Newark Life Spring/Summer 2019

Spring/Summer 2019

Newark Life

Magazine

PAWS for

People - Page 30

Inside • Newark History Museum salutes Minster’s Jewelers • Rebuilding lives, one connection at a time • Photo essay: Horizon helicopters

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Spring/Summer 2019

Newark Life Table of Contents 8

Newark History Museum salutes Minster’s Jewelers

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Surviving the Main Street project

30

PAWS for People

48

Rebuilding lives, one connection at a time

58

Profile of James Elliott

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Photo essay: Horizon Helicopters

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Burning - and brewing - the Midnight Oil

70 58

48

Cover design by Tricia Hoadley Cover photograph by Jie Deng 6

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Newark Life Spring 2019

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In this issue of Newark Life, we are pleased to shine a spotlight on PAWS for People, one of the organizations that makes the community such a special place.

PAWS for People got its start in 2005, when 21 teams of Newark pet owners shared their loving animals with residents in retirement homes and nursing homes, with children who were part of the Easter Seals program, and eventually children with autism, and those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. The main requirement was having a friendly dog and a heart for giving, and the basic rules haven’t changed much since. Today, there are more than 500 people who are part of 21 active teams who visit locations in four states every day. While the therapy animals are mostly dogs, there are cats and rabbits as well.

This issue also features a story about how Newark businesses are surviving the Main Street project. Business owners say that they are open and ready to serve customers during construction.

We also explore the Newark History Museum’s salute to Minster’s Jewelers.

In “Rebuilding lives, one connection at a time,” we look at how the Newark Empowerment Center helps the area’s homeless population.

We profile James Elliott, a native of Newark who has a very inspiring story of redemption. It wasn’t that long ago that Elliott was in prison. Through faith and hard work, Elliott emerged from prison after more than five years with newfound purpose. He has been very successful pursuing a degree at Delaware Technical Community College, and he was recently elected as the new Phi Theta Kappa international president—the highest student leadership position in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Horizon Helicopters is the featured subject of the photo essay in this issue. We look at the company’s emphasis on service, scenery, and safety.

We hope that you enjoy these stories as much as we enjoyed working on them. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions for future stories as we begin work on the next issue of Newark Life, which will arrive in the fall of 2019.

Sincerely, Randy Lieberman, Publisher randyl@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553 Steve Hoffman, Editor editor@chestercounty.com, 610-869-5553, ext. 13 Cover design by: Tricia Hoadley Cover photo courtesy of PAWS for People www.newarklifemagazine.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Newark Life

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|Newark History|

Newark History Museum salutes Minster’s Jewelers and good old rock and roll

By John Chambless Staff Writer

there in 1945, when she was 15. Dominating the room at the museum is the store sign, mounted on the wall. It’s still an impressive sight, despite damage to the trim and neon.

In the display case below, you’ll see a 1955 architectural drawing for the store’s proposed interior, and a vintage photograph of the sales floor that will spark a lot of memories for people who bought prized gifts, engagement rings or wedding rings there over the decades.

There’s a shell necklace designed by Minster herself, as well as a watercolor, showing her artistic talents that weren’t part of the day-to-day work at the store.

T

he Newark History Museum reopened for its 2019 season last month, with the addition of two new exhibits – one on Newark musicians, and one on Minster’s Jewelers.

The jewelry store, formerly in the Newark Shopping Center, was an institution that spanned the days when the shopping center was the pinnacle of shopping in Delaware, to 2017, when longtime owner Marilyn Minster passed away and the store closed.

The store was the center’s longest-running tenant, and Minster herself started working

All photos by John Chambless

An original necklace designed by Marilyn Minster.

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The Newark History Museum keeps the memories of the little town alive.

In another room is a salute to the many bands and musicians who have gotten their start in Newark. Filling two display cases and the wall above them, the exhibit is only a brief skim through the town’s thriving music scene, going back to the earliest days with The Pilt Down Five, a group of nattily attired gents who had a “WAMS Wax to Watch” single in 1964 titled “32 Ford.” There’s a copy of the single in the display case.

You’ll also find a photo of the Fairwinds – looking sharp in their matching white suit jackets in 1971 – along with bands and artists you’ll be more familiar with, such as

The Pilt Down Five, rocking out in 1964.

Continued on Page 10

The exhibit includes LPs by Bad Sneakers and others.

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History Museum Continued from Page 9

the Sin City Band (several records are on view), Larry Tucker, and the groovily named Snakegrinder and the Shredded Fieldmice, whose LP (presumably the only one they produced) is on display.

There’s a photo and concert flyer for the MIB’s, who were part of the 1980s musical boom that also brought out Bad Sneakers, along with the Commotions, and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers, who started with house parties on the “Skid Row” housing strip and ended up with a major-label contract.

Continued on Page 12 Vintage singles by Newark area bands.

A band T-shirt for Ravage.

A signed photo by Newark’s success story, George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

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History Museum Continued from Page 10

There’s a very 1980s fringed T-shirt for the very 1980s hair metal band Ravage, who had the spandex outfits to prove their credibility, judging by their photo. The biggest Newark-influenced act is well represented, of course, and there’s a signed photo

by George Thorgood and the Destroyers prominently displayed.

On the preview day for the new season in April, a large crowd turned out to peek into the display cases and discuss who knew who back in the day. And, this being Newark, everybody pretty much knew everybody.

Continued on Page 14

The new exhibit devoted to Newark bands fills two display cases.

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History Museum Continued from Page 12

There are other recent additions to the museum, including the Abbott’s Shoe Repair sign and a huge display of leather belt bits and pieces that must have hung in the shop. There are also plenty of photos documenting 100 years of Main Street, offering plenty of chances to compare then and now.

There are artifacts from the Newark New Century Club, a Jimmy’s Diner jukebox, and plenty of other little things that will flash you back. The depth of the museum’s holdings is impressive, and while the place itself is very low-key and charges no admission, the wealth of memories you’ll turn up during a visit is well worth making a trip and strolling down memory lane.

The sign for Abbots Shoe Repair has been given a place of honor in the museum.

Continued on Page 16 An official piece of the Stone Balloon.

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History Museum Continued from Page 14

The Newark History Museum (429 S. College Ave.) is open Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Donations are welcome. Call 302-224-2408 or find the museum on Facebook.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

The neon sign for Minster’s from the Newark Shopping Center.

A 1955 drawing for the interior of Minster’s Jewelers.

The sales floor at Minster’s.

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|Newark Business|

Surv Main Str

Business owners say they are open and ready to greet shoppers during construction

By Kelley Bielewicz Staff Writer “We’re still here!”

Sasha Aber, owner of Home Grown Café on Main Street, wants residents, visitors, UD employees and students to know that despite construction, downtown Newark is very much still in business. “We’re open,” she said. “We’re ready for you.”

After years of patching potholes every spring, the State of Delaware is giving Newark’s Main Street a major overhaul.

By early summer 2020, the road will fully reopen and will sport new pavement, increased on-street parking -- including handicapped-accessible spots -- and several curb extensions for pedestrians’ safety and enjoyment.

In the meanwhile, visitors will see lane closures and parking restrictions over the next year or so, in segments progressing from Library Avenue to just past the Trabant Garage exit. Yet, despite the proliferation of orange cones and heavy machinery, there are still plenty of ways to get downtown.

Continued on Page 20

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Courtesy graphic

Newark Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.newarklifemagazine.com

viving the treet project

The message downtown Newark businesses are sending is: We are open.

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Main Street Project Continued from Page 18

“You don’t have to even go on Main Street,” Aber said, pointing out that many lots can be accessed from Cleveland Avenue, such as the one behind Home Grown that opens onto Center Street.

Rich Hanel, owner of You’ve Been Framed, a 40-year-old business providing custom picture framing, recommends avoiding the construction zone where possible.

“My suggestion to the wonderful people who will continue to support the Main Street businesses during construction by shopping or eating downtown is to stay aware of where construction is currently taking place and taking advantage of side and parallel streets to get closer to your destination,” he said. For example, You’ve Been Framed customers can use Pomeroy Lane as a shortcut from Delaware Avenue.

“I encourage everyone to be a little adventurous and creative in navigating around the worst parts and use an app, like Waze, that chooses alternative routes for you during congestion,” Hanel added.

The 15-month-long project will replace the underlying concrete that supports the surface asphalt. It will also bring crosswalk ramps up to code, improve drainage, and upgrade signals and signage.

Continued on Page 22

All photos by Kelley Bielewicz unless otherwise noted.

The owners of Main Street businesses, such as the Home Grown Café, are hoping the ongoing construction doesn’t keep customers away.

A timeline for construction Within each of the following stretches of road, the entire section will be closed to travel and parking, even if work is only taking place in part of it on a given day.

Most intersections will only be closed on weekends.

Activity will generally be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with some overnight work.

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April 2019 -- Left side from Library Avenue intersection to Washington Street April 2019 -- Right side from Library Avenue intersection and McKees Lane to Washington Street April-May 2019 -- Right side at South College Avenue intersection (in front of Old College) April-June 2019 -- Left side from Washington Street to South Chapel Street May-June 2019 -- Left side at Tyre Avenue intersection June-July 2019 -- Left side at South College Avenue intersection Continued on Page 25

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Main Street Project Continued from Page 20

The City of Newark is simultaneously performing preventative maintenance on water mains.

Despite being more than 130 years old, Newark’s water system is in “generally really good shape,” according to Ethan Robinson, deputy director of Newark’s Public Works Department. Because the rehabilitation project presented the opportunity to combine related construction work into a single timeframe, the city’s contractor will spend this spring and summer upgrading leads and assemblies for 15 fire hydrants. The contractor will also install inline valves in order to better isolate sections of the water mains as the need arises in the future, due to either problems or new development.

Such work will create “minor traffic impacts” (i.e., lane shifts) and encroach slightly onto sidewalks in the immediate work zones, Robinson said. Most replacement work will be done after hours and at night to minimize disruption to traffic and to water service. Excavation will be done by day due to noise.

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Access to parking lots and driveways will remain open during business hours throughout construction.

There will be boil-water advisories for each phase of the work as a precautionary measure. FAQs on advisories can be found on the City’s website at https://newarkde.gov/BoilWaterFAQ. Jimmy Meyers, franchise owner of Jimmy John’s, shares the business community’s general acceptance of this project’s inevitability.

Continued on Page 24

Main Street Project Continued from Page 22

“This needs to happen,” he said. His establishment relies heavily on student foot traffic, especially between classes.

Sidewalks should only be affected sparingly, where curb ramps and fire hydrants are being replaced.

Jimmy John’s is known for making deliveries via bicycle, which could become challenging as traffic lanes are closed off. But food delivery also provides a way for customers to patronize downtown eateries without going downtown.

Most local restaurants either provide their own delivery or participate in Eat Street, Grub Hub, Door Dash and other services.

“If you want it delivered, absolutely. But if you want to come in, it’s still gonna be easy-peasy,” said Jeanne Kress, owner of The Perfect Blend, which serves waffles and coffee in an historic house whose interior feels like a cozy living room.

“We are the easiest place to get to on Main Street,” she said. “I expect people will come in here because we have a back entrance [off Delaware Avenue]. You can also cut through Newark Shopping Center. So the impact of construction on us shouldn’t make any difference to our customers.”

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Mike Beulah, project manager for DelDOT, says that the contract includes flaggers on Main Street to assist with traffic flow during rush hours.

Aber acknowledges that there will be a little more traffic backup, but people shouldn’t avoid downtown because of “five extra minutes.” She pointed out that only one lane will be closed at a time and the city is creating extra parking elsewhere.

The perpetual challenge of parking downtown will be exacerbated during construction, but it won’t be impossible. Off-street lots, such as The Perfect Blend’s, remain unaffected. Hanel, too, offers free parking for You’ve Been Framed customers and has been assured by DelDOT that parking entrances will remain clear during the entire repaving project.

DelDOT has created a website, www.mainstreetimprovements.com, to keep the public up to date on construction plans and progress. It includes information about both City and UD paid parking options, as well as customer parking lots.

Marc Ashby, co-owner of the Deer Park Tavern, isn’t concerned about parking. His restaurant has 55 parking spots.

A timeline for construction Continued from Page 20

DelDOT crews are replacing the cracked underlying concrete that has been the cause of frequent potholes in recent years.

He is concerned about public perception, though. “People might stay away from downtown for two years,” he said.

Like many downtown businesses, the Deer Park’s revenue historically rises 30 percent during the spring months encompassing UD Commencement and Alumni Weekend.

The section of Main Street closest to the Deer Park is slated for construction during May and June of 2020.

Continued on Page 26

June 2019 -- Left side at South Chapel Street intersection July 2019 -- Right side from East Main Street ramp to Main Street Towers July-October 2019 -- Right side from Main Street Towers to North Chapel Street October 2019 -- Right side of North Chapel Street intersection October-December 2019 -- Left side from South Chapel Street to South College Avenue November 2019 -- Left side at Academy Street intersection December 2019-April 2020 -- Right side from North Chapel Street to South College Avenue April-May 2020 -- Left side from North College Avenue to western limit (30 feet past Trabant Garage’s exit) May-June 2020 -- Right side from North College Avenue to western limit (30 feet past Trabant Garage’s exit)

Continued on Page 27

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Main Street Project Continued from Page 25

May is the busiest month for both restaurants and retail, attracting families and alumni in town for UD events, as well as students and locals with spring fever. The redesigned downtown will include features meant to further increase walkability, such as bicycle storage and “parklets.” These expanded sections of the sidewalk will provide room for benches and greenery and will encourage pedestrians to linger outdoors. Some will coincide with bump-outs at crosswalks -which will improve visibility and shorten crossing time -- as well as bus stops.

One recurring question from residents and business owners alike is, “Why don’t they bury the power lines?” while the road is dug up. Unfortunately, the hated rat’s nest isn’t going away.

Public Works deputy director Robinson said that, as much as everyone would like to see the overhead wires disappear, the costs

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Courtesy photo

Popular downtown events such as the Halloween Parade will continue during construction, although some may be relocated to nearby streets.

would be “astronomical.” Digging is only one part of such a project, he explained. Conduits need to be laid, conductors pulled through them, each service connection recreated and transformers relocated to ground level. City officials couldn’t justify the expenditure -- and

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Special downtown events Continued from Page 25

Several Main Street businesses offer free off-street parking for customers.

additional service disruptions -- at this time.

Bus service downtown should remain mostly on schedule throughout the project. “The intent is to maintain bus Continued on Page 28

Road work will pause during these events and special weekends, although lane and parking restrictions will remain in place. Depending on the exact state of construction at the time, certain events may be modified or relocated nearby. Some dates were not finalized at the time that DelDOT developed this list.

May 19, 2019 -- Memorial Day Parade May 31-June 2, 2019 -- UD Commencement June 7-9, 2019 -- Alumni Weekend July 20, 2019 -- Food & Brew Festival August 2019 -- Student move-in and welcome days Sept. 15, 2019 -- Community Day Oct. 5, 2019 -- Main Street Mile Oct. 27, 2019 -- Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat Main Street November 2019 -- Small Business Saturday December 2019 -- Winterfest March 2020 -- Five & Wine 5-Mile Run/Walk, Wine & Dine Downtown May 2020 -- Memorial Day Parade May 29-31, 2020 -- UD Commencement June 5-7, 2020 -- Alumni Weekend

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Main Street Project Continued from Page 27

stops,” said Natalie Barnhart, liaison between city businesses and DelDOT, although she noted the possibility that some stops may need to be temporarily relocated. She said that DART and UD may decide independently to alter schedules or routes.

Sasha Aber believes that students and professors will continue to walk downtown, but residents might decide to avoid it. “Sometimes, perception is worse than reality,” she said.

To help combat that perception, The Newark Partnership (TNP) -- successor to the former Downtown Newark Partnership -- is planning an Academy Dinner Series to bring visitors downtown and support local charities. Aber, a member of TNP’s Events Committee, says the three evenings will each feature six high-end local chefs serving five-course meals under a tent with live music.

The first one will benefit SL24 UnLocke the Light Foundation, which raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

The dinners will take place on June 27, July 25 and August 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Academy

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Like many downtown businesses, The Perfect Blend is weathering the disruption caused by Main Street renovations.

Street, with free parking available in UD’s Lot No. 53.

She encourages people to come out and support Newark stores and restaurants. “This is our town,” she said. “Be a part of downtown!”

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|Newark Life Cover Story|

Paws to the rescue The healing power of four-footed friends makes PAWS for People thrive

By John Chambless Staff Writer

P

erhaps it’s here – as a young girl hugs a furry, four-footed listener and snuggles in to read aloud – that the magic happens. Or maybe it’s in the gleam of delight in a hospital patient’s eyes when a gentle dog strolls into the room for a friendly pat. Or maybe it’s at a nursing home, where rubbing a dog’s ears can bring back a flood of memories of the old days.

For Lynne Robinson and her staff and volunteers, the magic happens at all these places, as PAWS for People uses the instinctive bond between people and animals to make life better for everyone.

Robinson, the executive director of the non-profit group, said, “People always think pet therapy is a nice middle-aged lady with a golden retriever who goes into the hospital and everybody pets the dog.

We do that, but we do a whole lot more.”

PAWS for People began in Robinson’s home, but for the past two years has been run out of an office park in Newark. The group began in 2005, when 21 teams of Newark pet owners shared their loving animals with residents in retirement homes and nursing homes, with children who were part of the Easter Seals program, and eventually children with autism, and those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. The main requirement was having a friendly dog and a heart for giving, and the basic rules haven’t changed much since.

Today, there are more than 500 people who are part of 21 active teams who visit locations in four states every day. While the therapy animals are mostly dogs, there are cats and rabbits as well.

“There are 176 sites we visit on a regular basis,” Robinson said, “and we do community events that

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All photos by John Chambless

Jordan shows the card she got after reading to Duke, her favorite PAWS for People listener.

we go to when somebody requests us. We do de-stress events for companies, we go to all the college campuses for de-stress events during exam weeks. Christiana Care will call us for a special support group, like working with people who have Parkinson’s, teaching them activities they can do with their own dogs. The bulk of our visiting is by our 500 members who Continued on Page 32

Tiny Peanut listens as Max reads. www.newarklifemagazine.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Newark Life

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Paws Continued from Page 30

have a site they commit to visiting at least twice a month. We have some people who visit every day – it’s just what their schedule allows them to do.”

The community reach of PAWS for People is large, but the demand is even bigger. “I need more staff,” Robinson said. “We have to train everyone, make sure we have vet references, place the volunteers and oversee them. We stay in touch, sending them cards and inviting them to community events. All of them have questions, and they either call or stop in here at the office.

There are probably 200 requests that we can’t handle because we don’t have enough teams.

But we can’t have too many teams at this point because I don’t have enough people here to handle everybody.”

While the group has grown exponentially, the need outstrips the supply. Robinson said she doesn’t foresee the group going national – at least Continued on Page 34

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Kayla reads to a patient listener at the library.

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Paws Continued from Page 32

not for now. “We don’t want to take over the world, but we do want to be known as the best in the Mid-Atlantic region, which we are,” she said. “There are always people who want to do this kind of work, and it has nothing to do with the economy. People will always love their animals and they want to give back to the community.

The issue is being able to promise them a good, ongoing experience with us, rather than just train them and say goodbye.”

Linking pets and those who need them is a full-time job.

To get volunteers up to speed, there’s PAWS University, which offers a required series of courses that teach pet owners how to relate to a wide range of people – those with dementia or autism, those in crisis or recovery, those who may be a bit shy around animals and those who can’t wait to wrap their arms around a dog.

One of the most publicly visible programs is the PAWS for Reading read-aloud program that visits libraries and elementary schools in the region. On a Wednesday evening in late March, five volunteers and their dogs took

Shaggy, patient Duke is a favorite for young readers.

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their places in a room at the Newark Library, waiting for children to arrive.

Clarice Ritchie, the community engagement director of PAWS for People, said volunteers have been visiting the library twice a month for years. Children can read for 15-minute slots during the hour-long visit. Some of the young readers have their favorite dogs, eagerly dashing over to snuggle with tiny Peanut, huge Duke or patient poodle Lexi. Often, patting the dog and turning pages can conflict, and a hug is usually part of the experience.

At the end of their visits, children get a card with the dog’s photo and an invitation to write to the PAWS for People website. There’s also a bookmark to take home.

As the children scurried to find their reading buddies at the library, the dogs accepted all snuggles and pats, and Continued on Page 36

Continued on Page 35

Alex gets a moment with a patient dog.

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Paws Continued from Page 35

laid down obediently as the children picked their way through picture books, often pausing to show the animals the illustrations.

While people get the most out of a visit from PAWS for People, the dogs enjoy the attention, too. At the library, the dogs laid down quietly, closing their eyes or rolling over onto their backs for a belly rub.

On the PAWS for People website, a teacher writes, “A PAWS pet therapy team visits my third grade classroom boys. They look forward to their visits! These boys have become calmer and more confident readers. Their attention span and focus is so much better! Two of the three boys increased from performance level 2 to 3, and the other went from 1 to 2. We could not be more pleased!”

Another teacher writes, “One third grade girl is Hispanic, and English is her second language. She’s often hesitant to read aloud in front of the group, but loved to read to Lillie from PAWS. As the year went on, she grew more confident of her reading.”

In a library setting, PAWS for Reading can do more than improve reading skills, according to a librarian who is quoted on the group’s website. “At the suggestion of a PAWS pet therapy team, a mom brought her 8-year-old daughter to our PAWS for Reading program. The girl, with a deep-rooted fear of dogs, sat

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Lexi and her owner, Beverly, at the PAWS for Reading program.

This young reader couldn’t decide whether to pat Lexi or turn pages.

Alex pats a PAWS dog while reading aloud.

clear across the room during the first few sessions. She gradually moved closer to Duffy, the therapy pet, and after several months, she was cuddling Duffy and had mastered her fear

of all dogs. In addition to building literacy skills, PAWS helped this young girl overcome fear and anxiety – she developed courage which will help her in life.”

Continued on Page 38

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Paws Continued from Page 37

In a hospital or rehabilitation center, dogs can be a calming influence, or provide a warm, affectionate center in a confusing situation. PAWS dogs are used frequently in outpatient areas, such as blood labs or cancer centers, to reduce stress for young patients or those with developmental disabilities.

Most of the monetary support for running PAWS for People comes from individual donations, grants and fundraisers, although pet owners and client organizations pay membership fees to belong to the group. There is grant support from several larger companies, including Hillside Heating and Cooling, Concord Pet and Discover. By using volunteers, the program is able to expand as broadly as it has, but is always looking for ways to do more.

The program works especially well for those with autism, since dogs are judgment-free and always patient with children who might not be able to make eye contact. As with all the PAWS for People programs, volunteers must complete training before working with children with autism, ensuring that a PAWS visit will be rewarding. That human-animal bond can be crucial for experiencing one-on-one relationships.

Even if one of those involved is four-footed.

For more information, visit www.PAWSforPeople.org, or call 302-351-5622.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jchambless@chestercounty.com.

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Summer Camp & 5 things parents should know before choosing a summer camp (BPT) - Looking for a cure for the winter blues? Start making plans for the summer.

Having something fun to look forward to such as days off and family trips - can make those dreary days more bearable. One thing you’ll want to add to your summer planning list is finding a great summer camp or two for your kids.

Even before leaves start appearing on the trees, many organizations begin announcing dates and enrollment for summer camp sessions. Get a jump start on the process with this guide to choosing an enriching summer activity, where your child will also have a blast. * First, know the best places to look: You may not be aware of the number of great summer day camps taking place around your community. Start with college campuses, parks and recreation departments, local school districts and churches. Be sure to tune in to nonprofits, like performing arts centers, museums and your local animal shelter or zoo. Finally, ask the other adults in your child’s life for the inside scoop. The art teacher, soccer coach and scout leader may be in the know about the best camps in town. * Look for the immersive experience: When you think about it, “camp” is an odd word choice. But look at what sleep-away camp means to kids, and it makes sense. Yes, it’s fun to sleep in a cabin and spend all day sailing, swimming and climbing. What’s key is 40

Newark Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.newarklifemagazine.com

that these kids are immersed in a new reality that’s different from the usual home and school routines. So when a local organization bills an activity a “camp,” they promise an experience that lets your kid jump in and become a part of something. When choosing the right camp, look for that quality. Is there a clear theme or topic? Will kids be active and involved? Or is the “camp” just made up of a series of talks led by adults? * Make sure your child is on board: Consider your child’s interests and how camp can make them stronger. Your playacting child with a flair for drama will probably thrive and bloom at theater camp.

However, if camp is a strategy to help them improve at something they struggle with, make sure the program is designed for these kids, or you’re setting them up for a session of misery. After all, you wouldn’t send your sports-loathing child to, say, a highintensity wrestling camp, to make them more athletic. * Consider longevity: When looking at various programs, a good question to ask is how long the camp has been around. New summer camp themes and programs can sound exciting and fresh, but it takes a few rounds to work out the kinks with any new organization. Choosing well-established programs with experienced leaders is one way to ensure that your child will get that worthwhile and fun experience with a new activity.

& Education Guide Art First

This is the Summer Developmental Program of Art First, Inc., for ages 4-14. It is an all-encompassing exploration of the arts, involving mind, senses and spirit. Art First, Inc. is committed to the high quality of materials and teaching abilities offered. The staff has a broad spectrum of experience and talent and will open worlds for our community’s children with their fresh perspectives as dedicated artists and educators. Call 302-239-3544 for email diane@artfirst.com

Barbizon

Summer Camps available. Fashion Design Camp and other summer sessions going on all summer. Let your child experience the summer of a lifetime. Contact 302-658-6666 or email info@barbizonchique.com

Camp Arrowhead

Summer camps are offered in five sessions for grades 2 to 11 from June 25 to Aug. 11 at a wooded site on the Rehoboth Bay. Day and overnight camps are offered. Call 302-945-0610 or visit www.camparrowhead.net.

Continued on Page 42

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Continued from Page 41

Camp Fairlee

Easterseals Camp Fairlee is located on the Eastern Shore and provides year-round respite and recreation for children and adults with all types of disABILITIES. Nine summer camp sessions run June through August including two weeks for children with autism. Activities include canoeing, swimming, climbing tower, zip line, ropes course, horseback riding, arts/ crafts, outdoor / indoor games and more. All new fully accessible facilities and cabins with A/C since 2015. Health Center with nurses. Specialized diets accommodated.

Cecil College

City of Newark Parks & Recreation

Summer is right around the corner and the City of Newark Parks & Recreation Department has you covered! Our Summer Activity Guide, including all our 2019 camps, fitness classes, sports leagues and instructional classes, swim lessons, dance, art & theater, special events and so much more is available now at www.newarkde.gov/play. Call 302-366-7000.

Delaware Aerospace Academy

Summer camps are offered this summer for ages 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 17, with outdoor activities and exploration of career pathways. Call 410-392-3366, ext. 628, or visit www. cecil.edu/youth.

Children in grades 1 to 10 can take summer camps focusing on science and technology, engineering, mathematics and space exploration, with a variety of packages available at Newark or Smyrna, Del., locations. Call 302-834-1978 or visit www.dasef.org.

Centreville Layton School Summer Program

Delaware Museum of Natural History

6201 Kennett Pike, Centreville, Del. A summer program is offered for youngsters in June and July, for pre-K to eighth grade, and middle and high school students.

Call 302-571-0270 or visit www.centrevillelayton.org.

4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Del. Thirty two summer camps are offered for ages 2 to 12, exploring the natural world. Call 302-658-9111 or visit www.delmnh.org.

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Newark Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.newarklifemagazine.com

Business | IT | Drones | Education Healthcare | Law | Safety | Test Prep

Delaware Nature Society

3511 Barley Mill Rd., Hockessin, Del. Let your child explore, discover, and experience the outdoors this summer at our fun and educational caring Summer Camps. Meet our talented, caring, safety-certified education team for Hiking, Gardening, Stream & Pond Exploration, Live Animals, Visual & Culinary Arts, Camping, Fishing, Archery, Canoeing & Kayaking.

Fairwinds Farm

41 Tailwinds Lane, North East, Md. Horse Camp to learn the basic skills of horsemanship is offered on weekdays this summer.

Call 410-658-8187 or visit www.fairwindsstables. com.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Four resident camps and three day camps are open to girls entering grades 1 to 12 this summer, focusing on a wide range of outdoor skills and interests. Visit www.gsep.org/camps.

Hockessin Athletic Club

100 Fitness Way, Hockessin, Del. Summer camps are offered for ages 3 to 12, with swimming, crafts, sports, games and volunteering. Call 302-766-7482 or visit www.hachealthclub.com.

Iron Hill Museum

1355 Old Baltimore Pike Newark Explore Delaware’s natural history, geology, or prehistory and fossil record, learn what archaeology can tell us about people from the past, or discover the world of insects at one of the Iron Hill Museum’s Science Adventure Camps this summer. Call 302-368-5703

Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center

Newark Day offers early care and education of infants (6 weeks) Through tweenies, preschool and school age students. School aged children can attend our summer camp program for one week or all summer. We offer an active atmosphere focused on nature with planned themes, events and projects to support children’s summer learning. 302-731-4925 www.newarkdaynursery.org Continued on Page 44

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Continued from Page 43

North East River Yacht Club

Learn to sail on the Northeast River on the Chesapeake Bay. Campers@neryc.com. 410-287-6333.

Rolling Hills Ranch

Year round horseback riding lessons for everyone. Day Camps offered 4 weeks in the Summer.

Dressage*Jumping and Eventing* Centered Riding* Therapeutic Riding33 Rolling Hills Ranch Lane Port Deposit, MD 410-378-3817 www.rollinghillsranch. org

St. Anne’s Episcopal Day Camp

At our Day Camp, children make friends of all ages during the morning meet & greet, the all-camp lunch, the camp-wide activities, and at the close of each day. They’ll bond with those in their age-specific groups during morning and afternoon sessions run by our own St. Anne’s faculty. Email mferster@ stannesde.org or call 302-378-3179, ext. 358.

St Elizabeth’s

St. Elizabeth High School is a close-knit Catholic school that follows the Benedictine tradition and offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum.

Located on the southwest edge of the city of Wilmington, the Vikings have hospitality at the core of our values with service, spirituality, and 21st-century skills as our focus. St. Elizabeth’s summer programs are co-educational camps for rising Pre-K through 8th graders. Our programs are run by experienced educators and strive to foster learning, creativity, and fun in a safe and caring environment.

Variety of camps. Call 302-656-3369.

Sanford School

6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Del. The school offers day camps for ages 3 to 14, with sports and arts camps for ages 8 to 14, and specialty camps in tennis (June 12-16, 19-23 and 26-30) and Coach Hutch’s Sports Camp (June 12-16, Aug. 14-18, and Aug. 21-25). Visit www.sanfordschool.org.

Continued on Page 46

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Continued from Page 44

Tatnall School

1501 Barley Mill Rd., Wilmington, Del. Summer camps are offered from June 19 to Aug. 18 for ages 3 through 12th grade. There are sports camps, an on-site pool, music classes, science and technology classes, dance camps and more. Bus trips to local attractions are available. Call 302-892-4347 or visit www.tatnall.org.

Wilmington Ballet

1709 Gilpin Ave., Wilmington, Del. Founded in 1956, Wilmington Ballet Academy of the Dance is one of the longest surviving ballet schools in the tri-state area and has a history of professional-level instruction to prepare young dancers for wherever their dance aspirations take them. The Academy is dedicated to providing superior classical ballet training to foster discipline, confidence, and poise to students of all ages in the Wilmington area. Summer camps available. Call 302-655-1004 or email info@wilmingtonballet.org.

Wilmington Friends School

A camp for ages preschool to ninth grade has one-week sessions from June 18 through Aug. 24, with a variety of activities and themes. Call 302-576-2998 or visit www. wilmingtonfriends.org/summercamp.

Wilmington Youth Rowing Association

500 E. Front St., Wilmington, Del. Three camps are offered: “Row For It!” for ages 10 to 14 (July 12-July 14); “Rowing 101” for ages 13 to 18 (June 25 and Aug. 14-18); and “Christina River Rangers” June 25-29, Aug. 13-17 for ages 10 to 13, with visits to the DuPont Environmental Education Center in the mornings and rowing lessons in the afternoon (July 23-27).Call 302-777-4533 or visit www.wyra.org.

YMCA Camp Tockwogh

An overnight camp on the Chesapeake Bay offers summer camps in one-week or two-week overnight sessions from June 4 to Aug. 17, for children who have completed grades 2 to 9. There is a wide range of camp sites, age groupings and themes. Visit www.ymcacamptockwogh.org.

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Newark Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.newarklifemagazine.com

The Tome School

The Tome School sets high standards in academics and personal behavior with a rigorous academic program and a dedicated, caring faculty that helps students reach their potential and acquire the skills that they will need to lead successful lives.

“Tome is unique,” said head of school Christine Szymanski. “We put a big emphasis on respect, personal responsibility, and academic rigor. We talk about doing things the ‘Tome Way.’” The ‘Tome Way’ has always been to provide a top-quality education to students at an affordable cost—that was what Jacob Tome envisioned when he founded the school in 1889. Jacob Tome, a banker, politician, and philanthropist, built one of the largest fortunes in the U.S. at the time while he was living in Cecil County. He wanted to create a school in the area that would offer the finest education for students willing to undergo its challenging regimen, regardless of their families’ ability to pay the cost for that education.

With its long tradition of excellence, the Tome School continues to be true to that mission today, focusing on academics, character, and community. The school educates approximately 455 K-12 students each year. With small class sizes—the maximum number of students is 14 in

kindergarten, 20 in grades 1-8, and 25 in grades 9-12—the faculty members offer the personal attention that students need.

Tome graduates are well-prepared for the future. In two recent graduating classes, the school’s seniors exceeded the state average SAT scores in reading, math, and writing by more than 100 points. When a graduate of The Tome School arrives on a college campus, he or she is typically ready for the new academic challenge.

“We are very academically driven,” explained Szymanski.

“So when students get to their next schools, they are very well-prepared.”

Tome School keeps tuition significantly lower than other independent schools, partly because of the substantial funding from The Jacob Tome Institute and partly because of parental assistance. Volunteer efforts by Tome families help keep tuition increases to a minimum.

The Tome School is proud to be a part of the Cecil County Community, and has been an active member of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce for 30 years.

The Tome School is located at 581 S. Maryland Avenue in North East, Maryland. The telephone number is 410-2872050. For more information, visit www.tomeschool.org.

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|Around Newark|

Rebuilding lives, one connection at a time

The Newark Empowerment Center helps the area’s homeless population

By Kelley Bielewicz Staff Writer

T

om Parkins was at a friend’s house not too long ago when he met a man who said, “I know you from somewhere.”

They ran through the possible connections. Maybe the man was a former student or knew Parkins from Tom Parkins has been helping homeless people in Newark for decades.

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The Newark Empowerment Center

Everyone is invited to share food and fun at the picnics. ‘I think it’s good for the community to realize these folks are no different than you or me,’ Tom Parkins says.

his days in the National Guard, but no. Eventually the other man said, “I know! You were there at Code Purple one night and you talked to me. I gotta thank you, because you helped me refocus, and I’m no longer on the streets. I have a job now and I’m living in an apartment in Wilmington.”

Parkins, a retired physics teacher at St. Mark’s High School, said that the delayed gratification he gets from working with Newark’s homeless population is a lot like that of teaching students.

Sometimes it takes years for his effort to bear fruit, but when it does, the results can be life-changing.

He got involved in this ministry decades ago, after a challenge from his own child. The family was in Philadelphia to see the Christmas lights, and on the way back to the train station, they passed a homeless man who asked for money.

Continued on Page 50

The Newark Empowerment Center is a program of Friendship House, Inc., a Delaware nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status.

The NEC is open weekday afternoons in Newark Methodist Church (69 E. Main St., Newark).

Friendship House, based in Wilmington, is a nonprofit, faith-based organization serving individuals and families that are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Its six-stage program provides clients with a pathway from survival to self-sufficiency. Services include food, clothing, medical assistance and emergency shelter in the early stages to job readiness, recovery and credit restoration and eventually to independent living and strategies for weathering future crises. For more information, visit www.friendship-house.org.

Go-Bags for the Empowerment Center Fill a gallon-sized plastic Zip-Loc bag with the following: • Protein serving (pasta, stew, tuna or chicken soup); flip-top cans only • Granola or cereal bar • 8–16 oz. juice box • Peanut butter/cheese crackers • Fruit serving, such as single-serve peaches, mixed fruit, applesauce or raisins • Napkin and plastic spoon • Dessert optional (single-serve pudding, cookies)

Go-bags should be delivered to the Newark United Methodist Church, at 69 E. Main St.

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Rebuilding lives Continued from Page 49

“I brushed him off,� Parkins said. “I told him, ‘I tell you what, I’ll catch you on the way back.’ And I knew I wasn’t going back down Market Street. My young son Scott said to me, ‘But Dad! I learned that God says we’re supposed to give to the poor.’�

The boy’s comment kept his father awake all night, turning over in his head what he could do to set a better example to his children. The next day, he heard a radio ad asking for bell ringers for the Salvation Army. He began bell-ringing and still does to this day.

But it wasn’t enough. About 12 years ago, he got together with a group of likeminded people to figure out what they could do to serve their poorest neighbors.

They started with representation from four or five Newark churches and grew to about double that. One of the members, Richard Waibel of Newark Methodist Church, reached out to representatives from Friendship House, who explained what they were doing in Wilmington and what they might be able to do in Newark. From those conversations, the Newark Empowerment Center (NEC) was born.

Today, most of Newark’s homeless citizens are in some way clients of the NEC. “The Empowerment Center is going to, first of all, help coordinate the rebuilding of their lives,� Parkins said. “That’s probably the biggest thing that they do, give them a sense of direction and encouragement. Tell them, ‘You need to do this Continued on Page 52

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Newark Life | Spring/Summer 2019 | www.newarklifemagazine.com

The whole community is invited to a Fourth of July picnic every year.

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Rebuilding lives Continued from Page 50

step, this step, this step.’ They’re going to coordinate, tell them this agency can do this for you, help you, steer you in that direction.”

Around the same time, the group created Code Purple, a winter emergency shelter program. “This idea was generated on one of the hottest days of the year, a dozen years ago,” Parkins said. The group decided that they needed to have a place where homeless people can go on exceptionally cold nights.

“We said, ‘The church is empty, it’s warm, let’s open the doors to the church.’

And so we got a group of churches together” It took a bit of convincing to get everyone on board. There were concerns about what “these people” might do, or what might go wrong when they were let into the churches.

“It was people getting out of their comfort zone, and just fear of the unknown,” Parkins said. But that attitude has been replaced by an enthusiastic embrace of the program among the participating church communities.

“People get geared up for it and they’re glad to serve,” he said. “So that fear factor is long gone. It’s a love factor now.”

The NEC was formed specifically to help homeless people of Newark, and most of the clients have personal connections here.

“Some grew up in the area, some have family nearby, maybe at one point they worked in Newark,” Parkins said. He added that those who are regulars around Main Street even help the local police at times, because they see and

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New socks are a much-appreciated item for people struggling with homelessness.

hear things that are of use to law enforcement. They are, by any definition, members of the local community.

In some circumstances, the NEC can help some clients get into Friendship House living places. Unfortunately, though, those properties are mostly in Wilmington.

“There’s nothing in Newark, really, for homeless or transitional people to live,” Parkins said. “We are looking to put something in Newark, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

A question the volunteers and staff of NEC wrestle with is how to help fellow citizens as much as possible without stretching resources too thin. “If we start providing amazingly good services, next thing you know, you’ve got folks coming down from Chester County, Cecil County, coming down from Wilmington, up from Middletown, Smyrna, Dover. So it’s a balance,” Parkins said. “We don’t want to become a magnet. But we do want to be able to provide those services to try to rebuild people’s lives and get them back up and encourage them.”

The NEC’s definition of homelessness refers to anybody who doesn’t have a regular place to live. An example might be someone who stays with a friend one week, in

the back of a car the next week, then with a family member the next. “They bounce from place to place. They’re homeless, even though they’re not necessarily sleeping on the street,” Parkins said.

He estimates that Newark’s homeless population is anywhere between 15 and 50. “At any one time, the number can vary because the homeless population is very transient. You know, ‘My girlfriend threw me out of the house, and all of a sudden I’m homeless for a week or until she takes me back.’ It also depends on what do you call Newark -- just the city limits, or surrounding area.

There are a lot of variables.”

The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that Delaware has 10.4 homeless per 10,000 people in the general population, a lower rate than Maryland’s or Pennsylvania’s, but slighter higher than New Jersey’s (12.0, 11.1 and 9.5 per 10,000 respectively). The national average is 17 per 10,000.

How many of those are children? “I don’t know a number, but there’s too many,” Parkins said. “I do know Continued on Page 54

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Rebuilding lives Continued from Page 53

The NEC also distributes go-bags, which are often prepared by school or scout or church groups as a service project.

Parkins challenged people to think beyond material giving and consider making connections directly. “I found a few guys that I would take to breakfast, and that’s all they wanted to do,” he said. “We just sit down and talk about the things that we always like to talk about, Phillies or what’s going on around town or this or that. Would someone consider doing that? It’s a little bit of a step out of your comfort zone.”

Food is a time-honored way to bring people together, so Parkins and his fellow congregants at Calvary Baptist Church have holiday parties for the “homeless, hungry and lonely.”

On the Fourth of July and Labor Day, they host picnics.

“In particular, we want to include our homeless folks and the people who are at Hope Dining Room during those holiday weekends who need a meal. They count on their Continued on Page 56

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that there are some that are living in cars. They may get motel rooms or stay with somebody at different times, but they’re living in the back of a car, by and large.”

The daily life of a homeless person tends to revolve about taking care of personal possessions, according to Parkins. “ ‘Where am I going to charge my cell phone?

Where am I going to go to the bathroom? Where am I going to wash up? Where can I get my clothing clean?’

Those challenges are there all the time. ‘Where am I going to get something to eat?’”

The NEC collects and distributes things like hand warmers, socks and underwear. “You don’t think of underwear as a very glamorous gift, but it’s really welcomed,” Parkins said.

Keeping clothing clean is difficult for people living on the street or in a car. The NEC used to give out vouchers for a laundromat in College Square, but that business has closed as the shopping center began undergoing renovations. They are seeking a replacement program, but have not yet been successful.

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Rebuilding lives Continued from Page 54

meals. So we invite all of them, and it is very festive.

And it’s just a wonderful, wonderful time,” Parkins said. Several NEC clients come early to help set up tables and chairs, or stay late to clean up. Anyone is welcome, and it’s not unusual for the hosts to serve hundreds of grilled burgers and dogs to people from all walks of life mingling over potluck potato salad.

“I think it’s good for the community to realize these folks are no different than you or me,” Parkins said.

“It’s just circumstances and life have thrown them some curveballs and they have some other challenges that maybe some of us don’t have. But they still like to celebrate and they still want to be part of the community.”

On the day after Thanksgiving, Calvary Baptist hosts a Black Friday Feast, when people bring their leftovers and share a meal with anyone who needs it.

“It gives everybody a little sense of family and community,” Parkins said.

On Christmas Eve, anyone is welcome to enjoy a holiday dinner and spend the night in the church. On Christmas morning, Santa comes bearing gifts.

“We try to make them a little bit practical but we also give everybody a gift card to McDonald’s and a gift card to Wawa to take and enjoy a day,” he said.

Although the goal is to provide joy to others, Parkins said he benefits at least as much. “I like to think that I experience true joy on Christmas,” he said.

The average Newark resident might be surprised to learn some of the stories of the kind of lives NEC clients had, and how they lost them, and how much they want to try to regain what they had. Some of the chronically homeless have all but lost hope.

“There are those who’ve done this so long it’s hard for them to visualize changing that life,” Parkins said.

“In some cases, it revolves around maybe an addiction or a mental issue, and they can’t quite seem to make that change in their life.”

But Parkins hasn’t given up on them.

“I want people to try to put aside that stereotype of the bum who doesn’t want to work, who is just trying to make a buck to buy the next fix of heroin.

That’s not all our homeless people,” he said. “There’s a richness of life that is still there. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of encouragement to reach out and see if we can’t pick up somebody and love them.”

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|Newark People|

Newa Phi T leade

All photos courtesy

Education has been very important in James Elliottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new life.

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wark native elected to Theta Kappa student dership post A new chapter in James Elliott’s inspirational story of redemption is about to begin as he takes on a leadership role with the world’s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

I

n early April, James Elliott traveled to Phi Theta Kappa’s Catalyst Convention in Orlando, Florida, where he was elected as the new international president—the highest student leadership position in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Elliott’s selection to the important post marks another big step in his remarkable journey to redemption—a journey that has taken him from a Delaware prison to a life filled with newfound purpose and promise.

During an interview just days after the Catalyst Convention in April, Elliott reflected on his past and how it has helped shape his present.

Phi Theta Kappa’s Catalyst Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Elliott explained that he grew up in Newark and enjoyed a very comfortable, middle class life. He attended private Christian schools throughout his childhood, and went to church with his loving family on Sundays. He played sports. But his life began to change when he became a class clown and troublemaker in middle school. And his life really began to change when he started using and selling drugs in high school.

“I started to enjoy being deviant,” he explained. “My love for sports fell to the side and any academic goals were out the door.”

He transferred to a public high school and his drug problems worsened. He looks back on this time in his life as a Continued on Page 60

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James Elliott Continued from Page 59

very dark time, but things were about to get worse once he left the comforts of high school. He fell into a desperate pattern of selling drugs, using drugs, getting robbed, and robbing others.

The involvement with drugs led, as it so often does, to a costly mistake, and in 2011, Elliott was arrested after he took part in a home invasion with some acquaintances who were looking to steal from a drug dealer. Elliott was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

“Before my incarceration, I did not have a purpose or any direction in life,” Elliott explained.

“Much of my time revolved around drugs, selling them or using them. Being incarcerated opened my eyes to all the opportunities I wasted.”

One of the first things that Elliott had to come to terms with was accepting full responsibility for his actions.

Being in prison allowed him to think without the influence of drugs.

“There was a year of processing and self-evaluation,” he explained. “I had been drug-free for a year and my mind was finally clear. I was now Continued on Page 62

Elliott was recently elected as the new international president for Phi Theta Kappa—the highest student leadership position in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

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James Elliott Continued from Page 60

faced with the reality of my life. I had nothing in prison, and I had to take this time to find out who I was. I had to find out what my identity was going to be moving forward.”

Elliott started making positive changes in his life while he was in prison. He had the benefit of a good education while he was growing up in Newark, so he started tutoring others who didn’t have the same opportunity. He started working in the prison chapel as the chaplain assistant, which helped him develop a servant’s heart. He started taking online courses through Ohio University to learn about the field of human services.

“During that time,” Elliott explained, “I started taking my education seriously. My academic success since my release has everything to do with these courses. The courses empowered me academically and gave me the confidence that I can succeed in other aspects of my life.”

Continued on Page 64

James Elliott has achieved great success at Delaware Technical Community College.

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James Elliott Continued from Page 62

The newfound focus helped him earn an early release for good behavior after five and a half years in prison.

He emerged from prison with a newfound purpose and a very different perspective.

He enrolled at Delaware Technical Community College and worked hard at his studies—in contrast to how he approached education before his incarceration.

He earned a spot on the Dean’s List.

Finding employment was a big test because of the felony conviction. His first chance at work came from Panera Bread. He developed a strong work ethic, and was determined to prove that he could be a reliable, consistent employee who would work hard and serve with integrity. He earned numerous Employee of the Month Awards and was soon in line for the company’s management training program.

His carried the lessons he learned while in prison with him every day.

He explained, “The foundation of servitude carried over to my release. When I enrolled at Delaware Tech, I knew serving others was my purpose in life. My leadership foundation that I started in prison carried over to

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He did work on an Alpha Zeta Kappa chapter Honors in Action Project that focused on research regarding the spike in violence in the city of Wilmington. This was an issue that he had already done research on while he was still in prison.

Continued on Page 66

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James Elliott Continued from Page 64

His work at Delaware Tech qualified him for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, which is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students. There are 250,000 active members and close to 2 million total members in the honor society. The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.

Elliott said that 2018 was an amazing year for him personally. One of the highlights was becoming the Delaware State president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, while another was continuing to pursue a dual degree in human services and drug & alcohol counseling at Delaware Tech. But the real highlight of the year was the birth of his daughter, which was a real lifechanging experience for him.

His motivation to lead a purposeful life in service to others only grew. His life experiences give him the unique opportunity to help others who find themselves in the broken criminal justice system.

Continued on Page 68

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James Elliott Continued from Page 66

“I want to be an advocate for prison reform,” Elliott explained. “Mass incarceration is a problem, and we are not effectively rehabilitating people so that they can reenter society.”

According to Elliott, education must be a cornerstone for recidivism reduction—that’s one thing that he has learned from his own experiences, and he is a strong believer that educational opportunities are critical for a person to turn his or her life around.

Elliott was able to speak on behalf of the First Step Act, legislation that was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.).

The comprehensive legislation is aimed at reducing crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction and professional development programs. It also promotes fairness in prison sentences by adjusting certain mandatory minimum sentences, granting greater discretion for judges in sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes, and clarifying congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms.

Elliott wants to take his message to as many people as possible. During the next year, he will travel extensively to perform the duties as international president for Phi Theta Kappa.

He wants to share his own story to show what a person can accomplish when they are given the opportunity. He also plans to continue his studies and earn a law degree so that he can work as a civil rights attorney to help others.

“There are many individuals from different walks of life who are being locked out of mainstream society,” Elliott explained.

Looking back on the journey over the last decade, Elliott said that there were many moments where he doubted himself, but through faith and a lot of hard work he has achieved some of his goals and has established new ones to strive for.

“I never thought I would be where I am today,” he admitted.

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Elliott’s mother, Robin Elliott, said that it’s been wonderful seeing her son achieve his goals.

“It’s incredibly impressive the way that he has bounced back,” she explained. “As his mother, I always believed he had it in him. But to see it occur has been overwhelming.”

To contact Staff Writer Steven Hoffman, email editor@chestercounty.com.

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|Newark Life Photo Essay| Since it began in 1982, the mission of Horizon Helicopters, Inc. has remained the same: Provide its clients with unparalleled safety, while helping them to do their job better. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become the eyes in the skies for those in several industries, as well as those willing to learn what it takes to become a helicopter pilot

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e c i v r

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Text by Richard L. Gaw Three decades ago, as his roofing company expanded to new markets and found new clients, Harry Griffith piloted a helicopter to and from meetings. It was a far more efficient method of travel – no tolls, no traffic, and just the wide-open sky before him.

“Once I learned to fly a helicopter for business, I quickly began to see that I wasn’t alone,” Griffith said. “I saw a growing need for a helicopter charter company, because of our proximity to so many cities, and the fact that Newark would be a great location for those in the Newark-Wilmington area who needed that access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Washington, D.C.” In 1982, Griffith founded and became the president of Horizon Helicopters, Inc., which has become one of the preeminent helicopter charter service companies in the Northeast, providing F.A.A.-approved transportation from New York City to Washington, D.C. and points in between.

Its five pilots -- which includes Griffith’s son BJ Griffith -- have more than 50,000 accumulated and accident-free hours in Enstrom and Bell helicopters. Further, Horizon Helicopters, Inc. has been Delaware’s only F.A.A.-approved Part 135 charter service company since 1985.

Continued on Page 72

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Horizon Helicopters Continued from Page 71

Name a profession and chances are that several in those industries have used Horizon Helicopters, Inc. for work: Photographers, real estate and development, architects and engineers, wildlife and conservation groups, construction mapping artists, and representatives from government, insurance and the legal profession. Taken from the sky, aerial photographs are used for property evaluation, land development, advertising, appraisals, and as gifts to clients.

Horizon Helicopters, Inc. also has extensive experience flying Continued on Page 74

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Horizon Helicopters Continued from Page 72

pipeline and power line inspections, including right-of-way forestry and contractor intrusion recognition. In addition, Horizon provides infrared scanning capabilities for power line, pipeline and waterway pollution inspections.

Horizon pilots extend their expertise to the hundreds of students theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve trained, who have ranged in age from 15 to 78 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including the licensing of the first deaf helicopter pilot in the country. Helicopter pilot training at Horizon allows future pilots to complete their private, commercial, Rotary Wing Add-on, ATP Rating and CFI licenses, and many of its graduates have gone on to fly Continued on Page 76

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Horizon Helicopters Continued from Page 74

in the U.S. Military, for police departments and government agencies, and for large companies in the private sector.

Griffith compared the skill of piloting a helicopter to “balancing a broomstick, bouncing a basketball and riding a unicycle at the same time,” a delicate and repetitive balancing act of tasks, measured against everchanging variables like weather conditions.

“Every pilot has to keep his or her skills current,” Griffith said. “If you walk away from our skills, you lose them. Flying a helicopter requires a constant attention to detail, and the need to hone one’s skills, in order to keep sharp.

“There’s a common misnomer about a helicopter and that is it Continued on Page 78

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Horizon Helicopters Continued from Page 76

doesn’t really want to fly,” he added. “While that’s not exactly true, there’s a very useful and common thought process that seems to help a pilot: When you approach a certain maneuver, you’re naturally doing all of the work, but you want to make the helicopter feel like it’s not your idea, but the helicopter’s.”

To learn more about Horizon Helicopters, Inc. visit www. horizonhelo.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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|Newark Business|

Burning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and brewin

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ng – the Midnight Oil While it may be atypical to begin a brewing company in an industrial park, that’s just what the founders of Midnight Oil Brewing Company did. Now, a year or so and hundreds of loyal followers later, their brewpub is packed, and their beer is becoming a name in Delaware

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

F

orgive the flipping of the narrative, but the telling of any story is made sweeter when the best parts come first, so the story of the Midnight Oil Brewing Company starts now – on the day you read this – at a brewpub and brewery that’s housed in a 15,000 square-foot space in an industrial park on Pencader Drive that was first opened on Feb. 3, 2018 – yes, the same day that the Philadelphia Eagles became Super Bowl champions -- a debut that was so successful the brewery nearly ran out of beer.

Continued on Page 82

Photos by Richard L. Gaw unless otherwise noted

Joe Stickel, TJ McGrath and Mike Dunlap of the Midnight Oil Brewing Company.

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With its cushy couches and large-screen TVs, the 110-seat pub owns a comfy, slightly man-cavey feel that’s become a popular and slightly off-the-beaten-path bungalow for men and women looking to share beer and conversation, all in adequate distance from the noisy brew pub crawl of Main Street.

While food trucks parked outside feed the patronage, the bar serves up crisp and cold glasses of what Dunlap’s talents now yield: Smash Belma, Retroactive Kombucha, Cataclysm, Impulse IPA and an ever-changing varietal of brews with scientific-sounding names, each of which is given its own colorful plaque that dots the “Available Beers” wall behind the bar.

The brewery features a 90-barrel system, and uses many ingredients that are provided locally. That allows the company to put out its varieties to the public and experiment with the development of new beers. There’s fundraisers, guest bartender nights, MObeer Mondays, yoga nights,

comedy nights and a roster of bands who plug in and play out.

And then there are the comments, posted on social media, from a growing list of friends and supporters, who have become the word-of-mouth saviors of the Midnight Oil Brewing Company: “Love it! Always excited to see new additions to beer list.

Chatting with staff is just BONUS!”

The brewery is located directly behind the brewpub.

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“Extraordinary brews, great space, artwork to enjoy and a food truck that had fantastic food! Totally recommend visiting this unique brewery..!”

“Been going here every couple weeks for the past 6 months, and I love it. Great beer, welcoming atmosphere, and knowledgeable staff that are also great to talk to!”

Now, a little more than a year removed from its opening, the Midnight Oil Brewing Company has carved a considerable notch in the Delaware brewing industry,

with a successful location, a collaboration with Downtime Refreshment to install a kitchen at the brew pub, and a commitment to broaden their regional distribution, which now includes more than 50 restaurants and brewpubs throughout Delaware.

To best comprehend the story of how the Midnight Oil Brewing Company got this far in so little time, it is important to state that it’s taken more than a decade, on what Continued on Page 84

The Midnight Oil Brewing Company consistently develops new flavors and varieties of beer, as this promotional t-shirt proudly displays. www.newarklifemagazine.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Newark Life

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Midnight Oil Continued from Page 83

began as a courageous roll of the dice by two friends, TJ McGrath and Mike Dunlap. Back in 2008, Dunlap was just another home-brew hobbyist turning out home batches in his kitchen and then in his garage in Wilmington, until the word got out that what he was whipping up in near secrecy could not remain a secret forever.

“At the time, Mike and I were enthusiastic craft beer lovers, and were buying a lot of craft beer with our friends on the weekends,” McGrath said. “Mike found out that home brewing was becoming popular, so he began to do it and quickly got very good at it.

“People would arrive at Mike’s house, drink all of his home-crafted batches, and leave all of their craft beer at his home, so Mike then had his friends put a couple of dollars in a jar at every get together, and something clicked.”

Then came The Nudge.

Continued on Page 86

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The brewery also prominently honors its key stakeholders and founders.

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Midnight Oil Continued from Page 84

“One night, I told Mike, ‘This is sort of becoming a business,’” McGrath said.

“That led to a few more nudges, and then we decided to take a crack at something larger.”

McGrath and Dunlap spent evenings and weekends hammering out business plans.

They read every piece of literature about how to operate a brewing company that they could find. They thought about how they could pull this off and at the same time mitigate risk. They toured breweries and brewing companies and asked owners a small mountain of questions.

“We asked them, ‘If you could do anything over, what would you do if you could?’” McGrath said. “That helped give us clarity to avoid the mistakes before we went forth on our plan – to put the gravel on the road before the paving went down.”

Continued on Page 88

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Midnight Oil beer is also available in cans and in growlers.

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Midnight Oil Continued from Page 86

McGrath was constantly upgrading the business plans whenever he had a break from his job. Dunlap was working his day job and perfecting his craft at night, and after a late night of brewing, he thought to himself, ‘I am burning the midnight oil.’

The business idea that was launched in Dunlap’s kitchen now had a new name.

So at this point in the story of what became the Midnight Oil Brewing Company, there was the Talent (Dunlap), the Project Manager (McGrath) and a very cool name, but in order to launch any successful business, a Visionary is needed to complete the bill. Enter Joe Stickel, a co-worker of Dunlap’s at a start-up company in Newark, who tasted what all the fuss was about, and was so convinced that the business concept would work that he signed on as the third partner.

From the start, Stickel had big plans. Think larger. Find a larger space.

Get a bigger brewing system. Eventually, working through a real estate agent, the partners found what is now the home of the Midnight Oil Brewing Company.

“Whenever I evaluate an opportunity or project, I ask, ‘What will it take for us to get to our goals?’” Stickel said. “If we were to really approach our goals, we would have to move nearly a dozen times in order to get there.

It just seems that all of those projected moves would have been costly Continued on Page 90

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Midnight Oil Continued from Page 88

and interrupt our service and our customers.

It didn’t make sense to go through all of those iterations at the beginning.”

“Our first-year model was all about the beer,” Stickel said. “Our second year is to determine what daytime traffic can do for our business. The genius of having our location in this industrial park is that there are 5,000 people who work here and nearby at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. That’s several thousand captive audience members here nearly every day of the week.

“Eventually, we want to be able to be their on-campus lunch break and their after-work brewpub.”

While the story of the Midnight Oil Brewing Company is still in its first few chapters, it is very likely that its last pages are far from being told. For the moment, McGrath, Dunlap and Stickel are planning to hold the course with where the last year has taken them.

“I could see us taking many paths, and right now, I don’t know which path we’re going to take,” Stickel said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily going to come down to us saying, ‘We absolutely have to go there, or we must go here.’

It’s going to be more like, ‘Let’s keep doing the fun things we’re doing, and it will make that decision for us.”

More than a growing menu of hand-crafted beers and more than the faithful following of hundreds of supporters that write glowing reviews on the company’s social media pages, there is a larger purpose of Midnight Oil

The names of the brewing company’s most loyal patrons will soon be colorfully displayed throughout the brewpub.

Brewing Company. Since their beginning, Stickel, Dunlap and McGrath have been committed to partnerships with local organizations like Easter Seals Delaware, Children and Families First, Miracles for Molly Dunn, Buddy for Life, the Food Bank of Delaware and Sirens & Shields.

It’s an idea that goes back to Dunlap’s kitchen.

“When Mike and I were sitting on his kitchen floor talking about the idea of starting this brewing company – before any of this started – the issue of stewardship and camaraderie came up in conversation,” McGrath said. “The idea that we can become a successful business and also be able to impact the community in some way, has always been important to us. Every one of us is constantly coming up with new ideas and bringing them into the fold, with a simple desire to leave the community better than the way we found it.”

To learn more about the Midnight Oil Brewing Company, visit www. midnightoilbrewing.com, visit them on Facebook, or call 302-286-7641.

The brewery is located at 674 Pencader Drive, Newark, Del. 19702.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty. com.

The Midnight Oil Brewing Company uses social media to promote events and new additions to its roster of beers.

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Newark Calendar of Events Spring Concert Series Academy Building Lawn Every Thursday in May and June, 7 to 8 p.m.

Newark Memorial Day Parade Sunday, May 19, 1 p.m. ceremony on the University of Delaware Green, 2 p.m. parade.

4th of July Fireworks July 4, 6 to 10 p.m. (fireworks rain date July 5) at the UD Athletic Complex. The annual Independence Day celebration draws approximately 18,000 people, while the fireworks are viewed by an estimated 40,000 people. The University of Delaware Athletic Complex is filled with activities and has plenty of space to lay down a blanket and enjoy the sun and then the fireworks.

Fine arts and crafts booths are available to browse, and games abound for the kids. Live music begins at 6 p.m. Free parking is available in the University of Delaware Athletic Complex lots. The community is asked to leave pets at home.

Food and Brew Festival Saturday, July 20, noon to 7 p.m. Restaurants downtown will host more than 40 craft and imported beers paired with creative food offerings. Guests travel from restaurant to restaurant to sample the featured brews and dishes. Tickets are not required. This is a pay-as-you-go event. All guests need a state-issued photo ID. Beer tastings and food specials begin at noon and run until 5 p.m. The first 2,500 guests will receive a Food and Brew Fest commemorative fiveounce tasting mug. These are available at all participating restaurants and at the information booth. Guests may sample one of the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s featured brews for $1. For more information, call 302-655-6483 or visit newarkfoodandbrewfest.com.

www.newarklifemagazine.com | Spring/Summer 2019 | Newark Life

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