Wine, cheese, beer tasting at Cape Henlopen State Park April 21

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park will host their annual wine, cheese and beer tasting from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 21, in the Officers Club at the park. With the support of co-sponsor R&L Liquors, this year’s committee is excited to offer at least nine wine vendors and five beer brewers. As attendees sample wines, they will be able to place an order with R&L Liquors for later pickup. The featured beers will be available at R&L Liquors.

The cheese tastings will be offered with the support of local vendors. Volunteers will be preparing delicious appetizers designed to pair well with wines and beers offered for tasting. Friends President Stu Schmidt believes this wine, cheese and beer  tasting may show the broadest range of flavors yet.

Advance tickets are $22 each, which includes the park entrance fee. To purchase tickets, visit R&L Liquors on Second Street in Lewes, the Cape Henlopen State Park office or the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, or call 302-858-6127. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $25, and cash, credit or debit cards will be accepted. The price also includes a commemorative wineglass for use in tasting.

The Officers Club has a spacious public area with a commanding fireplace. There is plenty of parking. The historic club building was built before World War II as part of Fort Miles, now Cape Henlopen State Park. Its fireplace is said to be made of stones salvaged from the original 1767 Cape Henlopen Lighthouse that collapsed in 1926. The Officers Club is located at Youth Camp #3. Directions to the club will be clearly posted in the park.

Funds raised will benefit the Thatcher Education Fund, used by the friends to provide support for education programs and transportation needs for school groups visiting the park.

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park sponsors a variety of activities in support of the park. These include purchasing benches, operating the free bicycle loan program at the Bike Barn, maintaining trails, constructing the children’s’ playground, supporting the recently upgraded osprey cam, reconstructing the hawk watch platform, and offering education funds for statewide schools to bring students into the park for nature opportunities. Volunteers work with staff at CHSP to support these experiences in this crown jewel of Delaware parks, which contains 7,000 acres of unique beach, dune and wetland environments.

For more information, go to www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org, email fochsp@gmail.com, or call 302-858-6127.