Those "Limit 2" signs on the grocery shelves are meant to discourage hoarding but, in a case of unintended consequences, they're also preventing the Kennett Food Bank from acquiring the staples its clients need.
"Historically, Kennett Area Community Services receives over 90% of the food we provide from
donations by the public and local grocery stores. With the arrival of
COVID-19, KACS had to suspend receiving food donations from the public
and has not been able to pick up at local grocery stores. Cash
donations have helped to supplement the existing stockpile but purchase
limits at stores and funding limits have made it difficult to keep food
available."
So KACS has created a food drive that's both clever and pandemic-compliant. They're asking folks to buy shelf-stable food items, put them in the trunk of their cars, and drive to the Kennett YMCA between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. A volunteer will remove the items from the trunk in the parking lot -- no physical contact involved.
The items most needed are rice, jelly or jam, peanut butter, canned fish or chicken, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta, cereal, tomato sauce, beans and coffee or tea. Cash donations can be made at www.kacsonline.net.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
SHOPPING: It has become an adventure
The Giant supermarket has now made the aisles one-way, with blue arrows taped to the floor indicating the preferred direction of flow. My question is this: Who are these super-organized people who can do their shopping by going up one aisle and down the next in sequence without ever needing to backtrack?
Today, for instance, the kind of Dunkin' Donuts coffee that Dearest Partner and I both like was out of stock. I remembered seeing Eight O'Clock coffee, an acceptable alternative, a few aisles prior, so I had to double back and travel against the arrows. An employee (who, by the way, was not masked) rebuked me for doing so.
I understand that the store managers are, of course, doing everything they can to keep people away from each other, but it seems to me that shoppers still pass each other while traveling the same direction in the aisle, and they are just as close to each other as if they were traveling in opposite directions.
One bright spot in today's shopping trip was seeing Steve Goddard. Steve and his wife, Marna, are the namesakes of London Grove's Goddard Park (which is being especially well used these days). Steve pretended not to recognize me behind my scarf.
Today, for instance, the kind of Dunkin' Donuts coffee that Dearest Partner and I both like was out of stock. I remembered seeing Eight O'Clock coffee, an acceptable alternative, a few aisles prior, so I had to double back and travel against the arrows. An employee (who, by the way, was not masked) rebuked me for doing so.
I understand that the store managers are, of course, doing everything they can to keep people away from each other, but it seems to me that shoppers still pass each other while traveling the same direction in the aisle, and they are just as close to each other as if they were traveling in opposite directions.
One bright spot in today's shopping trip was seeing Steve Goddard. Steve and his wife, Marna, are the namesakes of London Grove's Goddard Park (which is being especially well used these days). Steve pretended not to recognize me behind my scarf.
Monday, April 6, 2020
EAST MARLBOROUGH: Some businesses can still operate
Many East Marlborough residents have been alerting the township about companies they believe are violating the state's mandated COVID-19 shutdown, township officials said at their April 6 meeting.
Police Chief Robert Clarke said his department refers such calls to Charlie Shock, the zoning enforcement officer, and has him look into the matter. "Clarkie" said in many cases it turns out that the companies do actually have waivers or exemptions that permit them to continue working.
Township manager Neil Lovekin said that Toll Brothers, which is building the Unionville Walk development on Route 82 south of Willowdale, has permission to do backfilling on three lots to protect the foundations that have already been poured, but after that the developer will temporarily cease operations.
Police Chief Robert Clarke said his department refers such calls to Charlie Shock, the zoning enforcement officer, and has him look into the matter. "Clarkie" said in many cases it turns out that the companies do actually have waivers or exemptions that permit them to continue working.
Township manager Neil Lovekin said that Toll Brothers, which is building the Unionville Walk development on Route 82 south of Willowdale, has permission to do backfilling on three lots to protect the foundations that have already been poured, but after that the developer will temporarily cease operations.
EAST MARLBOROUGH: How is the township coping?
At their April 6 meeting, the East Marlborough Township supervisors discussed how the township is coping with the pandemic.
Board of Supervisors chairman Robert McKinstry said East Marlborough started the year with a $750,000 surplus, so it is "well placed" to deal with the economic downturn. He said the township may see reduced income from the state liquid fuels tax because people aren't driving as much, as well as reduced fees from building permits and real estate transfer taxes. But, he said, the surplus gives the township "quite a bit of wiggle room" compared to many harder-hit municipalities without such a cushion.
Police Chief Robert Clarke said his officers have seen an increase in domestic disputes, which they try to handle over the phone. He said the department has added weekend patrols to increase their visibility.
Jeff Simpson, public works director, said his four staff members were alternating weeks so that if one person became ill, the entire department wouldn't have to be shut down. He said no part-time or seasonal workers would be hired until the emergency was over. He said the restrooms at Unionville Community Park, which were shut down for the winter, would stay that way for the time being, and the playground equipment was closed so as not to spread the virus. He said the park was being well used and his staffers were frequently sanitizing the dog-waste stations.
Township manager Neil Lovekin said township office employees were working remotely and alternating their time in the office. He said building permits were still being accepted but no new construction was allowed.
Board of Supervisors chairman Robert McKinstry said East Marlborough started the year with a $750,000 surplus, so it is "well placed" to deal with the economic downturn. He said the township may see reduced income from the state liquid fuels tax because people aren't driving as much, as well as reduced fees from building permits and real estate transfer taxes. But, he said, the surplus gives the township "quite a bit of wiggle room" compared to many harder-hit municipalities without such a cushion.
Police Chief Robert Clarke said his officers have seen an increase in domestic disputes, which they try to handle over the phone. He said the department has added weekend patrols to increase their visibility.
Jeff Simpson, public works director, said his four staff members were alternating weeks so that if one person became ill, the entire department wouldn't have to be shut down. He said no part-time or seasonal workers would be hired until the emergency was over. He said the restrooms at Unionville Community Park, which were shut down for the winter, would stay that way for the time being, and the playground equipment was closed so as not to spread the virus. He said the park was being well used and his staffers were frequently sanitizing the dog-waste stations.
Township manager Neil Lovekin said township office employees were working remotely and alternating their time in the office. He said building permits were still being accepted but no new construction was allowed.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: Takeout from the Whip
Thank goodness the Whip Tavern here in West Marlborough is still open for takeout! We ordered supper on Saturday night (scallop and mushroom scampi and a smoked salmon BLT) and picked it up in the parking lot 20 minutes later. Another car was leaving just as we arrived, so for once there was no parking problem in the usually double-parked lot. The takeout menu is online, and the Whip's phone number is 610-383-0600.
If you're concerned that the bridge project at Route 841 and Thouron Road will complicate your trip to the Whip, don't worry: the bridge is still completely open, despite the PennDOT warning signs.
If you're concerned that the bridge project at Route 841 and Thouron Road will complicate your trip to the Whip, don't worry: the bridge is still completely open, despite the PennDOT warning signs.
HAIR: Getting shaggy
A few weeks ago my hairdresser posted on Facebook a stern warning that we were NOT to try trimming our bangs. "This is NEVER a good idea!" she warned. But times have changed, and it doesn't appear that hair salons and barber shops will be opening any time soon. Although still strongly discouraging the practice, she has uploaded a video of how to do it, using a mannequin head with hair.
Some wives are trimming their husband's hair, with, as far as I can see, pretty decent results. One woman I know took matters into her own hands: she picked up her dog clippers and gave herself a non-nonsense crew cut. She said she loves it, and she certainly has the face and the personality to carry it off.
As for me, I've always been a low-maintenance type. I'm just pulling my hair back in a bun and not really worrying about my quickly growing out highlights.
Some wives are trimming their husband's hair, with, as far as I can see, pretty decent results. One woman I know took matters into her own hands: she picked up her dog clippers and gave herself a non-nonsense crew cut. She said she loves it, and she certainly has the face and the personality to carry it off.
As for me, I've always been a low-maintenance type. I'm just pulling my hair back in a bun and not really worrying about my quickly growing out highlights.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
WEST MARLBOROUGH: A conference call
Well, this should be interesting: the West Marlborough Township supervisors will be holding their regular monthly meeting at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the township garage. Because of the need for social distancing it will be closed to the public, but anyone can participate via conference call. The phone number is 610-553-6109. According to the instructions posted at the township building, "follow the prompts. A code will be given to the caller to enter."
I'll be there. Electronically.
In other township business, the zoning hearing scheduled for Monday, April 6, has been postponed indefinitely due to state regulations prohibiting non-essential business. The zoning hearing board was to hear the request by the Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue on Clonmell-Upland Road for a special exception to convert a building at the farm for storage, for whelping, and to house sick animals.
I'll be there. Electronically.
In other township business, the zoning hearing scheduled for Monday, April 6, has been postponed indefinitely due to state regulations prohibiting non-essential business. The zoning hearing board was to hear the request by the Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue on Clonmell-Upland Road for a special exception to convert a building at the farm for storage, for whelping, and to house sick animals.
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