Do you know the history of Cape Henlopen State Park? It’s one of my favorite places to walk or take a bike ride, so I decided to brush up on my local history. Before it was Cape Henlopen State Park, this strategic location in Lewes, Delaware, was Fort Miles. A critical component of this country’s defense in World War II, Fort Miles protected Wilmington, Philadelphia and other key cities in the Mid-Atlantic region. I found this great video at the web site of the Fort Miles Historical Association that I wanted to share with you. The Association is making great progress toward their goal of restoring Battery 519 and creating a museum commemorating the historical significance of the park we now enjoy.

The video is a little long but it is worth watching and learning more about the history in our town of Lewes, Delaware.

In the Delaware beach resort town of Lewes, Kathy Sperl-Bell, CRS, of RE/MAX Associates, says activity among baby boomers started picking up again earlier this year after a three-year slowdown. In much of the country, Realtors are feeling the pain of boomers’ inability or unwillingness to invest in another home while the economy remains stuck in a rut.

Since the interview conducted early this summer, Sperl-Bell has seen a dramatic increase in home sales to boomers getting ready for retirement in the Lewes, Delaware, area. “There is a lot of new construction in the communities in and around Lewes that have specific appeal to those 55+, and my clients can tell the difference.”

Read More in New View? in The Residential Specialist, by Daniel Rome Levine

The Village of Five Points -

a planned community at the entrance to Lewes, Delaware. Five Points is the intersection of Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) and Route 9 which becomes Savannah Road taking you to the heart of Lewes. What a location for a weekend/vacation home or a full time residence east of Rt. 1. Priced at only $336,500, this home has room for the whole family and friends. There is no need to get in the car once you’re there. You have great dining at restaurants like Fish On! or gourmet delis like Fisher Bay. Then go to Quest Fitness for a good workout and walk to the  Food Lion, the bank and so much more. Ride your bike into town, the beach or Cape Henlopen State Park. Easy living AND affordable. Read more ...

What could be better than a wine and cheese reception and the Second Annual Art Exhibit of the Delaware Shore Artists Group? This is an opportunity to meet over a dozen local artists and enjoy more than 50 of their paintings in various mediums, all available for sale. Several of these artists have won recognition in state and local exhibitions, including the annual Rehoboth Art league member events. Enjoy the wine at Nassau Valley Vineyards on Sunday, November 7, 2010, from 2-4 pm. The Art Exhibit is there through November 28th if you can’t make it on Sunday.

The Nassau Valley Vineyards are located off Route 1, just south of the Nassau Bridge, and off Route 9, just west of Five Points.

The Cape May Lewes Ferry is one of the great conveniences about living in either Lewes, Delaware, or in Cape May, NJ. It’s a quick trip and a wonderful ferry ride between the two towns and it’s booked year round! You better make reservations, especially during the peak vacation season.

There are similarities between the two towns like the location on the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach plays a big role in the lives of residents on both sides of the Bay. Then there is the Historic District in both towns. The variety of architecture and the relaxing Victorian porches can be found down the street from fine dining, shopping and lots of events all year long.

Recently we’ve noticed even more activities at the Ferry Terminals as well as in the towns of Cape May and Lewes. From Art Shows to Wine Tastings, there are more reasons to catch the Ferry just to enjoy the ride without even thinking about bringing your car.

If you’re headed to Cape May, try to book a room at Antoinette’s. You’ll enjoy the modern conveniences along with 19th Century Charm in this family-oriented guest house. Centrally located in the heart of the Primary Historic District, you’re sure to feel right at home. Tell them Kathy sent you! The Innkeeper, Deanna Brown, was my high school classmate!

This past weekend, I went to my 45th high school reunion in Wayne, New Jersey. It was great to see old friends and take the tour of our old haunts, but WOW, how things have changed. The traffic was the most obvious and also the most talked about among my classmates who still live in the area. Traffic affects every aspect of life, especially in Northern New Jersey. Next, of course, is the taxes. Even the most financially successful talked about how much they pay in taxes and all of them knew that Delaware taxes are much lower. One classmate owns Antoinette’s a guest house in Cape May, New Jersey, the other end of the Lewes Ferry!

It’s always difficult to move away from family and friends, but Lewes, Delaware is really not that far. It’s certainly closer than Florida or the Carolinas! If you’d like to come down and see if you like it here, give us a call. We know what it’s like to move from New Jersey to Delaware!

For the third time, Lewes celebrates a win in the 2010 American in Bloom competition for cities with populations of 2,000 to 4,000.

I’m not surprised that Lewes was announced as the winner again on Saturday, October 2nd, beating Greenwood Lake, NY, McCall, Idaho, and Rising Sun, Indiana. Lewes weather is perfect for the colorful floral display found all around town like this planting on the canal. I took this photo during a walk one morning this summer.

If you’re in town tomorrow, Thursday, October 7th, join the celebration at Irish Eyes Restaurant & Pub at 213 Anglers Road in Lewes. Lewes in Bloom is a beautiful place to be any time of the year.

His name is Bernard Osher, he is listed on the Forbes Magazine’s billionaires’ list, he plans to give away his entire fortune and he just donated $1 Million to the Delaware Academy of Lifelong Learning. The University of Delaware of course agreed to rename its lifelong learning academies upon receipt of this generous grant and it seems there is another million dollar donation coming in the near future.

The southern campus is now located on Savannah Road in the heart of Lewes, Delaware. The Lewes academy started 2010 with 454 members. Classes began this September with more than 50 different courses and 50 faculty members. Members take classes from yoga and pottery to applied ethics, history and humanities.

This grant could not have come at a better time for the Lewes Institute which is at the peak of its popularity. The existence of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a huge reason why many Baby Boomers find Lewes a wonderful place to retire. Now that they have some free time, they’re taking classes, traveling and teaching others in a creative educational environment.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 18th, 10 am – 4 pm, artists all over Lewes, Delaware, will open their studios to the public. This is the 12th annual tour and as many as 300 people typically take advantage of this chance to see local artists at work.

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