I've come to expect bad jokes from the performers at old-time music concerts, but the ones at Friday night's show in Newark, Del., were truly awful.
Examples:
-- What happens if you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed.
-- What happens if your clock is hungry? It goes back 4 seconds.
-- Musician A: Did you bring your potato clock?
Musician B: What's a potato clock?
Musician A: Oh, you don't know what a potato clock is? I get a potato clock every morning!
I didn't "get" that last one for several seconds; when I did [say the last few words slowly] I let out a loud groan. The guy behind me asked me to explain it to him, and then he, in turn, groaned.
Oh, and the music? It was terrific and very cheerful, again as we've come to expect from the Brandywine Friends of Old-Time Music concerts.
Uncle Henry's Favorites, a quartet from Charlottesville, Virginia, performed for the first hour. After intermission the Orpheus Supertones took the stage, comprising Pete Peterson and Kellie Allen from Oxford; fiddlers Clare Milliner and Walt Koken from Pocopson; and Hilary Dirlam on bass.
For the grand finale the two bands joined up and played a couple of songs together, closing with a rousing sing-along of "Down by the Riverside." At one point on stage there were two upright bass players, three fiddlers, two mandolin players, a banjo player, two guitar players and a guy on the harmonica.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
JENNERSVILLE: Dinner at Two Stones Pub
Our first dinner at the new (it opened last fall) Two Stones Pub in the Jennersville shopping center was a pleasant one. I expected to see burgers and sandwiches on the dinner menu, but there were also full dinners. I ordered the crab cakes with asparagus, potatoes and beet vinaigrette, and my dinner buddy had the pork schnitzel with green beans, potatoes and mushroom gravy. Both of them were delicious and attractive. I indulged in dessert as well, a multi-layer slice of vanilla cake with peanut butter mousse, chocolate ganache and whipped cream.
(Friends have also told me that the teriyaki salmon is always perfect and have also recommended the turkey burgers and butternut squash soup.)
We are not beer drinkers, but of course there's an extensive menu dedicated just to beer, and I heard our waitress offering samples to other customers who weren't sure whether they'd like a certain brew.
The bar part of the pub is nearest the door, and when we arrived at 6 p.m. every bar stool was occupied, as was nearly every table. The hostess said that 15 minutes earlier the place had been quiet. It wasn't a problem at all, though, as we were seated right away, and in a quieter section. As we were walking to our table I recognized two tables full of friends from the Jennersville Y, which is just a stone's throw away.
(Friends have also told me that the teriyaki salmon is always perfect and have also recommended the turkey burgers and butternut squash soup.)
We are not beer drinkers, but of course there's an extensive menu dedicated just to beer, and I heard our waitress offering samples to other customers who weren't sure whether they'd like a certain brew.
The bar part of the pub is nearest the door, and when we arrived at 6 p.m. every bar stool was occupied, as was nearly every table. The hostess said that 15 minutes earlier the place had been quiet. It wasn't a problem at all, though, as we were seated right away, and in a quieter section. As we were walking to our table I recognized two tables full of friends from the Jennersville Y, which is just a stone's throw away.
Friday, February 3, 2017
KENNETT: A new bus for the Friends home
On Feb. 3 I had the pleasure of attending an unconventional ribbon-cutting ceremony as the Friends Home in downtown Kennett Square officially put its mini-bus into service.
The brand-new Wolfington vehicle can hold 14 passengers (plus the driver) and has a lift and fold-up seats to accommodate wheelchair users. The Home's board purchased the bus for $65,000 using money from the special Burns endowment fund for travel.
Friends Home Board member Tom Brosius, who was on hand for the ceremony, said the bus will be able to take residents to places like Longwood Gardens and Lancaster County shows, and the Peebles department store will be a regular destination.
At the ceremony on Friday, residents gathered next to the bus and posed for photographs as staff members bustled around, fretting about whether it was wise for them to be outside in the cold.
A full contingent of men and women then boarded the bus. The destination for the very special inaugural run? The Foxy Loxy ice-cream shop in Unionville.
The brand-new Wolfington vehicle can hold 14 passengers (plus the driver) and has a lift and fold-up seats to accommodate wheelchair users. The Home's board purchased the bus for $65,000 using money from the special Burns endowment fund for travel.
Friends Home Board member Tom Brosius, who was on hand for the ceremony, said the bus will be able to take residents to places like Longwood Gardens and Lancaster County shows, and the Peebles department store will be a regular destination.
At the ceremony on Friday, residents gathered next to the bus and posed for photographs as staff members bustled around, fretting about whether it was wise for them to be outside in the cold.
A full contingent of men and women then boarded the bus. The destination for the very special inaugural run? The Foxy Loxy ice-cream shop in Unionville.
 |
| Friends Home resident Mae Powers, age 100, in the black down coat, played the starring role in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Friends Home Executive Director Christine McDonald, in the gray coat with black lapels, is behind her. |
 |
| The Friends Home bus embarks on its inaugural journey -- to Foxy Loxy in Unionville for ice cream! |
Sunday, January 29, 2017
SNAFU: Miles to go ...
There was only one word for the past few days: dysfunctional.
The weekend began with a smooth handoff of Girl Scout cookies in the Y lobby on Friday evening.
On Saturday, things went well as we rushed through dinner to get to the cinema only to discover that the movie we wanted to see, "Manchester by the Sea," was sold out. Could have something to do with the fact that it was nominated for Best Picture this past week.
However, "Rogue One" was scheduled to start in a few minutes.
"How about this one?" I suggested to the companion.
"Really?" he said with surprise. "You'd see that with me?"
"Filling up quickly," the screen at the kiosk told us. By trying to select our seats on the screen, we learned that what this actually meant was "Sold Out."
We checked another nearby cinema on the phone and found there were three, count 'em, three seats left for a showing of the same film, and two were in the front row. We wound up walking around a depressing mall and ended our evening in a cigar store (we don't smoke).
Sunday found the two of us driving to Wayne to pick up two Labrador Retrievers whose owner can't keep them anymore. We were there at the appointed time; the owner's representatives were not. We got word that the dogs were either in Rehoboth Beach or in Wilmington; it wasn't clear.
While waiting, we hung out at Wawa (the food tasted much the same as at the Avondale Wawa), visited the painstakingly detailed 9/11 Memorial constructed by the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, and drove through Valley Forge National Historic Park.
Alas, the dog people still didn't show up. We'll try another day.
No dogs. No movies. Crazy drivers. Many miles. But Girl Scout Shortbread Cookies, a great companion and we're glad to be back home safe and warm.
The weekend began with a smooth handoff of Girl Scout cookies in the Y lobby on Friday evening.
On Saturday, things went well as we rushed through dinner to get to the cinema only to discover that the movie we wanted to see, "Manchester by the Sea," was sold out. Could have something to do with the fact that it was nominated for Best Picture this past week.
However, "Rogue One" was scheduled to start in a few minutes.
"How about this one?" I suggested to the companion.
"Really?" he said with surprise. "You'd see that with me?"
"Filling up quickly," the screen at the kiosk told us. By trying to select our seats on the screen, we learned that what this actually meant was "Sold Out."
We checked another nearby cinema on the phone and found there were three, count 'em, three seats left for a showing of the same film, and two were in the front row. We wound up walking around a depressing mall and ended our evening in a cigar store (we don't smoke).
Sunday found the two of us driving to Wayne to pick up two Labrador Retrievers whose owner can't keep them anymore. We were there at the appointed time; the owner's representatives were not. We got word that the dogs were either in Rehoboth Beach or in Wilmington; it wasn't clear.
While waiting, we hung out at Wawa (the food tasted much the same as at the Avondale Wawa), visited the painstakingly detailed 9/11 Memorial constructed by the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, and drove through Valley Forge National Historic Park.
Alas, the dog people still didn't show up. We'll try another day.
No dogs. No movies. Crazy drivers. Many miles. But Girl Scout Shortbread Cookies, a great companion and we're glad to be back home safe and warm.
TRAVEL: I was transported
The other day I received a letter addressed to "Unionville Resident" from the U.S. Department of Transportation. It seems that every five to seven years since 1969 they have been conducting a National Household Travel Survey, and this round I was one of the recipients selected.
The three-page survey asked how often I use various means of transport (walking, car, taxi, bicycle, and public transportation) to get from place to place, and how the cost of gasoline affects my travel decisions. (I was legitimately able to put down "walking" because I sometimes walk to township meetings.)
The form also wanted to know some demographic data. In the second part of the survey, which will be conducted in a few weeks, they will ask me to detail my travel on a single day (odds are good, no matter what day they choose, that it will include the post office and the Y).
In return for my time, they enclosed two one-dollar bills.
The three-page survey asked how often I use various means of transport (walking, car, taxi, bicycle, and public transportation) to get from place to place, and how the cost of gasoline affects my travel decisions. (I was legitimately able to put down "walking" because I sometimes walk to township meetings.)
The form also wanted to know some demographic data. In the second part of the survey, which will be conducted in a few weeks, they will ask me to detail my travel on a single day (odds are good, no matter what day they choose, that it will include the post office and the Y).
In return for my time, they enclosed two one-dollar bills.
KENNETT: Underground Railroad tour
On Saturday, Feb. 4, I'll be one of the guides for a free walking tour of downtown Kennett Square called "Freedmen, Fugitives and Friends," organized by the Kennett Underground Railroad Center. Participants will "to see the houses and buildings and to hear the stories of Kennett Square Quakers and African Americans who coexisted peacefully before and after the Civil War." The tour will focus on the East Linden Street area.
I led a similar tour in the summer of 2015 and we had a great turnout.
The 40-minute walking tours will run every 10 to 15 minutes from 2 to 4 p.m. The starting point is the parking lot at Willow and East State Street (you can park for free there as well).
I led a similar tour in the summer of 2015 and we had a great turnout.
The 40-minute walking tours will run every 10 to 15 minutes from 2 to 4 p.m. The starting point is the parking lot at Willow and East State Street (you can park for free there as well).
KENNETT: Chocolate Fest
Confectioner Robin Mastrippolito of Embreeville took third place in the cupcake division of the Kennett Chocolate Lovers Festival last year, and she's motivated to improve her performance this year. I ran into her on Friday and she said she's thinking about entering a scrumptious-sounding cupcake involving white Godiva chocolate, brandy and either blueberries or blackberries.
The annual event, which benefits the United Way of Southern Chester County, is Sunday, Feb. 12 at Kennett High School. More information and tickets are available at www.kennettchocolate.org. With a connoisseur ticket ($25 each, $45 for two) you get free parking, early entry to beat the crowds (noon), ten tastings and beverages. With a general admission ticket ($10, $30 for a family of four), you get six tastings (with more for 50 cents each), parking is $5, and you have to wait until 1 p.m. to enter the event.
The annual event, which benefits the United Way of Southern Chester County, is Sunday, Feb. 12 at Kennett High School. More information and tickets are available at www.kennettchocolate.org. With a connoisseur ticket ($25 each, $45 for two) you get free parking, early entry to beat the crowds (noon), ten tastings and beverages. With a general admission ticket ($10, $30 for a family of four), you get six tastings (with more for 50 cents each), parking is $5, and you have to wait until 1 p.m. to enter the event.
UNIONVILLE: Closed for lunch
On Friday I stopped in at the Unionville post office during their lunch break to collect my mail. An acquaintance walked in carrying two very large parcels and was surprised to find the counter closed. She didn't realize that the postal employees take a break each day and was mock-irritated, saying that the post office should be open all day because this isn't a rural area anymore.
"Hush your mouth!" I said with a smile.
Good-naturedly, she observed that we suffer the inconveniences of suburbia now, so we might as well enjoy the benefits as well.
"Is that your rant for the day?" I asked.
She laughed and thought for a moment.
"Yes," she replied. "At least, we'll say it is."
"Hush your mouth!" I said with a smile.
Good-naturedly, she observed that we suffer the inconveniences of suburbia now, so we might as well enjoy the benefits as well.
"Is that your rant for the day?" I asked.
She laughed and thought for a moment.
"Yes," she replied. "At least, we'll say it is."
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