News Briefs 2/28/25

The Point to close for nesting bird safety

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will close The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean and bay beach, starting Saturday, March 1. Since 1993, The Point has closed annually for most of the spring and summer to protect threatened and endangered beach-nesters and migratory shorebirds, including piping plovers, American oystercatchers, least terns, red knots and other species.

The Point’s nesting habitat on the ocean side will reopen to the public Monday, Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Wednesday, Oct. 1, for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to help bolster and increase shorebird populations in Delaware. Learn more at dnrec.delaware.gov.

Lenten Day of Recollection set March 1

The Community of Mary of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites will offer a Lenten Day of Recollection from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at St. Jude The Apostle Church in Lewes. The day will begin with mass and morning prayer from the liturgy of the hours, followed by a self-guided silent prayer of the Stations of the Cross with a special Carmelite Saints meditation focus. There will be an opportunity to share comments before the event concludes. All are invited to meet for fellowship and lunch, at their own expense, at the Ocean Grill diner near Weis Markets in the Villages of Five Points shopping center. Anyone interested in Carmelite spirituality or desiring to further their preparation for Lenten devotions is invited. RSVP to either John Kudlick, OCDS, 302-415-9731 or Lauriana Lundy, OCDS, 609-456-3086.

State parks fee season begins March 1

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds visitors to Delaware State Parks that 2025 entrance fees will be in effect starting Saturday, March 1, and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 30.

Daily state parks entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $4 at inland parks and $5 at ocean parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles are $8 at inland parks and $10 at ocean parks. Multiple types of annual passes are also available as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to daily fees.

For a complete list of discount programs and to purchase a pass, go to destateparks.com/passes-permits-and-fees.

UUSD to meet March 2

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, March 2, with the topic Writing Our Next Chapter, Together. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “We co-create this community anew each week, each month, each year, by sharing our skills, interests, time, talent and treasure. Those of us here now carry forward and craft something that we truly hope and expect will long outlast our individual lives. What will be your part in our ever-evolving story? What will your chapter be in the story of this time? Join us for this FY26 Pledge Drive Kick-off Sunday.” Learn more at uussd.org.

Lewes environmental group to meet

The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, March 3, at city hall.

The panel will discuss the Pathways to Environmental Stewardship workshop scheduled for April.

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes BOA meeting set for March 4

The Lewes Board of Adjustment will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, at city hall.

The panel will consider a variance request for relief from the minimum distance required between buildings at the Dutchman’s Harvest development.

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

All Saints' Church, St. George's Chapel set Ash Wednesday services

The Episcopal Parish of All Saints' Church and St. George's Chapel will hold Ash Wednesday services March 5.

All Saints' Church services will be held at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

St. George's Chapel services will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 20271 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

These services include scripture readings, prayers, a brief sermon, Holy Communion and distribution of ashes. All are welcome.

For more information, email info@allsaintsandstgeorges.org or call 302-227-7202.

Sussex P&Z meeting set March 5

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

The agenda includes possible votes on rezoning and conditional-use applications for Creekside, a 116-unit cluster subdivision with a mixture of townhomes and single-family homes on 31 acres along Banks Road in Long Neck.

The meeting will be streamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast. Meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov.

NARFE meeting reservations due March 6

NARFE Coastal Sussex Chapter 1690 will meet Thursday, March 13, at 1776 Steakhouse in Midway Plaza, Rehoboth Beach. Program speaker will be Darren Silvis, development director for Freeman Arts Pavilion. He will discuss the upcoming performance lineup and community outreach. 

Reservations must be made by Thursday, March 6, via email to luncheon@narfe-de.org. Payment is due upon arrival by cash or check made out to NARFE Chapter 1690. 

Learn more at narfe-de.org.

Browseabout Book Club to meet March 9

Browseabout Book Club discusses works of literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction and a range of genres. Members select works for their timely and timeless importance, and uniqueness of perspective. Its next discussion, set for 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 9, will focus on Percival Everett's “James.”

Browseabout’s Words That Bleed book club will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16, for a discussion of “Horns” by Joe Hill. Led by staff member and published author Kelly Lidji, the club is for fans of horror and suspense.

Browsers Forensic Files, led by staff member and intrepid sleuth Steve Swain, is for true crime and investigative journalism enthusiasts. Its next discussion is set for 3 to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 23, focusing on “Midnight In the Garden of Good And Evil” by John Berendt.

The book clubs are free to join and require no registration. For more information, go to browseaboutbooks.com.

Rehoboth Concert Band show to benefit senior center March 16

Rehoboth Concert Band will present Americana from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, March 16, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. Selections celebrate the diverse sounds and deep-rooted traditions of American music, with works from composers including Gershwin, Copland and Willson. Joining RCB will be guest vocalist Ric Fernandes and local favorites the Jazzmen. Proceeds benefit the Cape Henlopen Senior Center. To reserve seats, go to rehobothconcertband.org or visit the senior center at 11 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach. Payment also will be accepted at the door.

Nicola Pizza dining event to benefit VIA March 18

Nicola Pizza will host a dine-to-donate event in support of the Village Improvement Association from 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at 17323 Ocean One Plaza, Lewes. Nicola will donate 20% of dine-in sales only to the group.

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach is a women’s civic and charitable organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

For more information, go to rehobothbeachvia.org.

Rehoboth Beach Patrol tryouts begin March 22

The Rehoboth Beach Patrol will hold its tryout sessions for the 2025 season starting at 12 p.m., Saturday, March 22, at Sussex Family YMCA, 20080 Church St., Rehoboth Beach. The second is at 8 a.m., Saturday, March 29, at Lake Forest High School, 5407 Killens Pond Road, Felton. The third and final tryout is 10 a.m., Saturday, April 5, at Sussex Academy High School, 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown.

To be considered for hire, all applicants will be required to take a test that includes a 1-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, a 550-yard swim, a 100-yard spring swim, a 25-yard underwater swim and two types of pool rescues. There are time completion requirements. Applicants can be 15 at the time of the tryout, but they must be 16 on or before Memorial Day weekend, and be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Applicants also must complete the online employment application. The 2025 salary for lifeguards starts at $21 an hour.

For more information, an application and a full list of requirements, go to rehobothbeachpatrol.com, or contact Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Jeff Giles at rehobothbeachpatrol@cityofrehoboth.com or 302-258-4888.

Cash bingo at Milton fire hall set March 27

Milton Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will host a cash bingo event at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 27, at the Milton Fire Department, 116 Front St., Milton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. To reserve space in advance, text Geri at 302-448-1552 and leave a name and number of tickets. Reservations will be limited to five tickets per caller. Reservation-holders unable to attend are asked to call and cancel so admission can be offered to those on the wait-list. There will be door prizes, and concessions will be available for purchase. Attendees and participants must be at least 18 years old.

Plant sale and garden festival seeks participants

Epworth United Methodist Church will hold its inaugural plant sale and garden festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.

The event will include sales of indoor and garden plants, items from art and craft vendors, food trucks and live music. Organizers are seeking nonprofit and for-profit participants with a focus on sustainable landscapes, lawns and gardens, native plants and pollinators.

For more information, contact Susan Jimenez at 302-381-0582 or Susan Selph at 302-245-6193.

Georgetown Hops & Crops Farmers Markets kick off May 7

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Revelation Craft Brewery will present the 2025 Hops & Crops Market weekly from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, May 7 to Oct. 8, at Revelation, 413 S. Bedford St., Georgetown. A Halloween market will be held Oct. 29. To learn more or request a vendor application, go to revbeer.com.