News Briefs 12/27/24

Dolphin-inspired musical program set Dec. 27

A presentation of music inspired by dolphins will be held at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27, at the Lewes library. The program for all ages will include mew songs by Richard Greer and Guillermo Silveira, percussion puppets, video performers, dolphin pastry and youth participation.

UUSD to meet Dec. 29

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service of remembrance at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 29, led by lay leaders Mac and Susan Goekler, Peter Schott, Lori Rocheleau and Micah Junger. “We take time to celebrate the lives of people who affected our lives directly or indirectly, and remember those who died this past year. During this service we acknowledge their contributions, which help make us who we are today. We will celebrate through words, images and music. This is a celebration of life. Those that are remembered are with us,” said Mac Goekler.  Learn more at uussd.org.

DART sets bus service schedule for holidays

DART will operate regular weekday bus services statewide for New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.  

DART statewide services, both fixed route and paratransit, will not operate New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. See details at DartFirstState.com.

Dogfish Head sets New Year’s events

Dogfish Head announced its upcoming New Year’s festivities will include a family-friendly celebration from 2 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Milton brewery. Guests can enjoy hot chocolate and cider while watching a hop drop at sunset – 4:48 p.m. Inspired by a traditional ball drop, this festive twist will ring in the new year early. Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach will feature free live music all day Dec. 31, leading up to the ball drop at midnight in Rehoboth Beach. Chesapeake & Maine invites guests to bid farewell to 2024 at its dinner party Dec. 31. Dogfish Head and Priority Bikes invite the community to kick off the new year with a New Year’s Day bring your own bike ride at 9:45 a.m., departing from the Dogfish Inn in Lewes, to head to Rehoboth Beach for lunch at Brewings & Eats. To learn more, go to dogfish.com/events.

Flying Ivories dueling pianos to perform Dec. 31

The Milton Theatre will host a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring The Flying Ivories, a high-energy dueling pianos show guaranteed to have audiences singing, laughing and dancing the night away at 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 110 Union St., Milton.

The Flying Ivories pianists Adam Knauss and Tim Kaye bring a request-driven piano show to life with electrifying performances of audience favorites from across the decades. 

No two shows are alike, as the setlist is determined entirely by the audience, creating an engaging and entertaining atmosphere. 

Before the clock strikes midnight, there will be a special countdown to welcome 2024 with excitement and fanfare.

To purchase tickets, go to MiltonTheatre.com.

Lewes holidays closings

Lewes City Hall and the Lewes Board of Public Works offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. Both will reopen at 8 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 2.

Sussex County office holiday closings

Sussex County government offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1. Learn more at sussexcountyde.gov.

Swearing-in at Jan. 7 council meeting

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Dec. 31. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Three new council members will be sworn in: Matt Lloyd (District 1), Steve McCarron (District 2) and Jane Gruenebaum (District 3.) Learn more at sussexcountyde.gov.

Dewey Beach town hall bids close Jan. 17

Dewey Beach officials will receive bids by Friday, Jan. 17, for the new town hall building contract. They will then review the bids to establish a written recommendation for the commissioners.

According to Town Manager Bill Zolper, they aim to finalize the recommendation by Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Rehoboth postpones hearing on basements

A public hearing on changes to basement code in Rehoboth Beach was postponed from Dec. 20 to Friday, Jan. 17, due to not meeting deadlines related to public notice. Learn more at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net/portal.

Individual tickets on sale for Clear Space season openers

Clear Space Theatre announced individual tickets are now on sale for its first two productions of the 2025 season.

For the first time in Clear Space’s 20-year history, subscriptions for the new season have completely sold out. Individual tickets are likely to move quickly, so early purchases are encouraged.

The classic thriller, “Dial M for Murder” opens Friday, Jan. 24, at 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. The curtain rises Thursday, Feb. 27, on the musical, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.”  

“We are thrilled to start a new season filled with fresh beginnings as Clear Space Theatre Company enters its 21st year in 2025,” said Joe Gfaller, managing director. “’Dial M’ will keep audiences at the edge of their seats, with fresh surprises in this new adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher. And ‘Jamie’ is sure to bring joy to everyone who experiences it, especially knowing that a portion of the show’s proceeds benefits Rehoboth Beach nonprofit CAMP Rehoboth, a longtime anchor of our community.”



For more information, go to clearspacetheatre.org.

Encore Chorale rehearsals start Jan. 29

Older adults who love to sing may find a new home this spring when Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults 55+, begins its rehearsals the last week of January. No experience is necessary, and no auditions are required to join.

The Sussex County ensemble’s 90-minute rehearsals will kick off at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. 

All older adults are welcome to the rehearsal room this semester, with repertoire that brings singers together in four-part harmony with vibrant reminders of the power of music to create community.

The group will rehearse a wide variety of choral favorites, including the Gloria from Mozart’s “Mass in C Minor” and a delightful medley from “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The season will culminate in a performance that is free and open to the public.

Rehearsals meet once a week and tuition includes all materials. 

For more information and to register, go to encorecreativity.org/register.

Dewey addresses beach tent regs

Dewey Beach Town Council approved an ordinance Dec. 20 to amend its code to clarify definitions of canopy and baby tent, and to detail regulations regarding their use on the beach.

The new code establishes that traditional tents – with the exception of baby tents – are prohibited on the beach, and use of canopies on the beach is permitted, provided no canopy is set up and left unattended prior to 9 a.m.

Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher adds associate attorney

Hudson, Jones, Jaywork & Fisher LLC announced Amit U. Vyas has joined the law firm as an associate attorney. Raised in Sussex County, Vyas graduated Sussex Technical High School and then the University of Delaware in 2008. He earned his JD from Syracuse University College of Law simultaneously with his MA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Vyas primarily represents clients in the areas of criminal defense, business transactions, liquor licensing and real estate. He also represents clients in all criminal matters including DUIs, misdemeanors and felonies. He represents clients in civil matters in Delaware Superior Court and Delaware Court of Chancery, and before various administrative boards, including the Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner.

Lewes main pipe pulled under canal

Construction of the new Lewes water main canal crossing is slightly behind schedule, but moving ahead.

Tom Panetta, BPW board president, said crews from Teal Construction pulled the new pipe under the canal to the American Legion Road side Dec. 21.

Panetta said they hit what he called a few stumbling blocks, but worked into the night to get the pipe through.  He said the pipe will now be fused to pipes on the Gills Neck Road and American Legion Road sides.

Panetta said while the project will not meet the goal of being completed by the end of the year, it will be finished in January.

The new canal crossing became more critical to the city’s infrastructure after the Aug. 20 failure of another main that runs under the canal.  Residents were left without water for hours. A boil water order was issued as a precaution.

The failure left the city with a single main to provide water to the beach side.  BPW expedited permits for the new canal crossing. Work began right before Thanksgiving.

BPW awarded a $1.794 million contract to Teal for the project.

Playa Bowls Dewey location approved

Dewey Beach Town Council approved a conditional-use application Dec. 20 submitted by Keith Mushinski of Playa Bowls LLC to operate a Playa Bowls eatery at 1904 Coastal Highway, Unit C7, the former Berkshire Hathaway. 

Mushinski estimated the construction of the takeout-only restaurant to take two months or less to complete.

Rehoboth interviews solicitor candidate

During a special meeting Dec. 19, Rehoboth Beach commissioners conducted an interview with attorney Gregory Morris in reference to being hired as the new city solicitor. The commissioners also conducted an interview of candidates during an executive session to see if they would be suited as an in-house city solicitor. Ultimately, the commissioners decided to not pursue an in-house city solicitor, but instead chose to work on the details with Morris. While details are being finalized, the city is still taking city solicitor applications. The city has been without an attorney since late October.