Home Care In Bethany Beach, DE

Special to Salisbury Daily Times

Dr. F. D. Power, a minister at the Vermont Avenue Christian Church in Washington D.C. and one of the founders of Bethany Beach, wrote about early visitors to the resort: “Out of the dust and grime they come, and lead themselves to the waves for a thorough washing, and off comes the soot and soil from their bodies and down come the cobwebs from the brains and we send them back born again.”

Some of the soot and grime on Bethany vacationers was accumulated on the long journey to reach the new resort.

In the early 20th century, when many vacationers at Bethany came from the Pittsburgh area, they began their journey to the beach by packing an assortment of trunks and suitcases with enough clothes, hats and shoes for an extended visit.

After the luggage was packed, many families boarded a horse and carriage for a ride to the train station. At the time, many cities were served by electric streetcars, and the Bethany-bound vacationers may have hoisted their luggage onto a streetcar bound for a railroad station.

The train chugged eastward out of the mountains to Baltimore, where the travelers stayed overnight. In the morning, vacationers from Pennsylvania joined others heading for Bethany Beach in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where they boarded a steamboat for the trip across the Chesapeake Bay.

After landing on the Eastern Shore, the vacationers’ luggage, suitcases and other paraphernalia were unloaded from the steamer and hoisted aboard a train for the trip across the Delmarva Peninsula. Aboard the train, open windows allowed for a constant flow of fresh air, which was usually peppered with cinders and ashes that spewed from the engine’s smokestack.

The train ride ended at Rehoboth, where the Bethany-bound vacationers transferred their luggage to a horse-drawn bus that took them to a landing at the north end of Rehoboth Bay, where they boarded a small boat for the trip southward across the coastal bays to Pennewell’s Landing in Ocean View.

Again, the luggage and vacationers were again transferred to another horse-drawn bus for the ride into Bethany Beach, where they unloaded their luggage for the last time.

The leaders of Bethany Beach were aware of the transportation difficulties encountered by vacationers. On Jan. 23, 1901, the Dover Delawarean reported that the founders of the new resort planned, “for the construction of a steam railroad between Frankford, on the Delaware railroad, and Ocean View.”

When the financing for a railroad down what is now the Route 26 corridor failed to appear, the leaders of the resort turned to a cheaper alternative.

According to the Middletown Transcript, March 2, 1901, “representatives of the Bethany Beach Company, were in Georgetown last week trying to organize a company for the purpose of running an electric railway from Seaford to Bethany Beach. Their plan is to run the line by way of Georgetown and strike as many towns on their way as possible.”

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Again, the effort to build an electric railway failed to attract financing.

Four years later, when Bethany Beach was firmly established, the electric railway idea was revived. The Milford Chronicle reported on Feb. 24, 1905, “A lawyer of the State of Delaware has been authorized by a Pittsburg Company to frame a charter for a trolley line leading from Selbyville by way of Bishopville, Williamsville, Millville, Ocean View and on to Bethany Beach.”

There was not enough traffic on the Route 26 corridor to justify a convenient connection to the fledgling resort. The trip to the resort continued to be a series of stops and starts, until cars became the dominant form of transportation for reaching Bethany Beach.

Principal sources

F. D. Power, “Bethany Beach as Seen from the Dome,” The Christian Worker,” Sept. 29, 1905, p. 4.

Milford Chronicle Feb. 24, 1905

Middletown Transcript, March 2, 1901

Delawarean, Jan. 23, 1901.

Wilmington Sun, Jan. 19, 1901

Editor's note: This story and headlines have been updated to correctly reflect the warning for Delaware. Much of the state is under a coastal flood warning.

Delaware saw a wet and windy Saturday as then-Tropical Storm Ophelia headed its way.

Delaware and other parts of the East Coast were hit with rain and strong gusty winds Saturday, expected to last through the evening and into parts of Sunday. The storm is in effect from northeast North Carolina and includes parts of Maryland, Virginia and Fenwick Island as it continues northward, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm made landfall on the coast of North Carolina near Emerald Isle on Saturday morning and moved inland across the state, according to forecasters with the National Hurricane Center.

At 7:44 p.m., the center said that Ophelia had slowed to become a tropical depression, which is a weak form of a tropical storm, and all storm surge and tropical storm warnings had been discontinued.

Heavy rain began early Saturday morning, with National Weather Service forecasters predicting another round later in the day. Between 2 to 3 inches of rain are expected in the Delaware area. As of 6 p.m. Saturday, Harbeson recorded the highest rainfall total across the state with 3.64 inches, according to the Delaware Environmental Observing System. Close behind were nearby areas of Stockley and Dagsboro.

New Castle County reported far less, with Newark reporting about 1.5 inches of rain as of 6 p.m. Saturday.

The worst impacts of the storm were expected along the Delaware beaches and the Jersey shore Saturday night, especially around high tide and in the hours after. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph, according to the weather service, which could make it more difficult for water to recede and flow back out to sea.

Here's a look at what happened throughout Delaware on Saturday.

WHAT TO KNOW:Ophelia causes coastal flood warning for southern Delaware, New Jersey

Bayside developments, mobile home parks see usual flooding

Waters were slow to recede post-high tide Saturday night, leaving bayside developments with the flooding that often comes with big storm surges.

North Drive in West Bay Park was completely flooded out as a person waded through the water toward the tiny homes set up across from the marina around 5 p.m. Saturday.

Long Neck Road was also closed at Fairfield due to water on the roadway.

In the Angola area of Lewes, Bookhammer Landing Road was also flooded. There are about 40 homes beyond a sign touting Joy Beach, with Rehoboth Bay gray but visible in the distance at the end of the road.

Delaware beaches swamped post-high tide

High tide hit the Delaware beaches at 3 p.m. Saturday, but waves showed no signs of receding by 4:30 p.m.

Gusty winds were expected to remain in the region through the evening, which could leave the coastline facing high waters into the evening.

Flooding, road closures hit Delaware beaches

About 2 p.m. Saturday, as Delaware beaches prepped for an extremely high tide amid the storm, the parking lot at Savannah Beach in Lewes was closed and filled with sand. Police vehicles blocked the entrance to the parking lot at the beach located at the end of Savannah Road.

On Lewes Beach, waves crashed and covered the beach by 2 p.m. except for a small slice next to the jetty which was quickly disappearing.

At about 6:30 p.m., Route 1 south (Coastal Highway) was closed at the south end of Dewey Beach.

High tide is expected to peak just before 3 p.m. Saturday.

Delaware Department of Transportation traffic cameras near the Indian River Inlet did not show any Route 1 flooding as of 2:10 p.m. Saturday. One camera did show multiple onlookers braving the wind along the beach for photos.

Storm tracker Delaware

Here's the latest radar for where the storm is moving throughout Delaware.

National Guard mobilizing in Delaware

The Delaware National Guard was activated as a result of the storm, according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. They were to be in place by 1 p.m. Saturday to aid in storm response, and additional resources were standing by across the state to respond as needed.

Areas of major flooding concern in the state, according to DEMA, include low-lying coastal areas in Kent County, as well as the Long Neck and Oak Orchard areas in Sussex County.

Closings due to the storm

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control closed campgrounds in coastal areas Saturday, according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. Some Sussex County mobile home parks also had power shut off to prevent transformer inundation.

Rainfall totals across the state

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the highest rainfall estimate over the past 24 hours was recorded in Dagsboro with 2.72 inches, according to the Delaware Environmental Observing System.

The system's data also reported the following findings during the past 24 hours:

Street flooding in Bethany Beach

Accuweather reports that several streets in Bethany Beach have been flooded, with some barriers being knocked down by the wind.

Accuweather's Bill Wadell was live from the north side of Bethany Beach Saturday morning, standing in a street covered with water. He also shared video from before sunrise of waves and wind hammering the boardwalk in both Bethany and Rehoboth Beach.

Gusty winds battering Delaware beaches

Winds were strongest in Lewes on Saturday morning, peaking at 64 mph as of 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Gusts also peaked at 58 mph in Dewey Beach Saturday morning, the weather service said.

Power outages popping up across Delaware

As of Saturday morning, at least 4,000 customers have lost power in Delaware, especially in Sussex County where the majority of the outages occurred, according to poweroutage.us.

Live cameras from the Delaware beaches show waves and heavy winds battering the coastline.

Will the heavy rain and wind mean flooding?

Yes. Coastal flooding hit the area Saturday evening and was expected Sunday for the Delaware beaches and coastal New Jersey. Flooding could also affect parts of Maryland's Eastern Shore, as the storm continues to go north.

Downed trees and power lines resulting in localized power outages are also possible, according to the weather service.

On Saturday, heavy rain will be accompanied by breezy temperatures near 64 degrees in the Delaware area. Rain is expected to last into Sunday, according to the NWS.

Weekend forecast

Strong winds are expected from mid-morning through early Saturday noon. Gusty winds of 30 to 45 mph in most parts of Delaware will continue Saturday night but not be as strong. Temperatures will drop to around 59 degrees Saturday night.

The weather service predicts rain to last through Sunday morning with northeast winds around 15 mph. However, rain is expected to taper off Sunday night.

Ophelia: Watch live cams from Rehoboth Boardwalk, Lewes Yacht Club

This story includes reporting by the Associated Press.

Are you being impacted by the storm? Contact reporter Cameron Goodnight at [email protected] or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.

The Fourth of July went down without any major glitches at the Delaware beaches this week, other than the usual sunburns and hangovers.

The rest of the summer is just an extension of the party.

July and August are the busiest months at the beach. Tourists are filling up hotels and beach houses with family and friends and they're all swimming and sunning, dining and shopping — doing all the things that make up that $2.6 billion tourism industry.

Be kind to your service workers. They're getting utterly slammed right now and probably don't have much time off. At the same time, they're probably grateful for the return to normalcy after COVID-19 upended things, meaning they're grateful for you, their customers.

PHOTOS:How the Delaware beaches celebrated the Fourth of July

Delaware Online/The News Journal publishes this guide to the Delaware beaches every week. All you need to know about this weekend's weather, beach closures, events and more can be found below.

Weather

The National Weather Service predicts Saturday will be partly sunny, with patchy fog in the morning and temperatures of about 80 degrees.

For the past few weekends, there's been a chance of rain or thunderstorms at the beaches. The same is true for this weekend, with Sunday afternoon looking the most likely for wet weather.

Oftentimes, summer storms come and go quickly, so keep your beach plans flexible and play it by ear.

Things to do

Delaware Seashore State Park will hold its 43rd annual Sandcastle Contest on Saturday at Tower Road oceanside from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free to participate and open to amateurs and "experienced builders" alike, with prizes awarded in two categories: 12 and under and all ages.

There are still tickets available to see country music musician Walker Hayes Friday night at the Freeman Arts Pavilion near Selbyville. You may have heard his song "Fancy Like," which gained popularity on TikTok.

There are two acts to see at Freeman on Saturday. Groovy Nate plays at 10 a.m., "a children’s entertainer who creates fun and educational shows using funky grooves, exotic musical instruments, and comedy — a la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic," according to Freeman's website. Hollywood Nights: A Bob Seger Experience plays in the evening.

The Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach has some notable music acts this weekend, too. Magical Mystery Doors: Tribute to Beatles/Zeppelin/Doors play Friday night, and Allen Stone, a soul and R&B musician who has appeared as a mentor on "American Idol," plays Sunday night.

More:Jimmie Allen headed 'on tour in September,' says fan at surprise Delaware performance

Things to know

The beach replenishment that's been ongoing at the Delaware beaches since April is almost complete, but not quite.

There may still be periodic closures at Bethany Beach and South Bethany as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finishes pumping much-needed sand onto the beaches. Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island have already been replenished.

There's also a beach closure at Gordon's Pond, on the south end of Cape Henlopen State Park, due to nesting piping plovers.

If you're back at the Delaware beaches for the first time since last year, there have been some major changes to surf-fishing rules.

You can still walk onto the beach and fish with just a fishing license, and you still need a permit to surf-fish on the drive-on beaches. There's no cap on how many permits can be sold anymore and they're available at most state park offices. If you want to drive on to surf-fish on weekends or holidays, however, you now need a reservation.

More:Delaware Online restaurant inspection database shows reports from state food businesses

Reservations are $4 and can be made at destateparks.com/surftagsales. Reservations for Saturday go on sale at 11 a.m. Tuesday and for Sunday at 11 a.m. Wednesday. You'll want to get reservations as soon as possible at this time of year. They are likely to sell out.

Cape Henlopen surf-fishing beaches have been the most popular this summer, often selling out, but the website allows you to see which other beaches have openings. If you can't get your usual spot at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen, try a Delaware Seashore State Park beach.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught

While Delaware’s beach towns attract many out-of-towners during the summertime, off-season attractions keep coastal residents entertained all year long. For northern Delaware residents, a day trip to the beaches is an often underrated form of winter entertainment.

From shopping and local museums to brewery and winery tours, these local hotspots are top picks to keep in mind during the fall and winter months.

Crooked Hammock Brewery

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Offering easygoing, flavorful craft beer and backyard vibes, Crooked Hammock is a great option for gathering around a firepit on a chilly fall or winter night with friends and family, beer and great food. The popular local brewery changes its beer lineup often, so check crookedhammockbrewery.com to see what’s on tap for fall and winter. 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes | 644-7837

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Shell We Bounce

This family-owned trampoline park and family entertainment center will have you (literally) bouncing all day long. Aside from trampolines, there are several entertainment amenities perfect for the entire family like virtual reality, an arcade, a kid zone with a jungle gym, an enclosed playground and a café. Open daily at 10 a.m., bounce time slots begin every 30 minutes in addition to special events and classes happening weekly. 32295 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes | 827-4453

Lewes Polar Bear Plunge

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Faces of Delaware 2024

One of the First State’s signature events, the 2024 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge will take place on Sunday, February 4. The yearly event is held on the first Sunday in February, during which time guests can take the plunge into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great opportunity to jump into freezing cold water with your friends and family and hundreds of others to benefit Special Olympics Delaware. Register Online | 831-4653

Cape May–Lewes Ferry

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry allows residents to enjoy Delaware’s tax-free shopping and local attractions, plus the scenic and historic destinations of southern New Jersey—all in one day! The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is family-friendly and offers numerous kids’ attractions, plus events and excursions for the whole family. The ferry and its events operate year-round, so check cmlf.com for more details. 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes | 1-800-643-3779

Lefty’s Alley & Eats

Lefty’s is the perfect place for family fun all year long. With off-season attractions like bowling, an arcade, axe throwing and a TOPGOLF Swing Suite, there’s plenty to do at Lefty’s. Plus, the craft kitchen and bar is always serving up creative cocktails, mouthwatering food and crisp beer and seltzer. Rent out private karaoke suites to enjoy a music-filled evening with family or friends. 36450 Plaza Boulevard, Lewes | 864-6000

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Seal-Watching Tours with Cape Water Tours

Cape Water Tours are a great way to enjoy the Delaware Bay during the off-season. We have visitors from the north during the winter months that can be safely and respectfully observed up-close on a seal-watching tour. Register online for a weekend tour departing from Lewes. Tickets are $30. Binoculars and all types of cameras are encouraged to capture the moment! 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes | 655-7334

Clear Space Theatre Company

Located in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Clear Space Theatre is an off-season hotspot for professional local performances and acting classes. Clear Space puts on over 100 performances a year, with Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap running January 19 to February 4. Children and adults alike can also sign up for classes at the theater. Clear Space offers classes in acting, voice and more for all ages and experience levels. Find more information and show tickets at clearspacetheatre.org. 20 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach | 227-2270

Movies at Midway

This independently-owned multiplex building brings the hottest upcoming movies right to the beach. Located on Route 1 between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach just north of the Tanger Outlets, the theater boasts a full cinematic experience complete with comfortable seats, high-quality speakers, digital projectors and stadium-style theater layouts. The theater also provides handicap seating and assistive listening devices. This winter, enjoy the hottest releases like Poor Things, the Mean Girls movie musical, The Iron Claw and more. 18585 Coastal Highway, Suite 1 | Rehoboth Beach

Tanger Outlets

With over 130 stores and designer brands to choose from, no one will run out of places to shop at the Tanger Outlets. Perfect for stocking up on gifts for loved ones (or yourself), the outlets are a staple at the beach. Browse all of the latest sales and deals at tangeroutlet.com/deals. 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach | 226-9223

The Bellmoor Inn & Spa

Whether you want an off-season staycation experience or just a day of pampering, The Bellmoor is the perfect place to unwind in Rehoboth. The spa menu boasts 44 different kinds of massage—including couples and CBD-infused—and other pampering body treatments. With cozy rooms and suites, The Bellmoor offers a great staycation experience for couples looking to wind down after the holiday season. 6 Christian Street, Rehoboth Beach | 888-699-8563

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Rehoboth Beach Museum

Beach-goers have a long history of enjoying the sun and sand of Rehoboth Beach, and the Rehoboth Beach Museum showcases that nostalgia through its exhibits. Sand toys, surf boards, archeological artifacts and more have been on display at the museum, which accepts donations for admission. The museum also features a gift shop that has plenty of unique Rehoboth-centric gifts. 511 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach | 227-7310

Delmarva Discovery Tours

Whether you’re in to antiquing, agriculture, dining or partying, Delmarva Discovery Tours showcase the best of southern Delaware’s beer, wine and spirits offerings. All-inclusive tours include brewery tours, winery tours, farm tours and more. For unique off-season experiences, try the antique tour or the wine and lavender garden tour. Group sizes vary per tour. There are also non-inclusive party bus rentals available. Tours are offered in the morning and afternoon all year long; visit delmarvadiscoverytours.com or call 260-9008 to book. 125 McKinley Street, Dewey Beach | 260-9008

Dewey Beer Co.

Known for unique fruited sours, IPAs and other craft brews, Dewey Beer Co., offers unique flavors and delicious fusion dishes that pair perfectly with various beers. Enjoy the tastes of Secret Machine, a line of fruity sours with flavors like raspberry almond cookie and cherry blackberry pie. If you’re into hops, try the Swishy Pants IPA for a crisp and hoppy brew. 2100 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach | 227-1182

Zen Spa

Zen Spa brings more than 20 years combined experience in a variety of services. If you’re looking to advance your own personal journey towards serenity and tranquility this winter, Zen Spa offers plenty of options. Whether it is with a massage to ease daily stress, a body wrap to detoxify, or a facial to nourish and replenish, you’re sure to come out feeling better than when you stepped in. Spend a day at this Fenwick spa to escape everyday stress and emerge refreshed and rejuvenated. 38857 Bennett Avenue, West Fenwick | 988-1750

Addy Sea Historic Oceanfront Inn

If you love charming coastal history, consider an off-season, overnight stay at this historic Bethany Beach inn. Including 12 individual guest rooms with private baths, an elegant parlor, wrap-around veranda and onsite dining room, Addy Sea is a one-stop shop for relaxation in Delaware. Enjoy breathtaking beach views and cozy overnight accommodations. Plus, if you stay during the winter months, there is less noise and no crowds, making it all the more relaxing. 99 Ocean View Parkway, Bethany Beach | 539-3707

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Farm (and Ocean)-to-Table Dining

Restaurants like One Coastal and Our Harvest curate menus based on seasonal products that can be sourced fresh. Some winter offerings are an off-season treat that only locals get to enjoy! Plus, these eateries are often booked up on summer weekends, so this is the perfect time of year to treat yourself to a fresh and delicious dinner option.

Steve “Monty” Montgomery might be the busiest person at the Delaware beaches right now.

The owner of the legendary Dewey Beach bar The Starboard is opening no fewer than three new restaurants in the coming weeks, and he's addressing one aspect of the staffing shortage in a new way.

Starboard Sauced, a pizza and sub shop, will be located in the former Mama Celeste’s building on Coastal Highway in Dewey Beach. Starboard Claw, a seafood restaurant, will open across the street in the former Hammerheads location. Down the road in Rehoboth Beach, Montgomery will open Downtown Blues in the original Nicola Pizza building on First Street.

The three new restaurants are in addition to others that Montgomery already co-owns: Bethany Blues in Bethany Beach and Lewes, The Starboard and Starboard Raw in Dewey Beach and Nick's Fish House in Baltimore.

Yet there's still a lack of affordable housing for employees at the Delaware beaches, according to Montgomery and numerous other business owners. In order to keep on staff who have been crucial to his success, he said, longtime Starboard and Bethany Blues employees are transitioning into ownership roles at all three of his new restaurants.

“Not only to reward them for their decades of helping run our current businesses, but to help them earn a good living here at the beach and raise their own families here,” Montgomery said, “With the silver lining that they stay with us and help us for another few decades."

Starboard Claw

Keith “Toastie” Kirk and Zach Warner, mainstays at both The Starboard and Bethany Blues, are now part-owners of Starboard Claw.

“We are very excited for them as they’ve been vital to our success,” Montgomery said.

The old Hammerheads building was demolished to make way for the brand-new, two-story Starboard Claw, with three deck areas and bars on both floors. After some spring construction delays, Claw will now open “right after Memorial Day weekend,” according to Montgomery. The restaurant will be open 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily, with lunch hours being added in the future.

The menu is seafood-heavy and includes steamed blue crabs. There’s fish, lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels and some land dishes, too, such as the “Delaware Roadside Chicken,” a tribute to former Dewey restaurant Ed’s Chicken.

Starboard Sauced

Starboard Sauced has some big shoes to fill in the minds of anyone who’s had a slice or two of Mama Celeste’s after a night of Dewey Beach bar-hopping. It seems likely to rise to the challenge, especially with Mama herself, Celeste Gutt, staying on, according to Montgomery.

Starboard Culinary Manager Joe Lopez will take an ownership role at the New York-style pizza and sub shop and run the day-to-day operations. He and his employees will serve up pizza “loaded with piles of freshly sliced meats” until 2 a.m. nightly.

Sauced will open this week, Montgomery said, when renovations are complete.

Downtown Blues

Downtown Blues is taking over another iconic pizza spot, at the former Nicola Pizza on First Street in Rehoboth Beach. It’s the third Bethany Blues restaurant, “with a new name so folks don't get confused on where they place takeout orders … yes, it happens all the time!” Montgomery said.

Jessica Nathan has been working at Bethany Blues in Lewes since it opened, according to Montgomery.

“We knew we wanted to get (her) into our ownership group whenever we found the next great location,” he said. “She had always wanted to have a Blues in downtown Rehoboth. So a lightbulb went off in our heads.”

The 125-seat Downtown Blues will feature a bar in the rear, stocked with Bethany Blues' signature bourbon collection, and a carry-out window up front. It will be open year-round.

Downtown Blues is still being renovated, and Montgomery said he hopes to open by the second week of June.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught