Community Briefs 10/12/22

Bayhealth’s graduate medical education receives $25K grant

Bayhealth was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to support its graduate medical education programs, which create more access to healthcare services by bringing skilled physician residents to central and southern Delaware. This is the second grant from Bank of America, which has given a total of $45,000 to Bayhealth’s GME programs.

This year, Bayhealth added the general surgery residency program after launching the family medicine and internal medicine programs last year. The emergency medicine program will accept its first class in 2023. Residents work side by side with Bayhealth physicians to care for community members, learning the latest techniques to provide patients with the best care.

“Bayhealth is doing vital work in Delaware to strengthen the health of our community,” said Chip Rossi, Bank of America Delaware president. “We’re proud to support the graduate medical education programs and the ongoing improvements in access to care they provide Delawareans.”

"We're appreciative of Bank of America's continued support of our GME programs," said Lindsay Rhodenbaugh, Bayhealth Foundation president. "Their generosity is a reinvestment in our community."

For more, go to Bayhealth.org/Foundation.

Millsboro student enrolls at Marietta College

Marietta College announced Wade Stout of Millsboro has enrolled for in-person learning for the fall 2022 semester and is part of its Class of 2026. A graduate of Sussex Academy, Stout is majoring in history.

SBA grant strengthens research funding in Delaware

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced $5.4 million in funding to 44 awardees through the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program. FAST provides small businesses and startups, particularly those in underserved communities, with specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance for research and development. Grant selectees qualify for award amounts of up to $125,000 each.

Delaware Small Business Development Center was among FAST awardees selected for a third year of funding.

“When we enable equitable access to federal research funding, we empower more of our nation’s entrepreneurs and scientists to translate their cutting-edge ideas into commercial enterprises,” said Isabella Casillas Guzman, SBA administrator. “This is why doubling our funding of FAST grants and expanding the network of awardees is so critical to building a stronger and more inclusive innovation economy that invests in all of our communities.”

Blessing of the animals Oct. 15 in Lewes

Groome Church, located at 601 Savannah Road in Lewes, will offer a Blessing of the Animals at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. The Rev. William Crossan will offer the blessing. The event will feature treats and toys for animals and refreshments for pet parents.

Genealogical society to meet Oct. 15

The Sussex County Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, via Zoom. James Beidler will be speaking on doing German ancestry research online. Beidler is interim executive director for the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and the author of four commercially published genealogy books. He’s been writing Roots & Branches, an award-winning weekly blog and newspaper column on genealogy, for more than 20 years. He is also a columnist for German Life magazine and editor emeritus of Der Kurier, the quarterly journal of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society. To request an invitation to the meeting, email programs@scgsdelaware.org. For more, go to scgsdelaware.org.

Toys for Tots volunteer kickoff set Oct. 15 in Millsboro

Nassau DE, the local campaign organization of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, seeks help for its 2022 campaign. A Toys for Tots volunteer kickoff event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro.

To help spread the joy of the holiday season to children in Sussex County who otherwise might not receive a gift, volunteers are needed to donate any amount of time to sort donations, pack orders and distribute toys from late October through mid-December.

Pickup truck owners are especially needed to collect boxes of donated toys in their town and deliver them to the warehouse.

To learn more, go to nassau-de.com.

Block party returns to Baltimore Avenue Oct. 16

CAMP Rehoboth will hosts its 2022 Block Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 16, on the second block of Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. Local restaurants, caterers, entertainers, businesses, nonprofits and other organizations will all participate. All ages are welcome. Admission is free but donations to benefit the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center are encouraged.

Returning after several years lost to the pandemic and lousy weather, the celebration is CAMP Rehoboth’s largest annual outreach. Performers include the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Ensemble, actors from Clear Space Theatre, and renowned drag queens Tamia Mykles, Roxy Overbrooke and Magnolia Applebottom.

CAMP Rehoboth is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all participants.  Block Party attendees who have needs related to accessibility are asked to contact Hope@camprehoboth.com.  

UUSD to meet Oct. 16

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold an online and in person service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 16. What Peace May Come will be the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “If we are giving the world our attention, we witness to so much pain and heartbreak. There are the sudden tragedies that jar us all, and then there is also the anguish that occurs over accumulated years. We will contemplate together how we can invite a more active peace into our lives, relationships and communities.” For more, go to uussd.org.

Wawa Hurricane Ian disaster relief campaign runs thru Oct. 16

Wawa Inc. and the Wawa Foundation Inc. announced the launch of a chain-wide, in-store crisis campaign designed to provide disaster relief assistance to communities most affected by Hurricane Ian. In partnership with the American Red Cross, the program allows customers to contribute to Hurricane Ian disaster relief by adding $1, $3, or $5 to their Wawa purchases at checkout.

The Wawa Foundation will match the first $250,000 in customer contributions to the campaign, which runs through Sunday, Oct. 16, in all Wawa stores. All donations will go to the Red Cross, designated specifically for Hurricane Ian disaster relief efforts.

“All of us at Wawa are committed to helping our Florida friends and neighbors during this time of need. Wawa has been in Florida for 10 years now, and as a member of this community, we are taking a number of steps to help with storm recovery efforts,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa CEO.

“We are proud to match customer donations up to $250,000 to show our dedication to, and support for, this critical need,” said Jay Culotta, Wawa Foundation president.

Federal retirees to meet Oct. 17

NARFE Sussex Chapter 1992 will meet at 12 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, at the Pizza King restaurant on Stein Highway in Seaford. Healthcare representatives will be the speakers. Federal employees, retirees and annuitants benefit from joining NARFE to get answers on retirement and healthcare benefits.

Free estate-planning class set Oct. 17

Delaware Money School will host Avoiding Probate, a free financial class, from 5 to 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, at the Lewes Public Library.

Deirdre O’Shea McCartney, Esq., will facilitate the program. The class covers avoiding probate, how to make the transition of property occur seamlessly at the time of death, without opening an estate. Having written, spoken and taught on the subject many times, the presenter breaks down this complex subject to simple layman’s terms. This class focuses only on steps the lay person can take so assets transfer at death to the intended beneficiaries by operation of law, immediately and automatically. Those who have served as a personal representative or executor of an estate know firsthand how complex, expensive and time-consuming the probate process can be.

Everyone should have a will prepared by a competent attorney. This class teaches how to prepare an estate in such a manner that the entire probate process can be avoided and the will never comes into play.

Advance registration is required at demoneyschool.org.

First State Antique Tractor Club to meet Oct. 18

The First State Antique Tractor Club will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Greenwood VFW, on the corner of Governors Avenue and Mill Street in Greenwood. Discussion will include plans for the annual banquet in addition to new club business and events. Light refreshments will be served. The club is always looking for new members. To learn more, contact Maralene Givens at 302-228-2674 or maraleneg1@verizon.net and go to firststateantiquetractorclub.com.

Financial info offered at complimentary dinners Oct. 18, 20

Dedicated Financial Services will host complimentary educational dinners featuring Delaware Retiree Advisor Len Hayduchok at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 20, at Eden Restaurant, 23 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. 

Attendees will learn about investing, strategies for allocating assets, government policy, tax planning and financial planning. Seating is limited. To reserve a space, RSVP at 800-560-0912. 

Tanger Pink Golf Classic set Oct. 19

Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach is supporting the fight against breast cancer with its annual Tanger Pink Golf Classic, Wednesday, Oct. 19. 

The charitable event raises funds for the Beebe Medical Foundation and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as both nonprofit organizations work toward the goal of finding a cure for breast cancer.

“At Tanger, we strive to give back to organizations that are really making an impact in our community,” said Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach Operations Director Joey Venezia. “The Tanger Pink Golf Classic rallies the community together for a day of fun, dedicated to a good cause.”

Individuals and teams can sign up to participate at Baywood Greens Golf Course. Participants will register and warm up at 8 a.m. with a tee time at 9:30 a.m. Awards, recognition and a silent auction will take place during lunch at 2 p.m.

Guests can submit the registration form, secure sponsorships and learn more about donation opportunities by contacting Joey Venezia at joey.venezia@tangeroutlets.com.

To learn more about the event, go to tangeroutlets.com/Rehoboth/events and to stay up to date on all things happening at the center on Instagram and Facebook.

Local yoga instructor Hiba Stancofski to address AAUW Oct. 20

The Coastal Georgetown Branch of the American Association of University Women will meet at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at Big Fish restaurant in Rehoboth. The featured speaker, on the theme Leading Local in Mindfulness, will be Hiba Stancofski. A former research biologist, Stancofski is currently a certified yoga teacher and mindfulness instructor in Lewes. She began work as a research fellow at Georgetown University Hospital and became interested in the mental and physical benefits of yoga after a physical injury. She began yoga teacher training and now is certified in vinyasa yoga, yoga for cancer, yoga for trauma, restorative yoga and mindfulness. She has taught for the Cancer Support Community and the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, and with local high school athletic teams. Stancofski is a member of the Yoga Alliance and currently teaches at Involution Yoga. Her children’s book “I Feel Better Now” was published during the pandemic; it introduces the same tools of yoga and mindfulness to youngsters in order to help them cope with difficult emotions and challenging situations. For more, go to georgetown-de.aauw.net.

Workforce development grant forum set Oct. 20

The Empowerment Grant will host a listening session forum bring together multi-sector impact leaders active in the various aspects of workforce development from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20, at Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford. Participants are invited to share insights and learn about the Empowerment Grant’s interest in providing grants focused on cultivating multi-sector workforce development collaborations. To register, go to tinyurl.com/2773z949. To learn more, go to EmpowerGrantDE.org.

Legion auxiliary seeks donations for kids kits

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 is seeking donations in preparation for its annual Make a Difference Day project Saturday, Oct. 22, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro. We Care Kits for Kids is this year’s project. Items requested are towels and wash clothes, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes, toothbrush holders, deodorant and mouthwash. Monetary donations will also be accepted for the unit to make purchases. Items may be dropped off at the auxiliary office in advance or on the day of the event. Members of the public are welcome and needed to help pack kits that will be delivered to the homeless liaison at the Indian River School District. For additional information contact Sue at 717-808-5136 or momapo@aol.com or call Beth at 302-381-3897.