Visitors to the John Bell House can participate in “Whatever Shall I Wear?”
and learn the hidden meanings behind clothing worn in the 18th century.

DOVER –DNREC’s First State Heritage Park will explore the stories and contributions of Delaware women March 2 for the park’s monthly “First Saturday in the First State” program. The day’s schedule will feature a variety of free events and activities marking Women’s History Month, with the focus on how women have changed the state in many different ways.

Women were a powerful force in Delaware long before they had the right to vote. Many women have been political leaders, social figures and innkeepers throughout the history of The Green, the historical area of Old Dover near the State House dating from colonial times. Visitors will learn about the lives and contributions of these oft-forgotten figures in the “Women of The Green” Walking Tour, leaving from the John Bell House on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Women have also been leaders in driving political and entertainment fashions as well as design and activism. “Whatever Shall I Wear?”, presented at the John Bell House from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on the half hour, addresses how clothing speaks volumes about a woman’s station in life, as well as how she related to the world around her by what she wore. At the Johnson Victrola Museum, 78-rpm recordings of the “The Female Artists of Victor” will be incorporated into guided tours.

At Legislative Hall, guided tours will feature the many women who have worked and served in the state capital both past and present. This program will incorporate portraits as well as other information about Delaware’s female legislators.

Here is a complete list of programs and activities for First Saturday in the First State:

First Saturday – March 2

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Whatever Shall I Wear?
John Bell House on The Green, 43 The Green
Find out how the clothes that women of Delaware wore expressed their values, classes, and personalities, and explore the meanings behind fashion choices.

• Legislative Ladies
Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue
Tour Delaware’s State Capitol building, experience Delaware history and find out more about the women who have served in Delaware offices. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.

• Biggs Kids: Baskets
Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
Baskets can be made and used in all different ways. Come and make a basket that reflects your personal style. For ages 5-10.

• The Female Artists of Victor
Johnson Victrola Museum, 275 South New Street
Guided tours will highlight the female artists who recorded for the Victor Talking Machine Company, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic talking machines.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Tours of the Governor’s House
At Woodburn – The Governor’s House, 151 Kings Highway
Enjoy guided tours of the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, with a special focus on the First Ladies of the First State.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Women of The Green Walking Tour
Meet at the John Bell House on The Green, 43 The Green
Many women were innkeepers, political leaders and social figures throughout the history of The Green. Learn about the lives and contributions of these often forgotten figures. Tours begin on the hour.

10:30 a.m.
• The Forgotten Women of the Lincoln Assassination
Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Kathyrn Canavan, author of “Lincoln’s Final Hours,” will provide a preview of her new work about the women whose lives were upended in the split second when John Booth killed President Lincoln.

1 p.m.
• The Fashionable Bad Girls of Delaware
The Old State House, 25 The Green
This program will discuss several stories of infamous women in Delaware’s history.

1:30 – 4 p.m.
• The Once and Future Courthouse
Kent County Courthouse, 38 The Green, Courtroom #1
From the 1690s to the present, learn how this site went from a courthouse to a hotel and back again.

Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information about “First Saturday” events and all First State Heritage Park programs, please call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 36

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DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide and fishing rulers for measuring catches are now available, along with 2019 fishing licenses, at licensing agents statewide and at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Dover office at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. The guide is also available online at 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide.

Inside the full-color, magazine-sized guide, anglers will find information on Delaware’s tidal and freshwater sportfishing regulations, fishing license requirements, how to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (F.I.N.) number, and general angling information. The guide also showcases the popular and updated Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release awards program.

The guide features winning photos from the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2018 Fishing Photo Contest. The cover profiles the first-place photo taken by Israel Mora of Wilmington of his son, Bryan, holding a large Muskellunge that he caught and released while fishing on the Brandywine River. Second place and honorable mention photos appear inside the guide.

The new fishing ruler, colored “spicy mustard” for 2019, is a handy tool to measure your fish and shellfish catches, and provides a quick reference on fish and shellfish minimum sizes, possession limits, and seasons.

Although the print version of the fishing guide and the fishing rulers both provide a summary of minimum sizes, anglers are reminded that these regulations are subject to change. New regulations are anticipated for cobia, a saltwater species, and freshwater trout during the 2019 recreational fishing seasons. The online version of the fishing guide will be updated as new regulations become effective.

For more information on the 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide or fishing in the First State, call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914. For more recreational fishing information, anglers also can call the section’s Little Creek field office at 302-735-2960.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 35

More than 270 state employees and their family members have registered to show artwork at Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery

Dover, Del. (February 5, 2019) – The free exhibition will be open to the public from February 25 to March 18, 2019 at the Art Center/Gallery at Delaware State University, Dover. The reception and awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m. in the Longwood Auditorium, Bank of America Building at Delaware State University. Prizes to be awarded include:

• Adult, Amateur, Intermediate and Professional: 3 – First Place Awards of $350; 3 – Second Place Awards of $250; and 3 – Third Place Awards of $150
• Youth / Teen: 2 – First Place Awards of $150; 2- Second Place Awards of $100; and 2 – Third Place Awards of $50
• A Best of Show Award of $400
• An Art Education Award of $200 for reimbursement for arts instruction and materials
• People’s Choice Award, Facebook and in-person ballot

Additional awards including Honorable Mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Awards are limited to one cash award per artist per classification.

Sponsored by the National Arts Program in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.

Participants must be a current employee or immediate family member of a current employee of the State of Delaware. All entries must be the original work of the applicant and completed within the last three years. View last year’s participant artwork.

Gallery Hours

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 3/2 and 3/9 from noon to 4 p.m. Visitor information

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing
302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

Students from Caesar Rodney High School will present “Independence or the Bayonet” – The Life and Times of Caesar Rodney” in an historical theater presentation.

DOVER – DNREC’s First State Heritage Park, in partnership with Caesar Rodney High School’s Stage Crew and Thespians, will present a historical theater production for the First State Heritage Park’s monthly “First Saturday in the First State.” A variety of other free events and activities will also be featured throughout the day.

One of Delaware’s greatest heroes, Caesar Rodney did much more than simply ride to Philadelphia to cast his vote for American independence. Under the glow of candlelight in The Old State House, step back in time to experience the life of the patriot who devoted his life to the service of his beloved Delaware. Caesar Rodney High School students will perform the historical theater piece under the direction of CRHS theater teacher John Muller.

“Independence or the Bayonet – the Life and Times of Caesar Rodney,” will be presented at The Old State House at 11 a.m., 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. Performances are roughly 45 minutes long. Tickets are free, but space is limited, so reservations are recommended by calling 302-739-9194. This production is a part of a four-play series, presented in rotation each year in October. This successful partnership has been in place for five years, and has provided an exceptional student opportunity.

Other programs during the day on First Saturday will further emphasize the importance of Caesar Rodney to Delaware. Visit Caesar Rodney Headquarters at the John Bell House to learn about the many contributions he made to the First State during his lifetime, or go on a walking tour featuring Dover’s other heroes of the revolution.

Here is a list of programs and activities for First Saturday in the First State:

First Saturday – Oct. 6
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Caesar Rodney Headquarters
  John Bell House on The Green, 43 The Green
  Learn about all of the places in Delaware that are connected to Delaware’s hero, Caesar Rodney, and explore his life as you prepare for the “Independence or the Bayonet” historical theater presentation.
• A Capitol Experience
  Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue
  Tour Delaware’s state capital building, and experience Delaware history. Photo ID is required for all adults entering the building.
• Biggs Kids: Bird Prints
  Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
  Help welcome our visiting flock of John James Audubon bird prints with a special bird craft. Feathers will fly! For ages 5-10.
• Early 1900s Music Education
  Johnson Victrola Museum, 275 South New Street
  In 1911, the Victor Talking Machine Company started its education department. The mission was to take music appreciation courses to rural schools and standardize music education. Learn more about the department and its mission.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Tours of the Governor’s House
  At Woodburn – The Governor’s House, 151 Kings Highway
  Enjoy guided tours of the official residence of Delaware’s Governor since 1965, and Hall House, the Governor’s guest house.

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour
  Meet at the John Bell House on The Green, 43 The Green
  Dover was a hotbed of activity during the struggle for American Independence. Tours begin on the half hour.
• Hands-On Archaeology
  John Bell House on The Green, 43 The Green
  Get down and dirty with state park archeologists, and take part in an actual archaeological dig. Experience the thrill of discovery as you uncover small pieces of Dover’s past. For ages 10 and older. Weather permitting.

10:30 a.m.

• Preserving Documents, Photographs, and Digital Memories
  Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
  This program will highlight some of the cost-effective steps every home archivist can take to preserve precious family records.

11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

• ”Independence or the Bayonet – The Life and Times of Caesar Rodney” – Historical Theater Presentation
  The Old State House, 25 The Green
  Step back in time to experience the life of the patriot who devoted his life to the service of his beloved Delaware. Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended by calling 302-739-9194. Presented in partnership with Caesar Rodney Stage Crew and Thespians.
• Biggs Kids: Bird Watching Basics
  Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street
  Do you have a Biggs Kid who loves birds? Join a Delaware Nature Society Teacher/Naturalist for “Bird Watching Basics,” to learn the traits of a bird, how to use binoculars, and tips for beginners in the great outdoors on The Green and Legislative Mall.

1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

• The Once and Future Courthouse
  Kent County Courthouse, 38 The Green, Courtroom #1
  From the 1690s to the present, find out how this site went from a courthouse to a hotel and back again.

Admission to all park sites and programs is free. Centrally-located free parking is available at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information about “First Saturday” events and all First State Heritage Park programs, please call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destateparks.com/heritagepark.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Contact: Sarah Zimmerman, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, First State Heritage Park, 302-739-9194 or sarah.zimmerman@delaware.gov.

Vol. 48, No. 263

REHOBOTH BEACH – DNREC’s Delaware Seashore State Park will host its first-ever “Big Truck Day” from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Indian River Marina. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of the park’s heavy equipment and special-use vehicles at this family-friendly event.

All types of vehicles will be featured, including a beach sweeper, front-end loader, minibus, DNREC dump truck, forklift, a Parks Natural Resources Police vehicle, and an ocean rescue truck. Marina staff will be on hand to greet visitors and answer questions, and children will be able to climb in the drivers’ seats.

If conditions allow, one of the vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Indian River will dock at the marina. Also, a demonstration will be held of marina equipment in action, hauling large boats through the boatyard.

In addition, a car seat check station will be available, where a certified car seat safety technician will perform car seat safety inspections, free of charge.

The event is free with paid park entry. For more information, contact the Indian River Life-Saving Station at 302-227-6991.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 261