New Castle DIGEST (Aug-Sept)
Recent News and Media, and Upcoming Events, as of 8/25/23
As noted in last month’s Digest, this one is a bit shorter than normal due to some vacation time. Full ‘regular programming,’ with chats and other features, will resume next month.
I. August News Round-Up 📰
Un-Presidented Unprecedented: City Politics 2023
On the same day earlier this month that New Castle saw its first female mayor, Valarie Windle Leary, sworn into office, news spread of the unexpected resignation of its Council President, Michael Platt. This sets up a record third municipal election for 2023, following April’s regular election and the special election won by Mrs. Leary on 8/5, following last season’s surprise resignation by nascent Mayor Bill Blest.
As reported in The Weekly, Saturday, November 4 has been floated as a tentative date for Election #3, though Council still needs to confirm that.
City Topics has covered this latest departure in more detail here, where readers may find Mr. Platt’s letter of resignation.
NPS Eyes a New Year’s Opening for Sheriff’s House & Jail
New Castle’s historic Sheriff’s House and Jail, on the Green between the Court House and the Arsenal, was recently freed of the unsightly thermal wrap and scaffolding that have ensconced it for over a year and got in the way during events like May Market and A Day in Old New Castle.
Curious what this recent reveal portends for progress at the site - which will become the Visitor’s Center and HQ for First State National Historical Park when it’s done - we reached out to park superintendent Josh Boles.
"The Sheriff's House is coming along," he offered. "Removing the scaffolding was a big landmark for the project. That said, there is still a lot of work to be done.”
“As of now, the construction phase is slated to wrap up [in] early to mid November,” Boles added. Then, “it will take us awhile to fully move in. Currently I am hoping for a soft opening around New Years with a bigger event following that. I hope to have more clarity on the dates in about 6 weeks or so..."
We can’t wait to see the restored interior and take our place as the center of this sprawling National Park when the time comes.
Updates from City Council and Administration
A site for the proposed Dog Park has been marked off at the Hermitage Natural Area. Progress remains to be made on an MoU between the City and the Trustees of the Common, an RFP to solicit bids for construction if that work is to be contracted out, and other logistical and planning details. Mr. Barthel reported, in absentia, that this and the purchase of a new bandstand are in the works.
Suzanne Souder shared her proposed revision of Ordinance 539, amending the city election code. This ordinance was introduced by former Council President Platt in May but did not receive a reading. Ms. Souder’s revised version would:
Provide for electronic filing by candidates for city office,
Update the filing form to require that candidates certify they meet the requirements to run (21+, resident for 2+ years, registered DE voter, no felony conviction that would bar service).
Clarify that candidates have two days to correct filings once they have been made aware of errors, even if that would extend final submission past the posted deadline. This is in line with the Delaware state election code, which mandates the same.
DelDOT has received funding for removal of the old light at 6th & Delaware Streets. Negotiations over repaving of the intersection are ongoing.
The State of DE requires all municipalities to submit a Land Use Plan Report annually, which takes the form of a questionnaire completed by our planning commission and returned to the state following Council approval. Council approved this year’s report, which focuses on housing opportunity, transportation, recreation and sustainability. You can read this year’s report here.
As recorded by Ms. Souder in her unofficial notes, “Mr. Platt said that a recent letter to the editor of The Weekly signed by 6 people spread lies. He went on to complain about the editor of The Weekly fact checking some things but not others and said the paper is biased. Specifically, he objected to Ms Buchanan fact checking his wife’s letter to the editor which included an allegation of ticket fixing but not fact checking the letter he believes spread lies. Ms Buchanan, the editor of The Weekly objected. At this point, the exchange grew loud and heated until Mr. Walton interjected and said that this had to stop. If you want to listen to the entire exchange, here is the link to the City’s recording of the meeting. The exchange between Mr. Platt and Ms Buchanan begins at 18:07 and runs for 5 minutes.”
The Battery Park Playground is due to reopen by mid-September, following completion of Phase I of planned upgrades. Future phases of work are still under development - and fund sourcing - by the Playground Subcommittee established by City Council last year.
II. ICYMI: Local Media Spotlight 📸
In case you missed it... it’s been a beautiful month in the City of New Castle!
Please enjoy these August highlights from a few of City Topics’ favorite local social media feeds…
Ferry Stories Abound
There were a number of cool stories about the bygone New Castle-Pennsville Ferry recently, led by this great archival footage from the Delaware Public Archive.
Then there was the History Revival talk at the Court House focused on crossings of the Delaware River, which also included great details about the old ferry service! Read historian Mike Dixon’s recap of the event here, and watch the full lecture here.
Lastly, a couple photo posts - one from us and one from Robert Biddle in the Facebook group “Delaware History/All Things Delaware” (which we highly recommend).
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Barns, Bumblebees & Butterflies - Nature in Full Bloom
First up, we were delighted to see the William Penn HS Future Farmers of America (FFA) program featured in New Horizons, the FFA’s national magazine! Check out the story and some amazing pics of local kids working around historic Penn Farm…
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We also really enjoyed the Hermitage Natural Area this month, as well as a delightful look at the gorgeous private garden of Arasapha Garden Club member Pam Henry, in the last of the “Garden Glimpses” from the group’s Spring Walkabout for members.
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And more local beauty and fascinating history…
From neat local history, to the reopening of the Amstel Garden Tool House, to fun events and even some light traffic ‘news,’ here’s the rest of what caught our eye this month on others’ feeds, or that you may have missed on New Castle Topics’ socials.
Featuring two more great, local social feeds worth a follow: Bellanca Airfield Museum and Read House & Gardens.
III. Community Event Calendar 📅
Check out the Community Calendar on our website for a farther view of the local event scene and to catch additional events as they are added, plus the list of monthly/ongoing events! And please see the Library’s event calendar here (if we added all library events, they’d take over!).
Remaining in AUGUST…
8/25 - TONIGHT - Fourth Friday Art Loop, 5-8pm, featuring:
At the Mo’zArt Gallery: “Money for Maui,” a luau to raise disaster funds, featuring chances to win Dennis Young’s last painting of the town of Lahaina.
*As of 8/24, pre-sales have already raised nearly $1000 to help Maui & Lahaina!At the Opera House: A reception with artist K.O. Simms, featuring his work in various media exploring landscapes, cityscapes and other regional subjects.
At the Mercury Cafe & Teahouse: the works of Bill Sweeney debut.
At the Window on Delaware St.: an evening of multi-artist, multi-media, interactive artistry ft. live music, hands-on workshops and provocative art.
8/25 - TONIGHT - Movies by Moonlight: Grey Gardens, Library Garden, 9pm.
The classic 1975 doc follows two reclusive cousins of Jackie O. and their life in their decaying mansion in the Hamptons. 21+/BYOB. Lawn chair or blanket recommended!8/26 - Back to School Giveaway & Party at Buttonwood UMC Church, 11am-2pm.
8/26 - Mickey Fest in Battery Park, 11am-7pm.
8/26 to 9/4 - Kalmar Nyckel at the Wharf, offering Day Sails.
More info at kalmarnyckel.org/explore.8/31 - ‘Thomas Read and the Colonial Navy’ at NC Court House, 4:30pm.
Presented by Bill Manthorpe as part of the History Revival series. Thursdays throughout August, featuring maritime history with discounts to local bars/restaurants.
Coming Up in SEPTEMBER 2023
9/5 - Trustees of the New Castle Common Meeting (Public), Penn Farm, 7pm.
9/8 - Movies by Moonlight: Marie Antoinette, in the Library garden, 8:30pm.
Bring lawn chairs and blankets (and BYOB) for this 21+ screening of the 2006 historical drama about France's iconic but ill-fated queen, with a pop sensibility and unique style.9/12 - City Council Regular Meeting at the NC Senior Center, 7pm.
9/12 - Charlie Zahm Performance at Jessop’s Tavern (call for tickets).
9/16 - Annual British Motor Show (Cars & Motorcycles), Bellanca, 9am-2pm.
Presented by the British Car Club of Delaware, with awards in numerous categories. More info is at BCCDelaware.org.9/16 - A Little Night Music: Michael Hunter Duo, in the Library Garden, 6-7pm.
A night of improvisation and unique arrangements of your pop and jazz favorites, along with skillfully performed standards and an emphasis on fun! Bring a lawn chair/blanket.9/17 - Pop-up Opera by the River, in Battery Park, 2pm.
Presented by Opera Delaware. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the free program.9/17 - St. Anthony’s Spaghetti Dinner (Take-Out only, $12), St. Anthony’s Club.
First come, first served... Contact Bob at 388-4565 or Dom at 650-5240.9/22 - Spirits in the Stacks at New Castle Public Library, 8-9:30pm.
Southeastern PA’s Phantom Detectives give a brief history of the team, their protocols, and their methods. Following a brief Q&A session, attendees will be able to take part in an impromptu investigation of the library. Registration required.9/23 - Art on the Green in Battery Park, hosted by the Lions Club, 10am-4pm.
Hundreds of arts, craft and collectibles vendors, plus food trucks, Artists’ Row & more.9/23 - ‘Books on the Green’ Book Sale, at Art on the Green, 10am-4pm.
By New Castle Library Friends, benefitting New Castle Public Library.9/23 - Historic New Castle Belgian Beer Festival, by NCCP and Jessop’s, 12-5pm.
Second annual Festival offers a beer garden in the park coinciding with Art on the Green.9/24 - New Castle Block Party on the Green, 3-8pm.
Fundraising event for NC Senior Center, ft. live music, art auctions, 50/50’s and more.9/29 - Movies by Moonlight: The Blair Witch Project, in the Library Garden, 8pm.
Bring lawn chairs/blankets (& BYOB) for this 21+ screening of the 1999 horror classic.