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Lewes gardens on display during annual tour
Perfect weather attracts large crowd to explore hidden backyard treasures
Jeff and Marva Heckert’s backyard on DeVries Circle is a certified wildlife habitat, which covers almost an acre. Their garden was one of six gardens highlighted during the 32nd annual Lewes Garden Tour on June 17 sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
June 23, 2023
The 32nd annual Lewes Chamber of Commerce Garden Tour offered a rare chance June 17 to go beyond the gate to see six of the town’s most unique gardens.
Included were the gardens of Bill and Susie Shirk on Schley Avenue; Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Avenue; Jeff and Marva Heckert on DeVries Circle; John and Joni Custer on Savannah Road; Nancy Horan on Blue Heron Drive; and Susan and Carl Frey on Hornbill Court.
The event also featured the garden market in Zwaanendael Park, including sales by the Delmarva Hosta Society, and Cape Artists painting in some of the gardens on the tour.
Co-chairs of the event were Carolyn Marshall and Pam Rankin.
A large group explores the backyard habitat created by Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Avenue
Garden tour ticketholders got a chance to learn the history of and tour the yard of the unique home of John and Joni Custer on Savannah Road. The often-talked-about boulders line the front sidewalk of the home.
A backyard escape is part of the plan for the Custers’ home on Savannah Road.
The home of John and Joni Custer on Savannah Road was built two years ago.
The home of John and Joni Custer features a wide-open front porch with a custom-built fireplace including stones from places they have traveled.
A Lewes Garden Tour volunteer tells some of the history of the unique Custer home on Savannah Road.
Artist Jean Bowers finds a nook at the home of Bill and Susie Shirk to get out her paint brushes.
The garden of Bill and Susie Shirk may be in a small space, but the couple has developed an oasis in their backyard.
The Heckert garden on DeVries Circle is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.
The Heckert garden on DeVries Circle includes a koi pond and waterfall.
Jeff and Marva Heckert, who live on DeVries Circle, recently built a workshop for Jeff’s woodworking and Marva’s artwork.
Fresh-cut flowers add a splash of color to many of the gardens on the tour.
Marva Heckert has some of her unique garden art on display and for sale in her backyard studio on DeVries Circle.
Marva Heckert is working on another of her eclectic artworks.
Jeff Heckert, a former lifeguard in Rehoboth, has several of his handmade bird houses in the garden, including this replica of a Laguna Beach, Calif., lifeguard station.
Beautiful flowers were everywhere.
Cape Artists member Daphne Blaker works on a painting at a home on the garden tour.
The Cosmos play at the home of Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Avenue. Performances by different local musicians took place each hour during the tour until 4 p.m.
The backyard garden at the home of Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Avenue is built around a pool.
The backyard garden at the home of Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Street contains a mixture of annuals and perennials.
Barbie and Ken enjoy time in the pool at the home of Richard Scalenghe and Tom Panetta on Washington Avenue.
