Worth Trying

SUMMERTIME ART STUFF

Looking to busy yourself this summer? Why not indulge your creative side in music lessons at The Music School of Delaware; dance or music classes or the new CAMP NIA at Christina Cultural Arts Center; a pottery class at Center for the Creative Arts; or drawing/painting class at Delaware Art Museum? Summer is the best time to give these types of adventures a try.

— Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Contributing Writer

STATE PARKS PASSPORT PROGRAM

Enjoy discovering the beauty and variety of Delaware’s many state parks, from Auburn Valley to Trap Pond by completing the annual photo collection project called the Passport. Take a hike and record your experience with a selfie taken at each of 20 locations in various parks. Submit them by November to win bragging rights, plus free state parks swag including a free annual pass for the parks next season (while supplies last).The specific parks and photo locations are detailed at DeStateParks.com/Passport. — Mark Fields, Contributing Writer

FOR THE BIRDS

One of my favorite things to do outside is photograph birds. It's challenging, connecting, and often surprising. Delaware has a number of world-class spots for birding, especially during the migration seasons. Bombay Hook and Prime Hook are always excellent, as is the heron rookery just off of Pea Patch Island. That said, sometimes any forest or body of water at the crack of dawn can be rewarding. I've captured images of three different kinds of owls in the forest just a few yards from where I live.

— Joe del Tufo, Contributing Photographer

DELAWARE GREENWAYS

The state’s collection of trails and pathways has evolved way beyond a pedestrian path here, a bike-friendly path there. Delaware now has 200 named trails and 165 miles of asphalt, boardwalk and concrete trails and more are in the “real” planning stage. Out-of-staters have taken notice, regularly coming to places such as Delaware City, where they park for free and take advantage of the Castle Trail. Ditto for the Riverfront and Historic New Castle, the bookends of the brandnew Markell Trail. For you, a Delawarean, these greenways are a benefit of residency. So, take advantage. Grab your bike, sneakers or hiking shoes and hit the trail.

BECOME A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY WILDLIFE HABITAT

This spring, The Ardens achieved their goal of becoming a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat. They partnered with the National Wildlife Federation and Delaware Nature Society to make their already green community even more wildlife friendly. Approximately 40 residents certified their leaseholds as habitats. The community also earned points toward certification by doing education and outreach. This program creates wildlife-friendly zones in urban and suburban areas to combat loss of habitats. Find out how your neighborhood can participate at NEW. org/CommunityWildlifeHabitat.

— Jill Althouse-Wood, Contributing Writer

WHERE TO WATCH

JustWatch.com will help you find a newly recommended or fondly remembered TV series or movie. The site tracks more than 150,000 titles on 200 streaming services available in the U.S., plus links to rent or buy them as well. Friends, for instance, is on four streaming services, with only two having all 10 seasons for bingeing. On the other hand: Dead Poets Society, which was filmed in Delaware, is only available to rent or buy. And The Pretender, a series partly set in Delaware, is only available to buy.

— Ken Mammarella, Contributing Writer

THE BARD IS BACK

Delaware Shakespeare brings three times the fun for their Summer Festival this year. Summer Mix Tape, Rosalind x 3, and Shakespeare Poetry Slam are a trio of programs that celebrate original music, explore an iconic character, and introduce Bard-inspired hip-hop/ spoken word performances. Dates run three weeks from July 16 to August 1. With pay-what-you-decide ticket options, a beautiful outdoor setting for you to picnic as well, you simply cannot miss this Festival. Visit DelShakes.org for schedule.

— Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Contributing Writer

DELART DRIVE-IN MOVIES

For the months of July, August and the first two weeks in September, DelArt Drive-In will take place on the lawn of the Sculpture Garden at the Delaware Art Museum. Admission is free, just bring a chair or blanket. Movie theater concessions will be available for purchase, along with beer, wine, soft drinks and water. Visit delartcinema.com for schedule.

— Bev Zimmermann, Special Projects

BIKE, HIKE & BREWS

Every Wednesday evening in summer from 5-8pm, stroll or roll through areas of Hagley Museum & Library normally closed to foot traffic. Bring a picnic to enjoy at their picnic pavilion on Workers’ Hill or buy from a featured food truck to eat at a table along the Brandywine. Dogfish Head beer and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream are also for purchase. On the last Wednesdays of the month, bring your leashed dog(s) to walk at Hagley. Admission is just $3, and free for Hagley members and children five and under. — Jill Althouse-Wood, Contributing Writer

RIDE THE JAM

The Jack A. Markell Trail (JAM) was a gamechanger when it arrived on the Wilmington Riverfront in the fall of 2018. Connecting the City of Wilmington to historic New Castle, the boardwalk trail gives bikers, runners and walkers access to areas unseen to most and a fun (and free!) spot to exercise and explore. And you never know who you will run into on the trail!

— Joe del Tufo, Contributing Photographer