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Inside Huxley & Hiro, a bookstore with animal greeters and Curious Histories section

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Inside Huxley & Hiro, a bookstore with animal greeters and Curious Histories section


Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Huxley & Hiro in Wilmington, Delaware!

What’s your store’s story?

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Huxley & Hiro is a woman and LGBTQ owned bookstore in historic downtown Wilmington. As a public benefit corporation, the store’s mission is to partner with local non-profits and provide a community meeting space for the arts. Our store is named after our Maine Coon cat Huxley and Shiba Inu dog Hiro, who make regular appearances to welcome customers. Shortly after opening, owners Ryan Eanes and Claire van den Broek were named most influential Delawareans of 2024 in the business category!

What makes your independent bookstore special?

In the digital age where books are so easily and freely accessible online, and where we are constantly engaged on our phones and other devices, we recognized an increasing desire for places where people could come together in person and share their love of literature. Through a carefully curated selection of books and a design that is browsing-friendly, we want to offer our community a new take on the beloved experience of in-person shopping on a downtown Main Street. Though we as founders are millennials, we realized that both younger and older generations see the Millennial/Gen X vision of virtual communities as far more dystopian than the idealized image we had of the possibilities of technology. Our society seems to have a deep seated desire to return to in-person communities and 15 minute neighborhoods where we can build interpersonal connections not mediated by technology.

What’s your favorite section in your store?

My (Claire) favorite section of the store is our ‘Curious Histories’ display. Influenced by James Daunt, who created an entire London bookstore organized by country instead of genre (no sci-fi, because that wasn’t classifiable by country), we wanted to bring to life a curated collection that drew on many genres, centered around the theme of ‘Curious Histories’. We pulled books from cooking, travel, history, the sciences, and so on that focused on unusual stories, like the history of the egg or Sesame Street in Moscow. Our hope is that this display will offer people a new way of browsing that doesn’t confine them to the genre towards which they usually gravitate; the kind of experience algorithms online aren’t good at curating.

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What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

My favorite recommendation is Sadegh Hedayat’s “Blind Owl,” a deeply disturbing novella written by an Iranian author in the 1930s. Imagine if Edgar Allan Poe and Franz Kafka had a child born in Iran, who grew up watching F. W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu.” Surreal and dreamlike, at times verging on an early Middle Eastern magical realism, this largely unknown novella will haunt you.

What book do you think deserves more attention and why?

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Though it’s a classic, I’m always surprised more people aren’t familiar with Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita.” Written in Soviet Russia and censored until after his death, Mikhail Bulgakov’s comedic novel chronicles the adventures of Satan, his cat and his valet as they visit Moscow. The story is strongly interwoven with Goethe’s “Faust,” one of the greatest plays ever written, and in many ways, it’s also the love story of the Master and his Margarita (Faust and Gretchen). Brilliant, hilarious, and at times quite moving.

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

When you choose a local, independent bookstore, more of your money stays within the community. We want to live in vibrant, 15 minute walking communities where we can find unique things and discover new experiences. Bookstores remain a critical part of this experience, and only by supporting local businesses can we ensure that these kinds of neighborhoods remain a reality. Sure you can buy a book cheaply, but do you want to live next a massive warehouse with trucks coming and going at all hours, or do you want to grab your coffee and dog and wander into a beautiful local store with friendly employees who know you and can help you discover new books?

What are some of your store’s events, programs, or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?

We regularly partner with other local businesses for experiences such as coffee tastings from a local roaster, a bag making workshop that benefits women with cancer, and historical talks such as our event with a 102 year old WWII Air Force Veteran to celebrate that our city has been named an American WWII Heritage City.

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We are also partnering with Delaware Futures to create a Banned Books Advocacy Program that will allow disadvantaged youths to spend six weeks exploring banned books, learning to write letters to school boards, and gaining a better understanding of why groups want to ban books and how to fight censorship. At the end of the Program, they will earn a certificate that we hope will provide them with an advantage in their college applications.



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Delaware

Wilmington’s Cool Spring Park introduces new amphitheater, outdoor classroom

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Wilmington’s Cool Spring Park introduces new amphitheater, outdoor classroom


In 2019, Alison Quimby, manager of sustainability and environmental compliance for the city of Wilmington, proposed an outdoor classroom to help support families and community members living in the urban areas where green spaces may be limited.

However, it faced setbacks at the time due to the pandemic.

“I just had this thought in my mind, definitely like a daydream, and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be beautiful to give [this to] the citizens of Wilmington who are inside of buildings a lot?’” she said. “[We want to] give them a space to be outside where they can feel comfortable, where they can learn. It’s not just for environmental stuff.”

Collaborators including Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the city of Wilmington, Healthy Communities Delaware and local schools came together Tuesday morning to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the park’s new addition.

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Contributors of Wilmington’s Cool Spring Park in Delaware celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new amphitheater and outdoor classroom. (Johnny Perez-Gonzalez/WHYY)

Education and community were central to this project, influencing its location at Cool Spring Park due to the park’s proximity to nearby schools. During construction, involving the community was essential, with students at William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School contributing by planting native plants and attracting pollinators.

“We went through three different schools. But this was the one that we definitely landed on, and it’s perfection. The goal is to do this again and again. This is an experience that William C. Lewis and Padua and Ursuline or any community can come and enjoy,” she added. “With the help of the school William C. Lewis, they were able to come out, get their fingers dirty and do some planting, and they found worms and they were so excited.”



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Where to find free beaches in New Jersey and Delaware

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Where to find free beaches in New Jersey and Delaware


Summer fun is even better when it’s free, and beachgoers looking to beat the heat have several options in both New Jersey and Delaware.

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Temperatures have sizzled parts of the Delaware Valley ever since summer began earlier this month, including a record-setting heat wave.

Crowds have packed shore towns in New Jersey and Delaware where the sea breeze helps make unbearable summer temps more tolerable.

Everyone has their favorite shore town, but anyone looking to save a couple bucks can still enjoy a day at the beach with these free options.

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Atlantic City: Best known for its gambling and vibrant nightlife, Atlantic City also offers a massive free beach for summertime fun. Downtown Beach, Crystal Beach, and Delaware Avenue Beach are a few of the options available to visitors. A.C. also boasts a more than 5-mile stretch of boardwalk that has access to restaurants, casinos and novelty shops.

Bay FrontConsidered part of the more well-known Seaside Heights, Bay Front offers beachgoers “an alternative to the oceanfront activities.” Bay Front, found just north of Route 37, not only offers a free patrolled beach, but visitors can also enjoy fishing, crabbing and boating.

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Beesley’s Point: Located on the banks of Great Egg Harbor, Beesley’s Point gives beachgoers a quieter escape and is said to be “an ideal spot for launching a kayak to explore the calm waters.” 

Jennifer Lane Bay BeachAnother bay side location for beachgoers who prefer a more laid back shore experience, Jennifer Lane Beach is found on the Manahawkin Bay. Jennifer Lane Bay also features nearby parks for volleyball, walking, biking, and fishing.

Strathmere: Neatly tucked between Ocean City and Sea Isle City, Strathmere beach offers “a low-key, off-the-beaten-path beach experience.”

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The Wildwoods: One of the most popular South Jersey beaches is also one of the state’s largest free beaches! With over 5 miles of beaches, Wildwood offers visitors plenty of room to find a spot to enjoy the sun and surf.

William Morrow Beach: VisitNJ.com called William Morrow Beach “the perfect spot to spend a sunny summer day” due to its plentiful sandy beaches and amenities like free parking, outdoor showers and a playground. A small notch of Somers Point, William Morrow Beach stretches between Higbee and New Jersey avenues.

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Dewey Beach: There’s a lot packed into the small Delaware shore town, including a free beach! The one-mile-long town is just three blocks, but offers shops, restaurants and a lively nightlife scene.

Rehoboth Beach: One of Delaware’s premier vacation spots also boasts free sandy beaches! Rehoboth Beach also features a fun boardwalk and plenty of shops and restaurants to round out your day at the beach.

If we missed a free beach in New Jersey or Delaware, let us know at WTXF_web@FOX.com!

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Churchmans Marsh, DE – Crash with Injuries on I-95 South – Murphy & Landon

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Churchmans Marsh, DE – Crash with Injuries on I-95 South – Murphy & Landon



Churchmans Marsh, DE (June 24, 2024) – Police and rescue officials in Churchmans Marsh were both dispatched to the scene of an injury crash on Monday afternoon, June 24th. The accident was reported around 12:45 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95.

According to an initial report, the crash involved multiple vehicles and took place in the right-hand lanes of the roadway. At least one driver was hurt as a result of the crash. The victim was taken to a local hospital in order to be treated for undisclosed injuries. There is no further update on the victim’s condition at this time. It is unclear how the accident happened. Motorists experienced significant delays as traffic was backed up at the crash scene. Drivers were told to find an alternate route of travel if possible. The cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time. There is no word on whether any charges are expected to be filed. No further information is available.

We would like to offer our thoughts and best wishes to those who were affected by this car accident in Churchmans Marsh. We hope for a full recovery.

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Injury Accidents in Delaware

Being the victim of an injury accident can be an especially devastating and difficult thing to experience. We all get into vehicles each day in order to travel to and from our chosen destinations. When we get behind the wheel or into the passenger seat of the car, we never expect that our trip will end up with a crash occurring. However, each day, motorists across Delaware find themselves in this unfortunate position when they are involved in an accident with a negligent driver.

Under Delaware law, these accident victims have certain valuable and important legal rights. Being injured in a crash that was ultimately caused by someone else often means that the victim is entitled to compensation. However, things are not always as simple as they seem. Delaware car accident law is complicated and should only be handled by an attorney who has the skills and experience to navigate the legal system and help you achieve the outcome that you desire.

Here at Murphy & Landon, our Delaware car accident lawyers are standing by, ready to help. When you are in need of a tough and aggressive law firm, we will have your back every step of the way. We know that this is an important period for you, and we are to assist you with all of your legal needs during this time. Your time to act is limited so it is important to contact us at the soonest possible time.

We are here to take your call at any time. Our firm provides a free consultation and case evaluation for all potential and prospective clients. When we meet with you, we will go over your case in detail in order to come up with the best solution. To schedule your appointment with a car accident lawyer in Churchmans Marsh, please reach out to us at the link on our website or give us a call at (302) 472-8100.

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