"We get it," said West Marlborough Township supervisor Bill Wylie simply, responding to residents' continued complaints about parking problems at the Whip Tavern.
The small parking lots at the popular Springdell tavern fill up quickly and patrons park anywhere they can, including in neighbors' yards and along the roadside, despite no-parking signs. Residents have brought the inadequate parking issue to the supervisors' attention for years.
At their May meeting the supervisors said they are considering amending the township ordinance to extend the "no parking" zone to the south side of Route 841 between Springdell and Thouron Road. Patrons have always parked along the shoulder of that road, but now that the landowner has put up a low fence along the shoulder to deter parking, the parked cars stick out way into the road. Mr. Wylie said that if the township puts up signs there and patrons ignore them signs the way they do the ones on Springdell Road, the township might "have greater standing" in the ongoing situation.
At the May meeting the residents also noted that delivery trucks are blocking the road while unloading supplies at the Whip and are creating a traffic hazard.
A public hearing would have to be held on any amendment to the township ordinance before it could be enacted.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
NOMADIC PIES: Serving up pie love
You've probably seen the white-and-blue Nomadic Pies food truck parked at the Kennett Farmer's Market on Fridays, but the owner, Molly Johnston, has also put down roots in her shop at 132 West State Street in downtown Kennett.
She offers fresh, home-made sweet pies, savory pot pies, and quiches, and you can eat your pie at a table there or take it home "for later." We recently took home two of her five-inch meat pies (a chicken pot pie and a Thai curry pie) and reheated them for dinner. They were chock-full of meat and vegetables, and the crust was delicious.
The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday but open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
She offers fresh, home-made sweet pies, savory pot pies, and quiches, and you can eat your pie at a table there or take it home "for later." We recently took home two of her five-inch meat pies (a chicken pot pie and a Thai curry pie) and reheated them for dinner. They were chock-full of meat and vegetables, and the crust was delicious.
The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday but open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
SKY TOUR: Things are looking up
As I write this, it's been rainy and overcast for days with no signs of letting up, but the Chester County Astronomical Society will nonetheless be hosting its annual Sky Tour at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Anson Nixon Park's Tino Leto Athletic Fields on North Walnut Street. Kids and grownups are welcome. "Several telescopes will be set up for viewing and celestial wonders will be pointed out using a green laser light," reads the press release. Sky tourists are asked to bring a small flashlight to minimize light pollution.
FREEDOM: Underground Railroad bus tour
I saw Susanna Davison selling geraniums at the London Grove Meeting Plant Sale this morning and she asked me to mention that the Kennett Underground Railroad Center's first guided bus tour of the season will take place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 (she is one of the tour guides). Tourgoers will get to learn about the homes of several abolitionists; will visit a fascinating neighborhood in Kennett Square that was integrated in the nineteenth century; will tour an 1801 Quaker Meetinghouse; and will visit the new Kennett Underground Railroad Center, located in the original home of abolitionists Eusebius and Sarah Barnard.
For more information about the bus tour, see the Center's website at kennettundergroundrr.org. The tour will also be held on June 26, July 17, August 21, and September 18.
The Center is also participating in a May 21 symposium at Lincoln University about African-American communities in Chester County and surrounding areas in the 19th century, such as "the African American communities of Hinsonville (now Lincoln University), the Christiana area, Timbuckto, and others." The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University's Mary Dod Brown Memorial Chapel.
For more information about the bus tour, see the Center's website at kennettundergroundrr.org. The tour will also be held on June 26, July 17, August 21, and September 18.
The Center is also participating in a May 21 symposium at Lincoln University about African-American communities in Chester County and surrounding areas in the 19th century, such as "the African American communities of Hinsonville (now Lincoln University), the Christiana area, Timbuckto, and others." The conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University's Mary Dod Brown Memorial Chapel.
BYRSA: Moved to Delaware County
The evening of May 6, Byrsa Bistro posted a Facebook announcement that took me by surprise: they have closed their Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Kennett Square and moved to 128 Glen Mills Road in Glen Mills. "I want to thank everyone who has enjoyed the dining experience at Byrsa Bistro," said the owner. I'm not sure what will be taking over the 102 East State Street space.
Friday, May 6, 2016
OVERHEARD: Inquiring minds...
This evening at the grocery store I overheard one employee say to another: "You're literally gonna cost our company ten grand!"
"No, I won't," the other worker replied dismissively.
Had I not been in a rush to get home, I would have loitered, rearranging my shopping bags or checking my phone or something, to hear more of that exchange. What on earth could they have been discussing?
"No, I won't," the other worker replied dismissively.
Had I not been in a rush to get home, I would have loitered, rearranging my shopping bags or checking my phone or something, to hear more of that exchange. What on earth could they have been discussing?
Thursday, May 5, 2016
LOCUST GROVE: Garage sale in the schoolhouse
Randy Mims wrote to tell me that the Pocopson Township
Historic Committee is holding a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Locust Grove Schoolhouse to raise funds to restore the c. 1870 one-room schoolhouse.
Randy says that since the township bought the schoolhouse in 2003 with state grant money, "much progress has been made - a new heating and cooling system, ceiling constructed, walls repaired and replastered, and a chalk board installed. The next project is replacing the floor, which will cost approximately $10,000. Once finished, the first phase of the project will be completed and the schoolhouse can be used by area elementary classes to learn about the rich history of our unique area through experiencing a day in the life of a student in the late 1800s."
The garage sale will be held at the schoolhouse at Corinne and Locust Grove Roads (525 Locust Grove Road). On sale will be furniture, housewares, vinyl records, tools, sporting goods, toys, books, and collectibles.
I will be stopping by for sure!
Randy says that since the township bought the schoolhouse in 2003 with state grant money, "much progress has been made - a new heating and cooling system, ceiling constructed, walls repaired and replastered, and a chalk board installed. The next project is replacing the floor, which will cost approximately $10,000. Once finished, the first phase of the project will be completed and the schoolhouse can be used by area elementary classes to learn about the rich history of our unique area through experiencing a day in the life of a student in the late 1800s."
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| The Locust Grove Schoolhouse. |
TRACK: A cool running
In the past few weeks I've been spending a fair amount of time driving to the Young Relative's "away" track meets at middle schools all the way from Oxford to Downingtown.
The meets start just as school is letting out in the afternoon, so it's a hectic time to be navigating an unfamiliar school campus: there's a long line of buses loading up kids, teachers are heading home, all the nearby streets have flashing speed limit signs, and crossing guards are periodically stopping traffic to let kids cross. Some of these mega-campuses house multiple schools and acres of athletic fields, so you have to drive around and around the often-one-way internal roads looking for the correct field. Sometimes there are signs.
So what a pleasant surprise it was to pull into Peirce Middle School in Exton on Tuesday (it's part of the West Chester Area School District) and find three pleasant gentlemen greeting visitors!
"Baseball or track?" one asked, and when I said "track" they pointed me in the right direction for both parking and the field.
I was amazed.
Early in the season we spectators enjoyed a couple of warm afternoons, but the past few weeks have been wretchedly cold and damp (yes, I know, apparently runners like chilly weather. So what?). One well-prepared mother told me she keeps in her car jackets of three weights, rain boots, gloves and a fleece wrap.
The meets start just as school is letting out in the afternoon, so it's a hectic time to be navigating an unfamiliar school campus: there's a long line of buses loading up kids, teachers are heading home, all the nearby streets have flashing speed limit signs, and crossing guards are periodically stopping traffic to let kids cross. Some of these mega-campuses house multiple schools and acres of athletic fields, so you have to drive around and around the often-one-way internal roads looking for the correct field. Sometimes there are signs.
So what a pleasant surprise it was to pull into Peirce Middle School in Exton on Tuesday (it's part of the West Chester Area School District) and find three pleasant gentlemen greeting visitors!
"Baseball or track?" one asked, and when I said "track" they pointed me in the right direction for both parking and the field.
I was amazed.
Early in the season we spectators enjoyed a couple of warm afternoons, but the past few weeks have been wretchedly cold and damp (yes, I know, apparently runners like chilly weather. So what?). One well-prepared mother told me she keeps in her car jackets of three weights, rain boots, gloves and a fleece wrap.
AFTER PROM: Come help or visit
My friend Kelli Siehl is putting out the call for volunteers to help with setup and decorating for the annual Unionville High School
After Prom. She says helpers are needed on Friday, May 13, from 6 to 10 p.m., or Saturday, May 14, from
8 a.m. to noon. The walk-through for the public will be on Saturday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the After Prom itself takes place from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday. At which point I suspect there will be some bleary parents and still-energetic kids heading home.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
ART SHOW: Emerging artists on display
On Saturday afternoon we stopped by the Kennett Beautification Plant Sale in the Genesis Walkway and then wandered over to "Art in the Square" on a closed-off block of Broad Street. Kathleen Caccamo asked us whether we'd seen the children's art show and pointed us in the right direction (it was inside the American Legion hall). We're glad she did, because it was wonderful.
Unionville High School students taking a 3-D design class created an oversized grapefruit half (Lauren Hughes was the artist) and a donut with pink icing and jimmies (Madison Adams) big enough to have satisfied Homer Simpson for an entire work shift.
Unionville Elementary School pupils created wonderfully cheerful self-portrait sculptures; Kennett Middle School kids did the same with ceramics.
And in one piece that I loved, UHS artist Elle White painted a dapper, sleek rodent sporting a snazzy hat and jacket.
Unionville High School students taking a 3-D design class created an oversized grapefruit half (Lauren Hughes was the artist) and a donut with pink icing and jimmies (Madison Adams) big enough to have satisfied Homer Simpson for an entire work shift.
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| "Grapefruit" by Lauren Hughes. |
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| "Donut" by Madison Adams. |
Unionville Elementary School pupils created wonderfully cheerful self-portrait sculptures; Kennett Middle School kids did the same with ceramics.
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| Art by Unionville Elementary pupils. |
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| Ceramic self-portraits by Kennett Middle School students. |
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| Dapper rodent by Elle White. |
RADNOR HUNT: Planned Parenthood banquet
On Friday night I headed back to Willistown Township, where I grew up, to attend the Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania spring event at Radnor Hunt.
First was the cocktail hour, where everyone scanned the crowd for friends, chatted, ate chicken on skewers and vegetable dumplings and perused the dozens of silent auction items set out on tables. The silent auction was conducted online: you sent your bid via text message and were alerted when you were outbid. I heard some people grumbling that this was less personal than the old-fashioned clipboard method and led to people staring at their phone screens all night instead of mingling. I liked the system, though. And I found out that the man sitting next to me at dinner was the one who kept outbidding me on the Kinloch Woodworking mirror! (We were both outbid on it by an unknown third party; I was also outbid for a set of antique brass candlesticks and a family photo session.)
Then everyone lined up at the buffet table for dinner. I had salad, tomatoes and mozzarella, tortellini with a creamy pesto sauce, salmon, roasted vegetables, and bruschetta. For dessert there was a giant 100th-birthday cake with the Planned Parenthood logo on the top in blue.
After dinner Dayle Steinberg, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA, gave a rousing speech and Josh Katz of the Katz Foundation conducted the live auction of more high-ticket items. He was hilarious and quick-witted, bantering with the audience about, say, the true worth of some tickets to Philadelphia sporting events.
My host for the evening was Bob Burleigh, who was there with his wife Carol, his daughter Barb, her partner Amy, and their daughters. Bob described what it's like escorting patients past the confrontational protestors at the Planned Parenthood clinic in West Chester. He had high praise for a group of Unionville High School students who show up regularly to support the patients and marveled at the students' poise and calm demeanour in the tense, emotional atmosphere.
Our area was well represented at the event. I was happy to see my friends Art and Suzanne Schless and Eva Verplanck, all three longtime Planned Parenthood supporters. Sculptor Clayton Bright donated a tour of his West Marlborough home and studio as a silent auction item and it sold for $400 (he told me the real attraction was the lunch that his wife, Starr, was going to prepare for the guests!). Among the politicians present were retiring state representative Chris Ross, state senator Andy Dinniman, and West Chester mayor Carolyn Comitta (who is running for a seat in the General Assembly in Harrisburg to represent the 156th district).
First was the cocktail hour, where everyone scanned the crowd for friends, chatted, ate chicken on skewers and vegetable dumplings and perused the dozens of silent auction items set out on tables. The silent auction was conducted online: you sent your bid via text message and were alerted when you were outbid. I heard some people grumbling that this was less personal than the old-fashioned clipboard method and led to people staring at their phone screens all night instead of mingling. I liked the system, though. And I found out that the man sitting next to me at dinner was the one who kept outbidding me on the Kinloch Woodworking mirror! (We were both outbid on it by an unknown third party; I was also outbid for a set of antique brass candlesticks and a family photo session.)
Then everyone lined up at the buffet table for dinner. I had salad, tomatoes and mozzarella, tortellini with a creamy pesto sauce, salmon, roasted vegetables, and bruschetta. For dessert there was a giant 100th-birthday cake with the Planned Parenthood logo on the top in blue.
After dinner Dayle Steinberg, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA, gave a rousing speech and Josh Katz of the Katz Foundation conducted the live auction of more high-ticket items. He was hilarious and quick-witted, bantering with the audience about, say, the true worth of some tickets to Philadelphia sporting events.
My host for the evening was Bob Burleigh, who was there with his wife Carol, his daughter Barb, her partner Amy, and their daughters. Bob described what it's like escorting patients past the confrontational protestors at the Planned Parenthood clinic in West Chester. He had high praise for a group of Unionville High School students who show up regularly to support the patients and marveled at the students' poise and calm demeanour in the tense, emotional atmosphere.
Our area was well represented at the event. I was happy to see my friends Art and Suzanne Schless and Eva Verplanck, all three longtime Planned Parenthood supporters. Sculptor Clayton Bright donated a tour of his West Marlborough home and studio as a silent auction item and it sold for $400 (he told me the real attraction was the lunch that his wife, Starr, was going to prepare for the guests!). Among the politicians present were retiring state representative Chris Ross, state senator Andy Dinniman, and West Chester mayor Carolyn Comitta (who is running for a seat in the General Assembly in Harrisburg to represent the 156th district).
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