
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Somewhere there's a retired accountant who has become an absolute menace on the pickleball court. We support whatever happened to him.
Your 302 Rundown:
New Delaware law limits what police can tell the public
New coffee and pastry shop opens inside Hotel du Pont
UD offers early retirement incentives to eligible staff
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY ABOVE THE CANAL EXPERIENCES
🥢 Roll your own. Dinner is included.
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.
QUICK POLL
🏡 How much house is enough?
Some people love having a big house with room for everything and everyone. Others would gladly trade a few rooms for fewer chores, lower expenses, and less to worry about. Neither choice is necessarily better, but the responsibilities that come with a home can change how appealing all that extra space feels. We're interested to see which one our readers prefer.
Would you rather have a smaller home with fewer responsibilities or a larger one?
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🏃♀️ Brandywine store hosts global marathon sendoff
Source: DICK'S House of Sport
DICK'S House of Sport Brandywine hosts a sendoff event Saturday for local runner Michelle Ray. Ray plans to participate in the Great World Race, an endurance challenge featuring seven marathons across seven continents in seven days.
The gathering includes activities like rock climbing, golf simulator sessions, and bracelet making. Attendees can also meet Ray and leave messages of support before she begins her international run.
The event runs from 10 AM - 1 PM and highlights Girls on the Run Delaware, one of the nonprofits Ray supports through her races.
🏀 Sixers unveil themed basketball court in Wilmington
Source: Delaware Online
Wilmington residents have a new red, white, and blue basketball court to use at Eastlake Park. The facility at West 30th and Madison streets is the first Philadelphia 76ers-themed court in Delaware.
The 76ers Youth Foundation provided $150,000 for the project, while the city covered the remainder of the $188,000 total cost. The broader park restoration also includes a new playground space and a pickleball court next to the brightly colored basketball area.
City officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the revamped space, followed by a youth basketball clinic. The park is open to visitors from dawn to dusk.
🎓 UD offers staff retirement incentives
Source: Newark Post
The University of Delaware rolled out a voluntary retirement incentive program for staff members who are eligible to retire next year. The program is tied to UD’s work to trim its budget.
The university said the offer is part of an effort to strengthen long-term financial sustainability. Participation is voluntary, and the program applies to eligible staff, not all employees.
🗳️ Delaware issues final reminders for general election
Source: WDEL
The Delaware Department of Elections released final details for the November 3 general election following a busy early voting period. By late Thursday, more than 98,000 residents had cast early ballots across the state, with Sussex County leading the turnout.
On election day, polling places are open from 7 AM - 8 PM. Voters must cast their ballots at their assigned local polling locations, which can be verified through the state voter portal.
Poll workers will ask for identification at check-in, such as a driver's license or a current utility bill. Voters without physical identification can still participate by signing an affidavit once election officers confirm their registration status.
IN BUSINESS
☕ Spark’d opens inside Hotel du Pont
Source: Delaware Business Times
Spark’d Creative Pastry + Coffee opened in the former Lobby Lounge at Wilmington’s Hotel du Pont, adding a glass-enclosed coffee and pastry shop to the landmark hotel.
The shop began in 2019 as an offshoot of the hotel bake shop and now also operates in the lobby while its Market Street location remains open. Its menu includes pastries from executive pastry chef Leah Ferrara, plus the hotel’s longtime almond macaroons.
Hotel owner Buccini Pollin Group has been updating the property since buying it in 2017, including guest rooms, public spaces and dining areas.
⚽️ BPG Sports revamps former Kirkwood Soccer Complex
Source: WDEL
The former Kirkwood Soccer Complex has a new name and an upgraded look under the management of BPG Sports. The newly rebranded Sprinturf Performance Park features five synthetic-turf fields equipped with permanent lighting.
The renovations cost $10 million, with $4 million coming from the Delaware Sports Tourism Investment Fund. To accommodate larger crowds, the facility removed two of its original grass fields to expand parking. Weekend tournament parking now costs $20 a day.
State tourism officials are using the investment fund to attract regional travel-sports tournaments. Moving forward, the state is looking for developers to build large indoor sports facilities for winter events.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
🤖 Congress questions Delaware AI corporation plans
Source: Delaware Public Media
A congressional oversight committee asked Delaware to provide documents regarding its plans to create a new legal structure for artificial intelligence companies. The committee expressed concern that the proposed framework could shield AI companies and their investors from liability for harmful actions.
Delaware drafted legislation to establish a regulatory sandbox, allowing approved entities to experiment with corporations operated by AI for 30 months. Governor Matt Meyer noted the state will review the request.
State lawmakers remain divided on the proposal. While some worry the liability protections could encourage risky behavior, committee members emphasize that the draft includes strict consumer safeguards and is only a temporary trial.
⚖️ New Delaware law limits suspect name releases
Source: WHYY
A new Delaware law restricts police from releasing the names and photographs of suspects charged with felonies. The measure took effect in October and limits disclosure unless it is necessary to protect public safety.
Following guidance from the state attorney general, local departments stopped naming detained suspects in cases ranging from armed robbery to murder. Police leaders across the state pushed back against the restrictions, arguing the policy prevents them from keeping communities informed about local crimes.
State lawmakers plan to revisit the legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes in January to address the limits on felony disclosures.
OPENING ACTS & EXHIBITS
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 Christians | Wilmington Drama League. The Christians follows Pastor Paul as his once-modest church becomes a megachurch and a sermon threatens to shake the foundation of his congregation’s faith. This play explores faith in America and the trouble with changing your mind. Playing November 6 through November 15.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
DOG OF THE WEEK

Make room for Caroline 🐾
If you have a soft spot for big dogs with even bigger hearts, it is time to clear some space on the couch. Caroline is a 5-year-old Rottweiler who loves nothing more than soaking up all the attention her human companions have to offer. She is a large-breed gal with plenty of energy for running around the yard and playing fetch, but she is equally committed to getting as many pets as possible.
As a special bonus, she qualifies for the Pets for Veterans program, meaning any military veteran adopting a 1-year-old or older dog will have their adoption fee completely waived.
Contact the Brandywine Valley SPCA to meet Caroline and see if she is the perfect match for your family.
THE HAPPENINGS
Wednesday
One Alternative (Fundraiser Show for If Not for Music) | Kennett Flash. A fundraiser concert for If Not for Music featuring Jill Haley on oboe and English horn, Dana Allaband on violin, Mark Oppenlander on acoustic guitars, Chico Huff on bass, and Tony Deangelis on drums. Wednesday at 7 PM.
Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years & Beyond | The Queen Wilmington. A seated, career-spanning Cowboy Junkies show, with songs from The Trinity Session through the recent album Such Ferocious Beauty. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Wednesday at 7:30 PM.
Brass Against: Halloween Tour | Elkton Music Hall. Brass Against mixes brass band arrangements, heavy rock, and vocals, with covers of Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Soundgarden, and Black Sabbath alongside original music from five recorded albums. Wednesday at 8 PM.
More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.
Were you there? Share your photos & videos →
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
If you enjoy getting local news and events in one place, a quick Google review is the single best free way to support Above the Canal.
FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Monday
67 🌡️ 45 | 🌥️ Mostly Cloudy | 4% | 💨 SW 0 to 10 mph
Tuesday
72 🌡️ 51 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 S 0 to 10 mph
Wednesday
74 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 3% | 💨 S 5 to 10 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 61ºF. 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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