Benefit events to celebrate life of ‘Spoonie’ March 31, May 4

Family and friends of Stephen “Spoonie” Sponaugle will hold the fifth annual celebration of his life and two benefit events from 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, at Bethany Blues, Lewes, and from 5 to 10 p.m., Monday, May 4, at Nicola Pizza, Lewes.

Spoonie, a beloved member of the local community, died suddenly April 20, 2019.

Events have raised $50,000 in the last few years to benefit arts and music programs for Cape Henlopen School District students in grades five to 12.

Bethany Blues and Nicola Pizza will donate a portion of their sale proceeds, and each event will feature on-site raffle drawings and silent auctions.

Freshly Squeezed, Spoonie’s former band, will play at both events, with select Cape Henlopen band members and staff to be 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.