Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced he will nominate Abigail Myers Legrow, who currently serves as a Master in the Court of Chancery, to become a Judge of the Superior Court. He also announced he will nominate Kim DeBonte, who currently works for the State of Delaware’s Office of the Child Advocate, to become a Family Court Commissioner in Sussex County. If confirmed by the Senate, Legrow will fill the vacancy that resulted from the retirement of the Honorable Judge Fred S. Silverman in late November, and DeBonte will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Pamela Holloway.

As a Master in Chancery since her 2012 appointment to that position, Legrow has presided over hearings and written dozens of recommendation opinions on a wide variety of time-sensitive legal disputes, including business disputes, trusts and estates, and guardianships.

Prior to her appointment as a Master in Chancery, Legrow served as a corporate litigation associate at the Wilmington-based law firm Potter Anderson & Corroon. Before joining Potter Anderson, Legrow served as a law clerk to the Honorable Justice Jack B. Jacobs of the Delaware Supreme Court. LeGrow graduated in 2004 from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, where she was the valedictorian of her class and the Editor of the Penn State Law Review. Legrow earned her Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from Susquehanna University.

“Abigail Legrow has demonstrated the work ethic, intellect, ability to make timely and well-informed decisions, and professional demeanor that is required for a Judge of the Superior Court,” said Governor Markell. “Her three years of judicial experience in her prior role as a Master in Chancery make her uniquely qualified to immediately excel as a Superior Court Judge. If confirmed by the Senate, the State of Delaware would be fortunate to retain Abby as a dedicated public servant in this new role.”

“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Markell to join the Superior Court,” said Legrow. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity that I have had as a Master of the Court of Chancery and, if confirmed by the Senate, I very much look forward to making the transition to the Superior Court.”

Through her work as an attorney at the State of Delaware’s Office of the Child Advocate, DeBonte has directly participated in a wide variety of issues that regularly come before the Family Court. Prior to her time at the Office of the Child Advocate, DeBonte worked in private legal practice, focusing on litigation and family law. In addition to her legal work, she has taught classes as an adjunct professor at Delaware Technical & Community College, where she also is a past member of the Advisory Committee for the Office and Administrative Technology Program. DeBonte graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1997.

“Kim DeBonte is a dedicated and talented attorney and advocate, with extensive experience in the very issues she will be considering as a Family Court Commissioner,” said Governor Markell. “She has demonstrated the desire, skills and work ethic necessary to succeed in her role addressing the Family Court’s challenging docket. I believe the Senate’s approval of Kim as a Family Court Commissioner will strengthen an already deep bench of dedicated jurists.”

“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Markell to join the Family Court,” said DeBonte. “If confirmed, I understand the hard work and commitment that will be necessary to make sure that anyone appearing before me in my new role receives all of the attention and services that they deserve.”

The Senate is expected to consider both nominations when legislative session resumes in January 2016.

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DOVER, DE – Influential trade publication Captive Review magazine has named Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart to its first Enterprise Risk Captive Pioneers list, recognizing 20 of the “key influencers” in the United States’ smaller captive industry.

Captive Review said “Commissioner Stewart has been the driving force behind Delaware’s rapidly growing captive industry and has taken a strong interest in the facilitation of captives for small and medium-sized businesses.” These captive entities, known as Enterprise Risk Captives (ERCs), have played a significant role in Delaware’s captive growth. In July 2009, when Commissioner formed the Bureau of Captive and Financial Insurance Products, Delaware only had 38 captive insurers. In a little more than five years, Delaware became one of world’s preeminent captive insurance domiciles, in large part by providing ERCs a captive insurance domicile that has knowledgeable regulators and laws that encourage the formation of captive insurers.

“I’m honored to be included on this list of small captive insurance industry trailblazers,” said Commissioner Stewart. “When I first became Commissioner, I was determined to grow our captive program. Of course, my hard-working captive division staff has really gotten down in the trenches and worked with our ERCs to make sure they make use of all the advantages Delaware’s favorable business climate provides. And my captive director Steve Kinion especially has become a respected champion for small market captives.”

Captive insurance companies are owned by the entities they insure, and are formed by businesses who wish to manage more efficiently the cost and administration of their own risk. Delaware updated its laws regarding the formation of captives in 2005, and consequently became a preferred domicile for the growing number of captive insurance companies being created by companies worldwide.  Today Delaware is the world’s sixth largest and the third largest U.S. captive domicile.  Delaware’s sophisticated corporate laws, financial infrastructure and respected judiciary make it the preeminent jurisdiction for business. These benefits are extended to captive insurance companies through Delaware’s Bureau of Captive and Financial Insurance

For more information, please visit captive.delawareinsurance.gov

The Captive Review article is here: captivereview.com/news/revealed-the-2015-captive-review-erc-pioneers

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Ensuring Delaware children start school ready to learn is vital to their lifelong prosperity. It’s why we’ve invested heavily in strengthening our early learning programs, as well as supports for new mothers.
But those investments will only pay off if we train a high quality workforce to meet these needs.

So, this past week, I recognized more than 200 early childhood professionals who this year participated in the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood program to improve upon their own education. They’ve earned advanced degrees and credentials at our colleges and universities, while gaining more knowledge and skills to use in the classroom. The T.E.A.C.H. program shows the incredible dedication of so many members of our early learning workforce – Delawareans like Krysta Thomas, a teacher and now Assistant Director at Expanding Our Kid’s World in Smyrna. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Education and is now pursuing her Bachelor’s. Many of our T.E.A.C.H scholars have gone back to school despite having full-time jobs and families of their own to care for. Historically, we have not valued people like Krysta enough given their critical role in children’s lives, and that’s changing with this program. More than half of T.E.A.C.H. scholarships recipients are the first family member to attend college. And their employers provide a bonus or raise to scholars when they complete their coursework.

We’ve made great progress in increasing access to early childhood services in Delaware. The number of low-income children in highly rated early learning programs has increased from five to 58 percent in just a few years. More than 28,000 young children have received developmental screenings, and we’ve reduced behavioral challenges with better mental health services. These accomplishments are only possible because of talented people serving our youngest learners. By continuing to better support them, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights efforts to better support teachers in our early childhood programs.

“Ensuring Delaware children start school ready to learn is vital to their lifelong prosperity. It’s why we’ve invested heavily in strengthening our early learning programs, as well as supports for new mothers,” said Governor Markell. “By continuing to better support them, 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: https://youtu.be/GEfCrNhz_Jw
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Preparing Our Youngest Learners by Investing in Our Workforce

(DOVER, Del.—Dec. 18, 2015)—The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be hosting 12 special events during the month of January 2016 at the museums of the state of Delaware. A full schedule is included below. All programs are free and open to the public.

Highlights of the month include “Fiber Arts Fridays,” a four-part series of programs taking place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover. During each week of the series, visitors will have an opportunity to learn about a different fiber-arts discipline including weaving, spinning and knitting.

On Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m., The Old State House, located 25 The Green in Dover, will present “Tales Tombstones Tell,” in which storyteller Ed Okonowicz examines the rich history found on grave markers in Delaware. The day’s activities will also include guided tours of the display “Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.”

Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m., the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, will present “I Cannot Tell a Lie, It was Almost a Big Blue: Historic Preservation and Archaeology at Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home,” a lecture by Paul Nasca, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ curator of archaeology, on Preservation Through Archaeology and the actions taken in Virginia that impacted the historic preservation of one of the nation’s iconic places. The program is presented as part of the division’s celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Admission to the lecture is free but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 15, 2016.

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums of the state of Delaware—the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum—tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States. Through displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state’s distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live there, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place. Go to the following for a comprehensive, long-term calendar of museum events.

Special events at the museums of the state of Delaware, January 2016

Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016
“Music to Pray To; Music to Rejoice To.” Hear original 78rpm recordings of inspirational music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016
“Tales Tombstones Tell.” Storyteller Ed Okonowicz examines the rich history found on grave markers in Delaware. The day’s activities will also include guided tours of the display “Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.” First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Storytelling at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Fridays, Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2016
“Fiber Arts Fridays.” Four-part series in which visitors will learn about a different fiber-art each week including weaving, spinning, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 11–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission. 302-739-3277.

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Program 1–3 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016
“The Founding of America in One Year.” Lecture by historical interpreter Bob Vander Decker. Part one of a year-long series that examines important local and national events that led to the founding of the United States. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016
“Preservation 50—‘I Cannot Tell a Lie, It was Almost a Big Blue: Historic Preservation and Archaeology at Ferry Farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home.’ ” Lecture by Paul Nasca, Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs’ curator of archaeology, on Preservation Through Archaeology and the actions taken in Virginia that impacted the historic preservation of one of the nation’s iconic places. Presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Program 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 15, 2016.

Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
“Courage and Freedom.” In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, guided tours will focus on three compelling stories of courageous Delawareans whose fight for freedom and equality began at the Old State House. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
“The Struggle.” In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, guided tours focus on African-American vocalists and Civil Rights activists Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson, accompanied by 78rpm recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3262.

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective.” Screening of the 2002 documentary film that explores King’s life and the development of his philosophies, set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. 7 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are recommended by calling 302-323-4453.

Exhibits and displays, January 2016
In addition to special programming, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is sponsoring the following exhibits and displays:

Ongoing
“Delaware and the War of 1812.” Exhibit examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United States. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Delaware Mourns Lincoln: A Demonstration of Love and Sorrow.” Utilizing graphics, clothing and memorabilia, the display explores how Delawareans expressed their deep sorrow upon the death of President Abraham Lincoln on April 15, 1865. From the collections of the state of Delaware. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Mon.–Sat., 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5054.

Ongoing
“Discovering Delaware’s Maritime Past.” Display explores the DeBraak, a shipwrecked 18th-century British warship including a photo of the hull recovery, reproductions of items aboard ship, and a model of the vessel. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

Ongoing
“Emeline Hawkins: Her Journey From Slavery to Freedom on the Underground Railroad.” Exhibit chronicles the compelling story of Emeline Hawkins and her family and their 1845 odyssey on the Underground Railroad from slavery in Maryland, through Delaware to freedom in Pennsylvania. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
Sculpture by Charles Parks. Display of works by the noted Wilmington artist featuring historical and political figures including a Minute Man, and presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle. Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sun., 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-323-4453.

Ongoing
“A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World.” Exhibit utilizes artifacts recovered from His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast on May 25, 1798 to tell the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Nov. 1–March 31: Wed.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Oct. 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-645-1148.

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 many more-complicated machines are composed. John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Oct. 1–March 31: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 1–Sept. 30: Tue.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30–4:30 p.m. 302-739-3277.

Ongoing
“World War II Through the Lens of William D. Willis.” Designed by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the display features photographs taken in Western Europe from 1943-45. From the collections of the state of Delaware. Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave., Dover. Limited visitation hours; call 302-739-9194 before planning a visit.

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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