During the Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon on April 22, Rehoboth Beach presented its first-ever Volunteer of the Year Award to Cindy Lovett, the founder of Rehoboth in Bloom and a dedicated community advocate. Mayor Stan Mills delivered remarks celebrating Lovett’s contributions to the city, while City Manager Taylour Tedder also attended to show appreciation for her service.
In his presentation speech, Mayor Mills highlighted Lovett’s remarkable journey since she and her husband Paul relocated to Rehoboth Beach in 2007, nineteen years ago. The couple made significant investments in the community, renovating the McQuays building that currently houses Egg Restaurant and constructing two unique properties – one overlooking the restaurant’s patio and another featuring a special chimney designed to provide nesting space for Chimney Swifts along the canal.
Lovett’s civic engagement began in 2011 when she became a member of the Rehoboth Beach Streets and Transportation Committee, where she dedicated eight years of service. According to Mills, her most significant achievement during this period was successfully removing scooters from sidewalks and establishing designated premium parking areas for these vehicles.
In 2018, Lovett joined the Rehoboth Beach Main Street board, serving the maximum six-year term while continuing as an ex-officio member. Her inspiration for Rehoboth in Bloom came after visiting Lake Placid, New York, and observing their floral displays. She then studied similar programs in Bethany Beach and Lewes in Bloom, which provided the foundation for launching Rehoboth’s own beautification initiative.
The inaugural Rehoboth in Bloom meeting in 2019 attracted 25 enthusiastic participants. What began with 30 rectangular planters has flourished into a comprehensive program that now includes 84 volunteers maintaining 112 planters and 4 gardens, including the prominent display at the Museum near the city entrance.
Beyond establishing a sponsorship program to fund the plantings, Lovett helped launch the Bloomin Dance Party fundraiser in 2022, which has become highly successful. The fifth annual dance took place on April 17, just days before the award ceremony, with Lovett playing a central organizing role.
Lovett’s volunteer work extends beyond beautification efforts. She has contributed to Read Aloud programs and in 2024 assisted Dewey Beach in establishing their own Dewey in Bloom program. Additionally, she participated in the task force for the Rehoboth Beach Post Office project and helped organize a cabaret fundraiser for the Cape Henlopen Senior Center.
Mills concluded his remarks by praising Lovett’s boundless energy and deep commitment to Rehoboth Beach’s success. “Cindy is a bundle of energy and we all are benefactors of that energy. That is her super-flower-power,” Mills stated. “Cindy, it is with appreciation that we recognize you today as Rehoboth Beach’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year.”
