September 2nd, 2012
Many years ago, I lived in Bethany Beach. At the end of the Labor Day Week-End, we would watch, literally, how everyone would pack up and leave. The Delaware Beaches would close down for the season. During those times, Bethany did not have a pharmacy. It only had one grocery store. That was hard since I like to go to the grocery store every day. I never know what I want to eat. Bethany was also a “dry town”. Imagine that. When my parents would come to visit, they could not believe it.
It does not look that quiet now, and as the Delaware Beaches roll into their Second Season…check What’s Going On.
Until 9/16 – Bethany Beach Yoga at Sunrise from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Every day, except Thursday. There is a drop in fee of $10. Check Bethany Beach Yoga at http://www.bethanybeachyoga.org. Tel. 302-448-0563. Just bring a towel or mat.
As I look back, I also remember one event that we would enjoy so much. I would run to downtown Bethany, with my friend, Sharon. Sometimes, my parents would be here visiting and they would tag along.
Monday, 9/3 – Get Ready For a Funeral!! Bethany’s way, anyway. Criers, Mourners; all dressed in black. You can join in. You are expected to. Started by Moss Wagner all those years ago, it was a way to “bury” the summer in a unique way. It used to be a handful of residents and their families. Now, it is an Event!!
The Summer of 2012 will be gone but not forgotten. The Jazz Funeral will begin at 5:30 p.m., at the north end of the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. There will be 3 Jazz Bands; the Dixie Cats, the Downtown Band, and the Jazz Funeral Irregulars. The mourners will transport the casket with the Summer of 2012 inside. In a Louisiana type jazz celebration, it will be taken to its final resting place; The Bandstand.
After the Funeral, probably after 6:00 p.m. there will be a Celebratory Swim by the Bethany Beach Lifeguards. This event was much different in many years past; disrobing and swimming in the buff!! That’s how it was!!
Saturday, 9/8 – The 5th Annual Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Golf Tournament, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Fundraising Event. Bayside Resort Golf Club. A fun filled day of celebrating the art of golf and the legacy of Josh Freeman. $3,000 per foursome. Fee includes admittance to the Arts by the Sea party, held after the tournament at The Cove at Bayside Resort Golf Club. For more info., please contact Lucinda Williams, Development Director at lucinda@freemanfoundation.org. or call 302-436-6241. Please visit http://www.freemanfoundation.org.
Best Deal in Bethany Beach
Saturday, 9/8 – The 34th Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. One day only!! Tel. 302-539-2100. Join the Bethany-Fenwick area Chamber of Commerce for the premier fine arts festival in the Quiet Resorts. It will feature more than 100 skilled artisans showcasing their artistry against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. It will take place on the Boardwalk and surrounding streets. This juried show exemplifies national artists in mediums from metalworks to watercolors. It attracts thousands of visitors so get there early. The Bandstand will host a Silent Auction. All of the proceeds will benefit the art programs at 4 local elementary schools.
Saturday, 9/8 – The Arts by the Sea Party is an annual fundraising event party for the Joshua Freeman Foundation. It is held at The Cove, at Bayside Resort Golf Club. Music and entertainment, a live auction, a Vegas style buffet, and open bar from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Something new this year is the addition of Casino Games!! Roll the dice for a great cause. $150 per person. For more info., please contact Lucinda Williams, Development Director at lucinda@freemanfoundation.org. or call 302-436-6241. You can buy tickets online by visiting http://www.freemanstage.org/event/264/arts-sea-party/detail.htm.
Saturday, 9/8 – Ryan Scott Kappes Wine Tasting & Silent Auction at DiFebo’s Bistro on the Green, (DiFebo’s at Bear Trap Dunes), 7 Clubhouse Rd., Ocean View, DE, 19970. 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tel. 302-228-8793. Wine tasting and silent auction, featuring a huge selection of wines. Fantastic food and entertainment. All proceeds will benefit the Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation. This foundation provides financial assistance to families of critically ill children during extended hospitalizations. If you would like to know about this foundation, please visit http://www.rskfoundation.org.
Saturday, 9/15 – Arts & Jazz Festival from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at The Freeman Stage at Bayside, located 4 miles west of Fenwick Island, at the intersection of Rt. 54 and Rt. 20. Stroll the green and enjoy previewing the artwork of Delmarva’s finest artists, whom are sponsored by Delaware by Hand. Pull up a chair and listen to the most talented jazz artists to ever play at the beaches. Joe Baione, Grace Kelly and Ron Carter.
Saturday, 9/15 – Fenwick Flicks – Free Beach Movie “The Zookeeper”, at 8:30 p.m. at Bayard St. and the Beach. Bring your blankets or beach chairs, friends and family. Seating is first come, first served. Pick up your movie tickets at the Chamber’s office, town hall and other locations throughout the town prior to the movie to take advantage of Fenwick Flick discounts on movie days. Inclement weather? That happens, sometimes. The movie will be shown the following day. Free parking at Fenwick Island Town Hall, St.l Matthew’s by the Sea, Southern Exposure and overflow lot located at Dagsboro St. & Coastal Highway (bayside). More info? Call302-539-2100.
Not so quiet, afterall, right? Have a great one!!
August 26th, 2012
It was going to be my first time visiting Catch 54 after last year’s fire, when they had to completely rebuild the restaurant. Since their opening, at the beginning of the summer, people kept telling me how cool it had turned out. Well, it has taken me until last week to stop by with friends and enjoy a night of laughter, good food, awesome views and great service.
Catch 54 is part of the family of restaurants under SoDel Concepts, http://www.sodelconcepts.com. It is, also, one of Matt Haley’s restaurants.
Catch 54 is located at 38931 Madison Ave., Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Tel. 302-436-8600. Website? http://www.catch54.com. If you are traveling on Coastal Highway, please turn west at the intersection of Rt. 54 and Coastal Highway (Rt. 1), cross over the bridge. You’ll see the restaurant on your right. Turn right, you will find plenty of parking available. Catch 54 is also located on the same spot as Shark’s Cove Marina. The restaurant opens 7 days a week at 11:30 a.m. Happy hour, from 12 until 6 p.m. They do not accept reservations. You can find Catch 54 on Facebook and Twitter.
From Rehoboth Beach, it takes about half an hour, give or take, with the summer traffic. I was rushing to get there before sunset. Catch 54 has one of the most gorgeous views at our Delaware Beaches. It sits right at Little Assawoman Bay; the salt marshes that line the bay are home of many species of waterfowl. At that time of the evening is breathtaking, serene, and peaceful.
Since I don’t like to wait at restaurants, I have started eating late during the height of the season at the Delaware Beaches. So, we decided to meet at around 7:45 p.m., thinking that people would be almost on their way out. Surprised surprise, there were people waiting. No problem, I just went around to take pictures, some sat at the bar, waiting to be called. No rush. Catch 54 has 2 floors with a bar on each one.
At the upstairs bar, there are also booths available for dining, as well.
It was a beautiful evening so the restaurant was showing off how pretty it looked at night.
Indoors is light, and modern, exhibiting the casual atmosphere of our beaches.
There are 2 decks with tables for dining al fresco.
The outdoor dining tables were going to take some time, so we decided to eat indoors. The restaurant has glass windows throughout so you have an excellent view if you are indoors.
Our server came to get us. His name was Michael. As we are walking to our table, I proceeded to tell him that one person in our party had to eat gluten free. His answer? No problem, I have had Celiac disease since I was young. I know exactly what your dietary requirements are. Worry free eating!! No questions!! I bet Catch 54 does not know what an asset he, actually is. It turned out that Michael was also a fantastic server. Very attentive and his suggestions were perfect.
It goes without saying that when I have lunch or dinner with friends….they cannot touch their food until I take pictures. A few try to dive into their entrees, but are usually stopped on their tracks. I also want them to, honestly, tell me how their dinner was.
So, here is what we ordered.
Oysters on the half shell were ordered; the saltier, the better. Chincoteague Salts came on ice and were delicious.
A friend ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad, on toast, with herbs, grilled red onion, blue cheese, and a Dijon garlic vinaigrette. The tomatoes are still so tasty; green, red, and yellow.
I went with the Crab & Clam Cakes. I thought they sounded different. They had bacon, Parmesan, spicy mayo, micro beets and lemon. They were soooo good. It really was a good combination. Definitely, would order them again in a heart beat.
For our entrees:
A couple decided to order the Fish Camp Stew. It had fresh fin fish, shellfish, white wine, tomato butter broth, and toast. One came without the toast because of the gluten allergy. It had a well seasoned broth, very light and plenty of seafood.
Another person decided to order the Day Boat Scallops on cheese grits, sweet corn, zucchini and PBR tomato jus. She really enjoyed them, and thought they were very good; cooked to perfection.
I loved my fish. I really did. I had the Pan Roasted Whole Trout, on roasted farm beans, Crimini mushrooms, almonds, and lemon butter. The whole fish was so flavorful. I would, definitely, order it again.
Dessert:
We decided to order two desserts.
The Roasted Summer Peach Bread Pudding was served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel. Comfort dessert! Not overly sweet, either.
A Lemon Icebox Pie with Blueberries was the second dessert. Sort of like a key lime pie, except lemons were used.
The person that had to eat gluten free is hoping that Catch 54 brings back a dessert called Flourless Chocolate Torte. This dessert was so good whether you had to eat gluten free or not.
Our Delaware Beaches are full of wonderful restaurants. It really is a dining destination for many. We are so lucky!!
Note: Catch 54 also has a kid’s menu!!
Have a great week! Talk to you later….you know I will.
June 21st, 2012
Just north of Ocean City, Maryland, and south of Bethany Beach, you will find the town of Fenwick Island. Sandy beaches, golf courses, eateries and a laissez faier kind of atmosphere. When people say you are on beach time; this is the town. It is part of what they call The Quiet Resorts, which are Bethany Beach and Fenwick.
The Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce is located in Fenwick. You cannot miss it; it is right on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) and it does have a new beautiful sign. Stop by for all the information needed to make your visit more enjoyable.
Four miles west of Fenwick Island you will find The Freeman Stage at Bayside. Some say that it is the #1 best secret of Delaware, except it is not a secret anymore. The performers entertaining at this open air performing arts venue are nationally recognized. All you have to do is check their schedule by visiting www.freemanstage.org. It is located at 31750 Lakeview Drive in Selbyville, DE. The entrance is right next to Harris Teeter. Tel. 302-436-3015.
Directions: At the intersection of Rt. 54 and Rt. 20, turn into the Bayside community and proceed straight on Americana Parkway. The Freeman Stage is located on Town Lake at the intersection of Americana Parkway and Lakeview Drive.
The Freeman Stage opened in 2008. Since it is an open air venue, just check the weather. Bring friends, family, chairs and blankets. Most performances are free; others you will have to check for admission and ticket information. There is a concession stand where you can buy sandwiches, beer, treats, and so much more.
Thursday, 6/21 – Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. They say he is the closest thing to the King. He has the voice, looks and charisma that made Elvis a superstar.
Friday, 6/22 – It is Broadway at the Beach – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – This Clear Space Theatre Company’s, from Rehoboth Beach, electrifying ensemble of talented performers coming together to create this all new revue of contemporary and pop/rock hits from musical theatre repertoire. Classic rock musicals like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, to Les Miserables and Wicked. It is packed with all of the infectious irresistible show tunes everyone wants to hear. Admission? $10 Kids are free.
Saturday, 6/23 – Storyteller for Kids – 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Gary Lloyd tells tales that buzz in your ears while answering the question, “Two bees or not Two bees?” His enthusiasm shows his love of his craft and his respect for his audiences. He won a national level award for his telling, but truly savors the comments he gets all the time from children and adults who rediscover just how fun and powerful storytelling can be. Wear yellow and black for a special present! Free.
Tuesday, 6/26 – Fenwick Flicks: FREE Beach Movie ‘Dolphin Tale’ at 8:00 p.m. Location? Beach at Farmington St. The Delaware Beach Towns are taking advantage of our gorgeous beaches; on balmy summer nights there is nothing better than to sit on the beach. Under the moon and stars they are offering open air movies. Take the family and friends, blankets and popcorn.
Fenwick Island is offering monthly movies on this natural outdoor venue; the Beach. Seating is first-come, first-served. Pick up a “movie ticket” at the Chamber office, Town Hall and other locations throughout the town prior to the movie to take advantage of Fenwick Flick discounts on movie days.
Future movies on schedule are: Tuesday, 7/24 ‘Tangled’, Tuesday, 8/21, ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, and Saturday, 9/15, ‘The Zookeeper’
Please note that since it is outdoors, the weather plays a part, as well. In case it does rain, the movie will be shown the following evening.
Fenwick Island Farmers’ Market – Not one, but twice a week, you will find farm fresh local produce in Fenwick Island. Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. until Noon. Location? PNC Lot( 1107 Coastal Highway) at Coastal Highway and Essex St. Park behind the vendors on the grassy lot. More info? Call 302-436-5589. Or, visit www.fenwickislandfarmersmarket.com.
Have a Good One!!
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