I have no affection for either political party at the moment, but one of them continues to send me supposedly urgent begging letters. It's completely my fault; I purchased a T-shirt from their website for a friend during the previous election campaign and now I'm on their mailing list.
The letter I received today was particularly entertaining. On the front of the envelope it said, in fake handwriting, "Please respond by April 15th!" The "April 15th" was crossed out and "Extended to May 15th!" was written in, in capital letters.
Right. Like a political party would ever turn down any check that arrives in their mailbox.
Friday, April 6, 2018
MARTIN GUITARS: An enthralling lecture
On April 5 at Kennett Friends Meeting, Dick Boak gave a fascinating, standing-room-only Hadley Fund lecture about legendary Martin Guitars, the musicians who play them, and why they sound so good.
Mr. Boak recently retired from Martin (based in Nazareth, Pa.) after working there for 41 years and told wonderful anecdotes about his encounters with Martin clients like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Paul Simon, Steve Miller, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, and many, many others. (I tend to feel out of touch with modern popular music, so it was heartening to recognize all the artists he talked about.)
Have you ever wondered about "went down to Nazareth," the lyric in The Band's song "The Weight"? According to Mr. Boak, the songwriter, Robbie Robertson, needed a town name and couldn't come up with one that fit the meter until he happened to see "Nazareth" on the guitar label.
And the Martin guitar that's named after Mark Knopfler features a drawing of the dinosaur Masiakasaurus knopfleri, so named because the paleontologists who discovered the creature had their best success at unearthing its bones when Dire Straits songs were playing on their boomboxes. The dinosaur drawing is deliberately hidden inside the guitar, so that the owner has to search for it just like the paleontologists did.
Mr. Boak recently retired from Martin (based in Nazareth, Pa.) after working there for 41 years and told wonderful anecdotes about his encounters with Martin clients like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Paul Simon, Steve Miller, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, and many, many others. (I tend to feel out of touch with modern popular music, so it was heartening to recognize all the artists he talked about.)
Have you ever wondered about "went down to Nazareth," the lyric in The Band's song "The Weight"? According to Mr. Boak, the songwriter, Robbie Robertson, needed a town name and couldn't come up with one that fit the meter until he happened to see "Nazareth" on the guitar label.
And the Martin guitar that's named after Mark Knopfler features a drawing of the dinosaur Masiakasaurus knopfleri, so named because the paleontologists who discovered the creature had their best success at unearthing its bones when Dire Straits songs were playing on their boomboxes. The dinosaur drawing is deliberately hidden inside the guitar, so that the owner has to search for it just like the paleontologists did.
CHEYNEY: Spy thriller in the works
This past week, the World War II spy thriller "Miss Atkins' War" was being shot at the Newlin Grist Mill in Cheyney. Vera Atkins, who died at age 92 in 2000, was a British intelligence officer who recruited spies for Winston Churchill and was in charge of the agents who parachuted into France to sabotage the Nazis. She is supposedly the model for "Miss Moneypenny" of the James Bond series.
Lou Mandich of Last Chance Garage in Unionville took one of his period cars, a 1938 Hudson, to the set to add some authenticity. He told me that the film production moved to New York State but will return to our area later this month.
Lou Mandich of Last Chance Garage in Unionville took one of his period cars, a 1938 Hudson, to the set to add some authenticity. He told me that the film production moved to New York State but will return to our area later this month.
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| Vera Atkins |
WEST GROVE: A catty tale
Kittens: so cute, so cuddly. Except when they try to kill you.
A West Grove friend reports that his kitten barricaded herself in a bedroom by bunching the carpet under the door. He had to force the door open by butting it with his hindquarters. The door gave way, sending him sprawling into the room and crashing into a dresser. Operation Rescue Kitty ended with a trip to the local urgent-care center, where he was diagnosed with a cracked rib.
"It only hurts," he said, "when I cough. Or sneeze."
To my surprise, his sunny, indulgent grin when speaking of the kitten is not the least bit diminished.
"We love that kitten!" he said.
A West Grove friend reports that his kitten barricaded herself in a bedroom by bunching the carpet under the door. He had to force the door open by butting it with his hindquarters. The door gave way, sending him sprawling into the room and crashing into a dresser. Operation Rescue Kitty ended with a trip to the local urgent-care center, where he was diagnosed with a cracked rib.
"It only hurts," he said, "when I cough. Or sneeze."
To my surprise, his sunny, indulgent grin when speaking of the kitten is not the least bit diminished.
"We love that kitten!" he said.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
NEW GARDEN: Lyceum Hall comes back to life
Just like it did in the 19th century, New Garden Township's Lyceum Hall is once again hosting programs for the public: my friend Hilary Fox is teaching an all-levels community yoga class there from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.
A neighbor and I attended a class a few weeks ago -- Hilary is a terrific, inspiring teacher -- and I was curious enough about the building to do some research.
Lynn Sinclair, a member of New Garden Township's Historical Commission, told me that the Hall was built in 1852 on Route 41 near New Garden Road (right across from the Hilltop Inn) and served as a meeting place, school and township building (and possibly a hiding place for slaves on the Underground Railroad).
The frame building's condition was deteriorating, and the township supervisors voted to move it to the township park so it could be preserved. A documentary of the 2012 move shows the building, shrouded in a blue tarp and sitting sideways on a flatbed, moving slowly up Route 41; it barely fits through the park gates.
The Historical Commission has plans to rebuild the windows and fix and paint the exterior of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you're interested in Hilary's Lyceum yoga class, she charges $12 for one class, with reduced prices if you take multiple classes. Her Ellicott Road yoga studio is called The Growing Room.
A neighbor and I attended a class a few weeks ago -- Hilary is a terrific, inspiring teacher -- and I was curious enough about the building to do some research.
Lynn Sinclair, a member of New Garden Township's Historical Commission, told me that the Hall was built in 1852 on Route 41 near New Garden Road (right across from the Hilltop Inn) and served as a meeting place, school and township building (and possibly a hiding place for slaves on the Underground Railroad).
The frame building's condition was deteriorating, and the township supervisors voted to move it to the township park so it could be preserved. A documentary of the 2012 move shows the building, shrouded in a blue tarp and sitting sideways on a flatbed, moving slowly up Route 41; it barely fits through the park gates.
The Historical Commission has plans to rebuild the windows and fix and paint the exterior of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If you're interested in Hilary's Lyceum yoga class, she charges $12 for one class, with reduced prices if you take multiple classes. Her Ellicott Road yoga studio is called The Growing Room.
WEST MARLBOROUGH: OK for True Prospect project
At their April meeting, the West Marlborough supervisors gave Olympic equestrian Phillip Dutton permission to build another stable and a driveway off Hood Road. The township's zoning hearing board had already given him permission to put in the driveway, which will be the third one on his True Prospect Farm (he needed the zoning board's permission because township rules limit the number to two driveways per property).
Also at the meeting, supervisor Hugh Lofting Sr. gave an update on the Rokeby Road project, reporting that the final grading and seeding will be done as soon as the weather permits. The project involved stabilizing a steep road bank that was steadily crumbling into Buck Run, jeopardizing Rokeby Road.
Mr. Lofting also said the township is waiting to receive engineering sketches for a project to shore up a tiny bridge over a tributary to Doe Run along little-traveled, narrow Runnymede Road. Supervisor Bill Wylie assured residents that the roadwork, which will include a guardrail, "will not change the feel of the road."
Township secretary-treasurer Shirley Walton reported that the township's tax bills have just been sent out. (Every time I write my check to Deborah van Renterghem, I wonder how many other townships have a world-traveling opera singer as their tax collector!)
Also at the meeting, supervisor Hugh Lofting Sr. gave an update on the Rokeby Road project, reporting that the final grading and seeding will be done as soon as the weather permits. The project involved stabilizing a steep road bank that was steadily crumbling into Buck Run, jeopardizing Rokeby Road.
Mr. Lofting also said the township is waiting to receive engineering sketches for a project to shore up a tiny bridge over a tributary to Doe Run along little-traveled, narrow Runnymede Road. Supervisor Bill Wylie assured residents that the roadwork, which will include a guardrail, "will not change the feel of the road."
Township secretary-treasurer Shirley Walton reported that the township's tax bills have just been sent out. (Every time I write my check to Deborah van Renterghem, I wonder how many other townships have a world-traveling opera singer as their tax collector!)
STOTTSVILLE INN: An old favorite is reopening
On Saturday morning we drove past the long-closed Stottsville Inn, 3512 Strasburg Road, and were amazed at the transformation. The front porch has been enclosed, the gazebo is gone and there's is an entirely new entranceway on the Timacula Road side -- the steep flight of slippery Astroturf-covered steps is no more. Judging from the photographs on the historic inn's website, the dark, well-worn interior has undergone an equally dramatic update.
Father-and-son team Michael and Jake Quinn have bought the place and are shooting for an opening later in April. Hours for the neighborhood restaurant and bar will be 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, "large plates," desserts, and "for the table" snacks. Craft and domestic beers will be on tap, as well as wine by the glass and a full bar.
We can't wait to go back and say "hi" to the resident ghost, whom we hope has not been too put out by all of these updates.
Father-and-son team Michael and Jake Quinn have bought the place and are shooting for an opening later in April. Hours for the neighborhood restaurant and bar will be 4 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, "large plates," desserts, and "for the table" snacks. Craft and domestic beers will be on tap, as well as wine by the glass and a full bar.
We can't wait to go back and say "hi" to the resident ghost, whom we hope has not been too put out by all of these updates.
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