By Fred Dawson

Club Phred is a group of musicians who on average have over thirty years of professional experience.

We all share a love of classic 60’s and 70’s music and have deep roots in the Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey tri-state area. Club Phred formed in 2002 and has performed with the likes of Mark Farner Formerly of Grand Funk Railroad and opened up for Pete Best the original drummer of “The Beatles” and The Marshall Tucker Band. Club Phred has won numerous awards from the Delaware media.

Member Fred Dawson says “The members of Club Phred think that there is an audience out there for classic rock ‘n’ roll. Club Phred wants to play a regular venue, as our followers want to see repeat performances of that genre of music. CP also wants to do fund raisers for worthy causes. This is a simple way for many folks to support their favorite charity, have a great time, and an easy way for the charity to make money.”

“Jamming with Club Phred is really fun. They play all of my favorite tunes. They are all really nice people that collectively have a “vibe.” All great players on their instruments. Playing with Club Phred is like having dinner at someone’s house.” ~ Late Show with David Letterman Musician Tom “Bones” Malone

“Playin w/Club Phred was a gas – certainly not some amateur band… all you guys (& gal) sounded really great.”    ~ Bruce Kapler, Saxophonist/Late Show with David Letterman Musician

“Just watched Club Phred’s video! You guy’s rock! Can’t wait to sit in!”   ~ Micky Dolenz

“Bravo! Bravo!! Bravo!!! What a FABULOUS EVENING!!! Everyone who attended your performance at the conclusion of our dance-a-thon has been raving and already asking for an encore. Old, middleaged, and young couldn’t help but dance to your music. You have enchanted us and we are adoring fans! Thank you so very much for helping our young people to organize a fund raiser and to rally the older members of our congregation to join them in an evening of fun. It was a great blending of ages and it was inspiring to see how they supported each other and shared the common love of music and Club Phred. I think that our young people saw that older folk are really just older kids. Thank you very, very much!!”  ~ Annette Mehan/The young and old people of First Presbyterian Church

“Just returned from our class reunion where your band was a real hit! We enjoyed your Motown Medley, Lady Marmalade and the saxophone is the best. Thank you all for providing so many memories through your music.”    ~ Linda L. Gerace

“WOW – what a way to ring in the new year! Thanks so much for another great New Year’s Eve! Last year we attended your party and had a rockin good time! We were invited back for year #2 and we are hooked! Club Phred – you rock!”  ~ Pam Chambers

“I recently had Club Phred play at my graduation party. With over 80 people at the party, not one person had a complaint. The band sounded great and they were a delight to be around. I am just trying to come up with another excuse for a party so I can have them play again. I could not have asked for a better graduation party and Club Phred was one of the main reasons it was so great. Thank again guys!”   ~ Nick DeCaire

“You guys made the Boeing V-22 Office Party simply the Event of the Year around here! Spectacular music, great time, but most important – wonderful people who know how to have fun the old fashioned way…!! Keep it up and we want you back..!!”    ~ Chuck Yerspo

The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) of the Family Court is expanding its efforts to represent the interests of abused and neglected children in court.
The program is seeking qualified adults to serve as CASA volunteers.

CASA volunteers are trained members of the community who are appointed by Family Court Judges to speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Court proceedings. As an official of the Court, the CASA volunteer conducts an independent investigation into the child’s life and provides information and recommendations to the judge in the case. CASA volunteers work with attorneys, social workers, and family members to attain the goal of a safe and permanent home for each child.

CASA volunteers have varied professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. They are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment. Each volunteer accepted into the program must complete five days of initial training. Casework supervision is provided by full time Program Coordinators from the Family Court staff. Program attorneys provide legal advice and represent the CASA in court proceedings.

In the last year, CASA volunteers served over 600 children in Delaware. Yet, many of Delaware’s abused and neglected children still have no independent voice in court.

The problems of child abuse and neglect belong to all of us.
Be part of the solution. Be a CASA volunteer.

For information, call the CASA office in
Family Court at 302-255-0461.

Call 302-255-0461 in New Castle County
Call 302-672-1037 in Kent County
Call 302-855-7410 in Sussex County

By Christine E. Serio
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Wilmington Renaissance Corporation

The winter months, tend to keep most of us indoors in hibernation mode. But as the saying goes, April and May will bring more than showers and flowers with great events for foodies and families.

Some say the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach and Wilmington may agree. April has two major foodie events for those who love to explore the culinary delights of the city.  The first is Meals on Wheels of Delaware’s Meals for the Masters.

The weekend begins with Evening With the Masters on Friday, April 10 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel. Attendees will get tasty treats while enjoying dancing and live entertainment. They can also choose to enjoy the Cellar Master’s Wine Auction where they can bid on some of the finest bottles of wine.

The weekend will conclude with the Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch on Sunday, April 22 at Bank of America downtown. The highly-anticipated foodie event features brunch delights created by chefs from around the world.  For more details and tickets, visit www.mealsfromthemasters.com.

The foodie heaven will continue through the next week with City Restaurant Week from Monday, April 23 to Saturday, April 28. The week will feature $15 two-course lunches and $35 three-course dinners at 14 Downtown and Riverfront fine dining establishments.

The 2012 participants include Big Fish Grill, Café Mezzanotte, Chelsea Tavern, Deep Blue, Domaine Hudson, Ernest & Scott Taproom, Firestone, Harry’s Seafood Grill, Hotel DuPont’s Green Room, Mikimotos, Orillas Tapas, Ubon Thai Cuisine, World Cafe Live at The Queen and Washington Street Ale House.

All of the dining options during City Restaurant Week are great ways to get quality family time and sio is one of the City of Wilmington’s largest events—the Wilmington Grand Prix.

Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC), the City of Wilmington and their many partners once again bring cycling to the streets of Downtown Wilmington with the Wilmington Grand Prix. In its six years of existence, the event has grown from a regional bicycle race to one of the premier cycling events on the East Coast.

This year’s Grand Prix is set for May 18-20 and will once again offer three days of racing.

“We are thrilled to bring the Wilmington Grand Prix back to downtown Wilmington,” Carrie W. Gray, WRC Managing Director, said. “Last year, the event generated more than $950,000 in economic impact for the city and attracted more than 20,000 people to Market Street. We anticipate exceeding those numbers this year while presenting a fun, family-friendly, sporting event in our city.”

The action opens on Friday, May 18, with the return of the Monkey Hill Time Trial through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park, a course made famous by the Tour DuPont. The evening will also include barbecue, beer and family fun.

The events continue on Saturday with a series of men’s and women’s figure-eight criterium races in Downtown Wilmington. St. Youth races will also take place with Cadence Cycling Foundation riders as well as youth from the city.

In addition to the racing action, the Grand Prix Street Festival returns, offering free family entertainment from the 5th to 10th Street. Activities include live music, sidewalk sales, course-side cafes and variety of family games and activities including moon bounces, rock climbing, bungee jumping, fitness challenges, bike expos and more. The day will also include the Parade to Fight Hunger at noon.

The three days of cycling concludes on Sunday with the return of the Governor’s Ride, a 15-mile trek through world-class attractions.  In addition, the Wilmington Grand Prix will introduce the Gran Fondo.  The 62-mile ride will begin at 8 a.m. at the Delaware Art Museum and take cyclists through 13 cultural attractions in Wilmington. Registration fees for the Gran Fondo and Time Trial will benefit the Food Bank of Delaware.

“The Gran Fondo will not only attract top cyclists, pro and amateur, to ride in Wilmington, but it will showcase the beautiful cultural attractions in the Brandywine Valley,” said Jerry DuPhily, event organizer. “The area offers some of the best cycling terrain on the East Coast. Riders can experience the spectacular rolling hills of chateau country. The course will include world-class institutions such as Hagley Museum & Gardens, Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library along with Mt. Cuba Center. The Gran Fondo will be the first time cyclists will have the privilege of passing through these attractions on the same ride.”

The post-ride party will be held in the sculpture garden at the Delaware Art Museum.

“The Grand Prix is more than just a thrilling sporting event—it is a great way to showcase Downtown Wilmington,” said Mayor James Baker. “More than 20,000 people come to cheer on the cyclists and experience the street festival atmosphere. The Grand Prix is another reminder to the thousands of people who will enjoy our city’s abundance of retail merchants, restaurants and cultural venues during the three-day event that Wilmington is truly ‘in the middle of it all’.”

For more information, visit www.wilmgrandprix.com.

To stay in the loop on all the events coming to Wilmington, sign up for the Downtown News at www.downtownwilmington.com. And if you like an “inside” deal, you can also sign up for the Downtown INsider

By Terri Dalton and JoAnne Hewlett – Owners

Make a Memory Photo Booths create an exciting activity for the cocktail hour and reception. While the guests are waiting on the arrival of the bride and groom, they will be getting the party started at the photo booth! Everyone can get in on the fun! Each guest goes home with a strip of pictures as a memory of your special day. The bride and groom also receive a strip of each photo session at the end of the evening in a beautiful memory photo album. Wedding Packages include Unlimited Pictures, Photos are personalized with the bride and groom’s name, Free Delivery within 40 miles, Bride and Groom’s Memory Album. Also includes fun, crazy props – hats, boas, sunglasses, and much more! Make A Memory Photo Booths have been custom designed for wheel chair accessibility and they are also spacious enough for numerous people to gather in the booth for group shots.

Make A Memory Photo Booths offers unique entertainment for any event.

Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Corporate Events, Class Reunions, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Graduations, and much more.

Testimonials:

“Thank you for the brilliant idea of having a photo booth. Everyone loved it including us! The photo album will leave us with many memories.”   ~ Shannon & Mike

“I can’t even put into words how much everybody enjoyed the photo booth. It was quite a hit and made the celebration that much more special. We have already gotten hours of fun from viewing the album.”   ~ Deborah G.

Make A Memory Photo Booths, located in Newark, Delaware, was founded in 2009 by owners, Jo Anne Hewlett and Terri Dalton.  JoAnne is the owner of Make A Memory Event Planning, with over twenty years experience in weddings, social events and fundraising. She oversees every detail with unique and memorable planning advice, while the client is stress free. They have a full line of wedding services, which includes invitation, linens, candy station, drapes, rentals, and everything from A to Z. JoAnne wanted to add the photo booth service to the business and made a leap of faith with long time close friend, Terri Dalton. They have been in business in the past and came together again to create Make A Memory Photo Booths.  After much research these ladies designed and built their own booths to allow handicap accessibility, large group pictures and easy set up. The company strives to provide high quality, professional services while bringing unique style and entertainment to any event. A photo booth will liven up any reception, corporate event, birthdays, or a “Let’s get together” party.

Our Photo Booth is Wheelchair Accessible  •  Accommodates Large Group Pictures.

“Make A Memory Event Planning” is available for ALL your wedding needs and advice.
We can help you a little or a lot! Call JoAnne for a FREE one hour consultation.
302-731-4140 or visit: www.makeamemoryde.com

Discover Unparalleled Fine Dining at The Farmhouse.
Where foods of rare excellence are served in an elegant provincial setting.

Intimate candlelit dining rooms, exceptional service, award-winning menus featuring The Farmhouse famous crab cakes, and many seasonal specials all contribute to a delightful dining experience. Sundays, a superb prix fixe three-course dinner is offered.  The intimate Farmhouse bar with fireplace is a local favorite. Reserve the unique subterranean wine cellar featuring the Wine Spectator Award winning wine list for a very special Chef’s Table.  Enjoy summer evenings of genteel tableside service on the Farmhouse’s covered outdoor patio. The 18th century Farmhouse is open for dinner Thursday – Sunday.

The Farmhouse is the quintessential destination.

Indoor and outdoor catering is available for parties, meetings, and corporate events.  Specializing in weddings, Chef Roland creates your menu from farm-fresh foods. No frozen or pre-made foods are ever used. The gracious Banquet Room connects to a soaring sky lit Round Room offering a beautiful view of gardens and golf course.  Sip a frosted mug of beer or special Martini in the adjacent air-conditioned Tavern with flat screen TV or dine out of doors and watch play from the Tavern’s open-air brick patio.

The Greathouse and Tavern are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Sunday Brunch is served in Country Elegance while enjoying a complimentary flute of champagne. Free Children’s menu.

Loch Nairn’s impeccably groomed Golf Course
is open to the public.

This is a true shot maker’s course with tree lined fairways winding through wetlands, lakes, and ponds.  There’s a fully stocked golf shop, locker facilities, and Men’s & Ladies Associations. Lessons are available for all levels. Be sure to stop by the unique Tavern for food, drink, and conversation.

Discover
unparalleled fine dining at The Farmhouse
Casual dining and all manner of celebration,
The Greathouse at Loch Nairn

Visit us online at www.lochnairn.com or call 610.268.2235.