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Today on DelmarvaLife:

You can’t help but notice advertisements these days of companies that want to help you trace your family roots. If you’ve ever wondered about your ancestors, there’s a group on Delmarva you’ll want to familiarize yourself with. Alan Lowe is the president and webmaster of the Sussex County Genealogical Society and he recently stopped by Historic Studio D to tell us all about this fascinating group.

You’ve heard the horror stories, or maybe you’ve experienced them yourself. Your roof needs some work and you come across a guy who claims he has the knowledge and expertise to get it done. The price he quotes is a dream come true and he gets the job. However, not long after completed, your roof starts leaking. Come to find out, that guy you hired was not licensed, so you’re out a good chunk of money and now you have to hire someone else to fix the mess. Brian Spicer, president of Spicer Bros. Construction, tells us how we can spot potential shoddy contractors.

Libraries are so much more than great books. Sam Gibson, communications manager with the Wicomico Public Libraries, joins us to talk about the exciting programs coming up.

• Homework help
• Reading challenge
• Paws to Read
• Laptime for babies
• iPhones for beginners
• Help with applying for college aid
• Job searching

It’s always a good day when you can take a classic meal and add a Delmarva twist to it. Toby Gilbert of Gilbert’s Provisions joins us in the Kirby and Holloway Kitchen to make Old Bay BLT’s.

Bacon Rub and Procedure:

• Old Bay
• Pickling Spice
• Salt
• Sugar
• Curing Salt #1

Salt, sugar, Old Bay and Curing Salt #1 will be determined by the weight of the raw pork belly.
Salt weight will be 2% of belly weight
-1/3 of the salt will be Old Bay. The 1/3 of the weight must be multiplied by 3 to get the same amount of salt as if it were solely salt
Sugar will be 1.5% of belly weight
Curing Salt will be .25% of belly weight

Rub all side of belly with rub and place in a nonreactive container. Add any extra rub on top of belly. Cover with plastic wrap and place a weight, such as a plate with a few canned goods on top. Turn the belly every day for 5 days. After 5 days either roast at 275 until interior reaches 125 degrees. Let it rest and press with a flat pan to obtain a uniform shape. Chill and slice to desired thickness.

BLT:

A good BLT starts with good bread. Use what ever bread you like, but in my opinion a thicker cut bread will work the best. YOU NEED MAYO. Doesn’t matter what kind, but you need it.

A hard toast on the bread will give you a nice crust and a soft middle.

I like to use lettuces from Terrapin Farm in Berlin Maryland. In my opinion you want a more mature lettuce as younger lettuce will wilt and loose texture.

Good tomatoes are hard to find this time of year, but the Roma or beefsteak tomatoes in local grocery stores are usually fine. Make sure you hit the tomatoes with a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.

Cook your bacon as you usually would. Some like thick, some thin, some crispy, some chewy. It’s your BLT, do what make you the happiest. In the summer a BLT is always good with chips and a pickle, a cold beer or ice tea, and best eaten outdoors.

Over the years, the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Del. has become a household name. Just last year, the Folk Festival in Salisbury, Md. took place and the event was a success. Turns out, they’re just the start of the festivals on Delmarva that have what it takes to succeed. The newest festival that hopes to make it with the others is the Jellyfish Festival in Ocean City, Md. Brad Hoffman, founder of the Jellyfish Festival, stops by Historic Studio D to tell us more about the event taking place June 21-23.

The Rehoboth Art League is offering watercolor and acrylic painting classes this winter.

• Acrylic Painting Basics – Tuesday afternoons, January 15-February 12 (no classes on January 29) from 1 pm-3 pm, four week class, $100 for members, $135 for non-members
• Watercolor Painting Basics – Wednesday afternoons, January 16-February 6 from 1 pm-3 pm, four week class, $100 for members, $135 for non-members

To register for classes, go to www.rehobothartleague.org or call the Art League at 302-227-8408 ext. 112.  All classes are held at the Rehoboth Art League, located at 12 Dodds Lane in Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach.

If you have someone you’d like to celebrate, submit a DelmarvaLife Occasion here. Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day – DelmarvaLife Occasions makes the perfect gift!