Event to celebrate life of Stephen ‘Spoonie’ Sponaugle

The family and friends of Stephen “Spoonie” Sponaugle will hold the second annual celebration of his life and benefit event Tuesday, May 2. Spoonie, a beloved member of the local community, died suddenly April 20, 2019.

The inaugural event was held last year at Nicola Pizza and raised $8,000, far exceeding the goal of $2,000, to benefit the performing arts programs at Rehoboth Elementary, where Stephen attended. The event this year is on the eve of what would have been Spoonie’s 42nd birthday. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at Nicola Pizza in Lewes and benefit the Cape Henlopen School District Band Program for grades 5-12. It is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted at the door. Nicola Pizza will donate a percentage of every table and bar check for patrons on the covered patio where attendees will gather.

The event will feature a photo booth, raffle drawings including one for $250 cash, a silent auction with a variety of items from local restaurants and other businesses, and of course, birthday cake. The members of Freshly Squeezed, Stephen’s former band, will be hosting on-site activities including patio games for all ages and an on-site, Stephen-themed scavenger hunt with prizes. Select band members from the Cape Henlopen School District will be featured guests. Organizers hope the event will again embody the same values Stephen did: love, fun, and caring for one another and the community. 

Stephen was born and raised here at the beach and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School, Class of 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 School Program. He 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.

“We’re grateful to be able to translate the pain of losing Stephen into good for the community,” said Theresa Sponaugle. “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.”

“We’re glad some good can come from our loss and so touched that the community came out in support of this last year; we hope to see the event continue to grow,” said Patrick Fitzpatrick, event co-chair. “We’ve increased the fundraising goal this year and hope everyone who can will support us with a donation, even if they can’t attend.”

Checks should be made payable to Cape Henlopen School District and may be mailed to Theresa Sponaugle, 32 Eagle Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Local musician Roger Hillis was a longtime friend of Stephen’s and a bandmate in Freshly Squeezed.  Hillis said, “We were all gutted when we lost Spoonie. Last year’s event was a fun, wonderful celebration, and we can’t wait for this year’s. A night of fun and joy and positive energy. This is a nice chance to come together and celebrate him, for his birthday, and give to a program that makes a real difference. As a band, we are thrilled to support this very special event.”

Organizers are delighted to be able to support the music program in an ongoing way, and are excited that the new beneficiary supports elementary, middle and high school students. The more people who turn out to eat and drink, the more it will raise, so all are encouraged to make a night of it, and bring family and friends.