Sistas On The Sand

It's a pretty slow news week at the beach.  St. Patrick's day was a complete wash-out with a canceled parade and lots of rain and damp, green-clad visitors.  There's not much going on in any of the resort towns this weekend (except for the Merchant's Attic Garage Sale at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center).   Therefore, I'm going to share a bit of Ocean City, MD history:

Rosalie Tilghman Shreve

Today, I am going to tell you the story of Rosalie Tilghman Shreve.  Rosalie was a generals daughter whose prominent family owned a plantation near Oxford, MD.  Her father owned the Maryland and Delaware railroad and she married a track hand employed by her father.  Two years later, her husband died and, since the Tilghman family were Southern sympathizers, she and her family lost all of their slave labor and they had to file bankruptcy, leaving huge debts and a rather large property to care for.  Rumor has it that poor Mrs. Shreve was reduced to milking her own cows!

Fast forward to 1890 - Rosalie finds herself operating a Baltimore boarding house in the winters and running a cottage in Ocean City, MD during the summer.  Back in those days, the only way to get to Ocean City from Baltimore was to take a steam ship across the Chesapeake Bay, then take a train across Eastern Maryland.  This journey took 6.5 hours!

Rosalie was so encouraged by her success, she built the oceanfront Plimhimmon Hotel in OCMD in 1894 at the age of 50.  She ran the hotel until her death in 1920.  In 1962, the Plimhimmon Hotel burned to the ground and was replaced by the Plim Plaza, which remains on the site today.

1890s Swimwear

So - the next time you're strolling the boards in OC, think of Rosalie and how she must have had to endure hot summers dressed in layers and layers of clothing as she slaved away at the cottages she ran and the hotel she owned.

I hear that snow is expected in the Wilmington/Philly area this weekend, so I'm heading back to the beach tomorrow night to avoid it.  Have a great weekend!

Wearin' Green By The Deep Blue



When I arrived at my beach house on Friday night, it was 5 degrees in Ocean City.  My driveway and patio were covered in ice and it took forever to heat the house up (again).

Snow covered dunes at 136th St. in OC

Saturday morning was bright and sunny, so I took a stroll on the beach and found it snow-covered, yet breathtakingly beautiful.  Later in the day, we headed up to Bethany Beach and walked along Garfield Parkway and the boardwalk.  There weren't many stores open, but the street was filled with people who seemed all too happy to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.
 The ice on the beach has melted just in time for many businesses to re-open this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

I did some pre-St. Patty's surveillance at Claddagh on the Shore in Fenwick Island and, I'm happy to report, that they have come a long way since my previous visit in July (when it sucked).  We had a great dinner and really friendly, attentive service.  We spoke with the owner/manager, who told us that they have plenty of stuff planned for this weekend and St. Patrick's Day.  In fact, you can check out Love Seed Mama Jump there this Saturday night.  I'm really glad I gave this place another shot!

If you're in OC, you can join the Shenanigans St. Pat's 5K Run, which is on the boardwalk starting at 9 AM and promises food, music, and beer.  Then, you can head to north to watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade (60th St. to 44th St.) and attend the Irish-American festival in the parking lot at 45th St. Village.  The parade starts at noon and the festival runs from 11 - 3.  Here's hoping that the weather forecast is wrong again and the predicted rain doesn't show up.

You can find tons of restaurant and night club specials throughout the DE/MD resort area this weekend.  Many of the beach businesses are re-opening for the season this weekend and the vibe is good. 

Time To Defrost



BrrrrrMaid

I've don't care what the thermostat reads or about the fact that my entire world is encapsulated in ice right now.  I'm going to make the best of it and think like it's Spring.  In a few short weeks, we'll be thawed out and ready to spend more time on the sand.

While waiting, Ocean City is offering horse & carriage rides along the boardwalk (in a heated carriage!) on Saturdays & Sundays from 10-4.  You can catch a ride near the inlet parking lot at Thrashers Fries and head down the boardwalk and back for $10 per person (kids under 3 are free).  Rides end on April 26.  Watch your step on the boards until then!

On Saturday, March 7 @ 7 PM, the Ballet Theatre of Maryland will perform "Cinderella" at the new Performing Arts Center at the OC Convention Center.  Tickets are only $10 and may be purchased at the Convention Center Box Office, 410-289-2800, or any Worcester County Library. 

And...OMG...this Saturday (3/7) is the Annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival!  You can purchase $10 general admission tickets on the link above or wait in line outside of the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center for two hours in freezing temps to pay at the door.  Admission gets you 10 tastes of brownies, cakes, cookies, pies, and other chocolate treats (this event has Girrrrls Weekend written all over it).  Or - you can do what I'll probably do and just walk across the street to Kilwins and pay $10 for some of the best fudge you'll ever taste.

I'm heading down this week to relax and dream of warmer days to come.  I almost made it last week, but the beach was actually snowier than the suburbs!  I'm hoping that the warmer weather predicted on Wednesday will melt away some of the snow and ice so that I can see the sand again.  So excited for Spring!!