Why I Love the Apple Butter Festival

Tradition.

Beautiful Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, hosts an annual fall festival where the community pours into the streets to make, of all things, a delicious blend of locally grown apples and well, sugar.  Joined by travelers from around the country to stir the mysterious golden blend of goodness, apple butter is cooked in enormous kettles over a blazing old time fire.

Tradition.

I was nine years old when the Apple Butter Festival began as a fall event to bring tourism to my artsy little "home among the hills".  Now, my youngest Hott child is also nine.

Tradition.

Now it's Monday morning and our purchase of a pint of apple butter is nearly empty from a weekend of sharing it's ooooey sweetness on everything from wheat toast, warm bread, bagels, and yes, even bananas!

Throughout the 41 years of celebrating old town traditions from stirring apple butter, turtle races, parade, crafts, funnel cakes, and egg tosses, we always treasure the times we are priveledged to share the Apple Butter experience with our "newbies" -- or, first time participants!  This year was no exception.  And, it is always my honor to show all who ride to Apple Butter breakfast at First United Methodist at a ridiculous 7:00 a.m. and those who venture back to my house after a long day of festivities the above picture.

See that old guy?  Well, that's my Pap!

Pap Pap, or otherwise known as Marlin McBee LOVED the Apple Butter Festival.  He would stay down town all weekend sportin' his favorite hat and stirrin' the huge kettles till he was nearly 90 years old.  I was delighted to share the Apple Butter Festival Memory Book 25th Anniversary Edition with our new family members once again this year.  Pap managed to make the glossy cover as well as a few other featured photographs, even with then Governor Arch Moore!  Cousins and kids in the family are featured in turtle race memories as well.

From my Pappy at 90 to Levi at 9.....Tradition.

Tradition.  I guess among all the crazy things that have evolved over the years at the Apple Butter Festival, from beard contests to hog hollering, one thing always stays the same -- Columbus Day weekend I can roam around my home town and always find an old friend from 40 years ago.  As we stop along Fairfax Street and reminise about old high school days and farting brothers, it is always fun to see the new traditions developing as well.  We catch up on the latest babies being born; accomplishments of our children; share family stories.  And, for some reason, it never fails, my crazy family manages to provide updates for the Apple Butter Festival Turtle Race.  Want to know what happened?  Find a Hott/McBee!  Because likely, they were all there.

It's a tradition.

2014 "newbie" Rob with Crystal, Grandma, PapPap (Bobbie McBee) Isaac,
Levi, and Cotton Eyed Joe, a turtle campion!

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, 

either by our spoken word or by our letter."  2 Thessalonians 2:15

Tradition.  That's why I love the Apple Butter Festival.  Tell me, why you love it; or, if you never been before, maybe we'll see you next year and start a new tradition.

When Family Fitness Is Fun

Fun?! Are you kidding me?  

I'm really sorry, but this 48-year-old-grey-haired-PD bloggin-hott-mama-of-four finds nothing at all fun about fitness!  Not one to do anything fast, working out is, well... w.o.r.k! Seriously!  Sometimes I wonder how did I manage to end up with this 5K running-400 meter dashing-basketball playing-daughter of mine!  Until this weekend at the First Annual Fall for Fitness 5K, I discovered that fitness IS fun... and inspirational!

Organizers report that over 250 runners, walkers, and spectators of all ages arrived in beautiful Berkeley Springs on a spectacular fall Saturday for the First Annual Fall for Fitness 5K and Fun Run!  The benefit for the Berkeley Springs High School Cross Country Team was an action packed family fitness day held on Saturday, November 16^th, beginning with a 10:00 5K, 11:00 family fun run, followed by a 2:00 gentle walking tour through historical Berkeley Springs, WV. 

Runners arrived early to a crisp and clear morning from far and wide.  In addition to the tremendous community support, registered runners came from the four state regions, including Hagerstown, Frostburg, Hedgesville, Martinsburg, Inwood, Gerradstown, Big Cover Tannery, Bunker Hill, Williamsport, Falling Waters, and even Washington, DC. 

Sponsors of the First Annual Fall for Fitness 5K included Gat Creek Furniture, Reed’s Pharmacy, Michael Family Practice, Treeworks, Valley Health, Luke Christie State Farm Insurance, Close C.P.A., and Food Lion.  Their support for community fitness was hosted by Guest of Honor, Rene Garcia-Kesecker and Reed Pharmacy founder and candidate for US Congress, Ken Reed, who promotes participation in fitness as a way to even “fight Obamacare by staying FIT!” 

Fitness was made fun with DJ Ken and Rene as they spun songs and Zumba danced for families.  Participating teams ranged in ages from 5 – 82!  According to coordinator, Tally Reed, “the First Annual Berkeley Springs Fall for Fitness was a tremendous success.  Folks showed up in force to show their support of community fitness and our Cross Country Team.”  Race records indicate that the top male runner was 17 year old Zach Simmons, finishing at 17:28:4.  The top female was 16 year old Kinsey Reed with a time of 20:04:3.

Mrs. Reed added, “We got to watch in awe as our own Rene Garcia-Kesecker walked a mile and was able to lead Zumba just a few short months after suffering a broken pelvis and multiple other injuries following a terrifying car accident.”  Honestly, I wondered if Rene would be cleared by her doctors to participate!  Well... she not only supported the athletes but Rene also finished the mile Fun Run!  Here she is, ...still smiling!  

Her participation was inspiring to witness and her recovery is a testament that families uniting in fitness can motivate a community.  Teammates from Hagerstown’s Mason Dixon Roller Vixens arrived to “walk with Rene.”  Check them out!

The First Annual Fall for Fitness 5K generated much needed funds to help our student athletes.  At a time when funding is of utmost concern, this event demonstrates a community that cares not only about its’ education but also the health of its’ residents.  

And for this unfit mom who managed to complete a mile with grandma in under twenty minutes, it was a celebration not only of fitness and community but also a reminder that the healthier we are, well, we just may get to enjoy friends and family that much longer!  

Guess someone better warn Dan that I signed him up for Zumba!  My first class at the First Annual Fall for Fitness 5K was a blast.  Heck, I might even try out for the Mason Dixon Roller Vixens.  After all, skating is just about the only thing I do fast.

A Love "Mission" in Morgan County

I am a mom of four living in Morgan County, WV.  Last week, while having dinner with some other mom friends from the middle school cross country team after a meet, I heard a very special story.  "Wouldn't it be nice to hear some 'good' news for a change?" we talked.  Well... listen to this.

Although only 100 miles west of Washington, DC, Morgan County is situated in a remote part of the world, sometimes as seemingly far away as a distant planet.  Our "WV Hills" in Morgan County feature large mountain ridges, winding streams, and acres of wild forest.  With a total population of only 17,535, it's communities are a diverse spectrum of families, similar to any small town, USA.  People here are proud and passionate.

Recently, Morgan County has been the center of some very negative news concerning the fall of the county school levy, a 50+ year local property tax which generates $5 million annually.  A terrible division has developed within the community.  Social networks like Facebook have exploded with heated debate over the children's future.
Not only divided by the huge 2,618 foot Cacapon Mountain range, the towns of Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw are equally as different as the residents opinions on the school levy.  Local folks are angry, upset, and worried about the future of public education in our small county.

But human needs remain the same.

"Let us not love with words or speech
but with actions and truth" 1John3:18

And in order for children and families to succeed, many require that their basic needs are met, not just adequate nourishment, but also safe homes and equally as important...knowing that someone cares.

It was at this hectic dinner that I was blessed to hear about the efforts of Mrs. Brenda Bailey, Mission Team Leader from First UM Church in Berkeley Springs, who organized the first ever "Paw Paw Mission Trip" for Saturday, September 28th. This busy mom coordinated an effort to unify this rural area through something so simple....random acts of kindness.  

Ava Slavinsky, only 5 years old, working hard!

Through word of mouth, Mrs. Bailey located 12 families in Paw Paw, WV, with needs.  From home improvements, handicap accessible ramps, to light construction, 125 volunteers traveled to Paw Paw early Saturday to build, paint, and assist their neighbors across the mountain.  The mission ended in a community children's Vacation Bible School and picnic.

Free Family Goodie Baskets

Sound like a heart warming story?  Then talk to Brenda.  For an event she first thought that only a few would participate, she had 12 complete crews consisting of families ranging in age from 5 to 75 that traveled some 35 miles over Cacapon Mountain to Paw Paw.   Brenda also shared about the mountain of goods gathered.  "The room was so filled with items I never expected...it brought tears to my eyes," said Brenda.  In addition to pictured here, the crews took building supplies, paint buckets, equipment, lumber, furniture, and more!

Listening to the outcome of the "Mission in Morgan County" at First UM Church and to see another busy mom manage to coordinate such tremendous efforts really restores my belief in this special community.  It shows us that people, regardless of their own hardships and differences, really can "love their neighbor" (see Matthew 22:40).

In closing, please take a sec and listen to this song.  For me, it summed up what happened in Paw Paw this weekend in the "Mission" in Morgan County.  You'll be blessed To Believe... and maybe share God's love.

To Believe "...that we'll see in one another the loving image of You."

STANDING TALL

June 22, 2008
A beautiful sunny Sunday morning in Berkeley Springs just over 2 and ½ years ago found Dan and I standing in front of a congregation of approximately 200 people. As we began our walk down the aisle, we were about to renew our marriage vows, this time standing in front of large crowd, with several other couples standing next to us, all standing in front of God, our Heavenly Father. Pastor Andrew, in his typical “non” typical service, had invited couples to stand before the church and get married! I was soooo excited… especially about the honeymoon to follow!

Here’s the thing. Dan and I were already married; and, well… so was everyone else. You see, 12 years earlier, we actually secretly eloped and were married at the Court House on Christmas Eve, 1996. I’ll never forget my 6 foot tall hunk-honey of a husband-to-be… standing tall… next to me. He was every inch solid as a rock; my engineer; my problem solver; my fearless protector with farm-boy arms of steel, a chest as broad as Texas, and the cutest butt you ever did see! At barely 5 feet and 100 pounds, I was the luckiest girl ever. I still tingle every time Dan leans way down to kiss me, especially now as we just completed our wedding vows.

To be standing with Dan, 12 years later, at an alter in front of God and all the congregation was the sweetest thing ever, especially as he bent way down to kiss me, again. After spending 14 years together, as a family we had traveled together, built a house together, owned/operated a consulting engineering firm together, and increased our family to six together. Our lives were, well… perfect. We cherished each other and the lives we had created. Dan treasured me with abundant blessings and I was privileged to be Mrs. Daniel Hott.

I always feel truly blessed when I think about that day standing at the alter with my husband, Dan. You see, it was not even a month earlier that a neurologist gave us the news. Dan had Parkinson’s Disease. On this particular day, the second time we got married, Dan was almost a month into a dopamine study to confirm this diagnosis. He had been taking something called levadopa to see if his symptoms improved. Although his rigidity improved, as we renewed our vows, I held tight to a tremoring hand.

God had blessed us with so many things, including the surprise of babies, had he also blessed us with Parkinson’s Disease?

“To have and to hold, from this day forward,

for better, for worse, for richer,for poorer

in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Since Parkinson’s Disease moved in with us in 2008, Dan has generally had limited physical progression of the disease. He has been able to find benefit from his meds, constantly tweeking and learning as the stinking symptoms creep up on him. Overall, one would say that he is managing the physical demands. Everyone even raves at how well Dan looks, standing at six feet with just a tiny drag to the left side of his body!

Until January 2011. Parkinson’s Disease has decided to rear it’s ugly head.

Starting with back pain nearly a month ago, Dan’s rigidity and distonia is now so severe that he has spent nearly two weeks incapacitated. Initially, he thought that perhaps he had sustained an injury that caused some sort of fracture or break in his hip. A very painful xray showed otherwise; a spine and hip that “looked good,” according to the Emergency Room doctor. We have since learned that early signs of Parkinson’s can include back pain or problems with the “L5” disc.

The distonia in Dan’s left leg has crippled him for several days now. The rigidity in his muscles are cramped so tightly that his entire left leg draws completely up to the point where it is bent. He is experiencing tingling and numbness in his extremities on his left side. From what I had anticipated with Parkinson’s, this degree of degeneration was not expected to happen until years down the road! At least it was supposed to wait for the kids to be grown ups. Instead, Parkinson’s has stolen Dan’s ability to do the simplest things, like walk and, well,… even stand.

Is this hard? You better believe it is! For the first time ever, I am the tallest Hott in the house! Do I like it? Well… no, not.at.all. I find it sometimes unbearable to “stand tall” and allow God to be in control of this crazy illness called Parkinson’s Disease, whatever it is. In Andrew’s sermon last week, he had to go on and on about the stories of Daniel in the Bible. Really now. Tell me God wasn’t reminding me that He will truly get us through this. .

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.

We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.

We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Although having to watch something like Parkinson’s literally knock down my Hott-honey-husband, we are still blessed every day. Parkinson’s Disease wouldn’t stop me from walking down the aisle with Dan again. He may not be standing at six feet because of stupid Parkinson’s Disease ever again, for all we know right now, and I may have to push him in a chair; but, you know what? I would still be privileged to recite those same marriage vows.

And that kiss would still tingle!

“Blessed is the man... who does not walk.” Psalm 1:1

Answered Prayers Look Like This!

http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=132605

It's 10:30 this morning, all Hott Kidz are in school, and the phone rings. A WHAG TV reporter says, "Hi! I'm Charya Lon, a reporter for Channel 25. We heard about Morgan County Schools getting defibrillators and we would like to do a story on your family."

Goodness, I was really excited! We were planning a photo with our local paper, The Morgan Messenger, Dave Banks, Superintendent of Schools, the principal, school nurse, and representatives of the foundation that generously purchased the equipment. The prospect of others hearing about the importance of AED's in the news was a blessing beyond belief.

Next, Charya said, "Can you meet me at the school in an hour? I'm on my way from Hagerstown!" "You bet! See you then!" I responded, still in my pajamas, unbrushed (ewe) teeth, and scary night time hair! And we still had to go to Widmeyer and pick up the boys to boot... with crazy Berkeley Springs construction traffic!

Needless to say, we made it. Violet was interviewed and adorable in front of the camera. Dan was pretty cute himself. He even volunteered to disrobe and bare his bossom in front of the camera to exhibit his ICD (internal cardiac defibrillator). Gotta tell you... I was glad he didn't ask the reporter if she wanted to feel it! :-) ...But I know he was thinking about it!...:-) And Isaac and Levi were as rambunctious as ever. We only missed our Caity!

Hope you enjoy the end result of the first Hott family interview. Share it with your friends; it could save a life! Maybe yours, maybe your kids', maybe your neighbor.


Check with your local school system. Do they have access to an AED? I sure hope so.

http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=132605

The Final Countdown!

Monday morning and all are still asleep at 9:22 a.m.??? Not for long! Only one week left for school to start and LOTS to do! From hemming 6 pair of 6 year old new school pants to scheduling Judo, Gymnastics, Soccer, and Piano, I'm just not sure where to begin.

We managed to find some great deals with tax free shopping in Maryland! Turns out, the only thing I had to pay full price for was Levi's backpack for Kindergarten. He insisted on having a Star Wars back pack to match his Star Wars sneakers and shirt! He'll be the best dress kid in Berkeley Springs! See how silly he is on the paddle boat on Plymouth Bay? The next picture is Levi on the boat's potty but we won't post "that" one!

So, last night we watched the movie "Julie and Julia". Anyone see it? Got me thinking about all the things I can do once school starts and wonder if trying Julia Childs recipes in 365 days would be fun..... nah! But in case you're thinking of dropping by for a visit, you might want to call first. Dan and I could be checking off "other" things on our list!

Unofficially, I have been a stay at home mom since 1999! Any ideas of what to do with myself are surely welcome! Trying to get Dan to teach me to golf; but the last time he tried to teach me to ski didn't go very well. That was 14 years ago and we haven't been to a ski slope since!

For now, guess I'll be bloggin'!