
TOGETHER WITH

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. There’s something to be said for enjoying a day before it becomes nostalgic.
Your 302 Rundown:
Fall shopping at Clover Market and Hagley Craft Fair
Stanton Cinemark closes its doors
Newark weighs fireworks cut and double-digit tax hike
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY ABOVE THE CANAL EXPERIENCES
🗓️ Two new Experiences are on the calendar
Above the Canal Experiences has two new events on the calendar, each built around the same idea: give people something enjoyable to do together and create more chances to meet someone new.
🍽️ Oct. 28: North Wilmington Dinner Club matches small groups for dinner at local restaurants. We handle the groupings and restaurant assignments, and you meet your table when you arrive. Registration is $20, with food and drinks purchased separately.
🥢 Nov. 13: Roll With It at Scout Cafe is a hands-on summer roll workshop and Southeast Asian dinner at Scout Cafe. You'll make your own summer roll, enjoy a Cambodian noodle dish, blue mango sticky rice, and a Scout nonalcoholic beverage. Tickets are $75 and include the workshop, dinner, dessert, and drink.
Come solo or bring someone with you.
CANAL QUIZ
📜 A name Delawareans have known for generations
Northern Delaware has plenty of businesses that have been around for generations. But one of these familiar names can trace its history back more than a century. Can you identify it?
Which of these Northern Delaware businesses is approximately 105 years old?
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🦌 Delaware warns drivers of increased deer activity
Source: DNREC
State safety and wildlife officials issued warnings to Delaware drivers about an increase in deer crossing local roadways. The annual mating season brings more active bucks into traffic, particularly during the darker morning and evening commutes.
Data from the Office of Highway Safety showed that nearly half of all deer collisions in the state happen between October and December. State police investigated nearly 2,000 crashes involving deer in 2025, with most occurring around dawn and dusk.
Officials advised motorists to slow down, use high beams when possible, and avoid swerving if an animal appears in the road. Drivers involved in a collision should pull over and contact emergency services.
💵 Federal ACA refund checks go to Delawareans
Source: State of Delaware News
The federal government issued $500 refund checks to Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollees who paid full price for their health insurance. State data indicated about 7,200 Delaware residents met the criteria for the one-time payment.
The refunds apply to individuals who bought their 2026 coverage through the federal marketplace without receiving premium subsidies. The payments were structured per person, meaning a single household could receive multiple checks if more than one member qualified.
Federal officials identified eligible consumers and processed the money automatically. Residents do not need to submit an application or take any action to receive the funds.
IN BUSINESS
🏺 Solid Earth Studio opens in downtown Wilmington
Source: Solid Earth Studio
Solid Earth Studio will celebrate its grand opening Friday, October 23, at 225 N. Market St. in downtown Wilmington. Artist Samara Weaver and her partner, Dave McNeil, opened the pottery studio as a place for people to learn and practice the craft.
The studio has 10 pottery wheels and holds open studio hours throughout the week. It also offers classes for individuals, groups, couples and special occasions, with options for beginners and experienced potters.
The grand opening will give visitors an opportunity to tour the studio, meet the owners and learn more about its classes and open studio hours.
🍿 Stanton Cinemark closes as landlord seeks tenant
Source: Delaware Business Times 🔒 PAYWALLED
The Cinemark Movies 10 theater in Stanton officially closed its doors, leaving a large vacancy in the First State Plaza. The freestanding building is now sitting empty as the property owner searches for a new commercial tenant to take over the space.
SB Real Estate is handling the listing for the former movie theater. The property spans nearly 30,000 square feet and is being advertised to potential businesses at a rate of $22.65 per square foot under a triple-net lease arrangement.
The property managers are actively marketing the site to fill the sizable commercial footprint in the Newport area shopping center.
SPONSORED BY THE NEWARK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Spotlight On: The Newark Symphony Orchestra’s 60th Diamond Season
Did you know a world-class night of music is right in our backyard?
This year, the Newark Symphony Orchestra marks 60 years of live music in New Castle County! Experience the magic with us across three moving performances:
Symphonic Masterworks: October 25, 2026
Requiem for 9/11: November 8, 2026, a powerful orchestral tribute honoring the lives lost and forever changed by 9/11
Family Holiday Concert: December 6, 2026
All three performances will be held at The Independence School.
Join friends and neighbors for an inspiring season of music, connection, and community celebration. Single tickets and discounted season subscriptions are available now!
Reserve your favorite seats early at newarksymphony.org or call (302) 369-3466. We can’t wait to celebrate six decades of music with you!
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
📂 Lawmakers file bill to revise Delaware FOIA rules
Source: Delaware Public Media
State lawmakers filed legislation to revise Delaware's Freedom of Information Act. The bill, introduced by State Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend and State Rep. Cyndie Romer, proposes multiple changes to how the state handles public records requests.
The measure narrows the exemptions law enforcement agencies can use to withhold investigation files, such as police body camera footage. Agencies would also be required to explain the specific harm that would result from denying a records request. Furthermore, the proposal shifts jurisdiction over most records disputes to the Superior Court.
The bill awaits consideration during the next legislative session. Townsend stated he is seeking feedback on the measure before the General Assembly convenes.
📈 Newark weighs double-digit property tax hike
Source: Newark Post
Newark city leaders debated property tax increases to close a $2.3 million budget gap. City Manager Tom Coleman presented multiple options after deferring capital projects and canceling the city's Independence Day fireworks.
One proposal includes a 22% tax hike paired with a homestead exemption, shifting costs from homeowners to commercial and rental properties. Another option is a flat 16% increase, or establishing a minimum tax so all properties pay a base amount. Coleman also proposed an 8% water rate increase for treatment plant upgrades.
Council members remain split on the proposals. The debate will continue when officials review the full 2027 budget on November 16.
🍎 Christina educator wins state teacher award
Source: State of Delaware News
A multilingual learner teacher from the Christina School District was named Delaware's 2027 State Teacher of the Year. Secretary of Education Cindy Marten announced the selection of Dr. Jessica Liu during a ceremony in Dover. Liu teaches at Etta J. Wilson Elementary School.
As the state winner, Liu received a $5,000 grant for her students and $5,000 in personal grants funded by the General Assembly. Nineteen other district and charter honorees each received a $2,000 personal grant.
Liu takes on the role of representing Delaware educators at public events. She also advances as the state candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program.
THE HAPPENINGS
Multiple days
Haunted Trails at Rockwood | Rockwood Park & Museum. A free, family-friendly spooky lighting display along the museum's 1800s trails, featuring an alien surprise. Attendees are advised to wear appropriate shoes for uneven terrain. Saturday and Sunday 7-11 PM.
Boo at the Zoo | Brandywine Zoo. Celebrate Halloween zoo-style with costumes, trick-or-treating, festive photo ops, activities, and visits with the animals. Stop by the Welcome table for an activity guide and vendor passport, and join Zoo Mascot Ringo for costume parades at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Friday through Sunday, 10 AM - 3 PM.
Bonfire Night Events on the Farm | Ramsey's Farm. An evening farm event featuring a picnic grove bonfire, a flashlight corn maze, and an extended hayride through the Brandywine Valley, with s'mores kits available for purchase. Tickets are $15. Ages 4 and up. Friday and Saturday, 6-9 PM.
Don Giovanni | Copeland Hall. A production of Mozart's dark comedy by OperaDelaware, following an infamous seducer who faces supernatural consequences for his actions. Friday, 7:30 PM, Sunday, 2 PM.
Hagley Craft Fair | Hagley Museum and Library. A rain-or-shine marketplace with Mid-Atlantic artisans selling fine arts, crafts, gourmet items, and work in wood, leather, pottery, jewelry, fibers, metal, and other media. Tickets include admission to the du Pont Family home and garden; advance online tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 6-14, with Hagley members and children under 6 free. Saturday, 10 AM - 5 PM, Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Thursday
Third Thursdays on State Street | State Street, Kennett Square. An evening of outdoor dining, extended shopping, and family activities along State Street. Free parking is available in the East Linden Street garage, with street closures between Broad and Center Streets starting at 5 PM. Thursday 5:30-10 PM.
Friday
Emo Night Brooklyn: Halloween Edition | The Queen Wilmington. A late-night DJ dance party in The Crown with emo and pop-punk tracks, moshing, dancing, and Halloween costumes. Doors open at 8 PM. Friday at 8:30 PM.
Saturday
4th Annual Hip Hop Cultural Summit: Art as Activism | Delaware Art Museum. A free Hip Hop summit centered on graffiti, activism, and social change, with Chuck D, Darryl “Cornbread” McCray, DJ sets, dance performances, an MC Battle, panel discussions, book signings, vendors, and a Superheroes for Peace award ceremony. Saturday at 10 AM.
Creepy & Crawly Trivia Night | Brandywine Zoo. A trivia night focused on the animal world's creepy crawlies, featuring drinks, snacks, and up-close encounters with zoo ambassador animals. Tickets are $30 for two or $55 for four. 21+. Saturday 5:30-7:30 PM.
The Traitors' Table: A Dinner of Deception | The Carriage House. An interactive dinner game where attendees are assigned roles to test alliances and uncover deception. The evening includes a multi-course dinner and a cash bar, with country club or themed attire required; tickets are $80 plus a 20% service charge. Saturday at 6 PM.
Sunday
ConCon 2026 | Siegel JCC Delaware. A comedy-focused convention celebrating pop-culture mysteries with an interactive expo featuring artists, vendors, and a tin-foil hat-making station. The event includes a Bigfoot calling championship and concludes with a screening of the mockumentary The Conspiracists followed by a cast Q&A. Sunday at 10 AM.
Clover Market | South Broad Street, Kennett Square. An outdoor fall market featuring nearly 100 vendors selling handmade and vintage goods, alongside food trucks, beer and wine, live music, and kids' crafts. Free. Sunday 10-4 PM.
Del Rock & Roll Society Presents DE Rock & Roll Induction 2026 | The Baby Grand. A ceremony where local musicians are honored and perform as they are inducted into the Delaware Rock and Roll Society's Hall of Fame. Sunday at 2 PM.
Fearless Improv Monthly Show | City Theater Company. CTC's house team builds unscripted improv comedy with audience input; shows run about 70-90 minutes, with concessions available during the performance. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door; youth tickets are $10 plus fees. Sunday at 2 PM.
More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
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FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
66 🌡️ 57 | 🌧️ Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers | 15% | 💨 NE 5 to 10 mph
Friday
79 🌡️ 49 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 62% | 💨 S 5 to 10 mph
Saturday
55 🌡️ 38 | 🌤️ Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny | 33% | 💨 N 15 to 20 mph
Sunday
58 🌡️ 41 | ☀️ Sunny | 2% | 💨 NW 5 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 66ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS
🗓️ Looking for more than the handful of events featured above?
The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.
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