April 2025 - Dine & Discover

McKean High School's Dynamic ARV Program

Dr. Harmonica Still

Rockin' After 5 Decades

Nick's Pizza Serves

Slice of Nostalgia

Dine & Discover

Wilmington’s premier restaurants team up to present 20th City Restaurant Week

Photo

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 | 11 AM–4 PM GRAND ENTRY AT 12 PM In

Photo by Iz Balleto

Published each month by TSN Media, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Contact@TSNPub.com

Wilmington, DE 19801

Start

PUBLISHER

Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com

DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS

Jim Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC

DIGITAL SERVICES DIRECTOR Michael O’Brian

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS Amy Watson Bish

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Adriana Camacho-Church, Mark Fields, Pam George, Roger Hillis, Catherine Kempista, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Ken Mammarella, Mary Ellen Mitchell, Matt Morrissette, Kevin Noonan, Andrea Smith, Bob Yearick

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jim Coarse, Justin Heyes and Joe del Tufo/Moonloop Photography, Lindsay Rudney duPhily, Joe Hoddinott, Kevin Francis, Matthew Loeb,

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Paul Bauer, John D. Holton, Bev Zimmermann

Teres Major Noodles at Bardea Steak; A toast to CRW ; Black Bass Crudo at Quoin; Ivan Torres (Tonic), Dan Butler (Piccolina Toscana), La Fia Bistro, Javier Acuna (Hakuna Hospitality).

Photos by: Kirk Robert Chambers, Nicki Corridori Joe del Tufo, Justin Heyes, Taylor Mickal or provided

A Gastrological Tour of Wilmington

ACROSS

1 With 24-Across and 43-Across, annual Wilmington culinary celebration

5 120 ___ screen (feature between Trolley Tap House and Catherine Rooney's for watching sports)

9 Waikiki Beach locale

10 Renewable energy type

12 Tiny particle

13 Drums one might hear played live at Tonic

15 Contract info

17 "Count me in!"

19 Charged particles

21 Green bit in some University & Whist Club salads

22 Basil and others found in dishes at Café Mezzanotte or Ciro Food & Drink

23 Tra c sound

24 See 1-Across

26 Indianapolis NFL player

27 Ongoing con icts

28 Fish order at Piccolina Toscana, perhaps

29 "___ She Lovely" (Stevie Wonder hit)

30 ___ Joe (Chelsea Tavern sandwich named after boxer Frazier)

33 Tear apart, as the pork on Del Pez's Texas BBQ taco

37 Go for bronze?

39 Steak speci cation at Le Cavalier or Hummingbird to Mars

40 Informs

41 "King of Soul" Redding

42 Queen of "Frozen"

43 See 1-Across

DOWN

1 Parka, e.g.

2 "No need to make me a plate--been reveling in Wilmington dining establishments!"

3 God of thunder portrayed by Chris Hemsworth

4 Best tasting (appropriate for this puzzle!)

5 Orbiting research facility (abbr.)

6 They're really not a big deal

7 Steamed seafood item at Eclipse Bistro

8 Over ___ eggs (thoroughly cooked brunch order at Columbus Inn or Wilma's)

11 Resumes doing business, as Santa Fe Mexican Grill or Casa Nonna at 11:30 Monday through Friday for lunch

14 Like Dorcea's cheesecake or Bardea's chocolate mousse

16 Organize, as laundry

18 Quick sleep

20 Annual series for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy

22 Didn't give in

23 Possible cause for concern at home?

24 Stay choices at The Quoin Hotel & Restaurant

By Joseph O'Brien

25 Competes in a race

Tisa Della-Volpe

Tisa Della-Volpe

10 WAYS A WILMU CERTIFICATE CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR CAREER GOALS

Looking for an affordable, accessible way to advance your career or explore a new field?

Wilmington University’s Dual-Credit Certificate® programs provide targeted knowledge and skill sets to build your resume at any stage of your professional life. Plus, WilmU makes it easy to apply, enroll and attend classes. Here are 10 good reasons to consider a WilmU certificate:

1. Choose your path. WilmU offers certificates in 90+ subject areas to match your career goals and academic interests, from data analytics and fintech to health care administration and community engagement. You can complete most certificates within one year and 100% online.

2. Find career opportunities. WilmU’s certificate programs offer convenient, career-focused education for working learners. Whether you want to grow in an evolving field, reenter the workplace or change careers, a certificate can help you develop marketable skills.

3. Add value to a degree. For bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, career-oriented certificates in specialized subjects allow you to customize your degree and stand out in a competitive job market.

4. Build a degree from a certificate. Through WilmU's Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE™ feature, you can complete a certificate AND get credit toward a degree at the same time! Learn more at wilmu.edu/dualcredit

5. Select undergraduate or graduate-level certificates. WilmU has programs to match your educational level, offering a variety of undergraduate, graduate and post-master’s certificates.

6. Gain some exposure. For recent high school graduates who are not yet ready to commit to college but recognize the value of learning career-oriented skills, a WilmU certificate can be a useful stepping stone to a job or degree program.

7. Learn from experience. The same instructors who teach the University’s degree programs teach WilmU’s certificate courses — experienced professionals and active practitioners who bring real-world lessons and innovative insights to the classroom.

8. Learn close to home. With locations throughout Delaware and most certificates available entirely online, WilmU makes it possible to attend the classes you need wherever you are.

9. Learn on your terms. Daytime, evening and weekend classes, as well as semester, block and modular schedules, give you the flexibility to earn a certificate when it works for you. Classes begin every eight weeks, allowing you to choose from six start times per year for most academic programs.

Popular WilmU Dual-Credit Certificate® Programs:

College of Business

Construction Management

Data Visualization

Fintech

Health Care Administration

College of Education & Liberal Arts

Advanced Study in School Counseling

Digital Education

Equitable Practices

Esports

Hospitality Management

Human Resource Management

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Project Management

National Board Certified Teacher

Reading Specialist

STEM Education

Teacher Licensure – Special Education

College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences

Biotechnology

Forensic Science

Health Information Technology

Holistic Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Interdisciplinary Care Management

Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Nursing Leadership

Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health

College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Child Advocacy Studies

Community Engagement

Criminal Justice

Emergency Management

College of Technology

3D for Digital Media

Agile Project Management

Artificial Intelligence

Cloud Practitioner

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership

Financial Management in Human Services

Post-Bachelor’s Paralegal

Trauma-Informed Approaches

Data Analytics

SCADA Cybersecurity

Social Media Management

UX/UI Design

10. Apply today! WilmU does not require standardized test scores, such as the SAT, ACT or GRE. Its open admissions policy helps make education accessible to all learners. Learn more about WilmU’s 90+ certificate programs: wilmu.edu/certificates

THE WAR On Words

A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language

RESIDUE FROM THE EAGLES SUPER BOWL WIN AND VICTORY PARADE

• ESPN’s Ryan Clark on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts: “ is man is on a future Hall of Fame trajectory right now.” Make up your mind, Ryan: Is he on a HOF trajectory now or in the future?

• Retired Philadelphia Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky complained on Facebook that Channel 6 announcers were saying the parade would go “down Broad Street and down the Parkway.” In both cases, the direction is up.

• Speaking of Channel 6, its star weather forecaster, Adam Joseph, while covering the parade, griped: “We haven’t ate or drank for several hours." Eaten and drunk are the correct verbs here.

MEDIA WATCH

• e Collegian, Penn State’s student newspaper, called former star quarterback Trace McSorley an alumni. He is, of course, an alumnus. Alumni is plural.

• Marcus Hayes, the excellent Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, committed this rare-for-him dangler in writing about Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith: “After recording one sack as a rookie rst-rounder, the Eagles thought so much of Smith that they signed pass-rush specialist Bryce Hu to a $51 million contract — which is to say, they didn’t think Smith would be quite what he’s become.” e sentence makes it seem as if the Eagles are the one-sack, rookie rst rounder.

• e Associated Press had a similar problem with this sentence: “ e Chiefs will have kicker Harrison Butker back a er missing four games to knee surgery.” is reads as if the team missed four games, not the kicker. Changing missing to “he missed” would have xed it.

• Olivia Reiner, in e Inky: “Over e Cap is projecting that the Eagles will not be awarded any compensatory picks in this year’s draft, which is unsurprising, given the team’s sizable haul in free agency last o season relative to the small of players they let walk.” Amazing how many writers don’t know that when you’re dealing with plurals, the correct word is number.

Aisle13stillneedsaclean-up: Back in November, we published this picture, submitted by a reader, from the Acme Market in Hockessin. The reader has notified store management several times, but, he reports, the sign remains unchanged, with the misspelled stationary (should be stationery).

Word of the Month

ARCHAEOLATRY

Pronounced ar-kee-AH-luh-tree, it’s a noun meaning excessive reverence for the past: an earlier time, old customs, antiquity, etc.

BROADCAST BOO-BOOS

TV and radio have recently delivered a spate of mispronounced or misused words:

By Bob Yearick

• A National Debt Relief commercial leads o with a testimonial from a woman who insists that she was “drownding in debt.” ere is only one d in drowning.

• On PBS, Rich Benajmin, author of Searching forWhitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America, said that white communities he visited for his 2009 book were securing their communities by “ba ering down the hatches.” Actually, they were ba ening down the hatches, which means fastening something by a xing pieces of wood to it — pretty much the opposite of battering.

• Mo Rocca, correspondent on CBS News Sunday Morning, in a piece about President William McKinely, claimed that McKinely had “the ignominious distinction” of being one of only four presidents to be assassinated. ere is nothing ignominious — deserving or causing public disgrace or shame — about being assassinated.

• Sam Brock, correspondent for NBC News, joined a driving expert for what he called “a primer” — pronouncing it pry-mer — on how to drive in the snow. In U.S. English, the correct pronunciation is primmer — meaning a schoolbook. Pronounced as Sam did, it means the coat that goes on before the paint on a car or a house, or an explosive cap.

• And nally, Danny Pommels, on SportsNet Central, discussed Eagles’ attempts to keep linebacker Zach Baun, saying that there had been “conversations between he and the Birds.” See that preposition between? at means Danny should have used the objective pronoun — him

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

• Patricia Talorico, in the e News Journal: “Bardea was created inside a historic building that was once a former fried chicken restaurant, an optical store and a law rm.” It is still a former fried chicken restaurant, etc.

• Reader Luann Haney submits this headline from the WDEL website: “Man arrested following investigation into numerous stolen vehicle the s.” Don’t all stolen vehicles involve theft?

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?

Contact me at ryearick@comcast.net for a fun and informative discussion on grammar.

Buy The War on Words book at the Hockessin BookShelf, at Huxley & Hiro Booksellers on Market Street, or on Amazon.

Volunteers:

PETS OF THE MONTH

Meet this month’s adorable adoptables sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

ELMIRA

REINA

e

Lifeline of Animal Welfare

By Brianna Hansen

I3 YRS | FEMALE | 53 LBS

Playful, Loves Toys

Active, Enjoys the Outdoors

CUDDLY CUTIE Knows Basic Commands

Adoption Fee Waived

HAP WILMINGTON

t’s volunteer month — it takes a village. From caring for animals in-shelter or fostering at home to helping with events, fundraising, and administrative support, volunteers are the backbone of local rescue organizations like Humane Animal Partners, Faithful Friends, and the Brandywine Valley SPCA. What makes it truly special is the diversity of those who come together for a shared cause — playing a vital role in helping homeless animals.

CHATTY BISCUIT MAKER

7YRS | FEMALE | 11.43LBS

Nap Fan

Very Affectionate

Adoption Fee Waived

Mature Kitty w/ Kitten Heart

HAP WILMINGTON

GARTH

CERTIFIED GOOFBALL

1 YR | MALE | 48.5 LBS

Cuddlebug Toy Aficionado

Ready to Work (+ Learn)

Active, Loves the Outdoors

HAP STANTON

Volunteers come from all walks of life and each brings something unique to the table. College students show up with fresh energy and creative ideas, balancing coursework while dedicating class breaks and weekends to walking dogs or socializing cats. High school students, often accompanied by parents, gain experience as they exercise their innate compassion and enthusiasm. Retirees o er a lifetime of wisdom and steady dedication, while busy professionals lend specialized skills, carving out time to support our mission.

One such dedicated volunteer is Mike Massih, who works full-time at American Express yet still helps at Humane Animal Partners — cleaning, walking dogs, sorting donations, and assisting with laundry. He also participates in their Doggy Day Out Program, where folks can “borrow” a dog for a few hours — taking them on hikes, to the park to toss a tennis ball, or simply home to snuggle and catch up on some TV — giving them a much needed reprieve from the shelter.

“I love to care for animals. It gives me a sense of responsibility and community,” says Massih. “I've never owned a pet, and it's di cult for me to do so right now, so this is the next best thing."

Some volunteers, like Mike, prefer direct interaction with animals, while others prefer to work behind the scenes — bagging food for the pet-pantry, prepping medical or enrichment supplies, or assisting with clinic or community events. Whether it’s a few hours a month or several days a week, every contribution is crucial.

e beauty of volunteering in animal welfare is there’s a place for everyone. Regardless of personal preferences, experience, or even availability, there’s a way to make an impact. is collective e ort enables shelters and rescues to function, ensuring every animal sees the care, love, and fresh start they deserve.

If you’ve ever considered getting involved, volunteer month is the perfect time. Whether you’re contributing in ways mentioned above or lending your own personal touch, every helping hand matters, and local shelters are waiting for you to complete the puzzle.

WE HAVE MORE POWER THAN BIG TOBACCO.

With aggressive advertising and cheaper prices, tobacco companies use menthol cigarettes to target marginalized communities. But together, we’re stronger. Quit to end Big Tobacco’s in uence. Begin your smoke-free journey today.

FYI Things Worth Knowing

CHAPEL STREET PLAYERS PRESENTS STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Chapel Street Players in Newark brings the heartwarming comedy-drama Steel Magnolias to the stage from April 4-12. Set in Truvy’s rural Louisiana beauty salon, the play follows a tight-knit group of women navigating life’s joys and challenges with humor, strength, and resilience. Full of Southern charm and sharp wit, Steel Magnolias is a touching portrayal of friendship and love. Tickets are available at ChapelStreetPlayers.org.

DON’T GET FAKED OUT!

In the spirit of April Fools’ Day, we’ve placed a fake ad in this issue. Tell us the page number we’ve placed it on and you can win lunch. Email your answer by April 20 to Contact@TSNPub.com with the subject line: I Found the Fake Ad. We will choose three winners from correct submissions. Congrats to Monica Brennan, Kathleen Gegan and Nicholas ompson, who found the paw prints in our March issue on pages 17, 26, 47, 51.

Artists of all ages are invited to enter the 7th Annual New Castle County heARTted Art Contest. Create an original artwork portraying an adventure—real or imagined—using a graphic arts style such as anime, comics, or illustrations. Works can be created digitally or by hand. All entries must be submitted by April 28. Learn more at NewCastleDE.gov/1822/NCCHeARTed-Art-Contest.

42ND ANNUAL EMMANUEL DINING ROOM AUCTION

Support a great cause at the 42nd Annual Emmanuel Dining Room Auction on April 27, hosted by the Ministry of Caring Guild. This event helps to raise about a third of the operating costs for the Emmanuel Dining Room, which provides nutritious daily meals to those in need, no questions asked. This year’s luau-themed event features delicious food, entertainment, an auction, and a prize raffle offering the chance to win up to $10,000. Tickets at MinistryOfCaring.org.

CITY THEATER COMPANY CLOSES SEASON WITH COMEDY

City eater Company closes out its 2024-25 season with Christopher Durang’s Tony-winning Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, running April 4-12 at e Black Box inside e Delaware Contemporary (200 S. Madison Street, Wilm.). is witty, modern ri on Chekhov follows two bickering siblings whose mundane life is upended when their glamorous movie-star sister and her boy-toy visit. Hilarious chaos ensues, fueled by an eccentric housekeeper and an idealistic neighbor. Directed by Joseph Pukatsch, the production stars Jordan Eck, Mary Catherine Kelley, Kerry Kristine McElrone, Paul McElwee, Mikala Plymyer, and Jennifer Youngblood. Tickets at City- eater.org.

Photo by Joe del Tufo

FYI Things Worth Knowing

WINTERTHUR UNVEILS NEW EXHIBITION DELAWARE SETS NEW TOURISM RECORD

Beginning May 3, a new exhibition will open at Winterthur — Almost Unknown, e AfricAmerican Picture Gallery, inspired by a 19th century essay by William J. Wilson, a free Black journalist and educator. Curated by Dr. Jonathan Michael Square, a historian of Afro-Diasporic fashion and visual culture, the exhibition brings to life Wilson’s imagined gallery, showcasing Black life through art and objects from Winterthur’s vast collections. Featuring such works as a silhouette by Moses Williams and copies of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the exhibit runs through January 4, 2026. “Wilson’s essay is a curious text that challenges us to consider our past, re ect on our present, and imagine a more inclusive future,” said Square. More at Winterthur.org.

The Delaware Tourism O ce announced a recordbreaking 29.3 million visitors to the state in 2023, marking a 2.4% increase from 2022. Tourism contributed over $7 billion in spending and supported 55,240 jobs, contributing signi cantly to the state’s economy. Visitor satisfaction remains high, with 71% of overnight travelers reporting strong satisfaction. Governor Matt Meyer noted Delaware’s appeal lies in its beaches, culture, and welcoming environment as key attractions. More details at VisitDelaware.com.

Dr. Jonathan Michael Square guest curates Winterthur's new exhibition.

Cape Henlopen State Park.

Eachyear,theDelawareDivisionoftheArtshonorsthestate’smosttalentedcreativesthroughitsIndividualArtistFellowship program—recognizingartisticexcellence,providingmonetaryawards,andofferingopportunitiesforpublicengagement.In2025,21 artistsfromcommunitiesacrossDelawarewereselectedfromacompetitivepoolof191applicantsrepresentingarangeofdisciplines includingchoreography,composition,music,literature,andfolk,media,andvisualarts.AwardedinthecategoriesofMaster, Established,andEmerging,thesefellowsexemplifythedepthanddiversityofartistictalentintheFirstState.

2025MasterFellow

VIETDINH Literature:Fiction

2025EstablishedFellows

JUDYCATTERTON

GERALDOGONZALEZ

ANANYAGOSWAMI

MAKEDAHAMPTON

LINDASUSANJACKSON

DENNISLAWSON

NADJAHNICOLE

DAMONPLA

ROBSAMPLE ADAMVIDIKSIS

SHANNONWOODLOE

Literature:CreativeNonfiction

VisualArts:WorksonPaper

Dance:Choreography

Music:SoloRecital

Literature:Poetry

Literature:Fiction

Music:Performance

VisualArts:Painting

VisualArts:Painting

Music:Composition

VisualArts:Photography

2025EmergingFellows

PAULABROWN

VisualArts:Painting

FolkArt:VisualArts

Literature:CreativeNonfiction

VisualArts:Photography

Literature:Poetry

MediaArts:Video/Film

Literature:Fiction

Music:Performance

BENJAMINWAGNER

Literature:CreativeNonfiction

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

5pm Start

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary

200 S. Madison Street 656-6466 • decontemporary.org

Exhibition: The Dinner Table spring season

DOWNTOWN

2nd & LOMA Leasing Office 211 N. Market Street 655-0124 • 2ndandloma.com

Artist: Light and Dark by Beverly Ross

Bridge Art Gallery

213 N. Market Street 353-4527 • bridgeartgallery.net

Artist: Fiber Secrets: The Art of Maurice Evans

Chris White Gallery 701 N. Shipley Street 475-0998 • chriswhitegallery.com

Exhibition: Emerging Artists Group Show

Christina Cultural Arts Center

Edward Loper, Sr. Gallery 705 N. Market Street 652-0101 • ccacde.org

Exhibition: Eye Shadowa Bebe Coker BrainChild

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street 576-2100

cityfestwilm.com/redding-gallery

Exhibition: Celebrating the Contributions of Global Women

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market Street 658-7897 • thegrandwilmington.org

Grand Gallery: Everyday Extraordinary by Steve M. Peura

baby grand Gallery: The Howard Pyle Studio Group

Huxley and Hiro Booksellers

419 N. Market Street

439-0805

Artist: Boxes & Crates by Jack Knight

John William Gallery 1313 N. Market Street 585-317-5409 • johnwilliamgallery.com

Artist: Tracing Clouds of Memories by Emmanuel Aboagye

LaFate Gallery

227 N. Market Street 753-5789

Artist: Eunice LaFate

Mezzanine Gallery 820 N. French Street 577-8278 • arts.delaware.gov

Artist: Myth, Muse & Monster (and Other Nonsensical Oddities) by Artist: J.F. Arsenault

The Sold Firm

800-B N. Tatnall Street

689-3237

Exhibition: Coming of Ages Group Artist Show

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue 429-0506

Artists: Nature/Nurture by Anne Oldach & Ruth Ansel

Howard Pyle Studio 1305 N. Franklin Street

656-7304

Exhibition: Studio Group All-Member Show

BEYOND THE CITY

Arden Buzz-Ware Gallery 2119 The Highway, Arden 981-4811

Artist: Judith Blam - Retrospective of an Iconic Wilmington Artist presented by her daughter, Naomi Clark

Bellefonte Arts

803-C Brandywine Blvd 547-2573 • bellefontearts.com

Artist: The Nature of Fiber by Charlese Phillips

Finist & The Owl 811 Brandywine Boulevard 786-228-6638

Artist: Arden Lamp Works by Micah Altman

MKT Gallery Pop-Up

Concord Mall, 4737 Concord Pike 289-6772

Exhibit: Blondie Mansion Suites Residency Pop-Up at Concord Mall

LA Tennis Champion for All Seasons

Laura LeRoy Travis excelled at every level

By Chuck Durante

aura Travis is the rare athletic star who reached similar heights as a coach. University of Delaware’s greatest tennis player became its most successful coach. She will be honored for her play, coaching and advocacy for the sport on May 29 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront when she will be among nine new inductees into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.

At every level, she was dominant. As Laura LeRoy, she played rst singles for Tower Hill starting in eighth grade, leading four state championship teams, herself becoming state champion, meanwhile captaining the Hillers’ 1982 eld hockey title team.

e Blue Hens’ top player from the day she matriculated, she led Delaware to four conference crowns — three times winning the singles championship. She added a doubles title, was named to the regional all-academic team all four years and received University-wide recognition for leadership. She was the clear choice as Delaware’s top senior female athlete in 1988.

By her mid-20s, she became coach, and lifted the Blue Hen women to consistent success, at or near the top of the conference for 26 years, including a 42-match winning streak. For 21 of those years, she double-timed, as one of the few women to coach a major-college men’s team. Five times

the conference’s coach of the year, she led a men’s team with no scholarship support to the 1997 league title.

Travis advanced the sport year-round. She instructed students, advised the UD club team and led summer programs, (including Tennis in the Street for Wilmington youth. She also provided organizational leadership, serving as president of the U.S. Tennis Association MidAtlantic District.

Travis is competing again. Watch for her in age-group competitions, including on the national level

— Founded in 1976, the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame is located on the Wilmington Riverfront at 801 Shipyard Drive on the rst base side of Frawley Stadium. Sports fans can tour the museum for free each Saturday from 10am to 1pm and for two hours before every Blue Rocks home game.

Delaware's Laura LeRoy. Photo courtesy DSMHoF

Answering e Call

For a half-century, ContactLifeline has been there in times of crisis

By Adriana Camacho-Church

This is one of two billboards in New Castle County proudly advertising 50 years of saving lives and making a di erence in the safety and health of thousands of Delaware residents.

ContactLifeline is a non-pro t, state-wide hotline organization that provides crisis services to the public and to victims and survivors of sexual assault.

A 24/7 free service, ContactLifeline sta members answer phone calls from those su ering from crises such as suicidal ideation, depression, mental illness, rape and sexual assault — and anyone in need of information and referral services.

>

Welcome Our New Artists

e agency de nes a crisis as any moment that is overwhelming for the individual who is calling. is includes individuals who need extra support to get through the day such as the elderly, those living with a developmental delay, or those feeling lonely.

Dr. Jackie Burgos-Cousin, ContactLifeline’s executive director, is proud to be part of a group celebrating 50 years of dedication to helping those in need. e organization is based on the belief that every person has the right to live free from fear, harm, and hopelessness.

“ e best thing that I like about being executive director is supporting those who support those in need,” says Burgos-Cousin, now in her ninth year as executive director. “Our therapists, advocates and volunteers also need support, so I like to be that support for them.”

Board member Maria Angela Foust, who began as a volunteer at ContactLifeline 13 years ago, says that without the commitment of ContactLifeline’s professional sta and volunteers, the organization wouldn’t have lasted this long.

“For a society that cares about its citizens, the ability to identify and provide support to those struggling is key,” says Foust.

Balancing the needs of those seeking help and those who provide it is also key in running a crisis agency.

“When at 2 a. m. a hospital is in need of a ContactLifeline sexual assault advocate, the advocate goes there to assist and support the victim, says Burgos-Cousin. And when that advocate or another ContactLifeline sta member or volunteer needs a hand, they know they can rely on backup and support.

“In the middle of the night we know we can call a support worker if we need extra help," says Wendy, a ContactLifeline volunteer for 40 years. “I have never felt alone there. Jackie, (ContactLifeline’s executive director) also takes shifts (calls), she is one of us, she knows what it’s like.”

Last year, ContactLifeline received 18,363 calls, 4,000 more calls than in 2023.

“Calls can go up or down throughout the years depending on what’s happening at that time and moment of the year,” says Burgos-Cousin. “We average about 1,000 calls a month.”

Calls are answered by professionally trained and supervised volunteers and professionals. Responders are taught listening skills and to respond anonymously and con dentially. e agency currently has 16 volunteers, from those who started a few months ago to three who have served more than 39 years. Volunteers also have the option of promoting awareness and sharing information about the agency at community events instead of answering calls. e volunteer training program is free of charge.

Wendy, who volunteers two or three times a month, says 40 years ago when she was going through struggles, her therapist recommended ContactLifeline. “It’s a good t,” she says. “I’m not sure if this is the right word, but

T-Skincare by Lynn

Abi Walecki

Delaware Vinyl

Cat Horn Accessory

the biggest thing I feel and got from being there, is that it made me feel less broken, much less alone. It’s huge when I bring a person from a really bad emotional place to a good emotional place. Most people need a nonjudgemental person to speak with them for a few moments, and if I am that person, it is very satisfying.”

In 1974, ContactLifeline started o as Contact Wilmington. e crisis hotline was created for sexual assault related calls for residents in Wilmington and New Castle County areas. But when it became incorporated in 1982, the agency began to take all types of calls statewide.

In 2006 Contact Wilmington was renamed ContactLifeline when it was accredited to accept the National Suicide Prevention Line (NSPL). e NSPL is now the new three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Today, the agency has o ces in Kent and Sussex counties and o ers a Crisis Chat service — online communication instead of speaking by phone. Counseling for sexual assault victims is also now available in Spanish. Services also include helping to train organizations such as hospital sta and law enforcement groups on sexual assault and on the services provided to victims.

ContactLifeline sexual assault therapists provide therapy to any person over the age of 12. ey also o er a support group and family and couple therapy. All services are free; insurances are not billed. e agency receives funding from federal, state and local agencies including from di erent foundations and private donations.

“We receive around $600,000 yearly,” says BurgosCousin. “ e funds help with maintaining sta ng and support the operational cost of the agency.”

— Visit ContactLifeline.org or call (800) 262-9800 (Crisis Line)

ContactLife executives (l-r) Darrall Mosley, Jacqueline Burgos-Cousin and Christina Taylor. Photo by DG Williams

Presented

by

March 31-April 5

Wilmington’s culinary rite of spring, City Restaurant Week, returns for its 20th year this month. This annual promotion provides great incentive to visit one of Wilmington’s destination restaurants and that roster has expanded signifi cantlly over the past few years.

The 2025 lineup features 23 of Wilmington’s fi nest, each owner-operated. That’s one of the beauties of the city’s fi ne dining scene. Chain restaurants are not an option.

“One cool thing that City Restaurant Week does is that it highlights the fact that Wilmington has some really good restaurants,” says veteran restaurateur Dan Butler, owner of Piccolina Toscana. “When you see them all in a list like this, it’s really impressive. And hopefully it inspires people to visit new places and visit some they haven’t been to in a while.”

“Here at Chelsea Tavern, we LOVE City Restaurant Week,” says owner Joe Van Horn. “For the past 15 years it has drawn folks downtown to experience new places and old favorites alike. It’s been a great reason to meet up with friends for some great food and a cold beer!”

Once again, diners will be treated to an array of menus, offering everything from Asian to French to Italian. Prix-fi xe, two-course lunches are $20. Three-course dinners are $35 or $55.

For an overview of this year’s participating restaurants, read on. ►

BARDEA STEAK

608 North Market St. 550-9600

A celebration of craftsmanship and avor. Our partnerships with artisanal farmers bring you premium cuts from both familiar and rare breeds. But the experience doesn’t stop at steak—James Beard-nominated Chef Antimo DiMeo’s creativity extends beyond meat, o ering bold and unexpected bites from both land and sea. Join us at the crossroads of tradition and innovation for a distinctive dining experience.

CAFÉ MEZZANOTTE

1007 North Orange St. 658-7050

Café Mezzanotte has built a reputation as Delaware’s premier spot to enjoy classic Pan-Mediterranean cuisine. We o er an intimate atmosphere with servers who attend to each diner with exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you.

CATHERINE ROONEY’S

1616 Delaware Ave.

654-9700

Enjoy the Irish atmosphere, great food & drinks at Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant! Opening in Wilmington in 2002, the McCoy Family named Catherine Rooney’s after their mothers and grandmothers and you will feel as though you are part of the family when dining in this lively Irish pub. Along with traditional fare, Catherine Rooney’s o ers a wide selection of great food items in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Open seven days a week for dinner with brunch available every Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

CHELSEA TAVERN

821 North Market St. 482-3333

Chelsea Tavern is a popular local gastropub located in downtown Wilmington directly across from the Grand Opera House. The kitchen prepares made-from-scratch comfort food with local ingredients, complemented by an ever-changing craft beer selection. Chelsea’s 33 taps, large format bottles, cans, and single-serving bottles spotlight seasonal and local brews, in addition to wine and cocktails. Chelsea is a neighborhood favorite for a quick lunch, weekend brunch with friends, pre-show dinner, group outings, and vibrant outdoor patio dining. The energetic bar scene is a gathering place always playing the game of the week on its large TVs.

CIRO FOOD & DRINK

321 Justison St.

543-6071

Michael DiBianca the 20-year veteran of the Wilmington dining scene and semi nalist for multiple James Beard Awards has teamed up with Venu Gaddamidi of Veritas Wines to take guests down an exciting, unique culinary experience. Two chefs preparing worldly cuisine featuring share plates and tasting menus. Ciro features an intimate dining experience with 30 seats, an open kitchen, plenty of wines by the glass and can accommodate dietary restrictions.

COLUMBUS INN

2216 Pennsylvania Ave. 571-1492

Columbus Inn has been a historic staple of the Wilmington dining scene. Reborn in 2010 as a contemporary bar & restaurant that combines the best of the classics with a new-age twist. Featuring seasonal Modern American menus with an extensive selection of wine, beer, and craft cocktails.

CASA NONNA

111 West 10th St. 268-8941

Located in the newly renovated DE.CO food hall in the heart of downtown Wilmington, Casa Nonna is an ode to James Beard-nominated Chef Antimo DiMeo’s Italian Nonna’s—Maria and Italia—and their recipes, plus all the Nonna’s of our region and their contributions to what we know as Italian-American cooking.

C.R. HUMMINGBIRD TO MARS

1616 Delaware Ave. 407-5971

Step back in time to celebrate life’s simplest pleasures in style! In 1919, the Volstead Act brought an end to the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. Liquor consumption dropped, the price for illegal alcohol rose, but that did not stop those who wanted to drink. Experience the speakeasy at C.R. Hummingbird to Mars located in Trolley Square above Catherine Rooney’s. Find the black door with the gold hummingbird & ring the bell for entrance.

WALTER’S STEAKHOUSE

802 North Union St. 652-6780

Walter’s Steakhouse is synonymous with great beef in Wilmington & throughout the world. Walter’s, “the oldest steakhouse in Wilmington,” has been host to connoisseurs of excellent steaks, seafood, poultry, and exquisite desserts.

DEL PEZ MEXICAN GASTROPUB

400 Justison St. 691-7974

Del Pez immerses you in an artistic, innovative bar experience and an exciting, creative food menu. With every drink, dish, and moment, we celebrate the power of food to feed friendship. By fusing the lightheartedness of a vibrant bar with the heartiness of a robust food menu, we serve enticing Mexican avors while fanning the ames of old and new connections.

DORCEA

1314 North Washington St. 691-7447

Dorcea is an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap. We use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere.

ECLIPSE BISTRO

1020 North Union St. 658-1588

We opened our doors in 1996 with a single purpose- to o er creative, globally inspired, and meticulously curated dishes that are served, without pretense nor fussiness, by a team of impassioned and welltrained professionals who understand the critical di erence between basic service and the art of nuanced hospitality. A comfortably modern aesthetic perfectly marries the dining room with a world-class kitchen and a carefully considered beverage program.

LA FIA BISTRO

421 North Market St. 543-5574

La Fia has something for everyone. From handmade pasta to the eclectic menu of small plates, each dish is carefully crafted by Executive Chef Dwain Kalup. Owners Bryan and Andrea Sikora have always found inspiration in all types of European cuisine. The kitchen at La Fia prides itself in making everything in house from the freshly baked bread to the desserts, La Fia is true artisan cooking. In 2014, Bryan Sikora was nominated for Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic and he continues to deliver his outstanding food to the region.

LE CAVALIER

42 West 11th St. 594-3154

In uenced by the avors of North Africa and Provençe, Le Cavalier is a neo-brasserie o ering thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive ri s on French staples paired with natural wines designed to complement our fare. It is helmed by Chef-Partner Tyler Akin—the acclaimed Philadelphia chef and restaurateur behind celebrated restaurants Stock and Res Ipsa Café. Le Cavalier aspires to artfully blur the lines between approachability and elegance.

PICCOLINA TOSCANA

1412 N. DuPont St. 654-8001

Piccolina Toscana, one of the area’s most popular and creative Italian restaurants is the beating heart of Trolley Square, the vibrant hub of Wilmington’s nightlife. For over 30 years, Piccolina Toscana has been one of Wilmington’s favorite restaurants serving unfailingly fresh “Really Good Food”. If we didn’t make it, we don’t serve it.

RIVER ROCK KITCHEN

818 Shipyard Dr. 397-5518

River Rock Kitchen Inspired by local ingredients, and providing the freshest avors of the season, River Rock Kitchen is a multi-occasion gathering place for a power breakfast, a great weekend brunch, or socializing over drinks and dinner. Located at the Westin Hotel in the heart of Wilmington’s Riverfront. River Rock is steps away from Frawley Stadium and JAM river walk and trail!

SANTA FE

MEXICAN GRILL

2000 Pennsylvania Ave. 482-1954

We welcome you to Santa Fe Mexican Grill. Our award-winning casual Mexican restaurants bring traditional avors in a modern, vibrant yet comfortable atmosphere.

MERCHANT BAR

426 North Market St. 502-3385

Merchant Bar is an elevated gastrobar that infuses a chef-driven menu with an original hand-crafted cocktail menu focused on high-quality ingredients, aiming to bring you a unique bar and dining experience. Both for intimate dining or for a large group, Merchant Bar’s dynamic space is perfect for any occasion.

THE QUOIN HOTEL RESTAURANT

519 N. Market St. 446-5600

The Quoin is a handsome, full service neighborhood eatery featuring avors inspired Italian cuisine with a contemporary, wood- red are. Expect bright spins on Mediterranean classics, a designed-to-explore list of old-world wines and thoughtful craft cocktails.

TONIC SEAFOOD & STEAK

111 West 11th St. 777-2040

At Tonic Seafood & Steak, each plate is prepared with the highestquality products and the freshest ingredients. The collaboration between our Director of Culinary Operations, Patrick Bradley, and our Executive Chef, Ivan Torres, has produced a unique interpretation of classic American dishes. To enhance your experience, our extensive wine collection and specialty drink menu o er limitless pairing opportunities. So, whether you are here to sample our lighter fare menu, our land and sea creations, or our wine and spirits…your dining experience will be one that is sure to please!

TROLLEY TAP HOUSE

1616 Delaware Ave. 652-2255

Trolley Tap House inside you’ll nd craft beer options from around the world poured from one of our thirty available draft lines or o of our extensive can or bottled beer selection paired with tasty food selections. Located in the heart of Trolley Square, we are about bringing those “intimidating” or “strange” brews into an approachable relaxed atmosphere that is fun for all and child and dog friendly!

UNIVERSITY AND WHIST CLUB

805 North Broom St. 658-5125

The University and Whist Club o ers a re ned dining experience in the historic Tilton Mansion, featuring seasonal menus that blend classic and contemporary cuisine. Members enjoy exclusive culinary and social events, including wine dinners, game nights, book club, and cigar club. Bene ts include reciprocal privileges at 250+ clubs worldwide, discounted private event rentals, and access to packaged goods at 10% over wholesale pricing, making it a premier destination for both dining and social gatherings.

WILMA’S

900 North Market St. 400-7766

Experience dining like never before at Wilma’s, Wilmington’s only Duckpin Bowling & Dining destination. From the moment you step inside, you’ll nd an atmosphere that’s both re ned and energetic, with a chef-driven menu, handcrafted cocktails, and duckpin bowling lanes designed for an unforgettable night out. Whether you’re looking for some family fun, an unique date night, or a weekend brunch with friends, let the good times roll with Wilma’s!

From Delaware to Broadway From Delaware to Broadway

Susan Strohman

Playwright Fellowship helps UD students write

their way into ‘the room where it happens’

FBy Andrea Smith

ew twenty-somethings in Delaware are writing scripts that’ll end up onstage as successful, lucrative plays, but a Tony Award-winning artist from the First State wants to change that.

Director and Choreographer Susan Stroman, who graduated from the University of Delaware in 1976, says she “owes [her] career to great writers.” Her love for performing arts began as a child in Wilmington, and she developed a deeper appreciation for literature as an English major at UD. Stroman has won ve Tony Awards plus a myriad other accolades for her work in theater, and according to Playbill, she’s tied with Bob Fosse as the most Tony-nominated choreographer in Broadway history. Now she’s directing the musical SMASH, which opens on Broadway this month.

Even while living and working in New York City, she can’t say she never looked back. Stroman has kept in touch with the university for decades, and her most-recent contribution to UD funds the new Susan Stroman Playwright Fellowship.

“Whatever I can do for young people to introduce them to great writers, to expose them to great theater, I feel that’s important,” Stroman says.

e fellowship program launched in the fall to unite playwriting educational e orts in both the English and theater departments and to connect ambitious students with professional mentors. e inaugural cohort consists of four students who are aspiring writers with diverse interests. ey have spent the

school year creating an original script with help from UD Associate Professor Chisa Hutchinson, who is a playwright and screenwriter, and playwright Michael Gotch, who’s a member of the university’s professional acting company, the Resident Ensemble Players (REP). In May, it all culminates with readings of their plays at the UD New Play Festival, supported by Jim and Kathleen Hawkins.

“ e students get to work with professional playwrights that they would not have encountered at UD and get advice on the plays that they're working on,” explains professor John Ernest, chairman of the Department of English. “ ese are not inexperienced students, but they're also not seasoned playwrights,

Susan Strohman (center) with fellowship students (l-r) Natalie Milligan, Yves Allen, Zack Cable and Erin Munoz. Photo courtesy University of Delaware

so the mentors guide them through that process.”

Stroman believes young writers also bene t from leaving the classroom setting “to be in the room where it happens,” she says, alluding to the song in Hamilton on Broadway. “I wanted to bring them to New York to interview playwrights, to interview people who contribute to playwrights in the eld of collaboration, and also to experience shows that are running.” e students visited New York each semester, met Stroman at various theaters, and picked her brain over dinner. During their visit in February, they got a peek behind the curtain through watching a SMASH rehearsal and talking shop with two of the show’s playwrights.

“We're just in a small room talking to these exceptionally famous, in uential, and accomplished people,” Ernest says, noting that they spoke with professionals at a few shows. “ ey are giving us the full hour of their time and just talking as openly and casually as you can imagine about their own writing process, how they got into this, how they think about plays, and the students ask questions about [their] particular challenges.”

Fellow Yves Allen, an English major graduating this spring, agrees that leaving campus and practicing their craft provides a clearer path forward.

“Understanding that everything going on came from someone sitting at a computer and writing, at least to me, that was … the main thing that I took away from that experience,” Allen says. “It was nice to see that one day these [scripts] will be acted out. ese aren't just gonna rot on a PDF forever.”

For Fellow Erin Muñoz, a double major in English and Women and Gender Studies graduating next spring, the SMASH experience cured a case of writer’s block: “It kind of reminded me what I was working toward. I was sitting there thinking, ‘This is where I want

to be. I want to be sitting in this rehearsal space the rest of my life.’”

“It is truly our goal through this, not simply to help them write plays, but to help them become savvy theater insiders so that they know what it actually takes to get from dream to reality,” Ernest says. “It's also a program that is, to some extent, designed to start connecting them with people who might take an interest in them and then might facilitate that journey.”

Steve Tague, chairman of the Department of eatre and Dance, says they’re inviting artistic directors from New York Stage and Film, PlayPenn, and other organizations to attend the UD New Play Festival. Tague is also the REP’s producing artistic director, and he’s ecstatic about how this festival will grow and promote budding artists in Delaware in years to come.

“ ese students will be exposed to people whose whole life is about producing new work,” he says, “and it's mostly due to the generosity of Susan Stroman, but also Kathleen and Jim Hawkins, who are funding the New Play Festival and will help bring these people in to see them. … eir mission, with their donations, is to have plays become visible — to be seen and heard by the public.”

Stroman anticipates watching their scripts come to life at the festival and sharing feedback but doesn’t plan to critique them at length.

“ is is a young generation,” she says. “ ey are writing in a di erent way, seeing the world in a di erent way, and have di erent ideas. I don't want to put my generation on them. I want them to create this new generation of playwriting.”

Stroman’s support has allowed Fellow Natalie Milligan, an English major graduating this spring, to consider playwriting for a living.

“It's probably my favorite form of writing, but I never saw a future with it,” Milligan says. “Then the fellowship came along. There are actually opportunities out there.”

Top: Xzavair Taylor-Andrews, Joseph Szczesiak, Victoria Haines and Raymer Castillo conduct a podcast.

Bottom l-r: Moisés Velázquez, Edwin Vasquez-Tovar and Forest Savage review a project with instructor Greg Boulden. Anaya Carter, Lenar Anderson and Rebecca Dadourian have fun during a practice session. Raymer Castillo and Ryan Williams work on their camera skills.

Lights, Camera... Possibilities!

McKean High’s dynamic ARV program,

led by instructor Greg Boulden, helps students discover who they are — and what they want to be

By Catherine Kempista

Behind an unassuming door down a crowded hallway at Thomas McKean High School sits a classroom unlike any other in the building. With a full-scale broadcast radio station, podcasting studio, production-grade video stage with green screen, Apple Mac Studio computers, and professional-grade cameras and sound equipment, this technical suite belongs to Greg Boulden, McKean’s Audio, Radio, Video Broadcast Engineering & Design (ARV) pathway program teacher.

e ARV pathway prepares students for careers in the eld with a high-quality technical education that can translate to employment directly out of high school. Students in the program have access to this creative playground where Boulden and his students combine self-expression with an education in television, lm, radio, and digital media production.

“I chose the ARV program because I really loved working at home behind the camera before I came to high school,” says junior Ryan Williams, who choiced into McKean for the pathway.

is program, which only exists at a handful of Delaware high schools, is one of several pathways at McKean, which serves just under 1,000 students throughout the

Red Clay Consolidated School District. It has one of the most comprehensive Delaware Pathways programs, o ering a wide variety of career readiness tracks, including early childhood education, culinary and hospitality management, and automotive technology. Students can enroll in up to two pathways.

From their course o erings and the physical investments they have made in their pathway classrooms, career readiness is taken very seriously at McKean.

“It ’s intentional,” says Reginald Worlds, McKean principal. “Our goal was always to have our kids college- and career-ready, and as we reshaped our vision, we wanted to make sure we had a robust catalog for all students. We have something for everybody here.”

Photos by Joe del Tufo

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR HULA HOOP

Choosing a pathway can be an easy decision for some students as the course content is a natural extension of an existing interest. For some of Boulden’s students, the interest is obvious and over owing.

“I hope to someday win an award,” says Forest Savage, McKean senior.

For others, ARV is a secondary pathway that will provide skills to support other career and college goals. Regardless, Boulden is happy to have them.

“ e skills they’re learning in this classroom, to me,

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have very little to do with audio, radio, and video and have everything to do with self-con dence as a teenager, presentation for a resume, improved writing skills, and the ability to see the world outside of yourself,” says Boulden. “It gives them a critical thinking lens that I don’t know every program can develop the way I can.”

Aiming to meet each student where they are, he starts each school year with an introductory lesson and a hula hoop.

“My hula hoop is how I teach class,” says Boulden. “You come into my room, your hula hoop is very small. You’re standing in the center. I never want a student to feel like they've left the hula hoop, their comfort zone . . . that they're way out there when they're public speaking, lming something, being creative. Instead, I want them to have one foot out, one foot in, and each day recognize how much they’ve grown.”

CREATIVELY CHANGING LIVES

A graduate of Salesianum School and DeSales University, Boulden has worked in audio and video production for more than 20 years and is now in his eighth year at McKean. Over the course of his career, he has worked at WDEL in board operations and production, launched the radio program at Newman University, started his own media company, and produced a music documentary. His passion for the industry is rooted in the creativity that comes from working with the various mediums.

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Greg Boulden (2nd from left) with a few of his program veterans (l-r): Forest Savage, Ryan Williams and Moisés Velázquez.

“I applied [for] the job, and it’s kind of been a storybook ending because I get to be creative every single day with the students,” he says.

In the ARV pathway, he teaches 150 students across all grade levels. Students enter their chosen pathway program as freshman and either matriculate to level two or leave and pursue another eld. According to Boulden, roughly 60 percent of the freshman enrolled stay for the entirety.

Students progress through the coursework, which includes technical competency components; public speaking, writing, audio and video production; and editing. Once a student knows the basics of how the equipment array works in the classroom and can adeptly navigate audio visual programs and editing software — such as Adobe After E ects— they advance to larger scale productions where they apply their skills as directors, producers, writers, and editors.

For advanced students, there are opportunities throughout the year to produce projects for state competitions, public events, and other schools and organizations in the district.

Last year, Williams was part of a team of students invited to cover one of Sen. Tom Carper’s nal press appearances. e McKean team was assigned to the press pool and stood alongside local news outlets for the event.

“It was cool,” says Williams. “I got to talk to the Senator and ask him some questions.”

Many of the students’ projects and competition pieces are published to a YouTube channel, highlighting their

skills and craftmanship. e program and its students are well-known throughout the district.

When sta at the Meadowood Program needed help putting together a video for a grant submission, Boulden and his students were happy to help.

“ ey came to us and said, ‘We’re applying for a grant scholarship. Would you guys be willing to lm it?” says Boulden. “Some of the students here lmed it, and they came and brought the $1,000 check they won.”

“ is program is changing people’s lives,” says Savage.

Our attention to detail is evident in everything we do – from local produce, premium hand-cut steaks and a larger selection of bison dishes than any other restaurant. We pride ourselves on delivering American dining the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Join us for Happy Hour, Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00pm

Andrew Berman and fellow classmates have an impressive technical suite to hone their audio and video production skills.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, POSSIBILITIES

ese eld experiences in combination with their technical training on state-of-the-art equipment in modern facilities prepare Boulden’s students to obtain an entry-level job in the eld or pursue a college degree when they graduate from the program.

“Some of these kids really need to get meaningful employment quickly because they need to provide for their families,” says Boulden. “ e pathways prepare students with a career set of skills, so they are careerready at 18 rather than career-ready at 22. It's making sure we’re able to say you can go o to college, but you can also go directly into employment and start making money now.”

Moisés Velázquez, a 2015 graduate of McKean, credits the ARV pathway for helping him nd a eld he truly loves. Today, he works for Red Clay School District as a creative media specialist & EDTv producer.

“Had I not seen the kids in the halls lming and had I not been involved in the radio station, I don’t know that I would have been interested,” says Velázquez. “It really opened my eyes to that world and the possibilities. I saw the lights and the cameras, and it really pulled me in.”

A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS

For some of Boulden’s students, the ARV program is the perfect place for them to take their innate talent to the next level and expand their possibilities.

Sundiata Watson and Vergil Perry, 2019 graduates of McKean and the ARV program, had been friends since they were 7 years old and shared the same interest in video production, creating something from nothing.

“I had a YouTube channel when I was like eight, nine years old when I moved to Delaware,” says Perry. “ is was where Sundiata comes in because we would lm skits and stu together.”

As kids, they spent countless hours together using whatever camera technology they could get their hands on.

In middle school, Perry was

always on track to attend McKean, but life was less settled for Watson, who found himself without a place to live as an eighth grader.

“I was 13 and crashed on Vergil's couch,” says Watson. “I had to enroll myself into McKean.”

e ARV program became a place where both students thrived and made a name for themselves.

“It was the one place in school, or maybe even the one place in my life, where I felt like it was a real refuge,” says Watson.

Perry became known for his talent behind the camera, capturing perfect perspectives, and his editing ability. Watson, who was a pro cient musician, emerged as a class leader in audio production, nding his place in front of the camera and the microphone.

“ e level of production he exhibited as a sophomore and junior was such that by his senior year, you might as well just put him on payroll at a place because he was doing NPRlevel work,” says Boulden.

e skills they learned in Boulden’s classroom and the network they built while they were in high school have helped them achieve professional success.

After graduation, Perry earned his BFA from the University of Delaware and worked behind the camera in a variety of roles in the audio and visual eld. Today, he is a photographer and videographer for a Philadelphiabased advertising agency.

Watson devoted his time and energy to his music after graduating, putting his network to good use.

“Mr. Bolden hooked me up with one of his friends at a radio station, and my song played on the radio for the rst time,” says Watson.

Watson now lives in Philadelphia and is a recording artist and producer with plans to self-release his album this year.

“Programs like the one that Mr. Bolden runs was a very, very positive thing for kids like me or kids who would be in similar situation to me,” says Watson. “ ere’s not a lot of love given to creative education, and we need more of it. We need more people like Mr. Boulden in the world.”

Another Piece of the

By Pam George

Nick’s Pizza Parlor & Bar serves a slice of nostalgia

Photos by Justin Heyes

Pizza lovers near the intersection of Silverside and Marsh roads in Brandywine Hundred have plenty of options. They can savor a slice from Fresco Pizza in Branmar Plaza, Sitaly to Go in Branmar Plaza II, Paris Pizza or the elegant V&M Bistro. Prefer chains? Domino’s Pizza is in the Shoppes of Graylyn, and Papa John’s Pizza is at Marsh and Grubb roads.

But Nick’s Pizza Parlor & Bar is di erent. For one, there’s an IYKYK cachet. Nick Vouras patiently used pop-ups to build interest before opening Nick’s Pizza near Price’s Corner in 2023. ( at location is currently being used for storage.)

For another, Nick’s Pizza Parlor has a prominent bar. It’s in the former Ulysses American Gastropub space in the Shoppes of Graylyn, and the footprint has stayed the same: the bar is in the front room, there is a dining room in the back, and French doors open to a separate area that juts into the dining room.

Opening a pizza restaurant within a pepperoni’s throw of so many others is brave, especially since the space is nearly 5,000 square feet — that’s a lot of seats. However, there was a line down the shopping center sidewalk on opening day. ere were hiccups, of course, but the social media reviews were enthusiastic.

“We had a great time last night, and the food was delicious,” one fan wrote. “Only so much you can do when all of Brandywine Hundred shows up on day one. Have patience, folks; it’s worth the wait!”

A Meeting of the Minds

e Nick in the name is Nicholas Vouras, whose partners are David and Joanne Govatos. If the couple’s name is familiar, that’s because they own Swigg Real Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits in the Independence Mall. ey were also the opening partners at Snu Mill Restaurant, Butchery & Wine Bar across the parking lot. (Bill Irvin is now Snu Mill’s sole owner.)

The partners met through Bill Lundstrom, a mutual friend. Lundstrom had purchased pizza from Vouras and raved about it when he came into Swigg. “He’s a big food-and-wine guy, and he said, ‘Gosh, this young kid is making incredible pizza out of Kozy Korner’s kitchen,’ ” David Govatos recalls.

Nicholas Vouras (center) with Joanne and David Govatos at Nick's Pizza Parlor & Bar days before their new venture opened to waiting lines.

Kozy Korner is not known for its pizza — or it wasn’t before 2021. But it was a natural proving ground for Vouras. His family has owned the restaurant since 1922, when it was at Delaware Avenue and Washington Street. After giving way to a hotel in 1984, the business reopened at Ninth and Union streets. Vouras was 12 when he started working at the restaurant.

While attending California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles, Vouras developed a case of homesickness and a craving for Delaware’s pizza places. Given his food-and-beverage background, it’s unsurprising that he studied online videos on pizza-making. Back in

Delaware, he worked at a pizza restaurant and perfected his dough.

Since Kozy Korner lacks a pizza oven, Vouras made Detroit-style pizza, which did well with the available equipment. e square pizza was invented by Gus and Anna Guerra, the owners of Buddy’ Rendezvous on the east side of Detroit, who wanted to make Sicilian pizza. ey put a focaccia-like dough in a steel pan with deep sides, which carmalized the cheesy dough around the edges.

Via social media and text, Vouras began taking popup orders for pickup at Kozy Korner and Mulrooney’s

In good times and bad, everyone continues to buy pizza, says Vouras.

Tavern, and he brought his pizza to Swigg for wine-tasting events.

Vouras, who always wanted a brick-and-mortar restaurant, found an 800-square-foot location near Price’s Corner that was previously home to Casapulla’s Catering. ere was barely room for a counter, let alone seats. From the start, the eatery was swamped, and Govatos helped when he could. “I’d always been interested in doing something with beverage and pizza,” he explains.

Vouras welcomed the assistance. “Going from a pop-up — and doing whatever you want — and being there was challenging,” he recalls. “Dave was helping out. Joanne worked nights toward the end. It was pandemonium.”

ere were only a few parking spaces, and it was common for cars to crash into the railing. If customers parked next door, the neighbor was irate.

Go Big

Nick’s Pizza needed more space, and the Govatoses were willing partners.

“I think you can create a lot more as a group than you can on your own; everybody’s talents rise,” Govatos says. “And when everybody knows their role, it works.”

Joanne would oversee the front of the house and o ce, David would handle the beverages, and Vouras is “the kitchen guy,” he says. “I make the food.”

en, the Ulysses space became available in a shopping center with abundant parking. “We had to move quickly — we had a small window when all of three of us could work on the project,” Govatos explains.

e temporary sign’s tagline reads: “Pizza + Drinks + Nostalgia,” and Vouras and partners David and Joanne Govatos are taking diners back to late 20th-century pizza parlors. e oor is a red-and-white checkerboard, the outer walls are paneled, and Ti any-style lamps hang over the black booths. Some might say the look is more ’60s, but framed albums from 1980s-era artists Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Men at Work and e Police create a sense of place and time.

e same is true of the menu. “ ere’s no ambiguity,” David Govatos says. “We have pizzas, there’s salads and pasta. It’s a ordable — there’s always a niche for high-quality, a ordable food.

Pizza styles include “circle,” similar to New York-style but with a slightly thicker crust, and the square Sicilian. During the soft opening, one couple came just for Detroit-style. Until Nick’s opened in Graylyn, they’d traveled to Collegeville, Pennsylvania, for their x. ey were happy to have an alternative closer to home. ere is also Grandma Pizza and tomato pie. Regardless of the

style, “Nick’s quality level is very high,” Govatos says. “It’s unique.”

For now, there is red, white, Bu alo chicken with ranch, BBQ chicken and a mix of chicken, bacon and ranch. ( ere is a gluten-free 10-by-10 option.) e menu also includes cheesesteaks on homemade rolls, cheesesteak-topped fries, wings and familiar dishes with house-made pasta.

All of it is ne by Paul Calistro Jr., who went on opening night with ve other people.

“ e Bu alo wings were cooked to perfection, and the French fries were unique,” says Calistro, who takes priding in pointing out that Vouras and Nick’s Pizza are graduates of West End Neighborhood House’s Launcher program for budding entrepreneurs. “One of my party ordered Bu alo chicken on sesame seed crust. I shook my head in disbelief until I tried it. Amazing. e Detroit was u y yet had a crisp crust. e sauce and cheese made me lick my ngers. Well, I totally blew my diet, but it was worth the two pounds.”

At the bar, Govatos is highlighting Italian wines. “I’m deliberately bringing down the prices to get people to drink wine again,” he says, referring to the global dip in wine sales due to changing consumer habits and preferences; weather and wild res; and the economy.

Nick’s is taking advantage of the existing taps, and there are canned cocktails and nonalcoholic beer. Mixed drinks made on demand include the Brat Pack Punch (Jamaican rum, pineapple, passionfruit, lime, orgeat (a nut-based syrup) and grenadine, and the Phil Collins (vodka, cucumber, yellow Izarra, a liqueur, and lime).

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

e restaurant is close to where the David and Joanne Govatos live. “It’s a tight-knit

Nick's partners says there's always room for high-quality food.

community,” she says. “People are familiar with this location.” e pizza parlor is poised to be a neighborhood anchor in a culinary triangle that includes V&M Bistro across the street and Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon in Branmar Plaza.

In the 1980s and 1990s, people didn’t stare at their phones at a restaurant table, and the partners hope the concept encourages friends and families to slow down and connect. e Trivial Pursuit games scattered throughout the space and free arcade games in the back dining area will hopefully encourage people to pocket their phones.

“Good restaurants create a level of escapism,” David says. “I hope that with what we create, guests can walk in here and forget the crazy world for a while.”

Another goal is to make memories. Everyone remembers their favorite childhood pizza place, Vouras notes. And few people lose their taste for it. “In good times or bad times, everybody is buying pizza.”

e partners hope that Nick’s Pizza Parlor will remind adults of a simpler time when a slice could turn a frown upside down. And as for the kids: “We’re trying to be that place where 20 years from now, they’ll remember us,” Vouras says.

Nick's menu is straightforward: pizza, pasta and salads — and pizza is the obvious main attraction.

Free arcade games line the wall in the rear dining area.

STIX CHICKEN NOW OPEN AT THE CHANCERY MARKET

The Chancery Market Food Hall (1313 N. Market Street, Wilm.) has added STIX Chicken as a avorful new vendor to its diverse dining lineup. Already a popular Doverarea food truck owned and operated by Jamela Johnson, Stix Chicken o ers menu favorites like Korean fried chicken sandwiches, honey butter cornbread, and banana pudding. “Jamela’s passion for her food is evident in every bite,” said General Manager Ryan Koch. Johnson saw e Chancery as the perfect place to share her creations with a wider audience. In addition to dining, e Chancery Market features an indoor/outdoor bar, nightly entertainment, and three-hour complimentary on-site parking on evenings and weekends.

— More at eChanceryMarket.com.

DELAWARE ALL-STAR CHEF SERIES

Chef-Partner Tyler Akin is introducing the Delaware All-Star Chef Series at Le Cavalier, highlighting the state’s top culinary talent. e inaugural event on April 21 features a collaboration with James Beard Award nominee Matt Kern of One Coastal on Fenwick Island. For one night only, guests can enjoy a six-course tasting menu blending coastal and French in uences. Tickets are $85 per person, with an optional $35 wine pairing. is series will continue with more chef collaborations announced this spring, o ering food lovers unique dining experiences that showcase the best of Delaware’s vibrant restaurant scene.

— More at LeCavalierDE.com.

END OF AN ERA FOR BELOVED FARM STAND

After nearly four decades, H.G. Haskell III has announced his retirement and the closing of SIW Vegetables Farm Stand in Chadds Ford. Since 1986, SIW has been a favorite destination for fresh, local produce and community gatherings. “I’m grateful for all the support from our customers, and I will miss seeing everyone come through the stand each week.” said Haskell. While the farm stand will close, SIW is considering the future of its events.

SNUFF MILL TO HOST TITANIC-INSPIRED DINNER

Snu Mill Restaurant & Butchery in Wilmington presents “First-Class Fare: Titanic’s Last Dinner,” an immersive dining experience on Sunday, April 6, at 6pm. Guests will enjoy a ve-course menu identical to the one served to Titanic’s rst-class passengers, paired with wines from historic winemakers. “We are thrilled to bring history to life through food,” said owner Bill Irvin. A live string duo will set the tone for an elegant evening, recreating the ambiance of the Titanic’s nest dining room. While formal attire is welcome, it is not required. Seating is limited; advance tickets are required.

—More Snu MillButchery.com.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WILMINGTON’S KITCHEN TOUR RETURNS

For the rst time since 2018, the Junior League of Wilmington's Kitchen Tour returns in-person on April 5 from 9:30am to 4:30pm, showcasing 13 beautifully renovated kitchens across Wilmington, Landenberg, Kennett Square, and Chadds Ford. is self-guided tour o ers design enthusiasts and foodies the chance to explore stunning spaces, while sampling delicious dishes from local culinary stars. Highlights include live cooking demos by chefs Michael DiBianca of Ciro and Leah Ferrara of Spark*d, plus tastings from local favorites and new spots, including Nick’s Pizza and Ca e Gelato. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 on the day of the event. Proceeds bene t the League’s leadership training programs for women.

—More at JLWilmington.org/kitchen-tour.

DELAWARE PROSTART® INVITATIONAL CELEBRATES STUDENT TALENT

Over 100 ProStart® students from 13 Delaware high schools competed in the 12th Annual Delaware ProStart® Student Invitational on March 12 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. St. Georges Technical High School won rst place in culinary, and Odessa High School claimed rst place in management. Both teams will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore this May. e Delaware ProStart Invitational is sponsored and presented by the Delaware Restaurant Association and Foundation and the Delaware Department of Education.

— Learn more about ProStart® at DelawareRestaurant.org/rostart.

Photo by Sam Lustig

Still Rockin’

A er All ese Years Still Rockin’

Mark Kenneally, aka Dr. Harmonica, helped build Delaware’s music scene. Fifty years later, he’s still at it.

By Kevin Noonan

The local music scene ourished in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Bands that made the rounds in northern Delaware and beyond included favorites such as the Melton Brothers, Sin City Band, Johnny Neel and the Shapes of Soul, the Watson Brothers, e Bullets, Tommy Conwell and his Young Rumblers, Lisa Jack, e Drinkers, Larry Tucker Band, Rockett 88, and the big dog in the neighborhood, George orogood and the Delaware Destroyers.

It’s a time Mark Kenneally remembers fondly, mainly because he was one of the stars of that music scene, or at least his alter ego was — Dr. Harmonica.

Kenneally is the front man and lead singer — and harmonica virtuoso — for Rockett 88, a band that has been around since the late 1970s and was inducted into the Delaware Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dr. Harmonica is now in his mid-70s, but he’s still chugging along, albeit more slowly than he did in his prime. at physical decline really began four years ago, when he was injured while rescuing his dog from tra c. Kenneally fell and tore both of the quad muscles in his

legs and he’s still unable to walk without assistance, even though the injury was repaired using transplanted muscle from a cadaver.

“I’m doing all right, but I’m really not happy with my progress,” Kenneally says. “I’m doing much better than I was after it rst happened, and therapy has really helped and continues to help. But it was a devastating injury — I could hear the muscles snap when it happened.

“So, it’s been a long road and it’s still a long road. I’m just trying to do the best I can with what I have to work with.”

Also, Kenneally was born with cerebral palsy,

Mark Kenneally has some

a disability he learned to cope with a long time ago and which, indirectly, led him to the harmonica. His condition prevented him from playing most team sports when he grew up in the Brandywine Hundred neighborhood of Devon in the 1960s, although he played rugby for a while. So, he turned his focus to cars and music, and even his music choices were limited because of his cerebral palsy. He tried the trumpet and trombone, but they didn’t excite him.

en one day, when he was 13, a friend stopped by his house and handed him a couple of harmonicas. And from there Mark Kenneally eventually morphed into Dr. Harmonica.

It didn’t hurt that one of Kenneally’s best friends was George orogood, who was in his class at Brandywine High in the late 1960s. orogood’s star hadn’t started to rise yet. In fact, Kenneally says that when he rst started playing with orogood he didn’t even play guitar — he was the band’s singer.

Later, Kenneally joined Rockett 88, whose lead guitarist at the time was Tommy Conwell before he became a Young Rumbler. Rockett 88 was just one of many great local bands at the time, and Kenneally says he played with just about all of those musicians at one time or another, including the late Johnny Neel, who went on to greater fame as a member of the Allman Brothers Band.

“I actually got to make a living doing it, so I got to do what I love and I never got up before noon,” Kenneally says. “I didn’t care who I was playing with or where we were playing. All I wanted to do was play music with likeminded people, and there were a lot of them around here back then. We were all into the music.”

And music has helped him deal with the many crosses he’s had to bear over the years. Because of his physical limitations, Rockett 88 only plays a couple of times a month, but even that bare-bones schedule has been great mental and emotional therapy for him, even though it can be physically demanding

“It gives me something to focus on besides my problems,” he says. “I still love it, even though I don’t enjoy it as much as I did when I could jump around and be much more animated. But playing, and practicing to get ready to play, gives me a goal, something to shoot for, something to look forward to. And we’re getting great crowds whenever we play, and that helps my outlook, too.”

ose crowds don’t see the hyperactive Dr. Harmonica of the old days, but he still gets the people on their feet and dancing.

“What I love about Mark the most is his enthusiasm, and that hasn’t changed at all,” says Paula Wolkind, who, along with her husband George Wolkind, founded the Delaware Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A harmonica was handed to Kenneally at 13. The rest is history.

“He doesn’t just play — he puts on a show, and the crowd really responds to him,” Paula Wolkind says. “Some people are natural entertainers, natural showmen, and that certainly describes Mark.”

George Wolkind certainly knows rock and roll, especially the local variety — he was the lead singer for the popular band Snakegrinder in the early 1970s. He and his wife decided that the music scene in Delaware needed to be recognized, and that led to the creation of the Delaware Rock and Roll Society (which begat the Delaware Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) in 2018, and recently the organization found a permanent home in the Smyrna Opera House.

And there was never a doubt that Dr. Harmonica and Rockett 88 would be among the rst bands to be inducted.

“Mark loves music and he loves sharing that music with the crowd,” George Wolkind says. “People sense that and they send that energy back to the band. at’s the beauty of live music, and nobody brings that energy like Mark, even with all the hardships he’s had to deal with.”

Other members of the ever-evolving Rockett 88 include Alan Yandziak on tenor saxophone, Quentin Jones on guitar, Danny Bendig on drums and Patrick Redding on bass. Je Simon occasionally sits in on drums when he’s not touring with orogood. And adding something extra to the mix for Rockett 88 is new guitarist Nick Kane, who played with the Mavericks from 1993-2000 and was part of that internationally-known band when it was nominated for ve Grammy Awards and won once.

Rockett 88 has cut back on its performing schedule and they rarely play in Delaware anymore. ey do show up at the St. George’s Country Store on occasion — they last played there in March. Kenneally said his band mostly plays in the Lancaster, Pa., area.

“For some reason, there’s a big music scene up there,’ he says.

It’s been a long time since Dr. Harmonica wailed at the Barn Door in Wilmington or the Blue Boar Inn in Arden, or George orogood walked along the top of the bar while playing his guitar at the Buggy Tavern in Brandywine Hundred (none of those venues exist anymore).

Kenneally, who now lives in Milford, holds onto those memories even while crafting new ones as an elder statesman of rock and roll in Delaware. He makes the best of his current circumstances, even though he’s had to sacri ce because of them — orogood has played in our area just twice in recent years and both times he asked Kenneally to join him on stage, but Dr. Harmonica had to decline because of his health.

But even though the esh is weak, the spirit continues to boogie.

“I’ve had it tough, but a lot of people have a lot tougher than me, and I always try to remember that,” Kenneally says. “And I have something most people don’t have — my music.”

FOUR BANDS UNITE AT THE QUEEN FOR TIM KELLY BENEFIT

Apowerhouse line-up of area bands will share the stage at e Queen on Friday, April 25 in support of longtime musician Tim Kelly, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Four bands — all of which have included Kelly on percussion over the years — have joined forces for the bene t concert.

“ e musician community is extremely close-knit and so are the loyal venues that support local music,” says Tony Cappella, bassist for Montana Wildaxe, who is assisting in the e ort.

“ anks to e Queen, Love Seed Mama Jump, Lyric Drive, Box of Rain, and Montana Wildaxe for coming out to help our own Tim Kelly,” Cappella says. “Tim was diagnosed with cancer last year, and our help will be key to his recovery”. — Tickets for the show, “Tunes for Tim,” are on sale now at eQueenWilmington.com.

DARNELL MILLER KEEPING BUSY ON AIR AND ‘LIVE AT THE LOFT’

Local musician and music teacher Darnell Miller has a new show called D. Miller’s Indie Planet, which recently debuted on local internet radio station WJVS. e program runs Monday nights at 8 p.m.

“ e show features interview, info and music from indie artists across the globe with a heavy concentration on soul, R&B and some inspirational,” Miller says.

While the show has a global focus, Miller’s “Live at the Loft” monthly Saturday event focuses more on local music.

“It is a listening-room experience similar to Sofar Sounds or a house concert — a small, intimate, unconventional space for artists and those who love live music and a safe space for creatives,” Miller says.

Last month the theme for Live at the Loft was Women’s History Month. is month is Gospel, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and June’s theme will be Pride Month.

— For more on D. Miller’s Indie Planet visit WJVSradio.com and for Live at the Lo , follow @LiveAt eLo 101 on Instagram.

Photo by Joe del Tufo

Photo by Joe del Tufo

MONIKA

Backin February, Monika Bullette hinted at new music to fans with an email that included a link to a 25-second sneak peak of her upcoming single “Soapy Cocktails.”

“I’ve been working with a supergroup of musicians in an awesome studio and am proud of what we’ve made,” Bullette writes about the new single. In addition to featuring herself on vocals and acoustic guitar, her group, Bullette, includes “Mighty” Joe Castro on guitar, Billie Shato on pedal steel, Jonathan Monck on bass, and John Paul Travis on drums and keys.

More recently, she con rmed the 20th Anniversary re-release of her spirited indie album e Secrets, which she released on her website for free in 2005 and was hailed by Philadelphia’s City Paper as the “Best Album You Can Get for Free and Without a Guilty Conscience.” — More at Bulle e.net.

RITCHIE RUBINI AIMS HIGH AGAIN WITH NEW SINGLE FROM THE AGE OF FLIGHT

Last month, area producer and multi-instrumentalist Ritchie Rubini teased his next Age of Flight album, Music for Planetariums, with the release of the album’s rst single: “Makin’ Contact.”

“With my forthcoming release, I’ve taken the philosophy that there’s always more in the creative pipeline,” Rubini says. “And there are in nite possibilities as to how a creative musical thought can manifest itself in the recorded medium.”

e album’s debut single follows suit on that philosophy: “Makin’ Contact” follows the lush-instrumental trajectory of e Age of Flight’s self-titled album, but adds some new sonic maneuvers with mellow rhythmic chanting, chill Balearic beats, and distinctly psy-trance feel overall.

Additional singles, including “Starseed” and “Gigantica,” are coming soon with a full release following.

— More at e Age of Flight on Spotify.com.

MORE LIVE PERFORMANCES COMING TO SMALLS MUSIC SHOP

In addition to selling music equipment directly to local musicians and bands, Smalls Music Shop is also helping those bands and musicians get their art directly in front of their fans.

On Saturday, April 5, Smalls features a three-act show with music from Party Nerves, wig and e Jagaloons. en, on Saturday, April 26, it’s Disko and Mothman Properties.

Both shows start at 8 p.m. with doors open an hour prior.

— More info at SmallsMusicShop.com.

Photo by David Norbut

Q&A with John Tartaglia

John Tartaglia wows audiences again — this time as writer, director and choreographer of Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE, a musical touring the U.S. and Canada this year, with a stop at The Grand

By Mary Ellen Mitchell

When he was just 16, John Tartaglia became a professional puppeteer for Sesame Street. Since then, the breadth of his performing art achievements has grown exponentially to include actor, singer, dancer, writer, producer, choreographer and director.

On Broadway, Tartaglia’s accolades include a Tony Award nomination for his dual performance as Princeton and Rod in the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q. He starred as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and

originated Pinocchio and the Magic Mirror for Shrek the Musical

For TV, Tartaglia created the series Johnny and the Sprites for the Disney Channel, which was

John Tartaglia (center) with the live show's talented voice cast Donna Kimball (Mokey) and Dan Garza (Jr. Gorg). Photos courtesy Fraggile Rock

nominated for eight Emmy Awards. Based on his oBroadway musical ImaginOcean, he created Jim Henson’s Splash and Bubbles for PBS Kids, in which he starred as Splash. On Net ix, Tartaglia stars as Kip the Wallaby in Jim Henson’s Word Party and Hank in Julie’s Greenroom, with co-star Julie Andrews.

He directed acclaimed theatrical performances of Stephen Schwartz’s e Secret Silk, Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness for Princess Cruises, as well as Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train Live, Sid the Science Kid Live, Musical World at Carnegie Hall, and many shows at Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. He won best director for Claudio Quest at e Muny in St. Louis, the country’s oldest and largest outdoor theater.

Tartaglia is the writer, executive producer and puppet captain of Jim Henson’s Emmy Award-winning series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, which launched in 2021 as a reboot of the ‘80s Fraggle Rock TV show. In the modernday version, which streams on Apple TV+, he performs Architect Doozer, Gunge, Barry Blueberry and Sprocket.

Every Sunday, he takes to the airwaves on SiriusXM’s On Broadway channel for his show Sunday Funday with John Tartaglia, spinning his favorite Broadway show tunes and tales.

O&A sat down with Tartaglia last month to talk about his latest creation, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE, which will come to e Grand on Sunday, April 27.

O&A: How old were you when you realized you had the desire to become a puppeteer and work on Broadway, and what transpired to help make that dream a reality?

Tartaglia: I grew up in musical theater. My parents worked in show business, so I was always around performance and movement. I've enjoyed dance ever since I can remember. When I was about 7 or 8, I found the original Fraggle Rock show on TV, and I fell in love. I adored the puppetry, the characters, the music — everything. One day it clicked in my mind that it’s someone’s job to perform with their voice and arm to bring those beloved Fraggle characters to life. I was overcome with an instinctive, gut feeling that this is what I’m supposed to do.

So I wrote a letter to Jim Henson expressing my admiration for his work and aspirations of becoming a Sesame Street puppeteer. His secretary sent me back a beautiful PR kit, including a letter and autographed photo, which I treasure to this day.

About a year later, Jim was invited to be a guest on the Mickey Mouse Club show on TV, and the producers invited kids to audition for an opportunity to interview Jim on the show. Jim remembered my letter and submitted my name as a candidate. I tried out and made it to the nal round, which was between me and one other kid, but I lost. About six months later, Jim passed away, and I was devastated. But when you’re a young person with a passion, it carries you.

As sad as I was following Jim’s death, I never gave up on

my dream to become a puppeteer on Sesame Street. I spent hours after school in the basement of the house where my mom and I lived in Bucks County, making puppets, puppeteering, and putting on shows for family. at’s all I wanted to do. What I didn’t know at the time was that Jim Henson was adamant about training and advancing the next generation of puppeteers.

In the ensuing years, I became a fan of Jim’s Dinosaurs show, so I wrote to Kevin Clash, who performed Baby Sinclair on the show, and Elmo on Sesame Street, where he was also involved in casting. Kevin invited me to come to New York to watch a live episode of Sesame Street and meet the cast and crew. It was an incredible experience. On our lunch break, I asked Kevin, “Why did you call me?” and he said, “Jim used to talk about you.” I was oored.

Kevin later invited me to a few three-day Sesame Street workshops, which were really auditions, where I’d compete with 40 to 50 other puppeteers for opportunities. He identi ed that, while I had a lot to learn, I had the basic movement skills, so I earned part-time puppeteering roles on the show when I was 14.

I went on to become a professional Sesame Street puppeteer when I was 16, and after high school, moved to New York to work there full-time, which opened doors to opportunities on Broadway, which was another long-held dream of mine.

I’ve always felt a connection to Jim, which — while it

didn’t begin in person — it did in another kind of ethereal way. You can never underestimate the power of nding just one person who believes in you.

O&A: Without giving away the storyline, what kind of messages does the live show convey?

Tartaglia: One Fraggle Rock theme that I’ve always cherished is that everyone belongs, and everyone has value. We’re all necessary. We just need to nd what makes us special and contribute that to the world. Even when some family members and friends may drive us up the wall, we still accept their idiosyncrasies and love them regardless.

The theme "everyone belongs, everyone has value" is a Fraggle Rock theme that carries over to the live show.

e live show builds on these themes, with an emphasis on community — how we all need to come together and celebrate one another’s contributions. We often don’t realize how much we need one another. We’re all connected. Something we do on this side of the planet can a ect something on the other side.

O&A: I understand you created some new characters for the live show. How do you go about creating and re ning them?

Tartaglia: Well, the designers at e Jim Henson Company Creature Shop are geniuses, and every idea is welcome. Jim was famous for his philosophy, “there’s no bad idea.” Working from a spirit of collaboration, we build on one another’s ideas. ere’s never just one person calling all the shots. In fact, one of the original producers of Fraggle Rock used to say, “We’re all in service of the best idea.” I love that.

Also, because I grew up as a backstage kid, I learned at an early age that it’s not about you. Even if it’s a one-person show, there’s still someone who has to run the sound and someone who has to run the lights. Someone has to open the theater. It starts with an idea, but it takes many people with di erent talents and skillsets to come together and work to create something new.

O&A: From watching clips of the live show, it seems you’ve been able to transfer the tactile quality of the original characters and interplay of color and texture that’s so visually appealing. Is this something your designers strive for?

Tartaglia: What you’re noticing is that many of the materials for the live show are chosen for their ability to re ect light, which is what I call “ e Yoda E ect.” In this age of technology, you can make anything on screen look super realistic, but there’s always this little part of your brain that knows it’s not real. When you look at Yoda in the

Tartaglia says every little detail matters to the costume designers. The result is eye-popping colors and materials that bring the characters to life.

original Star Wars lms, the way the light hits the material shows all the wrinkles and shadows. And when Mark Hamill touches Yoda, you know he’s there, 100 percent. at same amazing thing happens with Fraggles (and Muppets). You can sense they’re real.

For the live show, the Fraggles were built for stage using many of the original materials, which is why it feels like a one-to-one ratio. ey have that tangible quality. Our designers have so many meetings to discuss color, fabric, pattern — every little detail. ey get all the well-deserved credit for that.

O&A: Out of all your many creative roles, do you have a favorite, and do you plan to pursue any one endeavor over another?

Tartaglia: I enjoy every opportunity, regardless of my role. When I look back at how much I wanted to be on Broadway when I was young, I would’ve been happy simply standing on stage as tree number seven. I've been incredibly lucky, but I also believe that when you have a grateful approach to life and a positive outlook, it begets more opportunities, and I enjoy them all. I’m really a kid at heart.

O&A: How do you approach creative writing in terms of your process?

Tartaglia: It depends on the project, but I tend to approach it one of two ways: Either I get it all out at once and then go back to re ne it, or I work on it in the back of my mind while I’m doing other things, like walking my dog or spending time with friends. I know some writers who prefer to schedule one or two hours for writing every day, but that doesn’t work for me.

Sometimes I solve creative problems in that space between dreaming and sleeping, while I’m vaguely aware that I’m dreaming, yet I'm also in control somehow. As soon as I wake up, I know what I want to do.

O&A: When you get a chance to sit and watch one of the live shows, what aspect is most gratifying for you?

Tartaglia: ere’s nothing more ful lling than watching it all come together. I sat in the back row of a live show recently, and when I looked around and saw people reacting to the characters and laughing together, it brought me to tears.

I think the nicest compliments we’ve received so far are from those who appreciate the heart and soul that everyone involved has put into this show. For us — and for our fans — it’s more than just a show. It’s a world that reveals everything that was important to Jim. We knew this was a weighty undertaking because it’s the rst time we’ve ever done a live version of Fraggle Rock, but it’s made and performed with so much passion, and when it all comes together, it’s magic.

— For tickets and more information, visit: eGrandWilmington.org and FraggleRockLive.com

COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAY SET FOR APRIL 12

MWilmington Community Cleanup Day

is event is an opportunity for neighbors, community organizations, and businesses to come together and beautify our shared spaces. Whether it’s cleaning up a vacant lot, planting trees, organizing a block cleanup, or improving local parks and senior centers, your participation makes an impact.

Let’s take pride in Wilmington and work side by side to enhance the beauty of our city. your energy, and help us make a lasting di erence!

Date:

Time:

Location:

Get Involved:

For more information, call Wilmington 311 or (302) 576-2620 if you're outside the city limits.

Together, we can keep Wilmington shining!

EARTH & ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION

Mayor John Carney and the Department of Public Works invites you to join us for Earth & Arbor Day 2025 , a vibrant community event celebrating our environment, sustainability, and the power we all have to make a difference!

Activities will take place Thursday, April 17 from 11am to 2pm at the Cool Spring Reservoir (Upper Level) on 11th & Franklin Streets. This event is FREE and open to the public .

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet” , highlights how we can collectively create a greener, more sustainable future. Join us for an afternoon of fun, learning, and community engagement!

Live Entertainment:

Get into the groove with beats from DJ Tim Dogg.

Environmental Exhibits & Vendors: Discover sustainable solutions and learn about conservation e orts.

Interactive Activities: Fun, educational experiences for all ages. See firsthand how we’re making Wilmington greener.

School & Community Participation: Featuring students and local organizations taking action for the planet.

Whether you're passionate about the environment, looking to connect with local sustainability leaders, or just want to enjoy a day outdoors with neighbors and friends, this is the perfect opportunity to come together and celebrate! Let’s make a difference — because “Our Power, Our Planet” starts with YOU!

ExploretheRiverfront

Restaurants&More riverfrontmarket open

mon-fri:9AM-6PM sat:9AM-4PM

Bernie’sEspresso isNOWOPEN!

MON-FRI:7AM-5PM SAT:8AM-4PM

Banks’SeafoodKitchen&RawBar

BigFishGrill

CiroFood&Drink

ConstitutionYardsBeerGarden

DelawareDuckCafé&Catering

DelPez

01.

Docklands

Stopinandenjoy freshproduce,salads, sandwiches,Mexican,Thai cuisine,Peruvianrotisserie, andmuchmore! outdooradventuresineveryseason

YourDream Destinations

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IronHillBrewery&Restaurant

RiverfrontBakery

RiverRockKitchen

Starbucks

TacoGrande

TheRiverfrontAsianCuisine&Bar

Timothy’sontheRiverfront

Lace up for a scenic run (or walk) through the picturesque grounds of Hagley Museum. The theme of this year’s event is “Chasing the Sun,” inspiring the young and young-at-heart to chase their goals. Participants are encouraged to dress in shades of red, yellow, and orange…or your favorite sun costume.

Christian Finnegan

Belly Dance Workshop with Kahina

Hagley Museum & Library