Drug addiction is a public health epidemic in our country. And it demands an aggressive response in Delaware. From January through August of this year, 132 people died from suspected overdoses. That’s about 30 more than the number who lose their lives in car accidents in a full year. Since the state tightened controls on prescription painkillers, the number of Delawareans receiving treatment for heroine has risen dramatically. By offering support and access to the right treatments, we can help Delawareans overcome these addictions, while preventing our youth from using addictive substances in the first place. Working with the legislature and community advocates, we passed the 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law, so people won’t fear being arrested for low-level drug crimes if they call 9-1-1 to report an overdose. We’re also allowing law enforcement and other trained individuals to carry and administer the overdose-reversing drug naloxone. Later this fall we will launch an information website that emphasizes prevention, treatment, and recovery. A public awareness campaign will support this effort so we can direct users, family, friends, students, and others to the best resources. We have a lot more to do. My administration is working with legislators, health providers, community advocates and others to increase space available in our treatment facilities, ensure services focus on individual needs, and implement a newly designed withdrawal management program. And that group’s efforts will continue. By treating addiction as the disease that it is, rather than just as a crime to be punished, we will save lives and we’ll put more people on the road to a recovery that allows them to contribute their talents to our state. That will keep Delaware moving forward.

(Dover, Del.)- The Delaware Public Archives (DPA) is celebrating the Hispanic Heritage Month, which extends until October 15^th, with the unveiling of the Spanish section of its website. With a long history of welcoming immigrants, Delaware has become home to people from all over the world. The Hispanic community has contributed to Delaware’s quality of life and diversity while integrating their traditions into the culture of the First State.

Key sections of the Archives’ website have been translated to assist the Spanish speaking community in gaining access to DPA’s services, products, activities and other historical treasures. In addition, it makes available the Archives’ online collections and social media outlets providing access to thousands of items that celebrate Delaware’s rich history.

The Archives is the official guardian of Delaware’s state, county and local government records and stores millions of records that reveal the cultural, social, and political history of our state and our nation.

“With this initiative the Delaware Public Archives celebrates the ever-growing Hispanic community and its contribution to the First State’s history,” said Archives Director Stephen M. Marz. “The new website puts in the hands of new generations one of our state’s greatest resources for historical research.”

This added feature makes it easier for students, schools, individuals, businesses and other organizations in Delaware to enjoy one of our state’s greatest resources. The Archives’ collection of historical records includes records dating from the 17th century to the present, including documents, maps, books, audio/video recordings, and more than 800,000 historical photographs.

The Spanish section is accessible from the DPA’s homepage at http://archives.delaware.gov.

For more 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.

-Long-term listing of museum events also included-

(DOVER, Del.—Oct. 1, 2014)—During the month of October 2014, the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present two special programs focusing on different aspects of the history of Delaware’s Cape Henlopen region. Both programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum will present the program “His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak,” a day-long slate of maritime-history and -archaeology activities held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast maritime festival. Among others, museum activities will include block-and-tackle demonstrations and a 2 p.m. presentation on the wreck of the DeBraak, a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off Cape Henlopen on May 25, 1798. The remains of the ship’s hull and associated artifact collection have been curated by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since they were acquired by state of Delaware in 1992.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, the museum will present a walking tour that explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church cemetery in Lewes. Held in the spirit of the Halloween season, the tour, entitled Mysteries of History,” will depart from the Zwaanendael Museum at 2 p.m.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. Current exhibits include “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” which tells the DeBraak story, and “Delaware and the War of 1812” which examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shape the development of the United States as a nation.

Following is a long-term schedule of Zwaanendael-Museum-sponsored special events. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del. Museum hours from April 1 to Oct. 31 are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. From Nov. 1 to March 31, museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
“His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak.” Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival, the event will feature a day-long slate of maritime-history and -archaeology activities including block-and-tackle demonstrations and a 2 p.m. presentation on the DeBraak shipwreck. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
“Mysteries of History.” Walking tour explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Tour leaves from the museum at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1970s: ‘Coastal Zone Act of 1971.’ ” Lecture by Kevin Coyle, principal planner for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, on the landmark state-legislation that limited industrial development in Delaware’s coastal areas. Part five of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Nov. 6, 2014.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014
Dutch-American Heritage Day. Learn about the contributions that the Dutch have made to the economic, social, political and cultural life of Delaware and the United States. Program will include a lecture by Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs archaeologist Craig Lukezic. 2 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014
“Hospitality Night.” 1920s holiday-themed program featuring festive décor, music, demonstrations and seasonal refreshments. 6–9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1980s: ‘Salvage of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak.’ ” Lecture by Claudia Leister, executive director of the Milford Museum. Part six of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 5, 2015.

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1990s.” Program description TBA. Part seven of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m.Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Feb.2, 2015.

Saturday, March 14, 2015
Delaware’s Decades—the 2000s. Lecture by Bill Ayrey, lab manager and company historian from ILC Dover, who will discuss the future of space travel and space suits from the early 2000s to the present. Eighth and final installment of a series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than March 2, 2015.

Thursday–Saturday, April 9–11, 2015
Lewes Tulip Festival. City-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch heritage including Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics at the Zwaanendael Museum. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-8073.

Saturday, April 18, 2015
Dutch-American Friendship Day. Discover Delaware’s Dutch roots and learn how that connection is alive today.10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25, 2015
King’s Day. Celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in a program that will also explore royal titles and Delaware’s Dutch connection. 10 a.m.–4:30 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

The Delaware Division of the Arts Mezzanine Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of original work by 2014 Artist Fellow Leon Syfrit titled Passages from October 3 – 31, 2014. The Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located in the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. A reception will be held for the exhibition where the public can meet the artist on Friday, October 3, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

The exhibition presents a selection of portraits exploring Erik Erikson’s theory of human psychological development. The series consists of male and female portraits representing each of the eight life stages presented in the theory.

The process for the production of the work is an in-depth combination of contemporary digital tools and traditional photographic processes and techniques. Syfrit first captures digital images of his subjects. These digital images are printed as negatives onto transparent film. The film negatives are then processed as cyanotypes through the chemical means of traditional photographic developing. The resultant prints are scanned back into the digital realm where the object qualities of the print are heightened and revealed. The scans are finally output as inkjet prints to complete the image-making process.

Syfrit’s work is represented in several regional collections. He works throughout the tri-state area and serves as an instructor at the Delaware College of Art and Design.

Dover, DE– Governor Jack Markell has signed a proclamation declaring October as “Children in Nature Month” in Delaware. To mark the designation, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation and other partners that comprise the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition will offer public programs designed to get children outdoors and into the beautiful fall weather.

“We want Delaware to be a leader in helping children reconnect with nature,” said Governor Markell. “Our vision – and that of the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition – is that this and future generations of Delaware’s youth will have an active and meaningful outdoors experience that leads to better health and a better quality of life for them and their families.“

Children in Nature programs will take place in Delaware’s state parks throughout the month. Events will include the “Crazy Costume Dash” at Lums Pond State Park on Oct.11, and the “Steamin’ Halloween” at the Auburn Heights Preserve on Oct. 26.

Additionally, Oct, 24 will be a free entrance day for families at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover. Another coalition partner, the Delaware Nature Society, will celebrate with the “Harvest Moon Festival” on Oct. 4-5.  A complete list of programs is available.

“DNREC and the other coalition partners’ mission is to improve environmental literacy in our state and create opportunities for children to participate in outdoor experiences,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Together, we are promoting healthy lifestyles and providing better access to green space. DNREC, as steward of 100,000 acres of diverse habitat, offers wondrous, safe places to explore, discover and connect children and their families with each other and the environment.”

The goal of the Children in Nature Coalition is to engage children with nature by providing meaningful outdoor experiences.  A statewide plan is being developed that includes environmental literacy and ways to connect Delawareans to their communities and natural resources. Accomplishments to date include the Delaware Greener Schools program, the Nature Nook in the Dover Public Library, field trips for Title I students in Sussex County and others.