April 8th, 2015

Ocean Frontiers II, Ocean Stewarship, Movies at Midway, Free Admission, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Film Premiere, Panel Discussion, Thursday, April 9th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Delaware Lighthouses, 2015 Sunset Cruises

“A new way of thinking, a new way of living in concert with the sea, in consideration for those yet to come.”

Ocean Frontiers II  is inviting the public to its premiere here in Delaware and then to a panel discussion.  It will take place on Thursday, 4/9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Movies at Midway, located at 18585 Coastal Highway in their Upstairs Screening Room.  The admission is free and snacks will be available.  More info?  Please visit http://www.ocean-frontiers.org/delaware.

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse and Cape May Lewes Ferry

This film is hosted by Delaware Surfriders, Green Fire Productions, http://www.greenfireproductions.org with co hosts:  Rehoboth Beach Film Society, http://www.rehobothfilm.com, Delaware Sea Grant, http://www.deseagrant.org, American Littoral Society, http://www.littoralsociety.org, and Delaware Chapter of Sierra Club.

In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, Ocean Frontiers II tells the story of a modern wave of big ships, energy industries and a changing climate, and how people are coming together to plan for a healthy ocean off their coast.  After the film, plan to stay and join the interactive panel discussion about how we can protect wildlife, enhance recreational activities and manage commercial uses in our increasingly busy Delaware waters.

Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse

June 2013 was the day I walked in the steps of The Keeper.  Visiting the Delaware Lighthouses was an experience and thank God I went when I did because the actual tours of the lighthouses have been discontinued for now. I wrote a post on my adventure that day on June 18, 2013.  If you would like to see it (photos), please click on the date on the left hand side of the website; June of 2013 and scroll down to the 18th.  The cancellation of these tours is due to lack of transportation funds which were provided in the past by the Delaware River & Bay Authority and the state of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.

Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse

The Harbor of Refuge has been closed for some time for repairs made necessary by severe storm damage.  This lighthouse was built in 1896.  Both of the lighthouses are off Cape Henlopen where the ocean meets the Delaware Bay, providing refuge to ships battered by storms.

The Delaware Breakwaters are engineer marvels of the 19th century.  They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere.

The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation – 2015 Lighthouse Sunset Cruises.  It is that time of the year again.  Sunsets are beautiful, more so if you are cruising the Delaware Lighthouses.  Profits of the cruises will go towards the restoration and new docking station and other projects at Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.  For info., please visit http://www.delawarebaylights.org.

Tours will be:

Saturday, June 13th from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 25th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 13th from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.

Meet at Anglers Fishing Center on 213 Anglers Rd. at Anglers Marina in Lewes.  Go to the end of Anglers Rd., approximately 100 yards past Irish Eyes Restaurant in Lewes.

To reserve your space, book at least one week prior to cruise date.  Call Red Moulinier, Home 302-226-3866, Cell 302-542-4432

You will be cruising up the canal, out to both Breakwater Light and Harbor of Refuge Light.  Take your camera because on many of the cruises you can spot dolphins.  This is a BYOB and snacks event.  The cost is $35/person.  Please note that registration and form of payment must be received prior to the cruise.

Making plans for Summer 2015….

January 21st, 2013

‘Hands of Harvest’, Documentary Film, Executive Producer, Matt Haley, SoDel Films, Written & Produced by Adrian Muys, Delaware, Maryland, Eastern Shore Congratulations!! ‘Hands of Harvest’ Picked up by the PBS Network

Congratulations to restauranteur, Matt Haley and Adrian Muys!!  I remember when in March of 2010 I invited my friend, Debbie, to visit the Art Deco Milton Theater in Milton, Delaware.

A sneak preview of a documentary, Hands of Harvest.  At the time, that presentation was co-sponsored by the Rehoboth Film Society and the Milton Historical Society.  It was part of the series called Delmarva Roots.  These series featured the rich history of the Delmarva region.

It is a documentary that offers a glimpse into a renowned American Industry, being kept afloat by foreign labor.  It illustrates the struggles and fortitude of the migrant Mexican women who fuel the crabbing industry on the Eastern Shore.  As one of Maryland’s most viable economic resources, a s well as a cultural icon, the blue crab business takes center stage, delving into the history and strife of the watermen who fight to keep the livelihood intact.

The 56 minute film, originally, appeared on PBS back in July of 2010.  It has since then made a revival, catching the eye of the National Education Telecommunications Association, or NETA, as they’re more commonly known, who has aired and distributed the documentary through the national PBS network.

Since then, ‘Hands of Harvest’ has aired in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, and New York City.  It will be airing in cities throughout the U.S. for at least another year.  The film has also been screened at Salisbury University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Washington College, and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Adrian Muys says he is “thrilled” with the film’s recent praise, adding that he is proud that the production has brought further attention to the H-2B visa program as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act established in 1980.  This focus has, in turn, brought about discussions on the topic of keeping workers, such as those portrayed in the film, working in the Delmarva region.

“As a restauranteur, I use a lot of Hispanic workers, and I care about the conditions that they live and work in and how they are treated in the community”, explains Matt Haley.  “The blue crab industry is of interest to people all across the Delmarva Peninsula and the Eastern Shore–it’s an institution.  Many don’t realize how dependent the struggling industry is on Hispanic workers and what their life is like here.”

Since ‘Hands of Harvest’, Matt Haley has produced a second film, “Motorcycle Chang Pa”, which chronicles the lives and travels of the nomadic Chang Pa tribe through the high altitude deserts of the Himalayas.  Matt’s new production company, SoDel Films, is in the process of creating an independent film in Delaware with actor and filmmaker, Paul Webster.

For further information on ‘Hands of Harvest’, please visit http://www.handsofharvest.com.

For more information on Matt Haley, please visit http://www.matthaleycompanies.com.

I think you are really going to enjoy this documentary.  It is so interesting, especially for those of us that live on the Delmarva Peninsula.  I have bought it and given it to friends as a special gift.

Talk to you later….