I know, how is it possible that it's already time to talk about the YMCA's annual shutdown week?! The Jennersville Y will be closed Aug. 20 through 26 and the Kennett Y will be closed the following week (starting Aug. 27).
The "Enhancement Week" closings allow the staff to give the heavily-used facilities a thorough cleaning, take care of any maintenance and repairs needed (usually painting and varnishing) and install new equipment -- all without us members running around getting in the way. It's always fun to come back and see the gleaming new paint and shiny floors.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
WEST GROVE: New owners for Twelves
After 10 years of ownership, Tim and Kristin Smith announced on July 20 that they are selling Twelves, their wonderful West Grove restaurant, but it will remain open and Tim will stay on as executive chef.
On social media they said that the new owners "are local to West Grove and have pledged to give Twelves the love it needs to grow and keep our amazing customers happy." The Smiths said they are looking forward to "much more quality time for our family and the love of life!"
Twelves has long been our favorite special-occasion place because of the amazing food and the relaxed atmosphere.
(By the way, why is it named "Twelves"? Because the Smiths' first date and their wedding were both on November 12 and their birthdays are Jan. 12 and Feb. 12!)
On social media they said that the new owners "are local to West Grove and have pledged to give Twelves the love it needs to grow and keep our amazing customers happy." The Smiths said they are looking forward to "much more quality time for our family and the love of life!"
Twelves has long been our favorite special-occasion place because of the amazing food and the relaxed atmosphere.
(By the way, why is it named "Twelves"? Because the Smiths' first date and their wedding were both on November 12 and their birthdays are Jan. 12 and Feb. 12!)
Friday, July 20, 2018
WEST CHESTER: Swell healthcare
This week's column is a little thin due to the fact that I spent two of the days as an inpatient at Chester County Hospital. An otherwise minor hand wound got infected and the bacteria decided to have a fun run up through my right arm, leaving a path of hot, red, angry-looking swelling in their wake.
Per my doctor's no-nonsense directions, Dearest Partner and I presented ourselves at the Chester County Hospital emergency department. The staff didn't mess around, because it seems that these infections can become limb- and life-threatening within hours. I was admitted and started getting intravenous antibiotics every six hours around the clock until my body gained the upper hand on the cellulitis.
I've spent plenty of days and nights in hospitals over the years caring for loved ones, but prior to this experience I've never been hospitalized myself. To say I was anxious and apprehensive would be putting it mildly.
But everyone was so kind, competent and professional that I was surprised to find myself feeling almost at home. My single room was spacious, comfortable and quiet, there was a good Wi-Fi connection (vital!) and the food (when I was finally allowed to eat) was fine. The staff let me wear my own clothes, welcomed my visitors and were delighted when I walked laps around the floor for exercise. They seemed thrilled every time they noticed signs of improvement: "I can see your knuckles today!" or "You look too healthy to be here!"
And not a single employee -- nurses, aides, nursing assistants, physician's assistants, physicians, the waiter, the cleaners -- left my room without saying something like, "Let me know if there's anything you need. Anything."
A special shout-out to the ER techs Pat and Charlie, who, in the middle of the night, managed to keep us calm and even amused while getting the whole treatment process started.
I cannot imagine a better hospital experience, and I plan to write a letter to the board president telling him so.
Per my doctor's no-nonsense directions, Dearest Partner and I presented ourselves at the Chester County Hospital emergency department. The staff didn't mess around, because it seems that these infections can become limb- and life-threatening within hours. I was admitted and started getting intravenous antibiotics every six hours around the clock until my body gained the upper hand on the cellulitis.
I've spent plenty of days and nights in hospitals over the years caring for loved ones, but prior to this experience I've never been hospitalized myself. To say I was anxious and apprehensive would be putting it mildly.
But everyone was so kind, competent and professional that I was surprised to find myself feeling almost at home. My single room was spacious, comfortable and quiet, there was a good Wi-Fi connection (vital!) and the food (when I was finally allowed to eat) was fine. The staff let me wear my own clothes, welcomed my visitors and were delighted when I walked laps around the floor for exercise. They seemed thrilled every time they noticed signs of improvement: "I can see your knuckles today!" or "You look too healthy to be here!"
And not a single employee -- nurses, aides, nursing assistants, physician's assistants, physicians, the waiter, the cleaners -- left my room without saying something like, "Let me know if there's anything you need. Anything."
A special shout-out to the ER techs Pat and Charlie, who, in the middle of the night, managed to keep us calm and even amused while getting the whole treatment process started.
I cannot imagine a better hospital experience, and I plan to write a letter to the board president telling him so.
NEWLIN: Fruits and vegetables
Lewis Barnard shared the happy news that the produce market at Barnard's Orchard has reopened after its spring hiatus. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (closed Sundays until August).
Lewis reported on July 16 that they've had an apricot harvest for the first time since 2015, and "the fruit size and eating quality is very good." He said the apricots would be available for a short time, though, because of the small crop.
Other crops available at the market are Methley Plums ("red-skinned with a red flesh and boy, do they taste good!"), white and yellow peaches ("This sunny dry weather has been great for the fruit to get a good flavor and sweetness"), Lodi apples for applesauce, sweet onions and green onions.
"New crops will appear as the ripening season progresses," he assures us!
The family-owned Barnard's Orchard is at 1079 Wawaset Rd. (Route 842) east of Unionville.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: The balcony scene
My sharp-eyed reader Joe Freney of Kennett Square
was kind enough to send me a photo of what he dubbed a "unique street sign" on Route 926 just east of Walnut Road.
In case the photo doesn't show up, it's a sideways-T sign (indicating a road coming in from the left), with some novel additions: a kneeling suitor wooing a lady on a balcony above.
I smile every time I pass it but never stopped to take a photo -- so thank you, Joe!
In case the photo doesn't show up, it's a sideways-T sign (indicating a road coming in from the left), with some novel additions: a kneeling suitor wooing a lady on a balcony above.
I smile every time I pass it but never stopped to take a photo -- so thank you, Joe!
DELAWARE: A group hike
What an interesting idea! My friend Carol Maurer usually leads circular walks through the Delaware Art Museum's labyrinth, but on Monday, Aug. 20, she will be leading an eight-mile-long group walk from Old New Castle to the Riverfront in Wilmington via the Jack Markell Trail.
I quote from a press release from the Street Road Gallery:
"Carol's upcoming exhibition at Street Road, Walking Forward Looking Back, builds on material developed by the artist in part through the process of walking from her ancestral home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland through Delaware and to southern Chester County. This project is in part a process of addressing a family’s slave-owning past and is a meditation on the time, tempos and understandings walking can make space for."
Interested wanderers are asked to email Carol at cmaurer40@hotmail. Her show at the Street Road gallery (on Route 926 just west of Route 41) opens Sept. 15, with a reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
I quote from a press release from the Street Road Gallery:
"Carol's upcoming exhibition at Street Road, Walking Forward Looking Back, builds on material developed by the artist in part through the process of walking from her ancestral home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland through Delaware and to southern Chester County. This project is in part a process of addressing a family’s slave-owning past and is a meditation on the time, tempos and understandings walking can make space for."
Interested wanderers are asked to email Carol at cmaurer40@hotmail. Her show at the Street Road gallery (on Route 926 just west of Route 41) opens Sept. 15, with a reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Remembering the dead
I've noticed that the old African Episcopal Methodist Church cemetery on Route 842 is being maintained beautifully, with the grass mown, the vines and brush cut back and American flags marking the Civil War veterans' graves.
The other day I saw a man putting his push mower back into his truck just across the road from the graveyard, and I stopped and thanked him for taking such good care of it and honoring the dead.
"I just want it to look … appropriate," he explained modestly.
The neglected gravesite was restored in August 2015 as part of an Troop 153 Boy Scout project.
The other day I saw a man putting his push mower back into his truck just across the road from the graveyard, and I stopped and thanked him for taking such good care of it and honoring the dead.
"I just want it to look … appropriate," he explained modestly.
The neglected gravesite was restored in August 2015 as part of an Troop 153 Boy Scout project.
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