One hopeful sign is Valentine's Day, which falls on a Tuesday this year, followed by President's Day Weekend Feb. 18th-20th. Why is this hopeful? Because restaurants reopen - even if just for the weekends  - and many of the Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses reopen - some just for the weekends. The point being, there are signs of life about town. Think of these occurrences as the Cape May equivalent of the robin.

  Your question is... Ok I've found a nice place to stay and my favorite restaurant will be open - now what? Well. There's plenty. That's what. Yes, life here in February is decidedly low key but we have some very nice tings going on like the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet, Saturday, Feb. 11th  at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street. This buffet of the Washington Inn's delectable chocolate desserts will be hosted by their Pastry Chef Kathleen Cressman. The party starts at 2 p.m. and is $30 per person. I talked with a friend who attended one such event and got the lowdown from her.

  Participants are seated and then treated to a mini-lecture on chocolate in general and specifically the desserts offered by Chef Cressman for sampling. While she talks,  you sit and look at all the lovely chocolate desserts arrayed on the two buffet tables chomping at the bit to start sampling... then "It's a free for all."

  You grab a plate, everything is labeled, and whoo hoo! Two hours of chocolate indulgence gone wild. Tea and coffee is served at the end. Before you leave, Chef Cressman sums up the wonderful world of chocolate. Afterwards, an empty box is provided for chocolate take-out. Does it get any better? WHOOPS! We made a mistake. While at one point take out containers were available, they are not anymore. We apologize for any confusion this may have cause.

  "It's just amazing," said my friend, "It's a buffet made by the devil, it was so sinfully good."  Deviled chocolate we presume. And I'm told you walk out of there feeling like Violet whose over-indulgence turns her into blueberry-girl in the movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  To make reservations contact the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) at 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

  Now for the wine connoisseurs or would-be seurs, the Washington Inn also hosts wine schools. Two classes are offered in February one on Argentinean wines (Feb. 19th) and another on Chilean wines (Feb. 26th.) Additionally, you can take a series of classes on wine held at the Cape May Winery, 709 Townbank Road, in nearby Erma, NJ and learn about the winemaker's art and craft. Each class includes information about what is currently happening at the vineyard and the winery. Learn about pruning, harvesting, blending and more. Taste the wine as it evolves. Noon. Saturday, Feb. 18. Admission is $25. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

  Cape May has ghost tours, tours with tea, tours with brunch, tours with just tour guides, tours without tour guides  - they're called self-guided tours. For a complete listing of what's offered check our events calendar. Most special tours, you'll note, do occur on President's Day Weekend. Convention Hall is the place on Saturday, Feb. 18, for the region's top craftspeople to convene from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is small admission fee of $2.50 for adults. Kids are free. Sunday, Feb. 19th, antique dealers will put their wares on display at Convention Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  What else?  Be creative  Cape May has that little thing known as a beach and it's just as beautiful in winter as it is in summer. Sunbathing is a little rough but walking, enjoying the sunset, visiting the lighthouse, birding and walking the nature trails are all options for a lovely weekend. Yes, you will have to bundle up but you'll warm up once you get moving. And if it snows or it's just too windy, check out Congress Hall's Brown Room. Roaring fireplace, friendly bartenders, comfortable seating - a great place in general to relax and kick back. Martini Beach on Beach Ave, is another great spot to go for a cocktail. No fireplace but fabulous view and an intimate setting.

  All in all, Cape May is a great place at any time but February can be particularly nice.  There are no crowds. It's quiet, romantic. Oh come on. We'd love to see you! It's our way of knowing that spring and summer aren't too far off.