Greenville & Hockessin Life Winter 2018 by Ad Pro Inc.

Winter 2018

Magazine

Josée Spence: Hockessin Athletic Club instructor shares her truest colors - Page 58

Inside: • Sam Waltz: A passion for just about everything • Boutique owner finds the fun in business • Hardcastle Gallery: A home for art

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Winter 2018

Greenville & Hockessin

Life

Table of Contents

12 22 28 36 48

Boutique owner finds the fun in business

58 68

Her truest colors

Noelle Picara links social justice, education and the arts

Q & A with Liz Brown A passion for just about everything A home for art

Empowering Great Dames and their remarkable ideas

Photo essay: Hockessinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home for the Holidays

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

28 74

Celebrating the season in Greenville and Hockessin Letter from the Editor:

Christmastime is a wonderful time of the year in Greenville, Hockessin, and the surrounding communities. Every year at this time, Casual Marketplace in Hockessin transforms into a three-floor holiday greeting card. It’s a labor of love that’s been enjoyed by generations of local families. In this issue of Greenville & Hockessin Life, we feature Casual Marketplace in the photo essay. This issue also includes a feature about the Hardcastle Gallery, which has been showcasing artists and their work for 130 years. We profile Noelle Picara, who links social justice, education and the arts. This past June, after teaching at the Tatnall School for seven years, Noelle Picara left to pursue an even higher calling – to bring voices to those who have been deprived of them. We also profile Josee Spence, a Zumba instructor at the Hockessin Athletic Club. Her Zumba classes are wildly popular – both in studio and in the club’s pool – and she also teaches swimming lessons to children. Spence’s enthusiasm toward encouraging others to engage in fitness does not end when she leaves the HAC. For the past year, she has traveled twice a month to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle to lead a few dozen incarcerated women through Zumba classes at Baylor’s gymnasium. We talk to Sam Waltz, who has devoted his life to exploring history, companies and people that spark his interest. The subject of the Q & A is Liz Brown, a professional life coach who has been involved in helping individuals and groups make positive life changes for the last decade. She is the owner of Be Well Life Coaching in Centerville, and works to help people with ADHD and those who are in recovery from addiction. She is also the vice president of Cross Talks, and handles all the internal and external business affairs, in addition to running her own Cross Talks groups. We also explore Great Dames, a Delaware-based group that seeks to empower women and girls through a wide variety of initiatives, including a Remarkable Ideas Competition that has honored some great ideas. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions for future stories. In the meantime, the staff at Greenville & Hockessin Life would like to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. We’re already hard at work planning the next issue of the magazine, which will arrive in the summer of 2019.

Sincerely, Randy Lieberman, Publisher randyl@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553 Steve Hoffman, Editor editor@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553, ext. 13 Cover design by: Tricia Hoadley Cover photo: Jie Deng www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

|Greenville & Hockessin Business|

Boutique owner finds the fun in business By John Chambless Staff Writer

ince September, Ashley Murphy has been experiencing all that comes with opening her own business. “It’s been so much fun,” she said brightly. “And absolutely terrifying.” Murphy is the founder and owner of Blythe, a clothing and accessories boutique she opened in the Powder Mill Square shopping center in Greenville. The store carries her middle name, and her personal imprint is literally everywhere. Her business card notes that her job title is “Girl boss.” A Delaware native, Murphy went through Ursuline and Archmere Academy, “and I always thought I’d be a kindergarten teacher,” she said. But in her teens, she had a strong interest in fashion and worked in several stores – Flirt Boutique, Lucky Brand, Peter Kate, and Two Sisters, a children’s store that was in the space now occupied by Blythe. “I had looked for a location in Hockessin, and I love that town so much, but I knew the customers from this space so well. The opportunity came up and I thought it would be so much fun to do. Finally, I thought that if I didn’t do it now, I never would,” she recalled. It was a seven-month process from deciding to take the leap to actually opening the door of the store. There was some work to be done Continued on Page 14

All photos by John Chambless

Ashley Murphy opened her Greenville store, Blythe, in September.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Blythe Continued from Page 12

to reconfigure the space, and Murphy and her boyfriend moved a wall and built a bathroom, she noted proudly. “I was here until 10:30 at night, putting in the new floor with him,” she said. The store is next door to a Starbucks, so it gets plenty of traffic and visibility. “I want people to walk in here and feel comfortable, like they’re walking into my house,” Murphy said. “Even if they’re not buying something, I want them to feel OK to just hang out.”

Along those lines, there’s a turntable and basket of albums near the dressing room, and customers are invited to put on a record of their choice while they’re browsing. The records – from the Rolling Stones to Justin Bieber – and record player are Murphy’s. “One of the things about having it, though, is going over to flip the record every five songs,” she said. There’s a neon Blythe sign on the back wall that Murphy had made for the store, and everything she sells – from jackets and jeans to

Ashley Murphy put up this print in the store as a reminder to stay calm when launching her business. 14

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

A New Remodeling Experience

jewelry – is individually selected. “There’s a lot of my personal style in the store. People keep telling me to stick with my gut. I’m taking a little bit of a risk with some things, but I want a mother and a daughter to be able to walk in and both find something,” she said. “I didn’t want to put an age on my clothes or my store.” She found all of her vendors by searching Instragram, she said, and has built personal relationships with the businesses she buys from. “As much as I hate social media, I really owe it for my business,” she said. The maker of a line of T-shirts she sells gives food to children in underserved communities, and the nail polish sold in Blythe is all vegan, and 20 percent of the sales price goes to Continued on Page 16

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Blythe Continued from Page 15

the National Organization for Women. Every purchase is wrapped in paper and sealed with a sticker that reads, “Always Be Kind.” It’s that kind of top-to-bottom attention to detail that excites Murphy about coming to work every day. And she is there every single day, although she has recently added one store helper, Lily Stevens. “I’m so excited when someone walks through that door,” Murphy said. “I wanted a good vibe in my store. Maybe sometimes I overdo it because I’m so Continued on Page 18

Lily Stevens (right) is the only other employee at Blythe.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Murphy personally selects every item offered in the store.

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Blythe Continued from Page 16

excited they’ve come in. I may come off as a little shy, but once you get to know me, I’m pretty down to earth and a little crazy,” she said, smiling. The store has built some momentum, even so early on. “In the beginning, I was begging people to let me carry their products, and now I have to turn people away,” she said. That’s a good sign, and Murphy is bracing for the craziest time of the year in retail – the Christmas rush. Continued on Page 20

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Blythe Continued from Page 18

“I’ve definitely worked in stores during Christmas before,” she said, “but I used to be able to go home and leave it all behind me. This is the first time it’s my baby.” She has prepared well ahead of time, and has already ordered merchandise for next summer. The store is a constant concern, she said, “and after being here all day, I don’t sleep much. I plan where I’m moving things in my sleep.” She has built up warm relationships with customers she got to know in her other retail jobs, “and they believe in me,” she said. “And my family has been here to help me since day one.” Murphy admitted that people are surprised that she is running her own store, especially since she appears very young. “People think I’m too young, until they find out how old I really am,” she said, laughing. “I’ve been picking out the gray hairs that have come along in the last four months, but it’s all good.” While Blythe is just starting out, Murphy thought for a moment when asked where she would like to take the store in the coming years. “I could expand, I suppose, but I just love this space,” she said. “Sometimes it’s this kind of small shop that people love. I can’t think about the future because I’m just thinking about this store and how I can make it better.”

Blythe is at 3828 Kennett Pike, Greenville, Del., in Powder Mill Square. Call 302-274-2292 or visit www.facebook.com/ blythegreenville. To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

|Greenville & Hockessin Life|

Q&A

Courtesy photo

Liz Brown is a professional life coach and vice president of Cross Talks.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Liz Brown, life coach and vice president of Cross Talks

Liz Brown is a professional life coach who has been involved in helping individuals and groups make positive life changes for the last decade. She is the owner of Be Well Life Coaching in Centreville, and works to help people with ADHD and those who are in recovery from addiction. She expanded her business to serve those who are looking to overcome obstacles that have been causing a struggle. She is also the vice president of Cross Talks, and handles all the internal and external business affairs, in addition to running her own Cross Talks groups.

Q: Liz, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the vice president of Cross Talks, an organization that is based in Hockessin. Can you tell us about the mission of the organization? A: The purpose of Cross Talks is to help entrepreneurs grow their business to the next level. It is done in four ways: Teaching wisdom through the Bible, providing hands-on proprietary business tools, authentic connection to others in the group, and accountability. Our founder, Soraya (Morgan) Gutman, was inspired to start a master-mind group with the mission of honoring God in business. We are open to any business owner of any faith or belief. When was Cross Talks launched, and what has been the response? Soraya launched Cross Talks in September of 2017 and the response has been tremendous. I was so excited about what the group offered and was the first official member. I joined at the end of the first meeting! Since then, we have grown and have one group at The Well in Hockessin and two groups in Glen Mills at Wegmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The members of the group are genuine and are givers. I have been so inspired by fellow members and have seen tremendous growth in each and every person. I have been a team leader for two of the groups, and it has truly been an experience that has helped me grow professionally, personally and spiritually. Because of the success in the last year, we are now, based on market demand, launching The Cross Talks Training Program so any talented coach or business consultant can run their own group. Continued on Page 24

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Liz Brown Continued from Page 23

What are some of the unique monthly networking events that Cross Talks has held? Cross Talks holds monthly meetings and encourages members to connect outside the meetings. At our meetings, we have “shout-outs” to members who have helped us, accountability check-ins and goal setting for the next month, a speaker who combines a business lesson with a Biblical teaching and hands-on group work. You also own Be Well Life Coaching in Centerville. What led you to become a professional life coach? I was inspired to become a life coach because I was at a crossroads in my life. My youngest of four children was in high school, and I wanted to take the next chapter of my life and help other people. I was inspired by a positive psychology class that I took one summer. There are so many ways to help people thrive through the challenges in life. Too often, people get stuck and don’t see a way to move forward. It is so rewarding to help them succeed. I also have specialties in ADHD, addiction recovery and career coaching. Often these areas present special challenges and my training allows me to help. What qualities must a good life coach have? In my mind, you must be an excellent listener, a trust builder, a cheerleader, a motivator and be able to help people see that they are in the driver’s seat to make change. I think a sense of humor is very important as well!

Continued on Page 26

SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME IN DELAWARE?

Building new homes in Delaware since 1978 Bowers Landing: Ranch and two-story single family homes on ½ acre lots, from the mid $200’s. Bike to the Delaware Bay and Bowers Beach’s open-to-the-public white sand beaches. Close to Dover Air Base and Dover Downs. 40 minutes to Live Close Rehoboth Beach. Lake Forest School District. to Delaware Avonbridge at Odessa Chase: Two quick delivery homes available soon. New Carriage homes adjacent to the Odessa Beaches! National Golf Course from the mid $200’s. Golf Course Clubhouse now open. First floor master bedrooms available. Bon Ayre: Manufactured homes in an established 55+ landlease community in historic Smyrna close to Bayhealth & Christiana Care. From the low $100’s. Beautiful clubhouse on site. Call 302-659-5800. Visit www.BonAyreHomes.com. Low Quick Delivery Homes available immediately! Energy-efficient natural gas appliances available. Mearfield: Ranch and two-story single family homes within the City of Seaford, from the low $200’s. Close to Rte. 13 & Delaware area shopping. Quick Delivery Homes available immediately! Property Sunnyside Village: Singles in the historic Town of Smyrna, from the $200’s. Eight ranch & 2-story models to choose from. Taxes! Close to schools, day cares, fitness center, health care and shopping centers. Energy-efficient natural gas appliances available. Cambria Village: Town homes in the Town of Smyrna, from the $170’s. Very Close to downtown Smyrna, Rte. 1 & Rte. 13. Four models to choose from. Quick Delivery Homes available immediately! Brookefield: Single family homes along Voshell’s Pond in Camden, from the mid $300’s. Caesar Rodney School District. First floor master bedrooms available. Quick Delivery homes available immediately. Energy-efficient natural gas appliances available. Huntington Mills, Clayton, DE: Ranch and two-story single family homes in a well established community from the mid $200’s. One quick delivery home available. Energy-efficient natural gas appliances available. Old Country Farms, Clayton, DE: Ranch and two-story single family homes in an established community from the high $200’s. Adjacent to the new Clayton Middle School. Quick Delivery Homes under construction now! Watergate at Milford: New townhomes for rent from $1,100 per month. See www.WatergateAtMilford.com

There’s Never Been A Better Time to Buy! For more information call 302.653.1650 or visit www.LenapeBuilders.net 24

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Liz Brown Continued from Page 24

What is your favorite, or most rewarding, part of being a life coach? The most rewarding part of coaching is when a client reports back that they accomplished something they didn’t think that they could, or that they had a shift in perspective that led to a change. It’s all about small steps leading to big change. What are a few of your favorite spots in the area? A: We are so lucky to have so many great spots in this area. Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville is always fun. The Well Coffee Shop and Quinn’s in Hockessin are great spots for breakfast or lunch. We also have a wealth of places to visit – Winterthur, Mt. Cuba, Hagley. My favorite improvement has been the installation of new walking trails in the Centreville and Hockessin area. It’s great to have local places to get out and walk. If you could invite any three guests, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would it be? That’s easy – my mom, my dad and my father-in-law. All are deceased, and I would love to have one more meal together to ask questions and share joys and tears with them. What food is always in your refrigerator? Chopped salad mix – I am a salad lover!

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|Greenville & Hockessin People|

A passion for just about everything Sam Waltz has devoted his life to exploring history, companies and people that spark his interest By John Chambless Staff Writer

am Waltz doesn’t have time to retire. He’s having too much fun. “Oh, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything,” Waltz said brightly during a wide-ranging interview at his Greenville home. “Why would I retire? What’s not to love about what I do?” What Waltz does, exactly, covers a lot of ground. His story begins with his childhood, as the son of a sharecropper father and school teacher mother in Illinois. He grew up in the land of Abraham Lincoln, which would come around later in life to be a major interest of his. Continued on Page 30

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Photo by John Chambless

Sam Waltz with his personal library, full of books that have captured his interest over the years. www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Sam Waltz Continued from Page 28

As a young teen, he had a strong interest – but not much natural ability – in baseball. His coach assigned him to call in the scores for the games to the local newspapers in Champaign, Ill. Gradually, he built relationships with the newspaper editors and writers and began covering baseball and basketball games. He got the lordly sum of $1 per game, but when he got that amount from four different papers, Waltz was maximizing his efforts – something he continues to do.

Although he finished two degrees there after his military service, he had dropped out of the University of Illinois in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, to enlist. “When your country goes to war, you need to be ready to go to war,” he said. He spent three years in Army counterintelligence, basically “spying on the bad guys” and learning how groups operate. Based in Philadelphia, he did background checks on Army personnel, worked in military

File photo by John Chambless

Waltz talks about his vindication of two commanders who were publicly scapegoated after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The program was presented at the 2017 Veterans Day Breakfast at the Kennett Square Senior Center. 30

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

facility security, and gathered information – much as he had as a working journalist. Five years later, he had a long list of contacts in the military and governmental realms, and was hired by the News-Journal in Delaware as a political journalist and state capitol bureau chief. He has been a Delawarean since April 1975. He covered a young Pete du Pont, Tom Carper and Joe Biden. He remains close with Biden, who lives less than a mile away from Waltz’s home. “Then the DuPont Company recruited me in 1977 to do marketing, public relations, government relations and strategy,” Waltz said. After a company plant blew up and Waltz handled the resulting chaos, he started down a path of crisis management, something he continues today. In 1993, he founded Sam Waltz & Associates Strategic Capital & Business Counsel in Greenville, eventually growing to a staff of 10 before downsizing to a solo operation by 2010. “I help leaders and organizations navigate difficult events, trends, times, people and issues to achieve their goals,” he said. Which means that when a company has an embezzlement crisis or some sort of management disaster, Waltz can lead panicked executives through the next steps. He does workshops on leadership and business planning, as well as mergers and acquisitions and public affairs. But that’s not even half of what he does. During his years with Dupont, he had a hand in producing the halftime show at the 1980 Super Bowl XIV, which promoted a then-new product, Mylar. He was a project manager for the Gossamer Albatross in 1979, a pedal-powered aircraft that crossed the English Channel with the DuPont logo on its side, landing global exposure. He was the national director for putting DuPont Stren fishing line into fishing tournaments and TV shows nationwide. A lifetime voracious reader, Waltz has pursued several avenues on topics that caught his interest. He spearheaded a campaign to vindicate two commanders who were publicly scapegoated after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Between 1998 and 2002, he worked to clear the names of Admiral Husband Kimmel and General Walter Short. The families of both men had carried the burden for decades. Continued on Page 32

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Sam Waltz Continued from Page 31

In the 1990s, Waltz had met Ned Kimmel, the son of Admiral Kimmel, who lived in Wilmington and also worked at DuPont. Although a Presidential pardon was not achieved, by 2000, both the Senate and the House of Representatives had voted to vindicate the two commanders. For his part, “How often do you get a chance to touch history?” Waltz said. “I feel blessed to have worked with the son of Admiral Kimmel to vindicate both the Admiral and the General. … The government had perpetuated a stain on their reputations, their honor and their character.” Continued on Page 34

Sam Waltz with an 1860s chromolithograph of an 1859 painting, ‘Negro Life at the South,’ by Eastman Johnson. It’s one of several illustrations of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War-related topics in his collection.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Sam Waltz Continued from Page 32

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In 1999, the Senate called for a reinstatement of the men’s ranks. “I look at that day, May 25, 1999, as one of the most touching moments in my life,” Waltz said. “I watched with Ned on C-Span as the Senate voted to vindicate his father.” Then there’s Waltz’s interest in Moe Berg, a Jewish baseball player who played 10 years before the better-known Hank Greenberg. And his passion for bourbon, “America’s spirit,” he calls it, and its rich history. And serving as the Delaware Valley chapter chairman of TruthAtWork.org, a ministry that unites and serves business people whose Christian faith is an organizing principle in their lives. And his 10 years of attending baseball spring training in Florida. In 2018, he saw 20 games in 21 days in seven different ballparks. “I get up every day and I just want to learn something new,” Waltz said.

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Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

He thinks Joe Biden will run for President in 2020, and he recalled their long association in a recent blog post, addressing Biden: “You always have thought on a large scale. I remember a breakfast we had in 1978, as you were running for a second term in the Senate. It was just the two of us in a booth at the old Howard Johnson’s in Fairfax. ‘Have you ever thought about working in the White House, Sam?’ you asked me. I hadn’t, but it was clear that you had, and were thinking of it then, even at the tender age of 35. You demonstrated to a generation -- in Delaware and beyond -- the power of working to achieve your dreams.” Waltz says he’s a Democrat, although the party has gone uncomfortably far left of his own personal standing as “a social progressive who is conservative about the role of the government,” he said. He reveres Abraham Lincoln, who he admits

“was the most reviled President in United States history. He was an egregious violator of civil liberties during his term, but people tend to forget that. I regard myself as a pragmatist, who hopes we get better government.” Even Waltz’s family is high-achieving and farflung. His wife Sandi, a pharmaceutical regulatory affairs executive, is finishing her doctorate in business and was named this year as a laureate of her university alma mater. His oldest son, Sam III, teaches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His daughter Rachel works in community mental health for the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and she’s a former PTSD counselor for the VA. His son Andrew works in San Diego, where he is involved in marketing and community affairs for a regional destination arts and entertainment center. Waltz has two grandsons. In the midst of all of Waltz’s achievements, there’s an autobiography – tentatively titled Running to Trouble – that remains unfinished because Waltz is too busy adding to his range of activities. He’s now reading up on Messianic Jews, meaning Jews who have converted to Christianity, and the recent history of Israel. “My reading tends to be diverse,” he said, pulling out books from a wall of bookshelves that are organized by topic. In addition to all the books he’s reading, the speeches he gives at local civic and business groups (he has spoken in 35 states and three countries), his business management consulting work, the column he writes for the Delaware Business Times (a business he founded in 2014), there’s the five newspapers he reads on Sundays, and the three or four he reads each day during the week. With the ability to speak at length on just about any topic he has studied, Waltz is an affable, enthusiastic personality who fits in well with a range of people – from Rotary Club members to the high-ranking CIA official he has welcomed to his home office for career counseling. “When people ask me when I’m going to retire, I tell them, ‘When you read my obituary, you can assume I’ve retired,” Waltz said, laughing. “And that’s the truth.” For more information, visit www.SamWaltz.com. To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com. www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

|Greenville & Hockessin Arts|

A home for a The Hardcastle Gallery has been showcasing artists and their work for 130 years

The Hardcastle Gallery has been supporting and promoting artists in our region for 130 years.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

art

All photos by Kevin Barrett unless otherwise noted

Michael Brock and his wife Lynn have owned the Hardcastle Gallery since 2005.

By Kevin Barrett Staff Writer

or 130 years, the Hardcastle Gallery has been supporting and promoting artists in our region. At first, the gallery simply sold art supplies and offered a picture framing service. But at one point, it made inexpensive coffins for soldiers who had fought in the Civil War. That did not last very long, though. The framing business suffered because customers were put off by the fact that their frames were being made by a business that also produced coffins. When the coffin business ceased, the framing business picked up again, and Hardcastle went on to frame for several well-known artists, including members of the Wyeth family. Originally based in Wilmington, the Hardcastle Gallery is now in Centreville on Kennett Pike, and the business is as active as ever. Continued on Page 38

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sandhill Crane Trio.â&#x20AC;? www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Hardcastle Gallery Continued from Page 37

Michael Brock, 72, bought the business in 2005 with his wife, Lynn. At the time, there were two galleries, one of which was in Newark. When they bought the business, they consolidated the galleries into one. The couple, who live in Newark, have been running Hardcastle ever since. Brock said the gallery is focused on showcasing artists from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. “We don’t go outside of those states because we don’t feel that we need to,” Brock said. “There are enough good artists without going to New York or Colorado for art, which the gallery used to do. I

wanted to bring things back to the way they were in 1946, when regional artists were represented.” Continuing through Jan. 6 is the gallery’s annual miniature show. Sixty artists have created hundreds of small artworks appropriate for holiday gifts. “The biggest piece is 12 by 14 inches on the outside frame dimensions, so when I say miniature, I don’t mean the size of a postage stamp. It is gift giving price size,” Brock said. “The deal is that it is sort of an introduction to original artwork. Some people can’t afford big pieces of artwork, but they will buy a small piece and give that out as a Christmas gift.

The Hardcastle Gallery is focused on showcasing the work of artists from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

“We had one woman who was in here, and she had been buying for a couple of years,” Brock added. “She had bought six pieces, and I finally asked her why. She was buying them for her grandson, who I figured was 20 years old or even older. She was really talking about her great-grandson.” “This kid was 7 years old, and she was giving him these little art pieces. She figured by the time he was 18 he would have a nice little collection of original artwork.” Framing remains the biggest part of the gallery’s business. One of the employees is David Berndt, 75, the

son of the former owner, Bayard Taylor Berndt. He works one day a week, putting the artwork together and doing some touch-up work. Because he is the son of the former business owner, he’s familiar with all aspects of what the business does. “He’s almost completely retired, and I’m not retired, but I like what I’m doing,” Brock said. Brock explained that the gallery can frame almost anything. For example, he was able to frame a piece from a crashed World War II fighter plane. Much of the framing material they have available can’t be found in other galleries and stores in the Continued on Page 40

A wide variety of artwork is on display.

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Hardcastle Gallery Continued from Page 39

region. Berndt gets his supply from New York. In addition to framing and selling artwork, the gallery is known for art renovation and installation. It’s also in the business of appraising original artwork. Brock pointed out that a lot of people think they have original artwork, but that isn’t always the case. Even if the artwork is original, an appraisal may be necessary. “Some of these works have appreciated over the years, so they need to be appraised,” Brock said. “The reason for that is to protect them against insurance companies who only give them ten cents on the dollar. Let’s say there is a fire, or someone steals something. It needs to be appraised by a third party that is not the owner of the artwork.” Brock said that insurance companies want to see someone else putting their reputation on the line and saying the art is worth a certain amount. James McGlynn is an artist who has had his work displayed at Hardcastle Gallery. This is an example of his work.

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“The insurance companies are going to give you as little as possible,” Brock said. “When you’re in a car accident and take your car in for repair, the insurance companies will give you as little as possible. It’s the same thing with art. That’s why the appraisals are valuable. You actually have a legitimate evaluation of the value of your art. Hardcastle has been around since 1888. The insurance company goes ahead and honors that. “There have been horror stories of people who have come in here, and they’ve had a fire or something like that, and they had no appraisals or anything,” he said. “The insurance companies pretty much only give them what the canvas and frame is worth. They don’t give what the art is actually worth.” Brock is proud that his gallery is a veteranowned business. He was in the military for 10 years and served in Vietnam when he was in his 20s. After he left the service, he ended up working for Wilmington Savings Fund, and at one point

he decided he would enter a competition at the Delaware Art Museum. Even though he had been painting since 1964, he didn’t really expect anything to come from it. “It is always your relatives that tell you that you are good,” Brock said. “Pieces were selected for the exhibit, and then I just started picking up on art after that.” Despite being mostly self-taught, Brock had one of his works placed in the White House. The only art lessons he took were in 1980 with Terry Newitt, who teaches at Archmere Academy. Newitt was one of the only students of Andrew Wyeth, as was Andrew Wyeth’s son, Jamie. It was in 1985 when Brock’s work ended up in the White House. He had painted Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, which is on Kennett Pike, and his artwork was purchased at a show. He recently learned that it is in a corridor off of the West Wing. Despite his age, Brock said he has no interest in Continued on Page 42

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Hardcastle Gallery Continued from Page 41

retiring, and he is still winning awards for his art. “At a certain point, you realize you have to be doing something right,” he said. “There are some jobs you want to retire from, but not this. I have an affinity for artists. I like to get artists and have shows. I’ve got about 100 paintings hanging up in the gallery right now, but only six of them are mine. It is fun for me when you see other people’s artwork sell. All I’m doing is carrying on the tradition of Hardcastle.” Olga Nielsen, who is 67 and lives in North Wilmington, has been showing her art at Hardcastle since 2008. In addition to being an instructor at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford, she teaches at the Delaware College of Art and Design in Wilmington. “Hardcastle Gallery is wonderful, and it is also one of the oldest galleries in Wilmington,” Nielsen said. Lillian Rippa, who is from Smyrna, has also been involved with Hardcastle for decades, and she knew Brock before he owned Hardcastle. She describes him as a special man who cares for and counsels the artists at his gallery. She also admires his art. “I am, and others are, fans of Michael’s artwork. His bird paintings are extraordinary in their feeling and technique,” she said. “He and his loving family stand out indeed, and my family is blessed to have their friendship.” Carolyn Blish, who currently lives in Lancaster, is another one of Hardcastle’s many featured artists. She has been associated with the gallery for more than 60 years, which is long before Brock got involved with Hardcastle. She nonetheless admires his leadership and considers Hardcastle her principal gallery in Delaware. “His creative ideas for exhibitions are outstanding, and he excels as an artist himself,” Blish said. “He Continued on Page 44

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Hardcastle Gallery Continued from Page 42

always brings a smile while sharing his stories from the past.” Another artist featured at the gallery is Charles Allmond, who is 87 and lives in Wilmington. He studied at the University of Delaware and Temple University. In addition to serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, he worked as an agronomist. He also practiced law for 30 years. Continued on Page 46

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Hardcastle Gallery Continued from Page 44

Allmond eventually found yet another career in art. His sculptures have been exhibited in more than 75 museums in the United States, Canada, and Sweden. He has won several awards, including the Delaware Governor’s Award for the Arts. “I’ve always been interested in art,” Allmond said. “Even in grade school, it was my favorite class.” James McGlynn, 74, is another Vietnam veteran who is an artist and has his work displayed at Hardcastle Gallery. He was born in Wilmington, and he lives in Hockessin. Most of his work is done with watercolors. He became a full-time artist around 1974. He was working at an advertising agency and got laid off. He applied for a job at Hardcastle and became a sales clerk. Shortly thereafter, he had a show. While working in that capacity, he also got to know members of the Wyeth family.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

McGlynn has been successful as an artist, but he also admits that it can be a very difficult path to travel, and that people’s tastes are changing. “You have to be true to yourself, but you also have to make a living,” McGlynn said. “That’s the bottom line. There’s a lot of promotion involved. You have to have brochures, and you have to have events. You can’t just hang a picture and expect someone to buy it.” McGlynn said that he encourages young artists to be practical and do things like start a retirement plan. Most artists, he pointed out, have another job. “If you don’t sell paintings, you better start pumping gas or do something else,” he said. “Even if your art is good, a lot of it is just fate and luck.” For more information, visit www.hardcastlegallery.com.

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

|In the Spotlight|

Empowering Great Dames and their remarkable ideas One Delaware-based group seeks to empower women and girls through a wide variety of initiatives, including a Remarkable Ideas Competition that has, indeed, honored some great ideas

Courtesy photo

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Rekindle Family Medicine.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Photo courtesy Matt Gadzinsky

Dr. Kimberly Nalda was the winner of the Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Competition in 2016.

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

hat does it take to make a woman a great dame? Other great dames. According to Hockessin resident Dr. Kimberly Nalda, one of the most important aspects of the Great Dames group is how it brings together women of all ages to empower each other. “Great Dames is a unique group of dynamic women who come together to educate, inspire, challenge and support each other,” explained Nalda, a family medicine doctor. “It’s more than just your typical networking group. Women in Great Dames are part of the group to authentically connect in friendship rather than get leads.” One of the more innovative initatives that Great Dames has brought to the community is the Remarkable Ideas Competition, which finds, funds, and supports women who have ideas that improve the quality of life and help people connect and collaborate with each other. Three years ago, Nalda first became involved with Great Dames through this competition, which draws women innovators from across the country. For the 2016 competition, Nalda pitched the concept of Rekindle Family Medicine. She explained the concept:

Photo courtesy Ron Dubick

Hockessin resident Dr. Kimberly Nalda’s concept for Rekindle Family Medicine is to allow physicians to have an authentic relationship with patients so that they can provide the care that they need.

“We can all agree that the practice of medicine has changed for the worse in the last 20 to 30 years, and many would blame the third party involvement of payers and insurers, and the increase in the administrative burden,” she explained. “This results in a patient experience of rarely seeing their actual doctor and when they do, they get 8 to 12 minutes of their time. For every hour seeing patients, doctors spend two hours doing paperwork. Many doctors are leaving Delaware or the practice of medicine altogether. We have lost the personal connection with patients and lost the humanity of medicine.” Continued on Page 50

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Dr. Kimberly Nalda Continued from Page 49

What Rekindle Family Medicine does is it takes the third parties out of equation so that the physician has a direct relationship with patients. Nalda explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our membership model allows doctors and patients to rekindle an authentic relationship. We focus on wellness, which means looking at the whole person including stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise and social connection. We spend the time on actual patient care instead of paperwork so we can know our patients well and provide higher quality, lower priced care. We also have the goal of saving money by directly contracting with imaging facilities and labs to provide services at a discount. We purchase medications wholesale and pass those savings along to patients, often saving them the cost of their membership or more. In short, direct primary care and Rekindle family medicine is better for patients, and better for doctors, as well as being a great option for insured and uninsured patients alike.â&#x20AC;? Nalda was the winner of the Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Competition in 2016, and received over $25,000 in resources, mentorship, and leadership and business training. It made a huge difference as she worked to build Rekindle Family Medicine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a fledgling business owner and the business and marketing training and mentorship was some of the most valuable information I have received in my Continued on Page 52

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Dr. Kimberly Nalda Continued from Page 50

life,” Nalda explained. “More generally, I find some of the benefits of being a member of Great Dames to be expanding my worldview with inspirational talks, and deepening friendships with the influential women of Delaware and the surrounding area.” That’s precisely the kind of impact that Sharon Kelly Hake hoped for when she was one of the co-founders of Great Dames. Today, Hake is the CEO of Great Dames— and an inspiration to many of the people in the group. Nalda said, “I always walk away from meetings inspired and optimistic after encouragement from Sharon Kelly Hake that we all can change the world if we put our minds to it.” The organization kicked off the third Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Competition on Oct. 15 of this year with an event that was headlined by media sensation Jen Groover and Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany HallLong—themselves two great dames. Groover is the creator of the Butler Bag, and was named by Success

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

“Women need to hear the message that they can do anything, and be anything they want to be.” ~ Dr. Kimberly Nalda

magazine as a “one-woman brand.” She has dedicated her career to inspiring others to realize their potential, so the message that she was delivering was right in line with the mission of Great Dames. Hall-Long, the keynote speaker, has worked to ensure a stronger, healthier Delaware by supporting legislation aimed at combating addiction, building a stronger mental health system, fighting cancer and battling health inequities. After the Remarkable Ideas Competition pitches were made on Oct. 15, the winners were then announced on Nov. 5. Erica Marshall, president and founder of Continued on Page 54

Courtesy photo

Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long has been a keynote speaker for the Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Competition.

Courtesy photo

Jen Groover, the creator of the Butler Bag, has dedicated her career to inspiring others to realize their potential. She was a speaker at a Great Dames event this fall.

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Dr. Kimberly Nalda Continued from Page 52

Defendant Data Solutions, LLC, was named the winner of the 2018 Great Dames Remarkable Ideas Competition. Marshall, an attorney, scored high in the competition for her work with Defendant Data Solutions, which aims to reduce disparities in federal sentencing, one case at a time, by providing expert reports containing data and analysis to defense attorneys as an advocacy tool at sentencing. These expert reports are designed to flag the discrepancies at play in each case and highlight for the judge the sentence that was received by other defendants nationwide who had the same criminal history and committed a similar crime. “In other words,” said Hake, “Erica is leveling the playing Continued on Page 56

Photo courtesy Ron Dubick

Dr. Kimberly Nalda called Great Dames “a unique group of dynamic women who come together to educate, inspire, challenge and support each other.”

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Dr. Kimberly Nalda Continued from Page 54

field. Imagine how impactful her work will be in the criminal justice system. She is fighting for fairness, sometimes against seemingly impossible odds, and we are privileged to support her cause.” In addition to Nalda and Marshall, the other recipient of the Remarkable Ideas Competition is Tanya Whye, the founder and CEO of Delaware Green Mattress Disassembling & Recycling, LLC. She won the first competition in 2014. Being able to reward and support innovators like these women is important. In addition to the Remarkable Ideas Competitions, Great Dames offers a number of different programs that aim to transform the lives of women, including the powerful conversations speaker series, peer advisory mentoring groups, and other initiatives that build awareness and financial support for causes that are vital to women. Nalda explained why it’s so important for there to be a group that empowers women and girls. “My mother consistently gave me the positive message

that I could achieve anything — and taking that to heart, I have succeeded in my goal to become a physician,” she explained. “However, not all women have a positive, powerful female role model in their lives. Women need to hear the message that they can do anything, and be anything they want to be. They need the community of other women who are successful, pulling and pushing them to higher levels. Those of us who have been recipients of mentorship and guidance should be eager to pay it forwards with involvement in organizations that further the empowerment of women and girls. When women are given education, connection, inspiration and the tools for success there will be a ripple effect leading to workplace equality, earning potential, leadership opportunities for all women locally and worldwide.” For more information about Great Dames or the Remarkable Ideas Competition, visit www.GreatDames. com. To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@ chestercounty.com.

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|Greenville & Hockessin Fitness| The classes taught by Josée Spence at the Hockessin Athletic Club have become known for their passion and enthusiasm. For the past year, she’s brought that same energy to a group of women who look to Spence to renew their spirit for life

Photos by Jie Deng

Her truest colors By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer I see your true colors And that’s why I love you So don’t be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful (they’re beautiful) Like a rainbow “True Colors,” originally performed by Cyndi Lauper

t is an early Sunday afternoon in the corner room on the second floor of the Hockessin Athletic Club, and Zumba instructor Josée Spence is leading a group of 25 students. Her long blonde hair is whipping back and forth in perfect beat to the music, and the pulsating vibe in the room is about three degrees of enthusiasm away from catching fire. Continued on Page 60

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

For the last year, Josée Spence has given Zumba instruction to incarcerated women at the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution.

JosĂŠe Spence is a Zumba and aquatics instructor at the Hockessin Athletic Club.

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Josée Spence Continued from Page 58

Without apology and without warning, the infectious energy of the class leader has found its way into everybody’s bloodstream, into every pore, and at about the halfway point in the class, a veil of protection and comfort and hiding has been lifted. Every person in the room sees themselves in the mirrors that surround them, and they willingly seem to surrender to a place where they do not normally reside. Normalcy, decorum and the general laws of behavior have all been abandoned, because all kinds of mushy and sweaty and gorgeous chaos has broken loose, and it’s because Josée Spence has led them to the point of what it means to truly be alive. For the past several years, Spence, who also teaches French and Spanish at the Independence School, has been one of the most recognizable faces at the HAC, and it’s largely because she’s everywhere. Her Zumba classes are wildly popular – both in studio and in the club’s pool – and she also teaches swimming lessons to children. Continued on Page 62

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Josée Spence Continued from Page 60

Yet Spence’s enthusiasm toward encouraging others to engage in fitness does not end when she leaves the HAC. For the past year, she has traveled twice a month to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle to lead a few dozen incarcerated women through Zumba classes in Baylor’s gymnasium. “Initially, I did it for the adventure and the idea that I thought it would be fun, but my purpose there has become so much deeper and profound for me,” Spence said. “Now, a year later, it’s gotten to the point where if I am unable to be with them, that I would be letting them all down.” Spence brought her Zumba classes to Baylor at the recommendation of her nephew, a nurse at the facility. When she first arrived at the facility before her first class, she felt it was like entering another world. She attended a security briefing, and entered the gymnasium through a series of

T L

rooms whose doors opened in front of her and slammed shut behind her. At first, Baylor security said that she could not carry a cell phone with her that contained the music she wished to play in class, but eventually, she was permitted to use it. “It was this feeling of vulnerability that came over me,” Spence said. “The very first time, as I was fumbling with my music, I looked up and saw the women come into the room, in rows. They were all silent, no one was smiling, and they were accompanied by three prison guards and two state troopers.” Then the music began, and suddenly, the entire tone of the room changed from sullen to joyous. “I went from ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ to letting loose, and watched these women go from a straight line with straight faces to just letting go.” The 50-minute classes Spence teaches at Baylor Continued on Page 64

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Josée Spence Continued from Page 62

draw an eclectic group: some are actively engaged in the movement and rhythm of Zumba, while others sit in the rear of the gymnasium and listen and sway to the music. “Many of them are there simply because they are starving for a connection to something,” Spence said. “They go because for many of them, it’s the only time they spend outside of their cells, or their trips to the cafeteria. So many people have given up caring for them and listening to them. So I come and I listen, and for some, I think that’s what this class is all about.” Spence’s Zumba classes at Baylor have become so popular that when her students were informed that class would be postponed for a week in order to make repairs to the gymnasium, they appealed to move the class to the chapel. This enthusiasm extends to Baylor’s ever-expanding curriculum of

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

opportunity, that provides educational and instructional services to its population in concert with the treatment programming offered to aid in the re-entry and transitional process. Baylor’s academic offerings include adult basic education; classes that work toward a high school diploma; and special education services. Vocational programs provide classes in developing life skills such as interpersonal communication and financial management; as well as computer literacy and culinary classes. Drug treatment and therapy, religious services, counseling and recreational activities are also offered. At the end of every Zumba class at Baylor, Spence chooses a particular song that she hopes will connect with her students’ minds, hearts and souls. At the end of one class, she chose “True Colors,” a song made famous by recording artist Cyndi Lauper

and since recorded by Justin Timberlake. As the women regained their breaths, the room was silent except for the song and its lyrics that reverberated around the gymnasium: You with the sad eyes Don’t be discouraged, oh I realize It’s hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all The darkness inside you Can make you feel so small Spence’s daughter Patreece was in attendance that afternoon. “After class, Patreece came up to me Continued on Page 66

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Josée Spence Continued from Page 65

and said, ‘Mom, they were no longer looking at you,’” Spence said. “She told me that she noticed that some were crying, and off into their own private thoughts. Patreece told me that I had no idea what effect this class was having on them, individually, but I do.” Whether it is leading a class at the HAC, teaching in the club’s pool, communicating with her students at the Independence School, or at Zumba classes at the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution, there is little complexity in understanding what defines Josée Spence. Defined, it’s a long and unbroken line of compassion that began when she was a child growing up in Montreal, and continues to this day. Exemplified, it happens when she enters the gymnasium at Baylor twice a month and smiles at

every woman who comes to class. “Some of these women are there as they await a trial, and some have been there for 15 years and may never get out, but the truth is that I have no clue as to who did what and what for,” she said. “And really? I don’t want to know, because for the one hour I’m there, I’m there not to judge, but to be on the same page with these women. “I’m not a teacher there. I am one who happens to provide these women with music and the opportunity to dance. With whatever I do and wherever I may be, I am in this world to make it just a little pleasant for everyone I am privileged to come across.” To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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|Greenville & Hockessin Photo Essay| Every year at this time, Casual Marketplace in Hockessin transforms into a three-floor holiday greeting card. It’s a labor of love that’s been enjoyed by generations of local families

Text and photos by Richard L. Gaw It’s a ritual as common as sleigh riding after the first big snowfall. Beginning in the middle of September, Casual Marketplace owner Petey Fleischut meets with her staff to begin the task of turning a Hockessin shopping institution into a visit to the North Pole, or Candyland, or to the celebration of holidays long ago. Up and down staircases, in the nooks and in the crannies of its threefloor showroom, Casual Marketplace comes alive every holiday season in a flourish of lights, decorations, figurines and one-of-a-kind gifts that have found their way into thousands of homes in Hockessin, Greenville, Yorklyn, Wilmington, Newark and beyond. Continued on Page 70

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www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Casual Marketplace Continued from Page 68

“What I really love is the personality of the holidays,” Fleischut said. “So many people walk through our store and are so appreciative of all of the hard work and the creativity. We are just as happy to see people come to Casual Marketplace simply to walk through our door to admire our showroom, as we are with those who come to find that perfect gift.” With the assistance of Angela Pulella and more than one dozen other store staff, determining how the showroom will look is based on what product lines are chosen for that year’s display. Continued on Page 72

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Casual Marketplace Continued from Page 70

“It’s a joint effort between our employees and the holiday industry, who has become a part of our store,” Fleischut said. For Colleen Ekey, the work she puts into the design transformation of Casual Marketplace every year pays off when she sees the smiles on the faces of individuals and families who visit every year. “From our standpoint it’s a lot of work, but then we get to see their reaction to it, and then we realize how much we’ve become such a destination for them,” she said. Casual Marketplace is located at 400 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin, Del., 19707. Phone: (302) 234-4800. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit www.casualmarketplace.com.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

|Greenville & Hockessin Education|

This past June, after teaching at the Tatnall School for the past seven years, Noelle Picara began a new chapter in her life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to bring voices to those who have been deprived of them

Photo courtesy of wraven design

Former Tatnall School teacher Noelle Picara is currently working with students at the Design Thinking Academy on a multi-media art installation that will address the mass criminalization of poverty in Delaware, and the on-going system of de-humanizing people who have been imprisoned.

Her life force: Noelle Picara links social justice, education and the arts 74

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

ere one to casually flip through the pages that have documented the latest chapter of Noelle Picaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey, a likely conclusion upon reaching the end would be that the past seven years have told the story of a very rich and full life. Over that time, Picara was a highly-respected music and English teacher at the Tatnall School, and one of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prominent mentors in its theater program, where she directed musicals. The number of young people she influenced along the way, both in the classroom and at rehearsals, numbered well into the thousands. Away from Tatnall, she began to carve her name into the local music scene on the back of emotional live performances, gutsy songwriting, and innovative music videos that supported several self-produced CDs. Picara was an artist without restraint, with a stage persona that was both fearless and vulnerable, and the boldness of her words and revelations never backed away from the truth. Continued on Page 76 www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Noelle Picara Continued from Page 75

In fact, she put it front and center: Three years ago, in the pages of this magazine, she spoke openly about her long road back from the sexual abuse she suffered when she was a child, but rather than disappear after this revelation, Picara continued to move its narrative forward. At every concert and on every video, her keyboards and her voice sounded off like musical warning shots. Then, this past June, Picara closed the book on this chapter and began another. She left her teaching position at the Tatnall School, put her music away for awhile, and began to walk down another life path, where social justice, education and the arts meet at an intersection in order to create alchemy. Picara is currently the Community Partnership Specialist at the Design Thinking Academy in Newark, where she is piloting experimental education programs and publishing them nationally so other schools can use them as model programs for their students. It’s a way, she said, of working with regional and national partners to redesign the way arts education is perceived – by increasing its equity, its access to students and the impact it has on the communities it serves. Her new position dovetails perfectly with the mission of the Academy, which is to empower all students to be tomorrow’s innovators and lifelong learners who question, imagine, create, and share every day. “Teachers at the Academy are given so much freedom to redesign how education is done, and to rethink how students learn, and how they become successful,” Picara

Photo by Matt Urban

Design Thinking Academy students work together on designing an immersive jail cell for a school-wide, multi-media art installation that will address the criminalization of poverty in Delaware. 76

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

Photo by Matt Urban

Adam Kramer of the Green Beret Project educates Design Thinking Academy students about the juvenile justice system in Delaware.

said. “The students at our school face a lot of challenges, and just as we encourage them to do well on state tests, we also encourage them to be as innovative as they can be. We want them to create solutions. “Often, when you have fewer resources and more challenges, it forces you to become the most creative.” Picara’s personal mission is to end the school-to-prison pipeline and redesign public education through community partnerships and restorative justice, using arts education as the key component in empowering students and communities. This goal dovetails with Picara’s current project with the school – producing a multi-media art installation that addresses the criminalization of poverty in Delaware, and the on-going system of de-humanizing people who have been imprisoned, simply because of their inability to pay the designated fines related to their offenses, which are often deemed discriminatory. Creating the installation has involved every student at Continued on Page 78 www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

Noelle Picara Continued from Page 77

the Design Thinking Academy and the entire faculty. It is being developed in partnership with the Christina Cultural Arts Center and the Delaware Center for Justice, the leading non-profit organization in Delaware committed to transforming the quality of justice through advocacy, policy, and practice. The installation will be unveiled on January 19, 2019 at the Christina Cultural Arts Center, in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Picara calls the installation the largest project sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever been involved with. Continued on Page 80

Photo by Matt Urban

MariAnna Gonzalez creates a painting for the art installation, with the assistance of Ahree Major.

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Noelle Picara Continued from Page 78

“The students working on this installation are learning about the problem of mass incarceration, learning not to treat this as an issue of shame, but seeing it from the standpoint of a systemic problem,” she said. “They see that the focus of the installation is to take the focus away from blaming the individual and to instead look at it as a societal problem that negatively impacts everyone. Continued on Page 82

In addition to teaching at the Tatnall School and now at the Design Thinking Academy, Picara has become known locally for her electrifying presence as a musician, which often includes showcasing a wide variety of stage personas.

Greenville & Hockessin Life | Winter 2018 | www.ghlifemagazine.com

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Noelle Picara Continued from Page 80

“We’re not just re-humanizing people who have been incarcerated. We’re also letting the students share their voice. All I’m doing is connecting the dots, to tell Design Thinking Academy students that through art they can find something that’s much bigger than they are, and develop something that can actually change lives and impact the system.” Throughout her adult life, Picara has been devoted to using the expressive arts as a healing tool for others, and it’s at the center of Rehumanizing, LLC, a business concept she is developing that will provide survivors of trauma with access to the expressive arts, and other resources. She came up with the title while listening to Brene Brown’s “Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone.” “I have lots of passions in life, but I thought, ‘What’s the common thread between all of them?’” she said. “It’s what I’ve addressed in my English classes, and through theater and my songwriting. It has to do with dehumanization – discrimination, abuse, human trafficking, the denial of human rights and systemic racism. It’s what I am most strongly against. “Rehumanizing, LLC will allow me to increase access to expressive arts education and use my platform to amplify the voices of people who have been dehumanized. Dehumanization in any form causes us to deny the humanity of others and, in the process, to lose connection with our own humanity as well. Re-humanizing is a way, through art, to re-build those connections with each other and ourselves.” While the breadth of Picara’s creative efforts – in teaching, music, musical theater and healing

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– can be measured in degrees of originality, voice and sound, a closer look will reveal a single strain element that runs through every work – her ability to channel her creative energies into conveying what she calls “the human story.” “I believe I have personally been able to overcome de-humanization in my own life because I’ve had access to performing arts education, financial support and healthcare, and the societal support to share my story” she said. “Every day you have a choice, through your time, money, and energy, to choose where to invest your life force. Each of us has resources, and with my life force I have, through daily practice over the years, developed and refined tools for creative expression and education. It is my responsibility, and I am so grateful to now have the joy and privilege to invest that life force in those who have been marginalized, and to use my public platform to boost their voices. “Being given the opportunity to experience art together with another person, you see their face, move together in dance, hear their voice and story, and you can no longer dismiss what that person is saying,” she added. “We have to build bridges and listen to each other. We need to get back to the human story, back to listening to each other. Through the arts, we can build those bridges.” To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

Picara is also in the beginning stages of developing a healing concept that will introduce victims of trauma to healing through the arts. www.ghlifemagazine.com | Winter 2018 | Greenville & Hockessin Life

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