Fenwick Island News

The Fenwick Island Town Council met on Friday, Aug. 22, for their regular monthly meeting.

As summertime winds to a close, many visitors and residents in the beach communities are reflecting on the memories they made this season. Likewise, Patti Grimes, vice president of outreach and programming for the Carl M. Freeman and Joshua M. Freeman foundations, is pleased with the way the season has gone for the organizations.

The Fenwick Island Environmental Committee recently met to discuss some of their ongoing environmental interests, one being their official position on the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC’s) proposed Pollution Control Strategy.

This week marks the grand opening of one of Sussex County’s newest assisted living programs. Brandywine Assisted Living, now operating in five states, was set to officially open its doors Thursday, Aug. 21, west of Fenwick Island. Located at the intersection of Routes 54 and 20, the assisted living community is already off to a promising start.

The Carl M. Freeman Companies (CMF Companies) announced Tuesday, Aug. 5, that it has entered into an agreement with NVHomes to build and sell upscale residences in the CMF Companies’ Bayside community near Fenwick Island.

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce’s (BFACC) 30th annual award-winning Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival features jewelry, art glass, pottery, sculpture, watercolor and oil painting, basketry, woodworking and much more. And the event is bigger and better than ever this year, according to the Chamber.

The Millville Volunteer Fire Company will be holding a Texas Holdem Poker Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 23, at its firehouse on Route 26. Entry fee is $100, with two $25 re-buys available.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Dealing begins at 7 p.m. You must be 21 or older to attend. Up to $80,00 in prize money paid out depending on player participation.

Though not truly an island, Fenwick Island is considered by most to fit the stereotype, with its history of swashbuckling pirates anchored offshore, fierce storms pounding the coastline and treasures rumored to be buried beneath its sands.

“This whole thing has been one miracle after another” said the Rev. Rich Evans of the new Bayside Chapel and the Samaritan Thrift Shop near Fenwick Island. “In the past two years, this church has gone from a dream to a reality by the power of God!”

What in the world?

There’s a new ’que in town – but as customers can tell you, this isn’t your typical backyard barbecue. Jon Yanek has a strong passion for the Caribbean islands, and a knack for great food, and he’s found a way to merge them into what’s sure to be a new West Fenwick hotspot.

The Fenwick Medical Complex plans to break ground in September, after not quite four years of planning, including re-zoning, water and sewer development and other preliminary measures.

Over the past several years, the Fenwick Island Beach Patrol (FIBP) has stood above and beyond other programs in the region and the country. Beachgoers, including vacationers and locals alike, have recognized the dedication and caliber that the guards of Fenwick Island put into their work, and now, businesses are showing their appreciation, too.

The General Assembly, as part of the slew of business conducted at the end of 2008 legislative session, has enacted House Bill 402, which changed the charter of the Town of Fenwick Island. The bill amended Section 6, Elections; Section 7, Nominations; and Section 9, Qualification of Voters, to conform to new state law on elections and clarify certain provisions.

Many people take their lives for granted. Few understand just how good they have it until they that life is under threat. But, by then, it is usually too late. However, for West Fenwick Island resident Ann Kerns Bowley and her family, each day is a gratifying miracle, another reason to be thankful.

The Fenwick Island Environmental Committee met on Wednesday, July 9. Electricity and ways to save both energy and money were on the agenda as the group listened to a presentation from Jim Smith of Delmarva Power.

The third annual Fenwick Island Boat Parade will be held Saturday, July 19, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Delaware State Police and Ocean City, Md., police are investigating a death of a black man whose body was found floating in a canal located near Harpoon Hanna’s on Route 54 near Fenwick Island. Police said patrons of Harpoon Hanna’s called 911 at 9:40 p.m. on Friday, July 11, to report finding the body.

With a contract for the design and construction of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge expected to be awarded in July, Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. is the apparent winning design-build team for the project, which could start construction in early fall, to carry traffic no later than December 2011.

Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. As any investor will say, that’s the key to success. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and don’t have just one basket. For Ken Lloyd of Ken Lloyd Builders, his new basket is a crane.

CurveSmart, the revolutionary technology five years in the making, is available at two local Curves studios, in Ocean View and on Route 54 in Williamsville Country Village.

Troopers seek information on suspect

The Delaware State Police mid-week were investigating a robbery that occurred Monday, June 30, about10:15 p.m., after a person imposing as a police officer allegedly stopped a motorist and took their wallet.

With a contract for the design and construction of the new Indian River Inlet Bridge expected to be awarded in July, Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. is the apparent winning design-build team for the project, which could start construction in early fall, to carry traffic no later than December 2011.

It had become somewhat doubtful over the past year that Delaware would ever have an offshore wind farm. But, in a compromise reached this week, it appears the wind park could be built about 12 miles off the coast of Rehoboth Beach by 2012.

The Fenwick Island Town Council had a full plate at their council meeting on Friday, June 20. Topping the agenda was a motion to accept the ambulance sponsor’s agreement between the so-called “Big Four” and the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company’s new ambulance service.