Spoonie celebrated at annual birthday party

Family and friends of Stephen “Spoonie” Sponaugle held the third annual celebration of his life and benefit May 7 at Nicola Pizza on Route 1 outside Lewes. Spoonie, a beloved member of the local community, died suddenly April 20, 2019.

The event has raised $15,000 the last two years to benefit arts and band programs in the Cape Henlopen School District. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by The Starboard and Bethany Blues, will benefit Cape Henlopen School District band program for grades 5-12. Nicola Pizza donated a portion of every table and bar check to the event.

The event included a Stephen-themed scavenger hunt with prizes and raffle drawings, including one for $250 cash. Also held was a silent auction with a variety of items, including a Bourbon and Bites tasting for 10 at Bethany Blues, a wine package, gift cards to JD Shuckers, Frank and Louie’s and SoDel Concepts, and many more. 

Freshly Squeezed, Spoonie’s former band, played throughout the evening. Attendees sang “Happy Birthday,” and a birthday cake was served to the guests.

During the celebration’s planning stage, event organizers reached out to Steve “Monty” Montgomery of The Starboard and Bethany Blues restaurant group, and offered him the opportunity to help grow the event by becoming lead sponsor. He agreed to donate $5,000 if organizers raised $10,000 – a $2,000 increase from the $8,000 they raised last year. The event raised $10,125. So the program will receive the $5,000 challenge gift.

Cape Henlopen High School Band Director Chris Burkhart, who serves as liaison to the event organizers, said the funds have provided incredible opportunities for Cape students.

“Some of these funds are used for students to have individual study, which has opened doors for them to be enriched and further their love of music,” he said. “We’re grateful to the event organizers for their passion for supporting these kids.”

“We’re grateful to be able to translate the pain of losing Stephen into good for the community,” said Theresa Sponaugle, Spoonie’s mother. “Music was a huge part of his life and we’re grateful that this event honors his life and helps a program that is so important.”

Those who cannot attend but who wish to donate should make checks payable to Cape Henlopen School District and send them to Theresa Sponaugle, 32 Eagle Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Spoonie was born and raised at the beach, and graduated from Cape in 1999. He was a fixture in the community, as are his mother and father, Theresa and Bill. His family owned the Dewey Beach Club for many years. In 2001, Stephen graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and he later worked in several area restaurants including The Buttery and Abstractions. Most recently, he was a bartender at the Cultured Pearl and Nicola Pizza. He had a passion for music that started in grade school, playing trombone in the Rehoboth summer band program. He also played guitar and trombone for the Delaware Music School, and from 2008 until his passing, he was a vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Freshly Squeezed.