Dianne Deming

The Sussex County Association of REALTORS (DE), is hosting its annual RCS (REALTOR Community Service) Auction this Thursday, October 23, at the Bay Center in Dewey Beach. The Silent and Live Auctions raise tens of thousands of dollars each year to be used for holiday gifts for children in need throughout Sussex County. Local businesses, individual agents, affiliates and people who just love kids donate items for the silent auction, offered during the cocktail hour of the evening. Following the bidding on these things which can range from gift certificates to restaurants and services, handmade quilts, baskets of chocolates and a dog bed, the several hundred patrons move upstairs in the Bay Center to a buffet dinner and a live auction of larger baskets donated by the community's real estate companies. These treasures have centered on themes such as travel to exotic locales, sports, jewelry, golf or fishing getaways, even a full landscaping package. Last year's auction raised $65,000 with 300 guests in attendance. An award is also given to the real estate company with the most creative presentation of its basket. I am proud to say that RE/MAX Realty Group in Rehoboth Beach has won this prize for the past two years.

Not only do the REALTORS raise the money; they also give their time and energy to shop for and wrap the gifts. In past years, each child has received a winter coat, at least one set of clothing and at least one toy. Parents or guardians of the children provide a wish list which includes sizes and ages of the child/ren.

I am also proud to be a part of this caring community of dedicated service providers called REALTORS.

Heart-felt CONGRATULATIONS to the Cape Henlopen Vikings football team on winning Friday night's game against the PolyTech Panthers 21-0! Not only did the team win, but it was Homecoming to boot! Everybody did a super job in the newly refurbished Legends Stadium--the team, the cheerleaders, the band--and I hope everyone is having a blast (I know--that phrase dates me), celebrating their victory and friendship at tonight's Homecoming Dance. (Cape Henlopen High School services the towns of Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Milton, Delaware, and all areas between.)

The annual Autumn Jazz Festival is in full swing in Rehoboth Beach this weekend! You can catch free live entertainment while enjoying a drink or dinner at many venues, or pay ticket prices and listen to a full concert in others. One of the best gigs of the whole weekend is the free performance of the award-winning Cape Henlopen Jazz Band at the bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue Saturday, from noon-12;45pm. A full list of events and tickets are available at http://www.rehobothjazz.com/ajf//pages/home.php.

A good buyer's agent...

• is a real estate professional committed to finding the right property and negotiating the best terms for his or her client.
• knows the market and can simplify the search process by listening to the client's needs and suggesting properties that meet those needs.
• understands the real estate process and can guide the client through its many twists and turns.
• always has the buyer's best interest at heart and serves as the client's advocate.
• is paid a commission by the seller.

So my question back is, considering buying a home is usually the largest single purchase of one's life, why would one not use a buyer's agent?!

Rehoboth/Lewes/Dewey Beach Community Calendar, Abridged

This is by no means a complete list of special events, shows, festivals, balls, philanthropic walks and other opportunities for fun at the beach this fall. For more info, please log onto www.rehoboth.com. These events bring people back to Coastal Delaware year after year, even after the lifeguards have returned to college. Enjoy!

Rehoboth Beach Block Party, Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Tuesday, September 23, 4-7pm. Annual event with food from 30+ local restaurants, live music, fine art, kids' games-fun for all! www.ymcade.org

Bike to the Bay 2008, Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28. Bike from Dover or Lake Forest to Rehoboth while raising money for MS. Guylaine.Thomas@Msdelaware.org

2008 Coast Day, University of Delaware Hugh R. Sharp Campus, Lewes, Sunday, October 5, 11am-5pm. Learn about cutting-edge coastal and marine research, explore the aquatic world, sample delicious coastal fare and more while having a great time. www.ocean.udel.edu/coastday

Greyhounds Reach the Beach, Friday, October-Monday, October 10-13, Dewey and Rehoboth Beaches, Everywhere, All the Time. Bring your greyhound or other pooch to the beach! www.adopt-a-greyhound.org

19^th Annual Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, Wednesday-Sunday, October 15-19. Many venues showcasing fabulous jazz musicians, some free! 1-800-29-MUSIC or www.rehobothjazz.com

19^th Annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers Festival, Friday-Sunday, October 24-26, Downtown Rehoboth Beach. Costume Parade (Saturday, 11am, Rehoboth Ave.), Trick or Treat with the Merchants, Pet Parade, Children's games, Fiddlers Contest, Hayrides, and Much, Much More! www.beach-fun.com

World Championship PunkinChunkin, Friday-Sunday, October 31-November 2, in Bridgeville, DE. 7:30am gates open; 10:30am Friday & Saturday & 8am Sunday, competition begins. Tons of bands, cooking contests, auctions and of course, flying pumpkins! www.punkinchunkin.com

11^th Annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, Wednesday-Sunday, November 5-9, Atlantic Theaters. Here's your chance to see a great selections of quality international and art features, documentaries and short films. www.rehobothfilm.com

Rehoboth Beach Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing-a-Long, Friday, November 28, 6:30pm at the Rehoboth Bandstand. Self explanatory!

22^nd Annual Merchants' Hospitality Night, Thursday, December 4, 6-9pm, Downtown Lewes. Shop downtown Lewes and enjoy snacks and beverages compliments of town merchants. www.historiclewes.org

Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade, Monday, December 8, 6:30pm, Rehoboth Avenue. rmillman@cityofrehoboth.com

35^th Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes, Saturday, December 6, 10am-4pm, Lewes. Tour privately owned historic homes and the Society's historic house museums in the Historic Complex at Second and Shipcarpenter Streets. Tickets $15 in advance and $18 day of the tour. www.historiclewes.org

77^th Old Fashioned Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 6, 5pm, Lewes. www.historiclewes.org

Enjoy your time at the beach this autumn!!