Families Love Delaware Getaways

For your next family vacation, consider a different locale that will give you everything you want. Delaware is the perfect place for a family to spend a summer vacation. With beautiful, clean beaches and plenty of fun attractions, Delaware vacations will likely become a tradition.

When you want to catch some of sunny rays, head to Bethany Beach. Bethany Beach has maintained an old-fashioned character that people find charming. Bethany Beach is extremely family-friendly and is a great place to build sand castles with the little kiddies or go swimming in the ocean. To dry off, go walking along the boardwalk and peruse the storefronts or stop for a bite to eat.

Head over to Dover on another day and see the sights that both modern and historical Dover can offer. Catch a NASCAR race at the Dover International Speedway. The John Dickinson Plantation will show you what life for a Quaker was like in this living, authentic period museum. Delaware Governor’s Mansion is another historical hotspot where the state’s previous governors lived. Make sure you catch Spence’s Bazaar every Tuesday and Friday. The sellers have an enormous variety of goods including local, handmade Amish specialties.

If you head over to Wilmington, check out Nemours Mansion and Gardens. You can go through the historical property. They also have gardens and trails so you can walk in the beautiful, historical setting and stretch your legs a bit. The Brandywine Zoo is another great place for children, especially younger ones. Plan to spend dinner in one of Wilmington’s “Little Italy” restaurants.

When traveling in the summer, a few tips will enhance your experience. Make sure you and your children drink water throughout the day. Keep snacks handy to eat between meals. Take pictures at every great spot you visit and send them as postcards home to your family and friends. They will get to enjoy your trip with you and know you are thinking of them.

Recreation and Mall Shopping in Delaware

Most of Delaware’s shopping malls are in the Wilmington area in the north of the state, so we’ll start there. Brandywine Town Center, Pike Creek, Price’s Corner Shopping Center, The Shipyard Shops and The Village of Trolley Square are all located in Wilmington. Christiana Mall is nearby in Newark.

For an educational aesthetic experience, try the Brandywine River Museum in Wilmington. Following the laudable trend of using historic buildings to house art and artifacts, this facility is a renovated 1864 grist mill with six galleries. Exhibitions are selected from an extensive collection of paintings by members of the Wyeth family and many other American artists and illustrators. A wildflower garden on the grounds is also sure to delight.

As you travel south, Dover, the state capital, has The Center @ Dover and Dover Marketplace.  Also near Dover you will find Delaware State University, Dover International Speedway and Dover Air Force Base. The speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned 1-mile track, but if that’s too fast for you, it is connected to Dover Downs harness racing track, hotel and casino.

Still further south you will find Tanger Outlet, also known as Rehoboth Outlet Center, near the southern border of the state, with 130 name-brand outlet stores spread among three locations on Highway 1. The three locations are connected by a free shuttle. Rehoboth Beach has a mile-long boardwalk, with too many attractions to list here. Restaurants, carousels, swimming, sail-boarding, waterskiing, boating, golf, volleyball, fishing, or just relaxing are all possibilities. Also located between Rehoboth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Dewey Beach is more of the same – just a really nice place to be. Two pluses that often appear in publicity for Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach are no sales tax and only 125 miles from our nation’s capital. Of course other large cities including Baltimore and Philadelphia are equally close.

Delaware Takes Public Education Seriously

If you want a place where the state values and supports education for your children, consider Delaware. With 120,000 students in the public schools, Delaware takes the responsibility for their education seriously.
Recently the governor of Delaware created a budget proposal following a principle of “drawing a line around education.” He insisted that the education of children be protected when all other budget items required cuts. In Delaware, education is recognized as an investment, not just an expense. In another state, which shall not be named here, the chairman of the state senate education committee recently said that college degrees do not prepare people for real jobs, and thus higher education should have less support from the state. The lieutenant governor of Delaware visits school classrooms and observes teachers working with children. He told in his official blog about several outstanding teachers he watched performing the most important task of educating Delaware’s children.
The governor reported in his 2011 state of the state address, where the state stands in its goal of creating the strongest possible public schools. The teacher of the year recognition program is one way Delaware values and appreciates public school teachers. It will be interesting to see how well this state succeeds in elevating the prestige of public school teachers in the future, helping to ensure that the best and brightest of college students become career teachers.
In 2010, at a conference for the federal governments “Race to the Top” program, Delaware took first place for their plan, which was developed through cooperation among a large group of interested parties. One of the main principles is recognition that the quality of teachers is the single most important factor in educational success. The Delaware plan calls for evaluating what the most successful teachers do, and training new teachers to use the same methods.

Looking to Skate Head to the University of Delaware

If you are looking to train in the sport of figure skating with some of the best that the figure skating world has to offer then the University of Delaware is the place to go. The University of Delaware set up the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and the Delaware Ice Skating Science Development Center. The combination of these two programs make the University of Delaware a highly coveted figure skating school.

The University of Delaware started their ice skating program in 1986 with the building of the Blue and Gold arena or the Fred Rust Arena. This addition of a complete ice training facility has made many figure skaters wish to attend the University of Delaware.

The University of Delaware’s Ice Skating Science Development Center is one of the most talked about programs in the ice skating world. This ice skating program is designed for ice skaters of all ages and backgrounds. The Development Center takes first time ice skaters, first time competitors and even Olympic champions. However, it is the focus on the world and Olympic champion aspect that makes the program so desirable.

The Ice Skating Science Development Center is open all year round and offers some of the most intensive ice skating training that an ice skater can go through. It offers daily training sessions, weight rooms, ballet classes and nutritional classes. Anything an ice skater could want to know about is offered through this program.

Beyond the ice arena, skating club and program offerings it is the coaching staff that brings in young ice skaters from all over the world. The University of Delaware has some of the most well known ice skaters from all over the world. All of the coaches that are offered through this program have extensive experience in the ice skating world.

Where to Dine Outside in Delaware Part 2

There is something special about sitting outside and enjoying a meal. Whether it is the air, the fresh smell of the ocean or just the feeling of being out in the open it really makes a person feel renewed and alive. This feeling is exactly why so many of the restaurants in the state of Delaware choose to create an outdoor dining area. If you are traveling to Delaware consider stopping by these lovely eateries that have outdoor seating.

Blue Parrot Bar and Grill. The Blue Parrot Bar and Grill isn’t located on the ocean front but it offers visitors other unique features. The Blue Parrot Bar and Grill is known for its huge picture of Marilyn Monroe that is painted on the patio. However the real treat comes in the food that the Blue Parrot Bar and Grill serves. The Blue Parrot Bar and Grill is famous for serving Cajun food and even their all you can eat crab on Sunday. To visit the Blue Parrot Bar and Grill you will have to visit Wilmington.

Bonz Restaurant and Lounge. If you are looking for outdoor dining with live music then look no further. The Bonz Restaurant and Lounge features a 44 seat patio that is surrounded by a beautiful, leafy green tree foliage.

Buckley’s Tavern. If you really want to feel as if you are picnicking in Delaware then Buckley’s Tavern has what you are looking for. Diners at Buckley’s Tavern are surrounded by trees and beautiful gardens. The tavern is located right next to an English Garden that offers paved walkways, trees and a pond. However, the unique feature of Buckley’s is the rooftop garden that features 15 tables and a fireplace for those chilly summer nights. Buckley’s Tavern offers a wide array of food from a Vietnamese inspired chicken to a traditional mushroom soup.

Where to Dine Outside in Delaware Part 1

While most people do not think of Delaware as a prime location for outdoor activities it can be. During the summer Delaware turns into one of the top vacation destinations in the United States. This is because the summers are warm, the views are beautiful and the nights are cool. If you are considering taking a trip to Delaware then you might want to consider dining at some of these great outdoor restaurants. You’ll be able to enjoy some great food while enjoying the beautiful Delaware summer weather.

 

Aqua Sol. Aqua Sol is located in the Summit North Marina. It is known for serving some of the best Cuban and South Beach inspired meals. However, the food has nothing on the beautiful views of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Aqua Sol is especially popular at dusk due to the beautiful views it offers from the patio.

 

Back Porch Cafe. The Back Porch Cafe is located on Rehoboth Beach. It isn’t known for its wonderful food or rowdy crowd. Instead the Back Porch Cafe is known for having a secluded feeling that really makes people feel like they stepped into a secluded backyard. The Back Porch Cafe is a great place for those looking for a small romantic dinner. If you choose a nighttime dining spot you’ll be able to see views of the moon and stars at night.

 

Arena’s Deli and Bar. Arena’s Deli and Bar is located right on Rehoboth Beach. Although it is right in the heart of a commercial, business area it really is a great hotspot eatery. Arena’s Deli and Bar is a small, friendly local eatery. Locals are allowed to bring their pets and sit outside at the lovely 45 seat sidewalk cafe. Arena’s Deli and Bar is known for its tasty sandwiches and cold beers.   

Beaches to Visit in Delaware

Delaware has long been considered the national summer destination. This is because of the large amount of beach resorts and vacation rentals that are available to those that are visiting Delaware. Delaware is a beautiful summer vacation hot spot due to the beautiful sandy beaches, cool evenings and large amount of activities.

 

The Delaware beaches are all located up and down the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of the major beach resorts and beach cities are located in the southern part of Delaware. Each of these beach cities and resorts are known for the beautiful beaches, restaurants, amazing boardwalks and nightlife that it offers tourists.

 

Here is a look at some of the major beach resorts and cities in the state of Delaware.

 

Delaware Seashore State Park. This beach and state park is located in Dewey Beach. Seashore State Park is over 3,000 acres of sandy beaches that boarder the Atlantic Ocean. There are a number of great water activities that can be enjoyed from water and jet skiing to snorkeling and swimming.

 

Rohoboth Beach. Rohoboth is located in Sussex County, Delaware. This is the beach that allowed Delaware to gain the official title of the National Summer Destination. The population of the area jumps from 1,500 people during the winter to over 25,000 during the summer months. Rohoboth Beach is known for having authentic boardwalks, antique looking store fronts and tons of summer activities that attract tourists from all over the world.

 

Fenwick Island. Fenwick Island is located around the Sussex County area of Delaware. Fenwick Island is another great beach property in Delaware. It is known as offering a number of great beach activities as well as being home to a water park and dozens of restaurants. The most popular summertime activity that takes place in Fenwick is wind surfing.

The Media and News Stations of Delaware

Many states have their own local television stations. These stations cover local weather, news and events. However, due to the size of the state of Delaware there is no local television station. Instead Delaware teams up with the surrounding major cities to bring broadcast news, weather and sports to their citizens. Here is a look at the television stations that are offered to those that reside in the state of Delaware.

ABC news affiliate. The local ABC news affiliate is based out of the city of Philadelphia. However, there is a small news station in the city of Wilmington. This allows the ABC news affiliate to offer localized coverage of some of Delaware’s major events and local weather related news.

PBS. The public broadcasting station has an affiliate in almost every major area. While the PBS station for Delaware is registered to the city of Wilmington it is based out of the Philadelphia area. There is a small broadcasting center in the Wilmington city that is occasionally used by the PBS station.

CBS news affiliate. The type of CBS news affiliate you get when you are in Delaware depends upon your location in the state. The people who live in the northern part of Delaware receive a Philadelphia based news station, while those that live in the southern part will get a Maryland based news program.

ION Television. ION Television will occasionally offer local news and weather. There is supposed to be a local news station for ION but it is based out of Philadelphia instead of Wilmington like the address states.

While there is no official news station for those that live in Delaware the Maryland and Philadelphia broadcasts will cover events and local happenings in the Delaware area. This allows those that live in the area to get the benefits of a local news broadcast even though they have no official news station.

Delaware Signs the US Constitution

Of the 39 signers of the US Constitution, five were from the tiny state of Delaware. The only state to have more representatives’ sign was Pennsylvania, with eight. South Carolina and New Jersey had three signers each and with the exception of Rhode Island, the others had one or two signers. Rhode Island did not sign because they did not have a representative at the Philadelphia Convention.

The Delaware representatives were George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, and Jacob Broom. Of the five men, only two, Gunning Bedford, Jr. and Richard Bassett, also signed the ratification.

George Read, 1733 – 1798, landowner and lawyer, had a distinguished political career. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, helped write Delaware’s constitution, and Chief Justice of the State.

Gunning Bedford, Jr., 1747 – 1812, landowner, lawyer, and officer in the Continental Army, was a supporter of the abolition of slavery and in 1789 became the first judge of the District Court of Delaware, appointed to the position by President George Washington.

John Dickinson, 1732 – 1808, was a lawyer and landowner also, who practiced his profession in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. He wrote the original draft of the Articles of Confederation and was chairman of the Annapolis Convention is 1786. Dickinson was elected president of Delaware in 1781 but resigned to become president of Pennsylvania in 1782.

Richard Bassett, 1745 – 1815, lawyer, planter, and landowner in Delaware and Maryland, after helping ratify the Constitution, became one of the state’s first Senators. He became Governor of Delaware in 1799. After being appointed by President John Adams, Bassett became a U. S. Circuit Court Judge.

The final delegate and signer of the US Constitution for Delaware was Jacob Broom, 1752 – 1810. Broom was a farmer, surveyor, shipper, importer, real estate speculator, and merchant; he was the only member of the group who did not practice law by profession.

Seeking the Seasons: Scottsdale Property Management

Official seal of City of Scottsdale
Image via Wikipedia

It’s the shift of seasons, the darkening of a sun: winter has finally come to the west, offering the promise of cool breezes and easy days. The temperatures will be tamed, it’s believed. The heat of summer will fall. These months will offer relief from the Arizona endlessness, allowing all to seek the desert and revel in its miles. Breaths will no longer be strained, burdened by parched inhalations and weak release. Skin will no longer burn, forced to remain in shadows and avoid the dawn. There will be comfort. There will be convenience.

There will be… more of the same complications that were revealed in spring.

The season isn’t kind. It’s just a duller heat. And that cannot be tolerated any longer. The need for snow and slick air is overwhelming; the desire for a winter without sunny skies can’t be ignored. You’re seeking more than your career in Scottsdale property management can afford you. You’re instead looking for the cold.

And Delaware seems suddenly appealing.

Cradled along the northeastern curl of the United States, Delaware is a tiny escape. Its ocean borders and hill stuffed miles mark it far different than the rough beauty of Arizona. Instead it is a topographical ease, ideal for the changing seasons — when valleys are drenched to snow and ridges become excuses for skiing. It is a collection of parks, trails and natural wonders. And all will revel in its attractions.

Devoting another month to the warm days and hot nights of Scottsdale seems impossible. You fret over the rising climates, the thermometer revelations. They are simply too much to bear. And so Delaware becomes the obvious solution — with its historic streets certain to charm and its ice-bound activities sure to please, it’s the only choice for you to make.

It’s time for a change. It’s time for a winter that won’t disappoint. Delaware is waiting.