Coastal Point — December 23, 2022

Fenwickcouncilputs forwardnewiteration ofparkingordinance

ByKerinMagill StaffReporter

TheFenwickIslandTownCouncil hasadvancedyetanotherversionofa commercialparkingordinancethathas broughtoppositionfromtownbusiness ownersinrecentmonths.

Introducedatthecouncilmeetingon Friday,Dec.16,thenewversionofproposedOrdinance160-10removesaban onparkinginsetbacks.Italsoremovesa specificsquarefootagerequirementfor parkingspacefordeliveryvehicles.

Athirdchangefromtheearlierversionoftheordinanceaddressesshared parkingarrangementsbetweenbusinesses—anideathathasbeensuggestedasapotentialsolution,wherein daytimebusinessescouldofferuseof theirparkingareastootherbusinesses, suchasrestaurants,thatarebusiestin theevening.

Accordingtothenewproposal,15 percentofabusiness’requiredparking spacescouldcomefromsuchagreementswithotherbusinesses.Thenewly

IRSDboarddiscusses

Juulsettlementfunding forhealtheducation

ByMikeSmith StaffReporter

TheIndianRiverSchoolDistrict BoardofEducationmetMonday,Jan. 19,atSussexCentralHighSchoolto discussalegalretainerandnewdirectivesfromtheJUULvapeproductsand e-cigarettessettlement.Thetotalsettlementnationallyisbelievedtobemore than$1.7billionfordeceptiveadvertisingtochildren.

In newdevelopments,followingthe revealofcompetitivebuilderbidsthis week,theIRSDwillbeabletoafforda build-outforthegymandsciencelab wing—atleasttoerectsteelbeamsand

HarryPotter-themedeventtakes overDickens,GoodEarth

ByKerinMagill StaffReporter

TheweatheroutsideDickensParlorTheatrewas,well, frightful,ontheeveningofThursday,Dec.15.Sofrightful, infact,thataHarryPotterfanmightwonderifapotionwas availableasanantidote.

Itseemedalmostasifsomeonehadcastaspelloverthe theaterthatnight—perhapswithhelpfromWeasley’sWet Weather?

Insidethetheater,however,allwaswarmandcozy… magical.

ThankstocreativemindsatbothDickensandGood EarthMarket,thetheater’smainhallwastransformedinto aPotteresquedininghall,completewithfloatingcandles,a travelingbroomandallsortsofPotterdécor.

TheoccasionwasthefirstHarryPotterChristmasevent. OriginallyplannedtobeheldatGoodEarth,nextdoor,it soquicklysoldoutandgrewthatGoodEarthownerSusan

RyanreachedouttohergoodfriendDickensownerRich Bloch,andthelocationmovedtothetheater.

With itsDickensiandécoralreadyinplace—richwood tonesandchandeliersabound—onthenightoftheHarry Potterevent,theroomseemedalivewiththeauraofold England.Guests,dressedtotheninesinattirenoddingto oneofthefourPotter“houses,”addedtotheeffect.

Duringtheevening,aBethanyBeachBooks-sponsored HarryPotterTriviacontesthaddinersscratchingtheir heads,hopingtowinaprizeforthemostcorrectanswers. Bloch,anactualstagemagician,entertainedtheguestswith someofhisbestsleight-of-hand.Nextdoorinthetheater, guestscouldsitandwatchabitofaHarryPotterfilmif theydesired.

Themainevent,however,wasthefood—frommain dishestodesserts,allnoddedtotheHarryPottertheme. GoodEarthchefCarlosHerrerasaidheusedHarryPotter asinspiration“anddresseditupabit,madeitourstyle.”For example,hesaid“Hagrid’smeatloaf”wasGoodEarth’s recipewithalittletwist.Thesameforthemeatballs,which,

pourconcretefortheschoolbuilding footprint.Interiorfinishingandgymor labequipmentisstillnotallocated undercurrentstateandlocalfunding.

Vapesettlementfundstobenefit children’shealth

LastSeptember,e-cigarettemaker Juulagreedtopay$438milliononan initialmultistatesettlementfordeceptiveorfalseadvertisingtargetingyoung peoplethatminimizedthehealthimpactsofvaping.

JuulLabshasnowagreedtopay$1.7 billion,accordingtotheWallStreet Journal,tosettlemorethan5,000lawsuitsbyschooldistricts,includingthe IRSD,aswellaslocalgovernmentsand individualswhoclaimedthatitse-cigarettesweremoreaddictivethanadvertised,accordingtoattorneyswith knowledgeofthedeal.JuulLabshas deniedtargetingminorsandadmitted noresponsibilityinagreeingtothesettlement.

“Awhileback,weconsideredparticipatinginJuullitigation,”saidIRSDSuperintendentJayOwens.“Wereceiveda communicationfromourlegalcounsel recentlythatthelawyersonourcaseare changing.ThisinformationisbeingupdatedintheIndianRiverupdateletter. Oneoptionistocompletetheretainer

associatedwiththelawfirmthatknows usandthatweknow.Wehavenotseen anymonetaryfulfillmentyet;butthat lookslikeitisnearingcompletion.”

“Itrequiresboardactionformeto signtheretainerandrenewal,”said Owens.

RodneyLayfield,IRSDboardpresident, saidhedidnotrecallretainingthe originallawfirmwhenthecasewas originallybrought.

“ThisisthefirsttimeIamseeing this.DoesanybodyknowabouttheJuul litigation?ItisthefirsttimeIamreadingthroughthis,andIdoseetherecommendationtokeepthesamelaw firm.”

“Thisisaboutvapingwithinthe IRSDschoolsandthemoneywehave setasideforvariouseffortstocombat vaping,”explainedOwens.“Ithasbeen quitesometimesincewediscussedit. Thisupdatedmatterthatrequires (schoolboard)actionisjusttocontinue withtheoriginallawyersinthiscase.”

Juulcontinuestosellitsproductsin theUnitedStateswhileawaitingadecisionbytheU.S.Food&DrugAdministration,whichregulatese-cigarettes.In June,theFDAdeniedthecompany’s applicationtoallowitsvapesande-cigarettepodstoremainonthemarket. Juulwenttocourtandreceivedatemporaryreprieve.TheFDAthenputits decisiononholdforfurtherreview.

“Atthetimewewerediscussingit, wewerenotsuretherewouldbeamon-

etarypayout,”saidOwens.“Wehave notbeenrequiredtopayanythingtowardthislegalrepresentation,andwe onlypayifthereisasettlement,”noted thesuperintendent.

“Theproceedsofanylawsuitsettlementproceedscouldbeusedforvape detectors,whichwehavetalkedabout andreallyneed,orotherawareness campaigns,”saidLayfield.“Wewould usethefundstocombatvapingwithdetectors.”

Baird,Medalas,Roxstead,Frederico anditsnewpartnersareinvolvedin handlingthecaseonasuccess-feebasis. TheIRSDBoardunanimouslyagreed tokeepthemonthelawsuitoncontingency.

Statefunds,localmatchpermit fullbuild-outofSCHS

HouseBill310authorizedstate fundingtobuildanewIRSDhigh schoolatthecurrentSussexCentral HighSchoolsiteandhadaclausepertainingto“marketpressure”toadjust fundsifpricesweretoriseforbuilding materialsorinflation.

“Wehave$8.1millioninstatefunds and$5.4millioninlocalmatchfunds,” explainedOwensandTammySmith,a directoroftheIRSDfinanceteam.“In theFY2023bondbill,wecanuseany excessfundsfromtheHowardT.Ennis buildingconstructionandEnnisdid comeinunderbudgetbecauseofthefa-

vorablebidsandlowermaterialscostsat thattime.TheEnnisschoolbuilding budgethasnotbeenreduced,norcutin anyway.”

“Wewanttheexcessfundstomatch the statemoney,”saidTammySmith, directoroftheIRSDbusinessandfinanceteam.“Wewouldliketoadd$1.4 millionfromthosemonies”tomeetthe localmatchrequirementof$5.4million “andstillkeepareservefundforEnnis foranybuildingrequirementsafterthey movein.”

Undertheschoolfundingscheme, thelocalsharemustbe$5.4million,so theIRSDproposalistodefraythatcost by$1.4millionforEnnissavings,leaving$4millionremainingonthematch.

“It’sa60/40split,”saidJoeBooth, facilitiesdirector,oftheoriginalformula.Now,withapproximately$8millioninstatemoney,thedifference requiredofIRSDisreduced.

TheIRSDBoardPresidentasked whetherthereareschoolsbeingbuilt elsewhereinDelawarewith100percent stateeducationfunding,andnolocal match,towhichBoothrespondedhe knewofonlyoneunderconstructionin theWilmingtonschooldistrict.

“Theyarebuildingaschoolin Wilmingtonallwithstatemoney,”said Layfieldincredulously.“Weareheldtoa muchdifferentstandarddownhere,” saidLayfied.

revisedordinancedoesnotchangethe originallyproposedincreaseinrequired parkingspotsfromoneper100square feetofpatrontooneper50squarefeet ofpatronarea.

Thefirstreadingofthenewordinancepassedbyavoteof7-0.Council MemberRichardBennsaidhewasvotinginfavorofit,despitehisfeelingthat “Idon’tthinkitgoesquitefarenough.”

CouncilTreasurerWilliamRymer said,“Ireallylikethechanges,”andhe supportedwhathecharacterizedas “compromise”withinthenewordinance

Severalbusinessowners,however, voicedtheircontinuedopposition.Paula Mumford,anownerofWarren’sStation restaurant,toldthecouncilattheDec. 16meetingthat“thisordinanceupsets metonoend.”Mumfordsaidshefelt townbusinesses“arebeingpunishedbecauseonerestauranthasaparkingproblem.Idonotfeelthatthereisaparking probleminFenwick.”

“IwishIcouldsayIappreciateall thehardworkyouhaveputintothis,” Mumfordsaid.“Butwehadanew restaurantputinnexttousseveralyears ago,andwehadaparkingissuewith them.Andweresolvedittogether,”she said,addingthattheproblemis“no longeranissue.”

“Ithinkweneedtogivealittletime

tothis,toseehowMatt’sFishCamp doesnextyearortheyearafterthat,” Mumfordsaid,referringtotherestaurantthattookovertheformerRopewalkpropertyandhadpurchased additionalpropertytoaddmoreparking.

TimCollins,longtimeresidentand owneroftheSouthernExposureclothingstoreonCoastalHighway,saidhe haddifficultyrespondingtothenewordinanceattheDec.16meetingbecause hewasseeingtheproposedchangesfor thefirsttime.

Collinssaidhefelt“theredoesn’t seemtobeadifferentiationmadefor thedifferenttypesofrestaurants,”maintainingthat,ingeneral,atake-out breakfastspotwouldneedfewerspots thanasit-downrestaurant.

“Itappearstomewhat’shappened hereisthere’ssomecompromiseand somechangesintheformula,butit’s stillaformulathat’sbeingapplicableto all,whichIdon’tthinkworks,”Collins said.

Hesaidhefeelsthenewordinanceis gearedtowardlargerrestaurantsand otherbusinesses,tothepotentialdetrimentofsmallerbusinesses.

“Ithinkitneedsmorefine-tuning,” Collinssaidoftheproposedordinance.

Alsospeakinginoppositiontothe ordinancewasRichardAbbott,attorney forJosephBalsamo,owneroftheformer DairyQueensite.Balsamohas complainedformonthsthatthepro-

posedchangesarepreventinghimfrom movingforwardonaplanforanew businessonthesite.

AlthoughsheinitiallytoldAbbott thathecouldnotspeakatthemeeting becausehedoesnotownpropertyinthe town,ownabusinessthereorholda businesslicenseinthetown,MayorNatalieMagdeburgerthenallowedhimto speak,whileclarifyingthatshewasnot creatingaprecedentbydoingsoandinformingAbbottthatheiswelcometo speakatpublichearingsasarepresentativeofaclient,goingforward.

“Ifitain’tbroke,don’tfixit,”Abbott saidoftheproposedordinance.

HesaidMagdeburger’scomparisons ofFenwickIslandordinanceswiththose ofSussexCountyandOceanVieware disingenuousbecausethethreeentities arelike“applesandoranges”whenit comestodemographics.

TownresidentJayRyanspokevia Zoominfavoroftheordinancechange, citing “carsallovertheplace”onresidentialstreetsbecauseofoverflowfrom nearbyrestaurants.Healsocalledaresidentiallot,usedbyFenwickShores hotelownerSpiroBuasasemployee parking,a“dump.”

Magdeburgerdefendedtheproposal, saying“mostofourbusinesseshave beenhereforalongtime,”andwere builtwhenparkingrequirementswere morestrictthantheyarecurrently.

hesaid,involvedhisownrecipe“andwe addedalittlebitoflove.”

Drumsticksandchickenwings,Ryan said,wereinspiredbytheHogwarts cafeteriainthebooks.Frenchonion souptookitsinspirationfromPotter characterMrs.Weasley.

Gelatindessertsaddedsplashesof thecolorsofthefourhousesinthePotterbooks,Herrerasaid.

“Theseguysbringmagictoeverything,”Ryansaidasthedinersdevoured dessertdelicaciesmid-evening.

Herreraandhisbrother,Luis,the chefforDickens,havecollaboratedbeforeonspecialmeals,Ryansaid,suchas

aStarWarsthemedrepast.

“Theseguysarealwaysgamefor anything,”shesaid.

Asadessertcartrolledoutwith sweetsincludingchocolatefrogs—a favorite“wizarding”sweetfromthe books—Potter-lovingchildrenand theirequallyfascinatedadultchaperonesogledthegoodieswithgreatinterest.Meanwhile,abroom—inspiredby thesportofQuidditch,whichiscentral toPotterbooksandapopularpastime forPotterfansworldwide—sweptits way,controlledremotely,throughthe roomfilledwithliterature-lovingPotterheads.

Theweatheroutsidemighthave beennasty,butinsidethetheaterthat night,magic,mealsandmemorieswere made.

ThenewlocalmatchfundingandallocationofEnnissavingstotheIRSD responsibilitypassedbyunanimous vote.

BidPackB

JoeBooththenintroducedthe SCHSbuildingcontractor,R.Y.Johnson,theconstructionmanagementfirm.

“R.Y.Johnsonwillgooverthebid results,”forthenewschool,saidBooth. “Theywillmakearecommendationto acceptthebasebidwiththeadditional itemsofalternates1and23.Thesedo nowincludethegymandthescience wing.Theremaybesomeadditional moneytoaccomplishthis,”duetolow bidsontheoriginalproject.“Butwecan stillmeettheexpectedstartdateofSeptember2025,”saidBoothoftheexpectedschool-yearopeningdate.

“Whenfundingisreaffirmedand newfundsbecomeavailableforother alternates,theyaregoingtoresultin changeorders,”saidBoothofanyadditionalchangesafterthebidsareaccepted.

R.Y.Johnsonsharedtheindividual bids.Thereare19individualcontracts fortheSCHSbuilding.Therewerebidders foreachaspectoftheschoolbuilding,andthecontractorhighlightedthe oneswiththelowestbidtodothework.

“Ifyoutakeallthebasebids,add themallup,youaresignificantlyunderbudget,”hesaid.

“Wereviewedallthealternates,and wecannowaccept1,thegym,and23, thesciencewing.Wereviewedthese bidswithBuilding&Grounds.Itseems thatthesetwoarethemostfavorablealternatestoaccept.Wewillneedtousea

Parking

Continuedfrompage3

“Ourforefatherswereveryconcerned aboutover-commercialization,”shesaid. “Thatwasthereasontheyincorporated” thetown,sheadded.

Shealsodefendedtheproposalfrom criticismthatitmakesithardfora

littlebitofthecontingencymoney,but not largeamounts,”saidBoothofthe IRSD.

“Wewillhaveworktodoonthe otheralternates,includingtheauditorium,andwearetryingtogetbetter pricingtoaddtheneededlighting,” addedBooth.“Werecommendyouacceptalternates1and23.”

“Therestofthesuggestionsarefinishes,butweneedtothinkaboutpouringconcrete,”hesaid.

“Wearestill$25millionshortofthe totalprojectoverall;butwewantboard approvalforthebasebidplusthosetwo alternates.”

LayfieldreferredtoJimFritz,board liaisontotheBuildings&Grounds Committee,andsaid:

“Thereisatechniquetobuildas muchasyoucan,theexteriorwalls,and maximizeyourschoolfootprint.We don’twanttohavetocontinuetoaddon later.Thisisthenewbuildingfootprint.”

Fritzsaid,“Thetimetodothisis sooner,ratherthanlater,whenyouare buyingthesteelandtheconcrete.For thesciencewing,let’saddtheshellfor thesteel,theconcrete,theroofandcreate theshellspaceandthenbuildout theinteriorlater,aboutayearaway.”

“It’sagoodstrategy,”saidFritz.“We canmaximizeoursquarefootagenow ratherthanlater.Wearehopingmore moneywillcomedownfromthestate.”

“Thespaceisalreadythere,”inthis way,saidBooth.“It’sjustgettingthe moneytofillitinlater.Butyouhavethe space.”

Thealternatesmayhavemultiple contractorsassociatedwiththework. TheIRSDBoardacceptedthefullfootprintplanunanimously.

businessthatwantstorebuildorundertakea“substantialrenovation”that wouldchangethestructure’sfootprint.

“Wereally,reallyhopethatourbusinesscommunitywillseefittogetitresolved,”Magdeburgersaidofthe parkingcontroversy,emphasizingthat she feelscooperationbetweenbusinesseswillbeamajorfactorinthesuccessofallbusinessesintown.

FrankfordlibraryhostingHomefortheHolidays

ByKerinMagill StaffReporter

TheFrankfordPublicLibraryhas somebigplansforchildrenandfamiliesduringtheholidaybreak,accordingtothelibrary’sassistantdirector, HeatherBernat.

Thelibrary’sHomefortheHolidaysprogrammingkicksoff—or, rather,departsthestation—witha screeningoftheholidayclassic“The PolarExpress”onFriday,Dec.23,at1 p.m.Familiesarewelcometocomein theirpajamas,Bernatsaid.Hotchocolateandcookieswillbeserved“while supplieslast,”sheadded.

AftertheChristmasweekend,the holidayprogramspickuponTuesday, Dec.27,withapineconebird-feeder

IRSD

Academichonors

•AcademicAll-Conference— MaryVillareal,EvelynVelaquez-Velasquez,DuncanWinger,TakylaDavis, LillyHastings,CatherineHassler,

craftat11a.m.,whichBernatsaid willbegreatforallbutthelittlestof children.

OnWednesday,Dec.28,at3p.m., aspecialGingerbreadBake-Offis plannedforteensand’tweens—there isnoactualbakinginvolved,justconstructinganddecoratinggingerbread houses,shesaid.At5p.m.onDec.28, therewillbeashowingofanother Christmasfavoritemovie,“Christmas Vacation.”

OnThursday,Dec29,at11a.m., familiesarebeinginvitedtothelibraryforaNewYear’scraftactivity, whichBernatsaidinvolvesmaking hatstoringintheNewYearwith,as wellasa“ball-drop”-themedcraft.At 3p.m.,teensand’tweensarebeinginvitedtochilloutwithsome“adultcol-

KyleighMcGee,LeahSheridan,Lily Allen,TemperanceHammen-Smith, ClaireHicks,CarissaJackson,EllaJustice,EmmaMcIntosh,Elizabeth Shaub,TylerButtridge,CodyLayfield, GarrettStatler,ReifSteenandColin Tucker.

•FirstTeamAll-Conference— McKenna Boyle,JavierEscobarPerez andDannyRobleroPerez.

•FirstTeamAll-State— McKennaBoyle,JavierEscobar

oring”activities.“HomeAlone”willbe theday’sfeaturedfilm,tobeshownat 5p.m.

A“DoubleFurryFeaturePJParty” onFriday,Dec.30,closesouttheweek offunatthelibrary,accordingto Bernat.

“PawsofFury:TheLegendof Hank,”tobeshownat1p.m.,isa computer-animatedmartialartscomedyreleasedearlierin2022,abouta down-on-his-luckhoundwhofinds himselfinatownfullofcatswho needaherotodefendthemfroma ruthlessvillain’sevilplottodestroy theirvillage.

“DCLeagueofSuper-Pets,”tobe shownat3p.m.inthelibrary,isanother2022release,inwhichKrypto theSuperDogandSupermanarein-

Lopez,WyattHellens,MalikBell, KrisShields,P.J.HenryandKevon Moore-Bridell.

•FirstTeamAll-District—Wyatt Hellens,MalikBell,KrisShields,PJ Henry,KevonMooreBriddell,Kyle CustisandIbrahimLeyva-Fojaco.

Localresidentvolunteers foradvisorycommittee

RonaldLewiscametotheIRSD

separablebestfriends,sharingthe samesuperpowersandfightingcrime side-by-sideinMetropolis.Whenthe ManofSteelandtherestoftheJusticeLeaguearekidnapped,Krypto mustconvincearagtaggroupofanimalstomastertheirownnewfound powersforarescuemission.

Familiesarebeinginvitedtocome intheirsuperheroPJsandenjoyboth films,aswellaspopcornandcoloring sheets.

AllHomefortheHolidaysprogramsarefreeofcharge.TheFrankfordLibraryislocatedat8Main StreetinFrankford.Formoreinformation,callthelibraryat(302)7329351,orvisitthelibrary’sFacebook pageoritswebsite,athttp://frankford.lib.de.us.

SchoolBoardmeetingtodiscussthe Citizen’sAdvisoryCouncil,askingfor onlineaccesstothegroupandofferingtovolunteer.

HelivesinBaysideintheSelbyvillearea.LewissaidheisinterestedinservingontheIRSDCACto reviewthefinancialinformationof thedistrictwithallofthecapital buildingprojectsunderway.

Statehiresfirmtotestforleadinschools

ByMikeSmith StaffReporter

TheDelawareDepartmentofEducationhashiredBattaEnvironmental AssociatesofNewarktore-testall publicwater-linefixturesthatinitially testedpositiveforleadcontamination at7.5partsperbillionorhigher,and atallconsumptionpointsstatewide. Thedrinkingwaterfountains,water bottlefillstationsandkitchensinks showingleadcontaminationinclude someatthreeschoolsintheIndian RiverSchoolDistrict(IRSD):George CarverEducationCenter,LongNeck ElementarySchoolandMillsboro MiddleSchool.

Morerecently,theStateissueda statementthatithad“identifiedsome mistakesintheinitialleadsampling includingtestingbuildingsduring COVID-19closuresandtestingnonconsumptionsources.”

Delaware’sDepartmentofEducationisworkingwithfederalpartners includingtheEPAandlocalpartners withintheschooldistrictsto“ensure allchildrenandschoolstaffhavesafe andcleandrinkingwater,”theysaid.

WiththeEPA’sfundingthe DelawareDivisionofPublicHealth (DPH)beganasamplinginitiativein allDelawareschoolstwoyearsagoto identifyleadwithinthedrinking water.

IndianRiverSchoolDistrictofficialsissuedastatementlatelastmonth uponlearninglatestresultsoftheelevatedleadsituation.

“Lastsummer,thedistrictwasinformedoftestresultsinasmallnumberofschoolwatersourcesthat exceededacceptablelevelsforlead,” saidtheschooldistrictinanofficial statement.“Thedistrictworkedto

remedythisproblemandadditional samplesweretestedattheseschoolsin earlySeptember.Thosetestsresults indicatedthatallfixtureswerenowat acceptablelevels,accordingtostate guidelines.”

“However,inaccordancewithnew directivesissuedbytheEPAandState ofDelaware,andoutofanabundance ofcautionforthehealthofourstudentsandstaff,wehaveshutoffseveralschoolwatersourcesuntilwe receivefurtherguidancefromthe State.Thesearebothconsumptionand non-consumptionwatersources,” notedtheIRSDinitsstatement.

Carver’swaterwasfoundtobecontaminatedatakitchenprepsinkanda waterfountain,accordingtothereport.LongNeckhadfourareasshowingleadcontaminationabove acceptablelimits,includingthree drinkingfountains,oneofwhichis usedbyallstudentsinthecafeteriato fillwaterbottles,aswellasasinkused inthelibrary.MillsboroMiddlealso showedhighleadlevelsinthekitchen prepsink.

“Itiscriticallyimportantthatwe conductadditionalwatersampling thatprovidestimelyandaccuratedata regardingthequalityofwaterthatour students,staffandschoolcommunities consume,”DelawareSecretaryofEducationMarkHolodicksaid.“Thisis alsoanimportantsteptohelprestore confidenceforthepublic.Wewantour children,theirfamiliesandoureducatorsandstafftobeabletoconcentrate onlearning,assuredthattheirbuildingsandwateraresafe.”

Resamplingandretestingwillstart nextweekandwilltakeaboutthree monthstocomplete,saiddepartment officials.

“Resultswillbesharedwiththere-

spectivesuperintendentsandcharter leadersastheyarereceivedfromthe lab,anddistricts/charterswillshareresultsandanynextstepswiththeirrespectivecommunities,”saidthe statement.Resultsandupdatesalso willbepostedonde.gov/schoolwater.

Novemberpublicmeetinghosted bystateassembly

AtaDPHandDepartmentofEducationjointbriefingheldMonday,Nov. 14,morethan300parentsandstate leadersattendedavirtualinformation session.ThevirtualtownhallwasconductedonemonthafterDPHhadthe leadnumbersandstartedcommunicationwithschoolmaintenancestaff— butnotwithschooladministratorsor parents.

Severalschoolsonthislistweretold to shutoffcertainwatersourcesbecause ofincreasedleadlevelsthatwerehigher thanEPAallowances.Thewateradvisorywasissuedafullmonthafter Delaware’sDivisionofPublicHealth revealedthewatersamplingdatato maintenancestaff.

Thereisnosafebloodleveloflead foryoungerchildren,thusallsourcesof leadexposuretochildrenshouldbecontrolledoreliminated,accordingtothe CDC.

Theresultsareacompilationof nearlytwoyearsoftestingatDelaware schools,withfacilitiesintheRedClay, ColonialandIndianRiverschooldistrictsreportingsomeofthehighestlead levelsamongthe19schooldistrictsand 25charterschoolstested.

Oceanplasticpollutiongetssenatehearing

Officialsconsider impactinDelaware

ByMikeSmith StaffReporter

ChristopheTulou,incomingexecutivedirectoroftheDelawareCenterfor theInlandBays(CIB),staffedhislast SenateEnvironment&PublicWorks Committee(EPW)meetingforU.S. Sen.TomCarperlastweekbyco-hostingaspecialhearingonoceanplastics andreducingplasticwaste.

Hesaidthatoceanplasticisabig issueonCapitolHillandimportantto residents,aswellasapublichealthmatter.

“Wearefocusedonplasticsinthe ocean thislastweekoftheCongres-

sionalsession,”saidTulou.“Icansay thereisagreatdealofpoliticalpressure onCapitolHill,becausetheplasticsindustryandpetrochemicalassociations havealotofpower.Theybelieverecyclingplasticsistheentiresolutionand, whilehelpful,weunderstandthereis moreworktodo.”

Tulouisleavinghispositionassenior counseltotheEPWbeforemoving backtoRehobothBeachandstarting hisCIBexecutivedutiesonJan.9.

U.S.JeffMerkleyofOregonassumed thegavelfromCarperforthespecial hearingon“ExaminingtheImpactof PlasticUseandIdentifyingSolutions forReducingPlasticWaste”becausehe isthechairoftheChemicalSafety, WasteManagement&Environmental JusticeSubcommitteeoftheEPW.

“Plasticsdon’treallydegrade;they

justbreakdownintosmallpiecesand intomicroplastics,”saidMerkleyinhis openingremarks“Wefindthemdeepin thelungsoflivingpeople.”

“Plasticsmaywellposeasignificant threattohumanhealth,”saidtheOregonsenator.Heemphasizedhispointto thepanelistsandtotheC-SPANaudiencebypullingoutacreditcard.He saidthatAmericansconsumeabouta creditcardworthofplasticeveryweek inseafoodandinpackagedfoods.

HequotedWorldWildlifeFundestimatesthatAmericansconsume5milligramsofplasticeveryweek. Petrochemicalsusedintheproduction ofplasticsarealsoatoxin.

“‘Reduce,reuse,recycle’isthetypical refrain,”saidMerkley.“Whatwebelieve ismoreaccuratetosayis‘Buried, burnedorborneouttosea!’

“Youaremakingawishandahope thataplasticwillberecycled,”Merkley toldarepresentativefromthePlastics IndustryAssociation.“Plasticdoesn’t breakdownitjustbreaksup.Wecreate 6billiontonsofplasticpollution,and therateofplasticwasteisexpectedto triple.Weareblindlyenroutetotripling its presence”intheenvironment.

U.S.Sen.RogerWickerofMississippi,therankingminoritymemberof thesubcommittee,thankedMattSeaholm,theCEOofthePlasticsIndustry Association,forjoiningthepanel.

“Wewillalsodiscussstepsthatindustryistakingtorespondtoplastic waste.Plasticshasbeenpivotalforpublichealthandhygiene,”saidWicker.“It wascriticalduringtheCOVID-19pandemic,”withtheneedfor“PPEand otherdeviceswhichcontainplasticsfor protection.Single-useplasticsalsowere usedinhelpingusreturntonormal.”

TheOceanFoundationalsocelebratedits20thanniversarythismonth atareceptionattheNationalPress Club.OceanFoundationPresident MarkJ.Spaldingtalkedabouttheorganization’sfocusonremovingocean waste,reducingacidificationandsustainingmarinelifeforfuturegenerations.HesaidtheOceanFoundation willredoubleeffortstoremoveplastic debris,includingderelictfishinggear and “ghost”fishinglinesfromthewaterways.

DeputyAssistantSecretaryofState MaxineBurkett,ofOceans,Fisheries& PolarAffairsattheU.S.StateDepartment,joinedtheOceanFoundationcelebration.Butfirstshediscussedsurfing: “IamtoldBethany,NorthBethanyand RehobothBeachhavethebestbreaks forsurfingontheentireEastern Seaboard,”shesaidwithasmile.“Of course,asdeputyassistantsecretaryfor oceans,abigpartofmyjobtakesplace in Hawaii,andIamasurfloverthere.”

“Theclimatecrisisisanoceanscrisis,”shetoldSpaldingandtheOcean Foundationboardmembers.“Theocean isabsorbingtheimpactofman’smoderneconomy.Theoceanistheworld’s largestcarbonsink,anditcreatestrillionsofdollarsofeconomicactivity. However,theoceansarealsoinherently priceless.”

“TheStateDepartmentiscommittedtoensuringpublichealthandtodetectandsourceandimpactsofplastic pollution,aswellastoexpandournationalMarineProtectedAreas,”said Burkett.“TheMPA’sprotectourbiodiversity,sequestercarbonandprotectthe coastlines”—includingDelaware’s shores—“fromstormsurge.”

TheBidenAdministrationhas launchedaplantoprotect30percentof theoceanby2030.ShesaidtheOcean Foundationisakeyplayerinmarine

conservation.

“TheOceanFoundationisavoice thatputscommunityatthecenterand willbeataninflectionpointforthe next20years.”

Carperthenofferedhispersonal thankstothesubcommitteeforthediscussion“oftheoceanwastetopicand addressingtheissue.”

“Iam75yearsoldandhaveworked asprivatecitizen,evensinceIwasa Lt.JGintheNavy,”onrecyclingocean andbeachdebris,hesaid.“AsagovernorofDelaware,Ialsodidworkon plastics.Thereistoomuchlitter.Itisall overourstate.Irun,andIpickuprecyclables.ButwhatIcannotrecycleends upinthelandfill.”

“Ihaveheardconcernsfromthe plasticsrecyclingcommunitythat chemicalrecyclingcouldhurtmechani-

calandhurtaccesstothefeedstocks,”he notedtothewitnesses.“Weneedto makesurechemicalandmolecularrecyclingdoesnottakeawayfromthemechanicalandthe[existing]feedstocks.”

“Lastfall,weheldahearingonthe circulareconomyandwhatitwould take topromotecircularityateverystep oftheprocess,”saidCarper.TheBreak FreefromPlasticPollutionAct(S.984) isaSenatebillsponsoredbyMerkley, andCarpersaidheissupportiveofthat legislation.

JudithEnck,founderofBeyond Plastics,whoisalsoonthefacultyof BenningtonCollegeinVermont,was alsoontheSenateEPWsubcommittee hearingpanel.SheisaformerEPAregionaldirector.

“Falsesolutionsarepromotedbythe plasticsindustry,called‘advancedrecyc ling,’”shesaid.“Oceanacommissioned apoll,and82percentofAmericans wantCongresstoreducethenation’s dependenceonplastics.”

“Ihavenevermetaplastics-pollution denier,”shetestified.

“Therearesomevitalusesofplastic, butmedicalwasteisoneareathatneeds improvement,”Enckrespondedto Wicker.“Iseealotofsingle-usepollution.”

“Reductionisthewaytogo.Reduce single-useplasticsandallownopolystyreneintheschools.Let’screatemore water-bottle fillstationsinsteadofmore plasticcups,”shesaid.

“Packagingcompanieshavechoices tomake.Aretheygoingtoprovidesustainablepackaging?Wedon’twantto usesomuchplastic,”saidEnck,“butwe havelittlechoice.”

MattSeaholm,CEOofthePlastics IndustryAssociation,alsotestified.

“Werepresenttheentiresupplychain andrepresent1millionpeoplewhoare employed”bytheplasticsindustry.

“Weneedtocollect,sortandreprocessmaterial,andthatthengoes backintouseforallsubstrates,”said

Seaholm.“Plasticssavelives,likeinour airbagsorstoringlife-savingproducts. Stablesupplychainsareimperative.”

SaveourSeaslegislationpassedin 2020andwas“agoodstart,”saidSeaholm,becauseitincreasedthedemand formorerecycledplasticmaterials.

Merkleyaskedtheplasticsindustry representativeiftheywillallowfulldisclosureofallchemicalsthatgointo plasticsproduction.

One biproductthathasbeeneliminatedinspecificuseisBPA(bisphenol A)inbabybottles.Thatistheonlyone whereBPAiscompletelyremoved,and itisanissue,saidPeteMyers,ascientist andeditoroftheEnvironmentalHealth News.Purfluorinatedcompounds,includingPFAS,areubiquitous,andhigh densitypolypropylenewithfluorination isnotoftenreported,saidMyers.

Enckcommentedthatonly.027percentofplasticishandledviachemical

Millvillecounciladoptsordinanceonloitering

ByKerinMagill StaffReporter

TheMillvilleTownCouncilhas passedanordinancedesignedtoregulateloiteringintown,withonecouncil membervotingagainstit,sayingit couldopentheTownuptolawsuits.

MillvilleMayorRonaldBelinkosaid therehavebeensomesituationsatthe townparkandinotherareasaround townthatcausedtownofficialstofeelit istimetoputanordinanceinplacethat addressessituationsthatcouldarise.

Belinko said,“Whatwe’retryingto address,is,say,when[EvansPark] closes,youcouldhaveagroupofpeople thatsay,‘Let’smeetdownthere.’”He saidtherehavealreadybeenincidentsof vandalisminthepark,whichaddtothe concern.

“Wehavethepark,wehavethe woodlands,”hesaid.“Wehaveallthat property.Peoplecouldcampoutthere, peoplecouldcongregate”hesaid.

Whiletheordinancedoesnotdirectlyaddressproblemsofunhoused people,Belinkosaid,“Everyoneisvery

consciousofhomelessness”andacknowledgedthattherearesituationsin Millvillewherepeoplehavebeengiven permissionbypropertyownerstostay ontheirproperty.Theordinancewould notaddressthosesituations.

“Ourordinanceisapositivemeasure,”Belinkosaid.“Wedon’twantpeoplegoingdownthereafterhoursand havingaparty,”hesaidofEvansPark, whichclosestothepublicatdusk.

CouncilSecretaryRobertWisgirda wasthesoledissentingvoteontheordinance.Hesaidheisconcernedabout

whetheritisenforceableandwhetherit openstheTownuptopotentiallawsuits.

HecitedrecentissuesinDover, whereaproposedloiteringordinance hasdrawnoppositionfromtheAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU), whichrecentlywrotealettertocityofficialsclaimingitwouldallowlawenforcementofficersto“harassand confrontpeoplewithouthomes.”

BelinkosaidhefeelsMillville’sordi-

recycling.

“Ithasnotscaled,andtheyarebasicallyboilingplastic,”shesaidofthe process.

U.S.Sen.SheldonWhitehouseof RhodeIslandtalkedaboutreducing marinewastefromthefishingindustry, because“plasticsinourenvironmentisa concernforallourwildlife.Ihave

workedwithenvironmentalgroupsand fundersonourmarineoceanplastic, alongwithU.S.Sen.Sullivan[N.Y.]. SaveourSeas3.0isnowinfulldiscussion”asanupdatetopriorlegislation.

“ThelastcurrentversionoftheSoS legislationallowedtheU.S.tomoveforwardontheinternationalfront.Iam sicktodeathofreportsthattheU.S.is thelaggard,andweneedtomoveforwardasleadersintheworldplastics issue,”saidWhitehouse.

“IagreewithMs.Enckthatplastics recyclingisbasicallyphony,”said Whitehouse.“Thechemicalrecycle [concept]isnotapanacea.Weare floodingourworldwithplastics.Every caughtseabirdhasplasticsinitsgut.I wouldflagtheplasticsproblem[that] inc ludestheghostfishingandderelict fishing-gearproblem.

“Afterpeoplelosethem,thenetsand longlineskeepcatchingfish.Theyare ‘massacres’floatingthroughtheocean,” saidWhitehouse.“Wehavetomakeit verylucrativeforfishermantohaulit outofthewatertorecycle.Wecandoa lotmore,andsocantheindustry.”

WhitehouseprovidedNOAAwith fundingwhichismanagedbytheFishingforEnergyprogramtorecycleplasticwasteintofuelresources.

“IwasinNorwayattheOceans ConferencewhenUniliverannounced itspledgethatforeverypoundofplastic theyputoutintheeconomy,theywould findapoundofplasticintheoceanor theenvironmentandgetitback,”he said.

“Iwouldliketoseeeverymajor manufacturermakethatcommitment,” saidWhitehousetothePIAassociation lobbyist.

Beebegetsapprovalforpediatric,adultED

ByKerinMagill StaffReporter

BeebeHealthcare’sproposedplans foranadultandpediatricemergency departmentinMillsborogotaboostlast weekwhenthestateHealthResources Boardvotedtoapprovethem.

Theplansfora“hybrid”emergency departmentincludeacombinationof adultandpediatricemergencyand walk-incareservices.Itwouldbelocatedinafuturefacilityjustnorthof Millsboro,attheintersectionofRoute 113andHardscrabbleRoad.

Thefacility,accordingtoastatement fromBeebe,wouldcombineon-siteand virtualcare.

“BeebeHealthcareisverypleased withtheduediligenceperformedand

decisionmadebytheDelawareHealth ResourcesBoardtoapprovethisvery criticalprojectforthepeopleofthe greaterMillsboroarea,”saidDr.David Tam,BeebepresidentandCEO.

Theapplicationreceivedsupport duringthehearingfromstateRep.Ruth BriggsKing.

“WhenIseethegrowthandthe growingpopulation,aswellastheincreaseinchildreninthearea,Iknowwe needfreestandinghybridserviceswhere youcanbeseenanddiagnosedthrough triage.”

Beebeplanstostaffthefacilitywith pediatricemergencymedicine-trained physicians,whichwouldmakeitthe onlysuchlocationinSussexCounty.

SpeakingattheNov.30hearingin oppositiontotheproposal,Tidalhealth

PresidentandCEOStephenLeonard saidthefacilitywouldhaveanegative effectonTidalhealthfinanciallybecauseofitsproximitytoTidalhealthfacilitiesthatprovideurgent-care treatment.

Leonardsaidhebelievestheincreasingnumberofemergencydepartment visitsinSussexCountyisduetoalack ofadequateprimary-careproviders,and thatdependenceonemergencycare drivesupthecostofhealthcaretoSussexCountyresidents.

Followinguponstatementsfrom TidalhealthandBayhealthrepresentatives,bothofwhomopposedtheapplication,Tamsaidheagrees“100percent with Mr.Leonardthatweneedtodo moreprimarycare,thatweneedto growprimary-careservices.

“Beebeisgrowingourprimaryand

secondaryservices,”Tamsaid.“Idon’t thinkanyothersystemhasclinicsin Milton,Milford,Millville,Selbyville, Georgetown,LongNeck.Iagreethat weneededtobuildmore.Wealready haveprimaryandwalk-incare,aswell asspecialtyservicesinMillsboro,”Tam said.“Thiswillonlyexpandthat.Wedo, however,needanemergency-carefacilitybecausetherearesomanythings thatanemergency-carefacilitydoes thatevenawalk-inorurgent-carecan’t do.”

Aftertheboard’svote,Tamsaid,“We appreciatethehardworkandthoughtfulnessexhibitedbythemembersofthis bodyinthedeliberationofthisproposal.Ilookforwardtobeginworking onthisproject,andeventuallyreport backtotheBoardthattheirwisdom wasindeed,well-founded,”hesaid.

DNRECsettodredgeWhiteCreek

DNRECannouncedrecentlythat dredgingisexpectedtobeginjustafter theNewYearonthemainchannelof WhiteCreekandashortstretchofAssawomanCanaltoimprovenavigability onthetwowaterwaysnorthwestof BethanyBeachinSussex County.Dredgedsedimentfromthe projectwillbeusedtorestoreanareaof degradedsaltmarshatDNREC’sAssawomanWildlifeArea.

The$4.685millionprojectisbeing fundedlargelyfromappropriationsto DNRECinthe2022and2023fiscalyearbudgets.

Theproject,tobeundertakenbythe DNRECsectionresponsibleforshorelineandwaterwaymanagementand contractorResilientSeas,willremove between55,000and70,000cubicyards ofshoaledsediment.TheworkwillrestorethemainWhiteCreeknavigation channelandtheconfluenceoftheAssawomanCanaltopreviousdepthsfor saferboatingandrecreationaluseof bothwaterways.

DNRECidentifiedWhiteCreek

Millville

Continuedfrompage10

nancedoesnotpresentsuchissues.It wasdraftedbyTownSolicitorSeth Thompson,hesaid,addingthat Thompson“feelsverycomfortablewith it.”

“We’renotouttoarrestanyone,”Belinkosaid.

Wisgirdasaidhefeelstheordinance istooheavy-handedandcouldbring objectionsfromgroupssuchasthe ACLU.

“Thelastthingasmallcommunity needsistonowhavetodefendyourself,”Wisgirdasaid.“Wehavelimited resources.Itcould,inmyopinion,bankruptasmallcommunity,”iftheordi-

andtheAssawomanCanalastwoof the topprioritiesfornavigationimprovements,basedonsurveysofresidentsandrecreationalusersofthe waterways,alongwithanalysisofchanneldepth,boatersafetyandenvironmentalissues.TheWhiteCreek navigationchannelwaslastdredgedas partofaphasedprogramfrom1997 through2001.TheAssawomanCanal wasmostrecentlydredgedfrom2010to 2015.

TheU.S.CoastGuardwillissuea LocalNoticetoMarinersadvisoryfor boaterstoexercisecautiononbothwater waysandtomaintainsafedistance fromthedredgingactivity.Floatingand submergedpipelineswillbepositioned inWhiteCreek,theAssawomanCanal andtheeasternandwesternprongsof WhiteCreek.Dredgeandsupportvesselswillbeoperatinginthesameareas overthecourseoftheproject.

TheCoastGuardalsorecommends removingcommercialfishingnets,crab potsandotherstructuresfromthe dredgingarea.

nanceweretobechallengedincourt.

Wisgirdaalsosaidhedoesnotwant theresponsibilityforenforcementof theordinancetofallontownemployees,whomightlackthetrainingthat lawenforcementofficershaveinloiteringsituations,whichcanturnunpleasantquicklyifapersonfeelsthreatened.

Underthenewordinance,towncode enforcementofficials,aswellas DelawareStatePolice—withwhich Millvillecontractsforpoliceservices— wouldenforceit.

Thepenaltyforviolationsoftheloiteringordinance,whichalsoprohibits sleepingincarsorcampinginunauthorizedplaces,is$99forafirstoffense andupto$250perdayforsubsequent offenses.

Editorial Columns Letters totheEditor

ViewPoint

CoastalPointencourages theexchangeofideas. Letterstotheeditormustbe signedbytheauthorwith phonenumberincludedfor purposesofverification.

Editorial Thestaff

SUSANLYONS susan.lyons@coastalpoint.com

Well,herewesit—thatconfusingtimeoftheyearthatjust fliesbyforadults,butdragsonforeverforchildren.Yes,ladies andgentlemen,wearefirmlyin“TheHolidays.”

ChristmaslandsonSundaythisyear,andHannukahcontinuesthroughMondaynight,soaprettysignificantchunkofour populationwillbedeepintotheirfamilyandreligioustraditions bynow.Anditisabeautifulthingtoholdondearlytothose thingsthatbringustogether,anduniteusunderloveandpeace.

WecertainlywishallofyouaMerryChristmasorHappy Hannukahorwhateverandhoweveryouandyourscelebrate thistimeofyear.Itisourmostsincere hopethatyouareableto spendthistimewithyourlovedonesandcelebrateandhonor thetraditionsandcustomsyouholddear.

Butcouldweaskyouandyourfamilyandfriendstotakea

momentoutofyourdaytorememberthetroopsthatarespread outindifferentcornersoftheworldfortheholidays,andmaybe offeraprayerorthoughtsofencouragementforthemduring thisseason?

Accordingtovarioussources,therearesomewherenear 180,000servicemenandwomendeployedtodifferentpartsof thegloberightnow,eithersecuringoursafety,trainingothernations’militariestoprotectthemselvesorbeingadeterrenttothe ragesandwhimsofstrongmenleadersaroundtheworld.

Thesebravetroopsarealsohumanbeings,andmanyofthem aregoingthroughadifficulttimebeingawayfromtheonesthey love,andthenationtheythoughtenoughoftodefendwith theirverylives.

Maytheyallfindpeace,andreturnhomesafely.

Magiccomestomorepeoplethisyear

Imaginewantingsomethingsobad,butitjustneverfelt realisticthatitcouldactuallyhappenforyou.

I’mnottalkingaboutplayingintheNBAorhavingabilliondollarsorbeingabletobreatheunderwater.No,I’mtalkingaboutsomeofthethingsthatotherpeoplemighttakefor granted,orchalkoffassimply“beingnormal.”Youknow,no bigdeal.

TakegoingtoseeSantaClauswhen you’reakid,forexample.

Point of No Return

“ToseeSantaasaperson,asareallifecharacter,andhe canbehereandbeanexample,thatisjustsofantastic,”said Cleo’smom,GenieGertz,inALS,throughaninterpreter.

“Thisisagreatexampleofrepresentation,”addedCleo’s dad,PatrickBoudreault,alsothroughaninterpreter.“Representationmatters.”

DARINJ.MCCANN darin.mccann@coastalpoint.com

SUSANMUTZ susan.mutz@coastalpoint.com

M.PATRICIATITUS

patricia.titus@coastalpoint.com

TARYNKING taryn.king@coastalpoint.com

SHAUNM.LAMBERT shaun.lambert@coastalpoint.com

CHRISAUBE chris.aube@coastalpoint.com

NADINETIMPANARO nadine.timpanaro@coastalpoint.com

Rememberthosedays?Icanstill pictureusstandinginline,ourlips movingsilentlyaswepracticedwhatwe weregoingtosaytothebigguywhen ourturncameupandwecouldgrab thatcovetedspotonhislap.Therewas thatnear-senseofpanicthatwouldwashovermewhenIfinallygotmychance,anditseemedlikeIwasstuckinsome foggydreamwhenoneofSanta’selveswouldtellmetosmile atthecamera.ThedialogueSantawashavingwithmeduring myturnwaspriceless,andIhungoneverykindwordhesaid tome.

Darin J. McCann

Themanintheredsuit’srealnameisCharlesGraves,and heisalsodeaf.HeisaresidentialcounselorattheTexasSchoolfortheDeaf whenhe’snotmakingdreamscometrue forkidswhosimplywanttheirchance toparticipateinadream-makingopportunity.

“TherearealotofhearingSantas outthere,”saidGraves,throughASL translatorAnthonyMowl.“Andforthatchildtobeableto lookuptosomebodywho’slikethem...that’swhyIdothis.”

Andthenitwasover.Theassemblylineofpresent-seeking childrencontinuedforthwhileImovedonwithmyday,confidentinthebeliefthatSantagot“myorder,”andwouldsoon bestackingupaseriesoffootballs,baseballglovesandvarious beepingtoyswith9-voltbatteriesundermytree.

Prettyroutinestuff,right?Howmanyofyouwentthrough similarexperiences?Well,noteverybody.

Whatifyouweredeafasachild,anditwouldbenearly impossibletoenjoythatconversationwithSanta?Whatif youcouldn’tunderstandthosemagicalwordscomingoutof his mouth,orfeellikeyoucouldadequatelyexpresswhatyou desperatelywantedforChristmas?

CleoBoudreaultisa4-year-oldchildwhowasborndeaf. HerparentsrecentlytookhertotheGaylordHotelatNationalHarbor,inMaryland,accordingtodcist.com.Shetook herplaceinlineatSanta’sworkshop,andreceivedalittleencouragementfromherparentstogoapproachSantawhenit washerturn.

Themerryiconsmiledathergently,welcomedher,and greetedherinAmericanSignLanguage(ASL).Shepaused,a littletakenabackmaybe,andthenshesignedback.Forafew moments,thetwowentbackandforth,andCleoendedup smilingandhappilyposedforaphoto.

W hathedoes,ifwe’rebeinghonest,isbringthemagic. HeandMowl,whoworkswithGravesonbookings,knew theD.C.areawasonetheyshouldvisit,asithasoneofthe largestdeafandhard-of-hearingcommunitiesinthecountry, atleastpartlybecauseofGallaudetUniversitybeingthere. Mowlsaidheisfourthgenerationofhisfamilytobeborn deaf,sohefullyunderstandstheneedfortheseSantavisits. HesharedthathefeltthemagicfromGravesseveralyears agowhenhetookhisowndaughtertomeetthedeafSanta.

“Hejusttookmyheartaway,”explainedMowl.“Every childshouldbeabletoseeaSantatheycanrelateto,thatthey canunderstand,andisareflectionofthemselves.”

RamonTorresMoran,8,toldDCistthroughatranslator thatheaskedforsomenewVansshoes,acoupleGoosebump booksandaRubik’sCube.“AndIwantareallyhardone,”he signed.“Notjustoneoftheregularsquares.Areallycomplicatedone.”

“Atthemall,they’dhavehugelinestoseeSantaandwe’d alwayswaitpatientlytogoseehim,”saidRamon’sdad, FranklinTorres.“Butnowordofcommunication.Justawave, athumbsupandapatontheback.Andthatwasit.”

ButGraveschangedthatexperienceforRamon.Drastically.

“It’sthemagicofChristmasforourkids,”saidhismother, NormaMoran.

ThemagicofChristmas,indeed.Andmemoriesthese children,andtheirparents,willneverlose.

JANEJOHNSON jane.johnson@coastalpoint.com

KERINMAGILL kerin.magill@coastalpoint.com

SUSAN CANFORA susan.canfora@coastalpoint.com

JASONFEATHER jason.feather@coastalpoint.com

MIKESMITH mike.smith@coastalpoint.com

MIKESTERN mike.stern@coastalpoint.com

TheCoastalPointispublishedweeklyat 111AtlanticAve.,OceanView,DE19970.

Themailingaddressis: P.O.Box1324, OceanView,DE19970.

Phone:302.539.1788. Fax:302.539.3777.

Deadlineforadvertisingandnewssubmissions is5p.m.Monday.Alladvertisementscreatedby theCoastalPointarepropertyofCoastalPointLLC, andcannotbereplicatedwithoutpermission. www.coastalpoint.com

Readerweighsin onfutureautomandate

Editor’snote:Thefollowingletterwas addressedtoGov.JohnCarneyandKyle KralloftheDNRECDivisionofAir Quality,andwassenttotheCoastalPoint forpublication.

IamaresidentofDelawareandas suchIam100percentopposedtothis legislationthatplanstoeliminatetraditionallypoweredvehicles.Iamnot wealthy,andIcannotaffordtopurchase, ormaintainandreplaceabatteryofan electricvehicle,Icanbarelyaffordatraditionallypoweredvehicle.Ifearthat mychildrenwhoaresoontobeofdrivingagealsowillnotbeabletoaffordto purchaseanEVintheiryoungeryears whentheywillhavemanyotherbills, suchaseducation,housingandpossibly ayoungfamily.

Iamalsoconcernedaboutthesafety ofEVs,astheirframesarelighterand batteriesmassivelyheavier,whichwill leadtoincreasedeathsfromEVcrashes. Iamespeciallyafraidanddonotsupportschoolbusesbeingconvertedto EVsforthissamereason.Showmethe extensivestudiesthatshowEVssafe first.

Also,EV’shaveinnowaybeen showntobeenvironmentallysuperiorto traditionallypoweredvehicle,anduntil thatisdefinitelydemonstratedIdonot approveofmytaxdollarsgoingto wastefulEVchargingstations,diverting electricpowerfromanalreadystrained infrastructureandeliminatingmyoptionandrightasafreeAmericanto

purchaseavehiclethatIseefittoutilize formyself,myfamilyandmyoccupation.WedonotliveinCommunist China!AndIdonotliveinCalifornia! Idonotapproveofourlegislatureand governorfollowingtheedictsofany otherstatethathasnotbeenvotedon andapprovedbytheDelawarepopulation.

Ifyoucontinuetoworktowardthis endofbanningtraditionallypowered vehicles,thenIwillmakeitmytopprioritytofightagainstthatandyouroffice,andIwillensurethatyouwillbe votedoutofoffice.

JakeNichols Frankford

DDSCgratefulfor supportofbusinesses

Editor:

Onbehalfofthenon-profit DelawareDeafSeniorCitizens (DDSC)organization,Iwanttothank somelocalbusinesseswhogenerously donatedtoourrecentfundraisingactivity.Thefundsgeneratedwillbeusedto facilitatetheDDSCmissionofserving deafcitizensinourcommunity.

ThefollowingbusinesseskindlyprovidedgiftcertificatestoDDSC: BethanyDiner,FinsAleHouse&Raw Bar,Melissa’s,Mickey’sFamilyCrab House,MillsboroLanes,Perucci’s, SoDelConcepts,MillsboroLanesand TurtleBeachCafé.Weverymuchappreciatetheirsupport.

AllenTalbert,President DelawareDeafSeniorCitizens OceanView

SamaritanThriftShop awardsdonations

BySusanCanfora StaffReporter

Representativesfromlocalfood banksandcharitiesinSussexCounty andWorcesterCountyinMaryland wereinvitedtoaluncheonattheCottageCaféinBethanyBeachrecentlyto acceptdonationsfromtheSamaritan ThriftShopinSelbyville.

Morethan$100,000wasdivided amongtherecipients,SamaritanThrift Shop’sPatPlocek,whoorganizedthe donations,said.Fundsaredistributed everyyear,butthisisthefirsttimethere has beenaluncheontothankthemanagers.

“Theamountwegivehasgrownover theyears.Wehadbeenaveraging around$90,000inprioryears,”Plocek said.

RecipientsincludeNeighborsHelpingNeighbors,St.MatthewsBy-theSea,$2,000;TheHomeoftheBrave FoundationinMilford,$8,000;Seaford CommunityFoodCloset,$7,000; BlessingHouseMinistryinWhaleyville,Md.,$15,000;BethelTabernacleChurchofGodinFrankford, $15,000;LoveINCofMid-Delmarva in Seaford,$15,000;BayShoreCommunityChurchinMillsboro,$10,000; TheSalvationArmyinSeaford, $15,000;SamaritanMinistriesin PocomokeCity,$10,000;andCape HenlopenFoodBasketinRehoboth Beach,$8,000.

Thisyear,thethriftshopisexpected tomakemorethan$300,000andspend about$100,000onelectricity,rentand salariesofthethreepaidemployees,he said.

LocatedintheWilliamsvilleIndustrialPark,at38293LondonAvenuein Selbyville,theshopisaministryofSt. MatthewsBy-the-SeaUnited MethodistChurch.Itsmissionisto offerlow-costclothingandhousehold itemstogeneratefundsforemergency andsupplementalfoodassistance.

HoursareMondays,Tuesdays, ThursdaysandFridaysfrom9a.m.to3 p.m.,andSaturdaysfrom9a.m.to noon.

Itemsforsaleincludeclothing, Christmasdecorations,books,jewelry, collectibles,linens,babyitems,housewares,furniture,smallappliancesand sportinggoods.Clothingandother itemscanbedonatedwhentheshopis open,butcomputers,TVs,exercise equipment,mattresses,boxsprings,bed pillows,VHStapesandcassettetapes arenotaccepted.

Anew$1.2millionbuildingwith storageareaisplanned,withconstructionexpectedtobeginnextyear.Anyoneinterestedincontributingcancall Plocekat(850)766-3121.

Formoreinformationonthethrift shop,call(302)436-5526ore-mail greatbargains@samaritanthriftshop.com

New Year’s Eve BUFFET

Saturday, Decemeber 31 • 4PM - 10PM Adults - $45 Children 4 to 10 - $20 Beverages & Gratuity not included in price

Buffet Includes: Appetizer Station with Cioppino (soup), Shrimp Cocktail, Mini Crab Cakes, and a Salad Bar. Prime Rib Carving Station. Entrees with Pesto Salmon, Fried Rockfish, Shrimp & Grits, Seafood Mac & Cheese, Chicken Chesapeake, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Alfredo, Beef Stroganoff, Eggplant Parmesan. Sides with Roasted Red Potatoes, Broccolini, Green Bean Almondine, Asparagus. Dessert Station

New Year’s Eve A la Carte Entrees Filet Mignon topped with Crab $45 Two Crab Cakes $35 Stuffed Flounder $33 Broiled Scallops $32 Pot Roast $22 All New Year’s Eve Entrees come with broccolini, baked potato, and our freshly baked muffins

New Year’s Day

Second Season SPECIALS

Monday

Fried Oyster Dinner $18 Grilled Pork Chops $17

Tuesday

Cottage Fried Chicken $16 BBQ Baby Back Ribs $16

Wednesday

Fried Shrimp Dinner $17 Cottage Shrimp & Grits $18

Thursday

Prime Rib Dinner 8oz. $24 12oz. $30 Seafood Mac & Cheese $23

Friday

“Fryday” Fish Fry $20 Choice of Cod, Flounder, or a combination Bourbon Bacon Salmon $20

AAAestimatedrecentlythat112.7 millionpeoplewilljourney50milesor moreawayfromhomefromDec.23to Jan.2.That’sanincreaseof3.6million peopleoverlastyearandclosinginon pre-pandemicnumbers.Thisisexpected tobethethirdbusiestyearforholiday travelsinceAAAbegantrackingin2000.

“Thisyear,traveltimewillbeextendedduetoChristmasDayandNew Year’sDayfallingonSundays,”said PaulaTwidale,AAA’sseniorvicepresident oftravel.“Withhybridwork schedules,weareseeingmorepeople takelongweekendstotravelbecause theycanworkremotelyattheirdestinationandbemoreflexiblewiththedays theydepartandreturn.”

Nearly102millionAmericansare expectedtodrivetotheirholidaydestinations.Despiterollercoastergasprices in2022,thisholidayseasonwillseean additional2milliondriverscomparedto 2021,accordingtoAAA.Expected

travelbycarthisyearisonparwith 2018 butshyof2019,when108million Americansdroveoutoftownforthe holidays,thehighestyearonrecord.

Airtravelisexpectedtoseea14percentincreaseoverlastyear,withnearly 7.2millionAmericansexpectedtofly. Flightsandairportsareexpectedtobe packedthisholidayseason,reminiscent ofpre-pandemicdays.Demandfor flightshassurgeddespitehigherairline ticketprices.AAAexpectsthenumber ofpeopletakingholidayflightsthisyear willcomeclosetomatching2019,when 7.3millionAmericanstraveledbyair.

“Ifthedistanceisnotreasonableto drive,morepeoplearetakingtotheairto maximizethetimespentattheirdestination,”Twidaleadded.“Conversely,ifthe traveldistancesarereasonableandmore thanoneortwopeopleinthehousehold aretakingthetrip,itmaybemorecost-effectivetodriveratherthanbuymultiple airtickets,rentacar,andspendtoomuch

moneybeforethefunevenbegins.”

Other modesoftransportationare alsorebounding.AAAestimatedthat travelbybus,railandcruiseshipwill riseto3.6millionthisholidayseason,a 23percentincreasefromlastyearand nearly94percentof2019’svolume.

Busiestcorridorsandbest/worst timestotravel

INRIX,aprovideroftransportation analyticsandinsights,expectsthemost congesteddaysontheroadtobethe FridaybeforeChristmas,onDec.27 and28,andonMonday,Jan.2,astravelers mixwithcommuters.Inmajor metroareas,especiallyinLosAngeles andNewYorkCity,driverscouldexperiencedoublethetypicaldelays.

“Withpre-pandemiclevelsoftravelershittingtheroadthisholiday,drivers mustbepreparedfordelaysinand aroundmajormetroareas,withTuesday,

Dec.27,expectedtobethenation’s worstdaytotravel,”saidBobPishue, transportationanalystatINRIX.“Our adviceistoavoidtravelingduringpeak commutinghours.Ifschedulesallow, leavebrightandearlyoraftertheafternooncommute.”

Forthosetravelingbycar,thebest andworsttravelingtimesareexpectedto be:

•Dec.23—worsttimes,4-7p.m.; besttimes,before2p.m.orafter8p.m.;

•Dec.24—worst,noonto6p.m.; best,before11a.m.orafter7p.m.;

•Dec.25—minimaltrafficexpected;

•Dec.26—worst,2-6p.m.;best, beforenoonorafter7p.m.;

•Dec.27-30—worst,3-7p.m.;best, before2p.m.orafter8p.m.

•Dec.31andJan.1—minimaltrafficexpected;and

•Jan.2—worst,4-7p.m.;best,before3p.m.orafter8p.m.

FrankfordTownCouncilelectionsetforFeb.4

TheTownofFrankfordhassetvotinginitsannualtowncouncilelection forSaturday,Feb.4,from1to4p.m. Thetwocouncilseatsexpiringin2023

andupforelectionarethosecurrently occupiedbyGregWelchandJohn Wright. Thedeadlinetofileasacandidateis

Friday,Jan.13,at4:30p.m.Voterregistrationisduethesameday.Votersmust be atleast18andaresidentofthetown foratleastoneyear.

FormsforcandidatesandvoterregistrationareavailableatFrankfordTown Hall,at9MainStreet.

BySusanCanfora StaffReporter

Theysatonbalesofhay,quietly listening,thenjoinedinthesigningoftraditionalhymnsasthe storyofthebirthofJesuscameto lifeatMariner’sBethelUnited MethodistChurch.

Asthefirstofaseriesofshort enactmentsbeganat6p.m.,the Rev.Dr.RebeccaCollison,pastor, readpassagesfromtheHolyBible, startingwithversesfromthebook ofLuke,regardingMary,ayoung virgin,beingvisitedbyanangel whotoldhershewasfavored,that sheshouldn’tbeafraidandthat shewouldbearasonwhowould becalledsonofthemosthigh.

Assheread,theactorportrayingMary,sitting,heldababydoll representingJesus,tightlywrapped inablanketagainstthechilly nightairandlookedathimlovinglyasJosephstoodtoherleft andCollison,withothersingers, accompaniedbyguitarists,ledthe singingof“AngelsWeHave HeardonHigh”and“Silent Night.”

Awomanpassedoutsheets withthelyricsprintedonthem,

andvolunteerscovered anearbytable,nextto awarmingfire,with freshlybakedcookies andcupsofhotchocolatetoppedwith miniaturemarshmallows.

Collisonreadfrom thefirstbookof Matthew,“Nowthe birthofJesusChrist wasonthiswise: Whenashismother Marywasespousedto Joseph,beforethey cametogether,shewas foundwithchildofthe HolyGhost.”

Josephplannedto divorceMaryquickly, untilhe,too,wasvisitedbyanangelina dream,tellinghim,accordingtoMatthew 18:20,“Joseph,thou sonofDavid,fearnot totakeuntotheeMary thywife:forthat whichisconceivedin herisoftheHoly Ghost.Andsheshall bringforthason,and thoushaltcallhis nameJesus:forheshall savehispeoplefrom theirsins…then Joseph,beingraised fromsleepdidasthe angeloftheLordhad biddenhim,andtook untohimhiswife.And heknewhernottill shehadbroughtforth herfirstbornson:and hecalledhisname Jesus.”

“Allthistookplace tofulfilltheprophecy,” Collisonsaidastheaudiencesang “AwayInManger”and“OCome AllYeFaithful.”

Shepherdscametoseethebaby, aswellastheThreeWiseMen— Melchior,aPersianscholar;Caspar,anIndianscholar;andBalthazar,aBabylonianscholar—the pastorsaid,asshepherdsjoined Mary,JosephandbabyJesusinthe stable,andtheThreeWiseMen kneltandbowedtothebabyand laygiftsinfrontofhim.

Thepastorwishedeveryonea blessedholidaybetweenpresentations,onFriday,Dec.16,depicting howJesuswasborninsideastable inBethlehemandlaidina manger,atthattimeusedtohold foodforanimals.

“TheLiveNativityisanopportunitytotakethemessageofhope

bornatChristmasoutofthe buildingandintothecommunity,” Collisonsaidpreviously.

“ItisareminderofhowGod usesordinarypeople—yearafter year—tosendamessageofhope foreachgeneration.Andthatkind ofhopeiswhatweneedinthe crazinessofourworldtoday,”the pastorsaid.

TheLiveNativityisorganized bychurchmemberJimKlinedinst. The16-foot-long,7-foot-deep stablewasconstructedbyfellow churchmemberDuncanCornell, whobuiltitabout20yearsago fromoldbarnboards.

“WhatIlikeaboutitis,there aresomanyNativityscenesmade outofplywood,butthisisthereal deal.Thescaleisright.Whenyou lightitup,itlooksreallygood.

Therearealotofgoodmemories. Alotofgreatpeoplehavegraced itovertheyears,”Cornellsaid.

“ThereasontheLiveNativity wascreated—anditstillstands sotruetoday—itwascreatedfor thechildren,tostarttoreflecton whattheLord’sbirthmeansin yourlife.Thelookontheirfaces whentheyseeitisamazingand thelookontheirfaceswhenthey starttounderstanditisamazing andmostheartfelt.I’veseenthe lookonpeople’sfacesasadults andithasameaningtothem. Whenyouseetheminthatpretearmoment.Weusuallygetabout 200peoplethroughthere.It’sjust thepublicdisplayofthebirthof theLordandwhatitmeansto people,”Cornellsaid.

DelmarvaPowerfilesrequestforratehike

Rateincreaseisoneof thelargestrequestedby theutility

OnDec.15,DelmarvaPowerfiled anapplicationwiththePublicService Commissiontoincreaseitselectricdistributionratesby$72.3million.Pursuanttostatelaw,theincreasewill becomeeffectiveonatemporarybasis onJuly15,2023,subjecttorefund, pendingafinaldecisionbythePublic ServiceCommission.

DelmarvaPower’srequestforanincreaseinelectricdistributionrates comesontheheelsofa$16.7million increaseapprovedbythePublicService CommissiononAug.5,2021.

Iftheincreaseisapprovedasre-

quested,DelmarvaPowerresidential andresidentialelectricspaceheating customerswillexperienceanadditional increaseof8.35percentand13.2percent,respectively,intheirelectricdistributioncharges.Atypicalresidential non-spaceheatingcustomerusing844 kWhpermonthwouldseeanadditionalincreaseof$10.41permonthto theirtotalbill,andaresidentialspace heating customerwouldseeanadditionalincreaseofmorethan$11per monthtotheirtotalbill.

“Ascustomersarestrugglingtopay bills,DelmarvaPowerisseekingoneof thelargestelectricdistributionrateincreaseswehaveeverseen,”said DelawarePublicAdvocateAndrew Slater.“Simplyput,reliabilityisextremelyimportantbutso,too,isaffordability.Nocustomershouldhaveto

choosebetweenpayingfortheirutility serviceorpayingforotheressential needs. It’slongpasttimecostsare reinedin,justasmanyoftheircustomersaretryingtodo.”

Therequesteddistributionrateincreaseofroughly25percentfollowsa nearly60percentincreaseinnaturalgas supplyratesoverthepasttwoyears.

DelmarvaPower’sreliabilityisinthe firstquartileofallU.S.utilitiesforreliability.Evenso,DelmarvaPowerintends tospend$430milliononplantcosts overthenextthreeyears.Thatrepresents anincreaseof155percentover Delmarva’s2019plantspending.

ThePublicServiceCommissionwill holdapubliccommentsessiononcea proceduralscheduleisestablished. Writtencommentsmaybesentbymail toDelawarePublicServiceCommis-

sion,DocketNo.22-0897,861Silver LakeBoulevard,Suite100,Dover,DE 19904,orbye-mailto psc@delaware.gov,Attn:DocketNo. 22-0897.

DelawareanscancontactEnergize DelawareaboutitsHomePerformance with EnergyStar,andHomeEnergy CounselingandCheck-Upprograms. Theprogramscouldpotentiallyproduce energysavings.Consumersmaylearn moreat:https://www.energizedelaware.org/.

Additionalprograms,suchasweatherizationandtheLow-IncomeHome EnergyAssistanceProgram(LIHEAP) maybeabletohelpcustomerssaveon energycosts.Customerscanrevieweligibilityrequirementsforbothprograms bycalling(302)504-6111forthe WeatherizationAssistanceProgramand bycallingCatholicCharitiesforLIHEAPassistanceat(302)856-6310for SussexCounty.

TheroleoftheDelawarePublicAdvocateistoadvocateforthelowestreasonableratesforresidentialandsmall commercialutilityconsumers,consistentwithafairdistributionofratesand maintainingreliableutilityservice.To learnmoreabouttheDivisionofthe PublicAdvocate,visithttps://publicadvocate.delaware.gov/.

Policeinvestigating armedrobberyat

Millsboroliquorstore

DelawareStatePolicethisweekwere investigatinganarmedrobberythat tookplaceonDec.15inMillsboro. AccordingtotheDSP,onDec.15, around9:48p.m.,troopersrespondedto EastCoastLiquors,locatedat28219 DupontBoulevardinMillsboro,fora reportedarmedrobbery.Theirinvestigationrevealedthatanunknownsuspecthadenteredthestorewithwhat appearedtobeafirearmanddemanded moneyfromtheemployee.Thesuspect then fledwithanundisclosedamountof money.Noonewasinjuredduringthis incident,policesaid.

Thesuspectwasdescribedasablack malewearinganunknowntypeofface covering,withagrayhoodie,blackpants andtanboots.Therewasnoadditional suspectdescriptionavailablesoonafter theincident.

TheDelawareStatePoliceTroop4 CriminalInvestigationsUnitcontinued investigatingthecaseearlythisweek. TroopersareaskinganyonewithinformationregardingthisincidenttocontactDetectiveD.Yencerbycalling (302)752-3791.Informationmayalso beprovidedbycontactingDelaware CrimeStoppersat1-800-TIP-3333or viatheinternetatwww.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

VeronicaAgnesBanks,87

VeronicaAgnesBanks,87,passed awaypeacefullyonDec.18,2022,in herhome,surroundedbyfamily.She wasbornonMarch11,1935,in MuddyNecknearOceanView,Del. ShewasthedaughterofthelateAndrewandElizabethLayton.

BanksattendedLordBaltimore SchoolinOceanView,whereshe metherlatehusband,EzekielBanks. Shehadtwochildren,DaleBanks andStephenBanks,eightyearsapart. Overtheyears,shebelongedtoseveralorganizationsandsocialclubs, includingtheMillvilleVolunteer FireCompanyLadiesAuxiliary,the Eagles,theMooseLodgeandthe VFW.SheworkedinthemeatdepartmentatG&Eformorethan25 years.SheattendedtheDagsboro ChurchofChristformanyyears.

SheenjoyedwatchingtheWashingtonCommandersfootballteamor collegesoftball,cookingchickenand-dumplingsforherfamily,shoppingforclothesandjewelry, decoratingforeveryseasonorholiday,andtraveling.OneofherfavoritetripswastoNashville,Tenn., withherclosefriendJoyce.Shewas namedamemberoftheAcademyof Friendship,adistinctionwithinthe LoyalOrderoftheMoose,andattendedtheGrandOleOpry.Despite hermanyinterests,hergreatest sourceofjoyinlifewasherfamily. Shelovedbeinga“mom-mom,”and wassoproudofhertwogranddaughters.

Bankswasprecededindeathby herlatehusband,EzekielBanks;her brother,AllenLayton;andherson StephenBanks.Sheissurvivedby hersonDaleBanks,andhiswife, Kathy;herdaughter-in-lawJune

Banks;twogranddaughters,Ashley Banks(andherfiancé,EricGoldfond)andAlissaBanksBolton(and herhusband,MitchellBolton,and soon-to-beson,BrooksBolton);and severalniecesandnephewsfrom boththeBanksandLaytonfamilies. Shealsoleftbehindmanyclose friends,asshewaslovedbyallwho knewher.

ServiceswillbeheldonTuesday, Dec.27,2022,attheFrankford ChapelofMelsonFuneralServices, 43ThatcherSt.,Frankford,Del.The viewingwillbeginat11a.m.that day,followedbyservicesatnoonand burialatGateofHeavenCemetery inDagsboro,Del.Condolencesmay besentonlineatwww.melsonfuneralservices.com.

Harvey‘Tee’Hamilton,69

Harvey“Tee”Hamilton,69, passedawayunexpectedlyonThursday,Dec.8,2022.Hewasbornon Dec.20,1952,inBear,Del.,tothe lateThomasH.HamiltonandDella ColeHamilton.

Heworkedinthebuildingandremodelingtrademostofhislife.He enjoyedfishing,crabbing,gardening, antiquingandlivinghislifetoits fullest.Helivedeachdaylikeitwas hislast.

Inadditiontohisparents,Hamiltonwasalsoprecededindeathbya sister,LindaSmith.Heissurvivedby adaughter,ChristieSwarbrickand herfiancé,MattSavidge,ofCoalwood,W.Va.;fourgrandchildren, ChelseaHamilton,DylanSwarbrick, NoahSwarbrickandMatthew Savidge;andagreat-granddaughter, Sophie,allofWestVirginia.Healso leavesaniece,nephews,extended familymembersandmanyfriends.

Perhiswishes,servicesweretobe private,andcremationwastofollow. ArrangementswerebyWatsonFuneralHomeinMillsboro,Del.Lettersofcondolencemaybesent onlineatwww.watsonfh.com.

Dorothy‘Sandie’ DavisFulton,80

Dorothy“Sandie”DavisFulton, 80,wenthometoherLordandSavioronthemorningofFriday,Dec. 16,2022,afteralongstrugglewith Parkinson’sdisease.ShewastheeldestdaughterofthelateHarryand DorothyDavisofBaltimore,Md., andwifeofthelateThomasFulton.

FultongraduatedfromtheSibley MemorialNursingProgramin1962 andobtainedherbachelor’sdegreein nursingfromtheUniversityof Marylandin1974.Shehadafulfillingnursingcareerofmorethan50 yearsinboththepublicsectorasa publichealthnurseandwithprivate nursestaffingcompanies.Shetook greatjoyincaringforothersand helpingdeveloptrainingprograms forless-tenurednursesandgreat prideinhavingoversightofthe DAISYprogramtorecognizenurses whodemonstratedextraordinary compassionandcaretotheirpatients.

Shewasanaccomplishedpianist andcouldbefoundmostevenings lullingherchildrentosleepplaying beautifulmusic.Asanactivemember ofseveralMethodistchurches throughoutherlifetime,shealways participatedinthechoirandloved beingapartofthehandbellgroups. ShewasamemberofSt.Matthews BytheSeainFenwick,Del.,atthe timeofherdeath.

FamilywasveryimportanttoFul-

ton,andshelovedtalkingabout themandshowingoffthepicturesof herchildren,grandchildrenand great-grandchildren.Whenverbal communicationwasastruggledueto theeffectsofParkinson’s,sheloved seeingpicturesthefamilysharedon her“GrandPad”asherfacelitup withjoy.

Inadditiontoherparentsand husband,Fultonwasproceededin deathbyhersister,JolineWilson; andniece,RaniCanosa.Sheissurvivedbyherchildren,JackieBurdette White(andPerry)ofShohola,Pa.; CathyBurdetteWade(andRobert) ofFairfax,Va.;SandraSchmidt(and Derrek)ofNavarre,Fla.;Deborah FultonofRoxana,Del.;andBruce Fulton,Jacksonville,Fla.;hersister, RoslynCanosa(andRobert)ofGlen Arm,Md.;abrother-in-law,Jimmy WilsonofGraham,N.C.;her12 grandchildren;twogreat-grandchildren;andanieceandnephew.

Visitationforfamilyandfriends willbeheldonWednesday,Dec.28, 2022,at11a.m.,attheFrankford ChapelofMelsonFuneralServices, 43ThatcherStreet,Frankford,Del. Funeralserviceswillbeginatnoon.

Whatistherighttimetobuyinthisareaandwhy?

Thereisnotreallyonegood timetobuyversusanother.It reallycomesdowntowhenthe opportunityiscorrectforthe buyer.Yes,inthespring,inventoryistypicallyhigherandin thewinterpricesoftenseea decreasebut,ifitisn’ttheright houseattherighttimeforthe buyers’needsthen,thosedatapointsdonotmatter.

IhadalocalclientthatIworkedwithforthree yearsastheylookedfortheirforeverhome.We lookedinallseasons,onehouseatatime,andwe hadafewheartbreaks!Intheend,however,when theyfoundthehouse,everythingfellintoplaceas ifitwasmeanttobe.Thejourneybroughtthemto theirhomethattheystilllove!

Recently,anotherclientcameintotown,but theywerenotsuretheywerereadytobuy.They fellinlovewithaneighborhood,foundahouse thatwasafinancialstretch,butthebuilderhad suchamazingincentivestheywereabletogettheir dreamhome.

Rightopportunity+righttimeforthebuyer= besttimetobuy.

Whenyouareready! Purchasingapropertyencompassesmanyfactors.Job situation,retirementtimeframe,friends,income,children,parents,andchangeof lifeplans.Thebestadviceis don’ttrytotimeorchasethe market.

Inthepast,Ihavehadafewclientswaittopurchase,attemptingtofindtheoptimumtimeframe. Ihaveseenpurchaserswaituntilspringtime,when inventorymaybemoreabundant,orthefallafter therentalseason.Ihadonebuyerthispastyear whofoundthat“perfecthome”inBethanybutdecidedtopostponeanofferingtowaitformarket conditionstoimprove.Bythetimetheycameback tolookagain,thehomesold,propertyvaluesincreasedandinventoryhaddeclined.Ultimately, theymissedoutbynotexecutinganoffer.Tothis day,theyarestillthinkingaboutthathome.

Asapurchaser,don’ttrytotimetheinterest rates,marketvaluesorinventory.Thiscouldgive waytoamissedopportunitytoachievetheultimatebeachlifestyleandourlaidbackwayoflife. So,whenyouarereadytoliveyourbestlifeatthe beach,contactagreatRealtortohelpyoufind yourdreamproperty.

BethEvans

BerkshireHathawayGallo (302)537-2616 beth@beachbaygolf.com

TheSussexCountyEconomicDevelopmentofficeissponsoringatwodaypublicworkshoponwritinga businessmarketingandPRplan,from 10a.m.tonoon,Jan.5and6,atthe GeorgetownChamberofCommerce.

Theworkshop,“CreatinganEffective2023Marketing&PRPlan,”is beingpresentedinpartnershipwithtwo localcommunicationsfirms:HookPR &MarketingandDanikaCommunications.

OrganizerssaidPatriciaRivera, Hookfounder,hasearnedareputation ofsuccesswithmessagingandbrandbuilding campaignsinmultiplelanguagesfornonprofits,foundationsand purpose-drivenbusinesses.AnneRyan, Danikafounder,theysaid,hasearned sterlingcredentialsworkingwithpre-

mierbrandsinluxurytravel,hospitality, lifestyle,culinaryandnonprofitsfor morethan20years.

Theinteractiveworkshopisdesigned tohelpbusinessesdeveloporrefine their2023marketingandPRplanby identifyingtheirdigitalmarketing strengthsandweaknesses;findingtarget markets;learninghowtocreateapersonalconnectionthroughstorytelling; anddefiningkeyperformanceindicators tomeasureprogress.

Marketingischangingsoquickly thatleadersoftenstruggletodecideon tactics,Riverasaid.

“Theyenduppursuingshinynew opportunitiesthatmaynotmeettheir needs.Thisworkshopaimstoprovidea strategicwaytolookatpastmarketing effortsanddevelopathoughtfulplan,

beachy (bee’ chee), adj., 1. having to do or associated with the beach and its surrounding environment; also, the accompanying state of mind. 2. the kind of news, information and features you’ll find every week in the…

The Local Voice of Your Community www.coastalpoint.com

Thereisneverabadtimeto Buyatthebeach!However, dependingonyourreasoning topurchase,yourmotivation coulddeterminethebesttime tobuyforyou.Weseealarge amountofbuyerswiththegoal ofbeingintheirhomebefore thesummerseason,whichincreasesthecompetitioninthespringmonths.

Inmyopinion,thefallisthebesttimefor someonetopurchaseahomeatthebeach.There arenotasmanybuyerslooking,andtheremaybe someinventorythatdidn’tmoveduringthesummer.Lesscompetitionmeansthereisahigher likelihoodfornegotiatingabetterdealonahome.

Thispastspring,Ihadabuyerfamilywhoreallywantedtofindabeachhome.Unfortunately, theykeptgettingoutbid,duetomultiple-offersituations,andtheywantedtoholdfirmontheir purchaseprice.Finally,inthefall,ahometheyhad theireyeonreducedtheirpriceafterbeingonthe marketfor30days.Wesubmittedanoffer$6,000 belowaskingprice,andthesellersacceptedit.

Thisisjustoneofthemanycaseswherewaitinguntilthefallwasinthebuyers’bestinterest.

SarahShoemaker

Keller Williams/TheWindrowGroup (302)569-1334

Sarah@TheWindrowGroup.com

basedongoalsandidealclients,”said Rivera,aGeorgetownChamberof Commercemember.

WilliamF.Pfaff,directorofSussex CountyEconomicDevelopment,said localbusinessesandnonprofitsplayan essentialroleinmaintainingthevitality ofcommunitiesanddowntownareas.

“Offeringthistrainingispartofour missiontohelpourbusinessesrecover, thriveandsucceed.Havingtwoprofessionalstrategistsprovidethetraining workshoppresentsourlocalbusinesses

withawonderfulopportunitytoenhance theirmarketingstrategies,”he added.

HookandDanikahaveworkedwith adiverserangeofbusinessesandorganizationstobuildandexpandloyalty withtheircustomers.

TheworkshopisofferedatGeorgetownChamberofCommerce,827E. MarketStreet.The$300costincludes lightrefreshments.Toregister,visit hookpr.com/2023workshoporcall(302) 858-5055.Spaceislimited.

McCoy Evans

Shoemaker

Intermentwillfollowatthe DelawareVeteransMemorialCemeteryinMillsboro,Del.Inlieuof flowers,donationsmaybemadein memoryofFultonattheMichaelJ. FoxFoundation,at https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/451 352.

Donald“Don”Harkey,93

Donald“Don”Harkey,93,alongtimeresidentoftheChaddsFord, Pa.,andWilmington,Del.,areas, passedawayonWednesday,Dec.14,

2022,atthehomeofhisson, StephenE.Harkey.BorninCharlotte,N.C.,in1929,hewastheson ofthelateJackL.HarkeyandMary AustinHarkey.

HewasagraduateofNorthCarolinaStateUniversityandservedin theU.S.AirForceduringtheKorean War.Heretiredin1985afteracareer ofmorethan30yearsintechnical, marketingandmanagementpositionswiththeDuPontCompany.In retirement,heworkedasamanagementconsultantandservedonthe boardsofseveralcommunityand church-relatedorganizations.Hewas anactiveanddedicatedmemberof St.Paul’sUnitedMethodistChurch

inWilmington,Del.,andSt. MatthewsbytheSeainFenwickIsland,Del.

Harkeyissurvivedbyhiswifeof 71years,PeggyOutenHarkey; daughterCatherineHarkeyCobb andherhusband,Michael,ofSalisbury,N.C.;sonGregHarkeyandhis wife,Heather,ofRoanoke,Va.;and sonSteveHarkeyandhiswife,Joyce, ofFairHill,Md.TheHarkeyswere blessedwithninegrandchildrenand sevengreat-grandchildren.

FamilywillgatherforaprivateintermentceremonyatDelawareVeteransMemorialCemeteryin Millsboro,Del.Theyextendedtheir deepthanksandgratitudetoAccent

CareHospiceandVisitingAngels forthelovingcareandsupportthey haveprovidedoverthelast10 months.Inlieuofflowers,thefamily suggestedcontributionstotheMemorialGiftsFundofSt.Matthews bytheSea,1000CoastalHighway, FenwickIsland,DE19944.

BarbaraJoan(Relay)Jenkins,84

BarbaraJoan(Relay)Jenkins,84, formerlyofOceanView,Del.,passed awayonThursday,Dec.8,2022.She wasborninOrange,N.J.,whereshe livedwithhermother,Katharine “Kay”Relayandbrother,Ronald

“Ronnie”Relay.

SheattendedImmaculateConceptionHighSchoolinMontclair, N.J.,wheresheenjoyedplayingbasketballandwasanexceptionaloffensiveplayer,averaging19.3pointsper gameandplayingvarsityallfour years.Shortlyaftergraduation,she marriedherhusbandof57years, FrankW.Jenkins.HebeganhiscareerintheU.S.AirForce,andsheas anofficer’swife.Theywerestationed atLangleyAirForceBaseandlived inHampton,Va.,formanyyears,beforemovingontoSyracuse,N.Y.; Montgomery,Ala.;andVienna,Va.

TheyremainedinVienna,andshe hadasuccessfulcareerasarealestate agentformorethan30years,specializinginrelocation.Laterinlife,the couplesplittheirtimebetweenViennaandOceanView.Shelovedthe beachlife,walking“theboards”every morninginBethanyBeachandenjoyingbreakfastwithfriends.

ShemovedbacktoVirginiafulltimein2019duetohealthreasons.

Jenkinswasprecededindeathby hermother,Katharine;herbrother, Ronald;andherhusband,Frank.She issurvivedbyherdaughter,Linda (andNick);daughterJenny(and Ted);granddaughters,Ashley(and A.J.)andSamantha(andPeter); grandsons,WyattandSawyer;and threegreat-granddaughters.

Herserviceisscheduledtobe heldintheChapelatFairfaxMemorialonFriday,Jan.20,2023,at1p.m. Therewillbeacelebrationtofollow atCapitalAleHouseinFairfax,Va. HerfinalrestingplacewillbeatArlingtonNationalCemetery,atalater date.Inlieuofflowers,thefamilyis askingthatdonationsbemadetothe Alzheimer’sAssociationat www.act.alz.org.

PhillipNorwood ‘Buddy’Lowe,54

PhillipNorwood“Buddy”Lowe, 54,ofMillsboro,Del.,diedTuesday, Dec.13,2022,afteralongillness.He

wasbornMarch28,1968,toPhillip B.LoweandthelateVirginia Adams.

Heworkedasatruckdriveranda farmequipmentoperatorforseveral farmers,locally,inMissouriandin NorthDakota.Hisfavoritepastime wasfishing.

Lowewasprecededindeathby hisgrandparents,NorwoodandIrene Lowe,whoraisedhimontheirfarm inGumboro,Del.Heissurvivedby hiscompanionof13years,Michelle; hisdaughtersPaige,Taylor,Alyssa andDanielle;ason,Case;andthree grandchildren,Carter,Aubreyand Kierra.Heisalsosurvivedbyasister, Denise;andabrother,Derek.

Amemorialservicewillbeheldat 2p.m.onSunday,Jan.8,2023,atthe GumboroFireCompany,37030 MillsboroHwy,Millsboro,Del.Condolencesmaybesentonlineatwatsonfh.com.Arrangementsarebeing providedbyWatsonFuneralHome inMillsboro,Del.

WilliamE.Rickards,90

WilliamE.Rickards,90,ofMilford,Del.,passedawayonDec.13, 2022,attheSilverLakeCenterin Dover,Del.

Agravesideservicewillbeheldat 1p.m.onThursday,Dec.22,2022,at St.John2ndBaptistChurchCemetery,26602MountJoyRoad,Millsboro,Del.Arrangementsareby WatsonFuneralHomeinMillsboro, Del.Lettersofcondolencemaybe sentonlineatwww.watsonfh.com.

LouisC.‘Louie’Schwartz,35

LouisCharles“Louie”Schwartz, 35,ofOceanView,Del.,lovingson, brotherandfriend,passedaway peacefullyonSaturday,Dec.3,2022. HewasbornonOct.11,1987,to LouandDonnaSchwartzinNew Haven,Conn.,andspenthisearly childhoodinNewark,Del.,before movingtoSelbyville,Del.,whenhe wasingradeschool.Hischildhood summerswerespentwithhissisters andcousinsonthebeachatFenwick IslandStatePark,makingthemost

Christmas 2022

at Mariners Bethel

Thursday, Dec. 22

Friday, Dec. 23

Saturday, Dec. 24

Sunday, Dec. 25 Saturday, Dec. 31 Sunday, Jan. 1

Blue Christmas Service - 6:30 PM

Christmas Eve Eve Service Traditional - 7:00 PM*

Christmas Eve Services

4:00 PM Traditional*; 7:00 PM - Contemporary*

Christmas Day Service 10:00 AM

New Year’s Open Sanctuary 4:00 - 6:00 PM

New Year’s Day Service - 10:00 AM

* Childcare will be available

United Methodist Church Ocean View, Delaware

81 Central Ave, Ocean View, DE 19970 302.539.9510 • www.MarinerBethel.org

wonderfulmemoriesonecouldimagine.

SchwartzgraduatedfromIndian RiverHighSchoolin2006andwent ontostudyfineartsattheDelaware CollegeofArt&Design.Hespent manyyearsasacookatWarren’sStationinFenwickIsland,veryproudly servingbreakfastandsomeofthe bestbaconyou’veeverhad.

Hewasoneofthekindestsouls you’deverbeluckyenoughtomeet. Hewasabrothertoeveryone.A wildlytalentedartist,hecreated thousandsofdrawings,mostlyof lighthouses,tornadoes,oldHollywoodlegends—especiallyhisfavorite,JudyGarland—hisveryown comicstrip,“PeterandRover,”and portraitsofthosehelovedthemost.

Schwartzlovedlighthousesand knewthenameandhistorybehind everylighthouseacrosstheUnited States.Hehadthehonoroftending totheupkeepoftheFenwickIsland Lighthouseinhishometowneach yearwhenvolunteersspruceditup forthesummerseason.Hewasa storm-chaserandaweatherenthusiastfromaveryyoungage.Hewas fascinatedbylightningandtornadoesandoneofhisbiggestdreams wastochasetornadoesinKansas.He wasthefamilyweatherman,often givingweatherreportsandwarnings tohisfriendsandfamilythatwere farmoreaccuratethanthoseontelevision.Oneofhisgreatestheroeswas meteorologistJamesSpann.Hewas everyone’seyeinthesky.

Hewasalsoagiftedmusician.He taughthimselfguitarandwrotehundredsofsongs.Heformedbands withhiscousinsatayoungage,and thenlaterwithhisbestfriendsfrom middleandhighschool.Heloved comedyandkneweverylineofhis favoritecomedian,MitchHedberg, byheart.Helovedtolaughand lovedsharingthatlaughterwithhis friendsandfamily.

Schwartzwasprecededindeath bybothhismaternalandpaternal grandparents.Heissurvivedbyhis parents,DonnaSchwartzofSelbyville,Del.,andLouSchwartz(and Leslie)ofCornelius,N.C.;twosisters,JillOliver(andCraig)ofFrankford,Del.,andLisaWilliams(and Wes)ofColumbus,Ga.;threehalfbrothers,MarkHarrington(and Ada)ofPhiladelphia,Pa.,Craig Schwartz(andBeth)ofWilmington, Del.,andToddHarrington(and Lisa)ofNorwalk,Conn.;andthree step-siblings,JamieDineen(and Yennifer),PeterDineenandKristen Dineen,allofCharlotte,N.C.Heis alsosurvivedbyhisnephew,Jake;as wellashisverybestfriend,JimAn-

TheSaltAirGardeners(SAG),a groupofavidgardenersandvolunteersbasedinOceanView,recently raised$1,100forSouthCoastalVillageVolunteers(SCVV).SAGPresidentOksanaHoeypresenteda checktoKathyGreen,SCVV’shead ofdevelopment,onDec.13atOcean ViewTownHall.

SCVVisanon-profitorganizationdesignedtohelpseniorsin EasternSussexCountyliveindependentlyintheirhomes.Volunteers providetransportationtomedical appointmentsandshopping,help witherrandsandhouseholdtasks, andmakesocialvisits.

AccordingtoHoey,“Forthelast sixyears,theSaltAirGardeners haveraisedfundsforlocalcharities atourannualholidaycelebration. Ourmembersalwaysgivegenerously,andwe’redelightedthatthis donationwillsupporttheSVCC and seniorsinourcommunity.”

“Yourdonationishelpingolder adultsliveindependentlyintheir homes,”Greensaid.“Thankyoufor makingthathappen!”

CoastalPoint•Submitted

OksanaHoey,presidentoftheSaltAirGardeners,right,presentsacheckfor$1,100toKathyGreenoftheSouthCoastalVillage Volunteers,left.

OnDec.9,theDeweyBeach LionsClubcarriedonthe10-year traditionstartedbytheMidway LionsClubofsupportingtheSussex CountyConsortiumSnowBowl.

Atotalof225studentswithspecialneeds,ages5to21,filledthe32 lanesoftheMilfordBowlingAlley. Eachstudentplayedtwogamesand wastreatedtoapizzalunch,deserts andbeveragesservedbytheDewey BeachLionsClubmembers.

Additionally,clubmembersencouragedthestudentbowlersasthey bowled.AllwereaidedandmonitoredbythestaffoftheConsortium.

“Itwasafunlearningexperience forthestudentsandagreatlyrewardingserviceprojectforthe DeweyBeachLionsClub,”representativessaid.

CoastalPoint•Submitted

TheDeweyBeachLionsClubheldthe10thannualSussexCountyConsortiumSnowBowlonFriday,Dec.9.

SouthernDelawareTourismAwardswinnersannounced

Fivewinnersfromamonganomineelistofevents,attractions,organizations,andindividualshave beenchosenbyanimpartialpanel toreceivethe2022Southern DelawareTourismAwards.The awardswerepresentedonDec.14at theAnnualSouthernDelaware TourismAwardsLuncheonheldat theLighthouseCoveEventCenter inDeweyBeach.

“Tourismisa$2.3+billion(and growing!)industryinSussex County,”SouthernDelaware Tourismrepresentativessaid.“In fact,morethan16percentofall jobsinthecounty—almost20,000 ofthem—aretourismrelated.And tourismrevenuesaveseach Delawarehouseholdover$1,600in taxeseachyear.Thisisdefinitely due,inlargepart,toourfortunate geographicallocationandourbeautiful5Starbeaches—butit’salso theresultofalotofinitiative,creativity,planningandhardworkby themanypeopleandorganizations whostrivetokeepupwithchanging traveltrendsandtocreateandprovidethetypesofattractions,events, activitiesandservicesthatdrivevisitorstoSussexCounty.”

SouthernDelawareTourismcongratulatedallofthe2022nominees.

“Thisyear’svotingwasextremely close.Allofthisyear’snomineesare verydeservingoftheawardastheir contributionshelpmakeSussex Countysuchaspecialandbeloved destination,”saidScottThomas,executivedirectorofSouthern DelawareTourism.

Winnerswerenamedineachof fivecategoriesin2022,including BestNewEvent,BestEvent,Best Attraction,PhilanthropicAward andTourismPartneroftheYear. The2022SouthernDelaware TourismAwardswinnersare:

•BestNewEvent—Schellville. “Schellvillewelcomed104,000visitorsduringtheweekendsfrom ThanksgivingtoNewYear’sEve 2021.Theywelcomedpeoplefrom alloverDelaware,aswellasMaryland,Virginia,Pennsylvania,New Jersey,NewYork,D. C.andmoreto theirfreeevent.TheirlocationbehindtheTangerOutletCentergave visitorstheopportunitytodosome ‘pre-game’tax-freeshoppingjusta mileawayfromthefamousRehobothBeachandBoardwalk.

“Wordoftheeventwasspread

farandwideviatheirFacebook pagepostsandothersocialmedia platforms.Theeventincludedlocal foodspecialties,aHospitalityTent, abeergarden,nightlylivemusic andfantasticartisanvendors.Volunteerelves(439ofthemfilling 8,000volunteertimeslots)conducted2,496‘SchellvilleExpress’ trainrides,servedup12,300hotcocoas,handedout15,259pairsof rollerskatesforrollerskatingunder thelights,andinstalled1,600live Christmastreesforouramazing TreeMaze.

“Theymade‘snow’forepicsnowballfights,built18miniature housesandbusinesseswithfurnitureandtoysforlittlechildrento enjoy,offeredloungeareaswithfire pitsandhadSantaandMrs.Claus ondutyeverynight.Althoughadmissiontotheeventwasfreeforall, theyraisedfundsthroughapercentageoffoodandartisanvendor’s sales.$84,600wasdonatedtohelp endchildhoodhungerinDelaware

and$741,000.wasspentatlocal smallbusinesses.”

•BestEvent—302Day.“In 2022,severalorganizationscametogethertoexpandontheprevious workthathadbeendonetoproduce aDelawarefocusedOfficial302 DayCelebrationattheDogfish HeadBreweryinMilton.Initiated byKAMProductions,creatorsof the302HorseshoeCrablifestyle brand,thedaywasahomagetothe 302areacodeoftheslightbut mightystateofDelawareandcelebratingthegoodnessoftheFirst State.Themulti-dayeventconsistedofakick-offpartyon Wednesday,March2,attheDogfishHeadTastingRoominMilton.

“Themainevent,theOfficial 302DayCelebration,occurredon Saturday,March5,onthegrassy knolloutsidethebrewery.TheOfficial302DayCelebrationhighlightedsomeofthethingsthat makesDelawaresospecial,including302HorseshoeCrabgear,Dog-

fishHeadbeers,theDelawareState ParksAirstreamTravelTrailersellingannualparkpasses,FiferOrchardsgoodiesandmusicfromDJ DroidandHomesteadBluegrass.A portionofbeersalesandarafflewas heldwithproceedsgoingtothe benefitFriendsofDelawareState Parks.Tocapitoff,acostumecontestwasheldforthebestoutfitthat demonstratedDelaware’sspirit.

“Aftermonthsofplanning,the eventwasagiantsuccesswithan estimated1,500peopleinattendance.Attendeescamefromallover thestate,representingadiverse groupofindividuals,familiesand dogs,whileprovidingafuncommunityactivityearlyinMarchwhen therewerenotalotofotherevents occurring.Salesrecordsweresetfor manyoftheparticipatingvendors includingthehighestnumberof guestsinMarchatthetastingroom andover$3,000raisedforcharity.

Theeventwascoveredbythemedia andthesocialmediafeedbackwas incrediblystrong.Duetothesuccessoftheevent,planningisunderwaytocontinuetogrowtheOfficial 302DayCelebrationforfuture years.”

•BestAttraction—“The DelawareBotanicGardens(DBG), uniquelyrunbycommunityvolunteers,firstopenedinSeptember 2019.Thatwasfollowedbytwo yearsofCOVID-relatedrestrictions thatnegativelyimpactedthegardens’opendaysandhours.Then,in 2022,thegardensexperienceda167 percentincreaseinvisitorsfrom MarchthroughSeptembercomparedto2021,havingexpanded theiropenhoursbyonlytwohours perday.Docents’informalconversationswithvisitorsindicatethat DBGvisitorsincludethosefromas farasBelgium,Canada,France,the NetherlandsandtheUnitedKingdom.Out-of-stateDBGvisitors haveincludedthosefromMaryland, NewYork,NewJersey,Pennsylvania,VirginiaandtheWashington, D. C.,area.

“DBGisnowanationallyand internationallyrecognizedpublic botanicgardendestination/attraction.DBG’smarketing—advertising,mediarelationsandcommunity outreach2021-2022programshave broughtmajorregionalandnational attentiontoDelawareandSussex Countyastourismdestinations.The widescopeofDBG’spublicoutreachandmediainitiativeshave greatlycontributedtooverall DelawareandSussexCounty tourismandvisitorrecognition. DBG’svisitorsuccessisinlarge partduetothecollaborationwith DelawareandSouthernDelaware Tourismoffices,thenewsmedia, andlocalcommunitysupporters.

“Othervaluablecollaborations haveincludedthosewithSussex CountyChambersofCommerce, accommodations,areabusinesses, othernon-profits,andstateparks.

StephenPr yceLea,DBGDirector ofHorticultureandEducationProgramsobserves,‘Visitorsenterthe

ArtKitsprogram.TheFoundation’s ArtsAccessInitiativeincludesArts Education,CommunityAccess,and theFreemanArtsPavilion.

Friday, December 23—Monday, December 26 The library will be closed for Christmas break. Please make sure to renew your items online or return them to the book drop outside during this time.

Tuesday, December 27

Family Trivia 11:00 am-12:30 pm Families are welcome to come to the library to test their knowledge on animated movies!

PAWS for Reading 4-5:00 pm

Children read to a team of well-trained dogs to build confidence & improve their reading skills!

Wednesday, December 28

Baby Bookworms Story Time 10-10:45 am

Children ages birth-2 can practice language, motor, social, & listening skills through a variety of activities!

Little Learners Story Time 11-11:45 am

Kids ages 3-5 can enjoy a variety of activities designed to help Improve pre-literacy skills!

Thursday, December 29

Story & Art with Artist, Jaqueline Boyd 5-6:30 pm Artist, Jaqueline Boyd, will teach your child how to draw illustrations from a book!

Friday, December 30

Gentle Yoga 10-11:15 am

Join certified yoga instructor, Myra Stock, for a gentle yoga class!

Saturday, December 31

Story Time! 10-11:00 am

Introduce your little ones to the joy of reading & early literacy practices that help prepare them for school!

South Coastal Library

gardengatesandleavebehindthe stressofdailylife.Theyenjoythe peacefulnaturalatmosphere.When theyleavethegardens,theyhavea smileontheirfaces.Visitorshave somehowbeenrefreshedinspiritby thenaturesurroundingthem.That’s whythegardensareaspecialdestinationinSussexCounty.’”

•PhilanthropicAward—The JoshuaM.FreemanFoundation. “FreemanArtsPavilionandthe Foundation’sArtsAccessInitiative seektoreachover120,000people annuallythroughthearts.theFoundationremainsproudandhumble oftheimpactitmakesonlocal schoolchildrenandtheiraccessto freeartsprogramming,whetherin theirschools,communityorganizations,oratthePavilion.Sadly,most childrenlackaccesstoeventhe mostbasicartsuppliesandartsperformances;whenfacingbudget shortfalls,theartstendtobethe firstsetofprogramsthatarereducedoreliminated.Evenduring theCOVID-19pandemicwhen childrenwereconfinedtoat-home learning,theFoundationforged pathwaystokeeptheartsalivefor over28,000schoolchildrenthrough itsinnovativeCreativeNourishment

“Bytheendof2022,morethan 23,000studentswillhaveenjoyed anArtsEducationexperience.Duringthe2022season,16Community AccessGroupsattendedperformancesand455individualsfromvariouscommunitygroupsattended performancesatnocharge.The FreemanArtsPavilionpresented16 freeeveningperformances,11 YoungAudienceSeriesPerformances,andmorethan3,700attendedYoungAudienceSeries Saturdaymorningshows.Infact, morethan30%ofthe2022season performanceswerefreetothepublic.Alsoin2022,SoniaDeLos Santos,HipHopFundamentalsand theUncleDevinShowcollectively performedtoover9,000local schoolstudentsacrossSussex County,Del.,andWorcesterand Wicomicocounties,Md.”

tionsfirmtocollaboratewithSDT toamplifyandsharetheunique storyofSouthernDelaware’sCulinaryCoastasthepremierMid-Atlanticculinarytraveldestination.

“ThisPRinitiativebeganin 2019,whenJoshGrapskiapproachedSDTwiththeideafora collectiveadditionalinvestmentto generatemoreregionalandnational publicityforSouthernDelaware’s CulinaryCoast.Fromthebeginning Grapskihasbeeninstrumentalin formulatingtheplanfortheinitiative,participatingininterviews, evaluations,anddecisionmaking duringtheprocessofselectingBaltz &CompanyasourPRagency; bringingotherlocalculinarybusinessesonboard,assistinginthecreationofpartnercommunications, andperformingoutreachtopartners despitetheintenseschedulehe maintainsasmanagingpartnerof LaVidaHospitality.

•TourismPartneroftheYear— LaVidaHospitality/JoshGrapski, managingpartner,marketingand development.“SouthernDelaware Tourismandaconsortiumof SouthernDelawarerestaurateurs havepartneredtopromoteSussex CountyDelaware’sCulinaryCoast. Throughthisprogramwehaveengagedtheservicesofapublicrela-

“Heandhisstaffalsocontributed resourcesandconsiderabletimeto thecoordinationoftheCulinary Coastpop-upeventinNewYork CitythispastJune,includingtaking theleadonorganizingtheparticipationofotherCulinaryCoast partners.LaVidaHospitalityalso donatedanadditionalannualpartnershipcontributiontohelpthe

Continuedfrompage31 SeeTOURISMAWARDSpage33

Tourismawards

promotionmeetbudgetgoals.

Grapskialsoservesasanadvisory SDTboardmemberandchairs SDT’sCulinaryCoastmarketing subcommittee.Hisenthusiasm,ingenuity,andfocushavebeenahuge driverofthesuccessbehindpromotingourCulinaryCoast.

“Thisinitiativehasbeenextremelysuccessfuldespitethepandemichittingjustasthingswere gettingofftheground.Todate,the programhassecuredcoverageininternational,national,andregional

publicationssuchasTravel& Leisure,CondeNastTraveler,Food &Wine,NationalGeographic Traveler,Forbes,MarthaStewart Living,Liquor.com,Men’sHealth, TheBostonGlobe,andPhiladelphiaInquirer.Injustthepastquarteralone,$218,000inearned publicityvaluewasgeneratedfor theCulinaryCoastandmanyexcitingmediapartnerships,events,and initiativesareintheworkstoexpandthisprogramin2023.

Pastrecipientsoftheannual awardincludeVietnamVeterans MemorialMovingWall,theAmericanLegionFamilyofPost17, Lewes;CinemaArtTheater,Re-

hobothBeachFilmSociety;SouthernDelawareWine,Food&Music Festival;DelawareBeachLifemagazine;MidAtlanticSeaGlass& CoastalArtsFestival;Fire&Ice Festival;LadybugMusicFestival; FreemanStage;DelawareState Parks;DogfishDash;WinterWonderfest;Lefty’sAlley&Eats; DelawareBeachBook;ReturnDay; FirstAnnualBooBQuebytheSea; CapeHenlopenStatePark’sGord onsPondTrail&Junctionand BreakwaterTrail;WesternSussex TourismCommittee;TheFreeman StageatBayside;NassauValley Vineyards;theAppleScrappleFestival;DogfishHeadBreweryTours;

theRehobothBeachFilmFestival; theLewesMaritimeHistoryTrail; theOceantoBayBikeTour;Eating RehobothWalkingFoodTours;and TheSeaWitchHalloweenandFiddlers’Festival.

SouthernDelawareTourismsupportsandencouragestheidentification,developmentandpromotionof sustainable,year-roundtourismin SouthernDelawarethatcontributes toeconomicgrowthandimproves thequalityoflife.Formoreinformation,callSouthernDelaware Tourismat(302)856-1818orvisit theirwebsiteatwww.VisitSouthernDelaware.com.

By Gary Larson & Amy Ensz

Bayhealthoffers tipstohelpprepare forholidaystress

Formany,thewinterholidayseason isthemostwonderfultimeoftheyear, buteventhosewhosharethatsentimentcanalsofindittobethemost stressfultimeoftheyear.Bayhealthrecentlyofferedsometipstokeepthe comfortandjoyflowing,andleavethe stressbehind:

(1)Reflectonpastyearsbeforethe startoftheseason.Takesometimenow tothinkaboutpastholidayseasons.Acknowledgethefeelingsthatyouhad. Recognizewhattriggeredstressthen, soyoucantrytoavoiditthistime.Did youoverspend?Didyounotplan ahead?Didyoutakeontoomuch?Did youtakesomeoneelse’sstresspersonally?

(2)Practicemindfulness.Mindfulnessmeansfocusingonlyonthepresent.Ifyouareatacelebration,be focusedonenjoyingyourtimethere, notwhatyouhavetodotomorrow.Do notlosesightofwhattheseholidaysreallymeantoyou,whetheritisareligiousfocusoratimetomakememories withfamilyorboth.Ifyouarefeeling overwhelmed,takeabreathandfocus on therealjoyofthisseason.

(3)Plan,plan,plan.Planaheadfor everything.Planyourbudgetandstick toit.Planoutanyshoppingyouhaveto doormealsyouwillhavetomakeand markonthecalendarwhenyouwilldo it.Planwhatpartiesandeventsyouwill attendandifthecalendarisgettingtoo full,plantosaynotosomeofthem.

S(4)Don’tabandonyourhealthy habits.Overeatingis,ofcourse,very temptingbutitcanaddtoourfeelings ofstress.Sodoyourbesttojusthavea littlebitofallthethingsyoulike.Or,if youknowyoucan’tresistthatextraslice ofpie,goforanextrawalkandyou’ll feelmuchbetteraboutit.

(5)Reachout.Ifyou’regettingtoo overwhelmedwithtasks,askforhelp.If youarefeelinglonely,makeaphone calltoadistantrelativeorfriendorfind waystohelpothers.Thereareplentyof organizationsthatneedvolunteersthis timeofyear.Ifyouaremissingalost lovedone,thinkofsomethingthey lovedabouttheholidayandfindaway todosomethingintheirhonor.Ifnone ofthatisworking,reachouttoyour doctor.

“Bayhealthwishesyouthehappiest andhealthiestholidayseason,and rememberwearealwayshereifyou needus.”

TheRehobothArtLeaguewillbe celebratingits85thanniversaryin 2023.OpenedonJune18,1938,the RALhasservedartistsandartlovers throughoutSussexCountyfornearly acentury.During2023,RALwillbe hostingspecialeventscelebratingthe milestone,aswellasprovidingmembersandguestswiththeopportunity tostepintothepastwithclassicart classes,historicalexhibitions,salons andmore.

Tokickoffits85thyear,RALis hostingthreespecialexhibitions throughoutJanuaryandFebruary.On displaywillbethe8thRegionalJuried PhotographyExhibition,“HotHouse HybridsII:PhotographyfromJenee Mateer,”and“EverydayLife,EverydayPeople:TheWorkofJackLewis.”

OntheeveningofJan.6from5to 7p.m.,theartleaguewillbehosting receptionsforallthreeexhibitions, invitinganyoneinterestedtovisitthe Corkran,TubbsandVenturesgalleries toseethenewshows.

FromJan.6to29,theCorkran Gallerywillbedisplayingthe8thRegionalJuriedPhotography Exhibition.Theshowhasbeenapart ofRAL’sJanuaryexhibitionprogram foreightyears,makingitoneofthe morecontemporaryshowsinthe league’shistory.Theannualexhibit

invitesartistsfromDelaware,Pennsylvania,Maryland,Virginia,NewJerseyandWashington,D. C.,tosubmit theirlatestphotographicwork.This year,27artistswereselectedforthe exhibitionfromapoolofmorethan 100submissions.Theirworkrepresentsanarrayoftechniquesandcontent,fromtraditionalmodernist approachestocontemporaryandalternativemedia.

Thisyear’sexhibitionjurorand awardsjudgeisJeneeMateer,aBaltimore-basedphotographerandvideo artist.Herawardselectionsfortheexhibitionrepresent$900inprize moneyforparticipatingartists.She willbehostingaGalleryTalkonJan. 7at10a.m.intheCorkranGallery.

Mateer’sphotographswillpopulate theVenturesGalleryfromJan.6to29 inasoloshowtitled“HotHouseHybridsII.”Thecollectionalludestothe metaphoricalconnectionbetween flowersandthefemaleorfeminine, andismeanttocelebrateadiverse groupofwomen,transformedand unifiedbyboldcolor,patternandnaturalformsthatre-affirmthefemale connectiontopowerfulforcesofnatureandtheearth.Mateercombines photographsfromhergardenwith watercolortocreatedigitallylayered compositionsthathoversomewhere

betweenthemediumsofphotography, collageandpainting.

Finally,theTubbsGallerywill proudlyhanganexhibitionofworks fromthelateartistJackLewis,inthe show“EverydayLives,EverydayPeople.”In2021,NancyandRuss Suniewick,long-timefriendsofJack Lewisandexecutiveproducersof“If YouLivedHere,YouWouldBeHome Now:AFilmAboutJackLewisand Bridgeville,DE,”donatedtotheRehobothArtLeagueacollectionof52 paintingsandvariousdocumentsof thelateartist.

Therangeofworkfromthecollectiondatesfromcircathe1930sinto the1980s.Itincludesportraits,domesticandforeignscenes,andaselfportrait.Theself-portraitis consideredextremelyimportantand

onethatisoftheearlyman.Thework willbeondisplayfromJan.6through March5,givingpatronsplentyof timetoviewthespecialcollection.

Theopeningreceptionforallthree showsisonFriday,Jan.6,from5to7 p.m.Theexhibitionsarefreeandopen toeveryoneduringtheregulargallery hoursofMondaythroughSaturday, 10a.m.to4p.m.,andSunday,noonto 4p.m.

TheRehobothArtLeagueisa membership-basednon-profitartsorganizationdedicatedtoteaching,preservingandinspiringtheartsinthe region.Foradditionalinformation aboutthisexhibit,theartleague,its classes,memberships,eventsandexhibitions,visitthewebsiteatRehobothArtLeague.orgorcall(302) 227-8408.

OrganizersoftheRehobothBeach AfricanAmericanFilmFestival,onFeb. 17-19,2023,saiditwillcelebratethe trailblazingworkofBlackartistsin shapingAmericanculture,whiletaking anunflinchinglookattheroadblocks thatmaystillexist—“afairandunbiasedefforttoexposeanyremainingviolencestillperpetuatedagainstBlack communitieswhileshowingahopeful wayforwardthroughjusticeandreconciliation.”

“Thefestivalrevealstheforgotten historyoftheAfricanAmericancontributions,”saidMurryGatling,Planning Committeemember.

OndisplaywillbethemanycontributionsbytheAfricanAmericancommunitytoshapetheirstory,regaintheir rightfulheritagetotheimpactonmany industriesinthe20thcenturyandtoday.

The2023festivalmarksthefestival’s fourthanniversary,afteratwo-yearhiatusduetoCOVID.

RehobothBeachFilmSocietyExecutiveDirectorHelenM.Chamberlin said,“Ourintentionisadesiretoconnect withpeopleofall-agesandethnic backgroundsregardlessofsocio-economicstatus.Wewilldosobyprovidingfreeadmissiontostudentswho wouldliketoattend.”

Recognizingthatthefestivalfilms arethought-provoking,organizerssaid theywillfeaturetwoseparatefilmauthorsandcontributorsforeachfilm, alongwithafewoftheSociety’sPlanningCommitteemembersforadeeper dive.

“Wehopethatyouwillstayand shareyourthoughts,andwe’rehappyto host apost-screeningreceptionfor

ticketholdersonSunday,Feb.19.”

Festivalfilmfeatureswillinclude:

•“StreetlightHarmonies”—Friday, Feb.17,7p.m.Adocumentaryand journeythroughthebands,songsand harmoniesofdoo-wop.Theartistsand theirhistorylaidthefoundationfor rock-and-roll,rhythm-and-blues,and builtabridgetotheCivilRightsmovement.Featuresinterviewsfromartists BrianWilson,LanceBass,TheDrifters and more.

•“AMostBeautifulThing”—Saturday,Feb.18,2:30p.m.Adocumentary basedonthememoirbyArshayCooper andnarratedbyrapper/actorCommon thatchroniclesthefirstAfricanAmericanhighschoolrowingteamintheU.S. Theteamismadeupofyoungmen, manyofwhomwereinrivalgangsfrom theWestSideofChicago,allcoming togethertorowinthesameboat.Winnerofa2021GracieAward,nominatedbytheNAACPforanImage Award,nominatedbytheCritics’ ChoiceAssociation(Best SportsDocumentary),nominatedbytheInternationalPressAcademy(Best Documentary)andnamedoneofthe bestfilmsbyEsquire.

•“WhoWeAre:AChronicleof RacisminAmerica”—Saturday,Feb. 18,7p.m.Adocumentaryinterweaving

lecture,personalanecdotes,interviews andshockingrevelations.“ACLU deputylegaldirectorJefferyRobinson drawsastarktimelineofanti-Black racismintheUnitedStates,fromslaverytothemodernmythofapost-racial America.Thefilmalsoexplorestheenduringlegacyofwhitesupremacyand ourcollectiveresponsibilitytoovercome it.”

•Filmshorts—Sunday,Feb.19,2 p.m.Sixfilmsin60minutes,including “AVanishingLegacy:BlackCaptainsof theChesapeake,”anewsstoryfrom WUSA9(Washington,D.C.,)aboutan AfricanAmericanheadboatcaptain andblackwomanoysterfarmerwho fighttopreserveaminoritypresencein aquacultureontheU.S.Eastern Seaboard;“BlackSwimmersOvercome RacismandFear,ReclaimingATradition,”adocumentaryshortaboutanew movementacrossthecountrythatis reintroducingBlackAmericansto swimming,throughpeopleseekingto changethepervasivemyththatBlack peopledon’tswim;BlackJockeysand theKentuckyDerby:AHistoryofRace andRacism,”ashortnewsstoryfrom WAVENews(Louisville,Ky.),about thehistoryofAfricanAmericanriders

TheDelawareDivisionofPublic Health(DPH)announcedthis weekthestate’sfirstsuspectedflu-relateddeathforthe2022-2023influenza season.ThepatientwasaKentCounty residentbetweentheagesof55and64, andwasnotreportedasbeingvaccinated againsttheflu.

“Gettingtheannualfluvaccineisimportantforallpeopleages6monthsand oldertopreventseriousillness,hospitalizationanddeaththatcanresultfrom thefluvirus,”officialssaid.“Hospitalizationanddeathfromtheflucanoccurin previouslyhealthyindividuals,though personswithunderlyinghealthconditionsareatsignificantlyincreasedrisk forseriousoutcomes.”

“Thefirstflu-relateddeathoftheseasonremindsusjusthowdangerous theflucanbe,”saidDPHInterimDirectorDr.RickHong.“Influenzastarted earlythisseasonandhasbeenveryactive. Gettingyourfluvaccineassoonaspossibleisthebestwaytoreducethechance forfluillnesstoturnintolifethreateningflucomplications.Because hospitals,walk-ins,urgentcares,and physicians’officesarealreadytaxedwith sickpatientvisits,wemustdoeverything wecantopreventaddingmorestressto thesystem.Gettingyourfluvaccineisa verysimplewaytohelpyourselfandthe overallhealthcaresystem.”

Accordingtotherecentlylaunched InfluenzaDashboardonMyHealthy Community(https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/portals/flu/locations/state/seasons/2022-2023/overview)

,atotalof5,609totalflucaseshavebeen reportedtodateduringthe20222023fluseason.Thefluseasonbegan Oct2.

FortheweekofDec.4toDec10— themostrecentweekforwhichcase dataisavailable—therewere1,125laboratory-confirmedcasesoftheflureported.Althoughtherehave been276,911fluvaccinedosesadministeredfromOct.2toDec.3,thatonlyaccountsfor28.6percentofthe population.

Seniors65orolderhavethehighest vaccinationrateofanyagegroupin Delaware,with63.3percentvaccinated. Thispopulationmakesup41.6percent ofthestate’stotalvaccinatedpopulation. Everyotheragegrouphasavaccination rateoflessthan30percent,withthose inthe18-34agedemographichaving thelowest,at11.1percent.Theinfluenzadatadashboardisupdated weeklyonThursdaysatthestateand countylevel,andmonthlyforothergeographies.

Whileflucasescontinuetobe high,fluhospitalizationsremainrelativelylow,officialsnoted.AsofDec. 3,themostrecentlyavailabledata forfluhospitalizations,therehadbeen 47hospitalizationsfortheseasontodate.

DPHofficialsremindedthepublic thatitisnottoolatetogetvaccinated againsttheflu.Visitflu.delaware.gov andclickontheFindAFluShotNear Youbuttononthewebpageforalistof locationswhereonecanreceive aflushot.Asareminder,itissafetoget

a flushotandCOVID-19boosterthe samedayifeligibleforboth.

Flu,RSV(respiratorysyncytial virus)andCOVID-19arerespiratory illnessesthatcanhavevaryingdegreesof symptoms,fromnosymptomstosevere symptoms.Becausethevirusesshare manyofthesamesignsandsymptoms, itisoftendifficulttotellthedifference betweenthem.Commonsymptomsbetweenthesevirusesincludefever,cough, fatigue,runnyorstuffynoseandseveral others.Testingisneededtoconfirm if oneissickwiththeseviruses.Forthose whoneedtogettestedfortheflu,DPH recommendscontactingtheirprimary healthcareprovider.

Forthosewhogetsickwithflu,influenzaantiviraldrugsmaybeatreatmentoptionaprimaryhealthcare providerrecommends.Antiviraldrugs workbestwhenstartedearly,suchasone totwodaysafterflusymptomsbegin. Whentreatmentisstartedwithin1to2 daysafterflusymptomsbegin,influenza antiviraldrugscanlessensymptomsand shortenthetimeyouaresickby1or2 days.

Delawareansarebeingencouragedto takepreventiveactionstoreducethe spreadoffluandotherrespiratory viruses:

•Getvaccinated.WhilethereiscurrentlynovaccineforRSV,therearevaccinesforbothfluandCOVID-19. Makesureyouareup-to-dateandget yourfluandCOVID-19vaccinesnow. Youcangetthembothduringthesame visit.

•Stayhomeifsick.

•Covercoughsandsneezes.

•Washhandsfrequently.

•TestforCOVID-19ifsick,andif that’snegative,considercallingyour doctortoseeifyoushouldbetested forflu.Ifyouarediagnosedwiththeflu, yourdoctormaybeabletoprescribeantiviralstoeaseyoursymptoms.

Foradditionalinformationcall1800-282-8672orvisitflu.delaware.gov. Thebestsourceofinformationabout thefluvaccineisyourprimarycare providerorahealthcareprofessional.

thatoncedominatedthesportofhorse racing,withanaccompanyingtraveling exhibit fromtheKentuckyDerbyMuseuminthelobby;“StreetKnights,”a

documentaryshortthatdivesintothe worldofstreetchesshustlersinWashingtonSquarePark,NewYorkCity;“A ConcertoisaConversation,”inwhich composerKrisBowerstracesthe processofbreakingintonewspaces throughgenerationsofsacrificethat camebeforehim,focusingonthestory

ofhisgrandfatherHoraceBowers;“Mr. Tindley,”amusicaldocumentaryby musicianBrianRussofeaturingnews footagededicatedtothelifeofCharles TindleyofBerlin,Md.,knownasthe “GrandfatherofGospel”and“Princeof Preachers,”withapost-filmdiscussion ledbyRusso.

LawEnforcementAppreciationDayisJan.9

ConcernsofPoliceSurvivors

(COPS)hasforthelastfewyearsrecognizedthosewhoserveandprotect peopleintheircommunities.Jan.9, 2023,isLawEnforcementAppreciation Day(LEAD),andFraternalOrderof PoliceLodge16inBethanyBeachis urgingpeopletotaketimeonJan.9to supportpoliceofficers.

TheFraternalOrderofPolicereportedthat,asofDec.1,302lawenforcementofficershavebeenkilledin thelineofduty.

“Nowmorethaneveristimetoshow ourpolicethatthecommunitysupports them,”saidPaulBolton,aretiredU.S. ParkPoliceofficerandmemberofFOP

Lodge16.Heurgedpeopletoshow theirsupportby:

•Flyingablueribbonontheirmailbox,motorcycle,vehicleoranywhere onecanbetied.

•Shiningabluelightintheirhome window.

•Wearingblueallday.

•Sendingacardorhavinglocal schoolsmakecardsforthelocaldepartment.

•Hostingorattendingalocalrallyin supportoflawenforcement.

•Sharingsupportonsocialmedia.

“Mostimportantly,”hesaid,“ifyou seeapoliceofficer,thankapoliceofficer.”

CrosswordAnswersfrom34

December22

FamilyMovie— SouthCoastalLibraryis hostingitsfirstInteractiveFamilyMovie eventat11a.m.Eachfamilywillreceiveinstructionsthatwillpromptparticipantsto usepropsoryellsomethingsillyduringthe movie.Thisisfree,butregistrationisrequiredatsouthcoastal.lib.de.usorbycalling(302)858-5518.

HomefortheHolidays— FrankfordPublic Libraryishostingfamilyactivitiesthroughouttheday.Formoreinformation,call (302)732 -9351,orvisit frankford.lib.de.us.

December23

PolarExpressParty— FrankfordPublicLibraryishostingaPolarExpressPajama Partyat1p.m.Formoreinformation,visit thematfrankford.lib.de.usorbycalling (302)732-9351.

December26

ZumbaClass— MarinersBethelUnited MethodistChurchisholdingazumbaexerciseclassinthesocialhalleveryMonday at10a.m.Thereisa$6drop-infee.No registrationisnecessary,andallarewelcome.Formoreinformation ,contact jolin.zumba@gmail.com.

December27

FamilyTrivia— SouthCoastalLibraryis hostingaFamilyTriviaeventat11a.m.The subjectisbasedonanimatedmovies,and theeventisfree.Registrationisrequired, andavailableatsouthcoastal.lib.de.usorby calling(302)858-5518.

HomefortheHolidays— FrankfordPublic Libraryishostingfamilyactivitiesthroughouttheday.Formoreinformation,call (302)732-9351,orvisit frankford.lib.de.us.

PawsforPeople— FrankfordPublicLibrary ishostinganopportunityat5p.m.forpeopletoreadaloudtoafurry,friendlytherapy companiontohelpinspirealoveofreading. OfferedbyPAWSforPeople.Registrationis required,andreadersofallagesand stagesarewelcome.Formoreinformation, call(302)732-9351,orvisit frankford.lib.de.us.

December28

WethePeople— "WethePeople"isaneffortputtogetherbyBillMurphytocelebratepatriotismandcelebratetheflag,by meetingattheBethanyBeachbandstand everyWednesdayat8:30a.m.tosupport themilitary,lawenforcementandfirefighterswhoserveandprotect.Allarewelcome.

MarinesMeet— TheFirstStateDetachmentoftheMarineCorpsLeaguemeets onthefourthWednesdayofeachmonth attheOceanCity(Md.)AmericanLegion Post166on23rdStreetatnoon.Any MarinesandNavyCorpsmenwhohave servedintheCorps,livinginWorcester orSussexCounties,arewelcometojoin tomeet theirfellowveteransandconsiderjoiningtheorganization.Theirmissioniscommunityservicethrough camaraderieandvolunteerism.Formore information,call(410)430-7181oremail websergeant@firststatemarines.org.

BabyBookworms— SouthCoastalLibraryishostingBabyBookwormsStory Timeforagesbirthto2at10a.m.Chidrenbegintolearnlanguage,social, motorandlisteningskillsthroughavarietyofactivities.Registrationisnotrequired.

LittleLearners— SouthCoastalLibrary ishostingLittleLearnersStoryTimeat 11a.m.Thisisforages3-5,andincludesavarietyofactivitiesdesignedto helpwithlanguageacquisitionandimprovepre-literacyskills.Registrationis notrequired.

HomefortheHolidays— FrankfordPublic Libraryishostingfamilyactivitiesthroughouttheday.Formoreinformation,call (302)732-9351,orvisit frankford.lib.de.us.

December29

Story&Art— SouthCoastalLibraryishostingartistJacquelineBoydat5p.m.asshe willteachchildrenhowtodrawillustrations fromabook.Thisisrecommendedforages 6-10.Itisfree,andregistrationisrequired andavailableatsouthcoastal.lib.de.usor bycalling(302)858-5518.

HomefortheHolidays— FrankfordPublic Libraryishostingfamilyactivitiesthrough-

FormerBerlinmayorwritesbookonrevitalizingsmalltowns

BySusanCanfora StaffReporter

Berlin,Md.,hasalwaysbeenspecialto GeeWilliams.

Bornandraisedinthelittletown9 mileswestofOceanCity,Md.,heserved onthetowncouncilandwasmayorfrom 2008to2020,andheisproudofthe charmthatdrawslocalsandtouriststo specialevents,shopsandrestaurants downtown.

ButBerlinhasn’talwaysbeenadestination,saidthe74-year-oldWilliams— who,beforehisretirement,wasanewspapereditorfor30years.Therewasatimeit couldbestbedescribedasdying,but throughhardworkanddetermination,the townwasbroughtbacktolife.Williams watchedthatprocessandrecentlywrote thebook“TurnYourTownAround,”a guidetoperkingupotherstagnanttowns.

The181-pagepaperbackcontainsinformationandadvicefromWilliams— who,duringarecentconversation,explainedthatBerlin,likemanytownsnationwide,didn’trecoverfromtheGreat Depressioninthe1930sandearly1940s, whenbusinessesfailedandunemploy-

mentincreased.

“Atthattime,peopleandbusinesses wenttowardlargercommunitiesineach region.Afterthat,shoppingcentersand mallsstartedtotaketheplaceoflocal businessesthatcouldn’tadapt.InBerlin’s case,thereweremorebusinessesinthe ’70sdowntownthatwerenotusedasretailstoresbutwereboardedupandused forstorageassuccessfulbusinessesprosperedinOceanCity.Thetownwasgraduallyslippingaway,andeverythingthat waseconomicwasinOceanCityandthe beachresorts,”Williamssaid.

Butsmalltownsofferwhatbigcities sometimescan’t—uniquecharacter. Knowingthat,businesswomenandbusinessmen—suchasthelateJimBarrett, whoownedacardealershipinBerlinand wasontheboardofWorcesterCounty (Md.)Commissionersformanyyears— partneredwithBillFreeman,ownerof TheTreasureChestjewelrystore.Together,theyboughtabuildingthatwas oncea5-and-10-centstoreandcreated retailspaceonthefirstfloorandsecondfloorapartments.

Atfirst,sometownsfolkwereskeptical, buttheretailunitsandapartmentsrented quickly,makingotherpropertyowners “reallytakenotice,”Williamssaid.

BarrettandothersalsoinvestedinThe

CoastalPoint•Submitted GeeWilliamsposesforaphotowithhis book,‘TurnYourTownAround.’

Vickie York at the beach REALTY

Vickie York

WritersGuildoffersclassesencouragingbeginners

TheRehobothBeachWriters Guildisofferinganumberofwriting classesstartinginJanuary,allwith thegoalofencouragingthosewho mayhavelongdreamedofwriting creativelytofinallytakethefirststep intoactuallydoingit.

Fromthetwo-weekwritingchallenge,titled“ThisistheYearIWill Write,”tothefive-week“OvercomingtheFearofWritingMemoir”to “Self-Publishing101”tothe“The BuffetofPoetryPossibilities,”which allowsparticipantstochooseexactly whatthey’dlikelearnintheirindividualizedpoetrytutorial,eachclass istailoredtomeetwriterswherever theyareinthewritingprocess.

“Somanypeoplewhojointhe WritersGuildhavealoveorwords,a loveofbooksandastorytheywant

totell,butafterspendingthebulkof theirlivesinothercareersand/or raisingfamilies,theyquestiontheir righttocallthemselvesawriter,”said MaribethFischer,theguild’sfounder, andexecutivedirector.“Butthemost importantpartofbeingawriteris writing,”shesaid.“Takingaclassisa greatwaytoforceyourselftotryand, moreimportantly,it’sagreatwayto learnthattheotherwritershavethe samefearsandstrugglesasyou.”

Inadditiontomemoirandpoetry writing,theguildisoffering“GraduateSchoolinaBox(ortheEssentials ofFictionWriting),”aswellasaclass detailingthenutsandboltsofsendingworkoutforpublication(“AnInsider’sGuidetoGettingPublished”), whateverywriterneedstoknow aboutself-publishingand/orbook

coverdesign—evenatwo-week Zoomcoursetitled,“YourStoryto Tell:WritingYourOwnObituary.”

Althoughmostoftheclassesare onlinetutorials,whereparticipants workone-on-onewithaninstructor whoprovidesbothencouragement andsuggestions,in-personandZoom classesareavailableaswell.Theinstructorsarepublishedandprofessionalwriters,awardwinners, teacherswithdecadesofexperience. Numerouswriterswhohavetaken theseclassesinthepastbeganentire novels,essays,storiesandpoetrycollectionsbycompletingsimpleassignmentsthatactedasatriggerto somethinglarger.

“Gettingstartedisoftenthemost difficultpart,”saidFischer.

“Tenyearsago,IsworeI’dnever

writepoetry,”agreedGailComorat who.sincethen,haspublishednumerouspoems,receivedafellowship fromtheDelawareDivisionofthe Artsforherpoetry,andteachesmost oftheGuild’spoetryclasses.“ButI tookoneclass,andIwashooked!”

Registrationfortheclasseshas begunandwillbeongoinguntilthe classesfill.Takingaclassis,asone coursedescriptionsays,“awayto begin2023bysaying,‘Mywriting matters.’”

Formoreinformationonthe classes,allofwhichbegininJanuary, orformoreinformationaboutthe RehobothBeachWritersGuild,a non-profit501(c)(3)organizationof nearly500members,gotowww.rehobothbeachwritersguild.comor emailfischer.maribeth@gmail.com.

Williams

Continuedfrompage40

AtlanticHotel,describedbyWilliamsasa crownjeweloftheearly20thcentury,but astructurethathadfallenintodisrepair.It tookyears,buttheVictorian-stylehotel wasrevitalizedandisnowthedowntown centerpiece.

“Thisisastoryabouttherevitalization ofthecommunityofBerlininthe1970s, inthe’80sandwhathascontinueduntil thisday.Ithasnotstopped,norshouldit,” saidWilliams—who,withhiswife, Betsy,aretiredteacherandguidance counselor,hasonedaughter,whoisa teacherinBerlin,andtwogrowngrandchildren.

“OnethingthatsetsBerlinapartisour qualityoflife,”aswellashowwelcome visitorsfeel,hewrote,sharingtheexample ofaMainStreetshopemployeewholeft herstoreandaccompaniedacustomerto another,nearbyshopthatsoldwhatshe waslookingfor.

“Afterthepurchasewascompleted,the storeownerreturnedtoherownshop,not expectinganythingotherthanthesatisfactionofhelpingsomeonetopurchasea gift.Buttohersurprise,inthedaysand weeksthatfollowed,throughsocialmedia, thevisitingshopperwidelysharedher greatexperienceshoppinginBerlin.Over time,thisresultedinmanyadditionalnew shoppersfromothercommunities,” Williamswrote.

“Thisshopperwastreatedasawelcomeguest,notastranger,anditmadea lastingimpactamongourlocalshopownersandemployeesthatbenefitsdowntownbusinessestothisday.”

“TurnYourTownAround”isforsaleat TheGreyhound—AnIndieBookstore, oneofthelocalbusinessesWilliamsprofilesinthebook.Thebookispricedat $22.99,andisalsoavailablethrough Bookshop.org,otherleadingretailersand fromthepublisheratwww.secantpublishing.com.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation for the trust you have placed in us and your loyal readership. During the holiday season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have supported us. In this spirit, we say thank you!

TheLordBaltimoreWomen’sClub heldtheirmostrecentmonthlymeeting onDec.12.Theguestspeakerforthe ChristmasluncheonwasJacquelineSterbach,presidentandfounderofWhatis YourVoice,anorganizationthatfights backagainstdomesticviolence,familyviolenceandteendatingviolence.Whatis YourVoiceislocatedinLewesandserves SussexCountywomenandchildren.

TheclubpresentedSterbachwitha checkfor$1,000,whichwillgotoward helpingwiththepurchaseofproperty andhousingprojects.ThefundsweredonatedbyalongtimeLBWCmember’s familywhowantedtomakeacontributiontotheorganization.Anadditional $500wasdonatedtotheorganizationby ananonymousLBWCmember.Also, LBWCmemberstreated89children connectedtoWhatisYourVoicewith Christmasgifts.

LordBaltimoreWomen’sClubisa non-profitDelawareorganization.“Our motto,‘Letusbelargeinthought,word, anddeed,’isdedicatedtohelpingthe community onapersonallevelthrough worksanddonationssuchasworking withprojectsatlocalschools,mentoring andcharityworksofallkinds.”Theproceedsfromtheclub’sfundraisersareused forscholarshipsforseniorstudentsfrom IndianRiverHighSchoolandSussex TechnicalHighSchool.

CoastalPoint•Submitted

LordBaltimoreWomen’sClubrecentlypresenteda$1,000checktoWhatisYourVoice.

BeaconBaptistChurchhostsLiveNativityevent

BySusanCanfora StaffReporter

ThelittletownofBethlehem cametolifelastweekendonthe groundsofBeaconBaptistChurch inMillville,whereguestsinteracted withshepherds,soldiers,ataxcollector,censustaker,guards,craftsmen,andMary,Josephandbaby Jesushuddledtogetherinastable.

Presentednightlytheweekendof Friday,Dec.9,throughSunday,Dec. 11,thefreeeventwasstaffedby about70churchmemberswhomthe Rev.JeffSmithreferredtoas“cast members,”allintraditionaldress, includingtheThreeWiseMen,who welcomedguestsbysaying,“We pointtothestarintheeast”and handingthembluetokens,topay their“taxes”beforeenteringtherealisticmarket,andtospendon goods.

“Themarketisopen,”awoman said,asthemanatthegatesaid, “Payyourtaxes.Giveushalfofwhat youhave”and“Wearetakingacen-

sus.Whatareyournames?”neara jailandlivehorsespatientlyacceptingattention,thenmunchingonhay inthecrispnightair.

Atonestation,womenoffered breadandhoney,aswellasGoldfish crackersand,nearby,childrenand adultswereinvitedtomakeornamentsbyusingastenciltopainta doveonasmalldiscofcutwood.

“Hehasalwayslikedart,” HeatherRosarioofDoversaid, watchingher9-year-oldson,Bentley,admirehishandiworkas passersbysippedhotchocolate, tastedfreshChristmascookiesand headedtothehayridearoundthe5 acresofthechurchgrounds.

Alargefireburnedinapitsurroundedbybricks,whereacrowd wasstayingwarmandSmith,incostume—portrayingthetown naysayer,hesaid—toldtheCoastal Point,“Thisisourfourthyearofthe LiveNativity.Evenifnobodyatall came,evenifitwasjustus,we’d havesomuchfundoingthis.It takesalotoftimetoplanthisand tosetitup.About500peopleusuallycome.It’sallfree.Wetellthem theycanstandbythefireandstayas longastheywant.Wedoitsimply

HENLOPEN STATION

EQUESTRIAN DREAM

CoastalPoint•SusanCanfora BeaconBaptistChurchinMillvillehelda LiveNativityDec.9-11,whichinvited event-goerstoparticipateintheNativity.

toreachthecommunity. Youwalkthroughitlike you’rewalkingthrough thatera.Thisyearwasexcellent,ourbestyearever,” hesaid.

Thosewhostoppedto watchamanmaking crosseswereinvitedtolift onebeam,usingahandle thatwasattached,asthey weretoldthatthebeam weighedabout70pounds andtheentirecrossthat Jesuswascrucifiedon weighed400pounds.

“Imaginebeingbeaten andthenhavingtocarry that,”hesaidasothers readinformationposted, statingthatcrucifixion was“broadlypracticedin theancientworld,butthe Romansusedthisparticularlybrutalformofexecutionasameansof producingsocialconformity.”

“Itwas,theRoman politicianCicerosays,the ‘mostcruelandhideousof tortures.’Thebodiesof thecondemnedwouldremainoncrossesfordays.”

Amanandwoman portrayingKingHerod andhiswifesatona throneatanotherdisplay withthisexplanation posted:“Oneofhistory’s greatvillains,Herodthe Greatisbestknownfor hisattempttoremovehis rival,thekingoftheJews, byorderingtheexecution ofallmaleinfantsin

Bethlehemshortlyafter thebirthofJesusChrist. HerodwasaRomanpuppetwhowasneitherthe legitimatekingofJudea, well-likedbyhispeople, orevengenuinelyJewish. Sohehadeveryreasonto beparanoidaboutthreats tohisreign.”

Anactorportrayinga tannerworkedonleather craftsasheexplainedthat, inthedaysofJesus’birth, tannerslivedoutsidecity limitsbecausetheanimals theyusedtomakeleather hadastrong,badsmell.

“OurLiveNativitythis yearwasawesome,”Smith said,lookingaround.

“Therewasalotof hardworkinvested.We justtrytorecreateitand trytokeepthetruth goingandtherealmeaningofChristmas.Ifyou getmaterialistic,youlose focusofwhatit’sreallyall about.Wetrytokeepit alive.Idon’tknowofany otherchurchesthatdo somethingonthisscale,” hesaid,addingthatthe ideaisanoffshootof somethingsimilartowhat heandhiswife,Amy,participatedin,inSalisbury, Md.,yearsago.

“MywifeandIcame upwiththeideatodoit hereaboutfiveyearsago. JustinBortz,ourchurch youthpastor,wasinvolved intheplanning,thesetup. Wearetakingitdown now.Itwillprobablytake amonth,butitwaswell worthit,”thepastorsaid.

ev ve b a av e h W We gkino ol ey yeu e s i emo r h of fo in

in...

CoastalPoint•SusanCanfora

Castmembersgivebreadandhoneyorgoldfishtoevent-goers.

outtheday.Formoreinformation,call (302)732-9351,orvisitfrankford.lib.de.us.

December30

GentleYoga— MyraStock,acertifiedRYT instructorandregisteredYogaforArthritis teacher,isleadingagentleyogaclassat SouthCoastalLibraryat10a.m.Ayoga matisrequired,andnotprovided.Participantsshouldalsobringatowelforextra cushioning.Registrationislimitedandrequired,andavailableat southcoastal.lib.de.usorbycalling(302) 858-5518

MovieMatinee— FrankfordPublicLibraryis hostingamoviematineeat1p.m.Formore information,call(302)732-9351,orvisit frankford.lib.de.us.

January2

ZumbaClass— MarinersBethelUnited

MethodistChurchisholdingazumbaexerciseclassinthesocialhalleveryMonday at10a.m.Thereisa$6drop-infee.No registrationisnecessary,andallarewelcome.Formoreinformation,contact jolin.zumba@gmail.com.

January3

SocratesCafé— BethanyBeachChristian Churchwillbethelocationforthenext meetingofSocratesCaféagroupofindividualsfromdifferentbackgroundsthatdiscussphilosophicalideas.Themeetingsare thefirstTuesdayofeachmonth,from2to 3:30p.m.Everyoneiswelcome.Formore information,call537-9440oremailbonniejd.rae@gmail.com.

January4

WethePeople— "WethePeople"isaneffortputtogetherbyBillMurphytocelebrate patriotismandcelebratetheflag,bymeetingattheBethanyBeac hbandstandevery Wednesdayat8:30a.m.tosupportthemilitary,lawenforcementandfirefighterswho

serveandprotect.Allarewelcome.

DemocratsMeet— The38thRepresentative DistrictDemocraticCommitteemeetsthe firstWednesdayofeverymonthatSouth CoastalLibraryfrom7to8:30p.m.For moreinformation,call(302)364-5830,or visitonlineatdeldems38.org.

January6

CashBingo— TheBishopvilleVolunteerFire departmentAuxiliarywillbeholdingitsannualCashbingoeventatthemainstation. Thecostis$30inadvance,or$35atthe door.Therearefourearly-birdgames,beginningat5:45p.m.;20regularcash games,twospecials,ajackpotanda 50/50.Doorsopenat5p.m.Foodandbeveragesareavailableforpurchase.For reservations,call(619)922-9950.

January7

IntheGenes— SponsoredbytheLewes HistoricalSocietyandtheSussexCounty GenealogicalSociety,theGenealogistin ResidenceprogramisonthefirstSat urday

ofeachmonthfrom10a.m.to2p.m.in theReadingRoomattheLewesHistory Museum.MembersoftheSocietywillbe availabletohelpanyonewhohasquestions abouttheirfamilytree.TheLewesHistorical SocietyArchivesFamilyFileswillbeavailableforresearch.Formoreinformation, visitthematscgsdelaware.orgorhistoriclewes.org.

January8

ChristmasCelebration— PrinceGeorge’s ChapelwillhostitsOldeChristmasMusical Celebrationat1:30p.m.Thisissponsored bytheFriendsofPrinceGeorge’sChapel, andtherewillbe.specialchoralconcertby SingersofNote,thechorusoftheSouth CoastalDelawareAARPchapter.A$5donationisrequestedperpersonatthedoor, butnodonationisaskedofchildren12and younger.Alldonationswillbenefitthe Chapel.Formoreinformation,callVickieat (302)732-3824orJoAnnat(302)7326340.

January9

ZumbaClass— MarinersBethelUnited MethodistChurchisholdingazumbaexerciseclassinthesocialhalleveryMonday at10a.m.Thereisa$6drop-infee.No registrationisnecessary,andallarewelcome.Formoreinformation,contact jolin.zumba@gmail.com.

January10

GriefShare— TheRiverChurchinRoxanais hosting“GriefShareYourJourneyfrom MourningtoJoy”everyTuesdaythrough April4,2023,from6:30to8:30p.m.Each classwillincludeavideoandbreakoutdiscussionsencompassingthedifferentaspectsofgrief.Aworkbookwillb eprovided foreachparticipantatnocharge.

January11

ShoreDems— TheShoreDemocrats meetsattheDenatBearTrapDunes clubhousefrom11a.m.to1:30p.m.This isasocialorganizationthateducates,informsandcreatescamaraderieamong theirmembersthroughmonthlylunch meetingsthatfeatureengagingspeakers. Formoreinformation,visitshoredemocrats.com.

WethePeople— "WethePeople"isaneffortputtogetherbyBillMurphytocelebrate patriotismandcel ebratetheflag,bymeetingattheBethanyBeachbandstandevery Wednesdayat8:30a.m.tosupportthemilitary,lawenforcementandfirefighterswho serveandprotect.Allarewelcome.

January12

CommunityClub— TheSelbyvilleCommunityClubiswelcomingnewmembers,and meetsonthesecondThursdayofeach monthatSalemMethodistChurchat1p.m. Formoreinformation,visitselbyvillecommunityclub.orgoremailselbyvillewomensclub@gmail.com.

January14

DenimandDiamonds— Contractorsfora CauseishostingDenimandDiamonds RampitIpforAccessibilityProgram

NaturalResourcesPolicegiveSanta’ssleighajump-startforToysforTots

DelawareNaturalResourcesPoliceofficersandDNRECSecretary ShawnM.Garvinwerethisweek joinedbyspecialguestSantaClaus attheDelawareSeashoreStatePark officerecentlytoboxuptoysdonatedbythepublicandDNREC employeestotheU.S.MarineCorps ReserveToysforTotscampaign.

Toysandgiftscollectedby DelawareNaturalResourcesPolice (wildliferesourcespolice,park rangersandtheDNRPEnvironmentalCrimesUnit,alloperatingwithin DNREC)amountedtoalmost950 donations,includinghundredsof toys,books,stocking-stuffersandbicycles.

Thetoysandgiftsarebeingdistributedtochildrenacrossthestate whosefamiliesmightnotbeableto affordholidaygift-giving.

CoastalPoint•Submitted

DNRECSecretaryShawnM.Garvin,thirdfromright,joinsNaturalResourcePoliceofficersandspecialguestSantaClaus,tocollectdonationsfortheToysforTotscampaign.

drew,andhisbeloveddog,Gypsy; alongwithcountlessaunts,uncles andcousins.

Memorialserviceswereheldfor closefamilyandfriendsonFriday, Dec.9,2022,atMelson’sFuneral HomeinOceanView,Del.Thefamilyaskedthatpeoplerememberhim fondly,andthinkofhimwhenever theweatherchanges,theweathervanespinsorlightningstreaksacross thesky.“Pleaselookupandknow thatLouieisstillwithusandalways watchingoverus,ourforevereyein thesky.”

HarryRichardSykes,81

HarryRichardSykes,81,ofSelbyville,Del.,diedSunday,Dec.11, 2022,atAccentCareInpatientat ChristianaHospitalinNewark,Del. HewasborninBaltimore,Md.,son ofthelateHarryS.SykesandNina ChadwickSykes.

HeretiredfromworkforGeneral Motors.Hewasalifetimemember oftheVFWandhadattendedSt. LukeCatholicChurchinOcean City,Md.

Sykesissurvivedbyhiswife, CarolE.SykesofSelbyville,Del.;a step-son,JeffreyM.LangofSeven Valleys,Pa.;twostep-daughters,JudithA.Iosbakerandherhusband,

Griffith,ofDenver,N.C.,and BrendaC.Nashandherhusband, Lee,alsoofSelbyville;abrother, JamesT.Sykesandhiswife,Jane,of Davidsonville,Md.;twonieces,Julie KlaraandSeleneAnnadale;two granddaughters,AmberN.Nashand JenniferM.Tabaka;andsixgreatgrandchildren.

Afuneralservicewastobeheldat noononSaturday,Dec.17,2022,at Bishop-HastingsFuneralHomein Selbyville,Del.Burialwastobein DelawareVeteransMemorialCemeteryinMillsboro,Del.,atalater date.Inlieuofflowers,donationsin Sykes’memorymaybemadeto MasonDixonVFWPost7234, 29265MarshyHopeWay,Ocean

View,DE19970.Condolencesmay besentonlineatwww.bishophastingsfh.com.

WayneR.West,84

WayneR.West,84,passedaway peacefully,withfamily,athishome inMillville,Del.,onDec.18,2022. HewasbornDec.23,1937,to CharlesandEvaWest.

HewasagraduateofLordBaltimoreHighSchool,intheClassof 1955.HejoinedtheCoastGuard aftergraduation,whichgavehimthe opportunitytoseetheworld.He workedforEasternAirLinesand theFederalPr intingOffice,wherehe learnedtheelectricalbusiness.

WestreturnedhometoDelaware withhisfamilytostarthisownelectricalcontractingbusiness,WayneR. WestElectric,whichbecameknown asoneoftheprominentelectrical wiringcompaniesinthearea.The companywiredhundredsofhomes inthebeacharea.

Heenjoyedtheoutdoors,includingduckhunting,offshorefishing formarlinandtuna,andjustdrifting forflounder.Heenjoyedshooting poolandwastheco-ownerofSea ShoreBilliards.Heenjoyedtaking nicevacationseachyearwithfriends andfamily.Hewasamemberofthe RoxanaMoose,whereheenjoyed playingcardswithfriends.Heloved tospendweekendsinVirginiaLanding,havingpotluckdinners,ridingin hisgolfcartandplayingcardswith friends.

Westissurvivedbyhislovingwife of42years,Christine;asister,SandraSculley;threechildren,Michael, MarkandDawnWest;astepson, KennyHickman;sevengrandchildren,Alex,Kate,Stormy,Noah, Vance,RayneandMisty;andtwo great-grandchildren,ElieandRhett.

Agravesideservicewastobeheld at2p.m.onWednesday,Dec.21, 2022,atSt.George’sCemeteryin Clarksville,Del.Inlieuofflowers, thefamilysuggestedmemorialcontributionsinWest’snameto DelawareHospice,100PatriotsWay, Milford,DE19963.Condolences maybesentonlineatwww.melsonfuneralservices.com.

FRIDAY

8 p.m. on & WBOC

The 24th Annual a Home for the Holidays at the Grove

The importance of family during the holidays can’t be understated. This new special features uplifting stories of adoption from foster care and raises awareness on this important social issue. The inspirational stories of these American families are enhanced with performances by some of today’s top musical artists, performing at The Grove in Los Angeles.

8:30 p.m. on + WBAL

5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas

Adapted from Jimmy Fallon’s bestselling yuletide Christmas book, this half-hour animated special follows a bookish little boy who eagerly counts down the final days before Christmas, accompanied by his little sister and trusty blue dog. Every night it becomes a little harder for him to drift off to sleep, yet every night when he finally does, something magical happens.

SATURDAY

8 p.m. on _ WMDT

Movie: Home Alone

Hollywood should have left “Alone” alone after this hit 1990 comedy, to which the sequels don’t hold a holiday candle. Macaulay Culkin stars as a youngster who is mistakenly left home alone when his family leaves for Paris at Christmastime. When two burglars break in, he foils their attempts to rob the house by constructing elaborate traps. Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Roberts Blossom, Catherine O’Hara and John Candy also star.

8 p.m. on + WBAL

Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

Small-town guy George Bailey (James Stewart) defers one big dream after another to stay home, marry a local girl (Donna Reed) and run the family business. Facing financial ruin, he’s pulled from suicidal despair by angel Clarence (Henry Travers), who shows him how terrible the world would have been if he’d never lived.

Lionel Barrymore also stars in director Frank Capra’s 1946 classic.

SUNDAY

10 a.m. on _ WMDT

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade

Make sure the presents are unwrapped and things are settling down in time for this new special hosted by Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Sherry Cola and Marcus Scribner and filmed at both the Walt Disney World resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. In addition to an amazing holiday parade, viewers get musical performances from the Houghs, Black Eyed Peas, Chloe Flower, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Ne-Yo, Il Volo, and David Foster and Katharine McPhee.

9 p.m. on , WCPB Call the Midwife

With Christmas soon approaching, the midwives move to their maternity clinic and are delighted when their first patient is a familiar face. Life in Poplar returns to normal after the tragic train crash, and everyone unites for a festive talent show in this new holiday episode. Helen George, Vanessa Redgrave, Laura Main, Stephen McGann, Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt and Cliff Parisi also star.

MONDAY

8 p.m.

on # CW Family Film Awards

Family-oriented entertainment is honored in this new two-hour special. Hosted by Dean Cain and Laura McKenzie, the awards are presented to both television series and movies. A panel of industry leaders, celebrities and the readers of “Popstar Magazine” have voted for their top choices in 20 different categories. The winner of each category will receive their award during the broadcast.

9 p.m. on _ WMDT The Year: 2022

Robin Roberts anchors this year-in-review special featuring many of ABC’s top news anchors, including David Muir, Michael Strahan, George Stephanopoulos, Juju Chang, Linsey Davis, Janai Norman and Ginger Zee. For the 12th consecutive year, ABC News presents its popular news- and entertainment-filled two-hour year-end network special, retracing the top stories, trends and entertainment obsessions we couldn’t get enough of in 2022.

9 p.m. on + WBAL

Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors

Though she’s not actually a star of it, countrymusic icon Parton is a huge factor of this 2015 TV movie — in the form of her nine-year-old self, portrayed by Alyvia Alyn Lind. Fellow singing star Jennifer Nettles and Rick Schroder play the young, Smoky Mountains-raised Dolly’s parents, who were huge influences on her ... as was the very special coat that gives the movie and Parton’s same-named song their title. Gerald McRaney also stars as her grandfather.

TUESDAY

8 p.m. on # CW

Ocean Emergency: Currents of Hope

This new two-hour documentary discusses the ongoing crisis facing our oceans and examines how humanity can chart a better course to help save this fragile ecosystem. Hosted by Dean Cain, Laura McKenzie, Elizabeth Stanton and Montel Williams, the group travels around the globe to share a first hand look at the state of emergency our oceans are facing, while providing tips on how viewers can help mitigate this worldwide issue.

9 p.m. on K FOOD

Chef Dynasty: House of Fang Chef Kathy Fang is taking her San Franciscobased restaurant, Fang, to new heights in Chinese cuisine. Her father and business partner, Peter Fang, is one of the city’s mostelite chefs and owner of the famous House of Nanking. However, she must convince him that a modernized menu will help her expand and achieve what she coins as, “Chinese cuisine world domination.” A private dinner for influencers puts her new ideas to the test, in the series premiere episode “Old School, New Food.”

WEDNESDAY

8 p.m. on & WBOC

The 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors It’s pretty difficult to beat the star power of this year’s honorees as George Clooney, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr. (collectively U2), Amy Grant, Gladys Knight and Tania Leon are feted for their contributions to American culture. Also making appearances are Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Ariana DeBose, Maren Morris, Michael W. Smith, BeBe Winans, and many others.

8 p.m. on M HIST

Pawn Stars Do America

Rick, Corey, and Chum are wrapping up their road trip in the Old Man’s hometown — Winston-Salem, N.C. Surrounded by a bevy of experts, the guys are hoping to make some sweet Carolina deals to take back to Vegas. But before heading home, the guys check out a few powerful antique tractors, test fire weapons at the range, and hang with a NASCAR racing legend in the Season 1 finale episode “Sweet Carolina.”

THURSDAY

8 p.m. on # CW

Popstar’s Best of 2022

Presented by Associated Television International, host Elizabeth Stanton counts down the greatest and most memorable moments and trends of 2022 based on polls from “Popstar Magazine” in this new special. From Justin Bieber’s health scares to Pete Davidson’s dating life, Harry Styles spitting to Will Smith’s Oscar meltdown, 2022 gave us plenty of things to ponder and reexamine.

ScholarshipopentostudentsimpactedbyAlzheimer’s

Highschoolseniorsimpactedby Alzheimer’sdiseasecanwinupto $5,000forcollegethroughthe Alzheimer’sFoundationofAmerica’s (AFA)TeenAlzheimer’sAwareness Scholarship.Studentscanenterthe contestby visitingwww.alzfdn.org/scholarship. Thedeadlineforsubmissions isMarch1,2023,at5p.m.

“TeensacrossthecountryareactiveinthebattleagainstAlzheimer’s disease,whetherit’scaringforfamily members,volunteering,workingina

Continuedfrompage48

FundraiseratHavestTideRestaurantin

BethanyBeachfrom6to10p.m.Tickets cost$125each,andincludesachampagne reception,four-coursedinner,livemusic anddancingfeaturingMonkeePaw.There willalsobeasilentauction.Formoreinformation,visitthemonlineatcontractorsforacause.org.

January16

ZumbaClass— MarinersBethelUnited MethodistChurchisholdingazumbaexerciseclassinthesocialhalleveryMonday at10a.m.Thereisa$6drop-infee.No registrationisnecessary,andallarewel-

carefacility,orraisingawarenessand educatingthosearoundthem,”said CharlesJ.FuschilloJr.,AFA’spresidentandCEO.“Thesecollegescholarshipswillhelptomorrow’sleaders withtheircollegeeducation.Weinviteallhighschoolseniorswhohave beenaffectedbyAlzheimer’sto enter.”

College-boundhighschoolseniors arebeinginvitedtoapplyforthe scholarshipbysubmittinganessay (1,500wordsmaximum)orsubmittingavideo,nomorethanfourmin-

come.Formoreinformation,contact jolin.zumba@gmail.com.

January18

WethePeople— "WethePeople"isaneffortputtogetherbyBillMurphytocelebratepatriotismandcelebratetheflag,by meetingattheBethanyBeachbandstand everyWednesdayat8:30a.m.tosupport themilitary,lawenforcementandfirefighterswhoserveandprotect.Allarewelcome.

January19

DemsMeet— The41stDemocratRDmeets thethirdThursdayofeverymonthatPizza KingRestaurantinMillsboroat6p.m.This isopentoanyDemocrats.Formoreinfor-

uteslong,describinghowAlzheimer’s diseasehasimpactedtheirlivesand whattheyhavelearnedaboutthemselves,theirfamilyand/ortheircommunitythroughtheirexperiencewith Alzheimer’s.

Essayscanbesubmittedbyvisiting www.alzfdn.org/scholarship.Students alreadyattendingcollegearenoteligibletoparticipate.

Thewinnerreceivesa$5,000 scholarshipwithadditionalprizes awardedforrunners-upandhonorablementions.

mation,callDonnaSpicklerat(302)9270050.

January23

ZumbaClass— MarinersBethelUnited

Lastyear,AFAawarded$90,000in scholarshipsto117highschoolstudents.

AFAhasbeenabletoprovide thesescholarshipfundswiththesupportofcharitabledonors.

Individualswishingtosupportthis andotherprogramsandservicesfor familiesaffectedbyAlzheimer’sdiseasecandosoby visitingwww.alzfdn.org/donateor callingAFAat1-866-232-8484.

MethodistChurchisholdingazumbaexerciseclassinthesocialhalleveryMonday at10a.m.Thereisa$6drop-infee.No registrationisnecessary,andallarewelcome.Formoreinformation,contact jolin.zumba@gmail.com.

Inside you will find hardwood floors throughout the first floor with an ample great-room and kitchen as well as a first floor main BR and bath. Upstairs is another bedroom w/bath and sleeping loft. Very close to pools and a shuttle ride or walk to tennis courts and the indoor fitness facility. Property is being sold in

Whittington’s23-pointshelpIRgirlsbasketballpostfirstwinofseason

ByMikeStern StaffReporter

HeadcoachRogerClay’ssmilelitup thegymnasium.

“Thegirlsplayedagreatteamgame,” hesaidaftertheIndiansrecordedtheir firstvictoryoftheseason,49-26,at SeafordonTuesday,Dec.21.“Ourathleteshadtheintensitywhileplayingdefensethatwe’vebeenseeking.Westill havealotofworktodo,butitwasgreat tofinallygetawin.”

SophomoreguardMyaWhittington contributedateam-leading23points, whilefreshmanguardAbbyBertling added20forIndianRiver(1-4overall, 1-3inHenlopenConferenceplay). Seafordfellto0-2inconferenceplay thisseason.

LakeForest58,IndianRiver23

Despitethesetbackoftheirgame againstLaurelonDec.15,Claysaidhewas proudofhisteam’scontinuouseffortsto improve.

“Welostatoughgame,butwecontinue tokeepfighting,”saidClayaftervisiting LakeForestdefeatedIndianRiver,58-23, intheHenlopenConferencematchup Thursday,Dec.15.“That’sallwecanaskof thesegirls,nightinandnightout.Thefact theykeepontryingshowsjusthowstrongwilledtheyare.”

WhittingtonledtheIndianswithseven points.FreshmanguardZoeQuillenadded sixpoints,whilefreshmenJaylaHudson andBertlingeachcontributedfive.

CoastalPointphotos•ButchComegys IndianRiver’sMyaWhittington,above,workstheballwhilecovered tightly byLakeForest’sAniyaStevens.Right,IR’sJaylaHudsonis caughtinthemiddlewhilecoveredtightlybyLakeForest’sKirjaHickman,left,andKadijaBunduonThursdaynight.Farright,IR’sLucy WilliamsonpassestheballbyLakeForest’sKadijaBundu.

ByMikeStern StaffReporter

SeniorswingmanBrandonBradfordexplodedforagame-high25 pointsbutcouldnotpreventthe hostIndianRiverboys’basketball teamfromdroppingtheirsecond straightverdictonTuesday,Dec.20.

Bradfordconnectedforfour three-pointfieldgoalsandwas1111fromthefree-throwline.Junior forwardRashadHopkinsadded10 pointsforIR.

SeniorBrentRickettsled Seafordwith24points,whilejuniorsCareenBoldenadded19points andZionMifflincontributed15.

TheIndians(3-2overall,1-2in HenlopenConferenceplay)trailed

Sophomore / Boys’ Wrestling

CoastalPoint•Submitted

CousinsJordanIllian,7,andParker Steele,8,takethesoccerfieldinagame earlierthisseason.

ByMikeStern StaffReporter

ParkerSteele’sfaceresembledthat ofthecatthatswallowedthecrustacean.

Literally.

JordanIllian’sfaceworeahorrifiedlook.

TheIndianRiverHighSchool soccergoal-scoringstarhadjust watchedhisfirstcousinandteammateParkerSteeleingestalivecrab.

“Jordanisapickyeater,andI’ll prettymucheatanything,”said Steelewithawrygrin.“Iremember thetimewewereatthebeachandI atealivesandcrab.Hejustcouldn’t believeIdidthat.”

Thatmemorablescenarioonlybe-

ginstounderscorehowdifferentthe twosoccer-playingteammatecousins are.

WhileIllianisrenownedforhis rawtalentandhighlyprolific achievements,hiscousinParkerquietlyandefficientlyplayedstandout defenseontheIndians’varsitybackline.Illian’splaydrewfrequentheadlinesandcompliments,whileSteele’s steadinessenabledhimtoflywell undertheradar.

“Parkerhasbeenourright-sided outsidebackwithanamazingpassingrange,”saidIndians’longtime leadassistantandfirst-yearhead coachBrandtMais.“We’vedepended onhiswidthtoprovideaccurate crossesintothebox.Heisasound one-on-onedefenderwithgoodpositionalawarenessthatmakeshim difficulttobeat.

“Parkerhasbeengreatforthe teamculturebecauseheworkshard, hasagreatattitude,andiswell-liked bytheentireteam.Amajorhighlight forParkerthisyearwastoscorea criticalgoalinthe2-1victoryover Woodbridgetoclinchour[Henlopen Conference]SouthernDivision championship.”

Thecousins,bothfromMillsboro, recentlyfinishedtheirboys’soccer careersatIndianRiverHighSchool. Illianbecamethecareerleaderfor goalsscored,with65,whileSteele connectedforhisfirstandonlycareermarkerinhisnext-to-lastregular-seasonmatch.

IllianwillcontinuehissoccercareernextfallwithSportingDelaware andattheUniversityofSouthCarolinaasaneducationmajor.

Steeleexpectstoplayindoorsoccerinanadultleagueashemajorsin criminaljusticeatDelawareTechnicalCommunityCollege,pursuinga gamewardenpositionwith DNREC.

Afulfillingexperienceforboth

Theexperienceofplayingonthe sameteamhasbeenveryfulfillingfor bothIRHSstudentathletes.

“Ithasbeenrewarding,”saidthe 5-foot-10Steele,whowasbornin Seaford.“IplayedwithJordanfrom whenwebothstartedatRiverSoccer Club,thenmovedtotravelballand thehighschoollevel.It’salsoachallenge,inthesensethatheplaysata highintensitylevelatalltimesandis hardtokeeppacewith.”

ByMikeStern StaffReporter

It’sthefrontdoortotripledigits.

Thecenturymark—100—also usuallysymbolizessignificantathletic achievementontheturforhardwood.

AtrioofIndianRiverHighSchool’s studentathletescancertainlyrelate.

Duringanine-dayspaninearlyMay, duringthe2022springsportsseason, threemembersoftheIndians’boys’and girls’lacrosseteamssurpassedthe100pluscareer-goalscoringbenchmark.

MaxForreyandReeceStoneofthe boys’squadandKylieHarrisofthegirls’ team continuetoearnsignificantaccoladesfortheiroutstandingteamplay andathleticachievements.

A‘foray’into theIRHSrecordbook

ItwasWednesday,May4.

The10-footshothitthebackofthe LakeForestnet,culminatingaleft-torightsweepthatgavevisitingIndian Rivera7-3first-quarterlead.TheIndianswouldgoontowinthecontest,199onWednesday,May4.

Buttimestood stillafterthethird goalofForrey’s five-goalperformance thatetched hisnameintothe school’sboys’ lacrosserecord book.

Hehadjustregisteredhis100thcareergoalatIRHS.

“Itkindofsurprisedme,becausein thefirstquarterIwastryingtogoforit —Iwastryingtoohard,”saidForrey. Atthatpoint,headcoachDavid Spencer“toldmetosettledownand takeitplaybyplay.Hetoldmetorelax. Oncethe100thgoalwentin,Ifeltinstanthappiness.”

SecondsafterForrey’s100thcareer goalwasfishedoutoftheSpartans’net, an officialbroughttheballtoSpencer. Thecoachhadpreparedforthemomentbystoringanextraorbinhis pocket,andhequicklyhandedtheartifacttoassistantcoach(andMaxForrey’sfather)ShaneForreyfor safekeeping.

MaxForreywasalsohonoredbyIR AthleticDirectorToddFuhrmannprior

tothatMonday’sgameagainstDelmar, onMay9.

“Maxisanunbelievablyhardworker andatruestudentofthegame,”said Spencer.“Itisapleasuretocoachhim, andIamveryproudofhim.Asgoodas he is,heisalwayslookingtotakethe nextstepinhisgametoimprove.He hasoutstandingleadershipskillsandisa playerthatwecantrustinanysituation. Hisplayhasbeenoutstandingforus thisyear,andI’msohappythatIgetto coachhimforanotheryearafterthis.

“Hehasthetoolsandabilitytobe oneofthebestplayerstoevercome throughourprogram,”addedSpencer. “It’sgoingtobeafunridewatching

himcontinueto develophisgame andseehowfarhe cango.We’relucky tohavehim.”

Forreywill beginthe2023 seasonwith121 careergoals.

Duplicatingthedeed

OnMondayMay9,seniorReece Stonewasalso“squeezingthestick” duringtheearlygoingatLakeForest,in

SportsplexstrikesoutwithWorcesterCounty

ByJackChavez OceanCityToday

OceanCity,Md.,officialscouldonly shaketheirheadsindisappointmentrecentlyastheWorcesterCountyCommissionersswiftlyandunceremoniouslykilled theirhopesofajointmunicipal-countyefforttodevelopasportscomplexonthe edgeoftown.

Ina4-2vote,withCommissionerTed Elderabstaining,thecommissionersorderedthecancelationofapurchaseagreementtoacquirea95-acresiteoffRoute50 nearBerlin,Md.,andinstructedCounty employeesinvolvedinpropertyacquisition andprojectplanningtoceaseallefforts.

Inaddition,theyrefusedentreatiestoat leasthearwhattheMarylandStadiumAuthorityhadtosayaboutthesportscomplex studyitproducedfortheTownofOcean Cityandwhythestudyconcludedthat buildinga$153.5millioncomplexwasfinanciallyfeasible.

OceanCityMayorRickMeehansaid inanemaillastweekthathewas“disappointed”thatthecommissionersvoted againstbuyingtheprospectivesite,a95acreacrepropertynexttoStephenDecatur HighSchool,and“forendinganyconversationoftheCountyparticipatinginbuildingasportscomplexanywherein WorcesterCounty.”

“Thefactthatthiswasnotanagenda itembeforethecommissionersandthatthe commissionersdidnoteventakethetime tohavetheMarylandStadiumAuthority presenttheirstudypubliclybeforemaking thisdecisionisconcerning,”hesaid.“I agreethatthereareissuespertainingtothis projectthatneededtobediscussed,andI hadhopedthattheopportunitytohave thesediscussionswouldhavetakenplace.”

Thecommissionvote,however,wasnot entirelyunanticipated,consideringthat November’selectionandthearrivaloftwo newcommissionersdismantledthe4-3 coalitionthathadsupportedthesports complexforthepastfouryears.

ThedepartureofcommissionerBud Church,whoretiredfrompolitics,andthe electiondefeatofanothersupporter,commissionerJoshNordstrom,sawtothat. Withtheirreplacements,EricFioriof WestOceanCityandCarynAbbottof Pocomoke,joiningsportscomplexopponentsChipBertinoofOceanPinesand JimBuntingofBishopville,thatleftonly OceanCity’srepresentative,JoeMitrecic, andtheCentralDistrict’sDianaPurnellto voteinitsfavor.

Bertino,whobecamethecommissioners’newpresidentlastweek,saidthemove tohaltallsportscomplex-relatedworkwas notintendedtodiscourageprivatedevelopersfrompursuingsuchaproject.Bertino

andothershadsaidattheoutsetthatthey onlyobjectedtospendingpublicmoneyon asportsfacilityofthatscopeandhadno objectionstoaprivatelyfundedventure.

Themotiontoendallpursuitofthe complexwasnotanitemonthemeeting’s agendabutwasinsteadbroughtupby Buntingattheendofthemeeting.Still,beforethefinalvotewastaken,someofthe commissionersgavetheirthoughtsonthe issuethathasdominatedcountynewsover thelastyear.

“I’vevotedagainstthesportscomplexin thepast,andIreallybelieveJoe’s[Mitrecic’s]heartisintherightplaceandIthink hebelievesit’llbeamoney-makingdeal,” Eldersaid.“ButIdisagree,andthereportI gotsaidit’llbeoperatedunderadeficit.”

Purnellcountered,however,that“what’s comingdownthepikeforus,”revenue-and tax-wise,shouldconcernthecommissioners.

“Weneedtoletthestadiumauthority comeinandsaywhattheywillandwon’t do,andmakeourdecisionthen,”shesaid.

Fiorisaidthat,asanentrepreneurinhis privatelife,hedidn’twanttoseethe Countybecomeanentrepreneurwithpublicmoney.

Thereis,Fiorisaid,alotofspeculation, butthestadiumauthorityreport“isnotfavorable.IunderstandwhatCommissioner Mitrecicissaying,butinhisownwords,we

havesometoughbudgetdecisions.What happensifthisisalosingeffort?Theproblemswewanttosolve,we’llmakeworse.”

Inrebuttal,Mitrecicarguedthatit makesnosensetoforegolisteningtothe stadiumauthority,especiallyifit’swillingto pay80percentofthecost.

“Wecan’tprintmoneyhereinWorcesterCountyliketheycanatthefederal level,”hesaid.“We’relookingatavery,very toughbudgetseasoncomingup,”witheducationsystemneeds,employeeretention andotherchallenges.“That’sgoingtobe onyouall.”

Meehan,meanwhile,addedthathehad hopedOceanCityandCountyofficials wouldbeabletoworktogetherondevelopingtheproject,asthestadiumauthority’s studyindicatedthatfundingavenuesexist.

“Thestudyindicatedthattheincreased taxrevenuegeneratedwouldhavecovered thecostofthedebtservicetobuildthe sportscomplexandthatthe[authority]and theStateofMarylandcouldjustifypartneringonthisproject,”hesaid.“Whatwas yettobediscussedwasthelevelofstate participationinthefinancingoftheproject, andtheadvertising,namingrightsand sponsorshipopportunitiesavailabletooffsettheoperatingexpenses.”

MeehansaidOceanCitywillcontinue

TurkeyTrotraises$21KforBBVFC

FocusMultisportsrecentlymadea $21,448donationtotheBethany BeachVolunteerFireCompanyon behalfofparticipantsandsponsorsof the2022AnnualBethany-Fenwick TurkeyTrot.

“BethanyBeachVolunteerFire Company’sfirefightersandEMS membersleadaverydemandingand sacrificialexistencebutonewhich theywillfindrewardinginmany ways,”organizerssaid.“TheBethany BeachVolunteerFireCompany EmergencyMedicalServicesDivisionisanunprecedentedcollaborationbetweenthefirecompanyand propertyownerswithinthetownsof BethanyBeach,SouthBethany,FenwickIslandandtheSeaColony RecreationAssociation.”

Visitbethanbeachfire.comtodonateorvolunteertotheBBVFC.

“Agoodtimewashadbyyoung andoldalikeattheThanksgiving morningTrotwhilebeingentertainedbythemotivatingmusicofDJ Rupeandtheawesomejugglingand interactiveskillsofCascadingCarlos bothbeforeandafterthe2-milefun run/walkthroughthetownof BethanyBeachwithafestiveboardwalkfinish,”theynoted.

Pr imarysponsorsincludedWilgus Associates,BankofOceanCity, HarvestTideSteakhouse,Anne PowellRealty,theCoastalPointand SteveMorgan-KellerWilliamsRealty.Participantsalsofilledthe NeighborsinNeedSUVwithnonperishablefoods.

“Wewereproudoftheseeventsin

particularbecauseofthefamilyfriendlyaspectforbothresidentsand visitorsalike.Bytheattendanceand thepositivefeedback,Ithinkweaccomplishedthatgoal.”saidFocus Multisports’RaceDirectorRick Hundley.

“AtFocusMultisports,RickandI, alongwithourteamofvolunteers, enthusiasticparticipants,Bethany BeachPolice,BBVFCFirePolice andPublicWorksDepartment,and

throughthegenerosityofoursponsors,makeourcommunitybetter throughphilanthropyandhavefun whiledoingit,”saidFocusMultisports’RaceDirectorErnieFelici. “Ouralliancesstrengthenlocalorganizationsandprovidebusinesses withaplatformtogiveback—and wewerethrilledtohonortheworkof BethanyBeachVolunteerFireCompany’sFirstResponders.”

Registrationisnowopenfor

son,46-31,tohostLakeForeston Thursday,Dec.15.

TheIndiansledtheHenlopen Conferencecontest14-6afterone quarter,beforebeingoutscored13-2 inthesecondsession.

theannualFocusMultisports’Surfin’ SnowmanTwilightRun/WalkpresentedbyMikenBuildersonFeb.11, 2023,atsurfinsnowman.com;the April13-16,2023,CoastalDelaware RunningFestival,presentedby GrottoPizzaatcodelrun.com;and theApril28,2023,CoastalResorts GolfClassicpresentedbytheBank ofOceanCityatCoastalResortsGolf.com.

BradfordledIRwith16points, whileHopkinsandseniorguardAndrewBurnseachcontributedsix points.

SophomoreguardDariusMiller ledtheSpartanswith16points.

VintageToys&Games

Toys, Board Games and the best selection of Vintage Finds on the Eastern Shore 302.406.0135• yesterdaysfuntoys.com 117AtlanticAve.•Millville,DE19967

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CoastalPoint•Submitted

FocusMultisports’ErnieFelici,left,andRickHundley,right,presentadonationto,fromleft,BBVFCfirefighter/EMTDillonBaker, AssistantChiefPhilBrackin,firefighter/EMTJoshSchroederandfirefighter/EMTMikeO’Neill.

Chandlerstaysperfect,winning165-poundbracketatParkside

ByJasonFeather StaffReporter

Aswithmanyseasonsinthepast, theIndianRiverHighSchool wrestlingteamisjusttryingtoget theircollectivefeetunderthem,gettingtheirstrengthandconditioning downtopreparefortheholidaytournamentstretch,aswellasthepostseasontournamentgrind.

TheIRgrapplershadanoverall strongshowingintheirsecondtournamentoftheseasonattheParkside, Md.,eventthisweek—especially sophomoreJayvionChandler,who wonhissecondstraighttournamentat 165pounds.Intheprocess,Chandler alsostayedunbeaten,at17-0.

“Ourkidshadagoodshowingthis pastweekend,”IRheadcoachJeff Windishsaid.“Wesawalotofimprovementsfromourfirsttournament” tothisone.“Wearepleasedwithour team’sfourth-placefinish,butfeelwe couldhaveshownalittlebetterin somespots.”

Collectively,theIndians’fourthplacefinishcamewith218points. TheyfellbehindoverallteamchampionDamascus(315),hostParkside (310)andWaltWhitman(280.5).FellowHenlopenAthleticConference membersDelmar(5th,177points)and Seaford(9th,100points)alsowerein actioninthetournament.

JuniorCalebMcCabeopenedhis seasonwithasecond-placefinishin

the182-poundweightclass.Samuel Lopez(106pounds),TylerMcManus (120),StevenMayfield(126),Kyree Knight(132),AlexButts(144),Cole Brickman(150)andClaytonCifuentes(190)allplacedintheTop6in theirrespectiveweightclasses.

“Calebhasprogressedreallynicely fromlastseason,”addedWindish.“We alsohadsomeyoungguysstepintothe varsitylineup”lastweekend.“Luis Hickswentat138,andAndyMorales wasat160,andbothgotvaluable matchexperience,pickinguptheir firstvarsitywins.”

TheIndiansweretowrestleatrimeetwithSeafordandSussexAcademyonWednesday,Dec.21(after CoastalPointpresstime),and

Windishsaidhewasthrilledtofinally havehiswholevarsitylineupreadyfor thatone.

“Withmostofourkidsgettingbetween15and18matchesoverthelast twoweekends,wefeelliketheyarein mid-seasonform,”Windishcontinued. “Thereisalwaysroomforgrowth,but gettingthatmanymatchesthisearly onisabonus.Weshouldhaveourfull lineupinplaceforourmatchesagainst SeafordandSussexAcademy.”

Afterthetri-meet,theIndianswill hosttheBattleattheBeachatthe Reservation,with11otherschoolsexpectedtojointhefray.It’llbeanother greatopportunityforthewrestlersto getmattimeinpreparationfortheremainderoftheseason.

“ParkerandJordanplayedonthe samesideofthefield,andthatwasa no-brainercoachingmovebecauseof theirtight-knitrelationship,”said Mais.“Playermovementandteam playaremassiveinsoccer.Parkerand Jordancouldintuitivelyplayoffeach other.Thatpairingontherightside willbemissednextyear.”

HenlopenConferenceSouthernDivisiontitles.

Afamilyexperience

“We’vebeensuccessfulbecause we’vebeenplayingtogetherforso long,”saidthe5-foot-9Illian,who wasalsoborninSeaford.“Weknow whattoexpectfromeachotheron thefield,andIknowhealwayshas myback,justasIhavehis.”

Steelecreditshiscousin’swork ethicasamajorreasonfortheIndians’success,whichhasincludedthe 2020DIAADivisionIIstatesoccer championshipandfourconsecutive

“Jordanisthehardest-working athleteIknow,”saidSteele.“Hedefinitelyputsinthetimetobethesuccessfulplayerheis.Heeats,breathes andsleepssoccer.Hisspeed,agility, ballskillsandhissoccerIQsethim apartfrommostplayers.Ifhe’snotat highschoolor[SportingDelaware] soccerpractice,he’sonapractice fieldsomewhereorathomepracticingshots.”

Steelegivescredittohisparents, andhisauntanduncle,forteaching bothcousinsthevalueofpracticing andplayinghard.

Theytaughteachofthem,hesaid, that“ifyouarecommittedtoateam orsport,youmustgive110percent atalltimes,”saidParker.“Whenwe startsomething,wefinishit.We

Continuedfrompage60 SeeBALLpage66

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TheJean&JoanGolfTournamentcommitteerecentlypresentedtheBeebeMedical Foundationwithadonationof$27,791for BeebeHealthcare’sCancerPatientSpecial NeedsFundfromtheproceedsofthe23rd AnnualJean&JoanTournament.

TheannualtournamentfeaturedapickleballtournamentthatSundayandagolf tournamentonMondayatKingsCreek CountryClubinRehobothBeach.The fundwasfoundedin1999inmemoryof localcancervictimsJeanJamesandJoan Martin,andthecharitytournamenthas beenplayedatKingsCreekCountryClub everyyear.

“WearegratefultoCherrieRich,event chair,andhercommitteeforcontinuingthe Jean&Joanlegacy.Participantsenjoyeda well-executedtwo-daytournamentatKing’s Creek,raisingfundsforBeebe’sOncology Services.TheJean&JoanFundcontinues thetraditionofloyalsupportanddedication inraisingfundsforourlocalnot-for-profit healthcaresystem,”saidAmyKeller,event coordinatorfortheBeebeMedicalFoundation.

Sinceitsfoundingin1999,theannual tournamenthasenabledtheJean&Joan CancerFundtodonatemorethan$668,000 fromtournamentproceedstosupportcancer carethroughBeebeHealthcare’sOncology Services.

Inpreviousyears,inadditiontopatient transportvans,theJean&JoanCancer Funddonateda3Dmammographymachinetosupportearlydiagnosisandtreatmentofbreastcancer;infusionrecliners; newcomputerworkstationsonwheelsthat allownursestoremainatapatient’sbedside forpatientcareandcharting;fundstohelp createaspecial“PatientSpecialNeeds”fund; fundsforconstructionofascenicwallinthe TunnellHealingGarden;andfundstoestablishalibraryandcenterforfittingcosmeticandprostheticdevicesforrecovering cancerpatients.

“WearegratefultoCherrie,thecommitteeandourmanyloyalsponsors,whohave madethiseventsosuccessfuleachyear.The Jean&JoanFundcontinuestochangeand savelivesbyhelpingourpatientsandtheir familiesnavigatetheirjourneywithacancer diagnosis,”saidKayYoung,executivedirectorofdevelopmentfortheBeebeMedical Foundation.

The24thAnnualJean&JoanTournamentwillbeheldMonday,Sept.11,2023,at KingsCreekCountryClub.

“Wearesogratefultoallthesponsors, pickleballplayersandgolfersthatsupported ourtournamenteventthisyear!I’mthankful forallthecommitteemembersandKings Creekstaffwhoputonawonderfultournament.Afunandsuccessfultimewashadby all!”saidCherrieRich,Jean&JoanTournamentchair.

Tolearnmoreaboutwaystosupportand givetoBeebeHealthcareandOncology Services,ortohaveaneventdirectlybenefit OncologyServices,contacttheBeebeMedicalFoundationat(302)644-2900oronline atwww.beebemedicalfoundation.org.

TournamentorganizerspresentadonationtotheBeebeMedicalFoundation.Pictured,fromleft,are:RuthLauver,committee member;JudyWetzel,committeemember;KayYoung,executivedirectorofdevelopment,BeebeMedicalFoundation;Diane Brooks,committeemember;CherrieRich,tournamentchair;JimMartin,tournamentfounder;MauriceWinkfield,executivedirectorofoncologyservices,BeebeHealthcare;SueMcCauley,directorofpatientcareservices,oncology,BeebeHealthcare; DavidMann,committeemember;BonnieMann,committeemember;AmyKeller,eventcoordinator,BeebeMedicalFoundation; andStephanieAdams,giftofficer,BeebeMedicalFoundation.

haveagoodworkethicandtrytodo ourbesteverytimewesteponthe field.”

Thecousins’parentsrarelymissan IndianRiverHighSchoolortravelteamsoccergamesinvolvingoneor bothstudentathletes.SistersTammy IllianandDawnSteelearealways joinedbytheirhusbands,ChipIllian andShawnSteele,respectively.JordanIllian’soldersiblings,Laurenand Justin(alongwithhiswife,Beth,and theirdaughtersScarlett,Vivianand Evelyn),andSteele’syoungerbrother Landon(ajuniorwrestleratSussex CentralHighSchool)alsoattend mostofhismatches.

Competitiveandlaidback

AscompetitiveasParkerandJordanareonthesoccerpitch,theyare justtheoppositeinless-competitive settings.

“It’sfunny—offthefield,weare notcompetitiveatall,”saidSteele. “Wearebothprettylaidbackandjust gowiththeflow.WhileJordaneats, breathesandsleepssoccer,youcould sayIdothesamewithfishingand hunting.IfI’mnotatschool,ateam practiceoratwork,youcannormally findmeonthewaterorinthe woods.Ilovetogofishing,whether it’sonourbigboatinthebayor ocean,searchingforrockfishor flounder.Ialsoenjoymykayakor smallpondprowlerboatinlocal ponds,tryingtocatchthebigbass,or surf-fishingatthebeach.Ilovethe outdoors!”

“Wehavealotofsimilarinterests, includinghuntingandfishing,”said Illian,whoisyoungerthanParkerby sixweeks.“Wehavealwaysbeen [close].Itseemslikewearemorelike brothersthancousins.”

Complex

Continuedfrompage62

tosupportsportstourismandtheeconomic benefitthatwouldbederivedfromconstructionofacomplex,butthatofficials havenotyethadinternaldiscussionsabout whattheyarelikelytodo.

“Iwouldimaginethatwilltakeplace verysoon,”hesaid.

CouncilmanJohnGehrigsaidhewasn’t surprisedatwhathappened,giventheconsistentoppositionfromthreeofthecommissionersbeforethelastelectiongave themamajority.Butremainedoptimistic thatsomethingcouldbedone.

HesaidhehadspokenwithBertino andCommissionerJimBunting,“andIsaid they’reononesideandI’montheother— somewhereinthemiddlehereiscommon ground—ifwe’rewillingtoworktogether tofindit.I’moptimisticthatovertimethis

Credittothecoaches

Bothcousinscreditasimilar groupofcoachesformakingaprofoundimpactontheirsoccercareers.

PeterMais(BrandtMais’younger brother)“madelearningthesportof soccerfun,”saidSteele.“Hedefinitelyfosteredaloveofthegamefor mefromaveryyoungagewhenI startedwiththeRiverSoccerClub travelteam.

CoachSteveKilby(formerlongtimeIRHSboys’andgirls’soccer headcoach),hesaid,“alsohadahuge impactonmycareerfromanearly age.Bothofthosecoacheshavea loveofthegame,andawayofsharingtheirknowledgeofthegame withtheirplayerstohelpmakethem successfulonthefield.”

“PeterMaismotivatedmeand keptchallengingmetotrainhard andalwaysimprove,”saidIllian.“I alsocreditJustinBrooks-Ward,Steve Kilby”—whoalsocoachedatRiver Soccer—“BrandtMaisandErik Temple[ofSportingDelaware]for theirinfluence.Theyallhaveprovidedmewithopportunitiestogrow, helpedmewithmytechnicaland tacticalskills,heldmeaccountable andalwayskeptdrivingmetoimprove.”

Astheclose-knitcousinsand teammatespreparetogotheirseparatewaysforcollegeandsoccer,they canlookbackonsomespecial achievementsandmoments.

“Itwasgreattohavesharedthe experienceofwinningastatechampionshipwithhimtwoyearsago,and winningtheconferencechampionshipthisyear,”Steelenoted. “Thosearememorieswe’llneverforget.”

“I’mveryproudofParker’ssuccess andaccomplishmentsonthefield,” saidIllian.“He’sworkedveryhardat practice,andIwashappyhewasable toscoreagoalthisyear.”

willhappen.

“We’regettingsomeanswerstosomeof thequestionsraised.We’llcontinuetoget theseanswers—fundingchiefamong them.We’lljustkeepworking.TheCounty hasitsmandate.We’llkeepprovidinganswersforOceanCity,theCountyandarea citizens,andcontinuetoworktogether.”

BackinSnowHill,Md.,Mitrecic,who hadchampionedtheideafromthebeginning,mincednowordsinhisassessmentof whatjusthappened.

“It’sdone.Done,”hesaid.“Webacked outofthepropertypurchase,soevenifwe hadaprivateentitytocomeintoandtake thatspotover,theycan’t.Wewereindiscussionwithsomeoneinterestedincoming inanddoingsomething,buttheywanted topartnerwiththeCounty.Nowtheycan’t dothat,either.”

OceanCityTodaystaffwriterMallory Panuskacontributedtothisreport.

anticipationofalsoreachingandsurpassingtripledigitsforcareergoalsat IR.

LikeForrey,Stonehadsettledinto finishthatMay4gamewitheightgoals andneededjustfourmoretohitthe centurymark.

AgainstDelmarthefollowingMonday,StoneandForreyscoredearly,and IRenjoyeda3-0leadafterthefirst quarter.ButtheWildcatdefensestiffenedconsiderablyanddeniedStoneaccesstotheattacklanesthatservedashis conduittosomanygoals.

“Delmarisagreatdefensiveteam, and weknewthatwewouldhaveto playafundamentallysoundteamoffensetowin,”saidStone.“Wehadsome greatmomentsasateamgoingonthat three-goalruninlessthanoneminute,” takinga7-4leadintohalftime.“Ouroffenseisstartingtoclick.We’replaying moreasateam,whichhascreatedmore opportunitiesforallofus.”

AfterDelmarralliedtotakeitsfirst leadofthegame,10-9inthefourth quarter,Stonedecidedtoliterallytake thegameintohisowncapablehands. He scoredtwiceonquickrushes throughtheslot—histhirdandfourth ofthegame—withinatwo-minute span,togiveIRtheleadforgoodwith 3:41leftinregulationastheywon,12-

10. “Reeceisaterrifictalentforusand hasbeensincehisfreshmanyear,”said Spencer.“Heusedtobeadefensive midfielder,andwhenhecametome andaskedtoplayoffense,Iwasalittle skepticalatfirst.Buthequicklywonme overwithhisplayandhassincebecome oneofthebettermidfieldersinthe state.Hecombinesgreatstickwork,vision,athleticismandhustle.

“Mostimportantly,hehasalotof heart.Helovesthegameandyoucan seethat,becauseheplayshardandfast, thewayagoodlacrosseplayershould play.Thesky’sthelimit.Hewillonly improveplayingforMaryWashington. Ihavelovedbeinghiscoachforthepast fouryears.”

“Goingintothisgame,IknewIhad thechancetohit100goals,”saidStone. “Withthatbeingsaid,allIcaredabout was winning.Theopportunitytoscore thetyinggoalandthenthewinning goalwhilehittingmy100thcareergoal wasastronomical.Individualachievementsareoutstanding,buttobeableto celebrateawinwhilehittingindividual marksisevenbetter.Icouldn’tthankmy teammatesandmycoachesenough.”

StonefinishedhisIRHSlacrossecareerwith106goals.

HarrisconnectstoIRrecordbook

OnThursday,May12,theIndian Riversophomoregirls’lacrosseattack

star madeitlook easy. Harrisconnectedwiththe girls’lacrosse recordbookin classicfashion.She nettedfivequick goalstohelpher teambuildanearly7-0leadagainst HodgsonVo-Tech.

Thecelebrationbeganwith12:54 leftinthefirsthalfoftheIndians’2022 regular-seasonfinale.Thegamewas temporarilyhaltedforabriefphotoopportunityandcongratulatoryhugsfrom Harris’teammates.

Thesophomoresensationfinished thegamewithsixgoals—101forher career—andasingle-seasonschool recordof69markersasIndianRiver defeatedtheSilverEagles,14-7,intheir seasonfinale.

“Thewholeexperiencewaskindof

surreal,anditisstillsinkingin,”shesaid post-game.“I’mproud,butevenmore so,I’mproudofmyteammatesforthe seasonwehadandforalwaysputting meinpositiontogetgoodlooksonthe goal.Toknowthereareonlyfivetohave scored100goalsatIndianRiverisjust crazy.”

Indeed,Harrisbecameonlythefifth lacrossestudentathlete—butalsothe thirdinaweek—toeveretchtheir nameintotheIndianRiverHigh Schoollacrosseannals.

Harrisjoinedboys’lacrossestandouts Stone(106careergoals)andForrey (121careergoals)inbecomingpartof the100-pluslacrossecareergoalclub.

Thethreesomehassuccessfullyfollowedinthecleat-stepsofIndianRiver alumsGeorgeMartin(Classof2017, 178careergoals)andWilliam“Cole” Josetti(Classof2018,153careermarkers)as100-pluscareergoalscorersat IR.

Harris

local

LEGALS

TOWN OF MILLVILLE PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town of Millville Municipal Building located at 36404 Club House Rd, Millville, DE 19967, the Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider the following:

Discuss, consider and possible vote on Ordinance 23-03 to amend the Town of Millville Code at Chapter 155, entitled “Zoning” regarding Residential Units.

Only if unable to attend the Public Hearing, written comments will be accepted prior to the hearing, and must be submitted by 12 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

The Town’s Regular Meeting of Town Council will follow immediately after the Public Hearing.

CP 20221223 1T

PUBLIC NOTICE

Dough Bar, LLC has on December 15, 2022, applied with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner for extension of our bar - 5 more seats, for a premise located at 109 Union Street, Milton, DE 19944. Persons who are against this application should provide written notice of their objections to the Commissioner. For the Commissioner to be required to hold a hearing to consider additional input from persons against this application, the Commissioner must receive one or more documents containing a total of at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within 1 mile of the premises or in any incorporated areas located within 1 mile of the premises. The signatures of residents or property owners must also include the mailing address for the property and the email address (if one exists) for the resident or property owner. The protest(s) must be filed with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner at the 3rd Floor, Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The protest(s) must be received by the Commissioner’s office on or before January 15, 2023. Failure to file such a protest may result in the Commissioner considering the application without further notice, input, or hearing. If you have questions regarding this matter please contact the Commissioner’s Office.

CP 20221223 3T

PUBLIC NOTICE

Coastal Venues, LLC has on December 20, 2022, applied with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner for a Bottling License, for a premise located at 246 Clayton Avenue, Frankford, DE 19945. Persons who are against this application should provide written notice of their objections to the Commissioner. For the Commissioner to be required to hold a hearing to consider additional input from persons against this application, the Commissioner must receive one or more documents containing a total of at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within 1 mile of the premises or in any incorporated areas located within 1 mile of the premises. The signatures of residents or property owners must also include the mailing address for the property and the email address (if one exists) for the resident or property owner. The protest(s) must be filed with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner at the 3rd Floor, Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The protest(s) must be received by the Commissioner’s office on or before January 25, 2023. Failure to file such a protest may result in the Commissioner considering the application without further notice, input, or hearing. If you have questions regarding this matter please contact the Commissioner’s Office.

LEGALS

TOWN OF OCEAN VIEW BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT RESULTS PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 15, 2022, the Board of Adjustment for the Town of Ocean View took the following action:

• V-436 14 Old Forge Drive (PIDN: 413.082/134-16.00-931.00)

Variance Granted

• V-437 90 Atlantic Avenue (PIDN: 087.000/134-12.00-433.00 Units 3 & 4) Variance Granted

• V-438 7 Sussex Avenue (PIDN:036.190/134-12.00-476.00)

Variance Granted

• V-439 50 Luzerne Drive (PIDN: 413.044/134-16.00-892.00)

Variance Granted

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE TOWN OF OCEAN VIEW ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, 201 CENTRAL AVENUE, OCEAN VIEW, DE 19970 CP 20221223 1T

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

To Whom it May Concern:

This is to advise that Rodney L. Ritzel of 37696 Holly Street, Ocean View, of Sussex County, Delaware, will be filing with the Prothonotary in and for Sussex County, State of Delaware, an application for a License to Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon, according to the laws of the State of Delaware.

CP 20221223 1T

NOTICE: DEStorage.com Millsboro

Located at 28862 DuPont Blvd., Millsboro DE 19966

Will be holding a Public ONLINE Auction at www.ibid4storage.com. Closing January 18, 2023, at 10 AM.

The following units will be sold because of nonpayment of rent pursuant to the Delaware Self Service Storage Facilities Act. Auction bidding and additional information about the contents, including photographs, is available on ibid4storage.com. Sale and payment will take place at the storage facility.

TOWN

OF

SELBYVILLE NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION NOTICE OF SOLICITATION FOR CANDIDATES NOTICE OF REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

The Annual Election for the Town of Selbyville Town Council shall be held in the Selbyville Town Hall, 1 West Church Street, Selbyville, Delaware, on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., prevailing time.

Filing Notice of Candidacy: A Mayor and two (2) Town Council Members shall be elected, each for a term of two (2) years. Anyone wishing to file as a candidate for the election must file a written Notice of Candidacy in the Town Hall no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023. Forms will be provided to interested parties at the Town Hall.

Candidacy Requirements: Candidates for the Mayor and Town Council must meet all the following requirements: Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; be a U.S. citizen; and shall have been a bona fide resident of the Town for a period of at least one (1) year prior to the date of the election.

Voter Registration: If a qualified voter is not registered with the Town, such voter may register at the Town Hall no later Friday, February 10, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. To qualify to vote, one must: Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; be a U.S. citizen; and be a bona fide resident of the Town.

CP 20201223 1T

Containing: Furniture, Household Items, Totes, and Boxes William Nickerson E08 Johnetta Hinton D16

CP 20221216 2T

TOWN OF FRANKFORD NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION NOTICE OF SOLICITATION FOR CANDIDATES AND QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE

The Annual Election for the Town of Frankford Town Council shall be held at the Frankford Town Hall, #9 Main Street, Frankford, Delaware on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. Two (2) Town Council Members shall be elected and the Town Council terms are for a period of two (2) years.

Qualifications for Candidate(s) for the Town Council must meet all of the following requirements:

Each Council member shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age: shall have resided in The Town for at least one year immediately preceding the date of election; shall be a qualified voter (as set forth below) in the Town of Frankford; and shall not have been convicted of a felony.

Anyone wishing to file as a candidate for the election must file a written Notice of Intention at the Frankford Town Hall no later than 4:30pm on January 13, 2023

Qualifications to vote for the Town of Frankford Elections must meet all, of the following requirements:

~ 302.539.1788

Every person who is a citizen of the United States; is at least eighteen (18) years of age; Has resided within the corporate limits of the Town for at least thirty (30) days prior to the next Town election; and is registered as required by law, shall be a qualified voter of the Town.

Every qualified voter of the Town shall be entitled to vote in any or all Town elections:

Voter Registration will close on Friday January 13, 2023 CP 20221223

LEGALS

OFFICE OF REGISTER OF WILLS OF SUSSEX COUNTY

STATE OF DELAWARE

PO BOX 743; GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 (302)855-7875

Estate of Gerald W. Baker Sr., Deceased. Notice is hereby given that Letters of Administration upon the estate of Gerald W. Baker Sr. who departed this life on September 15, 2022, late of Dagsboro, DE were duly granted unto Timothy Baker on November 30, 2022 and all persons indebted to the said deceased are required to make payments to the said Executor without delay, and all persons having demands against the deceased are required to exhibit and present the same duly probated to the said Executor on or before May 15, 2023 or abide by the law in this behalf.

ADMINISTRATOR:

Timothy Baker

31066 Bird Haven St. Ocean View, DE  19970

Ellen M. Magee, Register of Wills

ATTORNEY:

Parsons & Robinson, P.A. 118 Atlantic Ave.; Suite 401 Ocean View, DE 19970

CP 20221216 3T

OFFICE OF REGISTER OF WILLS OF SUSSEX COUNTY

STATE OF DELAWARE PO BOX 743; GEORGETOWN, DE 19947 (302)855-7875

Estate of Joseph P. Rodgers Jr., Deceased. Notice is hereby given that Letters of Testamentary upon the estate of Joseph P. Rodgers Jr. who departed this life on November 8, 2022, late of Bethany Beach, DE were duly granted unto Joseph P. Rodgers, III on November 29, 2022 and all persons indebted to the said deceased are required to make payments to the said Executor without delay, and all persons having demands against the deceased are required to exhibit and present the same duly probated to the said Executor on or before July 8, 2023 or abide by the law in this behalf.

ADMINISTRATOR:

Joseph P. Rodgers, III 92 Peach Court New Castle, CO 81647

Ellen M. Magee, Register of Wills

ATTORNEY: Parsons & Robinson, P.A. 118 Atlantic Ave.; Suite 401 Ocean View, DE 19970

CP 20221209 3T

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE IN AND FOR SUSSEX COUNTY

IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF: Felix Cruz Harmon TO: Felix Quinata Cruz

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Felix Cruz Harmonintends to present a Petition to the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware in and for Sussex County, to change his/her name to Felix Quinata Cruz.

CP 20221209 3T

TOWN OF FRANKFORD DELAWARE RFP 2022-10 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP for Maintenance Building Construction

Public Notice is hereby given that the Town of Frankford, Delaware, seeks to engage the services of a pole building contractor for the construction of a maintenance building and associated improvements. The selected contractor will provide pre-construction services (as required) and will provide any required subcontractors (if needed) throughout the construction process.

Project Description

The overall work consists of the construction of a new maintenance pole building. The pole building, an ~2,880 SF garage maintenance pole building to be located at the existing Hickory and Clayton parking lot across the street from the Town park. The proposed pole building will be located on land currently owned by the Town.

AECOM has been retained as the Town’s Engineering Consultant, will provide the site layout and will provide topographic survey (if needed).

Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Town of Frankford or AECOM c/o Erik Hughes (erik.hughes@aecom.com) 12:00 PM EST on December 22, 2022. Responses will be distributed to all submitters in a joint email no later than 4:30 PM on December 29, 2022. AECOM has a proposed site layout and pole building specifications for interested bidders. Please contact AECOM to receive a digital version. Project must be completed within 90 days of bid award date.

Selection Process:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Yuzu Sushi FI LLC has on November 30, 2022, applied with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner for Restaurant, Sunday, & Patio licenses, for a premise located at Villages of Fenwick, 300 Coastal Highway, Units 6 & 7, Fenwick Island, DE 19944. Persons who are against this application should provide written notice of their objections to the Commissioner. For the Commissioner to be required to hold a hearing to consider additional input from persons against this application, the Commissioner must receive one or more documents containing a total of at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within 1 mile of the premises or in any incorporated areas located within 1 mile of the premises. The signatures of residents or property owners must also include the mailing address for the property and the email address (if one exists) for the resident or property owner. The protest(s) must be filed with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner at the 3rd Floor, Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. The protest(s) must be received by the Commissioner’s office on or before January 15, 2023. Failure to file such a protest may result in the Commissioner considering the application without further notice, input, or hearing. If you have questions regarding this matter please contact the Commissioner’s Office.

CP 20221216 3T

The Town of Frankford will conform to all local requirements regarding the selection of a contractor. Interested parties must email the Town of Frankford or AECOM to ascertain the required information and the selection procedure to be utilized. The Town reserves the right to reject any bid that does not follow bid requirements and is not legally required to proceed with the project after bidding.

Submission Requirements:

Bids must be delivered by hand or mail to Frankford Town Hall, located at #9 Main Street, P.O. Box 550, Frankford, DE 19945. The Town will accept sealed proposals until 3:00 PM EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Bearer assumes the risk of late delivery, and any submissions received after that deadline will be returned unopened. Please provide three (3) hard copies of the proposal. Email submissions are not being accepted for this project.

Submission of sealed proposals shall be mailed directly to the Town of Frankford at:

Frankford Town Hall, Attn. Cheryl Lynch

#9 Main Street; PO Box 550 Frankford, DE 19945

Please note on a sealed envelope the following: “Frankford Maintenance Building RFP-010”

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3BR/2.5BA SavannahsLanding,OceanView: month+utilities. $perg2,200ge.warawithtonnhomebewy3rand -stor 1/2BA,+2BR/2fullBA(2) PlantationLakes,Millsboro: month+utilities.

4BR/3.5BA CreekBethanatOceanView: Whites on$2,700/month+utilities.sunroom,thecanal. Beautiful2BR/1BArancherwith KeenwickWest: +2%rentaltaxutilities.+ considered. etsPge.gara2-car single-level Brandnew,2BR/2BA bySea:the Millville utilities. permonth+5%rental+tax single-familyhome.

3BR/2BA,brandnew StonewaterCreek,Millsboro: +Propertyalsolistedforsale. utilities. ge.gara2-car$3,000monthper single-family

ge.gara2-carper$2,200 golfcourseviewsand toargewnhome3BR/3.5BAl Lakes,M considered.$2,200permonth+utilities. 3BR/2BArancherP.ets Lane,ronsDagsboro: I &sewer .esaelhtnom21-6$1,800/monthincludesterwaelectric, ilam-fgleinyh2BR/3BAsleilyvlbSene,LaankmicBr: $1,800/month+utilities. porch,1mileBethanfromBeach.y nitwithscreened u y $3,700/month+utilities. Pcourse.golfartiallyfurnished. 4BR/3BAsingle-familyhome Beach:y single-family$3,300permonth+utilities. home.

The Original Crossword Puzzle for Kids and Their Favorite Adults

1. According to his famous holiday song, Frosty the Snowman had a ______ pipe 4. Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the ____ 7. If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, it means you're hoping for a _____ day 8. Our Christmas Eve hero: His nose was a "headlight" for Santa's sleigh 9. There's no place like it for the holidays

11. Millions around the world who agree cheerfully sing along with this song: "It's the ______ Wonderful Time of the Year" 12. You'll nd these two words in the title of a Christmas carol between "Away" and "Manger" (2 wds) 13. They're the guys who hum songs all night in Santa's workshop 16. Who is it all about?: This little word appears in every stanza of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" 17. Why is everyone so happy at Christmastime?: Because 'tis the season to be _____ (Fa-la-la-la-lala-la-la-la)

21. This gift was given on the rst day of Christmas: a ____ in a pear tree 22. This "happy" word nishes this line in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: "Make the yuletide ____" 24. If this classic Christmas toy on a string could sing, it would sing a song about life's ups and downs 25. This word follows "Silent" and "Holy" in the name of a popular Christmas carol

Parents Down

1. Crunchy treat responsible for that aroma that wafts from an open fire 2. Like the weather on the night of the First Noel 3. The sound of silver ones signals that it's Christmastime in the city 4. "Grown-up Christmas _____" is a wistful song which envisions a world" where right would always win and love would never end": 5. Joy's tandem tiding 6. Kid who regretted that he had no gift t for a king (a-rum-pa-pumpum): The Little _____ Boy 9. As the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord

Jesus was asleep on it

10. Busted!: Back in 1952, a boy named Jimmy Boyd hit number one on the chart with his song of seeing this woman kissing Santa Claus

14. Star who a sang a Christmas classic and a hit about his suede shoes (both of which were blue)

15. Jack Frost's target on a frosty night (or Frosty's button-esque facial feature)

18. Stevie Wonder's wonderful holiday hit reminds us that one little Christmas tree can _____ up a home or even the world 19. Insisting that she'd "been a very good girl," Eartha Kitt sang this sultry seasonal song (including a detailed wishlist): "Santa ____" 20. "[19D], It's Cold Outside" is an inviting, back-and-forth duet featuring a female singer trying to decide whether to ___ or go 23. Mariah Carey's ubiquitous holiday hit soulfully promises that all she wants for Christmas is ____

By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek

By Jan Buckner Walker

Musical Holidays

NEWPRICE!

28449 REEF DRIVE, SELBYVILLE

Live The Vacation in Lighthouse Lakes!

Beautiful Waterfront 4BR/3BA Model-like home located in the wonderful amenityrich coastal community of Lighthouse Lakes. Situated on a large serene pond lot less than 15 minutes to the DE & MD Beaches this home boasts all that you need to start enjoying the coastal lifestyle as soon as you turn the key.

$599,900 (DESU2029870)

Call Eddie Rohe (c) 410-908-9137

$699,000 (DESU2033580)

Call Chrisy Tingle (c) 302-377-4159

36879 BAYSIDE DR., FENWICK ISLAND

This classic beach home offers the rare opportunity to live and play in the private community of Seatowne. With an of ce, 3 beds, 2 baths, and views of both the ocean and the bay, the location is unmatched. Walk to the beach for a sunrise, play a round of tennis, hop in the pool, and enjoy

31332 TERRY CIR, BETHANY BEACH

Pondfront- 3300 sq ft rst oor living home with fenced in backyard. Amenity rich gated community less than 1.5 miles to downtown Bethany. Boasting 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 2 car garage with ample storage, large loft, wrap around porch, patio area, balcony, indoor storage room (could be converted to BR) hardwood ooring, high ceilings, gas replace. Partially furnished and Move in Ready.