News Briefs 4/11/25

Quiet Resorts coastal cleanup registration due April 11

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Keep Delaware Beautiful, will host the Coastal Delaware Community Clean Up from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, April 12. Groups and individuals are invited to adopt and clean up a section of roadway throughout the Quiet Resorts. Participants can clean up roadways wherever they see a need or can be assigned to an area. Registered volunteers will check in, receive cleaning supplies and return collected trash to be discarded at the Inland Bays Garden Center, 38320 Muddy Neck Road, Frankford. Walk-up registrations are welcome before 11 a.m., April 12. Last year’s cleanup saw more than 100 volunteers collect and dispose of a total of 2,200 pounds of trash. Signup is due by 8 a.m., Friday, April 11, at thequietresorts.com. To learn more, call 302-539-2100.

Walk for Autism set April 12 in Dover

Autism Delaware will present the 2025 Walk for Autism, with start times at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Dover Motor Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover. The 9 a.m. start will be a quiet walk. This year marks a significant change as the event moves to a one-day format in lieu of having two separate event days upstate and downstate. The annual event brings together families, friends and community members in support of individuals and families affected by autism. To access the event space, participants must register in advance at autismdelaware.org. Only service animals are permitted at the venue.

UUSD to meet April 13

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 13, with the topic, “For a Glimmer of Hope.” The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “Does everyone pray in the end? What is it about the intimate, direct, honesty of prayer? What is the surrender inherent in our understanding of prayer, that some of us embrace, some of us can’t quite let go of, and some of us prefer to avoid? Have we lost something if we’ve forgone a practice of prayer?” If  weather permits, an evacuation drill will be held near the end of the service. Learn more at uussd.org.

Coolspring Presbyterian sets Holy Week services

Coolspring Presbyterian Church, led by the Rev. Dr. Anne Ledbetter, announced its services for Holy Week. All are welcome. Palm Sunday service with communion and the Coolspring choir is set for 9:30 a.m., April 13.
Maundy Thursday service with communion is set for 5:30 p.m., April 17, with soup supper to follow in the community hall. Easter Sunday worship service is set for 9:30 a.m., April 20. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., Coolspring is located at 28843 Log Cabin Hill Road, Lewes. To learn more, go to coolspringchurch.org.

Israel UMC sets Holy Week services

Israel United Methodist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Marjorie Belmont, will hold its Passion Palm Sunday worship service with communion at 10 a.m., April 13, at 20230 Plantation Road, Lewes. A Good Friday Service is set for 1 p.m., April 18, at the church and online via Zoom. In commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, “Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ from the Cross” will be presented. Guest speakers will be lay ministers and lay servants from Israel UMC, and Zoar UMC in Selbyville. An Easter Sunday worship service will take place at 10 a.m., April 20, at the church and via Zoom. To learn more and request Zoom links, email Betty Streett at bjnscruisers@aol.com.

St. Peter’s announces Holy Week services starting April 13

St. Peter’s Church in the heart of downtown Lewes invites all to join in reflection, prayer and worship during Holy Week, which marks the final week of Lent and the events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

This year’s Holy Week schedule includes Palm Sunday worship with procession of the palms at 8 and 10 a.m., Sunday, April 13. Also at 10 a.m., there will be a Last Supper reenactment in the parish hall; all ages are welcome.

Stations of the Cross will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 14. A service of Holy Eucharist will begin at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 16. 

A Maundy Thursday worship service with foot washing will begin at 7 p.m., April 17, followed by an overnight vigil in the chapel.

The Liturgy for Good Friday service will be held at noon, April 18, and the Great Vigil of Easter will begin at 7 p.m., Holy Saturday, April 19. 

Services for Easter Sunday, April 20, will begin at 8 a.m. with a Festal Choral Eucharist in the church featuring trumpets, followed by a second such service at 10 a.m. A Holy Eucharist service with hymns will be held at 10 a.m. in the parish hall with an Easter egg hunt following.

Learn more at stpeterslewes.org.

Lewes council to meet April 14

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 14, at city hall.

The agenda includes presentation, discussion and possible action on a request from the Public Art Committee regarding the installation of two benches in Mary Vessels Park. 

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

Plant sales to benefit Epworth food ministry April 14-May 3

The Epworth United Methodist Church food ministry is hosting a plant sale fundraiser online from Monday, April 14 to Saturday, May 3, in partnership with Proven Winners Direct. Selections include annuals, perennials, shrubs, indoor plants, vegetables, herbs, seeds, containers and gardening supplies. To ensure 15% of sales benefit Epworth, orders must be made through the direct link at bit.ly/eumc-plant-sale. Plants are shipped directly to buyers from Proven Winners greenhouses in Carleton, Mich.

Lewes finance panel to meet April 15

The Lewes Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 15, at city hall.

The agenda includes review and discussion of the city's capital improvement plan.

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

Rehoboth-Dewey chamber to meet April 16

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a general membership luncheon meeting at 12 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the second-floor event space at Nicola Pizza, 17323 Ocean One Plaza, Lewes. The guest speaker will be Lt. William Harris from the Delaware State Police Intelligence and Homeland Security Section. Harris will discuss the responsibility of the Delaware Information and Analysis Center to communicate with the business sector with the goal to combat retail crime. Register at beach-fun.com/meeting-registration.html.

AAUW to host Speak Out Against Hate founders April 17

AAUW Coastal-Georgetown Branch will meet at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 17, at The Lodge at Historic Lewes.

The founding members of Speak Out Against Hate will be the featured speakers. After experiencing an anti-Semitic incident at her home, Leslie Slan joined forces with Patty Maloney to found SOAH, enlisting members of Seaside Jewish Community Social Justice Committee and four members from Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice.

Slan’s entire career was in education, and she has always been civic-minded. Maloney was with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland for 29 years. She also has had a lifelong passion for social causes.

For more information, go to georgetown-de.aauw.net or contact Glenda Risch, branch president, at grisch53@gmail.com.

RD20 Democrats to meet April 17

The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at the Lewes Diner, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m. 

Representatives from the ACLU of Delaware will lead a Firewall for Freedom training session. Andrew Bernstein, voting rights fellow, and two Smart Justice Campaign ambassadors will discuss steps Delaware officials and Delawareans can take to protect civil liberties in the current political environment.

RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pinetown, Belltown, and sections of Harbeson and Georgetown. Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate in RD20’s social hour and business meeting.

For more information, go to rd20deldems.com. 

Area churches announce Easter events

Goshen United Methodist Church at 103 Mulberry St., Milton will present a worship play, “Is It I,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 17. An Easter Sunday worship service will begin at 11 a.m., April 20. Call 302-684-3328 for details.                                

Indian Mission UMC at 22701 Indian Mission Road, Harbeson, will hold a Good Friday worship service starting at 6 p.m., April 18. The Easter Sunday worship service will begin at 9:30 a.m., April 20. For more information, call 410-808-4371.                                         

Zion UMC at 26743 Broadkill Road, Milton, will hold an Easter Sunday sunrise worship service at 6 a.m., April 20, followed by breakfast. An Easter Sunday worship service will begin at 8 a.m. Call 410-808-4371 to learn more.

St. Edmond sets Holy Week services

St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church announced its upcoming Holy Week services. Holy Thursday mass is set for 7 p.m., April 17. A Good Friday service will be held at 12 p.m., April 18. Holy Saturday services include a blessing of food at 10:15 a.m. and an Easter vigil at 8 p.m., April 19. 

Easter Sunday services are set for 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., April 20, in the church; at 9 a.m. in the parish hall; and at 9 and 10:30 a.m., at Rehoboth Elementary School. St. Edmond is at Laurel Street and King Charles Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. Learn more at stedmond.org.

Easter egg hunt and games set April 19

Israel United Methodist Church will host its annual Easter egg hunt, games and activities from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 19, in the parking lot at 20230 Plantation Road, Lewes. The rain date will be Saturday, April 26, at the same time. Youngsters up to age 16 are invited to bring baskets and participate. All are welcome and encouraged to bring chairs for seating. 

For more information, contact Raquel Farmer, youth ministry director, at 302-747-3826 or ladyr1969@gmail.com.

Roadwork on Rt. 24 at Angola begins April 21

The Delaware Department of Transportation announced work will begin Monday, April 21, on the final phase of road improvements on Route 24 at Angola Road and Robinsonville Road.  Motorists can expect new traffic patterns and nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on all three roads for milling, overlay paving, and final signing and striping through Monday, May 19.  

Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and expect minor delays while in the area.  For details, go to deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.

Smart spending in retirement is April 22 topic

InFocus Financial Advisors Inc. will host Don’t Leave It All to Your Kids, a free class about spending smart in retirement, from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. Robert Jeter, CRPC, CFP will facilitate the session.

Topics to be covered include: creating a spending strategy that maximizes spending during early and more active years of retirement; how following traditional spending rules during retirement might not always be more valuable or rewarding; and leaving kids with a healthy amount of money without compromising one’s budget during retirement. Jeter’s goal is to help people become aware of the challenges of investing in retirement and teach suitable ways to overcome them.

Airport advisory group to meet 

The Delaware Coastal Airport Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at the Emergency Operations Center, 21911 Rudder Lane, Georgetown. The meeting is open to the public.

Southern Delaware Orchestra sets concerts April 26-27 

The Southern Delaware Orchestra will perform Sounds of Spring concerts at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at Indian River High School, 29772 Armory Road, Dagsboro; and at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 27, at Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Highway, Lewes.

Learn more at sodelo.org.

Rehoboth fire company benefit at Palm Beach Grill set April 27

The Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company will receive a portion of dining proceeds from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 27, at Palm Beach Bar and Grill in the Midway Shopping Center, 18585 Coastal Highway, Unit 23, Rehoboth Beach.

RBVFC members will be on hand to answer questions and sell T-shirts. The volunteer fire company protects a full-time population of 30,000 people and a seasonal population of over 300,000. Its coverage area includes 32 square miles including Dewey Beach and part of Henlopen Acres. With three stations in operation, members respond to over 4,800 fire, rescue and EMS calls every year. All fire and rescue calls are staffed by volunteer firefighters. Its 15 full-time career EMTs operate two ambulances around the clock all year. Both firefighters and EMT staff are highly trained with the goal to provide the very best professional fire, rescue and emergency medical services to local communities and visitors. All proceeds benefit the purchase of equipment for the RBVFC, a 501c3 nonprofit, non-government organization.

School board forum slated for April 29

The Sunshine Circle Club will host a candidate forum at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at Lewes Public Library, with the six people running for seats on the Cape Henlopen School District Board of Education.

The forum offers an opportunity for voters to get to know the candidates ahead of the Tuesday, May 13 elections.

Federal employee advocacy group seeks volunteers

The Delaware Federation of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association is seeking new leaders to serve in the roles of president, vice president and treasurer. Current state officers have been active for more than 10 years, and members thank them for their service. Delaware residents who are active NARFE members are valued and encouraged to support the state organization. All of these positions take about four hours a month of service, plus board meetings, usually held via Zoom, three or four times a year. At this time, NARFE is more important than ever in supporting both retired federal employees and those still active in the workforce. To learn more, interested volunteers may contact Vinnie Warr at vinniewarr@gmail.com.

Lewes panel OKs St. Peter’s renovations

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission approved the second phase of renovations for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at its April 3 meeting.

The church will be converting Hart House to office and instruction space, while adding two visible public entrances to the rear of the church at Third and Mulberry streets.

The renovations include adding a glass portico, new exterior door to the parish hall and hardscaping. Find the meeting agenda and video link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Nassau Commons Blvd. work to resume

A project to widen Nassau Commons Boulevard is scheduled to resume April 15, weather permitting, closing much of the road for two months, contractor A-Del Construction announced this week. 

The project will consist of water main work, storm drain installations and full roadway reconstruction. This work will be done under a road closure on Nassau Commons from Route 9 to about 500 feet east of Vineyard Lane, including a closure of Vineyard Lane just north of Nassau Commons Boulevard. 

Delivery trucks for Redner's supermarket will have access from the north end of Vineyard Lane through the side parking lot to gain access to the loading dock area during road closure.

Work is being done on Nassau Commons Boulevard to make it a state road and clear the way for resumption of construction at the adjacent Vineyards housing and commercial development that fronts on Route 9.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has told the developer that it cannot continue the Vineyards project until the roadwork is complete and a traffic light is installed at the intersection of Route 9 and Nassau Commons Boulevard.

OAW unveils new dog licensing website 

The Office of Animal Welfare recently launched its new dog licensing and complimentary lost pet service for Delaware dog owners.

OAW partnered with DocuPet, an online pet registration provider, to offer a more convenient and accessible way for owners to register their pets, with the added benefit of keeping lost dogs out of shelters and helping return them home safely.

Owners who license their dogs on the DocuPet platform will receive their assigned tag with a unique code that links directly to a dog’s secure online profile. Anyone who finds a lost pet can reference the code, which will create a Found Pet Report in seconds. Owners can also create Lost Pet Reports as soon as they realize their pet has gone missing. DocuPet’s dedicated dispatch staff is available to reunite lost pets with their families around the clock.

Delaware requires licensing for all dogs 6 months of age or older, along with a valid rabies vaccination. To encourage compliance and as part of the new partnership, the state is waiving late fees for expired licenses until Tuesday, July 15. Current licenses will remain active until their expiration date.

Owners can learn more and register pets online at stateofdelaware.docupet.com. 

Rehoboth back to twice-weekly pickup

It’s mid-April, which means Rehoboth Beach has returned to twice-a-week pickup for residential waste. Residential trash pickup on the south side will take place Mondays and Thursdays through October. Pickup on the north side, including the Schoolvue area, is Tuesday and Friday through October. City commercial businesses contract directly with private providers for service.

City waste collection is for typical household trash and garbage only. The city does not collect the following items as part of its weekly waste collection service: construction materials such as wood and debris, tires, concrete, electronics, items that may contain refrigerant, and hazardous waste such as paints and batteries.

For more information on trash collection, contact the city at call 302-227-2637 or email lmcevoy@rehobothbeachde.gov.

For information about recycling household batteries and disposal of construction debris or hazardous materials, visit the Delaware Solid Waste Authority website, dswa.com, or call 800-404-7080.