Time is Running Short!

If you are planning to run for Betterton City Council or Mayor, time is running short. Judy Kohl has said that all potential candidates need all of their paperwork into the Town office no later than 11:30 AM on September 1. The B-blogger has it from some very reliable sources that all present elected officials for whom their term expires will be running to maintain their positions on Betterton's City Council. The real question is do you care? Can you name all present sitting members of Betterton's City Council? Do you know their positions on present issues and their vision for Betterton in the future? Do you know which member of Council has repeatedly been sighted with a wardrobe malfunction? (Hint: it is not the Mayor).

The B-blogger is first to admit a huge deficit in understanding current Council member's vision for the future? I do want to know whether candidates have thought about this and what that vision entails. Sure everyone wants reduced taxes and more service, but get real people ! How is Betterton going to capitalize on planned expansion of Aberdeen? What type of business can be attracted to the Jewel that will create sustainability? Imagine a Betterton of the future, where Kent County residents and tenants can grab a quick breakfast before boarding an eco-friendly high speed ferry to Aberdeen, Wilmington, and Baltimore .

The B-Blogger suggests that we create our own League of Women Voters to hold at least one candidate debate to hear their plans if elected. Further, I would suggest that our panel of interviewers be Judy Kohl, Joanne Jewett and Mare Smith. Additionally, if any candidate would like to post their vision on the Betterton Blog just provide it directly to Councilman Zellers and he will get it to the B-Blogger. If nothing else, candidates should declare their goals with a "Post" below.

Elections are October 2nd at Town Hall, so make sure you register ASAP and cast your ballot for the future of this town, I know I will.

No need for Activia this week

Bettertonians gathered on Saturday evening August 28th to celebrate the town's fig harvest. Residents, neighbors, and friends flocked to Mare and Craig Smith's for a feast of figs incorporated into appetizers, main courses and desserts. There is no doubt that our townspeople will have no problems with regularity. Take a look for yourself!

Upcoming Dates to Remember

August 28th - The Fig Fest - Bring a Dish (a fig recipe) and a Beverage 6:00 PM at Craig and Mare Smith's home - 111 Bayside Blvd. More information contact Wendy Coslett or Barbara Palma

August 30th - The Adkins Arboretum pre-sale of Native Plants ends. Visit www.adkinsplants.com

September 1st - Last day to get your lawn's soil sample to Josh Thompson at the Sassafras River Association for free analysis call 410 708-7667

September 8th - 10th - Rosh Hashanah Holiday (Jewish New Year's celebration of the harvest)

September 10th - 6-8 pm - Meet with Congressman Frank Kratovil to discuss the upcoming election, your needs and his opinions. contact Lynn Caligiuri at 410 279-0711 or LCaligiuri@kratovil.com

September 11th -12th - Public sale days for the Native Plant Sale at the Adkins Arboretum, the regions largest, most unique selection of native plants.

September 17- 18 - Yom Kippur - The holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Contact the Chestertown Havurah

The Betty and Freddy Show

It's not a misprint and the B-blogger did not mean Ozzie and Harriet, although Betty and Fred Krambeck are a long running show with lots of talent. While Barrack and Michelle had a motorcade to their picnic on the Vineyard, Betty and Fred had a constant column of friends, family and neighbors marching up the Rigby Condo stairs to join in the Krambeck open house on Saturday, August 21st. As you walked into their home you were immediately greeted by Betty's ever present and sincere smile and then there was Goldilocks, their grand-daughter with blond curls galore and her granny's smile. The B-blogger certainly would not want to be her parent in 10 -12 years, unless I had a double barrel shot -gun and a porch to watch over the suitors as they come a courting. The Krambeck house was packed with everyone enjoying the catered food, the abundance of friendly banter and a significant source of libation. You should have seen Joanne J. with her amazing bonnet to guard from the sun rays. Of course the Duke was there with Nicole, his daughter along with a good 30 others. As guests slowly drifted home, we were all reminded that this event signaled the coming of a new season.

If you have pictures or comments about the Krambeck's soiree, please post for others to hear and see.

Betterton Day Images

Got Gas? Where?

No the B-blogger hasn't lost his mind nor am I looking for comments such as "my mother-in-law's three bean salad", or "my neighbor's dairy cows." Instead, this post is for you to use to post where you are getting the best gasoline prices. In case you weren't aware price per gallon can vary as much as 10-12 cents/gallon on the Chestertown - Middletown corridor. The B-blogger thinks today that Molly's Mart gas at 2.59/gallon is your best bet. So bloggers let us see your recommendations as the days proceed. Just post a recommendation.

Dates to Remember and More!

August 19th - 7PM - The BCDC will meet at Betterton's Town Hall to discuss the new community center's landscaping as well as the fund raising needed to furnish our Center. For more information contact Joan Zellers or leave a post. Unable to attend, donate some dollars to this tax deductible organization. To sponsor a piece of the new interior contact Larry Crew.

August 28th - The Second Annual Betteron Fig Fest! Come by with a fig dish and sample many others. To learn more about specific events during the day contact the Fig Fest chair, Wendy Coslett. To share a favorite fig recipe leave a post below

Who's Jimmie?

The B-blogger has been hearing chatter about this Jimmie character who feels slighted by B-Town residents at least by his comments to these posts. So Jimmie show yourself and perhaps your alleged discrimination will disappear. Please remember this blog only accepts respectful comments and pics. Anybody know of Jimmie's identity?

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Today the 14th of August could not have been nicer, 80ish with just enough humidity to remind those who ventured out that summer in Kent County Maryland was far from over. Accompanying the wonderful weather was a line of cars winding their way into parking spaces throughout the Washington College campus. But no! this was not to see a sporting event or participate in a summer program, but rather to carry family,friends and neighbors from near and far to the memorial service for B-town resident and scholar Benjamin Gibbs Kohl Sr.

It is said that only our maker is perfect but this celebration of his life was as close to perfect as mortals can get. It was a symphony of verse, song and heartfelt feelings that filled the auditorium as individuals spoke of Ben's wisdom, sharp wit, love of history, literature, family and friends. Former students and faculty from both Vassar and Washington praised his ability to nurture those who shared his love for learning,research,and critical thinking. As those gathered listened to those who spoke, we learned that this entire event was scripted by Ben Sr. himself.

But why the title of this post, one might ask? The B-blogger learned just today that amidst all of his scholarship, philanthropy and guidance was a love for the sport of boxing. As with any champion boxer who goes down for the count for his last time, the bell rang ten times to remind those living beings and those above that Ben Gibbs Kohl Sr, a true champion, was leaving for the great archive in the sky.

The B-blogger encourages its readers to leave their thoughts for the Kohl family as a "post" below.

Grace and Elegance

Betterton Day evening would not be the same without the annual Clark party. It is no lie when we say that Betterton has its own Grace Kelly and that indeed is Ginna Clark. A lady who exudes warmth and charm in everything she does and assures these traits are extended to her family. Food, friends and neighbors were abundant at her cottage overlooking the mouth of the Sassafras. Guests were from near and far including former Bettertonian Millie Massey. She along with Tom Hollidge will go down in the books for being tops in gathering Cow Plop donors. Miss Millie is up for the week from Mars Hill, NC and residing with Linda Hall and the Bayside Docs. Oh! Did I forget to mention the party's great Margueritas and shrimp! Ginna and her family were certainly helping out the LA. economy with those large crustaceans, and I can guarantee you there was no oil on these giants.

Strike Up the Band

The gods must have been looking favorably at the citizens of Betterton on Saturday, 07 August, as the weather was superb for the annual Betterton Day celebration. The Duke of Bayside a.k.a. Dr. Mel was up early in order to claim space for his court to view the parade that kicked off the day. While the parade did have its share of politicians, dignitaries, fire trucks and a marching band, the B-Blogger got plenty of comments that it didn't live up to its usual collection of floats, fancy equipment and fire station princesses. Rumors have been circulating that famed Bettertonian and architect, Ken W. may be asked for design ideas for next year. Might the McD's move from T-Shirts to float? What say you (please offer a comment or two)? While it was very apparent that local residents did their share of support through presence and purchase, it's the Blogger's thought that more time and effort in preparation could have brought out more bands, more floats, and more people that would only serve to bring more vendors and hence more dollars to our own Betterton Fire Department. While the B- Blogger was happy to purchase cow plop entries from the young off-spring of a fire-fighter, it might have been better if the person asking was an actual BFD volunteer. Do you know your fire-fighter? Are you ready for a firefighters calendar? Perhaps we should put a hold on that idea until their bellies firm. Oh! Did you purchase a tee shirt? The choices were mind boggling do you get one from the Fire Department, BCDC or Sassafras River? To my better half's chagrin I just couldn't choose so bought them all. While the prices varied from $5 - 18.00, I couldn't tell a difference in quality could you? In the end a good day was had by all, especially Marianne and Craig Smith's sister in law who was spot on with where the plop would fall.

History in the Making!

On the eve of Betterton Day some fifteen members of the Chestertown Havurah gathered at Bayside Docs Malcolm and Mark's home to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. The service began with a candle lighting performed by Dr. Mark's mother Shirley. To the B-Blogger's knowledge this is the first time that any Jewish religious service has ever been held in B-Town. Approximately fifteen congregants joined in in the sunset service, including first timer Phyllis of Phyllis and Dave from the Rigby Condos. The service was led by the Havurah's cantor Gary Schiff and followed by an Oneg Shabbat, a welcoming of the Sabbath with blessings of the wine and bread (Challah)accompanied by delicious desserts and beverage provided by those congregants in attendance. The blessing of the wine was performed by cantor Schiff and that of the Challah by father and son, Barry and Mark.

The B-Blogger has also learned that other history is in the making with the decision by Bob Thomas, that hulk of a husband to Lady Jeanette, to create a photographic essay of today's homes in Betterton and their owners and families. That's right you may soon here a "knock,knock" at your door with a request from Bob to gather in front of your home for a photo or two. In discussion with the B-Blogger , Bob explained he wants to give back to the town he loves with this historical collection so that our children, their children and future residents will all have a visual of B-Town at the start of the 21st century. The B-Blogger believes that this special collection deserves a place in our soon to be community center.

Last but not least, thanks to Judy Kohl, our blog got mention in Judy's wonderful column in the Kent County News. Who knows we may make it to CNN or Fox News, did I hear someone say Oprah?