On Thanksgiving we were on the Pennsylvania Turnpike passing King of Prussia and saw what looked like a completely out-of-place grain silo. Turns out it's a an indoor skydiving place called iFly, and the "silo" is a vertical wind tunnel.
An adventurous young couple I know tried it out and happened to be talking about it at a Christmas party. For $140, the two of them got instructions, flight gear (helmet, goggles, and a flight suit), and two flights apiece. Tom said the instructor taught them that the key is to maximize your body surface (for instance, by spreading out your hands) so that the air can hold you up.
He and his wife enjoyed watching the instructors show off their skills, flipping around and soaring to the top of the "flight chamber."
iFly has facilities around the country; this one is at 290 Goddard Boulevard.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Thursday, December 29, 2016
INQUIRING MINDS: He's inspecting trees
Some might use the word "nosy"; I prefer "curious" or even "community-minded."
Twice in the past week or so I've noticed a man in a white "Davey Resource Group" vehicle parked along my quiet rural road. Given how unusual it is to see strangers in our neighborhood, it's something you remember.
Well, this morning I spotted him again and was just about to roll down the car window and ask him what he was doing when I noticed he was talking on his phone. So instead I took to social media and asked if anyone knew what was going on.
I quickly learned that others in the Unionville area have noticed him in recent days on Route 926, Route 842 and Lamborntown Road (we ARE an observant bunch!). One fellow saw him walking along Springdell Road writing down utility pole numbers.
And that appears to be the answer. According to Mike Wells, Asplundh has hired the Davey Group to make sure that they cut back the proper trees so falling branches won't take down wires.
Twice in the past week or so I've noticed a man in a white "Davey Resource Group" vehicle parked along my quiet rural road. Given how unusual it is to see strangers in our neighborhood, it's something you remember.
Well, this morning I spotted him again and was just about to roll down the car window and ask him what he was doing when I noticed he was talking on his phone. So instead I took to social media and asked if anyone knew what was going on.
I quickly learned that others in the Unionville area have noticed him in recent days on Route 926, Route 842 and Lamborntown Road (we ARE an observant bunch!). One fellow saw him walking along Springdell Road writing down utility pole numbers.
And that appears to be the answer. According to Mike Wells, Asplundh has hired the Davey Group to make sure that they cut back the proper trees so falling branches won't take down wires.
KENETT TOWNSHIP: Protecting an 18th-century cottage
The Kennett Township Historical Commission is trying to save from demolition an 18th-century cottage on McFarlan Road that is one of the oldest houses in the township. The owner, Chatham Financial, wants to tear it down and has applied to the township for a demolition permit.
The original part of the Isaac Allen House measures only 17 feet by 18 feet, with 18-inch-thick walls, and the Commission believes it is especially valuable just because of its modest size: "It was an ordinary house for an ordinary family who were the early settlers in Kennett Township."
It was constructed no later than 1751, which means it was here during the Battle of the Brandywine -- and on the very road that the British and Hessians marched along to the Battle.
The Commission is asking Chatham Financial to rethink its plans: "We can imagine this tiny house as a welcoming gateway structure for Chatham Financial, conveying the message of respect and commitment that this firm has for the Township, its residents and our history."
The Commission wants the financial services firm to put the demolition permit on hold for a year, during which time the two groups can develop a mutually agreeable plan to preserve and manage the building, possibly with a new owner or tenant.
The two-story, ivy-covered structure, which has a modern addition, was last used in 2012 as an office but has since been vacant. A detailed November 2016 study by Cultural Resource Consultants, requested by Kennett Township and paid for by Chatham, traced the history of the structure, documented its condition, spelled out the pros and cons of preserving it and offered six possible scenarios for its future.
The original part of the Isaac Allen House measures only 17 feet by 18 feet, with 18-inch-thick walls, and the Commission believes it is especially valuable just because of its modest size: "It was an ordinary house for an ordinary family who were the early settlers in Kennett Township."
It was constructed no later than 1751, which means it was here during the Battle of the Brandywine -- and on the very road that the British and Hessians marched along to the Battle.
The Commission is asking Chatham Financial to rethink its plans: "We can imagine this tiny house as a welcoming gateway structure for Chatham Financial, conveying the message of respect and commitment that this firm has for the Township, its residents and our history."
The Commission wants the financial services firm to put the demolition permit on hold for a year, during which time the two groups can develop a mutually agreeable plan to preserve and manage the building, possibly with a new owner or tenant.
The two-story, ivy-covered structure, which has a modern addition, was last used in 2012 as an office but has since been vacant. A detailed November 2016 study by Cultural Resource Consultants, requested by Kennett Township and paid for by Chatham, traced the history of the structure, documented its condition, spelled out the pros and cons of preserving it and offered six possible scenarios for its future.
 |
| Front and rear views of the Isaac Allen cottage. Photos were taken on Oct. 16, 2016, by Robert Wise, and are from the Historic Structures Report. |
NONPROFITS: A big benefactor
Here is an encouraging story for anyone who volunteers for a nonprofit group or does fundraising for a community organization. The director of one local not-for-profit said that a rep from a charitable foundation called her a few months ago, out of the blue, and asked a few questions about the group's work. They chatted for maybe five minutes, and then she forgot about the whole matter.
Until a check for $20,000 arrived. The director said "surprised" would be an understatement.
Until a check for $20,000 arrived. The director said "surprised" would be an understatement.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
CHRISTMAS: Wonderful parties
A few memorable Christmas quotes I heard:
1. "My sister-in-law asked for my scalloped potatoes recipe and I had to 'fess up: they came from Costco. She couldn't believe it!" A friend who brought fabulous chicken teriyaki meatballs to a Dec. 23 party. They were from, you guessed it, Costco.
2. My companion, as we're driving along Cherry Lane, off Schoolhouse Road, on our way to a Christmas Eve dinner, suddenly bursts out, "Oooo, baby, light my fire!"
"What? WHAT??" I ask in confusion.
"Those women, setting out luminaries along the curb," he said. "What did you think I meant?"
3. "That's the sign of a good party, when people are sitting on the steps." The host, at a Christmas Eve party.
4. "You haven't seen 'Frozen'?" Addressed to me, with utter wonderment and disbelief, by an adorable preschooler after Christmas dinner.5. "But I have student loans!" A recent college graduate, losing a box full of possibly-winning lottery tickets to his cousin in a cut-throat game of Greedy Santa after Christmas dinner.
6. "I'm actually really looking forward to getting back into the routine." A partied-out friend at the gym, on Dec. 27.
1. "My sister-in-law asked for my scalloped potatoes recipe and I had to 'fess up: they came from Costco. She couldn't believe it!" A friend who brought fabulous chicken teriyaki meatballs to a Dec. 23 party. They were from, you guessed it, Costco.
2. My companion, as we're driving along Cherry Lane, off Schoolhouse Road, on our way to a Christmas Eve dinner, suddenly bursts out, "Oooo, baby, light my fire!"
"What? WHAT??" I ask in confusion.
"Those women, setting out luminaries along the curb," he said. "What did you think I meant?"
3. "That's the sign of a good party, when people are sitting on the steps." The host, at a Christmas Eve party.
4. "You haven't seen 'Frozen'?" Addressed to me, with utter wonderment and disbelief, by an adorable preschooler after Christmas dinner.5. "But I have student loans!" A recent college graduate, losing a box full of possibly-winning lottery tickets to his cousin in a cut-throat game of Greedy Santa after Christmas dinner.
6. "I'm actually really looking forward to getting back into the routine." A partied-out friend at the gym, on Dec. 27.
SAFETY: A Christmas miracle
A young couple I know were driving home from Christmas dinner when they were hit by another car on Route 926 at the Conservatory Road intersection (the Red Lion intersection). Their car flipped and rolled over a few times. The husband and wife are sore and have a few cuts and bruises, but their two young children didn't even have a small scrape.
She writes: "All the emergency responders couldn't believe we were all fine; they expected a different outcome upon seeing the accident site. It was a Christmas miracle for sure."
She absolutely believes the car seats saved her children's lives and writes: "There is no price you can put on the safety of yourself or your children. Here are some of the rules we follow and I beg you to follow them too.
She writes: "All the emergency responders couldn't believe we were all fine; they expected a different outcome upon seeing the accident site. It was a Christmas miracle for sure."
She absolutely believes the car seats saved her children's lives and writes: "There is no price you can put on the safety of yourself or your children. Here are some of the rules we follow and I beg you to follow them too.
"1. Invest in an awesome safety-rated car seat. It will be more expensive, but completely worth it. We have a high-back booster for our son. For our daughter we have the Advocate convertible car seat.
2. Practice extended rear facing. The new law in PA says children must stay rear-facing until 2 years old. Even though [their daughter] is almost 2.5, we will continue to have her rear-facing until at least 3. It is the SAFEST position for your baby/young child. I would rather her end up with a broken leg than a broken neck.
3. Just because your child seems old enough for a booster does not mean you need to switch him/her. Car seats have weight and height limits; look at those before switching. And when you do, please consider a high back booster with a 5-point harness. This is what [their son] was in and I guarantee it is why he did not suffer whiplash like we did, or anything worse.
4. PULL THOSE CAR SEAT STRAPS TIGHT, to the point where you feel like it is too tight. We have the click-tight straps in our car seats, and we still pull it tighter. I want to know my children are completely secure. And, make sure the clip is at armpit level.
5. Do not keep winter coats on your children in the car. Neither of our children had coats on during our car accident. Because of this, their straps were able to be pulled tightly to keep them secure.
Hug your family and babies a little tighter and remember they are the most important thing in the world. Nothing else matters. Do whatever you can to make sure they are as safe as possible."
2. Practice extended rear facing. The new law in PA says children must stay rear-facing until 2 years old. Even though [their daughter] is almost 2.5, we will continue to have her rear-facing until at least 3. It is the SAFEST position for your baby/young child. I would rather her end up with a broken leg than a broken neck.
3. Just because your child seems old enough for a booster does not mean you need to switch him/her. Car seats have weight and height limits; look at those before switching. And when you do, please consider a high back booster with a 5-point harness. This is what [their son] was in and I guarantee it is why he did not suffer whiplash like we did, or anything worse.
4. PULL THOSE CAR SEAT STRAPS TIGHT, to the point where you feel like it is too tight. We have the click-tight straps in our car seats, and we still pull it tighter. I want to know my children are completely secure. And, make sure the clip is at armpit level.
5. Do not keep winter coats on your children in the car. Neither of our children had coats on during our car accident. Because of this, their straps were able to be pulled tightly to keep them secure.
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