News Briefs 1/31/25
Free pediatric dental appointments available Feb. 1
Coastal Kids Pediatric Dentistry will take part in Give Kids a Smile, a program to give free dental services to children under the age of 18, Saturday, Feb. 1, at 51 Fallon Ave., Seaford. With scheduled appointments, Dr. Jessica Dicerbo and Dr. Jeremy Irving will donate their time and services to provide cleanings with X-rays and fluoride treatments, and basic restorative dental work. The ADA program is run by the Delaware State Dental Society and organized by Dr. Douglas Ditty. To book an appointment, email GKASSEAFORD@gmail.com or call 302-644-4460.
UUSD to meet Feb. 2
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 2, with Remaking Our World Now as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “There are a thousand threads and pressures pulling at our hearts and minds. In February, in the midst of an ongoing loneliness epidemic, in the onslaught of this new administration, what are we being called to do, to tend, to remember?” For more information, go to uussd.org.
Lewes home-based biz panel to meet
The Lewes Home Occupations Subcommittee will meet at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at city hall.
The panel will discuss a draft of proposed home-based business regulations.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes environmental group to meet Feb. 3
The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, at city hall.
The panel is scheduled to discuss the city’s zoning code regarding parking spaces. See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Retirement lunch-and-learn series kicks off Feb. 3
Delaware Retiree Connection will offer a free educational series on retirement planning, with sessions set from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mondays, Feb. 3, 10 and 17, at Lewes Public Library.
Topics include redefining retirement to include fulfilling experiences, establishing life goals and learning how to use money more effectively.
Presenter Len Hayduchok is the founder of Delaware Retiree Connection, and CEO and owner of Dedicated Financial Services. As a fiduciary, certified financial planner and certified life coach, he helps guide others to make the most of their retirement. Investment advisory services are offered through SGL Financial LLC.
To reserve a space, go to dedicatedfinancial.com.
There is no cost or obligation for attendees; sessions are for educational purposes only, and no products will be sold.
Sussex P&Z meeting slated for Feb. 5
Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the county administration building at 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
Included on the agenda are two preliminary site-plan reviews, one for a new Delaware State Police Troop 4 building south of Georgetown and one for Twin Branch winery near Milton.
The commission has also included four area projects under old business for possible votes: rezoning and conditional-use applications for Creekside subdivision, a 116-unit multifamily development along Banks Road near Long Neck; and conditional-use applications filed by J&T Properties LLC and Jane Brady for two lots on Savannah Road for office space at the Wescoats Road intersection.
The commission will also have a presentation and discussion on development activity and trends. The meeting will be streamed live at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast. Meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov.
Browseabout Book Club to meet Feb. 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, Feb. 9, will focus on Oleg Tokarczuk's “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.”
Browseabout’s Words That Bleed book club will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16, for a discussion of “A Head Full Of Ghosts” by Paul Tremblay. 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, Feb. 23, focusing on “Koresh” by Stephen Talty.
The book clubs are free to join and require no registration. For more information, go to browseaboutbooks.com.
Preservation group to meet Feb. 11
The Sussex Preservation Coalition will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, and Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach, will be the featured speakers.
Attendees should register in advance by emailing spcde.org@gmail.com. A Zoom link for remote viewing will be available at SussexPreservationCoalition.org. Huxtable and Snyder-Hall will offer comments on state government operations, take some SPC-prepared questions and then address audience questions. “To reach our goals, SPC recognizes that all of us will need to collaborate with state officials,” said Jill Hicks, SPC president. “This panel will help us better understand state government.”
Before his 2022 election as District 6 state senator, Huxtable led a nonprofit that assisted in affordable housing and community development, helped residents pursue homeownership and provided home repairs for low-income families.
A former teacher, Snyder-Hall previously led the Delaware office of Common Cause and focused on voting rights expansion, campaign finance reform and government transparency. She was elected as District 14 state representative in 2024. SPC is a coalition of Sussex County environmental groups dedicated to preserving and protecting local ecosystems. Its mission is to increase the impact of groups and individuals by working together to educate, organize, advocate and act.
Family fun night set Feb. 14
Zion United Methodist Church will host a Valentine’s Day family fun night from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at 26743 Broadkill Road, Milton. Pizza and games will be provided, and guests can bring a favorite game to share.
Food Bank seeks canned soup donations thru Feb. 17
The Food Bank of Delaware is collecting canned soup donations through its third annual SOUPer Bowl drive.
“The SOUPer Bowl food drive is a fun and easy way for our community to tackle hunger and make a real difference for our neighbors in need,” said Cathy Kanefsky, Food Bank of Delaware president and CEO. “This year’s drive is extra exciting as the Philadelphia Eagles head to the big game.”
Donations may be dropped off to specially marked collection boxes at the FBD facility at 102 Delaware Veterans Blvd., Milford.
Pickup can be arranged for donations of more than 20 bags The goal is to collect 2,025 pounds of soup by Monday, Feb. 17.
Donations will directly benefit individuals experiencing food insecurity who visit the Food Bank’s on-site healthy pantry centers in Newark and Milford. On average, more than 100 people visit the pantries each weekday.
Free lecture on Lewes school integration set Feb. 22
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission will present a free lecture on "Integrating the Lewes Public Schools” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Lewes Elementary School auditorium. The event includes a light lunch reception.
As part of its 2025 Black History Month Program, the commission will welcome some of the students who were part of integrating Lewes public schools in 1961-62 to share their stories and memories.
Hoop It Up For Prostate Cancer set March 29
Hoop It Up For Prostate Cancer, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, is set for 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, in the Holy Cross gymnasium, 631 South State St., Dover. The event’s purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To learn more, go to eventbrite.com.
Council grant to fund KSI arts program in Georgetown
A generous grant from Sussex County Council will help KSI fund a music arts residency program at its Georgetown campus. Sussex County Council has supported KSI’s transportation department for many years, and members were enthusiastic about supporting a new arts project.
A nonprofit agency, KSI provides vocational training, employment, community integration, transportation, day habilitation, life enrichment and nutritional services to individuals with disabilities throughout Sussex and Kent counties.
