Joe Callahan won Division III’s Gagliardi Trophy and threw for 5,068 yards and 55 touchdowns as a senior. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

DOVER — Joe Callahan doesn’t need all 32 NFL teams to be interested in him.

The Wesley College quarterback just needs one.

And with the NFL Draft starting tonight, Callahan seems to have at least one serious suitor.

The Green Bay Packers have been in contact with Callahan, calling him several times and having regional scout Mike Owens work him out.

“It’s tough to tell with NFL teams,” said Callahan. “They’ll call but you never know if they’re interested and what they’re actually thinking and what their plan is. I’m just excited to be getting calls from teams right now that have a little interest in me.

“Hopefully this weekend I get a call to be signed as a free agent by somebody.”

Indeed, the odds of a 6-foot-1, NCAA Division III QB actually getting drafted are slim at best.

Still, Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Silverstein wrote a story this week saying that Callahan is among a handful of small-college players that the Packers are considering signing.

Wesley coach Mike Drass knows the fact that Callahan won Division III’s Gagliardi Trophy and threw for 5,068 yards and 55 touchdowns as a senior won’t open too many pro doors for the 6-foot-1, 216-pounder. But Drass also believes that people who take the time to study Callahan like what they see.

“He can make all those throws,” said Drass. “If he gets a chance to get into a camp, we think he could impress somebody.

“We’ve had great quarterbacks here, but Joe can throw the ball in a way that no one’s ever going to throw the ball here. They look at, can you throw the ball from one hash to the numbers on the other side of the field, or throw a flag pattern with the ball on the line. Joe can do those things.”

Naturally, Callahan has confidence in himself, too. He just hopes teams don’t write him off based solely on how he looks on paper.

Along with the workout for the Packers, Callahan also took part in the University of Delaware’s Pro Day.

“I think a lot of teams have an idea already constructed in their minds about what they expect a Division III quarterback to look and move and play like,” he said. “With the pro days, I just tried to show that I might be taller or heavier or stronger than they anticipated — move well in the pocket.

“I’ve been working on more dropback stuff, since we were primarily a shotgun team at Wesley, to show them that I’m capable of playing at a certain level. I try to show off my arm strength a little bit and exceed those ideas that they had already going into the pro days.”

Wesley has had players make it into NFL camps before, of course. Defensive lineman Bryan Robinson and receiver/kick returner Larry Beavers both played in NFL preseason games.

Other Wolverines, on the other hand, never received that phone call. Now it’s Callahan’s turn to see if a team will give him a golden ticket.

He’ll keep an eye on the draft this weekend at his family’s home in New Jersey, with his phone by his side but a firm grip on reality, as well.
“It’s a lifelong dream,” said Callahan. “Especially now coming from a Division III school, it’s even more special I guess.

“(But) you can’t get too excited because you don’t know what’s going to happen. I leave that to my parents to get all worked up. I just try to keep a pretty level-head about everything.”

Cape junior attacker Evan Gehman (10) hugs junior midfielder Erik-Stephane Stancofski (25) after a first half goal against the Riders. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)

Cape sophomore midfielder Jacob Brown (22) and CR sophomore Nolan Brockmeyer (8)

Cape junior Robert Neall (16) and CR senior Patrick Matsko (9)

CR senior Patrick Matsko (9) and Cape junior Sean Grahne (25)

CR senior Patrick Matsko (9) and Cape junior Robert Neal (16)

CR junior Jacob Pangle (22)

Cape junior Robert Neall (16)

CAMDEN — Three times Caesar Rodney High battled back in the second half to tie the game.

But each time, Cape Henlopen had an answer.

Finally, the Vikings put an end to it, reeling off three unanswered goals in a three-minute span of the fourth quarter before posting an 11-9 victory over the Riders in their annual boys’ lacrosse showdown on Wednesday night.

The Henlopen Conference Northern Division victory, Cape’s third straight over CR, puts the Vikings (5-0 North, 7-3 overall) in control of the division with one North game left. The Riders (4-1, 6-3) had a four-game winning streak snapped.

With a number of first-year starters, coach Mark D’Ambrogi liked the way the Vikings handled the late-game pressure.

“It was a good game,” he said. “I thought we established the lead early and then they (the Riders) wouldn’t go away. Eventually, we showed a little bit of character by coming back and withstanding that run.

“The kids rose to the challenge. Several of them made some good plays.”

Trailing 8-6 going into the fourth quarter, CR tied the contest on goals by Noah Longest and Luke Rankin. Rankin’s goal, which he netted as he fell to the ground, knotted the score at 8-8 with 8:33 remaining.

But the Vikings took the lead for good when Sean Lally fired home a shot with 5:56 remaining. After maintaining possession in one long stretch, Cape finally put away the victory with goals from Ethan Ghabra (3:14 left) and Jacob Brown (2:50).

CR got one last goal from Jacob Copio but it came with just 21.6 seconds on the clock.

“I thought we narrowed our focus really,” said D’Ambrogi. “We moved the ball a little bit quicker and then those giys who had the opportunity to finish, did.

“Any time you can beat Caesar Rodney at their place, it’s a good win.”

Ghabra (1 assist) netted a team-high three goals for Cape with Patrick Monigle and Evan Gehman both adding two. Brown (3 assists), Brock Maloomian,     Erik-Stephane Stancofski and Lally all had one as seven different Vikings scored in the game.

Goalies Brendan Kane and Brandt Lookup combined for eight saves.

The Riders were led by two goals apiece from Demetrius Stevenson, Patrick Matsko and Jacob Pangle. Goalie Tyler Gross made three saves.

CR took 26 shots in the contest but a number of times they missed the goal. The Riders also had one shot smack hard off the crossbar.

“They put more on cage than we did,” said CR coach Matt Faircloth. “We had some great opportunities in the beginning, we just didn’t get them on cage. And the team that puts the most in the back of the net wins.”

Faircloth, though, liked the way his team overcame a 5-2 halftime deficit. The Riders’ last two losses to the Vikings have been decided by a total of only three goals.

“We know when we play Cape that we’re going to get a well-coached team,” said Faircloth. “And it’s going to be a high-energy atmosphere. It’s going to be fight. … They made a couple more plays than we did.

“I’m very proud of our effort, we just came up a little short.”

DOVER – Meredith Chapman, the wife of a Newark councilman, said Wednesday she’s filing to run for the Delaware Senate.

Ms. Chapman, a Republican, is seeking the seat in the 8th Senatorial Distict held since 1990 by Democrat David Sokola. The district which covers Newark.

Meredith Chapman

Ms. Chapman, who handles social media for the University of Delaware, said the district “has always been home to me in some way, shape or form.

“I’m constantly talking to my neighbors, family, friends, business owners, and they’re sharing with me their concerns that we need someone who will be our champion for change in Dover,” she said in a video posted to Facebook.

Her husband, Luke, serves on the Newark council.

Sen. Sokola serves as co-chairman of the Bond Bill Committee, which allocates funds for construction projects.

Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 1,800 in the district, but the registration is relatively even in comparison to most other New Castle County districts.

Republican challengers are also taking on Sen. Harris McDowell, who has represented District 1 for 40 years; Sen. Patricia Blevins, who has spent 26 years in the District 7 seat; and Sen. Bruce Ennis of the 14th District, who was first elected in 1982.

DOVER — “We support you, while you defend us” is a slogan that Councilman William Hare hopes resonates with active military personnel that might face hard times financially.

“You see a lot of programs out there for veterans, which are great, but there are very little programs out there for the needs of the active duty (personnel),” Mr. Hare said.

That void sparked an idea to create the Dover Military Support and Readiness Organization. It will be geared toward providing financial assistance to active military members.

“I’m a military veteran and I know what it’s been like to struggle at times,” Mr. Hare said. “I mean it’s not easy, so I just want to help out anyway that I can.”

The nonprofit organization will hold its first event at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is free.

Mr. Hare said it will give everyone an introduction to the organization.

“I’m excited,” he said. “We want people to come and support it. We’re going to have food and different auction items as well.

“I’m expecting to have a good time.”

Birth of an idea

The genesis for the nonprofit was born during the Christmas a few seasons ago.

Through an encounter while portraying Santa Claus, Dover councilman William Hare was inspired to establish an organization to help active duty military personnel. (Delaware State News file photo)

Dressed as Santa Claus, Mr. Hare has been making the rounds at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital in Dover and making people smile since 1998.

He doesn’t stop there, though. He also makes stops at Dover Air Force Base as well. It was an encounter with a little girl about what she wanted for Christmas that made him realize a need to help active military members existed.

“She came and sat on my lap and I asked what she wanted for Christmas,” he recalled.

“She said she wanted a Barbie doll and as I looked up I saw her mother was shaking her head no as if she didn’t want me to go any further with asking what her daughter wanted.”

He found out later that her husband had been deployed, which put a financial burden on the family.

“The mother couldn’t keep her job because the father wasn’t home during the evenings and she didn’t have anyone to watch their kids, so she had to quit,” Mr. Hare said.

He said that’s when he knew something needed to be done.

“It hit me then that sometimes we take things for granted,” Mr. Hare said. “There are families in the military that may face financial hardships.

“I just knew that there was something that we can do to help out these families.”

Bettie Campbell, director of business at Dover Federal Credit Union, helped Mr. Hare put the organization together. She said it’s been great watching an idea be turned into reality.

“Mr. Hare approached me at a convention about the organization two years ago,” Ms. Campbell said. “I was all on board with it. I helped put together some of the brochures and help send letters and emails about the event.

“Our airmen serve us, so I just wanted to have a chance to give back and help them out anyway that I could,” she said.

It took a while to get some of the ground work done, but he had a great deal of help from everyone, he said.

“(U.S.) Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) was a big help because it takes a while to get a 501(c)(3) form approved through the IRS,” Mr. Hare said, referring to the tax-exempt code for nonprofits.

“I filed all of the papers and paid all the fees and I waited six or seven months to see if I was approved.”

“We went over and had lunch with Sen. Carper and I explained our program to him and then a couple of days later I got a letter saying that I was approved,” Mr. Hare said.

“I’m not sure if that was a coincidence, but he was still very helpful through the process.”

Mr. Hare said Rep. Sean Lynn, D-Dover, helped with the legal work.

“He was a big help,” Mr. Hare said. “He did all of the legal work for us to help get this off of the ground.

“Before you could file with state or federal government you need bylaws, letters of incorporation,” he said.

“That’s where he helped us because he did all that for us and made whatever changes that we needed.”

To get help

The organization will be vetted through the First Sergeants’ Council’s Good Shepherd Fund at Dover Air Force Base, which provides financial assistance to enlisted personnel at the base in times of need.

“There are a lot of different needs that may come up and this is another avenue that can add to what’s available for them,” Mr. Hare said.

Funding from the organization will come from fund raisers, sponsors or donations.

“We want everyone to be involved,” Ms. Campbell said. “There are a lot of airmen that need our help and this is a great opportunity to help them.”

Mr. Hare agreed.

“I’m really excited to see it kick off,” Mr. Hare said. “It’s not about me. It’s about the airmen and the people that defend us that we support.

“It wouldn’t even matter to me if I was mentioned. It’s about doing other things to help other people when needed.”

In a game that was close throughout, Sussex Tech High edged Polytech, 14-13, in Henlopen Conference Northern Division boys’ lacrosse on Wednesday.

With the contest tied, 11-11, the Ravens outscored the Panthers, 3-2, in the fourth quarter.

Jason Whaley (2 assists) had a game-high seven goals for Sussex Tech with Matthew Tull collecting four goals and four assists. Nathan Hanenfeld, Nathaniel Quillin (1 assist) and Adam Johnson tallied Sussex Tech’s other goals.

Goalie Ryan Justis made 12 saves for the Ravens, who outshot Polytech, 40-30.

The Panthers Zachary Maheu netted a team-high five goals with Zachary Trabaudo (1 assist) scoring three. Joshua Davis (2 goals, 2 assists), Patrick O’Brien (2 goals) and Griffin Ott (1 goal) also scored goals.

Nathan Fairbanks stopped 12 shots.

Smyrna 4, Sussex Central 1: The Eagles picked up the win in a low-scoring Henlopen North game.

Indian River 9, Milford 6: George Martin led the Indians with three goals while Gianni Gottschalk and Josh Lucido had two goals each.

GIRLS, Polytech 19, Sussex Tech 10: Ali McKay and Maddie McKay (3 assists) tallied five goals apiece to pace the Panthers to the Henlopen win.

Ali McKay scored the 200th goal of her career for Polytech, which led 11-3 at halftime.

The Panthers were also led by Jamie Trabaudo (3 goals, 6 assists), Camryn Dennis (3 goals), Kate Richardson (2 goals, 1 assist) and Caroline Hermance (1 goal, two assists).

Shannon Stephan made seven saves.

Madi Bada (1 assist) and Morgan Johnson had three goals apiece for Sussex Tech. Kathryn Giles scored twice and Breonda Wright made seven saves.

Dover 21, Sussex Academy 1: The Senators rolled to the Henlopen Conference victory.

The Seahawks’ Grace Scort made a season-high 17 saves.

Smyrna 17, Indian River 6: Shabnam Noroozi and Maddie Price each had five-goal games in the Eagles’ conference win while Kaila Hindt added a pair of goals.

Emiley Shuey paced the Indians with five goals.

Cape Henlopen 16, Caesar Rodney 5: The Vikings outscored the Riders, 10-1, in the first half before registering the conference win.

Baseball

Sussex Tech 5, Salesianum 0: Matt Warrington pitched seven scoreless innings for the Ravens with seven strikeouts.

Offensively, Sussex Tech was led by Luke Oliphant (2-for-3, two runs), Colin Bergh (2-for-3) and Kyle Lux (2-for-4, two RBIs).

Girls’ soccer

Cape Henlopen 9, Seaford 0: Kassidy Ostan and Lindsey Swontek scored two goals apiece to lead the Vikings.

Carly Dmiterchik, Cassidy Best, Lily Smith and Brooke Hollingsworth also netted goals for Cape.

College baseball

Towson 18, Delaware State 4: Towson scored six runs in the first and eighth innings en route to the win.

Kwestin Smith had two hits and a RBI, while Austin Bentley and Devin Beverly also drove in runs for the Hornets.

Delaware State (10-30) jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. Evan Regez scored the first run on a wild pitch and Bentley’s two-out single drove in Darnell Maisonet to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.

Towson (15-27) answered with six runs in the bottom of the first.

The Hornets put two more runs on the board in the second to pull closer. Beverly doubled in Chris Panzarella with DSU’s third run and Smith singled in Beverly with two outs to cut Towson’s lead to 6-4.

The Tigers blew the game open with six runs in the eighth.

College softball

UD takes a pair from Mount St. Mary’s: The Blue Hens swept a non-conference doubleheader from Mount St. Mary’s, 8-2 and 3-2.

Leanna Gearhart had three RBI in the first game and Mariah Kondravy finished 3-for-4 while driving in three runs. In the second game, Gearhart scored all three runs, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Delaware, which improved to 18-0 all-time vs. Mount St. Mary’s, has won seven straight non-conference games. The Hens have now won 16 home games, tied for the second most in a single season.

DSU’s Hawthorne honored again: Delaware State senior catcher Sandy Hawthorne was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time of her career, after batting .583 with seven hits, nine RBI, four runs, a double, a triple and a homer in DSU’s three-game sweep of Howard.

Hawthorne has posted career-highs in batting (.391), hits (50), RBI (50) and home runs (5). She also claimed the top spot on DSU’s all-time list for most doubles (49) and needs four more RBI to pass Catrina Ansbach for the school single-season record.

College golf

Hornets second in MEAC event: Delaware State’s Suchada Anusuriya finished fourth with a score of 152 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Showcase this past Tuesday, as the Hornets placed second to conclude their 2015-16 campaign.

Anusuriya’s performance was highlighted by shooting a -1 on the par 5’s, tying four other golfers for the lowest score. She also tallied the third most birdies (4) of any golfer, along with Elaine Aisha Peete, who finished 12th (163, +19).

Rounding out the standings for the Hornets included Samyra Lewis tying for 10th (160, +16), Ireanna Peete finishing 13th (166, +22) and Iyana Monagan placing 19th (191, +47).

College equestrian

Hornets honored for work in classroom: Thirteen members of the Delaware State equestrian team have earned national recognition for their academic success.

The National Collegiate Equestrian Association has announced that DSU’s Hayley Anderson, Abigail Buckwalter, Emily Fick, Elizabeth Koons and Tiffany Lee are among 62 student-athletes nationwide selected to the Beval Saddlery Academic first team.

The team consists of riders who have competed in a minimum of 70 percent of their school’s meets; and earned a cumulative grade-point-average of at least  3.5 while maintaining full-time enrollment in the previous spring and fall semesters, respectively.

The Delaware State equestrian squad was also honored as the Hornet women’s program with the top team grade-point-average of 3.41.

Special Olympics

Soccer gets underway in schools: More than 1,000 Special Olympics Delaware athletes and Unified partners (peers without a disability) will compete in soccer events across the state during the month of May.

Schools representing nearly every district in Delaware will attend events held from 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 3 at the University of Delaware, May 9 at Sussex Tech High School, May 17 at Polytech High School and May 24 at St. Andrew’s School.

Athletes either participate individually or with a Unified partner in skills competitions, or on Unified teams in 5 v 5 round-robin tournaments. More than 60 teams from all levels are expected to play in the tournaments. For more information visit www.sode.org.

DOVER — Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s dominance was complete Tuesday in the Delaware presidential primary.

Not only did they win the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively, they each garnered 60 percent.

Their popularity was consistent from Hockessin to Delmar, evidence of the strength of the campaigns of the two front-runners, who took further steps toward clinching their parties’ nominations Tuesday with wins in Delaware and elsewhere on the East Coast.

In the First State, former Secretary of State Clinton won the Democratic majority in 40 of 41 representative districts, while Mr. Trump claimed all but two districts.

The lone victory for Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont was the 13th District, which encompasses the Elsmere area. Sen. Sanders topped Secretary Clinton by three votes.

On the Republican side, the only districts Mr. Trump failed to win were the 3rd and 4th districts, which cover the Wilmington area. Ohio Gov. John Kasich claimed victories there.

He defeated Mr. Trump by one vote in the 4th District.

Rep. John “Larry” Mitchell, a Democrat, represents the 13th District. He said he was surprised to learn his district and his district alone saw Sen. Sanders receive more votes than Secretary Clinton and could not think of any obvious explanation.

The Newark area, which has the University of Delaware, would seem to be the most likely place to go for Sen. Sanders, but Secretary Clinton won those districts.

Statewide, Secretary Clinton drew 59.8 percent of the vote, while Sen. Sanders collected 39.2 percent.

Mr. Trump received about 60.8 percent, Gov. Kasich got 20.4 percent and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas earned 15.9 percent.

Democratic businessman Roque De La Fuente and three Republicans no longer in the race — retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — each received a fraction of the votes.

In total, 93,633 Democrats and 69,892 Republicans cast ballots, although percentage-wise, more GOP voters turned out.

In a clear indication of Mr. Trump’s impact, 38 percent of Republicans and 30 percent of Democrats voted. Those numbers are essentially flipped from the 2008 primary, the last time the White House was open.

Tuesday’s results gave Secretary Clinton 12 delegates, plus up to 10 superdelegates, while Sen. Sanders earned nine supporters. Mr. Trump collected all 16 Republican delegates for the state.

All of Sabrina Marelli’s classmates and fellow W.B. Simpson Elementary School fifth-graders crowd around the pace car to get a better view of the contest-winning artwork Wednesday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)

WYOMING — W.B. Simpson Elementary fifth-grader Sabrina Morelli got a unique surprise Wednesday — seeing a NASCAR Toyota pace car covered in a design she created last month.

The exact moment when W.B. Simpson Elementary School fifth-grader Sabrina Marelli, center, realizes that she was the winner as the pace car pulls up in front of them. She is joined by fellow fifth-graders Nadia Cisneros, left, and Dreux Lail.

Sabrina’s design was chosen from more than 500 submissions from 11 schools across the state as part of the Monster Mile Youth Nation Design Challenge.

“It’s kind of crazy, I really didn’t think I would win,” Sabrina said when she first saw the pace car.

Sabrina and the other students completed their designs at school in March as a tie-in with National Youth Art Month.

“We sat down to look at all the entries and we liked the bright colors and that she incorporated the lady bug and our nickname, ‘The Monster Mile,’” said Gary Camp, senior director communications at Dover International Speedway.

The design was mostly yellow with colorful stripes across the hood, orange checkers on the back and a lady bug on the roof.

“When I made it, I pictured it on the track and knew I wanted to make it bright and colorful,” Sabrina said. “I also wanted to add some things to it that people that aren’t from Delaware might want to see so that’s why I drew the state bug.”

After all W.B.’s fifth-graders had the chance to get an up-close look at Sabrina’s design, she got to take a spin in the Toyota with Erik Jones, the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.

Mr. Camp said it was exciting to see the wide variety of submissions and he hopes it’s a tradition Dover International Speedway can continue.

W.B. Simpson Elementary School fifth grader and Monster Mile Youth Nation Design Challenge winner Sabrina Marelli shakes hands with 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Erik Jones after he drove the pace car covered with her winning design.

“We did the contest to get young fans interested in the sport and to come out to the race because once they come to check it out, it may be a sport they end up really enjoying,” he said. “We like to do promotions like this to increase community engagement with racing and hopefully this competition is something we continue doing.”

Most of W.B.’s fifth-graders are already well-acquainted with NASCAR — nearly half the students raised their hand when Speedway staff asked who had seen a NASCAR race before.

But Sabrina as part of winning the competition will do much more than just see a race. She will be awarded a VIP experience at the May 14 NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash race including being on stage for the pre-race show.

The upcoming NASCAR triple-header runs from May 13 to 15 at Dover International Speedway.

For tickets or more information, call (800) 441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.

Once upon a time, a lifetime ago, I handled a multimillion-dollar contract for the Air Force for washing C-5 aircraft. As the manager of the contract, it was my responsibility to ensure that all the obligations of that contract were adhered to.

One such stipulation was that the contractor have a mechanical lift that reached a height of at least 66 feet (the height of the aircraft tail above the ground level).

One day, the contractor reported that the lift didn’t work. I advised him that he’d have only enough time to get it repaired or replaced before the next aircraft was due washing, or risk being financially penalized and/or forfeiting the contract. Suddenly, the high-lift fairy appeared and the problem was solved almost overnight.

Flash forward to today in Kent County. The county, at the direct cost of taxpayers’ money, contracted firms to pick up and dispose of household trash, recyclable trash, and yard waste.

Today, for the umpteenth time, I’ve contacted the poor lady who is tasked with answering the phone about complaints with this service. Dutifully, she apologizes for the inconvenience and assures me “they” are working on the problem.

My particular “designated day” for pickup is Thursday. I am told to have my containers roadside no later than 7 a.m. on Thursday, so, like most of my neighbors, they are set out on Wednesday night. Though I’m told the pickup may take place between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., the truck for household garbage is usually there before 9 a.m. After that, all bets are off.

The recyclable truck can show up as early as 7, but the usual is mid- to late afternoon. In the last few weeks, I’ve had them show up as late as 7:25 p.m. Last week, he showed up on Friday midday. As for the yard waste guy, it’s “pick a number.”

My first scheduled date was on April 7, and when I called on April 8, I was assured he’d be there but I should leave my can curbside because he’d be working on Saturday. It sat there until April 15.

Understanding that my SECOND pickup should have taken place on April 14, that week was shot, but I was assured that the contractor was “back on schedule.” I set the container out for my April 21 pickup, and today, it sits by the curb on April 25. Again, I’m told that he has “vehicle problems.”

Now, it may be a pittance to some, but a single straw never broke the camel’s back. It was the continued acceptance of “one more straw” and the total accumulation that did him in.

My taxes may be bothersome, but I pay them with the expectation of return in services. Before the county took over this service, I paid a private firm to do it, and they were never, ever, without exception, late for pickup. Once during inclement weather, they notified me that they were unable to reach my home and that they would credit my account for missing that pickup. I’m waiting to hear someone tell me that same thing about this contractor. Sadly, I expect my yard waste container will have been picked up long before that day arrives.

So, I’m tired of shooting the messenger who’s only doing her job of answering the phone. Someone somewhere must be responsible for this contract.

If that means it goes all the way up to Levy Court, then, I’d expect [Levy Court President] Brooks Banta to skip one of his photo-ops or grip-and-grin ceremonies to ensure that my tax money isn’t being squandered on a contractor who can’t provide the services agreed upon. If this guy can’t, then, he should be terminated, and someone who can and WILL should be hired to replace them.

George Roof
Magnolia

Kiefer Sutherland knows what you’re thinking.

The actor, best known for roles in TV’s “24” and movies such as “Flatliners,” “A Few Good Men,” “Stand By Me” and “The Lost Boys,” is embarking on a country music career.

His debut album “Down in a Hole” is set to be released this summer and he and his band will be in concert at Wilmington’s World Cafe Live at The Queen on May 11.

Kiefer Sutherland will show his musical side in concert at Wilmington’s World Cafe Live at The Queen May 11 at 8 p.m. (Submitted photo/Beth Elliot)

“I am completely aware of the stigma attached to an actor doing music. And where I got to was I really liked my songs. And I know they aren’t going to be for everybody. And I’m fine with that. What I really love doing is playing small clubs,” he said last week during a conference call.

“I’ve always likened our show to that of a NASCAR race. I think people are coming out to see a crash. And it’s our job to show them a really good race. And so far, it’s been going really well. We’ll see what happens.”

Mr. Sutherland is in the midst of a 50-plus city tour that started April 14.

“It’s been amazing but I have to say it’s been an education,” he said of life as a barnstorming musician.

“When you do a film or you do a play, you’re in the same town and you have parameters. And I’ve worked with those parameters for almost 30 years. So, I know what time I have to go to bed. I know what I can do on six hours of sleep. I never had to worry about my voice going out. I never had to worry about air conditioning before. And the rougher my voice sounded, certainly within the context of ‘24,’ the better.”

The 49-year-old British-born Canadian says the road that has led to his music career is not as circuitous as one might think.

“I’ve always had a connection with music. It goes back to being a little kid. My older brother was someone I idolized. He played sports and was a huge music fan,” he said.

“At an early age I was exposed to The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash. I think I was the only third-grader who was into Aerosmith.”

He was playing violin at the age of 4 and guitar by the age of 10.

“I’ve been writing songs for a long time. I didn’t take it seriously up until the last 10 years or so. I started a cover band four or five years ago doing 14 or 15 covers with a couple of other songs around the Long Beach, Orange County (California) area,” he said.

In 2002, Mr. Sutherland, with his music partner and best friend Jude Cole, began a small record label called Ironworks with the goal of recording up-and-coming musicians, never thinking that one day he himself would become one of them.

“I had no intention to make an album. I had written a few songs that I really liked and I took them to Jude to record them in the hopes of sending them to BMI or Sony Music for other artists to record,” he said.

“He really liked them a lot and he said he thought I should keep them, and he thought I should give him the rest of the songs that I had and potentially make an album. I remember laughing and going ‘Oh, that’s ridiculous.’

“But after a couple of drinks, the better an idea it became. We did two more songs and I started to like the way they sounded. And I started to like the way they flowed together.”

The first single off of the album, “Not Enough Whiskey,” was recently released.

Mr. Sutherland’s songwriting influences include some of the country greats.

“I really responded to Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard. They wrote about a darker side of life,” he said.

“There are also the women like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, the list goes on and on. They have a nurturing quality that I find very relaxing. The male singers are almost the opposite. The males always feel like they are challenging you to a fight while the females are just so nurturing to me.”

Whether you just know Mr. Sutherland as Jack Bauer from “24” or from his many movie roles, he hopes audiences will give his newest role of being himself a try.

“It’s a huge ask to ask an audience to listen to 12 songs they have never heard before. But I try to explain why I wrote the song, where I was and what was happening in my life at the time,” he said.

“My hope is that when I play these shows, people start to realize that my life is not that much different than theirs. Yes, I’ve had some extraordinarily positive things happen to me that a lot of people would love the opportunity to do. But the human experience is very common between myself and the audience and it’s nice to express that and hopefully interesting for people to hear about.”

Tickets for his band’s 8 p.m. show, which will be opened by singer-songwriter Austin Plaine, are $22 in advance and $25 at the door and can be purchased at queentickets.worldcafelive.com, by calling (302) 994-1400, or visiting the theater’s box office at 500 N. Market St., Wilmington.

Dover Days doings

The excitement for next weekend’s Dover Days Festival is building with kickoff activities starting Saturday.

This year’s festival theme is preservation and is tied to the commemoration of 50 years of The National Historic Preservation Act. The purpose of Preservation 50 is to commemorate, on a national, state and local level, the importance of historic preservation, to learn more about the first 50 years of historic preservation and to engage the public in a dialogue about the value and importance of historic preservation in our nation’s future.

Kent County Tourism, the sponsor of Dover Days, will host a Preservation50 workshop Saturday at the Smyrna Opera House, 7 W. South St.

Starting with the 8 a.m. registration, the all-day workshop will feature a variety of experts in the field of historic preservation to help those that live in or work with historic structures to learn about proper restoration techniques.

Attendees will also find out about the resources that are available to those with historic properties, including the Historic Tax Credit Program and the National Register of Historic Places.

Not an academic conference, this workshop is intended to be a practical resource for those living with the realities of historic preservation. After the workshop has concluded, attendees will be invited to a reception at one of the successful historic preservation stories in Smyrna.

You can register to attend the workshop by visiting www.visitdover.com. The cost is $20.

A 32-page full-color guide to Dover Days can be found in Sunday’s Delaware State News.

On Monday afternoon, WBOC-TV’s “DelmarvaLife” program will spotlight Dover Days with officials from Kent County Tourism and the First State Heritage Park.

Yours truly, the defending Dover Days Peach Pie Eating champion, will also be on the show, competing in a contest similar to the annual one that will be held this year at 3 p.m. May 7 on Legislative Mall.

“DelmarvaLife” airs at 5 p.m.

Symphony on ‘Broadway’

As part of the Dover Days celebration, the Dover Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Donald Buxton, will conclude its 2015-2016 season at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Dover Downs Rollins Center.

“Broadway Hits” features music from a number of popular Broadway musicals.

The orchestra will perform medleys from “Wicked,” “Chicago,” “Les Misérables,” “The Lion King,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The King and I,” as well as several others.

Valet parking will be offered for $5. Additionally, there will be free shuttle service throughout the parking lots. Sweet treats will continue to be offered at a bake sale.

Admission prices are adults $20, seniors/students/military $15. Young people younger than 18 are admitted free with a paying adult.

For ticket sales, log on to www.doversymphony.org or call (302) 270-1903. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

DSU Concert Choir tonight

The Delaware State University Concert Choir will present its spring concert at 7 tonight.

The choir will perform repertoire from its spring tour, which will include hymn arrangements, sacred choral anthems and Negro spirituals.

It will be held in the Education and Humanities Theatre. The concert is free.

Now showing

New this weekend in theaters is the all-star comedy “Mother’s Day” with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson; the Key and Peele comedy “Keanu” and the animated adventure “Ratchet and Clank 3D.”

On DVD and download starting Tuesday is the Jennifer Lawrence comedy-drama “Joy,” the science-fiction flick “The 5th Wave” and the romance film “The Choice.”

BRIDGEVILLE — Cpl. Cory L. Palmer died May 6, 2006, from injuries sustained while serving with the Marines in Fallujah, Iraq, after a bomb exploded beneath his armored Humvee five days earlier.

The Seaford Marine’s influence, however, lives on through the foundation named after him and which was organized by friends with whom he grew up. On May 14, the foundation will host its third annual golf tournament at Heritage Shores Golf Course in Bridgeville. Money raised will go to the Travis Manion Foundation, which helps veterans and the families of fallen soldiers.

Cpl. Palmer served with the 2nd Recon Battalion, A Company, 1st Platoon.

The foundation received its certificate of incorporation from the state of Delaware this year, according to director Kip Huffman, and is in the process of applying for tax-exempt nonprofit status from the IRS.

“Due to the infancy of our organization, we flow all proceeds raised from the tournament, donations, and various other charitable events that we organize, through to the Travis Manion Foundation,” Mr. Huffman said. “They are a wonderful organization which we have worked with for two years now.”

In addition to people participating in the golf tournament, donations are welcome.

Tournament participants can register as a single or a foursome, or purchase a tournament polo shirt. Registrations and donations can be made at www.clpmemorialgolf.com.

Anyone who donates at least $100 before Saturday will be featured on a sign which will be displayed on a tee box during the day of the tournament. Donations made after Saturday will be acknowledged on the day of the event.

Foundation directors, many of whom grew up with Cpl. Palmer, attended grade school and participated in sports with him, are Bryan Behrens, Mr. Huffman, John Maley, Jake Panek and Chris Rupp.

For more information, visit www.clpmemorialgolf.com.

The foundation also is looking to the future and possibly adding additional fundraising events, including a 5k/10k run/walk at the Delaware beaches. The directors hope to one day establish an annual college scholarship for high school students in Delaware.

To learn more about the Cory Palmer Foundation, email clpmemorialgolftournament@gmail.com.

Townsend Brothers Chevrolet has been sold to Wilmington-based Auto Team Delaware. (File photo)

DOVER — Expect a continuation of great attention to customers needs, the new Chevrolet of Dover ownership says.

Beginning Monday, another family will open for business at the former Townsend Brothers Chevrolet, a longtime staple in the local auto sales industry.

Auto Team Delaware has bought the Townsend family’s dealership, ending 86 years of serving the area’s need for vehicles.

President, Chairman and CEO Michael Uffner believes the Townsends would not have sold to just any company, but ATD was especially qualified for which to deal.

Michael
Uffner

“Though it’s not officially a merger, we consider this a merger of two old line family-operated auto dealerships in Delaware,” Mr. Uffner said.

“Because of that Jeff (Townsend) felt comfortable talking to us. We’re going to take over with a good footprint already in place thanks to Townsend family and the same people, except for a couple spots, will still be here at the dealership.”

The dealership at 1450 S. DuPont Highway in south Dover has an official grand opening scheduled for May 21; Auto Team Delaware said it’s excited to meet the community.

“We’re Delawareans through and through,” Mr. Uffner said. “We love the Chevrolet franchise and always have.

“We’re in an expansionary model and have known the Townsend family for years.”

On the Townsend Brothers Chevrolet Web site, Jeff Townsend posted an update on the sale, and thanked everyone who contributed to the family dealership’s success for decades.

“In closing I just want to thank all our customers, employees, vendors and suppliers for all the support you have given Townsend Brothers and to my family over the many years we have been in business,” Mr. Townsend wrote.

“This is a bittersweet decision but I do believe it is the right one at the right time. My family and I will still be living in the area and we look forward to seeing many of you in our day to day activities.”

Chevrolet of Dover President Matt Kersey will oversee daily operations at the new business site.

Matt
Kersey

“Every day it is going to be my home away from home,” he said.

Currently serving in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, Mr. Kersey is passionate about the opportunity to interact with Dover Air Force Base personnel in need of vehicles.

“One of our service branches is stationed in our area and that’s something that’s very near and dear to my heart,” Mr. Kersey said. “I want to bring to them the opportunity to make positive moves regarding a vehicle purchase whether it be new or pre-owned.

“I understand servicemen and servicewomen’s situations and want to work with them because of (what they’re doing for our country and the sacrifices they’ve made).”

Mr. Townsend said he believes Chevrolet of Dover will see success in the future, citing the leadership of both Mr. Uffner and Mr. Kersey.

“We are leaving the dealership in good hands with Matt Kersey being the new dealer …,” he said.

“Matt brings a lot of expertise to the store and is former military and is still in the Army National Guard …

“So I know they will work hard to make Townsend Brothers a great place to do business. I hope you will welcome Matt and support him as you did me.”

Deal works out

The deal process began in July 2015 when Mr. Kersey contacted Mr. Townsend regarding any interest in possibly selling the business.

“He hesitated for about five seconds and then said ‘Yes,’” Mr. Kersey said. “I brought it to Mike and couldn’t believe it was happening this way so quickly, it didn’t seem quite possible. It was a very fortuitous time for all parties involved.”

Added Mr. Kersey, “Chevrolet’s performance has been outstanding the last couple years. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along very often. We feel like we’re found a cloverleaf in a big field of clover.”

Parting with the family business was an emotional yet practical situation, Mr. Townsend said.

“This has not been an easy decision but with no family interested in coming into the business I felt it was time to exit,” he said.

The Chevrolet brand has thrived recently, and Auto Team of Delaware aims to keep it that way while continuing to grow the business. Leadership said the expansion plans would “significantly increase the staff,” according to Mr. Uffner.

“We’re going to be looking for technicians, body shop workers, and experts in sales who want to join us here.”

Auto Team Delaware also owns Cadillac, Subaru and Kia dealerships in Wilmington, and is the official service center for Saab.

“Our organizations run at a very high performance level,” Mr. Uffner said. “We run a volume business in the automotive world which allows us to be more competitive and aggressive to generate for the customers we see.”

Auto Team Delaware bought all Townsend Brothers assets and reached an agreement to purchase its real estate.

“We’re not moving the business anywhere,” Mr. Uffner said.

The transfer of ownership and ability to continue operations seamlessly made the move an easy one, Mr. Uffner said.

“The facility is modern and complies with updated General Motors requirements,” Mr. Uffner said. “We’re very happy with the way Jeff left it.”

Chevrolet of Dover aims to quickly build momentum as it welcomes new customers and returnees searching for a good deal on a vehicle.

“Soon there will be a lot of excitement and activity at the dealership,” Mr. Uffner said. “We have the capacity to bring a lot more inventory and choices into the environment. The pre-owned market has good potential in the Dover area and we’re always working to develop good banking relationships that can benefit the customer.”

DOVER — A bill introduced Thursday would create an overseer to assist students with college loans in an effort to provide recommendations and help slow the skyrocketing debt many college students face.

Filed by Rep. David Bentz, D-Newark, the legislation would establish a student loan ombudsman in the Office of the State Bank Commissioner. The ombudsman would develop a course to provide information on payment, loan forgiveness and requirements.

David Bentz

“This generation of college graduates and current students is being saddled with more debt than any previous generation,” Rep. Bentz said in a statement. “This burden is forcing young people to delay other major life decisions, such as buying a house and starting a family. I was fortunate, but many other young people run into problems with unscrupulous student loan servicers. Others just have questions or other concerns.”

According to the Institute For College Access and Success, Delawareans had an average student debt of about $33,800, most in the nation.

The bill has been placed in the House Education Committee.

Other legislation filed Thursday deals with Sunday hunting, teacher licensure suspension and upgraded voting machines.

A substitute for a bill that would have expanded hunting to Sundays would instead allow deer hunting on five specific Sundays in October, November, December and January.

Another proposal would give the Education Department greater authority to remove licenses for teachers accused of misconduct.

According to the state, the agency investigated 105 cases of potential educator misconduct between September 2012 and September 2014.

With the state’s voting machines rapidly becoming outdated, the Department of Elections plans to replace them within four years. A bill filed Thursday would create an advisory committee to provide recommendations to the election commissioner.

Peach Blossom 4-H member Drew Harris, 17 of Harrington tries to determine the age of a deer by examining its jaw bone.

Peach Blossom 4-H members Oliver Menard and Lida Gannon, both 16 of Harrington work together during one of the exercises at the Envirothon Thursday.

From left, Polytech High School students Nicole Woods, Wyatt Olivarez and Annie Mitchell study deer droppings during the Envirothon.

Peach Blossom 4-H member Reese Yost, 15 of Houston reviews his notes during the annual Envirothon held Thursday at Brecknock Park.

From left, Sussex Tech students including senior Rachel King, junior Daniel King, senior Cole Collins, senior Colin Bergh and senior Cameron Baynum work together and compare notes as they work to solve a problem during the Envirothon Thursday at Brecknock Park.

CAMDEN — More than 100 students from across the state gathered in Brecknock Park Thursday morning to compete in the 21st annual Delaware Envirothon.

The Envirothon is an outdoor academic competition in which high school students in groups of five are tested on their environmental knowledge in various areas of expertise.

The students were required to go to three different stations and as a team had to demonstrate their knowledge of aquatic ecology, forestry, soils, wildlife, air quality and a special topic.

The special topic changes each year and this year was invasive species. The wide range of knowledge needed at each station required some strategic planning by the five-member teams.

Most teams came prepared to work together with every member focusing on one area of knowledge in particular.

“We each picked our own focus — what area interests us most but we made sure to know as much as we could about the other areas, too,” Polytech senior Marie Medina said. “And you can’t be afraid to ask your teammates questions because even if you can’t remember something in your own area, someone else may have studied it and remembered.”

Since Polytech is a vocational school, each student on the Envirothon team is following the environmental science track.

“This kind of competition is fun because we’re working on the field that we want to follow with our career. It’s fun, but that’s not the only reason we’re doing it,” Polytech senior Amanda Phillips said.

It was Amanda’s first environmental competition but her teammates were all experienced — Marie had more than 10 competitions under her belt — but they’d been practicing together for the Envirothon for weeks.

“The location is different every year so it’s nice that we go to school close to Brecknock and most of us live really close so we actually got to come out here last weekend to see what we might be tested on,” Marie said.

Lake Forest High School’s team also had each student focus on a certain area of the competition.

“We pretty much each followed the area we like best or are most familiar with,” freshman RJ Sheppard said. “So I focused on soil because my dad works on soil conservation for Caroline County (Maryland) so I’m already familiar with soil and my dad was able to help me get ready.”

In addition to the three test stops during the competition, each team gave a five- to six-minute presentation about invasive species; they were given the requirements at the beginning of March.

“Our presentation went really well,” Lake Forest freshman Abby Edwards said. “We each had our own part and a group portion, too.”

The students were expected to include outside research in their presentation. Teams were judged on an informational poster they created and on their public speaking abilities.

The Lake students’ environmental science teacher Wayne Hobbs said the Envirothon isn’t only a way for the kids to test their knowledge, it also helps them improve their knowledge, too.

“The competition aligns with our environmental-science curriculum so they can use what they learned in the classroom, but they have the opportunity to meet industry professionals here who are experts in the areas these kids might want to follow as a career,” he said.

Mr. Hobbs competed in the Envirothon three times while in high school and said that coming back as a teacher and coach that some of the coordinators remember him and they’re able to talk about the environmental-science topics as peer professionals now.

Each member of the winning team was awarded a $500 college scholarship. A complete list of winners will be posted at delawareenvirothon.org.

Canadian-based Barrage 8 performs its high-octane show at Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts Saturday night at 7:30. Barrage 8 features all the instruments in the modern string family. The “8” in the name represents a re-imagining of the string octet: 5 violins, viola, cello and double bass. (Submitted photo)

DOVER –– Barrage 8, an unconventional Canadian string orchestra, is bringing its energetic performance to the Schwartz Center for the Arts Saturday.

“I guess you could say we were just a group of three orchestra geeks looking to have some fun,” said Anthony Moore, co-creator and producer of Barrage 8.

Mr. Moore founded the original Barrage with two other violinists and classmates at the United Conservatory of Music in Calgary back in 1996 after playing as an amateur group for a decade.

“In addition to classical we were allowed to play fiddle at school too and we found some like-minded students who were also into alternative strings music and went from there,” he said.

This isn’t a typical group of string musicians playing non-classical music at a recital hall. They perform high-energy shows featuring

Barrage 8 has performed in countries all over the world.

synchronized lights and even dancing.

But after nearly a decade as a successful professional group playing more than 3,000 concerts in 27 countries, Mr. Moore and his fellow musicians decided it was time to take a break

Barrage came back in 2015, after a three-year hiatus as an octet, putting the 8 on its name.

“We expanded to include not only violins, but violas, cello and bass,” Mr. Moore said.

“Before 2015, the group fluctuated in size but now we’ve set a standard based on the classical octet.”

And the eight musicians aren’t your typical string players. Every Barrage 8 performer has graduated with a university degree with a musical focus.

“All of the players have been classically trained. So in a way, being in the group is an additional type of training,” Mr. Moore said.

“They’re learning some new techniques and learning what it’s like to be a professional touring musician rather than a training musician.”

It’s a rigorous schedule. Over the week leading up to Saturday’s performance at the Schwartz Center, the group will have done shows in Florida, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, sometimes driving overnight to get to a show in time.

That’s just an example of one week in America.

The Canadian-based group frequently performs in Europe and Asia as well and has been featured on TV and in shows before royal families.

“We’ve always had an international focus,” Mr. Moore said.

“Our members usually only stay for a few years at a time so this is great exposure to help them decide if this is the kind of path they’d like to follow with their career or not.”

Tickets for the 7:30 show are $16 for children 12 and under, $26 for students and military, $29 for seniors (62 and up) and $32 for adults.

They can be purchased by visiting schwartzcenter.com, calling 678-5152 or at the theater at 226 S. State St., Dover.

CLAYTON — First State Military Academy may not have long-standing sports traditions or top-of-the-line athletic facilities just yet.

But the first-year Smyrna-area high school can offer something fairly unique to its coaches.

The Bulldogs can give them the chance to start a program from scratch.

“I think that’s kind of exciting,” said FSMA commandant Pat Gallucci. “It will be their mark on the program. You’re building your program — kind of like, ‘This is your legacy. What are you going to leave behind? You’ll be the first one.’”

Gallucci and his staff are putting together a group of familiar coaching names who are willing to take on that challenge. Many of those coaches have connections to Caesar Rodney High.

Among the head coaches who have been hired are former Rider Blair Newman (football), former CR boys’ basketball coach Mike Wagner and former Caesar Rodney wrestling assistant coach Paul Collier.

They are joined by John Green, the ex-St. Georges athletic director, who will coach the Bulldogs in cross country, girls’ basketball and baseball, Vince Davis in boys’ soccer and Middletown’s Dave Nabb, who has already coached FSMA to a 6-2 record in JV boys’ lacrosse this spring.

The school plans to compete on the junior-varsity level in traditional team sports again next school year before moving up to the varsity level the following year. Some of FSMA’s student-athletes are already competing on the varsity level in individual sports.

First State Military has a freshman class and a small sophomore class of about 50 students this school year.

“I’m very excited about our staff,” said Gallucci, the former Polytech AD. “The idea coming in here is about creating something new. It gives the coach an opportunity to create a program from the ground up.

“We see programs like Dover and CR and we talk about the guys back in the 50s or 60s and ‘Wow, they did this.’ Well, some day people will be looking back at us and saying, ‘Wow, I wonder what it was like when these guys were here?’”

Adding football next fall will be the Bulldogs’ most-ambitious athletic endeavour. The school doesn’t have its own playing field yet so it will play all its football games on the road.

Newman was a standout receiver at CR before playing at Delaware and Wesley College. He’s been an assistant coach at Woodbridge the last few seasons.

“I’m OK with youth,” said Gallucci. “Some of those guys who coached for 30 years, they had to start out brand-new sometime, too.”

“We’ve got about 35 guys excited and ready to go in August,” said athletic director Arles Wood. “We’re very excited about football.”

Newman and Collier, who will also coach golf, are both teachers at FSMA. Wagner works at Lake Forest, where he is the Spartans’ former boys’ basketball coach and athletic director.

First State Military is looking to join a conference but hasn’t finalized anything yet.

Gallucci said the new coaches are aware that building a program from the ground up also comes with growing pains. But he also hopes that will make the experience that much more rewarding.

“I said, ‘Look, we have high expectations here,’” said Gallucci. “That’s kind of the Marine Corps way. But I said, ‘You’re building for years three and four. Keep that in mind.’

“We want to do well now. We’re not going to just go out there. But the process isn’t going to happen overnight.”

Event chairs Tom and Katie Kramedas of Dover

Dr. Lindsay Rhodenbaugh and wife Tami of Wyoming

From left, Rachel Buckler of Georgetown; Brandi Moore of Bear and Rebecca Gasperetti of Magnolia

Ron and Rhiannon Harper of Felton

Joseph Roberts of Middletown and Lisa Thomanek of Newark

Erin Dickins of Philadelphia

Sam Waltz of Greenville and Ann Brown of Middletown

Karen Gritton of Lincoln

Derrick and Elizabeth Brode of Harrington

Blair and Brittany Newman of Dover

Miss Delaware 2015 Brooke Mitchell of Selbyville and Troy Wolford of Georgetown

The 30th annual Southern Delaware Heart Ball was held April 23 on Legislative Mall in Dover.

Photos by Dave Chambers

CR sophomore Kacie Cava protects the ball from Dover midfielder Ashley Manifold. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

Senator Cydney Barnes (10) and teammate Ashley Manifold (5) converge on Abigail McGowan of Caesar Rodney in first half of match Friday.

Abigail McGowan of Caesar Rodney slips on rain soaked grass with Dover’s Cydney Barnes looking for a loose ball.

Lindsay Spencer of Dover trying to get past CR defender Brianna Williams for a shot at the goal in first half Friday.

CR’s Maegan Stewart looks to pass after being cornered by Dover’s Grace Gast (left) and Cydney Barnes.

Grace Servon of Dover races toward the goal guarded by CR’s Kourtney Olsen.

Brianna Williams of Caesar Rodney trying to knock ball away from Dover attacker Grace Servon in match at CR Friday afternoon.

Kourtney Olsen of Caesar Rodney (right) trying to reach in from behind to stop Dover’s Grace Servon.

Midfielder Myra Prisco of Dover charges toward the goal ahead of CR defender Lauren Alava.

Myra Prisco of Dover manages to shoot through a barrier of CR lacrosse sticks to score a first half goal Friday.

Photos by Gary Emeigh

It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Delaware State baseball team.

But the Hornets still have a shot at a title going into this weekend’s showdown with Norfolk State.

The Spartans lead the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division with a 13-4 record. DelState is 10-6.

The two teams play a pair of doubleheaders in Norfolk this week, starting at noon today and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Hornets (10-30 overall) are 3-2 against the Spartans this season. They’ve won five of their last six MEAC matchups to stay in contention for the division crown.

DSU has captured the North title in three of the last four seasons.

The Hornets have scuffled offensively this spring, hitting .234 as a team overall. But that average is .270 in MEAC games.

Todd Henry, a freshman utlity player, is batting a team-high .361 in MEAC contests and has scored a team-best 24 runs.

Holden to South Carolina

Former Delaware basketball standout Kory Holden announced this week that he’s transferring to South Carolina.

The sophomore guard was considered one of the top transfers in the country this spring.

Holden told The State that Gamecocks coach Frank Martin really sold him on the program.

“Coach Martin has made it clear to me I will have responsibility on and off the ball,” Holden told the South Carolina newspaper. “He expects me to be a leader and have a major role. My goal is the same as when I first picked up a basketball: play in the NBA.”

The 6-foot-2 Holden, from Salisbury, Md.’s J.M. Bennett High, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He’ll have to sit out next season, though, after transferring.

At South Carolina, Holden will be reunited with high school friend Canaan Cropper, who is a baseball player for the Gamecocks.

This past season, Holden was a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection for the Blue Hens. Kansas, Baylor, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech were also said to be interested in him.

Holden’s depature is believed to have played a role in the firing of Delaware coach Monte’ Ross, who was let go a few days after the youngster announced his decision to transfer.

Two from Henlopen honored

Two Henlopen Conference products and current Wilmington University players were honored on the All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference softball team.

Delmar High grad Danielle Brady made the CACC first team for the second year in a row while Lake Forest grad Colby Wyatt moved up to the first team after earning second-team honors a season ago.

Brady, a pitcher/outfielder for the Wildcats, finished fourth in the CACC with a 1.79 ERA. At the plate, she is a .295 hitter, collecting 26 hits in 122 at-bats. She is third in the CACC with 13 stolen bases while knocking in 16 runs and scoring 14 more.

Wyatt finished third on the team with a .319 batting average, collecting a team-high 45 hits in 141 at-bats. She also led the team with 25 RBI and tied for the team lead with 10 doubles on the season. She is second with four home runs, slugging .504 on the season.

Wyatt’s 10 doubles rank seventh in the CACC while she is 12th in the conference in RBI.

Notes

•Bowler Stephanie Sheridan and men’s basketball player Devin Morgan were named Delaware’s State’s Women’s and Men’s Student-Athletes of the Year at the school’s awards banquets this week.

•Former Caesar Rodney High standout Kevin Sheahan has started in nine of 10 games as a freshman on the Delaware men’s lacrosse team. He had caused 10 turnovers and picked up six groundballs going into Friday night’s game with Fairfield.

•Polytech High grad Shaina Reed is still putting up good pitching stats for the Florida State-Jacksonville softball team. The freshman is 18-3, with two saves, a 1.93 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 163.1 innings. Reed is also batting .312 with 15 runs scored.

The other former Panther on Florida State-Jacksonville roster, freshman outfielder Kailey Perry, is hitting .394 with 38 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

•Dover High grad Dakota Graham is batting .273 with 12 starts as a freshman for the Eastern Kentucky baseball squad.

•Apparently it’s not just the riders who earn awards in college equestrian.

Delaware State’s Calvin, a 12-year-old Western quarter horse, was named one of the top horses in the country by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association.

Hornet All-American Brooke Moore (Smyrna) was named Most Outstanding Horsemanship Performer after riding Calvin to victory against nationally-ranked South Carolina this season. Moore also rode the horse to a win over Georgia.

DOVER — For the 17th time, Charter School of Wilmington has taken home top honors in the annual Delaware Envirothon competition.

The school’s Team B won the 2016 Envirothon held Thursday at Brecknock Park in Camden, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Friday.

It marks the school’s 17th win in the event’s 20-year history, including an unbroken winning streak since 2002. Charter’s Team A finished second and Middletown High School placed third.

The 20 competing Envirothon teams answered questions, reviewed specimens and took measurements in topics dealing with aquatic ecology, soils/land-use, wildlife, forestry, air quality and the current environmental issue of invasive species. Teams also had to give a five- to seven-minute oral presentation on a scenario on effectively managing the invasive species emerald ash borer, which attacks and kills native ash tree species in Delaware.

After more than three hours of testing, Charter School of Wilmington Team B was crowned the 2016 state champion.

Each member of the winning team earned a $500 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon, a $100 gift card and other prizes. The winning team also will receive an award plaque for the school. The second-, third- and fourth-place teams received more than $1,670 in special team awards and cash prizes.

The results were:

• First place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team B — Siddharth Gangrade, Allen Wang, Catherine Yu, Helen Xu and Connor Sweeney. Team advisers: Rose Lounsbury and Greg Darone

• Second place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team A — Gina Zhu, Janya Lennon, Silvana Alfieri, Alana Duke and Advaitha Anne. Team advisers Rose Lounsbury and Greg Darone

• Third place: Middletown High School, Delaware “BAES” Team — Brandon Dawson, Ariana Gaston, Erin Fogarty, Josh Housler and Will Nylander. Team adviser: Jeff Billings

• Fourth place: Polytech High School, Cotyledons — Matthiew Erickson, Marie Medina, Kyrstal Mendez, Amanda Phillips and Zackary Hardy. Team advisers: Susan Wujtewicz and Sally Bowman

• Fifth place: Delaware Military Academy, Seahawks 3 — Ava Rice, Tajaii Furrowh, Andrew Malone, Emily Harvie and Greg Fraczkowski. Team advisers: Paul Long and Tammy Averell

• Sixth place: Charter School of Wilmington, Team C — John Garcia, Maitreyi, Erin Warren, AJ Yuan and Ashley Pennington. Team advisers: Rose Lounsbury and Greg Darone)

• Seventh place: Polytech High School, FFA Team — Wyatt Olivarez, Racquel Crego, Mikayla Jacobsen, Nicole Woods and Krista Anderson. Team advisers: Sue Wujtewicz and Sally Bowman

For more information about the Delaware Envirothon, please visit www.delawareenvirothon.org or contact Rick Mickowski at (302) 832-3100, ext. 113.

I’ve addressed this topic in one letter already, and hesitate to add another. But hopefully someone, somewhere can help me.

Several months ago, I was “gifted” with strays cats. By “gifted,” I mean dropped off, and at the time, I called several places to find them homes, as I wasn’t interested in a family of cats.

Little did I know that one of these cats was expecting. Long story short, she gave birth, and no matter whom I called, not one of the shelters would take her or the kittens.

I kept them, fed them, only because I could not afford to feed them AND fix them. Needless to say, I ended up with several cats.

At one point, the Camden SPCA did take a litter of 8-week-olds, but charged me $50 to hire a person to foster them. All these cats were not really used to humans, and trying to round them up, let alone touch them, was near to impossible.

In the meantime, I had a stroke that pretty much put me out of commission from February to October of 2015, and in returning home from the hospital, you guessed it, more cats.

At one time the count was about 20; they came to my back deck twice a day to eat, then disappear. As I said, I tried every shelter, animal welfare, and any numbers people would give me, and only one would have taken some, except, they were under quarantine because of a disease there.

Now, my husband has been hospitalized and diagnosed with a bad disease and due for more surgery; I started calling yet again. I assumed that since the change of hands in Camden, maybe things were different … Shame on me!

I got the same runaround again. So, I wrote my [state] representative and he put Animal Welfare in touch with me. I got a call and explained my story, telling her that the count was down to about 14 or 15 due to being struck by cars or finding other homes. However, there were about six females due to have kittens, and three have given birth somewhere, although I have yet to find them, and four more are swollen and ready at any time. I told her I was sure my neighbors (though none have approached me yet) were not very happy with all these cats.

For those of you who aren’t aware, the cost to spay a female is approximately $50-plus and for [neutering for] males, $20-plus, and with all the medical bills coming in after insurance, there is no way … I can either feed them or fix them, not both. Many of them have now become people-friendly, although a little skittish sometimes.

The Animal Welfare represenative told me to start a “Go Fund Me” page on Facebook, because pet people were very giving, and I should be able to raise enough to fix these females, at least. Since I’m not on Facebook, my granddaughter put it on, and as of two days ago, had no response.

There are a couple that try to be friendly, but I can only be so close to them, as my husband is also highly allergic. And what do I do with the litters I know are out there and I can’t find, and the ones waiting to be born?

Nothing has been solved, other than [to] let even more unwanted cats be born. And believe me, I have contacted about six or seven places that deal with cats, from New Castle County to Sussex County, and at this point, I am not only extremely frustrated, but very upset with the Animal Welfare and ASPCA in the state of Delaware.

Thank you for your time.

Christine Ely-Spence
Marydel

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ASPCA – American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – is based in New York and is entirely separate from both the Delaware SPCA and the First State Animal Center and SPCA, which also are separate from each other.