June 6th, 2015
“The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey.” enya
 
Eleven families, 10 states, 32 children, volunteers…all in all, about 73 people. When they arrived in Bethany Beach, they were complete strangers. In no time they became a united front with a common bond…Breast Cancer.
All women were, presently, being treated for breast cancer. Almost all were in their 40s. One was 60 years old.
Little Pink Houses of Hope provides week long beach retreats for breast cancer families. They have been coming to Bethany Beach for several years, but you can also find them in other parts of the country. Home is North Carolina. The Founder & President is Jeanine Patten-Coble. For more information, please visit http://www.littlepink.org. Find them on Facebook, as well. Once they arrive…everything is free of charge.
Breast cancer does not only affect the person, it impacts the whole family in many ways. To be able to spend a week at the beach, relaxing and rejuvenating is always….priceless!! The outpour of donations from the Delaware Beaches; residents, commercial establishments…awesome!
Organizing it all were Stacy Shepps and Ann Raskauskas.
Every day, they had plenty of activities and also time to chill out. We live at the beach and enjoying the outdoors is always a must. Mother Nature, of course, did not cooperate. Don’t get me wrong, it did not “dampen” anyone’s spirits.
Lunching at Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, after a morning of sailing….Well…the setting at RBSA is gorgeous. This sailing association has been in existence since 1963. The first photo would have been the ideal situation, but the second shows the reality of how the weather was; windy, rainy, chilly.
 
Debbie Dyer, who is one of my partners in crime “volunteered” to help me organize the lunch at Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association. RBSA is located south of Dewey Beach at 38767 Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association Lane. Tel. 302-227-9008. Website? http://www.rbsa.org. This sailing club is for beginners to racing enthusiasts. In the summer they offer a Junior Sailing School and Adult/Junior Clinics. Those are starting next week. If interested, please give them a call. Those programs are open to the public. Also, please note that the 2015 Sunfish Women’s North American Championships will be September 19th and 20th.
We had food to feed an army. Leftovers were sent with the Little Pinks to enjoy the next day.
And a big thank to Carol Cairo for her delicious cookies….Yum!!
 
Just before serving lunch, prayers of thanks!!
Now they could eat. The Water Cooler Ladies were serving drinks…the rest were serving lunch.
One of the volunteers was telling me that he first went to a Little Pink retreat about 6 years ago. He had lost spirituality when his wife had been diagnosed. It was so good for him that he has been volunteering ever since. His wife is doing well, by the way.
Another volunteer, she is right there on the photo with the stripe sweater….she has been a survivor for 3 years. She had cancer in her family left and right. She said she would have been shocked not to have cancer.
Some started to play games, enjoying the company of new friends.
Last year I spent a day with Little Pink Houses of Hope. Heartwarming and Uplifting? You bet!
It was time to gather the troops. Volunteers were getting their assignments. Each volunteer has a family assigned to him or her. Some of these volunteers have been participants in previous beach retreats.
Regardless of the weather, Debbie and I had a great day. It also brought memories of years past when preparing food for lax games….you take this, I take that. Who brings the water? How about the snacks? Don’t forget the paper towels. And, the many Teacher Appreciation Lunches…Susan Lynch, you were a pro, just as Shelley Martelo was a pro with her electric knife. The good old days, right?
Until next time…have a good one.
 
May 6th, 2015
No sooner last year’s event had taken place, already they had the theme for the 2015 Annual Bethany Beach Breast Cancer 5K Fun Run & 3 K Walk…..Pirates!! Treasure Your Chest it is. It takes place on Saturday, May 9th.
Bethany Beach Breast Cancer 5K Fun Run & 3K Walk is a grass roots, low tech, and low key, no frills event that has been taking place in Bethany Beach for years. More info? http://www.bethanybeachbreastcancer.com.
Dress in your pirate costumes and pirate gear. Awards will be given to most spirited attire for Buccaneers, Buckettes, team, youth and doggie participants. Remember that doggies have to be on a leash. Last year some dogs were taking a rest while others were ready to go.
There is still time to register. And, if you are visiting and decide you want to participate, please show up!! Registration on the day of begins at 7 a.m., on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. You can register online at http://www.bethanybeachbreastcancer.com. Or, call Ann at 302-537-9700.
Friday and Saturday – Happy Hour from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sedona: Cash Bar, Tapas Specials & Pirate Bar Games/Trivia. Captain Jack’s Mini Golf Happy Hour: Treasures and $1 off all week-end.
Holiday Inn Express, Bethany Beach, is offering discounted room for event participants.
Packet Pick Up: May 8th from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Bethany Area Realty, 778 Garfield Parkway (Rt. 26).
Saturday:
Same Day Registration: 7 – 8:30 a.m.
Stretching: 8:45 a.m.
Announcements: 8:50 a.m.
Race/Walk Starts at 9 a.m.
Music by DJ Seaside Jimmy DiLorenzo!!
Delaware is a small state with a big heart. We are anticipating a big turn-out this year….gorgeous weather; a beautiful time at the beach!! All of us have been touched in some way or another by breast cancer. This event celebrates and honors all of those that have experienced breast cancer.
Bethany Beach Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk is partnering with The Little Pink Houses of Hope and Vance Memorial Fund Beebe Medical Foundation.
Little Pink Houses of Hope provides week long beach retreats for breast cancer families. More information? Please visit http://www.littlepink.org.
Vance Kane Memorial Fund Supporting Beebe’s Breast Health Center….more info? Please visit http://www.beebehealthcare.org/beebe-breast-health-program.
See you there!!
March 24th, 2015
On March 19, 1891 it was first called Cape Henlopen City. In 1893, the name was formally changed to Rehoboth. Since then, Rehoboth Beach has been welcoming thousands of visitors not just in the summer, but year round. It is a destination for many, and for a lot of us, it is also home. Living at the beach is great, and, believe me, I do not take it for granted.
The beaches are stirring, businesses are sprucing up. So, What’s Going On?
Wednesday, March 25th – BENEVOLENCE DAY-Beer & Benevolence at Dogfish Head located at 320 Rehoboth Ave. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Noon until 9 p.m. with Live Music at 6 p.m. This is a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. More info.? Please visit http://www.dogfish.com/benevolence.
Friday, March 27th – ART AND CRAFT – The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is presenting a fascinating glimpse, with this film, into the life of one of the most prolific art forgers in U.S. history. Location? Movies at Midway located on Coastal Highway at the Upstairs Screening Room. $4.00 for RBFS members and $6.00 for future members. More info.? Please visit http://www.rehobothfilm.com.
Theater in Downtown Rehoboth Beach!! – CLEARSPACE THEATRE CO. presents: Comedy, a musical comedy until April 5th. The Little Mermaid from April 17th until April 19th. Little Women from May 1st until May 17th. Clearspace Theatre Co. is located at 20 Baltimore Ave. in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. For tickets and info., please visit http://www.clearspacetheatre.org. You may also call 302-227-2270.
Friday, April 3rd – 47th ANNUAL GREAT DELAWARE KITE FESTIVAL – Location? Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. Registration opens at 10 a.m. EASTER EGG HUNT at 11 a.m. Kite flying events start at 11:30 a.m. and the Egg Toss Contest starts at 1:15 p.m.
Friday, April 3rd – LOCAL BUZZ HAPPY HOUR – 5 to 7 p.m. at Gallery Espresso located at 12001 Old Vine Blvd. in Lewes. Doggies at The Beach will be there displaying their stuff. http://www.doggiesatthebeach.com
Saturday, April 4th – REHOBOTH TOY & KITE’S 21st ANNUAL EASTER PLAY DAY to be taking place at Virginia Ave. and the Boardwalk in Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Games and kite making, Egg Hunt at Noon. Pictures with the Easter Bunny. Free continental breakfast and snacks at 10 a.m. More info? Please call 302-227-6996
Wednesday, April 8th – READ A MOVIE – The Rehoboth Beach Film Society and the Rehoboth Beach Public Library invite film and/or literary enthusiasts to Read a Movie screening of “The Duellists” at 4 p.m. in the upstairs community room of the library. Based on the short story, “The Duel” by Polish-born writer Joseph Conrad, this film depicts a historically accurate account of early 1800s France. This screening is part of the monthly Read a Movie series in which members read a little-known short story in advance of the screening, then gather to watch the film and share their thoughts about how well or not so well the story was expanded to the big screen. To sign up and receive the stories in advance, email Denise Hoban at outreach@rehobothfilm.com.
Friday, April 10th – 5TH ANNUAL “GET DOWN IN TOWN” – Shop & Eat…all for a good cause!! 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. everyone is invited to downtown Rehoboth Beach for this event. Shoppers will enjoy special discounts in participating stores while noshing on local restaurants’ desserts, treats and drinks dispersed throughout stores. Food served from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Shopping until 8 p.m. There is a $10 admission fee to participate in this one night event, which also includes a chance to win a Grand Prize Drawing valued over $l,000. The Drawing will take place at 8 p.m. at First Street Station Courtyard and the recipient must be present to win. Tickets can be purchased the night of the event. Or, ahead of time at Azura Clothing, Heidi Lowe Gallery, Rehoboth Beach Main Street Office, Something Comfortable, South Moon Under and online at http://www.downtownrb.com. There is no better place where you can wine, dine, walk and shop than Downtown Rehoboth Beach!!
Sunday, April 12th – BROADWALK ON THE BOARDWALK! A fun event for a serious cause. Part of CAMP Rehoboth’s Women’s FEST 2015! All are welcome, including dogs. Put on your Pink or Lavender. They will be honoring survivors of ALL cancers. Lavender is the color for All Cancers. Meet at CAMP Rehoboth on 37 Baltimore Ave. at 9 a.m. Free registration. Check in, coffee, sweet treats and music. Walk begins at 10 a.m. All donations will benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Cash or checks accepted. Matching donations up to $2,500 generously donated by Nancy Froome.
Sunday, April 19th – DOGGIES AT THE BEACH CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY COOK-OUT. Noon until 2 p.m. at Doggies at The Beach, located at 18806 John J. Williams Hwy. (Rt. 26) in Rehoboth Beach. This is a cage free dog boarding facility, where I leave my pooch, Miss Addy. 24 hour human supervision!! More info? http://www.doggiesatthebeach.com. Tel. 302-644-8200.
Friday, April 24th – REHOBOTH BEACH FILM SOCIETY APRIL’S MONTHLY SCREENING – RBFS presents this year’s Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Short Film. The screening will be held at the upstairs screening room at Movies at Midway on Coastal Highway. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A rare opportunity to enjoy one of the most entertaining categories at the Academy Awards-Best Animated Short Film. Me and My Moulton, Feast, The Bigger Picture, A Single Life and The Dam Keeper. Admission is $4 for members and $6 for future members. Tickets will be sold at the door to each screening on a first come, first serve basis.
Sunday, April 26th – 7TH ANNUAL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – PERFECT PAIRINGS – A benefit for Children & Families First, Rehoboth Art League, and Children’s Beach House. Tickets are $45/person or $78/couple. 4 to 7 p.m. Taste dozens of fine handpicked wines from around the world, artfully paired with their chef-driven unique food and pastry specialties.
Sunday, April 26th – BIG FISH GRILL 5K TO BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITY – 3rd Annual event. Race start for runners and walkers is 8:30 a.m. in front of Big Fish Grill on Rt. 1. Big Fish Grill will be donating portion of the proceeds from this event to local nonprofits CHEF (Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation) and RBMS (Rehoboth Beach Main Street). In addition, all students (K-12) who participate are eligible to win a $1,000 savings bond. You must be present to win and have student ID. Pre-registration is $25, until 4/23 at noon. Registration from then through Race Day is $30. Student (18 and under) Pre-Registration is $20, until 4/23 at noon. Registration from then through Race Day is $25. Register online at http://www.races2run.com. For more info., please contact Barb@races2run.com.
Saturday, Sunday, May 2nd, May 3rd – COASTAL DELAWARE RUNNING FESTIVAL – Marathon, Half Marathon…Delaware’s Coolest Marathon – Dewey, Rehoboth, Lewes. It is a Boston Qualifier. Scenic, flat and fast course will encompass Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, and the Town of Lewes, finishing at the Lighthouse Cove Waterfront Complex in Dewey Beach. Full post race buffet provided by The Lighthouse Cove Dewey Beach. Complimentary post race beer for those 21 years of age and older. To register visit http://www.codelrun.com.
Saturday, May 9th – TREASURE YOUR CHEST BREAST CANCER 5K RUN/3K WALK IN BETHANY BEACH…Rain or shine!! Fundraising for Little Pink Houses of Hope and Vance Kane Memorial Fund/Beebe Medical Foundation. Pre-registration $25, Kids $15 (under 10 years of age). Online registration closes April 10th. Prizes for Most Spirited Outfits…Dress in Your Best Pirate Gear. Team, Individual, Strollers, Wheelchairs, Dogs….T-Shirts Guaranteed only to those pre-registering. For registration and more info., please visit http://www.bethanybeachbreastcancer.com.
Saturday, May 9th – DEWEY BEACH ARTS FESTIVAL – Rain Date? Sunday, May 10th. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location? Dagsworthy Ave in Dewey Beach. For an application, please visit http://www.deweybusinesspartnership.com, or call 302- 228-3701.
Hey…I stand corrected, the Delaware Beaches are not stirring…..they just woke up!! Time to play! Have a good one.
March 22nd, 2015
Everything looked so normal. Just like any other get together at the beach. Going fishing!! Summertime, a time to relax and not to care about a thing…..If it only were that easy. Just for one week it was for the families that came to Bethany Beach, Delaware, for this retreat last year. The women had breast cancer and the journey to the beach was to get away and have fun.
The organization is called Little Pink Houses of Hope founded by Jeanine Patten-Coble. Website? http://www.littlepink.org. The organizers in Bethany Beach were Annie Raskauskas and Stacy Shepps. Annie and Stacy were backed up by the communities of the Delaware Beaches. Big hearts in Southern Delaware.
 
When these families arrived at the beach their accommodations were all donated by area residents. Besides their accommodations, they had barbecues, crab feasts, dinners, deep sea fishing…the community went all out. Everything for them was free of charge. Breast cancer like many chronic diaseases not only afflicts the person but the whole family.
When they arrived the families did not know one another. When they left they were a united front and a very powerful and emotional thing to see. The following photos are of the last day together having fun….fishing, a picnic, a pig roast, a birthday celebration, games on the beach…meet The Little Pinks and their families.
 
In the evening…pig roast, birthday celebration and games on the beach.
Then, it was time to say so long.
Party with a PURPOSE will take place on Thursday, March 26th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at NorthEast Seafood Kitchen located at 29 Atlantic Avenue (Rt. 26) in Ocean View, Delaware. Just a few miles west of Bethany Beach. Tickets ar $40 and will include light fare, cash bar, silent auction and 50/50. The purpose is to raise funds and awareness for Little Pink Houses of Hope. For tickets and info., please call 302-245-2154 or 302-537-9700. Living in Hope…Let’s Fill those Seats!!
October 1st, 2014
 
I remember it like it was yesterday, except it was at the beginning of June, this year. It was promising to be a wonderful week in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Little Pink Houses of Hope had everything in place thanks to the organization of Annie Raskauskas and Stacy Shepps. It took plenty of help to make sure that it would go smoothly. The families coming in did not know one another.
The community stood behind this organization that has been holding retreats in Bethany Beach for families of those afflicted with breast cancer. Breast cancer, just like many chronic diseases, not only afflict the person, but also the whole family. In Bethany Beach houses and townhouses were donated so that the families could come, free of charge, relax and rejuvenate at the beach.
They were going to be busy too….plenty of activities, get togethers, fun on the sand at the water’s edge, cookouts, you name it. It was fun!!
The Founder and President of Little Pink Houses of Hope is Jeanine Patten-Coble. The website is http://www.littplepink.org. Please check the website to get informed about Little Pink Houses of Hope or if you would like to apply for one of the retreats for next year. Bethany Beach, Delaware, is one of the locations, but they are also held in other states, as well.
Donations are always accepted….you can do so directly online.
The families arrived at the beginning of June as complete strangers and by the end of the week, they were a united front. It was really heartwarming to see. There were smiles and plenty of thanks to all that had worked all week to make them forget breast cancer.
We were going Deep Sea Fishing!! The Judy V was taking us out. Well, it was an experience. Here we are about to take off from the Indian River Marina. Pink is the signature color for breast cancer….wearing pink Butter Shades.
Off we went. It was beautiful. As you know to get out to do any deep sea fishing in coastal Delaware you need to go way out to sea. So far so good. From the boat plenty of photos were taken.
The kids were thrilled. They had the bait ready and a few caught something.
   
Right before some got seasick, we still had time for more photos. Not fun getting seasick, but at times it cannot be helped. We cut the fishing expedition short, because we still had so many things to do on land….like picnic, and later on a pig roast.
The picnic was very nice and we had it at the Indian River Marina. Yeap….from the fishing trip to eating!! Sandwiches, cupcakes, and fruit!!
Nap time until the Pig Roast and a farewell evening event at the beach….oceanfront!!
The house was in a festive mood. A Pig Roast and games on the beach. The evening went smoothly and everyone attended.
The families had even time for a birthday celebration!!
Then, it was time to hit the beach for some family fun time with the kids!! Carol was the organizer. And she had her hands full. These Little Pinks had so much energy and it was great to see them let loose.
The pinata and other games were a hit.
 
It was time to say “until we meet again”. The evening was emotional for so many of the families. Their bond was stronger. Many memories were made on this particular week.
Stay positive, stay strong….
May 22nd, 2014
A sense of community, small town atmosphere, a family destination….the ocean, tax free shopping, and plenty of dining…..that’s Bethany Beach, Delaware.
 
A big shout to Ann (Annie) Raskauskas, who never stops. She is the founder of the Annual 5K Fun Run & 3K Walk. This event happens the second week-end in May every year. Once again plenty of runners and walkers came to Bethany Beach to help with a good cause.
Annie welcomed everyone…the teams, which were so funny, trying to out do each other. The theme for 2014 was “Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer”.
Carol got everyone to stretch before the run on the Boardwalk, and presented this young winner with her prize.
This is a feel good event. So many supporters; everyone knows someone with breast cancer. This year’s beneficiaries were: Vance Kane Memorial Fund, supporting Beebe’s Breast Health Center, 302-644-2900. And, Little Pink Houses of Hope, providing week long beach retreats for breast cancer families. This year’s retreat is coming up the first week in June. Their website is http://www.littlepinkhousesofhope.org.
My late husband, John, was a big supporter of the Bethany Beach Breast Cancer. A banner thanking us, his family, was much appreciated.
Even though this event is already over, the work begins immediately for 2015. If you are interested in donating or knowing more about Bethany Beach Breast Cancer, please visit http://www.bethanybeachbreastcancer.com.
So, pencil it on your calendar….Second week-end in May. Already the theme for next year is settled. Talk to you later.
|
1 Comment