A few weeks ago I wrote about how my brother's credit card was hacked and a box of "streetwear" clothes from the super-trendy Supreme brand showed up at his door in East Marlborough.
I have been sharing this story with everyone in hopes of making sense of this wacky scheme: why on earth would a hacker take the trouble to obtain a stolen credit card number -- and then send the clothes to somebody else's address?
The best answer I've gotten so far is that the order, by default, went to the address attached to the credit card account. If anyone has a better explanation, I'd love to hear it.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
AVONDALE: At the gun range
On Saturday afternoon we arranged to meet another couple at TSS, the gun range in Avondale, for an hour of enjoyable, head-clearing target practice.
We were waiting in the lobby for our friends when a slim, hardy-looking woman with a braid down her back walked in carrying a couple of long guns in their cases, a hefty metal box of ammo and a large range bag. Two male friends joined her shortly afterward, and as they were moving their equipment toward the check-in desk one of the men turned to her and asked, jokingly, "Need some help?"
His intonation was perfect: he was acknowledging that she was more than capable of schlepping not only her own gear but probably theirs as well.
We were waiting in the lobby for our friends when a slim, hardy-looking woman with a braid down her back walked in carrying a couple of long guns in their cases, a hefty metal box of ammo and a large range bag. Two male friends joined her shortly afterward, and as they were moving their equipment toward the check-in desk one of the men turned to her and asked, jokingly, "Need some help?"
His intonation was perfect: he was acknowledging that she was more than capable of schlepping not only her own gear but probably theirs as well.
GIANT: The digital age
Between the predicted snow and a major sporting/social event, the New Garden Giant was very busy on a recent Sunday, and, as often happens when they are overloaded, the self-service machines were acting up. As instructed, I'd moved my bananas into my shopping bag, but the fickle machine refused to acknowledge that I had done so. And it really wasn't happy with me when I shifted my groceries around in the bagging area (which, by the way, is wholly inadequate if you bring your own bags).
At the next register was a minister, all in black except for his white clerical collar, who had apparently been tasked with buying pies for a large church function, as his shopping cart was full of them. He too was having U-Scan issues and was looking around with confusion.
"Father," I said to him (hoping that was the right form of address), "If you're having problems, what hope is there for the rest of us?"
He let out a huge laugh and gave me a really quite amazing smile.
At the next register was a minister, all in black except for his white clerical collar, who had apparently been tasked with buying pies for a large church function, as his shopping cart was full of them. He too was having U-Scan issues and was looking around with confusion.
"Father," I said to him (hoping that was the right form of address), "If you're having problems, what hope is there for the rest of us?"
He let out a huge laugh and gave me a really quite amazing smile.
RAFFLES: A good cause
It may have looked really fishy to an objective observer, but honestly the fix was not in: it was purely coincidental that almost everyone at our table at a recent fundraising event went home with some excellent goodies. One woman scored a basket full of premium chocolates; another friend took home some spa-quality deep-gray towels that she said would match her bathroom perfectly; and I won a basket full of cat paraphernalia (toys, catnip, cat-patterned socks and food bowls). The man across the table from us was looking increasingly forlorn at not being a winner -- until they drew the 50/50 raffle and he went home $120 richer.
KENNETT SQUARE: New business
Noelia Scharon, founder of the La Michoacana ice cream shop and La Michoacana Grill, is clearly not the only entrepreneur in the family. Her son, Andres Avalos Scharon, has just opened the Blue 52 barbershop at 331 East State Street (at the corner of State and Willow Street, where the Metamorphosis new-age shop used to be). The barbershop's hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Labs on the loose
My neighbors had a stressful day on Friday: their two Labs, one yellow, one chocolate, ran off at 8 a.m., possibly in pursuit of the large herd of deer in the neighborhood. When they didn't return, the anxious owners put out the word and started scouring the area.
At about 2 p.m., just a stone's throw away from their farm, one of the owners saw a Good Samaritan trying to round up the two escapees, who were exhausted and covered with swamp mud.
The dogs are fine but stiff, one of the owners told me the next morning -- which explains why he was walking by himself instead of with his usual companions. He said "relieved" is an understatement for how he and his wife feel.
At about 2 p.m., just a stone's throw away from their farm, one of the owners saw a Good Samaritan trying to round up the two escapees, who were exhausted and covered with swamp mud.
The dogs are fine but stiff, one of the owners told me the next morning -- which explains why he was walking by himself instead of with his usual companions. He said "relieved" is an understatement for how he and his wife feel.
Friday, January 25, 2019
PANTO: Just des(s)erts
It was so satisfying to see the Dame of Pikes (Lisa Teixeira) and her toady, Lord Jabbers (Kris Gibbons), get their comeuppance at the end of "Alice and the Stolen Tarts," the 18th annual pantomime by the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society.
By trickery, the oily Jabbers managed to steal the powerful tarts, enabling the greedy Duchess to turn Wonderland into a grim, colorless theme park for tourists. In the end, though, the tarts were returned to Wonderland and good triumphed. The once-haughty Queen was demoted to an apron-clad servant, and Jabbers grovelled and begged to be beheaded after learning he would be sentenced to work at the Kennett Inn.
The show was a delight, as always. Lisa Teixeira was hilariously over-the-top in her gleeful wickedness. Alice (Jules Weiler) and her maid Mary Ann (Kaitlyn Diehl) were delightfully spunky. We laughed at the spaced-out drawl of the hookah-smoking Caterpillar (Katherine Casey). The Cheshire Cat (Beth Holladay)'s languorous stretching and laser-light chasing reminded me of my own cat at home. Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Tessa and Gillian Haldeman) were hilarious, pummeling each other with bats at random moments. The children's chorus -- this year they were baby pigs -- was adorable.
In accord with Panto traditions, we sang the Silly Song, booed and hissed at the villains, greeted the Queen of Hearts (Steven Ashby) and Jacko (Holly Gouge) whenever they appeared and called out "Behind you!" at appropriate moments.
We were sitting close enough that we could watch music director Brenten Megee conducting from the piano, swiping from song to song on his digital score.
By trickery, the oily Jabbers managed to steal the powerful tarts, enabling the greedy Duchess to turn Wonderland into a grim, colorless theme park for tourists. In the end, though, the tarts were returned to Wonderland and good triumphed. The once-haughty Queen was demoted to an apron-clad servant, and Jabbers grovelled and begged to be beheaded after learning he would be sentenced to work at the Kennett Inn.
The show was a delight, as always. Lisa Teixeira was hilariously over-the-top in her gleeful wickedness. Alice (Jules Weiler) and her maid Mary Ann (Kaitlyn Diehl) were delightfully spunky. We laughed at the spaced-out drawl of the hookah-smoking Caterpillar (Katherine Casey). The Cheshire Cat (Beth Holladay)'s languorous stretching and laser-light chasing reminded me of my own cat at home. Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Tessa and Gillian Haldeman) were hilarious, pummeling each other with bats at random moments. The children's chorus -- this year they were baby pigs -- was adorable.
In accord with Panto traditions, we sang the Silly Song, booed and hissed at the villains, greeted the Queen of Hearts (Steven Ashby) and Jacko (Holly Gouge) whenever they appeared and called out "Behind you!" at appropriate moments.
We were sitting close enough that we could watch music director Brenten Megee conducting from the piano, swiping from song to song on his digital score.
OBITS: Fascinating lives
It's a little morbid, maybe, but I love reading obituaries. I think they represent one of the most fascinating parts of the newspaper. Where else can you read about a woman who outlived four husbands (she lived to be 95), or find out that an acquaintance had several important patents to his credit?
One woman's obit that I read recently was especially poignant: after her husband went missing in action during World War II, she wed his best Army buddy -- and they were married for the next 60-some years.
As a reporter, at first I dreaded making what felt like intrusive calls to bereaved families to gather obit information, but you'd be surprised: in most cases they actually appreciated the chance to share their loved one's life.
One woman's obit that I read recently was especially poignant: after her husband went missing in action during World War II, she wed his best Army buddy -- and they were married for the next 60-some years.
As a reporter, at first I dreaded making what felt like intrusive calls to bereaved families to gather obit information, but you'd be surprised: in most cases they actually appreciated the chance to share their loved one's life.
NEW GARDEN: Meeting Rep. Sappey
On Jan. 24 our new state representative, Christina Sappey, hosted a timely lecture about bridging the divisions between people that seem to plague our polarized society.
The speaker, school psychologist Dr. Kirby L. Wycoff, Psy.D., talked about how our brain's instinctive fight-or-flight response to perceived danger gets in the way of reasoned discourse. She said it's important to ask questions and truly listen to the other person's point of view without focusing on what our snappy comeback is going to be and to try to find some common ground no matter how divergent our opinions seem to be. All of which is not, she acknowledged, an easy process. (You can watch the talk on Rep. Sappey's Facebook page.)
Rep. Sappey told the audience at the New Garden township building that she will soon be opening her district office next to Sovanna Bistro at the intersection of Routes 82 and 926. The wide-ranging 158th district comprises Avondale, East Bradford, East Marlborough, London Britain, New Garden, Newlin, West Bradford, West Marlborough and parts of West Goshen.
Rep. Sappey, a Democrat, ousted former Rep. Eric Roe, a Republican, in the November election, by a 53% to 47% margin. The seat was held from 1997 to 2016 by Republican Chris Ross, and before that by Republican Joseph Pitts (from 1973 to 1996).
PENNSYLVANIA: Penn biography
Readers interested in Colonial history might enjoy getting a copy of "William Penn: A Life" by Rutgers University professor Andrew Murphy, just released by the Oxford University Press. The Chester County Library System has two copies you can check out.
I had the pleasure of copy-editing the manuscript last February and learned a lot about not only Penn as a human, a devout Quaker and an administrator but also the history of our area and Quakerism.
The Wall Street Journal reviewer called the book "admirable" but noted that Murphy "has not quite managed to transform that life in to a page-turner." It is a scholarly book with a lot of footnotes and details, including Penn's lifelong financial problems, but the fact that the subject is close to us certainly adds a great deal of interest.
I had the pleasure of copy-editing the manuscript last February and learned a lot about not only Penn as a human, a devout Quaker and an administrator but also the history of our area and Quakerism.
The Wall Street Journal reviewer called the book "admirable" but noted that Murphy "has not quite managed to transform that life in to a page-turner." It is a scholarly book with a lot of footnotes and details, including Penn's lifelong financial problems, but the fact that the subject is close to us certainly adds a great deal of interest.
KENNETT SQUARE: House & Garden Day
The date for this year's Bayard Taylor Home and Garden Day has been set: Saturday, June 1. This year's tour, organized by the Kennett Library's Special Events Committee, will focus on houses and gardens within the borough of Kennett Square.
Every year the ladies on the committee ask me to write the house descriptions for the program, so I get a sneak preview. I've been to two of the properties so far, and I can tell you this: it's going to be a really special and "walkable" tour this year. Tickets will be available from the library closer to the date, but you will want to put this on your calendar.
Every year the ladies on the committee ask me to write the house descriptions for the program, so I get a sneak preview. I've been to two of the properties so far, and I can tell you this: it's going to be a really special and "walkable" tour this year. Tickets will be available from the library closer to the date, but you will want to put this on your calendar.
BUDGETS: Wealth management
A friend mentioned that she and her husband had sold their condo at the Jersey shore.
"Oh no!" I said. "You loved that place!"
Yes, she agreed with a sigh; but it was a little matter of looming college tuitions for their two sons.
"Cash flow," she lamented. "There's no escaping it."
"Oh no!" I said. "You loved that place!"
Yes, she agreed with a sigh; but it was a little matter of looming college tuitions for their two sons.
"Cash flow," she lamented. "There's no escaping it."
UNIONVILLE: The Cheshire Races
The 73rd running of the Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds Point-to-Point Meeting will be Sunday, March 31, at Cuyler Walker's Plantation Field in Unionville. Dixon Stroud has designed a new course that will allow spectators standing at the top of the hill to see all 14 fences.
Eight races are on the card: three pony races, followed by the Mrs. E. Miles Valentine Memorial side-saddle race, the amateur apprentice rider timber race, the Joseph Walker III Memorial Cheshire Bowl, and finally the Jill Fanning Memorial flat race. Post time for the first race is 11:30 a.m.
Eight races are on the card: three pony races, followed by the Mrs. E. Miles Valentine Memorial side-saddle race, the amateur apprentice rider timber race, the Joseph Walker III Memorial Cheshire Bowl, and finally the Jill Fanning Memorial flat race. Post time for the first race is 11:30 a.m.
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| The new course for the Cheshire Point-to-Point Races on March 31. |
Saturday, January 19, 2019
NEW GARDEN: ReStore closing
Habitat for Humanity's ReStore on Scarlett Road will be closing March 9. The store sold donated furniture, housewares and building supplies to benefit Habitat for Humanity's affordable housing projects. The store in Thorndale (1853 East Lincoln Highway) will stay open.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
REMAKE: Spit-spot!
I was in first grade when the Disney version of "Mary Poppins" came out, and my friends and I loved it. My classmate Liz Fry wowed us by singing "Supercali (etc.)" backwards; perhaps not coincidentally, she went on to become a financial wizard in Manhattan.
My mother bought me a Mary Poppins doll, the soundtrack album AND an abridged copy of the P. L. Travers book, with a photo on the cover of Julie Andrews holding her parrot-head umbrella (movie spinoffs are nothing new). Later my grandmother bought me the real, complete book, which I learned to love as I got a little older, and which I still have.
All of this is to say that I was eager to see "Mary Poppins Returns," the new movie with Emily Blunt in the title role. I liked it very much. It's a feel-good movie, and it's actually a lot closer to the book. A couple of times I guessed that the image on the screen was inspired by the Mary Shepard illustration in the book, like when the young Banks lad is pulling with all his might on the kite that's bearing Mary P. down from the sky.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is delightful as Jack the lamplighter, Colin Firth hams it up as an evil banker trying to repossess Number 17 Cherry-Tree Lane, and Dick Van Dyke (the original Bert the chimney sweep!) steals the show. Don't miss Angela Lansbury as the Balloon Lady. In the credits I noticed Karen Dotrice's name (Jane Banks in the original) as an "Elegant Lady."
My mother bought me a Mary Poppins doll, the soundtrack album AND an abridged copy of the P. L. Travers book, with a photo on the cover of Julie Andrews holding her parrot-head umbrella (movie spinoffs are nothing new). Later my grandmother bought me the real, complete book, which I learned to love as I got a little older, and which I still have.
All of this is to say that I was eager to see "Mary Poppins Returns," the new movie with Emily Blunt in the title role. I liked it very much. It's a feel-good movie, and it's actually a lot closer to the book. A couple of times I guessed that the image on the screen was inspired by the Mary Shepard illustration in the book, like when the young Banks lad is pulling with all his might on the kite that's bearing Mary P. down from the sky.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is delightful as Jack the lamplighter, Colin Firth hams it up as an evil banker trying to repossess Number 17 Cherry-Tree Lane, and Dick Van Dyke (the original Bert the chimney sweep!) steals the show. Don't miss Angela Lansbury as the Balloon Lady. In the credits I noticed Karen Dotrice's name (Jane Banks in the original) as an "Elegant Lady."
SONG OF SONGS: Whom my soul loves
I was flipping through the radio stations the other day and caught a radio preacher on the Lancaster religious station reading excerpts from the Song of Solomon and explaining some of the Old Testament phrases that sound odd to modern ears. He was pretty funny -- while of course still being respectful toward those beautiful verses of love.
"Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead," he read. "Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins." He speculated on the reaction a modern husband might get if he compared his wife's hair to a flock of goats.
Switching to the wife's point of view, he continued, "His arms are rounded gold, set with jewels. His body is ivory work, encrusted with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set upon bases of gold."
The preacher paused. "In other words: he's ripped."
"Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead," he read. "Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins." He speculated on the reaction a modern husband might get if he compared his wife's hair to a flock of goats.
Switching to the wife's point of view, he continued, "His arms are rounded gold, set with jewels. His body is ivory work, encrusted with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set upon bases of gold."
The preacher paused. "In other words: he's ripped."
YMCA: Goodbye to Doug
Kennett Area YMCA Executive Director Doug Nakashima is transferring to the Greater Hartford (Connecticut) Y for family reasons. His last day will be Jan. 24.
In an email sent to Y members, he writes: "While I’m excited about the new opportunity, there’s also a big part of me that’s sad to be saying goodbye to an amazing Y and community. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Kennett Square community, and how much I value the many friendships I have gained over the past seven years. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives in my time here."
In an email sent to Y members, he writes: "While I’m excited about the new opportunity, there’s also a big part of me that’s sad to be saying goodbye to an amazing Y and community. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Kennett Square community, and how much I value the many friendships I have gained over the past seven years. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives in my time here."
THAI: Curry on the way
We've wondered for months what's happening with the former Kennett Pizza building at 420 W. Cypress St., next to the in-town Wawa. Well, now we know: it's going to be a Thai restaurant! It's called Café de Thai, and the menu looks scrumptious.
The chef, Jaruwanee Primo, graduated from culinary school in Bangkok, moved to the United States in 2002, and ran restaurants in Lake Tahoe and later in California. "Jaruwanee's cooking philosophy includes using as many fresh local ingredients as possible as well as making all of her own Thai sauces in house from scratch."
Let's hope it opens soon!
The chef, Jaruwanee Primo, graduated from culinary school in Bangkok, moved to the United States in 2002, and ran restaurants in Lake Tahoe and later in California. "Jaruwanee's cooking philosophy includes using as many fresh local ingredients as possible as well as making all of her own Thai sauces in house from scratch."
Let's hope it opens soon!
BAZ: Saying goodbye
In last week's column I wrote about Elizabeth "Baz" Powell's death on Jan. 10 at the age of 90. Her memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at London Grove Friends Meeting. Contributions in her memory can be sent to: (1) Canine Partners for Life, PO Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330 (www.k94life.org); (2) the Friends Home in Kennett, 147 W. State St., Kennett Sq., PA 19348 (http://fhkennett.org/donate); or (3) the American Friends Service Committee, AFSC Development, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 (afsc.org).
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
WINTERTHUR: What's it worth?
Monday, Feb. 11, is the deadline for applying for free tickets to the Antiques Roadshow's June 18 visit to the Winterthur Museum. The application is on the PBS website. Ticket winners will be selected by a random drawing and will be notified in late February.
The Roadshow website also says, "We’re looking for a few special pieces of furniture to select in advance to be appraised and displayed on location during our 2019 Tour. If your furniture is selected, you’ll automatically receive two free tickets, and we'll transport your furniture to the event and back home again at no cost to you. You just have to live within 60 miles of the event to be eligible."
In addition to Winterthur, this spring's Roadshow tour will also be visiting the
Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 16; the McNay Art Museum in
San Antonio, Texas, on April 27; the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California, on May 13; and Bonanzaville in Fargo, North Dakota, on June 1.
The Roadshow website also says, "We’re looking for a few special pieces of furniture to select in advance to be appraised and displayed on location during our 2019 Tour. If your furniture is selected, you’ll automatically receive two free tickets, and we'll transport your furniture to the event and back home again at no cost to you. You just have to live within 60 miles of the event to be eligible."
In addition to Winterthur, this spring's Roadshow tour will also be visiting the
Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 16; the McNay Art Museum in
San Antonio, Texas, on April 27; the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California, on May 13; and Bonanzaville in Fargo, North Dakota, on June 1.
CHILLY: A cold nose
The recent cold spell reminded me of "Bunch" Harmon, the lovable vicar's wife in Agatha Christie's mystery "A Murder Is Announced."
Near the beginning of the book Bunch is telling her husband that she loves living in their rambling, old-fashioned rectory, even though it means a lot of extra housework:
"I like sleeping in a big cold room," she assures him. "It's so cozy to snuggle down with just the tip of your nose telling you what it's like above."
Near the beginning of the book Bunch is telling her husband that she loves living in their rambling, old-fashioned rectory, even though it means a lot of extra housework:
"I like sleeping in a big cold room," she assures him. "It's so cozy to snuggle down with just the tip of your nose telling you what it's like above."
JENNERSVILLE: Young and restless
I was walking down the corridor at the Jennersville Y the other afternoon when two young boys came barreling through, almost running into a middle-aged couple.
"I'm so sorry!" apologized the boys' mother.
"It's OK," said the other mother, with a chuckle. "We have four boys. NOTHING scares us."
"I'm so sorry!" apologized the boys' mother.
"It's OK," said the other mother, with a chuckle. "We have four boys. NOTHING scares us."
PIGEONS: Athletes of the air
I had no idea that pigeon racing was "a thing" until I saw a big green box behind the counter of the Unionville post office labeled "Live Birds." I assumed it contained baby chicks, but no: I learned that there was a racing pigeon inside. Wikipedia tells us that "pigeon racing is the sport of releasing specially trained racing pigeons, which then return to their homes over a carefully measured distance." The birds are bred for speed, strength, stamina and homing instinct.
A friend reports that occasionally one will show up on her farm; she said the owners don't seem especially interested in getting the adventurous ones back.
A friend reports that occasionally one will show up on her farm; she said the owners don't seem especially interested in getting the adventurous ones back.
Friday, January 11, 2019
BAZ POWELL: One of a kind
My friend and West Marlborough neighbor Elizabeth "Baz" Powell, who died on Jan. 10, lived a long life with humor, integrity, wisdom, and great spirit.
I loved hearing her vivid stories about "the old days," like when she walked from her family's farm all the way up to Hood's Corner to catch the school bus during World War II. Her memory was amazing. When my Dearest Partner appeared on the scene, she was inclined to like him because one of his sisters, some 40 years ago, had been in the Girl Scout troop she led.
She always had some tidbit of news to share, from a play she'd seen at the Fulton Theater to a favorite ice cream shop in Ephrata. She had a distinctive way of speaking: clear and forthright, with never an "umm" or "like." She read every word of my column (and, to my embarrassment, spotted my errors) and contributed many wonderful items, like the yearly family reunion she hosted.
Baz was a regular at West Marlborough Township meetings, and for years she served on the township's zoning hearing board, whose job it is to review development plans that don't meet the township's rules. I recall one time when an attorney badly underestimated her, answering her question about some technical facet of his client's plan slowly and in simple terms.
"Yes, I understand that," she said dryly, and then went on to zero in on the exact point that he was dancing around.
It was an honor and a delight to know Baz, and I will miss her.
Baz's memorial service will be held at London Grove Friends Meeting, where she was a member, on a date still to be set.
I loved hearing her vivid stories about "the old days," like when she walked from her family's farm all the way up to Hood's Corner to catch the school bus during World War II. Her memory was amazing. When my Dearest Partner appeared on the scene, she was inclined to like him because one of his sisters, some 40 years ago, had been in the Girl Scout troop she led.
She always had some tidbit of news to share, from a play she'd seen at the Fulton Theater to a favorite ice cream shop in Ephrata. She had a distinctive way of speaking: clear and forthright, with never an "umm" or "like." She read every word of my column (and, to my embarrassment, spotted my errors) and contributed many wonderful items, like the yearly family reunion she hosted.
Baz was a regular at West Marlborough Township meetings, and for years she served on the township's zoning hearing board, whose job it is to review development plans that don't meet the township's rules. I recall one time when an attorney badly underestimated her, answering her question about some technical facet of his client's plan slowly and in simple terms.
"Yes, I understand that," she said dryly, and then went on to zero in on the exact point that he was dancing around.
It was an honor and a delight to know Baz, and I will miss her.
Baz's memorial service will be held at London Grove Friends Meeting, where she was a member, on a date still to be set.
JOURNALISM: Boosting circulation
When I was a reporter, we used to wince whenever someone would accuse us of writing a controversial story "just to sell papers." I have never heard any reporter, in any newsroom where I've worked, give that reason for doing a story. It was either newsworthy or it wasn't.
That having been said: the local paper recently ran a prominent article about the Young Relative's athletic achievements, with several wonderful photographs (he's a photogenic youth). I promptly went to Landhope and bought five copies, explaining to the poor clerk and complete strangers in the store why I was doing so.
That having been said: the local paper recently ran a prominent article about the Young Relative's athletic achievements, with several wonderful photographs (he's a photogenic youth). I promptly went to Landhope and bought five copies, explaining to the poor clerk and complete strangers in the store why I was doing so.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
EAST MARLBOROUGH: What's going on?
You've probably noticed that the Baltimore Pike building that once housed the Spring Run health-food store, and before that the Phillips Mushroom Museum, has been razed. A mattress store and a "Quick Lane" auto-repair facility will replace it and the two adjacent boarded-up brick houses. A turn lane off Baltimore Pike will be added.And across the street, construction is progressing on a Citadel Federal Credit Union building that is replacing the former Burger King.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Dominion of the birds
I've had several wonderful bird sightings in the past week. I spotted two bald eagles soaring over Route 842, just east of Upland Corner, on a brilliantly sunny Sunday afternoon.
"Wait. Those are definitely not vultures!" I said to myself, then pulled over to gawk and marvel at the magnificent birds. (A waggish friend suggests that the local football team of the same name always sends them out on game day.)
A huge great blue heron was probing a water-filled ditch along Apple Grove Road as I drove by on the way to breakfast the other morning. A pair of black-and-white bufflehead ducks have appeared at a friend's pond in Newlin.
And I was driving along Hood Road on a foggy Friday evening when a giant owl swooped out of the mist and in front of my car, wings spread. It happened too quickly for me to note any details for identification purposes.
"Wait. Those are definitely not vultures!" I said to myself, then pulled over to gawk and marvel at the magnificent birds. (A waggish friend suggests that the local football team of the same name always sends them out on game day.)
A huge great blue heron was probing a water-filled ditch along Apple Grove Road as I drove by on the way to breakfast the other morning. A pair of black-and-white bufflehead ducks have appeared at a friend's pond in Newlin.
And I was driving along Hood Road on a foggy Friday evening when a giant owl swooped out of the mist and in front of my car, wings spread. It happened too quickly for me to note any details for identification purposes.
UNDERFOOT: A change of color
We had to chuckle the other night while waiting in line at an Avondale restaurant. An animated young man was loudly telling his friend that, with much regret, he was going to have to replace the carpeting in his house. Apparently between a girlfriend spilling red wine ("She didn't even tell me!") and his dogs having accidents, the chic white carpet, as much as he liked it, was just not proving to be practical. We didn't hear what color he will choose for the next one.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Knowing the terrain
I spotted a delivery truck with its flashing lights on alongside Upland Road the other day and stopped to asked the driver if I could help.
He said he THOUGHT he was at the right place but was phoning the customer just to make sure before he attempted to navigate the long driveway.
"Man, it's tricky out here!" he said.
That sentiment was echoed by a friend who moonlights as an Uber driver. He said he was en route to pick up a Unionville passenger one recent evening when his GPS told him to turn into a questionable lane that, eventually, went nowhere and petered out. (He eventually did find the right driveway.)
He said he THOUGHT he was at the right place but was phoning the customer just to make sure before he attempted to navigate the long driveway.
"Man, it's tricky out here!" he said.
That sentiment was echoed by a friend who moonlights as an Uber driver. He said he was en route to pick up a Unionville passenger one recent evening when his GPS told him to turn into a questionable lane that, eventually, went nowhere and petered out. (He eventually did find the right driveway.)
Saturday, January 5, 2019
KATS: "Alice and the Stolen Tarts"
The Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society will present this year's panto, "Alice and the Stolen Tarts," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Kennett High School auditorium.
We visited a recent rehearsal to get a sneak preview.
The costumes are splendid -- we especially liked the Caterpillar (Katherine Casey, wearing John Lennon-style hippie glasses) and Humpty Dumpty (BJ Crampton). The Cheshire Cat (Beth Holladay) boasts an oversized grin illuminated by multicolored LED lights.
Alice is played by Jules Weiler, a senior at Avon Grove High School, and her maid, Mary Ann, is played by Kaitlyn Diehl from the University of Delaware.
In his first year with KATS, Stephen Ashby plays the cross-dressing Dame, one of the traditional figures of British panto. "I like it a lot," he said, batting his gigantic false eyelashes.
The villain this year is the Duchess of Spades, played by Lisa Teixeira (in real life the Kennett High School librarian). Her sidekick in evil is Lord Jabbers (Kris Gibbons). They were rehearsing "We're So Wicked" as we watched.
KATS regular Peter Giangiulio plays the King of Hearts, and of course there's a children's chorus. Director Chris Ramsay explained that at one point the children get "peppered" and turn into baby pigs.
The show was written by William Merrick and Hugh Sandison, with music by the two and Bill's wife, Judy. Music director, who was leading the cast in "Welcome to Wonderland" as rehearsal started, is Brenten Megee.
Ticket information for the show is available at the KATS website, callkats.org.
We visited a recent rehearsal to get a sneak preview.
The costumes are splendid -- we especially liked the Caterpillar (Katherine Casey, wearing John Lennon-style hippie glasses) and Humpty Dumpty (BJ Crampton). The Cheshire Cat (Beth Holladay) boasts an oversized grin illuminated by multicolored LED lights.
Alice is played by Jules Weiler, a senior at Avon Grove High School, and her maid, Mary Ann, is played by Kaitlyn Diehl from the University of Delaware.
In his first year with KATS, Stephen Ashby plays the cross-dressing Dame, one of the traditional figures of British panto. "I like it a lot," he said, batting his gigantic false eyelashes.
The villain this year is the Duchess of Spades, played by Lisa Teixeira (in real life the Kennett High School librarian). Her sidekick in evil is Lord Jabbers (Kris Gibbons). They were rehearsing "We're So Wicked" as we watched.
KATS regular Peter Giangiulio plays the King of Hearts, and of course there's a children's chorus. Director Chris Ramsay explained that at one point the children get "peppered" and turn into baby pigs.
The show was written by William Merrick and Hugh Sandison, with music by the two and Bill's wife, Judy. Music director, who was leading the cast in "Welcome to Wonderland" as rehearsal started, is Brenten Megee.
Ticket information for the show is available at the KATS website, callkats.org.
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| Lisa Teixeira as the Duchess of Spades and Kris Gibbons as Lord Jabbers rehearse "We're So Wicked." (Photo by Mark Delaney) |
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| Jules Weiler plays Alice. (Photo by Mark Delaney) |
Thursday, January 3, 2019
SUPREME: Change of clothes
My brother was an airline pilot for many years, and he still dons a conservative uniform of sorts for work every day: neat khakis and a button-down shirt.
So imagine his surprise when he opened a UPS package to find three pieces of ultra-trendy streetwear from a Brooklyn company called Supreme, which, according to the Young Relative, is simply THE hip brand of the moment. The YR, impressed, pointed out that they were worth hundreds of dollars, and he knew friends who would buy them for resale in a heartbeat.
My brother texted me: Had I sent them as a joke?
Unfortunately, our amusement at the idea of my brother embracing Thug Life in Unionville was not to last. He has considerable street smarts (if not the accompanying garments) and immediately checked his credit card account online. Sure enough, there was a $784 charge for the clothing. He cancelled the card and notified the fraud department.
It's hard to figure out who benefits from this scheme.
So imagine his surprise when he opened a UPS package to find three pieces of ultra-trendy streetwear from a Brooklyn company called Supreme, which, according to the Young Relative, is simply THE hip brand of the moment. The YR, impressed, pointed out that they were worth hundreds of dollars, and he knew friends who would buy them for resale in a heartbeat.
My brother texted me: Had I sent them as a joke?
Unfortunately, our amusement at the idea of my brother embracing Thug Life in Unionville was not to last. He has considerable street smarts (if not the accompanying garments) and immediately checked his credit card account online. Sure enough, there was a $784 charge for the clothing. He cancelled the card and notified the fraud department.
It's hard to figure out who benefits from this scheme.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Not any wider
The project to replace a tiny bridge along scenic one-lane Runnemede Road in West Marlborough has been completed.
"I think it looks really darn good," said township roadmaster Hugh Lofting Sr.
I drove by on Thursday afternoon and took these photographs.
"I think it looks really darn good," said township roadmaster Hugh Lofting Sr.
I drove by on Thursday afternoon and took these photographs.
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| View of the new Runnemede Road bridge looking from west to east. |
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| This new structure replaces the old one, which was crumbling into the creek. |
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Nothing changes
Like all Pennsylvania townships, the West Marlborough Board of Supervisors held a reorganization meeting this past week, but it was pro forma: William Wylie remains the board's chairman, with new father Jacob Chalfin as vice-chairman. Supervisor Hugh Lofting Sr. remains the roadmaster and emergency management coordinator. Shirley Walton remains the township secretary/treasurer.
Township meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month, except for November: due to a conflict with the general election, the meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 4. (The planning commission meets at 7 p.m., followed by the supervisors.)
The township planning commission's reorganization meeting was equally uneventful: Tom Brosius remains chairman, with Tom Roosevelt as vice-chairman and Emery Jones as secretary.
Both the supervisors and the planning commission reviewed a plan by the Stroud Water Research Center on Spencer Road to build a pavilion. Executive Director David Arscott said it would provide a covered space for outdoor education programs and events.
Township meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month, except for November: due to a conflict with the general election, the meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 4. (The planning commission meets at 7 p.m., followed by the supervisors.)
The township planning commission's reorganization meeting was equally uneventful: Tom Brosius remains chairman, with Tom Roosevelt as vice-chairman and Emery Jones as secretary.
Both the supervisors and the planning commission reviewed a plan by the Stroud Water Research Center on Spencer Road to build a pavilion. Executive Director David Arscott said it would provide a covered space for outdoor education programs and events.
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| The township meeting hall/garage in Doe Run Village. |
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
KENNETT: New Year's Eve
Determined to show that we are still able to stay up past 10 p.m. (OK, with the help of a nap and coffee), Dearest Partner and I spent a soggy New Year's Eve with his #2 son, a newly minted Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology who was visiting from Asheville, North Carolina. We caught up with him over a wonderful sushi dinner and were hugely impressed to learn that he has paid off his grad school loans. Now all he has to do is cope with the skyrocketing real-estate prices in that hip town.
After dinner, at 9:30 we drove into Kennett, where we stopped at (1) Lars and Linda Farmer's annual bash, (2) the Garage youth center, where the Funsters were jamming, (3) the Kennett Brewing Company (which was packed), and (4) a party in a church basement.
By that time it was 11:45 p.m. and time for the Mushroom Drop. The mist and drizzle made the lasers sparkle as they shot west along State Street.
Attendance was smaller than in prior years because of the rain, but frankly, I didn't mind the weather at all: it was warm, and I was wearing a substantial waterproof hat.
The small crowd meant that there was no delay getting out of town.
After dinner, at 9:30 we drove into Kennett, where we stopped at (1) Lars and Linda Farmer's annual bash, (2) the Garage youth center, where the Funsters were jamming, (3) the Kennett Brewing Company (which was packed), and (4) a party in a church basement.
By that time it was 11:45 p.m. and time for the Mushroom Drop. The mist and drizzle made the lasers sparkle as they shot west along State Street.
Attendance was smaller than in prior years because of the rain, but frankly, I didn't mind the weather at all: it was warm, and I was wearing a substantial waterproof hat.
The small crowd meant that there was no delay getting out of town.
BOOK SALE: Neighborhood pickup
The annual Used Book Sale organized by the Unionville High School PTO is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22 (from 4 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 23 (from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the "bag sale" from 2 to 4 p.m.) in the UHS gymnasium. (Snow dates are March 1 and 2.)
Neighborhood book pickup will be on Jan. 19 (snow date is Jan. 26); donors are asked to leave their bags of books at the end of their driveway by 9 a.m. If your neighborhood isn't included in the pickup (see UHSBookSale.org for a list), you can drop off donations during school hours at any of the schools from Tuesday, Jan. 22, through Friday, Feb. 15. There will also be a drop-off box behind the high school starting Saturday, Jan. 19.
Neighborhood book pickup will be on Jan. 19 (snow date is Jan. 26); donors are asked to leave their bags of books at the end of their driveway by 9 a.m. If your neighborhood isn't included in the pickup (see UHSBookSale.org for a list), you can drop off donations during school hours at any of the schools from Tuesday, Jan. 22, through Friday, Feb. 15. There will also be a drop-off box behind the high school starting Saturday, Jan. 19.
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