Killens Pond State Park’s 66-acre millpond is a popular place for kayaking and fishing. (Delaware State News file photo)

DOVER — For those interested in hiking the trails at Killens Pond State Park in Felton or jumping into the waves of the Atlantic Ocean at Delaware Seashore State Park in Rehoboth Beach, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is offering the perfect ticket on Sunday.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is hosting “Delaware State Parks Day” — featuring free admission — on Sunday at most of its 16 parks throughout the state. The offer is not valid at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Fenwick State Line Beach or Fort Delaware State Park.

The Delaware State Parks system is celebrating its 65th anniversary and also capturing the 2016 Gold Medal Award as the best-managed parks system in the nation.

So Raymond E. Bivens, the director of Delaware State Parks, said it is the perfect opportunity to celebrate, though with severe thunderstorms being forecast for Delaware on

DELAWARE STATE PARKS
• Alapocas Run State Park: Wilmington, (302) 577-1164
• Auburn Heights Preserve: 3000 Creek Road, Yorklyn, (302) 239-5687
• Bellevue State Park: Wilmington, (302) 761-6963
• Brandywine Creek State Park: Wilmington, (302) 577-3534
• Brandywine Zoo: Wilmington State Parks, 1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington, (302) 571-7788
• Cape Henlopen State Park: Lewes, (302) 645-8983
• Delaware Seashore State Park: Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-2800
• Fenwick Island State Park: Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-2800
• First State Heritage Park: Dover, (302) 739-9194
• Fort Delaware State Park: Delaware City, (302) 834-7941
• Fort DuPont State Park: Delaware City, (302) 834-7941
• Fort Miles Historical Area: Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, (302)644-5007
• Fox Point State Park: Wilmington, (302) 761-6963
• Holts Landing State Park: Millville, (302) 227-2800
• Indian River Life-Saving Station: Delaware Seashore State Park, 25039 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, (302) 227-6991
• Killens Pond State Park: Felton, (302) 284-4526
• Lums Pond State Park: Bear, (302) 368-6989 Port Penn Interpretive Center: Delaware City.
• Trap Pond State Park: Laurel, (302) 875-5153
• White Clay Creek State Park: Newark, (302) 368-6900
• Wilmington State Parks: Wilmington, (302) 577-7020

Sunday, it might not be the perfect weather.

“It was a staff suggestion to help bring attention to our 65th anniversary and the national recognition from the NRPA Gold Medal that we received for 2015/2016 as the best managed state parks system, we decided to waive entrance fees on 6/5 to celebrate the 65th,” Mr. Bivens said. “We also sought a partner for a sponsorship to help offset the loss in revenue. Thankfully ‘Visit Delaware’ signed on to sponsor the event. At many state parks Saturday we will be giving away [450] beach towels to commemorate the occasion.

A soggy spring season appears to have slowed attendance some at many state parks this spring, but Mr. Bivens isn’t discouraged. Not even with Sunday’s messy forecast.

“We don’t get weekly attendance reports but over the last few years attendance has been trending up year over year,” he said.

Delaware Tourism Director Linda Parkowski said she hopes “Delaware State Parks Day” offers the chance for those who don’t attend the parks regularly to visit them and see the kinds of things they have to offer. The Delaware Tourism Office’s “Visit Delaware” campaign is sponsoring the event.

“The state parks system is a scenic and exciting way for visitors to discover what makes Delaware special,” Ms. Parkowski said. “The state drew a record 8 million visitors in 2014 thanks in large part to Delaware’s five-star beaches, which include beaches at three state parks.”

DNREC Secretary David Small said Sunday should be a good chance for all of the state parks to showcase what they have to offer.

“While Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th anniversary this year and also the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association as the best-managed parks system in the country, the free admission on ‘Delaware State Parks Day’ [Sunday] is a great opportunity for folks to experience our great state parks and to see for themselves why Delaware’s parks system was chosen No. 1 nationally,” Mr. Small said.

Tourism boost

Gov. Jack Markell said that Delaware State Parks provide a large boost to the tourism industry in the state throughout almost the entire year, putting it right alongside weekend-long events such as the Firefly Music Festival and NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway.

“Tourism in Delaware contributes $3 billion to our economy annually — and having the best state parks in the country is key to our success,” Gov. Markell said. “Delaware attracts multitudes of out-of-state — and in-state — visitors who come to enjoy scenic and recreational destinations like the Junction & Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen for biking, Delaware Seashore State Park and the Indian River Marina for surf-fishing and boating, Lums Pond for zip-lining, along with many other great outdoors and cultural experiences.”

Fees normally are charged at state parks from March 1 to Nov. 30 and daily entry for most costs $4 (inland) or $5 (ocean) for Delaware residents and $8 or $10 for out-of-state visitors. Fort Delaware, Fenwick State Line Beach and Brandywine Zoo are exceptions.

Mr. Bivens said Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore parks generate the most revenue with camping fees, along with added marina fees for Delaware Seashore.

“Our biggest revenue sources are camping, daily entrance fees and annual passes [surf fishing],” Mr. Bivens said. “Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore do generate the most income but both have very large campgrounds with cabins and cottages. Lums Pond is our No. 3 revenue generating park.

“No Delaware state park is self-sufficient or generates more income then the cost to operate. Across the board we average about 65 percent self-sufficiency which is much higher than our neighboring state park systems which are usually in the 20-30 range.”

Delaware’s parks, particularly those along the beach, draw many visitors from out of state. Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York license plates are a common sight near Delaware’s beaches in the summer months, one big reason why the state gets 59 percent of its revenue from visitors. Out-of-staters pay higher entrance, camping and surf fishing fees as well.

Mr. Bivens said there is an added bonus that many state parks have to offer visitors — education along with recreation.

“Our nature centers at parks such as Trap Pond, Killens Pond, White Clay and Cape Henlopen are very popular,” he said.

“Our staff, volunteer and vendors offer a wide array of recreational opportunities from stand up paddle boarding, horseback trail riding, rock climbing, head boat fishing trips, living history at Fort Delaware, boat cruises on Delaware Bay, rail bikes, free borrow a bike at various parks, day camps, pontoon boat tours and prices less cultural sites like Fort Miles and Bethesda Church at Trap Pond.”

Killens Pond offerings

Killens Pond in Felton is the only traditional state park in Kent County. The First State Heritage Park in Dover is the state’s first urban “park without boundaries” linking historic and cultural sites.

Killens Pond features a 66-acre millpond which offers boating and fishing, canoes and paddle boats, hiking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course and several other recreational opportunities.

Killens Pond is also home to a water park that visitors can enjoy for an additional fee. It is currently undergoing renovations but will be open on Sunday.

Killens Pond will be offering a 65th anniversary: Pondside Adventure at 1 p.m. Sunday. For $10 per person, visitors can hike the entire Pondside Trail and afterward take a kayak trip and explore the pond and Murderkill River looking for wildlife.

Free fishing, too

Mr. Bivens added that Sunday is a date doubly important to anyone planning to take advantage of free admission for state parks and who might also want to fish for free and without needing a fishing license — as today and Sunday comprise the “Fish for Free” weekend in Delaware, sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, and includes freshwater angling opportunities within many state parks.

SMYRNA — It wasn’t something Caravel sophomore Sierra Frey had planned.

Then again, her goal 45 seconds into Friday’s Division II girls’ soccer state championship match against Indian River was similar to one she scored earlier in the tournament.

From the right hash on the Smyrna High football field about 20 yards out, Frey chipped her scoring shot just inside the left post. Then the No. 2 Buccaneers’ defense took over, leading to a 2-0 victory and the program’s third consecutive state title.

“It happened earlier in the tournament against St. Georges,” Frey said of her shot selection. “This one was a lot better. I saw the opening and I was hoping to get a shot on net. It worked.”

Caravel (14-3-1) got an insurance goal from freshman Summer Stewart 75 minutes later before running out the clock.

The No. 1 Indians (16-3) didn’t back down after the early score.

Instead, with the Buccaneers often electing to keep just one player forward through most of the match, IR took the offensive. For the majority of both halves, the Indians kept the ball on Caravel’s side of the field but struggled to put shots on frame.

When the Indians did get shots on goal, freshman keeper Sydney Keld was typically in position to make a save. Frey’s quick goal helped take some of the pressure off her and the defense, Keld said.

“I was really happy, because I think it helped get our confidence up right after we scored the goal,” said Keld, who was credited with seven saves but had multiple touches throughout the match. “Definitely in the first half I was touching the ball a lot, but we have a great defense who helped me a lot. Our communication helped us win the game. We’re all great friends and we work well together.”

IR’s best chance to tie the game came with 28 minutes remaining in regulation on one of its four corner kicks.

Senior Brooke Beam managed to find a seam and sent the ball through the penalty box, but classmate Aline Check-Guzman just missed connecting with a deflection attempt that would’ve had a good chance at scoring the equalizer. Beam also had two long attempts thwarted in the second half – one by Keld that was fired from the left sideline 25 yards out and another by the Buccaneers defense on a 21-yard free kick.

Players on both teams earned yellow cards – Caravel two, IR one – in what was a physical game. That physicality, Indians coach Steve Kilby said, played a role in the shutout.

“In the second half we really possessed more than they did. We created some opportunities,” Kilby said, adding that it was a matter of finishing those chances where the Indians struggled. “Between that (not finishing) and the physicality of the game… It made it difficult.”

For the Indians, who lost to Caravel 3-1 in last year’s championship match, it was another strong season despite ending runner-up. Now the team will look to replace the most accomplished senior class in program history. One that is sending three – Beam, Guzman and Davina Baine – to play collegiately.

“It’s a great group of girls,” Kilby said of the senior class. “They work so hard. And for us, it’s a community thing. It’s (losing the senior class) really kind of a sad thing.”

FARMINGTON — A state case worker said she feared for her life while being struck by a vehicle intentionally driven at her on Wednesday, according to authorities in an affidavit of probable cause.

Wayne R. Nichols, 67, was later taken into custody without further incident, Delaware State Police said, and charged with second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangering.

Wayne R. Nichols

Authorities said the sequence at a residence in the 1000 block of Staytonville Road unfolded when a 41-year-old female Division of Family Services employee was conducting a follow-up on an investigation at approximately 2:50 p.m.

As the worker was in the yard speaking with an adult who lives at the home, police alleged Mr. Nichols arrived and drove a red Kia toward the two. The case worker attempted to jump out of the way, but was struck in the lower leg, “causing physical injury and substantial pain …,” police said in court documents.

The injury was non-life-threatening, police said.

The worker then ran from the yard and entered her car, police said, and Mr. Nichols allegedly drove his vehicle toward her again, stopping just short of hitting the driver’s-side door.

The worker then fled in her vehicle to a residence in the 1200 block of Staytonville Road and called 911, police said in documents.

The worker met an arriving Delaware State Police trooper in a driveway and “stated the operator of the vehicle was a black male,” according to documents. Mr. Nichols was identified after a Criminal Justice Information System inquiry, according to authorities.

Mr. Nichols was taken to Troop 3 in Camden. After charges were filed, he was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and held at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna on $4,000 secured bond.

As a teacher, I wanted to remind parents that as summer arrives and kids stop coming to school, that does not mean that they should stop learning. As a parent, you are your child’s first, and often best, teacher. The summer is a great time to teach young kids many things about the world that are essential to becoming successful in school and life.

Of course, reading is by far the most important skill to develop for young children. School-age children should be striving to read daily throughout the summer. This is also a great opportunity to make trips to the local library to determine the areas of interest for your child and to participate in the summer reading program that is offered through the library.

In addition to reading, there are many other learning opportunities for kids that are simple to incorporate into daily activities. Here are a few examples:

•A major area of importance when learning to read is developing a rich vocabulary. This can be done through TV, movies, print, or even conversation. When confronted with an unknown word, help your children to identify and attempt to define the meaning by using the context. This will not only teach them the meaning of these new words, but also help them to develop the skill of using context to decipher meaning on their own.

•Teach children about money — the different forms of money, how to identify different coins, their values, how to count it, etc. Adding up amounts of money and determining change is a life skill that everyone needs to know.

•Find an analog clock and teach children how to tell time. Once they can tell time accurately, teach about elapsed time and how to determine how much time has passed between events.

•Take them grocery shopping. While there, children get a chance to practice self-control, manners, and how to act in a public place. A large percentage of kids today lack these skills. You can also discuss spending money wisely and how to save money through coupons or sales. Teaching about a healthy diet and good food choices is also important.

•Play board games as a family. Today’s kids can learn many things from the same games that we played growing up. Monopoly, for example, teaches students adding and subtracting. It teaches them about having a budget and making cost-effective decisions. Like any board game, it also provides an opportunity to practice taking turns, playing fair, as well as winning and losing in a graceful and appropriate way.

•Develop their work ethic. Give kids chores and expect them to help around the house. It is important for children to know that not everything they do in life will be exciting and entertaining. Challenging tasks that can be complex and take extensive time and effort are very valuable in developing work ethic. Sadly, many students lack the ability to stick with a difficult assignment that takes a lot of effort and therefore fall behind their peers in the classroom.

Work ethic is something that can be improved at home by giving the child a difficult or challenging situation and allowing them to figure it out and take care of it on their own. This could be a helpful task such as weeding the garden or folding a load of laundry.

Or, you could make it a fun challenge like having them complete a puzzle on their own or build a tower taller than themselves using household items. They could even create, write, and illustrate their own story and read it aloud to the family. Getting kids thinking, working hard, and figuring things out on their own is the goal.

•Get your kids interested in the world. Teach them about places, events, nature, people, your job, etc. Urge them to ask you questions about different topics and answer as many as you can. When they run out of questions, ask them questions that start with “Why do you think … ?” and have them develop their own answer. The key is to get them to problem-solve and think creatively in order to figure things out.

Our schools were never meant to be the sole provider of education. Much of what kids learn about the world and about life can and should come from home. Parents, the next three months will provide many learning opportunities, and the teaching responsibilities will be yours!

Joshua Judy, M.Ed.
Second-grade teacher,
Woodbridge ECEC
Greenwood

Little Creek Town Council holds meetings at the Station 54 volunteer fire company. (Delaware State News/Craig Anderson)

LITTLE CREEK — Providing meeting minutes at a town secretary’s residence did not meet state standards for public records access, authorities determined early last month.

The Delaware Department of Justice issued the opinion on May 9 in response to Little Creek resident Crystal Smith’s contention that the town violated the Freedom of Information Act by not providing “reasonable access” to cataloged meeting minutes.

The Attorney General’s opinion noted Ms. Smith was not comfortable with the town’s recommendation to view the requested paperwork at its secretary’s home and no suitable location was made available. According to Mayor Glen Gauvry, Ms. Smith’s Main Street residence is within five homes of the secretary’s.

“We’re all neighbors here and everyone knows everyone,” he said on Friday.

The mayor said there are no hard feelings toward Ms. Smith.

“It’s her right to challenge the legality of how the town does business, and it’s her right to expect transparency within the government,” he said. “I respect those rights. It’s on us to find the best way to do that.”

An attempt to reach Ms. Smith via email was unsuccessful.

While the town of Little Creek is not required to post council meeting minutes online, the Department of Justice reasoned no corrective action was required since the requested information was provided by mail to Ms. Smith.

“We note, however, that the town maintains a website that implies such minutes are made available online and therefore we encourage the town to resolve any confusion by either publishing the minutes online or changing its website to remove the implication that it does so,” the Department of Justice said.

Mr. Gauvry said the town must figure out how best to post the meeting minutes, or eliminate the link if they are not available.

“If we add the minutes online it puts an added burden on our secretary who takes them shorthand,” Mr. Gauvry said. “We’re all volunteers, and I’m hesitant to possibly add that much work for somebody.”

Storing paperwork

Mr. Gauvry said the town is exploring how best to store paperwork, which is now kept in a small secured area of the post office on Main Street. There’s not enough room for people to walk in and examine records, he said.

A FOIA issue has never come up before, said Mr. Gauvry, a 10-year Little Creek resident.

“We thought we were in complete compliance with FOIA, but it turns out we were mostly in compliance with FOIA,” Mr. Gauvry. “Total compliance is what we’ll work to achieve.”

Options will be discussed at a town meeting is scheduled for Monday; there’s a possibility that Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company Station 54 could provide space, and Mr. Gauvry said the fire company will be represented.

“We don’t even know if that’s something they would be willing to do,” he said.

Town Council meetings are currently held at the fire station on Main Street.

“We’re a small town, as you know, and it will be a challenge to have some type of a central place” where residents can view records, Mr. Gauvry said. “Also, there’s the question of how do we have a volunteer man the place for a certain period of time.

“The available time might not work for whoever makes the request, so there’s the question of what to do in that situation.”

An attempt to reach Ms. Smith via email was unsuccessful.

The town created its website approximately a year ago to better inform the public and make available information on “everything that we do,” according to Mr. Gauvry.

Requesting information

While involved in a flood elevation certificate issue, Ms. Smith filed a FOIA request with Town Council Secretary Penny Gentry on Oct. 22, 2015, seeking meeting minutes from April 2015 to the present time, the opinion stated.

According to the Department of Justice, the secretary responded an attempt to send or deliver paperwork copies would be made.

“The council secretary also noted that she assumed that it would be possible to post town council meeting minutes online, but stated that someone else would have to do so because she did not believe that she would personally be able,” the Department of Justice cited as facts of the matter.

Due to other obligations, the Department of Justice said, Ms. Smith said she could not attend town council meetings “and had previously expressed your opinion several times that the information should be available online.”

On Oct. 29, 2015, the Department of Justice said, Town Planning Commission member Ed Strouse emailed Ms. Smith the requested certificate and other information provided by the surveyor.

Ms. Smith had a concern regarding the certificate, according to the Department of Justice, and emailed Mr. Strouse on Nov. 3, 2015, and Jan. 13, to express herself.

“Mr. Strouse replied that the town had reached out to the surveyor but had not received a reply,” according to the DOJ.

“Mr. Strouse also stated that he had since resigned from his position with the Town.”

Frustration, no resolution

Ms. Smith then forwarded the response to Mayor Gauvry and others, the Department of Justice said, “expressing your frustration with the lack of resolution regarding your concern with your flood elevation.”

At that point, according to the opinion, Ms. Smith believed the town had violated FOIA. On Jan. 25, the Department of Justice said, the mayor replied via email “specifically requesting that you arrange a meeting with other property owners to discuss the flood elevation certificates.”

Ms. Smith responded she would not schedule a meeting and claimed the town was violating FOIA because it “still does not have public access to all public meetings.”

The situation was “an issue that Mr. Strouse had raised several times during prior town council meetings,” the opinion stated.

On Jan. 25, and still without requested town council meeting minutes, Ms. Smith informed the mayor she was taking the issue to her state representative and the Attorney General.

The mayor forwarded email information on Feb. 2 regarding an upcoming meeting he believed would address Ms. Smith’s concerns, the Department of Justice said, and the resident said she planned to attend.

Ms. Smith followed by emailing state Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover, and state Rep. Bill Carson, D-Smyrna, expressing “concerns regarding the town council members’ adherence to FOIA’s open meeting provisions.”

Despite clicking on a link at the town of Little Creek’s website, Ms. Smith said she could not access town minutes. She previously had expressed concerns to the mayor and town council members, the Department of Justice said, and was told the town was not required by FOIA to post minutes online.

Going to officials

Ms. Smith also informed Sen. Bonini and Rep. Carson she was told the meeting minutes “were only available for you to view at the council secretary’s house, which you did not feel comfortable doing.”

“We offer no opinion whether the town office or fire hall could provide ‘reasonable access to and facilities for copying’ the town council’s public records,” the Department of Justice concluded.

The Department of Justice’s opinion was sent to Ms. Smith by Deputy Attorney General Michelle E. Whalen.

DOVER — More than 200 Delaware nonprofits participated in a United Way-sponsored online fundraiser Thursday and the Schwartz Center for the Arts ended the day on top.

“We stayed up until the stroke of midnight to watch the results come in,” said Schwartz executive director Sydney Arzt. “We definitely went to sleep smiling broadly.”

The Schwartz was able to raise $9,398 from 86 donors through the Do More 24 campaign which lasted from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. that night.

Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington came in a distant second with $5,582 from 72 donors.

Sydney Arzt

The day of giving was able to raise a total of $97,736 for the participating organizations.

After the success of Delaware’s inaugural Do More 24 campaign, United Way already has decided to make it an annual event. Next year’s Do More 24 is slated for June 1.

Incentives were held throughout the 24-hour fundraiser and by finishing in first place, the Schwartz will receive an award of $2,500 at United Way’s June 16 meeting.

“This is a remarkable demonstration of our community uniting to raise much needed funding for programs and services that meet our community’s needs,” said Michelle Taylor, president and CEO of United Way of Delaware.

The timing of Do More 24 couldn’t have been better for the Schwartz Center. It was alerted last month that the regular donations it had received from both Delaware State University and Wesley College would be curbed.

“If it were not for these two institutions, the Schwartz Center for the Arts would not be where it is today,” said a Schwartz Center statement released Thursday. “For this reason, the new Board of Directors and the executive director have kicked into high gear to survive.”

To expand the possibilities of Thursday’s drive, the Schwartz Center’s didn’t limit its fundraising effort to the web. It also hosted an outdoor celebration on State Street for locals to enjoy food trucks, live music and tours of the historical theater.

“We really enjoyed the afternoon celebration,” Ms. Arzt said. “We had a lot of community members come out in support of us, and some were also able to donate us while spreading well wishes.”

The fundraising efforts this week, although fruitful, were only the beginning of a long road the theater will face as it creates a new budget and takes a new approach to entertainment programing.

Ms. Arzt estimated the funds raised Thursday will be enough to hold the theater over for more than a month.

“This isn’t the end of efforts for us,” she said. “This has given us the opportunity to get our story out there and we hope it allows us to better engage with the community and form new partnerships.”

SMYRNA — Caitlin Harris wasn’t really trying to score on the play.

The Caesar Rodney High senior was a good 35 yards away from the Padua goal when she corralled the loose ball.

“I said ‘What the heck, I might as well shoot it,’” said Harris. “It was a lucky shot.”

Indeed, the long-range shot somehow found its way just under the crossbar and over the out-stretched arms of Pandas goalie Abigail Boudart.

Considering it was only the second goal that nationally-ranked Padua had allowed all season — and the first by a Delaware school — it was a pretty cool moment for the Riders. Unfortunately for CR, though, there weren’t very many other ones.

While the fluke goal made things interesting for a few minutes, top-seeded Padua still rolled to a 4-1 victory over the No. 2 Riders in the DIAA Division I girls’ soccer state championship game on Friday night at Charles Williams Stadium.

The state crown was the fifth in a row and eighth overall for the Pandas (18-0), who are ranked No. 3 in the country. It was the third straight year that Padua has beaten CR (17-2) in the finals.

The Riders, whose only two losses this season came against Padua, are now 0-6 all-time in state championship games.

But when Harris scored her unexpected goal, CR somehow trailed just 2-1 with 21 minutes still remaining. The goal seemed to spark the Riders, who mounted some more pressure in the next few minutes.

“We definitely stepped it up after that,” said Harris. “It definitely gave us more energy. We left our hearts out there and we played our best. That’s all we can ask.”

“We needed something to change the momentum and that goal did it,” said CR coach Darrell Gravatt. “We were on them for a while after that.”

Ultimately, though, the Pandas were just too good.

A goal from Anne Brush with 8:44 left followed by a goal from Ashlee Brentlinger in the final two minutes sealed the title for Padua and stretched a number of impressive streaks for the all-girls Wilmington Catholic school.

The Pandas are unbeaten in their last 41 games overall, have won 17 straight state tournament contests and have won seven in a row over CR,

The Riders didn’t get off a shot until the second half, when they already trailed 2-0. Padua finished with decisive advantages of 17-2 in shots and 11-2 in corner kicks.

Still, CR’s players were proud of their effort.

“We’ve come so far this season,” said junior goalie Marianna Nuzzo. “I think everyone didn’t expect much from us this season but we really worked hard. Even after all our injuries, we stepped it up.

“I’ve never been more proud to be part of a team. I think more than any other year, we really came in (to Friday’s game) with a positive attitude.”

Nuzzo helped keep CR in the game as she finished with eight saves in the contest, including a couple stops from close range.

“She’s a great keeper and always has been,” said Gravatt. “I think sometimes she gets overlooked because she doesn’t have to make a lot of saves in some of the games we play in the regular season. But when she does have to make a save, she makes them.”

Padua got the game’s first goal with just under 17 minutes left in the first half.

The Pandas’ Sarah Brush fired a free kick from 26 yards out. The ball cleared CR’s defensive wall and then sailed over Nuzzo’s head.

Padua added to that advantage in the final five minutes of the half when Megan Mallon headed a nice crossing pass cleanly into the goal.

While the Pandas led only 2-0 at intermission, they totally dominated the opening 40 minutes, outshooting the Riders, 10-0 and holding a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.

Even though Padua was too much for them again on Friday, the Riders say they’ll keep working to get another chance at a state crown next spring.

“They have a lot of talent, all in the same place,” Gravatt said about Padua. “We have a lot of talent, too.

“It’s always nice to play in the finals and somebody’s got to lose. But, if we lose, let it to be to a great team — and I think Padua is a great team.”

Lake Forest High School’s Class of 2016:

Valedictorian: Stephanie Jayne Lynn
Salutatorian: Clinton Cole Rumley
* National Honor Society
Hunter Paul Adams
*Austin David Aguilar
Ariel Autumn Allen
Christopher Lewis Andrieux
Lillian Rae Ayers
Alyssa Marie Banks
Ebony Renee Banks
William Anthony Banks
Victoria Ashley Marie Bartlett-Cunningham
Caitlyn Elizabeth Bauer
Lenisha Evet Benson
Eric Matthew Berardicelli
*Allison Kayla Bishop
Jakai Isiah Bonville
*Quincey Nirvana Book
*Londin McKenna Boots
Steven Tyler Boyce
Kenneth Breeze Brand
Cassandra Lynn Broadhurst
Iesha J. Chavez Brown
Jamar Davon Rasheed Brown
Jamier Tavon Rasheek Brown
*Kimberly Ann Brubaker
*Paige Mariah Bundschuh
Raymond James Busler
Haleigh Noelle Butler
Morgan Ashley Cain
Dominick Alexander Caldwell-Sabino
Bryant Lee Cannon Jr.
Leslie Joy Carter
Brandon Mark Cashdan
Austin Vargas Chilton
Christian John Chilton
Kiriel Patricia Christy Batalla
Cara Lynn Clauges
Peirce Ward Clifton
Brendan Micheal Cobb
*Cody Jasper Cole
Stephanie Jean Collins
Tyler James Collins
Damion Cole Comegys
Brittany Michelle Corkell
*Daia Simone Daniels
Heidi Nichole Davis
Tyler McKenzie Davis
Keisha Marie De La Cruz
Mrunali Desai
William Jeffrey Devonshire
*Logan Andrew Dollinger
*Carolann Paula Dreisbach
Antwine Day-Shaune Duffy
Derek Edwin Dulin
Tess Danielle Dyott
Jerry Lynn Enix Jr.
Lily Mae Evans
Austin Paul Farrell
Noah Tristian Feague-Johnson
Raymond Matthew Fiano Burns
*Jackson Giuseppe Filicicchia
Dalton William Fisher
John Douglas Flowers Jr.
Alyssa Michelle French
Hannah Marie Gardner
Jonas Geneste
Quintel Alexander Green
Tayler Renae Greenlee
Andrew Dylan Greenley
Brittany Allison Griffin
Dominique Juwan Griffith
Chelcie Leigh Ann Grosso
*Grace Marie Gygrynuk
Zackry Wendell Hall
Trevon Deonte’ Hardeman
*Bailey Kane Harding
Traequan Samuel David Hardy
Tia Ailja Harris
Kristy Leigh Hase
Natasha Anttonett Hayni
Ryan Taylor Helms
Dominick Christopher Hemphill
Claude Marion Creole Hicks IV
*Olivia Ruth Hobbs
Hunter Christian Hodgson
Brenna Leigh Hood
Marlena Lynette Hooks
*Jocelyn Blake Hughes
Morgan Amber Hughes
*Londyn Lapham Hutson
Gabrielle Michelle Hyler
Kayjana Susan Infante
Zuzana Ivanova
Vergeline Jean
Harley Dee Jester
Scott Lawrence Richard Johnson
Morgan Renee Kemp
*Catera Louise Kennedy
Dylan Eugene Kenton
*Jessalynn Lillie Kenton
Dakota Michael Kervin
Ryan Kristopher Kerwin
Hunter Lee Kocurek-Gassner
Alisa Krasnianska
Ryan Douglas Lawson
Kimberly Rose Lewis
Rufus Thomas Lewis
Kyle Aaron Longhany
Daniel Connor Massey Loughlin
Jeremy Joseph Leonard Lowery
*Stephanie Jayne Lynn
ShyAnne Marie Mancha
Dylan Luis Martin
*Ashley Kay McAlister
Erin Jamillah McCoy
Samantha Alexandria McDonald
*Katherine Marie Mello
Ashley Nicole Melvin
*Madison Taylor Messick
Amber Cheyanne Messinger
Amanda Lynn Miller
Rachel Lauren Miller
Angela Heather Mitschke
Benjamin Caleb Moore
Jazmin Marie Negron Torres
*Adrianna Nicole Nelson
Michael Paul Nerad
*Kirsten Lynne Nguyen
Kaito Nozawa
Ryan Nicholas O’Brien
Ryan Matthew Ortiz
John David Horton Palmer
*Kayla Lynn Parham
Dawaunta Quandre’ Lorenzo Parker
Joel Molina Pascual, II
Caitlynn Skye Patricella
Felicia Mae Petty
Darrian Lee Pinder
William Eric Porter
Alexander Portillo
Ashley Nicole Powell
Seth Hunter Ramsey
Tyler Austin Rash
Curtis Whitely Reed Jr.
Morgan Regenia Reed
Josch Amos Regusme
Sean Allen Rentz
Kiniqua’ Almira Rhymer
Daniel Codi Richards
Shaquwan Cedric Ridgeway
Destiny Jalisa Rivera
Kevin Gabriel Rivera
*Mary Elizabeth Robbins
*Clinton Cole Rumley
*Kiana Saldana
Jack Sanchez-Cordova
*Alyssa Danielle Santore
Patricia Sauceda-Campos
Amanda Saunders
Katelyn Susan Schoof
Preston Jordan Sepulveda
Chepito Bonilla Shade
Joseph Brian Sharp
Marquon Deshawn Simmons
Jordan Paul Simpson
*Sarah Elizabeth Sipple
*Erryn Elizabeth Smith
*Kaeli Rae Smith
Toni Marie Smith
Joy Tabatha Rae Springer
Lucas Stephen Stearns
*Lindsey Carol Steele
*Chloe Amanda Steiner
Nashae Ann Stevens
Taylor Shanee’ Stevens
Jacob Bradley Sullivan
*Courtney Elizabeth Sylvester
*Janaie Thomas
Jazmin Lorraine Thomas
Tiara Kassandra Thomas
Austin William Timson
Lydia Shyanne Travers
*Rebecca Michelle Triola
Brittany Charlotta Annette Trott
*Angelica Marissa Quillen Tucker
*Erica Anne VanVessen
Putu Cathay Varianthy
Christopher Elijah Wallace
Alyssa Michelle Walls
Jonathan Keith Ward
Lyric Natalie Waters
Chase Donovan Watkins
*Rachael Leigh Weibling
*Garrett Brice Werner
Anthony Scott Whaley
Amir Daquan White
*James Anthony White
Leah Nicole White
Laron Jeaire Ellis Williams
Tony Jermaine Williams
Patrick Kirwin Williamson II
Albany Brianne Wills
Alexandra Nicole Wilson
Kyle Eric Wyatt
Ryan Shane Wyatt
Taylor Pheonix Yanero
Zadriene Nicole Zdradzinski

Polytech High’s Whitney DeMora was named the state Player of the Year as 12 Henlopen Conference players were named to the first team on this year’s All-State softball squad.

The first-team All-State first baseman, DeMora had already been named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Delaware.

Other downstaters named to the first team by the Delaware Interscholastic Coaches Association were catcher Sydney Ostroski (Cape Henlopen), second baseman Brooke Stoeckel (Sussex Central), third baseman Rosa’lynn Burton (Caesar Rodney), outfielder Mya Maddox (Lake Forest), outfielder (at large) Kaelyn Press (Smyrna), third baseman (­AL) Taylor Collins (Sussex Tech), shortstop (­AL) Avery Wheatley (Delmar), outfielder (­AL) Rajene Bowe (Milford), pitcher (­AL) Hayley McCabe (Sussex Central), pitcher (­AL) Taylor Pechin (Polytech) and pitcher (­AL) Alyssa Ball (Caesar Rodney).

DeMora batted .582 with 11 home runs, 27 runs scored and 29 RBI this past season for the Panthers. She also drew 16 walks and collected 23 extra-base hits, recording a .681 on-base percentage and a 1.400 slugging percentage.

“Whitney is an outstanding hitter,” said Smyrna coach Nicki Shirey. “We definitely give the sign to pitch around her at all cost. Sometimes that doesn’t even matter. In our last matchup, she took a very low, way-outside pitch and slammed it well over our fence, leaving us all in awe.”

DeMora has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Wilmington University this fall.

Softball

All-State team

First team

P-Mackenzie Short, Appoquinimink    Jr.

C-Sydney Ostroski, Cape Henlopen    Sr.

1B-Whitney DeMora, Polytech    Sr.

2B-Brooke Stoeckel, Sussex Central    Sr.

3B-Rosa’lynn Burton, Caesar Rodney    Sr.

SS-Kendra Ziemba, Hodgson    Sr.

OF-Kierstin Fallers, Padua    Sr.

OF-Taylor Coleman, Appoquinimink    Jr.

OF-Mya Maddox, Lake Forest    Jr.

OF/­AL-Kaelyn Press, Smyrna    So.

P/­AL-Holly Brooks, Caravel    Sr.

3B/­AL-Taylor Collins, Sussex Tech    Sr.

1B/­AL-Noelle Holiday, Red Lion    Sr.

SS/­AL-Avery Wheatley, Delmar    Jr.

OF/­AL-Rajene Bowe, Milford    Jr.

SS/­AL-Samantha Esper, Caravel    Sr.

P/­AL-Rachel Pritchard, Concord    Sr.

P/­AL-Hayley McCabe, Sussex Central    Jr.

P/­AL-Taylor Pechin, Polytech    Sr.

P/­AL-Alyssa Ball, Caesar Rodney    Jr.

Second team

OF-Julia Bomhardt, Indian River    So.

C-Daniela Solis, Wilmington Christian    Sr.

DP-Jennifer Sieminski, Caravel    Sr.

P-Sarah Bessel, Conrad    Jr.

1B-Madison Watson, Sussex Tech    Jr.

OF-Kaylee Hazewski, Red Lion    Sr.

P-Abby Cunningham, Padua    Jr.

1B-Brooke Miller. Appoquinimink    So.

P-Taylor Wroten, Sussex Tech    Fr.

P-Riley Shields, Cape Henlopen    Sr.

3B-Rachel DiMarcello, St. Georges    So.

3B-Alison Clemons, Middletown    So.

1B-Kylie Quirk, DMA    Sr.

3B-Brooke Glanden, Lake Forest    So.

Third team

2B-Emily Proffitt, Caravel    Jr.

SS-Jude McGough, Newark Charter    Jr.

C-Brooklynne Johnson, Hodgson    So.

C-Rachel Seivard, St, Georges    So.

UT-Jordyn Virden, Cape Henlopen    Jr.

C-Shannon Lord, Sussex Tech    Jr.

OF-Alexus Johnson, DMA    So.

2B-Jordan Scout, Appoquinimink    Sr.

SS-Taylor Gillis, Wilm. Charter    Fr.

C-Chelsey Ward, Sussex Central    Sr.

SS-Caitlin Baxter, Padua    Fr.

C-Hannah Williams, Padua    So.

P-Antonia Browning, Ursuline    So.

SS-Taylor Cappella, Smyrna    Sr.

OF-Alexa Proffitt, Caravel    Sr.

2B-Morgan Dodge, Polytech    Sr.

SS-Nicole Hovatter, Sussex Tech    Sr.

1P-Alexis Novotny, DMA    So.

Player of the Year: Whitney DeMora, Polytech

Coach of the Year: John Wells, Sussex Central

Team Sportsmanship Award: Newark

MILFORD — It was supposed to be a slugfest.

Instead, it turned into two teams playing strong defense behind solid pitching performances midday Saturday at Milford High School.

Top-seeded Caravel (19-3) plated a pair of first inning runs, and senior pitcher Holly Brooks, with the help of her defense, made them hold up in a 2-1 victory over No. 2 Sussex Tech. The win gave Caravel its first softball state championship since 2011 — that year the Buccaneers defeated Smyrna 4-2 in the title game — and 10th overall.

“I can’t express how proud I am of this entire team,” said Brooks, who also accounted for Caravel’s first run of the game with a RBI single to right that plated senior Samantha Esper in the opening frame. “We just didn’t give up this entire season, this entire tournament round. We’ve just given 100 percent. It was a team effort and the best thing ever.”

The eventual winning run came home in the form of courtesy runner Kayla Sobolak. Running for freshman catcher Nicole Marcon, who was hit by a pitch, Sobolak scored on Jennifer Sieminski’s RBI single. Sieminski had fallen behind in the count 0-2 before working it even and then slapping a Taylor Wroten off-speed offering to right.

Prior to Caravel’s first inning rally, Sussex Tech (18-3) had loaded the bases with one out in the top of the frame. Brooks, however, struck out Ravens freshman Jakayla Sample and induced a Rylee Shockley groundout to end the threat.

Brooks also got out of a jam in the second when the Ravens had runners on second and third but couldn’t get them home.

“They played a good, clean, error-free game,” said Ravens coach John Marvel, who returned to the position prior to this season. Marvel last coached Sussex Tech in 2012 when the Ravens defeated Caravel in the state championship game. He stepped down to pursue a teaching job at another school.

“You have to give Caravel all the credit. They played really great today.”

Sussex Tech halved Caravel’s lead in the top of the third when senior Taylor Collins doubled and later scored on a Shockley base hit. Brooks, however, dug in from there and retired 12 of the last 13 batters she faced in the complete game victory.

Not to be outdone, Wroten settled down after surrendering the first inning runs and kept the Buccaneers off the board the rest of the way. Only a freshman, Wroten said that while she and the Ravens were disappointed with the loss, they will take with them into next season the experience gained from reaching a state championship game.

“We’ve had a really good season, it just didn’t end up how we wanted it to,” Wroten said. “I’m going to remember this game, and I know we’re going to be back here next year. I know we have the fight in us and the coaching staff to do it, and after this year we have the motivation too.”

SPECIAL TO THE DELAWARE STATE NEWS PHOTOS/JON LLOYD JR.

Valedictorian: Andrew John Stant
Salutatorian: Liam Patrick O’Connor
* National Honor Society
*Deborah Folassade Oluwatobi Abiona
Priscilla Marie Acosta
Tamyah Denae Adams
*Adam E. Ahern
Lauren Rose Alava
Marcellus Alexander
Christal Alexandre
*Nolan M. Aloe
Moriah Danielle Amerman
*Matthew Isaac Anderson
Richardo R. Anderson
A’qwon Taevon Andrews
*Casey Artis
*Jennifer N. Atkinson
Jasmine P. Bagley
Sameeh Bajwa
Cody Lee Baker
Taylor Leeann Baker
Virjohn Portillo Banaag
Parker Baney Barton
Savannah J. Bauman
Jeanette Evelyn Beers
Nicolette Ashley Beers
Ashlyn Elizabeth Belton
Joshua Bradford Bennett
Jenifer Renee Bergold
Tyler Joseph Berry Campagnini
*Nicholas Franklin Biddle
Caleb O’Neal Bing
Torin Quinn Bishop
*Julia Marie Boaman
Jack Alexander Bobel
*Katherine S. Bole
Christopher Joseph Boling
Ryan Bones
Ariyon Miriam Booker
Corey W. A. Boyd
Milzera Diiamond Bradley
Vivian Cheerish Bradshaw
Kennan Michael Brinkley
Auskyme Brown
*Rodney Eric Brown Jr
Jordaan Marquis Brummell
Matthew Bryant
Carl Anthony James Burch
Brandon M. Burgos
Rosa’lyn Artinia Burton
Thomas L. Burton
*Heather Renee Busch
Michael Butler
Jessica Pauline Cagampan
Adriana Lynn Caldwell
Xavier Logan Callicoat
Melisa J. Cambry
Ca’leb Kevan Camper
Julia Alexis Candelaria
*Michael David Canning
Jordan Lee Cannon
Andrew W. Canova
*Madeleine C. Card
*Ethan Scott Carello
Domenico Gage Caro Esposito
Kayla Mae Carr
Madison Amber Carroll
Justin David Carter
Anjuli E. Caskey
Deinniel C. Catacutan
*Zachary Austin Cessna
*Zaineb Z. Chaudhry
*Ciara Christensen
*Cayla E. Christian
Corey A. Christian
Inejeraey N.K Clark
*Michael Mark Clavier
Marissa Jane Claypool
Zachary Austin Clendenin
*Madison Cole
Kristian DeShaun Coleman
Xavier Colon
Emma Joy Conway
Brittany Marie Cooper
Kashia Tierra Copes
*Reily Erin Corbeil
Samantha Marie Cordivano
Gabriel Cortez
*Christian Hans Cosden
Ashleigh Elizabeth Cox
*Colin James Cregan
*Allison Marie Croce
Jordan Courtland Crump
*Aleya Lenore Cummings
*Cowan Eileen Cummings
Rachel A Curry
*Tara J. Daddio
Darrick Page Dailey
Anthony Xzavier Daniels
Kedar Malik Davis
Truston Laws Davis V
Candacy N. Dawson
*Aaron Everett deBloois
Witchel Delva
Peightyn Lindsey DeMarreau
*Lauren J. DeRocili
Marcus Hemingway Derrickson
Conner Allen Devan
John Anthony DeVary Jr.
*Stephanie R. DiDonato
Aishaya Lashuan Dixon
Jack Dixon
Jakai Malik Dixon
Ausin Thomas Draine
Claudia Elizabeth Dronebarger
Robert W. Dunn
Padriyuka Dupuiys
*Annabel Dwiggins
Lauren T. Edger
Cole J. Elliot
Kawana Elysee`
Payton A. Eubanks
Wesley Michael Faircloth
Avis Carrie Falden
Alexander Figueroa-Martinez
Hyacinth Andrea Finkley
Brandon Fisher
Ciera E. Florio
*Joy Elizabeth Ford
Ryan Patrick Fowler
Jared Davon Foxworth
Julia Lorea Friday
Kaitlyn Starr Fryberger
*Meriah Lynn Gagnon
*Thomas Gallucci
Jeff W. Gary
Kayla Savannah Gary
Zereah Denise Giddens
Tyler A. Giddings
Cameron Michael Gillette
Catherine Gillis
Sarah Gordon
Jorden Taylor Gormley
Alexis N. Graves
*Gary Lee Gray II
Essence NaShae Green
Ivory Sadaijah Green
Ashley Marie Greenly
*Kristen Elizabeth Grismer
*Lauren Louise Grismer
Cameron Amado Gurrola-Bowers
Kyle Hall
Natalie K. Hall
*Amanda Claire Halliday
Wontrell Coby Hammond
Devon Isaiah Hampton
Abigail Lynn Harrington
*Caitlin Leigh Harris
*Molly Elizabeth Harris
Drake Lee Hunter Haupt
Justice Haxton
*Allison D. Hayes
Hor’ell Haynes
Caleb D. Hellmann
Danielle Nicole Henault
Kelsey M. Hernandez
Deotray Tyree Hickman
Janelle Hicks
Tamia L. Hicks
Emily Kate Hogan
*Kyle Patrick Hoover
Steven Joseph Houston
Tyler D. Hudson
Alexiss Hulse
Mikenna Leigh Hunt
Cody Hunter
Jordan E. Hunter
Mickiela De’Nay Marie Hunter
India Shemaiah Hursey
Chukwuebuka Innocent Ilogbenu
Quintin Ivy
Evan Casimir Jackewicz
Devin Reese Jackson
*Krista Danielle Nunally Jarrell
*Kylee A. Jarvis
Kayla Ashley Jefferson
Ernis Joanem
Christine Corine Johnson
Cydney Janae Johnson
Desiree Mariah Johnson
Destinee Janette Johnson
Kelcey Marie Johnson
Naomi Angelia Johnson
Robert Allen Johnson
Sarah Caitlin Johnson
Zackary Kenneth Johnson
Briana Lena Jones
Jaqoui Donshae Jones
Kiyana Jai Jones
*Megan Lynn Jones
Kaitlin Elizabeth Josefowski
Dinara Kalieva
Jane Kim
Xavier Christian King
Matthew S. Kingsley
Mirabella Kathleen Klebart
*Claire Bernadette Kolakowski
Christopher Krejczman
Sean Daniel Kromka
R. Quinton LaBrake
*Issybella J. A. Lang
Cassidy Jane Laramore
Yvedson Larose
Jordan Larson
Elaine Gray Latchum
Joshua Matthew Leczner
*Tiffeny Kiera Lee
*Brinen Matthew LeFevre
Joshua Darin Legates
Lillee Ryan Lehman
Brian Lewis
Christopher Termaine Lewis
*Kendall Taylor Lewis
Donald R. Linday III
Nicholas Anthony Long
*Kaitlyn Longest
*Hailley Lynn Loper
*Gabrielle Anna Lord
Kevin Paul Lynch III
Landon Lynn
Hailey Nichole Lyons
Chinomnso Ijeoma Madukwe
*Osama Mahmoud
Darien Alexis Manges
Joseph Perry Manion
*Kayla R. Mariner
*Christine A. Marks
Stuart R. Marsh
Taylor Martin
Victoria Lynn Martin
Timothy Orion Mason
James O. Massaquoi
Crystal Matsatsos
Patrick Graham Matsko
Casey Brooke Mayhorn
*Samantha Brooke Mazzola
*Kelsi Lynn McBarron
Ian R. McCloud
Justin McCullough
Jaida R. McGhee
Abigail M. McGowan
Joseph E. McGuire
*Samuel Murphy McKibbin
Phillip Michael McNeill
Christopher William McPoyle
Malik Jamal Meekins
Kaleb Ray Meinhold
Odlanyer Gabriel Merced-Morales
Charity Michele Merrell
Karin Michalkova
Christian Lee Mihok
Alexus A. Miller
Christina Paula Miller
Robert Louis Miller Jr.
*Channah Rose Mills
Emmerson Chapman Monroe
Hannah Elizabeth Moon
Cody Phillip Moore
Djimon Moore
Austin James Morales
*Dylan Morgan
*Hannah Mae Morris
*Jordan Marie Moseley
Christopher James Mosher
William Charles Mosher
*Jayden Vianna Mosley
Parker Elizabeth Moss
Chase Wade Mounts
*Jeremy Murphy
Ny’Jier Murphy
Richard Nam
Samuel Charles Neilson
Christopher Nelson
*Jameah Nixon
Kaylee Elizabeth Noble
Michael Daniel Noel Jr.
Alyssa Monique Norman
*Matthew Donavan Nuzzo.
Riley Patrick O’Brien
*Liam Patrick O’Connor
Kourtney J.Olsen
Steven Ordonez
Imanni Yolanda Ortiz
Pedro Angel Ortiz Adams
*Dillon Richard Otto
*Efe Ecehan Ozturkoglu
Zariah Cynthea Pagan
Thomas Wayne Paitsel
Shavaughn Cody Palmer
*Reeti Parikh
*Hirshesh Patel
*Kush D. Patel
Daniel Patrick Patterson
Julian Charles Paulino
*Emily Claire Pearson
Hunter Aaron Pearson
Samuel Wellik Pecinovsky
Manuel Esteban Pena
Kevin Armando Penate Gomez
Isaiah Jonathan Peppers
Victory Carnell Perry Jr
George A. F. Peterson
Drew Joseph Petraitis
*Caroline Phillips
Alexandria Emily Pierce
Adonighel Jeshua Pierre
Brittany Plante
*Olivia Louise Pleasanton
*Lauren H. Polinski
*Brittany Marie Poore
Jacob Hunter Pope
Logan Heath Powell
Galindy Prezeau
*Haley L. Prillaman
*Ronald Rrobst Jr.
Nataliah Domonique Noelle Prophet
*Victoria Faith Prosceno
Elizabeth Nicole Pruneda
Kedeja Quail
*Luke Edward Rankin
Austin T. Rapp
John Charles Rash
Kierra Elexis Razor
Raevyn Nicole Reader
Lauren Elyse Reffay
Jonathan Remy
*Ethan Andrew Riley
Marco Riva
Tyler J. Robbins
William Alvin Roberts
Zaviere Mikal Roberts
Daniqu Robinson
Dominique S. Robinson
Nicole Ashley Robinson
William Edward Robinson
Romeo Justin Rodriguez
Cah’lee Jael Rogers
Emily Noel Rogers
Megan Holly Rogers
Armando Luis Rosado Jr.
Sade’ Blondine Rosado
Dylan R. Roslewicz
Shelbie Paige Rundle
Jacqueline Ann Russell
Garrett Paul Rutherford
*Hasan Usman Sandhu
Courtney E. Sarlouis
Connor Anthony Schell
Valisatie Oneil-Rae Schmidt
Coty J. Schock
*Elizabeth Dolores Schofield
Rebecca Anne Schulze
Samuel Schuman
Adja Fatou Seck
Jun Tae Seo
Daniel J. Shannon
Shaina Shaw
Ja’Bre Monet Sheppard
Kristen Sheranko
Sadeek L. Shoates
*Zainab Shoda
Jordan Shuba
Brianni Shukur
Rayne Jorrin F. Shyers
*Caleb Henry Siebach
Sydney Simmons
Michael Alexander Sine
Jazlyn Lilian Singh
Makir J. Sirise
Austin James Semkowski
Hector Gabriel Smetana-Baez
Mequel Lamar Smith
Myques Lamont Smith
Ross William Smith
*Andrew John Stant
Delaney Kildare Steele
Bryar Landon Stemrich
Jainicqua Aunyea’ Stevenson
Bailey M. Stewart
Maegan A. Stewart
*Alissa Madeline Strouse
Andrew Lamont Sudler
Jah’Kyairah L.H Summers
Stephen Andrew Swartsentruber
Oriane Martine Symon
Samuel Thomas Szramka.
Kevin William Taylor Jr.
Adam Steven Thomas
*Madeline Grace Thompson
Casey Jordan Thorne
*Donye’ Tillery
Jack Tisher
*Jasmine Tolson
Jaykyra Jannelle Tolson
Marquis Tyre Tolson
Stephanie Anne Torres
*Jonni Tran
Tatum Keturah Travis
Morgan Ashleigh Tuxward
* Nathaniel James Twining
Colyn Nicolas Tyre
Kyle Andrew Upchurch
Arianna Vanderpool
Joshua Vanderwater
*Siwa Versnel
Richard B. Vetter
Charlton Robert Voak
Danielle Elaine Waddler
*Laura Helen Wagner
Dante Walker Jr.
Austin Wallace
*Andrew Robert Walls
Jordan Alexander Walters
Justin Carl Warnick
Robert Cameron Warren
Keith George Weems Jr.
Sarah Welday
Savannah B. Weldin
Eris Lynae Wells
*Edward J. Weston
Nicole Weston
Robert White
Christianna Autumn Whitt
Keon Faheem Wiles
Sarah Christine Wilkins
Alexandra Willard
Jordan Willey
Robert Christopher Williams Jr.
Cameron Allen Wilson
Madalynn Aine Wilson
Dakota Denver Windham
Haley Jean Windham
Kaitlyn Ann Wintjen
Brittany Melissa Wolfe
Erica Lara Wood
Thomas Anthony Wooleyhand
*Jarde W. York

DOVER — A former Caesar Rodney High teacher and wrestling coach will be sentenced on Thursday on six felony charges connected to a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student in 2014.

Richard L. “Dickie” Howell Jr. has been held by the Delaware Department of Correction since a guilty plea in Kent County Superior Court on Feb. 26; his bond was immediately revoked by Judge Jeffrey Clark.

Richard L. Howell Jr.

According to the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, Howell faces at least six years in prison for the offenses and could receive a maximum 120 years. He will receive credit for time already served.

Howell, 52, of Wyoming, pleaded  guilty to three counts each of first-degree sexual abuse of a child by a person of trust and fourth-degree rape in a session that lasted less than 10 minutes last winter.

He first withdrew a not-guilty plea at the appearance.

Following the plea, Judge Clark ordered Howell to be registered as a Tier III sex offender banned from contact with children younger than 18 years old.

He also was ordered to pay costs associated with the case.

A pre-sentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing on April 26 was postponed. Four earlier scheduled trial dates were continued before the plea was entered.

The official date of the offense was listed as March 1, 2014, in court papers; after investigation, the Delaware State Police said it believed the relationship ended in late December 2014.

Howell was arrested on Jan. 14, 2015, and indicted by a Kent County grand jury on April 6, 2015. He resigned his position with the Caesar Rodney School District upon indictment.

The Attorney General’s office declined to further prosecute 44 other charges.

Attorney Alex Funk is representing Howell, while Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Dickerson prosecuted the case for the state.

Both declined comment after the plea.

At the time Howell’s arrest was the third in 10 months involving a Kent County teacher charged with teacher-student sexual misconduct.

In December 2014, a former Caesar Rodney School District teacher received 18 months’ probation after pleading guilty to a fourth-degree rape charge involving a male student.

On Feb. 25, 2015, an ex-Smyrna School District teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison, suspended after six months, for a fourth-degree rape charge regarding a male student.

Rafael “Junny” Encarnacion Jr. is a member of the Dover-based Riding 4 Christ motorcycle ministry. (Delaware State News/Craig Anderson)

DOVER — He’s seen the drug trade, violence and vice stagger a community and was an active participant in the decay.

Rafael “Junny” Encarnacion Jr. grew up hard in Brooklyn, New York, and has the prison stays and body scars to prove it.

Now a 47-year-old Christian family man with stable employment in Sussex County, he knows what a truly troubled neighborhood looks like.

While acknowledging that Dover is a city with growing issues, Mr. Encarnacion knows it can become worse.

“When you see guys walking down the street in colors and staking out their corners, then there will be a real problem,” he said. “Dover is small enough and has enough great people trying to do the right thing that it doesn’t have to get like that.”

The former prison gang member figures Delaware’s capital city is salvageable, and there’s opportunity to reverse the violent trend.

That’s why the Georgetown resident makes several 45-minute trips a month to Dover.

“I know I wouldn’t be coming all the way up here if I didn’t think this city was worth it,” he said.

Balanced on two wheels, Mr. Encarnacion and roughly 20 members of the Riding 4 Christ motorcycle ministry regularly set up in the downtown area to share a hopeful message.

The outreach efforts are based at his Maranatha Life Changing Church at 1235 E. Division Street in Dover.

Street meetings

Once a month, Mr. Encarnacion said, the church crew sets up on New Street in the downtown area, sharing free hot dogs and water for whoever wants to hear a message of hope. The sessions run from 10 p.m. to midnight on Fridays over the past three years, off and on.

Rafael “Junny” Encarnacion Jr., 47, came to Delaware in 2001 from Brooklyn, New York. (Delaware State News/Craig Anderson)

“We set up the grill and break out a guitar,” he said. “We sing songs of worship, pray and speak with whoever wants to take part.”

On other Fridays, groups of three to five Maranatha members walk the most challenged streets hoping to engage in conversations with an optimistic tone.

“Walking these streets at night and seeing what’s going on, it’s a reflection of my life in New York,” he said.

“I want to give them love, I want to give the people here some hope. Politicians mean well but they can never give them what I can give them.

“I want to let them see what I’ve been through and show that there is a way out of it.”

Regarding his belief in Maranatha, he said, ““It’s a church of God, it’s a church of love. If you walk into the church and don’t feel loved then we’re not doing our thing.”

Gotta love Delaware

Mr. Encarnacion’s love affair with the First State began when he traveled here to visit family in the 1970s.

“Every time I visited here I called it ‘tranquility’ because it is so different than New York is,” he said.

“There was not the stress, there was not the fast lane. I love New York but it’s a hard city to keep a right mind in.”

By 2001, Mr. Encarnacion had years of drug abuse and prison time, with more seemingly on the way.

“Growing up in the hood you see drugs on the corner, fast money, loose women,” he said. “There’s no time to sleep because at whatever hour of the day you could get involved with whatever you want to.”

When he became embroiled in a dangerous beef with a “big time” drug dealer, Mr. Encarnacion said his brother living in Delaware “grabbed me by the hair and said ‘You’re leaving, that’s it.”

Even with a parole violation by leaving New York unannounced, the move proved well worth it. He said he violated parole for 14 years while settling in Georgetown. He said he eventually cleared up legal issues in his home state, but remained in his adopted home.

Eight years ago, the Lord arrived in his life, completing a transformation that involved raising a family with a spouse he adores, and working regularly in Sussex County in the chicken processing and trucking industries.

“It wasn’t tough at all,” he said of kicking addiction and believing in God. “I don’t know how it happened, it just happened. I have to believe that God was the reason for it.”

His kids here are 4, 10, and 14, and get far more attention than his children of 23, 24, and 25 from an earlier relationship in New York.

“I wasn’t a father,” he said of growing up quick in the city. “My life was contained to the streets.”

Fortunately, his mother never gave up on him. She attended Maranatha church in Dover, and he followed her here when his life was transformed.

“My mom was always a church goer,” he said. “She always believed in me and never stopped praying for me.”

To contact Maranatha Life Changing Church, call 734.9510 or email maranathadelaware@comcast.net. Information is available online at maranathadelaware.org.

Teachers hear it all the time: “Can I go to the bathroom?” Now, if you had to pee, you would just do it, right? Unless you could hold it for a little bit until a more convenient time. But nature always wins this battle. Peeing is not a voluntary event. So, why am I hearing about more and more schools restricting when kids can go to the bathroom?

To be fair, students can and will abuse the bathroom visit rights. I did it in school. For whatever reason, there are some kids who just have to pee. I’ve heard some horror stories about teenagers peeing their pants. Or they could be stuck in testing and can’t get out.

Some kids will get up to no good in a school bathroom. It happens. But what about those kids who absolutely have to go? Should they be held back from peeing because of some bad apples? I would think most teachers would know who those students are. And I’m not saying this is every school.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is normal to have to pee six to eight times a day. Pee is your body’s way of detoxing your system. It gets rid of the bad stuff. Most people, especially students, tend to pee for about seven seconds on average. So, by the time a student gets to the bathroom, does the pee thing, washes their hands (they better), and gets back to class, it shouldn’t be a journey of more than three minutes, tops. Is it worth having a student feel uncomfortable?

Sending all kids to go to the bathroom all at once could make it worse. Some students have “performance anxiety” around other kids or get caught up in fooling around in the bathroom. The anxiety is caused by a condition called parauresis.

So, if the average school days is seven hours, and that is roughly 30 percent of a student’s day (and that’s a full 24-hour day), it would stand to reason a student may have to go to the bathroom three times a day.

I’ve heard of one Delaware school where students can only pee once a day. Not sure what qualifies that school to be the urine police, but I smell a lawsuit eventually if they keep that up!

How long can someone hold off peeing before nature takes its course? It depends on the person. Once you feel the urge, you should probably go. But it won’t kill you to wait too long.

But if you wait too long, there could be an accident, or in rarer cases, a person could develop a urinary tract infection. Some kids may have health issues that prompt them to pee more than their peers. Your bladder doesn’t literally explode, but it could cause issues if you make this a habit.

Bottom line, schools need to be extra careful when it comes to pee. It is natural, it is real, and it should not be used so a teacher can control a classroom or get all their instruction out. Peeing is the most natural thing human beings do. We can’t get around it. Let the children pee!

I would love schoolteachers and administrators to comment on this, as well as students and parents. Does your school have a pee problem?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Kevin Ohlandt, of Dover, was a candidate for Capital School District Board of Education in last month’s election. He runs the Exceptional Delaware blog.

Keith Mumford takes great pride in the opening of the new Kent County Recreation Center in Dover. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)

DOVER — After 30 years, Keith Mumford has retired from Kent County.

His career started with organizing bus trips in an office in the old O’Brien building and ended with the opening of a long-desired recreation center.

The $10 million recreation center, the county’s first, opened Saturday.

“I just thought it would be a good time for them to hire whomever they wanted to take my place and let them move forward,” said Mr. Mumford on Thursday in an interview on one of the new blue courts of the recreation center. “I was fortunate enough to be part of this dream for the last 30 years, and working on this project for the last three years.”

Mr. Mumford has been director of Kent County Community Services for the past seven years, after stepping up from a role as director of Parks and Recreation. Community Services includes oversight of the parks, recreation and the county library system.

During his time with the county, he has been a part of the team that developed Brecknock Park in Camden, Browns Branch Park in Harrington and Big Oak Park in Smyrna.
Just a few years ago, he celebrated the county’s new library opening in Woodside.

Levy Court Commissioner Jody Sweeney was among the first to congratulate him on May 24 after Levy Court passed a resolution acknowledging his retirement.

“Keith, you’ve been with the county a long time,” said Commissioner Sweeney. “When you look at the accomplishments of the parks and rec department with the number of parks we’ve added, the ball fields we added, the dog park (Tidbury) and the new gymnasium, your accomplishments are long and we really appreciate what you’ve done for the county over these many years and wish you a lot of luck in the future.

After a round of farewell remarks from all of the commissioners, Kent County Levy Court President Brooks Banta prompted Mr. Mumford to take the microphone.

“This truly isn’t about me. It’s about working for Kent County, being a part of a great department, which is parks, recreations and libraries and serving the citizens of Kent County,” Mr. Mumford began.

“I don’t think anyone does anything for 30 years unless they’re making a lot of money or truly enjoy it …”

There was a slight pause.

“And, I’ve truly enjoyed it,” he said.

***

Mr. Mumford has been the director of Community Services for the past seven years, taking the role when Harry VanSant retired.

In 1986, it was Zach Carter that led the county parks and recreation department. Mr. Mumford jumped at the chance to join the staff, even if it was organizing women’s exercise classes and bus trips from a desk in the now-demolished Robert O’Brien Building on Water Street in Dover.

At the time, Mr. Mumford had been commuting from Dover to Mills­boro where he was working at the Masten lumber company.

“That was a good phone call that day,” said Mr. Mumford. “Zach said, ‘Why don’t you take two to three days to think about it?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t need to think about it.’”

Programs are the heart of what the recreation department has done for years, Mr. Mumford said.

He takes a lot of pride in the development of leagues and some big events such as Brecknock’s Fright Night.

Seeing things progress and change over the years, he makes a case for the need and potential of the recreation center.

For years, the county staff networked with schools and other places to run programs like a junior volleyball league that filled school gyms.

Unfortunately, school needs lessened the availability.

“The demands on the schools became too much,” he said. “It wasn’t that they didn’t want us there. They just didn’t have room for us.

“Some of those programs went away but now they’re going to come back.”

Mr. Mumford said the county did not have a study done to determine the needs of the community and how the recreation center, its new turf field and soon-to-be developed additional field space could best serve them.

The obvious part, though, was that people are looking for recreation and league opportunities.

“If you look at Brecknock Park on a daily basis, you’ll see the lacrosse teams and soccer teams that are out there, people with Little League and softball teams looking for places to practice,” he said. “When winter time comes, you know that the kids are still wanting to do something.”

During our interview Thursday, he pointed out the four basketball courts, the lines already in place for multiple volleyball and pickle ball courts and the screens that will divide the areas.

Pickle ball, the paddle-and-plastic ball game that resembles tennis, is now a rage with older athletes, The Delaware Senior Games have already arranged for use of the recreation center for a state tournament.

He said the center will be great for popular indoor field hockey, lacrosse, futsal and flag football leagues, too.

Registrations in parks and recreation programs have been about 10,000 in recent years, said Jeremy Sheppard, the county’s parks and recreation director. He said they envision the number quadrupling with the new rec center.

“I always thought it would happen,” Mr. Mumford said. “I just wasn’t sure when.”

***

Mr. Mumford, who lives in Dover, said he would not be a stranger around the county sports and recreation scene, and plans to continue officiating wrestling as he has done for decades.

He hopes to continue his involvement with the county as a Levy Court commissioner, having filed to run against Allan Angel for the District 3 seat. The two will meet in Democratic Party primary in September.

“I’m going to have time and I just think it’s a good way to keep giving back to the people in the community that have given a lot to me over the years,” he said.

There were a few laughs as the Levy Court commissioners passed the microphone around to offer some remarks on Mr. Mumford’s retirement.

“It’s good to vote to get you out of here,” joked Commissioner Eric Buckson.

“I’ve been involved in high school wrestling for 25 years,” Mr. Buckson noted. “And I have been ejected one time and he was the referee.”

Commissioner Terry Pepper noted it was odd that Mr. Mumford and he crossed paths in county government after years of not seeing each other. The two were in the same homerooms in first through sixth grades when they were in elementary school in Georgetown.

It was the Georgetown upbringing that exposed Mr. Mumford to sports and recreation and he recalled how what Little League and other opportunities meant to the community.

“People back then, that was all volunteer stuff,” he said.

Looking back, he reflected on how it impacted his career pursuits.

He said he has been fortunate to have a fun job and a great people on his team.

“Kent County has made great strides since 1986,” he said in his remarks at Levy Court last week. “I’d like to thank Levy Court for making those happen. I’m proud to have been a part of that and I hope the next 30 years are even better.”

Retiring Delaware State University Director of Bands Randolph J. Johnson has worked a total of 40 years as a music educator and has had two separate tenures at Delaware State University. He was first hired as director of bands in 1990 and worked in that position until 2001. He returned to the university in 2007 and will retire from his career as director of bands and a music educator at DSU. (Submitted photo)

DOVER — Randolph Johnson says there are three things a school’s band must do for a student.

“First, it has to make you a better person,” he said. “Next, it has to make you a better student. Last, and very low on the totem pole, it has to make you a better performer.”

Mr. Johnson, Delaware State University’s director of bands, is retiring after 20 years of directing music at DSU.

Mrs. Johnson has worked a total of 40 years as a music educator and has had two separate tenures at Delaware State University.

He was first hired as director of bands in 1990 and worked in that position until 2001. He returned to the university in 2007.

The Delaware State University Approaching Storm Marching Band is a fixture at area events. (Delaware State News file photo)

More than 60 of his former students went on to direct their own bands throughout the country. One of those students is 1995 graduate Dr. Carlton Cannon, band director at Cab Calloway School of Arts in Wilmington, and a gospel and jazz artist.

Dr. Cannon said Mr. Johnson influenced him greatly.

“A lot of times, I found myself doing a lot of the things he did,” he said. “He was born being a director. Whoever comes after him has big shoes to fill.”

Mr. Johnson keeps Dr. Cannon’s gospel CD in his office desk. An old picture of Dr. Cannon hangs on Mr. Johnson’s wall next to other former band members.

Like Dr. Cannon, Mr. Johnson’s band director at Southern University influenced him to become a director. His director was his older brother, Roy, who also directed at DSU.

Mr. Johnson said his brother, mother and also his idol, Stevie Wonder, sparked his interest in music.

Mr. Johnson said his past directors used band to make him a better person and he wanted to do the same for students of his own.

“I think our students and band deserve more credit for the positive things they do,” he said.

Mr. Johnson is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a graduate of Southern University.

He began his professional career as a graduate assistant with the world-famous Southern University Band in 1976.

Prior to his arrival at Delaware State University, he was a high school band director for 11 years in Kansas, Mississippi and his home state of Louisiana.

In 1988, Mr. Johnson received his first appointment as a university director of bands at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. He was also employed by Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as marching band director and jazz band director before his first tenure at DSU.

After his departure from DSU in 2001, Mr. Johnson was appointed supervisor of music for a school district in the state of New York.

Prior to his return to the university in 2007, Mr. Johnson was employed by Alcorn State University as the Jazz Band director and the coordinator of Music Education for the Music Department.

During his years at Alcorn State University, all 12 of the Music Education majors who took the Praxis exam passed and received certification as music teachers in the state of Mississippi.

Throughout his 20-year career at DSU, the band has had a graduation rate of more than 70 percent.

While Mr. Johnson praised the success of all of his students, he reached for a plaque that sat at the top of his bookshelf. It pictures him standing next to Leah Williams, a former section leader in the school’s Approaching Storm Marching Band, who graduated in 2015 with a 4.0 grade-point average.

The plaque was a gift from Ms. Williams to show her appreciation.

“He teaches us lessons we can use for the rest of our lives,” she said.

She said he taught the men how to be gentlemen, and told the women to accept nothing less.

“He’s definitely like a father figure away from home,” she said.

Mr. Johnson said he shows tough love to his students.

“I’ve had so many students come back and tell me, ‘Mr. Johnson I thought you were the meanest cat on the planet,’” he said.

LaQuita Williams, former drum major and 2016 graduate, described Mr. Johnson as “headstrong.”

“He knows what he wants and he pushes you towards your limit,” she said.

Mr. Johnson has a video of The Approaching Storm performing at an away football game in Philadelphia. The band formed different shapes on the field while they played Maze and Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go.”

Pointed to the drum and tuba players, Mr. Johnson said “I brought them forward to feature them dancing, In most bands, the drums and tubas stand still while the band dances — I wanted to do just the opposite.”

During his tenure, The Approaching Storm performed in Europe, for NFL and NBA games and NASCAR races.

“The most memorable performance for me is when the band participated in the 2009 inaugural parade for President Barack Obama,” Mr. Johnson said.

He said it was memorable because his mother passed away a few months before she could witness Barack Obama becoming the first black president.

“My mother saw him through my eyes,” Mr. Johnson said. “Her child was able to participate in [the inaugural parade] so she was able to participate.”

Mr. Johnson, in retirement, he wants to do whatever his wife Diana wants to do, and spend time with the rest of his family.

“As you get older, you realize how important family is,” he said.

He said he does not know what he’s going to miss most when he retires.

“I think because I gave 100 percent of everything I had throughout my career, that I’ll have no regrets,” he said.

Mr. Johnson said he would be satisfied with his 40-year career if he helped at least one person.

“I believe I’ve truly been blessed to have the career I have,” he said. “I know the students have made me a better band director and a better person.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Kristen Griffith is a Dover freelance writer.

DOVER — Citing higher cost of care, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, Aetna Inc. and Aetna Life are pushing for double-digit rate increases in health care premiums for people enrolled in the state’s marketplace.

Created by the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, the marketplace began Jan. 1, 2014, and has seen 28,256 people sign up for 2016 coverage.

The Delaware Department of Insurance announced the proposed jumps Thursday. New rates will take effect Jan. 1, although the exact changes are yet to be determined.

Karen Weldin Stewart

Highmark, which covers the majority of Delawareans enrolled through the state’s marketplace, is seeking increases of 32.5 percent in the individual market. Nine plans would be affected, with rate changes from 24.2 percent to 35.8 percent, according to a filing from the company posted online. The company said 11,629 people would see higher premiums as a result.

Aetna requested an increase varying from 19.5 percent to 30.7 percent for 12 plans, with an average change of 25 percent. A total of 1,531 people would be impacted.

Aetna Life’s proposal would raise rates for its customers 23.9 percent on average. Twelve plans covering 2,084 people would see the jump, which ranges from 18.8 percent to 24.8 percent per plan.

For the small-group market, Highmark is after a 2.7 percent increase, Aetna asked for an additional 23.2 percent and Aetna Life seeks 18.6 percent more.

The requests are larger than the raises approved for 2016.

In a filing with the Department of Insurance, Aetna Inc. said the cost of pharmacy scripts has risen by 9 percent while inpatient facility visits cost 6 percent more over the past year.

“Medical costs are going up and we are changing our rates to reflect this increase,” the submission says. “We expect medical costs to go up 11.0 percent excluding the effect of benefit or cost sharing changes. Medical costs go up for two reasons — providers raise their prices and members get more medical care.”

The companies also cited an aging population and the end of the federal government’s Affordable Care Act Reinsurance Program. They pledged to combat cost increases where possible.

Highmark spokesman Matthew Stehl said in a statement “it is critical that our rates accurately reflect the true costs of insuring our ACA members.

“We set our rates based on what it costs to insure our ACA members, and we filed rates that are required to make our offerings in the ACA market sustainable. Last year alone, we paid $1.19 in claims for every $1 in premiums. This is not sustainable.

“We continue to see higher utilization among our ACA members. Our ACA population is 7 years older than the average commercial member. ACA members are 34 percent more costly for in-patient services, with similar higher cost for prescription and outpatient services.”

The Department of Insurance will hold three public hearings this month to allow Delawareans to provide comments.

“These large rate increase requests are occurring in many states across the country, and I know they will be a burden for many Delawareans,” Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart said in a statement. “The proposed increases are substantial and I’m going to do my best to reduce them. As is the case with every rate request I receive, I am instructing my actuaries to aggressively examine Highmark’s and Aetna’s supporting data for their requests.”

The department will examine the requested rates, and Commissioner Stewart will submit a proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for approval.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Service released a statement Thursday noting the rates are not final.

“Consumers in Delaware will continue to have affordable coverage options in 2017. Last year, the average monthly premium for people with Marketplace coverage getting tax credits increased just 7 percent, from $140 to $150 per month, despite headlines suggesting double-digit increases,” HHS spokesman Jonathan Gold said.

“People in Delaware understand how the Marketplace works, and they know that they can shop around and find coverage that fits their needs and budget. In fact, last year more than 30 percent of them did exactly that by switching plans to save money. In addition, the vast majority of consumers in Delaware qualify for tax credits that reduce the cost of coverage below the sticker price. Today’s announcement is just the beginning of the rates process, and consumers will have the final word when they vote with their feet during Open Enrollment.”

Open enrollment for 2017 marketplace plans begins Nov. 1.

For more information, included a schedule of public hearings, visit www.delawareinsurance.gov/departments/rates/ratefilings.shtml

DOVER –– It was smiles all around as members of the First State Pickleball Club took to the Kent County Recreation Center’s courts for the first time Saturday.

“We don’t have many indoor courts, so this is fantastic,” said Peg Hinkle, a New Castle resident and ambassador for the USA Pickleball Association after the center’s ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The club has courts all across the state but most are re-purposed tennis courts without permanent nets or protection from unfavorable weather.

About 50 of the club’s 320 members came not only to play at the new venue, but to also offer demonstrations about how the quick-growing sport to members of the community who came out to get their first look at the facility.

“A lot of people get interested just from seeing us play,” said Dana Aultman, treasurer of the First State Pickleball Club. “And it’s an easy sport to learn. It’s has the speed of table tennis and the strategy of tennis on a court the size of badminton.”

Mr. Aultman said that a sport like tennis can take years of practice to hold a consistent rally while most people can get the hang of pickleball enough to hit back and forth in less than an hour.

“It’s even faster if you have any experience with a sport that uses a racquet or paddle,” he added. “So then, your main focus is just learning the rules and scoring which aren’t too difficult.”

It’s also a sport that’s suitable for all ages and is played all over the country.

“My in-laws are the ones who introduced it to me about two years ago,” Brian Garber of Newark said. “I’m a former tennis player and coach and with that, it can be difficult to play recreationally because you need someone at a similar skill level as you. But pickleball is very social and so many people play that you’re bound to pair up with someone of a similar skill pretty much anywhere in the country.”

On a recent trip to Iowa for his son’s Odyssey of the Mind competition, Mr. Garber was able to connect with a club and even was given a ride to a pickleball meet up.

“Everyone in the sport is so friendly,” he said. “And although most the players are older than me, it’s still up and coming and we’re always trying to get younger people involved.”

Pickleball is only one of several sports which the Rec Center has permanent markings for – lines for basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball and futsal (indoor football) are also marked.

“It’s exciting to see Kent County’s much needed amenities like this gym come to life,” said Kevin Zimmerman, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. “Young generations now and generations to follow will be able to participate in and enjoy a wide range of sports and activities here.”

The $10 million Rec Center has been a long time coming as a strategic plan from 1991 included a goal of building a recreation center in each of the county’s three parks at the time.

Sights for a flagship recreation center were originally set on Brecknock Park but eventually focused on Kesslering Farm on New Burton Road. The farm had fallen into the hands of Jane Kesslering Edwards and her siblings who took their time in finding the right buyer for the land who wouldn’t develop the land into a neighborhood. The family eventually met with Kent County and settled on a deal.

“We’ve spent a lot of time stretching dollars and saving millions to finally afford a facility like this,” said Levy Court Commissioner Jody Sweeney.

But even after the land was purchased by the county, the planning of a recreation center took years.

“The plans for this changed shape and size more times than you can imagine,” former director of Parks and Recreation, Keith Mumford said.

When the county was still aiming for Brecknock Park, one design proposal called for the exterior to appear barn-like.

But with the guidance of Becker Morgan, EDiS and Lighthouse Construction, the official design and layout was agreed upon with oversight from the county.

The offerings of the Rec Center don’t end at the walls – there is an outdoor multipurpose turf field, grass fields and baseball diamonds. As the Center lies on more than 50 acres, there is a potential to create more outdoor fields in the future.

The Center is at 1693 New Burton Road in Dover. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit http://co.kent.de.us/parks-Recreation.aspx or call 744-2495.

No one today lives and works closer to our land and water than America’s farmers. As agriculture secretaries and commissioners from Chesapeake Bay-region states, we value and strongly appreciate the contributions that our 141,000 farmers make — in jobs and economic impact, in environmental stewardship, and in producing food for our region, nation and the world.

Among our five states — Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia — there are more than 9 million acres of harvested cropland, or roughly the same size as 4.4 million city blocks. Our farmers raise more than 1 billion chickens for meat each year, grow fruits and vegetables on more than 143,000 acres, and produce enough milk to supply nearly a quarter of the U.S. population.

These incredible numbers stem directly from the hard work and dedication of our farm families. Contrary to popular misconception, more than 98 percent of our states’ farms are family-owned — a truly staggering fact.

Many people are concerned about the health of the Chesapeake Bay — none more so than farmers, who rely on our land and water to grow so much food. That’s why they and we were pleased to hear recent reports from the Chesapeake Bay Program that estimated nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment going into the Bay have all dropped over the last six years — by 8, 20, and 7 percent, respectively.

The University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science recently gave the Bay its third-highest health score in three decades, noting progress in several areas. And monitoring data from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that the per-acre nutrient and sediment loads are declining at a majority of the monitoring stations across our five states.

That’s a reflection of the progress in a variety of sectors, including wastewater treatment, stormwater management, urban runoff, and agriculture. For our farmers, it’s the latest news that their hard work is paying off.

Our agencies work closely with our sister state-level environmental partners and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but the real praise should go to the farmers. The practices they use and the strategies and plans they have put in place truly are making a difference.

Just as a great deal of attention has been paid to the Bay over the last decade, a similar focus on agriculture is warranted from policymakers at all levels to make sure policies are in place that allow for safe, affordable, and abundant food for the future. Some might think having productive farms and clean water are contradictory pursuits. They are not. Clean water depends on healthy, viable farms, and healthy, viable farms depend on clean water. Achieving both is our goal.

Everyone who cares about food and is concerned about our water resources cannot just sit back and watch; we must act so we do not jeopardize our ability to maintain and enhance food production.

All people involved in these discussions should be conscious of the need to improve water quality without compromising our potential to grow food because the future demands it.

There are several billion people in the world today. There will be another two billion people inhabiting the planet by 2050. Feeding a world of nine billion people makes American agriculture — and the co-equal goals of healthy farms and clean water — all the more important.

Yes, there is more work to do, but we are taking the right steps now, acting with proper deliberation, to ensure that policymakers 30 years from now will not find themselves examining why we have lost our ability to produce food here in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ed Kee is Delaware secretary of agriculture; Joe Bartenfelder is Maryland secretary of agriculture; Russell Redding is Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture; Todd Haymore is Virginia secretary of agriculture and forestry; and Walt Helmick is West Virginia commissioner of agriculture.

The Capital City Farmers Market has a new logo — Meet Me at the Market (Submitted graphic)

DOVER — In an era where farmers markets are growing in popularity across the country, the Downtown Dover Partnership noticed that Kent County was lacking this connection. To remedy this, in 2014 the partnership created the Capital City Farmers Market.

“It came about through the partnership taking it on to have a central location somewhere where people can buy fresh and local produce,” said Tina Bradbury, Capital City Farmers Market manager.

The evolution of the market quickly saw a directional change when it started to veer away from produce availability, however. After noticing this change, the partnership began working to revamp their original dream.

Opening for the season on June 15 at the Loockerman Way Plaza in Dover, the new and improved Capital City Farmers Market won’t be just food — it will also be a site for entertainment, education and collaboration.

“We took a whole new spin on the market,” said Ms. Bradbury.

Vendors of all variations will be available to visitors.

“There’s going to be about 25 vendors,” said Ms. Bradbury.

These vendors will range from local produce farmers to olive oil stands to artisan crafts, allowing visitors to buy ingredients for entire meals all from their own neighborhood.

“We want people to be able to come out and utilize their EBT dollars,” she said, referring to the state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer card. “We’re hoping to grow it into a match program.”

Food trucks will be seen throughout the market on a weekly basis, too.

For the kids, the market will feature the Summer Food Service Program, an initiative developed by United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that low-income children younger than 18 still receive healthy and balanced meals when they are outside of school. As an added bonus, these meals will be free.

“We’re the first farmers market in Delaware to be the site of the Summer Food Service Program,” said Ms. Bradbury. “It’s very exciting.”

Together with the produce vendors and food services, the Capital City Farmers Market has plans to feed both mouths and minds through its weekly educational component.

The first addition to the market, Choose My Plate, is an initiative started by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and aided by the Delaware Food Bank made to help people understand the value of portion control and a balanced meal. Rethink Your Drink, an additional campaign, is targeted at the often over-looked junk drinks.

When paired with the summer food program, the goal is to help children and adults be more aware of what they are putting into their bodies with every meal.

Alongside the nutrition program, visitors will be invited to partake in skin care education through Healthy Delaware, attend couponing classes, preview cooking and meal preparation demos and join a bi-weekly yoga class. Some classes will encourage parents to bring their children so everyone can enjoy the fun.

“We want this to be a place where to come and hang out,” Ms. Bradbury said.

The hope is to benefit all aspects of the community by incorporating different facets of Kent County into the Capital City Farmers Market.

Interfaith Housing, a Delaware program that helps low-income families secure housing, will sell produce and also create meals out of recent leftovers with the help of local farmers. This cooperation helps both the farmers and the vendors, while providing others with healthy choices for meals.

The objective is, ultimately, to lead to an intimate and personal atmosphere that is often missing at large chain stores.

“You’re getting someone local who is making your cupcake, versus going to a store where they’re already packaged,” Ms. Bradbury said. “You can look and see who grows your stuff, unlike in a store, where you don’t know.”

Eventually, Ms. Bradbury hopes the farmers market will inspire others to grow their own produce.

“We want to generate a local community garden. We want those people to use their crops to come and sell at the market, too,” she said.

With many new goals and even more new components, the revamped Capital City Farmers Market is working to provide something for everyone, be it produce, couponing tips, cooking ideas or a lunch menu.

“Our slogan is ‘Meet me at the market,’ ” said Ms. Bradbury. “We want this to be a place where you can just come and hang out, enjoy a lunch.”

The Capital City Farmers Market will be open every Wednesday from June 15 to Sept. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On select Wednesdays, the market will remain open until 8 p.m. for evening entertainment. For more information, visit www.downtowndoverpartnership.com.