Community Briefs 12/9/21

Meet Me at the Manger gathering set Dec. 11

The churches of the Southeast Sussex Ministerium will host Meet Me at the Manger at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, on the grounds of Bethany Beach Christian Church at 7 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Bethany Beach. For all ages, the event will include scripture readings and carols with music provided by St. Ann’s Contemporary Music Ensemble. In the event of inclement weather, the gathering will take place inside the large round building at the church.

Nativity pageant at St. Jude set Dec. 11

St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes will present Darkness Into Light, the annual nativity pageant, at 7 p.m, Saturday, Dec. 11, in the parish life center. Attendees will witness the Christmas story as told by the children of the parish. Admission is free. Nonperishable food donations will be accepted. St. Jude is at 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, off Route 1 just north of Five Points. To learn more, go to stjudelewes.org.

St. Peter’s to host Taizé service Dec. 12

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes is offering a space where all are welcome to join with others in song, prayer and contemplation for a Taizé service at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12. Taizé is a service with roots in an ecumenical community in France; it features repeated song, prayer, scripture and silence.

Taizé’s contemplative, repetitive, simple style of music and worship is a great way to quiet the mind, be present in the moment, and dwell deeply on Christ's presence around and within oneself. Because of its simplicity, Taizé gives participants a chance to worship with different cultures and create one body in song, where language is no barrier.

Taizé will be held in person and online via Facebook and YouTube. At this time, masks are required for all attending in-person services. St. Peter’s is located on the corner of Second and Market streets in Lewes. To learn more or to connect to the service, go to stpeterslewes.org.

Rehoboth Bears set meeting Dec. 12

The Rehoboth Beach Bears will hold its annual meeting at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 12, in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. The community is invited to attend. The meeting will include the Bears’ annual report and the election of several new board members. Anyone interested in being considered for one of the open board positions should email a name, email address and phone number to info@rehobothbeachbears.org. Suggestions for qualified persons will also be accepted. Candidates will be reviewed and vetted by the governance committee before voting takes place. Rehoboth Beach Bears Inc. is a nonprofit social organization based in Rehoboth Beach with a mission to is provide inclusive fellowship and fraternal opportunities while raising money for scholarships and local charities whose own missions provide for community betterment. The Rehoboth Beach Bears organization has no membership fee, and event participation is open to all. To learn more, go to rehobothbeachbears.com.

Toys for Tots donations in memory of Beebe team member due Dec. 13

Beebe Healthcare is collecting Toys for Tots donations. Each year, many departments and team members come together to help a cause around the holidays. This year, Beebe is asking the community and its team members to consider Toys for Tots in honor of Jerry Whitcomb, who passed away in October. Whitcomb joined Beebe’s facilities team in September 1998 and was known for his infectious friendliness and willingness to say hello to anyone he saw in the halls. The joy he shared happened outside Beebe, too. Each year, he would donate a bike to Toys for Tots.

“I truly believe Jerry was one of Beebe Healthcare’s best ambassadors and a role model for living our values,” said Rick Schaffner, RN, Beebe Healthcare executive vice president/chief operating officer. “It’s quite possible that Jerry was one of the most well-known team members at the main campus and throughout the health system, and he will truly be missed by all of us. Please join us for a good cause, and to honor a dear friend and his family.”

Donations of bikes only may be delivered to Cardiac Services at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus Main Entrance near the parking garage. Donation boxes for toys are available at the Rehoboth Health Campus in the imaging lobby and Beebe Outpatient Surgery Center or the Tunnell Cancer Center, and at the South Coastal Health Campus emergency department lobby. Donations must be dropped off no later than Monday, Dec. 13.

Wreaths Across America event set at Legislative Hall Dec. 13

The Delaware General Assembly will host an annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 13, at Legislative Hall, Dover, in the east parking lot, rain or shine.

“The General Assembly is pleased to be working together with the Delaware National Guard, Dover Air Force Base and our veteran community on this kickoff to Wreaths Across America. We hope Delawareans will join us as we hold this event for the first time since the pandemic started,” said Mark Cutrona, event coordinator and director of the legislative council’s division of research.

Welcoming remarks will be made by Gov. John Carney, with wreaths from elected and military officials and veterans honoring all five branches of the armed forces laid at the base of the Delaware Continentals Statue, the Women’s Service Monument, the Gulf War Memorial, the Dover Light Infantry Memorial, the World War I and World War II Memorials, and the Medal of Honor Memorial. Wreaths honoring the Korean and Vietnam Missing in Action Memorials will be placed immediately after the ceremony.

Dave Skocik, president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition, will emcee the event.

Cover crops is meeting topic Dec. 15

A caffeine and cover crop event will be held in a hybrid format from 8 to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15. Limited in-person seating will be available at the Vanderwende-Evans Conservation Center in Georgetown; light refreshments will be served. David Brandt, a no-till farmer and cover crop guru from Ohio, will attend virtually to discuss soil health, cover crop mixes and his no-till journey.

“We are excited to offer a hybrid caffeine and cover crops breakfast this year. Although the presenter will be virtual, we look forward to promoting farmer-led discussions with in-person and virtual guests,” said Debbie Absher, director of agricultural programs at Sussex Conservation District.

Preregistration is required to attend virtually or in person, both for free. Virtual attendees will receive the event link upon registration. This event is presented by the Delaware Soil Health Partnership, Sussex Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information or to register, go to sussexconservation.org/events or call Siobhan Kelley, SCD communications and outreach specialist, at 302-856-2105, Ext. 122.

DNREC police collecting Toys for Tots through Dec. 15

To kick off the holiday season, Delaware Natural Resources Police are teaming up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program to provide toys as gifts for local children. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys suitable for boys and girls of all ages. Toys will be accepted for drop-off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through Wednesday, Dec. 15, in Sussex County at the Delaware Natural Resources Police office at 23530 Campbell Circle, Georgetown.

Coat drive to benefit area kids ends Dec. 17

The Don Williams Group of Keller Williams Realty is sponsoring a coat drive through Friday, Dec. 17, to benefit local children in need this holiday season. Coats will be donated to the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club. Anyone who would like to donate new or gently used coats sizes 4T to large can drop them off at 18344 Coastal Highway, Lewes.