FEATURED HOME:

The Seabreeze Model

This model has so much living space to offer. See it here, then come visit in person!

HOMEOWNERS LOVE CUSTOMIZED HOME,

EVERYTHING ELSE AT SUMMERFIELDS WEST

ELSIE & BILL HEWITT may have intended to downsize their home size and maintenance needs when they moved to Summerfields West, but in doing so, they have assuredly upgraded their lifestyle, too. They quickly realized that they got so much more than they expected, when they purchased at this friendly, active adult community! Read more of their story here.

SPRING CLEANING & HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS

Spring-clean your windows

—inside and out—with a store-bought or homemade window cleaner (one cup rubbing alcohol, one cup water and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar will work just fine) and either a squeegee or a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners or a high-pressure spray washer. You don’t want to scratch the glass or crack the caulking around each unit. If screens were on all winter, remove and clean them with mild detergent. Lay them on a dry surface, like a driveway to air-dry before putting them back on. Never power-wash screens as it could damage the mesh.

General Cleaning.

Spring is a good time to clean areas of the house that often go neglected. Dust or vacuum chair rails, window casings, tops of wall-mounted cabinets and ceiling fans. Launder or dry-clean fabric draperies and use a damp cloth to clean wood and vinyl blinds. Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses and consider renting a carpet cleaner—anything you can do to remove settled dust, mites, and allergens will make for a cleaner, and healthier, home.

Kitchens & Baths

If you detect grease residue in the kitchen, consider washing cabinets, backsplashes and walls with warm water and mild detergent. The same is true in the bathroom, where soap residue and fluctuations in heat and humidity combine to create the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. While you’re cleaning tile, look for areas of worn or missing grout, as these may lead to more serious water damage if not repaired.

Air Conditioning.

Just as you readied your furnace for fall, now is the time to make sure that air conditioning units are in good working order for the warmer months ahead. Change the filter, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely. In addition, vacuum any dust that has settled on the unit and connections; over time it can impact the air conditioner’s effectiveness. If you suspected problems with the efficiency or performance of the unit last summer, now is the time to call in a professional to check it out.

 Leaks.

Spring is a good time to check for leaky faucets, clogged drains and sweaty pipes. Check under the kitchen and bathroom sink to make sure connections on pipes and hoses are properly sealed, and look for any wetness around the dishwasher that could signal an existing or potential problem. The same is true of your laundry room; check washer machine hoses for cracks, bulges or dampness. The same is true for hot water heaters, which may show sign of corrosion and leaks.

 Outdoor Furniture.

If you stored your lawn furniture for the winter, bring it outdoors and give it a hose rinse, or wash it with a mild detergent. For metal furniture, check for signs of rust or paint erosion; a simple remedy of spray enamel will prevent further damage from sun, rain and humidity in the months ahead.

Grills.

If your gas grill has remained idle over the winter months, check burner jets for clogs and obstructions, and be sure that gas hoses and connections are sound and secure. You’ll also want to check for propane. For charcoal grill owners, make certain your grill is clean of ash and free of grease residue. It’s a good habit to adopt throughout the grilling season, not just in the spring.

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

Located at
405 S. Main Street
Williamstown, NJ
856-728-2120
Roadcompany.com

Upcoming performances include 13 The Musical, Dreamgirls, and The Elf.

Contact the theater for tickets and more information.

Williamstown Farmers Market
& The Village Shoppes
701 N. Black Horse Pike
Williamstown, NJ
856-875-8039
Williamstownfarmersmarket.com

Where the farm fresh taste of Lancaster County goodness meets the heart of Gloucester County! Here at The Farmers Market you will find traditional, old fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch items. Freshly baked pies, homemade pork and turkey sausage stuffed on the premises, oven roasted turkey breast sliced thin for lunch meat, and hand-rolled soft pretzels. The Market is also home to high-quality products like fresh cut meats and lunch meats, hard to find bulk foods, jams and spices, and much more!

Blue Cork Winery and Vineyard
1093 Blue Bell Rd.
Williamstown, NJ
856-885-2545
Bluecorkwine.com

Blue Cork Winery & Vineyard grows, farms and bottles at their estate located in the outer coastal plain. Conveniently located a short distance off the Black Horst Pike. Check the website for special events and wine tastings.

SPRING RECIPE

 MOSCOW MULE CAKE – A FAVORITE CAKE TO MAKE FROM SCRATCH!

So moist and flavorful!

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 2-3/4 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup alcoholic raspberry ginger beer or nonalcoholic plain ginger beer
• 2 cups fresh raspberries

SYRUP

• 1/2 cup alcoholic raspberry ginger beer or nonalcoholic plain ginger beer
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup lime juice

GLAZE

• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 325°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk cake flour and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with ginger beer, beating well after each addition (mixture may appear curdled).
• Gently fold raspberries into batter; pour into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 70-80 minutes. Meanwhile, for syrup, in a small saucepan, bring ginger beer, sugar and lime juice to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Poke holes in warm cake using a fork or wooden skewer. Slowly spoon syrup over cake. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack; cool completely. For glaze, in a small bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar and enough lime juice to reach desired consistency; pour over cake. Let stand until set. If desired, top with additional fresh raspberries.

Enjoy with family and friends!