SoDel Concepts recently received the Outstanding Service Award for a Delaware Business from the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education. Pictured, from left, are Danielle Panarello and Jim Affeldt of SoDel Concepts; Joe Hallman, a culinary arts teacher; and Terry Carson, principal, both of Seaford High School. Submitted Photo
Service Award Received
REHOBOTH BEACH, DEL. — The Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Technical Education (DACCTE) recently honored SoDel Concepts, a hospitality company, with its Outstanding Service Award for a Delaware business. Samuel E. Lathem, chairman of DACCTE, presented the award on June 9, at the Outlet at the Duncan Center in Dover.
Terry Carson, the principal of Seaford High School, nominated SoDel Concepts, which has supported the school’s ProStart curriculum, a two-year culinary program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Ronnie Burkle, chef and a director of operations for SoDel Concepts, has cooked with the students in the high school and given them tours of the dining room and kitchen of two of nine SoDel Concepts restaurants. He’s also brought students to SoDel Concepts’ corporate office in downtown Rehoboth Beach for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the business.
In addition, Phill Blush drove the company’s food truck, Big Thunder Roadside Kitchen, to the school for tours. He discussed the truck’s day-to-day operations and showed students how to use the equipment. The students then created their own food truck concept. They even created a truck design and menu.
“We were totally surprised and pleased when the staff at Seaford High School nominated us for the award,” Burkle said. “We love meeting young people who’re interested in the restaurant business and talking about the career paths available to them in this industry.”
June Market Recap
BERLIN – As the temperatures rise, so does sales activity in the local real estate market, according to the latest figures from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).
Housing statistics for the month of June are shown in a CAR graphic. Submitted Image
June showed an overall 24.7-percent increase in contracts, or pending sales, in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, compared to the same time last year. Individually, contracts for single family homes increased by 12.3 percent in Worcester County, by 21.1 percent in Wicomico County and by 80 percent in Somerset County.
Settlements were also up overall in the tri-county area by 2.9 percent, compared to the same time last year. Most notably was a 21.5 percent increase in single family home settlements in Worcester County.
Inventory numbers continue to decline as CAR’s figures showed a 9.8-percent decrease overall. The sole increase in inventory was a 27.3-percent jump in condominium listings in Wicomico County.
Average days on market increased by 5.7 percent and listing and sales prices decreased by 3.3 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.
CAR President Linda Moran said limited inventory is likely holding up some buyers, which is the reason the settlements numbers only increased by 2.9 percent in June.
“We’re definitely seeing the number of available homes decrease, both in CAR’s statistics and in the field,” Moran said. “But that doesn’t mean that anyone interested in buying shouldn’t go ahead and get the process started, because the home of your dreams could hit the market at any time.”
This limited inventory trend is also being reported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
“REALTORS® are acknowledging with increasing frequency lately that buyers continue to be frustrated by the tense competition and lack of affordable homes for sale in their market,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
CAR’s monthly local housing statistics are pulled from the association’s Multiple Listing Service, which represents the activity of over 1,000 local REALTORS® in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
Company Completes Specialized Training
SNOW HILL — Royal Plus, Inc., a member company of DKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, announced its completion of The Linders Health Institute’s specialized training for infection control during disaster recovery in healthcare facilities.
Since hospitals affected by natural disasters risk the spread of airborne pathogens and infectious diseases, the requirement of construction compliance standards has become an increasing concern, and it is crucial for first responders, such as Royal Plus, to be prepared for these challenges.
Marlene Linders, founder of The Institute, held the two-day boot camp at DKI member company, Skyline DKI’s, facilities in Blue Island, Ill. The course covered infection control, emerging infectious diseases, air and waterborne pathogens, MRSA and exposure risks during restoration for healthcare facilities.
The Institute’s training is the only infectious diseases course that teaches best practices from the hospital’s perspective and at the clinical level, in regards to the patient population. It is also the only accredited program, authorized by both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC/GBCI) for continuing education.
Royal Plus received a certificate of completion to show hospitals its proof of training, as well as Critical Environment Reconstruction Contractors (CERC) accreditation.
Rommel’s Ace Partners With Children’s Network
SALISBURY – Rommel’s Ace is taking its “helpful place” motto to heart by supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. Rommel’s Ace will be raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) through all 11 Rommel’s Ace locations on July 23 for vital pediatric equipment, treatments, therapy programs and charitable care to benefit local sick and injured kids.
Rommel Holdings Company President Mike Cottingham believes that the Children’s Miracle Network’s vision is a positive addition to the Rommel’s Ace community.
“Every donation counts when it comes to the Children’s Miracle Network. Customers feel that they are contributing to a larger purpose and are happy to donate knowing it will support such a good cause. It is rewarding to the staff and the customers to know how much we all were able to raise together for CMN,” said Cottingham.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
Rommel’s Ace Home Centers are locally owned by Salisbury native and entrepreneur David Rommel.
Association Donate Funds
BERLIN – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) donated $500 to the West Virginia REALTOR® Relief Fund to aid in recovery efforts following last month’s historic flooding that killed at least 26 people, displaced about 1,500 families, and shuttered many businesses.
The Maryland Association of REALTORS® (MAR) donated $10,000 to the fund and put out a call to all local associations, asking them to assist by donating funding or supplies.
The money collected by the West Virginia Association of REALTORS® (WVAR) through its Relief Fund will assist displaced residents with mortgage payments, rental assistance, and repairs. WVAR has also identified member coordinators in each of the state’s heavily impacted areas in order to keep the association updated on supply needs.
“Being from the Lower Eastern Shore, we all know how devastating weather events can be,” said CAR President Linda Moran. “As REALTORS®, we help people find their homes. Over 1,500 families in West Virginia have just lost their homes, and they need help. We are more than happy to assist with these recovery efforts, and we encourage others to do the same.”