Dianne Deming

Summer will be here before we know it, and with it come our treasured tourists, seasonal residents, concerts at the bandstand, umbrellas in the sand and an END TO THE WINTER RESTAURANT SPECIALS!! Hadley McGregor has revised The List, which gives you all the scoop on where to fill your tummy for less during these last months before "the season" begins. I'm thinking half price sandwiches at Arena's, downtown Rehoboth tonight (Wednesday). Maybe I'll see you there!

My friend, Kendall, has a number of new recipes posted on her blog, Kendall's Cookhouse. She has recipes for guacamole, hot wings and an interesting, innovative twist on pizza. Kendall is just getting started on her blog, but I'm sure that if you follow her, your recipe file will soon be filled with yummy choices you'll want to turn to again and again.

Kendall lives, cooks and writes in Delaware.

Westminster Presbyterian Church has sat at the corner of King Charles and Laurel Streets in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, since the early 1930's. At the height of the Great Depression, the Midway Presbyterian Church (Rt. 1, Rehoboth), decided a Presbyterian presence was needed "in town," to provide worship and ministry for the tourists. Nevermind that times were tough and money tight. The vision and faith of its parent congregation outweighed the difficulties of the economy, and Westminster was born.

The 1950's saw growth for churches nationwide, and the church by the sea was no exception. By now a full-service, year-round congregation, trancepts were added to the colonial-style sanctuary in 1956, giving it the shape of a cross and much-needed additional seating.

Westminster recently bucked the economy again and underwent another transformation. This latest building project included a new roof, new windows, new boiler, fully accessible bathroom, basement addition, a new facade and an elevator. The Rev. Dr. Frank S. Deming, pastor of the church, says, "The new facade, with its gracious steps, porch and pillars, somehow completes the structure in a way no one realized was missing until the project was completed." The elevator has been used and appreciated by many since its completion in October, 2010, and will certainly make an important addition to the building and the church's ministry for years to come.

The New Face of Westminster Presbyterian Church, in Progress

Project Complete!
Photo taken December 26, 2010

The Rehoboth Beach Convention Center was filled to the gills yesterday afternoon with football fans, and people like me--people who really don't give a fig about football, but wanted to support a good cause while eating pizza and popcorn. It was the Annual Championship Sunday, sponsored by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Rehoboth Beach. Big screen TV's, lots of food and beverages and a Silent Auction were all there to entertain the gathered fans. And whether you were rooting for the Packers or the Bears, the Steelers or the Jets, all were there supporting a good cause.

I want to offer kudos to the many, many small businesses in our area who repeatedly give back by contributing goods and services to events like these, year in and year out. We live in a small yet philanthropic community. Our business people get asked to donate goods and services often, and are almost always happy to do so. I just love our town!

It's that time again.....Time for the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics!

Celebrating its 20th year, the Plunge itself will take place in Rehoboth Beach on Sunday, February 6, at 1pm. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The Festivities begin on Saturday, February 5, at 9am at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center with a Polar Bear Cake-Off. Come and watch 7 of the 10 final contestants from The Learning Channel's Cake Boss-Next Great Baker form teams and compete to see which team can create the best Polar Bear cake. Admission is free, but spectators will be given the opportunity to donate $1 to Special Olympics and cast their votes for best cake. Tastes of both confections can be purchased, also for a $1 each donation to S.O., after the judging is complete. This event concludes at 3pm.

At 1pm, Saturday, the 5K Run/Walk to the Plunge steps off from the Boardwalk at Rehoboth Ave., and continues to the Gordon's Pond State Park entrance, then comes back. Registration is Friday, 5-8pm, at the Atlantic Sands Hotel, Saturday, 11am-1pm at the tent on Rehoboth Ave., or online. Snacks will be available and awards presented at the Bandstand after the race.

The Main Event happens on Sunday, February 6, at 1pm. People from every walk of life will take a running leap into the frigid ocean waters at the 20th Annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. Registration at the Atlantic Sands Hotel on Saturday, February 5 will be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Registration will be closed from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Pre-registration is also available online. Those wishing to donate to Special Olympics but unable to take the Big Dip in person may support their favorite Plunger, or make a contribution online.

In 2010, 2,683 plungers raised over $500,000 on a balmy 48 degree day, in 42 degree waters. To celebrate this special anniversary year, commemorative sweatshirts will be awarded to those participating in their 10th, 15th and 20th plunges. Happy Plunging!