About New Castle Community Partnership
As 2020 dawned the New Castle Community Partnership (NCCP) stood poised and ready to begin another full year of activities and contributions, having developed an agenda of efforts dedicated to making life better in New Castle through measurable, positive impacts on the community.
Then came the crisis and disruption felt around the world by the novel coronavirus and its infectious disease COVID-19.
The impact on the NCCP was wide-ranging throughout the year. Partnership events ranging from the annual A Day in Old New Castle to the inaugural edition of a brand-new event, the New Castle Belgian Beer Festival, all fell by the wayside. And with so many activities cancelled, the NCCP plans for publications and brochures associated with those events had to be put on hold. Even the licensing of New Castle t-shirts and a long-planned New Castle promotional window display at the Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau headquarters in Wilmington became aspects put on hold, at least for now.
Still, despite the threat posed by this global pandemic, the NNCP maintained its focus on taking actions that make life better in and around the New Castle area. While many of the characteristic NCCP personal interactions with the New Castle community were interrupted, a number of initiatives were successfully carried out the last 12 months. Among these actions taken by the NCCP:
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The engagement of the respected Wilmington-based design consulting firm Mitchell Associates, Inc. in the creation of new directional signage
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The staging of the Summer Concert series in Battery Park, a socially-distant presentation of musical events that brought a welcome diversion to the community
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Support provided as a sponsor of an online edition of the Chautauqua adult education event, this year focusing on “Women’s Work: Campaigning for Social Change”
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Introduced new branding on New Castle City trash trucks with vibrant logos. Revised markers in various locations along area pathways to display new logos.
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Contributed to the purchase of new trashcans for the City.
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Provided funding for the planting of two community trees
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Offered “recognition of service” lunches for the essential community workers of the Municipal Services Commission and the New Castle Police Department
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Participated in the annual late November “Shop Small” event known as “Small Business Saturday,” calling attention to local businesses, merchants, and retail outlets
Contributions in recognition of these NCCP initiatives came through community support that included sponsorships and grants received from The Farmer’s Market, The Garrison, The Trustees of the New Castle Common, The Anthony & Catherine Fusco Foundation, St John’s Lodge #2 A.F. & A.M., and Jeff and Tina Lank, and a variety of donors in support of the “Tree Project” in the historic area.
Looking ahead to brighter days in 2021, the NCCP, along with the New Castle Jaycees, will sponsor another series of concerts in the summer months. And though staging the inaugural New Castle Belgian Beer Festival proved to be an impossibility in 2020, the series of groundwork meetings that were held have provided the NCCP with a solid strategy foundation for the event’s delayed inception next year.
The NCCP remains vital thanks to the enthusiastic and dedicated participation of board members Kim Burgmuller, Julie Kirk, Kelli Kruger, Dale McDine, Frank Moriarty, Rodney Pratt and Jan Henion, along with President Laura Fontana, Vice President Judie Baldini, Secretary Cindy Snyder, and Treasurer Connie Reese.
Throughout the twelve months just passed and on into the days to come, the New Castle Community Partnership will continue to promote, preserve, and enhance historic New Castle by focusing on communications and the cultivation of community relationships. The organization is driven by a single goal: to bring into reality projects and events that enhance the public good in New Castle.
Check Out Historic New Castle's Holiday Activities This Year!
Wednesday, December 1, and Thursday, December 2
Arasapha Wreath Making Workshop. Help make wreaths for the Historic District and/or make one for your own home for $25. At the Arsenal on Market Street. Thursday from 12-4, Friday, 9am-Noon. (Clean-up is Friday, 12/3 when you can pick up some left over greens for $5 per bag.
December 3
The New Castle Library restarts its annual Gingerbread House Competition at 7PM. Details on page 7.
December 4th
It’s the annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Good Will Fire House at South and W. 4th Street. From 8am until 11:30am, the Lions prepare will and serve the best breakfast you will have this holiday season. Adults $6, kids $3. See details on page 3.
December 11th It’s the big day: Spirit of Christmas/Dickens Christmas.
The New Castle Historical Society and The New Castle Presbyterian Church once more get together to present the biggest event of the holiday season.
What’s Open?
New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware Street
Amstel House Museum, 4th and Delaware Street, 10 AM to 4 PM
Dutch House Museum, 32 East 3rd Street, 10 AM to 4 PM
The Old Library Museum, 40 East 3rd Street, 10 AM to 4 PM
The Read House Museum, 42 The Strand
New Castle Presbyterian Church, 25 East 2nd Street (between music performances)
Immanuel Episcopal Church, The Green
Ongoing Special Events for the Day
Winter Festival and Vendors’ Market, New Castle Library, lower level, 5th and Delaware Sts
Open House and Gathering with Santa, 11-2, Goodwill Fire House
Soup and baked goods sale, 10-2, Presbyterian CE Building, 25 East 2nd St
Crafts and collectibles, 10-2, Presbyterian CE Building, 25 East 2nd St
Strolling Dickens characters in Victorian Dress
Santa Claus will be seen around town
Vote for the best decorated House
Timed Events:
MUSIC:
10AM Willow Tree and Friends New Castle Presbyterian Church 25 E. 2nd St
Celtic music by: Carolyn Hendrix, cello; Kathy Lloyd, viola; Phil Fuhrman, violin; Susan Ryan, flute; and Melissa Heieie, harp
1PM Celebration Ringers, New Castle Presbyterian Church 25 E. 2nd St
Bell choir: Minerva Lermond, Director
3PM New Ark Chorale, New Castle Presbyterian Church 25 E. 2nd St.
Dr. Michael Larkin, Music Director
Lighting of the Christmas Tree, 5PM, Market Street Bandstand
Saturday, December 18th, 11-2
Christmas for the Kids, Good Will Fire House.
NCPD and Good Will Fire Company put on a fun-filled party with goodies, crafts, presents and dancing for our local children at Christmas.
Operation Santa
The New Castle Fire Company brings out the antique fire engine the Ahrens Fox, to carry Santa and his fire fighter elves bringing presents to needy families in town. Tuesday, 12/7 and 12/14. Thursday, 12/9. Sunday 12/19 and on Friday, 12/24, Christmas Eve. Starting at Noon.