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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What a thrill to meet Capt. Willie Dykes, Pilot of the WBOC Chopper 16 tonight at the Canalfront Park in Lewes, DE. He was the Mystery Guest for tonight’s meeting of the “Lewes Walks for Fitness” program. No one knew who the mystery guest was until we saw his helicopter buzzing us as we gathered at Lewes Beach. Then we got to meet him, see all the great video technology in his helicopter and get our picture taken. If I sound like an excited kid it’s because just last night Bill and I were watching one of his segments and Bill said “what a nice guy and what a great job”! He does segments on the small towns all over DelMarVa that are the best part of the local news on WBOC.

Imagine my delight when I opened the September 2010 issue of Coastal Living magazine and found my town – Lewes, Delaware – named as one of the “best little beach towns”! The article mentions some of my favorite places like King’s Ice Cream in the heart of Historic Lewes. It recommends a long walk on the beautiful beach that extends from the town beach all the way to the Maryland border if you’re up for a 25 mile walk!

Compared to Cape May, New Jersey, the article continues “the historic town that shares the mouth of Delaware Bay, and the ferry that crosses it, Lewes (population 3.127) has the same coastal character and historic preservation tendencies as Cape May, only with fewer tourists and more affordable real estate”.

No matter where you look, the pictures are worth a thousand words and I always try to travel with my camera in hand.

The new canalfront part was opened just this year as a result of a real grass roots effort by the local citizenry who wanted to preserve the canal for enjoyment by everyone and not allow commercial development to dominate.

Coastal Living found that neighbors in Lewes are likely to be in the late 50s who actively participate in the local arts community and regularly take trips to Washington, DC, New York or Philadelphia, all within a 2 – 3 hour trip. I can vouch for that! Baby Boomers are flocking to Lewes, Delaware, and loving the life they find when they get here.

The Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning of the University of Delaware in Lewes (formerly known as SDALL) has issued its fall schedule. The Lifelong Learning Institute, established in Lewes in 1989, is offering classes ranging from art to science to performance and opportunities for studies and travel to all over age fifty at its campus located in the Lewes School on Savannah Road, at the Rehoboth Art League and also at Cadbury. For registration information, and a catalog, those interested may call Lifelong Learning office at 302-645-4111.

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The 47th Annual Historic Lewes Historical Antique Show takes place this Saturday, August 7th, 2010, and it’s going to be fantastic. Each year I uncover some treasure I just have to have and I’m always amazed that I find some really great deals.

The show takes place on the grounds of the Lewes Historical Society at 110 Shipcarpenter Square in the heart of town. Hours of the show are 9 AM to 4 PM; admission to each show is $5.00, children under 12 free.

Click on the logo for more information and we’ll see you there!

You can bike or walk from Lewes to Rehoboth Beach without ever getting onto Route 1!

I don’t know about you, but riding my bike on the shoulder of Route 1, dodging the cars and buses and motorcycles is not my idea of fun. But, cycling the beautiful, shaded Junction & Breakwater Trail is great exercise and relaxing at the same time.

“The Junction & Breakwater Trail lies between the resort towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach on the western edge of Cape Henlopen State Park. It is Delaware’s third and longest rail-trail in the state and one of the most important economic and fitness boosts for eastern Sussex County in this young 21st century.” Read More!

Tonight I’m meeting a friend at the Lewes end to walk to Rehoboth Beach and back again. Maybe we’ll run into you along the way?