News Briefs 7/18/25
Two Rehoboth Beach meetings canceled
The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission and Board of Adjustment have canceled their July meetings, both because of a lack of agenda items.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Dewey town council meeting July 18
Dewey Beach Town Council will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, July 18, at the lifesaving station on Dagsworthy Avenue.
Council members will discuss and possibly vote on several ordinances, including those to amend the town code regarding procedures for people who violate the minors’ curfew, penalties for commercial establishments that violate the noise ordinance, procedures and penalties for disorderly dwellings, violations for failure to acquire a business license, and other topics.
The council will also review the town’s June financial reports.
See the full agenda and meeting links at townofdeweybeach.gov.
UUSD to meet July 20
The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 20, with “Finding Our Ways” as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “In our second annual labyrinth service, we will engage with the background, practice and many ways to learn from labyrinths by walking, drawing, observing and appreciating. An indoor canvas labyrinth will be available to walk after the short service. Socks are required, so please bring your own. No shoes and no bare feet are permitted on this borrowed canvas labyrinth. All are welcome; no prior experience with labyrinths is necessary.” Learn more at uussd.org.
Lewes parks panel to meet July 21
The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, July 21, at the Rollins Center.
The agenda includes discussion and possible action regarding Art In Bloom placing garden poles in Lewes In Bloom gardens within city parks.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Milton sets budget meeting July 21
Milton Town Council will hold its first meeting on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 21, at Milton library.
The first budget meeting will generally be limited to Town Manager Kristy Rogers presenting the first draft. The town council and the town’s finance committee will begin weighing in and making changes in early August.
Council will plan to vote on the budget in September, as the budget must be in effect before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Lewes bike group to meet July 22
The Lewes Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussion and possible action on project selection for a Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant from the Delaware Bicycle Council.
See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Pathways to Success fundraiser set July 24
Pathways to Success will receive a portion of dining proceeds from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at Palm Beach Bar and Grill in the Midway Shopping Center, 18585 Coastal Highway, Unit 23, Rehoboth Beach. Through its mentorship programs, the nonprofit helps prepare local high school students for successful lives. Fay Blake, Pathways to Success founder and director, said, “We appreciate this support from Palm Beach Bar and Grill. The money raised from this event will go directly to helping the students we serve with healthy snacks, gas cards to get back and forth to part-time jobs, and school supplies they may need for the upcoming school year.”
Missionary to discuss recent trip to Israel July 25
Messianic Delaware will host a presentation by missionary and religion professor Dr. Tommy Colie at 7 p.m., Friday, July 25, via Zoom. He will share the experiences he endured while under attack during the recent 12-day war in Israel and the journey to safety with fellow team members.
Colie will emphasize his belief in the importance of supporting Israel, as well as the prophecies of this tiny nation which are essential to understanding future prophecies to come. He will be joined by Pam Laurion, Messianic Delaware’s own expert on Mount Sinai and its relationship to the Jewish people.
To learn more, go to messianic.carlbartell.com or contact Carl Bartell at 302-841-5783.
Dance party to benefit homeless shelters July 27
Code Purple Sussex County will hold a dance party fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m., Sunday, July 27, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach.
The theme is Love, Peace & Understanding, and the entertainment will include rock favorites from the 1960s and ‘70s provided by local bands GirlsRoom, Off 24 and Janglebachs.
Attendees can also browse among various artists and vendors, and enjoy lite food and a cash bar.
To learn more about Code Purple Sussex County and its mission to give hope to the homeless, go to loveincofmiddelmarva.org/code-purple. To reserve tickets, go to tinyurl.com/yb79ve46.
Eastern Shore Threshermen show set Aug. 2-4
The 64th annual Wheat Threshing, Steam and Gas Engine Show and flea market events will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday to Monday, Aug. 2 to 4, at 5806 Federalsburg Highway, Route 313, Federalsburg, Md. Admission and parking are free.
Displays include steam engines, antique tractors, gas engines and antique cars in operation. Demonstrations will include wheat threshing, shingle sawing, a full-size sawmill, rock crushing and broom making. Kids of all ages may enjoy riding Smokey Joe, a miniature steam train replica of the Civil War-era General locomotive. To learn more, go to threshermen.org or find Eastern Shore Threshermen and Collectors Association Inc. on Facebook.
Run, White & Blue 5K to benefit veterans
The 12th annual Run, White & Blue 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk will be held Thursday, Sept. 4, at Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus in Georgetown. The event supports scholarships for veterans and first responders.
Registration starts at 5 p.m., and the race starts at 6 p.m. near the student services center. To register, go to dtcc.edu.
Following the race, there will be a family-friendly, post-race cookout featuring live music and barbecued chicken cooked by Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company.
Top Chef to benefit Meals on Wheels Sept. 23
Top Chef of the Culinary Coast, an annual fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, will open with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Cambria Hotel, 17222 Hood Road, Rehoboth Beach. On a first-come, first-served basis while seats remain, ticket holders will select which chef will prepare their custom four-course dinner at a table for 10. Dinners will be plated and served tableside by participating chefs from Abbott's Grill, Bluecoast Rehoboth, Café Azafrán, Chef’s Table at Touch of Italy, Fins Hospitality, A Taste of Jazz, Lewes Oyster House, Touch of Italy Restaurant and The Veranda at the Cambria Hotel. String duo Michelle and Becky will provide live musical entertainment. Guests must be age 21 or older to be admitted. To learn more, go to MealsonWheels-LR.org/events.
Caesar Rodney Class of ‘75 sets Oct. 11 reunion
The Caesar Rodney High School Class of 1975 will celebrate its 50th reunion from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at Big Oyster Brewery pavilion, 6152 South Rehoboth Blvd., Milford.
Tickets include a welcome reception and heavy hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will be available. Caesar Rodney graduates from the 1974 and 1976 classes are also invited to attend.
To learn more, contact Val Pepper at 1VAL1910@gmail.com, or email LPLeblond@gmail.com or EMarecki@comcast.net. Mail payment by Saturday, Sept. 20, to Val Pepper, 104 Captain Davis Drive, Camden, DE 19934.
Mulberry Heights extension granted
Milton Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously granted a one-year extension of final site-plan approval for Mulberry Heights, a planned 17-unit townhouse development at 500 Mulberry St.
Cam Lewis, representing developer Mulberry Heights LLC at the commission’s July 15 meeting, said plans for the development have run into some snags regarding financing related to the project. He said the developer is close to beginning site work on the parcel; the extension was required because the original site-plan approval was given in August 2024.
Lewis said work on the development should begin in earnest within the next three months.
Plans for Mulberry Heights show eight units on the east side of the property, with six units in the middle and three on the west side of the parcel. Per town code, each unit has two dedicated parking spaces. Access to the parcel would come from Mulberry Street.
The land at 500 Mulberry St. has been under consideration for development for nearly 20 years.
In 2006 and 2015, proposed site plans were approved but development did not proceed, in 2006 due to financial issues, and in 2015 due to expiration of regulatory approval.
In January 2022, Mulberry Heights LLC, formerly known as ECMM at Delaware LLC, brought forth a different plan, this one for a 14-unit development. However, those plans were changed, and the current 17-unit proposal was submitted.
Lewes approves parking pilot
Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously approved an ordinance July 14 launching the Residential Mobility-Based Parking Pilot Program.
Full-time residents with verified mobility issues and no off-street parking can apply for a reserved space adjacent to their home.
If they are approved, the curb will be painted blue to indicate the reserved space.
The ordinance gives Lewes Police authority to enforce the program.
City staff will reevaluate the pilot program in January. If it is extended, the pilot will run until Dec. 31, 2026.
The cost is $25 for 2025. It will increase to $50 if it continues in 2026.
As of July 14, the city had already received one application, according to City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe.
Lewes forms Hoornkill annexation panel
Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously voted July 14 to form a committee to consider the annexation of 12 properties on Hoornkill Avenue.
The properties are now located in Sussex County. The residents have asked that they be annexed into the city.
The Lewes Board of Public Works has received a state revolving fund loan to pay for the connection of 11 of those properties to city water and sewer.
Councilman Joe Elder will chair the new committee. Councilman Tim Ritzert and Councilwoman Trina Brown-Hicks will serve on the panel.
The committee plans to meet for the first time in the near future.
Sussex Street water main break fixed
Residents in the area of Sussex Street in Milton experienced a water outage July 15 due to a water main break.
Town Manager Kristy Rogers said the break was caused by construction work in the area. Town crews were on-site and had the main fixed in about two hours, Rogers said.
