Labor Day
On September 4 we will celebrate Labor Day as a national holiday and, as in the rest of the country, there will be picnics, sports events, and street parades. Born out of a desire to improve working conditions in America, because of growth brought about by the Industrial Revolution, Labor and Trade Unions in the 1850s were clamoring for a reduction in the workday from 10 to 8 hours. By the year 1887, there was a strong desire to create a holiday for workers, and President Grover Cleveland made it a federal holiday that year. Labor Day is always celebrated on a Monday, thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971.
Today, Labor Day has morphed into unofficially signaling the end of the summer season. It is the last weekend before many of us return to school or work, and we mentally begin to prepare for the holiday season that is only weeks away. Many residents and tourists return to a regular routine as days begin to grow noticeably shorter and the heat and humidity of summer begins to wane. Locals know the weeks following Labor Day are the coveted Shoulder Season: It’s still warm enough for going to the beach and other outdoor activities, the stores remain open and will continue their summer hours for a few more weeks.
Our showcase businesses this month include a hotel and shops that are sure to have special gifts for that birthday or special anniversary or holiday event coming up. They are sure to enhance the quality of your stay here whether it be for a day or two or longer.
The Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center at 101 N. Boardwalk is just steps away from the sand and surf on the beach.
A new business, not to be missed, is located at 33C Baltimore Avenue. Beaches—The Green Truck Shop carries an assortment of home decor items, antiques, and much more.
Boutique W at 168 Rehoboth Avenue creates a safe place for women to support women while shopping for that special something.
You can read more about each of these businesses later in this newsletter. Please pay particular attention to speed limits for cars, trucks, bikes, scooters, and pedestrians while you are out and about in Rehoboth Beach this month.
Current and past issues of the newsletter are available on the RBMS Website at Newsletter | Home | Rehoboth Beach Main Street (downtownrb.com)
New Businesses & Membership Renewals
RBMS welcomes the Coast Hotel & Sirocco Restaurant as a new member at the Green Partner level!
RBMS welcome new RBMS members Coastal Native and First State Corn & More!
RBMS thanks Elegant Slumming for renewing as an RBMS member!
For information about levels and benefits of RBMS membership, go to Join | Rehoboth Beach Main Street (downtownrb.com)
Showcasing Rehoboth Beach Businesses
Beaches—The Green Truck Shop
Peter Beck
A few months back, while waiting for a table at one of our favorite restaurants in town, my friends and I stopped in at a very fun new addition to the shopping scene in Rehoboth. Beaches—The Green Truck Shop has recently opened at the Shops at Baltimore Commons at 33C Baltimore Avenue!
We were immediately greeted by warm and friendly owners Dana and Kevin Peccon. The Peccons have recently moved here from Williamsport, Maryland, where they owned a similar shop called Three Simple Treasures since 2012.
Dana is enthusiastic about her new life in Rehoboth and loves the location of her new business. She stated that “the best kept secret are the businesses on Baltimore Avenue.” She feels that some visitors are not always aware of the charming shops and restaurants on the side streets; during the season, the pace is much more relaxed than the hustle and bustle on Rehoboth Avenue.
Throughout the cozy shop are all sorts of interesting gifts, antiques, and jewelry, as well as updated vintage pieces. All jewelry is handmade and imported from India; the young man who designs the pieces even calls Dana and Kevin his “American mom and dad”!
Why is the shop called the Green Truck Stop? Scattered around the shop are adorable little green toy trucks, placed there in honor of a 1966 green Chevy truck owned by Dana’s grandfather. Dana jokes that her grandfather used to say that he got the truck and a granddaughter in the same year!
In fact, Dana and Kevin still have the classic truck, which they hope to include in several activities after the season. Starting in September, they are hoping to park the truck once a month in front of the shop; shoppers could sit in the truck and enjoy a fun photo op! As well, they also plan to include the truck in this year’s Christmas parade in December.
At the Green Truck Shop, the “personal touch” abounds! Dana enjoys asking customers if they have any suggestions for items to order and getting feedback about her current offerings! Another fun perk of the shop is the treasure chest kept at the front counter. Customers fill out a card; once a month the owners will draw a name and give a free surprise gift to the customer. If the customers aren’t local, they are more than willing to ship the gift to them.
The Green Truck Shop is currently open from 11:00am to 8:00pm, seven days a week through the summer. For more information, call 301-491-1007 or check out their Facebook page to see all the wonderful possibilities available at the shop.
Atlantic Sands: A Longtime Favorite for Families, Couples…and Your Coworkers
Patricia Garrison
Just take a few steps into the newly renovated lobby of the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, at 1 Baltimore Avenue, and you’re in stress-free mode. The gleaming floors and soft neutral palette, spiked with ocean blue, and the creamy white tiled floor give off a serene, relaxing vibe that makes it impossible not to exhale.
This year, the hotel leads—including General Manager Craig Galeone, Sales Director Joe McDonald, Sales Manager Lindsay Odenwelder, and Food and Beverage Director Megan Hopkins—welcomed guests to a new outdoor spot, Kiwi’s Tiki Hut, and the recently renovated indoor restaurant, Kiwi Kove (both named after hotel owner Gene Lankford’s late, and much loved, pet bird). Both feature full menus with island-inspired fare, “a fun island vibe,” and gorgeous ocean views.
And while there’s the predictable bustle of activity during the summer months—with families flocking to enjoy the hotel’s proximity to the beach, its outdoor saltwater pool, and the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk—it’s equally busy during the shoulder and off-seasons, with corporate groups, weddings, and the return of locals.
“Summers are mainly families, fall brings our corporate business, and the locals are back again,” said Odenwelder. “But we still continue to do a heavy weekend business, with ocean and beachfront weddings.”
There may be a brief lull in December and January, but the brisk pace picks up again in February, with weekend and Valentine’s Day packages a particularly popular draw.
“We renovated half the lobby last winter,” she continued, adding that the other half, including the lounge area and the completion of a major renovation of the suite rooms in the hotel’s West Building, is slated for the spring of 2024. A gut renovation of the oceanfront rooms is scheduled for the off season in 2024 and 2025.
Built in 1955, the Atlantic Sands opened as a motel in 1960. Two years later, much of the property was rebuilt following destruction from a powerful nor’easter. By the early 2000s, a major transformation was underway with the addition of the West Building, with enclosed corridors, larger rooms, and over 10,000 square-foot meeting space transforming the motel into a 178-room, full-service hotel and conference center.
The conference center consists of the Swan Ballroom along with six additional breakout rooms, which can accommodate 40 people on up to 500 people, depending on set-up, making it one of the few properties in the area with both hotel and sizable meeting space.
The amenities attract a diverse mix of clientele, from couples planning an ocean or beachfront wedding to companies, universities, non-profits, and regional associations needing the room capacity and flexibility the Atlantic Sands offers.
“Our banquet space is really attractive,” said Hopkins. “We’re one of the only properties in Sussex County that has both the space and the breakout rooms that companies want for their meetings and conferences, and we now have new AV equipment and updated technology.”
Whether for business or pleasure, the Atlantic Sands Hotel offers unique features that promise an experience that is seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free.
“People really like the location,” said General Manager Craig Galeone. You can park your car, walk, and be on the beach.”
The Atlantic Sands is located at 1 Baltimore Avenue. To contact them: 302-227-2511, www.atlanticsandshotel.com.
Boutique W: Filling a Fashion Niche in Coastal Delaware
Colleen Evans
As the saying goes, age is only a number, especially when it comes to style. While many of us were once taught that top-tier design sensibilities were reserved for women under "a certain age," today’s fashion for women over 40 is more chic, sophisticated, and more fun than ever.
Now nowhere is that truer than at Boutique W at 168 Rehoboth Avenue.
Owner and creative director of Boutique W Robin Cohen wanted to create a safe place to shop where women would lift each other up and support each other, where within their walls they are age positive and body positive and work to ensure every woman leaves feeling better than when she walked in.
Cohen’s love for retail goes back to her childhood days staying at her grandparents’ home on the Jersey shore. It’s in her blood—Cohen’s grandmother was a milliner in NYC and had closets of handmade hats, beaded dresses, handbags, and of course drawers of jewelry. Cohen, along with her sister and cousins, would put together outfits and model for all the family and friends who were visiting.
While opening the Newtown Square store in Pennsylvania, Cohen felt the same childlike joy she had playing dress up years ago in her grandmother's closet. Opening the Rehoboth Beach location, she began to see what was really happening, Boutique W was filling a niche for women in this quaint coastal Delaware town. Clients were finding joy, not only in the clothing selections, but in the pampering attention of being personally outfitted.
"While women know who they are and are authentic to their style, I think there’s no reason why they can’t be a little daring and try something new. Whether that be a bright print or a new color, I don’t think there should be limitations" says Cohen. “I'm a big believer that, when it comes to fashion, age is just a number—and I love seeing people continue to dress vibrantly with a strong identity, well into their golden years. We believe that it is more about attitude and lifestyle than age.”
Boutique W features clothing that helps you look as young as you feel, and the personalized attention from the boutique’s knowledgeable staff offers shopping secrets to help you find items that fit and flatter your figure—and don’t break the bank. Boutique W has their own line of classic basics called Palette that change color with the seasons, along with colorful signature tutus, and customer favorite necklaces from Netherlands designer Annemieke Broenink, made with upcycled rubber and fabric.
With a wide range of clothing styles for every age, shape, and size, there’s only one way to describe clothing found here: timeless.
“The personal touch of our local, seasoned fashion experts assisting you with their knowledge, seeing first-hand what the items look like, how they fit is the inspiration for you looking your best” says Cohen.
Cohen believes that you should not let anyone tell you not to take risks. “Go with what you feel best in, find your own style identity, and make it your own.” Phone: 302-226-7554.
News from RBMS Members
Beaches—The Green Truck Shop Story on Delmarva Life
Congratulations to Beaches—The Green Truck Shop! This newly opened store on Baltimore Avenue was featured in a WBOC Delmarva Life story on August 8. To view the episode, go to: Katie Takes A Trip To Rehoboth Beach To Visit Beaches The Green Truck Shop | Delmarvalife | wboc.com
Beaches—The Green Truck Shop Labor Day Sale
Beaches~ The Green Truck Shop, 33-C Baltimore Avenue, is having a storewide Labor Day Sale—September 1–5. All items are 15% off!!
News from Rehoboth Beach Main Street
Did You Know… What’s the RBMS Reach via our Newsletter, Website, and Social Media?
Did you know: We reach many folks—business owners, residents, and visitors—via RBMS’ various communication strategies.
· The newsletter, which is e-mailed monthly, has more than 1,500 subscribers. Several hundred users access the newsletter via the RBMS website every month. We post the newsletter on Facebook with a link to the website version, and many Share the newsletter on their pages. So, our newsletter reach is more than 2,000 each month!
· Facebook reach: This metric counts reach from the organic or paid distribution of our Facebook content, including posts, stories, and ads. It also includes reach from other sources, such as tags, check-ins, and page or profile visits. This number also includes reach from posts and stories that were boosted. Reach is only counted once if it occurs from both organic and paid distribution. Looking at our reach during the last 3 months, we have 74,183 unique views, which is up 43.9% over the prior quarter. The RBMS Facebook page has 9,066 followers.
· Instagram reach: This metric counts reach from the organic or paid distribution of our Instagram content, including posts and stories that were boosted. Reach is only counted once if it occurs from both organic and paid distribution. During the last 3 months we have had 9,159 views on Instagram, up 33% over the prior quarter. RBMS Instagram has 3,993 followers.
Regarding the RBMS Website:
· Site session: A session is a visit to our site. A unique visitor can have more than one site session. During the last 3 months, the RBMS website has had 25,837 sessions, up 46% over the prior quarter.
· Unique visitors: The number of people who visited our website. A visitor is considered unique when he or she connects from a different browser or device (IP address). During the last 3 months the RBMS website has had 15,255 unique visitors, up 32% over the prior quarter.
Looking for something to do on a September afternoon...
Rehoboth Beach Then and Now—Take a self-guided walking tour on the Built Story mobile app! Tour takers can explore downtown Rehoboth Beach and learn about the 19th century religious summer camp, how the fires and storms shaped the community, the transformative impact of the railroad, and the illustrious citizens who made Rehoboth Beach what it is today. The app is available from either Android or iPhone app stores for free. The 15-stop tour of downtown focuses on how the city evolved from its 19th century roots as a rural community, the arrival of the summer religious camp in the 1870s, the arrival of the railroad, and the “battles” between the “saints and sinners” that influenced the later development of the community.
The Built Story mobile app is free and tickets for each tour are $10.00. Tickets for individual tours are good for 30 days and may be viewed more than once. The Built Story app is also your gateway to other tours around the world. Half of the proceeds from this tour benefit Rehoboth Beach Main Street. For more information, call the RBMS office at 302-227-2772.
Check out the story on the RBMS Rehoboth Beach Then and Now in the August issue of Delaware Beach Life!
Rehoboth in Bloom
On Monday, August 21, 14 Rehoboth in Bloom members toured the gardens at Baywood Greens and Country Club. Our guide, Brian, described the plants as we drove through the property. The diversity and quality of the plants are overwhelming. The bridges, in particular, were so impressive. Lunch followed where the discussion was enthusiastic and vibrant.
Cottage and Town Awards
The RBMS Cottage and Town Awards celebrate the charm, beauty, and history of Rehoboth Beach. The 2023 Awards will be announced later this month.
The award categories are:
1. Best new construction
2. Best renovation/reconstruction
3. Best landscape design
4. Best commercial construction
Sponsors for the Cottage and Town Awards are RBMS Organization Committee Chair Rick Perry and Board Member Sandra Skidmore. Thank you, Rick and Sandra!
Winner announcements will be posted on the RBMS Website and in the Cape Gazette. The Bellmoor Inn and Spa has once again offered to host the Award ceremony—the Award ceremony date has been changed to September 24.
News from the City of Rehoboth Beach
At their August 18 meeting, Rehoboth Beach commissioners approved a construction contract with Delmarva Veteran Builders to reconstruct the Rehoboth Beach Patrol headquarters/public comfort station facility at Baltimore Avenue and the boardwalk. The approved construction contract is for $4,897,000, and demolition of the existing facility is expected to begin on or around September 18.
The new two-story, 5,500 square foot building will be constructed in two phases, primarily during the next two off-seasons. The goal is to have the first-level, accessible public comfort station completed in time for the 2024 season with construction of the entire facility essentially complete by May 2025.
While the Rehoboth Beach Patrol has a rich 100+ year history in the community, its headquarters, constructed in 1987 and affectionately and all-too accurately referred to as “the shack,” is showing its age and limitations. The current facility has several concerning shortcomings:
· The medical room has no sanitary sink, lacks privacy, and has only an old air conditioning unit that can’t cool the area sufficiently in mid-summer; the space also issued as an office.
· One bathroom for all personnel, medical crew, and members of the public who visit or receive services at headquarters.
· Facility damage due to prolonged exposure over nearly four decades to damp, salty conditions.
· A rear shower that at times cannot be used due to sewage backup; guards must wash off using an outside spigot.
· There is insufficient electrical capacity in the kitchenette and power station area for radios.
· Staff lockers are rusty and becoming unsecure.
The new facility has been designed by Davis, Bowen & Friedel to provide for:
· A state-of-the-art beach patrol facility that gives lifeguards improved sightlines along the beach.
· Quick response and functionality.
· A gateway between the boardwalk and Baltimore Avenue.
· Flexibility for after-hours and non-season use.
· A public comfort station with additional facilities that are accessible and easily navigable from the boardwalk.
More information, photos, and renderings are available on the city’s Reach Out Rehoboth platform. You may leave comments or questions there or email feedback@cityofrehoboth.com.
Reach Out Rehoboth is the city’s new stakeholder engagement platform. The site provides information about ongoing city projects, such as the new beach patrol/comfort station facility as well as the traffic and parking study and Wilming/Baltimore Streetscape project. Most importantly, Reach Out Rehoboth allows registered participants to provide ideas, feedback, suggestions, comments, and questions through a variety of engagement tools.
Rehoboth Beach Featured in a Travel + Leisure Article
Rehoboth Beach was featured in a story in Travel + Leisure magazine in August. The article, This Delaware Beach Town Is Known as the 'Nation's Summer Capital' — and It's One of the Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home, includes a phenomenon we’ve become accustomed to: “You might even spot the president there.”
The article notes, “So what draws the president—and tens of thousands of other vacationers—to this corner of the First State? The charm of Rehoboth Beach is that it is the quintessential all-American seaside resort with a beautiful wide sandy beach, a mile-long iconic boardwalk, and a downtown area bustling with mom-and-pop ice cream parlors, shops, and restaurants. A number of trendy seafood places offering local oysters have popped up in addition to fine dining eateries treating patrons to everything from fresh crab to Asian-fusion cuisine.
‘As Delaware's most popular beach town, Rehoboth Beach draws large crowds during the summer months and is a top choice for vacationers seeking old-fashioned fun in an oceanfront setting,’ Daned Kirkham, senior director of real estate at Vacasa, told Travel + Leisure.”
Interview with a City of Rehoboth Beach Official: Laurence Christian
Peter Pizzolongo
The RBMS Newsletter will include a new feature, beginning with this issue. We will interview career and elected city officials in an effort to help residents, business owners, and visitors enhance their awareness of ways in which we work together to ensure that “The Rehoboth Experience” is a positive one for all. PJP
Laurence Christian is the City of Rehoboth Beach’s new City Manager, appointed by the Board of Commissioners in November 2022. Mr. Christian began in this position in January 2023. His background has provided the knowledge and experiences well suited for his role in our town. Following a 23-year career in the U.S. Army, Mr. Christian served as Municipal Manager of Bethel Park, a community of 33,000 in western Pennsylvania, for three years prior to assuming the position in Delaware.
During his time in the Army, Mr. Christian had multiple deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan and most recently served as Infantry Brigade deputy commander/chief of staff at Fort Benning, Georgia. Over the course of his military career, he held a variety of leadership roles in organizations ranging from 30 to 1,700 personnel. As senior leader of operations, personnel, training, and logistics at Fort Benning, he helped manage a 730-person organization in direct support of national strategic objectives.
He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2019 and became one of only 14 selected to participate in the International City/County Management Association’s Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship cohort program, designed to prepare veterans for local government leadership roles. Through the program, he served as an intern/military fellow with the city manager’s office in Columbus, Georgia.
In Bethel Park, Mr. Christian was responsible for oversight of a staff of 108 full- and part-time employees, as well as a $71 million annual combined budget. He created the information technology and human resources departments in Bethel Park and established a cross-divisional communications team to address resident engagement and communication. He also established the first-ever council vision statement and corresponding municipal mission statement, values, and guiding principles, which are resident focused, business friendly, and inclusive.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Christian on August 14. A gregarious and ‘by the rules’ leader, Laurence Christian is just what Rehoboth Beach needs in a City Manager at this time!
What Brought Mr. Christian to This Position?
In a word: Family. Mr. Christian’s wife’s family are Fenwick Islanders. He and his wife, Anne Marie, know that it’s important for their three children—ages 11, 9 and 6—to get to know their grandparents, cousins, and other family members. Knowing and loving the Delmarva area, with a background that excellently prepared him for the role of City Manager, a “wonderful opportunity presented itself.”
What Is the Best Feature of Rehoboth Beach—and How Does the City Support This?
Rehoboth Beach occupies one square mile of land. While we’re “tightly packed,” this relatively small area promotes an understanding of what’s going on by residents, businesses, and visitors. To support and enhance this understanding, the City is launching a new communications module that will include ongoing and planned projects, with pictures. Subscribers to the module will receive regular information on Rehoboth Beach Happenings and have opportunities to participate in polls and surveys—ensuring they have a voice in planning for the City.
In addition, we are currently reviewing new City Website options that will promote the best features of Rehoboth Beach, with an emphasis on doing things that are “environmentally sound.”
What Are the Greatest Challenges Facing Rehoboth Beach?
The impacts of environmental changes need to be addressed by the City and its partners. We need to plan for the changes that are currently happening as well as foresee possible future changes—and address these.
Workforce housing presents a challenge for the City and its partners, as well. We need to study the problem and identify what we should do to alleviate this challenge. What is the severity of the workforce housing shortage? What is the impact on the City and businesses? How do we ensure a balance of vacation homes with an infrastructure that supports the workforce?
How Can RBMS Work with the City to Enhance “The Rehoboth Experience”?
A collaborative approach by the City with all partners is necessary; the public-private partnership is key to ensuring that Rehoboth Beach is “resident focused and business friendly.” It’s important for City representatives to ‘get on the ground’ and assess what is needed to ensure the vitality of our town.
Rehoboth Beach is indeed fortunate to have Laurence Christian as City Manager, and we look forward to the improvements he and his team will be planning and instituting in the current months and years ahead!
Note: A portion of this article was adapted from the November 2, 2022, article on the City of Rehoboth Beach website, Community Leader and Army Veteran Is Rehoboth’s Next City Manager.
Inaugural 86 Hook & Ladder BrewFest
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company will hold a BrewFest fundraiser on Saturday, September 9. Fest-goers will have the opportunity to sip on samples of a variety of regional craft breweries while enjoying food, music, raffles, and giveaways.
This event will be held indoors on September 9 from 12:00noon to 4:00pm at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Avenue. All proceeds benefit the purchase of equipment for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, a 501c3 non-profit non-government organization.
Cast your vote for each category as the brew vendors battle it out for the Best in Brew, Best IPA, and Best Beard. Tickets are $45 for adult drinkers and $5 for adult non-drinkers.
Attention VIPs:
$10 VIP Discount for all teachers, health care workers, military, and first responders. Enter code FIRE86 at checkout.
Tickets can be purchased directly online at https://rbvfirecompany.ticketleap.com/beerfest/
To be a vendor or for more information email brewfest@rehobothbeachfire.com.
AIDS Walk Delaware
The AIDS Walk Delaware annual fundraiser in Sussex County will be held on Saturday, September 16, from 9:00am to 12:00pm, kicking off in Grove Park. The event is presented jointly by AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium—working to advance HIV awareness, eliminate the stigma of AIDS, and provide HIV-informed community health for all Delawareans. (Note: There is also an AIDS Walk Delaware event in Wilmington on the same day.)
NOTE: To receive a Walk T-shirt you must be a registered walker and donate or raise $30. This applies to Individuals, Teams, and Team Members.
To register for the AIDS Walk, go to: https://tinyurl.com/5d93twte
Contact information: Josh at 302-241-3327.
About the Walk
AIDS Walk Delaware is the state’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event and has historically attracted over 800 participants and volunteers. This year, the organizers hope to raise $100,000 in support of free, confidential HIV testing, education and prevention programs, medical case management services, HIV-specific mental health counseling, and housing and transportation services.
Who Benefits
In addition to AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium, other HIV service organizations benefit financially from the Walk, including Ministry of Caring, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Latin American Community Center, William J. Holloway Community Program, and CAMP Rehoboth.
Want to Volunteer or Promote the Walk?
Click HERE to read about volunteer opportunities to help before and after the Walk.
Promote the walk & download - AIDS Walk Flyer or AIDS Walk Poster.
Knowledge Neighborhood—Exhibit or Visit
The Knowledge Neighborhood, located in Grove Park for the Sussex County AIDS Walk, is an open-air, informational marketplace where walkers can gain awareness about community organizations and local and national businesses. It allows walkers face-to-face interaction with exhibitors to get information about their services and to ask questions about their cause, services, or business. To register to exhibit, click HERE.
There is also a Virtual Knowledge Neighborhood, which can be viewed from the AIDS Walk Delaware website and will be hosted all year on both AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium’s sites.
“With your help we can raise $100K+ again this year.”
Rehoboth Beach Bears Weekend
The Rehoboth Beach Bears have been busy planning the 8th Annual Rehoboth Beach Bears Weekend! The event will be held Thursday, September 14 to Sunday, September 17. The Rehoboth Beach Bears is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of camaraderie and inclusiveness. The Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend is the organization’s flagship event and fundraiser for their Scholarship Fund for LGBTQIA+ youth in Sussex and Kent Counties and other philanthropy efforts.
The schedule for the weekend events is:
Wednesday, September 13
· 3:00–9:00pm: Pre-Weekend Social Dinner (Beer and Benevolence) at Chesapeake & Maine
· 9:00pm–12:00am: Late Night Bar at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub
Thursday, September 14
· 4:00–9:00pm: Registration & Vendor Mall at the Sands Hotel
· 3:00–9:00pm: Luau Meet n’ Greet at the Sands Hotel Tiki Bar*
· 9:30pm–1:00am: Late Night Bar Crawl at Top of the Pines
Friday, September 15
· 12:00–9:00pm: Registration & Vendor Mall at the Sands Hotel
· 3:00–6:00pm: Bear Happy Hour at Above the Dunes
· 7:00–10:00pm: Ballroom Event (Luau Party) at the Sands Hotel*
· 10:00pm–1:00am: Late Night Bar Crawl at Rigby’s
Saturday, September 16
· 9:00am–12:00pm: AIDS Walk Delaware, kickoff at Grove Park
· 9:00am–12:00pm: Registration at the Sands Hotel
· 9:00am–9:00pm: Vendor Mall at the Sands Hotel
· 10:00am–3:00pm: Bears on Gordons Pond at Gordons Pond State Park Beach*
· 3:00–6:00pm: Bear Happy Hour at the Blue Moon
· 3:00–6:00pm: Bear Art Show at CAMP Rehoboth
· 7:00pm & 9:00pm: Entertainment—Tom Goss (two shows) at the Sands Hotel*
· 10:00pm–1:00am: Late Night Bar Crawl at Aqua
Sunday, September 17
· 8:00–11:00am: Vendor Mall at the Sands Hotel
· 8:30–11:00am: Brunch (RSVP Required) at the Sands Hotel*
· 1:00–4:00pm: Closing Party at The Purple Parrot—Biergarten
* Requires a weekend pass or a la carte ticket
Tickets for the events are still available! To purchase, go to Purchase Tickets – Rehoboth Beach Bears or use the QR Code on the image at the top of this article.
Mrs. Roper Romp 2023 Comes to Rehoboth Beach in September
The first annual Mrs. Roper Romp in Rehoboth Beach will take place on Saturday, September 23.
The “romp” is a costumed bar crawl based on Mrs. Helen Roper, a character on the wildly popular 1970s TV show, “Three’s Company.” Mrs. Roper was a wise-cracking, caftan-wearing, love-deprived wife of landlord Stanley Roper. The romp began in 2013 as a “Million Mrs. Roper March” of men and women in caftans and curly red wigs during a New Orleans parade. Today, there are countless Mrs. Roper Romp/Bar Crawl groups all over the world!
The day will begin at 12:30 p.m. with all Mrs. Ropers gathering for a group photo in front of the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. From 1:00–4:00pm, the group will romp all over downtown Rehoboth Beach to spread good cheer and take advantage of the specials being offered.
Over 10 local bars and restaurants will participate by offering food and drink specials to those in costume, as well as other surprises.
Donation boxes will be available at each location. This year, the event will raise funds for Rehoboth Beach Main Street and West Side New Beginnings.
As this issue of the RBMS Newsletter was completed, the following venues are participating in the Romp:
· Above the Dunes · Blackwall Hitch · Blue Moon · Boutique W · Freddie’s · Jam · Kiwi’s Tiki Hut · Purple Parrot Grill · Rehoboth Ale House · Rigby’s · Tiki Jac’s · Zogg’s
More detailed information, including a complete list of participating venues, can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/mrsroperrehoboth.
Just announced! Special rates for Mrs. Roper at Holiday Inn Express.
· September 22, 2023 $239.00+
· September 23, 2023 $239.00+
Rate includes: Full breakfast Buffet. Welcome Gift at check in.
To reserve at this special rate, you: ***MUST*** Email: jlodge@hiexrehoboth.com
Rooms available UNTIL THEY ARE GONE! BOOK EARLY.
EDGE Grants Available and SizeUpDelaware
The Delaware Division of Small Business will reopen the Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Program on September 1! EDGE is a competition for grant funding. Five STEM-based companies can each receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses, while five Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can each receive up to $50,000.
The Division of Small Business will present a SizeUpDelaware Information Session on Wednesday, September 6 at 1:00pm. The Division and Armando Morales will provide information on how to use SizeUpDelaware to propel your business to the next level and strengthen your EDGE application! SizeUpDelaware is a free, robust business analytics and insights tool designed to support small and medium-sized businesses in a variety of stages. Beyond supporting your current business, SizeUpDelaware has the ability to reinforce your EDGE Competition application with data, performance and analytics.
SizeUpDelaware can help with the following questions (and so much more!):
· Who are my competitors and how do I perform compared to them?
· How can I find more customers?
· How do I identify the best places to locate and advertise my business?
Visit de.gov/edge for registration details.
Spotlighting Small Businesses
The Delaware Division of Small Business is spotlighting small business gems throughout Delaware that make this state shine! We know you’re passionate about your business and why you do it—so why not share that story with the State! The Division has created a form for you to easily share information about what an incredible small business you own.
Note: You must have a State of Delaware Business License to be considered.
Mark Your Calendars
The following events are happening in early fall!
· Young Frankenstein at Clear Space Theatre, October 13–29
· CAMP Rehoboth Block Party: October 15, 12:00–4:00pm
· SeaWitch Weekend: October 27–29
Save the Date
“Ephemeral Memoirs” by Jason Wright
Friday, 9/1 to 9/20 with Opening Reception 9/1, 5:30 to 8:00pm
The exhibition runs through 9/20/23
Gallery 50
50A Wilmington Avenue
Join Gallery 50 for opening night, Friday, September 1, from 5:30 to 8:00pm to meet the artist. The exhibit runs through September 20, 2023. For information: Gallery 50 - Contemporary Art & Framing - Delaware (gallery50art.com)
Artist Statement: In my artistic practice, I explore the concept of memory and its transient nature through the series titled “Ephemeral Memoirs.” Inspired by the fleeting moments that shape our lives, I aim to capture the essence of these ephemeral experiences and transform them into visual narratives.
Memory is a delicate and elusive phenomenon, constantly evolving and subject to distortion. Through my work, I seek to preserve these fleeting memories, allowing them to transcend time and space. By combining various mediums such as oil, oil pastels, crayons, beeswax, and resin, I create layered compositions that evoke a sense of nostalgia and introspection.
Each artwork in “Ephemeral Memoirs” is a visual representation of a specific memory, a fragment of a larger story.
Ultimately, “Ephemeral Memoirs” is an invitation to embrace the beauty and fragility of memory. It is a celebration of the fleeting moments that define us, reminding us to cherish the present and acknowledge the impermanence of our past.
Funland rehoboth
Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue
September Schedule, 9/1 through 9/10
It’s hard to believe the summer season is coming to an end so we wanted to make sure everyone has a chance visit Funland Rehoboth before they close for the season. Be sure to check out their new Bumper Cars, which were delivered last month, as well as all the other fun rides and games.
Funland rehoboth
September Schedule
· Friday, 9/1 – Games 1pm to 11pm; Rides 1:00pm to 10:45pm
· Saturday and Sunday, 9/2 and 9/3 – Games 10:00am to 11:00pm; Rides 1:00pm to 10:45pm
· Monday, 9/4 (Labor Day) – Games 10:00am to 9:00pm; Rides 1:00pm to 9:00pm
· Tuesday and Wednesday, 9/5 and 9/6 – Park closed.
· Thursday, 9/7 – Games and Rides 5:00pm to 9:00pm
· Friday, 9/8 – Games and Rides 6:00pm to 10:00pm
· Saturday, 9/9 – Games 1:00pm to 11:00pm; Rides 1:00 pm to 10:45pm
· Sunday, 9/10 – Games and Rides 1:00pm to 9:00pm
· Monday, 9/11 – Closed for Season
For updated information on the above schedule and general information about Funland Rehoboth, please visit https://funlandrehoboth.com
SunFestival 2023
A Fundraiser to Support CAMP Rehoboth
Saturday and Sunday, 9/2 and 9/3
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
229 Rehoboth Avenue
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Rehoboth Beach at SunFestival 2023. Delight in two nights of fun with headlining entertainment and nationally recognized DJs. As the ultimate party to close out the summer, SunFestival sells out every year while supporting a great cause. All proceeds benefit CAMP Rehoboth. For tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunfestival-2023-afundraiser-to-benefit-camp-rehoboth-tickets-598001798477
CAMP Rehoboth’s SunFestival Auction
Saturday, 9/2, 7:00pm
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
229 Rehoboth Avenue
Led by dynamic auctioneer Tom Protack. Items up for bid include four dream vacation packages, as well as other spectacular events, items, and experiences. Following the auction, the audience will be treated to A Night of Comedy, Drag, and Song featuring headliners Dixie Longate and Randy Roberts. Tickets start at $45. For more information, go to www.camprehoboth.com/sunfestival2023.
Clear Space presents Jesus Christ Superstar
9/1 & 9/2 at 7:30pm
Clear Space Theatre
20 Baltimore Avenue
What’s the buzz? The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 40 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.”
Buy tickets for all performances at www.clearspacetheatre.org
Final Bow 2023
Saturday, 9/2, 10:00pm
Clear Space Theatre
20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach
Come enjoy a fun-filled cabaret style performance featuring our summer cast as they take their “Final Bow” before embarking on their next adventure. For information, go to https://clearspacetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/patronticket__publicticketapp#/events/a0S2M00000OuMR0UAN
33rd Annual Last Blast Prediction Labor Day 5k
Saturday, 9/2, 7:30am
Grove Park, 511 Rehoboth Avenue
Join the Seashore Striders in Rehoboth Beach for the 33rd annual Last Blast Prediction 5k Run/Walk. The race will start at Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach at 7:30am. The event will also present the Seashore Strider Summer Race Series awards.
Chipper Dipper Hearn, owner of The Ice Cream Shop in Rehoboth Beach, agreed to sponsor the Last Blast 5k and is going to provide the Last Blast race and the Series qualifiers with our own “Strider Swirl” ice cream and, as a bonus, there will also be a “Series Surprise” ice cream as well. For more information, go to: hhtps://www.seashorestriders.com/race-schedule/33rd-last-blast-prediction-5krehoboth-beach-de
Rehoboth Beach Museum: Piping Out on the Boardwalk
Monday, 9/4, at 5:30pm
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
An end of summer tradition recreated. The Rehoboth Beach Museum will host a Piping Out parade, recreating the parades of the 1970s and’80s. Bring your kazoo and walk along from the north end of the Boardwalk to the center of the boardwalk as we bid farewell to the summer season. For more information, go to https://www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org/index.php/calendar/147-piping-out/2023-09-04-17-30
Rehoboth Beach Museum
Dine a Rama—Win $2,000 worth of Gift Cards
Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20
Drawing: Monday, 9/4, at 5:30pm
Win $2,000 worth of Gift Cards from 15 of your favorite local eateries to benefit the Rehoboth Beach Museum (Arena’s, Ava’s Hospitality Group, Back Porch Café, Big Fish Restaurant Group, Confucius Chinese Cuisine, Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats, Highway One Group of Restaurants, Houston White Company, Indigo Restaurant, La Fable, Mariachi Restaurant, Nicola Pizza, The Pines, Shorebreak Lodge, and SODEL Concepts). To purchase raffle tickets, visit the Museum at 511 Rehoboth Avenue or buy online at https://www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org/index.php?option=com_jdbuilder&view=page&id=7
Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market
Tuesday, September 5, 12, 19, & 26, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Grove Park
Market bags and produce bags are available for purchase at the entrance. The RBFM is open rain or shine. Looking for fresh food, beautiful flowers, and unique artisanal goods in Rehoboth Beach? Look no further than our farmers’ market! Our market offers locally sourced and seasonal produce, handmade goods from local artisans, and a community gathering place every Tuesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The Farmers Market provides a unique shopping experience that celebrates the best of Rehoboth Beach. Don't miss out on the freshest and most flavorful products the market has to offer! For information go to rbfarmersmarket.com
Afternoon Jackpot Bingo at Cape Henlopen Senior Center
11 Christian Street, Rehoboth Beach
Wednesday, 9/6, Doors open at 11:30am, games start at 1:00pm
The cost is $20 per person and includes one game pack and specials. Additional games and food may be purchased. The public is welcome, but you must be over 18 to participate. We have afternoon Jackpot Bingo on the first Wednesday of each month. For more information, call 302-227-2055.
Rehoboth Beach Museum—Walking Tours
Thursdays, 9/7 and 9/21, at 9:00am
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society hosts walking tours beginning at the Bandstand. The personal walking tours stroll from the bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue, down the boardwalk and side streets. Our tour guides combine their knowledge of the ever-changing history of Rehoboth Beach with their personal memories and research at the museum. The tour is a gentle 2-hour stroll around downtown Rehoboth Beach. Tour participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water or fill up a water bottle at the historic Women’s Christian Temperance Union Fountain on the Boardwalk, one of the landmarks mentioned on the tour. There are restrooms available in the bandstand area.
Registration is required. The cost of the tour is $10/person, payable in cash to the tour guide on the day of the tour. See the tour guide for parking pass for walking tour event only.
To register, go to: https://www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org/index.php/calendar/151-walking-tours/2023-09-07-09-00
Walk to Defeat ALS
Saturday, 9/9, Check in at 8:30a.m; walk starts at 9:30am
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk
The Walk to Defeat ALS Rehoboth is on Saturday, 9/9. Check-in will begin promptly at 8:30am and the Walk will start after a brief Opening Ceremony at 9:30am. Parking is available on Rehoboth Avenue. The Parking Meters start at 10:00am, so we encourage you to check the meters when you park or download the Parkmobile app to pay by phone. The Walk will begin at the Bandstand by the Boardwalk. If you raised $90 by August 23, visit the t-shirt table to collect your Walk shirt. For further information go to:
Inaugural 86 Hook & Ladder BrewFest
Saturday, September 9
12:00noon to 4:00pm
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
229 Rehoboth Avenue
The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company will hold a BrewFest fundraiser on Saturday, September 9. Fest-goers will have the opportunity to sip on samples of a variety of regional craft breweries while enjoying food, music, raffles, and giveaways.
See story above.
Rehoboth Beach Bears Weekend
September 14–17
Various venues
The Rehoboth Beach Bears have been busy planning the 8th Annual Rehoboth Beach Bears Weekend! The event will be held Thursday, September 14 to Sunday, September 17. The Rehoboth Beach Bears is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of camaraderie and inclusiveness. The Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend is the organization’s flagship event and fundraiser for their Scholarship Fund for LGBTQIA+ youth in Sussex and Kent Counties and other philanthropy efforts.
To see the schedule: Schedule – Rehoboth Beach Bears. To purchase tickets: Purchase Tickets – Rehoboth Beach Bears
See story above.
Mid Atlantic Volleyball – Last Rites of Summer - Mayor’s Cup
Saturday and Sunday, 9/16 and 9/17 – Check in both days at 7:45am to 8:30am at Atlantic Jewelry Shop, The Boardwalk at Laurel Street
Beach Volleyball Doubles, Triples, Sixes and Juniors
Saturday: Men’s and Women’s 2s: AAA, A, BB, B
Seniors 2s Men’s and Women’s: 50+ and 60+
Men’s, Women’s 3s: A, BB, B
Juniors 3s: 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U
Sunday: Coeds 2s: AAA, AA, A, BB, B
Seniors 4s Men’s and Women’s: 50+ and 60+
Coed 3s: A, BB, B
Coed 6s: A and B
For registration and more information, please visit https://www.mavolleyball.org/mayors-cup
AIDS Walk Delaware
Saturday, 9/16, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Rehoboth Beach in Grove Park, Columbia Avenue and Grove Street
Near the Visitor’s Center and Rehoboth Beach Museum
501 Rehoboth Avenue
AIDS Walk Delaware is the state’s largest and oldest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event and has historically attracted over 800 participants and volunteers. This year, they hope to raise $100,00 in support of free, confidential HIV testing, education and prevention programs, medical case management services, HIV specific mental health counseling, and housing and transportation services.
In addition to AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium, other HIV services organizations benefit from the Walk, including Ministry of Caring, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Latin American Community Center, William J. Holloway Community Program, and CAMP Rehoboth.
Free parking. Please consider carpooling. To receive a Walk T-shirt you must be a registered walker and donate or raise $30. This applies to Individuals, Teams, and Team Members. For more information and to register, go to: https://www.givegab.com/campaigns/aids-walk-delaware-2023-37eae617-0ac8-4871-a5e2-dcd4928d1431
See story above.
E-Racing the Blues Walk
Sunday, 9/17, 10:15am
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
Registration opens at 10:00am. In addition to the walk (1 to 2 miles, your choice), The Mental Health Association in Delaware will host attractions that include Tai Chi instruction, raffle prizes, a craft for kids, refreshments, and free T-shirts for adult registrants. The event is free for kids under age 12 and $30 for adults. To register, go to 2023 — E-Racing the Blues for Mental Health 2023 — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising
Clear Space Theatre presents “The Cemetery Club”
Thursdays to Saturdays, 9/21 to 9/23 and 9/28 to 9/30 at 7:00pm; Sundays, 9/24 and 10/1, at 2:00pm
20 Baltimore Avenue
While the title may imply drama, this comedy is done very much in the style of a sitcom—think THE GOLDEN GIRLS. Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life (ROSE), Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun (BLANCHE), and Doris is priggish and judgmental (DOROTHY), particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. He meets the widows while visiting his wife’s grave. Comedy ensues. The play was made into a film starring Ellen Burstyn, Diane Ladd, and Olympia Dukakis.
For tickets, got to Buy: The Cemetery Club (salesforce-sites.com) or call 302-227-2270.
Free Fall Fitness Showcase
Friday, 9/22, 9:00am to 3:00pm
11 Christian Street
A 20-minute demonstration on each of the following classes: Arthritis Exercise, Line Dancing, LaBlast, Sit & Get Fit, Stress Reducing Movement, Tai Chi, Cardia Drumming, and Chair Yoga. A light lunch immediately following class demonstrations. Register by calling 302-227-2055. Cutoff date is Monday, September 18th.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, 9/23 – 8:00am – Registration; Opening Ceremonies at 9:00am
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
This is a family-friendly event raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, research, and support. Register at 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Rehoboth Beach, DE | Walk to End Alzheimer's
St. Vincent de Paul Walk for the Poor
Saturday, 9/23, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Students participate in this walk from St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church, 407 King Charles Avenue, to the Boardwalk and back to raise funds for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Mrs. Roper Romp 2023
Saturday, September 23, Group Photo at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand at 12:30pm
Romp: 1:00–4:00pm
The first annual Mrs. Roper Romp in Rehoboth Beach will take place on Saturday, September 23.
The “romp” is a costumed bar crawl based on Mrs. Helen Roper, a character on the wildly popular 1970s TV show, “Three’s Company.” Mrs. Roper was a wise-cracking, caftan-wearing, love-deprived wife of landlord Stanley Roper. The romp began in 2013 as a “Million Mrs. Roper March” of men and women in caftans and curly red wigs during a New Orleans parade. Today, there are countless Mrs. Roper Romp/Bar Crawl groups all over the world!
The day will begin at 12:30 p.m. with all Mrs. Ropers gathering for a group photo in front of the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. From 1:00–4:00pm, the group will romp all over downtown Rehoboth Beach to spread good cheer and take advantage of the specials being offered.
See story above.
2023 Walk Like MADD Delaware
Sunday, 9/24, 9:00am to Noon
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
MADD’s signature fundraising event raises both awareness and funds to end drunk driving and fight drugged driving. This and other walks around the country support MADD’s lifesaving mission to keep families and communities safe.
To register and for more information, go to: https://www.walklikemadd.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1396
Rehoboth Beach History Lecture—“Bill Bright, Saint or Sinner”
Thursday, 9/28, 7:15pm to 8:30pm
Sussex Room, Boardwalk Plaza Hotel
2 Olive Avenue at the Boardwalk
The colorful Bill Bright, hailing from Wilmington, was the most influential figure in Rehoboth’s infancy, 1873 to 1893. He built the town’s first privately owned hotel in 1875; brought the railroad into town shortly thereafter; became embroiled in a highly reported scandal over moral standards; then oversaw the takeover of City management from the Methodist Episcopal founders. Come to the lecture; see the images; hear the stories.
Call Paul at 302-893-9391 to reserve. $25/lecture. All proceeds support the “Railroad Era Rehoboth Avenue” diorama.
Enjoy dinner in the beautiful Victoria’s Restaurant (not included in lecture fee). Call Victoria’s at 302-227-0615 to make a 5:00 or 5:30 dinner reservation.
Editor’s Note
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Peter Pizzolongo, Newsletter Editor, at PeterRBMS@gmail.com.
