Live Delaware

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At some point in our lives, we have all been told that the best way to creatively solve a challenge or craft a successful plan is to think “outside the box”. In most cases, this is true but when it comes to building a new home design, the most valuable way to plan ahead is to use a method that helps you think “inside the box”.

Take a look at the different floor plans or new home designs pictured below. What most people do not realize is that every floor plan you view is fundamentally “a box”.

The amount of space you need within that box will vary based on your family’s current and future needs. The goal is to really think about the function and purpose of each room. To help you do this, I’ve put together a list of items to think about when planning for your next new home design. You can use it as a quick reference guide or as an in-depth worksheet to understand how the way you live defines the ideal new home design for you and your family for which we advise to take consultation with the plumbing services you are going to hire in order to plan the pipe distribution.

1. Calculate How Much Space You’ll Need. Take a look at your current home and think about the size of each room. Does the amount of space work comfortably for your family’s needs? Do you need more or less space? It is important to consider if you will actually utilize every room in your new home. For instance, do you use a formal dining room, finished basement or those additional bedrooms? Do you need that huge decks? Remember that you will need to wash it regularly or go to http://york-powerwashing.com/ for professional power washing.  What purpose do they serve?  

2. The key is to maximize the space within “the box”. Once you understand how you live and the approximate amount of space you would need, keep in mind that there are practical ways to re-design a floor plan. For instance, floor plans designed and built in the 1990’s to early 2000’s focused primarily on room count. By eliminating hallways and having a more open floor plan design, you can save up to 200 square foot in an average home.

3.  Prioritizing the shapes within the box. It is essential to determine which areas are most important to you in your new home. Rank each location by order of importance and evaluate ways to make the best use out of the space.

__ Bedroom Count. Think about the amount of people that permanently live in your home now. Is there potential to add or reduce that amount in the future?

__ The Master Bedroom. The idea of a sitting area in the master bedroom is a cozy one, but if watching TV or reading in your bedroom is not a current habit, you might want to utilize the space somewhere else in your plan.

__ The Kitchen. If you truly enjoy the art of cooking, you’ll want everything in working distance and might consider a galley kitchen for convenience. If you like to entertain, you may prefer an angled island that can accommodate for more seating.

__  The Garage is one of the most underutilized rooms in a home and tends to be a place where people overbuild. Make the most out of your plan by thinking about the current size of your garage and the amount of cars you have. What function does your garage serve and how frequent do you use it? If you have a hobby or profession that requires extra space like a woodworker or mechanic, you might want an oversized garage. Otherwise, if you are just looking for storage space, you might want to save by utilizing the crawl space for storage.

__ Outside Living. When you sit outside, do you prefer to bask in the direct sunlight or enjoy the warmth indirectly with a nice breeze? Keep in mind that a deck is going to be significantly hotter than a screened in porch. The professional, licensed, and fully insured power washing company is very effective at removing mold, algae, oil, dirt, and debris from all exterior surfaces to give outstanding results.

__ The Sunroom carries a variety of different meanings. The best way to define your version is to ask yourself why you want a sunroom. Functionally, do you just want a room with extra sunlight year round? If this is the case, then you would require a regular room with larger or additional windows. If the purpose of your sunroom is sit inside but enjoy the outside weather then you might be looking for a three season room which can have the option to be temperature controlled.

__ The Bathrooms: How many times a year do you use the soaking tub? If you only take a few baths per year, our friends at Stollwerck Plumbing recommend that you might want to place the soaking tub in the secondary bathroom instead of the master bathroom. This set up allows for more space in your master suite to put towards a larger shower with hot water systems and glass doors or walk in closet. In most cases, you will find this a save cost because a soaking tub is a standard feature in a secondary full bathroom.

There is also a new technology for water softeners, CareSoft Elite® not only softens but is also designed to save you water and ultimately, money. The CareSoft Elite® reduces unwanted taste and odor with high-performance resin media while our patented disinfection technology monitors the system with each regeneration.

__ Closets. The key is to understand how much closet space you actually need in your new home design. If you are a minimalist, then you can redistribute the space from the big closet somewhere else like the living area, bedroom or kitchen. If you’re like me and have a ton of shoes, clothes & accessories, you might want the dream closet that borrows some space from the size of the bedroom.

__  Porches. Front porches on homes are beautiful and can influence the look of your home dramatically. However, a porch can considerably increase the price of the home. So, if you are not going to use it often, you can re-consider the porch option and save significantly on your bottom line.

Apart from it, visit CentralPennContracting.com Amarco Plumbing and get inspired by fresh ideas!

Thank you so much for reading today! I hope this information has helped you understand the importance to thinking “inside the box” while planning for your next new home design.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, please feel free to share them below, stop by our model home in Lewes, Delaware. I look forward to hearing from you! from Superior Shower Door & More

 

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Braeden Mannering Helps Delaware Community
Don’t forget The Big Picture! Thank you, Braeden!

It is so easy to get lost in the busyness of business with the to-do lists, emails, rush hour traffic and deadlines that we forget about “the big picture”. Meet Braeden Mannering, an inspiring ten year old Delawarean that sees the bigger picture, understands that there are people in Delaware that may not know when their next meal will be – and does something about it.  

“Anytime I see a person on the street with a sign saying they need help I hope I can give them one of my bags and I hope I can help them.” – Braeden Mannering

   Meet Braeden Mannering – An Inspiration!

Braeden Mannering at the White House
Braeden Mannering at the White House in 2013

Braeden Mannering was the Delaware winner for the national Healthy Lunchtime Challenge last year. In July 2013, he was invited to the Kids’ State Dinner at The White House where he met The President, First Lady and Senator Tom Carper. He was inspired by his visit and the thought provoking speech from Michelle Obama that asked the audience how they could “pay it forward”. Braeden Mannering took this request to heart and really thought about ways he’d like to give back to others. He realized how sad he felt by the number of homeless people asking for food with signs in Washington, D.C. and noticed how regularly he saw them in Delaware too. 3Bs: Braeden’s Brown Bags

Braeden Mannering Delivering Brown Bags to Homeless Community
Braeden Mannering Delivering 3B’s Brown Bags

Motivated to help those in need, he gave whatever he had with him to the next few homeless people he saw – bottled water, snacks and even an umbrella in the rain. He was thanked warmly for his kindness and realized that he could help others by having bags of water and healthy snacks readily available for those in need during his travels. He also took the time to research and compile a list of local places to go for additional help to include in each bag. One year later One year and over 1,300 brown bags later, Braeden Mannering was invited back to The White House for the 2014 Kids State Dinner as a guest speaker and to introduce The First Lady, Michelle Obama. He did such a great job – you’ll want to take a minute to watch his speech here: I have had the opportunity to hang out with Braeden on a few occasions and he’s a ten year old on a mission to help build a better world. He’s also a kid that enjoys Clash of Clans, video games, drawing, telling funny stories about his siblings and sharing cool ideas. I enjoy following his posts on social media, written from Braeden himself, they act as little cues to cut back on the busyness of business to take time to give back every day. Even if it is a few minutes of re-tweets or Facebook post shares to help spread awareness of doing good – every little bit counts. Thank you for being such an inspiration and a constant motivator, Braeden! Keep up the awesome work – you rock! Connect with Braeden Mannering: 3B’s Brown Bags on Facebook, Twitter  and read about his latest adventures on his blog. If interested in ways to help his cause, you can do that here.

Thank you for reading this post! Feel free to share your comments, favorite charities and ways you like to give back in the comments below.

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Teller Wines Philosophy: “To inform, inspire and share the passion of great wine through wine education”

A few weeks ago, I stopped into Teller Wines for the first time. Lessard Builders was hosting a happy hour at our model home for the Women’s Council of Realtors in Sussex County and picking up wine was on my “to-do list”. I had bumped into the owners, Kevin and Catherine at a few chamber mixers and liked the fact that were they local. It was even better that they were right down the street from The Villages of Five Points.

teller wines lewes outside picture

I walked into the store thinking it would be a “typical” liquor store setup – guy behind the counter that says hello and the usual everyday wines grouped by region or type. I was pleasantly surprised that the setup and staff went above and beyond the usual “fend for yourself” liquor store experience. The wines are arranged by flavors which saves you the time it would take to decipher whether the notes might match to your sweet, fruity, dry or tart liking. If the layout doesn’t jump start you in the right direction, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will. I love wine and I know what kind I like but choosing wine for a group of forty people can be a little tricky. I especiall
y find it difficult to select for the super sweet taste buds since I prefer a very dry wine. Kevin happened to be present at the time and was exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful for what I was searching for. I was able to choose a variety of reds, whites and he helped me select the perfect sparkling wine to put the finishing touch on the “Fifer’s Peach Bellini” I was whipping up (with real Fifer’s peaches)! The day of the Women’s Council of Realtors event went so well – we were fully stocked with wine and the six gallons of Fifer’s Peach Bellini was a gone by the end of the evening. Catherine even stopped in to support the event – how fantastic was that?

I’ve stopped into many wine stores throughout the state and I’m very impressed at the overall Teller Wines experience. It is the perfect place to stop in to test out a new bottle and if you are nearby on a Saturday, they have free wine tastings from 3pm to 6pm. Locals rave about the quality of their events and how much you actually learn about the wines you are tasting. In fact, I’ve had several conversations with homeowners and realtors that say it is a great place to stop in, try a new wine with a friend or meet a new one. If interested – you should sign up for their newsletter or check their calendar for annual events like a wine expo (yay!) or their Memorial Day BBQ (pictured below).

Teller Wines Lewes BBQ

Teller Wines Lewes Memorial Day

 

Teller Wines Lewes Charity

I did a little research and realized that in addition to being local and overall nice people they also give back to community. In just a few minutes of searching I found out that they have given back to The Food Bank of Delaware Culinary School, the Beebe Medical Foundation, St. Jude’s Apostle Church and Coastal Concerts.

Last week, a couple that we recently built for stopped into the model to show their friends and while on the topic of wine they mentioned how much they love going to the events at Teller Wines and I found out that the story of Catherine and Kevin is just as charming as they are!

From their website: “When a Chinese immigrant girl falls in love with an Irish boy from Pittsburgh, the result is a 40-year partnership of love, fun and wine. After college on opposite coasts, Kevin and Catherine were married. We began our careers and raised our family (son Sean and daughter Caitlin) in Columbia, Maryland. After family, our passion has been wine, travel and food. When we attended our first educational wine weekend in St. Michaels, Maryland, we were hooked.”

Following my interactions with both Catherine and Kevin, it was no surprise to read that they have spent the past two decades journeying across five continents to expand their wine wisdom. I’m just happy that they decided to land it here in Lewes, Delaware. I can’t wait to go again! Headed to a wine tasting? Let’s go together!

Check out a few of Catherine’s blog posts on Rehoboth Foodie under Chasing The Grape!

What people are saying about Teller Wines Lewes:

Nice wines, excellent selection. I drove from DC (about 3 hours) to visit, and I plan on going back at least once a month. There is a free wine tasting every Saturday from 3pm to 6pm. Looks like fun – I wish I had had time to stay for that.

– Guy S., Yelp Review

Now that we have lived here a few months and even able to visit other stores, we will stick with the Saturday tastings at Teller. The reps that come in to do the tastings always are knowledgeable about their products, the region it came from and how it was produced. The staff and owners always acknowledge your interests and always show appreciation for your patronage. A nice tasting to meet people and learn about wines from other enthusiasts.

– Robin K., Yelp Review

This is the best place to get wine. The owners are so knowledgeable and helpful. Great wine tasting event every Saturday. An elegant addition to Lewes, Delaware.

– Linette G., Foursquare Review

Do you have a reason why you love Teller Wines too? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Teller Wines in Lewes, Delaware

Don’t forget! Teller Wines Lewes Wine Tasting on Saturdays from 3pm to 6pm

Address: 1201A Savannah Road, Lewes, Delaware 19958

Phone: (302) 644-7400

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM & Sunday, Noon to 5 PM

Email: [email protected]

Connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.

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The history of Willey Farms in Townsend, Delaware reminds me of one of those cute, inspiring videos you might see before a Pixar or Disney movie. It all began with a farm and an old baggage cart in 1975. Donald and Irene Willey would pack up the produce from their farm and sell it on an old airline baggage cart at the end of their lane. A year later, their success allowed them to upgrade to a pole building roadside stand complete with a passionate sales team – their six children and a few nieces and nephews. The family business continued to grow exponentially through the years, establishing relationships with farmers in Georgia and South Carolina opening up the opportunity to provide sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe when it was still out of season in Delaware. With each year, the demand for additional products grew rapidly and Willey’s expanded to pole building 2, 3 and more. Today, you can’t miss the considerable Willey Farms location while driving through Townsend along Route 13. Currently managed by 2nd generation family members, Chris Willey and his wife Sarah, friends and family still refer to the expanded location as “the stand” or “the market”.

I truly enjoyed reading the success story of Donald and Irene Willey because time and time again I’ve heard heartwarming stories of their kindness and support of other struggling local farms throughout the years. In addition to the kind stories of the past, I’ve never had an unfriendly or poor experience at Willey Farms myself. We go there often, stopping in for Beaverdam dog food, the healthy all-natural items that you cannot find at the chain grocery stores, produce and gardening supplies. They also sell the “not so healthy but delicious” premium chef’s choice cut bacon from Kirby & Holloway. If you try it, I promise you’ll never forget it!

A niche market to Delaware with a unique personal touch, Willey Farms has grown to six departments, each serving a different convenience to the consumer.

Quality Fresh Produce Willey Farms Produce High quality, fresh produce is always available at Willey Farms. It is from various local farmers when in season and from farms around the world when unavailable locally. I love to cook with fresh vegetables and I can verify that the produce at Willey Farms is much more robust than the vegetables and fruits at nearby chain stores. In fact, I’m pretty sure they last longer too. Once you purchase the massive local asparagus from Willey Farms, you’ll never want to purchase it from a chain store again!  

Garden Center and Nursery Willey Farms Garden Provides a variety house plants, vegetables, trees, annuals, perennials and more for every level of gardening skill. Soil, guides and tools are also available. Have a question, the friendly staff is more than happy to assist you.  

Natural Foods Wide selection of grocery choices including organic, preservative free, gluten free, dairy alternatives and sugar free options. Includes Bob’s Red Mill products, local honey, coconut milk, vegetarian options, meat and fish.

Candy Willey Farms Deli in Townsend, Delaware& Gourmet Foods Old fashioned candies and sweets, galore! You’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop again.

The Deli The deli offers meat and cheeses, sliced to order. Many do not know that they also make subs, sandwiches, hot entrees and side dishes. You can order in advance while you are passing through or pick it up after you shop!

Home Accents & Décor When you walk through the Willey Farms’ home décor section, you feel right at home. From homemade candles, your favorite Yankee Candles, humorous signs, greeting cards, furniture pieces from This Site, paintings and the latest seasonal décor, you’ll want to walk through the section whether it is on your “to-do” list or not, the best part is that you’ll even find tools that you would normally buy from a hardware store. 

There is More! Willey Farms also provides fruit baskets and party trays, homemade on site by their in-house chef. You can order hot entrees and sides made from scratch right from the Willey Farms kitchen.  

Weekly Specials at Willey Farms:

  • Wednesday: Seniors receive 10% off
  • Thursday: Receive $1 off Willey Farms sub order

What other people are saying about Willey Farms:

“We try to hit Willey’s every week! We love the selection of produce, and all the local and organic items. Also love browsing all the candies, snacks, specialty items, jams, honeys, etc.” – Vicky F. via Facebook Reviews

“A true treasure. My favorite local place. I am a believer in fresh, grown from the ground goodness, and Willey’s has it. Plus fabulous home decor, an old time candy shop, a great hot/cold bar and deli, and more. This place is the best Townsend has to offer.” – Nicole A. via Facebook Reviews

“I have been going to Willey Farms since I was a little girl, everyone is very helpful and nice , and they have the best produce around!! Love going around November and December, they have beautiful decorations for the Holidays!” – Sheila K. via Facebook Reviews

“My wife and I shop at willies form every Sunday we buy our produce their soups that they make we also buy plants candles & gifts from the their store service is excellent they’re very knowledgeable staff they are friendly and helpful prices are extremely good a must stop for all your gardening needs and your culinary needs also very large selection of small gift items and candles, etc.” – Charlie G. via Yelp Reviews

“I learned quickly when I moved to Delaware, that you don’t buy your produce at the grocery store. You buy it at a farm stand. {But} calling Willey’s a farm stand is not quite right–this is a huge establishment on Route 13 between Townsend and Odessa.” – Gwenydd D. via Yelp Reviews  

Willey Farms is located at 4092 Dupont Pkway, Townsend, Delaware 19734 Phone number: (302) 378-8441 You can receive their award winning newsletter via email here. Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.    Tell us why you love Willey’s in the comments below! Thank you for reading Live Delaware! Feel free to share your comments in a discussion below. If you have a favorite local business, event or non-profit, we’d love to feature them. Tell us why you love them here.

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Gals That Give Charity is giving back to non-profit organizations through monthly “Girls Night Out” events. To date, the events have collectively raised over $16,298 for local charities in Kent County, Delaware. Newly launched non-profit, Gals That Give Charity invites women to their “Girls Night Out” event on Thursday May 15th, 2014 for dinner, drinks and philanthropy.

The event will be held in Dover, Delaware from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Outlook at the Duncan Center. Women interested in attending can RSVP online by May 12th. Gals That Give Charity DelawareGals That Give Charity was founded in late 2013 by woman professionals that have a profound interest in philanthropic work.

“The concept combines the typical professional networking event with an evening out with the girls. Every girl welcomes a chance to have a nice dinner out to catch up with old friends and meet new ones,” says founder Erin Barrett, Events Coordinator of The Outlook at The Duncan Center.

Held on the third Thursday of each month, the proceeds go directly to the designated charity for that month. The entry fee is $25 and includes a three course menu with an appetizer and dessert. Refreshments and a cash bar are also available. In addition to dinner and drinks, there is a chance to win items from a silent, “pick-a-prize” style auction and participate in a 50/50 raffle. Auction items are donated to the cause from local businesses and have included home décor, fashion accessories, professional services, artwork by local artists and gift certificates to local restaurants.

Each event has approximately 20 to 40 auction items and all funds raised by the auction and raffle go directly to the charity of the month. May will mark the seventh Gals That Give event. To date, Gals That Give has raised over $16,298. “We can attribute our success to the growing network of women that continue to support Gals That Give by bringing a friend, donating an auction item and spreading the word through our social channels like Facebook and Twitter,” says founder Kim Willson, partner of Ruggerio Willson & Associates. In addition to raising funds, the Gals That Give event is the ideal opportunity for the featured charity to educate others about their mission through presentations and guest speakers.

In February, there was not a dry eye in the room when and cancer survivor Ray Failing shared her personal experience and appreciation for Cancer Support Community’s work with the audience. “Gals That Give goes beyond the typical networking event. The ladies that join us each month are from all generations, professions and causes. It truly brings us together as a community,” says founder Christina Lessard of Lessard Builders.

According to their mission statement, community is a key factor behind the work of Gals That Give Charity. “We believe that women are a fundamental component to building stronger communities and relationships in our area,” says founder Stephanie Turner of George and Lynch. “By connecting local non-profit organizations with the Gals That Give community, we hope to make a substantial impact where we live and breathe every day.”

The next event on Thursday, May 15th will benefit Girls on the Run, Delaware. The event will be at The Outlook at The Duncan Center in Dover, Delaware from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Those interested in attending the event can register via the online invitation  

About Girls on the Run: Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. A life-changing, non-profit program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grade, their mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. At each season’s conclusion, the girls and their running buddies, complete a 5k running event. Completing a 5k gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible and teaching girls that they can. To learn more about Girls on The Run Delaware, you can visit their website or Facebook page.

About Gals That Give Charity Gals that Give was founded in late 2013 by Kim Willson, Stephanie Turner, Erin Barrett, Catrina Sharp and Christina Lessard. Gals That Give Charity recently earned their 501©3 status by teaming up with the the CenDel Foundation. Gals That Give Charity is giving back to the local non-profit organizations in the Kent County, Delaware community. Gals that Give Charity’s mission is to cultivate local community non-profit organizations by connecting them with a larger network so they can continue to make an impact where they live and breathe every day. Gals That GiveCharity is on Facebook, Twitter and can be reached via email GalsThatGiveCharity(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Did you know that according to The WorldWatch Institute, the vast majority of produce travels over 1,500 miles from farm to plate and during the transport, it loses much of its nutrients, freshness and vitality?

Buy Fresh, Buy LocalOver the past few years, there has been an increasing amount of conversation about the benefits of Community Supported Agriculture, a partnership with a local farmer during the appropriate growing season(s). Once I began to research the concept, I found few online resources that listed Delaware CSA programs. After a few chats with local farmers and friends, I discovered that not only do Delaware CSAs exist, but people absolutely love the entire CSA experience.

Once you understand the history of Delaware and the attraction to CSAs, participating in a Delaware CSA is common sense. Forty percent of the state’s land use is still dedicated to the agriculture industry. Farming has flourished in Delaware due to its prime location and temperate climate since before the 1600s. To this day, the legacy has endured as a family business with 90% of farms listed as either sole or family proprietorship or family-owned corporations in Delaware

If you are interested in participating in a Delaware CSA program you can find the locations, websites, social networks and contact information of local farms that offer programs listed below. If I have missed one, please do not hesitate to let me know in the comments.

CSA Basics:

A CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”, a program in which consumers can purchase produced directly from the farmer. People can purchase a “share” or “membership” from a specific farmer for a growing season. Every week during the season, members can pick up a unit of vegetables or other farm products such as eggs, bread, meat or fruit products depending on the particulars of that particular CSA subscription.
CSAs provide fresh, nutrient packed food directly from the farm, new produce varieties to try and a relationship with the local farmer that grows their food. Depending on the farmer and current crops, there will be a level of customization to what goes in your share.

 

New Castle County

 

Highland Orchards: Hockessin, Delaware

CSA Season: Year Round

Pickup locations: Hockessin, Wilmington, Pennsylvania, Newark, New Castle

Contact: Matt Linton, (302) 478-4042

A seasonal mix of a variety of CSA choices. Select from a mixture of vegetables, fruit, meat, honey, preserves, dairy, bread and live plants. Delivers in northern Delaware and the Philadelphia areas. Visit Highland Orchard’s website, or connect with them on Facebook.

 

Kranz Hill Farm: Newark, Delaware

CSA Season: May – October

Pickup Location: Newark

Contact: (302) 540-0912

Kranz Hill Farm CSA grows a wide variety of naturally grown vegetables and some kitchen herbs. Within certain limits, shareholders choose the contents of their share. The selection and quantity varies weekly, slowly and subtly following the changing seasons. Produce is usually distributed on the same day it is harvested. This contributes to the exceptional taste and wholesomeness of our food. Connect with Kranz Hill on Facebook.

 

Bayberry Farm: Middletown, Delaware

CSA Season: June – October

Pick up locations: Newark, Middletown, New Castle

Contact: Toby Hagerott, (302) 689-3010

Receive a seasonal mix of the finest local produce. Each week’s share will feature the vegetables that are currently ripe and ready for you on the farm or other local farms. Additional options such as bread and cheese shares are also available. Connect with Bayberry Farms on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Kent & Sussex County

 

Fifer Orchards: Camden-Wyoming

Pick up locations: Camden, Smyrna, Dover, Milford, Dewey Beach & Lewes.

CSA Season: May – September

Contact: Jessica (302) 697-2141

The Fifer’s CSA provides an adventure each week with new fruits and vegetable varieties that you might not find in the grocery store. In addition to produce shares, you can select free range brown eggs, local free range ground turkey or grass fed beef. Connect Fifer Orchards on Facebook, Google+, YouTube and Twitter.

 

Jubilee Back Forty: Milton, Delaware

CSA Season: May – October

Contact: Keith & Lisa Wilhelm (302) 542-9642

Pickup locations: Milton, Delivery Options Available

CSA members enjoy the first produce directly from the farm. Everything is guaranteed to be natural from a farm focused on ecological sustainability. Delivery options available. Connect with Jubilee Back Forty on Facebook.

 

Evans Farms: Bridgeville, Delaware

CSA Season: June-September

Contact: Katey Evans, (302) 245-5525

Pick up locations: Bridgeville, Milton, Milford, Georgetown

Each week members are greeted with boxes of freshly harvested, local produce for half the cost of what you would pay at the grocery store. Shares average one bushel of produce each week and feeds a household of three to five people. Other items that may be included in boxes during slow weeks include jarred items (jams, jellies, hand packed peaches, salad dressings, marinades, etc.). Connect with Evans Farms Produce on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Community Organics: Greenwood, Delaware

CSA Season: Year round

Contact: Tim and Aspen Bell, (302) 448-0800

Pickup Locations: Bethany, Greenwood, Dover, Georgetown, Lewes, Milford, Rehoboth

A naturally grown, full choice CSA where members can select what they want from our weekly availability list. Orders are filled before our products are offered to non-members or farmers markets.

 

TS Smith & Sons: Bridgeville, Delaware

CSA Season: May – November

Contact: Tom Smith, (302) 337-8271

Pickup Locations: Georgetown, Milford, Millville, Milton, Bridgeville

Members can select from three share options: summer, fall or full season. Shareholders can request items to be added into each week’s box and choose from a variety of pick up dates and locations. Connect with TS Smith & Sons on Facebook.

 

Woodland Harvest Farm: Seaford, Delaware

CSA Season: May – September

Contact: Ricky & Faith Robinson (302) 629-2686

Pick up location: Seaford

Woodland Harvest Farm and CSA is a small scale farm located west of Seaford, Delaware that provides a seasonal abundance of organically grown vegetables and herbs.

 

I hope that you have found this post on Delaware CSAs helpful and informational! If you have a favorite, local Delaware CSA, please let us know in the comments – if it is one I missed, I will update the list. You can also refer your favorite locally owned or operated organization for a featured post here. 

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Keep It Local Delaware

Over the past few years, Delaware has been making headlines as one of the “best places to live” and “best places to retire” due to affordable property taxes, low income tax and reasonable travel time to Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C. While these are the most talked about features that bring visitors to our state, those that live or spend a little extra time here understand why people fall in love with Delaware’s small town charm. From the beaches Lewes and Rehoboth to the capital, downtown Dover and the northern towns of the state like Middletown, Greenville and Trolley Square, there are so many local shops, restaurants and events distinctive to Delaware. There is always an opportunity to catch a nearby event like peach festivals, brewery tours, wine tastings, music festivals, the infamous Apple Scrapple Festival and of course, the good ol’ Punkin Chunkin.

5 Reasons to Live Local Delaware

1. Preserve Small Town Character & History

Delaware has the small town feel and historical character that you see on postcards with brick buildings, authentic cedar shake exteriors, lighthouses, cobblestone roads and traditional farm houses. Local business owners are more willing to keep the historical factor of the area, striving to blend in artistically with the surrounding town compared to the bigger “box” stores looking to replicate their chain of nationwide stores.

2. Locals Give Back To The Community

According to NFIB research, more than 9 in 10 small businesses owners give back to community. Studies show that local non-profits receive substantial continued support from locally owned and operated businesses. Local business owners care about the community they live in and often serve on boards to support numerous causes and community interests.

3. What Goes Around Comes Around 

Money spent locally has 3 times the impact on a community than dollars spent in large chains or other places. The concept is fairly straightforward, if you shop at locally owned and operated businesses, your dollars provide for local families, schools, community events and non-profits.

4. Shop Local To Keep A Relevant Supply Of (Diverse) Products

I’ll never forget the day that I stopped into the nearest Delaware Wal-mart to grab Old Bay for a birthday crab feast we were hosting and they did not have it available.  This scenario is a prime example of how national stores tend to stock items based on regional or national numbers, not by local demand. Local stores tend to have a broader range of choices because they cater to the needs of local people. In most cases, they will even start carrying a new product per your request.

5. Mom & Pop Shops: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Who doesn’t love the “mom and pop shop” in their town? They add a level of character and friendly service exclusive to their town and community. Local business owners view their work as an extension of themselves and bring an extra level of care to what they do. They get to know who you are and if there is a question or concern, you are only a few people away from the decision makers. You won’t have to submit a claim, complain on social media or call a 1 800 number repeatedly to receive service.

 

These are just few of the many benefits that come with supporting the area we live in. Do you try to “keep it local”? What would you add to this list? 

 

Thank you for reading Live Delaware! We hope you’ll visit often. You might even find or discover a new favorite place to eat, shop or live! Have a favorite local business, non-profits or event in Delaware? We’d love to hear about them. You can fill out this referral questionnaire, tweet them to us or start a discussion in the comments below!

Don’t forget to support the local small businesses who support the area where you live – Live Local Delaware!

 

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Delaware New Home SearchSpring is the new home search season in Delaware! 

If you are out and about looking for new home sales this year, I’d like to share few of the most important yet overlooked topics when it comes choosing a new home. 

1. Define your “dream home” by understanding how you live. Your home is the place that you go to unwind, relax, entertain, cook, raise your family and sometimes even work. In reality, your “dream home” may not be a huge castle-like estate that you see in the movies. It is about finding the perfect home that matches your family’s lifestyle.

Focus on functionality first and jump into the interior design finishes later. Consider the natural flow from room to room. Having a master near the main living areas might not be the best idea if you go to bed early or like to sleep in later than your family members. Cost effective outdoor living spaces such as fire pits and patios are ideal for those that like to spend a lot of time outdoors; having a great lawn maintained with Straw bales is also a priority for people who enjoy time outside. If you travel often, you might want to look at communities with less yard space or with a routine maintenance plan.

2. Make a list of non-negotiable items. Once you start evaluating your daily lifestyle, you’ll have a better idea of the features that you can’t live without in your next home. Having a list to reference will help you stay focused when looking at floor plans, budget, upgrades and design features. Not having a list of “non-negotiable items” can be like going grocery shopping for a month without a list. Upon checkout, you are not sure what you bought, why you bought it or what you forgot to remember!

3. Avoid shortcuts when it comes to structural details. The integrity of your new home will only be as reliable as the products and methods used to build it. Look for homes that are constructed on-site with energy efficient windows and insulation, engineered roofing systems and solid poured wall foundations. Worst case, SWS Roofing can help optimize the roof of the home to become more energy-efficient. All these can be made possible by hiring a professional residential and commercial roof services company. Avoid methods where sections of your home are built off site, mass produced or rely on panelized wall systems. A home that is framed and built on-site together will stay together!

4. Pay extra attention to the foundation. The ideal foundation for a home is dependent on the conditions and location of the land that your home sits on. If a full basement is not on your “non-negotiable” list or your lot cannot support a basement, opt for a conditioned crawlspace. A conditioned crawlspace is designed to help control moisture and protect the integrity of the home from the natural elements of the surrounding area. Over the past few years, concrete slab foundations have become a popular method to cut costs and lower the base price of the home but while it saves initially, it can create expensive problems for you in the future.

5. Work with a financial adviser that you trust. The help of a financial adviser who works in your best interest will make your new home search easier. They can help you plan for your budget now so you will feel comfortable living in your home and not feel financially strained each month. 

6. Work with industry professionals and ask a lot of questions. View your new home search as an educational process. With this view, you will be able to evaluate which items are most important to you and which are essential to a quality home that will last a lifetime. Ask for references for each industry professional you work with. It is important to feel comfortable with their level of experience and honesty because they will be the ones that guide you through each step of the way. Hiring professionals, like the ones from guttering Glasgow, not only help you with your problems quickly, but they’ll also lessen the stress of building a quality home.

7. Don’t rush and have fun. Choosing a new home that meets your needs, wishes and also fits your lifestyle can be an exceptionally rewarding investment. Don’t settle for the hottest new home sales or a home that “works”. You should love every inch of your home! It can seem stressful at times but always ask questions, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the experience. I hope that the information I have provided will be helpful in your future home search. Purchasing your next home should be a well thought out investment.

At Lessard Builders, we hope to alleviate the stress of the new home search season and work with you to build a custom home that is tailored to your lifestyle and budget.

If you would like to go over these items, have any questions, comments or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us or stop by our our model home at The Villages of Five Points in Lewes, Delaware. I look forward to hearing from you!