coastal MAY/JUNE 2021
STYLE
HOME & INTERIOR DESIGN OUTDOOR OASIS LEGENDS OF THE LAND
REHOBOTH | SALISBURY
EXCLUSIVELY AT VP SHOES
Clothing with a Mission
A portion of every proceed is donated to local adolescent behavioral health programs and activities.
WHY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MATTERS TO YDI The statistics are staggering:
By age 14
1 in 5 children
50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin
between the ages 13-18 have or will have a serious mental illness
70% of children
8-10 years
and adolescents in state and local juvenile systems have a mental illness.
is the average length between the onset of symptoms and intervention.
My passion is to create high-quality products that appeal to all ages.
My mission is to help young people who are suffering from mental illness. By combining my passion and my mission into the YDI brand, I hope to make a difference in the lives of these children.
A smile is worth
a thousand words...
PATIENTS OF
TILGHMAN
ORTHODONTICS
2020
Photo by Sincerely, The Kitchens
ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE
2013-2020 Voted Best Orthodontic Practice in Wicomico and Worcester Counties
• Offering Both Traditional Braces and Clear Aligners • Free Initial Exam • No Referrals Needed • Low Down Payment with Payment Options Available
TilghmanOrthodontics.com BERLIN: 9956 N. Main Street, Unit 1, Berlin, MD 21811 SALISBURY: 1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 104, Salisbury, MD 21804
Ever since she was a little girl, Zoe Messick had always dreamt of having the perfect smile. As an 11-year-old in 2010, she and her parents sought treatment from a local orthodontist who recommended braces to correct the alignment of her teeth. This was a critical time for the preteen, who was shy, introverted and always guarded that other kids might make fun of how her teeth looked. “I never would show my teeth when I smiled,” Zoe said. “I was always so embarrassed about them, and it affected my self-confidence.” Over the next two-plus years, Zoe patiently, and sometimes painfully, waited for the treatment to conclude, so she could finally be herself — free from self-consciousness and doubt. Unfortunately, she and her family’s expectations of what her smile would look like afterward were not met. Disappointed, Zoe continued on through her teenage years, attending Salisbury Christian School and performing as a vocalist with the school’s worship team and at her church, but she never fully showed the person she knew she was inside. “Even though I had treatment elsewhere, all of my friends who went to Tilghman Orthodontics had such beautiful smiles and outcomes. I never felt like my smile looked like theirs and that was very difficult for me,” Zoe said. In September 2018, Zoe made her first patient visit to Tilghman Orthodontics, and instantly she knew her next orthodontic experience would be a much different one. “From the minute I walked in, I felt welcome and at ease. The staff at Tilghman Orthodontics is very professional, and they always make sure you’re comfortable. I’ve always been impressed by how quick and easy the appointments are and how friendly everyone is!” Dr. Michael Tilghman assessed Zoe’s case history and current status, and while her teeth were technically straightened from previous orthodontic treatment, Zoe had underlying issues, including her bite and missing teeth, which were never addressed and prevented her from having the perfect smile. His detailed treatment plan for Zoe focused on correcting with extractions and further alignment of her bite and teeth through orthodontic treatment. Fast-forward to October 3, 2020 — a day Zoe had been dreaming of for as long as she could remember. She was ready to walk down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Chris, during an intimate ceremony at a private estate in Cambridge. “Having a new, beautiful smile on one of the biggest days of my life was such an amazing feeling. It boosted my confidence and made me feel my absolute best on my wedding day!” Today, the 21-year-old graphic designer and social media coordinator is beaming with confidence thanks to the comprehensive care she received at Tilghman Orthodontics. “Dr. Tilghman has genuinely given me a smile I have always wanted, and now I don’t think twice about showing my teeth!”
Call Today To Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation:
410.742.4813
ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST!
2020
VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
Worcester County’s Best Homebuilder
HOMEBUILDER
2016-2020
5 Years in a Row!
TG-BUILDERS.COM | INFO@TG-BUILDERS.COM | 410.641.4076 Licensed and Insured Locally Owned & Operated MHBR #858 | MHIC #93351
Building
Coastal Dreams
for Over 28 years
Experience the
Difference
KITCHEN DESIGN COMPANY
ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
Abundant Selection of Kitchen and Bath Products for Builders, Contractors & Homeowners Since 1963, we’ve been helping builders, contractors, and homeowners transform kitchens and bathrooms into functional, beautiful spaces. Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center works alongside home builders and commercial property managers on new construction, custom homes, new developments, apartment renovations, remodeling projects, and much more. Cabinets, countertops, tile — we have it all. Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center is your one-stop shop.
CABINETS
COUNTERTOPS
BATHKITCHENANDTILE.COM VISIT OUR DELAWARE BEACH STORE: 26836 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Harbeson, DE 19951
(302) 515-0228 APPLIANCES
MUCH MORE
Beebe Healthcare welcomes general and weight loss surgeon Tarek Waked, MD, FACS, FASMBS. Dr. Waked, board certified in general and bariatric surgery, comes to Beebe with experience with the Mayo Clinic as a minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon. He will lead Beebe’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery to serve Delaware and surrounding communities. Dr. Waked, who has performed over 2000 successful bariatric surgeries during his career, is an expert in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, biliary-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch procedures, and revisional surgeries for sleeves and bypass. He also performs general surgery such as minimally invasive colon surgery, hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery, and anti-reflux surgery. Dr. Waked is an active member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), and the national Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). Dr. Waked has received the Top Doctor award in Delaware multiple times. Dr. Waked is here and committed to your care; and together, we’re stepping forward into the future of healthcare.
Now scheduling appointments.
MEDICAL GROUP
302-260-7360
Beebe Healthcare welcomes board certified breast surgeon Diana Dickson-Witmer, MD, FACS. Dr. Dickson-Witmer comes to Beebe with many years of experience as a breast surgeon, Program Director for a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Breast Center Medical Director, member of an NCI Breast Task Force, and an innovator for women’s health in Delaware and surrounding communities. In addition to her surgical and patient care experience, Dr. Dickson-Witmer is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Expert Panel on Hereditary Breast Cancer and is the Delaware state chair for the ACS Commission on Cancer. After 20 plus years of work with the Commission on Cancer, including being Chair of the Accreditation Committee, she was a contributor to “Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery” and is now an expert member of the newest American College of Surgeons program, the Cancer Surgery Standards Program. Dr. Dickson-Witmer is here and committed to your care; and together, we’re stepping forward into the future of healthcare.
Now scheduling appointments.
MEDICAL GROUP
302-645-3332
MAY/JUNE 2021
home 70 COASTAL CONNECTION Designer Christie Datt Veres helped her parents create and decorate their idyllic home in Lewes.
WEETH: 74 JESS HOME AGAIN After a successful international career as a fashion buyer, Jess Weeth returns home to Rehoboth Beach.
92 NEIGHBORLY ADVICE Mark and Janelle Mulholland turned to friend and neighbor Mike Poole for a massive renovation.
10
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June Mar/Apr 2021 2021
78
IF LIFE WERE A BEACH
Creative Concepts’ designer Robin Wall created a dream home in The Peninsula. Photo by Krista Valliant
92
98 STYLISH SOLUTIONS Thinking of building or remodelling? Don’t start any project until you read Becker Morgan’s Top 5 trends.
RENTALS: 102 HOME HOME RUN The vacation-home rental market is red-hot — and expert Andy Meddick tells you how to cash in.
106 GUIDING LIGHT Illuminate your inspiration for new lighting with these trending and innovative fixtures.
110 OUTDOOR OASIS Chris, Tami and Caleb Collins are proud owners of an incredible backyard thanks to Wes Novelli.
Your YourLifestyle. Lifestyle.Your YourVision. Vision.
Perfectly PerfectlyCrafted. Crafted.
someone’s vision is aistrue art.art. Kno Articulating someone’s vision a true K “ Articulating “you’ve created it with them in ainhome is one of you’ve created it with them a home is one
““
greatest satisfactions. greatest satisfactions. – Mike PoolePoole – Mike
MARYLAND MARYLAND BUILDING BUILDING INDUSTRY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION
410-352-9980 410-352-9980 POOLECONTRACTING.COM POOLECONTRACTING.COM CONCEPTUAL PLANNING | DESIGN CONCEPTUAL PLANNING | DESIGN CUSTOM HOME BUILDS | RENOVATION CUSTOM HOME BUILDS | RENOVATION
410-352-9980
POOLECONTRACTING.com
MHIC#104077 | MHRB No. 6927 | Licensed and Insured
MHIC#104077 | MHBR| MHBR No. 69 MHIC#104077
IN THIS ISSUE
Salon Sixteen
38 The historic Brownsville Plantation home now stands as the gateway to the longest expanse of coastal wilderness remaining on the East Coast.
HOME & DESIGN ISSUE
20
IMAGES
22
CREATIVITY ABOUNDS
24 30
Krista Valliant captures a remote and awe-inspiring campsite.
Jamie Merida’s trio of distinct brands define his unique style.
INTERIOR MOTIVES Jeffrey Parker’s talents are worldly, but the Shore is his home.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES We bid farewell to Wayne Cannon, “The Voice of Ocean City.”
32
443.513.4248 16 Broad St. Berlin MD salon16berlin.com
48
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT The Grace Center provides help to pregnant women in need.
33
DOGGONE GOOD!
34
OFF TO THE RACES
Meet Willa from Virginia Beach, the winner of our first pet contest.
We raise a glass, or two, as the Preakness Stakes returns.
TIDALHEALTH The latest news, advice and information from the Shore’s leading healthcare provider.
36
BOOKSHELF
46
CARVING THEIR NICHE
54
FACES OF WELLNESS
64
GRAND DAME
Curtis Badger explores the culinary riches of the Eastern Shore.
McMartin & Beggins Furniture Makers craft excellence.
Experts in medicine, orthodontics and fitness discuss timely topics.
Travel to Ocean House, an award-
winning Rhode Island hotel.
68
ROYAL RETREAT
84
FACES OF SUCCESS
A stay at 134 Prince in Annapolis will leave you feeling regal.
Some of the industry’s most talented share their stories.
Ryan Haley 410.524.0919
coastal
LINKS
Photo by Meghan Shupe
@CoastalStyleMag.com WHERE TO FIND A HOME-COOKED MEAL After the year of the home chef, this summer is the perfect time for someone else to do the cooking. The best Eastern Shore chefs are serving inspired American classics in restaurants that offer all the comforts of home — some in what were actually former residences. Meredith Lindemon takes you inside some of the Shore’s best house-restaurants.
BE OUR GUEST Heirloom in Lewes welcomed patrons to its first wine dinner in 13 months — and we were there. Check out this special occasion by watching our video from that evening on our site.
Vote May 1 – 31 exclusively at
COASTALSTYLE MAG .COM
creativity inspired by YOUR SURROUNDINGS
By Bryan LeCompte
CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
410-742-8003
YARDDESIGNSINC.COM
MAINTENANCE
KARI STORY
Cell: 443-614-6286 Direct: 443-664-2490 kstory@firsthome.com
www.KariStory.com
coastal STYLE
VOL. 17, NO. 3
NMLS #476369 Voted Best in Worcester County!
2020
Kari Story
publishers
JONATHAN & ERIN WESTMAN
advertising
CHELSEA NICHOLS LAUREN ZANIEWSKI
MORTGAGE SPECIALIST
2014-2020
editor
2020
Kari Story Team
creative
CONNIE BUCKNER DENA GRAY
photography
KEYANNA BOWEN
MORTGAGE TEAM
2019-2020
First Home Mortgage
2020
TONY CHALEK
GRANT L. GURSKY
MORTGAGE COMPANY
DENY HOWETH
2017-2020
MEGHAN SHUPE
T ALIS FIN
KRISTA VALLIANT This is not a guarantee to extend consumer credit as defined by Section 1026.2 of Regulation Z. All loans are subject to credit approval and property appraisal. First Home Mortgage Corporation NMLS ID #71603 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Licensed in DE, MD, PA and VA. Kari Story, NMLS ID 476369
editorial
WE’RE A
FINALIST!
NICK BRANDI ALISON PAPPAS
VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
MEREDITH LINDEMON IAN POST KATIE RILEY JOE WILLEY
intern
OLIVIA MINZOLA
distribution
RICHARD RALPH KEN RYAN
coastal MAY/JUNE 2021
STYLE
ABOUT THE COVER
MARCH/APRIL 2021
This beautiful setting on Maryland Avenue in Rehoboth Beach is the creation of designer Jess Weeth.
HOME AND INTERIOR DESIGN OUTDOOR OASIS LEGENDS OF THE LAND
Photo by Keyanna Bowen
Coastal Style Magazine is published 6 times annually by Coastal Style, Inc. All rights reserved. No content contained within may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers.
PO Box 667, Ocean City, MD 21843 Market
Wilmington • Lewes • Rehoboth Beach • Ocean View • South Bethany Beach
bigfishrestaurantgroup.com 16
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
410-213-9491 • Info@CoastalStyleMag.com CoastalStyleMag.com
1-800-STEEMER
®
stanleysteemer.com
2020
WE’RE PREPARED & EQUIPPED TO SAFELY HANDLE YOUR CLEANING NEEDS!
CARPET CLEANING COMPANY
Salisbury 410-548-1170 Ocean City 410-524-2211 Rehoboth 302-226-2416 Bethany 302-539-3100
Locally Owned by the Farrell Family Since 1993
CALL 24/7 TO SCHEDULE YOUR CLEANING • SAME DAY SERVICE AVAILABLE CARPET • TILE & GROUT • HARDWOOD • UPHOLSTERY • AIR DUCT • DISINFECTING SERVICES
Extraordinary Service by an Extraordinary Team for Extraordinary Clients
Residential, Commercial and Community
LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
443.880.6270
www.coastaledgelandscape.com
2020
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
LANDSCAPING COMPANY
WORCESTER COUNTY
Thank you for your nominations! Best Of Coastal Style 2021 Finalists
coastal
COVERAGE
Featured Locations IN THIS ISSUE
FRANCES STERLING
Real Estate Agent
THE ASHLEY GROUP
Real Estate Team
JONI M. WILLAMSON Businesswoman
#1 in Sales #1 in Service
ERA MARTIN ASSOCIATES Real Estate Company
ERA Martin Associates
Each ERA® Office is ndependent Owned and Operated.
410.749.1818 ERAdelmarva.com Best Carpet Cleaning Company in Sussex and Worcester Counties
2020
®
CARPET CLEANING COMPANY
2018-2020
Carpet, Upholstery, Tile & Grout Cleaning In-Plant Cleaning & Repair of Oriental & Area Rugs
302-436-5652 BRASURESCARPETCARE.COM
FREETES
13
EASTERN SHORE COMMUNITIES
ESTIMA
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 38 YEARS 18
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
HOME. THAT WORD, AND WHAT IT EMBODIES, resonates so much more today than it did in early 2020. It’s been our sanctuary from the unknown, our office, school, place of worship and more. We visited 13 communities during the production of this issue to bring you stories of people who strive to make the Shore an even better place to live. We hope you are safe and enjoy this issue. Tell us what you think. Connect with us at Info@CoastalStyleMag.com or on Facebook or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!
**Business Owners mention this AD and receive a SURPRISE discount**
Keeping your hvac in the race for over 25 years We have been serving the people and businesses of the Delmarva Peninsula for over 25 years . We service and install most makes and models of HVAC equipment and commercial refrigeration equipment.
Residential HVAC Whether you have a single uncomfortable room, you're renovating your entire house, or you're building a home from scratch, Mitsubishi Electric has Zoned Comfort Solution that fits your unique needs. It’s definitely our job to turn your HVAC problems around and make sure you are as comfortable as possible after our work is done. **Contact us today, your local Preferred Diamond Contractor and get started!
$30.00 Off Preventive Maintenance service call.
Commercial Refrigeration/ Commercial HVAC We service and install most brands. Makes and models of commercial refrigeration equipment, including walk in coolers and freezers, reach in sandwich, kitchen prep tables, coolers and freezers, ice machines, kitchen exhaust fans, make up air systems. Reach in display coolers, restaurant mug chillers, reach in beer coolers. We offer maintenance programs for kitchen refrigeration equipment, coil cleaning and controls, ice machine, exhaust fans, etc. **We are available 24/7 to keep your business running and inventory protected.
$40.00 Off
When join our Maintenance Service Plan.
$50.00 Off
$150.00 Off
Any commercial service call.
Any Commercial new system installation.
410-543-2962 | MarathonServiceCo.com
Undisclosed Location This may be one of the most secluded — and coolest — camping spots on the Eastern Shore. The lucky adventurers in this image packed a generator, propane tanks, food to grill and plenty of water. “It’s coastal living at its finest and most simple,” one said. “Water in every direction, a warm breeze, sand in between our toes, with our dog and a fishing line in the water. It doesn’t get much better than this.” We tend to agree. Photo by Krista Valliant
images 20
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
21
local
Creativity Abounds JAMIE MERIDA HAS MELDED INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCES TO CREATE A TRIO OF DISTINCT BRANDS THAT DEFINE HIS UNIQUE STYLE AND SOPHISTICATION Story by Joe Willey | Photo by Stylish Productions Photo by Karena Dixon
22
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
J
morsehomeimprovement.com
302.663.0042
Roof Health Assessments Roof Replacements Storm Damage Experts Roof Repairs 2020
amie Merida Interiors and Bountiful Home have become touchpoints of style in an area known for its natural charms. In his designs, the confluence of European classicism, American modernism and Eastern Shore ease occurs in Easton. Maybe Merida’s eye for style is genetic. Both parents were artists and, while living in Kentucky, dreamed of living in Europe. They eventually moved to Ghent, Belgium, taking a young Jamie with them. When they later moved back to Kentucky, the entire family brought their European inspiration with them. Merida moved to Maryland to attend the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he received an undergraduate degree, eventually studying business at the university. He would visit the Eastern Shore and the beach resorts, not knowing that the hub of his creative venture would one day reside on the highway that he often traveled. In 1997, Merida began dealing in antiques, visiting major antique shows along the East Coast until he opened Bountiful Interiors — a furniture-and-decor store — in Easton in 1999. He received a myriad of compliments and questions. People liked his style and wanted their homes to reflect his taste. “Can you help us?” was a question that he heard often. He paid attention to the compliments and deftly moved from dealing in only antiques to offering a full-service interior design studio. His retail business has grown into three distinct brands: Bountiful Home, Bountiful Flooring and Bountiful Framing. All brands fall under his watchful eye and the eyes of his experienced staff. He has also expanded his creative activity by partnering with Chelsea House to design the Jamie Merida Collection, which blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary details. It is intentional that Jamie Merida’s brands, backed by his years of experience and acclaim, are found in one location. In a single visit to Bountiful Home, one can find the expertise to create a space that melds inspiration from different influences, resulting in a unique interior they will be proud to call home. cs
ROOFING COMPANY
Serving Sussex County
coastal
LOCAL
Interior Motives INTERIOR DESIGNER JEFFREY PARKER’S TALENTS HAVE TAKEN HIM ACROSS THE GLOBE, BUT HIS HEART AND HIS HOME ARE ON THE EASTERN SHORE Intro and Interview by Jonathan Westman Portraits by Ted Mueller | Interior Photos by Tom Sibley From Palm Beach to Paris, the Middle East to East Hampton, and dozens of other celebrated points around the world, Jeffrey Parker’s interior design projects have produced glowing reviews and a quintessential reputation for deeply connecting with his clients to discover their tastes and lifestyles — a responsibility he says is crucial in the execution of great design. The Cambridge native and University of Maryland graduate founded his firm, Jeffrey Parker Interiors, in New York City in 1998 and has hundreds of illustrious designs to his credit. He returned to the Shore in 2012, purchased a home in Easton’s Cooke’s Hope and quickly reestablished his roots. Jeffrey is a trustee of the Academy Art Museum, served for years on the Choral Arts Society board and is completing his fourth year as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Board. Today, he divides his time between Easton and Manhattan.
24
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
JW: One could walk into six different “coastal” designed homes, and all could look very different from one another. What is your definition of “coastal” from an interior design perspective? JP: That’s a very interesting question. People have different tastes and aesthetic priorities. Coastal style can be so much more than a cliché, and I think over the years, the concept of coastal style has gotten pigeonholed into something that has to do with mass-produced sailboat models, crab motifs and seashells. I would like to think that at this point in all of our taste-and-design evolutions, we’ve come to realize that coastal style can be something much more than that. While you can never lose sight of the practicalities of, for instance, living at the beach, living with high humidity levels, windows open, sand at your feet, yet at the same time, I think you can have a level of luxury, a level of comfort and an expression of individual tastes that go beyond the cliché. There are so many aspects of the local environment that can inspire our designs – it’s an opportunity to pause with your client and say, “What makes you want to wake up here, to live here?” I had one project in which the entire apartment was designed based on how beautiful the almostdaily sunset appeared. It was a combination of orange, magenta and purple — a kind of dusty mixture of the colors. The whole apartment became this rose-and-mauve kind of lavender, with accents of purple. It was absolutely stunning. Every evening this sunset occurred, it absolutely complemented everything that was going on in the apartment. So, at its core, coastal style is very individual, and it should be very personal.
COASTAL DELIVERY For interior designer Jeffrey Parker, the execution of “coastal style” should be so much more than a cliché. To him, it is eminently possible to incorporate its practicalities while embracing individual expression.
JW: What elements are a must in a coastal design that Jeffrey Parker Interiors is directing? JP: For me, it’s always been important to have the integration of artwork in my interior design projects. Some of the most essential things in a room, for me, are the artwork, lighting, the use of comfortable fabrics that feel good, whether it’s a particular cut velvet, a particular Chenille, a linen-cotton blend woven texture that feels approachable to the touch. Every element should feel usable: I want to walk into a room and see comfortable furniture — both sofas and chairs that are inviting — whether it’s to have a drink with friends or to watch a movie together. As an interior designer, I believe people are born with predispositions toward certain fields. It may be chemistry. It may be mathematics. It may be music. It may be art. For me, I’ve always had a passion for beauty and for lifestyle, and I use the word lifestyle because interior design doesn’t start and stop with furniture, colors and fabrics for me whatsoever. In fact, architecture very much informs all of my design processes. I’ve studied architecture and have a passion for both architecture and design. That’s essential for me, but as essential as architecture and design, beauty and lovely fabrics are to me, so are lighting, music and artwork — it’s really a complete package. What I want to offer to my clients ultimately is a lifestyle package. I want to walk into the room and hear music, whether it’s a tinkling piano playing jazz music in the evening, a symphony playing in the background softly or someone crooning ballads, like Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan. It adds a totally different dimension to a room. And I think it informs interior design. For me, lighting, music, artwork, fabrics and architectural backgrounds are the five essential elements of design. A room should stimulate — or calm — ALL of our senses. Enter a beautiful room, enjoy some food and a drink, and our five senses should be satiated — and we should have a perception that “all is right with the world.” With this, your design is a complete success.
“
’
”
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
25
coastal
LOCAL
JW: How does your approach change when designing the interior of a beach home? JP: If you’re down at the beach, that’s different. Even what coastal living is to people is so varied. Is coastal living a beautiful home on a golf course or is it on the beach? I think you approach interior design very differently, even in those two scenarios. If you’re in a beach house, I think it’s even more important that things be beach-andwater-friendly. That could call for very casual, very durable fabrics; perhaps it even calls for the use of indooroutdoor fabrics in the interior on a sofa, for example. Today there are so many luxurious indoor/outdoor fabrics available. If you’re coming off the golf course to a home in a golf community, there’s a certain type of upholstery
26
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
“For me, lighting, music, artwork, fabrics and architectural backgrounds are the five essential elements of design.”
fabric that you might choose differently than if you are coming in from a walk along the ocean. I think you can go up a notch, to where things are less water-resistant and fragile but still very relaxed and comfortable. So, number one, the key for me is appropriate fabrics that are approachable, comfortable and practical, depending on the environment they’re placed in. JW: How vital is the connection between designer and client? JP: That relationship is crucial. I very much try to get to know my clients — and one of the key things I like to do is look into their closets to see how they dress, how they accessorize, see how they live. Are these people
2020 FLOORING COMPANY
2019-2020
who like color, or do these people prefer the absence of color? There is no right or wrong, but I want to put my clients in an environment that’s comfortable for them to live in. When their friends come over in the evening, I don’t want them to say, “This is a Jeffrey Parker Interior.” I want them to experience the space and say, “My goodness, this place is beautiful.” And I want it to be a reflection of my client’s tastes, raised to a highest possibility.
JW: What advice would you share with readers who want to update the interiors of their homes? JP: Work with a design professional and make a plan. I’ve said this to my clients for years: “Make a plan for your home.” It can be a five-year plan. Take your time in executing it and choose your priorities. Do you do the living room first, or do you start with a new kitchen and a new bathroom first? Prioritize your goals and make a plan, because five years will come and go before you blink. And if you stick to a plan, in five years, you will have a beautifully completed residence that will have longevity and style that will endure. cs
creativity. not canceled. Our days look a little different right now, but there are still many beautiful things happening right in our own homes. If new floors would make you happier at home, we’re here to help. Call us today to chat about your next project.
playtime. not canceled.
milestones. not canceled.
1530 N. Salisbury Blvd. | Salisbury MD | 410-742-5224 VALUECARPETONESALISBURY.COM HOURS: MON—FRI 8AM—6PM; SAT 8:30AM-2:30PM Photos for illustrative purposes only. See store for details. ©2020 Carpet One Floor & Home®. All Rights Reserved.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
27
ST ALI FIN
VOTE NOW! MAY 1–31
Retractable Screens • Create a bug-proof environment with touch of a button • Provide glare control, add privacy & increase outdoor space • Side fabric retention system provides wind rated strength
Retractable Awnings Push button technology will instantly shade your patio from the sun’s rays. Wind control provides automatic retreating to help protect it from damages. When not in use the awning is completely self storing, eliminating the need for costly seasonal removal and storage.
FREE LED KIT or WIND SENSOR with retractable awning purchase!
www.ecshutters.com | 302-436-9408 SHOWROOM HOURS: MON–FRI 8AM–4PM
117 DIXON ST / SELBYVILLE, DE 19975 24COASTAL STYLE / March-April 2019
DE Business Lic. #2004200857, DE Master Electrician Lic. #T1-0005686, MHIC #16686, MD Master Electrician Lic. #12048
stal Mention Coaeive Style and rec
! F F O % 0 1 TALL ANY Nn mEusWt beIprNesSented at *Coupo be ent and cannot initial assessm rs. fe of r he h any ot combined wit 1 Expires 6/30/2
coastal
LOCAL
Master of Ceremonies WITH THE UNTIMELY PASSING OF WAYNE CANNON, ”THE VOICE OF OCEAN CITY,” AND ONE OF THE RESORT’S BIGGEST PROMOTERS, A LASTING LEGACY IS LEFT Story by Brian Shane | Photo by Grant L. Gursky On April 19, the Eastern Shore bid a wistful farewell to one of its favorite sons, Wayne Cannon, who succumbed following a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 72. Wayne Cannon was a friend of Coastal Style, and we had the pleasure of collaborating with him on several occasions. In 2019, one of CSM’s contributors, Brian Shane, spent some time with Wayne, swapping stories of the Shore and getting
D
id you know that the famous gunslinger Annie Oakley used to live in Cambridge? Or that the West Ocean City boat Lady Grace doubled onscreen as the ill-fated Andrea Gail from the hit movie The Perfect Storm? You probably did if you follow Wayne Cannon on Facebook.
30
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
to know more about the life and times of this colorful figure from Delmarva’s history, during a friendly and informal conversation. We asked Brian to reformat that conversation into a feature article that would serve as a final tribute to a man who would ultimately become as much a part of the fabric of this community as a warm summer breeze on the Ocean City Boardwalk. We lost you too soon, Wayne. Godspeed.
Cannon has always had a way with words and a passion for journalism. The Delmar, MD, native parlayed his abilities and interests into a successful four-decade career on Delmarva as a popular radio personality, and today, although semiretired, he loves to share Eastern Shore tall tales and facts with friends on social media as if it were a full-time job.
Then and now, Wayne Cannon likes an audience. As a kid growing up in the 1950s, Wayne loved to listen to his favorite radio announcers — like Joey Reynolds of WKBW in Buffalo, Dick Biondi on WLS in Chicago, Cousin Brucie at WABC in New York — and decided he would follow in their footsteps. His first journalism experience came in 1967, covering a demonstration in Washington, DC, where a reported 100,000 antiwar protesters marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon. After enlisting in the Army in 1969, Cannon spent two and a half years in Germany as part of the NATO forces. He wanted to be a radio announcer, but that slot was filled. Instead, the Army needed field medics, so that became his job. After returning stateside, he landed a job in 1976 at WETT-AM in Ocean City, a small station where he was able to wear many hats. During any given air shift, Wayne could play you a song, offer news updates and sports scores or even interview up-andcoming politicians. Over the years, Wayne realized how much he enjoyed promoting Ocean City. He now boasts a long résumé of public service with myriad local civic groups, including a stint as president of the chamber of commerce, and he has taken home several citizen-of-theyear-type honors along the way. In that vein, Wayne is also the Lower Shore’s longstanding go-to guy for master of ceremonies. You may have heard him emcee the old Baltimore Colts Corral parades, Berlin’s Christmas parade, the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Parade and more. His broadcast career is officially over now, but you can still hear his occasional on-air contribution on WGMD-FM, the news station that most recently employed him. In retirement, Wayne and his wife, Chris, enjoy food and wine, travel and reminiscing with friends at the Marlin Club. You can also find Wayne (although he’ll find you first) as the host/greeter at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. “The host of a restaurant sets the tone of the customers visit. In other words, you don’t get a second chance to make a great first impression,” Wayne said. “I’ve been called the voice of Ocean City,” he continued, “and that’s always a neat thing, because I used my career to promote the town. Ocean City’s been very, very good to me. I’m a happy man… in life, career-wise, I’ve done everything I wanted to do.” cs
the salon ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
Hairstylist | Makeup Artist Salon/Barber for Men | Salon for Women
2020
OMH oh my hair!
Michele Harrington
HAIR STYLIST
2016-2020
Color | Melts | Balayage Hair Extensions | Men & Women's Cuts Private Wig Fittings | Eyelash Extensions Hair Restoration Specialists
443.513.4461
www.ohmyhairsalon.com @ohmyhairsalon
coastal
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Skill, Determination and Grace ALONE, PREGNANT AND LOST, CHRISTINA MAJESKI RETURNED HOME TO BERLIN AND DISCOVERED COMPASSION, RESOURCES AND A SUPPORT NETWORK AT THE GRACE CENTER Story by Olivia Minzola | Photo by Grant L. Gursky When Christina Majeski learned she was pregnant at the age of 20, she had very few people to turn to. Only later in her pregnancy would she come to discover the Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, a nonprofit organization that serves as a safe haven for young, expecting mothers who seek knowledge, love and support. Majeski was living in California during the first few weeks of her pregnancy, but as she grappled with the realities of her new news, she decided to return home, to Berlin, where her mother and aunt were waiting. After arriving in Maryland, Majeski began to seek out parenting resource centers in the surrounding area. She quickly came across the Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health. Located in Berlin, the Grace Center offers a variety of programs and services, free of charge, to young parents. Majeski familiarized herself with several of them, including ultrasound examinations, postpartum home visits, General Educational Development (GED) testing, workforce training, the Learning, Empowering, Affirming, and Progressing (L.E.A.P.) program and Gracie’s Baby Boutique. The L.E.A.P. program, in particular, aims to help individuals improve their parenting skills through a series of classes. Clients earn “points” by attending classes and other services, including appointments, counseling sessions and support groups. The points can then be used to “purchase” baby items at Gracie’s Baby Boutique. “I don’t have any younger siblings; I had never taken care of a baby before I had gotten pregnant. I was completely lost,” said Majeski. “I ended up taking the Grace Center’s parenting classes, and they taught me everything from bathing and changing diapers to potty-training and good discipline. I had zero experience with these kinds of things, so it was very helpful.” Majeski was then able to use any points she’d earned to acquire a large assortment
32
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Christina Majeski
“The very first time I went there, they opened the door and gave me a hug. They were so welcoming. I had never really experienced that from people in my life. They’re good people.” of items, such as bottles, books, bibs, clothes, hand-knit blankets, a Pack ’n’ Play and even a brand-new car seat. “At the time, I was just building my life,” said Majeski. “I was 20 when I was pregnant and had my son when I was 21. I didn’t have anything yet, so it was very helpful.”
Not only has the Grace Center helped Majeski overcome countless obstacles throughout her pregnancy, its staff also assisted her with her education and finding furniture for her home. In addition, the mother of one shared how, over the years, she has spoken to the women about many different aspects of her life and not once did she ever feel neglected or judged at the Grace Center. Jasmine Dennis, executive director of the Grace Center, is a staff member who especially cherishes her relationships with her clients. “One of the things that I think sets us apart from other organizations is that our clients aren’t numbers,” said Dennis. “I have so many girls who call me after hours and just say, ‘Hey, can you just talk this through with me.’ I love that we’re an open door and a safe space as opposed to a client coming in for an appointment and then it’s time for them to go. I want to make sure everyone knows that when they come through our door, they’re going to be family.” From the very beginning, the staff have valued their relationship with Majeski. Many women keep in touch with her and her 3-year-old son, Benjamin, to this day. “They always call and check up on me. Every Christmas, they call me and ask me what size my son is, what toys he’s into, and they give him gifts,” said Majeski. “They’ve always been super sweet. The very first time I went there, they opened the door and gave me a hug. They were so welcoming. I had never really experienced that from people in my life. They’re good people.” When it came to her first pregnancy, Majeski, naturally, was scared. It brought forth a lot of questions and a roller coaster of emotions. Yet today, Majeski, who is pregnant with her second child (another boy, due in May), feels nothing but immense joy. Thanks to the Grace Center, she is excited, hopeful and more than prepared. cs
coastal
CONTEST WINNER
Doggone Good! MEET WILLA FROM VIRGINIA BEACH! SHE’S A PETITE BUT POWERFUL 3-YEAR-OLD BLACK TRI-COLORED AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD AND THE WINNER OF OUR FIRST PET CONTEST Story by Alison Pappas | Photos courtesy Maria Elena Cassidy Coastal Style is pleased to announce that the winner of our first monthly pet contest is Willa the Black Tri-Colored Australian Shepherd. At 3 years old, Willa unsurprisingly is a ball of energy. She truly embodies a “small but mighty” persona, often running and playing with much larger dogs, like her best friends, Apollos the German Shepherd and Bernie the Standard Poodle Mix. She’s fortunate to have been blessed with two devoted parents, Maria Elena and Steven Cassidy, who allow her to accompany them on many adventures. Her favorite activities include nature walks, strolling the shoreline in her hometown of Virginia Beach, VA, and taking trips to Lowe’s. Full of personality, Willa has mastered her breed’s signature head tilt. When Maria and Steven are working at their desks, she’s been known to drop her cherished tennis ball at their laps, perhaps to notso-subtly remind them that she’s always up for a game of fetch. She also has a puppy-like fascination with water hoses. She proudly has a healthy appetite, including a special appreciation for snacks like cucumbers, cheese and peanut butter. Willa is quite perceptive, and she reads human behaviors so innately that it’s easy to forget she’s a canine. When Elena’s grandmother was battling Parkinson’s disease, Willa supportively stood by her side. Realizing Willa’s intelligence and potential to aid those requiring support, Elena and Steven plan to soon enroll her in training so that she may serve as a therapy dog for children with special needs. cs
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
33
coastal
FLAVORS
DOWN THE STRETCH Though the Preakness Stakes’ in-person attendance will be capped at 10,000 this year due to pandemic restrictions, celebrating the event with its official drink, the black-eyed Susan, should be easier than ever.
OFF TO THE RACES THE PREAKNESS STAKES WILL FEATURE HORSERACING’S FINEST — AND FANS WILL CELEBRATE WITH ITS SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Story by Katie Riley | Pimlico Racetrack Photography by Paul Morigi / Getty Images On May 15, the Preakness Stakes returns to Baltimore’s Pimlico Racetrack and its rightful place in the traditional Triple Crown schedule after being delayed a year ago due to COVID-19. Though Derby season conjures images of fancy hats and julep cups, around these parts, the drink of choice is the blackeyed Susan, the official drink of the Preakness Stakes. While the race may look a bit different this year — in-person spectators have been capped at 10,000 rather than the usual 130,000 — it’s easier than ever to celebrate at home. Of course, with cocktail in hand. Though the mint julep dates to the 1770s, the black-eyed Susan was only invented 50 years ago. Longtime Pimlico caterers Harry M. Stevens Co. had the idea in 1973 to develop a signature cocktail to rival the mint julep served at the Kentucky Derby. Like a younger, sassier rival, the black-eyed Susan arrived on the scene to both criticism and admiration. According to Tiffani Steer, vice president of communications for the Stronach Group, which owns the Preakness Stakes, it was not always love at first sip. “It was not a drink that was entirely lauded,” Steer says. “It took a lot
34
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
of flack and got a little beaten down as the secondary drink to the mint julep.” Named after the Maryland state flower, the original recipe, first printed in the 1985 Baltimore Junior League Cookbook, called for a sugary combination of vodka, rum and triple sec mixed with orange and pineapple juices. “It’s sweet and packs a serious punch,” Steer says. The recipe has evolved many times throughout the years, with several Baltimore restaurants and bars featuring their own versions of the cocktail, an evolution that Steer says is a good thing. “Lots of recipes can be improved over time, and we aren’t overly precious about it.” The current official recipe from Pimlico relies on bourbon, vodka and peach schnapps, and unlike it’s highbrow rival, doesn’t require a mixologist’s expertise to make at home. “The black-eyed Susan is just not as fussy as a mint julep,” Steer says. “It’s like the Preakness — you have everything from fancy hats and racing chic to in-field celebrations that are extremely casual. It’s what you make of it, but it’s always fun.”
Editor’s note: To watch this year’s 146th Preakness on May 15, tune in to NBC or watch online at Pimlico.com.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN
2020
Ingredients 1 oz. vodka 1 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum ¾ oz. Cointreau 1½ oz. fresh-squeezed orange juice 1½ oz. pineapple juice Build in a Collins glass filled with crushed ice. Add a Maraschino cherry, an orange wheel, a pineapple cube and a lime wedge for garnishes. Note: It’s imperative to squeeze the juice from the lime wedge into the drink.
CRAB CAKES
2016-2020
Woody’s Dewey Beach has been serving the best crab cakes and burgers at the beach since 2009. Located in the heart of Dewey Beach, our friendly staff provides great service and award-winning food in a fun, friendly atmosphere.
We’re looking forward to a happy, OPEN YEAR ROUND 11:00 AM–1:00 AM SERVING LUNCH & DINNER EVERYDAY
THE PREAKNESS Ingredients 2 oz. straight rye whiskey 1 oz. Martini & Rossi red vermouth 2 dashes Angostura bitters (though some early versions substitute Peychauds) ½ tsp. Benedictine Stir with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and twist a swatch of fresh-cut lemon peel over the top. cs
ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
1904 COASTAL HIGHWAY DEWEY BEACH, DE 19971
D EW EY B E ACHB AR .COM
302.260.9945
coastal
BOOKSHELF
Delmarva’s Natural Bounty AUTHOR CURTIS BADGER EXPLORES THE CULINARY RICHES OF THE PENINSULA IN HIS NEW BOOK Review by Nick Brandi
O
f all the things one can say about the Delmarva Peninsula, there is nothing that rings more true than that it has always fed its people — and fed them well. So well, in fact, that both a community and a culture were built around it, unifying a people who would no doubt tell you a couple of interesting things. One is that the peninsula does not belong to them but rather they to it. The other is that they belong to it more intimately than they do any of the three respective U.S. states to which they pay their taxes. Author Curtis Badger knows this and celebrates it in his new book, A Culinary History of Delmarva: From the Bay to the Sea. Badger grew up on the Eastern Shore in Virginia and graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in English. For four years, he was a member of the U.S. Air Force who worked as a photojournalist before returning to civilian life to begin a career that captured the Shore with his pen and camera. Beginning with fishing and the beautiful waters that bound the peninsula, Badger
36
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
nimbly weaves back and forth in time, one minute recounting the extant Delmarva tradition of eating salted fish with bacon and eggs on Christmas morning — frying the roe from trout and croakers with the eggs — to Captain Samuel Argall, who reported back to England in 1610 that the barrier islands of Delmarva possessed “a great store of fish, both shellfish and other.” From there, Badger repairs to terra firma, where he affectionately, yet not bathetically, describes the venerable hunter/gatherer traditions endemic to the region, channeling centuries-old echoes of marsh and tide, of father and sons, of men and their dogs, and of the majestic bounty of sacrifices that nature has made to sustain local families for countless generations. Along the way, you will meet everything from terrapins and muskrats to robin snipes and calico backs, along with all the usual-suspect shorebirds and other de rigueur waterfowl. In Section III, titled “We Plow, We Propagate,” the author takes the readers to the fertile farmland of Delmarva, including hog farming, our produce and what we
take to market. You will learn, for example, that according to a 1929 circular released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from 1920 to 1929, the four contiguous counties on the southern tip of Delmarva (Worcester, Somerset, Accomack and Northampton) produced more than 40% of the potatoes shipped by rail in the entire United States. That’s a lot of potatoes. Add to this loving yet fascinating historical perspective a potpourri of recipes that include clams and crabs, chicken and muskrats — and, of course, scrapple and Old Bay, and what you’ll take away is a good homespun read that effectively lays the groundwork for an experience that is as deliciously filling as it is fulfilling. cs
A Culinary History of Delmarva: From the Bay to the Sea By Curtis J. Badger Arcadia Press (2021) 160 pages (pbk)
H E R I TAG E SHORES CLUB
! Inside and out – we’ll floor you!
S I M P LY
Delmarva’s Premier Design & Tile Showroom FREE ESTIMATES
•
FULL FINANCING AVAILABLE
410.835.TILE // EASTCOASTTILEINC.COM 7830 Gumboro Rd. Pittsville, MD 21850 / M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm
G R E AT
heritageshores.com
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
37
history
LEGENDS OF THE LAND ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA, THE HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE PLANTATION HOME NOW STANDS AS THE GATEWAY TO THE LONGEST EXPANSE OF COASTAL WILDERNESS REMAINING ON THE EAST COAST Story by Ian Post | Photo by Gordon Campbell / At Altitude
38
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
BROWNSVILLE-BY-THE-SEA Just east of Nassawadox, in Northampton County, VA, a 200-year-old home known as Brownsville stands on the Brownsville Preserve, the headquarters for The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Volgenau Coastal Reserve. Woven into this environmentally protected property are histories that exemplify how people have interacted with the land on the Eastern Shore of Virginia — multigenerational agricultural operations, crops attracting birds hunted by presidents and enslaving Black people for labor. Written records related to Brownsville date back to the 1652 and 1655 patents to John Browne for 1,262 acres “near the river of Mathepungo [Machipongo].” After Browne’s daughter, Sarah, later inherited the tract with her husband, Arthur Upshur, the farm was passed down and held by the Upshur family for over 300 years, until TNC purchased it in 1978. As on most multigenerational family farms on the Eastern Shore, nearly all of the Brownsville Upshurs were buried in the family cemetery on the property. In 1691, the Old Hall was the first residence built on the property and was 20 feet wide by 35 feet long, complete with four rooms, a small hall, an attic and, according to Historic Virginia Homes and Churches, “some curious little closets in the upstairs rooms.” The Old Hall became the home of the people enslaved at Brownsville in 1806 and later, in 1898, was moved across Upshur Creek as a tenant home until it fell into ruins in the 1960s. Just west of the Old Hall, at the cost of $10,000 in 1806, John Upshur led the construction of the home that stands at Brownsville today. According to the National Historic Registry report, “Brownsville is a two-story brick structure with a gable roof and one interior end chimney… [with] walls...finely laid in Flemish bond with white marble lintels over the windows.”
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
39
coastal
HISTORY
In 1809, John Upshur added a one-and-a-halfstory frame wing to accommodate visiting relatives, declaring, “There is no place to put the sole of my foot.” One of the chief distinctions of the home, however, is its interior Federal woodworking, especially the “drawing room trim with the applied decoration on the mantel and the tassel-and-swag decoration on the chair rail.” Similar decorative woodworking and notably detailed craftsmanship can be found in the interiors of other historic Eastern Shore homes, like Ker Place, Wharton Place, and Eyre Hall, but the craftsman responsible for this work has yet to be identified. Today, historic Brownsville is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve (VVCR), and the home is opened to the public twice annually for a Holiday Open House and a spring Open Farm Day. The Brownsville Preserve also offers visitors unique natural experiences through its trails and educational and community outreach programs. The VVCR protects 14 undeveloped barrier and marsh islands in addition to the Brownsville Preserve, which provides a critical wildlife habitat and safeguards the Eastern Shore from storm surges and sea-level rise.
40
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
A TALE OF TWO ABELS For nearly two and a half centuries, Black people were enslaved for agricultural, industrial and domestic labor on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Brownsville and the broader Upshur family were not exceptions, and, in fact, several Upshurs defended the institution in both politics and during the Civil War. Although much has been written about the slaveholders, researchers must dive deep into archival records to discover even basic information, like names and birthdates, about enslaved people. In 1850 and 1860, censuses of enslaved people across the United States were recorded, listing only the slaveholders’ names, with the age and gender of each enslaved person. The 1860 slave schedule for Brownsville lists 35 people enslaved by William B. Upshur, ranging in age from 1 to 78 and living in seven dwellings on the property. By crossreferencing several other records, it’s possible to learn the potential name of one of the 14-year-old boys enslaved at Brownsville. A 1912 obituary published in the Peninsula Enterprise for Abel Upshur of Accomack notes that he was formerly enslaved by William B. Upshur of Brownsville. Using birth information from his death certificate and census records, it’s possible
that Abel was the 14-year-old male listed on the 1860 slave schedule. Moreover, the death certificate lists a rarity for formerly enslaved people — the names of his parents, Parker Leatherbury and Leah Upshur. After gaining his freedom, Uncle Abe, as he was reportedly known, became a drayman (brewery worker) in Accomack and later a sexton of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, information about his enslavement — and the enslavement of others — at Brownsville is scarce to this date. On the other hand, on the bayside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, an incredible amount of information exists on an infamous figure in the family — Abel Parker Upshur. Cousins of the Upshurs of Brownsville, Abel P. Upshur’s political career began when he led a student rebellion at Princeton in 1807 and ended fatally aboard the USS Princeton in 1844. At his Eastern Shore home, called Vaucluse — which stands today — he entertained national figures, including President John Tyler, for whom Upshur served as secretary of the Navy from 1841 to 1843, when he was named secretary of state. In these positions, and earlier in his career as an attorney, judge and state legislator, Upshur was a vocal defender of slaveholding and states’ rights.
UPSHUR’S DEMISE An explosion on the USS Princeton killed Upshur and five others.
coastal
HISTORY
At the State Department, Upshur wouldn’t live to see his diplomatic legacy — the annexation of the Republic of Texas. According to a letter he sent to the U.S. envoy to Texas, Upshur believed that it was Great Britain’s “general plan” to “abolish domestic slavery throughout the entire continent and islands of America.” However, on February 28, 1844, a first-of-itskind screw-propeller sloop, called the USS Princeton, steamed up the Potomac River on a ceremonial trip that would end up killing six and injuring 16 to 20 people. After several times demonstrating the ship’s heaviest gun, ironically named The Peacemaker, it accidentally exploded and sent iron shrapnel into the crowd. Upshur was killed along with Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer, Captain
Beverley Kennon, Maryland attorney Virgil Maxcy, New York lawyer and politician David Gardiner, and President Tyler’s enslaved valet, Armistead. Upshur’s treaty for the annexation of Texas was secured by President Tyler in 1844, and Texas became a slaveholding state later, in 1845. In contrast with Abel Parker Upshur, learning more about the enslaved Abel Upshur — who was possibly named after the former — requires challenging historical research. But by diving into archival collections and reassessing records kept by slaveholding families, new generations of researchers and descendants can shed light on people of the past who were voiceless and nameless throughout their lifetimes.
Photo by Gordon Campbell / At Altitude
42
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
THE BIRDS AND THE BEANS As a multigenerational family farm, Brownsville has seen many different crops grown on the land, beginning with tobacco in the early Colonial period and continuously cycling staple crops, like barley and corn. Records also show that the Upshurs at times produced other products, like salt, rose water and, interestingly, castor oil.
Now Offering Convenient Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. James Crouse is Excited to Welcome Pediatric Dentist Dr. Mehreen Kassoo to His Practice! Beautiful Smiles for All Ages! • Trained In Treatment for Apprehensive and Special Needs Children • Excellent Oral Hygiene Education • Top 1% Invisalign Provider • Flexible No-Interest Financing • Early Morning & Evening Appointments Available • Accepting Maryland Healthy Smiles and Most Insurances
2020
443.365.2522 ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE
2017-2020
TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: 1413 Wesley Drive • Salisbury, MD 21801 598 Cynwood Drive • Suite 102 • Easton, MD 21601 info@drcrousesbraceplace.com
Welcoming New Patients • www.DrCrousesBracePlace.com
Your HOME 10/1 ARM LOAN
A 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) has an initial rate for the first ten years of the loan and a rate adjustment once every year thereafter. This mortgage option may allow you to have lower payments than a traditional fixed-rate mortgage for the first 120 months, making it a good choice when you only expect to live in the home for a short period of time.
An initial rate as low as
3.25% 3.344%
for the first ten years of the loan
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)1
Contact a member of our team today!
WEST OCEAN CITY • 443.856.2180
877.758.1600 • SHOREUNITEDBANK.COM
1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) rates are subject to change every year, after the initial ten years, during the term of the loan. For example, terms for a $250,000 10/1 ARM amortized over 360 months for a single-family primary residence with a down payment of 15% or more would be an initial interest rate of 3.25% effective for 120 months with monthly payment for months 1 – 120 of $1088.34. Beginning at month 121 and every year thereafter the interest rate would adjust. Based on the current (April 8, 2021) index rate of 3.36% for months 121-360 would be 3.375% and the monthly payment would be $1,100.56. The APR for this loan example would be 3.344%. Payments in this example do not include taxes or insurance. Your payment may be greater. Borrower must maintain insurance on the property securing credit.
37031 Old Mill Bridge Road, Unit D, Selbyville, DE 19975
302.988.2444
www.thehairstudiode.com ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST!
2020
VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
HAIR STYLIST
A premier, full service hair & nail salon! 44
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
coastal
HISTORY
Although castor bean production in the United States is primarily found in southwestern states today, there were five castor oil mills (including Brownsville) on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1835. At Brownsville, where 800 acres of castor beans once grew, the castor oil was shipped to places like New York for use in paint, medicine and beauty products. In 1892, Brownsville’s castor beanloving quail attracted a noteworthy visitor: President-Elect Grover Cleveland. After becoming the first and only president elected for a second term non-consecutively, defeating Benjamin Harrison in a rematch of the closely contested 1888 election, Cleveland sought a nearby hunting vacation. With his schooner docked at Cobb Island, President-Elect Cleveland hunted duck and snipe with members of the hunting club at Broadwater on the sparsely populated Hog Island. Despite delays from the blustery November weather, Cleveland also traveled inland to hunt quail at Brownsville with Thomas T. Upshur, a historian and former colonel in the Confederate Army. Today, the Brownsville Preserve attracts dozens of species of migratory and nonmigratory birds. Tidewater and marsh habitats protected by TNC provide ample feeding ground for these aviary visitors. According to TNC VVCR director Jill Bieri, “This time of year, we see thousands of nesting shorebirds and waterbirds (piping plover, American oystercatcher, terns, skimmers) on the barrier islands and in the coastal lagoon system on the seaside — we also annually monitor those populations and have for nearly 50 years. Spring also brings long-distance migrants (i.e., whimbrel) who depend on the intact habitats as a fueling stopover as they head north to their nesting grounds.” In partnership with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Brownsville Preserve also manages shallowwater impoundments and hedgerows that enhance habitat for birds as part of the Wildlife Enhancement Program. The undeveloped and uninhabited conditions of the Brownsville Preserve and its surrounding barrier islands make the conditions perfect for environmental and biological research conducted at the VVCR. cs
Find us at:
www.coastalcupcakeco.com
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
45
coastal
HISTORY
The quality of the craftsmanship matches the elegance of the custom designs produced by the company. McMartin does almost all of the designing, which Beggins candidly admits his partner has a gift for, along with a certain ease in designing furniture that is hard to rival. Even his sketches give rise to wellproportioned and beautifully designed finished products. Though their work rests on a foundation from the past, the company is not averse to using modern finishes when appropriate or necessary but always recommends traditional finishes for residential furniture, which allow clients to see the grain of the wood and to feel its warmth. It is a visceral experience not found in modern mass-produced furniture. In their work, the wood and craftsmanship tell a story. Often, the stories are what drives someone to commission a fine piece of handcrafted furniture. Sometimes even a particular tree holds fond memories. Imagine eating at a table created from a tree that was planted many years ago by a great-great relative. That makes for a wonderful story, even for those who are not great storytellers. The reasons to commission a piece of fine furniture are as varied as clients, but with each McMartin & Beggins design, a relationship with the maker will be formed, along with the pride that comes from one-of-a-kind elegance. cs
Carving Their Niche MCMARTIN & BEGGINS FURNITURE MAKERS CRAFT ELEGANCE THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY Story by Joe Willey It is surprising what can be found on the Eastern Shore. Around bends on shaded roads or behind unassuming doors in quiet, small towns lie unexpected treasures. Nestled in Wittman, MD, a tiny town between St. Michaels and Tilghman Island, McMartin & Beggins Furniture Makers is quietly crafting furniture of elegance and distinction. Both Jim McMartin and Jim Beggins launched their careers as boatbuilders — an auspicious beginning in an area proud of its boatbuilding heritage. McMartin began repairing and restoring antique furniture in 1987, founding the current company in 1998. His association with Beggins began after Beggins and his family sailed into St. Michaels. He and his wife both liked the town and decided to stay for a while. He quickly found McMartin and began working with him. They became business partners five years later. The two learned important skills from working on boats. Many valuable lessons transferred to both the repair of antique furniture and creating custom-made pieces. “So much of what we do requires hand tools,” said Beggins. “There is a lot of hand-tool work in both boatbuilding and furniture-making.” Even a casual glance at the company’s furniture shows the lessons in craftsmanship.
46
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
MAKERS MARK For more than 20 years, Jim McMartin and Jim Beggins have been designing and creating unique handcrafted furniture in their Wittman, MD, workshop.
Dream • Remodel • Build Remodels
Additions
Decks
Turn your dreams, ideas and vision into more. As the Eastern Shore’s premier remodeling, addition and decking experts, we’re here and ready to help you make it happen. To demonstrate that, we’ll include complimentary drawing and drafting of your project, so you can start to see your dreams become reality.
410-546-4711 | TylerBuildingCo.com
Will & Nikki Tyler Founders & Owners
PROMOTIONAL SECTION
Should I visit the Emergency Room? If you are experiencing any of the following lifethreatening problems, you should head to the nearest hospital Emergency Room or call 911. • Sudden chest pain • Sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg • Seizures • Inability to breathe • Sudden severe headache • Severe abdominal pain
Feeling ill? Consider your options When illness and injuries occur, it’s important to select the most appropriate place for care so you can get timely treatment. The Emergency Department at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is one of the busiest in Maryland, and removing unnecessary visits will reduce wait times and make the experience less complicated and more manageable for patients with a true emergency. Urgent care centers — like Your Doc’s In, which TidalHealth partners with at its South Salisbury Boulevard location, and TidalHealth Immediate Care in Delaware — were established to complement a hospital’s emergency department. “If you can be put in a car and driven to an Emergency Department, I believe you can be treated at an urgent care center 99 percent of the time,” said Dr. Walter Gianelle, CEO of Your Doc’s In. “Urgent care can handle a much broader spectrum of illnesses and injuries than just colds and scrapes, including things like lacerations, COPD, asthma attacks and orthopaedic injuries. The care is of equal quality, cost effective, and most times delivered in a more timely fashion.” 48
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Another option that benefits patients is the one most overlooked: the family doctor. Patients will often say during a visit to the Emergency Department that they “didn’t want to bother their doctor with a call,” but on the contrary — physicians welcome those. “As primary care physicians, we know our patients better and we are in a much better position to take care of their problems. This improves appropriate care, provides continuity of care, avoids unnecessary medication and testing and also allows us a chance to continue to provide preventive care and education,” said Dr. Vel Natesan, a physician in private practice in Salisbury. “We are in a better position to coordinate care between ancillary services like home health care, physical therapy and specialty referrals.” Healthcare providers agree: your primary care provider should be your first point of contact for most medical problems; you get the most efficient care because they personally know you and your medical history. To learn more, or to make an appointment with a primary care provider near you, visit tidalhealth.org.
Minor injuries can be treated at home By Mark Ryan, NP
There’s no place like home, but accidents can happen no matter where you are. Here are some of the most common home injuries, and advice on how to treat them. 1. Burns. Burns in the home occur most frequently in the kitchen. If you experience a minor burn, first cool the area with cool — not icy — water, and remove rings or other tight items from the area. Once the burn is completely cooled, apply a lotion, preferably one that contains aloe vera or a moisturizer. Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage; wrap it loosely to avoid pressure on the burned skin. If needed, take over-thecounter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, and if blisters form, don’t break them! 2. Cuts. Whether you’re cooking dinner or opening mail, cuts can happen with the smallest of household chores. If you do experience a cut, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent infection, stop the bleeding, apply a topical antibiotic and cover the cut with a sterile bandage. 3. Trips and falls. There are some pretty simple precautions that can be taken to avoid taking a spill: arrange furniture with plenty of room for walking, always clean up food and drink spills, clear clutter from the floor and stairways and keep electrical cords away from high-traffic areas. It’s also a good idea to add non-slip strips to wooden steps and appliques inside bathtubs to prevent falls. If you do take a spill at home, stay calm and take a few minutes to assess if you’re hurt. If you are, call for help. If you have an increased risk of falls, consider TidalHealth LifeLine. This 24-hour personal emergency monitoring service can notify emergency services and family members if you fall, ensuring help will be on the way in a timely manner. For more information, call 410-543-4740.
4. Bug bites. Spring has sprung and we’ll all be spending more time outdoors in the months to come. With that, comes an increased risk for bug bites. If you get bit and don’t have an allergic reaction, simply remove the stinger, clean the sting site, apply ice and take an oral antihistamine for itching or ibuprofen for pain relief. If you lose your breath or experience swelling, call for emergency care. Ticks can also pose a problem, so be sure to perform self-checks after you come inside. If you spot a tick, remove it with tweezers and wash your hands and the bite site. If you experience swelling or a red ring around the tick bite, call a doctor to ensure you don’t have Lyme disease. 5. Poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control, most unintentional poisoning deaths occur from mixing medications. If you’re taking multiple medications, be sure to consult your physician or pharmacist. At TidalHealth Home Scripts, located at 11101 Cathage Road (near the entrance to the North Gate in Ocean Pines), a team of knowledgeable pharmacists is happy to review your medications so negative interactions can be avoided. If ever you’re concerned about a potential poisoning, call the Poison Help hotline at 800-222-1222. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, always call 911. Mark Ryan, NP, cares for patients at TidalHealth Immediate Care in Laurel, Del. For medical advice, always call your family physician. If you don’t have one, visit tidalhealth.org and schedule an appointment today.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
49
PROMOTIONAL SECTION
Keep your little ones safe, child-proof your home By Tammy Donoway, DO
The safety of children in the home is the No. 1 priority for parents. Visits to the primary care provider are an excellent opportunity to discuss home hazards, which aren’t only a concern in the child’s home but also when visiting relatives and friends. Sharp objects should be kept in a safe location that is out of reach. Knives, forks, scissors, and other objects should be kept in a drawer and drawer locks should be used. Parents should also remember that any appliances that have sharp blades as well as glassware are also hazardous and should be kept out of reach of the child. These cabinets should also be locked. One of the most common hazards in the home are choking hazards, which include small objects that the child may put in their mouth such as Legos, magnets, and even small batteries. These can be very erosive to the gut and are difficult to detect if the child is asymptomatic. Parents should also be aware that some of the most common choking incidents are due to foods such as grapes and hotdogs. Food should be cut into small bites to prevent this. Stairs and windows pose a very dangerous hazard for children. Falls down the stairs can cause head injuries and are the reason for many visits to the Emergency Department every year. Safety gates that are installed properly should be used. Be sure the child cannot open them. They need to be latched properly to be fully effective. Windows should be kept closed and locked to prevent falls from second stories and through screens.
50
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
There can be many electrical hazards in the home. Most commonly, electrical outlets can be a hazard. They should be child proofed with outlet covers. This will prevent the child from inserting anything into the outlets. I’m sure we all remember the days when Mr. Yuck stickers were put on dangerous chemicals under the sink. Mr. Yuck is not sufficient any longer; parents really need to take more precaution by locking these chemicals in a cabinet that is out of reach. This also includes laundry detergent and anything that comes in a ‘pod.’ These often look like candy to children and they can ingest them thinking that they are candy. If your family is going to have an outdoor bonfire, it is important that the children know how to be safe around fires. They should know, “STOP, DROP and ROLL.” Adults should always supervise children around the fire and should never leave them unattended. There should be water nearby before building the campfire, and children should wear clothes that fit snug and no open-toed shoes. If there is an outdoor pool at the home, this can pose a very dangerous risk. The pool should be locked and there should be a fence that is at least 4 feet tall and a gate that closes and locks. Use alarms for the pool and gate to alert you if your child enters. Parents need to always watch their children. This is one of the most common reasons for pool accidents. If the child is ever missing, parents should always check the pool first. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children, particularly in homes where there are outdoor pools.
Focus on your mental health By Ovais Khalid, MD
Pools are not the only water hazard in the home. Hot water and bathtubs are a concern. Hot water heaters should not be above 120 degrees to prevent burns to both toddlers and children. Children should never be left unattended in the bathtub and the water should not be filled more than 2 inches for a baby, 4-5 inches for a toddler. As the child grows, more water is acceptable, however, any bathtub filled halfway is deep enough for any child to drown. A hazard that parents do not often think about is pets; parents should never leave their young children unsupervised with an animal. They should teach their child to never approach the animal when they are eating, sleeping, or playing/chewing their toys. They should be taught to pet their animals gently and not pull or tug them. These are just a few hazards in the home. Parents should consider these and discuss any concerns or questions with the child’s primary care provider. Dr. Tammy Donoway is a primary care physician at TidalHealth Primary Care, located at 9950 Main St. in Berlin. To make an appointment, call 410-912-6710 or take advantage of online scheduling at tidalhealth.org.
“A healthy mind breeds a healthy body.” Healthy living is a state of harmony — not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well. Having a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in America are living with a serious mental illness. Taking care of one’s mental health is as important as taking care of physical health as it greatly influences your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and emotions and will determine your productivity and stability in various domains of your life: work, school, relationships, and caregiving. Mental illness can affect anyone regardless of their race, age, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Nearly 17.3 million adults in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime. An estimated 31.1 percent of adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives. Poor mental health and mental illness are not the same thing, although they have been used interchangeably. Mental health includes our psychological, social, and emotional well-being, impacting how we feel, how we think/behave and how we interact with others. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, are the conditions that affect an individual’s behavior, thinking and feelings, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. A person with mental illness can have periods of social, physical, and mental well-being, while a person can have poor mental health without having an underlying mental illness.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
51
PROMOTIONAL SECTION
Mental illness can either be transient or become chronic, affecting a person’s ability to carry on daily function. Exercising, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, providing emotional support to family in a time of need and having down time for oneself are small steps that can improve one’s emotional and mental well-being. A good time to reach out for help is when you experience that these emotional changes are impacting your work, relationships, and happiness. Connecting with friends and family for emotional support and learning about mental and emotional health can be a good start. Seeking professional help in a time of need can potentially avoid a mental breakdown affecting various domains of your life.
At TidalHealth, we offer a wide variety of mental health services ranging from not only emergency and crisis intervention, a partial hospitalization program and inpatient services but also a full-service outpatient clinic with individual and group therapy, adult, child and adolescent psychiatric services and innovative approaches to treating depression like TMS. Dr. Ovais Khalid cares for adults in the outpatient clinic at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury. To learn more about TidalHealth’s behavioral health services, and/or to schedule an appointment, call 410-543-7119.
Working out at home is easy By Caroline Palmer, M.S., ACSM-CEP
Although there is hope that life will soon return to normal, we are still practicing our “safer-at-home” lifestyles. For many people, this has significantly decreased the amount of physical activity their bodies were used to getting. Luckily, there are plenty of activities we can do in the safety of our own homes to help make sure we remain happy and healthy. Walking is one of the most fundamental forms of exercise that we can partake in. With many jobs remaining remote, we have found that people are much more sedentary than they used to be. Make it a goal to get up at least once every hour and walk briskly for five minutes. In an eight-hour workday, this will end up totaling 40 minutes of exercise! In addition to walking, you could develop a circuit workout routine using everyday household items. Create a circuit with four different stations; find a chair, a water bottle, a step, and a blank wall. Using the chair, practice sitting
52
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
and standing repeatedly to work on lower body strength. For your second station, use the water bottle as a light weight and practice bicep curls, one arm at a time. Your third station will be the step; standing on the edge of the step, holding onto something stationary such as a railing or countertop, lower your heels and then press up on the balls of your feet repeatedly. Your fourth and final station will be wall push-ups. Each exercise should be done for one minute, with a 30-second break in between. For a well-rounded exercise routine, repeat this circuit up to five times several days a week. If you are not comfortable exercising without supervision or assistance, visit TidalHealth Adult Fitness in Ocean Pines or Salisbury, Md. Here, you can exercise in a medically monitored setting with Registered Nurses and Clinical Exercise Physiologists to guide you. Caroline Palmer, M.S., ACSM-CE, is an exercise physiologist with TidalHealth. To learn more about TidalHealth Adult Fitness, call 410-912-6108.
Welcome to TidalHealth Gynecology
TidalHealth Gynecology 400 Eastern Shore Dr. Suite 204 Salisbury, MD 21801 410-912-6716 tidalhealth.org
The doors are open to your newest and best option in women’s healthcare. Our physicians are board-certified and highly experienced. At TidalHealth, you are not just another name on the books, you are family. We offer comprehensive gynecological care for women of all ages. Ladies first!
Call today, or visit tidalhealth.org, to schedule an appointment at our new Salisbury practice.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FACES OF WELLNESS
PILATES POWER KELLY ROBERTS IS ENHANCING THE LIVES OF HER CLIENTS AT BEACH PILATES & WELLNESS STUDIO IN BETHANY BEACH Story by Sylvia Blair | Photography by Sarah Murray
54
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
K
elly Roberts inspires and encourages people to achieve the mind-body-spirit connection that they desire in order to thrive in life. The owner of Beach Pilates & Wellness Studio in Bethany Beach specializes in Pilates — a type of training that uses resistance and assistance by focusing on functional movement and low-impact exercises while incorporating a full-body workout. Pilates has many benefits and is commonly used for injury prevention and postrehabilitation. Areas of focus include posture, core strength, flexibility and balance. Kelly’s classes are invigorating and motivating. She offers a unique blend of workouts that are realistic, challenging and designed to be incorporated into any schedule. Beach Pilates & Wellness Studio has adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by altering how and when classes are delivered, whether on the beach, in the studio, on video or streaming live online. “I offer live-streaming classes, on-demand videos, and people can join my online membership, which offers Pilates classes through a video library,” said Kelly. “These classes are popular, since people are not traveling to gyms and Pilates studios as much as they used to. Now, I teach online classes five days a week, with seven to 10 people in every class. I have private online clients who live locally and clients from as far away as Las Vegas, Puerto Rico and Spain.” Kelly emphasized that is it important to exercise, in general, but especially during the pandemic. Exercise can help with isolation, maintaining a healthy routine and with the sedentary time that results from being restricted due to COVID-19. Beach Pilates & Wellness Studio continues to offer in-person, socially distanced workouts for small classes and private groups, as well as one-on-one sessions. The average class size is up to five people. Clients remove their shoes and work out in their toe socks on their own mats, which are at least six feet apart. Safety is paramount for Kelly, whose studio is routinely cleaned with a high-grade disinfectant, and temperatures are checked as clients enter the studio. This spring, Kelly will launch an “E-course,” for purchase, which is a 30-day wellness program of Pilates videos that includes nutritional menus and recipes for healthy eating. The program, named Reform Your Body, is a digital series Kelly will send to clients by email, complete with download and viewing instructions. Kelly serves as an online coach and wellness partner to her clients as she leads them through the 30-day program, which is completed on their own time, at their convenience. Kelly’s mission has always been to help her clients to create new healthy lifestyles, with changes that endure, unlike diets that fade in or out. “I want to help my clients improve their future well-being,” said Kelly. “I want them to find the joy of a better lifestyle and enjoy being a part of a community who support one another during our current trying times and beyond.” cs
BEACH PILATES & WELLNESS STUDIO | 302-542-6521 BEACHPILATESANDWELLNESS.COM
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
55
FACES OF WELLNESS
SURGICAL PRECISION DR. DIANA DICKSON-WITMER, PREEMINENT BREAST SURGEON, JOINS BEEBE; IS ACCEPTING PATIENTS
The patient is us. That’s what Diana DicksonWitmer, MD, FACS, wants you to know. “Throughout my career, one of the things I have always tried hard to keep in mind is that the patient is us. We, the providers, are going to be in the same position, maybe not with the same diagnosis, but if we live long enough, we will eventually sit in the patient’s chair,” says Dr. Dickson-Witmer, a preeminent breast surgical oncologist who recently joined Beebe Medical Group to lead the Beebe Center for Breast Health. “We always need to treat the patient exactly the way we would want to be treated ourselves.” Dr. Dickson-Witmer began seeing patients in March at Beebe’s Tunnell Cancer Center and Beebe’s South Coastal Cancer Center. Call 302645-3332 to make an appointment. Dr. Dickson-Witmer joins Beebe with decades of experience and expertise in the field of breast surgery. In addition, Dr. Dickson-Witmer is known for her trailblazing work in the field of breast surgery — setting the standard and developing the programs to train future surgeons in the field. In 1994, she introduced stereotactic breast core needle biopsy to Delaware and trained radiologists and surgeons in the technique. She also introduced sentinel node biopsy to the Delaware valley in 1999. She has been featured in numerous medical publications, given hundreds of presentations and served on three medical missions, one in Africa and two in Central America. Previously, Dr. Dickson-Witmer was the Medical Director of the ChristianaCare Breast Center at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, where she chaired the weekly breast tumor conference. Dr. Dickson-Witmer is an expert member of the newest American College of Surgeons Program, the Cancer Surgery Standards Program. She is also a member of several national professional organizations and committees and is the Delaware state chair for the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. She was also a founding board member of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, serving from 1996-2009, and was the inaugural recipient of DBCC’s Shining Lights Award in 2014. “Beebe Healthcare has a clear vision. It will provide the very best healthcare in Sussex County,” Dr. Dickson-Witmer said. “I am excited to join this growing, forward-looking, patientcentered institution, and to be given the extraordinary opportunity to play a leadership role in development of the next generation of healthcare in Sussex County and beyond.” cs
BEEBE HEALTHCARE ONCOLOGY SERVICES | 302-645-3332 | BEEBEHEALTHCARE.ORG
56
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
A ! IST L A AY 1–31
WE
’RE
FINFOR US M TE VO
2019 & 2020
410.641.0333 20 N. Main St, Berlin MD TreasureChestBerlin.com
DAILY HAPPY HOUR 4-6PM
FRESH COASTAL MEXICAN CUISINE & MARGARITAS PAPAGRANDES.COM | (302) 436-7272 BEAUTIFUL SIMPLE FOOD
SODELCONCEPTS.COM
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
57
FACES OF WELLNESS
POWERFUL CONVICTIONS Story by Olivia Minzola | Photo by Grant L. Gursky
TOM INCONTRERA REFLECTS ON HIS PAST TO PROVIDE MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION TO HIS FITNESS CLIENTS Whether you’re looking to slim down for the summer, increase your strength, size, and muscular endurance or improve your athletic performance, Incontrera Strength & Conditioning is the perfect place for you. Located in Rehoboth Beach, the fitness center offers a wide variety of services and programs for clients of all ages, including small-group fitness classes, personal and semiprivate training and online instruction. Today, founder Tom Incontrera is the epitome of mental and physical strength. The 32-year-old never imagined that he would one day lead dozens of dedicated individuals from all over the Eastern Shore in their personal fitness journeys. In fact, in early 2017, Incontrera struggled to envision any kind of future for himself. He was completely consumed by a drug-and-alcohol addiction that had slowly, but surely, taken over his life. “I had no idea what I was going to do with my life four years ago,” said Incontrera. “If people didn’t give me a chance or believe in
me, there is no telling where I’d be right now.” On March 12, Incontrera celebrated his fourth year of continuous sobriety. This milestone has led him to reflect on his past and each obstacle he has faced. Today, he wishes to share with others that “there is a solution, and you can recover and live a life beyond your wildest dreams.” When the opportunity to open his very own fitness center presented itself, Incontrera could not have been more grateful. He was ready to make a change in his life and assist others who were looking to do the same. A major challenge Incontrera faced was having to rebuild his clientele. Many of his previous clients were training elsewhere or lived on the other side of town and were unable to travel to his new gym. He had to start from scratch. Luckily, he met many new, friendly faces who have been true supporters of his journey along the way. Incontrera cherishes the bond he has established with each and every one of his
clients and believes the most important part of fitness training is the relationship between the client and the trainer. “As soon as you become a member at my gym, you become family. Everyone who comes here is like a brother or sister to me,” said Incontrera. “I try to overdeliver to all my clients by giving them more than what they signed up for. I try to be a mentor and positive influence in their lives so that they can come to me with any and all problems because they know I’ve been through it all.” Incontrera’s dedication to his clientele has not gone unnoticed. For the past two years, he has won the honor of Best Personal Trainer in Sussex County by the readers of Coastal Style magazine. He is certain of his gym’s uniqueness and believes this quality stems from his promise to always put the individual first, above anything else. Potential fitness partners are encouraged to stop by to witness Incontrera and his spirited clientele in action. cs
INCONTRERA STRENGTH & CONDITIONING | 443-900-8968 | INCONTRERASC.COM
58
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Let Our Agents Work For You! Alyssa Sinagra
asinagra@averyhall.com
! y a d o T l l Ca
Brandon Hearne
bhearne@averyhall.com
Medicare Supplements | Health Home | Auto | Flood | Business
Lacy Revell
Philip Messick
lrevell@averyhall.com
pmessick@averyhall.com
AveryHall.com
Serving Delmarva Since 1925
Salisbury, MD | 410.742.5111
Photo by Alyssa Maloof
FACES OF WELLNESS
CHAMPION OF CARE DR. JONATHAN C. PATROWICZ IS REVOLUTIONIZING HIS PRACTICE TO A PERSONALIZED MODEL TO CREATE MORE TIME, BETTER COMMUNICATION AND ENHANCED RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIS PATIENTS 60
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Dr. Jonathan C. Patrowicz has faithfully cared for the patients of his Salisbury-based practice since 2001. His mantras, “the skill to heal” and “the spirit to care,“ have always held deep, personal meaning to the physician, husband and father who strives to connect both personally and professionally with his patients. This bond has proven to be beneficial for their overall health, well-being and life expectancy, chiefly because he has been able to dedicate the time necessary to truly learn and understand his patients’ needs and personally advocate their continuing care. Yet, for several years now, Dr. Patrowicz has realized a persistent decline in the amount of quality time he’s able to spend with his patients, due to the mounting regulations and restrictions placed upon physicians and their practices by insurance companies and government agencies, such as Medicare. It’s estimated that just 15 years ago, primary care physicians spent about 80% of their average workdays conducting face-toface patient interaction. Today, it’s approximately 20%. Dr. Patrowicz has seen enough. He’s literally tipping the scales back in the favor of his patients, by transitioning his practice to personalized healthcare. Jonathan C. Patrowicz, D.O., a Cypress-affiliated physician, will now offer patients a premium wellness “partnership” focused on creating more time, better communication and a quality relationship with a physician they can trust. This revolutionary model of medicine will include a smaller and better-connected patient panel and contain many exciting and comprehensive benefits — the first being access to Dr. Patrowicz. “As a member of our panel, patients will have the availability to make same-day or next-day appointments with me for sick visits or urgent-care needs,” Dr. Patrowicz said. “My practice will put the patient as the focus of healthcare and will allow a close partnership to be built between patient and doctor to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. My practice will have prompt availability, personal attention and a proactive approach to care. I’ll also be coordinating care with our local specialists and hospital systems, TidalHealth, Atlantic General, Johns Hopkins or the University of Maryland, when care coordination is needed.” The partnership also includes an executivestyle physical. This comprehensive diagnostic exam contains a detailed lifestyle analysis to identify health challenges and creates a proactive plan for improved health throughout the year. Patients may also realize other conveniences, including preemptive physician-guided health coaching, expedited appointment scheduling, extended, routine office visits, telehealth and telemedicine consultations, and individualized treatment strategies.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Annual pricing plans for single adults and couples, which can be paid annually, semiannually or quarterly, are available and include dependents ages 7-26 at no additional charge. This model will be very beneficial for families with school-age children and/or college students, busy moms and working professionals who will now have the ability to communicate with Dr. Patrowicz in a new and more meaningful way. Dr. Patrowicz’s personalized healthcare model will open for new panel participation on July 1. Anyone interested in exploring this opportunity is encouraged to call their membership line or visit DrPatrowicz.com to learn more about this personalized approach to care designed with you in mind and centered on you. “There’s no better way to help someone solve their problems than to sit down and talk with them about it,” Dr. Patrowicz said. “Healthcare is very personal to people. They want a great doctor-patient relationship, and my goal is to provide that for them.” cs
We Know Insurance. We Know You. Local Focus. Global Reach. Please Vote NFP Best Insurance Agency and Trish Walsh Best Insurance Agent T ALIS FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
JONATHAN C. PATROWICZ, D.O., P.A. 410-334-3540 | DRPATROWICZ.COM
We are SO ready for
Let’s vaccinate Maryland! Visit PembertonPharmacy.com to make your COVID-19 vaccine appointment!
PembertonPharmacy.com
summer!
SALISBURY | 410-677-0707
1147 Pemberton Dr, Salisbury, MD 21801
ST MICHAELS | 410-745-8382
204 S Talbot St, St Michaels, MD 21663
FACES OF WELLNESS
EXPERT ALIGNERS DRS. MICHAEL TILGHMAN AND CARRIE SCHWARTZ CREATE BEAUTIFUL SMILES FOR PATIENTS AT TILGHMAN ORTHODONTICS WITH THEIR IN-HOUSE ALIGNERS, SMILES CORRECT Tilghman Orthodontics is known for providing high-quality orthodontic care and innovative, cost-effective solutions for creating beautiful smiles. Its glowing reputation was further enhanced just over two years ago, when Tilghman Orthodontics began offering its patients a treatment option that provides healthy smiles at more affordable prices. It’s called Smiles Correct, and it has been successful for hundreds of patients who have benefited from this in-house venture using 3D printing technology. Tilghman Orthodontics prints models that represent the incremental changes needed to shift patients’ teeth and then fabricates its Smiles Correct aligners from those models.
Dr. Tilghman points out that mailorder aligner trays have no direct doctor supervision, X-rays or clinical exams. The Smiles Correct aligner trays are a costeffective option created with oversight from experienced Drs. Michael Tilghman and Carrie Schwartz, who provide care, direction and guidance with each step of the treatment. The Smiles Correct treatment option is a convenient choice for patients who have had previous treatment, like braces, but now need additional adjustment. Because they’re made at Tilghman Orthodontics, patients have saved thousands of dollars on treatments. Although offering a cutting-edge solution like Smiles Correct is one option, other patients may need a more traditional
approach to orthodontic care. Dr. Tilghman notes that “the majority of our young patients still need traditional treatment, with braces.” Tilghman Orthodontics refuses to provide a one-size-fits-all approach to its patients’ needs. The care provided is practical and focuses on providing the best, most appropriate treatment for each patient. Quality care, experience and costeffective solutions are what sets Tilghman Orthodontics apart from other practices in the area. Now, with the continued success of Smiles Correct, the tools are sharper and more innovative in providing individualized solutions for its patients. cs
TILGHMAN ORTHODONTICS | 410-742-4813 | TILGHMANORTHODONTICS.COM
62
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Unique Pieces That Can Enhance Your Living Room or Outside Patio
LEWES 97 Tulip Drive 302.645.6200
OCEAN VIEW 31874 Roxana Rd. 302.539.6989
creativeconceptsfurniture.com
Gail Lednum
ST ALI FIN
New Construction...
Build your dream home on your own lot, or choose one of our lot-home packages. Messick Builders provides in-house design and drafting services, as well as hands on supervision through all aspects of construction by a member of the Messick Family. Call for a private tour, virtual tour or for more information about our custom homes!
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
Make Yourself at Home in
Robbie, Robert & Donnie Messick
Building quality homes on the Eastern Shore for over 45 years.
2020
2020
410.742.8072 | RLMessick.com
HOMEBUILDER
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY
2016-2020
2016-2020
106 Morris Mill Road Salisbury, Maryland MHBR Builder #6985
Mar/Apr 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com 63 Lots Available for Your Custom Design
travel
64
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Grand Dame PERCHED ON A ROCKY STRETCH OF COAST JUST SOUTH OF NEWPORT, RI, LIES OCEAN HOUSE — A STORIED RETREAT THAT HARKS BACK TO DAYS WHEN VANDERBILTS AND ROCKEFELLERS CAME TO SUMMER BY THE SEA Story by Katie Riley | Photography courtesy Ocean House
O
cean House, an award-winning hotel overlooking the Atlantic, combines modern-day comforts with the genteel civility of days gone by. With a five-star spa, award-winning dining and activities ranging from biking to boating, Ocean House sets the standard for coastal luxury. Opened in 1868, just after the Civil War, the original hotel was a retreat for wealthy city dwellers seeking the restorative effects of a seaside escape. Ocean House welcomed guests for nearly 135 years, until it fell into disrepair in 2004 and had to be torn down. Through a $140 million rebuild, the new Ocean House has replicated the historic details of the original grand dame in great detail, down to the woodwork, window placement and sweeping oceanfront verandas.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
65
coastal
TRAVEL
Accommodations at Ocean House exude understated luxury, and each of its 49 rooms have custom wood furnishings, muted colors and New England artwork. The hotel’s 20 signature suites all have private kitchen, living and dining areas. For the ultimate splurge, opt for the Tower Suite, a four-level suite with extensive ocean views. A wooden spiral staircase leads to a cozy den overlooking the floor-to-ceiling paneled living area, and a ladder leads to the hotel’s historically replicated widow’s walk. Families and larger groups can book one of the property’s seven standalone cottages, ranging in size from two to seven bedrooms, many of them located on the oceanfront. Cottages come with personalized concierge service and have full access to the amenities of the Ocean House, as well as the nearby Weekapaug Inn. Ocean House is renowned for its exceptional dining, and multiple formal and casual venues offer a variety of experiences. COAST is a Forbes fivestar, award-winning restaurant serving a seasonally inspired four-course menu. For classic American brasserie cuisine, try the cozy Bistro restaurant or sample the area’s freshest seafood at The Verandah bar, a raw bar overlooking Little Narragansett Bay. During summer months, Dune Cottage restaurant offers beachfront dining, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu of sandwiches, salads and brickoven pizzas. The resort has also partnered with Veuve Clicquot to provide two unique, pop-up dining experiences: The Fondue Village during the winter months and the Secret Garden Champagne bar during warmer months.
REST FOR THE WEARY Though a bastion of relaxation and tranquility, Ocean House also offers a bevy of fun activities and diversions that heighten the overall experience even more.
66
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
THE GREAT ESCAPE Once a summer respite for families like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, Ocean House was returned to its original majesty following a $140 million restoration.
THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE OCEAN HOUSE IS WITH A LEISURELY COCKTAIL ON THE LAWN OR A LAZY AFTERNOON IN A PRIVATE CABANA ON THE BEACH.
For those who want more action, a dizzying array of activities can be had for all ages. Take a tour of the resort’s museumquality art collection or a cruise on the hotel’s vintage yacht, The Dandy. Ocean House’s recently opened Center of Wine and Culinary Arts hosts more than 500 classes for hotel guests, most of which are complimentary. At the resort’s OH! Spa, guests are pampered with lavender body scrubs and coastal-inspired collagen treatments. Although guests can indulge to their heart’s content with a vast array of fine dining and top-notch activities, it’s the heady allure of sea and salt air that beckons guests to return each year. A century and a half later, vacationers still dot the lawn, playing croquet or taking tea on the veranda, exactly as its founders intended. cs
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
67
coastal
TRAVEL
Royal Retreat AN 1849 DUTCH COLONIAL REVIVAL HOME BECOMES ANNAPOLIS’ NEWEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL — AND THE EXPERIENCE AT 134 PRINCE WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING REGAL
COLONIAL CHIC The Dutch Colonial Revival at 134 Prince Georges Street has become a sophisticated hotel that combines the rich history of the area with the modern luxury of the world’s best hotels.
68
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Story by Katie Riley | Photography by Select Photography
JUDE CONNALLY • AMANDA UPRICHARD PAIGE • LILLA P • DOLCE VITA • JULIE VOS & MANY MORE!
DELUXE ACCOMMODATIONS At 134 Prince, five spacious king suites boast custom-made furniture and high-end amenities, including floor-toceiling marble showers and baths and Hermes bath products.
A
nnapolis’ newest accommodation is a chic boutique hotel set in a former 1849 Dutch Colonial Revival home at 134 Prince Georges Street. Owners and developing partners Clinton Ramsden and Cody Monroe are former Naval Academy graduates who spent a year renovating the hotel, working with some of the East Coast’s best interior designers. Located just a block from the city’s dock and Main Street, 134 Prince is a sophisticated retreat that combines the rich history of the area with the modern luxury of the world’s top hotels. The hotel’s original plank flooring, 19th-century windows — replete with original wavy glass and exposed brick throughout — honor the home’s earliest architecture. Decorated by design firm Interior Concepts, the decor is a stylish mix of transitional furnishings, unique lighting and original artwork. Five spacious king suites boast custom-made furniture and high-end amenities, like in-room Nespresso makers, floor-to-ceiling marble showers and baths, and Hermes bath products. The spacious Presidential Suite boasts harbor views, a vaulted ceiling and exposed brick, while other rooms offer views of the Naval Academy, just two blocks away. The lower-level garden suite is a two-bedroom unit with kitchenette, perfect for families or larger groups. Complimentary full breakfast is made-to-order each morning by the hotel’s chef, and a variety of curated experiences are available for guests to make the most of this indulgent escape. cs
CLOTHING • SHOES • ACCESSORIES 5909 Coastal Hwy #4 | Ocean City, MD www.monkeesofoceancity.com
Follow along!
@monkeesofoceancity
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
69
home
70
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Coastal Connection DESIGNER CHRISTIE DATT VERES HELPED HER PARENTS DISCOVER AND DECORATE THEIR IDYLLIC RETIREMENT HOME IN LEWES Story by Alison Pappas | Photography by Keyanna Bowen
I
t only took a few visits to Lewes for Mr. and Mrs. Datt to fall in love with the seaside city’s quaintness and welcoming spirit. They determined that Lewes was the ideal place for them to enjoy their retirement while remaining within driving distance of their family in Wilmington. Although they were certain about the area, they still needed to pinpoint the right home to make their dream a reality. As fate would have it, the Datts knew the perfect person to assist them with this exploration. Their daughter, Christie Datt Veres, is the founder and principal designer of CDV Interiors in Wilmington. After enlisting Christie’s help, the Datts decided to pursue new construction and soon purchased a plot of land in the Coastal Club neighborhood. NV Homes was their selected builder.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
71
coastal
HOME
They quickly sold their previous home and temporarily moved in with Christie and her family in Wilmington. This close living situation presented a unique opportunity for collaboration, especially when COVID-19 quarantine restrictions allowed them to use downtime to make selections. Just as she does with all her clients, Christie went about this project with a full-service approach that consists of her creating comprehensive drawings and ensuring every detail really embodies her clients’ visions. She collaboratively guides her clients through every selection, from flooring and countertops to lighting and hardware. Christie’s signature approach is to produce interiors that layer color, pattern and texture to create fresh, modern takes on classic designs. “My parents’ typical aesthetic is more on the traditional side, so I wanted to adhere to their taste preferences but
72
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
simultaneously push them to be open to a few more modern and fresh elements, as well,” shared Christie. With Christie’s support, the Datts selected a sky-coastal-blue design to match their surrounding beach setting. Elements such as a seagrass rug and wicker lamp in their breakfast room added a natural touch to the design. To ensure the ambience was warm and inviting for both the Datts and their future guests, ample lighting was a priority. “The light-blue pendants above the kitchen island are a special feature that elevates a classic white kitchen and ties into the blues in the adjacent living room,” said Christie. The bright kitchen segues into a breakfast space with relaxing seating, where the Datts can enjoy conversations over their morning cups of coffee.
For comfort and easy living, they incorporated open sightlines and opted for a first-floor living layout, with the master bedroom on the first floor. Because the Datts have a 2-year-old grandson and grand-dog, one of the most important requirements was that the home needed to be family-friendly. To ensure this was achieved, Christie helped them pick out performance fabric for both the white sofas and sky-blue chairs. Christie also sourced some of the home’s memorable elements from local vendors. Blue-and-white bedroom lamps from Creative Concepts and antique decor from Heritage Antiques were incorporated in the final design. Ultimately, Christie’s collaborative approach fully brought the Datts’ dreams for their retirement home to life. Their home now serves as their sanctuary, and it will certainly host many gatherings in the future. cs
KEY APPOINTMENTS Christie Datt Veres sourced essential decor elements from places like Creative Concepts and Heritage Antiques in the realization of her parents’ aesthetic sensibilities.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
73
coastal
HOME
Portrait by Meghan Shupe
74
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Home Again FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS A FASHION BUYER, REHOBOTH’S JESS WEETH RETURNED TO THE BEACH TO BE CLOSE TO FAMILY AND RAISE HER OWN Intro and Interview by Katie Riley | Photography by Keyanna Bowen
g
rowing up in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, designer Jess Weeth spent hours rearranging furniture, cutting out pictures of rooms she admired and analyzing color, scale and style. “I have loved fashion and art since I was a child and have always leaned more toward the creative side of things,” Weeth says. After a successful career as a fashion buyer for Abercrombie & Fitch, Weeth returned home to Rehoboth to raise her family and put down roots. She channeled her passion for design into her own home and soon attracted the attention of friends and family, who noted her natural talent
and eye for quality, honed through years of meeting with designers and textile producers around the world. Last year, the Rehoboth-based designer — whose work was recently featured in House Beautiful — opened Weeth Home on Rehoboth Avenue, where she meets with corporate clients and homeowners. The studio also operates as a retail boutique that sells a curated collection of art, fabric and accessories that reflect Weeth’s breezy, sophisticated aesthetic. We recently sat down with Weeth to discuss her journey from fashion to interiors, her coastal roots and why home is now more important than ever.
EXPERIENCING DESIGN After graduating from Duke University, Jess Weeth traveled the world to meet with fashion designers and tour factories as a buyer for Abercrombie & Fitch.
KR: Tell us a bit about how you got started? JW: I always hoped to do something creative and thought about art or architecture, but instead I headed to college to play tennis and study liberal arts. After graduating from Duke, I got a job as a buyer with Abercrombie & Fitch. It had that blend of creative and business that I liked. I spent the next seven years traveling the world, going to London and Paris to meet with designers and touring factories in China, South Korea and Turkey. KR: How has your background in fashion prepared you for a career in interiors? JW: The production side of apparel was a great education on quality versus trend. I learned how much things cost, negotiated pricing, listened to designers communicate their changes and then saw how things were eventually produced. It was a really immersive experience, and as much as I loved the creative aspect, the business training was invaluable. Ninety percent of interior design is sourcing and communicating realistic expectations with clients, so the business aspect really prepared me.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
75
coastal
HOME
KR: How did you end up back home in Rehoboth? JW: I had spent seven years as a buyer, and after meeting my husband, we began to consider relocating from Ohio back to the East Coast, to be closer to family. We looked at moving to Philadelphia, Baltimore or New York, and then, serendipitously, my husband was offered a job as brand manager at Dogfish [Head Brewery]. KR: How did this lead to you to interior design? JW: At our first home, in Ohio, we did a full renovation, and I got really into the process. When we moved back to this area, we purchased a fixer in Lewes and did another full renovation. I started blogging about the process, and friends and family began asking for help with their own projects. It led me to take courses at the Interior Design Institute, where I learned the fundamentals of things, like how to create an electrical plan and other practical aspects that you need to consider in addition to aesthetics.
STYLE MEETS SENSIBILITY “Nothing is too precious,” according to Weeth, who adds, “I want something to look artfully done, but you don’t have to tiptoe around the house.”
76
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
KR: How did your coastal roots influence your design aesthetic? JW: This area of the Mid-Atlantic has a feel that I really love, but here in Rehoboth, you get that barefoot feeling. Nothing is too precious. I want something to look artfully done, but you don’t have to tiptoe around the house. I also love that there is a generational component to the houses here: Families over time keep coming back to the same streets, evolving the family compound. Nothing is static; things are passed down, and the story of a house is told.
KR: You have a 5-year-old and recently had twins. How do you balance work with being a busy mom? JW: I have the most supportive partner, and that is critical. He encourages the passion that I have for doing this. There’s a risk element to starting a studio, and there have been big leaps of faith that I couldn’t have done on my own. I also think having kids is grounding and helps me find that balance. The right sofa length is not life and death [laughs]. It really brings you back to what’s important in life.
KR: How did it feel to have one of your projects recently featured in House Beautiful? JW: It was incredible to have a publication like that feature something and to also dig into our area and showcase the design around here. It was definitely a “pinch me” moment and something I was proud to be a part of.
KR: What kinds of things do you take into consideration when working with clients? Any “musts” for you when designing? JW: I love working with people who have that balance of loving design but also trust in the designer. I enjoy the process from inspiration to execution, and often clients are unsure what to ask their builders and architects. I love being able to help them communicate their wants and translate that vision for them. As far as “musts,” I think it’s vital to have architectural details that are true to the house. I also think it’s important to have quality pieces and an appreciation for the classic and timeless pieces, juxtaposed with things that are modern and fresh. cs
KR: How has the reception been, coming back home? JW: It’s been humbling to see my name on a studio on Rehoboth Avenue, to have the support of my family and be back where I grew up. I feel excited that I get to get to share my passion and let people discover their own style in the store. I really love that aspect of it, almost as much as a yearlong design project. There’s that thrill of watching customers come in and see what they discover on their own.
>>> OUR CONVERSATION with Jess Weeth continues at CoastalStyleMag.com.
Classical music isn’t a luxury. Now more than ever, it’s essential! As the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra’s 2020-2021 "Season of Strings” concluded on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your patronage and continued support of the orchestra. It has been a unique year for performing arts organizations and we are grateful that together we have been able to persevere and through the options of live performances and live-streamed performances continue to bring classical orchestral music to our audiences across the DelMarVa peninsula. The MSO could have abruptly canceled the season, as so many other performing arts institutions chose to do. But we were determined to bring live music to our audience despite the limitations of the pandemic. We strongly believe that musicians must make music and our audiences need to experience live performances. Our Board of Directors rallied and with the leadership of committee chair Courtney Kane and others, our MSO “Live Streaming” was born. This allows us to offer our audience options that would provide safe access to the MSO’s season of live concerts. It has been a time-consuming and energetic ride but we are so grateful that we have persevered and triumphed. Again, we say thank you to each of you who have joined us for this incredibly unique season. As we soldier on through this time, the MSO Board of Directors has embarked on a path of bold thinking and evolution, planning for the time when we will once again perform post-pandemic. We are in the process of creating an innovative 5-year plan that includes consideration of the following initiatives:
Youth & Education: 1. The creation of a Mid-Atlantic Symphony Youth Orchestra 2. Virtual Master Classes for middle and high school students available to schools across the DelMarva Peninsula 3. Podcast classes involving Orchestra Members and Students
Concerts: 4. The addition of MSO Summer Pops Concerts 5. Soliciting CD recording contracts with selected soloists.
How to Support the MSO In the midst of the pandemic cloud, we feel particularly motivated to be at the forefront of the performing arts scene here on DelMarVa as we move ahead cautiously, but with determination. Planning is well under way for the MSO’s 24th season, in which we hope to perform many of the wonderful orchestral works we were unable to perform during the season just concluded. Again, we thank you for your support and enthusiasm for the MSO. We look forward to many exciting seasons together! Fondly, Jeffrey Parker Chairman / MSO Board of Directors
• • • • • • • •
Purchase tickets and attend a performance Become a season subscriber Make a contribution Bid in the online auction available May 1st (link available on the MSO’s website) Donate a musical instrument, new or used Volunteer your time Become a season sponsor Advertise your business in our program book
For more information visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org or call 1-866-846-8600 .
coastal
HOME
IF LIFE WERE A BEACH 78
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
CREATIVE CONCEPTS DESIGNER ROBIN WALL TRANSFORMED A CLIENT’S HOME IN THE PENINSULA INTO THE PERMANENT VACATION OF THEIR DREAMS Story by Meredith Lindemon Photography by Krista Valliant
T
he perfect beach house makes guests want to stay after their temporary escape ends. In Millsboro, Karen Kenney and her husband, John Evanoff, share a golf course community home that’s a contemporary take on the true, traditional style. Located in the gated Peninsula community across the river from a golf course, its interior is finished in grays, navys and soft blues, white marble and tile, and pale wood and glass. Colors and finishes are offset with welldesigned, unobtrusive furniture in darker blues and lighter browns in durable cotton weaves in solids, sophisticated pinstripes or subtle patterns. It effortlessly blends into its surroundings… cool, breezy and filled with light. Originally from New Jersey, Karen and John were timing their retirement to coincide with their move to their new home. “We’d come down here for the weekend, and not want to go home,” Karen said.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
79
coastal
HOME
STARTING OVER Creative Concepts’ Robin Wall furnished Karen and John’s bright and airy beach home from top to bottom.
After spending a year traveling back and forth from their New Jersey rental to their Delaware home, the two decided to make their weekend escape their fulltime residence. All they needed were furnishings. “We knew that nothing in our former home was going to work here,” Karen said. She added that she needed a break from cut-crystal and china cabinets, and wanted to start a new phase in her life. Robin Wall is an interior designer at Creative Concepts’ Lewes locaiton, a furniture-and-design showroom with a second location in Ocean View. The couple met Robin through a referral from a neighbor in their gated community and hired her to complete the interior decorating project prior to their full-time move. “I met Karen and John in the showroom,” said Robin. “I furnished their entire house. I incorporated my designed furnishings with her pieces so that they all blend perfectly.” Robin describes her design aesthetic as a “coastal style” that ranges from sophisticated to bright, based on a color palette and style of the clients. “I learned so much from her,” Karen said. “What was really fun was when we came to the showroom and saw the furniture and styles. Most of what we saw, we loved, but also knew some furnishings wouldn’t work, especially for John’s office. But Robin went back to the drawing board several times.”
80
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
“It was traumatic retiring and moving away from my grandchildren. But I love it here. This is my happy place. It feels like waking up in the Ritz-Carlton every day.” — Karen Kenney, pictured with her husband, John Evanoff
a new look for the old homestead
structure. home reinvented
StructureCustomHomes.com - custom built homes & renovations for a new generation -
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
81
coastal
HOME
“Karen’s [style] is very sophisticated coastal, in grays, blues and whites,” Robin said. “You can also have a client who says, ‘I waited my whole life for a beach house. I want bright, fun colors.’ Across the street, there’s a homeowner that has teal, orange and turquoise. It’s the same house with a completely different look [created by] the colors and furnishings.” “I learned that I’m not sure I have a style,” John added. “I’m open more than I thought I was. It’s like, ‘Trust the force; let the Robin be with you,’” quipped John. Robin created a unique look and feel for Karen and John’s home by incorporating furnishings from their New Jersey residence into her design. Karen wanted to keep her traditional style, but have Robin add a contemporary, clean line feel throughout. She accomplished this by showcasing colorful fabrics, patterns and textures, and the addition of wallpaper in the master bedroom and powder-bath helped to complete the space. Robin also incorporated Hunter Douglas plantation shutters, which added the desired coastal feel to the home, and the selections of wallpaper, artwork, lamps and accessories brought a cohesive unity to the design. In the three-season room, Robin incorporated furnishings that created a beautiful, cohesive flow to and from the dining room. Every detail in this space works together to form a warm, cozy outdoor retreat, including a Hunter Douglas designer screen shade. Outside, handsome, all-weather furniture and a dining table and chairs provide the perfect setting for entertaining.
DESIGN SAVVY Designer Robin Wall drew on her client’s affinity for blues, grays and whites in composing the home’s color palette.
82
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
“I like to ask clients a lot of questions and really listen to what they say,” Robin said. “A big obstacle for clients moving to the area is that they aren’t sure of the look and feel they want in their new home. Most want some level of coastal. My goal is to help with this process, which is emotional and personal. I strive to make that easy and comfortable.” “It was traumatic retiring and moving away from my grandchildren,” said Karen. “But I love it here. This is my happy place. It feels like waking up in the Ritz-Carlton every day.” “I think it just feels right. It feels like we’re part of the community, like we’re part of the whole experience here,” says John. “It’s like being on vacation every day.” cs
2020
Visit us for all the hottest Summer apparel & home accessories!
CLOTHING STORE, WOMEN
2019-2020
ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
Open 7 Days a Week
FINALIST!
FIND US ON
6701 Coastal Hwy, #2 | Ocean City, MD | 443 664-8286
VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
2020
38014 TOWN CENTER DR, MILLVILLE HOURS: MON-SAT 9am-10pm SUN 10am-6pm
BEER & WINE STORE
2020
302.537.8008
LIQUOR STORE
ICE HOUSE
Available 24/7 for 10 lb and 20 lb Bags of Ice and Filtered Water
ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
BanksWinesAndSpirits.com Online Ordering System Now Available Simply go to our website and place your order for curbside pickup!
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
83
FACES OF A HEALTHY HOME
Photo by Grant L. Gursky
Going the Extra Mile STANLEY STEEMER GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ENSURE PROPERTIES ARE CLEAN AND SAFE We’re all familiar with the bright-yellow vans and trademark “Call-1-800-Steemer” commercial jingle of Stanley Steemer, but did you know that the company has been owned and operated by one family on the Eastern Shore since 1993? That was the year Jerry and Lisa Farrell opened their family-owned-and-operated business in Salisbury. The Farrells worked tremendously hard over the years to help their customers in need and successfully grew their business and service territory each year across the Eastern Shore. Today, Jerry and Lisa’s sons Eric and Stuart and daughter-in-law Lauren oversee daily operations and manage crews to tackle whatever their customers need cleaned — from carpets, hardwoods, tile and grout to upholstery, leather, water-damage restoration and even air ducts, utilizing its fleet of state-of-the-art air-duct cleaning
trucks. The Farrells provide same-day service and are available to clean when it’s most convenient for their customers. The Farrells also regularly service a large number of commercial properties, including area hotels, weekly vacation rentals and restaurants to ensure strict cleaning protocols are met. Internally, company safeguards extend to the technicians and their equipment, as the Farrells have mandated COVID-19 procedures for all team members in the field. Technicians wear PPE, including masks and gloves, practice social distancing and even have staggered start times to further minimize risk. “We’re going the extra mile to ensure that we’re keeping everyone healthy and safe,” Eric said. “That includes a thorough sanitization of all our equipment in between every job — and we repeat this process at the end of the day, as well.”
Stanley Steemer also provides its customers a host of lesser-known yet popular incentives, including free duct-work inspections, in-house and offsite area-rug cleanings, a 10-day grace period after a cleaning, during which technicians will return at no charge and reclean any spots that may have resurfaced in the drying process, and a One-Year Cleaning Program available in which customers can receive three in-home cleanings. Stanley Steemer’s longevity and success here on the Eastern Shore are based upon one simple yet crucial principle: complete customer satisfaction. “We’re going to do whatever we can for every single customer, regardless of the situation, to ensure they are satisfied,” Jerry said. “We don’t accept anything less. We guarantee satisfaction and stand behind our work.” cs
STANLEY STEEMER | 410-548-1170 | STANLEYSTEEMER.COM
84
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Your favorite course to call home.
Described as one of America’s truly great golf courses, Baywood Greens is a public 18-hole championship course. Manicured greens, flawless fairways, man-made ponds, timber bridges, tunnels and over 200,000 flowers, plants, shrubs and trees don’t begin to describe its beauty.
A COASTAL GOLF COMMUNITY
Known as the “Augusta of the North,” Baywood Greens is by far the most visually spectacular golf course in Delaware and is consistently ranked #1 by Golf Digest’s Best in State.
BAYWOODGREENS.COM | CALL TOLL FREE (888) 844-2254 FOR TEE TIMES DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 in Lewes or Rehoboth Beach take Route 24 West for approximately 8 miles. The entrance to Baywood Greens will be on your left.
DEVELOPED BY TUNNELL COMPANIES, L.P.
FACES OF HOME & DESIGN
Photo by Deny Howeth
Decades of Dedication ATLANTIC MILLWORK & CABINETRY TURNS 30 AND VALUES THE SAME IDEALS AS DAY ONE Armed with only a business plan that called for no owner compensation for three months, the use of personal vehicles for deliveries and a living room as an office, friends Mark Woodruff and Richard Reed started Atlantic Millwork & Cabinetry (AM&C) in Lewes in 1991. Today, as the partners celebrate 30 years in business together, they reflected on their humble beginnings, deeprooted connections to the community and the principal reasons for their longevity and success. “Overcoming challenges [in the beginning] required a desire to be successful, which meant
86
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
we had to be willing to work for it and keep getting up when were knocked down,” Richard said. “My thoughts always go to our customers and how our relationship together has grown. We have grown as the result of loyal customers and our commitment to service what we sell.” “We wanted to advance professionally and have a chance for a better future for our families,” Mark added. “[It took] a ton of hard work, long hours and a supportive family.” Atlantic Millwork & Cabinetry is one of the Eastern Shore’s premier building suppliers
and has provided materials for thousands of remodeling projects, custom homes and state and private construction projects across Delmarva. The company’s Nassau Commons Blvd. headquarters is home to its state-of-the-art showroom and design center, warehouse and office complex. It’s the epicenter — where the building industry’s most recognized and highestquality products meet the creativity of Atlantic Millwork & Cabinetry’s professional sales staff, design team and in-house technicians — have more than 100 combined years of experience.
That knowledge has established trusting relationships with hundreds of architects, builders and contractors, as well as thousands of locals and second homeowners alike. The results are literally found in the windows, doors, cabinetry, decking, moldings — and much more — of countless homes, commercial, government and medical buildings across the region. AM&C’s roster of products and services has grown tremendously over the years, but the company has always been known for its millwork, windows (by Marvin, Simonton, Plygem and Lacantina), doors (by Thermatru, Masonite, PGT, Reeb, Simpson, Marvin and Plygem), cabinets (by Medallion, Mouser and Koch) and moldings. It also supplies decking, PVC trim, interior trim, Hardie siding products and more. “We offer delivery and installation services, too, which has helped to set us apart,” Richard said. “We also will design a customer’s kitchen and help them select all of the products we sell from our showroom or website.” For 25 of its 30 years in business, Atlantic Millwork & Cabinetry has been a distributor for Marvin Windows & Doors, which is AM&C’s premier window company brand. “They’re a great, family-owned, fourth-generation company that supports its dealers and their success,” Mark said. Marvin is known industry-wide as a premier manufacturer of residential windows — and Atlantic Millwork & Cabinetry carries its two most popular models. “Elevate [formerly known as Integrity] is a fiberglassand-wood-clad window that’s perfect for the harsh coastal environment,” Mark said. “The Modern/Signature Custom line is also popular for the customer who may want a particular color, shape or custom option,” Richard said. “Both lines are fiberglass construction, with the best available finishes in the market.” As of January 1, 2021, AM&C became a direct business partner of Marvin Windows & Doors. This status allows them to respond even faster to sales-and-service requests and provides added savings to its customers. Three decades in business is special for any entrepreneur, but there’s an added sense of pride for Mark and Richard for having made it through a housing crisis, the Great Recession and a global pandemic. To what do they attribute their longevity and success? “Do what you say you are going to do, because if you don’t, you lose whatever confidence that customer has in you,” Richard said. “Good employees are also hard to find, and even harder to keep, so do your best to keep employees happy, because without them, you are nothing.” “For me, it’s hard work, honesty, perseverance and own it, meaning if you’re at fault, own it and fix it,” Mark said. “I can’t tell you how much of a blessing it is to be a part of this community and to be able work and live in this special place.” cs
ATLANTIC MILLWORK & CABINETRY 302-644-1405 | ATLANTICMILLWORK.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
87
FACES OF COMPLETE HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Photo by Grant L. Gursky
Commitment to Quality TYLER BUILDING COMPANY HAS EARNED ITS REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE Wicomico County native Will Tyler didn’t wait around for his destiny to find him; he went out and captured it. Not even 23 years old, he launched Tyler Building Company 16 years ago with his indispensable wife, Nikki, following an extensive five-year apprenticeship. The result is the time-tested experience of a savvy veteran with the enthusiasm and vigor of a young man. His company performs complete home improvement and custom-home building, yet his “no job too small” mantra ensures he will never look down on any job. “During the housing boom, there was a lot of bad work being done,” said Will, who coaches a U14 soccer team and serves on the board of the Salisbury Optimist Club. “A lot of my jobs then involved fixing the work of other contractors.”
Will said he quickly learned the value of doing small jobs, which resulted in a large and loyal customer base. Today, the company does a variety of smaller jobs while completing expansive $1,000,000-plus jobs. In order to excel at such a diverse range of jobs, Will maintains specialty crews who are experts at certain kinds of work. “We have up to three crews who do nothing but framing, siding and decking,” said Will, whose company has won Coastal Style Best Of awards every year since 2013. “We have a GAFcertified roof crew and several experienced trim carpenters, including a custom woodworker with a 5,000-square-foot workshop. We also have a dry-waller/painter and excellent punch-out man, and I’m proud of all of them.”
Another thing Will is proud of is his staff’s reputation for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. “We’re a talented, all-American company,” said Will. “Our team of employees and subcontractors take great pride in their work and that commitment to excellence is our standard. We do things the right way every time. My father-in-law would tell me about companies he’d competed against that had one guy with a business license and workers paid only in cash. It was an extremely unfair advantage and unfair to hardworking locals who wanted and needed jobs. I vowed then I would never do that just to win a job or make more money.” Tyler Building Company operates from Bethany to Seaford and Cambridge, down to the Maryland-Virginia line. cs
TYLER BUILDING COMPANY | 410-546-4711 | TYLERBUILDINGCO.COM
88
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FACES OF TIMBER-FRAME CONSTRUCTION
Generational Talent
Photography by Grant L. Gursky
BURLEY BUILDING COMPANY’S NATE REISTER CONTINUES A FAMILY LEGACY ON HIS OWN TERMS Nate Reister is as skilled and worldly as a man twice his age. The 36-year-old owner of Burley Building Company also believes truth and honesty should prevail in every builder-client relationship and that producing value, not profit, should dictate decisionmaking. Founded in 2015, his Burley Building Company has quickly generated a reputation
90
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
for creativity, ingenuity and the ability to seamlessly accomplish new-construction and historic-renovation projects. Born and raised in Berlin, Nate grew up in the building business, watching and working with his dad, Henry “Clay” Reister IV, at Reister Enterprises Limited. Their family, whose legacy as carpenters in Maryland dates
back nearly 300 years, was responsible for building a significant portion of Reisterstown, appropriately named, before relocating to the Shore in the 1970s. “Learning the family trade was important to my father,” Nate said. “I can definitely say I would not be doing this today if not for my father and that legacy.”
After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School and Wake Forest University, Nate moved to Mexico to build wattleand-daub structures for nonprofit organizations. From there, he ventured to the Great Northwest, settling in Vancouver, BC, where he spent the next decade working for premium builders of the region — including one that constructed exceptional timber-framed offshore cabins for wealthy clients. The experiences and materials are found in the unique, hybrid timber-frame construction style Nate employs today. “We primarily have a craftsman-farmhouse style and incorporate some timber-frame applications to our designs,” said Nate. “Most people associate timber framing with raising them barn-style, like the Amish do. I’m more building the house out of conventional framing and then putting a timber frame inside it once it’s built, which allows me to control moisture variables inside the building. Once the envelope is up, it’s great for creating a longer-lasting product and reducing sag or gaps in the floor. “Another benefit of timber framing is that it allows us to create energy-efficient balloon-frame models that then allow us to insulate closer to the outside of the house,” Nate continued. “The last one we built, at Ironshire, the monthly heating-and-cooling costs are next to nothing because the entire envelope is sealed properly.” Burley Building Company’s small but supremely talented crew literally build their homes from the ground up. Nate said his team’s old-school construction principles are rooted in meticulous craftsmanship and limitless creativity. They pour their own foundations, construct and finish their own cabinetry and lay their own tile, which additionally minimizes the number of subcontractors on and off the project, limits costly mistakes and reduces overall project delays. “This is where we have another competitive edge,” Nate added, “because we’re able to shave a tremendous amount of overhead that traditionally gets marked up and passed on to the homeowner. Everything is managed in-house, so our clients can enjoy peace of mind, knowing there are very few people on and off the property.” Burley Building Company’s work is becoming instantly recognizable throughout Berlin, in particular, as the company’s talents are on display in a number of new-construction and historic-restoration projects throughout the town. Nate and his team have also built recently in Ocean Pines, West Ocean City, Snow Hill and Public Landing, among other locations, and will travel as far north as Bethany Beach for a new endeavor. “I want to produce homes of quality that are exceptionally well-made and will endure the tests of time,” Nate said. “And it’s important that we do it the right way, through open and honest conversations with our clients. We’re here to be their advocates and to build their dream homes with great care and quality at an affordable cost.” cs
BURLEY BUILDING COMPANY 410-430-3890 | BURLEYBUILDINGCO.COM
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
91
coastal
HOME
NEIGHBORLY ADVICE Story by Jonathan Westman | “After ” Photography by Grant L. Gursky
MARK AND JANELLE MULHOLLAND DISCOVERED A POTENTIAL DREAM HOME DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE THEY RAISED THEIR CHILDREN. FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR MIKE POOLE OF POOLE CONTRACTING & CONSULTING TURNED THEIR DREAM INTO A SHOWSTOPPING REALITY
92
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
M
ark and Janelle Mulholland were ready to downsize. After raising their two children in their five-bedroom, three-bath home in Bishopville’s secluded enclave of Massey Subdivision, the couple embarked on a search to find the perfect waterfront property to enjoy in their retirement years. Over the next five years, they scoured the area, looking for the ideal home to suit their needs and lifestyle — one that’s relaxed yet modern, with an open floor plan, first-floor master and capable of hosting extended family and entertaining friends. Each time Mark and Janelle discovered a property that might possibly work, they called their friend and neighbor Mike Poole to offer his expertise to determine if any necessary renovations would be possible. The owner of Poole Contracting & Consulting knows the Mulhollands very well, personally and professionally. The Mulholland and Poole children grew up together, and the adults socialize together regularly. Mike also completely remodeled the kitchen and bathroom of their home, just down the street from his own. Ironically, the trio didn’t have far to travel to look at a rancher that had been on the market for a while — located in Piney Island, just a half-mile from their respective front doors, which instantly checked a few boxes for the Mulhollands. “We love the neighborhood, so that was an exciting aspect of this property,” Janelle said. “The house sits high on the lot, which we also loved, and the views are spectacular. On the inside, however, it was going to take some work to determine if we could accomplish what we wanted to do.” The home’s main living area was dark, dated and defined by a series of small rooms closed off from one another by hallways and double doors that prevented a seamless, open flow. Its spacious dining area was a plus, but the adjoining U-shaped kitchen was cramped and didn’t provide the prepping, cooking and storage spaces the couple desired.
OPEN CONCEPT The Mulhollands’ project involved removing walls and reinforcing supports to allow for the creation of one free-flowing space.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
93
coastal
HOME
Mark, Janelle and Mike discussed the necessary changes at length, and once they were collectively confident that all of the objectives could be achieved, the Mulhollands purchased the home. “The concept was to open it all up, create a large kitchen-dining area and update a majority of the house,” Mike said. Demolition soon commenced, and major renovations included new hardwood throughout the main level and second story, which also entailed placing additional subfloor down first, raising the ceiling in one area. Three walls were also removed and a doorway that leads into the kitchen from the side entrance was repositioned without losing the charm of the real-pine tongue-and-groove wood on the walls. “The most challenging part of the remodel was removing a loadbearing wall between the great room and dining room. “In order to do that, we had to build two temporary walls to support the ceiling while we took the wall down. Then we cut big holes in the floor, directly into the crawl space, so we could dig new footers against the existing foundation. This would help create structural strength and support the area where the new steel posts would sit to support the new steel beam. Then we installed the large steel beam and knocked down the two temporary walls to create that wide opening into the living room and dining room/ foyer. It was a process, but it was well worth it to achieve the wide-open look Mark and Janelle wanted.”
94
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
UNIFYING VISION Mike, Janelle and Mark collaborated to transform the home’s main living area into one continuous, open space that’s ideal for entertaining and maximized its water views from every direction.
The removal of this wall and the two other walls opened the entire first floor and instantly changed the complete feeling of this home. The new kitchen features more than double the square footage of its predecessor and is exactly what Mark and Janelle, who both enjoy cooking, had envisioned. It’s outfitted with double wall ovens, abundant storage and a gorgeous, oversized island suitable for entertaining. The countertops and island stone are a stunning granite named Fantasy Brown, which actually behaves like quartzite. It has cool, gray waves and smooth swirls tumbling diagonally across the slab; stunning mineral formations and the faintest hues of green and rose make this a truly unique stone.
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
95
coastal
HOME
The 12-week renovation also included updates to the master bedroom, its adjoining sitting room and the master bath, a new coffee bar in the dining area and new bookcases in the family room. New tile in the powder room and laundry room, floor-to-ceiling bright, white paint throughout the kitchen and main living areas, including two fireplaces, added the finishing touches to the renovation. “Mike, Corey and their entire team did a fabulous job,” Janelle said. “It’s really, really easy to work with them. They have the vision to see what every client wants, and that’s unique, because we’re all different for sure. “Some aspects of this process were challenging, and some decisions were really, really hard,” Janelle continued. “But Mike was behind us the whole time, saying, ‘You can do this. I think it’s going to be a great lifestyle for you two.’ And that’s what we wanted. We wanted the lifestyle — and we love it here.” cs
TOTAL TRANSFORMATION There’s much more to see from this renovation project by Poole Contracting & Consulting at CoastalStyleMag.com.
96
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Architecture | Interior Design
• Complete Automotive Repair Services • European Car Specialists • MD State Inspections • DOT Inspections • Heavy Truck Repairs • Tires/Alignment • Fleet/Diesel Vehicles ST ALI FIN
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
www.HarrisonsAutomotiveandTransmissions.com
8977 Mistletoe Drive, Easton, MD 21601
410.822.3899
2020
Now Offering Motorcycle Repairs & Inspection Services
Harrison's Automotive now offers Motorcycle & 3 Wheel repair and inspection services for all types of motorcycles including Harley Davidson, Indian, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and more!
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
2019-2020
Voted Best Automotive Repair in Dorchester/Talbot Counties
coastal
HOME
INVERTED LIVING This Becker Morgan Group design covered all of the wishlist items of the homeowners, including this spacious and impressive open-air entertaining area.
STYLISH SOLUTIONS BECKER MORGAN GROUP PINPOINTS FIVE COASTAL TRENDS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUILDING OR RENOVATING
Consider Convertible Living Spaces
Photography courtesy Becker Morgan Group
B
uilding or renovating your coastal home is an investment your family will cherish for years to come. While your new or renovated space will be designed specific to your property and meet your unique needs and taste, there are overarching design trends to consider. Becker Morgan Group’s residential studio identifies five things to consider when designing your new home or renovation.
98
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
1
Be Site Specific You found your dream property — now maximize it! Take advantage of the natural amenities. Are you near the water but not the waterfront? Is there an incredible sunset or sunrise you just can’t see from the downstairs? Consider an inverted floor plan. By putting the gathering spaces on the top floor of your home, you can take advantage of views not available on the ground floor.
2018-2020
Featuring 2 locations on the Shore:
2016-2020
SHAWN HUNT
AARON JONES
VP, Area Manager
Loan Partner
Loan Officer Assistant
NMLS #1098459
NMLS #1443665
NMLS #2001834
SAM KOTZUR
KRIS LABERT
AMANDA GARCIA
VP, Branch Manager
Loan Partner
Loan Officer
NMLS #1873121
NMLS #1584792
220 East Main Street, Suite A Salisbury, MD 21801
7904 Coastal Highway, Suite 5 Ocean City, MD 21842
NMLS #1148351
667.330.1540
667.330.1550
Senior Loan Officer
DEVON EASTLACK NMLS #414491
ZACH HUNT
JOANNA CHELARIU ...and a fully Loan Partner
dedicated support staff!
NMLS #1341185
McLeanMortgage.com
McLean Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID #99665 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Invisalign® for Teens & Adults
410.749.0009 2020
Voted Best Pediatric Dentist in Worcester and Wicomico Counties!
PEDIATRIC DENTIST
2014-2020
Susan E. Vickers, DMD, MS
Change Your Smile Without Changing Your Lifestyle.
• DUAL-TRAINED SPECIALIST IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS • DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY • DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF ORTHODONTISTS
SALISBURY OFFICE
6512A DEER POINTE DRIVE SALISBURY, MD 21804
SeasideSmilesMD.com
BERLIN OFFICE
10445 OLD OCEAN CITY BLVD. STE. 12, BERLIN, MD 21811
coastal
2
3
100
HOME
Design Spaces to Gather You’ve heard the saying “Build it, and they will come.” Were they talking about coastal homes? Maybe not, but if you plan to entertain, creating a space to gather is important. Kitchens are naturally the most popular room in your home; positioning yours in a central area to serve multiple spaces will maximize your flexibility and functionality when entertaining. Extending the hub of activity into an adjacent living room is sure to be a crowd favorite and able to accommodate whatever event life has in store.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Amenities Are there property amenities you enjoy while on vacation? Why not incorporate those into your outdoor space? Consider pools, firepits, outdoor kitchens and wet bars to create your own retreat. Your home can be outfitted to have a resort feel.
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
4
Design Spaces to Retreat & Relax You have a house filled with family, and your heart is full, but you need a break. Sound familiar? Creating quiet areas within your home to read, rest and relax will improve your mental wellness and allow you to recharge. Master suites are especially popular and could include a private office, sitting area and spa-like bathroom retreats. Indoor-outdoor showers are also a popular choice.
5
Consider Convertible Living Spaces When space is at a premium, it is important to consider convertible and multifunctional spaces. By using large sliding or folding window walls of doors, your existing living space can be incorporated into your outdoor living area to create a flexible outdoor living solution you can utilize year-round.
When you partner with an architect, they will work closely with you to understand your current and future needs while incorporating these key design elements. Your architect will ask key questions about your daily routine, interests and future, to design a floor plan and solution that will serve you and your family for years to come. cs
coastal
HOME
Photography by Krista Valliant
HOME RUN THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A PART OF THE VACATION-HOME RENTAL MARKET ON THE SHORE As the 2021 vacation season arrives across the Eastern Shore, there’s more than summerlike temperatures to greet visitors as they descend upon the region. A red-hot real estate market, slowed only by a lack of inventory, and a sweltering vacation-home rental landscape are two industries that have thrived despite mandates and shutdowns related to COVID-19. Locally, homeowners are placing their properties in rental programs to capitalize upon demand, originally made popular by supersites like Airbnb and VRBO, and earning significant returns in the process. Likewise, investors are acquiring finer
102
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
properties along the coast and instantly renting them — often banking three-times their monthly mortgages every 30 days. According to analytics from Alltherooms.com, there are approximately 2,300 vacationrentable homes in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Ocean View. The site expects this number to grow by 13% in 2021 — and with nightly rentals averaging $425-$750 in mid-July, it’s easy to see why. Rehoboth-based Seachange Vacation Rentals, aligned with Keller Williams Realty, just had its best year ever, recording a 92% occupancy rate for its homeowners during
WELCOME HOME Brand-new properties like this one, located on Columbia Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, feature topof-the-line comforts and rent from $700 per night. It is also completely booked through February 1, 2022, according to Seachange’s website.
what was originally projected to be an “off year.” The boutique vacationrental management company, which prides itself on bringing focus to a fragmented beach rental market, possesses a proprietary real estate/ hospitality formula that continues to produce growth for the company, and its homeowners, year over year. While the company wouldn’t divulge any trade secrets, Seachange owner Andy Meddick offered some advice to firsttime owners and seasoned vacationhome renters looking to increase their bottom lines this season.
Be sure. Business Insurance | Risk Management | Personal Protection We’re optimistic, independent experts . Trusted to safeguard Delmarva since 1929. Visit deeleyinsurance.com
2020
We’ll create a thoughtfully tailored program to protect what matters most.
(410) 213-5600
BUSINESSWOMAN
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
103
coastal
ARTFULLY PREPARED
SUSHI • CHINESE • THAI
FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE SUSHI Open 7 Days A Week! HOURS: Sun-Thur 11:30-9:30 Fri-Sat 11:30-10:30 LOCATED IN OUTLETS OCEAN CITY (next to Under Armour)
12741 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842
410.801.1111
HOME
PICTURE-PERFECT Seachange Vacation Rentals owner Andy Meddick believes in using only professional photographers to capture the settings of his rental properties. He also said that by doing so, he knows prospective renters will be able to truly envision themselves enjoying every amenity.
For First-Timers “It’s completely understandable, if you’re a first-time owner of a rental property, to want to deck out your space with every beachy accessory you can lay your hands on,” says Meddick, “but resist the temptation. It’s the location itself — particularly its proximity to the ocean — that brings the beach vibe and drives the rental rates, not an endless procession of shells, bells, and crab-shaped candy dishes. A balanced decor scheme will appeal to more potential renters and leave the space less cluttered.” Meddick also stresses that the decor scheme should skew toward the modern: “Second-hand furnishings aren’t as popular with renters as you might think.” Also important is knowing the demography of the renter you’re targeting. “Your furniture, furnishings, bedding, bed choices and overall color palette should vary accordingly, based on whether you’re trying to attract families with young kids or older, more relaxed and established couples,” he says. “And don’t forget the amenities! Try to select a community that offers proximity and access to pools, tennis, pickleball, et cetera, as incentives like these will often make a renter pick your property over another.” Lastly, Meddick emphasizes the importance of using your first year as a vacation-property owner to set the tone and establish a solid foundation for future seasons of successful rentals. “The first year, set realistic expectations for yourself and your renters — don’t overreach or underserve. What you are ultimately striving for at this stage is to collect as many five-star reviews as you can, as these can practically market your property for you,” advises Meddick. “Besides, you’re also increasing the likelihood that you’ll cultivate a roster of eager repeat guests, which is a great position to be in.”
Vacation Property Checklist
Top 10 things owners should do with their homes in 2021: 1. Keyless entry 2. COVID cleaning standards 3. Pools, hot tubs, amenities, etc. 4. Great linen programs 5. Highest-speed internet available 6. Create great outdoor spaces 7. Welcome dogs into your properties 8. Invest 10% of your rental income to improve your property 9. Remove carpeting 10. Partner with a management company that truly works for you!
MITCHELL and HASTINGS FINANCIAL SERVICES
OUR MISSION. YOUR SUCCESS. Steven E. Sweigert Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT FIRM
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
FINANCIAL BUSINESSWOMAN ADVISOR Phyllis Mitchell Phyllis Mitchell
Andrea L. Hastings Certified Financial Fiduciary®
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT FIRM
F TO BES
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Phyllis Mitchell
Phyllis R. Mitchell Certified Financial Planner™
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Andrea Hastings
2020
For Seasoned Owners As an experienced vacation-property owner, you’ve been to the rodeo and have a better idea of how the process works and what to expect. It’s prudent, then, says Meddick, to focus on aligning yourself with the right rental-property management company for your goals and needs. “Is your rental company maximizing your income? Because properties that book too fast do so because are they are underpriced, which leaves money on the table — money that should be yours,” Meddick says. He goes on to underscore the need for owners to ask questions of their rentalproperty managers, suggesting that if the company is vague or seems irritated by the process, it is probably not the right company for you. “Ask them what they are doing to help stockpile five-star reviews for you, and make sure the company publishes them online,” suggests Meddick. “Also, find out if your management company uses OTAs [outside travel agencies] to help drive traffic to your property. If they’re not using the internet and OTAs to maximize your exposure, they’re squandering valuable marketing tools.” Finally, skilled rental-property managers are experts at what they do. Therefore, do not hesitate to solicit feedback from them about what you can do to increase your property’s income. Seachange Vacation Rentals provides all these services and many more, which is a key reason, says Meddick, that his company is consistently able to get its clients more income for their property rentals. cs
As an independent financial planning and investment firm in the Financial Services industry, our practice is built on a foundation of service, integrity, independence and trust, servicing clients of all financial and income levels.
STYLE
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
WEALTH MANAGEMENT | 401K ROLLOVERS RETIREMENT PLANNING | TAX PLANNING INSURANCE PLANNING | ESTATE PLANNING 410.213.2150 | MITCHELLandHASTINGS.COM 9927 Stephen Decatur Hwy. Ste. 18, West Ocean City, MD Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investments Research, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Mitchell and Hastings
coastal
HOME
THE TRENTO OVAL CHANDELIER by Eurofase features a unique cluster of handstrung glass wafers framed in champagne silver.
HINKLEY NAUTIQUE meshes function and style; this pendant is an industrial-meetscoastal-inspired design.
THE FRETWORK TABLE LAMP by Jamie Young Company combines beautiful geometric shapes constructed of ceramic, creating the perfect goanywhere accent.
GUIDING LIGHT
THE WICKHAM PENDANT by Cyan Designs offers a sophisticated look that plays off vintage design.
ILLUMINATE YOUR INSPIRATION FOR NEW LIGHTING WITH THESE TRENDING AND INNOVATIVE FIXTURES LUSTER BY HINKLEY is a supremely suitable wall sconce for a variety of hospitality or residential settings.
THIS BAYOU CHANDELIER by Currey and Company features a contemporary goldleaf/sea-glass finish with wrought-iron construction. cs
THIS PRAIRIE TABLE LAMP from Jamie Young Company has a subtle striations in a pearlescent glaze that provide a delicate yet delightful pattern.
106
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
THE PANAMA FLOOR LAMP by Arteriors Home elegantly brings an airy texture to the space where its placed.
ST ALI FIN
Best Business, Businessman, Family Business, Real Estate Company, Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Team in Wicomico County
WE’RE A
FINALIST! VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
Whitehead
Real Estate Executives (410) 749-4663 (410) 726-4133
SERVING BOTH MARYLAND AND DELAWARE
REAL ESTATE AGENT
2016-2020
BUSINESSMAN
2020
2020
Most 5-Star Zillow Reviews in Our Area 1325 Mt. Hermon Rd, Suite 11A, Salisbury, MD
2020
Whitehead
Rental Management (410) 749-RENT (410) 749-7386
REAL ESTATE TEAM
2018-2020
all-american
home
all-american
dog
all-american
kids
19269 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth, DE 19971 • 302.227.3244 Visit AndersonCarpetOne.com for American-made flooring
108
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
Fine Homes Built With AMISh craftsmanship
2020
IN SUSSEX COUNTY
NOW OPEN IN 2 LOCATIONS GREENWOOD
HOMEBUILDER
2019-2020
OCEAN VIEW
IDEA HOME & DESIGN STUDIO:
IDEA HOME & DESIGN STUDIO:
414 E MARKET ST, GREENWOOD, DE 19950
35745 ATLANTIC AVE, MILLVILLE, DE 19967
302-495-7190
302-829-1810
BAYTOBEACHBUILDERS.COM
Contact Us To make your dream outdoor living space a reality!
ST ALI FIN
2020
VOTE FOR US MAY 1–31
2020
LANDSCAPING COMPANY
LAWN-CARE COMPANY
2019-2020
WE’RE A
FINALIST!
Landscaping Hardscaping Exterior Lighting Irrigation Pest Management Paving & More!
coastal
HOME
Out door Oasis WES NOVELLI AND HARDSCAPES, INC. CREATED THE BACKYARD RETREAT THE COLLINS FAMILY HAD ALWAYS DREAMT OF ENJOYING Story by Jonathan Westman | Photography by Grant L. Gursky
C
hris and Tami Collins work extremely hard. The owners of Brasure’s Pest Control, along with their high-school-age son, Caleb, wanted to create a space of fun and relaxation and had shared ideas about transforming their backyard into an outdoor retreat. In fact, they had discussed the concept of an in-ground swimming pool ever since they built their home in southern Delaware in 2006. They interviewed a few contractors, but none connected with the family. That changed when they met Wes Novelli, the owner of Hardscapes, Inc. “Once we met Wes, we knew instantly who we were going to go with,” Tami said. “Everything just clicked, and we feed off each other’s many ideas.” “Chris, Tami and Caleb wanted the wow factor, to be able to step outside and into paradise — and that’s exactly what it is, paradise,” said Wes, who will celebrate 20 years in business in 2022. “There was nothing but green grass in this space when we started the project, so it was nice to be able to design freely and collaborate with them.”
110
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
May/June 2021 • CoastalStyleMag.com
111
coastal
HOME
PARADISE BY THE BACKYARD LIGHT Wes Novelli of Hardscapes, Inc. designed the Collinses backyard masterpiece so that it would literally transform with the setting sun.
The foundation of Wes’ design was an expansive 3,000-square-foot footprint of Marmiro travertine in Terra. The beautiful stone provides a classic aesthetic that Wes said will never go out of style. “Travertine is a timeless medium that always looks great,” said Wes, who acquires hardscaping materials for his projects exclusively from Salisbury Brick. “It will look like new 20 to 30 years from now, and you can’t say the same for other types of pavers.” Next, it was time for the pièce de résistance. “The most important element we incorporated into our design was the outdoor fireplace,” Tami said. “We wanted to be able to see and enjoy it from no matter where we were in the backyard, whether it be in the pool, hot tub, lounging or from the elevated deck.” Every Hardscapes, Inc. fireplace is completely custom, and Wes’ design for the Collins family did not disappoint. This handsome focal point features a sprawling footprint and is accented by a stone inlay centered toward its top, which is illuminated at night.
112
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
OCEAN VIEW Route 26 & 17 31874 Roxana Rd. 302.539.6989
LEWES Route 1 & 9 97 Tulip Drive 302.645.6200 Provenance® Woven Shades with Power View® Motorization
creativeconceptsfurniture.com
We Rise By Lifting Others
Strengthening our community through grants & scholarships since 1984
Learn more, give, or apply at CFES.org • 410-742-9911
MISSION COMPLETE The Collins family are beyond thrilled with what Wes Novelli was able to create for them, adding, “If Wes told you something was going to happen at a certain day and time, it always happened.”
“For Wes to design this fireplace just for our family, it makes it even more special when investing in such a special backyard oasis.” The fireplace, which is anchored by wood boxes on each side, also served as the point from which the result of the project was built. Wes next designed a spectacular swimming pool that offers the Collins family excitement, refreshment and rejuvenation through its many amenities, such as zero-entry accessibility, a sun shelf and an elevated hot tub with a spillway water feature — one of three waterfall features of the pool built by Trond’s Pool Construction. Chris and Tami also wanted a deep-water area but did not want a diving board. Wes’ answer was a trip to How Sweet It Is in Eden to discover the perfect diving rock. “Once we saw it,” said Tami, “we knew it was the perfect showpiece. It is not only a focal point in our landscaping, but also serves as a functioning part of our pool.”
114
CoastalStyleMag.com • May/June 2021
The entire setting majestically transforms with the setting sun, thanks to a strategically positioned FX Luminaire exterior lighting package, beaming underwater lights from the swimming pool and, of course, a roaring fire in the fireplace. Wes’ landscape design included semirounded pockets of synthetic turf in select locations around the travertine perimeter to provide unique and colorful aspects of contrast. His handpicked plantings incorporated a variety of trees, perennials, palms and shrubs. “He wrote all his ideas out and had us meet him again at How Sweet It Is to show us all of his ideas,” Tami said. “We liked everything he selected and trusted his judgment. His knowledge of the plants and trees was so impressive. He would pick a tree or a shrub and tell us how tall and wide it would get, the benefits of having it and where it would grow best.”
Although they had to contend with gathering restrictions during their first summer with an incredible backyard, the Collins family is eagerly looking forward to warm temperatures and the end of the school, so they can welcome and entertain family and friends — and encourage others considering a backyard makeover to call Hardscapes, Inc. “We absolutely loved Wes’ positive attitude, dedication to his customers and work ethic,” Tami said. “If Wes told you something was going to happen at a certain day and time, it always happened.” “We are completely satisfied with every aspect of our backyard project,” said Chris. “The Hardscapes crew was extremely dedicated, friendly and able to make Wes’ and our vision come to life with their exceptional craftsmanship.” cs
Love the moment. Love your smile.
ATLANTIC DENTAL COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY WHERE SMILES ARE MADE EVERY DAY!
2020
SPRING FORWARD WITH AN APPOINTMENT AT DENTIST
2016-2020
ATLANTIC DENTAL COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
·
INVISALIGN PERIODONTAL TREATMENT FULL MOUTH & IMPLANT RESTORATION SMILE ENHANCEMENTS EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR OUR PATIENTS NEW PATIENTS WELCOME !
· ·
410.213.7575 | AtlanticDental.com
Christopher Takacs, DMD
Lawrence Michnick, DDS
12308 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, MD 21842 Many traditional insurances taken Plus, Third-Party Financing available.
Kristen Mazzei, DMD
2020
Let Us Help You Create a Home You’ll Love
Complimentary Consultations
with our Experienced Design Team
800-990-OCFG
OCFloorGallery.com Ocean City: 12319 301 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842 Lewes: 17644 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958
FLOORING COMPANY
2013-2020
THE MOST RECOMMENDED STORE ON THE SHORE