December 31st, 2012
People around the world will welcome the New Year with noisemakers, kissing and screams….and grapes too!!
All of the following towns are in the Delmarva Peninsula. Some of them have been ringing the New Year in unique ways. Check them out.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia – It is the only resort island in Virginia. Tonight they celebrate with a Pony Island Horseshoe Drop and Costume Parade. This year’s theme is Cowboys & Aliens.
Plenty of costumes and a lighted horseshoe. It is not Swarovski Crystal; they say it does sparkle quite a bit.
On New Year’s Day, take The Polar Pony Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean for a cause. More info? Check http://www.chincoteaguechristmas.com.
Princess Anne, Maryland – The Midnight Muskrat Dive will take place at Midnight. This rodent has provided a living for trappers since settlers arrived in Somerset County. Somerset County is the southernmost county of Maryland on the Eastern Shore. Marshall P. Muskrat, a stuffed muskrat sporting a black top hat and bow tie is the Master of Ceremonies for this event. More info. and photo? Check http://www.marylandlife.com/blogs/around-maryland/midnight-muskrat-dive
Berlin, Maryland – Only 10 miles west from Ocean City, Maryland, Berlin is a historic and quaint town. Full of shops, restaurants and cafes. The Atlantic Hotel is the center of the town.
On New Year’s Eve a handmade ball, covered in holiday lights will be lowered from the rooftop of the apartment building, above Towne Center Antiques.
It is a free event, but there will be food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available for purchase. The event will be taking place from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Note: Horse and carriage rides will be available for a tour of holiday decorations.
Ocean City, Maryland – As part of their Winterfest celebration, Ocean City will ring their New Year with a fireworks display at Northside Park, located at125 St. & Bay, at midnight.
Winterfest will stay open extended hours tonight.
On Tuesday, January 1st the 19th Annual Penguin Swim 2013 will be taking place at the Princess Royale Hotel, located at 91st St. & the Ocean in Ocean City, MD. This is a benefit for Atlantic General Hospital. Register at 11:30 a.m. Swim at 1:00 p.m. More info? http://www.penguinswim.atlanticgeneral.org.
Lewes, Delaware – Toot the Horn and Drop the Anchor at Lightship Overfalls. Festivities will start at 11:30 p.m. Refreshments and fire pits to keep you warm. The music will keep you hopping!!
Lightship Overfalls is the only National Historic Landmark that does a ball drop on New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year’s!!!!!!
December 16th, 2009
The Main Street Princess Anne Partnership is definitely promoting this historic town by offering tours of its historic buildings and gardens. The town has a concentration of period buildings and more than a few are on the National Register of Historic Places.
For more information and schedule, please call Carolyn Marquis, Executive Director of the Main Street Princess Anne Partnership at 410-651-2961 or you may e-mail mainstreetpricessanne@yahoo.com.
The Olney Market Cafe is proud to provide gourmet box lunches, which is included in one of the standard tour packages. This Cafe specializes in homemade sandwiches, salads, cookies, teas, cheeses and chocolate truffles.
It is located inside Independence Hall, along with the other shops I wrote about this week. The address is 11779 Somerset Ave., Suite 11, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Tel. is 410-621-5643, Fax is 410-621-5674 and e-mail is susan@olneymarket.com.
The menu changes weekly and Susan, the owner, told me that she tries to also prepare a diverse menu. On the blackboard you will find the daily offerings and coffees.
The day I visited she had available Garlic Roast Beef Sub, Hearty Roast Beef with Garlic cheese on a Wheat Roll, Turkey & Black Bean Wrap, Turkey breast, cilantro, black beans, green chiles and tomatoes in tortilla, Barbecue Chicken Panini, Panzanella Panini and Foccacia stuffed with mozzarella, basil, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. The Cafe is small, with a few tables. The pantry has edible Christmas gifts, among the nuts, toffee and other goodies.
A Panzanella is an Italian salad made with onions, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, vinegar, seasonings and chunks of bread. Variations can include cucumber, anchovies and/or peppers. The traditional recipe soaks the bread in water and then squeezes the water out. Other suggestions are to brown the bread in olive oil before adding to the salad.
A Panini is Italian for roll or biscuit.
If you are visiting the area, you may call ahead and see what is on the menu for the day. You might want to stop while driving south on 13, trying to escape the cold weather that is upon us.
Information on Panzanella and Panini was taken from http://allrecipes.com.
I am going back to the beaches…so talk to you later…
December 13th, 2009
 Independence Hall It’s funny how I am going away from my beaches in the next 3 posts, but I think it is worth it. You will learn that the businesses are still on the Eastern Shore and near the water, as well.
Remember when last Tuesday I started my road trip in search of Dee’s Santas? I wrote about it on Wednesday. Well, I got lost a little bit and ended up in Pocomoke, Maryland. My intended location was to be Princess Anne, MD. And, I found it!!
Princess Anne is one of those little hidden gems. I had never been there, but it is a historic town. It was settled in the 1600’s and is at the headwaters of the Manokin River. This river drains directly to the Chesapeake Bay and it is approximately 15 miles long. The town was chartered in 1733 and it was named in honor of King George II’s daughter.
The town is so quaint; if you have an interest in architecture and history; a love of gardens, then you would love to visit Princess Anne and enjoy the tree-lined streets and brick sidewalks. The way they have fixed the sidewalks and crosswalks, reminds me of Lewes, Delaware, another gem.
Princess Anne is a distinctive town where Colonial, Federal and Victorian houses, along with churches, gardens and public buildings have been preserved. This is Somerset County and it is Maryland’s southern most county. There are fishing communities, summer homes, marshland and wilderness. You will find, mostly, agriculture and forestry, this contributing to its rural character.
The store I was looking for was Petite Fleur. It is located on 11779 Somerset Ave., Princess Anne, MD 21853. Tel. is 410-651-4999. The website is www.la-petitefleur.com. Somerset Ave. is the main street and the center of town. If you are in Salisbury all you have to do is go South on 13 about 15 minutes and you will see signs for Princess Anne. From the Delaware Beaches is about one hour and 20 minutes.
Petite Fleur is located in the historic Independence Hall building. It was a Victorian Era hotel and theatre and in 1929 during its theatre years, people came to it to see and hear the first talking picture show. The Historical Society and gift shop reside in this building, as well. 
Charlotte Sterling Sharf is a partial owner of Petite Fleur along with Jenninfer Alder. Charlotte also owns the building and is responsible for its restoration. Her great eye for detail has restored tin walls, wainscoting, and the building is just plain elegant.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this store. Dee’s Santas and bags were there, but the store offers so much more. Its collection of Somerset County art is beautiful. 
Petite Fleur has gifts that will help you give that finishing touch in your house. If you do need help in decorating, they also have design services available. Lots of specialty foods and items for everyday living. Olive oils from Spain, beautiful soaps and candles. Some of the items available at the store and soon to be on-line are: Alexa Pulitzer Stationery, Bella Cucina, Persian Rugs, and art. You can visit their website and see what they are all about. Charlotte told me that everything in the store is for sale. She was gracious in giving me an explanation about the building and the stores that are in it.
So, at this time of the year, when everyone is coming and going, I really felt relaxed and at peace visiting this welcoming and unique town. I do want to go back and explore it a little bit more.
Information for my post was taken from: Http://archive.constantcontact.com, www.state.Md.us, http://dnr.maryland.gov/greenways/counties/somerset.html
 Dee's Santas
See you later…
December 9th, 2009
 Delmarva Santa (The Delmarva Santa celebrates the Season with our local treasures, the black lab puppy, the chicken family, the race track foal. The vase is an antique carnival prize.)
When I posted on my blog at the end of October, I told you that I spent so many years going to the town of Berlin, Maryland. It was in this town where part of my children’s education took place. It was also the time where friendships were made that have lasted for many years.
 Old World Santa (Old World Santa is unique and totally made by hand from the wooden base to his sculpted head. The white vase and tiny sheep are antique, as well as his fancy belt buckle.)
Dee was one of those friends I met so long ago. She is also a very talented person. During the Christmas Bazaars and Gala functions at the school she was one of the parents at the head of art projects. I am not artistic, but I was there along with everyone else that volunteered.
I started a road trip in the search for Dee’s Santas. The first ones were found in Berlin and the second ones were found in Princess Anne.
 Old World Santa (This Old World Santa is surrounded by favorite flora and fauna. His hand sculpted head is completed with a cotton beard. His damask coat is lined with velvet.)
This is the perfect time of the year to introduce you to her work. You might already know it, or even have a few of her pieces. She has two specialties. One of them is the handmade Santas. They are Old World Santas and their heads are totally hand sculpted. She uses dry clay and the faces are painted in acrylic. She also uses cotton and raw sheep’s wool from Dora, a sheep that resides at a friend’s farm in Pocomoke, Maryland. Vintage fabrics are utilized in the making of the rich clothing.
 Old World Santa (Old World Santa is entirely handmade, from his wooden stand to his mink hat. His coat is made from vintage linen toile. Hand-sculpted, his head is made with clay and painted with acrylics.)
 Woodland Santa (This Santa is made from a hand pieced and hand quilted Baltimore quilt made in the 1930’s. His head is hand sculpted, as well; his beard is raw sheep’s wool. His harvest basket and woodset accessories are natural; perfect for gift giving.)
She has been making the Santas for a long time and they have become collectibles. Dee will take custom orders, but you need to speak to her about that. She sells them for $350. For more information, please call her at 410-641-4281 or 410-603-7581.
Dee’s other specialty is custom handmade bags. She has been making them for over 10 years. I have taken a few pictures so that you can have an idea of what they look like. She uses beautiful fabrics and linings. The colors change depending on the season. The bags are comfortable and easy on your shoulders; very affordable, as well. 
Dee has a partner in the bag business. Her name is Sharon. They also have a website: www.boppyowls.com. You can visit the website and see what they are all about. You may contact them by calling Dee at 410-603-7581, or Sharon at 410-726-6650. 
Several stores carry the Santas and bags:
TaDa in Berlin, Maryland, 410-641-4430 (Santas and bags)
Petite Fleur, Princess Anne, Maryland, 410-651-4999 (Santas and bags)
Bruder Hill, Berlin, 410-629-1260
Malibu on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, 410-289-3000 (bags only)
Flowers by Alison, West Ocean City, Maryland, 410-213-8330
  
Merry Christmas!! Talk to you later…
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