While everyone else in the United States will be out Trick Or Treating on Oct. 31, 2008, the Town of Delmar WILL NOT!
That's right, Delmar has changed their Halloween Tradition this year to accommodate the Delmar Football Team.
Halloween will be on Thursday night, Oct. 30th because Delmar has a Football Game on Halloween Night.
So do tell us Ladies & Gentlemen what you think about them apples?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
43 comments:
As a resident of Delmar, I think it is a good idea. If you have ever been to a Delmar football game (and I've never seen you there, Joe), you would realize Friday night's involve the ENTIRE town. Especially since this game will be against our arch rival Laurel. Therefore it is pretty safe to say that the parents of the "would be" tricker treaters will all be attending the game and so will all the residents who give out candy. In addition, as a safe alternative, Delmar High opens its doors to trick or treaters and a group of students sit in the halls giving out candy as the lil' ghosts and goblins pass through. No parking, no students, not trick or treating.
This is a practice that has gone on for years in many small towns that stop everything when it comes to football Friday nights in those years when Halloween falls on a Friday. Some towns have also placed trick-or-treating on Saturday afternoons as a safety issue.
Hey, if I was a kid in Delmar I'd think it was pretty cool because it's two nights in a row to load up on sugar - one in my town and one in Salisbury or wherever.
I'm pretty certain they are not just accomodating the Delmar Football team, but the entire town. You have to consider the parents of the players, the band, the cheerleaders, etc. I am the parent of a player and a trick-or-treater. I'm glad I don't have to make the choice of where to be on the 31st.
its the Delmar VS Laurel game, which usually will bring around 2000 people give or take (especially when Laurel is playing well) to a highly residential area right around dusk on halloween night. kids trick or treating and all those cars (esp. the ones from laurel)flying thru those neighborhoods trying to find a parking spot on the street by kickoff may not mix, so im guessing thats why? which is thoughtfull actually - better safe than sorry id say
FIRST OF ALL IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME DELMAR HAS CHANGED THEIR TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT. ALSO IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO A HOME FOOTBALL GAME YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS BEEN CHANGED. DELMAR IS PLAYING LAUREL A VERY BIG RIVAL AND THE WILL BE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE. THE TOWN IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN THAT WILL BE TREAT OR TREATING. BY THE WAY IF IT WAS HELD ON FRIDAY NO ONE WOULD BE HOME
Apparently, you don't know as much about Delmar as you do about Salisbury.
Joe,
You and I have been getting along lately and I will openly say its for the best of everyone involved! So don’t take this the wrong way!
Joe come out to the game Friday night. You will be amazed! But before you do that go to any game in Salisbury, anyone of the schools! There are more players than parents / fans even on a home coming game! A lot of parents in Salisbury used after school programs as a babysitting service! Yep I said that!! Even the Salvation Army is used for it also. You ride down Rt.13 near PRMC any night there is a football game there and see how many 12-15 year olds are trying to cross the street to get home. WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?
Now you go to Delmar on any after school program, just not sports. The parents come in groups. Delmar has a very good following. Not just the teachers but even the kids take pride in their school.
On to Football in Delmar. If you go to Texas and talk football its always high school football. They close down the stores when the game is on. The whole town goes to the game. It’s a way of life for them. Who are we to say their wrong? Well Delmar is almost the same way! Pride and Commitment is what our small town of Delmar is all about. I’m not saying our small town is perfect, but it is to me!
Joe our football team is one of the smallest in the state of Delaware but somehow they always end up in the mix at the end of the season for the championship. Why you ask? Because these kids love their school, have pride for where there from and most of all they have HEART!
Joe on game night we have more fans than you would ever think of having at a small school game! Hell even on away games Delmar has more fans than the home teams hosting the game no matter if its in Laurel or Baltimore Md. The parents, fans support their Wildcats!
The game that you are talking about against Laurel. Come on out Joe. You will see between 2000 – 3000 fans at a little ol high school football game. Then remember the bayside (Salisbury area) game you saw with about 200 fans there Then you tell me whats wrong with the picture.
Its all about support for your school and programs!
Sorry for the long post but I do hope you get longer post than this!
Also.. I photograph all the high school football games for the kids.. If you want I will invite you on the field with me so you can feel the crowd. It might not be as big as Fernando, but it’s the next best thing! You will be proud leaving the game that you live in Delmar!!
GO WILDCATS!!!!
I am grateful that it has been changed. It is a family tradition (especially to my young son who will pass up just about any invitation to go to a Delmar football game with his parents:) I was hoping trick or treating would be changed to a different date and even thought about organizing trick or treating in the stands so we could accomodate both. Having fans bring a bag of candy for the kids who are there... anyway, thanks Delmar for planning ahead and thanks Joe for letting us know!
Go WILDCATS.
I don't think Joe said anything negative about changing nights for this yearly activity - so why attack him. I think it's wonderful that the town would do this and kids can have the benefit of both events.
You think the Presidential election is important, the ecomomic situation is a disaster, the G-7 have made an important decision, GM and Chrysler may merger - so what! We are talking major, major importance. it's the Delamr/Laurel football game. NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, IS AS IMPORTANT AS THIS!!!!
THATS TO DARN BAD DELMAR FOOTBALL TEAM. HALLOWEEN IS ON OCT.31ST NOT OCT. 30TH.. YOU WOULD NOT CHANGE THE DATE OF CHRISTMAS DECMBER 25 THE DAY CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR WAS BORN ON TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS. THATS WHY WE HAVE CALENDERS. IM NOT GOING TO CHANGE HALLOWEEN. I WILL BE GIVING OUT CANDY ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT. THE FOOTBALL TEAM SHOULD CHANGE THEIR SCHEDULE. DELMAR MARYLMAD
It should be understood that "I" am not knocking this change of plans. I have been contacted by Parents who were upset with this change and it was Posted for your notice and the opportunity to speak out about how you feel.
Don't shoot the messenger.
I think it's a great idea. This way everyone can do both. For those complaining, go trick treating on Thursday in Delmar and in another town on Friday or better yet, get over it and stop complaining. You'd be the same people that would complain about all the traffic and cars while you were out. Some people just love to complain
I live in Delmar, guess I don't have to go out and buy candy this year! Don't knock on my door on the 30th...
The sun sets at 6:02 on the 31st, the game doesn't start until 7:30... the kids could start at 5:30 and be done by 7:00. This is ridiculous. Thanks Delmar, for saving me money.
snow hill and parkside play halloween night too. Is snow hill changing the trick or treat to Thursday also?
The same people would want Trick or treating moved I bet if it fell on Sunday, the religious day. It has been moved numerous times to accomodate church families. What's the difference?
This is Patti Moore, The Messenger...Do not shoot Joe, you may shoot me. However, prior to doing that... hear me out. I love Delmar as much as the rest of you! I married Delmar! I worked for for the police department 11 years, married a forth generation Delmarian (maybe more generations who knows!) I am a mother of a graduate of Delmar (2006), the Captain of the Drum-line and the President of the Band. I am the wife of a member of the Delmar Fire Dept., a new member of the Delmar VFW Ladies Aux.! And an avid attender of Cheeseburger Tuesday! I love Delmar just as much as you. And I will admit that we have an amazing turnout for our football games. It is great, the mayors are there, alumni from as many as 50 years ago are there as well and all the years in between. It is a super awesome time. However, it is so super that prior to them changing the date of trick or treating, parents were willingly bringing their children to my house for me to take trick or treating while they attended the game. They had no problem leaving their kids at my house while they watched Delmar kick Laurel's ass. So, is this a question of a great football town or a conflict within parents all over Delmar, or both? My kids are in the first and fourth grade and could care less about the football game, and will continue to care less until they reach the age of hormones and obviously testosterone! They are children who will be trick or treating and glad that Halloween is FINALLY on a Friday! We can eat candy all night and not worry about school the next day. We are fired up (WE ARE FIRED UP, WE ARE FIRED UP!!! clap clap WE ARE FIRED UP; WE ARE FIRED UP!!clap clap) about Halloween being on a weekend. We can sleep in the next day and eat our candy at our leisure on Saturday morning. Well, now we can't, because the football citizens of Delmar have decided officially that Football is now more important than Halloween. I can only wonder if the changing of a national holiday would have been considered if we were playing Indian River, or Milford? I doubt it. It is obvious that those of us that consider the Delmar v. Laurel game any less important than the Superbowl are incorrect. To avoid any further controversy, please, bring your kids to me! Dressed as ghosts, goblins, cheerleaders, football players, witches, Hanna Montana and Jack Sparrow; bring them to me on Halloween. May they be allowed to trick or treat, hay ride, and be kids on this most sacred Delmar day! I will be more than happy to entertain them for you while you watch the game. Seriously, no hard feelings, just bring them here and you can enjoy the game.
Without addressing the issue of confusion for the population of Delmar that is unfamiliar with TRADITION, please tell them to feel free to trick or treat at my house on the 31 st!!!!!!!!! Instead of Thursday the 30th!!!
Here is a thought... Maybe they shouldn't have scheduled the damn game on Halloween in the first place!
Happy Halloween!! Patti Moore
That's great that you are willing to take the kids trick or treating! I'm not sure how many people you will find at home handing candy out though. The comment about the parking being in a highly residential area is right though. I think the safety of our children come first. After all, who is this "holiday" for anyway?
I cannot believe that I've read thru 19 comments and no one has made the observation that Halloween is not a religious holiday (the opposite of a religious holiday, in fact), and the high school football is nearly always on Friday night. Especially in Delmar. Those of you who are upset that you can't take your little goblins to trick or treat on Friday because mean ole Delmar tried to keep everyone happy and changed it to Thursday....TAKE YOUR DAMN KIDS TO SALISBURY, OR LAUREL, OR WHEREVER ELSE IN THE WORLD THAT ISN'T DELMAR ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
There. That was simple.
BTW, Good Job, Town of Delmar. You did the right thing.
I can't really figure out what the big deal is for changing the trick or treat day. It's not like they are chaning easter or christmas.
I think Wayne Barrall comparing Delmar football to Salisbury is totally ridiculous and has absolutely nothing do to with
changing Halloween. It doesn't sound like anyone from Delmar has considered the kids from Laurel.
When I was a child, way back in the '60's, in PG county, we had two nights of trick or treating... Oct. 30th was known as beggers night, and the younger children would be sent out, mostly toting pillow cases. Life was so much simpler back then. We left our homes, at night, went house to house without ever worrying about our safety. Times have certainly changed.
Back to Delmar, 2008.
With the addition to our lives of nearly instant information via tv, internet, cell phones, it makes lots of sense to make a change if the authorities see a potential situation coming, and NOTIFYING the residents or those affected.
Delmar High School football is THE event here in Delmar. Those in charge of scheduling did what they thought made the most sense.
BTW, Thanks to Delmar High School for implementing and making such good use of the "alert system" whereby the school issues a blast phone contact with "Delmar families" to keep us abreast of school events. GREAT JOB!
Oh Please! C'mon Joe...you can do better than this can't you?
Please don't turn into another DT....get the story right. I understand this came in from someone else, but before you posted it, did you bother to contact the Town of Delmar OR one of the elected officials to see WHY this was done????
DT doesn't confirm before they print something either which leads to more anger from people.
TRICK OR TREATING IN DELMAR WAS NOT CHANGED FOR THE GAME!
TRICK OR TREATING IN DELMAR WAS CHANGED TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN WHO WILL BE OUT TRICK OR TREATING!
The Delmar/Laurel football game is on 10/31 and there are ALWAYS problems starting with all the additional traffic in town for the game....but because they are such rivals, there are always other problems too such as fights and other reckless behaviors.
People I have talked to who have kids that are trick or treating age are pleased this was done. Their kids will be safer for it!
And we all know what Patti Moore thinks of Delmar anyway since she's no longer on the police force. I'm actually surprised she hasn't started something like this before. Get a grip Patti...Delmar does not revolve around YOU!
I live in Delmar and personally think changing the day is rediculous. But if they must change it, can't it be on Saturday so parents can enjoy taking their kids trick or treating and not having to get them up early for school the next day? That only happens once every few years. It is something I as a parent of a little one looked forward to - why does it have to be Thursday???
The last time I checked Halloween was not a national holiday. I don't know of any person who has off for Halloween, nor of any local, state or federal agency that is closed in observance of Halloween. What I do know is that I have lived in Delmar my entire life. I live near the park on State Street and let me tell you for a fact that on trick or treat night, the streets from the park to the school are lined with the cars of the people who bring their kids to Delmar from other areas to trick or treat at the school and in the local neighborhoods. I believe we in Delmar are known for our generosity on Halloween. There is absolutely no way to trick or treat in an hour and a half (from 5:30 - 7) We give candy out until usually 9pm unless we run out first, and that would be between $50 and $75 worth of candy. So, turn off your lights and don't answer your doors if you feel that a "national" holiday has been unjustly moved. Just remember though, you are only hurting yourself and the kids that would have brought you the pleasure of seeing them in their costumes and enjoying the mostly friendly and pleasant people who trick or treat in Delmar. Also no one says you HAVE to trick or treat in Delmar on Thursday. You can always trick or treat in another town on Friday, so that your kids can enjoy their Saturday after candy fest.
Why dont you all quit crying and just take your kids to hebron or mardela or salisbury for halloween. You can trick or treat in delmar thrus. or just skip it and wait till friday and go somewhere else. Don't you have enough major stuff going on in your life to worry and bi**h about. Let it go. It is not that big of a deal. It is to protect your children you selfish fools.
If they changed the date because of the safety of the children then why didn't they contact the police department first. This decision, like many others was made without consulting the police department at all. They found out after the fact. Also, check with the police department about how many fights and aggressive behavior complaints they have the night of Delmar v. Laurel games... very very few, if any. So, it isn't about the kids, its about the parents who don't want to miss the game to take their kids trick or treating. It is about a town who is passionate about their football; so passionate that they change the date of trick or treating. Please don't cloud the real issue by using the safety of the children as an excuse. I think they have been used enough.
And I left the police department because of my family, not because I don't love Delmar.
I was at the meeting where the different dates were discussed for this change.
No other reason was mentioned except the safety of the kids on this particular football night.
Since when does a town ask their police force for permission to do something? Are you serious?????
Does the police department really run the town? Somebody told me they did...guess maybe they were onto something there.
As far as the police not being notified...I do not know if the police department was notified or not, guess you would have to ask the powers that be about that part.
There's no clouding going on here...I am stating what I heard at the meeting, in which some of you obviously did not attend.
Messenger,
You said "So, it isn't about the kids, its about the parents who don't want to miss the game to take their kids trick or treating."
I'll tell you that in my case, you are right. I don't want to miss the game. I am a player's parent. I also don't want to miss trick or treating because I am also the parent of a 5 year old. This way, I don't have to let either of my kids down. My football players and my husband are the ones who stay home and give out candy to the neighborhood kids. Now, someone can be at home to do just that.
While we are on the subject about Delmar Football. The coach, David Hearn, is a piece of sh!t. Ask him how many of his players from the big 1, 2, & 3 Championship flunked out of college and went to jail. He made sure they were passed through their classes to play football each year, could care less if they were doing drugs on the bus to games or turned a blind eye to the steriod use in the school. The Laurel Delmar game brings in about 15,000 dollars in ticket sales and that goes to the school. Do you really think the school is going to do anything about it. He!! no, they need the money. I think it is or was a terrible way that our Delmar students are used to make money and keep David's reputation on the up and up. Well, David, I know what you did and how you looked away just to win the game and you can be assured that Delmar football will never ever get one dime of my money again.
That is absurd. If that was the case, do you really think Coach Hearn would have benched one of his players (a student he likes, btw) a couple of weeks ago for skipping class most likely costing us the game against Indian River? Your allegations are ridiculous and unfounded. I think before we throw accusations around about someone in our community, we should have proof.
give the police something else to do. that night (right) can't the police do both.. the police in delmar is a real joke.
Got proof, Delmar football parents better wake up and see the truth. David could care less about the future of these kids when it comes to education. It was all about the money and the glory for David. Ask the parents of the 1, 2 & 3 championship. They will all tell you what went on those years. Even the teachers at that time told us they were forced to change grades. Ask the football players who where in those games..... they know the truth and now have no reason to not tell what went on. If they had told the truth then they would pay for it later.
The truth will never be told. It will always be something that is hidden from the public... but I can assure you that it has gone on, and continues to go on.. Just ask the past football players about the truth.
What stinks is I asked off on Friday to take my kid trick or treating and then go to the football game afterwards. When the schedule was made they had to notice there was a game on 10/31.
I say that is a bunch of crap. You say you have proof, then say the truth will never be told. Both of my boys play football and I trust Coach Hearn and his entire staff. In fact, Coach Hearn lets my son go to tutoring as needed (during practice). In fact, he encourages it. If it were as easy as you claim, why not just go to his teacher and ask for a grade change? Perhaps, anon, since you know so much about what went on during the "three-peat" you are the parent of a druggie who has now landed himself in jail?
3:27 Do you really think that one kid being benched would have decided the game. Come on, this is exactly what David wants parents to think, that there kids are brilliant football players and scouts are looking at them and they can get football scholorships etc...... You also think he likes this kid. Trust me, he likes all the football players during football season, so he makes them believe, but wait until football season is over... he won't give two sh!ts about them. I know, that if he felt the game would be decided over this kid he would not have benched him. You know the kids that got the scholorships for football because of this rigged 1, 2 & 3 championship? Well, they flunked out of college and have either been in jail, are in jail or in trouble..... why, because college doesn't let you change grades... these kids were flunking classes during football season, but adjustments were made to pass them so Delmar won the games, money was made... lots of money for the school and these kids walked out of high school uneducated. The truth is the truth. Go research where these kids are today that were on these teams..
Maybe someone should have checked to see when trick or treating was scheduled before they took off work.
Outrageous!
The Town didn't move the Holiday...they moved when the activities were for the safety of the kids.
When Halloween has fallen on a Sunday in the past, the town moved the trick or treating then too because some residents didn't approve of the kids doing this activity on Sunday.
Some people DO care about the kids, unlike a lot of parents nowadays! Be thankful that someone is watching out for them!
If the town had not moved the activity's date, then some of you would be griping that they should have changed it because it was just too dangerous with all the extra cars and activity going on in the town.
I suspect that some of these griping don't even have kids of trick or treating age and it's just something else for them to gripe about.
If you are SO unhappy with your elected officials in your town of Delmar, then why don't you run for office and change things to be what YOU want them to be? Not interested in that? Thought so!
Get a life people!
Ok, you want research, try doing some yourself instead of listening to a druggie that got passed over for a starting position. Find a copy of the IR game film and you'll see something very interesting: the player that replaced the benched player missed 6 blocks. Why is that relevent? Because the blocks that were missed occured on counter plays-plays where that one block would have sprung the back for a touchdown. 6 Times!!! Was that player relevent? Absolutely!! You want to talk about where those players are now, lets talk about all the other years. Lets talk about Dante Trader (Asst Coach-SU Football) Dustin Johnson (WR Arena 2) or how about Allen Preston (Former Delmar Asst-must not be too bad to coach w/Hearn, huh). So save me your crying because you/your son couldn't cut it after graduating from Delmar.
I also heard the same information. I can tell you it was teachers from the school sitting in the bleachers telling about grades being changed. Sure you can pick out success stories of students as well as failures. But the bottom line is either David Hearn didn't play by the rules, OR every school in the conference changes grades to make their team stronger. I'm betting it's more likely David. And to the person who's son WAS benched, my bet is David didn't think your son was needed or he would have stepped in.
But don't take our words for it! Go out and ask the questions! Ask the teachers "off the record". You see if they become "whistle blowers", they become unemployable. But "off the record" they'll tell you. Ask some of David's family members! Not all of them are that loyal.
It happened, it's probably still happening, and it will probably go on for a long time until someone gets in a position to make the choice of Education over money.
The funny thing is the people of Delmar will flock to the stands to see their team regardless of win or lose, and regardless of coaches. Delmar supports their teams and has more town spirit than any other town on the shore. This is not a negative reflection on the kids or the quality of education available from Delmar High School. Both are fantastic. Those of us speaking out, are simply calling a spade a spade so to speak.
Unless you are willing to provide PROOF of accusations you make against someone, I wish people would stop attacking someone's character.
It's just not right to do with what seems to be a personal agenda against the coach.
People are sued for less.
To Anon 2:35,
You're absolutely right! And if people would come forward, David would be sued!
If people would come forward....then why won't they? Do those parents have something to lose after all these years? I'm thinking sour grapes here. What kind of grudge do you have? If you have the proof and you had it at the time, why didn't YOU do anything about it? You have nothing.
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