March 26th, 2013
 
The 45th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival is dedicated in memory of former Lt. Governor, Gene Bookhammer, who founded the event 45 years ago when he was asked by Governor Peterson to participate in a kite flying contest with a Maharajah from Bharatpur, India. Mr. Bookhammer passed away on February 23rd at the age of 94. Over the years, he continued to attend the festival as a spectator and for the past 24 years has sponsored the Best All Around award plaque named in his honor. At the conclusion of this year’s festival, Mr. Bookhammer’s family will be in attendance to present the Bookhammer award.
The festival is co-sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. It will take place at Cape Henlopen State Park on Good Friday, March 29th.
There is no entry fee for competitors. The competitions are in 3 age categories: Children-Up to age 12; Teens-13-17, and Adults-18 & older.
Within each category, kite flyers are judged by the type of kite they are flying: homemade or store-bought.
The Special Class awards include the Open Individual Ballet (free flight performance accompanied by music which the entrant provides), Individual Precision (compulsory figures including “The Square”, “The Mount”, and “Ladder Down” judged on technical execution), Most Senior Flyer, Youngest Flyer, Flyer Furthest From Home, Smallest Kite and Largest Kite.
The Highest Kite Award category is open to all ages and takes place approximately at 12:15 p.m. There is no charge to watch. Entrance fees apply for cars to enter Cape Henlopen State Park which will be collected at the entrance to the park. $4 per car for Delaware license tags and $8 per car for out-of-state tags. The Jolly Trolley will transport spectators to the competition field from the state park’s beach parking lot and handicap parking is available at the Seaside Nature Center parking lot.
Want to participate but do not have or have not made a kite? Kids’ Ketch and Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company will be on-site selling a wide variety of kites with amply space adjacent to the competition field to practice in advance of the competitions which begin at 10:00 a.m.
There will be food vendors, a face painter and community organizations set up surrounding the field.
There is no advance registration. Entrants can register on the field beginning at 9 a.m. and throughout the morning on Friday, March 29th.
The Children’s and Teen’s competitions take place from 10 a.m. to Noon, followed by the awards ceremony for the morning competitions.
Miss Cape Henlopen, Rebecca Lust, will present the morning awards.
The Highest Kite Competition begins immediately after the morning awards ceremony at approximately 12:15 p.m. The Adult Competitions, Open Individual Ballet and Individual Precision Competition follow in the afternoon. The awards ceremony for the afternoon competitions conclude the day’s activities.
Note: Times may vary according to weather conditions and the number of competitors.
Have a great time!!
 At Cape Henlopen State Park
March 14th, 2013
We felt like kids in a candy store…that’s exactly where we were. Debbie, Jody, and I decided to visit Edie Bees on its opening day….yes, this charming confection shop opened today at 115 Second Street in Historic Lewes. Sweet temptations for all of us and another excuse to stroll and shop in Lewes.
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, the colors were amazing. As you entered the shop an impressive rock candy arrangement greeted you. Gorgeous!! Taking the store in, all you can say is that it really is pretty.
Candy stores are happy places; you should have seen the smiles on people’s faces as they were coming to check the new kid in town. The centerpiece was this huge chocolate Bunny surrounded by the best of the season.
   
Chocolates by DeBrand, chocolatiers from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The company was founded in 1987.
The lucky customers got to sample some of the delicious chocolates today.
Also, by DeBrand, these caught my attention. They were called Faces of the World…our diverse world in chocolates!
 
Some of the candy brought a bit of nostalgia in us. Other candy…well, we couldn’t wait to try some. All candy is in glass containers, very visible. And, very color coordinated.
 
 
Some interesting flavors…
 
These particular ones…well, they made my mouth water.
 
Tempting right? You bet!! What are you waiting for? Have a good one!
 
October 13th, 2012
It is a special time of the year for us, the residents of the Delaware Beaches. It seems like on this Second Season we have the Beaches all to ourselves. I took a drive late in the afternoon to check out the Cape Henlopen State Park. Specifically, I wanted to find out what was going on in October. The Seaside Nature Center offers programs for the whole family, including birdwatching, lectures on nature, seaside seining, hiking and biking. The Park offers the ocean, the bay and plenty of water sports.
Until November 30th you will have to pay to get into the Park. It is $4 for in-state cars and $8 for out of state cars.
The Seaside Nature Center is located inside the Park at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958. Tel. 302-645-6852. So….if you are visiting, this is what’s going on:
Note: All programs meet at the Seaside Nature Center unless otherwise stated. The Seaside Nature Center is open year round from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.
On Tuesdays, until November 13th at 8 a.m. – Bird Walks at Cape Henlopen. Explore their birding hot spots with a staff naturalist. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Beginners are welcome, as well.
Saturday, October 13th – Animal Skullduggery at 11 a.m. Investigate what animals do in the Park by examining their skulls, footprints and adaptations. Ages 7 and up with an adult. No fee.
Saturday, October 13th – Lantern Tour of Fort Miles. Fort Miles was a key part of the nation’s coastal defense during and after WWII, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At 6 p.m. Tour the Fort Miles Gun Battery by lantern light and experience how soldiers defended our coast during WWII. Ages 10 and up with an adult. Limit to 30. Pre-registration is required by calling 302-645-6852. $5 per person. The Fort Miles programs meet at the Orientation Building in the Fort Miles Historic Area.
Saturday, October 20th – Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting at the Officer’s Club (Youth Camp 3) from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Enjoy fine beverages and cheese as proceeds support the Friends projects in the Park. Tickets are available at the Park Office, Biden Center, Lewes Chamber of Commerce, or call 302-858-6127. Note: Your ticket will be your entrance into the Park. $20/person in advance and $24/person at the door. If you would like more information on Friends events, volunteering or becoming a Friend of Cape Henlopen, please call 302-858-6127 or visit http://www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org.
Friday & Saturday, October 26th and 27th and Sunday, October 28th – Please Save this Date because it is the 24th Annual Children’s Fantasy Trail inside the Park. From 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The kids will see their favorite storybook characters, trick or treat for candy and toys, enjoy live entertainment, including juggling, magic, songs and more….Please wear your costumes!! $5 per person, adults and children. Volunteers are needed! If you are interested in being a character or carving the many pumpkins that line our trail, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 302-644-5005, or the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852.
It was almost closing time at the Seaside Center, but I still had time to check some of the exhibits.
Lectures are given in this room. It had some reptiles and turtles.
The osprey cam has closed for the season since the ospreys are gone for the winter. Still, the Seaside Center has a very interesting exhibit where you can see the development of the ospreys as they come back to the Park year after year.
There was a new Seahorse Exhibit.
A Touch Tank offered kids a fun time…they were getting so wet.
 
1,000 gallon tanks with local fish.
I was watching the horseshoe crab. It was moving around here and there; not too fast.
All of a sudden, it turned on its side….
The Seaside Nature Center has a cute store too. I am sure kids go crazy; lots of neat things to buy.
It was closing time…time to go. The sun was setting…the deer were coming out.
Love it!! Talk to you later.
September 18th, 2012
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s Historic Lewes Business Committee is sponsoring their first Oktoberfest at their next “Fun Friday” event on Friday, 9/21. In order for this celebration to take place, Market Street, between Front Street and Second Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. The event will take place from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
“Fun Friday” events began 2 years ago. The Second Season in Lewes is beautiful and these events are a way of encouraging visitors to come and visit our beaches at this most beautiful time of the year.
The Chamber member business are participating by offering German inspired specials. Lewes Gourmet’s “How Many German Chocolates in the Jar” contest. The winner will be receiving the entire container filled with Ritter German Chocolates. They will be also doing a mustard tasting all day and into the evening. Puzzles is offering $2 off any German-scene puzzle. R & L Liquors will be hosting a beer tasting. Kids’ Ketch will be featuring their Playmobil, German-made, line of toys with hands on activities. Their Bruder, German-made, toy trucks will be discounted 20%. Representatives from Accent on Travel will have cruise and travel experts there to discuss travel possibilities. P.U.P.S. will be offering a doggie “beer cookie” with purchases of $25 and more. For a complete list of participating businesses please visit http://www.leweschamber.com.
 Oktoberfest Celebration, 2010 Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival annually held in Germany, running from late September to the first week-end in October. Cities across the world have adopted this Bavarian tradition and Lewes is joining in the fun too.
Dancing will also take place in front of Mary Vessels Park. A group of costumed Bavarian style dancers will be performing and encouraging festival-goers to dance along with them. A 10 piece German Oompah band also will be entertaining those gathered to partake in the festivities. Everyone is encouraged to wear their lederhosen and dirndls and show off your best dancing skills.
 An Oktoberfest Celebration, 2010 The consumption of beer and German food are integral to an Oktoberfest celebration. Lewes will create a “beer garden” atmosphere on Market Street MINUS the beer to be in compliance with the City’s ordinances.
Dogfish Head is having commemorative glass beer steins fabricated with the Dogfish logo and the event’s custom-designed logo by graphic designer, Chrys Heidel. They will be on sale that day at the Chamber’s Visitor Center in the Fisher-Martin-House in Zwaanendael Park, next to the museum and at the festival site beginning at 4 p.m. On the day of the Oktoberfest, the steins can be taken into participating restaurants and presented to receive a discount on all beers on tap that day. Dogfish’s new pilsner style beer, My Antonia, will be available at a number of the restaurants. German Cuisine will be featured in many of the restaurants located in the historic business district.
 Oktoberfest Celebration, 2010 Comcast Spotlight has filmed a commercial promoting the event featuring Amy Felker, owner of Notting Hill Coffee Roastery, and several Chamber members in lederhosen and dirndls. You can view the commercial by visiting http://www.leweschamber.com.
Have a great time!!
September 6th, 2012
 Never get tired of taking its picture. A quaint historic town, Lewes, is an attraction for many visiting the Delaware Beaches. Lots of restaurants, shops and plenty to do. It is a great week-end get-away; only a couple hours from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
If you are visiting Lewes, this is what’s going on this week-end.
Until Sunday, 9/9 – The Kalmar Nyckel is docked at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal. Tours, Day Sail, and Even a Pirate Sail are available. All you have to do is check their schedule by visiting http://www.kalmarnyckel.org/bookasail.asp. The original Kalmar Nyckel was one of America’s pioneering colonial ships. The present one serves as Delaware’s seagoing Goodwill Ambassador.
 This Memorial is at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. If you happen to see this little, very innocent, seagull…and you are having something to eat at the On The Rocks Bar & Grill right there at the Cape May Lewes Ferry….he will steal your food. Does not matter if you are a child or a more matured individual. I saw him. If he could have lifted a hamburger, he would have done so. So, you have been warned.
Friday, 9/7 – Lewes “History Happy Hour” – Jim Bertholet presents ” The Life and Work of a Surfmen in the US Life-Saving Service 1870’s-1915″, at the Lewes Life-Saving Station at the Canal and Front Street next to the Lightship Overfalls. Mr. Bertholet is a life-long history buff who grew up on the Jersey shore and always had a particular interest in maritime history, especially the US Life-Saving Service and US Lighthouses.
Saturday, 9/8 – Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market, at the Lewes Historical Society Complex, located at 110 Shipcarpenter Street. 8 a.m. until Noon. More info? Please visit http://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org. The website has very good information, including recipes.
Saturday, 9/8 – The Seventh Annual Chocolate Tasting in The Park, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Biden Center in Cape Henlopen State Park. $5.00 admission gives you 6 tastings. Please note that admission to the State Park is still in effect.
Sunday, 9/9 – 3rd Annual Treat the Beat sponsored by the Beebe Medical Foundation. 5K Walk. Location? At the George H.P. Smith Park at Blockhouse Pond behind Beebe Medical Center. The 5K Walk travels through Lewes and raises funds for Cardiac and Vascular Services at Beebe Medical Center. In 2011, $17,000 were raise from this event, and a portion of the funds were used by Beebe’s Cardiac Rehab Dept. to purchase a recumbent cross training machine. Participation is free but all walkers must register. All participants are encouraged to donate or raise donations.
Sunday, 9/9 – Market on the Green at The Villages of Five Points from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. More info? Please visit http://www.thevillagesoffivepoints.com.
Monday, 9/10 – At the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway, in Lewes. His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Learn its history. The DeBraak capsized on May 25, 1798. The program includes a trip to the hull facility near Cape Henlopen State Park. It will be an interpreter-led tour of the ship’s remains. $10 in advance by making a reservation on the website http://www.history.delaware.gov.
Tuesday, 9/18 – Chicks for Charity of Southern Delaware Dinner at Fish On Restaurant located at The Villages of Five Points in Lewes, Delaware. This group is led by Kari and Marci and is dedicated to making life a little easier for those in need. Their first dinner was in 2010; one charity picked per month. If you want to know more about this non-profit, please visit http://www.chicksforcharity.us. It starts at 6:30 p.m. $25 per person, guys are also welcomed. It includes gratuity. Cash or check only payable to Fish On. This month’s dinner will benefit La Red Health Center. This Center provides affordable, quality healthcare to the residents of Sussex County. http://laredhealthcenter.org There will be raffle items and a 50/50 too!! RSVP to gals4thegood@aol.com. No calls to the restaurant, please.
A Tip: If you are visiting Lewes or if you are a resident of our Delaware Beaches….Want to go for a bike ride? Park at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal and you will find a hut from Lewes Cycle Sports. It is self serve. Plenty of bikes for rent. Open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tel. 302-644-2453.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later…
August 17th, 2012
The Town of Lewes, Delaware is located on the lower reach of the Delaware Bay. It is considered an ocean resort; the ocean is nearby at Cape Henlopen.
It seems summer has been flying by all of us. Our second season at the Delaware Beaches is just as good….soooo, hang in there. If you are visiting Lewes, this is what’s going on.
Saturday, 8/18 – Historic Lewes Farmers’ Market – 8 a.m. until Noon, at the Lewes Historical Society Campus. Please remember that no pets are allowed. Address? 110 Shipcarpenter Street. More info? Please visit http://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
At 10 a.m. there will be a Cooking Demonstration by Plate Catering’s Head Chef, Jen Blakeman. More info. on Plate Catering? Please visit http://www.plate-catering.com.
 Cannonball House Saturday, 8/18 – At 3:00 p.m. at the Midway School #178, at the Lewes Historic Complex, Commander Timothy R. Dring USNR-Retired will present “Maritime Rescue along the Delaware Coast: The History, Stations, and Equipment of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the U.S. Coast Guard”.
Start at the Midway School at the Lewes Historic Complex, then, you are invited for a walk to the Lewes Life-Saving Station.
This is a free event and no reservations are required.
For more information, please visit the Lewes Chamber at http://www.leweschamber.com.
Saturday, 8/18 – Opera at the Beach – An Evening with Patricia Racette – 8:00 until 10:00 p.m. Soprano Patricia Racette, a leading artist at The Metropolitan Opera and the Washington National Opera has been called “one of the world’s best sopranos” by New York’s WQXR, will sing a program of operatic favorites and jazz and Broadway standards. A Touch of Italy Restaurant will dazzle the palate with a pre-performance reception of Italian appetizers and beverages. Location? Cape Henlopen High School Theatre. This event is in support of Coastal Concerts and The Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center. Tickets are $50 and $75, and can be purchased online at http://www.operaatthebeach.com. Doors will open at 6:30; performance will begin at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8/19 – 4th Annual Greene Turtle Lewes 5K Walk/Run – 7:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. This is a benefit for the Cancer Support Community Delaware. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with the 5K run/walk race starting at 8:15 a.m. Races2Run will manage the event and provide complete online race results. The event will begin at The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille located at The Villages at Five Points in Lewes. Walkers and runners will travel along a fast, flat course within the Five Points residental neighborhoods. For more info., and to register online, visit http://www.cancersupportdelaware.org.
The mission of the Cancer Support Community Delaware is to “ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.”
Sunday, 8/19 – Yoga With Dimitra at the Lewes Canalfront Park, 211 Front Street. Please take your mat or towel. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Tuesday, 8/21 – Chicks for Charity (Southern Delaware) Dinner at Fish On!, located at The Villages of Five Points, Lewes, at 6:30 p.m. Two delicious entrees to choose from along with appetizers and dessert. $25/person includes gratuity. Cash or check only, payable to Fish On! This August dinner will benefit “Alex’s Lemonade Stand”. There will be raffle items and 50/50 raffle. RSVP to gals4thegood@aol.com. Please, no calls to the restaurant. Chicks for Charity (Southern Delaware) is a charitable organization serving our community. To find out the connection to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, please visit http://www.chicksforcharity.us.
Tuesday, 8/21 – Summer Concert at Stango Park, 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., on King’s Highway, next to the Lewes Public Library. The performance will be by The Navy Band Sea Chanters. This is the United States Navy’s Official Chorus. A variety of music ranging from traditional choral to opera, Broadway, and contemporary.
Have a great time!!
July 13th, 2012
Get out of town….let’s go to the beach! Delaware has 25 miles of Delaware Bay coastline, 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, and 115 miles of inland bay shoreline. Three rivers, creeks, and ponds cover a fifth of the state. Plenty to do.
So, if you are visiting the Historic town of Lewes, Delaware, then, read on…
Saturday, 7/14 – 54th Annual Lewes Antique Show and Sale. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Location? Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 4th & Market Streets in Lewes. Lunch will be served. More info? 302-645-9426.
Saturday, 7/14 – The Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday at Shields Elementary School. from 8 a.m. until Noon. More info? http://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.
Saturday, 7/14 – Zwaanendael Maritime Festival – “A Sailor’s Life for Me”. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Free Admission. – Adults and children alike will experience the everyday lives of sailors by scrubbing the deck, learning about shipboard food, playing “Crown and Anchor” and Colonial games, exploring a vessel’s cargo and the merchants who shipped it, creating a sailors’ valentine and serving on a block-and-tackle station where visitors will be drilled by a demanding mariner looking for new crew members. Location? At 102 Kings Highway in Lewes. Tel. 302-645-1148. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.leweschamber.com.
Sunday, 7/15 – Yoga with Dimitra at Canalfront Park. 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. It is Free!! Bring your own mat and towel. Location? 211 Front Street in Lewes. More info? Visit http://www.lewescanalfrontpark.org.
At The Villages of Five Points:
Saturday, 7/14 – Summer Concert at The Gazebo with Giant Steps, at 7:30 p.m. Bring family and friends.
Sunday, 7/15 – Market on The Green from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
For more info., please visit www.thevillagesoffivepoints.com.
Thursday, 7/19 – Movies on the Green at Sunset. Free popcorn for all moviegoers. Next week’s feature will be Footloose (PG-13).
Have a great time!!
July 10th, 2012
Eating is not merely a material pleasure. Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship. It is of great importance to the morale. e. schiaparelli
This post is reviewing Fish On! twice in one week!!
It was Sunday night when a friend came over to visit. I was probably on a lazy kind of mood. A crowded and hot week-end at the Delaware Beaches. Plain and simple; I did not feel like cooking. So, I chose Fish On! We are so lucky to have all these wonderful restaurants in our beaches. I have to hand it to you, Chefs, because you are doing a great job in keeping all of us interested in your culinary surprises.
Fish On is part of the SoDel Concepts group of restaurants that extend up and down our coastal beaches. Owner and Executive Chef is Matt Haley. It is located at 17300 North Village Main Blvd., Villages of Five Points, Lewes, Delaware 19958. Tel. 302-645-9790. Website? http://www.fishon.bz
Fish On! does not take reservations. That is not bothering me anymore. I am eating late this summer. Love having the restaurants almost all to myself at that time. Fish On! has plenty of parking. The restaurant offers outdoor dining. So, on a beautiful Delmarva night, please take advantage of a pretty nice setting. Eating outdoors is the best.
On Sunday evening the restaurant was comfortably crowded when we arrived. Not soon afterwards, just a few having a leisure coffee and desert.
Our server was Stefana. I have to tell you that she was so pleasant; knew the menu well. Gluten free awareness? Oh yes, she was very well aware of the allergy.
Bread was brought to the table. Even though the bread looked simple, it was a little bit sweet; not overly so. It is baked daily in-house.
I decided to have their Charred Asparagus Soup. It was creamy, full of flavor, with a creme fraiche and basil oil.
Two orders of Pan Seared Halibut, with grilled peach, black bean and corn salsa, cumin and paprika roasted potatoes. Gluten Free!! Got great reviews from my fellow diners.
I decided to go with the Seared Seabass, with summer squash and sweet potato ribbons, and a lemon herb gremolata. It melted in your mouth, the vegetables were perfectly cooked. The picture does not lie. It looked and tasted that good.
Perfectly satisfied, we just had some coffee.
Tuesday evening. Quiet after the hectic week-end. You could see that the traffic was taking it easy. Once again, we decided to go to Fish On! The scallops were calling my husband.
Fish On! was a little more subdued; we also went pretty late.
My choice was the Bean, Corn, and Chicken Soup. It was “brothy”, light and it had been cooked with jalapenos, so there was a nice kick to it. Loved it.
Fish Tacos for my next entree. Shaved brussels sprouts, pickled onions, corn tortillas. Guess what? I learned something new. The fish was called swai. I had never heard of it. It is pronounced sweye. Similar to catfish but with a milder flavor and more delicate texture. It is from Vietnam. Even people that do not like fish, tend to really enjoy this very much versatile fish that can be broiled, baked, sauteed, and fried. My Fish Tacos were delicious and a very healthy portion indeed.
When restaurants are not crowded it is the perfect opportunity to maybe be able to change something on the menu. Fish On! was more than happy to oblige.
The Scallops were ordered. They would have arrived accompanied by summer vegetables and a chorizo succotash. Not sure if the chorizo was gluten free, we decided to replace those with the Roasted Red & Gold Beets; no blue cheese, mustard vinaigrette on the side. Both were outstanding!!
Please note that restaurants get so busy that many times they can not be substituting one thing for another. So…ask but be understanding of their situation.
Again, a little chat here or there with Stefana….and until next time.
Fish On! opens 7 days a week at 5:00 p.m.
A Children’s Menu is also available. Other offerings, besides seafood, are on the menu, as well.
Have a good one!! ttyl g
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