Half Off at the Beach

By Adam Pettengell, in The Villages at Herring Creek

Okay, okay calm down! The title doesn’t mean Schell Brothers is giving 50% off the prices of their homes – yet! Just kidding, Chris. No, this is a follow up to my last blog about great deals to be aware of when you visit, or make your home at the beach, or even have friends who live here.

My newest discovery is Half Off at the Beach. It is an exciting, very cool way to secure great gifts and deals while also supporting local businesses in the area. I love a deal as I’m sure my last blog highlighted. I guess I’m an advocate of this particular website since just this week I took advantage of these great deals and enjoyed some time with my family.

Minnie at the Buttery


I took my lovely wife and four month old daughter Minnie to The Buttery in Lewes for lunch on Monday. We sat outside – my wife had an awesome chicken special and I had the soup and sarnie (that’s British for sandwich) combination. Downtown Lewes was in full bloom and it was a delightful experience. I had a $25 voucher which I paid $12.50 for and the bill after the coupon came to next to nothing even though my wife had a glass of wine! Ha, she’ll kill me for saying that. She says after 9 months of not having alcohol she’s on payback. After looking at my daughter’s face I don’t argue. Smart guy I know.
Then yesterday I purchased a super deal at Cake Break, in Rehoboth, which sells amazing cupcakes amongst other things. I’m afraid you’ll have to put diets aside but it’s a great gift or excuse to buy lunch or pressies (more British, this time for presents) for your favorite salesman… hint hint.
Well, I hope this is good information for all our fans, home owners and locals in the area. Please do let us know if you’ve your own comments about positive experiences with this website or any other companies that offer great deals in the area.
Good luck and happy eating, spending and gifting.

The List!

By Adam Pettengell, in The Villages at Herring Creek

I bet you’re wondering what The List is. You might be thinking about a list of reasons to buy in Delaware, or a list of reasons to buy with Schell Brothers over any other builder at the beach, or maybe a list of reasons to buy from me over any other salesman. In fact, you would be way off the mark (other than the buying from me part, of course).

Many locals and visitors look forward to the first off-season release of The List. In fact one might say it’s a date that brings smiles to people’s faces, saves money in their pockets and results in adding to the variety of social outings one can have. Are you intrigued? Have I built it up enough?
The List is a collection of all the restaurants, when they’re open in the off-season, and what specials they’ve got going on for food and drink, and it’s updated every two weeks! It became available for download today in mini form to tide you over until the full version is available on Wednesday, October 26th. The List is the great idea of Hadley McGregor whose website, Locals Only, tells what’s going on and when. It’s a gold mine of information.
Rehoboth and Lewes are all-year-round locations. In the off-season restaurant hours often change, which is shared on the website, but each restaurant also does specials and there are unbelievable deals to be found.
My wife and I recently visited the Blue Moon in Rehoboth for “Tasting Tuesday” – Three courses with three different wines all for $35. This restaurant is top notch and “Tasting Tuesday” is a huge hit with the locals. I had baked oysters, blue cheese salad and halibut. Every course was crazy good and the wine is always a bonus. The other reason why we like to go to the Blue Moon is dessert. It’s a little extra but “Moon Pie” is worth it, and it’s not a dessert you eat by yourself. It’s gigantic in size with multiple layers of ice cream, sauce and a cookie base! We always share it and are lucky if we finish it! Pure deliciousness.
This is just one example of how The List can save you money, increase your happiness and quickly get you on the good side of your better half! Well worth it and just one of the things that makes living in Sussex County extra special. So what’s on your list?
If you’re a new homeowner, soon to be new homeowner, established homeowner, visitor, or simply a lover of food, then on October 26th you’ll be printing off the full version of The List and keeping it close by for when you want to go support the local businesses and enjoy a great meal at the same time.

My Nights are a Different Story

By Adam Pettengell, in The Villages at Herring Creek

My days may be spent finding people their dream homes. However, my nights are a different story as I work late into the wee hours of the darkness creating nightmares and instilling fear in all who dare enter my secret world. Which Adam do you know?

It’s my double life and I love it. Helping customers find the perfect home type and homesite to begin the rest of their lives is such a buzz. But come closing time, I also get a huge kick out of playing ‘Fineas’ at All Hallows Revenge, the new Haunted attraction out on Route 9. I guess it’s part of our culture here at Schell Brothers rubbing off on me that made me think about going and having fun scaring folk, or it could just be the kid in me resurrecting itself in big, hairy monster form. Perhaps a touch of both. I love my job with Schell and am very passionate about creating happiness. My new homeowners here at the Villages at Herring Creek are more than homeowners; by the end of the home building process I call them friends. (Probably because they have never met Fineas.)
Halloween back across the pond isn’t a big time of the year like it is in America. I love how everybody goes out and gets costumes and decorations for the homes and obviously the parties! I guess this year my costume for our annual Schell Brothers Halloween party will be a lot easier. (Don’t worry… Fineas will not be making an appearance.) My family enjoys the fall season here at the beach and it’s my wife’s favorite (the local Dogfish Head Pumpkin Ale may have something to do with that!). Everything looks so pretty and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the changing colors and cooler temperatures with Sea Witch, Film Festival, Punkin Chunkin and obviously All Hallows Revenge. Looking forward to reliving it all through my children’s eyes and letting that spirit captivate others who are looking to call Sussex County home.
Whether creating dreams or nightmares, I can honestly say I love what I do and look forward to each new adventure that comes my way. Cheers!

Parade of Homes Event

By Adam Pettengell, in The Villages at Herring Creek

The Parade of Homes event is unlike any other ever held, where you can walk through every home the community has to offer.  Save all the time you would normally spend traveling from community to community to see models and have more time for the beach, bars and restaurants!  Take the stress and confusion out of selecting your new home!  The Villages at Herring Creek is very happy to be opening its doors to the Parade of Homes event on the Saturday the 24th September from 11am till 4pm.  With the Mulberry model being a big favorite among our customers since its opening in April, Herring Creek has been on the ‘up and up’ in terms of homes being built and customers visiting the community.  Due to this activity we’re in a unique position now that we have so much construction going on and all with different floor plans.  We’ll have a Fenwick, two Mulberrys, two Henlopens, a Herring Point, a Mariner, a Kingfisher, and a Heron all for viewing.  Three of these (Henlopen, Kingfisher and Heron) all come with stunning water views.  So if you fancy getting a hard hat on and love the Schell Brothers product it’s going to be a great day all round.
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!

How I Saved The Goose

By Adam Pettengell, in Breakwater


I wanted to share my happy story with you. It didn’t involve a sale, or money but more importantly — a life! He’s………. a goose! I have named him, Merlin, after his miraculous escape (and a well known film). I thought Maverick was way too corny.
The incident that has changed my life forever occurred yesterday at around 12pm. Merlin got himself trapped in the Breakwater pond behind the show model. I was just about to strip down to my socks and jump in and save him when I rang Envirotech (kudos to Jordan). Whilst waiting for Envirotech to arrive, I kept Merlin company and tried to reassure him. The poor guy was beside himself with worry and I could tell time wasn’t on his side. He needed to catch up with his buddies but he desperately didn’t want to ruin his wing. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, that was for sure.
The line was finally cut but Merlin had violently twisted the wire into his right wing. Instant surgery was needed. The wire was finally removed and Merlin scampered, not from me, but from the other two guys. With all the shock he scurried into the shrubs and laid low. He finally nodded his head at me in recognition and scampered across the pond. Shortly afterwards, he plucked up the courage and pumped his good wing and his fragile wing, to soar upwards and into the freedom of the open sky.
A life saved is a life gained!

Merlin caught on the line


Getting Merlin free


Quick surgery


After recovery, Merlin takes off