News Briefs 4/29/25
Zwaanendael Club to sponsor blood drive April 30
The Zwaanendael Women’s Club Health and Wellness Committee, in partnership with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, will sponsor a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. Walk-ins are welcome or appointments can be made at donate.bbd.org.
The Zwaanendael Women’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. For more information, go to GFWCZwaanendael.org.
Lewes architectural group to meet May 1
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 1, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion and possible action regarding an application for construction of a new two-story residence at 323 Park Ave.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Pray and Plant event set May 1 at Conley’s UMC
Conley's United Methodist Church will hold its second annual Pray and Plant event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on National Prayer Day, Thursday, May 1, in the new community prayer garden, where participants will plant flowers and pray together. All are invited to bring a flower to plant and a favorite garden tool.
Conley’s UMC, at 33106 Jolyn’s Way near Lewes, is turning a vision into a destination by transforming multiple acres into a community prayer garden. With design and support from Erin Walls of Outdoors by Erin, the garden will feature multiple native flower beds and trees, a labyrinth, an open-air chapel, a memorial pavilion and a nature trail. Follow its progress on Facebook and call the church office at 302-945-1881 for more information.
Lane closure hours on routes 1, 16 to begin
The Delaware Department of Transportation announced new lane closure hours at Route 1 and Route 16 will start Thursday, May 1. Route 1 motorists can expect nighttime lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Thursday. In addition, nighttime lane closures on Route 1 are permitted from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Route 16 motorists can expect daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In addition, nighttime lane closures on Route 16 are permitted from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.
These lane closure hours will continue through Tuesday, Sept. 30. Motorists can expect to be driving in the current traffic pattern until late fall 2025.
The contractor continues to work on the Route 1 northbound pavement, embankment and bridge. The project is anticipated to be complete in early 2026.
For more information, go to deldot.gov or tune to WTMC-AM 1380.
Beebe parking garage to close for cleaning
Beebe Healthcare’s parking garage at the main entrance to the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus will close at 5 p.m., Friday, May 2, for cleaning over the weekend.
Normal operations will resume Monday, May 5. Patients and visitors may find parking in the exterior lots around the campus.
Bloom & Grow Plant Popup Sale set May 3
Epworth United Methodist Church will host a Bloom & Grow Plant PopUp Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.
The event will include sales of garden plants, houseplants, and gardening books and tools. Arts and crafts vendors and food trucks will be on site. Plant giveaways will round out the event.The garden plant sale will feature native perennials chosen for their pollinator value and resistance to deer.
"We will feature plants for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees," said Susan Jimenez, event chair.
Free wildflower seeds are available while supplies last. Floral design demonstrations for home gardeners will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A pollinator garden giveaway sponsored by the Inland Bays Garden Center of Bethany Beach will feature six 1-gallon American Beauties Native Plants perennials selected for different bloom times in a sunny garden. A native ornamental tree and shrub will also be awarded, along with advice about how to protect them from browsing deer Music will be provided by DJ Kermit. The event will be moved indoors in case of rain. Event proceeds will benefit Epworth's food ministry. For more information, contact Susan Selph at 302-245-6193.
Open-water swimming group meets May 4
The Open Water Swimmers of Southern Delaware are gearing up for the 2025 season. The group, now with 376 members, will hold a season kickoff and orientation get-together at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, May 4, at Savannah Beach in Lewes.
The event will go over gear, water conditions, best practices, safety, the group’s schedule, workouts, how to ease into open-water swimming and open-water swimming events. Coffee and snacks will be available.
If the weather is nice, the group may do a plunge or a swim with a wetsuit.
Supporters to lobby for inmate release bill
Supporters of a Senate bill that would expand compassionate release for inmates are planning to lobby for the legislation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, at Legislative Hall in Dover.
Senate Bill 10, also known as the Richard ‘Mouse’ Smith Compassionate Release Act, would allow incarcerated individuals to petition a judge for early compassionate release based on serious illness or positive rehabilitation.
The (Ex) Prisoner Lobby Day will include organizations, families and loved ones of incarcerated individuals, former offenders, educators, advocates and activists. An opportunity to connect virtually with incarcerated individuals will be available.
To register for the event, go to bit.ly/LobbyDayDE or sdarj.org. For details, contact Tanya Whittle at Twhittle@dcjustice.org or 302-658-7174, Ext. 21.
MLK Celebration group taking scholarship applications
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Organization - Sussex County Inc. is accepting scholarship applications from graduating high school students in Sussex County. Call 302-226-0515 for more information.
Marasco declared mayor in Lewes
The Lewes Board of Elections voted unanimously April 24 that Amy Marasco is elected as the city’s new mayor.
The panel reviewed Marasco’s candidacy and agreed that she met all qualifications.
Marasco was the only person who filed to run, so no election will be held.
She will succeed Mayor Andrew Williams, who chose not to run for re-election.
Marasco will be sworn in to assume her new duties in May.
