May 23rd, 2014
What a beautiful day! This week-end pretty much starts the summer season at the Delaware Beaches. These coastal towns are ready….I have seen them fixing streets, painting and sprucing up.
Last year Flags for Heroes got underway….all of a sudden visitors and residents were surprised to see the grounds of Cape Henlopen High School full of American Flags! Cape Henlopen High School is located at 1250 Kings Highway in Lewes, Delaware. It was so impressive and it overcame all of us with patriotism.
I believe last year they had a goal of 300 flags. This year’s event had a goal of 500 flags. It looks like they have met the goal. You have to drive by it. It is so neat.
The sponsorships were sold by the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club for $50 and would honor veterans and men and women currently serving in the military, as well as first responders and personal heroes.
Last year’s proceeds funded 2 scholarships to veterans in Delaware Tech’s Wounded Warriors Program and helped purchase a new ambulance for the Lewes Fire Dept. Proceeds from this year’s sponsorship will continue to support first responders and military organizations, as well as scholarships to students participating in ROTC programs in college.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club has a Facebook page. You can also get to know them better by visiting http://www.lewes-rehobothrotary.org.
NOTE: Deadline for purchasing a sponsorship is today, Friday, May 23rd. Call 302-645-5896.
Have a beautiful day!!
May 21st, 2014
Lightship Overfalls is one of only 17 remaining lightships out of 179 built from 1820 to 1952. A National Historic Landmark designation was given to “Big Red” in 2011. It is one of 7 lightships in this country still open to the public. It is also a perfectly restored example of a now extinct fleet of floating lighthouses.
A lightship is a floating lighthouse; aiding navigation at night…it has a horn to warn mariners in fog, and a radio beacon for longer range identification.
The mission of the Overfalls Foundation is to “collect, preserve, honor and teach the maritime history of Lewes, the Delaware Bay, and the coastal region, using the Lightship Overfalls, the American Lightship Museum, as well as Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame”.
Lightship Overfalls is located at Canalfront Park, 219 Pilottown Rd., in Historic Lewes, Delaware. Tel. 302-644-8050. This is a must stop visit while in Lewes. Guided tours, above and below decks are offered 5 days a week, Thursday through Monday. For detailed information, please visit http://www.overfalls.org
Friday , May 23rd….SEASON OPENING PARTY AND AUCTION – at The Virden Center from 6 until 9 p.m. at the University of Delaware Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd., in Lewes. Tickets are $45 and are available online at http://www.overfalls.org, or by calling 302-593-7962. $50 at the door. There will be live and silent auctions. The wine wall will be back by popular demand where guests can purchase a chance to win wine at a bargain price.
Saturday, May 24th…3rd ANNUAL MARITIME CELEBRATION AT ZWAANENDAEL MUSEUM in Downtown Historic Lewes….Stop by their booth and say hello.
Wednesday, June 24th…GRAND OPENING DEDICATION for the Stephanie Anne Pilot House and the Lightship Museum at Overfalls Lightship at 4 p.m.
Lots of events are held throughout the summer….please check their website, above mentioned….don’t miss “Sundowners” at the ship in June, July, and August.
Don’t forget to also vote for 2014 Hall of Fame Nomination….nominations are closing soon. You can vote by visiting the website, as well.
Have a great day!!
Please note that information for this post was taken from http://www.overfalls.org.
May 17th, 2014
Lewes began as a colony in the spring of 1631. It is the First Town in the First State. This historic town gets better as it gets older….don’t we all wish that? With a little help of its residents, Lewes is just gorgeous year-round.
I don’t have to have a purpose to visit Lewes, it is just a few miles north of Rehoboth Beach, where I live. It has been so nice to see that after the unusually cold winter we have had, Lewes is still in bloom today.
Lewes is a very walkable town. You really cannot get lost. Anyway, if you do, just ask anyone. The residents are proud and love to show off Historic Lewes.
The Zwaanendael Museum should be a must on your strolling Lewes. It is located at 102 Kings Highway. It was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversay of the first European settlement in Delaware. Throughout the year this museum is open to the public and holds events that are of interest to the community. For more info., please call 302-645-1148. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The Chamber of Commerce is located on 120 Kings Highway…and it is another must stop on your strolling Lewes to get the most up to date info. on what’s going on. You may call 302-645-8073 or visit http://www.leweschamber.com
Right next to Chamber is the new Zwaanendael Park Garden and Colonial Herbary. The day I was walking, one of the Lewes in Bloom volunteers was tending the garden. She was so excited…the catnip was coming up, after the tough winter.
To find out more about Lewes in Bloom, please visit http://www.lewesinbloom.org.
Strolling Lewes will let you admire and enjoy the beautiful architecture of this historic town. For example, right on 217 Second Street you will find the home of John Penrose Virden. He was a Delaware River Pilot who built the home in 1888. It is a Bed & Breakfast. For more information, please visit http://www.virdenhouse.com.
So, What’s Going On?
Saturday, May 17th – POOCHES IN THE PARK – 1 P.M. UNTIL 3 P.M. – Location? Canalfront Park on Front Street in Historic Lewes. It is a great day for dogs and their owners. There will be agility and obedience demons, photo ops, doggie massage and acupuncture. A light lunch will be available. Event is limited to the first 350 dogs. All dogs must be on a 4-6 ft. non-retractable leash. One dog per handler. More info? Please visit http://www.lewescanalfrontpark.org/events_pooches.html.
Saturday, May 17 – MARITIME DAY – Lewes Ferry Terminal from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. – Join in a celebration of America’s Proud Maritime History. It is a free event for scout troops, school groups, veterans and maritime enthusiasts of all ages. Water Cannon Demos, Engine Room & Bridge Tours, Maritime Displays. Location? 43 Cape Henlopen Drive.
Lewes enjoys a heritage that is rich in both its maritime history and its current maritime interests.
Sunday, June 1 – PICNIC IN THE PARK – Canalfront Park on Second Street – Join friends, neighbors, and fantastic local restaurants for the Park’s popular and most delicious event. Adult entrance is $10. Tickets for 12 and under are $5. Food and drink tickets are sold separately at the event and are $2 each depending on the food/drink option. You can buy the tickets by visiting http://www.lewescanalfrontpark.org/events_picnic.html.
A dozen downtown-area Lewes restaurants are participating and making their specialties. Limited space, only 1,000 tickets available. It was sold out last year.
Have a great day!!
May 22nd, 2013
Happy National Maritime Day!! May 22nd recognizes the maritime industry. This holiday was created by the U.S. Congress on May 20, 1933. Lewes, Delaware, is rich in its maritime history and their celebration took place on Saturday, May 18th.
The festivities took place at the Lewes Ferry Terminal, located on 43 Cape Henlopen Drive in Lewes, Delaware.
Attractions and exhibits were located inside the terminal, upstairs in their glass walkway, and on the patio on the finger pier. There were also vessel tours, a Lewes Fire Boat Cannon Display and a Remembrance Ceremony; wreath laying at Unknown Sailor’s Cemetery.
On the finger pier DELRIVER was receiving guests. This is a converted offshore supply vessel. It is berthed in Lewes with a 4 man crew on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with additional crew on standby. It is 166 feet long and weighs 425 tons. It is part of the Delaware Bay & River Cooperative (DBRC), which is a non-profit organization to respond to and offer protection from oil spills in the Delaware Bay and River area. More info? Please visit http://www.dbrcinc.org.
The pilots caught my attention…..Delaware River pilots are responsible for guiding ships from the mouth of the Delaware Bay to the ports along the river in Delaware, N.J. and Pennsylvania. From the bay to the northernmost port is about 130 miles.
When ships arrive from the ocean, the pilots are taken out to meet them on a boat similar to a speedboat. The small boat pulls alongside the ship, the pilot climbs a dangling rope ladder to board the moving vessel. Once on the lower deck, the pilot is escorted directly to the bridge and takes control. Did I get it right, Randy?
The operation never stops. For the Delaware River Pilots no holidays exist. Maybe they might have a little stall during severe weather conditions, but pretty much these pilots guide incoming and outgoing ships 365 days a year, 24/7!! Did I get it right, Missy?
These river pilots were talking to the visitors attending the festivities…I was going on the Tour of the Lighthouses, a post in the making. So, I asked them “Do you know Randy?” Yes!! They miss him and are looking forward to seeing him in a few weeks. Randy, a friend and longtime river pilot is enjoying retirement in Florida!!
The location of the Lewes terminal is so gorgeous…the scenery is just amazing!
And, if you want to have the best burger in town….On The Rocks Grill has the most delicious, juicy burger you are going to find…among other great tastings. Really, I am serious. As I was passing it the temptation was too much. But, I did not have one. Instead, I went home and had my rice cakes and hummus! The grill is located on the boardwalk behind the terminal. Check http://www.ontherocksde.com. A locals’ hangout!
Traveling on the Cape May Lewes Ferry is easy. Please check http://www.capemaylewesferry.com for more information and schedules.
And, just so you know…the Ferry offers plenty of programs, activities, and tours….check http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/programs.
Have a great day!!
Note: Some info. for this post was taken from the UD Messenger.
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