MORNING STAR • SepTeMbeR 16 - 22, 2010
pAGe 57
Patriots of Heritage Shores draws enthusiastic crowd
By John Barr
The sound of the bagpipe echoed throughout the clubhouse at Heritage Shores in Bridgeville. Piper Randy Welch from Easton, Md., welcomed the standing room only residents and guests to a ceremony commemorating the ninth anniversary of Patriot Day. Patriot Day was established right after 9/11 by the United States Congress to honor the military, police, firefighters and Emergency Medical personnel who risk their lives daily to protect ours. The feature presentation of the day was the performance of the Marine ROTC Detachment from Woodbridge High School under the leadership of 1st Sgt. (Ret) David W. Grinstead Sr., United States Marine Corp. “I’m very proud of all of the members. They work many hours all year round practicing drill and ceremony and we are honored to perform in front of the public,” said Grinstead. Their performance of the MIA/POW missing service member ceremony captivated the audience. The cadets were led by David Grinstead Jr. The National Anthem and a medley featuring America the Beautiful was performed by Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Greg Fuller, U.S. Army. As an added attraction, a videotaped performance of the entire TAPS song was presented. The trumpet solo was performed in 2008 by Dutch teenager Milissa Venema. Presentations were made by the new Bridgeville Police Chief Robert Long who recounted his experiences while serving with the New Jersey Army National Guard
after 9/11. It was especially difficult for him to recall events he witnessed at the Fresh Kill landfill on Staten Island where all of the debris from the Twin Towers was taken and sorted through. Harbey Liebermann, a former Staten Island resident who now resides in Heritage Shores, recounted his experiences with me. “I was driving on the highway headed away from New York City when fire companies from all over Staten Island passed me going towards the city,” he said. “I knew many of their members, some of whom didn’t make it home that night,” he added. Harvey also owned an apartment two blocks from the Towers. After many tries he was allowed to inspect it to determine if it had suffered any damage. To get to the building, he recalls wading through dust that was a few inches deep. Other remarks were made by Jim Cina, representing the Bridgeville Fire Fighters. Jim talked about the dedication of his fellow members and introduced Ken McIlvain who has spent over 50 years as a volunteer fire fighter and is still active. The final speaker was Robert Stuart, director of the Sussex County EMS. He introduced three of his members in attendance and recalled the number of class hours volunteers must sit through to qualify as an EMS member. He also talked about the 30,000 calls his people receive annually. After the closing prayer by Heritage Shores resident the Rev. Tom Connar, the piper played “Amazing Grace” to conclude the ceremony and “Going Home” as he left the ballroom. God Bless America.
Patriot Day at Heritage Shores in Bridgeville. Captain David W. Grinstead Jr. of the Woodbridge High School Marine Corp ROTC leads a MIA/POW presentation during the event. Photo by E.W. Faircloth.
From left, Tammy Kearney, Dennis Russell and Christina Darby stand in the Russell’s back yard in downtown Seaford. Russell, owner of Act II Florist, is opening his yard for the fourth annual Garden Party, sponsored by the Nanticoke River Arts and set for Saturday. Admission to the party, at which about a dozen artists are expected to display their works, is free. Photo by Lynn R. Parks
Nanticoke River Arts’ Garden Party Saturday By Lynn R. Parks For the fourth year, Dennis Russell, owner of Act II Florist in downtown Seaford, will open his back yard for Nanticoke River Arts’ annual Garden Party. The party will be this Saturday afternoon (September 18) and will feature about a dozen artists displaying their works. “I just want to give artists in the area a venue to get together and show their work,” said Russell, who has lived in the same building in which his flower shop is located for 20 years. His back yard is a mixture of tall mature trees that were there when he bought the double lot and undergrowth, including shrubs, ferns, perennials and annuals, that he has planted. There’s even a stand of flamingoes — plastic, but still eye-catching. “This is a really pretty setting,” said Tammy Kearney with the arts council. “The garden party will be a great way to spend the afternoon.” Kearney, who paints watercolors, will be among the artists who will display their work. While her works will be for sale, she said that is not her primary reason for being there. “I just like how the event is open to the public and how everyone can come and enjoy art,” she said. Christina Darby is a friend of the arts council and an organizer of the Garden Party. She said that the purpose of the event is to give people in western Sussex County a chance to know artists living and working in the area. “We don’t have to drive over to the beach to see art,” she said. “We have artists in our area and we just want people to come out and look at what they are producing.”
And she agrees with Kearney that the main purpose of the party is not to push art that is for sale, but rather “just for the pleasure of the experience.” She adds, “Our primary reason for doing this is for the love of art.” Nanticoke River Arts was formed in April 2007 and has about 25 members now. Cost to join is $10 for a student, $15 for a friend and $20 for an artist. A couple, both of whom are artists, can join for $30. In addition to Riverfest and the Garden Party, members participate in Art in the Park, Heritage Days at the Ross Plantation and the annual craft show at Delaware Technical and Community College. They also judge the annual Seaford School District art show and teach classes at the Seaford Library and Cultural Center. The council’s Garden Party was first held four years ago, after Russell invited members of the arts council to set up a booth in his back yard during Seaford’s annual Riverfest. “It was really hot and I told them they could set up in the yard, in the shade,” he said. “After Riverfest, they came to me and said that they wanted to have a show here in the fall.” That first show was open by invitation only. Since then, the Garden Party has been open to the public. Last year, about 80 people attended. In addition to the art, this year’s Garden Party will include refreshments provided by members of the arts council. Wine for a tasting will be provided by Liquid Assets. There will also be music. John Kisela from near Laurel will play the dulcimer and Dan Parsons will play the guitar. Admission to the Garden Party is free. For additional details, visit the Nanticoke River Arts page on Facebook.