Happy almost 4th! With two grandsons under the age of 12, telling jokes is de rigueur. So... if you cross a Patriot with a curly-haired dog, what do you get? Yankee Poodle. Now you know.

With the exception of Rehoboth Beach (which celebrates on Sunday, July 3), surrounding cities will party on Monday, July 4. Here's a guide to area fireworks courtesy of the Cape Gazette. The Independence Day Lewes Boat Parade is also July 4 starting at 1:30 on the Canal.

Bethany Blues will open Downtown Blues in the original Nicola Pizza location in Rehoboth. The Blues team will begin the remodel around Oct 1, and hope to open by Easter 2023. The new Nicola in Lewes near Five Points will open this fall.

Went to Hammy’s in the Safeway shopping center and wowza! My honey claims it is the best burger she's had at the beach, and we've been here 16 years. My veggie burger was also fabulous. Milkshakes are good and a work of art! Check it out.

Ran into one of the owners of Red, White & Basil and they will open very soon (near Jungle Jim's on Route 1). Conch Island Key West Bar and Grill has reopened in the former Murph’s Beef and Ale space near Casa diLeo.

Rehoboth was featured on Good Morning America!

The current issue of Delaware Today is "The Best" issue. Readers voted the best Downstate Craft Cocktails are at Feebs Distilling. Have you been? I need details! My favorite cocktail list can be found at the new Arena's (former Pickled Pig Pub space). I highly recommend the Paloma Diablo.

Fun new events in July like the Dewey Claus Crawl, Jul 16 - Winter in July at four different bars. More info here. And how about KarmaFest, a holistic, psychic and yoga festival at Hudson Fields, July 30-31. We know fun. 

The Oceans Calling Festival debuts Sept 30-Oct 2 with Dave Matthews, Cyndi Lauper, Alanis Morrisette and many more.

The Rehoboth Art League 72nd Annual Cottage Tour July1-31, is virtual this year. Each ticket provides unlimited access for the entire month. The Beach and Bay Cottage Tour will be held July 27, 28, and virtually July 17-Aug 6.

St. Peter’s in Lewes will host its 56th annual Art Show on July 2 at Second and Market streets, featuring 120 artisans with paintings, photographs, jewelry, carvings, ceramics, mixed-media creations and more. Free parking will be available at Cape Henlopen High School with shuttle service.

The Raleigh Ringers (a renowned handbell ensemble) concert takes place July 10, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The internationally acclaimed ensemble features sacred, secular and rock 'n' roll tunes. They perform on one of the most extensive collections of bells and bell-like instruments in the world. (377 individual pieces of equipment!) Get tix here.

Visited the Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers' Market last Sunday and loved it. You drive in past rows and rows of grapevines and groves of trees - so divine - then there's live music playing - people bring chairs, buy food and drinks, and just hang out for the afternoon (12-3). Livin' is easy and the setting is gorgeous. Full sangria bar, artwork, ceramics, handmade candles, French delicacies, Japanese vegetables from Suzuki farm, kombucha, stained glass, the Corn Exchange with tacos, rice bowls, and other deliciousness, fresh veggies, and more. And the delightful Roland Condon, Sharp Edge blade sharpener, who has been a film producer, inventor, and entrepreneur. Something for everyone!

Shout out to my fabulous graphic artist/website designer extraordinaire, Leah McCloskey of LM Studio. GREAT to work with – I highly recommend. (She gets me... I LOVE her!) In her words, I help my clients focus on the heart of what they do, then present that clearly to their audience. Everything we create together must speak with one voice, a visual message that carries through from logo design to print materials to online presence.  

The Seaford Community Concert Association presents their 74th Concert Season starting with the Sultans of String. Five great shows for one low price. Starts this September, so purchase now!

Did you know that The Local Buzz website has lists of fitness/yoga studios, thrift stores, clubs, places to volunteer, antiques and vintage stores and more? Check it out! Presently working on a list of all of the places to play Pickleball, too! If you have a suggestion for a fun list for the site – don’t hesitate to let me know. As a Realtor®, I'm noticing that pickleball courts are becoming a standard amenity in many new communities. Too cool!

Hey history buffs! Do you know about the Delaware History Trail? It’s an interactive trail that spotlights 29 locations throughout the state. One stop on the list, the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, where you can explore more than 30 different aircraft (including Air Force Two), is absolutely incredible. Took my father-in-law, who served in WWII, and he loved it. 

Kudos to Don't Touch Electric. Just the best, and I speak from personal and clients' experience.

Questions about your family tree? Members of the Sussex County Genealogical Society will be available to help the first Saturday of each month at The Lewes History Museum.

After 92 years(!) on the Rehoboth Boardwalk, Stuart Kingston Gallery has a new location in the Shoppes of Camelot (on Route 1 next to Starbucks). The new space features estate and fine jewelry, art and bronze sculptures, and an assortment of Persian car mats. They also offer custom jewelry design, appraisals, and jewelry repair.

A fall opening is planned for Redner's Market on Route 9.

Southern Delaware Wine, Food and Music Festival is Oct 1, but tix are on sale now.

MERR Institute seeks volunteers for dolphin count July 16.

Revive Hydration Drip Bar is now open above the Rehoboth Beach Barbell Club on Route 1. This is RN administered IV therapies and vitamin injections. IV Nutrition opened in the former Community Bank space near the Rehoboth Car Wash. And LifeMed Institute next to Poke Bros. I'm seeing a theme here, but not sure what it is!

Don't forget to check out the Buzz FB page to catch what's happening between issues.

For years I have taken the most incredible classes through the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, and am in the process of finishing a novel. I'm now learning the business side of becoming an author (query letters, agents, publishers and more). If that interests you, please feel free to join me as I venture down that rabbit hole. You can follow my IG page or check out my website. Write on!