Dear Friends:
Greetings to you all. I apologize for the delay in getting out the December report. Closing out 2009 was a challenge in dealing with the death of my father. That was a deep loss for me, one that I must continue to deal with daily. But, 2009 has come to a close and we are well on our way into 2010. I wanted to thank everyone for all your support this past year and during the campaign season.
It has truly been a pleasure to serve the fine people of Sussex County as your Register of Wills and I am looking forward to continuing to serve you in 2010. Thanks to everyone for your time, talents and financial support in the past year and I humbly ask for your continued support in the future.
This past year has been filled with various opportunities to meet, greet, eat and share with different groups, organizations and individuals of Sussex County and a few from Kent and New Castle County as well. I shared information with Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Senior Centers and various other organizations in addition to giving donations to support the youth & speak with the youth on making good choices and having a proper attitude. I have traveled from the east side of the county to the west side of the county in an effort to keep the public informed regarding the importance of having a will and the Register of Wills Helpful Tips. I am thankful for each and every opportunity presented to serve.
January began on the westside were I was the Keynote Speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the Seaford Gulf and Country Club. I shared a few encouraging words on my experiences thus far in this political arena and ended singing “Launch Out into The Deep”, which is what I’ve done, letting my faith take me where I’ve never been before. I was also a judge at the Georgetown Boys & Girls Club for the “Youth of the Year” having the opportunity to observe the accomplishments that these youth have achieved despite some very challenging life situations.
In February, I attended the NAACP Black History Celebration at the Elementary School in Georgetown enjoying the various talent presented at the celebration. I also attended the Black History Month Celebration at Pastor Powell’s Mt. Zion AME Church in Ellendale where I was able to render a selection.
March came in with discussions about the possibility of raising fees within the Register of Wills Office. I visited with the Rehoboth Beach Lions Club and attended the Appreciation Dinner for Ms. Minnie of West Rehoboth. I also attended an Education Conference sponsored by the Black Caucus in Wilmington and I finished the month enjoying a meal and speaking in Lewes at the Big Fish with the Progressives.
In April, I began mentoring students at Woodbridge Middle School. I sat on the panel for the Boys & Girls Club statewide Youth of the Year Program at the Milford Boys & Girls Club. At the University of Marine Studies in Lewes, I serenaded the Red Hat Lady’s as they dealt with the subject of abuse. I was also able to speak with the youth at the Church of God & Saints of Christ Church in Seaford where I talked with them on the importance of making good choices and having a good attitude. I ended the month of April attending a service at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth in Remembrance of the Holocaust.
May was a very busy month. I shared the Register of Wills Helpful Tips, meals and question & answer sessions with the Fenwick Lions Club, Greenwood Cheer Center, Slaughter Neck Cheer Center, Bridgeville Senior Center, Milton Lions Club, Delmar Lions Club, Long Neck Cheer Center, Laurel Senior Center and the Georgetown Cheer Center. I also had the pleasure of singing at the Governors Annual Prayer Breakfast.
In June, I met with the fine people of the Rehoboth Rotary Club sharing good food and conversation as I shared the importance of having a will and the Register of Wills Helpful Tips. I ended the month of June showing support for my New Castle counterpart Register of Wills, Diane Clark-Street by attending her “Everybody Needs a Will” Workshop.
July started with a bang as I walked in the Laurel Fourth of July Parade in Celebration of this Nations Independence. I visited with the residents of the Brandywine Assisted Living facility sharing the Helpful Tips, in addition to answering any questions or concerns from the group. At the Georgetown Girls & Boys Fundraiser, entertainer Bryan Clarke on one of his breaks gave me the microphone to sing a tune to the attendees as we raised money for the children. I also serenaded the guest at the Gustafson’s home as they visited the lovely garden during the Milton Garden Club 10th Annual Gardens & Homes Tour. I ended the month visiting in my local community giving a donation to the Slaughter Neck Summer Program.
In August, I participated in the Annual AFRAM Parade and Celebration at Nutter Park in Seaford. I served dinner at the Annual Delaware Electric Cooperative Dinner at the Harrington Fairgrounds with fellow county, municipal and state officials. Later in the month I attended the Annual Big Thursday Event in Millsboro and finished the month at the Seaford Harley Davison shop giving a donation in support of M.A.D.D.
September began at the Sussex Pines Country Club where I enjoyed a delicious meal with some great people from AARP, as I shared the importance of having a will and the Register of Wills Helpful Tips. Patriots Day was celebrated at the Georgetown Cheer Center with fellow Veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces. I also attended the Nanticoke Indian POW WOW where I met the Chief. I ended the month at the NAACP 100 year Celebration at the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet where I was given the opportunity to sing to the attendees.
In October, it was a pleasure to participate in the Annual Apple Scrapple Festival of Bridgeville as I competed with my fellow county, municipal and state officials in the scrapple toss. I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Annual Walk to Remember in Lewes at the George Smith Park as mothers gathered to remember their fallen angels. I met with the Millsboro Lions Club and I was a judge in the Annual Sea Witch Parade in Rehoboth Beach and ended the month talking with a few towns people at the Milton Public Library on the importance of having a will & the Register of Wills Helpful Tips.
The month of November began with a Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Georgetown Cheer Center, where fellow veterans gathered once again in memory of all those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces both stateside and abroad. I met with the Lions Club at the Shawnee Country Club in Milford enjoying good food and fellowship. The Delmar Diner proved to be a treat as I shared a meal and a message from the Register of Wills Office with the Widowed Persons Service Chapter of Seaford. At the 150th Anniversary of the Friends of Sand Hill Church, I was honored to have the privilege to sing a duet with former Secretary of State Harriet Smith-Windsor as she played the piano. The month of November ended with a fun filled evening of laughter and bowling as I sponsored a team consisting of myself, Danielle (Clerk in Register of Wills Office), Carol (Special Deputy in Register of Wills Office), Esther (my wife), and Greg Jr. (my son), as we bowled to raise money for the children.
2010 will be a busy year and I will be out there, meeting, greeting and eating with the fine people of Sussex County as I continue to serve as the Sussex County Register of Wills.
Until next month, God Bless each and every one of you.
Gregory Fuller Sr.
Register of Wills Sussex County