Summer Nights Are Back At Hagley

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. If you’ve been reading for a while, you may not know that newer subscribers get a short questionnaire when they sign up. It’s helped me build a much clearer picture of the Above the Canal community.

Nearly 8,500 readers have completed the survey so far, including more than 5,000 who answered the final write-in question: What’s your favorite restaurant?

The current leaders out of 1,124 restaurants submitted:

🥇 Texas Roadhouse
🥈 Kid Shelleen’s
🥉 Harry’s Savoy Grill

I’ll share the full rankings in the coming weeks. First, I’d like to give longtime readers a chance to weigh in too.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Registration closes today at 6:30 PM for the Dinner Club in Newark on Wednesday, June 3.

If you’ve been looking for an easy way to meet new people or expand your circle, this is your last chance to join us. You’ll be matched into a small dinner table of six at one of several restaurants in and around Newark. We handle the reservations and table groupings. You show up, meet the people at your table, and have dinner.

Most guests attend solo, though you’re welcome to come with a friend.

🎟️ $20 per person
🍽️ Food and drinks purchased separately

Registration closes today at 6:30 PM.

Reserve your seat

Source: Newark Post

Newark officials are moving the city’s automated speed enforcement camera from Hillside Road to Capitol Trail. The device will monitor eastbound traffic heading out of the city between Cleveland Avenue and the city limits.

Drivers caught going at least 11 miles per hour over the 35 mph speed limit will face fines starting at $31. These citations are civil penalties, meaning they do not add points to a license or affect insurance rates.

The system will issue warnings for the first 30 days before mailing actual tickets. Newark has one camera, which will eventually rotate between 15 approved locations across the city.

Source: Delaware Business Times

With a growing senior population, more Delaware residents are exploring sustainable end-of-life options. People are increasingly moving away from traditional cremation and embalming, favoring alternatives like green burials, water cremation, and human composting.

State lawmakers recently legalized natural organic reduction, commonly known as human composting, along with medical aid in dying. Despite these changes, many alternative services remain tough to find locally. Some residents are currently traveling to places like Philadelphia to use active conservation cemeteries.

Local funeral planners are encouraging residents to outline their final wishes early. Planners are also asking lawmakers to expand the availability of sustainable burial options within the state.

Source: WDEL

ChristianaCare is days away from opening a neighborhood hospital in Aston, Pennsylvania, at 700 Turner Industrial Way. The facility will run a 24/7 emergency department and offer inpatient care, imaging, lab services, and virtual specialty consultations. The opening follows a final inspection by Pennsylvania health officials.

The Aston location is built to handle around 15,000 patients a year, covering emergencies like falls, heart attacks, and strokes. A second-floor outpatient health center is slated to open in fall 2026.

ChristianaCare also has campuses planned for Springfield and Camden, Delaware, plus a new rehab facility near Newark and a recently announced pediatric partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Source: Newark Post

A software tool built at ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute on Ogletown-Stanton Road has picked up more than 5,000 registered users across the country. DECODR, short for Deconvolution of Complex DNA Repair, was developed starting in 2019 with help from Rohan Kanchana, then a junior at Newark Charter School.

The program works alongside CRISPR gene-splicing technology, cutting analysis time from roughly 40 minutes down to six to eight seconds per result. Kanchana returned to Delaware after graduating from MIT and now serves as chief software engineer at DECODR, Inc.

The tool is not yet approved for patient use, but researchers at ChristianaCare are using it to validate findings and flag potential risks in gene-editing work.

Source: Delaware Business Now

Avelo Airlines just hit a new passenger milestone at Wilmington Airport. A Newark couple returning from Orlando stepped off their flight on Friday and were surprised as the carrier's one millionth customers.

The couple received a travel voucher for four round trip tickets. Avelo has flown out of the Delaware airport since February 2023. Since then, the airline has carried double the number of passengers through the facility than all other commercial airlines combined since the era of deregulation.

The airport recently opened a ten million dollar terminal expansion to handle the extra traffic. Officials are now planning to upgrade the remote parking lot and add a second security screening lane.

Scout Cafe is hosting its first-ever Scout & Seek Market on Saturday, June 20, a one-day vintage and flea market featuring curated finds from local collectors, thrifters, and makers. Expect vintage home goods, records, art, retro décor, handmade pieces, and plenty of unexpected finds.

The market runs from 9 AM to 3 PM, with food and coffee available while you browse.

Source: Delaware Online 🔒 PAYWALLED

Delaware City Refining Company reported an oil spill into the Delaware River on the morning of May 26. Refinery personnel spotted a sheen near Dock 3 following the transfer of oil to a marine vessel.

State environmental regulators traced the continuous leak to a supply pipeline running from the land to the loading rack. The spilled material was identified as reformates, which are gasoline blending stocks. The state report did not include an estimated quantity of the spilled material.

The refinery response team established containment to stop the spread and began cleanup efforts. Investigators did not categorize the incident as extremely hazardous, and no immediate impacts were recorded.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

The New Castle County Council passed a nearly $400 million operating budget on Tuesday that includes a 17% property tax increase. The measure passed in an 11 to 2 vote after more than a dozen residents voiced opposition during public comment.

For the median homeowner, the change adds about $102 to their annual tax bill. The budget also includes a 5% increase in sewer consumption rates, cuts to library budgets, and reductions in land preservation funding to help close a $42 million deficit.

The new rates and budget adjustments will take effect when the fiscal year begins on July 1.

Source: State of Delaware News

Delaware recently awarded over $700,000 in grants to local farmers, independent grocery retailers, and food banks. The funding comes from the Delaware Grocery Initiative to support the local food supply chain and expand access to fresh produce.

Officials distributed the money among 28 different organizations, with individual awards ranging from $12,000 to $65,000. Unlike previous funding cycles that favored New Castle County, this round saw the grants spread evenly across all three counties.

The selected groups will use the funds for cold storage expansion, equipment purchases, farm infrastructure, and community programs. All funded projects must be completed by the end of 2026.

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 Calamari Sisters' Sausagefest at Delaware Theatre Company. Grab your friends for a laugh-out-loud culinary comedy as Delphine and Carmela bring a high-energy mix of singing, dancing, and cheeky humor to the stage, serving up outrageous kitchen mishaps alongside their famous family recipes during this interactive theatrical production. Playing through June 14.

Meredith Willson's the Music Man at The Playhouse. Watch a fast-talking traveling salesman attempt to con the citizens of River City in this family-friendly, Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Attendees will enjoy classic show tunes like "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "Trouble" as the local librarian steals his heart and foils his plot. Runs June 5 through June 7.

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

Meet Hector, the three-year-old Alaskan Husky with a heart as big as his paws. This handsome fellow sports a stunning white coat that would make any snowbank jealous. Hector's journey to find a new home began when his previous owner could no longer care for him. Despite the change, he's kept his spirits high and is ready to bring joy and companionship to a new family. Known for his friendly demeanor, Hector is the kind of dog who'll greet you with a wagging tail and a hopeful gaze.

Hector is looking for a home where he can share his love and maybe even teach you a thing or two about the art of relaxation. He's a low-key guy who enjoys a good romp in the yard followed by a cozy nap. If you're a military veteran, here's some good news: Hector qualifies for the Pets for Veterans program, meaning there's no adoption fee for you.

Head to Brandywine Valley SPCA at 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle to meet Hector and see if he's the missing piece to your family puzzle.

Robert Earl Keen - Then & Now w/ Guest Coleman Jennings at Elkton Music Hall. Fans of Texas-style Americana can catch a legendary singer-songwriter known for his sharp wit and narrative-driven tracks. The night begins with a guitar-heavy opening set by Coleman Jennings before moving into a career-spanning performance of classic hits and fresh material. Tuesday at 8 PM.

Summer Nights at Hagley at Hagley Museum and Library. This dog-friendly outdoor gathering offers a relaxing stroll along the Brandywine River. Guests can pack a picnic or grab a bite from local food trucks, with Dogfish Head craft beer and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream available for purchase. General admission is $5, and the scenic paths are open for walking, biking, or simply unwinding. Wednesday at 5-8 PM.

Free Summer Concert Series: Keynote Jazz Singers at Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. Pack a picnic and bring a lawn chair for a community-focused, open-air evening of live music, as this well-known vocal ensemble delivers classic jazz standards, smooth melodies, and upbeat harmonies. Wednesday at 5:30 PM.

Musiq Soulchild at Longwood Gardens. This 13-time Grammy-nominated artist brings his smooth R&B vocals to the Open Air Theatre, drawing on the classic sounds of legends like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Tickets include all-day access to the grounds, allowing attendees to explore the gardens before settling in to hear his raw vocal talent live. Wednesday at 7:30 PM.

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

Monday

78 🌡️ 52 | ☀️ Sunny | 5% | 💨 NE 0 to 5 mph

Tuesday

76 🌡️ 56 | ☀️ Sunny | 4% | 💨 N 0 to 5 mph

Wednesday

81 🌡️ 58 | ☀️ Sunny | 1% | 💨 N 0 to 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 62ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

Submit an event →

We’ve been getting a lot of love lately (thank you!). But here’s a little behind-the-scenes truth: when you click on things in this newsletter—links, polls, even the little “Read more” button—it tells the internet powers-that-be that Above the Canal is something people care about.

So if you like what you’re reading, tap below and let us know. It’s a small gesture that helps this whole local thing keep growing.

Appreciate you. Send this to whoever is already keeping an informal list of neighborhood eyesores.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up
If Above the Canal adds value to your day, consider supporting it.
Let’s make it official—follow us on Facebook and Instagram.