May 6th, 2010
Described as “the little town nestled between the mountains and reality”. Yes, that is definitely a description for Boulder. Its backdrop; the Flatirons and thousands of acres of open space and nature.
Boulder is the 11th most populous city in the state. The life of the town is the University of Colorado.
This where I will find myself this week-end. It is graduation!!!
University of Colorado, is a national comprehensive research university and one of the 34 U.S. public institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU); 4 Nobel laureates, 15 astronauts, call themselves CU-Boulder Alums.
And CU has Ralphie, which is a real buffalo and one of the most majestics and popular college mascots in intercollegiate athletics.
Boulder is fun and when you find yourself on Pearl Street, the main avenue, you can really feel how much of a college town it is. Music, families, and everyone is outdoors. I find the people very fit, lots of jogging, walking, rock climbing, etc.
 Pearl Street As I was thinking about my son graduating I had to also think about his first year in pre-school in Berlin, Maryland. His teacher? Mrs. Mancini.
She was one of those teaches that engaged the kids from the moment they stepped into her classroom. As the school year progressed I also remember saying he was never going to be on the stage on the day of the Christmas Program. Well, there he was and I almost fell over.
I kept a poem that Mrs. Mancini gave this class and still gives to anyone that goes through her program. It is a tender poem and all of us parents have always cherised it. Here it is:
My little ones it’s that time,
That time for you to go.
But as you leave me today;
There’s some things I want you to know.
Read your books, play your games,
And exercise everyday.
Dream, your dream, love your friends,
Never lose your way.
Always listen to you mom,
Pay attention to your dad,
Please tell them the truth,
They’ll always love you, no matter how mad.
Reach for the stars, always ask why,
Let your imagination zoom.
Remember, look for my hugs,
In these arms they will be room,
So go along now, go on your way,
I know you cannot stay.
I love you my little friends,
Forever and a day!
And, now after all those years behind him, it’s still time to continue the journey at another level. How could you not help think about those formative years? They really were great and so many friendships were formed, both for him and me, as well.
Anyway, I am off to Boulder. You will hear from me because there will be a few restaurants to try. Talk to you later….
May 5th, 2010
This week-end promises to be a gorgeous one in the Delmarva Peninsula. Well, that’s what the forecasters say.
Ocean City is getting ready for one of their big spring celebrations. It is Springfest, so get out your flip flops and t-shirts because they are also celebrating their 20th anniversary.
Springfest will take place at the Inlet Parking Lot, which is Oceanside Boardwalk/Inlet.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday the party will start at 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. On, Sunday it will be from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free and so are a lot of other fun stuff.
Free parking is available, and Ocean City offers shuttles and trams to and from Springfest. All you have to do is hop on the bus to get to the festivities.
Springfest really celebrates spring and kicks off warm-weather fun. There will be delicious food, arts, crafts, live concerts and entertainment.
For more information please visit http://ococean.com/events/springfest. If you need to call, the tel. is 800-626-2326.
If you would like to find out the schedule for the live entertainment, please visit http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/springfest_schedule.html.
Have a great week-end……
May 4th, 2010
I don’t know if you had the chance to experience what a beautiful evening it was on Tuesday night in Lewes. I talk about this town frequently, but how could you not? Every time I visit Lewes, I leave with a sense of relaxation and happiness.
In the past I have mentioned that one of the most important features of Lewes are its residents. They are always ready to showcase their town. Tonight was no exception because I was invited by one of its own to just come for drinks and sit on his front porch. I really could have stayed there all night. It was so comfortable and more so after residents would wave at us from their cars. Big smiles on their faces.
The City of Lewes has a list of Core Values and these are:
Lewes has a special and historic relationship with the sea.
Lewes is a community of diversity.
Lewes values its human town scale and sense of face-to-face intimacy that is characteristic of its quality of life.
Lewes is a town of busy days and quiet nights.
Lewes recognizes and maintains its internal communities.
Lewes has a unique historical origin and strives to highlight its heritage through building design and architectural preservation.
Sitting on this front porch I was able to enjoy the protected “vistas” of the Canal. So much open space; fencing and landscaping has been limited. The Pilottown Rd/Gillis Neck corridor was officially designated as one of Delaware’s Scenic and Hitoric Byways.
We finally decided to go check the new University of Delaware Wind Turbine, which looms over the Lewes’ skyline.
A wind turbine is a machine that harnesses the kinetic energy in the wind and converts it to electrical energy. Mechanical energy created by its rotating blades turns a generator that creates electricity.
It is located at the College of Marine Studies, at the end of Pilottown Rd. If you get a chance just drive over, you will not miss it. Here are the specifications:
The tower is 256 feet.
It will stand approximately 400 feet high from its tower base to the apex of its blade at peak rotation.
Weighs 203 tons.
Blade length is 144 feet (3 blades).
Rotational directions are clockwise from front view.
9-19 Revolutions per minute.
From the College of Marine Studies we continued our guided trip towards the State of Delaware Public Boat Launch. This is a state of the art facility.
The scenery was magical; watching flounder fishing and an amazing sunset. The marshes added their touch with expanse views.
We finished our evening at Agave, the Mexican restaurant I have also talked about so much. Its location is right in the center of the town, on Second St. It was such a good meal in the company of a great friend. Perfect!!
I will talk to you later…..you know I cannot help it.
Note: Information for this post was taken from www.ci.lewes.de.us/core-values/ and from http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/lewesturbine/
May 4th, 2010
I have already written several times about The Milton Theatre. I am going to be writting about it again because I totally fell in love with it when I first laid eyes on it.
The old Milton Theatre is an art deco movie house and back in the 1930’s it showcased the “silent” movies and the “talkies”.
It was rescued from ruin in 2000. It is open and it is gorgeous. The Milton Theatre is showcasing this year’s most popular movies along with other events in the area.
As a rental facility, is an ideal venue for business meetings, conferences, class reunions, graduation parties, bridal showers, weddings and any other intimate, private gathering.
The Milton Theatre is located in the heart of Milton, on 110 Union St. Telephone: 302-684-3400. Website is www.miltontheatre.org. The town of Milton is just north of Lewes, Delaware and very easy to get to.
This is what you will find this week at The Milton Theatre:
Wednesday, May 5th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 9th at 2:00 p.m. – The movie Julie & Julia. Julia Child and Julie Powell, both of whom wrote memoirs, find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both are at loose ends…..
Saturday, May, 8th there will be the special screening of The Art of the Steal at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be $7.00. You may call 302-645-9095 for tickets. This screening is sponsored by the Rehoboth Beach Film Society and Gallery 50 in Rehoboth Beach.
The documentary chronicles the long and dramatic struggle for control of the Barnes Foundation, the world’s largest private collection of post-Impressionist art valued at more than $25 billion.
The guest speaker will be Danielle Rice, Ph.d., who will conduct a question and answer session after the screening. She is the Executive Director of the Delaware Museum of Art.
As the season gets ready to receive everyone with open arms, please check all the events that our beaches have to offer. There is a lot going on.
Talk to you later…You know I will…
May 2nd, 2010
Every single time I take a bite of a softshell crab I say that I love them better than lobster. When they are cooked right, there is nothing better. So sweet and plump with just a hint of fat. Really, that is how it is.
The softshell crab is a crustacean seafood. You can eat it whole if cooked after molting (shedding) its hard shell.
Crabs grow larger in size and their shells cannot expand, therefore, they shed their exterior and have a soft covering in a matter of days.
This is when they are perfect for eating. I don’t know how many years ago, but I do remember having my brother for dinner and I served him softshells but he really could not eat them. I guess the sight of eating a whole crab, including legs was not the thing for him.
The softshells I got tonight were from Jimmy Lynn’s Seafood Carry Out. They are located at 18226 Coastal Highway, Lewes. Tel. 302-644-9329. I wrote a post on Jimmy Lynn’s back on 7/31/09. If you would like to read it all you have to do is click on July under Archives and scroll down to the date. You can find Jimmy Lynn’s Seafood Carry Out on Facebook, as well.
Jimmy Lynn’s Seafood Carry Out is “home of the crabs with attitude”. Tonight’s choice was delicious. I just dredged them in a little gluten free flour with just a bit of Old Bay Seasoning and sauteed them. They were perfect.
Years ago I got a recipe for softshell crabs over linguine. It was given by Mancini’s located at 907 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, Delaware. Tel. 302-537-4224. Website is www.mancinisbop.com. That recipe was so good so here it goes:
Fresh Softshell Crabs over Linguine
4 fresh sofshell crabs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
1/2 cup flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
juice of one lemon
Clean (or have the store do so) the softshells; dredge them in season flour (be generous with flour).
In a large skillet, melt butter. Add olive oil and garlic. When hot, saute softshells until slightly browned on both sides (approx. 5 minutes on each side).
Wheen crabs are browned, add wine, chicken stock and parsley. Saute until sauce thickens.
Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Serve over linguine.
The above recipe is very good and so easy. Just adjust seasonings to your liking.
Remember to make it your own. Talk to you tomorrow, probably…..
May 1st, 2010
The Wooden Indian is an iconic store in Rehoboth Beach. This store has been opened for 33 years and has seen many changes. It was always the place to go to get that special gift.
I have seen a lot of those changes since I have been a customer for many years. This past winter I decided to stop by and I saw a sign welcoming everyone to the reopening of The Wooden Indian. I never knew it had closed.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the store had new proprietors; Paul J. Roscosky and Joseph S. Yasik. The Wooden Indian is located at 25 Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth. Tels. are 302-227-8331, 800-225-8331. The website is www.woodenindianltd.com. At the time of my writing this post the website was being updated.
One of the most important persons in this store is Frances Cowgill. She is the General Manager. She has been with The Wooden Indian for 32 of the 33 years. She is one of those people that have such a friendly personality, key to making customers feel at ease.
I met the new proprietors and they wanted to find out how I liked the store. I think they wanted feedback from the customers. I told them that I thought the store looks like what it should look like; an elegant shop with fine accessories like Lynn Chase, Waterford, Herend and Godiva, but also carrying items affordable to all.
The interior of the store looks amazing, you can move through it with ease and at the same time enjoy all the wonderful items available for purchase.
Some palettes have vivid oranges, while others have blues and browns.
Edibles like Godiva Chocolates and all the wonderful conserves, make this store a must stop shop. Paul, Joseph and Frances really have done everything to make The Wooden Indian look larger and fabulous.
The photos say a thousand words, so I hope you enjoy a tour of this magnificent store at the Delaware Beaches.
Once again, I have to mention that one of the best things about living in a small coastal town is the interaction with all the merchants in town. It really is priceless…I guess I will be talking to you soon….
Note: The Wooden Indian, Ltd. has the availability to giftwrap and ship.
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