Community Briefs 11/22/23

Bay to Beach Builders wins Bethany-Fenwick Best in Business 

Bay to Beach Builders, a renowned custom homebuilding company in Delaware, was honored with the prestigious Best in Business - Construction Award by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. The recognition was presented at a celebration held Nov. 16, at Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club in Dagsboro.

This award is a testament to Bay to Beach Builders' commitment to excellence in the construction industry and its dedication to serving the local community with high-quality building services. The Best in Business - Construction Award recognizes outstanding businesses in the region that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation and contribution to the community.

Bay to Beach Builders has been a leading force in the construction industry for 20 years, specializing in Amish-built custom homes. The company is known for its innovative designs, quality craftsmanship and overall customer service.

For more information, go to baytobeachbuilders.com or call 302-349-5099.

Bethany Christmas decorating contest signup due Nov. 24

The Town of Bethany Beach will host its second annual Coastal Christmas Showdown decorating contest, open to homes and businesses within the corporate limits of Bethany Beach and the Salt Pond. “We had 18 businesses participate last year but only four homes,” said Julie Malewski, events director. “We’re hoping to get a wider pool of homeowner entries.”

From 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, trolleys will take visitors on an evening tour to view all registered homes. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Visitors may also plan their own drive by using the interactive Google Map or address list. The community will be able to submit votes for category winners via online voting,

Votes must be cast by Friday, Dec. 1. Judges will review votes, and five winners will be announced during the tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, on the bandstand. A party on the plaza will be followed by trolley tours to see the displays.

To register and view all the Bethany Beach holiday happenings, go to townofbethanybeach.com.

E-ZPass Delaware free transponder event kicks off Nov. 24

E-ZPass Delaware’s Black Friday free transponder event returns Nov. 24, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 31. Anyone who opens a new individual account during this time will get a free transponder.

For more information or to open an account, go to ezpassde.com and click on sign up, call 888-397-2773, or visit the E-ZPass service center at 22-24 West Loockerman St., Dover, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2  p.m., Saturday.

“This is one of our favorite events,” said Amy Anthony, Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles director. “We can help save our customers some money while making their commute more convenient. I do ask all motorists, whether you are paying by cash or by transponder to please obey the posted speed limits at all toll plazas so we can keep everyone safe.”

Currently, there are 627,003 active E-ZPass transponders in Delaware. Collectively, Newark, Biddles Corner and Dover toll plazas process an average of 138,606 E-ZPass transactions daily. 

Cape High 2003 reunion set Nov. 25

Tickets are on sale now for the Cape Henlopen High School Class of 2003 reunion, set for 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25, in the Spare Room at Lefty’s Alley & Eats. Tickets are $35 each until midnight Friday, Nov. 24, and $50 on the day of the event. The class is also still accepting sponsors. For more information and to purchase tickets to the 20th class reunion, go to bit.ly/CapeClassof2003.

Cornhole tourney to benefit Humane Animal Partners

Humane Animal Partners is set to participate in Outloud Sports Rehoboth’s inaugural Turkey Toss Benefit Cornhole Tournament from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes. HAP, a statewide animal welfare organization with adoption centers in Wilmington, Stanton/Christiana and Rehoboth Beach, helps thousands of animals find safe and loving homes each year.

HAP will have adoptable dogs and puppies to meet and greet guests at the event. In addition, there will be 50/50 raffles, live music, games and prizes to enjoy. Teams can participate in the cornhole tournament socially or competitively. Those interested in participating should register at outloudsports.com/rehoboth. Attendees are also encouraged to bring pet food for the Humane Animal Partners pet food pantry.

Holiday wreath-making classes kick off Nov. 25

The Inland Bays Garden Center will offer a series of holiday wreath-making classes at 38320 Muddy Neck Road, Frankford. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 25 and 26, and Dec. 2 and 3. Cost is $45 per person. With simple instructions from Don Duca, participants will transform juniper, pine, fir, holly, magnolia and pine cones into a wreath that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Attendees should bring a ribbon of their choice and will learn how to make a perfect bow. Christmas carols, hot cider and gingerbread men make this workshop a sensory delight. Duca has taught wreath making at Inland Bays Garden Center for many years. These sessions fill up quickly; to register, go to inlandbaysgardencenter.com/events.

Quiet Resorts Shop Local Extravaganza kicks off Nov. 25

South Coastal Delaware's Shop Local Extravaganza one-stop shop for tax-free shopping begins on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, and continues the first three Saturdays in December. Shoppers can visit participating businesses to enter the $500 grand prize raffle and in-store raffles. A grand prize raffle drawing will take place Monday, Dec.18. The initiative was created to support the local businesses of The Quiet Resorts, which includes those in Bethany Beach, Clarksville, Dagsboro, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Millville, Ocean View, Roxana, Selbyville and South Bethany.

For more information, go to thequietresorts.com.

UUSD to meet Nov. 26

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold an in-person and livestreamed service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 26, with the topic, Keeping the Heart(h).

Guest speaker Leika Lewis-Cornwell said, “For millennia, the hearth has been a gathering place for family, community and hungry travelers. As we head into the winter season, what does the ancient tradition of hearth fires mean for us as people of commitment and interconnection? This interactive service will honor the ways the fiery heart of the community lives on in our very modern world.”

For more information, go to uussd.org.

Free Medicare 101 webinar set Nov. 27

Medicare is often a confusing and time-consuming topic. Medicare 101, a free educational webinar, is set for 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27, via Zoom. It takes a lot of expertise to figure out whether to choose the traditional Medicare Part A and B or the Medicare Advantage HMO, and which Medicare Supplement option and Part D prescription plan provides an individual the best value.

Presenters will dig in with clear explanations of the basics to help make the decisions more straightforward. Registration is required. To register and request the Zoom link, go to delawareretiree.com and select Contact Us.

Bringing a wealth of expertise are Brady Fitzgerald, CLU, ChFC, RHU, FLMI, FSRI, a knowledgeable and experienced insurance professional available to help people navigate the Medicare enrollment process and assist with these important healthcare coverage decisions, and Len Hayduchok, CEO and owner of Dedicated Financial Services.

Avoiding Probate free financial class set Nov. 28

Delaware Money School will host Avoiding Probate, a free financial class, from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Georgetown Public Library, 123 West Pine St., Georgetown.

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 a complex subject to simple, understandable 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.

Sussex County Crisis Housing fundraiser set Nov. 28

To help support Sussex County Crisis Housing, a fundraiser is set for 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov 28, at Freddie’s Beach Bar in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Since 1981, SCCH has been providing shelter and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless. The benefit will feature a silent auction and raffles for various items donated by local businesses and individuals. All proceeds will assist in purchasing needed food and clothing items for individuals served by Sussex County Crisis Housing.

For more information, go to scchsinc.org.

Info session for healthcare employers set Nov. 29

Sussex County Health Coalition in partnership with the Delaware Department of Labor will host an informational session for healthcare employers from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 29, at First State Community Action Agency, 308 N. Railroad Ave., Georgetown. 

Joe Olivere from the Office of Apprenticeship will discuss how to build skilled, organizational capacity through apprenticeship. Employers can also learn about potential funding sources that are available to assist with building and expanding the community health worker labor force. 

For details and to register, contact Kristy Handley at khandley@pmgconsulting.net.

Lewes Lights seeks volunteers, tech help

Lewes Lights leaders are asking everyone to help spread the word about this free, grassroots holiday lights event that takes place Dec. 1-31. Volunteers are needed to assist with coordinating neighborhood registration and displays, along with a tech-savvy website elf to update the map of participating homes and businesses. To learn more and sign up to assist, visit leweslights.org.