October 31st, 2011
“Glassblowing is a glassforming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble, or parison, with the aid of a blow pipe, or blow tube.” It was invented by the Phoenicians at approximately 50 BC. A person who blows glass is called a glassblower, glassmith, or gaffer.
I spent so many years going to Berlin that it seemed like a second home to me. Since those days the town has so many more stores and an artist village has emerged. Just like in Rehoboth, Bethany and Lewes, the shopkeepers of Historic downtown Berlin are friendly and a joy to talk to.
I cannot draw, paint, or sculpt; I am in awe of anyone that can express him or herself in such a way. There must be sensitivity that I do not pocess.
So, there I was in front of Jeffrey Auxer Designs, located at 19 Jefferson St., Berlin, MD 21811. Tel. 443-513-4210. Website? www.jeffreyauxer.com.
The building was pretty neat. It looked like it had been a garage at some point, but I am not sure. The Gallery was not very big; just perfect. As you come in be prepared for a burst of color. You will smile; you can’t help it.
Slowly take it all in. Check the pieces because each has been individually hand blown. A work of art by Jeff, who I found to be reserved but friendly. I also met Adam the first time I visited.
Jeff is a local guy, having graduated from Stephen Decatur, Berlin, Maryland, and then attended Salisbury University. In business for more than several years.
In his studio you will find home decor, lighting, vessel sinks, hanging platters, centerpiece bowls, vases, jewelry and many other items for gifts, or for your own personal indulgence.
 Sink 
I asked Jeff what pieces he liked the most. He mentioned the lamps. They truly are works of art and very unique.
 
In the middle of the Gallery there was a case with golf putters. He can customize them with pretty much any sport’s team. They are $125. You would have to call him to the above telephone number and tell him if you are right or left handed and tell him what logo you would like.
Jeff is also making jewelry. Loved the ring holders.
On Friday, November 2nd, his Studio will participate in the 2nd Friday Art Stroll. This is an event that takes place the 2nd Friday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Shops and galleries in Historic Berlin open late to give the visitors a time to get to know them better.
From November 12th until December 17th – Saturdays, there will be a hand blown glass ornament making class. $15/ornament. Ages 4 to……Just call the Studio at 443-513-4210 to reserve your spot.
Glass Blowing Classes are held every other week-end, as well. Just call the number above mentioned for class times and pricing.
A Party Experience – Bring your party to the Studio. Make a paperweight for $75. All info. regarding this unique experience can be found by visiting www.jeffreyauxer.com.
So, to my friends in Rehoboth and Lewes I just want to let you know that it only takes about 45 minutes or so to get to Berlin. Not a bad drive.
From Ocean City is just 10 or 15 minutes and from Salisbury, it only takes about 25 minutes.
I really enjoyed it…..more to come from Berlin…as I was strolling through the town…
Note: Some info. for this post was taken from Wikipedia.
September 28th, 2011
On my left hand side of AboutMyBeaches, on this website, I have under categories a place for services. They are those tried and true services used by me that I can pass on to you.
You know how it is. Need a plumber and who are you going to call. A painter, needed fast; company is coming. Or, it is time to to some tile updating.
So, I have used the following services in the past month. I thought they were professional and very dependable.
Seaside Plumbing, Inc. They are plumbing and gas contractors, licensed in Maryland and Delaware. They are located at 7731 Purnell Crossing Rd. in Berlin, Maryland. Tel. 410-641-1368. Website? www.seasideplumbing.com.
Even though they are located in Berlin, Maryland they service the Peninsula; I just used them.
Note: They do have 24 hour emergency service, as well.
Colorful Expressions – I used these painters and they could not have been more professional and knowledgeable about their work. The owner is Chris Smullin. Tel. 302-381-3578
Camelio Tile Co. – Tile Installer. John Camelio is his name. Tel. 443-497-1351. Website? www.cameliotileco.com. John did a great job and was very easy to work with.
The above companies are young and very pro customer service.
See you later….you know, as usual….bla bla bla
September 13th, 2011
Just a short drive from Ocean City, Maryland and a little bit of a longer drive from the Delaware Beaches, you will find some interesting events that are on the calendar for the upcoming week-end. After having such crazy weather, the month of September is turning out to be one of sunny days and low humidity, great for outdoor events.
Historic St. Martin’s Church
This Church is located in Showell, Maryland. It is the oldest of 11 Worcester County Museums; established in 1692. Beautifully restored and a proud gem of the community.
I wrote a post on St. Martin’s Church on 5/9/11. If you would like to see it, please click on the month of May,on this website, and scroll down to the date.
The address is Rt. 113 & 589 Junction, 4 miles north of Berlin, Maryland. The website is www.historicstmartinschurch.org. You can also find it on Facebook.
Because it is part of the Worcester County Museums you can also visit www.octhebeach.com/museums.
St. Martin’s has been busy all summer long. All the way through October there are open houses every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Weddings have been held at the Church and other events have been on-going, as well.
The next event will be on Sunday, September 18th, at 1:00 p.m. This is when New York based Brown Box Theatre Project will bring, to the public, free of charge “Twelfth Night”.
Shakespeare’s classic comedy of a shipwrecked heroine is brought new life by local resident Kyler Taustin, the Director, and a group of exciting young professional actors and designers out of Boston and New York City. The setting will be the bones of a shipwreck itself, with the actors picking their way over driftwood and broken pieces of a ship.
Since it will be an outdoor performance, the audience is encouraged to bring chairs and picnic blankets.
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, with a twisting plot involving identical twins, mistaken identities, love triangles, and one very cruel practical joke.
Other events on the calendar are:
11/11/11 – St. Martin’s Day: A Celebration of Donors
11/12/11 – Open House Festivities
December- Historic St. Martin’s will have several holiday services, To Be Announced.
Worcester County Garden Club
The Worcester County Garden Club is sponsoring A Standard Flower Show, “A Day At The Beach”. Location? The Ocean Pines Library on 11107 Cathell Rd. (Route 589).
This will be a two day event. Please note that it is FREE to the public.
Friday, 9/16 frin 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9/17 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon.
Anyone interested in entering the show, please call Mary Lou Scott at 410-208-6558.
Design Arrangements and Horticulture Specimen will be judged prior to the public viewing.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
September 10th, 2011
United in Courage & Grief
“Grief is the most patient and persistent of all of life’s companions. It is an ancient, universal power that links all human beings together.”
molly fumia, safe passage
June 26th, 2011
The very first time I wrote about TaDa I mentioned that it was the effort of a mother and daughter team, Blair Elizabeth and her mother, Patty. I was so surprised to see that the sister store to TaDa, called TaDa Home it really is a family affair. Father; Steve, mother; Patty, sisters; Blair and Brooke. Their combined artistic talents is what is making TaDa Home a must stop shop in Berlin, Maryland.
Berlin is located 7 miles from Ocean City. This historic town dates back to the 1790’s. I used to be in Berlin every day for so many years. I think my car still knows the route.
And, there I was. Showing my cousin, Rosalyn, a most unique town.
TaDa Home is located at 27 N. Main Street, Berlin, MD. Tel. 410-641-4430. Websites? http://www.blairelizabeth.com and www.shoptada.com.
I was so happy to see Brooke at the store. She immediately started showing us around. So proud that she has had a hand on the development of this shop.
TaDa Home has furniture that is beautifully painted by Patty. Patty is an accomplished artist in her own right and her touches make this furniture come alive. You see, some of this furniture is getting a second chance. Brooke and Steve have been combing the country side; picking just the right piece or the right wood.
Some of the antique woods on the frames could be from an old barn. They have been able to salvage them and frame some of Patty’s artwork. Others are made into frames and are also for sale.
The day I visited an octupus motif was in some of the art, furniture and pillows.
The furniture is beautifully restored. The hardware so pretty.
The store is very open and you can move around easily.
A section for jellies, jams and marinades, along with epicurian books.
So many of the details that make this store are so personal to this family. Brooke showed the glass vases that can add to any room of your house.
The watercolor from Rincon painted by Patty. A favorite town of the family in Puerto Rico.
I took so many pictures. Everything looked so nice and the perfect shop to find gifs for any occasion.
I noticed a frame with the name TaDa on it; just under the table. I think you might be interested to know what it said.
TaDa Home is proud to support The Stephen Falck Foundation for MSA Research. Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is currently without treatment or cure. It is their hope that by funding research for this illness they may help those currently suffering; and provide hope in the future for a cure.
A portion of every sale from TaDa Home will be donated to MSA in honor of Steve Falck, the girls’ father, Patty’s husband, and everyone’s friend.
They thank all of you that shop at TaDa Home for the support.
Note: Two websites that describe MSA well are www.wemove.org/msa/ and www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/multiple_system_atrophy.
Talk to you later….
June 10th, 2011
I was in Berlin the other day and saw that today, Friday, June 10th, there is going to be a “Runaway Bride” Scavenger Hunt. And, also other bride related contests.
Remember that this historic town has had two movies made there; Tuck Everlasting and Runaway Bride.
Berlin is a short drive from Ocean City, Maryland. A bit longer from the Delaware Beaches; nevertheless, all of us that live in Delaware enjoy so much visiting this town. Year after year Berlin is offering so many new events. It has great quaint shops and restaurants.
From 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. you can put on your old wedding dress or dig out that bridesmaid dress hidden in the back of your closet.
You must wear some form of bridal attire to participate in the Scavenger Hunt!! Remember that you can win prizes for: Scavenger Hunt, Best Bride, Best Drag Bride, Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress.
Register at the Atlantic Hotel between 5 and 6 p.m. The entry fee is $5.00 but no pre-registration is required.
This evening, Main Street Berlin invites you to their 2nd Friday Art Stroll from 5 to 8 p.m. You can walk the shops, galleries and have a bite to eat in one of their restaurants.
More Info? Call 410-641-4775 or visit www.berlinchamber.org.
Have a Great Day!!
May 27th, 2011
“A NEST is a place of refuge to hold an animal’s eggs and/or to provide a place to live or raise offsprings. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass and leaves.”
As I first stepped into this charming and eclectic shop I got the feeling that I was being nurtured. I felt good about it. I don’t know if it was Dee or Hannah. They are the mother and daughter duo that are the shopkeepers. They are both so friendly and I have known them for quite some time. You know, school in Berlin, children the same ages, lacrosse and on and on. The friendships that are made in the formative years of our children are definitely, keepers.
NEST is located on 116 Broad Street, Suite 3 in Berlin, MD 21811. Tel. 410-629-1030. E-mail address is nest.berlin@gmail.com. You can also find NEST on Facebook.
NEST is open 7 days a week with plenty of street parking. Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
From Rehoboth Beach it takes about 45 minutes to get to Berlin. Not far at all from Ocean City. I have found that the town of Berlin looks great. People are out and about, the stores are well stocked, the restaurants are crowded and serving a variety of foods for all kinds of discriminating palates.
NEST is not a big store but Dee and Hannah have chosen so many neat things to make it unique.
The store opened in September of 2010. Dee is well known for her Santas. She probably did not notice that one caught my eye. Tucked away in a corner, waiting for the month where he will truly shine. All handmade with gorgeous materials.
Here are a few others that I was lucky to see some time ago.
As you enter NEST the Tibetan pillows are the first burst of color that capture your eyes. Soft and beautiful.
Dee loves to sew. She told me so. Her aprons have great color combinations.
She also makes the boppyowl handbags. Fine quality fabrics; plenty of pockets and just perfect for the summer. They can also be given as a present to a new mother.
Antique willow trunks from China.
Or, maybe the 19th century Delaware blue milk paint stepback cupboard.
The woman’s face. The pillows are all from Jude Robinson. Jude is from Snow Hill, Maryland.
The landscapes on the walls are by John Sauers from Darlington, Maryland.
The animal paintings are from Beverly Lynch, Newark, Maryland.
The Rooster paintings and pig drawing are from Caryn Strauser, Baltimore, Maryland.
There is jewelry and earrings by Lex.
And, then there is the String Doll Gang. The string dolls appeared on the markets of Thailand in 2004. They are made out of one single strand of string. Since then a whole cottage industry has sprung. Each has a special good-luck power that is written on a fabric tag. The Designer? Kamibashi, which maintains fair trade practices.
Outdoor carpets, napkins and placemats.
Vases, serving pieces, keepsake boxes and a variety of lamps.
Conversation pieces?
And then, there is Pete. The mascot. You cannot help but fall in love with him. He is part of that nesting, nurturing kind of feeling, as well.
So, there you have it. Stop by and say hello to Dee and Hannah. Once you meet them, you will think you have known them forever.
See you…talk to you later….
May 9th, 2011
I am not sure if you are feeling like I do. The older I get the more I am paying attention to my surroundings. A beautiful tree, the bright color of an azalea, the marshland, a wooden bridge, a row house, a blue heron, the way the ocean sounds as you stand at its edge, a historic town; a historic church.
For about 10 years I drove to Berlin, Maryland from Bethany or Rehoboth Beach. It was a bit of a hike. I did not mind, though. I always took the scenic route. The road was Rt. 113 going south to Berlin, Maryland. But, before I got there I would have to pass the town of Showell. Did not dare to blink or I would miss it. Then, right after Showell, a small church sat there. It has sat there for 255 years and I cannot believe that the other day was when I finally got to, actually, meet Historic St. Martin’s Church.
The location is Rt. 113 & 589 Junction. Four miles north of Berlin, MD. St. Martin’s Church Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 590, Berlin, MD 21811. Tel. 410-430-2142. Website? www.historicstmartinschurch.org. You can find them on Facebook.
You will have the opportunity to meet St. Martin’s Church, as well, because there are 2 Open Houses scheduled in the near future. Other Open Houses will be added later on in the year.
The first Open House will be next week on Wednesday, May 18th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is in celebration of International Museum Day. Every year since 1977 International Museum Day is organized worldwide. The reason? To raise awareness on how important museums are in the development of society. From America to Oceania, including Africa, Europe and Asia almost 30,000 museums get involved in more than 100 countries.
The next Open House will be on Saturday, June 4th, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Worshippers would have arrived by carriage, horse, boat or by foot to worship at St. Martin’s Church. It was 1756; 20 years prior to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. I cannot imagine what life was like during the times of our country’s founders. Definitely, the simplicity of this Church says it all; it was built in colonial times when life was a challenge; it took brave hearts and determination.
Historic St. Martin’s Church is the oldest of 11 Worcester County Museums. Worcester County is the easternmost county located in Maryland. The county contains the entire length of Maryland’s Atlantic coastline. Its county seat is Snow Hill.
St. Martin’s Church once sat next to a tributary of the Saint Martin’s River; Windmill Creek. A lot has changed through the years. The geography has and the river no longer flows by. But guess what? The building that once housed this Anglican Church, where people came and worshipped remains, along with its secrets.
This was an Anglican Church. Anglican vs. Episcopal? When the Revolutionary War occurred in North America, the U.S. declared its independence from England and American Anglicans changed their name to “Episcopalians” to avoid persecution. Episcopal means to have bishops, but Episcopalians are still Anglicans today.
And there I was with Sherrie, Sue and Cindi. I wanted to see St. Martin’s so that I could write this post. I had heard that for years a group of community leaders were determined to preserve this gem of architecture. This group is working hard to promote St. Martin’s. They are trying to help raise awareness of its historic value and its funding needs.
The first thing you will notice as you get out of the car and take the surroundings in is that even though it is adjacent to a major highway, it is so quiet and serene. Towering pines surround the property.
A Historical Marker by the Maryland Historical Trust will tell you that St. Martin’s Church was established around 1692 as a Chapel-of-Ease for Snow Hill Parish, and later, in 1744 designated as the principal church to Worcester Parish. The original frame building was replaced with the Georgian brick structure, completed in 1764.
With its Flemish bond brick walls and the glazed checkerboard pattern on the south wall, you can tell it was built in colonial times. Rubbed brick borders highlight the church’s windows and doors, and the roof features what are called “kicked waves” and cove cornices”.
I was so honored to be able to step inside this historic museum. The entrance has double batten doors. One of the unusual features is the flat arches above the entrances.
The restoration effort started in 1994. The Foundation Board of Trustees selected award winning Architectural Historian, Paul Baker Touart, to guide the project. Although most of the building and the grounds restorations are pretty much complete, ongoing preservation continues.
Foundation President, Mrs. Sherrie Beckstead, together with master goldsmith Steve Clarke, has designed a key pendant, which is a replica of the key to the doors of Saint Martin’s. The copyrighted key will be available in sterling silver and 18 karat gold for those who want to purchase this keepsake in support of the historic church. You can call Sherrie Beckstead at 410-430-2142 or e-mail at Historicstmartin@aol.com.
And, then as I entered the Church I stepped on the Brick floor. This is the original brick floor.
And a look at the simple pine box pews. As you take a look at these pictures, please notice that the darker color of the pine, is what was replaced. The rest is all original.
The windows, for obvious reasons had to be replaced.
And, that majestic raised Pulpit. I climbed to the Pulpit where I could get a full view of the pews.
Although St. Martin’s Church is small, it can still accommodate 60 to 100 people.
I climbed to the Gallery. From that point of view there is a complete different perspective. Who sat here? Wide plank pine boards are intact.
There is a wall left unpainted and unretouched on purpose. If you look closer you will see all kinds of scribbles and dates. It is a Wall of Remembrance. A mark left by a visitor or worshipper, perhaps. Some dates are that old.
Since its restoration, open houses, weddings, musical and art events and lectures have taken place at St. Martin’s. “Historic Weddings” are starting to take place within the Chapel as couples that love history and the Eastern Shore region cannot resist the charm and setting of St. Martin’s. A collaboration involving several historic properties and hotels in the region is working with the Foundation on the creation of “Eastern Shore Historic Weddings”. All you have to do is give them a call or visit the website above mentioned for more information.
The grounds are beautifully kept. Plenty of parking and enough space for a tent, as well.
Hours of Operation:
Open every Saturday, beginning June 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tours are also available.
Admission:
St. Martin’s graciously accepts donations. All donations are tax deductible.
Handicapped Access: For special assistance, please call or e-mail prior to your visit.
The websites? www.historicstmartinschurch.org, or visit Worcester County Museums at www.octhebeach.com/museums.
What do you think? It takes my breath away. It has taken a group of people with a lot of help from the community to bring beautiful Historic St. Martin’s Church back to where it should be. Lets appreciate it and enjoy it. This special and unique church is “Unlocking The Past…While Preserving the Future”.
Have a great day!!…Talk to you later….
Note: Information for this post came from Historic Old St. Martin’s Church Foundation.
 
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