August 28th, 2014
The Quiet Resort of Bethany Beach, Delaware, was really quiet then. On Labor Day, those streets were rolled up. Bethany did not have, on those early days, a pharmacy…it was a dry town. Only one grocery store. That’s how small it was.
During the winter there were only 500 of us living there. So one summer, former Bethany Beach Councilman, Moss Wagner, and others in town like Ken Cloud, who owned Clouds, a children’s store, decided that a proper burial would be most appropriate. A sending away the summer….not to forget it but to remember it.
Gather friends…or the ones that were left in town and celebrate!! Share your memories, even shed a few tears…..dress up!
My photos here are from September of 1993.
Moss is at the head of the funeral. You can see it says R.I.P. Summer ’93.
The Jazz Funeral was usually around 4:30 p.m. My friend, Sharon, and I would try to make it every year. Then, we would bring our families to enjoy family entertainment, including the ritual of the lifeguards running towards the water for one last swim.
This photo is also from September, 1993. If you look closely, the lifeguards are naked. The bathing suits are around their necks. Usually, the girls did not take the suits off, but at times they would show a little breast. If you notice on the photo, people are walking on the beach….nobody is looking….the most natural thing in the world. Those were the good times…haha.
This Labor Day Week-End, it is a bit different. On Friday, 8/29, there is a Silent Auction to be held at Bethany Blues at 6 N. Pennsylvania Avenue from 3 – 4:45 p.m. It is a fundraising event for the Sussex Country Big Brothers and Sisters.
And, on Monday, Labor Day, at 5:30 p.m. the Jazz Funeral will start on the Boardwalk. It is big, it is fun, and it is still family entertainment. I am not sure if they do some sort of swimming….it would be with clothes on, believe me.
Anyway, everyone is invited to participate. We did have a beautiful summer, so why not remember it in this special way. Have fun. Cry your heart out, will you?
This sleepy little town has come a long way….
September 4th, 2011
Bethany Beach by Jack Lewis '93
The town of Bethany is a small family resort town right on the beach. It is what you would want to expect of a seaside resort. The center of the town is its Boardwalk and Bandstand. Shops, restaurants, basketball courts and playground are just a block a way from each other. It is the perfect town for walking, jogging or strolling. And, let’s not forget that beautiful beach that stretches for miles. Each street in Bethany seems to lead its visitors right to the water’s edge.
Prior to the early 50’s, it took some time to get to Bethany Beach. There was no railroad connection. You really must have wanted to visit Bethany because you had to travel first to Baltimore, Maryland. Spend the night in Charm City and then travel by boat across the Chesapeake Bay to the Delmarva Peninsula. Then, take the train across the peninsula to Rehoboth Beach. Until 1910, the visitors would have to take the steamer, Atlantic, across Rehoboth Bay to Ocean View and travel by horsedrawn carriage to Bethany. After 1910 the Loop Canal was completed allowing the motorboat to dock directly in Bethany.
If you are visiting Bethany during this Holiday Week-End, this is what you will find.
Sunday, 9/4 – Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis at 8:00 p.m. The entertainment will be at the Bandstand.
Monday, 9/5 – Yoga at the Bethany Beach Bandstand. This is the last day for yoga right on the Bandstand but Yoga at the Beach has a year round schedule. If you would like to check it out please vivist www.bethanybeachyoga.org. On Labor Day be there from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. and if possible, bring your own mat since they are limited. Drop in fee is $5.
Monday, 9/5 – Tai Chi, which is also called Meditation in Motion is at the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. From 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Drop in fee is $5. More info? Please call 302-363-4500.
Monday, 9/5 – Labor Day Jazz Funeral at 5:30 p.m. Saying “so long” but not forgotten to another summer at the beach. Be prepared to wail and carry on. Then, the lifeguards will do their celebratory swim at around 6 or so. This swim used to be quite different years ago. Some of those in Bethany remember it so well…
Saturday, 9/10 – The 33rd Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival. One day only when more than 100 artists will showcase their best along the Boardwalk and 2 adjoining streets. 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Look for the silent auction at the Bandstand from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the art programs at 4 local elementary schools.
The Bethany Beach Cam is still running. To view what’s going on on the Boardwalk, please visit http://www.bethanycam.com.
Note: Bethany Beach Trolleys run through mid September. It is the best way to get around in Bethany and avoid those meters. Please check www.townofbethanybeach.com for the schedule.
Have fun!! Talk to you later….
September 3rd, 2010
Last week when I went to Bethany I could not believe the amount of people still in town. It has been a little different this week. Not as crowded, plenty of parking; a relief!!
Still this week-end is going to be a nice one with plenty of actitivities in town.
Saturday, 9/4 – The Bethany Beach Bandstand’s Grand Finale will be a rock ‘n’ roll one with the U.S. Army Volunteers. It is free and it’s starting at 7 p.m. For more info. please call 302-539-5484 or visit www.townofbethanybeach.com.
Sunday, 9/5 – The final day for the Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market in the PNC Bank parking lot at Garfield Parkway and Pennsylvania Ave. 8 a.m. until Noon. For info. please call 302-537-5243 or visit www.bbfm.us.
Sunday, 9/5 – The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting a breakfast on Hollywood St. from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. $10 for adults, $5 for children 5 and older. Free for children under 5. For info., please call 302-537-7700 or visit www.bethanybeachfire.com.
Monday, 9/6 – A tradition for 25 years. How can I forget when Sharon and I would wait for the whole thing to start. The Friends of Summer started this tradition. The merchants could lay to rest the summer season on Labor Day.
It is a Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral – A gathering of mourners will follow the procession which will start at 5:30 p.m. at the north end of the Boardwalk; the casket being carried with a mannequin representing the Summer of 2010.
Some in costumes; some sobbing along the route to the Bandstand. The somber music, New Orleans style, will be playing ; then into a high gear upbeat jazz sound.
Around 6 p.m. or so the Lifeguards of Bethany Beach also bid farewell to the summer season with a celebratory swim. Many years ago that celebratory swim was taken, let’s say in a different way and I will leave it at that…
Have a great holiday week-end….talk to you later….
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