Apples

Barnard's Orchards has officially opened "the madness and wonder that is pick-your-own" season, according to its Facebook page. In addition to apples, there's also delicious cider, pears, vegetables, chrysanthemums and pumpkins at the farm market. This wonderful fourth-generation orchard is located on Route 842 east of Unionville (1079 Wawaset Road). Say hi to Lewis!

Not til next year, at least

Some Chadds Ford residents mentioned they had heard that the Route 926 bridge over the Brandywine will be closed this autumn for reconstruction. They are used to finding ways around the bridge, because it often floods, but were surprised that no signs were up warning of the imminent closure.
I did some quick research and found out that yes, the bridge is in fact scheduled to be rebuilt, but construction bids won't even be opened until October 2011. The Pocopson Township website, http://www.pocopson.org/, has more details on the forthcoming project.

Oak trees

I don't think there have ever been so many acorns on the driveway. My car crunches over them like dozens of bags of Herr's potato chips. Is this an indicator that it will be a snowy, cold winter? Or is it that the oak trees along the driveway have reached a certain level of maturity and upped their acorn production?

Good company

Nancy Penn Smith Hannum and Roy Jackson will be inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 13.
The one-of-a-kind Mrs. Hannum, who died this spring, was the master for Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds for more than 50 years and was an ardent conservationist.
Mr. Jackson, who will join his hugely popular racehorse Barbaro as a Hall of Fame member, is being honored for his commitment to baseball. It came as a surprise to me to learn that Mr. Jackson used to own the minor-league baseball teams the Tucson Toros and the York Pirates; served as president of minor-league baseball teams; and was formerly president of Convest, Inc., which represented professional ballplayers. (Thanks to AlexBrownRacing's website for the info.)

Mason-Dixon line

In the late 18th century, astronomer Charles Mason and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon established the border line between Pennsylvania and Maryland with astonishing accuracy in order to settle a boundary dispute. They placed stones (imported from England) every mile and crownstones every 5 miles.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Todd Babcock, chairman of the Mason and Dixon Line Preservation Partnership, will be discussing this remarkable feat in a lecture at Primitive Hall in West Marlborough. Tickets are $35 and include a reception before the talk. For more information visit the Hall's website, http://www.primitivehall.org/.

Flat Coca-Cola and applesauce

The stomach bug scourge has made its unpleasant way through our household, and we are back in business. An appetite is a wonderful thing! I was ridiculously pleased to learn that many others around here were similarly afflicted; misery does indeed love company.

Silence

Friends from two local Quaker meetings have mentioned that latecomers are becoming an issue. This is especially disruptive in the Quaker tradition because, rather than a hymn or procession, First Day worship begins by settling in, sitting in silence and quieting the mind. It seems that a tactful word to the offenders and even notices in the monthly bulletin haven't solved the problem.