The other day in the Y locker room I told the woman next to me how nice she smelled. Well, it turns out that her olfactory nerve doesn't work very well (she can't taste very well, either), and she often worries that she smells bad. She couldn't stop thanking me for reassuring her.
What are the odds!
I told her how a scent can instantly take me back to a specific time and place, and she said yes, smell and memory are closely linked. Indeed, the first thing the doctors tested her for was memory loss or incipient Alzheimer's (negative).
Saturday, September 3, 2016
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Not in my back yard
Tilda hosted a few urbanites this week who were definitely out of their element here in West Marlborough. One of them criticized what she assumed was an unmown lawn -- a serious lapse, in her eyes.
I replied that it was in fact a hay field, and the hay, after being cut, would be used to feed horses. Hmmph! She still thought it would look far better mown.
I couldn't wait to tell a friend about this, and we had a good laugh.
"Evidently not a country gal," she said.
I replied that it was in fact a hay field, and the hay, after being cut, would be used to feed horses. Hmmph! She still thought it would look far better mown.
I couldn't wait to tell a friend about this, and we had a good laugh.
"Evidently not a country gal," she said.
IN PERSON: The woman behind the name
Local balladeer Charlie Zahm and fiddler Tad Marks played a lovely outdoor concert in the walnut grove at Primitive Hall in West Marlborough on Aug. 28, and I was there as a board member and tour guide.
During intermission I was walking over to talk to friends and eat their food when I overheard some people wondering if Tilda was there (I had given the concert a blurb in my column).
"I wonder who she is?" one woman said.
I stopped and said, "Umm . . . that would be me."
The three of them, two ladies and a gentleman, were so kind and said the nicest things about my column. Apparently it is the first thing they read in the paper, and they even discuss it afterwards!
They asked me how I manage to fit so much into my schedule (a question I'm asking myself after my four-state extravaganza of the past few days). One woman even said she hopes the Young Relative has a successful cross-country season: "He is doing so well," she commented.
During intermission I was walking over to talk to friends and eat their food when I overheard some people wondering if Tilda was there (I had given the concert a blurb in my column).
"I wonder who she is?" one woman said.
I stopped and said, "Umm . . . that would be me."
The three of them, two ladies and a gentleman, were so kind and said the nicest things about my column. Apparently it is the first thing they read in the paper, and they even discuss it afterwards!
They asked me how I manage to fit so much into my schedule (a question I'm asking myself after my four-state extravaganza of the past few days). One woman even said she hopes the Young Relative has a successful cross-country season: "He is doing so well," she commented.
DETOURS: No date set for roundabout work
There is a great deal of interest in the roundabout involving Stargazer, Strasburg, Romansville and Shadyside Roads that's proposed as part of the "Stargazer Village" development, as the detours during construction will affect a great many people.
Construction on the roundabout was supposed to start Aug. 15, but the state Department of Transportation realized that its detours weren't going to work due to the weight restrictions on some of the roads.
Here is the latest from West Bradford Township's website:
Construction on the roundabout was supposed to start Aug. 15, but the state Department of Transportation realized that its detours weren't going to work due to the weight restrictions on some of the roads.
Here is the latest from West Bradford Township's website:
- Developer continues to work with PennDOT to revise the detour plans to minimize impact on the community and traveling public.
- At this point, PennDOT has not approved a revised detour route, so a date for closure has not yet been established.
- Sewer main extension on Romansville Road will be coordinated with the road closures for the roundabout. Residents who are to receive laterals will be sent letters via USPS mail once a date certain for construction is set. At that point, placement of the green flags for lateral location will be required.
**PennDOT requires that construction closures on State roadways are posted a minimum of TWO weeks in advance of the closure. Be alert for signage announcing proposed closure dates in the near future.
Please keep in mind that all of this is subject to changes and/or updates as PennDOT works through the detour planning. As we receive updates, we will share them."
SKY TOUR: Things are looking up
Pete Kennedy asked me to mention that the Chester County Astronomical
Society is hosting a Sky Tour starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday,
September 10, at the Tino Leto Athletic Fields on Walnut Street, Kennett Square. "Several telescopes will be set up for viewing, and celestial wonders will be pointed
out using a green laser light."
LIBRARY: Donna Murray resigns
There were a couple of news items from the Bayard Taylor/Kennett Library this week.
First, Library Director Donna Murray resigned to take a job with the Ridley Township Public Library in Folsom, Delaware County. Her last day will be Sept. 16. I feel sorry for Donna, who had to do the best she could to keep the library going through all kinds of turmoil, including a toxic former library board that made all kinds of very public gaffes. The stress of the ensuing uproar would traumatize even the toughest of us. Donna has been library director since 2003, when Joe Lordi retired. The library board is forming a search committee.
Second, the library will be unveiling its new signage and logo on Sept. 15. While keeping the "Bayard Taylor Memorial Library" sign in place on the front of the library, "Kennett Library" signs will be added to the front and side doors. I've seen the new logo but was sworn to silence until it's officially revealed.
First, Library Director Donna Murray resigned to take a job with the Ridley Township Public Library in Folsom, Delaware County. Her last day will be Sept. 16. I feel sorry for Donna, who had to do the best she could to keep the library going through all kinds of turmoil, including a toxic former library board that made all kinds of very public gaffes. The stress of the ensuing uproar would traumatize even the toughest of us. Donna has been library director since 2003, when Joe Lordi retired. The library board is forming a search committee.
Second, the library will be unveiling its new signage and logo on Sept. 15. While keeping the "Bayard Taylor Memorial Library" sign in place on the front of the library, "Kennett Library" signs will be added to the front and side doors. I've seen the new logo but was sworn to silence until it's officially revealed.
FEEDBACK: Hearing from my readers
As expected when I venture into the realm of religion, I got some criticism regarding the "Jesus Is My Prozak" item in last week's column. Letter-writers informed me that I was a bully and a bad Christian, questioned my understanding of both freedom of speech and metaphor, and suggested I had overreacted. Another letter-writer displayed an impressive knowledge of Bible quotes.
SUNFLOWERS: Yellow journalism in Maryland
The mother of all sunflower fields is at the intersection of Hess Road and Jarrettsville Pike in Monkton, Maryland. A photographer friend told me about it, and even though I was expecting something special, I gasped when I first saw it: it's an ocean of yellow stretching out to the horizon.
The field is about 55 miles southwest of Unionville, and you're on Route 1 for most of the trip (it's about a half-hour beyond the Conowingo Dam).
On the Friday afternoon when I drove down, a lot of people had pulled off on the side of the road to marvel at the sight and take photographs. The Royal Farms convenience store just across the street seemed to be doing a land-office business.
The field is about 55 miles southwest of Unionville, and you're on Route 1 for most of the trip (it's about a half-hour beyond the Conowingo Dam).
On the Friday afternoon when I drove down, a lot of people had pulled off on the side of the road to marvel at the sight and take photographs. The Royal Farms convenience store just across the street seemed to be doing a land-office business.
 |
| This stunning sunflower field is in Monkton, Maryland. |
Friday, September 2, 2016
5K RACE: "Friends Not Foes"
UHS teacher and coach Mark Lacianca asked me to mention the "Friends Not Foes" 5K race that's being put on by the Kennett and Unionville High School cross-country teams on Sunday, Nov. 13. They're looking for sponsors, volunteers and participants.
Mr. Lacianca writes:
"The Kennett and Unionville runners have been practicing together the past couple of years at different times. This summer we took it to another level and met three days a week at 6:30 am for voluntary runs, M + W at Unionville High School and Fridays at Kennett High School. We routinely had between 40 and 60 runners from both schools. The captains from both teams have worked hard and worked together to put the race together."
The race starts at 9 a.m. at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square. Online registration is $25 and ends Nov. 11 (runsignup.com).
Mr. Lacianca writes:
"The Kennett and Unionville runners have been practicing together the past couple of years at different times. This summer we took it to another level and met three days a week at 6:30 am for voluntary runs, M + W at Unionville High School and Fridays at Kennett High School. We routinely had between 40 and 60 runners from both schools. The captains from both teams have worked hard and worked together to put the race together."
The race starts at 9 a.m. at Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square. Online registration is $25 and ends Nov. 11 (runsignup.com).
WILLOWDALE: No longer vacant
Turner & Co., a women's clothing boutique, is going to be moving into the space formerly occupied by the venerable Willowdale Country Store at Routes 926 and 82. If the name rings a bell, you might have seen their booth at large equestrian events like the Devon Horse Show and Wellington. This will be their first time in a real "bricks-and-mortar" store. Some of the brands they carry are J Brand, Splendid, Ella Moss, Citizens of Humanity, Barbour, Autumn Cashmere, Joie and Blundstone.
LITTER: A good deed
On Thursday afternoon I spotted a West Marlborough neighbor risking life and limb to improve the appearance of our beautiful countryside: he was standing in the middle of Route 842 cleaning up a bag of trash scattered along the road in the area that old-timers call "Club Hill." He had put out a traffic cone to warn oncoming motorists.
This same gentleman routinely stops to pick up litter along the roadside, which is why there's often a stack of discarded beer bottles and cans and fast-food wrappers in the bed of his pickup.
He doesn't brag about it, and I know for a fact he'll be embarrassed when he reads this. But if there were more people like him, the world would be a better place.
This same gentleman routinely stops to pick up litter along the roadside, which is why there's often a stack of discarded beer bottles and cans and fast-food wrappers in the bed of his pickup.
He doesn't brag about it, and I know for a fact he'll be embarrassed when he reads this. But if there were more people like him, the world would be a better place.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
CAMPAIGN: Tips for political advocacy
As this political season swings into high gear ("high" meaning increased activity, not an increase in civil and intelligent debate), people who advertise their choice of candidate via campaign signs and bumper stickers really should be mindful of a few things.
If you put your candidate's sticker on a stop sign, that sends an ambiguous message.
If you're a rude or aggressive driver and your car sports a political bumper sticker, you're not doing your candidate any favors in the mind of the driver whom you cut off in traffic.
And if you're selling your house, it might not be such a good idea to put up a political yard sign. Emotions are running so high that you might well immediately turn off a buyer from the other party ("X supporters live there?! Just keep driving, Honey."). I actually saw such a situation in Chatham and could only feel sorry for the real-estate agent.
If you put your candidate's sticker on a stop sign, that sends an ambiguous message.
If you're a rude or aggressive driver and your car sports a political bumper sticker, you're not doing your candidate any favors in the mind of the driver whom you cut off in traffic.
And if you're selling your house, it might not be such a good idea to put up a political yard sign. Emotions are running so high that you might well immediately turn off a buyer from the other party ("X supporters live there?! Just keep driving, Honey."). I actually saw such a situation in Chatham and could only feel sorry for the real-estate agent.
FRAUD: Only a friend can betray you!
The Chester County Controller's Office is putting on an excellent seminar to help nonprofit groups prevent fraudulent use of their hard-earned money.
I attended the presentation in Modena on Aug. 23 with Controller Norman MacQueen, Deputy Controller Carol Pollitz, and Internal Audit Manager Sharon Kay Jones, and found it to be so interesting and relevant that I didn't even remove my knitting from my workbag (I will never finish these socks!).
Ms. Jones started by giving alarming examples of fraud committed by Chester County residents. I was amazed by the amount of money stolen and the slipshod controls that were in place. She explained that the number-one reason why people steal from nonprofits is that they're living beyond their means. They get away with it because people trust them and don't want to believe that a friend could do such a thing.
Ms. Jones then outlined practical recommendations that can help prevent insider fraud, like having two people present and alert at all times when handling cash (say, when selling tickets at a high school football game). I was happy and relieved to note that almost all are in place in the nonprofit group I work with.
About a dozen people attended, representing an array of nonprofits, including churches, youth groups and fire companies. They were all nonprofit veterans and offered excellent examples of accounting lapses they'd witnessed. One woman said her church used to allow volunteers to write checks to themselves for reimbursement.
"No, that's not happening any more," she said she told them when she took over.
There was a lively debate about whether volunteers should be allowed to use credit or debit cards. Although it's traditionally frowned on, with today's technology, procurement cards (or "p-cards") can be set with a ceiling for purchases, and use can be limited to certain places.
I highly recommend this useful seminar for all treasurers and other officers. The folks from the Controller's Office said they planned to repeat it this fall, so keep an eye out for an announcement.
I attended the presentation in Modena on Aug. 23 with Controller Norman MacQueen, Deputy Controller Carol Pollitz, and Internal Audit Manager Sharon Kay Jones, and found it to be so interesting and relevant that I didn't even remove my knitting from my workbag (I will never finish these socks!).
Ms. Jones started by giving alarming examples of fraud committed by Chester County residents. I was amazed by the amount of money stolen and the slipshod controls that were in place. She explained that the number-one reason why people steal from nonprofits is that they're living beyond their means. They get away with it because people trust them and don't want to believe that a friend could do such a thing.
Ms. Jones then outlined practical recommendations that can help prevent insider fraud, like having two people present and alert at all times when handling cash (say, when selling tickets at a high school football game). I was happy and relieved to note that almost all are in place in the nonprofit group I work with.
About a dozen people attended, representing an array of nonprofits, including churches, youth groups and fire companies. They were all nonprofit veterans and offered excellent examples of accounting lapses they'd witnessed. One woman said her church used to allow volunteers to write checks to themselves for reimbursement.
"No, that's not happening any more," she said she told them when she took over.
There was a lively debate about whether volunteers should be allowed to use credit or debit cards. Although it's traditionally frowned on, with today's technology, procurement cards (or "p-cards") can be set with a ceiling for purchases, and use can be limited to certain places.
I highly recommend this useful seminar for all treasurers and other officers. The folks from the Controller's Office said they planned to repeat it this fall, so keep an eye out for an announcement.
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