Family and friends of Stephen “Spoonie” Sponaugle will hold a celebration of his life and benefit event from 5 to 10 p.m., Monday, May 4, at Nicola Pizza, Lewes. Funds raised will support the Cape Henlopen School District Music Program.

Nicola Pizza will donate a portion of its sale proceeds, and the event will feature on-site raffle drawings and silent auctions.

Freshly Squeezed, Spoonie’s former band, will play, with select Cape Henlopen band members and staff as featured guests.

Those who cannot attend but wish to donate should send checks made payable to Friends & Family of Stephen Sponaugle, c/o Theresa Sponaugle, 32 Eagle Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Spoonie was born and raised here at the beach and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School, Class of 1999. 

In 2001, Stephen graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and later worked in several area restaurants including The Buttery and Abstractions. Most recently, he was a bartender at The Cultured Pearl and Nicola Pizza.

Stephen had a passion for music that started in grade school, playing trombone in the Rehoboth Summer Band Program. He played guitar and trombone for the Delaware Music School, and from 2008 until his passing, he was a vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Freshly Squeezed.