newarking

There are a lot of unsung heroes who don’t get much recognition for what they do to make their communities and the world a better place. Sometimes they are recognized for their acheivements, and the recognition may create an opportunity to their successes to grow further than they may have imagined.

A University of Delaware Junior, Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, was recognized in Washington, DC, this past week for her efforts in helping to found and in running a nonprofit group that collects books and distributes them to places such as hospitals and schools and libraries, and community gathering spots. The group also sent books to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq.

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One of my favorite spots to stop in Newark and take some pictures was filled with some colorful characters today. I decided to get the camera out, and capture some of them on film.

This Red winged blackbird was half trying to hide, and half trying to warn me off, making loud noises and even flying over me and circling a couple of times.

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There’s very little remaining of the Stone Balloon - just some steel girders, and the old front stone facade. I took some more shots of the building from the front, back, and side.

I’ve heard reports that the condos in the new building have been sold out, which makes me wonder why this sign is still up, advertising prices for the units.

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Road work seems to be a summer season attraction in Newark. 

There are pamphlets in some of the shops on Main Street titled, “They only come out at night.”

The subtitle of the document is “Main Street Construction Facts,” and it tells us a little about the sidewalk and road work that’s started in the center of Newark on June 5th.

The Main Street sign that’s normally vertical, at the corner in front of the post office.

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I took a trip to the new reservoir this weekend after hearing that there was a walkway around it for the public.  I’m not sure how to feel about having it that accessible to anyone who might want to come by and look around.  Maybe I’m being paranoid.  This is our emergency water supply, in case of drought.

There’s an area for people to park to take a stroll around this waterway, just off Old Papermill Road, with a brand new sign.  In my picture below, you can see how steeply the land rises around the water, and just make out the housing that sits in part of the new body of water.

Landscaping isn’t quite finished yet, but the facility has a bright new sign.

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Last night’s late television news broadcast announced the purchase of one of Delaware’s favorite retail chains.  Today’s Reuter’s news wire confirmed the acquisition with the story - Walgreen to buy Delaware chain Happy Harry’s.  The Wilmington News Journal also ran a few articles on the sale:

• Drug giant Walgreen buys Happy Harry’s
• Del. drug chain felt need for clout
• Walgreen to keep commitment to charity

There’s  a Happy Harry’s on Main Street in Newark, and it’s one of the busiest stores in town.  I usually stop in there myself at least four or five times a week.  While the store has a pharmacy, and it sells drugs, I rarely think of it as a drug store.  It’s a place to grab the newspaper, or a cold drink, or some groceries or household goods, toothpaste, or shampoo.  I can’t help myself but feel like I’m losing a neighbor.

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Some of the biggest acts in Rock and Roll passed through the doors of Newark’s Stone Balloon at one time or another.  The club opened in 1972, and is at the edge of destruction, as long as the permit is approved.

Bruce Springsteen performed there, and when Metallica came to Newark, there was an army clad in black concert t-shirts on Main Street as far as the eyes could see.  The Allman Brothers would roll their tour bus into town every so often, and put on a show, especially after Wilmingtonian Johnny Neal joined the band. Meatloaf came back for a few extra helpings, Pet Benatar announced her engagement to a band member at a performance in Newark. Run DMC, The Cure, Dave Matthews Band, and others put on shows on the Balloon’s stage.

Located right in the center of Newark at 115 East Main Street, the club has been an active part of the evening social scene in Delaware for years, and years.  A popular mug night held on Thursday nights at the venue saw long lines of predominately college students waiting for music and inexpensive beers. The doors of this entertainment hall closed for its last performance on December 17th, 2005.

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