Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A lovers' spat led police in Pennsylvania to a Delaware mom wanted as a fugitive from justice in New Jersey Tiffany Casapulla's mugshot in Delaware in 2022 (upper left) into custody after responding to a domestic incident on Tuesday on the 1100 block of Sterling Avenue in Linwood officers discovered Casapulla had outstanding arrest warrants from New Jersey Lower Chichester’s warrant division served an additional arrest warrant at 1141 Sterling Avenue after being advised of her fugitive status Wilmington Police in Delaware confirmed the warrant and agreed to extradite Casapulla for an incident in their jurisdiction Casapulla was charged as a fugitive from justice under Title 42 Section 9134 and taken into custody to await transfer by the Burlington County Sheriff's Office Records show she was charged in October 2023 in Evesham with receiving stolen property and fugitive from justice was also charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution by harboring or concealing He admitted to harboring Tiffany Casapulla despite knowing she had active warrants Christopher was charged with a misdemeanor for harboring a fugitive and Tiffany was charged with a misdemeanor for false imprisonment and two summary offenses for disorderly conduct and harassment Christopher has a criminal record in Pennsylvania for retail theft The pair previously faced charges in civil court in Delaware were previously criminally charged for car thefts at a Wawa in New Castle She was wanted for receiving stolen property in Evesham Township on Oct Tiffany has been released on $2,500 in bail Her preliminary hearing is set before Judge David R Christopher's hearing is set before the same judge on Dec New court dockets or updates from the courts were unavailable at the time of publishing a prestigious teaching honorary society that recognizes medical educators who demonstrate profound humanism in medicine as they educate students.   “It is an honor to be recognized as an educator This nomination to the CTT by colleagues I value and appreciate is deeply meaningful both personally and professionally,” said Casapulla the director of education and research in the Office of Rural and Underserved Programs "It's so rewarding to get to do what I love every day with amazing students and colleagues."  The Courage to Teach board works to recognize outstanding medical educators who consistently demonstrate humanism in their approach to working with students The Courage to Teach Medical Education Community was founded by Wiley Souba former dean of the Ohio State University College of Medicine Casapulla was nominated by several Heritage College colleagues who are currently members of Courage to Teach associate dean for clinical education and co-chair of the Courage to Teach board He says Casapulla has demonstrated a clear commitment to students throughout the four-year undergraduate medical education journey including creating a coaching program with the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways students collaborating with faculty in leading the Open Book elective and creating an inclusive space for reflection in her Clinical Jazz sessions.   students can take charge of their own learning and engage at various levels that they see fit Casapulla says her approach to learning closely aligns with coaching.   “I believe that I bring my authentic self to my teaching and I try to encourage and facilitate others to do the same thing I believe that reflection is a key component of learning so I try to integrate reflection into any of the learning opportunities that I create,” said Casapulla.   Casapulla recognizes that meeting students where their needs arise is not a 9-5 activity She regularly engages with students through evenings and whenever there might be an opportunity to connect She is a fierce champion of scholarly work (her publication list is impressive and long the work she does consistently includes students) She also works tirelessly for marginalized and under-resourced communities role modeling the ways a professional educator can impact beyond the walls of the academic environment." Working as an educator at a medical college is rewarding and unique Teaching in this environment allows educators an opportunity to develop relationships with students over four years instead of just working with them for a semester.   What Casapulla values most about being an educator is growing these relationships with students She says it is rewarding getting to know the students watching them grow along their journey and develop into professionals.  Casapulla has been instrumental in bringing narrative medicine to the Heritage College She is a leader and co-developer of the Open Book Project a narrative medicine elective offered at the college ranging from paintings to song lyrics to short stories and then engage in the practices of narrative medicine including close reading assistant clinical professor with the Heritage College "Her efforts create formative learning and research opportunities and the service learning programs she coordinates benefit both medical students as well as the communities she works in Casapulla on several projects to educate ourselves and our students about the effects of racism on medical students and to honor the stories and experiences students face in the day-to-day lives and she is courageous to speak up about these issues." and very supportive of both students and colleagues She is also an advocate and ambassador for inclusion and social justice and always finds ways to include these topics in activities through RUSP and the Open Book Project." Casapulla joins other previously inducted Heritage College educators in the Courage to Teach Medical Education Community including Newburn © 2025 Ohio University The Delaware cheesesteak Munch Madness tournament of 32 competitors has melted the hearts of thousands over the last month and now it's time to finally announce its delicious champion The big winner is Little Vinnie's Pizza & Pasta in Wilmington Little Vinnie's came into the championship round as the underdog, but it stood tall against the cheesesteak giant Casapulla & Sons in Elsmere biting them down to size to get the W in a decisive victory with 5,106 votes to 3,859 Many people love Casapulla around the state and the restaurant came into the champion round as the favorite because they had a major advantage that many of the other cheesesteak shops lacked in this tournament two matchup losses that fans are still salty about Delaware in Hollywood: Movies & TV shows that were made here Whereas most Munch Madness competitors have one location Casapulla is a family business with six restaurants in Delaware with at least one location in every county in the state even though he didn't have the same clout as the respected Casapulla 16 must-do Delaware events in April: Cool ways to brighten your spring One thing we overlooked is Little Vinnie's might've faced immense pressure heading into the championship round carrying the unique weight and responsibility to perform well since it shares a name with a long list of other greats nicknamed "Little."  The “Little” community around the world has been well represented by this superior cheesesteak restaurant in the First State Little Vinnie’s can hold its head high because it just pulled off a Munch Madness miracle for the ages If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters Eight Delaware restaurants are serving up fresh knuckle sandwiches as they battle to the top of the food pyramid for the No 1 spot in the Delaware cheesesteak Munch Madness tournament And some devastating knockouts were delivered during the Sweet 16 that we'll address in a bit Round 3 begins with the Elite 8 on Saturday, March 15. This cheesesteak tournament is already halfway over and hangry readers can vote for their favorite cheesesteak they want to see in the Final Four. (Go to the poll.) All of the restaurants in the Elite 8 are the real deal They've each fought through a cheesy gauntlet of competitors and demonstrated they're no flash in the pan Round 3 is set to broil and each matchup could honestly swing in their shop's favor and Goodfellas Steaks & Subs at Prices Corner No matter which shop you're voting for in Round 3 expect all four matches to include lots of ketchup leaking everywhere Throwback, retro pizza parlor: Nick's Pizza opens in Brandywine Hundred It was criminal that two favorites like Claymont Steak Shop and Casapulla had to duke it out together in Round 2 because each looked strong enough to win the whole competition But the fact that Joe Biden has been a customer at Claymont Steak Shop wasn't enough to keep them from getting eliminated by Casapulla Claymont Steak is still a beast of a restaurant but it looks like they won't be making it to the Rocky steps in Philly this year After taking down the popular Ochinili's in Middletown Two Cousin's Pizza have proven to the rest of New Castle County that they're no cheesesteak slouch Another heartbreaker was TenderBones Rib Shack in Bear a shop known for its three-pound "Chef Philly Cheesesteak" sandwich Little Creek Grill near Dover has made a lot of noise in the cheesesteak scene But the shop finally met its match as it didn't have enough power to ward off Ioannoni’s you sandwich lovers cast 1,100 votes for your favorite go-to spot for cheesesteaks around the First State that you wanted included in our Munch Madness challenge We sliced that thick mountain down to a chewy bracket featuring 32 shops that are ready to unapologetically smack you in the mouth with a fresh cheesesteak How does the Delaware cheesesteak tournament work readers will vote and determine which restaurant/shop has the top cheesesteak in each face off Now we're down to 16 and after this week it'll get cut in half and look like this: Elite Eight until only one sandwich is topped off with a greasy and golden crown How do I vote for my favorite Delaware cheesesteak? To vote simply click below on the cheesesteak you want to win Delaware's Most Influential: People in Food for 2025 Below is when new brackets will be announced for the tournament:  If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters an Italian sub or cheesesteak from Casapulla's is usually at the top of the list.  There are branches of the family-run sub shops now in Rehoboth Beach Glasgow, north Wilmington and the Newark area but the base of the operation always has been the flagship store in Elsmere Longtime Delaware sandwich seekers know exactly where to find the landmark shop, tucked away in a tidy red-brick building where Phillips Avenue meets Junction Street. (Newcomers might have to google the address, 514 Casapulla Ave.) And at least one member of the Casapulla family has been behind the Elsmere counter all those years Wilmington eats: Park Cafe breathing new life into renovated Wilmington building The Casapulla clan recently surprised Vincetta Casapulla Sparco known as "Aunt Vee" and considered the large family's matriarch, with a celebration at the shop where she first started working 64 years ago the eldest of the founder Luigi Casapulla's nine children, a few days before she blows out candles for her 97th birthday on April 9 Rep. John “Larry” Mitchell said the idea to honor Sparco with accolades from the state House of Representatives came after he heard the Casapulla shop would be celebrating its 65th anniversary in September and that Sparco had been a part of the business since its beginning We recognized her for being the matriarch," said Mitchell adding Casapulla's subs are known "up and down the state." Vincetta's niece who runs the Casapulla's store in the Red Mill Shopping Center near Newark "She does everything," Casapulla said. "It was great to have her honored." who has lived in Elsmere's Vilone Village for more than 60 years and still likes dining out and going to casinos "I never dreamed anything like this would happen today I almost didn't come this morning," she joked as she stood outside the shop among a scrum of relatives and local politicians offering tributes Sparco grew up in Wilmington's Little Italy with her five sisters and three brothers she sang on the radio and acted on stage in Italian plays.  She got married in 1947 and a few years later helped her Italian immigrant parents when they purchased the old Phil's Market and ran it as a small neighborhood deli and grocer Since Sparco was five years older than her next sibling and her father worked at the store and at his other job as an iron welder at General Chemical in Marcus Hook she said, "I feel like I helped my mother raise a lot of the kids when they were younger bigger chain grocery stores began muscling into the area and took away neighborhood customers. Luigi decided to switch his shop to selling mostly sandwiches "Thank God it went well for him," Sparco said The first Casapulla's Subs & Steaks was the start of a family dynasty that's built on fresh and flavorful Italian meats and cheeses all nine of Luigi’s children and dozens of his grandchildren have worked at the original Casapulla’s. The business has since expanded to include the next four generations Some of the Casapulla's locations have come and gone was in business for 18 years until the family decided to close it in 1999 The shop had been built on a site where Luigi once bought vegetables from an area farmer The sandwich maker then used the produce at the Elsmere location When the Hockessin land was purchased in 1999 a developer knocked down the sub shop and leased the property to Wilmington Savings Fund Society for a bank branch He stayed at the shop making subs to order and talking to customers every day until his death in 1985.  Sparco said she isn't surprised Casapulla's Subs & Steaks has lasted for more than six decades.  They took over for a little bit," she said as her family laughed about the competing sub chain that was founded in Wilmington in 1976 Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico.  We are providing this content free as a public service to readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support the work we're doing by subscribing to Delaware Online. Chairs are stacked on tables in the bar area at Piccolina Toscana and the dining room is empty in the Wilmington's restaurant adjoining Toscana-To-Go market the glass deli case is well stocked At least 30 bowls are brimming with everything from roasted beet salad to meaty crab cakes to chicken salad with vegetables and quinoa Quart-size containers of homemade cauliflower soup, Toscana's signature pomodoro sauce and its Caesar salad are ready to take home.  Sandwiches and hot pasta dishes can be made to order Chocolate chip cookies wrapped in packages at the counter and frosted cupcakes wait to be eaten owner Dan Butler just needs some customers.  Butler estimates he usually does about $2,000 in sales Butler says he's lucky if he's made $200 three people will walk in to examine the food cases That kind of cash and customer traffic isn't going to pay Butler's bills He says he's already lost more than $100,000 in canceled catered events and has laid off his sales staff it's going to be difficult for some of Delaware's estimated 2,000 eating and drinking establishments to survive Dine-in services at Delaware restaurants are restricted right now for eight weeks as one measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 That means owners will likely miss some of the busiest money-making dining holidays of the year such as Easter and Mother's Day along with other customer milestone celebrations Butler has operated his to-go business in Trolley Square for 28 years "This is my wheelhouse," Butler says.  the chef isn't sure what's going to happen Butler says he is sending out email blasts and hopes his loyal regulars will patronize his shop the not knowing when it's going to be over It's a different story about 2 1/2 miles away at Casapulla's an Elsmere sub shop that's been operating since 1956 more patrons then ever before are coming to pick up food Owners Lou and Annlyn Casapulla say they have been so busy the past three days at the sub shop they're going to need to hire more employees soon "We're going to pick up whoever is out of work and needs a job," Lou says workers behind the counter at Casapulla's scramble to make sandwiches while the phone rings every few minutes with even more orders.   a steady stream of customers will walk through the door purchasing everything from cheesesteaks to Italian subs "We're selling a lot of bread," says Lou Casapulla the third generation of his family to run the 63-year-old business.  Mondays through Wednesdays are usually slow days for the takeout-only shop Annlyn says this week has not only brought in longtime regulars but she is seeing a slew of newcomers Lou Casapulla guesses business is up at least 20% While he and his wife say they're happy for the extra income they want to see the coronavirus outbreak end "We are hoping this clears up soon," Annlyn says as Lou nods.  a longtime customer who visits Casapulla's at least twice a week patiently waits for staff to fill her order: One large cheesesteak and a small turkey sub "with everything." Schuman also gathers beverages and snacks to purchase "I never leave here with just sandwiches," she jokes The Elsmere resident says she's not worried about being near the shop's steady stream of customers "I only had to wait 10 minutes," Schuman says "This is a business that keeps things moving."  Schuman says she plans to frequent Casapulla's as much as she did before coronavirus concerns.  "Nothing's going to stop me from coming here as long I can."  Lou Casapulla says he's grateful for customers like Schuman Our patrons have really been great. We're going to keep serving our patrons for as long as they say we can," he says adding he felt very fortunate when other restaurant owners were hurting. "You don't know what tomorrow will bring." At Little Vinnie's Pizza & Pasta off Faulkland Road owner Mike Degnars isn't sure what to expect in the coming weeks but the adjoining counter service pizzeria next to his full-service restaurant is still operating "I would love to close until this thing blows over but my rent is coming and these people need paychecks," he says motioning to three employees behind the counter Degnars had to let go four servers and a busser who worked in the dining room and cut back hours on a dishwasher But he says regular customers keep calling to ask if he's still operating the shop is open every day but Sunday from 11 a.m Degnars isn't sure if he's doing the right thing: "That's the big question: Should we even be open "we did the usual numbers" but business seemed slower on Wednesday The quietness of the store Wednesday morning was beginning to spook the staff.  "We would have phone calls and people in here by now," Degnars says We're missing all of DuPont across the street." Employees at the nearby DuPont Co.'s headquarters are now working from home Degnars looks at the 20 different pizzas on the counter the shop sells by the slice and shakes his head "These are usually all gone by now."  "He's a regular," Degnars says with a slight smile McAtee says he's "not super worried" about being out in public He and a co-worker pay for their lunch and take their bags to go Degnars sends a photo of the pizza counter to a reporter which operates 17 restaurants throughout the state has chosen to keep only three of its eateries open for takeout business: The Big Fish Market in Rehoboth and the Washington Street Ale House and Mikimotos said takeout business "was higher than I anticipated at all three locations." He declined to share sales figures or the amount of meals sold Low said the decision to keep the Ale House and Mikimotos open for takeout were based on the restaurants' past successes. "Both of these locations have always been extremely successful in takeout." Low said customers who walk in could pay in cash Online orders could be paid through credit cards Fresh springtime flowers bloom in planters near the patio and outdoor fire pits are lit for passersby to admire even though the Kennett Pike restaurant is not allowed sit-down service who has downsized his staff of 53 to a skeleton crew of three or four says the restaurant prepared 18 takeout lunches on Tuesday He expected more orders at dinnertime Dietz also was going to fill orders for a nearby retirement home and deliver the meals himself Takeout is certainly better than nothing," he says Dietz then planned to return to the restaurant and wash the dishes Dietz says he isn't ready to give up and believes the Delaware restaurant industry can weather the storm I'm one of tens of thousands of small business owners who are struggling This is not good by any stretch of the imagination," he says "but we're just trying to do the best we can do." redefining intimacy meant learning to accept her “new” self and being open and honest with her partner Before being diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2023 The couple filled their weekends with fun getaways and household projects they’d work on together But Dee’s breast cancer diagnosis affected their relationship “It took away the intimacy that we shared with each other,” she says When it came to the physical part of their relationship Dee and Steve weren’t sure what was okay to do They asked whether they could have sex and if they could even kiss after a round of chemo which left them both feeling unsure how to navigate this new reality “Being intimate with your partner is so important to your relationship,” she says Some people may lose interest in intimacy altogether while going through breast cancer treatment you may still crave that physical closeness But it’s like someone who has heart disease or high blood pressure: It doesn’t change who I am Dee and Steve found different ways to keep up their emotional and physical connection try to do fun little things to keep that closeness,” says Dee That includes sitting close to one another it’s hard to be flirty — but I tried,” she says Dee didn’t push herself to be sexual or flirt with her husband she’d try to spice things up by wearing something fun or just exploring together At first, Dee was uncomfortable sharing her postmastectomy body with Steve “Having a bilateral mastectomy is not sexy,” she says He was careful to make her feel comforted and loved without pressuring her to do anything she wasn’t ready for yet “I felt like I couldn’t love him more for saying that,” says Dee you start to realize it’s not so much about what you look like,” says Dee who’s going to sit with you when stuff really goes down.” true intimacy doesn’t get much deeper than that When you’re actively going through breast cancer treatment, you’re likely just taking it day by day, says Mary Dev, a senior social work counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston That’s because breast cancer symptoms, along with treatment-related changes to your body “And I’ve talked to many people who just don’t know where to start because they’ve been in treatment mode for so long,” Dev says That’s when body image issues may come into play to complicate your connection with your partner even more “It’s important to have these kinds of discussions with the medical team, with social work — even speaking with a sex therapist can be helpful,” adds Carmen Morales, LCSW-R, a social worker at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City your care team can recommend the right resources to help you bring intimacy back into your relationship A new food truck is making meat-packed waves up and down Sussex County "It's another way to gain customers and build your business," manager Sarah King said of The Big Salami food truck. "It's just becoming very popular." is one of the 210 permitted food trucks operating in Delaware Sussex County has seen a 46 percent increase in mobile eats since 2015.  which opened last November, is equipped with a slicer pulled pork and other thick eats as the storefront location the truck is open to the public on weekends at The Factory Sports Complex in Lewes and on Wednesday nights at Big Surf Cantina It will also make select stops at Mispillion River Brewing.  Casapulla's will expand its food truck presence in the warmer months "We're finding small things to build our name," King said when Italian immigrant Luigi Casapulla opened a small neighborhood deli The family-owned and operated business has six locations in Delaware.  which got its name through a social media contest But its operations are different from the storefront which has a walk-in and is well-stocked.  "It's a smaller space," King said of food truck life You have to figure out what you're going to need for the entire day." the sandwich shop and deli outside Rehoboth Beach in Lighthouse Plaza isn’t leaving – it’s just getting a new sign after a number of concerned customers asked questions the restaurant announced in late March that a new sign was coming Just getting a new sign,” reads a March 28 message on the Casapulla Facebook page Casapulla’s is a five-generation family-run business The original Casapulla’s opened in Elsmere in 1956 with the original south location opening in Lewes in 1984 For more information on Casapulla’s, 19331 Lighthouse Plaza, Rehoboth Beach, go to casapullasubs.com, call 302-227-7827 or email info@casapullassubs.com Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014 He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week Flood moonlights as the company’s circulation manager which primarily means fixing boxes that are jammed with coins during daylight hours but sometimes means delivering papers in the middle of the night He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design But a breast cancer diagnosis changes things Dee realized cancer requires you to lean on others for help Before she had breast cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer diagnosed in women Dee felt like the superhero of her household She hit the ground running each morning with a workout before getting ready and heading to her job as a pharmacist And as a mom of two daughters in their twenties she was always checking in and making sure everyone was okay But breast cancer forced her to slow down and lean on her loved ones instead “This was a total role reversal for me,” she says “I had to start to think about me and my healing Dee’s diagnosis meant she had to learn to accept help from others “It made me feel very vulnerable,” she says But her husband and daughters stepped up every day to help fill the gap From smaller tasks (refilling her water bottle helping her put on socks) to larger household chores (cleaning “Even though she was very grateful and thankful I think it really bothered her that she couldn’t do those things,” recalls her older daughter “It took so much pressure off of me,” says Dee “They would encourage me to keep going when there were times I just didn’t want to do it anymore,” she says Dee got support not only from her family but also her community asking if the family wanted or needed anything “The outpouring of generosity was overwhelming sometimes,” he says Dee couldn’t believe the way her community stepped up to help “People would do [things] for me without even asking,” she says and neighbors pitched in by making and delivering meals offering transportation to and from treatment Her pharmacy customers sent get well cards and gifts Dee measured her worth by her ability to stay on task and keep the family running then what is my value to the family?” she’d ask herself “What did I bring to the table besides a cancer diagnosis and a lot of hardship?” and neighbors showed up with unwavering compassion and support “I had to let go to understand my worth,” she says It’s normal for women to feel like the glue that keeps their family together. But when you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, stepping back and leaning on others can help you get through treatment, says Carmen Morales, LCSW-R, a social worker at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City “There has to be a bit of a shift in refocusing that strength and independence Not to mention, most people in your life want to help but don’t know how, says Mary Dev, a senior social work counselor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston your people are just waiting on the sidelines Use these tips to ask for (and receive) help in meaningful ways "Too few people understand a really good sandwich," the late James Beard once said. This is from a man whose still popular onion sandwich knew was the devil is in the details and each layer flavor and texture in a sandwich has to complement and please Whenever you have a craving for food you can eat with your hands consider these Delaware sandwiches that I've been enjoying lately: I recently went old-school Delaware for lunch: I ordered my favorite Italian sub from Casapulla’s Subs & Steaks Generations of Delawareans have very joyful memories of sitting around a kitchen table eating takeout Casapulla's sandwiches when Mom was too tired to cook Chow down:Japanese ramen, hibachi, Thai, Indian and Korean among 6 new Delaware restaurants If you're not lucky enough to have had those experiences then you're going to be very happy that I'm introducing you to this great family business that has several locations The base of Casapulla's operation always has been its flagship store in Elsmere It's tucked away inside a tidy red-brick building where Phillips Avenue meets Junction Street The family dynasty founded by Luigi Casapulla was built on fresh and flavorful Italian meats and cheeses A store in Hockessin, the second one Luigi opened, was in business for 18 years until the family decided to close it in 1999. Another shop came and left in 2012 at what is now the home of George & Sons' Seafood Market and Oyster House, but now there's a new Casapulla's in the Coffee Run shopping center at 7181 Lancaster Pike It's bigger inside than it looks from the outside with plenty of seating that's big enough for two people unless you're really hungry Part of the joy of a Casapulla's sub is unwrapping the sandwich's white paper and finding a hefty peppered ham and provolone cheese with oil unseeded roll that's neither too hard nor too squishy and don't forget to pick up the required side: a bag of Herr's potato chips the "old-school" Italian sub is a little different from the classic Italian: It comes with hot soppressata The Hockessin shop is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and closed Sundays and Mondays Ioannoni’s roast pork sandwichIoannoni’s Specialty Sandwiches at 624 E The bustling shop has sandwiches made with Italian-style breaded chicken cutlets and meatballs But my favorite is the Roast Pork Supremo ($11.70 for about a small seasoned roast pork packed with slightly bitter broccoli rabe and sharp provolone I usually get the fried hots (long Italian hot peppers) but sometimes I slather on horseradish for a different flavor boost Order according to your hunger level and just know that a large is between 20- to 21-inches long Longtime fans of the shop will be happy to know that the hot roast beef sandwiches have returned to the menu as of Jan The shop is usually open Mondays through Saturdays is making waves with seafood-loving diners It can be hard to get a seat at the restaurant at 108 Second St My best pal and I grabbed a seat at the bar recently for lunch and indulged in the delectable and decadent "Delaware" lobster roll First things first: This isn't a cheap sandwich Give it a try:Here are some Delaware restaurants you must try in 2023 It's a meaty blend of sweet Delaware coast lobster that's warmed in butter and then topped with celery salt and tarragon You also get a side of butter for dipping or drizzling more on top of the sandwich The sandwich is served with crispy beach fries I probably should enjoy more dishes on my next visit — like maybe the oyster po'boy or the fried catfish sandwich — but all I can think about is ordering another lobster roll to curl up near the fireplace with my laptop and a cup of their terrific coffee and sometimes a croissant But while checking out its latest Avenue North location just off Concord Pike across from Fairfax Shopping Center my dining buddy and I needed something more substantial to go along with a caffeine fix Football food:Check out these 11 Delaware spots to satisfy chicken wing cravings on Super Bowl Sunday The sandwich is named after a former BrewHaHa location and combines sliced turkey and brie along with generous portions of greens and slices of Granny Smith apple Fig jam is spread on the bread — we got multigrain The tart flavor of the apples cuts through the creaminess of the brie the fig jam adds sweetness and the greens give it crunch Contact Patricia Talorico at ptalorico@delawareonline.com and follow her on Twitter @pattytalorico or sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter. After more than a decade of holding services in a 5,000-square-foot basement off Route 1 outside Rehoboth Beach Bay Shore Community Church is looking to “Go Above Ground.” Bay Shore Community Church was founded in 2005 and has three campuses – Rehoboth The Rehoboth campus opened in 2010 in a space under Casapulla’s Subs in Lighthouse Plaza It’s 23 steps down and then back up for people to go to church but on Sunday mornings it can get a little crowded in the parking lot “They’ve had to work to come here,” said Tice Bay Shore launched a Go Above Ground fundraising campaign in early March 2020 Literally the next week everything was shut down the church managed to raise enough money to purchase a 4-acre parcel off Old Landing Road in December 2022 There are members of the church who live across the country attending only through online services and without any intention of stepping in the new facility and they’ve donated because they believe in what the church is doing The address for the new location is 20376 Old Landing Road – heading toward Rehoboth Bay The goal is to pay the land off before building the new church In addition to limited parking and maybe some unwanted exercise the current space can only hold a little more than 200 people in one service who is a third-generation pastor – his father The new space will be about 12,000 square feet with enough space for members to bring friends and family to church if they want “We want the new church to be a place for the local community and we want to have enough seats for them all,” said Tice The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Jan state-of-the-art truck has all the gadgets to make everyone's Casapulla favorites To see where The Big Salami will be, follow @TheBigSalamiDE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information or to book private catering events, go to www.casapullassubs.com, call 302-227-7827 or email info@casapullassubs.com – A Georgetown man is facing charges after police say he assaulted one of his co-workers at a Millville restaurant on Saturday Delaware State Police responded to the Italian restaurant Al Casapulla’s on Atlantic Avenue,  around 3 PM They say Dorian Armstrong drove to the restaurant on his day off walked into the kitchen and got into a fight with a 38-year-old male co-worker The fight reportedly turned physical and police say the 37-year old hit the victim multiple times before the victim got Armstrong on the ground The two separated and Armstrong was met by police officers in the parking lot Armstrong also reportedly pushed two other female coworkers during the incident He’s facing three charges including felony Assault 2nd Degree and two counts of offensive touching He was arraigned and is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution on a $5,200 secured bond Police did not say what caused the argument Because Local Matters She spends nearly every morning out with the Kihei Canoe Club paddling through the clear blue waters and introducing visitors to this beautiful island in Hawaii She's quick to convince others why the tropical flowers and majestic volcanoes are worth the flight.  very blessed to be able to live in this beautiful paradise paradise with indoor plumbing,” she said “And it’s lush and green year-round.” It's a far cry from the place she once called home Rugg puts her Hawaii pride to the side to celebrate her roots: her home state of Delaware this native Delawarean has been throwing a Delaware Day celebration for her friends and neighbors in Hawaii She creates large Delaware-shaped name tags for all of her guests and decorates the place with Delaware license plates and a homemade cardboard poster with TastyKake boxes she has even had Casapulla’s Subs shipped to the island But the real centerpiece of the celebration is a big banner with bold letters that declare “Aloha from the 50th state to the First State.” Recognized as the day that Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S Delaware Day may not even be widely celebrated locally but during this annual party on an island in the Pacific – it’s a big deal DELAWARE DAY: Did you know: Delaware is the first state. Also, it exists. she hosts her celebration a day later than the official holiday It is the perfect opportunity to celebrate her birthday while also honoring what she loves most about her home state – namely TastyKakes “we do things slower here in Hawaii.” Rugg hosted the first Delaware Day party at her condominium complex and invited her neighbors. She remembers talking about scrapple, the love-it-or-hate-it breakfast meat with many fans in Delaware which used to be available in stores on Maui MORE: Don't turn up your snout: Scrapple Trail celebrates love-it or loathe-it breakfast meat she tries to do something a little different such as one time when the group went out on a whale watch She typically hosts the party in a restaurant with all kinds of license plates – including some from Delaware – hanging on the wall She frequently sends invitations to state officials As things happen in the small state of Delaware Rugg even worked in the same law firm with now President Joe Biden many years ago so she would frequently extend an invitation she said she was surprised when his office called her back and kindly told her that “the president wouldn’t be able to be there.” She may just have to suffice with the bobblehead she has of the president LAST YEAR: Joe Biden beer is here. And Wilmington Brew Works will release it on Delaware Day. Rugg said one of the best parts of Delaware Day is seeing who shows up and what kinds of connections she can make she met a man from Bethany Beach and another person who was visiting from Rehoboth Beach a family from Hockessin was visiting Maui and saw Rugg wearing something with the word “Delaware” on it while she was performing in a community band They were so surprised to find a connection to the First State while traveling that far HAWAII: ‘Aloha from Rehoboth Beach’: This man brightens pandemic birthdays with ukulele and Hawaiian shirt Probably one of the sweetest connections Rugg has made brought her directly to her hometown of Seaford One of the women she serves with on Citizens’ Patrol an auxiliary group with the Maui Police Department takes care of a woman who is 98 years old.  That woman was from Seaford and her children took music lessons from Rugg’s father at Rugg’s Music Shop “People come and go from Delaware,” she said “Sometimes they’re here … maybe working they read about the Delaware Day party and show up Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370 It’s like a disco in your mouth, except there's no pressure to dance.  That’s what it means to celebrate National Cheesesteak Day in Delaware on Thursday On that day you're entitled to host a party for your taste buds where only good vibes are welcome.  Here are 12 places where you can celebrate National Cheesesteak Day in the Small Wonder but many people on the internet claim Elsmere has an extra special place in their hearts Regardless of which location is your favorite Casapulla has been going strong for over 50 years and four generations The long-time restaurant certainly has a knack for keeping customers coming back.  You can choose among an original ribeye steak Not everyone can say President Joe Biden visited their restaurant While they’re not the only restaurant in the state with those bragging rights Philly-style steak sandwiches are offered with beef or chicken This place opened its doors over 50 years ago when cousins Sam Demetratos and Bob Hionis founded their restaurant chain in Claymont Call ahead: New Wilmington brunch spot blooms in a landmark breakfast location The shop’s award-winning cheesesteaks are proudly made with fresh meat that’s sliced and diced on the spot.  The classic Claymont is thinly sliced ribeye and American cheese Here you'll find arguably the most whimsical cheesesteak in Delaware The bad boy they offer is made with scrapple the beloved loaf of pork scraps many Delawareans can’t get enough of Delaware’s gas prices are driving you crazy?Here are 7 cool, low-mileage activities it only makes sense that it’s doused in five-cheese fondue with shaved ribeye,  Cascading Reactions Witbier sautéed mushrooms and Provolone on a hoagie roll 109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; visit firststatebrewing.com or (302) 285-9535 For nearly 20 years this restaurant has been satisfying cravings Ioannoni's has used fresh meat instead of frozen for its cheesesteaks which punctuates their desire to provide customers with a memorable sandwich 'Mare of Easttown' has ties to UD: Creator's whose brother coaches Blue Hens Ioannoni’s largest cheesesteak is 21 inches which is about as long as three 16.9-ounce water bottles stacked on top of each other 624 E. Basin Road, New Castle; ioannonis.com; (302) 322-5000 This restaurant dishes up a sandwiches that gives you the best of both worlds: a sandwich that tastes just as good as a meaty cheesesteak except it’s healthier and noticeably less greasy It’s March Madness and the owners of Go Vegan put their game-face on every time they serve up these vegan treats which they affectionately named the Broad Street Bully The vegan cheesesteak is served with your choice of oyster mushrooms or ground Impossible meat along with your favorite toppings of peppers 607 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington; goveganphilly.org; (302) 543-4431 this shop offers more than just pizza pies “The cheesesteak was very good,” one customer raved on their Facebook page “They have great food and the people there are the best,” another patron said 2392 Dupont Parkway, Middletown; Visit Little Italy Pizzeria on Facebook; (302) 378-7070 Townsend); See above for FB page; (302) 378-9494 This mainstay has built a reputation from filling up bellies with its home-style cooking since the business has been around for more than four generations Main Street has become even more convenient for foodies in Kent County who want a tasty cheesesteak 40 S. Main St., Smyrna; Visit Main Street Market on Facebook; (302) 653-8837 this business takes a lot of pride in using fresh bread from Liscio’s bakery but it hits a little different when those rolls are extra zesty Nothing Better owner Nick Bohenko said he suspects his shop might be a little more liberal with its use of cheese than most places 14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford; nothingbetterllc.com; (302) 875-2400 This popular restaurant carries a lot of weight in the cheesesteak community It’s not hard to understand why, because it sells a cheesesteak that weights over 2 pounds.  That sandwich isn't on the menu and it's by special request only Folks can’t get enough of TenderBones to Bear “just to get a cheese steak,” but they were sold out “I need this in my life!!” a hungry TenderBones fan wrote on Facebook “road trip!!!,” another hyped supporter wrote.  if ever there was inspiration for a road trip This hidden gem has been glistening in Sussex for years and their downstate sammies are topped off with Southern comfort  “Best cheesesteak and subs around,” one person wrote on the shop’s Facebook page “The best,” a wordsmith patron echoed 3544 Williamsville Road, House; Visit Williamsville Country Store on Facebook; (302) 422-4455 This food truck stands out like a unicorn among cute puppies It offers deep-fried seafood cheesesteaks and hoagies such as the Zochness Monster of the Zea cooking food in a deep-fryer from Walmart and delivering meals on a bicycle Grinding his way up from the bottom has helped him go viral and serve oodles of people with his sizzling food 1401 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle; zoagies.com Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter WILMINGTON – Colorful flags bloomed Sunday over the streets of Little Italy as bands played mingling with shrieks from carnival rides as hundreds sat back with their favorite Italian dish and perhaps a glass of wine while catching up with old friends Anthony of Padua Italian Festival and Christian Casapulla her family and many others were there with one word: "Tradition." as she watched over her two daughters Madeline attempting to win a goldfish from one of the carnival games fondly remembers riding the rides at the festival when he was little and now as a parent he enjoys watching his daughters do the same was chaperoning her boyfriend Mike Speechley and his 7-year-old daughter Victoria around their first Italian festival Cardenti too recalled attending the festival as a child and when her boyfriend said he had never been The reasons people turn out every year are almost as numerous as the crowds Laurie and Michael Gallo of Wilmington steered clear of the midway Herrmann said they turned out on Sunday to hear the opening concert featuring the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Delaware Chorus the concert began with a stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" followed immediately by the Italian national anthem was pushing 3-year-old Abby Andrews in a stroller and leading several older children by the carnival games She said the festival is a great way to get out with the family She confessed that she actually likes the festival better after sunset when the midway lights up Sitting quietly on one of the patios with family members said the festival is mainly about the people and the place for him Our children graduated from here and we're still here." for years the festival was little more than a church carnival with a handful of rides and games Roberto Balducelli converted the carnival into the sprawling weeklong cultural festival celebrating Italy that has made it a regional attraction a member of the Italian Festival Steering Committee The "modern" festival now tracks its birth to that 1975 transformation The event now boasts more than a dozen entertainers vendors in addition to the traditional Italian fare produced by the church-operated food stands attracting some 75,000 people Festival attendance peaked at over 85,000 around 2007 in part to better regulate the festival and maintain a family-friendly environment organizers put up gates and started charging admission "It has been a huge success," Albence said adding it has given organizers better control over the event and helped maintain safety The festival runs until Sunday in the blocks surrounding St For full details visit www.stanthonysfestival.com Contact Sean O'Sullivan at (302) 324-2777 or sosullivan@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @SeanGOSullivan the amount of recyclable materials that are thrown in waste baskets is really noticeable recycling coordinator of Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) In order to combat and decrease the waste stream a new pilot recycling program has been adopted by four schools in Sussex County The new program will focus on diverting juice and milk cartons from the schools’ waste stream The initiative was made possible by a $1,200 grant from the Carton Council a collective of carton manufacturers united in diverting cartons from landfill Green Hills and Stillwater Township schools Collection areas for cartons were set up in each school’s cafeteria with buckets set up to collect the leftover liquid from the carton The “program does not work if custodians are not hands-on,” Casapulla said Custodial staff maintain the collection areas with the help of teachers and staff schoolchildren are encouraged to get involved They can volunteer to monitor the pour stations as “Carton Champions,” through their school environmental club or as an act of community service “When you mix large quantities of liquid in a recycling container,” Casapulla said “the liquid contaminates the recyclable material.” The excess milk is also being put to use in the Andover Township schools the schools have their own separate sewer plant that do not utilize certain chemicals in the cleansing process said the bacteria present in the milk helps eat waste during the water-cleansing process Recycling cartons could prevent up to 391 bags of trash from entering a landfill per year Milk cartons are made up of 88 percent paper and 12 percent polyethylene The difficulty is getting older children to cooperate Casapulla has been actively involved in the program and sometimes helps monitor the stations during lunch duty “We want these schools to be successful in decreasing their waste streams.” Accomplishing that takes a united effort by the school and town Casapulla hopes to eventually expand the initiative to more schools in Sussex County One of the most uplifting quotes I’ve ever heard is from the noted gastronome I can just feel the electricity in the air as he uttered those fateful words: “Too few people understand a really good sandwich.” a really good sandwich is more than just quality ingredients It must be built in such a way as to provide the maximum amount of pleasure from beginning to end says it best: “You have to taste every ingredient in each bite.” And nowhere is this truer than with his Italian sub and to this day the subs at every one of the seven Casapulla’s shops are constructed exactly as he did at the first store in the Wilmington suburb of Elsmere sandwich assembly was just a sideline for Luigi he worked for a railroad company and ran a little grocery store on the side Customers would buy rolls from the store and take them back to the deli counter so Luigi could stack them with deli meats Luigi didn’t begin to expand into other areas until he was 80 years old The second store opened in Hockessin in 1980 It’s interesting how the food business never strays too far from the music business Mike’s wife (Luigi’s granddaughter) Paula LaPenta’s father owned a Wilmington nightclub with his brothers making a name for himself not only in local entertainment but also as the personality behind all the sandwich shops Mike and Paula were working in the pharmaceutical business when they asked Luigi’s permission to open a carryout near Rehoboth Beach the tiny Casapulla’s South opened in Peddlers Village Shopping Center on Route 24 but Mike and Paula saw an opportunity when the outlets began to dominate Coastal Highway An informal spot for shoppers to relax and enjoy fresh and tasty subs seemed like a great idea So in ’97 the Rehoboth Beach Casapulla’s South opened The tucked-away location hasn’t hurt them a bit; locals and visitors know where to look for consistently good quality Paula and childhood friend Sean Gregg (their top-notch manager) work hard to keep the customers smiling One of their passions is the work being done by Dale Dunning’s Jusst Sooup Ministry One dark cloud in the silver lining of Dunning’s fortuitous involvement with ABC’s "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is that people assume the ministry no longer needs donations they do have the new buildings and equipment but the rest of the operation still relies on generous contributions.So Mike and Paula LaPenta are stepping up to the plate every Tuesday until the end of March by donating 25 percent of their total sales (!) to Jusst Sooup Ministry Because most restaurants are lucky to put 5 to 10 percent to the bottom line “I feel very strongly about what Dale does,” says Mike and for the next 10 Tuesdays he and Paula will prove it by operating at a loss to benefit the worthy cause.But it’s a win-win for everybody New customers can try Mike’s high-quality subs (and certainly one of the best-built Italian subs at the beach) while the LaPentas make a valuable contribution to Dale Dunning’s operation the success of every Casapulla’s is a family affair “and she’s the driving force behind our success she makes sure everything is right and that every customer is happy.”These are people who most certainly understand a good sandwich Visit Casapulla’s South on Tuesdays for the next couple of months and get even more bang for your buck and there is still time to plan for the moment when your cravings kick in Here are 19 Delaware restaurants across the state that will be calling your name This giant sandwich chain started in Delaware and has filled many bellies Their selection of cheesesteaks ranges from the classic version all the way to chipotle chicken crunch and grilled chicken parmesan renditions Biden dines in Delaware: President and first lady spotted at Wilmington's The Quoin. They didn't get the same dish Folks who don't eat meat can munch on the plant-based Impossible Meat Cheesesteak that includes melted American cheese There are 17 Capriotti's shops in Delaware Visit capriottis.com but many people on the internet claim Elsmere has an extra special place in their hearts The longtime restaurant certainly has a knack for keeping customers coming back Visit casapullassubs.com Cheesy March madness: Delaware pizza bracket blown up by Grotto loss. Final Four heats up. This is another restaurant Joe Biden has graced These Philly-style steak sandwiches are offered with beef or chicken hot peppers and an industrial-sized jar full of love 2600 Concord Pike, Talleyville; charcoalpit.net or (302) 478-2165 Yo-yo world champ makes six figures: He grew up poor in Delaware & strives to help kids This place opened its doors over 50 years ago when cousins Sam Demetratos and Bob Hionis founded their restaurant chain in Claymont The shop’s award-winning cheesesteaks are dished up with fresh meat sliced and diced on the spot Their sandwiches include a mushroom cheesesteak 3526 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont; Visit claymontsteakshop.com or (302) 798-0013; or (302) 798-5319 Drop Squad Kitchen's classic cheesesteak features a version of "ribeye steak'' that's made from wheat protein and served on a soft it takes so much like real beef it's scary The homemade cheese also tastes similar to a traditional cheesesteak Both vegan and meat fans will have a ball with this sandwich 928 Justison St., Wilmington; dropsquadkitchen.com or (302) 984-2773  the most creative cheesesteak in Delaware might be in Middletown This whimsical sandwich is made with scrapple the cherished loaf of pork scraps many Delawareans can’t get enough of it only makes sense that it’s doused in five-cheese fondue You can also choose the Delaware Cheesesteak sautéed mushrooms and provolone on a hoagie roll 109 Patriot Drive, Middletown; visit firststatebrewing.com or (302) 285-9535  At Prices Corner you'll find Goodfella's Steaks which has a habit of assassinating appetites with its juicy classic cheesesteak The restaurant offers other options including chicken and pizza cheesesteaks These sammies will leave you feeling more stuffed than a Build-A-Bear Workshop 3206 Kirkwood Highway, Prices Corner; Visit goodfellas-steaksandsubs.com (302) 998-4446  this restaurant has been satisfying cravings Ioannoni's has used fresh meat instead of frozen for its cheesesteaks which spotlights their desire to provide customers with a memorable sandwich Ioannoni’s largest cheesesteak measures up at 21 inches which is about as long as three 16.9-ounce water bottles stacked on top of each other 624 E. Basin Road, New Castle; ioannonis.com; (302) 322-5000  This restaurant dishes up sammies that give you the best of both worlds: a sandwich that tastes just as good as a meaty cheesesteak It’s March Madness and Go Vegan Philly vegan puts its game face on every time they serve up these vegan treats The vegan cheesesteak is served with your plant-based choice of oyster mushrooms or ground Impossible meat ketchup and onions on a long roll with fries 607 N. Lincoln St., Wilmington; goveganphilly.org; (302) 543-4431  Little Creek Grill dishes up a traditional cheesesteak plus a barbeque chicken cheesesteak and buffalo varieties It also switches things up with The Scrappy It's an eggroll made with cheesesteak and Hughes Delaware Made Scrapple 111 Main St., Little Creek, Dover; visit littlecreekgrillde.com or 302) 734-0480 the location makes it easier for people not looking to travel further north for scrumptious nibbles 2392 Dupont Parkway, Middletown; visit littleitalypizzashop-lips.com or call (302) 378-7070  You'll want to bring a big appetite to Little Vinnie's Pizza & Pasta They're so obsessed with cheesesteaks that their menu includes a pizza pie version of the sandwich and a cheesesteak salad But the restaurant is best known for its classic cheesesteak 1706 Faulkland Road, Prices Corner; Visit littlevinniespizza.com or (302) 633-6801  From buffalo to pizza cheesesteak sandwiches there's also the traditional cheesesteak that folks rave about Restaurants upstate get a lot of shine for their cheesesteaks but Long Neck is representing like a boss in slower lower Delaware 32362 Long Neck Road, Millsboro; Facebook.com/longneckdeli1 or (302) 945-7575 This mainstay has built a reputation for filling up bellies with its home-style cooking The shop is also known for its deep roots because the business has been around for more than four generations Their cheesesteaks are a hit at this restaurant 40 S. Main St., Smyrna; mainstreetmarketsmyrna.com or (302) 653-8837  There's a sandwich named "Mike's Famous Cheesesteak,” and Delawareans love to boast about it 754 E. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark; mikesfamoussteaks.com or (302) 453-0331 this business takes a lot of pride in using fresh bread from Liscio’s bakery 14882 Hardscrabble Road, Seaford; nothingbetterllc.com or (302) 875-2400  If you don't like cheesesteaks with large proportions They'll gladly serve you a mountain of meat disguised as a sandwich at this hidden gem restaurant 415 W. Loockerman St., Dover; simaronsteakshop.com or (302) 736-1073  It’s not hard to understand why because it sells a cheesesteak that weighs over 2 pounds That sandwich isn't on the menu and it's by special request only near Bear; www.tenderbones.com or (302) 832-7427 This hidden gem has been glistening in Sussex for years and their downstate sammies are topped off with Southern comfort 3544 Williamsville Road, Houston; Williamsville Country Store on Facebook or (302) 422-4455  If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters She spent 24 years perfecting this food: Now this anime fan sells them in magic bottles Coffee alert: Need a jolt or shot of Zen? Try these 3 Wilmington and Greenville coffee shops Just Peachy: Jimmie Allen's mom's peach cobbler inspired this Delaware-made ice cream flavor Whose market is better? DE.CO and The Chancery Market face off. We size up Wilmington's twin major food halls. 2013 at 2:35 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Montclair Fire Department swore in three new firefighters and promoted three others last week The township welcomed firefighters Ibin Raheem Marc Thompson and Devin Casapulla to the ranks of the Montclair Fire Department on Feb The three men have served as probationary members during the past year Three additional men were promoted at the ceremony that day as well: James Ormsby promoted to battalion chief; Richard Santora Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.