Monthly Archives: May 2012

fatal crash on route 29 in charlestown

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As I learn my way around Chester County, one of the things I have been doing is travelling back roads…including ones which lead to Phoenixville.

So this morning when I saw the teaser of an accident on Route 29 on Malvern Patch, I thought “uhh ohh”.

And it wasn’t just uhh ohh, it’s a fatality.

There are so many cool roads in Chester County, but a lot are windy and narrow.  I have noticed when doing these Phoenixville jaunts that drivers become impatient when you actually try to do the speed limit.  And a lot of people have a hard time staying on their sides of windy roads at times.

Here’s what Malvern  Patch and state police are saying thus far and stay tuned to Malvern Patch for updates:

Police & Fire

SUV, PennDOT Truck Involved in Fatal Crash on Route 29

State Police have not released the name of the deceased driver, pending next-of-kin notification.

By Pete Kennedy   Email the author  11:04 am

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle  accident that occurred on Route 29 just north of the turnpike in  Charlestown Township around 7 a.m. Wednesday.

 

The driver of a  black Ford Explorer was killed in the crash. Police are withholding the identity of the deceased, pending next-of-kin notification.

 

The  other vehicle involved in the crash was a PennDOT “crew cab,” a  heavy-duty pickup truck. The three passengers in the PennDOT truck have  been taken to Paoli Hospital with unspecified, non-life-threatening injuries.

 

The SUV was headed south and the PennDOT truck was headed north when the crash occurred, according to Cpl. Weid of the PSP.

yang’s market in berwyn to go frou-frou “fauxmer”

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Sorry, I am just one of those people who like farmers markets to be for real.  Not frou-frou sanitized Stepford-esque Disney versions of a concept of a farmers market…ya know a “Fauxmers Market”?

So I hope as Yang’s is “born Aneu” as Fresh Ideas – Main Line Market that doesn’t happen, but given they are trucking in overpriced George Perrier bread from his Art of Bread in Narberth, I see another Fauxmers’ Market in the making.

All this market will be in the end is some marketing schtick so a restaurant can sell pre-packaged meals and a cranky and aging chef can peddle his bread.

When I see a list of real, and actual farmers and pricing that is fair like Yang’s was, perhaps you will see a less jaded response out of me.

Until then sign me skeptical of Fresh Ideas-Main Line Market.  Having spent the majority of my life growing up on the Main Line, I can tell you not so many moons ago a real Main Liner wouldn’t have been caught dead in a place like this.  If they were real home cooks they wanted real farmers’ markets.

Good lord!  These people are in Chester County, they should embrace their inner Chester County, not try to create an Ardmore Farmers’ Market in Berwyn.  Or a mini Whole Foods.  And I do go to the Ardmore market – but only for one reason – Di Bruno Brothers.  Otherwise, I would completely bypass it.   And given the fabulous bakers in Chester County, including the ones I have seen like St. Peter’s Bakery at the East Goshen Farmers Market, there is really no need to see cranky Georges Perrier kept fat and happy in retirement.

Sometimes, I see Berwyn, like Malvern, as having an identity crisis.  When will these towns realize that it is quite o.k. to NOT be so Main Line and instead a little bit country, a little bit more simple.  It’s why people come from OFF the Main Line to check them out.

Sigh.  This will be a Fauxmers Market with an Identity Crisis.

Main Line Suburban Life > Opinion

Yang’s Farmers Market in Berwyn to be born Aneu as Fresh Ideas

Published: Wednesday, May 23, 2012

By Ray Hoffman

Yang’s Farmers Market in Berwyn will reopen a week from Monday, and if you’ll pardon the metaphor, it will feature an all “Aneu look.” Thanks to the collaboration of three local businesswomen, the popular produce market adjacent to Aneu Bistro and Wine Bar in the heart of Berwyn will be rebranded as Fresh Ideas – Main Line Market. It will be owned and operated by Meridith Coyle, the proprietor of Aneu and a Berwyn resident.

“It’s really exciting to be a part of keeping Mr. Yang’s wonderful market concept in the community,” Meridith said. “We’ll even have more to offer our customers in our completely remodeled store than Mr. Yang did, but we’ll still have Mr. Yang as part of the new venture.”
Readers may recall that Mr. Yang, age 73, was the victim of an assault and robbery by two teenagers, one a former employee, in January as he was leaving in his van after closing for the night. The thugs attacked Mr. Yang, severely injuring his left eye, in the commission of the crime. He has had two surgeries in an attempt to restore sight in his left eye, and a third is scheduled for July, according to his daughter, Chae. Meantime, Mr. Yang will be employed part-time in the new store as long as his medical condition will allow, according to Meridith….. “What’s more, our complete remodeling of the building will give us room to expand our offerings, including seasonal items of local farmers and a new prepared-to-go component of many of the menu items we serve at Aneu. Another new feature of the market will be breads from Georges Perrier’s ‘Art of Bread’ bakery in Narberth. ….Oh, yes, we mentioned a connection of three businesswomen at the top of this story. Obviously Meridith is one of them. The others are Stacey Ballard, an executive of Eadeh Enterprises, and Diane Wulk, a resident of Wayne and the proprietor of Chic & Simple Resale Shop.

what is WRONG with these people?

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O.k., it’s back to crazy in West Vincent.   Only now apparently, some woman named Frances started this hoopla in a meeting, which when you view this snippet which was mailed to me, it is like they are all of a sudden just attacking a private citizen who was merely at a meeting…as in a member of the public watching in the audience. Who shot John or even Who Shot J.R. at it’s finest!

And then those ever charming supervisors seemed to pick up the thread.  Did they all rehearse it ahead of time?

Was that an appropriate setting to basically vet the nosy neighbor phone call?  Play whisper down the lane? He said-she said?

Lordy, what happens in West Vincent if someone gets caught cheating on their better half?  Do they air it at the Supervisors’ meetings too? Crikey, should I drive on up and ask at public comment at their next meeting who has the dog that left major poop on my driveway the other day?  I know I don’t live there, but maybe I will enjoy a lively discussion…and then they can blame someone and someone will leave someone else a message that no one saved but felt important enough to bring up? WOW!!!  The potential for d-r-a-m-a is endless in West Vincent.  It seems those supervisors do everything other than govern, don’t they?

And why is it this municipality supposedly has access to public access TV (PA municipalities do have access), yet the meetings aren’t televised? (If they are televised, please feel free to tel me and I will correct myself, but I can’t seem to find a West Vincent Channel.)

Anyway, this place is like a warped Petticoat Junction at these meetings.  But I suppose you get who you vote for, don’t you?

I might as well add an update from that fearless chicken all know and love:  (also check THIS out)

Hi
Sorry I haven’t been around for a while. Life is busy and there are lots of things I have to do now that spring is here, probably just like you. Maintenance around the house and yard, and getting out to appreciate life. Of course, in West Vincent the same conduct continues.
Below is the latest bills list that was forwarded to me the other day. Take a look at it to see where your money is going. I found some interesting tidbits.
D&L Fleck Construction, LLC submitted a bill for Fellowship Rd May 7-8-9-10. I find is strange that they were only seen on Fellowship Road May 7 and 8. Perhaps the other two days were performed under the cloak of darkness? Or maybe they think nobody is watching? Don’t worry about it, it was only a bill for almost $7300.
Peco Energy has a bill for $7.17 for the Griffith Trailer. That’s cheap enough, so I wouldn’t worry about it except for one small issue. The trailer by the pond was removed from the property a couple of years ago, so it probably doesn’t use much power. Maybe somebody just left a light on….wherever the trailer went. How long have the taxpayers been paying a phantom bill?
Carroll Engineering has a bill in for the “Twp Paving Program” for $3330.38. Isn’t that program being covered by the bond re-finance issuance that hasn’t been completed yet?
RJL Landscaping, Inc would like $1275.00 for “Repair Spray Field” of MM (Matthews Meadows?). Last time they submitted a bill was when I caught Ken Miller destroying sprayheads and the people in the development were charged for it. I wonder what happened this time as the bill list wasn’t specific.
Siana, Bellwoar are still in the race to blow out the legal fees budget by billing another $5013.58 for “General Matters”.
and finally…..
Richard Brown, Inc charged $4200.00 for trimming a tree on Schoolhouse. $4200 for trimming a tree? All I can say is wow. I need to start a tree service. $4200 per day, I could make $1,096, 200 in a year if I just work 5 days a week. Parents, forget med school! I hope you are saving you money to send your kids to tree trimming school instead of college!
Look through the attached bills list. Perhaps there are other things in there that will interest you.
To see my previous mailings please click on http://tinyurl.com/westvincentinfos  As usual, if you want to be on or off my list, or have some comments or suggestions, or know someone who would like to be on the list, please let me know.  Feel free to forward this email on to anyone you think might be interested.   Especially though, if you don’t want to continue to receive my mails, please tell me, it will be done.  Just hit reply to this email or write to chestercountynews@gmail.com
Best wishes
Chickenman

I am sure the fearless chicken will post the  links on their website soon.  I have all the attachments that came with the latest missive, but am not posting them.

I am beginning to think the cows might even be nervous living in West Vincent.   Such a beautiful area, soooo glad I don’t live there under current rule.  And it is rule.   The proverbial Hatfields and McCoys don’t have anything over on these people.  Lordy.  But again, if you stick your head in the sand and don’t think about who to vote for or take an interest where you live, this is what happens.

Do you hear Aesop calling, residents of West Vincent?  Don’t just talk about changing the face of who governs you, do it.  These people, to an extent, only have power because you allow them to.

in the garden

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A garden is alive with texture, isn’t it?

simple pleasures

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Life is full of simple pleasures, from seeing your wild columbine come back to the blooms other plants in the garden, a stone bunny peeking out from hostas, or the smell of a chicken roasting in the oven stuffed full of herbs you grew yourself and spring onions from the local farmers market.

Take time out of your day for the simple pleasures.  Find one a day.  You’ll be glad you did.

an artist to check out in kennett square june 1 – 3

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So I have this friend who is a wonderful artist – she does a lot of watercolor which I love and she also teaches locally.  She is also part of a wonderful program called Art-Reach in Philadelphia, and has created a travelling watercolor and poetry workshop.  I am so excited that she is really painting and creating for herself again, and not just teaching!

The artist’s name is Averil Smith Barone, and she comes by her talent  honestly and genetically, as her mother was also an amazing artist from Chester County (Valerie Lamb Smith).    I remember the first time I saw her mother’s studio at Averil’s parents’ home. It was a cacophony of beauty and color. (to this day her parents’ home was one of my favorite Chester County houses.)

Averil has definitely inherited her mother’s talent and branded her own unique and beautiful style.  You can see the artists who influence her in her work: Bonnard, Matisse, Van Gogh. I think you can take the gal out of Chester County, but you can’t take the Chester County out of the gal – you can also definitely see the influence of where she grew up in her work!

So anyway, if you have the time, check out Open Studio of artist Abby McClure,with  fabulous art by Abby McClure and Averil Smith Barone. 337 South Union St Kennett Square PA, 19348 – Friday, June 1st:    5-10pm Saturday, June 2nd: 1-8pm Sunday, June 3rd:    1-5pm.

Averil does watercolor commissions upon request as well as barn, house, and room portraits.  (610)-633-8220.  Tell her you saw her on chestercountyramblings!

 

woof.

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(How can you resist this face?)

 

 

contrasts

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We were over hill and dale and back again yesterday. A friend received an honorary doctorate in Philadelphia, and then other friends had a BBQ in Chester County….And in between we were stuck on the Schuylkill Expressway behind a gaper delay of people looking at quite a swath of road lined with the little corpses of Stroehmann Bread – I am assuming somewhere Mr. Stroehmann had an accident because the road was literally lined on both sides and strewn with sliced bread and rolls!

Couldn’t help but notice the contrast of the city and country of my day.

down on the farm: spring hours at one of my favorite farms

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In the past I have told my readers about one of my favorite farms – Stratton Wynnorr Farm on Route 926 1/4 mile east of Route 352 , Westtown, PA 19395.

So I got their spring newsletter, and thought I would share what they are up to!

THE WYNNORR FARM NEWSLETTER
We are now open TUESDAY and FRIDAY  afternoons from 3pm -6pm. We will be selling Locally grown Seasonal Produce.

This week we have Strawberries, Asparagus Rhubarb and Romaine and Leaf Lettuce. We will update the available produce each week on our Facebook page.

Look for us along with our CSA partners Sunny Slope Farm at the Swarthmore Farmers Market on Saturdays beginning on May 19th from 9am to 1pm. This market will be open through October and takes place in the municipal parking lot next to the library.

We still have CSA spaces left for the season. It’s not too late join and get a full season’s worth of fresh produce.
Our website is still down so please email us at strattonsfarm@aol.com or call 610-399-9080.
We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

 

finding my way, finding my place

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What many of my faithful readers of chestercountyramblings may not know is the crazy road that led me here.  This time last year, I was awaiting my surgery to remove a lump – yes, I had that thing all women fear when they get a mammogram: breast cancer.  Hormone driven, invasive lobular to be precise.

But for the grace of God and an amazing friends and family support system, I have come through just fine just about a year later.  I did seven weeks of radiation, am on a drug called Tamoxifen for another four years and a few months, but I am alive. And let me tell you, sometimes in the quiet of my Chester County mornings when it is just me, the birds and a gentle morning breeze I am a little overwhelmed by my good fortune.

Needless to say, having the big C even on  a relatively small-scale is a life altering experience.  Fellow survivors know exactly what I am speaking about.  Your life changes irrevocably, and to an extent, so do you.

One of the things that change with me is I could no longer stomach the stress of a full-time job I had as a compliance officer in the financial services industry.  I found I wanted a different life that did not just revolve around the office. This was also something all the doctors responsible for my care encouraged me to do, incidentally.  They all sat me down one by one and said I had a choice: to keep up the pace and ungodly stress and run a high risk of recurrence, or to stop what I was doing, breathe, and begin again.

It was a very hard decision for me to make, as I am not someone who just kind of quits.  But I did it, and I completed my move and transition to Chester County.  I know every morning I wake up I made the right decision.

But….I am not a lady who perpetually lunches, so I am putting out the feelers as my next career experience in life.  My dream job would be to more fully utilize my writing, photography and even my crazy PR skills, but I would also be happy with something part-time or even full-time in an office – from receptionist to office manager, I can do just about anything.  I want something that allows me my family time and family life. I have learned the hard way as a woman there is in fact importance to have balance and it’s o.k. not to be Wonder Woman.

As I adjust to my new life in Chester County, I will be honest and say I find the whole sending out the resume process a wee bit frustrating.  It’s not the whole looking for a job aspect of it, it’s the breaking into a new area.  I send out resumes solely to companies who have positions I am actually interested in, and even some resumes to people who may not be hiring at this time, but I want me in front of them.  I don’t just send out resumes for the exercise of it all.

Last week I was really excited about this one interview.  It was a marketing gig, not quite full-time, but it would have utilized my writing and social media skills.  (hey I know I have THAT covered!) Day before the interview the prospective employer sent out an e-mail cancelling, saying he had found the perfect person.  I swear I felt like the kid who had someone take away the cotton candy at a carnival I was so bummed out.

But then I saw something else, a part-time office manager and admin ad for a small office.  So I applied, because well, I used to run a small office.  The pay listed was not great, and truthfully far below what they should have been offering for the job, but I figured what the heck, it really might be something I would enjoy and it would allow time for other things while bringing in some money.  So the person handling the ad contacted me.  Asked me what I used to make.  Why lie? I told him what I made.  That became the end of the conversation with him.

Readers, I have to be honest, this really irritated and frustrated me.  These people did not even take the time to ask a thing about me.  When you first enter the workforce, you have doors shut because you do not have enough experience.  Today, some are being shut because I have too much experience, or they can’t see that my skills can be applied to their particular needs.

I know with patience and perseverance I will find the kind of job I really want.  But to help it along, I am putting it out there that I am in the market as they say.  I figure you never know what is out there until you ask.

It’s a Carpe Diem kind of day :<}