Singular Sensations

Want a soul mate—or just a mate with a lotta’ soul? We have just the person for you.

If you are interested in contacting one of our singles, you can send an email to
editors@delawaretoday.com and your email will be forwarded along.

 

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Meredith Shockley, 29, Milford, is passionate about photography, graphic design and telling jokes. Her match can crack a few one-liners, too, but he also “respects and adores” her, and helps her “keep the perfect balance between career and family.”
 

Diane L. Barlam-Geddes, 61, Newark, marched in Washington as a teenager, and was present during Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. She recently appeared on “The Dr. Oz Show,” allowing the wonderful wizard to spray her with a cough germ. Her potential mate “strays from negativity,” and is “eager to make new dreams together.”
 

Steve Fox, 25, Newark, cooks ethnic and vegan dishes, plays guitar and reads Salinger. He wants to start a nonprofit with the graduate degree he earns this month. Eventually he’ll become CEO of an AmeriCorps program. His ideal mate is “focused and just a little bit quirky,” and has enough gray matter to help him change the world.
 

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Alexandra Calla, 30, Wilmington, hikes with an iPod programmed to classic rock and cools down with a good mobster movie. This wine connoisseur hopes to host a television show for oenophiles, where she will “make the grape fun and approachable.” Her ideal mate
is the independent type. He knows from which region his vino comes.
 

Photographed at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover.
Hair and makeup by stylist Jennifer Spencer, stylist Kristin Enslen and owner Rori Allen, all of Rori and Company Salon and Spa in Dover

 

Page 2: Singular Sensations, continues…

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Nikki Lavoie, 29, Smyrna, is a day-tripper; a Sunday driver to Philly and anywhere else she feels like going. She takes in art exhibits and follows independent bands: Tin Angels is her favorite. Lavoie’s ideal mate “takes his responsibilities—not himself—seriously,” and will share the vacation home in Maine she dreams of owning.
 

 

Matthew J. McIlrath, 43, Wilmington, is a worldly traveler who’s been to every state in the continental United States. That still leaves Alaska and Hawaii to explore with the right mate. She is “understanding, energetic, health-conscious, goal-oriented and secure,” and ready to accompany McIlrath for a full year of touring America by plane, train or automobile.
 

 

Alessandra Nicole, 31, Wilmington, is illustrating a book to be published next year. She enjoys the finer things in life, like wines, museums and music, and keeps her cool thanks to yoga and meditation. She longs to find “a special counterpart and deep connection of her own,” someone who is willing to “make time for what’s important.”
 

 

Michael Lucey, 43, Hockessin, is an amateur beekeeper—his grandfather taught him the basics. He has goals: “To become Keith Richards’ chauffeur and bass player, and to rid the world of stink bugs.” Obviously the life of the party, Lucey is looking for a forthright and fun mate who enjoys wine tastings and believes, as he does, that life gets better after 40.
 

 

Dawna Bunton, 39, Newark, is a quadruple threat: She sings, dances, writes and acts, and will use those talents to open a theater. Her soul mate can man up to a strong woman, and is intelligent enough to hold a decent conversation. In her eyes, sexy is a guy who maintains his swagger, “whether suit-and-tied-up or sporty casual.”
 

Photographed at Pizza by Elizabeths in Greenville.
Makeup was done by Rebecca Old, Alessandra’s hair by Jill Ristine , Nikki’s hair by Blake McNemar, Dawna’s hair by Nikki Maldonado, Mike’s hair by Cara Roberts and Mathew’s hair by Kristin Padovani, all at Salon 828 in Wilmington Photographed at Veritas Wine and Spirits, Wilmington. Makeup by Chris Lally, hair by Michelle Stull and Kimberly Wynne, all of Currie Hair, Skin & Nails in Wilmington

 

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Kim Alfano, 43, Lewes, can’t live without her subscription to Popular Science. She’s waiting for that call from Steve Jobs, and hopes to devise an avatar or two for Pixar. Alfano’s ideal mate is “authentic, generous, magnanimous, kind, passionate, driven, loyal and honest,” and tolerant of her dream of dating Tom Selleck just once.
 

 

Andy Ziegler, 34, Wilmington, is a volunteer firefighter and a self-described gym rat. He ran his first triathlon last year, and gets a jolt from extreme adventures like the Mud Run at Frightland and the Polar Bear Plunge in Lewes— both of which he’s done. Zielger’s mate has a thirst for adventure, which she’ll need if she wants to accompany Ziegler as he sets foot on every continent.
 

Kim Kostes, 25, Pike Creek, is one serious Phillies fan, which explains her unflinching (and brave) desire to be the Phillie Phanatic for a game. Rounding out her bucket list is an African safari and a skydiving excursion. Kostes’ potential partner is “independent, honest and handy around the house.” That includes the kitchen. Her Renaissance man knows more about sports than she does.
 

Charisse L. Rodgers, 42, Wilmington, is expert at line dancing and enjoys musical theater, but she really needs a cruise—as soon as possible. Education is her passion, and she plans to establish a scholarship fund for deserving students. Her ideal mate has strong family values, and shares an equal sense of urgency to board that ship.
 

Photographed at Veritas Wine and Spirits, Wilmington. 
Makeup by Chris Lally, hair by Michelle Stull and Kimberly Wynne, all of Currie Hair, Skin & Nails in WIlmington

 

Page 4: Singular Sensations, continues…

 

Rosemary Theresa Volpe, 59, New Castle, dances and shoots pool. Just for kicks, she studies homeopathy, aromatherapy and nutrition. Calling her energetic would be an understatement, so her “honest and respectful mate” must keep up.
 

Rob Rotenberry, 44, Newark, can’t live without his iPod, morning coffee and Kobe burgers from McGlynns. His “intelligent, independent, family-oriented and honest” future partner loves the Phillies, and will travel to various cities to support them. Happiness to this outdoor enthusiast is a cross-country drive in a convertible.
 

Tanisia Murrell, 34, New Castle, hopes to run a marathon one day, and is always up for a night of live theater or music. Her potential partner is “spiritual, confident, educated and creative,” but he’s also altruistic. Murrell spends much of her time mentoring young people who need great role models, and believes in “living a life of service.”
 

 

Carey Pauley, 41, Wilmington, is a runner, a spinner and a fine food lover. Her “smart, honest, kind and witty” mate gets a bounce from watching “college hoops, the Sixers, any kind of basketball,” and will cheer Pauley on when she completes her first triathlon this year.
 

Bill Murray, 31, Newark, is an animal person, so his future mate must love dogs. An unusual combo of outdoor enthusiast and homebody, Murray snowboards and surfs, but loves reading comic books and watching “Star Wars.” The good news for the right, successful businesswoman is that Murray wants to be the stay-at-home dad, so long as his mate “has a good sense of humor.” She’s also OK with Murray’s penchant for flip-flops.

 Photographed at Brew Ha Ha! in Pike Creek.
Rose’s hair and makeup by Maple Soukup; Carey’s hair by David Bakey and makeup by Maple Soukup; Tanisia’s makeup by Jessica Shorter; Rob’s and Bill’s hair by Chad Chinski and makeup by Jessica Shorter, all of Trilogy Salon and Day Spa in Newark

 

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