Two Stop Virtual - Bethany and Ocean City
To get credit for this virtual cache you will need to vist two Whispering Giants and submit pictures and answer a couple of questions.
What is a Whispering Giant?
The Whispering Giants are a collection of sculptures created by artist Peter Wolf Toth. Toth, who was born in Hungary, began his mission to create a statue honoring indigenous peoples, who were often victims of injustice, in North America. The project began in the 1970s with each of the 50 states receiving at least one sculpture from Toth throughout the subsequent decades. Each Whispering Giant statue is carved from a single piece of wood, and can stand up to an impressive 40 feet tall. The only known exception is the first statue – a rock carving in La Jolla, California.
Where are the Whispering Giants?
The original project slated at least one Whispering Giant for every US state. Some states like Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina for example are fortunate enough to have multiple sculptures. However, time and the elements aren’t always kind. As a result, the loss of some Giants happened along the way. It is unclear if there is a single reliable source for the exact count of the remaining sculptures on display.
Wikipedia actually has a some updated information about their locations and condition notes. David Schumaker‘s website is also a wonderful resource.
This is not my map, but this is also available:
Bethany - Chief Little Owl
The 24-foot statue at the downtown entrance to Bethany Beach has been a landmark since 1976. The original statue was created by sculptor Peter Wolf Toth, a humanitarian who wanted to give thanks to the United States.
The sculpture was donated to the Town as part of his “Trail of the Whispering Giants” project. He created more than 50 wooden sculptures of famous Indians and donated at least one to every state. He also has some located in Canada
Statue History
The first statue stood from 1976 until weakened by termites, it was destroyed by high winds in 1992. The remains were relocated to the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, DE.
Today, only the sign remains there, hanging under a portrait of Chief Little Owl. The second, done by sculptor Dennis Beach, lasted until 2000, when rot forced the Town to take it down.
Toth created this newest version from a red cedar log from the Pacific Northwest which should last from 50 to 150 years. It was dedicated on July 15, 2002.
During the ceremony State Senator George Bunting, D- Bethany Beach, said “it’s a landmark that says ‘you’re in Bethany’ and it pays honor to the Nanticoke nation. It ties us to our heritage.” Charlie Clark, a descendent of Little Owl, blessed the sculpture in traditional fashion with song, prayer and tobacco.
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Just as totems have served as symbols for different groups of people throughout the world, the Bethany landmark, also known as Chief Little Owl, has served as a symbol for the town and its residents, as well.
The 24-foot statue at the downtown entrance of Bethany Beach across from Route 26, depicting a north-facing eagle and Nanticoke Indian Chief that stands today, is actually the third installment of the monument since 1976, when sculptor Peter Wolf Toth donated the original to the town.
The work was Toth's 10th statue of his "Trail of Whispering Giants," which now consists of 74 similar statues ranging from 20 to 40 feet high, with at least one placed in each of the 50 states. There are also several in Canadian Providences and territories, all carved by Toth in an effort to honor Native Americans.
For his Delaware piece, Toth chose to honor the Nanticoke tribe, which have also been known as "The People of the Tidewater" — a group that has resided throughout Delaware for over 300 years.
Little Owl was Charles C. Clark, a World-War 1 veteran that served as Chief of the Naticokes from 1933 until his death in 1971. His grandmother, Lydia Clark, also known as Princess Nau-Gau-Okwa, was believed to be the last of the Nanticokes to speak their native language.
In 1992, a January storm dislodged the then 27-foot statue. When Town leaders had it taken to the ground for safety, they found that termites and rot had left it beyond repair.
Although it has been reported that what's left of the original can be found at the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, the museum does not actually have the remains, and stated that it was too damaged to keep.
Sculptor Dennis Beach carved the second statue, but it would only last until 2000 when it had to again be taken down because the wood began to rot due of weather damage.
It would be two years until the newest version of the statue would take its place with Toth being called upon once again. This time he used red cedar log from Alaska, which is expected to last anywhere from 50 to 150 years. The former statue, carved by Beach, was made of white oak.
To ensure further longevity for the new statue, it was also blessed by Charlie "Little Owl" Clark IV," a descendent of Little Owl who once served as assistant chief of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe.
There was a ceremony held on July 15, 2002, where then-State Sen. George H. Bunting claimed, "it's a landmark that says 'you're in Bethany,' and it pays honor to the Nanticoke nation. It ties us to our heritage."
Today Chief Little Owl's statue serves a variety of purposes. People use it as a reference when they're giving directions.They take pictures with it. They take pictures of it. They even tag themselves at "The Bethany Totem Pole" on social media.
More importantly though, it's a symbol. Not just a symbol for Bethany Beach, assuring vacationers of their arrival and being displayed on tee-shirts and on logos of local businesses — but a symbol of the proud heritage of Nanticoke people as well.
When the Alaskan red cedar finally wears, whether it be 50 years from now or 150, chances are most of us won't be around when the fourth Chief Little Owl statue goes up. But we can rest assured that the next statue will hold just as much meaning and history for the coming era as the the first three have for eras past, and that Bethany Beach will always be under the wise watch of their Nanticoke Chief.
— Story by Tripp Colonell
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To get credit for this Virtual - please post pictures of yourself, GPS or your unique item at both Bethany and Ocean City - and answer these 2 questions:
1) Bethany - What are carved on the back side of Chief Little Owl in Bethany?
2) OC - What is the Nanticoke statue made of?
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Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.