Delaware

Delaware Festival of Words inspires teens about books and publishing

Published

10 months ago

November 19, 2023

Press Room

Delaware Festival of Words inspires teens about books and publishing

Carrie Simpson
| Guest columnist

Do you know a Delaware teen who loves to read, their nose always buried in a book? Or one who is always sketching the characters and worlds they’ve dreamt up? What about one who dreams of becoming a published author?

On Saturday, Dec. 2, at St. George’s Technical High School, Delaware teens can spend the entire day meeting published authors, gaining tips of the trade and inspiration, at the Delaware Festival of Words.

“Witnessing students react to authors like rock stars and embrace their ideas while forming their own makes me confident that the power of words will flourish!” says librarian and attendee Suzanne Smith.

Each year, a group of Delaware teachers and librarians organize this small grassroots event to engage secondary readers with diverse literature, writing techniques, and the world of publishing. It’s open to any middle or high school student in Delaware, their teachers and librarians. And it is totally FREE. The Festival provides lunch and buses upon request. Even better, teens leave with books and swag.

In the past, the Festival brought in big YA Lit names like Walter Dean Meyers, banned author Emily Danforth, Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander. At its peak, upwards of 200 participants would come from all over the state.

But in 2020, like all public events, COVID brought the Festival to a screeching halt. In fall of 2020, the Festival pivoted, offering virtual workshops, book clubs, and author talks over a one-week period.

In 2022, the Festival resumed in person, bringing in show-stopping keynote speakers K.A. Holt, who writes award-winning novels-in-verse, and Yamile Saied Mendez, whose book “Furia” was a Reese’s YA Book Club selection.

This year, the Festival is reinventing itself once again. The theme is “Reading Local.” Teens can attend workshops and author panels taught by successful authors and members of the industry who all live within a two-hour radius. With this year’s format, there’s no author students won’t connect with.

High schoolers will be interested in learning from Nicole Gabor, whose book “Catwalk’‘ is about an aspiring model who becomes New York’s new “it” girl, or Kelly Lidji, whose ghost story “Maggie, I Have Your Baby” is based on a local Delaware legend.

Our middle schoolers will be interested in learning from fantasy writers Ryan Gebhart and Aggie L. Jae. For any teen interested in writing children’s books, David Teague and Kent County author Abraham Keys will discuss the creation of their picture books.

Upon registration, teens pick between a variety of interactive workshops. Writers will be interested in workshops such as creating believable characters, constructing a ghost story, and incorporating the six-step story arch. Artists will be interested in using the technique of repousse to create an illuminated letter, and creating a world map for a fantasy novel. Poets and spoken word artists will be wowed by a Poetry Out Loud performance.

Teachers and librarians can connect with UD LibSearch staff, to learn the most effective way to research in the state. They are invited to learn alongside their students.

The Festival was founded in 2000 by Peggy Dilner, who worked at the Educational Resource Center at the University of Delaware after retiring as a librarian for Colonial School District. She thought Delaware teens deserved a literacy event, and the Delaware Department of Education and the University of Delaware agreed. When Dilner retired, Christy Payne took on the role and continued to grow the Festival until 2015, when current director Andrea Rashbaum took over.

To date, Festival of Words Delaware is the only literacy event for teens of its kind in the state of Delaware. It’s in its 23rd year and going strong!

A teen only has to attend once, and they are hooked.

“The Festival of Words has been an amazing experience,” said student Gabby. “It’s a great way to meet new people who also love to read or write, and the chance to meet and talk with authors is something you will never forget.”

Know a teen who’s interested in attending? The event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Georges Technical High School in Middletown. Teens should register at www.festivalofwordsde.com. Teachers and librarians who are interested in securing free transportation to the event for their cohort of students should email festivalofwordsde@gmail.com.

Carrie Simpson teaches English at the Tatnall School and is a volunteer organizer of Delaware Festival of Words.

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Delaware

The first Delaware Student of the Week comes from Archmere Academy

Published

2 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

The first Delaware Student of the Week comes from Archmere Academy

The first Delaware Student of the Week is coming under the spotlight.

In case you missed it, Delaware Online/The News Journal launched an initiative to recognize achievements of high school students across the state through reader voting, every other week. This honor looks to highlight academic achievement, extracurricular activities, volunteerism, perseverance and more qualities that make up the lives of so many young scholars.

School principals and other educators sent in nominations, while readers handled the rest. So in this first round, who is our Delaware Student of the Week?

That’s Daniel Qi, of Archmere Academy. The “exceptional violinist” snagged nearly 70% of the vote in this round.

This junior has already performed with symphony orchestras, and he serves as first violinist for the Helena Raskob Arts Institute String Ensemble, according to his nominator. Daniel was awarded the first chair, while also serving as concertmaster, when chosen to perform with the Delaware All-State Orchestra.

Outside of the classroom, the top math student has also performed internationally. He played in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra NYO2 program, and even touring Iceland with Temple Music Prep’s Youth Chamber Orchestra.

Come back for next week’s poll, set to launch on Monday morning. Educators can still make additional submissions until next week.

ICYMI: Wilmington’s Bardea restaurant team cooks dinner at Archmere Academy for Biden Quad Summit

[Editor’s note: This is a budding initiative. Did we miss your institution on our email list? Have a comment? Let us know: studentoftheweek@delawareonline.com]

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Delaware

Things to do around Philly: Pet Fest, Graham Nash, Delaware River Festival, Story Fest

Published

10 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Things to do around Philly: Pet Fest, Graham Nash, Delaware River Festival, Story Fest

It’s fall festival season, with several on the calendar this weekend in Philadelphia and its suburbs. The Midtown Village Fall Festival, The Fishtown Fall Feastivale and the Philly Beer Festival are all on the schedule, as well as the Mural Arts 40th anniversary celebration and the Mt. Airy Arts Festival. Upper Darby will also host its annual International Festival. And there’s more!

Graham Nash is heading to South Jersey with Judy Collins. The Hindu celebration of Ratha Yatra and the Puerto Rican Day Parade are happening on the Ben Franklin Parkway while the Philadelphia Orchestra hosts three concerts at Marian Anderson Hall for its season-opening weekend. Plus, fans of hard alternative R&B and soul will likely be drawn to Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka, who are playing at the Met to close out the weekend.

New Jersey

Graham Nash w/Judy Collins: Songs and Stories

Graham Nash in conversation at the 92nd Street Y on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Crosby, Stills and Nash made music that forms core memories. They certainly did for singer/songwriter Graham Nash, who penned those iconic tunes. He’s bringing Judy Collins (“Send in the Clowns”), who just celebrated her 85th birthday, to his show in South Jersey. With their combined time in the music industry, we’re sure they both have some great stories to tell.

Delaware

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

The young bluesman from Clarksdale, Mississippi absorbed the examples of his many predecessors from the area. By his teenage years, he was considered a prodigy who had already drawn the attention of Bootsy Collins and B.B. King’s drummer, Tony Coleman. Now 25 with two studio albums and a live album under his belt, Kingfish is in Delaware playing selections from all of them and more.

Special Events

Festival Round-Up

Where: Multiple locations
When: All weekend long
How much: Mostly free

It’s the height of the fall festival season with themes that include art, food and even the Delaware waterfront. Here are some of the top fests this weekend, all happening Saturday:

Black Cannabis Week

a person speaks to two people — Black Cannabis Week has been an annual event since the medical cannabis industry began to blossom in Pennsylvania in 2018. (James Robinson courtesy of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus)

Where: Multiple venues
When: Through Sunday, Sept. 28
How much: Free and up

People of color have been disproportionately victimized by incarceration for minor drug crimes but locked out of the billion-dollar cannabis industry. Now that marijuana has been legalized in several states, there are entrepreneurial opportunities in all aspects of the business. Black Cannabis Week aims to provide more information to those seeking it, and through its Rooted In Justice Film Festival highlight the past and present challenges.

Dinos After Dark: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15. This week, the celebration at the scientific venue will include Hispanic-owned food and drink purveyors, short films selected by the Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival, a conversation with researchers from The Latin Academy and a meet-and-greet with bugs from Latin America.

WHYY 70th Anniversary All Creatures Pet Fest

Where: Peddler’s Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, Pa.
When: 12 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28
How much: $10; free for children with one adult paid ticket

“Morning Edition” host Jennifer Lynn is headed to Peddler’s Village to celebrate WHYY’s 70th anniversary and the long-running PBS show “All Creatures Great and Small,” which was rebooted in 2020. At Pet Fest, you can adopt a new pet and find vendors, grooming and veterinary services for one you already have. And if your pet can be leashed or corraled and plays well with others, bring them along — but make sure they have a costume for the pet costume contest!

Delco Horror Haven Invasion Weekend

Where: Media Community Center, 301 N. Jackson St., Media, Pa., Towne House, 117 Veterans Square, Media, Pa.
When: 12 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 12 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $7, day one, $15 – $40

Delco Horror Haven was formed by a group of horror fans in the Philly suburbs who wanted the genre to be celebrated locally. Now they’re hosting a two-day event that includes a marketplace with a food truck, guest celebrities and a casual film festival screening 33 short films from seven countries. Organizers say cosplaying as your favorite horror character is not just accepted, it’s encouraged!

Philly AIDS Thrift 19th Anniversary Block Party

Where: Philly AIDS Thrift, 710 S. 5th St.
When: 12 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28
How much: Free, pay as you go

Philly AIDS Thrift has been around since 2005, turning discarded clothing, furniture and “junk” into funds that help AIDS organizations. Its annual Block Party turns its storefront and street into a celebration that includes the ever-popular celebrity dunk tank, a pie-eating contest, a dog-kissing booth, Double Dutch Meetup, circus acts and other live performances. The party kicks off the store’s busy Halloween season when thrifters seek vintage decorations, clothing and accessories to create unique costumes.

Ratha Yatra Parade & Street Festival

The Hindu celebration of Ratha Yatra, which draws millions to events around the world, is heading to the Ben Franklin Parkway. The procession, also called the Chariot Festival, honors three Indian deities: Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra. Once the procession gets to Eakins Oval, it turns into a celebration that includes a bazaar, yoga sessions, music and vegan food.

Puerto Rican Day Parade

A Puerto Rican flag is visible, with Philadelphia's City Hall in the background. — More than a thousand people packed the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sep. 25, 2022 to celebrate “The Puerto Rican Dreamers” during the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

The island of Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with its own rich culture that incorporates both American and Caribbean traditions. That will be on display at the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Expect music, dance, poetry and a party on the parkway with over 1,500 marchers and even more attendees. You can also watch the parade live on ABC.

Arts & Culture

FirstGlance Film Festival

The four-day film festival brings a slate of independently produced movies to Philadelphia that will be judged during Sunday night’s closing awards ceremony. Before then, there will be 45 films screened by local, national and international filmmakers and an opening night red-carpet event.

The 39 Steps

Where: Town & Country Players, 4158 York Road, Buckingham, Pa.
When: Friday, Sept. 27 – Saturday, Oct. 12
How much: $22.38

In his heyday, Alfred Hitchcock was viewed as one of the greatest directors of psychological thrillers in film history. One of his films, “The 39 Steps” was adapted into a stage play that puts a comic spin on the film, which was itself adapted from the 1915 book of the same title by John Buchan.

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Philadelphia, PA

Where: Multiple venues
When: Friday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $15 – $250

The Marquis de Lafayette makes a triumphant return to Philadelphia with a weekend of events commemorating the 200th anniversary of his return to the States, 40 years after leading troops in the American Revolution. OK, that was a mouthful, but the idea is he’s back, via his contemporary stand-in, Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg. He’ll travel through the same 24 states established in 1824 and 1825, in the same order the Marquis did back then. There’s a concert, walking tours and a big party — the Fête Lafayette — at Independence Mall. You can’t say the man wasn’t a big deal! Some ticketed events have sold out already, but others are free and open to the public.

Mural Arts Fest: Roots & Reimagination

Philadelphia’s vaunted Mural Arts program, responsible for more than 4,000 pieces of public art in the city, celebrates its 40th anniversary with, appropriately, a public art festival. There will be DJs, food trucks and of course, art, including mini-murals from the “To the Polls” project.

Food/Drink

Fishtown Fall Feastivale

Fishtown’s biggest annual festival brings 125 bars and restaurants together for a day-long block party that spans several streets. The family-friendly event includes carnival games, a celebrity dunk tank and specially brewed seasonal beers, with local and regional vendors and community groups on the scene. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Philly Beer Fest

If your ideal autumn day includes sampling various beers from around the city and the region, the Philly Beer Fest is the place for you. Two sessions are general admission with an option to come earlier at each via an early admission ticket. But, be warned, choose your preferred time wisely, as organizers are adamant that you can’t attend both sessions. Once inside, food is available on a pay-as-you-go basis. FYI, while there are kid-friendly fests that serve beer, this is not one of them; it’s strictly 21 and up.

Pennsylvania Chocolate & Coffee Festival

Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, Pa.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $4 – $30

Chocolate and coffee together are like peanut butter and jelly — an unbeatable combination. This foodie fest brings you the best of both, with over 100 vendors and (hopefully) unlimited sampling. Scheduled speakers will extol the health benefits of chocolate and coffee, something that should come as a relief to those who regularly indulge in both.

Music

Opening Weekend Philadelphia Orchestra

Where: Kimmel Center, Marian Anderson Hall, 300 S Broad St.
When: 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27; 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28; 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29
How much: $25 – $195

The Philadelphia Orchestra opens this weekend with two matinees and an evening performance, highlighting the combined talents of Philadelphia Orchestra’s Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nezét Séguin, pianist Seong-Jin Cho and composers Beethoven and Bruckner.

Mat Kearney: Headlights Home Tour

Singer/songwriter Mat Kearney has accomplished a rare feat with over 2.5 billion streams of his eight studio albums. The Oregon-born artist’s most recent album came out in May, and he’s on the road in support of it, stopping through suburban Philly this weekend

Michael Kiwanuka & Brittany Howard

Former Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard’s new project “What Now” reflects the eclectic musical choices that have taken her to solo stardom. British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has received international acclaim after just four albums. His latest, “Small Changes” is coming out Nov. 15, and he’s just earned his first #1 single on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart with “Floating Parade.” They’re supporting both of their projects at the Met stage this weekend.

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