Whether you’ve had surgery, an accident or a sports injury, there are many health issues that require physical therapy to let you return to your full capabilities and maintain your quality of life. The problem is some people think physical therapy is just a big inconvenience.

There’s no question it takes some juggling and adjusting your schedule. There are visits two or three days a week, and then there are your homework assignments. Yes, homework.

The truth is there are many reasons why people often forget about their home physical-therapy assignments or just don’t feel like doing it. Research tells us the scope of the problem.

Earlier this year, research in an international journal of physiotherapy, as reported in an article in U.S. News & World Report, revealed very disturbing information. As few as 35 percent of the folks given home physical therapy exercises as part of their recovery plan actually do it. This should be your wakeup call, because you, and the friends and family you care about, are risking far more than you might realize when you don’t stick to your physical therapy program.

When injuries are involved, you can get to feeling down. Let’s face it. It can be depressing. You are hurting; you might be dealing with mobility issues and injuries that impact your quality of life. When you’re hurting, it’s easy to want to find any excuse to avoid moving and tell yourself it’s OK to skip those physical therapy exercises.

There are other reasons, too. All too many people think their physical therapist won’t notice and it won’t matter. But, it does matter. These aren’t just simple exercises. These are carefully constructed programs that often can require you to change how you’re used to doing something, and that can be very hard; it’s also critically important.

When you are referred to a physical therapist, it’s because your medical professional is helping you take a significant step toward completing your recovery. Your physical therapist will look at the information your doctor has provided and talk to you to understand your needs and concerns.

With all of that critical information in hand about your personal health profile, your physical therapist builds a customized program to help you achieve all you can to have a quality lifestyle. You’ve heard me tell you this so many times in my articles here in the Coastal Point, and there’s a reason for my reinforcing it.

There’s is no one-size-fits-all approach to a recovery, and your medical professional and physical therapist are your partners. They are focused on getting the best results for you, but you have to take that partnership seriously. You have to be an active, engaged participant or you can wind up losing an awful lot.

The treatments that you receive when you visit your physical therapist every week are only a part of the recovery program. To achieve full recovery, you need to build on the progress you achieve during your weekly visits, which very often requires you following a specific plan for exercises at home.

Progress is the key word here. It takes focus, effort and personal commitment, because your physical therapist knows that you can’t go days without a proper therapy exercise program or you risk losing some of the progress you have made during those office sessions. Making you stronger and reaching your goals is the underlying reason why you have a home program.

The bottom line is pretty simple: You put at risk your full recovery when you don’t stick to your home program as a critical part of your recovery plan.

But let’s be real. I understand that without someone like me there to watch them every minute, it can be discouraging and tough to maintain, which is why you need some strategies to help you stick with it.

Physical therapists are not mind-readers, so you have to talk to us. Don’t kid yourself into thinking we can’t tell that you’re not doing what you’re supposed to do, because there are so many giveaways that we spot very quickly.

The sad truth is you are cheating yourself. We’re not there to play judge and jury — we’re there to help. When you level with us, we can help you with strategies to stick with it, and we can work on finding answers with you.

A big part of the equation is you; you need to be your own counselor. You know what’s good for you even when it’s hard, so you have to keep pushing yourself. Ask yourself some questions every time you want to skip your exercise program: Do I want to lose my mobility? Do I want to be like this for the rest of my life? Am I going to be happy if this is the most I am going to be able to do every day? Do I want to get worse and feel like I feel right now for the rest of my life?

I doubt very seriously you are going to answer yes to those questions, and it should be a good motivator to remind yourself about what you risk when you choose to skip.

Planning will help, too. Look at your schedule and figure out how you’re going to fit your physical-therapy home exercise program into your daily routine. If you’re retired, it can be a little easier.

If you work and have an on-the-go family, be honest with yourself about whether it will work to get up earlier or go to bed later, or when it makes sense to do your homework based on what you typically experience in your day-to-day life. Let your family know that you’re going to be changing the routine a bit, so that you can stick to your physical therapy program and get better. Getting those you live with on board with the plan will make things easier.

Do you have a spouse, a partner, a family member or a good friend who is part of your support system? Talk to them and tell them the truth. Many times, having someone help you get motivated and stick with it can make all the difference. Those closest to us can often get away with teasing and pushing in ways we would never accept from someone who isn’t part of our personal inner circle.

I know the thoughts here aren’t a new concept for some of you but keep coming at this in difference directions because, like so many of my colleagues, I care about the people who trust me with their care. I see the difference it can make and I take my job very seriously because your health and the quality of your life is not something I take lightly. Help me, help you. We make a great team.

Bob Cairo is a licensed physical therapist at Tidewater Physical Therapy. He can be reached by calling (302) 537-7260.

Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Emilie Bonano recently joined the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce as the communications manager.As soon as Emilie Bonano realized that she enjoyed marketing, she wanted to do that in a tourist location. That makes her new position as communications manager for the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce even more fitting.

What is the role of communications manager? “It’s all-encompassing,” she said. She’ll handle all press releases, newsletters, social media and email lists, but also creating, developing and selling ads for Chamber publications.

“Working for such a wonderful organization that really brings all of the tourism businesses together all in one, and being able to make this community united and getting the [word] out there for everyone” really excited her about this job, she said.

Bonano said she wanted to join a group that makes people and tourists “feel at home when they visit,” and get “the community united, and getting our tourists here going to the businesses that are members of the Chamber.”

The Chamber staff was delighted with her experience in marketing, event planning and recruiting.

“Emilie is the complete package for a Chamber position such as this,” said her new boss, Chamber Executive Director Kristie Maravelli.

Bonano is ahead of the learning curve, having the experience to do her job, plus collaborate on Chamber projects.

She and her fiancé just moved to Bethany Beach from the Baltimore area. Until they start building their dream home, she’ll be planning a wedding, relaxing on the beach, and playing and watching sports.

“I’m very happy to be here,” she said.

Bonano had applied for this position several months earlier, but she hadn’t relocated to the shore yet. That outweighed her excellent phone interview.

“When I hung up the phone, I thought, ‘At some point, this person is going to be on our team,’” Maravalli said. “It was a connection right away.”

The previous communications manager only served briefly before being offered her own dream job at the Center for Inland Bays.

“You always hate to see good people go,” Maravalli said, but Bonano is stepping up to the plate. “She started last Tuesday (Aug. 25) and hit the ground running.”

Bonano is disembarking from two years in the University of Maryland’s Enrollment Management department, where she coordinated and marketed events at College Park. Doing anything to get “Maryland’s name out there,” Bonano planned events for groups ranging from 300 to sometimes 3,000 guests.

Before that, as a marketing and events associate for T. Rowe Price, she planned events for corporate entities, clients and the community. She even worked with the global offices to plan events in Australia (although she never got an excuse to visit that continent).

Growing up in Hagerstown, Md., she went to Dickinson College, then to Johns Hopkins Carey Business School for a master’s degree in marketing.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark: Danny Somoza and Donna Serafina combined their efforts to bring 99 Sea Level to reality for a trio of partners, Dick Heidenberger, Steve Montgomery and Jim Weisgerber. The restaurant is located in the new Bethany Beach Ocean Suites.For Dick Heidenberger, taking the helm of Bethany Beach’s newest oceanfront restaurant was a move that made a lot of sense.

The endeavor began back in January as a conversation with Jack Burbage, owner of the new Bethany Beach Ocean Suites/Residence Inn. Burbage is also Heidenberger’s landlord at the Bethany Beach eateries Mango’s and Bethany Blues. Once he took a look at the hotel that was still under construction and the plans for the restaurant space, Heidenberger said, he decided to jump onboard.

The rest of the winter brought a flurry of preparations for Heidenberger and partners Steve Montgomery and Jim Weisgerber, Heidenberger said. The trio quickly began assembling a team of people to bring their vision to life. A crucial part of that process was hiring chef Danny Somoza and director of operations Donna Serafina.

“The two of them really put together our playbook here,” Heidenberger said.

That playbook includes a “very innovative menu” that features the freshest ingredients possible. To that end, 99 Sea Level works with a number of local food producers — including, but not limited to: Adkins Produce of Millsboro, Bennett Orchards of Frankford, Fishkiller Lobster Shack of Dagsboro and Sea Eagle Fish Company of Selbyville, in addition to farms and seafood companies from all over the Delmarva Peninsula.

From wild-caught salmon to free-range chicken, the menu features the freshest ingredients available, Heidenberger said. And from those ingredients, “everything that is served here is made fresh, in-house,” he said.

The crowning touch on the 99 Sea Level menu is the Seafood Tower, designed to be as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. The tower comes in three sizes and features blue-point Chincoteague oysters, steamed shrimp, Broadwater clams, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels and steamed Alaskan crab clusters.

The location of the restaurant, which seats 90 inside and 100 outside, is a huge part of what makes it unique — steps from the boardwalk and the dunes, it is one of a very few oceanfront restaurants in the Bethany Beach area. The wide porch, graced with elegant columns and fitted very simply with potted palms, was cool and pleasant even on a recent hot, humid afternoon, with ceiling fans adding to the breeze from the ocean.

Heidenberger touts 99 Sea Level’s raw bar, which will be open year-round, as an important asset. Menu items currently include many seafood appetizers, such as fish tacos and Hooper’s Island blue crab flatbread. Dinner entrees include popular beach fare, such as crabcakes, as well as a bouillabaisse brimming with local seafood, pasta dishes, beef and chicken dishes.

The lunch menu at 99 Sea Level features a unique and hearty array of sandwiches, as well as lobster bisque showcasing lobster from Fishkiller’s, as well as salads that focus on creative combinations of ingredients.

“Family sides” add fun and flexibility to meal choices, with selections including lobster mac-and-cheese and shoestring truffle fries, which can be shared with others at the table.

Heidenberger said being connected to the new Marriott brings a level of sophistication to the location that will benefit surrounding businesses.

“It’s great for the town of Bethany Beach,” he said, adding that “the Marriott network is very strong,” bringing potential customers to the hotel and restaurant, as well as the surrounding businesses — customers who might not have previously considered a stay in Bethany Beach.

Now that he’s had a bit of a chance to catch his breath after jumping in at the height of the summer season, Heidenberger said he is looking ahead to the off-season.

“We’re really excited to be here. We really don’t know what to expect,” he added, as far as flow of business through the fall and winter months, since the location is so unique. “We’re looking forward to a strong off-season.”

For Serafina, who worked for Heidenberger at the Starboard before pursuing other career paths of her own, the chance to come on board at the start of such a unique business was exciting.

“It doesn’t feel like work,” she said. “It’s been fun for both of us.”

Once porch seating is not possible due to the weather, the focus will be on the indoor space, located on the first floor of the Marriott. With soaring ceilings, oversized prints of historic Bethany Beach photographs and modern-but-inviting furnishings, the space seems to connect the past and future of the beach town.

Heidenberger said the Marriott promises to be a popular destination for conferences and other gatherings, from fundraisers to weddings, and he is upbeat about the prospects those will bring to neighboring businesses and to Bethany Beach in general.

Lunch at 99 Sea Level is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; happy hour runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and dinner is served from 4 to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant’s name refers to its address — 99 Atlantic Avenue. For more information, call the restaurant at (302) 539-0299.

Coastal Point • Submitted: Aaron Tippin will play at the Freeman Stage this Friday night.For the past 25 years, singer/songwriter Aaron Tippin has made tour stops all across the nation, bringing his signature blend of neo-traditional country music with him. But on Friday, Sept. 11, for the first time in his career, he’ll make his way to the Freeman Stage at Bayside.

“I’ve been doing this for 25 years. I’ve seen a lot of America,” Tippin said. “Generally, we’re on the bus touring all over the country. As long as there are country fans there, I got all I need.”

Some of Tippin’s hits include “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “My Blue Angel,” “Workin’ Man’s PhD,” and “In Overdrive.” However, there are a few numbers that will be all the more appropriate Friday night, including “Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly,” which Tippin wrote and recorded just two days after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and released less than a week later, going on to top the charts.

Tippin went even further in showing his pride for his country when he began taking trips overseas to perform the song for U.S. military service members. For him, that national pride is something he’s emphasized throughout his career.

“It’s very important to me,” said Tippin of his patriotism. “I’ve been entertaining the troops since the Bob Hope show Christmas of 1990.”

No matter where he is, however, Tippin said his favorite part of being a musician is getting to perform live and interact with his fans, just like he’s been doing for the past quarter-century.

“It’s been a blessing for me,” Tippin said. “I’m very interactive with my fans. Without a doubt, getting to do the live performances is coolest thing about it.”

Tickets for the Friday, Sept. 11, show cost $25 and, as of early this week were still available at www.freemanstage.org. The show begins at 7 p.m. For more on Aaron Tippin, visit www.aarontippin.com.

When young men went off to war in 1861 following the outbreak of hostilities between the states, the only way to maintain ties with loved ones was by writing and receiving letters. Fortunately, collections of these letters are preserved in archives and available to those interested in this period of our history.


In May, 2011, the Delaware Public Archives received a donation of some 65 letters Stephen Taylor Buckson wrote between 1862 and 1864 to his wife, Harriett, who was back home in Leipsic (http://archives.delaware.gov/CivilWar/buckson/). They provide insight into the emotions and difficulties experienced while dealing with separation and danger during a national conflict.

Buckson enlisted in the 4th Delaware Regiment in Wilmington in 1862. It appears that, at the time, he and Harriett had a son named John, and she was in a family way, awaiting the birth of a second child.

In a letter written in November of that year, Stephen informs Harriet that his unit may soon be ordered to the battlefront. He understands that Union army commander Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside has designs on capturing the Confederate capital at Richmond.

From Camp Seward near Washington, D.C., the young soldier describes the surrounding countryside of Northern Virginia as “all laid waste,” with the woods cut down and houses destroyed. He laments, “It is horrible to think that so many lives and so much property is already destroyed by this wicked rebellion, and it is more so to see it.”

He turns to personal matters and inquires why his wife has not answered his letters. Implying disharmony in their relationship, he implores: “If you do not want to answer my letters, let me know it, as I am in the enemy’s land and parted from you, one who I prize more than life, and may never see anymore on earth.” While perhaps intending to lay a guilt trip on his wife, these words signaled a premonition of things to come — a common phenomenon during the Civil War.

Discontent continues in a letter of Dec. 17, when Buckson informs Harriett that he has no money to send her and advises her to move in with her mother. He chides her for sending “grumbling letters” and denies that he joined the army just to make her suffer. Rather, he “felt it my duty to serve my country.”

Fast forward to May 17, 1863, when Stephen described a foraging raid in the countryside that gathered much poultry, meat, molasses and tobacco from local inhabitants; and in addition, 600 horses, 500 head of cattle and 300 sheep. He stated the obvious, that the soldiers knew how to provide for themselves.

On June 4, Buckson again referred to the possibility “if I fall, I fall in a good cause for God and my country, and we shall meet in Heaven.” He complained about that many men remained on the homefront, working in safe jobs, while their country needs them as soldiers.

By August 1863, the 4th Delaware had moved northward to Fairfax Station, Va., and Buckson informed Harriet that his unit had “not been in a fight yet.” In September, he unsuccessfully tried to get a furlough to go home. He hoped that the war would end, but said he thought that it would not until “every negro was set free, for I believe the Lord intends it.”

Buckson had suffered illnesses on a number of occasions. He said he believed that God had willed his recovery, because “He has a little yet for me to do on earth.”

The war was heating up for the 4th Delaware. Stephen describes battles and skirmishes near Catlett Station, Manassas Junction and Warrenton Junction, Va. However, he was not personally engaged.

On June 15, 1864, Stephen wrote to Harriett and asked her to kiss son Johnny and baby daughter Lena for him. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, now in charge of the Union army, had decided to cross the James River to capture Petersburg. Because of illness, Buckson could have remained in safe territory, but he said he felt it was his duty to stay with the regiment.

Harriett received a final letter, dated June 19. First Sgt. Alexander Harper briefly wrote, “We all have to mourn the loss of your husband, Stephen T. Buckson, who was killed while charging on the enemy rifle pits June 18, 1864.” In consolation, he added, “We can offer you only our heartfelt sympathy.”

Tens of thousands of wives and mothers received similar letters during the Civil War.

Thomas J. Ryan is the author of “Spies, Scouts & Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign,” a History Book Club selection available at Bethany Beach Books. Contact him at pennmardel@mchsi.com, or visit his website www.tomryan-civilwar.com.

The Bethany Area Repertory Theatre (BART) will be kicking off its 2015-2016 season next week, opening with “Hate Mail,” a comedy by Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky.

The play will open Thursday, Sept. 17, with tickets costing $25 each, and will run on Sept. 17-19 and Sept. 24-26 on the Dickens Parlour Theatre stage in Millville. The parlour doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s interesting how they wrote this play — he sent her a letter,” said Jeff Martini, who will be playing the male lead in the show. “The idea was, ‘We’re going to write a play. I’m going to send you a letter, you send me one back, and I’ll take that and go with it.’ They’re both really clever, sharp writers.”

The story follows the relationship between Preston and Dahlia through their correspondence.

“It’s a rollercoaster relationship that goes from hate to love and back again, many times,” Martini said with a laugh. “It’s like a lot of relationships…

“It starts out very innocently. A fellow buys a little knickknack in a gift shop in New York City and when he gets home, it’s broken. So he writes and asks for a refund. The lady in the gift shop says, ‘Sorry, no refund.’”

The back-and-forth escalates, and soon the two are determined to stick to their guns, each to spite the other.

“It just gets crazier and crazier, and they find love and start to fall for each other,” said Martini. “I always think of it as, when you have two magnets that have opposite ends — they want to pull together, but then they start pushing each other apart. That’s how I visualize this play.”

Martini stars alongside veteran BART actress Heidi McNeeley, who was last seen in “The Time Collector” and “Good King Succotash.”

“I feel honored to share the boards with her,” said Martini.

Opening night will be extra exciting, said Martini, because the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce will be holding an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for BART. This season, BART will present six full theatrical productions.

“They’re genuinely excited about what we’re doing, because it plays well into their mission, in terms of providing opportunities throughout the year.”

Martini encouraged all lovers of comedy to attend one of the shows and enjoy a wonderful night of local theater.

“It’s funny, because the audience will understand and recognize all the ways the relationship can go, because they’ve probably been in those,” he said. “I don’t want to give you the ending, but it all plays out.”

For more information about “Hate Mail” or upcoming BART productions, or to reserve tickets, call (302) 829-1071. Tickets may also be purchase online by visiting www.dptmagic.com. To learn more about BART, visit www.facebook.com/BARTinBethany. Dickens Parlour Theatre is located at 35715 Atlantic Avenue, just east of the Creekside Plaza in Millville.

The Millville Town Council voted unanimously at its Sept. 8 council meeting to approve the plans for its new municipal building.

Special to the Coastal Point • Submitted: This rendition of the new municipal building for Millville was met with unanimous approval by town council.“Over the last year, we’ve been working on plans for an addition,” said Mayor Gerry Hocker. “At that time I formed a committee to go through the whole planning process.”

Hocker served on the committee along with Councilman Steve Maneri, Millville Town Manager Debbie Botchie and Code & Building Administrator Eric Evans, as well as engineer Andrew Lyons Jr. and project architect Morgan Helfrich of George, Miles & Buhr LLC (GMB).

“And then, throughout the process, there were different personnel from the Delaware State Police on the committee.”

“I want to give kudos to our staffer Eric,” added Botchie. “He was a huge, huge asset during this process.”

The two-story addition to the current town hall would be used by both the Town and the Delaware State Police.

The new building would extend to have three garage doors, with a total of four garage bays — three for the Town and one wash bay to be used by the Delaware State Police. Additionally, the first floor would house two secure interview rooms, an IT closet, a handicapped-accessible restroom and janitor’s closet.

The second floor would feature two bunkrooms, a kitchenette, a 31-seat classroom and two full bathrooms.

Along with second-floor access from the elevator and stairs that will be located in the link between the parts of the structure, there will also be exterior stairs.

“It’s been a great experience. All the personnel on the committee did an excellent job.”

Council voted 5-0 to approve the plans, followed by another unanimous vote to authorize Botchie and GMB to produce bid packets ready for public notice and then bid the project.

The council voted unanimously to release bond 41140245, related to the interior roads and work, from Platte River Insurance Company, representing Windhurst Manor.

“We had to call the bond because the original developer, if you remember, left,” said Evans. “We went in and walked it with AECOM, identified all the items we thought needed repairs within the right-of-way, and then worked with the bond company to have them contract George & Lynch, who won the bid.

“They went in and repaired the curbs and put in sidewalks that were missing, top-coated everything, and we have as-built designs done by DBF on file also. Basically, the bond company has lived up to everything their requirements were, and would like to have the bond back.”

“There are a lot of municipalities where developers went under and were stuck with half-done developments. All in all, this is a pretty good result if you look around at other municipalities,” said Town Solicitor Seth Thompson.

“Because of this situation, we have added additional language added to our public works agreement that would cover the cost to the Town for the inspections,” added Botchie.

The council voted unanimously to release the bond.

The Millville Town Council also voted to purchase two new heat-pump systems.

Last year, the Town replaced one of the town hall’s three systems, and had budgeted to replace the remaining two, one per year, in the following fiscal years.

“However, this year, when we got to the inspections, one of them was already in serious trouble and needed a Band-Aid to keep it running,” said Councilman Harry Kent. “And the second one wasn’t a whole lot better off.”

Kent said the units are approximately 10 years old, and have piping issues, as well as electronics issues.

“I’d like to try to get both of these units done this year and be done with it,” he said.

The units will cost the Town approximately $9,800 and approximately $10,000, respectively.

“We’re not buying the Cadillac, believe me,” added Kent. “There’s three above this.”

Botchie said the unit that was replaced last year has saved the Town approximately $400 per month in energy bills.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of the two units.

The Town was scheduled to close on the purchase of two parcels of land, totaling 4.91 acres, on Dukes Drive from John Scott Evans Jr. on Wednesday.

Thompson said the inspection process had been completed, and an underground storage tank had been removed, with soil samples taken from around the area surrounding the tank.

“Everything looks good to go,” he said.

During citizens’ privilege, Robin McClane who moved into Millville By the Sea two weeks ago, voiced her concerns about a species of tree that was planted within the development.

McClane said she had contacted the Town and the developer about future problems that could be caused by the maple variety that was planted and was told it was “a done deal.”

“I don’t understand how that’s possible, when there’s going to be many issues for the homeowners,” she said adding that her neighbors were “totally unaware” of what was planted. “When they learn of it, their concerns are as mine are. We just need to know how to go about getting the developer to cooperate. I don’t know what to do.”

Thompson explained that the Town has a Town Code, which consists of all its ordinances.

“When a developer or private citizen comes in and says, ‘I’d like to come in and do X or Y,’ we apply what Code that exists at that point in time. Once we have those approvals, they rely on them. They’re entitled to rely on them, and the Town has to stand by that,” he said. “We would call it vested rights.”

He added that the Town Code is a living document and could be changed to reflect her concerns, for future development.

“If the Town or any council member decides, ‘We could probably do something better here…’ that would be something that we would seemly need to put into the Code so anyone developing land or trying to set up a use of land would know, ‘OK, when I file for a site plan, these are the trees that I need to propose in my landscape plan.”

Thompson added that, through the Freedom of Information Act, anyone is welcome to visit town hall to review plans that are up for a vote or have already been approved.

Town Engineer Kyle Gulbronson said the Town does advocate for native trees to be planted but does not have an official list of approved trees.

“I understand your Code is this and that, but as a governing body of a town, I think it needs to revisit the Code, because you’re having so much development down here,” said McClane. “You’re approving plans that are going to be devastating to homeowners.”

Chuck Ellison, project manager and vice-president of Miller & Smith, the developer of Millville By the Sea, assured the council that McClane’s concerns have not been ignored.

He noted that the maples planted are on the State of Delaware’s list of species for street trees, and that the trees have been planted approximately 40 feet apart.

Ellison added that McClane would have the opportunity to address the complete Homeowners’ Association at its fall meeting, and that the development has a program to keep tabs on the trees, and a budget for tree maintenance.

“I do think we have a handle on it. I do think we have it addressed.”

Mark those 2015 Brandywine Senior Living calendars for Sept. 15, because the 2016 Brandywine Senior Living calendar release party is set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

The party is free and open to the public, and will include live music, food, a photo booth and, of course, the premiere of the calendar, all at the facility, located at 21111 Arrington Drive in West Fenwick, diagonally across Route 54 from Harris Teeter.

“It’s our annual Alzheimer’s fundraiser,” explained Brandywine Director of Community Relations Kathy Jacobs. “It goes along with National Assisted Living Week. Brandywine celebrates it every year and does it very well.”

With annual themes such “art for the ages,” “the pin-up edition” and “The Great Gatsby,” the calendar never disappoints, and this year promises to follow suit, again shot by the Coastal Point’s very own Chris Clark.

“Chris puts his heart and soul into his work,” said Jacobs. “He connected with the residents. He got to know them, and they even became friends. It takes a special personal to connect like that. I think that’s what makes the calendar as great as it is.”

Not only did Clark take the photos, he’ll also be escorting the models at the party when each one is announced.

“It’s a big deal. It’s a lot of fun and it brings awareness to a great cause,” Jacobs said of the event. “That is volunteerism in your community at its finest, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The Brandywine Senior Living calendar is available with a $20 donation that goes to Alzheimer’s research. Those who can’t make the party can email Kathy Jacobs at kjacobs@brandycare.com for a direct link to purchase it online, or mail a check to Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island.

It’s easy for drivers to speed when they don’t think they’ll be caught. That perception seems to persist on Selbyville’s Gumboro Road, where residents are worried about speeding.

Just west of Route 113, cars and tractor trailers are picking up speed on the residential 25 mph road, residents told the Selbyville Town Council on Sept. 8.

“They’re flying by the time they get to us,” said resident Kathleen Simpson. “It’s bad”

“There is a ton of kids there on that street. … If [vehicles] don’t slow down, there won’t be,” resident Derek McCarra said wryly.

Although McCarry could understand people speeding at 35 mph, he estimated that some trucks are approaching 60 mph. That includes unmarked trucks making Mountaire deliveries, according to Simpson.

In the past, Gumboro Road has gotten enforcement aid from Selbyville police officers or an electronic speed monitor box. But a staffing shortage on Selbyville Police Department isn’t helping with enforcement right now. One officer is out on disability, due to an injury, and another had plans to move away soon.

Police Chief W. Scott Collins said he personally parked on Gumboro Road for 2.5 hours, but residents said other police officers left after a fraction of that time.

“I’ve got one officer a shift. [If] you get a complaint” in that time, the officer has to respond, Collins said of why his officers can’t stay in that trouble spot for long.

While monitored by police, the average speed in the area was just less than 40 mph. Nearly 20 hours of monitoring has produced 20 speeding tickets there, Collins said.

The worst times are early morning and afternoon, when people are heading to work and home again. That’s the same time the Selbyville PD gets speeding complaints from other parts of town.

The speed trailer was removed for a malfunction, but should be back soon, Collins noted. But it would cost $4,500 to buy another speed trailer, which must be purchased by a municipality, not by private individuals.

Meanwhile, police grants have been cut dramatically, including $134,000 from the overall State Fund to Combat Violent Crime. However, with an $18,000 grant, Collins hopes to put another officer out at night.

Ultimately, residents on Gumboro Road said, they are worried about safety, as are residents of other neighborhoods that want increased police presence for speeding, such as on Routes 54 and 17.

“That’s our biggest concern — safety of our kids on the street,” Simpson said.

Simpson said she’s “never” seen a Mountaire truck pulled over. But Collins refuted that, stating that Mountaire trucks have been pulled over, typically on the highway, but not recently on Gumboro Road.

The Town will look into stronger signage and enforcement, he said.

A clean audit, but warning for future

Selbyville’s financial reporting is on-point, according to auditor Leslie Michalik of PKS & Co. P.A.

The audit’s primary purpose is to ensure Selbyville presents an accurate record of its finances, although Michalik made some observations and recommendations for the fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2015.

PKS gave Selbyville’s finance report a “clean” and “unqualified” designation, which is the highest opinion. Selbyville’s reporting showed no material weaknesses and no issues of noncompliance with government regulations.

Overall, “The Town is in fair financial condition,” Michalik said.

But Selbyville has been operating a deficit the last few years, which is “chipping away” at the general fund. As a result, Selbyville pulls money from its utilities fund to support the general fund.

Despite getting more impact fees and capital grant money, the utilities fund had an overall $531,000 net decrease this year, after a transfer to the general fund.

Personnel is among the Town’s highest expenses, as 64 percent of the general fund goes toward salaries and benefits.

Michalik suggested the town council re-examine expenses and the fee schedule for the future.

Mayor Clifton Murray said a bigger tax base is coming, with increased housing development. Michalik acknowledged that point.

So far, increased development has helped Selbyville finances, though transfer tax, licenses and permits.

In response to a resident’s question, the council noted that developers pay for the increased infrastructure. It’s not completely the Town’s responsibility.

But high-cost projects are still looming in Selbyville’s future, including rehabbing the 1989 sewer plant, said Councilman G. Frank Smith III — for instance, the malfunctioning lime silo that will cost more to fix than it’s worth. The modern replacement should be more user-friendly, Smith said. “It’s a good system, but it’s gonna cost.”

Minor Mountaire violations

Mountaire has been found to have excessive amounts of TKN in its wastewater. The council voted unanimously at their meeting to assess a total of $300 for the three violations.

“That’s a minimal amount, so I’ll second it,” said Councilman Clarence “Bud” Tingle Jr.

The poultry processing plant was charged $100 earlier this summer for the same violation. The limit is 500 pounds per day of the ammonia-based nitrogen substance, which indicates manure or feces is present. But at a maximum 129 mg per liter, Mountaire had up to 914 pounds per day.

When that happens, Selbyville’s wastewater treatment plant needs more lime to feed the “bugs” (beneficial bacteria) that are working at a higher level to break down the waste. Although the plant is not severely affected, Smith said, the penalties prove to the EPA that the Town is enforcing the regulations.

Before Mountaire installed a new wastewater system on its end, Selbyville was assessing big fines — tens of thousands of dollars at a time, Smith said. The new system works much better, but still causes complaints of foul odors across town.

In other Selbyville news:

• After a broken water main in July, residents were encouraged to boil their water until the threat of E. coli bacteria was determined to be unfounded. Although the Town placed fliers on residents’ front doors, some people complained that they didn’t know about the emergency until days later.

The Selbyville Police Department has used www.Nixle.com for at least 12 years. The system sends emergency alerts to anyone’s email or phone for free. Nixle alerts were sent out for the water crisis, but the Town is researching additional notification systems.

• Designs are very delayed for a new water filtration system intended to strip gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) from tap water. In late 2013, residents approved taking a loan (which could shift to a free grant) for $2,526,300 from the Delaware Drinking Water Revolving Fund), to fund the project.

At the time, design and installation was estimated at 18 months, maximum. More recently, the project should have at least been out to bid in June, Councilman Rick Duncan Sr. said. In June, the principal/engineer of Davis, Bowen & Friedel Inc., presented several design options, which must be approved by the state’s historical society.

• Irrigation systems need annual backflow testing, Duncan also informed residents.

“The irrigation guy should have told you that,” Duncan told several Victoria Forest residents, estimating that the test costs $65 to $150. The State requires annual testing because the irrigation “heads could get herbicide in it,” Duncan said. He also noted that a check valve is different from a preventer.

• The council approved a $10,706 replacement for two town hall computers, which includes a $3,000 server. That replaces a nine-year-old system, which Duncan said he “was surprised it lasted that long.”

• Gary Steffen was hired earlier this summer to fill the Town’s Code Enforcement vacancy.

• People can get rid of old, unused medicines during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Selbyville Police Department will host take-backs in Selbyville and at CVS pharmacy on Route 54. (Other nearby locations include the Dagsboro Police Department, Delaware State Police Troop 4 in Georgetown, Ocean View Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Lewes Police Department and Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center.)

The next regular town council meeting is Monday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m.

National “Thank a Police Officer Day” will garner some local attention on Monday, Sept. 21, thanks to community supporters and organizers including Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island.

After Fenwick Island resident Andrea Baumann had the idea to localize the nationally recognized event, Brandywine Director of Communication Kathy Jacobs joined in to make it simple for those who’d like to give their thanks to local law enforcement.

“She’s the brainchild behind making it localized to the area,” Jacobs explained. “What started out as something we saw on Facebook as a national event, we decided to concentrate efforts locally to make it successful here.”

Leading up to the big day, the area will host various drop-off spots, including one at Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island, which will stay open from Sunday, Sept. 13, to Thursday, Sept. 17.

At the facility, located at 21111 Arrington Drive in West Fenwick, supporters can drop by all week long to sign cards, write notes or letters, or drop off baked goods or even dog treats for K-9 units. All the goods will then be dropped off at various police stations in the area.

“We’re having people being proactive in their support and providing a location for drop-off,” Jacobs explained. “Then, we can take it from there. They can also just go to the police department directly. This is just a vehicle for them to make it easier.”

For more information regarding National Thank a Police Officer Day, contact Kathy Jacobs at kjacobs@brandycare.com.

Terry Truitt, who served as the Town of Frankford’s town administrator for nearly 15 years, resigned on Sept. 2.

“I wanted to leave on my terms,” said Truitt of her departure, “It was a compilation of a couple of different things. The council had a different direction that they wanted to go in…

“I don’t agree with what they’re doing. If you can’t be a productive team or part of the path of going in… I wouldn’t have left if things had been different,” she said.

Truitt’s resignation comes of the heels of the resignations of two council members. On Aug. 3, Jesse Truitt — Terry Truitt’s husband — resigned during the town’s monthly council meeting, which was followed by Velicia Melson’s letter of resignation from the council on Aug. 11.

Truitt resides in the town and is a taxpaying citizen, and said the way she was treated over the last four years was poor, and that she’s was often the target of character assassinations and verbal abuse.

“I’m all for people having their own voice — as a matter fact, I encourage it. But this argumentative, negative approach, the way they’re doing things, I feel is wrong… There’s a way to agree and disagree. You can do it politely and professionally and respectfully, and I don’t feel I was given that,” she said.

Having dealt with some health issues recently, and being told by doctors that stress was a factor, Truitt said she decided to “reduce the stress and the negative.”

“I want to focus on the good things in life. I want to focus on the job that I have.”

Truitt said she had planned to give a week’s notice, but decided not to after being accused of stealing Town property.

“I had intended to give a week’s notice, but with the implication from a few citizens and council members alleging that I had removed Town property — which was actually my personal effects — I chose not to give notice.”

On Truitt’s last day, with her having stayed through the last payroll of the month, both then-council president Joanne Bacon and Councilwoman Pam Davis signed a check paying her for her unused vacation and sick days. However, Bacon placed a stop-payment on it the following day.

Truitt said she was not informed by any council member about the stop-payment, but instead by her own bank. She added that former employees, including police officers William Dudley and Nate Hudson, had been paid for their unused sick days and vacation days following their departure from the Town’s employment, both within the last year.

Truitt said she worked when she was sick — once even with a broken ankle — had earned the time and should be paid for it.

“If I have to seek legal counsel to address this counsel on the wrongs they’re doing,” she added, she would do so.

Truitt noted that she believes “a few select people in the town and landlords are being handled differently based on who they are and what their affiliations are with council members.”

She said her time with the Town was not overshadowed by the bad, and that it was an honor to have worked there.

“I’m thankful that I help a lot of people based on their financial needs. I’m sorry I’m still not there for that,” she said. “I tried my best. I did the very best of what I was hired to do, and went above and beyond that.”

Truitt said she looks forward to spending more time with her four horses and enjoying her other hobbies.

“I want to be able to focus on pursuing something in the second chapter of my life that I’m going to be able to enjoy, that I can be a benefit and a part of a team, and be productive,” she said.

“I wish the Town the best. Life will go on for Frankford, and I want the very best for Frankford. I’ve always lived in town — grew up in town, am still a property owner living in town, and I will always love Frankford. I just don’t have to like the current situation.”

Shelton concerned

with decorum

In Melson’s Aug. 11 resignation email to the council she had stated, “After much consideration, I have decided to remove myself from Town Council, effective immediately…

“I find the daily personal character assassination, the harassment by some citizens, extremely unproductive and unnecessary. The inability to make decisions and move the Town forward are creating a huge detriment to the Town in general. I no longer have the luxury of volunteering excess hours to an organization that is frozen at a standstill.”

Councilman Charles Shelton said he also feels that the treatment of council members by residents and property owners has been out of order.

After the Aug. 18 special meeting at which the remaining three council members were presented with the names of residents who were interested in filling the vacant council seats, Shelton said, he was verbally attacked.

“There was a whole group of them outside, standing in front of town hall,” recalled Shelton, who said he had just exited town hall with Police Chief Michael Warchol. “They stopped me and said, ‘Can we talk to you for a minute?’ And I said, ‘Sure.’

“One of them said [to Warchol], ‘He don’t need you. He don’t need no bodyguard.’ So he walked away… They called me all sorts of names,” said Shelton of the group. “They stood there and called me all sorts of names — ‘dumb’ and ‘stupid.’ ‘You don’t know what’s going on.’ ‘How come you didn’t use this one or choose that one.’ ‘The Truitts got me hanging on a string like a puppet.’”

Shelton said he did not respond to the group and, after a short period of time, walked away.

“Who knows what other names they called me… I don’t have to put up with that stuff. They have no right to be calling me names. That’s just hatred,” he said. “They surrounded me and ganged up on me and called me all sorts of names.”

Shelton said the conduct outside of the town hall has carried on in town meetings, as well, and needs to be addressed.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

“It’s the council president’s responsibility to keep meetings orderly,” he said, adding of the residents and property owners, “I have nothing against them. Anytime anyone calls me, I talk to them. But the people who attend the meetings criticize and bash us all the time, they just bring the town right down. I don’t hate nobody, but it’s wrong.”

Shelton said he is proud of what he’s done during his time on council, especially when it comes to the Town’s park and police department, and is bothered by the lack of respect shown.

“I have more respect for the town and myself than they do,” he said. “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

The Fenwick Island Town Council may consider a new gun ordinance prohibiting the public from carrying firearms inside town buildings, including the police department.

On Sept. 1, the Charter & Ordinance Committee agreed to recommend the ordinance to council. It prohibits possession of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms and explosives in municipal buildings and the police department. That also includes any other building inside town limits where the Town may be conducting Fenwick Town business.

The ordinance does not specifically mention individual Town properties, such as the town park.

State law allows municipalities restrict firearms in municipal buildings and police stations.

This is a gun ordinance that a lot of communities are enacting, using language developed by the State, said Councilman Bill Weistling Jr.

“It is not violating any constitutional right to bear arms,” said Police Chief William Boyden. It just relates to open carry, although people may have a concealed weapons permit.

There must be a conspicuous sign stating the prohibition. The sign may also state: “Persons in violation may be denied entrance to the building or be ordered to leave the building.”

The first offense gets a warning. After that, Boyden recommended violations be a civil offense with a $200 to $1,000 fine per day per intentional violation.

For more extreme violations, police can also take someone into custody for disorderly conduct or brandishing a firearm.

People who accidently violate this law, but who immediately exit the building, will not be guilty of violating this section if they immediately depart.

What if someone was hunting, but then ran an errand to Town Hall with guns in his truck?

“If you take the weapon off and put it in the car,” the firearm is considered to be outside of the building, Boyden said. “We would use common sense” in enforcing this law.

He said he hopes others will use common sense, too.

“I saw a guy with a 9mm in BJ’s. Legally, he was allowed to,” Boyden said. “Listen, I know you have the right to carry, but you have to use common sense,” where there are families with children nearby, he added.

There would be a number of exemptions, including the following: law enforcement officers; deliveries of equipment to law enforcement; firearms safety and training programs; people who hold a valid license pursuant to Delaware Code’s Title 11, §1441 or §1441A; United States employees authorized to carry a concealed firearm; and bank agents and other carriers on the clock, whose duties require them to protect money or other valuables.

The State of Delaware has long prohibited firearms in courts and state buildings. Boyden noted that state legislators are exempt from that when on business in Legislative Hall.

The town council may consider the ordinance at a future meeting. It must undergo a first and second reading, plus public hearing, before it could be adopted.

The Town of Frankford held a “special emergency meeting” on Saturday, Sept. 5.

According to Delaware Code Chapter 100, §10004(e)(1), an emergency meeting could be called, “for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, or to the General Assembly.”

The only public notice of the meeting had been posted two days prior, on Sept. 3, on the bulletin board outside of town hall. Pursuant to Delaware Code Chapter 100, §10004(e)(2), “All public bodies shall give public notice of their regular meetings and of their intent to hold an executive session closed to the public, at least 7 days in advance thereof.”

On Saturday, Council President Joanne Bacon and Councilwoman Pam Bacon made it to town hall for the meeting; however, Councilman Charles Shelton did not attend at any point.

Although the council lacked a quorum — according to the council’s own Rules of Procedure, Rule 5.2, “the presence of no less than three (3) members of the agency shall constitute a quorum” — the meeting was called to order, with Bacon stating, “It is my feeling, for this Town to move on and not get into a crisis situation, we need to move on.

“The purpose of the meeting is to swear in Marty Presley and Elizabeth Carpenter as new council members and have a reorganization of council,” she added, proceeding to swear them in as council members.

Bacon and Davis had voted 2-1, with Shelton opposed, to appoint Presley and Carpenter to two vacant council seats at the council’s Aug. 26 special meeting.

On Aug. 3, Jesse Truitt had resigned during the Town’s monthly council meeting. His departure was followed by Velicia Melson’s letter of resignation on Aug. 11. According to the town charter, the vacant council positions must be filled within 45 days from the date of resignation. Truitt’s seat must be filled by Sept. 17, while Melson’s must be filled by Sept. 25.

Bacon said Carpenter is to finish out Melson’s term, expiring in 2017, and Presley to fulfill Truitt’s term, ending in February 2016.

Following Carpenter and Presley taking the oath on Saturday, the council reorganized, with Carpenter assuming the position of council president and Bacon becoming vice-president. Presley will serve as secretary/treasurer, with Davis and Shelton remaining street liaison and police liaison, respectively.

After the reorganization, the four entered into an executive session for more than an hour.

After the meeting, Shelton told the Coastal Point he was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in the family.

The Frankford Town Council will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Frankford fire hall.

East Coast Garden Center will host the 4th Annual Corn to Run 5K run/walk on Sept. 26. The event is held in a cornfield across the street from East Coast Garden Center in Millsboro and consists of a 3.1 mile run/walk that meanders through the cornfield.

After the race, there will be awards, refreshments and games for people of all ages. The race begins at 9 a.m., and the festivities begin at 10 a.m. For more information on the 5K or to register, visit seashorestriders.com.

The stage is set for an event benefitting Rotary’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative and Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth. Presented by Schell Brothers, SoDel Fest, a celebration of wine, food and music will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Independence Hall & Grounds, 23767 Samuel Adams Circle, in Millsboro.

Billed as the “hippest food, wine and music event on DelMarVa” and hosted by former Bad Company bassist and now food, wine and music aficionado Paul Cullen, the event promises an afternoon of fun featuring samplings and demos by renowned chefs and foodies, a food truck gathering, wine pairings, local beer tastings, and a musical line-up of locally and nationally recognized talent.

Fest-goers will sample cuisine from restaurants including Abbott’s Grille, Bluecoast Seafood Grill, Cultured Pearl, Grandpa Macs, J.D. Shuckers, Lupo Di Mare, Michy’s Relaxed Dining, Nage, Palate, Touch of Italy and more.

Those attending can enjoy cooking and food demos by the Food Channel’s “Singing Chef,” Neil Fuentes; James Beard-nominated chef Hari Cameron; Lion Gardner executive chef from Blue Moon; Ronnie Burkle, corporate chef, SoDel Concepts; and Bill Wilson, Touch of Italy’s “Cheese Wizard.”

Festival-goers can rock out to music provided by Lower Case Blues, Vinyl Shockley, Bryan Russo, and Bruce Anthony, with a special appearance of Erin Dickins from Manhattan Transfer.

General admission tickets start at $75 per person, with a variety of upgrades available. For more information, visit sodelfest.com.

Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth provides meals to citizens of eastern Sussex County in Lewes, Rehoboth and Harbeson. The organization delivers more than 100,000 meals annually using volunteer drivers enabling “homebound residents to retain their independence, one meal at a time.” To learn more, visit beachmeals.com.

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines. The strategy to eradicate polio is therefore based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio-free. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is financed by a wide range of public and private donors, including local Rotary International. To learn more, visit: polioeradication.org.

Coastal Point • Submitted Scot Sax and Suzie Brown will be playing at Dickens Parlour Theatre in Millville on Monday, Sept. 28.He was writing Grammy-winning songs and dropping visceral guitar riffs in the power pop/rock band Queen Electric. She was a successful cardiologist with a degree from Harvard Medical and an undiscovered voice. They met at a mutual friend’s wedding, danced before they even spoke, got married and started touring together.

With two vastly differing musical backgrounds, influences and tastes, Scot Sax and Suzie Brown may have never envisioned that their styles would mesh. But when the two go on stage at Dickens Parlour Theatre in Millville on Monday, Sept. 28, Sussex County will get to hear firsthand just how well those styles have blended together.

“She needed a little more rhythm and upbeat stuff in her set, and I think I needed a little more sensitivity in my set,” Sax explained. “That was a good thing for both of us. Our show now is better than what it was before. The albums are better than before.”

While Sax and Brown seemed to have found their sound playing their own blend of blues both at shows and on their new album, “Our Album Doesn’t Like You Either,” set to release on Sept. 25, it wasn’t always that way.

In fact, it wasn’t even until sometime between Scot changing the stereo to David Bowie from Suzie’s folk music and Suzie first realizing that she wanted to pursue music professionally that things began to change.

“I was in particularly hard-rocking phase, and she was playing acoustic gigs. It wasn’t our thing to play together,” Sax explained. “The music part really had nothing to do with our relationship. We didn’t play together at all for the first couple years.”

And Suzie continued to pursue her music, even with her promising and demanding medical career, and the fact that both her parents and her sister were doctors, as well.

“She grew up in a family of doctors — she calls it the family business. It’s hard not to do what your family does,” Scot explained. “Six years ago, she was sort of singing and someone overheard her and told her she had a great voice. Within a year, she wrote a bunch of great songs, made a record, got great reviews.”

“She just loves music so much, genuinely loves it. She just digs music too much to work in a hospital full-time.”

After beginning to work two weeks on and two weeks off at the hospital, Suzie continued writing songs, going on tour and developing her sound. That’s when things really started to make sense for a collaboration.

“Our lives and our music started to meet in the middle as time went on,” Scot explained. “My music has evolved into more blues, which I never thought I’d say — something just clicked with me.”

The result has been more fun at both shows and on their album, as made evident by lines referencing Ke$ha and Honey Boo-Boo, and songs about the married couple’s life together.

“I think it’s got some funny stuff,” Sax said. “You don’t have to know the song to dig it right away. If it’s a good song, it makes it so much easier. That’s what our show is now — you can have a good time and not know the songs, because you feel like you kinda know the songs already.”

With another child due on Dec. 17, the current album tour will be the last chance to hear the duo live for a while.

“This is gonna be it for a while. We’re gonna make this one count,” said Sax.

As an added bonus, the show will kick off with a showing of Sax’s debut documentary, “Platinum Rush,” which aims to show audiences the not-so-glamorous side of being a successful songwriter, offering an inside perspective on songwriting and what it takes to make that perfect song, and what it takes out of its writers.

To make the film, Sax set out to find answers to questions such as, “What does it take to write a hit song?” and “What inspires a song?” He spoke to songwriters including Lisa Loeb, Oliver Wood, Eric Bazilian, Ed Roland, Julie Gold, Ron Sexsmith, Steve Forbert, Diego Garcia, Anne McCue, Busbee and Louise Goffin.

The showing of the documentary at Dickens Parlous Theatre in Millville on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. will be followed by the couple’s live performance on the theater’s stage. Tickets cost $20 and are available online at www.dptmagic.com.

Mediacom Communications is offering $55,000 in scholarship support for high-school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 15th consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 55 high-school seniors.

Scholarship recipients are given the flexibility to use the financial award to support educational expenses for higher education or vocational training from any accredited post-secondary institution starting in the fall of 2016. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership.

Applications for Mediacom’s World Class Scholarships are available online at www.mediacomworldclass.com. All high schools in Mediacom-served communities have been sent informational cards asking school officials to make seniors aware of the scholarship and encourage submission of applications on or before the Feb. 15, 2016, deadline.

“As a company, Mediacom makes it a priority to give back to communities in which we do business, and one of the best ways is to invest in promising students who are our future leaders,” said Mediacom Director of Area Operations Pat Hynes.

Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in areas where Mediacom provides broadband, video, phone and other digital communication services. Recipients will be selected from the 21 states where Mediacom provides service. A complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas is included with the online application. Inquiries may be sent to scholarship@mediacomcc.com.

Grammy-winning songwriter and musician Scot Sax is looking to show audiences the not-so-glamorous side of being a successful songwriter in his debut documentary, “Platinum Rush,” which will be shown at Dickens Parlour Theatre in Millville on Monday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m., followed by a live performance, as part of the Dickens Documentary Series with Bryan Russo, himself a musician.

“Platinum Rush” is aimed at giving audiences an inside perspective on songwriting, what it takes to make that perfect song and what it takes out of its writers. To make the film, Sax set out to find answers to questions including “What does it take to write a hit song?” and “What inspires a song?”

He spoke to some of the most prominent songwriters in the world, including Lisa Loeb, Oliver Wood, Eric Bazilian, Ed Roland, Julie Gold, Ron Sexsmith, Steve Forbert, Diego Garcia, Anne McCue, Busbee and Louise Goffin.

After the documentary showing, there will be a live musical performance by Scot Sax and Suzie Brown (www.suziebrownsongs.com). Tickets are available for $20, online at DPTMagic.com.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark: Ed and Amy Hiner pose in front of their mailbox, which displays a teal bow, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness. Hiner was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in November of 2013.Amy Hiner of Ocean View knows very well how subtle the attack of ovarian cancer can be on a woman’s body — so subtle that it often goes undiagnosed until late stages.

Hiner, 72, is about to enter her third year of her fight against the disease, with which she was diagnosed in November 2013. She had experienced some symptoms late that summer, including menstrual-type pain and an enlargement in her groin, but her doctor advised her to wait three months to see if it resolved itself. By November, she noticed her clothes weren’t fitting because her waist had become thicker. She found it impossible to eat or drink “more than a teaspoon.” So she went back to her doctor.

A CAT scan at that point revealed news that Hiner said felt “like the world was pulled out from under me.” Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Within a week, she said, “I was well under way” on a journey that has included several rounds of chemotherapy, a hysterectomy and a removal of a large section of her colon, resulting in a colostomy.

Back in chemotherapy again now, she finds herself at the center of a local effort to increase awareness of ovarian cancer. The latest piece of that effort involves “going teal” — teal being the official color of ovarian cancer awareness — by placing colored ribbons on mailboxes in support of those fighting the disease.

The effort started when Hiner’s daughter, Laura Jednarski, made a ribbon for Hiner’s mailbox. The project picked up steam when friends in Hiner’s ladies’ circle at Ocean View Presbyterian Church distributed teal ribbons during Sunday worship.

Hiner said she feels incredibly fortunate to have great support from family and friends as she continues her battle with ovarian cancer.

“My husband is 110 percent behind me,” she said. “When I go for chemo, he sits with me for hours,” in addition to helping her meet the medical needs stemming from her colostomy. Daughter Laura has walked in a fundraising walk for ovarian cancer in Annapolis, and the family has participated in the Wings of Hope event.

“I’m very blessed to have such a supportive, wonderful family,” Hiner said.

She also gave high marks to Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center.

“I cannot say enough good things about the Tunnell Cancer Center,” she said.

Although she faces chemotherapy “for the rest of my life,” Hiner vowed to keep talking to people about ovarian cancer in an effort to raise awareness. In the interest of giving family members more knowledge, she has had genetic testing done to find out if she is genetically predisposed to the disease. The results showed that she is not, which she said did not surprise her, because no one in her family that she is aware of has ever had it.

Although she will probably never know for sure what caused her cancer, she said she blames a hormone cream that she used during menopause, for which ovarian cancer is one of the potential side effects. Hiner said doctors have told her the disease had been in her body “for years and years” before it was finally diagnosed.

Hiner said that as long as she is able, she will continue to talk to others about ovarian cancer. The single most important thing she wants to impart is this: “Don’t ignore subtle symptoms,” which can include things that can easily be put off as “probably nothing,” such as backaches, cramps and bloating, bowel changes and extreme tiredness.

She also urged women to make their doctors listen to them when they feel something is not right.

“I have a daughter, and I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said. “I do swear to be an advocate for early detection.”

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark: From left, Frank Bolen, Craig Lednum, Cory Lednum, Richard Ouellette, Tara Ouellette, Gene Mowery and Doug Mowery prepare to cast off on a rocket ride aboard the ‘Get Bent’People often ask why I live at the beach.

The waves are few and far between, the ocean gets cold, the weather is nasty, the winter is dreary. The list of cons seems to be never-ending. There is so much beauty throughout the world, why limit yourself to this region?

Having a response to all of these statements and questions has never been easy. As a matter of fact, the best retort has been a mumbling of gobbledygook that never quite allowed for the true expression of what feelings are nestled inside of my heart.

Lessons on living are available every moment of every day. Words of wisdom apparently fly by this thick-headed skull on a daily basis, more frequently than skimboards at a Monday-night session on the beach in Bethany. They come from the residents at Brandywine Senior Living, my coworkers, kids at school… I could go on, but the point is that answers will come from anybody and anywhere.

As good fortune shone down on Friday, Sept. 11, I was building an arbor over my front walkway when a pickup stopped in the driveway, in search of 99 Oak Lane, looking for the Ledlum residence. He looked vaguely familiar, but time was of the essence, as he said that he was participating in the Warrior Beach Week for Operation SEAs the Day. After 25 years, one might think that I would know the streets in my own development by now, but nope.

I used Mapquest while he made a call to find the new five-digit 911 street address. As I discovered that the street was about 150 feet from where I was standing, Frank Bolen handed me his mobile phone.

The voice on the other end immediately had a funny echo and within 10 seconds of conversation I was asked if I was wearing a white shirt. I whipped around to see a man waving to me from the corner. Slightly embarrassed, Frank and I had our answer.

Before rolling down the road, Frank mentioned that he thought that he knew me, but how?

I asked Frank if he would check with the participants of Operation SEAs the Day to see if I could get a photo for the Coastal Point. “That’s it!” Frank uttered. The Little League World Series Softball in Roxana. It turns out that Frank was one of the security guys that also volunteers for that great event. I gave Frank my number as he left.

Just 15 minutes later, my phone rang and Frank told me to come on down the street.

I got into my car and drove the 400 feet down the street. Yes, I did realize as I pulled away from my house that I could have just thrown my camera bag over my shoulder and walked. So much for my carbon footprint, huh?

It turned out that everybody was meeting at the Lednum household. No, not much different than Ledlum, but enough that the name and the address issue confused me. Hey — it happens, thanks Mom.

I first met the Warriors, Richard and Tara Ouellette from Catasauqua, Pa.; then the volunteers, Gene and Doug Mowery, Cory Lednum, Craig Lednum and Frank Bolen.

The crew was preparing to head out and spend the day on the water on the Get Bent. I wished the Ouellettes a great time and was on my way back to work on the arbor.

The afternoon festivities for SEAs the Day were set up to be exciting for all participants and onlookers alike. A procession was to begin at Sea Colony, with all of the week’s participants loading into buses and being escorted by scores of motorcycles and assorted police and emergency vehicles. The route took the group south on Route 1 and west on 54, out to Bayside. The streets were lined with flag-waving supporters.

Meanwhile, as I was preparing to walk out of the door to go shoot photos of the incoming caravan, my neighbor Kim Hook called and told me that she and her son, Colby, were heading over to join in the reception. Would I like a ride?

Upon arrival, I began snapping photographs of different groups of people as I searched for “the” spot into which I would like to settle and, hopefully, grab the shot of the day. I had some assistance in picking a spot and, as the convoy of merriment rolled on by me, I realized that there were more cameras snapping shots than I cared to be around. If I want to have a unique shot, I need to be where the others aren’t.

I fell back to The Cove restaurant, as that was where the contingent would be supping that evening.

To my delight, there was only one other photographer in sight. Plus U.S. Sen. Tom Carper was there. I was sure that I was now dialed in to where I needed to be.

I had been in my spot but a few minutes when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the Ouellettes.

They told me about how fast the boat went, that they went out into the ocean and then ate at the Sunset Grill. Each word became more animated as the excitement built in their voices, about how much fun that had on the Lednums’ boat. Little did I realize they were both just warming up.

They proceeded to tell me about how wonderful the week had been and the new experiences that they enjoyed. Their eyes teared up and the emotions built when they shared their experience of the ride from Sea Colony to the Freeman Stage.

Richard and Tara have never experienced anything like this. Through the years, they have participated in many Wounded Warrior events across the country and their experience here, in Sussex County, topped them all. They have never experienced such an outpouring of love and kindness or witnessed a community come together to make them feel so special. The tears in their eyes echoed the words that they spoke.

This was before they even ate dinner or got to see Aaron Tippin in concert!

Thank you to the Ouellettes! I now have a better way to convey why I can proudly call southeastern Sussex County home: the people.