
TOGETHER WITH
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Some hard choices are coming before Saturday. None of them are wrong.
Your 302 Rundown:
Four festivals, a parade, and live music everywhere
Surf Bagel is coming above the canal
Delaware awards $1.15 million to startups
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY THE ROSAIO TEAM,
CROWN HOMES REAL ESTATE
🌲 Kristen Rosaio Presents: Privacy and Charm in Surrey Park
Set on a quiet, tree-lined lot in Surrey Park, 3223 Coachman Road blends classic North Wilmington charm with thoughtful modern updates. This Cape Cod-style home offers more than 3,700 square feet, with hardwood floors, custom woodwork, and inviting spaces designed for everyday living.
The kitchen features granite countertops, stainless appliances, and an oversized island, while a sunroom overlooks the private backyard and wraparound deck. A first-floor primary suite adds convenience, with three additional upstairs bedrooms offering flexible space for guests, work, or family life.
Outside, mature trees and layered landscaping create a peaceful setting rarely found in neighborhood living. Recent updates include a brand new roof, replacement windows, and updated systems throughout.
View the full listing and photo gallery for 3223 Coachman Road.
CANAL QUIZ
🇺🇸 America turns 250, but New Castle is even older
With all the attention on America’s 250th birthday, it is easy to forget that some Delaware history goes back even further. Historic New Castle is celebrating a huge anniversary this year too, and most people probably would not guess the number.
What anniversary is Historic New Castle celebrating this year?
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🚧 Nighttime repaving on Capitol Trail brings delays
Source: Newark Post
Nighttime repaving work is kicking off on Capitol Trail, bringing potential delays for drivers traveling between Cleveland Avenue and Milltown Road. State crews are upgrading the existing roadway, replacing concrete, and installing new accessibility features along the busy route.
The construction is scheduled to happen overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., depending on the weather. Officials expect the project to cause increased noise and traffic in the surrounding area for the duration of the work.
While the overall paving project will continue in phases through the fall of 2026, the specific construction happening within Newark city limits is expected to wrap up in just a few weeks.
🎣 Delaware updates summer surf fishing reservation rules
Source: DNREC
Summer surf fishing rules are shifting at Delaware state parks this year. Starting Memorial Day weekend, visitors will need weekend and holiday reservations for five popular drive-on beaches, including Gordons Pond and 3R's.
However, the state is dropping the reservation requirement for seven other drive-on locations. Anglers heading to spots like Beach Plum Island or Fenwick Island State Park will only need a valid surf fishing permit to access the sand. Off-peak permit holders are still restricted from weekend and holiday access across all locations.
The reservation window for the restricted beaches opens on May 19. Inventory will be released weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer season.
A NOTE FROM MIKE
Most of Delaware's best local businesses found their audience by showing up where the audience already was. That's this. Advertise above the canal.
IN BUSINESS
🥯 Surf Bagel heads to Christiana this spring
Source: Delaware Live
Surf Bagel is getting ready to open its seventh Delaware location at Churchmans Place Shopping Center on Churchmans Road, near Christiana Hospital. The beach-born bagel chain, founded in Lewes in 2004 by brothers Dave and Tom Vitella, has been working its way north from Sussex County over the past several years.
The new spot will seat customers indoors, offer online ordering, and carry the full breakfast and lunch menu. No outdoor seating is planned. The company is also looking to hire around 30 people for the location.
President Matt Patton said the company aims to add roughly one store per year. A spring opening is expected.
🧠 New mental health center opens in Hockessin
Source: Delaware Business Now
A new mental health treatment facility has officially opened its doors in Hockessin. The Brandywine Center for Mental Health recently launched a dedicated outpatient program located at 668 Yorklyn Road.
The facility offers treatment options at various levels of intensity. Executive director Vincent Fabrizio stated the center was created to provide a comprehensive day program for local residents. This setup is designed for patients who need more daily support than standard individual therapy offers, but who do not require a full inpatient hospital stay.
The new location is now operating and providing specific outpatient mental health services to the surrounding Delaware community.
💼 Nine Delaware businesses land state grants
Source: State of Delaware News
Nine Delaware small businesses just secured a share of $1.15 million in state grant funding. The latest round of EDGE grants was handed out Tuesday evening at Delaware Tech in Georgetown, wrapping up a pitch process that started in early May.
The money is split across two tracks, with five companies taking home entrepreneur awards and four landing STEM grants. Local winners include Wilmington bookstore Huxley & Hiro, Middletown wellness clinic SOMA Skin & Sculpt, and several Wilmington tech startups. The funds will help these founders cover expansion costs, from building out new physical spaces to developing medical software.
To qualify for the program, companies must be less than seven years old and provide a matching investment.
SPONSORED BY CONNOR CREATIVE HOUSE

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Founder Krista Connor believes that when strategy meets creativity and human-centric storytelling, marketing becomes an effective tool to engage with audiences, build brand awareness and ultimately get leads, bookings and sales.
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Go to connorcreativehouse.com to learn more about social media content creation (event, product and on-location sessions), ads and full account management.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
⛺ Wilmington pulls the plug on sanctioned encampment
Source: Spotlight Delaware
Wilmington officials are shutting down the city's only sanctioned homeless encampment at Christina Park. Mayor John Carney notified residents that they will need to vacate the area by June 15.
The closure comes just one month after the city spent nearly $60,000 to install new tents and wooden pallets at the site. The encampment initiative recently faced pushback over city mandates and a lack of promised services. Officials noted that the setup was always intended to be temporary and that neighbors requested the park be returned to its original state.
Camping overnight in Wilmington parks remains prohibited. City officials are currently discussing shelter options with state agencies and exploring potential sites for a future tiny home community.
🏠 Newark moves to legalize owner-occupied Airbnbs
Source: Newark Post
Newark City Council is preparing to soften its stance on short-term rentals. Officials are looking to legalize platforms like Airbnb for residents who want to rent out spare rooms or basements.
Under the proposed changes, property owners can host guests as long as they are physically present during the stay. Renting out an entire house or apartment for short periods will remain illegal. This approach rejects a recent planning commission recommendation that sought a total ban.
City planners will now draft an ordinance outlining the new rules. The final proposal will likely include a licensing requirement and a lodging tax, with a council vote expected in the coming months.
A NOTE FROM MIKE
Support the newsletter directly: When you go ad-free, you fund Above the Canal without a middleman. Mike appreciates it. Your inbox appreciates it. Join the ad-free tier.
THE HAPPENINGS
Multiple Days
Brandywine Spring Festival of the Arts at Siegel JCC Delaware. Six decades of local art spill across an outdoor campus, with original paintings, ceramics, jewelry, food trucks, live entertainment, and hands-on projects for every age, all in a pet-friendly setting. Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM.
Friday
Twilight on the Terrace at Mt. Cuba Center. Delaware Division of Arts fellow and award-winning singer-songwriter Lori Citro performs her Carole King tribute on the terrace, with evening garden access and free tours included in the $20 ticket. Pack a picnic or grab food-truck fare, beer, and wine while settling in on the lawn with chairs or blankets. Friday at 5-8 PM.
Saturday
Field & Fête: Celebrating 75 Years at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Pack a picnic and enjoy live music by The Unforgettable Big Band, vintage car displays, and guided garden walks. Explore the scenic beauty of Winterthur while savoring upscale bites and signature cocktails. Saturday at 10 AM - 4 PM.
A Day in Old New Castle at Newcastle Historical Society. America's longest-running house-and-garden tour lands on a milestone year, with New Castle marking the 250th anniversary of Delaware and the U.S. alongside its own 375th birthday. Expect Revolutionary War reenactors, live music, family-friendly activities, artisan markets, and ticketed tours of historic homes and gardens. Saturday at 10 AM - 4 PM.
Bellefonte Arts Festival at 800 Block of Brandywine Blvd. This long-running street festival brings together 56 art vendors, live music, food trucks, and a beer tent for a full day of visual, performance, and culinary arts in a close-knit Delaware neighborhood. Admission is free. Saturday at 10 AM - 5 PM.
GILROD Springfest 2026 at Trolley Square. More than a dozen bands will take over Trolley Square for an afternoon of live music. Wander through the neighborhood to catch a steady lineup of back-to-back sets. Saturday at 11:30 AM.
Wilmington Street Food Festival at Wilmington Riverfront. Over 25 local food trucks and restaurants serve up global bites, all priced at $5 or less per item, alongside live entertainment, axe throwing, a breakdancing show, a kids fun zone, and eating challenges benefiting the Trauma Survivors Foundation. VIP access starts at 12 PM, with general admission running 1-7 PM on Saturday.
Sunday
Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade at UD Green. Honor the fallen and celebrate community spirit with a heartfelt parade and ceremony. Expect stirring speeches, patriotic music, and a community gathering to remember those who served. Sunday at 1:30 PM.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
A NOTE FROM MIKE
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FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
66 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny | 24% | 💨 NW 5 to 15 mph
Friday
72 🌡️ 54 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 NW 10 mph
Saturday
82 🌡️ 62 | ☀️ Sunny | 3% | 💨 SW 0 to 10 mph
Sunday
84 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 12% | 💨 W 5 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 57ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS
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