HIBERNIA: Lots of old-time music at the Old Fiddlers' Picnic

This Saturday, Aug. 8, is the 87th annual Old Fiddler's Picnic at Hibernia County Park. You don't have to be a fan of old-time music to enjoy this venerable Chester County tradition. Musicians of all ages and skill levels get together to jam in the woods while groups -- some formed on the spot -- perform on the stage throughout the day.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is $5 per car, with no admission fee. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 9.

LYCORIS: A highlight of the late summer garden

It's a great summer for the lovely pink Lycoris flowers here. One of their nicknames is "surprise lily" because their two-foot-high flower stalks, with no visible leaves, seem to just show up in early August. Not only are they spreading in clumps here, but they're also sprouting in places in my garden far removed from where I've seen them before -- like, on the opposite side of the house! I wonder if perhaps squirrels have been moving the bulbs around?

CCHS: Goodbye to Rob Lukens, historical society president

Rob Lukens, president of the Chester County Historical Society, died at home on Aug. 1, two years after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. He leaves behind his wife and two children. I think Rob was as well known and liked in civic, business, educational, philanthropic and artistic circles throughout the county as he was in the museum field. He will be greatly missed.

TICKETS: Slowing down traffic through Unionville

I heard from three different people that the East Marlborough police were out in force this past week stopping speeders in Unionville.
"I think Clarkie got writer's cramp," quipped one observer (referring, of course, to East Marlborough police chief Robert Clarke).
Just a reminder that the speed limit is 30 mph through Unionville on Route 82 and 25 mph along Wollaston Road. And slow down for pedestrians crossing the road at Hood's BBQ and the URA ball fields.

YMCA: Gym shutdown weeks have been scheduled

Those of us who are YMCA regulars know that the Y branches close down for a week each summer to install new equipment and clean and refurbish the heavily used facilities. Fortunately the powers that be stagger the shutdown weeks so we can visit other branches. The Kennett Y will be closed from Aug. 24 to 30, reopening on Monday, Aug. 31. The Jennersville Y will be closed from Aug. 30 through Sept. 7, reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

CLOUD REUNION: A local family's tradition continues

On Saturday afternoon I attended the 133rd annual reunion of the Cloud family at Veterans' Pavilion in the East Goshen Township Park. What a wonderful family tradition to maintain in these transitory days! There was a lavish spread of picnic food; I've noticed that the Clouds like to eat. I got there 45 minutes after the official start time and the macaroni and cheese was already gone.
Cloud athletes were tossing footballs, Frisbees and boomerangs in the field next to the pavilion, and Cloud kids (one in a Cloud Phillies jersey) whacked at a Minion piñata strung up from a tree branch (poor Stuart did not survive very long).
A brief business meeting followed the meal. The secretary, an older gentleman, read the minutes out loud, including a report about the Cloud Reunion Facebook page.
"Apparently it did not receive many hits," he read, then looked up and said, "Whatever that means." The same slate of officers agreed to serve for another year, and there was some discussion of where genealogy data, documents, photos and family contact information should be kept.
The guy sitting at the picnic table behind me had the perfect answer: "Why not store it in the cloud?"

WEST MARLBOROUGH: A summer afternoon with Charlie Zahm

Local favorite balladeer Charlie Zahm will be performing an outdoor concert on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Primitive Hall, the historic homestead of the Pennock family. Everyone is welcome. The house, built in 1738, will be open to the public for tours starting at 3 p.m., and Charlie will play at 5 p.m. You are welcome to bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic supper. There will be local products and dessert for sale (including La Michoacana ice cream!). The grounds will be open until 8 p.m. Visitors should be sure to look up and admire the Hall's newly installed (but historically accurate) cedar-shake roof.
The show is free but the suggested contribution is $20 per car.
The Hall is on Route 841, between Routes 926 and 842.
(Full disclosure: Tilda has the honor of serving on the Hall's board of directors.)

Charlie Zahm will be performing at Primitive Hall Aug. 23.