July 2024 - Sipping Through Summer

Christian Kanienberg is Painting the Town

Newark Food & Brew Festival Turns 20

Beach Breweries Go Way Beyond Beer

through

Whatever your palate, this tasty list of sampling events & new releases has something for you

September 12

5PM–7:30PM

The Brandywine Zoo invites you to Sip & Stroll through the zoo and enjoy a laid-back eve at our Thursday night happy hour series

Craft beer will be available from Bellefonte Brewing and Dogfish Head, in addition to wine, cider, and seltzers Each Sip will feature a local food vendor, ice cream from Hy-Point, and unique table vendors for browsing This family friendly event will have live music and fun for all ages!

Limited number of tickets will be sold.

Drink and food purchases sold separately.

Thank you to our vendors: Bellefonte Brewery, Dogfish Head, Brewery Kristen Vaughn Art & Illustration, Cork & Charm, Prime Hospitality, A Flicker of Daisy Candle Co, Hy-Point Farms

Check out our web site for more fun-filled events!

Published each month by TSN Media, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Contact@TSNPub.com

Wilmington, DE 19801

At the Beach

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

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Adriana Camacho-Church, David Ferguson, Mark Fields, Pam George, Roger Hillis, Catherine Kempista, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Larry Nagengast,

Mary Ellen Mitchell, Matt Morrissette, Kevin Noonan, Bob Yearick

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Paul Bauer, John Holton,

THE WAR On Words

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

WHERE ARE THE EDITORS?

• Andre Lamar, in e News Journal, describing Adam Driver in Megalopolis: “With one foot hovering over the ledge, Driver leans forward and yells ‘time stop!’ Now shaking terribly, the command allows Driver to pause time and catch himself from meeting his demise.” In the rst sentence, there should be a comma after “yells.” More seriously, in the second sentence, the misplaced modi er “Now shaking terribly” describes the command, when it is meant to describe Driver.

• Aaron Carter, in e Philadelphia Inquirer, su ered from a similar modi er malady: “Despite shooting poorly in the rst two games, ibodeau said Brunson had been running the team’s o ense e ciently.” “Despite shooting poorly . . .” describes the New York Knicks coach, Tom ibodeau, when it’s meant to describe the player, Jalen Brunson.

• David Murphy, in e Inky: “So, yeah, the Phillies are playing at an historical pace.” e usually uber-literate Murphy not only forgot the rule about using “a” before a noun that starts with a consonant sound (“an” is for nouns that start with a vowel sound), he also used historical (the general term for describing history) when historic (reserved for important and famous moments) was the correct choice for the Phils’ early season success.

• Jarrett Bell, in USA TODAY: “Cousins also squashed any hint of a suggestion that he won’t embrace the presence of Penix . . .” e preferred word here is quashed, meaning “to suppress or put an end to something.” Squashed means “to crush or atten something.” And hint of a suggestion is a tautology.

• USA TODAY also allowed this to seep into its sports pages (Regarding Payton Wilson, a Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick): “ ere’s no way to game out the injury factors that seemingly sunk Wilson’s stock. . . . His litany of red ags were mostly widely known.” ree points: Regrettably, sunk now seems to be accepted as the past tense of sink, but sank is the choice of picky purists (guilty!). Litany is over-used by lazy writers wanting to sound smart to refer to any list, when it really means a tedious recital or repetitive series. And nally, the verb in the second sentence refers to litany, not ags, so it should be was

• Reader Debbie Layton found this in J. D. Robb’s novel Random In Death: “Most of the crowd disbursed.” e crowd dispersed (broke up). It did not pay out any funds.

Word of the Month

corrigendum

Pronounced cor-a-GEN-dum , it’s a noun meaning a thing to be corrected, typically an error in a printed book.

Buy The War on Words book at the Hockessin BookShelf, at Huxley & Hiro Booksellers on Market Street, or on Amazon. Or email me at ryearick@comcast.net.

THIS AND THAT

• I recently came across a 1942 lm titled “Busses Roar” (Didn’t watch it, but the plot involves a time bomb on a bus). Aside from being a bit clumsy, the title misspells buses. A buss, with the extra s, means kiss. It’s an oldfashioned word that’s rarely used nowadays.

• Some in the TV and radio media pronounce Moscow as it’s spelled: Moss-cow. e correct pronunciation is Moss-co. ink Costco.

By Bob Yearick

• Speaking of pronunciations, primer is pronounced “PRIMM-er” if you mean “a small book” or “a short informative piece of writing.” It’s pronounced “PRY-mer” if you mean “an initial coat of paint.”

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

I recently began noticing these common redundancies having to do with time:

• I’ll see you in two days’ time

• At this point in time

• Period of time

And the ever-reliable mass media gave us these:

• Hoda Kotb on NBC’s Today, reporting on a June heat wave: “ e city of San Antonio has opened up 30 di erent cooling stations.” Di erent is inserted in such phrases so often that we often don’t notice it, but it’s just a throwaway word.

• An Associated Press online headline: “A visual look at Trump’s hush money trial.”

• Scooby Axson, in USA TODAY: “[Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison] Butker used his 20 minutes on stage to opine his thoughts, starting with Pride Month and what he called ‘dangerous gender ideologies.’” Opine means to state one’s opinion (or thoughts).

And nally . . .

I leave you with this, from Delawareonline: “A 27-year-old man in a small pickup truck was own to Christiana Hospital by a Delaware State Police helicopter.”

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Contribute $100 or more to the Brandywine YMCA through my donor page and I’ll present my fun and informative discussion on grammar to your group. Contact ryearick@comcast.net for more information.

FYI Things Worth Knowing

FIND THE LIMES

You can work a lime into any drink. So, in celebration of this month’s Sipping Through Summer focus, we’ve hidden four lime slices in this issue. Tell us what four pages (the image on this page doesn’t count) and we might buy you lunch. Three winners will be selected from those who answer correctly by July 17. Email your answer to Contact@TSNPub.com. Congratulations to last month’s winners of the Slide Me A Slice contest. Lauren Tyre, Amanda Robins and Greg Windeler found the pizza slices on pages 23, 39, 53, 63.

DEBUT NOVEL BY DELAWARE RESTAURANTEUR

Eric Sugrue, co-owner and managing partner of Big Fish Restaurant Group, can now add novelist to his resumé. A fan of crime fiction, the restauranteur recently celebrated the launch of his first novel, Seat 3A, about restaurateur and crimefiction fanatic, Christian Stone, who gets drawn into a murder investigation. This is his first book in what Sugrue hopes develops into a series of Christian Stone adventures. Find Seat 3A at your local bookstore or library.

SINGLE TICKETS FOR BROADWAY ON WILMINGTON ON SALE JULY 12

Fa e Grand has announced that single tickets for shows in its Broadway in Wilmington series at e Playhouse on Rodney Square will go on sale Friday, July 12. All ve musicals are Wilmington premieres and include TINA: e Tina Turner Musical (Oct. 11-13); Mean Girls (Nov. 15-17); e Cher Show (Jan 31-Feb. 1); Dear Evan Hansen (Apr. 11-13); and Hadestown (May 2-4). Subscription packages are also available. Visit eGrandWilmington.org.

SUMMER CAMPS FOR CREATIVE KIDS

For parents looking for summer camps that will engage their kids and build con dence, two local theater companies o er a solution. City eater Company’s Summer Improv Camp, for ages 11-14, teaches the art of comedy improvisation in a one-week course, July 8-12 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Register by July 5 at City- eater.org. Campers ages 8-15 at Delaware eatre Company’s Premiere! Camp create and perform a brand-new play in just three weeks. e camp runs July 22 to Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; register at Delaware eatre.org.

FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2024-25 SEASON

Tickets are now on sale for First State Ballet eatre’s new season, which includes Romeo & Juliet (Oct. 19 & 20), e Nutcracker (Dec. 14, 15, 21 & 22), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Apr. 5 & 6), all performed in Copeland Hall at e Grand. Delaware's only professional ballet company also presents Up Front on Market (Nov. 15 & 17), a mixed program of classical and contemporary work in the intimate Studio One at e Grand, and Triple Bill (Feb. 21-23), evening of premiering ballets by three choreographers performed in e Baby Grand. Visit eGrandWilmington.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024 5pm Start

Next Art Loop: AUGUST 2 cityfest presented by

DOWNTOWN

Chris White Gallery

701 N. Shipley Street

475-0998 • chriswhitegallery.com

Artist: Authenticity, Soft Girl Era Art Series: Act iii - Art by Shonté Young-Williams

City of Wilmington’s

Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street 576-2100

cityfestwilm.com/redding-gallery

Exhibit: Destination Jazz - A Photography Art Exhibition

Gallery at Grace United Methodist Church

900 Washington Street 577-8278 • gracechurchum.org

Artist: Raphael Rosa

Huxley and Hiro Booksellers 419 N. Market Street (971) 386-8294

Artist: “Memories” by Jay Massey

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

Artist: Odd Little Creatures by Vik Hart

The Grand Opera House

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

Grand Gallery: “Intersections of Thought” by David O. baby grand Gallery: “A Showcase of Eclectic and Fine Art” by Arden Artisans Collective

BEYOND THE CITY

Bellefonte Arts

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

Artist: “Strange Little Girls” by Kirsten Ashley

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

Artist: Paper Garden by Kelly Martin

Suite M Gallery 5714 Kennett Pike 598-3490

Artists: New Abstracts by Sarah Klingmeyer and Joseph Fiducios

Art LoopWilmington .org

PRESENTED BY DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWERY

THE NORTHSIDE FOOD AND CULTURE MARKET UNITES COMMUNITY

Anew farmers and artisan market has been launched in Wilmington’s Northside to bring fresh food options to residents and support local artists and small businesses. The Northside Food and Culture Market will be hosted at the North Wilmington Library on July 6 & 20 and in Haynes Park on August 3, 17 & 31, from 10am-12:30pm on all dates, and features diverse artisans, farm vendors, and community resources. Visit bit.ly/NFCM302.

SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS

The political thriller Julius Caesar comes to Rockford Park, July 18-Aug. 4, for Delaware Shakespeare’s 22nd season under the stars. In an innovative interpretation directed by Tai Verley, the classic story of political intrigue and betrayal is performed by a gender-expansive cast. General admission tickets are $28 with a Pay What You Can program on Wednesdays. Saved Seats and Festival Pass pricing is also available. Visit DelShakes.org.

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS

The Delaware Division of the Arts is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Individual Artist Fellowships. Fellowships are available to choreographers, composers, writers, musicians, and folk, media and visual artists. The awards all artists to pursue advanced training, purchase equipment and materials, or fulfill other needs that will help advance their careers. Recipients will also be showcased in a group exhibition in Delaware. Deadline for applications is August 1 by 11:59 p.m. Apply at Arts.Delaware. gov/Grants-For-Artists.

Painting The

Christian Kanienberg’s eye-catching murals beautify and celebrate local communities

By Ken Mammarella

Town

Painting The Town

Christian Kanienberg is surrounded by art and art supplies in his painting studio: works in progress, finished works, salvaged works, purchased works, gifted works and treasures-to-be rescued from the trash. More items overflow into his metal and carpentry shops, and the land outside.

Yes, this mélange — which includes four skulls, three saws, Native American artifacts, a book titled Hotel Kitsch and a glow-in-the-dark portrait of Marvin the Martian — just appeals to him and might also inspire him to craft sculptures from found objects, which is just one of his artistic disciplines. Others include metalwork, carpentry, furniture, portraits, murals and design.

Town

Town

But he is inspired much more by music. “I cannot really operate without my earbuds in,” the artist says, ticking off his favorite genres: old country, house, metal, rock, singer-songwriter.

“Sometimes the stuff that’s really meaty in terms of content lyrically will inform my art. I try to emulate the depth,” he says. “I can go back to [Philadelphia] Flower Show exhibits and tell you almost like a soundtrack to what I was listening to.”

Take the 2018 show, with “the wonders of water” theme.

“Uncharacteristically, I chose to address climate change, specifically with flooding. There’s a Nick Cave song about the birth of Elvis in a hurricane. I got the chance to see Nick Cave earlier that year, and the backdrop of that song was literally a hurricane. Black and white palm trees, bent over and blowing in the wind. It was such a horrifying kind of image, but it was very beautiful in the context of the song. Oftentimes, my aesthetic is finding beauty in things that may not be excessively attractive.” >

Christian Kanineberg at his latest project, a mural on a 200-foot retaining wall at Mount Pleasant High in north Wilmington entitled "Eclectic Flock." Photo by Justin Heyes

He was only 3 or 4 when he showed early artistic promise, which his parents encouraged through lessons before he enrolled at the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning at the University of Cincinnati.

“My eyes were opened wide by the elds of study that included sculpture, video, writing and poetry,” he writes on his website: WhatIsWish.com.

A wide-open career followed graduation, starting with a co-op involving mold-making, casting, sculpting and mural work at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Later jobs included being on the fabrication team of DeLuco Architectural Metals, working as a landscape design draftsman and serving as a sculptor and project manager with Chicago-based Skyline Design — creating and installing works in aquariums, themed restaurants and casinos.

He moved to Delaware in 1999, working for ve years at Weber-Prianti Scenic Studio, painting theatrical sets and crafting items for trade shows and museums. In 2004, he launched his own full-time business, Wish Painting and Sculpture. He is now based out of Bellefonte.

At top, Kanienberg's "Welcome to Wilmington" mural. Above, a mural at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal featuring his daughter Vivien.

Photos courtesy Christian Kanienberg; top photo by Dann Wardell

“I love using Wilmington as our hub for both work and fun,” he says, referring to his wife, Leisa, a makeup artist, and children Owen and Vivien. “We’re constantly up in New York, and Philadelphia feels like our backyard.”

Yet Wilmington feels like “a safe space” in cost of living, yet boasting good restaurants and a growing art scene.

Kanienberg has moved beyond working on spec, designing exhibits for the Philadelphia Flower Show and buying and selling artifacts. He now focuses on commercial art (“a conduit for somebody else’s idea”) and commissions (“ ere’s no directive,” he says. “It’s just like ‘We want you to design something for our garden based on your established aesthetic.’ ”).

He designs, builds and installs works almost entirely by himself, using Sherwin-Williams exterior paint and Behr (really!) interior paint.

Sculptures include a steel owl, located in a tree at the Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington.

Murals include “First State Farmscape” (at Stanton ShopRite), which at 5,000 square feet is Delaware’s largest

mural; the 2023 Welcome to Wilmington Mural (Delaware Avenue bridge, Wilmington); the Junior Achievement of Delaware building entrance façade (Wilmington); the Delaware Discoveries Trail Mural (Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, Lewes); the County Police and EMT Lobby Murals at the Paul Sweeney Public Safety Building (Wilmington); and the “Touchstone” Discover Mural (Walnut Street YMCA, Wilm.).

Capano Management has commissioned six murals from Kanienberg: two in Trolley Square, two at The Falls in Wilmington, one at Branmar Wine and Spirits in North Wilmington and “The Phoenix,” in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

“He has a natural gift for creating stunning pieces,” says Zachary Busby, Capano’s marketing director, sharing a video on the making of the last one, ve stories tall. “He’s also professional and reliable and understands deadlines and budgets. And he’s a nice dude.”

Kanienberg’s latest project is a mural on a prominent 200-foot-long retaining wall on Marsh Road in North >

JULY 27-28

DE

Wilmington, near the I-95 interchange. e wall supports athletic elds at Mt. Pleasant High. Principal Curi Calderón-Lacy wanted to celebrate the school’s culture and diversity, and he wanted to venture beyond “the cliche array of human forms with di erent skin colors.” He chose birds.

“Some of the birds are solo. Some are engaged in ying side by side. Some look like they’re almost having a conversation. So there’s some humor in it,” Kanienberg says. “But there are also multiple layers to it.”

“Really good murals tell a story,” he explains in that video on “ e Phoenix.”

e Marsh Road mural does not feature the school mascot, the green knight. “ ere might be an Easter egg to something medieval, but it’s going to be very subtle,” he adds.

“It’s called ‘Eclectic Flock,’ (little bit of a ri on electric shock). I tend to prefer poetic titles.”

“ e mural seemed like a wonderful way to bring the community together and beautify an otherwise plain wall,” says state Rep. Deb He ernan. “ e mural has already generated positive conversations and compliments within our communities.”

e project was mostly funded by He ernan and Sen. Sarah McBride using their Community Transportation Funds, He ernan says. e funding was made possible because the wall is in the Delaware Department of Transportation right of way.

“CTF funding provides a xed amount of funds annually to each State Senator and House Representative

Kanienberg at work on a mural in Wilmington's Trolley Square.

to be used as they and their constituents believe is best for transportation improvements within their district,” DelDOT explains.

New Castle County Council member John Cartier says that he and Tony Benson, his social media coordinator, approached the Brandywine School District and He ernan with the idea.

“ e mural will provide an attractive gateway feature into the eastern Brandywine Hundred communities,” says Cartier, adding that he is o ering a small grant for it as well. “ ere is another potential mural project under consideration on the large concrete wall on Silverside Road at the I-95 overpass.”

e mural will somehow include the Limmina family, who taught and coached at Mount from 1965 to 2020, says Benson, a musician lately inspired to beautify the community. His nonpro t, Protecting Our Parks, focused rst on revitalizing playgrounds and making them more inclusive. He is in talks for a mural for Bob Marley in Wilmington and a basketball court for Knollwood, north of Claymont.

Kanienberg told students and staff at Mount “that I thrive on doing things that are vintage-inspired, or with animals,” he says. “I always cater to the client, but when left to my own devices I do a lot with metaphor. So they allowed me to run off and do something that wasn’t run-of-the-mill. It’s more like a landmark that serves the community, not just the high school. A neighborhood ID. A point of pride. A morale booster. All from one piece of art.”

Top: "First State Farmscape" at the Stanton Shop Rite. Bottom: A mural commissioned by DelDot on Route 1 in Dover. Bottom photo Rosalie Whitehouse

Colorful Endeavor

Sean Logue started creating 3D art on a whim during the pandemic. Now he has a following.

By Ken Mammarella

When Jacqui Donahue first saw Sean Logue’s 3D creations, she immediately made room for them in the Zeppelin and the Unicorn, the North Wilmington antiques store she owns with her husband, Larry.

“They’re so fluid, and interactive with kids,” she says of his avant-garde works, the most popular being articulating fantasy animals like dragons, unicorns and extraterrestrial turtles. “He keeps evolving, taking it to the next level. And he does really interesting stuff with color.”

The colors are really interesting: All the tones of the rainbow, plus fluorescent ones, and facets that glitter or shine with polarized lines of light, attributes coming from the plates they’re built on. >

Sean Logue with an assortment of his distinctive creations. Photos courtesy Sean Logue

Even more interesting is the way that tails, legs and other body parts can ex; some pieces change shapes like Transformers; and that most can be dropped on the oor by playful kids without breaking.

Logue began a year ago with just two shelves at the Zeppelin and the Unicorn and now lls a 55-square-foot space. In August, he is the featured artist at WorKS in Kennett Square, and he’s building up his online presence for Rogue Logue Prints at dot.cards/roguelogue. His typical pieces – “gadgets and gifts, tools and toys, organizers and oddities,” he writes on Facebook — run $25 to $40.

3D art is much more complicated than letting his two top-of-the-line printers run 12 to 24 hours to create a piece or two. Logue licenses designs (his library tops 3,000), selects the laments (silk PLA is his most popular, and he also uses matte PLA, PETG and TPU) and picks colors. e workspace in his North Wilmington home includes lots of equipment to keep laments dry (airtight tubs, desiccants, a dehumidi er and a lament dryer), a selection of build plates to create intriguing patterns on one facet of selected pieces and a butane torch to melt tiny strings sometimes linger after the printing is done.

“I have a lot of fun learning,” he says of this hobby, which began “very much on a whim” early in the pandemic. “And I take a lot of pride in the quality of work.”

He keeps some technically awed pieces to remind him how his skills have grown and to demonstrate the process. at craftsmanship shows in all his pieces, which include functional items like planters (his No. 2 item), shelving units and dice-rolling towers. ey’re far smoother than what he created with his rst printer. e color patterns are mesmerizing. And he understands the characteristics of each lament so some can support heavy weights and others can bend and return on their own to their original shape.

Logue's work is available at The Zeppelin and the Unicorn in north Wilmington.

“Everything is entirely customizable,” he says, referring to color palette and size, but also names. “I can print it a dozen times, and it will always look different. I would rather do something unique.”

“I’m an introvert and I’m drawn to invertebrates and arachnids, and he has custom-made things for us to accommodate my weird ways,” says fan Sara Davis. “He’s made me a pumpkin spider, centipede, scorpion, and the most perfect little glow-in-the-dark spider that does numbers to help with my anxiety.”

Logue also loves that the hobby allows him to spend a lot of time with his 2-year-old son, Toby.

After working mostly in human resources for nonprofits, he hopes that community programming can become his next career. “My heart is in doing community work,” he says, and his resume notes he has volunteered 1,400 hours doing so. “I want to return to my roots and make it a career.”

One major aspect of that volunteering has been with disc golf, helping set up and maintain courses and train students and other players, including the annual new player clinic at Bellevue State Park. He runs the clinic as a member of the Griplock Athletics disc golf team, named for a flawed technique. It also inspires a personal mantra: “It’s not the first shot that matters, but what you do with the second.”

— The Zeppelin and the Unicorn is at 400 Silverside Road. Kennett WorKS is at 432 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square. Logue also plans this fall to be at several craft fairs, including Oct. 5 at the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company and Nov. 16 at Delcastle Technical High.

Logue licences his designs and has a library of more than 3,000 options.

Tasty Tradition

Newark Food & Brew Festival celebrates 20 years

It certainly wasn’t yesterday that I sat down with now-retired Newark Mayor Vance Funk to pitch the idea of summer beer and food festival. But it sure doesn’t seem like 20 years ago.

Nevertheless, what began as a ier has evolved into a summer tradition as the Newark Food & Brew Festival celebrates two decades on Saturday, July 27. e festivities run from noon to 7 p.m.

While beer is a focal point, the Newark Food & Brew was never intended to be a keg party. And it’s never been one.

From the beginning, the goal was to provide a boost to Newark restaurants during a slow time for business. After all, even today Newark is a vastly di erent town when the students are gone for summer break. In 2004, the diminished business activity was even more dramatic.

“ e Food and Brew Festival is a much-anticipated event that breathes life into Newark during the summer months when the University is out of session,” says Mark Arehart, executive director of e Newark Partnership. “ is festival not only supports our local businesses by drawing in crowds, it also provides a wonderful opportunity for residents and tourists to enjoy the lively atmosphere and exceptional food and drink that our city has to o er.”

Yes, the Newark Food & Brew Festival is as much a Newark pep rally as anything else. And while we have many such rallies come fall, the timing of this tasty tradition couldn't be better.

— Jerry duPhily

O&A file photos Butch Comegys/Lindsay duPhily

Sipping Through Summer

Presenting 30 events, promotions and seasonal releases related to the enjoyment of beer, wine and spirits

Summer is a time for celebrations, vacations and cool libations — a season packed with backyard BBQs, games of beach bocce, and lively outdoor festivals.

In other words, these are active months for relaxing.

To help you better plan for the weeks ahead, the Out & About team has helped with the homework. In the pages that follow are a host of beverage-related events in our area and some choice suggestions as to what to put in the cooler.

The rest is up to you… Cheers!

Live Music in the Garden

Fridays & Saturdays, 6-8:30pm, Wilmington Brew Works

Head over to WBW and enjoy brews and tunes every Friday and Saturday night in their beer garden. Friday nights are sponsored by The Queen and feature solo and duo acts performing mostly covers, while Saturday nights showcase full bands, including some local touring groups.

— Details at WilmingtonBrewWorks.com.

Bourbon Fridays at Bar Reverie

Fridays, 4-7pm in Greenville

Wind down at the end of a long work week with a bourbon tasting at Bar Reverie. Enjoy light bites and banter with General Manager — and bourbon lover — Tom Austin, as he leads you through a tasting of four different specialty bourbons.

— More at BarReverie.com.

Summer Focus

Sip & Stroll at the Brandywine Zoo

2nd Thursdays July - September, 5-7:30pm

Enjoy a relaxed evening at the zoo at this family-friendly happy hour series featuring brews, food, live music, and animal encounters. Dogfish Head and Bellefonte Brewing serve up the suds, with wine and non-alcoholic beverages available, food from local vendors and ice cream from Hy-Point Farms.

— More at BrandywineZoo.org.

Jaws for a Cause

Thursday, July 18, 6pm at Penn Cinema Riverfront

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” from Jaws is one of the most iconic lines from a movie and fun fact: it wasn’t in the script but improvised by Roy Scheider. Relive this cinema classic on July 18 when Movies on Tap reels it in for one night only to benefit Urban Bike Project, with beers by Big Oyster Brewery.

— Tickets and more at PennCinema.com.

Summer Nights at Hagley

Wednesdays through August, 5-8pm

Relax with family and friends (and Fido, too!) along the Brandywine on Hagley Museum & Library’s 235-acre property on Wednesday evenings through August. Pack a picnic or pick up a bite to eat from the featured food truck and enjoy craft beer by Dogfish Head and ice cream from Woodside Creamery, plus live music and lawn games round out the fun.

— More at Hagley.org.

Detox + Retox Yoga at The Quoin

Wednesdays through September 11, 6pm

Namaste! Pure Yoga leads a relaxing one-hour outdoor yoga class in Willingtown Square, followed by cocktails and live music on The Quoin’s Rooftop Lounge. $35 includes yoga, complimentary cocktail and snacks.

— Register at PureYogaPilatesStudio.com.

Summer Events

Sip & Putt

July 9 & August 13, 5-7pm, Riverwalk Mini Golf

Fore a good time, drive over to the Riverfront for a tee-rific evening of mini golf this summer. No ifs, ands or putts about it, you’ll have fun sipping adult beverages by Wilmington Brew Works while playing through 18 holes along the scenic Christina River.

— More at RiverfrontWilm.com.

Paradise on the Water

Wilmington Riverfront

Catch island vibes when you cruise the Christina in a tropicalthemed tiki boat featuring a full bar serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. From now through September, you can choose from one of several different boating experiences by Paradise Tiki Tours including Mimosa Tiki Cruise, Rum & Reggae Cruise, an allages Family & Friends Tour, and adults-only Evening Cruises.

— More at TikiTourBoat.com.

Soak up Summer at Constitution Yards

Wilmington Riverfront

Earlier this summer it was announced that the popular beer garden would be closing at the end of this season to make room for a new apartment complex and reopening in another area of the Riverfront in the future. So now is the time to enjoy every bit of it! Sit back and relax with your toes in the sand, rock out to the live music every Friday and Saturday night, or bring your furry best friend every Tuesday for Yappy Hour.

— More at ConstitutionYards.com.

Brews on Board

July 13, August 2 & September 13, Wilmington & Western Railroad

Hop on Wilmington & Western’s historic locomotive and sip local brews — Bellefonte Brewing (July), Wilmington Brew Works (Aug.), and Liquid Alchemy (Sept.) — while taking in the sites on this leisurely two-hour sunset trip through the Red Clay Valley. All aboard!

— More at WWRR.com.

Third Thursdays at Nemours Estate

July 18 & August 15, 5-8pm

If you haven’t yet experienced the Estate’s stunning French-style gardens and grounds, summer is the time to do so. At these Third Thursday events, be transported back to the Gilded Age as you picnic in the garden and frolic on the lawn. You’ll not only enjoy discounted admission, but also live music, food trucks, and beers from a local brewery.

— More at NemoursEstate.org.

Mixing it up at Mt. Cuba

July 20 & August 24, 3:30–5:30pm

Elevate your cocktail game with one (or both!) of Mt. Cuba’s classes, led by master mixologist Diane Keesee. In “Go Native with Infused Vodkas” on July 20, learn to create infused vodkas using native plants; and in “Shrubs Aren’t Just for the Garden” on August 24, explore creating infused vinegarbased syrups to give your beverages a boost.

— More at MtCubaCenter.org.

Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival

August 17, noon-6pm, Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park

The Wilmington Riverfront will be smokin’ when this southern summer festival by Baltimore-based Drink. Eat. Relax. Events returns for a second year. There will be plenty of bourbon, beer, and barbeque to sample, outdoor games, live music, plus the return of the “Shrine of Swine” with whole hogs available to enjoy.

— More at Delaware.BeerAndBourbon.com.

Ground to Glass: Handcrafted Cocktail Workshop

August 22, 6pm at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library

You’ve heard of farm-to-table, but what about ground-to-glass? Using herbs from the Winterthur Garden, mixologist Aaron Gordon of 13th Street Cocktails will show you how to craft two classic drinks from H.F. du Pont’s era in Reidel glassware. Take what you’ve learned and stir, shake, and sip your way into creating the perfect cocktail at home.

— More at Winterthur.org.

Brains & Brews Trivia Night

August 23, 7-9pm, Delaware Museum of Nature & Science

Why should kids have all the fun at the Museum? Enjoy a cold one, while learning cool facts and challenging your cranium at this adults-only sciencethemed trivia night.

— More at Delmns.org.

Summer Events

Historic Odessa Brewfest

September 7, 2024, noon-5:30pm

Each year on the first Saturday after Labor Day, attendees enjoy some of the best regional and national craft beers, along with locally produced wine and spirits, plus food and live music.

— More at OdessaBrewfest.com.

Dungeons n’ Drafts

Multiple Area Venues

Dungeons & Dragons has come out of the basement and into local breweries. Dungeons n’ Drafts brings together seasoned travelers and rookie adventurers to enjoy craft beer and D&D in a relaxed, friendly environment. DMs guide players through the game (no experience necessary!) and they have premade characters so you can jump into action. You can roll the dice at these area breweries: Wilmington Brew Works (2nd & 4th Mondays); Bellefonte Brewing (3rd Wednesdays; Old Capitol Trail), Stitch House Brewing (Last Tuesday of each month); plus, Victory Brewing in Kennett (3rd Mondays) and Levante Brewing in West Chester (Last Tuesday of each month).

— More at DungeonsNDrafts.com.

Free Friday Tastings at Girard Craft and Cork

Every Friday, 5-7pm, Wilmington

Girard Craft and Cork invites you to join them in-store for their free weekly themed tastings. If you like what you taste, then you can purchase it at a discounted rate that night. Follow them on social media for info on each tasting.

— More at GirardCraftAndCork.com.

Food Tuck Fridays

July 26, August 30 and September 27 at Peco’s Liquors

Kick off your weekend at Peco’s popular monthly event, now in its ninth year. On the last Friday of each month, you can sip samples and shop specials in-store and chow down on good eats by area food trucks outdoors, such as Burgers by Wildwich, Kapow, Bada Bing, and Cajun Sno.

More at PecosLiquors.com.

Summer Sips

Looking for something new to sip on this summer? Glad you asked… Here are some choice selections from our staff — from canned spiked seltzers to fruited wheats on tap.

2SP: Chillin’ and Liftin’

Just over the border in Aston, the good folks at 2SP Brewing offer something for almost anyone.

On one hand, for those looking for a more relaxing summer, 2SP offers the Super Chill Pils, a hoppy pilsner that is described as bright, fruity and very crisp with note of light tea and honey. It’s a collaboration with brewer Paul Rutherford, who’s been Iron Hill Brewery for more than 20 years — and the brother of brewer Andrew Rutherford of Stitch House Brewery.

On the other hand, for those looking for a little more adrenaline, 2SP will be the site of their 8th Annual Beer Muscles event —or, as they like to call it, “the original beer-themed strongman competition held onsite at an operational brewery.” The August 24th event raises money for Delaware County Special Olympics.

— For more info, visit 2SPBrewing.com.

Big Oyster Goes Big with Fruits This Summer

Arriving this month from Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes is their Tropical Lips sour ale made with a luau-full of fruits including pineapples, oranges, mangos and coconut. The 7% ABV sour has hints of vanilla and creamsicle while giving off fresh piña colada vibes.

Speaking of creamsicles, Big Oyster is also offering its Double Mango Dreamsicle IPA (8% ABV) which packs plenty of mango and vanilla flavors. Brewed with lactose, the Dreamsicle is triple dry-hopped with Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado hops. Both brews will be available in 16 oz. cans.

— For more info, visit BigOysterBrewery.com.

Twisted Irons: Great Hang for A Good Cause

What’s “shocking orange, wonderfully tasty” and made with 170 pounds of papaya?

It’s Twisted Irons’ brand-spanking-new fruited wheat beer, Low Hanging Fruit, and it’s available now at the Newark brewery’s taproom.

In addition to sitting at a summer-session level of 5.5% ABV, Lowing Hanging Fruit is poised to do great things, created in support last month’s Kick-Off to Summer 5K, a brewery-hosted fundraiser for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

— For more info, visit TwistedIronsBrewery.com.

Summer Sips

Bellefonte Brings on the Bubbles

If you are wondering if local breweries can offer something other than just beer, please note that Bellefonte can. Not only is their Gingers Are Peachy hard ginger beer available again in cans, but Bellefonte Brewing is now canning their seltzers, too.

At both their Brandywine location and their original brewery at 3605 Old Capital Trail, Bellefonte has 4-packs of their strawberry-flavored Amiga Rita as well as a variety of flavored hard seltzers on rotation, including Pineapple, Mosaic Melon, Rocket Pop and The Lotus.

— To find out what’s also on tap, go to BellefonteBrewingCompany.com.

Northeast Tea Offers Flavor Over Calories

Brought to you by the same people who brought you 2SP Brewing, Northeast Tea is crafted with just “a playful dash of sweetness.” With just 1g of sugar per 12 oz. can, Northeast has less calories (85) than most competing hard teas (100 to 110).

Introduced this spring, Northeast is 4% ABV and is made with real tea and contains no artificial sweeteners.

— More info at NortheastHardTea.com.

Dogfish Serves Tribute to Inn’s 10th Anniversary

Ten years ago, Dogfish Head Brewery opened the doors to its Lewes-based Dogfish Inn, which in turn has opened its doors to countless numbers of beerlovers, thrill-seekers and area visitors over the past decade.

In the spirit of adventurous ventures, Dogfish is celebrating with a 10th anniversary beer called Mother Nature Let’s Brew This. The 7.9% Baltic porter marries malty nuttiness with notes of citrus, spruce and Palo Santo wood.

Mother Nature will be available on draft and to-go at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth starting July 1.

— More info at Dogfish.com.

RaR Brewing “Summerize” Its Classic Offering

Never ones to stop tinkering with a good idea, the minds at the RaR brewery in Cambridge, Md., recently thought to redefine their best-selling Nanticoke Nectar. At 7.4% ABV, their new Grapefruit Nectar takes on a new seasonal feel and a triple-threat of flavor with the addition of grapefruit juice, zest, and rind.

— More info at RARBrewing.com.

Summer Sips

Big Oyster and Twisted Irons Make a Wild Combo

This North-meets-South Delaware brewery collaboration marries a fruited shandy with a Transfusion, a classic golf cocktail that combines lime and Concord grape flavors. It also makes it a unique offering for these parts — particularly one that can be enjoyed from a can. is 4.5% ABV beverage is available at both breweries, select retailers, and the new Big Oyster-run brewpub at the Southern Delaware Golf Club in Milford.

— More info at BigOysterBrewery.com.

Founders Finds Its Bloom

What’s so special about this new hazy IPA from the brewery that brought us the All Day IPA — one of the most popular session beers on the market?

First of all, the experts at Founders Brewery in Michigan say, the 6.2% ABV ale will “wrap your tastebuds with intense citrus and tropical notes of pineapple and mango.” Secondly, they may be exactly right.

— Find out more at FoundersBrewing.com.

Dunkin’: It’s Time to Spike the Coffee

If you are one of those people who needs a kick of co ee to get your mornings going, you may be particularly pleased to hear that the same Dunkin’ avors could be getting your next party started. e new Dunkin’ Spiked line of hard co ee is available in four avors: Original, Mocha, Caramel, and Vanilla. Not to leave anyone behind, Dunkin’ also is releasing its own line of spiked iced-tea avors as well: Slightly Sweet, Half & Half, Strawberry Dragonfruit, and Mango Pineapple.

ink of how much more e cient all your work celebrations will be.

— Find at your nearest liquor store.

New Belgium Boasts Hardest Tea on the Shelf

The folks at New Belgium call their new Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea “a more rangerous twist” on hard tea. All puns aside, this tea certainly sounds like it will pack a punch at 7% ABV and served in 24 oz. cans. Are you jumping your motorcycle over a shark-infested inlet to get home every night? Then you might already have this in your refrigerator.

— Find out more at NewBelgium.com.

Beyond Beer

These eight beach area breweries have become community/entertainment hubs

FBy Pam George

or centuries, customers frequented taverns, bars and public houses to socialize, debate, meet new people and, mostly, have fun. While that is still the case, such establishments have competition in coastal Sussex County. Downstate brewpubs have become gathering places for food, activities and entertainment. And why not? Wineries have long been the setting for festivals, and cultural attractions, including museums, are becoming community centers

With their beer garden attitude and a history rooted in celebration, breweries are natural hubs in their neighborhoods. >

“Breweries are where strangers come together, connect and create community,” says Lauren Bigelow, director of marketing for Southern Delaware Brewing, which owns Thompson Island Brewing Company near Rehoboth and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View.

“We've witnessed guests meet at our events and forge friendships that extend beyond our establishment,” Bigelow continues. “These newfound friends now regularly dine together, attend each other's family gatherings and share significant life moments.”

Events and entertainment are the driving force behind the trend, especially at the beach.

“It’s no secret that breweries are a big part of tourism, especially in Sussex County,” says Mike Anderson, director of sales and distribution for Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes. “People come for the beach and the sun, but many are looking for fun things to do along the way.”

Big Oyster's mission is to be inclusive to all ages, including kids. Since coloring sheets and crayons only go so far, Big Oyster’s expansive lawn has a stage for live music and a playground. Families can come and sip for a few hours.

Closer to Coastal Highway, Crooked Hammock also has a spacious yard with games for children and adults. The brewpub aims to be customers’ summer home away from home. For instance, the website landing page puts “Craft Beer,” “Backyard,” and “Cookout” together on one line. “Here at the Hammock, we’re all just beer for a good time.”

“Crooked Hammock was built to be a community center, not just a brewery and a restaurant,” says cofounder Rich Garrahan. “We built a place as comfortable as your own backyard, with all the amenities you might not have at home: playground, live music, hammocks, space for hundreds of your closest friends.”

Nevertheless, the brewery takes its beer seriously. The restaurant hosts the annual 302 Beer Drinkers Choice Awards festival, which features every Delaware brewery and raises money for the Delaware Brewers Guild.

Indeed, breweries have become a familiar setting for festivals of all kinds.

“Coastal Delaware has evolved tremendously since we first started hosting festivals over two decades ago,” says Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. “We’ve broadened our event lineup to cater to a wider audience with different tastes.”

Free community events at Dogfish Head include 302 Day and Punkin Ale Fest. “They’re awesome opportunities for folks to swing by and explore something new for a bit or stick around for the whole day,” Calagione says.

Similarly, Big Oyster’s festivals in spring and fall are “super family-friendly and promote the brewery as more of an event space than a place to crush beers,” Anderson says. “We do what we can to give back, and the atmosphere and space we’ve created allow us to do that as often as we can find the time.”

Eight establishments that offer beer and bonding:

The OG: Dogfish Head Craft Brewing

Located in a former Milton cannery, Dog sh Head’s headquarters includes the tasting room and a kitchen serving pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Once primarily at the Rehoboth brewpub, music is now featured in Milton. e brewery holds regular large-scale events, including Sam Calagione’s favorite, Analog-A-Go-Go, which blends music and beverage innovation. In April, Dog sh Head held its rst PickleBrawl! Fest. However, a main draw is the brewery and distillery tours, including one that takes guests up the Steampunk Treehouse’s winding stairway to a Jules Verne-like getaway.

Backyard Fun: Crooked Hammock Brewery

La Vida Hospitality Group’s brewpub is the rst of three; the others are in Middletown and Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. However, the Lewes location set the tone for the brewery concept and La Vida’s brand. e company also manages Big Chill Surf Club, Big Chill Surf Cantina and Taco Reho. Crooked Hammock o ers music, comedy nights and trivia. On Wednesday mornings during the season, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market is in the parking lot. ( e market is vendor-only; there are no thirdparty sellers.)

From the Fins Family: Big Oyster Brewery

Now situated near the highway to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Big Oyster started next door to Fins Ale House & Raw Bar on Coastal Highway. In 2017, the brewer opened its own restaurant, and a second site recently opened in Milford. e Lewes brewpub has a full live music schedule, and the tented backyard is the place to sit and relax in summer. As for the menu, there are oysters — mostly fried — and other seafood dishes. But you’ll also nd hearty fare that pairs well with beer. >

Big Oyster's mission is to be inclusive to all ages, including kids.

Food Forward: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

The Rehoboth Beach Iron Hill is challenged for outdoor event space, such as lawns and beer gardens. So, the primary promotions concern beer and food. For instance, the restaurant held the “6 Degrees of Bacon” beer dinner in June.

Dinner & A Show:

Thompson Island Brewing Company

Thompson Island’s highly visible location on Coastal Highway includes a generously sized parking lot, a beer garden with games, a fire pit, and an outdoor bar. This combination allows the brewpub to host a regular schedule of beer dinners and brunches, showcasing the chefs’ creativity and desserts by Food Network baking star Dru Tevis. Outdoor movie nights have been a hit with families, and Thompson Island will show Raiders of the Lost Ark on Aug. 16. During Shark Week, a Center for the Inland Bays speaker addresses sharks and local fins. And running clubs meet here for a beer after their outing.

Off the Beaten Path:

Revelation Craft Brewing Company

The first Revelation is a small operation in West Rehoboth near the Junction & Breakwater Trail, which runs from Lewes to Rehoboth. That location still exists. However, Revelation took over 16 Mile Brewery’s Georgetown site. Both have live music, trivia nights and Mingo — a blend of music and bingo. DaNizza WoodFired Pizza services both sites.

Crossing Borders: Dewey Beer Co.

As the name implies, this brewpub started in the heart of Dewey, where space is a premium. So, brewery operations expanded to Harbeson off Route 9, where the company also has a tasting room. Pizza Machine opened across the street to provide food.

Because the tasting room does not have restaurant guests, it’s ripe for activities. There is a Monday night run

LiveBandKaraoke at Dogfish Heat Brewings & Eats.

club, and Sussex cyclists gather at the brewery on Mondays after their rides. Live music, line dancing, yoga, bingo and trivia have also been on tap, and the brewery has hosted a self-defense class for women. In case you're visiting Colorado, Dewey Beer now has a tasting room in Denver.

In

the Heart of Rehoboth: Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats

Live music has always been on the brewpub’s menu, but more recently, guests have joined the band on the stage. Live Band Karaoke with the Nick Kashmanian Trio is every Wednesday during the summer. “We see a lot of repeat performers coming into the restaurant and signing up to sing,” says Kacey Burrows, communication specialist for Dog sh Head.

South of the Inlet: Ocean View Brewing Company

Breweries are in short supply below the Indian River Inlet, so Ocean View was warmly welcomed when it opened in 2022. The brewpub recently partnered with the Center for the Inland Bays to host a series of lectures and a beer dinner to benefit the James Farm Ecological Preserve. “We were thrilled at the number of people who attended lectures on our local wildlife to support their projects,” says Lauren Bigelow, marketing director. We hope to continue this partnership in the fall.”

Stein holding contest at Crooked Hammock.

Beach Events

Cool ideas for hot summer fun

SBy Amy Watson Bish

ummer at the beaches is just heating up! From reworks to festivals, make the most of the coast with these events through September

Jersey Boys

rough August 29 | Clear Space eatre Company, Rehoboth Beach

Winner of Best Musical at both the Tony Awards® and Olivier Awards®, Jersey Boys takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and e Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Enjoy performances of chart-topping hits, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes O Of You,” and “My Eyes Adored You,” which brought e Four Seasons the highest honor: induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

— Visit ClearSpace eatre.org

Independence Day Celebrations

ursday, July 4 | Delaware beaches

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Monday, July 15

Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville

From parades to reworks, each of the beaches — from Lewes to Bethany — will have events for you to celebrate the red, white and blue. (Rehoboth Beach will launch their display on July 6.)

— Visit VisitSouthernDelaware.com

44th Annual Sandcastle Contest

Saturday, July 6 | Towers Road Ocean Beach, Dewey

From mermaids and dolphins, to pyramids and traditional castles, admire sand creations by teams and individuals at this annual event hosted by the Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.

— Visit VisitSouthernDelaware.com

74th Annual Cottage Tour

July 9 & 10 | Select homes around Rehoboth Beach (TBA)

e Rehoboth Art League’s popular self-paced tour features select homes in the Rehoboth Beach area with a variety of landscapes, interior and architectural designs, ranging from historically signi cant to contemporary and sleek. Some homes have quite an evolving history and many homeowners showcase memories, artwork, and collections in creative ways. As parking can be limited, the Art League provides a shuttle service to each location for ticket holders.

— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org

Jimmie Allen

Grammy-nominated New Orleans icon and his bandmates always give an explosive performance that blurs the lines between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock.

— Visit FreemanArts.org

Tuesday, July 23 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach

Delaware’s own Jimmie Allen is back home to share his blend of down-home country and modern R&B with fans. He’ll be performing cuts from his new album Tulip Drive alongside older hits.

— Visit Bo leAndCork.com

e Struts with Special Guest Barns Courtney

Tuesday, July 30 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach

Platinum-selling Brit glam rockers e Struts return to Bottle & Cork with their Pretty Vicious tour. Supported by velvet-edge punk rocker Barns Courtney, the new tour serves as a celebration of the journey so far between e Struts and their beloved and ever-loyal Strutters.

KANSAS

Wednesday, July 31

— Visit Bo leAndCork.com

Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville

Fans will hear KANSAS classics such as “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind,” “Point of Know Return,” “Play the Game Tonight,” “Hold On,” deep cuts, and much more.

— Visit FreemanArts.org

51st Annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show

August 3 & 4 and August 10 & 11

Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach

e Rehoboth Art League’s signature summer event features more than 100 artists and artisans from around the country displaying and selling their ne art and ne crafts. is unforgettable event is full of activities, including food, live music, artist demonstrations, gallery exhibits, beautiful gardens, the historic Peter Marsh Homestead, and a Dog sh Head Beer Garden.

— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org

At left: Fireworks over Breakwater Harbor, Lewes Photos courtesy VisitSouthernDelaware.com

Chase Matthew

Sunday, August 4 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach

Chase Matthew is one of Nashville’s hottest newcomers known for his infectious personality, rowdy live performances and authentic, relatable music – amassing a massive 360M+ global career streams (with more than 150M global streams on his first RIAA GOLD-certified smash, “County Line”), garnering 1M+ followers across social media and being named a HITS Magazine “One to Watch.” — Visit BottleAndCork.com

Grace Potter

Wednesday, August 6 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville

The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist returns the Freeman Arts Pavilion stage to treat audiences to an evening of hits and new favorites. Described by Spin as “one of the greatest living voices in rock today,”

— Visit FreemanArts.org

Zap Pro/Am World Championship of Skimboarding August 9-11 | McKinley Street, Dewey Beach

Known as the skimboarding capital of the East Coast, Dewey Beach has hosted one of the longest running skimboarding competitions for over four decades. Watch and cheer on top skimboarders from around the globe as they compete to earn the title of the best in the world. Presented by Alley-Oop & Skim USA, this three-day, allages event also features live music, food, art, and giveaways. — Visit AlleyOopSkim.com

Delaware Seafood Festival

Saturday, August 10 | American Legion Post 28, Millsboro

Shore Smoke Seasonings hosts this inaugural event featuring steamed seafood, beer tents, craft vendors, live music, kids zone and more. Local restaurants will also battle it out in a crab cake competition. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the American Legion Post 28. — Visit ShoreSmokeSeasonings.com

2nd Annual Shuck Cancer 5K

Saturday, August 18 | Big Oyster Brewery, Lewes

Lace up your sneakers and run to help fight cancer. Proceeds from the event go to Fighting Pretty, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help women battling cancer feel strong and beautiful. After the race, runners will enjoy a fun after-party at Big Oyster Brewery. — Visit FusionRaceTiming.com

Celebration on the Broadkill

Saturday, August 24 | Milton Memorial Park, Milton

A trifecta of annual events the whole family will enjoy. Cheer on the canoe and kayak teams in the Irish Eyes Broadkill River Race; shop from over 35 local vendors selling art, crafts, and food at Bargains on the Broadkill; and vie for cash prizes in the Great Rubber Duck Race. — Visit HistoricMilton.com

A Taste for Success

Dewey Crush: A local canned cocktail that is going places

By Kevin Noonan

It started out as a good idea and quickly became a great idea. That light-bulb moment happened in 2020, when Andrew Rigney was driving across country with his wife and doing what he does best — thinking. Not Einstein-like thinking. It was more Shark Tank thinking. Rigney, you see, is a self-proclaimed entrepreneur who specializes in the food and beverage industries, and he used that extended drive time to come up with his latest, and perhaps best, idea yet. Dewey Crush. >

The Dewey Crush is now available in more than a half dozen states with plans to expand to 15-16 states by next year. Photos courtesy Dewey Crush

Dewey Crush has become a popular canned cocktail, and that popularity came about quickly. at’s because Rigney is not just an entrepreneur; he’s also a marketeer. And he came up with the perfect way to give his drink a unique identity by linking it with the place that made it famous — e Starboard.

“I’ve been in the food and beverage industry my entire life,” says Rigney, who went to St. Elizabeth High and graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in food science. “My career has been half research and development and half in sales. So, I’m always aware of what the trends are and, looking at the market, I saw that seltzers were really exploding on the marketplace. From there, the next natural transition was to canned cocktails.

“So, I started to think ‘What the hell could we put into cans that would make sense?’ I didn’t want to make rum and coke or a whiskey sour. I wanted to have something that was a little more relevant and personal to me. And that’s when the idea of Dewey Crush came up.”

So, Rigney contacted Jarret Stopforth, a long-time friend and fellow thinker. e two have exchanged suggestions and proposals for many years and Stopforth, a native South African who lives in Seattle, admits he was skeptical when Rigney rst outlined his newest big idea.

“I’ve been in a start-up space for a long time, building innovative food and beverage products,” Stopforth says. “I worked with Andrew Rigney about 15 years ago and we’ve remained friends. And he would always run ideas

by me that he wanted to start, and I would shoot them down for years.

“ en a few years ago he called me about an idea. He said ‘Hey, you’ve got to come here. I’ve been thinking that with the advent of seltzers and canned beverages other than beer, we’ve got this local crush here in Dewey Beach. is is really the home of the crush, this amazing drink, and nobody has canned it. What do you think? Is it something we should look at?’”

Dewey Does It

Stopforth agreed it had the potential to be a winner and the two began the long process of developing the drink, producing it, distributing it, marketing it, and the million and one other things necessary for a start-up business.

And Rigney said from the beginning that Dewey Beach had to be a part of that process. at’s because the orange crush cocktail — a mixture of premium vodka, triplesec, fruit juice and a splash of lemon-lime soda — made Rigney think about his younger days partying in Dewey Beach and, speci cally, e Starboard.

at’s when the marketing half of his brain took over. Rigney, now 50, decided that if Dewey Crush made him think of e Starboard, then it might have the same e ect on other people who have spent (or misspent) summer hours at the iconic venue owned by Steve Montgomery.

“From a marketing standpoint, how do you make your product stand out over everyone else’s?” Rigney says. “So, I

put the

ended up talking to Monty and said, ‘Hey, it would be great if we can use your logo on the cans, it would really help us.’

“And he agreed. We had a nonreciprocal marketing agreement with him and he didn’t get anything for it, other that the publicity and advertising. at really helped us sell out that rst year quickly.”

Montgomery was happy to lend e Starboard name free of charge, since he knows the value of good publicity.

“I agreed to allow our logo on the can,” Montgomery says, “as any and all promotion of Dewey Beach is great for all of us.”

Rigney also credits David Stober for much of Dewey Crush’s success, as the Seattle-based COO of Dewey Beverage, Inc. brought experience and expertise to the marketing and distribution of Dewey Crush. at’s a major reason they went from selling 10,000 cases in their rst year to selling more than 22,000 cases in 2023. And Stopforth said he expects that total to double in 2024.

A New Direction

Much has changed with Dewey Crush since Rigney’s initial brainstorm in 2020. For one thing, the man who >

Join Us For The INAUGURAL RAL

Date: Sunday, August 4th, 2024

Time: Race Check-In: 7:00 AM – 7:55 AM

Race Start: 8:00 AM

Post-Race Party: Awards, Food, Beverages, Music, Prizes, Giveaways and more!

Location: Lighthouse Restaurant, Dewey Beach, Delaware

Course: Start & Finish on Van Dyke Street – traveling Route 1 South and Back

Race Registration: www.SamsKIDS.org OR www.FusionRaceTiming.com

Paul Bauer and Andrew Rigney at The Starboard.

Dewey Crush creator Andrew Rigney (l) convinced Starboard owner Steve "Monty" Montgomery (r) to let him

Starboard logo on Crush cans.

BELLEVUE FARMERS MARKET

FRIDAYS 3-7 P.M.

DON’T MISS THIRD FRIDAYS AT THE MARKET!

JUNE 28 | JULY 19 | AUG 16 | SEP 20 | OCT 18

started the company is no longer a liated with it. When Dewey Crush’s parent company, Dewey Beverage, Inc., reached an agreement with US Beverage to market and expand the brand — Dewey Crush is US Beverage’s rst spirits-based partner — Rigney knew it was time to move on. It was an amicable divorce and Rigney still owns a piece of the company.

“I was doing a lot of sales and stu , and with [US Beverage] coming on with a guy who is an alcohol industry expert, it just allowed me to step away,” Rigney says. “I’m an entrepreneur and I want to get into other things. I love starting things. at’s the most fun for me. So, when we brought US Beverage on, it didn’t make sense for me to stay there.”

With the partnership with US Beverage established, Dewey Crush now wants to expand its market. And that means the iconic e Starboard logo has been removed from the Dewey Crush cans.

“ e new rm that’s promoting them explained the confusion of trying to take it national with a small, local business on the can,” Montgomery says. “Instead, much of their marketing and social media will all promote how this started at e Starboard, and how this is where the Crush is famous from.

“We hope it continues to build the brand of e Starboard on a national level,” Montgomery adds. “And, in turn, getting that many more people to come visit us in Dewey.”

A Rush for More Crush

As for the Orange Crush itself, Montgomery says it’s gotten better and more popular, along with its citrus cousin, Lemon Crush.

“ e canned cocktails are a hit, and this latest version of Dewey Crush, I think, is much better,” he says. “ ey’ve taken out some of the juice, so it’s all-around better tasting than ever.”

And even though Montgomery is no longer even uno cially associated with Dewey Crush, he’s still willing to have his empire be associated with the drink.

“We make great drinks here at e Starboard, so selling canned cocktails isn’t really our thing,” Montgomery says. “But anything to promote the town is why I’m on board to help out in this small way.”

As for the future of Dewey Crush, Stopforth says Dewey Beverage, Inc. has big plans, mainly because of its partnership with US Beverage, Inc. and the clout it brings in marketing and distribution.

“We want it to go beyond being just a seasonal drink,” Stopforth says. “We’re in 8-10 states this year and should grow to 15-16 states next year. e Northeast and the warm-weather states are our main focus right now.

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“But we also want to hold onto what got us started and what made us successful, and that’s our association with Dewey Beach and e Starboard. No matter how much we expand, that will always be at the heart of what we do.”

Roots Rock Reggae

With

his new album

TRevival of the Spirit, Wilmington’s Kenny Vanella is building upon the inspiration of Bob Marley

By Matt Morrissette

hough a point of pride for many native Delawareans, it’s an obscure bit of trivia to the rest of the world that reggae icon Bob Marley lived in Wilmington o and on for more than a decade. Starting in 1966, Marley began calling his mother's residence at 2311 Tatnall Street his U.S. home — up until 1977. His untimely death from melanoma would come just four years later at age 36.

Ironically, 1977 is the year of birth for Wilmington’s Kenny Vanella, a reggae musician on the rise. Vanella credits Bob Marley as the primary in uence on both his life and art.

ough Vanella discovered self-expression through song early in life, it was a deepening interest in Bob Marley that set him upon his current path, both musically and spiritually.

“I’m very fortunate to have had a great relationship with wordplay since I was a young boy, so I’ve written literally thousands of songs over the years,” Vanella says. “But after the release of the documentary Marley in 2012, something inside of me just clicked, and reggae music just started pouring out of me.

“I’ve been a highly sensitive and spiritual being since birth, so it came very naturally at that time to give my life to Rastafari.”

On his rst pilgrimage to the home of reggae — Kingston, Jamaica — in September of 2013, Vanella booked time at the legendary studio founded by Bob

Marley, Tu Gong, to demo some the songs that were accumulating faster than he could get them recorded. On his rst day in the fabled studio, he knew that nowhere else would ever do to record his songs. rough a relationship with Marley’s son Stephen and his family in Wilmington (the Malcolms), Vanella was able to strike up a friendship and working partnership with the legendary producer and drummer Squidly Cole. Cole has sat behind the kit for both Stephen Marley and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers of “Tomorrow People” fame.

In the spring of 2014, Cole put together a collection of musicians for a session that yielded two tracks and cemented Cole and Vanella’s creative chemistry.

Another recording session at Tu Gong followed in the fall of 2019, with the lofty goal of putting together enough material for a full LP. e plan was to go back to Kingston a year later for another session, but the global pandemic that began in earnest in March of 2020 forced the project to be put o inde nitely. >

Vanella's new album features an all-star cast of Jamaican musicians as well as several Delaware luminaries.

CONCERT SERIES glasgow park SUMMER 2024

e o cial sessions for what would become Vanella’s debut album, Revival of the Spirit, reconvened in October of 2022.

e resulting record was worth the wait, according to Vanella, as the stars aligned to assemble an all-star cast of Jamaican musicians as well as several Delaware luminaries to esh out his ideas.

“I brought my bassist from Dover, Hugh Carey,” says Vanella. “Squidly Cole plays drums. Llamar ‘Ri Ra ’ Brown and Stephen Stewart play keys. Harjinda Singh is on guitar. rough the legendary engineer at Tu Gong, Michael ‘Boxy’ Howell, I was able to get in touch with legendary Jamaican saxophonist Dean Fraser (of Sly & Robbie fame), to add horns, as well as Nikki Burt to contribute backing vocals along with my friend, IshaBel. I also ew in Alex Wasily of the New Orleans band, Dumpstafunk, to play trombone.”

Kenny is totally sincere in his love of roots rock reggae and his commitment to Rastafari. It has nothing to do with color.

Kenny has a great future in the music business.

— Squidly Cole

e record’s rst single and video, “I Fly a Flag,” is a collaboration with Jamaican artist Kumar. Another song on the record, “Compassionate People,” is inspired by the song “Lessons in My Life” by the legendary Peter Tosh and features Peter’s son, Andrew. In terms of Delaware musicians, rapper and social activist, Richard Raw, appears on multiple tracks including a Vanella favorite

From left: Squidly Cole, Alex Wasily, Kenny Vanella and Tuff Gong Studio caretaker Mr. Chow. Photos above and at right by Jeff Pliskin

entitled “All Day.”

Squidly Cole, who arranged and coproduced the record beyond his rhythm duties, is effusive in his praise of both Vanella and the record they’ve made together.

“The record is 100% rockers,” says Cole. “You can put it on and leave it on. Kenny has great lyrics, so the album just flows. Kenny is totally sincere in his love of roots rock reggae and his commitment to Rastafari. It has nothing to do with color. Kenny has a great future in the music business.”

Vanella released a vinyl single featuring two original songs, “Our Song” and “Riverwalk,” in 2021 on the in-house imprint of Squeezebox Records located in Wilmington’s Little Italy neighborhood. The store’s owner, Richard Fisher, is a trusted friend and advisor to Vanella as his career grows, functioning as his business manager.

“The excitement around this album release is palpable,” Fisher says. “You can feel the energy on this record. The vintage roots-reggae community certainly will have something new to look forward to. The lyrics on the album say it all.”

With the backing of New York City-based label and distribution company, DubShot Records (who specialize in the genre), Vanella’s career is indeed growing with Revival of the Spirit getting a wide and ambitious rollout. The first single, “I Fly a Flag,” already has racked up 30,000 plus views on YouTube and has received plenty of national and international press.

Vanella has waited a long time for this moment and seems both philosophical about the notion of success while being ready for whatever happens. The bottom line for him is the spirit of the music.

“The music is made to continue the message of love and togetherness,” he says. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be able to honor this reggae music by creating it in the spiritual tradition of its roots and culture, and I’m looking forward to performing it for audiences wherever it takes me. This album, Revival of the Spirit, is truly music for all people.”

— Revival of the Spirit will be released worldwide Friday, June 28 on all digital platforms, with a vinyl release following later this year. Visit KennyVanella.com.

Fearing the tyrannical reign of Julius Caesar, a passionate group of senatorslead by Cassius and Brutus - debate, plot, and execute a momentous assassination. This bold interpretation of a classic, performed by a gender-expansive cast, explores the emotional and societal chaos preceding and following Caesar's murder. Can there be a balance between violence and vengeance? Does Blood need to be shed in the name of Justice?

Andrew Tosh and Kenny Vanella.

Healing Through Music

The Honey Badgers turn to face grief and hope in new album

EBy Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

rin Magnin and Michael Natrin, the Delaware folk duo known as The Honey Badgers, released a new album last month. The Earth Turns and So Do We is a raw, intentional, and emotional journey that faces (and releases) feelings of loss, aloneness, and — above all — hope, borne out of their own experiences during and post-pandemic. In a recent interview, the duo talked about the new music, the journey through these emotions, and the healing power of music.

Eric Magnin and Michael Natrin have been performing as The Honey Badgers since 2011. Photo by Gary Regulski

OA: You've noted this album is about grief, loneliness, and isolation, but also hope. Was it harder to write this album or, in a way, easier or more cathartic?

HB: Many of the songs were drafted during the roughest parts of 2020 and 2021. It was cathartic to get such heavy emotions out on paper, to be able to close the book on them and avoid feeling them for a little while. e harder part began when we returned to the songs to edit and nalize them for recording. It was like group therapy with just the two of us — every day processing the losses of the past ve years through this collection of songs. Revisiting each and reworking them for our current selves ended up being incredibly healing.

OA: Some songs have a real modern country “feel” to them. Was that intentional and are there artists that inspired you this time around?

HB: at wasn’t intentional, but the Americana/Folk sound can get awfully close to country sometimes. It’s fun how wide an umbrella “folk” can be. I have a feeling that there are bits and pieces of some of our favorite folky friends on these songs — Willi Carlisle, e Rough & Tumble, Jay Unger and Molly Mason, Joe Jencks. Our inspiration playlist for this album includes Phoebe Bridgers, Molly Tuttle, Bright Eyes. ere’s a range of sound happening, and that keeps things interesting.

OA: Why did you choose the Summer Solstice date (June 20) to release the album?

HB: e original plan was to release it on the spring equinox. In typical musician fashion, there were some delays that thwarted that plan. e album is centered around the cycles that we go through in life — darkness to light, death to rebirth that is so apparent in the bloom of spring. But the summer solstice feels just as tting; the moment of >

the most possible light, but also when the darkness starts to slowly creep back in. As a friend said, “people are still sad in the summer.”

OA: What songs from this collection mean the most to each of you and why?

HB: Michael: “No Day” means the most to me because it’s a re ection on the loss of several family members and the fragility of life.

Erin: I love all of these songs, but “She Awakes” holds a special place in my heart. Writing it in the depths of the winter and the pandemic (in February 2021) grounded me and helped a rm that light always comes again. Fun fact: these two songs start and end the album.

OA: Tell us about the cover art. Who created it and what does it represent?

HB: Our friend Katie Yost created it as an oil painting after we worked on ideas and sketches with her. e interpretation is up to the viewer, but for me: Someone has sat in this intense darkness for a long time, maybe contemplating the icker of the candle or the light through the door. And one day they got up and went through [the door]. We wanted it to capture many things — sitting in grief, depression, feeling trapped, loneliness — but always with a way through to something brighter. It’s a unique piece that now hangs in our living room. For the physical CDs and vinyl, the painting wraps around the front and the back sides of the cover.

OA: What would you like fans to take away from the album?

HB: Ideally, we want listeners to feel connected to each other and to their own selves through our music. Take time to truly feel some of the grief, loss, and fear that we’ve all had to live through over the past few years, as well as hope for the future and the uniting power of music. And nally, change is constant! e bad times won’t last forever, and the good times may end. Appreciate it all for what it is, as best you can.

OA: Where can we catch up with you in the coming months?

HB: We have an album release/13th “band-iversary” show scheduled for Sat., July 20 (location TBD). Then, we’ll be playing throughout the region: Nemours Estate on Thurs., July 18; Delaware State Fair on Fri., July 19; Arden's Shady Grove Music Fest on Fri., August 2; Abbott's Mill on Thurs., Aug. 8; Killens Pond State Park on Fri., Aug. 16; Philadelphia Folk Festival on Sun., Aug. 18; Coverdale Farm Preserve on Sept. 6, and the 33rd Delmarva Folk Festival on Sat., Oct. 19.

— Check out honeybadgerfolk.com/shows for details!

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ORIGINAL BEATLES DRUMMER HEADLINES WEEKEND AT BERTHA’S

The Pete Best Band tops the bill of more than a dozen musical acts for the Weekend at Bertha’s counterculture festival taking place on July 26-28 in Townsend. Before the hiring of Ringo Starr, Best played drums for The Beatles from 1960 to 1962.

Best’s group will be joined at the festival by several well-known East Coast jam bands such as Rainbow Full of Sound, Mums the Word, One-Eyed Jack, and Juggling Suns. Delaware’s Urban Shaman Attack as well as presidential candidate Vermin Supreme will also make featured appearances.

SUMMER BAND JAM CONTINUES AT NEWARK’S WONDERLAND

After two knockout shows at Rainbow Records and Spaceboy Clothing, Round 3 of Summer Band Jam continues Saturday, July 6 at Wonderland Records with performances by Death on Stage, La Casa DE, and Dan & Joe.

Three additional shows are scheduled for next month at Squeezebox Records (Aug 3), Kelly’s Logan House (Aug 10), and Newark Bike Project (Aug 24).

In its second season, the Band Jam series is hosted by Gingerfox Productions and the Koh Show. Guests at the show get to vote for the band they feel gave the best performance, with the series’ six winning bands moving on to the finale on September 7 at Aetna Fire Hall in Newark.

— More info at KohShow.live.

— For tickets and more info, visit WeekendAtBerthas.com.

NINE BANDS PREPARE TO ROCK SHADY GROVE

Von Holden and Death By Indie headline this year’s Shady Grove Music Fest in on Saturday, July 13 — a rocking day that sees performance from a total of nine bands.

Queasy, The Lunar Year, Emmett Dreuding, Pink Blush, Mavis The Dog, Red Smith & Friends, and The Dullards will also add to the day’s festivities, which start at noon and lasts until 8:30 p.m. in Arden.

— Tickets and more info at ArdenConcerts.com.

DR. DOG PERFORMS ‘WARM-UP’ AT QUEEN ON JULY 11

Two days before their big outdoor show at The Mann, Philly’s Dr. Dog will perform what they are calling a two-set “Warm-Up” show at The Queen.

Although the band recently retired from touring, the decision has not stopped them from doing select shows. The sold-out show is only one of five the band has scheduled for this year, including The Mann on the 13th; two sold-out shows in Denver (Gothic Theatre on the 17th and Red Rocks the following night); then Riot Fest in Chicago at the end of September.

— For more info visit DrDogMusic.com.

BELLEFONTE BREWING TAPS INTO LIVE MUSIC

Bellefonte Brewing will be tapping into some other toe-tapping events around town, in addition to its Summer Music series on select Thursday nights at its Old Capitol Trail location (Geoffrey Giordano on July 25).

On the last Friday of every month at its Brandywine location, Bellefonte partners with Canopy Crow Productions for North Wilmo Community Night, a free event series that features local music, food trucks and a paper airplane contest. In July, that event will be followed by Bellefonte’s appearance at the White Clay Creek Music Series on July 31.

— More info at BellefonteBrewingCompany.com.

ANNUAL HOMEY AWARDS RETURNS TO THE QUEEN

The Homey Awards, one of the biggest nights for the local music scene, returns to the Queen on Sunday, August 4, to mark its 18th year.

Mark Rogers, a Delaware Rock and Roll Society Hall of Fame inductee, hosts the night. e evening celebrates the best local music featured in 2023 on Rogers’ radio program, Hometown Heroes. e show can be heard 7-9 p.m. on Sunday nights on 88.1 WMHS in Wilmington and 91.1 WDDE in Dover.

e show will present awards across 28 categories and feature live performances from some of the honorees.

— More info at HometownHeroesMusic.com.

AASLEEP AT THE WHEEL HEADLINES

band that has won nine Grammys over its more than 50-year career, Asleep at the Wheel will headline the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, set for August 30-September 1 in Woodstown, NJ.

is year marks the festival’s 52nd year and will also feature the Del McCoury Band (Friday’s headliner) and e Seldom Scene (Sunday’s headliner). Asleep at the Wheel closes Saturday’s lineup, which also sees performances from the Gibson Brothers, Becky Buller, and Red Wine.

— For tickets and more info, see DelawareValleyBluegrass.org.

DE VALLEY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Photo by Joe del Tufo

Barbara Walker Story

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

The City

FREE LEVITT MUSIC SERIES

RETURNS TO UAE IN JULY

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Cultural A airs Director Tina Betz invite you celebrate the power of live music at Wilmington’s Urban Artist Exchange (UAE) Amphitheater, located at 1509 Cli ord Brown Walk on the City’s East Side. e Levitt AMP Wilmington Music Series returns to UAE this month. e series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonpro ts across the country to activate underused outdoor spaces through the power of free, live music – bringing people together, fostering belonging, and invigorating community life. All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. Visit CityFestWilm.com for more info.

• WEDS., JULY 10: DOBET GNAHORÉ

• WEDS., JULY 17: KYSHONA

• WEDS., JULY 24: SENSATIONAL BARNES BROTHERS

• WEDS., JULY 31: JUPITER & OKWESS

CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS WANTED

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos have announced a special hiring process for certi ed police o cers interested in joining the Wilmington Police Department as the WPD continues the selection process for its 103rd Police Academy. is additional hiring process for already-certi ed police o cers will support the City’s e orts to ll additional vacancies that still remain un lled.

“We often hear from certi ed police o cers working in other agencies that they are interested in joining our department to continue their police service while contributing to the progress we have been making in Wilmington,” said Chief Campos. “ is special hiring process will give us a chance to welcome these o cers into the WPD family, and will help ll additional positions that are vacant.”

As part of the application process, the WPD will work closely with the Delaware State Police to review the training records and experience of each applicant and to determine what additional training will be required for selected applicants to become Wilmington Police o cers.

To learn more about the process and to apply online, visit WilmingtonDE.gov/ CityJobs. You can also contact Sgt. Aaron Metzner at (302) 576-3177 or email him at Aaron.Metzner@cj.state.de.us. Selected applicants will not be subject to a residency requirement. Applications are due by Friday, July 19, 2024.

CITY HELPS YOU BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER

The City of Wilmington is helping you stay cool this summer as temperatures continue to climb.

“This summer started o especially hot and is only expected to get hotter,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki. “Please be safe and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family and your pets from the heat.”

FREE ELECTRIC FANS

To that end, the Mayor reminds eligible Wilmington seniors that the O ce of Constituent Services is still distributing FREE electric fans Tuesdays through ursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Senior residents should come in person to the Mayor’s O ce of Constituent Services on the 7th oor of the Redding Government Building at 800 N. French St. Fans are given out on a rst-come, rst-served basis while supplies last.

FREE fan guidelines include:

• Recipients MUST live within City limits and be 65 years of age or older, and

• Recipients also must show proof of age and residency with a valid state ID and cannot have received a FREE fan in 2023.

CITY POOLS AND SPRAY PARKS OPEN

Parks Director Ian Smith also reminds residents that City pools and spray parks are open now. Pools will remain open through Fri., August 23, while spray parks stay open through Labor Day (Sept. 4). Also, the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center, at 501 N. Madison St., will open as a cooling center throughout the summer as needed.

2024 EVENTS

TUESDAYS

SIP & PUTT

• 5 - 7pm at Riverwalk Mini Golf

August 13th

Sip, putt, and bite your way through 18 holes on one of the best mini-golf courses in America!

SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES •

12:15 - 1:15pm

Free concerts will be hosted every Wednesday this summer at Hare Overlook Pavilion! Featuring local artists performing jazz, rock, pop and R&B.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LINEUP

JULY 3rd: DJ Shady Lady | JULY 10th: Myla's Duo

JULY 17th: Boots 'N Skirts Band | JULY 31st: Gerry/Williams Jazz Duo

THURSDAY

CHILDREN’S HOUR

• 11am - 12pm

Hosted at Hare Overlook Pavilion, kids will engage with storytellers, read to pets, play musical instruments and enjoy the scenery of the Wilmington Riverfront!

July 11th: PAWS for People • August 15th: I See Magic

LITTLE FARM PETTING ZOO •

July 20th • August 17th

3 - 6pm

Where farm life meets Riverfront life! Located in front of Delaware Children’s Museum

Step into the Little Farm Petting Zoo on select dates and meet a diverse group of animals including alpacas, goats, sheep, bunnies, guinea pigs, miniature donkeys, chickens, ducks and many more! Free of Charge.

For a complete list of events this summer, visit: Riverfrontwilm.com or stay up to date with the Riverfront Wilmington Weekly Newsletter!