Community Briefs 2/7/24

Speak Out Against Hate elects officers

Speak Out Against Hate, a Sussex County organization formed to confront and counter the rising tide of hate and its normalization, has elected its officers and is in the process of forming as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to enable it to better serve the community. 

SOAH elected officials are Patty Maloney, chair; Allan Slan, vice chair and treasurer; and Leslie Slan, secretary. All have long histories of working in the community to combat hate. Also on the board are Jan Kliger, Charlotte King, Dr. Marlene Saunders, Joe Lawson, Peter Schott and Zita Dresner.
 
SOAH’s five working group topics are elected officials, educators, police officials, business leaders and faith leaders. There have been ongoing meetings with individuals in those categories seeking commitments to speak out against hate and urge those with whom they have contact to do the same. SOAH seeks to have those officials assist in developing plans and tools to combat hateful actions and hate crimes.

SOAH will update the community at its next meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, at the Lewes library.

For more information, go to sdarj.org/soah or email infoforsoah@gmail.com.

Hibernians to host Mardi Gras fundraiser Feb. 10

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will sponsor a Mardi Gras cocktail party fundraiser from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Fairfield Inn, 19113 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach. There will be a silent auction and a live auction featuring Father William Cocco, St. Edmond pastor,  as auctioneer. The live auction includes a dinner for six prepared by Cocco; dinner for two with Rolls-Royce transportation; a B&B weekend in a restored Catholic church in Loudoun County, Virginia; a Mark Showell bust of Julius Caesar; and a $500 Christmas house lighting package from SoDel Santa. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Casa San Francisco in Milton, Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown, and Most Blessed Sacrament School in Berlin, Md. The LAOH raises money to help support women and children in Sussex County. For tickets and more information, contact Kathleen at 301-641-5473 or delacyk@icloud.com.

UUSD to meet Feb. 11

The Unitarian Universalist of Southern Delaware will hold an in-person and livestreamed service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, with the message topic, Will You Still Love Tomorrow? The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “How do you explain love? Can you define it? And how does the energy of love guide your life choices and responses? We’ll reflect on these big questions today.” For more information, go to uussd.org.

Valentines vegan dinner set at The Pines Feb. 11

VegRehoboth will offer a new Valentines vegan dinner, with appetizers served at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at The Pines Restaurant, 56 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by dessert. Tickets are $60 per person and include nonalcoholic beverages and gratuity. Pianist Jon Rania will serenade diners during the appetizer portion of the evening. To order tickets, go to Vegrehoboth.org.

The Pines American Bistro Executive Chef Kyle Berman has an extensive culinary resume. He has developed an imaginative menu celebrating plant-based cuisine.

VegRehoboth was established to provide education, advocacy, and connection for those considering or choosing a plant-based diet and lifestyle. “We have been leaders in advocating for plant-based living in the Rehoboth Beach area and beyond for many years,” said Tara Sheldon, co-founder. “It is wonderful to see that locally and nation-wide, plant-based cuisine has become a regular feature on most menus. Well established as a benefit to our health and the environment, plant-based cuisine is simply good for business.”

Free financial class to address Social Security Feb. 12

The Delaware Money School will offer a free class, Savvy Social Security, at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12, at Lewes Public Library with instructor Greg Holman, FPQP, of InFocus Financial Advisors. Designed to educate those who are nearing retirement or who have recently retired, the class covers the different aspects of Social Security including retirement, spousal and survivor benefits.Holman has written, spoken and taught on the subject many times, and he will break down what appears to be a complex subject using simple, understandable layman’s terms. The goal is to help make people aware of the different aspects of Social Security and how to maximize their own benefits and planning. To register, go to demoneyschool.org.

IMC Lewes sets hybrid meditation Feb. 12

Insight Meditation Community of Lewes will hold its 2nd Monday Hybrid Meditation Session from 4 to 5 p.m., Feb. 12, via Zoom and in person at St. Peter’s parish hall, 2nd and Mulberry streets, Lewes. Sessions are free and open to public. For the Zoom link, email info@imc-lewes.org or text Carolyn Quinn at 302-604-0132.

All Saints' & St. George's set Ash Wednesday services Feb. 14

The Episcopal Parish of All Saints' Church and St. George's Chapel has set Ash Wednesday services Feb. 14.

All Saints' Church services will be held at 8 a.m. and 12 noon, at 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

St. George's Chapel services will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., at 20271 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson.

These services include scripture readings, prayers, a brief sermon, holy communion and distribution of ashes. The service of the burning of the ashes will take place at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12, outside at the labyrinth adjacent to the St. George's parking lot across from the chapel at 20332 Beaver Dam Road, Harbeson. At this brief but moving service the greens that were distributed the previous Palm Sunday are collected and burned to be used for the ashes that will be placed upon people's foreheads on Ash Wednesday.

All worship sites are handicapped-accessible, and off-street parking is available as well. There is no charge to attend, but a freewill offering is taken.

For more information, email info@allsaintsandstgeorges.org, call 302-227-7202 or go to allsaintsandstgeorges.org and find All Saints' Church & St. George's Chapel on Facebook.

Lent services begin Feb. 14 at Milford churches

The Milford Area Ministerial Association announced services will be held at noon, Wednesdays, during the Lent season, at the locations below.

All are welcome to come for a time of prayer, songs and renewal of faith with like-minded individuals. These events are all free and open to the community. A variety of soups, bread and/or crackers will be offered after the service.

Guest speaker Pastor Paul Isaacs will lead the Feb. 14 service at Mount Enon Baptist Church, 600 N. Church St., Milford. Additional service dates and locations will be: Feb. 21, First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Walnut St. Milford; Feb. 28, Mount Enon Baptist Church; March 6, Hope Church, 103 S. Maple Ave., Milford; March 13, Mount Enon Baptist Church; and March 20, First Presbyterian Church.

For more information, call 302-228-8541 or email REH2056@gmail.com. 

RD20 Dems to hold delegate selection caucus Feb. 15

The Delaware 20th Representative District Democratic Committee will hold a delegate selection caucus during its regular meeting at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Lewes Diner, 1201 Savannah Road, Lewes. An informal social gathering for Dutch treat dinner starts at 5 p.m. 

The purpose of the RD20 caucus is to elect delegates to the Delaware Democratic Party caucus, which will be held Saturday, April 13, in Dover. During the Dover caucus, there will be an election for delegates to send to the Democratic National Convention, to be held Monday to Saturday Aug. 19 to  24, in Chicago.

Any registered Democrat in Delaware is welcome to participate in RD20’s social hour and business meeting. 

For more information, go to rd20deldems.com. To be placed on RD20’s email list, email rd20.deldems@gmail.com.

RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for Lewes, Milton, Nassau, Pinetown, Belltown, and sections of Harbeson and Georgetown.

Retirement Taxation Bootcamp workshops kick off Feb. 15

InFocus Financial Advisors Inc. will offer Retirement Taxation Bootcamp workshops at Lewes Public Library. Managing Taxes in Retirement is the topic at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 15. Savvy Roth Conversion Strategies is set for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27. Medicare Made Simple will be the topic at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 5.

Sponsor Delaware Money School will provide certified financial planner Robert Jeter, CFP, CRPC, to instruct the workshop series. Jeter regularly speaks to public and private audiences around the region on various retirement-related topics. He brings a wealth of expertise in retirement planning, taxation and financial management. Space is limited. To register, go to retireinfocus.com.

The event is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Attendees are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.