If you, like Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby," always miss the "longest" day of the year (meaning the most hours of sunlight), take note: the summer solstice this year is on Thursday, June 21. After that, the hours of daylight will start to diminish here in the Northern Hemisphere.
If you want to celebrate the solstice, a labyrinth walk is being held from 6 to 7 p.m. June 21 at the Delaware Art Museum's labyrinth.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
CVS: A handy hack
I was picking up a prescription at CVS the other day and noticed that the busy pharmacy tech had a bar code stuck to the back of his hand. I asked him about it (curiosity is deeply embedded in the Tally-ho genetic makeup), and he explained that he has to enter his identity into the computer system so often that he finds it most efficient to just have it right there on his hand.
I've certainly seen people use the ID cards on their neck lanyards to scan in before, but never their hands. Soon we will all be microchipped like our pets.
I've certainly seen people use the ID cards on their neck lanyards to scan in before, but never their hands. Soon we will all be microchipped like our pets.
MARLBORO: Quaker picnic
The annual Marlborough Friends Meeting picnic on Sunday, June 3, drew worshippers of various faiths as well as people from the village and the surrounding neighborhood.
After a peaceful Meeting for Worship we headed into the social room, where lunch was laid out: BBQ chicken, ham, deviled eggs, chili, hot dogs and baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, fruit, brownies and cake. Much more extensive fare than the standard potluck, and all very tasty.
At lunch we had the chance to catch up with old friends like Martin and Sandy Reber and Lewis Barnard (of Barnard's Orchards) and met some new ones. One fellow had, like us, gone on the library's Home and Garden Tour the day before, and we shared our impressions of the houses.
After lunch we explored the burial ground, where generations of Clouds, Martins, Bailys and Barnards (good old Chester County names) are buried.
Thank you to Chip and Penny Thomas and all the Friends at Marlborough for keeping up this tradition.
After a peaceful Meeting for Worship we headed into the social room, where lunch was laid out: BBQ chicken, ham, deviled eggs, chili, hot dogs and baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, fruit, brownies and cake. Much more extensive fare than the standard potluck, and all very tasty.
At lunch we had the chance to catch up with old friends like Martin and Sandy Reber and Lewis Barnard (of Barnard's Orchards) and met some new ones. One fellow had, like us, gone on the library's Home and Garden Tour the day before, and we shared our impressions of the houses.
After lunch we explored the burial ground, where generations of Clouds, Martins, Bailys and Barnards (good old Chester County names) are buried.
Thank you to Chip and Penny Thomas and all the Friends at Marlborough for keeping up this tradition.
KENNETT: Vacuum store
Rave customer reviews have been coming in on social media for John Kuder's new store, House of Vacuums, at 305 West State Street in downtown Kennett. He sells new vacuums and parts and also repairs vacuums and sewing machines.
To grab the attention of passersby, he built an oversized "Mega-Vac" and displays it in the parking lot. Every time I drive by it reminds me of Graham Greene's novel "Our Man in Havana," where a reluctant spy -- a vacuum cleaner salesman who accepted the side job just so he could pay for his daughter's horse -- submits to his superiors what he claims are top-secret plans for military installations but are actually just greatly enlarged drawings of vacuum cleaner parts.
To grab the attention of passersby, he built an oversized "Mega-Vac" and displays it in the parking lot. Every time I drive by it reminds me of Graham Greene's novel "Our Man in Havana," where a reluctant spy -- a vacuum cleaner salesman who accepted the side job just so he could pay for his daughter's horse -- submits to his superiors what he claims are top-secret plans for military installations but are actually just greatly enlarged drawings of vacuum cleaner parts.
POST OFFICE: Goodbye to Mini
Mini has left the Unionville Post Office, transferring to another branch. She posted a sweet farewell letter on the bulletin board, saying how much she had enjoyed her two years at Unionville and praising her boss. We will miss her. The post office sometimes gets very busy, and her smile and patient, unflappable temperament were welcome.
LIBRARY: Community calendar
The Bayard Taylor/Kennett Library has added to its website a community calendar that is impressively comprehensive, listing not only library programs but also local concerts, plays, sporting events, book signings and polo -- and that was just on the first page! The website is kennettlibrary.org.
I also noticed that the library will be closed on Friday, June 15, though the video game club will still be held at 6 p.m.
I also noticed that the library will be closed on Friday, June 15, though the video game club will still be held at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
KENNETT: Which church is that?
Alfredo Corchado's June 2 op-ed piece in the "New York Times" about the vital role that Mexican immigrants play in small towns like Kennett Square has sparked a lot of local comment, pro and con.
The reporter made some excellent points about the impact that deportations and the ensuing worker shortages are having on mushroom farms and landscaping companies (not to mention horse farms), and he talked to a lot of knowledgeable people, like Chris Alonzo and Loretta Perna. The accompanying photograph shows the "Mushroom Capital of the World" water tower.
But I was left with one nagging question: What exactly was Mr. Corchado thinking of when he wrote, "Then and now, the most compelling sight in the town was its white steeple church"?
The reporter made some excellent points about the impact that deportations and the ensuing worker shortages are having on mushroom farms and landscaping companies (not to mention horse farms), and he talked to a lot of knowledgeable people, like Chris Alonzo and Loretta Perna. The accompanying photograph shows the "Mushroom Capital of the World" water tower.
But I was left with one nagging question: What exactly was Mr. Corchado thinking of when he wrote, "Then and now, the most compelling sight in the town was its white steeple church"?
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Dangerous drivers
During a discussion of reckless driving at the June 5 West Marlborough meeting, a lifelong township resident proposed a novel idea: all of us "locals" should strictly obey the speed limit in an attempt to discourage outsiders from using our roads as shortcuts.
Others in the audience doubted whether that would have any impact. They pointed out that the impatient motorists would just pass us anyway, as they seem completely undeterred by double-yellow lines, speed limits, stop signs and blind hills.
Inspired by his suggestion, I have resolved to drive the speed limit for a week and see what happens. I will share my experiences with you in my next column. So far the biggest challenge has been sticking to the speed limit on East Doe Run Road, from Unionville to Red Lion.
Others in the audience doubted whether that would have any impact. They pointed out that the impatient motorists would just pass us anyway, as they seem completely undeterred by double-yellow lines, speed limits, stop signs and blind hills.
Inspired by his suggestion, I have resolved to drive the speed limit for a week and see what happens. I will share my experiences with you in my next column. So far the biggest challenge has been sticking to the speed limit on East Doe Run Road, from Unionville to Red Lion.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Rokeby Road project done
The project to shore up the eroding banks of Buck Run along Rokeby Road is officially completed, supervisor and roadmaster Hugh Lofting Sr. announced with relief at West Marlborough Township's June 5 meeting.
Hugh said he and his son, road crew chief Hugh Lofting Jr., looked back through the township records and discovered that they posted "Road Closed" signs on Rokeby Road all the way back in 1999.
"We will never be accused of being impulsive in West Marlborough Township," quipped Supervisors' Chairman Bill Wylie.
For years the residents along Rokeby Road and Richard Wilson Drive have regularly attended township meetings and expressed their concerns about how the pavement was collapsing down the bank. (Lofting Jr. noted that they want the "Road Closed" signs to stay in place.)
The next roads department project will be fixing a crumbling bridge on lightly traveled Runnemede Road. PennDOT specifications call for installing a wider pipe under the bridge, but Mr. Wylie said it and the new guard rail will be well camouflaged and will have an "aesthetically pleasing" appearance.
The supervisors also discussed whether they should require permits for events held in the township's agricultural zone, such as the recent Tough Mudder competition at Plantation Field (part of which is in West Marlborough). Mr. Wylie said that unlike the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, for instance, the Tough Mudder event "is not a charitable thing." He suggested looking into how other townships regulate similar events and getting advice from the township's land-use planner.
In other business:
1. Mr. Wylie noted with pleasure that 92% of the township tax bills had been paid before May 31, the end of the discount period.
2. Building and zoning officer Charles Cutlip reported that he issued two building permits, one for a new stable at Olympic equestrian Phillip Dutton's Hood Road farm and one for a generator at the Fralicks' home on Clonmell-Upland Road.
3. West Marlborough residents Nancy Truitt, William LaMotte, and Dr. Phoebe Fisher were appointed to the new committee set up to study how the township should fund fire and ambulance services. They will be joined by supervisors Jake Chalfin and Hugh Lofting and will begin meeting this summer.
4. Mr. Lofting reported that the road crew oil-and-chipped Wilson and Hood Roads on June 4 and Lamborntown Road on June 5. They have also been busy mowing road banks and cleaning up after storms.
Hugh said he and his son, road crew chief Hugh Lofting Jr., looked back through the township records and discovered that they posted "Road Closed" signs on Rokeby Road all the way back in 1999.
"We will never be accused of being impulsive in West Marlborough Township," quipped Supervisors' Chairman Bill Wylie.
For years the residents along Rokeby Road and Richard Wilson Drive have regularly attended township meetings and expressed their concerns about how the pavement was collapsing down the bank. (Lofting Jr. noted that they want the "Road Closed" signs to stay in place.)
The next roads department project will be fixing a crumbling bridge on lightly traveled Runnemede Road. PennDOT specifications call for installing a wider pipe under the bridge, but Mr. Wylie said it and the new guard rail will be well camouflaged and will have an "aesthetically pleasing" appearance.
The supervisors also discussed whether they should require permits for events held in the township's agricultural zone, such as the recent Tough Mudder competition at Plantation Field (part of which is in West Marlborough). Mr. Wylie said that unlike the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup, for instance, the Tough Mudder event "is not a charitable thing." He suggested looking into how other townships regulate similar events and getting advice from the township's land-use planner.
In other business:
1. Mr. Wylie noted with pleasure that 92% of the township tax bills had been paid before May 31, the end of the discount period.
2. Building and zoning officer Charles Cutlip reported that he issued two building permits, one for a new stable at Olympic equestrian Phillip Dutton's Hood Road farm and one for a generator at the Fralicks' home on Clonmell-Upland Road.
3. West Marlborough residents Nancy Truitt, William LaMotte, and Dr. Phoebe Fisher were appointed to the new committee set up to study how the township should fund fire and ambulance services. They will be joined by supervisors Jake Chalfin and Hugh Lofting and will begin meeting this summer.
4. Mr. Lofting reported that the road crew oil-and-chipped Wilson and Hood Roads on June 4 and Lamborntown Road on June 5. They have also been busy mowing road banks and cleaning up after storms.
LIBRARY TOUR: Houses and gardens
We made it to only three of the six stops on the annual Bayard Taylor House & Garden Tour on June 2: a DuPont house modeled after Mount Vernon and a 21,000-square-foot former MBNA conference center, both off Old Kennett Road; and a Baneswood Circle house with a charming garden.
The Mount Vernon lookalike had a beautiful broad terrace leading out to the pool, and in the formal dining room, big teddy bears were sitting around the elaborately set table.
At the former conference center, a shuttle bus was available to take guests from the parking area at the caretaker's house up to the main house (we walked). In the basement were a game room, a video arcade, a theater room, and a pub. The doors to some of the mechanical rooms were open, letting us see the industrial-sized heating and water systems that such a mansion demands. People were saying that they'd be more than happy to live in just the pool house.
In the kitchen of the Baneswood Circle home, the owners of Portabello's Restaurant were serving up their delicious mushroom crepes. After we finished eating, we had a nice chat with artist Roe Murray, who was painting in the garden.
Happily, our timing throughout the day was impeccable: the crowds arrived either before or after us, according to the parkers and guides. Among the tourgoers we saw library director Megan Walters and library board members Bill McLachlan (with wife Carol), Jeff Yetter, and Tom Swett and many friends from the library's Special Events Committee, which organizes the tour.
Although torrential rain was predicted, it held off until later afternoon, just after the end of the tour.
The Mount Vernon lookalike had a beautiful broad terrace leading out to the pool, and in the formal dining room, big teddy bears were sitting around the elaborately set table.
At the former conference center, a shuttle bus was available to take guests from the parking area at the caretaker's house up to the main house (we walked). In the basement were a game room, a video arcade, a theater room, and a pub. The doors to some of the mechanical rooms were open, letting us see the industrial-sized heating and water systems that such a mansion demands. People were saying that they'd be more than happy to live in just the pool house.
In the kitchen of the Baneswood Circle home, the owners of Portabello's Restaurant were serving up their delicious mushroom crepes. After we finished eating, we had a nice chat with artist Roe Murray, who was painting in the garden.
Happily, our timing throughout the day was impeccable: the crowds arrived either before or after us, according to the parkers and guides. Among the tourgoers we saw library director Megan Walters and library board members Bill McLachlan (with wife Carol), Jeff Yetter, and Tom Swett and many friends from the library's Special Events Committee, which organizes the tour.
Although torrential rain was predicted, it held off until later afternoon, just after the end of the tour.
KENNETT: Concert series lineup
The schedule for the Anson B. Nixon summer concert series has been released!
June 20: Jake Amerding
June 27: Edgardo Cintron and the Inca Band (Santana tribute band)
July 4: Hoppin' John Orchestra
July 11: Hurricane Hoss
July 18: Matt Cappy Quintet
July 25: Will Power (Tower of Power and James Brown tribute band)
August 1: Apache Trails
August 8: Radio Free Honduras
All shows are free and start at 7 p.m.
June 20: Jake Amerding
June 27: Edgardo Cintron and the Inca Band (Santana tribute band)
July 4: Hoppin' John Orchestra
July 11: Hurricane Hoss
July 18: Matt Cappy Quintet
July 25: Will Power (Tower of Power and James Brown tribute band)
August 1: Apache Trails
August 8: Radio Free Honduras
All shows are free and start at 7 p.m.
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