News Briefs 1/7/25

Science and Society lecture series to resume Jan. 7

The Lewes Public Library’s Science and Society lecture series will open the 2025 season at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7, with its annual review of the past year’s hottest areas of research, offered online via Zoom.

Science magazine News Editor Tim Appenzeller will return with hosts Colin Norman, Fred Dylla and Linda Dylla for an engaging conversation about science breakthroughs of 2024.

To register for the online event, go to tinyurl.com/LPLScienceSpring25 or call the library at 302-645-2733. 

Upcoming Science and Society lectures include: Feb. 4, “Personalized Cancer Medicine” with Dr. Donald Lawrence; March 4, “Horseshoe Crabs in the Limelight” with Dr. Mark L. Botton; April 8, “At Madame Curie’s Lab” with Dava Sobel; and May 13, “The Strangest Life on Earth” with Karen G. Lloyd.

Cape District Board retreat on Jan. 9

The Cape Henlopen School District Board of Education retreat is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. at the district office.

The retreat, an annual event, will allow the board to engage in deeper discussions about the district’s long-term vision and goals and start planning for the coming year.

The board will also be swearing in Rev. Marjorie Belmont to its Area C seat, to which they appointed her in December.

Lewes architectural group meets Jan. 9

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 pm., Thursday, Jan. 9, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on applications for renovations at 227 Second St., and 341 and 343 Market St. See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

NARFE luncheon reservations due Jan. 9

NARFE Coastal Sussex Chapter 1690 will hold its first 2025 meeting Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1776 Steakhouse, Midway Plaza, Rehoboth Beach. Program speaker will be Brian Brubaker, events director for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Delmarva. The foundation was formed to support the surviving families and others affected by the events of 9/11. The Delmarva chapter promotes programs that support first responders.

Reservations must be made by Thursday, Jan. 9, via email to Warren Fuller at fullerwe@gmail.com. Payment is due upon arrival by cash or check made out to NARFE Chapter 1690. 

Learn more at narfe-de.org.

Sussex Habitat to celebrate Carter’s life Jan. 9

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will celebrate President Jimmy Carter’s life of service with a memorial service to be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9, at the ReStore, 18501 Stamper Drive, Lewes. The public is welcome, and attendees will be able to sign a memorial door in honor of President Carter.

He and Rosalynn Carter have served as Habitat for Humanity’s most famous volunteers over the 35 years they helped to build affordable housing with the organization.

"President Jimmy Carter's humble dedication to serving others, particularly through his hands-on work with Habitat, inspired millions to pick up hammers and help build homes alongside their neighbors. His legacy lives on in every home we build and every family we serve,” said Sussex County Habitat for Humanity CEO, Kevin Gilmore.

Henlopen Acres meeting is Jan. 10

Henlopen Acres commissioners have scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 10.

The agenda calls for possible action on the placement of boulders in the right-of-way at 59 Pine Reach, a possible action on the lot combination at 23 Tidewaters, the possible action qualifications of commissioners and candidates, and update on the dissolution of Association of Coastal Towns. The meeting will be conducted in town hall, 104 Tidewaters. For more information, call 302-227-6411 or go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.

Lewes ethics group to meet Jan. 10

The Lewes Board of Ethics will meet at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 10 at city hall.

The agenda includes nomination and election of officers.

Lewes special meeting slated for Jan. 10

Lewes Mayor and Council will hold a special meeting at noon, Friday, Jan. 10 at city hall. The panel will receive a presentation and discussion of recommendations from the Financial Stewardship Committee.

For more information, and to see the full agenda and meeting link go to lewes.civicweb.net.

Special Rehoboth meeting set Jan. 10

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10. The agenda calls for continued review of submissions by candidates for the city solicitor position. There will likely be an executive session to discuss candidates for an in-house solicitor.

The meeting will be conducted in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments.

For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Tavern Talks return with new play Jan. 10

Historic Lewes will kick off its 2025 Tavern Talks series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, with its premiere of “Back to the Bombardment,” an original play by Maritime Museum Manager Dawson Gehrke. Performances will also be held Saturday, Jan. 11, and Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17 and 18, at the re-created Sussex Tavern, part of the circa 1740 Stockley-Street House on the Historic Lewes Town Campus, 110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes.

Written by Gehrke in collaboration with Director of Interpretation Ryan Schwartz, the play takes audiences back to 1813 Lewes during the British bombardment. The story follows James McCracken, a high school student struggling with an essay on the War of 1812, who unexpectedly encounters his ancestor, Gilbert McCracken, a skilled pilot and defender of Lewes. The cast features Historic Lewes intern Reilly Choma as James and Bill Hicks as Gilbert.

For details and reservations, go to historiclewes.org/events.

Yes2Health sessions to start Jan. 13

Yes2Health, a program of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, announced the schedule for its upcoming sessions.

Educational programs include fitness, health and wellness resources to help participants pursue active and healthy lifestyles.

Virtual groups will meet weekly for 10 weeks starting at 5 p.m., Mondays, Jan. 13 to March 17, and 5 p.m., Tuesdays, Jan. 14 to March 18. In-person classes will meet weekly from 9 to 10 a.m., Mondays, Jan. 13 to March 17, at CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

No-cost, interactive cooking classes also are offered to help participants learn a new culinary skill while preparing a healthy recipe. Classes are taught by Dee Iraca, founder of Eat Well Chef. Registered attendees will be sent the shopping list, recipe and Zoom link. Participants do not need to be part of Yes2Health to take the cooking classes. The next online cooking classes are set for 5:30 to 6:45 p.m, Tuesdays, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18, March 4 and March 18.

For registration information, go to debreastcancer.org.

DBC offers help with wheelchair rentals

The Dewey Business Partnership recently volunteered to take on the costs of yearly maintenance and replacement for beach wheelchair rentals. The will allow the town to continue offering wheelchairs for use on the beach at no cost to users.

Dewey OKs funds for dispatch device

Dewey Beach Town Council passed a resolution to approve the use of $26,000 in town funds to cover the remaining cost of a new communications device for the Dewey Beach Police dispatch center. The device will replace the outdated one the dispatch center currently uses, helping to enhance the center’s efficiency and responsiveness.

DNREC warns against dune activities

With winter weather ahead, including snow in the immediate forecast, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds residents and visitors that sledding, snowboarding and other recreational activities are not allowed on Delaware’s sand dunes.

Dunes contain fragile wildlife habitat, and provide protection for the beaches and the communities they border.

Hall-Long to be sworn in as governor

After two terms in office, Gov. John Carney will resign Jan. 7, to become mayor of Wilmington.

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long will be ceremoniously sworn in as Delaware’s 75th governor at 1 p.m., Jan. 7, in the Old State House on the Green in Dover. A public reception will follow at 2 p.m. at the Biggs Museum on Federal Street.

Gov.-elect Matt Meyer and Lt. Gov.-elect Kyle Evans Gay will be sworn in to office at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, on Legislative Mall in front of Legislative Hall in Dover where legislators, elected officials and others will gather to watch the formal oath of office.

Rehoboth awards water meter contract

By unanimous vote during a Dec. 20 meeting, Rehoboth Beach commissioners awarded the city’s annual water meter replacement contract to Harry Caswell Inc. in the amount of roughly $146,000.

Harry Caswell was the only bidder on the contract, which the city’s engineer estimated at about $152,000.

The contract calls for the replacement of 467 one-inch meters.

Public Works Director Henry Matlosz said the program has been going on for four years and will take five more to complete the replacements.