Fall In Love - This Time Of Year
Autumnal memories, favorite pastimes, and outdoor excursions, residents at Kendal~Crosslands Communities, a Life Plan Community located in Kennett Square, discuss their thoughts about what they love about fall and the activities they enjoy.
Peter Lane
The life, death, and now rebirth of the American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) tree is a saga that perhaps many are familiar with. This is the time of year to harvest the nuts from these trees. I enjoy being outside in the crisp autumn air in one of our groves to collect them. The nuts are in a big, green prickly ball. In order to get the nuts out you need to break open the ball. I jokingly say you stand with a foot on each side of a brown mark and spread your feet (like doing the “Charleston”) on it to break it open. You carefully take out the beautiful brown nuts. Preparing and eating them is the next chapter.
Peggy Bowditch
In the fall, I’ll gather seeds of trees and shrubs on the campus and clean off their outer coatings. Then seeds are exposed to the needed cold period before they are planted and, in time, germinate. After a few years they’ll be ready to help populate the certified Level II Kendal Crosslands Arboretum. When I collect extra seeds I send them to seed exchanges and use the seed I receive in return for planting here. The Philadelphia region is a rich horticulture center of the United States and this once career of mine, teaching horticulture, has continued to be an enjoyable hobby in the Fall and all year ‘round with the caring for plants and nature. I am a seed gatherer and a fellow neighbor may have referenced my talents as a seed “whisperer.”
Bill Van Wie
The outdoor environment in this area is fabulous, especially at this time of year, with the fresh crisp air and the changing colors. I’m able to get a lot of exercise without thinking about it on the trail team with neighbors, maintaining 8 miles of trails in the woods on campus while enjoying the changing seasons. The health benefits are beyond my expectations and the camaraderie of my neighbors it makes it even more beneficial. I also find the neighboring areas here are beautiful and the local trout streams exciting. I enjoy the change of seasons and the air in the fall is so refreshing. This region is rich with beauty and color in the fall and it makes life more enjoyable every season.
Phoebe Driscoll
I grew up on a farm in Maryland where my brothers and parents did everything —-from herding beef cattle and tending farrowing sows (I think farmers of my age will smile at “farrowing sows” — female pigs giving birth). I would hand cut corn for winter feed and between our vegetable garden, milk cows, beef cattle pigs and chickens, we were pretty sufficient for our basic needs. So, fall was a time to celebrate - the glorious colors and usually crisp weather. Now, I enjoy the fall without the work as I simply step out my door to the paths through the woods and meadows and enjoy the beauty from my home. I’m able to get in some work in every now and then. I use my shears to help clear paths and remove invasive plants - a most satisfying job.