New Beer Garden Opens In Wilmington

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Sam’s KIDS is celebrating a decade of keeping Delaware kids warm with its 10th Annual Camping Out for Coats, presented by the WSFS Cares Foundation on Saturday, November 14, at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington!

This year, one of Delaware’s coldest fundraisers is heading to the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium for an overnight camping experience, bringing together families, friends, businesses, and community leaders for a great cause. Participants will trade the comfort of home for a night under the stars, complete with camping, fireside chats, live music, activities, yard games, and plenty of community spirit.

Since 2017, Sam’s KIDS has provided more than 17,000 brand-new winter coats to elementary school children across Delaware through its partnership with Operation Warm. Camping for Coats continues that mission, ensuring more children have the warmth, confidence, and comfort they deserve.

Whether camping overnight, attending the camp kick-off party, or donating, everyone can help give the gift of warmth at campingforcoats.com

Community Spotlights are unpaid features highlighting local people, events, and organizations.

Delaware has a rather unusual obsession with low-number license plates. Some drivers are willing to spend more on the registration number than most people spend on the vehicle itself. One particular plate fetched an astonishing amount at auction. See how close you can get to the record.

Source: Delaware Online

Investigators could not pin down what sparked the fire that gutted Mother African Union Church on Franklin Street in Wilmington. City, state, federal and insurance investigators all reviewed the blaze, but no exact cause was determined.

The May fire destroyed the historic church building, which had served as the congregation’s headquarters since 1969. The congregation itself dates back to the 19th century.

Source: Delaware Business Now

Delaware’s housing market took a slower turn in September, with fewer homes sold and fewer new listings than a year earlier. Statewide, 1,137 homes sold, down 3%, while new listings slipped 1% to 1,625.

Prices kept moving up. The median listed price rose to $425,817, and the median sold price climbed to $395,983, while active inventory grew 12% to 4,908 homes.

The market also took its time. Pending sales dropped 23% to 725, and homes averaged 48.3 days on the market, up from 42.3 days in September 2025.

Source: Delaware Business Times

Delaware rolled out a joint inspection pilot program to consolidate the application and pre-opening inspection process for new small businesses. The initiative, led by the Office of Small Business Access, coordinates requirements across multiple state agencies.

New business owners can opt into the pilot when registering through Delaware One Stop. The system uses a centralized platform to identify necessary permits and alert agency liaisons, allowing departments like transportation, public health, and environmental control to coordinate their reviews.

The program is available to unopened retail stores, restaurants, salons, and other small-footprint businesses that need state applications. Owners must create a state account to participate.

Source: Delaware Public Media

ChristianaCare faced pushback from southern Delaware health systems over its proposed expansion into Camden and Georgetown. Bayhealth, TidalHealth, and Beebe Healthcare voiced opposition to the $117 million project during a state board meeting.

The planned campuses would feature small hospitals with emergency and inpatient beds alongside outpatient care. Competitors argued the high-cost emergency beds were unnecessary for the region. In response, ChristianaCare pointed to rapid population growth and long emergency room wait times in Kent and Sussex counties.

The state board did not make a final decision on the proposal. The panel expects to revisit the plans at a meeting in mid-November.

Source: Out & About Magazine

Wilmington’s new Hartmann & Fehrenbach Brew House & Beer Garden opened at 115 Innovation Blvd. on the CRISP Campus, with a nod to a city brewery that started pouring in the 1860s. The spot featured an open-air garden, communal seating and a central hearth.

The menu leaned Bavarian, with giant pretzels, smoked beer cheese, IPA-brined wings, bratwurst and burgers, plus draft beer, flights, cocktails and wine.

Also in the local food mix, Plate & Social opened at 504 Greenhill Ave. with comfort-food twists, while Krazy Kat’s, Coterie, Spark’d and Wilmington Brew Works each had fresh kitchen or menu updates.

Source: WDEL

A new Claymont to Philadelphia transportation service moved closer to launch at the Harris B. McDowell III Transportation Center, where founder Tony Benson joined county and business leaders for a ribbon-cutting.

The Claymont-PHL Connector was designed to start with shuttle rides to Philadelphia International Airport, using smaller buses, 31-seat vehicles or full-size coaches depending on demand and destination. Benson said airport service may cost about $30 one way or $50 round trip, and the setup could include fixed schedules plus a rideshare-style option.

The service already has a designated pickup and drop-off spot at the Claymont center, with possible later routes to other Philadelphia stops and sports events.

Try something different for your next night out. On Friday, November 13, from 6–8 p.m., join us at Scout Cafe for a hands-on summer roll workshop and Southeast Asian dinner hosted by Happiness Is Homemade.

You’ll assemble summer rolls with a selection of fillings, with an instructor nearby to help. The planned menu also includes a prepared Cambodian noodle dish, blue mango sticky rice, and a Scout nonalcoholic beverage.

Bring your curiosity and come on your own or with a friend. You’ll have a shared activity to get the conversation started and dinner to keep it going.

$75 includes the workshop, dinner, dessert, and drink. Seats are limited.

Book your seat →

Source: Delaware Public Media

The Delaware Opioid Settlement Commission awarded over $12 million in grants to 42 organizations across the state. The distribution marked the fourth round of funding aimed at supporting opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.

The commission used a tiered funding model to balance the money across grassroots efforts and major clinical programs. Eight micro grants provided up to $10,000 to smaller groups, 10 mini grants provide between $10,000 and $30,000, and 24 general grants awarded $30,000 or more to established organizations.

About half of the selected organizations were new awardees. State officials focused on spreading the funds evenly across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties to ensure statewide coverage.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings filed a lawsuit against firearm manufacturer Glock in the Court of Chancery. The state alleged the company designs its handguns so they can be easily modified into fully automatic weapons.

The complaint focused on a small, inexpensive aftermarket part known as a Glock switch. State officials argued this piece attaches to the back of a standard Glock handgun, allowing it to fire continuously with a single trigger pull. The lawsuit asked the court to block the company from selling handguns to civilians in Delaware.

The legal action relied on a 2022 state law holding firearm manufacturers liable for endangering public safety. A judge has been assigned, but a preliminary hearing has not been scheduled.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

The Wilmington City Council appealed a Chancery Court decision to the Delaware Supreme Court to unseat Councilman James Spadola. Council President Ernest Congo filed the appeal after a judge ruled the council misused its authority by trying to declare Spadola's seat vacant.

The dispute began when Spadola switched his registration from Republican to Democrat, giving Democrats all 13 council seats. Members argued the move violated a city charter rule reserving one at-large seat for a minority party member. The legal battle has cost the city over $207,000 in attorney fees.

The state Supreme Court denied a request to expedite the proceedings. An opening brief is due November 30, and the case is expected to stretch into the new year.

Source: WDEL

The Red Clay School District revived a paused plan to convert McKean High School into a career-based innovation center. District officials outlined the proposal at a town hall, detailing how the student body would be split between A.I. duPont and John Dickinson high schools.

Administrators said the move would address shifting enrollment numbers, including a sharp drop at A.I. duPont. Under the proposal, current students could finish their education at McKean, though officials noted that extracurricular activities would likely face reductions as the population shrinks.

The district scheduled community meetings over the next two months. Officials plan to seek school board approval in December, which would put the new center on track to open in August 2028.

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Paranormal Tour at the Queen | The Queen Wilmington. A private tour of the historic theater led by the Cecil Paranormal Group, where attendees use investigative equipment to explore areas typically reserved for employees. Doors open at 7 PM. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 PM.

Bonfire Night Events on the Farm | Ramsey's Farm. A fall evening featuring bonfires in the picnic grove, a flashlight corn maze, an extended hayride, and a combine-slide playground, with s'mores kits available for purchase. Tickets are $15. Ages 4 and up. Friday 6-9 PM.

Boo Bash at Milburn's (Ages 21+) | Milburn Orchards. A Halloween party featuring a costume contest, wagon rides, and a corn maze, with local hard cider, beer, and food available for purchase. Online tickets required. 21+. Thursday at 6 PM.

Deanna Fitzpatrick - Psychic Medium | The Candlelight Theatre. A session with professional psychic medium Deanna Fitzpatrick, who specializes in communicating with spirits to offer audience members closure and healing. Refreshments and a cash bar are available before the 7 PM start. Friday at 6 PM.

Ladybug Dark Bloom Music Festival | Trolley Square. Celebrate Halloween at the inaugural Ladybug Dark Bloom Music Festival, a free afternoon of women-led live music, local art, creative vendors, seasonal installations, and community in Wilmington’s Trolley Square. Inspired by autumn, Día de los Muertos, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, this festival invites guests to explore, discover, and help bring a new Wilmington tradition to life. Saturday 12-6 PM

Ghosts in the Garden - A Haunted Halloween Rave Event | Secret Location. FOMO:DE brings a haunted Halloween rave to a secret Wilmington location, with ticket holders receiving the exact address the day of the event. Ghost, spirit, or ghost-like attire is required for this 21+ night of dancing. Saturday 7-10 PM.

Emo Night Halloween Party ft. DJ Party Poison | Elkton Music Hall. An emo-themed Halloween party with DJ Party Poison playing throwbacks and singalongs from bands like My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, and Paramore. Costumes and vintage band shirts are welcome. 21+. Saturday at 8 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

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

Thursday

71 🌡️ 54 | 🌤️ Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny | 1% | 💨 SW 0 to 5 mph

Friday

73 🌡️ 45 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 W 5 to 15 mph

Saturday

64 🌡️ 46 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 N 10 mph

Sunday

67 🌡️ 48 | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 2% | 💨 SE 0 to 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 61ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.

Submit an event →

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