October 25th, 2011

Rehoboth Beach Museum, Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, Rehoboth Beach, Surf Board Shaper’s Forum, Surf Movies, International Wine & Cheese Tasting, Fall Luncheon, Sea Witch Treat, Delaware Beaches

The Rehoboth Beach Museum and the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society have one home; The Old Ice House, in Rehoboth Beach.  Both are a starting point to better know this seaside community.  It is a great place to dive into its local history.  Afterall, this is the Nation’s Summer Capital.

The location?  511 Rehoboth Avenue, right by the roundabout, and next to the Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center.  Tel. 302-227-7310.  Website?  www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org.

Rehoboth Beach is a year-round resort.  I was just telling a couple of ladies that were having dinner last night at the Blue Moon, how different it was when we came to the area in the mid-1970s.  After Labor Day, the scene was completely, shall we say, subdued.  When I mention in my posts the “Second Season”, this season is just those months of mid January until March.  The rest of the time?  Well, it is quite a busy town.

The Rehoboth Beach Museum and the Historical Society deserve their own post; just check out what’s in store for you if you are visiting.

Wednesday, 10/26 – Surf Board Shaper’s Forum at 6:00 p.m. – Ever wanted to know what goes into the making of a surfboard?  Did you know that many boards used in the 60s and 70s were not mass produced and some were even made right here in Delaware?  Some boards are still made here today.  Come and join members and friends as they explore the making of surfboards throughout history and the surfboard shaping scene going on right now.  Meet some folks who are making and decorating boards in Delaware.  You will also get to see the latest exhibit: Skimming the Surface.

Light refreshments will be served.  Free for members.  $5 donation for non-members.  Questions?  Please call 302-227-7310 or visit www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org.

Friday, 10/28 – Jolly Trolley Teams with Museum and Bake Shoppe for Sea Witch Treat – The start of the Sea Witch week-end could give you the opportunity to take a “Magical History Tour” on Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Meet at The Rehoboth Library at 226 Rehoboth Avenue at 10 for a 40 minute trolley tour of historic sites around the downtown area.  The cost is $10. 

Stop into the Bake Shoppe at 222 Rehoboth Ave., for a special treat at a special price and bring it with you on the tour.  Sites seen from the Trolley will include the Boardwalk, the Anna Hazzard Tent House, historic businesses and the Rehoboth Beach Museum.

The Jolly Trolley originated in 1970.  A group of “jolly” locals wanted to create a vehicle that would share the sights, smells, colors and characteristics of the Rehoboth Beach/Dewey Beach resort area with visitors and locals.

The Rehoboth Beach Museum was opened in 2007.  On November 1st, the Museum will start its winter schedule, closing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For more info. on this tour, please call Jolly Trolley at 302-227-1197 or the Museum at 302-227-7310.

Skip Savage outside Surf Shop East

Wednesday, 11/2 – Surf Movie Double Feature – At the Movies at Midway ‘s upstairs screening room, starting at 6 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.  This event is free for members of the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.  For others?  Just $5.  Please call to reserve your spot at 302-227-7310.

The Historical Society is the sponsor of these two short films.  “Waves of Reflection is a tribute to the world of surfing here in Delaware during the 60s and 70s.  George Pittman and Bill Wise, pioneers of Delaware surfing, are featured along with regional surfers and East Coast Hall of Fame surfer Skip Savage.  After a short break, “Surfing at Summer’s End” another tribute to regional surfing that features Skil Johnson and Roxie Houston Brown and others.  Both films show classic home movies of surfers and commentaries from the people that made the surf scene so much fun.

Saturday, 11/5 – Tastes of International Wines & Cheeses – 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  An evening of tastes of wines and cheeses from Italy, Argentina, New Zealand, and the United States.

Local businesses are helping to transform the Museum into an international center of flavors.  Works of art with an international flair from local artists will be available for sale.  Music from the countries represented and decorations will be part of this event.

I don’t know if you knew that Rehoboth Beach was founded by the Methodists for the purpose of holding camp meetings in the late 1800’s.  Later, after the camp meetings ended, there were a number of families who came from far away places and who started businesses in the city.  Germans, Greeks, Russians and Italian families whose businesses helped make the city a vibrant, bustling destination for summer visitors.

So, this is a celebration of the city’s international connections with a tasting of wines and cheeses from around the world.

Proceeds from this event will be for the children’s educational room at the museum.  Tickets are $40 per person, or $75 per couple.  More info?  Please call 302-227-7310 to make a reservation by phone with a credit card.

Saturday, 11/19 – Fall Luncheon featuring a Lecture on Delaware’s Role in the War of 1812 and Preservation Award.  The public is invited for its annual Fall Luncheon.  The featured guest will be Dr. Charles Fithian, Curator of Archaeology for the State of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.  The title of his lecture is “The Honour of the State has not been tarnished”: Delaware in the War of 1812.

Dr. Charles Fithian has directed the research, conservation and curation efforts of the H.M. DeBraak shipwreck project and was a consultant to the director of the naval historical film Master and Commander.  Prior to working with the State of Delaware, he had several key positions with Historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland.

The Society will also present the annual Preservation Award to an individual for outstanding work in preserving the cultural assets of Rehoboth Beach.

The luncheon will be held at The Captains Table, 3206 Highway One (Rt. 1), Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.  A cash bar will be available at 11:00 a.m.  Lunch will be served at Noon.  The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members.  Please call 302-227-7310 to register by phone with a credit card and to make your meal selection.  Or, you can stop by the Rehoboth Beach Museum and fill out a reservation form.

Your choices?  Crabcake, One-half Baked Chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes, or, Meatloaf with mashed potatoes.  All meals include salad and dessert, coffee, tea, or soft drink.  Please make your reservations by November 16th.

Have a great Autum Day!!!!  Talk to you later…

March 25th, 2010

Notting Hill Coffee Roastery and Lewes Bake Shoppe, Review, A Coffee & Bake Shoppe, Lewes at the Delaware Beaches

Once again, I will have to repeat that some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.

It was late in the afternoon, and you know how pretty it was.  I felt like I wanted a cup of coffee.  Since I was near Lewes I ventured into Notting Hill, which is a coffee roastery.  But it is more than a coffee shoppe, read on…

Nobody was in the shoppe when I came in and it was around 4:15 p.m.  They were closing at 5 p.m.  

In a few of my past posts I have mentioned the winning dispositions of some business owners.  You know from the moment they look at you that they are friendly; a smile says it all.  And, that is just what happened when I met Amy Felker who is the owner and roaster of Notting Hill.  I only met her briefly but that is all it took. 

She has been known to say “Most people don’t like what they do, but I love what I do”.  That is her passion!

Notting Hill is located in the center of Lewes, Delaware, right on 124 Second Street.  Tel.  toll free 888-99-Latte or 302-645-0733.  Website is www.nottinghillcoffee.com. E-mail address is amy@nottinghillcoffee.com.

Notting Hill started with a partnership but since 2003 she has been the sole owner and roaster.

She roasts herself every single bean.  You know, coffee roasting is a chemical process by which flavor components are either created, balanced, or altered in a way that augments the flavor, acidity, aftertaste and body of the coffee. 

A lot of Amy’s flavors and all of her blends are owned by her; they are unique and you will not find them anywhere else.

So, after Amy roasts her beans then they are bagged.  All bags are stamped by her and her staff.  Notting Hill distributes wholesale, as well.  Amy can make thousands of different beverages at the shop and more than 135 different types of coffee are on the shelf.  She really runs the day to day operation of the shoppe.

Depending on the year, she can sell 25,000-40,000 lbs. of coffee.

Coffee has been enjoyed for hundreds of years.  Business and coffee go hand in hand.  It is a favorite around the world and has been for a long time regardless of how or where it is served.

That tiny bean is responsible for the employment of thousands of people.

Notting Hill is a very warm and cozy coffee shop.  But there are so many other delectables sold here.  You should know that just like the coffees, all baked goods and soups and sandwiches are baked or cooked in the shoppe.

The shoppe opens at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.  During the summer season there will be extended hours.

Some customers come for specific baked goods like the Blueberry Puffing Muffin, which is like a blueberry muffin inside a pastry.  Just check the picture yourself.

Another favorite is the Ooey Gooey which is a long twisted cinnamon pastry with cinnamon and sugar. I did not see one, but I can see it being similar to a Spanish churro, if you have ever had one, except this one is twisted.

You can find cookies, muffins, scones; everything that goes well with coffee.  But, coffee is not the only beverage served here; there are smoothies and blended iced teas, as well. 

There is a great assortment for the tea drinker.  Loose teas to be bought to take home or just to be enjoyed sitting in one of the tables inside the shoppe, while you read one of the newspapers available for the customers.

On the Board you will find an Espresso Menu, as well as a Menu consisting of the daily offerings.  Another small board will announce the Organic Java of the Day. And a third board will be a Cocoa Menu with all kinds of cocoa drinks, even sugar free ones.

The whole time I was there, Linda, who also works at Notting Hill was busy getting ready to close for the day, but customers started to come in and she graciously took care of them.

As I was sitting sipping my coffe I started to remember the Puerto Rican coffee that was always so well known, and all the coffee plantations around the island, now Paradores or Inns.  Some of the coffees from Puerto Rico are Cafe Yaucono, Cafe Crema, Cafe Rico, Cafe Pilon, Yauco Selecto and Cafe Alto Grande.  Puerto Rican coffee is rich and full-bodied.

A few things worth mentioning are: Some of the coffees available at Notting Hill are bird friendly, Smithsonian certified and Rainforest Alliance certified.

You should really visit the website above mentioned.  You can place orders, check what they have besides coffee and most of all get a sense of what Amy is all about.

If you are visiting our Delaware Beaches check this shoppe out.  Their new omelette in a muffin will be making its debut soon.

As Notting Hill gets into the month of April they are so excited since April 30th will be their 20th anniversary.  Congratulations!!

That’s all for tonight…See you and talk to you later….