Coastal Point • JOHN DENNY Light shines through the clouds last Thursday evening. A sign of Easter?

District details homestretch at Indian River
The new Indian River High School is almost, nearly, practically complete. Work has taken longer than expected, and has cost more than originally anticipated. However, according to Indian River School District (IRSD) personnel, there’s a simple explanation — the project has grown over time.

Reps work to safeguard shipwrecks
Legislators from the area have commissioned some housekeeping work to prevent a repeat of the archaeological mishap off the Lewes coast.

CBS seeks greater voice at county level
Sussex County Council members, take notice. The eastern voting bloc wants more of a say in county affairs, and the numbers are behind them.

Bunting brings teacher's perspective
Incumbent School Board Member Nina Lou Bunting knows teaching. Bunting is a relative newcomer to Indian River School District (IRSD) governance — she’s running for re-election to her second (three-year) term on the School Board.

The Agenda
What's happening in the community.

Indian River School District wins state award
The Indian River School District’s Meet the Challenge program has been named a 2005 winner of the prestigious Superstars in Education Award given by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

Ocean to Bay Bike Tour rolls on again
With spring finally sprung, lovers of long-distance bicycle rides are revving up for all the open air and open road the warmer weather can provide.

It's that time again … change your clocks
It’s time to “spring forward” again. Clocks in the area will be turned forward one hour at 2 a.m. standard time on Sunday, April 3, making it 3 a.m. daylight-saving time. Clocks will “fall back” one hour on Oct. 30, 2005.

Police Corner
For as long as I can remember, the Bethany Beach Police Department took special care of elderly citizens of our community. We always wanted to ensure those who live alone that they were not forgotten; therefore, we utilized the R.U.O.K. program. The purpose of this program is to let us know that they are safe and don’t need any type of assistance. It is particularly designed for people who live alone, so they have a chance to make contact with the police department at least once every day.

Library has full slate for Literary Week
This series of literary programs at the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach will be presented during the week of April 11 in celebration of National Library Week:

Model railroad buffs share piece of history
Next stop, Bethany Beach. The Delaware SeaSide Railroad Club (DSSRRC) held a workshop with a historical twist at the South Coastal Library on March 26.

Church gives a lift with event
Need a spiritual lift after a long, dreary winter? Celebrate the renewal of spring with contemporary Christian music, drama, puppet shows and testimony by the members of the music ministry team Captive Free on Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at Community Lutheran Church in Omar.

Novel writing workshop to begin in Rehoboth
The newly formed non-profit, Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild, will host a two-part novel-writing workshop on Saturday, April 9, 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 7, 1 to 4 p.m. at The Corner Cupboard Inn at 50 Park Ave., Rehoboth Beach. The Guild’s founder, Maribeth Fischer, who will teach the class, said, “many people have an idea for novel that they want to write, but they don’t have the time, discipline or knowledge necessary to get started. Like exercise,” she said, “we know we should start, but it’s easy to put it off.”

Rotary helping with food
During the week of April 2-9, Southern Sussex Rotary is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Community Food Pantry.

Craft show in need of volunteers
The Bethany Beach Seaside Craft Show Committee is looking for a few good volunteers. Plans for the June 4 craft show are proceeding, and the committee is seeking extra hands to help with the final stages of planning and carrying off the inaugural event.

Chamber offers 10 reasons to join
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce annual Member-Get-A-Member Campaign has hit its halfway marker. Members only have three more weeks to recruit new business members and earn their “bucks” to go shopping at the April 27 Business After Hours at the Woodsong Country Inn. However, this year there’s a twist. The top new member recruiter will win 25 60-second commercials on any one of Great Scott Broadcasting radio stations.

DNREC on the search
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is announcing the start of the 2005 Young Environmentalist of the Year award program. Awards will be given to students deserving recognition for their efforts in protecting the environment. Nominations must be based on actions or projects which have taken place between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005.

Local organizations offer scholarships

Fenwick signage talks proceed
Even Building Official Patricia Schuchman agrees it may be time for some accommodations in how Fenwick Island’s commercial signage works. But what those changes might be — and how they come about — is still in the earliest stages of discussion.

NARFE changes name, not plan
The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) has a new name. It is now the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. The acronym — NARFE — and the mission will remain the same: protecting and enhancing the earned annuity and health care benefits of America’s retired federal workers.

Murder in Long Neck
The Delaware State Police (DSP), Homicide Unit, charged Millsboro resident Aris G. Mouzakitis in connection with a double murder on March 28, according to a March 29 press release.

Bits & Pieces

Old-style appeal
Doyle’s Restaurant in Selbyville has grown over the years, but sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Business Briefs

Helping hand
Southeast Asia is so far away. Likely, few locals know anyone from that part of the world.

Lady Indians hot off the bat
Most Delaware students had a lengthy Easter break, but the Indian River softball team put in some hard work on the field — winning three of four games and increasing their record to 4-1.

Indians drop to Polytech
The Indian River varsity baseball team bounced back from their loss last week to state champions St. Mark’s by defeating Polytech, 9-1, on March 24.

Indians drop tough one to Seaford
The Indian River varsity boy’s tennis team lost a tough 3-2 match versus top-ranked Seaford on March 24.

Lady Indians shut down by Seaford
The Indian River girls’ tennis team dropped to 0-2 this season after a 0-5 shutout by the Seaford Blue Jays on March 24.

Singleterry collects cash, accolades
Indian River senior D.J. Singleterry continues to accumulate accolades, reeling in a $10,000 scholarship at the 41st annual Delaware Wrestling Awards Banquet on March 24. The DWOA scholarship can be used at any college in the country. Singleterry is preparing to make his school selection this spring.

Pop Warner football and cheerleading squads need help this season
Lower Sussex Pop Warner football teams and cheerleading squads are now accepting letters of interest for coaching positions for the 2005 season. The positions are open for Midgets, PeeWees and, the newest addition to the organization, Mitey Mites. Letters of interest will be accepted until April 8.

Coastal gardening
The coastal environment presents some unique challenges for gardeners. Depending on location, a gardener may have to deal with soil that is pure sand, salt spray, periodic flooding, extreme winds or wetlands. Obviously, this is not the place for your typical suburban landscape.