March 2023 - Elevating Experiences

West End Track Team Speeds Ahead

CEO Jarrett Royster Has Ambitious Goals for YMCA

Nachos: The Perfect Pile is No Easy Task

Elevating Experiences Elevating Experiences

Four local stories that exemplify the inspiring lessons of sports

MARCH 2023

COMPLIMENTARY

The Hot Sardines

THUR | MAR 2 | 8PM | $49

Vibrant ensemble brings a modern flair to classic jazz

A not-for-profit arts organization

Lúnasa

THUR | MAR 9 | 8PM | $27-$33

“Irish music dream team” play traditional and new music

David Wilcox

SUN | MAR 5 | 7PM | $32

Singing stories of heart, humor, hope, substance, searching, and style

Karan Casey

TUE | MAR 7 | 8PM | $24

Traditional Irish singer performs songs of love, loss, empowerment

SAT | MAR 18 | 2PM | $15

Combines storytelling, stage magic, and audience participation into a sensory-friendly performance

Red Baraat Festival of Colors 2023

THUR | MAR 9 | 8PM | $39

A Brooklyn-based ensemble that makes heart-pounding, insanely infectious music

Chris Smither

SAT | MAR 18 | 8PM | $35

A synthesis of folk and blues from a blistering guitarist

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

SUN | MAR 12 | 7PM | $45-$51

Multi-media musical biography back by popular demand

THUR | MAR 30 | 8PM | $34-$49

The funniest teacher-comedians in the world all on one stage

THUR | APR 13 | 8PM $45-$75 THE PLAYHOUSE

The Magic of Kevin Spencer

tickets subject to box office service charges. Artists, dates, times and programs are subject to change.

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

THURSDAYS:

MAY 11

JUNE 22

JULY 20

AUGUST 17

SEPTEMBER 21 5PM–7PM

The Brandywine Zoo invites you to Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back eve at our Thursday night happy hour series. Adult beverages will be available from Bellefonte Brewing and others, as well as food from local vendors, and ice cream from Hy-Point. This family friendly event will have animal encounters, live music, and fun for all ages! Limited number of tickets will be sold. Drink and food purchases sold separately. Check out our web site for more fun-filled events!

Tickets: Non Member Adults $10, Children $7

Brandywine Zoo Member Adults $5, Children $3

Tickets: brandywinezoo.org/events/sip-stroll/

Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, DE • FREE PARKING

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society.

A WINNING ARGUMENT

Sports can be such an omnipotent force. Even as a lifelong fan, I found myself amazed at how the Eagles’ recent playoff run seeped into every corner of the Delaware Valley.

For weeks, “Go Birds” became our salutation of choice. Eaglemania was ubiquitous. The buoyant vibe was — pardon the expression — infectious.

So much so, in fact, that even rule breakers were caught up in the euphoria — statistics indicate crime in Philadelphia was down during the Eagles playoff run.

Yes, sports may be unmatched in its ability to generate collective passion.

Of course, we all know the Eagles’ climb came one giant step short of the summit. Months before, the Phillies fell two wins short of their mountaintop.

But did you not enjoy those runs? Were they not inspiring?

The beauty of sports is that while there is but one champion, there are always multiple winners. Lessons learned from “giving your all” are rewards provided to all who compete — not just the victor. And those lessons can even trickle down to a diehard fan.

“You either win or you learn,” said Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts just after his team lost the Super Bowl. Words to live by.

In this issue, you will find four stories of how members of the Wilmington community are learning winning lessons from sports.

For three generations of the Morris family, it’s about familial support and the desire to follow in a parent’s footsteps. For Dick Rago and the Delaware Tech men’s basketball team, it’s about instilling commitment while furthering one’s education. For West End Neighborhood House’s Above Xpectations track program, it’s about nurturing talent and creating opportunity. And for YMCA of Delaware CEO Jarrett Royster, it’s about helping youngsters achieve goals that go far beyond physical fitness.

Surely there are more. And I encourage you to share them with us for an article in a future issue.

We all know that to be a champion, you must be a winner. The lesson we must remember: You need not be a champion to be a winner.

These stories will help you remember.

— Jerry duPhily

The beauty of sports is that while there is but one champion, there are always multiple winners.

THE WAR ON WORDS

A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language against misuse and abuse

MEDIA WATCH

•Reader Larry Hamermesh submits this from Delawareonline: “Grading for Equity aims to filter privilege and behavior from grades and stick to academic standards — but its tenants are not without critics.” That should be tenets — beliefs or principles.

•Also from Delawareonline, courtesy of reader Bruce Hudson, comes this headline on an article about embezzlement at an OB/GYN practice: “A Jury Trial and Sentencing, But No Admittance of Guilt.” Noting that admission would have been a better choice, Bruce says: “Guilt was not allowed in, I guess.”

•A story in The New Yorker quoted Ted Sarandos, co -chief executive officer and chief content officer for Netflix, on the theory that streaming services had to appeal to distinct groups of fans: “There was this misnomer about the Internet all along.” A misnomer is an incorrect name — e.g., calling an orca “a killer whale” is a misnomer. But many people, like Sarandos, think it means a misconception or mistake.

•Financial adviser Dan White on WDEL: “It may be time to bunker down.” Granted, you may be doing it in a bunker, but the expression is hunker down.

•According to a reader, CNN Washington anchor Jake Tapper, while discussing the debt ceiling, conflated the expressions “having a horse in this race” and “having a dog in this fight.” Said Tapper: “What if you don’t have a horse in this fight? ” Our reader observes that it would have been more reasonable — but still off the mark – to say “a dog in this race.”

TWO WORDS, NOT ONE

Speaking of conflating, I’ve noticed that some people have a habit of combining two words into one (wrong) word. Alright is probably the most common example (it’s all right ). But there are other contenders for No. 1.

Everyday is gaining popularity, as in the sign that, according to The Inquirer , appears above the Philadelphia Eagles locker room: “1% BETTER EVERDAY .” Another Inky story quoted a source thusly: “You see each other everyday , you get close.” In these contexts, it’s every day . As one word, it’s an adjective: “Taking a long walk is an everyday activity for me.”

A couple of other candidates recently popped up on

social media. The first contained a twofer: “Little do my friends know they’re healing me everytime we hangout .” Every time is always two words. In this context, hang out also should be two words — a phrasal verb meaning to spend time or linger. As one word, hangout is a place. So you hang out at a hangout

By Bob Yearick

Very similar is the mix-up in this Facebook post: “We sometimes like to getaway to warmer destinations during the winter.” Here, another phrasal verb — get away — would be the correct choice. As one word, getaway can be a noun — a place where one escapes to for relaxation — or an adjective describing a means of escape. E.g., a getaway car.

A MATTER OF DEGREE

Reader Jane Buck makes a good point: “Sometimes I hear reporters refer to high school degrees . High schools award diplomas , not degrees.” So true. You have to go to college to get a degree.

MYRIAD, OR A MYRIAD OF?

An Associated Press story about the Arizona Cardinals contained this sentence: “The Cardinals have been hit by myriad of injuries.”

Myriad can be used as an adjective or a noun. In this case, the writer couldn’t seem to decide which meaning he wanted. As a noun, it should be preceded by “a” and followed by “of.” When used as an adjective, it stands alone; there is no “of” or “a” present.

So, if the writer had simply deleted of , he could have made it an adjective: “The Cardinals have been hit by myriad injuries.”

Alternatively, he could have created a noun by writing, “The Cardinals have been hit by a myriad of injuries.”

Since shorter is usually better, it’s hard to understand why a careful writer would ever choose the noun version.

DANGLER

Reader Debbie Layton spotted this on the Associated Press Sports Wire : “As a dedicated subscriber, we wanted you to know about the latest newsletter.” The AP is what is subscribed to; it’s not the subscriber.

WILMINGTON ALLIANCE CELEBRATES

>MARCH IS HISTORY HERSTORY

WOMEN'S MONTH

Kim Eppehimer, Executive Director of Friendship House, a Delaware nonprofit uniting people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home.

Kim is committed to helping make changes in the social service system and to how people perceive “homelessness.” Her goal is to break down the barriers holding people back from achieving their goals. Wilmington Alliance is proud of our recent

partnership with Friendship House on a Fines and Fees Fund. Through the fund, financial assistance is provided for costs of various fines and fees that act as a barrier to obtaining job placement or moving out of poverty.

@frienshiphouseofdelaware

She has a specialty in providing programs to incarcerated youth and adults and was the first black woman to implement curriculum-based yoga for juvenile detention centers in Delaware.

Wilmington Alliance is excited about our new partnership with Amina, as we prepare to offer yoga classes, free to the community, at our new Art O Mat, located on the corner of 7th & Washington St. @poshyoga

Ellen Cappard, owner of Books & Bagels community bookstore in the heart of Wilmington and a Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem recipient. Wilmington Alliance partnered with Ellen through an online book drive for our Lending Library, located at The Rock Lot, at 305 W. 8th St. The successful partnership resulted in over 250 new books added for children and youth, from diverse authors with diverse themes. As a result, Ellen has continued to curate reading lists and book drives for other organizations. @booksandbagels

THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITIES. SUPPORT. SHARE.

To learn more about these amazing local women visit wilmingtonalliance.org.

Amina Naru, founder of POSH Yoga, Cofounder of Retreat to Spirit, a Usui reiki master, trauma sensitive yoga instructor, and chair of the Race and Equity Consortium in Yoga.

of individuals from the state who have passed away from a drug overdose/ drug poisoning.

Things worth knowing

These stories become part of a statewide art exhibition featuring that person’s portrait and narrative.

A FOND FAREWELL SHOW AT THE JACKSON INN

LIST YOUR AREA EVENT... FREE!

InWilmDe.com

Date: June 1, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023

The rumors are true: The Jackson Inn is closing for good.

Location: Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington DE

Theresa Clower was inspired to create INTO LIGHT Project shortly after the death of her son, Devin Bearden, to an accidental drug overdose in February 2018 in Baltimore. Having never attempted portraiture work before, she picked up her graphite pencil and began drawing. It was a cathartic experience that allowed her to say goodbye to her son. In so doing, Theresa tapped into an entirely new calling – drawing the faces of others who had lost their lives to drug addiction. From there, INTO LIGHT Project held the first exhibition in Baltimore in 2019. Since then, exhibits have been held in 7 states, with more booked for 2023.

It’s unfortunate news for many, particularly those who found the JI a cozy, fun place to check out original music over the past five years or so. But it’s not going quietly into that dark night. One last show, “The Jackson Inn Farewell Show,” is planned for Saturday, March 25 with a loaded lineup of 12 local acts.

Sponsored by: DE Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health with support from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield DE

In Partnership: DE Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Office of the Lt. Governor of DE, and the DE Art Museum

CHASE FIELDHOUSE HOSTS A10 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

To find out more about INTO LIGHT Project’s founder and Executive Director

Theresa Clower, watch this biography

As of press time, live performances were scheduled for Red Birds, Edgewater Avenue, Haha Charade, Kitty Rotten, Pinwheel, Flat, The Bullets, Death by Indie, MEGA, Penny Death, Buff Pups, and Von Holden. A food truck will also be on the premises.

For more information contact:

Doors open 1pm, music starts at 2pm, and tickets are $15 at the door.

Jane Donovan DE State Ambassador, INTO LIGHT Project 302-438-5537

F or the second straight year, Wilmington will host the 15team Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship, with this year’s tourney set for March 1-5 at Chase Fieldhouse. First-round sessions begin at noon on March 1. Semifinal action will take place at 11am and 1:30pm on Saturday, March 4. The championship game is set for noon on Sunday, March 5. Individual game tickets are $15 with tournament packages available. Visit Atlantic10.com/tickets

ajanedonovan@verizon.net

Theresa Clower Founder, INTO LIGHT Project 302-455-9595

tclower@intolightproject.org

Or visit https://intolightproject.org/

Thank you for considering a submission to our project.

We look forward to working together to change the conversation about drug addiction and erasing the stigma of SUD by helping others to better understand this insidious disease.

ILLUMINATING CAMPAIGN FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

More than a half-million dollars — $527,824 to be exact — was raised during this year’s SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation’s awareness and fundraising campaign. The campaign was highlighted by the fifth annual SL24 Memorial Basketball Classic featuring high school teams competing in February at Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington.

The Unlocke the Light foundation was created by Newark’s Chris Locke after his 23-year-old son Sean lost his battle to depression in 2018. The Foundation has three objectives: Educate high school and college students to the signs of depression; assist high school and college students gain the tools to live life with mental illness; create a safe haven (Sean’s House) where high school and college students receive professional help and speak to peers about their struggles with depression.

The funds raised during this year’s campaign go directly to supporting the SL24 mission of educating, assisting and supporting youth and young adults in the Delaware community who are fighting mental illness. Visit UnlockeTheLight.com.

Local psychedelic hard-rock trio Lester’s Pearl is offering fans a first listen to their new song this month — in more ways than one.

During this month’s double-bill show with Brian LaPann Trio at The Queen, Lester’s Pearl will perform their song “A Love That’s Whole,” which will also be made available as a digital release that day to show attendees only — the rest of the public will have to wait until April 4.

The new song was recorded last year at The Gradwell House in Haddon Heights, NJ. Featuring John Dickinson on drums, Nick Mazzuca on bass, and Chris Julian on guitar, the band has earned the reputation for rollicking jams and songs with catchy hooks.

Hear for yourself on Friday, March 10 at The Queen. Doors at 7pm. Tickets at TheQueenWilmington.com.

LESTER’S PEARL TEASES NEW SONG WITH DOUBLE-BILL AT THE QUEEN

INTO LIGHT Project, a national non-profit organization to changing the conversation addiction and erasing stigma, the personal stories.

Lester's Pearl (l-r): John Dickinson, Chris Julian, Nick Mazzuca.

$20 SOBERLIFT VOUCHER AVAILABLE FOR ST. PADDY’S LOOP & OTHER CELEBRATIONS

Out & About Magazine’s City Loop Series will team with the Office of Highway Safety to incorporate OHS’s SoberLift program into this year’s St. Paddy’s Loop set for Saturday, March 11. In fact, the program will be in effect for the Irish Culture Club of Delaware’s annual parade earlier that day as well as St. Patrick’s Day Weekend celebrations throughout the state (March 16-19).

To participate, text SoberLift at 888-991-2740 and you will receive a $20 Lyft voucher. You can also scan the QR code that will be available at all Loop venues. You can also visit OutAndAboutNow.com/events.

The SoberLift code will be valid from Saturday, March 11 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m. in New Castle County and Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. to Sunday, March 19 at 2 a.m. statewide.

“The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) in partnership with Lyft is pleased to bring back its SoberLift program for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day holiday,” said Kimberly Chesser, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “OHS is thankful for the partnership with Lyft and is grateful for the generosity and dedication of all the sponsors within the community. Programs such as SoberLift play such an important role in traffic safety and help us all Arrive Alive.”

OHS first launched its SoberLift program in 2018 to bring awareness to the negative consequences of driving under the influence. The program aligns with OHS’ message to plan ahead. According to Chesser, more than 1200 rides have been redeemed since the launch of the program, potentially saving lives on Delaware roadways.

JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION

SUNDAY SUPPER SET FOR APRIL 23

The inaugural Wilmington James Beard Foundation Sunday Supper will take place on Sunday, April 23 at The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar (1313 N. Market St., Wilm.). The evening is being presented by the James Beard Foundation in partnership with Johnson Commercial Real Estate and the City of Wilmington's It’s Time campaign. The event will feature a diverse collection of Wilmington chefs, several who are past James Beard nominees. The evening will open with a one-hour reception followed by a seated dinner served family-style that features a different chef preparing each course. Limited tickets are available for $200 per person and can be purchased at EventBrite.

by Christopher Durang

WALNUT STREET YMCA LAUNCHES DRONE SOCCER

This month Wilmington’s Walnut Street YMCA will launch Drone Soccer, a co-ed eSport for ages 12 and older. The program is being introduced in partnership with DWS Drone School founded by Wilmington’s Theo Nix.

Drone Soccer is an indoor team sport where radiocontrolled quadcopters are wrapped in protective shields designed for collisions. Teams are comprised of five players and compete within a netted arena. This is a proven program to help students learn engineering skills which can lead to careers in aviation. Before competitions, the students must first learn to build, program, fly and repair drones.

“A lot of our Walnut St. teens are in love with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math),” said Gau-Wan Smith, Walnut Street YMCA Teen Program Director. “They're gamers, technology is their passion and we’re just meeting them where they are.”

Team training begins this month with scrimmages through April. The championship is set for May 27. To join a team or obtain more info, visit DeDroneSoccer.com.

ARTHUR MILLER CLASSIC AT OPERA DELAWARE STUDIOS

New Light Theatre, a Delaware based nonprofit theatre with a charitable mission, presents Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge March 17-26 at OperaDelaware Studios in Wilmington.

New Light Theatre’s mission is committed to bringing light to the darkness of the world, to raising awareness and support for organizations that illuminate, and to deepening empathy and connection with one another through meaningful artistic work. In accordance with this mission, A View From the Bridge will partner with RISE, a division of Jewish Family Services. As the only refugee resettlement agency in Delaware, RISE at JFS has resettled and reunited families, provided critical case management and counseling services, and engaged community members in the refugee experience through education, volunteerism, and advocacy.

Tickets range from $15-$20. Visit NewLightTheatre.com.

An Illuminating Idea

Lighting up Rockford Tower may become a year-round endeavor

There are many parks in Wilmington, but no park stands out as a landmark quite like Rockford Park, thanks to its recognizable, eponymous tower.

Located on the western edge of city limits, the park was built in 1889. Twelve years later, Rockford Tower was constructed on the highest point in the city — Mt. Salem Hill.

The structure was originally conceived as a water tower, but the park’s commissioners had in mind to build an observatory on that spot. Thus, the height of the elegant stone structure was raised, intending to serve two meaningful purposes while fitting in with Rockford Park’s natural character.

An observation deck (accessible to today’s visitors only on designated summer days) opened in 1904. And yet, the 115-foot structure on the highest point in the city has never been visible to nighttime passersby.

Light It Up

In November 2022, lights were installed for the first time on 14 of the observation deck’s 16 windows.

Wilmington City Councilmember Nathan Fields, who spearheaded the effort from conception through installation, says, “After dark, you wouldn’t know it was there. It had never been lit up at night.”

Strings of basic LED lights you can find at any hardware store were affixed inside the observatory arches, which sit 75 feet above ground. Fields says the lights can be seen from a couple of miles away — for now.

The Future of the Lights

The lights were scheduled to come down at the end of last month, however, the city will be funding the project next year with a goal of keeping the lights on year-round, says Fields.

While the Tower may have originally been designed to look “ancient” on purpose (engineer Theodore A. Leisen called for both Italian Renaissance Revival and Gothic architecture styles in his design, using quarried Brandywine “Blue Rock”), the modern, energy-efficient LED lighting doesn’t appear to take away from the charm the old structure possesses.

“Public feedback was incredibly positive,” says Fields. “Hundreds of people reached out to me to express how much they love it.”

— JulieAnne Cross

At left: a commemorative painting of Rockford Tower by Rachel Van Wylen. At right: a view of the lights from inside the tower. Images courtesy Nathan R. Field

BACK TO THE GARDEN

More than 500 volunteers help keep Longwood abloom

By Adriana Camacho-Church

When Kim and Kathy Snyder started dating, they would take long walks through Longwood Gardens. Fiftythree years later, the Newark couple volunteer there.

“We’ve brought our children and grandkids to Longwood over the years,” says Kathy. “It’s been my go-to place to inspire friends and family to connect with nature.

Located in Kennett Square, Pa., Longwood Gardens is a world-renown botanical garden of more than 1,000 acres of breathtaking gardens, fountain shows, meadows and woodlands, and horticultural displays combining beauty and art. It features a collection of more than 9,000 plants from around the globe. A record 1.6 million guests visited the Gardens between October 2021 and September 2022.

Founded by Pierre du Pont in 1906, Longwood offers yearlong activities such as concerts, performances, and educational programs to teach children, teens, and adults the wonders of nature and the importance of conservation and sustainability.

Volunteers are vital to the success of the programs and guest experience, says Lorrie Hamilton, director of volunteer engagement. Kim and Kathy Snyder are two of 520 volunteers who contributed nearly 50,000 hours of volunteer time in 2022. Volunteers help greet, guide, and educate visitors. They also help maintain the surrounding landscapes, displays, and the plants and trees inside the 102-year-old conservatory.

During the pandemic Kim and Kathy were instrumental in helping out, says Hamilton. Kathy offered to assist Longwood’s Garden Shop in 2021.

“We asked for support because the Garden Shop needed to prepare for the holiday season, so Kathy and other volunteers stepped up to help the shop get inventory ready for the season. Kim volunteered to help in the Conservatory and with the water lilies. This was a great help to our team since we were not onboarding any new volunteers at that time, and we needed additional support in the (Horticulture Department).”

Longwood’s volunteer program began in 1989. Currently, there are five volunteers who started before 1995, including Carol Mayors, who has the longest tenure of Longwood’s volunteers. Mayors started in 1991.

“There are a few reasons I continue volunteering at Longwood,” says Mayors, a resident of West Chester, Pa. “One is

know what to expect. I spent my first day working with an experienced docent named Charlie, and he gave me such a concentrated lesson in how to interact with guests that I’ve felt confident ever since.”

At Longwood, volunteers attend workshops, sessions, tours, and get hands-on experience to expand their knowledge pertaining to their roles.

Snyder says his various roles have helped him learn quite a bit about Longwood’s history, its plants, and the mechanics of the fountains. “Being a docent is my most enjoyable role because I can interact with guests. My hope is that guests remember the information that I’m sharing with them and that it helps to shape their visit.” ►

When volunteering at the Waterlily Court, Snyder helps guests understand the interactions between plants and pollinators that result in the waterlilies. He says he also enjoys standing in 30 inches of water while grooming “the hardy waterlilies — deadheading and removing damaged leaves.”

Currently the Waterlily Court is not open due to the Longwood Reimagined Project, but the plants are still growing to have them ready for the opening of the new waterlily display in 2024.

To better display and grow its extensive plant collection, the Longwood Reimagined Project involves expanding and reconstructing 17 acres of the grounds to be finished and open to the public in the fall of 2024. Enhancements include an outdoor Bonsai Courtyard, a new restaurant and event space, and a new 32,000-square-foot conservatory, which is the centerpiece and largest component of the project.

Kathy Snyder says she is looking forward to the completion of the Longwood Reimagined Project. “It will provide more areas of interests to share with the guests.”

During her five years as a volunteer, Kathy has worked with children on educational projects, maintained the Children’s Garden, stuffed seed packets for Longwood’s Martin Luther King Day giveaway, priced items in the Garden Shop, and guided guests. Summer is her favorite time of year to volunteer, however, she finds such joy in learning new things and keeping physically and socially active that she volunteers year-round.

"My husband and I particularly enjoy volunteering on summer evenings together,” Kathy says. “He’ll be in the Main Fountain Garden and I’ll direct guests while listening to the music coming from a Fountain Show.”

Kim’s favorite spot at Longwood Gardens: “the Main Fountain Garden in late summer at sunset.”

— For more information, about Longwood Gardens and its volunteer programs visit LongwoodGardens.org

Being a docent is my most enjoyable role because I can interact with guests. My hope is that guests remember the information that I’m sharing with them and that it helps to shape their visit.

— Kim Snyder

Photo by Joe del Tufo

Friday, March 3, 2023 5pm Start Complimentary

Next Art Loop:

Friday, April 7, 2023

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary

200 South Madison Street

656-6466 • decontemporary.org

Artists: Double Sky by Zoë Scruggs, Setting the Table by Dana Sherwood and Beth Galton and In the Meantime by Sa-kreea Mo’nay

DOWNTOWN

The Chancery Market

1313 N. Market Street

421-2005

Artist: “Art of Beer” featuring the beer-can designs of Sarah DeFlaviis, Pat Higgins, and Joe Hoddinott

Chris White Gallery

701 N. Shipley Street

475-0998 • chriswhitegallery.com

Artist: Two exhibits: “MUSE” featuring the art of Smashed Label & “Predecessors” featuring the art of Erica Jones

Christina Cultural Arts Center

705 N. Market Street

652-0101 • ccacde.org

Artist: Eye Shadow

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street

576-2100 • cityfestwilm. com/redding-gallery

Artist: “Commit to Memory: The Precipice of Exhibition”

Delaware College of Art & Design

600 N. Market Street

622-8000 • dcad.edu

Artist: PROJECT XExhibition Fundraiser

Gallery at 919 919 N. Market Street

298-1542

Artist: RitaMarie Cimini

Gallery at Grace Church

900 N. Washington Street

655-8847 • gracechurchwilmington.org

Artist: Here & There: Paintings from home & abroad by Jen Polillo

The Grand Opera House

818 N. Market Street

658-7897 thegrandwilmington.org Grand Gallery: Thirst by Tanya Bracey baby grand Gallery: Rumi’s Poetry Paintings by Mia Muratori

Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State Building

820 N. French Street

577-8278

arts.delaware.gov

Artist: The Sweet Shoppe, Stephanie Boateng

University of Delaware Associate in Arts Wilmington Community Education Building, 9th Floor 1200 North French Street 932-0740

Artists: Amiracle

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery

1721 Delaware Avenue

429-0506

Artist: Rite of Spring by Ken Mabrey

Howard Pyle Studio

1305 N. Franklin Street (978) 460-8120

Artists: The Studio Group Show

BEYOND THE CITY

Arden Buzz Ware Village Center

2119 The Highway, Arden 981-4811 • ardenbuzz.com

Artist: Landscapes: The Panorama WithinRosemary Luckett.

Bellefonte Arts

803-C Brandywine Blvd 547-2573

Artist: March Mashup!

The Station Gallery

3922 Kennett Pike

654-8638 • stationgallery.net

Artist: “Essence of Spring” Group Show

A program of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

RUNNINGTOWARD THE FUTURE

A gold medal at the AAU Club Championships last July has propelled the West End Neighborhood House’s track program into the national spotlight

By Emily Sortor

The last six months have been some of the most eventful in the history of Above Xpectations, a statewide track program run by West End Neighborhood House.

AX won the gold medal in the Amateur Athletic Union’s National Club Championship (AAU) in Orlando, Fla., last July, which propelled the program onto the national stage. Interest from college track programs around the country followed, bringing with it 28 scholarships for team members.

Winning the gold medal was something of a surprise, according to Above Xpectations alumna Anaeja Ferrell. While AX had been in the top five teams for the previous few years, the coaches weren’t preoccupied with counting points. Team members were there to have fun and create positive experiences.

Ferrell recalls that the championship came down to the final event — the men’s 4x4 relay. Right before the race started, head coach and program founder Antwain Flowers got a call informing him that Above Xpectations was close to securing the top spot, and winning the men’s 4x4 could give the team the championship. Right before the relay started, Ferrell says she and her teammates “ran to various points around the track to cheer the runners on. We wanted to make sure they could hear us at every moment during their race.” ►

With no track facilities, Xpectations members run in hallways at West End Neighborhood House and train in gyms, empty rooms or wherever they can find. Leading this workout is Bishop Lane (front).

Photo by Justin Heyes, Moonloop

The men won the race, thus securing the gold medal.

The victory was a turning point in the club’s history. It not only affirmed Above Xpectations’ standing as an international-caliber team, but it also prompted its leaders to accelerate crucial components of the program — mentorship and career preparation. Like all West End Neighborhood House programs, AX has always been about more than athletics. More important is the supportive environment that enables economically disadvantaged young people to develop new skills and prepare for their future.

From its inception in 2010, AX has offered mentorship and college preparation. Says Program Administrator Shamekia Martin, whose own son is an Above Xpectations athlete, “The program has always taken a long-range view of the student,” shaping “well-rounded student-athletes.”

MAXIMIZING LIMITED RESOURCES

Like many scrappy nonprofits, the track program has a limited budget and relies on the creativity of its staff and the generosity of its community to get by.

The program now has around 100 participants, and the majority of them go on every trip. That makes plane travel financially prohibitive, so they travel by chartered buses.

Flowers has turned those long rides into teaching lessons while also giving the team members a quick look at college life. On the bus, students are mentored in life skills like sexual health and the dangers of drugs, and Flowers arranges for stops at various colleges and universities en route to track competitions.

“For some of our athletes, these track meets might be their first time out of Delaware,” Flowers says. “We wanted to take the opportunity to introduce them to schools and opportunities around the country.”

Responding to the ramped-up interest from colleges, AX coaches have increased the number of student athletes traveling

From l-r: Ryan Thompson, Jashawn Johnson, Shemar Parker and Dahmir Pearson display their medals at the Florida Club Championships. Photo provided by Shemar Parker

In the spirit of making the most out of limited resources, AX’s programs benefit both the younger and older students at the same time. For instance, younger students get reading assessments and receive tutoring from older students if needed. In turn, the older students gain mentorship and leadership experience.

Coach Shemar Parker has seen the impact of this wholistic program not only as a coach, but as a former participant and by watching his siblings run for AX. “The coaches never complain, and never use a challenge as an excuse,” Parker says. “They just keep moving forward.”

Parker says he was struck by how the staff and coaches “go further than anyone I’ve ever dealt with” to support its members. He decided to give back to the program by coaching while he was an undergraduate at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and now, as an MBA candidate at Wilmington University.

‘BUILDING NATIONAL-CALIBER ATHLETES’

Parker says that AX is remarkable because, despite facing significant challenges, it is able to provide high-quality programming both on and off the track. For instance, Above Xpectations doesn’t have its own track facility, so coaches get creative. In the summer, the team partners with high schools who donate or rent their outdoor tracks. Delaware does not have an indoor track, so in the winter, AX athletes run in the hallways of West End Neighborhood House.

Despite limited resources, Parker says, the program is able to “build national-caliber athletes” who are competitive on an International level and are strong contenders for places on collegiate track teams.

Young people who join AX must be ready to embrace an ethos of welcoming challenges that comes with being a member the Amateur Athletic Union. It offers better competition than high school sports. ►

More than 40 members of the Xpectations program take time out from training to pose for a group photo.

Photo by Justin Heyes, Moonloop

Ferrell explains: “In AAU, we get to run against students from warmer states who can train outside longer, or against people who can train on indoor tracks. These experiences let us see where we are against not just Delaware runners, but against runners from around the world.”

When Ferrell was choosing a high school, AX coaches encouraged her to challenge herself and join a team with someone faster than she. When she became the fastest runner on AX’s girls’ team, her coaches urged her to train with the boys to get even better.

Parker says this is standard procedure — nurturing the talents of every team member, “from the strongest to the weakest athlete.”

“I love seeing people go from the bottom of the pyramid to the top,” he says.

This approach to fostering a student’s strengths is paying off. To date, more than 100 Above Xpectations participants have been offered college scholarships or have been recruited to run for college track teams.

STAYING IN TOUCH

Involvement with AX doesn’t stop when a student goes off to college, trade school, or another path. Ferrell, now a freshman studying biology and running track at Lincoln University, chats regularly with AX mentors who, she says, are “like second parents.”

“The program made me the person I am today,” she says, adding that it prepared her for challenges on and off the track.

According to Flowers, staying in touch with alumni just makes sense. “Above Xpectations is like a family,” he says. “You don’t stop talking to your family when you go off to college.”

While gaining interest from colleges and the athletic community outside of Delaware, the program is expanding within the state. A branch opened in Sussex County last year, offering training to students in an area with limited track programming.

Administrators are ready to meet the growing demand and hope that Delawareans can join them in supporting young athletes.

“Community support and connections can make all the difference,” Martin says. “For example, if we could have support with transportation funds, we can use that money to sponsor more students.”

She sees this moment as a critical juncture in the evolution of Above Xpectations. “There is a sense of excitement over what we have achieved,” she says, “and an unwavering focus on what can still be done to prepare students for their futures.”

To date, more than 28 Xpectations participants have been offered college scholarships.

Photo by Justin Heyes, Moonloop

OF YOUR FAVORITES ARE NOW ONLINE!

More Than A Number More Than A Number

No. 12 has special meaning to several generations of the Morris family

By Kevin Noonan

This is a story about a basketball family, with emphasis on family — three generations of it.

Larry Morris is the patriarch of that family, and he’s been a pillar of his community for years, mostly working with kids. He’s spent his life making Wilmington — especially inner-city Wilmington — a better place to live. He was so effective at that, then-congressman John Carney recruited him to be his director of constituent affairs, and when Carney became governor, Morris became his community liaison, a position he held until he retired in 2019.

Morris, now in his early 70s, also served two terms as president of the Wilmington chapter of the NAACP and he’s won too-many-to-count awards and honors for his work in the community. ►

What's in a number? A lot says the Morris family. Pictured after Masen's recent game at Salesianum are ( l-r): Masen, Tiana, Maia and Larry. Photos by Lindsay Rudney

But as much as he loves his community, his family is the most important thing in his life. And even though he wasn’t much of a basketball player as a youth, Morris loved the game and worked at it and became a decent player and even better coach. He passed that love to his daughter, who passed it on to her children.

And even though you can’t measure love with statistics, in this case you can put a number on it — 12.

That was the jersey number worn in the mid-1990s by Tiana Morris, Larry Morris’ daughter. She played at Alexis I. du Pont High, where she was a team captain and scored more than 1,000 points. She also wore No. 12 when she played at Wilmington University.

And No. 12 lives on with the next generation – her daughter, Maia, wore it at Caravel Academy and her son, Masen, currently wears it for St. Elizabeth Middle School. According to his proud Pop Pop, Masen will play varsity basketball at St. Elizabeth High next year as a ninth-grader.

Wearing that No. 12 is a tradition fostered by love of family, as well as some interior decorating by an unlikely source.

“Tiana had such a great career at A.I. and I was so proud of her, so when she was a senior I took a picture of her jersey and had it framed and hung it on the wall,” Larry Morris says. “So, her kids saw it all of the time, Tiana’s A.I. jersey with the No. 12, and I know Tiana was really touched when Maia and then Masen decided they wanted to wear No. 12, too.

“It makes me proud because they think so much of their mother that they want to follow in her footsteps in the game of basketball. That’s what family is all about, that love and respect for each other.”

Still, even in families that love and respect each other, children don’t always want to follow the same paths as their parents and older siblings. In fact, they often go in the opposite direction to create their own identities. And to the Morris clan, that’s what makes No. 12 so special.

Tiana Morris, who started all of this, says there was no special reason she initially chose No. 12. At the time, she was an eighth-grader on A.I. du Pont’s varsity team, which meant she was the low girl on the totem pole when it came to choosing numbers. So, she took 12, not knowing, of course, that she was establishing a family tradition.

“I never even considered that they would want to wear the same number that I did,” Tiana Morris says of her children. “It was a complete surprise when Maia told me she wanted to wear No. 12. When she chose it, of course, I went through the roof.

“And I was really surprised when Masen wanted to wear it, too. He’s a boy, so I’m not as close to him as I was to Maia when it comes to talking about those kinds of things. And he was a big Kobe fan, so I was surprised when he ended up choosing 12 instead of 8 or 24 [Kobe Bryant’s numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA].”

Masen Morris says he picked No. 12 because of his mother. “She made it stand out,” he says. “And it looks good.”

It makes him look good, and it makes his mother feel good.

“When your children do something like this, it makes you think that you must have done something right when you raised them,” Tiana Morris says with a laugh. “And the best part is that they both did this completely on their own. It’s very special to me and, really, to our entire family.”

Speaking of the entire family — most of the Morris clan attend the kids’ different sporting events, and Masen’s games for St. Elizabeth, where he plays for coach Teddy Pankowski, are really a family affair. And even though a lot of teenagers would be embarrassed by all that attention from so many relatives — grandparents, parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins — Masen Morris says he likes looking up in the stands and seeing so many familiar faces.

“They give me energy,” he says. “It makes me go even harder for them, and I want them to feel like it was worth the drive to come see me play. It’s special, because a lot of guys don’t have that kind of support.”

So, do those family members politely sit back and cheer when No. 12 does something good on the basketball court?

“Not at all,” Masen says. “They’re always loud.”

But even though the Morris family members can be loud and enthusiastic, they’re not pushy. Larry Morris coached youth teams in Wilmington for many years — his former players include all-time Delaware greats like Terrence Stansbury, A.J. English and Devon Chambers — and he’s aware that some players lose their love of the game because of the pressures that come from family and friends.

“I’ve seen that many times, when kids get burned out on a sport and it’s no longer what it’s supposed to be, which is fun,” Larry Morris says. “And my kids and grandkids always played more than one sport, which I think is important — Maia played volleyball, basketball and lacrosse, and Masen played baseball, football, basketball and lacrosse. But we never pressured them into playing those sports. They did it because they enjoyed it, and as a parent or grandparent, that’s all you want.”

Now Masen has focused completely on basketball, which includes playing for an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team as well as his school team. He’s a 6-foot-1 (and still growing) guard, and as his mother says, “He’s a shooter — we were all shooters.”

So, expect to see a lot of Morris family members roaming around the gym at St. Elizabeth for the next several years. You’ll know who they are, because they’ll be loud and there will be a lot of them.

“I know how lucky we are, when you look around and see so many fragmented families out there,” Larry Morris says. “I have many, many blessings in my life, but that’s No. 1.”

The Morris family always bring energy and support to the games. Here, Tamara Morris (Larry's oldest daughter) leads the cheers after a nice play by St. Elizabeth.

Jarrett Royster, here resting on a workout tire at the Brandywine Branch, has spent his entire professional life — 35 years — with the YMCA.

Flexing Some Muscle

By Bob Yearick

It’s fortunate that Jarrett Royster, who assumed leadership of Delaware’s YMCAs last October, is a man of varied interests and skills.

He’s a runner; he meditates; he’s a pescatarian who fixes a tasty salmon with asparagus; he loves hip-hop, and he has a black belt in Kenpo karate. He’s also a sharp dresser, favoring well-tailored suits set off by bow ties and stylish sneakers.

Born in New York City, Royster grew up in Providence, R.I., but he (fortunately) became a Philadelphia Eagles fan before moving to The First State. And he has a sometimes self-deprecating sense of humor and a hardy, infectious laugh.

All of these tools and talents should stand him in good stead as he leads a diverse and growing statewide YMCA whose membership area encompasses the affluent environs of Greenville, Wilmington’s urban neighborhoods, and the rural and seashore communities of downstate Delaware. Adding to the challenges facing the new executive director are the ambitious goals he has set for the organization.

The 54-year-old Royster replaces Deborah Bagatta-Bowles, who left in March of last year. A 10-member selection committee plucked him from

a starting field of 41 applicants, according to Enid Wallace-Simms, YMCA of Delaware Board chair. Candidates were whittled down to eight, then four, and then a final three.

“Jarrett stood out,” says Wallace-Simms. “His energy and vision for the YMCA of Delaware is exactly what we were looking for in a leader.”

“He was a Y kid,” she adds. “He has the heart for the YMCA, and with his experience, he knows both sides of the organization. He can work with everybody from the street corner to the board room.” ►

As Jarrett Royster takes the reins of the Delaware YMCA, the organization sets ambitious goals that go far beyond physical fitness

Photos by Justin Heyes/Moonloop

Royster has gained invaluable experience in building social capital, serving the underserved, and even creating jobs, especially during his stays in Charlotte and with the national office. He will be doing much of the same here as the Delaware YMCA addresses education, homelessness, and chronic health issues among the underserved.

He says there are three “strategic outcomes” he would like the Delaware Y to achieve “over the next 10 to 15 years.”

“First,” he says, “we want to ensure that every child we serve is on a pathway to success. We know what it takes for a child to learn, grow, and thrive. Youth development is essentially a science, and I want to make sure we’re following that science.

“The second goal is to improve individual and community health. I want to take on big issues like the obesity crisis and the growth of chronic disease — Delaware has some of the highest cancer rates in the United States. And I want to take on mental health. People are struggling, especially since the pandemic, and I see our organization playing a role in helping them.

“The third goal involves equity for all. I don’t want kids’ ZIP codes to determine their destiny.” In this effort, the Y aligns with colleges and other institutions throughout the country who are emphasizing DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Royster says that initially, many of the strategies aimed at achieving these goals will involve Wilmington’s Central YMCA.

Inexpensive housing has been a traditional offering of the national organization, dating back as far as the Civil War. In Delaware, the Central Branch is the only one offering rooms for rent. Expanding that service is high on the list of priorities for the executive director.

Muscular Christianity

“Originally, Y housing was primarily for men coming back from a war,” Royster says. ”But now it’s a different concept; ►

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Begin with modern wood-fired fare at The Quoin Restaurant new side of the city with one-of-akind views and craft cocktails at Wilmington’s first and only Rooftop Bar & Lounge. Finally, indulge in specialty drinks in a historic locale at our cocktail bar, Simmer Down. Visit Us: THE QUOIN RESTAURANT

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Royster confers with Carolan Cross, executive director of the Brandywine Branch.

All The Right Moves

Dick Rago helps Delaware Tech basketball players succeed — on and off the court

By Kevin Noonan

In his first season as men’s basketball coach at Delaware Technical and Community College, Dick Rago didn’t win a single game.

In his third season as coach at Delaware Tech, Rago didn’t even play any games.

And that’s what made his fourth season so remarkable — Rago’s Spirit team won the Region 19 championship.

So, how does one go from 0-27 to champion in just four years?

“We had good kids who wanted to work hard and wanted to be coached and they wanted to study, as well,” Rago says. “Most of these kids were stars on their high school teams, but many of them had to become role players here, and they accepted that. When we won the championship, the 11th and 12th men were happy as hell. And that’s what really makes coaching fun.” ►

Dick Rago says getting his athletes to complete their degrees is his top priority.

Photos by Jason Burlew

Youth Ministry (CYM) play and travel teams.

There was improvement the second season, but the third one was wiped out by the pandemic. Then, in his fourth season, after a so-so start, Delaware Tech got hot at the end of the year and qualified for the playoffs, then surprised everybody by winning the District 19 championship.

“It was great, because the kids got to see their hard work pay off. That helped establish our program on a lot of levels,” says Rago, who credits assistants Murphy Marbury and Tim Massado (one of his former players at St. Elizabeth) for much of the Spirit’s success.

“The championship was a great selling point. The first couple of years, I had to chase people to come here. This last year, I’ve had coaches and players calling me.”

Students As Well As Athletes

Even more importantly to the school’s administration, Rago’s players stayed for two years and left Delaware Tech with their degrees. After a long spell when nobody did that, six of Rago’s players from last season, as well as the team manager, have graduated and now three of them are playing basketball at four-year schools.

A shining example of that approach is sophomore Syed

Myles. He was a good player at Caesar Rodney High, but didn’t attract attention from major colleges, so he ended up at McDaniel College, a Division III school in Maryland. That didn’t work out, so he left and enrolled at Delaware Tech to focus on his studies. In Myles’ mind, his college basketball career was over.

But a friend urged him to try out for the Spirit team, so Myles called Rago, who was more than willing to give him a tryout. It’s a decision that paid off for both. Myles led the team to the regional championship last year when he averaged 18.4 points per game. This season, he’s averaging more than 22 points, which is 15th in the nation among junior college players; and he’s already been chosen as a Region 19 Player of the Week. More importantly, he’ll get his two-year degree in marketing and now there are several four-year schools interested in him.

“It’s still hard to believe how things have turned around for me, and it’s hard to put into words how much Coach Rago and this team means to me,” Myles says. “I really needed somebody to believe in me, to give me a second chance, and he did.

“Coach Rago is intense, and he demands that you work hard, but he’s also a lot of fun to play for,” Myles adds. “And he’s even more interested in us as people and not just as basketball players and that just makes you want to play even harder for him. Playing here, for Coach Rago, has been a real blessing for me.” ►

Rago and NJCAA Region 19 Player of the Year Rashaan Butler show off their hardware from a memorable 2022 season.

CATHERIN E ROONEY’ S DEL A WARE Celebrating 20 Years!

17 DAYS of St. Patrick

Irish Events, Specials & Live Music

March 3-19

Live Irish Music in March:

Friday, March 10

O’Rourkes

Kilmaine Saints

Saturday, March 11

OPEN AT 9AM • Music 11am-10pm

McMark & Company

Benny, Bill & Shawn

Shannon Tide

Natterjacks

Whiskey Trail

Galway Guild

Fiddlemix by Shelley B

Friday, March 17

OPEN AT 9AM • Music 11am-10pm

Whiskey Trail

Galway Guild

McMark & Company

Fiddlemix by Shelley B

Benny, Bill & Shawn

Irish Sundays (4-7PM)

Malarkey Brothers - 3/5

Gerry Timlin - 3/12

The Quietmen - 3/19

SCAN FOR DETAILS:

knows nothing is certain in junior college basketball.

And that includes his future at Delaware Tech. Rago is in his late 70s and is still active running his law firm, so he knows this second lease on his basketball life won’t last forever.

“I’m extremely happy I took this job, but how much longer can I go, I don’t know,” Rago says. “When they hired me, they said ‘Coach, we want you to come in and turn things around, then turn it over to your people.’

“So, we’ll see what happens, and when. Right now, I’m focused on helping these young men meet their goals, on and off the court, and I still get a lot of satisfaction out of that. It’s why I got into coaching and it’s why I’m still coaching.”

EVENTS ARE US!

FIRST FRIDAY (except Sept. 8) Art Loop Wilmington

FEB 28-MARCH 5

10th Wilmington Beer Week

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 St Patrick’s Day Parade & Loop

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

13th Delaware Beer,Wine & Spirits Festival

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 9-10 Separation Day Celebration

APRIL 24-29

18th City Restaurant Week

SEPTEMBER 2023 Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week

SATURDAY, JULY 29

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

11th River Towns Ride

In addition to sponsoring more than 48 events per year, we annually produce the ones listed here. Find out how your business can partner with . . .

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

Ugly Sweater Santa Crawl

Originally from Mexico, nachos are a Delaware favorite

By Pam George

Nachos complemented with a a draft from Victory Brewing at BBC Tavern in Greenville.

Indeed, when it comes to this shareable appetizer, the chipto-cheese ratio must be perfect.

“We like using a low pan because by spreading the chips out into a thin layer, we can ensure that all the toppings get to every chip,” explains Jeff Matyger, corporate chef for Platinum Dining Group, which owns El Camino Mexican Kitchen in Talleyville. “We believe it gives the diner a better experience.”

At BBC Tavern & Grill in Greenville, David Dietz uses the oval serving trays he purchased long ago for Brandywine Brewing Company, BBC’s predecessor.

Finding the right chip is critical. “You would not believe what we went through with chips,” says Lee Mikles, co-owner of Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, which has four locations. “Are they too thin? Are they too big? They must be thicker than a bag of chips to overcome breakage and carry all the toppings.”

Like many restaurants, Grain purchases premade tortillas

and cuts and fries them in the kitchen, so they’re fresh, warm and crispy. “I’m proud that ours are as good as the last chip,” Mikles says of his number one seller.

The original sharable dish contained three ingredients, including Colby cheese, which was available during World War II. But as nachos have crossed cuisines, price points and regions, variations multiplied.

Not surprisingly, you’ll find the OG Nacho’s influence in Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. Consider the traditional nachos at Mexican Post in Brandywine Hundred. The dish keeps it simple: tortilla chips, melted Jack and cheddar, tomatoes, scallions, olives and jalapenos. However, you can beef up your order with ground meat, chili con carne and sides like sour cream.

El Camino Mexican Kitchen gives the traditional a twist with pickled chili, radishes and a choice of chicken, chili, chorizo or short rib for an upcharge.

On the list of places most likely to serve nachos, sports bars rank after Tex-Mex eateries. For instance, Stanley’s Tavern in north Wilmington has kept the same recipe since the 1980s.

“They haven’t changed a bit, and they’re still a top seller,” says owner Steve Torpey. The Tavern Nachos include cheddar Jack cheese, refried beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives, tomatoes and a dusting of queso. Those in the know order chili instead of refried beans.

Washington Street Ale House also delivers a standard version, but the appetizer includes chili at no additional cost.

At BBC Tavern, Dietz uses Brandywine Brewing Company’s recipe. (He owned the Greenville eatery in the mid-1990s.) The dish — JamJoe’s Nachos — is named for Dietz’s father, dentist Joseph Budding Dietz, who wowed his sons with his dance move at a family wedding.

“Look at him go! He’s really jamming,” they hooted. The nickname JamJoe stuck, and Dietz surprised his dad with the nachos named for him.

BBC Tavern adds a pop of color with blue and yellow chips, but, interestingly, the first layer is black beans, so those who don’t like them can easily avoid them. The kitchen then adds two layers of chips and cheese.

Sour cream, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo are on the side. Why? Again, not everyone likes all the accoutrements, Dietz says. Protein options include Buffalo chicken, bacon, ground beef and crab.

Like BBC and Stanley’s, Kid Shelleen’s doesn’t mess with success. The restaurant, whose original location is in Trolley Square, features traditional ingredients, but freshness is a must. A half-plate for more modest appetites is a welcome option.

Nachos are so ubiquitous that many restaurants go the extra mile to spice things up — literally and figuratively. For instance, corn-and-black bean salad adds interest to the Crooked Hammock Brewery’s Longboard Nachos, which come with chipotle crema on a 14-inch pan so everyone can get a scoop. Chicken, chili and pulled pork are additional toppings. Vegetarians will appreciate a smashed avocado extra. ►

made gumbo, andouille sausage, cheddar, jalapeno and roasted peppers. This dish is one way to “let the good times roll,” before bellying up to a duckpin bowling lane.

Limestone BBQ & Bourbon’s version includes brisket and sassafras white sauce (white BBQ sauce, also called Alabama white sauce, is made with mayonnaise, vinegar and spices).

Since Makers Alley is about sips and noshes, nachos are a natural menu item. But these aren’t your usual TexMex versions. They come with Cajun chicken, applewoodsmoked bacon, cheddar, pico de gallo, lettuce and ranch dressing. Chelsea Tavern is known for its beer selection, so, unsurprisingly, the nachos come with a beer-cheese sauce. A grilled corn-and-black bean salsa and avocado-lime sour cream also take things up a notch. For an extra price, you can add beer-braised beef or grilled chicken.

Nachos aren’t usually found in higher-end establishments, but Banks’ Seafood Kitchen on the Riverfront serves seafood nachos for two with big eye tuna, crabmeat and shrimp.

The riverfront restaurant isn’t the only one bringing a nautical flair to America’s favorite shareable. Crab nachos are a bestseller at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen. Instead of chips, the kitchen uses wonton chips, and the lump crab is accompanied by diced cucumbers, pico de gallo, the proprietary OMG cheese sauce and a dusting of Old Bay. The restaurant also sells a traditional version with tortilla chips.

And now for something completely different, consider the Trash Can at Klondike Kate’s, fried corn tortilla chips with French fries, chicken fingers and onion straws. It comes with honey-mustard dipping sauce and a blue cheese drizzle.

The Newark restaurant is also home to Buffalo chicken nachos with blue cheese crumbles and hot sauce; BBQ chicken with ranch dressing; and cheesesteak nachos with fried onions and peppers, cheesesteak meat and American cheese.

While Home Grown has traditional nachos, you can get Tater Tots with a hot pepper cheese sauce, pico de gallo, scallions and chipotle-ranch sauce. Call them “Tot-chos.”

And nachos aren’t just for lunch or dinner, as evidenced by Chelsea Tavern’s breakfast nachos — featuring chips with scrambled eggs, home fries, hollandaise, spicy ketchup and a choice of breakfast meat — including bacon, sausage, scrapple or turkey bacon or sausage.

Thanks to all these Delaware restaurants, you can have nachos morning, noon and night — and most hours in between.

Tickets on Sale

Ready to rock out to your favorite tunes?

March 4, 2023 | The QUeen, Wilmington

70 Area Musicians Playing 40+ Classic Hits at One Totally Awesome Concert!

Get your tickets @ lightupthequeen.org/shinealight

Proceeds Support Local Music Education Programs

The Police

The ‘Tide’ Rolls In on St. Pat’s

Former full-time politician/part-time musician Martin O’Malley bring his band back to Wilmington

By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

There are plenty of reasons to love the energy and antics of St. Patrick’s Day in Wilmington. We’ll give you one more. Regional favorites The Shannon Tide — led by former Maryland governor and presidential candidate Martin O’Malley — are reuniting for a special performance at Catherine Rooney’s following the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 11. None other than Kevin Freel, owner of Wilmington’s legendary O’Friel’s Irish Pub, helped set up the band’s appearance.

Says Freel: “Depending on your generation [on March 11], you’ll be able to get into the way-back machine and go Back to The Future, to ‘a galaxy far, far away,’ or even to The Twilight Zone, and for a few hours relive those great years of the ’80s with The Shannon Tide at O’Friel’s Irish Pub.”

We caught up with O’Malley in advance of his return to Wilmington to talk about the history of the group, what he’s most looking forward to, and what’s next. Here’s what he had to say …

O&A: So, how did The Shannon Tide get started?

O'Malley: When I was I high school, I fell into an Irish band with three other guys 10 years my senior — that band was called The Shannon Tide. Only one of us was married; only two of us could tune a guitar; and we knew 20 songs we played twice a night. But there was, at the time, an abundance of newly opened

Irish bars and a shortage of Irish bands. In that supply/demand curve, we committed ourselves to playing out until we got better.

The songs we sang were mostly the old songs popularized this century by the Clancy Brothers and The Wolfe Tones. Stories of love and hope and freedom. And the sort of singalong choruses that have stood the test of time. ►

The Shannon Tide will return to Wilmington for a special performance at Catherine Rooney’s on March 11. (L-R: Jimmy Nalls, Bert Keith, Danny Costello, Martin O’Malley).

Around 1980, Kevin [Freel] opened O’Friel’s [Irish Pub]. He and his brother Ed recruited us to make the trip and see if there might be a market for live Irish music in Wilmington. The first Thursday we played there, the place was packed, and the party was on from the first song. The next time, there were people lined up a block down the street. I can honestly say that the first time an audience respected us as a band was in Wilmington. And while D.C. and Baltimore were our bases, I’ll say we never had a better time than when we played at O’Friel’s.

And where are you all now?

O'Malley: The original band ran its course around 1983. We went separate ways, but we continued to play in other bands, started to write our own songs, and got better at tuning our own guitars. We all keep a hand in playing in other bands or on special occasions. While we stay in touch as friends, this will be the first time we’ve played as The Shannon Tide in Wilmington in 40 years.

Why make the return to Delaware?

O'Malley: Every since those early days of the ’80s, I’ve run into people — in politics and business — who remind me that we met at O’Friel’s back in the day. In fact, [former Delaware] Governor Jack Markell would often comment to me that he and his wife met during one of our shows at O’Friel’s. Small world. That’s Delaware

Shortly before COVID struck, we’d gotten back together to perform a couple reunion shows in D.C. and Baltimore. But the shutdown prevented our world tour from reaching Wilmington.

Now we’re back, and honestly, our musicianship, coordination, and chops are far better now than they were then! When Kevin (now retired from full-time bar-owning) asked us to come back to Rooney’s for a Shannon Tide reunion show, we jumped at the chance!

What are you most looking forward to?

What can fans expect from The Shannon Tide's return?

O'Malley: We are looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends and friends who remain young heart as we conjure up the songs and energy of younger days. The magic and old songs of those bygone days still hold, along with a special energy

A young Martin O'Malley with Kevin Freel at O'Friel's in 2001. O&A file photo

from those heady weekends at O’Friel’s. Among those trusty old songs fans may hear: The One Road, A Nation Once Again, and The Wild Colonial Boy, to name a few.

What’s your favorite thing to play from your repertoire?

What do you think your fans yearn for the most?

O'Malley: Some of the songs above. And honestly just the joy of hearing those same voices — seasoned but better — belting it out in unison, is a treat for all of us. We’ve finally become in retirement the band we imagined we might sound like in those earlier days.

Will The Shannon Tide be going back out on the road?

O'Malley: [LAUGHS] We won’t being going back on any road but I-95.

What are some of your fondest memories of the Wilmington scene?

O'Malley: [Former longtime City Councilman] Bud Freel and [me and Kevin] singing Rosalita along with Springsteen blaring the classic track over the house speakers at the end of high-energy night.

Who’s on Martin O'Malley's playlist right now?

O'Malley: Kind of like Taylor Swift lately. But Springsteen remains the soundtrack of my life, along with all those old Irish songs.

Do you feel there's anything similar about being a politician and being a musician?

O'Malley: Having played onstage on front of sometimes less-than-polite IrishAmerican crowds, I certainly didn’t suffer from stage fright when I fell into politics. I suppose there is something universal about the ability to see people as individuals whether in big crowds or one-to-one.

FUN FACTS WITH MARTIN O’MALLEY

Favorite musician (living or dead)? Springsteen.

Song you wish you'd written?

Thunder Road.

Most embarrassing onstage moment?

Singing Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood with an acoustic guitar on The View Rolling Stone called it a “…pop music war crime.”

Dream venue to play?

A reincarnated O’Friel’s of Wilmington…or Springsteen’s barn.

Dream artist to play with? Springsteen

Beers Worth Cheering About

Here, in alphabetical order, are four first-state brewed beers (plus one worthy of mention) that honor area sports teams, sports figures, or at least the spirit of local sports.

BIG STITCH NICK @ STITCH HOUSE BREWERY

A tribute to Eagles’ QB Nick Foles (and his, um, legendary physical attributes), this 5.6% ABV pale ale is just as popular now as it was five years ago when Foles led a bruised and battered Birds team past Tom Brady and the Patriots to win Super Bowl LII.

Stitch brewmaster Alan Rutherford crafted a lasting winner with this one while keeping alive a rich tradition of bestowing beers with clever pun-based names — such as Friends Witte Benefits and My Neck, Maibock.

You can grab a pint of Big Stitch for $7 at the Wilmington-based brewery, where it is consistently on tap. Go full-on Philly and pair it with the SHB Cheese Steak or their Breaded Chicken Cutlet.

THE GOON @ MISPILLION RIVER BREWING

Living up to its name, The Goon is big. Weighing at an ABV of 10%, this Imperial IPA is a force to be reckoned with — which may explain the bruiser in hockey attire on the label.

Although officially not a Flyers tribute, the orange-and-white colors on the can certainly lead one to believe which team the brewers at Mispillion are rooting for this season.

Additionally, the can’s rough-looking hockey player character (who we can safely assume is “the goon”) resembles a cross between Flyers center Sean Couturier and the block-jawed lead in Eric Powell’s comic book series, which goes by the same name as the beer.

Note that Mispillion also sponsors an amateur hockey team that plays other brewery-backed teams in a club league in Sussex County. They won their championships last season and, as of press time, lead the B Division 10-4-1. ►

SMOKING

PHILLY PHAVORITE @ IRON HILL BREWERY

Similar to Stitch House’s Big Stitch Nick, the Philly Phavorite was largely inspired by the Eagles’ 2018 Super Bowl victory over New England.

In fact, the 6.7% IPA was first called the “Philly Special,” named after the famed trick play that saw Trey Burton toss a touchdown to Nick Foles on a fourth-and-goal situation right before halftime. However, once “Philly Special” was trademarked by the Eagles organization, Iron Hill made the Special a Phavorite, and phans phollowed phorward pheeling phantastic!

Seriously though, five years later, the Philly Phavorite continues to score big on tap at all their locations — even as far away as Georgia — while being a strong seller in cans in the tri-state area.

The irony? As the menu states, “This hazy beer may be considered a New England IPA, but its inspiration is pure Philly.”

Try to deflate that spirit, Mr. Kraft!

VARSITY BREW @ WILMINGTON BREW WORKS

Two years ago, one of Wilmington’s biggest celebrities was celebrated with a tribute beer. No, not Aubrey Plaza. Nor Joe Biden.

We are, of course, talking about Mr. Celery.

Yes, 2021 was the year when Wilmington Brew Works first crafted the Woo-Hoo Brew honoring the unlikely-butundaunted mascot of the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Six months later, the brewery followed up that hit with a collaboration with the Delaware Blue Coats, unveiling a 5.1% ABV session IPA called Varsity Brew. It’s a beer you can enjoy while watching the Sixers-affiliated team play basketball at the Chase Fieldhouse, or on-tap at the brewery, or take home in 4-pack cans for your own sports enjoyment.

Pints go for $6.50 at the brewery with 20-oz. pours ringing up at $8.

60 + vendors serving

Beer & Cocktails, 3 Local Food Trucks, NonAlcoholic Libations at barNA, and Live Local Music... all to benefit West Side Grows!

Worth Mentioning: DOGFISH HEAD

We could argue if Dogfish’s Blue Hen Pilsner is a tribute to the state mascot . . . or Washington’s famed troops that made history in Valley Forge . . . or the Fightin’ Blue Hens at University of Delaware . . . or all of the above.

Another debatable contender would be the Punkin Ale, a pumpkin beer OG that not only is named after Punkin Chunkin but made its debut at the event way back in 1994 when it won first place in the Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest — six months before the brewery was even open.

The Punkin Chunkin may not live in the First State anymore, but it certainly was born here and lives on in spirit through the beer that bears its name. The only question that remains is whether chucking pumpkins thousands of feet through the air is a sport, a spectacle, or simply a science that’s a blast to watch.

It’s a discussion worth having over a beer.

— Jim Miller

TICKET GIVEAWAY

Fill in the

You know the drill:

(1) Ask your friends to help “fill in the blanks” for the missing words needed below.

(2) Once completed, read aloud and watch hilarity ensue.

(3) Got a funny one? Take a photo and send it to us at Contact@OutAndAboutNow.com

Randomly drawn winner will get a $50 Gift Card to Pizza By Elizabeths

(One entry per person; must be 21+ to enter; due by the 21st of each month.). Have fun!

THE HOT NEW GAME

Hey, guys! Have you heard about ( type of vegetable ) Ball? It’s the new ( adjective ) game everybody’s talking about!

( first name of friend ) and I played last week with one of the area clubs at the ( community building ) down the street. We had such a ( adjective ) time!

Turns out it’s really easy to play. You just need a ball, a net, a ( noun ), a ( adjective ) ( noun ), and ( number > 1 ) friends who aren’t afraid to ( verb ) and work up a good sweat.

The object of the game is simple: Get the ball into the ( noun ) to score without your opponents stealing the ball from you and ( verb ending in -ing ).

It’s a little bit different from other sports, though. First, you’ll want to divide the players into ( number > 1 ) teams. Each team has only ( number > 1 ) chances to start with the ball, and each play is called a ( nonsense word ).

When you have the ball, you are allowed to move it forward down the court with either your ( body part ) or your ( body part plural ), but not your ( body part plural ), which will put you in the penalty ( noun ).

When you score, not only do you earn another chance to start with the ball, but the other team has to ( verb ) one of their players. So you can imagine, the game gets really ( adjective )!

The first team to score ( number > 1 ) times, wins the game. And when it’s all over, the winning team lifts their MVP up on their ( body part plural ) and start jumping up and down shouting ( nonsense word ) over and over again.

What can I say? It’s a lot of good, old-fashioned, ( adjective ) fun!

THE CITY

MAYOR WELCOMES TWO BUSINESSES TO WEST SIDE

Mayor Purzycki in February helped welcome two new women-owned small businesses — Hell’s Belles Bake Shop (600 N. Union St.) and the Delaware Center For Dance (840 N. Union St.) — at two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on the City’s west side.

In celebrating the grand openings, Mayor Purzycki said cities thrive on small businesses and people who use their own sense of entrepreneurship to build something. “That’s what cities are,” said the Mayor. “The other thing that cities are,” he continued, “are the arts. And having young kids learn to appreciate dance and music and art, it’s a strength of the City because the arts are a reflection of who we are.”

“Hell’s Belles and the Delaware Dance Company will bring new energy and jobs to the already thriving west side, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome these enthusiastic and enterprising young business owners to our City. I wish Hannah, Stephanie, and Briana all the success in the world as they begin their new journeys.”

APPLY NOW FOR 2023 YOUTH CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Registration for the 2023 Youth Career Development (YCD) Program summer session, which begins June 20, is now open. New and returning applicants can register at www.wilmingtonyouthjobs.com. The deadline to apply is Saturday, April 15, 2023. The City will again employ hundreds of youths this summer in numerous professions and internships within City government as well as in the business and community sectors. Mayor Purzycki said the Youth Career Development Program is intended to help younger City residents develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future.

Stephanie Grubb, Mayor Purzycki, Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo, and Hannah Schoenbach join Council members Chris Johnson, Bregetta Fields and others to cut the ribbon on Hell’s Belles.

From left: City Council member Chris Johnson, Mayor Purzycki, Briana Hayman, Gabrielle Lantieri of Cornerstone West CDC, and Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo cut the ribbon on Delaware Center for Dance. (Photos courtesy of Yesenia Taveras, Director of Communications/ Wilmington City Council)

102ND POLICE ACADEMY APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos have begun the hiring process to welcome new members of the WPD. The 102nd Police Academy will open later this year, but individuals interested in a career in law enforcement — and public service — can apply to join the police department now. The application process will close on March 31st.

“I’m proud to say that Wilmington has an outstanding police department with dedicated men and women who use the latest crime prevention and crime deterrence methods to serve and protect the people of Wilmington,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Join this police force and you will see how public safety and public service are connected. The community’s support is what drives the successes of the WPD.”

To learn more about becoming a police officer, contact Sgt. Aaron Metzner at (302) 576-3177 or email him at Aaron.Metzner@ cj.state.de.us. You can also visit the WPD recruitment webpage at www.WilmingtonDE.gov/PoliceAcademy. The initial screening process will include a written exam, a physical ability test, and interview panels that will include a Chief’s interview.

WPD OFFICERS NOW CARRY NALOXONE (NARCAN)

Wilmington police officers now carry Naloxone (aka Narcan), a medication designed to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The WPD worked with the DE Office of Emergency Medical Services to develop a plan for this initiative and to implement a training curriculum for officers.

“The men and women of the WPD are often first to arrive at incidents that involve medical emergencies where they render immediate aid and save lives on a daily basis,” said Police Chief Wilfredo Campos. “Equipping our officers with Naloxone will give them yet another tool to help rescue those suffering from an opioid overdose.”

“Our police department has made great strides to strengthen its community connections through a greater understanding that policing is more than just strictly law enforcement,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Sometimes, our police officers are in a unique position to provide aid that’s more along the lines of physical or mental health assistance. Now, both our police and fire departments carry Narcan and that will help to save lives.”

In addition to officers carrying Naloxone while on duty, WPD also helps distribute Opioid Rescue Kits — including Narcan nasal spray, fentanyl test strips and other lifesaving materials — to the public through Community Resource Fairs and weekly Community Outreach Walks in partnership with the Delaware Community Response Teams.

To learn more about resources for those suffering from an opioid addiction, and their families and loved ones, and to request a Narcan kit, visit www.HelpIsHereDE.com.

Restaurants and Beer Garden

Banks’ Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar

Big Fish Grill

Ciro Food & Drink

Constitution Yards

Delaware Duck Café and Catering

Del Pez

Docklands

Drop Squad Kitchen

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Riverfront Bakery

River Rock Kitchen

Starbucks

Taco Grande

Timothy’s on the Riverfront

Ubon Thai

RIVERFRONT MARKET

OPEN

MON-FRI: 9AM-6PM

SAT: 9AM-4PM

Stop in and enjoy fresh produce, salads, sandwiches, pizza, sushi, Mexican, Thai cuisine, Peruvian Rotisserie, Soulfood and much more!

Dine-in or carry out

DuPont Environmental Education Center

The DuPont Environmental Education Center provides a 13,000 square foot facility along the 212-acre Peterson Wildlife Refuge, where guests can explore the marshes and look for various species of amphibians, birds and fish.

They offer guided tours, weekly drop-in classes, and have easy access to the Jack A. Markell Bike Trail.

Delawarenaturesociety.org/centers/dupont-environmental-education-center

Get out, enjoy nature, and dine from some of your favorite restaurants!

The Riverfront is a perfect venue to enjoy the outdoors and walk our mile Riverwalk along the beautiful Christina River! Additionally, the DuPont Environmental Education Center is open to the public. DEEC’s nature trails, including the eight-mile Jack A. Markell Trail continues to be fully operational! Get out and enjoy some quality time in nature!

DCM is open on the Riverfront

Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Admission: $12 Membership for the entire family is just $119 for the year

DelawareChildrensMuseum.org (302) 654-2340