Delaware
Deaf pastor leads effort to serve and bring people together in Kenton and Hartly
Community programs and worship services at Kenton and Hartly churches
Pastor Rick Kelly is leading efforts at Kenton and Hartly churches to bring the communities together and help people in need.
Rick Kelly said he might not know the pain or loneliness you’re experiencing, but he’s willing to listen and help because he knows about facing challenges, hardships and feelings of being overlooked and left out.
The pastor at the United Methodist churches in Kenton and Hartly was born almost completely deaf, describing himself as a deaf person with residual hearing, like trying to hear a radio station you can’t tune in clearly.
Now, he’s helping to lead an effort to bring people together in the rural Kent County communities.
During his childhood, he sometimes attended schools for the deaf and he learned sign language.
“I learned to talk fairly well, but that made some people ask if I was really deaf,” Kelly said.
He communicated with some lip reading, closely observing how people reacted and a lot of smiling and nodding, even if he didn’t hear everything that was said.
He just released a book, “Call Me Rick: Grace in the Middle,” about growing up as a deaf person and his struggles and achievements in becoming a teacher, coach and pastor. He also details the hardships and happiness he and his wife have gone through raising a family.
He said his experiences help him relate with people who have been belittled, ignored, patronized and treated unfairly; people with an addiction or in prison and people society labels as different or strange.
In his book, Kelly writes, “Standing with someone in their pain does not mean you agree with every choice they’ve made. It means you refuse to abandon them in the middle of their story. It means you recognize that the image of God in them is not erased by their struggle. It means you choose to believe that grace is stronger than your fear of being misunderstood.”
As part of the effort to help residents get acquainted and to serve and support each other, the Kenton and Hartly churches are teaming up on programs and events.
Kelly said the idea is to “bring people from all walks of life together,” providing “lifelines for people who might otherwise feel forgotten.”
Sunday worship services are at 9 a.m. in Kenton and at 11 a.m. in Hartly, but Kelly said the congregations also want to “meet people where they are.”
The churches host monthly “outreach” events for the community such as an Easter parade and egg hunt, vacation Bible school and a Bluegrass music program.
The next outreach programs are:
- “Trunk or Treat” on Oct. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., when church volunteers offer kids the chance to trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot at Kenton United Methodist Church, 74 W. Commerce St. (Route 42), west of Route 300.
- Veterans “Cruz In” on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, where people are invited to show off their vehicles at a car show while veterans can receive help and information on services that are available, also at the Kenton church parking lot.
Opportunities to help and to get help at community service programs
Serving others is one way to feel more involved in the community, Kelly said.
The congregations invite people to events that help children’s hospitals and animal rescue organizations. They’ve delivered protein bars to paramedic and ambulance stations so the workers have something quick to eat during an emergency. They’ve collected backpacks and school supplies for students in need.
At the Kenton church, one of the leaders of the outreach efforts is Kathy Steele.
“Our goal is hopefully that by reaching out to the community, people will want to come to our church and join what we’re doing,” Steele said. “But the main thing is doing our part to help the community and give back.”
She said Pastor Kelly has rallied the congregations in Kenton and Hartly to be more involved in the community.
“He’s really emphasized the outreach programs,” Steele said. “He has a passion for the church and has such beautiful prayers. The text prayer chain is a good example. He always has a wonderful prayer and asks if there’s anything the church can do for you.”
Former Kenton Mayor Jessica Penawell has attended the Kenton United Methodist Church off and on for about five years, but she officially joined as a member this year.
“I remember my first day, I was greeted by everyone and everyone was so welcoming,” Penawell said.
She recognizes the importance of the outreach programs that Pastor Kelly is promoting.
“We’re hoping they bring the community together,” Penawell said. “I think it’s great that the church is doing more things with the town.”
Among the highlights this year were the Easter parade and egg hunt attended by about 400 people and the “Butterpot Awakening” revival Aug. 11-15 attended by about 40 people each night at the Kenton Town Hall in the former Kenton School building.
Food pantries at Kenton and Hartly United Methodist churches
Probably the best examples of programs offering continual support are the food pantries at the Kenton and Hartly churches, offering groceries – and prayer if requested – to people in need.
At Hartly United Methodist Church, the program serves about 20 families each month, usually more during the holidays, said food pantry co-chair Joy Ford.
During the pandemic, the program moved outdoors with drive-up service that worked so well, the congregation decided to continue it.
Along with donations from church members, the program receives food from a variety of businesses and community organizations.
While people of all ages stop by for food, Ford said many are older residents.
“We have grandparents raising grandchildren,” Ford said. “There’s a burden on these folks. Sometimes they’re in poor health. They’re very grateful, very appreciative of our food pantry.”
She’s helped with the food pantry since 2009 and has served as co-chair since 2016.
“We are supposed to be Jesus’ hands and feet,” Ford said. “I want to help others, and this is my opportunity to do that. I always had a desire to do missions in another country, but we’ve got folks who need us right here.”
Along with monthly food assistance, the Hartly food pantry also “adopts” families with children at Christmas, providing clothes and toys along with a gift for the parents.
For information about the food pantries or other church programs, email PastorRickKelly22@gmail.com or see the website www.KentonUMC.org or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/hartlyumc.
Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.
Monday also coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Womack, Controller Louis Rosenthal, District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Sheriff Siddiq Kamara and first-term Councilmember Joanne Phillips.
“I remain inspired by what the voters told me during this election,” Phillips said in the press release. “They told me to keep working hard, use my common sense, keep moving the county forward, implement changes as efficiently and effectively as we can, use our resources wisely, and take care of our people.”
Among its first orders of business, County Council voted to reappoint Barbara O’Malley as executive director for a two-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations of government departments.
County Council’s first official meeting is Wednesday.
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Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?
There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.
Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.
Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy.
Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.
Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days.
Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.
With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.”
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.
Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.
Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.
Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”
Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.
Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.
Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton
No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.
Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038
Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.
The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.
There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.
Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.
Aries Spears, Wilmington
The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.
Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis is gonna be on an emotional high when he headlines The Linc, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this summer, joined by special guests. Gillis is one of the hottest names in comedy and showed people when he appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Peyton Manning and Post Malone, an experience that was capped off with The Birds winning the Super Bowl.
The Linc (One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $30-$171+. Visit lincolnfinancialfield.com.
Delaware
Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change
MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Siddiq Kamara was sworn in on Monday as the new sheriff of Delaware County, marking a milestone he said he never imagined before a family tragedy pushed him toward public service.
Kamara, who won nearly 63% of the vote in November, greeted supporters as he arrived in uniform.
“I haven’t gotten to wear a uniform like this in a long time,” he said before the ceremony.
Moments later, he reflected on the weight of the day, saying he was “just trying to let everything sink in.”
The moment became real as he took the oath of office — a role he said he could not have foreseen before August 27, 2021.
“August 2021 changed my family’s life forever,” Kamara said. That was when 8-year-old Fanta Bility, his cousin, was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game.
“When I got the call that I lost my cousin, that’s a call that nobody should ever feel. And at that moment, something had to be done,” Kamara said.
Drawing on his experience as a police officer, National Guard member, and employee of the attorney general’s office, Kamara pushed for increased training within the Sharon Hill Police Department. That effort could expand statewide through legislation known as “Fanta’s Law.”
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said he is optimistic about the bill’s future, calling it “one of the rare cases where you have bipartisan support around this bill.”
Supporters said Kamara brings a valuable perspective as the son of Liberian immigrants.
“People see themselves in him, and it’s great to have that type of representation,” said Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council.
Anthony Moss, of Laborers’ Local 413, added, “I just think he’s going to bring a lot of things. A lot of good things.”
At 30, Kamara noted his place in history.
“I’m the youngest sheriff in America,” he said while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd inside the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.
Among those watching was his aunt, Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother.
“He fought for Fanta. I’m so happy for that. To get this position, I’m so happy,” she said.
Kamara pledged to honor that responsibility.
“I’ll make this promise to you guys. I promise to serve with integrity, accountability, and to make sure everybody in Delaware County is protected and served equally,” he said.
Kamara said his faith guides him, noting that his swearing-in also marked another milestone: he is the first Muslim sheriff in Delaware County.
He said he plans to focus on improving training within the department, modernizing the office and expanding community outreach.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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