News Briefs 3/14/25
Avelo expands routes from Wilmington airport
Avelo Airlines recently announced it will expand service at Philadelphia’s Wilmington Airport - ILG with nonstop routes to Northeast Florida’s Jacksonville International Airport and North Carolina’s Research Triangle via Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service with affordable one-way fares between ILG and these two destinations. Beginning in May, Avelo will operate these routes twice weekly, utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft.
Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We are proud to announce more travel options to the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region. This service makes visiting North Carolina’s Research Triangle and northeast Florida easier than ever. For over two years, we’ve inspired travel with affordable, convenient and reliable service at ILG, and these new routes show our continued commitment to this region.”
Italian-American group seeks new members
The Italian American Heritage Club of Sussex County is looking for new members to join in celebrating their shared Italian heritage and Italian-American culture of food, wine, history and games. The club is a nonprofit organization, and it sponsors events, activities and excursions as well as supporting area charities. Meetings are held the last Monday of each month except July and August. For more information, email italiamia@iahcsd.com or go to iahcsd.com.
Milton council approves bids for water projects
Milton Town Council approved bids for a new water tower on Federal Street and a series of new water mains on and around Walnut Street.
On the water tower project, the low bidder was Houston, Texas-based contractor CB&I, a worldwide firm that specializes in building large-scale storage tanks. CB&I’s bid is $3.5 million, which is below the $3.8 million the town had budgeted for the project, which will include a foundation and a 500,000-gallon elevated water tower.
The tower will be about 130 feet high and 56 feet in diameter, similar in height to the town’s two existing water towers. Town officials say it will provide additional storage to meet daily demand and serve as a backup if the two other towers are out of service for maintenance or repair.
The water tower was approved by voters in a January 2024 referendum by a 513-92 margin, which allowed for the town to get a loan from the state Water Infrastructure Advisory Council for a 20-year term at a 2 percent interest rate, with interest-only payments during construction.
Council also approved replacing 3,900 linear feet of existing water mains underneath Carey, Walnut, Magnolia, Reed and Mill streets. The project will include replacing valves, abandoning the existing main and repaving the roadway. At Walnut and Mill streets, the town will upgrade to an 8-inch main, while at Carey Street, the upgrade will be from a 2-inch main to a 6-inch main.
The low bidder on the water main project is Dover-based contractor Teal Construction, with a $2.1 million bid, more than the $1.78 million loan the town received for the project.
Town Manager Kristy Rogers said Teal Construction is willing to work with the town to adjust the scope of the project, which could reduce the cost.
Rehoboth makes appointment to shade tree commission
During a special meeting March 10, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted unanimously in favor of appointing Clifton Hilderley III to the Parks & Shade Tree Commission. He is filling the vacant seat of Marti Marino.
Genealogical society meeting set March 15
The Sussex County Genealogical Society will meet at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 15, at Lewes Public Library and via Zoom. Guest speaker Michael John Neill will discuss the particular challenges of researching in the Ostfriesen area of northwest Germany. Having been an active researcher since the early 1980s, Neill lectures nationally and leads research trips to Salt Lake City, Utah, and Fort Wayne, Ind. To register, go to lewes.lib.de.us and look under Adult Events. All are welcome. For more information on the society, visit scgsdelaware.org.
Multiple myeloma group to meet March 15
The Delaware Multiple Myeloma Support Group will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 15, at the Milton Public Library, 121 Union St., Milton, and online via Zoom.
Meetings are open to anyone who has multiple myeloma or cares for someone who does. For more information, go to myeloma.org/delaware or email Sue Iwahashi at Delaware@imfsupport.org.
UUSD service set for March 16
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 16, with “Ground and Gather” as the topic. The Rev. Cathy Rion Starr said, “These are two things we know how to do – ground in our faith and gather in community. And yet, when tension rises and chaos reigns, it is easy to forget the things we know. So once again we gather together as a collective reminder that another world is possible, even when it feels very far away.” For more information, go to uussd.org.
Lewes parks panel to meet March 17
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, March 17, at the Rollins Center.
The agenda includes discussion of a proposal for the stabilization of Blockhouse Pond.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Nicola dining to benefit local groups March 17
Nicola Pizza will host a dine-and-donate fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m., Monday, March 17, at 17323 Ocean One Plaza in Lewes. Proceeds will benefit the Overfalls Foundation and the GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club. Nicola will donate 20% of dine-in sales only, to be split between the two organizations. The nonprofit Overfalls Foundation operates the Overfalls Museum complex at Lewes Canalfront Park, and preserves maritime history and honors lightships and their sailors’ service to the United States. Since 1905, Zwaanendael Women’s Club’s public-spirited volunteers have enhanced the lives of others through service.
Bethany Blues dining to support Miracle Angels cancer mission March 18
The Miracle Angels of Israel United Methodist Church will host a dine-and-donate event from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Bethany Blues, 18385 Coastal Hwy., Lewes. When customers present certificates for Miracle Angels Cancer Mission dine-and-donate, Bethany Blues will give 15% of proceeds, dine-in or carryout, to the Patient Special Needs Fund at Beebe Healthcare cancer centers. To learn more, contact Betty J. Streett at 302-542-1129 or bjnscruisers@aol.com.
Boycott forum set March 18
Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Speak Out Against Hate and the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will host a boycott forum at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at UUSD, 30486 Lewes Georgetown Hwy., Lewes.
Attendees will discuss ways to fight back against attacks coming from Washington on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) issues, racial justice, federal workers, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more. The focus is on economic boycotts of companies that have ended their DEI programs and supported anti-democratic federal policies. People have the power to use or refrain from using their dollars to make a difference.
To learn more, email socialjustice@uussd.org.
First State Antique Tractor Club to meet March 18
The First State Antique Tractor Club will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at the Greenwood VFW, Governors Avenue and Mill Street, Greenwood. The club will review its 2025 scholarship program. Light refreshments will be served. The club is always accepting new members. For more information, contact Maralene Givens at 302-228-2674 or maraleneg1@verizon.net, or go to firststateantiquetractorclub.com.
Lewes BPW to hold wastewater workshop March 18
The Lewes Board of Public Works will hold a public workshop to discuss options for its wastewater treatment plant at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at the Rollins Center.
The meeting was set after Rehoboth Beach rejected a proposed partnership with the BPW and Sussex County that would have allowed Lewes to connect to the county’s Wolfe Neck Regional Wastewater Facility and pump wastewater through the city’s outfall.
For details on the wastewater treatment plant, go to lewesbpwde.gov.
Coolest Thing Made in Delaware voting round runs thru March 19
Voting for the top eight finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest will continue through Wednesday, March 19. Votes can be cast once per day, per device at DSCC.com/MFG.
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, the Delaware Manufacturing Association, present the contest to highlight the First State’s vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry – which employs 29,000 Delawareans – and promote the sector as a top career path. Fifty-one products from 44 companies competed in the initial round of voting.
Finalists were narrowed down from the top 16: Agilent Technologies, Resolve Handheld Raman Spectrometer; Avkin Healthcare Simulation, Avbirth; Brimming Horn Meadery, Mead; ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute, CRISPR in a Box; Devil Dave’s, Bloody Mary Stick Packs; Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Craft Beer; DuPont, Ikonic Polishing Pads for semiconductor fabrication; Edgewell Personal Care, Playtex Sport Tampons; Hopkins Farm Creamery, Apple Pie Ice Cream; ILC Dover, Spacesuits; LaMotte, SpinDisk; Mountaire Farms, Chicken Wings; Rapa, Scrapple; Staging Dimensions, Hot Wheels Double Dare Loop; Sumuri LLC, Talino Forensic Workstations; UDairy Creamery, All-Nighter Ice Cream.
The bracket-style contest will culminate in one champion to be revealed at DSCC’s Spring Manufacturing & Policy Conference Thursday, March 27, at Delaware Technical Community College in Dover.
RD 20 Democrats to elect state convention delegates March 20
The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 20, at the Lewes Diner, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m. According to Democratic Party rules, Delaware's district committees must reorganize every four years following a presidential election.
A major item on the agenda will be the election of 12 delegates to Delaware’s Democratic State Convention to be held Saturday, June 21, in Dover. Any registered Democrat who resides in District 20 is eligible to serve as a state convention delegate.
A representative from Speak Out Against Hate also will discuss the organization’s mission to make every town and city in Delaware no place for hate. Cape Henlopen School District Board of Education candidates will speak about why they are running in the Tuesday, May 13 election.
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.
To learn more, go to rd20deldems.com.
Dewey town council public hearing set March 21
Dewey Beach Town Council will hold a public hearing at 3 p.m., Friday, March 21, at the Dewey Lifesaving Station.
The hearing concerns an application submitted by Emily McCauley of the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel for a temporary expansion of premise for the Bike to the Beach event, set for Friday, June 20.
Find the meeting link at townofdeweybeach.gov.
Long-sleeve shirt drive for farmworkers runs March 23-31
During National Farmworker Awareness Week March 23-31, the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs will host its annual National Long-Sleeve Shirt Drive, aiming to collect more than 20,000 shirts through a network of 75-plus partners. These long-sleeved shirts will help protect farmworkers from pesticide exposure and heat-related illness. They will be distributed alongside health and safety trainings and educational materials through AFOP’s network of more than 150 trainers nationwide.
The EPA estimates that 10,000-20,000 pesticide poisonings occur annually among the country’s 2 million agricultural workers. Heat-related illnesses are also a major concern; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 33,890 work-related heat illnesses from 2011 to 2020, with 479 fatalities from 2011 to 2022.
"Farm safety promotion is a priority for Delaware Farm Bureau. We are proud to partner with the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs to be a drop-off location for long-sleeved shirt donations, helping protect farm workers from pesticide exposure and heat-related illnesses,” said Bill Powers, DEFB president. The Delaware Farm Bureau office is at 3457 South DuPont Hwy., Camden; call 302-697-3183 for more information.
Wilmington University to host business seminar March 26
Aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders are invited to a virtual seminar, Innovation and Impact Talks: So, You Think You Can Be an Entrepreneur, from 7 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 26. Dr. Robin Weinstein, Wilmington University College of Business dean, will moderate. The event features top entrepreneurs and industry experts from technology, consumer products, franchising and leadership fields. Attendees can engage with panelists and gain practical advice on navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Panelists include: Timothy Guim, founder and CEO of PCH Technologies, a nationally recognized cybersecurity firm; Dionne Griffin McGee, president and CEO of DG McGee Enterprises, and founder of the R.O.A.R. Women’s Conferences; Lisa Myers, founder of Ceres Chill, an innovative consumer product company supporting breastfeeding families; and Chuck Nunan, founder of Harvest Ridge Winery and former Servpro franchise owner.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great idea – it’s about perseverance, strategy and adaptability,” said Weinstein. “This event is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from successful business leaders who have navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Their insights will be invaluable whether you are just starting or looking to scale your business.”
While the event is free and open to the public, registration is required; go to events.wilmu.edu/Site/AcademicColleges.
Milton historic preservation tax credit program set March 27
The Milton Historic Preservation Commission will present a free workshop on historic preservation tax credits for qualifying homeowners and businesses from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 27, at Milton Public Library, 121 Union St., Milton.
Architectural historian Kara Briggs from the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ State Historic Preservation Office will be presenting. As manager of the historic preservation tax credit program, Briggs coordinates with the Delaware Division of Revenue and the State Bank Commission to assign tax credits to a taxpayer.
She will outline qualifications for income or franchise tax credits to help offset costs to maintain, repair and restore historic structures, and discuss state and federal programs. The credit is equal to a percentage of the qualified costs incurred during rehabilitation.
Following the presentation, Briggs will answer attendees’ questions.
Native plant sale preorders due March 27
Adkins Arboretum, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving native plants and habitats in the Chesapeake Bay region, has a pickup site in Georgetown for its online native plant sale, which continues through Thursday, March 27, at adkins.donorshops.com/shop.
Many diverse types of high-quality native plants are offered, perfect for enhancing gardens while supporting local ecosystems. Native plants provide critical habitat for pollinators, conserve water and thrive in regional conditions with minimal maintenance.
For customers who select the Georgetown location at checkout, orders will be available for pickup Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, at the former Hooked on Plants Garden Center location, 25141 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Georgetown.
AARP sets shredding event April 12
AARP Delaware will host a shredding event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Sussex Family YMCA, 20080 Church St., Rehoboth Beach. There is a three-box limit per car. Registration for designated time slots is required at events.aarp.org/SussexShred. The event is part of AARP’s fraud-prevention efforts statewide. Shredding old bank statements, credit card bills, Medicare cards and anything else with personal information on it is the best thing consumers can do to prevent identity theft.
“If you’ve been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone,” said AARP Delaware State President Wendell Alfred. “What I like about AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is that it is a free resource for all.”
Attendees will receive AARP fraud information and giveaway items.
