The Great Delaware Kite Festival, co-sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, takes place at Cape Henlopen State Park on Good Friday, APRIL 2, 2010. This popular annual event regionally attracts kite fliers and spectators who line up to see the Easter Bunny and Kody O’Bear of Bear Hugs for Babies during the morning competitions.

There is no entry fee for competitors. The competitions are in three age categories: Children-Up to age 12; Teens-13-17 and Adults-18 & older. Within each age category, kite flyers are judged by the type of kite they are flying—home-made or store-bought. The Highest Kite Award category is open to all ages and takes place at 12:15 p.m. There is no charge to watch. Entrance fees apply for cars to enter the State Park which will be collected at the entrance to the Park – $4 per car for Delaware license tags and $8 per car for out-of-state tags.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. The Children’s and Teen’s competitions take place from 10:00 a.m. to Noon followed by the awards ceremony for the morning competitions. The Adult Competitions, Stunt Kite Competitions, Novice Individual Precision Competitions and the Open Individual Ballet Competitions follow the Highest Kite Competition which begins immediately after the morning awards ceremony. The awards ceremony for the afternoon competitions concludes the day’s activities. Note that the times may vary according to weather conditions and the number of competitors.

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On April Fools’ Day – April 1, the businesses in the Lewes Historic Commercial District surrounding Second Street continue their monthly evening of extended hours with in-store specials .” First Thursdays – Celebrate Lewes Life” began last fall.

This month’s first Thursday is the prelude to the Easter holiday weekend. Appropriately, a lovely Easter basket filled with merchandise and gift certificates will be raffled off. Participating businesses will have their customers fill out a raffle ticket with each purchase and collect them for the raffle drawing following the event. The winner will be notified by phone and does not need to be present to win.

Some of the in-store specials announced in advance includes:

P.U.P.S. – Pawsitively Unique Pet Shop is presenting their first “Yappy Hour” in the P.U.P.S courtyard on Second Street with “Waggiolis” for the dogs and beverages for the people. The “Yappy Hour” will be from 5 – 7 p.m. and provides an opportunity for dogs to socialize, get yummy treats and everyone can have fun.

The Cottage on Second Street is giving away Ed Shockley’s CD, “Jusst Sooup” with every purchase and a percentage of all sales that evening will be donated to Jusst Sooup Ministries.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Second Street is making Easter bunnies and Easter baskets.

Across the street, Kids’ Ketch’s special includes a gift with every purchase—the gift selection corresponds to the level of their purchase.

Ginger Moon on Market Street is offering a 15% discount on all yarns bought between 5 & 8 p.m.

Blooming Boutique on Second Street is having a three hour bead promotion – spend $100 on beads and receive a $25 store gift certificate. They will be offering pre-season summer specials and will serve wine & cheese from 5 – 8 p.m.

Josephine’s Daughter on Second Street will be presenting Milton artist Donna Freeland and her hand-crafted Delaware sea glass jewelry. Buy one piece and get a free chocolate Easter egg.

Notting Hill Coffee Roastery is offering “tea for two” – 2 ¼ pound bags of loose tea for $9.99.

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The 2nd Annual Walt Wagamon Golf Classic to benefit The Wellness Community – Delaware will be held on Monday, May 24, 2010 at the exclusive Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Golfers will enjoy a challenging course, a wonderful cocktail celebration and have the opportunity to bid on fabulous prizes. Golfers may register to play for $125.00 per person ($135.00 after May 6), including green’s fees and cart. Registration will begin at noon, with a shot gun start at 1 PM. There will be guaranteed prizes awarded for the longest drive, closest to pin and low score. Tournament closes with first 120 paid registrants.

Walt, a true Sussex Countian, grew up on the shores of Wagamon’s Pond in Milton He enjoyed 30 years in the real estate business in Rehoboth Beach and he achieved many acknowledgments for his outstanding performance in the profession. Well known in Sussex County, he was involved in numerous professional, community and civic associations. Walt lost his valiant battle with cancer in June, 2007. Although Walt was devoted to serving his community, many would say that Walt’s passion for life was complete with his family, friends and a good round of golf!

This downstate golf tournament will honor a wonderful citizen and it will also help to raise public awareness about cancer. The event will offer various sponsorship opportunities to help provide the monetary support needed to enable The Wellness Community- Delaware in Sussex County to offer emotional support and educational programs free of charge to people affected by cancer and their loved ones. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Wellness Community, the golf tournament or to see how they can become involved in the event should contact Marcia Esposito at 302-645-9150 or mesposito@wellnessdelaware.org.

The Wellness Community-Delaware, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, is the only organization in Delaware dedicated exclusively to helping people cope with the emotional aspect of cancer. It is part of a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of disease. At The Wellness Community-Delaware, all programs are free of charge. More information about The Wellness Community is available on their website at www.wellnessdelaware.org.

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We’re doing some new things here at CoastalSussex.com. We’re going to be using the site a little more, to share with you content from inside the magazine and to update you on what’s happening between Thursdays. We will also connect this site to our Twitter & Facebook feeds so people can get good info wherever they spend their time online. As always, we’ll keep our calendar updated, and we’ll continue to bring you the best of the beach every week inside the magazine.

Here’s to spring!!

One night only in a Deluxe room with king bed or two queen sized beds. February 27, 2010 or March 6, 2010.

Book two spa services (Facials, massages or body treatments) and your room is only $27.

Includes breakfast in the morning.

Cannot be combined with other discounts or specials.

USE THE CODE: “SNOW” WHEN BOOKING.

For more information or questions, or to book a package, call The Bellmoor at 302-227-5800 or 800-425-2355

photos by Georgia Leonhart

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at The Starboard in its last weekend blast until it reopens St. Patrick’s Day and weekend are (l-r) Dewey Beach Mayor Rick Solloway, Dewey Commissioner Zeke Przygocki, Carol Schwartzkopf and her husband, House Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach.

Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery greets Fairfax guests Kristi Trout and Erin Barden.

Featured entertainer at The Starboard New Year’s Eve celebration, LauraLea pauses to greet 2010 with her partner and Tripp Fabulous band member Ritchie Hate.

Dewey Beach Commissioner Zeke Przygocki and wife Stephanie welcome the New Year with a kiss at The Starboard.

As the New Year begins, Julie Wit blows The Starboard crowd a kiss. Shown are Sean Alexander, Olachi Opara, Wit and Krysta Hardiman.

The experience of the Delaware River Pilots in World War II highlights this week’s edition. Click on the cover to check it out.

I’m absolutely psyched to make this announcement. Beginning soon, Coastal Sussex Weekly will feature a weekly entry that rotates between the Lewes Historical Society, the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and the Milton Historical Society.

I’ve always been of the mind that the vast historical importance of our area is something everyone should know, whether your ancestors have been here for a dozen generations like mine have, or whether you relocated here from Northern Virginia yesterday.

So I look forward to giving the Historical Societies a space in which to edcuate all of us about our storied past.

(And if anyone knows someone from the Bethany-Fenwick area who would want to join us, email me at dave@coastalsussex.com.)

The Rehoboth Mall and the Cordish Company announced today that Santa will be visiting on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 10am-3pm, in the food court area of the enclosed shopping center. Each child who brings a canned good or non-perishable item will receive a FREE picture with Santa and a FREE five chicken nugget serving from Cluckin’ Ribs (limit 2 per family). Santa will take a well deserved luncheon break from noon to 1pm, to feed his reindeer. All donations will benefit St. Edmond’s Catholic Church.

Cluckin’ Ribs will continue to collect canned good donations until December 20, 2009. Call Cluckin’ Ribs at 302-644-3393 for their hours of operation or contact Rehoboth Mall management for more information. 302-645-6655.

Rehoboth Mall, the only inside mall in the area, is home to over 21 businesses including: Peebles, Beijing Buffet, Tip Top Nails, Instant Shoe Repair, Alterations by Soula, Bath Fitters, Radio Shack, , Touch of Beauty & CPS Medical Equipment & Supply among others.

Exterior shopping center tenants include: Rite Aid, Michael’s Village Crafts, Tuesday Morning, Fashion Bug, Walmart, Taco Bell, Friendly’s, Popeye’s, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut and Chevy Chase Bank. Smyth Jewelers, purchasers of gold and silver items, joined the Rehoboth Mall this past year. Open year-round, the Rehoboth Mall is located at the intersections of Rt. 1 and Rt. 24.

The Cordish Company (www.cordish.com), now in its fourth generation of family ownership, is a multi-billion dollar conglomerate including one of the leading real estate development companies in the United States. The Company has diverse development expertise with divisions focused on Entertainment & Mixed-Use, Gaming & Lodging, Sports Anchored Districts, Shopping & Lifestyle Retail, Office and Residential. The Cordish Company also owns and manages a diverse group of operating businesses, ranging from restaurants/clubs to live music promotion to film/media distribution. The company values itself on the quality of its operations, its long-term relationships, and high level of integrity in all of its endeavors.

The Cordish Company is the largest and most successful developer of entertainment districts and concepts in the United States and has unparalleled experience in creating and revitalizing high-profile destinations in urban core locations. Many of the Cordish Company’s projects involve public/private partnerships and are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are the company’s prominent role in the redevelopment of four highly successful projects in Baltimore’s world-famous Inner Harbor; Atlantic City, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; and Tampa, FL. The company currently has over a billion dollars in construction in cities such as Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Houston, TX; Toronto, Ontario; and Daytona Beach, FL.

Dover- The 2009 Delaware farmers’ market season has ended as the most profitable season ever, with 15 markets earning more than $1.1 million (a 40-percent increase over last season). This season kicked off in April and ended last week for participating farmers.

“It is refreshing and gratifying to see the growth of Delaware’s Farmers’ Markets over the past several years,” said Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee. “It’s really special that total sales of our 15 farmers’ markets cracked the million dollar barrier this year. Reaching that milestone signifies several things. First, there is a demand and interest among Delaware consumers in home-grown, fresh, local produce. Second, it acknowledges the great job Delaware farmers do in producing high quality vegetables, fruit and other farm products. Third, the success is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the people who organize and manage our state’s farmers’ markets. Finally, all of us at the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) are proud and pleased to play a supportive role in all these efforts. Congratulations to everyone involved; this success truly marks an unselfish, team approach that benefits everyone.”

“An overwhelming number of Delaware farmers stepped up to the plate this year and got involved in these farmers’ markets,” said DDA Marketing Communications Officer Kelli Steele. “It’s essential that farmers continue to be involved to make the markets a success. The market managers and volunteers are also to be commended for a job well done.”

The Delaware Department of Agriculture promoted the 15 statewide markets this year, an increase from 11 last year. Last year, the markets earned $798.000.

If you’re interested in becoming a vendor at any of the state’s farmers’ markets in 2010, contact Kelli Steele at (302) 698-4519, or by e-mail at kelli.steele@state.de.us, or log on to www.dda.delaware.gov and click on farmers’ markets for a complete list; you can then contact each market manager individually.