El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant, 305 W. State St., has reopened. It was shut for a few weeks after its owner, Lorenzo Zavala Bedolla, died on Dec. 21 and the family traveled to Mexico to lay him to rest.
Also in that little shopping center these days are the Artistic Edge Salon, Kim's Nails, K9 Pet Grooming, the Treetops Kitty Café, and House of Vacuums.
Who remembers the former tenants Papier and Molly's?
Monday, January 29, 2018
Sunday, January 28, 2018
KATS: "Here We Are Again"
True love won out over greed and evil, the kids in the chorus were completely adorable, and the jokes had us groaning: in other words, we had a great time at this year's KATS pantomime, "Sleeping Beauty and the Tangley Wood." This was the 17th KATS production, and it seems that people no longer need to be told that audience participation is encouraged: they needed no prompting to boo and hiss every time the evil Specula (played by Sofia Rose) or anyone sporting a New England Patriots jersey made an entrance.
Joe Finn was hilarious as the officious, clipboard-carrying "Borough Inspector of Jokes, Gags and Jollities." Wearing a business suit, he sat at the side of the stage monitoring for poor-quality jokes that had been banned by Borough Council. And to inform the cast which jokes they couldn't tell, HE told them. Sample: What happens if you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed.
Gary Smith, director and a KATS founder, took the stage before the curtain rose and paid a fond tribute to the late Kirk Fetters, a Kennett High School teacher who played the role of the Dame for many years. As the "in memoriam" in the program said, "Kirk's Dames were competent, confident ladies who were entirely comfortable in their own skin. Kirk intuitively understood right from the very beginning that the best pantomime Dame is 'a very nice woman played by a nice man.' Kirk was a very nice man, and, my goodness, weren't we all very lucky to have known him."
Joe Finn was hilarious as the officious, clipboard-carrying "Borough Inspector of Jokes, Gags and Jollities." Wearing a business suit, he sat at the side of the stage monitoring for poor-quality jokes that had been banned by Borough Council. And to inform the cast which jokes they couldn't tell, HE told them. Sample: What happens if you don't pay your exorcist? You get repossessed.
Gary Smith, director and a KATS founder, took the stage before the curtain rose and paid a fond tribute to the late Kirk Fetters, a Kennett High School teacher who played the role of the Dame for many years. As the "in memoriam" in the program said, "Kirk's Dames were competent, confident ladies who were entirely comfortable in their own skin. Kirk intuitively understood right from the very beginning that the best pantomime Dame is 'a very nice woman played by a nice man.' Kirk was a very nice man, and, my goodness, weren't we all very lucky to have known him."
Saturday, January 27, 2018
NEW CASTLE COUNTY: Old Kennett Road closed
When heading from Kennett to Wilmington on Jan. 25, I was wondering why my GPS told me to take Route 1 and Route 52 instead of the shorter hypotenuse route, Old Kennett Road. But it was correct: Old Kennett Road is closed between Owls Nest Road and Ashland Clinton School Road so that three pipes under the road can be removed and replaced. The work started Jan. 22 and is supposed to be finished by March 31. The posted detour takes motorists around the work area using Owls Nest Road, Kennett Pike (Route 52) and Snuff Mill Road.
Friday, January 26, 2018
OVERDOSES: From the front lines
At the beginning of Rep. Eric Roe's town hall meeting on Jan. 25, he invited Kathy Collier, program specialist with Chester County's Department of Drug & Alcohol Services, to talk about her department's work to combat the much-discussed opioid epidemic.
She was a frank and compelling speaker, and her statistics from the front line were stark: in 2017 there were 133 accidental drug overdose deaths in Chester County, and opiates were involved in the majority of them. That's an increase of 35.7 percent over 2016, and she doesn't think the numbers have yet peaked.
She said the number-one cause of the epidemic, which started in 2010, is the "staggering" prevalence of prescription pain medications. Physicians are more likely to write the scripts routinely, she explained, because pain is now used as a metric for their performance evaluations. And for people with a genetic predilection for addiction, taking the strong prescription drugs can put them on that dangerous path.
Ms. Collier advised that one way to stop the diversion of pain meds to family members and even visitors is for people to drop their unused medications in one of the 23 collection boxes at police stations around the county. (The closest ones to us are the Kennett Square police department, 115 N. Broad St., and the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department on Route 41, near the Newark Road intersection [8934 Gap Newport Pike]).
Once people become addicted, they may turn to street drugs like heroin because it's actually less expensive than buying pills.
"We have some of the cheapest and purest heroin in the U.S. right here in Chester County," Ms. Collier said. No longer do addicts need to go to inner cities or shoot up to get high, which might previously have been barriers. Today, dealers are plentiful in the suburbs, she said, and the heroin is so pure and strong that it can be snorted.
She said part of her department's mission is to spread the word that recovery from addiction is possible and that treatment is available and accessible, even for uninsured people. She said she often has to serve as an advocate for people whose insurance companies try to deny coverage for addiction treatment.
"This is a physical, medical issue," she said.
The Drug and Alcohol Department can be reached through the Chester County website, www.chesco.org.
The
She was a frank and compelling speaker, and her statistics from the front line were stark: in 2017 there were 133 accidental drug overdose deaths in Chester County, and opiates were involved in the majority of them. That's an increase of 35.7 percent over 2016, and she doesn't think the numbers have yet peaked.
She said the number-one cause of the epidemic, which started in 2010, is the "staggering" prevalence of prescription pain medications. Physicians are more likely to write the scripts routinely, she explained, because pain is now used as a metric for their performance evaluations. And for people with a genetic predilection for addiction, taking the strong prescription drugs can put them on that dangerous path.
Ms. Collier advised that one way to stop the diversion of pain meds to family members and even visitors is for people to drop their unused medications in one of the 23 collection boxes at police stations around the county. (The closest ones to us are the Kennett Square police department, 115 N. Broad St., and the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department on Route 41, near the Newark Road intersection [8934 Gap Newport Pike]).
Once people become addicted, they may turn to street drugs like heroin because it's actually less expensive than buying pills.
"We have some of the cheapest and purest heroin in the U.S. right here in Chester County," Ms. Collier said. No longer do addicts need to go to inner cities or shoot up to get high, which might previously have been barriers. Today, dealers are plentiful in the suburbs, she said, and the heroin is so pure and strong that it can be snorted.
She said part of her department's mission is to spread the word that recovery from addiction is possible and that treatment is available and accessible, even for uninsured people. She said she often has to serve as an advocate for people whose insurance companies try to deny coverage for addiction treatment.
"This is a physical, medical issue," she said.
The Drug and Alcohol Department can be reached through the Chester County website, www.chesco.org.
The
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Civil civic discourse
Along with about two dozen other constituents, I attended a town hall meeting held by State Rep. Eric Roe (R-158) at the East Marlborough Township Building on Jan. 25. It was the first time I'd met him, and I was impressed with how articulate he was and his ability to lay out the arguments for both sides of an issue and then thoughtfully explain his position, whether it was the Commonwealth's State Store system, school district funding, state support for the New Bolton Center, the size of the House of Representatives, funding for the Pennsylvania State Police, the turnpike commission, gerrymandering, marijuana legalization, the state budget process, or pension reform for state employees.
It was, as you can tell, a wide-ranging discussion!
Rep. Roe also shared some happy personal news: he and his wife, Alice, bought a house in Marshallton and are expecting their first children -- twin boys -- in April.
It was, as you can tell, a wide-ranging discussion!
Rep. Roe also shared some happy personal news: he and his wife, Alice, bought a house in Marshallton and are expecting their first children -- twin boys -- in April.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
UNIONVILLE: Dressmaker and tailor
As soon as I broke the news that David Ferron is opening a dressmaking and tailoring business at the former Unionville Saddle Shop, I started receiving e-mails and texts:
Will he do prom dresses? (Yes; in fact there's one in his shop window.)
Can he take in a too-large hunt vest and add a hook-and-eye closure to a wool melton coat? (Yes and yes.)
How soon is he opening? (March 1, fingers crossed.)
When I stopped by to interview him on Jan. 25, he was busy painting and renovating.
"You're standing where the dressing room will be," he said.
David graduated from UHS in 2007 and then from the Parsons School of Design in 2011. He was named designer of the year for women's wear, flew to China to participate in a student showcase, and then went on to work for a couple of big names in the fashion world.
This past Christmas, he was home and his mother, Patton Middle School art teacher Ann (Curtis) Ferron, took him past the for-rent Saddle Shop to show him the renovation work that Dave Ferron, his father, was doing on it. (Coincidentally, Ann grew up in the house right next door to the shop.)
The wheels started to turn and David made the decision to rent the space, leave Brooklyn and start a business back in his home town.
He envisions three "tiers" of garment-making: totally custom work, starting from a sketch; partially customized pieces, working from a core collection of classic silhouettes; and tailoring and restoring and repurposing vintage clothes.
The tagline on his website is "Your Body, Infinite Options," and he said that one key part of good design is "It's never your body that's the problem."David said that moving from Brooklyn back to Unionville has been a bit of an adjustment ("I can't do karaoke until 4 a.m. on a Tuesday") but he has found plenty to keep him busy, including making as many local connections as he can and hanging out with his brother Chris (who plays with the popular local band Marlboro Road).
"David Ferron at Unionville Saddle" is at 1712 West Doe Run Road in "downtown Unionville," and his website is davidferron.com.
Will he do prom dresses? (Yes; in fact there's one in his shop window.)
Can he take in a too-large hunt vest and add a hook-and-eye closure to a wool melton coat? (Yes and yes.)
How soon is he opening? (March 1, fingers crossed.)
When I stopped by to interview him on Jan. 25, he was busy painting and renovating.
"You're standing where the dressing room will be," he said.
David graduated from UHS in 2007 and then from the Parsons School of Design in 2011. He was named designer of the year for women's wear, flew to China to participate in a student showcase, and then went on to work for a couple of big names in the fashion world.
This past Christmas, he was home and his mother, Patton Middle School art teacher Ann (Curtis) Ferron, took him past the for-rent Saddle Shop to show him the renovation work that Dave Ferron, his father, was doing on it. (Coincidentally, Ann grew up in the house right next door to the shop.)
The wheels started to turn and David made the decision to rent the space, leave Brooklyn and start a business back in his home town.
He envisions three "tiers" of garment-making: totally custom work, starting from a sketch; partially customized pieces, working from a core collection of classic silhouettes; and tailoring and restoring and repurposing vintage clothes.
The tagline on his website is "Your Body, Infinite Options," and he said that one key part of good design is "It's never your body that's the problem."David said that moving from Brooklyn back to Unionville has been a bit of an adjustment ("I can't do karaoke until 4 a.m. on a Tuesday") but he has found plenty to keep him busy, including making as many local connections as he can and hanging out with his brother Chris (who plays with the popular local band Marlboro Road).
"David Ferron at Unionville Saddle" is at 1712 West Doe Run Road in "downtown Unionville," and his website is davidferron.com.
KENNETT SQUARE: Dinner at La Verona
Continuing our month-long streak of spending "date night" in downtown Kennett, we had dinner last night at La Verona on State Street. We'd pretty much made up our minds about what to order until our friendly waiter, Mike, listed the nightly specials: I went for the lobster ravioli with scallops (the lamb was a close second) and my partner had the red snapper. Both arrived quickly and were delicious. For dessert we shared a flute of vanilla ice cream with swirls of tangy limoncello, a perfect light dessert.
Even though it was a cold Wednesday evening, the restaurant was busy. At nearby tables were a group of ladies talking about their horses, a man and his young son, and three generations of a family celebrating the patriarch's birthday (they brought balloons). And just before we left we spotted some friends eating together (two Unionville couples, both named Nancy and John) and had a lovely time catching up with them.
Even though it was a cold Wednesday evening, the restaurant was busy. At nearby tables were a group of ladies talking about their horses, a man and his young son, and three generations of a family celebrating the patriarch's birthday (they brought balloons). And just before we left we spotted some friends eating together (two Unionville couples, both named Nancy and John) and had a lovely time catching up with them.
Monday, January 22, 2018
KENNETT SQUARE: Empty Bowls fundraiser
This year's Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) will be held at the Red Clay Room on Thursday, Feb. 22. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for either one, and not only do you get a nice meal and hear about the good work of KACS, you get to take home an actual pottery bowl. I enjoyed last year's event very much and I've already purchased my ticket for this one.
KACS, based at 136 W. Cedar St. in Kennett Square, provides food for those in need through its food cupboard and runs programs to help people break out of poverty and become self-sufficient. As their vision statement puts it, "We are an organization committed to serving families and all individuals in the fight against hunger and homelessness in the Kennett area and surrounding communities. We are responsible stewards of the community, helping members of the greater Kennett community to lift themselves in dignified manner out of the cycle of poverty. We achieve this goal through both raising awareness in the community to the needs of underprivileged with few resources and working with them to identify and work towards solutions to their challenges through a network of community connections that care."
KACS, based at 136 W. Cedar St. in Kennett Square, provides food for those in need through its food cupboard and runs programs to help people break out of poverty and become self-sufficient. As their vision statement puts it, "We are an organization committed to serving families and all individuals in the fight against hunger and homelessness in the Kennett area and surrounding communities. We are responsible stewards of the community, helping members of the greater Kennett community to lift themselves in dignified manner out of the cycle of poverty. We achieve this goal through both raising awareness in the community to the needs of underprivileged with few resources and working with them to identify and work towards solutions to their challenges through a network of community connections that care."
UNIONVILLE: A Hitchcock connection
I've been on an Alfred Hitchcock kick this winter and this past weekend watched his 1964 film "Marnie."
Marnie, played by Tippi Hedren, is an avid horseback rider, and I learned that some of the equestrian scenes were shot locally, including at Nancy Penn Smith Hannum's farm, Brooklawn, on Newark Road.
Unionville native Susan Cocks was Hedren's (uncredited) stunt double for the riding scenes.
"She looked a little like Tippi, I guess, and she was a great rider," recalled Susan's sister, Barbie Cocks Vannote.
In one scene Marnie flees a high-society party, jumps on her horse and gallops off bareback, soaring over a gate. Barbie said the costume department made Susan a cashmere-lined yellow silk evening dress to wear for that shot.
"Susan said the tough part was jumping that gate (which was Big) and the dang skirt of the dress was covering her eyes!" said her sister.
The production staff wanted her to do a second take, but she refused, telling them, "No, that was perfect."
Barbie said Susan had fond memories of the experience for the rest of her life: "She had a great time. It was just a gas."
According to Tony Lee Moral's book "Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie," the foxhunting scene with Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds was originally scheduled for Nov. 26, 1963. But after President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, Master of Foxhounds Mrs. Hannum called Hitchcock's assistant director and told him they'd have to postpone for two weeks.
The day of the shoot, Barbie remembered, "everybody" showed up. She recalls that a helicopter was used to shoot the overhead sequences.
During the foxhunting scene, Marnie, who had a deep-seated phobia of the color red, freaked out when she saw the scarlet hunting coats and galloped off, pursued by her sister-in-law Lil Mainwaring, whose stunt double was another expert local rider, Patty Meserve.
Recalled Carol Hannum Davidson, "she chased Susan up to the wall where the horse crashed" (though only in the movie, not in real life). The fateful wall was at old Upland Inn at the corner of Newark Road and Route 842.
The production staff also borrowed foxhunting clothes from members of the Hunt and took them to Hollywood. Barbie and Carol Hannum Davidson, both age 21 at the time, took a cross-country road trip to pick them up and got a tour of the studio and tickets to Disneyland.
In the film Sean Connery's character's family, the Rutlands, have a country estate in Unionville, and it was fun to see the blue stationery headed "Wykwyn Farm, Unionville."
According to Tony Cadwalader, "My father, who was a banker in Center City at what was then Fidelity Bank, was asked by Hitchcock to read the script and be taped so Sean Connery could learn how to speak like a proper Philadelphian, which he was honored to do. Of course, in the movie Sean Connery sounds suspiciously just like Sean Connery."
Tom Martin said he remembers "driving by Truman Welling's house off 926 where they shot the exterior scene of entering the country house. There were vans and trucks and cars all over the place, as I recall. I asked my parents what was going on and they told me that it was filming of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Even then he had quite a reputation."
When the movie was released, Mrs. Hannum hosted a private outdoor screening at Brooklawn, realizing only then that the movie was about a lot more than just foxhunting.
Indeed, it's a dark and dated movie, with a couple of truly disturbing scenes that were hard to watch. Even worse is finding out that "Hitch" mistreated and repeatedly propositioned his female lead throughout the shoot; sexual harassment in the movie business is an old, old story.
Marnie, played by Tippi Hedren, is an avid horseback rider, and I learned that some of the equestrian scenes were shot locally, including at Nancy Penn Smith Hannum's farm, Brooklawn, on Newark Road.
Unionville native Susan Cocks was Hedren's (uncredited) stunt double for the riding scenes.
"She looked a little like Tippi, I guess, and she was a great rider," recalled Susan's sister, Barbie Cocks Vannote.
In one scene Marnie flees a high-society party, jumps on her horse and gallops off bareback, soaring over a gate. Barbie said the costume department made Susan a cashmere-lined yellow silk evening dress to wear for that shot.
"Susan said the tough part was jumping that gate (which was Big) and the dang skirt of the dress was covering her eyes!" said her sister.
The production staff wanted her to do a second take, but she refused, telling them, "No, that was perfect."
Barbie said Susan had fond memories of the experience for the rest of her life: "She had a great time. It was just a gas."
According to Tony Lee Moral's book "Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie," the foxhunting scene with Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds was originally scheduled for Nov. 26, 1963. But after President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, Master of Foxhounds Mrs. Hannum called Hitchcock's assistant director and told him they'd have to postpone for two weeks.
The day of the shoot, Barbie remembered, "everybody" showed up. She recalls that a helicopter was used to shoot the overhead sequences.
During the foxhunting scene, Marnie, who had a deep-seated phobia of the color red, freaked out when she saw the scarlet hunting coats and galloped off, pursued by her sister-in-law Lil Mainwaring, whose stunt double was another expert local rider, Patty Meserve.
Recalled Carol Hannum Davidson, "she chased Susan up to the wall where the horse crashed" (though only in the movie, not in real life). The fateful wall was at old Upland Inn at the corner of Newark Road and Route 842.
The production staff also borrowed foxhunting clothes from members of the Hunt and took them to Hollywood. Barbie and Carol Hannum Davidson, both age 21 at the time, took a cross-country road trip to pick them up and got a tour of the studio and tickets to Disneyland.
In the film Sean Connery's character's family, the Rutlands, have a country estate in Unionville, and it was fun to see the blue stationery headed "Wykwyn Farm, Unionville."
According to Tony Cadwalader, "My father, who was a banker in Center City at what was then Fidelity Bank, was asked by Hitchcock to read the script and be taped so Sean Connery could learn how to speak like a proper Philadelphian, which he was honored to do. Of course, in the movie Sean Connery sounds suspiciously just like Sean Connery."
Tom Martin said he remembers "driving by Truman Welling's house off 926 where they shot the exterior scene of entering the country house. There were vans and trucks and cars all over the place, as I recall. I asked my parents what was going on and they told me that it was filming of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Even then he had quite a reputation."
When the movie was released, Mrs. Hannum hosted a private outdoor screening at Brooklawn, realizing only then that the movie was about a lot more than just foxhunting.
Indeed, it's a dark and dated movie, with a couple of truly disturbing scenes that were hard to watch. Even worse is finding out that "Hitch" mistreated and repeatedly propositioned his female lead throughout the shoot; sexual harassment in the movie business is an old, old story.
NOTTINGHAM: Hey, it worked!
We've gotten used to seeing Amish youths using cellphones and Amish buggies at the drive-through bank teller. But this was a first: an Eagles sticker on a buggy, spotted along Route 272 in Nottingham on Sunday afternoon.
Friday, January 19, 2018
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Quakers During the Revolution
Local historian and West Marlborough resident Mark Myers will be speaking about the experiences of local Quakers during the Revolutionary War at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at London Grove Friends Meetinghouse. His talk is part of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the building
of the meetinghouse, which is at the intersection of Street Road (Route 926) and Newark Road.
UNIONVILLE: Grief support group
Sad to say that the "opioid epidemic" that's making headlines is not news to those of us who regularly read the obituaries and know young (and not-so-young) people who have overdosed.
"If Love Were Enough," a grief support group specifically for mothers and fathers who have lost a child to an overdose (prescription drugs, heroin, fentanyl, whatever), has started to meet at 812 Wollaston Road, just across the street from the Unionville Presbyterian Church, on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available from Pastor Annalie Korengel at 610-952-2992.
"If Love Were Enough," a grief support group specifically for mothers and fathers who have lost a child to an overdose (prescription drugs, heroin, fentanyl, whatever), has started to meet at 812 Wollaston Road, just across the street from the Unionville Presbyterian Church, on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available from Pastor Annalie Korengel at 610-952-2992.
POCOPSON: Bluebird seminar
During one of my regular visits to the Brandywine Ace hardware store (Clarence and Tina are fans of the store's premium cat foods), I noticed they're holding a bluebird seminar on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6 p.m., presented by Ken Leister of the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania. Topics include attracting, nesting, and predators. Brandywine Ace is at the intersection of Route 926 and Pocopson Road.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
KENNETT SQUARE: Formerly the Half Moon
On Jan. 17 we had dinner at Grain Craft Bar+Kitchen in downtown Kennett, our first visit there since it was the Half Moon. The place is much brighter inside, with open bulbs on long, looped-up cords, and the booths have been replaced by high tables.
I had a salmon fillet with a pesto topping, roasted cauliflower and fries, and my date-night companion had the buttermilk fried chicken cooked with an interesting "jerk" seasoning. Both meals were tasty and substantial.
Our waiter was a pleasant, low-key young man who didn't mind in the least that we sat and chatted long after we'd finished dinner, reluctant to head back out into the cold.
I had a salmon fillet with a pesto topping, roasted cauliflower and fries, and my date-night companion had the buttermilk fried chicken cooked with an interesting "jerk" seasoning. Both meals were tasty and substantial.
Our waiter was a pleasant, low-key young man who didn't mind in the least that we sat and chatted long after we'd finished dinner, reluctant to head back out into the cold.
KENNETT TOWNSHIP: Roundabout at 5 Points?
Construction of a traffic roundabout is being considered for the busy Five Points intersection south of Kennett Square, and the township engineers will be making a public presentation, including a computer simulation, about the plan at the Kennett Township supervisors' meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The Five Points intersection is where Hillendale Road and Route 82 (South Union Street) intersect, with Old Kennett Road heading off to the southeast. The meeting will be at the Kennett Township building, 801 Burrows Run Rd.
I'm guessing that given the increasing volume at that intersection, more people than just Kennett Township residents will be interested in this proposal.
The Five Points intersection is where Hillendale Road and Route 82 (South Union Street) intersect, with Old Kennett Road heading off to the southeast. The meeting will be at the Kennett Township building, 801 Burrows Run Rd.
I'm guessing that given the increasing volume at that intersection, more people than just Kennett Township residents will be interested in this proposal.
UNIONVILLE: Fashion comes to the country
Unionville is getting its own fashion designer! David Ferron, born and raised in Unionville, is returning after a 10-year career in the fashion industry in New York City to open a dressmaking store with an emphasis on bespoke wedding dresses. He'll be moving into the former Unionville Saddle Shop in downtown Unionville -- there are already tailor's dummies in the front windows.
"Your Body, Infinite Options," reads the tagline on his website, davidferron.com.
I have an interview scheduled with him in his shop, and I'll write more for my Feb. 1 column.
"Your Body, Infinite Options," reads the tagline on his website, davidferron.com.
I have an interview scheduled with him in his shop, and I'll write more for my Feb. 1 column.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
WEST GROVE: A life well lived
Singer-songwriter Billy Penn Burger of West Grove died on Jan. 6 at Temple University Hospital at age 63. I asked Biff McNeil to share a little bit about him, and he wrote this beautiful obituary:
"Billy Burger was hugely talented without a hint of arrogance, sweet and kind without being saccharine, and socially passionate without being angry. I admired him in so many ways. He was a true gentleman, and a truly gentle man, and there is surely a little less light in the world without him. "
"Billy Penn Burger was most certainly an accomplished
musician. I had the honor of working
with him numerous times over the past 20 years, both as a player and a sound
engineer. He was an absolute joy to work with.
He had an easy going way of letting you know exactly what he wanted from
you, getting it out of you, and making you feel incredibly at ease all at the
same time.
"Billy was one of those musicians who continuously reinvented
himself. From The Get Right Band in the
late 70’s and 80’s, to The Billy Penn Project in the 90’s, to his latest solo
work as a singer songwriter, and all the side work and other stuff in between, he
truly did it all. His songs are
gorgeous, his lyrics evocative, and he churned them out at an almost alarming
rate. He won awards, received critical
accolades, and played to sold-out houses.
Anyone who ever worked with him will tell you all of those things.
"But invariably, any discussion of Billy will quickly turn
into a discussion of what an incredibly nice guy he was. He was the very definition of a good human
being. It sounds corny, but he just
exuded calm, kindness, and peace. Billy
was extraordinarily giving to young songwriters and musicians, always with a
smile and an encouraging word, no matter what.
There really just aren’t enough superlatives. "Billy Burger was hugely talented without a hint of arrogance, sweet and kind without being saccharine, and socially passionate without being angry. I admired him in so many ways. He was a true gentleman, and a truly gentle man, and there is surely a little less light in the world without him. "
Saturday, January 13, 2018
PANTO: "Sleeping Beauty," KATS-style
I am so looking forward to seeing "Sleeping Beauty and the Tangley Wood," the 17th annual Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society (KATS) pantomime. The show will be held in the Kennett High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Tickets are available at the door or at www.callkats.org.
The panto, as always, is family-friendly, with plenty of audience participation.
The other night we were invited to attend a rehearsal, where we chatted with cast members as well as director Gary Smith (also one of the KATS founders), his wife Caroline Smith, and assistant director Beth Holladay.
This is the 12th year that Peter Giangiulio ("Baron Bombast") will be acting in the show, and he told me how much he enjoys the camaraderie and the fact that everyone associated with the production is so enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive. (Peter is also KATS board chair and the owner of Castle Rock Farm in Northbrook.)
This year's costumes are lovely and ornate. Gary Smith said he drew his inspiration for them from the Pre-Raphaelite paintings he saw this past summer at the art museum in his native Birmingham, England.
Shelley Mae Mincer, who plays the King (as well as a Tree), was wearing a beautiful doublet embroidered with a mushroom, and Nancy Goyda, the Queen (also a Tree), was wearing a flowing robe and elaborate headdress. Both Shelley and Nancy are long-time KATS veterans.
For many years the inimitable Kirk Fetters played the Dame (a hallmark of British pantomime), donning ever-more-elaborate gowns and towering wigs as the show went on. His death left huge (EEE, bejeweled) shoes to fill, and Caroline Smith said the role will "go fallow" for a year.
The panto, as always, is family-friendly, with plenty of audience participation.
The other night we were invited to attend a rehearsal, where we chatted with cast members as well as director Gary Smith (also one of the KATS founders), his wife Caroline Smith, and assistant director Beth Holladay.
This is the 12th year that Peter Giangiulio ("Baron Bombast") will be acting in the show, and he told me how much he enjoys the camaraderie and the fact that everyone associated with the production is so enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive. (Peter is also KATS board chair and the owner of Castle Rock Farm in Northbrook.)
This year's costumes are lovely and ornate. Gary Smith said he drew his inspiration for them from the Pre-Raphaelite paintings he saw this past summer at the art museum in his native Birmingham, England.
Shelley Mae Mincer, who plays the King (as well as a Tree), was wearing a beautiful doublet embroidered with a mushroom, and Nancy Goyda, the Queen (also a Tree), was wearing a flowing robe and elaborate headdress. Both Shelley and Nancy are long-time KATS veterans.
For many years the inimitable Kirk Fetters played the Dame (a hallmark of British pantomime), donning ever-more-elaborate gowns and towering wigs as the show went on. His death left huge (EEE, bejeweled) shoes to fill, and Caroline Smith said the role will "go fallow" for a year.
KENNETT SQUARE: Liberty Place
For this columnist and her significant other, it is never too cold for ice cream.
After enjoying a Buddy Burger at the Liberty Place Market for dinner on Jan. 10 (I had the Thai ground turkey Buddy), we walked over to Dylan's Desserts, which is farther back in the marketplace. A sign announced they had a new flavor of Woodside Creamery ice cream, "ginger snap," and I ordered it. Oh my gosh: so incredibly delicious, with lots of ginger and cinnamon. Highly recommended!
The marketplace was hopping that evening, as a local business networking group had gathered there for a meet-and-greet. You could spot them by their nametags and youthful enthusiasm.
After enjoying a Buddy Burger at the Liberty Place Market for dinner on Jan. 10 (I had the Thai ground turkey Buddy), we walked over to Dylan's Desserts, which is farther back in the marketplace. A sign announced they had a new flavor of Woodside Creamery ice cream, "ginger snap," and I ordered it. Oh my gosh: so incredibly delicious, with lots of ginger and cinnamon. Highly recommended!
The marketplace was hopping that evening, as a local business networking group had gathered there for a meet-and-greet. You could spot them by their nametags and youthful enthusiasm.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Repurposing
If you still have your Christmas tree hanging around, you can dispose of it at Plantation Field, just inside the gate off Green Valley Road. I dropped mine off on Jan. 11 and there were already four or five trees there. The crew building the jumps for the 72nd running of the Cheshire Point-to-Point Races (Sunday, March 25) will make good use of them.
Friday, January 12, 2018
AVONDALE: Health food store closing
Avondale Natural Foods, 122 Pennsylvania Ave., announced on Jan. 12 that it will be closing down on Jan. 26. In an attempt to clear the shelves, starting Jan. 15 everything will be half-price. The store's hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Lily goes walkabout
Need a dose of good news? Read on.
The morning of Jan. 3, Lily, an 8-month-old German Shepherd/hound mix puppy, pulled the leash out of her owner Eric Figueroa's hand outside the Willowdale Vet Center and ran off. A frantic search by Eric and his wife Kelly ensued, aided by social media, and the next afternoon Eric found her alive and well. Here is Kelly's account:
The morning of Jan. 3, Lily, an 8-month-old German Shepherd/hound mix puppy, pulled the leash out of her owner Eric Figueroa's hand outside the Willowdale Vet Center and ran off. A frantic search by Eric and his wife Kelly ensued, aided by social media, and the next afternoon Eric found her alive and well. Here is Kelly's account:
"After several hours out searching today, Eric and I assumed that if we could not find her by dark, she would be gone with the dropping temps coming. He asked if we could circle back to the vet one more time before heading home to check in with the vets and SPCA again.
I stayed in the car with the kids and Eric came running back to the car and told me he found her! She was stuck in between a chicken wire fence and a shed in a thick patch of a bamboo. When he handed her out to me, I couldn’t believe that her belly was still warm and she responded to my touch right away. After a quick trip to the vet to have her checked, she had a normal temp and seems scared, but is just fine.
Although this crazy 30-hour ordeal has been exhausting and awful for my family, I cannot imagine or even begin to explain the amount of help, support, prayers and constant check-ins from our family, friends and this FANTASTIC community. I’ve always loved this little place I call home, but today more than ever, I know that I have chosen the most perfect place to live, teach and raise my kids. The number of people who were willing to do anything to help us find Lily is nothing short of amazing.
Thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts. We are FOREVER grateful for your help, searching, advice, calls, texts and prayers. You have no idea how much it means to us. We love you!"
KENNETT SQUARE: A new chef
The new owners of La Madera Bistro on State Street have announced that their chef will be Scott Morozin, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who since autumn 2016 has been the executive chef at Soya BYOB in Bryn Mawr. They hope to reopen the restaurant soon, with a new menu. (As I wrote in last week's column, La Madera Bistro shut its doors at the beginning of 2018.)
Thursday, January 11, 2018
WEST MARLBOROUGH: London Grove Kindergarten
London Grove Friends Kindergarten is holding an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21.
"London Grove offers both preschool and kindergarten options with our morning and afternoon Little Acorns Preschool classes, Half-day Kindergarten, Full-day Kindergarten, and Enrichment programs. We will be giving tours, chatting about our program, and meeting new friends. Everyone is welcome. Space is limited, so don't miss out! Refreshments will be provided."
The kindergarten is located at London Grove Friends Meetinghouse at the corner of Newark Road and Street Road (Route 926) in the village of London Grove.
"London Grove offers both preschool and kindergarten options with our morning and afternoon Little Acorns Preschool classes, Half-day Kindergarten, Full-day Kindergarten, and Enrichment programs. We will be giving tours, chatting about our program, and meeting new friends. Everyone is welcome. Space is limited, so don't miss out! Refreshments will be provided."
The kindergarten is located at London Grove Friends Meetinghouse at the corner of Newark Road and Street Road (Route 926) in the village of London Grove.
LEARNING: Great Courses
Perhaps you, too, are on the mailing list for "The Great Courses," an extensive catalog of learn-at-home college classes on everything from calculus to Japan to crafting better sentences. Always up for some self-improvement, I was paging through the catalog and noticed a testimonial from Kennett Square resident Roy Wetterholt, reporting that the course he took helped "keep my mind sharp and my knowledge fresh."
Always curious, I Googled him in hopes of emailing him and finding out which course he had taken -- only to learn that he had passed away in the spring of 2017. Would anyone who knows his family members let them know of his posthumous fame? Perhaps they will enjoy seeing his name in print.
Two local professors who give these courses include Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, the president of Rosemont College ("How to Look at and Understand Great Art"), and Kevin Flanigan of West Chester University ("Building a Better Vocabulary").
Always curious, I Googled him in hopes of emailing him and finding out which course he had taken -- only to learn that he had passed away in the spring of 2017. Would anyone who knows his family members let them know of his posthumous fame? Perhaps they will enjoy seeing his name in print.
Two local professors who give these courses include Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, the president of Rosemont College ("How to Look at and Understand Great Art"), and Kevin Flanigan of West Chester University ("Building a Better Vocabulary").
WEST CHESTER: Bronze Artists
Works by West Marlborough Township sculptor Clayton Bright will be on display at the Chester County Art Association, 100 North Bradford Ave., West Chester, as part of a "Bronze Artists" exhibition. The show opened Thursday, Jan. 11, and will run through Thursday, Feb. 1. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
UNIONVILLE: Pie goes to Harrisburg
Leona Provinski of Unionville, whose fabulous apple and pear crumb pie took the blue ribbon at the Unionville Community Fair back in October, was kind enough to share a full account of her trip to the extremely competitive baking championship at the Pennsylvania State Fair.
She said there were five long tables full of pies, a total of 73. In the first round of judging, her pie ended up as one of the top 5 on her table of 15 pies. In the second round (25 pies), only the top five got ribbons, and unfortunately hers did not: "I like to say I placed either 6th or somewhere in between up to 25th place. They do not tell us where we placed in the top 25 pies."
Leona said the pies varied greatly in appearance. "One delicious pie contained blueberries and a red fruit, maybe cranberries or cherries. One very tall 2-inch pie looked like it was made in a spring form pan. One had icing or white glaze on the crust. Several had dough dyed yellow, red and/or green, but all that unusual color did not do well."
Leona also got a chance to check out the decorated chocolate cake contest. "Oh, those cakes are VERY exotic in their decorations! One had chocolate trees around the side plus sugar dipped Bing cherries on the top! Lots of drizzle over the edge, plus one cake top had 3-inch-tall standing upright chocolate 'lines,' as we see on the British Baking TV show. . . . The exotic gingerbread houses were 2 feet tall by 3 feet long!"
She said there were five long tables full of pies, a total of 73. In the first round of judging, her pie ended up as one of the top 5 on her table of 15 pies. In the second round (25 pies), only the top five got ribbons, and unfortunately hers did not: "I like to say I placed either 6th or somewhere in between up to 25th place. They do not tell us where we placed in the top 25 pies."
Leona said the pies varied greatly in appearance. "One delicious pie contained blueberries and a red fruit, maybe cranberries or cherries. One very tall 2-inch pie looked like it was made in a spring form pan. One had icing or white glaze on the crust. Several had dough dyed yellow, red and/or green, but all that unusual color did not do well."
Leona also got a chance to check out the decorated chocolate cake contest. "Oh, those cakes are VERY exotic in their decorations! One had chocolate trees around the side plus sugar dipped Bing cherries on the top! Lots of drizzle over the edge, plus one cake top had 3-inch-tall standing upright chocolate 'lines,' as we see on the British Baking TV show. . . . The exotic gingerbread houses were 2 feet tall by 3 feet long!"
CHADDS FORD: Train display
The annual model train layout at the Brandywine River Museum will stay open for an extra few weeks, but it's leaving the station on Sunday, January 28. Some friends of ours went to see the huge display and couldn't wait to show us their photos and videos, one of which involved a UFO landing beside the track.
The Museum is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens ages 65 and over,
$6 for students and children ages 6 and up, and free for children 5 and younger and members.
Monday, January 8, 2018
COLD: Why people move South
How the senior Tally-hos would have enjoyed hearing about this cold snap -- from the comfort of their Gulf Coast condo, of course.
"It got HOW COLD?! Oh my goodness! Have to run, dear; the cocktail party by the pool is just starting. Stay warm!"
"It got HOW COLD?! Oh my goodness! Have to run, dear; the cocktail party by the pool is just starting. Stay warm!"
Sunday, January 7, 2018
MISSING: Where are they?
Did anyone else have problems with the missing packages this Christmas? I didn't receive two parcels, one from England and one from Minnesota. Unfortunately, the one from England was a calendar. I'm hoping they both show up eventually.
A friend reports that he ordered some CDs, and even though he paid extra for two-day delivery, they never showed up. He called the company and they sent replacements, which arrived in the nick of time -- on Christmas Eve.
A friend reports that he ordered some CDs, and even though he paid extra for two-day delivery, they never showed up. He called the company and they sent replacements, which arrived in the nick of time -- on Christmas Eve.
COLD: Single digits
It has been so cold this week that 15 degrees F. actually felt pretty darn comfortable today (Jan. 5) if you were well wrapped up and out in the sunshine.
According to Intellicast, the averages for January in Kennett Square are a low of 21 and a high of 39. The record low for January is minus 16, set on Jan. 22, 1984. And the record high for January (should you be interested) is 73, which was recorded on Jan. 25, 1967; Jan. 14, 1972; and Jan. 30, 2002.
According to Intellicast, the averages for January in Kennett Square are a low of 21 and a high of 39. The record low for January is minus 16, set on Jan. 22, 1984. And the record high for January (should you be interested) is 73, which was recorded on Jan. 25, 1967; Jan. 14, 1972; and Jan. 30, 2002.
KENNETT Y: The January effect
The parking lot at the Kennett Y was packed as I pulled in for my Friday-evening class. What's going on? I wondered
Then it struck me: Of course! It's the January effect.
It happens every year. People make well-meaning New Year's resolutions to lose weight and get in shape and join the Y. Unfortunately, a lot of them show up for only a few weeks and are never seen again, and the parking lot returns to its normal level of craziness.
Come on: prove me wrong, newcomers!
Then it struck me: Of course! It's the January effect.
It happens every year. People make well-meaning New Year's resolutions to lose weight and get in shape and join the Y. Unfortunately, a lot of them show up for only a few weeks and are never seen again, and the parking lot returns to its normal level of craziness.
Come on: prove me wrong, newcomers!
Saturday, January 6, 2018
KENNETT: Cold case
We were at the Giant at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday night -- yes, this is kind of social life Tilda has when it's 10 degrees outside. The self-service registers were being a little finicky, possibly due to the cold, or maybe they were just toying with the amusingly laid-back attendant.
The man next to us was having trouble getting his register to work, when the attendant pointed out that the bottom edge of the shopper's coat was on the scale, impeding his check-out progress.
We pointed out that this could be useful if he wanted to know how much his coat weighed.
"I hope it's heavy," he said good-naturedly, "because it's really cold out."
In weather like this, I so appreciate having an inside job and indoor pets. The only reason I really need to go outside, in fact, is to fill the bird feeder each morning. You've probably heard the same stories I have about frozen pipes, heaters on the fritz, dead car batteries and overloaded circuit-breakers.
The Kennett Walmart earlier in the week was fully stocked with space heaters; on Saturday morning, though, only a few high-end models remained. Lowe's in Avondale still had a good supply of snow shovels and rock salt (and all the blends thereof).
The man next to us was having trouble getting his register to work, when the attendant pointed out that the bottom edge of the shopper's coat was on the scale, impeding his check-out progress.
We pointed out that this could be useful if he wanted to know how much his coat weighed.
"I hope it's heavy," he said good-naturedly, "because it's really cold out."
In weather like this, I so appreciate having an inside job and indoor pets. The only reason I really need to go outside, in fact, is to fill the bird feeder each morning. You've probably heard the same stories I have about frozen pipes, heaters on the fritz, dead car batteries and overloaded circuit-breakers.
The Kennett Walmart earlier in the week was fully stocked with space heaters; on Saturday morning, though, only a few high-end models remained. Lowe's in Avondale still had a good supply of snow shovels and rock salt (and all the blends thereof).
KENNETT SQUARE: Bistro closes
La Madera Bistro, 102 E. State St. in Kennett Square, has been sold, and another restaurant is expected to open there within weeks. I'm told that the new owners will honor all gift certificates. La Madera opened after Byrsa Bistro, which formerly occupied the space, moved to Glen Mills in spring 2016.
And less than a block away, at 120 E. State Street, the vacant brick building that used to house the Kennett Café is up for lease once again. Zommick McMahon has the listing, and they describe the partly renovated property as a "landmark downtown building" with "abundant public parking nearby." Back in 2010 or so, Jack McFadden started to redo the building with hopes of opening a tapas restaurant, but his plans fizzled.
And less than a block away, at 120 E. State Street, the vacant brick building that used to house the Kennett Café is up for lease once again. Zommick McMahon has the listing, and they describe the partly renovated property as a "landmark downtown building" with "abundant public parking nearby." Back in 2010 or so, Jack McFadden started to redo the building with hopes of opening a tapas restaurant, but his plans fizzled.
Friday, January 5, 2018
KENNETT: The KATS Panto
A highlight of our winter schedule is the annual Pantomime put on by the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society.
This year's panto, "Sleeping Beauty and the Tangley Wood," will be presented on Friday, Jan. 26 (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 27 (2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) at Kennett High School. Tickets are available on the website (www.callkats.org).
Gary Smith (one of the founders of the group) and Beth Holladay are the directors this year.
The panto is always a hoot. It's not the "Marcel Marceau" kind of pantomime; rather, it's a light-hearted, family-friendly musical with lots of audience participation and time-honored British traditions like the "Dame" (played by a man) and the "silly song."
Odds are good you'll spot a friend or neighbor in the cast.
This year's panto, "Sleeping Beauty and the Tangley Wood," will be presented on Friday, Jan. 26 (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 27 (2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) at Kennett High School. Tickets are available on the website (www.callkats.org).
Gary Smith (one of the founders of the group) and Beth Holladay are the directors this year.
The panto is always a hoot. It's not the "Marcel Marceau" kind of pantomime; rather, it's a light-hearted, family-friendly musical with lots of audience participation and time-honored British traditions like the "Dame" (played by a man) and the "silly song."
Odds are good you'll spot a friend or neighbor in the cast.
UNIONVILLE: The Book Sale is coming
Start gathering up your book, CD and DVD donations for the annual Used Book Sale at the Unionville High School gym. The neighborhood pickup date will be Saturday, Jan. 20 (check the website to see if your neighborhood is included), and collections will start in all the school lobbies on Monday, Jan. 22. The sale dates this year are Friday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 9 p.m. , and Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (with the "bag sale" to follow from 3 to 5 p.m.).
I look forward to this sale every year, both as a buyer and donor. Proceeds go to the high school PTO.
I look forward to this sale every year, both as a buyer and donor. Proceeds go to the high school PTO.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: The more things change...
West Marlborough Township employees started the year off with some good news: they got a 2.5 percent pay raise. The township supervisors approved the increase at their January 2 meeting.
As required by Pennsylvania law, the supervisors also held their yearly reorganization meeting, but not a lot changed: William Wylie is still the chairman, with Jake Chalfin as vice chairman, Hugh Lofting Sr. as roadmaster and emergency coordinator and Shirley Walton as secretary-treasurer.
Fran Green of Yerkes Associates will continue as the township engineer and Dwight Yoder as the township solicitor.
The township supervisors will meet on the first Tuesday of each month, except for November, when they will meet on Monday, Nov. 5, because the township garage/meeting room doubles as the polling place.
Wayne Grafton and Elizabeth "Baz" Powell agreed to serve additional three-year terms on the township's Zoning Hearing Board.
Roy Jackson, Richard Corkran and Tom Brosius were re-appointed to four-year terms on the township Planning Commission. Tom Brosius was re-elected as chairman, with Tom Roosevelt as vice chairman and Emery Jones Taylor as secretary.
As required by Pennsylvania law, the supervisors also held their yearly reorganization meeting, but not a lot changed: William Wylie is still the chairman, with Jake Chalfin as vice chairman, Hugh Lofting Sr. as roadmaster and emergency coordinator and Shirley Walton as secretary-treasurer.
Fran Green of Yerkes Associates will continue as the township engineer and Dwight Yoder as the township solicitor.
The township supervisors will meet on the first Tuesday of each month, except for November, when they will meet on Monday, Nov. 5, because the township garage/meeting room doubles as the polling place.
Wayne Grafton and Elizabeth "Baz" Powell agreed to serve additional three-year terms on the township's Zoning Hearing Board.
Roy Jackson, Richard Corkran and Tom Brosius were re-appointed to four-year terms on the township Planning Commission. Tom Brosius was re-elected as chairman, with Tom Roosevelt as vice chairman and Emery Jones Taylor as secretary.
Monday, January 1, 2018
PADDLE: Cold-weather sports
Perhaps you, too, have been astonished at seeing the paddle-tennis enthusiasts playing outside at the Kennett Country Club no matter how cold it gets. As it happened, we ran into a fellow who used to play in paddle tournaments, and he said that you start off wearing five or six layers and by the time you warm up and get into the match, you can strip down to only two or three. Even the ball, he said, is designed to perform at its liveliest in the very cold weather.
KENNETT SQUARE: "Noon" Year's Eve
The Kennett Y celebrated the New Year's Eve 12 hours early, holding a noontime balloon drop in the smaller gymnasium. I happened to be working out just down the hall, heard the hullaballoo and went over to find dozens of super-energetic kids rushing around tossing balloons as Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me" played. (Starting the year with Frank has got to be a good omen!)
Pity the hard-working Y custodians: they have a lot of confetti and balloon carcasses to sweep up.
Pity the hard-working Y custodians: they have a lot of confetti and balloon carcasses to sweep up.
KENNETT SQUARE: Handling the cold
With the temperature in the single digits, we decided to spare our old bones and forgo the annual New Year's Eve mushroom drop. We were in Kennett Square earlier in the evening, though, so we got to enjoy the surreal sight of a huge lighted mushroom hanging in midair high over the town's main intersection. We caught a glimpse of the very cool laser light show, too, and very faintly heard the thumping music produced by the Funsters, who were moved inside due to the cold.
While we were in town we ran into a young friend who was wearing -- cargo shorts. We tried to talk sense into him, but he said he just likes wearing shorts, and as long as his top half is warm, he's good to go. (Sure enough, he was wearing a thick knit hat, gloves and a heavy-duty parka.)
A man overheard our conversation and added that he is a school bus driver and has noticed that some of his hardy passengers wear shorts year-round.
While we were in town we ran into a young friend who was wearing -- cargo shorts. We tried to talk sense into him, but he said he just likes wearing shorts, and as long as his top half is warm, he's good to go. (Sure enough, he was wearing a thick knit hat, gloves and a heavy-duty parka.)
A man overheard our conversation and added that he is a school bus driver and has noticed that some of his hardy passengers wear shorts year-round.
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