Find the Music!
It’s our annual look at the local music scene and we’ve hidden vinyl records on four pages in this issue (this page doesn’t count). Tell us what four pages we’ve hidden the vinyl and you could win free lunch. Email your answers to Contact@TSNPub.com with the subject line: I Found The Music! Three winners will be selected from those who answer correctly by October 18. Congratulations to last month’s winners — Robin Lindemann, William Hoffman, Carla Dinsmore — who found the tickets on pages 15, 24, 35, 59.
Historic Farmhouse Transformed into an Arts Center
In 2015, a group of artists and skilled professionals saved Jester Farmhouse, a pre-Civil War residence, from demolition to transform it into a creative hub. On Oct. 5, Brandywine Hundred’s only nonprofit arts center, Jester Artspace, will welcome the public for a housewarming, and will feature a ribbon-cutting and the opening of Volunteers, an exhibition dedicated to those who brought the space to life. There will also be demonstrations in plein air painting, linocut printing, oil painting, and the Urban sketching movement, as well as art from Jester volunteers available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. Visit JesterArtspace.org.
The Ultimate Tug of War
West End Neighborhood House (WENH) hosts its inaugural Fire Truck Pull on Oct. 26 at the Daniel S. Frawley Stadium on the Wilmington Riverfront. Teams of eight will compete for the fastest pull of a 35,000-pound fire truck. To participate, teams need to raise or pay $500 by Oct. 18, and participants must be 18 years or older. The day will also include vendors, a moon bounce, food trucks, and more fun for the whole family. Proceeds benefit WENH and Delaware youth. Visit Bit.ly/DEPulls4Youth.
Cyclists Challenged to Ride for the Gold
On Saturday, Oct. 12, cyclists can visit four historic river towns during a one-of-a-kind bike ride. The 11th annual River Towns Ride challenges you to ride for a gold medal by visiting all four river towns (62 miles) or take one of the event’s shorter routes and earn a bronze or silver medal for distance completed. Stops include historic Chesapeake City, Historic Delaware City, Historic New Castle and Wilmington Riverfront. Visit RiverTownsRide.com.
Beach Favorite to Expand to Middletown
SoDel Concepts has announced that they will bring their popular NY-style bagels to Middletown soon. Surf Bagel’s scratch-made bagels have been a favorite of beach residents and visitors since opening its first location in 2004 in Lewes (founders Dave and Tom Vitella sold the enterprise to SoDel Concepts in 2021). Since 2016, the restaurant group has added locations in Rehoboth, Milford, and Long Neck. The newest site will be in the Dove Run Shopping Center in a spot that was previously leased to Friendly’s. Renovations are underway and an opening date will be announced. Visit SurfBagel.com.
Delaware Restaurateurs Recognized for Contributions
On Oct. 7, the Delaware Restaurant Association will host the 22nd Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards to recognize the contributions of the state’s restaurateurs and how they enrich communities, the local economy, and offer career opportunities to all. Those being honored this year at Lighthouse Cove Events Center (Dewey Beach) include: Mrs. Robino’s; Second Block Hospitality (Bodhi Kitchen, Drift Seafood & Raw Bar, The Pines); Matt Kern (One Coastal); Katie Kutler (kaffe KARMA); and Hank Rosenberg (COO Hospitality, Harrington Raceway & Casino). Visit DelawareRestaurant.org.
Volunteer Brewing Wins Gold
Volunteer Brewing is buzzing after winning Gold for their Orange Blossom Honey Wheat at the Annual Honey Beer Competition recently. Hosted by the National Honey Board, the competition featured 12 beer-style categories, a cider, hard seltzer and design category, with more than 200 beers entered from across the country. The small Middletown craft brewery exclusively brews with grain malted in Southern Delaware and, in some cases, grown in-state. Their winning light, golden wheat ale is brewed with local honey from Blackbird Creek Apiary and has been brewed more than any other Volunteer beer since opening in 2017. Visit VolunteerBrewing.com.
Residency Program for Local Artists Launched
Wilmington Alliance and The Delaware Contemporary have announced a collaboration to launch the “Full Circle” dual-residency program designed to provide four local underrepresented artists with opportunities for professional development and community-led experiences. The artists will have access to studio space and mentorship at both the art museum, located on the Wilmington Riverfront, and the Alliance’s Art O Mat, located in West Center City. Those chosen will play a role in bridging the gap between emerging artists and the local community. To learn more, visit WilmingtonAlliance.org or DeContemporary.org.
Diamond State Black Film Festival
From Oct. 10-13, the 3rd Annual Diamond State Black Film Festival will showcase current and emerging film talent at Theatre N. The four-day festival is the only one of its kind in the state and features film screenings, artist talkbacks, workshops, receptions, and an award presentation. The films presented will include shorts, narratives, documentaries, and a college category. Visit DiamondStateBFF.com.
Delaware Park Casino Doubles Down on Offerings
Delaware Park Casino kicks off October with the opening of its new pop-up bar, The Boo! Bar at LIT. On Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., the bar will serve up specialty themed cocktails and DJ entertainment for a ghoulishly good time.
While there, enjoy a meal at the new High Steaks Restaurant (previously 1937 Brewing Company), which promises an “exceptional fusion of craft beers and premium steakhouse cuisine in an inviting atmosphere,” according to a post on X (formerly Twitter). The new menu features appetizers such as a “Char-Brew-Terie Board” that includes a mega Bavarian pretzel accompanied by meats, cheeses and more, and several cuts of beef, each “kissed” with their beer steak sauce and seasoned with their own beer salt. Visit DelawarePark.com.
Burgers By Wildwich Opens in Claymont
Burgers by Wildwich was born amid the pandemic and the food truck quickly drew a following. Four years later, the truck is gone, and a stand-alone eatery has opened to the delight of its fans. The new shop is at 2616 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont and serves up everything you love from the truck: smashburgers topped with toppings such as drunken bacon jam, “hellish relish,” and sauces with names like “Fetch” and “Dragon”; Icelandic-style hot dogs; french fries topped multiple ways; and their famous scratch-made strawberry lemonade. Burgers by Wildwich is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit Wildwich.com.
