October 2025 - Winning the Publishing Game

The Next Movement for Delaware Symphony

The Triumphant Return of Hank's Place

The Friends Behind '1001 Album Complaints'

Winning The Publishing Game Winning The Publishing Game

Have the write stuff?

Local authors share tricks of the trade.

Photo credit-Sarah

Photo credit-Moonloop Photography

brandywinezoo.org/boo

Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com

Jim Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com

CONTRIBUTING

Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net

CREATIVE

Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC

Dead Center

1

Coffee cup

7 Excited

12 “There ___ far worse things awaiting man than death” (“Dracula”)

13 Carried, as a candy-filled pillowcase

15 Love deeply

16 Fool a pursuing ghost?

18 Areas

19 Roller coaster feature

20 Horror thriller about Deadly Sins

22 Expresses contempt

25 Ghost camera restarts?

29 Gnarly-sounding cigarettes?

31 “Understood”

32 Schedule a date

36 Rooster’s mate

37 Deeply frightened, or a hint to the circled letters

41 Stubby pencil

42 Tantrum thrower, perhaps

43 Gothic-writing sisters’ surname

47 Dads

48 Ghost train’s rear car?

50 Snitch

53 Scarecrow locale

55 Desktop image

56 Go to second, perhaps

59 Ghost’s ocular affliction?

63 “The Shining” or “The Exorcist”, e.g.

64 Dietary classification not met by zombies or vampires

65 “___ Believer” (Monkees hit)

66 Intelligent

67 Feature of j, but not J

68 Mario costume need

1 Frankenstein’s workplace

2 Paperless tests

3 Yellow Starburst flavor

4 Cow sound

5 Herr’s competitor

6 Hair products for an Elvis costume, maybe

7 Roofed garden structure

8 Possible three-word response to “Enjoy horror films?”

9 Wear, as a costume

10 Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang artist, for short

11 Possible one-word response to “Enjoy horror films?”

13 “From the ___!” (common WWE phrase)

By Joe O’Brien and Michael Guarino (Salesianum Class of 2025)

puzzle, take a photo, send to: Contact@TSNPub.com. Subject line:

14 Stag or doe 17 New Jersey Senator Cory

Less likely to believe in ghosts, according to some

Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang artist, for short

inaptly found in “breathe particles”

THE WAR On Words

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

THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE . . .

. . . is not using the apostrophe to create plurals, although that’s what I’ve been saying for years. Empirical evidence, however, overwhelmingly demonstrates that misplacing quotation marks has taken over the No. 1 spot.

In the United States, periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. This applies whether the quoted material is one word or the entire sentence. Examples:

Sarah said, “I hope to see you at the reunion.”

He claims he was “working,” but I think he was “shirking.”

This rule is, admittedly, counterintuitive because it seems logical that the period, not the quotation mark, should go at the end of the sentence. Perhaps that’s why we in the good ol’ U.S. of A are pretty much alone in this, and it may also explain why about 80 percent of the public (again, speaking empirically here) get it wrong.

UNPALATABLE, PART 3

For the past two issues, we’ve discussed palate (the roof of the mouth), pallet (a flat transport structure that supports goods while being carried by a forklift; also called a skid), and palette (a range of colors or a comparable range of other things). This month, we take a look at a similar word — palatable — thanks to Jarrett Bell, of USA TODAY, who wrote that Travis Hunter, the No. 1 draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, “. . . is so driven to prove that he can excel while playing receiver and cornerback on the NFL level. And the desire seems palatable as he flashed a huge grin.”

Aside from going from present tense (“seems”) to past tense (“flashed”) there at the end, the writer’s major error was using palatable, which means “agreeable to the palate or taste,” or “agreeable or acceptable to the mind.” We’re pretty sure Jarrett (a frequent contributor here) was groping for palpable — “tangible, easily perceptible.”

MEDIA WATCH

• Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, writing about Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons, committed this dangler: “At 26, the Packers will have the pleasure of employing Parsons through the rest of his 20s.” The Packers franchise is 106 years old, not 26, as this sentence implies.

• Chris’s colleague, Jordan Mendoza, made a similar miscue when he wrote: “A five-star recruit in the 2023 class, Oregon

Pronounced eh-pekx-a-gee-sis, it’s a noun meaning the addition of words to clarify meaning

By Bob Yearick

was originally where [Dante] Moore intended to go before offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham left for Arizona State.” Oregon wasn’t the five-star recruit, Moore was.

• Reader Jane Buck caught Frank Bruni, erudite columnist for The New York Times, with his spell-check down when he wrote this about actor Sydney Sweeney: “And that Sweeney, Sweeney, Sweeney would be discussed ad nauseum.” That’s ad nauseam.

• Our Midwest correspondent, Cathy Marchand, came across this headline in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

“Where to find pre-fixe meal deals for two in the Twin Cities.” A prix fixe (a French term meaning “fixed price”) is a menu that offers a full meal at a set rate. Diners choose from options for each of three courses, but the price remains the same. Cathy reports that later in the day the paper converted the term to English: “Eight Twin Cities area restaurants serving inexpensive fixed-price meals for two.”

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

• Scott Lauber, of The Philadelphia Inquirer, committed one of the (to me) most irritating redundancies when he wrote that Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was getting “a pre-planned day off.” With some writers, it’s never enough to plan something; one must pre-plan it.

• A chyron (crawling words at the bottom of the screen) on Philadelphia’s NBC10 informed viewers that “a man accidentally drowned.” The vast majority of drownings are accidental. No need to emphasize it.

• Demetrius Harvey, writing in The Florida Times-Union about Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach: “When asked if he expects Hunter to play on both sides of the ball as he’s done through all of training camp, Coen answered with a simple response.” Responses are answers, and vice versa.

ERRATUM

• Reader Peter Panzer points out that there was an error in the discussion of military time in the August column: “Hours are numbered 1 through 24, followed by two zeros (pronounced ‘hundreds’).” Peter points out that the two zeros are pronounced hundred, not “hundreds,” so it’s “24 hundred hours.”

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?

Contact me at ryearick@comcast.net for a fun and informative discussion on grammar. Buy The War on Words book at the Hockessin BookShelf, at Huxley & Hiro Booksellers on Market Street, or on Amazon.

PETS OF THE MONTH

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

BRIA

SNUGGLY SWEETHEART

Knows Basic Commands

NYLES

BIG LOVER BOY

9.5 YRS | MALE | 10.5 LBS

Super Talkative

Social with Other Cats

Curious, Snuggly & Playful

HAP WILMINGTON

SLADE

SOCIAL & LOVING

Loves Toys & Playtime

Super Cuddly Well-tempered, Social Boy

4.5 YRS | MALE | 92 LBS HAP STANTON Well-trained, Eager to Learn

Keeping Pets Safe This Spooky Season

By Brianna Hansen

October brings cooler weather, falling leaves, and plenty of festive fun. But for pet owners, it’s important to remember that seasonal staples and everyday household items can pose hidden dangers to cats and dogs … So, let’s take a closer look!

As you probably know, chocolate may be the ultimate Halloween indulgence for us, but it’s one of the most wellknown toxins for pets. Both cats and dogs can suffer from chocolate poisoning, with dark chocolate and baking chocolate being especially dangerous due to their high theobromine content. But did you know sugar-free candies can be even worse? Many contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can cause life-threatening drops in blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure in dogs. Always keep candy out of paw’s reach, and remind trick-or-treaters not to share their haul with furry friends!

While pumpkin itself is safe for pets in small amounts and can even aid digestion, beware of moldy jack-o’-lanterns left outside, which often harbor harmful bacteria. Similarly, corn cobs from decorative displays (or holiday meals) can cause dangerous blockages if swallowed. Candles, potpourri, and essential oils can also irritate pets’ respiratory systems when inhaled and cause chemical burns if ingested. Cinnamon, clove, peppermint and pine oils are a few seasonal offenders that come to mind.

While the season adds some unique risks, don’t forget about the common items found year-round like grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and alcohol, all which are highly toxic to pets. Of course, cleaning supplies and medications left accessible also remain top culprits for accidental poisonings … And did I mention houseplants? Jade, aloe, lilies, corn plants, and pothos are all important to keep out of reach.

The scary part about pet poisoning is that symptoms can appear quickly and may even vary depending on the substance. Common warning signs include vomiting or diarrhea; excessive drooling, thirst, or urination; lethargy, weakness, or loss of coordination; pale gums; tremors or seizures; and rapid breathing, shortness of breath, or abnormal heart rate.

If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect your pet has eaten something harmful, call your veterinarian immediately or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Quick action saves lives!

The best way to enjoy the season with your pets is through prevention … keep dangerous items out of reach, supervise decor, and offer pet-safe treats over candy. With a little awareness, you and your four-legged friends can enjoy all the fun fall has to offer, without any frightening trips to the vet.

—Visit HumaneAnimalPartners.org/resources for more tips on keeping your pets healthy and safe all year long.

Experience Counts With Wilmington University’s New Executive Pathway MBA

Skilled managers can take advantage of Wilmington University’s efficient and affordable Master of Business Administration program that recognizes and rewards professional achievements. WilmU’s new Executive Pathway MBA offers up to six academic credits for professional experience, saving students time and tuition dollars.

“At Wilmington University, we recognize that leadership doesn’t begin in the classroom — it’s forged through real-world experience,” says Dr. Robin Weinstein, dean of WilmU’s College of Business and Technology.

Take Courses Online or in Person

The Executive Pathway MBA allows students to graduate with a Master of Business Administration in as little as 10 months. Students can take courses online or on campus, based on what works best for their schedules.

“This new pathway is designed for working professionals who want to maximize their return on investment — completing a 30-credit MBA that balances academic depth, professional relevance and efficiency,” says Dr. Shawn McCloud, MBA program chair. “Add to that our experienced faculty, supportive learning environment and the University’s long-standing commitment to serving adult learners, and it’s clear that WilmU offers a practical and competitive alternative to more traditional, one-size-fits-all graduate programs.”

College Credit for Work Experience

Designed for leaders with at least five years of experience in business, government or nonprofits, the Executive Pathway MBA will meet students where they are and build upon what they already know.

“Many MBA programs offer flexibility, but the WilmU program provides students with an opportunity to earn up to six graduate credits based on their demonstrated professional experience,” Dr. McCloud says. “Through a structured portfolio assessment process, experienced professionals can demonstrate what they’ve already accomplished — in areas like strategic leadership, financial oversight or project management — and receive credit toward their degree.”

Launching this fall, the Executive Pathway MBA helps professionals elevate their practice, inspire teams and drive organizational success. Students learn from professors who are active practitioners in their fields with first-hand knowledge of current business challenges.

“The curriculum emphasizes leadership, critical thinking and global business awareness — core skills that today’s employers value,” Dr. McCloud says. “Students gain a strong foundation in key business areas like finance, marketing, decision-making, data analytics and strategic management.”

Students can also participate in executive-level forums and discussions. Two new courses, Executive Leadership Portfolio I and II, guide them through documenting their professional experience and equip them with advanced leadership strategies to take their careers to the next level.

WilmU’s Executive Pathway MBA “supports busy professionals looking to take the next step in their careers without putting their lives on hold,” Dr. McCloud says. “Our program is student centered, affordable and grounded in real-world relevance, giving our graduates a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape.”

Learn more about WilmU’s new Executive Pathway MBA at go.wilmu.edu/MBA.

FYI

Things Worth Knowing

Wilmington University’s Center for Law, Justice and Society will present a special edition of its True Crime Lecture Series on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 4727 Concord Pike, Wilmington.

We know you love to read. And we compliment you on your choice of reading material. Now, tell us the four pages we've hidden a stack of books and you could win a cool prize. Email your answer by October 22 to Contact@ TSNPub.com with the subject line: I Found the Books. We will choose three winners from correct submissions. Congrats to Lindsay Ent, Thomas Frey and Frank Forrest, who found the ballerinas on pages 27, 29, 51, and 64 of last month's issue.

The evening will feature a conversation between Dr. Maria Hess of Wilmington University and Brad Ingelsby, the acclaimed writer and creator of the multiple Emmy Award-winning HBO drama Mare of Easttown, starring Kate Winslet, and the current HBO series Task, starring Mark Ruffalo.

A Pennsylvania native, Ingelsby has earned international recognition for his ability to bring workingclass stories and authentic communities to life on screen. His work is celebrated for its emotional depth and realism. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Light fare will be served. You can register at: CJI.WilmU.edu/events.

POPLAR HALL PROMISES A GHOSTLY GOOD TIME

Poplar Hall is bringing back one of its most beloved Halloween traditions while unveiling a brandnew spine-tingling event this October. “The Revisionists: A Haunted Gothic Walk” returns to Wilmington’s Rockwood Museum Oct. 17–18 and 24–25. This 90-minute guided lamplight tour blends gothic atmosphere with immersive performances and five original ghost stories, all woven into a chilling theme exploring the sinister side of a traveling circus & side show from the early 1900s. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine from “The Revisionist Speakeasy,” with proceeds benefiting the Rockwood Park Preservation Society.

New this year, “Revolutionary Spirits” makes its debut Oct. 4 in and around the colonial gardens of Historic Poplar Hall in Newark. During this haunting candlelit experience, guests will hear five original ghost stories set during the American Revolution, performed by veteran storyteller Cory McCarrick. Each ticket includes an heirloom pumpkin from Poplar Hall’s patch. Both events promise a perfect mix of history, atmosphere, and Halloween chills. More at PoplarHall.life.

WEST END’S ANNUAL FIRE TRUCK PULL

West End Neighborhood House will host its 2nd Annual Fire Truck Pull on Oct. 18 at Frawley Stadium on the Wilmington Riverfront, aiming to raise more than $55,000 for its programs. This year’s theme, Ignite the Spark — Empower the Future, brings back the one-of-a-kind competition where teams of up to eight pull a fire truck with help from Wilmington Fire Department personnel. This year’s event is a full competition with bracket-style challenges leading to a Final Four Pull-Off and a Wild Card round, with prizes in multiple categories. Online registration closes Oct. 15; participants who register by Oct. 6 receive an event t-shirt. In addition, the day includes vendors, food trucks, and activities for the whole family. Register at RunSignUp.com/firetruckpull.

Brad Ingelsby

Cory McCarrick

WALNUT STREET YMCA

85TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Walnut Street YMCA, a cornerstone of East Wilmington since 1940, will celebrate its 85th Anniversary with a gala at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on Oct. 24. “This celebration will pay tribute to our past while laying the foundation for an even brighter future,” said Anesha Law, Community Executive Director. The milestone honors decades of youth development, civic engagement, and community progress. The evening will feature inspiring stories, a vision for the YMCA’s next era of impact, and presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards community champions including Representative Stephanie T. Bolden, Claire Carey, Harmon Carey, Mayor James Sills, and Enid Wallace-Haley. The celebration continues into 2026 with a documentary by Dr. Jeanne Nutter highlighting the YMCA’s enduring legacy and impact. More at YmcaDe.org/locations/ walnut-street-ymca.

UNIVERSITY & WHIST CLUB UNVEILS NEW GAME LOUNGE

The University & Whist Club has opened the James Lounge, a stylish new event space in the historic Tilton Mansion. Designed by Eric Hastings of Hastings Creative, the lounge blends vintage sophistication with modern entertainment. It features a wine bar & snack station, fireplace conversation space and library, board games, arcade classics, and more. The space is designed to foster connections and spark engaging conversations. “People can stay home and play games whenever they want,” said club member Jim Lee. “This is about getting together, meeting people, and having fun.” More at UniversityAndWhistClub.com.

TWO AREA ARTISTS CELEBRATE BIG WINS

This month brings big things for two local artists who credit Out & About for helping launch their careers. Folk artist Eunice LaFate marks a notable milestone, while graphic designer Patrick Warner celebrates a big award win.

In May, 1993, LaFate created the first of three covers she would do for Out & About

“My cover art was the catalyst of LaFate Gallery, which became a commercial storefront in September, 2015,” LaFate says.

On Saturday, October 18, the LaFate Gallery will hold its 10th Anniversary Celebration from 3pm to 6:30pm at the store’s 227 N. Market Street location in Wilmington.

The theme of the event is “Reflection & Vision Forward.” Special features will include live music, refreshments, and the unveiling of LaFate’s 10th Anniversary painting.

A designer who got his first Out & About cover published while he was still studying design at UD, Warner is also currently riding high.

CENTRAL DELAWARE TO HOST MEDIA MARKETPLACE EVENT IN 2026

Visit Central Delaware will host the 2026 Media Marketplace, MATPRA’s annual signature event, September 22–24 at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort. The conference will bring more than 100 travel journalists and tourism professionals to the region for one-on-one meetings, story pitches, and curated familiarization tours showcasing Delaware’s attractions, history, and outdoor experiences during America’s 250th celebration. “Being able to showcase all that Delaware has to offer to media from all over the U.S. will be huge for our region,” said Pete Bradley, Kent County Tourism President. More at MATPRA.org/media-marketplace.

The Graphis International Awards recently honored Warner with a gold medal and three silver for his logo design work. Since 1944, Graphis has earned the reputation for showcasing the work of artists and designers around the world in print and online. Their annual design publication was of particular interest to Warner.

“Graphis has been a source for inspiration my entire 30-year career,” Warner says. “I use their design annuals for ideas and inspiration. "

For Warner, the timing could not be more meaningful. Due to the restrictions of a progressive muscular disease, he is finally retiring.

“Three of the four logos were done while my disease was already making work hard,” Warner says. “It’s a ‘drop the mic’ moment as I move on to whatever is going to be next.”

At left: Patrick Warner's 1996 cover for Out & About. At right, Eunice LaFate with her July 2020 O&A cover.

An Immortal Week in April

Remembering Kevin Mench’s historic run in Major League Baseball

By Chuck Durante

University of Delaware’s greatest hitter became a record-setting Major League slugger in 2006, when Kevin Mench homered in seven consecutive games for the Texas Rangers.

Mench became the first right-handed hitter in the 130 years of big league ball to homer in seven straight games — only after learning that he was wearing the wrong shoes.

After launching 51 home runs over two seasons and incinerating spring-training pitching, Mench’s stroke sputtered in early 2006, going two weeks without an extra-base hit. Physicians examined his sprained toe and they determined that the size 12 he had worn since ninth grade was a half-size small.

“I hadn’t had my feet measured since I was 15,” Mench said.

Properly re-shod, Mench became the league’s hottest 6-hole hitter. After breaking up a scoreless game with a two-run double atop the wall in Seattle, he launched a grand slam during a nine-RBI three-game feast on the Devil Rays, then solo shots against Joe Blanton and Barry Zito. His streak continued with a grand slam against the league-leading Oakland A’s, followed by a shot in a slugfest in Cleveland.

“It was being relaxed more than anything else,” Mench recalled in 2014. “You don’t think about it until it’s over.”

Only Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr. have homered in eight straight games.

The younger brother of all-state Newark High players Chris and Dave Mench, Kevin was a two-time All-American at University of Delaware, where he led the nation’s collegians with 33 home runs in 1998.

That year he was named Delaware Athlete of the Year by the state’s sportswriters and broadcasters. Two years earlier at St. Mark’s High School in 1996, he was named Delaware player of the year by USA Today.

— Founded in 1976, the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame is located on the Wilmington Riverfront at 801 Shipyard Drive on the first base side of Frawley Stadium. Sports fans can tour the museum for free each

Kevin Mench was a two-time All-American at the University of Delaware. Photo courtesy DSHOF

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

5pm Start

Next Art Loop: NOVEMBER 7, 2025

DOWNTOWN

2nd & LOMA Leasing Office

211 N. Market Street

655-0124 • 2ndAndLoma.com

Exhibition: Seeking by Denise Palestini Pino

Bridge Art Gallery

213 N. Market Street

353-4527 • BridgeArtGallery.net

Exhibition: Transformed

Chris White Gallery

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

Exhibition: Nuestras Historias Group Show

Christina Cultural Arts Center

Edward Loper, Sr. Gallery 705 N. Market Street 652-0101 • CCACDe.org

Exhibition: Face Time by Sheila Exum

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street 576-2100

CityfestWilm.com/Redding-gallery

Exhibition: Art Works For All Annual Exhibition

Gallery at Grace Church

900 N. Washington Street 655-8847

GraceChurchWilmington.org

Exhibition: Thou Art Loved by Smashed Label

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market Street 658-7897 • TheGrandWilmington.org

Grand Gallery: Project Return by Jesse ‘Analog Bird’ Simmons

baby grand Gallery: A Living Legacy: 125 Years of Art and Craft in the Ardens by Arden Artisans Collective

Huxley and Hiro Booksellers

419 N. Market Street

439-0805 • HuxleyandHiro.com

Exhibition: Anthomania - The Floral Obsession by Christina Peters LaFate Gallery

227 N. Market St. 753-5789 • LaFateGallery.com

Exhibition: LaFate 10th

Anniversary Retrospective

MANE Gallery at the Tina Betz

Urban Artist Exchange

1509 Clifford Brown Walk, Studio #1 576-2100

CityfestWilm.com/uae-amphitheater Exhibition: New Works

From Our Veterans

Mezzanine Gallery

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

Ehibition: IN-JOY: Nature’s Soul Story by Paula Brown

The Queen

500 N. Market St. 400-7020 • TheQueenWilmington.com Exhibition: Boys Go to Jupiter by Kat Mantzavinos

The Sold Firm 800-B N. Tatnall Street 689-3237 • TheSoldFirm.com

Exhibition: Ameriica Has A Problem

Starbucks 627 N. Market Street

299-9980

Exhibition: Between Shadows and Light Group Show

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary 200 S. Madison Street 656-6466 • DeContemporary.org

Exhibition: Fall 2025 Biennial: Art + AI, Ken Mabrey, and On Madison II

Starbucks @ Justison Landing

329 S. Justison Street 510-2762

Exhibition: 25 Years in the Making by Elissa Davis

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue 429-0506

Exhibition: Group show featuring Judith Jackson & Claudia McGill

Delaware Center for Horticulture 1810 N. Dupont St. 658-6262 • TheDCH.org

Artist: Janet Williams

Howard Pyle Studio

1305 N. Franklin Street 656-7304

Artists: Connie Wagner and the other artists of the Howard Pyle Studio

BEYOND THE CITY

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

Exhibition: Omni Ordinary by Lily Spor

Bellefonte Arts

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

Exhibition: Theater of the Macabre

Finist & The Owl

811 Brandywine Boulevard 786-228-6638 • FinistAndTheOwl.com

Artist: Pam Slaton

A program of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Do you work in arts administration or arts programming? Are you an artist, arts patron, or arts educator? Do you volunteer at an arts organization? If you’re interested in the arts, then you belong at the Delaware Arts Summit! The oneday conference brings Delaware’s arts community together for a full slate of speakers, workshops, performances, networking opportunities, and timely conversations about the future of the arts.

As Agents of Change we can enable change to happen within our work, our organizations, and our communities. The 2025 Delaware Arts Summit will explore ways to identify the need for change and how to achieve it with new ideas and practices that address challenges, recognize opportunities, and promote future sustainability in the arts.

Deborah F. Rutter

October 27, 2025 I $65 I Hotel Du Pont

Keynote Speaker

Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke University and Former (2014-2025) President of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

The Lead Role

Representing an ensemble of arts advocates, Neil Kirschling empowers creativity to thrive in every corner of the state

By Mary Allen Mitchell

The arts can evoke a sense of wonder, shift perspectives, and enhance understanding and connection. In support of this tenet, Neil Kirschling, executive director of Delaware Arts Alliance (DAA), advocates on behalf of artists, arts and culture organizations and institutions, and patrons.

In addition to fostering well-being, the arts are a pillar of Delaware’s economy, generating about $3.7 billion annually and employing more than 10,000 residents. Kirschling believes DAA and its partners

can boost these numbers — enough for the state to achieve worldwide recognition as an arts and culture destination.

Arts leaders from around the state are on the same page. Molly Giordano, executive director of the Delaware Art Museum, says, “Thriving metropolitan communities like Austin or Nashville are anchored by arts and culture, and that’s our big-picture plan for Delaware.”

Kirschling

Hagley Craft Fair

OCTOBER 18 & 19 • SAT 10-5 • SUN 10-4

THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE ADVOCACY

Founded in 2009, DAA is a nonprofit, statewide arts advocacy organization, representing members from 60 arts and culture organizations and institutions, and several hundred individual artists and small businesses. Kirschling oversees all aspects of the organization alongside his colleague, Jordan Resh, and 16 working board members.

Kirschling joined DAA in 2022 from Rodel, a nonprofit organization aiming to transform education policy and programs throughout the state. He notes that earning his bachelor’s degree in public policy and master’s in public administration from the University of Delaware has prepared him for challenges and opportunities throughout his career.

Just three years into his leadership role at DAA, “Neil has been brilliant,” Giordano says. “He’s thoughtful, collaborative, and calm, as he takes time to understand needs of the arts and culture sector, policymakers, and lawmakers. He has mastered such a difficult skill set.”

Kirschling is quick to pass along recognition. “Our members are the lifeblood of DAA,” he says. “Membership dues, although nominal, signal buy-in, which shows policymakers that DAA is organized and aligned and indicates to funders that the arts community doesn’t take funding for granted.

“Lawmakers can’t be experts in everything, so they rely on us to help them understand issues that are important to their constituents, while we track developments at the state and federal levels so that our members don’t have to get in the weeds.”

DRAFTING THE BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS

A key organizational ally of DAA has been the Arts and Culture Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group chaired by State Sen. Elizabeth Lockman and State Rep. Brian Shupe. The caucus organized in 2021 to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the arts and

culture sector of Delaware’s economy.

In support of this effort, Kirschling’s predecessor at DAA, Jessica Ball, secured $1 million in federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act that same year to direct a full-fledged study of the state’s creative economy. Ball went on to become executive director of the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA), where she continues to partner with DAA on a variety of initiatives.

When Kirschling took over for Ball in 2022, he selected the firm Sound Diplomacy to execute the study and develop a comprehensive report on Delaware’s arts and culture sector, entitled, the Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism and Growth (CREATE) Plan.

As the CREATE Plan was being developed, legislators began implementing its early recommendations — one of which was to expand equitable arts funding.

To this end, Kirschling and advocates inside and outside of state government collaborated with

leaders in the executive branch to align their goal. It led to a historic legislative win for the arts and culture sector: The DDOA received a budget increase of $1 million for fiscal 2024, the first boost to the state arts budget since 2014.

More efforts led to a $1 million increase for fiscal 2025, and a $500,000 increase for fiscal 2026, for a total of $2.5 million over the past three years, enabling DDOA to cover existing grant program costs and support new grantees.

Another CREATE Plan recommendation calls for more art career pathway courses and associates degrees. Progress has already begun. This year, members of the Arts and Culture Caucus, with DAA support, drafted and passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 109. This piece of legislation directs Delaware’s Departments of Education and Labor to recommend ways to increase art career and technical education programs.

Regarding Delaware’s young artists, the CREATE Plan found that they often leave the state in search of larger markets, especially in art science fields, such as gaming design, media production, and filmmaking. DAA is working with policymakers to determine how to keep young talent in the First State.

Kirschling unveiled the final CREATE Plan to the state legislature in January 2024. Although it was well received, he shies away from taking credit. “Jessica procured the dominos,” he says. “I just set them up and knocked them over.

OCT 18, 2025 | 10 AM – 5 PM

Kirschling on stage during last year's CREATE Plan launch at Freeman Arts Pavilion.

“We hope the CREATE Plan will serve as a North Star for Delaware’s arts and culture sector for many years to come.”

SURVEILLING THE LANDSCAPE

DAA relies primarily on two resources to watch for developments with potential impact on the arts and culture sector:

The first is a bimonthly convening hosted by Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, in which legislators and art and culture sector employees meet virtually to discuss creative economy issues. Kirschling aligns discussion outcomes with CREATE Plan recommendations to support and track implementation.

The second is a membership with Americans for the Arts (AFTA), a Washington, D.C.-based organization for which Kirschling serves as Delaware’s state captain.

“Much like I do for our members, AFTA will tap me on the shoulder when there’s an opportunity for DAA to get involved at the federal level, where we’ve been engaged in ongoing advocacy to protect the National Endowment for the Arts,” he says.

PERFORMING WITH PASSION

Kirschling views his leadership role as the ideal intersection of his experience and aspirations. His background in public policy and advocacy complements his lifelong passion for singing in local choirs and a cappella ensembles, and singing, acting and dancing in plays and musicals at local venues.

Colleagues are quick to sing his praises. According to Ball, who has become more of a friend than a colleague to Kirschling over the years, “I’ve seen Neil perform many times, and he’s absolutely amazing.”

DAA Board President Matt Silva, director of campaign management for Nemours — who previously served as artistic director for Delaware Theatre Company — echoes Ball’s five-star review. Silva recently saw Kirschling perform as a featured ensemble member in the musical Something Rotten! at Candlelight Theatre in Arden. “His crisp, clean energy and nuance make the whole thing work,” he says.

“Between his accomplishments with DAA, performing for months at a time, and other personal pursuits like playing tennis at a high level, I’m not sure how he does it all,” Silva says.

While Kirschling brings an artist’s perspective to his work, he says voicing the interests of DAA members is equally exciting and fulfilling.

“The ultimate success, for me, will be that DAA exists well beyond my time, and that it maintains the trust we’ve built within the arts community,” he says.

— As implementation of CREATE Plan recommendations continues to progress, DAA will begin highlighting detailed outcomes starting next month. To learn more, visit

The Next Movement

With her debut as music director for the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Michelle Di Russo looks to captivate a new generation of concertgoers

By

Andrea Smith

Photos by Moonloop Photography

Di Russo pictured at The Grand. She will be only the sixth music director in the history of the Delaware Symphony.

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is entering a new era with its 120th concert season, as illustrated in a Taylor Swift-esque poster with Music Director Michelle Di Russo at the center.

Like Swift, Di Russo knows how to captivate a live audience and often does so while sporting bold red lipstick. She’s also in her mid-thirties and connects with people of all ages through music, and as DSO’s first female music director, she’s already making history in the Delaware arts scene. Her debut mainstage concert on Friday, Oct. 10, “Virtuosity Unleashed: A New Era,” launches a season that welcomes both the connoisseur and the curious.

“We're trying things to bring people into the concert hall, to find community there,” Di Russo shares. “I don't want anyone to feel intimidated. I want them to think coming to one of our concerts is an approachable, fun experience, and that they can talk to me. … I want to know what you liked, what you didn't like, and I want to break that formality that there's been for so long in classical music.”

Di Russo, an Argentinian-Italian conductor, is new to this position and only the sixth music director in the organization’s history, but she’s well-versed as a musician and performer. Dancing and singing were her first loves, but after studying conducting and experiencing it herself, she realized her true passion. She’s guest conducted for the LA Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Portland Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Calgary Philharmonic, and Toledo Ballet — plus cover conducted for numerous others. She was the interim director of orchestras at Cornell University, the associate conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, and most recently the associate conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony.

“When this opportunity came by, I was like, ‘I'm ready,’ you know, to be a music director, to take this leadership role, and to do the job,” Di Russo says. “I'm very happy that I got it.”

The search for a new director took almost two years and attracted 147 applicants from around the world. The search committee comprised members of the DSO board, orchestra, community and CEO J.C. Barker, and they selected four finalists to visit Delaware last season to test their connection with the musicians and with local audiences.

“We did surveys of the community and the members of the audience, and there were a lot of things that went into making a decision, but at the end of the process, Michelle was the clear winner,” Barker says. “She represents a new generation of orchestra leaders, orchestra conductors.”

The feeling was mutual for Di Russo, who quickly felt at home in Wilmington. “Even before I got the job, I felt a special connection with the musicians, but also with the staff and the audience,” she says. “It's just a really special place.”

Di Russo succeeds David Amado, who’s now DSO’s

Michelle

first music director laureate after 20 seasons at the helm. He’ll continue to have influence and occasionally conduct concerts in the future, but Barker says this season is Di Russo’s time to shine: “Every music director brings their personality, and Michelle's personality is scattered throughout this entire season.”

This new era is an opportunity to usher in younger audiences and make the experience more inclusive — a challenge for orchestras nationwide.

“In the last five years, six years, orchestras have seen that the old model of just catering to a small population of communities is not successful, and honestly, it's not part of our mission,” Barker says, looking toward the framed mission statement above his desk. “Our mission is [to enrich] lives through inspiring musical performances. Our vision is music for Delaware, access for all, connecting diverse audiences and communities throughout Delaware and beyond.”

Di Russo plans to collaborate more with local organizations and schools to bring classical music to those who might never step foot inside The Grand, plus make the concert hall environment more comfortable for families.

“There are a lot of families in Delaware, and they need to be able to come maybe to a matinee concert where their children can enjoy it without being chastised for making noises,” says Di Russo. She highlights the “Jingle Bell Jamboree” as an afternoon event catering to kids’ attention spans, along with the “Beethoven and Blue Jeans” series earlier in the season that encourages a relaxed dress code.

Di Russo chooses music that she believes will resonate with Delawareans and not be redundant of what’s playing in neighboring cities. Ultimately, she’s bringing music that she personally enjoys in order to share her authentic enthusiasm with audiences.

“The piece that opens the [“Virtuosity Unleashed: A New Era”] concert is by Gabriela Ortiz. She's a Mexican composer, and I put in a piece by her because I wanted to bring something from my roots, from Latin America. But also, I did a piece by her in my audition, and people loved it,” says Di Russo. “I'm trying to be true to myself and honest with what I want to do, and try to continue the legacy … There's so much we can build upon.”

Di Russo hopes to diversify the DSO's audience by bringing classical music to communities throughout the state.

12

OCTOBER

9 – OCTOBER 12, 2025

More than a movie festival, the Wilmington International Film Festival is a cultural experience celebrating independent film, local artists, live music, and community, creating a unique gathering that blends film culture, arts, and entertainment.

FILM SCREENINGS ACROSS THREE DISTINCT VENUES IN THE

THE SCREENING ROOM AT 1313

1313 N. Market Street, Downtown

•

THEATRE N @ NEMOURS

221 W. Tenth Street (Market West), Downtown

•

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY

200 S. Madison Street, Riverfront

FESTIVAL HUB:  THE CHANCERY MARKET

1313 N. Market Street, Downtown

Convergence Public Affairs

Creative Image Brand Photography

Crosby Connect International Consulting

Dawson Wealth Management LLC

Delaware Division of Small Business

The Delaware Contemporary

The Delaware Elder Law Center

The Delaware Valley Italian-American Herald

Diamond State Black Film Festival

EPIC Marketing Consultants Group

Flavia Loreto Photography

Friends of Italian Culture - Wilmington, DE

Goldstein & McClintock LLLP

The Screen Room at 1313

Sister Cities of WIlmington

World Trade Center Delaware

FILM & EVENT SCHEDULE

SHELF LIFE

Tribeca Film Festival Winner (USA DOC. • 78 MIN.)

VIP OPENING NIGHT - WINE & CHEESE TASTING

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 5PM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

THE END OF THE RIVER

(BULGARIA/UKRANE • DRAMA 110 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 11AM

I HATE MYSELF AND I WANT TO DIE

(USA COMEDY 85 MIN.)

THEATRE N • 11AM

THE SPIES AMONG US

(USA • DOC. • 92 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 11:30AM

LUNCHTIME SHORT FILMS

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY • 11:30AM

*Admission includes lunch from the Claymont Steak Shop food truck.

SHUFFLE with Q+A

(USA DOC. • 82 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 2PM

ESPINA

(PANAMA • COMEDY 90 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY • 2PM

ARREST THE MIDWIFE

(USA DOCUMENTARY • 78 MIN.)

THE POOL OF NOBODIES

(MEXICO DRAMA • 81 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 2:30PM

BEYOND THE SCREEN

FILMMAKER & ACTOR MEET & GREET

Entertainment Lawyer Aaron Harburg

THEATRE N • 4PM

COTTON CANDY BUBBLE GUM (USA COMEDY • 89 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY 4PM

THE CANFATHER

(USA COMEDY • 91 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 4:30PM

ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL

(IRELAND, UK, USA, ZAMBIA COMEDY/DRAMA 95 MIN)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 6PM

ABOUT FACE with Q+A (USA • DOC. • 61 MIN.)

THEATRE N 6PM

(USA DOC. • 83 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY 7PM

17TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF SHORTS with Gordon DelGiorno (116 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 7:30PM DOA with Q+A

4 CLONES ALONE with Q+A

(USA • COMEDY 82 MIN.)

SCAN FOR TICKETS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

BEYOND THE SCREEN

ACTOR & BUSINESS PERSON HEADSHOTS

Creative Image Photography

CHANCERY MARKET • 8AM-NOON

KIDS

SHORTS

A Collection of Shorts for Kids

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 11AM

HOW TO BUILD A LIBRARY with Q+A

(KENYA • DOC. • 100 MIN.)

THEATRE N • 11AM

BECOMING

VERA

(USA DRAMA 87 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY • 11AM

BEYOND THE SCREEN

LIVE PERFORMANCE

A Day of the WOZ: A Cinematic Journey

TWO EVENTS:

CHANCERY MARKET• 12-3PM

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY • 6-8PM

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

(USA DOC. 74 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 12PM

LIMITED TICKETS

THE SNARE

(USA CRIME THRILLER • 110 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY • 11:30PM

THE CARIBBEAN

FILM & FASHION NIGHT

Film Screenings & Fashion Show

SCREENING ROOM 1313 2PM - 10PM

FOUR MOTHERS

(IRELAND DRAMA • 89 MIN.)

THEATRE N • 2PM

ALBERTO SORDI SECRET

(ITALY • DOC. 86 MIN.)

TWO EVENTS:

FOOD & BAR / PHOTO EXHIBIT CAFE MEZZANOTTE • 3PM

FILM SCREENING W/ Q&A THEATRE N • 6PM

RELATIVE CONTROL

(USA • COMEDY/DRAMA 109 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 3PM

BERLIN LOOP with Q+A

(GERMANY DRAMA 87 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY 4PM

LIVE PERFORMANCE

Elon Busk – The World’s Poorest Band

CHANCERY MARKET 4-6PM BEYOND THE SCREEN

BORN INNOCENT: THE REDD KROSS STORY with Q+A

(USA DOC. 87 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 • 7PM

FUN SHORTS

Collection of Short Films (93 MIN.)

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY 8PM

DELCO HORROR HAVEN FILM FEST (USA HORROR 95 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 9:30PM

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

TICKETS

SUNDAY AWARDS BRUNCH

All the Film Awards & More!

CHANCERY MARKET 11AM BEYOND THE SCREEN

PHUNNY BUSINESS: A BLACK COMEDY

(USA • DOC. • 81 MIN.)

SCREENING ROOM 1313 1:30PM

Have the write stuff? Local authors share advice and tricks of the trade.

By Ken Mammarella

Everyone has a book in them” and “Everyone has a story” set the stage for deeper reflection about the writing craft. Who better to complete those thoughts — and assess the fate of reading and contemplate the local literary scene — than dedicated local writers, plus the people they work with?

These experts were asked a question or two about finding creativity, polishing their words, and getting published. They were also invited to speak to issues that matter to them.

First, a bonus tip from me. I started being paid as a writer when I was a University of Delaware student. My writing has been almost entirely in journalism, but I have a tip that can help any writer, developed from work as a Wilmington University adjunct professor teaching writing, reporting, and editing.

Use AI.

I’ve used AI to brainstorm for classes, but I think it still makes up too many facts (a trait called hallucinating). To quote Google: “Gemini can make mistakes, so doublecheck it.”

I don’t ask AI to write or rewrite content, because I want to control tone and style.

But I do rely upon AI as a layer of editing. When I finish a piece, I ask Microsoft’s Copilot to list issues in mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling. It’s amazing what I missed that it catches. I review each point and decide if it’s a correction I need to make or advice I choose to reject.

The other day, a student asked for a recommendation letter. While reviewing the job posting, I saw a typo (suit instead of suite). Copilot found six more mistakes — for a job that called for proofreading.

Breaking In and Breaking Out

“Many moons ago, I self-published my first two books and eventually launched a small publishing company. That experience taught me a lot, but when it came time for my third novel, I knew I wanted to pursue traditional publishing. So, I did everything I could to prepare. I consulted with an editor from a Big Five publisher, got my manuscript professionally edited, and studied every book deal I could on Publishers Marketplace. I wanted to walk into this unfamiliar world as informed and ready as possible.

Somewhere along the way, I was given a piece of advice I’ve never forgotten: Always have multiple irons in the fire. Naturally, I started writing two books at once, believing that if one didn’t sell, the other might. The goal was simple. Get my foot in the door, build an audience, and grow from there. >

Funny enough, my current agent initially passed on me. But she also offered honest feedback on how to strengthen my query letter. I took her advice, revised my manuscript, and submitted that manuscript to her again. Two book deals and 10 years later ,we’re still together.

Once I got the release date and cover art for my novel Discipline, I wrote a detailed marketing plan. My main priority was visibility and readership. I felt like a book tour would help me gain both.

I reached out to 100 bookstores by phone and email. About 30 responded, and I focused on those within a twoto three-hour drive from where I live. In 2026, my plan will shift to visiting the top 10 biggest cities in the U.S.

My advice would be to reach out to bookstores. The worst they can say is no. In this case, you’re no worse off than before. The most important thing is to make the attempt and live with the results.”

— Delaware resident Marc Avery threw a ’90s crime drama, a buddy cop film and a true crime documentary into a blender for Discipline. Details: IAmMarcAver.com.

The Horror, the Heroism, the Real Life

“To serve as a cop in New Castle County is, over the years, to become a connoisseur of the many ways in which individuals can break each other apart, and how, against all odds, something like love or decency sometimes survives the demolition. This is the ‘dark side,’ the reality where every day I was forced to bear witness, to absorb the horror and the heroism that play out in the aftermath of crimes. My books — The Dark Side of Death and The Dark Side of Honor — were a concentration of the experience.

I have always been fascinated by the tangled web politics weaves through the daily workings of law enforcement. It’s never just a matter of upstanding officers upholding the law; there is always some invisible hand, some ulterior motive at play. Politics doesn’t just interfere at the national level with grandstanding senators and televised hearing; it poisons the roots of every police agency, both local and federal, affecting who gets promoted, which crimes are prioritized, and who is allowed to quietly slip away unpunished.

I have gained experience with a couple of cases I investigated, combined them with some embellishments from the national level, and gave them international locales to make them interesting.

I’m working on a book, tentatively titled Dante’s Prayer, which has a 1940s setting in Wilmington. It originated from a song, ‘Dante’s Prayer’ by Loreena McKennitt.

Scott T. Phillips

The lyrics and the music haunted me in a positive way. I had some basic thoughts when I first heard it some 30 years ago but put them on the back burner. While I was driving for Delaware Express, I met a woman who told me about her father who was in World War II and was shot down over Berlin, held in a POW camp for one year, and then released with physical and mental scars. This intrigued me, and I felt compelled to write it.

Inspiration comes in many forms and at various times. You just must be awake and listening.”

— Brandywine Hundred resident Scott T. Phillips, writing as S.T. Phillips, self-published two books The Dark Side of Death and The Dark Side of Honor that each received an Indie Book Award. He is working on a third book, Dante’s Prayer.

The Pluses and Minuses of Writing A Series

“Mostly I had written stand-alone non-fiction books or novels, and that’s what I had in mind when I wrote Ghost Sniper, a World War II thriller featuring a U.S. Army sniper named Caje Cole who lands at Normandy on D-Day. It accidentally turned into a series because the book was such a success and so many readers wanted the adventures of Caje and the other soldiers to continue that I thought, why not? There are 10 books so far in the series, which continues into the Korean War.

Writing Doesn’t Have to be Lonely

“I founded a writing conference to raise money for a charity, and so many attendees showed up to that conference, despite the lack of publicity (or knowledge of how to run a writing conference at all), that I realized there was a need for a writing community. The Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild hosts over 30 different events for writers every month — Free Writes, book clubs, discussion groups, classes, themed readings and conversations with published authors. Maybe it’s just one continuous conference all year long! It helps enormously for writers to have this community. Writing can be so lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. The encouragement we offer each other, the validation, and the celebration when one of us accomplishes something keeps many of us going.”

— Maribeth Fischer is the founder and executive director of the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild. She has received three Delaware Division of the Arts Fellowships and two Pushcart Prizes for her essays. Her two previous books, The Language of Good-bye and The Life You Longed For, have been sold in six foreign countries. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her most recent novel is A Season of Perfect Happiness

What Publishers Really Want

I’m writing a similar series set in the Pacific Theater and also a Civil War series. A series enables the writer (and readers) to relate more deeply to the characters and the time period. Still, each book requires a great deal of research into a battle or campaign and a fresh plot, and there are always new characters coming and going — especially those who don’t learn to keep their heads down.

I remember the author Jon Land speaking at Thrillerfest in New York and telling writers to be careful what they chose to write, because that kind of story might end up being all that readers wanted from them. There has been some truth to that in my experience because my contemporary thrillers and mysteries haven’t been as popular, but I have to say, I never get tired of my series characters. They keep me company and sometimes keep me up at night with their stories that need telling.”

David Healey lives in Chesapeake City and writes two series starring cousins during World War II. Samurai & Snipers, his 31st book, came out in June. Details: DavidHealeyAuthor.com.

“Publishers want a good story. It might seem like a generic answer, but it’s true. The challenge for us authors is to take something that we find interesting and make it interesting for other people. I thought my first draft was solid gold. Then a writing mentor of mine read it and basically told me I had to rewrite the story to make it more interesting. She advised me to add more characters and to further develop my plot. I hated her suggestion at first, but I’m so glad I listened to her because it really helped make my story better.

I think it’s important to realize that turning an idea into a book is not a quick process. Looking back, I see now that my desire to publish a children’s book quickly led me to rush through my original plot. When I took the time to roll up my sleeves and work on the story, I saw the concept grow from infancy to maturity. It’s worth making the time and putting in the work to develop your story. With that being said, it can be daunting and discouraging at times, so find a mentor if you can or a few trusted people who will encourage, challenge, and motivate you.”

— Greenwood resident Keith Bosco has written two children’s books and founded Yellow Light Publishing to help other authors turn their stories into books. Details: YellowLightPublishing.com.

David Healey

Maribeth Fischer

Keith Bosco

The Hard Work After a First Draft is Finished

“You have finished your first draft. Congratulations, typing the words ‘the end’ is a great feat. Be proud. Now it is time to make it better. That is what editing is for.

I start writing longhand in a notebook. My first edit is done while transferring it into the computer. Then there are a few more passes before anyone sees it. Next it goes to a critique group, then to the editor. At each stage valuable changes and feedback improve the story.

Self-editing is important, but no matter how many times you read it, you won’t find everything. You are too close to the piece, and your brain will, sometimes, show you what you expect to see, not what is actually on the page. Or what you think you are writing isn’t the way the reader will interpret it.

Because you are so close to the project, some things will be overlooked. Here are a few that an editor will point out:

• Word echo: Using the same word too often in a paragraph or page.

• Spellcheck errors: Spell check is a wonderful tool, but it is not perfect. Many times, it will ignore an actual word in the wrong context because that word is correctly spelled.

• Favorite words: Every writer has words they tend to overuse. These words are different for each writer and can change story to story.

• Crutch words: Are words that slip into our writing slowing the flow of the narrative. While some of these words may be useful from time to time, limiting their use will improve the work. Some examples: Heard/hear, just, really, almost, appear, seem/seemed, beginning, started, a bit, a lot, very.

• Natural-sounding dialogue: Dialogue doesn’t always follow the rules of grammar. People take shortcuts when they speak. Reading dialogue out loud is the best way to discover if it sounds right. If it doesn’t feel right coming out of your mouth, if it doesn’t sound right when you hear it, it isn’t.

In the end, the more polished the story is, the more enjoyable and salable it will be.”

— Claymont resident Greg Schauer founded Between Books in 1979 and has been a bookseller for more than 45 years. In 2015 he helped co-found E-spec books. He has worked on more than 200 books and comics as an editor. Details: GSchauer@BetweenBooks.com.

Greg Schaeur

Photo by Joe Del Tufo

Every Work is a Collaboration

“As a bookstore owner and as a professor who teaches in a graduate program in literature and creative writing, allow me to offer one of the most helpful pieces of advice I can (based on what we often see in self-published submissions) taking a writing workshop or a creative writing class. These can be incredibly valuable, even for those with a natural gift for storytelling. Many writers skip working with an editor, but editing is essential, and even the best writers benefit from a strong editorial eye. There are skills every writer can learn and practice to strengthen their craft. Some common issues we see include inconsistent use of verb tense, “telling” instead of “showing,” misused vocabulary and overlooked typos. Writing classes and workshops, along with good editors, can help address these issues and make the work more polished, engaging, and ultimately more successful.”

— Claire van den Broek, PhD, co-owns Huxley and Hiro Bookstore in downtown Wilmington. She also works as a professor in a graduate program in literature and as a literary translator.

What a Writing Coach Can Offer

“Each author has their own unique challenges, questions and concerns. What’s so magical about doing workshops and working with authors is that I can give a group of people the same questions or writing prompts and every single person will write something completely different.

The most important thing for me is to be patient, kind and honest. When an author sends me their work and/or asks for my feedback, I let them know the best way to make the story shine without crushing their creative spirit. It’s imperative for authors to feel they’re being taken seriously and that you’re giving them constructive criticism. I have been part of writing groups where all they want to do is tear your work to shreds without offering actual feedback. And that can seriously deter someone from pursuing a career as a writer.

I’ve done workshops for writers of all ages, and I do what I can to make them fun, because in the end that’s what writing is supposed to be.

Here’s a fun writing exercise to try at home: Listen to a song (any song), and jot down the first five words that come to mind when you hear the music or lyrics. Use those five words to write a poem or sentence. And remember … have fun!”

— Wilmington resident Liz DeJesus is a novelist, freelance writer, and writing coach. She is the author of The Frost Series, Zombie Ever After, ABCs With the Vejigantes, and The Laurel. Details: Liz-Dejesus.com.

Claire van den Broek

Building a Community of Writers

“Developing relationships with other writers and people in the publishing industry increases a writer’s possibility for success exponentially. While writing my debut novel, Of White Ashes, I managed my time with intention, making time for the page, community, and the business of publishing. Each supports the others. For me, juggling art, community, and business is an act of balancing disparate, but important concepts.

Developing meaningful connections and relationships is a valuable investment of a writer’s time.

I’m not referring to networking, which is often thought of as transactional interaction for personal gain. I’m talking about being in community where deeper connections are formed, where people learn from and are there for one another.

Networking is exchanging business cards. Building community is showing up to celebrate someone else’s success.

New writers may feel uneasy entering a room of other writers, like they don’t belong. They may even feel unworthy to be around other writers. I did. But those feelings of insecurity passed quickly. Why? Because writers are giving people.

To find community, I searched for local writers’ groups. Some experiences didn’t fit. Others did. My first step into this world was a coffeeshop meet-up where writers

I thought, had I driven 45 minutes to sit in an uncomfortable chair to write in silence? Clearly, this wasn’t the space for me. But the space fit what other writers were there for — to find community and write. My second step was into a writers’ critique group at my local library. There, I found my people — writers of all levels who wanted to share and receive feedback on their work. And I asked myself, who am I to give feedback on a writer’s work when I have no idea what I’m doing? I soon realized, I’m a reader, with something to offer.

The internet and other writers were good sources for me to learn about professional writers’ organizations in my region. I joined local chapters of national organizations that opened wider opportunities. I attended conferences. Wherever I went, I tried to be authentic. I listened to and absorbed other writers’ stories and asked how I could assist them in their journeys. By supporting others, I benefited. Finding community and engaging in literary citizenship reaps endless possibilities.”

— Constance Hays Matsumoto authored Of White Ashes, a historical novel inspired by the true stories of her family. The Greenville resident is working on a non-fiction book for a niche publisher (due for 2026 release). She also serves as president of the Women’s National Book Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter. Details:

WELCOME TO WILMINGTON WELCOME TO WILMINGTON Michelle Di Russo!

Monday, October 6, 5:30pm • The Chancery Market All are welcome to this casual celebration with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s new Music Director

Constance Hays Matsumoto

The Words Truly Live in the Air

“One thing I’ve found as both a songwriter and playwright is that the mediums are very similar. In both cases, the words we write aren’t meant to be read on the page, but spoken/sung by actual people. So, in both cases I focus a lot on the rhythm, the lifts and falls of the words, the inherent music in what the singer/character is trying to convey. And in either case the song/play isn’t complete until it’s being performed — it doesn’t live on the page, it lives in the air, in the ears and (in the case of plays) eyes of the audience. So as a writer, I want to give the singers/actors as much room as possible to use their own crafts to convey the emotion of the piece.

The major difference between the two is that the core of a play is in the words, but the core of a song is in the melody and chords. Songs don’t need words, of course, but when they have them they are intrinsically tied to the music. You can read the words of great lyricists — Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Chrissie Hynde, Chuck D — but they don’t really work as poetry, because the music is what lifts them into our ears. The best songwriters understand this, and know how to use melodies to carry their words, lingering on particular lines, letting the high note resonate with the perfect sounds.

I also think the word playwright is a misnomer. We don’t write plays. We write scripts, which is only one part of a play, along with actors, directors, lighting techs, sound techs, stage managers, costumers, prop techs, and — maybe most importantly — an audience. I’ve always considered scriptwriting as one part of a very collaborative effort — an important part, but a lonely part. I mean, if I write a script and it never becomes a play, does it even exist?”

— North Wilmington resident Matt Casarino has written more than 30 plays, including The PornoZombies, Larry Gets the Call, and Goldilocks (The Musical). His three solo records and three albums with his band Hot Breakfast! with Jill Knapp feature his original music.

The First Commandment: Write Every Day

“If you’re going to write — then write. No excuses. Find a secure place and a time of day that works best for you and stick to it, day after day. It’s your duty. You must have confidence, be self-motivated, and be disciplined. If you’re easily distracted or need a boss

looking over your shoulder to spur you on, it won’t matter how talented a writer you are, you won’t finish the task. A routine schedule and determination are essential.”

— William Francis Albensi (who writes as William Francis) grew up in Newark and is retired and living in Garnet Valley, Pa. He has published 10 books related to Delaware, five novels, two self-published, and five photographic histories for Arcadia Publishing. He’s currently under contract to complete a sixth title due for release in 2026: Wilmington Before I-95.

Young People Should Be Encouraged to Read

“The unfortunate reality is that YouTube, TikTok, social media and gaming are taking kids and teens away from reading. As such, the children’s book market has been declining. I hope schools continue programs like Drop Everything and Read, One Book, and Silent Sustained Reading, in an effort to encourage reading. Further, stocking shelves and summer reading lists with books that are light, fun, funny, and fast-paced will draw readers in young.”

— North Wilmington resident Cindy Callaghan is the awardwinning author of 11 middle-grade novels, including Just Add Magic 1 & 2, which were made into an Emmy-nominated Amazon Original series. She’s well-known for the five best-selling Lost in… books. Award-winning Saltwater Secrets is set up by a major studio.

On the State of the Local Literary World

“Our local literary community is richer than we might suppose. The volume of work from Wilmington and Newark authors and poets has grown immensely since the 1960s, but to my understanding and experience, our literary community extends to the grateful dead, grateful because they are remembered. Their stories, extending over a couple centuries, both written on the page or lived off the page, are filled with their visions that define our own particular local culture today and, hopefully, for the future.”

— Newark resident Steven Leech has been writing since 1959. Since 1980 he has been an editor for Dreamstreets, a multimedia literary magazine. Details: DreamStreetArchive.com.

Matt Casarino

William Francis Albensi

Cindy Callaghan

Steven Leech

Delaware Fall Author Fair

More than 50 area authors will gather at The Queen in Downtown Wilmington on Sunday, October 26 for the Delaware Author Fair presented by Huxley & Hiro Booksellers.

Highlighting the attendee list will be Richard Chizmar, a New York Times bestselling author, who co-authored The Gwendy Trilogy with friend and colleague Stephen King. Last year, Chizmar published Memorials to great acclaim and will be appearing at the festival with son Billy (W.H.), his co-author in Widow’s Point, which was recently made into a feature film.

Other authors in attendance include P. Finian Reilly, William S. Knightly, Adriana CamachoChurch, Dani Diaz, Amy Blackthorn, Keli O'Connor, Dorian Moore, Liz DeJesus, Kevin McGonegal, Allison Whittenberg, Tom Bates, Mark Lawlor, Maria Levato, Amber Ricketts, Viet Dinh, Dave Tabler, Sarah Edmonds and Victoria Kimball.

The Author Fair will focus on Delaware authors writing horror, thrillers, romance, science fiction and fantasy. It will be held from noon3pm for an admission fee of $5. An early-access option is offered for $10, permitting attendees to enter at 11am. Tickets at HuxleyAndHiro.com.

Richard and son Billy (W.H.) Chizmar

The Triumphant Return of Hank’s Place

Brandywine Valley landmark boasts a new face and old spirit

After floodwaters from Hurricane Ida consumed Hank’s Place in 2021, owners Anthony and Katie Young vowed to rebuild. But over the next four years, supply shortages, bureaucratic red tape, FEMA requirements and insurance issues would test the owners’ resolve. They had already endured the Covid-19 pandemic, and few would blame the Youngs for selling the land. “The two of us, though, are pretty stubborn,” Katie says. “The staff were also behind us, supporting us emotionally and going to township meetings. Their energy kept us moving forward.”

By Pam George >

Anthony and Katie Young

Photos by Butch Comegys

Adds her husband, “We weren’t going to let the naysayers win.”

All of that is behind them now. On July 15, 2025, a new Hank’s Place opened for business. The structure is now nearly 10 feet off the ground, with mechanical systems on the roof. The walls around the ground level — used for storage and staff parking— are designed to break away, allowing floodwaters to flow underneath. A covered deck with a fire feature and ramps to the front door are appealing new elements.

Inside, the open dining room has a beamed cathedral ceiling, an expanded counter, and wide windows that bring light into the space. Is it different than the previous building? Of course. But the essence of what makes Hank’s Place such an integral part of the Brandywine Valley is palpable.

From Hot Dog Stand to Hank’s Place

The 2021 flood wasn’t the first time the Brandywine Creek had swallowed the business at Route 1 and Creek Road (Route 100). From 1970 to 1973, Hank’s was inundated four times. In 1973, a resigned Henry “Hank” Shupe told a reporter that he and his wife, Virginia “Ginny,” had planned to leave the area anyway.

Shupe wasn’t the first to run a restaurant on the site. In 1950, the owner enclosed a fruit stand, added stools, and opened George’s Hot Dog Stand, later renamed George’s Brandywine Lunch. (George’s surname was not mentioned in past articles.) The site had also housed Frank Brittingham’s blacksmith shop and a service station, according to an article in Chadds Ford Life.

On Oct. 15, 1960, the Shupes — originally from Virginia — purchased the business and, later, the greenand-white building. The restaurant was so small that cleaning up after a minor flood wasn’t the ordeal it is today. In 1973, it closed for a few weeks after a damaging deluge. However, in 1977, floodwaters rose to the level of the lunch counter and froze, damaging the foundation. The

Shupes bulldozed the structure and rebuilt on slightly higher ground.

During the construction, Virginia sold coffee to regular customers. Over the years, Hank’s has had many. In 1998, writer Caryl E. Huffaker of The Morning News Hank’s is “the place where locals gather to swap stories and gossip.” At 5 a.m., construction workers came for coffee, followed by truck drivers, businesspeople, artists, and locals, she wrote.

By 1991, the Shupes were finally ready to retire to Tennessee. Their departure caused consternation in the community. Some said a new owner would put in — shudder — booths. Others whispered that a gift shop was in the works. However, new owner Peter Skiadas, who, along with his four brothers, owned the Longwood Inn, made few changes.

The Skiadas family also owned restaurants in Lancaster County, so Peter included some Pennsylvania Dutch favorites on the menu. There were also Greek dishes, including chicken orzo soup. Peter was raised in Greece, and his wife, Voula, is first-generation Greek American.

Friends & Fame

stopped short on Route 1, and tourists poured out the door. Wyeth beat a hasty retreat.

By 2003, Hank’s was serving an average of 600 meals each weekend day. “We’re the place where friendly people meet, and hungry people eat,” Voula told a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter that year. Current owner Anthony Young would maintain that it is still true. On one Sunday morning, when the regular was off, he worked the door.

“The first person was a single woman, and the next was a party of two,” he says. “By the time I went to seat them, they asked for a table of three.”

Before buying the restaurant, Anthony regularly sat at the counter on his day off. “My nickname became ‘Turkey Club Guy,’” he recalls. He often talked about motorcycles with another regular at the counter. Anthony knew him as “Andy.” The art world knew him as painter Andrew Wyeth, and Hank’s Place was a favorite haunt.

As early as 1964, a newspaper article noted that Wyeth and son Jamie, then 18, met daily at Hank’s. “You can tell them Mrs. Wyeth never cooks,” Andy quipped over ham and eggs.

Wyeth was such a well-known customer that author Gene Logsdon traveled from Ohio to consume an untold number of hamburgers at Hank’s Place — all in hopes of running into the painter. (He later wrote Wyeth People.) When a bus driver spotted the artist in the parking lot, he

In 1986, when his paintings of Helga Telstorf were unveiled, reporters descended on Chadds Ford — and Hank’s — looking for information. A writer from The Vancouver Sun wrote that Hank’s customers had some new “gossip with their crab cakes and corn muffins.” (In case you’re wondering, Helga reportedly loved the spinach salad and roast pork and sauerkraut.)

By 1991, Voula and Peter were ready for retirement. At the same time, Anthony and Katie were looking for a change. “We had this great idea to buy a restaurant,” Katie says.

The Next Generation

Growing up, Anthony and Katie were on a culinary collision course. They both graduated from West Chester East High School, albeit in different years. Anthony entered the hospitality industry at 13 and never looked back. “I’m a restaurant guy through and through,” he maintains. He worked at Bobby’s Seafood in Newtown Square, the Dilworthtown Inn, and Pace One in Thornton, where he met Katie, a server, in the 1990s.

After graduating from Pratt Institute, Katie opened an ad agency, which counted MBNA among its clients. Meanwhile, Anthony spent 18 years with Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. Both faced a career crossroads when Iron Hill and the bank went through transitions. (Bank of America, which purchased MBNA in 2006, >

photo in front of the restaurant's dynamic new entrance.

The final wooden beam installed in the new Hank's Place bears the signatures of loyal customers and supportive friends.

began restricting and selling off international operations.)

The couple heard that Hank’s might be for sale. They also learned a bank was interested in the location, which alarmed Anthony. “It’s my neighborhood spot,” he says. “As a regular, this was my restaurant.”

Katie had been coming to Hank’s Place since childhood. It was the couple’s “meet-in-the-middle” spot when Anthony worked in West Chester and she was in Wilmington.

It’s hard to outbid a bank. But Voula and Pete knew Anthony and appreciated his passion for food and hospitality. They appreciated that the Youngs had honeymooned in Greece and named their standard poodle Agora, Greek for “gathering place.” It’s now the name of the Youngs’ holding company.

The sale went through in May 2017. Katie helped at the restaurant when she wasn’t running her ad agency, then joined full-time. As for Voula and Peter, they retired to Lancaster. Peter passed away in 2024 at the age of 88.

The Youngs knew the community wanted to preserve the status quo. “There wasn’t any real pressure since that was our goal,” Anthony says. Still, the chef insisted on using high-quality ingredients and employing elevated techniques.

Take, for instance, butter instead of margarine, potatoes peeled and mashed by hand, and eggs cracked to order. Admittedly, some preferred the old ways.

“We explained the difference to them, and they became more comfortable with the changes,” Katie says. “They [began to trust us] more because we were giving them a quality product.”

Anthony also launched a series of themed dinners, which let him showcase his skills.

As for the décor, the customers liked the one-story building just the way it was — low ceiling, paneled walls, tables, chairs, and a homey counter. The flood, however, forced changes.

Weathering The Storm

Hurricane Ida hit the region on Sept. 1-2, 2021, dropping up to eight inches of rain in a matter of hours. The Brandywine Creek crested at just over 23 feet in Chadds Ford — breaking records set by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Anges in 1972. With little floodplain, swiftly rising waters washed away bridges and roads, consumed cars, and surged into homes and businesses.

The day before, Hank’s employees had placed whatever they could on the counter. It didn’t help. The water level forced PECO Energy to cut the power lines. Restaurant supplies and furniture floated in seven feet of water, as minnows swam around food, and tadpoles and tiny turtles took up residence.

This time, there was no manageable cleanup. The building was razed on Dec. 8, 2023. The Youngs received a special permit to operate a food truck in the parking lot, but hours were limited to three days a week, four hours a day.

The truck kept Hank’s visible, but only to a point. “It wasn’t paying the mortgage or keeping our staff employed,” Anthony notes. In 2022, Kennett Square Mayor Matthew Fetick facilitated an agreement allowing Hank’s Place to temporarily occupy 201 Birch St., which has been home to Taste of Puebla, Kennett Steak & Mushroom Restaurant, and the Sawmill Bar & Grill.

Rising From the Waters

When the Youngs met with Glen Mills-based architect Tom Dever, flood-proofing topped their list. Next, they wanted the new building to complement the village setting, alongside neighbors such as Brandywine Prime in the old Chadds Ford Inn. Materials include local stone and wood from the late George A. “Frolic” Weymouth’s property.

The vaulted ceiling and numerous windows make the restaurant inviting, and the modern farmhouse chic aesthetic — complete with painted Windsor counter stools — suits the village setting. Restoration experts salvaged several pieces of artwork, including Jamie Wyeth’s “Draft Age,” a painting of artist Jimmy Lynch, a regular at Hank’s Place; and Wyeth’s “The Red Coat.” Outside, new sculptures include steel pieces by Stan Smokler.

The Youngs didn’t cut corners, which comes with a price. “It’s called borrowing,” jokes Anthony. The couple secured a commercial loan from a local bank. “They’ve been in the trenches with us,” Katie says.

On opening day, the Youngs left their garage and headed to the restaurant. “Here we go. We’ve made it through,” Katie told her husband. “We’re going to take a moment to take pride in what we’ve accomplished.”

They arrived at Hank’s Place at 5:30 a.m. to find two small pajama-clad children and their dad waiting patiently at the door. “That’s why we did it,” Katie says of the rebuild. “It’s the tradition. It’s the memories.”

And what would Andrew Wyeth have said? Katie dabs at her eyes and, in a tremoring voice, answers, “Way to not give up.”

Hank's Place server Rhonda Thompson shares a laugh with a group of friends celebrating Ralph Hanby's 90th birthday (on right with cap).

Bites

WILMINGTON BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK

Wilmington Black Restaurant Week returns Sept. 28-Oct. 5, showcasing African, African American, and AfroCaribbean cuisines at restaurants across the city. The celebration culminates on Oct. 5 with the Black Food Festival at The Queen (500 N. Market St.) from noon to 5pm, featuring tastings, live music, and a student cook-off. Participating restaurants include Drop Squad Kitchen, Merengue House Bar & Restaurant, Rooted AF, Troisième Café and more. Popular Philadelphia-based chef, Saudia "Saud" Shuler, who has garnered over 1 million followers on Instagram (@CountryCookin1), is one of the judges for the student cook-off and will be signing books, as well as sharing her expertise in a community culinary conversation. The festival is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

— Visit WilmBRW.com

CLAYMONT WELCOMES APOTHECARY BREWING COMPANY

Apothecary Brewing Company will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 10–12 at 2703 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, in the former Hangman Brewing space. The weekend includes food trucks, giveaways, beer specials, and live music by The Chris Wolf Band (10/10), Scott Mathews & The Good Folk, and Walking Dead (10/12). Apothecary is headed up by coowners John Ponte and Andrew Poole, who bring more than 30 years of combined experience in brewing. The brewery will feature four flagship beers plus rotating seasonal selections, guest taps, and cider and mead from Liquid Alchemy. In addition to live music, the brewery plans to host a variety of events including Quizzo, karaoke, D&D nights, and more.

— Visit ApothecaryBrewing.com

LA ESPERANZA BRINGS

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FLAVORS TO WILMINGTON’S WEST SIDE

La Esperanza Mexican Takeout has officially opened at 401 N. Rodney St., bringing fresh, local Mexican cuisine to Wilmington’s West Side. Owned by longtime West Side entrepreneurs Esperanza Alarcon and her family, La Esperanza offers a vibrant menu highlighting Mexican culture and history. Additionally, the restaurant will feature an exterior mural completed by Launcher Entrepreneurship Program graduate and local artist, David A. Jones III, paying tribute to Mexican culture. With the support of the City of Wilmington via America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Cornerstone West CDC celebrates the growth and expansion of this immigrantowned, family business.

—Follow La Esperanza on Instagram @laesperanza_mexicanrestaurant

DELAWARE PARK CELEBRATES FALL WITH FOOD, FUN, AND FURRY FRIENDS

Delaware Park kicks off a month of fall fun with several exciting events. The Boo! Bar at LIT makes its spooktacular return Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 10–31, serving Halloween-themed cocktails from 6pm–1am. On Oct. 4, the 2nd Annual Bark at Del’Park, in partnership with Faithful Friends Animal Society and Humane Animal Partners, features a Dog Dash, adoptions, a Hot Dog Bark Bar, Pacifico Yappy Hour, and more. Then celebrate the final day of LIVE racing on Oct. 18 at Parktober Fest with food trucks, retail vendors, beer, wine and spirits tastings, and music by Delaware’s Mega Chin. — More at DelawarePark.com

Ihas changed at lightspeed. In the current cultural landscape, it’s perfectly reasonable to speculate that Warhol might add the footnote, “or have a podcast.”

This is no surprise as the podcast is a perfect form in this era of convenience and solitude. One can listen on a walk, in the car during one’s commute, at the gym, or on a couch with earbuds in while a significant other binge-watches Netflix.

In the era of “content creation,” podcasts are as cheap and easy to make as they are to find and digest; and the format lends itself beautifully to most any human need or desire: true crime for voyeurs, how-to’s for the home improvement-challenged, self-help for the lonely or isolated, deep music or movie discussions for those seeking cultural connection, and so on.

It was a mutual obsession and bond over music (and the pandemic scaries) that led a group of Delawarean friends into the podcast space more than four years ago. From humble beginnings in a group text chain jokingly discussing The Doobie Brothers' “What a Fool Believes” and its yacht rock magnificence, a bonafide podcast was born. >

Most of the 1001 podcast crew convened for a concert in the state of Washington last September.

From l-r: Tom Monaghan, Allan McKinley, John Magrans, Marty Walsh, Rob Kassees and Phil Matarese. Photo provided

Drawing inspiration from the reference book famous among music aficionados, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, the group launched a podcast hoping to provide the informative elements of an NPR broadcast coupled with freewheeling comedic flare. They called it 1001 Album Complaints.

The format in a nutshell: Musicians research and tell the backstory behind classic albums chosen randomly from the 1001 Albums book, pick them apart (as musicians do), then vote on whether you really need to hear these albums before you die.

This motley crew of Delaware natives features Phil Materese and Allan McKinley of local rock band MEGA, along with Rob Kassees, Tom Monaghan, Adam Laskowski and Marty Walsh. All are in their mid-40s and have known one another since attending University of Delaware or high school — a few since grade school. This shared history gives the leads to easy rapport and a shared sense of humor that gives the podcast its joy, warmth and humanity.

Kassees, who currently works in software development and resides in Sacramento, California, was looking for a project that satisfied his longtime interest

in podcasting while getting to spend time with friends.

“I happen to be an early adopter of podcasts (as a listener) so I've always wanted to find a good angle for one, and when my co-host Tom (Monaghan) pitched me this idea of connecting to the 1001 Albums book, I thought it was a great way to do something sustainable,” says Kassees. “The co-hosts are my oldest and closest friends — all musicians, all guys I met either in high school or at UD, all Delawareans. Music was the glue that brought us together initially, and since then, we've played in a series of bands together on both coasts and are now (mostly) geographically separated. In short, we’re old friends that use the podcast as a great excuse to talk to each other across distance and to experience new music together like when we were teenagers.”

Matarese, who contributes axe and vox to Delaware’s own four-guitar army known as MEGA, is something of a podcast rookie, but he has a keen eye for the special qualities that the various members of the group bring to the table. After describing himself as the “most likeable and funniest (looking),” he elaborates.

“Kassees brings leadership, organization, and

Kassees says the group used their longstanding friendship and love of music as the foundation for the podcast.

forward momentum. Monaghan (currently in California) has an encyclopedic memory and has strong opinions that he will defend to the death. Laskowski (a Pennsylvania resident) provides tech support and has the most diverse musical tastes. McKinley (Delaware) is a deep researcher and instigator. Walsh (currently in Oregon) has a strong point-of-view, excellent oneliners, and provides hipster credibility.”

A crucial element in the creation and growth of 1001 Album Complaints is Kassees’ studious fandom of the podcasts he loves and that formed his tastes in the medium.

“I love a lot of podcasts, but some of my favorites are Freakomonics, RadioLab, and This American Life. I also love comedy podcasts like Bad Friends, Your Mom's House, and Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend,” Kassees says. “I've spent time with lots of podcasts over the years, and I had a clear idea of what I wanted out of our show; and it was to cross a well-researched, well-produced, story-driven show with a lighter, more conversational comedy podcast amongst friends. At the heart of all those comedy podcasts is a complicated and deeply personal relationship. I think that probably tells you a lot about me and about our show.”

Since the podcast’s start during the pandemic in 2021, podcasts have become as ubiquitous in the culture as reality shows on television and the medium’s marketplace as crowded as a Trader Joe’s on Sunday. This is a fact that Kassees has observed, yet he remains undaunted.

“Like in any saturated market, there's a lot of people who are either barely trying or just not very good at it,” Kassees says. “ I respect anyone who is putting in the work, even if they sometimes fall short. Conversely, I have almost no respect for anyone who thinks just popping a mic in front of two people (famous or not) is enough to sustain my interest. I'm proud to say that 1001 Album Complaints is not ‘another show where middle-aged guys chatter on and on’ — we've honed our craft, created recurring segments, improved at writing material like our tweet length reviews, and we do legitimate research to prepare for every show.”

Distributed to all podcast platforms like Apple, Amazon, and Spotify, the podcast has found its footing after overcoming a first-year learning curve and has continually grown its listenership over the subsequent years to average around 60,000 per month, says Kassees. The show even has a paid Patreon presence where members discuss and debate each new weekly episode. At present, 119 of those are paid subscribers, with 387 members overall.

With so many podcasts to choose from (particularly music-related), it’s challenging for even a good show to find and connect with its intended audience, but Kassees seems to have figured out how 1001 Album Complaints has done just that.

“Our show's secret sauce is definitely our decades-long friendship — that's the part you can't manufacture. We just got lucky and built around that strength.”

Low Cut Connie Headlines Queen Jeans Ball

Riverfront concert also features four other East Coast acts including John Faye

Low Cut Connie frontman Adam Weiner may have an exceptionally strong set of fingers — having banged on the piano as fervently as he has for decades — but he admits he also has a very tender spot in his heart for Wilmington.

“I am super stoked to be coming back to Wilmington,” Weiner wrote via email last month. “Low Cut Connie has a long history with Delaware dating back to a show in Wilmington in 2012, and I’m sure this will be yet another beautiful night. See ya there, Delaware pals.” >

Adam Weiner and Low Cut Connie return to Delaware Oct. 10. Photo by Shervin Lainez

Presented by:

Low Cut Connie headlines the Queen Jeans Ball on Friday, October 10 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. The concert will benefit Donate Delaware, a non-profit created to harness community generosity during times of crisis.

Adding to Low Cut’s feverish energy will be at least four other acts, including one of Delaware’s most accomplished musicians, John Faye. At the 19th annual Hometown Heroes Homey Awards held in August, Faye took home multiple awards, including Best Songwriter and Album of the Year for The Long Game

A longtime pal and collaborator of Bruce Springsteen, Joe Grushecky, will keep the tunes cranking with his Pittsburgh-based band The Houserockers. Grushecky will play songs from his most recent album, Can’t Outrun A Memory, which came out last year as well older hits — including some from his highly-acclaimed, Springsteenproduced American Babylon, which turned 30 this year.

“The Houserockers have turned into a western auxiliary of the E Street Band,” Jon Pareles wrote in a 1995 New York Times review. “The full band kick in on the second verse, arriving like a rescue team to turn the humdrum into the heroic.”

Speaking of the E Street Band, look for the duo known as Williams Honor to bring their take on the classic Asbury Park sound. In 2020, the country act was voted “Best of the Best” by 94.3 The Point, a popular Asbury Park-based radio station that’s been serving the Jersey Shore for more than seven decades.

From Boston, Will Dailey will also play, serving a vintage singersongwriter sound that has earned him seven wins in the Boston Music Awards. Dailey also has performed with Ryan Bingham and a cast of other top-notch musicians in the musical, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a project developed by John Mellencamp, T Bone Burnett, and Stephen King.

— The Queen Jeans Ball comes to the Chase Center on the Riverfront on Friday, October 10, starting at 8pm. Tickets for the Donate Delaware benefit are available at TheQueenWilmington.com.

SEVEN NEW MEMBERS ENTER

DELAWARE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME OCT. 12

Delaware Rock & Roll Society's Hall of Fame roster will grow to 180 during an Oct. 12 concert/ceremony at the Baby Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilm).

This year’s inductees are Kristen and the Noise, On the Edge, Meeta Parker, Montana Wildaxe, Crazy Planet Band, Tommy Eppes and Tommy Alderson. Festivities begin at 2pm and all inductees will be performing. Tickets are available now.

Per tradition, the iconic group Club Phred will serve as the event’s house band. Club Phred has helped raise more than $6 million dollars for 55 charities during its 25-year history. The band has performed with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Felix Cavalieri of the Rascals and the horn sections from the Letterman Show and Blues Brothers

The Delaware Rock and Roll Society currently has an installation at The Delaware History Museum (504 Market St., Wilm.). The museum is open Wednesday thru Saturday, noon-5pm. —Visit TheGrandWilmington.org

DELAWARE LOSES TRUE TROUBADOUR IN PASSING OF NIK EVERETT

From Maryland to Philadelphia, Nik Everett drove an immeasurable number of miles throughout the decades in which he played music. When the awardwinning musician passed away on September 1, he left in the rearview mirror an impressive quantity of musical accomplishments and recordings that date back to the early ‘80s.

Everett made his television debut as a solo artist on Focus Delaware in 1982 After his independently released cassette, Paralyzed in Motion, came out in the mid ‘80s, Everett formed The Nik Everett Group and began getting regional airplay with the release of the band’s 1988 album Surrender Tonight.

In the decades that would follow, Everett performed with or supported artists like The Hooters, Suzanne Vega, Marshall Crenshaw, Robert Hazard and Alex Chilton. He also became the longtime host of Open-Mic Mondays at Manayunk’s Grape Street Pub, a series that earned a prestigious reputation in the Philly music scene.

In 1996, Everett released Gravel & Honey, the first of four solo records that would span the next two decades. During that span he also served a four-year term as vice president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy.

Everett was inducted into the Delaware Rock & Roll Society Hall of Fame in 2019. Two years before that, on one of his N1M online profile, Everett wrote: “There is little satisfaction in life compared to creating a song and having people dig it.”

Photo by Marc Clery

Kristen and the Noise

ICONIC PAT METHENY MAKES RETURN VISIT TO THE GRAND

Theonly musician to have won 20 Grammy Awards in 10 different categories, Pat Metheny comes to The Grand on Sunday, Oct. 5 to wow audience members with his virtuosity, his command of musical technology, and his heartfelt storytelling.

Metheny will perform songs old and new, including those from his most recent releases, Dream Box and Moondial. The show will see him utilize 12 guitars, each with sounds ranging from wildly electric to elegantly acoustic.

Forty years after sharing the stage with Carlos Santana in Philadelphia for LIVE AID, Metheny will recall the tales of his vast travels all over the world during the 50 years in which he has been recording and performing music.

—More at TheGrandWilmington.org

WILMINGTON PORCHFEST DEBUT PROMISES MORE THAN 30 ACTS

OnSaturday, Oct. 11, more than 30 artists representing multiple musical genres will perform on porches in Wilmington’s Cool Spring and Trolley Square neighborhoods.

Death By Indie, Grace Vonderkuhn, Katie Dill, Red Birds and Chorduroy are just a few of the many acts that will play the free community event. Porchfest events have taken place in other nearby cities like Philadelphia and Princeton over the past year.

Wilmington Porchfest is presented by the Original Music Association of Delaware, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting original music in the state of Delaware. Maps of the show locations will be provided along with free water bottles, backpacks, and ponchos, in the event of rain.

—More at 302omad.com

Photo

The City

TINA BETZ URBAN ARTIST EXCHANGE EARNS RECOGNITION

The Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange (UAE) continues to serve as a hub for arts, music, and culture in Wilmington. Once home to abandoned horse stables, the UAE is now a vibrant and collaborative space that demonstrates the power of the arts in bringing people of all backgrounds together.

Recently, the UAE has earned recognitions and grants that will support and expand its ongoing mission to celebrate the arts and promote community. The UAE amphitheater won an American Institute of Architects design award — a program honoring the transformative impact of architectural design and celebrating the projects and people that make Delaware a vibrant place to live.

In addition, Cityfest has again been selected as a Levitt Music Series Grant recipient, continuing the availability of free concert series at the UAE. As a direct result of this grant, the City will receive a total of $120,000 for free musical performances in 2026-2028. Residents can expect seven to ten concerts per year over the lifetime of the grant. In October, the UAE will host two free performances in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, supported through the most recent round of Levitt Foundation grants. For more information on these concerts and upcoming events at the UAE, please visit the Cityfest website at CityfestWilm.com .

Once home to abandoned horse stables, The Tina Betz Urban Artist Exhchange is now a vibrant and collaborative space hosting diverse events for the community. Photo courtesy of EDiS

CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE IS OPERATIONAL

In July, the City of Wilmington launched its own internal ambulance service – an initiative designed to provide faster, more reliable emergency services to Wilmington residents. Today, every ambulance is fully staffed and on the road serving residents. Operated by the Wilmington Fire Department, this service ensures that when you dial 911 for a medical emergency, trained professionals are ready to respond with quality care when it matters most.

This initiative, first announced by Mayor John Carney during the City’s budget presentation, delivers on a commitment to strengthen emergency response and improve public safety for all Wilmington residents. This service represents just one initiative in the City’s ongoing commitment to building a safer and stronger community for generations to come.

STAY IN TOUCH

Want the latest updates on City projects, announcements, and community events? Sign up for Mayor Carney’s newsletter!

Delivered right to your inbox, the Mayor’s newsletter keeps residents up-to-date on all things Wilmington. Follow these steps to sign up:

1. Visit the City of Wilmington website at WilmingtonDe.gov.

2. Click “sign up for e-news.”

3. Fill out the required fields.

NATIONAL BOOK MONTH

October is National Book Month — an opportunity to promote the importance of literacy and celebrate the joy of the reading. Wilmington libraries offer a wide selection of stories for readers of all ages. Sign up for a free library card today! Visit Wilmington.lib.de.us to locate your local branch.

Explore the Riverfront

Restaurants & More riverfront market

open

Banks’ Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar

Big Fish Grill

Ciro Food & Drink

mon-fri: 9AM-6PM

sat: 9AM-4PM

Stop in and enjoy fresh produce, salads, sandwiches, Mexican, Thai cuisine, Peruvian rotisserie, and much more!

Bernie’s Espresso is NOW OPEN!

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

Delaware Duck Café & Catering

Del Pez

01.

Docklands

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Riverfront Bakery

River Rock Kitchen

Starbucks

Taco Grande

The Riverfront Asian Cuisine & Bar

Timothy’s on the Riverfront

outdoor adventures in every season

Your Dream Destinations

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