A Place for All

We spent a long week-end in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with friends. Our friends have a place there and we stayed in the condo next door. Dave had to work, so he didn't join us, but my daughter brought a friend. The girls enjoy the place because I hang with my friends and they are mostly on their own -- almost like having their own place. The girls spent time at the pool and the beach and wandered the boardwalk in between. The weather was iffy, but better than Philly.

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Main Street off the Boardwalk, where the shops and restaurants are located, to have lunch and stroll around. Before we left, we decided to stop and have a cocktail and went to put more money in the meter. When we got to my friend's car -- her prized BMW convertible -- someone came over to tell us that it had been hit by a delivery truck. The guy and a few other people had seen the accident and had left a note with the information, including the name on the truck -- Hickman's Seafood, from Virginia. Apparently, it was backing out of a driveway after making a delivery at a seafood restaurant, Claws, and hit the door on the driver's side. The owner of the business next door even tried to chase down the truck as it was driving away. It was also ironic, because we had had dinner at Claws Friday night. My friend called the local police, who came in a few minutes and took a report. While the policewoman was getting information, a few other witnesses came by and gave their names.

It was amazing to see so many people take the time to get involved. It really made a bad situation better, knowing that people are decent and helpful.

An interesting tidbit about Rehoboth -- the South Beach of the East Coast -- it was founded in 1873 by a Methodist minister for religious camp meetings and its name aptly means a "place for all."

UPDATE: After not responding to several calls to Hickman Seafood, the owner called my friend back and has accepted responsibility for his driver's accident. He said the guy probably didn't even realize that he hit the car, because the truck is so heavy with the refridgerated compartment.

UPDATE #2: Perhaps the religious beginnings are not that far removed from the Rehoboth area after all. For some religions, however, there can never be a place for all. See this NY Ttimes article, Families Challenging Religious Influence in Delaware Schools.