03/28/2015

Councilman Bob Weiner invites you to join him for our Tally Day Bark Park Maintenance Day   On behalf all New Castle County citizens and Talley Day County bark park users, Councilman Robert Weiner invites you to volunteer at the Talley Day County Bark Park Citizens Maintenance Day on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10 am.  The semiannual event is always scheduled on a Brandywine School District “in service day” so students, boy scouts, girl scouts and school service groups can participate and earn community service hours. “As in every year, I look forward to meeting all of you at our beloved dog park” says Council Weiner.   The citizen tasks include spreading mulch at both the small and large bark park areas. Please encourage volunteers to bring their own rakes and shovels as there is always... 03/20/2015

The Philadelphia Flower Show was my goal earlier this week, but a giant snow storm cancelled my trip by train with the Delaware Center for Horticulture. But, no worry, we did it yesterday and saw “Celebrate the Movies,” this year’s theme for the world's longest running and largest indoor flower show. (entrance) Yes, it was a bit “princess-y” and appealed to the kiddies with Cinderella and Frozen references (think Rose Bowl Parade with everything made from plants and flowers). But for the gardening crowd, there is always the “Horticourt,” with plants ranging from giant philodendrons to tiny orchids, lovingly nurtured by individuals who present their plants for judging by experts, hoping to win a blue ribbon.(Frozen sisters tea party and blue ribbon orchid plant) I gave it 3 1/2 stars out... 03/07/2015

Bellevue State Park in the wintertime is not a place I often visit. And with new rates going into effect March 1, I'll have to think about it.   Anyway, I had never seen the pond frozen over, so I decided to drop by this morning and trudge through the snow to see what was happening. There were only a few cars there, and in the distance where they had cleared a place in the snow for skating, I could see a mom and dad with a child in a sled on the ice.   This former duPont estate's pond is stocked in the summer, which I don't understand (not being a fisherman) since it's catch and release. There's a running track, the old mansion, clay courts, trails, playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, and equestrian facilities.   Need to know more about New Castle County Delaware Homes for sale? Contact Car... 02/21/2015

It feels like -5° and the wind is gusting to 38 mph.  Sound like a nice day to go outside?  No Way for this chicken!   Time to read the Sunday papers (I get 2 of them), catch up on emails, polish those old brass candlesticks, and keep checking out the window to make sure I really don't have to shovel snow again (looks like less than an inch).   I can also look for animal tracks in the snow from the comfort of my warm dining room window, but it looks like they are hibernating today, even the fox I saw out on Silverside Rd. yesterday. Good idea fox!                          Looking for  homes for sale in Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware?  Contact Carolyn Roland  02/15/2015

Artistic inspiration stems from the world around us. From observing creative work to exploring new sightseeing adventures, there is always something new to stir the imagination. Between culture, the arts and nature, the Northeast inspires artists with a fresh perspective and captivating sights to see. We were excited that Printaholic.com chose Wilmington, Delaware as one of the 10 most inspiring cities for artists in the Northeast. (left-Annual Brandywine Arts Festival) I can think of so many Art Advantages in Wilmington: The Delaware Art Museum              (right) First Friday Art Loop  All the galleries presenting art (30 locations in February 2015) on the Loop Delaware College of Art and Design New Castle County Art Classes The Film Fringe Festival and Visual Fringe Festival        ... 02/02/2015

  February 2015 Historic Homes E-Newsletter Join the New Castle Delaware Historical Society for their Wintery Wednesdays Lecture Series: February 4, "The Story of the Delaware Continentals" speaker: Chris Mlynarczyk, President, 1st Delaware Regiment. February 18, "Seized in September: Revolutionary War Comes to Delaware" speaker: Kim Burdick, Delaware Historian. February 25, NCHS Annual Meeting, "Setting the Record Straight: Dispelling New Castle's Historical Myths" (can't wait to hear this, since I once was a guide in Old New Castle) speakers: Mike Connolly, NCHS Executive Director and Brian Cannon, Local Historian (other speakers TBA) All programs to be held at 7 p.m. at The Arsenal, 30 Market Street, New Castle, and are free to the public.     The Lewes, Delaware Public Library will ... 02/01/2015

The New Castle County, Delaware end of year real estate activity report for 2014 is now available. As usual, we have good news and bad news. The good news: median sales prices were up 3.5% and average days on the market were down 6.8%   The bad news: the number of closed sales was down 4.5% I am finding that sellers do not believe all this. Many of them are insisting they can get an unrealistic price. And as much as we say, “Location, Location,” they think we are talking about somebody else’s location. So listen up--if you have a home in gorgeous condition in a hot neighborhood, you can beat the odds. But don’t fool yourself. Buyers are watching HGTV and DIY networks. They hear prospective buyers on TV saying a home is gross if it doesn’t have stainless steel appliances. Sometimes I wan... 01/26/2015

Worried about historic buildings being demolished in New Castle County" ? Attend a meeting entitled "What to do when that big yellow sign goes up" to be held at the at the new Claymont Delaware Public Library (off of Darley Rd. and Philadelphia Pike at 400 Lenape Way) sponsored by the Civic Assn. of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH) Tuesday,  January 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.   I haven't seen this new library yet, and I haven't heard any good ideas about how to get our County Council to enact an ordinance against demolition by neglect, so this is a really significant event. The CCOBH has voluntarily taken over enforcing a deed restriction against destruction of the historic stone home next to the Brandywine YMCA on Mt. Lebanon Rd. It was originally sold to a family by the Woodlawn Trustees with th... 01/19/2015

January 2015 Historic Homes E-Newsletter   On Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 The State of Delaware presents “Delaware’s Heroes of the Forgotten War,” guided tours exploring how three of Delaware’s military figures—Commodore Thomas MacDonough (right), Col. Allen McLane and Commodore Jacob Jones—helped keep the young country safe during the War of 1812, and how a Delaware statesman, James A. Bayard Sr., helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent which ended the conflict. Tours will take place between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at The Old State House, located at 25 The Green in Dover. Also at the State House on Jan. 3, “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Interactive children’s program focuses on Delaware’s involvement in the Underground Railroad and its many heroes who helped slaves escape to freedom. Program at 11... 12/30/2014

    After being open for 3 weeks, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation opened their new building to Wilmington’s monthly Art on the Town last week. The Copeland Maritime Center featured an exhibit of excellent photos taken  while sailing on the Kalmar Nyckel--the photographer was crew member Andrew Hanna.     The first floor of the new glass-fronted building houses a reception area and a large workshop (which was not open to the public). The second floor greeted us with the photography exhibit, followed by a large high-celinged area containing a facsimile of the boat deck. This area  held a musical trio of young men playing lively songs. On the other side of the room was a statue which looked like Johan Printz , who was  governor from 1643 until 1653 of the Swedish colony of New Sweden (or Wilm... 12/07/2014

Market Report for New Castle County, Delaware for the third quarter of 2014   The numbers are in and it looks like the brakes are on, with closed sales down even more for the holiday season than they were a year ago, falling 2.5%, and new listings coming up even more slowly than a year ago, at a level of 10% less. The median sales prices however, were up almost 5% from 2013. Average days on the market have improved, dropping almost 7% this year.    Buyers need to be aware that prices are edging upwards, although interest rates are still at 4.25% for a 30 year fixed loan in our market.   Older and historic homes for sale still represent a great opportunity for the home buyer, because we know that through neglect, we are losing many of these historic properties every year. If you want to... 12/03/2014

Sunday, December 07, 2014 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM is the 150th Annual Celebration of Delaware Day. Join the Delaware Historical Society in concluding the Sesquicentennial year in Dover for a walking tour in Dover and  activities at the John Dickinson Plantation. Don’t miss the organ recital and appearance by Caesar Rodney at Christ Church at 1:30, and Allen McLane at 3 at the Old State House. Free program-- Please register in advance at deinfo@dehistory.org or (302) 655-7161 as capacity is limited.There is no registration fee.     Planning for the 2014 Candlelight Holiday Home Tour is under way in Kennett Square for December 14th from 4 to 7 pm. They hope you will be pleased with the selection of homes and public buildings that will be featured on this year’s tour. The committee has sel... 12/01/2014

Wilmington Delaware Dumpster Alternative Junk Removal Delaware Junk Removal is a great choice as a dumpster rental alternative.  Do not be fooled by overpriced tiny dumpsters that you have to load yourself.  For about the same price or less Delaware Junk Removal will load and haul away unwanted items for you!   We remove anything from anywhere - for less.     11/30/2014

I have been working on a market analysis for the last couple of days and have again seen the obvious.  Historic home sales have a whole different trajectory in the marketplace. Since the advent of HGTV and double income couples, a) people want a picture perfect home with all new systems, and b) they don’t have the time to do it themselves.  Throw into the mix the fact that neighborhoods have grown up around these historic houses in the last hundred years in many cases. So you might have a 17th or 18th Century historic home surrounded by ranches and split level houses. In this case, those houses sell for under $300,000, while the grand old lady of the neighborhood has a) been sadly neglected b) or been carefully updated with the finest materials in period style. This could mean that a) b... 11/22/2014

Purchase this 3BR Wilmington townhouse with a garage for 30k less than its original purchase price of a few years ago.  For additional information go here - http://rem.ax/1xE0cpS 11/13/2014

  This Wilmington foreclosure for under 250K is in a neighborhood where most houses sell for more than 300K.  4BR with finished basement makes this a great value. - http://rem.ax/10UZQhX 11/10/2014

A visit to Mount Vernon with a group from The George Washington Society, Ltd. of Wilmington, Delaware was a real treat last week. We had a VIP tour of the grounds and the mansion, culminating with two officers of the society laying a wreath at the tomb of George and Martha Washington. Since no photos are allowed in the mansion, you will have to look online (photos of Mount Vernon interior) to see the latest in recreating the home as it looked at the time of Washington's occupancy. The grounds are also interesting, since Washington took great interest in his farm and growing the best varieties of fruits and vegetables, and even had an "Orangerie" or greenhouse in which to grow things like oranges and lemons, which would otherwise not survive a Virginia winter. It burned down in the 19th ... 11/06/2014

Historic Home News, November 2014 The First State Heritage Park Market Fair is Saturday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on The Green in Dover, Delaware. This year’s fun exhibitors include: Dr. Balthasar’s traveling medicine show (learn about  a “magical miracle medicine that cures everything from a common cold to death of two weeks’ standing.”)   The Bessettes:Makers of Fine Soaps and Painted Floor Cloths. Taylor Woodworks and Noreen’s theorem Painting "Signora Bella, the Great Italian Equilibrist," delights audiences of all ages balancing and juggling on the rola bola, the slackrope, and the large sphere. She juggles knives and flaming torches. Also: Elizabeth Battell, Keeper of the Golden Fleece Tavern. Meet members of the Department of the Geographer, Army of the United States, 1... 10/29/2014

Westmoreland home prices have dropped and now appear to be stabilizing in line with other communities in the area. Westmoreland is a smaller community of approximately 45 single family homes on the east side of DuPont Rd within the Wilmington city limits. The communites of West Haven and West Park are just across DuPont Rd to the west. Westover Hills and the Ed Oliver Golf Club are bordering to the north. The City of Wilmington flows to the east and the Cab Calloway School of the Arts is to the south.  As with the adjacent communities, this location affords easy access to Wilmington, New Castle County, and the surrounding areas. The first wave of Westmoreland home construction occurred between 1936 and 1941 with construction continuing periodically into the 1990s. Most properties were 2... 10/20/2014