Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30

WILMINGTON, Del. — Today, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and U.S. Sen. Tom Carper joined the American Red Cross, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Delaware Department of Homeland Security to urge Delawareans to prepare themselves, their families, and their businesses for the 2014 hurricane storm season. The Atlantic and Caribbean Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

 “Hurricanes have resulted in real damage to homes and businesses across the state in recent years, but we’ve also limited the damage because of the support we have received from the public in prevention and response efforts” said Governor Jack Markell.  “Our best defense is to be well prepared before any storm arrives and we all have a role to play. Keeping our communities as safe as possible requires advanced coordination and cooperation among state government, the general public and organizations like the Red Cross.”

“If the superstorms of the last several years have taught us anything, it’s to be prepared for everything,” said Sen. Carper, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. “Now is the time to protect your homes, businesses and property from severe weather.”

“Being prepared and staying well informed through local media and DEMA’s web site is most important in keeping our families and neighbors safe during severe weather events. Our citizens must prepare now for this year’s hurricane season so that they know what to do before, during and after a hurricane strikes,” said Delaware Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro.

 A 2013 survey by the American Red Cross and The Weather Channel found that few Americans living in coastal counties have taken necessary action to prepare for severe tropical storms and hurricanes. Only about half of those surveyed have an evacuation plan or a plan for communicating with family members if they are separated. Nearly a third of people did not have an emergency kit with supplies.

 “The importance of maintaining and sustaining your knowledge of your community, hazards, home, neighbors, your planning efforts, and maintaining and sustaining knowledge of storm impacts are the primary areas of consideration that will assist you in making decisions to preserve your personal safety and that of your family and your neighbors, said Jamie Turner, director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. “Have a plan, have a kit; exercise and update both on an annual basis.”

 “Preparedness is critical when it comes to life-threatening disasters such as hurricanes,” said Patrick Delaney, CEO, American Red Cross Delmarva Region. “It’s important families and individuals make time to build an emergency kit, create an evacuation plan, and download the Red Cross Hurricane App to help make it through the next storm safely.”

 Even communities far inland from the coast can experience hurricanes depending on the course of the storm, often with the threat of powerful winds and widespread flooding. In addition, strong rip currents even at large distances from the storm can threaten those at the beach many miles away.

 PREPARE BEFORE THE STORM

Hurricanes are powerful and dangerous storms. They can bring heavy rains that cause major flooding, destructive winds that down power lines, uproot trees and damage homes, and storm surges that travel several miles inland destroying everything in its path.

As hurricane season approaches, it is important to know the difference between the threat levels.

•  A Hurricane Watch is when conditions are a threat within 48 hours. It’s then time to review your hurricane plans. Get ready to act if a warning is issued, and stay informed.

•  A Hurricane Warning is when conditions are expected within 36 hours. It’s then time to complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

Now is the time for families and individual to build an emergency kit and create an evacuation plan.  For more information, go to http://www.ready.gov/american-red-cross or www.dema.delaware.gov.

(Wilmington, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights ongoing efforts to prepare Delaware students for the global economy through the expansion of the state’s World Language Immersion Programs.

“More than 800 of our youngest students can talk about their school day in more than one language. By next year more than 1500 will be able to do so,” said Governor Markell. “By giving students the chance to start language training early, we’ll help them make the most of their talents, and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/Yvmj9mU0EL8
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Preparing Youth for the Global Economy

In our global economy, we can greatly expand opportunities available to our kids if we recognize the advantages of speaking multiple languages. So two years ago we launched a world language immersion program in which students can take half of their subjects in Chinese or Spanish – starting in kindergarten. The response has been phenomenal. More than 800 of our youngest students can talk about their school day in more than one language. By next year more than 1500 will be able to do so.

Nearly all of the students’ parents have agreed that our seven Spanish and three Chinese programs enrich their child’s education. As one Spanish immersion teacher said: It’s amazing to see 5-year-olds arrive in kindergarten unable to write their name, and by the end of the year have a conversation in two different languages. By 4th grade, students will be proficient. By 9th grade, they’ll be able to pass an Advanced Placement language class. And they’ll succeed because of great educators. We’re working with our colleges to train more language teachers, while building relationships with China and Spain.

I was proud to welcome Spain’s United States Ambassador to McIlvaine Early Childhood Center where we renewed a partnership that has brought dozens of Spain’s best teachers to our schools and that has allowed us to send Delaware teachers to training programs in Spain. Ambassador Gil-Casares emphasized that hundreds of Spanish companies invest in the United States. And you cannot overestimate the importance of languages in determining where they will create jobs. By giving students the chance to start language training early, we’ll help them make the most of their talents, and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

Dover – A Kent County man who killed his girlfriend in their Leipsic residence last summer and attempted to dispose of her remains in a wooded lot nearby was convicted of her death this morning and was sentenced to prison, Attorney General Beau Biden announced today.

“This defendant will spend a significant time in prison for the tragic death of this young woman,” Biden said.

On Saturday, September 7, 2013, local residents directed Delaware State Police to charred human remains in a wooded area along the 200 block of Denny Street in Leipsic.  The victim was identified as 19 year-old Taylor M. Owens, who had been reported missing by her family earlier that week.  At the time of her death the victim lived nearby with her boyfriend, 21 year-old Tony Mozick Jr., who was arrested on September 8, 2013 and charged with Owens’ death.  The charges alleged that Owens was killed by Mozick on August 31, 2013 during an altercation in their residence, and that Mozick then moved the body to the wooded area where he tried to conceal the remains by burning them.

An autopsy later concluded that the victim’s death was a homicide, however the Medical Examiner’s office was unable to determine the cause of death.  A comprehensive investigation by Delaware State Police and a review of the evidence by prosecutors concluded that during the August 31, 2013 altercation the victim fell and hit her head, resulting in her death.  As a result, the case resulted in a guilty plea by the defendant this morning in Dover.  Tony Mozick, Jr. pled guilty to Manslaughter and Abuse of a Corpse and was immediately sentenced by Kent County Superior Court Judge James T Vaughn, Jr. to 15 years in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney Generals Gregory Babowal and Benjamin Snyder.

Booking Image Below:

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–Listing of plantation events through December 2014 also included–

During the month of June 2014, the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Rd. in Dover, Del., will present six special programs that explore different aspects of everyday life as it would have been lived during the 18th century when John Dickinson was in residence at the property. The site will also be open for visitation and tours between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

On June 5, 12, 19 and 26, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the plantation will present “Thirsty on Thursdays,” a program in which visitors will have an opportunity to make cool 18th-century drinks including switchels, lemonade and tea. On Thursday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m., Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre will portray the noted Philadelphia physician Benjamin Rush, one of the founding fathers of the United States. This living-history program is presented as part of the Friends of the John Dickinson Mansion annual meeting which will take place at 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public but, due to seating limitations, reservations are required by calling 302-739-3277. Finally, on June 14, between 1 and 3 p.m., the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild will be conducting demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts.

The John Dickinson Plantation was the boyhood home and country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, signer of the U.S. Constitution and “Penman of the Revolution.” The plantation features Dickinson’s original 1740 brick home, reconstructed farm buildings and a log’d dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural lands stretching down to the banks of the St. Jones River.

Following is a schedule of plantation events through December 2014. All programs take place at the John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Del. The property is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Times for special programs are indicated. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

John Dickinson Plantation special events through December 2014

Ongoing
“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel —that constitute the elementary building blocks of which all complicated machines are composed.

Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2014
“Thirsty on Thursdays.” Learn how to make cool 18th-century drinks including switchels, lemonade and tea. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 12, 2014
“Benjamin Rush.” Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre portrays the noted Philadelphia physician Benjamin Rush, one of the founding fathers of the United States. Part of the Friends of the John Dickinson Mansion annual meeting. Annual meeting at 5 p.m. Benjamin Rush at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public but, due to seating limitations, reservations are required by calling 302-739-3277.

Saturdays, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2014
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. 1–3 p.m.

Saturday, June 21, 2014
“Shall Faithfully Serve!” Program explores indentured servitude and tradesmen associated with the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Note: Program cancelled.

Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2014
Hands On History. Visitors will experience 18th-century history by participating in a different demonstration each week. Hands-on demonstrations will include sachet making, paper marbling, paper quilling, plantation journal-making and plaster casting. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2014
“Weaving Wednesdays.” Indoor, staff-led program in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014
“Raiding the Mansion—Plundering the House of all its Provisions.” Learn about the Tory raid on the plantation’s mansion house through a special tour, and through examination of letters and primary documents. 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Thursdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2014
“Taper Thursdays.” Learn to make your own candle and help the plantation dip 200 candles that John Dickinson would have required from his tenants are part of their leases. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014
“Hearth Cooking Basics.” Hands-on workshop. 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014
“Smoked, Pickled and Salted for Survival.” From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., learn how smoked, pickled and salted meats helped stretch food reserves in the winter, and participate in pickling meats with brine and smoking meats in the plantation’s smokehouse. Concurrently, join the John Dickinson Plantation in celebration of the St. Jones Reserve’s “Arts in the Estuary” program from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
“A Day in the Life of the John Dickinson Plantation.” Visitors of all ages will enjoy a day of music, food, entertainment and hands-on activities from colonial trades to hearth cooking in the 18th-century setting of the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2014
“Lantern Tours of the Plantation.” Programs explore the parties, games, dances and entertainment that would have abounded at the plantation during the nighttime in the 18th century. Activities will also include wagon-ride guided-tours conducted by staff of the St. Jones Reserve exploring the nocturnal life of the estuary. Programs 6–7 p.m. and 7:30–8:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
“An 18th-Century Sweet Tooth.” Hands-on workshop in which visitors can learn how to create 18th-century sweets and goodies. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20, 2014
John Dickinson’s Birthday Month. Visitors celebrate the birth of John Dickinson by helping to make a great cake and decorate it using royal icing and shaped marzipan. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014
Candle-making workshops. Bayberry-candle workshop from 10 a.m.–noon examines bayberries and their use in creating bayberry candles. Presented in partnership with the St. Jones Reserve. Reservations required by calling the St. Jones Reserve at 302-739-3436. “Light Me Up!” workshop on candle dipping and discussion of lighting devices of the 18th century from 1–3 p.m. Reservations required by calling 302-739-3277 no later than Nov. 14.

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can learn to create and decorate cards through the art of paper quilling and stenciling, and write a personal note with a quill pen. 11–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014
“Handmade for the Holidays.” Seasonal program in which visitors can create a plaster ornament. 11–2:30 p.m.

-End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov