NEW GARDEN: Townhouses being built

While driving home via Pemberton Road the other day, I noticed that construction has started on the 86-unit Pemberton townhouse development in New Garden Township. The Bentley Homes townhouses will be built in groups of three or four, and prices start in the mid-$200s. The Bentley website highlights the development's proximity to Bancroft Elementary School. 

UHS: The Art Gala

Paintings, photographs, metal sculptures, etchings, pottery, carved rocks, jewelry, fused glass, painted furniture, collages, tiles, paper sculptures and probably lots of other media I'm forgetting about were on display this past weekend at the 42nd annual Unionville Art Gala, a fundraiser for the high school PTA.
I made several circuits of the artwork on Saturday afternoon and had to keep reminding myself that I'm trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. I think my favorite works were the whimsical little etchings and paintings of animals and woodland sprites by Katy Winters of Havertown.
As always, part of the gala was devoted to pieces created by UHS students, including portraits, still lifes, jewelry, Adirondack chairs, sculptures and even a beautiful prom gown. The featured artists were seniors Margaret Clisham and Helen Nichols. I recognized several names, either as friends of the Young Relative's or from school activities. The talent on display was impressive!

NEWLIN: State funds to repair Laurel Road

On Nov. 17 State Rep. Eric Roe sent out an email announcing that Newlin Township will receive a $754,354 grant from the state to rebuild an 820-foot portion of Laurel Road that collapsed into the Brandywine Creek after heavy rain in the spring of 2014.
"This project will include rebuilding the compromised portion of Laurel Road, installation of a new guardrail, removal of debris, stabilization of the bank to halt ongoing deterioration and relocation of new utility poles," said Rep. Roe.

The collapsed section of Laurel Road in May 2014.

                                   
In other news out of Harrisburg, the Senate has voted to name the Eastern Hellbender our commonwealth's official amphibian. But apparently there's a move in the state House to nominate a much smaller creature, the Wehrle’s salamander. I'll keep you posted on this important decision by our legislators.
Reporting on this would have posed a problem at a newspaper where I used to work: the publisher had a debilitating fear of snakes and would not allow in the paper any story, photo or graphic of anything resembling a snake. I once had to eliminate a cobra headdress from some clip art of a pharaoh.

SNOW DAYS: On the ground

I got to chatting with a retired teacher today about whether we're going to have a snowy winter. She told me that some years back she worked in a western Pennsylvania school district, where the superintendent wasn't the one responsible for declaring snow days. No: that duty fell on two of the bus drivers who lived in the most remote parts of the district. If the snow was falling there and they couldn't get out, they'd consult with each other and then tell the superintendent to cancel school.
Apparently it didn't happen very often.

HOCKESSIN: The Grinch returns!

This program down in "Who-ckessin" is well on its way to becoming a Christmas tradition. Once again the Hockessin Business Association is hosting a showing of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," with actors, audience participation, singing and lots of noise!
This year's show will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Hockessin Library, 1023 Valley Road, Hockessin. It's free and very family-friendly.
Portraying the Grinch (completely against character!) is our friend Charles Shattuck, the owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store.

WILLOWDALE: Night owls

Yes, it's true, the Landhope convenience store at Willowdale is once again open 24 hours a day, so you can buy coffee, soda, ice cream, lottery tickets and gas very late at night or very early in the morning. In fact, according to the sign on the door, they're looking for employees to work the second and third shifts.

FRITANGAS: Delicioso!

A friend pretty much commanded me to try Fritangas Snacks, a Mexican restaurant in that little brick strip mall on South Union Street, across from Kennett High School.
When it comes to Mexican food, I hear and obey: we two Anglos went there the next night for dinner.
The place is freshly painted and bright and cheerful inside. The menu on the wall is written mostly in Spanish, but the friendly woman who waited on us translated as needed.
We had burritos -- tinga de pollo (shredded chicken) for me and carnitas (pulled pork) for my date -- and they appeared from the kitchen very quickly. The chef toned down the spiciness at our request but included a little container of hot sauce on the side. To drink I had pineapple-flavored agua, which was excellent, and for dessert a dish of coffee ice cream (yes, it was cold outside. So what?).
As the name indicates, in addition to ice cream, tortas, burritos, tacos and quesadillas, Fritangas also sells a wide variety of authentic Mexican snacks: nachos, esquites (corn salad), elotes (corn on the cob), frituras, dorilocos, churros locos, and intriguing combinations of fruits, vegetables and crunchy tidbits.
The restaurant's winter hours are Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.