Rehoboth

AS I finished one more Eastern Shore tomato salad, I couldn't help but smile about the day my younger brother Eddie went into the vegetable business for himself. It was about 40 years ago, hot and August, at the corner of Maryland Avenue and the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Del., in the days when families spent the long summers at the ocean. My father arrived on the weekends, his Rambler station wagon filled with mail from Baltimore and, on this occasion, several bushels of tomatoes donated by a commercial grower friend in New Jersey.

1. The main food groups are seafood, candy and beer. Though Rehoboth Beach is justifiably well known for its seafood restaurants, homemade fudge and taffy, and the excellent ales at the Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats, the culinary scene offers much more. In recent years, several restaurants with a farm-to-table focus have opened, and more are on the way. Ethnic food is also gaining popularity. For example, the Cultured Pearl Restaurant and Sushi Bar (www.culturedpearl.us/) serves Asian food, Dos Locos (doslocos.com)

It's the doggone law.If you don't believe it, ask Roberta A. Hoffman of Hagerstown, Donna G. Brown of Baltimore, Leslie E. Hayes of Philadelphia or Gary R. Mosher of Bluemont, Va.All were found guilty of allowing their dogs to run free on the boardwalk or beach at Rehoboth Beach, Del. They were fined $44.50 apiece.The son of a diplomat from Spain escaped prosecution by claiming diplomatic immunity."We have adopted a strict attitude about this," said Creig W. Doyle, Rehoboth's police chief.

I was away this weekend in Rehoboth. As usual, I experienced one of the best parts of travel: unexpected pleasures. On Friday I rode down with a woman I've known all but 10 years of my life.  Being with a friend of so many years is like travelling with family.  Nothing needs to be held back. Honesty of opinion is expressed. Differences are known, understood, and generally appreciated. Still, it seems that new ideas and thoughts are always discussed. This and shared experiences are part of what keeps friendship fresh.

For those who enjoy boardwalk frivolity and beach serenity in equal measure, Rehoboth Beach, even as its commercial appeal rapidly expands, remains a reliable vacation choice. Some visitors may choose to spend their days reading on the beach and evenings playing Scrabble on the screened porch of a rental home. Others may bob in an ocean of retail possibilities by day and haunt the amusements of Funland by night. Or they may opt to kayak beyond the breakers, brave Dewey Beach's youthful nightlife and meander through nearby historic Lewes.

In Rehoboth this summer, it's not any one "thing." It's a fusion of things that makes for a scorching beach look. Today's beach boy or babe is a playful amalgam of hippie, biker, rapper, surfer, jock and South Park.Here, all trends merge, cross-pollinate, morph.It's Rehoboth, the self-professed "family town," via "We Are the World." It takes a village. It takes a Village People. It's the Grateful Dead by way of Puff Daddy. Brian Wilson crossed with an aging Harley road gang.Tie-dye, provocatively placed tattoos (permanent or temporary)

I was away this weekend in Rehoboth. As usual, I experienced one of the best parts of travel: unexpected pleasures. On Friday I rode down with a woman I've known all but 10 years of my life.  Being with a friend of so many years is like travelling with family.  Nothing needs to be held back. Honesty of opinion is expressed. Differences are known, understood, and generally appreciated. Still, it seems that new ideas and thoughts are always discussed. This and shared experiences are part of what keeps friendship fresh.

On November 9, 2003 NEDDIE A. Visitation at 2140 N. Fulton Ave on Friday 2 to 8 p.m. The family will receive friends at Rehoboth Church of God, 700 Popular Grove St. on Saturday at 10 A.M. Funeral st 10:30 A.M.

On January 22, 2004 MARY LEE WOOTEN. Friends may call at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue, on Friday, after 9 A.M. Family will receive friends on Saturday in Rehoboth Baptist Church, 6318 Windsor Mill Rd at 10 A.M., followed by funeral service at 10:30. See www.marchfh.com

On January 10, 2007 MR. LANCASTER, loving father of Dorothy Sanders and Colleen Gregory. Also survived by 2 grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Visitation at 2140 N. Fulton Avenue on Sunday 3-5pm. The family will receive friends at New Rehoboth Baptist Church, 6318 Windsor Mill Rd., on Monday at 11am. Funeral at 11:30am.

100 Years Ago Social Laurel folks "Mrs. W. Marion Baldwin is the guest of her parents, near Woodbine, Carroll county. Mr. C.E. Phelps, passenger agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Washington, has returned from a trip to Niagara Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Weheeler were the guests of the family of his brother, Mr. Robert Wheeler of Baltimore this week. Mrs. J.C. Howell and daughter, Mary, of Washington, were the guests of Mrs. Howells's mother, Mrs. Mary Brehme, a few days ago. Mrs. L.F. Graves has returned from a week visit to relatives and friends at Salisbury, Md. Dr. W. Franklin Taylor and his wife have returned from a visit to relatives at Tolchester Beach.

Patrick Reid O'Brien knew at the age of 6 that he wanted to be an artist — art flows through his family tree — but everybody warned him he'd never be able to pay his bills with his art. And for a long time, everybody was right. After graduating with an art degree from St. Mary's College, O'Brien designed insurance forms and then sold hoses and couplings for a while to support his family. He got close to making a living at his art when he was doing graphics for a marketing company.

Indulge at Rehoboth Beach Restaurant Week What's the deal: Rehoboth Beach Main Street Inc. presents a gourmet restaurant experience running June 5 to June 11, offering fixed-price meals at 20 of Rehoboth's finest restaurants including: Adriatico, Dos Locos Fajita & Stonegrill Restaurant, Lupo di Mare, Pig + Fish Restaurant, Summer House and many more. Dine on Delaware's beautiful coastline and enjoy a range of cuisine from French to Mediterranean. What are the savings: The savings vary depending on the restaurant but most participating eateries serve a three-course meal for a fixed price of $20 or $30. Some restaurants are also offering a three-course fixed-price lunch menu.

The official Mardi Gras isn't until next week, but why not start the celebration a little earlier? Find a mask and string on some beads for a Rehoboth Beach Mardi Gras. Cajun cooking, Bourbon Street beverages, parties and live music make up this year's celebration in Rehoboth Beach. There will be special Mardi Gras parties and signature meals all over town, including restaurants serving up their own recipes for a spicy Gumbo Cook-off. The plan: Gather at restaurants featuring authentic New Orleans cuisine in downtown Rehoboth.

There is no summer experience quite like a stop at your favorite roadside stand for Maryland tomatoes and corn. This week, we stopped on Route 16 in Caroline County, a few miles short of Denton, and filled a car. In the four days following, I polished off a whole watermelon. The stop reminded me of the day my brother Eddie decided to set up his own little market on the boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Del. It was about 50 years ago, in the days when families spent entire summers at the ocean.

If you're ready to relax, unwind and enjoy white sandy beaches set in a family-friendly, small-town atmosphere, then head straight to the Delaware beaches. Made up of Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany and Fenwick Island, each town has a distinct personality offering something for everyone. Lewes has its vast history, while Rehoboth is known as the "Nation's Summer Capital" because of its popularity with the Washington crowd. Dewey Beach is remembered for it's laid-back way of life and as the East Coast skim boarding capital while Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island are known as the quiet resorts.

On October 13, 2008, CATHERINE RANDOLPH. Friends may visit the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST INC., 4300 Wabash Avenue on Friday after 11 A.M. The family will receive friends on Saturday at Rehoboth Church of God in Christ Jesus Apostolic, 700 Poplar Grove Street at 9:30 A.M., followed by funeral service at 10 A.M.

OysterFestOysters, a supposed aphrodisiac and "poor man's food," will be celebrated Saturday at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's 12th annual OysterFest. Visitors will enjoy learning how to grow, nipper and tong oysters from the Waterman's Wharf and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "Kids-town" will allow children to make oyster jewelry, hear stories and "tong" for prizes. Visitors may also explore the skipjack Rosie Parks and the bugeye Edna E. Lockwood or take a cruise on the museum's replica oyster buy-boat, Mister Jim. Food will be in abundance, too. Raw, fried and roasted oysters will be sold with beverages, accompanied by an Oyster Soup Cook-Off.

Procrastinators get rewarded this year when it comes to beach travel. Not only are hotel rooms still available - and discounted - at the Maryland and Delaware shores, but many restaurants and stores are offering deals to lure dilly-dallying travelers. "There's a trend ... to wait until closer to departure" to make reservations, said Donna Abbott, a spokeswoman for the Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Ocean City is having a good summer, she said, perhaps because some travelers are choosing to vacation closer to home during the recession.