Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell recognizes Delaware’s 2017 Teacher of the Year, Mount Pleasant Elementary’s Wendy Turner, and pays tribute to the many excellent educators across our state who are helping our children learn and prepare for success.

“We know that a major factor in student achievement is an excellent teacher, and we can’t overstate the important role our educators play in shaping our children’s future,” Governor Markell said.  “That’s why we’re supporting them in more ways through professional learning communities in schools, new teacher leadership roles, and compensation for professional development and national certification.  Delaware has many outstanding educators, and this week I was honored to announce that our 2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year is Wendy Turner, a second grade teacher at Mount Pleasant Elementary in the Brandywine School District.  I want to thank Wendy, and all of our educators who work so hard to provide our children with the knowledge and skills and opportunity to meet their full potential in life.  We appreciate all they do to 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:

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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Honoring Teachers for Their Role in Shaping Our Children’s Future

MEDIA ADVISORY: Thursday, October 27, 2016

Contacts:

Judith Kargbo (NEA), kargboj@arts.gov, 202-682-5528

Leeann Wallett (Delaware Division of Arts), leeann.wallett@delaware.gov, 302-577-8280

Brian Cunningham (Senator Coons), Brian_Cunningham@coons.senate.gov, 302-573- 6345

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu to Visit
Wilmington, Delaware on November 1, 2016

Washington, DC – On November 1, 2016, Jane Chu, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will join Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) in engaging the Delaware arts community. Chairman Chu will tour The Delaware Contemporary and join Senator Coons in a public Town Hall meeting at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington. Chairman Chu will also tour the Biggs Museum of American Art and participate in a public meet and greet in Dover.

Chairman Chu will tour The Delaware Contemporary, an art museum and dynamic gathering place where art, design, and technology intersect to inspire creativity. She will have the opportunity to learn more about the many programs the museum offers, including its NEA-supported artist-in-residence program.

Then, the Delaware Division of the Arts hosts a Town Hall meeting at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington. Chairman Chu, Senator Coons, and Governor Jack Markell (D-DE) will give remarks. Chairman Chu will speak about the NEA’s 50th anniversary and take questions from the audience, giving her an opportunity to learn more about how the arts play an important role in Delaware’s arts community. Media who wish to attend this event should contact Leeann Wallett with the Delaware Division of the Arts at leeann.wallett@delaware.gov. After the Town Hall meeting, Chairman Chu is available for short one-on-one media interviews. Media should send their request in advance to Judith Kargbo, kargboj@arts.gov.

Later that afternoon, Chairman Chu will visit the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, an art museum dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the fine and decorative arts of Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic Region and the nation from 1700 to the present. Following a tour of the museum, Chairman Chu will participate in a public meet and greet with the Dover arts community. Prior to the meet and greet, Chairman Chu is available for short one-on-one media interviews. Media should send their request in advance to Judith Kargbo, kargboj@arts.gov.

As part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ 50th anniversary celebration, the NEA created a story bank of multimedia content to showcase the impact of the arts. To date, hundreds of people from across the country, including Delaware, have submitted stories about how the arts and the National Endowment for the Arts have impacted their lives. In addition to a video about the arts and culture of Delaware, this section also includes a video from Senator Chris Coons, filmed at The Delaware Contemporary.

Media should contact Judith Kargbo at kargboj@arts.gov if they would like to attend any of the site visits or request an interview with Chairman Chu.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

9:00AM- 10:15AM The Delaware Contemporary Site Visit

Location: 200 S Madison St, Wilmington, DE 19801

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts
David Keller, interim executive director, The Delaware Contemporary Arts
Kathrine Page, board chair, The Delaware Contemporary Arts
Alma Sheppard-Matsuo, artist-in-residence, The Delaware Contemporary Arts

1:00PM –2:00PM Town Hall Meeting

Location: The Grand Opera House at the baby grand, 818 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Chris Coons, U.S. Senator, State of Delaware
Jack Markell, Governor, State of Delaware
Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts
Mark Fields, executive director, the Grand Opera House

2:15PM –2:30PM Media Availability

Location: the baby grand, 818 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Chris Coons, U.S. Senator, State of Delaware

3:45PM- 4:10PM Biggs Museum Tour

Location: 406 Federal St, Dover, DE 19901

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts
Charles Guerin, executive director, Biggs Museum
Ryan Grover, curator, Biggs Museum

4:15PM- 4:30PM Media Availability

Location: Biggs Museum, 406 Federal St, Dover, DE 19901

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts

4:30PM- 5:45PM Public Meet and Greet

Location: Biggs Museum, 406 Federal St, Dover, DE 19901

Participants:

Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Paul Weagraff, director, Delaware Division of the Arts
Charles Guerin, executive director, Biggs Museum
Ryan Grover, curator, Biggs Museum

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and the agency is celebrating this milestone with events and activities through September 2016.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit artsdel.org or call 302-577-8278.

THE MEZZANINE GALLERY TO EXHIBIT LINDA CELESTIAN’S ‘FLUENT’ PAINTINGS

‘Fluent’ refers to the artist’s technique in which paint is poured in its liquid form and allowed to dry before another transparent layer is applied. The work is inspired by both the macro and micro worlds of nature – the sky, fungus growths, and patterns created by wind and rain. Celestian views nature as a metaphor for human experiences and emotional states of being.

The exhibition will be on view from Nov. 4-23, with an opening reception on Friday, Nov. 4, from 5-7 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Celestian will attend to discuss her painting techniques and her new work in glass which will also be on view in the show.

Celestian received a 2016 Individual Artist Fellowship in Visual Arts, Painting and is a co-founder of the Highland Arts Garage, Wilmington. Learn more about Celestian with our YouTube Meet the Artist video series.

The Mezzanine Gallery is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French St., Wilmington, DE 19801 and open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

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(DOVER, Del.—Oct. 18, 2016)—Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate Halloween early by attending the fictionalized historical-play “Who Done It: A Historic Murder Mystery” that will be presented at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at The Old State House, located at 25 The Green in Dover, Del. Admission is free and open to the public, but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Created by historic-site interpreters at The Old State House, “Who Done It: A Historic Murder Mystery” will transport attendees back to the 18th century to help Delaware physician James Sykes solve the mysterious case of Samuel Bedford III’s murder. Armed only with a checklist and some helpful hints from Dr. Sykes himself, visitors will have a chance to tour one of the oldest capitol buildings in the United States as they question those closest to Mr. Bedford, and draw their own conclusions as to “who done it.” Attendees will also learn the true medical mystery that inspired this program.

Visitors to the 2 p.m. performance are encouraged to bring children under age 18 for room-to-room trick-or-treating at stops within the building. Costumes are welcome for all who attend.

Completed in 1791, The Old State House served as the home of Delaware’s legislature until 1933 when the General Assembly moved to larger quarters in Legislative Hall. The Old State House features an 18th-century-style courtroom, governor’s and county offices and chambers for the state’s Senate and House of Representatives. The building is situated on Dover’s historic Green, a public area designated by William Penn in 1683.

Following is a schedule of museum-sponsored events through December 2016. All programs take place at The Old State House, located at 25 The Green in Dover, Del. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. All programs listed are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5054.

Old State House events through December 2016

Thru mid-April, 2017
“The Old State House: A True Restoration 1976-2016.” Display explores preservation work that has been conducted since Delaware’s first state capitol building was restored to its original appearance in 1976. From the collections of the State of Delaware.

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016
“Who Done It: A Historic Murder Mystery.” Fictionalized historical play in which museum guests assist Delaware’s Dr. James Sykes in questioning suspects in the death of Samuel Bedford, III. Based on a real 18th-century medical mystery solved by Dr. Sykes. Performances at 2 and 8 p.m. Visitors to the 2 p.m. performance are encouraged to bring children for indoor trick-or-treating at stops within the building. Costumes are welcomed for all who attend. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016
“18th Century Market Fair.” Programs explore an era when The Green served as the focal point of life in Dover as historical interpreters explore the goods, wares and political attitudes of the 1700s. The Old State House will celebrate the fair with special tours and 18th-century-style demonstrations. Sponsored by the First State Heritage Park. The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
“The People’s House.” In honor of Election Day, guided tours will explore the significance of The Old State House and the many state and county governmental functions that were conducted there between 1791 and 1933. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
“Delaware Band of Brothers: A Veterans Day Presentation.” Program examines the interconnected lives, dedication and friendship of four Union officers who served together for four years in the Delaware volunteers during the American Civil War. 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016
Thanksgiving Day. The Old State House closed.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
“Historic Holiday Traditions.” Lecture by historic-site interpreter Latecia Prophet examines holiday traditions of the 18th century. First Saturday in the First State program. 1 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016
Christmas Day. The Old State House closed.

-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

When/Where: Saturday, November 12th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Downtown Dover.

The Delaware General Assembly, in conjunction with the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, the Delaware National Guard, the City of Dover and the State Veterans’ Organizations, will honor Delaware veterans with a parade through the streets of downtown Dover.

The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the west side of Dover, move east along Loockerman Street, turn right onto Federal Street and end at the Legislative Mall. A reviewing stand will be located in the downtown area, where Master of Ceremonies David Skocik, President of the Delaware Veterans Coalition, will acknowledge parade participants. All Delaware veterans and veterans’ organizations, JROTC Units, as well as high school and college bands are invited to march in the parade.

Participants can complete a parade registration form and return to: Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, 802 Silver Lake Blvd, Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904 or fax it to (302) 739-2794.

Deadline for parade registration is Friday, October 28, 2016. Below is a copy of the registration form.

For further information, please contact Gary Chaffee, Volunteer Parade Coordinator at (302) 632-7718.

de-veterans-parade-registration