Blue Plate Special
Residents of other states view the registration tags on their cars as a mere government requirement. Not us. We Delawareans long ago embraced our license plates as a status symbol and a connection to their past. On Nov. 2 Mike Williams, chief of administrative policy and communications for the Division of Motor Vehicles at the Delaware Department of Transportation, will present a special program at the Delaware Public Archives in Dover about the history of Delaware license plates and why they are so interesting to the citizens of the First State. Though a driver may not think twice about the significance of his tag number, native Delaware drivers barter, buy, and sell to get a favorite number for themselves. In exploring this unique part of First State culture, the program will include such topics as the desirable black-and-white porcelain sets from the 1940s, the black stainless steel tags from the 1950s, and the story behind the controversial font-style changes in the early 1990s. Williams, a native of the First State, is a graduate of the University of Delaware and has worked for the state since 1995. He began his state career as a community relations officer with the Office of Highway Safety before moving to DelDOT in 1997 as primary media spokesperson. After serving as manager of DelDOT’s public relations office for six years, he joined DMV as chief of communications last year. Williams’ interest in license plates was fostered as a teenager by his grandfather. He had always had the bug for collecting, beginning with baseball cards, coins and comic books as a youth. Williams was instrumental in the design and development of Delaware’s Centennial Plate Program that was recognized as the Best Plate of 2009 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. The License Plates program is free to the public. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@state.de.us.
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| Oct. 25 | |
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All kinds of activities entertain families throughout the Rehoboth-Dewey area during the annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers’ Festival. There will be scavenger hunts, a costume parade, and much more, through Oct. 27… More |
| Oct. 26 | |
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Once one of the saddest breakups in the comedy world, Cheech & Chong are back and better than ever. They bring their half-baked humor to The Grand Opera House in Wilmington… More |
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Eat, drink and be scary at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino during the Wine & Music Fest Halloween Party. Wear your best costume—there will be prizes… More |
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Deep in the night, someone is ringing a bell at Old Swedes Church in Wilmington. See if you can solve this ghostly mystery, and hear some more spooky stories, during Ghosts in the Graveyard… More - Partner Content -
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Don’t think The British Invasion Tribute at The Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover is only about The Beatles. You’ll hear music by The Zombies, The Moody Blues and Dave Clark Five, too… More |
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Trick-or-treat with the animals during Boo at the Zoo at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington. It’s a merry, not scary, Halloween party with learning stations, fall-themed refreshments and a chance to meet some creepy critters… More |
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During Goodies and Goblins, trick-or-treat in the 1890s village of the Delaware Agricultural Museum in Dover. Don’t miss the costume contest… More |
| Oct. 27 | |
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During the Newark Halloween Parade, trick-or-treat at Main Street businesses while enjoying other family activities. It’s a tradition… More |
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The Newark Symphony Orchestra opens the season with an offering from its Symphony Series at the Independence School in Newark. The program: German composers… More - Advertisement -
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| Oct. 29 | |
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Everyone’s favorite freaky family comes to town just in time to celebrate the spooky season. “The Addams Family” at DuPont Theatre  runs through Nov. 4. Say hello to Uncle Fester for us… More |
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The Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass is a dream team of musicians. The group honors the 200th anniversary of Wagner & Verdi’s Births with a program that includes The Ride of the Valkyries, Aida and more at Longwood Gardens… More |
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