Buy local

The little, old-fashioned, family-run stores are one of the (many) charms of our part of the world. The supermarket just doesn't compare.
-- Yesterday I picked up milk at Baily's Dairy at Pocopson Meadow and said hi to the quacking ducks and the rabbit as well. As always I also bought a pint of their delicious chocolate milk, and as always I had it completely finished by the time I hit Doe Run Road.
-- Nancy and Barbara, the Bakers at Red Lion, are up and running again after they got their Hobart mixer fixed. The ladies had to make a big white sign to post outside their shop at Folly Hill Road and Route 926 informing customers that the mixer was broken. No baps or bread for Tilda that weekend! (A heads up, though: they will not be baking over Easter weekend, so they can spend the holiday with their family.)
-- The Produce Place next to the Country Butcher on East Cypress Street was offering half-price smoothies for the first day of spring, so of course I stopped in and had a berry smoothie. I also noticed for the first time that they prepare beautiful and healthy party trays: fruits and vegetables, fruit kebabs, salads, wrap sandwiches and chocolate-covered fruit. What a great idea for the upcoming tailgating season!
-- And a few weeks ago I took a friend to visit Swarmbustin' Honey here in West Marlborough when she wanted to get some very local honey. We had an entertaining chat with Walt Broughton's son, an enthusiastic and knowledgeable fellow who told us all about what his three-banded Italian bees were doing.

Toasty

Our workout room this evening was so hot and humid that toward the end of class the windows were fogging up (it was a challenging class). The instructor went to open the door so she could let in some fresh air from the outside.
"No," stated one guy, simply but with such emphasis that she immediately changed her mind and walked back to her spot. He works construction and is as tough as a Roman centurion, but after being outside on a windy job site for eight hours in the barely-above-freezing temps, the tropical atmosphere was JUST FINE with him.

Gently used

The Unionville Presbyterian Church is having its annual spring consignment sale of children's clothing from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 13. Donors and consigners should bring their clothes (for newborns to age 10) to the church, 815 Wollaston Road, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 12. Proceeds benefit the church's Children's Ministry.
Speaking of the church, do you remember the item I wrote a few weeks ago about the woman who rocked a glorious red ball gown at the Longwood Rotary party? It turns out she was the church's pastor, Annalie Korengel Lorgus! Thanks to her Mom, Bonnie Korengel of the Kennett accounting firm Umbreit, Korengel & Associates, for helping me put two and two together.

Willowdale Steeplechase

Marketers have to think creatively these days, and the folks at the Willowdale Steeplechase are certainly rising to the challenge this year. They've dreamed up a great deal called "Shop Around Town Saturday": spend $100 or more at various local shops on April 20 and you'll score a free ticket ($25 value) to the 21st running of the Willowdale Races on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12. What perfect timing for someone looking for a smart race-day outfit or hat (or a Mother's Day present for that matter)!

The shops participating in "Shop Around Town Saturday" are these familiar names: 

• Annie Prue (Glen Mills) 
• Ashley Austin (Kennett Square)
• The Enchanted Owl (Greenville, DE) 
• Houpette (Greenville, DE) 
• J.McLaughlin (Greenville, DE)
• Outback Trading (Oxford, PA) 
• Peter Kate (Greenville, DE) 
• The Pink Turtle (Greenville, DE) 
• Terrain at Styers (Glen Mills, PA) 
• Tish Boutique (West Chester, PA) 
• Trail Creek Outfitters (Glen Mills, PA) 
• Two Sisters (Greenville, DE) 
• Vignette (Kennett Square, PA) 

There's lots more information about the Willowdale Races on their website, willowdale.org. Willowdale is a particular favorite of mine as a spectator because you can see so much of the race course.

Martin's Tavern

Pretend you're heading east from Unionville toward West Chester on Route 842 (Unionville-Wawaset Road). Pass the Brandywine Valley Association. On the left is Iron Horse Farm, a big place way up on the hill that underwent major and very visible renovations a few years back. If you've ever wanted to see the inside of it, here's your chance, and for a good cause. The owners are hosting a fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 20, to benefit Historic Martin's Tavern on Strasburg Road in Marshallton, with Italian food by David Cox of the Marshallton Inn, Italian music by the Heidi Starr ensemble and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 and the deadline is April 6. For more information: martinstavern.org or cmdprader@hotmail.com.

Side crow

The amazingly fit Sue Doll, a friend from the Kennett YMCA who is a yoga teacher and a personal trainer (www.suedollfitness.com), won an online contest sponsored by the website www.yogaposeweekly. Sue won for her "side crow" position, in which she is balanced on her hands, with her knees resting on one elbow. And she's even smiling! (The beautiful outdoor photo was shot by her neighbor Jordan Mizrahi, Unionville High School class of 2012.) Sue's prize: a book on yoga.

Star of Bethlehem

Keep an eye on the Ornithogalum ("Star of Bethlehem") that's sprouting along both sides of Street Road near New Bolton Center. Right now just the deep-green, grasslike leaves are showing (one slang name is "rubber grass"), but soon the pretty white flowers will be in bloom. I enjoy seeing how this perennial reappears along the road each spring in larger and larger, more widespread patches.