The Smoked Boston Butt Bonanza...Bigger, Butt Can't Get Any Better

Once again, we are having our semi-annual Smoked Boston Butt Bonanza and this is a wonderful time to let someone else do the cookin'.

In fact, these wonderful cuts of pork, smoked and prepared by Award Winning Smokers -  DOKO Smoke BBQ - will be available just in time for Easter.

The Easter Bunny is so thankful not to be a part of your holiday dining plans and doesn't mind you pigging out otherwise.

Get creative! You can freeze your butt off (in the freezer) and feed your family and friends later, host a party or have some bona fide pulled pork for your next picnic.

No ifs, ands; just butts - one of the best butts you'll ever get your hands on.

The Butt: A cooked-weight of approximately seven (7) pounds of shapely deliciousness, packaged in tin foil...Only $40.00.

If you run out of ideas (silly thought) for what to do with your Boston Butt, you can always leave a few pounds for making Chalupas.

If you are not a fan of Boston Butt or still have some hanging out in your freezer, you can always designate your purchase to go to Epworth Children's Home. They are nothing, butt fans.

Proceeds go to church and community projects including funding for Family Promise (hosting homeless families once per quarter), sponsoring and volunteering for the National Prayer Line the first Saturday of each month and funding for Sheriff Leon Lott's Elder Watch Program.

Tickets are now on sale through March 20 at the Bethel United Methodist Church office Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The church is located at 4600 Daniel Drive in Forest Acres.

OR, you can use the purchase feature below and select as many butts as you can handle.

Please enter Epworth if your purchase is for Epworth Children's Home.

Pick-up for the Boston Butts will be between 4PM to 7PM Friday, April 3 - in time for Easter. Pick-up will be in the rear church parking lot, off Willingham Drive.

Ode to Aging

 

Recently, the mother of a wonderful friend of mine, passed away.

I had only spoken with her, Patricia Hutto Dukes, once, perhaps twice.

She was wonderful, engaging; sadly, yet, thankfully, I learned more of her at her funeral service.

Among all of her life and her accomplishments, she wrote short stories and poems. She once showed praise for a poem I had written. 

And, following, I believe, is the last poem she had written before she left us.

Ode to Aging

I do declare the time to be near

when I'll stand on the rim of the earth

The day is in sight when my soul will take flight

and encounter its second birth.

But tell me my friend do you comprehend

how this could possibly be

that this could happen to someone

who's been here as briefly as me?

The childhood, the girlhood, the womanly worldhood

have passed in the blink of an eye

Like a furious wind that wipes the slate clean

It's hello life and goodbye.

So I ask you again if you understand

how my story so quickly was told

and when in the world has this little girl

ever had time to grow old.

For profound reason, I have shared.

 

Blind Corners...Do Your Neighbors a Favor

 

I have pruned and/or removed many shrubs and trees near a customer's driveway in order to enable a better view while leaving home and entering a roadway.

As I drive around Forest Acres and other areas, particularly neighborhoods, I often encounter intersections where I have no safe view of the roadway, particularly potential cross-traffic. Putting the front of one's vehicle out into an intersection to gain a better view is not safe. I am certain this is not unique to our area.

I also encounter this on tight back roads and curves where the plant life and foliage is over-grown...it's troubling.

A blind corner or intersection is exactly that...blind - unsafe and dangerous. Now, we are no longer dealing with simply leaving a driveway we are familiar with, but navigating another roadway or intersection at much higher speeds.

Not potentially as dangerous as the near-hidden Stop Sign in the photo, but any obscured intersection or roadway is dangerous.

Please take the time to assess whether your property, its shrubs or trees, may be causing such a hindrance.

This is not simply about your neighbors, but fellow drivers and pedestrians as well.

At a minimum, go out and trim or hack those plants back.

Or, contact me and I will see what is necessary to permanently resolve the problem or make it more manageable over time.

And, if you have shrubs and trees hiding that beautiful home you paid a small fortune for, I'll help you with that.

Doug Ingbretsen

Back40 Landscape Restoration and Maintenance

803-553-5757

It's That Time Again...Time for Some Boston Butts!

Yes, it is!

The response was fantastic in the spring, butt The MOB (Men of Bethel) of Bethel United Methodist Church are looking forward to the coming Boston Butt Bonanza this fall.

Once again, we are having our semi-annual Boston Butt Bonanza (bigger and better) and this is a wonderful time to let someone else do the cookin'.

In fact, these wonderful cuts of pork, smoked and prepared by Award Winning Smokers - DOKO Smoke BBQ - will be available just in time for fall and upcoming holidays.

Do we even need a holiday to enjoy such flavor? Heck no.

Get creative! You can freeze your butt off (in the freezer) and feed your family and friends later, host a party or have some bona fide pulled pork for your next picnic.

No ifs, ands; just butts - one of the best butts you'll ever get your hands on.

The Butt: A cooked-weight of approximately seven (7) pounds of shapely deliciousness, packaged in tin foil...Only $40.00.

If you run out of ideas (silly thought) for what to do with your Boston Butt, you can always leave a few pounds for making Chalupas.

If you are not a fan of Boston Butt or still have some hanging out in your freezer, you can always designate your purchase to go to Epworth Children's Home. They are nothing, butt fans.

Proceeds go to church and community projects including funding for Family Promise (hosting homeless families once per quarter), sponsoring and volunteering for the National Prayer Line the first Saturday of each month and funding for Sheriff Leon Lott's Elder Watch Program.

Tickets are now on sale through October 17 at the Bethel United Methodist Church office Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The church is located at 4600 Daniel Drive in Forest Acres.

OR, you can use the purchase feature below and select as many butts as you can handle.

Please enter Epworth if purchase is for Epworth Children's Home.

Pick-up for the Boston Butts will be between 4PM to 7PM Friday, October 24. Pick-up will be in the rear parking lot, off Willingham Drive.

IMPORTANT! If you use the on-line purchase feature above, please print and bring your receipt when picking up as this will serve as your ticket. Your receipt will come from dingbretsen@gmail.com, so please check your e-mail spam or junk folder if you don't shortly find this in your in-box.

Please contact Doug at 803-553-5757 if you have any questions or difficulty ordering.

Thank you, very much!

K N O W I N G,  L O V I N G,  S E R V I N G

Aging in Place and Still Growing!

 

If you are a senior or family member or friend of a senior, you may be very interested in attending this event.

Free Fresh Bay Leaves

I just pruned our Bay Laurel tree (more about that in another article) and I have thousands of leaves to give away should you want some for seasoning some of your favorite recipes.

They have been placed, still on-branch, in a pile on Willingham Drive at Bethel United Methodist Church near the rear parking lot, not far from the Blessing Box.

If you are interested, please get them as soon as possible, as drying in direct sunlight is not best for them. 

I dry bay leaves occasionally and keep them jarred in the kitchen, but if I haven't, I just go out and cut the leaves I need. I do this if and only if the sauce, soup, etc. has a cooking time over an hour.

Bay leaves go through favorable flavor changes when dried or with time in heated fluids.

There are several methods for drying bay leaves or you can use fresh if you have a slow-cooking dish you wish to make soon. The following link provides very good instructions on doing so: https://seasonsinthekitchen.com/a-guide-to-bay-leaves-how-to-dry-bay-leaves/

The plant is very healthy and the leaves look fantastic. If you find a bad one, simply discard it.

I had to make a variety of cuts, so you should be able to choose a branch or a few which suits your needs and then remove the leaves at home. Or, if you plan to naturally air-dry them, you may wish to leave the leaves (sorry) attached and allow this to happen on the branch.

Have a Wonderful Labor Day!

 

Leon Lott to Meet with the MOB - Saturday, February 11

UPDATE: We are providing quiche and fruit for breakfast - not asking for contributions for the meal. So, please let us know if you plan to attend.

Richland County Sheriff, Leon Lott, is to sit down with the MOB (Men of Bethel United Methodist Church) Saturday, February 11, at 8:30 a.m.

This regularly scheduled monthly breakfast for which Leon occasionally visits with Bethel United Methodist Church is open to the public - men, women and children.

This is a chance for you to meet with our sheriff, listen to what he has to say and allow him to field some questions you may have - I am certain there are plenty.

If you wish to attend, please do so by using the CONTACT US form to the right (indicating how many attendees) so that we may plan appropriately for accommodations and food.

During his visit, Sheriff Lott receives a donation from Bethel to assist his department or for a community cause.

Bethel United Methodist Church is located at 4600 Daniel Drive in Forest Acres on the corner of Daniel and Willingham Drives.

The breakfast is held at Pool Activity Hall - the closest large building adjacent to the parking lot off of Willingham Drive. There is also parking in front of the church on Daniel Drive.

Feel free to come at 8:00 a.m. to meet some of the MOB and settle in.

We have always enjoyed a wonderful and informative event when we meet with Sheriff Lott, so we hope you are able to come out with us.

Again, this is open to the public.

Please respond to this post using the CONTACT US form to the right (indicating how many attendees) so that we may plan appropriately for accommodations and food.

We hope to see you February 11!

Please share this with friends, family and neighbors by using one of the features below.

The FriendShip: A Wonderful Organization for Seniors - Volunteers Needed

 

My 93-year-old mother fell a couple of years ago. She was actually on her way into an exercise class (one of several similar activities she performed each week) when she fell.

There was mention of hip replacement at the hospital, but the doctor said her tissue, muscle and bone were in good condition so hip replacement was not necessary.

The safety and assistance modifications were made to the home and a medical alert device was installed.

Months later she fell and damaged her femur. We tend to monitor her more on special days as she tends to prefer falling on holidays. The first fall was on her birthday and the second on Halloween.

The femur was repaired and has healed, but the woman will not remain idle.

Fortunately, a friend introduced her to The FriendShip. I know what they mean to and have done for my mother, but please click on the link to see how they may benefit you, a friend or a loved one.

My mother receives help from the family and friends, but we believe this is another form of assistance and friendship she benefits from greatly. I have met many of these volunteers and these are usually events I enjoy and/or are persons I admire. 

They have taken her shopping - grocery and fun shopping, to the bank, walked with her outdoors or at the gym at Eastminster Presbyterian Church (not associated with The Friendship).

Occasionally they will be on a planned trip and then ask her if she would like to do anything else. She is a very likable and warm person and still has a since of wit and humor, so perhaps this influences such offerings.

Not certain if planned, but it seems that monthly they have some social event, perhaps with a theme, topic and/or guest speaker.

A few weeks ago, some of the volunteers and members went to see "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris". As much as I watch classic movies with my mother, she definitely enjoyed this recent release.

Our mother has phone conversations with the Services Coordinator, Eleanor Stein, once a week or more, depending. Eleanor appears to be willing and tireless.

We are also trying to put a friend, much younger than my mother, in touch with The FriendShip. Although usually lucid and cognitive, she now needs assistance. We feel she is with a less-caring and less-personal service who may be overcharging her. We hope she will accept and join The Friendship.

Our mother and the family are so thankful for The Friendship. They offer so much for such a reasonable fee.

This is just one of the reasons I am asking that you consider volunteering if you have the heart and the time. I want to see this organization grow and continue for a very long time for not only our mother, but other seniors as well.

If you are interested in volunteering, I am certain you will want to view the entire website, but you can begin by going to their VOLUNTEERS l Opportunities and Application page.

Thank you. 

Doug Ingbretsen

Thank You to the Richland County Master Gardener Association

A few months ago I was contacted by a customer of mine about speaking to and presenting for the Richland County Master Gardener Association (RCMGA). I was flattered, very flattered. I have spoken to garden clubs, but not to Master Gardeners.

She referred me to the person who coordinates and hosts such events and I learned she was also a customer...good company to keep, all the way around.

Approaching the event I realized I confused the date with another event and I had about ten days less to prepare. Most of this occurred during the decline of my father's health and his passing. However, I told the host I would do my best.

Yesterday is when I spoke to the Richland County Master Gardener Association. I hope I did well and everyone received some benefit. I have taught, presented, spoken publicly before and even emceed a few events, but I was not as prepared as I would have preferred and it was also done over Zoom. I have a technology background, but presenting remotely is much different than in-person, which I prefer. There are spacial and lighting issues which are difficult to address in one's home with just a cell phone.

Nonetheless, I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to speak to the RCMGA and I hope to have some relationship with their members and its cause for many more years.

Thank you, Gail, Kate and all the members.

Those Darn Invasive Neighbors (Plants)

I saw this Non Sequitir piece and I had to laugh, loudly.

I've worked on many of these issues, yes, with climbing vines and ivies, but more so with shrubs and tree branches.

My theory, or practice rather, is, if the plant's trunk (main stem) is in your yard it is your responsibility and the same goes for your neighbor. And, if a branch or stem crosses (encroaches) your property line, then you have the right to prune it back to your property line.

I have yet to see a customer's neighbor get up in arms with any of my methods or practices, but there is some S.C. legal statute which deals with "willfully and maliciously injuring" a neighbor's plant. Most pruning, even not-so-proper pruning, is not going to cause severe injury or death to a plant. And, "willfully and maliciously" is an entirely different issue.

The bad part about simply cutting back branches or stems at the property line, particularly for trees, is that you will probably always be simply cutting back branches or stems at the property line. It would be nice to know your neighbor or speak with them about making a proper pruning cut on their side for a branch which has no other future than to cross into your property, particularly if it is a property or personal safety hazard. Plus, simply cutting back at the property line usually means more dense and muddled branches and foliage in the future or another dying branch stub to look at while you are sippin' tea or mint juleps on your back porch.

I have conferred with plenty of my customer's neighbors and sometimes the third party conversation is a benefit to the home owner.

And, I have also had neighbors decide together about what to do with a shared overgrown border and they have shared the cost in some fashion.

The worst cases are usually those back property lines where one or both property owners just let things go for several years. I have seen some neighbors to the rear whom I presume couldn't care less about what happens along their property lines and the problem with these neighbors is my customers usually don't even know who they are or have even see them - there's no way they could have ever.

After taking Back40 to providing proper pruning and care of not just shrubs and trees, but restoring lawns and creating new plant beds and installing some interesting hardscapes and pathways, this is where it all began...

...in the back forty and along the borders of properties, taken caring of, eliminating or restoring what went wrong, perhaps the unwanted encroaching growth from a neighbor's property.

Currently, three of our largest projects are dealing with what's taking place along the borders and property lines. Some are for the homeowner wanting to restore their property and enjoy it for many years to come, while others are to prepare the property for sale.

We have staged (prepped) home's landscapes for sale, but many have to be brought back (restored) to a state for which the owner or reseller can even begin to imagine putting them on the market.

And, these aren't all run-down properties. Many are in neighborhoods where the front yard is to be maintained and showcased; however, the back yard has been neglected for quite some time. We are currently working on a gorgeous property with a back forty which has twenty years of uncontrolled growth.

We love to work with those whom see their home as their final home because, over time, we get to see the progress and enjoy the results, those they (we) will enjoy for years to come. But, we all have different considerations, realities and schedules for our properties.

We will, but have yet to find one we can't address.

Bethel Boston Butt Bonanza

Once again, it's time to grab some butt.

The MOB (Men of Bethel) of Bethel United Methodist Church are once again having their annual Boston Butt Bonanza and this is a wonderful time to let someone else do the cookin'.

In fact, this is perfect timing for Easter if you need to add a meat for Easter dinner or simply don't want to slave away in the kitchen and perhaps spend more time on some of your favorite side dishes, or not.

No ifs or ands, just butts - one of the best butts you'll ever get your hands on.

The Butt: A cooked weight of seven (7) pounds of shapely deliciousness packaged in tin foil...Only $30.00.

Tickets are now on sale through March 21 at the Bethel United Methodist Church office Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The church is located at 4600 Daniel Drive in Forest Acres.

Or, you can you use the Buy Now button below and select as many butts as you can handle.

Get creative! You can freeze your butt off (in the freezer) now and use it (them) to feed your family during the Spring, host a party or have some bona fide pulled pork for your next picnic.

Please, don't later find yourself saying, "I wish I would have, butt I didn't." There's a theme here - getting it? Okay, enough.

Proceeds go to church and community projects including funding for Family Promise (hosting homeless families once per quarter), sponsoring and volunteering for the National Prayer Line the first Saturday of each month and funding for Sheriff Leon Lott's Elder Watch Program.

By the way, thank you to all of you who came to Local Sheriff Sits Down with the MOB last Saturday. We nearly doubled our normal attendance and hope you enjoyed hearing from Sheriff Lott and having the opportunity to have your questions addressed.

Pick-up for the Boston Butts will be available between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 31 - just in time for Easter or just in time for you to enjoy another time.

IMPORTANT! If you use the Buy Now feature, please print and bring your receipt when picking up as this will serve as your ticket.

Your receipt will come from service@3rdtoad.com (Don't ask.), so please check your e-mail spam or junk folder if you don't shortly find this in your in-box.

Please contact Doug at 803-553-5757 if you have any questions or difficulty ordering.

Thank you.

Thank You!

Back40 Landscaping Restoration and Maintenance officially became a business about one year ago although I had several years leading up to what it is now and hopefully what it will become.

I wish to thank all the customers whom have chosen us and even the prospects who have considered us in the last year and those years before.

The customer properties have become diverse and the projects, more involved and interesting.

The direction I once dreamed of has been driven by our customers - attention to the care of existing landscapes, treatment (pruning and shaping) of shrubs and trees and overall welfare of plants and plant beds, as well, for lawns. Aesthetics are key, while health is never overlooked.

As much as I continuously study, every project is warrant for education whether before or after, and every new property and project is an education in itself.

It's part art, part science, but more so, awareness through broad knowledge, continual awareness, attention to detail and getting to know the customer, their needs and desires, beyond what I believe the property needs.

Have a Wonderful 4th of July Holiday!

Again, thank you.

Greg Alia

It’s been a year, a year since I was out to have lunch with my girlfriend when I heard of a Forest Acres police officer having been shot and killed. I later heard this from a few friends and people I hardly knew at all.

I still didn’t know which officer had been murdered, but it was one of ours. I knew and still know a few officers and I appreciate what they do for Forest Acres, but no one had yet mentioned the victim’s name – not as if it would mattered overall. Again, it was one of ours, period.

Later that night I met some friends at our watering hole at The Other Store. It’s been almost a year to the hour now that I think of it. Many of us, many not knowing Greg Alia personally or at all, were pissed and angry because an officer of Forest Acres was shot and killed. It could have easily been one of the officers we actually knew or knew well. A few knew Greg or of him and spoke highly of him.

The anger was heightened and we thought we should do something to raise money for Greg’s family. Actually, much money had been raised, but we wanted to do so locally in Forest Acres and show local support, not just through raising contributions.