I’m a new resident here at the beach as of only 60 days ago. As a native from Baltimore, Maryland, I used to come down here to vacation all the time and loved it but who would have thought I would actually be able to live here! I’ve always loved this area and am so excited to call it my home.

Funny story how I got here… my parents were looking to move here this time next year. They plan to retire here and enjoy the relaxing beach life. Between the low taxes, no sales tax, and break-off taxes when you’re 65, this area really attracted them. They knew that the low cost of living here would free them up to travel more and enjoy life. Because I’ve been selling homes for years, I went with them to look at houses in the Delaware Beach area so I could make sure that they would find a good quality home. WOW! Did we ever find a good builder!!

Schell Brothers’ quality, craftsmanship, and energy efficiency really amazed me, with 2×6 construction, tankless water heaters, 16 SEER AC system, R23 in walls, R38 in ceilings, and more. I thought the big national builder I worked for back in Maryland had everything until I saw that Schell Brothers really takes pride in their homes and is always looking to be a step higher than the average builder.

The funny thing about this is that I met the Director of Sales that day when we were at the model and, after talking with her, found myself wanting to work for this builder and move down here myself. I knew that I eventually wanted to purchase a second home in the beach area and later retire here but not this soon.

After meeting the Director and falling in love with this company, I found myself wanting to move here right away. I thought long and hard because I’ve always lived in Maryland but I did a lot of research on this builder and realized that I not only wanted my parents to build with Schell Brothers, but I wanted to move down here and work for this company.

So this is my story… I am now working for a great builder, living at the beach, and loving it!!! I wasn’t sure how it would be all year round down here but, after starting out on the “off season”, I see already that there is so much to do and there are so many places to eat. Every season is better at the beach. That’s my story… what’s yours?

As a professional living in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC metro area for the past 10 years, life was good in many ways.  For those of you who are familiar with living in that area, there are many things to do and see in addition to delicious places to eat. The employment and cultural opportunities are good and I truly thought I was living.  But let’s face it, getting from point A to point B can be stressful. If you have ever driven the Capital Beltway or Rt. 66, you know what I’m talking about.

About 7 years after living the “Good Life” I began to tire of the rat race and commuting an hour morning and night when I worked 14 miles from home! I was in dire need of a break. I began a search for a place where I could get away from it all  but not so far that it would require more that a weekend trip.  I thought of Virginia Beach, Ocean City, the Shenandoah Mountains, and everything in between. Then a co-worker mentioned a place called Lewes, Delaware. DELAWARE? I thought to myself as I scratched my head, wondering if my co-worker had been having happy hour on his lunch break.  What the heck is in Delaware?

I immediately went to my computer and did an Internet search of Lewes, DE and the following weekend I plugged  in the address of a local hotel into my GPS and off I went to explore unknown territory. My trip took me through rural areas with nothing but cornfields, soybean fields, and dairy farms and I found myself enjoying the scenery.  For a change, I was not experiencing a white-knuckle trip on the beltway.  Yet, although my goal was to escape the city, I didn’t think I was ready for the country life. Two and half hours later, I arrived at my destination.  At that moment my life changed. I was in a place that immediately felt like “home”.  I knew in my heart and mind that I had been called to this magical place called Lewes, DE. The streets were lined with quaint shops that offer everything from A to Z. The people were genuinely friendly, and happy to have me visit their town.  I could go on and on about my weekend in what I would call “paradise” , but to make my long story short. I do believe in love at first sight. I have since left the hustle and bustle of the city behind me and moved to “Paradise”.  Now my life here is simple and stress-free. I no longer drive on beltways, but on quaint streets and pleasant roads.  If you want a taste of Paradise, come to DELAWARE!

I looked out my window on this gorgeous fall afternoon and thought about many of you who vacationed here at the Delaware beaches for a week or two this summer.  By now, you’re back in the swing of “real life,” and probably miss the smell of the beach, the sound of the waves, the boardwalk fun… heck, even the seagulls!

Come back and visit us in the Fall!  The sand, the sun, and the memories are all still here at Bethany Beach!  The Fall season is the BEST time to visit your favorite beach destination!   The boardwalk, the after-dinner walks, the laughs, the smiles, and the memories at the beach are even better in the fall when you can truly live like one of the fortunate local residents.

Fall is also one of the most popular times to buy a new beach home from Schell Brothers because you can take advantage of amazing incentives and move into your personalized beach home before next summer arrives.  Why not make your favorite vacation destination a year-round home that you can enjoy in every season?  Imagine enjoying  heartwarming Thanksgiving dinners with the whole family in your beach home, ringing in the New Year on the boardwalk, and adding to the summer memories you’ve already made!

Sunset Harbour is soaking up the Fall sun at Bethany Beach and we invite you to join us!  Make an appointment to visit our community, tour the decorated model and view numerous homes that are under construction.  You may reach me by phone at 302-858-6939 or by email at mcapaldi@schellbrothers.com.   Or, feel free to contact Jay Hauck at 302-236-9778 or jay@schellbrothers.com.  We look forward to seeing you this fall!

One community, one builder, eight homes!

If you’re interested in joining us for the event please contact us at 302-228-2719 or 302-945-3080.

Cheers!

Boaters in southern Delaware received an early Christmas present as State environmental officials recently announced that dredging of the picturesque Assawoman Canal is now complete after many years of work.  This means that boaters can navigate the Assawoman and Isle of Wright Bays that lead to popular restaurants and recreational venues in Fenwick Island, Ocean City, and more.   Of course, by way of Whites Creek, boaters also have access to the Indian River and Rehoboth Bay as well as to the Delaware Bay via the Rehoboth Canal.  Best of all, the Atlantic Ocean, through the Indian River Inlet, is only minutes away by boat.

One of the only new home communities with private boat slips and direct access to these waterways is Sunset Harbour by Schell Brothers, located on Fred Hudson Road.  Residents at Sunset Harbour enjoy fun and convenient access to these destinations, especially in the summer months when traffic on Route 1 begins to pile up.  There’s nothing like the prestige of showing up at a restaurant by boat, especially when everyone else is stuck in traffic!  In addition to visiting local eateries, boaters may also take a day trip all the way down the coast to Chincoteague without ever going into the ocean.

The accessibility of the Assawoman Canal opens up a whole new world to water enthusiasts and surely the remaining homes with boat slips at Sunset Harbour won’t last long.   Whether it be boating, kayaking, jet skiing, swimming or just taking a walk along the shore, the community is surrounded by water and all its beauty and bounty.  Sunset Harbour is one of the only communities that has been approved as a minor marina which allows continued maintenance dredging, stabilization of the banks of the canals and the construction of new docks.  Additionally, residents have private access to the community boat ramp.  I’m thinking it may be best to check out these homes now before interest rates continue to climb and the best homesites slip away!

Recent media reports about a national housing slowdown and possible real estate bubble obviously haven’t effected Schell Brothers’ workload. We are actually growing in size and have recently hired our 50th employee. June was a big hiring month for us with seven new employees starting.

We love this time of the year as we can accomplish so much more with longer days and warmer temperatures. Each of our communities is alive with activity:

Breakwater hosted a Bar-B-Q last Saturday to show off the completed pool area. The whale slide in the kiddie pool was a popular place to be for the under-five set. The event was well attended by home owners and potential buyers. The party gave everyone a chance to get to know their new neighbors. If you are in the Lewes, feel free to stop by for a visit. The models are open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. The Provence model received some special attention a few weeks ago. The architect, nationally renowned Donald A Gardner, sent their Marketing Director and a professional photographer for a photo shoot. The pictures came out very well. We were excited about the attention we have received on these models.

Heritage Creek also has models that are open to the public. The community’s Grand Opening is scheduled for the first weekend in August to coincide with Milton’s 200th Anniversary celebration. Please come by for a tour!

Independence started construction a few weeks ago and already the skeletons of four houses have risen from the foundation. The community is very popular for those looking to live in a 55 and older beach community. The clubhouse is scheduled to start construction in August.

The pre-construction phase has started for The Vineyards at Nassau Valley. The team hosted a record number of guests at the Pre-Release Party recently held at The Vineyards. The guests participated in a Wine and Cheese Tasting while listening to a local youth Steel Band.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Delaware Coast Press, August 17, 2005
by Adam Donnelly, Coast Press Reporter

Last Wednesday, film makers Scottie James and Alan Chambers were out on the sand interviewing guards and trying to catch some action footage for a documentary about the Rehoboth Beach Patrol. As they approached a lifeguard stand for an interview, the guard jumped from his stand and darted down the beach.

Another lifeguard appeared to cover the stand and James and Chambers discovered there was a C-spine victim at the far south end of the beach. After brief contemplation James and Chambers hurried to the boardwalk, grabbed their bikes and road them from Baltimore Avenue down to Prospect Street to catch the footage.

Down on Prospect, the victim was being secured onto a backboard to protect his neck and spine and transported to an awaiting ambulance. James and Chambers got there in time to catch the footage.

That type of action will join countless other scenes, as well as interviews,first-hand rescues, rookie training and guard competitions to create the documentary, explained Josh Tootell, president of Coastal Public Affairs group.

Interviews will spotlight current and former guards, including Rehoboth native Ed Hill, who is 99 and half years old. Hill was a Rehoboth lifeguard back in the 1920s when lifeguards didn’t use buoys to stay afloat. They relied solely on their swimming skills back then, James said.

Tootell said the alumni guards will help paint a portrait of the beach patrol’s history.

In its 84th year, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol has a long history of guarding the beach and protecting the people who visit it.

James, Chambers, Tootell and Nick Crawford have set out to create a documentary which will portray the hard work, history and dedication the Rehoboth Beach Patrol exemplifies.

James said he and Crawford were previously Rehoboth lifeguards. They were full-time guards for two years and relief guards for an additional two years.

Tootell, a current lifeguard, said his company is producing the documentary.

Crawford, James and Chambers own a production company called Cover Down Productions. James said he and Crawford do all the filming and editing for the documentary and Chambers takes care of the audio side of the film.

Tootell said the crew started filming interviews with patrol alumni in January and got into full swing Memorial Day weekend when the beach season began.

Tootell said among other things he hopes the film will “capture the emotional aspect of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol.” He said many former guards have an emotional attachment to the patrol and they have been more than willing to share their stories.

James and Crawford went to Full Sail Film School in Florida where they met Chambers. James said Chambers not only records audio for the documentary he also composes and arranges all the music for the film.

“He makes music from scratch,” James said.

James said Tootell helps with the film’s financial aspects, sets up press releases and interviews, handles phone calls and is in charge of the film’s premiere, which they hope will take place during the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival in November.

“If we need a helicopter for aerial shots, Josh is the guy who can get it. He has been nothing but great for us,” James said.

Before coming to Rehoboth to film the documentary, James, Crawford and Chambers worked on MTV’s popular reality TV shows “Real World” and “Road Rules” for a year and a half before quitting last summer.

After ending their MTV project the three guys came to Rehoboth with their idea of filming a Rehoboth Beach Patrol documentary. With the help of Tootell, the crew was able to obtain sponsors — Banana Boat sun care products, Grotto Pizza and Schell Brothers — for the film.

Tootell said the crew will film until the end of the season.

He said if the film is well received they want to bring it to film festivals across the country. “We want to tell our story to the world,” Tootell said.