Rants & Recipes with Rick Reddly

Some random thoughts & observations....Working at Birch Run Golf Club, I have a bird’s eye view of the new "roundabout"….#1, it is very impressive and quite the sight especially in the evening with the new lighting and the numerous flags flying...it also has been very interesting watching the traffic from the clubhouse...so many folks don't understand the "flow" of a roundabout is always "counter clockwise"...We have witnessed daily vehicles turning clockwise which puts their car head on into oncoming traffic...Just this week I watched a semi-truck do just this and he went head on into a county plow truck...The plow had to stop and actually back out of the semi's way...Luckily, (knock on wood) there have been no major accidents...

We (golf club personnel) also are amazed that the old "35 MPH" signs that used to be just in front of the golf course on Deshler Rd have been eliminated...traffic now legally can motor 50 MPH right up and thru the roundabout (not a good idea)...we actually have contacted the state regarding this issue, but as of now they have no intentions of posting it back to 35 MPH...

Recently I was scanning facebook (not something I do very often) and ran across some comments from a couple that makes it a point when traveling to get off the interstate at a random small town... they bypass all the "franchise" food establishments in search of a local eatery...that day they had got off I-75 at the North Baltimore exit and traveled west into town...after traveling thru town on Main St and then back they stumbled upon Crossroads Cafe beside the bowling alley...to make a long story short, they absolutely raved about the service, food & cleanliness of Crossroads...rated it at the top of their list throughout their travels across the USA!...what a great idea while traveling, gotta log that one in the memory bank...

I may be an old fart, but remember when "sports news" was about your favorite player (in my case, Buddy Bell of the Indians or Bernie Kosar of the Browns) being traded after years with your team...it broke your heart...now ESPN is nightly full of athletes who have to go on Oprah to explain themselves or have a sit down session with Katie Couric to reveal the juicy details of an online relationship with a girlfriend that passed away that never existed! Yikes!!...

Recently I received an email from a fellow who was looking for some donations for a fundraising event for Teddy’s Rescue on CR 99 (just east of Taylor Kia)...Teddy’s Rescue is a "non-kill" rescue facility for unwanted dogs (and a few cats)...Being a dog lover, I had always wanted to drop in the facility and check it out...thus, dropping off a few certificates for rounds of golf for their fund raiser gave me the perfect opportunity...What a great place!...Stop by if you get a chance, and drop off a bag of food, a couple of chewys or a dog toy...they always are glad to receive donations and you will be impressed with their operation...and of course if you or someone you know are looking for a dog, make sure and give em a visit.....

I'm looking forward to the Superbowl, even if my Browns aren't there (again!)...I will go with the 49ers in the battle of the Brothers by a score of 31 to 24...which leads me to this installment’s recipe...and remember...it’s only "50-some" days til Spring!


Reddly's Superbowl Nacho Dip

Here’s what you need:

1 --8oz package of cream cheese
1 lb. hamburger cooked and drained
1 packet of taco seasoning
1--8oz jar of picante sauce (or salsa)
1--9oz can of cheese dip-nacho or spicy flavor (Frito-Lay makes a good one and it can be found near the chips at the grocery store)
8 oz shredded cheese

bag of tortilla chips

Here’s how you do it:

Spread the cream cheese in a 9-inch deep pie plate

Mix cooked burger with taco seasoning in a fry pan (do NOT add any water)

Add the picante sauce and heat for 10 minutes

Let mixture cool a bit then spread on top of cream cheese

Next spread the can of cheese dip on top

Finally, sprinkle with the shredded cheese

Bake at 350 degrees until cheese bubbles and slightly browns (approx. 30 minutes)

Serve with the bag of nacho (tortilla) chips.