As frequent readers know, the Dear Partner and I attend a lot of concerts, but I can truthfully say that until Friday's show by Martha Burns I had never heard a song about food poisoning.
It was called "Some Little Bug Is Going to Find You Someday," and despite the subject matter it was hilarious, with fatalist lyrics like: "Every microbe and bacillus has a different way to kill us, and in time they always claim us for their own" and "There are germs of every kind in any food that you can find, in the market or upon the bill of fare."
Another of her songs was "Get Along, Little Dogies," and she introduced it by saying that a lot of people think that "dogies" refers to dogs rather than cattle. She mused about the difficulty of herding poodles or Pomeranians.
In the second half of the show, Bob Bovee took the stage with his guitar, harmonicas (plural) and autoharp. He played mostly cowboy songs, full of images of cattle round-ups, stampedes, campfires, buffalo and mountains. He told some pretty funny jokes and did a mean yodel, too.
The concert was part of the Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music's series, held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Newark, Del. There's no better indication of the casual, laidback atmosphere of these shows than the fact that we parked next to Bob Bovee; no limos and bodyguards here! His vehicle had Minnesota tags and a bumper sticker that read: "78 rpm. It's a speed we can live with."
Saturday, March 10, 2018
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Route 82 for a day
On the morning of March 9, a Lexus with Delaware tags took on a utility pole in Doe Run, and neither one came out a winner. So that crews could replace the splintered pole, traffic was detoured off Route 82 and onto our little back road most of the day.
The only time my road ever sees more than two cars at a time is either during a fox hunt or at afternoon quitting time at the cattle farm down the road. So when I looked out the window and saw a steady procession of cars in both directions, I knew something was up.
Our road is one-and-a-half lanes wide at best. We like it that way, and we know where to pull over to let oncoming car go by. But naturally the Route 82 detourees didn't know that, and there were too many cars for that strategy to work anyway. The result is that there are muddy tire ruts on both sides of the road. I doubt the drivers (who I imagine were both bewildered and annoyed) took time to appreciate the beauty of our countryside.
The only time my road ever sees more than two cars at a time is either during a fox hunt or at afternoon quitting time at the cattle farm down the road. So when I looked out the window and saw a steady procession of cars in both directions, I knew something was up.
Our road is one-and-a-half lanes wide at best. We like it that way, and we know where to pull over to let oncoming car go by. But naturally the Route 82 detourees didn't know that, and there were too many cars for that strategy to work anyway. The result is that there are muddy tire ruts on both sides of the road. I doubt the drivers (who I imagine were both bewildered and annoyed) took time to appreciate the beauty of our countryside.
WEST GROVE: Dinniman on the Constitution
Who should know the Pennsylvania Constitution better than Andy Dinniman? Andy is serving his fourth term as the 19th District's senator in Harrisburg and before that was a Chester County commissioner for 15 years. He'll be speaking about our Commonwealth's guiding document at West Grove Friends Meeting, 155 E. Harmony Rd., at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15. He'll even pass out copies of the Constitution.
HADLEY FUND: Martin guitars lecture
Guitar fans take note: Dick Boak of C. F. Martin Guitar will be giving a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Kennett Friends Meeting as part of the 55th season of Hadley Fund programs. Mr. Boak recently retired as the famed guitar maker's historian and archivist. Like all Hadley Fund lectures, this is free and open to the public.
Martin was founded in 1833 by a German immigrant, Christian Frederick Martin Sr., and has been owned and operated by the Martin family for six generations. The current chairman and CEO is Christian Frederick Martin IV. The company's headquarters are in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
Martin was founded in 1833 by a German immigrant, Christian Frederick Martin Sr., and has been owned and operated by the Martin family for six generations. The current chairman and CEO is Christian Frederick Martin IV. The company's headquarters are in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.
OXFORD: A Celtic band in concert
The Friends Folk Club is hosting a show by the American Celtic band The Rogues on Saturday, April 14, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 116 Lancaster Pike in Oxford.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door (cash only), and kids 12 and under are free.
According to the band's blurb, "Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played pipes and driving percussion."
The all-volunteer folk club, which has been hosting shows for more than 20 years, recently moved from its longtime venue at Oxford Friends Meeting, so I'll be eager to see how things work out for them at this new site.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door (cash only), and kids 12 and under are free.
According to the band's blurb, "Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played pipes and driving percussion."
The all-volunteer folk club, which has been hosting shows for more than 20 years, recently moved from its longtime venue at Oxford Friends Meeting, so I'll be eager to see how things work out for them at this new site.
POWER: Friends with money
A friend reports that a well-off pal of hers lost power in the March 2 Nor'easter. When she learned the outage would be an extended one, she jumped on the next plane to Florida and stayed there until the power was back on.
Some hardy folks around here waited nearly a week to have their power restored. At one point I was amused to see a half-dozen large PECO trucks using as a staging area the parking lot of Christ Community Church on Route 841 south of Chatham -- were they tapping into another kind of power?
Some hardy folks around here waited nearly a week to have their power restored. At one point I was amused to see a half-dozen large PECO trucks using as a staging area the parking lot of Christ Community Church on Route 841 south of Chatham -- were they tapping into another kind of power?
POCOPSON: Baby animals and Easter eggs
In what has become a tradition for many local families with little ones, Baily's Dairy of Pocopson Meadow Farm is hosting its annual Spring Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 31, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1. "Meet our newest baby animals and celebrate the end of Winter!"
The Baily's ice-cream truck (yes!) and farm store will both be open during the event. The farm is at 1821 Lenape-Unionville Road. "Suggested donation" is $5 a child.
The Baily's ice-cream truck (yes!) and farm store will both be open during the event. The farm is at 1821 Lenape-Unionville Road. "Suggested donation" is $5 a child.
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Who should pay?
Who should pay for local emergency services, and how?
At their March 6 meeting the West Marlborough Township supervisors agreed to start thinking about that thorny question and whether taxpayers should support the local fire and ambulance companies "to a greater extent than we do," as board chairman Bill Wylie put it.
He said a task force comprising several local municipalities has been gathering data about the local companies, their financial needs, the number of calls they make to each municipality, and other statistics, in an effort to figure out a "fair share" way to fund the services. Mr. Wylie he wondered whether West Marlborough should make use of the data as well. The supervisors agreed to discuss the issue at the April meeting.
Also at the meeting, roadmaster Hugh Lofting said the long-awaited project to shore up the bank along Rokeby Road and prevent future erosion was 90 percent finished. The next project, which is still in the engineering stage, will be to fix a small bridge along lightly traveled Runnymede Road that is crumbling into the creek. Mr. Lofting said the new culvert under the bridge will be seven feet high and 12 feet wide, and a new railing will be installed.
At their March 6 meeting the West Marlborough Township supervisors agreed to start thinking about that thorny question and whether taxpayers should support the local fire and ambulance companies "to a greater extent than we do," as board chairman Bill Wylie put it.
He said a task force comprising several local municipalities has been gathering data about the local companies, their financial needs, the number of calls they make to each municipality, and other statistics, in an effort to figure out a "fair share" way to fund the services. Mr. Wylie he wondered whether West Marlborough should make use of the data as well. The supervisors agreed to discuss the issue at the April meeting.
Also at the meeting, roadmaster Hugh Lofting said the long-awaited project to shore up the bank along Rokeby Road and prevent future erosion was 90 percent finished. The next project, which is still in the engineering stage, will be to fix a small bridge along lightly traveled Runnymede Road that is crumbling into the creek. Mr. Lofting said the new culvert under the bridge will be seven feet high and 12 feet wide, and a new railing will be installed.
NORTH STAR: KURC open house
I thought the Kennett Underground Railroad Center's open house at Kennett Friends Meeting this past Sunday would be just a drop-in affair. I was wrong, and thank goodness we got there at 2 p.m. sharp, because there was a full presentation by four KURC board members, complete with slides.
John O'Neal gave an overview of the center's activities, including their guided bus tours, and said he hopes the organization will be able to find a permanent home soon.
Michele Sullivan talked about her research into black and female abolitionists, whom she said are often overlooked.
Terry Maguire shared dramatic stories from Dr. Robert Smedley's "History of the Underground Railroad" book about the experiences of fugitive slaves in Chester and Lancaster counties.
Finally, Darleen Amobi told the story of Henry "Box" Brown's escape from slavery: he had himself shipped from Virginia to Philadelphia, spending 27 hours in a crate.
Several audience members emphasized how important it is to educate youths about slavery and the rich history of the abolitionist movement in our area.
In another Underground Railroad event, West Chester University Professor of History Tonya Thames Taylor will be talking about the role that women played in helping freedom seekers. Her talk will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Parkesburg Free Library, 105 West Street.
John O'Neal gave an overview of the center's activities, including their guided bus tours, and said he hopes the organization will be able to find a permanent home soon.
Michele Sullivan talked about her research into black and female abolitionists, whom she said are often overlooked.
Terry Maguire shared dramatic stories from Dr. Robert Smedley's "History of the Underground Railroad" book about the experiences of fugitive slaves in Chester and Lancaster counties.
Finally, Darleen Amobi told the story of Henry "Box" Brown's escape from slavery: he had himself shipped from Virginia to Philadelphia, spending 27 hours in a crate.
Several audience members emphasized how important it is to educate youths about slavery and the rich history of the abolitionist movement in our area.
In another Underground Railroad event, West Chester University Professor of History Tonya Thames Taylor will be talking about the role that women played in helping freedom seekers. Her talk will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Parkesburg Free Library, 105 West Street.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
BINGO: A numbers game
We spent Saturday night playing bingo at a fundraiser in a West Chester church hall to support a young people's fellowship program, and what a hoot it was.
At the beginning the emcee took the microphone to spell out the rules. She said she earned her bingo chops by working at a senior citizens' home where "they take their bingo very seriously." Then another committee member selected the numbers and called them out as we scanned our bingo grids, markers at the ready.
It turned out that the number of prizes the committee had bought and wrapped far exceeded the number of bingo rounds there was time for, so after the first few games they decided they'd better allow more winners per round. Almost everyone at my table eventually won a prize, ranging from a dark-chocolate Easter bunny to an NYPD cap. A man at the next table actually had three winning cards (one of his prizes was a pink knit Eagles hat, which he wore the rest of the evening).
One man called "bingo" prematurely and had to skulk back to his seat in embarrassment to a spirited chorus of "boos" (mostly in jest) when the emcee determined that one number he had marked hadn't actually been called.
At the beginning the emcee took the microphone to spell out the rules. She said she earned her bingo chops by working at a senior citizens' home where "they take their bingo very seriously." Then another committee member selected the numbers and called them out as we scanned our bingo grids, markers at the ready.
It turned out that the number of prizes the committee had bought and wrapped far exceeded the number of bingo rounds there was time for, so after the first few games they decided they'd better allow more winners per round. Almost everyone at my table eventually won a prize, ranging from a dark-chocolate Easter bunny to an NYPD cap. A man at the next table actually had three winning cards (one of his prizes was a pink knit Eagles hat, which he wore the rest of the evening).
One man called "bingo" prematurely and had to skulk back to his seat in embarrassment to a spirited chorus of "boos" (mostly in jest) when the emcee determined that one number he had marked hadn't actually been called.
GREENVILLE: A morning visit
Last week a friend suggested that a few of us meet for an impromptu coffee at the café at Janssen's Market in Greenville. The four of us hung out there for more than an hour, laughing and catching up.
I didn't even know that the venerable store had a café, but obviously a lot of other people do: what a popular spot! At the tables next to us were a couple of moms with young kids, a man plugged in to his laptop, and a man and a woman in business suits. A steady parade of people, from men wearing hoodies with employer's logos to women in tennis togs, stopped in to get takeout refreshments.
You can order not only beverages but also pastries, sandwiches and other goodies. I had an egg-and-ham sandwich, but next time I'm getting the raisin-topped sticky buns. They looked incredible and full of gooey goodness.
I didn't even know that the venerable store had a café, but obviously a lot of other people do: what a popular spot! At the tables next to us were a couple of moms with young kids, a man plugged in to his laptop, and a man and a woman in business suits. A steady parade of people, from men wearing hoodies with employer's logos to women in tennis togs, stopped in to get takeout refreshments.
You can order not only beverages but also pastries, sandwiches and other goodies. I had an egg-and-ham sandwich, but next time I'm getting the raisin-topped sticky buns. They looked incredible and full of gooey goodness.
WEATHER: A windy day
The winds during Friday's nor'easter-plus-snow may have been the strongest I've ever experienced. Driving on Route 1 was just scary, with the wind jostling my car around. We lost power twice that afternoon, and as I'm writing this on Sunday some folks are still without electricity. (The Kennett and Jennersville YMCAs offered hot showers, coffee and charging stations for electronics to members and nonmembers alike.)
An easily annoyed friend who is a recent transplant to Chadds Ford from Manhattan was sputtering with outrage at the idea that a power outage had the nerve to inconvenience him.
"What is up with this?" he demanded, only half-kidding.
I suggested he think about installing a generator and he gave me a look of disbelief; it hadn't occurred to him that this was a situation that might not be just a once-off.
Social media is problematic in many ways, but it's very useful in storms. People post photos of downed wires and tree limbs (like the two that closed Route 842 just west of Upland corner) and report roads that are impassable.
At one point I was "blocked in" in all directions by downed limbs, but thanks to the efforts of our hard-working local road crews, I managed to get out on Friday evening. My attempts to shut my old-fashioned garage doors would have made a comical video. Just as I'd get one side in place, using a great deal of force against the wind, a gust would catch the other door and it would swing out of reach. And when I'd heave that one back into place, the first one would swing open again.
An easily annoyed friend who is a recent transplant to Chadds Ford from Manhattan was sputtering with outrage at the idea that a power outage had the nerve to inconvenience him.
"What is up with this?" he demanded, only half-kidding.
I suggested he think about installing a generator and he gave me a look of disbelief; it hadn't occurred to him that this was a situation that might not be just a once-off.
Social media is problematic in many ways, but it's very useful in storms. People post photos of downed wires and tree limbs (like the two that closed Route 842 just west of Upland corner) and report roads that are impassable.
At one point I was "blocked in" in all directions by downed limbs, but thanks to the efforts of our hard-working local road crews, I managed to get out on Friday evening. My attempts to shut my old-fashioned garage doors would have made a comical video. Just as I'd get one side in place, using a great deal of force against the wind, a gust would catch the other door and it would swing out of reach. And when I'd heave that one back into place, the first one would swing open again.
UNIONVILLE: More about "Marnie"
Jessie Cocks of Kennett Square saw my recent item about how Alfred Hitchcock's "Marnie" was filmed here in Unionville and added her own memories. She said some of the movie was shot at Hermitage Farm on Route 926, owned by her parents, Babs and Burley Cocks.
Recalls Jessie:
"It was so fun when they were filming 'Marnie'! My horse was in the fox-hunting scenes but I was not. Dad wouldn’t let me skip school that day, although I 'could' stay home the days he needed help in the barn . . . I did get cool helicopter rides, hanging out of the side door, 'riding' a big camera. I found Susan’s 'Marnie' script in Mom’s attic a couple years ago. I gave it to one of her daughters. The film crew were all awesome!"
(Jessie is referring to her late sister Susan, who acted as the stunt double for the female lead, Tippi Hedren, in the riding scenes.)
Recalls Jessie:
"It was so fun when they were filming 'Marnie'! My horse was in the fox-hunting scenes but I was not. Dad wouldn’t let me skip school that day, although I 'could' stay home the days he needed help in the barn . . . I did get cool helicopter rides, hanging out of the side door, 'riding' a big camera. I found Susan’s 'Marnie' script in Mom’s attic a couple years ago. I gave it to one of her daughters. The film crew were all awesome!"
(Jessie is referring to her late sister Susan, who acted as the stunt double for the female lead, Tippi Hedren, in the riding scenes.)
TALKING TRASH: Cleaning up the Red Clay Watershed
Ready to pick up some trash? There's an area-wide clean-up on the morning of Saturday, March 24, organized by the Delaware Nature Society, Kennett Area Park Authority, Mt. Cuba Center, Inc., and the Red Clay Scenic Byway Alliance to clean up the Red Clay Watershed.
To join the Kennett Township clean-up, individuals or groups who want to volunteer should call Roger Lysle (484-221-0897) to obtain gloves, trash bags, and safety vests and to find out where they should report. The Kennett Township road crew will be picking up the filled bags that Saturday and again on Monday.
Or you can meet at Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Rd., Hockessin, from 8 to 11 a.m. March 24, where you can pick up your supplies and find out where you'll be working. Groups of five or more are asked to contact Jim Jordan in advance at (610) 793-1090 or jjordan@brandywineredclay.org
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