So Much To Do, So Little Time

The B-Blogger just returned from Chestertown where the parking meters are already decorated for Halloween and the Sultana is readying for her down-rigging. If this is not enough Artworks begins its 2010 Studio Tour that happens both this weekend and the next. Don't forget to visit Ken Warwick's Betterton Studio on either of the weekends and Linda Hall's wonderful watercolors on the first November weekend. Let's not forget that the Betterton American Legion has their Halloween auction on Friday night October 29th.

On my way to Play It Again Sam's I stopped for my Washington Post at Scotty's where restaurant critic Miss Anna told the blogger that she was giving the Lemon Leaf Cafe a 4 out of 5 for their food and pricing, especially breakfast. Have you been? Share your thoughts with a post below.

There are great handouts from the Sultana and Artworks if you need event times and directions.

The weather is simply splendid for all these upcoming events. Let's not forget that today, October 28th is the final day for early voting at the Chestertown Library. The polls are open till 8pm tonight. If you miss it, you can always make your vote count on the official election day this coming Tuesday, November 2nd.

For those Betterton Blogger readers who can't make it down this weekend enjoy the following photos. Oh! Many B-Blog readers have asked for the anonymous option to be removed, so if you post you will need to "sign in" at the upper right corner of our blog. Signing in will allow you to use a pseudonym such a "foot warmer" or "sky diver" in place of your actual name.

Enjoy and don't forget the Goose Bump Jump at Betterton Beach is just around the corner. Stay tuned!

Great Weekend for a Stroll

Its hard to believe that a week has past since one of our nicest Fall weekends (Oct 16-17). The B-Blogger is late with this post but he has been in Texas learning new skills (Acupuncture). However, this post is about the beauty of our County and the many things to do. The sun rose on Saturday and the Chestertown Farmers Market was full of goodies from pumpkins to fresh breads and croissants. People strolled from one vendor to another as the Wildlife exhibit flew into action with carvers, artists and food. I never knew there were so many species of ducks and just as many talented carvers. Can someone explain to me the difference between a good decoy and a great one? There was also plenty for the kids to do including help build Wood Duck nesting boxes. The B-Blogger and his better half learned that these boxes, while ecologically correct, are often placed in incorrect surroundings such as the Betterton bluffs where they attract starlings & snakes rather than ducks and or Screech Owls.

For those looking for bargains, Galena offered two days of antique shopping where vendors offered their wares at 20-50% off. Galena's streets were packed with people as they strolled in and out of shops and up and down alleys filled with everything from bird houses to quilts and wagon wheels.

Galena owes a big thanks to Betterton residents Tom and Joanne Jewitt Hollidge for adding to the day's population as their friends and guests gathered at St. Dennis to celebrate the wedding of Joanne's daughter Melanie to Eric Army. Guests were dressed in their Sunday best and the B-Blogger learned that fun was had by one and all.

As the sun sets on this post, I hope you enjoy the attached photos and the special picture of Percy the possum, who Betterton residents said hasn't been seen in many years.

Betterton - The Community of Choice for HCP's?

As Mayor Sorge recently commented : "Betterton is a destination" but the real question is if Betterton is becoming the community of choice for health care providers (HCP) to live and enjoy life? Let's take a look at some of these life savers who give their time and efforts to keeping us healthy and administering to us when ill or hurt. We have nurse Christine Turner, respiratory therapist Joan Zellers, Drs., Mel and Mark and our most recent addition Dr. Keri Jacobs. Perhaps the BCDC could create a welcome basket for Dr. Jacobs? I encourage all the Jewel readers to wave hello if nothing else to Dr. J if you see her looking out at the Bay from the condos on Bayview. By the way, the B- Blogger has recently learned that Dr. Mel is celebrating his 40th this week, so perhaps a congrats on the firehouse display board would be a welcomed surprise. Speaking of our Betterton Volunteer Firemen and Emergency Response Team, they too are part of the HCP community. The B-Blogger encourages our readers to post comments on an HCP that you would like to recognize or one that the B-Blogger has missed. Let me not forget Dr. Joe Stock who worked diligently to secure a huge grant to support purchase and planting of trees in our community.

Speaking of health, keeping active and engaged mentally is a critical factor in maintaining your health. I would ask any of our readers who know of activities in Betterton and or Kent County that need support to post this information below.

In closing this post please put your hands together for Councilmen Bob Pyfer and Ed Zellers for rolling up their sleeves to personally power wash the Bayside foot bridge. It is almost a perfect white and ready to proudly display our holiday wreaths within the next few months. Physical exercise and community commitment, what a way to stay healthy! Thanks to you both.

Community Center Links Past with Future

While clouds lingered above, the official opening of Betterton's first community center brought smiles and warmth of conversation as neighbors and friends wandered through the new building, enjoyed music, cider and sweets. With the Town's elections over and the voters spoken, it is time to move from politics to action. The slide show that previewed inside the community center's meeting space reminded everyone of the vibrance that was once Betterton and more importantly a vision for tomorrow. Everyone admits there is work to be done, the ceiling has been raised and the only way to reach its new heights is by banding together as a community that is committed to a Better Betterton. It is time to temper the complaints and work towards solutions. It is our time for commitment, have an issue? Lets hear it but also if you raise it, you are also volunteering to work with Mayor and Council to bring about an equitable solution. It is our time to recognize and celebrate those neighbors that donate hours to Betterton and the surrounding communities, such as Karen Russo and Kent Kids, Linda Hall for BCDC, Joe Stock for securing grants to purchase trees for our public space and our volunteer firemen and women to mention just a few. It is time to congratulate and celebrate major family events such as the upcoming Hollidge nuptials. It is time to commit to Town Leadership and volunteer to work on projects and committees as well as breaking down all barriers to community involvement. BCDC and the Betterton Fire Company need to leverage the power of teamwork. We need to foster communications that lead to understanding. The B-Blogger has committed to help our new leadership communicate better and to that end hopes that you who read this blog will publicly commit to helping Council and Mayor in areas of interest and expertise. Let's applaud people like Bob Thomas who has bellied up to the bar and assumed the Chair of Zoning and Planning. As you contemplate your commitment to our wonderful town, enjoy a few pictures of our very own Community Center and its opening!