John Bell House Dark Dover Lantern Tour - October 7, 2011

While working with the Division of Historic & Cultural Affairs, I found out about the new "First Weekend" programming. It definately sparked my interest. One of the fun programs was the Dark Dover Lantern tour.

A few DNREC buddies and I met at the Bell House and witnessed firsthand the chilling true stories of gruesome murders, and encounter spirits whose legends have left their sinister imprint on The Green. The victim of the 1940s Lonely Hearts Murders is just one of the many specters we met. Unusual twists include an unexpected retelling of the Poison Candy Murder tale from the point of view of the victim’s deceitful husband. The historical rein-actors did a wonderful job telling their individual tales keeping it all the more suspensful.

The John Bell House dates back to the mid-1700s and was owned by three generations of the Bell family. It was newly recently restored and opened to the public on April 2, 2011. DNREC was really excited to promote the newest and oldest wooden structure in Dover. It now serves as the interpretive center for our First State Heritage Park, Delaware first urban "park without boundaries" linking historical and cultural sites in the state capital. The park is a partnership of state agencies, with city and county government, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

When the park was first established, the structure was in danger of being lost, due to severe termite damage and several centuries of wear and tear. In order to save it, the Department of State purchased the building in 2005. The John Bell House was certainly on The Green when the U.S. Constitution was ratified at the Golden Fleece Tavern in 1787 and was also quite possibly already standing during the events of the Revolution. The Ridgely House is the only other surviving building that would have been on The Green at that time.

A Christmas Miracle!

This season, I have been touched by several coworkers that are in ill health, struggling financially, and mending by a miracle. My work family is very important to me. I've worked with most of them for 20 years. We've seen each other through marriages, children, heartache, devastation, celebrations, retirement, and even death. They have become my pseudo-brothers and sisters. Sometimes, we may not like each other but together we can move mountains! The following life-event has touched my heart and I continue to be amazed by everyday miracles.

I have changed the names to protect their privacy.

Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Mrs. A got a call that her husband, a City of Dover employee, was critical injured by an electric-flash from a generator he was working with as part of a reconstruction project. He was immediately flown by helicopter to the Crozer Chester Burn Center. The next day, we learned that he had 30% burns, a low white blood count, chemical pneumonia in both lungs, and on a ventilator doing all the breathing for him.

Immediately, a website was created about Mr. A for the family members, City of Dover and DNREC employees, and friends. Updates throughout each day kept their family in our hearts and prayers. Monetary contributions poured in for Mrs. A's daily two hour travel and meal expenses from Lower Kent County, DE to Chester, PA. Donated sick and vacation time from employees allowed Mrs. A to be at her husbands side and still receive a full salary.

We were all aware that the hospital only allowed three daily visitations for two hours at a time. The A's also have a teenage daughter attending school, and live-in mother who needs part time elder care. From time to time Mrs. A would stop by at work very emotional thanking us for our love and support. She and her family were overwhelmed from the generosity of her coworkers and strangers that became aware of their struggle.

Everyday, we'd search each other out to find out the progression or setbacks of a coworker's spouse. We all adopted their family and gave them hope, love, and faith as we posted prayers and good thoughts to support him and their family. At times, Mrs. A would ask for continued prayers as she read each posting to her husband and family. Many times, she would post how the prayers were working and how quickly he was healing.

To many, Mr. A became a living breathing miracle as he continued to heal after skin graft surgeries, scary high blood pressure surges, blood counts, and ventilator oxygen percentages. We were amazed at Mrs. A's tireless worry and days without sleep. It was December 1, when Mrs. A finally received a kiss from her husband, 21 days after his accident. In the next days he was moved to a physical therapy location in Philadelphia where his wife was able to stay with him round-the-clock. On December 12, Mr. A was able to go home.

Mr. A still has a long way to go. He will continue with more skin graft surgeries at Crozer Chester. Also, he will be travelling to Chestertown, MD for rehabilitation to help them stretch grafts on his hand, armpits and shanks . His organs have to readjust after laying down without movement for 22 days. He is very dizzy and slow going, but his body is rejuvenating.

During a recent visit, buddies from his work had him laughing for the first time. She said it was music to his wife's ears. As she posted, "Prayers really work!! We thank you for your continued prayers through this difficult time in our lives. It brings tears to our eyes every time we talk about it. It's amazing that he got a second chance at LIFE, and I get a second chance at LOVE.

.

10/1/2011 "Keeping Up With The Loockermans"

On the first Saturday of October, at a First State Heritage Park Program, I was excited to learn more about the family name "Loockerman" which is the name of a street that runs through the business section of Dover. Dover had a family in the 1700s, who gained significant wealth through real estate and as merchants. Researching the family was tricky considering the lack of documents. In 18th century Dover, the well-heeled family might have a cupboard of rum and sugar and a closet of quilted petticoats and silk gowns. Not only would Vincent Loockerman’s have all those luxuries, but he was likely the person who brought the goods up the St. Jones River to the citizens of Dover. I felt so surprised when I got a rare look at the Loockerman family through artwork, furniture, clothing and documents .


"Meet the Loockermans” Under the tent on The Green
Visitors should start here to meet this family of 18th-century merchants who left their mark on Dover’s history. They will encounter two key living-history characters – Vincent and Elizabeth – on this journey of discovery.

“What Elizabeth Wore” The Old State House
This was a rare, one-day-only opportunity to see dresses and accessories worn by Susannah and Elizabeth Loockerman in 1750 – 1810, now in the collections of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. From silk ballgowns of the late 1700s to the Napoleonic looks of the early 1800s, the Loockerman women stayed fashion forward. Two standouts from the collection are a rose silk gown paired with a rose quilted petticoat and red damask slippers and a cream colored, wool empire style gown from about 1810. Very few clothing collections exist from this time period, or at least collections this complete. Others may have one dress or one male ensemble; the Loockermans left eight complete looks. I felt as though I was looking at Cinderella's gowns.....only, I was inches away without glass. The dresses and shoes had not been displayed since 1976. I was so happy to be part of this one day event!

“Where Vincent Sat” Biggs Museum of American Art
The furniture owned by Vincent Loockerman was displayed along with his 1750 portrait on loan from the State of Delaware. By looking at their furniture, their items and their houses, Vincent was successful, and it showed. When you’re probably one of the wealthiest men in the U.S., you’re going to want luxury goods, you’re going to want to look the part and not just in your own person but in your family.




“What Dover Bought” John Bell House
Dover residents of the 18th century were eager consumers. These people where connected and knew what the trends in Philadelphia were. The kinds of goods that merchants like Loockerman imported from Philadelphia and the world via the St. Jones River were on display to see and touch.

The John Bell House was just recently renovated and dates back to the mid-1700s and was owned by three generations of the Bell family. The Bells owned and operated a series of 18th-century taverns around The Green, and it is believed that the structure originally served as a workshop. In the mid-19th century, two notable Delawareans – Nathaniel Smithers and George Valentine Massey – maintained law offices in the building.

“What Words Reveal” Delaware Public Archives
Surviving Loockerman family papers, ledgers, deeds, wills and inventories reveal 18th-century Dover’s world of merchants and consumers. When viewing these ledgers and accounts, I was not only looking at what Vincent Loockerman was able to purchase from Philly, but also what the market was in Dover.

12/16/2011 First State Heritage Park

Part of Delaware's (DNREC) Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control is the First State Heritage Park. It is located in and around the Capitol of Dover. There are free walking tours of The Dover Green led by historical interpreters in period dress! Building tours are free on the first Saturday of each month including: Legislative Hall, Johnson Victrola Museum, First State Heritage Park Welcome Center & Galleries, The John Bell House, The Old State House, and the Biggs Museum of American Art.

I'm assigned to this part of our Parks Division as a computer network technician. I love working with this particular group because of the creative programming for the public they do each month to share the history of Kent County and the state. This fall has been especially fun for me. I was introduced to many of the historical interpreters who create, write, direct, and portray historical people and events. I was invited to participate in their programs in 2012. I felt very honored and am looking forward to represent a person of interest in the history of Delaware. Recently, I've attended three historical event programs: two in Dover, and one in Smyrna.

I hope you will enjoy reading about the history of Delaware as I learn and blog more about what I've experienced, enjoyed, and find interesting.

Threatened Green Sea Turtle Mother in Delaware

One of the highlights working at DNREC this fall, has been following the story of a green sea turtle found on Delaware's Cape Henlopen Beach. Since the nest’s discovery by a Delaware State Parks ranger, who observed the green sea turtle mother laying the eggs near a jetty on Aug. 18, high tides, predators, hurricanes and tropical storms have threatened its survival. He found it around 2-3am, thinking it was someone sleeping on the beach. To his surprise, he found the amazingly large turtle.

It was against all odds that the mother was way far north and a month late dropping her eggs. The nest was first protected from the encroaching tide by moving it to higher ground, and then protected from predators by erecting an enclosure around the site and posting 24 hour guard. A week after the first move, Hurricane Irene deposited a heavy14-inch layer of sand on top of the nest. After being carefully excavated by hand from the effects of Irene, volunteers were faced with the same task after Tropical Storm Lee.

Sea turtles usually lay their eggs on beaches in warmer climates, and the sand temperature was getting too low for them to survive. A clutch of nearly 190 eggs laid was successfully moved on Oct. 5 to a climate-controlled room at the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. The move marks the latest in a series of actions to help the nesting – the first of its kind recorded in Delaware – and ensure the safety of the eggs.

Since the nest was laid, DNREC worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Florida office and with North Carolina Wildlife Resources, who has experience with nesting. A special temperature module sent from North Carolina was buried in the sand at the same depth as the eggs, and helped make the determination that the eggs would have to be removed from the beach to have a chance of hatching. Our staff joined a group of 15 volunteers from MERR (the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute), and spent more than an hour moving the ping-pong-ball-sized white eggs one by one into specially-prepared 22-quart styrofoam boxes. With a Fish and Wildlife Enforcement escort, the eggs were transported by car – very slowly, so as not to jostle their precious contents – to the nearby University of Delaware campus. In the climate-controlled chamber, under the watchful eyes of MERR volunteers, temperatures were gradually raised by 2 degrees every three hours with the goal of reaching optimal hatching temperature of about 80 degrees.

On Dec. 6, the first three (3) baby green sea turtles hatched and made history as the first ever documented sea turtle nest in Delaware. As the other eggs continued to hatch the lights stayed low and the noise to a minimum. A total of eight (8) hatched. The rest of the eggs were put in an incubator and transported to North Carolina's Duke University Marine Lab to be assessed. The recent and soon-to-be hatchlings will go to the Pine Knolls Aquarium to make sure they are properly hydrated and wait for arrangements to be released into the ocean.

Video of the little guys!http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111208/NEWS08/112080344/8-baby-green-sea-turtles-190-eggs-sent-N-C-?odyssey=tabtopnewstextHome

That's Show Biz for Ya!

Well, after 2 good months of practices "Holiday Spirit" were canceled at the Smyrna Opera House. The musical was scheduled for Dec. 2-4. Just three days before opening night, two of the actors have fallen very ill and a third had to drop-out unexpectedly, said David Keller, Opera House executive director.

The Smyrna production was directed by Barb Bigelow, a veteran of the opera house stage. The actors include Steve Hailey as Father; Valorie Hailey as Mother; Frank Gavas as Man; Niki Hodgson as Woman; Amanda Tusio as Big Sister; and Katie Loftus as Little Sister.“We are enjoying the rehearsals for ‘Holiday Spirit,’ which is about a homeless couple that fortunately finds shelter the night before Christmas,” Ms. Bigelow said.“The story unfolds through laughter, song, tears, and joy. David Keller has written a beautiful heart-warming story with both original and familiar carols. It has a clear message of hope and love that represents what Christmas is all about.”

The Smyrna Opera House did not think it would be fair to our paying customers to have three new actors walking around the stage with scripts in-hand, Keller said. Keller apologized for any inconvenience. Christmas concert planned instead Dec. 4

The Opera House is pleased to announce that David Keller and his good friend Paul Kranz, who has performed at the Opera House in the past, are going to step in and perform a Christmas music concert on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

The music is a mixture of classic hymns, contemporary tunes and original songs, mostly played on acoustic guitar with some piano pieces. Also, the remaining "Holiday Spirit" cast members will be singing some of the tunes from the show interspersed with the guitar music.

November 26, 2011 The Carols of Christmas

After only a few rehearsals on a Saturday morning throughout November, I sang in an inspirational program of choral and instrumental music presented by local members of the Wilmington Delaware stake.

The conductor was Dr. Neil Harmon, Director of Music and Organist at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware where he directs a distinguished music program. A graduate (MM, DMA) of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, Dr. Harmon has presented organ concerts in the United States, Italy and Brazil.

A native of Midvale, Utah, Dr. Harmon earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University, where he was assistant director of the renowned BYU Men's Chorus and organist for the Utah Baroque Ensemble. He taught over 50 beginning organ students in the Group Organ classes at BYU. Since 1991, Dr. Harmon has served as Guest Organist at the Salt Lake Mormon Tabernacle where he presents half hour recitals on the famous Aeolian-Skinner organ.
Dr. Harmon's compositions include hymn arrangements and original works for a variety of instruments. He is serving a second term as Dean of the Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and as the Worship and Music Chair of the Delaware Chapter of the American Choral Directors' Association.

Pianist Rebecca Mordo, a touring solo and collaborative artist working closely with opera singers from renowned companies such as the Metropolitan Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia

Nathan Pacheco is an American singer/songwriter born in Virginia, and is of Brazilian descent. He was a featured vocalist during the 2009 tour for "Yanni Voices"[1], produced by Disney Pearl Imprint, and is currently signed to the Disney Pearl Series label.[2]
Nathan graduated from the music program of Brigham Young University, and also followed his love of culture and languages by continuing his education abroad in South America and Europe. Nathan spent over two years in Brazil, being immersed in its culture and allowing its influence to contribute to his musical development. He eventually traveled throughout Brazil, performing both classical as well as some of Brazil’s cultural music. He also spent time in Italy, studying the language while performing with the Opera Festival of Lucca. In all of these adventures to different countries, he was relentless in his efforts to learn the languages. The result is his ability to speak and compose in English, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish.

In 2009, Nathan relocated to Southern California after being signed to the Disney Pearl Series label and has been writing the songs that will make up his debut solo album. Nathan has collaborated with many writers under the direction of producer/composer Leo - Z (Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban). For his album, Nathan recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London at Air Studios.

Kathy Cammett, of Golden Voice Studio in Pike Creek, who has worked with Cab Calloway School of the Arts, OperaDelaware and World Cafe Live.

Baritone Robert Brandt, professor of music at the University of Delaware, and his wife, soprano Kara Brandt, recent winner of the Austrian American Society of Wilmington's Mozarteum Scholarship competition.

Our program consisted of the following numbers:

Choir
Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
Glory Be to God on High

Vocal Solo
Gesu Bambino

Piano Duet
Carol Medley

Orchestra
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Choir
Joseph, Dearest
Angels We Have Heard on High

Orchestra
Medley of Familiar Christmas Carols
Pat-A-Pan

Vocal Duet
Oh Holy Night Kara Brandt soprano; Robert Brandt, bariton

Piano Solo
Medley: Carols of the Bells Rebecca Mordo, piano

Vocal Solo
O Come All Ye Faithful Nathan Pacheco, tenor

Choir
I Heart the Bells on Christmas Day
Still, Still, Still

Hymn : Hark the Herald Angels Sing (All Choir/Concert Participants & Audience)

2011 Adventures

It's been quite a while since I posted anything on my blog. After directing Nunsense, I needed a break from my theatrical activities. I hadn't realized how much energy it takes to organize and direct a show. I had a great experience, and am looking forward to directing a children's play in the summer. We are planning more family entertainment at the Smyrna Opera House this year.

Since the New Year has begun, I have taken up 5K local races. Two of my favorite coworkers got me interested in the walking aspect, since I don't like running. Joe Young (on left) is a walker, and brings his grandson for the tot races, and Jose (right) is a runner. Last week he placed 1st in his age bracket.

Our local high school had a complete overhaul. The drama club had to postpone their shows because the stage was being used as the bandroom. We are now in -what should be the end, but now - in the middle of rehearsing, Bye Bye Birdie with a new director. Luckily we've worked on stage together, so the communication is flowing. I'm not only directing the music, but helping with directing the scenes.

Last week I was invited by the Executive Director of the Smyrna Opera House to be a judge at the final show of our "Smyrna's Got Voice - Kids Talent Competition." The audience decides who wins, however we give positive feedback to the contestants on how well they perform by the song choice, voice range, and style. I was amazed at at the talent of these 10, 14, and 17 year olds. It was nice to be invited. My cohort judges was (left) Mr. Irv Rothenburg whose been a music teacher in our school district for over 30 years. Scott McClymot is a local preacher who is known for his uplifting services also plays drums for the SOH. We had a fun time watching our youth perform!

St. Joseph's Industrial School for Colored Boys

It is my experience, if you want to know about the history of something, it will be revealed.When Matthew was just a small tot, Jim and I would take him for walks on the grounds of St. Joseph's Church. It is located just outside of the residential town border of Clayton, Delaware. One enters the grounds through a stone arch that reads St. Joseph's Industrial School, and a scripture "What good doth it do a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul. Matthew 16:26" The church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

I had always wondered if any of the boys that went to school here lived in the area. I also thought, it was such a beautiful peaceful place. Somehow the idea of writing an article in our local newspaper entered my mind. It was an impression to gather and educate our community about the idle property and find any remaining students to recant their experience.

An old decommissioned small chapel and old bell-less tower still stands surrounded by other buildings. Also marked are the stations of the cross around the 10-acre lot. One day we were walking, and a couple approached us and told us they got married in the chapel, but needed witnesses to sign the license. As we entered the chapel, you could see three sides of building covered in 53 stained-glass windows with the names of students, staff, and faculty. Originally, the building was lit with gas-lighting by the Josephites that lived there.

Beginning in 1896, the chapel was the center of activity at the St. Joseph’s Industrial School, an institution which served African American boys, providing them vocational skills, academics, and spiritual guidance. In 1920, St. Joseph’s Church became the parish church for the Catholic population in the Smyrna-Clayton area. Both the members of the school and the residents of the parish shared the chapel until 1968 when St. Polycarp was built in Smyrna. While the church was used by several small congregations after the industrial school closed down in 1972, it and the rest of the 10 acre property sat mostly idle. It wasn’t until 1997 that a group was formed to acquire ownership of the property, preserve its historical and cultural heritage, and restore it for use by all members of the local community.

10 years later: Another prompting, and I took a look at our local newspaper, the Smyrna/Clayton Sun Times, only to find an article written about the school and on-line comments to find a remark: "I am a graduate of St. Joseph's School for Colored Boys and am certainly grateful to the school for changing my life." I was thrilled and instantly emailed the man with my thoughts and curiosities of the school. He was so happy to be connected to someone from the area. I sent him recent pictures of the grounds. He has been through a rough patch of life, but felt strongly prompted to remember the life in Clayton. We are Facebook buddies and keep in touch a few times a year. Amazing, how God creates miracles by working through those who are willing to listen to his promptings!

In Loving Memory of Casey Santana Butler

Ten days ago, I found out that my former supervisor Mick Butler, no longer a DNREC employee, lost his young daughter in a tragic death. Casey Santana Butler was born on March 11, 1992. She was an 18-year-old bassoonist at the Peabody Conservatory and collapsed during a private lesson. She was in the midst of her weekly lesson about 12:30 p.m. when she lost consciousness and was prounounced dead at the hospital on November 15.

Last night I went to Casey Butler’s memorial in Bel Air, MD. I arrived at 5:30pm at the church and found police helping with parking and traffic. There were hundreds of people in attendance. I stood outside for nearly 20 minutes in line of funeral-goers wrapped around the building. I only wished I would have been able to give her parents, Mick and Sue, a huge warm hug. I waited to tell them that their DNREC friends were sorry to hear of their loss, and that they were on our hearts and minds. However, I was about 100 feet away from Mick & Sue when attendees were asked to be seated because the services were about to begin. The family was then taken away momentarily for a few private moments.

The memorial was a celebration of her life’s music, from the sound of her birth cry to the notes of the piano and her bassoon. Each musical group, student, musician, teacher, and friend performed favorite classical pieces of theirs, hers, and ones they shared . Each select group was listed as a “Symphony.” There were five symphonies which lasted 1 ½ hrs. There were bassoon, bass, and flute duets. Violin, piano, oboe, and bassoon solos. One gentleman sang “Seasons of Love” also known as 525,600 minutes acapella with such passion. He precluded his song by stating how Casey filled her life with the love of music each moment. Poetry, good memory moments, and a piano piece composed just for her was shared by her close family and friends. The Youth Chamber Orchestra, Peabody Conservatory of Music, and Bel Air High School Counterpoints Choir members spoke through their music. We all wept, laughed, smiled, and prayed together as each “Symphony” was shared. Each person that performed hugged each family member.

The most tender moment of the tribute was when her father stood at the pulpit and and shared his open letter to Casey. Her mother also shared her letter, but had Rev. Sarah deliver it. Each letter was an intimate expression of their love, respect, and adoration. What a gift to hear the history of her beautiful life with humor, tenderness, and honesty. Casey was not only loved, but an model to those around her. She lived each day to the fullest filled with passion for music, compassion for others, having faith that all things are possible with hard work . One teacher quoted Casey expressing that “Life is Music!”

The presiding clergy, a married couple, testified that she truly understood what life was all about in just her short 18 years of life on earth. They also mentioned how blessed they were to live across the street from the Butlers. Another miracle of friendship, that at this particular time they would serve their daughter. Both serve as chaplains in the armed services. They watched the Butler children grow into amazing young people. A beautiful spiritual song sung by the high school choir, that Casey usually accompanied on piano, ended the performances. Mick stood up and applauded. We all joined him, as the room was filled with gratitude and thanks for those that shared their music. In closing, a quote from Dale Carnegie “For better or worse you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life” helped us to reflect on how we can make our lives rich and extraordinary like Casey. It was a wish that her contribution and example with lift a future musician, to pass her message of peace and love onward to others – that they too will find how to fill their lives with passion.

As I left the pew and started out, I was gratified to see the Butlers surrounded by compassion, concern, love, and respect. They were deeply moved and touched by the response of the community and long-term friendships. As I passed the last pew, there stood an former DNREC co-worker and friend Enemute Oduaran from Nigeria. We hugged and shared smiles promising to keep in touch by email.

We are ever connected by the time spent together in past, present, and future. That can not be changed! I’m very grateful for my job and for the friendships I hold dear.

At Peabody Conservatory, Life is Music - Casey Butler leaves an inspiring legacy

More Information about Casey:
Casey Santana Butler, age 18, of Abingdon, MD, died on November 15, 2010. Born in Wilmington, DE, she was the daughter of Michael Paul and Susan Moreland Butler of Abingdon, MD. A resident of Harford County for 11 years, she graduated from Bel Air High School in 2010 where she was a member of the Honor Society for four years, as well as, the Spanish Honor Society. She was a member of the Bel Air High School Band, Orchestra, and Chorus; the All County Band and Orchestra for four years; and she had earned a place on the All State Band where she played 1st chair bassoon. She was also field commander for the Bel Air Marching Band. For five years she was a member of the Harford Youth Orchestra, which was conducted by Brian Folus; three years with the Maryland Youth Chamber Orchestra, which was conducted by Vladimir Lande; and for two years, she has been a member of the Peabody Youth Orchestra, which is conducted by Dr. Harlan Parker. She was currently studying at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. A 2009 Benjamin Carson Scholar Award Winner and 2010 Recognition Scholar, she also participated for eight years with the Destination Imagination which is a Creative Problem Solving Group.