Photo courtesy of Honey Brook Township Supervisor Valerie Shultz
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you; May you see your children’s children. May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward.
May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.
Join them Monday at Penn State Great Valley at 6 PM Monday March 9th for the planning commission meeting! Auditorium of the Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley, located at 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355.
In addition to in-person attendance, the Township has arranged for the meeting to be livestreamed via the Township website. https://www.eastwhiteland.org/
Public comment for those unable to attend in-person may be submitted via email to bcarosello@eastwhiteland.org. Please submit comments by 12:00pm on Monday, March 9, 2026.
I was asked to be there in person and life got in the way, and I was unable to attend the last Willistown meeting of the year and I am sorry I couldn’t be there. I saw no sewer rats in attendance so it probably would’ve been a nice meeting with the exception of Mrs. Golfball the lone public comment, which I have included. Complete segue but what does one expect when one moves next to a golf club and golf course? And do we really think some golfer meant to hit her with a golf ball? Why doesn’t she just ask them to or put up netting herself near the edges of her property to catch the golf balls so they don’t come onto her property?
Mrs. Golfball was quintessential of the types who move to Willistown and then complain about the color of the sky, the scent of horse and cow manure etc. and don’t get me started about sidewalks on twisty dangerous windy roads that won’t ever work, right?
Sorry, I digress.
Bob Lange gave way more many years than most people ever would to municipality.
He’s done an amazing amount of things for his home community in Willistown, and the meeting this week, reflected that. It was really nice to see some old familiar faces like Andy Dinniman.
I was glad to see that the Willistown Republicans or some Republicans got up to say job well done, especially after the treatment he received for exercising his right to choose his own political candidate to vote for in a presidential election as an American.
Willistown Township social media photo
Again, I noticed that it didn’t seem as if the sewer rats were in attendance, and I will mention them again because in my opinion they are the most horribly rude people consistently in Willistown Township and I would love to know how much money the Township spends per annum on the often frivolous right to know requests that they file? Anyway did they think they were punishing Bob by denying their presence? I am sure they will be back, don’t you?
But back to Bob Lange’s last meeting.
I first met Bob when I came out here to be with my husband. The picture you see in the post above I took in 2012 when I happen to be on the farm one day because he was nice enough to let me take pictures of some of the fields one fall. They were just so beautiful even then getting ready for winter.
Willistown is a beautiful township. A lot of that is down to Bob’s part in the stewardship. For 27 years. People talk about public service, Bob Lange has lived it.
As human beings, we are all flawed. Bob Lange in my estimation has never pretended or pronounced himself to be perfect like a lot of his armchair critics seemingly self-proclaim, but in Willistown you have always known that he cares about the township and acted proactively. And sorry not sorry, the abuse heaped on the supervisors there in general and the manager over the past few years has been astounding and that’s not a positive. (Yes, sewer rats and your motley band of malcontents I am speaking about all of you. You have made yourselves public figures via your antics.)
One of my favorite parts of this meeting was listening to Andy Dinniman. So many pearls of wisdom last night. And he spoke of when we were all still different political persuasions but essentially we behaved better.
Anyway, job well done Bob and thank you and Merry Christmas and we will see you around your farm!
Also Bob? Episcopal Academy has always been a sentimental favorite of mine as a Shipley gal because of some of the amazing friends I still have from there.
I can’t even begin to explain how this hit me when I saw these photos from the Devon Fall Classic. I mean seriously, what in the Sam Hell, Devon?
If you put the number on the sign into social media and Google, this is what comes up:
Ok so now that this is sinking in I respectfully ask Easttown Township and Devon Horse Show to explain. People are saying puppies may also have been being sold along with the snuggles being sold? And it’s not a rescue in there, it’s this rando breeder? Puppies are standing on wire mesh in crates? For real? You know that hurts their little paws? And this has been happening the entire fall classic?
People said shih tzus and mini poodles on Thursday? Friday also had miniature dachshunds? Today and Saturday a bunch of breeds? They keep the blinds closed and this woman stands in the door collecting the money so you really have to pay to play?
Seriously what IS going on? Are pet shops allowed as boutiques now?
Shame on you and are you that in need or desperate of filling the selling / retail huts?
I am sure there are people thinking I am making this up. Please see photos received this morning:
Oh and now more and more people are commenting (just sharing a couple of comments because they were all kind of similar:
I also pulled the vendors that Devon advertised, and can you find puppy anything? So this was a last minute addition? WHO MADE THIS DECISION?
I have to ask did any of the other vendors there say anything? How can anyone think this is OK?
If I had to hazard a guess since quite a few of the names are familiar with me, most did not know this puppy thing was happening. However, the chair is all over the events all of the time, so what does he know? Will he address it? And there are TWO show managers listed on Devon’s website, and one would think they had knowledge? Will they address this? And who was on the volunteer committee putting this together this year? I mean if you have worked on volunteer committees, and I have, aren’t you kind of told what is going on and who is going where?
How can ANY of these people have thought it was OK? This is NOT OK!!!
Devon Horse Show thought this was OK? Who brought these people in? This is so not OK in my opinion. Puppies in crates for random people to paw and even possibly buy? Like they are a plastic souvenir from the event?
Seeing these photos took me back to 2010 when the state dog law people busted the guy with puppies at the then Zerns Market which used to be in Gilbertsville. Zerns closed a few years back. And I actually saw the puppies there at Zerns which were essentially on display in things that looked like aquariums. For real. And back then the puppies were stressed and suffering from the unbearable heat in the place and their containers. That was actually one of the only couple of times I went to Zerns because the place always had a creepy vibe. My one friend and I went there only because there was a dealer who sold Minnetonka moccasins.
One article from the fall of 2010. There were a few at the time
All I know is seeing things like this makes me sad and wish for the Devon a lot of us knew as kids. Where did that organization go? The organization that recognized the value in adopt don’t shop?
Even Radnor Hunt stopped having rescue dogs at their events many many years ago because it’s stressful for them to be at large events like this didn’t they?
So I guess the Devon Fall Classic is literally almost over for 2025 as I publish. That however, does not negate the fact that Devon and the Chair and the Fall Classic committee have explaining to do. And apologies to make. I also wonder if anyone went to them even when the show started about this? I mean did they think people would all just look the other way?
My sources tell me area rescues are not happy about any of this and can you blame them?
Another source told me that the puppy booth as they called it appears to have been shut down. I have no other information – they just happened to be there – they were visiting some other business with one of those other booth/huts at the show. And for those giving me a hard time about how it was my job to call the SPCA about this a couple of points to note including the fact that the SPCA can’t do anything here. It’s the dog law enforcement people and well are they still awake and active?
But Devon leadership and the Fall Classic committee? You have explaining to do and PUBLIC apologies to make in my humble opinion. Of course my other opinion is this is another reason why maybe it is time for new leadership at Devon?
I would like to hope Devon is worth saving, but when crap like this happens, it makes you wonder. But when you seem to focus on adult beverages a lot at these family friendly events, who knows? If Devon goes forward into the future it would be nice if they gave rescues a table or something near the shops and food where rescues could rotate in and out with volunteers and literature (not animals.)
Very sad turn of events. And I am sure Devon doesn’t care for my opinions and the opinions of others, but they really shouldn’t just try to ignore this and hope it goes away, yes?
When Bryn Clovis is the setting any party immediately gets a leg up, but add the magic of a Surrey Services for Seniors fundraiser/friendraiser and the result was magical!
Surrey Services threw their annual garden party recently and the back drop was Willistown’s Bryn Clovis and a Scottish Highlands theme…complete with bagpipers!
It was a crazy summer night and the thunderstorms held off long enough to enjoy the party. It was humid and warm but there were a few breezes and really good fans in the event tent. There were tables and other seating areas dotting the landscape, so one could enjoy the splendor of the surroundings and the planted fields in the distance.
Inside John Serock catering and the volunteers of Surrey Services created magic and no detail was overlooked. Truly, this was a wonderful event with guests who were simply enjoying a garden party in Willistown. The event was the way events used to be, devoid of social climbing, camera aping wannabe “influencers” and other assorted human detractors.
If you have the opportunity to support Surrey Services by attending one of their events, you really should. It’s a ticket worth having! They had a lovely buffet, a silent auction, and even a scotch tasting in keeping with the Scottish theme. And they also had a friendly floral competition between local floral designers.
I love supporting Surrey Services and I was also a photographer volunteer for them at this event because that is fun for me to do for them. Event photographers are expensive, so I was happy to do this.
This is a great curiosity of life I think right now. Last year at first people were excited at the idea of Yuletide, but then the reality was less than, correct?
So then we had the whole thing about it was coming back at a golf club on the other side of Montgomery County owned by the Union League. (Liberty Hill.)
I wrote about dissatisfaction with the event just recently.
And now here we are 10 days before Christmas and all of a sudden they’re singing a different tune about closing notJanuary 5, 2025, but December 23, 2024? So if you bought a season pass for this, do you get a partial refund? People are asking this question and it showed up on social media.
And the reviews and people being dissatisfied has only increased. And then, as a friend pointed out, the event people seem to be pushing back on Google reviews, which is kind of amusing.
Also kind of amusing is most of the positive reviews you say are essentially influencers and what not so are they comped? It’s a fair question to ask because the majority of the reviews are actually very negative aren’t they?
I’m just going to share a potpourri of screenshots:
So Yuletide, whose fault is it now?
What’s going on?
If people paid for a season pass and you’re closing early, what are you doing for them?
If you’re closing early, how does that affect the vendors who have committed their time and money to this?
How does this affect the employees that were hired to help run this event, and most of all why are you closing?
Last year (2023) you were at Devon, there really weren’t a lot of straight answers after the fact as to where your contract went etc. were there? So you were supposed to be new and improved and smaller and more thoughtful and more fabulous at the Union League’s Liberty Hill in 2024?
Seriously, what is going on?
It seems like there’s a lot of bah humbug in the house? And if people bought a season pass and you are shortening the season what are you doing for them? After all, if you think about it, after December 23 is pretty much when all the schools are on vacation, so if this was supposed to run until January 5, can’t you consider the fact that people that paid for your season pass were really going to use it in that time between just before Christmas and just after New Year’s?
So they went from Devon Horse Show in 2023 where they fell flat, to a geographically somewhat undesirable and odd location? A golf club owned by the Union League in Lafayette Hill? What happened to that lease that was supposed to be more than one year with Devon Horse Show anyway? It’s one of the great mysteries of life isn’t it?
Anyway, so it’s happening again and the prices aren’t much different. And then there’s this great disclaimer. Basically can it be said they’re there to take your money, but they’re not responsible for anything?
And I’ve been hearing from people that tried it again that said it’s just the same song different radio station so to speak. Now I know where they’re having it because it was an insurance company owned golf club for a long time. It’s pretty but for an event like this? In my opinion, it’s just not another good location. Except I have to be honest, if they had handled it properly, Devon was actually a great location.
Here are two of the recent reviews I found:
So there you have it don’t you? And this is what I’ve also heard from people that went, but didn’t leave any reviews. They didn’t even bother to post about it on social media.
And the other thing is it’s Christmas and people don’t mind paying a tasty per head charge to walk in the door, if part of it goes to a nonprofit so where’s their nonprofit component this year? Or again it doesn’t exist does it?
I think this is sad honestly because I think it had the potential of being something really cool. But this is a special and magical time of year and if you can’t really bring the magic because you don’t have the true generosity of holiday spirit, then this will keep happening won’t it?
My favorite bad review was the one that said it was a crime against Christmas. Buy that man a peppermint cocoa!
I will note I found one very glowing lonnngg new positive yet poorly written review and I have to ask: did that person pay for the admission or were they comped because last year weren’t they at the comped preview? Because they are in influencer category ?
Santa’s watching… do people think they’ll be back for a third year?
I posted all the reviews I saw on Google. They match again what I’ve been told by people I know who went. I’m going to say go up to Bethlehem or some of the other great markets for Christmas. One of my favorites is coming up and it is the Clover Market holiday market at Westtown School.
Also I have to ask how do you categorize the reviews family that’s doing this ? They are liking their own festival? I get that but are those real reviews or like familial sock puppets ?
When your friends are on a committee, you buy tickets.
When your friends are on a committee for a holiday house tour and Christmas is a favorite season, you buy tickets.
When your friends are on a committee for a holiday house tour and it benefits one of your favorite local nonprofits and helps seniors, you also become a sponsor.
So yes, I am personally on the sponsor list for the 2024 Surrey Holiday House Tour & Shop. Now I can’t be a big platinum sponsor, but I joined in where I could.
Surrey Services is a very special nonprofit to us in our house, so this is a pleasure all the way around.
Jim Devine Photography Photo
I am so excited for this year‘s tour and it’s Friday, December 6 and those tickets sell out fast that is not just hype. They literally fly out the door.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning October 2nd.
Again, tickets are live TOMORROW !
Start your countdown…⏰
Visit SurreyServices.org to purchase your tickets for our Holiday House Tour. Tickets are $95 per person and include a box lunch.
And the shops which are open to all? They are amazing! They have tons of vendors and my friend, Eddie Ross, who is also Volunteer Chair of this event, will be a vendor this year as well. If you have ever gone to his sales at his studio, I need to say no more, he has fabulous taste. And he loves Christmas as well! We share a love of old German kugel ornaments and glass icicle ornaments – as a matter of fact, he gave me these wonderful vintage glass icicle ornaments last year for Christmas that I can’t wait to put on the tree this year!
You KNOW you want to go!!! Come on now, let’s sell this event out and raise lots of money for Surrey. There are very few events I support at this point and this is one of them so I hope you will join all of us. It’s a wonderful day!
It is no secret that I love Loch Aerie Mansion. I love Addison Hutton architecture and this house is just magical! The difference from way back when I started photographing her. Here are some photos to illustrate the remarkable restoration:
Loch Aerie opened her doors today for a Christmas open house. All that was asked of her visitors was to bring a new toy for Tpys for Tots or non-perishable food for the Chester County Food Bank. In return, we got to soak in the beautiful Christmas spirit of Loch Aerie all restored, take photos with Santa and enjoy some holiday goodies along with cocoa and hot cider.
There were a whole bunch of adorable children, taking photos with Santa! My friend was the Santa and he had a great costume!
Loch Aerie should be awarded all sorts of awards for historic restoration and adaptive reuse that works. I loved this open house this afternoon. Enjoy the photos!
Loch Aerie is in East Whiteland Township, Chester County.
If you are interested in Loch Aerie as an event or wedding space it is located at 700 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern/Frazer PA 19355. Their website is www.lochaeriemansion.com
So my Christmas present to one of my really close friends from forever and a day was to gift her a golden ticket for the Surrey Services Holiday Tour & Shops. Not since we were in high school has there been a great Main Line -centric Christmas house tour essentially. One such tour used to be done by Agnes Irwin, and it was called Christmas in the Country. And then, of course, there were the tours of the Fairmount Park houses and you went around in one of those fun trolleys to each house.
Surrey Services should take a bow. The house tour and shops were an amazing experience. Of course I could kick myself, because I meant to bid on a couple of the trees in the enchanted forest before I was leaving, and I completely forgot. But that’s probably my subconscious telling me I have enough new Christmas stuff for this year!
We started out our day in Bryn Mawr and from there we moved to Villanova. We sadly we didn’t get into that Villanova house because the road was quite narrow and the property next-door to the house we were visiting was in some form of construction mayhem, and there were contractor trucks and landscaper trucks all over a very narrow road so there was no place to move to park and we gave up. that is some thing that was beyond that poor homeowners control and certainly beyond Surrey Services control. It’s one of my favorite roads, but truthfully, I had forgotten how narrow it was in spots.
I don’t know what it is about landscaper trucks on the Main Line, but none of them seem to be able to park. And I’m sorry not sorry that I find that incredibly irksome that the homeowner has a perfectly good driveway and you can see that there’s a house tour going on across the road and they can’t pull their truck in the driveway!
The next two houses were in Berwyn, and they were spectacular! We ended our day with another Radnor Township property, which was my favorite house and not just because it was my friend’s home.
All of these homeowners knocked themselves out for all of us on the tour, and the tour sold out quickly. All of the houses were festive and different. One of the things I liked best about each and every house was the fact that I was in homes that aren’t afraid of art and color. I am not a person who lives in a beige, beige world, so I appreciated the vibrancy in these homes. All of these homes had amazing kitchens, incidentally. And I cook so to see these kitchens was just so much fun for me.
My friend, who was on the tour had the most old-school traditional, beautiful and imaginative Christmas ornaments. He is definitely a kindred spirit as to types of ornaments that I personally love.
From all of the houses, I gathered little ideas to tuck away. I have a very small and simple house by comparison, but all of these houses, even if they were bigger than mine had warmth.
As part of the ticket price, we got a wonderful box lunch from Classic Diner. My friend and I had a turkey BLT. There was no room inside Eisenhower Hall at Valley Forge Military to eat when we got there, but it was such a nice day that we literally sat outside on the edge of the bleachers and had a little picnic. And I thought that was fun.
Parking was a bit of an issue at Valley Forge Military . This is the inaugural year for this event and I think they will figure it out but I think the people that were the ticket holders for the whole day should have had primary access to Eisenhower Hall, and when we couldn’t get into the lot, the police officer directing traffic who told us we couldn’t go into the lot was kind of not so nice and all we did was ask was where should we go to park because we didn’t know.
I completely understand how frustrated the officer must have been personally because it was a lot of cars in that area, but I think next year they should have somebody working the gate that only lets people with passes for the full day or whom require handicap access into that lot right there and people that are just shopping at the shops park at the other lot, which I think was across Radnor Street Road.
We ended up parking in a little lot we accessed from further down Eagle Road and the employees from the school couldn’t have been nicer. I will also note that parking would have been easier as well if some people hadn’t literally taken two spaces for one car —-that’s just bad manners.
Now, although I bitched about this a little right here in this post, I also know that because it was a crush it means this event was a huge success! Surrey has created something fantastic!
The enchanted forest, which I had previewed yesterday was amazing. There is literally nothing better to me than being in a great big room, full of fabulous Christmas trees fully decorated! And in the center of the room was a wonderful table, set for a Christmas feast. And the little bar at the end of the room, where the trees were, was serving, mocktails for people to try.
When you went up the steps to the second floor of Eisenhower Hall, you found yourself in a giant room full of fabulously curated vendors. I was thrilled to see some of my friends and their small businesses there, along with getting an opportunity to see and meet other vendors and local small businesses like Main Point Books.
It was just such a wonderful day. As I’m sitting here writing this, I still feel the happy vibe from the day. And that’s how you know you had a really good day.
This event proves to me that the best kinds of events during the holiday season or ones that give you something pretty and do something good. Surrey Services is a favorite in my family. They do such good work and important work. And they have the nicest volunteers and paid staff that you will meet pretty much anywhere. And if you are still looking for Christmas fun, I would suggest their consignment shop in Berwyn. Last time I was in which was a couple of weeks ago the place totally blew my mind because it was so full of so much awesomeness for Christmas and the holidays.
Hey Surrey, sign me up for the 2024 holiday tour !
