The Coastal Point encourages the exchange of ideas. Letters to the editor must be signed by the author with phone number included for purposes of verification. Please send your letters to P.O. Box 1324, Ocean View, DE 19970.

Darin J. McCann

Have you ever had that feeling that you would want to be absolutely anywhere else in the world than the place you happen to be at that particular time?

You know, like you would rather lean back in your chair and toss pencils straight up in the air, hoping to catch them point-first in your eye if it would get you out of wherever you happen to be at that moment? Or you’d prefer to tie 75 pounds of ground beef around your neck and dive out into the ocean to pick a fight with an ill-tempered shark with a glandular problem than hear the person in front of you say one more word?

Yeah, I get those feelings a lot.

Part of me believes it’s an inordinate amount of impatience circulating through my bloodstream that gets me so restless. There is no mistaking the fact that I lose tolerance very quickly with things I find tedious or insipid, and often have fantasies of walking out to my car, driving to the airport and flying to Ireland for several months — well, that, or hitting the person standing in front of me with a waffle iron, during those days when a simple daydreamed vacation won’t fill the bill.

I’m not so sure it’s a case of repressed rage and a taste for violence, either. Truth be told, I’m a pacifist, as I’m guessing 95 percent of other combat veterans are deep in their hearts. I abhor violence. But sometimes I just want whatever is happening around me to stop. Right then.

Well, I think that’s what I want.

See, this is the pickle in dealing with restlesness. You’re never sure what the problem is. Are you really just not enjoying what you’re currently doing, or is there something else in the back of your mind that you’d far prefer at that given time? Do I really hate sitting around and discussing the Coastal Point’s long-term financial plan, or would I just rather be sitting in a bar with Jonathan Starkey and John Denny arguing the pecking order of teams in the American League East and watching dwarf tossing on ESPN 14?

Probably a mixture of the two, to be honest.

But it goes deeper than that. I can be doing things I really enjoy and I start getting restless. I can’t eat without glancing at a newspaper or talking with the person next to me, and I can’t watch television without playing on my PSP or flipping through a magazine as well. Driving? Need to be on the phone or calling people idiots on talk radio. Showering? Need to be singing or looking through tax returns. OK, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. But I do get restless constantly.

People in this office know when I’m writing my column because a) I get short with every answer to every question they pose, and b) because I’m up from my desk and pacing from one side of the building to the other. In fact, the pacing is a major part of my life. I get on the phone at home and I start my little wandering stroll from kitchen to living room to back deck to front yard. I’m waiting for something from our graphics department and I take my traveling show down the stairs, around the break room and back upstairs, pausing to chat up everyone I encounter along the way.

I pace. It’s what I do.

However, by the time you read this, my pacing days are behind me. See, I was scheduled to undergo yet another surgery on my knee on Thursday morning. It’s not the pain that has me concerned, or the question as to how effective this one will be for the long-term — no, my trepidations are with what happens every time I get surgery on my knee: I can’t pace.

To be fair, I can’t really do much of anything at all. I become a prisoner to wherever I get situated in, and there is no escape. Sure, I could push myself up off the couch or chair, position my crutches under my arms and amble my way to another point, but pacing becomes a little too arduous a chore to really make it worthwhile — plus, I usually have Jane Johnson and Susan Argo throwing banana peels across the office floor every time I find myself on crutches or a cane.

Trust me, it’s not fun getting heckled on crutches. My only saving grace is that I’m usually cranky enough where they think I might actually reach out and slap them with a crutch if it gets too bad. And, believe me, if it gets too bad, I’m going to reach back with all the power that God gave me and take a swipe with the mighty ...

But I digress.

See, for someone who can’t sit still, this is absolute torture. Well, that and the innocent question from well-wishers wondering what happened to my knee. I have a friend in the community who badly hurt his foot helping his wife paint, and he’s taken to telling people that he got hurt skydiving. That’s actually not too bad.

Me? I’m conjuring up a little story containing ninjas, Taliban mercenaries and the Swedish bikini volleyball team. Trust me. I turn out to be quite the hero in this tale.

Labels not worth all this time

Dagsboro Town Council is currently researching exactly what qualifies establishments as a sports bar. The question appears to focus around televisions and the sports events being aired on said televisions at the Whistle Stop downtown.

Our question: if an establishment has a television in it, does that make it a sports bar?

Of course, the follow-up question could be, if a television airing sporting events makes the building surrounding it a sports bar, does it really matter?

The Whistle Stop is first and foremost a restaurant and deli. Airing sporting events and having specials during that time is to draw people into the restaurant. It is not filled with pool tables and dart boards, there is no giant boxing ring in the middle of the dining area and there are no waitresses in referee shirts bringing around shot glasses to the tables.

It is what it is. Why worry about classifying it as something else?

We understand people hoping the downtown restaurant does not attract the “wrong” people or having late-night noise change the flavor of the somewhat sleepy downtown area, but let’s look at this realistically — the Whistle Stop closes at 10:30 p.m. and is not attempting to become a night club.

The restaurant went through the legal procedures and got an alcohol license. The place has not been holding Jell-O wrestling matches or raucous dance nights. It has been serving food, cocktails and providing television viewing to customers.

Maybe it’s time the town leaves them alone as long as they conform to laws.

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One issue that’s been getting attention in many corners of the nation is the conservation of energy. Like those areas, this community has also been conscious of rising costs and possibly depleting resources.

Well, the state of Delaware recently announced a program that will allow residents and businesses to receive grants for being more energy-efficient. Purchasing Energy Star refrigerators and freezers, as well as environmentally-friendly washing machines, air-conditioning units and electric water heaters could result in a check from the state for between $25 and $100. Replacing outdated central air-conditioning units with new environmentally-friendly units could result in a grant of up to $350.

For more information on this program, go to the Internet at www.delaware-energy.com/energy_an$wers_program_home.htm

Letter-writer responds to other letter
Editor:

I am responding to Mary K. Ryan’s letter under “Not opposed to religion, it’s to favoring one” in the September 22 Coastal Point.

Mary K. grossly misinterpreted my letter if she believes that I support prayer in public schools. I do not! I was attempting to stress the idiocy of people that cannot accept a blessing from someone of a religion other than their own.

I agree that we must not have a state religion and praise our Founding Fathers for precluding it from happening.

However, at the same time I abhor the efforts of those that are trying to eliminate any reference to religion and religious icons in our daily discourse.

Are we to relegate such things as swearing on the Bible and “In God We Trust” on our currency to the trash heap? I hope not. Are we to deface practically every national shrine/structure in Washington, D.C., by removing everything that hints of a Judeo/Christian origin? I hope not.

Are we to remove “San”, i.e., “Saint” as the first part of the name of many of our cities? I hope not. Are we never to say, “God Bless You”? I hope not. Do any of these hint at a state religion? I think not.

Those that are opposed to prayer/blessings offered in public are, I believe, enemies of our country and our way of life. They are way beyond the concept of neutrality or tolerance. Too many of us are falling for the separation of church and state defense. Sorry. The removal of the Ten Commandments from a court building was a victory for those enemies and I believe it was a mistake.

I will admit that I never heard of the Treaty of Tripoli (1797) and I do not doubt that it exists. I also do not know the context in which it was drafted or why it was signed by President Adams.

However, unlike Mary K., I think that the verbiage mentioned was baloney. It is total foolishness to think that our Founding Fathers were not guided by Judeo/Christian thought in their deliberations and actions. They prayed before most of their meetings (the House and Senate still do) and for guidance with the formation of this wonderful country that they created.

I hope and pray — let me repeat that — I hope and pray that the we wake up and halt the ruination of our country that the ACLU and the secular humanists so brazenly crave under the guise of tolerance and neutrality.

Thomas M. Keeley III
Ocean View

Rally event at Cripple Creek a huge hit
Editor:

Cripple Creek Country Club hosted the 10th Annual Rally for a Cure. Chairwoman Karen Pharr welcomed the 120 golfers as they enjoyed a jovial gathering and lunch in the clubhouse. New this year was the donation of Leslie Kopp, who underwrote the meal cost.

There was nothing quiet about the exuberant silent auction as attendees brought their competitive spirit from the golf course to the auction. Almost $30,000 was raised from the auction items, entry fees and raffles.

Past Chair Ellen Stephens displayed the plaque that the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization presented to the Rally Committee for their 10 years of successful fundraising. The total raised over this past decade is an impressive $156,000.

Thanks to the many donors, the participating local merchants and artist throughout our area. We are most grateful for the generous spirit of all involved.

We are all touched in some way by the effects of breast cancer. Support of this annual tournament is a viable way to do our part to find a cure. Thanks to all.

Gloria Farrar
Town of Bethany Beach

Bethany committee seeking input
Editor:

As a councilperson in Bethany Beach, I now chair the town’s communications committee.

The committee’s future focus will be determined in the next month, in concert with the full council. That focus may involve such areas as providing information to citizens, obtaining input from citizens, and adapting the town’s Internet site.

Anyone who wants to explore serving on the committee or who wants to work or comment on the above areas related to Bethany Beach should contact me or the town hall. The town hall number is (302) 539-8011 and e-mail is admin@townofbethanybeach.com. My phone is (240) 687-3841 and e-mail is tmulligan@comcast.net.

Tracy Mulligan
Bethany Beach

Business owners show thanks for beach patrol
Editor:

Labor Day weekend, Steen’s Beach Service was devastated by the poorly forecasted Hurricane Ernesto. We thank the Bethany Beach Patrol for their last-minute assistance in removing our beach equipment and storage sheds from the beach.

Thanks also to our family, friends and employees for their offers of assistance and their recovery efforts on our behalf.

Furthermore, we appreciate all of the good Samaritans who pitched in when they saw we were in need.

If anyone finds any of our beach umbrellas, chairs, body boards or signs, please call (302) 539-9160 and we will come pick it up.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Ron and Paige Steen
Steen’s Beach Service
Bethany Beach

Alumni choir being formed for St. George’s
Editor:

I’m forming an alumni choir of members of the Saint George’s United Methodist Church “Chancel Choir” from 1963 to 1990 for a “Homecoming” gathering to be held Oct. 22, 2006, in the church in Clarksville at 2 p.m.

All members who have sung in the choir or have helped in anyway are invited to meet at the church for rehearsal Oct. 18 and Oct. 20, 2006, at 7 p.m.

I’m looking forward to seeing you and I know it will be an exciting time for all of us.

Please RSVP to 539-1706 or 539-7696.

Thank you and GOD bless.

Joan Morin
St. George’s

Scouts thankful for help from Marvin’s
Editor:

Cub Scout Pack 280 of Ocean View would like to thank Marvin and Jane Long, owners of Marvin’s Market and Deli on Route 54, for allowing our pack to set up a Show ’n’ Sell for our popcorn fundraising event in front of their store on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006.

We would also like to thank the community members that stopped by our table and purchased popcorn and/or made a donation. Our pack had a very successful day and the profits earned will be used to help fund scouting activities for our boys.

Marie Karitis-Smith, Popcorn Co-Chair
Cub Scout Pack 280

Dagsboro mayor and council reacted well
Editor:

My husband and I attended the monthly Town Council meeting in Dagsboro on Sept. 25 because there were items on the agenda that we were interested in. We had the opportunity to pick up the agenda at Town Hall. It’s always available before the meeting and it was also published in the local newspapers.

We are fairly new citizens of the town of Dagsboro, but we are familiar with how the town conducts business, having been involved with the process when we were building our home.

With that being said, imagine our shock when the Town Council was viciously attacked several times during the meeting with accusations, threats and name-calling. Attendees came with documents that the Council had only a chance to review that evening.

The meeting looked like it was getting out of control, but our mayor, Wayne Baker, remained calm and professional, trying to deal with everyone’s concerns and asking for some time to have the documents reviewed by the Town Council in the proper forum. We were very impressed with the way he handled what could have become a bad situation.

We should all remember that these people volunteer their time and energy to keep our own a viable part of the government process. We applaud our mayor and the Town Council.

Mr. and Mrs. James Zsido
Dagsboro