September 4th, 2011
Bethany Beach by Jack Lewis '93
The town of Bethany is a small family resort town right on the beach. It is what you would want to expect of a seaside resort. The center of the town is its Boardwalk and Bandstand. Shops, restaurants, basketball courts and playground are just a block a way from each other. It is the perfect town for walking, jogging or strolling. And, let’s not forget that beautiful beach that stretches for miles. Each street in Bethany seems to lead its visitors right to the water’s edge.
Prior to the early 50’s, it took some time to get to Bethany Beach. There was no railroad connection. You really must have wanted to visit Bethany because you had to travel first to Baltimore, Maryland. Spend the night in Charm City and then travel by boat across the Chesapeake Bay to the Delmarva Peninsula. Then, take the train across the peninsula to Rehoboth Beach. Until 1910, the visitors would have to take the steamer, Atlantic, across Rehoboth Bay to Ocean View and travel by horsedrawn carriage to Bethany. After 1910 the Loop Canal was completed allowing the motorboat to dock directly in Bethany.
If you are visiting Bethany during this Holiday Week-End, this is what you will find.
Sunday, 9/4 – Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis at 8:00 p.m. The entertainment will be at the Bandstand.
Monday, 9/5 – Yoga at the Bethany Beach Bandstand. This is the last day for yoga right on the Bandstand but Yoga at the Beach has a year round schedule. If you would like to check it out please vivist www.bethanybeachyoga.org. On Labor Day be there from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. and if possible, bring your own mat since they are limited. Drop in fee is $5.
Monday, 9/5 – Tai Chi, which is also called Meditation in Motion is at the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. From 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Drop in fee is $5. More info? Please call 302-363-4500.
Monday, 9/5 – Labor Day Jazz Funeral at 5:30 p.m. Saying “so long” but not forgotten to another summer at the beach. Be prepared to wail and carry on. Then, the lifeguards will do their celebratory swim at around 6 or so. This swim used to be quite different years ago. Some of those in Bethany remember it so well…
Saturday, 9/10 – The 33rd Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival. One day only when more than 100 artists will showcase their best along the Boardwalk and 2 adjoining streets. 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Look for the silent auction at the Bandstand from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the art programs at 4 local elementary schools.
The Bethany Beach Cam is still running. To view what’s going on on the Boardwalk, please visit http://www.bethanycam.com.
Note: Bethany Beach Trolleys run through mid September. It is the best way to get around in Bethany and avoid those meters. Please check www.townofbethanybeach.com for the schedule.
Have fun!! Talk to you later….
June 5th, 2011
Yoga – a discipline that originated in ancient India whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight. You can experience Yoga at Sunrise in Bethany Beach all the way through Labor Day Week-End.
Bethany Beach Bandstand
When and Where? At the Bethany Beach Bandstand on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. There is a drop in fee of $5. Limited mats are available so if you have one please bring it with you.
Since it is held outdoors, the class will be held weather permitting. For more info., please call 302-537-7838 or visit www.bethanybeachyoga.org.
Tai-Chi – Also called Meditation in Motion. Is a non-competitive, self paced system of gentle physical exercises and stretchings, that help promote good health and well being. It reduces the stress of today’s busy lifestyles.
Where and When? Bethany Beach Bandstand on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, all the way through Labor Day. 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Weather permitting. $5 drop in fee. Need more info? Please call Jim Mace at 302-363-4509.
West of Bethany Beach (4.8 miles) in Clarksville, Delaware – Good Earth Market and Organic Farm will be hosting a “Farm to Table” feast to benefit Children & Families First, Sussex County. Date: Tuesday, June 7th.
It will be a dining experience as the sun sets; a table outside on the farm. Locally grown ingredients will be prepared by Plate Catering; paired with perfect wines.
The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and the cost is $95 per person. Call 302-537-7100 for a reservation. Rain date will be the following day.
Good Earth Market is located at 31806 Good Erth Lane, Rt. 26, Clarksville, DE 19970. Website is www.goodearthmarket.com.
I wrote a post with pictures on Good Earth on May 4th. If you would like to check it out, just click on the month of May, 2011 and scroll down to the date.
Saturday, 6/11 – At Good Earth Market, Clarksville, Delaware there will be a cooking demonstration. At Noon. One of Matt Haley’s Sodel chefs will be the featured chef. Come and find out for yourself.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
June 24th, 2010
Little Chief Owl - 8/31/1994
Many years ago, 1976, even before I considered living in Bethany Beach, I came to this town and right on Garfield Parkway there was a fairly young man, with his dog, and a small fire; it was fall. He was sculpting and his name was Peter Wolf Toth. I engaged him in conversation and he proceeded to tell me that he was donating the sculpting of the indigenous wood of the State of Delaware as a gift. The sculpture was to be known as Chief Little Owl and Peter Wolf Toth was paying honor to the Nanticoke Nation.
He was working there for so long that residents would bring him food.
Peter Wolf Toth was self taught and a humanitarian who wanted to give thanks to the United States. His journey was called “Trail of the Whispering Giants”.
He created more than 50 sculptures of famous Indians and donated one to every state. Some larger states have more than one.
His original sculpture, of Chief Little Owl, who welcomes everyone that visits Bethany Beach was weakened by termites and in 1992 it was destroyed by heavy winds. The remains are at the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, Delaware.
The second Totem Pole was done by Dennis Beach and this one lasted until 2000; rot forced the town to take it down.
My picture is from the second one, taken on 8/31/94.
Peter Wolf Toth, again, created the newest version from a red cedar log from the Pacific Northwest which should last 50-150 years. It was dedicated on 7/15/02.
You cannot miss it. It is really a landmark in Bethany Beach.
Bethany Beach Bandstand performances start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For updates please call 302-539-5484. Bandstand Schedule is on line: www.townofbethanybeach.com/activities/bandstand.
Friday, June 25 is Keyboard America Piano Concert.
Saturday, June 26th – The Crime Stoppers Music of Woodstock Remembered. This is a new event for 2010.
Sunday, June 27th – the 2nd Annual Bethany Beach Firecracker 5K Fun Run/Walk. Pre-register at www.bethanybeach5k.wordpress.com. Race day registration is at 7:00 a.m. on the Bandstand. Race starts at 8:00 a.m. Please remember that this event is an official 4th of July Parade Fundraiser. Hopefully, all visitors can join.
Sunday, June 27th – Chesapeake Brass Band at 7:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Exercises: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Friday, Saturday, Monday. No Sunday Class. Drop in Fee. Thursdays to be determined. For info. call Christel at 302-542-8363.
Yoga Summer Months on the Boardwalk & Bandstand – $5 fee. Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m., also 4th of July and Labor Day. For more info. call 302-537-7838, or visit www.beth-anybeachyoga.org.
Farmers’ Market – Summer Sundays until September 5, 2010. From 8:00 a.m. until Noon at the bank parking lot on the corner of Penn. Ave. and Garfield Parkway.
Ride the Bethany Beach Trolley – If you are staying in Bethany this could be the easiest way to get around. Wave down the driver anywere along route for pickup, except on Rt. 26 or Rt. 1. No service on Jefferson Bridge Rd.
Fare is 25 cents; exact change, please. Driver does not make change.
The Trolley runs until September 12th. Daily from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Driver takes a break from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. and from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. More information needed? Then please call 302-539-8011. Or visit www.townofbethanybeach.com.
Have a great week-end….kick back and relax…that’s why you are here.
Note: Information on the totem pole was taken from www.townofbethany.com.
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