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Everhart’s legacy honored at retirement party

Family, friends, business community celebrate longtime chamber president, director
Carol Everhart waves as she rides the mechanical pig during her retirement part at convention hall in Rehoboth. Everhart, who grew up on a farm, used to ride friendly swine on her family farm. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 11, 2026

Nearly 100 friends, family and business owners came together March 10, to celebrate the 36 years of service by Carol Everhart to the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. The theme of the party was western cowboy, as guests wore their best cowboy hat and boots to do some “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” along with music by Big Hat, No Cattle.   

“Carol is not only the sweetest person to ever grace our Rehoboth Beach area, but she is also a trailblazer who went to bat for the businesses of this town way back before internet, social media and all those tools we have today to promote tourism here,” said The Starboard and Bethany Blues owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery. “She was instrumental in building this town into the amazing place it is today for so many. From Sea Witch to sidewalk sales to so many well-rounded off-season events, she has been ‘our gal’ well before my time in promoting this beautiful area to the masses.”

Everhart began working for the chamber in the early 1990s before becoming president in 1996. Over Everhart’s 30 years with the chamber, the organization grew into the largest chamber in the state. She grew the membership from little more than 100 members to more than 1,300 when she retired in December. 

After a months-long, nationwide search, the chamber’s board of directors chose Kate VanVorst, chamber event coordinator and membership representative, as Everhart’s successor. VanVorst took over the role Jan. 1. 

“Carol Everhart’s 30-plus years of leadership at the chamber strengthened our business community and created lasting memories for our family and countless others,” said Portraits in the Sand owner Dave Koster. 

“For the past 36 years, Carol worked tirelessly to build the tourism industry that allowed our businesses to grow and prosper,” said Dewey Beach Commissioner Paul Bauer. “She is leaving a lasting legacy that we can remember her efforts and admire a job well done.”

 

Carol Everhart has a light moment with friend Brittany Danahy as her husband Larry Lanouette looks on.
Current and former Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce board members gather with Carol Everhart.
Former Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper rides the mechanical pig.
Carol Everhart and her husband Larry Lanouette arrive at the party.
Carol Everhart stands with her daughter Kris, left, and grandchildren Jack and Abby Everhart.
Friends attending the party are Mary Grace Barbye, left, and Sarah Gilmour.
Attending the event are (l-r) Carol Tun, Pat Wright and Paul Bauer.
Cape Gazette Publisher Chris Rausch stands with business owner Susan Wood.
Displaying the retirement cake are (l-r) Liz Leshine, Nancy Stewart and Patty Frost.
Posing for a photo together are Carol Everhart, left, and Liza Hodskins.
Cape Gazette Publisher Chris Rausch and Carol Everhart get a photo together.
Having a moment are former Dewey Mayor Pat Wright, Everhart’s husband Larry Lanouette and Carol Everhart.
Having a great time at the party are (l-r) Kyle Shaffer, Stacy LaMotta, Cathy Liszewski and Shawna Steinmann.
Laura and Bing Crosby dance to the music of Big Hat, No Cattle.
Enjoying the party are business owners (l-r) Dave and Carrie Koster, Gina Derrickson, Becky Carney, Bobbi Sherman and Mike Dunmyer.
Rehoboth business owners Dennis and Sharonlee Diehl have a great time at the event.
Getting a photo together are friends (l-r) Liz Lashine, Patty Frost, Nancy Stewart, Carol Everhart, Meghan Hyett, Cindi Brooks and Mariella Trosko.
Carol Everhart speaks with the attendees as she receives Senate and House declarations.
Lewes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Reamer shares a moment with Carol Everhart.
Carol Everhart, right, and her husband Larry Lanouette scoot to Big Hat, No Cattle.
Gordon Bowers of Dewey Beach rides the mechanical pig.
The Everhart family are (l-r) Larry Lanouette and Carol, Wyatt, Connor and Christina Everhart.
Susan Wood rides the pig.
Arriving at the event are The Starboard and Bethany Blues owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery, right, and his wife Dee Dee.
Highway One Companies President Alex Pires, right, stands with his business partner John Snow.
Carol Everhart boot scoots with friend Dale Bellinger.
Cape Gazette Publisher Chris Rausch and his wife Alice get a photo with Carol Everhart and Rachel Webster.
Having a moment together are (l-r) Larry Lanouette, Nick Caggiano Jr., Carol Everhart and Karen McMahon.
Rusty Rudder chef Peter McMahon serves up some Jimmy’s Grille chicken at the event.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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