Monthly Archives: July 2025

ego and ignorance in local politics seems out of control in honey brook township?

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Let’s talk about ego and ignorance in local politics. Is it out of control in Honey Brook Township? I think so. It started because quite frankly, Valerie Shultz didn’t roll over like an obedient dog and be a good little girl. She has had the temerity, the audacity if you will, to want better for her community than the status quo. She is on the ballot as a second Republican running because the Democrats wrote her in. That simple fact speaks volumes, and signals she would be a community unifier except where the current political cabal is concerned. But nothing except world domination, or in their case, fishbowl domination matters, does it?

Valerie does not come to mind when you dish ego and ignorance in local politics. She is doing this because she cares. It’s not about literal or even perceived personal gain. She does not have to keep saying she is a good person, because people know she is. She has a moral compass and is bright and hard working. We have come to know each other through mutual friends. Do I support her? Yes, I believe in what she is trying to accomplish and I haven’t seen such a crazy municipality since the late Andy Lewis and others rolled up their sleeves to disinfect Haverford Township and if you aren’t familiar it was a doozy of a time over there.

Here is what I am talking about from quite a few years ago now:

Haverford commissioner indicted; fallout begins with township manager’s resignation
Moran guilty of extortion in Haverford State dealings
BREAKING NEWS: Haverford official indicted

https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/2014/39-map-2011.html

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/pa-supreme-court/1684638.html

https://www.poconorecord.com/story/opinion/editorials/2007/12/01/thumbs-up-thumbs-down/52723944007


Let’s talk about what is actually bullying by politicians, one elected and one a poor sad politician puppet of the elected politician, shall we? This is happening in an area which falls into the Pennsyltucky category at times for political behavior JUST like this. Yep, Honey Brook Township…again.


When you say they are practicing thug politics and bullying people and basically in a passive aggressive and not so passive aggressive way, trying to intimidate people, they subsequently project that if you are saying they do any of these things you must be the ones who are actually doing it, and really?


Most of us know that’s not the case, but if you are a woman who speaks out about ANY of this garbage chucking in Honey Brook Township, they want to pummel you into the ground. And this is the Internet so they also want to cancel you on social media. They want you to be afraid. It’s also gaslighting and attempted intimidation, isn’t it?


So I ask all of you out there isn’t that the true clear hallmark of bad thug politics? Doesn’t that show quite clearly that they have such little respect for women?


You have to wonder how do they treat women who have been assaulted or are victims of other crimes?


As women are we all supposed to be hung up with Scarlet letters because we don’t toe the line the way we are told? Are we all supposed to be bullied ends justifies the means because we don’t see them as a solution to anything?


Go ahead, you read these comments shared below (just a couple examples of many questionable things on their part in my humble opinion) and you tell me if women are being harassed and bullied here? Are women safe in this world we are living in if this is considered normal behavior towards women?


And most despicable of all in my mind as a breast cancer survivor is this is how you treat another breast cancer survivor? These men need to check themselves at the door.
Chester County Republicans and others? It’s time to get your Honey Brook Township House in order because they are also embarrassing all of you behaving like this.


Conduct unbecoming.

Writing about this leaves me at sixes and sevens, but I don’t think what they are doing is right. Have they attacked me as well for talking about the Honey Brook Township of it all? Kind of, yes, including nasty comments from a supervisor’s wife thinking she is witty. (Sorry her comments are well…just basic and I can have that opinion.)

Isn’t it true that there are certain lines politicians and elected officials can’t cross? Wouldn’t this behavior count? Isn’t it true supervisors are expected to protect confidential information and not use it for personal gain? So where is one getting his information? And how? Supervisors are also supposed to treat all individuals with respect and courtesy, is this behavior that? Supervisors must exercise their powers responsibly and avoid abusing their authority, correct?

So can we just ask WHY Honey Brook Township Supervisor Salvatore DiGiacomo is constantly on the attack? Is he running for office? I thought that was politician and Upper Uwchlan Police Department member, Steven Jones?

Now speaking o Upper Uwchlan Township, they do indeed have a social media policy so is their officer who is also a politician and political candidate in Honey Brook Township adhering to it? https://upperuwchlan-pa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1417/Social-Media-Policy

Upper Uwchlan employees from what I can glean from their policy should be respectful in their online interactions, avoiding personal attacks, offensive language, and discriminatory remarks, so is this happening? Like many other municipalities, this policy which is not something thought of years ago, extends beyond the official township social media profiles, doesn’t it? Also is it not in there that their policy addresses confidentiality, privacy, and intellectual property, ensuring employees understand responsibilities regarding sensitive information, right? The policy seems to not smile upon personal attacks against other commenters, Township staff, or elected officials, so this extends to things done personally, right?

SocialMediaPolicyFINALDownload

I think it’s time for the dirty politics in Honey Brook Township to end. Residents need to be brave because these unpleasant folks only have the power you allow them to have. I fully expect more nastiness because I am expressing my opinion. They refer to me as Val’s babbler, etc, etc. Yawn.

Stop the madness. It’s time. We should all want better from our communities. We all don’t have to agree, but how these politicians seem to approach everything leaves a lot to be desired.

It’s a long way to election day. It’s been a long hot summer. Why is Valerie Shultz such a threat? I ask because we all know this is what this is about. That’s why a certain supervisor and his pal are in such a lather isn’t it?

Carry on.

did you know historic yellow springs got beaten up by storms recently?

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I’ve been meaning to write about this and I just have had time get away from me, and not enough hours in the day. Historic Yellow Springs is one of my favorite places in Chester County. I was introduced to the village many moons ago by my late father who loved this little piece of Chester County. (He also loved the antique show they used to have that they should bring back.)

Anyway, it’s no joke that we keep having these series of thunderstorms with accompanying winds and more that are wreaking havoc on places. And the ones just after Fourth of July did significant damage to Historic Yellow Springs.

They are working their way through it, but I never saw any local media pick up the fact that this beautiful historic village was a storm victim. They showed lots of other storm damage, why not Historic Yellow Springs Village?

For example, the poor library experienced damage from a storm in February, it sustained more damage in early July.

According to what they wrote, and I will share screenshots and their photos more than 100 trees were damaged or destroyed. That’s a significant amount and this is a place with very old growth trees as well. Cleanup is going to take months, and they are in a township that I think leaves a lot to be desired as far as being clear about anything, and if West Pikeland can’t be trusted with keeping a police force, how can they be trusted with the village?

So I think Yellow springs is doing a marvelous job of navigating the process of doing what they have to do to take care of the structures that were damaged and storm cleanup, but I’m sure that right now they could use a little extra help in the donation department because as homeowners we know how expensive this work is, let alone being responsible for an entire village of historic assets.

Chester County has a lot of deep pockets who could help one of our county treasures, so I’m putting this out there with their words to follow in the hopes that people can even give a small contribution.

https://yellowsprings.org/support/donate/

Now to follow, is life in the village in their own words published on their socials yesterday after this storm in early July:

Storm Impact Update

Having climbed the fields of shattered and fallen trees, and listened to the chainsaws for days on end, we feel incredibly fortunate for the relatively limited damage to buildings that occurred with the dangerous storm on July 7th. Additionally, I am incredibly thankful for the forethought of our programs team to heed weather warnings, and decide to cancel classes proactively, likely saving lives, given the severity of the event.

This storm tore through our property with extraordinary force. Estimates are showing nearly 100 trees were destroyed or badly damaged, with cleanup efforts likely to continue for months.

The days following the storm were focused on safety assessments and clearing access. Staff and volunteers mobilized quickly, working tirelessly to make the village safe again. Every tool in our arsenal was leveraged just to try to move enough limbs to uncover all corners of the village and reach some sense of normalcy.

Once paths were cleared, hidden structural damage began to emerge:

  • The glazing space behind the old studio barn was smashed.
  • The courtyard fountain, power supply, and roofing on the Washington Building suffered major hits from a fallen sycamore limbs.
  • The Chester Springs Library, sustained new roof damage that allowed water infiltration.

As you may recall, a previous extreme weather event in February, led to structural damage to the roof of the Library. Since then, HYS and the Library have worked closely with insurers, engineers, and contractors to bring this historic structure up to code and safely reopen the Library. We empathize with the public for the loss of resources during the library’s closure and have offered alternate village spaces for free programs whenever possible.

While the temporary protection applied to the roof after the February event held up impressively, wind torn limbs and the fierce rain from the most recent storm punctured new holes on the opposite side of the roof and allowed water to reach inside the building. Within a day of forging a path through the storm debris, we had professional carpentry crews on site ensuring the roof was watertight and not in danger of falling, and commercial-grade air handlers and dehumidifiers were added to move out moisture. Cleanup continues and collaboration between HYS, the Library, engineers, and insurers is ongoing with the goal of getting this historic building bustling again.

During this recovery period, programs continue in unaffected buildings across the village, and we maintain a robust calendar of events to keep our community engaged and inspired. We are constantly discussing new opportunities with partners, and looking for creative ways to make programs happen.

We are deeply grateful to those who have already offered time, talent, and funds. We will keep you informed about progress and ways you can help as we restore every facet of the village for a vibrant future.

Now I’m going to show you the screenshots I took today off of Facebook and everything is from the village’s social media, including their photos. This place is a little slice of heaven, and if you can help them out with a small donation, it would be great. You can also maybe let the county commissioners know when they’re finished designing bad logos, and hiring lots of people that this is a historic asset worth supporting. (sorry not sorry, sometimes I think they need to get out of the Borough of West Chester more.)

With the United States having a big birthday in 2026, and Chester County being a big focus, we want this jewel shining bright and strong.

seeking spare keys trespassing guy?

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I am sharing this because I just got a call from a local farmer in Willistown who called the police about this guy who showed up while he was doing something and his farm hands had to deal with this guy.

Unfortunately, by the time the farmer knew this guy had been there, he was gone, but a police report was filed.

Apparently this guy showed up on some kind of a scooter or hoverboard thing to them. But the reality is he came uninvited down a driveway that is really long. A place that can’t be any more clear about having security and posted private property don’t trespass.

And when the guy was discovered, he was nosing around the cows on the farm.

He didn’t seem to get the concept of private property, which couldn’t be posted any clearer at the beginning of the really long driveway. This guy has also shown up at other people’s s properties in Willistown and several other municipalities in Delaware and Chester Counties.

And he got caught on ring camera in a video posted yesterday to NextDoor. I’m about to show where he’s not only knocked on the door. He seemed to be checking for spare keys.

Now this is a common enough occurrence in the summer months, these random people who just show up. Either they’re selling something or you just find them wandering around your property. We had it in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods with the random driveway resealing guy who ignores no trespassing signs and every year acts like you didn’t tell him the year before to get off your property.

But this guy seems to be off from the way people describe him and also seems to be looking for spare keys. So that somebody who’s trying to figure out when people are on and off of their own properties and in and out of their houses. opportunistic? Definitely and for what reason? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to find out.

People are calling the police about this individual, which is not wrong, what he’s doing is wrong.

another case of animal saviors are animal abusers?

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A friend of mine sent me a news report and a Facebook post from an animal rescue this morning. It blew me away and made me want to throw up at the same time.

At the end of May, the news in the region was filled with the horrible site of a barn, full of animals in Montgomery County, up in flames. It was known as House of Wiggle.

We all shared the articles and the GoFundMe raising money for the injured animals and family affected. The GoFundMe is up still and active.

https://gofund.me/2a2e84e7

The problem is the owner of this sanctuary or rescue or whatever the heck it was has just been charged with felony animal abuse.

For real.

Of course, a couple of weeks ago the person doing the GoFundMe had to put up a defend post because I guess things were starting to circulate?

Yeah so wonder what this Shaina thinks now?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15k4dGgbM3/

I just don’t understand animal abuse. And these people have a lot of children as well as per the wife’s testimony in 2024:

The testimony says 11 children, and implies some special needs, are they OK? What happens to any animals on this farm now?

I guess I am incredulous to an extent of the amount of media coverage that these people got after their fire and now they’re facing a whole other level of public scrutiny, aren’t they?

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/lowerprovidence/fire-hits-farm-animal-sanctuary-montgomery-county

So they said the cause of the fire was electrical, which is not unusual in old barns is it?

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/philadelphia/news/house-of-wiggle-goats-animal-rescue-fire-montgomery-county/

But again, disbelief.How could they? How could they do this? How could they take money from people after this fire knowing how they treated the animals?

I guess once again this is a case of know your rescue?

This is horrible and tragically sad.

It looks like all the social media accounts for this rescue have disappeared.

https://nbcphiladelphia.app.link/7Mk636wNgVb

http://www.facebook.com/HouseofWiggleGoats

who is the FOUND dachshund which is a LOST dachshund??

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This is not Bella who was lost near Grove Road. She was found and her owners never took the PawBoost down. This is another old dachshund who has one tooth incidentally – if you know whose dog this is please call 484-485-0706 ASAP – this is an emergent situation- old dogs do not do well and last long at shelters. Right now she is in someone’s house and is safe.

why don’t companies respect when you ask to be removed from solicitation mailing lists?

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Once upon a time many years ago at this point we used this tree care company after our original arborist back then had a climbing accident.

We needed tree work and we had seen this company’s signs. We used them once and were not happy and that was it.

I don’t even understand why they were still contacting me. I used them once years ago and never had them back.

Some of the work was not done correctly (cabling of a huge tree) and other work they did was OK, but not great. I didn’t l also did not care for one guy on the crew who at the time was trash talking my retired arborist who had had the accident. I found that to be unprofessional and very uncomfortable. We paid the bill and we never had them back.

Every few years I get solicitation emails. So I contacted them recently when the emails started again.

I contacted them and told them I have an arborist we are happy with and have been for years at this point. I honestly don’t think they can touch their service or their tree care or their climbers. I got to know our current arborist because they came to fix the job the crew from their company didn’t do right at the time.

I’m not sure if they are another franchise or if they absorbed the people who were more local at one time.

In any event, this is why I won’t use this company again and the final thing is just kind of a pet peeve that I’ve asked for a few years to be removed from marketing and mailing lists and it never seems to happen.

I’m sorry, but I’m kind of a once bitten twice shy person when it comes to companies who don’t mesh with our needs. Maybe people don’t find that to be fair but I’m kind of picky about my gardens and trees .

I then asked if they could kindly remove me from the mailing list, I would be most appreciative.

I received a reply:

So I thought that was the end of it. Only it wasn’t. I keep getting email solicitations. Today I got another email from them about lawn care. First they are arborists, now lawn specialists? To me these are separate but what do I know, I am just a home gardener?

Yes, that means now. I am on yet another mailing list for some unknown company named lawn squad!

I tried to call today to get someone on the phone to remove me from these solicitation email lists, and what I reached was an offshore call center in another country and after sitting on perma-hold and not getting transferred to someone in the US to get me off the mailing list, I hung up.

So I’m writing this post. I don’t begrudge people for trying to make a living, but this company needs to respect the fact that I did not have a good experience with prior iterations and I want to be removed from their mailing list.

It shouldn’t be so difficult to get off a mailing list and it’s not just this company. It’s many companies. They think it’s OK to flood our email inbox with junk mail.

Because it has been more than 10 days since I requested this and they acknowledged receipt of my request as well as saying they would remove me from solicitation lists, I can file complaints on a federal level along with PA attorney general

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business

Maybe now I will be removed from the mailing list as was previously promised. One can only hope. 

have you checked out white horse farm in berwyn yet?

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White Horse Farm Photo

Real farms. Real farmers. Locally sourced. Heritage breeds.

A lot of us look for these things, and Chester county used to have lots of options. Today development is growing in farms are shrinking.

It’s tough going for farmers in a county once known for farms and agriculture. It’s very sad.

Then there are the people that want to make you believe their Emperor’s New Clothes and a couple years later they’re still empty every time you drive by, but I won’t mention them any further. This is a post about real farmers doing their thing, beautifully.

We recently discovered White Horse Farm quite by accident. Someone I know had shared on social media that she had gone to one of their open farm days for their farm stand. I remember when this farm was in a magazine article a few years ago. (See Philadelphia Magazine, 2018.)

So these are the new stewards of the land of this farm and it’s gorgeous. And they have cows, ask my friend who has a cow named Norman, and you will know I love cows. Actually, my husband will tell you I like farm animals in general. I will also admit that I talk to the chickens on a neighbors property. They are so happy and their laying songs are peaceful to me.

But you have so many things that go by on social media where you can supposedly buy great food raised well, sustainable practices, regenerative farming, and so on. White Horse Farm in Berwyn is actually doing this, and I think they deserve a lot of new customers and Chester County love.

Once again, I will stay for the record. I am not a compensated blogger, and I am writing this post after picking up my first order that we paid for from White Horse Farm. Now obviously we haven’t tried everything, but I can tell you I had their yogurt for breakfast this morning. Their yogurt is a thinner kind almost like Seven Stars and I think it makes a great drinking yogurt. We also have a gorgeous chicken, a small pork roast, ground pork, Italian and breakfast sausage.

White Horse Farm photo

So I thought I would write a little post about them, because it’s an all of our best interest that small farms like this survive and thrive. They not only have their own dairy stuff that they are doing, but they raise chickens and Berkshire pigs. they are a medium size pig, and I believe they were originally bred in England. They are a true heritage breed, and their meat is highly sought after for cooking if you’re a foodie. The meat from these pigs I have learned is known as the “Wagyu of pork.”

White Horse Farm Photo

All of these animals on this farm are humanely raised. Actually, I’d like to live on this farm. It’s so pretty. The pigs are able to forage in woods on the farm like nature intended, so they’re not just kept in a pen and fed pig kibble. (I’m not saying pigs get kibble, but you know what I mean.)

The chickens are pasture raised, which essentially is free range. I like their chickens because they’re not huge. The one I bought is about 3 pounds. Honestly, there are a few things as good as small batch raised chicken.

And if you join their club, you can order as you go, and you have access above the farm stand days.

Here is my actual receipt for my first order:

My receipt and notice I also signed up for a membership because this is kind of a membership farm. Yes they will be having farm stand days, but the benefits of a membership is you can order more to your individual needs.



It was simple enough to pay via Venmo, and you can also pay them with cash. I also like what they raise seems to be heritage breeds. It’s kind of like in my garden, I like planting heirloom things.

I know people like raw milk and they do sell that. I also noticed they have some goats. I don’t know what they’re doing with goats, but I remember my cousin Suzy was allergic to cow’s milk when she was little and they substituted goat milk.

Now another reason why I’m writing this post today other than I’m a very happy new customer is they are having a farm stand day from 9 AM to 12 noon this coming Saturday, July 19th. The address is 8 Barr Road Berwyn. This farm is located in Willistown Township.

I hope people patronize them this weekend and going forward. If you go to their farm this weekend, please respect that this is a working farm. That means leave your dogs at home, and make sure your children understand it’s a working farm not a petting zoo. I am not trying to be offensive to people, but I have friends who are farmers, and I have seen what I mentioned with my own eyes. It’s like when I cringe when I see people pull over the side of the road to randomly pet and feed other people’s horses.

Anyway, sign me very happy that I discovered another local farm thanks to someone. I know discovering this farm on a farm stand day.

Stay cool and thanks for stopping by.

summer cacciatore

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Tonight I made a lighter version of a chicken cacciatore for summer. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, orange zest, a smidge of balsamic, mushroom ravioli found at Aldi.

Oh the tomatoes? Some fresh cherry tomatoes and a container of Mutti Passata.

furor over the mall: super packed house in west whiteland over exton mall

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I just received a message from a friend:

“I’m attending the West Whiteland Township meeting abt Exton Mall.

Haven’t started yet. Tech difficulties. Full house I would say at least 130 people, standing room only!

Some are local businesses owners impacted by this, I can tell by their badges etc they are in the mall, but most are residents”

https://www.westwhiteland.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152025-1483

You can watch the meeting on Zoom – but right now they’re having serious technical difficulties again and they need to fix the audio for Zoom and there are people waiting to get on.

This is the planning commission meeting this evening and below are the rest of the photos my friend took a few minutes ago of the revised drawings, I guess they are.