Dewey sparkles with Beach & Bay Lights

With the annual tree-lighting ceremony canceled this year due to the pandemic, a group of volunteers united over the Thanksgiving weekend to trim the town of Dewey Beach for the holidays.

Dewey Beach Marketing Committee Chair Drew Martin said residents wanted to increase holiday displays and boost community spirit with what he hopes will become an annual tradition, called Beach & Bay Lights.

“Our plan is that in the future, we will have a tree-lighting ceremony and other festive activities, but for 2020 everyone is welcome to come see the decorations, shop, eat and toast safely to family, friends, holiday cheer and a better 2021,” Martin said. 

A 12-foot tree full of lights and natural ornaments on the TJ Redefer Memorial Baywalk overlooking Rehoboth Bay is the centerpiece of the holiday display, and the adjacent gazebo, planters and businesses throughout town are also decorated.

TJ served as mayor of Dewey Beach from September 2017 until his death April 7, 2020. The TJ Redefer Memorial Baywalk was dedicated in his honor on July 28, on what would have been his 59th birthday. Organizers said TJ would have strongly supported additional socially distant holiday festivities. 

TJ’s widow Bobbie Redefer helped volunteers decorate the town.

“The Beach & Bay Lights are so overwhelmingly beautiful,” Bobbie said. “Our family is so humbled by the Dewey Beach Marketing Committee, Dewey Business Partnership, Vince DiFonzo with TKO Hospitality, the Hyatt Place and the volunteers that worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life that honors TJ and the town spirit. I know TJ is looking down and is humbled and smiling as well.” 

A seasonal tradition that began several years ago in Dewey is growing, Bobbie said. Last year, Karen McMahon and Gary Ceman, with help from the Dewey Business Partnership, placed several wreaths throughout town as a remembrance of family and friends of the town.

This year, 13 wreaths were placed in memory of Shirley Ceman, Norbert “Pops” McDonough, Irene Maliszewski, Brenda Martin, Barbara Montgomery, Jeannie O’Conor, Linda Leigh Potamos, Col. Julius “Whitey” Przygocki, Dolores Redefer, Jack Redefer, TJ Redefer, Joseph Vavala and Alice Walsh.

Mayor Dale Cooke said he was pleased that residents volunteered their time and finances to help the town be more festive for the holidays.

“This has been a challenging year for the Dewey Beach community and the world, and the town fully supports anything that helps bring people some joy,” Cooke said.

Volunteers include Paul Bauer, Jen Chauvin, Alex Hannah, Gil Hofheimer, Andrea Levy, Karen McMahon, Bailey Martin, Drew Martin, Steve “Monty” Montgomery, Jimmy O’Conor, Kelly Ranieri, Bobbie Redefer, Melissa Riesco, Christine Rineer, Glenn Rineer, Claudia Rodgers, Bill Stevens and Janine DiPaula Stevens, Phil Winkler and Ellen Blocher-Winkler, and Pat Wright.

Holiday displays will be lit nightly in Dewey Beach through Saturday, Jan. 2.