It was a perfect day for the annual Market Fair on the Green in front of Delaware's original "Old State House" in Dover. Built in 1791, this was where the Legislature once met in the State Capital.  We began in the State House, where a very serious performance was about to take place with costumed actors in the courtroom portraying Dr. Sykes and Dr. Tilton who shushed me into place in their "waiting room" full of patients. Dr. Tilton brought up "patients" and volunteers to portray makers and mixers of cure elixirs. Unfortunately, the drug turned out to have been stretched out with lead, and the patient got even sicker.  Outside there was a rosier scene on the sun-dappled green.  A musical duo serenaded with tunes from the British Isles.  A bit of cacophony ensued when a dulcimer played ... 11/07/2021

DELAWARE EVENTSFriday, November 1, 2019, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. come to the many galleries and spaces open for the First Friday Art Loop all free events. Tour the Delaware History Museum at 505 North Market St., then explore entertainment and restaurants that inspire a vibrant city!  Then, on Saturday, November 2 from 1-3 p.m., hear a talk on The Quaker Indian Boarding Schools (photo) at the Museum. Please click here to register for this free talk. On Street parking is free on Saturdays.  First Saturday in the First State will include an 18th Century Market Fair on November 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on The Green in Dover.  It will explore an era when The Green served as the focal point of life in Dover, presenting the goods, wares, and political attitudes of the 1700's.  The activities wi... 10/31/2019

Yesterday I visited Woodburn, the Delaware Governor's residence in the State Capital, Dover. This home, built c. 1798 by Charles Hillyard III, is one of the finest Middle Period Georgian houses in Delaware.   Decorated for the holidays by a "friends of" group, a guide explained the history of the house to the group of visitors who walked in during the First Saturdays in the First State program, when the residence is open to the public.  There are many lovely antiques and silver pieces in the house, and the dining room was set up with punch and some very yummy homemade cookies. I come here when I get the chance, and it was nice to see the old place again. Governor and Mrs. Carney are not in residence very often, as they have a home in Wilmington. 12/02/2018

Dover, DE Town Information, and Market ReportReal Estate in Dover, DEThe capital of Delaware is the city of Dover. Dover was founded as the court town for newly established Kent County in 1683 by William Penn, the proprietor of the territory generally known as the "Lower Counties on Delaware." Later, in 1717, the city was officially laid out by a special commission of the Delaware General Assembly.Top industries in Dover include agriculture, banking, pharmaceuticals, and government service, with no sales tax. Also, there are several reasons why people might want to consider living in Dover. It makes it easy to find your dream home by filtering home types like single-family homes, townhomes, rent to own homes, multi-family homes, land apartments, and condos.  Properties for sale in Dover... 07/26/2018

As part of the  Dover Days programs for May 5th you are invited to see: Revealing the Ridgely Family: Historic Theater The First State Heritage Park and Caesar Rodney High School Stage Crew & Thespians will present 4 historic theater vignettes. The student actors will peel back the layers of time and visitors will find out more about this influential Dover family. Learn about all they have contributed over the last 300 years. This event is a progressive play with a staff member leading the audience from site to site for each of the four 20 minute performances. There will be 2 seating times - 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Meet at the John Bell House on The Green. Seating is limited; call (302) 739-9194 for reservations.   1. It Happened One Night Start your theatrical journey to meet Charles Gre... 05/03/2016

You can claim Dover, Delaware, the Capital City of the First State, as your state capital May 2-4, 2014 during the 81st anniversary celebration of the Dover Days Festival! The event drew nearly 50,000 people in 2013, proving to be the largest free family festival in Kent County!  It is a celebration of history, heritage, culture and the arts. The festival is a blend of traditions and modern attractions that brings people to Delaware from all over the Mid-Atlantic Region.  It wouldn't be unusual to don Victorian or Colonial refinery and stroll the streets while enjoying your weekend, and there's an abundance of lodging options to suit your needs from luxury to economy, full-service to suite hotels. Dover Days is one of Delaware's longest-running events that celebrates First State histor... 04/28/2014

I visited Dover this last Saturday for First Saturdays in the First State, I had a chance to re-visit Woodburn, which was open to the public. This home, built c. 1798 by Charles Hillyard III, is one of the finest Middle Period Georgian historic houses in Delaware. Woodburn has served as the official residence of the Governor of Delaware since it was purchased by the state in 1965. Today, historians credit Woodburn's historical importance as much to the home's architecture as to its previous notable residents. Gentlemen farmers, landowners, an abolitionist, two U.S. Senators, two doctors, a dentist, a judge and eight recent Delaware Governors have all left their imprints on this fine historic Delaware home. It is within walking distance of The Green and Legislative Hall (our State Capito... 04/08/2014

  Cuckoo for Cocoa Nov. 30 brings the eighth annual Chocolate and Holiday Festival to the Rollins Center of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Visit several chocolate and candy exhibitors, watch an amazing ice-carving contest, view a one-of-a-kind candy and gingerbread village created by Dover Downs chefs, and shop the arts and crafts marketplace for gifts and specialty foods. While you’re there, see the Delaware Hospice Festival of Trees. Instrumentals and choral performances will be featured, in addition to dance presentations by Delaware Ballet Company. Who loves chocolate more than Santa? He’ll be there, too. 800-711-5882, doverdowns.com   BY MARK NARDONE  11/24/2013

This ice sculpture display was outside the entrance to the Chocolate Festival and Hospice Festival of Trees on Saturday. The admission fee was $5 just for the chocolate festival. The ice sculpture display, the candy decorated train and decorated trees were free to view. This was held at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware. Inside the chocolate festival were free samples of chocolate popcorn and smores. Vendors were on hand selling their wares and Dover Downs had lunch items, beverages and snacks to cover in chocolate from the fountains. Various entertainment performed throughout the day. Put this festival on your calendar for next year (Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend). Here are some more photos:                         11/25/2012

While listings across the line in New Castle County were down 11.5% in March, those in Kent County were down 22%. However, closed sales were up almost 43% to the north, Kent saw closed sales at a still healthy 38.6%. Pending sales were at almost 29% in Kent, they were just under 20% in New Castle. Because of the higher populaltion numbers in New Castle County, which contains the State's largest city, Wilmington, the total numbers are much higher there--with 1105 closed sales in 2012 so far, while Kent County was at 292 closed sales at the end of March. Dover, the State Capital, is in Kent County and is home to about 36,000 people, while Wilmington has twice that number of people. And although Dover has the "Monster Mile" and NASCAR, there are probably enough lawyers in Wilmington (mecc... 04/10/2012

Longacre Village is an attractive 55+ community within easy walking distance to everyday conveniences such as the public library and local restaurants. An easy drive from home takes residents to either scenic beaches or the bustling cities of New York and Philadelphia. Longacre Village in Dover, Delaware is ideally situated with the best of both worlds easily accessible. Whether you enjoy the beauty and recreation of the great outdoors or the excitement of the big city, you’ll have plenty of options at Longacre Village. With plans for just 250 homes, Longacre Village is a small-scale 55+ community offering attractively priced homes from the high $100’s to the high $200’s. The community opened in 2006 and today interested home buyers can select from new construction or well-cared for res... 01/27/2012

  Saturday brought a mass reinactment of an 18th Century Market Fair that ran from 1764 to 1785 on The Green in Dover, the capital of Delaware. Sarah (left, above),  my guide for a walking tour, noted that the green would not have been a place of grass and trees back then (a bit frivolous for  commerce). All kinds of crafts were represented, including a Woodworker, who showed how he planed a branch to round it off, then put it in a foot powered lathe to produce a turned element for a piece of furniture.   Dr. Balthasar's Traveling Medicine Show was presented in a tent on the green, with the "Doctor" presenting such amusing (?) and gross items as the jar of eyeballs he holds (above). He claimed his medicine "cures everything from a common cold to death of two weeks' standing." The Silhou... 11/06/2011

Free Delaware First Time Home Buyer Seminar on Tuesday November 15, 2011 at The Dover Sheraton Hotel in Dover, DE from 6:30 PM till 8:30 PM. The seminar will cover the whole First Time Home Buyer Process from Start to Finish. We will cover the different mortgage programs available to Delaware First Time Home Buyers such as Delaware FHA Loans, Delaware USDA Rural Housing Loans, Delaware VA Loans, Delaware Homepath Loans, Delaware FHA 203k Loans, and Delaware Conventional Loans. We will also cover the down payment assistance programs that are available in Delaware to help First Time Home Buyers. Everyone who registers and attends the seminar will receive a Free Home Buying Handbook, Free Credit Score Handbook, Free Budgeting Worksheet, and be able to get a Free Copy of their Credit Report... 10/17/2011

Amich Country Bike Tour, September 10,  Dover, Delaware The 25th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour will begin at Legislative Mall in Dover, Delaware on September 10. The bike tour includes 15, 25, 50, 62 and 100 mile loops through Amish farmlands in Kent County Delaware. Rest stops include the Old Amish Schoolhouse where local Amish folks serve their amazing home baked pies and cookies. Bicyclists will be treated to a catered barbeque as well as a vegetarian meal after the race. Proceeds will benefit the Central Delaware YMCA, the Amish Schoolhouse education program, three local churches and the Bike Tour Fund. Registration fees are: $35 adults, $15 ages 5-16 and under five , free now through August 26. $50 adults, $20 ages 5-16 and under five, free August 27-Sept 10. Groups of ten or more... 08/07/2011

Dover Days Festival in Dover, Delaware  The 78th Annual Dover Days Festival with traditional Maypole dancing will be held this weekend, May 6-8, 2011.  All activities and parking are free.  Friday evening events include: Three Day Civil War Encampment, Judged Car Show, Concert, Carnival Rides, Corn Hole Tournament and guided lantern tours of historic buildings on The Green. Saturday's events include: a costumed pet parade, a large parade with Grand Marshalls, Governor Jack Markell and his wife dressed in Colonial  costumes in horse and carriage, artisans, crafters, home and trade show, food vendors, tours of historic homes, demonstrations of old time crafts, kids activities, peach pie eating contest, hula hoop contest, a barbershop quartet and other musical entertainment. Sunday's event... 05/02/2011

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dover, Delaware, Saturday, March 12 The 18th Annual St Patrick's Day Parade in Dover, Delaware will take place in Downtown Dover starting at 2PM. The parade will be held rain or shine and includes at least 70 entrants. Prizes are awarded for: Anything with Wheels, Best Mascot, Best Float, Best Animal, Best Musical Group, Best Marching Band, Best Adult Costume, High School. Middle School, Most Authentic Irish Theme and Best Overall. The parade starts at Spence's Bazaar, heads north on Queen Street, east on Loockerman Street and ends at Federal Street. Restaurants and bars will be open during and after the parade. The Irish parade was started by a group of attorneys wearing green ties and hats. They donned the name "briefcase brigade", marched down the street a... 03/11/2011

Located in Delaware’s capital city of Dover is the active adult community known as Longacre Village. As the second largest city in the state and a popular tourist destination, Dover offers numerous festivals and recreational activities such as NASCAR weekends at the Dover International Speedway, horse racing at Dover Downs and a number of golf courses. Dover is also home to an international airport, museums, theaters, performing arts centers, fantastic shopping and wonderful dining. Longacre Village Delaware is an intimate sized active adult community of just 250 homes. The community opened in 2006 and today offers both resale and new construction home options. Buyers interested in new construction can choose from homes offered by four different quality home builders, including the well... 01/28/2011

     A visit to the Delaware Public Archives, which is the new home of the Visitor's Center, introduced an exhibit of model trains by the Delaware SeaSide Railroad Club. The Club website is http://delawareseasiderailroadclub.com/  It ties in with a new collection in the archives from the Jackson and Sharp company, which built railroad cars and ships in Wilmington from 1863 to 1950.  There are more than 4000 images and documents in the collection.                                          Although the Jackson and Sharp collection is available during regular Archive Library hours, the model trains are only on exhibit January 5 through 8. The 2 posters with Delaware railroad schedules are exhibited next to the model trains, and show schedules from 1857 and 1863 for 2 railroads which once op... 01/06/2011

Longacre Village is an intimate sized active adult community in Delaware offering new construction homes priced from the high $100’s to the high $200’s. Situated in Dover, Delaware, this 55+ community is tucked away in a wooded setting yet is within minutes from everyday conveniences, shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, medical facilities, beaches and more. Dover is one of the better values in the area plus retirees especially appreciate the no-tax shopping. The community opened in 2006 and is planned to have just 250 homes upon completion. Home shoppers can choose from a wide variety of housing options including attached townhomes, duplexes and single family ranch designs with optional second story living spaces. Longacre Village is ideal for retirees seeking out a tight-knit communi... 11/07/2010

Many of us and/or our families have been touched with diabetes. It's a terrible disease which is even more oppressive when contracted as a child (Type-1). Help find a cure!  Come out and/or support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  If you can't make it, maybe you can sponsor someone, as I did, or make a donation.  Here's where it's happening: Dover International Speedway in Dover, DE Venue: Dover International Speedway Date of Walk: 10/10/2010 Registration Start Time: 10:00 AM Walk Start Time: 12:00 PM Length of Walk: 1 mile continuous loop. For more details or to register:  http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=walk.walk&eventID=6469&chapterid=4109 10/01/2010