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Beyond books: Frankford library wins for innovation

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Coastal Point • Laura Walter : Frankford Public Library staffers, from left, Trina Coyle, Cindy Givens, director Rachel Wackett and Jessica Bowman gather to celebrate their recent award.Coastal Point • Laura Walter : Frankford Public Library staffers, from left, Trina Coyle, Cindy Givens, director Rachel Wackett and Jessica Bowman gather to celebrate their recent award.The Frankford Public Library staff is working to reduce adult illiteracy and teach kids technology. On the way, their groundbreaking innovation has earned them the 2016 Library/Institutional Award for 2016 from the Delaware Library Association.

For director Rachel Wackett, the peer-nominated award “recognizes the fact that we’re being very progressive with the types of programming we’re offering … particularly with technology and STEAM.” Wackett has aligned the library programming toward basic literacy, creativity and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).

The library staff has found new ways to interact with their community, said nominator Sarena Fletcher, an administrative librarian at the Delaware Division of Libraries.

“I saw that they were a small independent library, and they had the flexibility and the courage to try something new. At the time, I didn’t really know the staff very well. But they were doing things for the first time that nobody else in Delaware was doing that I knew about,” Fletcher said. “They took that risk, and it worked.”

The best kind of learning is fun. So playtime teaches teambuilding, creativity and design. Children really flock to Lego playtime, Lego Mindstorms robotics, Makerspace, “Make It Monday” and soon, Cubetto, a basic coding system with robots, for ages 3 to 5.

“We try to pick and choose things that appeal to a broad base,” Coyle said.

“Trina, one time, had all the students playing on Minecraft. They were building a library,” each from a different computer but on the same server, Wackett said. That has served as a beta-testing site for other library MinecraftEdu programs.
The staff said adults and children love problem-solving over KEVA Planks puzzles, and a recent donation will purchase a full set, as an active memorial to a late Frankford resident.

Meanwhile, Frankford also just won grant money for an adult summer reading program.

“I think everyone that works in a public library has many different titles, but I think my staff is excellent in their choices in programing, and being fearless and developing their content,” said Wackett, the library’s director since December of 2013.

“We have a really good team here. I think that’s what makes it work,” agreed children’s librarian Trina Coyle.

“They’re doing really awesome things, and people should know,” said Fletcher.

The Frankford Public Library was also one of five public libraries to offer the Summer Food Service Program for children.

Meanwhile, the library has revived Sussex County’s adult reading classes, a free program for adults who have gotten through life with low reading levels. Maybe they never finished school or always struggled with reading, but learners are partnered with volunteer tutors until they reach a comfortable literacy level. Frankford is the home base for the training, but the partners can meet anywhere in the county.

“I ask that everyone access their public library at some point,” Wacket said. “We all collectively offer — and see — ourselves, really, as their partner in education and innovation, in something as simple as learning to read, applying for a job, applying for scholarships … or researching genealogy. We’ve progressed beyond books.”

She thanked the Sussex County Department of Libraries and Delaware Division of Libraries. She also cited the library’s own board of directors for “thoughtful and progressive stewardship of this library. They’re one of the reasons I think we won this award.”

The award was presented during a joint state conference of Delaware and Maryland Library Association on May 6 in Ocean City, Md.

The library’s full programing schedule is online at www.frankford.lib.de.us.


Save those Box Tops. It’s easy money for schools

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Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Box Tops like these are an easy way to get money to your favorite local school.Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Box Tops like these are an easy way to get money to your favorite local school.Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it’s often found on cereal boxes.

Local schools are making easy money through Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education. People just need to clip the labels from specially-marked grocery products and drop them off at their favorite school. The box tops are redeemable for money or gift vouchers.

“You’d be surprised how much those little box tops help,” said teacher Jennifer Hitchens, who keeps a collection jar on her desk at Selbyville Middle School.

“It’s what we use for everything,” Hitchens said, such as field trips, learning supplies or holiday gift-giving for students in need.

John M. Clayton Elementary (JMC) has earned nearly $2,000 in the last four years because Box Tops for Education just sends the school a check, plain and simple.

“The awesome thing about Box Tops is that they can be used for anything for our school,” said Jan Bomhardt, counselor at JMC.

PTOs or school counselors often manage the money. JMC donations pay for T-shirts, student awards, playground equipment and more. They also buy prizes and school-store awards that children can trade for positive behavior, kindness, good grades and other actions that make the school a better place.

Nationwide, schools have received millions of dollars, thanks to several label donation programs.

By taking the time to save labels, people are proving to the donor companies that the schools are worth that money.

“It’s well worth it. It’s free money for the school,” Bomhardt said.

Box Tops are found on food products (such as those from General Mills, Green Giant, Old El Paso and Pillsbury) and home products (including Ziploc, Hefty, Kleenex and Scott). More information is online at www.boxtops4education.com.

Regular cut Box Tops are worth 10 cents apiece. Some packages also contain bonus rewards, or online codes to be registered online.

Labels for Education is a similar program by the Campbell company, although it’s coming to an end. People can keep clipping labels until they’re discontinued later this year. Schools can continue redeeming the points afterward for catalog items. Details are online at www.labelsforeducation.com.

Because box tops often have long expiration dates, people can stockpile the labels, then deliver them to the schools in bulk. All schools prefer to receive a bag or envelope of loose box tops, delivered to the main office.

Box tops don’t have to be perfectly cut — or torn — but they must still have a clearly visible expiration date and product acronym. However, schools would prefer that people remove any expired labels.

Bomhardt invites children to help sort and bundle the box tops, too, as a reward for good behavior. (“It’s also a real-life math lesson,” she said.)

“It’s a lesson on giving back … and taking care of our community and taking care of each other,” she said.

Many local schools collect box tops, including East Millsboro Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Georgetown Middle, Howard T. Ennis School, John M. Clayton Elementary, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Long Neck Elementary, Lord Baltimore Elementary, Millsboro Middle, North Georgetown Elementary, Phillip C. Showell Elementary, Selbyville Middle and Southern Delaware School of the Arts.

Coastal Point wins industry awards, including Best in Show

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Coastal Point newspaper recently received rewards for its writing and photography at the Editorial Contest hosted by the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association (MDDC), celebrating print and online work completed in 2015.

Counts' 'An American in Paris'Counts''An American in Paris'Winning staff members included R. Chris Clark, Maria Counts, Shaun Lambert and Kerin Magill, with six awards, as well as a Best of Show.

“I’ve always said that people make the paper, and it’s great seeing our people be recognized for their work,” said Coastal Point Publisher Susan Lyons. “Nobody works harder than our staff, and you can see the results of that in these awards. I’m just very proud of all of them, and everybody in our office. It takes a team effort each and every week to produce good work.”

The MDDC received nearly 2,000 entries in 50 categories. Newspapers are split into six divisions, based on circulation, and the Coastal Point is in “Division E” for non-dailies with circulation of 10,000 to 20,000 copies.

The May 13 award ceremony also let newspaper staff catch up with their peers across the industry, and see some of their best work.

And the MDDC goes to…

Two Coastal Point reporters writing about very personal issues swept the category for Local Column: Feature or Humor.

Staff reporter Maria Counts won first place for her column “An American in Paris,” which was subsequently honored as Best of Show in the category across all divisions, including the area’s national daily newspapers. She wrote about being in France on holiday during the terror attacks of 2015.

“My column was something that came out of a handful of notes I made following the attacks during the course of my trip to Paris,” said Counts. “As someone who is used to writing news, I was surprised to be recognized for my own personal musings.”

Staff reporter Kerin Magill won second place for “Family grows with work and love,” which sprang from mixed emotions that arise for her during National Adoption Awareness Month.

“I guess I just felt compelled to write about the jumble of emotions involved in adoption,” said Magill, herself an adoptive mom, “from the rollercoaster of the actual adoption process, to the joy of holding your child for the first time, to our attempts as parents to understand the questions and issues that our adopted kids will face as they grow up.”

Clark's 'Silent Night'Clark's 'Silent Night'“Maria wrote about a harrowing experience that the entire world watched unfold, and managed to put a personal touch on it. I think that really brings the reader closer to what took place,” said Executive Editor Darin McCann. “Kerin opened up her soul about how her family grew, and nothing resonates with people more than family. I’m just really proud of both of them for being able to open up that much, to the great benefit of our readers.”

Counts also won second place in Feature Story: Non-Profile, for her story on a local veterans program, in “Five Years of Hosting Families.”

“Maria starts planning her coverage of this terrific event [SEAs the Day] months ahead of time,” McCann said. “It’s just a great example of a community pulling together to help out a great cause, and Maria recognizes that.

“It’s a real skill to be able to touch the pulse of a community, and Maria has that. She works extremely hard, and keeps her eye on what’s important to our readers. I just can’t say enough good things about her efforts.”

Photographer R. Chris Clark won second place for General News Photo, for his image titled “Silent Night,” a candlelit shot of Caroling on The Circle in Georgetown.

Clark also took second place for Feature Photo, for “Assawoman Bay,” a vibrant and semi-abstract shot of water droplets reflecting a brilliant sunset.

“Chris is one of those people who studies and learns every day to become a better photographer,” McCann said. “He has poured both financial resources and his heart into trying to make each photograph he shoots better than the last. It’s satisfying to see his work recognized.”

“Recognition from one’s peers is a nice acknowledgement of your work through a professional organization such as the MDDC,” Clark said. “It has been an honor to receive these accolades again this year.”

Technical Director Shaun Lambert won second place for Feature Page Design, for a layout titled “New Year, cold swim.” Lambert designed the double-page spread with the New Year’s ocean swim photos shot by Clark.

“Shaun has a brilliant mind for the visual,” McCann said. “He just always shows up at these awards every year for a page or ad design, or a photo he shot. He really has a gift, and I’m glad he’s been an integral part of our team here since the beginning.

Proud teammates

The winners said they were proud to not only win, but to represent Coastal Point newspaper.

“It means a lot to know that the people I see working so hard every day get recognized for that hard work,” Lambert said. “It makes me proud to be a Coastal Point employee. I don’t know that anyone could ask for a better work environment and a better team of people to put out a newspaper.”

“After more than a decade away from newspaper journalism, it has been incredibly rewarding to come back to it through the Coastal Point,” Magill said. “Honestly, working for a small, fiercely local and independent paper is the only way I would ever consider re-entering newspaper journalism today. I feel blessed to work with and for such a talented, dedicated group of professionals.”

“We’re obviously very happy to see our people receive these awards from such a prestigious organization as the MDDC,” said Lyons. “It’s a hard field of great newspapers to emerge from, and these awards are something they should cherish for years to come. We get our most satisfaction from knowing we work our hardest to put out a great newspaper every week, but it’s always special to be recognized by your peers.”

Based in Annapolis, Md., the MDDC Press Association provides advocacy, revenue generation, professional development and industry recognition for over 100 member associations. The event also gave awards for rookie of the year, journalist of the year and Freedom of Information. The full winners list and their work are online at www.mddcpress.com.

Night work to begin on Route 113 and 26 road projects

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To accommodate the holiday traffic, major road projects in the area have been put on hold from Thursday, May 26, to Monday, May 30. After that, lane closures will be prohibited on Route 26 and Route 113 during peak daytime hours.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is still encouraging motorists to drive carefully through construction zones. Flaggers and traffic cones will direct vehicles through lane closures.

For specific details on road construction projects, DelDOT offers several resources for public information:

• All project information is online at www.deldot.gov/information/projects.

• Road closures and travel advisories are online at www.deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory.

• The “DelDOT” mobile app is available for Apple or Android phones.

Route 113 on the highway

DelDOT has multiple projects under way to improve traffic safety along Dupont Boulevard (Route 113). In the medians of Route 113, many highway crossovers have been reconstructed to encourage channelized turns or U-turns.

Meanwhile, the intersection at U.S. Route 113 and Dagsboro Road/Handy Road is being expanded. The busy traffic signal backs up frequently in response to beach-bound traffic.

The anticipated end date for the work is June 30. The original project end date was May 24, but that was before a hiccup in road design.

“Dagsboro Road was originally concrete. The plan told us to [use] hot mix” for the new roadway, said Sarah Criswell, DelDOT area engineer. “Then, in the middle of construction, we ran into some soft surface soils, and we switched the plan back to concrete, which is what you see back there.”

To improve the holiday commute, DelDOT asked the contractor (Allan Meyers Co.) to delay milling until after the Memorial Day weekend, so vehicles wouldn’t have to rattle over unfinished roadway for several days until paving begins. After that, painting, striping and signage will be the only things left to be completed.

Starting May 31, lane closures may only occur at night on Route 113. But closures are still permitted at any time on Dagsboro and Handy Roads.

Night work has two schedules there, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., depending on the traffic flow of vacationers. Northbound closures are allowed from Monday nights to Friday mornings. Southbound closures are allowed from Sunday nights to Thursday mornings.

Traffic signals hang over the intersection on new mast-arms. These are special “because they line up the signal in the lane a little better” and are better spaced with the stop bars in each lane, Criswell said.

Project details are available online at www.deldot.gov/information/projects/sussex_county_us113 or by calling DelDOT Community Relations at (302) 760-2080.

Route 26 to the beach

This is the last summer of roadwork on the Route 26 Mainline Improvements project, from Clarksville to the western edge of Bethany Beach.

Construction may continue at any time, but after May 30, lane closures are only permitted from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday nights through Friday mornings.

During weekdays, lane shifts are permitted if two lanes of traffic are maintained.

But on weekends, regular traffic lanes must be open from Friday mornings through Monday nights.

“If we hadn’t had the three weeks of weather, we’d be paving now. But everything is going according to plan,” said project spokesperson Ken Cimino. “We’ll start milling [removing the top layer of road surface] on May 31, with lane shifts. By mid-June we hope to do the final paving with the final 2-inch wearing surface. So it won’t be long.”

Before the recent three weeks of nearly non-stop rain, project contractor George & Lynch had created an internal completion deadline of July. They’re still loosely aiming to complete most of the roadway by mid-July, said Cimino.

Despite their summertime goals, DelDOT officials reminded the public that the official working contract deadline is Sept. 16, so work may continue until then. That includes about 75 “weather days” since the project began in early 2014. The original project completion date was June 24, and “despite all the rain this spring, we’re gonna be pretty doggone close to hitting that,” said Cimino.

Sidewalks in the project are almost finished, and the shared center left-turn lane has already improved traffic flow from Old Mill Drive (next to Food Lion) to the Assawoman Canal bridge at Bethany Beach.

To keep traffic moving on Route 26, DelDOT has also smoothed some corners at the Clarksville intersection at St. George’s United Methodist Church. The new signal there was activated on Monday. Traffic utilizing Omar Road at the intersection must now turn onto Powell Farm Road briefly in order to proceed onto or off of Route 26 at the light.

The changes there are meant to improve the road safety by reducing the likelihood of crashes at the intersection.

The traffic signal at Central Avenue and Cedar Drive in Ocean View was meant as a temporary traffic control measure during the detours of early 2015, but the Town of Ocean View successfully petitioned DelDOT to make that a permanent signal. The current temporary structure will be replaced with a long-term structure by the year’s end.

The temporary signal at Central and Windmill Drive was recently removed entirely, after having shifted from stop-and-go operation early in the project to blinking yellow/red in recent months.

There haven’t been many issues with the project lately, officials said, although road crews have had to revisit drainage. With water sometimes pooling on properties, the design team responded by approving new drains or reshaping some pavement.

Several back roads were upgraded to help alleviate traffic impacts along the 4-mile construction project. Alternate routes include Burbage Road, Windmill Drive, Central Avenue and Beaver Dam Road.

Those with questions or concerns can contact Ken Cimino at (302) 616-2621, or Kenneth.cimino@aecom.com or at 17 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 2, in Ocean View.

The project website is at www.deldot.gov/information/projects/sr26/index.shtml, where people can also sign up for weekly email updates.

Sussex County is working parallel to the Route 26 Mainline project to install sewers in the area of Route 17, but those aren’t operational yet.

Supporters nationwide rally for injured 10-year-old boy

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Coastal Point • Submitted: Millsboro’s Garrett Rogers is getting plenty of support as he recovers from injuries he suffered after being struck by a van earlier this month.Coastal Point • Submitted: Millsboro’s Garrett Rogers is getting plenty of support as he recovers from injuries he suffered after being struck by a van earlier this month.While a 10-year-old Millsboro boy continues to recover from serious injuries after being struck by a van nearly two weeks ago while retrieving a baseball, his community is rallying behind him and his family in ways they hardly could have imagined.

Photos from all over the country — from Little League teams and Major League teams, from Delaware’s governor, as well as one of Delaware’s most famous athletes — are streaming in to join dozens that have already been posted on Facebook under the hashtag #gmoneystrong, which references the boy’s baseball nickname.

A fundraiser is being planned for Saturday, June 4, at the Millsboro Little League complex, with features being added to the event faster than Garrett Rogers’ Little League Coach Josh Wharton — who has been instrumental in organizing the event — can keep up.

Highlights of the day will be family-friendly games, food from Hocker’s BBQ truck and a musical performance by the Dirt Road Outlawz, Wharton said. A demonstration by Buckle Up Little League will be presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

All games and the concert will be free of charge, Wharton said. Gregory Hocker said his family is donating 50 percent of all proceeds from the day to the Rogers family, as well as any tips that are collected at the barbecue truck during the day. A donation bucket will be on site as well.

Wharton said raffles of several valuable items are in the works, but said he hesitated to publicize them early this week because details were still being ironed out. One thing he did promise about the event: “It’s going to get better and better until the day it happens.”

Hocker said his family wanted to do something to help the family as soon as they heard about Garrett’s accident. The boy was attempting to retrieve baseballs that had gone over a fence when he was struck by a van driven by an allegedly drunk driver. He has had surgery to repair several shattered bones and faces a long recovery.

Initially, the plan was just to have the Hocker family’s brand new BBQ truck in the Hocker’s Supercenter parking lot and donate proceeds. But Hocker said his family reached out to The Good Ole Boys — a charitable organization in which the late Kirk Rogers, Garrett’s father, was very active. Kirk Rogers died last November.

The Good Ole Boys, in turn, reached out to Bo Dickerson Band and Dirt Road Outlawz, both bands offering to perform free of charge. Hocker said he let Wharton know that, in terms of a fundraiser for the Rogers family, “I’m up for whatever.”

Hocker said his family was moved to help not only because of Garrett’s injuries, but also because Garrett’s father, Kirk, did so much for the community he loved.

“Kirk was a good man. A really good man,” Hocker said.

The BBQ truck will offer platters with a choice of pulled pork, pit beef or chicken tenders, hand-cut french fries and a soda, as well as “funnel fries” and buckets of french fries, Hocker said.

Food will be available starting at 11 a.m.; and the Dirt Road Outlawz will beginning playing in the early evening, probably at 6 or 7 p.m., Wharton said.

In an effort to help the family even more, an adult softball tournament and a homerun derby are currently being planned for Sunday, June 5, also at the Millsboro Little League complex on West State Street.

When coach Wharton gave Garrett his nickname of “G-money,” he never envisioned that it would “go viral” on Facebook as tributes from across the country pour in for the boy. Although Garrett is still in critical-but-stable condition in the intensive care unit at A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Wharton said he hopes to have an album of all the photos from the Facebook page made for him to see when he’s ready.

Two Major League Baseball teams — the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles — have sent photos to #gmoneystrong. The White Sox photo features catcher Kevan Smith and pitcher Daniel Webb, and the Orioles’ photo features the Orioles mascot next to the “22” sculpture at Camden Yards that honors Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer’s retired Orioles jersey number, which Garrett also shares.

Other “fans” wishing Garrett well on Facebook included Delaware’s Elena Della Donne, who was recently named to the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team; Little League teams from not only Delaware, but also Pennsylvania; the crew of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter based in Illinois; the University of Virginia men’s baseball team; Delaware Gov. Jack Markell; the Delaware State House Republican Caucus; countless businesses; and several fire companies.

Most of the photos feature Garrett’s baseball jersey number in some fashion. Some of the more creative renderings include the Frankford Volunteer Fire Company’s arrangement of fire hoses in the shape of two number “2s” and that of the Givens’ family’s farm stand, which arranged vegetables in the shape of Garrett’s number.

The number 22 is also featured in a T-shirt being offered for sale, with all proceeds going toward the Rogers family. “Heart of a Ranger” is imprinted on the front of the shirt, in honor of the service of Garrett’s father as a U.S. Army Ranger. The back features Garrett’s jersey number.

The shirts are available by emailing Sportz Tees owner Chris Otwell, who was a friend of Kirk Rogers, at sportztees@gmail.com.

Wharton said he is amazed by the community’s response to a family in need.

“It’s great to see the community coming together,” he said. “It’s nice to see people putting aside their differences for a good cause.”

Faden brings analytical skills to Millville Town Council

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Valerie Faden is a Pennsylvania attorney who’s used to talking through big problems. She’s made a career from mediation, and she’s bringing that know-how to her first term on the Millville Town Council.

Faden joined the council after an unopposed March election for two seats — one left vacant when former mayor Gerald “Gerry” Hocker Jr. resigned after moving out of town and the other retained unopposed by incumbent Steve Maneri.

“I think I have really strong analytic skills. I’m good at analyzing a problem and brainstorming with folks to find a collaborative solution,” said Faden, who has her own solo law practice. “I always want to look outside the box and find a way to make it work.”

Her early career was in human services and social work.

“I always felt it was important to give back to the community,” said Faden, formerly a candy-striper and community development block grant (CDBG) volunteer.

Before Delaware, she lived in small-town Pennsylvania, since about 1978. Like many people, Faden first experienced coastal Delaware during beach vacations. Eventually, her annual visits became longer, until she found the perfect property to buy, in Millville in the winter of 2014-2015.

“We like the small-town feel of Bethany,” Faden said. “It’s nice to be close enough to have the metropolitan kind of things that you would want, like Ocean City and Rehoboth, but still the small-town feel of Bethany.”

She joined Millville Board of Adjustment in July of 2015, bringing zoning board experience from a Pennsylvania township.

Faden is used to talking though a problem, with her background in mediation. Faden said she considers herself “seasoned” in the area of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). That’s a way for people or companies to solve disputes without completely turning to a judge and jury.

She’s served on professional and volunteer mediation boards and centers in Pennsylvania, including leadership groups, such as the board of Pennsylvania Council of Mediators and a Pennsylvania Joint-State Government Commission Task Force on ADR.

She’s also practiced collaborative law, much like mediation, in which attorneys work together to handle issues such as divorce or custody.

She also earned a project-management certification though Project Management Institute (PMI). As in Lewisburg, a medical center did a lot of projects for process improvement. That involves a study, planning and then action.

For example, she studied medical care, such as chronic disease management, which might involve reaching out to patients to remind them of follow-up appointments or making sure staff applied correct services to the patient at the appropriate time.

“When I left, we were just looking at ways to transition from hospital to nursing home, to improve quality of care and speed up recovery time,” Faden explained.

“I’ve volunteered through my lifetime in different communities,” she noted.

In volunteering locally with the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, Faden helped with the “amazing” process of students creating a mural, in between her own hurriedly washing paintbrushes and replenishing the paints.

And when she’s not working, she loves cooking.

“Cooking is my passion,” said the woman who owns more than 250 cookbooks. “My friends like to challenge me by taking me to a restaurant and asking me to re-create a meal at home.”

She’s won taste tests and enjoys any type of cuisine.

“I love to entertain and feed people, and see happy faces at the table,” Faden said.

Environmental issues, including recycling, are close to Faden’s heart, and she knows Town Manager Debbie Botchie is working to bring a Delaware State Police outpost to Millville. Otherwise, she said she doesn’t have a particular agenda on her plate.

“We’re new — myself and [Councilman] Steve Small — so we’re just really learning what the issues are for the Town and how we can be of service,” Faden said.

Citizens can contact any council member through Millville Town Hall at www.millville.delaware.gov or (302) 539-0449.

“I am going to try to do the best I can for the Town, to keep it a beautiful place to live,” Faden said. “I definitely welcome and comments, concerns, suggestions about Millville from the folks who live here.”

Heroin Summit discusses Sussex epidemic

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The Communities that Care Summit, cohosted by the Sussex County Health Coalition and the Delaware Department of Substance Abuse & Mental Health, was held at Crossroads Community Church this week, focusing on an open discussion regarding the heroin epidemic in Sussex County.

The summit’s keynote speaker was John Rittenhouse of SHIFTDestiny.

“I want to declare to you that there is hope,” he said.

According to its website, the mission of SHIFTDestiny is to bring “solutions of hope to the most broken, poor or addicted neighbors through team visitations (CORE) and community events (COME). SDI leads, organizes and mobilizes local Christian faith-based networks in community-wide efforts.”

Rittenhouse asked those in attendance if they were currently in the fight with their child or family member, to which the majority of those present raised their hands.

He spoke of his own struggle as a parent of an addict, dealing with denial, self-criticism and searching for a way to “fix” his son.

“You can actually be loving your child to death. The ultimate awakening — being told that the way we were loving him was leading him to death more rapidly,” he said. “For the addict, if they have a roof over their head, a little bit of food and their favorite poison, life’s good, until death do us part…

“For the new heroin user, once they put the needle in their arm, they’ve got an average of five years, pending no interventions.”

Helping the addict “find their bottom” is important, said Rittenhouse, noting that many family members and friends will at some point run, hide or fight.

“You’re going to do all of the above,” he said. “It’s OK.”

As for whether drug addiction is a choice or a disease, Rittenhouse said it’s not easily defined.

“At one time, for every addict, there was bad choice made. In my life, I made some bad choices, too,” he said. “It certainly has the properties of a disease… Come to view this more as a virus or a parasite.”

He emphasized that those who are affected need to maintain hope, even in their darkest hours.

“You’re going to have to do some things that don’t feel like love. He or she is still in there. Don’t lose hope… Every heroin addict at some point wants to die. They’re still in there — don’t give up on them.”

Staff Sgt. Ken Watson of the Delaware National Guard Counterdrug Task Force also spoke during the summit about what law enforcement knows about the heroin epidemic in Delaware, and specifically in Sussex County.

Watson said Delaware shares similar drug threats with the broader Northeast, with heroin being the biggest threat.

“In 2012, heroin became the second most prevalent drug in Delaware,” he said, with marijuana dominating the top spot, at almost twice the amount.

“In the past five years, there has been an increase in heroin-related charges, almost 232 percent. This is thousands. This is a threat, without a doubt,” he said, adding that last year, 200 to 300 heroin overdoses were reported — an 80 percent increase.

In Sussex County specifically, within the last five years, there has been almost a 2,000 percent increase in heroin-related charges.

Heroin found within Delaware is typically light brown, said Watson, adding that fentanyl has been combined with heroin, and fentanyl-related deaths have increased 90 percent since 2013.

Watson said the heroin coming into Delaware is already packaged for distribution, coming from the southwest border and being distributed from large city hubs including Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

“It comes in from all sides, including the ocean.”

Treatment, resources needed

At the summit, a legislative panel comprising state Reps. Timothy Dukes and Ruth Briggs King and state Sens. Bethany Hall-Long and Brian Pettyjohn, was moderated by Michael Barbieri, director of the Delaware Department of Substance Abuse & Mental Health.

Hall-Long said that heroin knows no race, sex or financial boundaries, as everyone can be affected by the epidemic.

“It’s a human issue,” she said, noting also that 82 percent of inmates in the state have a substance-abuse problem.

Hall-Long said legislators had fought to have Sun Behavioral Health — a 90-bed psychiatric hospital that will offer a treatment program for substance abuse and is now to be built in Georgetown — come to Sussex County.

“We are tired of teenagers going out of state,” she said.

“You’re going to hear the same thing said over and over again. There’s not just one solution to one problem,” he said. “There’s no cookie-cutter way to solve this. People need to be treated as individuals.”

One question posed to the panel was what is being done to stop the drug cartels.

Briggs King made note of a community meeting in Georgetown at which Drug Enforcement Agency representatives had spoken to area residents about their operations. She also called attention to the recent culmination of a two-year investigation led by the Delaware State Police.

“Sometimes it just takes time,” she said.

As was announced last week, that investigation — known as “Duck Hunt” — resulted in 13 suspects being charged collectively with 77 criminal offenses as part of the overall investigation, with two search warrants executed on two separate occasions during the investigation.

On Jan. 13, a search-and-seizure warrant had been executed at Deangelo McGlotten’s residence on Progress School Road in Bridgeville. Another was executed on a vehicle linked to McGlotten. Evidence seized under those warrants included 42,250 bags, or approximately 633 grams, of suspected heroin, $7,740 in cash, a 9-mm handgun that had been reported stolen and a Marlin 30-30 rifle.

On May 11, seven search-and-seizure warrants were executed, on Woodyard Road in Harrington, on Beach Highway in Greenwood, on Progress School Road in Bridgeville, on James Street in Georgetown, on Central Park Drive in Harrington, on South Washington Street in Milford and on Aspen Drive in Cheswold.

Evidence seized that day included 74,425 bags, or approximately 1,116 grams, of suspected heroin; $200,000, including cash and seized assets from numerous accounts; approximately $50,000 worth of jewelry; three Ruger 9-mm handguns; a Raven Arms .25-mm handgun; an M4 carbine rifle; and 23 vehicles, with a total value of approximately $250,000.

The drug seizure on May 11 was one of the largest single seizures of pre-packaged heroin in state history, with the heroin seized having a roughly $740,000 street value. The total heroin seizure for the overall investigation was 116,675 bags, or approximately 1,749 grams, with a street value of $1,166,750.

“Investigations take time,” said Pettyjohn, who attributed television shows with giving people unrealistic expectations related to the time it takes to make drug busts.

“If we get rid of one cartel next week, another cartel is going to move in. … We need to strengthen our communities so that people say, ‘No, we don’t want that anymore,’” added Barbieri.

Barbieri said he is constantly asked why Sussex County doesn’t have more treatment services.

“And I say, ‘Because you don’t want them,’” he stated flatly. “The reason I say that is, whenever we try to open something, the community around that something says, ‘Not here.’

“It’s not for a lack of trying, but we need your support. I’m willing to invest. You find the places where I can invest. That’s the commitment I make to you. But we need your help to do it.”

Another attendee asked what legislators specifically need from the community to champion the fight against the epidemic.

“Your continued engagement, your continued involvement with us,” Hall-Long said.

“A buy-in that this is not my friend’s problem, this is not my neighbor’s problem — this is everyone’s problem,” said Briggs King.

“Step 1: Do what you’re doing right now. Be here, be present. Open your eyes to the problem and want to be involved in fixing it,” added Pettyjohn. “Putting your head in the sand will not fix things.”

Other speakers at the summit included David Humes of atTAcK Addiction; Beth and Jay Duke of Nar-anon; Dr. Lindy Lewis; Debbie Pringle, the director of nursing for Connections; Stacy Winstead, co-occurring specialist at Horizon House; Amy Kevis, director of emergency services for DSAMH; and Bob Carey, the executive director of Delmarva Teen Challenge.

Peggy Geisler, executive director of Sussex County Health Coalition, said it is important for the community to stand together and continue open conversations about addiction in order to address the growing epidemic.

“In order for us to win this battle, it takes all of us to fight united,” she said.

Hockers acquire former Harris Teeter property

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Coastal Point • Susan Lyons: The Hocker family has reached an agreement to purchase Salt Pond Plaza, which includes the building that formerly housed Harris Teeter.Coastal Point • Susan Lyons: The Hocker family has reached an agreement to purchase Salt Pond Plaza, which includes the building that formerly housed Harris Teeter.In a mystery that rivaled “Who shot J.R.?” and “Did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone?” the future of the former Harris Teeter building near Salt Pond has finally been answered.

Well, to some extent.

Gerry Hocker, former Millville mayor and one of the owners of Hocker’s Super Center, and G&E Grocery and Hardware stores, told the Coastal Point earlier this week that his family has agreed to terms to purchase the Salt Pond Plaza, including the building that formerly housed Harris Teeter before that store closed its doors in February 2015.

“We were excited it was going to work out,” said Hocker. “Of course, it’s all happening right before our second-busiest weekend of the year (Memorial Day weekend), so our focus right now is on getting our stores ready for the season.”

Hocker said their employees were notified of the purchase on the morning of Tuesday, May 24, and he just wanted the chance to explain to them all before they heard it from someone else.

“They were excited,” he said. “We’re fortunate in that we have a lot of employees who have been with us for years and years. Many of them are like family to us, and we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do in the community without their support. It’s those people who keep us going and allow us to do different things.”

Hocker speculated that the G&E grocery store could eventually move into the former Harris Teeter building, with the family’s hardware store next door moving into the larger G&E facility, but he added that it’s just too soon to speculate. He also suggested moving G&E could come with some emotional tribulations for the family.

“G&E is where my father got his start,” said Hocker, referring to state Sen. Gerald Hocker, who worked in the location when his uncle owned it, before buying it himself.

“Our family has been involved in retail in this community for 70 years. We know the area, and we know the people here. This community has always been supportive of us, and we promise to continue to be supportive of this community.”

Hocker said they would obviously have to do some work in the former Harris Teeter property before they could go forward in any direction and that the family continues to keep abreast of current trends in the grocery industry.

“It’s important that we stay up to date,” explained Hocker. “But we need to also keep our eye on what our community needs, so we can set ourselves apart.”


IRSD CFO to retire amidst school district audit

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After being placed on administrative leave, Indian River School District’s longtime chief financial officer has announced his retirement from the district. That announcement came amidst the news that the IRSD is undergoing a financial audit by the Delaware State Auditor of Accounts, R. Thomas Wagner Jr.

“The auditor’s office has undertaken a review of the district’s business records, and the district is cooperating fully with that review,” said David Maull, IRSD spokesperson.

Wagner said the audit began a few weeks ago, but the timeline “totally depends on the type of audit you’re doing, and what you find.”

The audit was a mutual decision between IRSD and the Auditor’s Office, confirmed Maull and Wagner.

But neither would give further specifics as to what the Auditor’s Office is looking for, or whether there are concerns of money being stolen or spent inappropriately.

Miller was placed on paid administrative leave on April 24, then announced his retirement this week.

“Patrick Miller has notified the Indian River School District of his intent to retire effective June 30, 2016. The Board of Education accepted his intent to retire at its meeting on May 23,” stated IRSD Superintendent Susan Bunting.

District staff would not share what prompted this new audit and sudden changing of the guard. Miller had been the IRSD’s CFO since September of 1998. That came immediately after his resignation from Brandywine School District in Wilmington, as acting supervisor of the Business Office.

“State and federal laws protecting the privacy rights of employees prevent the district from commenting further on this issue at this time,” Bunting had stated in April.

Miller has been absent from the April and May school board meetings, so no one has verbally reviewed with the board the district’s financial reports, which are posted online. Unless something changes, Miller will remain on leave until his retirement in June.

“The district is in the process of posting the position of Director of Business and expects to have the position filled by the start of fiscal year 2017,” Bunting stated.

Currently lacking an official head of that department, the IRSD has received administrative assistance from the Delaware Department of Education and the Delmar School District’s financial director.

Otherwise, “the business office is running as usual,” and the bills are getting paid, Maull said.

Except now, auditing staff will set up camp to review paperwork at IRSD.

IRSD last had a State-performed audit on June 30, 2015.

“The district is subject to State (and sometimes federal) financial audits every year. Most of the time, these audits focus on a certain aspect of the district budget (nutrition services, transportation, Title I, etc.) and are scheduled in advance,” Maull added in an email. “All of our audits during Mr. Miller’s tenure have come back clean with no major findings.

Bethany, Sea Colony farmers’ markets ready to start

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The Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market and the Farmers’ Market at Sea Colony are set to reopen June 12 and 15, respectively, sharing many of the same growers in a producers-only showcase of local fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Returning vendors in Bethany will offer a colorful array of locally grown produce and foods, including: Bennett Orchards; Chapel’s Country Creamery; Davidson Exotic Mushrooms; Ficner Farms; Fresh Harvest Hydroponics; Herbs, Spice, Everything Nice; Honey Bee Lake Apiary; Hudson Produce; Lavender Fields; Magee Farms; Old World Breads; Parsons Farms; Rainbow Farm; Wells Berry Farm; and Wimbrow Farms.

The Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market continues into its ninth year under the direction of president Doug Mowrey, vice-president Carrie Bennett and a team serving as a Board of Directors. Volunteers from the Bethany Beach Women’s Civic Club, under Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Young, will staff the volunteer tent and provide assistance to shoppers. The Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market has also received continuing support and assistance from the Bethany Beach Landowners Association and the Bethany Beach Town Council, as well as the town administration, under Cliff Graviet.

PNC Bank at the corner Pennsylvania Avenue and Garfield Parkway will host the market in its downtown parking lot, as in previous years. The Bethany Beach Farmers’ Market will be open Sundays from June 12 through Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. to noon. at the PNC

The Farmers’ Market at Sea Colony moves into its sixth year with support from Saul Centers Inc. of Bethesda, Md., owners of the Marketplace at Sea Colony Shopping Center, where the market will be located every Wednesday for 12 weeks, from June 15 through Aug. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Sea Colony market will include 12 returning vendors.

Fenwick Island’s farmers’ market will be moving this year, relocating to the parking lot at Warren’s Station restaurant. It will be open on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon, featuring more than a dozen local farms and food producers.

Beach towns short on sand but ready for summer

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It’s here! The unofficial start of the summer season at the Delaware shore has arrived with Memorial Day weekend, and it’s a time of transition for the area, as the relatively quiet second season of spring sprouts into the hustle and bustle that is the resort area’s high season.

But beyond the shifting of gears and the revving of beaches and businesses into full swing, what’s changed over the winter? What will returning visitors and summer residents find when they swing back into their favorite beach town?

One thing they’ll find is that the sands have shifted — literally. Nor’easters that hit the Delaware shore over the fall and winter took with them some of the sand from area beaches, pounding the reconstructed dunes in local resort towns and causing some access problems for those trying to get from the landward side of the dune to the shoreline, or back again.

In Bethany Beach, the work of restoring access has included building new steps from the boardwalk to replace those stolen by the storms. The Town has completed constructing steps at: Second Street, First Street, Central Boulevard, Campbell Place (north and south sides), Garfield Parkway (north and south sides), Hollywood Street and Parkwood Street.

According to Town Manager Cliff Graviet, handicapped access to the beach will be available at Oceanview Parkway and Parkwood Streets this summer, though the Parkwood Street access is only temporary, until the ramp at Wellington Parkway is reconstructed in the Town’s next replenishment project.

Graviet noted that DNREC has worked to push sand to non-boardwalk streets this spring, with mixed results.

“Wind and wave, while widening our beach, have not deposited enough sand to make major restoration of our dunes possible,” he noted. That has left several of the town’s beach access ramps very steep. “Nature has not deposited enough sand back on the beach to restore the dunes, although the beach is widening at this time,” he said.

Replenishment of the beach and dunes in Bethany Beach (along with South Bethany and Fenwick Island) this year through the usual federal/state-funded projects is not planned at this time, though U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said during a pre-summer-season visit to Bethany Beach on May 20 that he and other legislators are working to bring in some supplemental funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects that are not otherwise funded in this year’s federal budget.

Karen McGrath, Carper’s Sussex County regional director and former executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, explained that, while this isn’t the year in which Bethany, South Bethany and Fenwick Island were due to have a major replenishment to bring the reconstructed beaches back up to their engineered design, legislators are working to provide the Corps with some funding that could go to do necessary repairs after storm damage in areas where regular replenishment has not been funded in the current budget year.

Of work to renourish the beaches in Rehoboth and Dewey, she said, “That project is actually out to bid right now. It’s not enough to bring it back to what the Corps calls the design template, but they will be getting some sand.”

She said Carper’s amendment to the Water Resources Development Fund authorization that recently passed the Senate creates new line item for the Corps “that was written with our beaches in mind. It enables the Corps to draw on that money for projects for which the regular money is not enough, because of a storm or a project that was sort of skipped over and should have had its regular renourishment, like Bethany Beach.”

McGrath said that during a recent visit by Corps officials to see damage from winter storm Jonas, she had told them that she hoped “that when this piece of legislation passes the House, that they’ll keep this project in mind with that pot of money.”

Speaking to State efforts to address damage from the storms, she said, “DNREC has been doing a super job of pushing the sand that’s available. By the Fourth of July we’re really up to where the beach is the fullest, so we’ll get some more sand here. DNREC will be able to then build up the dune a little bit more and add more protection for properties like this.

“But Sen. Carper has been doing everything he can to get more sand money for Bethany and South Bethany, and we’re well aware of the problem.”

Carper acknowledged the money crunch such projects face: “We ask the Corps … to do way more than they have the money to do, so we have an obligation to try to do these projects in a cost-effective kind of way, and to identify other sources of revenue.

“The dunes work,” he emphasized. “It helps save our towns, but the dunes now need some work, and we might not be able to get all that we want, but we’ll get as much as we can.”

“Those of us who see it realize that, despite the price tag, that the price of redoing all of our beaches from one end to another would probably cost less than rebuilding this hotel or rebuilding sewer infrastructure,” McGrath added. “So sand really is cheap compared to some other things.

When and if that legislation passes, that would mean some funding could become available for work that might be piggybacked on the Rehoboth Beach-area replenishment, though neither the funding nor a specific plan to do such work have yet to be adopted.

Town working with existing resources to maximize beach access

In the meantime, Town staff are working to make the beaches as accessible as possible as summer visitors arrive, but the steepness of the storm-damaged dune crossings hasn’t made that easy, nor even possible at some locations.

“The use of Mobi-Mats is not a viable option due to steepness at these streets,” Graviet said of the impacted crossings. “The mats that have made our beach so accessible over the years do not perform well at extreme angles and are very slippery when covered in sand or wet,” he explained.

Graviet said the mats will be used wherever possible, and the Town will monitor beach conditions daily.

“If there are not mats on a ramp,” he said, “it is because we have judged the ramp too steep or too narrow to safely accommodate the use of mats.”

At the beach ends of Bethany Beach streets, a mix of conditions currently exists. On Wellington Parkway, Fifth Street, Fourth Street and Third Street, Mobi Mats are installed. On Ocean View Parkway and Parkwood Street, handicapped access is available. On Oakwood Street, Maplewood Street and Ashwood Street, there is a mat on the west side of the dune. On Cedarwood Street, vehicular and pedestrian access is currently available, with the slope having been deemed “fine” by Town staff.

Once beachgoers cross the dunes, they’ll find things a little changed from last Labor Day weekend. But while the beach is narrower in some spots, measurements up and down the beach last week showed 300 or more feet of width at most locations, Graviet noted.

“Our beach is widening, as it does every spring, and though we don’t have the depth of sand on the beach that beach replenishment has made us accustomed to, we anticipate Bethany’s beach will be as wide and accommodating as it has been in past years,” he said.

That width can affect the Fourth of July fireworks show the Town puts on each summer, but Graviet said he expects the beach to be sufficiently wide to keep up the recent habit of shooting off the fireworks from the beach, as opposed to the off-shore barge that had been used in years when the beach was particularly narrow.

“We anticipate shooting fireworks from Wellington Parkway, as we have done in years past, at this time,” he said.

With the beach wide enough to accommodate fireworks and visitors, Graviet confirmed that the Town’s beaches will again be guarded beginning with the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, running through Labor Day weekend. Lifeguard hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as on weekends through the end of September.

Parking now paid, while park is pending

Paid parking season has already resumed in the town, in effect every day for all public parking from May 15 through Sept. 15, with specific hours posted in each zone. The current parking rate is $2 per hour. The Town accepts payment for parking via quarters only at its central paystations, which will print a ticket to be placed on the vehicle’s dashboard, or payment can be made via the Parkmobile app.

In addition to the seasonal resident permits, one-day ($27), three-day ($79) and weekly permits ($183) are sold at the police station (214 Garfield Parkway) 24 hours per day during the parking enforcement season. They are valid in any pay-to-park space, except on Garfield Parkway. They are valid the days purchased for, until 10 a.m. of the next day.

The biggest changes coming soon in Bethany Beach are still on the horizon, with the planned move of the historic Dinker Cottage to Town-owned land on Maryland Avenue Extended for use as a museum, and plans in the works to develop “Central Park” on the northwest corner of the intersection of Routes 1 and 26.

The Dinker Cottage move, having been the subject of litigation over the winter that was recently resolved in the Town’s favor, could take its next steps in the coming months, with a contract to relocate the structure on the near horizon, while the long-running park project could get some concrete plans this summer.

“In the next few weeks, we will be sending a survey to residents, asking their opinion on the final elements of the park, and we hope to have a phased, complete and final plan done by the end the summer,” Graviet told the Coastal Point. Preliminary design suggestions for the park are available on the Town website for the public to peruse.

Fenwick ‘open for business’

In Fenwick Island, Town Manager Merritt Burke said that after the winter storms, the Town will be rolling out beach mats where they can, but that DNREC is attempting to have all ADA access points open ahead of the start to the summer season.

Burke assured visitors that “Fenwick experienced minimal damage, so there is a wide beach for sun bathing and recreation.” All dune crossings are open, he said, and DNREC would be installing dune fencing throughout the week.

As Memorial Day weekend loomed, Burke said that Fenwick Island is “open for business” and that visitors should be aware that parking permits, which can be purchased at the public safety building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be required from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

For those seeking additional information, Burke said the Town has made available to the public four educational handouts discussing topics important to the town’s visitors and residents.

South Bethany hoping for more sand

In South Bethany, Mayor Pat Voveris expressed concern that the town’s beaches haven’t seen “the correction that we were hoping for” in the wake of this winter’s storms.

Voveris said that, while there will be some handicapped access, it will be very limited. She added that, unfortunately, at this point, “Our hands are tied,” as the Town continues to wait for DNREC, who she said has been delayed in their response, due to simply not having enough manpower.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, Voveris said she is “disappointed and concerned” but that they are still thankful for what beach they do have.

“We still have beach and will get more beach,” Voveris said. “But until we have the replenishment and are able to generate new sand, we will just have a smaller beach than we’re used to.”

Local businesses revving up for season

As the summer season shifts into gear, Carper took time on May 20 to visit a number of local businesses, taking a look at the completed Bethany Beach Ocean Suites and its restaurant, 99 Sea Level, with representatives of the Small Business Administration and Chamber, as well as hotel owner Jack Burbage.

“We wanted to highlight for our small businesses some of the things they could be taking advantage of,” Carper said.

John Fleming of the SBA explained that business has been booming for the SBA in Delaware.

“We’ve been breaking records every year. It was a good thing to go back to Congress and ask for more money, because we needed it,” he said, noting that the SBA generally is involved in about $70 million in loans in the state each year, but that last year that figure was around $120 million.

“The nice part about this program is it costs taxpayers no dollars. It’s funded by the people who use it,” he said, noting that some of the SBA’s work involves training banks in the loan process to make it easier for them to lend to small businesses. “We get a lot of resort businesses because of the seasonality of it,” he added, saying that sometimes banks are reluctant to make loans to such businesses. “But we don’t want them to go outside, to high-interest loans. And we can do this because it’s government-guaranteed,” similar to student loans.

Just north of the hotel on the boardwalk, at Tidepool Toys & Games, owners Sandy and Lori Smyth chatted with Carper about operating their business year-round (as well as a second location now open in Fenwick Island) and showed off some of their classic and cutting-edge toys to the legislator and SBA representatives.

“We’re open year-round, in part, because of the Chamber and all the events they have,” Lori Smyth told Carper, with a nod to Chamber Executive Director Kristie Maravalli.

On Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach Books owner Jacklyn Inman Burns gave Carper a brief tour of her shop, including a stop in the children’s and young-adult sections, and spoke about building their customer base through customer service and an ever-growing list of author signings that will offer book lovers the chance to meet some of their favorite authors this summer.

“We have about 70 to 100 author signings this summer, and we used to have about 20,” Burns explained, telling Carper that the secret to booking so many authors has been “a lot of schmoozing. And then you prove that you can sell their books. … We do children’s storytimes,” she noted as Carper perused the top selections in young-adult fiction.

Burns also pointed out that her family has two other local business that opened in the last year: The Jetty Deli, a few doors down, just off the boardwalk, and Burnzy’s Bar & Grill in the Marketplace at Sea Colony. That’s on top of a new baby she and her husband, Matt Burns, had over the winter.

“We have two other businesses in town, too, so we’re just happy that we keep expanding and keep creating more jobs in the area,” she said.

Burns emphasized that local businesses have been trying to find ways “to create more year-round business and not be just a seasonal beach town, and how to create more year-round jobs for people.”

Carper asked about the needs of local businesses, and one thing was fresh on her mind.

“Transportation is key this year. The Route 26 project — it’s exciting to see it coming to fruition,” she said, further noting a number of people who switched their vacations to the Delaware beaches after Hurricane Sandy and the positive impact it has had on business.

“But now they’re coming down here and retiring, so our infrastructure is going to be booming,” she warned.

Just down the street, Katie McLeod, owner of The Penguin, stepped out of the diner’s kitchen to greet Carper before ushering him back into the kitchen for a view of breakfast and lunch dishes being cooked for a light crowd of mid-morning early-summer visitors.

Having once again expanded its hours for summer, The Penguin has also added dinner to its menu, and a sidewalk sign touted the return of the establishment’s renowned fish tacos, which span the lunch menu into that dinner service.

Point Intern Kelsey Magill contributed to this story.

Beebe publishes children’s book for 100th anniversary

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As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations, Beebe Healthcare has published an illustrated children’s book titled “Beebe’s Big Birthday.”

“Beebe’s Big Birthday” is told through the eyes of Anna Beebe Moore, daughter of Beebe co-founder Dr. Richard. C. Beebe and niece of his brother and Beebe’s other co-founder, Dr. James Beebe Sr. Her smiling face appears in the beginning and in the end as she recounts in poetic fashion how the hospital came to be, and how different everything is today from what it was in 1916.

The illustrations are designed to be bold and colorful, and based on authentic historic photographs, as well as on those from modern day. Moore, who lives in the area, took an active role in the creation of the book, which was written by author Denise Blum and illustrated by artist Lori Shields, in coordination with a team of volunteers from Beebe and the community.

“I want to thank all those who volunteered their time in finding photographs and information, and in reviewing copy, illustrations and pages, so that we could create this wonderful book, which tells Beebe’s story and that will help children understand more about hospitals and the people who work in them,” said Jean Winstead, co-chair of the Beebe Healthcare 100th Anniversary History Committee.

“This extraordinary effort was led by Alison Myers and her committee over the past year, and they have really put together a wonderful story that will be enjoyed by all ages for many years to come,” said Lynn Bullen Wilkins, co-chair of the History Committee.

“Beebe’s Big Birthday” not only tells the story of how the two brothers founded the hospital in 1916 but also introduces young readers to Beebe team members who open their hearts to patients and their families. The Children’s Book Committee consisted of Alison Myers, project leader, Stephan Betins-Kinnamon, Chanta Howard-Wilkinson, Edilu Nehrbas and Jeanne Smith.

Fifth-grade students at Milton Elementary School recently hosted the first public reading of the book by Jeffrey M. Fried, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare. The special reading took place as fifth-grade student Nathanael Taylor was recognized for winning last year’s art contest with his drawing of what Beebe will look like 100 years from now. His colorful, futuristic drawing appears on the back cover of the book.

At the reading, Taylor was presented with a framed portrait of his drawing, and his classmates received free copies of the book. Moore; her son, Alex Moore; and her great-grandchildren were special guests at the event. On behalf of the Beebe family, the Moores presented Taylor with a scholarship for a week-long camp at the Rehoboth Art League this summer.

“Beebe’s Big Birthday” has English and Spanish versions and is available for purchase for $10 online at http://www.beebestore.com/Commemorative-Books/. It also is being sold at Beebe’s gift shop at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes; the Lewes Historical Society gift shop; Kids’ Ketch toy store on 2nd Street in Lewes; Browsabout book store on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach; and Bethany Beach Books on Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach.

Delmarva Power request rate increase for electric, gas customers

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Delmarva Power (DPL) filed a petition with the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) last week, requesting it to authorize an electric base rate adjustment of $62.8 million, which the company said is needed to recover the costs of reliability and smart-infrastructure investments that have reduced the frequency and duration of power outages, and a gas base rate adjustment of $21.5 million to improve service and ensure the integrity and safety of the gas system.

Improvements in the electric system that it cited include upgrading four substations with advanced automation equipment that allows DPL to pinpoint outages and send crews directly to the specific source of the damage, which they said allows the company to restore outages faster. The improvements also include replacing hundreds of miles of wire with sturdier, more weather-resilient wire to help prevent power outages.

“In today’s technology-driven society, dependence upon a reliable electric grid has never been greater. A reliable and modern energy system is what Delaware needs to continue to attract and retain healthy businesses in the state,” said Gary Stockbridge, president of Delmarva Power.

“Our customers are seeing better performance as a result of the reliability improvements and smart infrastructure investments we have made to our system. With cost-efficiency in mind, we have made practical decisions to invest in the areas that needed to be upgraded the most.”

If the request is approved as filed, the bill for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh will increase by $10.23 per month, to a total bill of $151.34. The rate request will undergo a PSC review process that could take nine to 12 months. It has been more than three years since Delmarva Power requested an electric or gas rate increase, Stockbridge noted.

“DPL has invested $222 million into its electric system since 2013, and customers are benefiting from those investments. These investments have produced a 17 percent drop in the number of outages and a 44 percent increase in the speed in which outages are restored.”

The natural gas rate adjustment is also subject to the PSC approval. If approved as filed, the typical residential customer using 120 ccfs would see an increase of $13.55 per month, for a total bill of $143.22.

DPL has invested more than $120.9 million in upgrades to the gas system since 2013, representatives noted, and has modernized the gas-delivery system by replacing approximately five miles of old steel mains, two miles of plastic mains, approximately 20 miles of cast and ductile-iron mains, and 38 miles of (3,500) worn steel and copper services to residences and businesses.

Additional gas-related capital expenditures are primarily the result of planned equipment replacements and upgrades to improve operational performance and safety systems, they said.

“Replacing old gas main and worn services ensures the safety and integrity of our gas system,” Stockbridge added.

He noted that, to help offset the electric rate increases, customers can take advantage of the energy-savings programs that Delmarva Power offers. For example, since the Peak Energy Savings program started in 2012, DPL participating customers have saved more than $7 million on their energy bills. In addition, customers can take a variety of energy-savings steps to save money, such as raising or lowering thermostats 2 or 3 degrees, turning off lights in unoccupied rooms and using compact-fluorescent or LED lightbulbs.

DPL also has available information on agency partners that can help customers most in need. For more information about DPL’s energy-savings plans, billing or rates, contact Delmarva Power’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-375-7117.

Stockbridge said customers should also know that, from 2011 to 2015, electric energy prices have dropped by about $11, and natural gas prices have fallen by about $40.

Delmarva Power announced in March that, due to its merger with Exelon Corporation, $40 million in residential rate credits were to be distributed among Delaware customers as part of the Customer Investment Fund provided by Exelon. All Delmarva Power Delaware residential customers of record with an active account 30 days after the merger were eligible to receive a rate credit.

The total credit amount varied, depending on the type of service received, with electric customers receiving a credit of $122.64 and gas customers receiving $49.95, and customers with both services receiving both credits.

For more information about Delmarva Power, visit www.delmarva.com.

Delaware State Parks Day offers free admission on June 5

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Gov. Jack Markell this week proclaimed June 5 as "Delaware State Parks Day" and along with his proclamation, offered the reminder that, through sponsorship from the Delaware Tourism Office’s “Visit Delaware,” admission is free that day to most parks comprising the Delaware State Parks system, which garnered the Gold Medal Award this year as the nation’s best-managed parks system.

The governor’s announcement was made at an event celebrating the reopening of the Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier. The free parks day June 5 excludes only Fort Delaware and the Brandywine Zoo, for which the regular admission fee will be charged.

“Tourism in Delaware contributes $3 billion to our economy annually — and having the best state parks in the country is key to our success,” said Markell. “Delaware attracts multitudes of out-of-state — and in-state — visitors who come to enjoy scenic and recreational destinations, like the Junction & Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen for biking, Delaware Seashore State Park and the Indian River Marina for surf-fishing and boating, Lums Pond for zip-lining, along with many other great outdoors and cultural experiences.

“I encourage Delawareans and visitors to our state alike to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity on June 5 to enjoy all our parks have to offer.”

“With Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th anniversary this year and also the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation & Parks Association (NRPA) as the best-managed parks system in the country, the free admission on Delaware State Parks Day, June 5, is a great opportunity for folks to experience our great state parks and to see for themselves why Delaware’s parks system was chosen No. 1 nationally,” said DNREC Secretary David Small.

“The state parks system is a scenic and exciting way for visitors to discover what makes Delaware special,” said Delaware Tourism Director Linda Parkowski. “The state drew a record 8 million visitors in 2014, thanks in large part to Delaware’s five-star beaches, which include beaches at three state parks. Visit Delaware’s continued partnership with Delaware State Parks, through programs like the Delaware Outdoor Trail, keeps that tourism momentum going.”

DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation/Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens said that June 5 is a date doubly important to anyone planning to take advantage of free admission for state parks and who might also want to fish for free and without needing a fishing license, as June 4 and 5 comprise the “Fish for Free” weekend in Delaware, sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, which includes freshwater angling opportunities within many state parks.

More information on Delaware State Parks’ 65th anniversary celebration and the “Free Day in the Park,” presented by the Delaware Tourism Office’s “Visit Delaware,” can be found at www.destateparks.com/65years. For more on “Visit Delaware,” including lists of things to do in Delaware and ways to plan a trip, go to www.VisitDelaware.com.

Softball, Corvette raffle added to benefit for injured 10-year-old

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Planning for “A Night for Garrett (GMoney)” started shortly after 10-year-old Garrett Rogers of Millsboro was seriously injured when he was hit by a van near a local baseball field on Saturday, May 14. The fundraiser is set for Saturday, June 4, with related softball competitions to be held on Sunday, June 5.

Garrett this week remained in critical-but-stable condition at A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, where he is making slow progress, according to an update provided by his mother, Wendy Rogers. Garrett remains unconscious and is facing a very long recovery, she said.

“The doctors here keep telling me it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Rogers said.

Garrett’s Little League coach, Josh Wharton, has been coordinating details of this weekend’s fundraising events. Saturday’s events at the Millsboro Little League Complex begin at 11 a.m., when the Hocker’s BBQ truck will begin serving platters of either pulled pork, pit beef or chicken tenders with fries and a soda; buckets of hand-cut French fries; and “funnel fries.”

The Hocker family is donating 50 percent of all proceeds from the day to the Rogers family, as well as 100 percent of any tips that are received.

Family-friendly games will be going on throughout the day, including a presentation by the National Wild Turkey Federation and an appearance by Andy the Armadillo from the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, and other actitivies.

A free concert by the Dirt Road Outlawz will begin at 6 p.m.

A new development in the day’s activities should catch the attention of the area’s car enthusiasts: A fully restored 1979 Corvette has been donated to be raffled off on Saturday. Tickets will be available at the ball fields on Saturday. Tickets will cost $10 per chance or $20 for three tickets.

Other raffle and auction items are being donated every day, Wharton said. The Delmarva Shorebirds have donated a suite for 25 guests for a Shorebirds game; and a charter fishing trip has also been donated. Wharton said those items would either be raffled off or auctioned off during the day.

Details have been firmed up for the event’s “opposite-hand” softball tournament as well, according to Wharton. In order to ensure that all games can be completed, the team rosters are being cut off at 10 players per team, with a limit of eight teams. Signups will start on Saturday evening. Wharton said. Games will start Sunday morning around 8 a.m.

A home-run derby is also scheduled for Sunday, with contestants batting “regular hand” on a 200-foot field. Contestants should bring their own pitchers. The cost will be $15 per batter and, with each home run hit, batters owe another $1. There will be a cash prize — at least $100, according to Wharton — for the winning batter.

One final note on the day’s activities: No alcohol will be allowed on the premises.

“This is all for fun, for an amazing kid who has quite a journey ahead of him, and we are thankful for that journey,” Wharton said. “It’s been fun to watch (the fundraiser) come together,” he said.

The Millsboro Little League Complex is located at 262 W. State Street, between Godwin Street and Sussex Street in Millsboro.


Rt. 54 sidewalk improvements subject of June 6 public workshop

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The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) invites the public to attend a public workshop to receive information about the Final Design for various proposed lighting, striping, and pedestrian improvements on Route 54 in Fenwick Island.

The proposed improvements will be the focus of the June 6 public workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fenwick Island Town Hall, 800 Coastal Highway. Interested members of the public are invited to attend.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an opportunity for the public to review and discuss the final plan for the proposed improvements. Attendees will have an opportunity to review display materials and provide comments to DelDOT representatives.

This location is accessible to persons having disabilities. Any person having special needs or requiring special aid, such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired, is requested to contact DelDOT by phone or mail one week in advance.

Interested persons are invited to express their views in writing, giving reasons for support of or in opposition to, the proposed project.

Comments will be received during the workshop or can be mailed to DelDOT Community Relations; PO Box 778; Dover, DE 19903. When applicable, DelDOT offers the opportunity to fill out a questionnaire online, which will be automatically emailed to Community Relations.

For further information contact Community Relations at 1-800-652-5600 (in Delaware) or (302) 760-2080, or write to the above address.

Hats off to the Class of 2016

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Hundreds of smiles, and a few tears, filled the football stadium at Indian River High School’s 47th commencement on May 30.

Principal Bennett Murray congratulated the 193 graduates of the Class of 2016. In that diverse group, everyone is going somewhere different: 86 percent to post-secondary schools, 2 percent into the military and 11 percent into the workforce.


Coastal Point photos • R. Chris Clark

Speakers recalled their fond and challenging memories from the past four years.

Class President Caroline Lingenfelter encouraged students to be strong against adversity and not to let one mistake hold them down.

“If you follow your heart to pursue a path, that will make you happy,” she said. “Don’t be too nervous to start something new.”

She shared the significance of once finding Delaware sand in her swimsuit while visiting Colorado.

“Even if you travel across the country and don’t return to Dagsboro, remember your roots. … And remember, it’s never too late to come home,” Lingenfelter said.

Salutatorian Kayla Huebner thanked the parents, teachers and fellow classmates for each helping to mold the people the graduates have become.

“We will gain wonderful opportunities to make new memories and gain new experiences, Huebner said. “Great things lie ahead.”

“We’ve laid the foundation, and now it’s time for you to grow,” Murray responded.

Despite earning top grades, Valedictorian John Douds was humble: “Each of you has special talents, skills exceeding any of those a valedictorian may have. … What can all of you do better than anyone else?”

He named the artistic and athletic talents within the Class of 2016, all of which, he said, will contribute to a greater society.

“None of us is perfect, but as a class, we can be. As a class, we’re the best of everything,” Douds said.

Student James Brannon was also recognized for being a close third in class ranking.

Six students were awarded more than $8,000 total in scholarships from the Indian River High School Alumni Association, for actively working to make the school a better place. The IR Pride Scholarship was awarded to Emma Engel, Cameron Goff, Sarah King, Madison McCabe and Gunnar Moldrik. The Marla Banks Daisey Memorial Scholarship was presented to Caroline Lingenfelter.

Sunbeams pierced the sky over the senior song medley, and the students sang a re-invented alma mater: “Our pride comes from the water where river meets the bay.”

The guest speaker had an impressive background in corporate production, but he’s better known and loved as teacher and soccer coach Steve Kilby.

More than the boys’ and girls’ incredible soccer records, Kilby said he is proudest of the students who developed as people.

“Start giving back and help influence those younger than you,” Kilby said. “Always lend a helping hand and have compassion.”

The real world can be scary, and “You’re losing the protection and comfort of high school,” said Kilby, who was once downsized from his job, but later climbed from a minimum-wage position into a successful management career. He later turned to teaching and has worked for the Indian River School District for more than a decade.

“I’m a very proud member of this faculty,” said Kilby. “To see the diversity that exists in the building is amazing, and you should be proud of where you are tonight.”

He told them to embrace the joys of life.

“If you’ve made it this far, you have persevered,” Kilby said, but don’t let it stop, because people will need that drive forever. “Perseverance is an option. You can decide to persevere. You can decide to succeed.”

“Success is not a gift. It is a challenge to use what you have already achieved,” agreed IRSD Superintendent Susan Bunting as she certified the graduates. “Please remember that you have achieved much.”

Invited to read the graduates’ names was agri-science teacher Jennifer Cordrey, the school’s and district’s 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year.

After the final graduates sat down, diplomas in hand, Murray congratulated them and released them out into the world.

Shellfish aquaculture public hearing on June 8 moved to Millville VFC

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The DNREC Division of Water’s Wetlands & Subaqueous Lands Section will conduct a public hearing Wednesday, June 8, to solicit input on the proposed Statewide Activity Approval (SAA) for shellfish aquaculture in specific designated shellfish aquaculture development areas (SADA) in Delaware. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. at the Millville Fire Hall, 35554 Atlantic Avenue, Millville.

The SAA, if adopted by DNREC, would be used by the Division of Water to more efficiently issue approvals for the use of subaqueous lands after shellfish aquaculture lease applicants have received authorization from the Division of Fish & Wildlife for shellfish aquaculture activities within specific portions of the SADAs previously established under 7 DE Admin Code 3800 Shellfish Aquaculture Regulation.

The public is being advised that the upcoming hearing will address only the use of the SAAs by the Division of Water to more efficiently review applications and issue permits, and that the State’s shellfish aquaculture regulation is not the subject of this hearing.

The SADAs eligible for approval by the Statewide Activity Approval, with their parenthetical designations, include Indian River Bay (IR-A), Rehoboth Bay (RB-A, RB-B, RB-C) and Little Assawoman Bay (LA-B, in part, and LA-D), specifically.

DNREC had previously published public notice of the proposed Statewide Activity Approval, accepting public comments on the SAA process during the March 23 through April 12 comment period. Subsequently, the department determined that the public interest warranted holding the upcoming public hearing on the SAA, according to Wetlands & Subaqueous Lands Administrator Steven Smailer.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed SAA may present written statements through the close of the public comment period, which has been reopened and extended until the conclusion of the June 8 public hearing. Interested parties may also present comment orally or in written form at the hearing. Those who want to speak at the public hearing are being encouraged to register through DNREC’s hearing officer Robert Haynes in advance and no later than June 6. The registration will be used to determine the order of speakers at the public hearing.

Registration and any written comments should be sent to Robert.Haynes@state.de.us.

State park announces recurring summer programs

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Each summer, millions of people visit Delaware’s beaches and drive along the undeveloped stretch of Route 1 between Bethany Beach and Dewey Beach. However, few people realize that they are driving straight through a State Park! Even those that regularly enjoy Delaware Seashore State Park as an access point to the beach, bay, and inlet, may not be aware of the wide variety of educational and recreational programs and events that are offered by park staff throughout the summer season.

Located about a mile north of the Indian River Inlet is the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum. This site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, not only introduces visitors to Delaware’s maritime history, but it also acts as the anchor point for all educational programs offered by Delaware Seashore State Park. These programs range from kayaking and fishing to jewelry-making and museum tours.

Each week this summer, from June 15 to August 19, park staff will be offering over thirty individual programs allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty and ecology of the Delaware coast, learn about the area’s rich maritime heritage, and try new recreational activities under the guidance of trained park staff.

For those who enjoy being active, Kayak Eco-Tours are offered every Tuesday through Friday. The Tuesday trip is called “Sit Back, Relax, and Kayak” and is a shortened version of the Eco-Tours that are offered later in the week – perfect for beginners. The kayak trips offered Wednesdays through Fridays is a 2.5-mile journey through marsh islands and bay tributaries. These trips provide participants with an opportunity to learn how to paddle while experiencing the sights and creatures of the bayside habitat and enjoying a unique view of the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station.

To learn about the various critters of the coast, visitors should check out Seining the Bay, Clamming 101, Jelly-Jelly-Jellyfish, or Squid Dissection. Most of these programs are perfect for families with children. The park is offering a day camp – that is, a “1-Day” Fishing Day Camp. This camp will take place on Wednesdays and is geared towards ages 7-11. Campers will get the opportunity to go seining, crabbing, and fishing.

For night owls, Delaware Seashore State Park will also be offering several evening programs throughout the summer that are either free or inexpensive. A great activity for children is the Wild Crab Chase where families use flashlights to try and spot the nocturnal ghost crab. Lantern Tours, held on Wednesday evenings, allow visitors to tour the Indian River Life-Saving Station by lantern light and to experience what it was like to be a surfman, patrolling Delaware’s coast over 100 years ago.

Back by popular demand is the Thursday night live music series and beach bonfires! Each Thursday, from 7 – 9 p.m., a different local musician will be featured at the North Inlet Day Area Gazebo. After the music, walk on over to the beach to roast a marshmallow with park staff!

A full calendar of all of Delaware Seashore State Park’s summer programs can be found at destateparks.com. For additional information, and to register for programs, please call the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991 or stop by and pick up a program guide.

Learn to Fish, Crab, and Clam at Delaware Seashore State Park this summer

Dewey Beach, DE – Each summer, more and more visitors to Delaware Seashore State Park are looking to try new activities and to experience more than just the beach and the surf. Some of the most popular things to do in the park are surf fishing, crabbing, and clamming. Many people that did not grow up along the coast are curious about these popular pastimes, but just aren’t sure how to get started.

The staff of Delaware Seashore State Park will be offering three programs on a weekly basis this summer, starting June 15: Crabbing 101, Clamming 101, and Surf Fishing 101. Crabbing will take place on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. The fee for this program is $6 per person, the minimum age is 5 years old, and pre-registration is required.

Clamming 101 will take place at the lesser-known Holts Landing State Park on Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. The fee for this program is $6 per person, the minimum age is 8 years old, and pre-registration is required.

The Surf Fishing 101 program is a slightly abbreviated version of the very popular “Introduction to Surf Fishing” program that is offered in the spring and fall. It is more geared towards families and will only introduce participants to the species of fishes that are typically caught during the summer months. The fee for this program is $15 per person, the minimum age is 10, and pre-registration is also required.

These programs are just a few of the many educational programs offered by Delaware Seashore State Park. For a full calendar of programs, please visit destateparks.com. For more information or to register for these or other programs, please call the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991.

Kayak Eco-Tours offered at Delaware Seashore State Park this summer

Dewey Beach, DE – While the bulk of park visitors are enjoying the beaches of Delaware Seashore State Park, few take the time to experience the peace and wildlife of the bayside. The best way to explore the bayside of the park is by kayak and park staff will be leading guided kayak eco-tours all summer long, starting on June 15.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, park staff will lead a 2.5-mile tour through the salt marsh islands of an area of Rehoboth Bay called “Station Cove”. This journey will take participants through small marsh creeks to get an up-close view of a variety of nesting birds. Along the way, diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs, and blue crabs are frequent sightings. In addition, the tour allows for a unique view of the historic Indian River Life-Saving Station, so not only will participants learn about local wildlife, they will also get a taste of local maritime history.

On Tuesday afternoons, a shorter version of the kayak tour will take place. This program, entitle “Sit Back, Relax, and Kayak”, is geared towards those that are a bit hesitant to try to the full 2.5-mile tour. It will include thorough paddling instruction and a very relaxed pace.

These programs are just a few of the many educational programs offered by Delaware Seashore State Park. For a full calendar of programs, please visit destateparks.com. For more information or to register for these or other programs, please call the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991.

Delaware Seashore State Park Offers programs for children of all ages this summer
Dewey Beach, DE – The Delaware beaches are packed with all kinds of activities for families with small children – whether it’s hitting the beach, playing miniature golf, splashing on water slides, or getting ice cream at the boardwalk. However, many parents are starting to look for something off the beaten path, something educational, or something that is inexpensive or even free. Delaware Seashore State Park has programs that meet all of these criteria!

Starting June 15, park staff will be offering a wide variety of educational programs for all ages and interests, many of which are suitable for children. On Wednesdays, there will be a children’s “1-Day” Fishing Camp where campers will learn how to seine, crab, and fish. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons, park staff will lead a “Seining the Bay” program where participants will drag a net through the shallow waters of the bay to catch and identify marine critters. Also held on Thursdays is the ever-popular “Jelly, Jelly, Jellyfish”, “Shipwrecks and Buried Treasure”, and “Build and Fly a Kite”. On Friday afternoons, children are invited to participate in a “Squid Dissection” program. Most of these programs meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum and require pre-registration.

In addition, the park offers a wide range of family programs such as surf fishing, crabbing, clamming, and beach bonfires. These programs are just a few of the many educational programs offered by Delaware Seashore State Park. For a full calendar of programs, please visit destateparks.com. For more information or to register for these or other programs, please call the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991.

State Park offers variety of evening programs for families

Dewey Beach, DE – Delaware Seashore State Park offers a wide range of recreational and educational programs all summer long, starting June 14. Once the sun goes down for the day, that doesn’t mean programs are over until tomorrow! Park staff will be offering several evening programs, many of which are suitable for families with children.

On Tuesday evenings, a park interpreter will lead a “Bridge Walk and Dolphin Watch”. As the sun is setting, participants will hike to the top of the Indian River Inlet Bridge, learning about the history of the inlet and the design of the current bridge along the way. At the top, the group will have the opportunity to use binoculars to search for the bottlenose dolphin.

On Wednesday evenings, the staff of the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum will host a guided lantern tour. Tour participants will learn about what life was like for the surfmen that patrolled our coast over 100 years ago. Then a park interpreter will lead park visitors out to the beach by lantern light to tell tales of tragedy and mystery from the station’s log books.

On Wednesday and Friday evenings, a park naturalist will lead a “Wild Crab Chase”! This program is free with paid park entry and meets at the North Inlet Gazebo at 8:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight to help them spot the nocturnal ghost crab on the beach.

On Thursday evenings, the park will host its Summer Concert Series and Beach Bonfire. Each week a different local musician will perform at 7 p.m. After the concert, park visitors and concert attendees are invited to walk out to the beach to roast a marshmallow over the fire. The concerts and bonfires are also free with paid park entry.

These programs are just a few of the many educational programs offered by Delaware Seashore State Park. For a full calendar of programs, please visit destateparks.com. For more information or to register for these or other programs, please call the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991

BREAKING NEWS: OVPD seeks drug suspect after he flees on foot from traffic stop

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The Ocean View Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 27-year-old Jamar A. Manuel of Frankford, after he allegedly fled on foot from police when stopped for driving on a suspended/revoked license.

According to the OVPD, on Saturday, June 4, around 9 a.m., Ocean View officers attempted to stop Manuel for an alleged traffic violation on Muddy Neck Road. After pulling over, Manuel allegedly fled from the vehicle on foot and eluded capture. A search of Manuel’s vehicle uncovered 55 bags of suspected heroin.

Warrants issued for Manuel include charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver A Controlled Substance (heroin), Resisting Arrest, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While Suspended or Revoked.

Police added that, at the time of the incident, Manuel was out on bond, pending trial on drug-related charges stemming from an incident in Dagsboro in March. During that incident, Manuel allegedly fled from a traffic stop and was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

In the March incident, a large amount of suspected heroin and cash were seized, and Manuel was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (heroin), Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Manuel was also arrested on drug distribution charges in 2012 and 2010.

Anyone with information on Manuel’s whereabouts is being encouraged to contact the Ocean View Police Department at (302) 539-1111. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333 or texting “DCS” plus the message to 274637 (CRIMES).

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