Issues and Activities - Betterton in Bloom

As the Red Buds begin to bloom and the tulips sprout across the yards, many activities are planned. However, before we get to the fun, the B-blogger would like to know how you feel with the latest of decisions made by our Town Council and Mayor. According to the Kent County News, Mayor and Council have decided to leave the Cross atop of the entrance to our community center. The B-blogger has to applaud Councilman Zellers for being the sole member to vote against this decision. The Blogger believes in our great nation and the principle of separation of Church and State. It would seem to me that this decision is a violation of this principle, especially since the community center is the home to our town's legislative body and to the principle that our community center is open to all who wish to partake in its activities.

The Cross of the Precious Blood Catholic Church is indeed part of the Jewel's history and should be placed within our planned historical museum section of the Betterton Community Center but not atop the entrance-way. So what is your opinion?

On a more festive note mark your calendars for May 21st and June 26th as our summer fun begins. On May 21st between 10 AM and 3 PM the American Legion Post will host an "Olde Betterton Post Card Show." For more information contact Larry Crew at 410-348-9144. The B-blogger has his own collection and can't wait to see the plethora of cards I'm missing. Who knows perhaps your home will be front and center on one of these historic memories.

As the heat of summer builds, June 26th will be the perfect time for an "Olde Fashion Ice Cream Social" to be held at the Bettterton Community Center from noon to 3 PM. Personally, I'm a fan of vanilla bean but what is your favorite flavor? Remember this event is a perfect setting to invite friends and relatives to visit the Jewel. It's great for kids as well as Uncle Harry and Aunt Sally as they won't be able to comment about their likes and dislikes in your home as you can have them filling their faces with great ice cream in a totally neutral setting.

It's time to arose your Qi and move that stagnant energy, so please post your thoughts below and let our Summer begin!

A Note of Sorrow

As the rains come and soak the soil of Betterton to wake up those sleepy bulbs of Iris, Tulip and Daffodil, sorrow spreads over our Jewel this week as Jeanette Ayars Thomas passed away after a heroic battle with lung disease. Jeanette was an amazing woman who many may not have seen during the past few years as her lungs would not let her venture far out of her house that she shared with her husband, Bob Thomas. Bob as many B-Blog readers know is Chair of our Zoning and Planning Committee and well known as the Ambassador of Bayside Boulevard where he greets strangers and friends from his porch at night.

The B-blogger will remember Jeanette as a woman of many unknown talents. Did you know that she was a great artist. Every holiday brought a unique hand designed card from Jeanette and these will serve as great memories as will her devotion to Bob.

At present plans for a memorial service are yet unknown, but please post a comment of your memories of Jeanette and or condolences to Bob and the Ayars family.

Through the Looking Glass On February 24th

Aberdeen Proving Grounds will once again be testing their long range spy glasses on Betterton Beach on February 24th, according to a recent communique directly from APG. For those who didn't see the earlier post, this exercise will have military people dressed in garb from foreign soil roaming our beach and nearby areas. These individuals may or may not be accompanied by military vehicles. It is not a threat but a test.

Earlier attempts have been hampered by weather. The B Blogger would welcome any pictures that residents in town on the 24th might catch in the early morning hours. It is advised, however, that unless you wish to pose for a pin up calendar that you exhibit some caution before gazing out your window in a nighty or undergarment.

Speaking of pictures if you attended our first ever Movie Night at the BCC this past Friday, please post your thoughts of this event below. The B-Blogger caught a glimpse of Carol M and Ken W on their way to the movie but haven't seen them since.

Neighboring Village Looking for Solution

The T shirt says "Where the hell is Betterton? 3 miles north of Still Pond". However after the recent fire at the Still Pond store and post office, the village is hurting over the potential destruction of this historic place. Check out the video from the Baltimore Sun at :

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-stillpond-20110214,0,7248097.story

or just click on the title of this post. If you have ideas for saving this structure or other thoughts to aid our neighbors, why not leave a comment below! Perhaps we could offer our new community center as a site for a local fundraiser?

A Family Bonding Night - Movie Night at BCC (click here)

With the threat of another winter storm looming towards the end of the next week, what better than making plans for something close to home with food and friends. The BCDC will be hosting its first movie night (PG-rating) at the newly refurbished Betterton Community Center says Bettertonian Ann Hedgepeth.

BCDC would like to invite young and old and all ages in between to join us for our first family movie night at the Town of Betterton Community Center. Everyone is welcome and its FREE!

Click on to this Posting's Title and see the movie's trailer.

We encourage you to come early to spend some time exploring the Community Center, visiting with friends and meeting neighbors before the movie gets rolling.

Some chairs and other seating will be available and we will need to seat some people on the floor as well. Bring a pillow to make your movie viewing more comfy! While refreshments will be provided feel comfortable bringing a favorite treat that you might wish to share, too.

Our town The Jewel of the Chesapeake Bay shines a bit brighter by having another place for residents, families and friends to spend time together. We are fortunate to have this unique community center as a gathering space. Mark your calendar, plan to attend and spread the word!

Friday, February 18, 2011
Doors open at 6:45 pm
Film to begin around 7:00 pm
Film - Toy Story 3
Refreshments will be provided

Please contact Ann Hedgepeth if you have any questions about this event: 410.348.5282 (please leave a message) or annhedgepeth@gmail.com.

War Games and Weather

It wasn't too many years ago that a local resident commented about concerns that the proposed Betterton fly-in community could serve as a beach front for enemies to enter our country. Many giggled at the time but if you are in Betterton this week of January 24th, you are probably witnessing just this scenario with Aberdeen Proving Grounds (ABG) war games on Betterton Beach. Originally, the plan was only a single day of men and women dressed in Middle Eastern garb and the presence of ATV's on the beach, but most recent updates from Annette Green seem to imply a multi-day event. Should you have any specific questions about the event you can contact James Fielder at james.fielder@us.army.mil.

The good news is that this is not a blood and guts exercise but rather one of looking and seeing as ABG is testing some highly specialized vision devices to see what they can see from the other side of the Bay. The B- Blogger wants to know if they are looking into my windows or any one's in the condo? Depending on their focus, they might be able to report who is going to Church on Sunday and who is not?

As the B-Blogger is presently in the City of Brotherly Love, I would encourage all Bettertonians within the Jewel to POST their thoughts and visions of what is actually occurring on the Beach as well as provide weather updates on this unexpected winter storm. Get your pictures posted by sending them to makdvm@gmail.com. Who knows the Jewel may actually move from a location to the destination that saved the US from an outside enemy attack!

Only 6 months to Betterton Day 2011

Its hard to believe that with wind chills bringing our ambient temperatures well below 32 degrees, that anyone in their right mind would say its time to plan for Betterton Day, however, the B-Blogger says its the perfect time. Mayor Sorge has said, very accurately, that Betterton is not a destination but rather a location. The B-Blogger says an ever improving Betterton Day can make the Jewel into a destination. When people come then local business survives and our town can then look to new sources of revenue, rather than the resident's wallets.

Enhancing Betterton Day means getting the word out early to near and far as well as coming up with new ideas and events to draw the crowds and have a great time. This being said the B-Blogger has been told that the first order of duty needs to be an enhanced working relationship between our Fire Company and the BCDC. The organizers must be aligned with respect to the betterment of Betterton. Hopefully, some of our Blog readers will belly up to the bar and get a joint committee up and running.

The next step will be determining what should be new and what should remain? How do we use and showcase our new community center? Should we have an early morning Boomer Bike Ride or Walk? More floats, bands and/or vendors? What about a bake off where the men with the best recipes show their stuff to a panel of women judges? How about a kid's tractor pull in the firehouse lot? A tennis tournament? Do we have some Red Hatters who would march? I can't wait to see the suggestions that you come up with, posted below. Have at it friends and neighbors, where do we go from here?