Nicole's Writings

By Nicole Ciarapica

MILLVILLE — Linus may have dreamt of “The Great Pumpkin,” but Millville is finally making it a reality.

The town’s first Great Pumpkin Festival — an autumn-themed event for all ages that puts the growing town on display — is scheduled to take place this weekend.

The festival was envisioned by Mayor Don Minyon, sponsored by the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, and organized by Councilman Jon Subity.

“It will be a good interaction between the community’s businesses and residents,” Subity said. “I’m looking forward to everyone having a good time. There are fun activities for everyone from toddlers to retirees.”

Activities include a pumpkin pie eating contest, a moon bounce, face painting, rock climbing and pumpkin decorating. The mayor will even take a turn in the dunking booth, Subity said.

In addition to arts and crafts and a variety of prizes and giveaways, the Millville VFC Ladies Auxiliary will be selling meatball subs, beverages and baked goods with a pumpkin theme. There will be subs and pizza, along with burgers and chicken from the Fat Tuna Grill.

Rose Albert, a member of the ladies auxiliary, is excited for the festival.

“It’s a good thing for the town,” she said. “The town is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s a nice place to live.”

Live entertainment will be provided by Mark Marvel, music director at Indian River High School, and his classic rock band “Over Time.” Ben Ables, the band’s horn player and IRHS choir director, will also be performing.

“Everyone knows that we have the beach in the summer, but we have a lot to offer in the off-season as well,” Subity said. “Millville is a great town that’s really come into its own the last couple of years.”

Subity is hoping for a good turnout.

“Take advantage of a beautiful fall day and come interact with other residents, he said. “We are trying to define our identity as a friendly, community-oriented town.”

WHAT. Great Pumpkin Festival

WHERE. Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Route 26

WHEN. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 10; rain date is Oct. 11

COST. Free

CALL. 443-497-6244

By Nicole Ciarapica

DEWEY BEACH — The 50th anniversary of The Starboard Restaurant will be celebrated in style as more than 400 people descend on the Route 1 establishment for a black-tie, red-carpet event.

The night of fun, which will be catered by Big Fish Grille of Rehoboth Beach, aims to commemorate half a century of memories for the Dewey Beach hot spot.

According to Steve “Monty” Montgomery, the third and current owner, The Starboard is known as the “heart of Dewey Beach” because of its nationwide popularity with local roots.

“Dewey is quiet all winter long. On St. Patty’s Day weekend, when we open up, it’s the driving force of the economy in Dewey,” Montgomery said. “Hotels stay open until our closing for the season.”

Montgomery said the theme for the party is generational. The Starboard was a piano bar for the first 20 years, so the party will kick off with an early cocktail hour with Doug James tickling the ivories.

John Hardy, the house disc jockey for 28 years, will also entertain the crowd before Laura Lea & Tripp Fabulous, one of the restaurant’s most popular acts, takes the stage.

In 1987, Montgomery started as a doorman for the restaurant and eventually became a bartender. As owner, he added to the vision of the previous management to transform the restaurant into a worldwide tourist attraction.

Montgomery attributes the restaurant’s success to customer service.

“The bartenders are like mini-rock stars,” he said.

Over the years, the customers have kept coming back for more.

“The Starboard truly has a cult following — such loyal customers,” Montgomery said. “It’s everybody’s home base when they come to town.”

Montgomery thinks customers return to the restaurant because it’s a great place to hang out, regardless of their age.

“Everyone feels welcome. Whether 22 or 60 years old, people have fun,” he said. “It’s the party spot all day long.”

Two main attractions are the Bloody Mary smorgasbord and the entertainment.

For the first 25 years, The Starboard was famous for meatballs, but breakfast is now the favorite.

“Our Eggs Delmarva outsells everything,” Montgomery said. “It’s a twist off Eggs Benedict. It’s an English muffin with crabmeat, eggs, and hollandaise sauce.”

Because the event is being catered, the kitchen staff can join the party. Many previous employees are coming to town to help celebrate the restaurant’s longevity.

“It’s a place where everyone has walked in and had breakfast or lunch and ended up staying for six hours,” Montgomery said.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT. The Starboard Restaurant’s 50th Anniversary Party

WHERE. The Starboard Restaurant, Route 1, Dewey Beach

WHEN. 5 p.m., Oct. 3

COST. $100 per person

CALL. 302-227-4600

WEB. www.thestarboard.com

By Nicole Ciarapica

BETHANY BEACH–There’s a distinct difference in the beach towns before and after Labor Day. Children are no longer packed into the arcades, finding a place to sit on the beach isn’t so much of a chore, and there’s little noise wafting through the air.

In Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island and Ocean City, relaxed beach rules begin Sept. 30. That means vacationers can play a game of Frisbee on the beach without being flagged by lifeguards, bicycles can once again hit the boards and dog lovers can let their furry friends breathe in the salt air.

And while many are looking forward to the coming week for that reason, some who aren’t in favor of the changes say the towns’ law enforcement officials are already turning a blind eye.

Pam Carbaugh of Pennsylvania has been visiting Ocean City three times a year for 30 years. Last week, she said it was clear that some rules were no longer being enforced.

“Today on the Boardwalk, if I had stepped two steps over, I would’ve been hit by a bike,” she said, noting that she believes dogs and bikes should be prohibited on the Boardwalk year-round. “You have to look behind you before you make any moves.”

According to Carbaugh, she also witnessed a dog nearly swipe an ice cream cone out of a little girl’s hand. The dog’s owner yanked the leash and pulled the hungry canine back just in time, she said.

But Ralph Mitchell, director of public safety for Bethany, said the rules are being enforced, there are just fewer feet on the street.

“It’s the seasonal officers who walk the Boardwalk and patrol that area,” he said. “When they leave, it puts the workload back to the full-time (officers).”

Mitchell said the town’s police officers are still in the vicinity of the Boardwalk, but the focus is no longer directed to that area as it is no longer the busiest part of town.

Sue Whitney of Pennsylvan-ia said she appreciates the relaxed rules. While she’s never taken her dog to the Boardwalk, she said she understands why others like to do so.

“You have to watch for everybody’s safety, but it’s nice to have a little leeway if it’s not crowded,” she said.

That drop in population does bring some people by bike and with their pets, said Kevin McCabe, part owner of D.B.’s Fries on Garfield Parkway.

“You do see more bikes and more people with dogs now,” he said. “I don’t know if they come because they can do that now, but they’re just about the only people out here.”

In the summertime, bicycles are not permitted on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk from 6 a.m. to noon. Starting this week, resident Phil Boesch will be able to cycle whenever he wants.

“I like to ride my bicycle on the boardwalk,” he said. “I don’t ride as often as I used to because I can’t see (the ocean), but I try to get out.”

Starting Sept. 30, Bethany and Ocean City officials will allow bikes on the boardwalk and pets on the beach. Pets will also be allowed on the beach in Fenwick Island.

– Alex Ruoff contributed to this report.

Enjoy timeless tunes at Freeman Stage at Bayside

By Nicole Ciarapica

The Broadway songs you know and love are coming to The Freeman Stage for a second show. Clear Space Productions will be performing 100 Years of Broadway II—a new review of timeless stage tunes.

Written and directed by Doug Yetter, eight local performers from ages 23 to 48 will be singing 20 classics like “There’s no business like show business,” “If I were a rich man,” and “Let the sun shine in.”

It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the songs that have stood the test of time, said performer Jerry Birl, 41.

“For the older people, they’ll hear songs they grew up with,” he said, “For the younger people, it’s giving them an hour long history lesson of where musical theatre got its start and what it’s been through the last 100 years.”

Clear Space Productions began in 2004 and averages about 8 to 12 shows a year.

In this weekend’s show, the performers won’t be using flashy costumes or a lot of props—the quality of the performance is put in the spotlight.

The men wear lightweight suits; the women are in dresses. One or two basic accents are added according to the song.

“Somebody will put on a fur or they take a cowboy hat or something out of a trunk,” said David Button, 27 year-old performer.

At the first 100 Years of Broadway, 600 to 700 people were in the audience. When certain songs were performed, the crowd couldn’t help but to sing along too.

“We actually did a sing along with “Put on a happy face” and they helped us with “Supercalafragalisticexpealadoshus,” Birl said.

Birl’s favorite song to sing in the upcoming show is “Bring him home” from Les Miserables.

When David Button first joined Clear Space Productions, he was pleasantly surprised with how professional the organization was.

“Coming into it, everyone knows everything already. It’s very structured and fast-paced,” Button said.

But like any show, the performers still have their share of bloopers.

“I did fall down on my butt last year and most people thought that it was staged,” Birl said, “Most of the time it’s worse for the performer because it’s happening to them. But 85% of the audience wasn’t even aware that I messed up.”

Whether it’s a costume malfunction or forgotten lyrics, the show must go on.

“Most of us have amazing improvisational skills,” Button said, “If anything happens it becomes part of the show. You move on,” Button said.

IF YOU GO—

What: 100 Years of Broadway II

Where: The Freeman Stage at Bayside, Route 54, Selbyville

When: September 19^th at 7 p.m.

Cost: Free

Call: 302-436-3015

**Freeman Stage is outdoors so chairs and blankets are suggested.

By Nicole Ciarapica

Forrest Rowland looks up at the sky through his binoculars. 150 Sharp-shinned hawks are passing over Cape Henlopen in Lewes. They’re flying at an altitude of 600 feet going 45 miles an hour. Rowland identifies the type, tallies the count, and records the wind and temperature conditions all in a matter of minutes.

It’s his second season being the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch official counter—monitoring the numbers and migration patterns of birds flying south for the winter from September 8^th to mid-November.

Since he was young, Rowland, 30, has always been interested in the journey that takes millions of birds millions of miles.

“I was about 8 and my parents took me up to Trinidad. It was the bright, incredibly colored birds that got me started,” said Rowland, “The spectacle of migration was the big hook.”

In all, 10-11 million birds migrate what can be as far as Canada to Argentina. 2 to 5% of the population don’t survive the journey—mostly the juveniles. Cape Henlopen is one of 300 hawk watching sites that the birds pass through—last year a total of 12,323 were counted, an all-time high for the park.

Rowland likes to migrate too. Originally born in Texas, he has lived in Wyoming, Kansas, Oregon, Ecuador for 5 years, Sultanate of Oman for 2 years, Mexico for a year and a half, and Saudi Arabia for 8 years. He began coming to Delaware three years ago but only stayed for the fall and spring.

“I learn a lot through travel,” said Rowland, “It’s nice to see new places and different people.”

To keep it simple, Rowland calls himself a wildlife biologist/professional tour leader. But he does a little of everything. He has a Texas A&M degree in pre-med genetics. He has done everything from ecological assessments to research for universities. From January to March, he likes to lead learning expeditions in South America.

“I’d like to start a non-profit organization in South America to study and protect land, learn about natural history, and how the world works through the study of birds,” said Rowland.

Birds are the blueprints for building aircrafts.

“A lot of people think that the fastest animal is the cheetah but it’s the peregrine falcon that can stoop at 220 mph,” Rowland said. “Scientists learn their flight maneuvers to help build planes.”

Most of the hawks, ospreys, falcons, merlins, and cashels that he sees wake up at Cape May and have to cross the Delaware Bay. They like to ride a wave of warm air if they can find one because they’ll use less of their energy.

“Best case scenario is that there is no cold front, winds out of the northwest, 10 mph breezes, 45 or 55 degrees at night, 70 degrees during the day,” said Rowland.

The birds lose 25 to 30% of their body weight to make flying easier. Rowland sees a different personality in each bird and describes them in that way.

“But if they wake up and there’s a mouse sitting beside them, they’re going to eat it. They’re opportunists,” he said.

And as for Forrest Rowland’s first name being so similar to his occupations and interests?

“If you ask my mom now, she’d say she planned it out,” he said laughing, “I guess it was always meant to be.”

By Nicole Ciarapica

BETHANY BEACH — On Sept. 12, more than 100 artists from around the world will display their wares at the 31st annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival.

And this year, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they’ll be showing and selling glass, jewelry, paintings, photographs, sculptures and more.

Artists and fans are highly anticipating this year’s event, especially since they’ve been waiting for two years. Last year, the festival was canceled due to Tropical Storm Hanna, but hopes are high for blue skies this weekend.

Alan and Rosemary Bennett of New York have been participating in art shows together for 30 years, but this will be their first time bringing their clay fish to Delaware.

“Back in the ’70s, people would say ‘eww, fish.’ Now they say ‘Wow, fish,’ ” said Alan Bennett. “We love what we do, and we love fish.”

The fish are unique and animated with stoneware clay bodies, porcelain eyes and teeth, and a fired and glazed finish.

Through the years, the Bennetts have made more than 500 different kinds of fish in 50 different colors and textures. Prices range from $15-$3,000. They will be bringing 80 different kinds of local nautical life to the arts festival, including striped bass, tuna, bluefish, crabs and horseshoe crab models.

Armando Suarez will be bringing his horseshoe nail jewelry. Born and raised in Argentina, he now lives in Onancock, Va. A good friend in Argentina taught him the traditional art of making jewelry, and Suarez has added his own flair to it over time.

A rare aspect of Suarez’s jewelry is that his wife, Kim Kondrato, names each piece after their children, grandchildren or pets, and gives each its own personality.

“A popular one is Phynest hour; a lot of people buy those for cancer survivors,” Kondrato said. “It was named after Eric, Armando’s son who passed away young.”

Suarez’s jewelry is uniquely designed and Kondrato’s stories for each are personal, yet universal.

John Donato, an artist from Ocean View, also plans to showcase his work. A painter since 2001, he uses bright colored acrylics to paint animals he has met at one time or another. Using observation and imagination, he allows their personalities to shine through.

“Mickey Longboards,” a painting of a cat with a surfboard, was inspired by a stray cat on the boardwalk, while “JD Piglet,” with a more serious theme, was inspired by a real piglet who successfully escaped a slaughterhouse.

“They’re not that far removed from humans,” Donato said. “They have lives, families — things like that. I like to portray them having fun.”

Donato said the festival is a great way to meet local artists, hear their stories and view their works of art up close.