News Briefs 2/14/25

Biggs Museum admission is free courtesy of Dover FCU

The Biggs Museum of American Art and Dover Federal Credit Union announced a community-focused partnership that brings free admission to the museum. The collaboration highlights both organizations’ shared commitment to serving and fostering connections with Kent County residents.

“Art is a powerful way to bring people together,” said Hassan Najjar, Biggs Museum executive director. “With Dover Federal Credit Union’s support, we’re able to make the museum more accessible and ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of art.”

Dover Federal Credit Union CEO Janell Upton said, “We seek out opportunities that unite our community, and the Biggs Museum is a perfect partner. Their dedication to making art accessible aligns with our mission to support initiatives that strengthen and inspire our region.”

Delmarva Power offers bill pay options

Effective immediately, Delmarva Power is introducing new bill assistance and payment flexibility options to better support customers.

These enhanced support measures will help residential and commercial customers manage their winter energy bills and provide relief from high costs due to extreme cold, increased usage and the overall cost of energy.
 
Delmarva Power is implementing no late payment fees for January and February 2025, with extended repayment periods of up to 24 months; suspending disconnections for nonpayment in February 2025; and waiving deposit requirements for customers seeking to restore service after disconnection.
 
Customers are encouraged to explore resources at delmarva.com/BillSupport that can help lower monthly bills, such as energy efficiency programs, financial assistance options, and billing and payment flexibility tools.
 
Delmarva Power remains committed to providing customers with the resources they need to navigate energy costs and maintain financial stability. Those who have questions or require assistance can reach the customer care team through the online portal or by calling 800-375-7117.

Lewes seeks election officers

The City of Lewes is recruiting election officers for the 2025 municipal election to be held Saturday, May 10.

Officers must be qualified City of Lewes voters and not an immediate family member of a candidate or elected official.

NARFE earns legislative victory

In December, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association earned a legislative victory in Washington, D.C., with the successful passage of the Social Security Fairness law. The legislation repeals the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision for monthly benefits payable after December 2023.

Anyone who earned SSA payments that were offset may contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov to file or set up an appointment to determine eligibility for payment. 

Coastal Sussex NARFE Chapter 1690 joined with the more than 800 NARFE chapters nationwide and the association’s national officers in celebrating the repeal and worked hard on the final push at a rally. The chapter’s legislative board member joined many other individuals from public-sector organizations to hear Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, advocate for passage of the law.

Many public-sector employees who worked second jobs to make ends meet but were not able to collect their earned Social Security can now file a claim.

Public-sector employees also had been limited in their survivor benefits if their spouse or partner worked in private-sector employment.

Learn more at narfe-de.org.

New artwork on display at The Moorings

The Moorings at Lewes is hosting an exhibition of work by local artists Carol Gentes and Angela Pierce.

The show is open to the public through Monday, March 3, at 17028 Cadbury Circle, Lewes.

Pierce’s oil paintings capture Delmarva landscapes, marshes, waterways and gorgeous sunsets. Her still lifes are steeped in the aesthetics of impressionists and old masters. Pierce's work captivates with its homage to both classic and contemporary art traditions.

With her studio based in Ocean View, Gentes’ acrylic paintings include ocean-themed artworks, some of which are adorned with her signature dotting technique; realistic bird and animal originals and fine-art giclée prints; and her latest series of imagined landscapes that invite viewers into her vivid, visionary worlds.

Dewey Finance Committee to meet

The Dewey Beach Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at the Lifesaving Station.

Brown Advisory financial reports will be presented at the meeting, and the committee will discuss and possibly vote to recommend to town council the transfer of Brown Advisory operating funds.

The committee will also review the current Investment Policy Implementation Plan and discuss and possibly vote on a recommendation to council regarding the FY2026 draft budget.

Dewey Town Council sets special meeting 

Dewey Beach Town Council will hold a special commissioners meeting at 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at the Lifesaving Station.

The council will discuss and possibly vote on optional features in the construction and funding plans for the new town hall and public safety facility.

Oscar-nominated short film screenings to begin Feb. 14

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater, starting Friday, Feb. 14, will present the 2025 Oscar-nominated short films. The Academy Awards will air Sunday, March 2.

Live Action nominees are: “A Lien” (USA); “Anuja” (USA); “I’m Not a Robot” (Belgium/Netherlands); “The Last Ranger” (South Africa); and “The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent” (Croatia).

Documentary nominees are: “Death by Numbers” (USA); “I Am Ready, Warden” (USA); “Incident” (USA); “Instruments of a Beating Heart” (Japan); and ”The Only Girl in the Orchestra” (USA).

Animation nominees are: “Beautiful Men” (Belgium/France/Netherlands); “In the Shadow of the Cypress” (Iran); “Magic Candles” (Japan); ‘Wander to Wonder” (Netherlands/Belgium/France/UK); and “Yock!” (France).

For more information, go to rehobothfilm.com.

UUSD to meet Feb. 16

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 16, with “A Window Into the Wondrous: For the Birds” as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “Wonder of wonders, there is wisdom right around us when we have the opportunity to pause and soak it in. Join us today for a celebration of wisdom from the birds.” Learn more at uussd.org.

Lewes offices to close Feb. 17

Lewes City Hall and the Board of Public Works offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Both will reopen at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Lewes environmental panel to meet Feb. 18

The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at city hall. The group is expected to discuss prioritizing future topics, including residential wind power. 

See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes parks panel to meet Feb. 18

The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Rollins Center.

The panel is expected to discuss and possibly take action on the Public Art Committee’s annual art installation. 

See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

GriefShare program starts Feb. 19 at St. George’s Chapel

Anyone who is suffering a loss is invited to attend a free GriefShare program starting at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at at St. George's Chapel parish hall, 20332 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

Weekly sessions will be held where attendees who have lost a loved one in death can support one another at whatever stage of grief they are in, hear from grief recovery experts and walk forward together in hope.

There is no charge to attend.  For more information and to register, call Joe Antisavage, group moderator, at 319-389-7183.

RD20 Dems to meet Feb. 20

The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Lewes Diner, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m. 

Representatives from the Eyes on County Council Initiative will discuss the new organization’s objectives.

Also on the agenda is Tom Iarossi, secretary of the Delaware Democratic Veterans and Military Family Caucus, who will provide an update on the group. Iarossi is also president of Eastern Sussex Democrats.

RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pinetown, Belltown, and sections of Harbeson and Georgetown. Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate in RD20’s social hour and business meeting.

For more information, go to rd20deldems.com.

Retirement by Design free seminar set Feb. 20

Retirement by Design, a free seminar open to the community, will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, at Lewes Public Library. Conor Williams, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Georgetown, will facilitate. There is no cost to attend. To RSVP, call 302-856-3083.

Film and speaker to focus on legacy of slavery Feb. 23

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will host a viewing of “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” at 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23, at 30486 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., Lewes.

Documentary filmmaker Katrina Browne discovered her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. In the film, Browne and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain powerful new perspectives on the ongoing legacy of slavery in Americans’ lives.

Jane Carrigan will be the UUSD guest speaker for the 10 a.m. service, Feb. 23. A UU from Annapolis, she is making the screening possible. Carrigan is a member of the national organization Coming to the Table, which brings together descendants of white slaveowners and descendants of enslaved people to talk about their shared experiences of race, racism and the ongoing legacy of slavery. Discussion will follow the service.

Learn more at uussd.org and comingtothetable.org. 

Goolee's Grille dining to benefit Duffle Bags and More Feb. 24

Goolee's Grille will host a Breakfast for Dinner dine-and-donate event for Duffle Bags and More from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, at 11 S. First Street, Rehoboth Beach. Goolee's Grille will donate 10% of each check (dine-in or takeout) to the charity. Duffle Bags and More makes and distributes sturdy duffle bags, and toiletry bags with toiletries to children in foster care and other individuals in transition or in distress. Find details at dufflebagsandmore.org.

Brick Works dine-and-donate to benefit Columbiettes Feb. 25

The Bishop James C. Burke Columbiettes of Millsboro will benefit from a dine-and-donate fundraiser taking place all day Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Brick Works Brewing & Eats, 36932 Silicato Drive #1, Millsboro. Diners who mention Bishop Burke Columbiettes will have a portion of their bills go to the Catholic women's group that serves the community. For more information, contact Patricia Burroughs at 610-772-6501.

Speak Out Against Hate to meet Feb. 26

Speak Out Against Hate will meet at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Lewes Public Library.  A hybrid town hall discussion will follow the viewing of a short film produced by Not in Our Town, a national organization. The film shows how a small Montana town came together to combat hateful activity. Community leaders from faith, political, law enforcement, school, youth and business organizations will be moderated by Jeff Balk. The focus will be on ways Delawareans can similarly join forces to speak out. Registration is required. To sign up, go to soah-de.org.

Speak Out against Hate was formed two years ago to address incidents of hate in Delaware.

Ocean City Film Festival set March 6 to 9

The Art League of Ocean City will host the 9th Annual Ocean City Film Festival from Thursday to Sunday, March 6 to 9, at theaters and venues in Ocean City, Md.

Over four days, the festival will screen more than 100 independent films, both locally made and from around the world, including short films and feature-length movies.

“The Biggest Little Farm,” one of the selections, was directed and produced by two Ocean City natives, John Chester and Erica Cramer Messer, who have gone on to be successful in the film industry. They will be live on stage Sunday, March 9, during the screening, commenting on their roles in the film and sharing backstage stories. The pair will introduce and show trailers of their new TV series.

The festival will also screen 15 documentary and 10 narrative films of feature length, representing the United States, Canada, Spain, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The films have not been rated, and some feature adult content. Viewer discretion is advised. Learn more at OCMDFilmFestival.com.

AARP theater trip reservations due March 15

AARP Chapter 5340 is sponsoring a trip set for Wednesday, April 30, to the Sight and Sound Dinner Theater in Lancaster, Pa., a 350-seat venue. Attendees will see a live performance of “Noah.” All are welcome; membership is not required.

The cost includes round-trip bus transportation, the show at 11 a.m. and lunch after the performance at the Hershey Farm Restaurant and Shoppes. Participants will depart at 6:45 a.m. from the College Park Shopping Center near the Georgetown Walmart.

Paid registration is due before Saturday, March 15. For more information, call Pat at 302-856-2274 or Paula at 302-567-1748. 

DART student poster contest entries due March 24

Ride Together, Community Starts with DART is the theme for DART’s Annual Poster Contest. Open to school-age children in grades six through 12, the contest is designed to encourage students to learn about public transportation and its community benefits. Contestants also earn the chance to see their artwork featured by DART in various advertisements, promotions and displays.

Students are asked to create a poster that illustrates how DART brings people together, opens doors to new destinations, and plays a vital role in building a brighter, more connected future for everyone in Delaware. Posters must be submitted by Monday, March 24, to DART Poster Contest, Marketing Dept., 900 Public Safety Blvd., Dover, DE 19901. Prizes and certificates will be provided by DART and its business partners.

Interested schools are asked to conduct the contest within the appropriate grade levels and forward the entries to DART for judging. Individuals who wish to enter apart from their school may do so if they are in grades six to 12.

For details and contest instructions, go to DartFirstState.com.