Authors on Delmarva Series To Feature Carol Psaros

Authors on Delmarva Series To Feature Carol Psaros

Think lower Delaware in the mid-1930s -- what comes to mind? Well, maybe – Chickens (the beginning of Delmarva Poultry industry) and plenty of low, swampy land swarming with Mosquitos! And the Great Depression.

Carol Kelley Psaros is a Delaware native who has written a fascinating account of this part of Delmarva during those times. But it is also a picture of the resiliency of the human spirit and a great depiction of friendships carved out of hard times. Central to the story is the friendship that was created in those times between Carol Psaros’ father Jim Kelley of Delmar and Jack Lewis, Delaware artist who painted the people and places they knew. Even more than all that, Psaros book, whose sub-title is The Art of Uncertain Times, recalls “the riverside playgrounds of Oak Orchard, Riverdale, and Rosedale Beach where jazz greats Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Louis Armstrong performed. It resurrects daily life in the CCC barracks camp in Lewes, at Fort DuPont …, and at the Seaford Nylon Plant as its employees worked around the clock to produce nylon for the war effort.”

The popular series of “book talks” by authors who live on Delmarva and write about Delmarva will present Dr. Psaros in this year’s second talk, and her book is called “Chickens and Mosquitos – Depression Day Delaware.” Psaros is a retired Delaware educator with experience as a high school and community college teacher, counselor, coach, and public school administrator. She began her career teaching English, health, and physical education at Dover High School in 1966 and retired in 2000 as Assistant Secretary of Education for the State of Delaware. She also is the author of Come Back To Bethany (2008), a story of families who live in Bethany Beach, DE during three different centuries.

This series is offered by Westside Historical Society as part of their mission to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the Nanticoke watershed/western Wicomico area. Programs begin with a meet-and-greet the author followed by an informal talk about his work. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and comment and participate in the discussion. There will be an opportunity to buy copies of the featured book at the end of the program. This series is free and light refreshments are provided. For more information email westsidehistorical@gmail.com , phone Westside Hist. Soc. At 410-726-8047 or Laura Layton at Layton’s Chance at 410-228-1205.