News Briefs 12/13/24

Cordrey Charities party to benefit families in need Dec. 13

Cordrey Charities Inc. announced its 15th annual holiday party fundraiser is set for 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, in the Cordrey Center at East Coast Garden Center, 30366 Cordrey Road, Millsboro.

All proceeds go to assist Sussex County school families in need with necessities like clothing and meals, and to help brighten their holiday season with joy and comfort.

The evening will feature delectable hors d'oeuvres, festive spirits, a silent auction, and a chance for guests to mingle with neighbors and friends while dressed in finest cocktail attire.

To purchase tickets, go to eastcoastgardencenter.com. For more information or to donate a silent auction item, contact Chris at chris@rsclandscaping.com.

Nativity and music events Dec. 14 at Trinity in Lewes

Trinity Faith Christian Center will present "The Christmas Buffet," a musical celebration, and the nativity at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at 15516 New Road, Lewes. The event offers fun for the entire family. For more information, call 302-752-8112.

Winter Harmony concert seats remain for Dec. 14

The Southern Delaware Orchestra announced tickets are still available for its Winter Harmony concert to be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at Sussex Academy, 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown.

Seats are sold out for the Sunday, Dec. 15 performance at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.

The program will include pieces featuring the new brass section as well as the strings. Musical selections that reflect the theme include “Christmas Eve Suite“ by Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov, “Polar Express Concert Suite” from the American classic movie, brass fanfares from England and France, and festive sounds of Hanukkah.

See details at sodelo.org.

Metta meditation workshop set Dec. 15

HealTree will host a free Metta meditation workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, at 1632 Savannah Road, Suite 10, Lewes.

Led by the Rev. Sue Greer, attendees will spend time learning about the power of an open heart. A foundation in Buddhist traditions, Metta means loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill and interest in others.

“Through meditation on Metta, the practitioner finds the wellspring of
kindness and goodwill that comes from having an open heart. When we hold kindness toward others,
we uplift ourselves and give away abundantly our wish for a peaceful world,” said Greer. A practitioner of Zhangzhung Tibetan Buddhism, Greer has been teaching and guiding
meditation practice for more than 40 years.

Learn more at healtree.co.

Possums’ podcast hosts ‘A Christmas Carol’ director 

Possum Point Players community theater announced a new episode of Let’s Talk Possum has been released. Host Steve Givens sits down with Steven Dow, director of “A Christmas Carol,” as well as members of the cast, to talk about the production. The episode can be found on Spotify and Apple podcasts. Performances continue through Sunday, Dec. 15, at Possum Hall, 411 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown.

UUSD to meet Dec. 15

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will meet at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, with the message: Being a Religious Humanist in December. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr will draw attention to the yearly reappearance of prominent signs with a simple message: Believe? “Over the years, I’ve had a variety of reactions to these signs,” she said. “At this point I’ve been doing this ministry, life, and Unitarian Universalist thing long enough to have some thoughts and to have learned some ways of just settling down and enjoying the season.” For more information, go to uussd.org.

Lane closures coming to Plantation, Beaver Dam, Route 9

The Delaware Department of Transportation announced there will be intermittent lane closures along Plantation Road, Beaver Dam Road and Route 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning Monday, Dec. 16, and running through early January (weather permitting) to complete paving on the project.

Motorist are reminded to slow down while in work zones and to expect minor delays in the area. 

For more information, go to deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.

Holiday shows to support young musicians, culinary artists

The Room at Cedar Grove, a concert venue and supper club in Lewes, will present two holiday-focused musical events in coming days.

Marcus Johnson, an American jazz musician, producer and entrepreneur, will perform a dinner show at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15.

Local musicians David Aman and Carol Heimbach will present their holiday show at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17. Aman is well-known as the guitarist and founder of Hot Sauce Band.

All events at The Room at Cedar Grove benefit Paul Kares, a charity founded to support young performing and culinary artists. Learn more at paulkaresde.org.

Dewey finance committee meets Dec. 16

The Dewey Beach Finance Committee will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, at the Dewey Beach Lifesaving Station on Dagsworthy Avenue. The group will receive a presentation of current financial reports. 

Members will also discuss and possibly vote to provide recommendations to town council regarding the draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube with the option to participate via Zoom. 

To view the agenda, go to townofdeweybeach.com.

Lewes environmental group to meet Dec. 16

The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, at city hall.

The group will discuss and possibly take action regarding allowance of a meadow in lieu of grass.

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

Lewes parks panel to meet Dec. 16

The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action regarding a collaborative AARP grant to design a bench as a public art project.

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

Senate Democrats announce committee assignments

Committee assignments for upcoming 153rd General Assembly were announced Dec. 10 pending an extraordinary session Monday, Dec. 16.

Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, is tapped to chair the Agriculture Committee and to vice chair the Environment, Energy & Transportation, Housing, and Legislative Oversight & Sunset committees. He will also serve on Executive, Health & Social Services, and Veterans Affairs.

“The Senate is ready to hit the ground running on day one of the new legislative session,” Sokola said. “Our committee roster reflects the range of professional, personal, and legislative backgrounds that each of our 21 senators bring to the table.”

Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, will serve on Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology; Corrections & Public Safety; Environment, Energy & Transportation; Executive; Judiciary; Legislative Council; Legislative Oversight & Sunset; Rules & Ethics; and Veterans Affairs.

Minority Leader Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, will serve on Agriculture; Executive; Housing; Legislative Council; Rules & Ethics; and Veterans Affairs.

Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln, will serve on Agriculture; Health & Social Services; and Veterans Affairs.

Lewes bike group to meet Dec. 17

The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, at city hall.

The group will discuss and possibly make a recommendation to mayor and council on whether to allow or ban parking on Savannah Road from the Lewes-Georgetown Trail crossing to Drake Knoll.

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

Last council meeting of year on Dec. 17

Sussex County Council will hold its last meeting of 2024 at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. 

Included on the agenda is recognition of outgoing council members Mike Vincent, Mark Schaeffer and Cindy Green. All three were defeated during the past election. Vincent (District 1), the current president, served four terms for a total of 16 years, while Schaeffer (District 3) and Green (District 2) each served one term.

Also, council will hear an update on the Excite Sussex loan program and possibly vote on an amended condition concerning a gate on Stockley Boulevard between the Governors development and Village Center cottages.

See a complete agenda and meeting information at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are available at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast or by phone at 302-394-5036.

Lewes planning meeting canceled

The Lewes Planning Commission has canceled its meeting set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Rollins Center.

The panel’s next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Preliminary Land Use Service to meet Dec. 18

The Preliminary Land Use Service will meet at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, virtually and in person in Room 133, Haslet Armory, 122 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. South, Dover. 

At 9 a.m., the group will discuss a project proposed for the Street Property on the east side of Cool Spring Road, about 1,700 feet north of Stockley Road. As proposed, the project includes 183 single-family home lots on 94 acres. 

The property is zoned AR-1 agricultural-residential, and falls within Level 4 of the Strategies for State Policies on Spending. Go to publicmeetings.delaware.gov to view the meeting. 

Spa services kindness giveaway nominations due Dec. 20

Ebb + Flow Holistic Spa in Lewes is celebrating kindness this month by giving away one-hour services to three individuals. Community members are invited to nominate people who selflessly give time, energy and compassion to others but rarely take time for themselves. Nominations are being accepted through Friday, Dec. 20. For more information, go to ebbflowspa.com and click on Unwrap Kindness Giveaway. Three winners will be selected and notified Monday, Dec. 23.

Christmas Eve services at St. John in Milton

The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist will hold its Christmas Eve service with carols at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24, with the worship service starting at 8 p.m. The church is at 307 Federal St., Milton. Learn more at stjohnthebaptistmilton.org.

Delaware E-ZPass sale runs through Dec. 31

Delaware E-ZPass announced anyone who opens a new individual account through Tuesday, Dec. 31, receives a free E-ZPass transponder.

To open an account, go to ezpassde.com and click on sign up or visit the E-ZPass Service Center at 22-24 West Loockerman St., Dover, or the toll plazas in Dover, Biddle’s Corner and Newark. Walk-in service is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday,  and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“An E-ZPass can save you time and money,” said Amy Anthony, Division of Motor Vehicles director. “E-ZPass customers can avoid delays by utilizing the high-speed toll lane, and discounts are also available for frequent travelers.”

Currently, there are more than 646,000 active E-ZPass transponders in Delaware. Collectively, Dover, Newark and Biddle’s Corner toll plazas process on average 148,265 E-ZPass transactions daily.

DMV reminds all customers, whether paying by cash or transponder, please obey the posted limit of 10 miles per hour when traveling through toll plazas in Delaware. 

14th RD Dems to elect new leaders Jan. 8

The 14th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet to elect new committee members at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Iron Hill Brewery on Route 1 north of Rehoboth Beach.

The program will begin at 5 p.m. with a Dutch treat dinner, followed by the election at 6 p.m. and a business meeting to elect new committee officers. According to Democratic Party rules, Delaware’s district committees must reorganize every four years following a presidential election.

Nominees for committee membership must be registered Democrats residing in the 14th RD for at least one year before the reorganization date, and attend the meeting in person. Elected committee members will then serve until the first quarter of 2029, attending meetings and Democratic functions, and performing other tasks as local party leaders.

The 14th RD Committee represents Democrats who live in and around Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach.

Anyone planning to attend the 14th RD committee meeting must preregister to verify party membership by Monday, Jan. 6, by emailing c.fruchtman@comcast.net.

To view district boundaries and for more information, go to ivote.de.gov and 14thRDDelDems.com.

Lewes repeals loitering law

Lewes Mayor and City Council voted 3-2, Dec. 9, to repeal Chapter 123, the city’s loitering law.

Council accepted the recommendation of Police Chief Tom Spell, who was following guidance from Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings.

Jennings announced in October that the state would no longer enforce loitering or soliciting statutes, following a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Jennings said she will introduce legislation in the upcoming legislative session to better align laws with constitutional protections, according to the ACLU.

Spell assured council that he has other charging alternatives, such as disorderly conduct and lewdness laws, that can be enforced.

Spell said he has not used the city’s loitering code in his time as chief, relying on state statutes instead.

Mayor Andrew Williams and Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba voted against the repeal, with Williams calling his vote a political statement.

“I find it strange that that’s OK for someone to just stay somewhere indefinitely, but I understand there are other tools,” Williams said.

Saliba did not comment.

Sussex council awards nonprofit grants

At its Jan. 10 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded more than $30,000 in councilmanic and countywide youth grants: $1,100 to Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding Inc. for its Equine Program for Veterans; $4,000 to Tether Foundation for its Camp Abilities Delaware program in the Cape Henlopen, Laurel and Indian River school districts; $5,000 to Sussex County Rotary for its Can-Do Playground at Hudson Park; $5,000 to Children’s Beach House for the Out of School Time support program in the HOB and Milton elementary schools; $5,000 to Greater Lewes Foundation for its 4th Annual Rally for Our First Responders; $5,000 to CAMP Rehoboth for its Health and Wellness in the Community program; $4,000 to Sussex County Land Trust, for its Dogfish Dash sponsorship; $2,000 to the Town of Laurel for the 4th of July fireworks display; $2,000 to Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization for its senior center program; $1,100 to New Coverdale Outreach Mission for its Thanksgiving program; $500 to Kim and Evans Family Foundation for its Paint the Town Red – Celebration and Dance; $4,000 to Community Resource Center for its Safe Harbor Day Shelter; $750 to Eastern AFRAM for the AFRAM Festival and Dr. King celebration; and $2,000 to Seaford Historical Society for milestone and grinding stones signage.