Winterthur Cancels 2026 Point-to-Point Races

Sorry for the delay. While updating some website settings for future plans, I accidentally threw off our email setup. All fixed now, and I appreciate your patience!

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. A little momentum beats a perfect plan. The weather’s too good for overthinking anyway. Take the walk, skip the errands, and call it a productive weekend if you simply enjoyed it.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Winterthur puts Point-to-Point on hold until 2027

• Live music brings crowds back to Main Street Newark

• Local trainer wins $10K for holistic gym concept

Let’s get to it

COMING SOON

🛒 A new way to shop local this winter

The Above the Canal Marketplace is coming soon. It’ll be a year-round online shop for handmade goods, local food, art, and more from Northern Delaware vendors you know and love.

The response from readers was enthusiastic, so we’re moving full steam ahead. Pre-registration is now open for shoppers and vendors. Vendors get early access to set up their shops. Shoppers get first dibs on launch perks.

Most markets slow down in the colder months, but this one is just getting started.

QUICK POLL

🌬 The first cold morning

The coffee’s hot, your toes are cold, and you’re eyeing the thermostat like it’s a moral test. Have you turned the heat on yet?

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🏇 Winterthur’s Point-to-Point takes a pause

Hold your horses, literally. Winterthur Museum has announced that its famed Point-to-Point steeplechase will skip 2026 as the estate prepares for its 75th anniversary and the nation’s 250th.

The elegant tailgates and hat contests will take a break while Winterthur reimagines its signature fundraiser for 2027 and beyond. In the meantime, a special spring celebration will honor the museum’s 1951 opening and its legacy of preserving Delaware’s countryside.

Fans may miss the thundering hooves, but the break promises something even grander ahead.

🚂 Wilmington & Western to resume excursions this month

The Wilmington & Western Railroad is back on the rails later this month after a months-long shutdown that stirred controversy among staff and volunteers. The nonprofit line, which runs through the Red Clay Valley, will restart its popular fall and holiday excursions from the Prices Corner area west of Wilmington.

Earlier this year, the railroad halted operations, citing maintenance needs, while volunteers called for more transparency from leadership. Repairs are now complete, and limited service will resume as operations gradually ramp back up.

It’s a welcome return for one of northern Delaware’s most recognizable attractions.

🎶 Music meets Main Street: Tunes, art, and energy return to downtown Newark

Main Street came alive last weekend for Music on Main, a brand-new event blending live music, art vendors, and Parents Weekend buzz. It’s also the first step in a partnership between the City of Newark and local organizer Nic DeCaire of Fusion Promotions, who’s on a mission to bring more life (and retail) downtown.

DeCaire plans to host events year-round, from a Halloween movie night at the Reservoir to another Music on Main during UD’s Homecoming. His goal: fill sidewalks, boost business, and remind everyone that Newark’s more than just college bars.

If Saturday’s turnout was any indication, the city’s got its rhythm back.

🍎 Brandywine’s “Dr. D” Wins Top Teaching Honor

A Brandywine School District reading specialist just earned Delaware’s highest classroom honor. Jenna DiEleuterio of Talley Middle School has been named the state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. Known to students as “Dr. D,” she’s spent 15 years helping middle schoolers connect with reading through empathy and curiosity, along with plenty of data-driven strategies.

DiEleuterio leads the district’s MTSS team, designing interventions and mentoring teachers across Brandywine schools. She will now represent Delaware educators statewide, speak to community groups, and compete for the National Teacher of the Year title.

She also receives $10,000 in grants to support her classroom and, no doubt, a standing ovation from every student she has ever inspired.

🍽️ Thanksgiving demand rising fast at Food Bank

The Food Bank of Delaware is bracing for a busy holiday season. With recent SNAP benefit changes, more Delaware families are turning to the Food Bank to keep their tables full. Staff and volunteers are working overtime to prepare thousands of meal boxes ahead of Thanksgiving, and they could use a hand.

If your pantry has a few extra cans or your schedule has an open afternoon, helping out now could make someone’s holiday a little brighter.

IN BUSINESS

💪 Trainer-turned-founder takes home $10K for holistic gym

Walter Sellers just made waves at the New Castle County Chamber’s Swim with the Sharks pitch contest, winning $10,000 and a year in the Emerging Enterprise Center incubator for his business, The Butterfly Effect Studio.
His holistic gym started in his living room five years ago and now serves more than 100 clients in Middletown’s Ashley Plaza. The approach? Whole-person wellness, from stress to meal planning.

Sellers plans to expand into a 20,000-square-foot studio with an infrared sauna, LED light therapy, and two more trainers—then open new locations in Pike Creek and Sussex County.

A fitness business built on science, heart, and local roots? We’ll be watching this one grow.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

⚡ Delaware City data center sparks PR blitz

Starwood Digital Ventures, the developer behind the proposed Project Washington data center, is trying to win over Delawareans with a wave of Facebook ads. The campaign touts the $7 billion facility’s promise of 700 jobs and millions in tax revenue, urging residents to tell lawmakers, “Tired of tax increases? Support Project Washington.”

The six-million-square-foot complex near Delaware City would draw as much power as nearly one million homes, prompting concerns over electric rates and environmental impact. County officials are already weighing new limits on large data centers, with a key vote set for October 21.

Love it or hate it, this project is fast becoming one of Delaware’s biggest energy debates.

🏗️ Five Stories for South Main

Pat’s Pizzeria is out, and apartments are in. Newark City Council just approved Tsionas Management’s plan to replace the long-vacant pizza shop on South Main Street with a five-story, mixed-use building. It’ll include 40 two-bedroom units, 1,600 square feet of retail, and a two-story addition on the neighboring Tsionas complex that adds 16 more apartments.

Council voted 6-1 in favor, despite the planning commission’s earlier thumbs-down on the design. The project will add extra parking, cut traffic from what Pat’s generated, and—bonus—offer smaller one- and two-bedroom options that might attract more than just students.

Not everyone’s sold on the look, but most agree: it beats another year of staring at an empty restaurant.

🧾 Delaware’s reassessment fight heats up

Delaware’s long-awaited property reassessment is hitting new turbulence. Spotlight Delaware reports that after New Castle County’s tax bills doubled for many residents this summer, lawmakers rushed to pass relief measures, allowing schools to shift more of the tax burden onto commercial properties.
Now, landlords and hotel owners are suing to overturn that law, and a judge has fast-tracked the case with a final hearing set for Oct. 20.
With new bills still on hold and more hearings planned in Dover, Delaware’s 40-year reassessment saga is far from over.

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. Posting Thursday due to no Monday issue.

Tuck Everlasting: The Musical – The Everett Theatre. Follow young Winnie Foster as she discovers the mysterious Tuck family and their secret to eternal life in this heartfelt stage adaptation of the beloved novel. Friday–Sunday, October 17–19 and October 24–26 (evening shows at 7:30 PM, matinees at 2 PM). Tickets $22 for adults and $18 for students.

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

THE HAPPENINGS

Multiple Days

Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Experience one of the world’s premier equestrian events as top riders and horses compete in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping at this Olympic-level competition. Beyond the action, enjoy shopping, family fun, and even the popular Maryland Corgi Cup. Thursday–Sunday, October 16–19. Tickets required; kids’ activities and food vendors on site.

Boo at the Zoo – Brandywine Zoo. Enjoy a “merry, not scary” Halloween weekend filled with costumes, treats, and animal fun at this family favorite event. Trick-or-treat through the zoo, join a costume parade with mascot Ringo, and catch the Creature Feature at 11 AM. Friday–Sunday, from 10 AM–3 PM. $8 for non-members, $4 for members, and free for children under 2.

Hayrides, Corn Maze, & Autumn Activities at Ramsey’s Farm – Spend the day picking pumpkins, wandering the corn maze, and enjoying family activities, then stick around for Bonfire Nights with hayrides, a flashlight maze, and s’mores under the stars. Open Fridays 1–5 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM–5 PM, with Bonfire Nights Fridays & Saturdays 6–9 PM.

Hagley Craft Fair – Hagley Museum and Library. Stroll the scenic Hagley grounds and browse one of the region’s most anticipated juried craft fairs, featuring artisans from across the Mid-Atlantic offering fine handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork, textiles, and more. Saturday & Sunday, October 18–19. Admission includes access to the museum’s beautiful fall landscape.

Newark Independent Film Festival: Fright Nights – Chapel Street Players. Settle in for two nights of spine-tingling cinema as the Newark Independent Film Festival returns with Fright Nights. Catch the horror classic The Exorcist on Friday, at 9:15 PM and the sci-fi thriller Mirror Life on Saturday, at 9:15 PM. Screenings take place at Chapel Street Players in Newark.

Friday

Family Movie Night at the Reservoir – Newark Reservoir. Kick off spooky season with a screening of Hocus Pocus 2 under the stars, complete with costumes, blankets, and family fun. Friday, from 6–9 PM. Free to attend, with voluntary donations supporting the Newark Area Welfare Committee’s holiday food drive.

Downtown Elkton Halloween Costume Parade – Main Street, Elkton. Show off your spooky or silly side at Elkton’s annual Halloween parade, followed by trick-or-treating along Main Street. Friday, at 6 PM. Free family fun, with a rain date of October 24.

Folklore Friday: Tales of Mayhem in the Red Clay Valley – Greenbank Mill. Gather ‘round the bonfire as local historian Tommy Gears spins chilling true stories of life, death, and mischief in the Red Clay Valley more than a century ago. Friday, from 7–9 PM. Tickets required; member and non-member rates available.

Hauntings in History – New Castle Historical Society. Step into colonial New Castle’s eerie past on a lantern-lit walking tour filled with ghostly tales, chilling folklore, and true accounts of the unexplained. The evening includes a visit to the haunted Amstel House, home of the mysterious “Lady in Blue.” Friday, with tours at 7:00, 7:30, and 8:30 PM. Reservations recommended.

Halloween Parlor Concert with the Arden Singers – Auburn Heights Mansion. Enjoy a night of hauntingly beautiful music as the Ardensingers perform songs of ghosts, magic, and mystery inside the historic Auburn Heights Mansion. After the show, take a candlelit tour and uncover the mansion’s fascinating past. Friday, at 7 PM. Tickets $15.

Patton Oswalt: Effervescent – The Playhouse at The Grand – Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian Patton Oswalt brings a brand-new hour of sharp, self-deprecating humor and pop culture chaos to Wilmington for one night only. Expect witty reflections on aging, absurdity, and the end times, delivered with Oswalt’s signature mix of heart and hilarity. Friday, at 8 PM.

Saturday

From Muskets to Machine Guns: A Day of Reenactment – Fort DuPont Pavilion. Step back in time as Revolutionary War and World War II reenactors bring history to life with live battle demonstrations, historic encampments, and interactive displays. Saturday, from 9 AM–4 PM. Free admission, with food trucks, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

Heritage Day – Cecil County Farm Museum and Regional Agricultural Center. Experience old-fashioned farm life with apple butter simmering over open fires, hayrides, antique tractors, vintage cars, and hands-on demonstrations of historic equipment. Saturday, from 10 AM–4 PM. Free family fun with plenty of parking.

Fiesta en el Jardín – Mount Cuba Center. Enjoy an afternoon of Mexican culture with live mariachi music, traditional dance, and Día de los Muertos–inspired festivities. Pack a picnic and learn about the symbolism of monarch butterflies while celebrating with Ballet Folklórico México Lindo and Mariachi Arrieros de México. Saturday, from 12–3 PM. Included with general admission and free for members.

Festival of Latin Flavors – Meadow Park, Elkton. Celebrate Hispanic heritage with lively music, traditional dance, authentic cuisine, and community spirit at this annual event hosted by Cecil County LULAC. Saturday, from 12–5 PM. Free and open to all, rain or shine.

Sleep Under the Stars – Carousel Park & Equestrian Center. Pitch a tent for New Castle County’s biggest fall family campout, featuring bonfires, a movie under the stars, a Monster Mash dance party, crafts, hayrides, and tent-to-tent trick-or-treating. Saturday, starting at 12 PM with activities all afternoon and an outdoor screening of Moana 2 at 8 PM. $25 per car; overnight camping optional.

Hops and Harvest – Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Celebrate autumn Oktoberfest-style with craft beer tastings, live polka music, and seasonal fare in the scenic gardens of Winterthur. Enjoy festive décor, tram rides through the landscape, and a special house tour highlighting Pennsylvania German interiors. Saturday, from 2–5 PM. Tickets start at $35, with a rain date of October 19.

Trunk or Treat – New Castle Little League. Bring the family for an evening of Halloween fun with food, games, vendors, and a best decorated trunk contest, followed by a movie on Majors Field. Saturday, with activities starting at 5 PM, trunk or treating at 6 PM, and the movie at 7:30 PM. Free to attend, and vendor spaces are available.

Myq Kaplan: An Evening of Comedy – Arden Gild Hall. Enjoy a night of sharp wit and clever humor with nationally acclaimed comedian Myq Kaplan, known for his appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, and America’s Got Talent. Saturday, October 18 at 8 PM (doors open at 7 PM). Ages 18 and older; tickets $33.99.

Sunday

Clover Market – Kennett Collaborative. Spend the day in historic Kennett Square browsing handmade and vintage goods, enjoying food trucks, live music, and local beer and wine. Families can also enjoy free kids’ crafts and explore the town’s many shops and restaurants. Sunday, October 19 from 10 AM–4 PM. Free to attend and fun for all ages.

Wild Game Over the Flame – Mount Cuba Center. Spend an autumn evening by the campfire learning about local ecology while grilling sustainable wild game and veggies for build-your-own tacos. Enjoy fresh toppings, garden views, and a cash bar during this casual outdoor event. Sunday, from 5–7 PM. Garden admission included; tickets required.

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

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

63 🌡️ 42 | ☀️ Sunny | 2% | 💨

Friday

65 🌡️ 43 | ☀️ Sunny | 1% | 💨

Saturday

69 🌡️ 52 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨

Sunday

76 🌡️ 52 | 🌦️ Scattered Showers | 41% | 💨

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 68ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS

• 🥳 Casual Plans

• 🌽 Farmers Markets

• 🧒 For the Kids

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts

• 🎨 Workshops & Classes

Quick favor? It helps more than you think 🙏

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.

💬 Help us grow. Leave a review

If this newsletter makes your week better, the best way to support it is with a quick Facebook review. It helps more neighbors discover it — and keeps it going strong.

👉 Leave a quick review here: Facebook

APPRECIATE YA!

Appreciate you. Share this with the friend who calls it “sweater weather” the second temps drop below 70.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up
Want your business featured in Above the Canal? Partner with us!
Interested in promoting your music? Feature your band!
Got a live show or event I missed? Just hit reply and let me know!

If Above the Canal adds value to your day, consider supporting it.

Let’s make it official—follow us on Facebook and Instagram!