US Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester Tours Coastal Communities
Slaughter Beach was fortunate to host a meeting on January 20th where the future of the WRDA act was discussed with our US Senator, Lisa Blunt Rochester and staff.
Attendees including representatives from Kent County, Sussex County and all of the Bay Beaches who are members of the Bay Beach Association. Also attending was Secretary of DNREC and sr staff members.
The Bay Beach Association arranged the meeting. The following link is a strong overview of the meeting: https://www.capegazette.com/article/blunt-rochester-holds-listening-tour-coastal-concerns/300328
Harry Ward
Mayor
Town of Slaughter Beach
The DuPont Nature Center is featuring an Environmental Art Showcase during the 2026 season
Milford/Slaughter Beach Shared Use Path Final Report
The Town of Slaughter Beach joined the City of Milford on an application for a U.S. Department of Transportation Thriving Communities Program (TCP) grant to evaluate the feasibility of a shared use path along Cedar Beach Road (Delaware Route 36) in March 2023. With support from the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration (IPA) Grant Assistance Program (GAP) and several key stakeholders, a shared use path was evaluated for accessible transportation alternatives, supporting active transportation, eco-tourism, and regional livability. A copy of the final plan can be found here: Milford-Slaughter-Beach-Shared-Use-Path-Feasibility-Study_w-Appendices_FINAL.pdf
Memorial Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary Homemade Soup Sale
The Ladies Auxiliary will be holding a pre-ordered soup sale on November 15th. See flyer below for more information.
Tennis/pickleball Courts and the Basketball Courts Closed Monday, September 29 & Tuesday, September 30 (weather permitting)
The tennis/pickleball courts and the basketball courts will be closed for some maintenance on Monday, 9/29 & Tuesday, 9/30, dependent upon weather.
We apologize, in advance, for any inconvenience this may cause.
2025 Slaughter Beach Regatta
From the SBSC Commode Ore:
Well, another July 4th has come and gone and all of us have seen the best and worst of what the sailors in this little remote corner of civilization have to offer.
A day of gorgeous weather, a turnout that rivaled 2019 (2019 was held on a Saturday, with a perfectly timed tide schedule – and prior to that damnable Covid).
- For the catamaran race, congratulations to an incredibly well sailed race by Craig & Chip who led pretty much every linear foot of the race.
- The monohull race was pretty non-eventful with Andreas pulling out to an early lead in his supercharged Laser. Once again, congratulations to Andreas on a very solid race.
- For the two man kayak race, wow – this is a dynasty. Tony & Jake – you have become “America’s Team” of kayakers. I don’t know what else we can do, other than embrace this dynasty. Congrats gentlemen, to a race that was never really in question! Well done.
- The single Kayak race had more interest as it wasn’t a lock. Several contestants pouring it on during the last leg, to give Mark Huntzinger a real run for his money. Not sure if we have another dynasty building here, but I am pretty sure Mark has seen this trophy before! Congratulations to a very strong race by Mark!
- The Nelson family saw their youngest member bring home the Boogie Board trophy after a disqualification move by our very own Harlow. The SBSC Rules & Highly Sensitive Non Participation Trophy Judges Council (SBSCRHSNPTJC) ruled that the far buoy was missed by Harlow. Congrats to Harlow for her sportwomanship in accepting the judges ruling, but a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Liam for his digging it out for the win! Well done.
- Lastly, the egg toss. What a fun activity this year. The minimal shoreline forced the SBSC Gaming & Rules Layout Technical Team (SBSCGRLTT) to push the field waterward. The move caused numerous entrants to lose their eggs in the surf. What a fun activity that was supported by almost 40 participants! Arja & Julia ended up pulling it out in the end after wading out halfway to the shipping lane to catch the last toss. What a win! Congrats to Arja & Julia!
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of you who participate in all of the festivities building up to, during and afterwards:
- Everything from setup & teardown (David, Fran, Jon, Jonny, Jeaneanne, Azetta, Chris, Don, Sarah, Krista, Laura, Jeff, the whole Stieffenhofer family), and so many others that I will apologize in advance for neglecting to mention.
- The Phillips family for the buoy setup and teardown.
- All who brought food and drink.
- All the neighbors in the Delaware Avenue area that are forced to put up with our little band of nutty seaside funlovers.
- Every single participant in all the activities.
- Maddy for her patience in my less than stellar sailing performance.
- Sandy for putting up with my nutty compulsion
Prosit
Harry
Harry Ward
Commode Ore
Slaughter Beach Sail Club
(302) HB2-0894
Nothing in this communication should be thought of as accurate, correct, woke, happy or sad. It’s simply the ramblings of a nut job who lives at the beach!
Thank You Milford High School Interact Club
Milford High School Interact Club continues to support our environment, the Delaware Bay and Slaughter Beach with their recent beach cleanup. Thanks to all who participated in the cleanup!
Harry Ward
Mayor Town of Slaughter Beach
Red Knot Festival at Slaughter Beach Saturday, May 31st, 12 PM – 4 PM
If you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about nature, join us in raising awareness and celebrating the amazing wildlife of Slaughter Beach and the Delaware Bay at the second annual RED KNOT FESTIVAL.
This is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible connection between migratory shorebirds and horseshoe crabs on the Delaware Bay. Co-hosted by the Upstream Alliance, the Town of Slaughter Beach, Delaware Audubon, American Littoral Society, Delaware Ornithological Society, DuPont Nature Center, Red Knot Youth Birders, Partners for the Delaware Estuary, and Delaware Master Naturalist, this Festival is an effort to share and enhance knowledge of the Bay and the many creatures that need our protection.
For more information and location can be found here: Red Knot Fest Flyer
Snow Geese Test Presumptive Positive for Avian Influenza
Snow Geese Test Presumptive Positive for Avian Influenza;
Hunters and Anyone Encountering Dead or Sick Wild Birds, Especially Snow Geese, Are Advised to Report Location to State Authorities
DOVER, Del. (Dec. 28, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that laboratory testing conducted by the University of Delaware’s Allen Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, has returned presumptive positive findings of H5 avian influenza in sick and dead snow geese collected on December 27, 2024, in coastal Sussex County. In response to the findings, the state of Delaware has established a Joint Information Center with DNREC, DDA, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA).
The detections mark the Delmarva region’s most recent confirmation of H5 avian influenza in wild birds since May 2022, when the virus was found through wildlife surveillance in black vultures in Harford County, Md. Avian influenza is known to be carried by wild birds, especially waterfowl, raptors, and vultures.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure. Snow geese, which are waterfowl, are known to migrate from the Arctic and form large flocks in Delaware each winter. Due to close contact with thousands of other snow geese while feeding and roosting, they can get sick and die. It is unknown when or where the snow geese may have acquired the virus given their highly migratory nature and association with other waterfowl and waterbirds throughout the Atlantic Flyway through which they travel into Delaware and more southern states.
People should not touch or handle injured, sick, or dead birds. Special attention should be paid to keep pets and children away from these wild birds and bird droppings.
Even with the ongoing detections of HPAI in wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle in North America, continuous testing of people who are in close contact with infected animals indicates a low risk to the general public’s health. The H5N1 virus has infected very few people and has not been documented to be transmitted between people. The proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.
If you see a sick or dead bird:
- Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds on private or public property is asked to report their findings immediately to State Authorities.
- Call the DNREC Wildlife Section at 1-302-739-9912 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Report sightings after hours, weekends, and holidays, report sightings through the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s sick and injured wildlife reporting form.
- Notify DDA if you find dead or sick wild birds on your farm at poultry.health@delaware.gov.
- If a resident finds a dead bird on their property, they should wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, a mask and safety glasses, to dispose of it. Double-bag each dead bird found, zip-tie the bag and put it in the trash bin for pickup and disposal at a Delaware Solid Waste Authority landfill. Carefully remove and dispose of all PPE in the dedicated trash and always wash your hands.
- DNREC also reminds hunters to be cautious when afield handling their harvests of duck and geese as the waterfowl season continues in Delaware. If you are a waterfowl hunter or come across a dead or sick bird, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services website for additional information on proper protocols for contact with a wild bird that may have contracted HPAI.
Since the initial presumptive positive detection this week in Sussex County, more than 40 birds have been reported to DNREC, including snow geese found at Prime Hook Beach. A total count of sick birds cannot be confirmed because wild birds often get sick and die where the public cannot see them. Snow geese fly long distances, which means infected geese may die in other locations and transmit the virus to other birds, including poultry.
For more information on avian influenza, visit https://de.gov/poultry.
Senator Carper Comes Thru Once Again
The Town of Slaughter Beach would like to thank Senator Carper and his staff. The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 provides protection for Delaware’s entire coastline including the Bay Beaches. These past two WRDA Bills have made all the difference for the Bay Coast. We can’t thank Senator Carper enough for all his years of service to the State of Delaware and The Town of Slaughter Beach. More information about what the bill entails can be found in this article from the Cape Gazette and press release from Sen. Carper:
https://www.capegazette.com/article/projects-sussex-beaches-and-bays-get-federal-monies/285184
