Delaware

Aubrey Plaza names her 5 favorite Wilmington spots for the New York Times

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

Aubrey Plaza names her 5 favorite Wilmington spots for the New York Times

Wilmington may not be a secret exactly, now that it’s been home to a sitting U.S. president, but Delaware’s biggest city just got some more star-studded exposure.

Actor and native Wilmingtonian Aubrey Plaza was recently featured in the New York Times for a piece listing her five favorite spots in her hometown.

Aubrey Plaza’s Wilmington, published Friday, details how “the acerbic star of ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘My Old Ass’ is enthusiastic about her often-overshadowed Delaware hometown, which she calls a ‘magical little gem.’”

Those of us here in The First State know Plaza’s love of Delaware firsthand. Her family still lives here and she visits regularly, having been spotted just recently before embarking on her media tour promoting a trio of new projects: “Megalopolis,” “My Old Ass” and “Agatha All Along.”

Over the years she has popped up in Wilmington at fundraisers, dining out, volunteering, attending weddings or just strolling around.

New York Times writer Steven Kurutz reports that Plaza was “an enthusiastically earnest tour guide” when it came to Wilmington, “even though [there is] no theme park, no professional sports teams [and] no famous regional cuisine that demands a pilgrimage.”

So what sites did Plaza highlight for The Gray Lady?

Here’s her list, which exposed our “magical little gem” to the newspaper’s more than 8 million worldwide subscribers.

One of Wilmington’s more beautiful locations earned Plaza’s first shout out, with the star revealing that her family once lived nearby.

“It’s one of the most iconic Wilmington landmarks,” she says of Rockford Tower, “but the park itself is so beautiful.”

The community theater where Plaza got her start shouldn’t be a surprise entry. She name-checks the Lea Boulevard theater often in interviews and returned in 2017 to help celebrate its 85th anniversary fundraiser.

In the entry, which included a New York Times photograph by Neal Santos of WDL production manager Kathy Buterbaugh, Plaza recounts the first time she discovered the theater.

“I just thought, ‘Wow, the guts these kids have to stand up and audition in front of other kids,’ ” she says.

So what spots in Trolley Square got the Plaza seal of approval?

Café Verde, where she likes their pizza slices and gelato, was listed, with Plaza snubbing Café Verdi’s rival across Delaware Avenue Gianni’s Pizza. (Gianni’s did appear, however, in a photograph of the area included with the entry.)

Catherine Rooney’s and Kelly’s Logan House also were noted as popular bars with the younger set, although it was unclear if Plaza herself mentioned them specifically.

“That little square, I’m drawn there every time I go home,” she says.

The famed cobblestone lane that cuts past Brandywine Zoo from Brandywine Park to West 18th Street may be home to the Monkey Hill Time Trial at the annual Wilmington Grand Prix, but Plaza cites more personal memories for the entry.

Kurutz writes: “The very old, very bumpy road was like an amusement-park ride for Ms. Plaza and her cousins, who used to ride their bicycles down it as children.”

“It’s steep, so on a bike, it’s like being on a roller coaster,” she tells him before mentioning the nearby Brandywine Creek. “We used to swim in it. Rope swings from trees. All the kinds of things you read in a book.”

The lone commercial business to get its own listing is a neighborhood bar that can be found on Union Street in Little Italy.

The hang-out spot best known for pairing its Buffalo chicken tenders, “Chicken Nixon” sandwich and “Irish nachos” with cold drinks and locals bar crowd also has been home to Plaza sightings through the years, usually around the holidays when she stops in with friends and family.

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Plaza told the Times she grew up in the city’s Irish Catholic community, spending part of her childhood Irish dancing and that Dead Presidents “was a central meeting spot for my friends and family.”

She adds, “It’s your neighborhood pub. Everybody knows your name there. We would go to the pub. Then we’d have a Yuengling. Maybe two. Maybe three.”

Not mentioned in the article: Dead Presidents is now owned by Plaza’s uncle Brian Raughley, who purchased the beloved watering hole back in 2009.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier).

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Delaware

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Published

12 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.

Order from Instacart:

Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.

Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?

If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.

Wegmans: Wegmans will close early on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m.
ShopRite: ShopRite will close early at 4 p.m.
Acme: Acme markets are open until 4 p.m.
Giant Food: Giant stores are open until 5 p.m.
Aldi: Aldi locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Food Lion: Food Lion stores will be open until 3 p.m.
Costco: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving.

Sophia Voight is a growth and development reporter. Reach her with feedback and story tips at svoight@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

AARP Delaware recently announced Ted Spickler of Bethany Beach was honored with its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.

A retired professor, Spickler was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to community service. As an AARP Delaware advocate, Spickler regularly traveled to attend volunteer meetings, committee hearings and legislator meetings, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving the lives of older Delawareans and strengthening the community. As the legislative committee chair of Delaware’s South Coastal AARP Chapter, he keeps the committee and chapter informed about a variety of issues that affect older Delawareans and their families.

Beyond his work with AARP, Spickler is active with Citizens Climate Lobby, advocating for policies to create a healthier environment for future generations.

“Ted embodies the spirit of volunteerism, sharing his skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to support his AARP chapter, our state office and his community,” said Wendell Alfred, AARP Delaware volunteer state president. “His curiosity, dedication and kindness have been a great example for other volunteers.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

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Delaware

Ashford throws for three TDs as Wake Forest whips Delaware 52-14

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Ashford throws for three TDs as Wake Forest whips Delaware 52-14

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Robby Ashford threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Wake Forest beat Delaware 52-14 for its third win in a row Saturday.

Jake Dickert became the winningest first-year football coach in Wake Forest history. The Demon Deacons (8-3) won for the sixth time in their last seven games.

For Dickert, it was all about challenging the Demon Deacons to be better.

“We changed the bar completely,” he said. “… It hasn’t always been easy. It hasn’t always been perfect.”

It was a special Senior Day for the Demon Deacons, with the coaching staff assembled about 11 months ago.

“To see it come all the way through is a big deal to me and to (our players),” Dickert said. “Just like we’ve done all year, we’ve got to grow from it.”

Carlos Hernandez made two touchdown catches, racking up 197 yards on five receptions. He had TD plays of 79 and 93 yards.

Wake Forest’s Carlos Hernandez (8) is tackled by Delaware’s Kshawn Cox Jr. (6) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Credit: AP/Allison Lee Isley

Ashford was 15-for-22 for 292 yards with an interception.

Three Wake Forest players rushed for more than 60 yards, led by Chris Barnes’ 78. Ty Clark III and Demond Claiborne ran for touchdowns. Connor Calvert kicked field goals of 44, 54 and 47 yards.

Nick Minicucci threw for 140 yards and a touchdown for Delaware (5-6), which will have to beat UTEP at home in a return to Conference USA play in order to be in line for a bowl bid. As a program in transition to the Bowl Subdivision, the Blue Hens only qualify for the postseason if there aren’t enough other teams reaching the six-win threshold.

Wake Forest hit a series of big plays.

Wake Forest's Robby Ashford (2) avoids the tackle of Delaware's... — Wake Forest’s Robby Ashford (2) avoids the tackle of Delaware’s Ethan Saunders (8) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Winston-Salem, N.C. Credit: AP/Allison Lee Isley

“We didn’t keep them inside or in front on our defensive side,” Delaware coach Ryan Carty said. “We got to make sure those explosive plays don’t happen.”

Delaware’s Viron Ellison Jr. took a short pass and dodged tacklers for a 43-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That ended a string of nine consecutive quarters for Wake Forest’s defense without giving up a touchdown.

The Blue Hens scored with 1:59 left on backup Braden Streeter’s 25-yard pass to Max Patterson.

The Takeaway

Delaware: The Blue Hens gave up more than 30 points for the fifth time this season, allowing Wake Forest to reach that level in the first half. The Blue Hens ended up 1-5 in road games.

Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons secured their most-lopsided victory of the season and finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 4-0 record.

Barnes is back

The Demon Deacons welcomed Barnes, a speedster, back after missing a game with an injury. He amassed 97 all-purpose yards.

He’s return to action gave another element to the Wake Forest offense, which had 577 total yards.

“Chris is a dynamic player,” Dickert said.

Something to prove

The Blue Hens are relatively new at the FBS level. Carty said they should move on quickly from this result because there are still possibilities ahead.

“I guess we’ll find out,” Carty said. “That’s the challenge. We have to understand this is our season on the line next week. We’re either finishing with a losing record or go bowl eligible with six wins.”