Music Food and Friends at Betty's

As always, the good times continue to roll here at Betty's RV Park in Acadiana Louisiana. This title sums up the experiences we enjoy here in three words; music, food and friends. Of course, you have to also add fun, as those things are indeed fun, fun, fun.

Even though we have been to Martin Accordions several times  we never miss a chance to go again. Martin's is a small family run business whose accordions are owned by many famous Cajun and Zydeco musicians. They are easily identified by the crawfish on the bellows. 

This is the group from Betty's. There was also a bus tour with 40+ people from Kansas. 

When you purchase a Martin Accordion you get to pick what color and type of wood you prefer. The wood is cut and put together, 22 at a time, using jigs. They cut enough wood to make 70 and after they are glued they are stained. This is Junior Martin's brother explaining the process.

The pieces are then placed on the shelves and the reeds and bellows are added one at a time. It is an amazing process and sure justifies the $2,700 and up price of these instruments. On the table are accordions that are here for repair, another part of their business.

Always a highlight of the tour is the concert. Penney, Junior and Joel, three generations of Martins, play country, Cajun and Zydeco sets while pointing out the differences in each. This was a country set of old Hank Williams songs. Here is a link of the Martin family playing Amazing Grace with Joel on the Cajun squeeze box singing in both English and French.

Here is an old Far Side cartoon that was personalized for the Martins. I used to think this was true when our friend Mike "entertained" us with his accordion, but after being introduced to the Cajun accordion, I now know the sound can be heavenly.

A band was coming to Betty's on Friday evening, so she cooked up a big pot of her famous gumbo. Here is Betty stirring the roux while Dan waits to add the trinity for making great gumbo; onions, celery and peppers.

Betty cooks the chicken with the bones in to add to the flavor. Nanc and Merlene then deboned it for the final product. It sure was a yummy meal enjoyed by all.

It was real chilly that day so several people pitched in with their tarps to keep the wind out. We put a couple propane fire rings inside making it very toasty.

The band of locals Rooster, Dave, Dan, Kristy, Eddie and Joe provided a great evening of entertainment.

On the left are Dan, Sue, Shirley, Claire and Susan. On the right are Ian, Nanc, Merlene and Dick, all bundled up and loving the music after a meal of warm Cajun gumbo.

Sue, Marvin, Lee, Bob and Dick.

Randy and Betty.

You never know who will jump up and join the band at Betty's. Sue got up and played along on the small tie scrub board. It was a great evening of music, food, friends and fun even if it was a little chilly.

One Saturday a few of us, Kathy, Dick, Susan, Dan, Dan, Merlene and Nanc went to Henry for the Fin, Fur and Feather Cook-off, a fundraiser for the Henry Fire Department. For the $5.00 admission you get to try a variety of food cooked by locals. What a great way to to get your fill of many different dishes.

Judges pick the winner in each category of fin, fur and feather. The people vote for the People's Choice winner and this year it was my personal favorite, Krewe de Roux who made a wonderful crab and corn chowder. There was also an auction and a fifty-fifty drawing. This cook-off is a great way to try different foods while supporting the local fire department. The day ends with a band, but we where back at Betty's for happy hour by then.

The next day was St. Paddy's Day so another excuse to party. A few new people had come in.  From left to right are Karen and Brian, Australians who were traveling in the USA for three months, Tommy and Becky, Brenda, Betty, Merlene, Dan and Cecil and Becky, who we met at the Elks in the Keys in January.  

Here are Tom, Sue, Sharon, John and Sue......

.....Sue, Dan, Dan, Kathy and Dick all celebrating St. Paddy's Day. We had a great meal that included traditional dishes, so it was another day of food and friends.

Another bit of food that I tried this week was Vegemite that the Aussies shared at happy hour. To them it is like peanut butter, something they grow up eating. I first had it straight up on a cracker and did not care for it. Next, I added a bit of blue cheese and this made it acceptable, but not something I'm adding to my diet. It must be an acquired taste that I have not acquired. 

As you can tell I'm a bit behind with the blog as we have been so busy having fun at Betty's.