It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Rehoboth Beach Historic Marker in Rehoboth Beach, DE gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Rehoboth Beach, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lake Gerar Park in Rehoboth Beach, DE with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Fable or visit Rehoboth Beach Historical Society & Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Rehoboth Beach, DE, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Rehoboth Beach, DE understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Rehoboth Beach, DE 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Have you ever wished you could take a summer off from your career and try something different? A 42-year-old attorney did just that and became Rehoboth Beach’s oldest-ever rookie lifeguard.Ben Schweers has become an inspiration for his far-younger colleagues, and he’s even saved two lives.“This is the best office anybody could have,” he said as he surveyed the ocean.For the past 15 years, Schweers’ office has been a courtroom. The Pittsburgh attorney decided he wanted to take a summer off an...
Have you ever wished you could take a summer off from your career and try something different? A 42-year-old attorney did just that and became Rehoboth Beach’s oldest-ever rookie lifeguard.
Ben Schweers has become an inspiration for his far-younger colleagues, and he’s even saved two lives.
“This is the best office anybody could have,” he said as he surveyed the ocean.
For the past 15 years, Schweers’ office has been a courtroom. The Pittsburgh attorney decided he wanted to take a summer off and work on the beach after a visit a few years ago.
“Just fell in love with the area. Knew I wanted to come back for an extended stay, so here I am,” he said. “I felt like I needed to kind of recharge my battery.”
So Schweers applied to become a lifeguard.
“There was a preseason tryout where we swam in a pool, did some running, did some push-ups and all those things, and I was accepted based on my performance during that and I thought, you know, ‘That was a breeze. I’ll be fine,’” he said.
But joining the Rehoboth Beach Patrol hasn’t been as easy as he thought it would be.
“I got down here and I learned that we then had a six-week boot camp for the rookies. And I will say, again, I’ve been an athlete my whole life. It was by far the most difficult thing I’ve done physically, ever. I was completely exhausted every day for the six weeks. We'd go home and just kind of crumble over,” he said.
Nico Caceres is the beach patrol captain and said he’s seen Schweers’ impact on the younger lifeguards.
“He’s an excellent role model for the 18-year-olds, the 19-year-olds and 20-year-olds coming up. It’s like how you should be composing yourself as a professional lifeguard and as a professional lawyer,” he said.
As you might expect for the patrol’s oldest rookie, Schweers’ young colleagues gave him a nickname: Uncle Ben.
“Most of my coworkers here, my fellow guards, are probably half my age, but I think that I’ll be friends with them for as long as I’m alive,” he said.
Sitting atop his lifeguard chair, he reflected on what his summer job has taught him.
“I’ve been surprised by how much my story has resonated with other people. But I think the big takeaway is that change is OK. And it’s OK to break out of the mold, so to speak, even if it’s for a little bit,” he said.
All the training that left him exhausted has paid off: Schweers has made two rescues so far this summer.
“My first one was a couple weeks ago. A young boy was caught in a rip current; he was on a boogie board and getting swept out. I whistled at him to try to get him to paddle back in. It was clear that he wasn’t gonna be able to do that, so I went out and I brought him in. It was really a great feeling,” he said.
“There’s something about diving into the ocean and pulling another human being who’s in trouble out and making sure they’re safe. There’s nothing quite like that,” he added.
A lot of the beach’s lifeguards are headed back to college. Schweers is sticking it out through mid-September and holds out the possibility that he might return, if his caseload permits.
The beach patrol accepts rookie lifeguards as young as 16, if they can pass the physical. There’s no limit on how old you can be, so it’s never too soon to start thinking about next summer.
A city-funded investigation into the conduct of Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Suzanne Goode has determined she has participated in an escalating pattern of abusive conduct directed toward targeted employees. A subsequent report submitted to the city has recommended a number of steps moving forward, including written apologies to the targeted employees and no longer being given commissioner access to city administrative offices.Wilmington-based attorney Margaret DiBianca, who specializes in business and employment conflict resolution, wa...
A city-funded investigation into the conduct of Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Suzanne Goode has determined she has participated in an escalating pattern of abusive conduct directed toward targeted employees. A subsequent report submitted to the city has recommended a number of steps moving forward, including written apologies to the targeted employees and no longer being given commissioner access to city administrative offices.
Wilmington-based attorney Margaret DiBianca, who specializes in business and employment conflict resolution, was hired by the city in late June to investigate allegations of harassment and abusive behavior by Goode toward city employees and commissioners. She submitted her 17-page report Aug. 12. A little more than a week later, Aug. 21, a majority of commissioners voted to waive attorney-client privilege so a redacted report could be released. Goode voted against.
“The reviewed emails demonstrate an escalating and pervasive pattern of abusive, harassing and unprofessional conduct by Goode directed toward Employee 1, Employee 2, other city employees and fellow commissioners,” said DiBianca. “The volume of emails and the short intervals between communications sent by Goode reveals a pattern of conduct designed to intimidate, demean and harass rather than to advance legitimate city business.”
The report says Goode has sent about 2,000 emails to the targeted employees since 2024 and continues to send more on a nearly daily basis. However, the report was limited to a specific set of emails as a representative and current sample.
“The investigator determines that there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Goode engaged in conduct that violates the city’s civility code and recommends the city take immediate action to stop the conduct and ensure that it does not happen in the future,” said DiBianca, who makes half a dozen recommendations to consider as remedial steps:
• Prohibit Goode from communicating, directly or indirectly, with any city employee electronically, in person, via phone, or other channel or method. To facilitate this recommendation, DiBianca adds the city should create and apply a system by which all emails received from accounts associated with Goode are automatically redirected to a special purpose and sequestered email account, which should be checked at regular intervals by the mayor and a designee
• Prohibit Goode from accessing the city’s administrative offices and deactivate her key cards, fobs, and/or keys to ensure compliance
• Formally request Goode produce to the city all communications involving city business, sent and/or received via a personal platform, including but not limited to via Gmail, text message, and Facebook and other social media
• Formally request Goode issue unqualified written apologies to Employee 1 and Employee 2 within two weeks in a form and with substance approved by the board, and that such apologies, if any, be made public
• Formally request Goode promptly complete city-approved training on the subjects of respectful workplace and civility, and FOIA/public-records laws and obligations
• Review compliance with the remedial measures on a certain date between 60 and 90 days.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Susan Stewart, who was just elected as the city’s next mayor by a wide margin and has been a vocal critic of Goode’s actions for a while, said the report documents violations of federal and state workplace safety laws. Releasing the report is necessary, she said.
“In most workplaces, the documented conduct would warrant her termination,” said Stewart. “Our laws provide no such path for an elected official. To simply move on would mean keeping this conduct secret, leaving the victims to shoulder the burden themselves without institutional support.”
Commissioner Patrick Gossett, who was also recently re-elected, said Goode’s own actions have caused the city to take this unprecedented step. The city has an obligation to provide a safe workplace, free from harassment and abuse, he said.
“You have never denied that you’ve said or done these things. Words and actions have consequences," he said to Goode.
Goode was given a few minutes to respond to the report before it was officially released. She said she was blindsided by the city’s action, that the report is riddled with inaccuracies and the city is weaponizing Freedom of Information Act rules. Words have been attributed to her that aren’t hers and emails have been taken out of context, she said.
“When an investigation is an attorney up in Wilmington looking at emails, who never contacts me, obviously it is a one-sided investigation,” said Goode. “The investigative reporter never got my side of anything. I was never given the opportunity to defend myself.”
After Goode was done speaking, commissioners voted 6-0 in favor of releasing the report. Goode stormed out of the meeting prior to the vote.
Once the vote was taken, Mayor Stan Mills said he’s been dealing with Goode's actions for far too long and they’ve been getting worse.
“I believe we’ve come to the point where we can take the most severe action we can take at this time to end Commissioner Goode’s intentional lies and harassment,” said Mills. “This has never been about differences of opinions on issues, but rather about uncivil behavior.”
Mills then went on to say that Goode, who has one more year left on her term, should step down.
“Commissioner Goode has violated her oath of office and has disgraced the position of commissioner, and she should resign,” said Mills.
Following the meeting, Goode was asked if she planned on complying with the report's recommendations, resigning or filing a lawsuit against the city. She declined to answer.
“Due to the kangaroo court and the illegal weaponization of FOIA which took place at the meeting, I am unable to comment,” said Goode.
Rehoboth Beach lifeguards have seen over 1,000 jellyfish stings this summer, and that's nothing new."We are seeing a similar amount of jellyfish stings from previous years," Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Nico Caceres said.August is typically when the Delaware beaches see the most jellyfish, and the ethereal creatures can pack a powerful sting. At this time of year, they can keep people from going in the water entirely."You will see up and down our beach that people have only been going to ankle-deep water in...
Rehoboth Beach lifeguards have seen over 1,000 jellyfish stings this summer, and that's nothing new.
"We are seeing a similar amount of jellyfish stings from previous years," Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Nico Caceres said.
August is typically when the Delaware beaches see the most jellyfish, and the ethereal creatures can pack a powerful sting. At this time of year, they can keep people from going in the water entirely.
"You will see up and down our beach that people have only been going to ankle-deep water in order to avoid being stung," Caceres said. "We have had multiple calls asking if we have closed the water due to the amount of people not getting in the ocean."
If you're going in the water, the only way to avoid a sting is a wetsuit.
Without one, your chances of getting stung are nearly 100%, according to Caceres.
Jellyfish levels at the Delaware beaches are encouraged by warm water, wind direction and certain salinity levels, according to the University of Delaware.
It's likely the concentration of jellyfish will continue to go up as long as water temperatures remain warm.
Jellyfish are keeping people out of the water at the Delaware beaches Why Delaware hasn't issued any beach bacteria advisories I ExclusiveRehoboth lifeguards use a half vinegar, half water spray on jellyfish stings.
"For more extreme cases we offer hot showers, which seem to aid the affected area," Caceres said.
Delaware beachgoers are most likely to run into moon, lion's mane and nettle jellyfish, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Moon jellyfish are transparent and white, identifiable by four distinct circles at the top of their bell. The department rates their sting as "mild."
Lion's manes are the largest known jellyfish species in the world, according to the department, with the largest recorded bell spanning 7.5 feet.
The ones you see at the Delaware beaches are typically smaller, between 2 and 6 inches in diameter, and they're often streaked with maroon or magenta.
The department rates their sting as "strong to severe" and called it "intensely painful," though not fatal.
There are two types of nettle jellyfish, bay and sea, corresponding to their location. A few years ago, former University of Delaware biologist Keith Bayha's research determined the nettle in the Delaware Bay are a species distinct from those in the Chesapeake Bay.
Nettle are typically whitish, sometimes with maroon or purple spots or steaks, and the department rated their sting "strong to severe."
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at [email protected] or on Facebook.
This story was updated to correct a typo.
A decades-old tradition in Delaware has been forced from its longtime home, at least temporarily, after concerns about potentially dangerous trees led Rehoboth Beach officials to close Grove Park.The Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, held Tuesdays from May through October, has moved down Rehoboth Avenue to the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center parking lot. The temporary location has left some vendors and regular customers longing for the market's usual setting.The move came after the forestry service determined that some large tree...
A decades-old tradition in Delaware has been forced from its longtime home, at least temporarily, after concerns about potentially dangerous trees led Rehoboth Beach officials to close Grove Park.
The Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, held Tuesdays from May through October, has moved down Rehoboth Avenue to the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center parking lot. The temporary location has left some vendors and regular customers longing for the market's usual setting.
The move came after the forestry service determined that some large trees in Grove Park appeared to be at risk of falling, according to Rehoboth Beach City Manager Taylour Tedder.
"Something definitely could have happened. Was it 100% likely? We don't have any idea but at the end of the day we have to keep people safe and so the city closed the park," Tedder said.
The closure forced organizers to cancel the market at the last minute a couple of weeks ago. Vendors said the sudden cancellation cost them revenue.
"We had the trucks all parked, ready to go. The trucks were full. At 7 o'clock at night, we were informed we wouldn't have the market the next day," Lenore Brady of Stag Run Farm said.
Market manager and founder Pat Coluzzi said canceling was ultimately the right decision because of the potential danger.
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"They said these trees are dangerous and I said, 'No way, I'm responsible for all the people who walk through here. I'm cancelling the market,'" Coluzzi said.
The market has since been operating from the convention center parking lot but the location presents challenges. The convention center sometimes needs the parking lot on Tuesdays and the blacktop can become hot in the summer sun.
Some regular customers also prefer Grove Park for its shade and atmosphere.
"Because it's shaded and it feels very peaceful up there so I would prefer the park," Rehoboth resident Nikky Fisher explained.
Crews were working Tuesday to remove some of the trees from Grove Park.
Some market vendors said they believe the city's environmental committee has wanted the market moved because of concerns that its operations are hurting the trees.
"They're claiming that our trucks were hurting the trees. We are only there one day a week. We are there for four hours and it's only a half a year that we are there," one vendor said.
For now, the farmers market remains out of Grove Park and could stay out for the rest of the season.
The park is expected to reopen to foot traffic soon, but market visitors will need to head to the convention center for the time being.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
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