Delaware Forest Service offering urban and community grants

Penn Farms in New Castle held an Arbor Day tree planting funded in part by a $3,607 grant from the Delaware Forest Service’s urban and community forestry program.

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for its 2014 competitive grants, which are open to all municipalities, homeowner associations (HOA’s), and certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within the State of Delaware. Details at delawaretrees.com.

Grants range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 in one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management. All applications require a 50-50 cost-share match in either cash or in-kind services within program guidelines. Applications are limited to one project in one project category and will be judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities (HOA’s) and applicants that have a passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities).

The application deadline is the close of business on September 15, 2014. Winners will be notified by September 30, 2014. Specific details can be found in the 2014 Tree Grant Requirements and 2014 Urban and Community Grant Application. No emailed or faxed submissions will be accepted and receipt will be confirmed by email. Completed applications should be mailed to:

Delaware Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Examples of activities eligible for grant funding including:

This tree planting project at Penn Farms involved students from nearby schools.

Tree Planting
Hazard Tree Mitigation
Development of a Professional Tree Inventory

Funds must be utilized on public property owned by the municipality, HOA, or nonprofit organization.

2014 Urban and Community Grant Application Materials

2014 Tree Grant Requirements (MS Word)
2014 Urban and Community Grant Application (MS Word)

Resources:

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Contact Information
Project Description
Match Summary
Work Summary
Site Map with tree species and locations identified by address
Signature Page

To be considered for ranking, applications must clearly and concisely address the required elements.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All grants will be ranked according to the following criteria:

Overall project quality/community need (5 points)
Project encourages sustainable urban forestry through management planning, proper tree care or sustaining/ maintaining urban tree canopy. (5 points)
The project mitigates tree hazard(s) (5 points) – applicable only for management grants
Increases tree canopy (5 points) – applicable only for planting grants
Applicant has worked with DFS on a project to address DFS state forest strategies (5 points)
Municipality has an implemented an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (Municipalities) or is a current Tree Friendly Community (HOA’s/MC’s) (Bonus 1 point)

The Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is committed to providing a range of technical and informational assistance to residents of communities in the First State.

For more information, contact:
Kyle Hoyd, Delaware Forest Service (DFS) Urban Forestry Administrator,
Mobile (302) 943-7869, Office (302) 698-4578, Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov

Kesha Braunskill, DFS Urban Forestry Outreach Coordinator
Mobile (302) 535-7543, Office (302) 659-6704, Kehsa.Braunskill@delaware.gov

The Tory raid on John Dickinson’s home and traditional weaving activities to be featured at Dover, Del.’s John Dickinson Plantation in August 2014

–Listing of plantation events through December 2014 also included–

During the month of August 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. Admission is free. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the site will present “Raiding the Mansion—Plundering the House of all its Provisions,” a program which explores the Tory raid on the property’s mansion house through a special tour, and through examination of letters and primary documents. On Wednesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the plantation will present “Weaving Wednesdays,” hands-on activities in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. Finally, on Saturday, Aug. 9, 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.

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.

Saturdays, 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, 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.” 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. In addition, join the John Dickinson Plantation in celebration of the St. Jones Reserve’s “Arts in the Estuary” program from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 11 a.m.–2:30 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

Governor’s Weekly Message: Strengthening our Education System by Better Supporting our Teachers

DOVER – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights efforts to strengthen Delaware’s schools by reforming the State’s teacher compensation system.

“We can only strengthen our schools if we attract and retain more great teachers. But saying so is the easy part. To make that a reality requires significant changes to a long established compensation system – a system that offers too little financial support for those entering the profession and only rewards teachers for years of experience and obtaining academic credits and degrees.

Legislation passed this year provides an unprecedented opportunity to change the status quo by setting a new framework for teacher salaries. A group is now hammering out details of a plan that will raise starting salaries, while creating leadership opportunities that pay more, especially in high needs schools. If we get it right, we’ll retain more teachers like John Sell, Delaware’s 2013 Teacher of the Year, who left his teaching job at Sussex Tech to become an administrator because it was the only way to move up. And like Delaware State Education Association President Frederica Jenner, who excelled at teaching science at H.B. DuPont for decades, but never had the chance earn more pay despite additional responsibilities she assumed to help her colleagues.

This past week, I had the chance to meet with our districts’ teachers of the year about ways the state can better support them. They and so many of their colleagues spend countless hours helping students after school and working to improve lesson plans. They didn’t choose their career for the money, but they deserve a compensation system that respects the work they do. It will mean more great teaching in our schools and better opportunities for our students, and that will 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/oVlmAjv_zpQ
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

DUI Checkpoint and Patrols Set for Weekend

Dover – One Checkpoint Strikeforce DUI checkpoint is scheduled to take place Friday August 1st, in Newark and will be conducted by the Delaware State Police. DUI saturation patrols will also be conducted this weekend by Harrington PD and Seaford PD.

Last week 88 individuals were arrested for DUI in Delaware bringing the total DUI arrests statewide for 2014 to 2,330. Of the 76 fatal crashes this year, 40% were alcohol related.

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders, by using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive. The campaign, a six month long effort running through New Year’s Eve, involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints statewide.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

World War I Guide Now Available Online for Delaware Public Archives

The Delaware Public Archives (DPA) is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of World War I by offering a new reference guide to resources that can be found at the Archives relating to the “war to end all wars.” Director of the Delaware Public Archives and State Archivist, Stephen Marz, states that “with the interest that will surround the 100th anniversary of the war, we felt that people would be searching for materials, especially primary sources, that will provide some insight into the conflict. The Archives created the guide to meet the needs of these researchers and other patrons who may have an interest in the conflict.”

Developed by Archives staff member Katie Hall, the World War I Guide is available online at http://archives.delaware.gov/collections/collections.shtml and in the Archives’ Research Room. Collections at the Delaware Public Archives that contain World War I materials include Governors Papers, Pamphlets, Military Records, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service Reports. Among the records preserved are military records, photographs, newspapers, scrapbooks, and correspondence from Delawareans serving in the war. Hall notes that “researchers who are looking for Delawareans who served, such as a grandparent or great-grandparent, may want to start with the World War I Army Service Record Cards, National Guard Enlistment Papers, or the Inductee Record Books. We expect that a number of researchers will be coming to the Archives to look for their ancestors who served in the War during this anniversary period.”

For more information about the World War I reference guide, contact Katie Hall (302) 744-5036 or e-mail katie.hall@delaware.gov.

For information about the Delaware Public Archives, please visit the website at http://archives.delaware.gov. You can also become a follower of the Archives Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/DelawarePublicArchives) and read the Archives blog (http://archives.blogs.delaware.gov/) to learn more about events and other items of interest at the Archives.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the Research Room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.