Those passing the crossroads of North Claymont Street and Todds Lane in the Riverside neighborhood of Wilmington this past year have probably noticed a fleet of excavators, metal beams, and lots and lots of dirt. That’s because EastSide Charter School is making significant progress on its construction of a new $26.5 million hub for Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). …
Caesar Rodney librarian named support professional of year
A paraprofessional/library specialist who opens the school library during lunches so students can have a space where they feel safe and cared for has been named Delaware’s 2024 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year. “The library has an open-door policy so students can take a break, check in or have someone listen to them,” said Sinead Ronan of Caesar …
Community composting facility starting in Brandywine Hundred
Plastic Free Delaware, a group that formed a decade ago to get rid of environmentally unfriendly single-use bags, is now tackling something that forms a quarter of municipal waste: Food scraps. It is creating its first community composting facility in Talley Day Park, behind the Brandywine Hundred Library, and prominently located right across a parking area from the playground. The …
Ho-ho-ho! Classic Delaware area Christmas traditions await
Here are some memorable spots to mark Christmas in Delaware and just over the border into Pennsylvania. Be prepared: some places required advance tickets, sell out or will be crowded. Longwood Gardens, for instance, drew 572,000 people in 2022 for its spectacular Christmas displays, and Schellville drew 163,000 for its extravaganza. These event run for weeks. There’s a separate list …
SEPTA train service starts Dec. 4 at new Claymont station
SEPTA commuter train service to the new Claymont Transportation Center starts Dec. 4, increasing the community’s attractiveness to businesses and residents and reducing hassles for commuting into – and just visiting – Philadelphia The new station is a centerpiece of redevelopment of 425 acres on Philadelphia Pike, just south of the Pennsylvania line, that for decades was a steel mill. …
Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, in whimsical gingerbread
Winterthur has moved its Enchanted Woods indoors this season – as a delightfully detailed miniature form in gingerbread – for Yuletide at Winterthur. The 150-pound creation features gingerbread, chocolate, fondant and icing. That’s all edible. On this day of Christmas: Holiday events to mark on your calendar The construction sits on a hardwood platform, edged with red ribbon, with styrofoam …
2024 Educational Support Pro of the Year named Dec. 5
One education support professional will be chosen Dec. 5 as the state’s best out of the 19 chosen by school districts and one charter school. This is the fourth year the Department of Education has recognized a State Educational Support Professional of the Year. “Educational support professionals’ roles vary greatly,” said Mark Holodick, secretary of education. “They provide one-on-one support …
Janvier jewelry store’s stunning mural wows customers
Joseph Janvier Jewelers doesn’t go out of its way to call attention to itself — from the outside. The Elsmere business is housed in a nondescript brick building on Kirkwood Highway. Customers walk from a modest parking lot to the front door and press a bell to be admitted. They step in, and their mouths drop open. “Wow” is usually …
Smyrna, Seaford schools named National Distinguished Schools
Elementary schools in Smyrna and Seaford have been named 2023 National Distinguished Schools for the extraordinary success of their students. Smyrna Elementary School (Smyrna School District) was recognized for closing the achievement gap between student groups, and the academic progress that the students made during the 2022-2023 school year on standardized achievement tests. West Seaford Elementary School (Seaford School District) …
Family-friendly Halloween fun (and adults-only, too)
Here are some not-so-scary places to go trick or treating and celebrate Halloween in other ways. Be prepared for rain in the forecast this weekend. This calendar is chronological. Fall Festival and Corn Maze, Mondays-Saturdays through Nov. 4, Fifer’s, 1919 Allabands Mill Road, near Camden. Includes Motor Maze and play area, plus more events on Saturdays. All activities weather-permitting. Maze …