Inthisissue…
It’sthattimeofyearagainwhenwesay goodbyetotheheatandhumidity,and hellotothecrispair,fallingleaves,and othergoodthingsthatcomewiththeturningseason.We’realsopreppingourhomes insideandoutfortheupcomingholidays, ongoingstormseason,andthegeneralendof-yearsettlingin.Withthatinmind,we’ve gottipandtricksforyourfallgardening andclosetpurging.Importantstormprep andhomesecuritysuggestions.Wealso
broughtbackfan-favorite,Marie’sKitchen asourfallfoodie.Whileyou’resalivating overherrecipes,takeapeekatthecalendar forallyourautumnalfestivities,andthen scheduleadaytriptovisitalltheprimefall foliageviewingspots.Summerbabies— embracethechange,fallishere.
Tar ynKing Editor
Publisher
SusanLyons
susan.lyons@coastalpoint.com
ExecutiveEditor
DarinMcCann darin.mccann@coastalpoint.com
Editor
TarynKing taryn.king@coastalpoint.com
TechnicalDirector
ShaunM.Lambert shaun.lambert@coastalpoint.com
DigitalContentEditor
M.PatriciaTitus patricia.titus@coastalpoint.com
AdvertisingManager
SusanMutz susan.mutz@coastalpoint.com
Reporters
KerinMagill kerin.magill@coastalpoint.com
JasonFeather jason.feather@coastalpoint.com
Susan Canfora susan.canfora@coastalpoint.com
MikeSmith mike.smith@coastalpoint.com
MikeStern mike.stern@coastalpoint.com
CoriBurcham Writer
AdvertisingSales
NadineTimpanaro nadine.timpanaro@coastalpoint.com
JessicaHeppding jessica.heppding@coastalpoint.com
GraphicDesign
ChrisAube chris.aube@coastalpoint.com
FoliageatKillensPondislit upbythesunset,displaying thebrightreds,orangesand yellowsofautumn.
n CourtesyMarianDowling
ByMikeSmith StaffReporter
efallcolorsinsouthern Delawarearevibrantand alive.Accordingtothe Farmer’sAlmanac,thepeak viewingforDelawareandthe largerregionwillbeOct.19 toNov.4thisyear.eU.S. Fish&WildlifeService,DelawareState ParksandtheDelawareCenterfortheInlandBaysofferedsomeviewingtipsand bestlocationstocapturetheautumnalcolorsoffallthisyear.
Rainfallbodeswell forcolorandfoliageof autumnleavesthisfall
SussexCountyhasexperienced28 inchesofrainthisyearasofAugust,and thatplacestherainfalltotalinthetop40of thepast130yearsofprecipitation,accordingtoNOAA.Goodrainfallandmoisture makeforevenmorevibrancyandpeakfoliageoforangesandreds.
estateisnow27percentforested, with354,000acresofforestcoverofits total1.3millionacres,whichmeansforest
bufferlawsandtreeandwetlandsconservationhastriedtokeepupwithdevelopment.Delawareishometotwonational wildliferefuges,whichofferfallcolorexperiencesalongwithmigratingbirdsand otherfloraandfauna.
“BothBombayHookandPrimeHook NationalWildlifeRefugesprovideexcellent opportunitiestoviewfallfoliageandenjoy foresthabitats,”saidKateToniolo,theprojectleaderfortheCoastalDelawareWildlife Refugecompounds.“AtBombayHook,the ForestDiscoveryTreeTrailtakesvisitors throughnearly3milesofforestandisa greatplacetoseefallcolors.e11-mile
wildlifedriveprovidesviews of forest,pondandsalt-marsh habitatsfromthecomfortofa carorbicycle.”
“PrimeHookhasmilesof woodedhikingtrailsinwhich toviewfoliage,aswellasmigratingsongbirds,”addedToniolo.
ShesaidthattheU.S.Fish &WildlifeServiceiscompilingafallcalendarofevents,whichwillbepostedsoonon therefugewebsitesformoreinformation onspecialtoursorvisitingoptionsatthe newomasR.CarperVisitor’sCenterat BombayHook.
“Wearen’tseasonallybiased attheCenter—weloveourbaysandthiswatershed allyearlong,”saidChristopheTulou,executivedirectoroftheCIB.“Forlotsofreasons,includingcolorandcooler temperatures,kayakingthroughoutour watershedinthefallisaparticulartreat,es-
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CoastalHome&Garden2024
DelawareStateParksoffer primeviewinglocationsfor stunningfallfoliage. n PhotocourtesyofDNREC
Continuedfrompage4
peciallyintheupperreachesofourvarious creeksandothertributaries,”saidTulou, himselfanavidkayaker.“Foradifferentand stillspecialexperience,witnessingtherust ofourbaldcypress,mostlynearTrapPond, isanEasternSussexdelight.”
“Forthoseinterestedinmixingfallcolors andotherfunwiththefamily,theDelaware CenterfortheInlandBayswillbehosting itsGratefulShellabrationonNov.2,at CampArrowhead,offeringgreatcolorsand bayviewsastheseasonschange,”hesaid.
“eJamesFarmEcologicalPreserveis anoasisofwildlandonIndianRiverBay,
locatedjustashortdrivefromBethany Beach,onCedarNeckRoadinOcean View,”CIBrepresentativesnoted.“From thesandybeachatlowtide,visitorscan walkthetrailsthroughsevendistinctive habitats;fromthesaltyflatsofthelow marshwithitssaltmarshcordgrassand glasswort,throughtheshrubbyhighmarsh withbayberry,marsh elder,andsaltmarsh hay,intotheshadeoftheloblollypines, hollyandredcedarofthemaritimeforest, intothedeepshadeofthehardwoodforest underacanopyofsouthernredoak,hickory,sweetgum,andsassafras,finallyto emergebackintothesunshineinthe meadowsthatwereoncefarmfields.”
eoak,hickory,elderandgumtrees willbeexplodingwithcolorthisfall.e CIBisbuildingthenewSusieK.BallenvironmentaleducationcenteratJamesFarm, anditwillbenearlycompleteinthefall. ecenterisalsoexpandingitsEcobay toursconcessionandlaunchpointsfor kayaktoursoftheinlandbays—aperfect waytoseethefallfoliage.
eDelawareBotanicGardensisalso expandingitsofferingsandopenforest
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with pati o area, kids’ splash pad, the area’s only indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a i
Brentwood is a unique, single-family home community in Lewes boasting resort-style living. ho lubhouse, and more! In addition, Brentwood offers award-winning floor plans and the majority of ith a n ue, s o mesites have pond or common space views so your home is beautiful inside and out. space h u se, m
nod to the area’s coastal aesthetics, Brentwood will feature incredible amenities including a e e b boasting u utiful inside and out. iews your e is beautiful ng oor rea’s a and outd d dible ntwood incredible r re esort-style he ll es
toursforthefall.
“enewPavilionBuildTeamreally cametogether,”saidSherylSwed,DBGexecutivedirector.“Wewantourmembers andallofourgueststoenjoythePiet OudolfMeadowandthewoodlands.”
DelawareBotanicGardenswillparticipateinthisyear’sSeaWitchFestivalinRehobothBeachbycreatingauniqueSea Witchdisplayandanewscarecrowtrailto beopentothepublicforHalloweenweekend.e34thannualSeaWitchfestivalis Oct.25-27,andtherearemanyoutdoor festivitiesintheareathatweekpaying homagetothenamesakewitchandher powers.
DelawareBotanicGardens’eagles’nest ishousedinabeautifulloblollytreeoverlookingPepperCreekandhasbeenactive forseveralyears.Inthespring,twoeaglets weretendedtobyboththefemaleand maleeagleandweresoonfledglings,flying highabovethegarden.
Visitorswerethrilledtowatchthem fromafar.Swedsaid,“eideaofaneagle camhasbeenverypopularwithourstaff, volunteersandvisitors,andwhenwede-
cidedtoraisefundsforthecamera,wehad anamazinglypositiveresponse—wehave raisedover$80,000forthecostofdesign, equipment,includingtwocameras,installation,livestreamingandmaintenance.”
DelawareStateParksandtheDelaware Tourismofficehavealistingofthebest placestoviewfallcolors,onlineat https://www.visitdelaware.com/things-todo/seasons/fall/foliage/.
“AnyofourDelawarestateparkswitha wealthoftreecoveragearegoodforviewingDelaware’sfallcolors,”saidShauna McVey,thecommunicationsmanagerof DNREC’sparksandrecreationdivision.”
Tonamejustafew,shesuggested: •BrandywineCreek; •LumsPond(whichalsohastheGoApe TreetopAdventure); •WhiteClayCreek; •KillensPond; •CapeHenlopenStatePark;and
•TrapPond,whichlocalshighlyrecommend.
“Fallissimplyoneofthebesttimesto visitDelaware,”saidJessicaWelch,director oftheDelawareTourismOffice.“Between thebeautifulmansions,gardensandestates,scenicwineries,stateparksand wildliferefuges,Delaware’sfallfoliagecan beseenatvariousattractionsandisnotto bemissed.”
AccordingtoVisitDelaware,thebest timetoseelocalfallcolorsarethelasttwo weeksofOctoberandfirsttwoweeksof November,dependingonthisseason’srain totals,asmoisturemakesforbettercolor.
Basedonaninformalpolltakenatthe CoastalPoint,thebestlocalplacesforfall foliageare:
(1)TrapPond;
(2)Holt’sLanding;
(3)AssawomanWildlifeRefuge; (4)CapeHenlopenStatePark.
Cozycharm in Dagsboro
ByKerinMagill StaffReporter
ehomeinwhichHeatherandBillyReese haveraisedtheirchildrenforthepast12yearswas inHeather’sheadfromthetimeshewasinhigh school.
ecouple’sDagsborohomeisonlandthat hasbeenownedbyHeather’sfamilyforgenerations,withtheirhomeseton15acresshesplits withherbrother,ChrisJustice.Behindthehouse, openfieldsborderedbywoodsoftenhostfamilies ofdeer,shesaid.
“Myfamilyalllivesinarowhere,”Heathersaid.
Herparents,ConnieandJehuJustice,livejusta fewdoorsdown.
Largearchedwindowsinthehomeletin plentyoflightandallowtheexpansiveviewstobe enjoyedfrominside.Agenerouslysizedporch acrossthefrontofthehouseisaperfectspotfor watchingtheworldgoby.
BuiltbyBillyCannonofLaurel-basedCannon Construction,theReesehomedesignisone Heatherfellinlovewithasateen.
“WhenIwasyounger,Ilikedtogothrough homedesignmagazines,”shesaid.“iswasthe onethatIhadstarred,”settingitawayforanidea forafuturehome.“Ihadalwaystoldmyparents,if Ieverbuildahome,thisisthehouseIwantto build.”
Yearslater,assheandBillywereplanningtodo justthat,shesaid,shecouldn’tfindahousethatfit allofherdesireslike“that”one.
n KerinMagill
“Sureenough,weendedupbuildingthe housethatIhadpickedoutbackinhigh school,”shesaid.
ecoupledecidedtosaveasmuch moneyastheycouldinbuildingandfurnishingthehome,so,Heathersaid,“I’dgotoantiqueshopsorI’dgotothePotteryBarn outlet,”aswellasconsignmentshopsandthe like,shesaid.
Severalpiecesoffurnitureinthehouse werebuiltbyHeatherandherfather,she noted.Inthefamily’slivingroomisonepiece ofwhichsheisparticularlyproud.
“I’dalwayswantedoneoftherailroadcarts fromRestorationHardware,”shesaid.“But theywerelikethousandsofdollars.”
Herdad,shesaid,toldhertofindarailroad cartatanantiquestore“andwe’llmakeitinto acoffeetable,”sherecalled.
erailroadcartcostaround$100,she said.
Shealsobuiltthetableonthescreened porchwithherdad,usinganoldpainteddoor asabaseandaddingspindlesforthelegs.e rustictablepairswellwiththenaturalfinishes andtexturedlinensontheporch,whichalso featuresasee-throughfireplacethatalsofaces intotheroomwherethefamilygathersto
sicalpig! n KerinMagill
watchTV.
Inthekitchen,a“FarmtoTable”signmade bydaughterLylahangsonawall.
“Littlethingslikethat”arewhatHeather saidshelovesaboutherhouseandwhyshe saidshereallyhasn’tfelttheneedtochange muchinitsincetheymovedin12yearsago.
Shesaidshedoesn’tpaymuchattentionto “trends”whendecorating andpointedtoa whimsicalpaintingofapigleapingoffapier asanexampleofsomethingsheaddedto theirhomesimplybecauseshelikedit.
“Ifeellikethey’resoquicktogoout,”she saidofdecoratingtrends.
“Yourhomejustneedstobeanexpression ofwhoyouareandwhatyouenjoy.You shouldalwaysjustlovewalkingintoit.You don’thavetodecorateyourhomeforwhat otherpeoplelike—ithastobewhatyou enjoy.
“Ourhouseisjustveryeclectic,”shesaid, addingthatit’sdecoratedwith“everything thatwelove,everythingthatIlove.”
Heathersaidthefamilyoftenpicksup
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piecesofartorotherdecorativeitemstoremind themoftheirtravels.
“Wetravelalot,”includingtripstoChina, Spain,Russia,PortugalandIreland,shesaid.
Achickencooptuckedinacornerbelongedto Heather’sgrandfatherSewellFranklin,whilein Billy’shomeoffice,behindastand-updesk,builtinshelvesholdhisgrandfatherLouisGriffithRickerson’sPurpleHeartmedal,alongwithtravel mementos.
Allofthedownstairscurtainsweresewnby Heather’smom,Connie,shesaid.Alampwithan emerald-greenglassshadeinthelivingroom camefromtheantiqueshopatMageeFarmsin Selbyville.
“Sometimespeoplethinkyouhavetospend hugemoneytoputaplacetogether,”shesaid.“You reallydon’t.Withahome,you’reneverreally goingtobefinished;it’salwaysgoingtobeawork inprogress.Ilovegoingthriftingorantiquingand justlookingforlittlethingshereandthere.”
Recognizingthegiftofbeingabletobuildon herfamily’sland,Heathersaid,“It’snice—wecan ridethegolfcartbackandforth.Wekindoflive liketheWaltons.”
Hermother,shesaid,wasborn“rightaround thecorner,”inahomebuiltbyHeather’sgrandfather.Heathernowhasasimilarstory,raisingher familyonthefamilyland.
“Ihavenotgonefaratall,”shesaidwithalaugh.
“We’rereallyblessedtoliveinthisarea,”she said,addingthattheyareluckytostillhavetheadvantagesofacresofopenland.Justdowntheroad, acrossfromherparents’house,though,acommunityofnewhomesisunderconstruction.
Evenwithgrowthallaroundthem,Heather saidsheandherfamilyarestayingput.
“Ihavenodesiretomoveanywhere,”shesaid.
Inadditiontothein-groundpoolintheback, whereHeathersaidshe,Billyandthechildren spendquiteabitoftimerelaxingduringwarmer months,thefamilyhasturnedtheirgarageintoa full-fledgedworkoutspace,whichtheyallnow use.
“ItwasreallygreatduringCOVID,becauseall ofthegymshadshutdown,”Heathersaid,referringtothespaceas“aworkinprogress”because thefamilyhasaddedequipmentgraduallyover thepastfouryears.
DaughterLyla,13,gottodosomedesignwork herselfwhensheredecoratedherbedroom, Heathersaid.eroom,featuringonewallbedeckedwithcascadingivygarland,isabitmore onthemid-centurymodernsideofdesignthan therestofthehouse,butwithpastelsandsubtle shadesinsteadofthestrongcolorsoftenassociatedwiththestyle.
AnofficespacesharedbyHeatherandLylaon
thesecondfloorsharesthemoremodernfeel, withapalepeachypinkonthewallsandsleekfurnishings.
“Itwaskindoffunforustodesignittogether,” Heathersaid.
SonAshtondepartedforcollegerecently,but Heathersaidhisroom,formerlyaplayroom,“is verymuchhim—thecowboyhat,theboots… theAmericanflag.Ifyouweretobundlemyson up,thisisexactlywhatitwouldbe.”
TheReesehomeisreadyforcozyfalldays. n KerinMagill
ByDarinJ.McCann ExecutiveEditor
Withourcoastalcommunitybeing denselypopulatedbygolfers,anglers, surfersandgeneralpeople-of-the-greatoutdoors,itstandstoreasonthatweatherwatchingisasmuchofthelocalcultureas pickingcrabsandcomplainingabout overdevelopment.
WegatheraroundtheWeatherChannel, constantlyrefreshourappsanduseeverythingfromfurrycaterpillarstotheheight ofcloudstocomeupwiththebestprognosticationwecan,inhopesthatwecan getoutanddowhateveritisthatweliketo dooutside.Ofcourse,there’sanotherreasontowatchtheweather.
eweather.
EveryyearonJune1,ourcommunity goesintohurricaneseasonforthenextseveralmonths.Mostslipbyuswithbarelya whisper,intheformofincreasedbreezes,
whilesomegetawfullycloseandbeatusup withheavyrains,andothers,well…sometimeswegetanewinlet.
oughcomplacencyoftenstrikeswhen wehearaboutanotherstormtakingshape, simplybecausesomanygorightbyus withoutatrace,it’simportantthatweare readyincaseonedoestakeadramaticturn onhistravelsupnorth,puttingourproperty,andsafety,atrisk.
“Prepare,planandbereadyshouldthe unfortunateoccur,”saidRobertW.Murray, theSussexCountyPublicSafetydirector. “etimetodoallofthatisbeforeastorm isapproaching.Ensurethatyourplantakes intoaccountvisitingfamilyorfriends,and thatitcoversbothsheltering-in-place needs,aswellasevacuationplans,should thatneedarise.
SussexCountyofficialssuggestthatpeoplecreatea“SafetyProfile”fortheirhouseholdwiththefreeSmart911serviceto providepotentially-criticalinformationto
first-respondersconcerningtheirproperty, specialmedicalconditionsandfamilycontacts.
Getreadybeforestormseason •Knowyourevacuationroutetosafety. esearelimitedinourcommunityas,you know,youcan onlygosofareast,and northandsouthtendtojusttakeyouto morefloodedareas.Learnitnowandbe comfortablewithitincaseyoumightneed itlater.
•Haveafamilydisasterkit.Sussex Countyofficialssuggestthreedaysoffresh water(atleastonegallonperpersonper day);non-perishablefoodsandacan opener;changeofclothesandshoesfor eachperson;prescriptionmedicines; blanketorsleepingbagforeachperson;personalhygieneitems;aflashlightandextra
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batteriesforeachperson;aportableradio andextrabatteries;cash;andfuel.
•Reviewyourinsurancecoverage—betternowthanwhenyoumightneeditlater.
things,andyoucanresearchthemnowbeforeyoufindyourselfrushedtomake somethinghappen.
Whenthestormiscoming
StormsurgefromTropicalStormOphelia makesforanangryAtlanticOcean,asitrips throughthesanddunescausingdevastating beacherosionasadunefenceistakenoutto seaatDelawareSeashoreStateParkin2023. n CourtesyButchComegys
tiallycauseproblemsinastorm.
•Ifpossible,driveduringdaylighthours whenyouevacuate.Don’twaituntilthelast minute.
•Topoffyourcar’sgastank.Ifyouare forcedtoevacuate,stoppingforgasshould nothaveto beapriority. Continuedfrompage14
•Lookintogeneratorsorstormshutters, iftheyfityourbudget.erearereputable localcompaniesthatspecializeinthese
•Secureallitemsoutsidethatyoucan.If youownaboat,makesurethat’ssafe.Clear guttersandtrimanytreesthatcouldpoten-
•Grabchargingcablesandanyexterior batteriesyoumighthaveforyourelectronic devices.Ifpowerisout,youmightnotbe abletochargeyourphone.Packextrabatteriesorstandalonechargers.
Let Us Help You Get Ready for the Holidays
Afterthestorm
Whenthestormdoespass,takesome timetoreviewyourhouseandmakesure allissafe.eAmericanRedCrossoffers sometipsonwhattolookforwhenyou havethe“all-clear.”
•Useflashlightstosurveythehouseif youarereturningfromelsewhere.Donot lightmatchesorturnonelectricalswitches ifyoususpectdamage.
•Checkforfires,firehazardsandother householdhazards.
•Sniffforgasleaks,startingatthewater heater.Ifyousmellgas,orevensuspecta leak,turnoffthemaingasvalve,openwindowsandgeteveryoneoutsidethehouse quickly.
•Shutoffanydamagedutilities.
•Cleanupspilledmedicines.
Ifyou’reasmall-businessowner
eU.S.SmallbusinessAdministration reportedinAugustthat25percentofbusinesseswon’topenagainafterbeingimpactedbyadisaster.eyoffertipsto businessownerstohelpformaresilience plan,identifyingcriticalpartnershipsyou’ll need,safeguardingyourresourcesand managingcashflow.Youcanfindtheir BusinessResilienceGuideatsba.gov.
Gotpets?Keepthemsafe!
BestFriendsAnimalSocietyofferedaseriesoftipstohelpyouprotectyourpetsifa stormcomes.
•Connectwithneighborstoensurethat someonecancarefororhelpevacuateyour petsifyouareseparatedfromthem.
•Getapetgo-bagthatincludesseveral daysoffoodandwater,acollarandcurrent ID,cratewiththepet’snamemarkedonit, towelsandblankets,andapetfirst-aidkit.
•Ensureyourpetismicrochippedand thatthechipiscurrentandregisteredto yourcorrectphonenumber.
•Getcopiesofyourpet’smicrochipinformation,currentphotos,vaccination recordsandalistofphonenumbersfor medicalfacilities.
Photo by
Krista Valliant
BySusanLyons Publisher
Thenightsaregettingalittlecooler andafewofthedaysaretoo.Timeto breakoutthesweatshirtsorthelong cardigans.Andmaybe,justmaybe,it’s timetostartgoingthroughyoursummerclothestoputawayfortheseason.Ialwaysstartbyswitchingout sleevelessshirtsforlong-sleeved shirts.Thisisagreattimetostartgoing throughthoselong-sleevedshirtsbeforeyouhavetofindaplaceforthemin thedrawer.ThisisalsowhenIstart askingmyselfseveralquestions:AmI
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AtlanticCommunityThriftShop(ACTS)isonelocaloptiontohelpyoupurgeyourhomeandlife ofthevariouscluttercollectedthroughouttheyears. n Filephoto
Continuedfrompage18
evergoingtowearthisagain?Isthis stillinstyle?Doesthisevenstillfitme? Or,thebestoneofall:WhatwasI
thinking—whytheheckdidIeverbuy this?
So,maybethereareafewthingsthat cango,especiallyasfallisagreattime todeclutter.You’realreadydoingfall
Afewtipsfrom KarenatACTS
Itemstheyarealwayslookingfor: SmallAppliances- blenders,toasters,etc.,in goodworkingorder. Clothes- inthecurrentseason. Books- notmoldyorsmelly.
Someitemsareonlyacceptedwithinacertain age.Suchas:
Carseats- lessthan5yearsoldandnotona recalllist.Thedateandthemodelnumberwill beonthebottomoftheseattocheckforrecall. TVs– nothingolderthaneightyearsold.
HerearesomethingsNOTtobringtoathrift shop:
Clothesthataremusty,moldy,orsmell—just throw themaway.Thisgoesforbeddingalso. Toiletseats- You’relaughingnow,thinking,“Who wouldtakeausedtoiletseattoathriftshop?”You wouldbesurprisedhowmanytheyget.Also,even newseatsstillintheboxarenotaccepted. Computersandcellphones- thisisforyour ownprotection.Theseitemsmaystillhavepersonalinformationonthem.
Mattresses- mostthriftshopswillnotaccept them.However,ACTSwillunderthe condition that therearenorips,stains,orbodyfluids. Thisalsogoesforupholsteredfurniture.
cleaninginpreparationfortheupcomingholidaysthatwillbeherealltoo soon.Gothroughthatfalldécorasyou startdecorating.Betthereissomeof thatthatcanleavethebuildingtoo. Halloweenmasksandfakehairthatyou woretotheHalloweenpartyatMagnoliasin1985?Thatcango.Andcleanout thatclosetwheresomethingfallsevery timeyouopenthedoor.
Mychildren,co-workers,andclose friendsareallrollingwithlaughter rightnowbecauseIamthelastperson inthisofficewhoshouldbewritinga storyongettingridofstuff.Ifreely admittobeingabitofahoarder.Isave everything.FiveyearsfromnowImay needthatdollaryardsaleflowervase— notthatIdon’thave20moreonthetop shelfofthecloset.Butthiswasthe storythatIwasassignedbyourspecial publicationseditor,TarynKing,soI guessIamwritingit.Itrulyfeelthat somethingisamiss.Isthereahidden messagesomewhere(likeIneedto cleanmydesk)?Or justsomekindof sickjoke?Justtheluckofthedraw,no doubt.
Editor’sNote:Yes.Yes,shereally shouldcleanoffthatdesk.Ifyou’ve seenit,youknow.
Sonowwe’vestartedtomakepilesof stuffthatwe’rereadytogetridofand thereareacoupleofchoicestomake thatfallunderthebigquestion:What areyougoingtodowithallthisstuff? Ifyouhavedonethesortingquickly enough,youcanstillhaveafallyard sale.Theweatherholdsoutuntillate November,butifyouhaveagarage, that’sevenbetter.Springandsummer areusuallythebesttimesandareconsideredthemainyardsaleseason,butif youadvertiseintheyardsalesectionof yourfavoritelocalnewspaper,youare suretogetsomebuyers(shamelessplug here).Plus,therearefewerofthemthis timeofyear,solesscompetition.Also, postitonyoursocialmediapagesand anyappropriategroupsyouarein. Therearealsoyardsaleappsthatwill giveGPSdirections.Havethekidsor thegrandkidsmakeyousomegreat signstoputoutonthedayofthesale. Signsaregreatbutcheckwithyour townordinancesorHOArulesabout whereyoucanputthem.Andhereis oneofmyyardsalespetpeeves—after
2024Fall Calendar
What: Wags&WhiskersFallPetFestival
Where: HudsonFields When: September28,10am-3pm
What: Beer,Wine,&SpiritsFestival Where: TrapPondStatePark When: September28,12pm-4pm
What: RehobothBeachScarecrowTrail Where: RehobothBusinesses When: October1-31
What: Wings&Wheels Where: DelawareAviationMuseum When: October4-5
What: Crafts&Crafts Where: LewesHistoricSociety When: October5-6
What: AppleScrappleFestival Where: DowntownBridgeville When: October11-12
What: CapeNightHike:SpookySpiders!?! Where: CapeHenlopen When: October12,6:30pm
What: SchellvilleFallHarvestFest Where: Schellville,Rehoboth When: October12,13,&20
What: FallCruisers Where: Berlin,MD When: October12,10am-2pm
What: HarvestFest2024 Where: Location:GrovePark, RehobothBeach When: October12,11am-2pm
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Continuedfrompage22
What: 35thRehobothBeachJazzFestival Where: RehobothBeachDelaware When: October17-20
What: SchellvilleSpooktacular& BrewBash Where: SchellvilleRehoboth When: October18-19,5-8pm
What: MiltonZombieFest Where: DowntownMilton When: October19,4pm
What: Oktoberfest Where: Berlin,MD When: October19,11am-4pm
What: Ciders&Spiders Where: HudsonFields When: October19,11am-4pm
What: SelbyvilleTrunkorTreat Where: SelbyvilleFireCo. When: October19
What: HauntedBonfire& ZombieGraveyard Where: DeweyBeach When: October25
What: Boos&Brews Where: LewesHistoricalSociety When: October25,7-10pm
What: SeaWitchFestival Where: DowntownRehobothBeach When: October25-27
What: Children’sFantasyTrail Where: CapeHenlopen When: October25-27,6pm
What: Wags,Witches&Warlocks Where: DowntownBethanyBeach When: October26
What: Cops&Goblins Where: JohnWestPark,OceanView When: October26,1-4pm
What: TrailofTreats Where: EvansPark,Millville When: October26,3-5pm
What: FrankfordFallFestival Where: Frankford When: October26
What: WhimsicalWoods Where: Lord’sLandscaping When: October28-29,5-8pm
What: DiadeMuertosHalloweenFiesta Where: Willowbrook,Bridgeville When: November1,6:30pm
Fallgardening:
Plantingtheseedforspringsuccess
ByCoriBurcham Writer
Tendingahome-gardenthroughoutthe yearislikeco-hostingagardenpartywith MotherNature.Inthespring,there’san abundanceoffreshfruitatthetable,asurroundingnaturaldecorofaromaticflowers beginningtobloomandtheunspoken promisethatthefestivitiesaregoingtocontinueoninthewarmsummernightsahead whisperingonthewind.
Bythetimethatfallcomesaround— bringingwithitearlycrispevenings,thelast harvestofhardy, cool-seasonvegetablesand
thevibrantautumnalhuesofthechanging leaves—there’sasensethatthepartyis comingtoaclose,andallthat’slefttodois beginthecleanup.
Whilekeepingyouryardcleanandpruninganybrowningbranchesiscertainlyanessentialparttogardeninginthefall,thereare otherprioritiestoconsiderheadingintothe wintermonthsthatsignifynotanendingto MotherNature’slong-standingproceedings, butratheratimeofpreparationforamore abundantspringthefollowingyear.
KatieShort,aformerlandscapehorticulturistforRSCLandscapingandthemanager ofEastCoastGardenCenterinMillsborofor
thepast14years,offeredsomeadviceonthe necessarytaskstotackleduringthefallseasontolaythefoundationforabountiful spring.
Oneofthegrowingmisconceptionsabout fallgardening,accordingtoShort,isthatit’s theidealtimetocleanupyouryard.While there’snothingwrongwithpruningback shrubsandotherperennialplantsinautumn,thestandardruleofthumbistoprune afteraplant’sdoneflowering,whichiswhy Short,alternatively,suggestsundertakingit duringlatewinterorearlyspring.
Anotherchoreaimedattidyingupyour yard—rakingthefallenleaves—canpre-
ventoverwinteringdiseasesandpestsfrom infectingyourgardencomespringtime,but allowingtheleafagetoremainoverthewinteralsooffersseveralbenefits,includinga shelterandfoodsourceforwildlifeanda naturalcompostthatenrichesthesoil.
“ere’smanydifferentkindsofgardeners outthere,”saidShort,notingthatthere’sno rightorwrongwaytomaintainagardenin thefall,andit’sentirelydependentuponthe gardener’spersonalpreferences.
Insteadofputtingallyoureffortsintogardenmaintenance,Shortbelievestherearea fewothertasksthatlocalgardenersshould prioritizeinfall,suchasoverseedingyour
Left,adroneshotoftheEastCoastGardenCenter.Above,plantingperennialsinthefallhelpsestablishthembeforewinterforbigger,brighterspringblooms. n AbovephotocourtesyEastCoast GardenCenter,leftphotocourtesyFrankMonteCarlo
lawn.Manyofhercustomersvisitthegarden centerinautumninsearchofgrassseedto thickentheirlawn,especiallybecausethe conditions—amixtureofcoolevenings, warmsoilandsteadyrainfall—areidealfor germination.
Giventhatweedgrowthslowsdownin thefall,newgrassseedplantedinthefallis morelikelytodevelopandyieldahealthy lawn,sincethere’slesscompetitionwith weedsforthesameresources.
Shortalsorecommendsplantingnewtrees andshrubsduringthemonthsofSeptember andOctober.esameconditionsthatallow thegrassseedtothrivearebeneficialtonew plantmaterialsaswell,preventingthemfrom dryingoutduringthistimeofyear.
Duetoitsversatilityandthefactthatit canserveapurposeacrossmultipleseasons, there’soneplantthatShortlikestorecom-
mendhercustomersputinduringthefall:a blueberrybush.
“eyproducefruitendofJune,firstof July,andthentheyhavethisfabulousfall color,”saidShort,withanotheroneofablueberrybush’sbenefitsbeingthatit’seasyto carefor.
Unlikecool-seasonvegetables,suchas brusselssprouts,broccoli,cauliflowerand spinach,thatneedtobeplantednolater thanthefirstofSeptemberwhenstarting fromseed,oneprojectthatcanbetackled lateronintheseasonistheplantingoffall bulbs.Manyofthesevividearlyspring blooms,suchasdaffodils,tulipsandhyacinths,haveafairlystraightforwardplantingprocessthat’seasyforanynovice gardenertomaster,butit’sonethattakes
Pleaseturntopage28
planningmonthsinadvance,aroundthe timebeforethefirstfrostarrives,whenthe thoughtofspringflowersisfurthestfrom yourmind.
“Wecallthemfallbulbsbecauseyouplant
theminthefall,buttheycomeupinthe spring,”saidShort,referringtotheunappealing,turnip-shapedtubersthatcanbe plantedanytimethroughoutOctober.
Inadditiontocheckingthatthebulbisn’t mushyorrottenbeforeit’splacedintothe ground,Shortalsorecommendssprinkling
Turning Leaf Landscaping
Mumsareaneasyandstunningfallaccentfor yourporchorpatio! n PhotocouresyEast CoastGardenCenter
“bulbtone”intothesoilbeneathtofertilize it,ensuringthatthebulbreceivestheproper nutrientstoblossominthespring.
Toprepareyoursoilforthewinter months,Shortrecommendstestingthesoil inyouryardbeforeplantinganythingnew.A soiltest,whichidentifiesthepHleveland othernutrientdeficienciesthatcandetermineyoursoil’sfertility,canhelplocalgardenerstargetareasinthebackyardwhere plantsaren’tflourishingasexpected.East CoastGarden Centerofferstestingkitsfor theUniversityofDelaware’ssoiltestingprogram,whichaccessessoilfertilityforanominalfee.
Afterreceivingtheresults,gardenerscan beguidedtowardrecommendationsofadditives—suchasfertilizerorcompost—that canbeintroducedintothesoiltobalanceit outandimproveitsoverallhealth.
Compost“helpstojumpstarttopsoil,especiallyinourareawiththenewdevelopments,”saidShort,detailingthatyouryard
maynotbereadytogrownewplantmaterial becausethetoplayerofsoilisscrapedoff duringhousingdevelopment.Giventhatit’ll taketimetoadjustthepHornutrientlevels, autumnisactuallythebesttimetoassessthe healthofyoursoil.
Overwinteringtropicalplants—bringing pottedplantsindoorstowaitoutthewinter seasoninamoreaccommodatingenvironment—isoneaspectoffallgardeningthat’s achallengeevenforanexperiencedhorticulturistlikeShort.Whilebird-of-paradiseor hibiscusflowersoncethrivedinourhotand humidcoastalclimateduringthesummertime,thesetypesoftropicalplantswon’tsurvivethecoldertemperaturesduringthe changeofseasons.Basedonherownfailed attemptsatoverwinteringtropicals,Short offeredsomepointersforanyoneplanning toundertakethechallengethemselves.
“You’regoingtowanttokeepthemat45 to50degreesormoreduringthewinter months.Ifafewnightsitgets below40,it’s probablynotgoingtohurtit,butyoudon’t wantittobeconsistent,”saidShort,naming thegarageasthebestlocationtooverwinter plants.
Apartfromfindingaplaceindoorsthat’s shelteredfromthecoldandhasplentyof
naturallight,Shortpointedoutthatmaintainingtherightwateringscheduleisanotherkeyaspecttooverwintering.
“eydon’twantalotofwater,”said Short,citingoverwateringasthemainreasonmanyindoorplantsdie.
Whileitmayseemcounterproductiveto beginyourgardeningjourneyinautumn, Shortofferedsomeadviceforanynovice homegardenersdiscoveringtheirgreen thumbinthefall.
“Don’tbediscouragedwhensomething dies.It’sgoingtohappen,”saidShort,noting thatitoftentakesherseveraltriesandsome independentstudytogrowsomethingnew inhergarden.“Ifyou’rereallyinlovewith thatplantandyouweren’tsuccessfulthefirst time,tryitagain.”
Foranylocalgardenersstrugglingtogrow aspecificplant,shealsosuggestsconsulting theirteamofexpertsatEastCoastGarden Centerforguidance.Aspartoftheirfallclass series,EastCoastGardenCenterwillbe hostinginformationalworkshops—oneon thetopicofplantinghydrangeasandanother onpruningtechniques—inearlyOctober. Toregisterforclassesorexploretheirfull calendarofevents,visit www.eastcoastgardencenter.com.
EastCoastGardenCenter’sKatieShort recommendsplantingblueberrybushesin thefall.
n PhotocouresyEastCoastGardenCenter
ByMikeStern StaffReporter
ImaginethatyouareenjoyingtheRocky MountainsinColoradowhenyourcell phonebuzzes.Glancingatyourdevice,you realizethatyou’rereceivinganalertfrom thevideodoorbellandsmartlockatyour home’srearentryway.
Whatyouseeviathesecuritycamera concernsyou.Asuspicious-lookingwoman ispeeringintoarearwindowwhilenervouslyglancingfromsidetoside.
Usingyourcellphone,youpurposefully asktheintruderwhatherbusinessis.e suspectquicklystopsdeadinhertracks, thinksforamomentandquicklydeparts thescene.
Youimmediatelycontactyournext-door neighborandyoursecurityproviderto alertthemofthesuspiciousactivity.
Yourresidentialsecurityprovider’s equipmentdiditsjobbyalertingyoutoa potentialbreak-in,andlettingthewould-be intruderrealizethatyouareawareofand haveavisualrecordofher.
erearemyriadreasonswhyyouinstalledahomesecuritysystem—andwhy othersarealsodoingso.
emostcriticaloneisthatyoursecurityequipmentwillguardyourhomewhen youareawayand/oroutoftown,whichin turncanimproveyouroverallsenseofsecurity.Yoursystemalsocanbeadeterrent tothosewithcriminalintentandalertyou ofpossiblethreats.
eabilityforvarioussecuritydevicesto beusedtogetherforvarioustasksisakey trendintheexpandingmarketforresidentialsecuritysystems
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Nolongeraluxury–butanecessity
etheftofpackages,homeinvasionsandrobberiesareontherise.
Asaresult,theneedforhomesecuritysystemsisnolongeraluxury—it’s anecessityfortheprotectionofyour familyandproperty.Fortunately,residentialsecurityequipmenthasproven tobeaneffectivewaytodeterburglars andprovidepeaceofmind.
Contemporaryhome-securitydevicesenableyoutouseyourhome’svideo doorbelland smartlocktogethertomonitor andcontrolyourhomesecurityfromvirtuallyanywhere.Youcanalsouseasmartlock toallowaguestoremergencyresponder intoyourhomeasneeded.
esedevicesenableyoutoseewhoisat yourdoorandspeaktothemthroughthe doorbell.Youcanalsousethesmartlockto allowaguestoremergencyresponderinto yourhomeasappropriate.
Homeownersarenolongertakingsecuritylightly.Anincreasingnumberofthem areinvestinginsecuritysystemsthatprovide
numerousbenefits.Infact,homeswithsecuritysystemsarelesslikelytobetargeted byburglars.
ankstothetechnologicaladvancement ofhomesecuritysystems,it’seasierand moreaffordablethanevertomonitoryour homefromprettymuchanywhere.
Integrationofsecurityequipment
A“smart”securityhomeisregardedas onewhichfeaturesatleastthreesmartdevicesthatenableyou,thehomeowner,to remotelycontrolandmonitoryourdevices
andsecuritysystem.
Youcanuselightsinclosets,hallwaysandbathrooms,integratingthem withsmartsensorssothatthelight onlycomesonifsomeonewalkspast thesensor.
Homeownersarealsoabletocombinetheirthermostatwithasmart garagesensorandsmartcarbon monoxidedetector.Whencarbon monoxidereacheshighlevels,the garagedoorautomaticallyopensand thedetectorsendsyouanalert.
Infraredtechnology allowsyouto seeyourporch,evenwhenit’sdark. Two-wayaudiomakesiteasytospeakto anyoneatyourfrontdoor,evenifyou’re nothome.
Didyourpackagegetdelivered?Avideo doorbellmakesiteasytowatchoutfor packages.Ifapackagehasbeenstolen, you’llhavevideoproofyoucanprovideto lawenforcement.
Voice-activatedsmartspeakers andsmartersensors
Smartspeakersarenowextremely prevalentinhomes.eycandoanything
fromplaymusicortakenotestoorder food.Youcanevenconnectthemtoyour smarthubandintegratethemwithother innovativetechnologyinyourhome. Asforsensors,themoreinnovativethey are,thebetteryoucanprotectyourhome. Homeownerscanuseleading-edgesensors thatenableequipmentsuchasindoorand outdoorcamerasthataretriggeredbyany typeofmotion.eycanalsobeprogrammedtosendanotificationtopoliceor switchonlightsthattriggeranalarm.ey candomanythingsandintegratewell withinyourneworexistinghomesecurity system.
Forexample,windowanddoorsensors willalertyouifawindowordoorhasbeen leftopen,orifoneopensduringthe evening.Floodsensorscandetectwater leaksquicklytominimizedamagefrom floodsorburstingpipes.
Glass-breaksensorsareabletodistinguishbetweenaburglarbreakingintoyour homeandaninnocentnoise.ebestmotionsensorscantell thedifferencebetween yourfamilymembersandsomeoneenteringtheroomwhenitisunoccupied.
Smartlocksforopening orclosingremotely
Asmartlockwillhelpyouavoidhavingto givethebabysitter,petsitterorcleaningcrew thekeystoyourhome.Justunlockorlock thehouseremotely.Manysmartlocksalso allowyoutogivepeopleauniqueaccesscode theycanuseacertainnumberoftimesor onlyoncertaindays.Smartlocksareperfect forintegratingwithothersmart-homedevices,especiallyvoice-controlledassistants, outdoorcamerasorvideodoorbells.
Wealreadyuseartificialintelligencein manyhome-securityapplications,particularlywhenusingvideoorgeofencing,orsettingavirtualperimeter.Facialorvoice recognitiononoursmartphonesdistinguish differentfacesfromeachother,thensenda notificationifaspecificvisitorisatthedoor. Technologicallyadvancedcamerascanalso differentiatebetweenyour familymembers and/orfriends.
Smartlightscanbeintegrated withsensorsorelectronics
Smartlightsincludeanythingfrombulbs tosmartplugs.Intoday’slandscape,these lightscanoftenbeintegratedwithdifferent
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Everyboutiqueleadinguptotheshore carriessometypeofbeach-themeddécor,almostasifthetidecameinandleftthembehind,likeseafoam,initswake.Whetheritbe artwork,smallandlarge-scalefurnishings, ortrinketstolivenupyourtabletopsand shelves,everywhereyoushop,there’sno shortageofcreativehome-decoratingideas inspiredbyournaturalsurroundings.
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Marie’s Kitchen
ByMarieCook SpecialtoCoastalHome&Garden
Whatajoyitwastoreceiveanemailfrom DarinMcCannaskingifIwouldwriteacolumnforthisfallissueofHome&Garden. AlthoughmylastofficialcolumnraninFebruary2014,Istillhearfromreadersabout theirfavoriterecipes,andfromotherswho areaskingforarecipetheylovedandlost.
AsIage,Iammoreconsciousofeating healthier.Unlessyouliveunderarock,you toohavereadaboutthebenefitsofeliminatingprocessed andultra-processedfoods fromyourdiet.Studiesaboundaboutthe harmfulsideeffectsoftheseproducts,soI ammorediligentthaneveraboutlabel-reading,toavoidadditives,emulsifiersandthickeners,suchasmaltodextrin,polysorbate60 and80,titaniumdioxideandothers,aswell asdyes,andnaturalflavorings(whicharenot alwaysnatural).
IrecommendDr.DawnHarrisSherling’s book,“EatEverything:HowtoDitchAdditivesandEmulsifiers,HealYourBodyand ReclaimtheJoyofFood.”Inthreedays—literallyjustthreedays—ofditchingasmany oftheaboveaspossible,Inoticedamajor improvementinmygastrointestinalsystem! It’salearningprocess,forsure,butagood startistoreduceyourintakeofprocessed andultra-processedfoodsto20percentand eat80percentfresh,wholefoods,addinga widevarietyofplant-basedfoods.Knowledge ispower!
Now,ontorecipes.Fallvegetablesand fruitsincludebeets,sweetpotatoes,brussels sprouts,onions,spaghettisquash,kale,pears, apples,okra,parsnipsandcranberries.e goodnewsisthatmostfruitsandvegetables areavailableyear-round.
I’venevermetanonionIdidn’tlike. Onionsareinthealliumfamily,whichalso includesgarlic,leeksandchives.eyare packedwithnutrientsandloadedwithantioxidants,anti-cancercompounds,helpregulatebloodsugarandmayboostbone density.eyalsohaveantibacterialproper-
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tiesandpromotedigestivehealth,whichmay improveimmunefunction.
Roastedonionsareamongmyfavorites. Youcanfindmanyrecipesonlineforwhole, stuffed,roastedonions,butoneofmyfavoritesisasimplerecipeIcanwhiptogether quicklywhenIneedahealthysidedish.is isPamAnderson’srecipe,whichIfoundin USAWeekend.
RoastedOnions
Ingredients:
n 4mediumyellowonionsofsimilarsize
n 2tablespoonsoliveoil
n Saltandgroundblackpeppertotaste n 2tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar
Directions:
Gatherallingredients.Adjusttheoven racktothelowestpositionandpreheatthe ovento425F.Peelonionsandcutinhalf, horizontally.Tossonionhalveswithoiland seasongenerouslywithsaltandpepper. Placeonions,cutsidesdown,onarimmed bakingsheet.Roastinpreheatedovenuntil onionsaretenderandthecutsurfacesare
goldenbrown,25-30minutes.Removefrom theovenandadjustseasoningsifnecessary. Drizzlewithbalsamicvinegartoserve. Yield:8servings(8onionhalves).
AnotherveggiefavoriteisRoastedCarrotsandBrusselsSprouts—colorfuland fullofhealthyvitamins,minerals,fiberand antioxidants.
RoastedCarrots andBrusselsSprouts
Ingredients:
n 6carrots,peeledandcutinto1-inchpieces
n 3/4-poundbrusselssprouts,trimmed andouterleavesdiscarded
n 3tablespoonsoliveoil
n 1teaspoonkoshersalt
n 1/2teaspoongroundblackpepper
Directions:
Preheatovento400F.Tossvegetablesin oliveoil,salt,andpepper.Spreadoutevenly onjellyrollpanandroastinpreheatedoven for30minutesoruntildesireddoneness. Yield:4-6servings.Westilleatredmeat,but insmallerportions.MySlow-CookedBeef Stewhasmorevegetablesthanbeefand freezeswell.
SlowCookerBeefStew
Usea6-quartslowcooker.
Ingredients:
n 2poundsbeefstewmeat,trimmedand cutinto1-inchcubes
n 1/4cupall-purposeflour
n 1/2teaspoonsalt
n 1/2teaspoongroundblackpepper
n 2clovesgarlic,minced
n 2bayleaves
n 1teaspoonpaprika
n 2teaspoonsWorcestershiresauce
n 1yellowonion,peeledandchopped
n 1-1/2cupsbeefbroth
n 3redoryellowpotatoes,peeledanddiced
n 4carrots,peeledandsliced
n 2stalkscelery,chopped
Directions:
Inaplasticzip-topbag,combineflour,salt andpepper;mixwell;addbeefcubesand shaketillallarenicelycoated.Putallinto slowcooker(noneedtopre-brown).Stirin garlic,bayleaves,paprika,Worcestershire sauce,onion,beefbroth,potatoes,carrots,
White Glove Service
andcelery.CoverandcookonLowsetting for10-12hours,oronHighsettingfor4-6 hours(mypreference).Yield:6servings.
Grandma’sHoneyMuffinsarenothing specialtolookat,butmyhusband,Jim,loves them.Noicing,nodrizzleofanythingsweet —justtastymuffins.WhenIgivegiftsof souporstewtofriends,Itrytoaddafewof thesemuffins.
Grandma’sHoneyMuffins
Ingredients:
n 2cupsall-purposeflour
n 1/2cupgranulatedsugar
n 3teaspoonsbakingpowder
n 1/2teaspoonsalt(Morton’s)
n 1egg
n 1cupmilk
n 1/4cupbutter,melted
n 1/4cuphoney
Directions:
Preheatovento400F.Inabowl,combine flour,sugar,bakingpowder,andsalt.Inanotherbowl,whiskegg,milk,butterand honey;stirintodryingredients,justuntil moistened.
Fillgreased(IusePam)orpaper-lined muffincups3/4full.Bakeinpreheatedoven for15-18minutesoruntilatoothpickcomes outclean.Removefrompantowirerack. Yield:12muffins.
Mypen-pal,BobJackson,wholivesinan assistedlivingfacilityinNewHolland,Pa., sharedarecipefromhislatewife,Elaine,for SweetPotatoesandApplesCasserole,analltimefavoritethatElainebroughttochurch potluckdinners.
SweetPotatoesand ApplesCasserole
Ingredients:
n 8largesweetpotatoes,boiled,peeled, andcutinto1/2-inchslices
n 4large,tartapples,peeled,cored,andcut into1/4-inchslices
n 3/4cupbrownsugar,packed n 1/2cupbutter
n 1tablespoongratedorangepeel
n 3/4cuporangejuice
n 1/3cupmaplesyrup
n 1teaspoongroundcinnamon
n 1/2teaspoongroundnutmeg
Directions:
Preheatovento350F.Lightlygreasea13by-9-by-2-inchbakingdish.Alternatepotato andappleslicesinanoverlappingfashionin thedish.Inasmallsaucepan,stirbrown sugarandbutteruntilmelted.Addtherest oftheingredientsandbringtoaboil,stirring untilsmooth.Poursauceoverpotatoesand apples.Bakeuncoveredinpreheatedoven for40minutesuntilglazed.Yield:8servings.
Atarecentpotluckdinnergatheringat BethanyClubTennisonCedarNeckRoadin OceanView,SherylBlackingtonbroughta QuinoaSaladthatreceivedravereviews.She gladlysharedtherecipe.Talkaboutplantbased!
QuinoaSalad
Ingredients:
n 1-1/2cupsquinoa
n 4-1/2teaspoonsbutter
n 3cupschickenorvegetablebroth
n 3/4cupdicedgreenbellpepper
n 3/4cupdicedredonion
n 1-1/2cupscorn(cannedorfrozen)
n 2(15-oz)cansblackbeans,rinsedanddrained n 1/4cupplus2tablespoonschoppedcilantro
n 2largetomatoes,diced n 1cucumber,seededanddiced n 3/4cupfreshlimejuice,ortotaste n 3tablespoonsredwinevinegar n 3tablespoonsoliveoil
n 4-1/2teaspoonsadoboseasoning n 3/4cupfetacheesecrumbles n Saltandblackpeppertotaste
Directions:
Rinsethequinoathoroughlyundercold water,anddrain.Meltbutterinalarge saucepanovermediumheat.Addquinoa andcookandstiruntilthewaterhasevaporatedandthequinoaislightlytoasted,about 3minutes.Pourinthebroth,bringtoaboil, reduceheattolow,andsimmeruntilthe quinoahasabsorbedallthebroth,about10 minutes.Coolquinoainrefrigeratorforat least10minutes.(Ichillitforabout30minuteswhileI’mchoppingvegetables,etc.)
Inalargesaladbowl,mixthegreenpepper,redonion,corn,blackbeans,cilantro, tomatoes,cucumber,limejuice,redwine vinegar,oliveoil,adoboseasoningandfeta cheese.Gentlystirinthequinoa,andseason withsalt,pepper andadditionallimejuiceto taste,ifdesired.Chillthesaladatleast30 minutesbeforeserving.Yield:12servings.
FriendsOllieandMarianneRoblingof OceanViewsharedtheirrecipeforMaggie’s Kielbasa.is,too,wasachurchpotluckfavorite.Ifyouservethisataweekendfootball party,you’llscoreatouchdownforsure!
Maggie’sKielbasa
Ingredients:
n 3poundskielbasacutinto1-inchpieces
n 1cupbrownsugar
n 1can(15.5oz)crushedpineapple
n 1bottlechili sauceplus1/2chili-sauce bottleofwater
n 1yellowonion,peeledandcoarselychopped
Directions:
Ina3-or-4-quartslowcooker,addallingredients.CookonLowsettingforapproximately8hours.
I’malreadyovermywordlimit,butIfeellikeI’m justgettingstarted.Ihadseveralotherrecipesto share,butIguessI’llhavetowaitforanothersurprise emailfromDarin!ankstoallwhosharedinmy seven-plusyearsofwriting“Marie’sKitchen”from chefmariecook@gmail.com.Itwasmygreatpleasure!
sensorsorelectronicsandchangethe brightness,colorsandmorebasedonanythingfromtheweathertothetimeofday. Smartlightsremainapopularfeaturein smarthomes.ey’reaffordable,easytoinstallandcanbeusedinbothrentedapartmentsandahomeyouownyourself.
Duetotheirversatilityandaffordability, smartlightshavestayedapopularoption forsmarthomes.Constantlyevolvingtechnologyinthesmart-lightsectorwillfurther pushinnovationwith theselightsoutside thesphereoflightbulbsandintosolarsecurity,floodlightsandotheroutdoorsmart lighting.
Climatecontrol
Byprovidinghomeownerswiththeabilitytocontroltheclimate,smartthermostatscanhelpyousaveenergyandmoney whiletrackingyourconsumptionandautomaticallyadjusttheequipmentbasedon thatusage.
Youcancontrolyourtemperaturefrom thecomfortofyourbedorcreateschedules basedonyourworkhours,oryoucansync your smartthermostatwithothersmart devicestohelpmakeyourhomesmarter.
Solar-poweredcamerasandlights
esolar-poweredmarketwillcontinue toexpandbeyondthecurrentofferingof solar-poweredlightsandsolar-powered cameras.Asthetechnologybecomesmore prevalent,thepricewillcontinuetodecrease.Addingsolar-poweredcameras, sensorsandotherdevicestoyourhomesecuritysystemwillallowyoutobecome moreindependentcomparedwithtraditionalenergysolutions.isdecisionwill alsoreduceyourenergyconsumptionand saveyoumoney.
Extendingsecurity beyondthehome
Homesecurityisrapidlyextendingbeyondthehome,tovehiclesandpets,aswell asdeliveriesofpackagesandgroceries.And somesystemsincludesensorsthatcantell thedifferencebetweenananimalorpet andahuman.
youryardsaleremembertotakeall signsdown.Nothingworsethanriding aroundandaroundaneighborhood lookingforayardsalethatwaslast week.
Ournextoptionwouldbetodonate toalocalthriftshop.Thethriftshops areprettybusyaroundhere,socheck thedaysandtimestheyareopenand makesuretheyarecurrentlytakingdonations.Alotofgoodthingshappenin thiscommunitywiththefundsfrom thenon-profitthriftshops.Infact,I wasrecentlytalkingtoKarenLesperancefromACTS,andshementioned thatthisyeartheygaveout$37,500in scholarshipstolocalstudents.The mostthey’veevergiven!Karenalso gavemesomegoodtipsonwhatitems youshouldnotbedonating.Thiswill saveyousometimeandfrustration. Remember,thepeopleworkingin ournon-profitshopsarevolunteersand aftersummertheyoungvolunteersare backinschool,sothistimeofyear mostofthehelpersareretirees.Give themahandanddon’tpackyourboxes tooheavyorfillagiantlawnbagwith clothes.
Anotherchoicewouldbetosellsome ofthebetter-qualityitemsonline. Theseusuallyarevintage,collectibles, orhigh-endproducts.Thiscanbedone onsocialmediaintheFaceb ookmarketplaceandsellergroups,Instagram, E-bay,Mercari,oroneofthemany otherwebsiteswhereyoucanbuyand sellthings.Ofcourse,thiscanbetimeconsuming.You’llneedtotakegood photosandwritecleardescriptionsof theitems,takemeasurements,pack itemscarefully,andbetimelyonshipping.Mostofthesiteswillgiveyou greatdirectionsandhow-to’s.Keepin mindthattheremayalsobesellingfees involveddependingonwhatplatform you’resellingon.
Lastbutnotleast,youcanthrowit away.Justgetridofit.Thatmaybethe hardestoneofallforme,buthopefully notforyou.Oryoucouldjustrentaseriesofstorageunitsandstashitall there.Yoursecretissafewithme!
ByGiovanniGuido Intern
Whenlearninghowtorecycleproperly, itcanallboildowntoonething:knowing howtoidentifywhichmaterialgoes where.
Byputtingmaterialinarecyclingbin thatdoesnotbelongthere,peoplecan,in fact,hurttherecyclingprocess.Unwantedmaterialcancontaminateother recyclables.Whenthosecontaminated recyclablesgothroughamaterialsrecoveryfacility(MRF,pronounced“murf”), gearsgetcaught,causingequipmentto shutdown,forcingthefacilitytospend timeandmoneytofixtheproblem.
Itmaysoundfar-fetchedforafacility whosesolepurposeistosortthroughrecyclingtobeshutdownfromjustaplasticbag.Butwhenpeoplefromallover Delawareareputtingsuchmaterialsin theirbins,itamountsto14percentofa MRFsrecyclingbeingcontaminated, leadingtotheshutdowns.
In2010,theuniversalrecyclinglawwas passedbythestatelegislature,andit cameintoeffectonthefirstofDecember ofthesameyear.Underthatlaw,asingle-
streamrecyclingprogramwasestablished alloverDelaware.eprogramallows homeownerstohavearecyclingcollectionserviceinwhichallrecyclablescan beplacedtogetherinasinglebin,asopposedtosortingthemoutbymaterial type.
Recyclingisthencollectedbytrucks andtakentooneoftwoplaces:aMRFor atransferstation.Atransferstationisexactlywhatitsoundslike.IfaMRFistoo farforatrucktotravel,rec yclablesare thendroppedoffatanearbytransferstation.Within72hours,therecyclablesare thentransferredtoaMRF.
ere,therecyclablesareplacedontoa conveyorbelt,wheretheyaresortedinto differentcommodities.
Atthebeginningofthesortingprocess, workerssortoutanycontaminatedmaterials,whicharetheneithersentofftoa landfillordisposedofthroughdifferent means.Duringtheentiresortingprocess, theworkerswillalsoensurethatthecorrectmaterialsareendingupintheirrespectivegroups.
econveyorbeltguidestherecycling toafirstsortingmachine.Adiscscreen willseparatethelarge,flatmaterials,such
asflattenedcardboard,whiletherestof therecyclingfallsthroughontoanother conveyorbelt.Oncethecardboardisout oftheway,magnetswillisolatetheferrousmetals,suchasironandsteel,from therestofthematerials.Non-ferrous metals,suchasaluminum,leadorcopper, aresortedout witheddycurrentseparators.Glassisthenremovedfromtherecyclingstreamandcrushedintosmall piecesofglasscalledcullet.Usingwhatis called“ocularsource,”themachineryis abletodifferentiatetheplasticfromthe restoftherecyclingandseparateit.
Oncethematerialsareseparated,most ofthemgetbaledintoblocks.ebales arethensoldtodifferentmarkets—for example,apapermill—wheretheyare reusedtomakenewproducts.
roughouttheentiresortingprocess, workerscontinuetowatchovertherecyclingstreamandseparateanycontaminatingmaterials.
Contaminatingmaterialscanvaryfrom hosestofoodwaste,butonewayoranothertheyallendupdoingthesame thing:messingupthemachinery.
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Neverbagrecyclables,asthebagcould leadtoequipmentbeingdamagedand machinerygettingstuck.esamecanbe saidofregularplasticbagsplaced amongsttherecyclablematerials.
Previously,peoplecouldtakeanynumberofplasticshoppingbagstoanat-store drop-off.Butunderalawpassedbythe DelawareGeneralAssemblyinrecent years,manystoresnolongerprovideplasticbagsbutmayofferpaperbags,which areeasytorecycle.Storesthatdonotprovideplasticbagsarenolongerrequiredto haveaplasticbagdrop-offprogram.
Beforethelawtookeffect,anaverage Delawareanwoulduseupto434plastic bagsperyear,whichmeantaround2,400 tonsofplasticbagswindingupinlandfills everyyear.Withthenumberofplastic bagsbeingdistributednowdiminished, muchoftheplasticwastethatendedup inlandfillsnolongerdoes.
Foodwasteisacontaminantthatcan veryeasilymakeitswayintorecycling.
Foodwasteobviouslybelongsinthe trash.However,plasticfoodcontainers andglassjarsthatarerecycledoftendo
notgetproperlywashedandhave somefoodresidueleftinthem whendisposedof,causingtherecyclables,includingcardboardor paper,tobecontaminated.
Liquidisanothercontaminant thatendsupinrecyclingbins,along withitsbottleorcan,andcauses cardboardandpapertobemade unfitforrecycling.
Peoplealsothinkthat,becauseit isstillpaper,shreddedpaperisrecyclable.
However,itmesseswiththesortingmachineryandmustbetrashed instead.
Electronicsmustbetakentothe nearestrecyclingcenter,insteadof beingdisposedofinarecyclingbin. Electronicwaste,suchasphones, computersortelevisions,arecommonlyknownas“e-waste.”e complexityoftheseitemsmakesit nexttoimpossibletobreakdown andrecyclenormally.E-wastecan alsocontainhazardousmaterials, suchaslead,mercuryorflameretardants,sotheymust berecycled properlythrough recyclingcenters.
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Batteriescanbeverydangerous whenmixedwithrecyclablematerials,duetobeingafirehazard,soit isbesttotakethemtothenearest recyclingcenter.
Styrofoamalsomustbetakento arecyclingcentertobedisposedof properly.Althoughitisrecyclable, itisinefficienttoputitinarecyclingbinduetoitsdensity.Itis largelycomposedofair,makingit lightweight,butoftentimesitisstill bulky.Becauseofhowmuchspace ittakesup,thestoringandshipping costforthefacilitiesthatrecycle Styrofoamisquiteexpensiveand inefficient.
Whilenormalfoodcontainers canberecycled,afterproperly cleaningthemofanyfoodwaste, frozenfoodcontainerscannotbe disposedofaseasily.Inorderto protectthefoodproductfrom freezer-burn,thecontainersare sprayedwithaspecialcoating.at coating,alongwithchemicals sprayedonthecontainers,makethe materialdifficulttoprocessandcan contaminateotherrecyclables.In-
stead,theyneedtobedisposedofina trashcan.
Gardenhoses,stringlights,wiresor chainsmustnotbeputinarecyclingbin. eseareknownas“tanglers”forobvious reasonsandcausefacilitiestoshutdown whentheygettangledupinthemachinery.Hosesshouldbethrownoutinthe trash,stringlightstakentoarecycling center,andchainandwiredisposedofat ascrapyard.
Metalfromoldcarsorappliancesor otherkindsofscrapmetalmustbetaken toascrapyard.ere,themetalwillbe handledproperly.erearemanyreasons forthat,suchaspotentialtoxicity,radioactivityorjustordinarycontamination.
Mirrorsandwindowglasscannotbe recycledandmustinsteadbedisposedof inthetrash.osematerialsareoften treatedwithchemicalsandhavedifferent meltingpointscomparedtoregularglass. Whendisposingoftheminthetrash,itis besttowraptheminsomething,suchas ducttape,sotheywillnotbreakduring disposal.
Noteveryoneknowsexactlywhatcannotberecycled,butmostpeopleknow whatcanberecycled:cardboard,paper, glass,metalcansandhardplastic.But eveninrecyclingthosematerials,people canhelptherecyclingprocessbypreparingthemproperly.
Whenrecyclingcardboard,makesure tobreakitdownsoitisflat.Ithelpsthe machineryinMRFsbeabletoseparate themmoreeasily.Contaminatedpaper cannotberecycled.Ifthepaperiswet,it mustwaituntilitisfully dryandcanthen berecycled.
Lids fromglassbottlesmustberemovedandrecycledseparately.Sincelids aremadeofdifferentmaterialsthanthe glass,theymustbeseparatedintherecyclingprocess.Havingthelidstillattached totheglasswillmakethesortingprocess moredifficult.
Justlikeglass,metalcansmusthave theirlidsfullyremovedandrecycledseparately.
Finally,theruleforhardplasticcontainersandtheirlidsistheexactopposite oftheruleforglassbottlesandmetal
cans.eplasticlidsare oftentoosmalltoberecycledontheirownand shouldbescrewedonto theirrespectivecontainers.
Whenrecycling,itis imperativetoknowwhat materialscangowhere. Onesinglepieceofcontaminationcanruinan entirebinofrecycling, whichwillthenwindup inthelandfillsinsteadof beingrecycledand reusedtomakemore productsofitskind.
erearemanyplaces thattakerecyclingand candisposeofcertain materialsproperly,even whentheydon’tbelong inthesingle-streamrecyclingbin.Peoplehave manyoptionsattheir disposal.Alltheyhaveto doistakethosemuchneededsteps.
Liz Bayer, Sr. Loan Officer
Whetheryou’reredecoratingaroomor startingfromscratch,beachhomeowners oftengetcarriedawaybyourenthusiasmfor seashellsandmarinelife,tothepointthat we’resweptupinthesurfandbroughtdown intoatrenchofheavydeep-seablues,bulky rattanloungechairs,anddensemodern couchesthatcanmakearoomfeelunnecessarilynarrowandcramped.
Tohavetheconfinesofyourhomeemulatethesamewide-openexpanseofthe ocean,followthesefewtipstomakeeventhe smallestroomsinyourhomeasspaciousas thegrandestofthem.
Occupylessvisiblespace
Adoptingamoreminimalistmindset,one ofthesurefirewaystomakearoomfeel moreopenistohaveyourfurniture,wall decorandeverydayitemsoccupylessofthe visiblespaceinaroom.
Insteadofoptingforbulkyfurniturethat hidesthefloorfromview,addatouchofvintagetoyourinteriordesignbyselectingmidcenturyfurniturethat’sbothlowto the groundandhasvisiblelegs.Anyfurniture
thathasemptyspacebothbelowandabove, suchasroundwickerchairsorleggy bohemian-stylesofas,createstheillusionthat thepieceisfloatingmid-air,establishinga seamlesssenseofspaciousness.Ifyou’re searchingforsomethingalittlelessmodern, anyantique19th-centuryVictorian-stylefurnishingswillproducethesameeffect.
Totakethistrickonestepfurther,any
transparentpiecesoffurniture—either acrylicorglass—openuparoombytaking uplessoftheeye’svisualrealestate. Utilizingthefreespaceintheroomcan alsoapplytothepositioningofyourfurniture.Byleavingalittlespaceinbetweenthe furnitureandthewall,itgivestheimpres-
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CoastalHomeStyleTrends
Homeswithblackexteriorwindows,whitesidingandblackroofingcontinuetrending. n PhotocourtesyBruceMears
BySusanCanfora StaffReporter
HomedesignerandbuilderBruce Mears’goalisto“createausablespace thatmeetsthehomeowner’spurposes andthatmeansadequatespacethat flows.”
Mears—whoseofficeisinMillville andworksonhomesstartingat5,000 squarefeetandinthe$1.5millionrange, fromtheIndianRiverInletsouthtoFenwickIsland—saiddesigningsuchaspace alsomeansappeal,includingacurrent modernlookachievedbyframingwindowsinblack.
“Someofthe homeownersdon’tdo blackinside.Ilovewhenmyclientsdo blackinside,becauseitbringsinthatcontemporarylook,”hesaid,addingthathe prefersfiberglasswindowframestoendure“ourharshcoastalenvironment.”
“Blackwindowswithcolorsidingsis big.Youseeatonofhouseswithblackexteriorwindowsandwhitesidingand blackroofing.Blackandwhitehavebeen trendyforthelastthreeorfouryears. roughoutmycareer,Ihavewatched
trendscomeandgo,andcertainthings nevergoout.Whitesidingandblackwindowsareheretostay,”Mearssaid.
Whenitcomestointeriorcolortrends forcoastalhomes,bluesandgreensremindhomeownersoftheoceanwaterand grassgrowingandswayingonsand dunes,offering“abreezyfeelingthat beckonsbarefootcomfort,”accordingto theSherwinWilliamswebsiteat www.hgtvhomebysherwinwilliams.com.
“Justlikeyourfavoritebeachchair,the coastalpaintcolorsintheRelaxedCoastal ColorCollectionembodyeasysophistication.Waterybluehuesaregroundedby earthyshadesofmossandsand,bringing acleanfeeltoanyspace.iscasual-yetclassybeachcolorpaintpaletteshinesin naturallightandinvitesyoutokickback andmakethemostofeveryday.
“islookisallabouttheoutdoors. Embracethecolorsofthebeachwithlight sandtoneslikeDoverWhite,watery greenslikeRestfulandadreamyblue, suchasAleutian.Anemphasisonnatural lightgivesyouadirectconnectiontothe outdoors,lendingyourspaceabright, openandairyfeel.Addsomebreezycot-
tonfabrics,andyou’llbereadyfortheultimatestaycation,”thewebsitestates. Bluesarecommonlyusedinkitchens andgraysareoftenchosenforinterior walls.
“Whenyoulookaround,you’llnotice wallcolorsingraysarein,andfloorcovering—alotofvinylisbeingusedin driftwood,barnwood,”saidMears.“Of course,theclientpicksthecolor.ese syntheticproductsgiveyouanabundance ofcolors.Withhardwoodyouarelimited. Andtheyaregoodforthecoastalenvironment.Ourenvironmentisvery humid.Woodissusceptibletoexpansion andcontraction,”hesaid.
ecoastalenvironmentalsomeans constantbombardmentbysalt,with oceanfronthousesgettingsandblasted,as wellassaltandwind.
Underfoot,forflooring,Mearslikes luxuryvinylplank,orLVP,andprefers COREtec,“theCadillacoffloors,”hesaid.
“It’s kid-friendly,dog-friendly.ose whorenttheirhouse,it’srenter-friendly, andoneofthebestthingsisyoucanget woodgrainlooksincolorsthatwouldcost afortuneinrealwood.efirsttimeI
heardaboutit,aclienttoldmehewanted it,andIthought,‘He’scrazy.I’mnotputtinginvinylflooring.’en,afterIsawit,I thought,‘OK.Wecandothat.’eskyis thelimitforcolors,”hesaid.
Overhead,Mearslikescofferceilings, designedto“bringthedrama,oraddsubtlearchitecturaldetailtoanyroom,”accordingtowww.armstrongceilings.com.
“Iliketouseacofferceilingtodefine areas,soifI’vegotafamilyroom,dining roomandkitcheninthesameareawith a flatceilingandIhavethesamefloorcoveringthroughoutthatarea,thereisnothingdefiningthatareaotherthanthe furniture.SoIliketouseacofferceiling overthefamilyroom,ormaybeoverallof it,andchangethesizestodefineeach area,”hesaid.
Somehomeownersarechoosingto haveapreproomoffthekitchentopreparemealsbeforetheyarecooked.
Inthekitchen,MearslikesCabria quartzandislands,sometimeswithawaterfallcountertoponeachendoftheisland—meaningthecountertopextends pastthesidesoftheisland,downtothe floor,foradramaticlook.
Inthebedroom,bunkbedsareoftena choicefortoddlerstoteens,withdrawers forstorageatthebottomand,sometimes, drawersineachstepleadingtothetop bunk.
Asanaccentonwalls,Mearsuses shiplap—horizonalplanks“simulating old-schoolnickelgap,”hesaid.Shiplap wasoriginallyanold-fashionedbuilding
materialmadeupofwoodenplanksfitted togetherbyoverlappingoneanother,accordingtowww.stikwood.com. Shiplapcreatesarusticlook. Foroutdoorliving,notjustfirepitsare favored—andtheyare—butentireoutdoorkitchens,withgrills,smokersand refrigerators,appliancesthatdon’thaveto
becoveredorenclosedbecausethey aremadetowithstandweatherconditions.Rooftop decksarepredominantforthosewho liveneartheocean. Mearsnicknamed them“firework decks,”becauseit’s theperfectplaceto watchholidaypyrotechnicdisplays.
Somecoastal homeowners choosesynthetic grassthatdoesn’t havetobemowed ormaintainedand thatcanbelandscapedaround,Mearssaid,addingthathe workswithLord’sLandscapinginMillville(www.lordslandscaping.com).
“Youdon’thavetotakecareofit,cutit, irrigateit,”hesaidofthesyntheticturf.“It
usedtobecalledAstroturf,butthenew productisplush.Itcan’tbeconfusedwith theoldsports-fieldsynthetic.Itiscomfortabletowalkon,butitdoesn’tfeelexactlylikegrass,”Mearssaid.
Ifahomehasa swimmingpool, therewillbesandy towelsfromthe beachnearby,plus wettowelsfromthe pool,soMears oftenincludestwo laundryroomsin hisdesigns—one nearthe outdoor shower“tocatchall thatsand”andthe otheronthesecond floor,nearthebedrooms.
“Myclientshave ideasoftheirown, buttheytypically followmylead,” Mearssaid.“Everybodythatconsiders hiringme,Itake themtoseehouses andIwatchtheirreactiontothings.Isee whattheylikeandIseewhattheydon’t like,butIsometimessurprisethemwith elementsinthedesignphase.”
sionthere’sroomtospare.
Intermsofdecorating,staggeringseveral piecesofartworkorphotosonthewallpresentstheeyewithmorevisualdistractions, butoptingforasingle,large-scalelandscape paintingorfamilyportraitthatactsasthe focalpointmakestheroomappearasifit’s broader.
eunnecessaryyetinevitableclutterthat comeswitheverydaylifecanalsocontribute totheclaustrophobicfeelofaroom.When indoubt,limitingtheknickknacksorcleaningoffthesurfaceoftableswillfreeupthe space,makingitseemmoreexpansive.
Chooseunderstated colorsandpatterns
Inadditiontokeepingtheroomfreeof unnecessaryclutter,anotherwaytoquietthe barrageofopticalnoisemeetingyoureyeis tokeepthecolorpaletteandpatterns throughouttheroomverysimpleandsubtle.
Whileit’stemptingtodecoratearoom usingonlyourfavoritecolorsasaguide,it’s alsoimportanttotakeintoconsiderationa color’scorrelationtolightbeforechoosingit
toadornthewallsandfurnitureonimpulse. Sincelightercolorsreflectlight,implementinglightershades—suchasneutrals,warm pastels,or,thecoastalinteriorfavorite,white —makestheroomappearairierinexchange.
Togivetheroomanevengreatersenseof
expansiveness,trypaintingtheceilingand wallsallthesamecolor,whichwillcausethe eyetoflowmoreseamlesslyfromonesideof theroomtotheother.
Toencouragethiseffect,anymaximalists willneedtoshyawayfromtheirinstinctto incorporateloud,boldpatternsthat’llinadvertentlydrawattentionanddisrupttheeye’s movement.Alternatively,optformutedpatternsthataren’tasbusytogivetheroomthe samepersonalitywithoutthedistraction.
Accentuateverticalspace
Selectingdécorthataccentuatesvertical spacecanbeanothermethodoftrickingthe eyeintothinkingaroomisbigger.Piecesof furniturethatarebothtallandskinny,such aswardrobes,bookshelvesorcabinets,will bringattentiontotheverticalspaceofa roomandgivetheimpressionthattheceilingsarehigher.
esameresultcanbeachievedbyany furnishingsthatdrawtheeyeupward.Insteadofmountingcurtainsdirectlyabove thewindows,hangthemslightlyhigher,so thattheycascadefromtheceilingtothe floor.
Installuplightingfixtures,suchaspendant lightsthatdangledownwardortallfloor lampsthat illuminatethehighestpointsof theroom.
Onedesignhackthat’lladdanothermeasureoflengthtotheroomistopaintthewalls withverticalstripesorfindasimilarlypatternedwallpaper.Eitheroptionactsasanaturalopticalillusion,elongatingthewallsand establishingafalsesenseofheight.
ingsno onetellsyou whenyou moveto Delaware
ByTarynKing Editor
I’vebeenanEasternShorelocalsince 2013.Livingsoclosetoandworkingjust overthestatelinehereinOceanView,I thoughtIknewwhattoexpectlastyear whenIdecidedtochangemyhomeaddresstoincludeaDelawarepostalcode. Butthereweresomeunexpectedsurprises thatgreetedmeinwelcome.
SomeofthesethingsIreallywishIhad knownaboutbeforehand.Otherswereunexpectedodditiesthatmakeyougo, “Huh…Okaythen.”Andothersstill,that makemesuper-happythatImadethis choice.
So,withoutfurtherado—fromone newbieresidenttoanother(ormaybe you’restillinthedecision-makingphase) —allowmetofillyouinafewofthethings thatnoonetellsyoubeforeyoumakethe movetothisbeautifulstate!
Transfertaxes
(1)Cartitletransfertax—Inadditionto the$35to$55fee(dependingonloanstatus),youcanexpecttopaya4.25percent taxofthepurchasepriceorNADAtrade-in value(whicheverishigher)ofyourvehicle whenyouregisteritinDelaware.
(2)Propertytransfertax—Intheclosing documentsonyournewhome,youmight bealittleshockedbythenumberssitting besidethetransfertaxratewhichsitsatexactly4percentofthehomecost.egood newsisthatthistaxisusuallysplitevenly betweenthebuyerandseller.Additionally, first-timehomebuyershavesomeexemptionsavailabletothemregardingtransfer taxes.
OtherTaxes—Despitethehightitle transfertax, oneofthebigbenefitsof Delawarelivingthatmostpeopledoknow aboutisthewonderfullackofstatesales tax.ere’salsonotaxonSocialSecurity incomes,andnoinheritancetax.
Recycling
You’rebetterofflookingforalistofwhat youcanrecycle,becausethelistofwhat youcan’tis,well…long.Buthere’ssome thatmightsurpriseyouandaregoodto know:
•Tissuepaper
•Wrappingpaper
•Papertowels
•Receipts
•Bubble-wrapenvelopes
•Anywaxyorplasticcoveredpaper (thinkpapercupsandplates)
•Anyplasticyoucanstickyourfinger through,suchasplasticbagsandplastic
filmwrappers
•Plasticstraws/utensils
•Plasticblisterpackaging
•Plastichangers
•Styrofoamofanykind
•Bottlecaps.
See“WhatCanYouRecycle”onpage46 formoreinformationonwhy!
Costofliving
ecostoflivinginDelawareis2percenthigherthanthenationalaverage. Whilethecostofhousingandutilitiesare actually2percentlower,costsofbasicnecessities,suchasfood,clothingandhealthcare,areupto4percenthigher.Butyou reallyneedtofactorinwhichcountyyou’ll belivingin.MunicipalitiesincludingMillsboroandWilmingtoncomeinat2percent and5percenthigherthanthenationalaverage,respectively,butDoverisactually3 percentlowerthanaverage.Tocalculate thedifferenceincostoflivingbetweenyour currentlocationandDelaware,visitRentCafe.com.
Activities
Delawaremaybeasmallstate,but there’salottodohere.Withupstateprox-
Pleaseturntopage60
imitytometroareas,thereisn’tmuchout ofreachifyou’relookingforhustleand bustle.LowerDelawaremaybetaggedas “Slower,”butthat’sbecauseweknowhow tochilloutandrelax.Becausewehavethe beaches.Andtheseafood.Andscenicwaterways,wineries,breweries,farmsandorchards.Nottomentionallthesmalltowns filledwithcharm,boutiques,eventsand festivals.
Publictransportation
ere’saseriouslackofpublictransportation.eDARTbussystemisasmall butmightyefforttoaddressthisissue. However,itwillonlygetyousofar.is, unfortunately,leavesUber,Lyftandlocal taxicompaniestopickuptheratherexpensiveslack.
RainbowshinesovertheIRBridge
n SpecialtotheCoastalPointMatthewTrucks
riskarea.Toseeifthepropertyyou’reconsideringfallswithinthiszone,checkout DNREC’shandyfloodplanningtoolat floodplanning.dnrec.delaware.gov.
Smallerjobmarket
Trainserviceislimitedtoupper Delaware,althoughthereisarail-service corridorproposalthat couldpotentiallybring trainservicetomoreof thepeninsulaatsome pointinthefuture.
Coastalflooding
isreallyisonlyan issueifyou’relookingat livingonstreetswithin theFEMA100-year floodzone,andeven thatisnotaguarantee thatyourhomewillone dayfloataway.Itjust meansyou’reinahigh-
Ifyou’renotcommutingtoorlivingina largercitywithgreaterjobopportunities, you’relikelyabusinessowner,remote workerorseasonalworker.ecloseryou gettotheresortareasandsmallercommunities,theharderitbecomestofindajobin ahighlyspecializedfield.isis,ofcourse, trueacrossthenation.
Coastaltrafficcongestion
Oh,thebaneofeverylocal’ssummerexistence.Mostofusjusthidefortheseason orattempttomaneuverbackroadsthat haven’tbeenoutedbyGoogleMaps.Because,let’sbeclear:unlessyouknowthe super-secretdowntimescheduleforhidden beachaccess,ordecidetoheadinland, you’renotgoinganywhere—exceptmaybe halfafootforwardinthatlonglineofcars.
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Arts,cultureandheritagescene
Withastrong,existingpresenceinthe north,theartsandculturescenesarealso fastgrowinginsouthernDelaware,with communitiesheartilyembracingfestivals, concerts,artsandcraftsfairs,galleriesand morethroughouttheyear.
Additionally,Delaware hasalonghistoryandcelebratedheritagethatincludes aforward-lookingrelationshipwiththeindigenous LenapeandNanticokeIndiantribes,withmultiple eventsthroughouttheyear engagingandeducatingthe publiconhistorythatincludesandprecedescolonization.
Internationalflight access
ere’snotwowaysabout it:You’llhavetodriveor
takearegionalflighttoBaltimore,Md.,or Philadelphia,Pa.,togetonaninternational flight.atcanbeabitofadrive,dependingonwhereyou’recomingfromin Delaware.
Agriculturalodors
isoneisforthesouthernportionof Delaware.You’redrivingalong,enjoying thescenicfarmlandroute,andithitsyou.
Youcan’trollupyourwindowsfastenough, andeventhatdoesn’tcutit.esmellis… ripe.Goodlucktakingadrivethrough ruralDelawarewithouthittingagodor. Dependingonwhichwaythewindis blowing,youmightnotbeabletoescapeit atallifyou’rehangingoutinthearea.But thelocalstellmethatafterawhileyou won’tevennoticeit.
Beachaccess
Butthebeachaccessactuallyisincredible.Setting asidethosefewmonthsin thesummerthatmakeitdifficulttogetyourtoesinthe sand,youcanliveanywhere inthestateandgettoa beach(albeitasmallonein somecases)inaboutan hour,orless.Howmany otherstatescanboastthat kindofdrive-time?
