Ooooohhh Grrrl....

When you hear the words "Chocolate Festival", your mind conjures up Willy Wonka-esque images of floating down a molten chocolate river or eating whipped cream from the top of a mushroom cap.  You envision a place where you are surrounded by cocoa creations at every turn and you drive home sort of high on the sugary delights that you've ingested all...damn....day.

If you go to the Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival this weekend, you will find none of that.  But - you will be able to taste chocolate treats prepared by local chefs and businesses.  The festival has moved from the convention center to the Atlantic Sands Hotel this year  VIP tickets give you 20 tastes for $25.  General admission gives you 10 tastes for $15.  Or, you can head to Kilwin's on Rehoboth Ave. and buy some delicious, delicous salted caramel fudge for under $10.

The Atlantic Sands Hotel is offering a special Chocolate Festival room package for this weekend, so why not make it a Girlz Weekend and celebrate spring by the sea wich yo bitches?  

On Saturday night (4/2), catch party band  Red Hotts  at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach.  Given the fact that they have an extra "T" in their name, it promises to be a good time.

Not much happening in OC this coming weekend (unless you like basketball, 'cause there is some basketball stuff happening at Northside Park and the convention center).  

I'm stuck in Wilmington this weekend, but will be dreaming of warm and sunny days to come soon.  

Happy Spring!  Enjoy the weekend and have a dark square with almonds for me!

10 Reasons To Spend Easter at the Beach

1.  The Great Delaware Kite Festival and Easter Egg Hunt

On Friday, March 25th from 10 AM - 3 PM at Cape Henlopen State Park.  Kite flying demonstrations, craft and kite vendors, & food/refreshments.  Park entrance fee only.

2.  Delaware Music Festival

March 25 - 26 at Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach.  Features 17 Delaware Bands.  Free Admission.

3.  Easter Kids Fun Fair and Art & Craft Show

March 25-26 at the Convention Center in Ocean City.  10AM - 5 PM.  $4 admission.  Fun, food, and entertainment for the kids.  Handcrafted items for sale for the adults.  Beany the Easter Bunny will be making appearances.

4.  Easter Bunny Fun Shop

March 26 at Northside Park in OCMD.  1 - 3 PM.  For children ages 2-10 and their families.  Easter egg hunt, entertainment, arts & crafts, egg coloring and a visit from the Easter Bunny.  Registration is limited.  Admission is $6 for OC residents and $8 for non-residents.

5.  Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

March  26  from 9 AM- 12 PM.  Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal at 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes.  Two seatings (9 AM and 10:30 AM).  $22 Adults (over age 12) and $12 for kids 3-12.  Egg hunt at 10 AM.  Meet the Easter Bunny (this guy is really getting around this weekend) and participate in other fun Easter-related activities.

6.  Lewes Canalfront Park Easter Egg Hunt

10 AM on Saturday March 26.  Hunt begins at 11 AM.  Pre-register your child using the link below.  $5 admission includes egg hunt, Easter Bunny meet and greet, music, face-painting, and crafts.

7.  Hippity Hoppity Hayride with The Easter Bunny

On the boardwalk in OCMD.  March 26-27 from 11-4.  Cost is $10.  Hayride travels from the inlet lot near Thrasher's Fries and continues around the pier then to the boardwalk at Division St. and back to the inlet.  Under 3 free.

8.   Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets

At the performing Arts Center at OC Convention Center.  Saturday March 27 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $23.50 - $28.50.

9.  Easter Sunrise Service in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Sunday March 27th at 6:30 AM at the bandstand on Rehoboth Ave/Boardwalk.  Sponsored by the Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Association of Churches.

10.  Easter Brunch at the Carousel Hotel

Sunday March 27th 11:30AM - 6:00PM.  Breakfast items, carving stating (indlucing prime rib and ham), lunch specials, kids meals, and dessert.  FREE ice skating for the kids with buffet.  Make reservations at 410-524-1000.

Don't Be Afraid

In the middle of the eighteenth century, cold water therapy was being used to treat ailments ranging from heat stroke to melancholy.  One standard therapy involved dunking society ladies who were suffering from anxiety in to the freezing sea until the effects of cold and suffocation caused terror and panic.  When these women were sufficiently scared, they would be lifted out of the water, stripped out of their soaking wet flannel smock, wrapped in warm blankets, given vigorous back and foot rubs, then sat down for a cup of hot tea.  The adrenaline from the shock of the cold was thought to have a soothing effect on the body.  This therapy was also offered to men, but they took their dips in the sea completely naked.

One could assume that these pilgrimages to seaside towns for healing and rest were the beginings of the resort towns as we know them today.  Such a holistic (and somewhat successful) approach to illnesses such as tuberculosis and leprosy must have gained quick popularity among the masses who were suffering from various maladies in their dark, depressing cities.

Personally, I know that I feel an actual physical change in myself after spending time by the sea.  It could be imagined- but who cares?  It never fails to be a cure for when I'm feeling sad, frustrated, or anxious.  

I haven't tried to dunk myself in the freezing ocean in a flannel smock yet.  If I could find someone willing to provide me with the post-dunk back/foot rub and warm blanket and tea, I might consider it.

If you're looking for some beach therapy this weekend, the weather may be perfect for that. There are not too many crazy fun things happening in any of the resort towns, but many of the shops and restaurants are open again and some of the bars/nightclubs are back to offering live entertainment.

I am beyond excited to see the return of Spring and watch the beach towns wake up from their long naps.  It's time for me to start spending more time at the beach house and taking care of spring yard duties and thinking about repairs and renovations that need to be done.  I figure, if I get this stuff out of the way now, I have the rest of the warm season to relax.

Enjoy the Spring weather that's coming our way and don't forget to dip a toe or two in the sea!

March to the Sea

There is a wee bit o rain predicted this weekend, but temperatures in the low 60s will make it bearable.

The St. Patty's Day events & specials in the resort towns are really just celebrations of many businesses re-opening for the season after being shuttered for the winter.  Many of the bars & restaurants in the area will have food and drink specials all weekend long.

In OCMD,  there is a St. Patty's boardwalk 5K at 9 AM.  Then, you can see the St. Patricks Day parade on Saturday 3/12.  It heads south from 60th St. to 45th St. starting at noon.

In Dewey Beach, you can help to raise money for the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation by attending the Footloose 80s Prom Party at the Starboard.  This event runs from 7-10 PM (cause you're all old) and costs $35 for gen. admission.

Speaking of Dewey Beach, we checked out the Forgotten Mile Ale House this past weekend.  The decor and setting are nothing fancy, but our meal was great and the service was excellent.  I can definitely see this being an affordable and reliable go-to dining option when we are in the Dewey Beach area.  It was also nice to see some of the Ulysses Gastropub food items on the menu (they are owned by the same folks).  I'm looking forward to heading back soon.





Here's a little bit of beach history:

Photo of old State Route 14 (now Route 1) heading south
toward the Indian River Inlet.
You can see the Life Saving Station on the left.

Bottle and Cork (Dewey Beach) circa a long time ago

I love seeing these old photos of beach landmarks.  They remind me of trips to the New Jersey shore with my parents when I was a kid and the kitschy places that we would pass on the way there and back.   Diners, marinas, bait shops, and camp grounds were all landmarks that worked to let us know that we were getting close, or that we were finally there.  The hand-painted wooden facades and rustic construction of these establishments will forever be a comforting and exciting memory for me.

If you're heading to the beach this weekend, dress warm and drive safe.  If, like me, you're waiting until next week, don't forget to pack your green (clothes and cash) so that you can celebrate St. Patrick's Day by the sea.

Slainte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mna go deo! 

(Health to the men and may the women live forever!)