I was picking up pizza the other night and noticed the pleasant young woman at the counter had her wrist taped up. I asked her what happened, and she said another player had crashed into her as she was going up for a layup in a basketball game that morning. She had fallen and hit both her head and her wrist. And then her coach, fearing she might have a concussion, wouldn't let her take her free throws! (Another player did, and made one of them.)
I had to admire this latest example of the resilience of youth. There she was, not only hard at work but telling the story with a smile!
Speaking of high-school sports: I want to offer a belated "Hail Unionville" to the UHS girls field hockey team for winning the district championship. They beat Central Bucks South 3-1 to take the title, with goals by Logan Perkins, Erin Matson and Annie McDonough. Well done!
Saturday, November 8, 2014
ELECTION NIGHT: Interesting results in the local townships
Once you're a reporter, following election results gets into your blood. In the old days we'd stay up until the last returns came in from the county or the specially extended deadline arrived (whichever came first).
It's much easier these days: starting at 10 p.m. I was glued to my tablet, checking the county's excellent election returns website to see which precincts had submitted their results and how the county-wide totals were looking.
As it turned out, the voters in East Marlborough's South and West precincts picked all the winners: Democrat Tom Wolf, Republican Joe Pitts and Republican Chris Ross.
Here are the local township results:
East Marlborough South (Missionary Baptist Church on Bayard Road): Wolf beat Tom Corbett 52% to 47%; Pitts 54%, Ross 61%. Turnout was 46%.
East Marlborough West (the township building): Wolf 51%, Pitts 56%, Ross 60%. Turnout was 49%.
East Marlborough East (Patton Middle School): Corbett 54%, Pitts 60%, Ross 64%. Turnout was 55%.
West Marlborough: Voters here in my township split their tickets, going for Ross and Wolf. Republican Pitts and Democrat Houghton tied at 139 votes each. Turnout was 47%.
Newlin: Voters went straight Republican, backing Tom Corbett, Pat Meehan, and Chris Ross. Turnout was 60% (good on ye, Newlin!).
Pocopson: Corbett beat Wolf by only six votes; Republicans Meehan and Stephen Barrar won. Turnout was 46%.
In the always left-leaning Pennsbury North 1 precinct (Crosslands): 68% of the voters cast a straight-party Democrat vote. Wolf, 62%, Houghton, 68%, Whitney Hoffman beat Barrar with 68% of the votes. Turnout was a commendable 70%.
In contrast, in the Pennsbury North 2 precinct (Chadds Ford Elementary), 69% of voters cast a straight-party Republican vote. Corbett, 56%, Meehan, 68%, Barrar, 65%.Turnhout was 50%.
Pennsbury South 1 (the township building): Corbett 53%, Meehan 60%, Barrar, 57%. Turnout was 49%.
Pennsbury South 2 (Hillendale Elementary): Corbett 54%, Meehan 65%, Barrar 59%. Turnout was 52%.
In New Garden Township, the Bayard Taylor Library's referendum seeking dedicated library funding was once again defeated, 55% to 45%. My theory is that it's not so much a vote against the library, it's just that so many New Garden residents work and shop in Delaware, they are simply less focused on Kennett Square.
It's much easier these days: starting at 10 p.m. I was glued to my tablet, checking the county's excellent election returns website to see which precincts had submitted their results and how the county-wide totals were looking.
As it turned out, the voters in East Marlborough's South and West precincts picked all the winners: Democrat Tom Wolf, Republican Joe Pitts and Republican Chris Ross.
Here are the local township results:
East Marlborough South (Missionary Baptist Church on Bayard Road): Wolf beat Tom Corbett 52% to 47%; Pitts 54%, Ross 61%. Turnout was 46%.
East Marlborough West (the township building): Wolf 51%, Pitts 56%, Ross 60%. Turnout was 49%.
East Marlborough East (Patton Middle School): Corbett 54%, Pitts 60%, Ross 64%. Turnout was 55%.
West Marlborough: Voters here in my township split their tickets, going for Ross and Wolf. Republican Pitts and Democrat Houghton tied at 139 votes each. Turnout was 47%.
Newlin: Voters went straight Republican, backing Tom Corbett, Pat Meehan, and Chris Ross. Turnout was 60% (good on ye, Newlin!).
Pocopson: Corbett beat Wolf by only six votes; Republicans Meehan and Stephen Barrar won. Turnout was 46%.
In the always left-leaning Pennsbury North 1 precinct (Crosslands): 68% of the voters cast a straight-party Democrat vote. Wolf, 62%, Houghton, 68%, Whitney Hoffman beat Barrar with 68% of the votes. Turnout was a commendable 70%.
In contrast, in the Pennsbury North 2 precinct (Chadds Ford Elementary), 69% of voters cast a straight-party Republican vote. Corbett, 56%, Meehan, 68%, Barrar, 65%.Turnhout was 50%.
Pennsbury South 1 (the township building): Corbett 53%, Meehan 60%, Barrar, 57%. Turnout was 49%.
Pennsbury South 2 (Hillendale Elementary): Corbett 54%, Meehan 65%, Barrar 59%. Turnout was 52%.
In New Garden Township, the Bayard Taylor Library's referendum seeking dedicated library funding was once again defeated, 55% to 45%. My theory is that it's not so much a vote against the library, it's just that so many New Garden residents work and shop in Delaware, they are simply less focused on Kennett Square.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
NEW BOLTON: An indoor arena for evaluating horses
On Nov. 4 New Bolton Center showed off its Ilona English Equine Performance Evaluation Facility as part of a lecture on equine sports medicine.
The 80-by-120-foot indoor arena, built by King Construction, is spectacular. Large windows line its two long sides, allowing tons of natural light in.
Top-level event rider Ryan Wood, on Powell, walked, trotted and cantered around the ring and went over a few jumps to demonstrate how quiet the MC Ecotrack footing is (it's a blend of wax-coated sand, fibers and rubber).
Ilona English, breeder and owner of Summit Sporthorses and Sportponies in Ringoes, NJ, was the major donor for the facility. She was on hand for the talk (in fact, she owns Powell) and said a few words about how important it was to have an evaluation facility like this where vets can put a horse through its paces no matter what the weather. According to New Bolton's website: "This world-class indoor arena provides the perfect environment for clinicians to conduct in-depth evaluations of horses for medical and performance issues, most commonly lameness."
The lecture was given by Elizabeth Davidson, an associate professor of sports medicine, and Liz Arbittier, staff veterinarian in the section of equine field service. It's always interesting to hear these articulate experts speak and to see their videos and images, especially when they present case studies and explain what steps they took to diagnose and treat their patient.
The 80-by-120-foot indoor arena, built by King Construction, is spectacular. Large windows line its two long sides, allowing tons of natural light in.
Top-level event rider Ryan Wood, on Powell, walked, trotted and cantered around the ring and went over a few jumps to demonstrate how quiet the MC Ecotrack footing is (it's a blend of wax-coated sand, fibers and rubber).
Ilona English, breeder and owner of Summit Sporthorses and Sportponies in Ringoes, NJ, was the major donor for the facility. She was on hand for the talk (in fact, she owns Powell) and said a few words about how important it was to have an evaluation facility like this where vets can put a horse through its paces no matter what the weather. According to New Bolton's website: "This world-class indoor arena provides the perfect environment for clinicians to conduct in-depth evaluations of horses for medical and performance issues, most commonly lameness."
The lecture was given by Elizabeth Davidson, an associate professor of sports medicine, and Liz Arbittier, staff veterinarian in the section of equine field service. It's always interesting to hear these articulate experts speak and to see their videos and images, especially when they present case studies and explain what steps they took to diagnose and treat their patient.
TEXTING: Before there was texting there were telegrams
I love texting. It's a concise and efficient means of communication. No, of course it doesn't replace conversation and actual face-to-face time spent together, but for "Running 5 mins late" or "Can you pick up pizza" or "Radio 2 is playing 1979 greatest hits," nothing compares.
Of course, there is nothing new under the sun. Emily Post's etiquette book, circa 1937, noted that, for identical reasons, telegrams were quickly replacing written or phoned invitations:
"Telephoning a message and fifty names to the telegraph office takes at most five minutes, whereas calling each of the fifty numbers (including busy signals and messages left for those not at home, and enforced conversation with those who talk for half an hour) would take anywhere from twice to ten times as long."
Of course, there is nothing new under the sun. Emily Post's etiquette book, circa 1937, noted that, for identical reasons, telegrams were quickly replacing written or phoned invitations:
"Telephoning a message and fifty names to the telegraph office takes at most five minutes, whereas calling each of the fifty numbers (including busy signals and messages left for those not at home, and enforced conversation with those who talk for half an hour) would take anywhere from twice to ten times as long."
PEACH BOTTOM: An auction of troughs and millstones
I saw an ad for a Lancaster County auction of an "eclectic collection" of sandstone water troughs and millstones and immediately put in on my schedule.
Do I need a water trough or a millstone?
I do not.
Do I have room for a water trough or a millstone?
Not at all, but it looked fascinating anyway.
So I drove west to the town of Peach Bottom in Fulton Township, passing lots of Amish farms and some great roadside-market signs: "Free Turnips," "Eyeglass Frames and Garlic" and "Guinea Pigs and BBQ Pork Roasts."
The merchandise at the preview didn't disappoint. Garden designers were eyeing the picturesque old water troughs, the antique cast iron and stone urns, the garden statuary, and the lengths of decorative cast iron fencing. One guy was striding along the display of millstones, pausing for a split second to measure the diameter of each and then barking the dimensions into his cellphone. There were big slabs of stone that had been used as steps and curbing in nearby Port Deposit, Maryland.
I checked out the prices the day after the auction and one of the big-ticket items was an ornate urn with three herons at its base that, according to the label, might have come from a DuPont estate. It sold for $3,800.
My question was this: How were the people going to get their purchases home? These were not pieces you could pick up, wrap in an army blanket and put in your trunk. There must have been an army of forklifts springing into action after the final gavel banged down.
Do I need a water trough or a millstone?
I do not.
Do I have room for a water trough or a millstone?
Not at all, but it looked fascinating anyway.
So I drove west to the town of Peach Bottom in Fulton Township, passing lots of Amish farms and some great roadside-market signs: "Free Turnips," "Eyeglass Frames and Garlic" and "Guinea Pigs and BBQ Pork Roasts."
The merchandise at the preview didn't disappoint. Garden designers were eyeing the picturesque old water troughs, the antique cast iron and stone urns, the garden statuary, and the lengths of decorative cast iron fencing. One guy was striding along the display of millstones, pausing for a split second to measure the diameter of each and then barking the dimensions into his cellphone. There were big slabs of stone that had been used as steps and curbing in nearby Port Deposit, Maryland.
I checked out the prices the day after the auction and one of the big-ticket items was an ornate urn with three herons at its base that, according to the label, might have come from a DuPont estate. It sold for $3,800.
My question was this: How were the people going to get their purchases home? These were not pieces you could pick up, wrap in an army blanket and put in your trunk. There must have been an army of forklifts springing into action after the final gavel banged down.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Updated zoning ordinance on the way
The West Marlborough supervisors had a quick meeting on Nov. 3.
With the concurrence of the township's planning commission, the board asked township engineer Harry Roth to update its zoning ordinance with new language about riparian buffers, forestry uses, and broadband telecommunications to comply with state guidelines. The township will hold off on updating its floodplain regulations, however.
Zoning officer Al Giannantonio said he approved a permit for a pole barn in the 700 block of Spencer Road and a permit for a two-car garage that Ron Towber wants to build in Springdell.
There was no police report from Officer Robert Clarke and no report from building inspector Eddie Caudill, who had been in the hospital.
Supervisor Hugh Lofting reported that the township road crew has been working on getting the township's new truck ready for winter. The township bought the 2006 truck from West Goshen Township and is going to sell its 1993 dump truck.
A resident who lives along Route 926 thanked the supervisors for prodding the bank that owns a foreclosed Sportsman's Lane house to clean up the property. She said reported at previous meetings that the weeds and vines were trespassing onto her property.
With the concurrence of the township's planning commission, the board asked township engineer Harry Roth to update its zoning ordinance with new language about riparian buffers, forestry uses, and broadband telecommunications to comply with state guidelines. The township will hold off on updating its floodplain regulations, however.
Zoning officer Al Giannantonio said he approved a permit for a pole barn in the 700 block of Spencer Road and a permit for a two-car garage that Ron Towber wants to build in Springdell.
There was no police report from Officer Robert Clarke and no report from building inspector Eddie Caudill, who had been in the hospital.
Supervisor Hugh Lofting reported that the township road crew has been working on getting the township's new truck ready for winter. The township bought the 2006 truck from West Goshen Township and is going to sell its 1993 dump truck.
A resident who lives along Route 926 thanked the supervisors for prodding the bank that owns a foreclosed Sportsman's Lane house to clean up the property. She said reported at previous meetings that the weeds and vines were trespassing onto her property.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Jake Chalfin becomes a supervisor
Congratulations to Jake Chalfin, the newest member of the West Marlborough Township Board of Supervisors.
Jake will fill out the term of Josh Taylor, who resigned because his new job in Lexington, Kentucky, will keep him out of town much of the time. He will join supervisors Bill Wylie and Hugh Lofting.
Jake, who lives in Springdell, was promoted from the township's planning commission and, in fact, had just chaired his first planning commission meeting on Nov. 3 before the supervisors announced his new position. Jeb took over as chairman when Jeb Hannum moved to Virginia this summer.
Jake will fill out the term of Josh Taylor, who resigned because his new job in Lexington, Kentucky, will keep him out of town much of the time. He will join supervisors Bill Wylie and Hugh Lofting.
Jake, who lives in Springdell, was promoted from the township's planning commission and, in fact, had just chaired his first planning commission meeting on Nov. 3 before the supervisors announced his new position. Jeb took over as chairman when Jeb Hannum moved to Virginia this summer.
Monday, November 3, 2014
UNIONVILLE: A windy day at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup
How windy was it at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on Sunday afternoon?
Well, suffice it to say that a set of porta-potties blew over (fortunately with no one inside). Some fellows from Hickman Sanitation showed up, and they were quickly uprighted.
Hearing the wind howling around that morning at home, I thought we'd freeze and it would be a short day. Just the opposite: The bright sun kept us warm and we had a great time socializing with lots of friends and neighbors.
For the big Hunt Cup race itself we witnessed an amazing finish: we were standing right at the final jump and all six competitors crossed it simultaneously, then dashed to the finish line. Arcadia Stables' Delta Park, trained by Jack Fisher with Sean McDermott up, was the winner. (He placed second in the 2013 race.)
The only blot on the day was in the first race, when a horse collapsed while going over a fence and died instantly, I found out later of a heart aneurysm. It was tough to watch: his jockey got up immediately and raced back to him, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Well, suffice it to say that a set of porta-potties blew over (fortunately with no one inside). Some fellows from Hickman Sanitation showed up, and they were quickly uprighted.
Hearing the wind howling around that morning at home, I thought we'd freeze and it would be a short day. Just the opposite: The bright sun kept us warm and we had a great time socializing with lots of friends and neighbors.
For the big Hunt Cup race itself we witnessed an amazing finish: we were standing right at the final jump and all six competitors crossed it simultaneously, then dashed to the finish line. Arcadia Stables' Delta Park, trained by Jack Fisher with Sean McDermott up, was the winner. (He placed second in the 2013 race.)
The only blot on the day was in the first race, when a horse collapsed while going over a fence and died instantly, I found out later of a heart aneurysm. It was tough to watch: his jockey got up immediately and raced back to him, but there was nothing anyone could do.
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