Fort Christina Offers a Historical Destination This Summer

-Partner Site of the First State National Historical Park to Host Summer 2018 Events-

(DOVER, Del.—June 1, 2018)—Fort Christina National Historic Landmark, one of the partner sites of the First State National Historical Park, offers visitors access to one of the cornerstones of Delaware history and an expanded schedule of activities from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Building on last year’s success, Fort Christina is now staffed by guides who offer free interpretive tours to the public. Children can also earn Junior Ranger badges on the first Saturdays in June, July and August. This special heritage site marks the approximate location where a group of Swedish and Finnish colonists from the ships Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip landed on a natural wharf of “blue rocks” in 1638. It was here that the first Swedish settlement in America began—the first permanent European settlement in Delaware.

Elisabeth Hohman of the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society during the ceremony at Fort Christina commemorating the landing of the Swedish colonial vessel, the Kalmar Nyckel, at the site in 1638. With Ms. Homan are (counterclockwise from lower left) her grandsons Kasper, Layton and Gunner Hohman and their grandfather, William Hohman, a volunteer for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. The ceremony was part of the foundation’s annual “Festival of the Fort” which took place on April 22, 2018. In the background is the Swedish Tercentenary Monument which depicts the Kalmar Nyckel.
Elisabeth Hohman of the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society during the ceremony at Fort Christina commemorating the landing of the Swedish colonial vessel, the Kalmar Nyckel, at the site in 1638. With Ms. Homan are (counterclockwise from lower left) her grandsons Kasper, Layton and Gunner Hohman and their grandfather, William Hohman, a volunteer for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. The ceremony was part of the foundation’s annual “Festival of the Fort” which took place on April 22, 2018. In the background is the Swedish Tercentenary Monument which depicts the Kalmar Nyckel.

Located at 1110 E. Seventh St. in Wilmington, Del., next to the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and Copeland Maritime Center, Fort Christina will be open between May 26 and Sept. 3 on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. (closed on July 4). Site hours and activities are supported by a partnership between the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the First Sate National Historical Park and the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. Admission is free to all visitors.

As part of its new 2018 summer hours, Fort Christina will host a series of “First Saturdays” celebrations open to the public. On June 2, “Celebrate Sweden” will mark the founding of the colony of New Sweden (now Delaware) and the anniversary of the site as a park. “Celebrate Pirates” at the Wilmington Pirate Festival will be hosted on Saturday, July 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with family-centered activities and ship tours at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard and Fort Christina. The event promises to bring an exciting day of pirate-themed ship tours, demonstrations, games and crafts as well as live music, face painting, food and beverages. The event is open to the public with free admission and fees for some activities. August will bring “Celebrate National Park Service” on Saturday, Aug. 4 in recognition of the anniversary of the founding of the U.S. parks system. Educational tours and a variety of activities will be posted at www.KalmarNyckel.org as they are announced.

In 2016, Fort Christina re-opened as one of several statewide components of the First State National Historical Park and part of a larger effort to create a first class historical and cultural destination on Wilmington’s East Seventh Street peninsula. The goal is to integrate and develop the historic and cultural attractions of the Kalmar Nyckel shipyard campus, Fort Christina, Old Swedes Church and the Hendrickson House, along with the Christina River water taxi and other Riverfront attractions. Organizations working to make this dream a reality include the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, the National Park Service, Old Swedes Foundation and the Riverfront Development Corporation.

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is an agency of the State of Delaware. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and ownership of historic properties across the state including Fort Christina National Historic Landmark.

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non-profit educational organization with the mission of preserving and promoting the cultural and maritime heritage of Delaware and the Delaware Valley for the education and enrichment of all. The foundation is a volunteer-based organization that built, owns and operates the Kalmar Nyckel. The Tall Ship of Delaware is a present-day reproduction of the flagship from the 1638 expedition that founded the colony of New Sweden. Launched in 1997, Kalmar Nyckel serves as a floating classroom and an inspirational platform that offers people of all ages a variety of sea- and land-based recreational and educational experiences.

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Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 302-739-7787
E-mail: Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web: http://history.delaware.gov


Millsboro man arrested by DNREC Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit for illegal dumping

MILLSBORO – Following an investigation into complaints of illegal dumping in the area, Natural Resources Police Officers with DNREC’s Environmental Crimes Unit arrested a Millsboro man May 25 for illegal dumping of refuse and yard waste debris.

Robert W. Gordy Sr., 70, was charged with two counts of using a motor vehicle during, or in the aid of the disposal or discharge of solid waste materials. The charges carry a minimum fine of $500 each.

Gordy was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released on $200 unsecured bail.

Residents are encouraged to report illegal trash dumping to DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Environmental Crimes Unit by calling the 24-hour environmental complaints line at 800-662-8802.

Vol. 48, No. 139

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: May 21-27

Reminder for the week: Saturday starts National Fishing & Boating Week!

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between May 21-27 made 3,927 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 150 citations. Officers responded to 160 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

  • On May 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions at a career day at Lake Forest North near Felton. The Marine Patrol Vessel Oscar, which was very popular, was on display.
  • On May 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a Bayshore event at Cedar Creek. Officers had three patrol vessels on site and were available for tours of the new jetty and sea wall.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

  • On May 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Michael T. Dorn, 43, of St. Georges for one count each of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following an incident that occurred on the Mike Castle Trail near St. Georges. Dorn was video arraigned with Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he was released on a $500 unsecured bond and a no contact order with any Division of Fish & Wildlife properties pending a future court date.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (13), possession of undersized white perch (8), possession of undersized blue crab (7), possession of sponge crabs (1), possession of shellfish from a prohibited area (2), possession of undersize summer flounder (1), improperly marked crab pot (1), possession of undersized black seabass (1), unlawful possession of snapping turtles (1), no F.I.N. (8), and over-the-limit striped bass (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (7), operating an unregistered vessel (3), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (7), no boating safety certificate (11), failure to observe slow/no wake zone (1), no sound producing device on board (1), no flares on board (1), operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1), operating a personal watercraft after sunset (1), allow use of a non-compliant vessel (2), no throwable preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (2), and jumping wake on a personal watercraft (2).

Public Safety: Disorderly conduct (1), resisting arrest (1), possession of marijuana – civil (5), possession of drug paraphernalia – marijuana related (2), possession of heroin (3), possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related (1), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (47)*, dumping/littering on state property (2), parking/obstruct boat ramp, roadway or trail with vehicle (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and unattended vehicle in a state wildlife area (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds the public to take advantage of the great, family friendly upcoming outdoor opportunities in observance of National Fishing & Boating Week starting Saturday June 2-10.

Our 32nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 2 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Akridge Scout Reservation in Camden and at the dog training area of Lums Pond State Park in Bear. There will be prizes for all participants and it is free of charge! For more information on the tournament, and to register, click here.

We also invite you to fish, crab, and clam in any Delaware waters by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3. On these two days, anyone, out-of-staters included, may fish the state’s waters without a fishing license. For more information on Delaware’s free fishing days, click here.

To report boating and fisheries violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.

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DOJ Warns Delawareans About Latest Round of Scam Jury Duty Calls

The Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit is alerting residents that a phone scam regarding missed jury duty service is again making its way through Delaware, including recently in Kent County.

In the most recent scam, consumers receive a call from a live person claiming to be calling from a court office (such as the “Kent County Civil Processing Unit”) and that bench warrants have been issued for the consumer’s arrest due to their failure to appear for jury duty. Consumers have reported that were told that, in order to avoid arrest, they must to pay a fine via a money order or gift card purchased at a convenience store or pharmacy. The scam has included someone who refers to themselves as a major and who provides a number with a (302) area code to call back when they are ready to provide the payment.

According to Delaware’s courts, Delawareans eligible for jury duty are always notified about their obligation to serve jury duty by mail; never by telephone. If you do receive a call about jury duty, you can check to see if you have been summoned by calling Delaware Superior Court Jury Services at 302-255-0800 for New Castle County, 302-735-1901 for Kent County, and 302-855-7055 for Sussex County.

DOJ also reminds residents to be extra diligent about this or other telephone scams by:

  • Never agreeing to pay any fine or other money over the phone, including by purchasing a money order or gift card at a store and providing the number to someone over the phone or by email. Government agencies do not take payments this way.
  • Not answering calls from unknown numbers or unfamiliar persons. Scams can be “spoofed” to appear to be coming from a local number, even though the call is originating from out of state or overseas.
  • Hanging up on aggressive callers, particularly those who threaten arrest.

The Attorney General encourages consumers who believe they may have been scammed to call the toll-free Consumer Hotline at 1-800-220-5424 or email the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit at consumer.protection@delaware.gov. If you receive a call but have not paid any money to the scammers, you can report the phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry and file a complaint, www.donotcall.gov.


Wilmington City Council Discretionary Fund Special Investigation

State Auditor, R. Thomas Wagner, Jr., has released the Wilmington City Council Discretionary Fund Special Investigation report.

In response to a request from Hanifa Shabazz, Wilmington City Council President, AOA opened an investigation on City Council’s discretionary fund for January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017. Through the investigation, AOA determined that the 2017 grant to the Police Athletic League of Wilmington, subsequently disbursed to Student Disabilities Advocate, Inc. was not in accordance with Wilmington’s City Code related to conflicts of interest, post-employment restrictions, and other grant requirements.

For the full results of the special investigation, please see the report available on AOA’s website at auditor.delaware.gov.

If you have any questions please contact R. Thomas Wagner, Jr., State Auditor, at 302-739-5055 or r.thomas.wagner@delaware.gov.