LISTS: A journalist's favorite standby revealed

One tried-and-true trick that journalists use to start off a story (other than alliteration) is to list a widely varying group of intriguing items at an event. Say you're doing a story on a neighborhood garage sale: you'd list a bunch of stuff that you saw to highlight the staggering spectrum of things for sale, everything from, say, cuddly baby clothes to a book on "Medicare for Dummies," or 1970s record albums to an iPad. Bonus points if photographs of some of them actually show up in the paper.
Or you go to a potluck and the buffet table is groaning with everything from hummus made with organic chickpeas to gooey creampuffs with Grand Marnier sauce (I go to good potlucks).
You get the idea. It's easy and fun.
The reason I mention this is that apparently catalog copywriters are doing the same thing. I received a book catalog in the mail the other day and on the back page alone were books on metalworking, mushroom hunting, firearms, an autobiography of Davy Crockett, an off-color DVD, "What To Do When A Loved One Dies," and my favorite, "Great Book of Tattoo Designs" (the revised edition, no less).

PLANTATION FIELD: A horse show that benefits rescued dogs

Kathleen Crompton was good enough to send me some information about "Jump for Rescues," the canine and equestrian event that's happening on Wednesday, June 24, at the Plantation Field, 387 Green Valley Rd.
The horse schooling show (beginner novice through intermediate) starts at 9 a.m. At noon there will be a parade of rescued dogs (all dogs from anywhere are welcome). If you compete with your horse and have a rescued dog, $25 comes off your entry fees. Net proceeds from the entries will be donated to dog rescue organizations.
Pet Valu in Kennett is giving out dog treats to all the dogs, and there will also be a prize for the biggest and smallest dog.

UNIONVILLE: The renovated Hood's BBQ is open again

Bambi and Denis Glaccum, Joe Gallagher, Martin Tully, and my friend Susan and I were among the first official customers at Hood's grand reopening at 8 a.m. on Friday. You'll find your old breakfast favorites on the menu, but Susan and I both tried one of the new breakfast sandwiches: egg whites, spinach, tomatoes and avocado on an English muffin. Delicious!
We said hi to the Hoods -- Dawn, Larry Sr. and Larry Jr. -- who seemed very happy to have the place back up and running. It's hard to believe that Hood's closed for renovations all the way back in August!
It turns out that the opening two days were so overwhelmingly successful that Hood's actually ran out of supplies and couldn't open on May 17. "Please forgive us and be patient as we transition and work out the kinks," said the Hood's Facebook page. (They will be restocked and open again at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 19.)

NEW GARDEN: Politics and then a walk in the park

I spent a few hours Thursday evening in New Garden Township, first at a political event at the Avondale Fire Co. station on Route 41. This was my kind of campaign function: casual dress, free ice cream (from the Woodside Creamery, no less!) and live music, and the candidate spoke for only about a minute.
Then we headed across the highway to walk through New Garden Township Park. The gravel path circled a soccer field, where there was a men's game going on. I was surprised to find a nice patch of haircap moss along the trail. The moss is green, but the numerous narrow vertical stalks are bright orange, giving the scene a hazy Impressionist vibe.

EAST MARLBOROUGH: This is a hoops-playing development

Last night I was driving north on Walnut Road after a pleasant after-dinner stroll at the Anson B. Nixon Park and the motorist behind me was in a huge rush. Perhaps he had ice cream in his car. Tired of being tailgated, I pulled off onto Hadley's Mill Road, a cul-de-sac of twenty or so houses. I can tell you this: I wouldn't be surprised if local schools are fielding powerhouse basketball teams in a few years. Almost every home in the development had a backboard in the driveway.

WILLOWDALE: Three cheers for the red, white, and blue

I just received an email that, in response to an item I ran a few weeks ago, a brand-new American flag has replaced the bedraggled one that flew over the Willowdale Town Center shops at Routes 926 and 82. Great news! "And just in time for Memorial Day," notes my correspondent.
By the way, have you noticed the new flagpole at State and Broad Streets in Kennett, in front of the Longwood Art Gallery? The flag looks great as you're driving west on State Street into town.

WILLOWDALE: The 23rd running of the Willowdale Steeplechase

We had a wonderful time at the Willowdale Steeplechase on Mother's Day Sunday. Our superb parking spots (thank you, Kennett Paper!) were right next to the paddock, so we got to check out the horses getting ready just before the race. Then it was just a short walk down to the finish line.
In a couple of the races one horse led by a considerable margin before fading near the end, opening up the race to the other contenders. Very exciting for us spectators!
A couple of the horses had foreign names, which the announcer seemed to love pronouncing. "Chamirey," he'd say with attitude, rolling the "r" like a native Frenchman.
Between races we walked all over the place and saw lots of friends and neighbors, which was great fun. Thanks to all the kind people who (a) fed me and/or (b) said nice things about my column!
Spectators tend to dress up for this steeplechase, and I saw some stunning outfits and hats. If your hat had a broad brim, you could congratulate yourself for being not only chic, but practical as well: the sun was very strong and we will all be sore tomorrow.
Lots of people bring their dogs to the races, so we got to see everything from a very handsome mastiff to an adorable little Boston terrier.
I always enjoy watching the photographers at work out on the course, carrying thousands of dollars of equipment around their necks. This year somebody had a very fancy drone that was able to follow the horses around the race course.
My favorite line of the day was at the Otto's BMW tent. Two elementary-school-aged boys were sitting in the front seat of a gleaming, brand-new Beemer that was on display, pretending to drive. The man standing by the car (I'm assuming their father) offered this sage advice: "You want a BMW, you need a J-O-B first."

UNIONVILLE: The renovated Hood's BBQ is reopening on May 15

Word filtered down to me that the renovated Hood's BBQ in Unionville was having a "soft opening" this past weekend, so of course we headed over there for dinner on Saturday. You will not believe how the place has been transformed over the winter! There are still the homey plaques and knick-knacks, but the ceiling is much higher, with exposed ductwork and a giant bison head, there are waiters and waitresses, the plates are large and square, and there's a bar with a couple of big-screen TVs running above it (Hood's is now a BYOB). The kitchen is brand-new and the raised "throne" toilet is no more.
Larry and Dawn Hood were there happily greeting customers and showing off the features of the new restaurant, including a side room where Dawn will sell her baked goods, Hood's hoodies and local food products. We chatted with East Marlborough supervisor Bob Weer, who was there with his family having dinner (he gave the place rave reviews), and Unionville teacher/theater director Betsy Ballard popped in to see the place and offer congratulations.
The menu is new but keeps many of the old favorites. I had a chicken sandwich with cheese, onions and BBQ sauce, along with mac-and-cheese, and my guy-across-the-table had fried chicken, which came with cornbread, broccoli salad and cheesy potatoes. Unfortunately we didn't save room for dessert.
Hood's will have another "soft opening" on Thursday, May 14, and it officially opens on Friday, May 15.
After dinner we took a lovely and much-needed stroll through the Unionville Community Park. We saw a mallard couple paddling in a little duckweed-filled pond and several red-winged blackbird perched on cattails in the marsh. The paved path takes you over to Wollaston Road and gave me a view of Unionville from behind that I'd never seen before.