Litzenberg to sign books May 2 at Historic Lewes

Award-winning local author Corinne Litzenberg will sign copies of her latest novel, “Ben and the Brass Check: A Lewes Life-Saving Station Story,” Friday, May 2, during First Friday events outside the Sussex Tavern at Rabbit’s Ferry House, 110 Shipcarpenter St. 

The book recently won first place in fiction at the 2025 Delaware Press Association Professional Communications Contest, with additional first-place honors for editing, graphic design and poetry. It now advances to the National Federation of Press Women competition in June. A longtime Lewes Historical Society volunteer, Litzenberg wrote the novel to honor the U.S. Life-Saving Service, especially the surfmen who rescued nearly 200 people during the Blizzard of 1888. Drawing inspiration from the Indian River Life-Saving Station, preserved on its original site since 1876, Litzenberg worked with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to bring authentic detail to the novel’s setting.

Local professional photographer Deny Howeth took selected photos of images from the Historic Lewes archives, featuring significant artifacts and scenes from the Lewes and Cape Henlopen Life-Saving Stations. These were blended with photographs by Ron MacArthur of the Cape Gazette, showing surfmen in authentic 1888 winter wool life-saving uniforms at the Indian River Inlet Life-Saving Station Museum, along with additional images provided by DNREC photographers.

The story follows 10-year-old Ben, who discovers a brass check on the Bay Avenue beach and is transported back to 1888 by Surfman Levi Lynch, the original owner of the check. Through this journey, Ben and his cousins explore the Lewes Life-Saving Station and discover the courage and sacrifices of its crew more than a century ago. Inspired by their bravery, the children become advocates for remembering these unsung heroes. Character-building themes like responsibility, integrity and empathy run throughout the story.

The book includes historical resources, maps, a timeline, glossary, and memorial pages honoring keepers and surfmen. Ten discussion questions help young readers connect with the values at the heart of the story.  To learn more, visit the Lewes Life-Saving Station Boat House and the Cannonball Museum, where additional maritime artifacts and stories await.

Litzenberg’s new novel, along with her award-winning children’s book, “L is for Lewes: An A to Z Maritime History,” is available at the Historic Lewes Gift Shop on the Shipcarpenter Campus and the Ryves Holt House Mercantile on Second Street, as well as during the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, June 7-8.