Projects

70 years ago Sam Short, a grocery store owner in quiet Harrington, Delaware had a passion for making records. His company, Blue Hen Records, produced records for a variety of local and regional artists. Among his recordings are the first rock and roll records produced in Delaware, performed by a high school group, Jimmy Stayton and the Country Cats. Today Blue Hen is largely forgotten, but it's legacy remains--that of introducing rock and roll to Delaware. Funded by the Greater Harrington Historical Society and Delaware Humanities.

In May, 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education by the Supreme Court decision ruled segregation in the country's public schools unconstitutional. That September, Milford, Delaware attempted to integrate its high school. This documentary traces the history of desegregating the country's public schools and that initial failed attempt in Milford. The program then profiles the changes that led to the successful attempt in 1962. Produced by 302 Stories, Inc., and funded by Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc. and Delaware Humanities.

Agriculture is a one of the biggest contributors to Delaware's economy, and Delaware farms generate more revenue per acre than farms in 47 other states. Yet few people realize how significant agriculture is to the state, and that 96% of Delaware farms are family owned. Many of these families have worked Delaware soil for generations, and this program introduces viewers to some of them through an annual growing season.

At 102 years old, Ms. Browne has experienced a lot of Delaware history. This profile is taken from the video oral history interview we conducted with her as part of our effort to capture black history in Delaware. In it, she briefly recounts her growing up "black" in rural segregated Delaware. her interview, along with others, will be archived in the Delaware Public Archives for future research. Funded by Delaware Humanities and the Delaware Heritage Commission and Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc.

Many know Doug Gibson as an internationally recognized duck carver. But that "career" only began with his retirement at 65. He's now 98 and has a remarkable life story, which we recently captured as part the video oral histories we're gathering of elderly Delaware African Americans. Along with the other interviews, Mr. Gibson's interview will be archived in the Delaware Public Archives for future research. Our work has been funded by Delaware Humanities, the Delaware Heritage Commission and Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc.

This is one of three produced we produced this year on elderly African Americans living in Delaware. Doris Lambert and her husband were one of the first families to move into Dunleith, a housing development below Wilmington, established for African American veterans after WWII. Doris' entire interview will be archived in the Delaware Public Archives. Funding for this work has been provided by Delaware Humanities, the Delaware Heritage Commission and Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc.

Narrated by Rev. Dr. John G. Moore, Sr. This short video is one of a series we have produced profiling the experiences of African Americans growing up in segregated Delaware during the early to mid 20th century. The black experience varied greatly depending on where one lived in the state. Brothers Henry and George Evans grew up in Smyrna, Delaware in the 1930's. Their experience is briefly profiled in this short video segment, which was funded by the Delaware Heritage Commission, Delaware Humanities and Berkana, Center for Media and Education.

Narrated by Peter Coyote. Every spring two huge animal migrations congregate on the shores of Delaware Bay for different purposes. Millions of horseshoe crabs arrive to spawn and lay their eggs in the warming beach sand. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds on their way to the Arctic stop long enough to gorge themselves on the crab eggs. Today this gathering of millions of animals is considered one of the top ten environmental phenomena on the planet. For this reason, researchers from around the world come to study these animals and monitor their populations. The crabs and birds also attract local residents and the general public, who recognize the value of these species and express their concern in a variety of ways. This program profiles the ecology of the horseshoe crab/shorebird phenomenon, the work of the researchers, and the public's interaction with this world-class gathering. This program was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fair Play Foundation, and Delmarva Ornithological Society with inkind services provided by Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc.

Narrated by Liane Hansen. DuPont was one of three Delaware companies that contributed significantly to the Apollo 11 mission. This short segment recognizes their contribution and honors their effort.

As the season's first nor'easter passes through, we thought we would revisit the music video we produced to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the '62 Storm, Delaware's greatest natural disaster. Also known as the Ash Wednesday storm, this storm generated the highest tides ever recorded at the mouth of Delaware Bay, killed 7 Delawareans, and prompted changes in shoreline building construction. Lonnie Fields, the composer and singer, weathered the storm as a child in Bowers Beach, which is where the 7 lives were lost. Thank you Lonnie and Sand Creek for you ad hoc performance.

This brief video documents the installation of the live HD Nature Camera by 302 Stories, Inc. in 2016 at the DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve, Milford, Delaware. The camera system operates 24/7, is solar powered, and transmits a wireless high definition video signal to the Nature Center building located 1/5th of a mile away. Visitors can control the complete operation of the camera using a joystick, providing "up close and personal" views of shorebirds, horseshoe crabs and other wildlife. The camera's video is also tied to QR technology that allows any visitor with a cell phone or digital device to access the camera's live video feed as well as recorded highlights of wildlife activity. This integrated use of state of the art video, photovoltaic, wireless transmission and QR Code technologies could only be achieved through a partnership of a video design company (302 Stories, Inc.) and a Systems Technology Group (Saulsbery, Inc.)

Narrated by Bill Wilmore. Delaware State University is the state's "other university" and is celebrating its 125th year. It is also one of the country's premier Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Told through archival photos, interviews with alumni, faculty and students, the 52-minute program explores the remarkable history of this school and the struggle of African Americans to get a college education in one of the country's border states. Funded by Delaware Humanities and the Welfare Foundation with in-kind support from 302 Stories, Inc. and Berkana, Center for Media and Education, Inc.

Narrated by Eric Lee. This 18-minute video reviews the history (1995-2020) of the efforts by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to manage the horseshoe crab population on Delaware Bay. Initially extremely controversial, HSCs are now managed using a unique ecosystem approach, managing the crabs for shorebird needs as well as human use.

Narrated by Liane Hansen. ILC Dover was one of three Delaware companies that contributed significantly to the Apollo 11 mission. This short segment recognizes their contribution and honors their effort.

Narrated by Rev. Dr. John G. Moore, Sr. This short video is one of a series we have produced profiling the experiences of African Americans growing up in segregated Delaware during the early to mid 20th century. The black experience varied greatly depending on where one lived in the state. Reba Ross Hollingsworth grew up in Milford in the southern part of the state. Her experience is briefly profiled in this short video segment, which was funded by the Delaware Heritage Commission, Delaware Humanities and Berkana, Center for Media and Education.

Dirt track auto racing is an exciting, colorful and family-driven sport. Regional in nature, local fans have their favorite tracks, car classes and local heroes. Delmarva is no exception, where there is a great tradition of dirt track and generations of families that participate in it. Our upcoming second documentary about the dirt track auto racing tells the story of this unique sport and family culture found in southern Delaware, and is a preview of the second documentary that will follow in 2021.

Narrated by Liane Hansen. W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. was one of three Delaware companies that contributed significantly to the Apollo 11 mission. This short segment recognizes their contribution and honors their effort.

As part of our first documentary about dirt track auto racing, we felt it was important to cover the early years of the sport. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (www.emmr.org) is definitely "THE" place to visit to learn about and see this history. Located next to the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds in Latimore, PA, EMMR sponsors a number of events that showcase the colorful history of dirt track auto racing, using the historic Latimore Fairgrounds track and partnering with many of the area's other dirt tracks. We visited the Latimore Valley Fair and caught these vintage roadsters getting some track time. Look for our second documentary about dirt track auto racing sometime in 2021. Special thanks to "Nice Like Dat" for the original soundtrack.

This is a "short" that was shot at the Georgetown Speedway in Georgetown, DE, as it prepared to open for a new racing season. For the past four years, we've been researching the history of dirt track racing in the Delmarva/PA region. In addition to the history, we will be focusing on the Delmarva Chargers and Trucks, as well as the other classes. We have interviewed numerous passionate drivers, car and track owners, family and fans. Expect to see our second documentary about dirt track auto racing to be released sometime in 2021. Meanwhile, see you at the track!

The use of horseshoe crabs throughout history and today's challenges and competition for the use of horseshoe crabs and their successful management.