We In Lewes

Send us Fan MailSue Keller's Images of Simplicity pays tribute to the work of famed poet Gilbert Bryan, whose life was defined in part by his experience teaching high school in Lewes. Half of the book is his poetry, accompanied and enhanced by Sue's photography.  The other half is a poignant, candid account of three intertwined lives - Gilbert’s, her father’s, and her own - and the town that brought them together. Sue offers a unique perspective on the enduring power of storytelling, revealing how personal stories do more than just record history—they offer profound hope to the generations that follow.

Send us Fan MailIn the second part of his two-part interview, Dr. Jay Donecker talks about the lessons he learned being elected for two four terms as mayor of a small town, the first person ever to be elected who was not born there.  It’s a fascinating discussion of the art of leadership, the value of political availability, not talking like a politician, and learning how to listen and to whom. And, perhaps most importantly, never forgetting to be yourself. In Part 1, Jay talks about being a veterinarian whose practice went from treating farm animals to clinical research to preparing for acts of bioterrorism on our food supply. 

Send us Fan MailPaul Sparrow loves to tell stories, a love that started in elementary school and has taken him to Television, the Newseum in Washington, D.C., the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, to authoring a landmark book on the War of Words between FDR and Charlies Lindbergh. A fascinating, candid, inside look at the state of the news business, how we got to where we are, and why it should matter to all of us.

Send us Fan MailIn the first part of a two-part interview, Dr. Jay Donecker shares how he used what he learned as a local veterinarian in North Carolina to become a respected clinical researcher, part of a US team sent to England to help combat Hoof and Mouth disease, and play a role in creating a warning system for bioterrorist attacks on the nation’s food supply. The previous government system was based on mailing letters. Sometimes, common sense does prevail. In Part 2, he shares the lessons he learned about being an effective mayor of a small town.

Send us Fan MailOne month, he was traveling the world, taking care of large institutional clients and their executives, while leading a consulting company he co-founded. A month later, he’s helping a young girl learn how to catch her first fish or enabling a family to create a lifelong memory on the water.  Matt explains the unusual journey he’s taken to build a new adventure company that takes advantage of the beauty and diversity of the Delaware shore…but his way.  A business where AI doesn’t matter; competitors aren’t enemies, volume isn’t king, and bespoke and salt water spray can be used in the same sentence.  Meet Matt Mundok, the creator of Tide Runner Adventures.

Send us Fan Mail Ron delivers an absolute master class on some of the most critical topics facing our society today. He breaks down the nuances of free speech, the responsibilities we hold as citizens, and the power of writing to shape a community. But it’s not all constitutional law and civic duty. You won't want to miss the wild story of how he actually won a date on national television. It is the perfect blend of deep wisdom and entertaining storytelling. Tune in now to hear a true Lewes original share his story. 

Send us Fan MailOur Fourth Season kicks off with a special guest, the indefatigable Mary Alice Kelly, the Committee chair of Lewes 250, an organization charged with celebrating the legacy of the American Revolution and how it continues to shape the Lewes community, the First Town in the First State. A former music industry executive, active member of the DAR, and avid historian, Mak, as she’s known to her friends, opens up about the challenge of planning a local birthday party for a country and, in the process, discovering how to have more fun in retirement than she often experienced when working. 

Send us Fan MailA final episode for the year with a live audience at Kindle Restaurant with guests from our third season including Bill Collick, Dr. Kathy Henn, Jim Semivan, Ed Zygmonski, Dick Bryan, Dr. Kevin Mallinson, Lisa Graff, Hillary Summerbell, Mike DiPaolo, Matt Carter, Jenn Wagner, Ed Paterline, Bill Hicks, Bob Rabatsky, Jay Donecker, and Shook. A funny, personal, irreverent conversation among 18 people sitting around a bar, talking about their experience on the podcast, who should play them in the movie, and one thing everyone should do when living or visiting Lewes.  

Send us Fan MailFour men, each successful in their own right, open up about a life stage that if you’re lucky, is inevitable - being retired.  A candid discussion of what they expected, what they learned, the challenges, and the fun of no longer being traditionally employed. All have found a way to give back. All are busy; all are doing what they like.  And, yes, all are still laughing, which isn’t a real surprise when you consider they collectively have survived nearly 300 years of life. If you’ve done that, you’re bound to have learned a few things along the way. 

Send us Fan MailLarry Franz has always gotten things done.  While working in a factory, he became the local union’s president, used the extra money to pay for college, and negotiated the best CBA his members had ever won.  At the Pentagon, one of the toughest bureaucracies in the country, generals relied upon him to navigate through all the egos and red tape and make their plans happen.  Now retired, from his bench on 2nd street, Larry is quietly doing the same here in Lewes.  Instead of complaining about his rough childhood or being kicked out of the house at 18, Larry learned self-reliance, the power of listening, and the joy and freedom that comes with focusing on what you can or should be doing instead of all the rest. 

Send us Fan MailTucked under sand and towered over by trees inside Cape Henlopen State Park,  Ft. Miles was once an active military base from World War II through the Cold War and into the Vietnam War. Ed Paterline, Fort Miles Historical Association Board Member, takes us through the fort’s storied history and how a determined group of volunteers, mostly retired, turned an abandoned piece of history into a remarkable museum through old-fashioned grit and determination. They’ve helped bring history alive. 

Send us Fan Mail18 Major League Baseball Clubs have been sent home, another notch on their annual misery belts. Have your fan dreams been squashed; your hope destroyed, while the usual clubs march on? Ready to give up? Don’t. You can keep hold of your annual fixation with failure and still root for a winner - the Lewes Vintage Base Ball Club.  They play by 1860s rules. Nine players. Nine innings. Three outs. No gloves. Outs on one bound of the ball. No overrunning first base. Players with nicknames like Oyster, Bullfrog, and Squirrel.  Money doesn’t rule all. Tickets and parking on free. And they win.  Former guest Mike DiPaolo explains all in our latest mini-cast

Send us Fan MailCo-founders Steve Esfandiari, Matt DiSabatino, and Kevin McGuiness were unburdened by knowledge, experience, or a good premise for a podcast when they released their first episode back in May 2023.  What they did have was an interesting town filled with interesting people. They hoped that would be enough. At least they got that right.  A candid look back at what they learned, who’d be listening, and the power of giving a little oxygen to what’s good. There is something special happening in little Lewes, Delaware, and it’s the people, what they call the “we” in Lewes. Their guests - remarkable, creative, civically active people - are helping build a community spirit, maybe even a collective soul, that may be an antidote for the persistent negativity of our times and give us all some much needed hope. 

Send us Fan MailJenn Wagner is a local artist working in multiple mediums.  She describes herself as a metal worker who also paints and makes jewelry.  She attended 12 different schools growing up, as her family moved around the country and the world.  She followed a traditional business path, getting her MBA from Rice University, then lived with her husband in Budapest and Paris.  After a serious boating accident made a normal office job unlikely, one day she visited a museum and saw a brochure for the Glassell School of Art in Houston. Propelled by what she self-deprecatingly calls her power combination of confidence and ignorance, she applied to the sculpturing program and got in despite her lack of any formal training. There, Jenn found her real passion and has never looked back.  You can see her amazing work in multiple mediums on her studio website at Bronze Anchor Studios.

Send us Fan MailMike DiPaolo has spent over 25 years working with non-profits, helping make them and the communities they serve more effective and impactful.  He helped steer the Lewes Historical Society into prominence, and today is helping the Delaware Community Foundation improve and better coordinate charitable activities throughout the state.  He’s won national and state awards for his public service. When awarding him the prestigious Nancy Hanks Memorial Award for Professional Excellence, the American Association of Museums said Mike was proof that one person, with energy and drive and imagination, can turn a modest institution into a major one.  Not bad for someone still in his 40’s. 

Send us Fan MailWhat would your life be like if you couldn’t read? Think about school, getting a job, so much of your daily life. Hillary Summerbell has dyslexia. She can’t read like most people. Not just books or textbooks.  She couldn’t even read road signs, let alone use a computer. But, Hillary doesn’t give up. She finds solutions. She used the talents she had - an amazing eye for design and colors - and built a multi-million dollar interior design company and then, one night, after years of trial and error, she had that eureka moment. By simply breaking away from the linear presentation of words, she could realign them into a format that she could read.  It was immediate.  It worked.  She’s had it tested and validated. And now, with her company, the Summerbell Reading Method, she is enabling people across the country to read what they want, when they want. There’s a Chrome extension and an app. It’s a remarkable, story of courage, conviction, and hope. 

Send us Fan MailImagine a life where your work involves kayaking with dolphins, dressing as you like (shoes and shirts are optional), and only answering to the person staring at you in the mirror.  Matt Carter created a career built around what he loves - showing people how to stay healthy, have fun playing outdoors, and relishing the simple joys in life like sitting around a beach fire doing absolutely nothing.  It allowed him to raise children who so enjoyed their childhood that they want to return after school. A true Lewes original, Matt explains how all of this started when he was in college, studying in an ice cave in the Rocky Mountains. Only he had the foresight to see how that experience could be brought to the Delaware Shore.  One suggestion - this episode is best enjoyed barefoot, sitting at the beach, with an adult beverage in hand. Yes, we experimented.

Send us Fan MailLisa Graff is well known for creating and performing her own one woman shows based upon her insightful and humorous take on life.  Accompanied by musicians Holly Lane and John Flynn, she has created, starred and produced The Benefits of Aging …Uncensored; Secrets to a Long Marriage and Other Myths; and Chicago is My Kind of Town, to name a few. Known for her wit, bluntness, and courage, Lisa has always been willing to tackle tough topics, whether its alcoholism, marital exasperation, or parents failing schools. She’s a trained actress, taught public school, authored two well-received young adult books, and had her articles published in The Washington Post, Woman’s World Magazine, and the Cape Gazette.  No matter the medium, Lisa is proof that laughter is not just the best medicine, it’s also a very, very good teacher

Send us Fan MailWith the July 4th holiday only days away, we wanted to share part of a prior episode with Russ Palmer. He talks about how the town’s fireworks extravaganza got started, how it’s funded, where you can sit and watch, and other key logistical information. This is a big city fireworks party in a small town. It’s all privately funded, so donations are always welcome. Visit Go Fourth Lewes and give what you can. And remember, get there early. It’s going to be crowded.

Send us Fan MailFollowing Episode 38, listeners asked for examples of UAPs - unidentified anomalous phenomena (what we used to call UFOs) - and how they’ve been validated.  UAP expert and To The Stars co-founder Jim Semivan returns to provide multiple examples of different kinds of encounters people have had with the Phenomenon.  Jim explains the evidence behind the sightings and what needs to be considered.  Clearly, regardless of what you believe, much of what we’ve taken for granted about physics, the human experience, and our own reality is evolving.  What once seemed impossible is increasingly becoming not just possible but probable. Visit weinlewes.com for a list of links to more detailed information on the examples that Jim discusses in the episode.

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2, Kevin Mallinson shares how he applied the lessons he learned as a firefighter to a career in nursing.  Earning a MSN and a PhD from John Hopkins.  He spent much of his career helping find ways to combat the tragic consequences of the AIDS epidemic and provide comfort to those who were dying and their families, whether in the United States or Africa. Whether in the classroom or in the field, Kevin always found a way to empower others and helped local nurses and doctors develop treatments programs that would work in their communities. His is a story of bravery, toughness, and a testament to importance of understanding the perspective of others, including those who wish you the worst.

Send us Fan MailKevin Mallinson joined the Key West Fire Department in the early 1980’s, unaware he would be the first openly gay firefighter in the country.  From his first day until his last, Kevin was physically and mentally assaulted, including attempts that could easily have ended in his death. Never backing down from who he was, he learned to disarm his attackers with intelligence, humor, and a ironclad commitment to non-violence.  The survival lessons he learned as a firefighter would lead him into nursing, earning a MSN and PhD. from John Hopkins. Part 1 focuses on his time as a firefighter. It’s an incredible story of personal bravery and toughness, coupled with a compassion for others that extended to even for those who attacked him. No matter what he does, Kevin never fails to understand the perspective of others.

Send us Fan MailRichard a.k.a. Dick Bryan seems to always have been a key part of Lewes.  His life has mirrored the transition of the area, from agriculture to an economy based upon personal services and real estate.  He was raised on a farm and later in town and, except for college, he’s never really left. He was here when the first traffic light arrived, when things began to change from farms  to housing developments, and when you could no longer let your dog wander the town unsupervised. Talking with Dick is like taking a walk through the town’s history, as he explains what used to be where, how century old buildings have survived, and why he has a hitching post for horses that used to be on 2nd Street next to a one ton ship’s ballast stone in front of his office building.  And then there’s the auctioneering. You can have your stocks and bonds. Find out why license plates could be a better investment.

Send us Fan MailIf Lewes has a look, it’s due in large part to Lewes in Bloom, the 450 member non-profit that plants, maintains, and waters 18 public gardens and 9 floral installations around town. Co-chair Ed Zygmonski explains the organizational structure they use to handle every annual challenge, whether is planting 31,000 tulips bulbs and another 5,000 spring bulbs, replacing them with annuals, or watering all the plants and flowers multiple times a week. Their army of volunteers has transformed Lewes into an internationally, award-winning site of beauty. No one in the organization is paid and they buy, plant, and preserve every flower and plant they use. Lewes in Bloom is a triumphant story of the power of volunteerism and the even more powerful magic of flowers.

Send us Fan MailPart 2 finally provides answers to whether UAPs - unidentified anomalous phenomena (we used to call them UFOs) - are real and why governments around the world are so unwilling to reveal all they know. Jim Semivan, a decorated former CIA officer founded the company, To The Stars, with Tom Delong and others, to help explain the truth about what’s happening all and the challenges for governments and the public alike in processing what is actually known. A candid, informed, and challenging interview at the very heart of this issue.

Send us Fan MailPart 1 is not a CIA tell-all or a rehashing of what happened, when and where. Jim's too much of a pro for that. He worked for 25 years at the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service. At the time of his retirement he was a member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service. Jim describes the rigorous training he was provided, the skills of observation and insight he developed, and the challenges a field officer must navigate to survive.  He shows how all of these would play such an important role in the next of chapter of his life, helping research, educate and explain Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon - what we used to call UFO’s.  And in doing so, he provides an answer to that most mysterious of all questions - are we humans really alone?

Send us Fan MailDr. Kathy Henn was a professor at Keane University where she taught courses in philosophy, religion, medical ethics, and global and American History. That alone should be an indication of the breadth of her intellectual curiosity. Since moving to Lewes, she has been a frequent lecturer at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, as well as at Historic Lewes, the recently renamed Lewes Historical Society. Hers is a candid, funny story of courage, determination and not surprisingly triumph, no matter what life tried to throw in her way. 

Send us Fan MailWilliam “Bill” is a legendary Cape Region icon, educator and mentor. Whether it’s being a record setting coach, educator, dean of students, trustee of local organizations, or mentor, he is the embodiment of Jackie Robinson’s adage - “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” And not surprisingly every story Bill tells, every example he provides, always involves others, normally by name. As he likes to say “I’m a “we”guy”, a philosophy which has resulted not just in success but importance.

Send us Fan MailChris takes us behind the scenes to explain what it takes to make the Cape Gazette not only a respected cornerstone of the Lewes Community but one of the few local newspapers in the United States whose subscription base is growing. He explains the importance of understanding who your readership is, what they want, and the power of the news philosophy - “When it doubt, leave it out.” That’s not a motto normally associated with the media business today, but Chris reveals why the Gazette’s approach, coupled with their respect for their readers, is not just working but thriving. 

Send us Fan MailA final episode for the year with a live audience at Kindle Restaurant with guests from our second season including Lee Ann Wilkinson, Ed Shockley, Richard Martin, Dr. Krista Griffin, Hai Do, Katie Ackerman, Dr, Chris Degnon, Brian and Megan Kellman, and Josh Barr. We talk about their episodes, reactions to being a guest, favorite Lewes holidays, and casting We in lewes the Movie. It’s funny, intimate, and another chance to hear from some amazing people. Thanks to all who attended and will listen.  

Send us Fan Mail.Having grown up in Lewes, Josh shares what led to his opening the first and still only clothing store in Lewes catering to men and the route he took to build a successful business whose worth is far more than just its financial success. It’s a story about the value of family, a supportive community, and creating your own brand. And, perhaps most of all, it’s a story about designing a business that supports your life instead of reshaping your life to support your business.

Send us Fan MailMegan and Brian decided to leave the D.C. area, buy a store (something they had never done), sell, rent and repair bikes (something they had never done), and build a business (once again, something they had never done). Sounds like a risky plan, but it wasn’t. Who they are and what they brought to the business was far more important than having a detailed business plan or an encyclopedic knowledge of bicycles.  Once you’ve heard their story, the success that followed makes complete sense. 

Send us Fan MailAttacking life with relentless enthusiasm, Nate uses his artistic craft as a welder to build boats and boating fixtures, as well as countless metal architectural pieces for business and homes. This allows him to pursue his real passions - faith, family, fishing, diving, creating, cooking, surfing, sculpture - and that’s just this week. A funny, raucous conversation with a man who refuses to let fear or doubt dictate what he does. God might protect babies and fools, God loves Nate Landis. 

Send us Fan MailThe truth is we aren’t the skin and bones we can see but actually billions and billions and billions of atoms, all carrying electric charges, something understood by Nobel Prize winning physicists for over a century. Dr. Krista Griffin explains that by starting from this reality - the atomic not the biological you - you can restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit which, in turn, triggers the inherent healing potential of the body.  A fascinating, understandable tour of a new type of healthcare that is impacting lives and our individual and collective health. Change is possible.

Send us Fan MailWe’ve compiled multiple stories from four of our favorite guests - Captain Stuart Griffin, Restaurateur Megan Kee, Free Dive Spear Fisherman Richard Martin, and Restaurateur and First Friend Matt DiSabatino - all about subjects dear to their hearts.  All were recorded previously but did not make the final edited version of their episodes. It does make you wonder about our editing process.

Send us Fan MailDave Frederick has never been shy about sharing what he thinks. The author of the beloved, biweekly Cape Gazette column , People In Sports, Fredman opines about topics from teaching to coaching, from people he knows to the real rewards and lessons of sports. Entertaining, insightful, and honest, and as blunt as he is gruff, he can’t hide his love of family, his pride in the community he’s chronicled for decades, and his fundamental joy with his fellow Muppets.   

Send us Fan MailLocal legend, Ed Shockley, singer, songwriter, and producer opens up about his bands from Jack of Diamonds to Vinyl Shockley to the Funsters, living in the heart of the New York City music scene, and coming home to Lewes, which in his heart he never really left and where he doesn’t have to explain what the Doo Dah Parade is or why it’s so wonderful. A candid tour of a remarkable life.

Send us Fan MailLocal calligrapher Katy Ackerman, owner of the Lewes Lettering Co., shares how she’s taken the supposed business disadvantages of a small town and turned them into essential assets of a business with national and international reach, the importance of shared priorities in any marriage and family, and not being afraid to pursue your dream.

Send us Fan MailTom Sheridan talks about a remarkable life that has given a voice in Congress to so many who otherwise would never have been heard, on becoming one of Washington’s most respected senior political and public policy strategists, and proving even in the murky world of lobbying, that White Hats can be found. And he still found time to write a book, for horses and sailing, and helping guide the Children’s Beach House into a new era. It’s a candid, insightful, and compelling master class on how to have a real impact. 

Send us Fan MailMegan Kee, The creator of the Restaurants Bramble and Brine at the Buttery, Houston and White Co., La Fable, and Delmata Italiano on how she turned her childhood, her family’ history, and her personal vision into four remarkable, fantastical but different dining experiences in Rehoboth and Lewes, Delaware. It’s a story about the power and joy of combining courage, vision, and relentless hard-work. And, she’s not done.

Send us Fan MailRuss Palmer, founder of Lewes’ July 4th Firework Extravaganza called Go Fourth Lewes! and a respected custom home builder, opens up about living in Lewes, building a life and career in harmony with work and family, and letting your actions speak for you. 

Send us Fan MailRichard Martin doesn’t wait for fish. He dives for them, armed only with a spear gun, knife, and the air in his lungs. For over seven decades, Richard has fished underwater around the country, side by side with sharks, jellyfish, and species ready to fight back. He also helped design, build, and test the spacesuits worn by the astronauts during the Apollo Program. A funny, candid, remarkable reminiscence from a man who grabbed life and yanked it to him, just as he did the fish he caught.

Send us Fan MailHai Do continues his remarkable story, about his career in journalism as a photographer, journalist, and manager at UPI, Agence France-Press, Gannet, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He covered wars, terrorist attacks, World Series, Super Bowls and news around world, before moving to Voice of America, where he is the Chief of the Learning English Division. A former refugee now helping other refugees around the world, Hai’s story is compelling, inspiring saga of a life defined by him, not the barriers he encountered.

Send us Fan MailHai Do grew up in the middle of the Vietnam war, escaped Saigon when the city fell, and survived a harrowing journey on an overcrowded boat on the South China Sea. Instead of giving into fear, he used these harsh lessons to forge a life and career that has taken full advantage of all America has to offer. This episode focuses on his life in Vietnam, his family’s courageous escape, and his arrival in the United States. It’s a story of courage, determination and ultimately triumph.

Send us Fan MailA candid, entertaining, fact based discussion with a former Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey and a legal consultant, who is tirelessly helping make Lewes a better place to live. Chanta explains how the Lewes Public Library is the library of the future - a community center, a performing arts center, service provider, and a meeting house that annually hosts over 800 events attended by 14,000 people. And you can still borrow a book.

Send us Fan MailLee Ann talks about the fearless drive, conviction, and meticulousness it takes to became a nationally ranked realtor, a respected entrepreneur, and the invaluable investment she has made in the culture and quality of her hometown - Lewes, Delaware.

Send us Fan MailDr. Chris talks about a new type of health care called Direct Primary Care, which removes insurance company obstacles between doctor and patient and is revitalizing the practice of medicine and patient well-being. This revolutionary style of practice is growing rapidly around the country. It helps doctors and patients alike, improves the quality and timeliness of treatment, and bends the heath care cost curve.  The future has arrived.

Send us Fan MailAbraxas talks about his unique approach to his art, his use of the deep color-layering techniques normally associated with the Renaissance, and the freedom that comes with choosing your own path. It’s clear he brings the same relentless dedication to detail, whether he’s sketching in Cape Henlopen State Park, teaching painting, target shooting, or starring in a local action movie.  Brax truly is one of a kind. 

Send us Fan MailWith his trademark candor, self-deprecation, and humor, Sam talks about Dogfish Head, turning one’s dream into reality, marriage and family, and  life in Lewes.  And in doing so, he provides a captivating glimpse into how a proudly off-centered artist, master brewer, salesman, and fearless entrepreneur crafted a life that both empowers him and energizes all he encounters

Send us Fan MailA final episode for the year in front of a live audience at Kindle Restaurant with all the guests from our first season together at last. We talk about memorable one-liners, the podcast, casting We in Lewes the movie, and holidays here in our town. It’s laughs, mistakes, new and old friends, and memories fueled by terrific food and adult beverages. Thanks to all who attended and will listen.