from Newlin Township has one arm in a sling after he suffered an accident while doing his after-dinner horse chores a few weeks ago. He was browsing through the equestrian books and -- with his one good arm -- held up one entitled "Risk in the Afternoon." In his case, he said ruefully, it should've been titled "Risk in the Evening."
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Hay there!
At the Unionville post office I ran into my friend Susan's trainer, who had just come from Susan's farm and passed along the news that she had wrenched her back while unloading 23 bales of hay that morning. I was upset to hear this -- not so much for the back injury but for the fact that she didn't call me to help with the hay (I actually enjoy it).
I promptly sent Susan a mock-resentful message: "Like you didn't think I'd hear about this??!!" She called me laughing (despite her sore back), and once again we marveled about the amazingly efficient communication system that flourishes here on the island of Unionville.
I promptly sent Susan a mock-resentful message: "Like you didn't think I'd hear about this??!!" She called me laughing (despite her sore back), and once again we marveled about the amazingly efficient communication system that flourishes here on the island of Unionville.
Eerie
This morning I was out early in the dense fog. Houses were completely hidden in the mist. School buses appeared only as disembodied red flashing lights. I made the correct turn onto a back road purely thanks to muscle memory, because none of the usual guideposts were visible. Along Route 842 near Ryan Road a fellow had pulled off (with his flashers on) and was taking a photo of the treeline shrouded in fog.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Marshallton events
On Monday I got to catch up over a very nice Whip lunch with my pal Linda Kaat, who is one of the busiest people I know. Linda asked me to share the schedule of upcoming Christmas events in Marshallton, the village where she lives:
1. Holiday Bazaar at the Village Blacksmith Shop, Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2. Christmas in Marshallton House Tour, hosted by the Marshallton United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 (visit www.marshalltonchurch.com for tickets).
3. Christmas Carol sing at historic Marshallton Friends Meeting, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1. Holiday Bazaar at the Village Blacksmith Shop, Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2. Christmas in Marshallton House Tour, hosted by the Marshallton United Methodist Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 (visit www.marshalltonchurch.com for tickets).
3. Christmas Carol sing at historic Marshallton Friends Meeting, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Earned income tax
In its initial year, West Marlborough Township's 0.5% earned income tax raised $83,000 -- significantly more than the township supervisors had expected when they enacted the tax last December.
At the Dec. 3 township meeting, during a discussion about the proposed 2014 budget, supervisors chairman Bill Wylie said tax consultants had estimated that the tax would bring in $100,000, but the supervisors thought it would be closer to $50,000, given that the household budgets of many township residents involve unearned rather than earned income.
Mr. Wylie said the money raised by the tax is being used to replenish the township's equipment fund, which had been transferred to other accounts and became seriously depleted over the past few years.
The proposed budget calls for no tax increase or decrease for 2014. Mr. Wylie noted, however, that if the township can avoid the extraordinary expenses it faced in recent years (largely unexpected legal and engineering fees), the supervisors might "reconsider" the need for the earned income tax.
At the Dec. 3 township meeting, during a discussion about the proposed 2014 budget, supervisors chairman Bill Wylie said tax consultants had estimated that the tax would bring in $100,000, but the supervisors thought it would be closer to $50,000, given that the household budgets of many township residents involve unearned rather than earned income.
Mr. Wylie said the money raised by the tax is being used to replenish the township's equipment fund, which had been transferred to other accounts and became seriously depleted over the past few years.
The proposed budget calls for no tax increase or decrease for 2014. Mr. Wylie noted, however, that if the township can avoid the extraordinary expenses it faced in recent years (largely unexpected legal and engineering fees), the supervisors might "reconsider" the need for the earned income tax.
West Marlborough planners
At its Dec. 3 meeting, the West Marlborough Township Planning Commission learned that Denise Richmond has withdrawn her plan to tear down the house at 409 West Street Road (just east of Vince Dugan's equestrian facility), combine three small lots and build a new house and a stable and paddock. She presented the plan this spring, but back then the planning commission advised her that per the township ordinance, she would need to have at least two acres per horse. Because her site is only 1.64 acres, she would have needed to seek a variance from the township's zoning hearing board to proceed.
Township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton said Ms. Richmond has been billed for the expenses the township incurred in handling the proposal.
Also at the December meeting, chairman Jeb Hannum thanked his fellow planners for spending many extra hours this fall working on the Act 167 stormwater management ordinance that all Pennsylvania townships must enact by the beginning of 2014. Many of the requirements in the document have been dictated by the state, but the planners customized the language to meet West Marlborough's needs as best they could.
Mr. Hannum quipped that the work on the new stormwater regulations was "somewhat dry" at times -- "no pun intended."
.
Township secretary/treasurer Shirley Walton said Ms. Richmond has been billed for the expenses the township incurred in handling the proposal.
Also at the December meeting, chairman Jeb Hannum thanked his fellow planners for spending many extra hours this fall working on the Act 167 stormwater management ordinance that all Pennsylvania townships must enact by the beginning of 2014. Many of the requirements in the document have been dictated by the state, but the planners customized the language to meet West Marlborough's needs as best they could.
Mr. Hannum quipped that the work on the new stormwater regulations was "somewhat dry" at times -- "no pun intended."
.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Ginger snaps
I got a request the other day for my ginger snap recipe, and I'm glad to share it. These cookies are easy to make and very, very tasty. I have some mellow friends who normally go along with any suggestion for where to eat dinner ("Perkins? The Farmhouse? Sure, whatever!") or what DVD to watch ("Mystery Science Theater 3000? Downton Abbey? Hey, you decide!"), but when I ask what kind of cookie they want me to bake, these easygoing souls immediately, and emphatically, specify "your ginger snaps please!"
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a small bowl mix 2 C flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2-1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground cloves.
3. Melt 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter. Using electric beater, add to 1-1/8 C granulated sugar. Beat in one egg, 1/4 C molasses, and 3/4 tsp vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly (there should be no flour showing).
5. Drop the cookies, about 1 T each, on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper (THIS IS VITAL!). They spread, so allow plenty of room.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you prefer them.
I get the best results using only the top rack, but that might be just a quirk of my oven.
Reader Pat from Chadds Ford posted a comment on Sunday saying that she had tried the recipe and "They turned out great! Your advice to cook them on parchment and leave plenty of room was perfect - they do spread! Thanks so much and I plan on adding your recipe to my usual Christmas cookies list!"
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a small bowl mix 2 C flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2-1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground cloves.
3. Melt 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter. Using electric beater, add to 1-1/8 C granulated sugar. Beat in one egg, 1/4 C molasses, and 3/4 tsp vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly (there should be no flour showing).
5. Drop the cookies, about 1 T each, on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper (THIS IS VITAL!). They spread, so allow plenty of room.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you prefer them.
I get the best results using only the top rack, but that might be just a quirk of my oven.
Reader Pat from Chadds Ford posted a comment on Sunday saying that she had tried the recipe and "They turned out great! Your advice to cook them on parchment and leave plenty of room was perfect - they do spread! Thanks so much and I plan on adding your recipe to my usual Christmas cookies list!"
Monday, December 2, 2013
Does he know me or what?!
A friend and I spent Sunday afternoon at the Delaware Art Museum (there's free admission on Sundays, but please leave them a donation anyway) and after leaving the marvelous Pre-Raphaelite galleries he and I found ourselves in front of an early-20th-century illustration showing an overdressed middle-age woman at a highbrow restaurant, triumphantly announcing to her horrified kin that she and her much-younger beau (clearly a gold-digger if there ever was one) were heading to Stamford to get married THAT VERY NEXT DAY.
A few tables away from this tableau, the artist had drawn a woman leaning back in her chair and avidly craning her neck to overhear the action.
"Look!" said my friend. "It's Tilda!"
A few tables away from this tableau, the artist had drawn a woman leaning back in her chair and avidly craning her neck to overhear the action.
"Look!" said my friend. "It's Tilda!"
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Music
Readers occasionally ask me to give them a heads up about local musical events of the folksy sort that I sometimes write about. Here are a few in the near future. On Friday, Dec. 6, the April Verch Band will be performing as part of the Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music series; it'll be at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian church in Newark (brandywinefriends.org). And on 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 13, "Celtic balladeer" Charlie Zahm will do a Christmas concert at the Oxford Friends Meeting, 260 South Third St., as part of the Friends Folk Club series.
And there is nothing quite so heartwarming as ringing in the Christmas season at an historic Quaker meeting house: West Grove Meeting's annual carol sing is at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the "New" West Grove Meeting on State Road, and Marlborough Meeting's community sing is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 (12th Month 22nd, in the traditional style) in Marlboro Village.
And there is nothing quite so heartwarming as ringing in the Christmas season at an historic Quaker meeting house: West Grove Meeting's annual carol sing is at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the "New" West Grove Meeting on State Road, and Marlborough Meeting's community sing is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 (12th Month 22nd, in the traditional style) in Marlboro Village.
A Duane fan
Hey, Kennett Paper readers: don't miss Duane Campbell's gardening column, which runs in one of the back sections of the paper each week. I find him to be funny and practical, and he offers really good, non-hifalutin' advice. We are very often on the same page with our gardening tasks, whether it's where to store dug-up bulbs over the winter, which bulbs to buy for forcing, or which garden tools aren't worth spending money on.
The Hungry and the Hunted
This week marks the opening of deer season, and an avid hunter friend who lives in Cochranville sent me some information about the venison-donation programs that provide nutritious, high-protein meals to less fortunate people. Hunters can turn over their excess meat to one of the agencies, who distribute it to food banks and shelters. Check out the "Hunters Sharing the Harvest" website for information about Pennsylvania agencies. (My friend also earmarks a portion of his venison each year for a local disabled Vietnam vet.)
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