November 27th, 2012

Historic Lewes, Delaware, Kicks Off the Celebration of Christmas, Nouveau Beaujolais Wine Tasting & Holiday Shopping, Beebe Holiday of Lights, Hopitality Night in Historic Lewes, Children’s Beach House Benefit Art Exhibit & Sale Preview Party, Lewes Historical Society’s House Tour, Christmas Antiques Bazaar & Bake Sale, Cookie Walk, 81st Annual Lewes Christmas Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting, Happy Holidays!! Delaware Beaches

Kicking off the 2012 Christmas Season in a big way is Historic Lewes, Delaware.  This charming and quaint town is more than ready for this Holiday Season; the town, the merchants, and the residents….always welcome the visitors with open arms.  This season, they are going all out.

If you are visiting, check what’s going on!

Tuesday, 11/27 – Nouveau Beaujolais Wine Tasting & Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Irish Eyes, located at 213 Anglers Rd., from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Tickets? $25  There will be great food, the 2012 Featured Wine and fabulous entertainment.  You can do a little shopping; plenty of silent auction items available, including the auction of decorated holiday wreaths.  A live auction, as well; a fundraising event for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula.  For tickets and information, please call 302-226-3333.  Website? http://www.irisheyespub.com

Thursday, 11/29 – Beebe Auxiliary’s Gift Shop Open House & Hospitality Night from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  First Floor at Beebe Medical Center located on Savannah Rd.

Thursday, 11/29 – 17th Annual Beebe Holiday of Lights from 5:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Once again, the front lawn of Beebe Medical Center, located on Savannah Rd. will fill with the voices of children singing carols as the Christmas tree is lit with colorful lights representing friends and loved ones who are being honored and remembered.  Following the tree lighting, refreshments will be served.  Santa Claus will make a special appearance.

Thursday, 11/29 – Shop, Shop ’til you drop.  Hospitality Night in Historic Lewes.  Meet old friends, dance to the music, and enjoy complimentary light refreshments provided by the local businesses.  The location?  The Historic Lewes Commercial Area in downtown Lewes.

Friday, 11/30 – Children’s Beach House Benefit Art Exhibit and Sale Preview Party, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  Part of the Lewes Christmas tradition, this event features the works of almost 100 local and regional artists.  Funds raised at the event help support the Children’s Beach House general operating budget.  It is an opening reception.  Meet the artists and be the first to view the works of some amazing talent.  Ticket ($65 general admission), includes food, cocktails, valet parking, and holiday entertainment.  The Children’s Beach House is located at 1800 Bay Avenue (enter from Cedar Avenue).   Note:  The show continues on Saturday, 12/1 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Website?  http://www.cbhinc.org

Saturday, 12/1 – Lewes Historical Society’s House Tour – This is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Lewes.  The Christmas Tour of Lewes benefiting The Lewes Historical Society.  10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Also, part of the Christmas week-end in Lewes.  Tickets are on sale by visiting http://www.historiclewes.org, or by calling 302-645-7670, ext. 12.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Society’s Museum Shop, Lewes Chamber of Commerce, the Zwaanendael Museum, Community Bank Delaware, Habersham Peddlers and The Inn at Canal Square.  In Rehoboth Beach, tickets can be purchased at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, and Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Ave.  Advance tickets are $20 each.  Tickets purchased the day of the tour are $25 each.

Showcasing a wonderful selection of homes; from colonial delights and 19th century beauties to 20th and 21 century masterpieces.  In addition to the 8 private homes on tour this year, The Society’s museums will be open and decorated for the season.

A great selection of gifts will be on hand at the Society’s Museum Gift Shop the day of the tour.  It is located in the Ryves Holt House on the corner of Second and Mulberry Streets.

A visit to the Christmas Antiques Bazaar and Bake Sale, which will be held at the Rabbit’s Ferry House at Third and Shipcarpenter Streets on the Lewes Historic Complex.  Shop for the Holidays; enjoy hot coffee, chili and baked goods.  Outside of the house, a Holiday Greens Sale featuring fresh magnolia, pine and holly, while supplies last.

Note:   Bethel UMC, located at 129 West Fourth Street will host a Cookie Walk.  Cookies are placed on a long table.  You are given an empty cookie box and a disposable glove.  Walk around the table, choosing the cookies you want.  Select as many or as few of each kind you like.  When finished, your box will be weighed and the cost calculated.  $6 per pound!!  They will offer candy and dog treats too.

Saturday, 12/1 – The 81st Annual Lewes Christmas Parade at 5:00 p.m.  Parade Theme?  Let it Snow!!  Tom King, Chairman of The Lewes Christmas Parade, which is jointly sponsored by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, has announced the selection of the Lewes Historical Society as the Honorary Grand Marshals for the Christmas Parade in honor of their 50th Anniversary.  The Society was officially founded on January 19, 1962.  It has been responsible for preserving some of Lewes’ most recognizable, historic buildings, as well as offering a rich array of activities for both Lewes residents and visitors.

The parade takes place on December 1st…rain/snow date:  Sunday, December 2nd at the same time.  Prizes will be awarded in many categories.  The parade begins on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and will end in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street.  The Chamber’s board of directors will be leading the parade, carrying a huge Frosty the Snowman helium balloon.  After the parade, the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park will be illuminated, followed by candlelight caroling in the park led by Christy Taylor with sound by Bill Larsen.

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center is located in the Fisher-Martin House on Kings Highway behind the Zwaanendael Museum.  It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  On Saturday, December 1st, it will open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Website?  http://www.leweschamber.com

Have a great time!!

December 1st, 2011

Christmas Spirit, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Ocean City, Maryland, Christmas Shop, Ornaments, Tree Skirts, Lights, Garlands, Christmas Parades, Holiday House Tours

It is that time of the year, and now that it is December 1st I can get into the holiday spirit. I, actually, did just that on Tuesday. Remember how nasty and rainy it was? Well, around 4 p.m. I took off for downtown Rehoboth for some holiday spirit lifting at Christmas Spirit. The store in Rehoboth Beach is an institution, having been at the Beach for 33 years. The one is Ocean City? Not that far behind with 22 years.

In Ocean City, Maryland you will find Christmas Spirit at 3400 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842. Tel. 410-289-6101. The one in Rehoboth Beach is at 161 Rehoboth Ave., Tel. 302-227-6872.

I thought as I came in that the store looked great. Jill Hudson, the Manager, told me they had a great week-end. So many people in town were here for the Thanksgiving Holiday, shopping, and enjoying such a gorgeous time in November.

The shop has many themes, ornaments, decorations, garlands, tree skirts, and lights. There are those ornaments that are keepsakes; then, the ones that are so much fun to give to friends or to attach to a present.

Jill thought that the store, on that day, was picked over. I did not find it so. It was full to capacity, I thought.

I always gravitate to the coastal ornaments. I find them so pretty. Jill told me that even though she has lived here all her life, these were also her favorites.

Strolling through the store; some caught my eye more than others.

For example, there were handpainted Christmas balls by Ruth Culver from Berlin, Maryland. 25% of the proceeds will be donated for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Ne’ Qwa Art? I had never seen these ornaments. They come in a very impressive box with a certificated of authenticity, as well.

This art originated in China and it is the reverse handpaiting on the inside of mouth blown glass. It is only practiced by a few. If you would like to know more, the website is www.neqwa.com.

Many towns and cities hold their Annual Christmas Parades in the first week of December. So, here we are, and our coastal towns are ready!!

Thursday, 12/1 – Berlin, Maryland will hold its parade at 7:00 p.m. – Christmas floats, marching bands, fire trucks, Santa Claus and more.

Thursday, 12/1 – Christmas Balloon Parade in Georgetown, Delaware at 7 p.m. A Vintage Christmas Parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus, marching bands, floats, and fire trucks. More info? visit www.georgetowncoc.com. Please note that on Monday, 12/5 there will be Caroling in the Circle at 7 p.m.

Friday, 12/2 – It is the 51st Annual Selbyville Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. Food, fun, floats, marching bands, beauty queens, classic cars and fire trucks, of course!!

Saturday, 12/3 – The Christmas Parade in Historic Lewes, Delaware – 5 p.m. Then, tree lighting ceremony and caroling in Zwaanendael Park. Refreshments will be served in the Fisher-Martin House. More info? Please call 302-645-8073 or visit www.leweschamber.com.

Saturday, 12/3 – Christmas Parade in downtown Millsboro – 10 a.m. Santa’s Pak Shopping Spree – shopping, gifts, craft vendors, at the Millsboro Civic Center on Wilson Highway and Mitchell St. 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Mrs. Claus will be there and lunch will be available. More info? 302-934-6777.

Saturday, 12/3 – Ocean City, Maryland will be holding its Christmas Parade begining 11 a.m. at 100th St. North to 115 St. to the Gold Coast Mall. Check inside the Mall because they will be having lots of fun stuff. More info? Call Elaine Jarvis at 410-524-9000.

Monday, 12/5 – Christmas Parade in downtown Rehoboth Beach at 6:30 p.m. More info? www.downtownrehoboth.com.

Wednesday, 12/7 – It is the Christmas Parade in the town of Milton, Delaware at 7 p.m.. More info? Call 302-684-8500 or visit www.historicmilton.com.

Holiday House Tours:

Lewes, Delaware, 12/3 – It is the Christmas Tour of Lewes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the tour. More info? Call 302-645-7670 or visit www.historiclewes.org.

Milton, Delaware, 12/10 – Holiday House Tour and Holly Festival – 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the house tour, are $12 in advance and $15 the day of. They can be purchased at Antiques in Milton on 109 Union St. and at the Holly Festival in the Milton Fire House from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. More info? Call 302-684-5544.

Fala la la and more la…..have a good one!!