FIG FEST ON HOLD

Breaking news from meteorologist Dr. Mel states that Hurricane Irene is on a course that could bring 100 mph winds and downpours to the Jewel on Saturday and Sunday.  With this threat Wendy Coslett and Barbara Palma the Fig Fest organizers have put a "Hold" on this much anticipated event with a rain date for next weekend, Sunday September 4th at 4 PM. B-town neighbors and residents are being urged to put away chairs, tables and other items that could become projectiles with Irene's strong gusts.  Some reports are claiming that this storm could be the worst that we have encountered since the early 1990's.  Needless to say power outages are highly likely as a result of our unwanted guest, Irene.  Get out today or at the latest tomorrow and secure batteries for flashlights, canned and dry food as well as plenty of bottled water.  For those of you with pets remember to keep them indoors as strong winds can send cats and small dogs smashing into trees and or over the bluff and into the Chesapeake.  Stay safe, get a good book or two and save those fig recipes for a week from now.  Remember that phone lines may go down so assure that your cell phone is charged and use TEXT messaging when lines are busy.  For up to date weather information click onto Betterton Weather Update.

Betterton Shakes, Rattles Rocks and Rolls

It was Sunday morn while many were at Church as Nature showed her force with excessive winds and torrential rains in B-Town.  Several residents were totally unaware of the damage this storm brought to the Jewel as they sat in pews in Chestertown that was spared the deluge. Trees and their limbs were torn from the ground as electricity and phone service were downed for several hours.  Several homes experienced damage to buildings and their grounds while winds whipped outdoor furniture on their side or onto the bluff.  Just as the Town was beginning to revive, the ground shook from an earthquake centered in VA.  The shake was felt both North, South, East and West of B-town but thankfully with only minimal scares and slight damage.  Interestingly for the B-Blogger, not even a tremor was felt, as he drove down 95 from Philadelphia to Bear,DE.  If that isn't enough the weatherman/woman is reporting the potential for Irene to come and visit B-Town this weekend.  I'm sure my neighbors would agree we are a welcoming community but Irene please don't come.

Thursday and Friday are big days for B-town inhabitants to be activists with the Town Hall Meeting on Rigby Bluff and the Condo's at the Community Center on Thursday ;and the public comment period on a Kent County Dump Site proprosal coming to a close on Friday of this week.  The Sassafras River Association is encouraging everyone to write our County Commissioners with the message of "Just Say No."  There is a B-town petition circulating and for those in Town, contact Joan Zellers to place your "John Hancock" on the document.  For those who are out of town send an email, no later than Friday morning, to the following addresses:

 

Kent Commissioner Contact Information:

President Ronald Fithian, rfithian@kentgov.org                                                                                     Commissioner William Pickrum, wpickrum@kentgov.org                                                                      Commissioner Alexander Rasin, arasin@kentgov.org                                                                   Commissioners' Office, kentcounty@kentgov.org
(Direct your emails to all four of these addresses)

Mailing Address:
Kent County Commissioners
400 High Street
Chestertown, MD 21620

 

So now you have your work cut out for you!  Please leave a post below and tell us about how you and your family fared during the recent weather and what your plans are for Irene should she come for a visit.

What Does Betterton Day and the US have in Common?

The day was clearly beautiful and there were some winners, however, Betterton Day similar to the US credit rating were downgraded this weekend according to a poll from Miss Anna at Scotty's along with feedback from many of the attendees.  While the 6th Avenue Outsiders caught the spirit with their float and goats, there could be so much more if the parade was marketed better.  While the Blogger helped sell T- shirts many parade on-lookers wanted to know where the fish fry vendor was?  Weren't there some amusement type rides for the children last year, one resident asked? As for T-shirts, the two most requested were "Where the H is Betterton" and the Linda Hall Sailboat design with the American flag.  The former seemed to be the favorite of men and the latter was requested by women.  Speaking of women, many wanted to know why few if any of the T-shirts had women's collars?  Several other members of the female gender commented that shirts should include both medium and large sizes, as not all women are supersize nor do they buy these shirts just for nighties.

So what can we do better, according to Miss Anna and many others the BCDC and Betterton Fire Company need to work on this day together.  Start the planning process early and that means this Fall with joint meetings between these two groups.  Utilize town talent especially in the area of marketing and promotion.  Create a Betterton Day Website where ideas can be shared and developed.  Let's go neighbors and friends bet we can get our AAA rating back faster than our country if we don't play partisan politics.

A big thanks to all those who put in the time whether driving a float, manning a booth or helping prepare.  2012 will be amazing!