News Briefs 11/28/25

Free pickleball play day set Nov. 29

Dave Marshall Pickleball and the Shaffer Family Foundation will host a community-driven pickleball playday from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, at Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball near Lewes. Play is free with a donation to the Shaffer Family Foundation, which aims to honor and assist Delaware’s first responders.

Guests will enjoy fun and casual pickleball play, food from local favorites Bub’s Grubs and Flippin Waffles, plus a silent auction, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the foundation. Participation is open to all levels; register at bit.ly/49zsL0W.

For questions, call 302-462-0062 or email dave@davemarshalltennis.com.

“We’re thrilled to bring the community together through sport to give back to those who keep us safe,” said Dave Marshall, founder of Dave Marshall Tennis and Pickleball. “Pickleball play day is part of our ongoing efforts to support our community and those who give so much to it.”

UUSD to meet Nov. 30

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, with Diversity and Equity in Delaware Schools as the topic. 

The guest speaker will be Gloria Ho, Milton Elementary School social worker.

“A great public school system provides a safe, affirming environment where every student can grow and learn. Schools are not only places of learning, but where students develop empathy, critical thinking, inclusion and a sense of justice,” said Ho. “Today, those very principles are being undermined. Efforts to ban books, censor curricula, erase marginalized histories and silence educator voices threaten the integrity of our schools and ultimately, the health of our democracy. We see the consequences every day in our hallways and classrooms. Public schools are where democratic citizens are made, and defending them is essential to our nation’s future. Through educator advocacy and community resistance, we can reclaim public education as a space for truth, belonging and justice.”

Ho was honored as 2024 School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Work Association of America. Learn more at uussd.org.

Advent Bible study to start Dec. 1

Israel United Methodist Church will host Advent Bible Study sessions from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, via Zoom. The Advent wreath candles represent hope, peace, joy and love. Waiting for Hope is the first week’s theme. To learn more, contact the Rev. Marjorie Belmont at bellbird59@gmail.com or 443-298-0076.

Milton Arts Guild seeks Giving Tuesday donations Dec. 2

With the goal of raising funds in support of renovations in progress on its new education center, Milton Arts Guild will participate again this year in Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2. A global initiative, Giving Tuesday encourages people to support nonprofits in their communities.

Programs that guild board members would like to expand include MAG Talks, presentations that include voices from a broad range of artists and cultures; outreach to all communities in Sussex County; and scholarships for deserving young people.   

“The new education center is key to Milton Arts Guild’s growing roster of classes and students” said Sue Dutton, MAG board president. “Education is key to our community outreach and collaboration. The ample space in the new center will allow us to expand further into the community and serve an even greater number of students and class offerings.”

To support Milton Arts Guild, go to degives.org.

Rehoboth Audit Committee to meet

The Rehoboth Beach Audit Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, at city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for a presentation of the city audit for the last fiscal year, which ended March 31, and then a discussion.

A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Rehoboth, Lewes to meet on police Dec. 4

The Rehoboth Beach/Lewes Police Accountability Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at Lewes City Hall, 114 E. Third St.

The agenda calls for discussions and possible action regarding the process for handling new committee members and the possibility of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police joining the group. The agenda also calls for discussion about jurisdictional issues facing Rehoboth and Lewes departments.

This committee, which provides advice to the departments on policy, training, how the departments engage in diverse communities and other issues, has met twice since being formed. It is solely an advisory entity. The committee was formed as the result of a 2023 police accountability law that, among other things, requires all the state’s police departments, either individually or in combination with other departments, to create such committees.

Autism Delaware to host Snowflake Soirée Dec. 5

Autism Delaware will present the Snowflake Soirée, a dazzling evening of celebration, inclusion and inspiration, at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

Guests must be age 21 or older to attend. Cocktail attire is the dress code. In an elegant evening dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Autism Delaware’s vital programs and services, guests will enjoy a carefully curated menu, live music by the renowned Jellyroll Band, and a silent auction filled with exclusive items up for bid. 

All proceeds support Autism Delaware’s mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by autism. Through advocacy, services and support, the nonprofit organization empowers individuals and strengthens communities across the state.

To purchase tickets, go to autismdelaware.org. For more information, call 302-220-6020.