Lefty's Bowling Alley Opens July 9 in Newark

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. 80s all week. That's not a typo. Eat dinner outside, roll the windows down, and let the week do its thing.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

May 16, 2026 | 10:00 am–4:00 pm 

Pack your prettiest picnic and step into the timeless charm of a country-estate garden party inspired by H. F. du Pont’s love of entertaining outdoors.   

Enjoy your own beautifully packed picnic or indulge in seasonal offerings from our curated mobile vendors. Then settle in amid the scenic open fields alongside Azalea Woods for a joyful day soundtracked by the Unforgettable Big Band performing favorites from across the decades. 

Adding to the charm, an old-school procession of vintage Rolls-Royces, 1950s automobiles, Winterthur farm tractors, marching bands, and bagpipers will parade through the garden in a spirited nod to Winterthur’s heritage. Guided garden tours will be available. 

Come celebrate the season—and 75 years of Winterthur—with a gathering that blends nostalgia, style, relaxed elegance, and the simple magic of celebrating outdoors.  

Tickets and more information at winterthur.org/field-and-fete

Some debates never go away; they just live quietly in the background. This is one of them. Once you notice it, you cannot unsee it. Let’s hear it.

John and Deb Bello recently retired from the Newark Public Works Department after a combined 77 years of service. The couple first met and began dating in the late 1980s while working together on a city leaf vacuuming truck.

Over four decades, Deb operated as the only female field employee in the department, while John transitioned to driving a mini street-sweeper along Main Street. During their tenure, the pair handled everything from plowing snow and filling potholes to rescuing trapped ducklings and assisting a stranded college student on a freezing morning.

The couple now plans to travel to Florida to spend time with their grandchildren and adjust to a slower pace of life away from the maintenance yard.

Construction Coverage has rolled out its 2026 report on the hottest real estate markets in the U.S. Despite a national slowdown, some areas are still seeing strong demand. Delaware's market is among those highlighted, showing resilience in the face of broader trends.

Home sales across the country have dipped by 8.3% year-over-year, and price growth has slowed. Yet, Delaware seems to be bucking the trend, maintaining a robust market demand. This could be of interest to potential buyers and investors eyeing the area.

As the real estate climate continues to shift, it will be interesting to see how Delaware's market evolves. For now, it remains a hot spot, standing out amid a cooling national landscape.

Sprouts Farmers Market is on track to open a new location in Bear by July. The Phoenix-based grocer will set up shop in a newly constructed 23,500-square-foot building along Route 7.

The store will be part of a large mixed-use development by Reybold Group that includes a hotel, townhouses, office buildings, retail space and a child care center. It marks another addition to the growing stretch of Route 7 in the Bear area.

A spokesperson for Sprouts confirmed the July timeline, though no specific opening date has been announced yet.

Lefty's Alley & Eats, the bowling and entertainment center taking shape in The Grove at Newark, has set a July 9 opening date. The 41,000-square-foot facility occupies roughly half of the former Kmart in the shopping center previously known as College Square, with indoor pickleball club The Picklr next door.

The lineup includes 16 lanes of traditional bowling, four lanes of duckpin bowling, axe throwing, Topgolf simulators, Krazy Darts, a 6,000-square-foot arcade and a small live entertainment stage. A full restaurant with an outdoor patio and four rentable event spaces rounds out the operation. Owner DJ Hill opened the original Lefty's in Lewes back in 2016.

The company is hiring dozens of employees and holding on-site hiring events in May and June, with a walk-in hiring office open daily.

Delaware's January unemployment rate landed at 5.4%, tying with California for the second highest in the country. Only the District of Columbia, where federal layoffs have hit hard, posted a worse number. The national average sat at 4.3%.

The state's rate climbed in part because more people re-entered the workforce and started looking for jobs. Hospitality took the biggest hit over the past year amid a wave of restaurant closings, while construction and health care showed gains. Revised 2025 figures added roughly 3,100 more unemployed Delawareans after the state Department of Labor swapped earlier estimates for actual payroll data.

Total nonfarm employment in Delaware inched up slightly to 495,300 in January from 494,800 in December.

Looking for a peaceful way to unwind after a busy day? At Mind Body Spirit DE in Wilmington, crystal singing bowl sound baths offer a deeply relaxing experience for both the body and mind.

During a sound bath, participants simply sit or lie comfortably while the soothing tones of crystal singing bowls fill the room. The gentle vibrations help many people feel calmer, more centered, and mentally refreshed.

These gatherings create a quiet space away from the noise of everyday life, a chance to slow down, breathe, and reset.

Events are held in small groups at the Mind Body Spirit Healing Room in Wilmington.

Learn more at mindbodyspiritde.com.

In a report from Spotlight Delaware, the potential for a data center boom in Delaware has many looking south to Northern Virginia for lessons. Loudoun County, Virginia, is home to 200 data centers, the largest concentration in the U.S., and has reaped significant economic benefits. However, the environmental impact and quality of life changes have sparked debates among residents.

Buddy Rizer, Loudoun's economic development coordinator, highlighted the area's transformation thanks to the tech influx, while local environmentalists pointed out issues like noise and pollution. Delaware is considering similar developments, but no projects have yet secured complete approval.

As Delaware weighs its options, some wonder if the state can replicate Loudoun's financial success without the same scale of development. With five potential projects in New Castle County, the debate continues over whether data centers are the right path forward.

The Newark History Museum recently finished a $600,000 restoration of its 1877 train station home. City officials and the Newark Historical Society held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday to mark the completion of the project.

The city considered selling the property in 2022 due to mounting repair costs, but state funding ultimately covered the renovations. Nearly half the budget went toward custom, energy-efficient windows designed to exactly match the original Gothic revival architecture. Contractors also installed a new roof, upgraded the electrical systems, and repaired interior plaster.

Historical society volunteers will begin moving artifacts out of storage next month to craft new exhibits. The museum is expected to reopen to the public later this year or next spring.

The Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation is kicking off a search for developers to build a new neighborhood in Delaware City. Officials are looking to transform a nearly 16-acre site known as South Field into a walkable community focused on missing middle housing.

Instead of a standard bidding process, the group is using a two-step approach. Developers will first go through a prequalification round before three to five selected teams advance to a paid design competition. The final plans must include a mix of housing types like duplexes and townhomes, along with options affordable to households earning near the area median income.

The property presents some hurdles, including floodplain constraints and federal land-use restrictions. The prequalification phase opens in this month, with a final developer selection expected by that September.

Delaware State Parks tapped two new superintendents: Sean Cain at Cape Henlopen and Jackie Kook at Alapocas and Wilmington state parks. Both appointments were announced by DNREC, which oversees more than 26,000 acres across 17 state parks.

Cain moved up from assistant superintendent at Cape Henlopen, where he's worked since 2022. He started with Delaware State Parks back in 2018 as a seasonal worker at Lums Pond before joining Cape Henlopen as a campground supervisor. He left briefly to manage a campground in Pennsylvania, then returned. He holds two bachelor's degrees from Frostburg State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Parks and Recreation Management.

The appointments come as Delaware State Parks marks its 75th anniversary in 2026, a milestone stretching back to the system's founding in 1951 with just three parks.

Wilmington's plan to relocate unhoused residents into city-issued tents at Christina Park has faced another setback due to protests, Spotlight Delaware reports. Demonstrators have raised safety concerns about the materials used for the tent pallets and the mandate requiring residents to move into these tents.

In response to the protests, city officials brought in more durable tents and tarps. Despite these efforts, tensions remain high as some residents continue to oppose the city's plan, preferring to stay in their own tents. The city has spent significant funds on constructing pallets and acquiring tents, aiming to create a more organized space within the park.

The city plans to continue with its initiative while addressing safety concerns. Meanwhile, some residents appreciate the new tents, while others remain resistant to moving from their chosen spots in the park.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

The Chequerboard Watch at Delaware Theatre Company. Set during the high-stakes clipper ship era of the 1850s, this gripping new musical follows a captain and crew pushed to their limits as ambition, danger, and loyalty collide on a race across the sea. Playing April 15–May 3.

Radium Girls at The Gibby Stage. Based on a true story, this gripping drama follows a factory worker’s fight for justice as mysterious illnesses spread among women painting glowing watch dials in the 1920s. Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 PM. $20 adults, $16 students.

Children’s Letters to God at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. A heartfelt and often funny musical revue that brings childhood questions and wishes to life through catchy songs and touching moments, exploring everything from family dynamics to life’s big unknowns. Playing April 17–26. All seats $15.

First State Ballet presents Giselle at The Grand Opera House. A haunting and romantic ballet classic, this timeless tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness unfolds with ethereal beauty as spirits rise and hearts are tested beyond the grave. Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets $25–$67.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

Meet Wonder, the gentle giant with a name that suits him perfectly. At three years old, this large mixed breed is as handsome as they come, with a heart as big as his paws. He's got a calm demeanor that makes him an instant hit with both humans and other dogs, especially those who share his laid-back vibe. Recently, he even charmed a group of small children by sitting patiently and soaking up all the love and attention they could give.

Wonder's not just a pretty face. He's smart and friendly too, making him the kind of dog who fits right into family life. If you're looking for a loyal companion who knows how to keep it cool, Wonder might just be your new best friend.

Ready to meet this marvel? Visit Wonder at the Brandywine Valley SPCA, 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle, DE 19720.

Looking to bring a food truck to your neighborhood? Uncle John’s BBQ has a few weekday evening openings for local communities right now. Perfect for HOA events, family nights, or an easy midweek dinner that gets everyone outside. They handle the food, you bring the neighbors. Call or text 302-743-9737 to get on the schedule and lock in a date. *

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

Monday

80 🌡️ 60 | 🌧️ Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers | 16% | 💨 SW 10 to 15 mph

Tuesday

86 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 9% | 💨 SW 0 to 10 mph

Wednesday

89 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 9% | 💨 SW 0 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 49ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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