February 2023 - Raise a Glass

THE WAR ON WORDS

By Bob Yearick

MEDIA WATCH

•Keith Pompey in The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Joel Embiid showed up to Madison Square Garden donning a nice pair of jeans, a white hoodie, blue jacket, and an expensive pair of sneakers with spikes on the toe.” Two problems with this sentence: First, the use of to instead of the usual at (a recent, inexplicable, and irritating trend); second, the misuse (once again) of donning, which means to put on a garment, not simply to wear it.

•Alicia Melendez on MSNBC: “Whomever gets the House speakership will face several challenges.” As the subject of the sentence, whoever is the correct word here. Some in the media seem to sprinkle in the random whomever or whom, thinking it makes them sound sophisticated. Usually, it makes them sound ignorant.

•Brian Truitt, USA TODAY: “After being introduced in the original 2019 ‘Knives Out,’ audiences get a new glimpse at Blanc’s personal life in ‘Glass Onion.’” Truitt means that Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig) was introduced in the original, not audiences

•A reader sends this headline from The New York Times: “Donald Trump called Matt Gaetz and others who sunk Kevin McCarthy’s 14th effort.” The Times is one more publication that doesn’t seem to know the past tense of sink: sank

•Jeff McLane in the Inky, writing about Eagles kick returner Britain Covey: “He not only looks the part, the Mormon has never drank a drop of alcohol.” McLane, an excellent writer, should know that it’s drunk

•Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: “One of the criticisms levied against Tagovailoa has been his ability to throw the ball down the field.” The criticism would be his inability to throw the ball down the field.

•NBC Today co-host Hoda Kotb, interviewing Chloë Grace Moretz about her show, The Peripheral , pronounced it Perif-REAL . Hoda put a twist on the usual mispronunciation — perif-eeal

•And finally, getting a bit graphic, in a story in USA TODAY, actor Noah Centineo described the pressure of waiting for his Netflix series, The Recruit, to debut: “It’s kind of like when you have to pee. You start getting to a bathroom, and you have to pee worse, because you’re getting closer to a bathroom. It’s like that. My team is like: ‘Why? Why was that the metaphor?’”

Word of the Month tatterdemalion

Pronounced tat-uhr-di-MAYL-yuhn, it’s usually an adjective, meaning ragged, tattered. As a noun, it means a person in ragged clothes.

USA TODAY also called Centineo’s description a metaphor. It’s not.

The key differences between a metaphor and a simile are that a simile compares two things by using like (see above) or as, while a metaphor says that something is something else, making the comparison more direct. You can often turn a simile into the stronger metaphor by simply removing as or like. E.g., Life is like a box of chocolates. Life is a box of chocolates.

FIRST, DO NO HARM

This admonition, often applied to those in healthcare (though it’s not part of the Hippocratic Oath, as some people think), should also apply to copy editors. Take, for example, this submission from reader Debbie Layton, citing a Wilmington News Journal story about contract negotiations for Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa: “Instead, a decade-old ankle fracture wound up sending he and agent Scott Boras on an unprecedented free agent hunt.” That should be him , the object of the verb sending. But here’s the twist: In the original USA TODAY story, writer Gabe Lacques used the correct pronoun, suggesting that TNJ created the error during editing.

THE OL’ DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE

•From USA TODAY: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins wide receiver: “We’ve got one of the most swaggiest coaches in the league.” Delete most, Tyreek.

•WDEL, reporting on the neediest cities in the U.S., said that Columbia, Md., was “the least neediest.” Make it least needy

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

Reader Howard Dobson submits two TV gaffes: Channel 6 reporter Bob Brooks: “The suspect is on the loose as I speak right now . . .” And from a Fox Weather Live meteorologist: “Currently as we speak, heavy rain is drenching much of Southern California.”

Reporting on the Amy Robach/TJ Holmes romance, CBS was in a phase during which it forgot how to spell unfazed

Follow me on Twitter: @thewaronwords

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

stigma, is looking for the personal stories of individuals from the state who have passed away from a drug overdose/ drug poisoning.

Things worth knowing

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

INDEPENDENT MOVIE THEATER MAKES DOWNTOWN

About

Theresa Clower was inspired to create INTO LIGHT Project shortly after the death of her son, Devin Bearden, to an accidental drug overdose in February 2018 in Baltimore.

CITY THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS TRIBUTE TO JOAN DIDION

Having never attempted portraiture work before, she picked up her graphite pencil and began drawing. It was a cathartic experience that allowed her to say goodbye to her son.

City Theater Company returns to the Wings Black Box at The Delaware Contemporary (200 S. Madison St., Wilm.) this February with Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking. The one-woman show is based on the beloved author’s award-winning bestseller of the same name.

Location: Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington DE Date: June 1, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023

DEBUT

The Screening Room at 1313, a new independent movie theater located at 1313 N. Market Street in downtown Wilmington (formerly known as the Hercules Building), is opening in February. The theater will be in the lower-level atrium of the building and offers three hours of complimentary parking (MonFri after 5:30pm; Sat-Sun all day). Until construction of the theater is completed this spring, the theater will operate in an existing space that seats 100 people in a theater/lounge with sofas and armchairs. The Screening Room will offer first-run independent films including Oscarnominated short films scheduled for the weekends of February 17 and 24.

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

In so doing, Theresa tapped into an entirely new calling – drawing the faces of others who had lost their lives to drug addiction. From there, INTO LIGHT Project held the first exhibition in Baltimore in 2019. Since then, exhibits have been held in 7 states, with more booked for 2023.

Adapted by the author for Broadway in 2007, the play is a riveting and heartfelt elegy that expands on the memoir, which won the National Book Award and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. It is an exploration of Didion’s grief following the deaths of her husband John Gregory Dunne and daughter Quintana Roo.

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

For more information contact: Jane Donovan

Mary Catherine Kelley, a member of CTC’s Fearless Improv team, stars as the Joan Didion character in the play. Kerry Kristine McElrone, CTC’s artistic director, directs. Kelley and McElrone have worked together frequently for the past 20 years, acting opposite one another for CTC (The Dead, Sunday In the Park With George, Merrily We Roll Along) and elsewhere.

DE State Ambassador, INTO LIGHT Project 302-438-5537 ajanedonovan@verizon.net Theresa Clower Founder, INTO LIGHT Project 302-455-9595 tclower@intolightproject.org

Performances are Feb 10, 11, 16, 17; all shows at 8pm. Tickets are $45 and available at City-theater.org.

To find out more about INTO LIGHT Project’s founder and Executive Director Theresa Clower, watch this biography Or visit https://intolightproject.org/ Thank you for considering a submission to our project.

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

BE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY AT THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY

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

The Delaware Contemporary will host ART pARTy: Nourish, the organization’s major annual fundraiser, on Sat., Feb. 25 from 6-10pm. The event highlights elements from TDC’s Winter/Spring 2023 season presenting how family, friends, neighbors and peers bring nourishment to our lives. The evening features a DJ and live music, burger sliders with a milkshake bar, a candle makeand-take, a plant bar and raffle baskets. Tickets are $75 with a Kids Party option for $20 per ticket. Visit DeContemporary.org.

MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH 2023 CROWNS WINNERS

In the first year of the contest being open to junior high students, Ayomikun Adeojo, a 8th grade student from Newark Charter High, won the $2,000 firstplace prize during last month’s MLK Voices 4 Youth spoken word competition at the Baby Grand in Wilmington. Adeojo, the youngest winner in the contest’s eight-year history, won an additional $250 as the junior-high student with the highest score. Adeojo, whose winning piece was titled "Keep Moving", opened his performance with:

You can’t do this; you can’t do that. Oh, you’ll never be able to do this, and it’s impossible to do that. That’s just a fraction of what we hear from some of the people we love or hate and even the people we know or don’t know because there will always be people wishing for your downfall.

You see, I like to think that me and Martin Luther King are somewhat alike. We are both strong black men; we stand for what’s right; we are headstrong and we don’t stop until we get what we desire. This means Dr. King and I never give up and never let the oppressors and bullies puncture and tear through our skin like flesh eating lions feasting on their prey. In other words, as a young black man I've learned to stand up for what I believe in no matter what the consequence is. Even if my voice starts out as just a whisper.

Second place ($1,000 prize) went to Boluwatife Aminu, a senior at MOT Charter and third place ($500 prize) went to Iveena Mukherjee, a junior at The Charter School of Wilmington. The four other finalists were Ayotomiwa Anawo (grade 8, Millsboro Middle), Obaapa Asante (grade 10, Christiana High), Skyy Kelly (grade 12, William Penn) and Julia Nowaczyk (grade 11, Padua).

MLK Voices 4 Youth winner Ayomikun Adeojo (4th from right).

NEW JAZZ SERIES AT DELAWARE ART MUSEUM

Well-known performer and arts advocate Raye Jones Avery will host a new jazz series at the Delaware Art Museum this winter. The jazz piano concerts will feature regional jazz musicians Orrin Evans (Feb. 2) and Dave and Alex Posmontier (Mar. 2) playing on the museum’s Steinway grand piano. Each 1.5-hour performance starts at 7 p.m. and includes an artist chat led by Avery. Tickets: $20 members; $25 nonmembers. Visit Delart.org.

A FUN RUN WITH PURPOSE

Wilmington’s Cupid Fun Run encourages participants to brave the cold and enjoy a costumed fun run and party to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). The event is set for Feb. 25 at noon at DECO (111 W. 10th St.) in downtown Wilmington. The event raises awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Proceeds benefit NF research through the CTF. Visit My.Cupid.org/event/2023.

DINE DOWNTOWN DEAL RETURNS

Save your receipts when dining in or ordering takeout at Downtown Wilmington eateries, and Downtown Visions will reward you with a gift card equal to 20% of your total meals purchased (before tip). Maximum gift card is $100.

To participate, take a photo of each receipt from a restaurant in the Downtown Business Improvement District and text it to Downtown Visions (DTV) at 302-502-6003 (include name, dining location and date). DTV will keep track of your purchases and once you have five, a gift card will be mailed to you. The promotion ends March 31, 2023. Visit DowntownWilmingtonDe.com.

NATIONAL BALLET

COMPETITION RETURNS

TO THE GRAND

A

national field of student dancers will compete in the National Ballet Competition Feb. 24-26 at The Grand. Now in its fifth year, the competition will see more than 100 students perform for a jury of 10-12 distinguished dance professionals representing some of the top ballet companies in the world.

The competition portion of the event is open to the public, and master classes are open to non-competitors. NBC is also livestreamed at no charge. Since its inception, NBC has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships from some of the country’s elite summer ballet training programs, including Ballet West, Richmond Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and more. Visit NationalBalletCompetition.org.

Mitch's Mo Better Chicken

GoVegan Philly

Freakishly Awesome by Shaun Anthony

INTRODUCING THE WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

With its inclusive culture and commitment to accessibility, Wilmington University’s new law school will educate attorneys who meet the needs of the communities they serve and will make a case for a more diverse legal field.

The Wilmington University School of Law will welcome its first classes this fall at the University’s Brandywine Valley location.

That’s good news for Delawareans. According to Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA) president Charles J. Durante, Esq., the need for lawyers in Delaware has “more than doubled.”

At the University’s October press conference, Durante expressed his hope that WilmU’s law school will be able to provide Delaware with a much-needed new generation of well-grounded attorneys, and he pledged DSBA’s support of the school and its students.

While forward-thinking in its curricular design and commitment to affordability, WilmU’s School of Law also reflects the University’s long history of providing career-oriented programs for students from diverse backgrounds while being responsive to the needs of the community.

Dean Phillip Closius, J.D., will utilize his extensive experience in academia and legal practice to ensure student success, as well as realize his vision of an inventive school of law that will meet the demands of modern law practice and students.

MAKING LAW SCHOOL AFFORDABLE

Most of today’s law students face exorbitant tuition rates for their legal education. Even when new lawyers land good jobs, their starting salaries are rarely commensurate with their debts.

As a result, many graduates are forced to choose alternative career trajectories. “Think about the people who want to specialize in areas of law they find meaningful but can’t because they have to choose specialties that aren’t as rewarding—just to pay off their loans,” says Closius. “That’s why one of the biggest barriers to becoming a lawyer right now is the cost of tuition.”

The Wilmington University School of Law will offer the lowest tuition rates of any law school in the region, in addition to scholarships, tuition assistance and comprehensive student services.

CLOSELY INTEGRATED WITH THE DELAWARE LEGAL COMMUNITY

Students will be encouraged to work with Delaware lawyers and judges and become involved in pro bono activities statewide. Closius notes that students will also have access to mentors, as well as a speaker series featuring lawyers practicing in various specialties.

Students in their third year will be able to craft their schedules to include internships, doctrinal courses of interest to them or a combination of both. Students interested in practicing in Delaware will therefore be able to satisfy the Delaware preceptor practice requirement in their final year instead of during their first 21 weeks of practice, which is usually the case.

To learn more about the new Wilmington University School of Law, please visit law.wilmu.edu

COMMITTED TO ACCESSIBILITY

The law school will serve qualified students from all walks of life, including traditional- and non-traditional-age students, professionals transitioning from other careers, and multicultural populations.

“We are committed to being an active partner in the implementation of the Delaware Supreme Court strategic plan for improving diversity of the bench and the bar, including the severe underrepresentation of the African American community that is noted in that plan,” says Closius.

Convenient schedule options and flexible formats will make earning a legal education a viable option for working adults. Small class sizes will ensure faculty and staff can foster meaningful relationships with students and help them achieve their goals.

The WilmU J.D.

86 Credits $838 per Credit

3 Program Options

Full-Time Day (3 Years) • Part-Time Day (4 Years) • Part-Time Evening (4 Years)

WilmU is a registered trademark of Wilmington University. All rights reserved. © Wilmington

“The values of this university match perfectly with the ideals I wanted for a truly unique and innovative law school,” states Closius.

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary

200 South Madison Street 656-6466 • decontemporary.org

Artists: ARTIFACT, Group Exhibition

DOWNTOWN

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

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

Christina Cultural Arts Center 705 N. Market Street 652-0101 • ccacde.org

Artist: Distant Memories by Kara Hinson

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street 576-2100 • cityfestwilm. com/redding-gallery

Artist: 9th Edition of Expressive Creative Soul

Delaware College of Art & Design

600 N. Market Street 622-8000 • dcad.edu

Artist: Wit, Humor, Despair: Amos Lemon Burkhart

Gallery at 919 919 N. Market Street 298-1542

Artist: RitaMarie Cimini

Gallery at Grace Church 900 N. Washington Street 655-8847 • gracechurchwilmington.org Artist: A Journey by Faith by Dianne George

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market Street 658-7897 thegrandwilmington.org Grand Gallery: The Classic Rock Art Show baby grand Gallery: P.P.P. Post-Pandemic Paintings by Michael Silva

Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State Building 820 N. French Street 577-8278 arts.delaware.gov Artist: Printing With Palladium, Roger Matsumoto

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue 429-0506 Artist: LOVE/CHERISH

Howard Pyle Studio

1305 N. Franklin Street (978) 460-8120

Artists: Members Show

BEYOND THE CITY

Arden Buzz Ware Village Center 2119 The Highway, Arden 981-4811 • ardenbuzz.com Artist: OVERLOOKED: Jennifer Small

COCA Pop-Up Gallery 3829 Kennett Pike, Greenville 218-4411

Artists: Group Show

SUPER FAN

By Bob Yearick

John Morabito’s football odyssey has come full circle.

It started around the time he was 8, when he would burst out the front door of his home at 20th and Broom, cross the street, and watch awe-struck as the powerful Salesianum squad practiced. That 1968 Sallies team, boasting studs like Kevin Reilly, Mike Webb, and nine others who would receive college scholarships, went undefeated.

Reilly, something of a local legend who starred at Villanova and became special teams captain with the Philadelphia Eagles, has vivid memories of those days and of little John Morabito. ►

This Sallies alum and ex-coach saw almost 60 football games this season, including seven bowls. 'Some kind of record'?

John Morabito relaxes on the sideline at Salesianum's Abessinio Stadium. He was an All-State guard at Sallies in 1973. Photo by Butch Comegys

Then there was the post-season. Between Dec. 19 (Myrtle Beach Bowl, Marshall vs. Connecticut) and Jan. 2 (Citrus Bowl, LSU vs. Purdue), Morabito attended seven bowls — four in Florida and one each in Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia.

His taste for the post-season was whetted back in 1979, when, as a senior at Shippensburg, he, his roommate, and some of his roommate’s friends crowded into a van for a trip to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. In that classic showdown, No. 1 Penn State fell to No. 2 Alabama, 14-7, giving Bear Bryant his fifth national championship. Morabito was hooked.

He dislikes flying, so he usually drives to games in his 1988 Honda Civic, whose odometer recently hit 288,000 miles. Sometimes his girlfriend, Juli Tankersley, goes with him, but he often travels alone.

On his bowl expeditions, Morabito usually re-connects with former teammates, coaching colleagues, and players, as well as his two sons — Matthew, in Jacksonville, and Cory, in Ann Arbor, Mich. His friends frequently provide a place to stay and sometimes ticket connections, and press credentials from a brief stint as a sports talk show host in St. Augustine get him into many stadiums.

Not just a fan, Morabito continues to be an astute student of the game. Carl Bond, a former Sallies offensive lineman who went on to play in three bowl games for the Maryland Terrapins, says it’s not unusual for his old coach to call after an Eagles game and discuss offensive line play.

“He can talk all kinds of techniques,” says Bond, a retired state police officer who’s now a constable in the Colonial School District. Not surprisingly, the conversations tend to get lengthy. Laughing, Bond says, “Sometimes John forgets I have a job.”

12 New Friends

Jim Jez, an insurance consultant in Plano, Texas, calls his former Ferrum teammate “a football genius” who made up for his relative lack of size as an offensive tackle with excellent technique and footwork. The two have attended golf outings and other Ferrum alumni functions where the barrel-chested, gravel-voiced Morabito’s expansive personality is on full display.

“One night we went to a club where we didn’t know anybody,” remembers Jez. “The next thing I knew we had 12 new friends, thanks to John.”

Morabito’s passion for football isn’t limited to the game itself. In the story about the 1973 All-State team — which included a St. Mark’s defensive back named John Carney — the Wilmington Morning News noted that the Sallies guard was a “music lover, with Allman Brothers Band and Neil Young among favorites.”

That love extends to marching bands, which of course are a big part of every college football game. Morabito always tries to sit near the band, and he’s been known to tear up during the national anthem and even some fight songs.

He does enjoy other sports — he attended the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and he’s been to plenty of Phillies games — but nothing compares to football. In mid-January, he was already bemoaning “the long grind” to September and the beginning of next season.

Then again, at the same time he also was working on a connection that got him into the club level at the Eagles first playoff game, against the New York Giants. You can be sure he thoroughly analyzed the performance of Jayson Kelce, Lane Johnson, and the rest of the Birds' offensive line.

Some of the tickets stubs from games Morabito has attended over the years.

Getting Ready to Gig

Local musicians, singers, dancers and other artists share their rituals and routines

By JulieAnne Cross

Getting into the right headspace and physical condition can be key to a successful performance for singers, musicians, actors, and other entertainers.

It’s been reported that rocker Dave Grohl dances to Michael Jackson before a Foo Fighters concert, and Weezer singer Rivers Cuomo throws a frisbee with bassist Scott Shriner before a show. Both Beyoncé and Rihanna stretch with their supporting players, while Coldplay favors a group hug before taking the stage.

We asked local performers — rock ‘n’ rollers, classical virtuosos, and others — to provide some insight into their gig-adjacent routines. While some dive right into their acts, others focus on preparing their brains and bodies. ►

Sug Daniels says that, on the day of the performance, she'll perform in front of a mirror and practice her on-stage banter. Photo courtesy Joe Mac Creative

Antonio Rosario, a dancer with First State Ballet Theatre, says, “I make sure to arrive at the studio at least an hour before warmup class so I can focus on releasing any tension in my body and getting myself centered. As I'm getting ready for shows, I like to be quiet and conserve my energy.”

Resting before a gig was high on the list for Pat Kane, a singer and songwriter who plays guitar with Bones Brigade and The Bullets. He favors not only a full night’s sleep, but either a 20-minute power nap or meditation to “calm the mind and regain some energy if there’s a late night ahead.”

Bassist and composer Sam Nobles also meditates, although he does it in what some might consider an unorthodox setting.

“I try to meditate and deep breathe a bit in my car before heading in,” Nobles says. “In playing a lot of restaurants, bars, and clubs, the environment can be extra stimulating and social from the get-go, so I try to get my head calm for a few minutes before setting up and performing.”

Focusing on the Work

Visualization is important to "Jennifer" Jie Jin, cellist for the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Pyxis Piano Trio and Copeland String Quartet.

“If the program is very challenging, I do a lot of visualization work, in addition to practicing my cello,” she says. “I imagine it. I warm up, practice, study the score, and visualization helps me get everything together.”

Sug Daniels, singer, songwriter and musician, who performs solo and with Hoochi Coochi, turns her attention to “flow.”

“I'll run through the songs in my basement to make sure the flow of music feels good,” she says. “The day of the performance I'll usually perform in front of the mirror and practice my onstage banter, customizing it to the lineup or event. When I started leaning into my solo career, I realized this is a great opportunity to show my personality and connect with my audience on a deeper level, so I prepare some talking points.”

Presents a new ChambeREP Performance!

First State Ballet Theatre's Antonio Rosario treasures quiet time on performance day to help him relax and conserve energy. Photo by Tisa Della-Volpe

While most of the interviewees’ answers were on the serious side, Larry Scotton Jr., keyboardist for InnerJettic, and a drummer and sound engineer, takes his pre-gig pep more lightly. “The one thing I must have the day of the show, at the venue, is laughter,” he says. “We must laugh before we take the show serious, right?”

Troy Hendrickson, who performs comedy as Aunt Mary Pat DiSabatino and drag as Miss Troy, practices a quintessential drag ritual before taking the stage.

“For me, it’s Mariah [Carey], wine and breathing,” says Hendrickson.

Getting Physical

Workouts are meaningful to a number of the artists.

Jenni Schick is a singer and songwriter, and a member of Blue Label Band. She plays guitar when she performs solo, but says that her body “is my instrument.”

“I will never work out on the same day as a full band show,” Schick says. “It would be impossible for me to consume enough calories to get a workout in and then dance for three hours on stage, especially when you calculate setup and travel. But on the day of an acoustic show, I would happily do a short workout.”

After an hour and a half or more of morning practice, Douglas Mapp, associate principal bass and Lee M. Kallos chair of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, usually squeezes in a bicycle workout before heading to Rowan University to teach.

“Time permitting, I ride my bike either outside or on a trainer in my garage,” he says. “During the school year I usually ride about 400 ►

Singer/songwriter Jenni Schick says a full-band show is like a three-hour workout. Photo by Simon Wernovsky

Noise

a

miles a month. During the summer it’s much more. I usually ride 5,500 to 6,000 miles a year.”

Tummy Time

Food is important for some performers. Keith Richards, for instance, demands a shepherd’s pie in his contract, and John Legend eats rotisserie chicken.

Nerves seem to cancel out hunger for many entertainers.

Interviewees’ answers ranged from avoiding late eating the night before a show, to having a big breakfast the day of. The

majority — but not all — avoid any heavy meal on the day of or hours before the show. Some worry that they’ll feel bogged down, while others try to avoid reflux.

Delaware doyen Ritchie Rubini, musician, producer, songwriter, and member of The Caulfields, cites only one nutritional pre-show rule: “I don’t eat two hours before a show. That’s about it these days.”

On the other hand there is Jea Street Jr., singer, songwriter and keyboardist, who says, “I eat a giant meal and stuff myself, almost to the point of popping, before every gig. I’m 99% sure it goes back to when I was at Morehouse College and first got started singing with the glee club. They would feed us like pigs before a show.

“I will eat a full burrito and everything along with it about an hour beforehand, or I panic. It gives me a false sense of being kind of grounded. I feel like I’m stuck in the earth. It’s absurd, but that’s what I do.”

Hydration Nation

Most of our interviewees stressed water consumption. Michelle Hover (singer in Echoes and Shine A Light on ‘83) specifies alkaline water, while most simply want theirs plentiful and at room temperature.

Lindsay Ohse, starring as Violetta in OperaDelaware’s La Traviata next month, says, “During the show I have lots of water and tea around, and occasionally a piece of fruit for some quick sugar, though I have been known to snack on Sour Patch Kids and Diet Coke.”

Frantastic

says if her team is excited for

show, she's excited. Photo by Nat Bold

No pedestrian decaf orange pekoe for Righteous Jolly, an actor, singer, songwriter and multi-discipline performing artist frequently seen at City Theater Company. He looks to Egyptian licorice, elderberry and echinacea tea to “stay ahead of the ills.”

Following in the footsteps of many who rocked before them, some performers consume a bit of the old Dutch courage before, during and after shows. And science lends support to that ritual. According to WebMD, alcohol appeals to the pleasure centers of the brain, which may associate drinking with sensations like euphoria, relaxation and loss of inhibitions. “Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” is a motto that has outlived the ‘60s for a reason.

Foo Fighter Grohl, for instance, favors pre-show Jägermeister bombs while Rihanna enjoys Grey Goose vodka with juice.

Locally, Nick Bucci, who plays guitar and sings as part of multiple area acoustic duos, looks forward to a single malt Scotch before a show, and bassist Chris Duncan, of BFF and Flat Moon Society, admits she will “take a swig of something” when nervous, but never beer, dairy, or anything carbonated.

Marijuana only made the list of admitted rituals for one local performer, perhaps because the stage is, in fact, legally a workplace. Or it could be because cannabis may be contraindicated for vocalists (not just smoking it; ingestion has been suggested as possibly harmful, although this is unproven).

Endless Possibilities

Other pre-performance rituals are unique to the individual artist.

Ohse says, “I’ll do some vocal warmups before going on stage, but I also enjoy having a quick dance break, listening to something non-operatic to pump me up and get my blood moving. My current go-to is Queen or ELO.”

Frantastic Noise, who calls herself “the Original NoiseMaker,” is a singer, songwriter and musical arranger who is performing in Shine A Light on ’83 at The Queen next month. “What really excites me is when I see my team excited,” she says. “I love to pack food and drinks for them. If I know something extra about them, I try to make sure I have that item they need.”

No one interviewed gave more than a passing nod to personal appearance, but that doesn’t mean that it takes a back seat for everyone.

Ellen DeGeneres, for instance, likes to shower and put on something that smells good before going on stage. The Showtime series George & Tammy alleges that country superstar George Jones not only was particular about his stage getups, but wouldn’t take his in-labor wife to the hospital until he had the perfect outfit in which to meet his baby.

In order to get into a Zen frame of mind, Mike Cross, who performs as DJ Zip, takes time to run a steamer over his gig attire. And a thorough cleaning of the night’s shoe selection follows.

Only one interviewee cites media consumption as part of his ritual. Ismar Gomes, cellist for the Delaware, Baltimore, Virginia, Richmond, and Gettysburg College Symphonies, says that after some practice, “I’ll stay distracted with politics and NBA radio, maybe even watch some Netflix while I practice.”

Some of the cognitive preparations for a gig mean getting out of one’s own head and interacting with other humans.

DJ Andrew Hugh, who also fits a workout into his day, says, “I like to get there early enough so I can go around and talk to the bartenders, bouncers and staff. I think that’s kind of like a team mentality. Being on the same page with everybody. Being friendly, included.”

Daniels also turns outward just before a gig.

“When I get to the venue, I introduce myself to the sound tech and await sound check instructions. Having a good sound onstage is key to a good show. The confidence you have when you can hear yourself is so game-changing.”

Schick is another social butterfly, which inadvertently helps her perform. “I’m the worst. I never warm up my voice unless I’m sick, dehydrated or tired,” she says. ►

“Otherwise, my voice naturally warms itself up throughout the day since I never stop talking and making noises. It’s just my obnoxious personality.”

When the Curtain Closes

Legends from the ‘60s to the ‘80s would imply that post-show ragers are the norm for some rock stars.

Not one local performer hinted at any such antics, with several noting that long drives home strongly influenced their post-show decisions.

After leaving venues like Crimson Moon, Lyndsey Roberts, who performs as DJ Shadylady and was previously the drummer for bands such as Butterscotch Grim, treats herself to a brew at home.

“I keep an interesting new beer in my fridge for after a gig,” she says. “It gives me something to look forward to, and also keeps me from sticking around the bar too long after a gig ends.”

Street says he goes for two shots after a show — tequila or whiskey.

Nearly everyone claimed to be regularly ravenous.

Dancer Rosario unsurprisingly goes for a hearty steak dinner.

Kane says he usually heads home and goes right to the kitchen to cook a late dinner. But, he adds, “I’m also no stranger to the post-gig Wawa run, as I’m sure most will concur.”

Ohse says, “I’ll find a light meal, depending on what’s still open in whatever town I’m in. I’d be hard-pressed to say no to a celebratory cheeseburger.”

Cellist "Jennifer" Jie Jin says visualization helps her "get everything together." Photo by Paul Sirochman

Raise a Glass to the Past

By John Medkeff, Jr.

The return of Wilmington Beer Week, the celebration of beer downtown and throughout Greater Wilmington, presents the perfect opportunity to look back at the area’s deep and storied history with the sudsy beverage. Few areas in the country have as long a relationship with beer as Northern Delaware. Today, Wilmington’s three breweries and the 15 others in the metro area from Claymont to Middletown are resurrecting a brewing tradition that extends all the way back to the 1630s and the first Europeans to settle in the area.

Beer may be a tasty social lubricant these days but for Delaware’s early Swedes, Finns, Dutch, English, and others from the Continent, the drink was an integral part of their daily diets. Back in their native lands, water sources were often polluted and not safe to consume, particularly in villages with sizable populations. They didn’t yet understand that boiling during the brewing process killed harmful bacteria in the water. Naturally, they associated beer with good health, and it was the drink of choice for most men, women, and even children. ►

Today’s area breweries preserve a tradition that dates to the 1600s

John Stoeckle Brewery Company workers in the Diamond State Brewery courtyard, 5th and Adams streets, Wilm., circa 1900. Photo courtesy Delaware Historical Society

Beer was so important to the early Swedes and Finns, that one of the first activities they planned upon arriving in Wilmington in the spring of 1638 was planting the seed to grow wheat and barley for baking and brewing. They built the first proper brewery at Fort Christina years before dedicating their first church. The earliest documented record of brewing at the fort was a special brew unveiled for the Christmas celebration of 1654. The Swedes had big plans for brewing, hop growing, and malting in the colony, but those plans would never come to fruition. Brewing operations at the fort were always as meager as the colony’s population, and the Swedes would soon be supplanted by the Dutch.

During the 1655 invasion of Fort Christina by Peter Stuyvesant’s legion of soldiers, Swedish Governor Risingh vowed to defend the fort until the last barrel of beer was finished. He and his small band of men were no match for the Dutch. The most prized possession captured during the raid was the Swede’s brew kettle. Stuyvesant shipped the kettle southward to Fort Casimir at present day New Castle, where he had his own brewery installed.

The Dutch had an even more significant relationship with beer than their Nordic counterparts. Back in Holland, beer had been a significant commodity they produced and traded for more than a century. In fact, at the time of their invasion of the Swedes, brewing was already a growing trade in Dutch settlements in New York. During their decade-long reign along the Delaware, the brewery at Fort Casimir and two in the surrounding village were pumping out beer for local taverns.

While beer was no less important to the English, larger-scale beer production seems to have taken a back seat during their early rule in the late seventeenth century, at least as far as the Delaware region is concerned. William Penn left Delaware high and dry, choosing instead to build a brewery at his estate just north of Philadelphia. Nevertheless, the English established a circuit of taverns in towns and along key roads in the new colony, which served as important community centers and travel stations. Lacking nearby breweries, the women and men who operated the taverns in the Delaware colony had little choice but to brew their own ale for patrons.

At long last, in the late 1720s, Wilmington would have its day. William Shipley, the virtual founder and eventual first burgess

Stoeckle and Hartmann & Fehrenbach beer signs at Daniel McElwee's saloon, northeast corner of Fifth and Tatnall streets, circa 1890. Photo courtesy Delaware Historical Society

(mayor) of the city, came from Darby, Pennsylvania to the struggling village of Willingtown with big business plans. One of Shipley’s earliest ventures was a malt house and brewery, which he built on the northwest corner of Fourth and Tatnall streets. During the Revolutionary War, when brewing ingredients were in short supply, the brewery was a significant supplier of malt to Philadelphia brewers. The enterprise passed through several Shipley heirs and then a series of other proprietors before closing around 1830. It remains the longest-operating brewery in state history.

The Shipley brewery’s chief competitor from the 1770s through the early 1800s was located only two blocks southwest along Second Street, between Tatnall and Orange, and owned by the Sheward family. Caleb Sheward was an experienced Quaker brewer, who, like the elder Shipley, came to Wilmington from nearby Pennsylvania. Unlike the Shipley’s descendants, Sheward considered himself an Englishman and was loyal to the Crown. Local authorities busted Sheward for selling ale to the Redcoats during their occupation of Wilmington. Still, Sheward’s brewery thrived as it passed through several heirs before finally running out of steam in the early 1840s.

Beer had fallen somewhat out of favor by the early 1800s in Delaware and across the young country. The drinking public became enamored with more spirituous beverages like whiskey, rum, and brandy, which were more portable, less subject to spoilage, and provided a bigger buzz for the buck. The resulting social ills created by an increasingly drunker population led to the beginning of the Temperance movement in the early part of the nineteenth century. By 1847, drunkenness became such a problem that Delaware passed statewide prohibition, but the regulation was quickly declared unconstitutional.

A less intoxicating, more effervescent and refreshing beverage would arrive in Wilmington in 1850 and soon take the city by storm. That year, Bavarian immigrant brewer Christian Krauch came to the burgeoning city and set up a hotel and saloon on lower

King Street. Krauch had been brewing for years in Philadelphia when yeast that made lager beer possible arrived in that city from Germany. He brought some of the magic yeast with him down to Wilmington and began brewing lager in a small kitchen brewery behind his saloon. Krauch’s lager proved popular in a town teaming with thirsty immigrant workers. Though brewing was never a large commercial enterprise for Krauch, he inspired Wilmington’s next generation of brewers. Those men would on to much bigger things and usher in the golden age of brewing in the city.

John Fehrenbach, who served a stint as Krauch’s bartender, opened his own saloon and, like his mentor, began brewing lager beer for his patrons. At the close of the Civil War, Fehrenbach entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law, John Hartmann. The two purchased the property in the Forty Acres at Lovering Avenue and Scott Street and built a sizable brewery, hotel, and saloon. The brewery expanded greatly as demand for H&F’s lager continued to grow. After the deaths of the founders in the 1880s, ownership passed to their sons, who enlarged the brewery. H&F kept pumping out their popular lager and porter until National Prohibition and the deaths of the owners brought the business to a close. H&F’s hotel and saloon, once part of the brewery complex, survives to this day as Gallucio’s Italian Restaurant.

In the latter half of the 1800s, lager’s incredible popularity elevated beer brewing from a vocation or side hustle to a legitimate, if not extremely profitable, profession. By 1900, brewing was the sixth largest industry in Delaware. H&F and two other large Wilmington beer producers accounted for nearly all the state’s beer production before 1920.

Another Krauch acolyte and former Wilmington neighbor, Joseph Stoeckle, started brewing in the back of his King Street saloon in the late 1850s. After the failure of the Nebeker brothers’ brewery at Fifth and Adams streets in the 1860s, Stoeckle became involved with a group of investors in a new organization. ►

The King Gambrinus statue in its third-story alcove on the Diamond State Brewery brewhouse, circa 1945. Photo courtesy Delaware Historical Society

In 1872, Stoeckle assumed complete ownership of the brewery, renaming it the Diamond State Brewery. A fire levelled the brewery in 1881, but Stoeckle rebuilt a substantially larger brick complex, which was adorned with an 11-foot statue of the legendary European king of beer, Gambrinus.

Under Stoeckle and his son Harry’s expert management, the Diamond State Brewery would overtake H&F as the city’s largest beer producer. The brewery’s Select Lager became so popular that the Stoeckle name would be synonymous with beer in Wilmington for decades to come.

Eight blocks due west of the Diamond State brewery, at Fifth and DuPont streets, was the third of Wilmington’s Big Three lager breweries. Known most commonly by old residents of the city as the Bavarian Brewery, ownership passed between three principal operators from the 1880s through the early 1900s. After the death of his father, Herman Eisenmenger was largely responsible for the phenomenal growth of the Bavarian Brewery. The brewery sales never trailed far behind Stoeckle or H&F.

Wilmington had a host of other smaller breweries from the post-Civil War period through the early 1900s. The most notable was the Wilmington Brewing Company in the 200 block of French Street. The brewery was owned by Joseph Stoeckle’s son-in-law, Henry Blouth. The competition naturally caused consternation among Stoeckle family members. The brewery’s decade-long run ended with Blouth’s sudden death in 1913. His wife shut down the brewery and sold the equipment to her brother, Harry Stoeckle.

Beer remained very much a local product in the Wilmington area. The city’s Big Three breweries had large stakes in or outright owned many of the outlets of distribution, including saloons, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and bottling plants. Stoeckle, H&F, and Bavarian had a virtual stranglehold on the beer market from Seaford to Claymont.

Fueled by rapid industrialization and waves of immigration from beer-loving countries, Wilmington in the late 1800s was a growing city with a big thirst for beer. And drinkers had plenty of places to find their favorite beverage. By 1890, there were more than 180 drinking establishments and outlets within Wilmington’s city limits.

Alas, Wilmington became a drinking city with a working problem. Drinking had gotten out of control. The most notorious

Bavarian Brewing Company bottling plant, southeast corner of 6th and DuPont streets, with the brewhouse in the distance, 1914. Photo courtesy John Medkeff, Jr.

strip was between Water and Front from Walnut to Justison streets in an area known as The Coast. Mixed among more respectable establishments were seedy gin mills, gambling dens, after-hour dance halls, and brothels. These were places where a man could easily lose an entire paycheck or far worse. Even Wilmington’s police force was hesitant to patrol the area, preferring instead to deal with the aftermath.

In response to the chaos caused by rampant overindulgence, the Temperance movement steadily gained traction in the first decade of the 1900s. As public protest turned to legislative action, the focus of Dry advocates advanced from pleas for moderation to outright prohibition. By 1917, the sale and distribution of beer were prohibited throughout Delaware, except in the city of Wilmington.

National Prohibition in 1920 ended legal beer production at the Stoeckle, H&F, and Bavarian breweries and caused irreparable damage to the businesses. The Big Three tried to make a go of it in the early 1920s producing soft drinks and near beer. Ultimately, all three found it impossible to cover the costs of operating such large plants, especially during the challenging economic times of the Great Depression. Stoeckle and H&F went out of business by the middle of the decade.

Tough times called for desperate measures, and Herman Eisenmenger turned to less than legal means to keep his Bavarian Brewery afloat. He began making fullstrength beer for mob distribution. The feds busted up the operation in 1927, and the brewery was shuttered.

When national Prohibition regulations were repealed in 1933, two of Wilmington’s breweries were preparing for production. Though not particularly well-funded, Eisenmenger managed to retool his old brewery and get it back online. Unfortunately, the implementation of the three-tier liquor distribution system opened Wilmington to competition from larger and better-resourced national and regional brewing corporations in the East and Midwest. Eisenmenger’s Bavarian-Luxburger Brewing Company lasted only a year and a half.

The Delmarva Brewing Company occupied the brewery from 1938 until 1944. They were subject to the same competitive pressures as their predecessors and encountered shortages of ingredients and materials caused by World War II.

The Bavarian brewery’s final occupant starting in 1944 was the Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey. In 1935, Krueger became the first brewery in the world to sell canned beer. While they intended to use the Wilmington brewery to expand their reach southward, the experiment proved to be an abject failure. Krueger moved out in 1951, and the brewery would never again open. The complex was torn down in the 1960s and replaced with public housing.

A more successful and longer-lasting brewing company, the aptly named Diamond State Brewery Inc., purchased the old Stoeckle plant and opened for business in 1936. The brewery had a good run through the war years and into the mid-1950s. Eventually, Diamond State fell victim to fierce competition from much larger breweries outside the region. The last of Wilmington’s Big Three breweries closed in 1954 and, in the early 1960s, was demolished to make way for I-95 through the city.

By the 1990s, interest in locally sourced and nearly forgotten beer styles took hold in Delaware. The first brewery in the city in 40 years, the Rockford Brewing Company, opened in 1995 at St. James Court, on the south edge of the city line. The brewery was beleaguered by production and distribution issues and lasted only three years.

A series of brewpubs had short runs in and around the city in the 1990s and the first decade of the new millennium, including Downtown Brewing Company, John Harvard’s Brewhouse on Concord Pike, and the Brandywine Brewing Company of Greenville.

Just down Kennett Pike, Twin Lakes Brewing Company opened a small production on co-owner Samuel Hobbs’ scenic historic farm in 2006. Their Greenville Pale Ale was one of the area’s most popular beers for many years. Sadly, the brewery changed hands in 2016, made an unsuccessful move to Newport, and closed in 2020.

To the satisfaction of Wilmington beer lovers, recent history has shown far more brewing successes than failures. The city’s new Big Three Breweries — Iron Hill Brewery, Wilmington Brew Works, and Stitch House Brewery — and their 15 counterparts in New Castle County continue to build on the area’s nearly fourcentury-long brewing tradition and bring good cheer to the region. We do indeed have a rich past and present to celebrate this Wilmington Beer Week.

A Campaign Fit for a King

"Restore the King,” a publiclyfunded campaign to repair Wilmington’s historic King Gambrinus statue, is well underway. The 140-year-old sculpture of the king of beer was an icon of the city for generations. Its restoration symbolizes the return of beer as a significant economic, cultural, and social driver in Delaware. Once restored, the statue will be donated to the Delaware History Museum for public presentation and longterm conservation.

Visit RestoreTheKing.com to learn more about the project and donate to the cause.

The Brew Crew

A overview of the Northern Delaware craft brewing scene

As beer historian John Medkeff mentioned (see Raise A Glass to the Past, pg. 29), Northern Delaware has a history with beer that few in the U.S. can match. Today, more than a dozen breweries in New Castle County carry on this proud brewing tradition. Here is a roundup of the local scene.

1937 Brewing Company

Brewer: Cory McDonald

777 Delaware Park Blvd Wilmington, DE 19804

1937brewingco.com

Rustic dining area serving gastropub-style food and a full-service bar with 8-10 hand-crafted beers on tap. Free entertainment on the Brewery Stage, along with the partially covered outdoor Grandstand, providing the best views of seasonal racing action. Founded in 2021.

Argilla Brewing Co @ Pietro's Pizza

Brewer: Steven Powell

2667 Kirkwood Highway Newark, DE 19711

argillabrewing.com

After dabbling in home brewing for several years, the team at Pietro’s Pizza decided to combine a love of handcrafted beer with a love of pizza. The current location has a 1.5 barrel brewery on site. Founded in 2012.

A portrait of pints at Stitch House Brewery.

Autumn Arch Beer Project

Brewers: Justin Colatrella 810 Pencader Dr, Suite C Newark, DE 19702 autumnarch.com

Small-batch, experimental brewery specializing in deepflavor profiles, edgy bitterness, and complex relationships. Food trucks regularly on the premises. Founded in 2019.

Bellefonte Brewing Company

Brewer: Joe Bob Jacobs 3605 Old Capitol Trl, Suite C8 & 1851 Marsh Road Wilmington, DE 19808 & 19810 bellefontebrewingcompany.com

Nano brewery and tap room offering more than 14 local brews. The brewery is dog friendly and also offers home brew supplies and brewing education. Founded in 2017.

Blue Earl Brewing

Brewer: Ronnie “Blue” Earl Price 210 Artisan Drive Smyrna, DE 19977 blueearlbrewing.com

Produces hoppy American ales, Belgian specialties, German ales and lagers and an ever changing variety of seasonal offerings along with live entertainment on weekends and barbeque in "The Juke" taproom. Founded in 2014.

Crooked Hammock

Brewer: Brandon Florez 316 Auto Park Dr. Middletown, DE 19709 crookedhammock.com

Full-service restaurant & dining room, screened-in porch bar, and a large social gathering beer hall that opens onto an outdoor beer garden. Outdoor hammocks, fire pit, games and a children’s playground. Offering brews synonymous with enjoying a day at the beach. Founded in 2015.

Dew Point Brewing

Brewer: Cody Hoffman 2878 Creek Rd, Yorklyn, DE 19736 DewPointBrewing.com

Delaware's only family-owned-and-operated micro-brewery serving many styles. Located in a Second Industrial Revolution snuff mill with tasting room & beer garden. Founded in 2013.

First State Brewing Company

Brewer: Paul Hesler 109 Patriot Drive Middletown, DE 19709 firststatebrewingcompany.com

Focused on hop-forward styles including hazy IPAs and classic West Coast IPAs, plus Belgian-styles such as witbiers and saisons. Patrons will also find malt-forward styles including stouts or porters. Founded in 2020.

Hangman Brewing Company

Brewer: Brad Lee 2703 Philadelphia Pike Claymont, DE 19703 hangmanbrewing.com

Offering a range of juicy and hazy New England-style IPAs as well as milkshake IPAs made with lactose. Founded in 2020.

Iron Hill Brewery

Senior Head Brewer: Regional Brewer: Andrew Johnston 620 Justison Street Wilmington, DE 19801 147 E. Main St., Newark, DE 19711 ironhillbrewery.com

Iron Hill strives to have its craft beers and handcrafted foods inspire one another in unexpected ways. Now with 20 locations. Founded in 1996.

Liquid Alchemy Beverages

Brewers: Terri Sorantino & Dr. Jeffrey Cheskin 28 Brookside Dr Wilmington, DE 19804 liquidalchemybeverages.com

Delaware’s first meadery and cidery that offers a historic drink with a modern twist. All locally sourced using the best ingredients available. Founded in 2016.

Midnight Oil Brewing Company

Brewer: Mike Dunlap 674 Pencader Dr., Newark, DE 19702 midnightoilbrewing.com

Offering classic beer styles alongside culinarily inspired ales and lagers. Located between routes 896 and 40 in the Pencader Business Park and offers an on-site tasting room. Founded in 2018.

Stewart’s Brewing Company

Brewer: Al Stewart 219 Governors Place, Bear, DE 19701 stewartsbrewingcompany.com

New Castle County’s first brewpub, Stewart’s brews American, German, English and Belgian ales and lagers. This classic American pub offers six full-time ales and adds more than 40 rotating seasonal brews throughout the year. Founded in 1995.

Stitch House Brewery

Brewer: Andrew Rutherford 829 N. Market St. Wilmington, DE 19801 stitchhousebrewery.com

A brewpub located in the heart of downtown Wilmington offering a rich array of food and beer. The name pays homage to the history of the building, which went from a coal house to an ice house to a garment store before becoming a restaurant/brewery. Founded in 2018. .

Twisted Irons Craft Brewing

Brewer: Matt Found 303 Ruthar Drive, Suites E-F Newark, DE 19711 twistedironsbrewery.com

Dedicated to creating well-balanced beers of many styles, including stouts, doppelbock, Belgian wit, IPAs, lagers, pilsners and sours. Featuring regular live music. Founded in 2021.

Volunteer Brewing Company

Brewer: Kevin Schatz, Davis Hammond, Scott Bieber 116 w. Main St., Middletown, DE 19709 volunteerbrewing.com

Middletown’s first and oldest micro-brewery is nestled in the historic downtown district. Produces small-batch ales in a renovated 1800s Main Street Taphouse. Also features a spacious outdoor beer garden. Founded in 2017.

Wilmington Brew Works

Brewer: Craig Wensell 3129 Miller Rd., Wilmington, DE 19802 wilmingtonbrewworks.com

The only production brewery in Delaware’s largest city, housed in a 100-year old former laboratory in the old 9th Ward. WBW is dedicated to keeping the spirit of the building’s origins alive with new and innovative ales, lagers, sours and ciders. Founded in 2018.

Life to the Label

Joe Hoddinott adds his creative touch to beer cans

By Ken Mammarella

Joe Hoddinott notched a new way to judge success when fans started asking for his autograph.

Following his bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration and photography from the University of Delaware, the Newark resident worked for 20 years in illustration, fine art, design and photography.

Jess Lindenberg — first a model for his photography, later his “artistic muse” and life partner — a decade ago introduced him to the joys of craft beer. And then she saw that Newark’s Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co. was looking for an artist to design beer cans.►

Joe Hoddinott with a few of his creations for Twisted Irons Craft Brewing. Photos by Joe Hoddinott

They were familiar with the brand. During the pandemic they attended Twisted Irons' outdoor beer events along with Hoddinott's brother, Jon, who worked down the street from the brewery.

He came to his May, 2022, interview with Twisted Irons cofounder Dave Markle with a concept sketch for Flyover State of Mind IPA and was hired on the spot.

He has so far created about 20 designs for Twisted Irons, which appear on cans, posters, stickers and T-shirts, with the merch sold only at the Twisted Irons brewery, 303 Ruthar Drive, Newark.

Fans sometimes reach out to see if he’s at the brewery or will visit to sign their purchases. “It’s pretty cool,” Hoddinott says. “Weird and moving.”

Hoddinott was trained at UD to emulate different styles and work in different media, and he has chosen a comic-book style that is done quickly, reprints well and translates easily to other media.

It all starts with a briefing from Markle and Twisted Irons co-founder Matt Found on each new brew, including the

Jess Lindenberg introduced Hoddinott to the joys of craft beer. She also serves as a model for his photography and Twisted Irons T-shirts.

Local Flavor

Wilmington Beer Week returns with focus on beer brewed here

When Wilmington Beer Week began in 2012, the local brewing scene was minimal. So, the focus was on craft beer brewed elsewhere, not suds brewed here.

A decade later, there are now three craft brewers within city limits — Iron Hill, Stitch House, Wilmington Brew Works — and 15 breweries throughout New Castle County. Today, there is indeed a local brewing scene. And that scene — combined with the rest of the craft alcohol industry — has become an economic factor in New Castle County as well as throughout the state.

Such growth mirrors a national trend — and underscores Delaware’s love of beer. In fact, according to The Brewers Association, a non-profit trade group of 5,400 brewers, in 2021 Delaware was second in the country in craft beer produced per capita — 12.3 gallons per adult 21 years or older. Who was No. 1? Vermont, at a whopping 24.2 gallons per adult.

From Feb. 28-Mar. 5, Wilmington area brewers will raise a glass to the industry’s recent growth and pay tribute to the area’s rich brewing history. Yes, after a two-year COVID break, Wilmington Beer Week is back. And 100% of the focus is on local brew. ►

Sharing suds on the Riverfront (l-r): John Hoffman (Dew Point Brewing), Justin Sproul (Iron Hill Brewery), Joe Bob Jacobs and Sarah DeFlaviis (Bellefonte Brewing), John Fusco and Craig Wensell (Wilmington Brew W0rks), Andrew Rutherford (Stitch House Brewery). Photo by Butch Comegys

“"It's great to see a Wilmington Beer Week return with a focus on locally brewed beer,” says Craig Wensell, CEO and Brewer for Wilmington Brew Works. “Wilmington has a great brewing tradition with some big breweries that unfortunately didn't survive much past prohibition. Now we've got three breweries in the city limits and plenty more a short drive away. When someone visits Wilmington and heads to a bar or restaurant, they can now find beer on tap that was brewed a few miles away."

“I think it was the right move to shift the focus to local beer,” adds Justin Sproul, Senior Head Brewer at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. “It opens up opportunities for breweries to participate, which creates more excitement and makes for better events.”

Wilmington Beer Week 2023 features seven beer breweries and the mead/cider craft producer Liquid Alchemy. The participating breweries are Bellefonte Brewing, Dew Point Brewing, Hangman Brewing, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Stitch House Brewery, Twisted Irons Craft Brewing and Wilmington Brew Works.

Participating restaurants with a significant craft beer profile include Chelsea Tavern, Dorcea, Grain (Trolley Square), Two Stones Pub (Wilmington), Trolley Tap House and Washington Street Ale House. The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar, the popular new gathering venue at 1313 N. Market St., is also participating and will host a Beer Can Art Exhibition.

Collaboration is the word for this year’s events as the participating brewers are joining forces for three nights that will feature their collective talent: Sour Night at Wilmington Brew Works (Tue., Feb. 28), IPA Night at Iron Hill (Wed., Mar. 1), and an Atlantic 10 Watch Party with Lagers at Stitch House (Thur., Mar. 2).

As mentioned above, The Chancery will host a Beer Can Art Exhibition from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 3 in conjunction with the Art Loop. A Rare Beer Event is set for Saturday, March 4 at Iron Hill, featuring a lecture on Wilmington’s brewing history by local beer historian John Medkeff. Tickets will be sold for this event with proceeds benefitting “Restore The King,” a fundraising campaign to restore the King Gambrinus statue (see pg. 33). Finally, the week concludes with Beer & Brunch at participating Wilmington Beer Week venues that offer food.

As a reward to those who plan to visit multiple venues, a WBW Passport will be available. Those who get their passport stamped five times will be eligible to win the Ultimate Wilmington Beer Tour ($250 in gift certificates to select Wilmington Beer Week venues). Second- and thirdplace prizes will also be awarded.

— To download the passport as well as get contest and event details, visit WilmingtonBeerWeek.com

Suds & Sustenance

Matching beer to food isn’t easy, but it offers a tasty reward

By Pam George

Unless you’re in a brewpub, wine options often outnumber the beer. Even the cocktails menu might have more listings. However, that’s changing as more people realize that craft beer is a viable option for any course — from the cocktail hour to the dessert.

“Having the right food and beer can really elevate the experience,” says Mark Edelson, co-founder and director of operations for Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, which has 20 East Coast Locations including Wilmington, Newark and Rehoboth Beach.

The variety of flavor profiles — along with the increased interest in low-ABV products — give beer a place at the table. However, pairing beer with food can be challenging, particularly for novices. Still, the mission is simple: “The goal is to not overpower the food with the beer and vice versa,” says Daniel Sheridan, owner of Stitch House Brewery in downtown Wilmington.

Here are some tips to help you choose. ►

Pictured above: Fish & chips with a lager at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant.

Know The Basics

Beermaking can be incredibly complex, so consider this a crash course. The difference between ale and lager includes the fermentation time, the temperature and where the yeast ferments — on the brew’s top or the bottom. Generally, ale ferments relatively quickly at a warm temperature with top-fermenting yeast, while lager ferments for longer at a lower temperature with bottomfermenting yeasts. Within these categories are subcategories, such as brown, blond and pale ales. Despite the latter’s name, pale ale can stand up to flavor-forward dishes (More on that later.)

An India Pale Ale, or IPA, started as a British pale ale with extra hops to keep the beer from spoiling en route to India. IPAs have become incredibly popular among American craft beer enthusiasts who like to push the envelope. Consider Twisted Irons Brewing Co. in Newark’s That’s What She Said, a “cold” IPA fermented with lager yeast at warmer ale-like temperatures. Stitch House’s Hazy Dazy IPA reflects a growing trend. Also known as New England Pale Ales, the dry-hopped, hazy beer has fragrant, fruity notes and doesn’t taste as bitter as many IPAs.

Think Blue Moon or Allagash White when you picture wheat beers, which are typically top-fermented and contain about 30% wheat. Often hazy, the flavor includes spices and citrus. Within this category are hefeweizen, American wheat beers and witbiers.

Pilsner, a lager, originated in the German city of Plzen. It has a crisp finish and can be hoppy, depending on the style. Stitch House’s Furio II is an Italian take on pilsner that is a favorite with Italian foods.

On the opposite spectrum, porter is a dark lager with a roasted malt aroma. Iron Hill’s Pig Iron Porter is a classic example. Meanwhile, most stouts sport a creamy head and, often, a coffeelike bitterness. Wilmington Brew Works’ Harmonic Oscillation is an imperial chocolate stout. There’s no doubt about what you’ll taste.

And for something completely different, try the trending sours, an ancient style that’s back in favor. Twisted Irons’ I’ve Got Those Raspberry Blues is a Gose, which started in Goslar, Germany. At

"The goal is not to overpower the food with the beer and vice versa," says Dan Sheridan of Stitch House Brewery. Photo courtesy Stitch House Brewery

just 4.3%, it’s “sessionable,” meaning you can have more than one without falling off your barstool. Belgian Lambic is a sour style that some say should only refer to beers brewed in a particular region, much like Champagne.

Of course, there are exceptions to the norm, especially in craft breweries that buck European standards.

Locate the Style’s Source

As with Gose and pilsner beers, understanding a beer’s origin can help you choose the proper pairing, an approach that wine lovers have followed for years. Select ingredients native to the grapegrowing region or brew’s origin and dishes that define these areas.

“German sausages go great with German lagers, right?” Edelson asks. “That’s not luck.” Centuries ago, brewers without today’s bells and whistles adjusted the ingredients to match their diet, he adds.

Sip It Solo

However, some beers are best enjoyed on their own, says John Medkeff, author of Brewing in Delaware. He has a New Englandstyle IPA or a sour beer without food to fully appreciate the style and flavor. It’s not unlike savoring a cocktail.

Consider The Cuisine

As Edelson noted, certain dishes have a natural pairing. Medkeff, for instance, likes a stout with Irish food. (There’s a reason Guinness is an Irish pub staple.) Beverage menus can influence your decision.

For years, Asian eateries mainly offered refreshing light lagers like Kirin and Tsingtao. A crisp beer cuts spice without dampening the other flavors, says Sheridan of Stitch House. Highly carbonated beers also curb the heat. Edelson recommends Iron Hill’s Vienna Red Lager.

Admittedly, some like it hot. In that case, try an IPA., which accentuates spice. “There’s a compounding effect,” explains Craig Wensell, CEO of Wilmington Brew Works in Wilmington

With Indian cuisine, Medkeff reaches for German Dunkel, a dark German lager, or Belgian tripel, a strong pale ale. ►

Beer is better than wine when it comes to dessert pairings, says Mark Edelson, co-founder and director of operations at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. Photo courtesy Iron Hill

Both stand up to the food’s spiciness and bold flavors. And with a charcuterie board’s rich or peppery meats, try Bellefonte Brewing Company’s Small Wonder IPA, a hoppy choice that weighs in at 5% ABV, says Sarah DeFlaviis, the brewery’s director of marketing.

If you prefer more fruit-forward beers, try Bellefonte Brewing’s The Fruited Offering series, which complements spicy food, she says. The white peach goes well with jerk chicken or the passion fruit guava with pad Thai.

Compare Or Contrast

It’s not surprising that experts would recommend opposing options for the same cuisine. When it comes to pairing food and beer, look for styles that are complementary or contrasting. For instance, choose either an IPA or a sour with curry, says Matt Found, owner of Twisted Irons Brewing Co. in Newark. The sour is a contrast, and the IPA is a complement.

Pile on the Comfort

Dining preferences change with the season, affecting both food and beverage menus. “Our brewer at Stitch House definitely bases the lineup on weather, ingredients and what people will likely be eating,” Sheridan explains. Not surprisingly, people want heavier dishes in winter, and many are standard pub fare. Consider Irish stew, fish-and-chips, sausages and shepherd’s pie. Pretzels with mustard, burgers, wings, cheese boards and barbecue are also popular pub items.

Why is beer a natural choice for these dishes? Credit the benefits of carbonation and a low pH. “It goes a long way to cut the thick profile of something that’s kind of fatty like beef stew,” says Wensell, who likes heavier beers with hearty fare. However, give him an order of chicken nuggets and fries, and he’ll reach for a pale ale. “There’s nothing better than that,” he says. “It’s nostalgic.”

The marriage of beer and comfort food won’t go away any time soon because “it’s good,” Sheridan notes.

Don’t Forget the Dessert

As far as Edelson is concerned, beer is better than wine when it comes to dessert pairings. Chocolate is made from roasted cacao beans, and darker beers come from roasted malts. “That’s why they make such a great pairing,” he says.

A stout is a frequent suggestion for chocolate desserts. But Sheridan also likes triple or double IPAs. For fruity sweets, Found has paired sour or crisp or fruited beer; To be sure, DiFlaviis suggests Bellefonte Brewing’s Chakra Chai for pie, particularly apple or blueberry.

Attend a Beer Dinner

Like a wine dinner, the multi-course meal has a different beer for each course, and usually, there is a guide to tell you why the match works. For Valentine’s Day, Twisted Irons will feature a flight of five beers with mini cupcakes from Erin’s Sweet Side. “Each cupcake will be different, and I’ll pair them with each beer,” Found explains. Call the brewery for details.

When In Doubt …

And if you’re still confused, you can’t go wrong with a “nice, crisp, light lager,” Wensell says. His brewery’s Krauch’s Creation is an homage to Christian Krauch, the creator of Delaware’s first lager beers.

For Edelson, it’s saison, which “goes with everything,” he maintains. French for “season,” saison is a highly carbonated pale ale. Carbonation, Edelson, cleans the palate. But that’s not its only attribute. “It’s born out of the Belgian farmhouse style, and it has all these wonderful characteristics when you think of a beer that needs to go with the food on your table,” the brewer explains.

But, in the end, it’s all about personal choice. “Eat what you love to eat, and drink what you like to drink,” says Edelson.

Taking Their Show on the Road

Trip to Rome is the latest adventure for Newark Charter School music program

By Ken Mammarella

The Newark Charter School marching band doesn’t have a school football team to play for at halftime, and it doesn’t participate in competitions. But it does have a reputation worthy of being invited to two international parades, and the school’s entire music program is built on fun.

“Any kid that enters any program in the music department [hopes that when they walk out] they enjoyed what they accomplished,” says high school music teacher Samantha DeLuca. “And you can always tell by the way they sound. If they give you that top-notch performance, then they’re smiling, and I’m smiling.”

There were a lot of smiles for a week after Christmas when 87 band members and about 70 choir members, accompanied by parents and chaperons, formed a group 300 strong touring Italy. The focus was a New Year’s Day parade in Rome, with the band performing and choir participating by holding onto giant balloons.

“A lot of students said to me that the excitement of the people on the street fueled their performance,” DeLuca says.

The trip also included a concert with the choir; a festival with the three other American marching bands; tours of

Rome, the Vatican and Pompeii; and buses that DeLuca named after types of pasta (for more fun). The band’s finale is “Wavin’ Flag.” “That’s the song I usually take everywhere because when you’re waving flags, you’re representing your country.”

Newark Charter opened in 2001, and the high school opened in 2013, so the young school’s history has been about growth in buildings, enrollment, teachers (the high school music department now has three: DeLuca for the band, Kelly Kline for choir and Jasmine Lee for orchestra) and activities. ►

The Newark Charter marching band in action during a recent New Year's Day performance in Rome. Photos courtesy Samantha DeLuca

“It’s been exciting for us to watch the growth,” DeLuca says, noting the drumline has doubled to 13 drummers. “Going forward, my goal is to continue to grow the program and make music fun for kids.”

The marching band’s first gig beyond pep rallies was the Newark Halloween parade in 2014, and since then, students have performed at Disney World in 2017 for a spring festival and in London, England, in 2019 for a New Year’s Day parade.

“Every year, we try to do new things,” DeLuca says, adding that she’s looking into the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day parades in Wilmington

.

Traveling abroad is time-consuming. Planning starts two and a half years out; and in the summer before the European parades, DeLuca flies out, stays at the same hotel, visits the various sites, tours the concert venues and walks the parade.

“We see it ahead of time,” she says. “So that when I do get there, I have a better understanding of what to expect to help the students.” DeLuca doesn’t have a future international event set.

Trips are also complicated: the band equipment (instruments, navy pants, tricolor jackets and feather-adorned hats called shakos) are shipped out ahead of time and returned long after the trip ends. And some would consider the trips expensive: The Rome trip was about $3,450 for every participant.

Oliver Symons, a freshman on the drum line, said it was worth it. “I felt famous,” he said. “It was pretty cool and surreal to be playing on the street for strangers.”

Symons started in the band in the fourth grade, when he was first eligible, and he also plays the guitar.

“I adore music, and I’m looking at it as a career,” he says. “If you have an opportunity to do something amazing, do your best to take it. You will not regret it.”

Newark Charter's marching band has performed at Disney, London and Rome (pictured above).

FLAVOR SOUND STAGE FIND YOUR

As the New Year rolls on, our music scene heats up with two of the town’s favorite “showcase” performances taking over The Queen this month and next.

Wilmo Rock Circus

First up is the much-anticipated return of Wilmo Rock Circus presented by Gable Music Ventures. After a six-year hiatus, Gable brought the multi-act show back in a smaller “test-run” last February. Now, these ringmasters are going full-tilt, taking over every space of The Queen with themed entertainment, drinks and food, and a white-hot lineup that includes Philly-based rockers Low Cut Connie in the headlining slot.

The Gable team is ecstatic to bring Low Cut to the bill. “We were fortunate to have Low Cut Connie at Rockabilly Rumble in 2014, so we thought it’d be great to host them again as a headliner,” says Nathalie Antonov, Gable’s events manager. “It fit our desire to celebrate the regional scene while having an electrifying act with national appeal.”

Low Cut Connie frontman, pianist, and songwriter Adam Weiner shares in the excitement of returning to Delaware as the Circus’ main attraction.

“We had such a killer time a buncha years ago playing for the Rockabilly Rumble,” he says. “Those were the really early

Showtime at The Queen

Two area music traditions, Shine a Light and Wilmo Rock Circus, light up the city

By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

days of the band, and we loved that whole day. It’s really cool to be back…as a headliner. We’re gonna get everyone's hair messed up that night!"

Joining them on the roster are former Ladybug headliners Sweet Lizzy Project along with American Trappist, Pawnshop Roses, MONTE, Genesis Z & The Black Mambas, Lauren & The Homewreckers, Gunpowder Milkshake, The Collingwood, The Side Chicks and The Last Word.

“We threw the net a little wider this year, beyond the Wilmington/Philadelphia scene,” says Gable booking manager Joe Trainor. “Having bands from Nashville and New York just enhances the lineup. We’re excited about how diverse this will be stylistically — something for fans of all kinds of rock.”

Gayle Dillman, Gable Music CEO, says they’re proud to help keep the dynamic music scene growing in our community.

“There’s a special magic that happens when artists and people come together to experience a music event,” she says.

IF YOU GO: WILMO ROCK CIRCUS

Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 6pm

Venue: The Queen, 500 N. Market Street, Wilm.

Tickets: $35 GA; $70 VIP at ticketmaster.com

Seven years after their last performance at The Queen, Adam Weiner and his band Low Cut Connie return as headliners for Wilmo Rock Circus.

After a 10-year celebration last year, Shine A Light returns with a focus on 1983 and showcasing younger artists and more diversity.

Shine a Light on 1983

Shine a Light — now in its 11th year as one of Wilmington’s hottest tickets — is prepping a totally gnarly set of sonic nostalgia from one of the most varied and creative years in the Decade of Excess: 1983.

“Every song will spark a memory [for our audience],” says Tony Cappella, Shine a Light’s director. “Moreover, it’s exciting to see younger artists in our lineup take on songs from a year when they didn’t even exist!”

1983 not only saw the rise of the synthesizer in music, but it also saw MTV hit its stride, adding more diversity to its rotation (i.e., black artists, acts from throughout Europe).

Cappella is excited about the choice. “This year [1983] is an amazing one for music. It was a year of drum machines and synthesizers. Studio production reached a new level. The synth became the dominant instrument in the studio, and it was innovative and cool.”

The concert, he says, will have all the synth “flair” of the era, but with the instincts and personality of real musicians.

“You’ll also see new, young faces on the stage this year,” Cappella says. “Wilmington has so much young talent that needs to be recognized.”

One of those new faces is Ty Mathis, a multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who’ll take on a variety of genres and artists in his turn at the Shine a Light mic.

Mathis is a huge fan of many icons of the era — Prince, David Bowie, John Mellencamp, Tears for Fears, Talking Heads, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and David Gilmour among others.

“I love how boundless the music is,” he says when asked what speaks to him about the sounds of ’83. “It has such a bold, fearless, imaginative essence! The songs have great lyrics that give you a

glimpse into the world at that time, and the music and the lyrics are still very relevant today.”

Mathis also notes that you can hear how pop music today was shaped by that decade.

“When I was younger, I went to Shine a Light 1975, and it was unforgettable!” he recalls. “What really made me want to be a part of this year was the chance to connect with amazing local musicians; perform music from a beautiful time in music history; and play for a such a great cause.”

The most rewarding part of the show, Cappella agrees, is knowing where the money is going. The mission of the event is to raise funds for existing music education programs that impact our underserved youth. Last year, Shine a Light raised more than $30,000 to benefit three such organizations serving our community — Christina Cultural Arts Center, Kingswood Community Center, and Reed's Refuge.

“I’m hoping to see young musicians that benefitted from our efforts performing in the show,” Cappella says. “We already have one, but I want to see many more.”

“It’s also rewarding to watch it all come together,” he says. “Take 60+ musicians — most that never met each other before — and prepare them to perform one of the greatest shows in our area!”

IF YOU GO: SHINE A LIGHT ON 1983

Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023, 7pm

Venue: The Queen, 500 N. Market Street, Wilm.

Tickets: $65 general admission; $115 general admission seated; $250 VIP; $300 VIP balcony seated at eventbrite.com

You know the drill:

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

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

(3) Got a funny one? Take a photo and send it to us at Contact@OutAndAboutNow.com Randomly drawn winner will get a $50 Gift Card to Pizza By Elizabeths (One entry per person; must be 21+ to enter; due by the 21st of each month.). Have fun!

THE ROCKSTAR LIFESTYLE

The rumors are true! Rockstar ( full name of friend ) is coming to town!

Yes, the worldwide famous singer — also known as ( nonsense word ) — is coming to Delaware fronting his/her band, The ( adjective ) ( plural animal )!

The legendary group will take the stage at the area’s hottest new club, ( color ) ( noun ), touring on the release of their hot Top-Ten single, “( verb ) The ( noun )!”

Of course, we’re not talking about any ordinary rock star! How many musicians do you know who can drink ( number >1 ) pints of ( liquid ), smoke endless ( plural noun ) and who-knows-whatelse, and then perform a mind-( verb ending in -ing ) show every night of the week? Not many, I tell you!

Not only are band members ( adjective )-rock innovators, but they are rock rebels. When police busted their mega-party last month at a multi-million-dollar ( type of house ) in ( U.S. city ), authorities found ( number >1 ) grams of ( type of powder ), ( number >1 ) pounds of ( type of herb ), a herd of wild, unlicensed ( plural animal ), and remnants of ceremonial drug from ( foreign country ) known simply as ( nonsense word ).

I can’t wait for them to come to our town!

THE CITY

WILFREDO CAMPOS NAMED 33RD

CHIEF

OF WPD

On January 5, Mayor Purzycki named 26-year WPD veteran, Capt. Wilfredo Campos, as the City’s next Police Chief. He is the 33rd Police Chief in City history and the first chief of Hispanic descent. Chief Campos promoted two fellow officers — Capt. Anthony Bowers and Capt. Matthew Hall — to the rank of Inspector as part of the Chief’s immediate support and management team.

“I’m extremely pleased to appoint Wilfredo Campos as Wilmington’s new Chief of Police,” said Mayor Purzycki. “His vast experience and leadership skills, as well as his decades-long knowledge and understanding of City neighborhoods and his interactions with City residents will serve him well as he takes command of an outstanding police department. Each day, the men and woman of the WPD demonstrate their commitment to public safety and the importance of serving the public with courage and integrity. I could not be happier for Chief Campos, his family and his many supporters throughout Wilmington who’ve encouraged him throughout his career.”

“It’s truly a blessing and an honor to have the opportunity to continue serving the residents of Wilmington in this new role as Police Chief and to be able to lead our brave and dedicated police officers and civilians that make up the Wilmington Department of Police family,” said Chief Campos. “I thank my entire family, our many friends, current and former police officers, and all of the people who have provided support and guidance to me throughout the years to make this day possible.”

2022 CRIME REPORT SHOWS SIGNIFICANT CRIME REDUCTION

WPD’s 2022 Year-End Crime Report statistics show the lowest number of murders in 15 years, and the second lowest number of shooting incidents in 17 years. Other significant crime reductions in 2022 include: a 58% reduction in murders; a 30% reduction in shooting incidents; a 29% reduction in shooting victims; a 20% reduction in robberies; a 16% reduction in burglaries; a 14% reduction in aggravated results; a 12% reduction in auto theft; a 7% reduction in felony theft.

Chief Wilfredo Campos

CITY’S PARKING ENFORCEMENT IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE

Mayor Mike Purzycki announced another in a series of improvements to the City’s parking enforcement system last month, most significant among them being a proposal to lower the cost of certain parking tickets to $25 from the current $40. Mayor Purzycki said the City continues to make progress with its plan to issue fewer parking tickets, thereby reducing hassles for residents as well as for the City government bureaucracy.

“The City’s mission with these improvements is to maintain parking order on the streets, stop drivers from illegally taking neighborhood parking spaces, and keep City streets clean — all without issuing as many tickets as we have in previous years,” said the Mayor. “Less enforcement is better for residents and government workers.”

Additional Parking Enforcement Improvements will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

MAYOR MAKES THREE OTHER APPOINTMENTS IN JANUARY

In addition to the new police chief, Mayor Purzycki announced several other appointments in January. These include:

Donald B. Patton to serve as his representative on the governing council of the newly formed Wilmington Learning Collaborative. Patton, a former teacher and school principal with an extensive background in education as well as 20 years of experience working in corporate America, also serves a Member for the Christina School District Board. As a member of the WLC’s governing council, Patton will help oversee the executive director and a small administrative staff as well as be responsible for oversight of schools participating in the collaborative.

Dr. Debra Mason, the Deputy Exec. Director of the HOPE Commission and a former Delaware Dept. of Correction Probation and Parole Officer and Training Administrator, as Coordinator of Wilmington’s Community Public Safety Initiative (CPSI). Dr. Mason will manage the next phases of the City’s multifaceted, community-based crime reduction efforts.

Sean Park as the City’s next Director of the Office of Economic Development. Park started his career with the Economic Development Office as a Project Manager and was promoted to the Deputy Director position in July 2021. He served as Acting Director since last April.

Donald B. Patton