News Briefs 4/18/25
UUSD to meet April 20
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 20, with "A Stranger with Your Hair” as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “In this year's annual Unitarian Universalists pondering of Easter Sunday, we will reflect on the resurrection as a metaphorical experience of grief. When someone is so imprinted on our hearts that we see them everywhere, even after they are gone, could that be grief? When an experience was so powerful that we cannot stop talking about it and bringing it forward into our present, could that be grief? When he/she/they are always with us now, could that be grief?” An Easter egg hunt will follow the service. Learn more at uussd.org.
Apply for LFD scholarship by April 21
Each year, the Lewes Fire Department awards its Thornton A. Shipley Scholarship to a high school senior residing within the Lewes Fire District who will be continuing their education at an institution of higher learning. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 21.
The scholarship application form is available on the Lewes Fire Department website at lewesfire.com, and a map depicting the LFD fire district is included.
The scholarship honors the late Thornton A. Shipley, a life member of the department, and is a one-time award of $1,500, good for the first year of the student’s attendance at an institution of higher learning of their choice. In case of a two-way tie, the amount will be divided, $750 per applicant.
To apply, fill out the linked Google Form and submit to LFDScholarship@gmail.com.
Lewes panel to hold special meeting
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will hold a special meeting to discuss its guidelines and standards at 1 p.m., Monday, April 21, at the Rollins Center.
See the agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes parks group to meet April 21
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, April 21, at the Rollins Center.
The agenda includes a presentation from Art In Bloom regarding placing painted wooden totems with garden-related themes in park gardens.
Lewes bike group to meet April 22
The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion and possible action on the Lewes-Georgetown Trail crossing at Gills Neck Road.
See the agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Trail closing hours for April 23, 24
Delaware Department of Transportation recently announced that the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail will be closed overnight during the hours of midnight to 8 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, from Cool Spring Road to Savannah Road.
Weather conditions may affect these plans. Phone 800-652-5600 or 302-760-2080 for details. The closures are to allow required herbicide application for vegetation control.
DelDOT and its hired contractor only apply herbicides registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for vegetation-control purposes.
The EPA has determined through testing and review that when applied according to label instructions, these herbicides pose no unreasonable risks to human health, wildlife or the environment.
Friends of Millsboro Library jewelry sale set April 24-26
Friends of the Millsboro Public Library will host its annual jewelry extravaganza fundraiser from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, April 25, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at 217 West State St., Millsboro. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for payment.
Proceeds will be used for the children’s reading programs and for e-book purchases.
All year, library patrons and friends have been donating gently used jewelry in preparation for the event. Hundreds of items will sell in the $1 to $10 price range. A silent auction table featuring more-expensive items will also support the group’s fundraising efforts.
Avoiding Probate free estate-planning class set April 29
Delaware Money School will host Avoiding Probate, a free financial class, from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St., Georgetown.
Deirdre O’Shea McCartney, Esq., will facilitate. The class covers avoiding probate, how to make the transition of property occur seamlessly at the time of death, without opening an estate. Having written, spoken and taught on the subject many times, McCartney breaks concepts down to simple, understandable layman’s terms. This class focuses only on steps the lay person can take so assets transfer at death to the intended beneficiaries by operation of law, immediately and automatically. Those who have served as a personal representative or executor of an estate know firsthand how complex, expensive and time-consuming the probate process can be.
Everyone should have a will prepared by a competent attorney. This class teaches how to prepare an estate in such a manner that the entire probate process can be avoided and the will never comes into play.
Advance registration is required at demoneyschool.org.
The money school is a program of the nonprofit Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council. To learn more, go to dcrac.org.
Sussex County Democratic Committee spring dinner set May 3
The Sussex County Democratic Committee will hold its annual spring dinner from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown.
The annual event helps raise funds to support Democratic candidates and party events that organize and energize county Democrats.
Guests will enjoy an evening of fellowship, tasty cuisine and inspiring speakers including elected officials from the state and county. Keynote speaker Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, will discuss what county Democrats can do to defend democracy and civil liberties in this time of heightened political tensions.
“This is more than just a dinner,” said Jeff Balk, SCDC chair. “It’s a moment for Democrats to stand shoulder to shoulder with our community, celebrate our shared values and get fired up for the road ahead.”
Event Co-Chair Loretta Benson said, “In these challenging times for our nation, there’s nothing more powerful than coming together for an evening of unity, inspiration and resolve.”
To learn more, visit sussexcountydems.com.
‘Steel Magnolias’ performances to open May 9 in Milford
For its spring production, Milford’s Second Street Players will present the comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias” Friday to Sunday, May 9 to 11, and May 16 to 18, at the Riverfront Theater, 2 S. Walnut St., Milford.
The story is set in Louisiana, where the ladies who are “anybody” go to Truvy’s beauty salon to have their hair done. Helped by her new assistant, Annelle (Kori Lewandowski), outspoken Truvy ( Lori Ann Johnson) not only does hair, but also provides free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon Ouiser (Cheryl Graves), an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee (Gina Shuck), and the local social leader, M’Lynn (Cat Baker), whose daughter Shelby (Abbie Porter) will be marrying a good ole boy. In a tale filled with humor, verbal repartee, love and loss, the ladies are confronted with their own mortality while drawing strength and love from each other.
Written by Robert Harling, the play was inspired by the real-life events of the author’s sister, Susan Harling-Robinson. The show is directed by Becky Craft with Glen Pruitt as assistant director.
To learn more, go to secondstreetplayers.com.
Ellendale fire auxiliary seeks May 10 marketplace vendors
The Ellendale Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary will host its spring marketplace from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at 302 Main St., Ellendale. Craft vendors, food trucks, yard sale tables and informational tables will be set up on the fire department grounds. To learn more, email town.terrie.ottomano@outlook.com.
Nanticoke Indian Association fundraiser set May 13
The Millsboro Chick-fil-A will host a dine-and-donate event from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, to benefit the Nanticoke Indian Association Inc. scholarship fund. Customers must use the Chick-fil-A app to place orders and click the community care button when submitting.
Bayhealth earns nod for excellence in care for senior patients
An active participant in the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement, Bayhealth announced its special recognition among Age-Friendly Health Systems – Committed to Care Excellence by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. This distinction requires working toward reliable practice of a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care for all older adults, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mind and Mobility.
“Bayhealth is proud to join the ranks of organizations globally achieving success toward excellence in care for older adults. The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative continues to be an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult in our community with the best care possible,” said Felicia Cruz, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, RN-BC. “We strive to provide excellent care to older adults and care partners in our community whom we serve.”
Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
Delaware NAACP launches partnership with Dover FCU
Delaware NAACP State Conference of Branches announced a new partnership with Dover Federal Credit Union. The collaboration is designed to deliver lasting financial empowerment to NAACP members nationwide.
All current and prospective NAACP members in Delaware are now eligible to join DCFU and take advantage of its suite of financial products, services and educational resources tailored to support long-term economic strength and stability.
“This partnership is a about economic liberation,” said Fleur McKendell, Delaware NAACP president. “We’re not just opening bank accounts, we’re opening doors to financial freedom. This is a win for our members, for our families and for our futures.”
As a non-for-profit, member-owned institution, DFCU shares the NAACP’s mission to uplift communities through access, equity and opportunity. This partnership places NAACP members among those of more than 500 organizations already served by Dover FCU.
To learn more, go to naacp.org and doverfcu.com.
Insight Homes expands to serve Eastern Shore property owners
Insight Homes, a Delaware-based builder of award-winning, energy-efficient homes, announced the expansion of its Build On Your Land program into Queen Anne, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties in Maryland.
The expansion offers property owners on the Eastern Shore seamless and simplified path to building their dream Insight Home on their own land. Insight Homes' process takes the stress and complexity out of home construction. From initial planning and permitting to final construction and handover, Insight manages every detail to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for homeowners, providing expert advice and transparent communication.
"We are thrilled to bring our Build On Your Land program to the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland," said Debbi Brunner, marketing manager. "We understand the unique appeal of owning land in these counties, and we're excited to offer residents the opportunity to build a gorgeous and incredibly energy-efficient Insight Home that perfectly complements their property."
Sussex Habitat celebrates Women Build volunteers
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity held its annual Women Build initiative March 3-14, with women-led volunteer teams from across the county making an incredible show of strength, dedication and community spirit.
Over the two weeks, 18 Women Build teams stepped up to make a tangible difference in communities from Laurel to Rehoboth, working on home construction and repairs that help advance Habitat’s mission of safe and affordable housing for all.
Inspiring women who gave time and energy to Habitat’s cause include the Angela Team, the Jailbird Team, the Middle Creek Preserve Team, the M&T Bank Team, the Common Thread Team, the GWOR Team, the Pelican Girls Team, the Phyllibetsers Team, the Fairway Team, the State Farm Team and the CAMP Rehoboth Team.
“Women Build is one of our favorite times of year,” said Jenell Mattera, Sussex Habitat volunteer services manager. “It’s such a powerful reminder of what’s possible when women come together to support each other and strengthen their communities. We’re so grateful for every volunteer who showed up and made an impact.”
