So this afternoon we're westbound on Doe Run Road, heading home after the seventh and final errand of the day, and we spy two men hurrying out the front door of a house carrying a large rolled-up carpet. I stared in astonishment. Just two nights before I'd watched an eerily similar scene in the brilliant film version of Frederick Forsyth's "Day of the Jackal." Some French government henchmen whack an OAS bodyguard on the back of the head, bundle him into a carpet with the efficiency of a pit crew, throw him into the back of a work van and transport him to a waiting airplane so he can be "interviewed" about the plot to assassinate French president Charles de Gaulle.
I'm sure these good Unionville citizens were just getting rid of a worn-out old carpet, however.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
BIRDS: Thousands of snow geese visit East Marlborough
What a stunning sight! Early Friday afternoon thousands of snow geese were hanging out in the open bare field on the south side of Route 926 west of Wollaston Road. There were so many of the white birds that it looked as if the field was covered with snow. There were a few Canada geese along the edges, but they were vastly outnumbered. Snow geese adults are easy to identify in flight: they are white with black wingtips.
BOOKS: A free service that people may not know about
I know I've written about this before, but what a great service the county library system provides. In recent weeks I've been working on two editing projects that piqued my interest: one was about the devastating Spanish flu epidemic in 1918 and the other was about a conservative movement called Christian Reconstructionism.
In both cases I looked on the Chester County Library's website, found a few books that seemed interesting and placed them on hold, just with a few clicks. A few days later I received an email telling me they had arrived at the Bayard Taylor/Kennett Library for pickup. What a good deal!
In both cases I looked on the Chester County Library's website, found a few books that seemed interesting and placed them on hold, just with a few clicks. A few days later I received an email telling me they had arrived at the Bayard Taylor/Kennett Library for pickup. What a good deal!
WEST SIDE STORY: When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way
The other day I was solving the Wall Street Journal's always-excellent Friday crossword puzzle, and there was a clue asking for a song title from "Bells Are Ringing," a musical we did in high school: "--- Girl." I knew the answer immediately: "I Met a Girl." Once you are in a musical, the songs stamp themselves into your brain forever.
Which I daresay is exactly what's happening to the Unionville High School kids who are putting on "West Side Story" in March. "For a small fee in America" or "Krup you" will be the response when one cast member asks another for a ride. The kids who play gang members will find their feet almost involuntarily doing the steps to the Jets and Sharks ballet.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. March 12, 13, and 14 at the UHS auditorium. Tickets go on sale Feb. 16 at www.showtix4u.com. The organizers were kind enough to send two free tix my way.
Which I daresay is exactly what's happening to the Unionville High School kids who are putting on "West Side Story" in March. "For a small fee in America" or "Krup you" will be the response when one cast member asks another for a ride. The kids who play gang members will find their feet almost involuntarily doing the steps to the Jets and Sharks ballet.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. March 12, 13, and 14 at the UHS auditorium. Tickets go on sale Feb. 16 at www.showtix4u.com. The organizers were kind enough to send two free tix my way.
KENNETT Y: News from the fitness center
Last night at the Kennett Y I was walking past the gymnasium and peeked in, looking for The Young Relative, who often plays basketball there with his friends on Friday evenings. There he was, looking cool and handsome. I walked in, grinned and waved vigorously at him. He gave a beautifully judged wave, the tiniest possible one consistent with acknowledgment. Really, the lad should be used to Tilda embarrassing him in public by now!
(I should add that it's great to see so many young people involved in sports.)
Careful readers of The Kennett Paper's police blotter will have noticed that the Y has been experiencing several thefts from vehicles in its parking lot. The Y has put up notices urging members to lock their cars. I've also heard that thieves have even been stealing people's car magnets. Which, of course, no amount of locking up would prevent.
(I should add that it's great to see so many young people involved in sports.)
Careful readers of The Kennett Paper's police blotter will have noticed that the Y has been experiencing several thefts from vehicles in its parking lot. The Y has put up notices urging members to lock their cars. I've also heard that thieves have even been stealing people's car magnets. Which, of course, no amount of locking up would prevent.
Friday, February 6, 2015
HIBERNATION: The Cranky Friend emerges, online at least
The Cranky Friend shows some signs of emerging from his usual self-imposed winter isolation, but in his own inimitable way. The other day he sent me an email saying he had finished a big project and wanted to treat me to coffee (as well he should; I helped him land the project).
"Great!" I replied, suggesting a date at Philter that very afternoon.
"No can do," he replied, failing to suggest an alternative.
I went anyway, had a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea and ran into three friends.
"Great!" I replied, suggesting a date at Philter that very afternoon.
"No can do," he replied, failing to suggest an alternative.
I went anyway, had a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea and ran into three friends.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
UNIONVILLE: Only six weeks until the Cheshire Races
Sunday, March 29, is the date for the 2015 Cheshire Point-to-Point Races. (The sound effect you hear is Tilda doing Homer Simpson's cry of delight and triumph: <> I always enjoy the Cheshire Races.) This is the 70th running of the races, which benefit the Cheshire Hunt Conservancy.
Last year's event was a memorable one: The sleet and freezing rain led to the cancellation of the pony races and turned the Plantation Field parking area into a quagmire that only the Hickses' tractors could navigate.
Last year's event was a memorable one: The sleet and freezing rain led to the cancellation of the pony races and turned the Plantation Field parking area into a quagmire that only the Hickses' tractors could navigate.
KENNETT SQUARE: A new meaning to "dropping off" a prescription
So I'm walking up South Union Street on Wednesday afternoon and spot a small yellow piece of paper on the sidewalk. Being a curious sort (yes, believe it or not), I picked it up and found it was a prescription, written by a West Chester oral surgeon, for ibuprofen 600 mg. The patient was a Kennett Square woman.
I know how completely nuts I become when I can't find a grocery-store coupon at the checkout. So I could just imagine this poor woman, in pain and possibly gory after her oral surgery that required the high-dose pain meds, wracking her brain, retracing her steps and searching frantically through her purse, the car, the house for the prescription.
I looked online and couldn't find a phone number for her, so I ended up phoning the dentist's office and letting them know that I'd found the prescription. And then I shredded the script.
I know how completely nuts I become when I can't find a grocery-store coupon at the checkout. So I could just imagine this poor woman, in pain and possibly gory after her oral surgery that required the high-dose pain meds, wracking her brain, retracing her steps and searching frantically through her purse, the car, the house for the prescription.
I looked online and couldn't find a phone number for her, so I ended up phoning the dentist's office and letting them know that I'd found the prescription. And then I shredded the script.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
WEST MARLBOROUGH: The routine business of a rural township
Business was fairly routine at the West Marlborough Township supervisors' monthly meeting on Feb. 3.
Lieut. Bob Clarke, West Marlborough's part-time law enforcement officer, reported that in January he issued eight citations and eight speeding tickets and gave four warnings.
Township secretary-treasurer Shirley Walton said she had received from the township tax collector the list of residents who were delinquent in paying their property taxes. She said it was "mostly the same" people as had failed to pay in prior years.
Township engineer Al Giannantonio and building inspector Eddie Caudill reported that a zoning permit and a building permit were issued for a Lamborntown Road resident to install a generator.
Supervisor Hugh Lofting said the road crew salted 14 times in January: "We're going through quite a bit of salt, but nothing like last year," he said. Supervisor Bill Wylie thanked the crew for keeping the roads and the residents safe.
At the request of the township planning commission, the supervisors authorized Harry Roth, the township's planning consultant, to add new regulations for alternative energy systems to the township's updated zoning ordinance. (The planning commission and Mr. Roth met to finalize those recommendations at their February meeting, held just before the supervisors' meeting.) After Mr. Roth completes the draft, the public review process will begin.
Lieut. Bob Clarke, West Marlborough's part-time law enforcement officer, reported that in January he issued eight citations and eight speeding tickets and gave four warnings.
Township secretary-treasurer Shirley Walton said she had received from the township tax collector the list of residents who were delinquent in paying their property taxes. She said it was "mostly the same" people as had failed to pay in prior years.
Township engineer Al Giannantonio and building inspector Eddie Caudill reported that a zoning permit and a building permit were issued for a Lamborntown Road resident to install a generator.
Supervisor Hugh Lofting said the road crew salted 14 times in January: "We're going through quite a bit of salt, but nothing like last year," he said. Supervisor Bill Wylie thanked the crew for keeping the roads and the residents safe.
At the request of the township planning commission, the supervisors authorized Harry Roth, the township's planning consultant, to add new regulations for alternative energy systems to the township's updated zoning ordinance. (The planning commission and Mr. Roth met to finalize those recommendations at their February meeting, held just before the supervisors' meeting.) After Mr. Roth completes the draft, the public review process will begin.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Yearly report from the Avondale Fire Company
Two representatives from the Avondale Fire Company, Deputy Chief Shawn Carroll and Captain Rick Franks, came to the West Marlborough Township supervisors' monthly meeting on Feb. 3 to brief the board on the fire and ambulance activities that Station 23 and Medic 94 provided in the township in 2014. Carroll gave a detailed breakdown of the company's budget, including grants and programs to reward participation by volunteers, and showed a photo of the newly purchased fire engine. He said rising costs and dwindling numbers of volunteers are putting the economic pinch on all volunteer organizations.
He said Avondale responded to six fire calls in West Marlborough and 36 ambulance calls in 2014 (Avondale's territory includes only part of West Marlborough). He asked residents who have received checks from their insurance company to cover the cost of ambulance transportation to please forward the check to the ambulance company, and asked residents who have received fundraising letters to please contribute.
Carroll asked the supervisors for permission to bill township residents for their firefighting services. He also asked the board to increase their funding to more closely match that of other municipalities.
"If you guys can swing it, we'd appreciate it," he said.
The supervisors said they would review the numbers he provided and would make a decision on the requests.
He said Avondale responded to six fire calls in West Marlborough and 36 ambulance calls in 2014 (Avondale's territory includes only part of West Marlborough). He asked residents who have received checks from their insurance company to cover the cost of ambulance transportation to please forward the check to the ambulance company, and asked residents who have received fundraising letters to please contribute.
Carroll asked the supervisors for permission to bill township residents for their firefighting services. He also asked the board to increase their funding to more closely match that of other municipalities.
"If you guys can swing it, we'd appreciate it," he said.
The supervisors said they would review the numbers he provided and would make a decision on the requests.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
BACKYARD FARMING: Ain't nobody here but us chickens (and bees)
I thought some of my "country lifestyle" readers might enjoy hearing about these two programs:
1. Just in time for baby chick season, Brandywine Ace Hardware on Route 926 is offering "Chick Chats" at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25, March 18, and April 15. "Come see why raising backyard chickens has become so popular!" reads the flier. The hardware store's phone number is 610-793-3080.
2. The Chester County Beekeepers Association is offering a program on Beekeeping Basics as part of its annual conference at the Merion Science Center at West Chester University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The teacher is Dr. Dewey Caron, emeritus professor of entomology and wildlife at the University of Delaware and affiliate professor in the department of horticulture at Oregon State University. There will also be advanced lectures given by two other bee experts. Preregistration is required because of limited space. The website is www.ChescoBees.org.
1. Just in time for baby chick season, Brandywine Ace Hardware on Route 926 is offering "Chick Chats" at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25, March 18, and April 15. "Come see why raising backyard chickens has become so popular!" reads the flier. The hardware store's phone number is 610-793-3080.
2. The Chester County Beekeepers Association is offering a program on Beekeeping Basics as part of its annual conference at the Merion Science Center at West Chester University from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The teacher is Dr. Dewey Caron, emeritus professor of entomology and wildlife at the University of Delaware and affiliate professor in the department of horticulture at Oregon State University. There will also be advanced lectures given by two other bee experts. Preregistration is required because of limited space. The website is www.ChescoBees.org.
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