Community Briefs 7/24/24

ChristianaCare raises minimum wage to $16.50

ChristianaCare has increased its minimum wage to $16.50 an hour effective July 21. The new $16.50 per hour minimum wage exceeds federal, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania minimum wage rates.

“At ChristianaCare, we are committed to creating health so that people can flourish, and that begins with our caregivers,” said Ric Cuming, Ed.D., RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, ChristianaCare system chief operating officer. “By investing in our caregivers and supporting their wellbeing, we support their ability to provide the very best care to our patients."

ChristianaCare is the largest private employer in Delaware with nearly 14,000 employees. This new increase to ChristianaCare’s minimum wage impacts approximately 850 caregivers who were below or near $16.50/hour.

"It's important for us to lead by example in paying wages that support the financial wellbeing of our workforce,” said Chris Cowan, MEd, FABC, ChristianaCare chief human resources officer. "Substantially increasing wages is one way we continue to attract and keep top talent at all levels in this highly competitive market. By recognizing the valuable contributions of our caregivers, we can enhance staff retention, boost morale and support an exceptional experience for everyone we serve.”

Sussex County Pageant seeks contestants

The Sussex County Pageant is seeking contestants for the 2025 competition to be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at the CHEER Center in Georgetown. Areas of competition included a private interview, on-stage formal wear, talent and fitness (junior miss only). The pageant began in the year 2000 as a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Inc. The winners will serve their communities throughout the year by helping with service projects. Pageants are open to Sussex County residents ages 4 to 12. For more information, contact Alison Travers at 302-898-1558, Sussex County/Georgetown Pageants on Facebook or go to bit.ly/SussexCountyPageant2025.

Healing benefits of laughter is topic July 26

As part of ongoing efforts to provide Southern Delaware’s older adults with health and wellness programs, WeCare, a personal health nursing service in the Milford Wellness Village, has launched a new partnership with Dickens Parlour Theatre to educate seniors about chronic disease self-management through the healing power of laughter. A Funny Thing about Your Health and Wellness will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 26, at the theatre, 31810 Good Earth Lane, Ocean View.

Attendees will enjoy a 90-minute session with comedian and healthcare professional Lon Kieffer, who uses humor to explore the caregiver experience and introduce an array of wellness programs. Kieffer is also executive director of the Milford Wellness Village that supports the WeCare program.

“We are thrilled to bring our community together in this unique way. Not only do we provide entertainment, but now we also offer education that empowers our audience to manage their health proactively,” said Rich Bloch, co-founder of Dickens Parlour Theatre.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Individuals are encouraged to sign up at dickensparlourtheatre.com.

Thompson Island Brewing to screen ‘Jaws’ July 26

The Steven Spielberg classic “Jaws” will be the outdoor movie feature at 8 p.m., Friday, July 26, in the beer garden at Thompson Island Brewing Co., Rehoboth Beach. The brewers will be releasing cans of Jawsome Sauce, a blood orange IPA with hop notes of lemon, lime, orange peel and a hint of honeydew. The viewing and popcorn are free. Wait staff will be on-site to serve beverages and snacks to order. Costumes are encouraged. For more information, go to thompsonislandbrewing.com.

Sound bath and inner peace experience set July 28

Dimitra Yoga will present  Sound Bath Workshop - An Inner Peace Experience from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at 17437 Ocean One Plaza, Suite 1, Lewes. Individuals will experience guided meditation and harmonious sounds to promote heart-opening, encouraging kindness and compassion for themselves and one another, and within. In a safe, calming environment. participants will take part in intention-setting and journaling. Attendees can expect to achieve deep relaxation and stress relief, enhanced mental clarity and focus, and emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. Attendees should bring a yoga mat, a journal and pen, and an open heart. For more information and to sign up, go to dimitrayoga.com.

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 28, with the message topic, Onto the Path. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “This service will engage us in every way we can arrange with the background, practice and many ways to participate in learning from a labyrinth.” Options may include walking, drawing, observing and appreciating, and there will be an indoor canvas labyrinth to walk after the service. “Socks are required, so please bring your own. No shoes and no bare feet are permitted on this borrowed canvas labyrinth,” she said. All are welcome; no prior experience with labyrinths is necessary. For more information, go to uussd.org.

St. Peter’s Vacation Bible School to kick off July 29

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host Vacation Bible School with the theme Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs, from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, July 29 to Friday, Aug. 2, at Second and Market streets in Lewes.

Compassion Camp explores compassion for self, others and the world. Participants learn about the needs of all living things and how to show compassion for the Earth, including their local ecosystems. By fostering awareness, gratitude, wonderment, reciprocity and kinship, participants become stewards of God's creation.

Water activities are scheduled for Wednesday, July 31. Attendees are asked to dress accordingly and bring a towel. 

For more information and to register, go to stpeterslewes.org/christian-formation/vacation-bible-school.

All-ages goalie camp set July 31 at DE Turf 

Franc Cook, a former standout lacrosse goalie at Cape and Lynchburg and current assistant coach at Jacksonville University, will lead an all-ages goalie camp from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 31 at DE Turf in Frederica. Joining Cook will be University of North Carolina Chapel Hill goalie Mike Gianforcaro who recently transferred after starting for two years at Princeton University. There will be a plethora of college shooters on hand to give the goalies plenty of reps in the two-hour timeframe. The camp will focus on various drills aimed at improving hand-eye coordination, reflexes and preparing the goalies for the next level. More information is available by emailing info@shorebreaklax.com.

Delaware Paid Leave webinar set July 31

The Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Paid Leave is hosting a webinar to educate employers about the Delaware Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Set for noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, the webinar will address topics and questions about upcoming deadlines, provide clarity on the scenarios in which Delaware Paid Leave goes into effect, and highlight the competitive advantages associated with implementing the program. Delaware businesses of all sizes are encouraged to attend this free event. To register and receive a link to attend, go to eventbrite.com.

‘La Cenerentola’ Met Opera screening set July 31

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society will present The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD prerecording of Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” at 2 p.m., July 31. Rossini’s charming take on the Cinderella story features a brilliant cast, led by bel canto stars Joyce DiDonato in the title role and Juan Diego Flórez as her Prince Charming. Alessandro Corbelli delivers a comic tour de force as Don Magnifico, Cinderella’s stepfather. Pietro Spagnoli is Dandini, the Prince’s valet, who, disguised as his master, puts the prospective brides to the text, and Luca Pisaroni is the philosopher Alidoro, who takes the place of the fairy godmother. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads Cesare Lievi’s whimsical production. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to rehobothfilm.com.

Second Street Players auditions start July 31

Second Street Players announced upcoming auditions for its fall children’s stage production, “Boo! Thirteen Scenes from Halloween.”

Director Rachel Loper will host open auditions at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, and Friday, Aug. 2, at Riverfront Theater, 2 S. Walnut St., Milford.

The cast will comprise 15-20 members of varying ages and genders, with many having multiple roles. Prospective cast members must be ages 10-18. Crew members will include two stage managers, four stage crew, one or two light operators and one or two sound operators.

Auditions will consist of a cold reading from the script.

Show dates will be Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4 to 6. 

With a full moon and a grinning jack-o'-lantern beaming from every window, it's a hard heart that doesn't get a little spooked at Halloween. This witch's brew of 13 playlets, each with a sinister twist, is designed to make the skin crawl and tickle funny bones with a few scary chuckles. Full of a wicked assortment of trick-or-treaters, grave diggers, witches and goblins, each story is a special haunt.

For more information, go to secondstreetplayers.com or email rachelbassdrum@aol.com.