April 2026 - Rooted in Community

Off-Menu

1 Dines, as during City Restaurant Week 5 Not pass 9 Includes on an email

Farming industry prefix

Pop's Dua ___ 14 Not home (likely eating at a Wilmington restaurant!) 15 Poodle after a bath, perhaps? 17 Tyrese Maxey's org.

18 Sudsed up

19 Website to buy crafts

20 Skater Harding

21 Blade one might see from the Riverwalk

22 Smoke shop purchase

23 Wilbur, Babe, or Hamm?

28 “Oh, FYI…”

29 Surrenders a Risk territory, perhaps

30 Virgo preceder

31 Like Iowans?

33 “Traitors” host Cumming

34 FaceTime platform

35 Boisterous party, in slang

37 Vessels used by some chefs during City Restaurant Week

39 Declared

41 Tuna found on many City Restaurant Week menus

42 3.14?

45 Foil material

46 HBO series set in Delco

47 “Avoid the ___” (rhyming Domino's ad campaign of yore)

48 Swine

49 Swiss Army knives have many 50 “Thus”

1 Cul-de-___ 2 Grunted exclamation

3 “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” e.g. 4 “___, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu” (“The Sound of Music” lyric)

5 Sticky trap

6 Congressional staffer

7 Apple music player

8 Trail behind

9 Took into consideration, as in an experiment

Crosstown rivals of the White Sox

By Joe O’Brien

Put down, as a brick

Cochlear implant locale

Dog seized by Almira Gulch

Gives the go-ahead

“Planet Earth” airer

Poem of adoration

Colorado outdoor amphitheater named for its colorful stone, colloquially

Shakespearean King

Very long stretch of time

with

Answer at a wedding (one hopes!)

THE LOVE OF HEALTH KIDS ’

There is a love that watches every breath, listens no matter what, hopes through every heartbeat, and wants nothing more than a future full of bright, ordinary days.

For that love, expert care should never feel far away.

ChristianaCare and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have come together so world‑class pediatric care can live closer to the moments that matter — in the neighborhoods where children grow, in the arms that hold them, and in the place your family calls home.

Because when it comes to your child’s health, love deserves the very best. And now, the best is right here. CHOP NOW at ChristianaCare!

THE WAR On Words

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

LITERALLY OF THE MONTH

Can you spot the error?

(See bottom of the column for the answer.)

Decades ago, misguided English teachers told their students that they must never end a sentence in a preposition. Such a “rule” is ridiculous, as indicated by the famous comment from Winston Churchill, Samuel Clemens, or some other sage (no one is quite sure who said it): “That is the kind of nonsense up with which I will not put.”

Consider, for instance, the following examples:

• Where are you from?

• What are you preparing for?

• Let’s all log in.

Converting those into sentences that don’t end with a preposition would require strenuous linguistic gyrations. So, no, it’s not a rule. You can look it up.

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

This month, we focus on emails.

• From Trail Creek Outfitters about its film event: “Ticket purchase includes access to the event, food & drink, the 100-minute film program and one (1) free raffle ticket included with purchase.” Not only does the sentence repeat “purchase,” it also says the raffle ticket is free, but it’s actually part of the admission price. And what’s with the throwback use of the parenthetical (and redundant) “(1)”?

• From Lexicon Valley, touting its next podcast: “Also, Mike Vuolo and John McWhorter discuss the subtle nuances of the phrase openly racist.” Nuance: “a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.”

• Inky columnist Stephanie Farr, writing about the Philly accent that can be detected in the city’s Audible Pedestrian Signal system: “I can differentiate at least two different male voices narrating these announcements, . . .” I often remark about the needless use of “different,” and in this case, it’s particularly superfluous.

Word of the Month

gnomic

Pronounced no-mik, it’s an adjective meaning “characterized by aphorism.” (A gnome is an aphorism — an observation or sentiment reduced to the form of a saying.)

By Bob Yearick

Facebook post under a picture of Harry Truman: “Circa 1950, while the weight of the world literally rested on his shoulders [I hear his nickname was Atlas], President Harry S. Truman was waking up every single morning at 5 a.m. [This sentence comes with the bonus of a redundancy] and quietly living out one of the most surprisingly human routines ever documented in the White House.” The somewhat hyperbolic post refers to Truman’s practice of walking two miles on White House grounds before breakfast.

MEDIA WATCH

• Reader Larry Hamermesh sends an excerpt from a piece by Rob Eshman, senior columnist for The Forward, about President Trump’s attempts to end the war in Iran: “Trump, who favors swift resolutions, has backed himself into a corner: The military is already there, and the world is waiting with baited breath.” That’s bated (to reduce the force or intensity of; restrain) breath.

• Reader John McDermott submits this from a column by Marcus Hayes in The Philadelphia Inquirer about the 76ers’ Joel Embiid seeming to improve his rehab habits this year: “It just took more longer than expected.” The old double comparative slips into Marcus’s usually impeccable prose.

• Another Hayes, Matt, writing in USA TODAY, misquoted Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson in his comments about quarterback Carson Beck: “He can make every throw, he’s athletic as hell. But it’s that calming affect on everyone that has changed this team this year.” Dawson meant — and Hayes should have written — effect, the noun. Affect is usually a verb.

• In the HBO Max series Industry, the lead character, Harper Stern, is portrayed by the gifted actress Myha’la as a brilliant and articulate leader in London’s financial world. Imagine my shock then when, in a speech during the latest season, Myha’la clearly pronounces lackadaisical as “laxadaisical.” This error is somewhat common because of the slight overlap between lackadaisical and lax — both words implying a casual, comfortable approach. But it’s a mistake that an educated, intelligent communicator like Harper would never make, and someone among the myriad people who filmed and edited that episode should have corrected it.

In the picture, the label should say that there are three pairs of socks in the package.

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?

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

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

PETS OF THE MONTH

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

PRINCESS

QUEEN OF THE CASTLE 4 YRS | FEMALE | 8 LBS

Talkative

Playful & Silly

Confident Kitty

Social Butterfly, Loves Love

Spring Tune Up for Pets: Checking Under the Hood

By Brianna Hansen

Last month, we talked about how to "Spring into Pet Wellness" — brushing away the winter undercoat, dodging toxic tulips, and restarting flea prevention — but as we settle into April, I want to go a little deeper. If spring is the season of "deep cleaning," it’s the perfect time to look past the fur and flowers and focus on the internal health of our pets… both the barking and the meowing varieties.

In an era where the "rising cost of everything" is a daily headline, it’s tempting to view the annual vet visit as an optional line item. However, think of your pet’s wellness exam like a 30,000-mile car inspection… Skipping it doesn't save money; it just delays a potentially more expensive repair. This is especially true for our feline friends, who are masters at masking pain until a condition is advanced.

So, what is your vet actually looking for? They are checking for heart murmurs, feeling for hidden masses, and assessing weight and dental health (which impacts heart, liver, and kidneys)…major factors in overall longevity for both dogs and cats.

Then there are the "Core Four" essentials for a healthy spring: Rabies: Not just a health choice, but a legal requirement in Delaware for dogs and cats. Distemper Combos: DAPP for dogs and FVRCP for cats, protecting against highly contagious viruses that can even hitch a ride indoors on your shoes. Lifestyle Vaccines: If your dog frequents parks, daycare, or grooming salons, Bordetella and Leptospirosis vaccines add an extra layer of protection. Testing & Prevention: This goes beyond heartworm. Annual bloodwork can catch early kidney or liver disease, while simple fecal tests detect intestinal parasites that even indoor pets can pick up. Cat owners should discuss risks like Feline Leukemia too.

Loves Being With

If the financial side of preventive care feels daunting, remember that Delaware is home to incredible resources. Shelters like Humane Animal Partners and Faithful Friends Animal Society offer low-cost wellness clinics and "pay-only-for-what-you-need" vaccine clinics specifically designed to help owners meet these essential needs on a budget.

And if you’re looking for a way to support that lifesaving care while having a little fun: April 9th marks the 10th Anniversary of HAP’s Designer Bag Bingo! Grab your lucky dauber for a chance to win gorgeous bags from Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and more. Every ticket helps fund the very care that keeps pets in our community healthy and thriving. You can snag tickets at: humaneanimalpartners. org/bingo.

This April, let’s commit to a little preventative maintenance now to ensure a whole year of healthy tails and happy purrs. POPOVER

FYI

Things Worth Knowing

DON'T GET FAKED OUT!

In the spirit of April Fools’ Day, we’ve placed a fake ad in this issue. Tell us the page number we’ve placed it on and you can win lunch or a cool prize. Email your answer by April 17 to Contact@TSNPub.com with the subject line: I Found the Fake Ad. We will choose three winners from correct submissions. Congrats to Carolina Auba, Seth South and Helen Gentile, who had the answers to last month's Now Read This! contest — France, Clayton House.

GUITAR VIRTUOSO VISITS WILMINGTON

Wilmington Classical Guitar will present award-winning guitarist Leonela Alejandrop on April 11 at 7pm at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (503 Duncan Rd, Wilmington). Opening the program is guitarists Keith Calmes. Alejandro, known for her dynamic and expressive performances, will present works by composers Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Brouwer and more. She will also lead a masterclass at 1pm the same day, which is free to observe and open to the public (registration required). More at WilmingtonGuitar.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ANNUAL CHRISTINA RIVER WATERSHED CLEANUP

The 31st annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup will take place April 11, beginning at 9am. Volunteers are invited to help remove debris from the Christina River and its tributaries, preserving a watershed that provides more than 75% of New Castle County’s water supply. Since 1992, more than 360 tons of trash have been cleared. Participants should wear long sleeves, pants, boots, and bring gloves, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Waders are recommended for some sites. Register at ChristinaRiverCleanup.org.

GIVE YOUR GARDEN A GLOW UP

Looking to refresh your garden this spring? The Delaware Center for Horticulture hosts its annual Spring Tree & Plant Sale on April 25. Explore a curated selection of herbs, vegetables, perennials, natives, shrubs, and small trees, hand-picked for local landscapes. Plant experts will offer guidance, and every purchase supports community greening programs. More at TheDCH.org/spring-tree-plant-sale.

EVENT AT EASTSIDE CHARTER SCHOOL AIMS TO HELP THOSE LIVING WITH MS

Wilmington’s Eastside Charter School will host an MS Education & Awareness Panel on April 25 from 10am12:30pm. The event will offer expert insights into care for those living with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as provide information on MS community resources and offer personal stories from individuals living with MS.

“As someone living with MS and leading Project MS Shift here in Delaware, I see firsthand how important visibility, education, and community connection are,” says AJé English, founder of Project MS Shift, which is helping to organize the event.

In addition to English, other panelists will include Dr. Jason Silversteen (D.O.), Shraddha Matel (PA-C, MSCS), and Bristina Pearson, an MS warrior and owner of Lord Make Me Over Salon. Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission Neil Hockstein will moderate the discussion. A live Q&A will also take place. More at ProjectSHIFT.net.

Oakley Overcomes, Inc. hosts the 4th annual Mimosa for Marrow 5k on April 18 from 9-11am at Catherine Rooney’s in Wilmington, raising awareness and supporting families affected by blood cancers. The event was created by local moms, Sam and Brittany, after Sam’s daughter Oakley received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant in 2022. Run/walk participants can enjoy live music, food, activities, and a free mimosa (21+). All proceeds help expand the bone marrow donor registry and save lives. Register at MimosasForMarrow.com.

WILMINGTON GARDEN CENTER BIDS FAREWELL

After 55 years, Olde Country Gardens in North Wilmington will permanently close on December 31, 2026. The owners are retiring but hope a buyer will be found to continue operations at the Foulk Road garden center. Customers are invited to enjoy a final year of gardening supplies, though plant warranties won’t apply and gift certificates will expire at year’s end. More at OldCountryGardens.com.

LOCAL POET RELEASES NEW CHAPBOOK

Delaware poet Adam Gianforcaro’s new chapbook, Poems to Stage Dive To, examines the journey of selfacceptance and queer joy through the often hyper-masculine environment of hardcore punk shows in Philly and Delaware. Through raw, vulnerable poems, Gianforcaro captures the search for community and belonging. Preorders for this compelling, locally rooted collection are available now at StanchionZine.com/product-page/poemsto-stage-dive-to.

PROM NIGHT REIMAGINED

On April 18, City Theater Company hosts Prom Night, a nostalgic, year-end fundraiser from 7–10pm at The Delaware Contemporary on Wilmington’s Riverfront. Relive — or reinvent — prom memories with music by DJ Zip, drinks, raffle and auction prizes, and an evening of throwback fun. Guests are encouraged to express themselves freely — any decade, any style, any vibe. All proceeds benefit CTC and Fearless Improv. More at City-Theater.org

Wilmington University Launches College of Sciences and Engineering

With the introduction of its College of Sciences and Engineering, Wilmington University is expanding how it delivers STEM education. The new college brings together accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in a more integrated structure designed to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of today’s scientific and technology-driven fields.

“This is about creating a clearer academic home for students,” says Dr. Milton Muldrow, dean of the college. “Science, mathematics, computer science and engineering work best when they’re not operating in silos. The integration helps students see how what they’re learning connects to real-world problems.”

Planning for the college has been underway for several years, driven by the University’s recognition that STEM disciplines play a central role in workforce development, research and global competitiveness.

The timing is strategic. Government projections indicate that science and engineering jobs will outpace growth in other sectors through at least 2033, fueled by demand in technology, health care, clean energy and artificial intelligence.

“The College of Sciences and Engineering reflects a clear understanding of today’s workforce realities and where opportunity is growing,” says Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Denise Wells. “Delaware’s strength in life sciences, clean energy, technology and data-driven fields calls for interdisciplinary preparation, and this College is designed to meet that demand — regionally and beyond.”

One of the defining features of the new college is its integrated structure. Students studying Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and related fields will encounter coursework that overlaps disciplines and mirrors how problems are solved outside academia.

“That integration prepares students for careers that increasingly demand interdisciplinary skills,” Dr. Muldrow says. “In the real world, challenges don’t come labeled as ‘biology’ or ‘computer science.’”

The college also emphasizes hands-on experiential learning.

With the new college comes an expansion of academic pathways. WilmU is introducing new data science programs and graduate degrees in Biology, along with associate degrees in Biology and Chemistry. A pre-med track is also in development, reflecting student interest and workforce demand.

In addition to on-campus programs, the College is expanding outreach to high school students, including opportunities to earn college credit and gain early exposure to STEM fields.

“I’ve long wanted to do more with high schools, making students who are excited about science aware of opportunities to earn degrees and perform research,” Dr. Muldrow says, pointing to a Howard High School of Technology student who later blossomed at WilmU through the NASA Delaware Space Grant program. That program, where Dr. Muldrow currently serves as associate director, allows students to participate in NASA-supported aeronautics and space research.

Students will benefit from a mix of in-person and virtual learning. WilmU’s Brandywine campus offers state-of-the-art laboratories for in-person science and engineering instruction, while virtual options provide flexibility for working adults.

“I’ve spoken with students, and they’re very excited by the opportunity to earn degrees and certificates through the new college,” Dr. Muldrow says. “They see where these fields are going, and they want to be part of it.”

This is about creating a clearer academic home for students … Science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering work best when they’re not operating in silos.

–DR. MILTON MULDROW

Undergraduate and graduate students engage in research, often one-on-one with faculty or through internships. “The best way to learn about research is to do research,” Dr. Muldrow says.

“Dr. Muldrow brings a deep understanding of the convergence shaping science, engineering and mathematics,” says Dr. Wells. “Under his leadership, the College prepares students not just for their first job, but for careers that will continue to evolve with technology, data and discovery.”

As science and engineering continue to shape the future of work, WilmU is helping students to be career-ready at the center of that transformation.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 5pm Start Next

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary

200 S. Madison Street

656-6466 • DeContemporary.org

Exhibitions: Creative Influence(r), Constellation of Belonging, and Reimagine Street Scenes

DOWNTOWN

2nd & LOMA Leasing Office

211 N. Market Street

655-0124 • 2ndAndLoma.com

Exhibition: Zalut

Bridge Art Gallery

419 N. Market Street

439-0805 • BridgeArtGallery.net

Exhibition: Expressive Creative Soul Group Show

Chris White Gallery

701 N. Shipley Street 475-0998 • ChrisWhiteGallery.com

Exhibition: An American Son: A Poetic Symbolic Account of a Life in America by Oscar Eduardo De Paz

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street

576-2100

CityfestWilm.com/Redding-gallery

Exhibition: The Abstracted Body: Sport, Symbol, Identity by Milton Downing

Create Magic Studio 419 N. Market Street 439-0805

Exhibition: Angel Numbers

Gallery at Grace Church 900 N. Washington Street 655-8847

*Art Loop Reception on April 3 from 5-8pm*

Exhibition: Divinity In Stillness by Kiara Florez

Gallery 919

919 N. Market Street

298-1542

Exhibition: Visions XIII

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market Street

658-7897 • TheGrandWilmington.org

Grand Gallery: Rhythms of the Mind by David O.

baby grand Gallery: Spring by Deborah L. Cuomo

Huxley & Hiro Booksellers 419 N. Market Street 439-0805• HuxleyAndHiro.com

Exhibition: What’s Next by Kacey Quillen

John William Gallery 1313 N Market Street 585-317-5409

Exhibition: Persistence of Still Life: Ryan Dittmar and Rebecca Giles

LaFate Gallery 227 N. Market Street 753-5789 • LaFateGallery.com

Exhibition: Jazzy Spring

Mezzanine Gallery 820 N. French Street 577-8278 • Arts.Delaware.gov

Exhibition: Out of the Ordinary by Mike McSorley

MKT Place Gallery

200 W. 9th Street

289-6772

Exhibition: A Seat at the Table: Tea Party Collection by Stephanie Boateng

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue

429-0506

Exhibition: Proof by Jim Graham

Howard Pyle Studio 1305 N. Franklin Street

656-7304

Exhibition: Featured Artist Betsy Greer and Artwork by Studio Group Members

BEYOND THE CITY

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

*Art Loop Reception on April 3 from 5:30-8:30pm*

Exhibition: Lasting Impressions by Rick Phillips

Arsht Hall at U of D 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue 573-4417

Exhibition: Under the Sea by Dot Owens

Bellefonte Arts

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

Exhibition: Textures and Layers of Abstraction by Todd Breitling

Finist & The Owl 811 Brandywine Blvd, Bellefonte 786-228-6638 • FinistAndTheOwl.com

Exhibition: Lighthouses and Watercolors by Deborah Janelle

Jester Art Space 2818 Grubb Road 484-947-8191 • JesterArtSpace.org

Exhibition: It’s a Spring Thing Group Show

The Station Gallery 3922 Kennett Pike 654-8638 • StationGallery.net

Exhibition: Spring Group Show

People Who Help Tell Delaware's Story

America’s Revolution and Revolutionary Americans

By Chuck Durante

The Enduring Legacies of Absalom Jones, Richard Allen and Peter Spencer — Delawareans Shaped by the Revolutionary Era

By Cheryl Renée Gooch

An oil painting of Absalom Jones (1746-1818) hangs on permanent display at the Delaware Art Museum. His resolute gaze invites visitors to see and become motivated by the Revolutionary era’s calls for liberty and human rights that resonated deeply with him. The Delaware native witnessed the American Revolution and emerged from slavery to become a leading church leader and advocate for social justice.

Enslaved through adulthood, Jones secured freedom first for his wife and then himself. He established (along with Richard Allen) the Free African Society in Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to mutual aid and the advancement of African Americans. In 1794, he established the African Church of St. Thomas, the first Black Episcopal church in the United States. Beyond the pulpit, he advocated for the abolition of slavery,

petitioned Congress for an end to the slave trade, and provided support during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 alongside his colleague Richard Allen.

Jones’s commitment to equality and religious freedom exemplified the revolutionary spirit. Two Delaware sites pay tribute to his legacy: the former Absalom Jones Colored School building in Belvedere, now a community center; and the Absalom Jones Historical Marker in

Milford near his birthplace.

Richard Allen (1760-1831), like Jones, was born into slavery. He lived near Dover where he became involved in the Methodist movement. While the harsh realities of bondage shaped his early life, religion and Revolutionary ideals motivated him to pursue both physical and spiritual freedom. He managed to purchase his freedom and during the Revolutionary War hauled salt from Rehoboth and preached in communities along his route.

On September 13, 1783, Allen preached in Wilmington, likely at a meeting of the Methodist Society. This society would later build Old Asbury Methodist Church at Walnut & 3rd streets in 1789. Around this time, he dedicated himself to full-time ministry advocating for African-American education and organizing relief efforts for the poor. In 1794 in Philadelphia, he founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.), which still has significant U.S. and global presence.

A 2016 U.S. stamp commemorates Richard Allen's enduring, revolutionary impact through the A.M.E. Church and his work for education, civil rights, and humanitarian efforts.

Peter Spencer (1782–1843), who was guided by Richard Allen, played a critical role in shaping the religious landscape for African Americans. Born into slavery in Kent County, Spencer eventually gained his freedom and became a preacher. In 1813, he founded the Union Church of Africans in Wilmington, the first incorporated, independent African-American denomination in the country. Spencer emphasized the importance of selfgovernance, mutual support, and spiritual empowerment. His church offered religious guidance as well as education, job training, and social services to its members. In 1814

Spencer established the August Quarterly, one of Wilmington’s oldest annual religious and cultural meetings, which became a vital gathering for AfricanAmerican communities in the region.

Saturday, April 11 11 am – 4 pm

Spencer's leadership reflected Revolutionary-era values of liberty and self-reliance. Wilmington’s Peter Spencer Plaza stands as a testament to his enduring influence on religious freedom and community empowerment. His Union Church of Africans is now the African Union Methodist Protestant Church and Connection, Inc. (A.U.M.P. Church). It currently has a total of 24 locations with 16 active congregations in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, and Peter Spencer embodied Revolutionary era ideals of freedom and equality that drove change. They established institutions for African Americans and advocated for abolition and human rights, paving the way for future movements and leaders.

Fashioning A New Brand of Kool

Wilmington-based apparel brand Kool Kolored Kid Generation and its mascot empower individuals and unite communities

By Mary Ellen Mitchell

Human beings aren’t black, white or brown, they’re “cool kolored,” according to local entrepreneur Randall Law. But he would spell those words “kool kolored.” That’s in keeping with his creation, Kool Kolored Kid Generation (KKKG), an online clothing and accessory line launched in 2022 with a purpose: to encourage kids young and old to celebrate their individuality.

“We’re all kids,” Law says.

KKKG merchandise features bright colors, bold designs, varied textures and a high-quality feel. Integrated words and symbols convey positive messages to instill pride in wearers of all ethnicities, ages and genders. “My

goal is to reshape culture by encouraging everyone to be unapologetically themselves — and to never be afraid to stand out,” he says.

A native of Wilmington’s Southbridge neighborhood, Law credits his mother and his elementary school

>

teacher, Mrs. Tascione, for recognizing his creative potential early and encouraging a lifelong passion for the arts. As a result, he says, “Throughout my youth, I worked as an extra in TV commercials and acted in theater performances at the Christina Cultural Arts Center and Bethel AME Church.”

To pursue his creative interests, Law attended Delcastle Technical High School, where he studied communications, design, and video editing and directing. He went on to attain an associate’s degree in cinematography and film production at the Art Institute of Philadelphia in 2004.

Law’s creative abilities have led to a multifaceted career.

Landing of the Urban and in national TV commercials, including a part in Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. He also earns a living producing multimedia content, writing advertising jingles and sharing his positive mindset as a motivational speaker.

But his most creative and fulfilling undertaking has been the creation of a clothing company and mascot based on the reimagining of a

When Idea Meets Strategy

In 2020, Law revisited an idea he initially had more than a decade earlier when he was in art school. “The idea was to flip the narrative regarding the symbol KKK, by rewriting what it means to be seen, heard and valued in a world that tries to define us,” he says.

By acting on this previously shelved idea, Law changed a symbol of hate into one of acceptance through the creation of KKKG in 2022.

The brand’s logo emphasizes the symbol KKK, which forms arrows representing forward progress. In a smaller font, the words “Kool Kolored Kid” appear above the symbol, and the word “Generation” appears below, balancing the logo with the brand’s full name.

“Symbols have the power to change the world,” Law says. “But we can alter their meaning by providing new context.”

“Change is at the heart of everything I do,” he adds.

Later in 2020, Law was selected for the James H. Gilliam, Sr. Fellows program. Offered through the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, it’s a six-month immersive leadership training that prepared him to navigate a variety of sectors, including business, government, community and academics. “I never stop learning,” he says.

Introducing Kooli

To further KKKG’s mission, Law created the mascot Kooli, whose identity is anonymous. This vibrant brand

ambassador represents confidence, inclusion, creativity, kindness and community pride — attributes of the Kool World, in which, “everyone plays a kool part,” he says.

Law says every detail of Kooli’s look has a meaning — from his head, which represents Earth, and symbolizes unity, diversity and shared responsibility, to his dynamic outfits, which change according to the occasion and venue. Kooli’s sneakers, however, are a wardrobe staple, featuring a pattern of flags from countries around the world, embodying diversity, equity and inclusion.

Healthy Partnerships

In early 2024, Law pitched KKKG’s mission to decision-makers at Nemours Children’s Health to gauge sponsorship interest. “Our team felt an immediate connection,” says Yvette Santiago, community engagement director for Nemours. “We helped bring Kooli to life, and it’s been an incredible partnership since — one that directly aligns with our focus on helping community members thrive in all things.”

That summer, Kooli brought joy to 300 patients in

Nemours Children’s Hospital, where he provided duffel bags packed with essentials for those planning to return to school in the fall. Since then, Kooli has been a regular visitor at the hospital, where he uplifts patients in the building’s atrium through playful interaction.

With the support of Nemours, Kooli made his public debut in August 2024 at the 100 Pairs to Give x3 event at William Penn High School. The goal of the event was to remove perceived barriers, instill confidence and remind local youth that they’re seen, valued and supported.

To help achieve this goal, Kooli distributed 100 pairs of his signature flag-patterned kicks and 100 duffel bags from Nemours, containing headphones, a water bottle and a few surprise goodies.

Through the support of WSFS Bank, another partner, 100 kids received new savings accounts seeded with $50 each and free financial literacy courses, while partner Community Cares of Delaware joined in and gave away 100 backpacks.

That same year Law partnered with Main Event, Londyn's Corner and Ambitious Pathways to host Kooli's Corner Christmas Giveaway at Main Event in Newark,

where 100 foster children celebrated with games, food, door prizes and gifts. Kooli, dressed in festive attire, danced around spreading holiday cheer.

In early 2025, Law arranged with Wilmington Parks and Recreation Director Melody Phillips for Kooli to appear at popular events, such as Open Streets, Play Streets and Senior Health and Fitness Day, as well as conferences, dances, spelling bees, and youth leadership summits.

“Kooli’s appeal is multigenerational,” says Phillips. “He gets the crowd excited.”

Kooli can also be spotted stirring up fun with fans and players at Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball games and Delaware Blue Coats basketball games.

Last month, Kooli appeared at the Harlem Globetrotters’ 100-Year tour at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, where he energized the crowd and helped celebrate the birthday of Globie, the team’s mascot.

A Bright Future

Law is planning to drop fresh KKKG merchandise soon, including accessories that honor Delaware and celebrate Kooli. He hopes KKKG and Kooli continue to grow in popularity through a ripple effect of positivity that reaches the lower part of the state and beyond.

Law says he’ll continue to “think outside the box — but there is no box.”

— Learn more and view apparel at KoolGeneration.com. For more on Kooli, visit KoolWord.co.

The Price Is Right

Buy Nothing Project members discover they get much more than they give

By Ken Mammarella

The Buy Nothing Project is the world’s largest free-goods platform, enabling members to give and acquire all sorts of items and services for nothing. But it also supports something more important.

“You’re building a community with real-life neighbors,” says Jenna Montgomery, who in 2021 founded a Buy Nothing group for Greenville, Montchanin, Alapocas and northwest Wilmington after the Buy Nothing group where she’d been a member reworked its boundaries. “I had experienced the joy of buying nothing, and now I needed it back in my life. Since the Buy Nothing group, I know a majority of my neighbors and even met best friends.” >

Wednesday Lampinen recently met Montgomery through Buy Nothing and says that Montgomery has become her best friend. “You start out with superficial touch points. You talk to each other. You ask for small favors. And then you really become friends,” Lampinen says. “She’s my best friend, and it’s wonderful.”

Lampinen had moved from Atlanta seven years ago but says she had not developed many strong friendships or had become “a true part of the community,” an observation that’s somewhat ironic since she has a job helping seniors build communities.

She’s been a Buy Nothing member for about a year, inspired by a neighbor giving away plants. What began with gifting a coffee maker has grown into real friendships.

The Buy Nothing Project began in 2013 on Bainbridge Island, an eco-conscious community west of Seattle. It has since grown to more than 8,000 groups, including more than 30 in Delaware, serving 14 million members, who share 2.6 million items a month, thereby keeping 162,000 tons of stuff out of landfills. Most members connect on Facebook, Montgomery said, noting that there’s also an app.

“We believe that communities are more resilient, sustainable, equitable and joyful when they have functional gift economies,” begins one page of BuyNothingProject.org. The rules for participation are both wholesome (show your humanity; build trust; give freely from your own abundance) and cautionary (keep it legal; participate at your own risk; no buying, selling or trading). People who don’t follow the rules — which run more than 10,000 words — can get kicked out.

Besides the goods and services, the project is also a platform for the “gift of self,” defined as anything “one neighbor might do for another,” and the “gift of time,” such as “jogging/walking/workout buddies, coffee/tea meetups, playdates for kids or pets.”

The greater Greenville group where Montgomery is the administrator has just over a thousand members, generating about 70 posts each week.

She said she has personally given away hundreds of items. She also regularly posts curb alerts about quality items left for trash pickup (“So many things have been rescued!”) and has asked for help (see “gift of self”) to salvage such items. She has also advanced the Buy Nothing Project by bringing items to the Northside Food & Culture Market in Wilmington’s Haynes Park, promoting it at block parties run during Open Streets Wilmington, and reaching out to the Jefferson Street Center for collaboration.

Giving is “not a free-for-all,” she says. Members might choose recipients by a random draw or what they say in the comments.

Facebook hosts several other similar groups, and Lyndsie Jones belongs to North Wilmington Gifting Galore! and her local Buy Nothing Project group. Multiple memberships allow her to find more easily what she’s looking for or find someone who wants what she has. It’s been particularly helpful with children’s clothes, she says.

Her most treasured find? “It’s silly really,” Jones says, but it was the mallet that completes the Melissa & Doug pounding bench — which she found in a box of gifted toys. “My son uses that every day.”

— To learn more or to find you local Buy Nothing group, visit BuyNothingProject.org.

A GREENER WILMINGTON

From the ground up, a Wilmington nonprofit is growing support for the local environment and residents’ health

By Andrea Smith

It’s easy to appreciate a tree in the summer when seeking respite from the sun’s unabated heat. But beyond shade and slightly cooler air, trees offer year-round air pollution removal, mitigate flooding, and boost wellbeing for those in their vicinity. Thanks to the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) and its partners, hundreds of trees are popping up or being replaced across Wilmington every year — and that’s just a small part of the nonprofit’s work to protect the environment and residents’ health. >

“Helping to improve the environment — whether it's through greening efforts, through planting more trees, through planting habitat gardens — it's not just beautification,” DCH Executive Director Joanne McGeoch says. “These [efforts] are actually essential to developing resiliency and adaptation for a changing climate in our community.”

Like a tree, the DCH serves locals in more ways than are visible at first glance. Its building in the Trolley Square area features a nature-inspired art gallery, events space, plant nursery, public classroom and public garden. Across the city, DCH has planted seeds for urban farms, community gardens, public green spaces, and corporate and private

landscapes. Its programs teach people of all ages about sustainability and how to grow their own food, with an emphasis on career development for those interested in horticulture or agriculture jobs.

This year, the DCH was selected to participate in a prestigious capstone cohort with American Public Gardens Association, the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program, a nationwide program promoting public garden participation in collaborations that combine food growing and education while addressing food security challenges facing communities. As one of five organizations chosen to participate, DCH received $55,000 and expects this funding will expand DCH’s impact across Wilmington — particularly in urban areas lacking access to fresh, nutritious foods.

“Communities that are most vulnerable to environmental challenges are predominantly in areas where there is a lack of access to green space and healthy, fresh food,” McGeoch says. “In this way, greening and urban farms can be a tool for environmental justice.”

FOR THE COMMUNITY’S HEALTH

According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, environmental justice “seeks equity for minority and low-income communities that may be disproportionately exposed — and vulnerable — to adverse environmental impacts.” DCH connects environmental challenges with health and wellbeing, which results in urban agriculture projects

such as the E.D. Robinson Urban Farm and Shearman Street Community Garden.

Both green spaces are located in the state’s Equity Focus Areas where the poverty percentage is twice that of the state average. According to the Tree Equity Score map, a national resource that tracks environmental and social factors impacting different neighborhoods, the Shearman Street Community Garden is in a neighborhood with 23% canopy cover and meets its goal of 20%, but the E.D. Robinson Urban Farm neighborhood is at 16% of its 40% goal.

“[E.D. Robinson Urban Farm] was founded by a community member that said, ‘I’d love to see a garden here that feeds the people in our neighborhood,’” McGeoch explains, referring to the farm’s namesake, Eric D. Robinson, in 2009. “Ideally, when we’re working on these green spaces, it's community-led and community-driven. It’s responsive to a desire by the community to do the work with us.”

DCH helped found the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition in 2007 to streamline efforts by various neighborhoods, community advocates, and nonprofits to start and maintain these local food sources. McGeoch estimates that, since DCH opened in 1977, it has contributed to 50-plus community greening and urban agriculture projects.

The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program will improve DCH’s targeted efforts as its team answers the question, “How can urban agriculture be used as a tool, not just for engagement and introduction to horticulture and gardening, but also really to help serve a greater good for the community through nourishing food?” McGeoch says. She looks forward to the networking opportunities to come, including a sponsored visit to Chicago Botanic Garden, where those in the cohort may learn about how other organizations are excelling in urban

agriculture across the country.

The award money benefits existing urban agriculture projects and will help support educational programs and use of a “high tunnel” which allows season extension for growing vegetable plants and seed starts for DCH gardens and community gardens. At Shearman Street Community Garden, DCH Urban Agriculture Manager Jamie ShanklinSpencer will lead a new workshop series, “Eating Smart & Moving More,” starting this spring.

The five weekly sessions are for those who receive food from the community garden and teaches them how to eat healthy on a budget, plan and prepare meals with food safety in mind, and stay active as a family. The location of the workshop is key, as it’s within walking distance of homes in “food deserts” where fresh, whole foods aren’t always accessible. Many residents here struggle to afford groceries, so produce from the garden is often donated to families in need.

To Shanklin-Spencer, urban agriculture creates an understanding of where food comes from and how that impacts wellbeing. She previously led a similar workshop at her shop in Wilmington, Messiah’s Market Herbs & Horticulture, and saw the need for a seed-toplate connection.

“I’ve had kids say to me, ‘Wow, I can't wait to show my mom or my dad that carrots come from the ground,’ she says. “That sounds so simple, but if we don't know where our food comes from, how do we really know how it's helping or hurting us?”

DCH has partnered with Urban Promise, a faith-based school and youth organization in Wilmington, with a similar goal to educate kids on how they can grow plants and food. Shanklin-Spencer is also working on a newer partnership with The Warehouse, a teen center just steps

away from the E.D. Robinson Urban Farm. She points to the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program as an opportunity to improve partnerships and learn from others in the cohort.

“[We can find] better marketing strategies, because our programs are great and a lot of times we'll have workshops or we'll have series and then find out later on that not everyone that could have been impacted was [reached],” she says. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know that that was happening,’ and they would live like the next block over. We've got to do better with our marketing efforts and tracking our impact–those are basically the two things that I want to improve.”

FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

DCH is continuing its educational efforts at its building and across the Greater Wilmington area through the Branches to Chances employment development program and by adding a new training program this summer. Since 2009, Branches to Chances has prioritized applicants who are unemployed, underemployed, recovering from addiction, or previously incarcerated. It provides them with nine weeks of paid work, hands-on job training, and personal counseling throughout the spring. Applications for the new, 12-week Urban Conservation Corps are now open to anyone ages 18 to 25 with an interest in green jobs.

“This program will be just like Branches to Chances in that it will provide paid training in horticulture, so they'll be working with us on community forestry, urban agriculture, and then with our community greening program,” McGeoch describes. “The goal, in addition to exposing them to these types of jobs that are possible, is to help them with gainful employment. We think there's a real incredible opportunity here, in particular, because we are in the garden capital of the world. There are so many great institutions nearby — from Winterthur and Longwood Gardens to Mt. Cuba Center, just to name a few — that really are looking for rising leaders.”

McGeoch sees the field as a viable career path with diverse positions for those with college degrees and for those without. “I think now more than ever, young people are aware of or understand the complex challenge that we're facing in climate change,” she says. “They're already really tuned in and understand the impact — or the potential impact — of not doing anything. So why not mobilize and capitalize on that excitement, that enthusiasm, and that awareness by providing opportunities to do something about it?”

DCH is a member of the American Horticultural Society and the American Public Gardens Association and was recently accredited by The Corps Network.

“By having this accreditation, we're joining a network of over 150 conservation corps nationwide,” McGeoch says. “It also helps us provide a framework that measures and evaluates the effectiveness of the program in context with all the other corps programs throughout the country.”

Longtime DCH board member Ann Wick has been involved with the Garden Club of Wilmington since 1973, just a few years before the club helped to establish the DCH in 1977. She’s seen the area grown in green spaces and in horticulture opportunities and credits DCH for its collaborative nature. Sustainable communities require partnerships, she affirms.

“The future of the organization is very important to the Garden Club of Wilmington, and it is to me, and I think it's very important for the city of Wilmington,” Wick adds. “This is really a rich horticultural area, so I think the opportunities are tremendous.”

Saturday 4/25 9AM - 3PM Proven

Four ways how DCH helps improve environmental DELAWARE CENTER FOR HELPS OUR COMMUNITIES

COMMUNITY GREENING & URBAN AGRICULTURE

The Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) founded the first urban farm in Wilmington, which has been a cornerstone of the organization’s work for nearly two decades.

More recently, DCH has become increasingly focused on building capacity through partnerships and connecting organizations that work in food distribution and nutrition education with other urban farmers. The organization is piloting a new series focused on growing, cooking and preparing healthy food using ingredients that can be sourced from small urban gardens and kitchen gardens.

In DCH’s work in Community Greening, it leverages community organizations, community activists and elected officials to champion projects led by the community to make the changes they wish to see in their neighborhoods. From tree stewardship training to emboldening beautification efforts along sidewalks using planters, small gardens, and street trees, the driver of this work is community members.

BRANCHES TO CHANCES ® & URBAN CONSERVATION CORPS

Launched in 2009, DCH’s Branches to Chances® (BTC) program has trained more than 110 individuals in our back-to-work program. Using horticulture to help participants regain stability, BTC offers paid training and education, exposure to green jobs, and fosters a deeper connection to the environment.

“I was hopeless, and Branches to Chances gave me hope,” says Robert, a recent graduate. “I learned to relate plants to my life — they needed water and food and sun, and that’s what I needed.”

In summer 2026, DCH will launch the Urban Conservation Corps, a 12-week paid program geared towards young adults aged 18-25, providing hands-on training in horticulture and green job readiness. Participants will gain experience in urban and community forestry, ecological gardening, and urban agriculture, with opportunities for advancement through community field service projects.

FOR HORTICULTURE COMMUNITIES GROW

environmental

health and resiliency in our neighborhoods

PREPARING WILMINGTON FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

DCH believes that there will be growing need for expertise in resiliency planning — adapting to climate change as global temperature shifts, and unusual weather patterns increase. Climate change is producing higher sea levels and more volatile storms, increasing flooding across the U.S. After the historic flooding event in 2021 from Hurricane Ida, community stakeholders launched a comprehensive study to better inform the impacts of unusual weather events, and how it may impact communities in Wilmington.

There are over 5,000 properties at risk of flooding in Wilmington over the next 30 years, which represents nearly 20% of the properties. Resiliency planning through the use of green infrastructure, greening initiatives, and training individuals to tackle these challenges is essential.

OFFERING ASSISTANCE IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS

Most people want to see more trees in their community. According to the 2025 Canopy Report from the Arbor Day Foundation, 73% of Americans surveyed said they wish their neighborhood had more trees. 87% said trees and greenspace have a noticeable impact on their mental wellbeing.

Helping local residents grow native plants and trees provides so much more than beauty in the landscape — it also helps provide habitats for essential insects including such pollinators like butterflies and honeybees.

In addition to helping provide shade from the summer sun, native trees also act as purifying filters for better air quality. A single tree absorbs between 10kg and 40 kg of carbon dioxide per year; that’s roughly one ton of CO2 in its lifecycle.

Wilmington’s culinary rite of spring, City Restaurant Week, returns for its 21st year this month. This annual promotion provides great incentive to visit one of Wilmington’s top dining destinations — a roster that has expanded significantlly over the past few years.

The 2026 lineup features 24 of Wilmington’s finest restaurants, each owner-operated. That’s one of the beauties of the city’s fine dining scene. Chain restaurants are not an option.

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

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

Once again, guests will be treated to an array of menus, offering everything from Asian to French to Italian. Prix-fixe, two-course lunches are $20. Three-course dinners are $35 or $55. And in conjunction with Wilmington Celebrates Delaware 250, a three-venue Dine-Around will be held on Tuesday, April 14.

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

BANK’S SEAFOOD KITCHEN

101 South Market St. 777-1500

Located on the Riverfront along the Riverwalk, Banks’ Seafood Kitchen is a Wilmington favorite for lunch, dinner, cocktails, and late night. Known for fresh ingredients and innovative seafood, the restaurant features a raw bar, award-winning crab cakes, outstanding lobster, craft martinis, and 50 wines by the glass—all served in a chic atmosphere perfect for waterfront dining.

BARDEA FOOD & DRINK

620 North Market St. 426-2069

A James Beard Foundation Award winner for excellence, Bardea is an innovative Modern American restaurant rooted in Italian tradition and reimagined with global flavors and playful nostalgia. The restaurant captures the energy of downtown Wilmington, bringing the community together through food and drink. Bardea utilizes ingredients from local Delaware Valley farms and purveyors, and offers a diverse selection of inventive dishes that celebrate global cuisine through reimagined interpretations.

BARDEA STEAK

608 North Market St. 550-9600

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

CAFÉ MEZZANOTTE

1007 North Orange St. 658-7050

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

CASA NONNA

111 West 10th St. 268-8941

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

CHELSEA TAVERN

821 North Market St. 482-3333

Located across from the Grand Opera House in downtown Wilmington, Chelsea Tavern is a popular gastropub serving made-from-scratch comfort food with local ingredients. The lively spot features 33 rotating taps plus bottles, cans, wine, and cocktails highlighting seasonal and local brews. A neighborhood favorite for lunch, brunch, pre-show dining, and patio gatherings, its energetic bar keeps the game of the week on the big screens.

COLUMBUS INN

2216 Pennsylvania Ave. 571-1492

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

DEL PEZ MEXICAN GASTROPUB

400 Justison St. 691-7974

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

1314 North Washington St. 691-7447

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

1020 North Union St. 658-1588

Eclipse opened 1996 with a single purpose: to offer creative, globally inspired, and meticulously curated dishes that are served, without pretense nor fussiness, by a team of impassioned and well-trained professionals who understand the critical difference between basic service and the art of nuanced hospitality. A comfortably modern aesthetic perfectly marries the dining room with a world-class kitchen and a carefully considered beverage program.

KID SHELLEEN’S

1801 West 14th St. 658-4600

Established in 1983, offers a relaxed atmosphere with an open grill, oval bar, and outdoor patio. Known for great food, it’s a favorite for quick lunches and casual gatherings. Its burgers and brunch have earned consistent “Best of Delaware” honors for years running locally.

LA FIA BISTRO

421 North Market St. 543-5574

La Fia is a premier dining destination in Wilmington, Delaware, and a 2026 James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. Chef Dwain Kalup creates seasonal, globally-inspired cuisine rooted in classical technique. The restaurant’s intimate setting and genuine hospitality create unforgettable dining experiences. An extensive wine and cocktail program complements an ever-evolving menu, offering something new to discover with every visit.

LE CAVALIER

42 West 11th St. 594-3154

Bringing together the best of old and new Wilmington, Le Cavalier at the Green Room is a lively brasserie that blends grand European traditions with a modern twist. Le Cav’s inventive menu is inspired by the flavors of Provence and showcases the seasonal bounty of Delaware’s foodways.

MERCHANT BAR

426 North Market St. 502-3385

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

MRS. ROBINO’S

520 North Union St. 652-9223

A family tradition since 1940, come and experience a truly authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Wilmington, Delaware’s Little Italy. Taste the classic homemade Italian specialties, soups, pastas, a wide range of sauces, Italian deserts and much more, all in our warm family atmosphere, when you visit Mrs. Robino’s.

PICCOLINA TOSCANA

1412 North DuPont St. 654-8001

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

THE POST

1715 Delaware Ave. 446-5600

The Post is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant serving elevated comfort food with roots in BBQ, built around seasonal ingredients and bold, familiar flavors. Paired with craft cocktails and a curated wine list, it’s a go-to for everything from a quick bite or drinks at the bar to a night out with friends or a special occasion.

THE QUOIN HOTEL RESTAURANT

519 North Market St. 446-5600

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

ROOST PUB & KITCHEN

829 North Market St. 260-6615

Roost Pub & Kitchen is a welcoming neighborhood spot serving elevated comfort food for locals and travelers alike looking to watch sports on one of the restaurant’s many TVs, bring the family out for an easy weeknight dinner or Sunday Brunch, or catch up with old friends.

SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILL

2000 Pennsylvania Ave. 482-1954

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

TONIC

SEAFOOD & STEAK

111 West 11th St. 777-2040

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

UNIVERSITY AND WHIST CLUB

805 North Broom St. 658-5125

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

WALTER’S STEAKHOUSE

802 North Union St. 652-6780

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

WILMA’S

900 North Market St. 400-7766

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

PRESENTED BY:

Sunday, April 26, 2026

VIP Entry -11:00 am

General Admission -11:30 am to 2:00 pm

NEW LOCATION: Chase Center on the Riverfront Wilmington, Delaware

Star Chefs. Top Chefs. Exceptional flavors. One unforgettable brunch.

Nana Araba | Sieger Bayer | Patrick Bradley | Britney Cochran

Sean Corea | Amber Croom | Antimo DiMeo | Ross Essner | Francois Gagnon

Yassmeen Haskins | Dana Herbert | Dan Jacobs | Rhoda Magbitang

Michele Mitchell | Bruce Moffett | Deb Paquette | Larry Schreiber

Steve Taplin | Dru Tevis and Chase Cline | Alex Velez

Below: Thirty-five years later,

Both

a

A Table for Generations

Dan Butler’s Toscana turns 35, a legacy that helped shape Wilmington's dining scene

By Pam George

Generations

When Dan Butler signed the lease for the Trolley Square space that would become Griglia Toscana, he paused. The initial term was 20 years, which meant it would run through 2011. “I remember how silly that sounded,” the chef recalls. Back in 1991, any year beginning with a “20” seemed impossibly far away — the stuff of high-tech gadgets, robots and sleek futuristic architecture.

“Moreover, the Delaware native had worked in Washington, D.C., Florida and Europe since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. “I thought, ‘Hey, you know, we’ll give it a run, and when that’s over, I’ll go back to D.C. and get a job as a chef or line cook,’” he told himself.

That didn’t happen. Griglia Toscana — now Piccolina Toscana — not only renewed its lease but this year, it is celebrating its 35th anniversary. In an industry in which even acclaimed restaurants vanish within a few years, Toscana’s longevity reflects Butler’s ability to adapt to a changing marketplace while preserving the restaurant’s spirit.

Butler has never been afraid to tamper with success. The restaurant’s first name changed three times, although Toscana remained constant, and today most patrons simply call it Toscana. There have been expansions, renovations and reinventions.

Throughout it all, Toscana has served as the backdrop for wedding showers, anniversaries, birthdays and graduation dinners. Joel and Tina Plotkin had their first date there on Feb. 14, 1994.

“I credit Dan Butler and his crew for making it so special,” Joel says. “Just like Toscana, we are still around.”

Meanwhile, Butler has long given back to his native city. He helped create City Restaurant Week, scheduled for April 13-19 in 2026.

A Homegrown Success Story

The youngest of five children, Butler was raised at 11th and Broom streets in Wilmington and attended St. Anthony of Padua Grade School and St. Mark’s High School. He was 16 when he watched a Today show segment on the Culinary Institute of America, which noted that hospitality companies recruited directly from the school. He was intrigued.

His path began in the dish room at the Hotel du Pont. After graduating from the CIA, he started his professional career in Washington, D.C., then moved on to Miami, Tampa and Atlanta. It was during his time at Tiberio in Washington, D.C., an upscale Italian restaurant that opened in 1975, that he developed a love for Italian cuisine that was far more than red gravy and pasta. The restaurant was one of the capital’s premier power-dining destinations. A 1990 Los Angeles Times article noted that lunch for two could cost $100 or more.

Mayor Daniel S. Frawley, a friend of the Butler family, convinced Butler to open a restaurant in Delaware. In fact, Frawley wanted to partner with him on a business outside the city limits. But Butler saw opportunity in Trolley Square. “He said, ‘Whatever you do, it will be successful, and a successful restaurant will make Wilmington better,’” Butler recalls. >

Breaking New Ground

Butler chose a space in Rockford Shops, where he created an Italian restaurant unlike anything Wilmington had seen. The layout was sophisticated and urban. Butler had columns installed in the dining room purely for design, which vexed the contractor, who’d painstakingly created an open room with an exposed kitchen. (The columns disappeared in a later renovation.)

“I remember the pink tablecloths and the black-andwhite checkered floors,” says Paul Bouchard, who started as a server shortly after opening. “I remember strapping on the white bistro apron and getting ready for service. In those days, we did line checks to make sure everyone was properly dressed and groomed, with clean hands and fingernails.”

From the start, Butler was committed to authenticity. He wrote the menu in Italian even though many customers couldn’t pronounce Griglia, much less the names of the dishes. Butler, who speaks several languages, insisted that the staff master the correct pronunciation. Try as he might, Bouchard could never quite get the word gnocchi right.

Griglia Toscana held its friends-and-family event on Feb. 13, 1991, giving the staff and equipment a trial run. “We have a lot of friends and family,” Butler says wryly. He encouraged his siblings to bring guests and asked everyone to make reservations.

They did not.

“It turned out to be a big party — no one was in their seats,” he remembers of the night. Eventually, everyone sat down at once, turning a restaurant dinner service into a chaotic banquet. The following night, Valentine’s Day, the restaurant opened to a huge crowd. “Every night since then has been relatively simple,” Butler quipped.

In March 1991, Al Mascitti reviewed Griglia Toscana in The News Journal. He admired the wood-burning pizza oven, inspired by Wolfgang Puck’s artisan pizzas at Spago. “Toscana is the first restaurant in northern Delaware that understands ‘gourmet pizza’ can be more than broccoli with provolone,” he wrote. “Toscana toppings include

smoked duck with arugula and mascarpone — not because it sounds weird but because it works.” He also praised the risotto, veal and lamb chops grilled with fresh oregano, rosemary and tarragon.

In 1992, Griglia Toscana won Critic’s Choice for Italian. Its contemporaries included Positano, Clemente’s, Vincente’s, La Casa Pasta, Carucci, Amalfi and Caffe Bellissimo. That same year, Butler expanded the brand with Toscana To Go, also in Rockford Shops.

The Place to Be

With its wide-open dining room — minus those decorative columns — Toscana quickly became a place to see and be seen, attracting influential figures in business, politics and society. That did not change. Bouchard remembers when then Vice President Joe Biden dined there and Secret Service agents “stared down the line,” making sure the food was safely prepared. The restaurant also drew celebrities. In 1996, Butler told a reporter that comedian Tim Conway ordered some of the menu’s more avant-garde dishes and “really knows his wines.”

Butler also remembers when Joan Rivers visited while she was in nearby West Chester, Pennsylvania, to appear on QVC. To satisfy her dietary preferences, staff dashed to Acme for an undisclosed item. They also fed her dog, which stayed in the car.

“She was a hoot,” Butler says. “I got a call the next day saying she’d mentioned Toscana on air, which was awesome.”

Later, while attending a trade show in New York, Butler and friends ran into Rivers on the sidewalk. He reintroduced himself, but there was no need. She remembered Butler’s portabella mushroom dish.

He developed it after family friend Jim Angelucci of Phillips Mushroom Farms brought him an oversized crimini mushroom that the company planned to market. Butler instinctively marinated and grilled it. “They tasted like steak,” he says. “They were insanely popular.” Angelucci later put the recipe on the packaging. (Phillips uses the spellings “portabella” and “crimini.”)

Keeping Things Fresh

Five years after opening, Toscana got its first major update, designed by Butler and former server Scott Sullivan. The restaurant closed briefly in August 1996 and reopened as Tavola Toscana. The pizza oven was removed — demolished by jackhammers — to create more space, and the walls were painted in Tuscan gold tones. A table between the entrance and kitchen became a stage for antipasti and desserts.

Butler worried about how customers would respond. “Toscana had been very, very successful, and we were scrapping everything to start all over again. It was nervewracking,” he says.

He took another gamble in 2001, when the renovated restaurant became Toscana Kitchen + Bar, reflecting a move toward more relaxed dining. By then, being labeled

a “special occasion” restaurant could be a liability. The colors were brighter, the mood more approachable and a new entrance led past a banquet room turned lounge. The pizza oven returned. “I missed it,” Butler says. So did the guests.

Nine years later, Butler again felt the urge to freshen the concept. Piccolina Toscana initially emphasized small plates: tapas with an Italian accent. “I have some of the swag from the different eras of Toscana; it’s like the Madonna of restaurants,” says Amanda McGuigan Powell, who worked there from 2000 to 2012. “They changed their look, kept up with the times, and have always been top tier. I went the other day, and it’s still amazing.”

The makeovers were hardly surprising, given that more restaurants had come online since 1991. Butler was responsible for some of them. In 1998, he opened Deep Blue Bar & Grill in downtown Wilmington, a bold move at a time when the district’s revival was still in the early stages. Bouchard moved over to manage it, and Robert Lhulier, a former Toscana server, became its first chef. Butler later partnered with Bouchard and Michael Majewski on Brandywine Prime Seafood & Chops in Chadds Ford, which opened in 2007. >

The More Things Change

Yes, Toscana has evolved. The servers’ neckties are gone, although some still wear the long aprons. But the foundation is the same. Several dishes survived every transition: breadsticks, beef carpaccio and tortellini are among them. (When Butler once tweaked the tortellini sauce, customers protested loudly enough that he restored the original recipe. It was either that or field requests to make it the “old way.”)

However, the main reason why Toscana has successfully weathered economic downturns, shifting dining habits and a pandemic is Butler himself. Seeing him in the dining room or kitchen still gives guests a warm sense of reassurance, a sentiment that was appreciated when he chose to stay open on 9/11 to be a gathering place for shellshocked patrons.

“Dan has never lost the simple joy of cooking people dinner,” says Majewski, still his partner at Brandywine Prime. “Most great chefs have that somewhere in them — along with the joy of having family around the table, connecting and enjoying a meal together.”

That sense of family extends to the staff. Butler is skilled at building a cohesive team, Bouchard says. “I don’t know that I’ve ever worked at a place with more camaraderie,” Bouchard says. Front- and back-ofhouse employees sat down together for the family meal. When it snowed, the staff grabbed a libation, jumped on four-wheelers and headed to the Brandywine Valley to go sledding.

Butler has also been a familiar face in the community. In 1996, he received the Delaware Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Delawarean Award. He has long been involved with the Ministry of Caring, helping design the kitchen for a child care center, serving as a guest chef, and hosting a fundraising dinner for about 170 people. He has also supported Meals from the Masters, the brunch fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Delaware.

“Both of those organizations feed people,” Butler says. “As a chef, that’s near and dear to me.”

He also helped launch City Restaurant Week, in part to support Deep Blue and other downtown operators. “We had some synergy then,” he says. The first participating restaurants included 821, Café Mezzanotte, Conley Ward’s Steakhouse, Costa’s Grill & Wine Bar, Deep Blue, Harry’s Seafood Grill, Hotel du Pont, Kahunaville, Mikimotos Asian Grill & Sushi Bar, National Restaurant and Washington Street Ale House. Today, Butler says, the event has become a reliable revenue generator.

When people look back on Toscana’s history, Butler hopes they will see it as one of the restaurants that helped transform the area’s dining scene. That may be Toscana’s true legacy. Not only did Toscana survive, but it gave Wilmington a restaurant willing to change with the times without losing its Delaware roots or sense of hospitality.

AG DAY 2026

Fun for the whole family! April 25, 2026 10 a.m. to 3 p.m

Green Giants

These vegetables signal the start of spring

SBy Pam George >

pring is characterized by multiple colors — the sunny yellow of a daffodil, the pale pink of a dogwood blossom and the vivid red of a tulip. But for chefs, spring means green: ramps, peas and asparagus. After a winter of root vegetables and hearty fare, these vegetables bring brightness to the seasonal plate. Some items, including asparagus, are available year-round. But others have a brief window of peak freshness, and you may not find them in supermarkets. Here are some delicious examples that you might spot on seasonal restaurant menus.

RAMPED UP

Ramps, also known as wild leeks, are a chef’s darling. “I’m ramps all day long,” says Robbie Jester of InJest Events, a catering and private chef company. In this region, the flat, broad leaves generally emerge from late March or early April into May, depending on the weather.

Ramp enthusiasts tend to keep their foraging locations secret. “My sous chefs have a designated spot they visit every April,” says Michael Majewski, managing partner of Brandywine Prime Seafood & Chops at Chadds Ford Inn.

Chef Dan Sheridan is equally clandestine. Why the secrecy? The woodland plants are slow-growing and thrive only in the right shade, soil, and moisture conditions. As a result, they’re difficult to cultivate commercially. Careful foragers often cut the leaves above the bulb, allowing the plant to continue growing.

The entire ramp plant — both the white and green sections — is edible. Jester prepares a ramp-and-goatcheese tart. He also sautés morels with ramps, adds crème fraîche and sea salt, and serves it on sourdough.

“I first tried it in product knowledge class at the Culinary Institute of America, and it is still a favorite 20 years later,” he says.

Antimo DiMeo of Bardea Restaurant Group uses ramps to make pesto. “It’s extremely versatile and works beautifully with both land and sea, whether that’s mussels or lamb,” he says. At The Post in Wilmington’s Forty Acres, Sheridan adds the flat green leaves to omelets and quiches. At home, he cooks them down and stirs them into mashed potatoes to accompany grilled steak.

“We also pickle the tougher stems right above the bulbs for use all year, and we have a spicy ramp crisp that lasts a long time and adds some punch to dishes,” Sheridan says. “Most recently, I sent them out below a seared scallop tossed with pears, lime zest, and smoked walnut butter.”

Personal chef Andrew Cini marinates ramps in a Mediterranean-style salsa verde — think capers, anchovies, parsley, and lemon — and grills them over charcoal. He adds additional lemon and salsa to the finished product and serves it with grilled bread.

FIDDLE DEEDEE

As with ramps, fiddleheads are found in shady, moist, wooded areas and are typically foraged by those who know where to look. The coiled shoots of the ostrich fern taste like a cross between asparagus, broccoli and green beans. Fiddleheads also add texture to a dish.

If you see them in a restaurant, the prized shoots are often scattered atop a dish, such as a salad or pasta. Not only can fiddleheads be hard to procure, but they also require careful handling. Food-safety authorities advise that they should never be eaten raw or undercooked; they should be thoroughly boiled or steamed before further cooking.

A WHOLE LOTTA BEANS

Peas may be available year-round, but for generations, they have signaled spring. However, all peas in a pod aren’t all the same. Snow peas grow in flat, tender pods that are eaten whole. English peas, conversely, have firm, rounded pods, and the peas must be shelled before cooking. The work is worth it. “You can taste the sweetness,” says Steve Taplin, executive chef at Bar Reverie.

At Tonic Seafood & Steak, the spring menu will feature rainbow trout with snow peas, English peas and lima beans, says executive chef Patrick Bradley. (Lima beans are generally harvested in summer and early fall.)

The pea plant also produces pea shoots, the tender young leaves and tendrils that chefs use in salads, sautés and as garnishes. At Pizza by Elizabeths, chefs will use pea shoots as a garnish starting in April.

Fava beans, also called broad beans, are large green legumes popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. They grow in long pods and are typically harvested from spring into early summer, depending on climate and planting time. You can eat them fresh, steamed or dried.

However, preparing the fava beans is a labor-intensive process. They must be shelled twice: first from the pod and then from their individual skins. Taplin adds fava beans to pasta and incorporates them into ragu.

THE PRIME TIME FOR ASPARAGUS

Like peas, asparagus is available year-round. However, it is best during its natural season, which is spring. The spears are especially tender and sweet. Even so, chefs often peel the thick ends of the stalks, and Taplin has “collared” the spears, which involves tidying the area below the tip for a refined presentation. For spring, he serves a veal chop with crab and jumbo asparagus.

Green asparagus is most common, but white and purple varieties also exist. White asparagus is the same plant as green asparagus, but it is grown under soil or cover so sunlight cannot reach it. Without sun exposure, it doesn’t develop chlorophyll. The result is a milder, more delicate spear that is usually thicker and often requires more peeling. White asparagus is more expensive than its purple sibling, so Bradley saves it for specials.

Meanwhile, purple asparagus has a deep violet exterior

and tends to be a bit sweeter, with higher natural sugar levels and a lower fiber content. The purple color fades when cooked.

A NEW LEAF

Spring greens are primarily cool-weather crops, meaning they grow best in mild conditions. That’s especially true of leafy vegetables, from lettuce to spinach to Swiss chard.

DiMeo favors mustard greens, radicchio, frisée, broccoli rabe and escarole. “They bring that fresh, bright, slightly bitter pop that really makes a dish feel alive this time of year,” he says. “We’ll use them raw, lightly dressed, folded into pastas or paired with fish and vegetables, depending on the dish.”

Some are only mildly bitter, depending on age and season. Baby arugula, for instance, is peppery but less bitter than mature leaves. Radicchio is generally more assertive than escarole.

Whether the greens are folded into pasta, spooned over fish, tucked into omelets or served simply with olive oil and lemon, spring greens deliver the same message: Winter is over.

Bites

RAISE A GLASS TO HISTORY

Delaware’s craft brewing heritage takes center stage on April 11, for King Gambrinus Day at Wilmington Brew Works, hosted in partnership with the Delaware Historical Society. Guests will enjoy two 9-ounce pours of local beer, light fare, a commemorative tasting glass, and presentations on Gambrinus’ legend and statue restoration. A statewide toast at 6:30 p.m. will unite breweries and beer lovers virtually. Tickets are $15; attendance is limited and 21+. Proceeds benefit the Restore the King initiative.

— More at RestoreTheKing.com/events

CELEBRITY CHEFS’ BRUNCH RETURNS APRIL 26

Meals on Wheels Delaware will host its annual Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch on Sunday, April 26, 11:30am-2pm, at its new location, the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Now in its 29th year, the fundraiser features tastings from nationally recognized and local chefs, along with cocktails, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds support the organization’s mission to deliver meals and provide services to homebound seniors across Delaware.

UNION STREET WELCOMES NEW EGYPTIAN RESTAURANT

Anew restaurant is bringing authentic Egyptian cuisine to Wilmington’s West Side. Spirit of the East, located at 416 N. Union St., celebrated its grand opening on March 26. The menu features traditional dishes like falafel, shawarma, kofta, and seafood specialties, alongside hearty platters served with rice and fresh salads

“Spirit of the East is about sharing the warmth, flavors, and hospitality of Egyptian culture with the Wilmington Community,” shares owner Charif Shoukri. "We're excited to bring something unique to Union Street and to be part of the continued growth of the West Side."

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with dine-in and takeout available.

—Visit SpiritofTheEastUSA.com

KARMA’S KORNER TO BRING EUROPEAN-STYLE CAFÉ TO FORTY ACRES

arma’s Korner is set to open this spring in Wilmington’s Forty Acres neighborhood. Located at 1836 Lovering Ave in the former Ciro Forty Acres space, the café is owned by Katie Kutler of Kaffe Karma in Barley Mill Plaza. The concept combines the charm of a European corner café with grab-and-go convenience and outdoor seating.

Breakfast will include sandwiches, a burrito, and a bagel collaboration to be announced, alongside a full coffee, latte, and tea menu distinct from Kaffe Karma. Lunch will feature focaccia and baguette sandwiches, meal prep items created with Robbie Jester’s In Jest Events, and locally sourced farm goods. Pastries and baked goods, gluten-free options, will be provided by In Jest Events and New Castle’s Dream Bakery. Evenings will transform the space into an ice cream shop serving affogatos and brownie and cookie-based scoops.

Outdoor wellness events, including yoga in the park, run clubs, and women-only walks, will round out the experience, creating a neighborhood hub for food, coffee, and community.

— For updates, follow @karmas.korner on Instagram

ANGELO’S PIZZERIA OPENS AT DE.CO

A— More at MealsOnWheels.org

well-known Philadelphia pizza spot has expanded in downtown Wilmington as Angelo's Pizzeria has taken over the former Pizzeria Bardea space at the DE.CO Food Hall (111 W. 10th St). The move follows the earlier opening of Angelo’s cheesesteak stall in the market. The new location serves a variety of pies, including round, square, Grandma-style, and upside-down pizzas, adding to the food hall’s lineup.

— Visit AngelosWilmington.com

Two Stones Pub Celebrates 15 Years by Giving Back

With its Ripple Effect program, the area restaurant group sets a goal of donating $150,000 to local charities

You can learn a lot from a winning recipe.

Fifteen years ago, in a modest, unassuming spot in the Brookside community just outside of Newark, the first Two Stones Pub opened. The pub’s three owners knew success wasn’t guaranteed, but they had a recipe they believed in. >

At the time, Michael Stiglitz, Chris Meyer, and Ben Muse were three battle-tested hospitality professionals who had spent many of their working years at Iron Hill Brewery, where they learned the value of pairing high-quality pub fare with a wide selection of tasty craft beer. All three felt they could take that recipe and do something with it in their own way — something that expressed their personalities.

And that’s exactly what they did.

“To us, hospitality is about asking ‘How can we make this experience great? How can we make it better?’” says Muse.

Many years later after taking that initial gamble, a total of five Two Stones Pub locations serve our area: three in Delaware (Newark, Hockessin, and Wilmington) and two in Pennsylvania (Kennett Square and Jennersville).

“We’ve always believed that restaurants are the cornerstones of a community. We love giving back, and it’s not lost on us that we wouldn’t be here without the support of those communities,” Muse says.

Making it 15 years in the hospitality business revealed another truth. Just like the pairing of great beer and food, the combination of community and giving back has been another winning recipe.

“When we were talking about ways to celebrate turning 15 years old, those two ideas came up and combined pretty naturally,” Muse says. “Let’s look at our communities and ask ‘How can we be a part of making them better? How can we help make them great?’ That’s where Ripple Effect got started.”

Ripple Effect is the name of Two Stones’ year-long effort to help raise $150,000 for 13 area charity groups: Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, Faithful Friends, Friends of Fusion Foundation, Food Bank of Delaware, The Garage Youth Center, MakeA-Wish, Meals on Wheels, Nemours Children’s Health, Philabundance, Ronald McDonald House, Sam’s Kids, and a fund that would benefit six fire departments in the area (AETNA, Hockessin, Jennersville, Kennett Square, Middletown and Jennersville).

Through a mix of in-store promotions, online giving, and special events, the teams at Two Stones Pubs will raise funds for these organizations throughout their 15th anniversary year.

“We really just wanted to celebrate this anniversary by committing to a big goal that can make a meaningful impact on causes that matter to us, our teams, and our guests,” Muse says.

— To give and/or learn more about Ripple Effect, go to TwoStonesPub.com.

SAXOPHONIST FOSTINA DIXON TO RELEASE “A SUNNY DAY” SINGLE

Local jazz saxophonist Fostina Dixon will release her new single, “A Sunny Day,” on Friday, April 17. The lively tune will be available on all digital platforms and is also highlighted as track 3 on Dixon’s new album You Don’t Really Know Me.

In addition to playing soprano, alto, and baritone saxes, Dixon also plays flute and clarinet. The Wilmington native studied with local jazz legend Robert “Boysie” Lowery and has played with Gil Evans, Roy Ayers, Cab Calloway, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Prince and Marvin Gaye, with whom she toured for four years.

In addition to a wealth of experience, Dixon has also gathered prominent critical acclaim.

“I give Fostina and her players a most highly recommended rating,” wrote Contemporary Fusion Reviews editor Dick Metcalf in 2019, nominating her for Best Sax-Led Jazz Album that year.

“The primary thing Fostina projects through her playing is power… the power of soul, the power of being whole,” Metlcalf added. — More at FostinaDixon.com

BLUES REINCARNATION PROJECT MAKES RETURN TO THE QUEEN

Amonth

after three of its members rocked The Queen’s main stage during Shine A Light on 1986, Blues Reincarnation Project returns to the venue on Thursday, April 9.

The show is part of The Queen’s new free series called Door Jams in which bands rock out to the public, performing in front of the theater’s entrance underneath the marquee. The April 9 show starts at 6pm and includes sets by the Ty Mathis Experience, as well as Collin Bunch.

Blues Reincarnation Project will play again that Saturday night, April 11, at Argilla Brewing Company just outside of Newark starting at 7pm.

— More at OfficialTheBluesRP.wixsite.com/home

SPOKEY SPEAKY TO PERFORM BOB MARLEY AT MILTON THEATRE

Spokey Speaky will perform a “Best of Bob Marley” show at Milton Theatre on Thursday, April 9. The band has experience with the material: Spokey Speaky played as host again for its 14th Annual Bob Marley Concert, which packed The Queen at the end of January.

Over the years, the band has also played with notable Marley-related reggae acts including The Wailers, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, and Ky-Mani Marley.

— More at MiltonTheatre.com

The City

MAYOR CARNEY DELIVERS FISCAL YEAR

2027 BUDGET ADDRESS

Mayor John Carney presented the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget to City Council, outlining a plan that prioritizes public safety, housing, economic development, and community investment, while maintaining fiscal discipline.

The proposed $212.6 million General Fund budget, with the Water and Sewer Fund at $100.2 million, includes no increase in property taxes and caps water and sewer rate increases at 9.95%.

Key investments include the creation of an Office of Community Safety, additional EMS personnel, and expanded services for the unhoused. The plan also features a $20 million Affordable Housing Fund, along with funding to redevelop vacant properties and support home repairs.

Economic initiatives include a $4 million boost to the Strategic Fund, support for downtown development, and a record $1 million investment in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

The budget also enhances parks, youth programming, and community events tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, aiming to balance continued growth with responsible spending.

PARTNERS IN CARE PROGRAM OFFERS PROMISING RESULTS

Reaching its two-year mark last month, Wilmington’s Partners in Care program will be getting recognition by City Council for its commitment to addressing mental health and substance abuse.

A partnership between the Wilmington Police Department and ChristianaCare, the Partners in Care Program pairs trained mental health clinicians with police officers, who respond as a team to calls for service and conduct proactive outreach to support those in need in our community.

The program includes a case manager and two clinicians with support from a substance-use peer, who serves as another member of the ChristianaCare team. Statistics from March 2024 to December 2025 showed the program had helped support more than 750 residents in Wilmington.

“Even before we started this program in March 2024, we knew that it would have a positive impact in our department and throughout our community,” says Wilmington Police Chief Wilfredo Campos.

“As we mark two years since its creation, the Partners in Care program has touched the lives of well over 750 individuals in our community — supporting those experiencing crises, connecting residents with immediate resources and supporting long-term success through referrals and follow-up care.

“We know that not every need is best addressed by a traditional law enforcement response, and this program — and our partnership with ChristianaCare — enables us to extend a wide range of resources to our residents. I am proud of the work of this team, and appreciate the dedication of the police officers, clinicians and case manager who are part of it — and we look forward to building on this positive impact in the future.”

WILMINGTON SHOWCASES LOCAL TALENT

The City of Wilmington is inviting residents to take the stage (or cheer from the crowd) during two upcoming Open Mic Nights at The Queen on April 23 and Friday, May 8

D

local performers across a variety of art forms, from music to spoken word. Doors open at 6 p.m., with performances beginning at 7 p.m., followed by judging and prizes for the top acts. First-place winners will receive $1,000, and second-place winners will take home $500.

P Christopher at Aschristopher@wilmingtonde.gov. Selected participants will be notified by April 10 and scheduled for one of the two event dates.

T

WILMINGTON TO HOST EARTH & ARBOR DAY AND ANNUAL CLEAN-UP DAY EVENTS

The City of Wilmington invites residents to gather for an Earth & Arbor Day community event at Cool Spring Reservoir, located at 11th and Franklin streets, on Friday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for April 24. This free, family-friendly event will feature live music, performances, and participation from more than two dozen community partners and vendors.

Residents are also encouraged to take part in Wilmington’s annual Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a citywide effort that brings neighbors together to enhance and beautify local neighborhoods and public spaces.

Each year, dozens of community groups, including churches, schools, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, participate by organizing beautification projects. Efforts range from trash and debris removal to planting flowers, landscaping, and creating community garden spaces.

Groups interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance. Once registered, the City’s Constituent Services Office can provide supplies such as trash bags, gloves, and litter pickers, if needed.

For more information, residents can email communitycleanupday@wilmingtonde.gov, call 3-1-1 within City limits, or (302) 576-2620 from land lines or when outside city limits.

ExploretheRiverfront

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

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YourDream Destinations

outdoor adventures in every season

outdooradventuresineveryseason

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