Beach & Bay Cottage Tour slated for July 27 and 28
One of the most highly anticipated events of summer in southern Delaware is the Beach & Bay Cottage Tour, and this year’s tour, celebrating the benefit’s 20th year, promises to be special. The 20th Annual Tour to benefit the Friends of the South Coastal Library will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, July 27 and 28. The Friends are pleased to have Gov. Jack Markell and Karla Markell serving as honorary chairs for the benefit once again.
The 2011 tour offers homes in a variety of styles and personalities ranging from Sussex Shores to Fenwick Island. Three of the homes are oceanfront while four are bayside, offering many spectacular water views. Three popular homes from previous tours are repeats this year in honor of the 20th anniversary. Tour chairs Faith Denault and Karen Taylor said, “There is something for everyone in this year’s homes with the sizes, furnishings and décor offering so many different choices.” Tour goers have the option of visiting all 10 homes in one day or spreading the viewing over the two days of the tour.
Tickets are $30, and the committee strongly recommends that guests make reservations as soon as possible as the number of tickets sold will be limited. Each tour participant will receive a sturdy tote bag with the program booklet which serves as the ticket, a pair of booties donated by Beebe Medical Center to be worn in all the homes, and complimentary copies of Coastal Style, Delaware Beach Life and Going Green magazines. Tote sponsors for 2011 are Beach Resources Ltd., Beebe Medical Center, G & E/Hockers, Leslie Kopp, PNC Bank and the Town of Bethany Beach. Nonrefundable reservations are available now by visiting the new tour website at www.beachandbaycottagetour.com and ordering by Saturday, July 16, or stop by the South Coastal Library at 43 Kent Ave. in Bethany Beach. The Friends cannot mail tickets. Tickets can be picked up at the South Coastal Library starting Thursday, July 21 at 10 a.m.
Tickets will also be available July 20 to 26 at Japanesque and Sea Needles in Bethany; at the Bethany/Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, Carolina Street and The Rooster’s Nest in Fenwick Island; at McCabe’s in South Bethany; and at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth. Any tickets remaining the days of the tour will be available only at the library. Babies and children under 12 are not permitted in the homes.
No Cottage Tour would be complete without the raffles to enhance the fundraising. The winners of the ever-popular Dinner for Two raffle will dine in style at DiFebo’s Bistro at Bear Trap Dunes, DiFebo’s on 26, Magnolia’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Off the Hook, The Parkway Restaurant or Sedona. The Art Raffle, featuring some favorite local artists, offers framed artwork from Aubre Duncan, Carol Dyer, Tara Funk Grim, Dorothy Harrison-Braun, Laura Hickman, Tinsel Hughes and Cheryl Wisbrook. Tickets for both raffles at $1 each or six for $5 are available at the library and at selected homes on the days of the tour. The drawings will be held at the library at 5:30 p.m, July 28; winners need not be present.
With the Adopt-a-House program for hostesses, many organizations will be involved in the 2011 tour. Participants this year are the Barefoot Gardeners of Fenwick Island, Bay Forest Homeowners, Cripple Creek Ladies, Gardeners by the Sea, Lord Baltimore Women’s Club, Salt Pond Women’s Club, Shore Democrats, South Bethany Women’s Club, South Coastal AARP and Southampton Homeowners. Members of these groups will make visits to the homes more pleasant.
For updated information, go to www.beachandbaycottagetour.com or leave a message with the Friends at 302-537-5828.
