Motorists in downtown Kennett Square are a columnist's dream; it seems like I could feature a new instance of what-were-they-thinking? behavior each week.
Today, for instance, a woman parked in front of Sam's Subs on East State Street and blithely opened her car door right into traffic. I had to brake sharply so as not to crash into her or the door. And one can't even excuse her recklessness by saying that she needed a Sam's Sub stat, because while I waited, she took pains to carefully fold in her driver's side mirror so it wouldn't get hit.
I'm shaking my head.
Friday, December 22, 2017
KENNETT: New townhouse development
There's a big difference between reading in the newspaper about a forthcoming project and actually seeing it get under way. I was driving on Hillendale Road the other day, west of the Five Points intersection, and saw that construction has started on the Ryan Homes development called Sinclair Springs. Seventy-eight townhouses will be built on the 20-acre site, which will have two entrances/exits off Hillendale Road. Prices start in the $320,000s, and the townhouses will be built in groups of four to six.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
CHRISTMAS: Prince of Peace
The benches were filled for the annual carol sing at Marlborough Friends Meeting the evening of Dec. 17. After a short period of silent worship in the Quaker style and two Bible readings, the singing part of the program started, led by a guitarist and a harp player.
We sang a nice mixture of traditional hymns like "Joy to the World" and "The First Noel" and secular songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." "The 12 Days of Christmas" had us all out of breath by the time we finished with all those lords and maids and drummers.
It's funny to hear the different ways that people pronounce words like "Deity" (Day-ity? Dee-ity?) and "Alleluia" (Is there an initial H or not?).
Several of the songs took me back sharply to elementary-school Christmas programs. Thanks to our martinet of a chorus teacher, I still make a point of enunciating the "gel" in "angel" very distinctly, and I pronounce the second syllable of "comfort" like it's a military fort, not "fert."
The evening closed with a beautiful, reverent version of "Silent Night," followed by cookies, cider (fitting; the Barnard family of Barnard's Orchards were among the founders of Marlborough Meeting) and good fellowship.
We sang a nice mixture of traditional hymns like "Joy to the World" and "The First Noel" and secular songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." "The 12 Days of Christmas" had us all out of breath by the time we finished with all those lords and maids and drummers.
It's funny to hear the different ways that people pronounce words like "Deity" (Day-ity? Dee-ity?) and "Alleluia" (Is there an initial H or not?).
Several of the songs took me back sharply to elementary-school Christmas programs. Thanks to our martinet of a chorus teacher, I still make a point of enunciating the "gel" in "angel" very distinctly, and I pronounce the second syllable of "comfort" like it's a military fort, not "fert."
The evening closed with a beautiful, reverent version of "Silent Night," followed by cookies, cider (fitting; the Barnard family of Barnard's Orchards were among the founders of Marlborough Meeting) and good fellowship.
GARDENING: A great calendar
Landscape architect and gardener Carol A. Krawczyk of Kennett Square has published a beautiful wall calendar, "The Garden Calendar for Southeastern Pennsylvania 2018."
Carol describes the calendar as "filled with monthly gardening tips, full color photos of plants in bloom during each month, and gardening suggestions in the actual calendar. The actual calendar part includes red letter days (deadlines), green planting/harvesting dates, and blue to-do chores in the garden."
You can buy a copy at RP Nurseries in Willowdale; the State & Union shop in Kennett Square; the Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin; and online at eBay. Carol has also created a Facebook page for the calendar if you want more information.
Carol describes the calendar as "filled with monthly gardening tips, full color photos of plants in bloom during each month, and gardening suggestions in the actual calendar. The actual calendar part includes red letter days (deadlines), green planting/harvesting dates, and blue to-do chores in the garden."
You can buy a copy at RP Nurseries in Willowdale; the State & Union shop in Kennett Square; the Gateway Garden Center in Hockessin; and online at eBay. Carol has also created a Facebook page for the calendar if you want more information.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Just deserts
We were loading our groceries into the Jeep at the megalomart on Saturday evening when the guy across from us climbed up into his giant pickup truck, started the engine and revved it up loudly a couple of times, pumping out noxious-smelling exhaust. He then pulled out from his parking space abruptly and sped through the lot, probably not the most considerate move given the place was full of little kids and distracted shoppers pushing carts overflowing with Christmas stuff.
Just a few minutes later, we came across his broken-down truck with its four-way flashers on, sitting there blocking a lane of traffic. I was ashamed at the sense of satisfaction I felt at the guy's misfortune.
Just a few minutes later, we came across his broken-down truck with its four-way flashers on, sitting there blocking a lane of traffic. I was ashamed at the sense of satisfaction I felt at the guy's misfortune.
PETS: The squeaky cat toy
The other day the mischievous Clarence swatted one of his squeaky cat toys into his water dish, causing the mouse's internal squeaker speaker to chirp without ceasing. Thinking that perhaps it just needed to be dried out, I tossed it in the dryer for 20 minutes. It was dry, but it still squeaked.
I stuck it in the fridge, then the pantry, just to get it out of earshot. No luck: I could still hear its high-pitched chirps.
I put it outside, but then it started to rain, which I feared would be counterproductive.
Finally I stashed it in the freezer overnight. The next day, mercifully, it was back to normal, chirping only when Clarence batted it around.
Pretty sturdy technology for a cat toy!
I stuck it in the fridge, then the pantry, just to get it out of earshot. No luck: I could still hear its high-pitched chirps.
I put it outside, but then it started to rain, which I feared would be counterproductive.
Finally I stashed it in the freezer overnight. The next day, mercifully, it was back to normal, chirping only when Clarence batted it around.
Pretty sturdy technology for a cat toy!
NEW GARDEN: Primo's Hoagies is coming
Fans of Primo's hoagies are in luck: there's a franchise opening on Baltimore Pike in Toughkenamon, on the east side of the Jenkins & McMahon plumbing supply house. The sub shop is set back a bit, so it's difficult to see when you're coming from the west.
And speaking of Toughkenamon, every time I've driven past the Brown Derby restaurant for the past few weeks, there have been no signs of life inside. Out of curiosity I peered inside and saw only the word "closed" written on a piece of white paper taped inside the front door.
And speaking of Toughkenamon, every time I've driven past the Brown Derby restaurant for the past few weeks, there have been no signs of life inside. Out of curiosity I peered inside and saw only the word "closed" written on a piece of white paper taped inside the front door.
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