As it happens, I was in the Jennersville shopping center on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings last week, and it was hard to miss the fact that the whole western side of the parking lot was jammed. The reason: Two Stones Pub has opened.
On Wednesday at dinnertime I was waiting in the lobby of Mi Cocina Mexicana, which is next door to Two Stones, and to amuse myself I asked one of my fellow patrons, a preschool girl, what her doll's name was. She grinned impishly and refused to tell me, so I started guessing. After every wrong guess, she shook her head vigorously, and I could just imagine that this was providing further proof for her (if any were needed) that grownups are completely insane.
After about two dozen wrong guesses, her mother took pity on me and told me the doll was named "Poppy." I would never have guessed that.
Friday, October 7, 2016
BLUEGRASS: Paisley wins "Male Vocalist" award
Congratulations to local favorite Danny Paisley of Landenberg, who was just named "male vocalist of the year" by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Danny and his band (and his father's band before him), The Southern Grass, have released a new CD, "Weary River," and they perform frequently in Cecil County, Maryland, and throughout the East (although their North Carolina gig was cancelled due to the impending Hurricane Matthew).
Also recognized by the IBMA was the 44th Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, held over Labor Day weekend in Woodstown, N.J. Congrats to the organizers, Brandywine Friends of Old-Time Music! It turns out that Newlin Township resident Gail Honeycutt Abel and I both attended the (very windy) festival; too bad we didn't run into each other.
Also recognized by the IBMA was the 44th Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, held over Labor Day weekend in Woodstown, N.J. Congrats to the organizers, Brandywine Friends of Old-Time Music! It turns out that Newlin Township resident Gail Honeycutt Abel and I both attended the (very windy) festival; too bad we didn't run into each other.
KENNETT: A pet lover and a Good Samaritan
On the afternoon of Oct. 4, a "Unionville in the News" reader
was sitting in the waiting room at Thomas Auto, 110 Old Kennett Rd., when suddenly she heard "a horrible boom-crash-crack": an eighteen-wheeler had crashed into a utility pole, downing several poles, pulling down wires, damaging several vehicles and causing a widespread power outage.
What was she going to do? Her car was stuck up on the lift. With two new knees and a hip that's going to be replaced presently, she couldn't walk any distance.
Enter Terry Kendall of Terry Lynn's Critters, the pen-free pet-boarding place next door. She spotted my reader standing outside the repair shop and saved the day by offering her a ride home.
"The kindness of strangers!" said my grateful reader.
What was she going to do? Her car was stuck up on the lift. With two new knees and a hip that's going to be replaced presently, she couldn't walk any distance.
Enter Terry Kendall of Terry Lynn's Critters, the pen-free pet-boarding place next door. She spotted my reader standing outside the repair shop and saved the day by offering her a ride home.
"The kindness of strangers!" said my grateful reader.
TAGS: Nostalgia might play a role
Earlier this year I wrote about some roadside signs that were popping up near the Delaware border, lambasting Pennsylvania drivers for licensing their cars in Delaware. I never heard anything more about who posted the accusatory signs or why.
Richard Corkran, who lives in West Marlborough, came up to me after a meeting the other night and suggested that nostalgia might be a key reason why Pennsylvania residents use Delaware tags. He said although he lives in Pennsylvania, he still has the same Delaware tags that have been in his family for many years; he said they evoke happy memories. He said he has found that cost is pretty much "a wash" in terms of inspections, insurance and sales tax between the two states.
Richard Corkran, who lives in West Marlborough, came up to me after a meeting the other night and suggested that nostalgia might be a key reason why Pennsylvania residents use Delaware tags. He said although he lives in Pennsylvania, he still has the same Delaware tags that have been in his family for many years; he said they evoke happy memories. He said he has found that cost is pretty much "a wash" in terms of inspections, insurance and sales tax between the two states.
AVONDALE: Facebook page is no more
In last week's column I wrote about our visit to the grand opening of TSS, the new shooting range in Avondale.
A few days later the people who run Facebook deleted TSS's official Facebook page, saying they had received three complaints: two people objected to the pictures of guns and shooting shown on the page and a third objected to the "Osama bin Laden Zombie" target sold at the range. There was no right to appeal.
Of course, Facebook has every right to set and enforce any standards it wants, but to me this decision doesn't make a lot of sense.
A few days later the people who run Facebook deleted TSS's official Facebook page, saying they had received three complaints: two people objected to the pictures of guns and shooting shown on the page and a third objected to the "Osama bin Laden Zombie" target sold at the range. There was no right to appeal.
Of course, Facebook has every right to set and enforce any standards it wants, but to me this decision doesn't make a lot of sense.
HORSES: The near and the far
A horsewoman friend attended New Bolton Center's Oct. 4 lecture on lameness and apparently the subject was still fresh in her mind the next day, when she told her husband that the "left hind" tire of their trailer was flat.
"Ummm ... do you mean the driver's side?" he asked her, puzzled.
"Yes," she replied. "Oh. What did I say?"
"Ummm ... do you mean the driver's side?" he asked her, puzzled.
"Yes," she replied. "Oh. What did I say?"
Thursday, October 6, 2016
YOGURT: A dearth of Plenti
A delicious type of yogurt by Yoplait called "Plenti" showed up earlier this year on the shelves of the Giant supermarket. It's a type of fruity Greek yogurt with oats, flax, and pumpkin seeds mixed in, and I love it. There's also a variety that contains more oatmeal.
Unfortunately, in recent weeks both types have utterly disappeared from the Giant.
While shopping the other morning I saw two dairy employees restocking the yogurt area and told them how much I missed Plenti. This was not news to them; in fact one young man said they'd heard three complaints about it that very morning.
When I mentioned that the only place I can find it is a competing supermarket, the employees winced.
If you're a Plenti fan, too, you're not alone. Why not mention it to the dairy staff? (A helpful reader suggests putting a note in the store suggestion box, too.)
Unfortunately, in recent weeks both types have utterly disappeared from the Giant.
While shopping the other morning I saw two dairy employees restocking the yogurt area and told them how much I missed Plenti. This was not news to them; in fact one young man said they'd heard three complaints about it that very morning.
When I mentioned that the only place I can find it is a competing supermarket, the employees winced.
If you're a Plenti fan, too, you're not alone. Why not mention it to the dairy staff? (A helpful reader suggests putting a note in the store suggestion box, too.)
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
WEST MARLBOROUGH: A township lawsuit against the Whip?
The West Marlborough supervisors have put The Whip on notice that if the tavern doesn't act promptly to curb its patrons' illegal parking in Springdell village, the township will file a "public nuisance" lawsuit.
The latest development in the years-long friction over parking problems between the township and the popular tavern occurred at the township's Oct. 4 meeting.
"There continues to be illegal parking" near the Whip, said township supervisor Bill Wylie, and although the Whip owners have said they will try to resolve the problem, "we're not seeing a lot of evidence" that they are doing so.
"We don't want to perpetuate an unsafe situation," he said.
Supervisor Jake Chalfin agreed, saying that the township has had a lawsuit ready to file since May but the board has repeatedly delayed any action to give the Whip more time to work on the problem. However, he said, "We're not getting what we've been looking for."
The latest development in the years-long friction over parking problems between the township and the popular tavern occurred at the township's Oct. 4 meeting.
"There continues to be illegal parking" near the Whip, said township supervisor Bill Wylie, and although the Whip owners have said they will try to resolve the problem, "we're not seeing a lot of evidence" that they are doing so.
"We don't want to perpetuate an unsafe situation," he said.
Supervisor Jake Chalfin agreed, saying that the township has had a lawsuit ready to file since May but the board has repeatedly delayed any action to give the Whip more time to work on the problem. However, he said, "We're not getting what we've been looking for."
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Other township business
Also at the Oct. 4 West Marlborough township meeting:
1. Supervisor Hugh Lofting said the state Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing the township's plans to stabilize the eroding stream bank along Rokeby Road at Richard Wilson Drive. He said hopefully that "we might see shovels in the ground this year."
2. The supervisors said they are revising the township's schedule of the fees that residents must pay to obtain various permits. Supervisor Bill Wylie said the fee schedule that is being developed is "far simpler and less expensive" while still covering the township's costs.
3. A London Grove village resident told the board that he thinks a growing number of motorists are running the stop signs at Newark Road and Route 926, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. Supervisor Wylie said he sees a similar problem at the four-way stop at Newark Road and Route 842. The supervisors will notify the State Police about the ongoing problem.
4. Susan Elks from the Chester County Planning Commission spoke about the commission's timeline for preparing a third edition of its Landscapes document. The first version of Landscapes was written 20 years ago.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
GREENVILLE: The Harvest Moon Fest
I'm not sure the International Turtle Race really qualified as "international," although one of the contestants WAS from Maryland.
To my surprise, the two-yard-long race took only a couple of minutes. First to cross the finish line was veteran winner Vincent van Gone. He sprinted to the finish, well ahead of the completely immobile Speedbump and the sluggish Diamondback Terrapin Terror.
The entertaining race, held this past Sunday, was part of the Harvest Moon Festival at the Delaware Nature Center's Coverdale Farm preserve on Way Road in Greenville. The race announcer was very funny, ordering people to "do your crafts later" and come and watch the race: he was a cross between a circus ringmaster and a WWF impresario.
At one point he said something about Speedbump's latest rap release. The boy in front of us looked up at his Mom, baffled.
"Speedbump doesn't make music," she explained. "He's a turtle."
Although the sky was gray, it was wonderful to see many families outside enjoying nature and learning about animals, plants and traditional crafts. There was a scarecrow building area, and we saw many parents lugging scarecrows as big as they were all the way back to the car.
Several food trucks were there, including Woodside Creamery and Maiale, the "Sausage King of Delaware." The Brandywine Friends of Old-Time Music took care of providing live music, and during some of the tunes, a group of four cloggers danced in front of the stage.
One little vignette we witnessed was especially heartwarming in these overprotective parenting days. A little kid dropped his spoon in the dirt while eating ice cream. His mom simply said, "Just pick it up. It won't kill you." The laid-back mom noticed us chuckling and said, "That's what my Mom used to tell me!"
To my surprise, the two-yard-long race took only a couple of minutes. First to cross the finish line was veteran winner Vincent van Gone. He sprinted to the finish, well ahead of the completely immobile Speedbump and the sluggish Diamondback Terrapin Terror.
The entertaining race, held this past Sunday, was part of the Harvest Moon Festival at the Delaware Nature Center's Coverdale Farm preserve on Way Road in Greenville. The race announcer was very funny, ordering people to "do your crafts later" and come and watch the race: he was a cross between a circus ringmaster and a WWF impresario.
At one point he said something about Speedbump's latest rap release. The boy in front of us looked up at his Mom, baffled.
"Speedbump doesn't make music," she explained. "He's a turtle."
Although the sky was gray, it was wonderful to see many families outside enjoying nature and learning about animals, plants and traditional crafts. There was a scarecrow building area, and we saw many parents lugging scarecrows as big as they were all the way back to the car.
Several food trucks were there, including Woodside Creamery and Maiale, the "Sausage King of Delaware." The Brandywine Friends of Old-Time Music took care of providing live music, and during some of the tunes, a group of four cloggers danced in front of the stage.
One little vignette we witnessed was especially heartwarming in these overprotective parenting days. A little kid dropped his spoon in the dirt while eating ice cream. His mom simply said, "Just pick it up. It won't kill you." The laid-back mom noticed us chuckling and said, "That's what my Mom used to tell me!"
AVONDALE: The new shooting range
On Sunday we stopped in at the Grand Opening celebration at TSS (Target Shooting Solutions), the indoor shooting range on Route 41 in Avondale, next to Perkins. What a variety of people the range attracts: we saw families, men and women, old and young, novices who were renting firearms and experienced shooters who brought their own.
We watched a 10-minute video about gun safety, filled out liability release forms and showed our ID -- all of which are required before you're even allowed on the range. We didn't have a chance to shoot this weekend but we're looking forward to it. As we were leaving, we saw the owner relaxing in a chair in the lobby after what he described as a very busy weekend.
We watched a 10-minute video about gun safety, filled out liability release forms and showed our ID -- all of which are required before you're even allowed on the range. We didn't have a chance to shoot this weekend but we're looking forward to it. As we were leaving, we saw the owner relaxing in a chair in the lobby after what he described as a very busy weekend.
UNIONVILLE: The 92nd year for the Fair
The Unionville Community Fair is such a wonderful tradition. This year was the 92nd year for the Fair, which started out as "the Corn Show" at what is now Unionville Elementary School. The Fair is now held on the Landhope Farms grounds in Willowdale.
I was there for the judging of the vegetables on Thursday morning, and the Longwood Gardens horticulture students who were the judges took their responsibilities very seriously. They examined each vegetable closely and debated among themselves which entries deserved ribbons (the green peppers in particular sparked much conversation).
After judging was finished, many of the Longwood students wandered through the exhibits; I heard one young man saying the Fair reminded him of his childhood in North Carolina.
The preserved foods category drew about 75 entries this year; a cherry jam took the coveted "Best of Show" ribbon. Among the more unusual entries was a jar of pickled cherry peppers stuffed with sauerkraut. Seems to me that would ward off even the most determined of cold viruses!
On Saturday morning the parade wound its way through the fairgrounds, with Scouts, an honor guard, large trucks from Tri-M, the UHS marching band, Fair Queen Eva Sheppard and her court, Fair Chairman Deborah Deckman, Sen. Andy Dinniman, old tractors, and lots of fire trucks from Station 36. After the parade the Po-Mar-Lin firefighters demonstrated their rescue skills and equipment, methodically dismantling a junked car.
At the baking competitions on Saturday, the judges sampled apple pies, chocolate cakes, and chocolate brownies and cookies. The nine-year-old boy who won the latter contest for his amazing minty, fudgy chocolate brownies was watching the judging and lit up with a huge grin when informed that he won. His family members cheered and embraced him and took lots of photos. The judges encouraged him to keep baking!
The "Tiny House" brought by Sheds Unlimited drew a lot of attention from fairgoers. In less than 400 square feet, the house managed to include a compact kitchen, bathroom, living room and loft bedroom, accessed by a ladder. It was the antithesis of the mega-mansions that seem so popular today. I overheard some guests saying it would serve as a wonderful beach house.
Storyteller Robin Moore brought to the Fair his home-made Ice Age hunting implements and clothing, explaining how he created the arrow and spear points from stone and bone, lashed them to the wooden handles with sinews, and welded them in place with glue and pine pitch. I didn't realize what a vital role dogs played in hunting: Robin explained that they would smell and track the prey, followed at quite a distance by the humans. They would also protect the freshly killed game from other hungry predators.
These paragraphs don't cover a fraction of all the activities and exhibits. Can you tell I love the Fair?
I was there for the judging of the vegetables on Thursday morning, and the Longwood Gardens horticulture students who were the judges took their responsibilities very seriously. They examined each vegetable closely and debated among themselves which entries deserved ribbons (the green peppers in particular sparked much conversation).
After judging was finished, many of the Longwood students wandered through the exhibits; I heard one young man saying the Fair reminded him of his childhood in North Carolina.
The preserved foods category drew about 75 entries this year; a cherry jam took the coveted "Best of Show" ribbon. Among the more unusual entries was a jar of pickled cherry peppers stuffed with sauerkraut. Seems to me that would ward off even the most determined of cold viruses!
On Saturday morning the parade wound its way through the fairgrounds, with Scouts, an honor guard, large trucks from Tri-M, the UHS marching band, Fair Queen Eva Sheppard and her court, Fair Chairman Deborah Deckman, Sen. Andy Dinniman, old tractors, and lots of fire trucks from Station 36. After the parade the Po-Mar-Lin firefighters demonstrated their rescue skills and equipment, methodically dismantling a junked car.
At the baking competitions on Saturday, the judges sampled apple pies, chocolate cakes, and chocolate brownies and cookies. The nine-year-old boy who won the latter contest for his amazing minty, fudgy chocolate brownies was watching the judging and lit up with a huge grin when informed that he won. His family members cheered and embraced him and took lots of photos. The judges encouraged him to keep baking!
The "Tiny House" brought by Sheds Unlimited drew a lot of attention from fairgoers. In less than 400 square feet, the house managed to include a compact kitchen, bathroom, living room and loft bedroom, accessed by a ladder. It was the antithesis of the mega-mansions that seem so popular today. I overheard some guests saying it would serve as a wonderful beach house.
Storyteller Robin Moore brought to the Fair his home-made Ice Age hunting implements and clothing, explaining how he created the arrow and spear points from stone and bone, lashed them to the wooden handles with sinews, and welded them in place with glue and pine pitch. I didn't realize what a vital role dogs played in hunting: Robin explained that they would smell and track the prey, followed at quite a distance by the humans. They would also protect the freshly killed game from other hungry predators.
These paragraphs don't cover a fraction of all the activities and exhibits. Can you tell I love the Fair?
POCOPSON: New floors to be installed
Randy Mims, one of the folks who is active in preserving the Locust Grove Schoolhouse in Pocopson Township, told me that installation of new wooden floors will start by the end of the year.
"We have had fantastic support from the community this year," he said: with the historical committee's various fundraising projects, they've brought in about $15,000 this year to maintain and renovate the c. 1870 one-room schoolhouse, which is located at Corinne and Locust Grove Roads.
The schoolhouse operated from 1869 to 1932, and after the district's one-room schools were consolidated, the building served as a funeral home, a residence and a polling place.
The committee has a fascinating website about the history of the school and the restoration project (www.locustgroveschoolhouse.org). They've even developed lesson plans so that today's schoolchildren can learn what it was like going to school 150 years ago.
"We have had fantastic support from the community this year," he said: with the historical committee's various fundraising projects, they've brought in about $15,000 this year to maintain and renovate the c. 1870 one-room schoolhouse, which is located at Corinne and Locust Grove Roads.
The schoolhouse operated from 1869 to 1932, and after the district's one-room schools were consolidated, the building served as a funeral home, a residence and a polling place.
The committee has a fascinating website about the history of the school and the restoration project (www.locustgroveschoolhouse.org). They've even developed lesson plans so that today's schoolchildren can learn what it was like going to school 150 years ago.
RODEO: New venue this year
This year's Willowdale Pro Rodeo has a new location. It will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Brandywine Polo Grounds, 232 Polo Road, Toughkenamon. Tickets are $17 for ages 13 and over, $12 for ages 4 to 12; kids 3 & under are free. Tickets are available through the Unionville Community Fair's website (ucfair.org) or at the gate (opens at 11 a.m. the day of the event).
The Rodeo was formerly held as part of the Fair, at the Willowdale Steeplechase grounds, but it was moved this year because the polo field offers "an outdoor equestrian arena with appropriate footing which will increase safety for our contestants in inclement weather conditions," according to the Fair's website. Proceeds from the Rodeo will still benefit the Fair.
The Rodeo was formerly held as part of the Fair, at the Willowdale Steeplechase grounds, but it was moved this year because the polo field offers "an outdoor equestrian arena with appropriate footing which will increase safety for our contestants in inclement weather conditions," according to the Fair's website. Proceeds from the Rodeo will still benefit the Fair.
COATESVILLE: Live Irish music
My regular readers know that I go to a lot of Irish music concerts, and I want to let you know there's a really special one coming up at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9. John Carty (on fiddle) and his daughter Maggie Carty (on banjo) will be playing as part of the Coatesville Traditional Irish Music Series at the Coatesville Cultural Center, 143 E. Lincoln Highway. (They'll be joined by Francis Gaffney on guitar.) Tickets are available online (ctims2.org) for $17 or you can buy them at the door for $20.
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