Find Your Holiday Spirit
Have a little fun while perusing this issue and discovering the many holiday happenings in Greater Wilmington. We’ve hidden toy soldiers on four pages in this issue (this page doesn’t count). Tell us what four pages we’ve hidden the soldiers and you could win free lunch. Email your answers to Contact@TSNPub.com with the subject line: I Found The Toy Soldiers! Three winners will be selected from those who answer correctly by December 18. Congratulations to last month’s winners — Dave Wilson, Phyllis Munch and Pat Farren — who found the flicks on pages 27, 29, 53, 55.
It’s a Jolly Holiday with Mary Poppins at Wilmington Drama League
Everyone’s favorite “practically perfect” nanny files into town this December when Wilmington Drama League presents Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical from December 13-29. Based on the classic Disney film, it tells the story of the Banks family and the magical nanny that arrives at just the right time. Filled with memorable songs including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” and more, this show is a sweet treat the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are $15-$25. More at WilmingtonDramaLeague.org.
Visit Delaware’s Hidden Holiday Gems
The Delaware Tourism Office has launched the new Hidden Holiday Gems passport, showcasing nine unique holiday attractions across the state from now through Jan. 6. This mobile passport guides travelers to festive destinations in each of Delaware’s three regions, from decorated museums to festive light displays. The passport encourages participants to visit all the locations throughout the state with the chance to win prizes. Signup at VisitDelaware.com.
New Study Confirms Sports is Big Business in Delaware
Sports tourism generated significant economic impact in Delaware in 2023 with visitor spending and tournament operations accounting for nearly $258 million. The study was commissioned by the Delaware Tourism Office and conducted by Tourism Economics, a leading research organization with travel industry expertise. It is the first comprehensive economic impact analysis of sports tourism in Delaware.
The sports tourism sector’s direct spending impact of $257.9 million generated $403.2 million in total business sales in the local economy, according to the study. Those sales supported more than 3,000 part-time and full-time jobs and generated $20.2 million in state and local taxes. In 2023, 1.1 million sports travelers attended a sports tournament, race, or other event in Delaware — either as a participant or a spectator. The full report can be found at VisitDelaware.com.
StartUp302 Invites Underrepresented Founders to Info Session
Delaware’s Startup302 pitch contest will hold a free online info session at 4 p.m. on Dec. 5 for prospective entrants to learn more about competition details, prizes, and more. The contest is open to early-stage, tech-enabled ventures with underrepresented founders, including women, Black, Latin American, Native American or members of the LGBTQ+ community. Awards include cash grants, mentorship, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. More at StartUp302.org.
Free Holiday Parking Downtown Wilmington
The City of Wilmington has once again announced that holiday parking will be in effect from Nov. 29 to Jan. 2, 2025. To support holiday shopping, parking will be free from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays in the Downtown (2nd to 12th Streets, French to Washington Streets) and Riverfront Business Districts. Official holidays such as Christmas Day will be free all day. A two-hour parking limit applies. Exceptions include tow-away zones and enforcement of other traffic regulations, such as time limits, bus stops, fire hydrants, and double-parking.
Duncan Sheik Musical Opens City Theater Co.’s Season
This month, City Theater Company presents the angsty rock musical Spring Awakening at The Delaware Contemporary (200 S. Madison St., Wilm.). The musical, by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, is based on the provocative 1891 German play by Frank Wedekind that follows a group of teens as they navigate the trials and tribulations of growing up.
Although set in the late 19th century, Artistic Director Kerry Kristine McElrone says the show’s themes remain relevant today. “The nightmare bliss of navigating the path between childhood and adulthood resonates with everyone. And at a time where we are inundated with both celebration and condemnation of sex and ‘morality’… Spring Awakening is exactly the right piece for CTC’s 31st season.” Spring Awakening runs December 13-21 and tickets are $45 (military/students, $35). More at City-Theater.org.
Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport
The 2025 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport offers access to 12 of Greater Wilmington’s top cultural attractions ranging from history and heritage to art and gardens. On sale now through the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, the discount-priced passport is $49 for individuals or $99 for a family (two adults, up to three kids 17 and under). Valid from May 24 to October 31, 2025, it’s available in both digital and print formats. Purchase at VisitWilmingtonDe.com/passport.
Spirited: With Paul Shireman
Photograph by © Jim Graham 2018
One of the many privileges of publishing Out & About is the many people I meet while out and about.
One of those was Paul Shireman, the slim, long-haired bartender at Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville. Paul died last month from cancer at age 61.
For 18 years, Paul and I held a running, across-the-bar conversation during my weekly stops at the Route 52 landmark. We discussed the Wilmington hospitality scene, economics, climate change, politics . . . but mostly we talked about riding bikes. It was a shared passion.
Paul participated in all the bike rides we manage — Governor’s Ride, Delaware Gran Fondo, River Towns — and even contributed to the magazine on occasion, providing creative cocktail recipes (see O&A June 2018 online edition, pg. 70).
Several months ago, during one of his final shifts at Buckley’s, Paul shared the news of his battle with lung cancer. I was stunned, then encouraging, insistent that one day he would ride again.
“Oh, you don’t know how much I would love that,” he said.
I kinda did. He was one of the most passionate cyclists I have met.
Sadly, I will no longer see Paul at any of our rides. And our decades-long conversation has ridden its course. But it’s a conversation I will cherish, and a reminder to savor each ride — like Paul did.
