2020 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge Program

P L U N G E2020 LEWES POLAR BEAR

Cape Gazette Special Publication

Benefiting
Special Olympics Delaware

Weekend Festival
Jan. 31 - Feb. 2

5K Run To The Plunge
Sand Sculpting Demo
Ice Sculpting Demo
Hot Wing Sampling
Restaurant Chili Contest
Polar Ice Cream Throwdown

PLUNGEDE.ORG #PLUNGEDE #GOFORTHECOLD

2 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

Polar Plunge Weekend 2020 3

Why Do We Plunge? PLUNGE
HISTORY
DAN COOK PHOTO
In 2019:
Special Olympian powerlifter Jon Stoklosa shows his Polar Bear 3,544 Bears plunged
tattoo in 2019. Raised $906,000
Temps — Air: 43o, Water: 39o
The Lewes Polar in Delaware there are
Bear Plunge, held six more people waiting Members of the Lewes
annually on the for their chance. By Polar Bears Club, headed by
first Sunday in February, participating in the Polar Dave ‘Da Bear’ Frederick,
has developed into a Bear Plunge, you’re helping began the plunge in 1982.
truly unique Delaware us reach out to one more The club plunges five times
happening and is Special person who wants to each year at Cape Henlopen
Olympics Delaware’s most participate. Chill out and State Park on the first Sunday
significant fundraiser. join thousands of other of the month from November
Individuals, including brave souls for the coolest through March – except
many Special Olympics thing you’ll do this year. January, when they plunge on
athletes and their family New Year’s Day.
members, take the plunge
into the icy Atlantic Ocean Special Olympics Delaware
during the height of winter! approached the club in
Everyone deserves a 1991 with the proposition
chance at a happy and of designating one of their
plunges to benefit Special
Olympics.

The club agreed to
February, and the 1992
Plunge was dedicated to
Special Olympics Delaware.

In 1998 the Plunge moved
to Rehoboth Beach.

In 2009 the first Weekend
Festival is held and attracts a
record 2,923 Polar Bears who
raised more than $490,000.
It was the beginning of what
has become one of the most
significant and successful
fundraisers in the state of
Delaware.

purposeful life. Yet people
with intellectual disabilities
face doubt, barriers and General Production
low expectations. For Manager Tara Arjona
many, Special Olympics Chris Rausch Christopher Foster
is the only place where Eric Lawson
they find an opportunity Editor / Design Teresa Rodriguez
to participate in their Deny Howeth Kristin Sinnott
communities, develop
belief in themselves, and Production Advertising
Supervisor Cindy Bowlin
Edwin Krumm Kathy McGinty
Amanda Neafie
Copy Editor Andrew Thomas
Bob Yesbek

feel like champions. Cape Gazette
For every inspiring
Special Olympics athlete The artists for the 2020 poster 17585 Nassau Commons Blvd.,
are Ellen Bragg and Liz Krewson. Lewes, 19958 302-645-7700

4 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

Dive into the Arts!

Take the plunge and immerse yourself in arts & cultural events
and attractions throughout Southern Delaware.

Sign up for the DelawareSceneStealers
bi-weekly email for arts at your fingertips.

Polar Plunge Weekend 2020 5

DAN COOK PHOTO DAN COOK PHOTO RON MACARTHUR PHOTO

Jim Lauser creates ice sculp- It took a team of seven near- Sherman and Steff DiMartine
tures for the event. ly five hours to complete this of Sherm’s Catering have hot
sandcastle. wings ready.

Weekend Festival Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, JAN. 31

5 to 8 p.m. Check-in/Day-of Registration opens for Plunge and Run to Plunge at
Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. (Pick up a friend’s packet by bringing their signed
waiver form.) Bears begin arriving and the majority of supporting restaurants and
retailers begin offering discounts. Note: Bears must have their wristbands (received at
onsite registration) in order to receive the discount.

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

10 a.m. 5K Run to the Plunge on Boardwalk at Rehoboth Ave., registration/check-in
opens at 8 a.m.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sand sculpting (on beach just south of Rehoboth Ave.)
12 - 2 p.m. Fire & Ice (Rehoboth Fire House)
2:30 - 5 p.m. Restaurant Chili Tasting Contest
4 - 7 p.m. Check-in/Day-of Registration for Plunge open at Rehoboth Beach Convention
Center (Pick up a friend’s packet by bringing their signed waiver form.)

SUNDAY, FEB. 2

10 a.m. Check-in/Day-of Registration opens under the tent on Rehoboth Ave.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Ice sculpting demonstration
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sand sculpting (on beach just south of Rehoboth Ave.)
1 p.m. Lewes Polar Bear Plunge
1:15 p.m. Apres Plunge Party at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center

6 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

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Tips for a ‘Bearable’ Plunge

FIRST TIMER? GENERAL TIPS • Plunge with a friend - use
• Plunge in front of the • Always follow all directions the buddy system.
Atlantic Sands where it is less from safety personnel.
crowded and more family- • No alcohol or tents allowed
oriented. • Spread out on the beach. on the boardwalk or beach.

• There is no rule for how far • Bring a robe. • Do not dive into or enter the
you go in; go ankle-deep or water head first.
all in. • Keep your feet covered until
the last possible moment • Do not swim past the safety
• Must wear appropriate and consider wearing water divers in the water.
swim attire (no thongs!) shoes.
• Do not go near the jetties.
• Allow the first wave of folks • Bring extra towels or a
to go in. This is not a race. blanket to stand on. • Tents and drones are not
allowed on the beach.
• The beach will look very • Wear layers and loose-
different coming out of the fitting clothes, which are • Pets are strongly
water. Have a towel-holder easier to get into when your discouraged on the beach
waving to you. fingers are cold. for their own safety and the
safety of the bears plunging.

DENY HOWETH PHOTO RON MACARTHUR PHOTO

Have warm slippers and a mom to warm you up. Yes, it really is THAT cold.

Floors looking a little ‘bear’?

Then take the plunge and warm those buns on our softest carpet...

Visit our showroom to SALUTING 2020
view and feel the latest in SPECIAL OLYMPIANS

patterns and colors. CONGRATULATIONS!

We Are Proud of You!

Carpet • Vinyl • LVT • Wood • Laminates • Wood • COREtec®
33506 Crossing Ave., Lewes (behind Walgreens) • www.fehrenbachs.com • 302-644-8772 • Open Mon. - Fri. 10 to 5 Sat. 10-2

8 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

Run to the Plunge

NEW START TIME IN 2020

10 A.M.
Saturday’s 5K Run/Walk to
the Plunge, sponsored by Jack
Lingo Realtor, is the perfect
way for people of all ages and
abilities to support the Week-
end Festival.
Registration fee ($20 pre,
$25 after preregistration) in-
cludes a long-sleeve T-shirt
and hearty post-event snack.
For information go to
plungede.org/weekend-
festival/5k-run-to-the-plunge.

Polar Plunge Weekend 2020 9

Building castles in the sand
Look for the “Sand
Bears” on Saturday,
Feb. 1, from 11 a.m.
- 3 p.m. as they shape and
sculpt lines in the sand just
south of Rehoboth Av-
enue. Andy West, Darrell
O’Connor, Marc Schaffer
and Heather Williams plan
to return to carve castles,
bears and more from a
giant pile of sand on the
beach and hope to create a
great backdrop for memo-
rable Polar Plunge photos.
The “Sand Bears” hope RON MACARTHUR PHOTO

Andy West, front, and Darrell O’Connor add some artistic touches
the sculpture holds up well to a large sandcastle.
for the big day – Sunday –
when thousands of bears wonderful event.” boro. New Jersey. He met
arrive at the beach. Heather Williams is also West and O’Connor at the
“Seeing so many people, a veteran of the Rehoboth Wildwood Crest event and
bear families and bear Beach Contest. She and her enthusiastically joined the
teams, get photos in front mother, Lynn, have won “Sand Bears” last year.
of last year’s sculpture on several times in the event. “Ideally, we’ll have
Sunday meant a lot to me,” Back for another year for sunshine and it’ll be warm
said West. “It’s great to the Plunge sand carving is enough to carve something
add a fun touch to such a Marc Shaffer, of Swedes- cool.”

Get Your Official
Souvenirs Here

Don’t be fooled by counterfeit
merchandise for sale on the streets.
SODE event logos are preapproved.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Official Polar Bear Plunge merchandise
is available exclusively at the following
locations at specified times:

Friday 5 - 8 p.m. at the Rehoboth Fleece blankets • Poster • Commemorative mugs
Beach Convention Center. Plush stuffed Polar Bears • Pins • Baseball caps
Saturday 4 - 7 p.m. at the Rehoboth Knit hats and headbands • “Polar Bear” hats
Beach Convention Center. Long-sleeve T-shirts • Hoodie sweatshirts
Sunday from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Sweatpants and pajama pants • Socks • Scarves
at the tent on Rehoboth Ave. Tote bags • Tervis Tumblers - 16, 24 oz.; 17 oz. mug

10 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

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833-BOAT-DEL • [email protected]

Anniversary Bears Annie Reidinger Hannah Ehli
Paul Roberts Kimberly Evans
25 YEAR BEARS 15 YEAR BEARS Karl Schlatter Jeanette Failing Ed Olanowski
Michael Simpson Michael Feeley Kira Oleksy
Ed Baldwin Katie Armstrong Will Spinelli Richard Feinstein Charles O’Neill
Mary Ann Evans Ashley Avelleyra Carrie Staker-Jones Carl Foraker, Jr. Jennifer Osborn
Victoria Frazier Emily Barrish Norma Street Cheyenne Frieze Sean Pedrick
Tom Gusmer Kimberly Bates Matthew Swintek Beth Fuhs Cassandra Petersen
Renee Kalokitis Jack Brinckmeyer Kimberly Thomas- Abby Galiardo Kyle Petrick
Randall Lee Adriana Cairns Sturgis Emily Galiardo Kate Pierce
Connie Pepper Cammie Cairns Pam Vaughan Gene Giuliani Peter Pizzolongo
Charles J. Simpson Nina Cameron George Webb Devin Graves Theresa Price
Pamela Travers Susan Carpenter Patrick Whelan John Greene Ronald Prisco
Mary Ward- William Carter Jack Wintermantel Dina Gregg Carlos Prugue
Hutchison Kristy Christiansen Andrew Woitko Lauren Gunton Emma Rees
Gary Cimaglia Dennis Hare Bill Rodruan
20 YEAR BEARS Mike Cooksey 10 YEAR BEARS Al Head Bill Rogers
Tom Cooksey Dan Adams Aaron Heiser Jo Ann Rogers
Anthoula Catherine Daigle Gordon Adams Vicky Higgins Wendy Rogers
Anagnostou Joseph Daigle Sydney Aiello Steve Hill Brian Sakiewicz
Keith Atkins Terry Downing Ryan Alena Tina Irizarry Donald Schaefer
Tamara Averell Richard Engel Marc Alfree Kimberly Jara Chuck Selvaggio
Jeffrey Bachtlin Kristina Failing Lauren Andrulewich Aidan Jeansonne Courtney Semans
Carol Bak Steven Frankfurt Ryan Andrulewich Ryan Jeansonne Sophia Simoes
Matthew Blakeman Bob Frederick Christopher Angelo Jennifer Johnstone Bridget Simpson
Cathy Blanco Kelly Gerhart Mark Anton Jared Kay Arlyne Sober
Rick Carlisle Kendall Glanding Josh Attix Joyce Keller Sara Ann Sobocinski
Steven Cason Matt Goins James Baker Joanne Kempton Tami Soltow
Wayne Danley John Green Erin Barber Hugh Kenney Steven Taylor
Blanche DeJesus Karl Gude Anthony Barbieri Anthony Koot Eric Teel
Timothy Garrahan Travis Guthrie Ryan Beard Corey Kuhns Kimberly Trincia
Harry Green Wendy Harpster Scott Bechtel Tracy Kuhns James Tubbs
George Hickman Kenneth Heck Suzy Betts Declan Leida Kayla Twaddell
Karen Johnstone Doris Hicks Lance Billingsley Carla Lenderman Vanessa Unger-
Janet King Michael Husni Angie Birney Rebecca Lewis Haydinger
Luwanna Krause Grant Ingalls Johanna Bishop Georgia Ligus Joseph VanSant
Ron Miller Winna Johnson Justin Bohl Sasha Litostansky Zach Voss
Deacon Myers Adam Jones Renee Bompiani Karen Lort Jayshaun wallace
Alison Nolt Jordan Jones Bill Bristow Kimberly Machado- Tynetta Washington
Katie Ogden Danielle Kreider Krista Brown Nunes Eva Webb
Jordan Pase William Lewis Haleigh Butler Kathryn Marini Mike Weller
Elise Prisco Harry Logan Pat Campbell Tara Marshall Matthew Wells
Joseph Reader Michele Logan Bill Carpenter Maria Jose Mazal Clint Whaley
George Roberts Satch Logan Karen Carpenter Ian McCarthy Ferris Wharton
Terry Schoeffler Andi Lykens-Webb George Cassiliano Scot McClymont Weston Williams
William Schuler Patty MacArthur Amy Cetrulo Jordan Miller Frank Wilson
Roger Simms Thomas MacLeish Linda Chick Eric Mills Mike Womer
Dyllon Slatcher Barbara McDermott Gwen Clayton Marsha Mills Skyler Wooleyhand
Debbie Spring Patrick McPhail Paul Clayton David Moellers John Worrall
Sharman Jim McQuaide Tom Cotter Clark Moncure Jimmy Zimmerman
Stephenson Travis Michels Robert Coupe Bruce Morris
William Street, Sr. Crystal Nagyiski Kristin Cox Maddie Murphy
Paul Van Dusen Elizabeth Nolan Elisabeth Creek Tammy Murphy
James Weiler Cherie Nolt Catherine Hannah Nash
Buddy West Kayla Orr Czerwinski Megan Nash
Judith Wharton Bob Phipps Nick DeZao Malaurie Noble
Alice Wigfall
David Zarrilli

12 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

OH! THE PEOPLE YOU WILL SEE!

The crowd will be similar to a summer are marked “permit only,” “handicap,”
holiday weekend at the beach, and in fact, or any other way forbidding parking.
some claim even bigger. So if you are ar- Go to plungede.org for information on
riving Sunday morning, our only advice discounts for plungers, how to volunteer
is to come early, be patient looking for a for next year, more details about the his-
spot, and don’t park in any spaces that tory and the Weekend Festival of events.

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16583 Coastal Hwy We’re all in this together.ISG’mteISGa’mtteISGta’petmttepreaotFotrotFpoeauatauarordFordmbmbauateterd®o®ombtttthtshese®oeuautarrpsthspseSpuaSprtoapsatorlSopattralentootTta®gerl.nhoTtt®egten.hrT®agDe.thdreetaiDrtlaidaDoewdinetlaiaitlooraiweofnwnabSaoreporeifeenfcbgSbSiaepetphliieneneOccggrleiyiaa.mtthlhlTpeOeOhircralelyesyt.m’.msPTTpoohpihlncaaiecasrt’stsrBP’esePooaalosnoaroelnraPnerrBluweerBnaheagseyareoa.sPnroluwPnnlhuwgyneh.gye.
Lewes, DE 19958
Bus: 302-644-3276 State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why
www.lewesinsurance.com I’m proud to support The Delaware Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge.
Get to a better State .State Farm, Blo®omington, IL
1211009
1211009 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

1211009 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

1211009 State Farm, Bloomington, IL 13

Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

Get Social

Facebook
@SODelaware
@PlungeDE

Instagram
@specialolympicsde

OFFICIAL EVENT
HASHTAGS
#PLUNGEDE

#GOFORTHECOLD

Larry Evans and Robb
Dunne strike a pose before
jumping in the ocean.

Health-Fitness & Leisure Expo

MARCH 7 & 8, 2020 • Saturday 9-4 & Sunday 10-3
Cape Henlopen High School, Kings Highway, Lewes

Free HEALTH screenings by Beebe Healthcare
Develop a FITNESS plan for the outdoor seasons

Explore outdoor LEISURE
Over 70 of the area’s top Health, Fitness & Leisure companies

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!
FREE ADMISSION • GIVEAWAYS
AMPLE FREE PARKING • HEALTHY REFRESHMENTS!

Call or email Kathy at (302) 236-0857 • [email protected]
More info about Delaware Resorts Expos at deexpos.com

14 Polar Plunge Weekend 2020

Warm up BEFORE &

AFTER the Plunge!

AVENUE LOCATION OPEN 10AM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND

SPECIALSBIG GAME DAY Starting GREAT
* at 4pm GIVEAWAYS
& PRIZES

•$10 Lg. Cheese Pizza PLUNGERS GET

•$8 Hot Wings 15% OFF

•$5 Hot Fingers ALL WEEKEND

•$5 Two Hebrew National Take Out
Hot Dogs Available
Call 227-6211
•$2.75 Yuengling,
Miller Lite and
Coors Light Drafts

•$6 Bloody Mary or
Orange Crush

*Dine In Only

SUPPORT
THE

PLUNGING
BOLIS!

SUNDAY, FEB 2nd

We are open for brunch daily at 10am
18766 John W. Williams Hwy. (Rte 24), Rehoboth Beach

Dos Locos.com
208 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach