Meolis named 2025 Mae Hall McCabe Award winners

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards luncheon and installation of its board March 20 at the Cambria Hotel.

The 2025 Mae Hall McCabe Award – the chamber’s big award – went to Mike and Kelli Meoli of the Meoli Companies. Mike said he learned about giving back to the community from his dad and grandfather. 

“Somewhere along the way, it comes back to you in spades,” said Mike. “It’s an honor to be able to feel our fingerprints on making this community better.”

Mike said it hasn’t always been easy, but Kelli made it possible with her patience and willingness to allow him to spend many hours volunteering or at meetings outside work.

They’re so deserving, said chamber President and CEO Carol Everhart. They do so much, she said.

Cultured Pearl owner Susan Wood took over as chamber board chair. TKo Hospitality Management’s Vince DiFonzo had been chair the last couple of years.

Wood said the chamber board is a diverse collection of business owners that does a good job considering the needs of the business community. It’s not just about parking or the need for more tourists, she said.

Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill was named the 2024 Business of the Year. Owner Jimmy O’Conor was also previously named the Mae Hall McCabe Award winner in 2017.

O’Conor accepted the award on behalf of his employees, who, he said, do the hard work. There were three full tables of employees from Woody’s who showed up for the event.

“I know I’m not always easy to deal with,” he said.

Patrice Gancie was presented with the 2025 Town of Dewey Beach Volunteer of the Year Award for her work creating Dewey in Bloom.

“Thanks to the visitors, who even on a Saturday night, didn’t destroy our boxes,” said Gancie.

Longtime chamber volunteer Pam McCutcheon was presented with the 2025 Cheryl Blackman Volunteer of the Year Award for her decades of work related to Sea Witch.

“Sea Witch is my thing, and I love every minute of it,” said McCutcheon.

A number of businesses were recognized for their longevity – Bad Hair Day? for 30 years, Just In Thyme for 40 years, and Bellinger’s Jewelers and Browseabout Books for 50 years.

Bad Hair Day? owner Drexel Davison said it was an honor to be recognized with the other longstanding businesses. He said it’s a group of people who have gotten knocked down, gotten back up again, and then made payroll on Friday.