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?

Its Not About Naugthy or Nice but Stranded or Not

While some dreamed of a white Christmas B-Town was blessed with a shade of gray, a wisp of frigid wind and a field full of white geese doing their best to create an illusion of snow. To the Blogger's surprise many residents chose to travel to family and relatives outside the Jewel and leave our wonderful hamlet a bit desolate for those that remained. To top this off many that did leave have been unable to return as they are stranded in locations hit by this weekend's winter storm. The Blogger and family left on Sunday during the height of the storm to travel North to the City of Brotherly Love. While Dr. Mel reports that B-Town was spared any accumulation of white, the Blogger reports that they have 11.8 inches of white throughout Philadelphia as evidenced in the photo above.

City Council members want us to know of a good deed done by our water meter reader, who happened to notice icicles on the inside of a First Avenue home. She immediately contacted Councilman Zellers and with the aid of Karen Russo, the residents were notified of a massive water pipe burst within their home. While there was significant damage done, it could have been much worse if our meter reader had not acted as she did. We should all be grateful to those neighbors and friends who keep an eye out for the little clues that can catch a big problem. A word to the wise is that if you will be leaving your home, especially during these winter months, shut off your water or at least the valves that go to sinks and toilets as well as ask a neighbor to keep an eye open.

So what's your Christmas story and or adventure? Lets hear about it with a post below.

Tis the Season

While the sun was shedding its rays on the Jewel today the thermometer barely reached 40 degrees and this evening is expected to bring below freezing temperatures, so just in case you weren't aware winter is knocking at our door. For some the thought of cold is more than chilling but this holiday season offers warmth with friends, family, food and drink. While Christmas brings bells, holly and Santa, Chanukah brings the festival of lights and as last year's photo reminds us, Betterton is and will be a town of bells, holly and lights for all and if you listen closely perhaps you'll hear Santa's reindeer as they lite on our Community Center's roof, thank goodness its been repaired. Oh! have you seen the trees that have been planted around the Center thanks to the grant that Joe Stock helped us secure?

To get the holiday spirit into full bloom, the Blogger has decided to use this post as an opportunity to share good wishes and good food. So our readers are encouraged to post their good thoughts and hopes and offer up their favorite recipe. To get us started the Blogger wants to wish all his fellow Bettertonians much happiness and health in the coming year and may B-Town blossom in 2011.

Now here is the Blogger's favorite recipe for Latkes (pronounced LOT KA's), potato pancakes served during Chanukah.

Ingredients:
6 Yukon Gold Potatoes ( about 2 lbs) peeled and halved
1-2 yellow onions (finely chopped)
2 large fresh eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons of all purpose flower
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4- 3/4 tsp of ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying, or if your arteries can take it, Chicken fat

Chop the potatoes in a food processor to a slightly lumpy slurry, or grate them by hand like my grandmother did. Use cheesecloth to drain the water from the potatoes, give them a good squeeze. Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl and add the onion, eggs, flour, and seasoning. Mix well.
In a large fry pan heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil or chicken fat until it bubbles
Use about 1 tablespoon of the potato mixture for each pancake and cook a batch at a time depending on the size of your skillet. Cook the each latke for 2-3 minutes on each side until it browns. It is ok to flatten the latke as it cooks.
Drain the hot latkes on paper towels and then keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.

You can augment the latkes by adding applesauce or sour cream as a topping.

Amazing Free-Flying Bald Eagle "Challenger" (AEF)

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is a little over a week away and the Blogger would like to thank all of our readers for their participation and posts. Would also like to take this time of thanks and wish speedy recoveries to John McDougall and Mel Rapelyea. John took some nasty falls but thankfully is on the road to recovery with Jean at his side. Mel will start Thanksgiving week off, under the knife, as he has a shoulder repaired. Rumor has it that Mel plans to organize a softball team next Spring.

I think we all need to thank those Bettertonians who have devoted their time to volunteer activities both in B-Town and the County, as well as our City Council members and Mayor.

The blogger is off to Virginia to see parents who unfortunately are coming to the end of their days but I have to give thanks for the love and care they have given my sisters and me for so many years.

I have some suspicion that there are some B-Towners who may not have a place to go for Turkey and stuffing, so check on your neighbors and perhaps offer them a chair at your table or a dish at their door.

Speaking of sharing and giving, Ben Kohl recently surprised his amazing wife Kim with a 25th birthday gift of a trip to Vienna, where they will participate in the New Year's Waltz gala. Kim is looking for a floor length gown that won't take up much space in her luggage as they will be off to ski in the Alps the next morning. Any ideas or gowns to share? The Blogger hopes to post pictures of Kim and Ben counting 1,2,3; 1,2,3 as they glide across the floor. Who knows they may audition for "So You Think You Can Dance."

Millie Massey will be returning to the fold and staying a few days with Linda Hall, if you care to say hello.

This reminds me that Linda and Ken Warwick still have a few pieces of art that would make a great holiday gift, so give them a shout.

For those of you who asked when Chanukah is this year, its early and doesn't coincide with Christmas. It will be celebrated from the evening of Dec. 1st through the ninth.

Please share your thoughts on happenings and people that or who deserve thanks as a post below.

Volunteers Needed

Bettertonians it wasn't too long ago that there was much discussion over lack of awareness of volunteer opportunities in the Jewel, well the time has come to help out. Linda Hall has recently informed me that the BCDC needs people with a truck that can volunteer to transport the ARK to key events, such as the recent Downrigger weekend. We also need some younger volunteers who would be willing to help us establish a BCDC presence on Twitter and Facebook. There are lots more activities too that could use your help so remember that the BCDC meets on the third Thursday of every month, except on holidays. Contact Linda Hall, Judy Kohl and or Joan Zellers if you have interest. Remember that BCDC is all about improving the Jewel's appearance and fostering a positive environment.

Don't forget the speedo's and two pieces will be coming out of the closet for the last time this year at the Goose Bump Jump on Saturday the 13th at 11:00 AM. If you can't take the leap, then be there to shout the bathers on!