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Articles by Matt Amis
How Delaware's Youth Interact With Alcohol, Cannabis, and Vaping
With recreational cannabis now legal in Delaware for adults 21 and older, it’s a good time to examine how teens and young adults are interacting with controlled substances. National studies show that Gen Z is less likely to use alcohol and weed than previous generations. Gen Z drinks, on average, 20% less than millennials, who also drink less than the previous generation, according to Forbes, which cites an increased awareness of the dangers of alcohol and higher prevalence of healthy lifestyles.
These Neighborhoods in Delaware Are Great Places to Live
Delaware, at a slow and steady pace, finally cracked the 1 million residents mark last year after decades of incremental growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Where’s everyone going? We tracked down just a few hot spots where new homes collide with local history and historic towns feel rejuvenated. Arden Rob Stigler knows better than most that Arden can be a lot to take in for the uninitiated. The funky lawn décor.
These Neighborhood Cafés Are Community Staples in Delaware
Delaware loves a good café. They hold a special place in our hearts and our communities. What other regions see in their bodegas, pubs or diners—small family businesses that hold up and reflect the neighborhoods they serve—we see in our cafés. Whether it’s arts advocacy, farmers markets or just a damn fine cup of coffee, here are just a few reasons why these are considered local favorites.
John Kim Fay Dishes on the Realities of Rock Star Life
John Kim Faye and his band, Ike, had just performed in front of 10,000 screaming fans as the opening act for Bon Jovi at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in February 2006. It seemed like the ultimate rock star dream and a payoff after years of grueling work as a musician. The band had been hand-selected by Philly radio station WMMR to play the opening gig. At the venue, they were treated to surf-and-turf backstage and roadies who carried their equipment.
Career Pathways in a Rapidly Changing World
Part 1: A Trip Down Under and a Conversation with Andreas On April 7 of this year I took off on an amazing adventure. As this blog explains, for the last three months, I have been on loan with the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) in France.
Guest Commentary: Teacher praises affinity group’s intentional support - Bay to Bay News
Posted Sunday, July 9, 2023 5:00 am By Matt Amis and Alejandra Villamares Matt Amis is the director of communications and Alejandra Villamares is a media and communications specialist for Rodel, a statewide nonprofit that partners with policymakers, the private sector, philanthropy and practitioners to make systemic changes that can improve students’ lives.
Delaware Pinball Collective Is a Hotspot for Top Players
Photo by Joe Del Tufo Located in Newport, the Delaware club attracts the world’s top pinball players with tournaments and a massive number of games. What was the world’s No. 2-ranked pinball player doing in Delaware this spring? Popping flippers, naturally, at Delaware Pinball Collective in Newport—the state’s premier pinball club. The clubhouse’s owner, Chad Hastings, has steadily built up the collective’s reputation since it launched in January 2022.
Total Resistance Is a Game-Changing Fitness Invention in Delaware
Total Resistance can help to improve strength and range of motion. Adobe Stock / magdal3na What started in tragedy is transforming into triumph for brothers Charlie and Joseph Todd—and the local fitness world is taking notice. In May 2011, the brothers were celebrating in Philly after Charlie, a promising football player for Ball State University and former sports star at Howard High School, had gained the attention of NFL scouts following a workout.
Guest commentary: Meet the local students helping ‘Rethink Middle Grades’ - Bay to Bay News
Posted Sunday, June 11, 2023 5:00 am By Matt Amis and Alejandra Villamares Matt Amis is director of communications for Rodel, a statewide nonprofit that partners with policymakers, the private sector, philanthropy and practitioners to make systemic changes that can improve students’ lives. Alejandra Villamares is a media and communications specialist with Rodel.
10 Great Things to Do in and Around Delaware This Summer
As the season changes, it’s time to get back to nature. When looking for things to do in Delaware this season, think beyond the neighborhood swim club. The American Psychological Association links exposure to the outdoors with improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. Here, we visit a modest array of hotspots for every type of wanderer.
Dirt Biking Is a Family Affair Around the Delaware Region
Before she turns 10, Candace will likely graduate to two wheels—a dirt bike—following in a family tradition that spans three generations. Her little sisters Emerson, 5, and Adele, 3, both ride equipped in their own safety gear, with baby brother Rhys not far behind. Motocross bikes are a niche but growing hobby, a $9.1 billion industry, according to market reports. But for families like the Pinckneys, it’s a way of life that allows them nearly unyielding access to the great outdoors.
6 Outdoor Adventures to Check out in Delaware
Rock Climbing Test your mettle by scaling 90 feet of metamorphic gneiss rock at Alapocas Run State Park—the site of the historic Brandywine Blue Granite Quarry and your next adventure. The park offers an introduction to outdoor rock climbing classes in the spring and fall to give new climbers a taste of “top-rope” climbing, considered one of the safest methods since the climber is anchored to a belayer that’s secured at the peak.
These Neighborhoods in Delaware Are Great Places to Live
Photos by Joe Del Tufo Looking to relocate in the 302? These booming neighborhoods offer distinct qualities catering to different lifestyles. Delaware, at a slow and steady pace, finally cracked the 1 million residents mark last year after decades of incremental growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Where’s everyone going? We tracked down just a few hot spots where new homes collide with local history and historic towns feel rejuvenated.
Wilmington Native Catherine Pierce Is Mississippi's Poet Laureate
Photos by Megan Bean Catherine Pierce—a Wilmington native who lives in Mississippi part-time—was recently named the southern state’s poet laureate. Earth, you terrify me—you are fierce green and honeysuckle, you are herds of wild ponies, and you are leaving, always. Is it any wonder some days I look at my laptop instead of out the window? Every time I glance up there you are, quaking me with your fern fronds and silver frost.
Titus Human Performance Trains Athletes to Go Pro in Wilmington
Photos by Kevin Rentz Looking for the next athlete from Delaware to turn pro? Many of them are working toward that goal at Titus Human Performance in Wilmington. The sound of Shawn Hoffman’s footsteps echoes inside the empty gym at 76ers/Chase Fieldhouse near downtown Wilmington where Philly stars Joel Embiid and James Harden pounded the hardwood for a preseason scrimmage hours earlier.
David Pollack Conserves History at His Gallery in Wilmington
Photo by Joe Del Tufo Art and history intersect at David Pollack’s Vintage Posters gallery, where visitors can find war propaganda, vintage ads and more. They witnessed wars, riots and epidemics. They launched companies, Olympics and empires, and tapped into cultural movements. They should’ve crumbled into dust long ago. But they live on inside David Pollack Vintage Posters, a gallery on King Street in downtown Wilmington that serves as a time capsule into some of the globe’s pivotal moments.
Guest Commentary: “Grow Your Own” path brings teacher to her dream job
Posted Sunday, December 11, 2022 5:00 am By Matt Amis Philly native Melodie Miller knew since kindergarten that she wanted to be a teacher one day. “I had a phenomenal kindergarten teacher named Miss Ross,” she says. “She really inspired me because, when I was in kindergarten, I couldn’t necessarily read yet, but she read ‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ almost every day.” Melodie eventually memorized the story and began reciting the story along with her kindergarten teacher.
This 14-Year-Old Delaware Native Rocked Firefly Festival
Photos Courtesy of DJ Sophia Rocks Delaware’s own 14-year-old DJ Sophia Rocks impressed crowds as the youngest performer ever to take the stage at Firefly Music Festival. “Today I am taking you all on a musical journey!” So said DJ Sophia, the 14-year-old phenom from Dover, who rocked the Firefly Festival Saturday afternoon as the weekend’s sole local performer.
The 2022 Firefly Festival Kicks off in Dover
Adobe Stock | Zamrznuti tonovi It’s Firefly Festival weekend, and Thursday evening’s kickoff in Dover promises an enjoyable weekend with a variety of acts and activities. The pandemic canceled Firefly in summer 2020. In 2021, it returned as an early-fall festival with a smaller crowd and shifted expectations for live music. Now, 2022 is the year the festival will find its footing in a post-pandemic live music landscape.
How DSU Women's Lacrosse Team Handled an Unjust Traffic Stop
Illustration by Tim Foley The Delaware State University women’s lacrosse team showed impressive poise during a tense and demeaning traffic stop in Georgia. The very first time a lacrosse stick met Pamella Jenkins’ hands, when she was a sophomore at Rye Country Day School in White Plains, New York, she was hooked. A converted basketball star, Jenkins loved how the complex mechanical movements needed to deliver in games could improve daily with desire and practice.
New Neighborhoods in Delaware Where You Can Have It All
Photos by Joe Del Tufo These seven neighborhoods throughout Delaware are known for their unparalleled amenities, luxury homes and community spirit. As the real estate market continues to percolate for home sellers, new construction both upstate and down focuses on creating spaces where residents can have it all. From live music shows and Halloween parades to beautiful homes galore, here are just a few of Delaware’s hottest neighborhoods.
Bardea Steak Is Not Your Average Delaware Steakhouse
Photos by Joe Del Tufo Bardea Steak, the highly anticipated Wilmington eatery, is open and serving up America’s favorite protein in Delaware. Despite all the well-earned accolades between them, Scott Stein and chef Antimo DiMeo felt a bit frazzled on the phone two years ago while negotiating cattle prices from a specialty ranch in El Paso. The main problem? They didn’t speak dude ranch. “Buying whole cows for the first time, it was a little intimidating,” Stein says.
15 Unique Gyms to Switch up Your Fitness Routine in Delaware
Photos by Justin Heyes & Maria Deforrest If you’re tired of the same old workout routine, try out one of these unique Delaware gyms striving to make fitness fun—even addictive. In the shaky midst of a pandemic, fitness centers are aiming to provide more than just a place to sweat. Individualized, coach-led and holistic approaches that encompass nutrition, empowerment and mental well-being are just a few key trends emerging around Delaware’s popular workout destinations. Here are just 15.
A Complete Guide to Outdoor Adventures in and Around Delaware
Photo courtesy of Camelback Mountain Adventures This summer, enjoy all the thrills the First State has to offer at these fun-filled outdoor destinations in and around Delaware. As temperatures warm, it’s time to get back to nature. This season, think beyond the neighborhood swim club. The American Psychological Association links exposure to the outdoors with improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.
Delaware Pinball Collective Wants to Give Pinball a Comeback
Photos by Joe Del Tufo Magnolia native Chad Hastings is on a mission to bring pinball back into the zeitgeist, one flipper at a time. Hastings helps lead a collective of enthusiasts who have joined forces to create Delaware’s first members-only dedicated pinball social club. Their nonprofit Delaware Pinball Collective debuted in December. “Pinball, for a lot of people, died in the ’90s when arcades went away,” says Hastings.
How to Prepare for Tornadoes and Earthquakes in Delaware
Adobe Stock Wondering what to do if and when earthquakes and tornadoes threaten to strike in and around Delaware? Here’s what to know. On a national scale, Delaware charts near the bottom in terms of natural disasters. (Florida, Texas, California and Washington are among the most at-risk.) But that doesn’t mean impervious. The Delaware coastline is especially vulnerable to extreme weather events.
How to Prepare for Hurricanes & Cyclones, According to Delaware Experts
Adobe Stock Do you know what to do if and when cyclones and hurricanes impact the First State? Local experts reveal what to know before disaster strikes. Over the coming years, Delaware is projected to face higher temperatures, more high-heat days, increased heavy precipitation and sea level rise. The impacts from each of these threatens industries, infrastructure, natural resources and health of residents, according to Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).
Changing Hands and Changing Course: A Timeline of Delaware Today
Photo by Delaware Today In celebration of Delaware Today‘s 60th anniversary, here’s a timeline showing the two decades of history that brought the magazine to the Martinelli family. Over 40 years, Rob Martinelli has helped steer the company through countless ups and downs, including recessions and a pandemic. This month, the magazine turns 60.
How to Prepare for Flash Floods, According to Delaware Experts
Delaware Today photo With climate change come unprecedented storms, flooding and even tornadoes in the First State. Here’s what to do—and what to avoid—when disaster strikes. Take note—it could save your life. “Delaware is going to go under water.” The words are chilling to hear. Watching it unfold through coastal inundation map through a University of Delaware digital tool is equally bleak.
Delaware Today Celebrates 60 Years in the First State
Photograph by Joe Del Tufo Owner Rob Martinelli reflects on the last four decades since his family acquired the First State’s largest magazine publication. One of the first issues of Delaware Today under Rob Martinelli’s watch as owner was a near disaster. The February 1982 issue had already gone to print. The brilliant and freewheeling editor John Taylor had penned a tongue-in-cheek cover story examining the unique traits of “lower” Delaware.
Photo by Joe Del Tufo A new virtual reality arcade, a local’s debut novel and a high school science scholarship challenge have Delaware excited this month. Modern Arcade By Matt Amis Emmanuel Rosembert’s Ctrl. V arcade is a virtual reality experience straight out of The Matrix./Photo by Joe Del Tufo “The Plank” is a perfect initiation rite inside Ctrl V, a new virtual reality arcade in Bear.
50 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Delaware This Year
Adobe Stock | luengo_ua Avoid seasonal depression this winter with mood-boosting activities like taking a class, visiting a park and more in Delaware. By Ashley Breeding, Matt Amis, Eileen Smith Dallabrida, Pam George and Angie Gray The stretch between New Year’s Day and the return of daylight saving time in March can seem endless. Inhospitable weather and long nights take a toll on your spirit and strength. Fill the gap with mood-boosting activities that are fun, nurturing and rewarding.
3 Businesses and Individuals Making a Splash in Delaware in January
Photo courtesy of Kaffeina at the Thronson Cafe The Grand’s Playhouse on Rodney Square, Kaffeina at the Thronson Cafe and local author share how they boosted their businesses this year. Unknown Country By Michael Bradley In his fourth and latest book, George J. Veith explores the rise and fall of the Republic of Vietnam.
5 Outdoor Workouts to Get Fit and Have Fun in Delaware This Winter
Surfing is a great outdoor workout. Photo by Dan Lidon Want to exercise outside this winter? Delaware experts share how to burn calories and have fun while doing it with these outdoor workouts. Are calories best burned cold? After lengthy quarantines and the specter of months stuck inside—plus another COVID-19 variant on the move—skip the gym and get fit outdoors. Here, five local fitness experts share their favorite fall and winter workouts.
Pizzeria Maki Turns Pizza and Seafood Into a Perfect Pairing in Delaware
Photo by Jim Coarse Pizzeria Maki dishes up two of America’s favorite takeout foods — pizza and sushi — at its one-of-a-kind concept eatery in Greenville. One evening while commiserating over the state of the restaurant scene during a pandemic, four friends and industry veterans hatched a plan that sounded just crazy enough to work. In the DoorDash era, why not combine America’s two most beloved takeout staples—pizza and sushi? A puzzling idea, perhaps.
The Bear Drive-In Offers Nostalgic Film Screenings in Delaware
Photo by Justin Heyes, Moonloop Photography The Bear Drive-In’s first season last summer attracted Delawareans in droves with its concession stand, COVID-19 protocol and more. *The Bear Drive-In is currently closed for the winter season and is looking to reopen in 2022. Bob Weir recalls it vividly. It was 1971, and Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory mesmerized as it unfolded onscreen while Weir sat on the roof of his uncle’s car at the old Pleasant Hill Drive-In in Stanton.
4 Common Men's Health Conditions and How to Combat Them
Adobe Stock/Zdenka Darula According to Delaware doctors, beefing up on better health behaviors can help men ward off these four common health conditions. Risky behaviors that are more common among men—riding motorcycles, becoming Alaskan king crab fishermen, avoiding doctors—might explain why men generally die earlier than women.
The Top 50 Songs by Delaware Artists Since the Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll
Photo by Suchat Pederson The First State has an incredible music scene from pop and rock to country. Take a look at the 50 best songs produced by Delaware artists. Delaware isn’t New York or L.A. (or even Athens, Georgia or Gary, Indiana for that matter) when it comes to churning out national-level celebrities and musicians. The oft-criticized music scene has pumped out some amazing songs and artists, especially in the last few decades or so.
4 Delaware Doctors on the Rise of Telemedicine During the Pandemic
Dr. LeRoi Hicks/Photo by Luigi Cuiffetelli While COVID-19 reshaped doctor visits in Delaware and made telehealth the way of the future, this modern mode of medicine has limitations. In the days following his regular meeting on emerging infectious diseases in December 2020, William Chasanov began hearing chatter of a respiratory illness that “seemed to be different.” “Well, it was scary,” he says. “They couldn’t really identify it.
This Delaware Band Performed at the Firefly Music Festival
Photo by Suchat Pederson Wilmington punk band Eyebawl took to the main stage at the Firefly Music Festival after heavy rain postponed its original concert time. Wilmington punk quartet Eyebawl was slated to take the Wonder Stage on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 23, as one of the first acts to christen Firefly Music Festival 2021 after a long COVID-19 hiatus. Then the skies opened up.
Firefly Music Festival 2021: An Inside Look at the Delaware Concert
Adobe Stock/Melinda Nagy Check back every day this weekend from September 23-26 for a look into this year’s Firefly Music Festival at the Woodlands in Dover. Thursday, September 23 Good spirits returned to the Woodlands on Thursday night, Sept. 23, after campers endured hours of muddy traffic and finally planted tent spikes into the soft ground. But the morning and afternoon was gloomy.
Delaware's Senior Class Is Aging in Place Gracefully
Adobe Stock/Trinette Reed/Stocksy When the COVID-19 pandemic caused unrest within assisted living communities, these local experts found a way around it for seniors. As COVID-19’s grip begins to weaken, Delaware seniors are looking to get back into their groove. The pandemic caused panic and unease among senior and assisted-living communities, but now “people are open to moving into a community again,” says Esther Celamy-Williams, co-founder of Elite Senior Advisers.
Kristina's Kitchen Offers a Healthy Twist on Takeout in Delaware
Adobe Stock/Pixel-Shot With a COVID-19 opening, Kristina’s Kitchen in Millville offers healthy and delicious takeout dishes from breakfast to baked goods. In February 2020, about “two weeks before masks,” Kristina Malone was getting set to open Kristina’s Kitchen on a tranquil stretch of road in Millville. As it happens, Malone’s health-inspired takeout spot seemed tailor-made for the shelter-in-place era. Today, Kristina’s Kitchen is the Best New Restaurant, Downstate.
These Are Our Best of Delaware Award Winners in 2021
Photo by Sydney Kerelo In another year marked by change, we celebrate 2021 with the First State’s Best of Delaware recognizing local restaurants, stores and more. By Matt Amis, Ashley Breeding, Danielle Bouchat-Friedman, Lisa Dukart, Pam George and Meg Ryan While a vaccination plan has filled 2021 with promise for the future, there’s still a lot we’ve missed out on this year—travel, spa treatments and routine haircuts, to name a few.
These Delaware Restaurants Are Taking Tech to a New Level
From left, Rich Snyder, director of food and beverage for the Buccini/Pollin Group; James Sparks, head chef at Makers Alley; Dru Tevis, corporate pastry chef for SoDel Concepts; and Dan Sheridan, owner of Stitch House Brewery are some of those recreatingthe Delaware dining scene in their own images.
Commentary: Teacher of the Year shares the spark she brings to her students
By Matt Amis During a virtual celebration at a socially distanced watch party at McKean High School, Kimberly Stock was named the last fall. Stock, an English-learner teacher, also teaches Advanced Placement literature and composition and 11th grade English language arts — all while managing the language-acquisition plans for more than 160 McKean students.
Explore Delaware's Campgrounds, State Parks and Nearby Attractions
Photo by Abby Shepard As the weather gets warmer, outdoor adventure beckons once again and locals turn toward Delaware’s state parks, campgrounds and nearby attractions. Denise Wolynetz of Newark remembers taking lots of camping trips in Pennsylvania with her family while growing up. When she met her husband Mike more than 15 years ago, the couple continued that tradition in Delaware.
Uncommon Decency
Last fall, when the American Beverage Association and other businesses filed suit against the city of Philadelphia over the notorious “sweetened beverage tax,” there was little doubt whom the city would call. “We knew that the soda industry was hiring some of the best lawyers around to help them out,” says Marcel Pratt, who chairs the city’s litigation group.
5 Things to Know About Bellefonte Brewing Co.'s OktoBEER Fest
Adobe Stock If you’re looking to drink with friends for a good cause this weekend, OktoBEER Fest in Wilmington has got you covered. What is OktoBEER Fest? Bellefonte Brewing Co. is joining forces with the Trauma Survivors Foundation and 302 Phalanx Foundation to give people the opportunity to gather with friends and drink beer for a good cause. Brews from eight local breweries will be featured.
How Out & About Publisher Jerry duPhily Made a Career Out of Celebrating Wilmington
Born in Wilmington but raised in Kent County, duPhily didn’t really get to party in Wilmington until college at the University of Delaware, where, as a senior, a friend brought him along to—where else?—the Halloween Loop, which was then run by music-centric magazine Fine Times.
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