A few weeks ago a reader expressed her distress that the Little Free Library that English professor Shanyn Fiske started on her front porch in downtown Unionville was no longer in existence. I told her that Shanyn moved into Kennett Square at the end of April, and I wasn't sure what was going to happen with the library.
Shanyn wrote to me and said the library has moved with her and is now open for "business" on her porch at 420 Center Street in Kennett! Just drop off any books you're finished with and take whatever you want.
She also asked me to spread the word that her dream of starting a literary discussion group is becoming a reality, and the first meeting is at her house on Wednesday, June 8. If you email me I'll put you in touch with her for more details.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
SALE: A profitable garage sale
The volunteers who ran the London Grove Schoolhouse garage sale that I wrote about in last week's column told me that they made over $1,000 in sales and donations. That's a lot of knickknacks, kitchen gadgets, lawn ornaments and pottery! The funds will go toward replacing the wooden floor of the 19th-century schoolhouse. And apparently they had so much unsold stuff left over that they are thinking about having another sale this summer.
CRUISE: A trip to central Europe
A Unionville friend just returned from one of those Viking River Cruises you've heard about-- she and her husband are celebrating a notable anniversary-- and said they had a wonderful week, full of European history, architecture, culture, languages and art. They visited numerous historic sites in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany and said they were extremely well taken care of on board the ship, with fantastic food (wine and beer were included in the fee) and an accommodating staff. She said she loved being able to relax on the deck and just watch the spectacular scenery unfolding before her.
I asked about her fellow passengers on the small ship and she said that they were age fifties and up, from all over the United States, and very well traveled and educated -- not a surprise given that Viking advertises on public broadcasting.
I asked about her fellow passengers on the small ship and she said that they were age fifties and up, from all over the United States, and very well traveled and educated -- not a surprise given that Viking advertises on public broadcasting.
TREES: Paulownia in bloom
One of my favorite signs of spring is the light-purple flowers of the Paulownia trees. These trees are common in our area but are particularly noticeable as you're driving along the Route 1 bypass heading south toward Oxford. Longwood Gardens has a line of Pauwlownias along the path on the way to the Conservatory, near the topiary garden.
The fast-growing tree was named in honor of Anna Paulowna, who was the daughter of Paul I, the czar of Russia, and the queen consort of the Netherlands in the nineteenth century (hence the common name of the princess tree). The wood is used in China, Korea, and Japan to make the soundboards of stringed musical instruments. In Japan, per Wikipedia, "It was once customary to plant a Paulownia tree when a baby girl was born, and then to make it into a dresser as a wedding present when she married."
Also: aren't the rhododendrons spectacular this spring? I'm marveling at their color and size.
The fast-growing tree was named in honor of Anna Paulowna, who was the daughter of Paul I, the czar of Russia, and the queen consort of the Netherlands in the nineteenth century (hence the common name of the princess tree). The wood is used in China, Korea, and Japan to make the soundboards of stringed musical instruments. In Japan, per Wikipedia, "It was once customary to plant a Paulownia tree when a baby girl was born, and then to make it into a dresser as a wedding present when she married."
Also: aren't the rhododendrons spectacular this spring? I'm marveling at their color and size.
CHESHIRE: A challenging contest
The other night at dinner, my brother and I were reminiscing about the competition that the Cheshire Hunt ran several winters ago where each week they would post a photo of a jump somewhere in their foxhunting territory and you had to figure out where it was located. Some were very easy and you recognized it as soon as you saw it. Others, not so much.
One week there was a particularly vexing photo with no obvious clues. A friend and I had spent an entire afternoon trying unsuccessfully to find it, driving all over Cheshire country around peering at fence lines and even hiking through the icy Laurels. Another friend who says she knows every inch of the hunting territory didn't recognize it.
Fortunately I shared the photo with my brother, who is an experienced pilot, accustomed to navigating from the air.
"We've gotta be able to find this," he said with determination.
With the help of Google Earth, he pored over the terrain maps and used the configuration of the treeline, fields, and road in the photo to pinpoint the exact location of the jump (it was off a remote road in Highland Township). Even though it was well after dark, I immediately drove out to and verified it.
Next time I see the woman responsible for the contest, I'm going to ask her if she'd consider doing it again. It was a great challenge!
One week there was a particularly vexing photo with no obvious clues. A friend and I had spent an entire afternoon trying unsuccessfully to find it, driving all over Cheshire country around peering at fence lines and even hiking through the icy Laurels. Another friend who says she knows every inch of the hunting territory didn't recognize it.
Fortunately I shared the photo with my brother, who is an experienced pilot, accustomed to navigating from the air.
"We've gotta be able to find this," he said with determination.
With the help of Google Earth, he pored over the terrain maps and used the configuration of the treeline, fields, and road in the photo to pinpoint the exact location of the jump (it was off a remote road in Highland Township). Even though it was well after dark, I immediately drove out to and verified it.
Next time I see the woman responsible for the contest, I'm going to ask her if she'd consider doing it again. It was a great challenge!
TURTLE: Helping a fellow critter
A huge thank you to the guy from Meadow Springs Farm who "escorted" a snapping turtle across the road the evening of Tuesday, May 24. I was driving on Route 926, my way to the Kennett Y, when I saw the snapper in the middle of the road, near the main entrance to New Bolton Center. I stopped my car and got out but, other than staying away from the creature's business end, I was at a loss as to what to do.
Fortunately a Meadow Springs truck also stopped right behind me. The driver got out, calmly picked up the foot-and-a-half-long turtle by the tail, carried him well off the road, and set him down by the white fence.
"Here you go, buddy," he said.
Fortunately a Meadow Springs truck also stopped right behind me. The driver got out, calmly picked up the foot-and-a-half-long turtle by the tail, carried him well off the road, and set him down by the white fence.
"Here you go, buddy," he said.
CONCERTS: The summer park line-up
Once again, Anson B. Nixon Park will be hosting free Wednesday night concerts this summer. These concerts are a wonderful community event (we attend every one) and always attract a large and friendly audience, with plenty of families, kids, and dogs. You can bring your own dinner or buy it there. The music starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.
Here's this summer's line-up:
June 22: Ken and Brad Kolodner: progressive Appalachian music
June 29: Michael "Kid" Davis and The Bullets: rockabilly, early rock and roll, R&B
July 6: Crossroads, a "collaboration of singers/musicians who have come together primarily because of The Flash": Dennis Melton and his son Michael Melton, Billy Burger, Tommy Geddes and Bob Beach.
July 13: Jane Lee Hooker: an all-female R&B band from New York City.
July 20: Mercury Radio Theater: a nine-piece band performing Gypsy punk, klezmer and Balkan music.
July 27: Angelee, a folk/pop performer who is also a Philadelphia veterinarian.
August 3: West Philadelphia Orchestra: Balkan brass, European folk music, and jazz
August 10: Shytown: A Wilmington-based pop rock band comprising Jimmy McFadden, Kevin Walsh, Tony Cappella, Ritchie Rubini and Jack Taylor.
Here's this summer's line-up:
June 22: Ken and Brad Kolodner: progressive Appalachian music
June 29: Michael "Kid" Davis and The Bullets: rockabilly, early rock and roll, R&B
July 6: Crossroads, a "collaboration of singers/musicians who have come together primarily because of The Flash": Dennis Melton and his son Michael Melton, Billy Burger, Tommy Geddes and Bob Beach.
July 13: Jane Lee Hooker: an all-female R&B band from New York City.
July 20: Mercury Radio Theater: a nine-piece band performing Gypsy punk, klezmer and Balkan music.
July 27: Angelee, a folk/pop performer who is also a Philadelphia veterinarian.
August 3: West Philadelphia Orchestra: Balkan brass, European folk music, and jazz
August 10: Shytown: A Wilmington-based pop rock band comprising Jimmy McFadden, Kevin Walsh, Tony Cappella, Ritchie Rubini and Jack Taylor.
SCOUTS: Interested in becoming a Girl Scout?
The Girl Scouts are hosting an information session for parents and girls on Wednesday, June 8, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Unionville Elementary School cafeteria. The June 8 program is for girls who will be in kindergarten, pre-first grade, or first grade in the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett school districts. While the girls try out some Scout activities, the parents will learn about Scouting programs. RSVP to Elise Anderson at Ander-sun@comcast.net. For general information about Scouting programs, visit the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania at GSEP.org or email Ghisele Curcio at gcurcio@gsep.org.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
GARDENS: A spring ritual
This morning a few of us were waiting for a meeting to start and chatting about how our gardens were faring during this very strange spring. I mentioned that the previous afternoon I had spent maybe 20 minutes (until my back started protesting) "tying down" daffodil leaves to make room for the annuals.
Talk about a universal topic! People chimed in about their own methods for taming the unruly daffodil foliage, either looping them with rubber bands, braiding them or twisting them. Others -- those with more real estate to play with -- simply weed-whack around them let them die back of their own volition.
Honestly, the interesting discussion could have gone on for ages, if we hadn't been called to order by our taskmaster/chairwoman.
Talk about a universal topic! People chimed in about their own methods for taming the unruly daffodil foliage, either looping them with rubber bands, braiding them or twisting them. Others -- those with more real estate to play with -- simply weed-whack around them let them die back of their own volition.
Honestly, the interesting discussion could have gone on for ages, if we hadn't been called to order by our taskmaster/chairwoman.
Monday, May 23, 2016
DINNER: Thai food in West Chester
We had a terrific dinner on Saturday night at the Baan Thai restaurant in West Chester. The food is delicious (we had spring rolls as appetizers and cashew chicken and seafood pad thai for entrees), and the presentation is fabulous, with lovely garnishes like purple orchids and carrot flowers (how do they make them?) on the plates and even napkins rolled into rosettes. We have timid palates, so we avoided the asterisked items on the menu and the spice level was fine. It's an attractive restaurant, with black-and-gold brocade tablecloths, comfortable high-backed booths and an amusing mural showing kids playing with elephants. Our waitress was charming.
Baan Thai is at 704 West Nields Street, in a small shopping center just off South Bradford Avenue, on the western border of West Chester borough (many years ago there was a dairy on the site). It's a BYO. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately.
Baan Thai is at 704 West Nields Street, in a small shopping center just off South Bradford Avenue, on the western border of West Chester borough (many years ago there was a dairy on the site). It's a BYO. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
LAURELS: A picnic breakfast
This morning was the annual Buck & Doe Trust breakfast in the Laurels, where we feasted on pancakes, strawberries, apple-cider donuts, and sausages at the Mary Ann Pyle covered bridge. As we arrived at the Fairview Road entrance, some Brandywine Conservancy folks gave us the option of parking there and taking a shuttle down to the site, or braving the muddy pathway. We put the Jeep in four wheel drive and had no problem.
We saw lots of friends and neighbors (along with kids and dogs) and, as always, enjoyed walking through the spectacular scenery of the Laurels.
The speakers (Amy McKenna, Morris Stroud, and Virginia Logan) paid fond tribute to George "Frolic" Weymouth and invited us to help celebrate the Trust's 30th birthday with cake.
We saw lots of friends and neighbors (along with kids and dogs) and, as always, enjoyed walking through the spectacular scenery of the Laurels.
The speakers (Amy McKenna, Morris Stroud, and Virginia Logan) paid fond tribute to George "Frolic" Weymouth and invited us to help celebrate the Trust's 30th birthday with cake.
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