June 21st, 2015
Sundays are days of worship, but on this Sunday as the tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina, is still fresh in our minds and hearts, it is also a day for reflection.
Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church is the First Church in the First Town in the First State. It is located at 2nd & Market Streets in Lewes, DE 19958 Tel. 302-645-8479 Website? http://www.stpeterslewes.org
You can imagine how surprised my friend, Cindi, was when I asked her if she wanted to walk around The Churchyard at Saint Peter’s. After all, I had invited her to Lewes to spend the day celebrating her birthday. Graveyard? Birthday? That was not on the agenda, so she thought.
This is a historic Church. It is beautiful in its simplicity. It is an Episcopal Church. The doors of the Church are open 24 hours a day, providing a sanctuary in Lewes for spiritual reflection, meditation, and prayer. I love a totally quiet church. I enjoy visiting them to catch a quiet moment away from all the news and the hectic world we live in. I am in awe of their beauty and strength.
Saint Peter’s Parish was founded in 1681. The original church building was finished in 1724, sat in front of the current structure. A second church, consecrated in September 1808, had a small bell tower. The bell rings every Sunday announcing their services from that tower.
The building in which services are held today was constructed from 1854 to 1858. A steeple was added in 1870 and the Sacristy was added in 1903-4.
Among Saint Peter’s historical possessions are the communion table used in the original church of 1724, a prayer book showing the changes made after the War of Independence, and a silver communion service given by John Penn, grandson of William Penn, on June 10, 1773.
As Cindi and I started to walk the Churchyard her attitude changed completely…from total perplexity to inquisitiveness. She saw other visitors walking around, reading the tombstones.
In addition to the Churchyard, Saint Peter’s owns the oldest cemetery in the state of Delaware. The Pilottown Cemetery was the site of the first western settlement in what is now Delaware. Some of the early colonists are interred there on Pilottown Rd.
The most noteworthy graves are marked and there is information for you to follow them.
The oldest tombstone is the one from Margaret Huling. #17 This is what the inscription says: Here lyeth ye body of Margaret ye widow of James Huling who desert Febry ye 16th in ye 76th yeare of her Age 1707 Born 1631.
The second oldest is #18. It also belongs to the Huling family. It says: Huling mARTHA HIS WIFE deCEST FEBRY YE 1708 IN YE 8TH YEAR of HER AGE. There is a portion of the stone broken so the whole inscription cannot be read.
The Labyrinth – It is an ancient symbol found in many traditions around the world. It is not a maze. It only has one path with no tricks or dead ends. You are not to solve a puzzle, which creates anxiety. The Labyrinth shoud lead us to the Source of our solutions, creating peace. And God knows, we need peace.
Walking a labyrinth becomes a metaphor for spiritual journey. It is used as a form of walking meditation or contemplative prayer. The Labyrinth helps us find inner peace. It welcomes those of all faith traditions and those with no traditions at all.
There is no right or wrong way to walk the Labyrinth. With only one path in….follow it and you will arrive at the center. Each walk is unique. You may want to take a moment to breath deeply and focus on an intention for your walk.
The center is a place of meditation and prayer. As you can see visitors leave some offerings.
Stop by and discover. Have a good one!!
June 16th, 2015
June 16th was National Lobster Day!! I could not find a celebration for Sof Shell Crabs….only that the next National Crab Meat Day is going to be March 9, 2016!!
“Softshells” are my absolute favorites. On the menu? You bet I will order them.
With the first full moon in May…the Blue Crab molting season begins. Shedding might take 2 to 3 hours. The conditions have to be right, like the phases of the moon, water temperature, and other factors only known to Mother Nature.
The crabs will beging their molting process, growing larger and then shedding their hard outer shells. The new crab will be 30% larger (point to point) than the old shell.
If you leave them in the water, the new crab will begin to harden. Pulled from the water, the shell remains soft…..a seasonal delicacy and one of the best tasting crabs ever. When you bite into them, they are juicy and sweet with a very delicate flavor
The best part is that unlike the hard shell crabs, when you have to pick and pick….hammer, drink beer, and keep on picking…which I love, by the way, the soft shell crab can be eaten whole once cleaned of gills.
Easy to cook too. Everyone has a preference. Dusted in flour, fried, maybe tempura style, or my favorite way, sauteed.
Summer heat is really here. Perfect lunch or dinner? Soft-shell crab on salad.
The following seafood markets in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach usually have soft shell crabs. They will clean them for you and even give you ideas on how to cook them if you are not sure. They will steam hard crabs to order….plenty of local fresh fish available, as well.
Lewes Fish House Seafood Market is located at 1796 Coastal Highway in Lewes. Tel. 302-644-0708 Website? http://www.lewesfishhouse.com
Copp’s Seafood is located at Mulberry Knoll Rd. in Lewes. Tel. 302-645-9112
Geyer’s Seafood Market, 18226 Coastal Highway in Lewes. Tel. 302-644-9329. The location is where Jimmy Lynn’s used to be.
Rehoboth Seafood Market is located at 20238 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3551 Website? http://www.rehobothseafoodmarket.com
Big Fish Grill Seafood Market is located at 20298 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3665 Website? http://www.bigfishgrillmarket.com
Have a good one!! TTYL
June 11th, 2015
In search again for fresh Duck Eggs, I arrived late afternoon to Black Hog Farm, located at 16371 New Rd., Lewes, DE 19958. This farm is located about 7 minutes from Lewes Beach and 20 minutes, depending on the traffic from Rehoboth Beach. Website? http://www.blackhogfarmstead.com.
Back to our roots. Farm to table, is one of the biggest trends in the culinary world today. Less processed foods and more environmentally friendly alternatives. It really is a refreshing trend that I hope gets better and better. It was about time.
As I started to drive into the farm, I saw Helen working away. The temperature was pretty nice yesterday. John, her husband, told me that they get up early and work up until 11 a.m., then, lunch. Maybe, if they feel like it, they will come back out at around 3 or so in the afternoon and continue working.
Black Hog Farm has about 4.19 acres with 60 kinds of vegetables and flowers. The farm uses sustainable growing practices. They have hazelnut trees, fig trees, persimmons, apples, pears, a (sour pie) cherry tree, and some paw-paws. Pawpaw trees, are the largest edible fruit trees native to North America. The fruit is greenish-blackish, 3 to 6 inches long The flesh is pale to bright yellow. Very tropical.
John and Helen Feliciano are the owners. They are passionate about what they do. If you are passionate about what you do, you will never work a day in your life. To know about them, please visit the website.
 
Helen told me that she just had a dozen fresh duck eggs, but she needed to wash them. So, I decided to walk around. There is a refrigerator on the porch…..self service, and honor system. The duck eggs are usually found there, just put your $5/dozen inside the box.
The ducks were out back in the yard at the end of the property.
The moment they saw me they started to get close. Sorry, I was not feeding them. They were pretty vocal.
Helen came out with my eggs. Look how gorgeous they looked.
Casual visits to the farm are preferred on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2 and 5 p.m. You can always call them ahead of time any day and see if you can come by. Tel. 302-236-2437. I, actually, showed up late in the day on Wednesday.
From May to October Black Hog Farmstead offers Open Porch Dinners, from the Farm to the Table. A once a month event. Coming up on Sunday June 28th is the next Sunday dinner. These dinners start at 1 p.m. to stay with the rural tradition of years past.
 
A 4-course Midday Sunday Dinner, featuring everything fresh from the garden. Long table on the porch, family-style. After dinner, tours of the farm will be available so that you can appreciate the veggie beds, fruits and nut orchard….and even visit the ducks. They are already taking reservations for the June dinner. To view the menu please go to the above mentioned website. The dinners are $60/person….BYOB!!
Black Hog Farmstead is also a B & B. In season, rates are 185/night. Once again, please visit the website for more information.
John and Helen are so friendly and always happy and proud to talk about their farm.
In my own house…..the raspberries are ripening, the basil is growing, the mint…a weed, is getting thicker. I was always so proud of my fig tree. After the 2 cold winters we have had, it has been growing from the ground. Miss getting all those 900 plus figs. Oh, well, we will see what it does this year.
It is a beautiful out there…Enjoy it!!
June 7th, 2015
There is nothing better than a picnic. Today was a favorite day at Canalfront Park located at 211 Front St. in Historic Lewes, Delaware. It is an annual event. There were over 800 people in attendance. What a fabulous day it was. No humidity, blue skies…just perfect for an outdoor picnic. A time to relax with the community, to forget the news of the day. Picture perfect….not many words are necessary.
When visiting Lewes, please do check the website, http://www.lewescanalfrontpark.org. They are offering so many events and activities; Yoga in the Park, Zumba in the Park, Yoga Summer Solstice on Sunday, 6/21, Cinema by the Canal is starting in July, and Concerts by the Canal are also starting in July. The schedule is on their website. Tel. 302-645-2795.
Lewes is such a picturesque town. The site of the Canalfront Park has been in existence since 1631. It is where long ago the earliest Dutch settlers created their homes and built and launched their ships.
My friend, Cindi, and I were looking forward to this picnic. Last year was the first time we attended and it was just amazing. Lewes’ restaurants were serving their specialties. We were ready.
First things first….stopping at Dogfish Head. They were serving 2 types of beers; one heavier than the other, but both delicious. That’s Cindi!!
A second stop at Agave.
They were serving their Fresh Ceviche which I had and loved…
They also had their Beef Tenderloin Chili….by far this is the best Chili made with beef tenderloin. It was a bit cool today; perfect.
Nectar’s offerings were outstanding. Quinoa Cups, which I had. The super grain was excellent.
 
Chicken Salad Sliders! I think chicken salad is so good for summer, don’t you?
Nectar’s PB & J Meatballs are locals’ favorites.
Nectar is also a Juice Bar….offering, here, at the picnic, Carrot-Apple-Ginger Juice.
From Jerry’s we tried their Shrimp and Crab Deviled Eggs….I liked the shrimp deviled eggs the best.
Visitors coming to the Delaware Beaches love crabcakes….Jerry’s are very popular. For the Picnic in the Park they offered Crabcake Sliders.
From Kindle…Chickpea Salad.
 
And they were also serving Lobster Salad Sandwiches.
Plenty of fun for the Kids…games, balloons, cotton candy.
This llittle boy and this little girl…loved their photos. The girl gave me permission to take her picture. Vey creative balloons!
 
Cotton Candy…..when I was a young child I had a small cotton candy machine. It worked!! So seeing this one at the picnic for the second year in a row…. childhood memories.
 
The Lightship Overvalls always a fixture at Canalfront Park. Lightship Overfalls is one of only 17 remaining Lightships out of 179 built from 1820 – 1952.
In 2011 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Its birthday is Wednesday, 6/17, and a free event will be taking place. The public is invited from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the ship. Please check http://www.overfalls.org for tours, events and historic fact about this Lightship.
Cindi and I decided to take a spot under one of the tents to enjoy some tastings. I was just telling Cindi that I have been in the area for so many years and for some reason I did not know a single person there…..Oh no…I did, Richard!! He proceeded to take a seat and we continued the conversation.
I almost forgot to mention the DJ. He was so good. He moved around, kept the music and the tempo just right…even announced the raffle winners!!
And something you usually do not see in Lewes…a Blimp!
Not every day is a picnic, but today, celebrating my friend’s birthday…priceless!!
July 14th, 2014
Lewes, Delaware is the oldest settlement in Delaware. It was founded by the Dutch in 1631. It does have a nickname; “The First Town in the First State”. The town was incorporated in 1883. Plenty to do in this coastal town that provides acess to the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean beaches.
So, are you visiting Lewes or other Delaware Beaches? This is what’s going on in Lewes this week.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays – TOUR THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE COLLEGE OF EARTH, OCEAN, AND ENVIRONMENT – Free Guided Tours. Location? 700 Pillottown Rd. The idea is to introduce the public to marine science and the research activities of the college. They have state-of-the-art ocean laboratories where they and Delaware Sea Grant College Program researchers are tackling aspects of environmental challenges such as climate change, sea level rise, renewable energy, fish ecology and harmful algal blooms. The tours begin at 10 a.m. More info? Please visit http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/community/tours.
Tuesday, 7/15 – CHICKS FOR CHARITY – Gentlemen: You are invited too!! Don’t be shy. Once a month Chicks for Charity takes place at Fish On, located at the Villages of Five Points in Lewes. It opens at 6:30 p.m. $25/person includes gratuity…cash bar available. You get 2 delicious entrees to choose from along with appetizer and dessert. Plus you get to meet other people in the community and raise funds for local causes. Cash or Checks only.
Please RSVP to Chicksdinner@gmail.com. Please do not call the restaurant.
July’s charity dinner will benefit: Alex’s Lemonade Stand. This foundation emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, while receiving chemo, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help her doctors find a cure for all children with cancer. Between the time of her first stand and the time of her death, when she was 8 years old, Alex reached her goal…she raised $1,000,000. The foundation is led by her parents and bearing her name has raised more than $80 million, funding more than 450 research projects nationally.
To learn more about Alex Lemonade Stand, visit http://www.alexslemonade.org. To learn more about Chickes for Charity Southern Delaware, please visit http://www.chicksforcharity.us.
Tuesday, 7/15 – STANGO PARK – SUMMER CONCERT SERIES – Free concerts at Stango Park at campus of the Lewes Public Library. Take your chairs, friends and bug spray. Entertainers will be the Milford Community Band. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Cape Henlopen High School.
What’s Happening at Canalfront Park? The site of the Canalfront Park was a center of activity from the time the earliest Dutch settlers built their homes and launched their ships there in 1631. For hundreds of years the local fishermen kept their boats there. Nowadays, it is also a center for the residents and visitors to enjoy a most scenic part of Historic Lewes.
Wednesday, 7/16 – ZUMBA – Canalfront Park on the Overlook Deck on Pillottown Rd. Zumba starts at 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. More info? Please call 302-420-5127. Check the weather before heading out!
Thursday, 7/17 – CINEMA BY THE CANAL – SAVING MR. BANKS – Free movie and open to the public at beautiful Canalfront Park. The movies are family oriented and start at dusk. Please take your own chair and bug repellent.
Saving Mr. Banks is an untold true story of how Walt Disney spent 20 years trying to obtain the rights to author P.L. Travers’ treasured story so that Mary Poppins could be brought to the big screen. The movie is 125 minutes long and it is rated PG-13. You can see the trailer by visiting http://www.rehobothfilm.com/film_events_cinema_by_canal.html.
Friday, 7/18 – LAUGHTER YOGA – Laugh out loud at the Lewes Library on Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. You have license to laugh for no reason!! Please contact Michele Buckler, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader. Tel. 302-645-0576. Website? http://www.laffyoga.com. Find them on Facebook as Laff Yoga and on Pintrest as Sand N Stones.
Saturday, 7/19 -HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET – This most popular market in Lewes opens at 8 a.m. until Noon at the Lewes Historical Society Complex. It is a community gathering where you can puchase the freshest local foods available. Check the website http://www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org. They have great recipes, plus you can see ahead of time what will be happening on that particular Saturday.
Sunday, 7/20 – YOGA AT CANALFRONT PARK – At 8 a.m. on Pillottown Rd.
Have a great week!!
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 16th, 2014
Eat & Drink!!!! Lewes Yacht Club’s exclusive “Champagne Bar”, Hot Crab Dip with Crostini, Shrimp Cocktail, Smoked Salmon, Brie in Raspberry Cups, Fresh Fruits and Cheeses…..and plenty more.
Shop!!! Some of the shops attending will be Jane & Georgie, Ocean Retreat Day Spa & Salon, Caitlyn’s Candles, Blooming Boutique, Taylor’s Toffee, Square Peg, Sea Glass Originals and Seascape Treasure.
Brunch & Bubbly is a fundraising event taking place on Sunday, May 18th, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Lewes Yacht Club, located at 2701 Cedar St. in Lewes, Delaware. This club has been in existence since 1934. The scenery is breathtaking. Directions can be found at http://www.lewesyc.com/home/directions.html.
It will be a fun afternoon….relax, shop, eat, and listen to Nancy Micciulla who will be entertaining guests. For tickets, please call 302-604-6277. Tickets are $35/person.
Children & Families first is an organization that started in 1884. They provide services in 5 agency locations throughout Delaware, as well as in homes, schools, and other community sites. The location in Georgetown is at 410 S. Bedford St.
The mission of Children & Families First is to help families develop solutions to meet challenges and embrace opportunities.
And, their vision is to see communities where children are nurtured and safe, individuals are valued, and families are strong.
If you would like to learn more about Children & Families First, please visit http://www.cffde.org.
Through the year fundraising events are held and for Southern Delaware this first event is always an important one.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 11, 2014 is A Taste of Art of Southern Delaware at Indy Hall at Independence…..should be a must on your calendar….more to come later.
May 12th, 2014
A one year anniversary….hard to believe it, but Sara McKewon, proprietor of Nectar, has been busy giving customers some delicious juices, breakfast, and lunch. Nectar is located at 111 Neils Alley in Historic Lewes, Delaware. It opens every day from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tel. 302-645-5842
 Love Beet Salad Step into Nectar and get a feeling of comfort….Customers can take a seat at the bar, relax on the sofa, or grab a table in the back.
Consistently good, with attentive service and reasonable prices. Passing by the homemade baked goods….they looked so enticing. Guess what? We resisted.
Jody and I got together and started with a couple of juices.
On the left of the photos is Heavy Metal Detox. This juice had cilantro, flaxeed, lemon, lime, and apple. It contained natural chelators that flush heavy metals such as mercury from the body. On the right, Morning After….Lemon, ginger, apple, spinach, kale and pineapple. A hangover cure to relieve nausea, stabilize blood sugars and balance pH.
If you love cilantro, try the Heavy Metal Detox. And if you like ginger then Morning After will be a winner.
We actually chose traditional breakfasts:
My omelette with mushrooms and spinach was exactly what I needed. The side dish? Sweet potatoes.
Jody’s eggs….bacon and fresh fruit.
Reviewing a restaurant can be tricky. The writer tells you that you are going to love it. But, in reality it is a very personal opinion. Nectar has a little of everything for every taste. Wholesome, fresh food. And, who wouldn’t want that?
So, stop by and let me know what you think.
 
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