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Bette Gallo honored at annual chamber banquet

Longtime Realtor, business owner among several honorees
The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards luncheon and board installation April 22. Board members shown in back are (l-r) Susan Kehoe, Carrie Lingo, Bill Klemkowski, Mike Dickinson, Jack Riddle, Chris Rausch, Ben Gray and Susan Wood. In the front are (l-r) Yash Singh, Thomas Carney, Doug Lynn, Steve Montgomery, Dale Lomas, Kelly Stevenson, Chris Weeks, Rachel Webster, Donnie Mayles and Fiona Curry. Board members not pictured include Gordon Bowers, Drew DiFonzo, Vince DiFonzo and Mitch Resnick. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
May 1, 2026

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards luncheon and installation of its board April 22 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.

Longtime Realtor and business owner Bette Gallo was named 2026 Mae Hall McCabe Award recipient for her years of dedication to the greater Rehoboth and Dewey area. She was also recognized for her formative work with Rehoboth Beach Main Street.

Lee Ann Wilkinson, Gallo’s daughter, accepted the award on Gallo’s behalf. She said her mom, who is happy and healthy in Florida, was honored to be given this recognition, especially since Mae Hall McCabe was another influential and longtime Realtor in the beach area.

As for Main Street, Wilkinson said her mom recognized a need for the year-round promotion of downtown business, and she’s proud to see it’s still going strong.

During a State of the Chamber address, board Chair Susan Wood said 2025 was marked by a lot of changes, primarily in the area of staff. In addition to replacing President and CEO Carol Everhart, there were new positions created and filled, she said.

The chamber has 1,300 members and is as strong as ever, said Wood.

Outgoing board members were recognized for their years of service – Kay Wheatley, 34 years; Jay Becker, 22 years; Keith Martin, 18 years; and Kay Young, three years.

Wheatley became emotional when saying goodbye. Of all the organizations she’s been involved with, this chamber is the one that she’s enjoyed the most, she said.

Celebrating its 11th year, Dewey Beer Co. was named the 2025 Business of the Year.

Former Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper was presented with the 2026 Cheryl Blackman Volunteer of the Year Award for his continued service as Santa Claus in the chamber’s Santa House on the Boardwalk. Cooper said it is probably not something he normally would have done, but he’s glad he was asked to do it.

Dewey Beach Commissioner Gary Persinger was named the 2026 Town of Dewey Beach Volunteer of the Year.

Rehoboth in Bloom founder Cindy Lovett was named the inaugural City of Rehoboth Beach Volunteer of Year.

The inaugural Carol Everhart Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Carol Everhart, who retired from the chamber at the end of 2024 after more than three decades.

 

Longtime Realtor Bette Gallo was named the 2026 Mae Hall McCabe Award recipient. Daughter Lee Ann Wilkinson accepts the award from board member Chris Rausch on Gallo’s behalf.
A handful of chamber members were recognized for their service on the chamber’s executive board. Kay Young, left, is stepping away after three years. Kay Wheatley, right, is stepping away after 34 years. Chamber Board President Susan Wood presented the two women with plaques. Outgoing board members not pictured are Jay Becker, 22 years of service, and Keith Martin, 18 years of service.
Dewey Beer Co. was named the 2025 Business of the Year. Dewey Beer Co. co-founder Brandon Smith, left, accepts the award from chamber board member Chris Weeks.
Former Rehoboth Beach Mayor Sam Cooper is presented with the 2026 Cheryl Blackman Volunteer of the Year Award for his continued service as Santa Claus in the chamber’s Santa House on the Boardwalk. He is shown with chamber board member Jack Riddle.
Dewey Beach Commissioner Gary Persinger is presented with the 2026 Town of Dewey Beach Volunteer of the Year award. He is shown with Dewey Beach Mayor Bill Stevens.
Rehoboth in Bloom founder Cindy Lovett was named the inaugural City of Rehoboth Beach Volunteer of Year. She is presented the award by Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills.
Former Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce President Carol Everhart, left, was named the inaugural recipient of the Carol Everhart Lifetime Achievement Award. Everhart retired after more than three decades at the end of 2025. Outgoing chamber board member Kay Wheatley, right, presents Everhart her awards.
The award ceremony and installation luncheon was Kate VanVorst’s as chamber president.
The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber staff who made the event possible. Shown are (l-r) Visitor Center staff member Kim Tanis, Visitor Center staff member Liz Leshine, Member Relations & Programming Manager Talbot Buck, Social Media & Product Manager Nicole Pitti, Office & Visitor's Services Manager Jeana Paratore, Director of Member Communications & Events Caitlin Chaney, Director of Marketing & Finance Meghan Hyett and President/CEO Kate Van Vorst.
In recognition of a lot of new changes in the chamber, a packet of flowers were handed out to the guests.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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