Is Veganism For You?
Writing Contest: Share Your Adventure
Part III: The Gift of Artistic Inspiration
E K I T A T Local destinations worth trying this fall
SEPTEMBER 2020 COMPLIMENTARY
吀栀攀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀 樀漀礀 漀昀 漀甀琀搀漀漀爀 挀漀漀欀椀渀最 䘀爀攀猀栀 愀椀爀 ☀ 昀爀攀猀栀 椀渀最爀攀搀椀攀渀琀猀⸀ 嘀椀猀椀琀 匀栀漀瀀刀椀琀攀 琀漀 瀀椀挀欀 甀瀀 攀瘀攀爀礀琀栀椀渀最 礀漀甀 渀攀攀搀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 戀愀挀欀礀愀爀搀 戀愀爀戀攀挀甀攀⸀
2 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
3, 2, 1 . . . Staycation! Hagley Museum
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Mt. Cuba Center
3 Attractions, 2 Nights, 1 Great Time This exclusive offer provides free admission to three of Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley’s top attractions with a minimum two-night stay at participating hotels. Enjoy the amazing gardens of Mt. Cuba Center, recently named Best Botanical Garden in North America according to USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library and it’s 60-acre naturalistic garden, and Hagley Museum home of the original DuPont Company and its gunpowder works set on 235 acres along Brandywine Creek. Each the perfect setting for a fall foliage adventure. (Offer valid through 11/22/20)
VisitWilmingtonDE.com/Staycaction
Art is our Center, Community is our Heart
We are here for you! DelArt is open and we are delighted to welcome you back to the Museum. WILMINGTON, DE | DELART.ORG
4 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com. Left to right: Untitled (detail), 2000s. Mitch Lyons (1938-2018). Clay monoprint, composition: 40 x 30 inches. Delaware Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2012. © Estate of Mitch Lyons. | Ophelia’s Light, 2019. Photo by Joe McFetridge.
2 INSIDE 2
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Out & About Magazine Vol. 33 | No. 7
Published each month by TSN Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing & business address: 307 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Publisher Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com
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Director of Publications Jim Hunter Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com Contributing Editor Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net Creative Director & Production Manager Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC Digital Services Director Michael O’Brian Contributing Designers Allanna Peck, Catalyst Visuals, LLC, Anthony Nardo Contributing Writers Danielle Bouchat-Friedman Adriana Camacho-Church, Cindy Cavett, David Ferguson, Mark Fields, Pam George, Lauren Golt, Jordan Howell, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Dillon McLaughlin, Ken Mammarella, John Murray, Larry Nagengast, Kevin Noonan, Leeann Wallett
Contributing Photographers Jim Coarse, Justin Heyes and Joe del Tufo/Moonloop Photography, Butch Comegys, Lindsay duPhily, Tim Hawk, Matthew Loeb, Matt Urban Special Projects Bev Zimmermann
15 START
FOCUS
6 Snap Shots
22 Take It Outside
7 From The Publisher
27 Mindfullness
8 Voting Info
31 Backyard Tips
10 What Readers Are Saying 11 The Gold & Our Great Adventure
EAT
12 Adventure Story Contest
33 The Rise of Veganism
13 War on Words
39 Dorcea Finds Its Footing
14 FYI 15 Gift of Inspiration: Andre Harris
WILMINGTON
19 Fun Made for Social Distancing
42 In The City 44 On The Riverfront
Pictured on the cover (clockwise from top left): Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge; Delaware Art Museum; White Clay Creek State Park; Rockford Tower; Hoots Hollow at DuPont Environmental Education Center; Bellevue State Park; Indian River Bay; Hagley Museum; Indian River Bay; Alapocas State Park. O&A file photos. Credits: Alapocas (Lindsay duPhily); Delaware Art Museum (Jim Coarse, Moonloop); Hoots Hollow (Joe del Tufo, Moonloop). Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge, Rockford Tower; Indian River Bay (Matt Loeb). Other photos provided by Hagley Museum and Delaware State Parks.
FEATURES 11 The Garden, The Gold & Our Great Adventures An eccentric millionaire hid a treasure in the Rockies. Why? By Jim Miller
15 The Gift of Inspiration: Part III Wilmington’s Andre Harris has become an East Side teacher and entrepreneur By Leeann Wallett
19 Fun Made for Social Distancing Delaware’s first virtual reality arcade to open in Bear By Ken Mammarella
21 Eat Your Vegetables! Veganism is gaining momentum, but is it for you? By Leeann Wallett
OutandAboutNow.com Printed on recycled paper.
Editorial & advertising info: 302.655.6483 • Fax 302.654.0569 outandaboutnow.com • contact@tsnpub.com
25 Banking on Midtown Brandywine Despite opening during a pandemic, Dorcea is finding its footing By Pam George
SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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SNAP S HO T S
1. 2.
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DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION (WILMINGTON RIVERFRONT) 2. 1. With Frawley Stadium as a backdrop, a large video screen allows the crowd
gathered in the parking lot to watch Delaware's Joe Biden deliver his acceptance speech as the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States 2. A man proudly wears his Joe Biden facemask as he drives to the Chase Center during the final night of the Democratic National Convention. 3. An armed supporter of Donald Trump joins fellow supporters for a rally held in a parking lot outside the Chase Center. 6 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
Photos by Butch Comegys
3. 4. No, she's not arguing with a baseball cap. This wide-eyed Joe Biden supporter is actually in a heated discussion with a supporter of Donald Trump. 5. Many people turned out with large signs, hoping someone among the large media contingent would amplify their message. 6. Wilmington police provided many modes of support for the security detail on site throughout the four-day Convention.
START
From The Publisher
RIDING OUT THE STORM
I
don’t know why the news of Steve Bannon’s arrest set Pride: That my city, which has endured more than its me off. I guess we’re all operating with a short fuse share of bad PR (some deserved; much overstated), would these days. get some positive national exposure. But when I heard that our president’s former chief Anxiety: That Biden would stumble, lose track of his strategist was charged with defrauding donors in a border thoughts, reinforce the perception that he had lost more wall funding campaign, I was incredulous. If convicted, than a step. he would be guilty of ripping off the very people he so I’ll be honest, I wasn’t in favor of Biden becoming the smugly claims to champion. How despicable. nominee. I didn’t even want him to run. Nothing personal, “Only the best people...,” remember that boast? People he’d served the country well. But couldn’t we nominate such as Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, someone more representative of the future, not the past? Rick Gates, George Papadopoulos, Michael Cohen. Each Water under the bridge. Biden was the nominee, the charged with a crime; each convicted? Yes, that’s quite a Democratic Party had spent three days making a good cast—if you’re building a crime syndicate. case why, and now it was up to the 77-year-old to close In serious need of stress relief, I turned to a trusted the deal in the biggest speech of his life. Hell, I was outlet—my bike. I’m sure it will come as no surprise that nervous—and I was watching from my couch. I’m riding a lot these days. But after the DNC set the stage with impactful videos My route of choice is the Markell Trail via the displaying Biden’s empathy and enormous capacity to Wilmington Riverfront. After all, the Riverwalk is only overcome tragedy; after 13-year-old Brayden Harrington seconds from my office. revealed to the nation how Biden helped him in his battle But in my haste to with stuttering (Biden escape, I had forgotten about has had his own battles ...now it was up to the the frenzy of activity taking with the speech disorder); place along the Riverfront. Delaware’s favorite son 77-year-old to close the deal Ironically, it was also the knocked it out of the final day of the Democratic park. How fitting that in the biggest speech of his life. National Convention, and the video screen used for Hell, I was nervous—and I was hours later Delaware’s the drive-in watch party very own Joe Biden would was positioned so Frawley watching from my couch. be making his acceptance Stadium served as the speech as the Party’s backdrop. presidential nominee in the Chase Center, a building I’ve People are saying it’s the best speech of Biden’s career. visited countless times and ride or drive past daily. You’ll get no argument here. I do hope, however, that The swarm of logistics crews, media and security had come Nov. 3 people will be saying a whole lot more. me concerned that I wouldn’t be able to pass through the Character matters. Ethics matter. Bestowing political area. Fortunately, I wasn’t stopped because the ride gave power is a supreme responsibility. me time to gain control of my combating émotions: For the president and for us. Anger: That around 40% of the country is OK with this shit. — Jerry duPhily
SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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2020 ELECTIONS Delaware’s Primary is being held on Tuesday, September 15. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all polling locations. YOU CAN ONLY VOTE FOR YOUR REGISTERED PARTY’S CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION. People that are registered Independent, Libertarian or Green Party have very few choices in the primary election. And you had to be registered to vote by August 22. The General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all polling locations. All registered voters can vote in this election but must be registered by October 10.
Need to find your polling place? Request a mail-in ballot (also known as Absentee)? Need to register to vote? Visit Vote.org (National) or ivote.de.gov/voterview (Delaware only). If you do not have access to a computer, you can register to vote at the DMV or your local and state election offices. Delaware has new voting machines with big touch screens! The machines generate a ballot that you can inspect and either accept or change before your vote is cast. There are volunteers at every polling place that will familiarize you with them. Watch a 2-minute video on how to use them here: https://youtu.be/EX51pU8rxYo.
These are the elected officials that impact your daily life in Delaware, and many of us know our local elected officials personally. Most of the Democrats running for office will not have a Republican foe in November, so the Primary Election will decide who wins. If you care about who represents you, vote on September 15.
• • • • • • • • • • •
U.S. Senator (2 Dems & 2 GOPs) Representative in Congress (2 GOPs) Governor (2 Dems & 6 GOPs) Insurance Commissioner (2 Dems) State Senators & Representatives New Castle County President (4 Dems) New Castle County Clerk of the Peace (2 Dems) New Castle County Executive (2 Dems) Mayor, City of Wilmington (3 Dems) Wilmington City Council President (2 Dems) City Treasurer (2 Dems) Wilmington City Council—At Large (8 Dems for 3 seats) and almost all Districts
VOTE
WILMINGTON ALLIANCE: WHY SHOP LOCAL?
The Wilmington Alliance seeks to strengthen our support of small businesses citywide during and post the COVID-19 pandemic by launching WilmingtonMADE. Pre-COVID, small cities across America have been part of an economic development resurgence led by the private sector, which is striving to create inclusive economic environments across urban landscapes. WilmingtonMADE is designed to build on the success of the Wilmington Strong Fund* - which to-date has granted $1,000 grants to more than 100 small businesses located throughout the city of Wilmington - by promoting these businesses and encouraging Wilmington residents to shop local. When the community rallies around locally owned businesses and makes a conscious effort to shop at local stores, everyone benefits. WilmingtonMADE will build out a community-driven network to promote local businesses, restaurants, stores, and cafes citywide. We have listened to the needs of small business owners and are taking immediate action to ensure Wilmington remains open for business.
Local Businesses Offer Unique Character A wide variety of locally owned businesses contributes to a stronger local identity and cultural diversity, creating an attractive place to live and visit. It’s Neighborly Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors.
We all win when we live in the city, take better care of the environment, and build a strong local economy!
Why Shop Local? What’s Spent Here, Stays Here
Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and many employ local staff. Get More for Your Money When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
Powered by funding from J.P. Morgan Chase, WilmingtonMADE is led by a partnership between Wilmington Alliance and Cornerstone West CDC. Follow @WilmingtonAlliance
Learn more about the workforce development programs at: https://usa.generation.org/wilmington-de * The Wilmington Strong Fund is led by a partnership between West Side Grows Together and the Wilmington Alliance, with leadership from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, True Access Capital, Cinnaire, the Delaware Division of Small Business, Central Baptist Community Development Corporation, Latin American Community Center, WIN Factory, Wilmington Community Advisory Council and Collaborate Northeast. This fund first began as an initiative on the West Side with the support of Capital One and has now expanded to serve small businesses throughout the City of Wilmington. What started as a goal of $10,000 has now expanded to a $100,000 matching commitment from Barclays US Consumer Bank.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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START
WHAT READERS Buy a plate, ARE SAYING CLEAN UP OUR STATE.
About A Gem of A Business Created in the wake of a home robbery, this husband-and-wife jewelry company has clients throughout the U.S. by Lauren Golt, August 2020 Wow! So cool to hear about. Very encouraging and inspirational. Rock on! — Kristin Walker, Little Rock, Ark. Greatly interesting, such ideas made real. This is truly inspiring.
— Benjamin Tawiah, Tema, Ghana
— Omotola Fawunmi, Lagos, Nigeria
About A Legend Turns 60 Grotto Pizza enjoys a big birthday this year August 2020 We can’t visit a Delaware beach without getting a pizza from Grotto Pizza! — Michelle Sapp, Oxford, Pa. About Where Do We Go From Here? by Larry Morris, July 2020 I really enjoyed your recent issue's focus on healing from racism and appreciated the viewpoints shared, thank you for this important conversation. — Rachel Barczak, Wilmington About The Gift of Inspiration by Leeann Wallett, July 2020 True inspiration!
— Connie Clark Mitchell, Wilmington
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? SEND US A MESSAGE! contact@tsnpub.com • OutAndAboutNow.com
MORE INFO:
KeepDelawareBeautiful.com P U R C H A S E A P L AT E :
goo.gl/3frxHU
10 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
Reader will y k c u L e n O
T e n s t i ! h t n i W
Will it be you? Details on page 12.
START
The Garden, the Gold and Our Great Adventures An eccentric millionaire hid a treasure in the Rocky Mountains. Why?
Eric Lippert ascends to Montana's Sheep Falls
By Jim Miller
O
ver the course of one week in August, tens of thousands of listeners tuned in to WXPN’s broadcast of the 1969 Woodstock music festival. DJs played the legendary concert in its entirety—all four days of it—rising with Ritchie Havens’ spirited opener and setting with Jimi Hendrix’s incendiary finale. Tuning in was a trip. During a sunny Saturday, I drove around town running errands, my car radio redirecting me through Max Yasgur’s farm no matter where I went. The broadcast was billed as “Woodstock Week: Back to the Garden Again,” a clever nod to Joni Mitchell’s tribute, “Woodstock,” which she first performed a month after the festival, singing:
We are stardust, we are golden. We are caught in the devil’s bargain And we got to get ourselves Back to the garden Of course, those last lines are, in turn, a clever nod to the biblical story of the Garden of Eden. More specifically it’s about poor Adam and Eve unwittingly playing a game of Let’s Make a Deal with a satanic serpent subbing in for Monty Hall. “Hey, kids,” the crafty creature hisses, “this place is beat! Nothing ever happens. Take a bite of this forbidden fruit and, one day, you’ll enjoy smart phones, movies on-demand and virtual reality!” It wasn’t an easy choice. The Landlord had been clear from the get-go about the Tree of Knowledge being off-limits with disobedience bringing eviction. As the story goes, our ancestors are seduced by the snake into this original sin and end up on their butts—just beyond the boundary of an everlasting Paradise they once called home and to which they can never return. No do-overs. No way back. Or is there? Joni thought it was possible. But that was 50 years ago. In the era of acid. Back to the garden… My mind left Country Joe and the Fish jamming onstage and flashed back to a recent series of adventures in the Yellowstone area, where an old college buddy and I went looking for hidden treasure.
Allow me to explain… A TALE OF TREASURE
About 10 years ago, an eccentric millionaire outdoorsman by the name of Forrest Fenn hid a bronze chest full of gold and jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Then he issued a challenge to the world to find it. The treasure map? It was nine clues Fenn stashed in a 24-line poem he wrote. Hidden clues to a hidden chest of gold. I started researching this story in November, 2018. It was an incredible premise: not a movie; not a TV show; not a video game. This was, by the looks of it, the real deal. And, if it wasn’t—if it was all a big trick—it would still make for a great read. Hopefully. Why would an eccentric millionaire outdoorsman hide a treasure in some secret location in the Rocky Mountains? For one, he wanted get people off the couch and back in touch with nature again. “Get your kids out in the countryside, take them fishing and get them away from their little hand-held machines,” Fenn told TODAY in a 2013 television interview. If we’re being honest with ourselves, there are a helluva lot of people out there—other than children—who need more time away from those machines. I was one of them. Probably still am. So I bought into Fenn’s pitch, and dove into the story and the adventure headfirst. Along for the ride was an old college buddy of mine, Eric Lippert, whom I recruited at the end of 2018. Eric also succumbed to Fenn’s spell. Together, Eric and I explored the area just outside the northeast corner of Yellowstone, the wilderness surrounding what is the least traveled entrance to the park. In the middle of winter, we snowshoed over—and sometimes through—several feet of snow, into a frosted canyon, in an area in which recent reports warned of both wolves and snowslides. In the following summer, we took a rugged hike into the Beartooth Mountains and almost actually walked into a wandering moose, who was equally spooked. Then, in a vicious thunderstorm, I crossed storm-swelled rapids by shimmying across a fallen log. There are dozens of other stories. All of them connected by a similar thread: The extreme unlikelihood that Eric and I would have
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| OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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been doing any of these things had we not become fascinated by the legend of Forrest Fenn and his bronze chest full of gold and jewels.
THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE
In June of this year it was announced that someone else had found the treasure. Of course, Eric and I were disappointed. But after a long phone call, we were comforted by the countless number of great stories we’d collected over the past year and a half. So much so, that I decided to write about it for my college magazine. You can read the story here (www.magazine.northwestern.edu). I hope you do. In the process of working on the piece, going back and forth with the editors, one of them asked a question: “Why [is it] two grown men felt so passionately about the quest that they decided to embark on it?” It was a completely reasonable question. But it bothered me for some reason. Who wouldn’t want to go on a Rocky Mountain adventure looking for hidden treasure? I continue to ask myself variations of that question. Why is it that we are too often completely satisfied experiencing the world solely through the two-dimensional screen of a television, or a laptop, or a phone? After a while, doesn’t it begin to feel second-hand? We settle for the essence or appearance of the experience, but not the experience itself. I’m no Luddite. We need technology, just as our ancestors needed the first technology: fire. But like our ancestors, we should understand that all technologies are only as good as our wisdom to use them. In other words, the same fire we use to cook our food can be used to burn down our neighbor’s house. That’s the problem. As the paragon of animals, we should know better. Alas, there is no other creature great or small that builds gilded cages as well as we do—whether it’s tethering ourselves to our phones or cementing ourselves in front of our televisions and computers. Likewise, there’s no other animal doing as much damage to the planet as us. Which begs the question: Have all of these second-hand experiences skewed our judgment?
The Tree of Knowledge may have provided vast intelligence, but our first taste of Wisdom came from experience, as it usually does. It was the consequences of our actions that got us the boot from Paradise. But what if we actually never left Paradise? What if it was just another one of the serpent’s tricks? By every definition and measure, our Earth is Paradise. Our best astronomers employ our greatest technologies, searching the heavens for something else like it, only to come up short, again and again, in one way or another. In the apparent endless vastness of space, our Earth is uniquely fit for us, the human race.
PARADISE FOUND
When I first started looking for Fenn’s treasure, there was a waterfall I pinpointed on maps as a possible location. I began picturing it in my mind while driving around town, while at work, or before going to bed. Photos weren’t good enough; I had to see it for myself. So I flew out West in winter and Eric and I hiked miles through the snow to get to it. It was worth the effort. In a way, that frozen waterfall became my Garden. My slice of Paradise. It is still a location I carry with me—a place and time I go to where everything stands still. It may sound weird, but when life presents stressful situations, I think about the serene beauty of that frozen waterfall. The stillness of it all. I can thank Forrest Fenn for that. The Devil may have bribed us out of Paradise—or tricked us into thinking that we left, when maybe we didn’t. Perhaps taking a cue from the snake, Fenn turned the tables. He bribed thousands to go out into the wild to look for treasure—and, in the meantime, rediscover a piece of Paradise. Sure, technologies can connect us with each other. Those benefits come from our knowledge of things. However, the Great Outdoors can connect us with ourselves and something greater than us all. That’s something altogether different, but equally as vital. Taking a cue from Forrest Fenn, we’re offering a bribe for your adventures. To the right are directions to our Adventure Story Contest. We want to hear about your first-hand experiences. Where did you go? What did you find? Who knows? Maybe you’ll win a cool prize for your efforts!
PRESENTED BY:
Perhaps you have a story of your own treasure hunt. Or some other intriguing adventure? Then share it with us and have a chance for your short story to be published in the November 2020 issue of Out & About Magazine. The adventure can be fiction or non-fiction, just make sure it’s compelling. Entries will be judged on content, entertainment value, originality and style. Following are the other requirements: • Must be original and unpublished and no longer than 2,000 words. • You must submit in electronic format (no handwritten entries). • No stories containing explicit sex or excessive violence/cruelty. To be considered, entries must be received by Oct. 1. Send your entry to Contact@TSNPub.com. Subject line: Adventure Story Contest Submission. Winner will be announced in the November 2020 issue of Out & About Magazine. The Grand Prize Winner will receive: REI Kingdon 6 Tent, a $50 Shop Rite gift card for supplies & a gift card to Ted's Montana Grill to celebrate.
• Include your name, phone number and email — By entering the contest, author gives approval for his or her story to be published in Out & About Magazine. The winning entry may be edited for publication. Entries will not be returned so entrants should keep backup copies of their stories on file.
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A writer/editor’s slightly snarky and relentless crusade to eliminate grammatical gaffes from our everyday communications
Compiled from the popular column in Out & About Magazine
THE WAR ON WORDS A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language against misuse and abuse
Media Watch Thanks, USA TODAY, for filling this entire section. • Our first entry is courtesy of Grace Z. Li, whose book review contained this: “It’s what she learned to live with while stuck in an unhappy marriage, one borne out of necessity.” Borne is the past participle of bear, which means “carried or transported.” What Li meant was born. Later in the review, Li writes: “Scenes where Linda craves forgiveness or approval from Marta beg the question: Why does Linda want Marta to perform this work?” I know this is a losing battle (one in which some linguists have already raised the white flag), but this phrase does not mean “brings up (or raises) the question.” • Then there was writer Jessica Menton: “But she has put in fewer hours with less clients due to social-distancing measures.” You started out so well, Jessica, with the correct “fewer” for a plural noun, but somehow you failed to carry through. When referring to plurals, avoid less, always use fewer. • Seems that sports columnists at USA TODAY are given to inventing new meanings for words. Take Jeff Zillgitt, for instance: “Playing like they have been, it’s easy to fathom the Lakers with three losses in a series earlier than expected.” Fathom means to “understand” or “grasp,” neither of which fits in that sentence. “Imagine” is an appropriate substitution. • Mark Medina: In a story quoting Jusuf Nurkic about how Portland Trail Blazer teammate Carmelo Anthony has been supportive: “Nurkic mused that Anthony was in the room.” Muse: “To be absorbed in thought or say to oneself in a thoughtful manner.” Neither definition fits here. “Noted” would be a suitable verb here. Or he could have gone with the newsman’s standard attribution verb—said.
Media Watch, Mark Medina Category Medina, the paper’s NBA reporter, is embedded in the league’s bubble at the Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, from whence he unleashed these train-wreck sentences: •“Stotts became pleasantly surprised at how well-conditioned Anthony stayed in shape for almost an entire year after he was waived.” A bizarro redundancy that an editor should have caught. •“But unlike during the Heat’s first scrimmage, though, they won’t be able to call off the game.” Two qualifiers in the same sentence?
By Bob Yearick
Again, where are the editors?
•Then there was this gem, couched in first-
person reporting: “So when I interviewed Warriors forward Draymond Green the following day about his social justice projects and his appearance on a new TNT show, I changed a different tact when the health officials knocked on the door.” The word is “tack,” and the phrase is “took a different tack.”
Danglers August was a great month for dangling modifiers. Here’s proof: Reader Karen Jessee was perusing a CNN story titled “Inside the Final Resting Place of Tutankhamun's Treasures” when she came across this sentence describing Howard Carter, founder of the treasures: “A meticulous, demanding man, Egyptology will forever owe him an immense debt.” We’re fairly sure Egyptology is not the name of a man. Richard Engel, NBC News correspondent, reporting on the explosion in Beirut: “Traveling faster than the speed of light, people couldn’t get out of the way of the blast.” Lebanon needs to enlist those people for the next Olympics. Reporters William Bender and Barbara Laker combined for this one in the Philadelphia Inquirer: “After being placed in the back of a police cruiser, the arresting officer asked Komorowski if he had a gun in his vehicle.” Doesn’t the arresting officer usually occupy the front seat?
Department of Redundancies Dept., COVID Category PPE equipment, items, gear. Remember, PPE stands for “personal protective equipment."
Facebook Follies “Loose” incorrectly used in place of lose is one of the most frequent mistakes on Facebook. Question for those people: If you think lose is spelled l-o-o-s-e, how do you think loose is spelled? Surely you understand that lose (to be deprived or cease to have) is pronounced looz, and loose (not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached) is pronounced loos.
Follow me on Twitter: @thewaronwords
Word of the Month
palmary Pronounced PAL-muh-ree, it’s an adjective meaning of supreme importance; outstanding; praiseworthy.
NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION? Contact me for a fun presentation on grammar: ryearick@comcast.net.
Buy The War on Words book at the Hockessin Book Shelf or by calling Out & About at 655-6483.
START START CELEBRATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL
F.Y.I. Things worth knowing
THE STATE OF DELAWARE’S RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
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ccording to the Delaware Restaurant Association, Delaware lost more jobs in the restaurant industry between February-April 2020 than every state in the nation except Vermont and New York. More than 23,500 restaurant jobs were lost during that period, which equates to two of every three restaurant industry jobs. And a DRA survey of its membership revealed 81% of them felt they would still be operating at a loss in the first quarter of 2021. The DRA goes on to state that research conducted in 75 Delaware restaurants demonstrates overall restaurant compliance to COVID-19 guidelines as established by the Delaware Division of Public Health. In fact, a survey of health inspectors responsible for accessing restaurant compliance indicated 92% of them would feel safe returning to those restaurants to dine themselves. For more on the condition of Delaware’s Restaurant industry, visit DelawareRestaurant.org
LA FATE GALLERY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
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ocal artist Eunice LaFate will commemorate her gallery’s fifth anniversary on Sat., Sept. 26 with an afternoon of artistic engagement under the theme Rebounding From Grief to Growth. The event will take place at LaFate Gallery (227 N. Market St., Wilm.) from 1-4 p.m. and feature a silent auction “Art For A Cause.” For more details call (302) 656-6786.
14 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
GREAT DAMES TO HOST GLOBAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
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reat Dames will host its first international virtual conference on five consecutive days, Sept. 21-25. The event will be live streamed from noon to 1 p.m. (Eastern Time). This year’s theme: Reimagine Your Remarkable Life. The stellar list of speakers will include U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware’s first Black female congresswoman); Joan Pendergrass (author, speaker, and wife of the late musician Teddy Pendergrass); Dr. Wendy Smith (University of Delaware professor and founder of the Women’s Leadership Forum); Leticia Gomez (pioneering Latinx literary, film, and television agent); Kay White (best-selling British author and career mentor); Miracle Olatunji (GenZ phenom and founder OpportuniMe); and DeLores Pressley (international speaker, author, and former guest of The Oprah Winfrey Show). A highlight of the conference is the Remarkable Ideas Pitch on Thursday, Sept 24. Ten women will present their business ideas for reimagining their community to compete for a $1,000 cash prize. The winner will be announced on Friday, Sept. 25, the final day of the conference. You must pregister to participate. Visit GreatDames.com/reimagine
DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY
D
elaware libraries now have a new tool to encourage children to read with the expansion statewide of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Parents can enroll their child for the free program through any Delaware library, which enables them to receive one new book in the mail each month from birth until the child’s fifth birthday. Books are selected by a national panel of early childhood literacy experts who review hundreds of children’s books each year and choose those that best fit the needs of children as they learn and grow. The program helps a child create a personal library of as many as 60 books that can help form the foundation of a child’s early reading experience.
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n exhibition of photographs and other memorabilia will be on display at the Christina Cultural Arts Center (705 N. Market St. Wilm.) Sept. 1 thru Oct. 1 in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Negro League Baseball and native son and Hall of Famer Judy Johnson. Included are photos of Johnson’s Hall of Fame induction along with images of him serving as a Phillies scout, alongside baseball legend Cool Papa Bell, and more. Major League Baseball is commemorating the anniversary with special events and acknowledgements during every Sunday game played throughout this season. MLB has also donated $1 million to the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo.
AIDS WALK DELAWARE TAKES NEW PATH FOR 2020
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IDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium are converting their annual benefit walk into a statewide, week-long challenge, temporarily replacing the traditional two-city walk in Wilmington and Rehoboth. From Sept. 12-19, people are invited to “walk” when they want, how they want, and with whom they want. There will be no official in-person gathering. “If we had gone with a traditional approach, we knew the Walk would have been cancelled” said John Beckley, Director of Development and Marketing at AIDS Delaware. “We also knew that we didn’t want to put anyone at risk.” AIDS Walk Delaware is the state’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event, benefiting numerous AIDS/HIV service providers statewide. This collaborative fundraiser is always critical, but more so in 2020, as all benefiting organizations have been financially and philanthropically impacted by COVID-19. The services they provide to the community and fulfilling the day-to-day needs of their clients, who already have compromised immune systems, is critical. Greenhill Pharmacy has signed on as the presenting sponsor and organizers are hoping to raise $80,000 from this year’s virtual event. Those interested in walking can register at AIDSWalkDelaware.org.
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Andre Harris, 39, of Wilmington, is Chief Apostle for Breakthrough Reformation of Churches International. He is also an artist and CEO of Cliq Corporation. Photo Butch Comegys
Serving His Neighborhood With ‘Arts as Prevention’ as a springboard, Andre Harris has become an entrepreneur and teacher in the East Side Part three of a four-part series: The Gift of Inspiration By Leeann Wallett
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hile growing up on the East Side of Wilmington, I saw many of my peers turn to drugs and the ‘corner life,’” says Andre Harris, founder and apostle of Breakthrough Reformation of Churches and Cliq Corporation. The experience caused him to worry that his generation would eventually be “wiped out” and that he too would become a “statistic.” Then, in 1989, he became a student in artist Eunice LaFate’s “Arts as Prevention” program, and he began his journey from student to entrepreneur to teacher. Harris became friends with Eunice’s son, Jermaine, and he soon began calling her “mom” because of her strong influence throughout his childhood. Jermaine and Harris
came from two different home environments—Harris, a single-parent household, and Jermaine, a dual-parent household—so when Harris went over to the LaFate household he didn’t quite understand one of its tenets. “Mrs. LaFate had one rule in her house: ‘You must learn something new before you can do something fun,’” says Harris. “It didn’t make sense at the time, because it was summertime and kids go out to play, but this was the expectation at her house.” Eunice LaFate’s unique teaching philosophy—something creative before something fun—and “Arts as Prevention” program helped Harris to discover his passion to teach. ► SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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THE GIFT OF INSPIRATION continued from previous page
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER At the Y, we stand against all forms of racism, discrimination and hatred.
Harris with mentor and “mom,” Wilmington artist Eunice LaFate, outside her Market Street gallery. The painting: “Leave No Child Behind.” Photo Butch Comegys
Harris also credits his Aunt Shirley Cornelius for his love of giving back to the community. “My aunt was always involved in political campaigns when I was young,” says Harris. “I remember when she volunteered for Stephanie Bolden’s campaign when she ran for the Wilmington City Council Third District seat back in the ‘90s.” Both women taught Harris an invaluable lesson in caring for one’s community and the power of education and mentorship.
YOUTHFUL ENTREPRENEUR
Harris became an entrepreneur at the age of 16 when he established his first business, Cliq Records Entertainment, a company focused on homegrown musical talent. “Delaware had so many undiscovered music talents that never could reach the mainstream music industry,” he says. “When artists finally did make it, they would claim Los Angeles or Atlanta or Philly as their home, rather than Delaware.” Since its founding in 1995, Cliq Corporation has grown to become an umbrella company for four of Harris’ businesses—Simply Divine Events by Dre, a full-service wedding and event planning business; Cliq Music Management; Harris Media, a print and web services company that creates banners, business cards, websites and more; and Cliq Mentor Foundation, a business recently co-founded with Jermaine LaFate. Cliq Mentor Foundation is a reinvented venture that will focus on mentoring for elementary and middle school-aged youth in Wilmington. Harris and Jermaine hope to collaborate with likeminded businesses like LaFate Gallery to provide resources like the “Arts as Prevention” model to youth in need of peer and community support and positive role models.
GRANDFATHERLY ADVICE
www.ymcade.org 16 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
“Many young people from my community come from families that don’t have positive male role models,” says Harris. “Jermaine and I were fortunate in that we both came from structured households in the community.” Even though Harris came from a single-parent household, he had his grandfather, Thomas Harris, who was his mentor and hero and taught Harris to “always teach the people after you.” As Thomas saw it, “(youth) still have time to learn and grow so it’s important to steer them in the right direction to make sure they become part of society.” Inspired by his grandfather’s sage advice, Harris, who recently turned 39, helped younger generations to find their purpose. “Youth (on the East Side) need someone to bring them through the very difficult things they’re going through,” he says.
In many households, Harris says, kids aren’t worried about learning to ride a bike. Instead, they’re concerned with finding a consistent revenue source because their single parent is unable to work. “Many younger people don’t have a safe outlet to keep them off the street life,” he says. To put food on the table, he says, “Some kids have to sell water every day”—a common practice in poverty-stricken neighborhoods that are bounded by well-trafficked streets where cars sit at red lights. Harris has made it his personal mission to educate and empower youth, and to give them the tools and the chance to lead. He does this by using his experience with the “Arts as Prevention” program to tap into the creative minds of his students.
FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER
Harris, who attended church throughout his childhood, began his path to ministry after a difficult period while attending Johnson & Wales University, North Miami campus. While there, he struggled after the deaths of a few of his loved ones. “I was in a bad headspace and wasn’t able to deal with it all at the same time,” he says. “I didn’t have anyone to turn to except my peers, who took the ‘party it off’ approach.” Harris joined the New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, where he met the late Rev. Dr. Mack King Carter. This pastormember mentorship began Harris’ journey from student to teacher. After graduating from Johnson & Wales with a degree in entrepreneurial leadership and business administration, Harris returned to Delaware and his home church, Mount Zion, the Mother, AUMP. In 2002, he preached his initial sermon and began his ministry experience. In 2010, he started his own church, Changing Partners International, on Wilmington’s East Side, and a year later founded Breakthrough Reformation of Churches, a conference of churches
throughout the United States and abroad. Harris is also in talks to acquire a building in Wilmington to open what will be the Mother Church of the conference.
A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Harris believes the COVID-19 pandemic has given all of us a new opportunity for growth. “2020 is the year to love your neighbor as yourself,” he says. He believes it’s a test in how to communicate thoroughly and effectively, especially as we all navigate personal and professional relationships while wearing masks. “Wherever you are, whether it’s at home or vacation, you have the power to change a life,” says Harris. “You may not know or understand how you changed it, but a simple greeting like ‘hello’ could’ve made all the difference in that person’s life.” Using his gift for the written and spoken word, Harris is in the process of writing a self-help book that encourages people, especially youth, to find their greater selves. He advises youth and teens to seek out mentors, even if they’re younger, and to “not be afraid to develop their passion early.” “Youth are scared to reach their potential because of what their peers will say or think,” he says. “As an educator and apostle, I encourage youth to dig deeper into themselves to find their inner voice.”
Correction: Breakthrough Churches is based in Wilmington not New Castle, an error that appeared in the Gift of Inspiration articles in the July and August issues. Next month: How one Wilmington man discovered the power of communication through the “Arts as Prevention” program while working closely with his mother, Eunice LaFate.
VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH
PRESIDENT CITY COUNCIL
HANIFA SHABAZZ EXPERIENCED LEGISLATOR
CONTINUING TO MOVE WILMINGTON FORWARD
VISIONARY
INNOVATOR
PROBLEM SOLVER
Established a strategic planning process for new council’s legislative agenda.
Established $1 Homestead Program for residents to become homeowners of vacant properties.
Championed implementation of CDC findings regarding epidemic of trauma related gun violence.
Organized a parking task force to resolve citywide parking issues.
Created ID program for lowincome seniors to receive all eligible City resources.
Fought for funding for communitybased summer youth programs.
Resolved 50 years of flooding in Southbridge with building of Wetland Park.
Upgraded WITN TV to become an international award-winning TV network.
Encouraged Direct-toAirport train service from Wilmington to PHL and BWI.
Engaged youth in developing a peer-to-peer anti-littering campaign.
Advocated elimination of pre-K 2nd grade out-of-school suspensions. Established collaboration with New Castle County to remove lead paint in city housing. LEARN MORE @ WWW.HANIFASHABAZZ.COM Paid for by: Shabazz for City Council President 2020
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Ctrl V owner Emmanuel Rosembert holds a pair of virtual reality goggles standing at one of 16 stations under construction at his new venture. Photo Butch Comegys
FUN MADE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING Delaware’s first virtual reality arcade to open in Bear By Ken Mammarella
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trip to Atlantic City 18 months ago has inspired Delaware’s first virtual reality arcade. “I went to my first escape room, which was virtual reality. I was blown away at the technology,” says Manny Rosembert, who decided immediately that this was the type of venture he wanted to start. “My heart was in it, something unique and something fun.” His Ctrl V arcade is scheduled to open this month in in the Fox Run Shopping Center in Bear. If things remain on schedule, the grand opening will be Sept. 5.
Milestones in the process included immediately deciding that Canada’s Ctrl V was the best in the business, signing a franchise agreement in July of 2019, starting the search for real estate a month later, signing the lease in January, resigning from his fulltime job in February to devote more time to his goal and…then the pandemic hit. “If I hadn’t signed off on the lease, I might have stopped,” he says. “But there was no turning back.” ► SEPTEMBER 2020
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KRESTON WINE & SPIRITS
FUN MADE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING continued from previous page
It turns out that a virtual reality arcade meshes well with coronavirus health guidelines. A VR station allows for only one player, meaning it’s designed for social distancing, and the setup already calls for cleaning the equipment between each user. To increase safety, he’s using stronger cleaning agents, adding handsanitizing stations and planning more aggressive cleaning regimens.
WHAT YOU VIRTUALLY EXPERIENCE
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Ctrl V has 4,000 square feet of space between Acme and Fresh Hot Bagels (Rosembert’s new go-to for noshing). There are 16 VR stations and a party room for brought-in refreshments and gifts. “Virtual reality will be very important in the future,” said Madison Hanifee, one of his three employees. Hanifee, a video game design major at Wilmington University, hopes that the job— in addition to her PlayStation VR at home in New Castle—moves her up a level up in the industry. At Ctrl V, Rosembert anticipates having 50 games, and players can make requests. Some titles are familiar to home gamers—such as Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds Isle of Pigs, Creed Rise to Glory and Superhot VR—but most are recognizable only in their style, like role-playing and exercise. The corporate site lists games in 11 genres: action, adventure, casual, experiential, family, horror, mini-games, motion, puzzle, shooter and sports. Players can select to play solo or play the same game as those in other rooms. About half the games can be multiplayer, with limits usually of two to 10 players, with Sweet Escape robust enough to handle all the stations. Players can share audio with others, even if they’re playing different games. A monitor outside each station mirrors what players are seeing in their headset for spectators to enjoy, although it’s not in the immersive virtual reality. To help with social distancing, Ctrl V asks for only one observer per player.
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A basic hour at Ctrl V costs $25, with www.ctrlv.ca/location/ bear listing promotions for a loyalty program, seniors, groups, new customer referrals and package deals. Ctrl V is cashless, the site says. Ctrl V’s corporate site also touts that it adheres to goals and regulations of the Virtual Reality Standards Board that “ensure the health and safety of users and protect the rights of content creators.” The company recommends that players be at least 8 years old and 40 inches tall. Players under 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Adult games—too much violence or gore and therefore rated 14+—can be locked out to younger children. The action starts with signing a legal waiver, followed by a twominute safety video. The rooms have black padding on the walls and floor, because, as Rosembert experienced in his five days of training at the head office, “a lot of players can lose their grip of reality and fall. They see a chair to sit on or a table to lean on, but it’s not there.” A help button covers falls and other issues.
What is
?
Your Source for Events, Culture & Dining #inWilm Rosembert models a pair of virtual reality goggles. Photo Butch Comegys
The HTC Vive head-mounted display is tethered to the ceiling for maximum flexibility, with two wireless full-motion controllers strapped to the player’s hands and tracking infrared lasers and LEDs that generate the virtual reality. Players must be shoeless, and the company recommends bringing a water bottle and wearing lightweight clothing. “VR is a full-body experience!” it says. “The most prevalent risks of VR are eye strain and motion sickness,” a corporate FAQ says. To avoid the eye strain, the company advises taking a break during extended sessions or if discomfort is felt. To avoid motion sickness, it has minimized the number of games featuring “smooth game movement which mimics real life motion” and offering games with little to no movement.
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THE BEST PLAYER AT HOME
Rosembert, 35, was born in Seaford and graduated from William Penn High School near New Castle. While growing up, he was the best video gamer among six brothers, although he admits now that his brother Edwin has surpassed him. He earned multiple degrees from American InterContinental University, the last a master’s in information technology, and for the last nine years worked as a manager at Sallie Mae. But he yearned to do something else, and that desire also led to multiple applications to become a police officer. Then there was the trip to Atlantic City with his son Manny Jr., his brother Gerald and nephew Gerald Jr. The next day he started researching the VR field and quickly found Ctrl V. Ctrl V began in 2017 in Waterloo, Ontario, part of Canada’s Technology Triangle, and today it has 19 locations, with three in the U.S.: Bear (DE), Howell (NJ); and Charlotte (NC). For the last six months, Rosembert has been focused full time on his business. His wife, Candise, passed away in 2018, and as a single father, he’s determined to find more time to be with his 9-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, Kabira. Friends have been supportive. “It’s inspirational,” says Rosembert. “They wish they could [start their own business]. They’re cheering me on.” —Ctrl V is in the Fox Run Shopping Center, U.S. 40 at Wrangle Hill Road. Operating hours are planned to be 3:30-10:30 p.m. TuesdaysFridays, 10:45 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and 12:45-7 p.m. Sundays. Information: www.ctrlv.ca/location/bear or bear@ctrlvarcade.com.
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Bellevue Park
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Delaware Art Museum
Photo Shannon Woodloe
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Photo DE State Parks
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etting out and about is a bit riskier these days. As much as we all want to travel, the experts are strongly advising against it. And we should respect the advice of experts. But we can—and should—still get out. Perhaps not by plane or train, but why not a road trip to a local destination that you may have heard about but never visited? An adventure in your own backyard, if you will. Following are a collection of fantastic, affordable outdoor destinations unique to Delaware. If you haven’t visited one of these in a while or ever, what are you waiting for? Being outside has rarely been such a precious privilege. And winter is just around the corner.
Alapocas Run State Park
This is truly a hidden gem of the city. It’s easily accessible, and has options for several activities. On the other side of Brandywine Creek, behind Rockford Park and the Delaware Art Museum, it boasts quite a few trails. Take the forest trails from the Alapocas Ball Fields for a nice nature hike with a few vistas of Brandywine Creek and the surrounding area. Or take the path along the creek to enjoy the water running through short falls and rocks. The park also features Blue Ball Barn, the Can-Do Playground, and a rock-climbing area. The Northern Delaware Greenway Trail runs right through it, so don’t forget your bike. Visit DeStateParks.com.
Ashland Nature Center
Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin is the headquarters for the Delaware Nature Society. It’s a great place for any nature lover and is a particularly nice spot to explore with kids. It has plenty of well-marked, easy-to-hike trails, small streams and meadows to play in, views of the Red Clay Valley, bathrooms, and a place to fill up water bottles. (The last two attributes should never be taken for granted!) There’s a hummingbird garden, a butterfly house, a bird blind where you can watch quietly as birds fly right to you, and the staff at the nature center is always eager to engage little naturalists-in-training. (Note: Currently, all trails across from the Ashland entrance are closed to the public.) Visit DelawareNatureSociety.org.
Bellevue Park
For the energetic, there are hiking and jogging trails, paved and unpaved cycling paths, a 1-1/8-mile fitness track, and tennis courts. Even during the pandemic, there are several activities you can pre-register for, including Zumba on the patio and full-moon hikes. Want a more sedentary activity? Try your luck at the pond stocked with bass, catfish, and sunfish. You must release largemouth bass, but you make keep all others. And make sure you have a fishing license. Or check out the stables; you may find riders exercising their horses. And don’t forget that picnic basket. Off Carr Road north of Wilmington. Visit DeStateParks.com.
Brandywine Creek State Park
Located just three miles north of Wilmington along Brandywine Creek, this 933-acre park boasts 14 miles of trails, the longest being the Rocky Run Trail and the Greenways Trail. Great for hiking and biking. Brandywine Creek has a large population of bass, bluegill, and crappie, and Wilson's Run is known for its trout (fishing license and trout stamp required). Canoeing, kayaking and tubing are also popular ways to experience the Brandywine. The open meadows are excellent for picnics, kite flying, and disc golf, and in the winter, for sledding and crosscountry skiing. Visit DeStateParks.com.
Brandywine Park
Not to be confused with Brandywine Creek State Park, Brandywine Park is nestled in the city of Wilmington along the north and south banks of the Brandywine River, between Augustine Cutoff and King Street. It includes walking trails, offleash dog areas, a beautiful fountain, monuments and gardens, the Brandywine Zoo, and plenty of places for fishing and picnicking. It is particularly beautiful in the spring when the trees and gardens begin to bloom. Visit FriendsofWilmingtonParks.org.
Brandywine Springs Park
Visit this park off Newport Gap Pike and you’ll discover far more than a pleasant path for strolling. The site was actually an amusement park at one time, reaching its peak during the Edwardian era until it closed in 1923. Prior to its time as an amusement park, it drew tourists because of the mythologized curative powers of the spring. A sprawling and lavish hotel was built—twice—and twice burned down, and unfortunately there are no remains of the structure today. Thanks to the nonprofit Friends of Brandywine Springs, though, the trails are clear, safe, and peppered with fascinating markers to pique the imagination, encouraging visitors to envision more than the amusement park foundations that still exist on the historical nature walk. Even cooler, the site still undergoes excavation digs by the Archaeological Society of Delaware. Picnic by the stream, go for a run—or dip your hand into the water for a chance of that ancient cure. Visit NCCDE.org. ► SEPTEMBER 2020
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Cape Henlopen State Park
This sprawling refuge of dunes and pine forests is a respite from the surrounding commercialized development, and a great destination regardless of the season. Try the less-crowded, unpolished stretch of beach at Herring Point, where you can experience the bayside sunset accented by views of the Breakwater Lighthouse and Lewes. Cape Henlopen also features scenic walking and cycling trails. Visit DeStateParks.org.
Delaware Aquatic Resources Education Center
Located in Smyrna as part of the beautiful Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, the Delaware Aquatic Resources Education Center (ARE) features several ponds and inlets, a 940-foot boardwalk that spans a tidal marsh, and an abundance of wildlife. The ARE is perfect for a day trip of fishing or for experiencing some of Delaware’s aquatic ecosystems and avian population. The ARE hosts activities for educators, field trips for students, and events to introduce kids (and adults) to Delaware’s coastal ecosystems. Visit DNREC.alpha. delaware.gov.
Delaware Art Museum
While the museum’s galleries offer thousands of works from Pre-Raphaelite to Contemporary American, DAM’s Copeland Sculpture Garden is an often-overlooked option for those seeking an outdoor artistic adventure. It’s open daily from dusk to dawn and features 16 sculptures by nationally recognized artists strategically positioned amid a landscape of indigenous plants. A highlight of the Garden is one of the country’s most distinctive labyrinths, ideal
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for meditative walking (see story on page 27). DAM also features a regular schedule of outdoor concerts, happy hours and now movies. Happy Hours on the Museum Terrace with live music take place every Thursday (5-7:30pm) through Sept. 10. And DelArt Cinema Drive-in Movies are scheduled for Sept. 3 (Pulp Fiction) and Sept. 17 (The Maltese Falcon). Visit Delart.org.
Fort Delaware
Many First State residents don’t realize Delaware has its very own Civil War fort, much less its very own island. A trip to Pea Patch Island, site of Fort Delaware, will introduce you to this intriguing part of state history. You reach Fort Delaware by catching a ferry on Clinton Street in Delaware City, then it’s a half-mile ferry ride to Pea Patch. Once there, try the following: Take a picnic lunch (no food service on the island) and enjoy the tranquility of this unique getaway. Hike the easy .8-mile path around the perimeter of the grounds—especially if you’re a bird watcher. Explore the fort itself and learn the role Fort Delaware played in the Civil War (it once housed as many as 9,000 Confederate prisoners) and World War I. During the pandemic, the Fort is only open Friday through Sunday and visits are limited to 2.5 hours, so planning is key. You will also need to reserve a spot on the ferry in advance. Visit DeStateParks.com.
Trap Pond State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park
Killens Pond State Park
Fort Delaware State Park
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Lums Pond State Park
A tranquil spot in White Clay Creek State Park. O&A file photo
Hagley Museum
Covering more than 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine, Hagley’s grounds are a delight for hikers, bikers, and photographers. That’s especially true for those with an interest in history as the museum grounds include the first du Pont family home in the U.S., the gunpowder yards and a 19th-century machine shop. Special upcoming outdoor events include: Bike, Hike & Brews (Sept. 2); Stroll Into Fall (Sept. 20, 27 & Oct. 4) gives visitors the chance to leisurely walk to the du Pont residence and garden usually only accessible by bus; Canon Firings (Sept. 27, Oct. 25) demonstrate how gunpower was made and used; Hayrides at Hagley (Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25) allows the family to enjoy fall foliage in the Hagley Powder Yard; Hagley Craft Fair (Oct. 17) is one of the museum's most-popular events and will be an all-outdoor event this year. Visit Hagley.org.
A great adventure to experience with your dog, the park offers an off-leash area as well as trails, fields, and water access points for your furry friends to run and swim. Be aware that the offleash area is not accessed through the main entrance. You can find the entrance on Howell School Road by turning onto the road marked with the Pony Express sign. Just remember to bring extra towels to dry off your canine companions. Other adventures at the park include the 6.4-mile Swamp Forest Trail for hikers and 8-mile Little Jersey Trail for mountain bikers. You can also explore Delaware’s largest freshwater pond (200 acres) by paddle boat, canoe, or kayak. Finally, the Go Ape tree ziplining adventure located on the park grounds has reopened. Reservations required. Visit GoApe.com. For Lums Park information, visit DeStateParks.com.
Mt. Cuba Center
At about half the size of other former du Pont estates such as Longwood Gardens and Winterthur—and slightly more difficult to find—the Mt. Cuba Center is an often-overlooked gem, which is a shame since its wildflower collections and nature paths are unique in this region. In fact, the center boasts collections of trillium and hexastylis that are of national significance, accredited by the Plants Collections Network. Recently, Mt. Cuba was named the top botanical garden in North America in a USA Today Readers’ Choice poll. Visit MtCubaCenter.org. ►
Who’s Up For A Ride? Bike ThroughThree Historic River Towns @ 8th Annual
River Towns Ride Sat., Oct. 3 • 9am start
Pick Your Distance • All Ability Levels Medals Awarded Based on Distance
(Held Under State Safety Guidelines for Covid-19)
RIDE For details & to register, visit RiverTownsFestival.com
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Hagley Craft Fair
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A N D SPECIA LT Y FO O D M A R K E T
Russell W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge. Photo Matthew Loeb
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This urban oasis is located on the Wilmington Riverfront, so it’s easy to incorporate a snack or lunch/dinner along the Riverwalk into your adventure. The refuge is 212 acres of freshwater tidal marsh adjoining the Christina River and offers a unique opportunity to view American bald eagles, beavers, otters, ducks, and a wide range of birds. Its DuPont Environmental Education Center, managed by the Delaware Nature Society, provides an elevated view of the river and marsh as well as a quarter-mile, handicap-accessible walking loop extending into the marsh. DEEC also offers a wide range of classes and programs. Finally, there is the Markell Trail, which has been a go-to destination for walking and cycling since it opened in September 2018. The trail offers a 5.5-mile car-free trek between Wilmington’s Riverfront and Historic New Castle. Visit DelawareNatureSociety.org.
Valley Garden Park
Valley Garden Park is a bit of a local secret, although during the pandemic it has been discovered by many newcomers looking for an outdoor respite. Tucked along scenic Hoopes Reservoir in the heart of Chateau Country, it’s 1.3-mile trail is flat, offers views of water and occasional wildlife, and is a great place to stroll with the dog. Visit DeStateParks.org.
White Clay Creek State Park
The many trails of this park are popular with runners, but the mountain bike trails that include shallow dips in the creek and dense patches of trees and open fields are absolute treats. Whether you’ve been riding your entire life or just picked up a bike yesterday, White Clay Creek has a trail that will provide miles of fun for you. Many of the trails have some steep climbs and equally steep descents and can be a bit dodgy depending on the weather; some may even be closed. Your best bet for finding a fun ride suited to your skill level would be to stop into your local bike shop and ask about recent trail conditions and where you can find a map of the different routes. DeStateParks.org.
FOCUS
Fresh State of Mind Practicing mindfulness outside brings multiple rewards By Pam George A version of this story first appeared in our March 2020 issue. The subject matter seemed especially appropriate now.
Studies have shown that mindfulness can help relieve stress, improve sleep quality and even build immunity.
W
hen Melissa Layfield is feeling overwhelmed, she takes a timeout. But not in the traditional face-thecorner meaning of that term. Instead, the busy mom of three ditches her shoes and socks and steps outside—no matter the weather. “I stand in the dirt, grass or snow,” she says. “For a minute, I just look, listen, see and feel. I call it my ‘mindful minute.’ It’s a quick centering practice.” When she has more time, she and her children go on a hike in White Clay Creek Park, which adjoins her backyard. Layfield and her kids aren’t the only ones marrying meditation and nature. More people are finding solace by taking a mindful stroll in a park, on their street or even in their driveway.
Look, Listen, Savor
Unless you’ve been living without TV, Internet or magazines, you’ve probably heard about mindfulness, which is a part of the self-care or wellness movement. Layfield certainly knows a thing or two about it. She runs the Walnut Grove Coop, a nonprofit educational organization whose mindfulness programs include a nature camp, STEM camps and healing forest practices (for adults).
Mindfulness is a type of meditation. Traditional meditation, however, focuses on spiritual growth and transcending emotion. If you practice mindfulness, you acknowledge whatever emotion or thought you are having. You don’t judge it. Essentially, mindfulness is being in the moment. “It’s a state of being fully present—whatever you’re doing,” says Sara Teixido, a locally-based professional healer. “Rather than cooking dinner in a distracted way, I’m present to the color of the vegetables, the aromas and the feeling of the vegetable under my knife. In our fast and confusing world, it’s nice to be able to just be present.” Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can help people manage stress, improve the quality of their sleep and even build immunity, which is why so many conventional healthcare providers recommend it. “I’m always mindful that I need to be more mindful,” says Derrick Kelley, a wine representative who spends most of his day driving to see clients. He also wants to spend more time outside, particularly with his Lab, Delta. “I spend most of my day alone wishing I was on the other side of the windshield.” Walking meditation or mindfulness can help busy people like Kelley practice mindfulness and get exercise at the same time. ► SEPTEMBER 2020
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FOCUS FRESH AIR, FRESH PERSPECTIVE continued from previous page
A Walk in the Woods
Teixido, who offers reiki and meditation guidance, schedules her day so that she can walk her dog, Jasper, at least once between client appointments. “It helps me decompress,” she explains. “When you’re a healer, you give time to someone else. It’s important to reset and come back to be present for clients later in the day.” She frequently walks in Delcastle Recreational Park near her home. She puts away her phone and lets Jasper take the lead. “If he wants to go explore the trees or a deer path, I’m right there with him. I get to see so much more because I see it from his perspective.” Their off-the-trail wanderings once led her to a mossy area with minute mushrooms shaped like umbrellas. In Japan, immersing yourself in the woods is known as a shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” The key is using your five senses while you’re outside. Longwood Gardens makes it easy to experiment. Its grounds include a Forest Walk that in summer has walls of green foliage and sun-dappled paths. When Layfield takes her family into White Clay Creek State Park, she encourages the children to see as far as they can see, feel the weather and smell the earth, which has a different aroma depending on whether it’s wet or dry. By opening her senses, forest bather Rose Giroso has had revelations. “Why did I not notice before that there are 100 colors of green, brown and taupe?” asks the interior designer. A selfprofessed “park adventurer,” she enjoys experiencing different state parks and arboretums.
Just Do It
If you’re going to take to the trails, however, Layfield recommends getting a map of the park or a GPS app. Many people shy away from large parks for fear that they’ll get lost. You can also walk or hike with someone. Instead of a park, try one of the area’s many attractions with paths and trails, such as Mt. Cuba Center, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Hagley Museum & Library and Longwood Gardens. While Nick Kluger of West Grove, Pa., enjoys walks in Ashland Nature Center, he can practice mindfulness by simply stepping outside his front door in the morning for his daily run. Kluger’s route takes him through the countryside. “I’m keen on paying attention to all of my surroundings—all of the smells, all of the animals, all of the cracks in the road,” he says. For something more low-key, seek out a site with a labyrinth, a circular path that leads to a center. (See the note below.) The spiral pattern has been found in ancient cultures, and it began appearing on church properties during medieval times. You can use the labyrinth however you wish, but many choose to view it as a prayerful experience. Teixido has led solstice walks on the Delaware Art Museum’s labyrinth.
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Photo by Alessandra/courtesyof Delaware Art Museum
“It’s a different kind of mindfulness,” she says. “Each twist and turn that you take is a metaphor for life. As I’m walking toward the center, I am present to those steps that I’ve walked thus far—it’s like a review. The center is a place of retrospection and reflection.” Leaving the labyrinth is an “unwinding,” she says. “It’s a process that helps you envision what is coming ahead.” Giroso experienced a profound calmness after walking a labyrinth. “It was an elevated meditation,” she maintains. Don't have much time to travel? You only need a few minutes to benefit from an outdoor meditation. As Layfield proved with her “mindful minute,” make time wherever and whenever.
Walking the labyrinth at the Delaware Art Museum can be a calming experience.
WALKING MEDITATION
LOCAL LABYRINTHS
To do a walking meditation, find a place with room for 10 to 30 paces. Then:
Aldersgate United Methodist Church 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, aldersgatede.org
1. Stand at one end of your “path,” with your feet firmly planted, your hands resting comfortably and your senses open.
Arden Green Miller Road and Woodland Lane, Wilmington, facebook.com/ardenlabyrinth
2. After a minute, bring your attention to the body. Feel the earth beneath your feet. Be present. 3. Walk slowly. Be relaxed. Concentrate on the feeling of lifting your foot and placing it down. 4. At the end of the path, pause. Center yourself, turn and pause again. Return to the starting spot. 5. Your mind may wander. Acknowledge it by saying, “Thinking” or “Planning.” Then return to the walk. Do this for as long as you can, up to 20 minutes.
Christ Church 505 E. Buck Rd., Wilmington, christchurchde.org Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington, delart.org First & Central Presbyterian Church 1101 N. Market St., Wilmington, firstandcentral.org
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GO NATIVE
Planting native plants in your yard is one of the best ways to support the insect life upon which our ecosystems depend. White oaks and beech trees are two examples of plants that make up the foundation of our ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife and beauty for humans. Believe it or not, white oak trees support 534 species of insect larvae, and beech trees support 126 species. These are much better performers than a nonnative tree, like a zelkova, which supports near-zero insects, or an invasive Callery pear tree, which actually takes over the space from native plants. Submitted by Mt. Cuba Center
FALL IS FOR PRUNING!
Fall is a great time to prune your trees as many go dormant in the colder months. Deciduous species are also often easier to prune as their structure is more visible when there are no leaves on the branches. Proper corrective pruning helps relieve stress on trees and keeps them growing properly. It is also vital to the overall health of the trees and plants. It’s important to be aware that each tree is different, and pruning at the wrong time or the wrong way can injure trees and plants, making them more susceptible to disease and insect damage. We also encourage everyone to be especially vigilant in monitoring for active pests and insects that can cause damage to your landscape. The Spotted Lanternfly has become especially prevalent in our area and is a very invasive insect, decimating many different species of trees and shrubs. Good luck and stay green! Submitted by GreenLine Lawn and Landscape, Wilmington
SAVE THE BEES
Gateway Garden Center
gatewaygardens.com • (302) 239-2727 7277 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE
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Wild bees, that is! There are around 200 species of wild bees in Delaware, and they’re essential pollinators for crops and wild plants. Adding a variety of wildflowers to your garden this fall will ensure that bees always have something to eat. Leaving flower stems up through the winter instead of cutting them back will give them a place to live. Popular native wildflowers that support bees and other pollinators are tickseed, coneflower, spike gayfeather, native asters and goldenrod. Submitted by Mt. Cuba Center
PLANT SOME MAGIC MILKWEED!
If you haven't had the infamous lanternfly on your property yet, you will. Here's some good news; It appears that the lanternflies are attracted to Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Because the USA is not their natural habitat, they don’t know it is poisonous, so they eat it and it kills them. The poisonous sap also slows them down, so they are much easier to catch and smush. BONUS...common milkweed can also save the Monarch butterfly from extinction. Submitted by Borsello Landscaping, Hockessin
BE KIND TO BENEFICIAL BUGS
While we tend to focus on insects as pests, most insects are an integral part of a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Beneficial insects provide services such as pollination, pest control and soil fertilization. Additionally, while these beneficials are doing their daily chores, they might also end up providing food for birds and other wildlife. You can put beneficials to work in your yard by planting a diversity of native plants. Many of the plants that attract beneficials also support butterflies, other pollinators and songbirds. In the fall, migrating monarch butterflies rely on asters, goldenrods and native sunflowers to fuel their journey south. Foundation plantings can include native grasses such as switchgrass, broomsedge and little bluestem. These offer shelter for insects and food for birds, while groundcovers such as golden Alexanders, pussy willow and golden ragwort also support beneficial insects and songbirds while protecting your trees’ roots. Submitted by Lori Athey, Habitat Outreach Coordinator, Delaware Nature Society
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REFUGES IN A TIME OF CRISIS
When the Covid-19 crisis hit back in March, people rediscovered the wonders of nature at home. Each and every backyard became the perfect setting to enjoy birds, plants, and wildlife. Natural habitat and bird-houses provided places for birds to raise their young this summer. Our yards were not only a refuge for us in a time of crisis, but beneficial for the birds. Fall bird watching is exciting as colorful songbirds, soaring raptors, and flitting warblers are passing through our region. Some migrants may not eat bird food, but if you have the right habitat they might find natural seeds, fruits, and insects (Ask your garden center about what plants and trees are best for migrant birds). There are times when the birds need us, like in the aftermath of a winter storm. There are times when we need the birds. Many of us learned to appreciate birds and nature a lot more this year. Get out, but do it safely. Submitted by Charles Shattuck, owner Wild Birds Unlimited, Hockessin
NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT
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As we transition into autumn, we all have an opportunity to enjoy working into our gardens again. The heat of summer is passing. Whether you are vegetable gardening, doing some landscaping or simply planting a tree, fall is a great time to plant. The cooler days and potential for rain makes this a perfect time to plan for your garden's success. Mums, pansies, ornamental peppers and cool season veggies respond wonderfully to ground conditions and temperatures this time a year. We have plenty of selection and can provide specific advice to steer you in the right direction for all your planting needs this season. Submitted by Rich Hanrahan, general manager Gateway Gardens, Hockessin
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EAT YOUR
VEGETABLES! Veganism is gaining momentum, but is it for you? Here’s a beginner’s guide. By Leeann Wallett
F
rom Burger King’s Impossible Whopper to the Dunkin’ Beyond Sausage Sandwich, plant-based versions of popular fast foods are popping up left and right. These options have gained momentum as consumers want to eat healthier. For those preferring such a diet, here’s a look into the health and environmental benefits of plantbased food and local restaurants catering to vegans.
WHAT IS VEGAN/PLANT-BASED? The terms “vegan” and “plant-based” are so often used interchangeably that it’s important to define each before moving forward: Vegan— A diet and lifestyle that excludes all animal byproducts. This includes the elimination of meat, eggs, dairy, seafood and honey as well as not wearing fur, leather, wool, down, or using cosmetics or chemical products tested on animals. Vegetarian— A diet that excludes all meat, but you may still eat eggs, dairy or seafood. Dieters may still wear or use animal by-products.
Plant-Based— A diet consisting primarily of foods derived from plants, which can include fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds and legumes. A plant-based diet is not always vegetarian since many people on this diet continue to eat and use animal by-products but in smaller quantities. The word “flexitarian” can be another way to describe this diet. Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB)— A diet that distinguishes itself as being more nutritious since it relies mostly on whole plant-based foods and not processed plant-based foods—e.g., veggie burgers. For consistency, I will use the term “vegan” to mean diet, unless otherwise noted. ► SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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EAT YOUR VEGETABLES continued from previous page
The word “vegan” may conjure images of granola-eating hippies or trendy millennials, but as Mrs. Robino’s manager and great-granddaughter, Andrea Wakefield, has seen with those seeking the vegan menu, customers come from “all ages, races and types of people.” Wakefield saw the trend toward vegan-friendly options at the food conference she attends every year. “Two years ago the percentage of vendors catering to veganism was two percent. This past year it was more like 25 percent,” she says. In addition to the heavy-hitters like Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meats, “there were also vegan seafood and sushi options.” While meatless alternatives like veggie patties and sausages are all the rage, going vegan is about making better food choices by eating whole, plant-based foods and eliminating animal products. The Impact of Eating Vegan “Eating healthy shouldn’t be difficult or intimidating,” says Jason Aviles, project director of Wilmington Green Box and coowner of Green Box Kitchen. “We want to meet people where they are, to create a safe space for them to try new things.” Wilmington Green Box began in 2016 as a way to provide urban communities access to fresh produce. It trains and employs at-risk teens to produce and sell cold-pressed juices and freshcut fruit in Wilmington neighborhoods that are “food deserts” or places devoid of any affordable, fresh food. What emerged from this effort was Green Box Kitchen, a fastcasual restaurant on the corner of Fourth and Market streets that serves scratch-made, nutrient-dense whole foods, fresh smoothies and cold-pressed juice. Green Box Kitchen’s menu uses more than 75 percent raw produce, which allows customers to make what Aviles calls “mindful eating” transition, to be able to incorporate more plantbased foods into their diets. The vegan lifestyle’s strict adherence to no animal by-products can be a difficult transition since it covers many of our favorite comfort foods, like dairy, cheese, eggs and meat, and products like makeup and leather goods. Regardless of your animal rights stance, new research published in the journal Science shows that eliminating meat and dairy from your diet is not only good for your health but also for the environment. Lead researcher Joseph Poore, from the University of Oxford, states that “a vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth, not just greenhouse gases, but global acidification, eutrophication, land use and water use.” Other research from Translational Psychiatry shows that a plant-based diet that excludes animal products has shown to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Becoming a Vegan Diane Callaway, owner of Life is Delicious and organizer of the annual Delaware Veg-Fest, lost both of her parents to degenerative diseases at a young age. After her loss, she devoted her life to educating, training and supporting underserved communities about the power of nutrition. Callaway found that removing the “-isms” from her vernacular made the subject of nutrition much more approachable for those seeking her help. “Using phrases like ‘veganism’ and ‘vegetarianism’ creates invisible barriers to those looking to make better food choices,”
she says. “My approach is to show people what they can still eat with modifications, rather than make a list of things they cannot eat.” Callaway created the Veg-Fest out of this love of food and desire to educate the wider community about healthier food choices. The free festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at Glasgow Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meredith S.K. Boas became vegan the day before Thanksgiving in 2016. Her older sister, an avid runner, had already embraced the journey to veganism for its touted health benefits. “After she showed me some informational videos on the meat, egg and dairy industries, I felt that if I couldn’t even watch the process, I had no right to consume the product,” says Boas. “She showed me the modern ease of transitioning into a vegan lifestyle,” which translates to Boas’ clothes, health products, household goods and even craft supplies. Boas is the creative director and owner of Grunge Muffin Designs, a design studio, so all of her materials are vegan-friendly and crueltyfree. For example, when creating fiber pieces, her yarn is a cotton blend that doesn’t use animal by-products like wool. While transitioning to eating vegan, Boas was surprised at the ease of finding alternatives to many of her favorite foods. “Not all vegan food is created equal, but through trial and error you do find substitutions where you don’t compromise on taste, texture, or satisfaction,” she says. The At-Home Vegan Vegan cooking and baking is a matter of finding substitutes for common ingredients and does not need to be intimidating. Grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Newark Natural Foods, Target, Whole Foods and Wegmans have a wide variety when it comes to plant-based and vegan products. Here are some simple swaps and substitutions to common ingredients: Butter: Plant-based butters or margarine, “I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter”; coconut oil. Eggs: Commercial egg replacer. JUST Egg (vegan egg), Vegan Egg or Tofu (scramble) For baking: apple sauce, aqua faba (leftover chickpea water works best as an egg white replacer), banana, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, silken tofu. Milk: Plant-based milks are easy to find and can include almond, cashew, coconut, flax, hemp, rice, oat, pea and soy. Cheese: Plant-based cheese: Chao, Daiya, Kite Hill and Miyoko’s Creamery. Cheese flavor: Nutritional yeast. Meat: Avocado, beans, lentils, tofu, seitan, tempeh, walnuts. Commercial plant-based “meats”: Beyond Meat, Boca, Field Roast, Gardein, Lightlife, Sweet Earth, Tofurky, MorningStar Farms and Quorn. ”Becoming vegan taught me how to cook,” says Jamie Magee, a software consultant who began his journey back in 2005, when he became vegetarian. He went full vegan in 2011. “I missed cheese,” says Magee. “As a vegetarian, cheese becomes a major food group, so it took a couple of weeks for my palette to change.” Once he became strictly vegan, Magee lost all cravings for cheese and other animal products and felt he had “more energy and focus.” A wrestler in high school, Magee is now a regular weight lifter, and he believes he’s the strongest he’s ever been. One misconception of eating a plant-based diet is that you don’t get enough protein. The Netflix documentary Game Changers, produced by James Cameron (director of Avatar and Titanic), Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan, has helped to dispel this myth. It documents elite athletes and other cultural icons who have benefitted from plant-based diets while still being able to perform at the highest levels of their sport or field. ►
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EAT YOUR VEGETABLES continued from previous page
And though you will need to “eat a higher volume of plant-based foods as a vegan,” says Magee, many of the calories come from quality fats like nuts, seeds and avocados. “You can get the same amount of protein as a steak, if you opt for nuts, beans and rice, all while cutting fat and calories.” When cooking vegan meals, cuisines from Mexico, Asia and India are “easily adaptable for vegans since meats and cheeses can be left out or easily substituted,” says Boas. For example, my favorite go-to are Vietnamese tofu spring rolls filled with fried tofu, carrots, red pepper, rice vermicelli, mint and cilantro and served with Thai peanut sauce. Other recipes to try: cauliflower tacos, tofu dumplings and vegetarian Indian curry. Don’t feel like cooking? To the right, we’ve listed a handful of all-vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants ready to serve you.
READY TO GO PLANT-BASED? HERE’S A LIST OF RESTAURANTS AND STORES THAT OFFER PLANT-BASED AND/OR VEGAN OPTIONS: Cafe 67 at Newark Natural Foods,
209 E Main St., Newark, newark.coop/cafe-67
Daily Veg
5335b Limestone Rd., Wilmington, dailyveg.com
Drop Squad Kitchen
928 Justison St., Wilmington, dropsquadkitchen.com
Eat Clean
225 N. Market St., Wilmington, eatcleande.com
Green Box Kitchen
400 N. Market St., Wilmington, greenboxkitchen.com
Harvest Market
7417 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, harvestmarketnaturalfoods.com
Home Grown Cafe
126 E Main St., Newark, homegrowncafe.com
Honeybee Seasonal Kitchen
11A Trolley Square, Wilmington, honeybeekitchenandmarket.com
Honeygrow
3200 Fashion Center Blvd., Christiana; 58 E Main St., Newark; 5609 Concord Pike, Unit 7B, Wilmington; honeygrow.com
Mrs. Robino’s (ask for vegan menu)
520 N. Union St., Wilmington, mrsrobinos.com
Roots Natural Kitchen
129 E Main St., Newark, rootsnaturalkitchen.com Delaware & Maryland locations only.
GrottoPizza.com
36 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
Please consult your healthcare professional before starting this or any diet. And be aware that some restaurants cook or fry vegan options on or in the same equipment used with meat products.
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Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week
Hospitality veteran Tony Bomba says don’t bother asking him the origin of his restaurant’s name. He wants guests to figure it out. Photo Butch Comegys
BANKING ON MIDTOWN BRANDYWINE Despite opening during a pandemic, Dorcea is finding its footing with local diners By Pam George
I
f you think meatloaf is a pedestrian dish unworthy of a hip, new restaurant, think again. It’s one of the star attractions at Dorcea, the Midtown Brandywine restaurant that opened on April 9. Of course, this is not your mom’s meatloaf. Chef Michael Bomba char-grills thick slices until they sport a pretty diamond pattern then paints them with a spicy tomato glaze. He fans them over a pillow of garlicky mashed potatoes with a side of fresh vegetables.
“My kids love it,” says John Ratliff, who owns the restaurant with Tony Bomba, Michael’s brother. So does frequent diner Janice Westman, who also likes the jumbo lump crab cake. Dorcea is located at 1314 Washington St. in Wilmington. Sound familiar? That’s because it is Domaine Hudson’s old digs. But Dorcea has its own identity, and it has managed to build a loyal following despite debuting during a pandemic.
A Culinary Combination
The Bombas are the hospitality veterans of the operation. Tony Bomba was 16 when he got a job as a busboy at Pier 13 in Pennsville, N.J. While studying accounting at the University of Delaware, he became a server and then a bartender. He moved to Wilmington after graduation.
Michael was 8 when he began making omelets. “He knew right away that he wanted to be a cook,” his brother says. “He went to culinary school, and he’s been a chef ever since.” Ratliff, who also attended the University of Delaware, is the strategist. In 1996, he founded Appletree Answers, an answering service and call center, in his two-bedroom apartment. Ratliff sold Appletree in 2012 and founded align5, a management consulting company. He is also managing partner of align5 advisors, an independent investment bank. Tony Bomba and Ratliff met more than three decades ago on a golf excursion organized by mutual friends. On the trip to Ocean City, Md., they discovered that that at one point they’d lived just a block from each other. ► SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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BANKING ON MIDTOWN BRANDYWINE continued from previous page
“I used to walk my dogs and see his wife with a baby stroller walking their dog. We said hello, but we never met,” says Bomba, whose voice still bears the distinctive cadence of his native South Jersey. “John and I hit it off, and we’ve been friends ever since.” The Bomba brothers and Ratliff often chatted at the Washington Street Ale House, where Tony had worked since the late 1990s. Michael oversaw the kitchen; Tony was the well-known face behind the bar. Ratliff appreciated both Michael’s food and his friend’s rapport with his customers. “He said: ‘We should all open a restaurant,’” Bomba recalls. The brothers, who had dreamed of owning a restaurant since they were young, were on board.
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The friends bandied about ideas for about three years before they began looking for a location. They wanted an existing restaurant. “The restaurant structure is incredibly expensive to build from scratch,” Ratliff notes. They identified four sites, but the ideal location—Domaine Hudson— was ironically just steps away from the Ale House. Over the years, the slender building has been home to several restaurants, including a Mexican eatery. However, Domaine Hudson was an enduring occupant. The wine bar and fine-dining destination opened in 2005 and survived a change in ownership in 2011 when Beth and Mike Ross purchased it from founders Tom and Meg Hudson. By 2019, the Rosses were looking to sell. The partners took possession in December of that year and continued as Domaine Hudson during the busy holiday season. On New Year’s Day, they closed for renovations. The footprint remains mostly the same. However, the owners took down the walls that cordoned off a dining room from the bar. TVs effectively banish any lingering specter of the old fine-dining resident. After two months of work, the restaurant was ready to go in March. But on March 16, Gov. John Carney limited restaurants to takeout in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. “We saw COVID come in, and we pumped the brakes,” Bomba said. “By mid-April, we decided to open for takeout.”
Photo Butch Comegys
The char-grilled meatloaf has quickly become a crowd pleaser at Dorcea.
(302) 777-2040 111 W 11th Street Wilmington, DE 19801
When Delaware allowed dine-service in June, Dorcea was up and running at reduced capacity per state regulations.
Welcome to Wilmington, Dorcea
Don’t bother asking the owners about the name’s origin. “There is a backstory,” Bomba acknowledges. “If you come to the restaurant—and look around at the artwork—there are hints. There are also hints on the drink menu. We want people to figure it out on their own.” (It’s not hard. Plug some of the house cocktails into Google, and you’ll find what they have in common.) Bomba is equally cautious about categorizing the food. “We do a very broad menu: seafood, pasta, chicken, appetizers.” However, he agrees to call the cuisine “upscale casual.” Fans have their favorites. Gayle Dillman loves the jumbo lump crab cakes. Christopher Baittinger says the wings are “amazing.” And he should know—he’s a chef. Michael Bomba isn’t shy with the spice. The Korean salmon is prepared with gochujang sauce, the chicken in the alfredo is blackened and firecracker shrimp come with sriracha aioli. Take the heat off with a draft beer, including a custom brew made by Stitch House Brewery. Or, you can sip a glass of fine wine: Dorcea received the remainder of Domaine Hudson’s wine collection with the sale.
Cooking through obstacles
The pandemic and state restrictions on restaurants have not presented the only challenges for Dorcea. The restaurant had counted on business from the surrounding offices, but many people are now working from home. What’s more, there are few business travelers in the nearby hotels. “We need everybody to come back to work,” Bomba says. Hospital staff have been supportive, as have the surrounding residents. (ChristianaCare allows Dorcea diners to park in the lot at 13th and Washington streets after 5 p.m.) In the future, Bomba would like to see the area become a nightlife destination like Trolley Square. “I want people to go to the Ale House for a drink, then come to Dorcea for an appetizer and then go dance at Tonic,” he says. The ever-practical Ratcliff would like to open other eateries to create economies of scale. “The plan was to have multiple locations, and I still think that’s the plan,” he says. “Obviously, it’s on hold.” For now, the partners are happy to have found the right space in the right location to call their own. “To be able to have quality and consistency with all that’s happened in the last few months tells a great story,” Ratliff says.
POP UP TO
Knot Up
Ordained Minister 30 Min. Ceremony 2.5 Hour Reception Champagne Toast 3-Course Dinner Tiered Wedding Cake Connectible Audio Systems & 55" TV's Staffing/Gratuity Acoustic Entertainment Photographer China & Linens Guest Tables & Sweetheart Table Centerpieces Print Bundles by DLS Discovery
S C A N
M E
— Dorcea, 1314 Washington St., Wilm.; 302-691-7447; Dorcea.com SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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THE CITY PAN AFRICAN FLAG RAISED IN SPENCER PLAZA
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ozens of people attended a ceremony in Wilmington’s Spencer Plaza on Aug. 13 to raise the RGB Pan African Flag in its permanent location downtown while marking the 100th anniversary of its adoption by the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1920. The event, organized by the City along with local community activists/artists Richard Raw and Vanity Constance, was the first of a series of community-created and supported events and visual art initiatives that Mayor Purzycki said sends an important message about Wilmington’s support for equality and fairness. The ceremony featured African drummers and speeches by government officials and community representatives. Aug. 13, 2020, also marked 100 years since the signing of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro People of the World by the UNIA, chaired by Marcus Garvey. This document is one of the earliest and most comprehensive human rights declarations in U. S. history. “Today we gather to offer a sincere gesture of respect as well as one of hope and reconciliation,” said Mayor Purzycki in welcoming attendees to the burial place of Peter Spencer (1782-1843), founder of the Mother AUMP Church—the first independent Black denomination in the country. “One small but significant step on a long journey we must take together—not because it is just, but because we must. There is no social or racial justice that can ever be achieved alone, one of us without the other.” Other speakers included Council Pres. Hanifa Shabazz, Richard Raw, Rev. Lawrence Livingston of the Mother African Union Church, and Iya Olakunle Oludina of Wilmington’s Ile Igoke Yoruba Temple. Local performer Nadjah Nicole sang the Black National Anthem accompanied by Jea Street II as the Pan African flag was raised above the plaza, and performances from by the Twin Poets—State Poet Laureates Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Al Mills—and Richard Raw followed.
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The RGB Flag/Saquan Stimpson, WITN
Mayor Purzycki addresses the crowd in Spencer Plaza
The Twin Poets and Richard Raw entertain the crowd
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE
M
ayor Purzycki encourages you to support local restaurants in Trolley Square and 40 Acres as eateries now offer expanded outdoor dining along Delaware Ave. on weekends. The new “Dining on Delaware” initiative kicked off August 14 and will run through the fall, weather permitting. “Dining on Delaware” is an expansion of “Curbside Wilmington,” launched in June to help local businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage patrons to return to the Downtown District this summer. Like their counterparts downtown, participating Trolley and 40 Acres restaurants can offer more seating at safely spaced distances in line with Gov. Carney’s guidelines. “When we began ‘Curbside Wilmington,’ I said then that I hoped to see this new business re-opening model applied to other districts in the City,” said the Mayor. “I’m very excited we are now able, with the support of Councilmember Charles “Bud” Freel, to expand this effort to Trolley Square, another exciting and vibrant part of our City that’s also been hit hard by the coronavirus. As we all struggle to adapt to a new environment, I hope you’ll join me along Delaware Avenue one upcoming weekend as we show our support to area businesses and the many workers they employ.” From 4 p.m. on Fridays till 10 p.m. on Sundays, Delaware Ave. will be closed at Clayton, DuPont, and Scott streets, though cross traffic will continue to flow across the avenue from each.
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE
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ayor Mike Purzycki and City Cultural Affairs Dir. Tina Betz congratulate Nataki Oliver, owner and operator of The Sold Firm, on the modern art gallery’s official grand opening in August. The gallery, located at 800-B North Tatnall St. in the City’s Creative District, was founded by Oliver in 2019 to exhibit emerging modern and contemporary artists who tackle diverse subjects like beauty, sexuality, emotions, and current culture. “We are very happy to officially welcome Nataki Oliver and The Sold Firm to the Creative District,” said the Mayor. “This intimate space is an important addition to Wilmington’s cultural life, and we are a better, richer City for the incredible talent assembled here. With Art Loop on hold for now, Oliver’s gallery provides a welcome refuge for art lovers from all over the City and the surrounding region.” The Sold Firm’s current group exhibit, “Pendulum Swing,” brings together 15 black artists to allow their voices about the current climate to be heard through visual art. It continues through October 30, 2020, and tickets are available on the gallery’s website: www.thesoldfirm.com.
SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
Owner Nataki Oliver and Mayor Purzycki at The Sold Firm.
‘DINING ON DELAWARE’ TAKES OVER TROLLEY SQUARE/40 ACRES
THE SOLD FIRM ART GALLERY CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING
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SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY! During this difficult time, there are numerous options on the Riverfront to get out, enjoy nature, and dine from some of your favorite restaurants! The Riverfront is a perfect venue to enjoy the outdoors and walk our 1.75 mile Riverwalk along the beautiful Christina River! Additionally, the DuPont Environmental Education Center is now open to the public. DEEC’s nature trails, including the eight-mile Jack A. Markell Trail continues to be fully operational! Get out and enjoy some quality time in nature!
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DINING OPTIONS
NOW OPEN! All guests over 12 years old must wear facemask
Riverfront Restaurants and the Riverfront Market are open for in-house indoor and outdoor dining Banks Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar Big Fish Grill Ciro Food & Drink Cosi Del Pez Docklands Drop Squad Kitchen Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Riverfront Bakery River Rock Kitchen Starbucks The Juice Joint Timothy’s on the Riverfront Ubon Thai
SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
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FOR KIDS! HOME WITH LITTLE ONES? The Delaware Children’s Museum will be posting at-home children’s activities on their Facebook page until they re-open! Just search Delaware Children’s Museum on Facebook!
46 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM
PIKE CREEK • MARKET ST. DOWNTOWN • MAIN ST. NEWARK • BRANMAR PLAZA • TROLLEY SQ.
