RIP Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber sign
A toast to the dearly departed as we come to mourn the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce’s welcoming sign.
Master Cpl. Gary Fournier, spokesman for Delaware State Police, said about 4 a.m., March 16, Laree Giandonato, 54, of Marcus Hook, Pa., swerved her 1999 Lexus Sedan off Route 1, striking the sign. Fournier said she was charged with failure to remain in a single lane and DUI. There were no injuries, he said.
The remainder of the sign has been removed; all that’s left is a patch of dirt and tire skidmarks from where Giandonato’s car swerved.
Showing a good sense of humor about the loss of the sign, Carol Everhart, president and CEO of the chamber, said this was the third chamber sign that has been destroyed over the years. The first one, she said, was across from Jake’s Seafood on Route 1 and was hit by a vehicle. The second sign was moved further south but was damaged by snow removal equipment after the February 2010 blizzard.
“It’s under repair,” Everhart said. “It’s been interesting to us that of all the signs on Route 1, no matter where we put it, that’s the one with the magnet on it.”
She said the chamber hopes to have a new sign up at the same location across from Sea Shell Shop before Memorial Day.
“It’s obviously not the location; it’s obviously not the same reason. At this point, it’s gotten a little bit amusing. No one’s ever been hurt; it’s a breakaway sign. I think we would relook again if the same thing occurs. It’s just a happenstance as far as we can tell,” Everhart said.
“It’s amusing to everyone…except the insurance company,” she quipped.
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
