Viki Dee to return to stage at Nov. 17 benefit

Rehoboth Beach singer/songwriter Viki Dee said the peace and tranquility of the ocean is her therapy after the trauma of losing everything.

Dee said she has been in counseling to deal with post-traumatic stress after an Oct. 20 fire that destroyed her home and took the lives of her three pets, whom she considered her family.

“I’m on one day at a time,” she said.

Dee has begun to pick up the pieces, moving to a small bungalow in Dewey Beach and adding a new family member, an English golden retriever puppy she named Bucca, given to her by friends.

“I welcome him,” Dee said.

The stress from the fire chased her from the stage – Dee canceled all her scheduled performances – but she’s set to return at a fundraiser in her honor, 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

Dee admitted she was nervous about going back on stage again, her first performance since Oct. 27.

“I want to feel prepared, and I’m not sure I am,” she said. “I’m hoping this is the medicine I need to get me going.”

Organizer Mary Ann Slinkman said 600 tickets have been sold at $25 apiece, raising $15,000 on ticket sales alone. She said while she knew there would be a large interest, she has been overwhelmed by the response.

The fundraiser will feature 175 silent auction items and 10 live auction items including a sailing trip on the Potomac River and two tickets to the 24th annual Mautner Gala on Saturday, March 8, in Washington, D.C. Also featured will be local entertainers and a spaghetti dinner with food donated by Rehoboth's Casa DiLeo.

“It’s one of the largest fundraisers we’ve had as far as participation of the community,” Slinkman said.

Dee said she has been overwhelmed by the response from the community; she said she has been embraced and enveloped by support and love beyond anything she could imagine.

“It’s unbelievable. I’m honored to be in this community,” Dee said.